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Lanzarote Trip Report
Early October 2016
Our accommodation (Casa Margarita, Soo) was paid for by the Lanzarote Tourist Board and our hire car cost was split between the Municipality of Teguise and the Tourist Board. We were given a free pass to all tourist authority attractions.
We stayed in a very prettily renovated villa on the edge of the small town of Soo (originally a slave village) with desert literally on the doorstep.
The rear of Casa Margarita
This trip was organised for us by Carmen Portella, leading light of Lanzarote Active Club and founder of Desert Watch Lanzarote. She invited us to the island to experience for ourselves the birding opportunities in this unique environment.
Throughout the trip Carmen was a brilliant hostess, guide and friend. She sorted out every problem with a smile and gave us huge amounts of information. Her enthusiasm for the island is contagious and her passion for conservation admirable. I felt an immediate kinship and resolve to help in any way I can to make sure this unique environment gets the protection it sorely needs.
A couple of words of warning. If you avoid salt (I have to) eating out is a bit of a trial. Potatoes are cooked in sea water leaving a crusting of sea salt and every restaurant we ate in added too much salt to the fish or meat dishes. Be prepared to ask for 'sin sal', and good luck as it never worked for us.
We also hired two different 4×4 vehicles… one (a Volvo) wasn't and the other, a small 4×4 Jeep was also very underpowered when it came to driving on desert tracks and we got stuck in both of them. You really need a Land Rover to be sure.
Birding Overview
I loved the birding here, but if you are one of those who must get a long list and many new birds then go elsewhere. Birding Lanzarote is subtler than that.
Fifty different species may be expected, a full-on birder would expect 70-80 and the very lucky few who work very hard, at the right time of year, with lady luck smiling on them might get the magic 100. However, they will see many 'quality' birds, many birds that are extreme rarities in the UK and probably half a dozen 'lifers'. Moreover, many of the birds that are familiar at home or on trips to southern Europe will be new sub-species.
Nor should you expect to see lots of birds. Most areas seem, at first sight, completely devoid of animal life, although villages will have plenty of rock and collared doves.
In a few places, on a few occasions you may get a whole raft of birds. We saw a flock of perhaps 200 lesser short-toed larks flocking at dusk. Once we found a roost of gulls and terns and on one other occasion a small muddy inlet with good numbers and variety of waders and herons.
Pick the right time (spring or autumn) and some places can be alive with off course migrants. On one day at the poolside our tiny garden had a continuous stream of half a dozen warbler species and flycatchers etc. The edges of small towns was often the best place as some have lots of palms and cactus whereas most of the island is treeless and only supports low shrubs and crops.
The patch of 'waste' ground behind our villa, which merged with the desert edge was sometimes completely dead and other times full of birds, especially migrants who cared not one whit that there were a couple of abandoned cars, builder's rubble and litter. In fact the old cars probably had trapped rainwater so were very attractive.
Bear in mind too that this is an island with no streams, rivers or ANY standing water (apart from one recently built and ineffectual dam). Torrential rain might fill a wadi very briefly (hours only) before the porous volcanic ash traps the water below the surface. There are mosquitos no doubt from drains and sceptic tanks, but where on earth do the dragonflies breed? I saw at least three species one of which was common in the desert.
Birders travelling with their non-birding families should try to get away for two or three early mornings or late afternoons and use a guide to see the most sought-after desert species in particular.
The far north of the island is quite spectacular with high hills and deep gorges with massive cliffs rising over 2000 feet from the ocean… here Cory's Shearwaters breed as well as Barbary Falcons. Being high it is often misty, and being misty it is very green.
The whole island is a biosphere reserve and its black volcanic ash highly fertile but terribly dry. The rainy season (if one can call it that) was always the end of January and beginning of February but climate change has not passed the island by. Now October and November can see short bursts of rain, mostly at night as the temperature drops.
Despite the volcanic desolation there are pretty white villages as, by decree, no building can be more than two stories high and can only be white… anything else requires a difficult to obtain permission.
Spring is the time to visit if you are botanically inclined with flowers blooming in the desert including Cistanche phelypaea known as the 'desert orchid' and a stunning dessert lily Androcymbium psammophilum. There are no snakes but one lizard and a gecko. Very few mammals and these mostly introduced like rabbits.
There is a two-thousand-year history as it was known by the Romans and has seen invasions and piracy from Norman times. It was also a place where slaves were used to cultivate the land. Soo was a slave village.
There are museums, botanical gardens (a cactus plantation) and the usual tourist attractions, but for family holidays there are plenty of beaches, waterparks and even a couple of golf courses.
My visit was in early October when uncertain weather can make the birding even more interesting.
Monday October 3rd 2016
I always take a 'rest day' after flying… my arthritis insists upon it. So today we just spent at our villa on the edge of Soo. This is a pretty typical Lanzarote location with parched 'desert' all around with palms in villages and only occasional weedy patches in the volcanic 'soil'. Our villa had a pool and, at first light, several birds came and stood on the floating membrane cover to sip water. A party of half a dozen immature Common Linnets (a local endemic race) lined up first followed by some Collared Doves. Beyond the wall several Cattle Egrets flew by and some Yellow-legged Gulls circled overhead (Soo is just five kilometres from the sea). Nothing else put in an appearance until several Spanish Sparrows came to take the waters.
Maggie and I walked behind the villa to an uninspiring building site where a couple of villas will eventually rise from the desert edge.
Three feral cats caught our eye and between them and us, on a small fence were a party of Spanish Sparrows. Maggie noticed a flash of red and closer observation uncovered a female CommonRedstart with the sparrows.
A stray dog wandered across the weedy patch and flushed a bird, which immediately shouted 'Stone Curlew' on jizz. As we focussed we eventually found a party of three stone curlews periodically running along. On a telegraph pole was a Wood Pigeon (I had no idea that this is a very scarce vagrant). On walls and wires were several Rock Doves.
An hour later I went back to the pool to watch the linnets when a bird popped down ten feet from me to sit on a stone and call (not that I can hear well enough) a three-note call of some sort from whatever race of Chiffchaff it was.
Distant raptors or ravens over the hilltops appeared before we grabbed our bins and had disappeared by the time we had them again. The rest of our restful day only produced more of the same.
Tuesday October 4th 2016
Next to the area at the back of the villa is someone's dumping ground… two old cars and assorted detritus. But I assume, for the birds some rusting dent had collected some of last night's rain as several species were flitting about. The female (juvenile?) redstart and at least the chiffchaffs were joined by a new bird for the trip Spectacled Warbler. A striking male which to my naked eye was briefly like a Dartford Warbler until the bins revealed it. Having satisfied myself of ID using my Collins app I went back for a second look… it had gone, but there was a female in its place. More views of the redstart confirmed it as definitely a Common Redstart not a Black Redstart. Having scoped them both days I think there were two different birds. Scanning with the scope having seen a Yellow-legged Gull on a telegraph pole, I lucked upon a Stone Curlew. As I appreciated this close view another walked in my field of view.
Lunchtime was spent at the coastal villages around Soo. At La Santa we stopped to look at the sea. There were plenty of Yellow-legged Gulls but also two small waders… probably common Ring Plover. But as we moved off on the desert side of the road two Berthelot's Pipits my first lifers!
Back at the villa I was having a snooze when Maggie ran in to ask if there were any shrikes here, dragging me to the poolside. The grey shrike she had seen had fled but there were sparrows, chiffchaffs and a splendid Pied Flycatcher; a bird, larger than a sparrow that we could not identify, joined it. It was in full moult so its plumage was too dishevelled to help ID but the beak was truly massive… like a grosbeak – since researching at home I am pretty sure this was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak!
We went back to our 'patch' behind the villa, but there was no sign of the shrike, just a redstart, some migrating chiffchaffs and one Common Whitethroat and two Cattle Egrets. On the telegraph wires what I took to be a Merlin, but when I scoped it, it was a Kestrel… the very small race they have here.
At dusk we went the 1 kilometre to the supermarket and there saw two Hoopoes and a number of Turtle Doves coming to roost around some properties with a lot of palm trees.
Wednesday October 5th 2016
Carmen fetched us at 8.00 am to go into the desert. Our supposed 4×4 drove out and within seconds we were watching Hoopoes, Stone Curlew and Southern Grey Shrike of the local race koenigi. In the first five minutes we had seen more Stone Curlews than I have ever seen in the UK. Berthelot's Pipits also showed next to us. We drove on and soon Maggie spotted our first pair of Cream-coloured Courser. Having just seen two before, ever, this was a delight. Several more pairs followed along with a sudden diving, swooping form of a stunning falcon; Barbary Falcon another lifer for me! We moved on towards that area of the dessert best for bustard. All along the way we saw small groups of Lesser Short-toed Larks. As we took a new track off towards the best bustard spot the car began to sink in the sand. No amount of 'four-wheeled drive' reversing or whatever could get us out!
So, we had one hour's birding followed by another hour waiting to be winched clear! During this time we added several Ravens to the trip list and watched a pair of shrike doing their thing. Maggie spotted a small butterfly we have not identified and a tiny dragonfly. A few Yellow-legged gulls flew by in the distance and, at one point some pipits played by the car.
Having been pulled clear we returned to base intent on swapping the car for something better with, as usual Carmen being incredibly helpful oiling all the wheels and smoothing our path. Almost back into Soo we lucked upon a female Houbara Bustard, the second lifer of the morning!
Having swapped our non-four-wheel drive car for a manual, Jos and I went to fill up. Crossing the Soo desert again (15% of the island is sand dessert when Ice Age trade winds blew the shores of dropping oceans up against the cliff that was Lanzarote) we saw several more shrikes and a linnet and missed several illusive warblers.
Back at the villa I was treated to a continuous stream of migrating warblers; a few Chiffchaff, lots of Willow Warblers, Icterine Wablers, one Wood Warbler, a Reed Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a couple that were too quick for me to ID. All the time Pied Flycatchers were turning up too. Overhead were the usual Collared Doves and one fly-by Kestrel.
After getting down to our axles in the desert what else could go wrong?
Well after sitting cooling off in the pool Maggie careful got out, gingerly walked along the pool's edge and descended the gardens steps helpfully painted in gloss paint! So she slipped and fell injuring her shoulder, elbow and turning her little finger black! Painkillers and sleep was the order of the day.
During the night the pain just got worse.
Thursday October 6th 2016
Today was Hospital day! Rising early instead of birding Carmen drove us to the hospital, first going to the private hospital near the golf course to find our insurance wasn't acceptable, then it was off to the public hospital and around four hours spent mostly doing nothing. The good news is that nothing was broken. The bad news that she will be in pain for around five days and needed to have her arm in a sling to immobilise her shoulder.
It was an all-round (enforced) rest day.
Friday October 7th 2016
An 8.00 am start again to go to the north of the island. Maggie was determined not to miss any birds so gritted her teeth against the discomfort and managed to overcome the pain sufficiently to enjoy some relaxed and enjoyable birding.
We first swung by the beach at Caleta de Famara where there were only gulls and the cliffs were shrouded in mist so we moved north to a gorge – Valle de Temisa where migrants can be expected.
At the gorge the first birds were Serins, not quite yellow enough overall for Canaries, but with very bright yellow rumps. Berthelot's Pipits were everywhere and then some Atlantic Canaries turned up. Even with their backs to us the deeper notch in the tail is diagnostic. Watching a stunted fig tree with these birds on was productive as first a pair of Blackcaps turned up and then a splendid lifer, African Blue Tit.
We slowly drove down the track seeing many pipits, and a few warblers with Spectacled Warbler most in evidence. As we watched I spotted a falcon over the hill… eventually there were no less than seven Eleanora's Falcons hunting the hills with a Common Raven mobbing them.
Further down the valley were a pair of kestrels and then a Barbary Falcon. Oddly in the scrub was a Grey Heron that was standing stock still.
We continued driving the track in search of a new lifer, which Carmen spotted, in fact two Barbary Partridges. We drove into a small village where the only new birds for the day were Yellow-legged Gulls, Collared Doves and Rock doves.
We drove out of the village back on to the highway and up out of the valley to the high point where we drove off the road along a track to Peñas del Chache the highest point on the island (670m), where we could park and walk to the cliff edge, where there is a view not unlike looking down from an aircraft.
Here on the cliff was a pair of Barbary Falcons, which flew past us at head height, wonderful. Around and about were more Spectacled Warblers, pipits, canaries and a number of kestrels and shrikes. Most shrikes were of the race algeriensis, or excubitor on migration rather than the residents of the desert that are koenigi – that race is distinguished by the faintest pale mark above the black eye stripe.
The view from 670 metres
Carmen searching the cliff for a pair of Barbary Falcons
On our return journey were had several more Eleanora's Falcons. We drove across El Jable towards Soo looking, without luck for bustards… just large groups of Lesser Short-toed Larks and pipits, shrikes and several Hoopoes. Just before Soo are a number of goat pens. Here there were Linnets, our first White Wagtails and our first Trumpeter Finches… up to nine (mostly females and sub adults) on the fences. As we reached Soo, in the last patch of desert scrub were two Stone Curlews.
Late afternoon we drove down to Costa Teguise to change hire cars. On the way out we spotted a Plain Swift.
Saturday October 8th 2016
Caleta de Famara nestles beneath towering cliffs pounded by surfer's waves
Today was a family beach day… but scope and bins go everywhere that a birder does when overseas. We spent the morning at Famara where sand dunes and beach give views of the massive cliffs and the islands off the northwest coast. The only bird added was Little Egret and the only other birds seen were Shrikes en route and Yellow-legged Gulls.
We lunched at El Sol Restaurant overlooking the rocks and beach. This is a great setting to eat although we were unimpressed with the food.
On the rocks were a Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper as well as a Berthelot's Pipit.
We drove back through the dessert seeing Shrikes, Hoopoes, and Pipits as well as half a dozen Cream-coloured Coursers, a White Wagtail, Spanish Sparrows and some Trumpeter Finches.
In the evening we drove past the Club La Santa to La Isleta where there is a natural inlet as well as an area created by the club for sailing with a number of areas of sand. The inlet itself is very green with mud as well as numerous rocks and the area has a gull and tern roost as well as waders and herons. I gather this is called La Santa wetland.
The terns were all Sandwich Terns in various plumages. The gulls all Yellow-legged. We saw Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Great Egret and Eurasian Spoonbill. The waders were Whimbrel, Curlew, Grey Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Common Ringed Plover.
We finished the evening with a ride through the desert but saw little apart from a few shrikes, upwards of 150 Lesser Short-toed Larks and a couple of Ravens.
Sunday 9th October 2016
Sunday is, apparently 'hunting day'… maybe the birds knew as it was very quiet today. Perhaps the weather has changed so that no migrants were blown off course. The area behind the villa was totally devoid of life. La Santa wetland was also very quiet with just a few gulls and terns, one Grey Heron and a lone Spoonbill.
Monday 10th October 2016
The family today decided they wanted to return to Costa Teguise and shop, look at the seafront there and have lunch. I needed to catch up with some work, answer mails etc., so stayed back.
Those who went to Costa Teguise once again saw Plain Swifts… in fact every time they passed the large white sculpture made from old boat parts apparently symbolising fertility, Plain Swifts were seen overhead.
Later I went out for a few hours with Carmen starting by crossing the desert in search of bustards. This time we were lucky seeing two females and a male Houbara Bustard. During the journey Carmen told me of a local farmer telling her that many years ago when he was a boy and there was no food for the family they ate Stone Curlews, in their crops they all had snails which they had somehow found underneath the sand! In search of more bustards we drove to the spot we had been stuck in previously… and grounded into the sand despite driving a 4×4 Jeep! We were able to manoeuvre our way out without a tow this time.
We then went to the southwest of the island to the Salinas de Janubio. This is an active slat extraction site with many square lagoons where sea water is slowly evaporated by the sun until only the salt is left.
The area is attractive to waders and waterfowl and we added a few new birds for the trip; Greenshank, Black-winged Stilt, Black-necked Grebes, Osprey and Ruddy Shellduck (a new resident to the island where first one then two pairs took up residence and have bred). Not being able to walk far my observations were confined to roadside laybys one looking down from the cliff to the 'beach'. Some distant terns and the usual Yellow-legged Gulls were the only other birds we could positively ID.
Tuesday 11th October 2016
Being such a poor sailor I turned down the offer of a pelagic today, which is sad as several lifers, that can be seen nowhere else are possible. Instead we planned a family day visiting the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya.
I am sure more searching would have produced something, but the only birds we saw were Cattle Egrets, a Kestrel and some gulls.
After we stopped at the Bodega Rubicon hoping for some lunch as it had been recommended and is in a beautiful setting with views of the volcanoes, lava fields and vineyards.
The eaters decided that the only thing on the short lunch menu they liked was tuna, the carnivores could only pick the goat stew. The waiter came to our table and said two items on the menu were not available; the tuna and the goat stew!
We ended up at the Verde Mar in La Santa as the best place we had been before. Lunch wasn't up to the previous dinner. Two chose exactly the lamb dish they had enjoyed before but it was not the same being very salty and the gratin mash was also a different taste. My Tuna was cooked in the fashionable way with a raw line running through it which was not really to my liking… what a shame.
Wednesday 12th October 2016
We planned a last visit to the unique Desert of Soo. So at 8.00 am we went straight behind the church as this is the usual haunt of some Stone Curlews, not only were we not disappointed, but we saw at least thirty birds there! Moving on through the dessert we saw our usual Pipits, Shrikes and Lesser Short-toed Larks.
Today we travelled to areas of the desert we hadn't visited before seeing both the pristine habitat and areas degraded by 'agriculture'. Some areas were a carpet of millions of bleached snail shells. In one place a fire had burnt out an area by some goat pens and the lava was showing through where the desert sand was most shallow. Every turn and dip in the road confirming the uniqueness of El Jable and the urgency of proper conservation.
After an hour or so we took a track the on the east of Soo towards the volcano where we encountered more larks and a large group of Trumpeter Finches. We followed this road down to the sea but apart from gulls and crabs saw nothing of note. Back to the desert south of Soo we met all the usual species with very close views of hoopoes, shrikes and kestrels. We lucked upon one male bustard and had great views.
We met up with an English guy in Teguise who is part of the group hoping to open the Museum of the Desert in Soo.
After this we went to the Presa de Mala? (This dam was a water capture project that basically doesn't hold much water as the bedrock is too porous – and the dam is cracking). Here we had splendid views of both a Barbary Falcon and three Eleanora's Falcons as well as Ravens.
Going back to Soo across the desert we again came across a male bustard and all the usual species.
Other Taxa
Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii.
The island has at least three species of dragonfly as we saw them, but as we are not odonatologists again we could not identify them, but, with help from a leading odonatologist we managed to ID them as Emperor Anax imperator, Lesser Emperor Anax Parthenope and Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii.
We were surprised that they find anywhere to breed on this arid island? They were there before the one and only dam was built. However, the same guy advised that they are probably migrants from the other islands. We did see some rather small dragonflies which, in all probability are merely small Red-veined Darters which can vary in length considerably.
I understand that Lanzarote has a very high density of lizards… good news for shrikes, owls and all. We saw two species Atlantic Lizard Gallotia atlantica and Lanzerote Gecko Tarentola augustimentalis… there may also be a rare skink, but these make up the entire reptile population. The lizards when fully grown have an attractive line of blue-green spots along the side.
We saw just one small rabbit and one house mouse.
Crimson-speckled Moth – Utetheisa pulchella
Moths and butterflies were more numerous and some were highly attractive. A very common small white butterfly was everywhere and in the gorge we saw a number of Monarchs. We managed to photograph one attractive moth and a very nice beetle. We also saw some really big black beetles, but not being entomologists, let alone colyopterists do not know the species.
There is a very high flora endemism, and spring would be the time to enjoy the flowers in the desert and elsewhere.
Some of the plants are interesting even to non-botanists such as a parasitic straw-like plant (Dodder or Cuscuta, Cuscuta europaea) that lives on some small bushes making them look as if they have had a handful of reddish or yellow hay thrown over them.
|Atlantic Lizard
|Gallotia atlantica
|Lanzerote Gecko
|Tarentola augustimentalis
|Anax imperator
|Lesser Emperor
|Anax parthenope
|Red-veined Darter
|Sympetrum fonscolombii
|Crimson-speckled Moth
|Utetheisa pulchella
Bird Species Seen:
|Common name
|Scientific name
|Costa Teguise
|Valle de Temisa
|Caleta de Famara
|Peñas del Chache
|La Santa Wetland
|Salinas de Janubio
|Soo/El Jable
|Parque Nacional de Timanfaya
|Presa de Mala
|Ruddy Shelduck
|Tadorna ferruginea
|Barbary Partridge
|Alectoris barbara koenigi
|Cory's Shearwater
|Calonectris borealis
|Eurasian Spoonbill
|Platalea leucorodia
|Western Cattle Egret
|Bubulcus ibis
|Grey Heron
|Ardea cinerea
|Great Egret
|Ardea alba
|Little Egret
|Egretta garzetta
|Houbara Bustard
|Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae
|Eurasian Stone-curlew
|Burhinus oedicnemus insularum
|Black-winged Stilt
|Himantopus himantopus
|Grey Plover
|Pluvialis squatarola
|Common Ringed Plover
|Charadrius hiaticula
|Numenius phaeopus
|Eurasian Curlew
|Numenius arquata
|Common Sandpiper
|Actitis hypoleucos
|Green Sandpiper
|Tringa ochropus
|Ruddy Turnstone
|Arenaria interpres
|Calidris alpina
|Cream-colored Courser
|Cursorius cursor
|Yellow-legged Gull
|Larus michahellis atlantis
|Sandwich Tern
|Thalasseus sandvicensis
|Rock Dove
|Columba livia
|Common Wood Pigeon
|Columba palumbus
|European Turtle Dove
|Streptopelia turtur
|Eurasian Collared Dove
|Streptopelia decaocto
|Plain Swift
|Apus unicolor
|Eurasian Hoopoe
|Upupa epops
|Common Kestrel
|Falco tinnunculus dacotiae
|Eleonora's Falcon
|Falco eleonorae
|Barbary Falcon
|Falco pelegrinoides
|Southern Grey Shrike
|Lanius meridionalis
|Lanius meridionalis koenigi
|Carrion Crow
|Corvus corone
|Northern Raven
|Corvus corax canariensis
|African Blue Tit
|Cyanistes teneriffae degener
|Lesser Short-toed Lark
|Alaudala rufescens polatzeki
|Willow Warbler
|Phylloscopus trochilus


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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Yes it is him the World's Well-known Celebrity Chef, Gordon Ramsay. More than a decade I have been watching his cooking shows, tv shows and my absolute favorite MasterChef US. Today let's make a reconnaissance of "Bread Street Kitchen" by Gordon Ramsay.
Begin with complimentary starter that enlightens your tummy-mood, the eminently fresh bread & butter will be served to your table plus it can be refilled if needed.
Salad as our appetizer, Watermelon, avocado, feta, rocket, pumpkin seeds, balsamic (SG$14/26).
The salad was astoundingly refreshing with red and yellow watermelon complete with a modest crunch of the pumpkin seeds.
Tamarind spiced chicken wings, spring onions, coriander (SG$18).
Considering fried chicken wings to awaken your taste buds before digging in your main course undeniably a must especially sharing with your friends.
Here comes our main courses, the Slow-roasted Dingley Dell pork belly, spiced apple purée (SG$29).
Unquestionably, this was the best roast pork I have ever had. It was crispy on the skin and the meat combined with fats literally just dissolves in your mouth instantly.
Traditional fish & chips, crushed peas, tartar sauce (SG$29).
You can never avoid one of Gordon Ramsay's signature, the Fish & Chips. Freshness of the fish only need tiny amount of seasoning and marry up with tartar sauce.
Lastly, complimentary jar of cookies to enjoy after your entire meal.
It was delightful dining at Bread Street Kitchen, be back very soon for their wonderful service and scrumptious food.
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The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Singapore 018956
Operating Hours
Mon-Thur: 1130am to 1am
Fri: 1130am to 2am
Sat: 730am to 2am
Sun: 730am to 1am
Sat & Sun: 730am to 1030am
Sat & Sun: 1100am to 3pm
Mon-Fri: 1130am to 4pm
Sun-Wed: 5pm to 10pm
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Mon-Thur: 1130am to 1am
Fri: 1130am to 2am
Sat: 730am to 2am
Tel: +65 6688 5665
Website: http://www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants/celebrity-chefs/bread-street-kitchen.html
*Please visit their website for more information, menu and booking of reservation online.
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text:
Scene started in the Tribeca Firehouse. (Someone else has that log, should it become relevant)
Suddenly, from several blocks away, a huge explosion rips through the night, followed several seconds later by another, and another, and another. 12 total explosions, each accompanied by the sound of collapsing building parts. The last two explosions are followed by the sound of a metallic mass striking another metallic mass, causing great damage to whatever it is.
The explosions come from the Financial District, by the sound of it.
Once outside, flames can be seen coming from a bank down the street where the entire front has been blasted away by something. That something is not in evidence right now.
Amirah was not in that firehouse. Actually, if she was it would probably be for unpleasant purposes; she doesn't exactly get along in -any- sense of the word with those who frequent it. She is, however, a scion, and because of that…Fate is a funny thing.
She thus happens to be nearby at the time. Contrary to her description, she's wearing a full Burka and face veil; mostly because it keeps away pedestrians, crowds, and paparazzi easier then men with spears. (She's been in the news recently, you see….)
Upon hearing the explosions and noticing the blasted-away front, she heads over to investigate.
Marius arrives from Hook and Ladder #8 - Tribeca - New York City.
Marius has arrived.
That thing which blasted the entire front of the bank registers easily on Kailin's senses. Such a thing normally does not escape notice easily, and certainly does not to him. So he is already on his way over when the explosions go off. Zipping by on a black Ducati, Kailin pulls up to a hard stop just outside of the bank. He hops off the bike, propping it up with a flick of his ankle and slies off his shades.
It's amazing just how fast explosions are reported to the authorities. It takes one phone call, and then suddenly you've got a heavily-armed SWAT team speeding towards the source. Police aren't quite cut out for this, but they're heading to the scene immediately anyway; who knows what could be going on down there?
By the time the cops are halfway there, a nondescript black car pulls up a block away. The driver's side door opens and a man in similarly-colored attire steps out, standing up, closing the door and straightening his tie. He looks down the street at the source of the blasts, and his reaction is simple, if rather restrained.
Agent Shaw reaches up and casually adjusts the way his sunglasses sit on his nose, uttering a soft, "Hm," and approaching at a brisk walk.
Marius comes down the street, still in his jogging out fit, coming from the direction of the fire station, he pauses as he comes around a corner to see what is going on and sees……?
Inside the building, fires rage, but it can be seen that the huge vault of the bank has been blasted open by the explosions as well. As Kailin arrives, a man comes running out, carrying three large bank transfer bags full of cash. It isn't an ordinary man, however. This man is dressed as an 18th century pirate, complete with hat, coat, sword, and pistols, and currently sports a giant grin on his face as he sprints out of the vault, moving quite quickly for such a large person (He's at least six and a half feet tall).
Marius pages: is there a flying pirate ship?
You paged Marius with 'No.'
Amirah glances towards the strangely dressed man, not getting the pirate reference (being from another culture), but getting the sense that something is going on, probably related to the same issues she spoke of to the news. She glances from the man, to the bankfront and back again.
Marius pauses as he looks at the scene, he slowly takes it in, the building has been blown by someone who is a little to happy with the C4, and a man in a halloween costume is running away with money. He shrugs slightly, then rises softly off the ground, to head toward the burning building to make sure noone needs rescue.
<OOC> Marius says, "My Eyes Are UP Here activated"
<OOC> Amirah says, "Whats that do?"
<OOC> Marius says, "all non scions can not remember his face"
<OOC> Amirah says, "Ah ok."
<OOC> Shaw says, "Gotcha."
<OOC> Amirah says, "…you should get that, Shaw."
<OOC> Shaw says, "I should."
<OOC> Marius says, "requires epic app 1"
<OOC> Shaw will take it eventually.
<OOC> Shaw needs it for the one to not look wounded anyhow.
<OOC> Marius says, "has epic app 2 and those are my 2 knacks"
<OOC> Shaw says, "I had other epic attributes to take first."
"Are you serious?" Kailin slides back on his shades and slips on to his bike. "All this for a frickin bank job?" He starts forward, taking off after the man running with several bags of money. His bike carries him forward easily, trailing the guy with the money.
The man doesn't run out of the building, like any sane person would. Instead, he sprints up the stairs to the second floor, apparently heading for the roof. He yells back over his shoulder. "Feel free to help me! You can have a good share!" He has a thick Canadian accent.
<OOC> Amirah says, "Didn't take the followers perk to have a pirate crew? :("
<OOC> Nestor says, "Nope."
The man continues walking. He spots the oddly dressed man darting out of the blasted, burning building, and, being the intelligent sort, puts two and two together. It does not help that the person in question is carrying what seems to be a great deal of money and moving at speeds that someone of his size probably should not.
Agent Shaw raises an eyebrow. He starts to jog, getting within sight and sound of the man, clearing his throat lightly and slowing back to a walk when he reaches the front of the building.
His voice is crisp and clear; commanding, even. He calls out, "Drop the money and get on the ground," continuing his purposeful stride without a hint of hesitation.
<OOC> Shaw says, "Hey Nestor: Overt Order."
<OOC> Nestor says, "I'm not outside the building."
<OOC> Nestor says, "He ran up the stairs."
[Public] Amirah says, "Question."
[Public] Magikarp says, "Answer."
[Public] Amirah says, "How does temporary willpower relate to powers like Overt Order?"
<OOC> Shaw says, "You just have to hear me; I can see you running up the stairs and I'm shouting."
<OOC> Nestor says, "Alright."
[Public] Amirah says, "Can someone burn a temp willpower to ignore/resist it for a round?"
[Public] Magikarp says, "It doesn't, really, except in cases where the power states that a Willpower may be spent to break the compulsion/effect."
<OOC> Nestor says, "Are we doing JB?"
<OOC> Amirah says, "JB?"
[Public] Amirah says, "Ah."
<OOC> Shaw says, "Are you attacking me?"
<OOC> Marius says, "no combatso far"
<OOC> Nestor says, "No, I'm not."
<OOC> Shaw says, "Then no, no Join Battle yet."
<OOC> Nestor says, "Can I interpret the order as 'I'm already on the ground'?"
<OOC> Shaw says, "Overt Order allows you to reinterpret orders that would be suicidal."
<OOC> Shaw says, "This is slightly hindering."
<OOC> Nestor says, "It's also two ordes."
<OOC> Shaw says, "(I imagine you have Epic Dex, you're probably quick.)"
<OOC> Nestor says, "Orders."
<OOC> Shaw says, "It also specifies it makes you do something you can accomplish in one action."
<OOC> Nestor shrugs. Whatever. :D
<OOC> Shaw says, "Not that it is one command, like Dominate."
The man hits the ground in a rolling dive, the money pushed ahead of him, and the man himself landing prone at the top of the stairs. He shakes his head and pushes himself to his feet. He holds out his hands towards the Agent, making a placating gesture. "Hey, what are you doing? This money is gonna burn if we don't get it out of here!"
Kailin takes his bike to the front of the bank, pausing only slightly before turning his bike and riding into the building, heading straight up the stairs. Kailin guns it up the steps and lands with a bounce at the top of the stairs, revving the engine as he turns the bike around with a burning of the back tire.
Amirah follows after the Agent and the Pirate, still in her burka. She has gotten the gist of whats going on - she's just not entirely sure what to do about it yet. From behind her veil, she glances from the Pirate's eyes to the Agent's sunglasses.
Marius pages: assumes there are people in the burning building?
<OOC> Nestor says, "Think we can go to 3-pose order to speed this up a bit? I've got to go soon."
You paged Marius with 'Nope. Closed for the night. Maybe a couple of security guards.'
<OOC> Amirah says, "Sure."
While Dee doesn't really like the whole hero thing, when it comes to matters other than the Titanspawn, she also can't just sit back when people might be in serious danger. Like Marius, then, she quickly into the air to look for those needing escape. She does, however, pull on a cap and sunglasses, to be at least a lttle less identifiable.
Marius heads for one of the second floor windows, as the fires begin to lick at the building he slides inside the open window, snapping his golden globe of the sun <tm> shield into place he uses it to protect himself from the heat as he starts looking for anyone trapped inside.
The sunglasses don't reveal anything but a slight gleam of firelight and an almost unnerving calm. Is that by design or accidental?
The agent continues forward, reaching the bottom of the stairs and looking up at the man as he calmly ascends them. "The money is all insured. You, however, are either witnesses or implicated with this crime." He draws a badge from somewhere on his person, giving those present a glimpseHomeland Security, apparentlyand then snapping the case shut and pocketing it again. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave the building via the front exit in a calm and orderly fashion."
The man cocks his head. "Is that badge supposed to mean something? Listen. This building is going to burn, and I'm trying to get this out as fast as I can, so it's safe away from the fire. Insurance is better not needed." He puts his hand to his heart. "I swear."
<OOC> Nestor says, "God's Honest."
Amirah actually … listens! After all, in a burka or not, deserved or not, she's one of the most well-known scions on the planet right now, thanks to her outing herself, and she can't really afford to give them /all/ a bad name because she didn't feel like obeying a Homeland Security agent who - a scion himself - was trying to stop a crime.
So she turns around and walks back outside.
<OOC> Rupert says, "Can I get a scene set?"
<OOC> Amirah says, "Sure."
<OOC> Rupert says, "Thanks. :)"
A bank is burning, its front-face collapsed in. Parked outside is Agent Shaw's official-looking government vehicle. Inside of it is a man in a pirate outfit (Nestor), who has a sack full of money, Kailin, on a motorcycle, and Shaw, who has just flashed a homeland security badge and damnwell /looks/ like he's in charge. Or at least faking it really well.
<OOC> Amirah says, "There."
Oh, some other people are saving burning people, too. I think.
<OOC> Amirah says, "There, really!"
<OOC> Rupert grins.
<OOC> Dee chuckles. The flying people.
<OOC> Nestor says, "Three sacks of money, actually."
<OOC> Kailin says, "Sounds heavy…"
<OOC> Nestor says, "Probably about 30 pounds each or so."
(Judge) Amirah rolls 2: [ 2 6 ]
Resulting in a failure.
Marius comes across the two security guards, stunned by the blast and inhaling smoke, he looks as Dee follows him in and nods to one of them for her, while he picks up the other, hefting her onto his shoulders, <For Rupert: My Eyes are Up here, Solar Shield and Walking on the Wind active>
Agent Shaw, who apparently appears to be in charge for some reason or anothermaybe it's the black suit and badgeeyes the pirate for a moment longer. He raises an eyebrow. "Then take it out front and put it in the street. You will be commended for your efforts." He points back at the front of the building; there's a clear way out that way, why go up the stairs?
Dee returns Marius' nod. She has a cloth over her nose and mouth to help at least a little with the smoke, though she's clearly not enjoying this much, and takes the second guard in hand to get him out of there.
Kailin sits on his bike, doing not much of nothing, but his focus is on the man who was carrying the money. "I don't think you're gonna make it, buddy. I don't know what you were thinking, but you're not in Kansas anymore. Welcome to New York City." He revs his engine and just continues to wait.
Inside the bank, an unobtrusive shadow begins to grow and widen, taking on the shape of a sillouhetted man. After a moment, the man steps out of the shadow and walks into the room. He's wearing a flowing, hooded cloak of living shadow, with a wooden tengu mask covering his face. One hand is gloved in long, wicked claws.
"You're making a mess."
The voice is cold, distant, inhuman.
The man looks at Agent Shaw for a long moment, then shrugs, scoops up the bags again, and heads down the stairs. He piles them outside, out of reach of the fire, and heads back in for more, still moving unnaturally fast.
Marius makes it to the ground with his burden, lieing the security guard out on the sidewalk, well away from the fire he smiles seeing his cousin following along with the other.
Amirah glances at the pirate-robber-scion still piling the obviously stolen money outside the bank. Shrugging, she closes her eyes, removes her veil and points at the ground around the money.
And then 15 manly, muscular looking men wearing 3000 year old Persian armor with silver-decorated spears appear around the money.
"Guard that until the Homeland Security man comes to claim it." she orders.
Dee lands gracefully, to set the second guard down carefully by the first. She looks upwards again, and says to Marius "Again?"
The bank, somewhat on fire but hardly a blazing inferno, has many shadows. One growing doesn't attract much attention; a person with a mask and a weapon stepping out of it does.
Agent Shaw turns to Kailin and gestures at the door. "Please exit the building in an orderly fashion," he says, the suggestion sounding fairly insistant. His head turns and he finds himself looking at a man in a mask and a cloak, apparently not worried about them or phased in the least. With a pirate and summoned Persians around…
"The situation has been handled. Exit the building."
Kailin gives a nod to Agent Shaw. "Yup." He turns his bike around and heads down the stairs on it, zipping back out the way he came in, quirking his head curiously at the 15 Persian soldiers outside. He circles around them, pulling his bike over towards Amirah. "Hello, hello. You and your soldiers…" He shakes his head with a chuckle and continues down to the street.
The man sees the Persians come up and growls under his breath, turning back into the back to collect the last bag from inside the vault, which is tosses through the ranks of the persians to land in the pile with the others. He nods curtly at Amirah, then goes back into the bank, checking the vault to make sure everything is out that could be damaged by the fire.
Rene runs up from around the corner and toward the flaming building. Then, noticing Dee by the guards, goes to her immediately. "Hey. Shoulda known I'd run into one of you guys. Saw the flames - how can I help?"
(Judge) Nestor rolls 8: [ -1- 2 3 7 8 8 9 9 ]
Resulting in 5 successes.
<OOC> Nestor says, "That was a Dex+Larceny roll. Anyone who wants to see if they spot the gold bars in my pockets, roll it."
Marius smiles and nods to Dee taking back off into the sky he heads for the second story window, to make sure there isn't any forgotten cleaning crew.
<OOC> Nestor says, "Aided by Epic Dex 2."
<OOC> Amirah doesn't care about them, so doesn't roll!
<OOC> Shaw says, "Gold bars are large and obvious, but I shall roll nonetheless."
<OOC> Nestor says, "And Agent Shaw is looking at the guy in the cloak."
Dee stands by Marius, two security guards laying at their feet that seem to have been overcome by smoke. She smiles to Rene, then shrugs. "I have no idea. We're just making sure no one's trapped in there. I got here late." With that, she is again rising into the air to check with Marius for others.
<OOC> Shaw says, "When you come back, I'm looking right at you, man."
<OOC> Nestor says, "I've got a huge coat on."
The cloaked man ignores Agent Shaw and looks at the pirate. A cold, cruel grin briefly passes across his lips, and he steps back into another shadow, disappearing entirely and manifesting in front of Nestor. He reaches up and removes his mask, revealing the inhumanly perfect face of Rupert "Ripper" Patel. He gives Nestor a look, on that has frozen titanspawn and demigods alike.
<OOC> Rupert says, "Compelling Presence on Nestor."
<OOC> Nestor says, "?"
<OOC> Amirah says, "It puts you into a trance so you have to stare at him."
<OOC> Rupert says, "Yup."
<OOC> Nestor says, "No resist?"
Amirah pages: Also? You are SO FREAKING AWESOME.
<OOC> Rupert says, "Not unless you're Legend 7 or above."
Amirah pages: I'm sorry you didn't rob the entire freaking bank.
You paged Amirah with 'Why thank you.'
<OOC> Nestor D:
(Judge) Shaw rolls 5: [ 2 2 4 4 7 ]
Resulting in 1 successes.
Marius is joined by NYC's very own superhero, the Alley Cat. The black clad figure in the vaguely feline Helmet leaps off the roof of a building to the ledge of the second floor back building. Turning and looking up to Marius, AC asks. "Anyone left inside?" He pushes his head against the side of the building and listens…
You paged Amirah with 'If I'd remembered to grab followers, I might have.'
From afar, Amirah nods.
Tybalt pages: Any sounds from inside with epic perc?
Nestor blinks at the man, staring at him. His hands, which were on a pair of gold bars to add to the pile on the ground in front of him, slowly retract to his sides as he sways in place slightly.
You paged Tybalt with 'No one else is in the building.'
Agent Shaw isn't sure how to react to the appearance of someone who can command a man to stop quite so easily. He looks between the pirate and the cloaked man, an eyebrow still raised, his hands at his sides. He turns to take a sweeping glance of the scene, a small frown on his face.
<OOC> Shaw says, "Instant Investigator!"
Rupert continues to stare idly at Nestor. "You are bold. That will serve you well. You are also stupid, and fate is less forgiving of that sin." He turns to look at Shaw. "Search him. Take whatever is not rightfully his."
(Judge) Shaw rolls 6: [ -1- 2 4 5 8 8 ]
Resulting in 2 successes.
Shaw pages: Alright.
You paged Rupert with 'So, how'd you spot it?'
Shaw pages: I get some stuff from you with 4 successes there.
Rupert pages: Hmn?
You paged Rupert with 'How'd you spot that I had stuff in my pockets?'
From afar, Shaw http://scion-mmp.wikidot.com/wit-knacks
Shaw pages: It's the top one; info plz.
From afar, Rupert didn't. He's just making it easier for the police to do their jobs since they'd search you anyway. Or so says every cop show he's seen on TV.
Kailin sets a foot down and leans back slightly on his motorcyle, his hands on the seat behind him. "So this is a whole lot of damage to repair… I wouldn't want to be the guy on that job." He continues to observe from the street now, no more involved than any other person walking by.
Amirah is still standing outside, like she was asked to do. Her 15 immortals are still guarding the (formerly) stolen money for the Agent.
Rupert pages: Rupert doesn't really know what's going on, but there's a burning bank, a man dressed like a pirate holding bags of cash, and an officer of the law on the scene, so he froze the most likely perp and invited the officer to get on with business.
Marius does his best, with Alley Cat and Dee on tow to search the building, his enhanced senses helping where they can, they come up empty, apparently only the two security guards were present.
Alley Cat pulls his head away from the building and turns in his crouch to survey the area. "It's clear, Weatherman." The figure offers, indicating the building. But for his part, he keeps his position and gazes down at the street, unsure of what is transpiring.
You paged Shaw with 'Attempted Theft. B&E. Exploding the front of the building (With some kind of projectile). Obstruction.'
You paged Shaw with '1 perpatrator.'
You paged Shaw with 'Happened within the last few minutes.'
You paged Shaw with 'Sequence of events: someone blew up the building with a high powered projectile launcher (of which there is no sign) and tried to make off with all the money in the vault, fleeing up the stairs before being caught and brought back, heading out the front to dump the money in a pile outside.'
You paged Shaw with 'Then, the perp came back in and started trying to bring out a pallet full of gold bars, several at a time. Some are missing from the stack.'
Dee is quiet as she looks as well, apart from the occasional cough given where they are. It's not exactly the ideal environment for breathing, and she has to go out through a window occasionally for some fresh air. She nods to Marius and AC, when it seems there's no one else needing saving.
Rene has leaned down to check on the guards, making sure they are breathing, keeping an ear out for Marius or Dee should they need any help.
Though Shaw is not one to take orders when they aren't given by his superiors, he recognizes someone with some degree of power without much difficulty. He takes the opportunity to pat Nestor down and relieve him of stolen goods and any weapons; he knows what happened now, and he is going to do something about it.
Nestor is carrying a saber, wickedly sharp, and about a dozen toy flintlock pistols in his bandolier. He has a gold bar in each coat pocket, and a small pouch of 18th century coins at his waist. Most of them are stamped 'COPY', and are the kind you can buy in any pirate-themed suvieneer shop.
Marius nods and looks down at the confrontatin inside, as well as hearing the sound of the fire truck calling in its position with the radio inside his skull, "Fire Department will be here soon, we should prolly make ourselves scarce.
<OOC> Nestor says, "The pistols are all plywood replicas with wood veneer over top, with a length of blackened copper tubing glued to the top as a 'barrel', and a twist of wire as a trigger and guard."
Alley Cat gives a nod to the pair and then crouches down, taking aim and then leaping across the intersection to land on an adjacent building before giving a casual look down. His next move is immediate, he reaches up and pulls himself up the fire escape and onto a high roof….he's athletic, that's for sure.
(Judge) Shaw rolls 1: [ 5 ]
Resulting in a failure.
Rupert turns back to Nestor and considers him for a long moment. "To try a stunt like this, in this city, after the events of Times Square, after the revelation of what we are," he shakes his head. "It does not tell me that you deserve to be set loose again. And I could keep you this way forever, until Kali Yuga and the turn of the wheel." He comments to Shaw. "I will take his toys. He may petition me for their return."
Dee mms. "I agree. I'm going to head back to the firehouse, I think. *Now* I need that swim. Well, a shower, first. Then the swim." With all the smoke, they aren't exactly pristine at the moment. "Coming with, or heading home?"
<OOC> Nestor says, "Can I talk at all? Or am I completely frozen?"
Marius looks at his smoke covered clothes, "A shower and a swim sounds like a good idea, I will join you." He smiles "Lead the way Cuz."
<OOC> Rupert says, "Completely frozen. I'll set you loose on my next pose."
<OOC> Rupert says, "You won't even remember anything that happened while you were frozen, and it'll seem like just a second."
You paged Shaw with 'What all did you take?'
Shaw pages: Everything I found, I removed from your person. He's going to take the guns, I'm going to hang onto the cutlass and I'm about to zip-tie your hands.
Dee returns Marius' smile, then heads into the air again. Not that high, because that's just asking for the wrong sort of attention, but enough to not have to weave around traffic. She heads back towards Tybalt's place.
Shaw pages: You are free to blink when you are freed and flip out appropriately.
You paged Shaw with 'And the coins?'
Shaw pages: I'm looking for a thwarting, not a capture, and possibly a nemesis.
Shaw pages: Yeah; Homeland Security doesn't mess around.
Shaw pages: The coins go in the pile with the toys.
"Holy shit. That guy really is a crackpot." Kailin shakes his head at the items Nestor has on him and then glances over towards Amirah. "Hey get rid of those guards and lets go talk. Or bring them along. Whatever." He tilts his head off down the street and says, "I've got some news."
Amirah glances towards the Guards. "You may disperse after the Agent reclaims his items." she instructs. And in fact they will disperse; dissolving into dust along with everything they are carrying. She turns to follow after Kailin. "Its a matter of perspective and heritage." she replies, following after Kailin.
Though Rupert may be used to this kind of thing, Shaw is not. He is especially not used to taking orders from someone outside his chain of command. However, he has a survival instinct, and apprehending the would-be thief is more important. He takes the cutlass, placing the toys and the coin-bag in a pile near the cloaked man. He then steps behind Nestor, taking him by the wrists and binding them behind his back with something that looks an awful lot like a black zip-tie.
Agent Shaw intends to take him away. The sirens indicating the law is on the way echo down the street as they fast approach. Nestor may have a problem with this course of action.
Rupert makes a dismissive motion and dispels whatever spell he had over Nestor. He smiles cruelly once more, and replaces his mask. "I believe you are under arrest. Go quietly, and you may petition me for the return of your possessions. And," his voice drops to a cold, empty whisper, "if you do anything like this again, I will not be so kind. I have no patience for children, and your antics hurt us all. This is MY city." He gathers the toys and steps back to let Shaw do his job.
Rene straightened at the sound of the police sirens. He glances back at the guards one last time, and around at the others on the street, picks up his bag, and makes his way into the shadows and back around the corner.
Nestor blinks as the spell disperses, stepping backwards at the closeness of Rupert, almost bumping into Shaw. He tries to move forward, but overbalances when his hands don't come forward to support him, and crashes to the ground. He looks around wildly, noting that his things are being held by Rupert and that his hands are bound. "What the crows happened? How are you two so bloody fast?!" He wiggles for a second, and notices that he isn't jingling. He stares up at Rupert, looks at the items in his hands, swallows, and immediately stops struggling, going limp, stretched out on the ground. "Yes, sir. Won't happen again, sir."
Agent Shaw pulls Nestor to his feet, marching him outside with one hand on his shoulder and the other on his wrists. He takes him out the door to where the police have just pulled up, along with the fire department, ambulances, and with all manner of reporters right behind them. It seems to be almost perfect timing. Maybe it's fate.
He brings the pirate into the waiting care of several of the city's finest, flashes his badgeeyes go wide, 'sir' is used repeatedlyand says, "Search him again and take him in. He's the prime suspect." The agent waves off the persians, the group becoming dust and the police taking the money off the street.
Agent Shaw turns back to the building, looking over the massive damage done to it by some sort of explosive projectiles. What did it? How did this pirate look-a-like get a hold of something that strong? What did he hope to accomplish with such a simple robbery with those kinds of resources?
The Man in Black brushes soot off of his shoulder and adjusts his tie. He turns and walks calmly down the street back to his car, whispers following in his wake.
Just another day in New York.


text: Looking back at previous years productions, a slight degree of predictability that this version of Mikado be connected somehow with Scotland was, I am sure, allowable – the only question to be answered was "Where in Scotland would that be?" We learned before long that this was to be a twinning with Peterhead, featuring, in the place of Pooh Bah, the ex-Provost of said town, Lord Hamish MacDuff, played in his natural style by Andrew Sim - his introductory line to the Three Little Maids – "Fit like, little girls, fit like" drawing appropriate laughter from the house. The Three Little Maids, Yum-Yum (Jilly Martin), Pitti-Sing (Caroline Warburton) and Peep-Bo (Angela Mitchell) all performed well in both solo and ensemble numbers. Particular mention must go to Peep-Bo for her cheeky characterisation throughout, which introduced yet more humour into the show. As Ko-Ko, director Robin Ozog gave of his wealth of experience, bringing the Lord High Executioner to life. His "Little List" song contained the (now almost obligatory!) "get at a politician" third verse, however, the first two verses were, generously, passed on to the fine tenor voice of Go-To (Bryan McGlashan). Bryan gave an excellent, clear rendition of this well-known song, allowing Ko-Ko time to mingle with the chorus. Craig Rose portrayed a very believable Nanki-Poo, with clear diction and singing at all times, his "Were you not to Ko-Ko plighted" duet with Yum-Yum being a case in point. I should also compliment the singing in the madrigal "Brightly Dawns our Wedding Day" with Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing, Nanki-Poo and Pish Tush (Niall Aitken). Principal-wise, that leaves The Mikado (Dave Smith) and Katisha. On the evening of my visit, the part of Katisha was played by Elaine Young, but shared on alternate performances with Liz Hutchings. This, I understand, is Elaine's 5th Katisha, and with her feisty performance, I am sure that (along with "her left shoulder-blade!) it is one that "People come miles to see"! Dave gave a suitably formidable performance in the title role – his clarity of word making the character all the more interesting. Sadly, for reasons best known to Messrs Gilbert & Sullivan the role of The Mikado of Japan is essentially a cameo role – maybe, someday, someone will discover a long-lost song in the Arthur Sullivan archives, written for this character, giving more audience-time to this larger-than-life part. Male and female choruses both sang and moved well, contributing to a colourful production.


text:
Hi, i would like to take a trip to the Maldives in end March and will be going with my wife and her sister and friends. my first choice was liveaboards but they seem to need advance divers and my wife and co are all open water. Are there any suggestions for cheap and good land based diving you guys can recommend? preferably within speedboat distance from the airport because my wife doesn't do well with flights..Thanks in advance!
Yes liveaboards are for advanced divers. Please check my trip review on the previous link. If you want further info, please let me know. The guesthouse is about 50 minutes from the airport by speedboat.
I read through your post and other reviews online: is it true that there are tons of mosquitoes?Also, how much did it cost you for the speedboat? did you book with the village or through 3rd party?Also, would you recommend Club Med Maldives?
Also, would you recommend Club Med Maldives?
Hi. Planning to do LOB next year Jan. Any recommendation?
There are many boats available but it depends on your budget and what level of luxury you are expecting.


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• The possibility of never asking yourselfin a few months: But why haven't I joined them?
How to apply:
Does this job interest you? Don't hesitate to send us your résumé to rc [at] exrein [dot] com. Only applications that correspond to the requested profile will receive a response.


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1919 Excelsior #003
Excelsior #003 was purchased by Leon Srhoy, who resides in Australia. He found this website, and made up his mind that the next bike produced would be his.
The same grey paint was used as in #002, but the tank had an extra maroon stripe to compliment the red. It's subtle, but works very well!
I finished #003 in September '09. This photo of the motor was featured in my '09 Xmas email card.
I wasn't sure if I was going to have a startup party for #003… I had already had parties for #001 and #002, but then Leon phoned in June '09, and announced that he's coming over for the party! I figured that if he's coming all the way from Australia, I'm going to have a party. The smart way for Leon to come would be to just hop on a plane, but that would be too easy. He bought a 1973 Kawasaki Z1 in Florida off Ebay and had it shipped to his buddy in LA. His buddy took it to a m/c shop where it was worked on, particularly the electrical system. Leon then flew to LA, picked up the bike, and rode up the coast to attend the party. The Kawasaki only broke down twice!
Selling price for #003 was $129,000.
[youtube_sc url="http://youtu.be/b0mNqvzOuGA" title="Paul%20Brodie%27s%20Excelsior%20#003%20Engine%20Start-up" width="600″ height="400″ color="white" border="1″ autohide="0″ fs="1″ cc_load_policy="1″ rel="0″]
< Excelsior #002 / Excelsior #004 >


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For every American conservative, not once but whenever he wants it, it's always the evening of November 4, 1980, the instant when we knew Ronald Reagan, the man who gave the speech in the lost cause of 1964, leader of the movement since 1966, derided by liberal elites and despised by the Republican establishment, the moment when we knew—he'd won, we'd won, the impossible dream was possible, the desperate gamble of modern conservatism might pay off, conservatism had a chance, America had a chance. And then, a decade later—the Cold War won, the economy revived, America led out of the abyss, we'd come so far with so much at stake—conservatism vindicated, America restored, a desperate and unbelievable victory for the cast made so many years ago against such odds.
But that was then, and this is now. Now is 2012, and it seems clear that 2012 isn't going to be another 1980. The reality seems to be that we're not going to have a chance to replay that election, with (at least in the hazy glow of retrospect) a compelling conservative leader of long standing but ever youthful, a man who stood tall and spoke for us and for America, riding gracefully to victory over the GOP establishment in the primaries and over decadent liberalism in the general election. Assuming the presidential field stays as it is, 2012 won't be a repeat of 1980.


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Organized Crime Queens:
The Secret World of Female Gangsters
by Jerry Bader
Genre: Biography
From the bizarre world of female Japanese motorcycle gangs to the historic rise and fall of London's Forty Elephants, the history of female organized crime is both fascinating and strange. These are the stories, both true and legendary of the female crime bosses that broke the mould of feminine gentility. This is The Secret World of Female Gangsters.
Most of society thinks of women as the gentler sex, the sex with more compassion and empathy, not prone to violence. The truth is history, and current events, are littered with stories of violent women who do whatever it takes to get what they want; women who either revel in, or accept as needed, whatever acts of torture, murder and depravity that are required to achieve their goals. We're not talking about mundane psychopaths that kill their children and their husbands; or homicidal maniacs that kill randomly without purpose, other than for some sexual or psychological gratification. We're talking about female organized crime bosses, leaders of highly structured, often successful criminal organizations.
Most everyone knows about the high profile male mobsters; people like Lucky Luciano, Myer Lansky, Bugsy Segal, Arnold Rothstein, and Al Capone: men who became legends, rightly or wrongly, due to the public's insatiable appetite for literature, movies, and television stories based on their lives. But what about their female counterparts, they definitely existed and still exist. Their stories are both fascinating and cautionary. Their histories provide an alternative perspective on the equality of the sexes; everything has a price. We are talking about smart, capable, talented, ruthless women who under other circumstances might have become leaders in either business or politics; women who demanded respect, loyalty and a big payday; or else.
An Excerpt from Organized Crime Queens
Forty Elephants
The Female Gang That Terrorized London
The idea of a gang of highly intelligent, dangerous, wild living, independent criminal women led by an extraordinary individual who thought she was the reincarnation of some Amazon Queen is unusual, if not unique. In today's society Alice Diamond might have become the CEO of a major multinational corporation, or perhaps the Prime Minister of England, but in the early twentieth century, ruthless women of ambition, strength, and intellect were not given access to the educational and leadership avenues available to men.
If there's a lesson to be learned from the tale of the Forty Elephants it's that denying access to opportunity based on bias, prejudice, or preconception will ultimately bite society in the ass, extracting a larger price than if opportunity was provided to all. On the other hand, there are individuals and groups of males and females who refuse to work within the confines of society to create change and prefer a self-indulgent, nihilistic pursuit of self-gratification and interest.
The Forty Elephants, also known as the Forty Thieves, were an all-female gang of criminals that operated in London from the 1700s up until the 1950s. They reached their heyday in the years between WWI and WWII under the leadership of twenty-year old Alice Diamond, also known as Diamond Annie, due to her penchant for wearing diamond rings that she often used as a weapon. More than one assailant lost an eye or suffered severe physical injury from one of her namesake fashion statements.
What's Your Poison?:
How Cocktails Got Their Names
by Jerry Bader
Why do we call mixed alcohol drinks "cocktails"? How do they get their exotic names, like the Singapore Sling, Screw Driver, the Alamagoozlum, the Angel's Kiss, the Hanky Panky, the Harvey Wallbanger, Sex on the Beach, the Monkey Gland, the Brass Monkey, the Margarita, the Japalac, the Lion's Tail, and many, many more? Who makes up these names, where are they invented, why, and how do you make them? These questions will be answered in What's Your Poison? by exploring the incidents, people, and places that prompted the creation of these exotic concoctions.
Beating the System
by Jerry Bader
It's been said that gambling is a tax on the dumb; that may be overly harsh, but the fact is, most gambling venues are designed to guarantee you lose. It doesn't matter if it's horse racing, lotteries, casinos, or the annual state fair. As soon as you plunk down your dollar you're a loser. Those milk bottles at the bottom of the pyramid you're trying to knock down are filled with lead, and that basketball net that looks so close you can't miss, is actually oval not round, and barely big enough for a ball to pass through.
Most people like to take a chance every once in a while; maybe they'll get lucky. It's a kick, a lark: an afternoon's entertainment. They know when to walk away… others don't… some can't. For them, it's a drug, a search for an unattainable high. Deep down, they don't even want to win. It's sad. It's pathetic is what it is.
You see these sorry souls at the track, at the casinos, or anywhere there's a game of chance. They'll bet on horses, dogs, camels… even killer roosters. It's nuts, I know, but they're addicts. They'll bet on people, and that's the worst bet of all. Gambling is for suckers. That's why gamblers don't gamble; they fix the game, and even then, it doesn't always work.
Horse racing is advertised as the sport of kings. Sure, if that's what you want to believe. I was a jockey, it was my job, but I made my living as a fixer. You want to know what really goes on behind the scenes. You want to know what horse racing is really all about. Then come a little closer 'cause I got a story for you.
Jerry Bader is author, publisher, and Senior Partner in MRPwebmedia.com. He has written twelve hybrid graphic novels (including The Method, The Comeuppance, The Coffin Corner, and Grist for the Mill), thirteen children's books (including Two Dragons Named Shoe, The Town That Didn't Speak, The Bad Puppeteer, The Criminal McBride, and Mr. Bumbershoot, the Umbrella Man), three marketing books, and several novels and biographies, including The Fixer and Organized Crime Queens.
The graphic novels are unique in that they are designed as screenplays with accompanying storyboard panels to give the reader an enhanced experience akin to reading like a movie producer. Watch for new releases as they come available!
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!


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In this episode I give updates on The Black Hebrew Awakening and the coming audio version. I also talk about what's coming up for early 2019 as far as the new platform that will offer opportunities to people of color.
- Welcome to the BHITB Podcast – Cultivating Black Excellence
- My cryptic Facebook announcements
- Thank you to everyone supporting The Black Hebrew Awakening
- Debuted at #2 in African American Studies
- A few more awakening boxes left.
- Audio Book is accepting auditions on ACX.com
- Bible Study Bookz
- The 48 Laws of Black Empowerment
Show Notes
- Walking the talk of the 48 Laws of Black Empowerment.
My Team
- Money is our secondary objective.
- The pitch: I wanna start a positive black network on YouTube and give away 40% of the profit.
- I wanna start online businesses and give away 40% of the profit.
- Some people jumped ship immediately.
- In the end 3 people stuck with me on my idea.
- Putting people in positions to help others.
- The Most High opened doors.
- We have access to 4,000 sq. ft. to film, record music, conduct business.
- We have access to professional film and music equipment.
- We can do live events, fundraisers, etc.
- Positive Black Programming
- Black business
- Black education
- Black finance
- Black history
- Shout out to the Patrons
- If you go to the Patreon page and check the goals, you'll see that everything is right on track.
- If you wanna support what we're trying to build, become a Patron for any amount.
Please Take A Moment To Share
If you enjoyed this study, please take a moment to click the button below and share it. Thanks in advance.
The Black Hebrew Awakening
The Final 400 Years As Slaves In America
+ See the evidence of black Hebrews from Genesis to Revelation.
+ See the maps, journal entries, and more to back every claim.
+ Learn why certain subjects are taught while others are avoided.
+ Learn to compare the words of scripture with the doctrines of men.
+ Awaken to the truth of who we are and where we're going
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Mar 2nd 2011
MacBreak Weekly 236
iPad 2
Hosted by Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, Alex Lindsay, Rene Ritchie
Live coverage of the Apple iPad 2 event.
Records live every Tuesday at 2:00pm Eastern / 11:00am Pacific / 18:00 UTC.
Live coverage of the Apple iPad 2 event. Download or subscribe to this show at twit.tv/mbw. We invite you to read, add to, and amend our show notes. Bandwidth for MacBreak Weekly is provided by Cachefly.


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'Active transportation' program seeks to get kids moving to and from school
U of A researchers develop guide for parents and school administrators to set up programs aimed at encouraging students to walk or cycle to school safely.
By NICOLE GRAHAM
Read more stories
Cougars respond to roads based on human activity, topography, and time of day
New treatment for blood cancer works by selectively interfering with cancer cell signalling: study
Soil fungi act like a support network for trees, study shows
With the majority of children not getting enough physical activity to meet current Canadian guidelines, University of Alberta researchers are encouraging parents and school administrators to implement structured programs that help children travel to and from school in a safe and active manner.
"Active transportation, such as walking or cycling, to and from school can contribute to daily physical activity levels, improve fitness and reduce the risk of developing a chronic disease," said Soultana Macridis, research associate with the U of A's Alberta Centre for Active Living.
"In fact, children who use school active transportation have shown to have increased self-confidence and independence, and are less likely to experience childhood obesity."
Kimberley McFadden, a PhD student in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation and co-author on the study, said recent reports on children's activity levels are showing that fewer Canadian children are meeting daily recommendations.
A Statistics Canada report from 2017 showed that, among youth aged five to 17, only 13 per cent of boys and just six per cent of girls were getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily as outlined in current Canadian physical activity guidelines.
To combat inactivity, the team—working in partnership with SHAPE Alberta and Ever Active Schools—surveyed "active transportation champions" from across the province to explore and understand their perspectives on planning and implementing school active transportation initiatives.
"In the survey, champions defined success in a variety of ways, from increased support from the school and community to changes in student behaviour toward use of active transportation, and even changes in the urban environment to aid safe active transportation," said Macridis.
The survey also asked champions what challenges they faced when trying to implement their plans. The results identified six key barriers: distance students must travel, time, lack of funding, insufficient support, perceived safety and environmental/weather changes.
From there, the research team came up with a six-step process to ensure safe, successful programs are in place for students. As a school active transportation champion herself, Macridis suggested being creative when trying to overcome challenges.
For example, she implemented "walking school buses" in the various rural communities she has worked in over the past several years, where distance and safety concerns—such as encounters with wildlife—were an issue. Students were dropped off at a stop along the walking school bus route, where they would be "picked up" by the walking school bus of students, teachers or parent volunteers.
McFadden added that incorporating short bouts of physical activity throughout the day is something champions can look at adding to their school active transportation plans. And while active transportation planning can be simple, buy-in from the committee, schools, parents and—most importantly—students, is imperative.
"The goal is not only to increase youth physical activity levels, but also to have the students want to participate in these types of physical activity plans. If we can accomplish that, youth can make a significant shift toward lowering—or at least delaying—the risk factors and diseases associated with inactivity and improving their overall quality of life."


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Magnolia Guitar
Guitar Lessons and Repairs in Arlington, VA
Original content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012
You have to teach them how...
Because I snapped this, this morning, I had just dashed in from my morning run, and we were about to dash right back out the door.
And Scott was putting the "finishing touches" on Chap for the day.
You see, it's picture day.
And, Chap is also in a "Men of Distinction" group at school. So, they dress up once a week. And, today, is that day.
So, Chap has been working on his TIE-ing skills :)
And here's where the lesson comes in.
Scott always works on turning things into "teaching moments".
And he is very verbal about the fact that our kids have to be "taught" the simple skills in life.
Like, how to shake a man's hand.
You just aren't born knowing how to give a firm, solid, manly handshake.
As a matter of fact, at my age..ahem...I still don't know that skill. Why? Because I wasn't taught that skill..because I didn't need it.
you get me?
So, I digress.
Scott does a great job, and I am continually thankful for his role as a "teacher" to our boys. Teaching them life-skills to be men.
So, this morning, as they were getting ready, I think the best part about this, is the way that Chap is so focused and watching his Daddy, and maybe, I just wanna think that he was soaking it all in. Ya know?
Now, if I could just get Scott to teach them how to wash dishes.....oh wait...I think I need to teach him first :)
3 comments:
- Linh C. said...
I think Chap will remember this moment with his Dad too. So precious!
- October 3, 2012 at 8:28 PM
- Lisa said...
you and Scott are so right!! there are so many things that kids aren't taught today. so many parents and teachers say we are too hard on Cole, but he will not be one of those kids that disrespect others, or don't know how to show respect to adults. he won't be the bratty kid that other parents fuss about. jason spends lots of time in Scouts teaching the boys to look him in the eyes when they are talking to each other and to always look at who ever is speaking to you, even if you are only listening and not talking back, or answering, and always speaking clearly and speak up so people can hear you and understand you. little things that they aren't getting everywhere else. i can't wait for Cole to need to wear a tie, and to see Jason teach him how to tie it.
- October 3, 2012 at 8:43 PM
- lucysinspired said...
Yes, the way he is looking up at his daddy....that's priceless!
- October 3, 2012 at 9:41 PM