#that of course he got from his snowmobile racing years

[a-la-rascasse]

Gilles celebrates by drinking from his trophy after his amazing race on the slippery circuit of Gimli 🇨🇦, 1975. (Formula Atlantic)

[limerental]

ficletvember 2023 - day 22

Wildlife conservation expert Geralt is roped into helping Roche identify some endangered species potentially poached by the suspicious characters living in the hills.

in other words a horrible tw2 modern au with cop roche and redneck elves. apologies in advance lol

The drive cutting up through the hills had seen better days, washed out in ruts and pot-holed to hell. If somebody didn't know better, they'd say whoever had once lived at the end of this drive was long gone. Or at least not worth bothering.

They'd left the truck back by the main road. For all that it was big and black and mean with an ugly grille and flashing lights, it was useless on land like this. Geralt grabbed Roche's arm as the guy slipped on a skid of gravel. 

“The tread on those boots just for show too?” he asked, and Roche shook him off.

Geralt knew his type. Small-town nobody with something to prove, a transfer all the way from Vizima out to the podunk Pontar Valley who took his job far too seriously. He kept fiddling with the bent brim of the black baseball cap he wore, frowning like he was displeased it couldn't keep the fine mist of rain off his race.

Geralt had never liked cops much and would rather be coming up here alone. There'd been some tip about poached squirrels. Endangered species endemic to this area. Unfortunately, Geralt was one of the few wildlife conservation experts around who could give an ID. 

“It's just over this ridge,” Roche grunted. He looked nervous, like he wanted to go for the gun at his hip.

When they came up over the ridge, the drive sank again, piddling out into a browned yard cluttered with scrap that surrounded a single-wide trailer. Smoke chugged from the crooked pipe of a chimney. 

“Where'd this tip come from again?” asked Geralt. These people didn't look like they got into town much.  A pair of muddy ATVs and a snowmobile sat parked in a run in shed, and scattered around were a dozen more pieces and parts of varying vehicles that might run in a pinch.

“Doesn't matter,” said Roche. “We've got a warrant to search the premises. I'll talk to them. You keep an eye out.”

He pounded the front door with more vigor than Geralt figured was necessary. At first, it seemed like no one would answer. Maybe they'd heard them blundering up the drive and booked it out a back window. 

The door cracked, and a green eye set in an angular face appeared.

“Good to see you, officer,” drawled a nasally voice that did not sound at all sincere. “How nice of you to visit again. Two times in one week? Pity you didn't call first. I'd have invited you for supper.”

“Iorveth, open the door,” Roche sighed. “We got another tip. Brought in an expert this time.”

The door opened further to reveal an eyepatch covering part of a scarred cheek, and the slender, pointed ears of an elf. Geralt hadn't seen an elf in years. They were as much in danger of dying out as any endangered species he studied, but of course, with far less protections afforded to them.

Iorveth looked him up and down. 

“You're not from around here,” he said. 

“Neither are you,” said Geralt.

Iorveth's accent was a thick and woodsy drawl common to mountain folk. He'd guess Blue Mountains, where pockets of whole towns full of elves still lived. Geralt had been raised farther north and given up his mountain dialect in the hopes of getting any respect in his field.

Mostly that respect had just roped him into shit like this.

Roche shot him a look, clearly not pleased that Geralt had ignored that he'd said he would do the talking.

This Iorveth, according to Roche, was a regular son of a bitch surrounded by rumors of all sorts of suspicious activity, but no one had ever been able to pin him with anything. 

He had connections through his fugitive cousin Isengrim Faoiltiarna to the domestic terrorist Scoia'tael movement and was rumored to be associated with dangerous anarchist Saskia, not to mention being the likely source of most illicit moonshine and hash in the Valley.

“Don't make this difficult,” Roche said. His thumbs hitched in the front of his belt, not far from his holster.

“Of course, come on in,” said Iorveth. “Don't want to have to fix the doorjamb again.”

The inside of the trailer was plenty short on space but almost cozy, a galley kitchen looking out over a living room furnished with lumpy couches. The space was full of elves, more than Geralt had ever seen. Peeling potatoes at the sink. Plucking at the strings of a guitar. Feeding a crackling woodstove and stirring the pot that bubbled on top.

They all eyed the intruders with clear disdain.

“That look like endangered squirrel stew to you, Geralt?” Roche asked, and Geralt didn't bother to cross the room to take a look. The meat in the pot could be just about anything.

“Sorry, I'm a wildlife guy. Not much of a culinary expert,” said Geralt, shrugging. “Smells good though.”

“Am I going to find anything interesting in the back rooms, Iorveth?” Roche asked as he headed down the hallway, so narrow his shoulders brushed each wall.

“I'm sure you'd like that, officer,” said Iorveth, dripping with innuendo. 

With Roche's back turned, the elf nodded to Geralt, a brow quirking up. It took him a breath to notice the others in the room had gone still and tense. The curtains of the a window set high on the wall billowed in a breeze. 

He had a feeling Roche would find far more than squirrel pelts in a thorough search of the trailer. That this hadn't really been about the damn squirrels from the start.

The door to the back bedroom clicked open.

“Geralt!” Roche's voice carried, and in a flurry of activity most of the elves scattered through the open doorway. ATVs revved.

There was the sound of a scuffle from the back room. Still standing by the woodstove, Iorveth met his eye. 

Geralt had only a moment to make a choice.

Roche reappeared with splotches of color high on his cheeks and cap knocked off his head, barking requests for backup into his radio.

Before Iorveth scrambled up and through the window, he kicked over the woodstove, threadbare carpet and peeling wallpaper swiftly catching as burning logs scattered. Then, he bent back through the window to offer a hand.

Swearing under his breath, Geralt clasped their arms together and went through.

[f1]

Newey recalls the last-lap defeat which left Vettel absolutely distraught | RaceFans Round-up

In the round-up: Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey describes how Sebastian Vettel reacted to his famous last-lap defeat by Jenson Button in the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix. Join RaceFans on Facebook Don't miss anything from RaceFans - join us on Facebook here to see whenever a new article has been added: In brief Newey recalls podium that hurt Vettel and inspired team Vettel took pole and led all but two laps of the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix. He began the final lap in the lead, but a mistake halfway around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve allowed McLaren’s Jenson Button through to nab the win “Jenson beat him. And he was absolutely distraught at that because he felt he had not driven as well as he could have done, and therefore he had lost what should have been a dominant win,” Newey recalled in a Red Bull podcast. The defeat made a big impact on Vettel as he pursued his second world championship, Newey explained. “Everybody’s packing up the computers and everything in the engineering office around him while he just sat there going through the data with his engineer, going through the television feeds and stuff. He wanted to understand what he could do better should that situation arise again. “I think that dedication, that played through into the team as well. That meant that then the team often prepared to put in that extra mile because they saw his work and commitment that he was prepared to put in.” Alonso banks on needing extra engine Fernando Alonso has told his new Aston Martin team to plan on needing an extra power unit this year, The Objective reports. While the 2023 F1 calendar has expanded to a record 23 rounds this year, and could increase to 24 if China’s cancelled event is replaced or reinstated, drivers remain limited to a maximum of three power units. Using a fourth will trigger an automatic grid penalty. Alonso got through six Renault power units over the course of 22 events at Alpine last year due to various failures. However he is understood to have been impressed by the performance of the well-used Mercedes power unit in his car when he made his first appearance for Aston Martin during the post-season test at Yas Marina. Alonso will be powered by the three-pointed star this year for the first time since he drove for McLaren in 2007. Hamilton pays tribute to Ken Block Following the death of famous rally driver Ken Block in a snowmobile crash, seven-times F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton joined those paying tribute to the late American on social media. “Today I received news of the loss of a dear friend. I am devastated to hear of Ken Block’s passing. He was such an amazing person, always lived life to the fullest,” he wrote. “I remember our first time working together and how positive he was. So much talent behind the wheel. Years ago we had an amazing time heli skiing and snowboarding in Canada. We held so much respect for one another. He will truly be missed and my thoughts and prayers go to his beautiful family. Gone too soon. Rest in peace, Ken.” R-ace GP reveals FRMEC line-up French team R-ace GP have revealed six drivers for their four-car attack on the Formula Regional Middle East Championship. Two of the drivers, Levente Revesz and Formula 4 graduate Nikhil Bohra, will do all five rounds of the series which runs through January and February. Francesco Braschi and Martinius Stenshorne will share the third car, with Braschi doing the first two rounds and Nicolas Todt’s protege Stenshorne doing the remaining three. In the fourth car, British F4 runner-up Matias Zagazeta will do rounds one to three then hand over to ADAC F4 runner-up Tim Tramnitz. Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free Happy birthday! Happy birthday to Anne Lambert, Timi, Bosley and Gitanes! On this day in motorsport Born on this day in 1989: Future IndyCar race-winner Graham Rahal, son of multiple IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net/

[floraflow]

Our First Second Date... Sorta

WOWOWOWOW (≧◡≦) ♡

So James and I went on our first date today! Well, first second date, or whatever... xD don’t worry, I’ll tell you ALLLL about it!

We met at the Hideaway, which is this cute little coffee shop across the street from the library. I was so excited and nervous as I made my way across the street after work, I thought I might explode. Will this feeling ever subside? Or am I just going to feel like this always and I’ll just have to deal with it?? Anyway, when I walked in, I saw him sat all the way in the back. He jumped up and met me at the front. He paid for our food and drinks (for food, I got a grilled chicken sandwich with pesto and mozzarella, and for a drink, I got a latte).

So we sat in the back, in this private lil’ alcove. As I pretended to enjoy my latte (this was the day I discovered I don’t like coffee LOL), we talked and talked and talked. I was still really nervous, of course, because I’m me and I overthink everything even as I’m saying it, but the convo felt surprisingly easy-going. He didn’t have that air of superiority and aloofness that most of the other kids at school have. Even Christa, who is really sweet, still had that aura of untouchability. But with James... idk, it just felt like he was really opening up to me and I could open up to him too without fear of judgement. 

We talked about school and how I feel like at school, I have to be so aware and self-conscious about how I come across? It makes me feel like I can’t say ANYTHING. It’s like I walk around on auto-pilot, too afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing, that I don’t do or say anything AT ALL. Instead, I’m just trapped in my own head, exhaustively overanalyzing everything.

I realized I was kinda rambling and quickly clammed up and was like “sorry for rambling” but he just said, “I get that.” And he looked like he really meant it too. Not just like he was saying it to make me feel better.

I told him about how I was invited to the New Year’s Eve party at Bradley’s. He grimaced and said, “Yeah, ironically, that’s usually the biggest rager of the year. Which is why I usually don’t go.” I asked him why that was ironic and he revealed that Bradley’s dad is literally THE SHERIFF. Bradley Hawthorne is probably the biggest partier and underage drinker in all of Nettlebrook, but now that makes sense. He can do whatever he wants, it’s not like his dad is gonna throw him in jail!

James said things tend to get out of hand really quickly. Last year, a bunch of guys got totally wasted and went streaking, and the year before that, Bradley and another guy raced their snowmobiles down the hill. The other guy crashed and ended up in the hospital! But of course, nobody ever got in trouble.

He said the whole reason he invited me to Christa’s party was because his friends were hounding him to. HE doesn’t even enjoy going to parties most of the time. He also clarified that he wanted to hang out with me, just that he didn’t necessarily want to do that at a party (he was kinda blushing, I think!!! EEEEE). He said sorry again for what happened. He looked down and got really uncomfortable, then revealed to me that he suffers pretty badly from anxiety. He looked up at me really nervously, as though he thought I would be horrified by that.

I told him that I think I do too and he seemed to relax a bit. He said he’s had it since he was a kid, and his friends would make fun of him for being “sensitive” and a “chicken.” He said they still kinda do. I asked him why he was friends with them, if they treat him that way. He said they grew up together their whole lives. Their parents are all friends. He doesn’t really have a choice.

I could tell there was something different about James, something I could relate to. I guess we both are kind of outcasts, in our own way.

We also talked about music! It turns out we like a lot of the same artists and bands!!! Green Day, Muse, Coldplay, The Cure, even Paramore (I was not yet ready to reveal how to him OBSESSED I am with MCR and Evanescence). He also really likes David Bowie and says I should listen to his music. He hadn’t heard anything by Kate Bush, so I told him that that is his winter break homework LMAO! xD

He says he would still really like to hang out and play music sometime. Or just listen to music (he has a record player!!!). I was like, “Yes, absolutely!” but he warned me that his house isn’t as extravagant or well-kept as Christa’s or his other friends’ houses. I told him I could literally care less (cuz I don’t care LOL, I basically live in a shoe box). In fact, that’s kind of a relief to hear, cuz just being in as grand and luxurious a house as Christa’s made me really anxious. 

Anyway, we were so immersed in our conversation that we barely touched our food. I realized how dark it had gotten outside and remembered I needed to get home for dinner. As I stood up from our table, he did too and we kinda stared at each other for a second. My heart was pounding again. I wanted to hug him. I wanted to hold him close. I wanted to KISS him.

But my brain went numb and I was like, “this was really fun!!” and then I REACHED OUT MY HAND AND I JUST KIND OF AWKWARDLY BRUSHED IT AGAINST HIS SHOULDER????? Like I basically just limply pawed at him??? He was like “yeah” but also looked kind of confused at what I was doing and I just spun around and zoomed out the door before I could further embarrass myself.

OH MY GOD OH MY OGD OH MY GOD WHY WHY WHY AM I LIKE THIS

I’m so so so embarrassed like WHAT WAS THAT

LOL but it went well besides that lil’ hiccup at the end there! I might leave out the last part when I tell Ana cuz I know she will never let me live it down. UGHHHHHH I AM IN PHYSICAL PAINNNNNNNN

[jewishlensnart]

So it’s the holiday season, which in a lot of households means presents. You know who has more merch than almost any other Flash villain (1. being Reverse Flash as of my last count)? Captain Cold!

Have a Len lover in your life? Need to give your family gift ideas? Peep this list, y’all!

I used to own...basically everything with Len on it. I had the largest Flash collection in the southern US until about 3 years ago, when I sold the vast majority of it, and gave away even more. These reviews come from in-hand experience. Let’s start with the Original Lad:

DC Direct Captain Cold

Holy macaroni, was this figure terrible. Yes it was comic-accurate at the time, but you could not pose it, you could not keep it standing, and the face when you removed the glasses? Nightmare fuel. Still, it was a figure from 2001, and they really were doing their best, so I’d have to rate this guy a 2 out of 5.

These next two came out around roughly the same time, but could not be more different in quality. First up, DC Direct Justice Captain Cold

Strictly speaking, this figure was beautiful. Yeah it was in the hyper-realistic style of Alex Ross, who I’ve never been a fan of, but it was toned down in a way that made it less uncanny valley. The figure had stubble painted on, and if you removed the hood (which you technically could but shouldn’t), he had hair under there! But still, this was a DC Direct figure from 2008, so it had all the same flaws that a figure from that time period tended to have: absolutely a bitch to pose, hard to keep upright without the base (I let mine lean against the wall whenever I needed the base for even more precarious figures), joints prone to snapping if you worked him too hard. Still, by far my favorite of the DC Direct/Collectibles Len figures, if not my favorite full-size figure. 4.5 of 5.

Meanwhile in big box stores across the nation, DC Universe Classics was releasing their best wave yet, wave 7. Man, I had that whole thing aside from Aquaman; Big Barda, Flash, Kid Flash, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, and of course, Captain Cold

This is the ugliest Len figure. Hands down, the least visually appealing. Which is a shame, because it’s also one of the best! Completely comic accurate until you hit the upper torso/head area, a ridiculous amount of articulation, with the single best cold gun of any of these figures...but jfc that expression. The weird poncho/hood always bothered me too, because while it was almost comic accurate, something just threw it off the track and made it look more ridiculous than cool. 3.5 out of 5.

After the New 52 hit, DC Collectibles released 2 Captain Cold figures in rapid succession, one that was packaged alone, and one that came as part of a 7-figure set

Can you spot the differences? There’s just one: the Len from the 7-figure set is in a dark blue suit, and doesn’t come with the ice mace and ice dagger. Like all DC Direct figures before them, these DC Collectibles figures are pretty to look at, but offer very little in the way of articulation. They could be hard to keep upright, which was annoying, as neither came with a stand, and do not try to take off the hood. Nothing under there. Still, they were very pretty depictions of a popular redesign, so I feel alright giving these guys a 3 of 5.

DC Collectibles spat out a final Len figure for the CWverse line back in 2015

As a big fan of Wentworth Miller and his face, I feel this figure could have been better. I mean, I’ve seen Arrowverse figures that are spot on, and this one just is not. Maybe it’s because the goggles obscure a good portion of the face, I don’t know. That being said, I love this figure, and it’s actually one I re-bought at a convention recently, along with the Heatwave figure from the same line, that hadn’t been released when I’d started selling off all of my toys. The costume is show-accurate, the figure comes with an extra set of hands, and the gun is just really cool. This is a solid 4 of 5 figure.

These next toys aren’t action figures per say, as they don’t do much in the way of action, but they’re cute and I like them, for the most part.

Funko took over the market and the world back in 2010 when it first introduced the Pop Vinyl figures, but it took a hit TV show to get Flash villains other than the Reverse Flash into production. There are 3 Captain Cold Funko products currently out, the two Pop Vinyls and a Re-Action figure

Now, I love the first Pop Vinyl. The round, lifeless black eyes of the Pops have freaked me out for a long time, but with Len in his sweet goggles, this Pop is perfect for me. I actually have him on a shelf in my closet. The variant...look, I like how they included the actual real-life hairline Wentworth Miller has, but those creepy eyes just kill it for me. The Re-Action figure, by the way, is garbage. They’re supposed to be based on the lines of toys that came out back in the 80s, but all that means to me is little to no articulation, weird molds that look nothing like the character they’re supposed to be, and few if any accessories. Why is he wearing a tie??? Just. The worst. 5 of 5 for Pop 1, 3 of 5 for Pop 2, and 1 of 5 for the Re-Action figure.

There are a bunch of figures that came out before Funko’s reign that have little to no articulation, and here they are:

Action League Citizen Cold, from the Batman: The Brave and the Bold line

I love a good boy??? 5 of 5, absolutely perfect. No you can’t pose him, but he already comes in a dynamic, interesting pose. This is my absolute favorite of all the non-poseable figures, and I miss mine all the time.

Imaginext, a line of toys for very young superhero fans, made a New 52 Captain Cold a few years back

Honestly, Imaginext toys are ridiculous, and I love every single one of them. They’re great toys for little kids, and yeah, Len is completely bald underneath that hoodie and ice gun backpack, but he has a snowball cannon to compensate with, so who’s the real loser?! 5 of 5, beautiful.

Did you kno w that back in 2011, McDonalds put out a line of Happy Meal Young Justice toys featuring Captain Cold??? Did you want to know? Too bad, you know now.

My dad’s dog chewed up his ice projectile, rendering the actual immobile figure completely useless...but I still really like it??? Like, it’s a toy that came with food that I sweet-talked the counter guy into giving me. It’s a worthless little nothing of a toy...but I still like it. 3 of 5.

Pocket Heroes were a weird little line of 3-inch figures that came in two-packs. One of those packs contained Flash and Captain Cold

You can basically only move their arms and legs, and while this figure comes with a cold gun and a remarkably ripped set of abs and pecs, the design never really appealed to me. 2.5 out of 5.

I collected MiniMates once upon a time. 2.5 inch figures that were basically fancy LEGOs? Deal me in! ViniMates are uh. Not that.

ViniMates are 6-inch figures and I Do Not Like Them. Being made of vinyl makes them almost completely free of articulation, so the post you get them in is the one they stay in. Also, this one is based on the show-interpretation of Len and it seems to be smoldering at me. Don’t like that. 1 out of 5.

On the other end of the vinyl spectrum, the Mini-Mezitz line from Mezco is simply delightful.

Mini-Mezitz were 2-inch figures with articulation in their arms, legs, and neck joints. I love mine, and they have been hanging out on the top of my bookcase for like 7 years now. 4 out of 5, absolutely weird-dorable.

Eaglemoss once put my blog on the front page of their website without telling me, back when I was actively snapping pictures of my Flash collection. The Eaglemoss lead figures, once you get past the fact that yes, these dudes are made of painted lead so maybe handle with care, are a good staple in any collection. Captain Cold got two

Both Eaglemoss figures came with information booklets about Captain Cold, though the chess piece New 52 version focused almost solely on his New 52 history. They’re both very detailed, and I really like them. 3.5 out of 5.

I never watched Thomas the Tank Engine as a kid...but I saw this weirdass thing in a HomeGoods one day and just kinda. Stopped and stared.

He’s a train. Len is a train now. Don’t like it. 1 out of 5.

So there’s this company called Kotobukiya. They’re most famous for their bishoujo statues, but they make guys too. I had the Flash Kotobukiya statue, back in the day. I was not collecting Flash stuff when they made a Captain Cold one.

I’m actually apparently getting this as a gift from my boyfriend for Hanukkah. He finally got access to my wishlist. This statue is based on the Francis Manapul New 52 redesign, and it is what we call Big Sexy. Frankly, I give it a 5 out of 5.

No offense to Wentworth Miller, but my favorite Captain Cold TV appearance is always going to be his role in the JLU episode, Flash and Substance.

The JLU figures were all godawful, but hell if we as a fandom didn’t gobble them up back in the day. I had all the available Rogues, Len, Heatwave, Captain Boomerang, Weather Wizard, “Justice Lords Flash” (who was really just Reverse Flash, let’s be real), Mirror Master...it’s the most complete set of Rogues you can get, actually. But they were terrible figures; the Dorito-like shape of the shoulder to waist ratio combined with the narrow feet of the figure guaranteed that these toys would not stay upright without a stand. They had no articulation, and most came without weapons. But you could get three-packs of them in Target for like $12, and they were designed with children in mind, so. 3.5 out of 5, because frankly, the Timmverse designs will always tug at my nostalgia strings.

Captain Cold is available in two official LEGO forms

The first is from the Mighty Macros line, and features Len vs the Flash in a racecar vs snowmobile race. It’s very cute and easy to build. The second is the more challenging Gorilla Grodd Goes Bananas set, which also includes Flash, Grodd, and strangely enough, Batman and Wonder Woman. I never owned that set, and it’s pretty hard to find these days, regularly running $80 and up. Both sets are a 5 out of 5, though, because LEGO does not mess around when it comes to quality fun.

I saved my favorites for last. In the 70s, there was a line of toys called MEGOs, which were plastic-bodied toys with cloth suits. Mattel, and later the Figures Toy Company, would both do their own versions of Captain Cold

The first version, by Mattel, is amazing. Mine is literally sitting next to me as I type this. I took him to Universal with me when I won a trip to Halloween Horror Nights back in 2015, I take him to the movies with me when I don’t have anyone else to go with, he’s my little buddy. My dad’s dog, again, chewed his left arm completely off at one point, but I don’t care. I love him. As for the Figures Toys version, I actually won a fairly cheap auction for him earlier this week, so we shall see! I don’t know if I like how he has the whole “Super Friends hypothermia Len” look going on, but I do like how his costume isn’t just cheap, tearable vinyl. We shall see what’s under that hood soon. I give the Mattel one a 5 out of 5 for the years of joy he’s given me. The Figures Toys one is pending, but I’m gonna give a tentative 4 out of 5, because it really does look nice.

You could get Len in other forms, like as a game piece in the Heroclix and Dice Masters games, as a paintable figure for a Batman tabletop roleplaying game, as trading cards, as a set of guitar picks, as a card holder, as a very hard to find but still lovely statue from DC Direct, in official pin form from Funko and Fansets, on an old 7-Eleven cup, and of course, in the pages of the comics...but I’ve always liked toys, so that’s what I decided to go over. Hope y’all enjoyed this, and maybe got some ideas for your own collections.

[bloomsburgu]

How this alumna went from respected business leader and Army veteran to state treasurer

By Tom McGuire Marketing and Communications

To say Stacy Garrity ’86 is not your typical politician is an understatement. She went from political unknown to winning a state row office, a journey that has taken the Bradford County native around the world. Her election victory shocked even the most optimistic of supporters and has suddenly thrust her into the thick of the political world.

So how did the Athens resident and retired Army Reserve colonel make it to Harrisburg as Pennsylvania’s new state treasurer?

The oldest of four daughters of Howard Garrity and Beverly Arbie, “we were raised to be about God, country, and family,” says Garrity. “We went to church every Wednesday and Sunday. In the summer, we attended vacation Bible school, and every morning at school, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance. And on top of everything, no matter what, I had to watch out for my sisters.”

“My parents were very encouraging,” says Garrity. “They always made it a big thing to say that whatever you put your mind to do, you can do it. I grew up just believing it in a naive sort of way.”

Following graduation from Sayre High School, Garrity knew she was going to college. It was something her parents drilled into her and her sisters. However, the first-generation student admits she didn’t put much thought into what school she would attend. “My reason for [first] choosing Lock Haven was simple; my friends were going there.”

“I wasn’t well-traveled and lived a pretty sheltered life, soI figured I could carpool and come back home on the weekends,” Garrity says. “After a year of adjusting to college life, I realized I should look for a school with more of a focus on business, which is what I was interested in. When I looked around, I saw that Bloomsburg had a very good program and so I transferred.”

As a student, Garrity was intrigued by business and economics and how markets function. It was a field dominated by males in the 1980s, which did not worry her in the least. At BU, Garrity studied finance and accounting and was influenced by then chair of the accounting and business law department, the late Bernard Dill.

“Professor Dill was very engaging with his students,” Garrity recalls. “He was funny, he was motivating, and he made me take a strong interest in the major.”

Garrity, a runner in high school, also found time to be a varsity cheerleader, but more importantly, she joined the Army ROTC on the encouragement of her parents, both 20-year Navy Reserve veterans.

“Basic training was an eye-opening experience. I wasn’t mentally prepared for people being in my face and yelling. We weren’t allowed to call home for a few weeks, and when we did, of course, my mom immediately said forget it and to come home. My dad said never quit. So, I stayed so I wouldn’t disappoint my father.”

“My dad supported us and told us ‘whatever your mind believes you can achieve, you can achieve’ and that ‘winners never quit, and quitters never win.’ It stuck with me.”

After graduating from BU, Garrity joined Global Tungsten and Powders Corporation , or GTP, in Towanda and advanced through several positions, becoming vice president of two of GTP’s three business units. She was VP for government affairs and industry liaison before stepping down to assume her elected position.

At the same time, Garrity was a member of the Army Reserve, but certainly had no plans for what would become a 30-year military career.

“My original idea was to do my six years and then get out. Of course, after 9/11, I went to Kuwait. That was my first deployment. Upon returning home, I just could not bring myself to get out. I felt I needed to stay and serve our country.”

GTP management shared Garrity’s commitment to the Reserve. “At some companies, when you return from a deployment, management will try to reorganize you out. But every time I got back from a deployment, GTP would promote me. They are a great company that has been around for more than 100 years. We have many third-generation employees. And, of course, they were always very proud of me and my work.”

“The entire GTP Group organization has deep respect for Stacy,” says Hermann Walser, president and CEO. “She is always looking beyond her direct responsibilities. The well-being of all stakeholders, customers, employees, community, and country, is her priority. Her ability to motivate and convince people, to communicate, and to network are unique. We will desperately miss her in this function, as well as a member of our GTP family.”

During her last overseas deployment in 2008-09, Garrity earned the nickname “Angel of the Desert” while serving as the acting battalion commander of the military police at Camp Bucca in southern Iraq.“Our mission was to provide care and custody with dignity and respect to the 7,000 detainees.”

“To make sure all the rules and regulations were being followed, I would walk the camp after midnight because I always said nothing good happens after midnight. I would walk with the senior staff and just check on soldiers. Then we would have meetings and make sure everything was going OK.”

“We also had a deal that as long as the detainees weren’t doing anything to hurt our soldiers, then we would allow family visitation or even some soccer matches. The detainees would also get videos once a week. But, among our staff, we had zero tolerance for abuse. We were the first internment facility to have zero abuse allegations. I’m very proud of that fact.”

Garrity’s outstanding work in Iraq did not go unnoticed. She was twice awarded the Bronze Star and received the Legion of Merit before retiring from the Army Reserve with the rank of colonel. Back in Bradford County, she and her husband Dan Gizzi, married since 2005, kept busy with water skiing, snowmobiling and running. But the desire to serve others was always an itch.

“As I was thinking about what to do, volunteer work and politics were two of my choices. I’ve always liked politics, so I called our state representative Tina Pickett, who I knew from my job in government affairs since my real passion is the industrial base and making sure that we keep jobs in the United States.”

Pickett recommended jumping into the race for Tom Marino’s U.S. Congressional seat after his resignation. “The next day she had me lined up with a political consultant, and they pushed me right into the deep end.” Despite 31 candidates in the race, Stacy finished a respectable sixth. That showing led the state GOP leadership to reach out to her in late 2019 to gauge her interest in running for statewide office.

“I started praying about it, and I thought, OK, Lord, if you want me to do this, then open the doors. And, he did, and then I still was pretty hesitant. When the GOP leadership said they couldn’t find anyone to run for treasurer, I decided, if not me, then who’s going to do it.”

Shortly after making the decision to run and receiving the state Republican Party’s endorsement to challenge incumbent Democrat Joe Torsella, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“Trying to campaign and raise money during a pandemic was hard. I had to go total grassroots with the odds stacked against me. A Republican had not defeated an incumbent Democrat since 1994. Many people told me ‘Stacy, you’re running a great campaign, but there’s no way you can beat this guy.’”

As Election Day grew closer and the polls showed a tight race, Torsella mounted an advertising blitz with a campaign chest of more than $2 million. But on election night, as results showed her in the lead, she was cautiously optimistic. A week later her opponent called to concede. She had pulled off a win no one had expected. “Joe was extremely gracious and very helpful in the transition. I’m sure it was tough for him because he was told there’s no way you’re going to lose to somebody from Bradford County who had never run before.”

At her swearing-in ceremony in January, Garrity did something most unusual. She offered Torsella an opportunity to deliver some remarks. “Joe rose above politics and helped ensure a smooth transition. As we say in the military, thanks for your service.”

In her inaugural address, Garrity touched upon several key points that have been a part of her life. “Service to others, be it in elected office or wearing the uniform of our country, is the highest calling.”

“Getting the job done in good faith and with honest effort is the watchword by which I promise to serve. I say we look ahead to a place of optimism and cooperation.”

Garrity says her goal for the office is to make transparency a top priority and put taxpayers first. “Putting those checks and balances in place is what I want to focus on so that we can make sure that we’re being a good steward of our taxpayers’ money. Taking transparency to the next level is something that I want to do, and then probably further enhancing the savings programs.”

Throughout her journey from rural Pennsylvania to the battlefields of Iraq and then through the rigors of a political campaign, Garrity has never forgotten her roots. Her advice to young girls and women is to remain true to your values.

“I’ve really tried to live my life with integrity, selfless service, honor, loyalty, and duty. If somebody like me from Bradford County, who grew up on the left side of middle-class, can put myself through college, join the military, then work in manufacturing and become the first female vice president in my company, deploy three times overseas, and retire a colonel, then anyone can do it.”

As for the next part of the Stacy Garrity journey, only one person knows for sure.

“People have already called me about running for other offices, and I’ve told them I campaigned on staying in the job for four years and want to be the best treasurer I can for the people of Pennsylvania. And then we’ll see what God has in store for me.”

Spoken like a true non-politician.

[pyrewrites]

Could you write something for the ot3 from the librarians for the holidays? Your writing is great!

Ok. So I got this just before xmas LAST YEAR. Came up with the idea and started on it then. The shit happened and writing stopped being a thing I could do for several months. Things got a bit better and by the time I came back it wasn’t the holidays any more so it got back burnered. Then more shit happened. Lather, rise, repeat. Now a year later I’m finally done (which is honestly embarrassing as shit considering it’s not even 4k long). But here it is. (Also thank you)

Read it on Ao3

May The Spirit BeWith You

This was not how I planned on spending my Christmas Eve.Was the last thought to cross Jacob Stone’s mind before he lostconsciousness.

Flynn had been planning this vacation for weeks. After everythingthat had happened since the rest of the team had come to the Library,they all agreed he and Eve had more than earned a break. On the daythey were to leave Eve, of course, was fretting over leaving Jake,Cassandra, and Ezekiel without a Guardian.

“Relax Baird.” Jake said. “We can handle it. Jenkins and Flynnboth say this time of year is usually pretty quiet.”

“Oh really?” Eve cocked an eyebrow. “Need I remind you of ourfirst Christmas?”

“No. But the Serpent Brotherhood has gone to ground and Jenkinstalked to Gretchen and she has a team watching Santa’s back.”Cassandra added. “Everything is going to be just fine.”

“And what if it’s not?” Eve countered.

“Eve.” Flynn said gently. “They are going to be fine withoutus for a couple weeks. Jones is like a cat. The kid’s got nine lives.At least. Who knows how many more he’s stolen.”

Eve chuckled.

“And Stone and Cassandra watch each others backs even better thanyou do.” Flynn whispered.

“You’ve got a point.” Eve whispered back.

“Yes I do.” Flynn grinned at her.

“Fine.” Eve turned to the team. “But if anything comesup call me.”

“Will do.” Ezekiel snapped off a salute.

Eve gave the three of them a hug then she and Flynn left through theBack Door.

The team, Jenkins included, had agreed the moment Flynn told themabout the trip that nothing short of an apocalypse would get them tointerrupt this trip. Even that wasn’t going to be enough for them tocall on her birthday. Especially after Cassandra had suggested thatmaybe Flynn was going to propose.

To that end Ezekiel pulled Eve’s phone out of his pocket. He hadlifted it when Eve hugged them. He tossed it to a giggling Cassandra,who placed it in Eve’s desk right next to Flynn’s phone that he hadintentionally left behind. Meanwhile Jake was unhooking the Back Doorfor the rest of the day, unless a case came up, so Eve couldn’t comeback for her phone. They knew she wouldn’t truly relax and enjoyherself if she could check in on them a dozen times a day.

The three of them shared a high five, then went back to work.

It had been a quiet week, not counting the email they had allreceived from Eve once she realized her phone was missing. TheClippings Book didn’t go off once, until the morning of ChristmasEve, sending them to a logging town in northern Canada.

They stumbled out of the bathroom in the bar in town.

“Again?” Jake grumbled. “I am getting so sick of the Back Doorfinding the closest bathroom every single place we go. We need to getJenkins to fix that.”

Ezekiel tried not to laugh as he closed his Back Door app andslipped his phone into his pocket.

“Does anything seem wrong around here?” Cassie asked lookingaround.

“Like what?” Ezekiel said.

“The place is empty.” Cassie replied. “Shouldn’t there bepeople?”

“Not necessarily.” Jake said. “Especially if this is a companytown. The bar won’t open until end of shift. No way they would enablepeople to be drunk on the job. That’s the way it worked in everycompany town I’ve lived in.”

“Oh. That makes sense.” Cassie said.

“But we should find a door we can leave unlocked in case we needto get back in here before they open.” Jake said.

“On it.” Ezekiel called, having already wandered off to takestock of their surroundings. “Hey Stone? You said you’ve worked inplaces like this right?”

“Yeah. Why?” Jake called back.

“Is it normal for the back room of a bar to have several weeksworth of dust on every surface?” Ezekiel shouted.

“Maybe. Especially if there’s a place in town that serves food sothe bar doesn’t have to.” Jake said as Ezekiel walked back into theroom.

“Even the beer?” Ezekiel said holding up a dusty six pack ofbottles.

“Uh, maybe.” Jake shrugged. “It’s a logging town. So I guessthey might shut down for Christmas. I got some holidays off when Iwas working projects that didn’t need monitoring. Building pipelinesthat weren’t in use yet. That kind of junk. Anything that could beshut down for a few days or weeks.”

“Guys.” Cassie said from where she stood at the front window. “Idon’t think we are going to need to worry about anybody noticing ifwe leave the front door unlocked.”

“What’s up?” Ezekiel said as he and Jake headed for Cassie.

“The front door on the house across the way has been ripped offit’s hinges.” Cassie said without looking away. “Something badhas already happened here.”

Jenkins was in his lab when he heard the familiar rumble of the BackDoor, followed by the slamming of the door.

“JENKINS! QUICK QUESTION!” Came Cassandra’s screaming voice fromthe main room of the Annex.

The obvious panic in her voice sent him charging from his lab,consideration for setting his experiment into a safe standbyforgotten. He rounded the corner to find Cassandra, alone, covered insnow, pacing in front of the Back Door.

“Miss Cillian! Where are Mister Stone and Mister Jones?” Jenkinssaid as he crossed the room quickly.

“Taken. I hope.” Cassandra said as she spun to face him,slightly wild eyed.

“You hope?” Jenkins cocked an eyebrow. “By who?”

“Humanoid. Extremely gaunt, like a skeleton wrapped in grayishskin and matted dark fur. Jagged teeth. Claws. Between seven andtwelve feet tall. Bullets and getting hit by snowmobiles only seem tomake them mad.” Cassandra listed off quickly.

“That sounds like a Wendigo. If it is a Wendigo we have to hurry.If Misters Jones and Stone are not dead yet they will be soon.”Jenkins said. “But I have never know your observations to be soimprecise. Seven to twelve feet is quite a wide range.”

“That’s why I came back. I need to know how to stop them.”Cassie flailed. “But if being precise is that important. Thetallest one was eleven feet ten and one half inches tall. The ne-”

“The tallest one?” Jenkins snapped. “This is very, verybad. Wendigo are solitary and extremely territorial creatures. Therehas never been even a single report more than one in any givenlocation.”

“That is all very fascinating. But how do we stop them before theykill Jake and Ezekiel?” Cassandra snapped, bringing Jenkins’attention back to the matter at hand.

“Ah, yes. Wendigo are generally impervious to nearly all types ofphysical damage.” He began and Cassandra impatiently waved her handfor him to get to the point. “But fire can both injure and kill aWendigo quite efficiently.”

“I don’t suppose we have a flamethrower around here?” Cassandrasaid offhandedly as she started waving her hands in front of her,obviously doing calculations of some sort.

“No. But I do believe we have something that might work in asimilar fashion.” He said, sorting through his mental inventory ofitems in the Library. “However it does take some time to rechargeas it were, between uses. It would leave you quite vulnerable againstmultiple opponents.”

Cassandra continued calculating for several more moments until hereyes lit up and she let out a triumphant cry.

“Would supercharged plasma work?” She asked as she spun on herheel.

“Why yes. I do believe it would.” He said as a small smilespread across his face. “What do you have in mind?”

“You’ll see. But first I need to fetch something from the Teslaarchives.” She said as she connected the Back Door to the Libraryelevator.

“And I can retrieve the artifact I have in mind.” He said. “Thenyou must tell me what happened. Multiple Wendigo in one location ismost dire.”

“We didn’t find any signs that anybody was left in the town.”Cassandra continued her rapid recitation of events as they steppedoff the elevator. “We located the maintenance garage. There were acouple maps on the wall. One showing where the most recent work areais, the other showing how to get to the next closet town over ahundred and fifty kilometers away. There were a half dozensnowmobiles in the garage along with a few flatbed trailers thatJacob said were probably the property of the logging company and wereleft behind by drivers going to take other jobs during the shutdownfor the holidays.”

Jenkins nodded and occasionally hummed an agreement as he followedher to her lab.

“We decided to take the snowmobiles and investigate the work sitebecause Jacob said that there could likely be a shelter on the way toor at the worksite in case of quick moving severe weather. He alsofound a bolt action rifle that he brought with us, primarily to scareoff any predators looking for food but also in case whatever hadcaused such damage to the town was still in the area. For all thegood that did.” A hint of panic started to creep back into hervoice. “So on the way up there Ezekiel was trying to goad Jake intoracing. When he finally got annoyed with Ezekiel’s pestering and gavein Ezekiel rushed his ready, set, go and took off before Jake evennoticed. Ezekiel was approximately fifty yards ahead of Jake whenthis thing came charging out of the woods and knocked him off hissnowmobile. Jake stopped and fired a shot in the air to try to scareit off. It just turned and sort of roared at him. So jake tried toshot it on the shoulder. He hit it on the first try, but that justmade it angry. It didn’t even seem to bleed. Then it charged at himso he charged it with his snowmobile, when he got close he dove offand let it slam into the Wendigo. That knocked it off it’s feet, butit got back up. That was when another one came out of the treesbehind Jake and hit him so hard he flew at least twenty-five feet.Before he even hit the ground four more emerged from the trees. Jakewas still conscious, at least for a little bit, and he yelled for meto get out of there and come back for help. So here we are.”

Cassandra gasped for breath once she finally stopped.

“This is very bad. According to legend if two Wendigo come intocontact they will try to kill each other until one of them retreatsor dies. But these six, at least, seem to be working in concert. Notto mention their primary food source is human beings.” Jenkinspaced. “But that might actually work in our favor on this occasion.Between Mister Jones and Mister Stone being split at least six wayswould barely even serve as a snack.”

“So you’re saying they are probably still alive?” Cassandra saidas she quickly gathered her tools and supplies.

“Yes. That is a distinct possibility, despite the utterlyterrifying nature of the situation.” He said. “How long do youthink this project will take?”

“I hope no longer than twenty minutes to make sure my calculationsare correct and test.” Cassandra looked at the schematics on herwork table. “After that the rest should go quickly, especially withyour help.”

“Excellent. While you work on the prototype I will fetch my winterclothes and a pair of more suitable footwear.” With that he turnedand strode out of Cassandra’s lab.

Jake groaned as the pounding in his head pulled him back toconsciousness. He blinked several times trying to get his eyes tofocus, but all he saw was fuzzy whiteness.

“Welcome back to the land of the living, mate.” Ezekiel’s voicecame from his left.

Jake turned his head and continued to blink until his eyes finallymanaged to focus on a very unusual sight. Ezekiel was standing withhis hands over his head and his hair was standing on end.

“What the hell are you doing Jones? And where the hell are we?”Jake grumbled.

“If I had to guess, I’d say Hoth.” The thief smirked. “And Itell you now if a Wampa walks in here I’m telling it to eat youfirst.”

Jake just stared in confusion.

“Empire?” Ezekiel offered.

“What?” Jake grumbled.

“Empire Strikes Back?” Ezekiel offered.

“Is this more of your Galaxy Trek Doctor Whatchamacallitnonsense?” Jake spat.

“It’s Star Wars, and you should show some respect.” Ezekielsmirked.

“Whatever.” Jake grumbled. “And what the hell are you doingwith your hands?”

The thief just pointed at his feet. Jake looked and saw that hisfeet were encased in ice. He then looked at his own feet to find themsimilarly trapped. He let his head fall loose expecting his chin tohit his chest. Instead his head fell backwards and sent his entirebody swaying. He looked up at his own arms above his head, thenbeyond his hands to several feet away to find lots of loose rocks,snow and a few bones scattered across the ceiling.

“Dammit Jones.” Jake snapped once the realization hit. “Whydidn’t you just say we are hanging upside down?”

“Because this was way more entertaining.” He grinned. “I’veonly had this headache from getting knocked around to keep me companyfor the last 20 minutes since I woke up.”

“If I’d known that I woulda stayed out longer.” Jake smirked.

Ezekiel was about to make a crack about still being in bettercompany if Jake had still been unconscious when he was interrupted bynumerous roars, howls and other animalistic sounds.

“What the hell was that?” Ezekiel snapped his head around.

“Probably whatever the hell those things are that attacked us.”Jake growled.

“We’re gonna die.” Ezekiel groaned.

“Probably. But not right now.” Jake hissed. “They’re movingaway.” “You sure about that?” The thief muttered.

“Yes.” Jake snapped. “Shit! They’re probably after Cassie!”

They both looked at each other, obviously worried, as they listenedto the the sounds moving farther and father away until they werelittle more than echoes. Once silence had fallen again Jake startedtugging at his legs, trying to free himself.

“No use mate. I already tried.” Ezekiel sighed.

“What the hell else am I supposed to do?” Jake snapped.

“I dunno. Got a lighter in your pocket.” Ezekiel smirked. “Couldtry melting your way out.”

Jake was about to retort when another roar ripped through the smallspace. Followed by flashing multicolored lights and other soundsneither of them could quite place. The sounds suddenly stopped, thelights vanished, then a sudden blast of heat ripped into the room.The heat quickly dissipated and was replaced by more cold airwhipping into the space. The light quickly reappeared, accompanied bya low hum. The light grew brighter until a pair of shafts of light,one green and one blue, came into view around the corner.

Ezekiel recognized them as lightsabers as soon as he saw them. Theycontinued into the room until both he and Jake saw the personwielding them, a mane of wild red hair whipping around her face asthe cold air continued to blow into the room.

“Cassandra?” The boys said in unison.

“Miss me?” She smirked.

“What the hell are those things?” Jake said.

“You built lightsabers?” Ezekiel said at the same moment.

“Yes I did.” She smiled triumphantly.

“This is more of that Star Wars junk isn’t it?” Jake grumbled.

“Yes it is.” Ezekiel smirked. “I’ve been educating her on allthings cool. We’ve worked through all the movies so far and most ofthe tv shows. Plus she has been devouring the extended universenovels. We are planning on starting on the video games day aftertomorrow.”

“Did I ask for all that?” Jake grumbled.

“Be polite.” Cassandra chuckled. “Besides, I think you’ll likethem. We can start you on A New Hope when we get home.”

“Seriously? Fine. Whatever.” Jake continued to grumble. “Canwe get down from here now?”

“Was that so hard? And you are gonna have to watch at least onemovie.” Cassandra chuckled as she flipped off the blue saber andtucked into her pocket.

She walked over to Ezekiel. Looking carefully at how deeply his feetwere encased in ice and doing a few quick calculations.

“Hold still.” She said as she lifted the saber and took threequick slashes. Then she reached out with her free hand and took holdof Ezekiel around his forearm, he grasped her in the same spot.“Ready?”

He nodded and she took one last slash at the ice, turning off thesaber in one fluid motion as her arm reached full extension. He felthimself start to fall, and after a split second he twisted his hipsaround, pivoting at his grip on Cassandra’s arm, landing square onhis feet, shattering the remaining ice and freeing his feet.

“Taaa-daaaa!” He said with a flourishing bow.

“Show off.” Jake rolled his eyes.

“What else is the point in being the best in the world?” Ezekielflashed his biggest, shit-eating-est, Ezekiel Jones Worlds GreatestThief™ smile.

Cassandra giggled at her boys.

“Here.” She handed Ezekiel the lightsaber she had used to freehim. “This one is yours. Be careful with it.”

“Like mine mine?” He said as he flipped it on.

“Yes. Yours yours.” Cassandra giggled again. “I was going togive them to you guys tomorrow.”

“You were gonna give us honest to Lucas lightsabers?” He said,taking a few test swings.

“No.” She said giving him an exasperated smile as she steppedover to Jake and began cutting at the ice. “I had made them to onlygive you a mild shock that would leave you numb for a couple ofminutes so you’d know when you got hit. But then this happened andthey seemed like the best bet to have a chance against a pack ofWendigo. So I supercharged them. As soon as we get back to theLibrary I am undoing what I did so you can play with them withouthurting each other or anything in the Library. And I’m not tellingyou want I did to make them real either.”

Ezekiel stuck out his tongue and laughed.

Cassandra took hold of Jake’s arm as she did with Ezekiel.

“Ready?” She said.

“As I’ll ever be.” Jake said looking at the floor.

Cassandra took the last slash at the ice, again turning of the saberas it swung free of the ice. Jake started to fall. He tried to twistin midair the same way the young thief had. However he only succeededin turning just enough that he landed flat on his back, pullingCassie down on top of him.

“Hi.” He said softly staring up into her eyes.

“Hi.” She giggled. “Very graceful.”

“I thought so.” Ezekiel added with a chuckle. “This hilt looksfamiliar.”

“It should.” She said as she rolled off the groaning cowboy asthe momentary shock wore off. “It’s modeled off Ezra’s from Rebels.Streetwise kid that knows how to survive on his wits. Then ends upfinding a family he never expected. I thought it was fitting.”

The thief’s eyes went a bit glassy and he sniffled a bit. Butneither of the other two said anything. He quickly coughed thensmiled.

“This is really awesome Cass. Thank you.” He finally said. “Whodid Stone get?”

“Luke.” She said as she hauled Jake to his feet. “Grew up on afarm knowing that he was destined to do something more with his life.Then got thrust into a world even bigger than he ever imagined.Discovers a family that he would do anything to protect. Less thanstellar father. Who else was I gonna pick?”

“Guess I can’t argue with that.” Ezekiel shook his head.

After she walked Jake through the controls of his saber he stoppedher.

“You said a pack of Wendigo?” Jake asked.

“That’s what Jenkins thinks they are. And he said they don’t huntin packs.” She said.

“No. They don’t. Not according to Native American legend anyway.”Jake shook his head. “So these things I guess will hurt them.”

“They will.” She nodded and smiled.

“But according to legend only fire and kill them.” Jakecontinued smiling a bit at her enthusiasm. “How are we going todeal with a pack of Wendigo that did all this.” He gestured at thebones of at least dozens of people scattered towards the back of thecave.

“Got that covered.” She said as she slipped a rod off hershoulder neither of the boys had noticed before. “Which reminds me.When we leave, watch your step. The lava is still going to be hot.”

“LAVA!” Both of the boys shouted.

“Yes.” She said simply. “This is the Rod of Pele. Hawaiiangoddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanos. It can conjure allthose things. But it takes time to recover if you use the lava, justlike a real volcano. Fire is much quicker, but still takes a littlewhile.”

“Why did you use the lava then?” Ezekiel asked.

“Because I wanted to see what it was like?” She shrugged alittle guiltily.

“And how was it?” Ezekiel smirked.

“Really cool.” She smiled.

“Don’t you mean really hot?” Ezekiel chuckled.

Cassandra just giggled.

“You should probably stay behind us or between us since we havethese things.” Jake said as he took a few more test slashes at thewall, leaving deep steaming gashes.

She just smirked as she unzipped her big puffy coat. She flipped oneside back and unclipped another lightsaber from her belt.

“What? You thought I was going to let you boys have all the fun?”She laughed as she flipped it on. A dark pinkish blade revealeditself.

“Who is that?” Ezekiel cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t rememberanybody with a pink blade.” “It’s magenta, technically.”She grinned. “And it’s Mara Jade’s. There aren’t that many femaleforce users in general and I’ve only found one redhead that’s a Jediso far. I didn’t have a choice.”

Ezekiel just rolled his eyes as he glanced at Stone still twirlingthe blade around getting used to it.

“I’ll bet.” He chuckled. “You give Jenkins one too?”

“Obi-Wan.” She giggled.

“Yeah. Cranky old hermit that ends up showing a buncha misfitswhat the hell is really going on.” Ezekiel laughed. “Perfect!”

“You boys ready?” Cassie asked as she zipped her coat back up.“We’ve got a pack of bloodthirsty carnivorous monsters to dealwith.”

[addictivewriter]

In Pursuit (10)

Summary: The first eighteen years of your life, you were raised by your single mother. That’s all you needed, your mother. But when your presence is needed again at ‘work’, that’s when you question things.The missing father figure and why your mother was so secretive about him. Maybe even your blossoming friendship with Bucky Barnes.

Pairing: Tony Stark x reader, Bucky Barnes x reader

Word count: 1K

A/N: okay so i’m thinking somewhere between 15-20 parts total? hopefully not much more than fifteen…

My masterlist | requests are open

Perhaps staying up till three in the morning binge-watching one of your favorite shows wasn’t the best idea ever... but on the plus side you finally finished the latest season. You stumbled out of your bedroom close to quarter to one in the afternoon, only after you made sure you were dressed decently.

The first thing you did was head to the kitchen and pull out the frozen chicken nuggets with your name written all over them. While they were in the oven you managed to pour yourself the last bit of coffee and sip on it while leaning against a counter.

Halfway through your coffee Bucky strode in, looking through the cupboards for something to eat. A glance toward you and he was chuckling under his breath. Unfortunately, you were still not awake enough.

“What?” you mumbled, taking a larger sip of your coffee.

“Did you just get up?” he asked, almost incredulously.

Cheeks heating up, you hid behind your coffee mug as you shyly nodded your head. “I was binge-watching a show last night and may have gotten too caught up with it.”

“Must have been good then,” he grinned at you as he pulled out a small green container. “I might have to watch it sometime. What’s it called?”

You mentioned it to him as you got up to retrieve your chicken nuggets from the oven. Sliding all of them onto a place, you placed a large amount of barbeque sauce next to them and started munching on them. Just like that, the two of you immersed yourselves into a conversation about TV shows he’s watched so far and ones you recommend to him.

Mid-bite Tony strolled through the kitchen and grabbed something to drink - one of the many health juices sitting in bottles.

“Good, you’re up,” Tony said, turning to you. “Twenty minutes - conference room. We’ve got a mission for you, sweetheart. You, Sam and Natasha.”

Already? You thought to yourself, eyebrows nearly raised into your hairline. Regardless though you nodded your head and started finishing your chicken nuggets faster. The moment you were done, you wiped your mouth (because sometimes your manners weren’t the most lady-like, especially when you ate) and flashed Bucky a sheepish smile.

“Maybe we can plan a movie night when I get back. If you want, of course,” you added the last bit as you dumped your dishes into the sink.

“Sure thing, darling,” he grinned at you.

The mixture of the two - the way darling just rolled off his tongue so attractively and his grin - had your heart racing a little. Forcing a smile onto your face, you bid him farewell and ran out of there as fast as you could.

By the time you were close to the conference room, you had to stop to catch your breath. Panting slightly you covered your face as you silently berated yourself. Why were you so affected by this man? His voice and the way darling just rolled off his tongue... Fuck, how could you not just keep it together in front of him?

Inhaling deeply, you pressed your hands to your cheeks. Well they were still warm but you knew you’d be fine. You shook your nerves off and headed inside the conference room where Sam and Natasha sat on opposite sides of the sleek dark table.

You plopped down next to Sam. “All right, what’s up?”

Fucking hell you were freezing.

You had a jacket specifically designed for the cold weather - made by Tony Stark himself - so you knew you wouldn’t freeze. But you were wearing your stealth suit. The slim one. You should have worn your thicker one, it would have suited the mission better. But you were a dumbass and slipped the wrong one into the duffle bag. By the time you noticed you had the wrong suit it was too late to turn back.

You were surrounded by nothing but snow and howling wind, waiting while Sam and Natasha entered the building. After a few weeks of constant watching and gathering intel on the building, it was confirmed that it was indeed under Hydra’s control. While you were the one gathering intel from inside man, Sam and Natasha were the ones entering the building. Without any people knowing of course.

So you sat there behind a large hill of snow with a pair of binoculars in hand. Of course you had coms and they were working but you had to keep an eye on Sam -- Nat’s way out -- and make sure nothing went wrong.

You huffed, sliding the hood over your head and brought the binoculars up to your eyes again. Everything looked normal. Nothing on the coms. Sam was safe. You kept looking for another minute before setting it down and rubbing your hands together.

The minute you get to a safe house you were going to get a cup of hot fucking chocolate. Oh and maybe eat a burger. A burger sounded nice. A cheesy, greasy burger topped with all the good fixings. Groaning underneath your breath, you quickly brought the binoculars up to your face again.

All was still well.

A few more minutes of attempting to get warmer and there was a crackle on the coms again.

“All is good, let’s get the hell out of here,” Nat’s voice sounded. “Get ready, Sam!”

Immediately you stood from your spot, shaking snowflakes off you. Not too far from you was a couple snowmobiles that would take you to the first safehouse where half of your things were still at. From there you’d take a vehicle to take you to the quinjet and head back to the Avengers Facility from there.

By the time Sam and Natasha appeared next to you, you were by the snowmobiles and ready to go. Natasha zipped up her jacket, flipping the hood over her flaming red hair as Sam shook off the little bit of snow.

“I am so ready to head-”

You were cut off when a sharp pain shot zinged through you. Immediately you clamped your hand over your side where it originated and pulled it away only to see blood pooling. A gasp left your mouth as more shots rang out.

Ah fuck...

TAGS:

@iamwarrenspeace  @marveldcmistress @peachbucky @captainamericasbeautifulbutt @welcometothislittleplace @pleasantbucky @superwholockian5ever

[disneygirl2202]

You’re Not The Only One  Chapter 11

Read 10, it has the link to nine which has the other links! 

Adria’s P.O.V. 

Seeing your friends turn on you is the hardest thing to live through. Especially when the one you have to watch is the man you fell in love with. 

I wake up the next morning to Aranea shaking me. 

“We need to get moving before your dad sends men to come looking for you two.” She says 

I nod as I rub the sleep out of my eyes, sitting up, looking at the snow around us. 

I look over at Prompto as he is putting his jacket on. I look away as I stand up, starting to braid my hair. I can feel his glare on my back. 

“Have you two figured anything out?” Aranea asks 

“No. We’ll figure something out when a battle comes.” I say 

“Let’s hope no battle comes then.” Prompto says 

I look over at him, hurt in my eyes. I grab my second jacket, heading to one of the snowmobiles. 

“Aranea, are sure you don’t want me to stay to help you with taking them down?” I ask 

“I’m sure Adria. You two need to get back to the others.” She says 

You nod and look away as you hear Prompto go silent. 

“Prompto, you want to drive or should I?” I say 

“I’ll drive so I know where we’re going.” He says 

“I still can’t believe you believed them.” I say, shaking my head “I would never hurt you guys intentionally. Who do you trust more? Me or my father? Besides, I haven’t worked with them for over 10 years.” 

“How can I believe you Adria? Your father had a point about how he was always able to find us or how the MTs found out the general location where we were.” He says 

“Seriously Prompto?!” I yell 

“Yes seriously Adria. I don’t know who I trust right now.” He says 

I roll my eyes, shaking my head, not letting the tears fall. I wait for him to get onto the snowmobile, then get on, one hand on his shoulder, the other one on the back of my seat. 

“You two be careful out there. Protect each other.” Aranea says 

“Yeah. We’ll be fine Aranea. Thanks for your help.” I say 

“Prompto, you really shouldn’t believe Ardyn. Adria is telling the truth.” She says 

“Which part?” He asks 

“Not working with them for over 10 years.” She says “When the Crown City saved her, she never even looked back.” 

I can feel Prompto tense up under my hand. I bite my lip as he starts the snowmobile and waves to Aranea and drives off. 

“Where are we going?” I ask 

“Train tracks. If we get there, we can follow them to the next train station and hopefully find the others.” He says 

“Then we need to take a right when there is a fork.” I say 

“How do you even know this? Your father said that you were only inside the ten years you were here.” He says 

“When they had me switching facilities, I sometimes took the wrong turn to have a little adventure.” I say 

I look around and one of my hands goes to the scar on the side of my neck, I feel the fear overcome my body as I think back to the day my father caused this scar. 

-~- 

“Adria, you should probably get back to Ignis. We don’t need Ardyn to see you.” Clarus says to me after watching my training session with his son 

“Yes sir. Thank you again for rescuing me.” 14 year old me says 

“Hurry along.” Clarus says 

I nod and hurry out of the training room, heading towards the room Ignis and I have been staying in lately. 

I’m almost to my room when I feel somebody grab me and pin me against the wall. I struggle to get away, feeling the person but their elbow at my throat. I look up and see the amber eyes I got away from 4 years ago, my father. 

“Let me go.” You whisper 

“My daughter has been here all along.” He says 

“Let me go. I have no business with you.” I say, trying to pull away when I feel something cold on my neck 

I look down at and see his blade at my throat. I gulp as I try to pull my throat away from it. 

“You wouldn’t dare. I can call for somebody right now and you would be caught right here, right now.” I say “They would see the monster that you are.” 

“Ah, ah, ah, you wouldn’t do that. Cause you know I don’t show very much mercy. Including to people who have betrayed me and Niflheim.” He says “It would be such a shame if my hand was to slip.” 

I wince as I feel the blade move and blood start to run down the side on my neck. I try to pull away when I hear footsteps and Ardyn lets go of me. My hand automatically goes to the wound, trying to cover it. 

Ardyn hurries off and I run down the hall towards Ignis’s room, the tears starting to fall as the cut starts to burn. 

-~-

I feel something warm run down my cheek as I come back to reality. I shake the memory out of my head as I wipe the tear that fell. 

I look over and see Prompto kneeling next to a MT. I get off and walk over to him and look at it. 

“You were zoned out. Thought I would leave you alone and let you come in your own time.” He says 

“It would’ve been nice if you shook me out of that thought. But I guess you would’t want to be nice to a MT like me.” I say, coldness lacing my voice 

I see him wince as he shakes his head at my words. 

“I understand that you are hurt. But you heard Aranea, we’re going to have to work together in order to get back to our friends. Besides, we’re both MTs. So no need to be an ass about me not wanting to trust you.” He says 

“Oh, so now I’m being the ass. I’m not the one who fell for the lies of a man that has only caused us pain. You boys aren’t the only one he has hurt. Try being his daughter where most of your scars are from him.” I snap 

He looks at me and stands up, crossing his arms. I don’t even blink as I feel my arms cross against my chest, watching him. 

“Are we seriously doing this?” He asks 

“You’re the one who started it.” I say 

“How about we just get out of here and get back to Aranea, she could probably use our help.” He says 

I nod and gets back onto the snowmobile. When I set my hand on his shoulder, I fell him relax then immediately tense back up. 

-~-

“So you made up your mind for yourself Prompto?” Aranea says

“Yeah. We’re here to help you take whatever we need to down.” Prompto says 

“What about you Adria?” She asks 

“I’m here to help. Just like he said.” I say, not looking up 

“Did you two figure things out? Cause I can’t have you two fighting during this.” She says 

“We’ll be fine. We know how to handle ourselves. Besides, when this is all over, who knows if I’ll be going with him.” I say 

“Oh, we’re not debating this. You’re coming back. Whether I like it or not, whether you want to or not, the other boys need you.” Prompto says 

I shrug as I climb onto one of the snowmobiles. 

“That depends if my dad did the same thing that he did to you. So who knows if they still trust me.” I say 

-~- 

I walk behind Aranea as we walk down one of the halls, towards what we think is the room we need to go. Prompto is ahead both of us, I look around the halls and realize where are are.

“Aranea, we can’t go into that room.” I say as we stop 

“What, why?” Prompto says as he turns around 

“The experiment Barbarus, I’m pretty sure that is where they have been keeping it.” I say 

“I thought that was a rumor.” Aranea says 

“No. It’s very real, I helped create that thing.” I say 

“Great, so you should know how to beat it.” Prompto says 

I purse my lips, running my hand through my hair as I look at the door, shaking my head. 

“We have to somehow get it to explode.” I say 

They both nod, I get my crossbow ready and see Prompto with his guns. I nod as he opens the door and I hear the creak of metal, then a very loud roar. 

-~- 

I look at what remains of Barbarus, nodding my head when I hear something you defiantly would not hear if you were concerned about your friends. 

“Immortalis complete.” A voice says 

“Shit. We need to get out of here.” I say 

We run out towards the snowmobiles. I hop on the one without the machine gun, starting it while I wait for Aranea and Prompto to get ready.

-~- 

“Shoot the center first!” I yell as I look back 

“What do you think I’m trying to do!” He yells 

“If you hit that, that will cause the most damage!” I say 

“Yes ma’am.” He says “But it’s gigantic.” 

I nod as I continue to race with Aranea, trying to get away from this new complete experiment. I purse my lips, hearing him finally defeat it. 

-~- 

“Thanks for all the help.” Aranea says 

“Of course. Those things needed to be destroyed.” I say 

“Prompto, you really should trust Adria, she wouldn’t lie to you. She really isn’t work with the Empire.” She says 

Prompto nods then sets his arm on my shoulder, looking at me. 

“I think she proved that well enough during that last fight.” He says 

I roll my eyes and push him off of my shoulder. 

“Lets just get back to the others.” I say 

“See you around Aranea.” He says “Thank you.” 

We hop onto the snowmobile and drive off. I hand my arms around his waist for a better grip. 

“Thanks for trusting me again.” I say 

“Of course. I’m sorry for everything that happened back there. I should’ve listened to you.” He says “Not your dad.” 

“Prompto watch out!” I yell, pointing at all of the MTs in front of us 

He quickly turns, skidding to a stop, splashing snow at them. 

“How did they get there without us noticing?” I ask 

“I don’t know.” He says 

I look forward and see my father come into view.

“Oh the two MTs who think they are Lucian.” He says 

“What do you want dad?” I ask 

“You two really thought getting away would be that easy?” He says 

I look around, going for my weapon when he stops me. 

“How about we head back. Your friends should be joining us soon.” He say 

“No!” I say 

That is the last thing I remember before waking up in a cell, next to Prompto’s cell, where I can see him hanging there. 

“Prompto!” I yell 

“I’m fine.” He says 

I hear my father’s laugh as he stands between the two cells. 

“We’re going to have a lot of fun.” He says

Tags: @promptoargentum-is-my-husband @stargurl16

[aggimaginary]

The Grinch 2: Happy New Year Chapter 12-We need all the help we can get

Back in Whoville, at the Light Maze entrance, Cindy Lou and Groopert were waiting for their other friends to come for their plans. Just then, three kids raced towards the entrance with their bike, trike and scooter where they saw two of their friends waiting for them.

"Alright, you call, we came," Ozzy said with a candy cane in his mouth.

"So, what's up?" Izzy asked.

"Yeah. What's the deal?" Axl added.

"Thanks for getting here so fast, guys. Follow me," Cindy Lou lead her gang through the entrance for a secret meeting.

While silently walked inside the entrance, Axl interrupted, "So, what's the big secret?

"Yeah, I don't have very long. My parents set the timer," Ozzy mentioned.

"Again?"

"Yeah. They decided to have that every night."

"Alright, everybody, brace yourselves! In exactly 48 hours, just before New Year, we're going to do something that no kids have ever done before!" Cindy Lou announced. "We're going to get a man and a woman fall in love with each other!"

"Getting a man and a woman falling in love with each other?" Ozzy inquired in disgust. "Why would you wanna do that?"

Axl slapped Ozzy behind his head, "Duh. Cindy Lou wants to be a cupid." Then, he turned to Cindy Lou, "But you do know it's not Valentine's day.

"I know it's not Valentine's day, and I don't want to be a Cupid. To uh... I just want to get them together."

"Do you know this man and the woman?" Izzy asked.

"Yeah. They are very close to me."

"Why would you wanna do that anyway?" Ozzy asked again.

"It's personal," Groopert tried to cover his friend's secret.

"Yeah, it's kind of personal," Cindy Lou nodded.

"I don't wanna do it if you won't tell me why," complained Ozzy. "It's like capturing Santa all over again."

"Yeah. What do you mean 'personal'?" added Axl.

Cindy Lou exhaled, "Alright. There are two personals: One is very top secret, and two is something that I have to share with all of you." She saw her friends are waiting for her explanation. "The man and the woman I was talking about, and they're very close to me were Mr. Grinch... and my mom."

"Wow! That's crazy!" Ozzy exclaimed.

"Yeah. I told her that!" Groopert told him.

"And I want them to be together," Cindy Lou finished the explanation.

Her friends then looked at each other in concern and quite worry.

"Are you sure about this?" Axl asked.

"What? You don't like Mr. Grinch? You don't want him to be with my mom."

"It's not we don't like him, Cindy Lou," Groopert corrected her. "We like Mr. Grinch. He's awesome."

"Yeah, and he can make amazing gadgets and gizmos. I wish I can be like him," Izzy sighed dreamingly.

"It's just that we're so worried that it's not cool for you if your mom fall in love with Mr. Grinch besides your dad," Ozzy added. "Do you still miss him?"

"Of course I miss my dad. I still love my dad, and I always remember him. But things are a different when he was gone," Cindy Lou sighed. "Ever since Dad died, Mom was so sad, work so hard every night, and took care of us every day. She did all of these things all by herself, and always said she's okay, but she's not. It's just not fair. I don't want her to be like this forever. I want her to have someone to keep her company, and help her taking care of me and my brothers. Besides, Dad doesn't want Mom to be unhappy. I know he wanted her to have someone to keep her happy and company. And I know, Mr. Grinch is the one. I want to be honest with all of you guys. You all have a complete family... I mean, having both parents with you, and I feel so jealous. I'm still happy that my mom and my brothers are the only family I got, but I always feel that something's missing, and I know it was my dad. I don't care if Grinch is gonna be my new dad if that's ever gonna happen. I like him. He's a good and fun guy, as long he keeps my mother happy. My brothers also needed a dad since they never got to meet our real dad. Dad would've wanted this. If my mom is happy with Mr. Grinch, then I'm happy with it."

Her friends stared at her in disbelief. They realized how humble Cindy Lou is, and how good that she's going to accept a new dad in her life, if this will make her mother happy.

"That's beautiful," Groopert said.

"Okay, okay, okay. You convinced me," Axl nodded.

"Count me in, too," Ozzy volunteered.

"Alright, we're in," Izzy added.

"Great. Now let's do this!" Cindy Lou smirked as she led her friends out of the maze.

The gang were riding their bikes and trikes in slow motion to the tune of Run-DMC's 'Christmas in Hollis', until they heard their parents' calls.

"Cindy Lou, it's time to come home!"

"Izzy, it's getting late!"

"Axl, time to eat!

"Groopert, dinner time!"

"Ooh, dinner," Groopert excitingly rubbed his stomach.

"Alright, we'll meet first thing in the morning," Cindy Lou announced.

"Alright" Axl agreed.

"See you tomorrow." Izzy waved them good-bye.

The gang rode away with their bikes and trikes, except for Ozzy, until...

"Ozzy, timer!"

"Okay, mom!" Ozzy groaned as he addled away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the edge of the land way of Mt. Crumpit, Aggie dragged the snowmobile outside the cave, the Grinch wore a belt with a monitor on the front, and Max was tied up with a helmet, headphones and cameras on his head and a drone on his back.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" doubted Aggie.

"Do you have a better idea?" Grinch asked.

"Well, I..."

"Ha! I don't think so!" He then turned to Max, "Okay, Max, all you have to do is to get this snowmobile to Donna Lou. Ne careful not to drop. I spent all day building that. I'll be in your ear the whole time, and whatever you're seeing, I'll be seeing on the monitor."

"You better hurry up. I saw Donna Lou is about to leave the house. I think it's her night shift," Aggie said.

"How did you know that? You're not even using a telescope," asked the Grinch.

"I have super vision; a vampire have this power. I'm also a 1/516th vampire. My great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents on both of my parents' sides are vampires. That's where I got my vampire powers," Aggie replied.

This quite shock the Grinch, "Wow. You really have a big family."

"I know, right? I'm so proud of myself!" She squealed.

Grinch rolled his eyes, and turned to Max, "Alright, Max, you're ready to launch!" He used a remote control to let the drone fly with Max. "Hold on, and hold on the snowmobile. Try not to drop it, okay?" his mast instructed. Max barked and saluted as he grabbed the snowmobile's hand with his paws, and the drone sent him to town.

"This is not gonna work, Grinch," Aggie crossed her arms.

"It'll work. Trust me," Grinch fought back.

Meanwhile, Donna Lou bent down to kiss Cindy Lou on the cheek, and then, she kissed the twins before turning to the babysitter.

"Are you sure you can handle this, Mrs. Wilbur?" she asked.

"Your kids are gonna be fine, Ms. Who," Mrs. Wilbur nodded. "Just go or you'll miss the bus."

"Right!" Donna looked down to her daughter, "I'll see you in the morning, sweetie."

"I wish Mr. Grinch is gonna babysit us," Cindy Lou complained.

"I know, but we don't want to disturb him. He worked too much for us already. It's time for him to take a break," Donna explained before running towards the street. "I gotta go! Bye Cindy Lou!"

"Bye, Mom!" Cindy Lou waved at her before she and Mrs. Wilbur, carrying the twins, went back inside.

Donna Lou ran as fast as she can to catch up the bus, but it already drove away. She tried to call loudly to the bus to stop and wait for her, but it's already far away. Donna hung her head down in sadness. She's always been like this. Late to catch up the boss, and late for work.

Suddenly, from above, she noticed a cute pink sparkly snowmobile was lowered slowly in front of her. Donna also noticed that Max carried the mobile all the way while tying up with a drone.

"Alright, boy, release it slowly," Grinch commanded from his dog's headphone as Max put the snowmobile down, and he flew away.

Donna Lou made a big smile in appreciation. She knew it was the Grinch who made this snowmobile since he's the best inventor she ever know. Donna waved a Max, which the Grinch saw her on the monitor, happy to see his "friend" happy. He continued to watch Donna taking the snowmobile, and rode it happily on the street without stressing herself. The snowmobile is fast enough to take Donna to work in time.

"See, Aggie? I told you my plan worked," Grinch said proudly.

"Yeah, she really appreciate it," Aggie agreed, watching the scene with her super vision. "But it was supposed to be you who give her the snowmobile! Now Donna thought it was Max who gave her that!"

"That's exactly my point!" He shouted. "If I give it to her in person, I would probably say, 'Hey, Donna, I made this mobile just for you', and she'll think I have a crush on her."

"Which you have."

"But she didn't know that! Listen, Aggie, I already took your advice, gave Donna that snowmobile, and that's it. Everyone's happy! You know? I'm going to bed. Just get Max, and come inside the cave if you want." The Grinch went back in his cave in tiredness, and shut the door.

Aggie was left alone on the edge, and, while waiting for Max, she thought of something to make Grinch open his heart to Donna without turning back. This is a very hard mission than she thought. She also can't force someone to confess his feeling to the one he love. She needed some help.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later, in her room, Cindy Lou wore her pajamas and fixed her bed, ready to go to sleep. Suddenly, she heard loud taps from her window. She turned around and saw Aggie while holding Max in her arm on her window.

"Oh, Aggie," Cindy rushed to her window, and opened it.

Aggie flew in and sat on a small chair, "Sorry I came here do late, Cindy Lou. I can't use the front door. Your babysitter might not let me in."

"That's okay. I'm not sleep yet, but I'm just ready for bed," The little Who girl closed the window. "So, what's up?"

Aggie started to grunt in frustration, "It's the Grinch! He's so stubborn! He doesn't to listen to me!"

"Why? What did he do?" Cindy asked.

"I was right, Cindy Lou. The Grinch is indeed in love with your mom. He told me," the winged human replied.

"Yes!" Cindy Lou squealed happily.

"But he's too shy to admit it," Aggie continued. "He told me everything. He told me how he met your mother when she was your age. He fell in love with her the day after Christmas. I gave him advice of making a snowmobile for her so she won't be late for her work and miss the bus at the same time, and told him to give it to her in person. And you know what he did? He used Max to deliver the snowmobile to your mother!"

"But did she like it?" inquired Cindy Lou.

"Yeah, she likes it, but that's not part of the plan! I'm just trying to help him admit his feelings to Donna by him giving her the snowmobile face-to-face. It's like he gave her a sign that he likes her, but he didn't listen to me! He's so stubborn and shy!"

"Well, that's really Mr. Grinch. He's always grumpy. And when I invited him to my Christmas dinner, he's too shy and nervous. It's his first Christmas dinner after all."

"I completely understand that. I can't even force him to confess his feelings. That won't work. That's why I came to you because I need help. I don't know the Grinch as much as you do."

"Actually, Aggie, I only know the Grinch for only few days. I don't know him much. The only thing I know about him that he's alone in his cave with Max, he hates Christmas because no one has ever celebrate with him, he's a cool inventor, and he can be a good friend."

"I know. That's the only information I know about him." Aggie got up from the chair, and pace around the room. "This mission is harder than I thought. If I can't complete this mission soon, I can't celebrate New Year with my family."

Cindy Lou felt Aggie's sadness. It would be unfair if a friend, daughter, mother and wife can't celebrate New Year with her family. She has to work fast. The little girl had an idea, "You know, I know one Who who can help us."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At Bricklebaum's house, the door bell rang, and Bricklebaum opened the door, seeing Aggie, Cindy Lou and Max in front of him.

"Well, look who's here!" He was surprise to see three of the Grinch's good friend.

"Good evening, Mr. Bricklebaum," Cindy Lou greeted.

"Come on in. Make yourselves at home," Bricklebaum politely let the three visitors in.

"Sorry for coming here this late," Aggie apologized.

"Oh no. To me, it's not. I always stay awake this late," the joyful Who said. "Would you like some hot cocoa?"

"Thanks, Mr. Bricklebaum, we need some hot chocolate for now," the little Who girl nodded.

When Bricklebaum hot chocolate for his three visitors, Aggie and Cindy Lou drank from their mugs, while Max drank on a dog bowl. "So, what brings you three here at night?" He asked.

"Okay. First off: Grinch admitted it. We were right. He was in love with Donna," Aggie said first.

"I knew it!" Bricklebaum squealed. "Mr. Grinch. That sly dog! Woo!"

"I know. I'm surprised too," Aggie took another sip.

"Me too. I never thought there's someone who likes my mom," Cindy Lou chuckled.

"And second, that's my mission. I have to help Grinch confess his feelings for Donna."

"So, how did it go? Did that green guy make the first move?" Bricklebaum was excited to here the story.

Aggie cleared her throat to explain, "Well, he did admit he likes likes Donna Lou. He told me he had met her when she younger. I gave him an advice of making a snowmobile for her so she won't be late for work and catching the bus everyday. I also told him to give the mobile to her in person, but he didn't listen to me. He just do it his way! He used Max to give the snowmobile to Donna. Now she'll never know his feelings for her! Mr. Bricklebaum, you know Grinch more than we do, we want to know why he acted like that."

Bricklebaum sighed as he sat on his chair, "Mr. Grinch isn't like us or any other Who. He never got out of his cave, except when he needed to buy important things like food and dog food for his dog from the grocery. He never socialized with any Who for a long time or I never seen him socialized with anyone in town. Well, except for me. We have good times together. We talked, shared stories, telling each other's secrets. That's what we best friends for. Mr. Grinch was my neighbor for years."

"Huh, he wasn't kidding when he told me he was alone for 53 years," Aggie felt so guilty. She didn't quite believe of the Grinch's story about him being alone in his cave for decades, but she wasn't so sure until she was told by someone else. "No wonder he was not quite comfortable when I'm around."

"Give him time, Aggie. I'm sure he'll get over his pain very soon, and I'm sure he'll confess his feelings."

"I guess you're right, Bricklebaum. Really, I can't force him to finish my mission. As representative of the element of Imagination, my job is to help people showing what friendship is all about. But in Grinch's case, I'll help him show what love is, and how to use it."

"That's great, Aggie, but you can't to that alone," said the little girl. "I told my friends about this, and they agreed to help."

"Did you tell them about me and this as my mission?" Aggie asked.

"No, I only told them that we should get my mom and Mr. Grinch together."

"Great, because my mission is top secret. No one knows that this is my mission." The winged human then turned to Bricklebaum. "Sir, you have to help me. Grinch was so stubborn, he never listens to my word. I know he'll listen to you."

"I'll do what I can do best," The joyous Who replied.

"Thanks. Thanks to both of you. I need all the help I can get. No. We need all the help we can get," Aggie smiled.

"And we have to finish your mission before New Year, so you can go home," Cindy Lou added.

After few minutes, Cindy Lou and Aggie, who carried Max in her arm, walked out of Bricklebaum's house.

"Are you sure you know your way home?" He asked in concern.

"Don't worry, Mr. Bricklebaum, I know my way," Cindy said proudly.

"We don't have to," Aggie told her.

"What do you mean?"

Without answering the little girl's question, Aggie used her wand staff to zap Cindy Lou to teleport her back to her house in her bedroom, "Don't worry. She's already in her bedroom by now. We'll see you tomorrow at 7:30?"

"You bet. The guy really needs help," Bricklebaum answered.

"Thanks for your help. I really need that. See ya."

Aggie waved at him before flying all the way up to the Grinch's cave while carrying Max.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When the Grinch left the door open for her, Aggie let herself in, and put Max down.

"Alright, Max, I'll see you tomorrow," She said as the dog rushed to the kitchen, where his bed is.

Aggie flew upstairs, until she reached her room at the mid-stairway. When she hopped on her bed, she remembered that she haven't called her family and friends this morning, so she quickly tapped the belly of her penguin wand staff, and it showed three holograms from the penguins mouth.

Three holograms means three divisions of the I team she contacted: the main, which they appeared two days ago, the honorary, and the back-up.

"AGGIE!" They all shouted happily.

"Hey, you guys!" She greeted back to them. "Gosh, I already missed you."

"You haven't contacted us this morning," Burn complained.

"Sorry, I'm a little busy... of finding my mission," Aggie replied.

"You found your mission?" Pirate Izzy inquired.

"Yep, but I'll tell you later. I want to know how are the Honorary and the Back-up are doing!" The leader to the other two divisions.

"We're fine, Aggie. You don't need to worry about us," Numbuh 3 giggled.

"Yeah, but as your friend and leader, I'm still worried. So, how was Martha II doing?"

"Pretty good," Vlad said. "When she got her fangs 10 years ago, I decided to train her full-time, and she was rather well, except she never shut up."

"Grandpa Vlad, she's a teenager. Teenagers are quite rebellious these days. Don't pressure her, like what you did to Dennis," Mavis reminded.

"I don't want to be reminded by an overprotective mother who almost TEARED THE FAMILY APART!" Aggie yelled angrily, until she calmed herself. "Sorry. I was a little stress there. Too much bad memories." Then, she turned to the Back-up, "And how about you guys? How's the egg?"

"Pretty good, Aggie. Quite warm, but it's going to hatch," Marlin held his and Dory's egg.

"I can't believe I'm going to be a big brother!" Nemo swam a loop in excitement.

"Yeah, don't get too excited. You'll get stomach ache if you keep doing this," SmurfWillow warned.

"So, what the mission is all about? What's the friendship problem?" Sally Carrera inquired.

" It wasn't a friendship problem I have to fix..., it's a LOVE problem." Aggie replied.

"WHAT?!" Her team shouted in horror.

"Why the heck your element sent you instead of us?!" Junior yelled.

"I don't know, but the element sent me," Aggie tried to calm the stork down.

"But we represent the Element of Love. It was supposed to be us to fix this problem!" Tulip added.

"I know your upset and confuse, but if the element chose me to fix the problem, then we'll respect that."

"That's not fair! You know that's our job! And besides, it must be hard for you to fix this love problem," the stork growled. "You know what? We're coming there. Where are you?"

"Junior, please, I can handle this. It sounds like you don't trust me."

"We trust you, Aggie, but..." Tulip tried to explain, but Aggie interrupted her.

"Like I said, we have to respect the element. Plus, I have done this before with almost all of you. It wasn't so hard or easy. If you let me do this and trust me on this, I'll finish this mission in no time."

Junior grunted, "Fine. We'll leave you to this, but please, make this possible. We all know you are a very capable matchmaker, alright?"

"Stand down, Junior, you may still be my boss in Stork Mountain, but I'm not there, and I am still your boss in the I team."

The stork just growled and rolled his eyes.

"So, who's having a problem in there?" Ginger asked.

Aggie explained, "His name is Grinch. He lived near the town called Whoville. He never lived within the town. He lived here in Mt. Crumpit in his cave with his dog, Max. He's the town hermit, just like you, honey."

"Thanks for reminding me that, Sweetheart," Red groaned, didn't want to discuss his past. "I think I'm probably related with this Grinch person."

"Grinch, huh? There's another funny word in this universe," SmurfBlossom laughed. "Grinch! Grinch! Grinchy! Granch!"

"SmurfBlossom, remember, it's not nice to play other people's names," La Muerte reminded.

"Yeah. When he was just a kid, he was an orphan. No one adopted him. He saw children at his age celebrate Christmas with their families, and he doesn't have one. So, he lived on his own, hated Christmas for 53 years, and didn't socialized with the Who for a long time." Aggie continued.

"Oh, that's sad." Babs commented.

"I know. I felt his pain. So, he planned to 'steal' Christmas from the Whos to fix something that happened years ago, but when he did, it didn't what he was expecting. One little Who girl, Cindy Lou Who, invited him for Christmas dinner, which it was his first Christmas dinner, and he confessed it wasn't Christmas he hated, it's being alone."

"I think I feel him," Red said.

"Me too," Basil added.

"So do I," Sherlock Gnomes admitted.

"Okay, first, that was sad, and second, the people there are called 'Whos'?" Kitka repeated.

"Yeah. They all look like humans, but different appearances," Aggie described.

"But Grinch's problem was already solved. Why you were sent there to help him?" inquired Kessie.

"That's not actually the problem, Kess," corrected Aggie. "You see, the Grinch has a crush on Cindy Lou's widowed hardworking mother, Donna Lou, but he's to nervous to tell her since he never had socialized with the Whos before."

"Wait. If that's the problem, then it was supposed to be us to be sent there!" Avery realized that. "We represent the Element of Confident. Grinch has no confidence to tell his crush his feelings for her."

"Yeah, but, Avery, I was sent here. Like I said seconds ago, let's respect it."

"Yeah, Avery, elements don't lie, you know," Tyler said.

"Shut up, Tyler!" Avery yelled at her step-brother.

"Anyway, I already started helping him, but it didn't work today," Aggie told her friends.

"Did you give him advice?" Danger Mouse asked.

"Yeah. Building a snowmobile for Donna Lou to get to her work is working, but giving the mobile to her in person isn't working."

"Okay, that's all I got." The white mouse shrugged.

"Aggie, do you really agree to this?" Judy asked. "I mean, his name is Grinch, which means 'an unpleasant person who spoils other people's fun or enjoyment'. Does he really need some friendship?"

"Oh, so you're dictionary now?!" Discord glared at the rabbit cop.

"Yeah, don't be so judge-y," Tootie added. "Like Zootopia, anyone can be anything, you know. Like being a bunny cop."

"Okay, everyone, enough," Aggie halted the argument. "I know the victim is exactly what you think, but that's why I'm here. I also taught all of you how to become friends with everyone despite all of your differences. I even reformed villains into good by teaching them about friendship, and revenge isn't always the answer, right guys?"

"You're right, girl," Joen nodded.

"Meow!" Kat gave her a thumb up with his claw.

"Uh-huh," Dr. Blest agreed.

All reformed villain nodded in agreement, trying to forget their evil days.

"I even teach you guys that family isn't about related and same-blood members, but also the people who are close to you and love you," Aggie added. "Despite our differences by personalities, appearances, and the world we lived, it didn't matter when comes to love and friendship. And Grinch. He never had a friend or a family besides his dog. We can't just leave him like this. Even I can't do it. He deserves to have family and friends like we do. He also deserves a love interest. We all do, even how different we are or even we're all different species. Love is stronger than race. You guys deserve to be my friends, and I deserved to be yours. If we all deserve to be happy, loved, and friended, then Grinch deserves the same as we have."

All of your friends and family stared at her in disbelief and in touch. They realized their leader and friend might be right. They all befriended each other and one another for 20 to 40 years already, and nothing has ever teared them apart before, and no one was alone anymore. If Aggie was right, then the Grinch should have what they all have: happiness, love and friendship.

"That beautiful, honey," Red smiled.

"Okay, okay, okay, you convinced us," Doc sighed.

"Count us in, too!" Skully exclaimed as he flapped his green wings.

"Alright, we're all in, baby girl!" Xibalba winked.

Aggie was so happy that her friends and family are willing to help, and supporting her mission, "Great! Now, let's do this!" Then, she turned and glared at her dark god best friend, "Hey, X! Don't call me baby girl!"

To get started for the plans for bringing two love birds together, Aggie set up a black board, pinned the Grinch and Donna Lou's picture on the upper part, and wrote branches and calculations. It's like she was writing equations about love, while her team observed and thought of solutions of how to bring a man and a woman together, still having their holograms on. That was until their element shards on their IDs blinked with alarm wrist watch sounds.

"Ooh, bedtime," Crimson Red.

"Alright, we'll call first thing in the morning," Aggie turned to her friends before turning off the holograms. "Night, you guys."

"Night, Aggie."

"See you, tomorrow."

"Don't forget to call!"

When her team said their goodnights, Aggie turned the holograms off, covered the blackboard with curtains, turned off the lights, and went to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I reused the "Power walk" scene for Cindy Lou and her gang from the movie.

Once again, this chapter has crossovers at the end: Numbuh 3-Codename: Kids Next Door Burn-Turbo F.A.S.T. Pirate Izzy-Jake and the Neverland Pirates Vlad-Hotel Transylvania Mavis-Hotel Transylvania Marlin-Finding Nemo/Finding Dory Nemo-Finding Nemo/Finding Dory SmurfWillow-Smurfs Sally Carrera-Cars Junior-Storks Tulip-Storks Ginger-Chicken Run SmurfBlossom-Smurfs La Muerte-Book of Life (2014) Babs-Chicken Run Basil-Great Mouse Detective Sherlock Gnomes-Sherlock Gnomes (movie) Kitka-Penguins of Madagascar Kessie-Winnie the Pooh Avery-Dog with a blog Tyler-Dog with a blog Danger Mouse-Danger Mouse (tv series) Judy-Zootopia Discord-My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Tootie-Fairly odd parents Joen (My OC)-Oggy and the Cockroaches Kat-Kid vs Kat Dr. Blest (My OC)-Penguins of Madagascar Red-Angry Birds Doc Hudson-Cars Skully-Jake and the Neverland Pirates Xibalba-Book of Life (2014) Crimson Red (My OC)

Enjoy this, because there's still another chapter tomorrow. Pls comment.

[survivalspecialist]

A Moment’s Reprieve pt4

This is it! The final part. I’m glad it’s done. I can’t end things very well to save my life, it had no direction besides getting a scene outta my head but it’s done. Some very minor ChrisxLeon if you tilt your head and squint real hard.

Part One     Part Two     Part Three

“I’m getting real tired of getting shot at,” Leon grumbled as a bullet pinged off the side of the snowmobile. Even getting to the vehicle was a slog through fresh, deep snow piled high after the storm. The vehicle itself was partially buried and took several precious moments to clear enough that they could both hop on.

There was no arguing over who would drive given Leon’s wounds and honestly Leon was grateful. Knowing his luck the engine would explode or the ski would break or something if he was in front.

Granted every time he was in the driver’s seat on mission or in an outbreak, usually the vehicle was already on fire and all he could do was damage limitation but still. He was more than happy to let Chris take the lead.

His arm hated him for all the motion but it wasn’t as bad as the shoulder wound from back in Raccoon, although holding onto the snowmobile wasn’t going to do him any favours regarding the pain and after grunting an acknowledgement to Chris’ warning that they were on their way, he had to bite his tongue against a shout of pain as the sudden motion jolted him.

Spitting a curse and looking over his shoulder as bullets whizzed by, he figured that he should have expected their attackers to have some transportation of their own. Three snowmobiles slowed to their let on-foot comrades board and the gunfire picked up again.

“See if you can put a couple of them out of commission!” Chris called over the sound of the engine and Leon had to roll his eyes even as he pulled his Sentinel NIne free. Like he was just going to sit back there and enjoy the ride, hoping all the while that he didn’t take a bullet in the back?

“Shut up and get us out of here!” he called back instead of calling the BSAA captain a few choice names. Of course Chris would find something about that funny, the sound of the bigger man’s laughter audible over the sound of the snowmobile racing across the snow. Leon drowned it out with gunfire of his own, though he didn’t expect to hit anything. Getting the bastards behind them to keep their distance was his intent. Maybe even get them to fuck up and crash.

Trees whipped past them, Chris steering as if they were skiiers doing slalom and Leon managed to take out one of the gunmen, satisfaction swelling inside him as the body tumbled over and fell into the snow.

God he was sick of being shot at. He’d almost prefer some good old fashioned zombies. At least they tended to go down more easily.

Another bullet grazed past his leg and the agent cursed, frustrated at how awkward it was to fire back so once he’d gotten Chris’ attention with a tug on his winter gear, he called out what he wanted to do.

“On my signal okay?” he added, watching trees whizzing by, a small cluster of boulders ahead. “Now!” he shouted and Chris let off the gas and pulled on the brake lever. Two of the three snowmobiles raced by them. The one without a gunman on the back ploughed into the rocks when the driver looked back at them in a bid to work out what happened and the heat from the explosion warmed them momentarily as Chris fired up their own machine once more.

The second vehicle that blew past them circled back around but not before Leon put several bullets into both riders while he had the benefit of being stationary and having steadier aim.

Chris was impressed. Only one snowmobile left to deal with and they’d closed the distance to the extraction point substantially.

The sound of rotor blades reached them first, the blessed sound of safety so close. And then it came into sight and the relief they felt was almost tangible.There, in the crew bay was an agent on a door gun and Leon didn’t even bother to look behind them as their pursuers were riddled with more bullets in those few seconds than Leon had spent in the entirety of the chase.

The snowmobile hadn’t even stopped before Leon was sliding off it and running over to their waiting salvation. No point in hanging around and waiting to see if anyone else wanted to pop a few shots at him.

“Nice driving back there Redfield,” Leon praised lightly once they were both safely in the crew bay and the chopper was rising above the trees. The land below them was beautiful, now that he could stop and enjoy the view and looking at it meant that he wasn’t looking at Chris, whose eyes he could feel boring into him.

“Not bad shooting back there for someone with a hole in their arm,” Chris returned with a grin, “and that was a good idea to hit the brakes. Quick thinking. You’re pretty handy to have around.”

Chris’ gaze lingered on him so Leon hummed an acknowledgement.

“I think I’m beginning to see what Claire sees in you.”

That got his attention and Chris seemed pleased when Leon’s gaze slid back over to him.

“She said you were ‘floppy haired and full of godawful humour but the best damn guy to have at your back in a crisis’.” She’d said a number of other things including having legs for forever and a really nice ass but Chris kept that much to himself mostly because he didn’t want Leon to know he’d been looking.

Leon barked a laugh that sounded as though he hadn’t genuinely found something funny in a while and shook his head, making those floppy bangs sway. “Shut up already Redfield or I might start to think you like me with all these compliments you’re sending my way.”

It was Chris’ turn to laugh then, finally turning to look through the crew bay window as their transport whisked them back to the private airport.

Leon was right, they were seeing a lot more of each other than they had in the years after Raccoon despite both being survivors of those early outbreaks but Chris for one wasn’t going to complain.

[biofunmy]

Greeting the New Year in Earth’s Northernmost Settlement

On the flight from Oslo to Svalbard, the sun gave way to night as we crossed the Arctic Circle; for one magical moment, the plane’s wing bisected light and dark perfectly. This would be the last natural light I would see for a week. For half the year, Svalbard, the northernmost inhabited place in the world, is lit by the midnight sun. The other half of the year, the Norwegian archipelago is plunged into the purple darkness of polar night.

Few people have heard of Svalbard and even fewer have seen it. The isolated group of islands is an old mining settlement turned glacial adventuring outpost located 1,200 miles north of mainland Norway, one of the closest landmasses to the North Pole, along with Greenland and Nunavut. The approximately 2,200 inhabitants dotting the desolate tundra are itinerant, a mix of climate scientists, miners and globe-trotting explorers mostly from Russia, Scandinavia and Canada. There are more polar bears than people.

Historically, this archipelago was the isolated purview of turn-of-the-century airship explorers obsessed with finding the Northwest Passage; more recently Svalbard served as the fantastical setting for Phillip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy. Today, it is poised to be the next extreme vacation destination for tourists obsessed with climate change, wilderness and chasing the Northern Lights.

Svalbard is an Arctic desert. Its permafrost makes it the ideal home for the Global Seed Vault, an underground repository for the world’s most vital crops (and likely Svalbard’s most famous tourist attraction, though no tourists are allowed inside). But this permafrost also means nothing can take root, giving the place an eerily lunar landscape, with no trees and few animals.

The extreme isolation and hardness of the landscape is what drew me here, too. I took the trip with my partner Noah. Both of our marriages had recently ended, and in our 40s, we were suddenly rootless, dislocated in a way neither of us had expected. It was as though we’d sat on the shoreline, watching a glacier crumble into the ocean. We’d found each other, but our relationship was still new and untested. Perhaps we’d been drawn to the Arctic to see if anything permanent in the world still existed.

And so, at the end of December, after spending a few days in Oslo exploring Grünerløkka’s record shops and the Viking Museum’s ships, we took a direct morning flight to Svalbard. I imagined stepping off the plane into a sea of phosphorescent green aurora, but when we arrived, the sky was cloudy. Noah had seen the Northern lights many times, mostly in Iceland, but this would be my first experience. I loved the idea of the sun setting off a solar flare 92 million miles away, and having it appear here in all its eerie ectoplasmic beauty, like some ghostly atomic postcard.

A set of stairs was rolled up to the plane’s exit door and along with everyone else we wrapped our bodies in our serious coats and hats and mittens before stepping out into the icy air. At the bottom of the slippery staircase, a woman in a reflective flightsuit directed us toward the airport with hand-held lantern flares. A silver foil tiara spelled out Happy New Year on top of her white-blond bun. It was 10 in the morning on New Year’s Eve and pitch black.

Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s main settlement, is essentially two roads in a giant T. This once untouchable frontier has evolved into a study in contrasts, a balance of scarcity and opulence, some of the world’s roughest terrain inexplicably mixed with luxury. For a long time, Svalbard was reserved for the tourist elite because of the difficulty and cost of travel, not to mention the expense of outfitting yourself with the right boots, parka, layers and more to withstand the cold. Visitors tend to be either young adventurers working their way across the world or high-end travelers checking off their bucket lists, and most of the lodging and restaurant options fall into either the budget or splurge category. There is little middle ground.

We booked a room at Funken Lodge, a modern hotel with clean lines and Scandinavian efficiency, where we were welcomed with drinks by the fireplace at the hotel bar (rooms are currently about $150 to $180 a night, breakfast included). We’d made New Year’s Eve dinner reservations at Huset, the highest-end of the handful of restaurants in town, and that evening took a taxi to the unassuming building tucked dramatically at the foot of a towering glacier, where the row of snowmobiles parked out front made it look more ski-lodge than fine Nordic dining. The building has, at various times served as the island’s post office, church, school and airport terminal, as well as a miner’s boardinghouse. Today it is also the understated home to one of the largest wine cellars in Scandinavia with 15,000 bottles and a Two Wine Glass distinction from Wine Spectator magazine.

Huset’s staid interior was in stark contrast to the decadence of the plates. Our five-course meal (1,200 Norwegian krone each, or about $131 per person) started with an appetizer of woody chanterelles that had been foraged locally. Glistening cuts of Isfjord cod and roe were nestled atop beds of lichen and ptarmigan feathers. The main course showcased local reindeer two ways (tartare and made into hearty sausage), accompanied by strands of salty kelp harvested from the island’s shoreline and microgreens provided by the island’s sole greenhouse, a pink geodesic dome visible from the main road. The structure’s neon blink was the only colored light on the island, like a pair of neon Wayfarers in a sea of mirrored Aviators.

The waiter told us that the restaurant turned into a local’s nightclub after dinner, so we stayed in our corner, sipping from our many half-glasses of wine as the demure dining room changed over to flashing lights and techno. A few minutes before midnight, Noah and I pulled our coats and boots on and half-stumbled, half-skated to the edge of the parking lot between the restaurant and the high wall of the glacier. Some of the kitchen staff lit off fireworks, holding the cardboard containers as the flares launched into the air, refracting off the towering wall of glittering ice until everything was bathed in flame. They were not Northern Lights, but these man-made sparkles of color had their own kind of otherworldly beauty.

We woke to the first day of the new year and nursed our hangovers, grateful for the dark. Months earlier, we’d booked a Northern Light Safari with Dog Sled (2,780 krone for two). In the safe glow of a computer screen at home, this had sounded whimsical and romantic. Now, it was mildly terrifying.

Our guide picked us up in a cube van from the hotel, and as we drove farther out of town the streetlamps disappeared, replaced by polar bear warning signs. From a distance, Green Dog Svalbard looked more like a maximum-security prison than a dog-sledding outfit, but the guide explained the chain-link fence and floodlights were needed to keep the dogs safe from polar bears. This was comforting, until I realized the point of our trip was to take the dogs from camp out onto the glacier.

Before sledding, we hung up our fancy parkas and shouldered into bulky jumpsuits that smelled like dog and hooked oversized sheepskin mitts on a string around our necks. This reminded me sweetly of a child’s mittens, until the guide warned us that unguarded our hands would get frostbitten in less than five minutes.

From the hut we followed the guide into the open-air kennel. Names were painted onto each of the dozens of doghouses, and dogs whimpered and leapt with excitement, pulling on their chains staked to the frozen ground. Each sledge held two people and the dogs were organized into teams of six. The guide shouted some general directions over the deafening howling; I tried to listen while wrestling our dogs into formation, sweating profusely under my layers, goggles completely fogged. “Here is your anchor!” He held up a heavy ball of spiked metal attached to the sled. “Make sure you secure your anchor, or it will flop around dangerously and claw you in the leg!”

Noah and I got our bearings on the sledge, essentially a roughhewn Flexible Flyer with a high back, which I sat against and he stood behind. With no fanfare, the guide’s whistle pierced the night, and our six huskies were running, the lights and safety and noise of the kennel disappearing behind us.

Even with a hood, balaclava and goggles, the wind froze my breath in my chest. We were racing through the Bolterdalen Valley, but we could have been on the moon, and I felt like an astronaut floating in space. Our path was lit only by my headlamp, though the dogs clearly knew where to go, and although Noah held reins in his hands, we were just passengers. A few minutes in, we were so completely alone on the ridge of the glacier, so completely in the middle of nowhere, that I began to feel panicky. I concentrated on the dogs’ rhythmic breathing echoing into the icy silence and tried to calm down.

By the time we returned to camp more than an hour later, I could not feel my jaw or feet. Noah and I worked at unhooking our dogs and returning them to their doghouses, and suddenly I was a sweaty mess again, jaw and feet tingling back to life.

In the van on the way back to the hotel, Noah cracked a handwarmer to life and slipped it between our palms. “Did you see the Northern lights?” he asked, flushed. Apparently they’d appeared in the middle of the trip, but I’d been so focused on the dogs, and keeping my balance on the sledge, I’d completely missed them.

Going inside the glacier

The next few days blended into one long night. We ate elaborate meals of Arctic char and gravlax at our hotel restaurant and handmade chocolates from Fruene, the world’s northernmost chocolate shop. We slept late and took long walks through town, wary of bears. Everywhere we went, our snow pants made a shush-shush sound.

One night, we layered up for an evening glacier hike. Our guide Martin drove us to a cluster of miner’s cabins at the edge of town where he handed out headlamps and springy-teethed crampons for the bottoms of our boots.

Martin was tall and trim and he secured his rifle to his back with an embroidered strap of red and green and gold. He cautioned us to stay together — our group of six could only go as fast as the slowest hiker to stay safe from polar bears since he was the only one with a gun. His husky, Tequila, joined us on the two-hours of precarious ice trekking, until we arrived at an unassuming hole the size of a sewer grate on the top of the glacier. We took turns sliding down a tunnel into the dark.

The ice came alive under our headlamps, and the glossy gray ribcages of stalagmites and stalactites made me feel like Jonah inside his whale. The swirls of sediment made wavy marbled ribbons in the wall, and the clicking of our crampons echoed through the tunnels. It felt like walking on teeth and bone and glass.

Summer snowmelt created these caverns. We’d been hiking above a network of underground tunnels. Martin passed around cookies and cups of syrupy blackcurrant juice, leaving purple stains on a makeshift ice bar, and after an hour of wandering inside the tunnels, we crawled back out to Tequila and into a snowstorm. We trekked downhill in an ebullient line, giddy despite the icy crevices and drop-offs that lurked beyond the pale light of our headlamps under the cloudy night sky. There were no Northern Lights, but as we hiked back, a small triangle of light appeared between the glaciers. Town.

I spied the strange pink glow of the geodesic dome, the island’s unlikely greenhouse. As my crampons gripped the ice, I thought about the beds of tender green leaves that I imagined populated it. Why try to grow something in an Arctic desert, a place that by nature is uninhabitable to anything with roots? No one can be born in Svalbard — pregnant women are required to leave the island weeks before their due date — and you cannot be buried there because of the permafrost. And yet, this neon dome pulsed, a pink heart on an otherwise blank slate, offering the promise of new growth where none was expected, roots where otherwise there were none.

Hot dogs and the aurora

Noah’s birthday arrived on the final day of our trip, and I packed our hotel towels and slippers into a bag and told him I’d arranged for a surprise. I’d reserved space on an excursion called “Sauna Meal & Aurora Borealis,” and soon, after driving in a cube van to an isolated campsite on the tundra, we were helping our guide Misha stretch a canvas cover across the crisscrossed spines of a tent frame over a portable sauna. Misha made hot dogs over an open fire in a steel caldron on the ice while we waited for the sauna to heat up. This was the least glamorous meal we ate in Svalbard, and yet it managed to still feel extraordinary as we sat together around the fire, drinking tea and eating hot dogs in the Arctic.

After the barbecue, we stripped off layer after thermal layer, scuttling the 20-foot distance between tents in just a towel and slippers. Once the sauna tent’s flap was securely zipped, we sat in lawn chairs on the ice in the small dark space, listening to the hiss of the water on the rocks. We sweated, luxuriating in the heat, pawing snowballs from the floor and running them against our bare skin. This was the strangest but perhaps most fitting way for our time in the Arctic to end, I thought, huddled together with full bellies on the tundra, Misha patrolling the perimeter for polar bears.

After some time, I wiped the fog from the small slice of clear plastic in the side of the tent and realized the stars were ablaze in the sky, and as I scanned the edge of the glacier I saw something forming: like a cloud, but more ghostly. I grabbed Noah’s arm and we ran outside.

We stood, staring, in slippers and towels on the tundra, as the milky wash of the aurora sparkled across the sky. The lights weren’t green; they weren’t any color, really, but I’d never seen anything like it. My sweat felt like all the stars in the sky were wrapped around my body in a blanket, little spears of heat and ice, and when I turned to Noah his skin was bathed in silver, as if his body was part of the aurora itself.

52 PLACES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE Follow our 52 Places traveler, Sebastian Modak, on Instagram as he travels the world, and discover more Travel coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week you’ll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world.

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[furiousconnoisseurcomputer-blog]

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on estimate how much wil the cost of insurance be more? i will have a 90' 4runner if that helps

Monthly car insurance?

Hi I own a 2004 Saab in New Jersey. I am returning to NJ next month and would like to drive it. I own the car, but I need a car insurance plan for one month. I am 18...Is this possible to do? Or is there a rental car option for 18 year olds?""

Monthly motorcycle costs in Florida?

Are there any monthly costs to owning a motorcycle in Florida other than maintanence and the payments on the actual motorcycle that are mandatory? Like will my health insurance go up or anything? I know motorcycle insurance isn't required but I didn't know if like Id have to pay more for liability of others. please only answer if you are a Florida motorcycle owner. Thanks!

Where can I get Affordable Life Insurance?

Where can I get Affordable Life Insurance?

Nissan Skyline R34 Insurance Question (WA)?

Hello guys, I had two questions about insuring a skyline R34 Turbo... First off, How much (On average) would this cost to insure for someone on their P plates. Second off, Do you know any good insurance companies to go through? WA Is for Western Australia, not Washington. Thanks in advance.""

Riding a friends motorcycle without insurance?

My friend says he has insurance on his bike(ninja 250) that covers him, any other riders and any damages to the bike. He wants me to ride his bike but i have no insurance only my motorcycle permit, my question is, is he just miss understanding his insurance or is he correct about it? Thank you for any help! Also i plan on getting insurance in the next month.""

How much would it cost to add me as an occasional driver?

If I get a new car and its under my mom's name but I'm listed as an occasional driver wouldnt that be way less expensive than having my own insurance which would cost about $1500? I'd only be driving the car to and from school and occasionally out to the movies or something. So would that work?

What type of lawyer do I need to fight a car insurance company?

I was involved in a car accident where the car insurance company for the other person involved is supposed to pay for my car andnhave accepted liability for the accident. But. I haven't received any payment from them. And it's been 4 months! I want to hire a lawyer, just need to know what type do I look for...???? Thanks in advance""

How much would insurance cost for a 2011 mustang v6?

I am 18 years old, I currently have an 03 Tacoma 4 door Prerunner and my current insurance rate is around $210 a month. I live in Louisiana, I average around a 3.0 GPA and I have saved up and I am really close to owning a 2011 mustang and I was curious if someone could give me an estimate on around how much the insurance might cost. Thanks""

How much do you think my insurance will go up?

I got a ticket about a month ago for exhibition of speed and i have court soon but i need to know how much my insurance will go up after our next policy. it wasnt a serious ticket it was just me and my buddy racing from one stop light to the next one. we didnt even go over the limit. i might even get off with nothing because its my first ticket i dunno. but ya, i have alstate and its insured under my parents name and we have our cars, 4 wheelers, snowmobiles, cabin, house, life, and pretty much everything with allstate. its about 600 every 6 months currently for my car. about how much do you think it will go up? thank you.""

Cheap insurance cars?

What new-ish cars (about 2008 onwards) are amongst the cheapest to insure for a 17 year old male? Not really looking at a stereotypical first car like a Corsa or Clio etc. I know insurance isn't cheap, but what cars have the cheapest available?""

Car insurance black box (auto saints)?

I am going to have my car insured with a black box soon from auto saints, because it's much cheaper than any other insurance that I have looked at. My question is, after the second year does the insurance go down a lot with a years of no claims bonus (my friends say it doesn't) . So is it worth it? and do I have to keep the black box for the second year as well or is worth it changing insurance company after the second year?""

Question about healthy families health insurance?

is it true healthy families cuts off the insurance for you when you turn 18??? im gonna turn 18 in a week and i need to go to the doctor. will they cut off the insurance?

How much does a chest X-Ray cost with no health insurance?

i've been experiencing pain in my chest, and i think i need a chest X-Ray. the only problem is, my insurance papers haven't gone through yet, and they won't for about a ...show more""

How much does it cost on average to insure your license?

through any insurance company. :) I just want to know how much on average.

What auto insurance company or small company is cheap for drivers under 25 in arizona?

I am going to get a car soon and i want to look for an insurance company that is cheap and won't really burn a hole in my wallet. Maybe someone cheaper than 120-150 per month? Please give me name and estimate price for which car.

Will I make my bf's parents' car insurance rates go up?

I've lived with my boyfriend and his family for a little over a year now(I pay rent). I am 19 and do not have my license. I have relied on carpools and the bus so it wasn't an issue. Now, I am planning to buy a used car, take the road test and get my own auto insurance. The thing is, they would most likely complain if this would increase their rates. I wish I could just pay a high rate alone- what would be the difference if I just rented a room in a strangers house??lol. I think that it would affect them, but does anyone know for sure?""

What life insurance companies can I go with that I can work from home? I am new and never worked selling any kind of insurance?

I have noticed some require a bachelor's or college degree. I have some college background but did not graduate..

Why does car insurance quotes change every day?

Why does car insurance quotes change every day?

How much is insurance on a Chevy Camaro?

I'm 20, ill be on the car by myself.the camaro is a 1998, and in great condition.""

How much would car insurance cost for me?

I'm 17 years old, canada, ontario. Just started driving.. Anyone recommend a company, or any adivce, what are the costs per month.""

Will my license hike my parents insurance?

I live in Florida with my parents, and I'm 19. I don't have a permit and want to get my license, but I'm not sure if it'll raise my parents' insurance rates. I won't own a car for at least a month or so, and I probably won't be driving theirs frequently, if at all. Will it affect their Progressive insurance at all? Thanks so much.""

""How greatly does color impact the cost of insurance (Geico, if that helps.)?""

I'm car shopping (Even though I still don't have enough money. I'm still in the research stage). I was originally thinking dark blue (Thankfully, I want to stick to that on most of the sportier ones.), but I've found certain models that I really like in red. I was told that it's really hard to afford insurance on red cars. (Even if they aren't exactly party vehicles... The Buick Lacrosse is in my top 5.) How true is this?""

""If my annual premium is 6043.23, what is monthy car insurance cost?""

If my annual premium is 6043.23, what is monthy car insurance cost?""

How much control does the government have over malpractice insurance policies?

Does our government determine the guidelines for malpractice insurance or is this strictly up to the Insurance companies and the states?

Should I buy a 600cc or a 1000cc super sport motorcycle?

I am a fairly experienced rider, I have been riding dirt bikes since I can remember; I also have had my motorcycle licenses at age 15 and now I am now 17 years old. I have put over 10,000 on my kawasaki ninja 250r so this isn't for my first bike it is a step up because me and my dad both believe it is time. I have been looking at ZX6r's and r6's a lot but my real question is if I buy a 600cc bike will I regret it and wish I would have bought a ZX10r or a r10? Will I eventually feel like the 600 bike it's enough? Oh and I am looking to get a bike and keep it so that it will last me though senior year of high school and all of collage. I have looked at all different types of Motorcycles and the super sports have been my favorite by far. Any other information about the 600cc or 1000cc bikes and y'all's opinions on them and which ones you all personally like will be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much for your time for answering!""

Cheapest way to get car insurance ?

I need to insure my car in order to be legal, but i do not want to pay a lot for insurance if the car isnt worth anything, its not worth much but its AWD and gets me where i need to go. Are there any companies that offer low payments for a piece of paper showing i have insurance that i can show a cop if i get pulled over so i wont owe 1500 bucks to the state?""

How much roughly would it cost me to put my spanish friend on my insurance for 3 days?

How much roughly would it cost me to put my spanish friend on my insurance for 3 days?

Can someone please explain Health Insurance to me?

Any and all explanations are welcome. Definitions, etc..""

Which is cheaper to insure a car?

I'm going to get a car for college, but I just need some information. My parents have AAA. Would it be cheaper to add the car onto their insurance (and pay them), or start my own insurance account with a different company?""

Antique car insurance?

I have read about cheaper insurance on classic cars, but you can only have it if you occasionally drive it. Is it possible to have that insurance on a classic car (1970`s) and use it as a daily vehicle? Is there some kind of loophole or something? Thank you in advance. Sorry for my english.""

Does state farm have good life insurance?

Does state farm have good life insurance?

Best Health insurance for a young mom and college student?

I'm looking to find a health insurance suitable for me, a young mother (20) and college student. I did have Medicaid but they're saying I make too much and I'm only allowed to make 188 a month.. O_0 So I decided to just stop wasting my time and invest into my own insurance. My fiance said maybe I can get on his after we get married but Idk about that. What are some good affordable Health insurance for someone like me?""

Young driver insurance?

what is the best car insurance for young drivers

How much would insurance be for a 17 year old girl driving a 2003 350z?

how much would insurance be for a 17 year old female driver...for a 2003 nissan 350z.

How good is military insurance(Tri-Care) for maternity care?

My husband is in the military. I've never used the insurance, but I will need it now that I'm 6.5 weeks pregnant. How's the coverage?""

National insurance Number?

is it possible to get a job without requiring National insurance Number?

Does my car insurance cover this?

Somebody broke my windshield with a rock and I don't know if my insurance covers it

Can i cancel my car insurance immediately? cancel same day and not pay for the following month?

The reason is i sold the car and the insurance guy said the car is still in the system (1st of the month), so i would have to pay still. he said if i canceled on the 15th it could have been canceled sooner and i wouldn't have to pay. i just think it's odd since i don't even have the car anymore. not sure if this makes sense? thanks""

""I have medical insurance, but my deductible is $4000?""

Is there any way at 29 weeks pregnant I can figure out how to get more help paying for this? I live in Southern California. Anything will help right now, I am just getting worried because $4000 plus all of the other stuff to get ready is a little overwhelming. Is there a way to apply for something that will help me with these expenses?""

Health insurance for low income college student?

I was just wondering if anyone had some suggestions for reasonably priced health insurance in Minnesota. I am very physically active, do a lot of running and weight lifting; so my primary concerns are coverage for treatments involving possible breaks, fractures, muscle and tendon tears/breaks, and other things of that nature common with active individuals. Preferably something under $100/month because I am in school and with my current income I am lucky to average $800/month take home. Any help/direction would be greatly appreciated because I have not had health insurance for 9 years since I was no longer eligible for my mothers health insurance.""

How much is car insurance for a 16 year old driver?

I am about to turn 16 in August. And I'm wondering if you can tell me a estimated guess on how much car insurance will be. My family is insured with State Farm. If there is another company that may be cheaper please tell me. My family has several cars under Sate Farm if that makes a difference. I will be driving a 2007-8 Ford F-150 Lariat 2 wheel drive. I have all A's and have over 60 community service hours. If any of this makes a difference. How much will I start off spending and how fast does it get lowered and what will it get lowered to about?

What can I do when I was caught speeding with my friend's car which doesn't have insurance?

Yesterday, I was pulled over by a cop for driving too fast. It's my friend's car, and he has not bought any insurance for the car yet. I did not know this when I was speeding. ...show more""

What life insurance companies can I go with that I can work from home? I am new and never worked selling any kind of insurance?

I have noticed some require a bachelor's or college degree. I have some college background but did not graduate..

Can I buy a car without car insurance?

Hi, I am trying to purchase myself a Mazda, but after I checked the car insurance quote offered by RBC and other companies, things get ridiculous-the quote calculated my insurance to be more than 5000 per year-that's much more than my car! I am 19 years old and this is my first car. I just got my 5N license in Halifax. I didnt take the drivers course, so can I get my car without insurance? Or can you guys recommend a low-price insurance company? Thanks for helping!""

Any lawyers or insurance agents out there?

I won a long fought Small claims case. The lady I sued has insurance, business insurance, not car related. 8 months ago her insurance company denied the claim. I went to Small Claims and won. Doesn't the insurance company now have to pay me if I send them a copy of the final judgment? I also won on her appeal, so its final. Thank you.""

Is van business insurance expensive?

My van is insured at the minute but as an electrician will i require business insurance and willit be much more

""Does my auto insurance cover anyone driving, if they have no insurance themselves? thanks?""

Does my auto insurance cover anyone driving, if they have no insurance themselves? thanks?""

Is car insurance cheaper in the 78212 zip code than it is in the 92692 zip code?

Is car insurance cheaper in the 78212 zip code than it is in the 92692 zip code?

How to insure a used car off of the lot with no previous insurance?

I have never had insurance in my name before (my parents had me under their insurance within the past 6 months, but I am now not insured, nor driving a vehicle). I am interested in buying a car from a buy here, pay here lot and I don't quite understand how it works as far as insuring the vehicle off of the lot goes. I was told that the dealer would give me a few options of insurance (usually crappy) and I would use that insurance for the drive home, and subsequently get my own insurance. This is so ridiculous to me, to pay for insurance twice?! I just want to know the legal & affordable & practical way of insuring this vehicle. Is it not possible to be at the dealership, buy the car, get insurance over the phone while still on the lot, and then drive it home? Because I realize that the dealer will not let you drive it off of the lot if you don't have insurance. Also, how will they know I have the insurance? Since I currently do not have any, I won't have an insurance card or anything material to provide as proof... will they accept an over-the-phone affirmation by the insurance company as proof?""

Can anyone take a Life Insurance Policy on my life without me knowing it?

A while ago I heard of a story of a buisness taking life insurance policies out on their employees without their knowledge of it. So, I figure it cant be a far stretch for anyone to take out an life insurance policy on anyone if they know the relevant personal information. If they can, how can I find out what insurance company has written so I can have it DESTROYED.""

How much would insurance be for a 1999 Ford ZX2 Escort?

I'm 17, a boy, and I live in maryland just 5 miles from DC. Im getting my first car next saturday and its gonna be a Black 1999 Ford ZX2 Escort. How much can I expect to pay for insurance? I have a clean driving record. Also, my parents dont have car insurance so they have to start a separate account for me. Thanks!""

""I need advice on selecting the right health insurance for me, one that covers accutane....plz help!?""

Hi all. i'm 20yrs old. i work full time, and the company that i work for offers Aetna Insurance, i believe...but i've heard that it's not that great. i need an affordable insurance plan, one that covers Accutane (acne medication) and dermatologist visits. plz help!!!""

Does anyone have recommendations for low-cost health insurance in CA? I can't afford Tonik any longer.?

I am an unemployed healthy 20-something paying around $150 a month (with a high deductible).

Motorbike Insurance/Tax/SORN/MOT need help!?

Hi, I recently bought my first motorbike a few month in advance of my 17th birthday, with the intention to ride it once im 17. When i got the bike, it had no MOT or road tax and it was registered as SORN (meaning it was registered as being off the road). So i filled in the registration document, rang up the DVLA and re-registered the vehicle as SORN again. The thing i would like to know is, when it comes to the time of my 17th birthday, in what order do i get each of the things, for example, would i get the MOT before the roadtax and if so how would i get my bike to the MOT centre without having roadtax, and would i still be able to get insured on an untaxed bike with no MOT? So basicly, what order do i get the insurance, MOT and roadtax in? Sorry i hope this made sense i have tried to describe it in the best way possible, thanks for any help.""

What company has the best health insurance at an affordable cost? and which companies should I stay away from?

What company has the best health insurance at an affordable cost? and which companies should I stay away from?

Which we will take good family health insurance?

i would like take one good family health insurance,give me details suggestion which is best""

How much would auto insurance cost for a 1996 dodge viper?

I just need some sort of estimate.

Can i get insurance to cover me driving my girl friends car?

My girlfriends mom is nervous with me driving her daughter's car. The mother is the one who holds the registration and insurance. Is there a way that I could have it insured for me so that she will feel comfortable if I borrow it? She worries about getting sued if I get in a wreck. is there a way to have that fall on my shoulders?

Kit Car Insurance?

How does insurance for a kit car work? I realize you have to specially register it and so forth, but are you charged for a 1986 Ferarri, 1966 Cobra, etc, or is it based on what the engine/chasis/etc came out of?""

I have a question about teenage driving insurance?

I let my son drive my car sometimes and his six months is up and he is now wants to drive friends in the car. I know my car insurance will cover him if he is in a wreck, but will it cover his friends?""

Can a car insurance company lower the estimate?

Ok here is my dilemma: I got in a car accident about a week ago, the other driver is at fault. I went for the repair estimate to the agent #1, he was ready to write a check for $1500, but I was wondering how much they would pay if they totaled the car, in a couple of days I got a phone call and the agent#2 said that the vehicle is gonna be a total loss and said they would pay $2300 and take the car. I decided to just take the $1500. Agents #1 and #2 directed me to an agent #3, I explained the whole situation to him and he said he would issue $1800 if I want to keep the car BUT I would have to get a salvage title for the vehicle first due to the state law. The state law requires a person to get a salvage title if the repair cost is 75% or more of the vehicle total value. I do not want to get a salvage title for the vehicle and I told him that the original estimate given by the agent #1 was $1500, not $1800 which is less than 75%, to which he responded I believe we still had some items open when you got that estimate . he will check it and call me back. 1. Can I just lower the estimate to original $1500 so I would not have to get a salvage title for the car? Any law that allows me to lower it? 2. Will the insurance company receive any benefit if they pay me more money but I will have to salvage the car? Why do they wanna do it?""

Cheapet Cars To Insure For A 18 Year Old?

i am 18 years old living at home, i have 1000 pound and i am looking for a cheap run around to get me to school and back,, does anyone know any cheap cars to insure tanks""

Where can you find the best/cheapest car insurance for a 17 year old?

I am 17 years old and I hav recently jst passed my driving test. I was wondering where i can find the cheapest car insurance. Preferably, i would like to put myself as second driver of the car (under my dads name who is the main driver). But does any1 kno where i can find the cheapest car insurance for someone my age? Thanx in advance.""

Why arent car insurance comparison sites easy?

I am really confused how to use the damn things, for example i am trying to find a cheap quote but it keeps on asking when i want the policy to start?? When i do not want it to?? What policy date should i put in if i am just trying to find cheap insurance, not wishing to start it. Help is much appreciated!""

Do I have to be on my parent's car insurance to drive my car in Florida?

I'm a little confused because my dad says I don't have to because *only* the car needs insurance. But then why are people on insurance lists for cars?

Which is best general insurance to take?

I can pay 2000rs/annam.I need Health & Mediclaim Policy. My Requirements -- Maximum coverage of insurance.Should cover all diseases including new diseases which will come in future(i have worried about swin flu a new arraival in 2009). My age is 27years.

Car accident insurance?

Today someone backed into my car while parked damaging it. We exchanged insurance info and I called my insurance company and let them know and gave them his info. Does he still have the option to pay the for the damages in cash or does he have to go through insurance now that i let them know. He didn't specify if he wanted to go through insurance or pay in cash. I just want to know if i eliminated his option of paying in cash by calling my insurance. I feel bad if that's the case.

Is an audi a3 cheap to insure for a new driver?

I came across a forbes article that said that the audi a3 was the chepaest car to insure and this seemed a bit strange to me. Is it true? If not any advice on a good car for a new driver for under 10 grand? I really have a strong preference for vw.

What life insurance companies can I go with that I can work from home? I am new and never worked selling any kind of insurance?

I have noticed some require a bachelor's or college degree. I have some college background but did not graduate..

How much would car insurance be for a 19 year old?

I just got my license and I know that car insurance can be really expensive for younger people. I was wondering if there is any cheap insurance company? I would love to pay no more than $100, is this possible? Any inside from personal experiences?""

Looking for good medical insurance BUT AFFORDABLE?

i'm a senior age 62 wife 69,still working my medical insurance at work is 185.00 per payroll 307.00 per month it's killing where can i get good insurance but affordable.i live in california also i'm planing in retiring july 2013,i'll be 63, yahoo answers find me insurance i put my trust in answers people thank you gilley p.s. no kids""

What one would be cheaper for insurance and do you own a sports car if so how much on insurance is it for yo?

When I turn 16 I was thinking of getting a sports car and I was wondering what one would be cheaper for insurance would it be a 2004 mustang or a 2002 camaro or a 1974 challenger I live in nebraska in a small town we have the money to own one but I want to know what would be cheaper and how much it would cost yearly or monthly and If you own a sports car what kind and how much do you pay monthly

Home & Car Insurane?

What insurance company combines Home and car insurance i want to pay them together

Why is health insurance cost rising?

Why is health insurance cost rising?

Approximately how much does it cost to bond and insure a sole-proprietorship pressure washing business?

Approximately how much does it cost to bond and insure a sole-proprietorship pressure washing business?

Are There Any Affordable Dental Insurance Policys on the Market?

I am wanting some work done on my teeth but do not have dental insurance, where can I find affordable dental insurance?""

Should i trust AIS insurance broker company?

ais charges for broker fee only for one time, is that true? i have farmers right now. but AIS offer me mas cheaper insurance (mercury). but i'm not familiar with AIS company. do they have any headen charges that they never mention??? please help!!! thanks""

Do car salesmen get free dealer insurance to drive any car?

As above, I've been offered a job by a franchised motor dealership, just curious if as part of the job you get free insurance to drive all vehicles? And do you generally get a company car. It's a big part of the decision I have to make. Any help or advice would be great.""

Life insurance rates in CA vs TX?

for the same coverage (i.e. $500K 30 years term life) is life insurance cheaper in CA or in TX? We are going to be moving to TX in the next couple of months, and we want to buy life insurance. I'd like to know if we are better of buying it here in CA or wait till we get to TX.""

Car insurance curious question?

On today i went to a car show in my area and when i was out their i seen alot of nice old school. As i was looking, i went to talk to a guy. he said invested 20,000 in his 89 chevy caprice. It had the Portable tvs, brand new engine and so on.. Then i was like man what if you wreck you vehicle, the insurance not going to pay for all that, besides you can get much for a 21 yr old car. He was like since he got full coverage and he happen to get into a accident and the car is total, he said the insurance company will reimburse him half of the money back on what he spent on the car. Is this true?""

How much does a psychiatrist cost without insurance?

I will not have insurance to give for going to a psychiatrist. How much would you think something like this would roughly cost?

Where can I find the best and affordable health insurance?

employer does not provide health insurance anymore. where can i find the best affordable health insurance that i pay for myself? thanks

""525i First car, how much insurance?""

Hey, Im currently trying to get my driving lisence and I was thinking of buying a BMW 525i 1995 model as my first car, how much will the insurance cost approximatly? i know it will be expensive, but how expensive?""

Great sports cars that don't have bad insurance?

Okay so I'm 16 and need a sports car. My budget is 40K and if been looking at used ones. I was thinking about a porshe but it seems there insurance and maintenance is outrages. I have also been looking at Mercedes Benz. They seem to be a bit better but not sure. anyone have a porshe or a Meredes??? I also live in Canada. Or any other ideas for a sports car.??.? :)

2004 RX8 insurance? Teens I need help!!!!?

Ok I am looking to get a 2004 RX8. I am 16 and may get it at 17 if I wanna wait.I can afford the car (with parents help) but I wanna know, With Full Insurance Coverage, around what price is the Insurance (I know about the quote thing but what yours) for the 2004 RX8. Do any Teens have on that can tell me?""

""I just purchased Geico car insurance, did i do the right choice?

i did research for car insurance companies. so far my Geico's quote beat the rest of them. i received a 6 months premium of $520.10. i just hope i did the right choice. please serious answers!

Where can i get cheap Car Insurance?

here you go a website that can help you find the best auto insurance in your area http://is.gs/7xg

Who Pays For Your Medical Insurance?

Another one...who pays for your medical insurance?? The place i work for pays for my full coverage with NO out of pocket expence on my part and NO money taken out of my paycheck? Does your company also pay for you or do you have to pay some out of pocket money?? If i had a choice i choose them to dock me my half hour lunch as long as they are paying for my medical insurance..thats more important to me..What do you think??

What is a good cheap sports car for a teenager?

I just learned to drive a manual transmission so now i am interested in a more sporty car. I want something that is initially fast and doesn't require modificatons. I have a limit of about 5 or 6 grand.

How much would motorcycle insurance cost?

Hello, i'm 20 about to be 21 in december, but i'm gonna be going for my motorcycle license in a week, an planning on buying a kawasaki ninja 250R since it has good reviews, but i'm wondering how much it would be for insurance i'm just going for motorcycle license cause i don't like cars, trucks etc. but yeah so i don't have a normal license so i have no driving record of crashes etc. i'm in indianapolis, IN cause i know states vary. Rob""

Approximately how much is Home Owners Insurance?

I'm sure it varies by location and value of the house, but approximately how much is homeowners insurance?""

Where can I get SR-22 insurance?

I got a DUI and am now required to get SR-22 Insurance in Illinois. I called my local Insurance companys and most of them are saying I need to have insurance with them prior to this so I can't get it through them. Any ideas on some good companies that would do this, and the cheapest way to go about it?? Much thanks!! Mandy, Illinois""

How do I find Insurance coverage for preexisting conditions in California?

Our March Cobra payment was sent in too late so the coverage was cancelled. I applied on-line for coverage with Blue Shield of California and was denied due to preexisting conditions. Now I have no coverage. I understand I may have a 6 mo. to 1 yr. period where the insurance wont cover any preexisting conditions once Im on a plan, but how do I find a plan that will accept me?""

Which cars are the cheapest insurance wise? (england)?

I wanna get a car as soon as i'm 18, so i obviously want something which will have cheap insurance. Nothing embarrasing mind.""

What life insurance companies can I go with that I can work from home? I am new and never worked selling any kind of insurance?

I have noticed some require a bachelor's or college degree. I have some college background but did not graduate..

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/insurance-how-much-teen-west-virginia-michael-keller/"

[love-transparentstudentarca-blog]

People who cant afford health insurance are quacks?

"People who cant afford health insurance are quacks?

People who cant afford health insurance are quacks?

BEST ANSWER:  Try this site where you can compare quotes: : http://howmuchisinsurance.xyz/index.html?src=tumblr 

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Someone who will not cost the earth, up to group 14, uk.""

How much do you think my insurance will go up?

I got a ticket about a month ago for exhibition of speed and i have court soon but i need to know how much my insurance will go up after our next policy. it wasnt a serious ticket it was just me and my buddy racing from one stop light to the next one. we didnt even go over the limit. i might even get off with nothing because its my first ticket i dunno. but ya, i have alstate and its insured under my parents name and we have our cars, 4 wheelers, snowmobiles, cabin, house, life, and pretty much everything with allstate. its about 600 every 6 months currently for my car. about how much do you think it will go up? thank you.""

How much would a 2002 impreza wrx cost to insure?

Im 17( i know im about to get a bunch of your going to kill yourself! AHHHH!!!! i regularly drive my dads 05 mustang gt, i know how to responsibly control power) and me and my parents have found a great deal on a 2002 impreza sedan, it has 125k miles on it, and the last thing deciding factor before buying this vehicle is the insurance. We already have a mustang gt on the family plan, i live in VA, make all A's(supposed to give me a 30% discount), im male, the color is blue, with only a greddy bov aftermaket part installed. The car itself is blue, it is the turbod WRX version(not the sti), and has never been wrecked. We have state farm, im not sure as to what other information anyone would need to know, but im jusst looking for a rough estimate, thanks for any input.""

Car insurance -- should they cover these expenses?

I had an accident a month or two ago. It was in a rental car. I found out today that the insurance company had disallowed some of the charges that the rental company tried to pass to them. Now the rental company is trying to pass those charges to me. They ammount to about $500, plus my deductible, of course. The charges are $100 for an administrative fee $200.89 loss of use fee $139.38 diminished value fee. Who should pay these charges? Should I fork this money over to the car rental company? Should the insurance company pay them? What strategy should I use in my conversations with them? My feeling is that I have insurance, it should pay everything which is an actual cost above and beyond the deductible. ie if I have to pay it, the insurance company should have to pay it. On the other hand, if they are somehow bogus charges, then the rental company can eat it, and that's fine. Thought?""

I'm wondering how much other 24 ish year olds pay on car insurance?

I've been riding a bike for years... by motorbike insurance is now 150 a year, I just put what i thought was a normal car into a qoute and it was 130 a month... Is that high? Any idea what might be the biggest effect on that? So answers: I'd like to know what people pay on things + any advice on types of car or things to do to get it down.""

""Car Insurance, i passed my Drving test yesterday,Insurance Premiums?""

I live in Manchester(longsight), passed test yesterday, age:17...,can anyone plz tell me that how much will be the insurance premium for me(new driver), i asked from some of the insurers and most of them told that my insurance premium will be at least 2000. is it? Can any one tell me about some cheap insurance company who's price is 1000 or near about. Thanks.""

Car insurance for a Nissan 350Z?

Would it the car insurance be expensive for the Nissan 350Z if my parents bought it? But its for me. Yes, they're older than 25 :p and they own a car of their own. But this would be my first car, of my own. Not me driving theirs everywhere. lol. Cause i heard something about being a first time driver or whatever, being a teen and under the age of 25 with a two seater car that insurance can be hectic? But im not paying for it. And i can't make up my mind between the Audi TT or the 350Z. But i will start paying for it when i get a job, 16th birthday isn't to far. Which would you choose and why?""

What car insurance coverage do you really need?

I have an 2002 honda civic that is worth about $7,000 with 112,000 miles on it. I have collision, death and dismemberment, uninsured motorist. I have a 1,000 deductable, but I am paying $110.00/ mo and want to reduce my payment. Is it a bad idea to drop uninsured motorist or death and dismemberment? Can someone explain what all the car insurance options are? I don't have dependents, but a already have free life, health insurance, and disablility insurance through my employer if that makes a difference. I would call my agent, but I think he must be have busy or smoking a joint out back for the last couple of weeks because he doesn't call me back.""

How much would auto insurance cost me?

Im 16. The car im going to get is a chevy comaro 40k.? Dont tell me to go to my local car dealer thing to ask.

How much would insurance cost for a 16 yr old female?

I'm 16 & getting a 2010 Nissan Maxima. Don't tell me not to get it because I'll wreck or trash it. I learned how to drive when I was 12 and I drove all the time when I got my permit. I'm not going to trash it at all. All I need to know if how much insurance might be. A rough estimate because I know everywhere is different. Some few details: I'm 16, a female, straight A student, and really responsible. Thanks.""

If i dont have car insurance can i still drive?

my name is not on the car insurance for my dads car, and he said i cant drive because my name is not on the insurance. so i cant drive the car intill my name is on the insurance? even thou he is my father?""

Car insurance claim Question?

Okay, so here is the story. i was in a private McDonald's car park when the was car meet event, nothing official boy racers if your wish, the car parks were full to the brim with cars parked all over the place, with hardly any lighting at 10 o clock as night, visibility wasn't at its best. i was stuck in a Que of traffic trying to get out of the car park, when the car in front started reversing for what ever reason, so i put my car into reverse, had a glance in the rear view mirror which really was no help because of the poor lighting. I let my foot of the brake as the car in front stated reversing an with in milliseconds i herd people shouting, so i stopped and got out, there was a car right behind me must have on been cm away, with a massive dent in the drivers door. although i didn't even feel a thing i quickly apologised and began to sort the problem. i have no clue whether the driver had his lights on or not. i suspected that i couldn't have done it because i had barely moved and there was no damage to my car what so ever. Although this being my first accident i was nerves so took responsibility. We both decided to sort it out between our selves, i didn't want my insurance to go up as it is high enough already as a young driver, he said he would need a new door and i agreed due to the size of the dent, so he found one on eBay for 150 and would take nothing but that as i only had 100 in the bank at the time we drove to the cash machine he took the 100 and we agreed that i would pay him the other 50 in two weeks when i got paid, i writ a receipt to say that i had paid him this money and there was a following 50 to come, with his signature and address phone number ext... two weeks later herd nothing although i kept the money aside for a couple more weeks just in case, but still herd nothing after over a month he texts me asking for the 50 which i no longer have, i explain to him that he has left if for over month and now expects it instantly. Now he says he is going to put in an insurance claim, which i cant no see happening due to 2 reasons 1. he has already tried to sort it him self and failed to because of a fault of his own 2. because he was on a private car park at an illegal car meet Am i right? or is there anything i should do or know about this situation. Thank you.""

I was wondering who has the cheapest auto insurance rates in the bay area california? please help.....?

I was wondering who has the cheapest auto insurance rates in the bay area california? please help.....?

Fair price for my car insurance?

Got my car insurance bill. I'm on a family plan with my mom and my sister. We did it because we were told it would save money. I'm in my late 20's, drive an older car(a '97), have never had a traffic ticket or accident, and have the basic coverage with a $500 deductible. Just the basics. It's $350 for 6 months. It went up from the last time I paid it. First, is that a decent price? Second, why does the insurance go up if I didn't get a ticket or accident?""

Car insurance question.?

If you are in an accident does your insurance company only pay to fix your car or can they pay you like cash for how much the damage costs?

How much will it cost to replace my alloy wheels wih normal wheels/tyres?

My fiat punto has non-standard alloy wheels and they're making my car insurance too high. How much will it cost to replace them with normal wheels/tyres?

I recently had hail damage to my car and my insurance company did an estimate which is 100% lower than 3 reput

I recently had my car damaged by hail and I have comprehensivr coverage. My insurance company had an adjuster do the estimate and his estimate is 100% lower than 3 other estimated I had done (some of which weer by shops they work with...CRP). They are telling me I can take it in and they will pay the shops a supplemental check for the additional costs. I don't want to take it in because of my deductible and they are telling me pretty much the only way i can really re-coup the money owed to me is to have it fixed...I pay for my policy and as I understand it, i am entitled to the compensation of the damage and it is my choice to have it fixed or not...am I right or wrong in my understanding????""

Periodontal Insurance in Iowa?

I have major gum resession and I need a transplant, which means I need to visit a peridontist. Problem is, I can't find one in Iowa that takes my insurance. (Hawk-i) I really need the surgery and I've been searching for months and haven't had any luck. Please, someone help me out, please.""

Suspend my insurance without it lapsing?

Im having some mechanical problems with my car that Im financing, and I am too young to rent a car while its in the shop, so Im considering buying a cheap car to get me by until I can fix it. Unfortunately Im still financing the first car and want to know if there is any way to put a hold on my insurance so im not paying $200 a month to insure a car Im not driving. I will still be making the car payments but it would make it a lot easier for me to afford the repair bill if I could skip on the insurance without the bank I finance thru getting upset.""

Will my car insurance premiums increase?

I just got pulled over for the second time in a 7 month period and was given a citation for turning right on no turn on red . Will my car insurance payments go up? How long does it usually take for the insurance company to find out about the citation?

Why has the cost of Car insurance suddenly shot up?

Got my renewal quote today, car insurance has risen by over 250 extra, I phoned around and the companies are saying that the quotes have just gone up without explanation. Is this just sheer exploitation and profiteering?, in this time of recession how can they seriously do this and ask for such things hand over fist.? Rip of Britain indeed. Is there an insurance regulator people can go to to get an opinion on it?""

People who cant afford health insurance are quacks?

People who cant afford health insurance are quacks?

In ALABAMA do i need full coverage?

I want a new car...and I was gonna go to a buy here pay here lot, but I was wondering if I need to have full coverage on the vehicle...""

I involved in a car accident and that car insurance just expired few days ago?

I borrowed my brother in law car and unfortunately, i collided with another car. Then I realized that my brother's car insurance with GMAC has just expired few days ago. I don't have the same address with him, just borrow his car occasionally because i just moved here. I have my own car insurance in another state with AAA. What can I do in this situation?""

What is auto insurance ?

can anybody explain what is auto insurance ?

What is the difference between term insurance and whole life insurance?

What is the difference between term insurance and whole life insurance?

Are vauxhall corsa's cheap on insurance?

Are vauxhall corsa's cheap on insurance?

Muscle/Sports car insurance question...?

Would a 1971 Ford Torino 4 door sedan be considered a sports/muscle car to insurance companies? I am trying to find a way around the muscle car insurance rates while still having a muscleish car. Any other car suggestions would be great.

Car insurance help ok so i am going to be a first year driver?

ok so i am going to be a first year driver what insurance company should i get since the are a lot of them out there and how much do u think i will be paying per month in joliet IL i am a male and 18 years old

How much will insurance cost for a 16 year old?

im 16 years old and i wanna get a 1965 mustang and im wondering how much insurance would cost even if under my parent's plan

What sort of car/van insurance can i get?

I have my own business and use a van and i also have 1 employee who uses another van so i need to insure both of these but i also want to get a car to use maybe once or twice a week to meet clients etc, i havent decided on what car to get yet but i am looking at something sporty, ie a bmw m3 or something similar, is there a business policy which i could take out to cover all this? i would prefer to find one similar to motor trade where i and my employee can be insured to drive anything and i pay a set cost each year,any advice will be great, thanks""

Anyone know where to get good individual dental insurance thats effective immediatly?

I need my wisdom teeth removed but have no insurance, most individual insurance companies have a 6 month waiting period for procedures other than preventitive. I need them out now because one was infected and I got it treated with antibiotics but Im afraid it will come back because it keeps bleeding. Any help will do and I am in florida.""

Is car insurance higher if your car has high exhaust emissions?

I know road tax is higher but does car insurance cost more if your car has a high emission level? Thanks

On average what is my auto insurance going to cost if I go with geico or progressive in los angeles?

I need to know seriously

What is best health insurance for a 43 yrs old male single ?

not to expensive health insurance .

Help! Affordable health insurance for healthy 2yr old in Florida?

Do you know of any good insurance? We're looking for one and it's confusing.

Will my insurance get expensive if I don't pay it for a few months?

So I am 19 years old and I been paying insurance for 1 year now. But right now I am not working and I don't need my car as much and i feel that I am just wasting money on insurance. My policy will end in 9 days and I am thinking on ending my insurance and instead I am going to ride the city bus. Right now I am paying 96 dollars per month and the next six months will go down to $94. If I don't pay for insurance for 1 or 3 months will the price go up? How much? Thank you in advance.

Will a reckless driving ticket affect an insurance premium in Georgia?

My husband recently went through a road block after leaving work (playing music in a bar.) He was honest and said he'd been drinking, even though he waited for a while and had not had that much to drink. He blew .07 over the legal limit. He went to jail for 14 hours. We paid a lot of money and got the charge dropped to reckless driving. This was six months ago and our insurance premium has only gone down (good grades and homeowner's insurance with same company.) We are afraid to ask the insurance company for fear that they might not know. 1. Will that info get sent to them automatically? 2. Is there danger that our bill will go up if we speak to them about it? 3. What percentage might the bill go up once they do find out? We are looking to buy a new car soon, so we can't avoid speaking to the insurance company about it forever!""

I need a site where I can compare health insurance quotes from the top companies. Any help will be appreciated?

Health Insurance Quotes Needed Online...

My husband needs health insurance.?

My husband works full time but doesn't have insurance thru them. I'm pregnant and most outside health insurances won't cover him because his wife is expecting a baby. I want to know is his work health insurance any different. R they obligated to give him insurance reguardless if his wife is pregnant?;;

Need to find a cheap and reliable first car whats the best things to look for in a car?

hi just passed my uk driving test yesterday and am looking to get a car but i really have no idea on what to get. my budget aint brilliant around 500 but i only need something small - cheap insurance wise- but reliable.. what sort of milage should i be looking for, what engine size, what cars are more reliable than others,what would be cheap insurance wise etc. ill be using the car on a daily basis to do school runs and shopping etc any help and ideas would be great. many thanks in advance!!""

Can you put two cars on two different insurance companies?

If i have two cars, can i put one on Geico and one on state farm. I'm having very bad experience with State farm and i'm thinking of switching with one car at at time. Is it possible to have the two cars in my household on two different insurance company eventhough both cars are in my name?""

Which is the cheapest car insurance for young drivers?

Hi, I'm thinking of starting driving soon and was wondering if anyone knows which would be the cheapest option for insurance? I've tried the compare services and found a direct quote from direct line to be cheaper than any of the ones it found, at about 2200 last time I checked (I think). Does anyone know any other insurers who are cheaper or if this is the best I'm going to get? I'm 20, don't have a license yet and obviously have no no claims etc. Is http://www.4youngdrivers.co.uk/ any good? thanks people.""

Are the insurance companies having a super party right now?

I mean it is now law that they will have a steady stream of customers. So are they psyched?

How do you get someone's car insurance provider?

The accident happened at a house i dont know if that counts as privite property or not but I've contact my own insurance filing it under my own policy. I gave them the opposite partys number and tag and they did tell me he did give a recorded statement. The insurance does hold him responsible but he refuses to give up any insurance at all. Is there anyway you can get insurance company through a tag number?

What is the cheapest/best home insurance right now?

my home insurance just went up from roughly $800 to $1300 a year! Is their a better, more affordable one out there? Thanks""

""Can we hit it out?(16 yr old, 20yr old guy)?""

and before you go saying I have no right being with someone that age and that I'll make a huge mistake; Im virgin. Im saving myself for marriage and I even got a purity ring. I know some of the tricks in the book(like the one where the older guy tricks the younger girl into thinking shes inlove to get in her pants and ect.) so Im no fool, my mom taught me better than that. But Im gonna flirt with him, he's really cool(he's a sk8er boi) and he's so short and his face looks so young that if you didnt know any better you'd swear he's like 17 or something. now once again, Im not stupid enough to have sex with him; I respect myself and body to much to let myself go like that, the only guy getting is this is the one on one knee with a diamond ring. Additional Details oh and ps. he does like me. he said once that my boyfriend better watch out, he's got a cute girlfriend. Someone might take her. and when he washes his car when Im outside he purposley takes off his shirt as if Im not watching him.""

People who cant afford health insurance are quacks?

People who cant afford health insurance are quacks?

How do Car Insurance Deposits Work?

I am new to the whole car insurance thing, and so I would greatly appreciate it if someone who knew what they were talking about would give me some help on how deposits work. I don't want to ask this help from the insurers cos they'll try to persuade me to pay for their insurance before I'm ready. Basically, my cheapest and most covered insurance is quoted as 3,889.98. I will be initially paying a deposit of 780.05 and then monthly payments of 314.66 for the next 11 months. What I want to know is an explanation of how deposits work in terms of Car insurance, and what I also want to know is does this deposit have to be paid more than once in your entire time with the company? Thank you in advance guys :) Micky.""

I wanna rent my car out.What insurance policy do I need ?

I would like to rent out my extra car. What is the best coverage for that?I know if I go with 21.st century for example it will cover the car ,not the driver.But is there a specific insurance where if anything happens my rates wont go up? Like the one you purchase at the car rental places?""

Medicaid insurance with another insurance?

I was wondering what the qualifications are for Medicaid. Specifically, I have UBH insurance...since I have insurance already, would I still qualify for Medicaid? I am 19 years old and live on my own now.""

""Im 17,i need help with my car insurance?

im 17 and car insurance at my age is really expensive but about 9 months ago i went to an insurance agency and they gave me an reallllllllyyyy good quote well something happen and had to cancel my insurance with them now i bought a new car and i want to knw if i can go back to them and get the same good car insurance price because ive been shoping and geting quotes online and its sooo dang expensive

Car Insurance vs.Health Insurance?

I was in a car accident a few months ago. I was at fault 100%, so my insurance company paid for the property damage but the amount for bodily damage is set too high by their attorney.Does n't health insurance contribute to an extent for the injuries and medical bills etc. or is it the 100% responsibility of the car insurance company to pay for the whole amount that is medical bills etc. incurred by the individuals and their health insurance combined?""

What are the requirements to become a licensed insurance agent in Texas?

I have applied at GEICO and I want to know what the state of Texas requires, besides taking the exam, to become a licensed insurance agent.""

Car accident when driving other's car?

hi, I was wondering if I lend my car to a friend and will I be responsible for any damage if he got into a car accident? A friend of mine asked me to lend him my spare car for a week and I want to make sure if I would be sue by other party if he ever got into a car accident because my car and insurance is under my name. Thanks""

How much on average is insurance for an audi a3 convertible?

How much on average is insurance for an audi a3 convertible?

Why are teenage girls insurance rates cheaper than boys?

It is a well known fact that teen girls are becoming more agressive in driving habits and accident statistics are up so why do they not share the same insurance rates?

How much will my insurance increase after two at fault accidents?

I was in an accident at the beginning of the year and six months later I was involved in the same kind of accident. I was at fault for both accident. I was wondering how much would my insurance would increase. Thanks!

What is the cheapest auto insurance for michigan?

for the most basic insurance

How long until driving on a suspended license ticket on DMV record is ignored by insurance companies?

How long until driving on a suspended license ticket on DMV record is ignored by insurance companies?

Car Insurance and Tornadoes?

Just curious since I live in the heart of tornado alley in Southern Kansas... Say if my car was at home or at a store or other place of business and a tornado destroyed or damaged my car, will my insurance cover the damage? Full coverage.""

If your name is not on your parents car insurance?

if your name is not on your parents car insurance, are you allowed to drive it and will they cover you if you get into an accident?""

I want to by a nissan s-cargo does anyone know anything about them or what the insurance cost is?

http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=131516&Nissan-quote Nissan s-cargo this is the site for my car and I love it just curious what the insurance will before I make a offer and would like to hear opinions and stories about them.

Whats the cheapest auto insurance plan?

I hate insurance. I have no reason so far to need it. I'm a safe driver and i do not want my money to be drained into some company, which in time, will get more money from me than they spend to fix whatever may happen to my car. I don't want a flashy car. I only need a cheap one. So i could care less about dents and stuff. What is literally the cheapest auto insurance plan i can get in California? cheapest dollar for dollar.""

Does anybody know any Insurance Company sell GAP insurance for a car bought more than 12 months ago?

I bought my car nearly a year ago and I do not have a GAP insurance. I am thinking to buy this GAP insurance but the companies I have spoken to said they only sell for the cars bought within last 30 or 90 days. So if any of you know a company does in my situation that ll be very helpful. Thank you very much

Will a car insurance company cover a collsion if I have a salvage title?

I purchased a vehicle which came with a clean title from an owner.I called my car ins.company and added insurance to the car then went to register it.DMV says this vehicle was in an accident and would have to be a salvaged title. My question is if my ins.company has it down as a clean title and I get into an accident,will they then find out its a salvage title? If not then how will they find out if at all? Im afraid if I tell them its salvaged now they won't insure the car then I'd be stuck with it.""

Has anyone sign up for the Affordable Health insurance?

There are all these news about too much traffic to the site, but has anyone actually signed up for health insurance through healthcare.gov?""

What is the cheapest insurance for a 17 year old?

Im planning on moving out soon and want to get started, the kind of car im going to get is either a ford mustang or a dodge charger 05' and i was wonderin if anyone knew the cheapest insurance there is. Thanks much!""

How much would insurance for a 2008 Honda CBR 125cc?

I'm only a 16 year old, 5'3 115 pound girl... I've got my g1, my driving course and I'm more than willing to take the motorcycle course. I'm looking at buying a 2008 Honda CBR 125cc. I'm wondering ON AVERAGE what I'll be paying for insurance? Thanks in advance!""

Car insurance?

suppose someone is paying $700 a year for liability car insurance and gets a speeding ticket. how much higher can this persons insurance go up?

Car insurance cost in UK... seems too expensive?

I was planning to buy a car in UK. Initially I was planning to buy a high end car but a friend of mine suggested to get a small engine car to get cheap insurance. I am new to UK - have been driving cars in India for over 10 years but the insurance was in dad's name so dun have any no claim bonus. When I compare insurance cost online I don't find much difference between a small car and a big one. Even the cheapest car costs about 2000/= to insure for the first year (for a new driver with no NCB). I don't quite understand it - are theses quote real? Any suggestion for me? New or used? Big or Small? My top concern is cost of insurance.

Best overall car insurance company?

In your opinion (or based on any experiences) what is the best kind of car insurance?

I recently moved to Brooklyn and I need to find affordable auto insurance for my car. Any suggestions?

I know car insurance in NY is expensive in general, but any suggestions would help!""

People who cant afford health insurance are quacks?

People who cant afford health insurance are quacks?

How much is car insurance usually?

and what makes it change? car type and age of owner?

What is the cheapest insurance?

where could i find the cheapest insurance plan for me with any company. Im mainly trying to figure out what the insurance will be costing with the certain car I will be getting. I am 15 years old currently but will be turning 16 soon and when it comes time for my license during the summer I would like to know how much insurance will be. I already know what type of car im getting, A 1998 Camaro z28. Would it be extremely pricy or not too pricy, i just need a ball type figure. once again with ANY COMPANY, what would be the cheapest for a 16 year old with a 1998 camaro z28? thanks""

How do I get general insurance?

I need to have insurance before I get to the car dealership, as it is a car dealer that works with banks to allow people to finance cars that have bad credit, and low work history. This is the best option for me, but all the car insurance places I contact are asking for the make and model of a vehicle..... What do I do? I need general insurance. What insurance allows you to drive Any car you want to drive/have permission from the owner? Is there such an insurance?""

How much do you think my motorcycle insurance will be?

I am getting the CBR125R 2009 HONDA! It's going to be black. I'm a 16 year old girl, and the bike costs $3,599.00 . How much do you think my insurance will be? All together what will it possibly total up to? Thank you!""

How much will my insurance be?

I only have 90 bucks on me, im buying a 1985 mazda for 700... Im going to go on my parents insurance and my older sister is also on their insure, so they're insurance will be covering 4 cars including mine... Will my insurance be under 90? Any extra payments?""

Can you give me any tips for finding cheap medical insurance in California?

Can you give me any tips for finding cheap medical insurance in California?

How much does a 16 year old usually make per month?

If you are working a job 40 hours a week and making 8 dollars per hour how much would you earn in a month deducting taxes and car insurance?

How much will my insurance go down if i am on my dads policy ?

Hi i have just passed my test and obviously looking to get a car, i will be most probably having a friends car as he is getting a new one, its a 1.6 W reg Citroen saxo, if i have my own insurance (third party only) its around 3500.00 which is well out of my price range, if i did go on to my dads or moms policy, how much less would it be roughly, my dad lives in a nice area but did lose his licence for 3 months a few years back, my mom lives in a mediocre area but has no points and no history of any problems, i am 19 and i work as a clerical officer if that helps at all :S""

Suggest a good insurance company?

I want to buy a insurance plan for my stock and machinery. Please suggess a good insurance company.

Cheaper insurance for full time students?

well this semester i am suppose to be a full time student, because my parents said it makes insurance cheaper but what happens if you withdraw from one of the classes, does the insurance go back up, or they don't know about it, and they assume your still a full time student?""

Car Insurance for Teen?

I'm 16 years old and before my dad buys me a car, I have to have enough money in the bank for car insurance. (I've gotta pay for it.) I think I qualify for a discount since I'm, like, an A- student. Let's say... I get a 1999 Honda. Any quotes?""

Will my parents car insurance go up if they co sign for me?

I have my own car and need car insurance but I need my parents to co sign for me. I'm getting a different insurance company from what my parents have on a different everything. Will them co signing for my insurance affect their insurance with anything? Like will their insurance go up because they co sign for me? Or if I get a ticket or in a wreck will it raise their insurance costs? We live in the USA.

Pregnant with no insurance?

I recently moved and I no longer have health insurance. I am 33 weeks pregnant. I do not qualify for Medicaid. are there any other inexpensive options? I am currently working part time but I won't be working for much longer.

Would this car make my insurance go up?

I'm thinking about purchasing a 97' Cavalier LS Convertible, would this car make my insurance go? and by how much? Also does anyone know anything about these cars? Are they good cars? Mechanically wise and gas wise. By the way, I'm 16 in case that effects your answers.""

Bike insurance vs car insurance?

im 18 years old currently going after my A2 restricted licence and drivers licence, what i dont get is why a 27 year old 1.6L car will cost me 5,500 a year to insure while a 1.6L cruiser bike will only cost me 512 a year

How much would it cost to insure a large SUV for a 16 year old?

I have always wanted this car: http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200608/2006-toyota-sequoia-1_460x0w.jpg The Toyota Sequoia. I know it gets crappy gas mileage, but ive seen worse. And plus Im not gonna be driving that much either. my school is very close to me, along with all my friends houses. But how much will insurance be at your best guess? Also, if I don't blow off gas, and waster it, how much money do you think I will pay per month in California? Dont try to tell me that I am not old enough to be behind an SUV, because 1) Im going to be learning how to drive from my parents in an suv, so i will have some experience 2) my parents want me to get an SUV 3) Im not a dumb a** whos gonna go 50 mph and try to cut a corner and flip over. Bottom line is, im getting an suv and thats that.""

Rough Insurance Quotes (Guesses welcome)?

I am first in line for several used cars I'm considering. The only thing I'm worried about are insurance rates. I'm only 19 and I've had my license for less than 6 months. I will be signed on with my parents, and they are with Geico. The three cars I'm considering are a 2000 Ford Mustang, a 2004 Honda Civic and a 2001 Kia Rio. How much would you guess it would cost me a month/year to insure?""

""How much does fire insurance cost, building damage insurance cost, more on details?

1.) Fire Insurance 2.) Building Damage Insurance 3.) Property Damage Insurance 4.) Any other insurances out there? Please name some for me. The building is 1000 sq. feet with only one floor. How much would insurance cost? HOW MUCH MONEY PER MONTH? Thanks so much!

First car insurance?

what would the insurance be on a 03 mercedes e500 for a 15 year old boy? and what about an 07 hyundai tiburon? which one is going to be cheaper?

My Florida driver's license is suspended due to insurance reasons?

I got in a car accident about 2 years ago, and as a result I stopped paying my insurance and couldn't turn in my tag. My license was suspended as a result. I haven't gone to the DMV yet, and was wondering if anyone knows what I'd need in order to get my license back? According to the Florida DMV website, my license will be reinstated once I show proof of insurance...but I don't even own that car anymore, let alone pay insurance on it. I don't want to waste three hours at the DMV just to be told I need a certain form or paperwork...does anyone have experience in this matter?""

What do Life and Homeowners insurance cover?

I have a tricky question that I really need an answer to. I just got back from the hospital. I was working on my garage this evening and I had a terrible accident. I was ripping a piece of ply wood with my table saw and I ended up cutting my middle finger on my left hand off. I have heard that in some instances life insurance pays out. I am just wondering if maybe that would be true. The other thing I was thinking is would my homeowners insurance possibly cover something like this. I have health insurance and am not too worried about medical bills. The problem I will have is keeping up with my bills when I cant work which sounds like quite awhile until this heals. My finger was non- repairable. I am in the construction industry. I need my hands to work. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Cheap on insurance motorcycles?

im looking for a sporty bike that wont kill me on insurance (only 22 yrs old). something that looks like a kawasaki ninja, or honda cbr. thanks""

""Buying a car, how much will title transfer and all that cost?""

So I'm going to buy a used car and I was just wondering how much it will cost for me to legally drive it? Not including insurance. I live in Illinois and I'm 16 years old, if that matters. I've checked the DMV site and it's kind of confusing so I figured I might be able to get a quick answer here. Thanks!""

Whats the average price of car insurance for a teen with a 97 jet ta ?

Whats the average price of car insurance for a teen with a 97 jet ta ?

Since the Democrats are forcing Americans to buy health insurance?

Should the next Republican administration and majority force Americans to buy and maintain firearms?

People who cant afford health insurance are quacks?

People who cant afford health insurance are quacks?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cheap-cycle-insurance-quotes-bryan-cunningham/"

[jonathanbelloblog]

Lewis Hamilton Above the Noise

The chartered jet lands at Inyokern Airport just before noon on the Monday before Christmas. Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, just three weeks removed from the 2017 season finale and not two months since he clinched his fourth world title, disembarks from the rented plane along with a half dozen or so friends. Following a campaign that saw him win nine races to bring his career tally to 62 (second only to Michael Schumacher’s 91) and claim his 72nd pole position—the all-time record ahead of Schumacher’s 68 and the late Ayrton Senna’s 65—it’s a bit incongruous to see Hamilton hanging around this small desert airfield 145 miles northeast of Los Angeles. For the 32-year-old Briton, though, it’s the final stop on his 2017 work schedule after flying in from Los Angeles, where he spent several days in business meetings. Now, on his way to the Vail, Colorado, area, where he owns a ranch dubbed the “MegaZone,” his Mercedes-AMG employer has requested he make a detour from beginning his vacation in order to shoot some photos alongside his championship-winning race car and the company’s forthcoming Project One supercar. The company offered us a rare chance for some one-on-one time with the driver former McLaren teammate Jenson Button recently dubbed “the quickest guy that has ever driven a Formula 1 car.”

Automobile Magazine: What’s the big activity during your vacation?

Lewis Hamilton: Well, the next few days, we snowboard. We do snowmobiling. We do night paintballing in the snow. It’s just chilling out. A lot of gaming. We play a lot of video games, a lot of board games.

AM: Which video games are you into?

LH: “Call of Duty.”

AM: Not racing or car-related games?

LH: No, I don’t play those games much, really. The one I just played this year is the new “Gran Turismo,” which is sick. It’s really, really f****** good. It’s crazy to see because I had the first one, and to see it develop and how it is today, it’s super-impressive. I’ve got the steering wheel and a professional seat setup where we’re going today [in Colorado]. So we’ll have it set up, and we can play two-player. I’m excited about that.

AM: At this stage of your career, what do you think of the perception of you as portrayed by the traditional F1 press? You catch a lot of flak from European media for some of the things you do during your personal time, like jetting around the world to various events between races and hanging out with other celebrities, like Justin Bieber.

LH: I think it’s always been the case since I’ve been in Formula 1. There’s always been negativity, but, I mean, I generally don’t tend to focus on that. I think when I started to do these different things, people definitely commented on it and had opinions about it. Then they would say [I’m] not focused. It was a lot of work to kind of break the mold, break the shape of [what] people would expect a racing driver to be. This is a new day and age, and I’m the new. It’s not for others to decide what I am as a racing driver. It’s for me to discover and kind of watch it unfold. I think it’s been cool because I’ve been doing these different things and then I turn up and win, so they can’t say, really, anything. It’s just that I think we’re all a little different, and we should all strive to be different and shouldn’t shy away from it. But there are people in the world that tend to crawl into their shell and feel that they need to be a certain way because people expect them to be that way.

AM: Do you feel like you get more or less or the same amount of that criticism compared to in the past?

LH: I don’t know, and to be honest I don’t ever read the stuff. I really don’t care. Zero f**** is the term that I use. I know I’ve got my closest people around me. I’m still close to my family. Still have the same values as when I started out. Of course, people that tune in today, they see me at the top. They only see the success. They don’t see everything that I’ve done to be where I am today. People definitely don’t appreciate that. Some people don’t. I’m just trying to get in as much as I can in the time that I have whilst not losing performance. Then I have other things to move on to when I stop rather than being stuck where I currently am, which I would prefer not to be.

AM: Speaking of other things to do, your aunt died from cancer in 2012, and you’ve made a point before about how that impacted you …

LH: Definitely. We all go through some experiences that … they talk about building character and helping you prioritize and redirect your focuses. I think for me with my auntie, I think it was really [the case]. I mean naturally when someone tells you on their deathbed that they had been planning to do these things and then they’ve run out of time—I imagine how that is because a lot of people do that. My mom and friends have worked day in and day out and sacrificed things for the future, and then when you run out of road, you don’t get to do those things. It was definitely sad to see that, and just in that moment my auntie made me promise I was going to live life to the max and do everything and not hold back.

AM: How does that manifest with you?

Growing up in Stevenage, sitting with my mom and not having— We’d walk down to the bus stop to take a bus to town because we didn’t have a car. It’s just crazy to think I have cars now.

LH: Not wait until I’m 40 to go skiing. She was like, live in the now and not … obviously have a balance in the now and in the future, but live now, so for me that’s a massive highlight. That’s what I’m going to do. You just never know when … I’m still of the mindset you just never know when your day is up. A best friend of ours here today, her friend just got a call yesterday from the doctor saying that the friend only has one month to live. When that happens, what are you going to do? Hopefully that doesn’t happen to any of us, but it does happen in the world, and accidents happen, s***. I just want to know that if [my time is] cut short that I did everything up until that point in my life that I could.

AM: How do you manage to do all of the globe-trotting and other things you do between races yet still maintain peak performance in the car?

LH: I think I’m just used to it. My friends always say to me, “I don’t understand where you get the energy,” because I do usually have a lot of energy. I’m doing a lot of things. I think it’s really about how I’m able to switch off between the jobs or between racing. I can completely compartmentalize it, put it in the box, wait, close the drawer, wait until I need to focus on it. It doesn’t drain me.

AM: Is that a key point you’ve learned about human performance over the years?

LH: I guess it’s through trial and error. I’ve put tons of time into training [in the past] and then found it’s actually been worse for my performance if I don’t do anything else and only train every single day, with no other stimulation mentally. I perform worse [with that approach], so then it’s just about bit by bit taking it to here and dividing that 100 percent battery life you have. Dividing it a certain way across the different things that you plan on doing. Have some remaining so that you can use it for the racing. Do you know what I mean?

AM: In terms of dividing that energy, how much of your downtime is spent reviewing data from the racetrack?

LH: Yeah, yeah, that takes a lot of time. All the flights that I’m on, the long flights, I’m studying. When I’m in my hotel room, I’m studying. When I’m at the tracks, I’m studying. When I go back to the team’s factory, we’ll have a meeting, and they’re constantly sending me files and emails regarding car setup. All these different things, and we’ll go back and forth about setup, things we tested with, things that we might want to try. Then all the changes I make through the weekend. I wouldn’t say they use what I dictate, but I lead it. I make a general decision in that respect.

AM: Modern F1 teams collect so much data. How do you sort it all out in limited time?

LH: I have an engineer who’s got massive confidence in me. He knows there are times I come in and I’m like, s***, I’ve got four options of things to change. I’m not quite sure which ones they are, but this is my problem, or this [other thing] is my problem. Then we have that discussion; can we use that one or that one? The majority of the time, for like 90 percent of the time, I come in and I’m like, I need this. I’ve got this understood here. Change, you know, one [minor] setting lower or whatever it may be. That just comes with experience.

AM: Grand Prix cars are incredibly complex; is there one item in particular you absolutely have to get right every week?

LH: There’s not one point. There are so many pieces to the puzzle that have to come together. So tires are crucial, tire temperature, tire usage is of course crucial. [But overall] on-track setup is everything. It’s like, if I explain it like roads, you got a road that’s this length, this length, this length, and longer. You want to set the car up on the one that can go the furthest, basically, in terms of potential. You know what I mean? Sometimes you go on the wrong road with the setup and you limit yourself and you just can’t take it any further. Most times you just hit a wall, but if you get on the right path for the setup, it’s a longer … this is a really bad usage of terminology, but it’s a longer road, so you can really push the car further and expand more and extract more from it.

AM: Do you ever stop and look at your career, 11 years in, and think—surreal might not be the correct word here because everybody’s life is surreal in a lot of ways …

LH: Sure.

AM: But the reality is, your stats are piling up year after year, and you still appear to have a long way to go before you stop. Do you allow yourself to sit and smile about this stuff now, or are you saving those thoughts for when you’re finished in the sport?

Wild life: Hamilton’s Mercedes-AMG duties include assisting with development of the Project One. Despite his jet-setting schedule and an image criticized by some, we found him to be open and engaging during our informal chat.

LH: Yeah, I think for me, I think after I did the last race of 2017 and it just didn’t stop, there was no moment to stop. I just had days and days and days and days of PR events. I was at the factory, in the wind tunnel looking at the new car, the engineers talking to me about how the new car is going to be. Can’t stop for a second, really. Obviously now I’ll go away today and these next days I’ll be off for, so I’ll be sitting down, but I still don’t ever—of course when we talk about it, I’m like, it’s crazy how far we’ve come. But I don’t know. I think my ambition kind of overshadows it or clouds it because I’m just super-ambitious. Done one thing. I’m moving to the next thing. It’s just a tick, you know what I mean? It’s oh, wow, I’ve achieved it. It’s just now the next focus. It’s really, I’ve found a long-lasting game of chess, but there are lots of checkmates along the way.

AM: To your earlier point about maximizing every day, though, you do seem to absorb it as it happens, yes?

LH: You know I have a checkmate in lots of different things, moving to the next, what’s next, how can I better it? How can I grow? I’ve got so many things that I want to achieve, and the only question is—it’s not a question of if I can do it. It’s a question of time. I’m incredibly fortunate to do the things that I do. Look where we are today. I’m landing on the fricking plane this morning, and I’m thinking to myself, this just doesn’t seem real. It’s literally a fricking dream that I live. Because growing up in Stevenage, sitting watching a TV show with my mom and not having—we’d walk down to the bus stop to take a bus to town because we didn’t have a car. It’s just crazy to think I have cars now. It still doesn’t—even for my mom when she comes and sees the things that we have, even for her it doesn’t feel—it just feels weird. I don’t think I mentioned she had jobs and struggled so much. Now we do things, and it’s, I don’t know, it feels good, but it just feels very surreal.

AM: So that was the right word then.

LH: Every single day it feels surreal because it just doesn’t feel like it changes. I like that it does feel that way because if you get used to something, you get comfortable with something, then it’s easier to take things for granted. I don’t feel like my family generally does that, so that’s all about the people around you, grounded people. [I am] very, very, very careful who I select to be around me. I don’t have any weak-minded or negative individuals. I just get the most positive, lovely, real people around me.

AM: If you could talk to yourself at 10 years old and at 22 years old when you came into F1: Knowing what you know now and what you’ve experienced, what message would you deliver to those younger versions of yourself?

LH: I look back at myself, and I meet kids now that are so much more advanced than I was at their age. I was very, very timid, very, very much in a cocoon when I was younger. I didn’t hang around with kids on the weekends. I was super kept to myself, quiet. Yet I was still mischievous and outgoing and [a] daredevil. What I would just say to myself as a youngster and what I would like to do for my kid [one day] is ultimately, a human is like a plant growing, and you have to nurture the plant, you have to keep it watered and help it grow and give it light and those kind of things. Allow it to blossom in its natural form, and a lot of parents today … I’ve got cousins who are being pushed by their parent to do soccer, and often I think a parent’s job is to protect, but they can also be quite restricting. Or teachers or whatever, things force [kids] in an unnatural direction. What I’m saying is, for me I felt that I was held back when I was younger in terms of growing as a character, as a kid.

AM: Was that the system you were in, or … ?

LH: Just lots of things. It was school, it was pressures of not living a kid’s life—which I’m grateful that I went through, but I would just say I would somehow get the kid that I was and try and encourage him to be brighter and grow faster. By the time I really kind of grew into understanding who I was, I was frigging in my 20s, you know? There are a lot of 18-year-olds I see now or 17-year-olds who are so much more, who are already there, knowing what they want to do or knowing who they are, what kind of characters they are. So that’s great to see.

[eddiejpoplar]

Lewis Hamilton Above the Noise

The chartered jet lands at Inyokern Airport just before noon on the Monday before Christmas. Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, just three weeks removed from the 2017 season finale and not two months since he clinched his fourth world title, disembarks from the rented plane along with a half dozen or so friends. Following a campaign that saw him win nine races to bring his career tally to 62 (second only to Michael Schumacher’s 91) and claim his 72nd pole position—the all-time record ahead of Schumacher’s 68 and the late Ayrton Senna’s 65—it’s a bit incongruous to see Hamilton hanging around this small desert airfield 145 miles northeast of Los Angeles. For the 32-year-old Briton, though, it’s the final stop on his 2017 work schedule after flying in from Los Angeles, where he spent several days in business meetings. Now, on his way to the Vail, Colorado, area, where he owns a ranch dubbed the “MegaZone,” his Mercedes-AMG employer has requested he make a detour from beginning his vacation in order to shoot some photos alongside his championship-winning race car and the company’s forthcoming Project One supercar. The company offered us a rare chance for some one-on-one time with the driver former McLaren teammate Jenson Button recently dubbed “the quickest guy that has ever driven a Formula 1 car.”

Automobile Magazine: What’s the big activity during your vacation?

Lewis Hamilton: Well, the next few days, we snowboard. We do snowmobiling. We do night paintballing in the snow. It’s just chilling out. A lot of gaming. We play a lot of video games, a lot of board games.

AM: Which video games are you into?

LH: “Call of Duty.”

AM: Not racing or car-related games?

LH: No, I don’t play those games much, really. The one I just played this year is the new “Gran Turismo,” which is sick. It’s really, really f****** good. It’s crazy to see because I had the first one, and to see it develop and how it is today, it’s super-impressive. I’ve got the steering wheel and a professional seat setup where we’re going today [in Colorado]. So we’ll have it set up, and we can play two-player. I’m excited about that.

AM: At this stage of your career, what do you think of the perception of you as portrayed by the traditional F1 press? You catch a lot of flak from European media for some of the things you do during your personal time, like jetting around the world to various events between races and hanging out with other celebrities, like Justin Bieber.

LH: I think it’s always been the case since I’ve been in Formula 1. There’s always been negativity, but, I mean, I generally don’t tend to focus on that. I think when I started to do these different things, people definitely commented on it and had opinions about it. Then they would say [I’m] not focused. It was a lot of work to kind of break the mold, break the shape of [what] people would expect a racing driver to be. This is a new day and age, and I’m the new. It’s not for others to decide what I am as a racing driver. It’s for me to discover and kind of watch it unfold. I think it’s been cool because I’ve been doing these different things and then I turn up and win, so they can’t say, really, anything. It’s just that I think we’re all a little different, and we should all strive to be different and shouldn’t shy away from it. But there are people in the world that tend to crawl into their shell and feel that they need to be a certain way because people expect them to be that way.

AM: Do you feel like you get more or less or the same amount of that criticism compared to in the past?

LH: I don’t know, and to be honest I don’t ever read the stuff. I really don’t care. Zero f**** is the term that I use. I know I’ve got my closest people around me. I’m still close to my family. Still have the same values as when I started out. Of course, people that tune in today, they see me at the top. They only see the success. They don’t see everything that I’ve done to be where I am today. People definitely don’t appreciate that. Some people don’t. I’m just trying to get in as much as I can in the time that I have whilst not losing performance. Then I have other things to move on to when I stop rather than being stuck where I currently am, which I would prefer not to be.

AM: Speaking of other things to do, your aunt died from cancer in 2012, and you’ve made a point before about how that impacted you …

LH: Definitely. We all go through some experiences that … they talk about building character and helping you prioritize and redirect your focuses. I think for me with my auntie, I think it was really [the case]. I mean naturally when someone tells you on their deathbed that they had been planning to do these things and then they’ve run out of time—I imagine how that is because a lot of people do that. My mom and friends have worked day in and day out and sacrificed things for the future, and then when you run out of road, you don’t get to do those things. It was definitely sad to see that, and just in that moment my auntie made me promise I was going to live life to the max and do everything and not hold back.

AM: How does that manifest with you?

Growing up in Stevenage, sitting with my mom and not having— We’d walk down to the bus stop to take a bus to town because we didn’t have a car. It’s just crazy to think I have cars now.

LH: Not wait until I’m 40 to go skiing. She was like, live in the now and not … obviously have a balance in the now and in the future, but live now, so for me that’s a massive highlight. That’s what I’m going to do. You just never know when … I’m still of the mindset you just never know when your day is up. A best friend of ours here today, her friend just got a call yesterday from the doctor saying that the friend only has one month to live. When that happens, what are you going to do? Hopefully that doesn’t happen to any of us, but it does happen in the world, and accidents happen, s***. I just want to know that if [my time is] cut short that I did everything up until that point in my life that I could.

AM: How do you manage to do all of the globe-trotting and other things you do between races yet still maintain peak performance in the car?

LH: I think I’m just used to it. My friends always say to me, “I don’t understand where you get the energy,” because I do usually have a lot of energy. I’m doing a lot of things. I think it’s really about how I’m able to switch off between the jobs or between racing. I can completely compartmentalize it, put it in the box, wait, close the drawer, wait until I need to focus on it. It doesn’t drain me.

AM: Is that a key point you’ve learned about human performance over the years?

LH: I guess it’s through trial and error. I’ve put tons of time into training [in the past] and then found it’s actually been worse for my performance if I don’t do anything else and only train every single day, with no other stimulation mentally. I perform worse [with that approach], so then it’s just about bit by bit taking it to here and dividing that 100 percent battery life you have. Dividing it a certain way across the different things that you plan on doing. Have some remaining so that you can use it for the racing. Do you know what I mean?

AM: In terms of dividing that energy, how much of your downtime is spent reviewing data from the racetrack?

LH: Yeah, yeah, that takes a lot of time. All the flights that I’m on, the long flights, I’m studying. When I’m in my hotel room, I’m studying. When I’m at the tracks, I’m studying. When I go back to the team’s factory, we’ll have a meeting, and they’re constantly sending me files and emails regarding car setup. All these different things, and we’ll go back and forth about setup, things we tested with, things that we might want to try. Then all the changes I make through the weekend. I wouldn’t say they use what I dictate, but I lead it. I make a general decision in that respect.

AM: Modern F1 teams collect so much data. How do you sort it all out in limited time?

LH: I have an engineer who’s got massive confidence in me. He knows there are times I come in and I’m like, s***, I’ve got four options of things to change. I’m not quite sure which ones they are, but this is my problem, or this [other thing] is my problem. Then we have that discussion; can we use that one or that one? The majority of the time, for like 90 percent of the time, I come in and I’m like, I need this. I’ve got this understood here. Change, you know, one [minor] setting lower or whatever it may be. That just comes with experience.

AM: Grand Prix cars are incredibly complex; is there one item in particular you absolutely have to get right every week?

LH: There’s not one point. There are so many pieces to the puzzle that have to come together. So tires are crucial, tire temperature, tire usage is of course crucial. [But overall] on-track setup is everything. It’s like, if I explain it like roads, you got a road that’s this length, this length, this length, and longer. You want to set the car up on the one that can go the furthest, basically, in terms of potential. You know what I mean? Sometimes you go on the wrong road with the setup and you limit yourself and you just can’t take it any further. Most times you just hit a wall, but if you get on the right path for the setup, it’s a longer … this is a really bad usage of terminology, but it’s a longer road, so you can really push the car further and expand more and extract more from it.

AM: Do you ever stop and look at your career, 11 years in, and think—surreal might not be the correct word here because everybody’s life is surreal in a lot of ways …

LH: Sure.

AM: But the reality is, your stats are piling up year after year, and you still appear to have a long way to go before you stop. Do you allow yourself to sit and smile about this stuff now, or are you saving those thoughts for when you’re finished in the sport?

Wild life: Hamilton’s Mercedes-AMG duties include assisting with development of the Project One. Despite his jet-setting schedule and an image criticized by some, we found him to be open and engaging during our informal chat.

LH: Yeah, I think for me, I think after I did the last race of 2017 and it just didn’t stop, there was no moment to stop. I just had days and days and days and days of PR events. I was at the factory, in the wind tunnel looking at the new car, the engineers talking to me about how the new car is going to be. Can’t stop for a second, really. Obviously now I’ll go away today and these next days I’ll be off for, so I’ll be sitting down, but I still don’t ever—of course when we talk about it, I’m like, it’s crazy how far we’ve come. But I don’t know. I think my ambition kind of overshadows it or clouds it because I’m just super-ambitious. Done one thing. I’m moving to the next thing. It’s just a tick, you know what I mean? It’s oh, wow, I’ve achieved it. It’s just now the next focus. It’s really, I’ve found a long-lasting game of chess, but there are lots of checkmates along the way.

AM: To your earlier point about maximizing every day, though, you do seem to absorb it as it happens, yes?

LH: You know I have a checkmate in lots of different things, moving to the next, what’s next, how can I better it? How can I grow? I’ve got so many things that I want to achieve, and the only question is—it’s not a question of if I can do it. It’s a question of time. I’m incredibly fortunate to do the things that I do. Look where we are today. I’m landing on the fricking plane this morning, and I’m thinking to myself, this just doesn’t seem real. It’s literally a fricking dream that I live. Because growing up in Stevenage, sitting watching a TV show with my mom and not having—we’d walk down to the bus stop to take a bus to town because we didn’t have a car. It’s just crazy to think I have cars now. It still doesn’t—even for my mom when she comes and sees the things that we have, even for her it doesn’t feel—it just feels weird. I don’t think I mentioned she had jobs and struggled so much. Now we do things, and it’s, I don’t know, it feels good, but it just feels very surreal.

AM: So that was the right word then.

LH: Every single day it feels surreal because it just doesn’t feel like it changes. I like that it does feel that way because if you get used to something, you get comfortable with something, then it’s easier to take things for granted. I don’t feel like my family generally does that, so that’s all about the people around you, grounded people. [I am] very, very, very careful who I select to be around me. I don’t have any weak-minded or negative individuals. I just get the most positive, lovely, real people around me.

AM: If you could talk to yourself at 10 years old and at 22 years old when you came into F1: Knowing what you know now and what you’ve experienced, what message would you deliver to those younger versions of yourself?

LH: I look back at myself, and I meet kids now that are so much more advanced than I was at their age. I was very, very timid, very, very much in a cocoon when I was younger. I didn’t hang around with kids on the weekends. I was super kept to myself, quiet. Yet I was still mischievous and outgoing and [a] daredevil. What I would just say to myself as a youngster and what I would like to do for my kid [one day] is ultimately, a human is like a plant growing, and you have to nurture the plant, you have to keep it watered and help it grow and give it light and those kind of things. Allow it to blossom in its natural form, and a lot of parents today … I’ve got cousins who are being pushed by their parent to do soccer, and often I think a parent’s job is to protect, but they can also be quite restricting. Or teachers or whatever, things force [kids] in an unnatural direction. What I’m saying is, for me I felt that I was held back when I was younger in terms of growing as a character, as a kid.

AM: Was that the system you were in, or … ?

LH: Just lots of things. It was school, it was pressures of not living a kid’s life—which I’m grateful that I went through, but I would just say I would somehow get the kid that I was and try and encourage him to be brighter and grow faster. By the time I really kind of grew into understanding who I was, I was frigging in my 20s, you know? There are a lot of 18-year-olds I see now or 17-year-olds who are so much more, who are already there, knowing what they want to do or knowing who they are, what kind of characters they are. So that’s great to see.