Glass pool fences

The pool fences we manufacture are custom-cut, tempered glass, customized to fit your pool. We will create a crystal clear glass pool fence that will look great and last for years to come.

What Components Constitute To Form Electric Gates?

Modern properties are getting increasingly technologically advanced with features like electric fencing and automatic or electric gates. These gates enhance convenience to the next level and tighten the safety of the property. The most prominent feature is the remote opening and closing without you getting out of the car. People who have not used them are mostly confused about their functioning, and this is what we have discussed here in this post.

What Is the Composition of Electric Gates

Electric gates are basically motorised opening and closing systems used in your property’s main entrance. You can contact electric gates contractors to get them installed in residential or commercial properties. Several components combine to enable these electric gates to perform flawlessly and a level above the regular gates.

The Motor Part

The motor is the life and soul of these electric gates and is responsible for moving them whenever needed. According to the vendors of electric gates services, the engine of these gates must be powerful enough to assist a bulky gate in moving effortlessly. These motors can be powered by different energy sources like electricity, solar power and even batteries.

Wheels and Rails

Another vital component of these electric gates is the rails installed on the ground to guide gate movement. Wheels are also crucial and fixed on the bottom of these gates to roll along with the rails while opening or closing.

The Remote Control

Electric gate contractors also offer a remote control to control the gate remotely without leaving the car or the home. These remotes have several functions to control a gate, like partial or total opening, delayed closing, voice recognition and so on.

The Electronics System

According to electric gates contractors, the electronic systems of these gates are a combination of several vital components, such as the sensors to detect the presence of an obstacle. Then, there are switches also to activate different modes like manual and automatic. Another vital component is the anti-intrusion system that restricts people from getting unauthorised access to your property by forcing them to open the gate.

Apart from these crucial parts, there are several other components like the cylinder system, the articulated arm system, the sliding system and so on. The cylinder system uses an electric cylinder to drive the gate movement, while the articulated arm system is used in smaller residential gates. Finally, there is the sliding system used in front of properties, where space-related constraints are there. These systems can be controlled by remote control or intercom, enabling users to open the gate without getting out of the vehicle.

Pierce Construction & Repair offers Best Deck & Porch Repair & Installation in Fullerton, California. Go through the top Deck Builder & contractors in Fullerton. CA. Call us today.

Glass Pool Fencing Contractors

Adelaide Pool Glass is a company specializing in glass pool fencing Contractors. We have been around for many years and currently have quite a few satisfied customers. If you want someone to install custom glass pool fencing, please contact us. We will work with you to make sure your needs are met.

You Are My Heaven On Earth - Joel Miller

Pairing: No outbreak!Joel Miller x Fem!Reader

Summary: You and Joel have been dating for over a year, but you never knew he could sing until Sarah revealed his little secret to you during a movie night.

Warnings: Sub!Joel, Oral sex (fem receiving), slight cockblocking, Joel singing is his own warning, soft!Joel

WC: 2173

A/N: It's finally here! This is my first time posting smut, so please be kind. Shoutout to @tightjeansjavi and @chaotic-mystery for helping me when I started to PANIC. Y'all are my saviors.

Link to the song Joel sings here.

You’d met Joel about a year ago, having just moved a few blocks away from his house in the same neighborhood. When a neighbor suggested Joel’s company to fix the fence on your property, you were pleasantly surprised to find that Mr. Miller was an extremely attractive man your age and not an older gentleman with decades worth of relationships in your vicinity. 

Joel and his younger brother Tommy replaced your fence easily and in a timely fashion, even sealing the wood when you asked about weather protection. 

You spent the week watching the brothers work and when Tommy wasn’t there, learning more about Joel. You learned he was a single dad to a daughter named Sarah, who was ten and his entire world. He’d been a contractor since before graduating high school and started his own company just a few years ago after his brother returned from the military. 

He also learned about you, how you worked at the museum in town as a curator after graduating from graduate school a few years previous. How one of your great grandparents had died and left you a chunk of change big enough to put a deposit on a house. 

You made him lunch every day, paired with either countless glasses of water or lemonade. It started as a kindness, something to show him appreciation for his work. But by the third day, you were itching to see his sweat soaked face and thick arms enter your house, sit at your table and eat the food you’d prepared for him. 

By the end of the week, you weren’t willing to let Joel walk out of your life until you needed another job done. As soon as you had handed Joel the check for his work and watched him place it in his pocket, you took the pen you were holding and boldly grabbed his hand, scribbling your house number over his knuckles.

Joel called you as soon as he’d gotten home that evening. 

So here you were, a year later, snuggling with Sarah on their couch watching the newest Barbie movie while you waited for Joel to come home for the night. When he still hadn’t arrived at her bed time, you went through the motions with her and tucked her in before returning to the couch. 

The evening’s Jeopardy episode was rerunning when Joel entered the house about an hour later, a heavy sigh falling from his lips. He was happy to see it was only you on the couch, though he felt horrible for leaving you with Sarah duty, again. It was an unfortunate habit over the last few weeks, a particular job causing him anguish and keeping him late. 

You looked at him brightly from where you sat, your smile wide as you greeted him. “Hi, honey. Come sit.” You patted the couch next to you, luring him in. 

He abided, sighing again as he settled into the cushions. Immediately, you crawled your way into his lap, hands rubbing up and down his arms and shoulders soothingly. 

“Hi, sweet pea,” he whispered, eyes falling closed from the bliss of your touch. God, he loved you.

“Sarah told me a secret today,” you whispered back, hands still moving. 

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

Your smirk was evident in your voice as you said, “She told me how you can play guitar and, I couldn’t believe it, sing. What have you been hiding from me, cowboy?”

Joel’s chuckle rattled in his chest, his eyes opening to see your mischievous grin. “She said that? She must have gotten me confused with another dad.”

“Hm, I don’t think so. There’s only one Joel Miller that lives in this house.” You leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his lips gently. “What do I have to do to get a pretty boy like you to sing for me?” 

Joel’s cock twitched as you uttered the words, making you smirk. “Tell you what, pretty boy,” you paused, emphasizing on the last two words. You watched his Adam’s apple bob with his hard swallow, eyes watching you carefully. “Sing a few songs for me and I’ll let you have your way with me. How does that sound?”

Joel nodded, albeit a bit frantically. He’d take you right here on this couch if it meant you’d keep calling him your pretty boy. 

“Guitar is in the bedroom, s-sweet pea,” he stuttered, hands gravitating to your hips as you ground against him. 

“Okay, honey.” You grabbed his hands as you stood, leading him up the stairs to his bedroom. You’d changed into one of his flannels after Sarah had gone to bed, the fabric almost reaching your knees as you walked. 

You hadn’t planned on teasing Joel to death, truly. But when he walked in after a long day with exhaustion exuding from his body, you figured he could use a little fun before the weekend began in earnest. 

When you reached the bed, you settled yourself in the middle, legs open and on display while Joel pulled the guitar case from under his bed. 

Joel was nervous as he clicked open the case, pulling the acoustic guitar from its resting place. He hadn’t sung for anyone in a long time, anyone except Sarah of course.

His hands shook as he moved himself onto the bed next to you, guitar settled on his lap. He tested a few strums, taking his time to tune the instrument before he began. 

Your voice caught in your throat at the sound of Joel’s sweet melody filled the room. His voice was soft, yet gritty as he crooned the lyrics of Garth Brooks’ “If Tomorrow Never Comes.”

If I never wake in the morning

Would she ever doubt the way I feel

About her in my heart

If tomorrow never comes

Will she know how much I loved her

Did I try in every way to show her every day

That she's my only one

Tears welled as you listened, love pouring from Joel’s soul as he went through the chorus and second verse. You laid your hand on his thigh closest to yours, watching him with soft eyes. 

Though his voice is rough from lack of use, the song was beautiful and full of his love for you. He had glanced at you several times during the song, but it was your expression at the end of the song that gave him purpose. 

He’d barely put the guitar aside before his hands were on you, lips chasing yours. You met him with equal force, bounding into his lap. His hands roamed your bare skin under the flannel you wore, finding purchase on your thighs as they straddled his hips. 

“That,” you moaned as his lips explored the skin down your neck and chest. “Was the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me.”

With your hands tangled in his brown curls, Joel explored lower, leaving marks along your collarbones and a particularly harsh bruise on your left breast. You gasped as his teeth sunk into your sensitive skin, the feeling soothed moments later with his gentle kisses to the area. 

Carefully Joel flipped you onto your back, undoing the buttons on the flannel as he moved down your body, head hovering just above the place you wanted him most. 

“Please,” you breathed out, hand tugging at his hair. “P-please Joel, right there.” 

Joel placed a kiss to your inner thigh, smirking into your skin as he tugged your underwear down your hips and tossed them behind him. 

“Are you going to be good for me, darling?” 

“S-so good…I’ll be so good.” Joel nudged your clit with his nose as you spoke, your hips bucking up in response. 

You felt his fingers first, sliding between your folds to collect the wetness there. He used his free hand to hold your thighs apart as his tongue found your clit, tracing skilled circles around the bundle of nerves. 

“Oh, fuck,” you muttered, back arching from his touch. 

Joel made a muffled sound of approval, continuing to devour your clit while two of his fingers inched into your entrance. You mewled at the feeling of his hands slowly spreading you open, his fingers curling just right to hit your most sensitive spot.

Joel ate you out like a man starved, his fingers finding an equal rhythm to match his pace against your cunt. You tugged on his hair in response, heavy moans escaping from your mouth. 

He pulled his mouth away from you slightly, hand continuing his movement as he said, “shh, darling. We don’t want to wake Sarah now. Be good for me and stay quiet sweet pea.”  

His fingers curled in that moment, your frantic nodding the only response you could give him as he continued his assault on you. 

With his mouth back on your clit, fingers continually reaching the spot that made you see stars, you were close. 

“Oh fuck, Joel,” you choked, your free hand grabbing the sheets for purchase. “Joel I’m gonna,” you groaned as he hummed against your skin, somehow moving faster than he had before.

Joel coaxed your orgasm out of you at a deliberate pace, your wetness covering his chin and beard as you came undone underneath him.

 He loved watching you come, the way your back arched and heels dug into the mattress. How you closed your eyes, groaning in pleasure as you called out his name. He loved knowing that he was the only one who could bring you to this state, panting and writhing from his touch. 

He carried you through your orgasm, mouth sucking at your clit until you couldn’t take it anymore, a hand gently shoving him away from over sensitivity. He slowly pulled his fingers from within you, raising them to his mouth and sucking your wetness from them, eyes watching you watch him. 

When he was finished, he trailed kisses back up your body, leaving a tender one on the bruising spot he’d left on the side of your breast before he reached your mouth again. 

You kissed him lazily, tasting yourself on him as you explored his mouth with your tongue. Joel moaned in return, a hand finding purchase on your hip.

 You tugged on his shirt, raising it over his head and tossing it aside before you began to work on his jeans when you heard a gentle knock on the door. “Daddy?”

You paused your movements, watching Joel as he sat back on his heels. “Just a sec, baby girl.” 

You squeezed his hand as he moved off of the bed, using the flannel still hanging on your body to wipe your wetness from his chin before he walked to the door. 

You sat up also, taking the few steps to Joel’s closet to find some more respectful clothing to put on for Sarah to see. 

Joel opened the door gently, peering down at his young daughter in the darkness of the hallway. “What’s wrong, baby girl? We didn’t wake you, did we?”

She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “I-I had a nightmare, daddy.”

“Oh darling,” Joel fell to his knees in front of Sarah, pulling her into his chest. “It’s alright, you’re safe now. 

You heard her sniffle before she mumbled, “Can m-mommy come lay in bed with me for a while?”

You stilled, your heart warming at her words. She’d never called you mom before and you’d never expected it in a million years. 

Joel felt your hands on his shoulders as he stuttered, “mommy?” 

Sarah nodded, looking up at you expectantly. “You’re going to be my mommy now, right? I…I overheard you and uncle Tommy talking about it the other day daddy.” Her eyes drifted down to Joel’s and back up again, a pout forming on her mouth. “Can you come lay with me and tell me one of those stories? I really like it when you tell me stories before bed.”

“Of course, honey. Why don’t you go get settled and I’ll be right there, okay?” 

Sarah nodded, giving her dad one last hug before she made her way back down the hallway and into her room. 

You leaned down on Joel’s shoulders then, wrapping your arms around his neck. “Mommy, huh?” 

“I, uh…” Joel was glad you couldn’t see his face, red creeping up his neck and into his cheeks and ears. He hadn’t bought a ring yet, had barely started thinking about it when Tommy mentioned the idea a few weeks previous. How Sarah heard the conversation, he had no idea. 

“Don’t worry,” you whispered against his skin. “Your secret is safe with me. Why don’t I go and get Sarah back to sleep and then you and I can continue what we started in the shower, hm?”

“Sure, darling, whatever you say.” He could feel your smile on his neck, your lips brushing against his ear. 

“I love you, pretty boy.”

“And I love you, sweet pea.”

Enjoy the Advantages of Pool Fencing With Pool Installation Services

Pool fences are important not just from the safety point of view but also because it is mandated by the government that any water body in a residential or commercial complex should have a safety barrier around it. Different kinds of pool fencing installations are available in the markets, and irrespective of which one you choose, you will avail several benefits out of them. You just have to get suggestions and discuss the options available with the installer. Once you get this installation done, here are the benefits that you will avail.

Keep Out Unwanted Visitors

With pool fencing installations, you will ensure that no unwanted people will access the pool area, which is often the riskiest place on the entire property. They will not access the pool, but you will also make sure that kids and pets stay out of the poolside area.

Keep Children and Pets Safe

A fantastic benefit of security pool fencing is that you can assure the safety of your kids and pets as they play around the poolside area. This area is often the favourite playing spot for kids, and often, they become a victim of falling or drowning in the pool water. In such situations, pool fencing installations will prevent them from entering the risky area, and you can be completely free from any stress or the responsibility of keeping an eye on them.

Improve the Looks Of Your Home

That is no doubt that glass pool fencing installations play a pivotal role in improving the looks of your property. Pool side area will look modern and stylish apart from being safe, and this will definitely impress potential buyers if you ever plan to sell your property in future. In short, pool fencing can be a valuable addition to your property.

Considerations for Getting Pool Fencing Installation Done

Make sure the pool fence is installed as per the manufacturer's specifications

The fence should be installed only by professionals

Lock other ways to access the pool

The locks should be high enough

The doors on the pool fence installation should have self-closing hinges

You can also install a gate alarm for an additional level of protection

Forgotten for Football: The Horrific Thanksgiving Day Disaster of 1900

Since the late 1800s Thanksgiving and football have gone hand in hand with the fevered fanbase and anticipation staying strong over the centuries. The first college football game was played on Thanksgiving Day 1876 as part of the Intercollegiate Football Association Championship, and it did not take long for fans to choose their sides. By the time 1900 appeared on calendar pages the University of California Berkeley and Stanford University were already fierce rivals, playing against each other every Thanksgiving since 1892 in a clash that became affectionately known as simply “The Big Game.” People always had high expectations for the game, but no one walking into the event ever expected to encounter tragedy.  

The Stanford University football team circa 1900. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

No one can say the warning signs were not there. In the early days of the game there were no stadiums and it was played in any large field or industrial area that could fit them. The last few Big Game events between University of California Berkeley and Stanford were played at Recreation Field in San Francisco and in 1897 grandstands were built to accommodate the crowds. These seats were not meant to last, they were built quickly to fit 10,000 people with meager roofs that were only put there to keep spectators dry and definitely not to be used for extra seating. But, that is exactly what happened in 1897. While over 15,000 people scrambled and squeezed into the stands to see the game many others looked for alternative means to watch. Contractor J.C. Weir saw the danger and tried to warn those in charge, but his words were ignored while waves of young boys climbed up the stands and crowded the roofs to set their eyes on the teams below. They almost made it through the entire game, but in the final moments the roofs began to buckle, and then they broke. Hundreds of children came crashing down onto those seated below them, intermingled with the wood and metal that was never meant to hold their weight. Some people were knocked unconscious, some were left bleeding but remarkably only one 10-year-old-boy was injured enough to seek medical care and everyone else was, for the most part, left unscathed. One witness to the collapse remarked that the fact that no one was killed or left with permanent injuries was “miraculous”, and indeed it was, but not enough for anyone to learn from it. 

The collapse of the grandstands was the last thing on the minds of the attendees of the Big Game taking place on November 29th 1900. The games were always exciting and even though the tradition was fairly new, by 1900 the crowds were massive and the tempers hot despite the teams only having a history of nine Big Game encounters. Of the nine games, Stanford had won seven despite their football team only being founded the same year as their first game and tens of thousands of people couldn’t wait to see if University of California Berkeley would come roaring back. Like previous years, the game was to take place in San Francisco, and once again no one could have anticipated the sheer size of the crowd. It had rained earlier that morning, but when the weather passed the doors of the surrounding neighborhoods and the incoming train cars were swinging open leading to 19,000 people swarming Recreation Field by 10:30am. A ticket for the game cost one dollar, an amount that wasn’t an easy price for many younger fans that desperately wanted to watch the biggest event of their year. So, just as they did several years earlier, the fans got inventive. Some climbed water towers, others tried to dig under fences to get in, but there was one thing that seemed to be an obvious solution for those needing a bird's eye view of the Big Game. 

Flyer for the Big Game on November 29th 1900. Image via Stanfordmag.org.

Across from Recreation Field was San Francisco and Pacific Glass Works, a brand new factory that was gearing up to open on December 3rd. Those putting up the makeshift grandstands remembered the collapse of 1897 and they told those in charge of the factory that they were required to do everything possible to prevent anyone from gathering on the roof. The Superintendent of the factory James Davis was in complete agreement with precautions being taken and he was given six tickets to the game for his compliance, but when the time came the workers that were stationed to prevent anyone from getting on the roof were simply overwhelmed. People dug under fences to get to the grounds, flung open the gates, and they poured in. According to one witness, “It was like trying to turn back the waves at the beach. The kids kept pouring through the fence anxious to see the kickoff." Factory workers who could sense the danger went into the streets, looking for police officers to help control the crowd and get the people off the roof but they could not find anyone who could assist. Soon between 500 and 1000 people were crammed onto the factory roof that was only built to withstand forty pounds per square inch. Even if someone wanted to escape it was impossible to move through the crowd to do so. They all gazed ahead, not paying any attention to the tell-tale signs around them signaling the danger they were all in.  

Twenty minutes into the game the crowds in the stands were electric. Their voices were roaring and the bands for Stanford and University of California Berkeley were booming, beating the thousands into a frenzy. The atmosphere on top of the glass works building was just as ecstatic, but in a matter of seconds it shifted to chaos. A portion of the roof of the building gave way and in a scene that was unfortunately familiar the fans began to fall. But, unlike the collapse of 1897 that had relatively minor injuries, this time the spectators fell into an absolute nightmare. 

This building was a glass factory, and although it was not due to officially begin production just yet, it was partially operational in preparation for the opening day. One thing that was up and functional was a furnace, filled with fires strong enough to melt glass and with an exterior temperature of approximately 500 degrees. Working in the factory that day were Ignace Jocz and Clarence Jeter, and they could undoubtedly hear the roars of the crowd before humanity started to unexpectedly rain down on them from above. The hole in the roof opened at the worst possible spot and between sixty and one hundred people fell forty-five feet into the factory with some of them landing directly on top of the glowing furnace.  

Image of the roof of the factory just before the accident. Image via 30 Nov 1900, Fri The San Francisco Examiner Newspapers.com

It's impossible to imagine the scene and the sounds that filled the factory as they all hit the metal or, if they were lucky, the brick floor. Once they hit most broke enough bones to render them immobile and those that hit the furnace stuck to the sizzling top. To make things even worse the furnace was encased by binding rods surrounding the machine in what was essentially a cage, trapping anyone who fell in the spaces. Those who missed the cage were just as unlucky, some of the falling bodies struck fuel pipes on their way down, severing them and sending boiling oil through the air and dousing the already burning bodies that then exploded into flame. Adding to this already unimaginable tragedy was the fact that almost everyone who plummeted through the ceiling that day were children, some boys as young as nine years old, that were the most likely to not have the dollar to buy a ticket and the least amount of concern about climbing to the roof of a building to watch the game.  

Illustration of the inside of the factory showing the furnace and binding rods. Image via 30 Nov 1900, Fri The San Francisco Examiner Newspapers.com.

Jocz, Clarence, and some other employees of the factory jumped into action doing what little could be done to attempt to save some of the victims, grabbing bodies and throwing them out of the way and using long metal hooks that were normally used to stir molten glass to hook people that landed on the furnace and drag them down. Watching the horrific scene from above were approximately twenty-seven people who also fell through the ceiling but somehow were able to cling to the rafters and the walls to avoid being roasted alive. One witness, young Thomas Curran, survived the ordeal by grasping a ceiling joist with his legs, forced to hang upside-down while chaos erupted under him. He later stated: “As I clung there, I saw the poor fellow who had been chatting with me strike the furnace. He curled up like a worm in that heat.” The sound of the bands and cheers of the game could still be heard filling the air. 

Incredibly, the crowds gathered to watch the Big Game were greatly unaware of the tragedy unfolding nearby. Spectators heard the crash but some believed it was simply a planned distraction by the opposing team, with one fan yelling “It’s a job!” Others believed it was just normal sounds coming from the industrial park and within moments the focus was back on the field. Those who did know that something was amiss were the residents of the surrounding towns and they quickly began to swarm the factory, screaming the names of their sons who had gone off that morning to enjoy a football game. The masses also ran to the morgue and toward the wagons being driven by the coroner, some filled with bodies burned and disfigured beyond recognition and others filled only with what remained such as socks, shoes, neck ties, and the contents of small pockets. Every possible vehicle was summoned to help, and a frantic search began for doctors that could be pulled away from their Thanksgiving meals to help the deeply wounded masses that lay on the factory floor in sheer agony while the smell of burning flesh filled the air. As the players from Stanford were marched out onto the street for an impromptu victory parade to the nearby Palace Hotel, other streets were filled with the screams and frenzy of the tragedy that seemed to have happened in another world from the game that happened only two blocks away. 

As the news spread that day as to what happened and the numbers began to rise the city was plunged into a deep state of sorrow. Hospitals became overwhelmed and the official count declared that thirteen people had died in the factory with eighty-six others critically wounded. As more recovered, others still died and soon the funerals began. On the following Sunday alone there were nine burials that had to take place back-to-back from 9am to 4pm.

Newspaper story about the accident. Image via 30 Nov 1900, Fri The San Francisco Examiner Newspapers.com.

Amazingly, reactions to what happened remained as separated in the newspaper pages as they did on the streets the day of the tragedy. The cover of the New York Times talked about the horror of the deaths at the glass factory, but the Sports section beamed of the Stanford victory as if nothing else had happened that day, calling the game the “closest and most exciting game of football ever played by the elevens of the two California universities." No players or coaches commented on the unspeakable horror that unfolded within earshot of the game that day. The college publications from both Stanford and University of California Berkeley carried on as if it never even happened with the Stanford Daily writing a 1,500-word front-page story about the victory with no mention of the tragedy other than a casual mention of a potential rematch to raise money for the affected families that never ended up happening.  

Although the city of San Francisco felt the deaths deeply, it seemed they too wanted to move beyond it as quickly as possible. When a grand jury was assembled to determine who was at fault for the Big Game disaster it had an air about it that seemed like it was purely for appearances. The blame was placed on James Davis as the Superintendent of the San Francisco and Pacific Glass Works and then it shifted to the police for not assigning enough people to the game. Shockingly, with no one to blame and people wanting to simply move on, the blame shifted to the dead. Seven days after the tragedy, and with victims still succumbing to injuries, the jury declared that “[T]he deceased had no business being there...No one can be held responsible for their deaths other than themselves." No one fought them on this. In the minds of most, the story of the collapse was over. 

The newspapers and courts might have decided the case was closed, but for many what happened that day never went away. On December 4th 1900 young Fred Lilly died in the City and County Hospital after suffering for months from a fractured skull he sustained in the fall. He never fully regained steady consciousness but in moments of delirium he still acted as if he was watching and enjoying the football game that was playing in front of him before everything suddenly stopped. Three years after the roof collapse twenty-eight-year-old Thomas Pedler passed away after enduring spinal surgery, paralysis, and the amputation of both legs. His demise marked the twenty-third and last death resulting from the disaster, fifteen of which being children that died before their eighteenth birthday.  

To this day the tragedy, known now as the Thanksgiving Day Disaster or The Big Game, is the deadliest accident to ever happen during an American sporting event. Now the glassworks building is gone, replaced with a building belonging to the University of California. The gravestones are also gone and most of the final resting places of victims disappeared from memory and fell into ruin after San Francisco introduced regulations forbidding new burials, also in the year 1900. One small reminder of the incredible catastrophe can be found in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery just south of the city. Here lies a tiny stone cross that was meant to only be a temporary marker. It is inscribed with the name Cornelius McMahon, a twelve-year-old boy who died in the Thanksgiving Day Disaster and now remains as the only physical reminder of the deadliest day in American sports history. 

*****************************************************

Sources:

“The Big Game Disaster of 1900” by Sam Scott. Stanford Magazine November/December 2015.

“Big Game was marred by tragedy in 1900 contest” by Edvins Beitiks. November 17, 1997.

“The Thanksgiving Disaster that Most People Haven’t Heard About” by Marina Manoukian. November 19, 2022.

“Sudden Death: Boys Fell to Their Doom in S.F.'s Forgotten Disaster” by SR Weekly Staff. Aug 15, 2012.

“Thanksgiving Day Tragedy” ThePigskinDispatch.com

https://pigskindispatch.com/home/Football-Fun-Facts/Random-Football-Facts/Stadium-Disasters/Stanford-Vs-Cal-1900-Tragedy

The Mask of the Novel Corona Virus

An homage to (rip-off of) Edgar Allan Poe.

[Trigger warning for Covid & pandemic.]

The “Novel Corona Virus” had long devastated the world. No recent pestilence had ever been so widespread, or so frightening in its many metamorphoses. Air was its terror and its medium—spread by a pestilential breath, later to kill by suffocation. There were aches, and fevers, and then loss of taste and smell, and finally failing lungs. The elevated body temperature, the first sign, was the pest ban which shut the victim out from the aid and from the sympathy of his fellow-men. And the whole seizure, progress and termination of the disease, were the incidents of a long and miserable fortnight or two. At least at first. But the Prince Donnie was smug and oily and unconcerned. When his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hard-hearted and light-minded friends from among the grifters and sycophants of his circle, and with these retired to the deep seclusion of one of his exclusive country clubs. This was an extensive and very large structure, the creation of the prince’s own eccentric lack of taste. A strong and lofty fence girdled it in. This fence had gates and a crown of barbed wires. The toadies, having entered, brought guards and weapons and welding arcs with which to seal the gate (but not trained metalworkers, with the result that the plan to weld the gate shut was quickly abandoned). They resolved to leave means neither of ingress nor egress to the sudden impulses of despair or of frenzy from within, excepting those who insisted on bringing their private helicopters, the better to retreat to their luxury yachts should anything untoward occur. The club was amply provisioned with such things as the Prince cared for, and naught else. With such precautions the Prince and his followers might bid defiance to contagion. The external world could take care of itself. In the meantime it was folly to grieve, or to think. These had always been the cardinal sins, signs of weakness. The prince had provided all the appliances of pleasure. There were buffoons aplenty, there were golf clubs, there were electronics, there were guns, there were comely hired companions, there were various recreational substances prohibited to lesser mortals. All these and security were within. Without was the “Novel Corona Virus”. It was towards the close of the fifth or sixth month of his seclusion, and while the pestilence raged most furiously abroad, that the Prince Donnie entertained his thousand friends at a costume party of the most unusual magnificence. It was an extravagant scene, that unmasked masquerade. But first let me tell of the seven rooms in which it was held. As in many nightclubs, such suites form a dark and disorienting space. Here this was the case, as might have been expected from the prince’s lack of imagination and love of the gaudy. The apartments were so irregularly disposed that the vision embraced but little more than one at a time. There was a sharp turn at every twenty or thirty yards, and at each turn a piece of cheap decoration painted gold or an overpriced work of art acquired from a money-laundering scheme. Now in not one of the seven apartments was there any lamp or bulb, amid the profusion of golden ornaments that lay scattered to and fro or suspended from the ceiling. There was no light of any kind emanating from within the suite of chambers. But in lawns that surrounded the party wing, there stood, opposite to each window, a pair of bargain-basement tiki torches that projected their rays through the tinted glass of the windows and so poorly illumined the rooms.

Such was the prince's contractor's foresight and compliance with local building codes.

This colorful and ill-lit space produced a multitude of gaudy and fantastic appearances. But in the western chamber, upholstered in black velvet and lit by scarlet windows, the effect of the fire-light that streamed upon the dark walls through the blood-tinted panes, was ghastly in the extreme, and produced so wild a look upon the countenances of those who entered, that there were few of the company bold enough to set foot within its precincts at all. And, considering the color of human veins, none of the party-goers saw much of a point to a room of that color anyway. It was in this room, also, that there stood against the western wall, a gigantic clock of ebony. It was arranged with taste inversely proportional to its expense. Its pendulum swung to and fro with a dull, heavy, monotonous clang; and when the minute-hand made the circuit of the face, and the hour was to be stricken, there came from the brazen lungs of the clock a sound which was clear and loud and deep and exceedingly musical, but of so peculiar a note and emphasis that, at each lapse of an hour, the DJ was forced to acknowledge the passage of time, wishing fervently for the sweet release of death or at least a smoke break; and there was a brief disconcert of the whole company, as those disconcerted by the sound expressed annoyance, and the remainder of the company mocked them out of cruelty. But when the echoes had fully ceased, a bragging laughter at once pervaded the assembly; the DJ took another drink and turned the volume slightly louder, avowing that the next chiming of the clock should be its last; and then, after the lapse of sixty minutes, (which embrace three thousand and six hundred seconds of the Time that flies,) there came yet another chiming of the clock, and then were the same disconcert and tremulousness and casual mockery as before. But, in spite of these things, it was a Very Straight and expensive party. The tastes of the prince were peculiar. He had no eye for colors and effects. He embraced the decora of mere fashion beyond the most strained definition of “taste.” His plans were bold and gaudy, and his conceptions glowed with barbaric luster. There are many who would have thought him mad. His followers cared not. He had directed, in great part, the movable embellishments of the seven chambers, upon occasion of this great fête; and it was his own guiding lack of taste which had given character to the partiers’ costumes. Be sure they were grotesque. There were much glare and glitter and piquancy and phantasm—much of what has been since seen in “Hernani.”*  There were delirious fancies such as the madman fashions. There was little of the beautiful, much of the wanton, much of the bizarre, something of the terrible, and not a little of that which might have excited disgust. To and fro in the seven chambers there stalked, in fact, a multitude of dreams. And these—the dreams—writhed in and about taking hue from the rooms, and causing the wild music of the DJ to seem as the echo of their steps. And, anon, there strikes the ebony clock which stands in the hall of the black velvet. And then, for a moment, the annoyances of the previous hour repeat. But the echoes of the chime die away—they have endured but an instant—and a shrill, mocking laughter floats after them as they depart. And now again the music pulses, and the dreams live, and writhe to and fro, taking hue from the many tinted windows through which stream the rays of the ineffectual tiki torches. But to the chamber which lies most westwardly of the seven, none venture—forsaking that damn clock and the red lighting for the wanton delights of all the other rooms. But these other rooms were densely crowded, and in them beat feverishly the heart of life. And the party went whirlingly on, until at length there commenced the sounding of midnight upon the clock. And then the music ceased, as I have told; and the gyrations of the dancers were paused; and there was an uneasy cessation of all things as before. But now there were twelve strokes to be sounded by the bell of the clock; and thus it happened, perhaps, that before the last echoes of the last chime had utterly sunk into silence, there were many individuals in the crowd who had found leisure to become aware of the presence of a masked figure which had arrested the attention of no single individual before. And the rumor of this new presence having spread itself whisperingly around, there arose at length from the whole company a buzz, or murmur, expressive of disapproval and surprise—then, finally, of terror, of horror, and of disgust. In an assembly of phantasms such as I have painted, it may well be supposed that no ordinary appearance could have excited such sensation. In truth, the licentious license of the night was nearly unlimited; but the figure in question had out-Heroded Herod, and gone beyond the bounds of even the prince’s own lack of decorum. Even with the utterly lost, to whom life and death are equally jests, there are matters of which no jest can be made. The whole company, indeed, seemed now deeply to feel that in the costume and behavior of the stranger neither wit nor propriety existed. The figure was tall and gaunt, and shrouded from head to foot in personal protective equipment. The mask which concealed the visage was marked “N-95” on one side. This could not be endured by the mad partiers around. But the figure had gone so far as to assume the visage of A Person Taking the Novel Corona Virus Seriously. When the eyes of the Prince Donnie fell upon this frightful image (which, with a slow and solemn movement, as if more fully to sustain its role, stalked to and fro among the partiers) he was seen to be convulsed, in the first moment with a strong shudder either of terror or distaste; but, in the next, his brow reddened with rage. “Who,”—he demanded hoarsely of the toadies who stood near him—“who has a mask at my club. No respect! No respect. That's what wrong with people. They see me and my friends, they see we're great, and they want to be all 'oh no you're not great because of COVID!'.There's this thing, you know, totally a hoax, this fake thing called the Novel Corona Virus, and they want to say I'm not great because of the fake COVID hoax. It's fake. LOCK HIM UP!” It was in the eastern chamber in which stood the Prince Donnie as he uttered these words. They were noted by few, as the prince blustered with volume but did not enunciate, and his companions were far from sober. And so, there were found none who put forth hand to seize the Masked Person so that, unimpeded, he passed within a yard of the prince’s person; and he made his way uninterruptedly, from one room to the next, six in all, before a decided movement had been made to arrest him. It was then, however, that the Prince Donnie, maddening with rage and the shame of his own lifelong cowardice, rushed hurriedly through the six chambers, while none followed him on account of a deadly terror that had seized upon them all. He had grabbed from somewhere, likely the security detail, a police baton, and had approached with what for him passed for rapidity, the Masked Person on the threshold of the western chamber. There was a sharp cry—and the baton dropped with a dull thunk upon the sable carpet, upon which, instantly afterwards, fell prostrate in death the Prince Donnie. Then, summoning the wild courage of despair, a throng of the partiers at once threw themselves into the black apartment, and, seizing the Masked Person, whose tall figure stood erect and motionless within the shadow of the ebony clock, gasped in unutterable horror at finding the personal protective equipment, which they handled with so violent a rudeness, untenanted by any tangible form. And now was acknowledged the presence of the Novel Corona Virus. He had come like a thief in the night. And one by one dropped the partiers in the close and ventilated halls of the county club, and died each in the despairing posture of his fall. And the life of the ebony clock went out with that of the last of the gay. And the flames of the torches expired. And Darkness and Decay and the latest mutation of the Novel Corona Virus held illimitable dominion over all.

*This Hernani name-drop is directly quoted from Poe's original.

How To Choose The Safest Pool Fence?

When selecting a mesh pool fence for safety and durability, there are several key factors to consider to ensure you choose the safest and strongest option: picking the safest pool fence

Material Opt for high-quality mesh materials that are specifically designed for use in pool fencing. Look for durable materials such as polyester or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) mesh, which are known for their strength and resistance to tearing and UV damage. Unlike other materials like aluminum or glass, mesh is designed to provide a transparent barrier that allows for visibility while still offering protection.

Construction and Design Choose a mesh pool fence with a reinforced frame and sturdy poles that can withstand strong winds and impacts. The mesh panels should be tightly woven and securely attached to the frame to prevent sagging or stretching over time. Additionally, opt for a fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate for added security.

Height and Spacing Make sure that the mesh fence is at least four feet high, as recommended by safety guidelines. Taller fences provide better protection, especially for young children or pets. Additionally, check the spacing between the mesh panels to ensure they are narrow enough to prevent children from squeezing through or getting stuck.

Compliance with Safety Standards Verify that the mesh pool fence meets or exceeds local safety regulations and guidelines for pool barriers. Look for fences that are certified by reputable safety organizations and comply with standards such as ASTM F2286 for pool barriers. Choosing a mesh fence that is designed and tested to meet safety standards ensures maximum protection for your pool area.

Professional Installation A licensed and experienced contractor will install the mesh pool fence correctly. Proper installation is essential for ensuring the fence is securely anchored and meets safety standards. A professional installer can also assess your specific needs and recommend the best placement and design for your mesh pool fence.

Maintenance and Inspection Regular maintenance and inspection are crucial for keeping your mesh pool fence in optimal condition. Check the fence regularly for signs of wear, damage, or loose components, and address any issues promptly to maintain its safety and integrity.

Exploring the Spectrum: Diverse Types of Fencing Contractors in Sydney

The diverse types of fencing contractors in Sydney reflect the city's vibrant architectural landscape and evolving preferences for outdoor living. From traditional timber craftsmanship to cutting-edge glass innovations, each specialisation offers unique expertise and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of residential and commercial clients. By leveraging the skills and knowledge of these fencing professionals, property owners can enhance the beauty, functionality, and value of their outdoor spaces while enjoying peace of mind knowing that their fencing needs are in capable hands.

Revitalize Your Backyard: The Ultimate Guide to Pool Renovations

The pool:  A centerpiece of relaxation, fun, and entertainment in countless backyards around the world. Yet, over time, even the most pristine pools can lose their luster, succumbing to wear, tear, and changing trends. However, fear not! With a pool renovation, you can breathe new life into your backyard oasis, transforming it into a haven you'll love to dive into once again.

Assessing the Need for Renovation : Before diving headfirst into a Pool Renovations project, it's essential to assess the state of your pool and identify the areas that need attention. Common signs that your pool may be due for a makeover include:

Aged or Deteriorating Materials: Cracks, chips, or discoloration in the pool's surface, tiles, or coping are clear indicators that renovation may be necessary.

Outdated Design: Trends in pool design evolve over time. If your pool's style feels stuck in the past, a renovation can help bring it up to date with modern aesthetics.

Inefficient Equipment: Older pool equipment, such as pumps, filters, and heaters, may be less energy-efficient than newer models. Upgrading to more efficient equipment during a renovation can save you money on operating costs in the long run.

Safety Concerns: If your pool lacks essential safety features such as fencing, alarms, or anti-slip surfaces, a renovation provides an opportunity to address these concerns and enhance the safety of your pool area.

Planning Your Pool Renovation                                  

Once you've identified the areas in need of attention, it's time to start planning your renovation project. Here are some key steps to consider:

Set Your Budget: Renovating a pool can range from a minor facelift to a complete overhaul, so it's crucial to establish a realistic budget based on your goals and priorities.

Design Considerations: Work with a pool designer or architect to develop a renovation plan that aligns with your vision for the space. Consider factors such as pool shape, materials, landscaping, and additional features like waterfalls, lighting, or fire pits.

Permits and Regulations: Check with your local authorities to determine whether permits are required for your renovation project. Be sure to comply with any zoning regulations or safety codes that may apply to pool construction in your area.

Choose Your Contractor: Selecting the right contractor is crucial to the success of your renovation project. Look for experienced professionals with a track record of quality workmanship and satisfied customers. Don't hesitate to ask for references and verify credentials before making your decision.

Popular Pool Renovation Ideas

When it comes to pool renovations, the possibilities are virtually endless. Here are some popular ideas to consider for your project:

Resurfacing: Give your pool a fresh new look by resurfacing the interior with durable and attractive materials such as plaster, pebble tec, or glass tiles.

Upgraded Lighting: Enhance the ambiance of your pool area with LED lighting fixtures that can change color, create dynamic effects, and extend your swimming hours into the evening.

Water Features: Add excitement and visual interest to your pool with water features like cascading waterfalls, bubbling fountains, or elegant spillover spas.

Automation: Make pool maintenance a breeze with automated systems that control everything from filtration and heating to lighting and chemical balance.

Decking and Landscaping: Refresh the area surrounding your pool with new decking materials, lush landscaping, and comfortable outdoor furniture for lounging and entertaining.

The Benefits of Pool Renovation

Investing in a pool renovation offers numerous benefits beyond simply improving the appearance of your backyard oasis. Here are just a few reasons why renovating your pool is a wise investment:

Increased Property Value: A beautifully renovated pool can significantly enhance the value of your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers should you decide to sell in the future.

Extended Lifespan: By addressing issues like cracks, leaks, and outdated equipment, a renovation can help extend the lifespan of your pool, saving you money on costly repairs down the line.

Enhanced Enjoyment: Perhaps most importantly, a renovated pool provides you and your family with a fresh, inviting space to enjoy outdoor recreation, relaxation, and quality time together for years to come.

Conclusion : From refreshing tired surfaces to adding exciting new features, a Pool Renovations is a fantastic way to breathe new life into your backyard retreat. By carefully planning your project and enlisting the help of experienced professionals, you can transform your pool into a stunning focal point that you'll love to show off to family and friends. So why wait? Dive into the exciting world of pool renovations today and make your backyard dreams a reality.