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Nothing official here; just come chill! |
Welcome! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Welcome to my little Den! Here you'll find all sorts of things- mostly blog challenges, but mixed in, you'll notice: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
So I'm supposed to write about/describe 5 genres in a blog post. My chosen 5 are: Children's, Nonsense, Fantasy, Comedy, and Young Adult. Children's Genre: I would guess "Children" is a pretty generic word, like what qualifies as "Children"? Just to keep it simple, I'm going to say anything geared towards kids 10 and under would be considered "Children's". A popular subcategory is Children's Fantasy, with fairies and unicorns, or plushies. Fantasy: This is where all the make-believe happens. Plushies, Pink Fluffy Unicorns, Dragons, and Fairies all live in the world of Fantasy. Pretty much anything you wouldn't find in the real world would be fantasy. Comedy: This might be the easiest genre to write, because if you think it's funny, it would probably go under comedy. Young Adult: This is actually different from the Teen genre- teens are 13-19, and I'd say Young Adults are the age range, anywhere from 20 until they feel they are "adults".... so maybe anywhere from early to late 30s. The subject matters may be a bit more mature than teen subjects as well. Nonsense: Probably one of my favorite genres because it can be anything.... If whatever you've written doesn't fit into any genre you know of, and is a little quirky, Nonsense it is! So here you go- 5 genres from WDC, and they're all quite fun! Maybe try a nonsense piece someday... I've got plenty! ![]() |
Aug 2nd Caracaras, Venezuela is our first destination point. J. W. Marriot Av Venezuela con Calle Mohedano | El Rosal, Caracas 1060, Venezuela +1 844-631-0595 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g316066-d299826-Reviews-JW_Marriott_Hot... We’ll be landing at Simón Bolívar International Airport. Learn about El Libertador Simón Bolívar's life and Venezuelan history with this visit to Caracas' picturesque historic quarter. Then admire breathtaking views of the capital while riding the city's famous cable car. Start in the historic city center, from Plaza Bolívar, originally called Plaza de Armas. The square adopted its current name in 1883 on the 100th birthday of El Libertador Simón Bolívar. The corners surrounding the plaza feature buildings of historic importance: Caracas Cathedral, Government Palace, City Hall, the Yellow House and The Capitol. This is where your tour begins: in the heart of Venezuela's history. Seeing Bolívar's birthplace is next on the list, as you visit the colonial house that today is filled with period art, including paintings by famous artists like Tito Salas whose work captured highlights of El Libertador’s life. Visit the Capitolio, Palacio Legislativo and Palacio Federal where the golden keys to Bolivar’s mausoleum are kept. Then, take the city's famous cable car to the top of the Ávila Mountain range. Ávila National Park borders Caracas, separating the sea from the city. Breathe in and admire the pure, contrasting atmosphere of the park with the rush and bustle of the Venezuelan capital. From here you'll be able to see Caracas on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other, a vista you'll never forget. This day-long tour includes lunch. I woke up extremely early this morning- our flight leaves in the afternoon, and we technically don't need to vacate the rooms until 12- Lyn's a Witchy Woman ![]() ![]() ![]() That actually passes 3 1/2 hours pretty quickly, and before I know it, the marketplace is filling up with people, and shops are greeting customers. I buy a few Miami souvenirs, and then head out to the Travel Store to make sure I have enough adapters for when we get to South America, so I can charge all my devices. I pass by the Bistro Cafe as I'm going back to the hotel, and decide to stop in there for brunch, then head to Cafe con Leche, where I've heard there's cinnamon rolls- with no raisins. As I'm waiting in line, I see the lady in front of me order a full tray of the baked goods- 12 of them total, which means that they've either run out for the day, or run out for now and need to make more. Either way, I've been out long enough and don't feel like waiting to find out, so decide to go across the street to Auntie Anne's instead and get a few orders of pretzel bites so I can munch them on the plane. I see someone looking like Fivesixer ![]() Back at the hotel, it's still extremely quiet, for it being nearly noon, but I suppose everyone's in their rooms, packing and double-checking they haven't left anything behind. I do see Sally ![]() ![]() I grab a pack of pretzel bites and head to Kit ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Kit and I decide to head towards Norb's room, and we meet SandraLynn Team Florent! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() We get to his room door and knock. Nothing. I press an ear against the door, and there's still no sound. Not even water for a shower or rustling of luggage.... Lyn sees us while making her rounds, and stops to join in the Norb-hunt. We continue for another 5 or so minutes, and begin discussing the next steps.... most options aren't great- either they disrupt his neighbors or seem to drastic- so Kit and I decide to go around the floor once more to see if we can find him. We turn the corner and the mental image of the Norb look-alike I saw going into the cafe comes to mind, and I start to say something, when we bump into a warm, greasy wax bag, and a Norb, who's the owner of the bag. He offers the bag to Kit, and peeking in, we see cinnamon rolls! "They're the proper kind," he informs us. "No raisins!" Excellent. ![]() Looks like it was him, all along. ![]() We wrap up the Finding Norb drama and head back to our rooms to collect our luggage and make our way to the airport for Venezuela. According to Lyn, it's a pretty packed day... and she delivers on her promise. ![]() ![]() ![]() First, though, is a tour- we're led to the Plaza Bolivar, Caracas Cathedral, and Yellow House, plus a few other buildings, including Bolivar's home. The last place was pretty cool. There was art galore, and you can learn so much about a culture just from examining their art, so that was a fun place to explore. Lunch seemed to be a buzz of talk and not much food. The restaurant didn't seem to have vegan options for Jellyfish in Albania! 🌞 ![]() ![]() The cable cars were fun, though. It was reeaaaallly high up, yes, but the views were great. It was literally a mountain-to-sea view, and we saw everything in between, too. Most of the ride was silent- from awe, and not fear, even though the cars were full of nervous chatter during the beginning, as we ascended. Tonight's dinner is quite fancy, but being a pub/bar, there's not much I can eat.... I nibble on a few appetizers, and fill my stomach with water instead, as I wait for dinner to be over. Hopefully, tonight I can get a good rest, and tomorrow, I'll be all better and ready to fully appreciate South American culture. |
Aug. 1st Miami, Fla. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34438-d85193-Reviews-Hilton_Miami_Airp... We're at the HIlton for convenience. We can't be in Miami without hitting the dance scene. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail-g34438-d11449266-Miami_Dance... Highlights 90-minute Miami dance cruise Capture the lit-up skyline of Miami as the boat travels through Biscayne Bay Cut loose to top Billboard hits and favorites from many genres spun by a resident DJ Take the party to Miami’s waterfront with this 90-minute, evening dance cruise on Biscayne Bay. Admire Miami’s majestic skyline at night while cruising from the Bayside Marketplace to Miami Beach and back. Dance to the latest club hits and songs from a variety of musical styles — on the open-air deck or take a seat inside the air-conditioned cabin — as the resident-professional DJ spins the tunes. This family friendly party has no age minimum. Full-cash bar with beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks is available on board the boat. Geez I guess it's a good thing I'm one of *those* people who actually likes travelling, huh? ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I get seated and make myself comfortable until he boards, and we spend the 2 hours and 55 minutes chatting, mostly about how it was somehow $300 cheaper to make a stopover in Dallas before flying out to Miami- even though flying directly to Miami would've been much, much faster- and a shorter distance to fly. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Turns out, it was probably for the best, since I could have both lunch and dinner to recoup and (hopefully) reset whatever jetlagged biological clocks I had acquired while on the trip, and do a bit of looking around in the area. I took a nap and snoozed through lunch, and I heard a knock at the door, with Lyn's chirpy voice announcing dinner, but I wasn't quite feeling up to it either, with the heat and humidity Florida brings. I heard some voices discussing dinner- and I think I recognized Apondia ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I ultimately decided to skip dinner and take a look around- the skyline is really pretty, and I've heard there's a market of sorts by the bay, so I want to take a look. There's a Bath and Body Works there, and a gelato store- both of which I visit, and I end up bringing back a baggie of hand sanitizer and a cup of gelato- we're going to South America soon, I want to make sure I'm fully equipped against the germs, even if I'm already vaccinated! ![]() I got back to the hotel, and found Lyn (once more) knocking on people's doors- this time announcing a dance cruise. ![]() I see Lyn calling through a door for Kit, and I decide to wait outside in the hall, to see if she'll open the door or decide to come along. Ultimately, both happen, and I give Kit a hug when she steps out, and we end up chatting plushies all the way down. We meet Norb in the lobby, then follor Lyn out of the hotel. She Lyn takes us to the stall I passed earlier, for the dance cruise. She's busy trying to arrange/pick up the tickets for all of us, so I pull Kit and Norb away and lead them to the gelato place so we can have a little snack before the cruise. I know they said there's "soft drinks and snacks" but "snacks" is so vague, and could mean anything from M&Ms to mini tacos. So I figured, with gelato, you at least know what you're getting. ![]() Turns out my gut feeling was right- the snacks weren't that great, and as with all transportation/tourist attractions- rather overpriced. So were all the drinks. ![]() ![]() Afterwards, though, it was nice to be back on dry land, even if the water was pretty smooth and there wasn't much that could cause motion sickness. ![]() We wished each other good night, and slipped into our respective rooms for sleep. It's been quite a first day, and I'm curious to see what the next day will bring! |
This week, US President Donald Trump encouraged police to use more aggression ![]() Ugh, really? ![]() ![]() To answer the question (but not really) though, what is considered "the average criminal"? A shoplifter? Bank Robber? Car thief? pick-pocketer? ![]() So really, I'd think it depends. Is the person armed? Are they a known criminal with a bad record? Those factors do play a role in "force" necessary when arresting a criminal... I saw a video on Facebook ![]() ![]() I'm no psychologist, and I'm no politician or philosopher, but I think it's pretty obvious (to me, at least) that violence isn't much of an effective, long-term solution. You get physical with the criminal, they'll remember that, and the next time they get booked, they'll be aggressive back, as well. It's not even a cycle- it's a spiral, and one that will quickly go out of control if unchecked, like the video suggests. So no, violence is not the answer, and force really shouldn't be necessary with enough training, to arrest a criminal! Newton was on to something with his laws of Physics, too- for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. It's totally true- you hit someone, they're going to hit you back. Is it their fault? No. You started it! Not to sound like I'm 5, but yeah. ![]() ![]() |
Come up with a 10-step (minimum) process for a simple household chore.![]() ![]() Vacuuming the House: 1. Be told to do the chore (If you live alone, skip to step 2) 2. Have a good think about where you last left the vacuum. 3. Get motivated to go find the vacuum in wherever you decided from step 2. 4. Get up to go find the vacuum. 5. If the vacuum is not where you thought it would be, return to step 2. If it is, proceed to step 6. 6. Think about the most logical way to vacuum the space that is your house. 7. Make a plan. 8. Proceed to the place you decide is most logical to begin vacuuming. 9. Pull the vacuum's electrical cord out to its full length and find an A/V electrical outlet within its reach. 10. Plug in the vacuum. 11. Turn on the vacuum. 12. Begin vacuuming! |
Recently, the popular and long-running British television show Doctor Who announced that a woman would be taking over the main character's role for the first time in its history, and naturally men are upset ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() As to when men will finally understand, maybe when the US finally has a female leader? ![]() ![]() ![]() I used to watch Doctor Who but I've since stopped since the streaming site I used disappeared, and I've been too lazy to pick it back up. Plus, I have other shows I like watching, like Nashville, The Next Step, and NCIS:LA. Plus, I guess I never quite understood the hype. Yeah, it's good; it's interesting, buuut ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Anyways, going back to the topic, yeahhhh I'm not sure when men will realize women are equally as skilled (if not more skilled) as/than they are... Hopefully it'll be some time soon, but the naysayer in me says probably not. ![]() |
On this day in 1973, Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett were married. Who is your favorite (past or present) celebrity couple? I had to have a good think about this one.... I do like Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman. And Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. And I liked Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton when they were together. ![]() ![]() Keith and Nicole, well, firstly, they're Aussie, so that's a great start. And fun fact, it took Keith 6 months to contact Nicole after the first time he met her, the poor lady. ![]() ![]() ![]() Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.... Well, let's just say I used to think they owned the textbook company McGraw Hill. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Annd Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton.... I don't know, just something about them. I guess they both had a very strong "take no prisoners" attitude about them, and I thought they worked well together. Guess not. Supposedly one wanted kids and the other didn't and that's why they broke up? At least, that's what I heard from the tabloids, I think. ![]() ![]() ![]() And for one non-couple but a duo that works really well together- Keith and Carrie Underwood. "The Fighter"- just ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tell us about one major change in you or something different about you between now and this time last year. Oooh, this one should be pretty easy. Ish. ![]() ![]() ![]() After interacting with those little kids for a full day, I realized it was really fun, and that was definitely something I would love to keep doing. I guess I always knew I wanted to work with kids, but never actually considered little, little kids- because the thought of diapers and all that kinda scared me, honestly. ![]() ![]() I'm currently applying to Jumpstart, which is part of Americorps (the same umbrella organization as Teach for America), and that's a program which reaches out to pre-schools in lower-income areas. I'm hoping that can help get my foot in the door for the future. And get me some experience, of course. ![]() ![]() And all that has to do with being braver, too, I'd think. I mean, the older me from maybe 1-2 years ago probably would've went "Ehhhh, I'd love to go for Round 2 but I don't want to make a fool out of myself or be a burden to the stall holders." and I probably would've ended up staying home instead of going for round 2. There's also the texting, and the being more "out there"- I mean, I tried a hip hop dance class, and I did aerial fitness! Yeah, that might not be so "out there" for others, but back in 12th grade, I remember being mortified at Mom's suggestion I try hip hop. I couldn't imagine myself being in that loose, baggy clothing, popping and locking and moonwalking and tutting, at all. It was a big, "O_O I'll pass, thanks...." moment. If anything, I wanted to learn ballet, and I kinda still do, but that's besides the point, here, isn't it? ![]() Aerial fitness... I've wanted to do for a while. 11th grade, I think? Since I found out my first tap teacher was doing aerial arts, and I was all " ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() If you want the summation, though, I suppose you could say I've matured, a lot. Not necessarily in the sense that I've grown out of things, though I have, like some previous relationships (not BF-GF, don't worry-you didn't miss something there ![]() |
Without the use of the internet, or any form of cheating. How many characters from the series can you list? Post the list in your blog, or in the forum. Harry Potter Ron Weasley Hermoine Granger Dumbledore Severus Snape Voldemort Dobby Hagrid Dracus Malfoy So, to answer the question, not many! ![]() |
Tell us about a store or restaurant you refuse to go to because of poor service. I don't think I've ever had poor service before.... Oh wait, I have! Once! In Melbourne Central. I was getting some Middle-Eastern food at a little shop down on ground floor- it's called Kamil's Kebabs, and it wasn't my first time- the previous times, they've been really nice, but that one time made me go ![]() I ordered my food (the wait was long) and was waiting around for them to prepare the meat/fries, and then the guy who had taken my order, as he gave me my food, indicated to the person behind me and asked "Are they a guy or girl? ![]() ![]() ![]() |