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my-chaos-radio · 1 year

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Release: March 17, 2017

Lyrics:

You know it's the place I need But you got me walking circles like a dog on a lead The doctors say I'm crazy, that I'm eight miles thick I'm like the taste of Macaroni on a seafood stick You got me switched on baby, like electric Eel And I'm tight with Axel Foley, that's just how I feel Like a grapefruit and a magic trick The prodigal son I'm walking I'm walking I'm walking I walk so quick

And it just don't mean a thing We've been waiting far too long We'll play it out again This is just my serenade

You're in love with a Psycho You're in love with a Psycho And there's nothing you can do about it I got you running all around it

You're in love with a Psycho You're in love with a Psycho And there's nothing you can do about it You're never gonna be without it

Jibber-jabber at the bargain booze Reciting Charles Bukowski, I got nothing to lose And I wait for you to follow me, to share my chips But you're walking You're walking You walk You walk so quick

Nobody's gonna take you there I stick around for the thousand yard stare I go to sleep in a duffle bag I'm never up, never down, down, down, down

You're in love with a Psycho You're in love with a Psycho And there's just nothing you can do about it I got you running all around it

You're in love with a Psycho You're in love with a Psycho And there's nothing you can do about it You never gonna be without it

Maybe this will be the fine solution Maybe this way, we'll find a solution But we're far too lost, we gotta find love

You're in love with a Psycho You're in love with a Psycho And there's nothing you can do about it I got you running all around it

You're in love with a Psycho Tu amor es muy loco And there's nothing you can do about You're never gonna be without it

Songwriter: Sergio Pizzorno

SongFacts:

This is a song by English alternative rock band Kasabian. It was released on 17 March 2017 as the first single from their sixth studio album, 'For Crying Out Loud' (2017). It peaked at No. 62 on the UK Singles Chart in 2017, the first time a lead single from a Kasabian album failed to reach the top 40 in the country. It was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for chart sales exceeding 600,000 units in the UK in August 2022. It also won "Best Song of 2017" at the Q Awards.

The music video was heavily criticised in the UK media by mental health advocates and charities for reinforcing stereotypes around mental illness, and were branded by the director of the Time to Change mental health charity as "unhelpful, damaging, and disappointing".

The song received its first radio airplay on 17 March 2017, having leaked the day before. The song was also released on 17 March 2017 as a digital download, CD single, and 10" vinyl and made available on most streaming services. The single reached number 62 in the UK Singles Chart spending 5 weeks on the top 100 and reached number 24 on the Scottish Singles Chart.

Kasabian guitarist and songwriter Serge Pizzorno explained to The Independent, "The story of that song is a man or a woman who has visions of being the prodigal son, thinking he's friends with Axel Foley… having an argument outside an off-licence and reciting Bukowski to win back the person they love.

The song received mixed to positive reviews from critics upon release. Will Hankey from The Edge gave the song 3/5 stars, stating that the track "starts very well, opening with a Krautrock-like surge forward that soon anchors into Kasabian's familiar territory of live hip-hop beats [but] while this is amiable and still an enjoyable listen, the song still never really goes anywhere"

The music video for the single was released on 30 March 2017 and was directed by W.I.Z. It features frequent Kasabian collaborator Noel Fielding and actor Stephen Graham, as well as members of Kasabian and Bhangra dance group Four by Four. They all play inmates of the fictional West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, a nod to the title of the band's third album.

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malcolmadrian97 · 4 years

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Reiki Healing Dallas Wonderful Tips

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How To Do A Reiki 1 Attunement

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Reiki Healing Words

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#Reiki Healing Dallas Wonderful Tips #Do You Tip A Reiki Master

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doomedandstoned · 5 years

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Seven Records That Stirred The Pot in 2018

~By Jacob Mazlum~

Ten is such a passé number. Top ten album lists are for the sheeple. We nonconformists like to be individual and only make Top-X lists that aren’t divisible by five.

We like the number seven though, because it’s edgy and cool, just like us. So here are seven albums you probably didn’t hear in 2018, but they’re my favourites and they really do deserve your time -- if you enjoy staring into the all-consuming abyss. They do anyway.

Go listen...

Esoctrilihum

Pandaemorthium (Forbidden Formulas To Awaken The Blind Sovereigns Of Nothingness)

Pandaemorthium (Forbidden Formulas To Awaken The Blind Sovereigns Of Nothingness) by ESOCTRILIHUM

France does it again, with yet another one of its sons churning out yet another forward-thinking extreme metal masterpiece. Pandaemorthium (and the rest of that pointlessly long album title) is what metal needs -- something that manages to be simultaneously challenging, engrossing and strangely fun.

It uses death metal as the blueprint upon which it builds its twisted spires of warped black metal and dank sub-basements of doom. This moves and evolves in a way that makes other "blackened death metal" sound like a croaky Motorhead. Truly, it’s the delicacy with which the obtuseness and extremity is handled that is most impressive here.

This is a solo project, too. Yes, it’s all just one guy. I’m not sure if I, Voidhanger Records got lucky or if Esoctrilihum did in this arrangement, but they make a perfect match.

Uada

Cult of a Dying Sun

Cult of a Dying Sun by UADA

By the end of the first song on my first listen of Cult of a Dying Sun I realised why I loved it so much. It’s because it reminded me so much of Let The Devil In-era Sargeist, which is a quick way to get into my heart. The rest of the album may not have committed itself to this sound as much as expected, but by then I didn’t care; it already had me hooked.

Done wrong, this kind of black metal can sound bad, like really bad. The kind that makes you not want to take a chance on unfamiliar artists. But Uada execute their individual parts so competently that any doubts are banished. The sheer musicality of each passage is a joy to hear and it’s all executed with such damned sincerity.

It’s shamelessly melodic, with the clear production bringing out every note and embellishment with clarity. This stellar production even gives the album a thick woodland-sounding atmosphere that is probably responsible for the Cascadian touch of certain parts, almost making it sound like the vibrant younger sibling of Marrow of the Spirit.

But it’s not Agalloch, it’s not Sargeist. It’s Uada, and any fan of USBM should find something in here to love, even if it’s just for one spin. Go Portland!

Inexorum

Lore of the Lakes

Lore of the Lakes by Inexorum

What happens when you get a remarkable metal musician and a highly-lauded producer together to work on a frostbitten black metal project with an unwavering commitment to melody and high fidelity? You get Lore of the Lakes apparently, and despite it sporting the kind of title to make you think Amorphis-worship or power metal nerdery, the album is actually really impressive.

It’s the ex-solo project of Carl Skildum, live guitarist of Obsequiae (who I should note are one of my favourite metal bands in existence right now), and RIAA-certified gold producer Matt Kirkwold -- or at least that’s what Bandcamp tells me.

My ears simply tell me this is black metal of yesteryear played with modern sensibilities and a thoughtfulness that negates any concerns for trends or time periods. There’s a slight Windir vibe in Lore of the Lakes that is at once more chilled and more furious than the band’s seminal '90s work, and I can’t get enough of it.

Ignore the front cover, this is totally worth listening to.

Burial Invocation

Abiogenesis

Abiogenesis by Burial Invocation

Think of Turkey and death metal probably isn’t the first thing to come to mind. Spend enough time there though and you begin to understand how metal can find a natural home in that blood-stained gateway between Europe and Asia. There’s something in the spirit of the place, something that makes you imagine it being a potential hotbed of quality E-string pummeling just waiting to be created. (Anyone in doubt about Turkey’s pedigree in modern music should check out the history of Turkish disco.)

Well, as you might have guessed by now, Burial Invocation are a Turkish band whose brand of death metal impressed me so much that I don’t much feel like making any myself...ever.

In truth, I don’t know where to start with this record. It’s huge, it’s elaborately constructed, and it weaves between sections with a technical prowess that impresses with tastefulness rather than rote motor-function wizardry. This is 2018 death metal done near-perfectly.

Svartidauði

Revelations of the Red Sword

Revelations of the Red Sword by Svartidauði

The best Icelandic metal band ever to exist came back in 2018 with their first full-length since 2012’s Flesh Cathedral. The three interim releases could only muster a footnote quality due to their short lengths, and could never conjure the labyrinthine aura of winding lava-tunnel madness that only builds with an extended runtime.

Having visited Iceland this year, it became apparent that this is a nation that lives alongside the nature of the land, rather than simply building on top of it. Nature may have been partially tamed in certain urban areas, but never felt defeated as in most other developed countries.

With this in mind, the vibe of Svartidauði and their compatriots Misþyrming started to make more sense, and whilst the airy magic of the latter is impressive (enough to make them to be my favourite band of Brutal Assault this year) it is the earthy, subterranean texture of the former that truly grabs me.

The thick textures and muscular vocals are more Neurosis than Immortal, and they take this album outside the realms of the predictable. Yet it is the simple joy of treading ever deeper into Svartidauði’s dark and heated underworld that makes this journey so persistently rewarding.

Under

Stop Being Naïve

Stop Being Naive by Under

Considering I’ve spent the last five years devoting far too much of my time and resources to my doom band, it’s amazing how few bands in this area manage to move me anymore.

Doom is one of the great unexplored lands of metal, second maybe only to black metal in terms of potential (in fact, doom has far more potential than black metal ever did -- black metal just ran with it far better). It lets you explore atmosphere, texture, pacing and genre-melding in a way that would sound fundamentally incompatible with other subgenres. It has a spiritual element to it, a ritualistic quality, and this should make it the artistic breadbasket of the metal world.

This may not be the case, but thankfully there are bands out there that realise the potential doom holds. These bands build upon the fundamental tenets of doom to craft something new that isn’t neutered by convention. Under are one of these bands, and Stop Being Naïve is one such album.

I don’t even want to talk much about the album itself. There’s too much to say. There’s too much going on that’s worth discussing. This isn’t a review, it’s a synopsis, but a synopsis can’t capture anywhere near the breadth of what Under consistently achieve through the album’s runtime. I could throw out names like The Jesus Lizard, Mr. Bungle, Bauhaus, but that would only set unhealthy expectations.

The best way to experience Stop Being Naïve is simply to be a fan of sludgy doom and have a desire for something truly new. No, not just some new riffs, but for a new conceptualisation of what doom can be.

Truth be told, a whole lot of doom fans probably won’t like Stop Being Naïve, and that’s the highest praise I can give it.

Délétère

De Horae Leprae

Whilst this list is in no particular order, Délétère’s offering can confidently lay claim to my award for metal album of the year. One of the most noteworthy of the Québécois black metal hordes, Délétère have always been impressive with their past output but seem to have upped their game even further with De Horae Leprae.

Much like Uada, it is the sheer accessibility that makes De Horae Leprae so likeable. Melodies buzz with clarity and chord progressions fall with the dramatic weight of Maiden in their '80s prime. These are songs, like real songs. They have build-ups and crescendos and bridges and dynamics and the same emotional gravitas that makes even a band like Goatmoon so musically enjoyable despite their subject matter.

This never stops Délétère descending into spells of atonal BM madness when the occasion calls for it though. They may never plummet the aurally uncomfortable depths Deathspell Omega manage, but that’s not the reason you listen this Québécois stuff anyway. You listen to it for its majesty, for its dark tales of times long past, for its cross-Atlantic ice-tinged otherness. Délétère have created something with De Horae Leprae that few others ever have, and few others ever will.

#D&S Reviews #HeavyBest18 #Jacob Mazlum #Délétère #Esoctrilihum #Inexorum #Burial Invocation #Uada #Svartidauði #Doom Metal #Death Metal #Black Metal #Progressive Metal #Metal #Doomed & Stoned

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hablo-leo-escribo · 7 years

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Hey everyone! I’m a current year 13 student preparing for my first year of university so I thought I’d ask my friends for any tips for new year 12s and put together a post with all our advice for anyone going into sixth form this year. Some of the tips (eg about UCAS etc) might be helpful to year 12s going into year 13 as well 😊 I’ve seen a few of these posts floating around but they were very US-centric, so I thought I’d make one specific to the UK education system in the hope that that can help some people.

NB: I went to sixth form at my previous secondary school, so it’s possible that some of these tips will be slightly different from the experience you get from an independent sixth form college, but it may still be helpful. I took AS and A2 levels in French, Spanish and Music, and a linear two-year A level in English Literature, as well as EPQ. I’m aware that specifications are always changing, but if anyone needs any specific help with those subjects feel free to message me 😊

Choosing your subjects

Yes, it’s probably too late for this if you’ve already got to the end of year 11, but during September of year 12 there’s usually some degree of finding your feet and it shouldn’t be impossible to change your subjects if you suddenly realise you’ve made a horrible mistake.

Pick subjects you like and/or have a reason for studying. A levels are tough, so if you go in with a passion for a particular subject, a will to learn something new, or a specific goal in mind (eg getting onto a particular career path), motivation will come more easily.

Having said that, it doesn’t matter how much you like a subject, around April-May of year 13 you will still find yourself, at least once, crying on the floor of your bedroom, surrounded by empty chocolate wrappers and dense piles of revision notes, wondering why you didn’t just run away to sea to be a pirate when you had the chance. It’s a normal part of sixth form life. Just let it happen, and keep going.

If you’re one of those people who always cracks under the pressure of exams, you might want to consider taking creative subjects. A couple of my friends only took subjects like art, photography and textiles which were almost entirely coursework-based. Equally, if you hate ongoing projects and would prefer an exam-assessed course, those are ones to avoid!

Choose your subjects wisely and don’t chop and change too much. When you pick these subjects you’re going to be stuck with them for the next two years. If you realise you’ve made a mistake your school may allow you to switch, but do that as early as you possibly can so you don’t miss too much curriculum. I would say October of year 12 is the absolute latest you should be trying to switch your subjects.

Similarly, if you aren’t a certified mega-genius, don’t take more than three A levels. I did and Oh Boy did I regret it. It severely restricts your time and puts you under a lot of stress, plus you generally only need three subjects to get into uni. If you’re really keen to have an extra on top of your three, consider taking EPQ if your school offers it.

Lessons

Try to have a good relationship with your teachers, they’re your most valuable resource. Depending on what subjects you’re taking and how big your sixth form is, you might end up with quite small class sizes (my biggest AS class had 15 students, which was the same size as my smallest GCSE class). So you’ll get to know your classmates and teacher better, but equally, lessons will be more painful if you don’t get on with the teacher.

Do wider reading for your classes whenever you can. This particularly applies to subjects like English, but it can help boost your understanding and enjoyment of any subject – especially if you’re thinking of going on to do it at university.

If you have to give presentations in class and you’re not a fan of public speaking (let’s be real, who is?), always prepare a handout. That will save your audience’s wrists from speedy note-taking, but it will also give them something to focus on so they won’t just be staring at you, which will probably make you feel less self-conscious.

Learning to reference books and articles properly is probably one of the most useful skills I’ve picked up in the whole two years, it’s worth spending some time on.

Coursework/EPQ/other large, ongoing projects: start working early and plan out your time. I cannot stress this enough. Break down your task into chunks, eg for EPQ that could take the form of planning, researching, drafting, refining and presenting your findings. Then give yourself a deadline for each of those and stick to it!

Start a groupchat for each of your classes! You can help each other with queries, plan revision sessions, stress together the night before an important deadline and just get to know each other better.

Organise your goddamn folders and try not to lose them? You’d be surprised how common this was in my sixth form. Keep it in your locker if it’s not in your bag or at home, don’t just leave it lying around your common room or study area – especially if you’ve got a common design of folder, like a generic black ringbinder.

Make notes as soon as you learn something. Taking notes in class is the best way – they don’t have to be beautiful (you could write them out again later as a form of revision, with lots of colour to help you remember things), you just have to get the info down on paper.

If you don’t understand something, keep emailing the teacher until they help you.

Exams

Don’t be afraid of taking a new specification. It is scary to be the first or second year group ever to take a certain exam but you’re not alone, students across the country will be in the same situation. Even if your exam board seems useless or impossible, your teachers are qualified to prepare you for it, I promise. I found the lack of past papers and example material to be the hardest part, but in that situation you just have to improvise. See if you can pinch and adapt a similar essay question from a different exam board, for example.

Revision is horrible but it has to be done. If you study as you’re going along throughout the year (eg reviewing all your class notes at the end of the week) it will seem like less of a chore.

Find fun ways to revise, that work for you! Lots of people swear by flashcards as you can put bitesize chunks of information down and just whip them out to go through whenever you have a spare 5 minutes. You could record yourself reading your notes and make your own revision podcasts to listen to just before bed, make giant revision posters… One of my friends even got some glass pens so she could write on the door of the shower!

Switch up your environment and go for walks between revision to help clear your head.

If you can find it online, print off the specification for the course you’re doing and use it as a checklist so that you know exactly what you need to know.

Exam technique is almost as important as the actual information you need to know. Get as familiar as possible with the different types of questions you’ll have to answer, how this will be marked and what weighting of the final grade it carries.

It’s a long way off for you guys, but for any current year 12s reading this: use the summer between 12 and 13 wisely. Make revision notes for the topics you covered in the past year. You don’t have to spend heaps of time on it, the trick is to keep reviewing the information in little bites so when study leave rolls around next year you won’t feel like you’re drowning in stuff you don’t know.

I probably don’t need to say this, but don’t start watching a series during exam time...

Time management

Don’t pull all-nighters, it’s never worth it. If you’re in the sort of position where you feel you need to pull an all-nighter to get your work done, there’s something wrong with your workload or your time management. Speak to someone for help with whichever of these it is.

Don’t do what one of my mates did, which is develop an unhealthy dependence on coffee and Red Bull. If you’re relying on caffeine to get you through the day, you are not getting enough sleep.

Use your free periods wisely for the love of God. When exam time rolls around you will regret every hour spent napping in the common room or dicking about on Snapchat instead of working, trust me. Time out is important, but save it for your lunch break.

Don’t make a habit of skipping school. You know when you need to take time out and when you could probably push on and keep going. 100% attendance is not necessary to pass a course, but remember that you can’t learn shit when you’re not actually there.

Know when your deadlines are. Double and triple check them and write them everywhere. When you get into your UCAS application this will be particularly important because you can’t just beg for an extension – if you miss it, you miss it. Get into the habit of doing things sooner, rather than later.

You could try setting your own deadline 3 days before the real thing so that you’ll work to get it done with time to spare. That way you’re prepared for any unexpectedly time-consuming tasks.

CV-building

You may not feel that you have a whole lot of free time with your workload, but it’s important that you put aside some time (particularly during year 12, before things get really intense the following year) to do some good old Character Building so that when it comes to personal statement time, your only hobbies aren’t watching Netflix and refreshing tumblr. This could take the form of learning a new skill – a language, musical instrument, coding, whatever – outside of school hours.

Volunteering also looks good to employers and universities, particularly to those who (like me) don’t have time for a part-time job. You can show you’ve had a position of responsibility and given back to the community as well.

Extra curriculars are worth it. Completely aside from being good for your CV and your personal statement, they’re also loads of fun and when you’re in sixth form you get loads of opportunities that the lower school just doesn’t get, running clubs and bands as well as just participating. As a sixth former I’ve done conducting, stage managing, and played in the orchestra of my school’s musical, but you could get into sports, art, drama, whatever you like.

Your school will probably grant you a week off at the end of year 12 for work experience – use it well! Try to get involved with something that’s as closely connected with your chosen area of further study or employment as possible, or if you can’t do that, try and turn whatever you end up with to your advantage. I was looking for language-related work experience but ended up in insurance, so the whole week I was there I specifically asked for tasks relating to the company’s international relations.

Any language students interested in work experience abroad, have a look at this website. They organise work experience for you in France, Spain, Germany or Italy - I went during year 12 and it was amazing.

It’s not essential to get a part-time or Saturday job, especially if it’s going to interfere with your studies, but I would advise finding a way of gaining at least some financial independence from your parents. Personally I picked up money by tutoring younger students, babysitting and feeding my neighbours’ cats on a freelance basis. It’s just something you can put on your CV and helps you gain experience of budgeting for yourself, which will all be useful when you leave home.

Applying to uni

When it comes to applying to uni, take it seriously and start early. Do your research and talk to current students wherever you can, try and get an honest opinion.

It’s not necessary to go carting off around the country to visit every university you even consider applying to – this gets expensive and time-consuming after a while! Some universities host virtual open days, and most are represented at UCAS fairs and events – there are other ways to get the *feel* of a place.

Send your personal statement to EVERYONE. I’m not kidding. I showed mine to my parents, my aunt, my subject teachers, my next door neighbours, my school’s UCAS adviser, my best friends, my cousins, my head teacher… It all helps you get the best draft together. That said, remember that everyone’s opinions on these things is going to be different and above all, it has to be a *personal* statement – don’t put in anything that you’re not happy with.

Equally, don’t write down stuff that you can’t stand behind! If you say you’ve read a particular book, make sure you’ve actually read it!

Uni interviews are scary, I won’t lie to you, but don’t let that put you off from applying to the big-name universities or competitive courses. If your grades are good enough and you have a passion to want to go there, you should go for it! If you want to know what it’s like to go through the Oxbridge interview process, go ahead and send me an ask 😊

Stress busting

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether you’re struggling with something academically or need help with your workload, or if it’s a personal problem like mental health, there will be someone who can empathise and help you. They want to encourage your independence, but that doesn’t mean you have to deal with everything on your own.

No matter how stressful A levels may seem, remember that all you can do is try your best, and that’s all anyone can ask of you. There is no point in working yourself to death for A*s if it’s going to make you miserable.

It’s okay to put your mental health first, take some days out here and there to decompress, and practise self-care. I’m not saying skip school whenever you feel like it, but don’t wait to burn out before you let yourself take a break, or you’ll make yourself ill.

Eat breakfast and get a good night’s sleep. Just look after yourself. Don’t sacrifice your basic wellbeing in favour of good results, no grade is worth it.

Talk to your friends about how you’re feeling and share the stress. My friend group all send pics of our pets to the groupchat whenever someone’s feeling particularly down or stressed, just as a little way of cheering that person up. Be there for each other and work through stuff together.

General stuff

If you have a locker, use it. If not, try to minimise the amount of stuff you have to carry around on a daily basis. You can’t lug four bulging lever arch files around school every day without damaging your back.

Don’t be that one person who’s always borrowing pens, paper or lunch money from other people. Just don’t. Take responsibility for having your own supplies.

If you’re on studyblr already then I’m sure I don’t need to say this, but get a planner. It may just be a coincidence, but I’ve found that my friends who have a physical planner or bullet journal where they can write down their tasks have all turned out more organised than those of my friends who chose to use the apps on their phone instead.

Keep your study area orderly and organised. Tidy room = tidy mind. If you’re someone who really struggles with this (I personally can’t keep my room clear for longer than about 3 days at a time!), consider studying out of the house, at the library or somewhere similar.

Your performance in year 12 can and will affect your uni predictions, even if you don’t do AS levels. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your first year doesn’t count.

It’s great when you turn 18 and you’re finally able to start going to licensed premises and drinking *legally*, but don’t let all that freedom go to your head. Use your common sense – know your limits, don’t abandon friends on nights out, have a designated driver, don’t get drunk on a school night, the usual.

Identify people who distract you, and avoid them when it comes down to it. You can quickly narrow down the people who will be proactive and do something when they have a problem, and those who would rather just complain about it. The latter group are just going to waste your time.

Last tip! From personal experience, sixth form will be stressful as hell. But it can also be some of the most fun you’ve ever had in school, and your time will go crazy fast! Make the most of it and enjoy 😊

That’s all I can think of so far, I hope it’s helpful! Please feel free to message me with any questions or concerns about anything I’ve said, or equally, if you can think of any tips for new year 12s that I didn’t include on this list go ahead and add some.

Have a relaxing summer everyone and good luck for next year! xx

#sixth form #a level #study tips #uk studyblr #year 12 #year 13 #long post #a levels #a level studyblr #gcse studyblr #gcses #year 11 #as level #a2 levels #advice #ucas #ucas application

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cmnatic · 7 years

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Get to know me in 100 Questions

1) Have you ever been in a relationship?

Yesss

2) Do you have a crush on anybody?

OH DO I

3) Is there anyone you don’t like?

Generally? People who can’t accept others, be it expressing themselves how they like, or whose hand they choose too hold

4) What is your sexuality?

Gay (GOTY)

5) Do you have any siblings? If so are they older or younger?

Two! And they’re younger, they’re my Brothers.

6) What are your plans for the near future?

(Very) near future is to move away from my Home Town. attend University, start a-fresh and be able to express myself in multiple ways, away from my family

7) What do you usually wear everyday?

Depends on the day, during the week it’s shirt and tie with cargo’s for Work, and on the weekends it’s t-shirt and jeans generally. Unless I’m riding, then it’s thick ass gear the entire time.

8) What songs do you like to listen to?

I’ll cover this answer in a post somewhere

9) Can you give me a link to one of the songs you listen to?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6JpxDebokM

10) What are you usually fond doing?

Driving, attending concerts or chilling with people that I love.

11) What’s your favorite movie genre?

I want to say Horror, but specifically psychological horror. Though, I think Crime / Thrillers is my answer.

12) Do you have any movie recommendations?

The Closet Monster, The way he looks, a few.

13) When is your birthday (Month, day)?

23rd August :S

14) What is your favorite colour?

Blue! or maybe purple. Why not both? live a little

15) What country do you live in?

United Kingdom!

16) Who do you look up to?

Probably Chance the rapper, I find his Music and his story very moving. I don’t want to become him, but what he’s done and his History. Very inspiring. But actually, I would say a colleague that I had the pleasure of working with. He’s improved his life, and is working in a very very cool place.

17) What religion are you in? (Christianity, Buddhism, etc.)

I’m not a followerer of any.

18) What books/fanfics do you recommend for me to read?

To be honest, I’m not really a fan of Books or fanfics as a whole.

19) What are some topics that trigger you?

I don’t really know???

20) What are some of your pet peeves?

A) Loud chewers B) Heavy breathers C) Earphones tangling

21) What shows/anime do you recommend for me to watch?

I reccommend a few TV Shows, I could never get into Anime. Dexter, Hannibal (it’s pretty gory to say the least though) Still game, I have a list. 22) What is your favorite food?

A stir-fry of some description, but like Steak or maybe Chicken to be honest 23) Who is your favorite [Insert anime/show] character?

Will Graham? Oh no! Elliot from Mr Robot, I have a huuuuuuuuuge crush for (Young) Rami Malek

24) What is your favorite kind of chocolate (milk chocolate, dark, special dark, white chocolate, etc.)

Not really a fan of chocolate as a whole, but if I was to have any, I’d choose white chocolate

25) If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be?

Sweden, or maybe Denmark?

26) Can you draw? If so can you draw yourself/your muse?

Oh how I desperately wish.

27) What hairstyle do you usually have?

Literally cannot describe without providing a photo of it.

28) Do you have another blog? If so can you tell me what it is?

Yeah! https://blog.cmnatic.co.uk

29) What do you like to snack on when you’re bored?

Popcorn or ....... whatever I can find lmao

30) What is your favorite popcorn flavor?

I know how bad it is, but salted.

31) What is your favorite potato chip flavor?

Sweet chili, yeaaah

32) What is the best food to make with potatoes?

Curly fries, fight me if you think otherwise

33) Do you have more interest in planets or stars?

Stars are pretty.

34) What is your Chinese zodiac?

I had to google this but, the Rabbit? I’d say I agree with it actually.

35) What is your horoscope? 36) Do you play video games?

Yeah, a few. Not anywhere near as much as I used too.

37) What video games do you play?

Project Cars, Dirt Rally, League of Legends, and slwoly getting back into Starcraft 2

38) What is your least favorite color?

Yellow, or green.

39) What is your least favorite movie?

I can’t name one specifically ,but I hatedd the Transformers series as a whole. Alongsie other stuff.

40) What is your least favorite food?

Far too much, I don’t like fish, mushrooms, tomatoes. Yeah, i’m pretty bland lmao.

41) What’s your favorite country?

Depends on the Season, Sweden is gorgeous in the Winter, but the UK can be lovely during the Summer so.

42) What is your favorite state? 43) What place would you like to go for sightseeing?

America to be honest, or Iceland actually!

44) Who are your five favorite characters? 45) What are your top five ships?

- @alotofalotte + Harry = lorry

- Yuri and Viktor, though they’re a thing so. I’m behind it regardless.

46) Would you rather see the future or change the past?

I feel like I could make so much more use of the Future, rather then change the past.

47) If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?

- A lot. But probably my anxiety and the people I’m surrounded by.

48) If you could be anything what would you be?

Firefighter or a Paramedic actually.

49) What’s better: earrings or necklaces?

Necklaces fo’ sure.

50) What’s your favorite flower?

Cheesy, but despite what it does to my alergies, it’ll be lavendar or elderflower.

51) What’s your favorite band/singer?

Gonna do both because I can’t choose:

Band - Iron Maiden, Guns N roses, Fleetwood Mac

Artists - Post-malone, Troye Sivan, Lorde (but Heroine era) Stevie

52) Who’s your favorite artist?

Probably Troye.

53) What is your favorite quote and who’s it by? 54) What’s your favorite book and who’s it by? 55) Who’s your favorite author? 56) What do you think of [Insert blog name]? 57) Do you like to play board games/card games?

Yes!

58) What’s your favorite board game?

In Sweden, there’s a ‘traditional’ Board Game called “Bondespelet” where you manage a farm, choose the crops that you want plant during the Seasons, and you have to make as much Money as you can and beat the other farmers.

59) What’s your favorite card game to play?

Cards against Humanity, my sick humour can’t hide that lmao.

60) Will you ever do a face reveal?

Possibly, lets see if I continue well with my weight loss.

61) Do you wear glasses or contact lenses?

No! But I used too wear glasses a few years ago.

62) Do you have braces or anything for your teeth?

Nope

63) What’s your favorite form of art?

Music, or photography.

64) Do you like to cook/bake?

Cook, yes

65) What’s your favorite food to cook/bake?

Oh gosh, anything really. I just like the act of cooking.

66) 67) Do you wear any accessories?

Nope, not really.

68) What’s your favorite kind of cookie?

Chocolate chip if I had to choose.

69) Are you still a virgin?

Heh. *ahem* I don’t advertise if I am or not, people who know me, know if I am or not. 70) What inspires you?

Seeing the work that other people do.

71) What’s your favorite poem and who’s it by? 72) What’s your favorite brand?

Oh this is a good one, I can’t think of particular ultra favourites.

73) Norse or Greek mythology?

Norse. 74) Favorite YouTuber and why?

Big Narstie, he’s beyond hilarious. Or uh, Jim Sterling. Bigclive live, he dissaembles electrics and stuff. Very cool stuff

75) What your favorite drink?

Ribena, or capri-sun or, Greggs Lemonade. Depends on the day to be honest. I’m like a pregnant woman in that sense.

76) would you rather drink coffee or tea?

Neither, I don’t drink both

77) Soda or no soda?

Again, changes like upon the week.

78) What’s your favorite soda?

Coke cherry.

79) Minecraft or Terraria?

Minecraft, though Terraria is quite fun too.

80) Are you still in school?

Nope, but I will be heading into Uni shortly.

81) Would you rather married or single?

I honestly don’t know, I’d say married cause I hated being Single once I wasn’t single.

82) Are you friends with any blogs irl?

Yes!

83) What’s better: hot or cold?

Cold. For. Definite.

84) Are you an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere between?

I was an Introvert, I’d like to think over the past year I’ve been leaning more to extrovert, but I’d still be majorly introvert.

85) Do you curse/say bad words?

Too fuckin’ much. I even change them up, makes it interesting. 86) Did you ever witness bad incidents or accidents?

Yeah.

87) Have you ever gotten into a bad incident or accident?

Yeah, Ive come off a motorbike twice, I wouldn’t say it was serious, but damn i felt it for a good few days. My knee from the 2nd one still causes me a bit of pain here and there today.

88) What language(s) do you speak?

Swedish and English

89) If you could speak any language what would it be?

It’d be something like German, It’s aggressive but there’s something about it. idk.

90) What are your opinions on sharks?

Fin.

91) Do you have any pets? How many?

3 pets!

92) What’s your favorite element?

I don’t really have one aha. But it’d be ones that people combine to make a funny work, I like those kinds of things.

93) What’s your favorite season?

Winter, or the season before Winter when it transitions from Summer to winter (fall?)

94) Have you ever gotten trouble? What for?

No, not really. Had run-ins with the police, but nothing came of it and/or was anything to do with me.

95) would you rather go on defense or offense?

Defense

96) Choose one: Spiders, Snakes, or Sharks?

None, all of them terrify me.

97) What place have you gone to for vacation? Was it fun?

Spain, that was quite enjoyable!

98) Do you have any phobias? What are some of them? 99) What’s your favorite time of the year?

Again, winter. But I’ve enjoy the Summer of this year, so many things with sos many cool people.

100) Top bunk or bottom bunk?

Bottom bunk, even though I’m certified at working at heights. Watching me climb up ladders is a sight and a half. I can’t be dealing with that when I first wake up.

#get to know me #easy answers #nothing to hide #pretty sfw / non-embarassing #100 questions #aboutme #more to come

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bigwheelblading · 5 years

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Oak City Skate Shop opened their doors a little over 6 years on September 1st, 2012. Oak City is the brainchild of 30-year-old Raleigh, North Carlonia native Long Tonthat. For the past 22-years Long has had skates strapped to his feet, begin with the skating rink and then graduating to aggressive skating when he turned 14-yeards-old. That is when his love of blading took a hold of him and he has looked back since.

How did Oak City start?

My girlfriend (now wife) and I were working high-pressure sales jobs and even though I was financially stable, I just wasn’t happy. I had minor success in selling items that I had no interest in. I had developed strong personal skills and had come from a family of small business owners. Skating has always been strong in North Carolina and I felt like it was something the state needed. So we started to save and make plans to open a skate shop.

Did you start selling online before opening a storefront?

2012 was a much different time in skating, I was required to have a physical building before any vendor would speak to me. A lot of the obstacles that came with starting the shop were with getting the building. Since then I’ve noticed that companies have become much more lax.

Oak City Skate Shop Interior

How have you managed to adapt with the time and stay business when so many other retailers have shut down?

A living business plan is key, I’ve found that my initial plan just wouldn’t work today. Trends and competition change, so it’s important to keep sharp and always adjusting. My wife works a full time office job and I do a few side jobs when I can, to make ends meet.

Also, I had help. I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t make it here on my own, and that there are many unnamed and unmentioned heroes that held me up when I was at my lowest. I appreciate that.

How has Big Wheel Blading and Tri-skates changed the landscape ofyour store and skating in general?

It’s been a big eye opener for me, at the beginning of the shop’s life I wasn’t interested in carrying 4×80 inline skates but the Tri-skates and 4×90+ have really reshapes the image of skating. The glide on Tri-skates is unmatched and is the closest thing to riding on clouds. They are pretty incredible and coming from a mostly aggressive background, it’s infrequent to be excited about just skating but Tri-skates are something else. Also for the beginners, cracks and debris are way less of a concern. I could talk about it all day!

Have you noticed any significant change in the numbers of people participating in recreational skating vs. aggressive skating in the US in the past decade?

I think it’s starting to really balance out. I see as many fitness skaters on the trails as I do at the park but I see the aggressive guys more often. Fitness cats are wheels and bearing purchases every once in awhile, aggressive skaters are just harder on equipment.

How important was picking your location to the success of the business?

Location was pretty big, I was first right off the highway and it was really convenient for travelers. I wanted people to come often, so I wanted it to be easy for them. If I could start over again I would get a sick spot downtown, but it’s just expensive now that Raleigh has grown.

Does your shop offer skate lessons?

I offer lessons but for insurance costs and registration purposes I chose to offer them personally and not through the shop. It’s not something I can do often, with my son being so young and me being the primary caretaker, but I’d like to do more.

You did your SkateIA certification in NYC with Trish Alexander. How was that? Did you learn anything?

Yes, SkateIA was great! Cameron Card and I coordinated our trip and I’ll say that it was pretty amazing as I’ve always been a fan of his. I got to see a lot of the city, I didn’t learn a lot of techniques as the skating is pretty basic, but more importantly I learned how to EFFECTIVELY and SAFELY teach Inline skating.

Do you recommend that people should get Skate IA certified? If so why?

100 percent, level 1 would be great and by being SkateIA certified you have the opportunity to be covered by their insurance (huge benefit). I certainly plan to continue getting more certifications and hope that one day I can teach and certify skate instructors.

Oak City covers all of your skating needs.

What can people do in their hometowns to promote inline skating?

Skate fast, like a bat out of hell

Skate for fun and not for others’ approval

Be engaging; positive comments should always be followed up by an invitation. I always try to thank people for the recognition and encourage them to try.

Fewer headphones, I understand that a lot of people get in the zone with music but you miss a lot of opportunities to engage and converse with others.

Start a local group using a preferred social media

Poach scooters and skate boarders, a lot of those individuals will pick up a pair of skates and have almost all the abilities need to skate a park effectively. The skills and concepts transfer over pretty well and I would always encourage any of them that even show the smallest inclination towards inline skating.

Do you do most of your sales online or in store?

It’s about even, the in store sales aren’t as frequent but are usually higher ticket items like skates. Online sales are mostly smaller goods.

What other countries to you sell to?

It’s really hard to sell outside of North America, in almost every other part of the world Inline skating is popular, so stores are abundant and they don’t have the same struggles I have. I do ship to our neighbors to the north and south but it’s rare that I’ll mail anything to Europe or Asia. There are already a handful of bigger shops on both continents and with shipping costs it’s just a game that can’t be won.

What do you think would help skating in general be more successful?

It’s hard to say, but I think the most positive thing we can do is just continue to have as much fun as possible on Inline skates and encourage the youth.

Would you ever consider carrying speed skating products?

I have a few items now, mostly RB and Powerslide. It’s always been something I had one or two pair of but I just recently started carrying a few more models on a regular basis.

What sets your store apart from others?

I try to have the best understanding of all the products available and offer modification services. I also try and carry items that the bigger retailers don’t want to carry such as Borklyn Zoo, Blade Club, Muzzle etc.

What achievement are you the most proud of?

Helping Jon Julio with the first Them shipment was pretty sick, being there was a height in my career and it’s something I think about to raise my spirits when I’m blue.

I also just recently got done working with Cameron Card on “What Year Is It?” We were able to get almost 300 skaters in attendance at Woodward East in Pennsylvania. That was something else, so many peoples’ dreams were made reality that weekend and that was truly special.

Jumping over fences.

Mediation time.

That event looked like a blast, I’m very sad I wasn’t able to make it this year. Will you guys be putting one together next year?

Yes, it will take place on September 20th, 2019. The dates are already set, we are just working on the rates. We would love to have you there! Plus we do a 10k every morning.

Are there any skating Vlogs you follow on YouTube?

Ah, that’s one thing I fall short on right now, I tune into Back to Blading or Jump Street Podcast. Besides that I maybe watch a few speed and freeskate technique videos, but nothing habitual.

Does Oak City sponsor a team?

Yes, we sponsor Philip Moore! We have been homies since the year I opened, our friend Lorenzo introduced us and it’s been rad friendship ever since. Jon Cooley and I have been friends since before the shop and has been my main traveling companion to comps and events, we are like-minded and share a similar work ethic. So it’s just natural that we’d work together with him and Mikey Holmes on Apex. And, Montre Livingston, who I’ve known since we were teenagers. He’s a great guy to work with. I have other guys that I give products to, but these guys are close to me and I see them or they check in regularly.

Do you watch or keep up with any non-aggressive skating on social media?

I enjoy following Danny Aldridge (@dannyaldridge1111). I don’t follow many, but he’s one of my favorite overall skaters. Speed not so much, but for distance skating I really like Caleb Smith (@kaleboston). He is skating 200-miles in one day, how sick is that! For slalom I usually just watch edits on YouTube. Half the enjoyment of slalom for me is how cinematic some of the edits are.

There aren’t many distributors left in the United States, are there brands out there that are difficult or impossible to order?

Yes, Adapt products are really sought after, but the production costs and time makes them unavailable to me. USD, Kizer and MyFit are also super tough because we have to order it all from Europe.

Do you think the US could handle more skate shops, or is competition between the hand full of shops already to tight?

It’s tight for sure. A little less dependence on the big online retailers would be necessary but that’s unrealistic. I know it’s harsh but in the grand scheme of things, local small businesses are the most likely entity to create skaters.

Long and his child and future Oak City heir.

Lacing a toe roll.

It blows my mind how a city like NYC with 8.6 million people doesn’t have a skate shop. Do you think the lack of brick and mortar skate shops and readily available skate products in major cities is a contributing factor to the decline in skaters?

100 percent! I think today the only type of businesses that can make it in that setting, is high volume keystone profit businesses. The building rent alone in most cities would be a huge burden.

Have you ever had a period where you thought you might not make it?

Ha, every month I skirt by. When money is tight, I just eat less and work more. I’ll be in the hole every now and again, but If I have it my way, it’s never going to stop.

What was the most successful period for you?

There was a time where I was the only shop offering Valo toe cutting and was really making some radical customs. I think people really love the fact that we had such a variety of parts with available combinations and I was never shy about building exactly what someone wanted.

Is there a significant amount of aggressive skaters are switching over to bigger wheel frame set-ups?

There’s been an increase in big wheel flat rocker for sure. The attention to detail is higher than ever and the excitement over specifications is real. I think we gradually have been moving this way for a while. I remember when 58mm Anti was the trend and 60mm wheels came out as the fast option, I was always in pursuit of a fast but grindable option.

Do you think inline retailers need to sell items outside of inline skating to stay afloat?

I don’t sell anything but inline skate products and I struggle from time to time. I could never be genuinely excited about those products and if I cared about money I’d go back to high-pressure sales. No disrespect to the other shops that carry other items, it’s just not me. The margins are super slim in skating and it’s no doubt businesses that carry these low margin items exclusively have tough times staying open but I’m ok with that struggle.

How is the aggressive scene in the Raleigh area?

It’s got tons to skate, from the shop there’s 7 skate parks within a 30-minute drive, one park being 5-minutes away. We’ve got a lot of skaters in the surrounding areas, so they drive in for a day and we usually do something that appeases the group.

What are your best selling products?

It’s hard to say and I think that’s the hardest part, everyone wants something different so it’s usually a game of getting a little of everything. I’d say that companies are really into direct sales more these days and that really inhibits any product from being popular in store. For example, Creates use to be super popular but since they are now direct I rarely sell them.

Contemplating his next move.

Rolling in Raleigh

How many rec/freestyle skates do you sell compared to aggressive?

I sell a lot more aggressive but 90 percent of my stock and most of my interest is in aggressive so that could be skewed. I’d like to balance that out more as time passes.

Where do you see Oak City in the future?

Hopefully in a radical downtown storefront, with a partnered skate park next door. I think when business work off each other the success could be limitless.

What are you current personal setups?

I’m currently skating on a pair of Rollerblade Metroblade 4x80mm for urban skating and on the Them Darst Skates with 50/50s and Apex wheels. I’m hoping to get some Powerslide Trinity Mount 3×125 Swells soon.

Credits

Black and white Cover Photo by Kazu Mori.

Links

Visit oakcityskate.com to browse their selection.

To keep up to date with everything happening at Oak City, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Contact Information

Oak City Inline Skate Shop 3812 Tarheel Drive, Unit I Raleigh NC 27609

Phone Number: 919-834-2221

Email Address: [email protected]

An Interview with Long Tonthat of Oak City Skate Shop Oak City Skate Shop opened their doors a little over 6 years on September 1st, 2012. Oak City is the brainchild of 30-year-old Raleigh, North Carlonia native Long Tonthat.

#kazu mori #Long Tonthat #North Carlonia #Oak City #Oak City Skate Shop #raleigh

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zombiesurthrivalist · 6 years

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1.1

Nick sat in the airport, impatiently waiting for his flight from Orlando to Virginia, tapping his foot on the thinly carpeted floor and drumming his fingers on the thin metal armrest while his guitar case occupied the seat next to him. He had been waiting for an hour, having expected a much longer line through the terminal security. On any normal day he would be stopped and his case rummaged through but he suspected the uniformed woman who gave him a slight wink was working for his company, or perhaps was paid handsomely to let him through without any suspicion. You see, in this case he did not actually carry a guitar but rather a battery of items suited more for someone with highly covert technical skills. A spy of sorts.

Upon opening the case there was a thin board shaped and modelled after a real guitar. On closer inspection one would notice that several components were missing and that this musical instrument was anything but the genuine item. The tuning pegs did not actually turn and the sound hole was too shallow to produce a usable sound. The workmanship was good enough to even fool a seasoned player though. Once removed there were several compartments within the bottom, some only opened by pressing a hidden button located somewhere on the case itself. In these compartments were anything from pliers to strip wires to Gigli wire to cut through bone should an intense interrogation arise. He has never actually used the latter but his boss thought it pertinent to keep on the off chance that the mission turned south.

Nick was sent to Florida to disarm a bomb hidden in the cargo hold of this particular aircraft, supposedly left there by an unknown overseas company looking to reach Washington D.C. for a bit of chaos and panic. The end goal was never clear but Nick hardly ever got the full story but rather the mission objectives and abbreviated debriefings essentially praising him for a job well done. “Congratulations! You beat the evil men again!” This mission was to disarm the bomb mid-flight, keep all passengers safe, and return home for the next mission. He need not know more than that.

He was ready.

“Now boarding flight 972, Orlando to Dulles. All disabled and those needing assistance please board first.” He vaguely heard this over the loudspeakers as a couple nearby began arguing about something inconsequential.

Nick took a deep breath and looked at his ticket. On the top corner there was a number 3, indicating that he was probably sitting in the back of the plane and thus one of the last to board. This posed a minor problem seeing as there might not be room for the guitar case but he knew he would fight tooth and nail to keep it with him. There was no way he would part with the tools he actually needed to complete this mission. He took another deep breath and hoped it did not amount to heavy bickering or bribery. As he closed his eyes and waiting through the veterans, first class passengers, and then each number he wondered what he was going to see once in the cargo hold. There have been many bomb in his career, all easy to disarm and all roughly the same once you got through the external case holding all the wiring, but something seemed different this time. Perhaps it was the location – very odd for a bomb to be coming out of Florida – or the fact that his company seemed more cautious about giving him too many details about this particular mission, almost making certain he did not know particulars or even who would plant the thing in the first place. Normally he would at least know who was behind any attack on his home soil. On the other hand, he was probably thinking too much about the entire situation and should relax. Disarming bomb number 187 would be no different from the 186 that proceeded it.

——

When Nick was first recruited to work for CNSP Incorporated he had just finished school at West Point with a goal to eventually join the CIA as an undercover operative, exploring the world while carrying out complicated assignments. The recruiter that approached him after graduation had told him that his dreams can become a reality with an even bigger paycheck if he were to work for their company instead of joining the military and enduring several years’ worth of deployments in potential war zones. Who wouldn’t say yes to possibly avoiding an early death in a foreign country fighting for something they might not actually believe in?

His first week at the company was a mere introductory phase to get him used to the home office just outside of Washington D.C. and acquainted with the others who would be responsible for his real training. He could not even fathom what this real training would entail or what his job description actually was seeing as the recruiter was vague on certain key points. He asked several questions to which he got limited answers.

“Who ultimately controls the company?”

“An obscure branch of the government to which civilians are not privy. Hell, even the other branches know little to nothing about us or what we do.” Brian Roberts, the recruiter, looked nonplussed by the question.

“And what is it that we do?” He knew he was a part of this now and there was no backing out.

“When you acquire the skills we need that were not taught in any of your classes and are off in the field you will see firsthand what it is we do here and the driving factor behind this company.”

“Not taught in my classes? What exactly are you requiring of me?”

“Don’t fret Mr. Cummins. Simple tasks such as crowd control and bomb defusal.” Brian said this with a straight face and a calmness in his voice.

“You call disarming a bomb simple!?” Nick was starting to regret accepting the position. He was only 21 and was promised a life free of war zones only to be places directly in death’s path. This was proving to be quite opposite of what he thought he was signing up for. Danger, yes, there certainly would be danger. He was an adventurous sort who loved to live life on the edge with minor exceptions including anything that involved a premature demise. So this news came as a shock to his mental, physical, and spiritual being.

“Please remain calm.”

“That is easy for you to say! You are not the one out in the field.” He was starting to get hysterical.

“Mr. Cummins, before I was the recruiter you see before you I did work in the field doing the very job you so eagerly accepted.” Still, he maintained the serene demeanor.

“Why aren’t you still out there?”

“Old age I am afraid. My eyesight started to decline and with that certain colors, which makes finding the right wires a challenge. That, among other things. But in my career of 57 years I have defused over 650 bombs, saved several civilians and maybe even two countries.” Brian let out a slight sigh as if he was remembering all the days in the field with longing adoration.

“Why have I never heard of you before?”

“We are not allowed the recognition seeing as it would jeopardize the standing of not only this company but the government itself. Other countries are not aware of our existence and it has taken a lot to keep it that way.”

“I see …” Nick had nothing left to ask. This was going to be as top secret as it got, more so than the CIA. He took a deep breath and submitted to the idea of this life. A smirk began to start in the left corner of his mouth as he realized the immense amount of enjoyment this career path would bring.

The following week he delved head first into serious training. They expected him to be a functional field operative by the end of the year, and it was already August. He spend countless hours learning the inner workings of different types of explosives, foreign governments and their laws, and even started learning three new languages. Thankfully he had spent his time in school perfecting how to fully integrate the information he learned into his daily life whether it be history, math, or technical skills, useful or seemingly useless. Nick’s brain became a sponge for information and his comprehension speed was almost unheard of. At West Point there was only one rival, causing him to graduate second in his class but his rival was a certifiable genius and Nick could never understand why he chose a military academy over something more suited for his sheer brain power. The days went by slowly at first but as the leaves started to change from green to brilliant reds and yellows time seemed to move along at double the speed. Nick picked up Russian, German, and a small amount of Korean within two months. He could disarm a bomb in 28 seconds, seemingly running on autopilot throughout the process. By the time December rolled around he felt ready for any challenge placed in his path.

As he sat in an empty conference room, watching a short film on a projector detailing what to expect once in the field – double agents and possible loss of limbs or life from explosions or gunshot wounds – Brian walked in and told him to prepare for his first mission.

“I thought I was not scheduled to go out until next month.” Nick looked confused but relived at the same time.

“The date has been moved up. We just lost an agent over in Germany during a routine operation and we need you now. I trust that you have confidence in your ability because I sure do.”

“Confidence isn’t a problem,” Nick wavered a moment, “I’m … ready for this.”

“Are you trying to convince me or yourself? I need you to be on board one hundred percent. No mistakes, or it may cost you your life.”

“No, I AM ready!” Nick stood up and looked at Brian with a blank stare that did not reveal the inner turmoil. He was nervous but refused to show that to Brian for this is what he had been training for all these months. He was ready. He had to be whether he really was or not.

“You have three hours to get a bag packed. Don’t weigh yourself down so only pack essentials. Meet me on the roof at the helipad when you are done.” Brian began to walk from the room.

“Wait! Where am I going?”

Brian turned around, hand on the doorknob still, “Germany, of course. You have to finish the job.” With that Brian walked out of the room, leaving Nick to finish the video.

Nick tapped his foot on the floor rapidly during the last five minutes of the video, impatient to get up to the helipad to get some real answers. He was too nervous to ask anything other than where he was going and Brian seemed to move from the room as if on motorized sneakers.

Nick was packed and on the helipad before the allotted three hours. He found an empty expanse before him and could hardly see the company grounds below for it was dark outside and there were no lights around. It was the first time he truly realized just how secluded he was from the rest of civilization. All the windows in the building had blackout curtains so no light came in from the outside and no light escaped. He could vaguely see the outline of the buildings surrounding him. Just as his vision started to adjust, the lights illuminating the helipad flickered on and he heard a door closing behind him with a sharp click.

“The helicopter will take us to a small airstrip outside of Dulles where you will catch a charter to Germany,” came Brian’s calm voice.

“I still don’t know what I am going to be doing there.”

“You will be briefed on the mission once we are airborne. You will only know what is pertinent to you, nothing more. The other operatives in the field know you are coming so don’t be surprised if they call you by name. Please refrain from asking them any questions about their mission for theirs and yours are different. We certainly don’t need you getting side tracked on your first day out.”

“Understood,” Nick sighed too lightly for Brian to notice.

Off in the distance came the whir of the helicopter wings and with what seemed more speed than possible it landed on the helipad. Nick and Brian hopped inside and they were off again. Twenty minutes to Dulles and then aboard the charter. It all happened with such expediency. Nick was sweating and his stomach was in knots from the nerves and anticipation. Nerves from the entire scenario and the fact that a few short hours ago he was sitting in a conference room, watching a short training video, thinking he still had time on his side. Anticipation of getting to Germany, understanding the mission, and most of all putting the skills he had acquired in classes to practical use.

He was not prepared.

He was prepared.

It did not matter anymore.

Brian and Nick sat in the charter silent for the first hour while Nick took a series of deep breaths to try to calm his racing mind. When Nick opened his eyes, feigning some semblance of calm, Brian was staring straight at him, leaning forward with fingers like steeples pressed together under his chin and elbows resting on thighs. He had an air of genuine calm about him.

I don’t understand how he can just be so calm. I guess that comes in time. Nick always thought of the world in time. Too much time. Not enough time. All good things come in time.

“You understand that for decades the Germans have been working on bombs, right?” Brian finally said.

“Yes,” was all that feebly came from Nick’s mouth.

“This time they sort of got themselves into a bind. They were working on one particular bomb that would be impossible to disarm. The builder created a multi-layered defense mechanism, booby traps if you will. Our previous specialist was a savant of sorts but got caught up by one of the traps. A nail shot out from a secret compartment and impaled him in the left eye. Fortunately he is not dead but it did leave him in a lobotomized state, rendering him useless.”

“I thought you said an agent died?”

“No … I said we lost an agent. I never specified the details.”

“So why is this one particular bomb so important?”

“You don’t need to know the full details.”

“But I need to know some at least!” Nick was starting to get irritated.

“Very well,” Brian, still never wavering from his calm exterior, took a deep breath. “This particular bomb is located in the middle of a small town outside the capital. The blast radius is enough to affect the entire country and possibly the outlying regions of those surrounding. The builder died before he could tell his superior how to deactivate it to move it to an underground vault for safe keeping. You see, the builder left it active. Fortunately it does not have a timing mechanism. The group of Germans who have asked us help them in their little dilemma are allies and even personal friends of some of our operatives. We need you to deactivate it so that it can be moved. You will be saving lives.”

“Oh…” Nick knew there must be more to all of this but he knew Brian was not going to tell him so he remained silent and contemplated this mission.

Saving lives. I can do that. He finally started to feel calm.

He was not prepared, but that one statement changed everything.

He would always be prepared no matter what.

(to be continued ...)

#zombie #spy #story #fiction

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