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malfoys-demigod · 3 years

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Turn Me or Leave Me 2/2

1/2

Summary: Elijah makes his choice to find and return you to him with the help of Marcel.

A/N: It was really nice to see that people wanted a second part. This one's shorter but I hope you still enjoy it!

Word Count: 1.8k

Tagging: @puddinmistahj-blog @moon-child-writer @wanniiieeee @agent-anna @mysticalfallsss

“All I wanted was a happy ending. A happy ending to what I have caused on our special day.” Elijah said, expressing his guilt on a sunny morning. A day after the evening of when he learned that you, the love of his life, had chosen to leave, and adding to the misery, asked that your memories were to be erased. Every last one memory he and you shared for the past five years.

Marcel and Klaus, being his only two anchors who felt responsible to hold the honorable and noble Mikaelson standing, stood behind the still-sad Elijah, listening to him sulk around the compound.

Marcel felt highly accountable for putting Elijah in greater pain, confiding in him the truth that came along with nothing but distress. He also felt sorry that he had to tell them something that made you unsure of telling Marcel in the first place, despite not telling them exactly where you were headed… yet.

The right hand of Klaus had sighed, looking at the ground, getting Elijah to turn around and look at him with focus.

“I’ll have you know Marcellus that I completely feel regret in myself for giving her the choice to leave. I shouldn’t have referred to her as a wall when it came to discussing important matters as that. I feel entirely in the wrong as she was right in making that point of no difference between now or five years for me to turn her. I vowed that I’d do anything to make her happy and I denied a simple request that I could have given in a heartbeat. I am clearly spiraling down a whole of great depression and fear, on the brink of turning my humanity off knowing that I cannot attempt to get her back. Is that what you wanted out of me?” he asked, irritated and drained.

Marcel looked at Klaus, who seemed to have shrugged, signaling that this was not his floor for him to say anything since he wasn’t the one to have gotten Elijah’s attention. He then looked back at Elijah, who was breathing heavily from what he had just told Marcel.

“I’m sorry, Elijah, you must have misunderstood me,” Marcel stated, “You see, I wanted to honor the moment Y/N and I had together that night in the airport. In order for her to tell me where she was going, I told her that there was no use in feeling hesitant to tell me since there was an assumption that you’d back off and respect her wishes of leaving, staying here instead. I shouldn’t have done that now that I’m hoping you’d sweep her off her feet again and get her back. Before you snap my neck or anything, just know that I’m on your side now, I want you to get her back.”

Elijah used his super-speed to quickly appear in front of Marcel, looking at him with serious eyes, “Then kindly tell me where she is. I’d like to get my wife back.”

Marcel patted Elijah in the back, smirking with delight, “With pleasure, but there’s someone you should know with her over there who’ll be brought back as well.”

Elijah’s face turned to stone, as his excitement was abruptly brought to a pause. “Who?” he asked with worry.

“I’m so glad we could end today’s shopping at this wonderful restaurant’s seating choice, Rebekah.” you thanked your newly made friend.

The two of you were currently at Duke’s La Jolla, a Hawaiian-inspired restaurant known for its beautiful outdoor seatings, overlooking the ocean views San Diego had to offer. This was near La Jolla Cove, a place Rebekah had planned on taking you to see after.

Right now, Duke’s was the place to gather energy and restore appetite after today’s massive shopping care of Rebekah at The Shops, an unparalleled experience for shopping at the city. She surprisingly took care of all the expenses, managing you to not stress about the endless rolling of receipts. She said it was another warm way of welcoming you to the city.

“Of course, dear, Y/N,” Rebekah waved off, “I’ve befriended the chef quite some time ago and got us the best seats for today. He’s remarkably a talented chef I might say as our meals are on the house.”

You gasped at the fact that meals were also taken cared of, “First the shopping, now the meals? This clearly has to be a dream, Rebekah, I’m serious, nobody could be that lucky in one day.”

“I can assure you that the chef of Duke’s has his ways of welcoming newcomers to his city and giving out free meals on your first visit is one of his many ways,” said an masculine voice, interrupting the conversation.

You looked up to see an elegant and sophisticated man, wearing a black luxurious suit, smiling at you with such captivation in his eyes. He removed one of his hands that had been hiding in his pocket, lending it out for you to shake.

“I’m Elijah, Rebekah’s brother,” the man introduced himself to you.

You took out your hand, shaking it with a small, enchanted smile on your face as you were charmed by his presence, “It’s nice to meet you, Elijah, I’m Y/N.”

Elijah felt nothing but pure attractiveness in how refreshing you looked compared to how he saw you last time. He was feeling nervous but wonderful to see you as you felt and appeared so different.

He examined how different you looked in terms of fashion. Rebekah transformed you into this fresh West Coast beach girl, successfully rocking the sundress and denim jacket as your hair was flowing down in a wavy manner. Your smile, it really showed that you were compelled. You had no thoughts of the troubling life you had in New Orleans, especially during the last time you interacted with Elijah. You seemed to have had no thought on the supernatural events happening, as there was nothing but sunshine on your mind.

Marcel seemed to have noticed that Elijah was about to start fawning over you for a much longer time than he had expected, which caused him to nudge Elijah in the shoulder, bringing him back to reality.

Elijah, animated back to reality, turned to Marcel, who was smiling warmly at you, “This is Marcel, a friend of mine.”

“He’s also my boyfriend actually,” Rebekah stated, smiling at you and Elijah. Marcel extended his hand and chuckled at you, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Y/N.”

You shook Marcel’s hand, gasping again at Rebekah, “Rebekah I didn’t even know about you having a brother, and now a boyfriend? You seem to be hiding lots of things from me,” you teased.

“Relax darling, I’ve only met you a few days ago, I can’t just talk you through my entire life,” Rebekah sarcastically replied, “No doubt that would take centuries,” she looked at Elijah with a smirk.

“Right, well I wouldn’t want to be rude anymore, Elijah, Marcel, would you like to join us? The view is to die for, and so is the food!” you proposed, inviting your two new friends to sit with you by the table.

Rebekah waved her hands at Elijah and Marcel who had begun nodding and gesturing to sit, “But would you look at the time? Y/N was meaning to be taken to La Jolla Cove and now seems to be the perfect time.”

You turned to Rebekah, narrowing your eyebrows in confusion. But before you had a say in it, Elijah took a step forward and pointed at his sister, “Yes well, perhaps you’ve forgotten that you and Marcel have matters to attend to by this hour, sister? Y/N shouldn’t be worried about cancelled plans on her end, I’d be delighted to take her for you, if that's alright with you, Y/N?” he asked, now looking at you.

You rapidly nodded in excitement, “Of course, I don’t see why not!”

Marcel clasped his hands together, rubbing it in successfully, “Well now that’s settled, I think it’s time to make a move now,” he offered, looking at the group with a big grin on his face. Rebekah pursed her lips in irritation, “Right, just fantastic…” she murmured, standing up and making her way beside Marcel.

Elijah took his hand out gracefully, which you took in response, standing up beside him with an elated smile on your face. “Well, thank you for lunch today, Rebekah, and of course shopping. I’ll see you at home later?”

“With good things to look forward to I hope,” Rebekah strangely replied, which somehow Elijah and Marcel knew what she meant, leaving Marcel and Rebekah to part ways after that, resulting in you and Elijah left alone again.

He looked at you with mesmerism for a quick second and then gestured his hand to the exit, “Shall we?”

Plans with the person taking you to La Jolla Cove may have been changed but something about Elijah taking you instead didn’t really bother you. He was nothing but a pleasure to be with at the moment. After multiple times of offering that you drive, you finally gave up when Elijah strongly insisted that he’d take the wheel and drive the two of you to your destination.

For some reason, the drive to the cove had been surprisingly quiet in a good way. Glances at each other were exchanged every so often, smiling at each other as if you two were an old and sweet married couple enjoying each other’s moments together.

While you were thinking about how kind and handsome your friend’s brother was, Elijah was feeling nothing but a breeze of happiness in his heart, seeing you smile as if nothing in the world was bothering you at the moment. He was a little sad that you weren’t aware anymore of the feud between you two, but he wanted to cherish this happy and silent moment the two of you were sharing, knowing it would come to an end later on as he intended of bringing your memories back.

Once you arrived at the cove, you quickly stepped out and breathed the fresh and sunny air in the small, picturesque cove and beach that was surrounded by cliffs. “Wow, I can see why this place is deeply loved by both tourists and locals.” you admitted, gazing at the waves and breathtaking sky.

You turned around, looking at Elijah, who seemed to have already made his way beside you, putting his hands back on his pocket. You noticed how elegantly perfect he looked in his suit, but it didn’t really suit the setting. “Can I be honest with you, Elijah?” you asked, getting his attention.

He gave a small smile and nod, gesturing for you to continue, “Of course.”

“No offense because I really like your whole get up and all but wearing a nice suit… on a beach?” you joked, laughing at what you said.

Elijah looked down at his whole look, grinning at your observation and started unbuttoning his jacket, “Yes, I suppose you’re right. I do hope though that folding up my shirt and trousers would suffice at the moment.”

“We could head back to the mall and get you some beach clothes if you want,” you offered, turning around to the car.

Elijah shook his head, and stopped you by grabbing your forearm, “That won’t be necessary, Y/N, I wouldn’t want you to miss out on spending more time in this lovely place.”

You nodded, showing a gesture of appreciation and looked back at the view of the beach, “It’s beautiful isn’t it? I’ve never seen such magnificent views like this. You see, I’m originally from New Orleans and I just moved here to the West Coast and I haven’t really had much exposure to things like this.”

Elijah, finished folding his shirt and trousers, looked at you with care, “Do you like it here so far?”

You nodded, showing eyes of hopes and dreams awaiting to be accomplished, “You bet. I don’t really see myself going back to New Orleans. I can’t explain how I’m feeling exactly but this place makes me feel free and at ease. Like nothing’s stopping me to live a carefree and happy life.”

Elijah displayed somewhat of a small smile, which to him was because he was relieved and happy that you were happy. The smile was small because he also felt unhappy that he was not able to provide you this happiness.

“What about you, Elijah?”

“Hm?” Elijah hummed in confusion.

“Are you living a carefree and happy life as well?” you prompted, asking innocently. “Perhaps there’s a special person in your life that’s giving you the additional happiness in your life?” There was something in your gut that wanted you to ask this, wanting to know if he had a significant other in his life.

Elijah chuckled to himself in a depressing way, looking down at the ground. “It’s quite a long story.”

“Ah,” you opened your mouth, happy that you understood what he was trying to say, “But do you love her?”

There seemed to be a quick and honest nod from Elijah, who seemed to be looking directly at the horizon, as if he was vividly thinking about his girl. “Words cannot express how much I love her.”

“So what happened?” you genuinely asked.

“One single yet vast mistake I made on my end. It ruined everything that we had together and I will never forget how much I regretted everything that led to her completely starting a new life without me. It broke my heart but I deserved that. She doesn’t deserve to have her heart broken because I wasn’t thinking things correctly.” he utterly confessed with grief.

You touched his shoulder out of pity, causing him to look at you with soft eyes, “Fight for her, Elijah. She has to be around here somewhere, hasn’t she? It isn’t too late to see if you have a chance to get her back and I know you will. I can help find her!” you supportingly said, trying to get his hopes up.

But it somehow failed. He sighed, shaking his head at you. His hand slowly touched yours, the one that held his shoulder. “Looking around for her won’t be necessary,” he replied, confusing you, “Because you’ve been standing alongside me today.”

You narrowed your eyes, wondering what he meant as this sounded strange to you. “I-I don’t follow, Elijah.”

Elijah placed both his hands on your shoulders firmly, looking you straight in the eye as he started compelling you.

“What we have just briefly discussed between us is considered a highlight of what I’m about to bring back to you,” he first said, “Recently, Marcel Gerard had compelled you to forget everything that happened to you in the last five years upon your request. The reason for this was because I denied you of becoming a vampire after being asked by you on our five year anniversary. With this, we had a massive quarrel, leaving you to have your memories erased and decide to start a new life here, away from New Orleans. Eventually you met again, Rebekah, but that doesn’t matter as much as what I’m about to say. I, Elijah Mikaelson, your husband, have travelled to see you, ending this compulsion to give you free will upon hearing what has been said.”

A few mere seconds had passed after Elijah’s compulsions and there you were, standing, and staring at someone who grew fondly familiar to you, bringing about tears slowly falling on your face as emotions were just attacking your body, hitting you right in the face with such clarity and impact.

Elijah only saw a tearful wife of his, narrowing her eyes with emotion as she didn’t know how to feel at the moment. He wanted to hug her and tell her everything was fine but he wanted her to make the first move, giving her the choice on how she wanted to react.

“E-Elijah,” your voice broke, causing you to just wrap your arms around his neck, breaking out to sob quietly. Elijah frowned in pity, hugging you back with such grip on his arms, wanting to not let you go. He gently rubbed your back, whispering sweet words and telling you to let it all out.

“My darling,” he whispered, “Just let it all out, it will be alright.”

Still embracing him, you shook your head, which he felt you do, “No,” you denied, “I’m so sorry, Elijah.”

This caused the heartwarming hug to stop from the two of you, as you simultaneously pulled out from each other. Elijah looked at you with slight confusion, after hearing you apologize. “Elijah,” you continued, “It was really wrong of me to lash out on you that night. I completely destroyed our anniversary night all because of one thing I kept going on about. Then I didn’t even let you know what choice I chose, leaving you to find out in a way you couldn’t imagine. I’m very, truly, sorry.”

Elijah gloomed, lowering his face with guilt, “No, Y/N,” he started with a low, sad voice, “It is I who is in the wrong, not you. You will never be in the wrong. What you asked for was something to do with what special thing we have. Of course it is my dream to live an eternal life with you, and when the situation appeared in front of me, I foolishly ignored it and words cannot express how wrong that was of me to do. I was a fool for doing so, for letting you go, and making you unhappy. It went to show how vapid I was as a husband and the guilt of that lives in me. It was I who destroyed our special day together, not you, but I. When you left without telling me, I deserved that as it gave me the time to reflect on how much of a mindless person I was that night. Knowing that you went here to start a life without me broke me. I never wanted to imagine what it was like to not have you in my life anymore and that fear arrived the moment we fought and I was trembling with such immense fear, knowing that life would crumble down without you by my side. I want you to know Y/N, that you are the love of my life always and forever. I am deeply apologetic for what I have done and I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to make things right, to make us right again, because all I want in my life is to make you happy and if you will, I would like to live an eternal life with you, for you are the light of my life.”

It didn’t take another second for you to think about it. Despite going through a lot on both your ends, he was still the love of your life. If there was one thing the Mikaelsons taught you, it was that no matter what happens, family will always come down as the number one thing in life, always and forever.

You nodded, starting to grow a smile on your face, followed along with giggles, which caused Elijah to tense down and return the smile, “Yes, Elijah,” you replied, “I will always love you with all my heart. You are after all, my husband, my lover, my favorite person in the entire world and I would never want things to end between us for you too are the light of my life.”

With that, Elijah cupped your face and connected his lips with yours, planting a passionate and heartwarming kiss to end the beautiful day in one of your favorite places with your favorite person. You returned to wrapping your arms around his neck, hoping to stay like this forever with him.

Perhaps the two of you could stay in this beautiful place for awhile, after all… It is your special week in the end.

#elijah mikaelson x reader #the originals #the vampire diaries #tvd #to #elijah mikaelson #elijah mikaelson x you #elijah mikaelson x y/n #elijah mikaelson imagines #elijah mikaelson imagine #elijah mikaelson fluff #elijah mikaelson angst #klaus mikaelson #marcel gerard

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cksmart-world · 2 years

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SMART BOMB

The completely unnecessary news analysis

by Christopher Smart

May 24, 2022

WHERE'S THE BEEF?

Can we count on nothing these days? A New York man has a beef with Wendy's and McDonald's, alleging unfair and deceptive trade practices because their burgers look larger in ads than they really are. OK, hold on, is any American surprised by this? Now we're not saying claimant Justin Chimienti is right — after all, he's seeking $50 million in damages in his proposed class-action suit — but we are living in the land of “25 percent more” and “30 percent brighter.” Nonetheless, the lawsuit claims the actual burgers are some 15 percent smaller than the sandwiches in the ads. The complaint states that the "actions are especially concerning now that inflation, food, and meat prices are very high and many consumers, especially lower income consumers, are struggling financially." Is a Quarter Pounder no long a quarter pound? Was it ever? According to the BBC, the allegation may be hard to prove because the claimants have to do more than weigh a hamburger. Mark Bartholomew, law professor at the University of Buffalo, said they must prove customers were actually fooled. And let's face it, Americans know a Big Mac isn't big — that's why they order the large fries and Coke with the Meal Deal. They know they're being fooled, but what are they going to do — go to Taco Bell?

MEET ME IN BUDAPEST

Well, it's not exactly Miami but they do have a dictator, so what better place for CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference, to throw a moon howl, as it did last week. Hungary is a country where Donald Trump can say “president-for-life” with a straight face. The American right's new hero, Victor Orban, just “won” his fourth term as Hungarian prime minister — something of a Mini-Me Putin authoritarian, he makes folks like Tucker Carlson, Majorie Taylor Greene and Alex Jones wet just hearing his name. According to the CPAC website: "We know that we are facing serious challenges. CPAC Hungary is looking for the answer to how we can protect Western civilization, true Western values, how we can resist the attacks of the left." And speaking of Florida, we've got a great deal for you on some swamp land that doesn't even have alligators. “It’s mind-blowing,” said András Göllner, a Hungarian democracy advocate. “It’s almost as if the FBI or the Department of Justice decided to hold a bash in a village in Sicily that is the home of organized crime.” But don't listen to that, the shindig was a great success even if Putin's atrocities in Ukraine did put a bit of a damper on the party atmosphere. Let's just keep our eyes on the prize where a future America can be a lot more like Hungary.

HANGIN' 10 AT THE GREAT SALT LAKE

Let's go surfin' now, everybody's learning how, right on the Great Salt Lake. We are not making this up, folks, the Utah Water Development Commission is thinking about bringing Pacific Ocean water to Utah through a 700-mile pipeline to restore the shrinking lake. Wilson and the band couldn't be more excited and have already broken out their baggies. Sure, there will be naysayers pooh poohing the brilliant idea, but there always are. We went to the moon, didn't we? We cured cancer, didn't we? We invented the electric skateboard, didn't we? Think of all that ocean water pouring in to give us what we've always wanted — a beach with a wave machine. There will be beach-blanket bingo, bikini volleyball and dudes and chicks with surfboards ready to shoot the curl. The good thing is we won't run out of water from the Pacific, it's just too big. We could actually save waterfront houses in La Jolla. Don't be surprised if the Utah Tourist Bureau jumps all over this baby to earn back the billions and billions it will cost. Some old-schoolers say we should just conserve and stop sending all our water-gulping alfalfa to China, tear out our lawns and turn golf courses into skate parks. But this is Utah where only commies conserve and God said we can do whatever we want with this land.

Post script — That's it for another fab week here at Smart Bomb, where we keep track of whose in bed with Clarence Thomas so you don't have to. Don't worry, Wilson, the band doesn't have to keep tabs on Justice Thomas or his fascist wife, Ginni, but you gotta admit they'd be fun to hang out with. Wonder if they have a subscription to Pornhub. Here's a little something from our “Freudian” file: During a speech at his presidential library in Dallas, George W. Bush denounced “the decision of one man to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq... I mean Ukraine.” Then he was heard muttering, “Iraq, too.” But wait, Iraq had weapons of mass destruction... and we'd be welcomed with rose petals... Too bad “W” didn't throw in the Vietnam War, too, where some 2 million non-combatants were killed, thanks in large part to U.S. bombing. In March 1968, U.S. soldiers in Charlie Company executed some 500 women, children and old men in the village of Mai Lai. No one served prison time for the slaughter. Americans were outraged when they found out about it, said Neil Sheehan, a New York Times reporter who covered Vietnam. But he noted that very little was said about the countless thousands killed by American napalm and bombs. Putin, anyone?

Well Wilson, who knows, the surf could be up one day on the Great Salt Lake and we'd be back-dooring a gnarly shore-break or carving a slab into a sushi roll. Until then, we can keep watching “Lords of Dogtown” so we don't forget how to be cool. Alright you grimmies, hit it:

If everybody had an ocean Across the U. S. A. Then everybody'd be surfin' Like Californi-a You'd seem 'em wearing their baggies Huarache sandals too A bushy bushy blonde hairdo Surfin' U. S. A. You'd catch 'em surfin' at Del Mar Ventura County line Santa Cruz and Trestle Australia's Narrabeen All over Manhattan And down Doheny Way Everybody's gone surfin' Surfin' U.S.A. We'll all be planning that route We're gonna take real soon We're waxing down our surfboards We can't wait for June We'll all be gone for the summer We're on surfari to stay Tell the teacher we're surfin' Surfin' U. S. A.

(Surfin' U.S.A. — The Beach Boys)

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danielleandbrennan-blog · 5 years

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Visitors Come!

Nick, Bob, Jess, Amanda, Souf, and Darby come to San Diego!!

Jess arrived on Wednesday night and stayed until Monday

Nick, Bob, Amanda arrived on Thursday night and stayed until Wednesday morning

Souf and Darby arrived on Friday night and stayed until Monday

Wednesday- she was really tired Wednesday night when we picked her up from airport- we just hung and went to bed.

Thursday- I had the day off so woke up, ran 5 miles along the bridges, Jess and I created the squares for the AFC Champion game to raise money for fundraising, we then bike ride along the bay and ocean side- bridges- showed her the seals and the resorts. We had a great burger and wrap at PB Cantina. Came back and chilled and watched Schitts Creek- Brennan came home from work and then we drank and waited for Nick, Bob, and Amanda to arrive. That night we went to PB Shore Club for a drink (weird scene at night) and then went to Mavericks to play some giant Ganga.

Friday- went to Woodies for bfast- there was a storm that night that brought all the water and sand over the boardwalk wall- we watched people shoving the sand off the boardwalk from Woodies deck.

Came back and went to La Jolla Cove. Saw a seal take a poop- saw the worst proposal of all time-

Went to Old Town to show them around- had a drink and multiple chips at the Baja Shrimp place with the unlimited salsa toppings- people didnt really like Old Town.

Checked into their airbnb and took naps. Souf and Darby came that night. We pregamed at their house and then went to Guava Beach Bar and played giant Ganga again.

Next day- woke up and rented a pontoon boat for the day in Mission Bay. So much fun!! Saw a pelican eating a fish- saw Sea World.

That night we went walked the beach with some drinks and saw the sunset. Jess, SOuf, Brennan, and I did the rollar coaster at Belmont Park for the first time. Man was it great!!! Pitch dark. Then we ate mexican food and went back to their house to drink more.

Next day- woke up pretty hungover. Took a bike ride wtih Nick, Brennan, and Jess. Went to Rocky’s burger joint- man was it good. Then went to El prez- had bloody marys and some drinks before the AFC game at PB Catalina. Jess, Darby, and I shopped for a bit along Garnet then met everyone at PB Catina for the big Pats vs Kansas City game!!!

Place was wild- Bud Light beer girl.

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orcinus-ocean · 7 years

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TIJUANA, Mexico — It was not the first time Robert L. Brownell Jr. had seen a dead vaquita, the rare and endangered porpoise that was lying on the stainless-steel necropsy table inside the Tijuana Zoo on Monday. But it might well be one of the last.

Mr. Brownell, a senior scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, had in effect discovered the porpoise, finding the first full, dead specimen in 1966. The world’s smallest member of the cetacean grouping, which includes whales and dolphins, the vaquita was the most recent cetacean to be recognized by modern science.

Now it may well become the latest to go extinct.

A high-level, bilateral panel of Mexican and American scientists met this week and is expected to announce that it believes efforts to save the animal have, essentially, failed. That announcement would mean that the only hope for the vaquita’s recovery would be to capture the surviving animals, if any can be found. Some of the scientists involved think the surviving vaquitas now number as few as two or three, and the latest two vaquitas found dead could even be the last ones — though it could take years to confirm that.

The vaquita has been described, by some of the few people who have seen one of the elusive porpoises alive, as the smiley-faced sea panda because of the dark outlines around its mouth and the black circles around its eyes. Its plight has drawn in celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Leonardo DiCaprio, and spurred cooperation among scientists and environmentalists, north and south of the border, in and out of government.

But the push has been imperiled by traffickers in the body parts of endangered species, unscrupulous fishermen and uneven enforcement efforts.

The problem can be traced to Chinese demand for a rare swim bladder from the endangered totoaba fish, which shares the vaquita’s range, in the northern tip of the Gulf of California. According to Mexican scientists, that demand has grown so much that prices for the bladders, used for a homeopathic remedy, rival the wholesale price of cocaine — as much as $10,000 per kilogram. Mexican officials and those from the Mexican-American panel, the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita, say Mexican drug cartels have been attracted to the trade by the high profits, and by the assurance that no fisherman has ever gone to jail for trafficking in swim bladders.

The nets used to catch the totoaba have trapped the much less numerous vaquita as well, to devastating effect. The Mexican government has banned the nets and even paid some fishermen not to fish in the vaquita’s range, but those efforts have not helped.

The results on the necropsy table at the Tijuana Zoo were only too evident. A 1-year-old female, a little over three feet long — full-grown vaquitas are nearly five feet — the porpoise had the imprint of the net in which she died stamped in six-inch squares on the grayish skin on her left side. On her right side, the skin was flayed off, probably as the porpoise struggled while drowning in the net.

The specimen was labeled PS7, because it was the seventh vaquita (scientific name: Phocoena sinus) to be found dead since a survey last summer, which determined that only 30 vaquitas remained at the time. Then on Tuesday, PS8 was found by a NOAA scientist, washed up on a beach at the northern end of the gulf. Scientists say there are likely to be many more undiscovered dead ones.

Budget cuts from the Trump administration may add to the vaquita’s woes. Both Mr. Brownell and the scientist performing the autopsy, Dr. Frances Gulland, a veterinarian from Sausalito, Calif., who is also a commissioner on the federal Marine Mammal Commission, now work for offices with zero budgets proposed for the coming year.

Not since the Yangtze River dolphin went extinct in 2006 in China has a cetacean gone over the brink. “We always thought that what happened in China would not happen here,” Dr. Gulland said. “We have the U.S. government’s prize laboratory and it’s on their doorstep. We have all these experts and scientists — we have everything. We thought, ‘This won’t happen, we can fix this problem.’”

She was referring to NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, a San Diego community just a short day trip from the northern Gulf of California. “It has taken on a huge symbolic importance.”

Alarmed about the new vaquita deaths, her commission paid to put out acoustic listening devices on a limited scale in February, focusing on where vaquitas were last found in 2016. The devices pick up the animals’ echolocating clicks, a form of sonar they use to navigate and communicate. By analyzing the number and frequency of the clicks, compared with previous years, scientists can calculate the number of animals in their fairly limited range.

In February two or three animals were believed to still be active, Dr. Gulland said. Since then four more vaquitas have been found dead, two in March and the two this week, one of which was recovered by a monitoring vessel from the Sea Shepherd environmental group.

Capt. Oona Layolle, who runs the group’s vaquita campaign, said their ships had recovered 183 totoaba nets just since December. She disagrees, though, with the vaquita panel’s proposals. “I don’t think by putting an animal in a cage you are saving it,” she said.

“There was another dead vaquita found yesterday,” said Barbara Taylor, a marine conservation biologist at the science center, and a member of the vaquita recovery committee, on Wednesday. “We’re all very depressed about that. The committee meeting will be making very clear that any vaquita that’s basically not taken out of its dangerous habitat is probably going to die.”

The extinction of the vaquita is a sensitive political issue in Mexico, where President Enrique Peña Nieto has made it an issue of pride that his country could save the animal. “The president has said that even if there is only one vaquita left, we will do everything we can,” said Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho, a scientist who is in charge of the vaquita effort for the Mexican environment ministry.

The porpoise’s decline has been increasing exponentially, even as protection efforts have ramped up. In 1997, scientists counted 567 vaquitas; the number dropped by half in the next nine years, to 245. In just one year, the number halved again, to only 30 last year from 60 in 2015.

The vaquita may go extinct without mankind ever having gotten to fully know it. No live specimen has ever been taken. Because vaquitas are small and travel singly or in pairs rather than in big pods, following and observing their behavior is difficult. Tragically for conservation efforts, a female takes two years to produce a single calf, and two years to reach sexual maturity, so replacing each lost animal takes years. Already, vaquitas are so inbred that genetically, as Ms. Taylor said, “they basically all have the same last name.”

If the vaquita becomes extinct, Dr. Gulland said, it will have the distinction of being wiped out entirely through human action, even while humans were trying desperately to save it. “This is direct, human-caused extinction,” she said. “If there’s one lesson learned, it’s that we can’t manage humans.”

Mr. Brownell said this might be one battle the fishermen had won. “The fishermen just think, ‘Oh, good, if we can get rid of the last one, then we can get on and keep fishing.’” If that hasn’t already happened, many scientists now believe, it may soon.

#I wonder why even totoaba fishing is legal #as the FISH is endangered too #vaquita #extinction

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sinangoral2017-blog · 7 years

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[05.28.17] okay, i know we’ve all seen it in photographs and film: the west coast. the rocks, the dunes, the pacific ocean. but for some reason, the surrealism of this area is astonishing to me. i could get used to this.

i landed in phoenix yesterday morning and immediately picked up my checked bag. the line at budget was 93 people long, so it took me an hour and a half to get to the front of the car rental line.

surprise, sinan! you didn’t ACTUALLY book the rental for a pickup at the airport! HA! at this point i had to take a cab about 17 miles outside of town to some middle-of-nowhere budget agency to pick my car up. a bright red, ugly, nissan on bicycle tires. let’s go.

after organizing the car for a bit, i hit the road. first stop? tacos. i found a little authentic taqueria on some street corner with 75 cent tacos, and had myself a feast. suffering from a post-meal sleepiness, i ventured over to my only site in phoenix - al beadle’s executive towers.

built in 1964, these towers are an example of a midcentruy high-rise focused on middle-class living. with over 160 multi-family apartments, the complex kept its costs low by celebrating rough treatments and exposures of materials. in many ways, the apartments qualified beadle as a primary player in american housing and american identity. beadle was, after all, one of the few american architects interested in melding together affordable housing, mass housing, and modern american identity. the executive towers were something i really wanted to add to my itinerary, since most of the other sites were case study houses or small residences.

though the random residents i had attempted to get in contact with prior to my visit never responded to my inquiries and requests to photograph their units, one elderly couple invited me in after i told them what i was doing while photographing the lobby. i cannot include their images since they requested they be kept private, but i can definitely say that their unit has kept up in time and age. their testimony of the condition of their neighbors’ apartments support this notion, as well.

the rest of the day was dedicated to exploring the city. it was 111 degrees yesterday, so that was no fun. i ended up staying in a $29/night motel. i won’t go into the details, but all i’ll say is that my front door wouldn’t close and i had to jam a chair under the handle.

itching to hit the road this morning and drive out of phoenix, i began the journey to la jolla, california. what should have taken only 6 hours turned into an 8 hour excursion; i couldn’t help but stop every 50 miles or so to snap a couple of pictures. the landscapes along this road were incredible. i just fell in love. it’s amazing how the mountainous landscape so quickly turns into sand dunes.

most gorgeous was the actual descent into la jolla. the road was at an 8% slope for 12 miles. i could literally smell the pacific ocean breeze as i glided into la jolla.

la jolla made its way onto my itinerary in light of its “triad” case study houses. known as the 23rd case study houses, this midcentury communal housing solution was designed and built by killingsworth, brady, and smith in 1960. the site incorporated a shared driveway to challenge the american status quo of segregated lots. designed with children in mind, the rooms which had the most access to the outdoors were those which housed the family children. as such, this triad presented a strong proposal of family and child growth, ingraining itself into american housing strategy like never before.

while residents of two of the homes never responded to my requests for documentation, an wonderful couple that resided in the third welcomed me into their home. for the sake of their SECURITY, i’ll refer to them as bob and susan.

bob met me outside the door and explained how he has meticulously kept the property up to date without infringing on the ethos of the site and design. all he has done is build a perimeter wall. he also had to rid of some landscaping elements within the confines of the site, itself. other than that, all wood, glazing, and metal is original. incredible!

the views afforded by his home were quite interesting. nothing directly looked at the water. everything seemed to be about ‘in-between-ness,’ in that the landscaping heightened vantage points and interstitial zones between homes, surrounding landscape, and roads. the fog and rain was heavy that day, so the air was especially brisk at that mountain altitude.

tomorrow, i plan to quickly visit louis kahn’s salk institute, before heading off to long beach. i know - not an example of midcentury modern housing. i don’t care. it’s the salk institute. i’ve wanted to see this for years! hopefully it will be open for memorial day...

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melissamontoyaphotography · 7 months

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La Jolla Engagement Beach Proposal | S + C

La Jolla Engagement Beach Proposal | S + C As a La Jolla engagement photographer, I see a spike in proposals around fall and the holidays. The holidays especially as families are gathering to celebrate. What better time than then to share the great news! That doesn’t mean you have to propose in front of your entire family, but you then have something to share shortly thereafter with them. Many…

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#beach engagement #Beach proposal #La Jolla Engagement Photographer #la jolla photographer #la jolla proposal photographer #La Jolla wedding photographer #Melissa Montoya photography #San Diego elopement photographer #San Diego engagement photographer #san Diego lifestyle photographer #San Diego photographer #San Diego portrait photographer #San Diego proposal photographer #San Diego wedding photographer

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thelucipost · 4 years

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US actor Wilmer Valderrama is engaged to his girlfriend Amanda Pacheco (Photos)

American actor, Wilmer Valderrama is engaged to his girlfriend, Amanda Pacheco after nine months of dating.

The 39-year-old actor took to Instagram on Wednesday evening to announce his engagement to the 28-year-old model after proposing on New Year’s Day during a beach stroll in La Jolla, California.

Sharing a lovely photo of the moment he got down on one knee and popped the question to his…

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#Engagement #Wilmer Valderrama

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goldengirl1700 · 4 years

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Wilmer Valderrama Proposes To Model Amanda Pacheco On New Year's DayShare This Story!

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Wilmer Valderrama proposes to model Amanda Pacheco on New Year's Day

"That '70s Show" alum Wilmer Valderrama proposed to model Amanda Pacheco on New Year's Day, the couple revealed on Instagram.

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Congratulations are in order for Wilmer Valderrama and Amanda Pacheco.

The "That '70s Show" alum proposed to Pacheco, a 29-year-old model, on New Year's Day, they each announced on their respective Instagram accounts Wednesday night. Pacheco shared a shot of the pear-shaped ring, from Los Angeles-based designer BYCHARI.

"It's just us now," they each captioned a dreamy photo of Valderrama, 39, down on one knee in front of Pacheco on a La Jolla beach in San Diego.

"Going into the new year like.." Pacheco added on her Instagram story.

Valderrama has previously dated big names in Hollywood, including Mandy Moore and Lindsay Lohan. He met singer Demi Lovato in 2010 and the two dated until 2016. Lovato opened up about their breakup the following year in her 2017 documentary, "Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated," revealing the two mutually decided they were better as friends.

"I never loved anybody like I loved Wilmer," she said.

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lillie-ross · 4 years

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Wilmer Valderrama Is Engaged to Model Amanda Pacheco After 8 Months

Wilmer Valderrama and Amanda Pacheco. Courtesy Amanda Pacheco/Instagram

Fez popped the question! Wilmer Valderrama is engaged to Amanda Pacheco after eight months of dating.

Celebrity Engagements of 2019

The That ‘70s Showalum, 39, proposed to the model, 28, on a beach in La Jolla, a seaside community in San Diego, on Wednesday, January 1. The couple later shared a photo of Valderrama on…

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#Celebrity News #Engagements #News

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sandiegodjstaci · 5 years

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Ashley & John's Bespoke La Valencia Hotel Wedding

Of all the San Diego wedding DJs calling America’s finest city home, Ashley & John chose me to DJ and MC their bespoke La Valencia Hotel wedding on Sunday, 5.26.19. The following write-up is based on San Diego DJ Staci’s crazy organized & detailed outline for this La Valencia Hotel wedding.

THE LA VALENCIA HOTEL WEDDING CEREMONY

This La Jolla landmark has their own sound system & mic for the ceremony. DJ Staci was inside setting up during this hotel wedding ceremony!

THE COCKTAIL HOUR & DINNER MUSIC

While San Diego DJ Staci offers couples pre-set cocktail & dinner playlists to choose from, Ashley & John opted to hand-select their background music for their La Jolla wedding.

Cocktail Playlist ➔ 1. California Girls” Beach boys, 2. “Reminiscing” Little river band, 3. “Lovely Day” Bill Withers, 3. “What’s going on” Marvin Gaye, 4. “Hungry heart” Bruce springsteen, 5. “Rich Girl” Hall and oates, 6. “Nothing from nothing” Billy Preston, 7. “How deep is your love” Bee gees, 8. “I just called to say I love you” Stevie Wonder. 9. “Oh what a night” Four Seasons, 10. “Gotta Give It up Part 1” Marvin Gaye, 11 “I wanna be your lover” Prince, 12. “Ain’t no sunshine” Bill Withers, 13. “Do You Believe In Love” Huey Lewis and the News, 14. “Today I Met The Boy I’m Going to Marry” Darlene Love, 15. “Friends” Beach Boys, 16. “Don’t you want me” Human League, 17. “I can’t stand the rain” Anne Peebles, 18. “What a fool believes” Doobie Brothers, 19. “Borderline” Madonna, 20. “Weird Fishes” Radiohead, 21 “My Only Swerving” El ten eleven, 22 “Searching” Roy Ayers, 23 “You’re still a young man” Tower of power, 24. “Never too much” Luther Vandross, 25. “That’s the way of the world” Earth, Wind Fire, 26. “One Fine Day” The Chiffons, 27. “Here comes the sun” Beatles, 28. “Eyes without a face” Billy Idol, 29. “Cruel summer” Bananarama, 30. “La Vie En Rose” Grace Jones, 31. “Graceland” Paul Simon, 32 “Let me in your life” Aretha Franklin, 33 “If I Ever Feel Better” Phoenix, 34 “Stuck in the Middle With You” Stealers Wheel, 35. “September” Earth Wind and Fire

Dinner Playlist ➔ 1 “Be My Baby” Ronettes, 2. “Claire de lune” Kamasi Washington, 3. “Our Way to Fall” Yo La Tengo, 4. “Ooh baby baby” Smokey Robinson, 5. “Poolside” Harvest moon, 6. “Tenderness” General Public, 7. “Will you still love me tomorrow” The Shirelles, 8. “TIL you come back to me” Aretha Franklin, 9. “Warmth of the Sun” Beach Boys, 10. “Red red wine” UB40, 11. “One on one” Hall Oates, 12. “Lovefool” Cardigans, 13. “What a Difference A Day Makes” Dinah Washington, 14. “Astral Weeks” Van Morrison, 15. “Out of my league” Fitz and the tantrums, 16. “Sunday kind of love” Etta james, 17. “Drive” Cars, 18. “Young Americans” David Bowie, 19. “Sleepwalking” Modest Mouse, 20. “Beyond Love” Beach House, 21. “Feel Like Making Love” D’Angelo, 22. “You give good love” Whitney Houston, 22. “Poses” Rufus Wainwright, 23. “Overjoyed” Stevie Wonder, 24. “Try a Little Tenderness” Otis Redding, 25. “Say A Little Prayer” Aretha Franklin, 26.“Crazy for you” Madonna, 27. “Dream Lover” Mariah Carey, 28. “Midnight Train to Georgia” Gladys Knight, 29. “Crimson and Clover” Shondells, 30. “I just want to be your everything” Andy Gibb, 31. “Say it isn’t so” Hall and Oates, 32. “Close To You” Cure, 33.“Over My Head” Alabama Shakes, 34. “Only You” Platters, 35. “Don’t Worry Baby” Beach Boys, 36. Doo Wop That Thing” Lauryn Hill

THE LA VALENCIA HOTEL WEDDING RECEPTION

MC Welcome ➔ “Good evening! Welcome to Ashley & Johns wedding reception!!! I am the Master of Ceremonies, DJ Staci. Please take your seats so we can officially welcome our guests of honor. Please be sure to post your photos today with #YorkFee. If you need to charge your devices, I do have a mini charging station up here including some universal chargers.”

“Tonight I’m going to be sharing a lot of stories about John & Ashley with you. To get rolling, les tackle the first &I love you.& On their 80th date—yes, Ashley counts them—they were in Korea Town in LA to celebrate their 6 month anniversary. They checked into a swanky hotel, went to dinner at a Korean BBQ restaurant, then hit a karaoke bar. John said those 3 little words after dinner Ashley quickly replied back! Awwww….. Ladies & gentlemen, put your hands together for the introduction of the wedding party.”

Grand Entrance ➔ “Chapel of Love” Dixie Cups

➔ “Show some love to Best Woman & Sister of the Groom, Heather, & Flower Girl, Claire!!!”

➔ “Please welcome Best Man, Patrick!!!”

➔ “Give it up for Junior Bridesmaid, Sophie!!!”

➔ “Show some love to Maid of Honor & Sister of the Bride, Amanda, and Flower Girl, Grace!!!”

➔ “Be My Baby” Ronettes ➔ “They first connected online then eventually met up on February 28, 2017, on Sunset Blvd. On their first date, they met at a restaurant stayed until close. Together they enjoy long talks, vacationing, visiting film festivals across the US, & walking their dog, Lula, at the beach. They are planning a honeymoon to Kauai. Ladies & gentlemen, get on your feet to welcome–for the FIRST TIME EVER— Mr. & Mrs. John F & Ashley Y!!!” ➔ keep playing “Be My Baby” Ronettes

➔ Newlywed Brief Welcome/Thank You Speech ➔ continue “Be My Baby” Ronettes

➔ Meal Served: plated ➔ Announce: “Dinner will be served momentarily. Also, at about 6:25 you can grab a glass of champagne from the bar for the toasts, if you like.”

6:25 PM ➔ Announce: “Just a reminder that you can grab a glass of champagne from the bar now if you like one for the toasts.”

6:30 PM ➔ Toasts ➔ Champagne available at bar at 6:25 PM ➔ Ladies & gentlemen, may I have your attention please for the toasts. Please welcome our first speaker:

➔ Maid of Honor & Sister of the Bride, Amanda

➔ Mother of the Bride, Claudette

➔ Father of the Bride, Tim

➔ Parents of the Groom, Joan & Russ

➔ Best Woman & Sister of the Groom, Heather

➔ Best Man & Brother of the Groom, Patrick

➔ First Dance ➔ “You’ve Got a Friend” (live), Donnie Hathaway ➔ fade early: no ➔ “On their 321st date, John & Ashley went on a last minute trip to Hawaii’s big island. She had heard him on the phone trying to get a reservation at a swanky restaurant there…she began to wonder if a marriage proposal was in her future…hmmm?! After splashing around in the water and watching a magical Hawaiian sunset, they returned to their stunning oceanfront room. John ordered champagne, & he asked her a very important question. We know how she answered because we are about to welcome Ashley & John to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife.”

➔ Combo Parent Dance ➔ “The Way You Look Tonight” Tony Bennett ➔ fade early: no ➔ “John admires that his mother has been married to his dad for HALF A CENTURY! About her father, Ashley says: Dad drove me to school everyday and always got me there early—FOR 12 YEARS–teaching me the valuable asset of punctuality. Now lets welcome John & his mother, Joan, with Ashley her father, Tim, to the dance floor to share a special dance.” ➔ open dance floor up to everyone

➔ Open Dancing

8:15 PM ➔ Bouquet Toss ➔ “Then he Kissed me” Crystals

➔ Longest Married Couple Dance ➔ “A Song for You,” Donnie Hathaway ➔ Announce: “We’d like to invite all of the married couples to the dance floor right now…The newlyweds would like to dedicate this song to all of the couples in the room, married or not.” ➔ Announce: “We’d like to give a special shout out to John’s parents, Joan & Russ, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 16th, as well as Ashley’s mom & her husband, Fred, who just celebrated their first wedding anniversary! Congrats!!!”

8:30 PM ➔ Photographer leaves

9:50 PM ➔ Last Dance ➔ “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” Whitney H ➔ Announce: “There will be an after party from now until 2:00 AM in Cafe Rue, which is by the lobby. There will be free snacks & drinks available for purchase.”

➔ Send-Off ➔ “I Only Have Eyes For You” Flamingos

ASHLEY & JOHN’S DANCE MUSIC RECIPE

Requests ➔ line dances only if requested

Music ➔ PG-13/clean radio edits

Play A Lot ➔ Top 40, Oldies/Motown, 80s, Funk

Play A Few ➔ Disco, Classic Rock, Hip Hop, 90s, 2000s

Slow Dances ➔ “That’s What Friends are for,” Dionne Warwick, “You Give Good Love,” Whitney Houston

♥ M U S T – P L A Y S ♥

1. “All night long” Lionel Richie, 2. “You make my dreams come true” Hall & Oates, 3. “Poison” Bel Biv Devoe, 4. “Karma Chameleon” Culture Club, 5. “Respect” Aretha Franklin, 6. “Toxic” Britney Spears, 7. “Footloose” Kenny Loggins, 8. “Crazy in love” Beyonce, 9. “Finesse” Bruno Mars, 10. “Holiday” Madonna, 11. “Faith” George Michael, 12. “Can’t Stop The Feeling” Justin Timberlake

♥ P L A Y I F Y O U C A N ♥

“Cosmic Girl” Jamiroquai, “Feels so Good” Mase, “Dancing In the Streets” Martha & the Vandellas, “It Takes Two” Rob Base, “I like it” Cardi B for MOH Amanda, “You Drop the Bomb on Me” Gap Band, “Sexyback” Justin Timberlake, “1999” Prince, “No Scrubs” TLC, “Livin on a Prayer” Bon Jovi, “Twist and Shout” the Beatles, “It Feels Good” Toni Tony Tone, “Uptown Funk” Bruno Mars, “Treasure” Bruno Mars, “This Is How We Do It” Montel Jordan, “Push It” Salt N Pepa, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” Marvin Gaye, “Single Ladies” Beyonce, “Let’s Dance” David Bowie, “Bootylicious” Beyonce, “Hip to be Square” Huey Lewis, “Glamorous life” Sheila E, “Shoop” Salt & Peppa, “It feels so right” Sonique, “Call Me Al” Paul Simon, “Purple rain” Prince, “Hollywood Swinging” Kool and the Gang, “Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours” Stevie Wonder, “Bring It On Home” Sam Cooke, “You can’t Hurry Love” The Supremes, “Higher and Higher” Jackie Wilson, “All for you” Janet Jackson

♥ D O N O T P L A Y S ♥

Journey, trap, country, Lynyrd Skynrd, Bob Segar, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Michael Jackson, Pharrell’s “Happy,” AC/DC

LA VALENCIA HOTEL WEDDING FLOOR PLAN

SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDOR LIST

Here is the amazing team of San Diego wedding vendors I had the pleasure of working with on this La Valencia Hotel wedding:

Venue/Caterer/Cake ➔ La Valencia Hotel

DJ/MC/Photo Booth/Lighting ➔ DJ Staci, the Track Star

Photographer ➔ Wally Wilson Studios

Florist ➔ Kimberly Buffington

Again, I was honored to be the one and only San Diego wedding DJ Ashley & John trusted with their La Valencia Hotel wedding in La Jolla. Thank you!

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#female san diego wedding dj #la valencia hotel wedding #sunday weddings #La Jolla Weddings #San Diego Hotel Weddings #San Diego May Weddings #San Diego Spring Weddings

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