Tijuana airport bridge parking
entered a calm darkness and forced myself awake
2023.06.03 03:03 o0oO-yeah entered a calm darkness and forced myself awake
I don't recall the beginning of the dream but towards the end, I was driving a van with two friends in it and drove off a bridge because I got confused where to go. I was driving very poorly before that too. I knew I was dreaming so I tried to imagine a strongman was standing on the bridge and that he caught the van, but it seemed like my dream split into different paths and the van still hit the water while I was transferred to a omniscient perspective. Then I was at an airport and jesse pinkman was desperately shooting a pistol in the air and there were all these dudes that were like movie characters. Then I got on a private jet I wasn't meant to be on and it had these weird, super compact seats where you just lie half upright on a little backrest and it was surprisingly comfortable.
But then I started being told off by the pilot for being on the wrong plane and that's where things took a weird turn.
I decided I wanted to get off the plane and since I already knew I was dreaming, I decided to just fly out of the airplane except when I did that, everything swirled around and as everything in the dream went inside my head, all I could sense was a deep, calm, black darkness. I could hear my own breathing and could hear an insanely loud ringing sound in my ears. Like a permanent gong sound. I tried to interact with the darkness and I could see faint outlines of a house, and it felt like i could manipulate the house with my hands. after a while the ringing got too much and I was trying to scream and that made the ringing all murky and even worse. So then I thought I'd just force my eyes open and that worked. I had sleep paralysis for like 10 seconds and now I'm writing this.
submitted by o0oO-yeah to Dreams [link] [comments]
But then I started being told off by the pilot for being on the wrong plane and that's where things took a weird turn.
I decided I wanted to get off the plane and since I already knew I was dreaming, I decided to just fly out of the airplane except when I did that, everything swirled around and as everything in the dream went inside my head, all I could sense was a deep, calm, black darkness. I could hear my own breathing and could hear an insanely loud ringing sound in my ears. Like a permanent gong sound. I tried to interact with the darkness and I could see faint outlines of a house, and it felt like i could manipulate the house with my hands. after a while the ringing got too much and I was trying to scream and that made the ringing all murky and even worse. So then I thought I'd just force my eyes open and that worked. I had sleep paralysis for like 10 seconds and now I'm writing this.
2023.06.03 03:01 Saturdead The Many Deaths of the Six-Door House
I’ve been waiting to talk about this. I’ve been looking for others with similar experiences, or… I dunno. Maybe I hoped I was insane. Months have passed, and I still don’t have the slightest idea what to believe. But no matter what is true and what isn’t, the memory of what happened to me is as true as can be.
And every time I put my hand to a door, I tremble.
I was looking for a house in the surrounding area. I know, being a homeowner at 27 seems like a dream. I know I’ve been fortunate. Even so, I wanted something remote, spacious, and comparably cheap.
I’d been looking for something nearby, but everything even close to a larger city quickly ran out of my price range. It wasn’t until I started looking at the rural outskirts that I started to see something realistic.
I’d been to four open house showings in the past week when I came across an ad that looked too good to be true. Another open house, but this one was just perfect. Apparently, they were looking to make a quick sale after a previous deal had fallen through.
I made my way to a small nearby town called Tomskog. There was a little billboard with a blue sunflower greeting me, and I took a hard right down a street named “Sunplenty Road”. There were only five houses there, and the one I came to look at was at the far end. Even from a distance, I could tell I wasn’t the only visitor.
I parked on the street outside and took in the sights. There was an “Open House” sign outside, again with the sunflower logo. There was a separate garage, and the house itself was smaller than expected. Homely, but small.
I was greeted by a cheerful man. He had thick glasses, a receding hairline, and the kind of “fun uncle” smile that told me he could get away with anything.
“Come on in,” he said. “You’re gonna love it.”
There was me, the realtor, and three other people. A middle-aged couple, and a younger woman. She had this messy black hair that kept poking her in the eye. Even at a glance I could tell the young woman was distraught. She wasn’t even looking around the house, she seemed more interested in the people wandering about.
The house had a simple and open layout. The bottom floor had a bathroom, a separate study room, an adjoining kitchen, and a lounge area. There were stairs leading to a sort of catwalk on the second floor, making the main room wide open. The second floor had another bathroom, a bedroom, and a guest room.
It had this sort of sullen 70’s vibe with grey and white flower-patterned wallpaper. There were little scuffs and tears pretty much everywhere, but the house itself seemed… fine.
The realtor, Anders, showed me all the details of the kitchen. He assured me that most of the appliances were to be replaced before the next homeowner moved in, and proudly displayed the new garbage disposal. It was a nice enough setup, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the young woman standing outside the study. I got the feeling that she was standing guard.
As the middle-aged couple walked downstairs, they asked her they could have a look.
“No,” she answered, with a shrug. “You can’t.”
“Don’t mind her,” Anders the realtor smiled. “Of course you can.”
“No,” she insisted. “They can’t.”
Anders walked up to her and leaned in. His demeanor shifted. They argued back and forth, and I could hear her repeat, over and over;
“This is not what we agreed to.”
The middle-aged couple and I just looked at one another. While the realtor and the young woman argued, we introduced ourselves. I smiled and gave them my name. They were named Helen and Sebastian, or ‘Seb’ for short. Typical midwestern salt-of-the-earth kind of people. They were suffering from an empty nest and seemed to want a place to start over. They made no secret about being interested in the place, although Helen wasn’t sure about having no direct access to the garage. Seb, on the other hand, wasn’t sure about the soil. He wanted a proper garden, and the soil seemed ill-fit to sustain greenery.
“Still,” Helen smiled. “Best place we’ve seen so far.”
“Sure is,” added Seb, giving Helen a little shake.
Anders kept arguing with the young woman. I could overhear her name as Whitney, and she was not willing to cooperate. Finally, Anders just pushed past her, putting his keys in the lock.
“Right this way, we’ll just take a quick peek.”
“We’re not done in there,” she said. “You can’t just-“
“It was supposed to be packed up, Whitney. I can’t help that you’re late.”
“That’s not… please. Give me an hour.”
“You’ve had plenty of hours.”
He clicked the door open and pushed it in. The three of us gave Whitney an apologetic look as we stepped inside.
The study was a mess. Old clothes strewn across various furniture, loose papers and books haphazardly thrown across a musky desk. An entire wall of bookshelves full of textbooks, ranging from discrete mathematics to philosophical physics. I stood there for a few seconds, taking it all in. Whitney pushed past us, grabbing an empty box from the floor.
“Don’t touch anything,” she sighed. “Just… look at it, and leave.”
Anders leaned over to us, lowering his voice.
“You have to excuse her,” he whispered. “There were some… complications, with the former owner.”
“Oh, she’s… the, uh, the daughter?” Seb asked.
Anders nodded.
While Anders told us about the east-facing windows and the top-of-the-line air conditioning system, I couldn’t help but to keep my eyes on Whitney. She was rummaging through the desk, dropping mementos, pictures, and notebooks into one of her many cardboard boxes. I could tell she was sleep deprived. She kept yawning.
Helen seemed eager to just leave Whitney to her grieving, while Seb kept to the practical details. He checked the hardwood floor, the insulation on the windows, the wall linings for pests. At one point, he almost knocked over a coffee table, and Whitney came running. She caught a vase that was about to topple off the table.
“Don’t… don’t touch anything!” she cried out. “Just… if you have to be here, stay… stay still!”
“I’m, uh… sorry,” Seb said. “I was just-“
“Just go over there!”
She waved her hands around, shaking the vase. There was a little rattle coming from it.
She shook it again, and I could see the color fade from her cheeks. Carefully, she tipped the vase, and something dark plopped into her hand.
A large bronze key.
Whitney pulled her hand back, letting the bronze key clatter to the floor. She covered her mouth, forgetting how to exhale. We just looked at her having what seemed, to us, like a mental breakdown.
“Nobody move,” she gasped. “Nobody… do anything.”
We all just stood there. Helen and Seb barely breathed, and I was suddenly hyper-aware of how still my feet were. Anders wasn’t impressed. If anything, he was fed up with this. He rolled his eyes, and picked up the key.
“Whitney, I’m sorry, you’re gonna have to wait outside.”
“Please, put… put that down.”
“You can put it with your things and take it outside.”
“Just… don’t move, you don’t know what you’re-“
Anders opened the door, stepped out of the study, and headed straight for the front door. Whitney dropped everything and ran after him. The rest of us followed suit.
“Wait!” she called out. “Please wait!”
As soon as Anders put his hand on the front door, Whitney stopped dead in her tracks.
“Anders, please, I’m sorry,” she said. “Just step away. Give me the key. I’ll leave, I promise. I swear.”
“That’s enough of that.”
“No!”
He opened the door and took a step forward. The bronze key passed the threshold.
We’d all stepped into the main lounge by now, and I heard the door to the study slam shut. There was a sort of pressure shift, making the wind move through the main lounge. Every door in the house slid shut with a click. All except the front door, which was wide open.
But there was nothing there.
Not nothing as in no one standing there. No, nothing as in “a nothing”. Just a blank, black space.
A viscous fluid where sunlight ought to be.
Endless, abyssal, ocean.
I stared at it, mesmerized. The contrast of the bright sun coming in from the windows, bouncing off the ripples of this deep ocean doorway.
And there, in the dark, humanoids. Tall, elongated silhouettes.
Anders stepped back, but it was as if parts of him refused to move. His arms were locked in place, seemingly by an invisible force. And as he stepped back, something started pulling him in.
His limbs grew long and twisted. His knees bending and snapping at impossible angles. His scalp pulled backwards, the loose skin of his face revealing the bottom white of his eyes.
“He… help!”
It was all he managed to say, as he was pulled into the dark. Limbs were quietly ripped from his sockets, as his human frame was bent, twisted, torn, and mangled. Black water mixing with marrow as dark shapes turned Anders into what resembled an underwater cloud of flesh and cloth.
Whitney threw herself forward, slamming the door shut, leaving the bronze key on the floor.
Screams erupted, and I didn’t even notice they were mine. It was this primal force being pulled out of me, this need to scream. Like a baby desperate for her mother. Helen backed into a corner and sunk to the floor, with Seb trying his best to comfort her. Whitney just sat there looking at the bronze key; her face breaking out in cold sweats.
I felt something turn in my stomach and headed for the bathroom. Whitney ran after me, but she couldn’t make it in time. I burst through the bathroom door and collapsed on the floor, hyperventilating. Whitney stayed outside, looking at me in shock.
“It’s… you’re… you’re fine,” she said. “You’re okay.”
I wasn’t. But compared to Anders, panicking on the bathroom floor seemed like a mercy.
Whitney stayed with me as I calmed down. Seb and Helen joined us. After a few minutes of silence, Whitney excused herself. She came back with pile of notebooks. She sat down across the hall from me, making sure not to enter the bathroom.
“My dad, he… found something,” she said. “I wasn’t sure exactly what.”
“We should… we should leave,” said Helen. “We should leave right now.”
“We can climb out a window,” said Seb. “If the, uh… the door is…”
“Just… please,” sighed Whitney. “Just stay. We’ll figure it out.”
“I-I mean no offense,” said Helen. “But what… what on earth was that?”
Whitney turned the notebook to a specific page and read aloud.
“I’ve been marooned in this house for thirty days. I never know where the Door is. Sometimes I can hear water, sometimes not. I tried the windows, but it nearly burst my eardrums from the pressure as water came rushing in. I can’t leave. I can’t move. They wait behind the Door. They wait for me to open.”
Whitney scratched her head. Helen looked back and forth, as if waiting for something to make sense. Seb just shook his head.
“What… what does that even mean?” asked Helen. “What happened?”
“It has to do with the doors,” Whitney explained. “They wait behind the Door.”
“There’s nothing there,” said Seb. “There’s light coming through the windows.”
“It’s… it’s not that easy. It’s when you open it.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
Whitney stood up and handed Helen three notebooks.
“We can argue the details of dad’s quantum entanglement experiment later, but that’s not gonna help us.”
“So… let’s just go then,” said Seb. “Let’s leave.”
“You wanna take your chances on the front door? That it won’t come back? Go ahead.”
Seb took a few tentative steps up to the front door. Helen wanted to protest, but she just started looking back and forth. Whitney crossed her arms and turned away.
“I can’t hear anything,” said Seb. “Are you sure it’s there?”
“It’s somewhere,” said Whitney. “I don’t… I don’t know the rules. It has to do with the doors.”
I got up off the bathroom floor and looked at them. Seb took his hand off the front door and stepped back. Whitney turned her attention to me.
“You put yourself at risk,” said Whitney. “That could’ve killed you.”
“The bathroom?”
“The door to the bathroom. Any or all of these doors, it… it could be connected. Here, let me-“
Whitney walked up to Helen and took one of the notebooks back. She turned to one of the latter pages.
“The framework of passageway. Concept of thought. Paired in alignment, the darkness standing shy from the mirrored back of Empyrean. Realm unwilled and unbound, misshapen by collective subconscious. We cannot pass, our world-forgotten blocks dissipated. Like a bridge cannot be built of water, and a house cannot be built of wind. But the great craftsman blames not their tools; and eternal gold can be found in humble bronze.”
“Bronze,” I said. “Like the key.”
“Look, my dad, he… we weren’t on speaking terms. I’ve looked at all this for days, and all I can tell is that he was off his rocker. He died in that room.”
Whitney pointed to the study. Helen hugged Seb tight, holding back a sob.
“He couldn’t leave. He was convinced that the… the door would eat him.”
Helen sat down by the kitchen table. Thankfully, there was no door in-between the kitchen and the main lounge. Seb walked straight up to Whitney, grabbed her by the collar of her blouse, and slammed her up against the wall; his calm demeanor cracking at the seams.
“We shouldn’t be here,” he said. “This is your fault!”
“I-I didn’t know! It was all just ramblings! I didn’t have time to clear it all out, how… how could I have known?!”
“You recognized the key,” said Helen. “You chased after him. You asked him to wait.”
“That’s the only part that keeps coming back!” Whitney yelled. “Check the notebooks! The key, it’s… it’s everywhere! It’s everything!”
“So what do we do?” Seb asked. “Do we use it or destroy it?”
Whitney looked at the pile of notebooks she’d managed to gather from the study. It was only a handful of everything we’d seen in there, but it might be enough to get some semblance of an answer.
The house had six doors. The front door, the bathroom door, the study room door. On the top floor, there was another bathroom door, a door to the guest bedroom, and the main bedroom door. The bathroom door on the bottom floor was already open and considered safe. I could step in and out without a problem.
Whitney explained as best as she could.
Her father had grown increasingly paranoid since divorcing Whitney’s mother. He’d locked himself in his house, committing fully to his studies. He’d always been a bit agoraphobic, and having a reason not to leave the house was a bit of a blessing in disguise. But over time, that blessing turned into a curse. An early entry read;
“For years, I’ve longed for the presence of mind to devote myself. And now that I can, I find myself wanting. I can’t be certain. There is a Door, a passage. It binds itself seemingly spontaneously. There is a risk involved, and it is a risk I cannot take.”
Seb tried to call for help, but water started pouring out of his phone. Whitney found a page about “semi-passages” or “shortcuts”. Things that could be used as portals to another person or place. They weren’t as conceptually clean as a door, and thus wouldn’t invite “Them”, but the connection would go through that dark place. The place that, somehow, her father had stumbled upon.
I looked at the key for a long time. I didn’t dare to touch it. It was unassuming, in a way. It was old and had this sort of blocky texture; like it was made of little squares. While Helen and Seb rifled through notebooks, Whitney looked up and talked to me.
“He just wanted a way to go wherever he wanted, without having to traverse the space in-between. To just go from one door to another. All he needed was a key.”
“But why now? Why is… how are we trapped?” I asked. “We got in here just fine.”
“The realtor,” sighed Whitney. “He tried to leave with the key. I think that triggered it.”
“So how do we un-trigger it?”
Whitney shrugged and pointed to the notebooks.
We had endless discussions. We compared notes, drew out theories. Helen thought we could force the bronze key out a window, but Whitney theorized that it’d just leave us locked inside. I suggested we listened at each door, just to eliminate which ones were safe and which weren’t. We tried, but there was seemingly no way to tell. Sometimes I could hear rushing water on the other side. Scratches on the wood. Other times, nothing. Even going back to the same door, it’d sound differently each time.
We considered opening several doors at once. We spread ourselves out. I was at the upstairs bedroom door, right next to Seb by the guest room door. Whitney was downstairs by the study door, and Helen insisted on the front door. We all put our hands on the handles. I wasn’t sure if I could hear something on the other side or not; my heart was pounding too loudly.
There were six doors. Five were closed, one open. Someone was probably going to die.
“There is only ever one Door. He only speaks of it as a singular. It can change over time,” said Whitney. “This is our best shot.”
“We can’t know for sure,” said Seb. “And why do we even want to open them all? There’s nothing in the bedrooms, right?”
“We’re excluding,” I said. “Like we did with the downstairs bathroom.”
“We should close it,” said Helen. “Shouldn’t that improve our chances of… of our other doors being okay?”
“I have no idea,” sighed Whitney. “Are we doing this?”
Seb backed away from his door, taking the hand off the handle.
“It ain’t right,” he said. “None of it. It ain’t right.”
Everything erupted into an argument. Seb couldn’t bring himself to risk his life for anything less than an exit, and Helen couldn’t stop crying at the thought of that dark abyss. I couldn’t blame her. To this day, I can’t stop imagining it. Whitney, trying to act as a voice of reason, read aloud from one of the notebooks.
“The concept of the passageway, the Door, changes at the flick of a thought. An alien thought, like an invisible, uncontrollable shadow of the psyche. It refuses to be controlled. My exit could be my end; or as likely, a wooden frame. Much like we cannot control the smoke of a campfire, we cannot foresee the turning of the passageway.”
We all looked at one another. Helen collapsed by the front door, crying. Whitney was close to a mental breakdown. I felt this enormous burden settle in my stomach, like I was missing something.
“Let’s take the door off the hinges”, said Seb. “We’ll turn it into a… an arch. Then it ain’t a door anymore. You think that’ll work?”
“In theory, maybe,” said Whitney. “But how do we do that without opening it?”
“We’ll… we’ll take the whole frame off,” Seb said. “There’s a crowbar under the sink. Saw it when I checked the garbage disposal.”
Helen bent down next to the sink, put her hand on the kitchen cabinet handle. I gasped.
Was that considered a door? Could it kill her? Would it?
I imagined that dark, cold abyss. That enormous force pulling me in, turning my very form into this unrecognizable mass. Where no screams can be heard. All I’d have to show for such unimaginable anguish would be a burst of bubbles; then nothing.
“No!” I cried out. “Stop!”
But it was too late.
Nothing happened. Helen opened it, pulled out the crowbar, and that was that. But for a brief moment, I realized how Whitney’s father must’ve felt. That uncertainty, not knowing for sure if that one flick of the wrist would be damnation; or nothing.
Helen handed the crowbar to Seb, while Whitney gave me a pat on the shoulder. I couldn’t stop crying. My whole body was shaking from the sudden rush of adrenaline. Meanwhile, Seb walked up to the front door and started tapping the wood.
The theory was this; if there was no door, nothing could come through. There was no point in doing a test run, because if it didn’t work, someone would lose their life either way. It was better to have an honest chance of getting out.
Whitney gathered towels. She had this idea that, maybe, water might start leaking if the door was turned into a semi-passage, like a window. If so, we might have to find a way to quickly stop the flow.
By the time we got the towels, Seb started working on the door frame. As that first crack rang out, I heard a click.
The front door slid open.
Without a moment’s thought, Seb pushed it close. It had barely opened an inch.
We all held our breaths. We were fine. Nothing was happening.
“It’s… it’s clear!” Helen called out. “There’s nothing there! I saw it, it… it was nothing!”
“It can change!” Whitney yelled back. “We can’t take that risk again!”
“Like hell we can’t.”
Seb put his hand on the front door, but Whitney tackled him. The crowbar fell to the floor as Helen rushed forward to help.
“Listen!” Whitney yelled. “Just listen!”
A rumble, like a great whale passing in the distance. It was right there; on the other side of the front door.
Without a word, they all stood up and backed away. The door shook from the passing force. Something was definitely there.
“Then… then the rest should be fine,” said Seb. “We can get to the study.”
Whitney nodded, and the two of them burst into a sprint. Helen wasn’t convinced, but didn’t know what to say. Whitney dropped her crowbar, and as she bent to pick it up, Seb opened the door to the study.
Darkness.
“…no.”
Panic exploded. Helen grabbed his arms, trying to pull him out. Whitney crawled backwards, closing her eyes and covering her ears. I couldn’t watch. All I heard was Helen, screaming his name, over and over. There was a gargle. A scream turning into an inhuman screech, like a burning pig.
“Sebastian!” Helen kept repeating. “Sebastian! Sebastian!”
There was a click, and then nothing but crying. I looked up to see Helen collapsed against the study door. It had slid shut from the pressure on the other side.
“I’m… I’m coming, Sebby,” she cried. “I’m… I’m-“
She opened the door again.
And there was the study, just as we’d left it.
Helen collapsed on the floor, curling up into a fetal position. She kept making this child-like yowling, scratching the surface of the hardwood floor, as if trying to dig Seb back into reality. But there was nothing left. Not even water droplets on the floor.
Then there were her arms. She’d held on until the door had slammed shut. Her sleeves were torn, and her arms bloody. Not much, but there were these round little suction marks. They were already bruising, with spots of blood poking through the skin.
I sat by Helen as Whitney started rifling through the study. There were more notebooks, more theories, more diaries. Notes about experiments, clever tricks, and attempts. So far, every idea to understand the rules were in vain. We couldn’t make sure. No matter what, we could never be truly sure.
Two open doors. Four closed.
I don’t know how many hours passed. I managed to get Helen to the couch, but she was inconsolable. She could barely comprehend words anymore. She didn’t blink, and she could barely breathe. There were no coherent thoughts in her mind, just… darkness. This awful, soul-sinking darkness.
Whitney propped up the open doors with books and towels, to make sure they wouldn’t accidentally close. All the while, she kept trying to convince herself.
“We keep opening them one by one,” she said. “If we can get it to manifest in one single place, and keep that door open, we should be able to leave by another.”
The sun had started to set outside. For all intents and purposes, this still just looked like a house. The windows were clear, showing the greenery outside. Maybe it was all a lie. Maybe none of it was really happening.
But looking down at Helen, and her unblinking eyes, I knew it was the realest thing I’d ever experienced.
“We… there’s three of us,” I said. “Four doors. We can’t make it.”
“No, that’s perfect,” nodded Whitney. “That’s… we open all but the front door. It manifests. Then we can get out through the one safe remaining door.”
“Unless we all die. There’s nothing that says it can only be in one place.”
“It is implied,” said Whitney. “If you got a better plan, just tell me. But unless you want to starve to death, we gotta-“
“Starve?” I interrupted. “Is that what…”
I looked back at the study, where Whitney said her father had died. No words were necessary. She took a deep breath and nodded.
“He couldn’t bring himself to try,” she said. “So we have to ask ourselves what we want. A long but certain death, or a violent risk at life?”
The fridge, the freezer, and all the cupboards had been cleared out. Whitney found some raisins for us to share while we pondered what to do. Helen couldn’t eat. She stared blankly ahead, waiting for her mind to come wandering back.
It was dark outside. Whitney rolled the bronze key between her fingers.
“I wonder how he did it,” she sighed. “He never made any sense to me.”
“Maybe it doesn’t make sense,” I shrugged. “At least not to us.”
“Then what made him so special?”
“Well, he did have a lot of books,” I said, reaching into a pile we’d gathered from the study. “Just look at some of these.”
“Astrology of Abraham, Channels of Esoteric Geometry…”
“I like this one,” I said, holding up a little red book. “Diary of Emmett Rask.”
“Right. But it doesn’t beat the…”
Whitney pulled out another book from the pile, turning it over.
“… the thirteen faiths of the blameless mother.”
I shook my head, looking over at Helen. A handful of raisins slipped between her fingers. She didn’t even bother closing her hand.
Looking back at Whitney, I sighed.
“You’re right,” I said. “We have to try.”
So we did.
We lined ourselves up on the top floor. Helen on the far right, near the bathroom. I was on the far left, by the guest room. Whitney was in the middle, by the bedroom. Helen didn’t understand. She just mimicked us.
“We’re gonna open on three,” said Whitney. “And no matter what we see, just run. Run downstairs, and just… go. Get out.”
I nodded. Helen didn’t.
“One.”
I tightened my grip. I saw Helen follow my lead, giving me an exhausted look. She could barely keep her eyes open.
“Two.”
I started doubting which way to turn the doorknob. I’d turned a million doorknobs throughout my life, but that was the first time I’d really thought about which way to turn it. I imagined myself hearing water. Bubbles. Distant rumbles. I tried telling myself that it was all imagined. Fake. Tricks of the mind.
But in my heart of hearts, I knew it wasn’t.
“Three.”
We opened our doors.
All I saw was a well-made bed. A bag of toiletries; probably Whitney’s. I left the door open and turned around.
Helen was smiling as the darkness welcomed her.
“Come on!” Whitney screamed. “Leave her!”
The door to the bedroom was open. Clear. But I was standing just ten feet away from an endless abyss. Helen looked at it, as if searching for something. She touched the surface with an outstretched hand.
“Seb, honey,” she cried. “Sebby, please.”
A pulse shot through her. I could see the hair on her arm stand up. Her veins turning black.
“Oh, Sebby…”
In an instant, her flesh unraveled as it flayed itself from the inside out. Her scream stifled as something pulled her in, leaving splotches of blood behind from the outline of her feet. A pained moan escaped her; only to be turned to harmless bubbles in the pressurized void.
Whitney grabbed me by the neck and pulled me downstairs. We ran to the front door. We looked back a final time, just to make sure it was still manifested upstairs.
It was still there. We’d sacrificed Helen, but we’d make it out.
Whitney pulled the front door open – and stopped.
Darkness.
We’d been wrong.
Whitney turned to run as an impossibly long arm grabbed the flesh of her back; straight through her clothes. It pulled her back.
I crawled away, not being able to close my eyes.
“Help me!” she cried out. “For God’s sake fucking help me!”
I shook my head, not knowing what to do. I’ll never forget those desperate eyes. The betrayal. The pleading. She fought every inch of the way. She dug her nails into the hardwood floor. She kicked. She pulled. She screamed. But for every second she stayed, the more painful it was.
With a final snap, the fingers dug into her spine; folding her like a lawn chair.
A lifeless body, dragged across the floor. Unceremoniously pulled into the dark with a quiet squelch.
And the door, slightly damaged by Seb and his crowbar, slid shut.
I was all alone.
The door to the guest bedroom and the main bedroom remained open. There was the bathroom and study downstairs. Just two closed doors left; the bathroom and the front door. Both closed. Both… wrong.
There was no right answer.
I must’ve stayed there for days. I found some trail mix in Whitney’s bag. I had water. I could shower. I had a change of clothes. I scoured the notebooks over and over and over, trying to find the slightest hint on what to do. There had to be some way of knowing for sure. There had to be.
It wasn’t until I came across a final note that I realized it was over. It read;
“By will alone, we cannot make ourselves right. Right is right, independently of our actions and intentions. We cannot control that which never was, and we cannot be part of that which will never be. There could be no more perils for me to face, and yet, I cannot bring myself to leave. There is no certainty in the unknown, and I choose not to live by chance alone.”
I cried myself to sleep at night. I banged on the walls. I even tried opening a window, only to have my left eardrum blown out from the pressure drop. Got a nasty nosebleed as well.
I tried reading. I tried making up little worlds in my head. I imagined myself safe and sound.
But it was useless. In those final hours of desperate loneliness, I knew I couldn’t fool myself any longer.
I was going to die.
I found myself with my hand on the front door. I learned every crease of the wood. The temperature of the metal handle. I listened to it. Studied it. At times, it was quiet. At other times, it wasn’t. Sometimes I imagined it quiet, other times, I imagined voices coming from the other side.
Maybe I wasn’t imagining it.
Finally, I grasped the bronze key. Starving, exhausted, and mentally broken – I opened the front door.
Sunshine.
And there, on the fresh-cut lawn, was another realtor.
Just as confused as I was.
So, turns out I was only in there for about 16 hours total. And to this day, no one seems to remember neither Anders, Seb, Helen, or Whitney. According to every document I can find, the owner of the house had no children. The cars parked outside were unregistered. On paper, it seemed like the entire world had forgotten that these people were ever part of this plane of existence.
I don’t think anyone’s lying here. There was a sincere disbelief and confusion to every piece of my story. To onlookers, I seemed like a squatter that’d gone insane.
I’ve tried to find anything about this. They won’t let me go back to read the notes. The investment firm who owns the real estate company swept it all under a rug and tore the place down. I suspect they were the ones who made the bronze key mysteriously disappear from the evidence room.
I’ve tried to find copies of the books I found in there. Some of them have been seen in passing on strange message boards, and one just keeps making my computer turn off whenever I try to google it. Who the hell is Emmett Rask anyway?
If anyone knew these people, or have heard about this phenomenon, please… I need to know I’m sane. I need to know this isn’t all a dream. I need to know I won’t wake up with my hand on that front door, having imagined living a life back outside.
This has to be real. I am real. There is nothing on the other side of the door.
Go ahead, listen. There’s nothing there.
It can’t be.
Can it?
submitted by Saturdead to nosleep [link] [comments]
And every time I put my hand to a door, I tremble.
I was looking for a house in the surrounding area. I know, being a homeowner at 27 seems like a dream. I know I’ve been fortunate. Even so, I wanted something remote, spacious, and comparably cheap.
I’d been looking for something nearby, but everything even close to a larger city quickly ran out of my price range. It wasn’t until I started looking at the rural outskirts that I started to see something realistic.
I’d been to four open house showings in the past week when I came across an ad that looked too good to be true. Another open house, but this one was just perfect. Apparently, they were looking to make a quick sale after a previous deal had fallen through.
I made my way to a small nearby town called Tomskog. There was a little billboard with a blue sunflower greeting me, and I took a hard right down a street named “Sunplenty Road”. There were only five houses there, and the one I came to look at was at the far end. Even from a distance, I could tell I wasn’t the only visitor.
I parked on the street outside and took in the sights. There was an “Open House” sign outside, again with the sunflower logo. There was a separate garage, and the house itself was smaller than expected. Homely, but small.
I was greeted by a cheerful man. He had thick glasses, a receding hairline, and the kind of “fun uncle” smile that told me he could get away with anything.
“Come on in,” he said. “You’re gonna love it.”
There was me, the realtor, and three other people. A middle-aged couple, and a younger woman. She had this messy black hair that kept poking her in the eye. Even at a glance I could tell the young woman was distraught. She wasn’t even looking around the house, she seemed more interested in the people wandering about.
The house had a simple and open layout. The bottom floor had a bathroom, a separate study room, an adjoining kitchen, and a lounge area. There were stairs leading to a sort of catwalk on the second floor, making the main room wide open. The second floor had another bathroom, a bedroom, and a guest room.
It had this sort of sullen 70’s vibe with grey and white flower-patterned wallpaper. There were little scuffs and tears pretty much everywhere, but the house itself seemed… fine.
The realtor, Anders, showed me all the details of the kitchen. He assured me that most of the appliances were to be replaced before the next homeowner moved in, and proudly displayed the new garbage disposal. It was a nice enough setup, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the young woman standing outside the study. I got the feeling that she was standing guard.
As the middle-aged couple walked downstairs, they asked her they could have a look.
“No,” she answered, with a shrug. “You can’t.”
“Don’t mind her,” Anders the realtor smiled. “Of course you can.”
“No,” she insisted. “They can’t.”
Anders walked up to her and leaned in. His demeanor shifted. They argued back and forth, and I could hear her repeat, over and over;
“This is not what we agreed to.”
The middle-aged couple and I just looked at one another. While the realtor and the young woman argued, we introduced ourselves. I smiled and gave them my name. They were named Helen and Sebastian, or ‘Seb’ for short. Typical midwestern salt-of-the-earth kind of people. They were suffering from an empty nest and seemed to want a place to start over. They made no secret about being interested in the place, although Helen wasn’t sure about having no direct access to the garage. Seb, on the other hand, wasn’t sure about the soil. He wanted a proper garden, and the soil seemed ill-fit to sustain greenery.
“Still,” Helen smiled. “Best place we’ve seen so far.”
“Sure is,” added Seb, giving Helen a little shake.
Anders kept arguing with the young woman. I could overhear her name as Whitney, and she was not willing to cooperate. Finally, Anders just pushed past her, putting his keys in the lock.
“Right this way, we’ll just take a quick peek.”
“We’re not done in there,” she said. “You can’t just-“
“It was supposed to be packed up, Whitney. I can’t help that you’re late.”
“That’s not… please. Give me an hour.”
“You’ve had plenty of hours.”
He clicked the door open and pushed it in. The three of us gave Whitney an apologetic look as we stepped inside.
The study was a mess. Old clothes strewn across various furniture, loose papers and books haphazardly thrown across a musky desk. An entire wall of bookshelves full of textbooks, ranging from discrete mathematics to philosophical physics. I stood there for a few seconds, taking it all in. Whitney pushed past us, grabbing an empty box from the floor.
“Don’t touch anything,” she sighed. “Just… look at it, and leave.”
Anders leaned over to us, lowering his voice.
“You have to excuse her,” he whispered. “There were some… complications, with the former owner.”
“Oh, she’s… the, uh, the daughter?” Seb asked.
Anders nodded.
While Anders told us about the east-facing windows and the top-of-the-line air conditioning system, I couldn’t help but to keep my eyes on Whitney. She was rummaging through the desk, dropping mementos, pictures, and notebooks into one of her many cardboard boxes. I could tell she was sleep deprived. She kept yawning.
Helen seemed eager to just leave Whitney to her grieving, while Seb kept to the practical details. He checked the hardwood floor, the insulation on the windows, the wall linings for pests. At one point, he almost knocked over a coffee table, and Whitney came running. She caught a vase that was about to topple off the table.
“Don’t… don’t touch anything!” she cried out. “Just… if you have to be here, stay… stay still!”
“I’m, uh… sorry,” Seb said. “I was just-“
“Just go over there!”
She waved her hands around, shaking the vase. There was a little rattle coming from it.
She shook it again, and I could see the color fade from her cheeks. Carefully, she tipped the vase, and something dark plopped into her hand.
A large bronze key.
Whitney pulled her hand back, letting the bronze key clatter to the floor. She covered her mouth, forgetting how to exhale. We just looked at her having what seemed, to us, like a mental breakdown.
“Nobody move,” she gasped. “Nobody… do anything.”
We all just stood there. Helen and Seb barely breathed, and I was suddenly hyper-aware of how still my feet were. Anders wasn’t impressed. If anything, he was fed up with this. He rolled his eyes, and picked up the key.
“Whitney, I’m sorry, you’re gonna have to wait outside.”
“Please, put… put that down.”
“You can put it with your things and take it outside.”
“Just… don’t move, you don’t know what you’re-“
Anders opened the door, stepped out of the study, and headed straight for the front door. Whitney dropped everything and ran after him. The rest of us followed suit.
“Wait!” she called out. “Please wait!”
As soon as Anders put his hand on the front door, Whitney stopped dead in her tracks.
“Anders, please, I’m sorry,” she said. “Just step away. Give me the key. I’ll leave, I promise. I swear.”
“That’s enough of that.”
“No!”
He opened the door and took a step forward. The bronze key passed the threshold.
We’d all stepped into the main lounge by now, and I heard the door to the study slam shut. There was a sort of pressure shift, making the wind move through the main lounge. Every door in the house slid shut with a click. All except the front door, which was wide open.
But there was nothing there.
Not nothing as in no one standing there. No, nothing as in “a nothing”. Just a blank, black space.
A viscous fluid where sunlight ought to be.
Endless, abyssal, ocean.
I stared at it, mesmerized. The contrast of the bright sun coming in from the windows, bouncing off the ripples of this deep ocean doorway.
And there, in the dark, humanoids. Tall, elongated silhouettes.
Anders stepped back, but it was as if parts of him refused to move. His arms were locked in place, seemingly by an invisible force. And as he stepped back, something started pulling him in.
His limbs grew long and twisted. His knees bending and snapping at impossible angles. His scalp pulled backwards, the loose skin of his face revealing the bottom white of his eyes.
“He… help!”
It was all he managed to say, as he was pulled into the dark. Limbs were quietly ripped from his sockets, as his human frame was bent, twisted, torn, and mangled. Black water mixing with marrow as dark shapes turned Anders into what resembled an underwater cloud of flesh and cloth.
Whitney threw herself forward, slamming the door shut, leaving the bronze key on the floor.
Screams erupted, and I didn’t even notice they were mine. It was this primal force being pulled out of me, this need to scream. Like a baby desperate for her mother. Helen backed into a corner and sunk to the floor, with Seb trying his best to comfort her. Whitney just sat there looking at the bronze key; her face breaking out in cold sweats.
I felt something turn in my stomach and headed for the bathroom. Whitney ran after me, but she couldn’t make it in time. I burst through the bathroom door and collapsed on the floor, hyperventilating. Whitney stayed outside, looking at me in shock.
“It’s… you’re… you’re fine,” she said. “You’re okay.”
I wasn’t. But compared to Anders, panicking on the bathroom floor seemed like a mercy.
Whitney stayed with me as I calmed down. Seb and Helen joined us. After a few minutes of silence, Whitney excused herself. She came back with pile of notebooks. She sat down across the hall from me, making sure not to enter the bathroom.
“My dad, he… found something,” she said. “I wasn’t sure exactly what.”
“We should… we should leave,” said Helen. “We should leave right now.”
“We can climb out a window,” said Seb. “If the, uh… the door is…”
“Just… please,” sighed Whitney. “Just stay. We’ll figure it out.”
“I-I mean no offense,” said Helen. “But what… what on earth was that?”
Whitney turned the notebook to a specific page and read aloud.
“I’ve been marooned in this house for thirty days. I never know where the Door is. Sometimes I can hear water, sometimes not. I tried the windows, but it nearly burst my eardrums from the pressure as water came rushing in. I can’t leave. I can’t move. They wait behind the Door. They wait for me to open.”
Whitney scratched her head. Helen looked back and forth, as if waiting for something to make sense. Seb just shook his head.
“What… what does that even mean?” asked Helen. “What happened?”
“It has to do with the doors,” Whitney explained. “They wait behind the Door.”
“There’s nothing there,” said Seb. “There’s light coming through the windows.”
“It’s… it’s not that easy. It’s when you open it.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
Whitney stood up and handed Helen three notebooks.
“We can argue the details of dad’s quantum entanglement experiment later, but that’s not gonna help us.”
“So… let’s just go then,” said Seb. “Let’s leave.”
“You wanna take your chances on the front door? That it won’t come back? Go ahead.”
Seb took a few tentative steps up to the front door. Helen wanted to protest, but she just started looking back and forth. Whitney crossed her arms and turned away.
“I can’t hear anything,” said Seb. “Are you sure it’s there?”
“It’s somewhere,” said Whitney. “I don’t… I don’t know the rules. It has to do with the doors.”
I got up off the bathroom floor and looked at them. Seb took his hand off the front door and stepped back. Whitney turned her attention to me.
“You put yourself at risk,” said Whitney. “That could’ve killed you.”
“The bathroom?”
“The door to the bathroom. Any or all of these doors, it… it could be connected. Here, let me-“
Whitney walked up to Helen and took one of the notebooks back. She turned to one of the latter pages.
“The framework of passageway. Concept of thought. Paired in alignment, the darkness standing shy from the mirrored back of Empyrean. Realm unwilled and unbound, misshapen by collective subconscious. We cannot pass, our world-forgotten blocks dissipated. Like a bridge cannot be built of water, and a house cannot be built of wind. But the great craftsman blames not their tools; and eternal gold can be found in humble bronze.”
“Bronze,” I said. “Like the key.”
“Look, my dad, he… we weren’t on speaking terms. I’ve looked at all this for days, and all I can tell is that he was off his rocker. He died in that room.”
Whitney pointed to the study. Helen hugged Seb tight, holding back a sob.
“He couldn’t leave. He was convinced that the… the door would eat him.”
Helen sat down by the kitchen table. Thankfully, there was no door in-between the kitchen and the main lounge. Seb walked straight up to Whitney, grabbed her by the collar of her blouse, and slammed her up against the wall; his calm demeanor cracking at the seams.
“We shouldn’t be here,” he said. “This is your fault!”
“I-I didn’t know! It was all just ramblings! I didn’t have time to clear it all out, how… how could I have known?!”
“You recognized the key,” said Helen. “You chased after him. You asked him to wait.”
“That’s the only part that keeps coming back!” Whitney yelled. “Check the notebooks! The key, it’s… it’s everywhere! It’s everything!”
“So what do we do?” Seb asked. “Do we use it or destroy it?”
Whitney looked at the pile of notebooks she’d managed to gather from the study. It was only a handful of everything we’d seen in there, but it might be enough to get some semblance of an answer.
The house had six doors. The front door, the bathroom door, the study room door. On the top floor, there was another bathroom door, a door to the guest bedroom, and the main bedroom door. The bathroom door on the bottom floor was already open and considered safe. I could step in and out without a problem.
Whitney explained as best as she could.
Her father had grown increasingly paranoid since divorcing Whitney’s mother. He’d locked himself in his house, committing fully to his studies. He’d always been a bit agoraphobic, and having a reason not to leave the house was a bit of a blessing in disguise. But over time, that blessing turned into a curse. An early entry read;
“For years, I’ve longed for the presence of mind to devote myself. And now that I can, I find myself wanting. I can’t be certain. There is a Door, a passage. It binds itself seemingly spontaneously. There is a risk involved, and it is a risk I cannot take.”
Seb tried to call for help, but water started pouring out of his phone. Whitney found a page about “semi-passages” or “shortcuts”. Things that could be used as portals to another person or place. They weren’t as conceptually clean as a door, and thus wouldn’t invite “Them”, but the connection would go through that dark place. The place that, somehow, her father had stumbled upon.
I looked at the key for a long time. I didn’t dare to touch it. It was unassuming, in a way. It was old and had this sort of blocky texture; like it was made of little squares. While Helen and Seb rifled through notebooks, Whitney looked up and talked to me.
“He just wanted a way to go wherever he wanted, without having to traverse the space in-between. To just go from one door to another. All he needed was a key.”
“But why now? Why is… how are we trapped?” I asked. “We got in here just fine.”
“The realtor,” sighed Whitney. “He tried to leave with the key. I think that triggered it.”
“So how do we un-trigger it?”
Whitney shrugged and pointed to the notebooks.
We had endless discussions. We compared notes, drew out theories. Helen thought we could force the bronze key out a window, but Whitney theorized that it’d just leave us locked inside. I suggested we listened at each door, just to eliminate which ones were safe and which weren’t. We tried, but there was seemingly no way to tell. Sometimes I could hear rushing water on the other side. Scratches on the wood. Other times, nothing. Even going back to the same door, it’d sound differently each time.
We considered opening several doors at once. We spread ourselves out. I was at the upstairs bedroom door, right next to Seb by the guest room door. Whitney was downstairs by the study door, and Helen insisted on the front door. We all put our hands on the handles. I wasn’t sure if I could hear something on the other side or not; my heart was pounding too loudly.
There were six doors. Five were closed, one open. Someone was probably going to die.
“There is only ever one Door. He only speaks of it as a singular. It can change over time,” said Whitney. “This is our best shot.”
“We can’t know for sure,” said Seb. “And why do we even want to open them all? There’s nothing in the bedrooms, right?”
“We’re excluding,” I said. “Like we did with the downstairs bathroom.”
“We should close it,” said Helen. “Shouldn’t that improve our chances of… of our other doors being okay?”
“I have no idea,” sighed Whitney. “Are we doing this?”
Seb backed away from his door, taking the hand off the handle.
“It ain’t right,” he said. “None of it. It ain’t right.”
Everything erupted into an argument. Seb couldn’t bring himself to risk his life for anything less than an exit, and Helen couldn’t stop crying at the thought of that dark abyss. I couldn’t blame her. To this day, I can’t stop imagining it. Whitney, trying to act as a voice of reason, read aloud from one of the notebooks.
“The concept of the passageway, the Door, changes at the flick of a thought. An alien thought, like an invisible, uncontrollable shadow of the psyche. It refuses to be controlled. My exit could be my end; or as likely, a wooden frame. Much like we cannot control the smoke of a campfire, we cannot foresee the turning of the passageway.”
We all looked at one another. Helen collapsed by the front door, crying. Whitney was close to a mental breakdown. I felt this enormous burden settle in my stomach, like I was missing something.
“Let’s take the door off the hinges”, said Seb. “We’ll turn it into a… an arch. Then it ain’t a door anymore. You think that’ll work?”
“In theory, maybe,” said Whitney. “But how do we do that without opening it?”
“We’ll… we’ll take the whole frame off,” Seb said. “There’s a crowbar under the sink. Saw it when I checked the garbage disposal.”
Helen bent down next to the sink, put her hand on the kitchen cabinet handle. I gasped.
Was that considered a door? Could it kill her? Would it?
I imagined that dark, cold abyss. That enormous force pulling me in, turning my very form into this unrecognizable mass. Where no screams can be heard. All I’d have to show for such unimaginable anguish would be a burst of bubbles; then nothing.
“No!” I cried out. “Stop!”
But it was too late.
Nothing happened. Helen opened it, pulled out the crowbar, and that was that. But for a brief moment, I realized how Whitney’s father must’ve felt. That uncertainty, not knowing for sure if that one flick of the wrist would be damnation; or nothing.
Helen handed the crowbar to Seb, while Whitney gave me a pat on the shoulder. I couldn’t stop crying. My whole body was shaking from the sudden rush of adrenaline. Meanwhile, Seb walked up to the front door and started tapping the wood.
The theory was this; if there was no door, nothing could come through. There was no point in doing a test run, because if it didn’t work, someone would lose their life either way. It was better to have an honest chance of getting out.
Whitney gathered towels. She had this idea that, maybe, water might start leaking if the door was turned into a semi-passage, like a window. If so, we might have to find a way to quickly stop the flow.
By the time we got the towels, Seb started working on the door frame. As that first crack rang out, I heard a click.
The front door slid open.
Without a moment’s thought, Seb pushed it close. It had barely opened an inch.
We all held our breaths. We were fine. Nothing was happening.
“It’s… it’s clear!” Helen called out. “There’s nothing there! I saw it, it… it was nothing!”
“It can change!” Whitney yelled back. “We can’t take that risk again!”
“Like hell we can’t.”
Seb put his hand on the front door, but Whitney tackled him. The crowbar fell to the floor as Helen rushed forward to help.
“Listen!” Whitney yelled. “Just listen!”
A rumble, like a great whale passing in the distance. It was right there; on the other side of the front door.
Without a word, they all stood up and backed away. The door shook from the passing force. Something was definitely there.
“Then… then the rest should be fine,” said Seb. “We can get to the study.”
Whitney nodded, and the two of them burst into a sprint. Helen wasn’t convinced, but didn’t know what to say. Whitney dropped her crowbar, and as she bent to pick it up, Seb opened the door to the study.
Darkness.
“…no.”
Panic exploded. Helen grabbed his arms, trying to pull him out. Whitney crawled backwards, closing her eyes and covering her ears. I couldn’t watch. All I heard was Helen, screaming his name, over and over. There was a gargle. A scream turning into an inhuman screech, like a burning pig.
“Sebastian!” Helen kept repeating. “Sebastian! Sebastian!”
There was a click, and then nothing but crying. I looked up to see Helen collapsed against the study door. It had slid shut from the pressure on the other side.
“I’m… I’m coming, Sebby,” she cried. “I’m… I’m-“
She opened the door again.
And there was the study, just as we’d left it.
Helen collapsed on the floor, curling up into a fetal position. She kept making this child-like yowling, scratching the surface of the hardwood floor, as if trying to dig Seb back into reality. But there was nothing left. Not even water droplets on the floor.
Then there were her arms. She’d held on until the door had slammed shut. Her sleeves were torn, and her arms bloody. Not much, but there were these round little suction marks. They were already bruising, with spots of blood poking through the skin.
I sat by Helen as Whitney started rifling through the study. There were more notebooks, more theories, more diaries. Notes about experiments, clever tricks, and attempts. So far, every idea to understand the rules were in vain. We couldn’t make sure. No matter what, we could never be truly sure.
Two open doors. Four closed.
I don’t know how many hours passed. I managed to get Helen to the couch, but she was inconsolable. She could barely comprehend words anymore. She didn’t blink, and she could barely breathe. There were no coherent thoughts in her mind, just… darkness. This awful, soul-sinking darkness.
Whitney propped up the open doors with books and towels, to make sure they wouldn’t accidentally close. All the while, she kept trying to convince herself.
“We keep opening them one by one,” she said. “If we can get it to manifest in one single place, and keep that door open, we should be able to leave by another.”
The sun had started to set outside. For all intents and purposes, this still just looked like a house. The windows were clear, showing the greenery outside. Maybe it was all a lie. Maybe none of it was really happening.
But looking down at Helen, and her unblinking eyes, I knew it was the realest thing I’d ever experienced.
“We… there’s three of us,” I said. “Four doors. We can’t make it.”
“No, that’s perfect,” nodded Whitney. “That’s… we open all but the front door. It manifests. Then we can get out through the one safe remaining door.”
“Unless we all die. There’s nothing that says it can only be in one place.”
“It is implied,” said Whitney. “If you got a better plan, just tell me. But unless you want to starve to death, we gotta-“
“Starve?” I interrupted. “Is that what…”
I looked back at the study, where Whitney said her father had died. No words were necessary. She took a deep breath and nodded.
“He couldn’t bring himself to try,” she said. “So we have to ask ourselves what we want. A long but certain death, or a violent risk at life?”
The fridge, the freezer, and all the cupboards had been cleared out. Whitney found some raisins for us to share while we pondered what to do. Helen couldn’t eat. She stared blankly ahead, waiting for her mind to come wandering back.
It was dark outside. Whitney rolled the bronze key between her fingers.
“I wonder how he did it,” she sighed. “He never made any sense to me.”
“Maybe it doesn’t make sense,” I shrugged. “At least not to us.”
“Then what made him so special?”
“Well, he did have a lot of books,” I said, reaching into a pile we’d gathered from the study. “Just look at some of these.”
“Astrology of Abraham, Channels of Esoteric Geometry…”
“I like this one,” I said, holding up a little red book. “Diary of Emmett Rask.”
“Right. But it doesn’t beat the…”
Whitney pulled out another book from the pile, turning it over.
“… the thirteen faiths of the blameless mother.”
I shook my head, looking over at Helen. A handful of raisins slipped between her fingers. She didn’t even bother closing her hand.
Looking back at Whitney, I sighed.
“You’re right,” I said. “We have to try.”
So we did.
We lined ourselves up on the top floor. Helen on the far right, near the bathroom. I was on the far left, by the guest room. Whitney was in the middle, by the bedroom. Helen didn’t understand. She just mimicked us.
“We’re gonna open on three,” said Whitney. “And no matter what we see, just run. Run downstairs, and just… go. Get out.”
I nodded. Helen didn’t.
“One.”
I tightened my grip. I saw Helen follow my lead, giving me an exhausted look. She could barely keep her eyes open.
“Two.”
I started doubting which way to turn the doorknob. I’d turned a million doorknobs throughout my life, but that was the first time I’d really thought about which way to turn it. I imagined myself hearing water. Bubbles. Distant rumbles. I tried telling myself that it was all imagined. Fake. Tricks of the mind.
But in my heart of hearts, I knew it wasn’t.
“Three.”
We opened our doors.
All I saw was a well-made bed. A bag of toiletries; probably Whitney’s. I left the door open and turned around.
Helen was smiling as the darkness welcomed her.
“Come on!” Whitney screamed. “Leave her!”
The door to the bedroom was open. Clear. But I was standing just ten feet away from an endless abyss. Helen looked at it, as if searching for something. She touched the surface with an outstretched hand.
“Seb, honey,” she cried. “Sebby, please.”
A pulse shot through her. I could see the hair on her arm stand up. Her veins turning black.
“Oh, Sebby…”
In an instant, her flesh unraveled as it flayed itself from the inside out. Her scream stifled as something pulled her in, leaving splotches of blood behind from the outline of her feet. A pained moan escaped her; only to be turned to harmless bubbles in the pressurized void.
Whitney grabbed me by the neck and pulled me downstairs. We ran to the front door. We looked back a final time, just to make sure it was still manifested upstairs.
It was still there. We’d sacrificed Helen, but we’d make it out.
Whitney pulled the front door open – and stopped.
Darkness.
We’d been wrong.
Whitney turned to run as an impossibly long arm grabbed the flesh of her back; straight through her clothes. It pulled her back.
I crawled away, not being able to close my eyes.
“Help me!” she cried out. “For God’s sake fucking help me!”
I shook my head, not knowing what to do. I’ll never forget those desperate eyes. The betrayal. The pleading. She fought every inch of the way. She dug her nails into the hardwood floor. She kicked. She pulled. She screamed. But for every second she stayed, the more painful it was.
With a final snap, the fingers dug into her spine; folding her like a lawn chair.
A lifeless body, dragged across the floor. Unceremoniously pulled into the dark with a quiet squelch.
And the door, slightly damaged by Seb and his crowbar, slid shut.
I was all alone.
The door to the guest bedroom and the main bedroom remained open. There was the bathroom and study downstairs. Just two closed doors left; the bathroom and the front door. Both closed. Both… wrong.
There was no right answer.
I must’ve stayed there for days. I found some trail mix in Whitney’s bag. I had water. I could shower. I had a change of clothes. I scoured the notebooks over and over and over, trying to find the slightest hint on what to do. There had to be some way of knowing for sure. There had to be.
It wasn’t until I came across a final note that I realized it was over. It read;
“By will alone, we cannot make ourselves right. Right is right, independently of our actions and intentions. We cannot control that which never was, and we cannot be part of that which will never be. There could be no more perils for me to face, and yet, I cannot bring myself to leave. There is no certainty in the unknown, and I choose not to live by chance alone.”
I cried myself to sleep at night. I banged on the walls. I even tried opening a window, only to have my left eardrum blown out from the pressure drop. Got a nasty nosebleed as well.
I tried reading. I tried making up little worlds in my head. I imagined myself safe and sound.
But it was useless. In those final hours of desperate loneliness, I knew I couldn’t fool myself any longer.
I was going to die.
I found myself with my hand on the front door. I learned every crease of the wood. The temperature of the metal handle. I listened to it. Studied it. At times, it was quiet. At other times, it wasn’t. Sometimes I imagined it quiet, other times, I imagined voices coming from the other side.
Maybe I wasn’t imagining it.
Finally, I grasped the bronze key. Starving, exhausted, and mentally broken – I opened the front door.
Sunshine.
And there, on the fresh-cut lawn, was another realtor.
Just as confused as I was.
So, turns out I was only in there for about 16 hours total. And to this day, no one seems to remember neither Anders, Seb, Helen, or Whitney. According to every document I can find, the owner of the house had no children. The cars parked outside were unregistered. On paper, it seemed like the entire world had forgotten that these people were ever part of this plane of existence.
I don’t think anyone’s lying here. There was a sincere disbelief and confusion to every piece of my story. To onlookers, I seemed like a squatter that’d gone insane.
I’ve tried to find anything about this. They won’t let me go back to read the notes. The investment firm who owns the real estate company swept it all under a rug and tore the place down. I suspect they were the ones who made the bronze key mysteriously disappear from the evidence room.
I’ve tried to find copies of the books I found in there. Some of them have been seen in passing on strange message boards, and one just keeps making my computer turn off whenever I try to google it. Who the hell is Emmett Rask anyway?
If anyone knew these people, or have heard about this phenomenon, please… I need to know I’m sane. I need to know this isn’t all a dream. I need to know I won’t wake up with my hand on that front door, having imagined living a life back outside.
This has to be real. I am real. There is nothing on the other side of the door.
Go ahead, listen. There’s nothing there.
It can’t be.
Can it?
2023.06.03 01:29 31_SAVAGE_ Longtime Civ 5 player finally playing 6, thoughts
Used to play a lot of civ 5 a few years ago. When 6 came out for whatever reason I wasnt really interested in it, the mods werent there yet, it was missing DLCs, etc I found 5 with mods still better (shoutout to vox populi mod). I realize this game came out like 5+ years ago but uh... theres a lot of games to play these days
Anyway after a couple games under my belt (easy science win on 5 with Korea, drawn out culture win with Pericles on 6, loss with Pachacuti on 7), had some thoughts if anyone is interested:
submitted by 31_SAVAGE_ to civ [link] [comments]
Anyway after a couple games under my belt (easy science win on 5 with Korea, drawn out culture win with Pericles on 6, loss with Pachacuti on 7), had some thoughts if anyone is interested:
- District system was kind of weird at first but once you start to see some good combos it's great, very good change. At first I was like "why give up a perfectly good tile for one without any yields" but eventually it started to make sense. My only comment here is that there are a few too many restrictions to build some which should be basic. Oh and they cant be removed, ever. Why?
- Wonders using up tiles is also great. Offers a tradeoff for just wonder spamming, you lose tiles. The requirements can get pretty crazy but I like it because your wonder wont get sniped by a random AI just spamming wonders unless they settled in the very specific spots to get stuff like golden gate bridge, panama canal, etc.
- The natural disasters thing is pretty interesting, adds some extra flavounpredictability. My Pericles game had my main cities between Mount Vesuvius and another volcano. RIP to the brave greeks that gave their lives and refused to move away after the 7th eruption or something.
- Religion is still interesting in theory but annoying in practice with the AI cheating. I feel at higher difficulties there is almost no chance of getting a decent religion going, the AI shows up with like 5 missionaries at turn 50 which they fabricate from thin air. In 2 games the AI invaded with a ton of missionaries extremely early, converted my capital, and from that point onward there was nothing I could do to convert back. And you cant remove the Holy Site youre stuck with (thank you mods for the fix).
- Warrior Monks are op as hell, if you start near whoever has them it's absolutely gg. 40 strength, 200 faith cost, 3 moves, as early as Theology. Just lost my pachacuti game to this. I was actually defending well vs USA AND England who surprised decalred against me together even though I was the weakest still. I couldve held out but England had the warrior monks (like 4) and there was just nothing i couldve done.
- World Congress was way better in civ 5... I dont understand the changes at all, why cant you propose what gets voted on anymore? Instead its just some random proposals that make almost no difference, and someone crying about natural disasters every x turns. Quite disappointed with this one, makes me not want to play for diplomatic victory.
- Culture/tourism system is good especially with the additions of resorts, ski mountains, national parks, rock bands and such. However the balance is a little off. In my culture win i was basically dominating but it took like 50-100 turns to actually trigger the win because one of the AI had a massive civ. Also kind of forces you to expand a fair amount since I quickly filled out all my great work slots even with many wonders. Late game it seemed quite ridiculous to switch all my cities to full faith production in order to spam rock bands (even though my religion was lost forever by like turn 70). There should be a city project to generate tourism.
- Mods are quite good, especially all the UI stuff is very well taken care of and makes the game massively better. Stuff like the quick deals mod is absolutely brilliant. However I wish there was a consensus balance/slight gameplay tweaks mod like the vox populi mod in civ 5.
- Casus Belli is the right idea but implementation could be better. The game has no "memory" of previous events. If I get surprised declared, or an allied city state is captured by someone, that should be remembered for very long if not ever. Shouldnt get a penalty cause I liberated my ally CS after like 31 turns.
2023.06.03 01:19 localfyi Local Events in The Triangle this Weekend!
Saturday:
Durham Craft Market - Saturday 08:00 AM @ Durham Central Park - Durham
The Raleigh Market - For the thrill of the hunt! - Saturday 09:00 AM @ N. C. State Fairgrounds - Raleigh
Shop & Play Saturday at Phillips Farms of Cary: Kids' Summer Kick-Off with NC Eat & Play - Saturday 09:00 AM @ Phillips Farms of Cary - Cary
FREE HIIT class @ Crabtree Valley Mall w/ Princess from Fit Factory! - Saturday 09:00 AM @ Fabletics Crabtree Valley Mall - Raleigh
West Point Park Tours (4 start times) - Saturday 10:00 AM @ West Point on the Eno - Durham
Spring Kiln Opening at Mark Hewitt Pottery - Saturday 10:00 AM @ Hewitt Pottery - Pittsboro
Saturday Slowdown at RambleRill Farm in Hillsborough: shop at farmers' market, meet goats, have a picnic - Saturday 10:00 AM @ RambleRill Farm - Hillsborough
Summer Sol - Vinyasa Flow w/ Live Sound Journey & Zero Proof Cocktails - Saturday 10:00 AM @ Raleigh Rose Garden - Raleigh
1st Annual International Children's Day at the City of Raleigh Museum - Saturday 10:00 AM @ City of Raleigh Museum - Raleigh
Ever After: Fairytales, Food & Flowers - Saturday 10:00 AM @ Fred Fletcher Park - Raleigh
"Cultural Infusions": An Art Collective Art Exhibition - Saturday 10:00 AM @ Triangle Cultural Art Gallery - Raleigh
Open Farm Visit to Sunrise Community Farm - Saturday 10:00 AM @ Sunrise Community Farm Center - Chapel Hill
The Original Downtown Raleigh Murals and Public Art Tour - Saturday 10:30 AM @ 300 S Salisbury St - Raleigh
Yoga at Hi-Wire Brewing - Saturday 11:00 AM @ Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt - Durham
Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours (1-hour long; 4 start times) - Saturday 11:00 AM @ Mordecai Historic Park - Raleigh
Wilson Pride Market - Saturday 11:00 AM @ Fayetteville Street - Raleigh
Flight Day at Dix Park - Saturday 11:00 AM @ Dorothea Dix Park, Big Field - Raleigh
The Market at NCMA - Saturday 11:00 AM @ North Carolina Museum of Art - Raleigh
Flight Day at Dorothea Dix Park - Saturday 11:00 AM@ Dorothea Dix Park — Big Field - Raleigh
FlushFest -- West Hillsborough's Homemade Music and Film Festival (admission by donation) - Saturday 12:00 PM @ 711 Eno Street, West Hillsborough - Hillsborough
flART Market - Saturday 12:00 PM @ ArtPost - Durham
Record Show - Saturday 12:00 PM @ Durty Bull Brewing Company - Durham
Art-n-Soul Market - Saturday 12:00 PM@ Waverly Place - Cary
Art-n-Soul Market @ Mystic Farm & Distillery - Saturday 12:00 PM @ Mystic Farm & Distillery - Durham
Rescheduled: Bond Brothers' Mid-Town Square Spring Festival - Saturday 12:00 PM @ Bond Brothers Beer Company - Cary
Raleigh's International Food Festival - Saturday 12:00 PM @ City Plaza - Raleigh
53rd Annual Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival - Saturday 1:00 PM @ Rock Quarry Park - Durham
Doughnuts with Dads at Book Harvest - Saturday 1:00 PM @ Durham Bulls Athletic Park - Durham
Live music - Saturday 2:00 PM @ Gizmo Brew Works - Raleigh
Away Home - Workshop Offering (part of NC State's TheatreFEST) - Saturday 2:00 PM @ Thompson Hall (NC State) - Raleigh
The Carrboro Really Really Free Market - Saturday 2:00 PM @ Carrboro Town Commons - Carrboro
Live music: The Stagger Brothers - Saturday 2:00 PM@ Carolina Brewery - Pittsboro
The ComedyWorx Show Matinee - Saturday 3:00 PM @ ComedyWorx - Raleigh
19th Annual Beaver Queen Pageant - Saturday 3:00 PM @ Duke Park - Durham
Saturdays in Saxapahaw Outdoor Concert Series - Saturday 3:00 PM @ Saxapahaw Post Office - Saxapahaw
Jazz + Art Market - Saturday 3:00 PM@ Artmosphere Community Arts Center - Clayton
Summertime Beer Fest - Saturday 3:00 PM @ Clouds Brewing Tap Room - Raleigh
Live music - Saturday 6:00 PM @ Gizmo Brew Works - Raleigh
The ComedyWorx Show - Saturday 6:00 PM@ ComedyWorx - Raleigh
Music at Mill Bridge - Saturday 6:00 PM @ Mill Bridge Nature Park Amphitheatre - Wake Forest
Music on Main - Saturday 6:00 PM @ The Streets at Southpoint - Durham
Live music: Maverick Rose - Saturday 6:30 PM @ Southern Peak Brewery - Apex
1st Annual Bad Prom For A Good Cause - Saturday 7:00 PM @ Tobacco Road Sports Cafe & Brewery - Raleigh
Metropolitan Community Church - Saturday 7:00 PM @ St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church -
Live music: LowderStill - Saturday 7:00 PM @ Nickelpoint Brewing Co. - Raleigh
Pride Dance Party at Gizmo Brew Works - Saturday 7:00 PM @ Gizmo Brew Works - Chapel Hill
Live Music - Saturday 7:00 @ 20 West Franklin Street Plaza - Chapel Hill
Live music: Thomas Hinds - Saturday 7:30 PM @ Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Fuquay-Varina
Glitter Hour: Amateur Drag and Queer Stage Show - Saturday 8:00 PM @ Ruby Deluxe - Raleigh
Summer F.L.I.N.G. Game Night - Saturday 8:00 PM @ 93 Rock Quarry Rd - Raleigh
Afrobeats, HipHop, Dancehall - Saturday Nights (1st Saturday of Each Month) - Saturday 10:00 PM @ Nafkot Lounge - Raleigh
Social Club: Saturday Night Social - Saturday 10:00 PM @ Social Club - Raleigh
Sunday:
The Raleigh Market - Sunday 09:00 AM @ Raleigh Market (at N.C. State Fairgrounds) - Raleigh
Free Pop-Up Yoga in Wake Forest with SoulFULLY YOURS - Sunday 09:30 AM @ Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve - Wake Forest
A Place at the Table's "pay what you can" food truck rodeo - Sunday 11:00 AM @ A Place at the Table - Raleigh
Board Game Sundays - Sunday 12:00 PM @ Gizmo Brew Works - Durham
Spring Kiln Opening at Mark Hewitt Pottery - Sunday 12:00 PM @ Hewitt Pottery - Pittsboro
Black Farmers' Market - Sunday 1:00 PM @ Southeast Raleigh YMCA - Raleigh
Community Build Day for Durham Art Parade: Art on a Stick - Sunday 1:00 PM @ The Scrap Exchange - Durham
Youth Aviation Academy Program at John Chavis Memorial Park - Sunday 1:00 PM @ John Chavis Memorial Park - Raleigh
Historic Raleigh Trolley Pride Ride (3 start times) - Sunday 1:00 PM @ Mordecai Historic Park - Raleigh
Durham Really Really Free Market - Sunday 2:00 PM @ Lyon Park - Durham
Open Mic Hosted by Michael Brennan - Sunday 2:00 PM @ BMC Brewing - Pittsboro
Durham City of Medicine Walking Tour (pay what you want) - Sunday 2:00 PM @ Raleigh Convention Center - Raleigh
Live music: Gypsy Railroad Band - Sunday 2:00 @ Nickelpoint Brewing Co. - Raleigh
Historic Houses on the Move - Sunday 2:00 @ Bombshell Beer Company - Holly Springs
Beer, Bacon, and Bluegrass - Sunday 3:00 PM @ Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Fuquay-Varina
Open-Mic Night - Sunday 3:00 PM @ Gizmo Brew Works - Raleigh
"Pay What You Can" for tickets to Corpus Christi by Terrence McNally, presented by St. John's Six Sundays in Spring concert: Sensory Expressions - Sunday 3:30 @ E. Carroll Joyner Park - Wake Forest
Indoor Yoga at the Chapel at Dix Park - Sunday 3:30 @ Dorothea Dix Park - Raleigh
Freeman Round House Summer Event Series: Karaoke with Mia Harris - Sunday 6:00 PM @ Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park - Wilson
Sunday Salsa Social -- lesson and dance - Sunday 6:30 PM @ Triangle Dance Studios - Durham
Sunday Night Live Music - Sunday 7:00 PM @ Southern Village - Chapel Hill
Want us to send you all the fun happenings in the Triangle directly to you? Join the LocalFYI newsletter (by clicking here) to get the inside scoop sent to your inbox every Monday. Although it says just Raleigh, we send events that cover the whole Triangle there :)
Any other cool events that we missed? Comment below so we can add them to our list!
submitted by localfyi to triangle [link] [comments]
Durham Craft Market - Saturday 08:00 AM @ Durham Central Park - Durham
The Raleigh Market - For the thrill of the hunt! - Saturday 09:00 AM @ N. C. State Fairgrounds - Raleigh
Shop & Play Saturday at Phillips Farms of Cary: Kids' Summer Kick-Off with NC Eat & Play - Saturday 09:00 AM @ Phillips Farms of Cary - Cary
FREE HIIT class @ Crabtree Valley Mall w/ Princess from Fit Factory! - Saturday 09:00 AM @ Fabletics Crabtree Valley Mall - Raleigh
West Point Park Tours (4 start times) - Saturday 10:00 AM @ West Point on the Eno - Durham
Spring Kiln Opening at Mark Hewitt Pottery - Saturday 10:00 AM @ Hewitt Pottery - Pittsboro
Saturday Slowdown at RambleRill Farm in Hillsborough: shop at farmers' market, meet goats, have a picnic - Saturday 10:00 AM @ RambleRill Farm - Hillsborough
Summer Sol - Vinyasa Flow w/ Live Sound Journey & Zero Proof Cocktails - Saturday 10:00 AM @ Raleigh Rose Garden - Raleigh
1st Annual International Children's Day at the City of Raleigh Museum - Saturday 10:00 AM @ City of Raleigh Museum - Raleigh
Ever After: Fairytales, Food & Flowers - Saturday 10:00 AM @ Fred Fletcher Park - Raleigh
"Cultural Infusions": An Art Collective Art Exhibition - Saturday 10:00 AM @ Triangle Cultural Art Gallery - Raleigh
Open Farm Visit to Sunrise Community Farm - Saturday 10:00 AM @ Sunrise Community Farm Center - Chapel Hill
The Original Downtown Raleigh Murals and Public Art Tour - Saturday 10:30 AM @ 300 S Salisbury St - Raleigh
Yoga at Hi-Wire Brewing - Saturday 11:00 AM @ Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt - Durham
Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours (1-hour long; 4 start times) - Saturday 11:00 AM @ Mordecai Historic Park - Raleigh
Wilson Pride Market - Saturday 11:00 AM @ Fayetteville Street - Raleigh
Flight Day at Dix Park - Saturday 11:00 AM @ Dorothea Dix Park, Big Field - Raleigh
The Market at NCMA - Saturday 11:00 AM @ North Carolina Museum of Art - Raleigh
Flight Day at Dorothea Dix Park - Saturday 11:00 AM@ Dorothea Dix Park — Big Field - Raleigh
FlushFest -- West Hillsborough's Homemade Music and Film Festival (admission by donation) - Saturday 12:00 PM @ 711 Eno Street, West Hillsborough - Hillsborough
flART Market - Saturday 12:00 PM @ ArtPost - Durham
Record Show - Saturday 12:00 PM @ Durty Bull Brewing Company - Durham
Art-n-Soul Market - Saturday 12:00 PM@ Waverly Place - Cary
Art-n-Soul Market @ Mystic Farm & Distillery - Saturday 12:00 PM @ Mystic Farm & Distillery - Durham
Rescheduled: Bond Brothers' Mid-Town Square Spring Festival - Saturday 12:00 PM @ Bond Brothers Beer Company - Cary
Raleigh's International Food Festival - Saturday 12:00 PM @ City Plaza - Raleigh
53rd Annual Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival - Saturday 1:00 PM @ Rock Quarry Park - Durham
Doughnuts with Dads at Book Harvest - Saturday 1:00 PM @ Durham Bulls Athletic Park - Durham
Live music - Saturday 2:00 PM @ Gizmo Brew Works - Raleigh
Away Home - Workshop Offering (part of NC State's TheatreFEST) - Saturday 2:00 PM @ Thompson Hall (NC State) - Raleigh
The Carrboro Really Really Free Market - Saturday 2:00 PM @ Carrboro Town Commons - Carrboro
Live music: The Stagger Brothers - Saturday 2:00 PM@ Carolina Brewery - Pittsboro
The ComedyWorx Show Matinee - Saturday 3:00 PM @ ComedyWorx - Raleigh
19th Annual Beaver Queen Pageant - Saturday 3:00 PM @ Duke Park - Durham
Saturdays in Saxapahaw Outdoor Concert Series - Saturday 3:00 PM @ Saxapahaw Post Office - Saxapahaw
Jazz + Art Market - Saturday 3:00 PM@ Artmosphere Community Arts Center - Clayton
Summertime Beer Fest - Saturday 3:00 PM @ Clouds Brewing Tap Room - Raleigh
Live music - Saturday 6:00 PM @ Gizmo Brew Works - Raleigh
The ComedyWorx Show - Saturday 6:00 PM@ ComedyWorx - Raleigh
Music at Mill Bridge - Saturday 6:00 PM @ Mill Bridge Nature Park Amphitheatre - Wake Forest
Music on Main - Saturday 6:00 PM @ The Streets at Southpoint - Durham
Live music: Maverick Rose - Saturday 6:30 PM @ Southern Peak Brewery - Apex
1st Annual Bad Prom For A Good Cause - Saturday 7:00 PM @ Tobacco Road Sports Cafe & Brewery - Raleigh
Metropolitan Community Church - Saturday 7:00 PM @ St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church -
Live music: LowderStill - Saturday 7:00 PM @ Nickelpoint Brewing Co. - Raleigh
Pride Dance Party at Gizmo Brew Works - Saturday 7:00 PM @ Gizmo Brew Works - Chapel Hill
Live Music - Saturday 7:00 @ 20 West Franklin Street Plaza - Chapel Hill
Live music: Thomas Hinds - Saturday 7:30 PM @ Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Fuquay-Varina
Glitter Hour: Amateur Drag and Queer Stage Show - Saturday 8:00 PM @ Ruby Deluxe - Raleigh
Summer F.L.I.N.G. Game Night - Saturday 8:00 PM @ 93 Rock Quarry Rd - Raleigh
Afrobeats, HipHop, Dancehall - Saturday Nights (1st Saturday of Each Month) - Saturday 10:00 PM @ Nafkot Lounge - Raleigh
Social Club: Saturday Night Social - Saturday 10:00 PM @ Social Club - Raleigh
Sunday:
The Raleigh Market - Sunday 09:00 AM @ Raleigh Market (at N.C. State Fairgrounds) - Raleigh
Free Pop-Up Yoga in Wake Forest with SoulFULLY YOURS - Sunday 09:30 AM @ Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve - Wake Forest
A Place at the Table's "pay what you can" food truck rodeo - Sunday 11:00 AM @ A Place at the Table - Raleigh
Board Game Sundays - Sunday 12:00 PM @ Gizmo Brew Works - Durham
Spring Kiln Opening at Mark Hewitt Pottery - Sunday 12:00 PM @ Hewitt Pottery - Pittsboro
Black Farmers' Market - Sunday 1:00 PM @ Southeast Raleigh YMCA - Raleigh
Community Build Day for Durham Art Parade: Art on a Stick - Sunday 1:00 PM @ The Scrap Exchange - Durham
Youth Aviation Academy Program at John Chavis Memorial Park - Sunday 1:00 PM @ John Chavis Memorial Park - Raleigh
Historic Raleigh Trolley Pride Ride (3 start times) - Sunday 1:00 PM @ Mordecai Historic Park - Raleigh
Durham Really Really Free Market - Sunday 2:00 PM @ Lyon Park - Durham
Open Mic Hosted by Michael Brennan - Sunday 2:00 PM @ BMC Brewing - Pittsboro
Durham City of Medicine Walking Tour (pay what you want) - Sunday 2:00 PM @ Raleigh Convention Center - Raleigh
Live music: Gypsy Railroad Band - Sunday 2:00 @ Nickelpoint Brewing Co. - Raleigh
Historic Houses on the Move - Sunday 2:00 @ Bombshell Beer Company - Holly Springs
Beer, Bacon, and Bluegrass - Sunday 3:00 PM @ Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Fuquay-Varina
Open-Mic Night - Sunday 3:00 PM @ Gizmo Brew Works - Raleigh
"Pay What You Can" for tickets to Corpus Christi by Terrence McNally, presented by St. John's Six Sundays in Spring concert: Sensory Expressions - Sunday 3:30 @ E. Carroll Joyner Park - Wake Forest
Indoor Yoga at the Chapel at Dix Park - Sunday 3:30 @ Dorothea Dix Park - Raleigh
Freeman Round House Summer Event Series: Karaoke with Mia Harris - Sunday 6:00 PM @ Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park - Wilson
Sunday Salsa Social -- lesson and dance - Sunday 6:30 PM @ Triangle Dance Studios - Durham
Sunday Night Live Music - Sunday 7:00 PM @ Southern Village - Chapel Hill
Want us to send you all the fun happenings in the Triangle directly to you? Join the LocalFYI newsletter (by clicking here) to get the inside scoop sent to your inbox every Monday. Although it says just Raleigh, we send events that cover the whole Triangle there :)
Any other cool events that we missed? Comment below so we can add them to our list!
2023.06.03 00:56 jangxx Linux server completely locks up due to kswapd
Ever since changing the mainboard on my NAS running Ubuntu Server I had the problem of it just randomly locking up. It's impossible to SSH into it and even connecting a physical USB keyboard doesn't work anymore. Curiously, connecting a monitor still worked, but all I could see was some output about a CPU being stalled.
After forcibly rebooting I could check the kernel logs and saw, that it has been spamming
System info:
uname output:
Linux JansNAS 5.4.0-150-generic #167-Ubuntu SMP Mon May 15 17:35:05 UTC 2023 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
/etc/os-release:
submitted by jangxx to linuxquestions [link] [comments]
After forcibly rebooting I could check the kernel logs and saw, that it has been spamming
Jun 03 00:38:54.415929 JansNAS kernel: watchdog: BUG: soft lockup - CPU#2 stuck for 22s! [kswapd0:186] Jun 03 00:38:54.416066 JansNAS kernel: Modules linked in: ufs qnx4 hfsplus hfs minix ntfs msdos jfs xfs cpuid tls veth xt_nat xt_tcpudp xt_conntrack xt_MASQUERADE nf_conntrack_netlink nfnetlink iptable_nat nf_nat nf_conntrack nf_defrag_ipv6 nf_defrag_ipv4 xt_addrtype iptable_filter bpfilter br_netfilter bridge stp > Jun 03 00:38:54.418197 JansNAS kernel: snd_soc_acpi_intel_match intel_rapl_common snd_soc_acpi x86_pkg_temp_thermal ledtrig_audio intel_powerclamp snd_soc_core snd_compress ac97_bus snd_pcm_dmaengine kvm_intel snd_hda_intel btusb uvcvideo iwlmvm kvm videobuf2_vmalloc snd_intel_dspcfg mac80211 btrtl videobuf2_memop> Jun 03 00:38:54.418220 JansNAS kernel: multipath linear raid456 async_raid6_recov async_memcpy async_pq async_xor async_tx xor raid6_pq libcrc32c hid_generic usbhid hid ahci e1000e crc32_pclmul pinctrl_cannonlake i2c_i801 video libahci wmi pinctrl_intel Jun 03 00:38:54.418236 JansNAS kernel: CPU: 2 PID: 186 Comm: kswapd0 Tainted: G OEL 5.4.0-149-generic #166-Ubuntu Jun 03 00:38:54.418252 JansNAS kernel: Hardware name: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. Z390 AORUS PRO WIFI/Z390 AORUS PRO WIFI-CF, BIOS F9 03/14/2019 Jun 03 00:38:54.418265 JansNAS kernel: RIP: 0010:native_queued_spin_lock_slowpath+0x151/0x1d0 Jun 03 00:38:54.418280 JansNAS kernel: Code: c1 ee 12 83 e0 03 83 ee 01 48 c1 e0 05 48 63 f6 48 05 80 0b 03 00 48 03 04 f5 80 f9 84 9f 48 89 10 8b 42 08 85 c0 75 09 f3 90 <8b> 42 08 85 c0 74 f7 48 8b 02 48 85 c0 74 5a 48 89 c6 0f 0d 08 eb Jun 03 00:38:54.418294 JansNAS kernel: RSP: 0018:ffffb9fbc04fbad0 EFLAGS: 00000246 ORIG_RAX: ffffffffffffff13 Jun 03 00:38:54.418306 JansNAS kernel: RAX: 0000000000000000 RBX: ffff8fe8fc106200 RCX: 00000000000c0000 Jun 03 00:38:54.418319 JansNAS kernel: RDX: ffff8fef3e0b0b80 RSI: 000000000000185b RDI: ffff8fec970c8bd4 Jun 03 00:38:54.418331 JansNAS kernel: RBP: ffffb9fbc04fbad0 R08: 00000000000c0000 R09: 0000000000000000 Jun 03 00:38:54.418343 JansNAS kernel: R10: 0000000000000000 R11: ffff8fef3e3affb8 R12: ffff8fec970c8bd4 Jun 03 00:38:54.418355 JansNAS kernel: R13: ffff8fec970c8800 R14: ffff8fe8fc105fd0 R15: ffff8fe8fc1060e0 Jun 03 00:38:54.418371 JansNAS kernel: FS: 0000000000000000(0000) GS:ffff8fef3e080000(0000) knlGS:0000000000000000 Jun 03 00:38:54.418384 JansNAS kernel: CS: 0010 DS: 0000 ES: 0000 CR0: 0000000080050033 Jun 03 00:38:54.418395 JansNAS kernel: CR2: 00007f5ad2ae01b0 CR3: 0000000c79a0a002 CR4: 00000000003606e0 Jun 03 00:38:54.418409 JansNAS kernel: DR0: 0000000000000000 DR1: 0000000000000000 DR2: 0000000000000000 Jun 03 00:38:54.418422 JansNAS kernel: DR3: 0000000000000000 DR6: 00000000fffe0ff0 DR7: 0000000000000400 Jun 03 00:38:54.418434 JansNAS kernel: Call Trace: Jun 03 00:38:54.418448 JansNAS kernel: _raw_spin_lock+0x1e/0x30 Jun 03 00:38:54.418461 JansNAS kernel: btrfs_destroy_inode+0xf4/0x210 [btrfs] Jun 03 00:38:54.418474 JansNAS kernel: destroy_inode+0x41/0x80 Jun 03 00:38:54.418487 JansNAS kernel: evict+0x14c/0x1b0 Jun 03 00:38:54.418500 JansNAS kernel: dispose_list+0x39/0x50 Jun 03 00:38:54.418512 JansNAS kernel: prune_icache_sb+0x5c/0x80 Jun 03 00:38:54.418525 JansNAS kernel: super_cache_scan+0x132/0x1b0 Jun 03 00:38:54.418538 JansNAS kernel: do_shrink_slab+0x150/0x2a0 Jun 03 00:38:54.418552 JansNAS kernel: shrink_slab+0x20c/0x2a0 Jun 03 00:38:54.418568 JansNAS kernel: shrink_node+0xd3/0x410 Jun 03 00:38:54.418580 JansNAS kernel: balance_pgdat+0x319/0x590 Jun 03 00:38:54.418595 JansNAS kernel: kswapd+0x1f8/0x3c0 Jun 03 00:38:54.418609 JansNAS kernel: ? __wake_up_pollfree+0x40/0x40 Jun 03 00:38:54.418621 JansNAS kernel: kthread+0x104/0x140 Jun 03 00:38:54.418634 JansNAS kernel: ? balance_pgdat+0x590/0x590 Jun 03 00:38:54.418647 JansNAS kernel: ? kthread_park+0x90/0x90 Jun 03 00:38:54.418660 JansNAS kernel: ret_from_fork+0x1f/0x40for more than a whole day, every 22 seconds. The first time I saw this, I actually enabled a swapfile, because normally the system doesn't even use swap since it has 64 GB of RAM, but even that did not fix the issue. Any idea what might be causing it? Googling the error has been pretty useless unfortunately.
System info:
uname output:
Linux JansNAS 5.4.0-150-generic #167-Ubuntu SMP Mon May 15 17:35:05 UTC 2023 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
/etc/os-release:
NAME="Ubuntu" VERSION="20.04.6 LTS (Focal Fossa)" ID=ubuntu ID_LIKE=debian PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 20.04.6 LTS" VERSION_ID="20.04" HOME_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/" SUPPORT_URL="https://help.ubuntu.com/" BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/" PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy" VERSION_CODENAME=focal UBUNTU_CODENAME=focal
2023.06.03 00:22 MouniaDeMa 24(f) broke up emotional abusive relationship, ADHD, low self worth; how did you find love for yourself even though you think less of yourself?
I am not a native english speaker, apologies in advance!
I am sorry i believe this communtiy is great!! always brings a smile on my face. This is an impulsive post haha i will probably delete it later. i typed this in one go, a bit impulsive and i am sorry if I come off wrong.
It is a really long text so I am already grateful for just posting it here. It is almost impossible to go through this illeterate english bible chapter haha so i understand.
Thanks again this forum is great! You guys are my inspiration; being proud of who you are, and seeing ADHD as something to embrace.
Well, The relationship lasted six years from ages 19 24. Despite his flaws, my partner was kind, patient, and loving when he didn't have anger issues.It was my first relationship, and I had never been in love or had sex before.
I always knew deep down that his actions were not okay, but he would confuse me with moments of kindness.
Now, in a moment of clarity, I realize how easily he made me feel like I was wrong and how it affected my self-esteem.I feel weak, embarrassed, and insecure after years of being with him. At the same time, I am really grateful for all the happy moments, and there is a part of me that feels like i am wrong for saying these things, as it is not "truly" him. I feel so weak, i tried therapy, but even my cogntive behavioral therapist literal words were "you have no identity" during hard topics you switch the subject, ask for validation. I spoke later with a counselor from school, who told me it is unproffesional and therapy can take a long time, so I should not be disencouraged.
However, I blocked out many negative moments because of the positive ones and realizing now so much more, such as these examples:
Now lisrening back to the voice messages i send (yes he gave me the world he did a lot what i am not mentioning here) but i notice once i brought up the fact that the arguments were not okay, he told me he doesnt deserve that, i should find somebody else, that i cannot reapeat this a thousand times it is not true. I supported him throughout the years, i told him that he doesnt deserve to feel this way in his anger and I am sorry for him and with help we can overcome this. He ironically joked"youre gonna pay for my sessions"?. He spends 400 euros in the month on weed (i am cool with smoking, i do it too sometimes, but than i am a bit sad that he does not want to (as he has the money) and never saw the point.
At the same time, he told me during the break up that i can call him, i should date other people (after one week), and he was serious since he wanted to build a future with me, house, baby and all. He even gave me a diamond ring, which could be symboliic seen he said as a step he said.
I dont think he has any idea......
I am angry at myself for tolerating this behavior and not recognizing the signs earlier.
I always felt guilty for small mistakes and felt like something was wrong with me.
The relationship had a negative impact on my mental health at the same time i never felt so happy in those good moments, so loved, , and I now question if he played a role in my increased sadness and depression.He made me feel like I was on top of the world while kicking me down, and I feel like a failure.
I have a study delay and an unfinished thesis. he graudated before me and found a job in the meantime, drove every weekend two hours to see me. he wanted to move abroad with me.
i was not feeling so great in my skin, and i expressed that i wanted to be more strong, independent, before moving together abroad; i always ignored that deep down I was afraid of not having enough backbone in arguments, and i was afraid abroad in case if i would be alone, plus somehow i still feel like i am not good enough. I am still not graduated (thesis in two weeks to deliver help and i am typing this impulsive text).
Despite his claims of putting more effort into the relationship I realize that I never felt safe enough and always wanted to proof myself. Hoenstly I still want to, for my fam, for him, myself. I just want to be worth.
I apologized repeatedly in voice messages, reminiscing about the good times and questioning what I could have done differently.
I tried to talk about with my mom before about this topic, we never talked about feelings growing up, she had her past too. But I see from her face that I upset her, I ask her for advice, she was watching a show she asked me to put if off cause and she was going upstairs. I apolgized a lot and said i was sorry again, that she could keep watching i ran upstairs and now I am here. it feels wrong to talk. And in an impulsive moment that I do open up, i always regret it.
Before bed she came to my room and wished me goodnight. both laying in bed in another room, i tild her i was sorry that i talked about it and i should have not done that, she had a nice glass of wine, watched a show, i was not considerate to talk about these things. she replied that she is the one that needs to apoligezed cause i havent talked about it with anyone and she is a bad mom. of course i said it is not the case, she is an amazing mom and i love her more than anything. Now i feel even worse, knowing that she feels bad. it reminds me again that talking does no good somehow, although i want to, doesnt mean other people want to talk about it or listen, it can make them upset. so here I am haha . i regret it deeply.
I don't know what to feel. I cannot name one single positive thing about myself. I feel like a failure really. When i look in the mirror i dont like what i see. throughout life i always stumbled, with no explaination why. i have alwats felt like i was not good enough, and probably because i think so, nobody will ever feel that.
I remember growing I up, i could not remember something someone said to me "i was a liar" or "i am not willing to listen" , I forgot my keys "You are stupid" , my dad throwing my clothes on the street in front of the whole neighbourhead because my room was a mess again, or got hit. these years, going though a divorce of my partents, living in an isolated trailer park for a bit with my mom and no drivers license made it hard to go out as there was nothing nearby, (my mom is amazing and worked her ass of to have a home now, i am super proud of her)i had no drivers license, heightened my loan and rented an appartment with my boyfriend together during covid (great times but lots of downs too), now i am failing myself, relationship, school, no job experience besides an internship. i am literally a failure
(this story is going to sound like bullshit maybe but i want to express confusion)
My sister and I also had a difficult time. The last argument i had with her is once she moved back after her studies failed (she is starting again she is really strong and resilient!) I visited new schools with her to check them out. while she stayed here, we argued about literally a pair of pants; i could borrow pants one day, the next morning i wore them too to go to visit the shop (she is really invested in clothes/ huge warderobe) and she got so angry, i apologized but she claimed i had no respect for her that she told me, things got heated, i cried and i walked to my room to sit on my bad, she stood in the doorway and told me "i should take more ADHD pill cause I am obviously crazy and she would rather live with my (ex-abusive) dad than with me". I yalled how can you say such thing, you dont mean it. she literally packed her suitcase and got out. My mom told me it was my fault because i wore this pants that morning.. my mom of course being sad, i tried to talk about it , i felt so alone.
I know it is wrong of me, the pants are her boundaries, she told me i could wear them the day before, without thinking i stood up the next morning, picked them up from my chair, and moved without thinking. i tried to bring up why it made me feel so sad and i believe the actions/words are maybe a bit drastic what she said: "please are you gonna use this against me for how long". I still feel upset about it till this day. After she moved, she would still come home to watch tv during the day and acted like nothing happened. of course we never talked, i stayed in my room, went to the library or took a walk.
My sister broke up with her boyfriend right now and therefore we of course immediately forgot about any past tensions. I also wanted to make it alright for my mom, always. i smile, but it never felt the same, i am still upset. Luckily now things are a bit better. i love her a lot, i just hope she is happy.
Espeically now with the study delay of two years, i feel like i am not going anywhere.
i was trying to be hopeful looking for jobs with no experience needed, to give myself some hope. i know it is stupid, i have to weeks to deliver my thesis and with everything going on i cannot seem to focus, i will try my best, My fam told me that "which job are you gonna do actually , is there something that you can do ". I laughed it away as a joke, i thought it was funny, but actually hurted me deeply because it wasnt a joke. They expressed it before.
Why does it always feel like i have to take ten extra steps to each a destination?
I recently reached out to my school counselor again: we used to talk more at school but i dissapeared for a year. i reached out, we talked for more than one hour on teams, crying my eyes and it was okay, she is amazing. she could remember what i said the first year of school walking through her doors. She told me that she never forgot about me especially since she opened up her personal life (we went through similar things in life) and she saw herself in me. Now she emails me with positive messages, always expressing that if i need to talk, even after i finish school she is there! I am really grateful for her in my life actually. I want to stay in touch i have to try my best. Even though it are small moments, they mean everything to me,This has really been a light point recently, it hit me when she told me that i need to stop thinking as she used to say to herself, that I don't matter, that there is no space for you, that i can say how i feel, i can say no, that i am worth to exist.
Anyways i dont want to self pitty myself, i am grateful to have a roof on top of my head, a family that loves me, food on the table, i am healthy, there are so many blessings.
I am sorry if i come off like i am not grateful. i am sorry if i come off unconsiderable.
I just dont know what to do, what to feel, what to think.
It feels like i am standing still for so long... It is my fault cause i allowed all these things.
I havent seen my friends for more than a year. One week ago a friend came for dinner , this already makes me happy that it is a step in the right direction !
I really dont like who i am. why cant i be more strong?
honestly it feels that i am doing something wrong, speaking so badly about him. I feel guilty and embarassed of myself. He was really kind and loving. I wonder if I would have been more strong, maybe he wouldnt disrespect me like that. Maybe I allowed him too, and I did. So it is my fault.
Still doesnt make it alright.
I hope one day to love myself. Especially before a raise a daughter of my own, Maybe if I ever did, this wouldnt have happened. I am so sad
submitted by MouniaDeMa to adhdwomen [link] [comments]
I am sorry i believe this communtiy is great!! always brings a smile on my face. This is an impulsive post haha i will probably delete it later. i typed this in one go, a bit impulsive and i am sorry if I come off wrong.
It is a really long text so I am already grateful for just posting it here. It is almost impossible to go through this illeterate english bible chapter haha so i understand.
Thanks again this forum is great! You guys are my inspiration; being proud of who you are, and seeing ADHD as something to embrace.
Well, The relationship lasted six years from ages 19 24. Despite his flaws, my partner was kind, patient, and loving when he didn't have anger issues.It was my first relationship, and I had never been in love or had sex before.
I always knew deep down that his actions were not okay, but he would confuse me with moments of kindness.
Now, in a moment of clarity, I realize how easily he made me feel like I was wrong and how it affected my self-esteem.I feel weak, embarrassed, and insecure after years of being with him. At the same time, I am really grateful for all the happy moments, and there is a part of me that feels like i am wrong for saying these things, as it is not "truly" him. I feel so weak, i tried therapy, but even my cogntive behavioral therapist literal words were "you have no identity" during hard topics you switch the subject, ask for validation. I spoke later with a counselor from school, who told me it is unproffesional and therapy can take a long time, so I should not be disencouraged.
However, I blocked out many negative moments because of the positive ones and realizing now so much more, such as these examples:
- He sometimes displayed anger issues, including pushing me against a wall, mimicking me when I cried, breaking objects, and verbally abusing me.
- He often blamed me for his anger that "I made him do that" or "if you werent like this/or forgot that than I woudlnt have.." .for even small things like leaving cabinets open or misplacing items, calling me "a child" "dumb" "dramatic" , or to expressing my feelings, as he called it "complantingand i was pretending to be sad/ ADHD is a choice. I am aware it is not an excuse! It is an explenetation. i am just hurt that he would call me lazy, dumb, unwilling, careless, a child, stupid that i decide to feel like i do. he waited for me after i got diagnosed that day.. he held my hand, we sat at the table watching my results with my mom, holding my hand.
- There were instances where he embarrassed me in front of others, from screaming in public or when I was having a night with my girlfriedns at home, when he visited his family abroad, we had bottle of wine food, just moved into a new neighbourhood and our numbers got added to the neighborhood WhatsApp group: he called my up angry, claimed after leaving the house for one week, i am already busy with boys... i did not understand; he knew some people in the group, we had dinner with one neighbour before, I cried and felt embarrased in front of my friends, especially since i had not seen them for months and we had such a great time; these things happened more often when I would go out.
- or while shopping with my mom (he said he wanted to come) there was an irritation and he walked away in front of us
- He sometimes made hurtful comments and engaged in aggressive behavior, including suggesting I deserve to be fucked by other men, telling me I would regret everything, and speeding up the car during arguments. that he regrets ever talking to me, i am not worth it, i am never there for him, he will never talk to me again. At the same time he told me to believe in myself, supported me with my studies (while also telling me to drop out). He is verbally really strong and I am just confused. I was just happy when things were good, cause I loved him and wanted to hold on to that; without the anger i could have not wished for more.
- He broke up with me many times, told me afterwards he just said it out of anger did not mean anythinh.
- Last argument when my mom and sister went on a holiday (i have a thesis to write right now) he told me: no one wants you, even your family doesnt want you on a holiday with you. We facetimed a lot during that trip, they even bought gifts for my boyfriend and I. I just think right now it is so cruel that he said that.... cause it made me feel acutally at one point that it is true. actually somehow i still do that their life would be better without me in it.
- He would often leave me alone during arguments, even when we were abroad visiting his home country, leaving me feeling scared and isolated.
- screaming at me in public
- left me many time abroad alone; throwing a bike at me and telling me to get the fuck out, i was alone, no idea where to go, used google maps to find the nearest beach and bawled my eyes out at the shore. one time he even left me when my battery was low, so i had to wait for him to come back and i felt so weak.
- The last incident involved him leaving me alone in a restaurant while intoxicated, causing a scene, , i had to sit down and expressed that i wasnt feeling good, he screamed at me to stand the fuck up, and left me for a while. two women asked to help me and stayed next to me. He walked towards me and said in his native language to them that i am just crazy. I followed him home, he was marching in front of me saying it was over; i told him after all those years, how can we treat each other like that? He pushed me away and told me to go, and at home pack my bags. In panic, crying , searching a flight i stood at the door; he cried and asked to come back.
- There were still TWO DAYS to go; i stayed, even went to a museum with him, bought a book as a gift. my heart was broken; he said that he wanted to respect me as when he felt that we hugged i needed time, I was just relieved somehow that it was over; it wasnt. When i didnt want to have sex that night..we argued again and the broke a chair
- The next morning he walked out of the door and did not say a word when i tried to talk( in the meantime when he left, i walked to the kitchen and talked to his roommate, a girl that offered me her number in case i need help, hit up if she is in my home coutnry, just i thought). i saw it as a nice gesture, girl talk.
- when he came home with the flowers in his hand, and he knew that i talked to his roommate, he gave me the flowers angry; he asked me to not engage with "these people" but i told him it is nothing. Later i was unappreciated cause i was confused about the flowers and his anger. He told me 'i wanted to give you flowers and have sex' you disrespect me, you do not have to be kind to her, but to me'. i was utterly confused and sad. he screamed, (threw something again everybody heard and i felt embarrased). when i walked into the kitchen again i did not even dare to look at her when he was making sandwiches.
- That day i had to fly home, i brought the flowers, even held his hand in the buss, he made me a sandwhich for on the way which i thought was nice. I was still incredibly sad about everything that happened; but i felt bad for him somehow. I even send him a pic of the flower in the plane, i bought his favorite comic book at the airport so he could read it when he visits me next time. Now i feel so stupid, i dont know how to feel about it.
- One time he stepped out of the car in front of a traffic light, i had no drivers license, i pulled him back,
- I am really embarrased for thine one ... that same day of the traffic light, he caught me at my collar and grabbed me shaking, i was so scared i statched his neck and pushed him off me. he walked out of the car, the alarm went off, no idea how to close it, had no keys, i looking for him around at night crying. I hated myself seeing the scratches in his neck, i still feel so bad for this day. I remember every time i saw it i cried, walked out of the room, i felt so sad for him, when he smiled at me the next moring at the breakfast table, he was calm, holding my hand. we did not talk about it, never
- Now i realize: why did he touch me? Why dont i stand stiill with why I felt unsafe? I know it is no exccuse what i did. but i feel weak for never bringing it up once again. I suffer from heavy eczema since a child, scratching myself at night. These motngs are worse and i somehow think i deserve it cause of what i did to him
Now lisrening back to the voice messages i send (yes he gave me the world he did a lot what i am not mentioning here) but i notice once i brought up the fact that the arguments were not okay, he told me he doesnt deserve that, i should find somebody else, that i cannot reapeat this a thousand times it is not true. I supported him throughout the years, i told him that he doesnt deserve to feel this way in his anger and I am sorry for him and with help we can overcome this. He ironically joked"youre gonna pay for my sessions"?. He spends 400 euros in the month on weed (i am cool with smoking, i do it too sometimes, but than i am a bit sad that he does not want to (as he has the money) and never saw the point.
At the same time, he told me during the break up that i can call him, i should date other people (after one week), and he was serious since he wanted to build a future with me, house, baby and all. He even gave me a diamond ring, which could be symboliic seen he said as a step he said.
I dont think he has any idea......
I am angry at myself for tolerating this behavior and not recognizing the signs earlier.
I always felt guilty for small mistakes and felt like something was wrong with me.
The relationship had a negative impact on my mental health at the same time i never felt so happy in those good moments, so loved, , and I now question if he played a role in my increased sadness and depression.He made me feel like I was on top of the world while kicking me down, and I feel like a failure.
I have a study delay and an unfinished thesis. he graudated before me and found a job in the meantime, drove every weekend two hours to see me. he wanted to move abroad with me.
i was not feeling so great in my skin, and i expressed that i wanted to be more strong, independent, before moving together abroad; i always ignored that deep down I was afraid of not having enough backbone in arguments, and i was afraid abroad in case if i would be alone, plus somehow i still feel like i am not good enough. I am still not graduated (thesis in two weeks to deliver help and i am typing this impulsive text).
Despite his claims of putting more effort into the relationship I realize that I never felt safe enough and always wanted to proof myself. Hoenstly I still want to, for my fam, for him, myself. I just want to be worth.
I apologized repeatedly in voice messages, reminiscing about the good times and questioning what I could have done differently.
I tried to talk about with my mom before about this topic, we never talked about feelings growing up, she had her past too. But I see from her face that I upset her, I ask her for advice, she was watching a show she asked me to put if off cause and she was going upstairs. I apolgized a lot and said i was sorry again, that she could keep watching i ran upstairs and now I am here. it feels wrong to talk. And in an impulsive moment that I do open up, i always regret it.
Before bed she came to my room and wished me goodnight. both laying in bed in another room, i tild her i was sorry that i talked about it and i should have not done that, she had a nice glass of wine, watched a show, i was not considerate to talk about these things. she replied that she is the one that needs to apoligezed cause i havent talked about it with anyone and she is a bad mom. of course i said it is not the case, she is an amazing mom and i love her more than anything. Now i feel even worse, knowing that she feels bad. it reminds me again that talking does no good somehow, although i want to, doesnt mean other people want to talk about it or listen, it can make them upset. so here I am haha . i regret it deeply.
I don't know what to feel. I cannot name one single positive thing about myself. I feel like a failure really. When i look in the mirror i dont like what i see. throughout life i always stumbled, with no explaination why. i have alwats felt like i was not good enough, and probably because i think so, nobody will ever feel that.
I remember growing I up, i could not remember something someone said to me "i was a liar" or "i am not willing to listen" , I forgot my keys "You are stupid" , my dad throwing my clothes on the street in front of the whole neighbourhead because my room was a mess again, or got hit. these years, going though a divorce of my partents, living in an isolated trailer park for a bit with my mom and no drivers license made it hard to go out as there was nothing nearby, (my mom is amazing and worked her ass of to have a home now, i am super proud of her)i had no drivers license, heightened my loan and rented an appartment with my boyfriend together during covid (great times but lots of downs too), now i am failing myself, relationship, school, no job experience besides an internship. i am literally a failure
(this story is going to sound like bullshit maybe but i want to express confusion)
My sister and I also had a difficult time. The last argument i had with her is once she moved back after her studies failed (she is starting again she is really strong and resilient!) I visited new schools with her to check them out. while she stayed here, we argued about literally a pair of pants; i could borrow pants one day, the next morning i wore them too to go to visit the shop (she is really invested in clothes/ huge warderobe) and she got so angry, i apologized but she claimed i had no respect for her that she told me, things got heated, i cried and i walked to my room to sit on my bad, she stood in the doorway and told me "i should take more ADHD pill cause I am obviously crazy and she would rather live with my (ex-abusive) dad than with me". I yalled how can you say such thing, you dont mean it. she literally packed her suitcase and got out. My mom told me it was my fault because i wore this pants that morning.. my mom of course being sad, i tried to talk about it , i felt so alone.
I know it is wrong of me, the pants are her boundaries, she told me i could wear them the day before, without thinking i stood up the next morning, picked them up from my chair, and moved without thinking. i tried to bring up why it made me feel so sad and i believe the actions/words are maybe a bit drastic what she said: "please are you gonna use this against me for how long". I still feel upset about it till this day. After she moved, she would still come home to watch tv during the day and acted like nothing happened. of course we never talked, i stayed in my room, went to the library or took a walk.
My sister broke up with her boyfriend right now and therefore we of course immediately forgot about any past tensions. I also wanted to make it alright for my mom, always. i smile, but it never felt the same, i am still upset. Luckily now things are a bit better. i love her a lot, i just hope she is happy.
Espeically now with the study delay of two years, i feel like i am not going anywhere.
i was trying to be hopeful looking for jobs with no experience needed, to give myself some hope. i know it is stupid, i have to weeks to deliver my thesis and with everything going on i cannot seem to focus, i will try my best, My fam told me that "which job are you gonna do actually , is there something that you can do ". I laughed it away as a joke, i thought it was funny, but actually hurted me deeply because it wasnt a joke. They expressed it before.
Why does it always feel like i have to take ten extra steps to each a destination?
I recently reached out to my school counselor again: we used to talk more at school but i dissapeared for a year. i reached out, we talked for more than one hour on teams, crying my eyes and it was okay, she is amazing. she could remember what i said the first year of school walking through her doors. She told me that she never forgot about me especially since she opened up her personal life (we went through similar things in life) and she saw herself in me. Now she emails me with positive messages, always expressing that if i need to talk, even after i finish school she is there! I am really grateful for her in my life actually. I want to stay in touch i have to try my best. Even though it are small moments, they mean everything to me,This has really been a light point recently, it hit me when she told me that i need to stop thinking as she used to say to herself, that I don't matter, that there is no space for you, that i can say how i feel, i can say no, that i am worth to exist.
Anyways i dont want to self pitty myself, i am grateful to have a roof on top of my head, a family that loves me, food on the table, i am healthy, there are so many blessings.
I am sorry if i come off like i am not grateful. i am sorry if i come off unconsiderable.
I just dont know what to do, what to feel, what to think.
It feels like i am standing still for so long... It is my fault cause i allowed all these things.
I havent seen my friends for more than a year. One week ago a friend came for dinner , this already makes me happy that it is a step in the right direction !
I really dont like who i am. why cant i be more strong?
honestly it feels that i am doing something wrong, speaking so badly about him. I feel guilty and embarassed of myself. He was really kind and loving. I wonder if I would have been more strong, maybe he wouldnt disrespect me like that. Maybe I allowed him too, and I did. So it is my fault.
Still doesnt make it alright.
I hope one day to love myself. Especially before a raise a daughter of my own, Maybe if I ever did, this wouldnt have happened. I am so sad
2023.06.03 00:00 FappidyDat [H] TF2 Keys & PayPal [W] Humble Bundle Games (Also Games From Past Bundles)
Notes:
I pay with the following:
TF2 & PayPal
IGS Rep Page:
https://www.reddit.com/IGSRep/comments/ggsaik/fappidydats_igs_rep_page/
SteamTrades Rep Page (1000+):
https://www.steamtrades.com/use76561198097671494
GameTrade Rep Page:
https://www.reddit.com/GameTradeRep/comments/ggrz1y/fappidydats_gametrade_rep_page/?
SGSFlair Rep Page:
https://www.reddit.com/sgsflaicomments/ggag04/flair_profile_ufappidydat/
submitted by FappidyDat to SteamGameSwap [link] [comments]
- I am EXTREMELY busy, but I check my messages and DMs at least ONCE per day. Please be patient and wait at least 24 hours for my response if I don't get back to you immediately.
- I buy only in Unrevealed Key Link Format or Plain Steam Keys. No gift links.
- For PayPal, I am in the US region and I only send via G&S. Please note there will be PayPal fees (including international/conversion and purchasing fees) to consider.
- All games that you sell to me should ideally be REGION-FREE. Please ensure the games are not region-locked/bound to a specific country.
- You must be willing to fill a spreadsheet with steam keys.
I pay with the following:
TF2 & PayPal
| I BUY HB Games | with TF2 | with PayPal | Currently Active Humble Bundle? |
|---|---|---|---|
| - Ratz Instagib - | 0.9 TF2 | $1.72 PP | - |
| 20XX | 0.4 TF2 | $0.88 PP | - |
| 5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel | 2.6 TF2 | $5.19 PP | - |
| 60 Parsecs! | 0.8 TF2 | $1.5 PP | - |
| 7 Billion Humans | 1.5 TF2 | $2.91 PP | - |
| 7 Days to Die | 1.1 TF2 | $2.16 PP | - |
| A Game of Thrones: The Board Game - Digital Edition | 1.4 TF2 | $2.78 PP | - |
| A Hat in Time | 4.5 TF2 | $8.98 PP | - |
| A Juggler's Tale | 0.5 TF2 | $1.07 PP | - |
| A Plague Tale: Innocence | 1.9 TF2 | $3.81 PP | - |
| AMID EVIL | 0.6 TF2 | $1.18 PP | - |
| AO Tennis 2 | 0.7 TF2 | $1.3 PP | - |
| Absolver | 1.8 TF2 | $3.51 PP | - |
| Aeterna Noctis | 1.6 TF2 | $3.15 PP | - |
| Age of Empires Definitive Edition | 1.2 TF2 | $2.46 PP | - |
| Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition | 1.3 TF2 | $2.6 PP | - |
| Age of Wonders III Collection | 0.9 TF2 | $1.86 PP | - |
| Age of Wonders: Planetfall - Deluxe Edition | 0.4 TF2 | $0.88 PP | - |
| Age of Wonders: Planetfall | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| Airport CEO | 2.8 TF2 | $5.62 PP | - |
| Alan Wake Collector's Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.68 PP | - |
| Alien: Isolation | 1.8 TF2 | $3.52 PP | - |
| Aliens: Colonial Marines Collection | 1.2 TF2 | $2.45 PP | - |
| Aliens: Fireteam Elite | 1.0 TF2 | $1.99 PP | - |
| Amnesia: The Dark Descent | 1.1 TF2 | $2.25 PP | - |
| Among Us | 1.2 TF2 | $2.42 PP | - |
| Ancestors Legacy | 0.6 TF2 | $1.24 PP | - |
| Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey | 2.1 TF2 | $4.07 PP | - |
| Aragami | 0.5 TF2 | $0.9 PP | - |
| Arizona Sunshine | 2.1 TF2 | $4.21 PP | - |
| Arma 3 Apex Edition | 1.6 TF2 | $3.24 PP | - |
| Arma 3 Contact Edition | 2.4 TF2 | $4.84 PP | - |
| Arma 3 Jets | 0.9 TF2 | $1.77 PP | - |
| Arma 3 Marksmen | 0.9 TF2 | $1.74 PP | - |
| Arma 3 | 1.9 TF2 | $3.78 PP | - |
| Assetto Corsa Competizione | 2.9 TF2 | $5.83 PP | - |
| Assetto Corsa Ultimate Edition | 5.0 TF2 | $9.93 PP | - |
| BATTLETECH - Mercenary Collection | 2.4 TF2 | $4.79 PP | - |
| BIOMUTANT | 1.6 TF2 | $3.12 PP | - |
| BPM: BULLETS PER MINUTE | 0.9 TF2 | $1.75 PP | - |
| BROFORCE | 1.1 TF2 | $2.17 PP | - |
| Baba Is You | 1.5 TF2 | $3.01 PP | - |
| Back 4 Blood | 3.0 TF2 | $5.96 PP | - |
| Bad North: Jotunn Edition | 0.9 TF2 | $1.77 PP | - |
| Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition | 0.5 TF2 | $1.01 PP | - |
| Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition | 0.4 TF2 | $0.83 PP | - |
| Bang-On Balls: Chronicles | 2.6 TF2 | $5.14 PP | - |
| Banished | 2.2 TF2 | $4.34 PP | - |
| Barotrauma | 6.5 TF2 | $12.95 PP | - |
| Batman - The Telltale Series | 1.0 TF2 | $1.9 PP | - |
| Batman Arkham Collection | 1.2 TF2 | $2.44 PP | - |
| Batman: Arkham Knight | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Batman: The Enemy Within - The Telltale Series | 1.1 TF2 | $2.18 PP | - |
| Batman™: Arkham Knight Premium Edition | 1.3 TF2 | $2.55 PP | - |
| Batman™: Arkham Origins Blackgate - Deluxe Edition | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Batman™: Arkham Origins | 0.8 TF2 | $1.67 PP | - |
| Batman™: Arkham VR | 0.8 TF2 | $1.5 PP | - |
| Battle Chasers: Nightwar | 0.6 TF2 | $1.21 PP | - |
| Battlefleet Gothic: Armada II | 2.1 TF2 | $4.17 PP | - |
| Battlefleet Gothic: Armada | 0.9 TF2 | $1.72 PP | - |
| Battlezone Gold Edition | 2.2 TF2 | $4.3 PP | - |
| Bendy and the Dark Revival | Humble Choice (May 2023) | ||
| Besiege | 1.5 TF2 | $2.92 PP | - |
| Beyond Blue | 2.5 TF2 | $4.94 PP | - |
| Beyond Two Souls | 1.9 TF2 | $3.83 PP | - |
| BioShock Infinite | 0.9 TF2 | $1.78 PP | - |
| BioShock Remastered | 0.9 TF2 | $1.78 PP | - |
| Bioshock Infinite: Season Pass | 0.7 TF2 | $1.34 PP | - |
| Blade of Darkness | 1.2 TF2 | $2.47 PP | - |
| Blair Witch | 1.2 TF2 | $2.3 PP | - |
| Blasphemous | Must-Play Metroidvanias Bundle | ||
| Blood Bowl 2 - Legendary Edition | 0.7 TF2 | $1.48 PP | - |
| Blood: Fresh Supply | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night | Must-Play Metroidvanias Bundle | ||
| Boomerang Fu | 0.6 TF2 | $1.2 PP | - |
| Borderlands 2 VR | 5.5 TF2 | $10.93 PP | - |
| Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe Edition | May Multiplayer Bundle | ||
| Borderlands 3 | 1.6 TF2 | $3.23 PP | - |
| Borderlands 3: Director's Cut | 1.3 TF2 | $2.51 PP | - |
| Borderlands: The Handsome Collection | 3.4 TF2 | $6.76 PP | - |
| Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel | 0.6 TF2 | $1.18 PP | - |
| Brutal Legend | 0.8 TF2 | $1.51 PP | - |
| Bus Simulator 18 | 2.1 TF2 | $4.18 PP | - |
| CHUCHEL Cherry Edition | 0.5 TF2 | $0.97 PP | - |
| Call of Cthulhu | 1.1 TF2 | $2.25 PP | - |
| Call of Juarez: Gunslinger | 0.5 TF2 | $0.96 PP | - |
| Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront | 9.3 TF2 | $18.38 PP | - |
| Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 | 0.7 TF2 | $1.36 PP | - |
| Carcassonne - Tiles & Tactics | 0.6 TF2 | $1.22 PP | - |
| Celeste | 1.8 TF2 | $3.6 PP | - |
| Chess Ultra | 0.6 TF2 | $1.25 PP | - |
| Children of Morta | 0.7 TF2 | $1.43 PP | - |
| Chivalry 2 | 3.8 TF2 | $7.45 PP | - |
| Chivalry: Medieval Warfare | 0.7 TF2 | $1.37 PP | - |
| Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition | 1.6 TF2 | $3.18 PP | - |
| Cities: Skylines | 1.4 TF2 | $2.73 PP | - |
| Clone Drone in the Danger Zone | 4.2 TF2 | $8.32 PP | - |
| Cloudpunk | 1.0 TF2 | $2.02 PP | - |
| Code Vein | 1.7 TF2 | $3.3 PP | - |
| Coffee Talk | 2.5 TF2 | $4.98 PP | - |
| Company of Heroes 2 - The Western Front Armies | 1.0 TF2 | $1.94 PP | - |
| Company of Heroes 2 | 0.5 TF2 | $1.0 PP | - |
| Company of Heroes | 1.9 TF2 | $3.79 PP | - |
| Conan Exiles | 1.6 TF2 | $3.26 PP | - |
| Construction Simulator 2015 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.48 PP | - |
| Contagion | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| Control Ultimate Edition | 2.0 TF2 | $3.93 PP | - |
| Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy | 9.6 TF2 | $19.06 PP | - |
| Creed: Rise to Glory™ | 2.3 TF2 | $4.47 PP | - |
| Crusader Kings II: Imperial Collection | 10.0 TF2 | $19.73 PP | - |
| Crusader Kings III | 5.9 TF2 | $11.73 PP | - |
| CryoFall | 0.5 TF2 | $0.92 PP | - |
| Cultist Simulator Anthology Edition | 1.4 TF2 | $2.79 PP | - |
| Cultist Simulator | 0.6 TF2 | $1.22 PP | - |
| DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT | 2.6 TF2 | $5.21 PP | - |
| DEATHLOOP | 2.8 TF2 | $5.47 PP | - |
| DIRT 5 | 4.3 TF2 | $8.44 PP | - |
| DMC - Devil May Cry | 1.0 TF2 | $1.93 PP | - |
| DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ - Ultimate Edition | 10.0 TF2 | $19.74 PP | - |
| DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2 | 1.9 TF2 | $3.81 PP | - |
| DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE | 0.6 TF2 | $1.18 PP | - |
| DRAGONBALL XENOVERSE Bundle Edition | 1.1 TF2 | $2.16 PP | - |
| DRIFT21 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.12 PP | - |
| Dark Deity | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin | 8.7 TF2 | $17.31 PP | - |
| Dark Souls III | 12.6 TF2 | $24.91 PP | - |
| Darkest Dungeon | 0.7 TF2 | $1.37 PP | - |
| Darksiders Genesis | 1.3 TF2 | $2.67 PP | - |
| Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition | 1.1 TF2 | $2.17 PP | - |
| Darksiders III | 0.6 TF2 | $1.26 PP | - |
| Darkwood | 0.6 TF2 | $1.16 PP | - |
| Day of the Tentacle Remastered | 0.4 TF2 | $0.88 PP | - |
| DayZ | 7.6 TF2 | $15.03 PP | - |
| Daymare: 1998 | 0.4 TF2 | $0.79 PP | - |
| Dead Estate | 1.0 TF2 | $1.99 PP | - |
| Dead Island - Definitive Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.66 PP | - |
| Dead Island Definitive Collection | 1.7 TF2 | $3.3 PP | - |
| Dead Rising 2: Off the Record | 1.2 TF2 | $2.42 PP | - |
| Dead Rising 3 Apocalypse Edition | 1.9 TF2 | $3.7 PP | - |
| Dead Rising 4 Frank’s Big Package | 2.5 TF2 | $4.96 PP | - |
| Dead Rising 4 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.73 PP | - |
| Dead Rising | 1.0 TF2 | $1.96 PP | - |
| Death Road to Canada | 2.4 TF2 | $4.84 PP | - |
| Death's Gambit | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| Deep Rock Galactic | 3.3 TF2 | $6.63 PP | - |
| Descenders | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| Desperados III | 1.0 TF2 | $1.93 PP | - |
| Destroy All Humans | 0.7 TF2 | $1.41 PP | - |
| Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut | 1.1 TF2 | $2.25 PP | - |
| Deus Ex: Mankind Divided | 1.1 TF2 | $2.16 PP | - |
| Devil May Cry HD Collection | 1.8 TF2 | $3.5 PP | - |
| Devil May Cry® 4 Special Edition | 1.6 TF2 | $3.13 PP | - |
| DiRT Rally 2.0 | 5.1 TF2 | $10.11 PP | - |
| Dinosaur Fossil Hunter | 0.5 TF2 | $0.9 PP | - |
| Distant Worlds: Universe | 0.7 TF2 | $1.29 PP | - |
| Doom Eternal | 2.5 TF2 | $4.94 PP | - |
| Door Kickers | 1.9 TF2 | $3.84 PP | - |
| Dorfromantik | 2.0 TF2 | $3.93 PP | - |
| Dragons Dogma - Dark Arisen | 0.8 TF2 | $1.57 PP | - |
| Drake Hollow | 0.5 TF2 | $0.91 PP | - |
| Drone Swarm | 0.4 TF2 | $0.81 PP | - |
| Dungeon Defenders | 2.8 TF2 | $5.47 PP | - |
| Dungeon Defenders: Awakened | 2.8 TF2 | $5.59 PP | - |
| Dungreed | 0.9 TF2 | $1.81 PP | - |
| Dusk | 2.0 TF2 | $3.91 PP | - |
| EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair | 2.2 TF2 | $4.28 PP | - |
| ELEX | 1.1 TF2 | $2.18 PP | - |
| EVERSPACE™ | 1.6 TF2 | $3.16 PP | - |
| Elite: Dangerous | 1.3 TF2 | $2.67 PP | - |
| Empire of Sin | 1.3 TF2 | $2.55 PP | - |
| Endzone - A World Apart | 0.5 TF2 | $1.04 PP | - |
| Euro Truck Simulator 2 | 1.1 TF2 | $2.19 PP | - |
| Exanima | 2.6 TF2 | $5.24 PP | - |
| FTL: Faster Than Light | 1.0 TF2 | $1.92 PP | - |
| Fable Anniversary | 3.7 TF2 | $7.32 PP | - |
| Fallout 76 | 2.1 TF2 | $4.22 PP | - |
| Fantasy General II | 0.6 TF2 | $1.25 PP | - |
| Farming Simulator 17 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.13 PP | - |
| Firefighting Simulator - The Squad | 3.8 TF2 | $7.47 PP | - |
| First Class Trouble | 0.6 TF2 | $1.12 PP | - |
| For The King | 1.0 TF2 | $1.92 PP | - |
| Forager | 1.3 TF2 | $2.6 PP | - |
| Forts | 2.3 TF2 | $4.52 PP | - |
| Friday the 13th: The Game | 3.0 TF2 | $5.86 PP | - |
| Frostpunk | 1.0 TF2 | $2.07 PP | - |
| Full Metal Furies | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| Furi | 0.8 TF2 | $1.62 PP | - |
| GRID - Ultimate | 2.0 TF2 | $3.97 PP | - |
| GRID | 0.9 TF2 | $1.81 PP | - |
| GRIS | 0.5 TF2 | $0.92 PP | - |
| Gang Beasts | 3.0 TF2 | $5.89 PP | - |
| Garden Paws | 1.0 TF2 | $2.05 PP | - |
| Gas Station Simulator | 1.9 TF2 | $3.68 PP | - |
| Gears 5 | 11.7 TF2 | $23.1 PP | - |
| Gears Tactics | 4.5 TF2 | $8.93 PP | - |
| Generation Zero® | May Multiplayer Bundle | ||
| Goat Simulator | 0.4 TF2 | $0.88 PP | - |
| Godlike Burger | 1.1 TF2 | $2.1 PP | - |
| Golf With Your Friends | 0.9 TF2 | $1.69 PP | - |
| Gordian Quest | 1.8 TF2 | $3.58 PP | - |
| Gotham Knights | 5.5 TF2 | $10.83 PP | - |
| GreedFall | 0.8 TF2 | $1.54 PP | - |
| Grim Dawn | 5.2 TF2 | $10.28 PP | - |
| Grim Fandango Remastered | 0.6 TF2 | $1.09 PP | - |
| Guacamelee! 2 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.19 PP | - |
| HITMAN™2 Gold Edition | 3.1 TF2 | $6.16 PP | - |
| HIVESWAP: Act 2 | 2.1 TF2 | $4.18 PP | - |
| HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED™ | 1.8 TF2 | $3.66 PP | - |
| HROT | 1.9 TF2 | $3.7 PP | - |
| Haiku, the Robot | Must-Play Metroidvanias Bundle | ||
| Hard Bullet | 1.2 TF2 | $2.38 PP | - |
| Hearts of Iron IV: Battle for the Bosporus | 1.8 TF2 | $3.53 PP | - |
| Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet Edition | 2.7 TF2 | $5.3 PP | - |
| Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor | 0.9 TF2 | $1.74 PP | - |
| Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger | 1.9 TF2 | $3.68 PP | - |
| Heave Ho | 0.6 TF2 | $1.1 PP | - |
| Heavy Rain | 2.1 TF2 | $4.15 PP | - |
| Hell Let Loose | 5.2 TF2 | $10.32 PP | - |
| Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice | 1.1 TF2 | $2.26 PP | - |
| Hello, Neighbor! | 0.5 TF2 | $0.91 PP | - |
| Hellpoint | 0.4 TF2 | $0.75 PP | - |
| Hero's Hour | 0.5 TF2 | $0.92 PP | - |
| Heroes of Hammerwatch | 0.6 TF2 | $1.13 PP | - |
| Hitman Absolution | 0.4 TF2 | $0.79 PP | - |
| Hitman Game of the Year Edition | 1.3 TF2 | $2.61 PP | - |
| Hollow Knight | Must-Play Metroidvanias Bundle | ||
| Homefront: The Revolution | 0.8 TF2 | $1.68 PP | - |
| Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak | 0.4 TF2 | $0.77 PP | - |
| Horizon Chase Turbo | 0.4 TF2 | $0.72 PP | - |
| Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number Digital Special Edition | 0.7 TF2 | $1.46 PP | - |
| Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| Hotline Miami | 0.8 TF2 | $1.56 PP | - |
| House Flipper VR | 0.9 TF2 | $1.73 PP | - |
| House Flipper | 2.8 TF2 | $5.5 PP | - |
| Human: Fall Flat | 0.9 TF2 | $1.88 PP | - |
| HuniePop | 0.4 TF2 | $0.89 PP | - |
| Huntdown | 1.3 TF2 | $2.6 PP | - |
| Hurtworld | 2.1 TF2 | $4.07 PP | - |
| Hyper Light Drifter | 1.6 TF2 | $3.11 PP | - |
| Hypnospace Outlaw | 0.8 TF2 | $1.55 PP | - |
| I Expect You To Die | 1.4 TF2 | $2.68 PP | - |
| I-NFECTED | 6.3 TF2 | $12.5 PP | - |
| INSURGENCY | 1.6 TF2 | $3.16 PP | - |
| Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition | 0.4 TF2 | $0.73 PP | - |
| Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition | 1.1 TF2 | $2.09 PP | - |
| Imperator: Rome | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| Injustice 2 Legendary Edition | 0.9 TF2 | $1.76 PP | - |
| Injustice 2 | 0.7 TF2 | $1.46 PP | - |
| Injustice: Gods Among Us - Ultimate Edition | 0.7 TF2 | $1.32 PP | - |
| Into the Breach | 1.5 TF2 | $2.93 PP | - |
| Into the Radius VR | 2.9 TF2 | $5.84 PP | - |
| Ion Fury | 1.6 TF2 | $3.12 PP | - |
| Iron Harvest | 1.4 TF2 | $2.74 PP | - |
| Jalopy | 0.9 TF2 | $1.87 PP | - |
| Job Simulator | 6.6 TF2 | $13.01 PP | - |
| Jurassic World Evolution 2 | 2.4 TF2 | $4.81 PP | - |
| Jurassic World Evolution | 0.7 TF2 | $1.43 PP | - |
| Just Cause 2 | 0.5 TF2 | $1.06 PP | - |
| Just Cause 3 XXL Edition | 1.3 TF2 | $2.63 PP | - |
| Just Cause 4: Complete Edition | 2.0 TF2 | $3.97 PP | - |
| KartKraft | 3.2 TF2 | $6.3 PP | - |
| Katamari Damacy REROLL | 1.1 TF2 | $2.24 PP | - |
| Katana ZERO | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes | 2.7 TF2 | $5.42 PP | - |
| Kerbal Space Program | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| Killer Instinct | 8.8 TF2 | $17.49 PP | - |
| Killing Floor 2 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.2 PP | - |
| Killing Floor | 0.9 TF2 | $1.69 PP | - |
| Kingdom Come: Deliverance | 1.5 TF2 | $2.93 PP | - |
| Kingdom: Two Crowns | 1.0 TF2 | $1.95 PP | - |
| LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Premium Edition | 0.5 TF2 | $0.9 PP | - |
| LEGO Batman Trilogy | 1.6 TF2 | $3.07 PP | - |
| LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 | 0.4 TF2 | $0.79 PP | - |
| LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| LEGO Lord of the Rings | 0.4 TF2 | $0.83 PP | - |
| LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars | 0.5 TF2 | $1.05 PP | - |
| LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga | 0.6 TF2 | $1.13 PP | - |
| LEGO® City Undercover | 0.7 TF2 | $1.34 PP | - |
| LEGO® DC Super-Villains Deluxe Edition | 1.7 TF2 | $3.28 PP | - |
| LEGO® DC Super-Villains | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| LEGO® Jurassic World™ | 0.4 TF2 | $0.71 PP | - |
| LEGO® MARVEL's Avengers | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2 Deluxe Edition | 0.9 TF2 | $1.83 PP | - |
| LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2 | 0.7 TF2 | $1.34 PP | - |
| LEGO® Star Wars™: The Force Awakens - Deluxe Edition | 1.1 TF2 | $2.25 PP | - |
| LEGO® Star Wars™: The Force Awakens | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| LEGO® Worlds | 1.1 TF2 | $2.12 PP | - |
| LIMBO | 0.4 TF2 | $0.71 PP | - |
| Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective | 0.7 TF2 | $1.47 PP | - |
| Labyrinthine | 1.9 TF2 | $3.76 PP | - |
| Lake | 0.8 TF2 | $1.51 PP | - |
| Last Oasis | 1.6 TF2 | $3.11 PP | - |
| Layers of Fear 2 | 6.3 TF2 | $12.52 PP | - |
| Layers of Fear | 0.6 TF2 | $1.12 PP | - |
| Legion TD 2 | 1.7 TF2 | $3.33 PP | - |
| Len's Island | 4.2 TF2 | $8.26 PP | - |
| Lethal League Blaze | 1.5 TF2 | $3.06 PP | - |
| Lethal League | 0.8 TF2 | $1.58 PP | - |
| Library Of Ruina | 3.2 TF2 | $6.42 PP | - |
| Life is Feudal: Your Own | 0.7 TF2 | $1.39 PP | - |
| Life is Strange 2 Complete Season | 0.7 TF2 | $1.33 PP | - |
| Life is Strange Complete Season (Episodes 1-5) | 4.5 TF2 | $8.95 PP | - |
| Little Misfortune | 2.3 TF2 | $4.47 PP | - |
| Little Nightmares Complete Edition | 1.6 TF2 | $3.22 PP | - |
| Little Nightmares | 1.0 TF2 | $2.06 PP | - |
| Lobotomy Corporation Monster Management Simulation | 5.0 TF2 | $9.99 PP | - |
| Loot River | 3.3 TF2 | $6.47 PP | - |
| Lost Ember | 1.4 TF2 | $2.76 PP | - |
| Luck be a Landlord | Luck of the Draw: Roguelike Deckbuilders Bundle | ||
| METAL GEAR SOLID V: The Definitive Experience | 1.5 TF2 | $2.89 PP | - |
| MONSTER HUNTER RISE | 4.1 TF2 | $8.09 PP | - |
| MORTAL KOMBAT 11 | 1.8 TF2 | $3.53 PP | - |
| MX vs ATV Reflex | 0.4 TF2 | $0.71 PP | - |
| Mad Max | 1.2 TF2 | $2.32 PP | - |
| Mafia II: Definitive Edition | 3.6 TF2 | $7.11 PP | - |
| Mafia III: Definitive Edition | 2.1 TF2 | $4.21 PP | - |
| Mafia: Definitive Edition | 2.2 TF2 | $4.36 PP | - |
| Magicka 2 - Deluxe Edition | 0.9 TF2 | $1.69 PP | - |
| Magicka 2 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.18 PP | - |
| Maneater | 0.8 TF2 | $1.63 PP | - |
| Manhunt | 1.1 TF2 | $2.18 PP | - |
| Mars Horizon | 0.8 TF2 | $1.53 PP | - |
| Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition | 7.8 TF2 | $15.36 PP | - |
| Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne | 0.6 TF2 | $1.22 PP | - |
| Max Payne | 1.0 TF2 | $2.06 PP | - |
| MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries | 2.5 TF2 | $5.02 PP | - |
| Medal of Honor | 2.1 TF2 | $4.24 PP | - |
| Mega Man Legacy Collection | 0.5 TF2 | $0.9 PP | - |
| Men of War: Assault Squad 2 - Deluxe Edition | 0.9 TF2 | $1.69 PP | - |
| Men of War: Assault Squad 2 War Chest Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| Men of War: Assault Squad 2 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| Metro 2033 Redux | 0.5 TF2 | $1.05 PP | - |
| Metro Exodus | 1.4 TF2 | $2.79 PP | - |
| Metro Redux Bundle | 1.1 TF2 | $2.17 PP | - |
| Metro: Last Light Redux | 1.1 TF2 | $2.26 PP | - |
| Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor Game of the Year Edition | 0.9 TF2 | $1.71 PP | - |
| Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ | 0.9 TF2 | $1.8 PP | - |
| Middleearth Shadow of War Definitive Edition | 1.2 TF2 | $2.37 PP | - |
| Midnight Ghost Hunt | May Multiplayer Bundle | ||
| Mini Ninjas | 0.5 TF2 | $1.05 PP | - |
| Mirror's Edge | 2.2 TF2 | $4.36 PP | - |
| Miscreated | 1.4 TF2 | $2.87 PP | - |
| Monster Hunter: World | 3.5 TF2 | $6.89 PP | - |
| Monster Sanctuary | 0.6 TF2 | $1.26 PP | - |
| Monster Train | 0.5 TF2 | $0.92 PP | - |
| Moonlighter | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Moons of Madness | 1.8 TF2 | $3.48 PP | - |
| Mordhau | 1.7 TF2 | $3.32 PP | - |
| Mortal Shell | 1.4 TF2 | $2.77 PP | - |
| Motorcycle Mechanic Simulator 2021 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.58 PP | - |
| Motorsport Manager | 1.3 TF2 | $2.55 PP | - |
| Move or Die | 0.7 TF2 | $1.46 PP | - |
| Moving Out | 1.4 TF2 | $2.82 PP | - |
| Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden - Deluxe Edition | 1.5 TF2 | $3.01 PP | - |
| My Friend Pedro | 1.0 TF2 | $1.91 PP | - |
| My Time At Portia | 0.7 TF2 | $1.43 PP | - |
| NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4 Road to Boruto | 2.6 TF2 | $5.23 PP | - |
| NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM Revolution | 0.8 TF2 | $1.5 PP | - |
| NASCAR Heat 5 - Ultimate Edition | 0.6 TF2 | $1.1 PP | - |
| NBA 2K13 | 4.8 TF2 | $9.52 PP | - |
| Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 | 1.6 TF2 | $3.14 PP | - |
| Naruto to Boruto Shinobi Striker - Deluxe Edition | 1.6 TF2 | $3.13 PP | - |
| Naruto to Boruto Shinobi Striker | 0.4 TF2 | $0.83 PP | - |
| Necromunda: Hired Gun | 0.7 TF2 | $1.45 PP | - |
| Neon Abyss | 0.5 TF2 | $1.01 PP | - |
| Neverwinter Nights: Complete Adventures | 3.7 TF2 | $7.33 PP | - |
| Nine Parchments | 2.2 TF2 | $4.27 PP | - |
| No Time to Relax | 2.9 TF2 | $5.75 PP | - |
| Northgard | May Multiplayer Bundle | ||
| Not For Broadcast | 0.7 TF2 | $1.36 PP | - |
| ONE PIECE BURNING BLOOD GOLD EDITION | 2.0 TF2 | $3.91 PP | - |
| ONE PIECE BURNING BLOOD | 0.7 TF2 | $1.46 PP | - |
| ONE PIECE PIRATE WARRIORS 3 Gold Edition | 1.2 TF2 | $2.38 PP | - |
| Observer | 0.4 TF2 | $0.74 PP | - |
| Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty | 0.4 TF2 | $0.72 PP | - |
| One Step From Eden | 0.5 TF2 | $1.03 PP | - |
| Operation: Tango | Humble Choice (May 2023) | ||
| Opus Magnum | 1.1 TF2 | $2.13 PP | - |
| Orcs Must Die! 3 | 1.9 TF2 | $3.69 PP | - |
| Outlast 2 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.17 PP | - |
| Outlast | 0.5 TF2 | $1.06 PP | - |
| Outward | 1.5 TF2 | $2.94 PP | - |
| Overcooked | 1.0 TF2 | $2.02 PP | - |
| Overcooked! 2 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.59 PP | - |
| Overgrowth | 0.8 TF2 | $1.53 PP | - |
| Overlord II | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Owlboy | 1.0 TF2 | $2.04 PP | - |
| PAYDAY 2 | 0.4 TF2 | $0.82 PP | - |
| PC Building Simulator | 0.7 TF2 | $1.32 PP | - |
| PGA TOUR 2K21 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.24 PP | - |
| Paint the Town Red | 2.4 TF2 | $4.73 PP | - |
| Parkitect | 5.5 TF2 | $10.98 PP | - |
| Party Hard 2 | 0.4 TF2 | $0.71 PP | - |
| Pathfinder: Kingmaker - Enhanced Plus Edition | 0.6 TF2 | $1.25 PP | - |
| Pathologic 2 | 0.5 TF2 | $1.04 PP | - |
| Pathologic Classic HD | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Per Aspera | 0.7 TF2 | $1.39 PP | - |
| Phantom Doctrine | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Pillars of Eternity Definitive Edition | 1.3 TF2 | $2.66 PP | - |
| Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire | 1.0 TF2 | $2.07 PP | - |
| Pistol Whip | 6.2 TF2 | $12.33 PP | - |
| Plague Inc: Evolved | 1.6 TF2 | $3.23 PP | - |
| Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| Planet Coaster | 1.8 TF2 | $3.55 PP | - |
| Planet Zoo | 2.0 TF2 | $3.93 PP | - |
| Planetary Annihilation: TITANS | 6.0 TF2 | $11.91 PP | - |
| Portal Knights | 1.3 TF2 | $2.62 PP | - |
| Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid | 2.8 TF2 | $5.48 PP | - |
| PowerBeatsVR | 1.0 TF2 | $1.99 PP | - |
| PowerSlave Exhumed | 1.4 TF2 | $2.79 PP | - |
| Praey for the Gods | 0.6 TF2 | $1.16 PP | - |
| Prehistoric Kingdom | 1.5 TF2 | $2.93 PP | - |
| Prison Architect | 0.4 TF2 | $0.76 PP | - |
| Pro Cycling Manager 2019 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.61 PP | - |
| Project Hospital | 2.4 TF2 | $4.82 PP | - |
| Project Wingman | 2.6 TF2 | $5.21 PP | - |
| Project Winter | 1.1 TF2 | $2.17 PP | - |
| Propnight | 0.7 TF2 | $1.32 PP | - |
| Pumpkin Jack | 0.4 TF2 | $0.84 PP | - |
| Quantum Break | 2.0 TF2 | $4.0 PP | - |
| RESIDENT EVIL 3 | 2.3 TF2 | $4.49 PP | - |
| RUGBY 20 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.58 PP | - |
| RWBY: Grimm Eclipse | 3.3 TF2 | $6.62 PP | - |
| Ragnaröck | 3.5 TF2 | $6.93 PP | - |
| Rain World | Must-Play Metroidvanias Bundle | ||
| Raw Data | 1.1 TF2 | $2.17 PP | - |
| Re:Legend | 1.1 TF2 | $2.13 PP | - |
| Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered | 0.5 TF2 | $0.95 PP | - |
| Red Matter | 4.5 TF2 | $8.95 PP | - |
| Resident Evil / biohazard HD REMASTER | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| Resident Evil 0 / biohazard 0 HD Remaster | 1.2 TF2 | $2.35 PP | - |
| Resident Evil 5 GOLD Edition | 1.8 TF2 | $3.53 PP | - |
| Resident Evil 5 | 1.1 TF2 | $2.16 PP | - |
| Resident Evil 6 | 1.4 TF2 | $2.81 PP | - |
| Resident Evil: Revelations 2 Deluxe Edition | 2.5 TF2 | $4.88 PP | - |
| Resident Evil: Revelations | 0.8 TF2 | $1.5 PP | - |
| Retro Machina | 0.5 TF2 | $1.02 PP | - |
| Risen 2: Dark Waters Gold Edition | 1.5 TF2 | $2.88 PP | - |
| Risen 3 - Complete Edition | 1.0 TF2 | $2.07 PP | - |
| Risen | 0.9 TF2 | $1.82 PP | - |
| Rising Storm 2: Vietnam | 0.7 TF2 | $1.34 PP | - |
| River City Girls | 1.4 TF2 | $2.87 PP | - |
| Roboquest | 0.5 TF2 | $1.06 PP | - |
| RollerCoaster Tycoon Deluxe | 1.1 TF2 | $2.09 PP | - |
| Rollercoaster Tycoon 2: Triple Thrill Pack | 1.7 TF2 | $3.28 PP | - |
| Rubber Bandits | 0.8 TF2 | $1.52 PP | - |
| Ryse: Son of Rome | 1.7 TF2 | $3.38 PP | - |
| SCP: Pandemic | 2.2 TF2 | $4.28 PP | - |
| SCUM | 3.0 TF2 | $5.96 PP | - |
| SOMA | 2.4 TF2 | $4.8 PP | - |
| SONG OF HORROR Complete Edition | 0.7 TF2 | $1.42 PP | - |
| STAR WARS® THE FORCE UNLEASHED II | 0.8 TF2 | $1.62 PP | - |
| STAR WARS™: Squadrons | 1.6 TF2 | $3.23 PP | - |
| SUPERHOT VR | 2.3 TF2 | $4.51 PP | - |
| SUPERHOT | 0.8 TF2 | $1.59 PP | - |
| SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE | 0.5 TF2 | $1.02 PP | - |
| Saint's Row The Third Remastered | 2.3 TF2 | $4.5 PP | - |
| Saints Row 2 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.16 PP | - |
| Saints Row IV Game of the Century Edition | 1.1 TF2 | $2.25 PP | - |
| Saints Row IV | 1.0 TF2 | $2.05 PP | - |
| Saints Row the Third - The Full Package | 1.0 TF2 | $1.93 PP | - |
| Saints Row: The Third | 0.6 TF2 | $1.27 PP | - |
| Salt and Sanctuary | 1.1 TF2 | $2.15 PP | - |
| Sanctum 2 | 0.5 TF2 | $1.06 PP | - |
| Satisfactory | 6.6 TF2 | $13.01 PP | - |
| Second Extinction | 2.1 TF2 | $4.11 PP | - |
| Secret Neighbor | 0.9 TF2 | $1.85 PP | - |
| Serious Sam 2 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.58 PP | - |
| Serious Sam 3: BFE | 1.0 TF2 | $1.99 PP | - |
| Serious Sam 4 | 4.0 TF2 | $7.94 PP | - |
| Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem | 2.3 TF2 | $4.51 PP | - |
| Shadow Man Remastered | 1.0 TF2 | $2.0 PP | - |
| Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Shadow Warrior 2 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.76 PP | - |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 3.2 TF2 | $6.37 PP | - |
| Shenmue 3 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.58 PP | - |
| Shenmue I & II | 1.3 TF2 | $2.58 PP | - |
| Shining Resonance Refrain | 0.5 TF2 | $0.96 PP | - |
| Sid Meier's Civilization VI : Platinum Edition | 3.0 TF2 | $6.03 PP | - |
| Sid Meier's Civilization VI | 0.7 TF2 | $1.47 PP | - |
| Sid Meier's Civilization® V: The Complete Edition | 1.9 TF2 | $3.76 PP | - |
| Sid Meiers Civilization IV: The Complete Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| Siege of Centauri | 0.6 TF2 | $1.16 PP | - |
| SimCasino | 1.3 TF2 | $2.56 PP | - |
| SimplePlanes | 1.9 TF2 | $3.78 PP | - |
| Skullgirls 2nd Encore | 1.2 TF2 | $2.47 PP | - |
| Slap City | 1.1 TF2 | $2.25 PP | - |
| Slay the Spire | 3.6 TF2 | $7.17 PP | - |
| Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition | 1.0 TF2 | $1.93 PP | - |
| Slime Rancher | 1.7 TF2 | $3.32 PP | - |
| Sniper Elite 3 | 1.1 TF2 | $2.14 PP | - |
| Sniper Elite 4 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.53 PP | - |
| Sniper Elite V2 Remastered | 1.3 TF2 | $2.5 PP | - |
| Sniper Elite V2 | 1.0 TF2 | $2.05 PP | - |
| Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.58 PP | - |
| Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts | 0.9 TF2 | $1.88 PP | - |
| Sonic Adventure DX | 0.5 TF2 | $0.92 PP | - |
| Sonic Adventure 2 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.86 PP | - |
| Sonic Mania | 1.3 TF2 | $2.6 PP | - |
| Soul Calibur VI | 1.6 TF2 | $3.24 PP | - |
| Source of Madness | 0.6 TF2 | $1.13 PP | - |
| Space Engineers | 2.7 TF2 | $5.3 PP | - |
| Space Haven | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| Spec Ops: The Line | 0.9 TF2 | $1.81 PP | - |
| SpeedRunners | 0.5 TF2 | $1.04 PP | - |
| Spellcaster University | 0.5 TF2 | $0.9 PP | - |
| Spelunky | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| Spirit Of The Island | 1.3 TF2 | $2.59 PP | - |
| Spiritfarer | Humble Choice (May 2023) | ||
| SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated | 1.3 TF2 | $2.51 PP | - |
| Spyro™ Reignited Trilogy | 4.9 TF2 | $9.65 PP | - |
| Star Renegades | 3.0 TF2 | $5.94 PP | - |
| Star Trek: Bridge Crew | 4.4 TF2 | $8.62 PP | - |
| Star Wars Republic Commando™ | 0.4 TF2 | $0.71 PP | - |
| Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (Classic, 2005) | 1.4 TF2 | $2.7 PP | - |
| Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Star Wars® Empire at War™: Gold Pack | 1.2 TF2 | $2.39 PP | - |
| Starbound | 1.1 TF2 | $2.24 PP | - |
| Starpoint Gemini Warlords | 1.8 TF2 | $3.48 PP | - |
| State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition | 3.0 TF2 | $5.92 PP | - |
| Staxel | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech | 0.9 TF2 | $1.83 PP | - |
| Steel Division: Normandy 44 | 1.5 TF2 | $2.91 PP | - |
| Stellaris Galaxy Edition | 1.8 TF2 | $3.56 PP | - |
| Stellaris: Lithoids Species Pack | 0.8 TF2 | $1.49 PP | - |
| Stick Fight: The Game | 0.6 TF2 | $1.1 PP | - |
| Strategic Command WWII: World at War | 2.2 TF2 | $4.26 PP | - |
| Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection | 1.5 TF2 | $2.94 PP | - |
| Streets of Rogue | 0.6 TF2 | $1.24 PP | - |
| Stronghold 2: Steam Edition | 2.0 TF2 | $4.0 PP | - |
| Stronghold Crusader 2 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.84 PP | - |
| Stronghold Crusader HD | 0.6 TF2 | $1.24 PP | - |
| Stronghold Legends: Steam Edition | 0.9 TF2 | $1.76 PP | - |
| Styx: Shards Of Darkness | 0.9 TF2 | $1.76 PP | - |
| Subnautica | 3.6 TF2 | $7.15 PP | - |
| Summer in Mara | 0.6 TF2 | $1.09 PP | - |
| Sunless Sea | 0.4 TF2 | $0.76 PP | - |
| Sunless Skies | 0.7 TF2 | $1.34 PP | - |
| Sunset Overdrive | 1.0 TF2 | $2.01 PP | - |
| Super Meat Boy | 0.5 TF2 | $1.08 PP | - |
| Superliminal | 1.9 TF2 | $3.84 PP | - |
| Supraland Six Inches Under | 1.5 TF2 | $2.89 PP | - |
| Supreme Commander 2 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.62 PP | - |
| Supreme Commander Forged Alliance | 2.0 TF2 | $4.02 PP | - |
| Surgeon Simulator: Experience Reality | 1.8 TF2 | $3.5 PP | - |
| Survive the Nights | 0.9 TF2 | $1.69 PP | - |
| Surviving Mars | 0.5 TF2 | $0.92 PP | - |
| Surviving the Aftermath | 0.7 TF2 | $1.41 PP | - |
| Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet - Complete Edition | 3.3 TF2 | $6.45 PP | - |
| Sword Art Online Hollow Realization Deluxe Edition | 1.5 TF2 | $3.01 PP | - |
| Syberia: The World Before | 1.2 TF2 | $2.32 PP | - |
| Synth Riders | 3.5 TF2 | $6.96 PP | - |
| THE KING OF FIGHTERS '98 ULTIMATE MATCH FINAL EDITION | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002 UNLIMITED MATCH | 0.6 TF2 | $1.18 PP | - |
| Tales from the Borderlands | 3.4 TF2 | $6.83 PP | - |
| Tales of Berseria | 1.1 TF2 | $2.12 PP | - |
| Tales of Zestiria | 0.9 TF2 | $1.72 PP | - |
| Talisman: Digital Edition | 0.5 TF2 | $0.94 PP | - |
| Tank Mechanic Simulator | 1.1 TF2 | $2.17 PP | - |
| Telltale Batman Shadows Edition | 1.0 TF2 | $1.9 PP | - |
| Terraforming Mars | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| Terraria | 2.2 TF2 | $4.26 PP | - |
| The Ascent | 1.1 TF2 | $2.26 PP | - |
| The Battle of Polytopia | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| The Beast Inside | 0.4 TF2 | $0.77 PP | - |
| The Blackout Club | 0.6 TF2 | $1.17 PP | - |
| The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope | 1.6 TF2 | $3.12 PP | - |
| The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan | 2.2 TF2 | $4.42 PP | - |
| The Darkness II | 0.5 TF2 | $0.99 PP | - |
| The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos | 0.9 TF2 | $1.69 PP | - |
| The Escapists 2 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.85 PP | - |
| The Escapists | 0.6 TF2 | $1.13 PP | - |
| The Henry Stickmin Collection | 0.7 TF2 | $1.46 PP | - |
| The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing Final Cut | 1.3 TF2 | $2.67 PP | - |
| The Intruder | 2.2 TF2 | $4.28 PP | - |
| The Jackbox Party Pack 2 | 2.0 TF2 | $4.02 PP | - |
| The Jackbox Party Pack 3 | 2.9 TF2 | $5.76 PP | - |
| The Jackbox Party Pack 4 | 2.1 TF2 | $4.14 PP | - |
| The Jackbox Party Pack 5 | 3.1 TF2 | $6.15 PP | - |
| The Jackbox Party Pack 6 | 2.8 TF2 | $5.58 PP | - |
| The Jackbox Party Pack | 1.1 TF2 | $2.18 PP | - |
| The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame | 0.4 TF2 | $0.8 PP | - |
| The Last Campfire | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky | 1.8 TF2 | $3.57 PP | - |
| The Long Dark | 2.0 TF2 | $4.0 PP | - |
| The Long Dark: Survival Edition | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| The Mortuary Assistant | 2.4 TF2 | $4.82 PP | - |
| The Red Solstice 2: Survivors | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| The Surge 2 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.83 PP | - |
| The Survivalists | 0.7 TF2 | $1.36 PP | - |
| The Talos Principle | 1.0 TF2 | $2.06 PP | - |
| The Walking Dead: A New Frontier | 0.4 TF2 | $0.71 PP | - |
| The Walking Dead: The Final Season | 0.5 TF2 | $0.92 PP | - |
| The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series | 2.2 TF2 | $4.41 PP | - |
| The Witness | 3.7 TF2 | $7.29 PP | - |
| The Wolf Among Us | 1.4 TF2 | $2.83 PP | - |
| This Is the Police | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| This War of Mine: Complete Edition | 0.7 TF2 | $1.36 PP | - |
| Titan Quest Anniversary Edition | 0.6 TF2 | $1.22 PP | - |
| Torchlight II | 0.6 TF2 | $1.19 PP | - |
| Total Tank Simulator | 0.4 TF2 | $0.74 PP | - |
| Total War SHOGUN 2 | 3.6 TF2 | $7.03 PP | - |
| Total War Shogun 2 Collection | 1.8 TF2 | $3.48 PP | - |
| Total War: ATTILA | 2.1 TF2 | $4.19 PP | - |
| Total War: Empire - Definitive Edition | 1.8 TF2 | $3.61 PP | - |
| Total War: Napoleon - Definitive Edition | 1.6 TF2 | $3.2 PP | - |
| Total War: Rome II - Emperor Edition | 2.8 TF2 | $5.54 PP | - |
| Total War™: WARHAMMER® | 3.2 TF2 | $6.25 PP | - |
| Totally Accurate Battle Simulator | 2.9 TF2 | $5.68 PP | - |
| Totally Reliable Delivery Service | 0.7 TF2 | $1.29 PP | - |
| Tour de France 2020 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| Tower Unite | 5.2 TF2 | $10.39 PP | - |
| Townscaper | 0.6 TF2 | $1.18 PP | - |
| Trailmakers Deluxe Edition | 1.5 TF2 | $2.93 PP | - |
| Train Simulator Classic | 0.9 TF2 | $1.7 PP | - |
| Tribes of Midgard | 0.9 TF2 | $1.8 PP | - |
| Tricky Towers | 2.0 TF2 | $3.98 PP | - |
| Trine 2: Complete Story | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince | 1.2 TF2 | $2.42 PP | - |
| Trine Ultimate Collection | 4.2 TF2 | $8.22 PP | - |
| Tropico 5 – Complete Collection | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| Tropico 6 El-Prez Edition | 2.6 TF2 | $5.07 PP | - |
| Tropico 6 | 2.3 TF2 | $4.55 PP | - |
| Turmoil | 0.4 TF2 | $0.73 PP | - |
| Turok | 0.4 TF2 | $0.76 PP | - |
| Two Point Hospital | 2.2 TF2 | $4.28 PP | - |
| Tyranny - Gold Edition | 0.6 TF2 | $1.22 PP | - |
| Ultimate Chicken Horse | 1.8 TF2 | $3.57 PP | - |
| Ultimate Fishing Simulator | 0.5 TF2 | $0.92 PP | - |
| Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 | 1.7 TF2 | $3.4 PP | - |
| Ultra Street Fighter IV | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| Undertale | 2.1 TF2 | $4.07 PP | - |
| Universe Sandbox | 4.6 TF2 | $9.15 PP | - |
| Unrailed! | 1.5 TF2 | $3.0 PP | - |
| Until You Fall | 0.7 TF2 | $1.4 PP | - |
| VTOL VR | 6.6 TF2 | $13.01 PP | - |
| Vacation Simulator | 5.2 TF2 | $10.32 PP | - |
| Vagante | 0.7 TF2 | $1.41 PP | - |
| Valkyria Chronicles 4 Complete Edition | 1.5 TF2 | $2.93 PP | - |
| Vampyr | 1.7 TF2 | $3.27 PP | - |
| Verdun | 0.4 TF2 | $0.73 PP | - |
| Victor Vran | 0.8 TF2 | $1.62 PP | - |
| Visage | 3.0 TF2 | $5.87 PP | - |
| Viscera Cleanup Detail | 1.9 TF2 | $3.75 PP | - |
| Void Bastards | 0.4 TF2 | $0.84 PP | - |
| Volcanoids | 1.4 TF2 | $2.81 PP | - |
| Vox Machinae | 3.4 TF2 | $6.78 PP | - |
| Wargame European Escalation | 0.4 TF2 | $0.72 PP | - |
| Wargame: Red Dragon | 5.3 TF2 | $10.56 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters | Humble Choice (May 2023) | ||
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Master Collection | 1.6 TF2 | $3.12 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Grand Master Collection | 2.0 TF2 | $3.93 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution | 0.8 TF2 | $1.62 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War | 1.0 TF2 | $1.95 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Tyranids | 1.6 TF2 | $3.12 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Collection | 2.1 TF2 | $4.07 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine | 1.7 TF2 | $3.29 PP | - |
| Warhammer: Chaosbane - Slayer Edition | 1.1 TF2 | $2.09 PP | - |
| Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide Collector's Edition | 0.7 TF2 | $1.38 PP | - |
| Warhammer: Vermintide 2 - Collector's Edition | 1.5 TF2 | $3.02 PP | - |
| Warhammer: Vermintide 2 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.52 PP | - |
| Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II | 0.6 TF2 | $1.26 PP | - |
| Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® III | 1.7 TF2 | $3.33 PP | - |
| Warpips | 0.8 TF2 | $1.53 PP | - |
| Wasteland 3 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.55 PP | - |
| We Happy Few | 0.8 TF2 | $1.62 PP | - |
| We Need to Go Deeper | 1.7 TF2 | $3.34 PP | - |
| We Were Here Too | 0.9 TF2 | $1.81 PP | - |
| White Day : a labyrinth named school | 0.6 TF2 | $1.25 PP | - |
| Who's Your Daddy | 1.7 TF2 | $3.31 PP | - |
| Wingspan | 1.2 TF2 | $2.37 PP | - |
| Winkeltje: The Little Shop | 1.1 TF2 | $2.18 PP | - |
| Witch It | 3.3 TF2 | $6.54 PP | - |
| Wizard of Legend | 1.4 TF2 | $2.86 PP | - |
| Worms W.M.D | 1.1 TF2 | $2.24 PP | - |
| Wurm Unlimited | 0.7 TF2 | $1.45 PP | - |
| X4: Foundations | 5.8 TF2 | $11.48 PP | - |
| X4: Split Vendetta | 1.9 TF2 | $3.8 PP | - |
| XCOM 2 Collection | 1.4 TF2 | $2.79 PP | - |
| XCOM: Enemy Unknown Complete Pack | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| XCOM: Ultimate Collection | 1.2 TF2 | $2.42 PP | - |
| Yakuza 0 | 2.0 TF2 | $3.96 PP | - |
| Yakuza 3 Remastered | 1.1 TF2 | $2.24 PP | - |
| Yakuza 4 Remastered | 2.0 TF2 | $4.01 PP | - |
| Yakuza 5 Remastered | 2.8 TF2 | $5.48 PP | - |
| Yakuza Kiwami 2 | 3.2 TF2 | $6.41 PP | - |
| Yakuza Kiwami | 1.8 TF2 | $3.61 PP | - |
| Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles | 1.8 TF2 | $3.58 PP | - |
| YouTubers Life | 0.5 TF2 | $1.06 PP | - |
| ZERO Sievert | 4.9 TF2 | $9.65 PP | - |
| Zenith MMO | 2.2 TF2 | $4.38 PP | - |
| Zero Caliber VR | 4.2 TF2 | $8.31 PP | - |
| Zombie Army 4: Dead War | 1.9 TF2 | $3.75 PP | - |
| Zombie Army Trilogy | 0.5 TF2 | $1.04 PP | - |
| biped | 0.9 TF2 | $1.79 PP | - |
| rFactor 2 | 3.2 TF2 | $6.43 PP | - |
| while True: learn() Chief Technology Officer Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.61 PP | - |
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2023.06.02 23:56 Thelastfrontiers Solo Trip Report: May 17 - May 29 (LONG)
 | I will post the resources used at the end of the post but here is the full itinerary. submitted by Thelastfrontiers to VisitingIceland [link] [comments] May 17th (Arrival) I arrived at KEF around 8 AM, I scheduled the pick up time of my van at 10:00 AM, around 9:15 AM the person from Cheap Campervans picked me up at the airport and drove us to the Happy Campers place. Van pick up was smooth and easy and headed towards Reykjavik since I scheduled a reservation at 12:30 at Sky Lagoon. Stayed at Sky Lagoon for around 2 hours, did the ritual ( It was a nice experience, I'm not used to go to this type of places so it was a new experience for me). Drove to the AirBnB I booked and died for a few hours there, then I walked towards Hallgrimskirkja and just walked around in that area, visited Harpa, Sun Voyager and ate some delicious hot dogs at Bæjarins. I stopped at a Bonus store on the way back to the AirBnB to grab supplies for the trip and I arrived once again at the AirBnB. May 18 (Golden Circle) Woke up, had breakfast and drove towards Thingvellir. I parked at Parking 1 and walked around the park for a few hours, visited Öxarárfoss, Logberg, Almannagjá etc. It was windy and rainy but fortunately I was prepared and had a really great time, although it was a little bit crowded on some parts. Thingvellir Next stop was Brúarfoss. I didn't do the whole hike due to the weather so I stayed in the new parking lot that they have, if I'm not mistaken the price was around 750 ISK, the road is gravel but any 2WD can access it without a problem if you are careful. Place was beautiful and there were maybe 2 or 3 persons there. Drove to Strokkur to see the Geyser, stayed there for a bit until the Geyser "exploded" and took some pictures and then left, beware of the smell here. Drove to Gullfoss and I parked in the lower parking lot, I walked to the side of the waterfall and it was incredible, trully a highlight of the day but make sure to bring some really good hiking shoes/boots and some waterproof equipment. Finally Arrived at Skjol Camping which was pretty good, had a pizza and a beer in the restaurant they have and went to sleep. May 19 (South) First stop of the day was Kerid Crater, you need to pay 450 ISK to enter but it's a beautiful view, walked around the crater and left. Drove to Seljalandsfoss, you also need to pay parking here and it was very crowded when I arrived, walked to Seljalandsfoss and went behind the waterfall. Walked to Gljufrafoss and entered the cave, make sure to bring good waterproof shoes here cause you need to walk in water to enter the cave. Next stop was Skógafoss, simply amazing, I stayed for a bit inside the restaurant that is in front and had something to eat in the meantime that the rain stopped a little, once it stopped I walked to the waterfall, I went up the stairs towards the Fimmvorduhals trail and walked for a mile or so and then I returned. Skógafoss Drove to Kvernufoss, wow, one of the hightlights of the trip. I walked down until the end where the waterfall is and just stayed there for a bit, simply amazing place and I was alone for almost the entire hike. Drove to Dyrhólaey but unfortunately it was closed. Drove to Reynisfjara and stayed there for a bit. Finally arrived at an AirBnB I booked that was just a few minutes from Vik, I was unable to find a camp that was open around that area (or maybe I just didn't do a lot of search). May 20 First stop was the Black Sand beach in Vik, really beautiful views and way less crowded than Reynisfjara. Did the lava show at Vik and it was an amazing experience, definitely recommend doing this if you are in the area, after the show I ate an amazing lamb soup in the restaurant. Drove to Eldhraun, short stop but beautiful views all around. Drove to Fjaðrárgljúfur, road is paved all the way through and it's very easy to access, did the hike and took some amazing shots here, unfortunately mid hike there was a wind storm and I lost my lens hood of my camera and the raincoat I had for my backpack, Iceland winds are no joke! Fjaðrárgljúfur Did a little stop at Fossálar to take some pictures and finally arrived at Tjaldsvæðið í Svínafelli camp, really good facilities. May 21 (South East) Drove to Skaftafell since I booked a Glacier Hike with Arctic Adventures, the whole tour lasted around 4 hours and it was definitely one of the things I liked the most about the trip. Once we returned I had a little bite at the restaurant that the park has and then I continued the trip. (I wanted to do the Svartifoss hike but I was a little tired). Glacier Drove to the Múlagljúfur Canyon, unfortunately weather was pretty bad and since this was a longer hike I decided to not risk it, I was pretty disappointed cause this trail was one of my priorities but safety first! Did a quick stop at Hofskirkja and drove to Fjallsárlón Glacier. I stayed inside the van for a bit cause it was raining and the wind was crazy for a bit but then it calmed down and I went down to the lagoon, amazing views. Drove to Diamond Beach but unfortunately there was no ice in the beach, after this I drove to Höfn and stayed at the camp there. Unfortunately this was probably my least favorite camp, showers are not included in the price so that was a bummer. May 22 (East) First stop was Mount Vestrahorn, you need to pay to enter at the Viking cafe, I get that people sometimes get mad about paying here but I thought it was really worth it, they give you a map with the parking spots and the trails that they have, I visited the viking village which was cool even if it's fake, walked in the black sand beach and saw some wild horses roaming around, after that I grabbed a snack from the Cafe. Vestrahorn Drove to Skútafoss. Honestly, this was probably my favorite place in the whole trip, it was simply amazing and I was probably alone for almost 1 hour until another person arrived, words can't describe this place. Had a stop at Djúpivogur and ate at Við Voginn, then I started the drive to the camp but I made a little stop at Nykurhylsfoss. Arrived at Camp Egilsstadir, If you are visiting during low season I would recommend to arrive there and then do the reservation, I made a reservation before I arrived and once I was there there was someone else at my spot, I talked with the person in recepetion and for some reason my reservation was not appearing so I had to do it once again and grab another spot. Really good facilities tho! May 23 (North) Arrived at Hengifoss. I didn't check my AllTrails app beforehand and the hike was much longer than I expected lol, but it was beautiful. Drove to Fardagafoss. I was planning on going all through the end but the wind was crazy, so I decided to return mid hike. Next stop was Stuðlagil Canyon. I recommend doing the East parking to get to the famous spot, when you cross the bridge you need to follow a road that is not paved, it is a little rough but if you are careful you can do it in a 2WD. Once you park you need to walk for a little while, can't remember but I would say it's a 1-2 mile walk to the canyon, and as I mentioned before, wind was crazy this day but I was able to complete it safely, if it was raining tho I would have returned most likely. Stuðlagil Drove to camp in Ásbyrgi, really beautiful but this was the most expensive camp I stayed at. May 24 Woke up a little late so I decided to skip the Ásbyrgi trails and I drove to Dettifoss, you need to be careful here cause Google Maps will have you take road 864 which was closed when I was there, make sure to always check the correct roads in road.is, in this case I took road 862 and arrived with no problems. Did a quick stop at Hverir, you need to pay for parking and also the smell can get very strong lol. Drove to Mývatn and visited the Grjótagjá cave, I then drove to Hverfjall volcano, you need to pay parking here. Did the hike to the top and stayed for a bit there, the climb is a little steep but once you are up it's easy to walk. Hverfjall Next stop was Goðafoss, parked on the East Side and took some cool pictures, it was a short stop. Finally started my drive to camp, I had a little scare here cause I had to drive between some mountains and that day it was snowing, I checked the road and a very tiny part of Þjóðvegur had wet snow on it, I decided to try the drive and I arrived safely at camp but it was stressful. Camping Varmahlíð was the one I stayed that night and it was lovely, really friendly stuff and good facilities. May 25 Drove to Grafarkirkja, you need to open a little gate to access the parking so just watch out for the signals once you are close. I arrived early in the morning so I had the place for myself for like 30 minutes. Kálfshamarsviti was the next stop, most of the drive to here is done in a gravel road so be careful, the place is very beautiful and there were just a few people when I arrived. Kálfshamarsviti Drove to Hvitserkur, long drive but I'm used to them, also a gravel road if I recall correctly, really peaceful place, I went down to the beach, you need to be careful here not to slip. I was initially planning on staying in Búðardalur tjaldsvæði camping, this one is just on the side of the main road and facilities are kinda lacky and place is kinda small (I can imagine that in summer this gets full really quickly), I was walking around town and found a place called Gil Gesthouse and decided to stay there, it was a lovely stay. May 26 (Snæfellsnes / West) First stop was Berserkjahraun, it was rainy and windy so I just made a quick stop and took some pictures. Went to Kirkjufell, you also need to pay parking here which I didn't know, short stay also due to the weather. Kirkjufell Drove to Svöðufoss but I was unable to do the hike since wind was too strong and visibility was bad, I also had to skip a stop at Lóndrangar unfortunately. Did a little stop at Djúpalónssandur, took some pics and left, was unable to go down to the beach. Stopped at Arnarstapi, rain stopped fortunately but wind was strong still but it was safe to walk around. Visited Búðakirkja. I then decided to go back to Kirkjufell since weather got good and wanted to see it with good visibility, made a short stop there and walked around the lake for a bit until the wind made me return to the van. Camped at Akranes, wind was very strong and it blew the door for the showers. May 27 (Reykjanes) Drove to Lake Kleifarvatn and stayed there and walked down for a bit. Visited Krýsuvík and then drove to Valahnúkamöl, really nice stay here, took some good pictures and also visited the Reykjanes Lighthouse. Valahnúkamöl I was planning on visiting Blue Lagoon but it was fully booked unfortunately so I decided to drive to Reykjavik once again and booked Sky Lagoon again. Walked around the city again and bought souvenirs for family and friends, ate dinner at Kol which was good but pricey and finally I stayed at the Reykjavik Campsite (make sure to make a reservation before hand cause it gets full). May 28 Woke up early in the morning and drove to Cheap Campervans to return the van. Return was fast and without any issues and the staff was kind enough to drop me at the AirBnB that I reserved at Reykjanesbær. I mostly stayed there the whole day to rest. May 29 Flight was scheduled for 9 am so I decided to walk to the airport and just when I was starting my walk a kind person offered me a ride to the airport. Everything went smooth and I returned home. Resources
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2023.06.02 23:54 langistar Parking near the airport ideas
Hey everyone,
I was wondering if there are any cheapealternative options for parking near the airport. I plan to stay there for around 4 days. I know the official (on the website) costs around 130 euros. I found one that requires going by s-bahn for a few minutes but it is at around 25. Any experiences with this?
Thank you!
submitted by langistar to wien [link] [comments]
I was wondering if there are any cheapealternative options for parking near the airport. I plan to stay there for around 4 days. I know the official (on the website) costs around 130 euros. I found one that requires going by s-bahn for a few minutes but it is at around 25. Any experiences with this?
Thank you!
2023.06.02 23:28 SteakingBad Road from South Ferry to Dobbs Ferry today. The Empire State Trail is outstanding
 | submitted by SteakingBad to NYCbike [link] [comments] |
2023.06.02 23:24 TerrinX8 How to use NoVa/DMV public transport (Bus and DC Metro Guide)
First step, get a 'SmarTrip' card from your closest local metro station. (The cost is only $2 for the card itself and load any amount of money you want, it defaults at 10 but you can lower that, but 6 minimum is best)
You don't need to, but you can log it on the WMATA (DC Metro) website to track how much is on it at home. The card will work on ANY and ALL metro stations and public busses.
I typically use the Fairfax Connector bus service but if you're for example in Falls Church, which is technically independent and outside Fairfax County so it doesn't use the Fairfax Connector, instead the local DC/MD bus system, which is fine because they're all under the WMATA system which is insanely convenient. This also includes Loudoun County, Southern Maryland, etc, so just remember; SmarTrip cards are your friend.
Most WMATA bus fairs are $2 for 2 hours of unlimited rides/transfers between busses. So for example I got on a buss on weds to get home at 12:18 PM, using the 2$ left on my card. So I now had $0.00 on it but I was able to transfer to the bus home without issue, I got home at 1:20-ish.
Then my mom wanted me to drive her home for practice, and it was only 1:40 so I still had a good 35ish left and I caught the bus over to her work free, even though had no money on it, because of the 2 hour grace period. A round trip by bus is typically on $4. (Having a container of change is god tier, lemme tell you, I have fuck tons of quarters just in case. If I'm going to a station where I can use my debit card to load onto my metro card, I sometimes just slap 8 quarters in so I don't have to worry about money being on my card or not and I can add when I get to the station)
Rule of thumb, always be at a bus stop 5 minutes early, because while google maps and the bus schedule text line can be scary accurate, it's always better safe then sorry. Don't let dice rolls hold you back. Same for the metro, always try to go a bit early, just to give yourself more time for stuff like adding money but I'll get into that in a bit.
When on the bus, use google maps and the LED strip that reads out the stop names, once it gets to the stop right before yours, wait till the bus begins moving and then pull the stop cord. The bus driver will stop at the next stop, and not just in the middle of the street. So pulling the cord early just guarantees your stop is selected or they will keep going to save time.
On the metro, it's pretty ez, though prices can be confusing for non-frequent riders. Basically, from 5 am to 9 AM , and 3 PM to 7PM on weekdays, a one way trip can be anywhere from $2.25 - $6.00 depending on how far you go. No idea what "far" is, but usually most trips aren't long enough to reach the 6$ amount. Typically it can be around $3 - $4.25 ish for the average trip distance. 5 or less stops and you'll probably get the $2.25 minimum. - These are "peak" fares.
That leaves 9 AM through 3 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends as "Off Peak" fares, which are $2.00 - $3.85 based on distance. Any time AFTER 9:30 PM specifically are $2 flat.
Also, once you get off the metro after a ride, you still have the 2 hour free bus grace period which hecking dope as hell, so getting around after arriving isn't that bad.
Though I typically walk a lot in DC but I'm spry and full of energy lol, it's tortuous but I don't mind.
When you use your card on the bus and then get on the metro you get like, a 25 cent discount which is negligible but it's just a nice little bonus.
Extra bus tip, if you don'[t have quarters, not enough money on your card, and only like, a $5 bill, you can put in the $5 and then touch your card to the pad, and it will load the remaining $3 dollars onto your card. Hella nifty in a pinch.
Typically my rule of thumb is to have 6 dollars minimum on your card when getting on the metro on weekends and 12 dollars on weekdays. That will be enough to cover you round trip (because the bus fair will be free). Typically this way you often end up with some left over occasionally for bus rides and stuff for when you don't the extra quarters.
Also also if you only have like $1 - 1.75 on you, the bus drivers almost always let you on anyway. So while it's embarrassing, you'll still get where you're going with less issue than you'd realize.
Here's a good resolution map of the DC Metro for convenience too.
Big Circles are stations which allow for transfer between all overlapping lines
Be careful and ride safe! (Please add any extra tips or corrections in the comments!)
submitted by TerrinX8 to nova [link] [comments]
You don't need to, but you can log it on the WMATA (DC Metro) website to track how much is on it at home. The card will work on ANY and ALL metro stations and public busses.
I typically use the Fairfax Connector bus service but if you're for example in Falls Church, which is technically independent and outside Fairfax County so it doesn't use the Fairfax Connector, instead the local DC/MD bus system, which is fine because they're all under the WMATA system which is insanely convenient. This also includes Loudoun County, Southern Maryland, etc, so just remember; SmarTrip cards are your friend.
Most WMATA bus fairs are $2 for 2 hours of unlimited rides/transfers between busses. So for example I got on a buss on weds to get home at 12:18 PM, using the 2$ left on my card. So I now had $0.00 on it but I was able to transfer to the bus home without issue, I got home at 1:20-ish.
Then my mom wanted me to drive her home for practice, and it was only 1:40 so I still had a good 35ish left and I caught the bus over to her work free, even though had no money on it, because of the 2 hour grace period. A round trip by bus is typically on $4. (Having a container of change is god tier, lemme tell you, I have fuck tons of quarters just in case. If I'm going to a station where I can use my debit card to load onto my metro card, I sometimes just slap 8 quarters in so I don't have to worry about money being on my card or not and I can add when I get to the station)
Rule of thumb, always be at a bus stop 5 minutes early, because while google maps and the bus schedule text line can be scary accurate, it's always better safe then sorry. Don't let dice rolls hold you back. Same for the metro, always try to go a bit early, just to give yourself more time for stuff like adding money but I'll get into that in a bit.
When on the bus, use google maps and the LED strip that reads out the stop names, once it gets to the stop right before yours, wait till the bus begins moving and then pull the stop cord. The bus driver will stop at the next stop, and not just in the middle of the street. So pulling the cord early just guarantees your stop is selected or they will keep going to save time.
On the metro, it's pretty ez, though prices can be confusing for non-frequent riders. Basically, from 5 am to 9 AM , and 3 PM to 7PM on weekdays, a one way trip can be anywhere from $2.25 - $6.00 depending on how far you go. No idea what "far" is, but usually most trips aren't long enough to reach the 6$ amount. Typically it can be around $3 - $4.25 ish for the average trip distance. 5 or less stops and you'll probably get the $2.25 minimum. - These are "peak" fares.
That leaves 9 AM through 3 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends as "Off Peak" fares, which are $2.00 - $3.85 based on distance. Any time AFTER 9:30 PM specifically are $2 flat.
Also, once you get off the metro after a ride, you still have the 2 hour free bus grace period which hecking dope as hell, so getting around after arriving isn't that bad.
Though I typically walk a lot in DC but I'm spry and full of energy lol, it's tortuous but I don't mind.
When you use your card on the bus and then get on the metro you get like, a 25 cent discount which is negligible but it's just a nice little bonus.
Extra bus tip, if you don'[t have quarters, not enough money on your card, and only like, a $5 bill, you can put in the $5 and then touch your card to the pad, and it will load the remaining $3 dollars onto your card. Hella nifty in a pinch.
Typically my rule of thumb is to have 6 dollars minimum on your card when getting on the metro on weekends and 12 dollars on weekdays. That will be enough to cover you round trip (because the bus fair will be free). Typically this way you often end up with some left over occasionally for bus rides and stuff for when you don't the extra quarters.
Also also if you only have like $1 - 1.75 on you, the bus drivers almost always let you on anyway. So while it's embarrassing, you'll still get where you're going with less issue than you'd realize.
Here's a good resolution map of the DC Metro for convenience too.
Big Circles are stations which allow for transfer between all overlapping lines
Be careful and ride safe! (Please add any extra tips or corrections in the comments!)
2023.06.02 23:19 orchidpetaldesign Don't call me Cinderella (p3)
Jesi had never been in a hotel before certainly not one as fine as the one Mr Ericson took her and Damion too. They had a suite all to themselves it had two bedrooms connected to a living room, and kitchen. The hotel room was larger then the apparent she used to share with her mama all those years ago. Damion shared a room with Mr. Ericson but for the first time in her life Jesi had a room all to herself. She thought it would feel secure, but she still slept with a knife under her pillow. Still the bed was so soft she felt like it was going to swallow her alive every night. Her nights were one thing but the days were another thing entirely, they were a whirlwind activity. First there was the image coach, a person that Mr. Ericson hired to find a way to make sure Damion and Jesi, both looked nicer then street kids but were still comfortable. Then there was the mountain of paper work and explanations of how her life would change once she signed the papers. Mr. Ecrison said that the press had heard there was an heir to the O’Connal empire but they didn’t have her name or face yet. He was hoping that meant they would have a quite arrival when their plane landed in upstate New York.
He realized he was wrong the moment they entered the airport. Mr. Ericson was shocked to see the number of reporters swarming the gate. He cursed under his breath he’d been so careful he’d even gone out of his way to ask O’Connal’s business partner Constance Karington if they could borrow her family’s private jet to fly the girl in under the radar. With a sigh he squared his shoulders and looked at the two young adults behind him. “You both need to stay quite they will snap photos, shout questions, and shove whatever kind of recording devices they have practically down your throats for a sound bite. Do not give them one.” Mr. Ericson commanded as he lead them toward the crowd. Airport security was already attempting to hold the crowd back. The instant the crowd caught sight of Jesi flashes began to blind them all while the questions started flying
“Miss Jahari is it true you never knew your father?”
“Miss Jahari are you going to sell the company?”
“Miss, Jahari how does it feel to be Cinderella?”
Jesi was proud of herself for not pulling her knife on any of the reporters at the airport. She didn’t like people in general and she certainly wasn’t used to crowds surrounding and recording her. Mr Ericson parted the crowd as best he could and then shoved both Jesi and Damion into a waiting black sedan, with a driver. A short ride later and the small black sedan pulled up to a set of iron gates in the center of a brick wall that surrounded a mansion as big as a castle. The street in front of the wall however was filled bumper to bumper with cars parked on the curb. As the black sedan they were in pulled up to the gates people mobbed the car banging on the windows shouting questions making it hard for the car to move. Mr. Ericson pushed a button on his phone and the gates swung inward admitting the car the driver moved forward slowly through the throng as the gates swung shut behind them. The car pulled up to the front of the house and an older matronly type woman, came rushing out, as Mr. Ericson opened Jesi’s door.
“Ah, let me look at you!” the woman cried out in a thick Irish accent as she looked at Jesi.
“Jesminda Jahari this is your father’s maid and cook Mrs. Mable Mcguil, she has served your father’s family since before I can remember.”
“Aye, your mother must have been a beauty. Why just look at ya! You did get yer Father’s hair though I see, and his eyes.” Mable said as she reached out to brush a strand of red hair from Jesi’s face
“You knew my father?’ Jesi asked
“Knew him? Why I helped his mother raise ‘im I did. Kindest boy you’d ever want to meet. Ack, but he did he ever have a stubborn streak.” Mable added with a laugh
“Mable, my dear, I know you want to get to know Miss Jahari but that’s better left inside I think as the wolves are snapping pictures at the gate.”
“Ack, of course where are my manners, get in here all of ye.” Mable said as she turned to lead the way into the house. Mr. Ericson handed Damion and Jesi the 2 small carry on bags worth of clothes they’d purchased a few days ago, and motioned the two of them to follow Mable inside while he took his own bag from the trunk.
Jesi stepped wide eyed into the large foyer, the floors were a black and gold marble. The walls were a pristine white, with a stair case on either side curving up to the open second floor but what drew Jesi’s eye was a large painting hanging on the wall between the stair cases. A small family of three with a rather severe looking man with blonde hair standing tall a woman beside him with red hair gave anyone who entered a warm welcoming smile. The boy in the front drew jesi in he was around 7 at the time of the painting. Red hair green eyes but the happy smile he gave didn’t quite make it to his eyes. Jesi walked toward the painting staring at the child.
“That’s your father.” Mabel said walking up beside Jesi. “I remember that day clear as a bell yer grandfather insisted on a family portrait sitting. Ah, but yer father little scamp that he was was having none of it. All he wanted was to go out and play in the yard. The artist finally got yer grandfather to agree to take a photo to make the painting off of. As soon as he was free Conner went out and rolled through the grass in that fancy suit you see ‘im wearing. Aye but yer Grandfather was in a snit for days over the grass stains.”
“This house is massive.” Jesi said looking around the foyer.”
“Ah, but we do agree on that. To the left You’ll find the kitchen, dinning room, ballroom, bathroom, den, and living room. Through the right door you’ll find the home theater, another bathroom, library, office, gym and indoor pool. Upstairs there are nine bedrooms each with their own on suite bathroom, And the master bedroom has exclusive access to it’s own balcony. The third floor contains the greenhouse conservatory and excellent views.”
“So many rooms for only three people.” Jesi marveled turning a slow circle around the foyer.
“Yes, that was yer Grandfather for ye. The man insisted on showing the world how successful he was by getting the best of everything privet jet, fancy yacht, all the cars, the house. Yer father was a much simpler type He would have been happy with a one room apparent in the city. That’s why he never replaced the privet jet after the crash. He didn’t see a need, said if he was gonna fly it could be commercially, with real people.”
Jesi stood staring at the painting tears burned the back of her throat, as waves of emotion beat at her. Her father sounded like such a good man she wished she could have known him, but right on the heels of that she was so angry, her father lived in such excess while she and her mother had scraped by on nothing. Yet according to Ericson her father had never known that she existed her grandfather had lied to her father to her mother. Jesi choked back the tears and clung to the only emotion that had kept her alive for so long. Anger. “I hate them.” she ground between clenched teeth.
Mabel’s face fell she seemed to be hoping for a more joyful reaction from Jesi, but to her credit she didn’t try to talk the girl out of her pain either. Damion walked over and placed an arm around Jesi’s shoulders. “Mrs. Mcguil, is there a room we can go to for rest and a little privacy?” Damion asked
As soon as the door to the large guest bedroom drifted shut behind them Jesminda let her real feelings be known. She broke into deep sobs and fell into Damion’s arms.
“I don’t- I can’t- How could he- How could they-” Jesi started so many sentences but the jumble of emotion stampeding through her.
“Easy Jes, take a breath.” Damion tried as he held her.
“Why am I morning a man I never met? A man who abandoned me?” Jesi started
“Because he didn’t abandon you not on purpose Jes.”
“I want to hate him. I need to hate him, Why can’t I hate him?” Jesi sobbed
“Your right Jes it’s not fair. None of this is fair. It’s a lot to take in, and neither of us have taken the time to really process this.”
“In the hotel he didn’t seem real, but now… He was my father, and I never knew his name.”
“I know, Jes, it’s not fair.”
“He was stolen from me!”
“Yes he was.”
“This whole life was stolen from me!” Jesi hiccuped
Damion just held her and let her cry. There was so much for them both to process. Jesi was now one of the richest women in the nation, and she had insisted that Damion share her home as the brother he’d been to her since the day they’d met.
Jesi spent the rest of the day in the guest room that was now her bedroom with Damion bouncing between sorrow and anger like a rubber ball. Eventually she cried herself to sleep. Damion had just eased her into the plush bed, when a soft knock sounded on the door.
“Hey, uumm.” Damion stammered he wished he could remember the maid’s name.
“Mabel deary. How is she?” Mabel asked as she tried to look past Daion towards Jesi.
“She’s sleeping.” Damion said protectivily blocking to door.
“I mean her no harm.” Mabel said gently
Damion winced and tried to force himself to relax “Sorry, I know you don’t it’s just…” He trailed off at a loss “I’ve protectd her since she was five. Its just really hard to let that go.”
“Ye love her then?” Mable asked
“Of course.” Damion stopped and then a thought occurred to him “Oh! Oh you mean! No, no we’re not like that. She’s basically the sister I -” he stopped.
“Yer sister?”
“The crash that took my parents. It also killed my five year old sister Amy. Three days later I met Jesi, she looks nothing like Amy, but she was the same age and well I guess I wanted to protect her the way I couldn’t protect my family.”
“Ack, ye poor dear.” Mabel said with tears pooling in her eyes. “She’s safe here though, not a sole can get past the walls without setting off the alarms.”
Damion stiffened “Jesi, doesn’t like loud noises. Not since her mother was shot.”
“She was there?” Mable asked
“I thought Mr. Ericson would have told you?” Damion asked in confusion
“No, he told me who she was and that her mother had been killed but nothing else.”
“Yeah, she was there, her mom had to take her to work that night and, she says all she remembers is her mom stuffing her in a cabinet then she heard someone yell for the manager then the shots.”
“My God! Did she see anything?”
“No the officer on the scene worked really hard to make sure she didn’t see anything, But she’s been really jumpy ever since.”
“Ack, the poor dear. Well it seems there’s nothing more You and I can do for her til she wakes come I’ll show ye to yer room you must be tired as well.”
“I-I can’t leave her I’ll just stay here with her.”
“She’s safe here. Your safe here. You need rest too.”
“And I’ll get it right here beside her.”
“Ye’ve taken care of her for thirteen years, Ye’ve earned a rest and so has she.”
“We rest better together.”
“I’m sure ye do, and you’ll be ale to hear her through the wall if there’s trouble.” Mable encouraged
“I-”
“Yer both safe. She’ll be fine.”
Damion reluctantly followed Mable from the room. Mable made a show of taking a key from her pocket and locking the door to the room she explained that she was the only one with a key to unlock the bedroom doors but that all door could be locked or unlocked from the inside.
The next morning Mable opened Jesminda’s door with a cart of food behind her. “Good moring Miss Jes-” Mable froze as Jesi lept from the bed a knife brandished in her hand it’s tip nearly rested on Mabel’s neck
“Sorry,” Jesi said as she lowered the knife. “Force of habit.”
“Well, I will say that’s a new way to get the blood runnin in the mornin.” Mabel said with a giggle “Is there a reason ye have a knife on ye?”
“I’ve slept with a knife since I was sixteen.”
“And ye haven’t cut yerself?” Mable tried to joke
“No, Sargent Mullens trained me and Damion how to defend ourselves.”
“Sargent Mullens?” Mable asked
“He was staying at the first homeless shelter we crashed at after leaving the home. I was young inexperienced in street life and so excited to have my first shower in weeks I wasn’t careful enough. After I walked into the ladies room a man grabbed me from behind. He clamped his hand over my mouth and put a knife to my throat. I tried to scream to struggle while he cut my clothes off. Sargent Mullens heard the struggle and rushed in. He pulled the man off before anything happened and called for help. The man tried to cut Mullens but he dodged the blade, disarmed him, and held him until the folks that ran the shelter arrived. He told them to bring the guy to the police for sexual assault. After he helped me and Damion disappear when the police showed up and then taught us how to survive on the streets we stayed with him for about 4 months, until he disappeared.”
“That must have been hard on ye both.” Mable said
“It’s life on the street.”
“Jesi!” Damion called out as he rushed into the room.
“Ah and that saves me the trouble of bringing breakfast to ye as well.” Mable said as she motioned to the cart behind her. “I didn’t know yer preferences, so I, well, I made yer Father’s favorites. Bacon, sausage, pancakes, as well as some fruit a selection of juices and, aspirin.”
“How did you know I have a headache?” Jesi asked
“I’ve spent more then a night or two crying meself te sleep. I know the headache ye wake with in the morin all to well. OOP!” Mable said as she pulled her phone from her pocket. “And it seems that Ericson has arrived for the day with company not far behind. Best ye eat up and prepare seems as though yer in for yoru first dose of Constance.”
“Heellloo, Constance Karington,” The tall blonde woman in her early twenties stepped up to Jesi and offered her hand “Your sister.”
“I have a sister?” Jesi asked
“No, you do not.” Ericson answered.
“Oh not a biological sister but Conner was like a second father to me.” Constance said
“That makes one of us.” Jesi griped under her breath
“Oh look at you aren’t you a vision well besides that scare on your neck but don’t you worry my step-mom knows a great plastic surgeon we’ll have that gone in days.”
Jesi rested a self conscious hand over the knife scare on her collar bone.
“I wish you had consulted with me Ms. Karington, Miss Jahri’s schedule is full today.”
“Oh, so I cleared my entire morning of running my very successful company to hang out with my new sister for nothing” Constance protested actually pouting at Ericson.
“I believe you’ll find the company belongs to both of you Ms. Karington, and as I Said if you’d checked with me I could have told you that Miss Jahari’s scheduled is full this morning.”
“Oh come on I’m sure you don’t need a stuffy old man telling you what to do Jesi. You don’t mind if I call you Jesi do you?” Constance’s words dripped with sugar.
“Actually I do mind.” Jesi wasn’t buying Constance’s act for a second. “And Ercison has a full day planned.”
“Well, what am I supposed to do with an open morning Ericson?” Constance tried again
“Since your so keen to have family time I suggest you go connect with your brother.” Ericson suggested
“I suppose I could find Skyler but I look forward to dinner tonight Jesminda.” Constance commanded
“I will contact your office and arrange for a dinner in a few weeks then.” Ericson offered.
“I look forward to it.” Constance said with a smile as she turned to go.
“Oh Ms. Karington I would like to know how our confidential flight itinerary was leaked to the press.” Ericson asked
“Oh right, I have talked to my pilot about that rest assured he’ll be disciplined for his loose lips. Ta.” Constance tossed over her shoulder as she left.
“Who was that?” Damion asked when the door closed behind Constance
“Constance Karington, she is the co CEO of O’Connal and Karington Enterprises.”
“Isn’t she kinda young to be a CEO?” Jesi asked
“She was a child prodigy she graduated high school early and earned her MBA by the time she was 20. Two years ago she convinced her father to entire and hand over his half of the company to her.”
Constance slammed the front door to her family’s home. And let out a frustrated scream.
“I take it your plan to get Cinderella to sign the papers was a bust?” her brother Skyler appeared at the top of the stairs.
“I thought you’d still be sleeping.” Constance griped
“I was until you slammed the door quite rude if I’m honest sister dear.” Skyler, said with a lazy drawl
“Well, tell whoever your current girlfriend is I’m sorry to have disturbed her.” Constance replied with a forced smile
“You can drop the loving sister routine Constance I’m alone today.”
“For once.” Constance laughed sarcastically. “What do Nora find you flirting with a waitress?”
“Her name was Ashley and no, she asked for commitment, and you know I don’t do commitment.”
“Hm. Yet another doe eyed debutante that thought she could marry New York’s most eligible bachelor?”
“Yes you’d think they’d know better by now don’t they all talk?”
“Brother this may surprise you but the world does not actually revolve around you.”
“And it doesn’t serve you sister dear. A fact it seems ‘Cinderella’ reminded you of today.” Skyer gloated
“That company is mine! Conner promised it to me! Then that worthless brainless rat shows up and takes everything from me!” Constance shouted.
“I’m not sure Cinderella showed up isn’t more like Connor hunted her down?”
“Cinderella?” Constance said as a calculating smile slid on to her face
“That look never bodes well.” Skyler observed
“Well, every Cinderella needs her Prince Charming doesn’t she.”
“As I understand it she came with hers did she not?”
“The street rat no he’s more a brother to her as I understand it, but you Brother dear are currently between lovers at the moment.”
“Ha! Don’t even try it. Your little Cinderella is no where near my type.”
“Oh please, she’s beautiful, rich, and a woman that’s exactly your type.”
“Hardly, once a street rat always a street rat!” Skyler objected
“I don’t care, you will romance her get her so infatuated with you that when you tell her it’s in her best interst to sign over the company she’ll comply.”
“And if it can’t.”
“Then you’ll keep it in your pants until you marry her! I will not let some brat swoop in and steal everything I worked my entire life to get!”
“You can’t make me do any of this.”
“Can’t I? Last I checked Brother dear I control your trust fund.”
submitted by orchidpetaldesign to orchidpetalstories [link] [comments]
He realized he was wrong the moment they entered the airport. Mr. Ericson was shocked to see the number of reporters swarming the gate. He cursed under his breath he’d been so careful he’d even gone out of his way to ask O’Connal’s business partner Constance Karington if they could borrow her family’s private jet to fly the girl in under the radar. With a sigh he squared his shoulders and looked at the two young adults behind him. “You both need to stay quite they will snap photos, shout questions, and shove whatever kind of recording devices they have practically down your throats for a sound bite. Do not give them one.” Mr. Ericson commanded as he lead them toward the crowd. Airport security was already attempting to hold the crowd back. The instant the crowd caught sight of Jesi flashes began to blind them all while the questions started flying
“Miss Jahari is it true you never knew your father?”
“Miss Jahari are you going to sell the company?”
“Miss, Jahari how does it feel to be Cinderella?”
Jesi was proud of herself for not pulling her knife on any of the reporters at the airport. She didn’t like people in general and she certainly wasn’t used to crowds surrounding and recording her. Mr Ericson parted the crowd as best he could and then shoved both Jesi and Damion into a waiting black sedan, with a driver. A short ride later and the small black sedan pulled up to a set of iron gates in the center of a brick wall that surrounded a mansion as big as a castle. The street in front of the wall however was filled bumper to bumper with cars parked on the curb. As the black sedan they were in pulled up to the gates people mobbed the car banging on the windows shouting questions making it hard for the car to move. Mr. Ericson pushed a button on his phone and the gates swung inward admitting the car the driver moved forward slowly through the throng as the gates swung shut behind them. The car pulled up to the front of the house and an older matronly type woman, came rushing out, as Mr. Ericson opened Jesi’s door.
“Ah, let me look at you!” the woman cried out in a thick Irish accent as she looked at Jesi.
“Jesminda Jahari this is your father’s maid and cook Mrs. Mable Mcguil, she has served your father’s family since before I can remember.”
“Aye, your mother must have been a beauty. Why just look at ya! You did get yer Father’s hair though I see, and his eyes.” Mable said as she reached out to brush a strand of red hair from Jesi’s face
“You knew my father?’ Jesi asked
“Knew him? Why I helped his mother raise ‘im I did. Kindest boy you’d ever want to meet. Ack, but he did he ever have a stubborn streak.” Mable added with a laugh
“Mable, my dear, I know you want to get to know Miss Jahari but that’s better left inside I think as the wolves are snapping pictures at the gate.”
“Ack, of course where are my manners, get in here all of ye.” Mable said as she turned to lead the way into the house. Mr. Ericson handed Damion and Jesi the 2 small carry on bags worth of clothes they’d purchased a few days ago, and motioned the two of them to follow Mable inside while he took his own bag from the trunk.
Jesi stepped wide eyed into the large foyer, the floors were a black and gold marble. The walls were a pristine white, with a stair case on either side curving up to the open second floor but what drew Jesi’s eye was a large painting hanging on the wall between the stair cases. A small family of three with a rather severe looking man with blonde hair standing tall a woman beside him with red hair gave anyone who entered a warm welcoming smile. The boy in the front drew jesi in he was around 7 at the time of the painting. Red hair green eyes but the happy smile he gave didn’t quite make it to his eyes. Jesi walked toward the painting staring at the child.
“That’s your father.” Mabel said walking up beside Jesi. “I remember that day clear as a bell yer grandfather insisted on a family portrait sitting. Ah, but yer father little scamp that he was was having none of it. All he wanted was to go out and play in the yard. The artist finally got yer grandfather to agree to take a photo to make the painting off of. As soon as he was free Conner went out and rolled through the grass in that fancy suit you see ‘im wearing. Aye but yer Grandfather was in a snit for days over the grass stains.”
“This house is massive.” Jesi said looking around the foyer.”
“Ah, but we do agree on that. To the left You’ll find the kitchen, dinning room, ballroom, bathroom, den, and living room. Through the right door you’ll find the home theater, another bathroom, library, office, gym and indoor pool. Upstairs there are nine bedrooms each with their own on suite bathroom, And the master bedroom has exclusive access to it’s own balcony. The third floor contains the greenhouse conservatory and excellent views.”
“So many rooms for only three people.” Jesi marveled turning a slow circle around the foyer.
“Yes, that was yer Grandfather for ye. The man insisted on showing the world how successful he was by getting the best of everything privet jet, fancy yacht, all the cars, the house. Yer father was a much simpler type He would have been happy with a one room apparent in the city. That’s why he never replaced the privet jet after the crash. He didn’t see a need, said if he was gonna fly it could be commercially, with real people.”
Jesi stood staring at the painting tears burned the back of her throat, as waves of emotion beat at her. Her father sounded like such a good man she wished she could have known him, but right on the heels of that she was so angry, her father lived in such excess while she and her mother had scraped by on nothing. Yet according to Ericson her father had never known that she existed her grandfather had lied to her father to her mother. Jesi choked back the tears and clung to the only emotion that had kept her alive for so long. Anger. “I hate them.” she ground between clenched teeth.
Mabel’s face fell she seemed to be hoping for a more joyful reaction from Jesi, but to her credit she didn’t try to talk the girl out of her pain either. Damion walked over and placed an arm around Jesi’s shoulders. “Mrs. Mcguil, is there a room we can go to for rest and a little privacy?” Damion asked
As soon as the door to the large guest bedroom drifted shut behind them Jesminda let her real feelings be known. She broke into deep sobs and fell into Damion’s arms.
“I don’t- I can’t- How could he- How could they-” Jesi started so many sentences but the jumble of emotion stampeding through her.
“Easy Jes, take a breath.” Damion tried as he held her.
“Why am I morning a man I never met? A man who abandoned me?” Jesi started
“Because he didn’t abandon you not on purpose Jes.”
“I want to hate him. I need to hate him, Why can’t I hate him?” Jesi sobbed
“Your right Jes it’s not fair. None of this is fair. It’s a lot to take in, and neither of us have taken the time to really process this.”
“In the hotel he didn’t seem real, but now… He was my father, and I never knew his name.”
“I know, Jes, it’s not fair.”
“He was stolen from me!”
“Yes he was.”
“This whole life was stolen from me!” Jesi hiccuped
Damion just held her and let her cry. There was so much for them both to process. Jesi was now one of the richest women in the nation, and she had insisted that Damion share her home as the brother he’d been to her since the day they’d met.
Jesi spent the rest of the day in the guest room that was now her bedroom with Damion bouncing between sorrow and anger like a rubber ball. Eventually she cried herself to sleep. Damion had just eased her into the plush bed, when a soft knock sounded on the door.
“Hey, uumm.” Damion stammered he wished he could remember the maid’s name.
“Mabel deary. How is she?” Mabel asked as she tried to look past Daion towards Jesi.
“She’s sleeping.” Damion said protectivily blocking to door.
“I mean her no harm.” Mabel said gently
Damion winced and tried to force himself to relax “Sorry, I know you don’t it’s just…” He trailed off at a loss “I’ve protectd her since she was five. Its just really hard to let that go.”
“Ye love her then?” Mable asked
“Of course.” Damion stopped and then a thought occurred to him “Oh! Oh you mean! No, no we’re not like that. She’s basically the sister I -” he stopped.
“Yer sister?”
“The crash that took my parents. It also killed my five year old sister Amy. Three days later I met Jesi, she looks nothing like Amy, but she was the same age and well I guess I wanted to protect her the way I couldn’t protect my family.”
“Ack, ye poor dear.” Mabel said with tears pooling in her eyes. “She’s safe here though, not a sole can get past the walls without setting off the alarms.”
Damion stiffened “Jesi, doesn’t like loud noises. Not since her mother was shot.”
“She was there?” Mable asked
“I thought Mr. Ericson would have told you?” Damion asked in confusion
“No, he told me who she was and that her mother had been killed but nothing else.”
“Yeah, she was there, her mom had to take her to work that night and, she says all she remembers is her mom stuffing her in a cabinet then she heard someone yell for the manager then the shots.”
“My God! Did she see anything?”
“No the officer on the scene worked really hard to make sure she didn’t see anything, But she’s been really jumpy ever since.”
“Ack, the poor dear. Well it seems there’s nothing more You and I can do for her til she wakes come I’ll show ye to yer room you must be tired as well.”
“I-I can’t leave her I’ll just stay here with her.”
“She’s safe here. Your safe here. You need rest too.”
“And I’ll get it right here beside her.”
“Ye’ve taken care of her for thirteen years, Ye’ve earned a rest and so has she.”
“We rest better together.”
“I’m sure ye do, and you’ll be ale to hear her through the wall if there’s trouble.” Mable encouraged
“I-”
“Yer both safe. She’ll be fine.”
Damion reluctantly followed Mable from the room. Mable made a show of taking a key from her pocket and locking the door to the room she explained that she was the only one with a key to unlock the bedroom doors but that all door could be locked or unlocked from the inside.
The next morning Mable opened Jesminda’s door with a cart of food behind her. “Good moring Miss Jes-” Mable froze as Jesi lept from the bed a knife brandished in her hand it’s tip nearly rested on Mabel’s neck
“Sorry,” Jesi said as she lowered the knife. “Force of habit.”
“Well, I will say that’s a new way to get the blood runnin in the mornin.” Mabel said with a giggle “Is there a reason ye have a knife on ye?”
“I’ve slept with a knife since I was sixteen.”
“And ye haven’t cut yerself?” Mable tried to joke
“No, Sargent Mullens trained me and Damion how to defend ourselves.”
“Sargent Mullens?” Mable asked
“He was staying at the first homeless shelter we crashed at after leaving the home. I was young inexperienced in street life and so excited to have my first shower in weeks I wasn’t careful enough. After I walked into the ladies room a man grabbed me from behind. He clamped his hand over my mouth and put a knife to my throat. I tried to scream to struggle while he cut my clothes off. Sargent Mullens heard the struggle and rushed in. He pulled the man off before anything happened and called for help. The man tried to cut Mullens but he dodged the blade, disarmed him, and held him until the folks that ran the shelter arrived. He told them to bring the guy to the police for sexual assault. After he helped me and Damion disappear when the police showed up and then taught us how to survive on the streets we stayed with him for about 4 months, until he disappeared.”
“That must have been hard on ye both.” Mable said
“It’s life on the street.”
“Jesi!” Damion called out as he rushed into the room.
“Ah and that saves me the trouble of bringing breakfast to ye as well.” Mable said as she motioned to the cart behind her. “I didn’t know yer preferences, so I, well, I made yer Father’s favorites. Bacon, sausage, pancakes, as well as some fruit a selection of juices and, aspirin.”
“How did you know I have a headache?” Jesi asked
“I’ve spent more then a night or two crying meself te sleep. I know the headache ye wake with in the morin all to well. OOP!” Mable said as she pulled her phone from her pocket. “And it seems that Ericson has arrived for the day with company not far behind. Best ye eat up and prepare seems as though yer in for yoru first dose of Constance.”
“Heellloo, Constance Karington,” The tall blonde woman in her early twenties stepped up to Jesi and offered her hand “Your sister.”
“I have a sister?” Jesi asked
“No, you do not.” Ericson answered.
“Oh not a biological sister but Conner was like a second father to me.” Constance said
“That makes one of us.” Jesi griped under her breath
“Oh look at you aren’t you a vision well besides that scare on your neck but don’t you worry my step-mom knows a great plastic surgeon we’ll have that gone in days.”
Jesi rested a self conscious hand over the knife scare on her collar bone.
“I wish you had consulted with me Ms. Karington, Miss Jahri’s schedule is full today.”
“Oh, so I cleared my entire morning of running my very successful company to hang out with my new sister for nothing” Constance protested actually pouting at Ericson.
“I believe you’ll find the company belongs to both of you Ms. Karington, and as I Said if you’d checked with me I could have told you that Miss Jahari’s scheduled is full this morning.”
“Oh come on I’m sure you don’t need a stuffy old man telling you what to do Jesi. You don’t mind if I call you Jesi do you?” Constance’s words dripped with sugar.
“Actually I do mind.” Jesi wasn’t buying Constance’s act for a second. “And Ercison has a full day planned.”
“Well, what am I supposed to do with an open morning Ericson?” Constance tried again
“Since your so keen to have family time I suggest you go connect with your brother.” Ericson suggested
“I suppose I could find Skyler but I look forward to dinner tonight Jesminda.” Constance commanded
“I will contact your office and arrange for a dinner in a few weeks then.” Ericson offered.
“I look forward to it.” Constance said with a smile as she turned to go.
“Oh Ms. Karington I would like to know how our confidential flight itinerary was leaked to the press.” Ericson asked
“Oh right, I have talked to my pilot about that rest assured he’ll be disciplined for his loose lips. Ta.” Constance tossed over her shoulder as she left.
“Who was that?” Damion asked when the door closed behind Constance
“Constance Karington, she is the co CEO of O’Connal and Karington Enterprises.”
“Isn’t she kinda young to be a CEO?” Jesi asked
“She was a child prodigy she graduated high school early and earned her MBA by the time she was 20. Two years ago she convinced her father to entire and hand over his half of the company to her.”
Constance slammed the front door to her family’s home. And let out a frustrated scream.
“I take it your plan to get Cinderella to sign the papers was a bust?” her brother Skyler appeared at the top of the stairs.
“I thought you’d still be sleeping.” Constance griped
“I was until you slammed the door quite rude if I’m honest sister dear.” Skyler, said with a lazy drawl
“Well, tell whoever your current girlfriend is I’m sorry to have disturbed her.” Constance replied with a forced smile
“You can drop the loving sister routine Constance I’m alone today.”
“For once.” Constance laughed sarcastically. “What do Nora find you flirting with a waitress?”
“Her name was Ashley and no, she asked for commitment, and you know I don’t do commitment.”
“Hm. Yet another doe eyed debutante that thought she could marry New York’s most eligible bachelor?”
“Yes you’d think they’d know better by now don’t they all talk?”
“Brother this may surprise you but the world does not actually revolve around you.”
“And it doesn’t serve you sister dear. A fact it seems ‘Cinderella’ reminded you of today.” Skyer gloated
“That company is mine! Conner promised it to me! Then that worthless brainless rat shows up and takes everything from me!” Constance shouted.
“I’m not sure Cinderella showed up isn’t more like Connor hunted her down?”
“Cinderella?” Constance said as a calculating smile slid on to her face
“That look never bodes well.” Skyler observed
“Well, every Cinderella needs her Prince Charming doesn’t she.”
“As I understand it she came with hers did she not?”
“The street rat no he’s more a brother to her as I understand it, but you Brother dear are currently between lovers at the moment.”
“Ha! Don’t even try it. Your little Cinderella is no where near my type.”
“Oh please, she’s beautiful, rich, and a woman that’s exactly your type.”
“Hardly, once a street rat always a street rat!” Skyler objected
“I don’t care, you will romance her get her so infatuated with you that when you tell her it’s in her best interst to sign over the company she’ll comply.”
“And if it can’t.”
“Then you’ll keep it in your pants until you marry her! I will not let some brat swoop in and steal everything I worked my entire life to get!”
“You can’t make me do any of this.”
“Can’t I? Last I checked Brother dear I control your trust fund.”
2023.06.02 22:56 iMango_ A Rough Landing
 | After 4 years of planning and saving, I’ve finally made it to Japan for a ~1 month trip with some friends. I’ve been once before in HS, but this is my first time as a transportation enthusiast. Even though I put probably close to 100 hours planning this trip, it still didn’t stop the messy situation when I landed. submitted by iMango_ to japanrail [link] [comments] The title is literal and figurative as I experienced some of the most intense turbulence I can remember approaching Narita. I had planned for a 4 hour layover to Haneda for my connecting flight to Sapporo, but the first flight already landed 45 mins late, and it took a while to get my Wi-Fi hotspot and JR pass. The stormy weather was affecting the trains too, with the Narita Skyliner being halted for a while and the NEX trains being delayed. I finally got on my NEX to Shinagawa, it was 1.5 hours before boarding began for my next flight so I new it would be close. It was already dark so I couldn’t see much of the view but the first ride was a bit surreal as I realized the stuff I was looking at was real as opposed to Google maps imagery. At Shinagawa I connected to a Keikyuu airport train. Waiting at Shinagawa station felt like I was at an amusement park with all the colorful signs, ground markings, cheerful sounds, and general cleanliness (compared to NYC). It was very cool to experience the Japan commuter rush for the first time. I arrived at Haneda past the scheduled departure time, so I knew I was out of luck. I rescheduled my flight to the next morning (now). Unfortunately this means I won’t make the lmtd. Exp. Soya I had planned to take this morning from Sapporo, so I won’t be going to Wakkanai this trip. After the reschedule, I booked a last minute stay at a place near Nippori station. I decided to take the Tokyo Monorail back downtown, and connected to the Yamanote line. After a solid 3 hours of sleep, I was back up at 4am to catch my flight. I took the first southbound train from Nippori, a Keihin-Tohoku local train back to Hamamatsucho and then the first monorail which was express to the airport. There will be more pics to come over the next month! |
2023.06.02 22:51 hodsct59 Belmont Park And Woodbine Choices For 06-03-2023
I have chosen five races at Belmont Park and 2 races at Woodbine on Saturday June 3, 2023 that I am willing to take a shot at and hopefully find my next nice score. I will not be betting the last race at Belmont individually, but it is the last race of the late P5 which I will take a couple of small shots at. I have always preferred to get as many shots as I can to hit some type of exotics in one or two races but believe spreading in any pick type sequences is not the best use of my money. Much prefer using a few dollars every race and get more opportunities every day compared to putting all my eggs in one sequence and watching them all break when one horse or race does not go as expected.
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Belmont Park 4th Race: Maiden Special Weight --- Purse $75,000 --- 3 YOs & Up NY Bred Fillies & Mares --- 7 Furlongs Turf:
1)Ace Up Her Sleeve (12-1) Has 10 lifetime starts with 4 starts and 3 thirds since the beginning of this year. In her last three starts she was tried twice on the AWT in sprints against open company and then shipped back to NY to face state breds in a turf sprint, but race was moved to a muddy dirt track where she was well beaten but managed to get up for third. One slow work since at Delaware Park. Dialed In - Clearly Cheating by Broken Vow. 3x3 to Storm Cat, 4(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Blushing Groom, 5(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Secretariat. As usual, most interested in her broodmare sire, Broken Vow, to figure out what distance is best for this runner, and I believe turf sprinting is the answer for this one. Broken Vow as a G2 SW on dirt but plenty of his progeny has won on grass up to a mile and he has a daughter (Broken Dreams) similar bred to this one's dam that won 3 stakes turf sprints including 2 of them G3 stakes and banked just shy of $400K. Fits with these.
6)La Chance (50-1) Has started 10 times in her career and has one second in 4 starts this year as her only board finish in her first ten starts. She will need her best effort yet but has the bloodlines to upset this field at a huge price. Her last two races and her recent works gives a clue that improvement is on the way after getting a trainer that acts like he knows what he is trying to achieve and gets her first real chance on grass. Looking At Lucky - One Wise Cowgirl by Wiseman's Ferry. 4x5 to Clever Trick. Her sire, Looking at Lucky, was a Champion 2 YO and Champion 3 YO on dirt in the U.S. and broodmare sire, Wiseman's Ferry, won a couple of G3 dirt stakes at 9 furlongs but is best remembered as sire of Wise Dan, who was good on dirt to begin his career but took his popularity to an entirely different level by winning 14 of his last 15 starts on grass with 1 second and 15 of 17 overall, with every grass start against either G1 or G2 competition. La Chance's dam, One Wise Cowgirl, has also produced a G1 sprint SW on dirt (Haveyougoneaway).
4)Cerretta (8-1) has started once this year finishing 3rd in a grass sprint but also started 7 times last year with a second and a third her other two board finishes. Has four decent to useful works since her last start which should move her forward. Midnight Lute - Lift by Pulpit. 5x4 to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Raise A Native & Secretariat.
7)Souffle (2-1) started twice last year, finishing second in her first start on grass as the favorite before returning as an odds-on heavy favorite and finished 4th after getting beaten to the early lead and then coming up empty late. This is her first start this year and trainer Clement is good at hiding which one of his trainees is ready to win first back or may need a race or two but normally uses Rosario when he thinks one is live and he does so here also. Will also race with lasix for the first time. Candy Ride - Portmagee by Hard Spun. 5x4 to Mr. Prospector. Both Candy Ride and Hard Spun are known for their high speed in mid-distance races especially but dam, Portmagee, won one 6 furlongs grass sprint in her career but falter both times when asked to go just slightly further.
My Risks: $4 Ex Box 1-6, $1 Ex Box 1-4-6, $1 Tri Box 1-4-6, $.10 Super Box 1-4-6-7, $.50 Super Key 4 with 1-6-7 with 1-6-7 with 1-6-7. Total Risks $25.40.
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Race 6: $.50 Pick 5 ---- 6 with 8 with 7 with 2,4,5 with 3,4,5,6,8,9,10,12. Total Risk $12.00.
Race 6: $.50 Pick 5 ---- 6,9 with 8 with 7 with 2,4,5, with 3,6,9,12. Total Risk $12.00.
Race 6: Allowance --- Purse $95,000 --- 3 YOs UP F&M N/W 1x or N/W 2 Lifetime --- 6 Furlongs Turf:
6) Anna Karenine (9-2) was shipped to U.S. late last year and was given the rest of the year off. Returned in March in a G3 stakes and sat close up early behind a crawling pace and faded after a half mile on grass. Cut back to 6 furlongs in her next start, she sat just behind the two early leaders in third, was sent after a half after the front runner had put only early challenger away but could not get by and hung in deep stretch to lose 2nd nearing the wire in this class and conditions. She has 4 more works in typical Brown style but should be getting close to her best effort. Tornado - Ivory Style by Desert Style. 4(C)x5(F)x5(F)x5(F) to Northern Dancer, 5x4 to Danzig, 5x5 to Special. Anna Karenine's 4th dam, Ivory Wand, is also 2nd dam of Elusive Quality, and this dam line flows back through Frizette, an important member of family #13.
9) Redifined (5-1) has one start this year where she tracked a fast early pace but came up empty in the stretch run in an O/C allowance race. However, she broke her maiden in the first start of her career, then competed in 3 stakes races, 2 of them listed and the other a G3 stakes where she placed in all three. She has recorded 3 very good works since her last race and is the one to beat. More Than Ready - Mrs. Boss by Wild Event. 4x5 to Northern Dancer, 5x5 to Nearctic.
5) Dekanter (12-1) has started twice this year which was also her first two starts of her career and finished 3rd on dirt, then won a maiden special weight race on grass in fairly fast time but it was during a small period when Aqueduct's grass course was blistering fast. Has 4 more works since her last start, none that are eye catching but all done on a 7-day then 6-day splits which is what you (or at least I) want to see from grass runners instead of fast works. Kantharos - Morning Rush by Unbridled's Song. 4x4 to Storm Cat, 5(C)x5(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Mr Prospector.
8) Michele M. (15-1) started twice last year, both time on the AWT, breaking her maiden in her first start before finishing unplaced in a Canadian listed stake. She will be making her first start of this year, first start on grass in her career and first start for a new trainer that wins often on grass but tends to struggle with trainees first start on grass. West Coast - Juliamarie by Mizzen Mast. 4x4 to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Secretariat, 5(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Raise A Native. Dam line traces back to Penelope/Prunella and the most influential family #1 in bloodlines history, without a doubt.
My Risks: $5 Ex Box 6-9, $1 Tri Box 5-6-9, $5 Tri Straight 6 with 9 with 5, $1 Super Straight 5-6-9 with 5-6-9 with 5-6-9 with 8. Total Risk $27.00.
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7th Race: Maiden Special Weight --- Purse $90,000 --- 3 YOs & Up --- 1 1/16 Mile Turf:
8)Redistricting (3-1) is a first-time starter. It looks like his training started under another barn, then was a private purchase by current owner (private or purchases away from sales are not reported in most cases), then has a consistent work pattern for current trainer Brown with only one small break in his training that lasted 10 days until the day after the Ky Derby (likely concentrating on runners already entered to race). None of his works are eye catching but his last 9 works have all been at 4 furlongs officially, which is the normal Brown pattern. Kingman - Cascata by Montjeu. 4x4 to Kris, 5x4 to Northern Dancer.
1)Certified Loverboy (20-1) has started once this year where he tracked the early pace for 6 furlongs, then faded near the rail as the slow early pace quicken in a maiden race at 1 1/8 mile on grass, which is likely a little further than he is bred to excel at. Now cuts back 1/16 mile, which fits his bloodlines better and has one useful work since that start and returns to jockey who likely knows him better than others. Mendelsohn - Tasha's Moon by Malibu Moon. 4x4 to Mr. Prospector. Dam family traces back to family #3 which is the family of Sister One To True Blue, a daughter of a Byerley Turk mare who, along with her full brother Young True Blue, is most responsible for the formation of the 2nd X-factor gene family.
6)Ohana Honor (8-1) has two starts this year, the first on GP speed favoring dirt track where he tried to impact the race from well off the pace but had no real opportunity to do so. Next out, he was shipped to Aqueduct and moved to grass for the first grass start of his career where he was rolling in the stretch to just miss winning but also encountered enough trouble to make him late arriving to compete. Trainer Shug has put 6 more works in him since that effort, the first 4 useful works and then 2 easy works just to let him stretch his legs until a spot could be found to race him. Has the look of a trainer who is serious about breaking this one's maiden. Honor Code - Spacy Tracy by Awesome Again. 4x5 to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Bold Ruler, 5(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Northern Dancer. Dam has already produced 3 stakes winners from 6 known foals to race, including this one.
7)Fly Right (6-1) is making his first start of the year after making three starts last year and drew near the rail in every start, thereby forcing jockey to send him early for the lead to avoid being trapped (at least perceived by most). He has 10 works for his return, including last 9 at Belmont Park, but his last 4 works should have him fit and ready. Also goes first-time lasix. Astern - Fly By by Johar. 4x5 to Sadler's Wells, 5x5 to Danzig. 6th dam, Where You Lead, is an important and influential broodmare.
My Risks: $5 Ex Box 1-8, $1 Tri Box 1-6-8, $1 Super 8 with 1-6-7 with 1-6-7 with 1-6-7, $3 Super Straight 8 with 1 with 6 with 7. Total Risk $25.00.
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8th Race: Allowance --- Purse $80,000 --- 3 Yos & Up N/W 1x or N/W 2 lifetime NY Bred --- 1 1/16 Mile:
7) Shadow Dragon (2-1) has three starts this year, finishing 2nd in a G3 stakes in his first start then giving a half-hearted effort in his next two in G2 stakes company, races he was clearly overmatched in and thrown against them much too soon in his young career. Will find these fits his current ability much better and looks like a solid key in the pick exotics. Has 6 works since his last start and most of them shows he still has a desire to be competitive. Army Mule - Fire Assay by Medaglia D'Oro. 5x5 to Northern Dancer but also has Somethingroyal crossing in the sire line through Secretariat and in the broodmare sire line and dam line through another son Sir Gaylord(x2). Has even more crossing influence through Turn-To & Teddy through multiple sons and daughters on both sides.
6) Ormstown (5-1) broke his maiden in his last start against NY bred in the third start of his career and now tries state-bred winners for the first time. This is a fairly weak field for an allowance race and the reason I landed on this one is I feel he has an ability to rate though he went gate to wire against easier in this last (or at least his bloodlines suggest he should). Bernardini - Sandra by Bluegrass Cat. 2x4 to A.P. Indy, 4x5 to Secretariat, 5(C)x4(F)x5(F) to Mr. Prospector, 5(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Northern Dancer.
My Risks: $8 Ex Straight 7-6. Total Risk $8.00.
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Race 9: Pennine Ridge Stakes(G2) --- Purse $200,000 ---- 3 YOs ---- 1 1/8 Mile Turf:
4) Silver Knott (2-1) has one start this year and was overmatched against much better than he will see here. Will be looking to make amends for such a poor showing in last. Probably a little more eager than normal as he was fresh off a break and ended up burning all his energy before the real running began on a slow grass course. Europe does not record works between races as most works on private property and normally have to rely on what trainers tells everyone. Brings a substitute jockey along as main rider stays in England for the Epsom Derby. Lope De Vega - God Given by Nathaniel. 5(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Mr. Prospector. Lope De Vega is a son of Shamardal (from 1st crop of Giant's Causeway and dam was a full sister to Street Cry). Broodmare sire, Nathaniel, is also a 2-time G1 stakes winner on grass but is more famously known as the sire of Enable (15 wins in 19 lifetime starts).
5) Congruent (10-1) has started four times this year with a win on the AWT 2 starts back his only board finish. He switches trainers since his last start and new trainer has put 7 works in him, the first 4 looks like they were leg stretching type works to let him get a good feel of Belmont dirt surface followed by 3 good solid works with two of them grass works. Tapit - Part The Seas by Stormy Atlantic. 4x4 to Seattle Slew, 4(C)x5(C)x4(F) to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Northern Dancer, In Reality & Secretariat.
2) Sharar (12-1) is making his U.S. debut after shipping over from Dubai, switching trainers and given plenty of time to rest and become familiar with U.S. racing. Like a typical Pletcher trainee, he put in a few non-descript works but works improved in his last two after he was switched to grass, which he had already suggested in his first two starts he did not like the feel of Dubai's dirt (possibly did not care from Belmont dirt either). Upset potential at good odds. Gun Runner - Sacre Coeur by Saint Ballado. 5x4 to Herbager.
8) Far Bridge (9-5) has three starts in his career, with all 3 coming this year and he has 2 wins and a second, losing his perfect record in his last start when beaten a nose. However, I will take a stand against him for the win as his two works are typical Pletcher works, but his last was not an improvement which is normal for one of his trainees just before a start. Could be the track switch but more likely last took a little fitness from him. Your call, as he certainly has the bloodlines to beat these. English Channel - Fitpitcher by Kitten's Joy. 5x5 to Northern Dancer.
My Risks: $5 Ex Box 2-4, $1 Tri Box 2-4-5. Total Risk $16.00.
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Race 10: Maiden Claiming $40K --- Purse $45,000 ---- 3 YOs & Up New York Bred --- 1 1/16 Mile Turf:
3) War Prince (9-2) 4(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Northern Dancer.
4) Atlanta's Acuna (6-1) Complete outcross in first 5 generations.
5) Fluorescent Bay (20-1) 5x3 to Icecapade.
6) Just For Luck (12-1) 5x5 to Northern Dancer.
8) Silent Running (10-1) 5x5 to Secretariat.
9) Thethrillofvictory (5-1) Complete outcross in his first 5 generations.
10) Sea Cruise (30-1) Complete outcross in first 5 generations.
12) Bad Larry (4-1) 4(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Mr. Prospector.
No bets on this race but using these in last race of P5. Total Risk All Bets: $125.40.
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Woodbine June 3,2023:
5th Race: Maiden Special Weight --- Purse $111,600 --- 2 YOs ---- 5 Furlongs:
7) Call The Question (8-1) started once and finished last but had only 3 furlongs works with one poor gate work before that start in 4 1/2 furlongs and did not try after a poor break. Now has two more good works since that start, a 4-furlongs followed by a 3-furlongs gate work that is much better and now stretches out to 5-furlongs where she should get a better break from gate. 5(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Mr Prospector.
6) That Girl Artemus (6-1) is a first-time starter. Her 4-furlongs two back is very good followed by another good
4-furlongs work from the gate. If she breaks as well as she has shown, becomes a candidate to wire the field. 4x5 to Mr. Prospector.
2) Pipit (5-2) is a first-time starter. Has a good gate work two back at 4 furlongs followed by an easy 4 furlongs work. Attracts top jockey with an above average trainer. 4x4 to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Secretariat & Sir Ivor, 5(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Raise A Native, 5(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Northern Dancer.
9) Miramichi (15-1) has one start on the AWT at 4 1/2 furlongs, but drew outside on a rainy track which is usually the worst place to be, and the one just inside her got better break and she chased them throughout as they pull away while closest to the rail and she lost third at the wire to a late runner. Returns in two weeks but has another good 4 furlongs work since that start.
My Risks: $5 Ex Box 6-7, $1 Tri Box 2-6-7, $.20 Super Box 2-6-7-9, $.30 Super Straight 2-7 with 2-7 with 6-9 with 6-9. Total Risk $22.00.
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Race 7: Royal North S(Can-2) --- Purse $175,000 --- 4 YOs & Up F&M --- 6 1/2 Furlongs Turf:
2) Bay Storm (3-1) has three starts this year with 2 seconds and one third. She has been an ultra-consistent runner throughout her career, missing a placing once in her 14 lifetime starts. While this looks like a step up for her into G2 company, it is actually a step down in class as she has missed twice to odds-on G1 winning fillies in her last 5 starts while 2nd both times, including beaten a nose by one of them. She will be going back on lasix for the first time in a while. 4x4 to Storm Cat.
8) Baby No Worries (12-1) has started four times this year, winning her first start in an allowance race on the AWT at TP with a good late kick to get up in time, then finishing 2nd in a small stakes race at same track in her third start using a good late kick again to just miss before finishing 3rd in her last start against the probable favorite in here in a G3 stakes race at this track with another good late kick. She has the look of finally putting it all together as she gets more racing experience and is also moving back to grass. 5x5 to Hoist The Flag & My Charmer.
5) Our Flash Drive (9-5) has started once this year and made it a winning effort in a G3 stakes race on the AWT at her home track here. She switches back to turf here where if she has a weakness, it is on grass as only one of her stake wins have come on that surface. However, all her grass tries have been in the U.S. where the competition is usually much tougher and since she is back on her home turf, so she deserves to be the favorite. One useful work since her last start. Outcross in her first 5 generations but has Nasrullah influences on both sides.
6) Sweet Enough (20-1) has started 3 times this year in two G3 stakes and a listed stakes race in the U.S. and has not placed. However, in all three starts, she was beaten by horses that would be vying for favoritism in here and her last indicated she is near to regaining her best form. Trainer is one of Canada's best and he has put 5 more works in her, the last three very good and indicates this filly is still moving forward. She will be racing on lasix for the first time this year. 5(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Mr. Prospector.
My Risks: $5 Ex Box 2-8, $1 Tri Box 2-5-8, $.20 Super Box 2-5-6-8, $1 Super Key 2 with 5-6-8 with 5-6-8 with 5-6-8. Total Risks $26.80.
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Total Risks Both Tracks $174.80.
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Belmont Park 4th Race: Maiden Special Weight --- Purse $75,000 --- 3 YOs & Up NY Bred Fillies & Mares --- 7 Furlongs Turf:
1)Ace Up Her Sleeve (12-1) Has 10 lifetime starts with 4 starts and 3 thirds since the beginning of this year. In her last three starts she was tried twice on the AWT in sprints against open company and then shipped back to NY to face state breds in a turf sprint, but race was moved to a muddy dirt track where she was well beaten but managed to get up for third. One slow work since at Delaware Park. Dialed In - Clearly Cheating by Broken Vow. 3x3 to Storm Cat, 4(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Blushing Groom, 5(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Secretariat. As usual, most interested in her broodmare sire, Broken Vow, to figure out what distance is best for this runner, and I believe turf sprinting is the answer for this one. Broken Vow as a G2 SW on dirt but plenty of his progeny has won on grass up to a mile and he has a daughter (Broken Dreams) similar bred to this one's dam that won 3 stakes turf sprints including 2 of them G3 stakes and banked just shy of $400K. Fits with these.
6)La Chance (50-1) Has started 10 times in her career and has one second in 4 starts this year as her only board finish in her first ten starts. She will need her best effort yet but has the bloodlines to upset this field at a huge price. Her last two races and her recent works gives a clue that improvement is on the way after getting a trainer that acts like he knows what he is trying to achieve and gets her first real chance on grass. Looking At Lucky - One Wise Cowgirl by Wiseman's Ferry. 4x5 to Clever Trick. Her sire, Looking at Lucky, was a Champion 2 YO and Champion 3 YO on dirt in the U.S. and broodmare sire, Wiseman's Ferry, won a couple of G3 dirt stakes at 9 furlongs but is best remembered as sire of Wise Dan, who was good on dirt to begin his career but took his popularity to an entirely different level by winning 14 of his last 15 starts on grass with 1 second and 15 of 17 overall, with every grass start against either G1 or G2 competition. La Chance's dam, One Wise Cowgirl, has also produced a G1 sprint SW on dirt (Haveyougoneaway).
4)Cerretta (8-1) has started once this year finishing 3rd in a grass sprint but also started 7 times last year with a second and a third her other two board finishes. Has four decent to useful works since her last start which should move her forward. Midnight Lute - Lift by Pulpit. 5x4 to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Raise A Native & Secretariat.
7)Souffle (2-1) started twice last year, finishing second in her first start on grass as the favorite before returning as an odds-on heavy favorite and finished 4th after getting beaten to the early lead and then coming up empty late. This is her first start this year and trainer Clement is good at hiding which one of his trainees is ready to win first back or may need a race or two but normally uses Rosario when he thinks one is live and he does so here also. Will also race with lasix for the first time. Candy Ride - Portmagee by Hard Spun. 5x4 to Mr. Prospector. Both Candy Ride and Hard Spun are known for their high speed in mid-distance races especially but dam, Portmagee, won one 6 furlongs grass sprint in her career but falter both times when asked to go just slightly further.
My Risks: $4 Ex Box 1-6, $1 Ex Box 1-4-6, $1 Tri Box 1-4-6, $.10 Super Box 1-4-6-7, $.50 Super Key 4 with 1-6-7 with 1-6-7 with 1-6-7. Total Risks $25.40.
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Race 6: $.50 Pick 5 ---- 6 with 8 with 7 with 2,4,5 with 3,4,5,6,8,9,10,12. Total Risk $12.00.
Race 6: $.50 Pick 5 ---- 6,9 with 8 with 7 with 2,4,5, with 3,6,9,12. Total Risk $12.00.
Race 6: Allowance --- Purse $95,000 --- 3 YOs UP F&M N/W 1x or N/W 2 Lifetime --- 6 Furlongs Turf:
6) Anna Karenine (9-2) was shipped to U.S. late last year and was given the rest of the year off. Returned in March in a G3 stakes and sat close up early behind a crawling pace and faded after a half mile on grass. Cut back to 6 furlongs in her next start, she sat just behind the two early leaders in third, was sent after a half after the front runner had put only early challenger away but could not get by and hung in deep stretch to lose 2nd nearing the wire in this class and conditions. She has 4 more works in typical Brown style but should be getting close to her best effort. Tornado - Ivory Style by Desert Style. 4(C)x5(F)x5(F)x5(F) to Northern Dancer, 5x4 to Danzig, 5x5 to Special. Anna Karenine's 4th dam, Ivory Wand, is also 2nd dam of Elusive Quality, and this dam line flows back through Frizette, an important member of family #13.
9) Redifined (5-1) has one start this year where she tracked a fast early pace but came up empty in the stretch run in an O/C allowance race. However, she broke her maiden in the first start of her career, then competed in 3 stakes races, 2 of them listed and the other a G3 stakes where she placed in all three. She has recorded 3 very good works since her last race and is the one to beat. More Than Ready - Mrs. Boss by Wild Event. 4x5 to Northern Dancer, 5x5 to Nearctic.
5) Dekanter (12-1) has started twice this year which was also her first two starts of her career and finished 3rd on dirt, then won a maiden special weight race on grass in fairly fast time but it was during a small period when Aqueduct's grass course was blistering fast. Has 4 more works since her last start, none that are eye catching but all done on a 7-day then 6-day splits which is what you (or at least I) want to see from grass runners instead of fast works. Kantharos - Morning Rush by Unbridled's Song. 4x4 to Storm Cat, 5(C)x5(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Mr Prospector.
8) Michele M. (15-1) started twice last year, both time on the AWT, breaking her maiden in her first start before finishing unplaced in a Canadian listed stake. She will be making her first start of this year, first start on grass in her career and first start for a new trainer that wins often on grass but tends to struggle with trainees first start on grass. West Coast - Juliamarie by Mizzen Mast. 4x4 to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Secretariat, 5(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Raise A Native. Dam line traces back to Penelope/Prunella and the most influential family #1 in bloodlines history, without a doubt.
My Risks: $5 Ex Box 6-9, $1 Tri Box 5-6-9, $5 Tri Straight 6 with 9 with 5, $1 Super Straight 5-6-9 with 5-6-9 with 5-6-9 with 8. Total Risk $27.00.
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7th Race: Maiden Special Weight --- Purse $90,000 --- 3 YOs & Up --- 1 1/16 Mile Turf:
8)Redistricting (3-1) is a first-time starter. It looks like his training started under another barn, then was a private purchase by current owner (private or purchases away from sales are not reported in most cases), then has a consistent work pattern for current trainer Brown with only one small break in his training that lasted 10 days until the day after the Ky Derby (likely concentrating on runners already entered to race). None of his works are eye catching but his last 9 works have all been at 4 furlongs officially, which is the normal Brown pattern. Kingman - Cascata by Montjeu. 4x4 to Kris, 5x4 to Northern Dancer.
1)Certified Loverboy (20-1) has started once this year where he tracked the early pace for 6 furlongs, then faded near the rail as the slow early pace quicken in a maiden race at 1 1/8 mile on grass, which is likely a little further than he is bred to excel at. Now cuts back 1/16 mile, which fits his bloodlines better and has one useful work since that start and returns to jockey who likely knows him better than others. Mendelsohn - Tasha's Moon by Malibu Moon. 4x4 to Mr. Prospector. Dam family traces back to family #3 which is the family of Sister One To True Blue, a daughter of a Byerley Turk mare who, along with her full brother Young True Blue, is most responsible for the formation of the 2nd X-factor gene family.
6)Ohana Honor (8-1) has two starts this year, the first on GP speed favoring dirt track where he tried to impact the race from well off the pace but had no real opportunity to do so. Next out, he was shipped to Aqueduct and moved to grass for the first grass start of his career where he was rolling in the stretch to just miss winning but also encountered enough trouble to make him late arriving to compete. Trainer Shug has put 6 more works in him since that effort, the first 4 useful works and then 2 easy works just to let him stretch his legs until a spot could be found to race him. Has the look of a trainer who is serious about breaking this one's maiden. Honor Code - Spacy Tracy by Awesome Again. 4x5 to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Bold Ruler, 5(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Northern Dancer. Dam has already produced 3 stakes winners from 6 known foals to race, including this one.
7)Fly Right (6-1) is making his first start of the year after making three starts last year and drew near the rail in every start, thereby forcing jockey to send him early for the lead to avoid being trapped (at least perceived by most). He has 10 works for his return, including last 9 at Belmont Park, but his last 4 works should have him fit and ready. Also goes first-time lasix. Astern - Fly By by Johar. 4x5 to Sadler's Wells, 5x5 to Danzig. 6th dam, Where You Lead, is an important and influential broodmare.
My Risks: $5 Ex Box 1-8, $1 Tri Box 1-6-8, $1 Super 8 with 1-6-7 with 1-6-7 with 1-6-7, $3 Super Straight 8 with 1 with 6 with 7. Total Risk $25.00.
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8th Race: Allowance --- Purse $80,000 --- 3 Yos & Up N/W 1x or N/W 2 lifetime NY Bred --- 1 1/16 Mile:
7) Shadow Dragon (2-1) has three starts this year, finishing 2nd in a G3 stakes in his first start then giving a half-hearted effort in his next two in G2 stakes company, races he was clearly overmatched in and thrown against them much too soon in his young career. Will find these fits his current ability much better and looks like a solid key in the pick exotics. Has 6 works since his last start and most of them shows he still has a desire to be competitive. Army Mule - Fire Assay by Medaglia D'Oro. 5x5 to Northern Dancer but also has Somethingroyal crossing in the sire line through Secretariat and in the broodmare sire line and dam line through another son Sir Gaylord(x2). Has even more crossing influence through Turn-To & Teddy through multiple sons and daughters on both sides.
6) Ormstown (5-1) broke his maiden in his last start against NY bred in the third start of his career and now tries state-bred winners for the first time. This is a fairly weak field for an allowance race and the reason I landed on this one is I feel he has an ability to rate though he went gate to wire against easier in this last (or at least his bloodlines suggest he should). Bernardini - Sandra by Bluegrass Cat. 2x4 to A.P. Indy, 4x5 to Secretariat, 5(C)x4(F)x5(F) to Mr. Prospector, 5(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Northern Dancer.
My Risks: $8 Ex Straight 7-6. Total Risk $8.00.
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Race 9: Pennine Ridge Stakes(G2) --- Purse $200,000 ---- 3 YOs ---- 1 1/8 Mile Turf:
4) Silver Knott (2-1) has one start this year and was overmatched against much better than he will see here. Will be looking to make amends for such a poor showing in last. Probably a little more eager than normal as he was fresh off a break and ended up burning all his energy before the real running began on a slow grass course. Europe does not record works between races as most works on private property and normally have to rely on what trainers tells everyone. Brings a substitute jockey along as main rider stays in England for the Epsom Derby. Lope De Vega - God Given by Nathaniel. 5(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Mr. Prospector. Lope De Vega is a son of Shamardal (from 1st crop of Giant's Causeway and dam was a full sister to Street Cry). Broodmare sire, Nathaniel, is also a 2-time G1 stakes winner on grass but is more famously known as the sire of Enable (15 wins in 19 lifetime starts).
5) Congruent (10-1) has started four times this year with a win on the AWT 2 starts back his only board finish. He switches trainers since his last start and new trainer has put 7 works in him, the first 4 looks like they were leg stretching type works to let him get a good feel of Belmont dirt surface followed by 3 good solid works with two of them grass works. Tapit - Part The Seas by Stormy Atlantic. 4x4 to Seattle Slew, 4(C)x5(C)x4(F) to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Northern Dancer, In Reality & Secretariat.
2) Sharar (12-1) is making his U.S. debut after shipping over from Dubai, switching trainers and given plenty of time to rest and become familiar with U.S. racing. Like a typical Pletcher trainee, he put in a few non-descript works but works improved in his last two after he was switched to grass, which he had already suggested in his first two starts he did not like the feel of Dubai's dirt (possibly did not care from Belmont dirt either). Upset potential at good odds. Gun Runner - Sacre Coeur by Saint Ballado. 5x4 to Herbager.
8) Far Bridge (9-5) has three starts in his career, with all 3 coming this year and he has 2 wins and a second, losing his perfect record in his last start when beaten a nose. However, I will take a stand against him for the win as his two works are typical Pletcher works, but his last was not an improvement which is normal for one of his trainees just before a start. Could be the track switch but more likely last took a little fitness from him. Your call, as he certainly has the bloodlines to beat these. English Channel - Fitpitcher by Kitten's Joy. 5x5 to Northern Dancer.
My Risks: $5 Ex Box 2-4, $1 Tri Box 2-4-5. Total Risk $16.00.
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Race 10: Maiden Claiming $40K --- Purse $45,000 ---- 3 YOs & Up New York Bred --- 1 1/16 Mile Turf:
3) War Prince (9-2) 4(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Northern Dancer.
4) Atlanta's Acuna (6-1) Complete outcross in first 5 generations.
5) Fluorescent Bay (20-1) 5x3 to Icecapade.
6) Just For Luck (12-1) 5x5 to Northern Dancer.
8) Silent Running (10-1) 5x5 to Secretariat.
9) Thethrillofvictory (5-1) Complete outcross in his first 5 generations.
10) Sea Cruise (30-1) Complete outcross in first 5 generations.
12) Bad Larry (4-1) 4(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Mr. Prospector.
No bets on this race but using these in last race of P5. Total Risk All Bets: $125.40.
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Woodbine June 3,2023:
5th Race: Maiden Special Weight --- Purse $111,600 --- 2 YOs ---- 5 Furlongs:
7) Call The Question (8-1) started once and finished last but had only 3 furlongs works with one poor gate work before that start in 4 1/2 furlongs and did not try after a poor break. Now has two more good works since that start, a 4-furlongs followed by a 3-furlongs gate work that is much better and now stretches out to 5-furlongs where she should get a better break from gate. 5(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Mr Prospector.
6) That Girl Artemus (6-1) is a first-time starter. Her 4-furlongs two back is very good followed by another good
4-furlongs work from the gate. If she breaks as well as she has shown, becomes a candidate to wire the field. 4x5 to Mr. Prospector.
2) Pipit (5-2) is a first-time starter. Has a good gate work two back at 4 furlongs followed by an easy 4 furlongs work. Attracts top jockey with an above average trainer. 4x4 to Mr. Prospector, 5x5 to Secretariat & Sir Ivor, 5(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Raise A Native, 5(C)x5(F)x5(F) to Northern Dancer.
9) Miramichi (15-1) has one start on the AWT at 4 1/2 furlongs, but drew outside on a rainy track which is usually the worst place to be, and the one just inside her got better break and she chased them throughout as they pull away while closest to the rail and she lost third at the wire to a late runner. Returns in two weeks but has another good 4 furlongs work since that start.
My Risks: $5 Ex Box 6-7, $1 Tri Box 2-6-7, $.20 Super Box 2-6-7-9, $.30 Super Straight 2-7 with 2-7 with 6-9 with 6-9. Total Risk $22.00.
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Race 7: Royal North S(Can-2) --- Purse $175,000 --- 4 YOs & Up F&M --- 6 1/2 Furlongs Turf:
2) Bay Storm (3-1) has three starts this year with 2 seconds and one third. She has been an ultra-consistent runner throughout her career, missing a placing once in her 14 lifetime starts. While this looks like a step up for her into G2 company, it is actually a step down in class as she has missed twice to odds-on G1 winning fillies in her last 5 starts while 2nd both times, including beaten a nose by one of them. She will be going back on lasix for the first time in a while. 4x4 to Storm Cat.
8) Baby No Worries (12-1) has started four times this year, winning her first start in an allowance race on the AWT at TP with a good late kick to get up in time, then finishing 2nd in a small stakes race at same track in her third start using a good late kick again to just miss before finishing 3rd in her last start against the probable favorite in here in a G3 stakes race at this track with another good late kick. She has the look of finally putting it all together as she gets more racing experience and is also moving back to grass. 5x5 to Hoist The Flag & My Charmer.
5) Our Flash Drive (9-5) has started once this year and made it a winning effort in a G3 stakes race on the AWT at her home track here. She switches back to turf here where if she has a weakness, it is on grass as only one of her stake wins have come on that surface. However, all her grass tries have been in the U.S. where the competition is usually much tougher and since she is back on her home turf, so she deserves to be the favorite. One useful work since her last start. Outcross in her first 5 generations but has Nasrullah influences on both sides.
6) Sweet Enough (20-1) has started 3 times this year in two G3 stakes and a listed stakes race in the U.S. and has not placed. However, in all three starts, she was beaten by horses that would be vying for favoritism in here and her last indicated she is near to regaining her best form. Trainer is one of Canada's best and he has put 5 more works in her, the last three very good and indicates this filly is still moving forward. She will be racing on lasix for the first time this year. 5(C)x5(C)x5(F) to Mr. Prospector.
My Risks: $5 Ex Box 2-8, $1 Tri Box 2-5-8, $.20 Super Box 2-5-6-8, $1 Super Key 2 with 5-6-8 with 5-6-8 with 5-6-8. Total Risks $26.80.
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Total Risks Both Tracks $174.80.
2023.06.02 22:50 shrubby18 2022 Accord Hybrid EX-L Impressions after 2 Months
So i used to have a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Sport and traded in that car for a used 2022 Accord Hybrid EX-L with 5k miles on it. Mostly for the better mileage 35mpg vs 48mpg advertised
Here are my initial impressions of the Honda vs a 5 year old Hyundai after a couple months.
I'll be looking to put struts on the hood and maybe there's a hack for the trunk opening?
What's everyone elses impressions/thoughts???
submitted by shrubby18 to accord [link] [comments]
Here are my initial impressions of the Honda vs a 5 year old Hyundai after a couple months.
- Honda poor turning radius, can't pull into a lot of places because i have to stop and back up and pull in. Hyundai runs circles around it. Had very little problems in the same parking lots.
- No hood struts on the Honda? Like really for the amount you pay and the hood still only has a stick to hold it up and it's a very heavy hood as a small person would probably have trouble getting open. The cheap Hyundai had it as standard.
- No door sills, Again the cheap Hyundai had at least cheap plastic ones so you don't scratch your sill getting in and out with heels or boots.
- Auto trunk opening as you stand next to it only available on touring model. Mid level Sonata sport has it standard. This is really nice if you have you hands full and you walk up and the trunk pops open.
- While the Hyundai doesn't have wireless Android Auto the add on you can by works flawless and connects every time. The Honda version is hit or miss a lot of times and when it does connect it can take several minutes if it does connect.
- Wireless charging the Hyundai doesn't have either but the after market versions do a great job while the Honda version has a hard time keeping up with the charge especially if you're Android Auto or Car play running it seems. The phone gets very hot sometimes and would do good to have some venting/cooling in that compartment. Sometimes i have to plug directly into the USB charging to get it up to a good level.
- No auto cruise control on the Hyundai model i had. The Honda seems to do weird things like wanting to follow cars off into turn lanes or brake for cars in turn lanes as you're passing them.
- No auto breaking on the Hyundai model i had. The Honda can break hard and be jerky, seems it needs some more refinement on this and still warns you to brake! haha isn't that what auto braking is supposed to do for you?
- No lane keep assist on the Hyundai model i had. This is kind of weird also as it will want you to go with the turn lane and you have to fight it to keep with the main traffic lane sometimes. It will tell you to keeps hands on the wheel on long stretches' where you don't need to steer because it's a straight so you have to move the staring wheel to appease it lol. I think this may be the reason this car was used with only 5k miles on it.
- Engine noise during acceleration on both cars are loud yes because they are 4 cylinders but i thought the Honda would be more quiet with the electric motors but it seems to sound like it straining hard.
- Both have poor interior lighting and have replaced with LED's vs incandescent bulbs. Why do they even used those anymore?
- With Hypermiling the Honda i can get 55mpg but avg 52 on my daily combined city/highway driving. The Hyundai Hypermiling the best i could get was 39mpg. Both get around 600 miles on a tank 18gals on the Hyundai vs 12gals on the Honda. While Hyundai makes a a Hybrid Sonata, i've heard stories where you can't start the car if it's left for a few days like at the airport and coming back to a dead car so i chose the Honda because of that.
- 100k mile drive train warranty standard on the Hyundai, Option to buy up on the Honda. 5yr 60k miles standard bumper to bumper on the Hyundai, 3yr 36k miles on the Honda. One of the reasons i switched from my Civics to a Sonata.
I'll be looking to put struts on the hood and maybe there's a hack for the trunk opening?
What's everyone elses impressions/thoughts???
2023.06.02 22:36 Last_Canary_6622 Travels Throughout the US: Breakdown of Notable Places Part 1
- Birmingham: I'm honestly surprised at how bad traffic can get in Birmingham, especially considering I've been in bigger cities that managed it better. I pray no major natural disaster happens in Birmingham because the location is not ideal. The city is essentially in a bowl. Zoo was neat though. Are there any particular Pan African celebrations that occur in that area because when I went, there was African decorations everywhere like a block away from the zoo? Milo's makes the best tea!!
- Daytona Beach: We rented a condo for a family reunion there when I was 12. I didn't see the "trashy" things that Daytona Beach is ragged on for now. I just remember seeing dolphins from the balcony early in the morning and kayaking in the Atlantic with my aunt. Good times.
- Destin/Ft. Walton Beach: The best sand of any beach in the US (and I've been to Oahu).
- Orlando: I went to Disney World and Sea World when I was in kindergarten in the 90s. I remember it of course being a magical time for a child but I want to go down there again one day to see the city through adult eyes.
- Panama City: Didn't go to PCB but I'm glad I got to see the area right before Hurricane Michael tore through.
- Tampa: Similar deal to Orlando but I was a little bit older and very much remember Busch Gardens and a pirate ship ride on the Gulf. Also, saw Lilo & Stitch in a theater there when it came out.
- Albany (GA): I didn't particularly stop anywhere in Albany but driving through on the way to Florida, sometimes you can just tell something is in the air. Albany was the most depressing place I've been in so far. Just gave off that vibe.
- Athens (GA): Suburbs are almost stereotypically perfect. The city has the narrowest residential streets I have ever driven on. There were some neighborhoods where I couldn't tell if I was in the ghetto or just a neighborhood of broke college kids. The asian nachos at Taqueria Tsunami are a meal in and of themselves. Love stopping in Athens for food on my way to and back from the mountains. Be careful though. Atlanta is full and once Savannah and its suburbs are full, ya'll are next.
- Atlanta: First of all, love the skyline. I'm a sucker for bright lights and skyscrapers. Friend of mine used to think that Atlanta was just tall buildings and a place people drove through rather than a place people actually lived, lol. I wonder how many wrecks were caused by something shiny. But yeah, the traffic is the 2nd worst I've ever experienced (only DC was worse and I've been to Boston). Plenty of good memories up here. Falcons games; I consider myself fortunate to have seen Tony Gonzalez play live. Also bad memories like getting blown out in a state title game. Regardless, I miss the Georgia Dome. I know this may not be popular to say on here but I enjoyed Stone Mountain for what it was: a day trip and a pretty view at the top. The park goes all out for Christmas. Would bring my own food next time though. Food recommendations: Fogo de Chao (Buckhead and Dunwoody); Fox Bros BBQ. The airport is the best in the United States. I'm impressed at how an airport that big and busy could run so smoothly compared to other airports. Funny airport stories (all of this happened on my way to San Antonio):
- On the shuttle up there, we are 15 minutes away and the older guy sitting on the seat across from me says this to the driver; one grown man to another: "Mr. Driver, can we pull over and go to the bathroom?"
- Driver: "No, we're almost there." Then this guy and the other old dude sitting next to him start talking about how holding it in can lead to increased risk of bladder cancer.
- Almost witnessed a dog fight between two pitbulls and a boxer as the pits were coming off the plane.
- Overheard two employees talking about Louis Farrakhan was visiting in a couple weeks and my mind just started forming the Christmas carol "Farrakhan is Coming to Town."
- Columbus (GA): Big for a Georgia city but just a whole of nothing with the exception of the army base and the Riverwalk area. Ziplining into Alabama over the river was a pleasure. Downtown reminds of Macon's downtown. Unfortunately, I know several smaller places that feel more alive.
- Macon: Underrated downtown. Everything south of that is just scary. Hasn't moved on from the 70s.
- Savannah: Love it everytime I go. Take a ride on the Georgia Queen. Best pecan pie I've ever had was on the riverboat ride. Was surprised to see Dolphins in the river. I'm a sucker for cobblestone streets so of course I enjoyed River Street. Passed by an accapela group singing Royals. The Low Country has the best shrimp n grits.
- Honolulu: Would move there in a heartbeat if it wasn't so expensive and so far away from the mainland US. I did not want to leave. Freshest food I've ever had. Best ice cream I've ever had was at the Dole Pineapple Factory. Did the Pearl Harbor Tour but didn't get to go on the USS Arizona because I believe they were doing some preservation treatment on it. Bluest water I've ever seen was at Hanauma Bay. Waikiki had the best sunsets I've ever seen. I remember quietly crying at the beauty all around me. Incredibly grateful I got to go before COVID. Funny enough, I saw my first organized political protest there. They were protesting the building of new condos for the sake of the employment of hotel workers.
- Boston: Boston traffic was different from what I was expecting. It wasn't that traffic was backed up, it was that it was moving. Gotta be aggressive to merge in and be aggressive with the flow. I have also never seen so many toll roads in my life. There was one literally right outside Logan right before you exit the tunnel. Almost a literal troll under the bridge. At our hotel, the Fire Lane was spelled "Frie Lane." IBut I was up there for a work trip and had to go to a suburb instead. I want to go back to Boston one day and give it a fair chance cause I didn't get to really experience it.
- Minneapolis: Perfect weather in the summer. The Minnesota accent is real. Very kind and polite people. Grateful I got to visit before the George Floyd incident.
- Kansas City: Great BBQ. I didn't get to stay long but it felt like a really big country town.
- Springfield (MO): Worth it for the Bass Pro Shop. Went there when it was the biggest one.
- St. Louis: Definitely has its issues. Most homeless people I've seen so far (haven't been to the West Coast yet). Saw one walking around with his butt hanging and I thought I saw two of them die from overdose two days in a row. St. Louis seemingly handles it homeless population better than other big cities though. You've got your stragglers but I saw most of them were confined to one park across the street from Union Station. Also has the most abandoned and boarded up buildings I've ever seen in a city that big, especially in downtown. The air smelled of cigarettes and weed. All that being said, underrated city. One of my favorite downtowns I've visited in terms of things to do. Had a lot more fun here than in KC. This city has the potential to be great again in the right hands and I pray it happens to ya'll. But seriously, you've gotta get better lights. Darkest interstate I've ever driven on at night, going from downtown to the airport.
2023.06.02 22:21 Far-Read2662 How is parking in Bondi/Tamarama with no permit midweek?
I’m not from Sydney but I’m working north of the bridge for a week soon, but friends live in Bondi who I can stay with (work isn’t covering my accommodation). I did this commute before on bus/train/bus for 1 week and it was taking me 90 minutes each way and took it out of me as I had 14-15 hour days door to door. I really don’t want to do that again. I’d like to rent a car but worried about the permit situation.
If I left Bondi by 7:30 each morning and was back 7ish in the evenings, would I find a park with no permit? I’d rather stay with friends and the drive is amazingly only 20 minutes. I’m just worried about the parking. I could just hire the car for Mon-Fri so I don’t have to deal with Bondi weekend situation.
submitted by Far-Read2662 to sydney [link] [comments]
If I left Bondi by 7:30 each morning and was back 7ish in the evenings, would I find a park with no permit? I’d rather stay with friends and the drive is amazingly only 20 minutes. I’m just worried about the parking. I could just hire the car for Mon-Fri so I don’t have to deal with Bondi weekend situation.
2023.06.02 22:09 IvorFreyrsson A Hellish Offer, Ch. 1
Greetings! I hope you enjoy this new tale I've spun up! Trying a different POV this time around. Let me know what you think.
Next
Markus gazed once more at the package. It was tubular in shape, about ten inches in length, and rattled slightly when he shook it. There was no return address, and the delivery label was obviously hand-written in a gorgeous calligraphic font. Someone definitely took their time and care in creating this.
However, he didn’t recall ordering anything, nor did he have any friends or family with a looming marriage, so this arrival warranted some concern. It smelled somewhat of a campfire, but was otherwise a normal, nondescript cardboard tube with plastic caps.
As he inhaled the scent surrounding the tube, his mind was cast back to the few camping trips he had taken with his father, and of the many blóts he had performed with his old Kindred before they disbanded. Good memories, all. With a smile on his face, he gently uncapped the tube and emptied the contents out into his heavy palm.
As he had been expecting a letter, he wasn’t disappointed. What was interesting was the fact that said letter was made of honest-to-goodness vellum. A rolled piece of vellum, kept tight by a heavy signet ring.
Markus took the vellum to the kitchen table, and gently slid the ring off of it, laying it down, ignored for now.
Whomever had sent this to him had some serious skills. He was looking at what appeared to be an illuminated invitation. The handwriting was as exquisite as the lettering on the delivery label, and was a veritable joy to read.
Dearest Markus,
I am cordially inviting you to tea.
Please meet me at Kitcho Arashiyama – Kyoto, Japan.
Enclosed, please find your ticket to Japan.
I expect to see you there in three month’s time, at four PM local time on February 14th, 2023.
Yours,
Lucifer
Markus sat the letter down beside the seal, dumbfounded. Lucifer? Either someone was attempting to draw him into another LARP, or they must have sent the message to the wrong guy. Curious, he inspected the ring.
It was a heavy ring, with a curious, angular symbol embossed on it, surrounded by an almost hypnotic pattern of lines. The same symbol was also on either side of the ring. Smirking, he took a snapshot of it with his phone and did an image search.
It was, indeed, the sigil of Lucifer. Someone must have gone to some expense for this. Remembering that the message had said something about a plane ticket, Markus snatched up the tube and shook it some more. Out floated a second item. Picking it up off the floor, Markus saw that it looked curiously like a ticket of some sort. Round-trip from Louisville to Kyoto, open-ended. Nonstop, first class. Holy shit.
In disbelief, Markus checked the ticket online. It was booked through Quantas, and was, indeed, legitimate. Sitting back in the chair, he realized that he would be going to Japan in three months.
Three months was hardly enough time to get his passport in order. Still, if someone spent this much on a flight for him, he owed it to them to do his utmost to be there on time, and at his best.
The next day, he called in to work and went to a post office in Louisville to apply for a passport. Figuring the expense would be worth it, he went ahead and got it expedited. No sense in it arriving the day after his flight. This way, he would have it around the third week of January, leaving him enough time to not panic about having everything ready.
The second most important task done, he went home and perused the web for a nice outfit to wear to his tea meeting with “Lucifer”. A new kilt, belt and boots would do the trick. He would go to a nicer store for a dress shirt once he had the items.
Markus felt invigorated for the first time in several years once he had made the purchases. His life had been fraught with one setback or disaster after another for quite some time. He and his girlfriend of five years had split up last month, both of his grandfathers had passed while they were together, and his mother, the only family he had left, had developed Alzheimer’s and had already forgotten who he was. Markus couldn’t afford to take care of her on his own, and had been forced to place her in a home. A change would be welcome.
So, he started on the hardest and most important task: learning Japanese. He had three months to get fluent enough to get by without being seen as disrespectful. He had been an avid fan of most anime and manga for nearly thirty years, and hopefully watching the subtitled anime would come in handy in this endeavor. Thinking about his upcoming trip, Markus realized he’d need somewhere to stay. He scoured the internet, looking at reviews and ads for various hotels in the area of the restaurant he’d be dining at. After several hours of searching, he selected a place called Rikyuan Kyoto Nishikyogoku. He sent them an email detailing his trip and his needs, and got a reply with the costs. He put it on a credit card, and felt one more piece of the puzzle slip into place.
Markus made the necessary arrangements at work the next day, “planning” on two full weeks of being gone. Thankfully, his company was extremely flexible, and allowed him to take the required days off, no questions asked. When not working, Markus was deep in his Japanese lessons, cross-referencing what he heard in his anime with what he was learning. It took almost the entire three months, but by the end of it, he was watching entire episodes of “One-Punch Man” without subtitles and understanding about eighty percent of it.
Reading the katakana and hiragana, however, was proving to be a little more difficult. He could recognize the symbols for the various shops and restaurants, but was far from reading a newspaper.
On February tenth, he checked that the ticket was still valid, and packed enough for a month away. It was a depressingly small, single bag that he wound up having. Since a kilt was easy to care for, and he would be wearing a second one anyway, all he really had to pack were a few shirts, socks and underwear for the trip alongside his small bag of toiletries.
Once he was fully packed, he went about his life as usual. Work, eat, video games, sleep, and repeat. There was little in the way of friends, and no family left to visit besides his mother, who sadly never recognized him.
The day before his flight left, he decided to visit his mother one last time. He drove himself to the retirement home, and signed himself in to see her. It was a bright, if cold, afternoon.
Knocking on her door, he called out, “Hello? Mom? It’s me, Markus. May I come in?”
“Markus? Markus, Markus…. Now where have I heard that name before? Oh! Yes, please come in!” she replied.
Opening the door, he was surprised to see his mother in a bathrobe with a broad smile and outstretched arms. “My son! I’ve missed you. Your father is at work, but he should be home in an hour or so. I have some tea in the fridge. Would you like some?” she asked, her soft voice as pleasant as it ever was in his childhood. She wrapped him up in a warm, if weak, hug in her fragile arms.
“No thanks, Mom. I’ll get some water, instead. Can I get you a glass, too?” he replied.
“Oh, please. I’d appreciate that. I’ll just have a seat, then,” she said, taking a seat on the small chair at the writing desk.
Markus got two glasses of water from the tap, handed one to his mother and sat in a chair. “Mom? I’ve got something to tell you. Promise you won’t get mad?”
“I promise, son. Now, what is it?”
“I’m going on a trip tomorrow. To Kyoto for a business meeting. I don’t know when I’ll return,” he said softly.
“Oh! My boy is finally getting to travel. Your father will be so proud of you. He should be home soon, you know,” she said, taking a sip of her water.
Markus’ breath hitched at the second mention of his father, who had been dead and gone these past seventeen years. Forcing a smile, he said, “Yeah, Mom. You know how dad is, though. He works so much to make sure we have what we need.”
“He sure does, Markus. I do hope you get to see him before you leave. It’d mean the world to him. So! What’s this business meeting about?” she asked happily.
“Well, I’m not sure, if I’m honest. I just got a letter to meet someone in Kyoto. They included an open-ended plane ticket and everything. I checked everything out, and it’s all legitimate. It’s probably something pretty important. I just wish I knew why they chose a relative nobody like me,” he replied, deep in thought.
“It’s because my son is an amazing person. That’s why. I just know it,” she said, setting down her mostly untouched water on the writing desk. “I’m getting tired, now. Come see me again soon? I miss you so much,” she pleaded.
“Okay, Mom. As soon as I can. Let me help you to bed, okay? I know you’re tired,” Markus said, offering an arm to his mother.
“You’re such a sweet boy. You got that from your father, you know.”
His mother grunted softly as she climbed into bed, pulling the covers over her shoulders.
“I love you, Mom. Get some rest, and I’ll come see you as soon as I can, okay?”
“Okay, sweetheart. He’ll take care of you, you know.”
“Who will, Mom?”
“The man you’re going to meet for tea. He’ll take care of you. I’m sure of it,” she said sleepily.
“...meet for tea? What? I never…”
But Markus’ mother was already fast asleep, snoring softly. Markus looked at his mother in wonder. Shaking his head, he kissed her forehead and walked out of her room, shutting the door as quietly as he could manage.
He walked to the front desk and informed the receptionist that his mother was asleep, and that he would be leaving in the morning for Japan, in case she asked about him.
“Oh, that sounds wonderful, sir! I hope you enjoy your trip. I’ll make sure the aides know that she is asleep. Thank you for visiting her. I know it’s hard, but it does help them. Even when they don’t recognize you, connecting to their past is always helpful. Please be safe,” he said.
“Thank you. I will be. Take care of her, okay?” Markus asked softly, swallowing past the tight lump in his throat.
The receptionist nodded with a smile, and Markus went home, crying silently.
Obscenely early the next morning, Markus tossed his travel bag into his car and drove off to the airport. The drive was thankfully smooth and without any serious traffic. He got a decent spot in the long term parking lot, and went to check in to his flight.
Surprisingly enough, the wait for check-in was short and quick, allowing him to get to his gate with over an hour to spare. With such ample time, Markus got breakfast, and was able to savor the mostly bland fare. The boarding process was quick and efficient, and the other passengers were mostly quiet and tired. This allowed them to be able to leave a full fifteen minutes early, and Markus was soon on his way to Kyoto.
He found himself the only resident of first class, oddly enough. He and the flight attendant spoke cordially a few times, and he busied himself on his phone for most of the trip, napping occasionally for the nearly fourteen hour flight.
He was gently awoken by his flight attendant. “Markus? We will be landing soon. I need you to sit up and get your seatbelt on, okay?” she said softly.
“Hrmm? Oh. Okay, Sophia. I’m up. Thank you,” he replied with a smile. Sophia nodded and went to buckle herself in as well.
Safely buckled, Markus awaited the plane’s touchdown.
The plane landed, and all passengers disembarked just as orderly and quietly as they boarded. Once his bag had been claimed, Markus left the airport, and took his first breath of the air in Kyoto.
The air was cold, clean and crisp, with a promise of snow in the future. Markus had been busy during his flight, checking on the best ways to get to his destination. He settled on taking a bus, and then a train, as that was an experience he’d never had. Markus oriented himself, finding the correct stop, and sat down on a nearby bench to wait.
His adventure in Japan had just begun.
Next
Hey! I’m also uploading my work on RoyalRoad! Here is my profile IvorFreyrsson
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Master List
submitted by IvorFreyrsson to HFY [link] [comments]
Next
Markus gazed once more at the package. It was tubular in shape, about ten inches in length, and rattled slightly when he shook it. There was no return address, and the delivery label was obviously hand-written in a gorgeous calligraphic font. Someone definitely took their time and care in creating this.
However, he didn’t recall ordering anything, nor did he have any friends or family with a looming marriage, so this arrival warranted some concern. It smelled somewhat of a campfire, but was otherwise a normal, nondescript cardboard tube with plastic caps.
As he inhaled the scent surrounding the tube, his mind was cast back to the few camping trips he had taken with his father, and of the many blóts he had performed with his old Kindred before they disbanded. Good memories, all. With a smile on his face, he gently uncapped the tube and emptied the contents out into his heavy palm.
As he had been expecting a letter, he wasn’t disappointed. What was interesting was the fact that said letter was made of honest-to-goodness vellum. A rolled piece of vellum, kept tight by a heavy signet ring.
Markus took the vellum to the kitchen table, and gently slid the ring off of it, laying it down, ignored for now.
Whomever had sent this to him had some serious skills. He was looking at what appeared to be an illuminated invitation. The handwriting was as exquisite as the lettering on the delivery label, and was a veritable joy to read.
Dearest Markus,
I am cordially inviting you to tea.
Please meet me at Kitcho Arashiyama – Kyoto, Japan.
Enclosed, please find your ticket to Japan.
I expect to see you there in three month’s time, at four PM local time on February 14th, 2023.
Yours,
Lucifer
Markus sat the letter down beside the seal, dumbfounded. Lucifer? Either someone was attempting to draw him into another LARP, or they must have sent the message to the wrong guy. Curious, he inspected the ring.
It was a heavy ring, with a curious, angular symbol embossed on it, surrounded by an almost hypnotic pattern of lines. The same symbol was also on either side of the ring. Smirking, he took a snapshot of it with his phone and did an image search.
It was, indeed, the sigil of Lucifer. Someone must have gone to some expense for this. Remembering that the message had said something about a plane ticket, Markus snatched up the tube and shook it some more. Out floated a second item. Picking it up off the floor, Markus saw that it looked curiously like a ticket of some sort. Round-trip from Louisville to Kyoto, open-ended. Nonstop, first class. Holy shit.
In disbelief, Markus checked the ticket online. It was booked through Quantas, and was, indeed, legitimate. Sitting back in the chair, he realized that he would be going to Japan in three months.
Three months was hardly enough time to get his passport in order. Still, if someone spent this much on a flight for him, he owed it to them to do his utmost to be there on time, and at his best.
The next day, he called in to work and went to a post office in Louisville to apply for a passport. Figuring the expense would be worth it, he went ahead and got it expedited. No sense in it arriving the day after his flight. This way, he would have it around the third week of January, leaving him enough time to not panic about having everything ready.
The second most important task done, he went home and perused the web for a nice outfit to wear to his tea meeting with “Lucifer”. A new kilt, belt and boots would do the trick. He would go to a nicer store for a dress shirt once he had the items.
Markus felt invigorated for the first time in several years once he had made the purchases. His life had been fraught with one setback or disaster after another for quite some time. He and his girlfriend of five years had split up last month, both of his grandfathers had passed while they were together, and his mother, the only family he had left, had developed Alzheimer’s and had already forgotten who he was. Markus couldn’t afford to take care of her on his own, and had been forced to place her in a home. A change would be welcome.
So, he started on the hardest and most important task: learning Japanese. He had three months to get fluent enough to get by without being seen as disrespectful. He had been an avid fan of most anime and manga for nearly thirty years, and hopefully watching the subtitled anime would come in handy in this endeavor. Thinking about his upcoming trip, Markus realized he’d need somewhere to stay. He scoured the internet, looking at reviews and ads for various hotels in the area of the restaurant he’d be dining at. After several hours of searching, he selected a place called Rikyuan Kyoto Nishikyogoku. He sent them an email detailing his trip and his needs, and got a reply with the costs. He put it on a credit card, and felt one more piece of the puzzle slip into place.
Markus made the necessary arrangements at work the next day, “planning” on two full weeks of being gone. Thankfully, his company was extremely flexible, and allowed him to take the required days off, no questions asked. When not working, Markus was deep in his Japanese lessons, cross-referencing what he heard in his anime with what he was learning. It took almost the entire three months, but by the end of it, he was watching entire episodes of “One-Punch Man” without subtitles and understanding about eighty percent of it.
Reading the katakana and hiragana, however, was proving to be a little more difficult. He could recognize the symbols for the various shops and restaurants, but was far from reading a newspaper.
On February tenth, he checked that the ticket was still valid, and packed enough for a month away. It was a depressingly small, single bag that he wound up having. Since a kilt was easy to care for, and he would be wearing a second one anyway, all he really had to pack were a few shirts, socks and underwear for the trip alongside his small bag of toiletries.
Once he was fully packed, he went about his life as usual. Work, eat, video games, sleep, and repeat. There was little in the way of friends, and no family left to visit besides his mother, who sadly never recognized him.
The day before his flight left, he decided to visit his mother one last time. He drove himself to the retirement home, and signed himself in to see her. It was a bright, if cold, afternoon.
Knocking on her door, he called out, “Hello? Mom? It’s me, Markus. May I come in?”
“Markus? Markus, Markus…. Now where have I heard that name before? Oh! Yes, please come in!” she replied.
Opening the door, he was surprised to see his mother in a bathrobe with a broad smile and outstretched arms. “My son! I’ve missed you. Your father is at work, but he should be home in an hour or so. I have some tea in the fridge. Would you like some?” she asked, her soft voice as pleasant as it ever was in his childhood. She wrapped him up in a warm, if weak, hug in her fragile arms.
“No thanks, Mom. I’ll get some water, instead. Can I get you a glass, too?” he replied.
“Oh, please. I’d appreciate that. I’ll just have a seat, then,” she said, taking a seat on the small chair at the writing desk.
Markus got two glasses of water from the tap, handed one to his mother and sat in a chair. “Mom? I’ve got something to tell you. Promise you won’t get mad?”
“I promise, son. Now, what is it?”
“I’m going on a trip tomorrow. To Kyoto for a business meeting. I don’t know when I’ll return,” he said softly.
“Oh! My boy is finally getting to travel. Your father will be so proud of you. He should be home soon, you know,” she said, taking a sip of her water.
Markus’ breath hitched at the second mention of his father, who had been dead and gone these past seventeen years. Forcing a smile, he said, “Yeah, Mom. You know how dad is, though. He works so much to make sure we have what we need.”
“He sure does, Markus. I do hope you get to see him before you leave. It’d mean the world to him. So! What’s this business meeting about?” she asked happily.
“Well, I’m not sure, if I’m honest. I just got a letter to meet someone in Kyoto. They included an open-ended plane ticket and everything. I checked everything out, and it’s all legitimate. It’s probably something pretty important. I just wish I knew why they chose a relative nobody like me,” he replied, deep in thought.
“It’s because my son is an amazing person. That’s why. I just know it,” she said, setting down her mostly untouched water on the writing desk. “I’m getting tired, now. Come see me again soon? I miss you so much,” she pleaded.
“Okay, Mom. As soon as I can. Let me help you to bed, okay? I know you’re tired,” Markus said, offering an arm to his mother.
“You’re such a sweet boy. You got that from your father, you know.”
His mother grunted softly as she climbed into bed, pulling the covers over her shoulders.
“I love you, Mom. Get some rest, and I’ll come see you as soon as I can, okay?”
“Okay, sweetheart. He’ll take care of you, you know.”
“Who will, Mom?”
“The man you’re going to meet for tea. He’ll take care of you. I’m sure of it,” she said sleepily.
“...meet for tea? What? I never…”
But Markus’ mother was already fast asleep, snoring softly. Markus looked at his mother in wonder. Shaking his head, he kissed her forehead and walked out of her room, shutting the door as quietly as he could manage.
He walked to the front desk and informed the receptionist that his mother was asleep, and that he would be leaving in the morning for Japan, in case she asked about him.
“Oh, that sounds wonderful, sir! I hope you enjoy your trip. I’ll make sure the aides know that she is asleep. Thank you for visiting her. I know it’s hard, but it does help them. Even when they don’t recognize you, connecting to their past is always helpful. Please be safe,” he said.
“Thank you. I will be. Take care of her, okay?” Markus asked softly, swallowing past the tight lump in his throat.
The receptionist nodded with a smile, and Markus went home, crying silently.
Obscenely early the next morning, Markus tossed his travel bag into his car and drove off to the airport. The drive was thankfully smooth and without any serious traffic. He got a decent spot in the long term parking lot, and went to check in to his flight.
Surprisingly enough, the wait for check-in was short and quick, allowing him to get to his gate with over an hour to spare. With such ample time, Markus got breakfast, and was able to savor the mostly bland fare. The boarding process was quick and efficient, and the other passengers were mostly quiet and tired. This allowed them to be able to leave a full fifteen minutes early, and Markus was soon on his way to Kyoto.
He found himself the only resident of first class, oddly enough. He and the flight attendant spoke cordially a few times, and he busied himself on his phone for most of the trip, napping occasionally for the nearly fourteen hour flight.
He was gently awoken by his flight attendant. “Markus? We will be landing soon. I need you to sit up and get your seatbelt on, okay?” she said softly.
“Hrmm? Oh. Okay, Sophia. I’m up. Thank you,” he replied with a smile. Sophia nodded and went to buckle herself in as well.
Safely buckled, Markus awaited the plane’s touchdown.
The plane landed, and all passengers disembarked just as orderly and quietly as they boarded. Once his bag had been claimed, Markus left the airport, and took his first breath of the air in Kyoto.
The air was cold, clean and crisp, with a promise of snow in the future. Markus had been busy during his flight, checking on the best ways to get to his destination. He settled on taking a bus, and then a train, as that was an experience he’d never had. Markus oriented himself, finding the correct stop, and sat down on a nearby bench to wait.
His adventure in Japan had just begun.
Next
Hey! I’m also uploading my work on RoyalRoad! Here is my profile IvorFreyrsson
Join me over at Words_From_Ivor for more!
Master List
2023.06.02 22:09 IvorFreyrsson A Hellish Offer
Greetings! I hope you enjoy this new tale I've spun up! Trying a different POV this time around. Let me know what you think.
Markus gazed once more at the package. It was tubular in shape, about ten inches in length, and rattled slightly when he shook it. There was no return address, and the delivery label was obviously hand-written in a gorgeous calligraphic font. Someone definitely took their time and care in creating this.
However, he didn’t recall ordering anything, nor did he have any friends or family with a looming marriage, so this arrival warranted some concern. It smelled somewhat of a campfire, but was otherwise a normal, nondescript cardboard tube with plastic caps.
As he inhaled the scent surrounding the tube, his mind was cast back to the few camping trips he had taken with his father, and of the many blóts he had performed with his old Kindred before they disbanded. Good memories, all. With a smile on his face, he gently uncapped the tube and emptied the contents out into his heavy palm.
As he had been expecting a letter, he wasn’t disappointed. What was interesting was the fact that said letter was made of honest-to-goodness vellum. A rolled piece of vellum, kept tight by a heavy signet ring.
Markus took the vellum to the kitchen table, and gently slid the ring off of it, laying it down, ignored for now.
Whomever had sent this to him had some serious skills. He was looking at what appeared to be an illuminated invitation. The handwriting was as exquisite as the lettering on the delivery label, and was a veritable joy to read.
Dearest Markus,
I am cordially inviting you to tea.
Please meet me at Kitcho Arashiyama – Kyoto, Japan.
Enclosed, please find your ticket to Japan.
I expect to see you there in three month’s time, at four PM local time on February 14th, 2023.
Yours,
Lucifer
Markus sat the letter down beside the seal, dumbfounded. Lucifer? Either someone was attempting to draw him into another LARP, or they must have sent the message to the wrong guy. Curious, he inspected the ring.
It was a heavy ring, with a curious, angular symbol embossed on it, surrounded by an almost hypnotic pattern of lines. The same symbol was also on either side of the ring. Smirking, he took a snapshot of it with his phone and did an image search.
It was, indeed, the sigil of Lucifer. Someone must have gone to some expense for this. Remembering that the message had said something about a plane ticket, Markus snatched up the tube and shook it some more. Out floated a second item. Picking it up off the floor, Markus saw that it looked curiously like a ticket of some sort. Round-trip from Louisville to Kyoto, open-ended. Nonstop, first class. Holy shit.
In disbelief, Markus checked the ticket online. It was booked through Quantas, and was, indeed, legitimate. Sitting back in the chair, he realized that he would be going to Japan in three months.
Three months was hardly enough time to get his passport in order. Still, if someone spent this much on a flight for him, he owed it to them to do his utmost to be there on time, and at his best.
The next day, he called in to work and went to a post office in Louisville to apply for a passport. Figuring the expense would be worth it, he went ahead and got it expedited. No sense in it arriving the day after his flight. This way, he would have it around the third week of January, leaving him enough time to not panic about having everything ready.
The second most important task done, he went home and perused the web for a nice outfit to wear to his tea meeting with “Lucifer”. A new kilt, belt and boots would do the trick. He would go to a nicer store for a dress shirt once he had the items.
Markus felt invigorated for the first time in several years once he had made the purchases. His life had been fraught with one setback or disaster after another for quite some time. He and his girlfriend of five years had split up last month, both of his grandfathers had passed while they were together, and his mother, the only family he had left, had developed Alzheimer’s and had already forgotten who he was. Markus couldn’t afford to take care of her on his own, and had been forced to place her in a home. A change would be welcome.
So, he started on the hardest and most important task: learning Japanese. He had three months to get fluent enough to get by without being seen as disrespectful. He had been an avid fan of most anime and manga for nearly thirty years, and hopefully watching the subtitled anime would come in handy in this endeavor. Thinking about his upcoming trip, Markus realized he’d need somewhere to stay. He scoured the internet, looking at reviews and ads for various hotels in the area of the restaurant he’d be dining at. After several hours of searching, he selected a place called Rikyuan Kyoto Nishikyogoku. He sent them an email detailing his trip and his needs, and got a reply with the costs. He put it on a credit card, and felt one more piece of the puzzle slip into place.
Markus made the necessary arrangements at work the next day, “planning” on two full weeks of being gone. Thankfully, his company was extremely flexible, and allowed him to take the required days off, no questions asked. When not working, Markus was deep in his Japanese lessons, cross-referencing what he heard in his anime with what he was learning. It took almost the entire three months, but by the end of it, he was watching entire episodes of “One-Punch Man” without subtitles and understanding about eighty percent of it.
Reading the katakana and hiragana, however, was proving to be a little more difficult. He could recognize the symbols for the various shops and restaurants, but was far from reading a newspaper.
On February tenth, he checked that the ticket was still valid, and packed enough for a month away. It was a depressingly small, single bag that he wound up having. Since a kilt was easy to care for, and he would be wearing a second one anyway, all he really had to pack were a few shirts, socks and underwear for the trip alongside his small bag of toiletries.
Once he was fully packed, he went about his life as usual. Work, eat, video games, sleep, and repeat. There was little in the way of friends, and no family left to visit besides his mother, who sadly never recognized him.
The day before his flight left, he decided to visit his mother one last time. He drove himself to the retirement home, and signed himself in to see her. It was a bright, if cold, afternoon.
Knocking on her door, he called out, “Hello? Mom? It’s me, Markus. May I come in?”
“Markus? Markus, Markus…. Now where have I heard that name before? Oh! Yes, please come in!” she replied.
Opening the door, he was pleasantly surprised to see his mother in a bathrobe with a broad smile and outstretched arms. “My son! I’ve missed you. Your father is at work, but he should be home in an hour or so. I have some tea in the fridge. Would you like some?” she asked, her soft voice as pleasant as it ever was in his childhood. She wrapped him up in a warm, if weak, hug in her fragile arms.
“No thanks, Mom. I’ll get some water, instead. Can I get you a glass, too?” he replied.
“Oh, please. I’d appreciate that. I’ll just have a seat, then,” she said, taking a seat on the small chair at the writing desk.
Markus got two glasses of water from the tap, handed one to his mother and sat in a chair. “Mom? I’ve got something to tell you. Promise you won’t get mad?”
“I promise, son. Now, what is it?”
“I’m going on a trip tomorrow. To Kyoto for a business meeting. I don’t know when I’ll return,” he said softly.
“Oh! My boy is finally getting to travel. Your father will be so proud of you. He should be home soon, you know,” she said, taking a sip of her water.
Markus’ breath hitched at the second mention of his father, who had been dead and gone these past seventeen years. Forcing a smile, he said, “Yeah, Mom. You know how dad is, though. He works so much to make sure we have what we need.”
“He sure does, Markus. I do hope you get to see him before you leave. It’d mean the world to him. So! What’s this business meeting about?” she asked happily.
“Well, I’m not sure, if I’m honest. I just got a letter to meet someone in Kyoto. They included an open-ended plane ticket and everything. I checked everything out, and it’s all legitimate. It’s probably something pretty important. I just wish I knew why they chose a relative nobody like me,” he replied, deep in thought.
“It’s because my son is an amazing person. That’s why. I just know it,” she said, setting down her water on the writing desk. “I’m getting tired, now. Come see me again soon? I miss you so much,” she pleaded.
“Okay, Mom. As soon as I can. Let me help you to bed, okay? I know you’re tired,” Markus said, offering an arm to his mother.
“You’re such a sweet boy. You got that from your father, you know.”
His mother grunted softly as she climbed into bed, pulling the covers over her shoulders.
“I love you, Mom. Get some rest, and I’ll come see you as soon as I can, okay?”
“Okay, sweetheart. He’ll take care of you, you know.”
“Who will, Mom?”
“The man you’re going to meet for tea. He’ll take care of you. I’m sure of it,” she said sleepily.
“...meet for tea? What? I never…”
But Markus’ mother was already fast asleep, snoring softly. Markus looked at his mother in wonder. Shaking his head, he kissed her forehead and walked out of her room, shutting the door as quietly as he could manage.
He walked to the front desk and informed the receptionist that his mother was asleep, and that he would be leaving in the morning for Japan, in case she asked about him.
“Oh, that sounds wonderful, sir! I hope you enjoy your trip. I’ll make sure the aides know that she is asleep. Thank you for visiting her. I know it’s hard, but it does help them. Even when they don’t recognize you, connecting to their past is always helpful. Please be safe,” he said.
“Thank you. I will be. Take care of her, okay?” Markus asked softly, swallowing past the tight lump in his throat.
The receptionist nodded with a smile, and Markus went home, crying silently.
************
Obscenely early the next morning, Markus tossed his travel bag into his car and drove off to the airport. The drive was thankfully smooth and without any serious traffic. He got a decent spot in the long term parking lot, and went to check in to his flight.
Surprisingly enough, the wait for check-in was short and quick, allowing him to get to his gate with over an hour to spare. With ample time, Markus got breakfast, and was able to savor the mostly bland fare. The boarding process was quick and efficient, and the other passengers were mostly quiet and tired. This allowed them to be able to leave a full fifteen minutes early, and Markus was soon on his way to Kyoto.
He found himself the only resident of first class, oddly enough. He and the flight attendant spoke cordially a few times, and he busied himself on his phone for most of the trip, napping occasionally for the nearly fourteen hour flight.
He was gently awoken by his flight attendant. “Markus? We will be landing soon. I need you to sit up and get your seatbelt on, okay?” she said softly.
“Hrmm? Oh. Okay, Sophia. I’m up. Thank you,” he replied with a smile. Sophia nodded and went to buckle herself in as well.
Safely buckled, Markus awaited the plane’s touchdown.
The plane landed, and all passengers disembarked just as orderly and quietly as they boarded. Once his bag had been claimed, Markus left the airport, and took his first breath of the air in Kyoto.
The air was cold, clean and crisp, with a promise of snow in the future. Markus had been busy during his flight, checking on the best ways to get to his destination. He settled on taking a bus, and then a train, as that was an experience he’d never had. Markus oriented himself, and found the correct stop, and sat down on a nearby bench to wait.
His adventure in Japan had just begun.
submitted by IvorFreyrsson to Words_From_Ivor [link] [comments]
Markus gazed once more at the package. It was tubular in shape, about ten inches in length, and rattled slightly when he shook it. There was no return address, and the delivery label was obviously hand-written in a gorgeous calligraphic font. Someone definitely took their time and care in creating this.
However, he didn’t recall ordering anything, nor did he have any friends or family with a looming marriage, so this arrival warranted some concern. It smelled somewhat of a campfire, but was otherwise a normal, nondescript cardboard tube with plastic caps.
As he inhaled the scent surrounding the tube, his mind was cast back to the few camping trips he had taken with his father, and of the many blóts he had performed with his old Kindred before they disbanded. Good memories, all. With a smile on his face, he gently uncapped the tube and emptied the contents out into his heavy palm.
As he had been expecting a letter, he wasn’t disappointed. What was interesting was the fact that said letter was made of honest-to-goodness vellum. A rolled piece of vellum, kept tight by a heavy signet ring.
Markus took the vellum to the kitchen table, and gently slid the ring off of it, laying it down, ignored for now.
Whomever had sent this to him had some serious skills. He was looking at what appeared to be an illuminated invitation. The handwriting was as exquisite as the lettering on the delivery label, and was a veritable joy to read.
Dearest Markus,
I am cordially inviting you to tea.
Please meet me at Kitcho Arashiyama – Kyoto, Japan.
Enclosed, please find your ticket to Japan.
I expect to see you there in three month’s time, at four PM local time on February 14th, 2023.
Yours,
Lucifer
Markus sat the letter down beside the seal, dumbfounded. Lucifer? Either someone was attempting to draw him into another LARP, or they must have sent the message to the wrong guy. Curious, he inspected the ring.
It was a heavy ring, with a curious, angular symbol embossed on it, surrounded by an almost hypnotic pattern of lines. The same symbol was also on either side of the ring. Smirking, he took a snapshot of it with his phone and did an image search.
It was, indeed, the sigil of Lucifer. Someone must have gone to some expense for this. Remembering that the message had said something about a plane ticket, Markus snatched up the tube and shook it some more. Out floated a second item. Picking it up off the floor, Markus saw that it looked curiously like a ticket of some sort. Round-trip from Louisville to Kyoto, open-ended. Nonstop, first class. Holy shit.
In disbelief, Markus checked the ticket online. It was booked through Quantas, and was, indeed, legitimate. Sitting back in the chair, he realized that he would be going to Japan in three months.
Three months was hardly enough time to get his passport in order. Still, if someone spent this much on a flight for him, he owed it to them to do his utmost to be there on time, and at his best.
The next day, he called in to work and went to a post office in Louisville to apply for a passport. Figuring the expense would be worth it, he went ahead and got it expedited. No sense in it arriving the day after his flight. This way, he would have it around the third week of January, leaving him enough time to not panic about having everything ready.
The second most important task done, he went home and perused the web for a nice outfit to wear to his tea meeting with “Lucifer”. A new kilt, belt and boots would do the trick. He would go to a nicer store for a dress shirt once he had the items.
Markus felt invigorated for the first time in several years once he had made the purchases. His life had been fraught with one setback or disaster after another for quite some time. He and his girlfriend of five years had split up last month, both of his grandfathers had passed while they were together, and his mother, the only family he had left, had developed Alzheimer’s and had already forgotten who he was. Markus couldn’t afford to take care of her on his own, and had been forced to place her in a home. A change would be welcome.
So, he started on the hardest and most important task: learning Japanese. He had three months to get fluent enough to get by without being seen as disrespectful. He had been an avid fan of most anime and manga for nearly thirty years, and hopefully watching the subtitled anime would come in handy in this endeavor. Thinking about his upcoming trip, Markus realized he’d need somewhere to stay. He scoured the internet, looking at reviews and ads for various hotels in the area of the restaurant he’d be dining at. After several hours of searching, he selected a place called Rikyuan Kyoto Nishikyogoku. He sent them an email detailing his trip and his needs, and got a reply with the costs. He put it on a credit card, and felt one more piece of the puzzle slip into place.
Markus made the necessary arrangements at work the next day, “planning” on two full weeks of being gone. Thankfully, his company was extremely flexible, and allowed him to take the required days off, no questions asked. When not working, Markus was deep in his Japanese lessons, cross-referencing what he heard in his anime with what he was learning. It took almost the entire three months, but by the end of it, he was watching entire episodes of “One-Punch Man” without subtitles and understanding about eighty percent of it.
Reading the katakana and hiragana, however, was proving to be a little more difficult. He could recognize the symbols for the various shops and restaurants, but was far from reading a newspaper.
On February tenth, he checked that the ticket was still valid, and packed enough for a month away. It was a depressingly small, single bag that he wound up having. Since a kilt was easy to care for, and he would be wearing a second one anyway, all he really had to pack were a few shirts, socks and underwear for the trip alongside his small bag of toiletries.
Once he was fully packed, he went about his life as usual. Work, eat, video games, sleep, and repeat. There was little in the way of friends, and no family left to visit besides his mother, who sadly never recognized him.
The day before his flight left, he decided to visit his mother one last time. He drove himself to the retirement home, and signed himself in to see her. It was a bright, if cold, afternoon.
Knocking on her door, he called out, “Hello? Mom? It’s me, Markus. May I come in?”
“Markus? Markus, Markus…. Now where have I heard that name before? Oh! Yes, please come in!” she replied.
Opening the door, he was pleasantly surprised to see his mother in a bathrobe with a broad smile and outstretched arms. “My son! I’ve missed you. Your father is at work, but he should be home in an hour or so. I have some tea in the fridge. Would you like some?” she asked, her soft voice as pleasant as it ever was in his childhood. She wrapped him up in a warm, if weak, hug in her fragile arms.
“No thanks, Mom. I’ll get some water, instead. Can I get you a glass, too?” he replied.
“Oh, please. I’d appreciate that. I’ll just have a seat, then,” she said, taking a seat on the small chair at the writing desk.
Markus got two glasses of water from the tap, handed one to his mother and sat in a chair. “Mom? I’ve got something to tell you. Promise you won’t get mad?”
“I promise, son. Now, what is it?”
“I’m going on a trip tomorrow. To Kyoto for a business meeting. I don’t know when I’ll return,” he said softly.
“Oh! My boy is finally getting to travel. Your father will be so proud of you. He should be home soon, you know,” she said, taking a sip of her water.
Markus’ breath hitched at the second mention of his father, who had been dead and gone these past seventeen years. Forcing a smile, he said, “Yeah, Mom. You know how dad is, though. He works so much to make sure we have what we need.”
“He sure does, Markus. I do hope you get to see him before you leave. It’d mean the world to him. So! What’s this business meeting about?” she asked happily.
“Well, I’m not sure, if I’m honest. I just got a letter to meet someone in Kyoto. They included an open-ended plane ticket and everything. I checked everything out, and it’s all legitimate. It’s probably something pretty important. I just wish I knew why they chose a relative nobody like me,” he replied, deep in thought.
“It’s because my son is an amazing person. That’s why. I just know it,” she said, setting down her water on the writing desk. “I’m getting tired, now. Come see me again soon? I miss you so much,” she pleaded.
“Okay, Mom. As soon as I can. Let me help you to bed, okay? I know you’re tired,” Markus said, offering an arm to his mother.
“You’re such a sweet boy. You got that from your father, you know.”
His mother grunted softly as she climbed into bed, pulling the covers over her shoulders.
“I love you, Mom. Get some rest, and I’ll come see you as soon as I can, okay?”
“Okay, sweetheart. He’ll take care of you, you know.”
“Who will, Mom?”
“The man you’re going to meet for tea. He’ll take care of you. I’m sure of it,” she said sleepily.
“...meet for tea? What? I never…”
But Markus’ mother was already fast asleep, snoring softly. Markus looked at his mother in wonder. Shaking his head, he kissed her forehead and walked out of her room, shutting the door as quietly as he could manage.
He walked to the front desk and informed the receptionist that his mother was asleep, and that he would be leaving in the morning for Japan, in case she asked about him.
“Oh, that sounds wonderful, sir! I hope you enjoy your trip. I’ll make sure the aides know that she is asleep. Thank you for visiting her. I know it’s hard, but it does help them. Even when they don’t recognize you, connecting to their past is always helpful. Please be safe,” he said.
“Thank you. I will be. Take care of her, okay?” Markus asked softly, swallowing past the tight lump in his throat.
The receptionist nodded with a smile, and Markus went home, crying silently.
************
Obscenely early the next morning, Markus tossed his travel bag into his car and drove off to the airport. The drive was thankfully smooth and without any serious traffic. He got a decent spot in the long term parking lot, and went to check in to his flight.
Surprisingly enough, the wait for check-in was short and quick, allowing him to get to his gate with over an hour to spare. With ample time, Markus got breakfast, and was able to savor the mostly bland fare. The boarding process was quick and efficient, and the other passengers were mostly quiet and tired. This allowed them to be able to leave a full fifteen minutes early, and Markus was soon on his way to Kyoto.
He found himself the only resident of first class, oddly enough. He and the flight attendant spoke cordially a few times, and he busied himself on his phone for most of the trip, napping occasionally for the nearly fourteen hour flight.
He was gently awoken by his flight attendant. “Markus? We will be landing soon. I need you to sit up and get your seatbelt on, okay?” she said softly.
“Hrmm? Oh. Okay, Sophia. I’m up. Thank you,” he replied with a smile. Sophia nodded and went to buckle herself in as well.
Safely buckled, Markus awaited the plane’s touchdown.
The plane landed, and all passengers disembarked just as orderly and quietly as they boarded. Once his bag had been claimed, Markus left the airport, and took his first breath of the air in Kyoto.
The air was cold, clean and crisp, with a promise of snow in the future. Markus had been busy during his flight, checking on the best ways to get to his destination. He settled on taking a bus, and then a train, as that was an experience he’d never had. Markus oriented himself, and found the correct stop, and sat down on a nearby bench to wait.
His adventure in Japan had just begun.
2023.06.02 22:01 sremmis_eelyab Utah road trip in September
Greetings!
I want to go to UT this September. My plan is to hit arches, Bryce and Zion national parks. The order of which those happen depends on where we fly into. Should we fly into Vegas or Salt Lake City and should we leave from the opposite of the start (Vegas if flying into SLC or leave from SLC if flying into vegas)? OR, should one try to do a round trip from the same airport? I like the idea of flying into SLC and finishing in Vegas (spending an evening there to enjoy the strip). This would mean SLC -> Arches -> Bryce -> Zion -> Las Vegas. We would have a rental caairbnbs as we cannot pack tents/camping supplies in our suitcases.
This is the first trip I am planning so any help/advice/recommendations anyone has would be stupendous! 🤩🏔️
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submitted by sremmis_eelyab to NationalPark [link] [comments]
I want to go to UT this September. My plan is to hit arches, Bryce and Zion national parks. The order of which those happen depends on where we fly into. Should we fly into Vegas or Salt Lake City and should we leave from the opposite of the start (Vegas if flying into SLC or leave from SLC if flying into vegas)? OR, should one try to do a round trip from the same airport? I like the idea of flying into SLC and finishing in Vegas (spending an evening there to enjoy the strip). This would mean SLC -> Arches -> Bryce -> Zion -> Las Vegas. We would have a rental caairbnbs as we cannot pack tents/camping supplies in our suitcases.
This is the first trip I am planning so any help/advice/recommendations anyone has would be stupendous! 🤩🏔️
View Poll
2023.06.02 21:54 jentopia Movies on the Waterfront
 | Movie titles TBA! submitted by jentopia to astoriapark [link] [comments] |
2023.06.02 21:33 NoShow5710 Y’all takin this order?
 | Just got this order. 4 packed orders from petco. First order is about 50 min away, the other 3 in the same neighborhood/area. submitted by NoShow5710 to doordash [link] [comments] |