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Memory Transcription Subject: Vichak, venlil school principal
Date [Standard Human Reckoning]: 2136-10-23
I told my vice principal that I didn't come to this predator planet for a vacation, so I need some knowledge or study results to bring home. Johan, my possible future brother-in-law, suggested that I could perhaps observe a human school. Keristian, the human coordinator for the refugee apartment, assured me that he had contacted an elementary school and came up with a schedule. For now, he told me to familiarize myself with the amenities in the apartment.
Besides their blocky design, human apartments had the same general functions as venlil ones. The staff provided us with a stepping stool to account for the larger dimension of the furniture, but other than that it has all that we needed.
Well... we could use a full-body dryer.
I found some alien features too in the apartment, such as the artificial pond, which humans use for recreation. They call this activity 'swimming', something that translates into "moving in water". Their First Contact package insisted that they came from arboreal lineage. Yet, their movements in water betrayed a hidden skill. After considering it, it made sense in a way. The water in their world is teeming with life, and they would benefit from aquatic hunting skills.
Adjacent to this 'swimming' pond, the apartment also had a gym. We have gyms back in the home world, but here on Earth, a wide range of humans frequented them, not just their armed forces personnel. They perform a variety of body movements such as lifting and putting things back down or running on a conveyor belt.
Does this dedication to simulated hardship serve as a means to channel their inherited predatory aggression? They didn't turn themselves from savage beasts into civilized people without some way to temper that excess.
We expected to meet a lot of gojids in the apartment, but it felt sparser than I had imagined. Keristian explained that the gojids here had entered into employment within the Capital. A large number had secured work on the farms. Some had brought seeds from their homeworld, which they planted back in the camp. After the human experts determined it safe enough for Earth, they transplanted the sprouts to one of the farms around the city.
I wondered if any venlil plant species had established themselves on this foreign soil. After Timür explained the concept of invasive species, I realized that I misinterpreted their cautious approach as predatory territorialism. On the other paw, the unspoiled wilderness that I witnessed on my journeys to and from the camp made me appreciate the inherent beauty of preserving such a wild landscape.
Some other gojids chose careers in logistics, serving the complex system that kept the goods in the region moving. Right now, humans directed most of their effort into alleviating the ruined cities. Some of the gojids had even volunteered to help the human, despite the presence of arxurs in the affected cities.
For our last meal of the day, we had gojid dishes made out of earth ingredients. I have to admit that I have not tried gojid cuisine before, but it grew on me just like human cuisine did.
The midday heat on Earth felt milder compared to the scorching intensity of a Deep Day in Venlil Prime's sunward section. Unlike our homeworld, where night temperatures could plummet beyond freezing, Earth's night felt comfortable.
I spent my first night on Earth sitting on the rooftop garden of the apartment. The blanket of darkness that stretched all around us sparked feelings of unease. However, the glimmering towers of the Capital provided a comforting backdrop, their lights twinkling like terrestrial stars. One of the staff members commented on how the city's light pollution obscured all but the brightest celestial bodies.
The staff member was a human after all and would do insane human things like complaining about their city not being dark enough.
Nevertheless, humans did appreciate the necessity of artificial lighting. As night fell, we could illuminate our room with the voice command, a comforting alternative to the deep night outside. I shuddered at the thought of enduring a night in such complete darkness.
Yesterday, I decided to explore the downtown capital to familiarize myself before I visited the school today. Mom insisted on tagging along and Keristian wanted Sukma, his aide, to guide us. We wanted a self-guided exploration, so as a compromise, the human equipped us with wrist-worn devices. These gadgets allowed him to track our whereabouts and also functioned as a means of payment. While the coordinator insisted we needn't worry about finances, he explained a rough price guide to prevent any possible exploitation.
Humans, in stark contrast to the lone arxurs, put heavy importance on socializing. While we waited in the station, the rhythmic cadence of Bahasa, their local language, filled the air. Thanks to Vani's provision of a language model, I could comprehend their dialogues, and snippets of human conversations drifted toward my ears.
"Do you see those domba?"
"Shhh... don't call them that. But yeah... I thought we had just one here?"
"Maybe Vani's relatives came to visit?"
However, even with the additional language model, my translator couldn't decipher all of their voices. Vani informed me that Bahasa serves as a trade language for the region and they had a plethora of other tongues that our translation device has yet to have the data for.
Once aboard the train, the humans adopted a collective silence. Being surrounded by humans aboard the train felt daunting, but this discomfort came from me standing out in this setting. I would feel the same on any other planet inhabited by a different species, carnivorous or not.
When we came to the downtown station, we plunged right away into an endless sea of humans.
Timür's unapologetic display of his face had acclimatized us to humans. We learned to perceive them not as threats but as just xenos with weird faces. It also helped that the humans in our vicinity maintained a respectful distance. However, they almost always locked their curious gaze onto us, averting their eyes when they figured out that I noticed them from my peripheral vision.
Distinguishing individual humans posed a challenge due to their similar appearance, but I soon learned to note the distinctive fabric of their clothing and the accessories they adorned.
The bustling capital of Nusantara presented us with new experiences and opportunities to learn about human culture. Mom and I took full advantage of our time there, immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere provided by the city.
We first stopped at a local market, a bustling hive of activity that operated around the clock. Here, we observed humans haggling over the prices of fruits and vegetables, inspecting textiles, and purchasing a bewildering variety of cooked foods. The rich aroma of exotic spices and prepared meals filled the air.
We had a pleasant experience in the market until we stumbled onto the flesh section. Mom caused some embarrassing commotion when she vomited at the sight of the flesh.
So we decided to visit something less challenging and found ourselves going to museums and galleries. The tour guides in each institution we came to explained the history of this island while showing a collection of historical artifacts and artworks. It offered a captivating glimpse into the ancient human civilizations that once inhabited this region, and their struggles and triumphs.
We decided to have our last meal of the day in the city. With many of the buildings crammed in the city center, the place we had access to the open air lay at the top of the building. We watched the sun setting on the horizon.
As we ate through a platter of addictive fritters, Mom said that we venlil did construct similar dense settlements. Her explanation surprised me at first, as I almost forgot that Mom used to work as a civil engineer. She then explained that dense arrangements for habitats like this only made sense in colonies that lacked land or breathable air.
Humans seemed to have other motivations. They prefer gathering close to one another, creating bustling metropolises to allow for large swaths of untouched land for their wildlife.
So today, having learned to navigate the urban labyrinth of the Capital, I bid a temporary farewell to my mother at the outskirt station. Her exploration of this city would take her further out, where she would visit one of the human agricultural facilities. On the other paw, my destination lay at the heart of downtown.
Once I arrived at the downtown station, I switched on my visual overlay, allowing it to project directional instructions across my visual field. It painted a pathway to my destination through the tunnels and covered walkways. The direction landed me in one of the city's gargantuan towers.
The visual overlay translated the name of the school in venscript. Since humans write horizontally, the resulting translation turns a quarter circle. The sign above the entrance says:
"State Elementary School #1"
Number one? I suppose in a city this big, they did need more than one school. Under the sign, I spotted a human figure standing. She waved her arms and I could tell that she had waited for me. When I got closer, I made out the warm and inviting expression on her face
"Hi, I'm Andin, and you must be Principal Vichak?" Her voice sounded melodious and soft for a human. The human clasped her hands in front of her and bowed.
"Hi Principal Andin, nice to meet you," I replied to her with the same gesture. "I can't wait to see your school."
"Excellent! Follow me," she said. Her billowy one-piece dress twirled around her when she turned around.
Andin led me through the lobby and toward a balcony overseeing the heart of this educational facility, an internal atrium spanning three stories in height. The humans embedded the school inside one of their superstructure, and due to the lack of outdoor space, this architectural feature provided a simulated outside area where young humans could engage in physical activity and socialize. A synthetic material replicating grass covered the atrium's floor. Simulated sunlight streamed projected from the ceiling bathed the area in warm daylight.
An assortment of colorful play structures and exercise apparatuses dotted the periphery of the atrium. I presume they provided the students with ways to release those predator energies. Balconies jutted out from each floor, giving educators an overview of the bustling space and enabling effective supervision during playtime. The classrooms and learning spaces surrounded the atrium. As we walked past, I noticed that several of the glass panes had turned opaque.
"I read from the sign that this is an Elementary School. How old are your students?"
"Our elementary school caters to students from the first through fourth grades, so they are between six to ten years old. However, we sometimes admit older students. For instance, we have a few twelve-year-olds in the fourth grade."
Something felt a bit off from her answer. "What's next for them after this?" I probed.
"After completing their time here, students move on to four years of middle school, followed by another four years of high school. During high school, they can choose a specialization before they move on to university."
Her response left me flabbergasted. "Twelve years of education?" I said in disbelief. "It takes a full twelve years to complete education here?"
"Uh... yeah. That's pretty much the standard timeframe for education all over the planet. Just... how long does it take for you to finish your mandatory education?"
"Seven years," I responded. "By the age of thirteen, kids can start two years of vocational school and most venlils started working at fifteen."
Andin's eyes widened, "Wait, you have children working full-time at fifteen?"
"No, they're not children. They're adults." I realized that humans might have different lifespans. "What's... your age of majority here?"
"In this country, people can vote at the age of seventeen. But in our local culture adulthood starts at twenty." Andin explained.
"Alright, maybe we have a different lifespan?" Andin suggested, echoing my thought. "What's the typical lifespan of a venlil?"
"The average life expectancy hovers around ninety years, although many people live past one hundred," I explained. I wonder if perhaps humans live much longer? I didn't expect predators to live long, but humans tend to defy the norm.
"We had the same lifespan," Andin admitted.
"Wait... what?"
"Maybe we have a different education system?" She suggested again. Andin offered me her pad. "Feel free to observe any class that interests you. Here you can see the schedule for today." The contents had been translated into Ventongue. It presented a timeline of various subjects that took place throughout the day.
As my eyes skimmed over the list, one caught my attention. "Can you explain physical education?"
"In this class, we teach children how to exercise." she explained, "In fact, a PE class should begin now."
An adult human arrived on the field, followed by human children chattering and making all sorts of kid noises. They sounded just like venlil juveniles. At the command of the teacher, the students aligned themselves into a tidy grid pattern. A rhythmic melody started to play, filling the atrium with an energetic ambiance. The teacher at the front began to move in sync with the music, demonstrating a series of actions that the children mirrored.
"What are they doing?" I asked, intrigued.
"They're warming up to prepare for the activity ahead."
They performed various movements, the fluidity and synchronization of which appeared almost like a dance to my venlil eyes.
Once the 'warm up' concluded, several large, blocky objects rolled into the atrium. With a series of arm gestures from the teacher, these objects positioned themselves around the area. Some expanded to form rudimentary structures complete with roofs, transforming the atrium into some sort of tiny city.
The children gathered in a circle. Following a brief, excited chatter, they each presented a hand, some with palms facing upward, others showing the backs of their hands. According to some unspoken rule, those showing the backs of their hands stepped back, causing the circle to contract. This ritual continued and I figured out that the group with the most members excused themselves until one kid remained.
"Ah, it seems they're playing 'Hide and Seek' today," Andin commented, watching the unfolding scene with a warm smile.
"Hide and Seek? What's that?"
"One child plays as the 'cat' while the others will play as the 'mice'," she explained, her expression turning somewhat hesitant. "Ah... perhaps this wasn't the most appropriate activity for you to observe."
My translator didn't quite capture the nuances of 'cat' and 'mice', but I gathered they referred to Earth animals. The child designated as the 'cat' stood in the center of the atrium, standing near a pole with their eyes covered, while the 'mice' scattered, seeking shelter behind the fabricated structures and blocks.
The 'cat' began a loud countdown. Upon reaching zero, they removed palms hands from their eyes and commenced their search. A realization struck me as the 'cat' started prowling around.
"This... is," I murmured, taken aback by the implication of the game. "You're simulating a hunt."
From time to time, the humans can't help but remind me that despite their friendliness and civility, they had a history as predators.
"Well... yeah, when you put it like that…" she paused. "But, the children didn't see it as a hunting simulation. I mean… I doubt that none of them will become a hunter when they reach adulthood. Most of us nowadays don't hunt."
"I understand." I looked down and the cat had found a mouse, chaos ensued as the two of them rushed to the pole. The mouse touched the pole first and laughed. "You humans do need an outlet for your aggression to maintain a civil society."
"What? No…" Said Andin. "We have Physical Education to encourage a habit of fitness."
"So, you don't feel the urge to get violent, sometimes?"
"Most of us don't. Those with that kind of urge receive treatments so they don't harm themselves or other people."
I looked down at the human children below. Despite their concerning activity, they looked like they enjoyed it.
"But if this display makes you uncomfortable, we can see other classes."
I looked at the pad, where another class intrigued me.
"You have an art class? In elementary school?"
"Yeah, it encourages creativity… you don't have art classes?"
"No, those with the aptitude will go to art colleges after they graduate from school."
"Oh…" She gave me a look that I think signifies pity? "Are there other things you don't see in Venlil school?"
"The English class seems interesting. I noticed that most of your people can speak in English when needed."
"Heh, that one is contentious." She chuckled. "English is waning now, and people proposed that we teach our kids Chinese, Hindi, or Swahili for the foreign language class. I take it… you don't have a foreign language class?"
"We do, but… like art school, you learn it at the university level, usually as part of a Foreign Relation Studies. Because foreign languages are spoken by other species."
"Interesting." Again, she gave me that concerned look. "So, do you want to see the art class or the language class?"
"Art class. I think."
"Sure, let's go," Andin said, guiding me down the stairs toward the art classroom.
Upon entering the room, chaos greeted us. An eclectic array of children's artwork adorned the walls, showcasing vibrant landscapes, portraits, abstract shapes, and depictions of what I assumed were various earth creatures.
"Ah, Principal Andin," the art teacher greeted us with an inviting smile as we entered. "And we have Principal Vichak as well!"
"Meet Harta, our art teacher," Andin introduced me.
The moment we entered the room, a sea of young faces turned towards us. It felt like a forest of eyes scrutinizing us.
"Children, say hello to our visitor today, Principal Vichak."
"Good morning, Principal Vichak!" They speak in harmony. The children then refocused on their tasks, their hands returning to their brushes and colored pencils.
Some students here worked alone, while others collaborated in small groups. In one corner, I spotted a screen displaying 3D artwork, sculptures made from what looked like recycled materials, clay, and even intricate artwork made of folded paper.
"Today we have a free-form class," Harta explained. "With your visit, I asked them to make something about our two species."
Several children gathered around a large screen at one end of the room, using it to sketch out their designs before replicating them on canvas. They drew scenes of humans and venlils with a level of technical skill and creativity that amazed me, considering the young age of these kids. In one section, busy children molded a piece of clay, their tiny hands trying to create something that looked like a venlil.
"But how do you evaluate their work?" I asked, confused. "And for that matter, how do you grade students in the Physical Education class?"
"In this school system, we don't include art and physical education to determine if a student has what it takes to continue to the next grade," Andin clarified.
"We do give individual feedback to each child," Harta chimed in. "We aim to ensure their personal growth and development, not just their academic achievement."
"Indeed," Andin asserted, her voice reflecting a sense of profound conviction. "The role of the school has evolved over time. These days, we don't work just as a hub for academic instruction, but as a second home where children learn essential life skills. We work hand-in-hand with parents to nurture these young minds, helping them develop into thoughtful and responsible individuals."
This notion brought back memories of my own school back on our homeworld. People would often refer to our school as a "nursery" due to our additional class on socializing and communication. I remember Renata, the human psychologist stationed in our homeland, said that my school had the basis of a well-rounded education. Here I learned just how more "rounded" we need to be.
Throughout the day, we ventured into different classrooms, each offering a snapshot of the subjects covered in human elementary education. The STEM classes felt lackluster by my standards. However, I soon appreciated their teaching approach which encouraged students to arrive at their conclusions.
On the other hand, the social studies and citizenship curriculum appeared more intricate, which made sense, given the complex social structures of the human race, a species as varied and divided as the primitive yotuls.
Midday brought a meal break, during which I had the chance to mingle with some of the other faculty members. I learned that a significant portion of the adults currently abstained from food and drink, on account of what they called the "fasting month". Andin observed the fast as well, but she kept me company in the cafeteria despite her abstinence from eating.
"Are you sure it's alright for me to eat while you're fasting?" I asked, somewhat.
"Of course," she assured me, her face warmed by a gracious smile. "Self-restraint is a fundamental aspect of being human."
Self-restraint, a quality I found woven into the fabric of human nature. Despite the invasion hurling their world into chaos, humans displayed remarkable restraint, refraining from lashing out in anger.
Post-meal, our educational exploration resumed. The sheer number of classes devoted to non-academic skills struck me. For instance, they had a class dedicated to environmental education, where they instructed young learners on how to care for their planet. Another class, called Health and Wellness, focused on areas such as hygiene, nutrition, safety, emotional well-being, and mental health. My visit coincided with a session of "meditation", a peculiar human practice to calm themselves. When I observed the children sitting in tranquil silence with eyes closed and serene music enveloping the room, I realized that they do have a method of quelling aggression, by nurturing a peaceful disposition.
The complexities of human pedagogical methods began to dawn upon me. The length of their educational journey lasted longer than ours because of this multifaceted curriculum. They didn't focus just on the injection of academic knowledge, but they also introduced human development in theirs. Even their academic lessons went beyond feeding students with facts and figures. Instead, they encouraged a more gradual learning pace that fostered independent thinking.
Such an extensive approach to education daunted me. Could we even implement such a model in our venlil school? Considerable obstacles lay on our path, given the expectations of parents and our society at large, who were accustomed to a quicker, more streamlined education.
In any case, my day reached its conclusion, and my time to depart came. When I bid her farewell, Principal Andin provided me with a binder filled with artwork created by the students, along with personal messages for me and the students back at my own school.
I had time to reflect and consider as I walked toward the downtown station. I recalled how Andin and Harta viewed the institution not as a place of learning, but as a secondary caregiver, working hand-in-hand with parents to nurture the holistic development of their young ones.
On my way to the station, my mother called. She informed me she would be coming downtown so we could share a last meal of the day together.
"How did the farm tour go, mama?" I queried, eager to hear about her day.
"It was enlightening," she replied, leaving me curious about her experience. "And what about your day?"
"Oh, mama," I began, a sense of excitement rising in my voice, "I had an extraordinary day."
Afterwords: Humans with their 22nd century education.
Somehow this is the longest chapter I have ever written. Also note on my update schedule. I'm posting update on every date divisible by 3. That means some updates can appear 96 hours later when the last post is on 30th and the month ends in 31st,

Top 10 Places to Visit in Thailand

From the glittering temples to white sand beaches and culinary traditions, Thailand has captured the attention of every tourist. Famous as the ‘Land of Smiles,’ this blog will help you prepare the best itinerary for your next vacation by offering a list of the top 10 places to visit in Thailand.
Are you searching for the best tourist destination for a family or honeymoon vacation? Don’t worry. We have the perfect choice for you!
Thailand offers visitors an ideal mix of adventure, peace, romance, and royalty. It is popularly known for its pristine beaches, magnificent temples, rich culture, and flavorful cuisines. The Big Buddha, Golden Triangle, delicious street food, and exotic floating market completely fascinate Northern Thailand and Southern Thailand among visitors.
This country is home to an incredibly rich cultural heritage, breathtaking scenery, and incredible nightlife. Whether going out with your friends and family or planning a romantic getaway with your partner, nothing can be better than making unforgettable memories in Thailand.
Thailand hosts many cities, each with a unique identity and charm. We know it’s challenging to identify the top ones from the platter. So, we have relieved you of this task by listing the top 10 places to visit in Thailand.
Bangkok – The capital city
It is Thailand’s capital city and offers an exhilarating mix of the big-city bustle, modern architecture, and happening lifestyle. It hosts the impressive grand temple of Wat Pho with the giant reclining Buddha, and the shimmering nightlife is a treat to watch. The Chatuchak weekend market, loaded with sumptuous Thai cuisine and shopping sprees, is no less than a pleasing gimmick for travelers. The Khao San Road is the best place to begin your journey and experience the tropical beauty of Bangkok.
Khao Yai National Park – The wildlife haven
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, Khao Yai National Park is the best place to soothe your love for animals. It is the first and the third largest national park in Thailand. This UNESCO world heritage site shelters diverse wildlife like elephants, monkeys, hornbills, wild Thai tigers, gibbons, bats, Asian black bears, freshwater crocodiles, pig-tailed macaques, etc. The dense, dripping flora and beautiful waterfall are a sight to watch the long-standing natural preserve. The park also features more than 50 km long hiking and biking trails passing through the jungle pools of vines and orchids.
Phuket – A family getaway
The palm-fringed beaches, authentic and delicious cuisines, exotic local culture, luxurious spas, and high-lit lifestyle make up the ravishing beauty of Phuket. Adventure the adrenaline rush with kayaking, jungle trekking, white water rafting, scuba diving, and much more. Phuket is the country’s largest island and the perfect family getaway for relaxation and pampering. A visit to Patong Beach, the most popular beach in Phuket, and Phang Nga Bay, a fantastic place that houses aquatic grottoes, limestone islands, and beautiful caves, fill up the fun spaces in the entire journey.
Chiang Mai – The temple city
With more than 300 temples, Chiang Mai is famous for its rich and magnificent ancient temples. It is the second-largest city in Thailand and home to two tribal villages. For tourists wishing to experience the coexistence of historical and modern Thai architecture in the mountainous landscapes, Chiang Mai is the perfect place to be. One of the most famous temples in the area is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, situated on a mountainside overlooking the city. Some of the fascinations of Chiang Mai are botanical gardens, handicraft markets, elephant nature parks, etc.
Sukhothai – Rich ancient ruins
Sukhothai beholds the rich ancient historical sites, statues, and temples of Thai culture. It was the first capital of Thailand, then Siam, during the 13th century. The Sukhothai historical park is home to multiple ancient temples, Buddha statues, chedis, and other archaeological sites highlighting Thailand’s rich history with stucco relief. This place depicts the golden period of Thai civilization – The Dawn of Happiness through its architectural beauty. If you reach early, you can also experience the peaceful and rare sight of the sun glinting off the historical sites.
Ko Chang – The Elephant Island
If you are looking for the best of a tropical vacation with your friends, family, or spouse, Ko Chang is the best destination to capture the most beautiful memories. It is the second-largest island in Thailand and has the elephant-shaped headland. Hence, famous as Elephant Island. The area is adorned with vast sandy beaches and tropical jungles. The White Sand Beach is the island’s most popular and longest beach to visit, and Namtok Khlong Phlu is the largest waterfall in Ko Chang that drops into cascading tiers. The route here is underdeveloped, so getting here is more of a trek. This island offers tourists fun, rustic, budgeted bungalows, glittering bars, and restaurants.
Kanchanaburi – City with the iron railway bridge
Although admired for its natural beauty, national parks, waterfalls, and gigantic scenery, Kanchanaburi is primarily known for its iron bridge over the river Kwai that links the Death Railway to Burma. It got its name as “Death Railways” because, between 1942-1943, one hundred thousand Asian laborers and prisoners of World War II died during its 16 months of construction under the Japanese occupation during WWII. Kanchanaburi is also an ideal pursuit for hiking and rafting. You also get to explore the Thailand-Burma Railway Center, an interactive museum that tells the tragic story, and the JEATH war museum, a replica of the ‘prisoners of war camp.’
Krabi Province – Authentic Thai culture
If you are fascinated with the authenticity of Thai culture, Krabi Town, a small city in the Malay peninsula, is the perfect vacation destination to engross more in it. Flourished with jaw-dropping scenery and island-hopping tours, this place is one of the must-visit destinations for a vacation trip to Thailand. Some popular attractions of Krabi town are Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint, Railay Beach, Bamboo Island, PhraNang Cave Beach, etc. Explore the local night markets, have a soothing Thai massage, and spend days wandering around the incredible nearby attractions.
Koh Tao – Learn to dive
This 21 sq. km island remained uninhabited until the late 1900s and was recently developed as a travel destination. If you are a marine water activity enthusiast, Koh Tao is the best place to learn diving and become a certified diver. It also offers open water diving courses. The place is also home to abundant marine life like whale sharks, butterflyfish, bull sharks, batfish, etc. Koh Tao also offers to explore the vibrant scenes of vast sandy beaches, lush forests, and majestic granite rock formations. Travelers can accommodate in luxury resorts while enjoying the scenic paradise.
Pattaya – Pulsating nightlife
Pattaya is the best place to be if you are a party freak and enjoy loud music, running lights, and booze! Formerly a beach resort for American GIs during the Vietnam War, Pattaya is famous for its raucous nightlife, exotic bars and clubs, massage parlors, and adultery. However, the quality of its beaches, multiple water sports, shopping centers, and entertainment zones have cleaned up Pattaya’s reputation as a family vacation destination.

Top 10 Places to Visit in Thailand
From the glittering temples to white sand beaches and culinary traditions, Thailand has captured the attention of every tourist. Famous as the ‘Land of Smiles,’ this blog will help you prepare the best itinerary for your next vacation by offering a list of the top 10 places to visit in Thailand.
Are you searching for the best tourist destination for a family or honeymoon vacation? Don’t worry. We have the perfect choice for you!
Thailand offers visitors an ideal mix of adventure, peace, romance, and royalty. It is popularly known for its pristine beaches, magnificent temples, rich culture, and flavorful cuisines. The Big Buddha, Golden Triangle, delicious street food, and exotic floating market completely fascinate Northern Thailand and Southern Thailand among visitors.
This country is home to an incredibly rich cultural heritage, breathtaking scenery, and incredible nightlife. Whether going out with your friends and family or planning a romantic getaway with your partner, nothing can be better than making unforgettable memories in Thailand.
Thailand hosts many cities, each with a unique identity and charm. We know it’s challenging to identify the top ones from the platter. So, we have relieved you of this task by listing the top 10 places to visit in Thailand.
Bangkok – The capital city
It is Thailand’s capital city and offers an exhilarating mix of the big-city bustle, modern architecture, and happening lifestyle. It hosts the impressive grand temple of Wat Pho with the giant reclining Buddha, and the shimmering nightlife is a treat to watch. The Chatuchak weekend market, loaded with sumptuous Thai cuisine and shopping sprees, is no less than a pleasing gimmick for travelers. The Khao San Road is the best place to begin your journey and experience the tropical beauty of Bangkok.
Khao Yai National Park – The wildlife haven
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, Khao Yai National Park is the best place to soothe your love for animals. It is the first and the third largest national park in Thailand. This UNESCO world heritage site shelters diverse wildlife like elephants, monkeys, hornbills, wild Thai tigers, gibbons, bats, Asian black bears, freshwater crocodiles, pig-tailed macaques, etc. The dense, dripping flora and beautiful waterfall are a sight to watch the long-standing natural preserve. The park also features more than 50 km long hiking and biking trails passing through the jungle pools of vines and orchids.
Phuket – A family getaway
The palm-fringed beaches, authentic and delicious cuisines, exotic local culture, luxurious spas, and high-lit lifestyle make up the ravishing beauty of Phuket. Adventure the adrenaline rush with kayaking, jungle trekking, white water rafting, scuba diving, and much more. Phuket is the country’s largest island and the perfect family getaway for relaxation and pampering. A visit to Patong Beach, the most popular beach in Phuket, and Phang Nga Bay, a fantastic place that houses aquatic grottoes, limestone islands, and beautiful caves, fill up the fun spaces in the entire journey.
Chiang Mai – The temple city
With more than 300 temples, Chiang Mai is famous for its rich and magnificent ancient temples. It is the second-largest city in Thailand and home to two tribal villages. For tourists wishing to experience the coexistence of historical and modern Thai architecture in the mountainous landscapes, Chiang Mai is the perfect place to be. One of the most famous temples in the area is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, situated on a mountainside overlooking the city. Some of the fascinations of Chiang Mai are botanical gardens, handicraft markets, elephant nature parks, etc.
Sukhothai – Rich ancient ruins
Sukhothai beholds the rich ancient historical sites, statues, and temples of Thai culture. It was the first capital of Thailand, then Siam, during the 13th century. The Sukhothai historical park is home to multiple ancient temples, Buddha statues, chedis, and other archaeological sites highlighting Thailand’s rich history with stucco relief. This place depicts the golden period of Thai civilization – The Dawn of Happiness through its architectural beauty. If you reach early, you can also experience the peaceful and rare sight of the sun glinting off the historical sites.
Ko Chang – The Elephant Island
If you are looking for the best of a tropical vacation with your friends, family, or spouse, Ko Chang is the best destination to capture the most beautiful memories. It is the second-largest island in Thailand and has the elephant-shaped headland. Hence, famous as Elephant Island. The area is adorned with vast sandy beaches and tropical jungles. The White Sand Beach is the island’s most popular and longest beach to visit, and Namtok Khlong Phlu is the largest waterfall in Ko Chang that drops into cascading tiers. The route here is underdeveloped, so getting here is more of a trek. This island offers tourists fun, rustic, budgeted bungalows, glittering bars, and restaurants.
Kanchanaburi – City with the iron railway bridge
Although admired for its natural beauty, national parks, waterfalls, and gigantic scenery, Kanchanaburi is primarily known for its iron bridge over the river Kwai that links the Death Railway to Burma. It got its name as “Death Railways” because, between 1942-1943, one hundred thousand Asian laborers and prisoners of World War II died during its 16 months of construction under the Japanese occupation during WWII. Kanchanaburi is also an ideal pursuit for hiking and rafting. You also get to explore the Thailand-Burma Railway Center, an interactive museum that tells the tragic story, and the JEATH war museum, a replica of the ‘prisoners of war camp.’
Krabi Province – Authentic Thai culture
If you are fascinated with the authenticity of Thai culture, Krabi Town, a small city in the Malay peninsula, is the perfect vacation destination to engross more in it. Flourished with jaw-dropping scenery and island-hopping tours, this place is one of the must-visit destinations for a vacation trip to Thailand. Some popular attractions of Krabi town are Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint, Railay Beach, Bamboo Island, PhraNang Cave Beach, etc. Explore the local night markets, have a soothing Thai massage, and spend days wandering around the incredible nearby attractions.
Koh Tao – Learn to dive
This 21 sq. km island remained uninhabited until the late 1900s and was recently developed as a travel destination. If you are a marine water activity enthusiast, Koh Tao is the best place to learn diving and become a certified diver. It also offers open water diving courses. The place is also home to abundant marine life like whale sharks, butterflyfish, bull sharks, batfish, etc. Koh Tao also offers to explore the vibrant scenes of vast sandy beaches, lush forests, and majestic granite rock formations. Travelers can accommodate in luxury resorts while enjoying the scenic paradise.
Pattaya – Pulsating nightlife
Pattaya is the best place to be if you are a party freak and enjoy loud music, running lights, and booze! Formerly a beach resort for American GIs during the Vietnam War, Pattaya is famous for its raucous nightlife, exotic bars and clubs, massage parlors, and adultery. However, the quality of its beaches, multiple water sports, shopping centers, and entertainment zones have cleaned up Pattaya’s reputation as a family vacation destination.

It was, for example, the reasoning behind the decision to oppose Vietnamese nationalism in the early 1950s and support France’s effort to reconquer its former colony. It was feared that independent Vietnamese nationalism might be a virus that would spread contagion to the surrounding regions, including resource-rich Indonesia. That might even have led Japan -- called the “superdomino” by Asia scholar John Dower -- to become the industrial and commercial center of an independent new order of the kind imperial Japan had so recently fought to establish. That, in turn, would have meant that the U.S. had lost the Pacific war, not an option to be considered in 1950. The remedy was clear -- and largely achieved. Vietnam was virtually destroyed and ringed by military dictatorships that kept the “virus” from spreading contagion.
In retrospect, Kennedy-Johnson National Security Adviser McGeorge Bundy reflected that Washington should have ended the Vietnam War in 1965, when the Suharto dictatorship was installed in Indonesia, with enormous massacres that the CIA compared to the crimes of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. These were, however, greeted with unconstrained euphoria in the U.S. and the West generally because the “staggering bloodbath,” as the press cheerfully described it, ended any threat of contagion and opened Indonesia’s rich resources to western exploitation. After that, the war to destroy Vietnam was superfluous, as Bundy recognized in retrospect.

source
What was noam talking about? What was the ring?

MODESTO COMMUNITY ACTION ASSOCIATION has announced that they are moving forward in development for the community wide effort at batting the escalating issue of unhoused and under housed folks in the area.
Since 2014, the Modesto Community Action Association has worked with various agencies and advocacy groups to build better, more accountable programs that provide real results to this problem. The group consists of both clients and providers of these services, which we feel often need to be given perspectives more often of those who actually use these programs and services.
Our goals include a drop in center and this project, Tiny Home Village.
Our outreach is done with many people who are involved in the daily struggle to survive. We are in touch with people who are dying to be active and involved, yet have no clue where to start. We seek to unite these people in the effort to make real and lasting changes in the waya service is provided and the responsibly we have to fellow human kind to give a hand up, not out, if we have those means.
This is a three phase plan that will identify and attempt to develop a plot of land we can have through either a partnership with a landowner or real estate agent, or with the city or county, using the resources of locally based doners to build a small community of affordable tiny houses and provide the homes as long term solutions for housing.
Each would be equipped with appliances and the community would be secure, with 24/7 on site security and manager who would be also living on site. The units would require the eventual occupants to provide in kind labor and solict financial assistance, to contribute to the effort. Residents will have a case manager and a plan towards self sufficiency, with check in required to be able to stay. There would be no restriction on length of tenancy, and rent would be adjusted to the work hours they contribute to the ongoing effort to keep the community solid.
Tenants meeting every week. On site manager On site security Fully equipped 200-300 square feet units for individual or family. Phase one - demo units (4), community outbuildings, and garden, and staff units.
Family units are larger, up to 340 sq feet. Individuals can be placed in one of three 150-300 sq feet units prr initial design and budget estimate.
The current goal is to raise the funds to raise funds. A funding campaign will be available online soon. We will seek the backing of both government grants and private donations. The committee is going to start meeting on Zoom (see schedule). We are going to be expecting to appoint the replacement of our founding Board member, Lola Kennedy, who passed away after a long illness last month.

PSA: There’s no tolerance for racist, homophobic, discriminatory, troll or unhelpful comments. If a post about events in DFW triggers you, keep on scrolling. I have zero Fs to give so if you insist on commenting something unhelpful, you’ll never have to be subjected to these free, helpful posts again bc you’ll be blocked.
This is not a top things to do in FW (plenty of posts if you search this sub), these are events specific to this week. There may be mistakes/things change so do your due diligence & search more info online. None of these events are vetted, they’re just copied & pasted.
Join the Fort Worth discord to connect w/other folks in FW, chat & check out different meet ups: https://discord.com/invite/9KUdWdQVdJ
[Tuesday June 6th]
Art Aid 4:30-6PM The Pool, 1801 8th Ave Free This seminar will offer real estate advice for artists looking to purchase, lease, sublet, or partner for a creative space.
Free Yoga Burnett Park 5:30PM
Silent Book Club Hotel Dryce 6:30PM
Trivia Game Night Old Chicago 7PM
Murf’s Trivia J. Gilligan's Bar & Grill 7PM
NoiseROT Presents: Strange and Eternal Tour (2023) w/ MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE The Rail Club Live 7PM $20+
Omar Torres Hyena’s Comedy Club Free 7PM
Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night T&P Tavern 7:30-9:30PM
Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night University Pub FW 8-10PM m
Toad the Wet Sprocket Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall 8PM $40+
[Wednesday June 7th]
ITB Puttnight Lola's In The Bucket Disc Golf 6-9PM Sign ups Flex Start $10 Buy-in. Cash payout for Top 3. Bring three (3) of your own putters
Summer Arts Program Wed, June 7-Wed, June 28 1-2:30 p.m. Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum Free Explore Tarrant County’s rich African American history through art, conversation, & activities during a four-week workshop.
Lunchtime Music Series in Burnett Park 12-1P Free
Indoor Vendor Market Rahr & Sons Brewing 5-9P 25+ local businesses to shop, live music, food trucks, snacks, sweets, acrylic paint pouring class
Ronda Ray Fort Brewery & Pizza 6-9P
We Run Wednesday’s The trailhead at clearfork 6:30P
NoiseROT Presents: Victim of Suffering Haltom Theater Sidestage 7-11PM
Tall Bearded Guy Trivia Funky Picnic Brewery 7P
STFU Open Mic 8-11PM Twilite Lounge FW Free jokes, drink specials & delicious po' boys! Hosted by Claws Out Comedy w/featured performer Marissa Nieto
Karaoke HopFusion Aleworks 8PM
[Thursday June 8th]
Fort Worth Movies That Matter Modern Art Museum 7-9:30PM Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops (2019, 96 min., TV-MA) is an intimate portrait of two Texas police officers who are helping change the way police respond to mental health calls Movies That Matter is a FREE film series that highlights important human & civil rights issues. Each event features a film screening, followed by a moderated discussion w/special guests. Register for free tickets on Eventbrite
Join us every second Thursday to connect with art through cocktails, conversations, & creativity The Carter 5-8PM
Beatles vs. Stones Ridglea Theater 6:30P Jam to a musical showdown $25+
Justin Tipton Fort Brewery Pizza 7PM
Greater Tuna Downtown Cowtown at the Isis 8PM comedy show until 6/10
Anand Wilder of Yeasayer The Post at River East 8P $25+
Midnight River Choir Live Rusty Nickel IceHouse 6PM $10+
Tribute Band Thursday: Local Yoakam Jun. 8 8 p.m. Fat Daddy’s, Mansfield Free live music, Happy Hour drink specials & $12 build-your-own jumbo pizzas
Evenings on Oak Street: Roanoke Austin Street Plaza 6:30PM After Party: Modern Dance Party Hits
Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night HopFusion Aleworks 8P
[Friday June 9th]
Friday on the Green, Magnolia Green Grab your lawn chair for live music from 4 local musicians 5-10P free
Kimbell Happy Hour 5-7P Kimbell Art Museum free music by Allegro Guitar Society
Dustin Massey w / Generational Wealth at Lola's Doors 8PM, Start 9PM
Brent Cobb Billy Bob's Texas 6PM $18+
Koe Wetzel Dickie’s Arena 6:30P $39
Kung Fu Vampire Black Heart Machine Tour Haltom Theater 7:30PM
Stockyards Championship Rodeo Cowtown Coliseum 7:30P $35
Neon Wave Pool Party Whiskey Garden 8PM
Jimmy Wallace at Twilite Lounge FW 9PM-12AM No Cover
FWSO’s Concerts in the Garden Festival Gates open 6:30 p.m. start 8:30 p.m. Music of the 80s
Dustin Massey (Band) w/ Generational Wealth Lola's Doors 8pm Show 9pm $10 advance tickets, $15 at door
Tab Benoit Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall 8P $40
REYES - Nuestra Fiesta Dedicada a la Realeza de la Música Latina Tulips FW 9P $15
[Saturday June 10th]
Drag Show & Brunch Pride Edition 11AM-2PM Funky Picnic Brewery Join Kiki w/the Kweens for our monthly drag show & brunch!
Glizzy Fest presented by Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs Martin House Brewing 12-5pm Live Music, Craft Vendors, hot dogs/corn dogs. Tickets $15 if drinking = 4 beers + souvenir pint glass. not drinking = do not have to pay
Arlington Pride Celebration Levitt Pavilion Arlington 6-11pm (doors open 5) ft. performances from RuPaul's Drag Race Queens Angeria Paris VanMichaels, Symone & Kennedy Davenport, DJ Al Farb w/a street fair full of vendors
FWSO’s Concerts in the Garden Festival Gates open 6:30 p.m. start 8:30 p.m. Star Wars
Wandering Roots Market Tanger Outlets Shop local pop-up, live music, vendors, food trucks + kid-friendly 10AM-4PM
Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat LIVE Ridglea Room 7PM $25+
Live Jazz Performance Feat. The Rob Holbert Group The Warehouse 8P
LOCALS ONLY VOL. 3 Whiskey Garden 8P
Fenne Lily + Christian Lee Hutson Tulips FW 8P $20+
Dope City Comedy Tour FW’s Hyena's Comedy Club Doors 8:30P
Guttersluts perform Alice in Chains Unplugged w/ Garrett Owen Twilite Lounge FW 9PM-12AM No Cover
Live music HopFusion 7PM
[Sunday June 11th]
Farmers Market 10AM-2PM Funky Picnic Brewery
Giddy Up Drag Brunch Concrete Cowboy FW 1-4PM
Monthly Book Club Funky Picnic Brewery 3-4P Will be discussing The Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Matt Hillyer & Kayla Ray The Post at River East 6-8P $20+
LanceBattalion Fort Brewery 7-9PM

August Maniaci Link: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=95092#relPageId=11&search=caminiti_rockford)
History of the Milwaukee Outfit
-Al Capone was a camorrista and an associate of Masseria and Capone had a large scale gambling and bootlegging operation
-Joe Aiello would gamble at Capone's places, but when he would lose, he would have the gambling operation raided and Aiello's men would take much more money than was lost
-Capone was paying protection to Masseria
-A dispute arose between Masseria and Aiello and Masseria than brought Capone in and made him a capodecina and told Capone to kill Aiello
-In 1926 or 1927, there was a "Appalachian type meeting" (Generale assemblea?) in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. The meetings purpose was to make peace in Chicago, but other families attended
-Tough Tony Capesio was one of the shooters in the St. Valentine's day massacre
-Jack Zutta, a Jewish Aiello associate, was murdered by Capone's gang
-The Milwaukee mafia banned people from helping Aiello.
-Sam Aiello, Joe Caminiti, and Migele Mineo were former Aiello members who fled Chicago to join the Milwaukee family
-Sam Aiello wasn't sympathetic about his brother. Sam returned to Chicago later and was in Jim DiGeorge's crew
-Carl Caputa left Chicago and went to Madison where he became boss. Joe "Joe Pizza Pie" Aiello (unspecified relation to the Joe Capone wared with) went with Caputa to Madison
-Milwaukee didn't try to extort any gamblers until Sam Ferrara
-Al Capone was Neopolitan, the next boss was Tony Accardo who was "Thelast Sicilian to be an important boss," Accardo was succeeded by a Neopolotan Sam Giancana (Pretty sure this info is wrong)
-Chicago outfit was a "Money grabbing operation" where only a few leaders profit "at the expense of the general membership" this had an effect on Milwaukee
-Chicago took over Milwaukee in 1952
-Sam Ferrara wanted to have a piece of the Ogden social club which was a gambling place that Frank Balistrieri had a piece on and Balistieri was Son-In-Law to John Alioto. Balistrieri said no to Ferrara and then Ferrara shelved Balistrieri. Milwaukee then asked Chicago to help them with all the trouble.
-A general meeting was held in 1952; Tony Accardo, Rocco Fischetti, and Sam Giancana attended. Sam Ferrara was taken down as boss and replaced by John Alioto
-Alioto reinstated Balistrieri and made him a capodecina
-While Alioto was boss, no gamblers or businessmen were extorted
-John DiTrapani was a capodecina who didn't like Alioto, so he said he would spend $90,000 and even was willing to finance some murders
-One of DiTrapani's friends "Pasternak" lost a lot of money gambling with the outfit and DiTrapani made it known he was very upset
-Furthermore, Alioto heard about Ditrapani's plans to become boss and this sealed DiTrapani's fate
-Chicago were the ones who ordered DiTrapani's murder, not Alioto
-DiTrapani and Frank LaGalbo (a member and DiTrapani associate) were called to a meeting by the Chicago outfit. The meeting was going to be in Milwaukee though.
-LaGalbo warned DiTrapani not to go. LaGabo himself wasn't going to go.
-DiTrapani went anyway and on March 16, 1954 he was murdered. the following day he was found shot in his car
-LaGalbo was very well connected to Chicago and he set up a transfer where he would be in the Chicago family in the decina of Frank LaPorte
-LaPorte was centered in Chicago Heights
-Jack Enea was also apart of the faction that wanted Alioto taken down as boss. he wasn't killed until November, 1954 (Chicago authorized it)
-In January of 1962, Joe Alioto retired and Frank P. Balistrieri took over, Alioto was upset about this. Alioto apparently felt it should've gone to an older man
-furthermore, Alioto was upset that Balistrieri had an affair with his wife's cousin
-Balistrieri began shaking down gamblers and businessmen
-Balistrieri was collecting $500-$600 from Bruno Ramazini and John Volpe who ran the Holiday House
-Despite not collecting from Frank and Jimmy Fazio who ran restaurants, there was an incident where a bomb went off. After this, Balistrieri went to Florida and when he came back he said that they had a piece of Jimmy Fazio's place in Fort Lauderdale
-Balistrieri was not liked by older members because he never consulted with anyone before making decisions and Maniaci even said it would not surprise him if Balistrieri was murdered. Maniaci said if anyone were to kill Balistrieri, it would be the outfit
II. Organization and Leadership -The 1957 Apalachin meeting was due to Albert Anastasia taking forcible action which affected other bosses without telling them.
-Anastasia was killed due to the disappearance of two unnamed men
-John Alioto and Frank Balistrieri were going to go to Apalachin but didnt at the last moment. Also, attendance was not mandatory at Apalachin
-Maniaci didn't know too much about the commission or its structure, but he said it had around 7 members and though he doesn't know if there is a "boss of bosses," if anyone was it would be Giancana (clearly shows his midwest bias)
-Giancana had control over Madison, Rockford, and Springfield
-Balistrieri went to Chicago periodically for meetings with Giancana, Battaglia, or capodecina Felix "Milwaukee Phil" Alderisio. These meeting were at the underboss Sam Battaglia's farm
-occassionally, Balistrieri would meet with Alderisio, Battaglia, and Marshal Caifano in a Milwaukee hotel
-Ralph Capone of Mercer, Wisconsin isn't connected with Milwaukee or Chicago
-At one point, the Pfister hotel manager Marvin Billet made a deal and Kansas City member Sebastian "Buster" Balestrere (who was "imported" to Milwaukee along with Joseph Gurera for the purpose of shaking bookmakers and businessmen down) found out and this led to Balestrere having leverage over Billet. Eventually, the Fox Head Brewery bought a hotel in Jamiaca and Buster made Billet manager. Balistrieri asked Giancana if he wanted to "take over a large gambling casino in the hotel." Billet lost the managorial position and their plan didn't work.
-Balistrieri is involved in the Continental Music Company.
-The chicago outfit may have 500 members (this is wrong as they may not have had 100 at their peak, though it shows how the smaller families saw them)
-Sam Giancana is the boss, Sam "Teets" Battaglia is the underboss, and the following are capodecina: Felix Alderisio, Marshal Caifano, Frank LaPorte, Tony Maccalucci (ph), and Ross Prio
-Ross Prio is a north side leader who was originally in Jim DiGeorge's crew
-Maniaci heard complaints that people are upset in Chicago that only a few are making money. Also, they are upset that Sam Giancana "is too much of a playboy." CI also advised that John Cerone may be Giancana's successor. Cerone is very close to Tony Accardo
-Frank Balistrieri is related to former Kansas City boss James "Big Jim" Balistrieri (It appears his real last name was Balestrere, though his fathers last name was Balistrieri)
-Joseph Cusimano and Joe Jellosa (or Jealouso) are two Kansas City members who have visited Milwaukee in the past
-The Kansas City import Joseph Gurera was said to have killed two politicians (clearly referring to the infamous hit that left Charles Binaggio and Charles Gargotta dead)
-Balistrieri made Gurera a capodecina and Buster Balestrere worked under him. Both members went back to Kansas City in 1963 after pressure was put on Milwaukee for Anthony Biernat's murder
-On April 18, 1964 Peter Balistrieri's (Frank's brother) daughter married Leonard Drewek, a non-Italian. John Molle, Buster Balestrere, and Jim Balestrere (Not made) all went to the wedding
-Peter Balistrieri is a capodecina
-Rockford's boss is Joseph Zummutto, the underboss is Frank Bucemi, and the consigliere is Joseph Zitto. (FNU) Caltegerone is a member who's old and used to be close to Milwaukee capodecina Pasquale Migliaccio. Caltergerone may be a reference to Carl "Charlie Vince" Caltegerone
-Madison, Wisconsin has 10-15 members. The boss is Carl Caputo and Joseph "Joe Pizza Pie" Aiello is a member. Both are wealthy with real estate investments.
-Benny DeSalvo was a capodecina in Madison, but died in February of 1964 at 84 years old. He was buried in Chicago
-The following is the boss succession of Milwaukee: Vito Guardalabene (Nicola Gentile reported Joseph Vallone was the underboss in 1915) Peter Guardalabene (Son of Vito) Joseph "Big Joe" Amato Joseph Vallone (Boss from mid 1920's-mid 1930's) Joseph Gumina was the underboss to Vallone (also says Gumina was capodecina, maybe he controlled a crew along with being consigliere) Charles Zarcone was the consigliere Pasquale Migliaccio was a capodecina Migele Mineo was a capodecina Tom Lucua (ph) was a capodecina Sam Ferrara (Mid 1930's-1952) Joe Gumina was the underboss (again lists him as capo too) Charles Zarcone is listed as consigliere Pasquale Migliaccio was a capodecina Migele Mineo was a capodecina Joseph Caminiti is also a captain (may have been captain under Vallone as well) John Alioto (1952-1962) Joe Gumina was the underboss (again lists him as capo too) Migele Mineo was a capodecina John DiTrapani was a capodecina until his murder in 1954 Pasquale Migliaccio was a capodecina Frank Balistrieri was a capodecina as well Frank Balistrieri (1962-time document was typed) appears he had no underboss Charles Zarcone would be consigliere if Balistrieri had one, Maniaci doesn't know if he actually was though John Alioto was a capodecina and had the older members in his crew Peter Balistrieri was a capodecina "who has active members under his direction" -Older members are displeased with Balistrieri for not consulting any members and making Joseph Gurera (Kansas City) a capodecina instead of a local member
-Older members blame Balistrieri for the publicity LCN is getting due to Anthony Biernat's murder also there's resentment because no one is making money
-Maniaci said he wouldn't be surprised if they killed Balistrieri one day
-On January 4th, 14th, and the 31st Balistrieri held parties at Gallagher's restaurant in an attempt to get the opposite faction to like him. He planned to have another similar meeting a month later. He also assured the members that jobs would soon open up and he gave Vito Aiello, John Aiello, and Maniaci himself jobs at gambling places.
-Balistrieri is very cautious in regards to his personal movements
-Another CI reported the meeting at Gallagher's was to fix the bad feelings between Myron Jennaro and Paul Bogosian who are both associates of the Milwaukee family
-the following is the structure according to Maniaci: capo: boss sottocapo: Italian not Sicilian term for underboss "consuleri": (see previous comment about spelling) the consigliere is the counselor who is usually an older member capodecina: heads a crew, means "head of ten", but members sometimes have 50 members in their crew (or in some cases zero members) No mention of soldiers
-the following are popular terms used by members: Amico Nostro: friend of ours; used by fellow members to indicate someones a member avugad: means lawyer, Maniaci said there's no significance as a term in Milwaukee, but it probably was just not for low level members. Normally the avugad is a representative on the commission. for example, Milwaukee's avugad would've been Chicago's boss cumpare: means godfather; used to show closeness to someone don: Italian term of respect, not a mafia term onorata: means honor, Maniaci said he's never heard the mafia called onorata society which many sources have reported omerta: Maniaci said it's to express any qualities in the word "manly" sagia: "chair, committee of boss, underboss, consuleri [sic], and capodecina [sic] Tourna: general meeting where all members attend; for an important reason
-the following are members of Milwaukee identified by Maniaci: John Aiello: made under Ferrara Vito Aiello: Made under Ferrara John Alioto: Made under Guardalabene, was boss then capodecina Albert Albana: Suspect in Biernat's murder and was made a month after in January 1963 Mike Albano: Runs Angelo's Pizzaria, long time member
III. Membership -John Alioto did not make any members, but Vallone, Ferrara, and Balistrieri did. (which must've happened when the books were closed either suggesting the midwest didn't follow this or he did it on the sly)
-To be made originally, you had to be Sicilian, but they switched it to just be full Italian
-Members don't have to kill, but this has been a rule in the past, to be made
-Associates are proposed by a made member who knows the associates potential. In the past, the name would go around to all members and if they objected, he couldn't be made
-the associate could cooperate with law enforcement to be made
-in the past, all members had to be present at the initiation ceremonies (Maniaci calls them "tourna" meaning a general membership meeting). They no longer do that though
-The Biernat murderers were alleged to be Steve DeSalvo, Dominic Principe, and Albert Albana. DeSalvo contacted Biernat before the killing
-during the making ceremony, both the proposed member and his sponser's fingers are pricked and their blood is mixed. Then everyone present joins hands and a picture of a saint is burned (presumably in the proposed members hand) and the proposed member takes an oath in Italian to put the organization over everything including family and religion
-Members must obey all orders under threat of death
-No members can deal drugs or they will be killed
-Members need permission before engaging in something that may affect another member
-In the past disputes between members were taken before the "Sagia" (This is also called the Seggia, consiglio, or the Sicilian term consignu)
-The "Sagia'' was composed of a boss, underboss, "consuleri", and the capodecina (the term "consuleri" suggests multiple consigliere, but the document has used the singular and plural terms interchangeably. traditionally, the consiglio had multiple consigliere though. Also "capodecina" suggests one captain, which wouldn't really make sense in the context so it can be assumed they mean all capidecina in the family)
-Balistrieri no longer consults anyone except Chicago and only for big issues
-Maniaci named the following as members of the LCN family in Milwaukee (these are just from memory): John Aiello: Made under Ferrara Vito Aiello: Made under Ferrara; John Aiello's brother John Alioto: Made under Vito Guardalabene; capodecina Albert Albana: Made in early 1964, after the murder of Anthony Biernat Mike Albano: Runs Angelo's Pizzaria; long time member Tony Albano: Mike's uncle; retired Frank Balistrieri: boss; made with John DiTrapani; in Joe Ferrara's crew?; Made capodecina under John Alioto Joseph Balistrieri: Frank's dad; longtime member Peter Balistrieri: Frank's brother; capodecina Joseph Caminiti: Secretary treasurer of Local 257; made in Chicago under Joe Aiello; came to Milwaukee during Aiello-Capone war; bootlegger during prohibition; capodeinca under Vallone and Ferrara; Balistrieri's closest confidant even closer to Frank than Peter; Married to John Alioto's daughter Harry DeAngelo: Ferrara didn't like him; made in 1963; works sanitation or garbage department; 55 years old Carl Di Maggio: long time soldier Salvatore DiMaggio: Carlo's son; burglar eith extesnive record; made under Ferrara Benny DeSalvo: Made in 1963; nephew of old Madison boss Benny DeSalvo who died in 1964; lived in New York for a while but moved back to Milwaukee and went into construction Steve DeSalvo: Close to Balistrieri; primary suspect in Biernat murder; made one month after the murder Sam Ferrara: former boss; operates liquor store; inactive Joseph Gumina; underboss and capodecina under Vallone, Ferrara, and Alioto; he was a boxer after coming to America; bootlegger and then worked at A.O. Smith corp.; capable of murder; his son married Ferrara's daughter August Maniaci: Long time soldier Santo Marino: Brother-in-law to Ferrara; not active; operates tevern Migele "Mike" Mineo: Made in chicago; came to Milwaukee during Aiello-Capone war; capodecina under Vallone, Ferrara, and Alioto; employed by Schlitz Brewery John Pernice: former bootlegger; unemployed; not known to hold leadership position Dominic Principe: Another Biernat murder suspect; made following murder; lives in Illinois Joe Rizzo: inactive; worked as bartender in multiple places Vito Seidita: inactive; 55 years old; works for city of Milwaukee, maybe in street department Joseph Spero: inactive; works for city of Milwaukee, maybe in garbage department Charles Zarcone: consigliere during Vallone, Ferrara, and Alioto; may be consigliere under Balistrieri, but Maniaci doesnt know
Maniaci also listed the following as members affiliated with other families that live in Milwaukee: Frank LaGalbo: runs Chico's restaurant; was supposed to be killed along with DiTrapani; transfered to Chicago under Frank LaPorte John DiBella: member from Italy; close to Joe Bonanno; head of Grande Cheese Company Ralph "bottles" Capone: Chicago member; no importance in the underworld James DiGeorge: operates stock farm; owns land in Adams county, Wisconsin; former capodecina of North Chicago; years ago he was supposed to be killed, but got a pass; lives in exile in Wisconsin (likely shelved)
-Maniaci said that even your immidiate family may not know your made and it's typical for people to keep their sons out of the mafia
Maniaci named the following as people not members of Milwaukee, but closely associated with Milwaukee: Walter "Walter Blackie" Brocca: worked forvarious businesses on behalf of Frank Balistrieri Tony Bruno: No member of Bruno's family has ever been a member Sam Cefalu: gambler; lives at 1606 North Jackson; employed by Balistrieri Sam Cefalu: lives at 3461 North Cramer; not related to the other Sam Cefalu; worked for Balistrieri in a gambling office Anthony "Sheriff Cefalu" Cefalu: Brother of Sam (doesnt say which one); employed as gambler Gus Chiaverotti: Working for Frank Balistrieri in Continental Music Co.; closely associates with Balistrieri Sam DaQuista: No other DaQuista family member has been connected Joe Dentice: No Dentice has been a member Dominic Frinzi: Lawyer for Milwaukee mafia Nick Fugarino: closely associates with LCN Ted Gagliano: Gambler Nick Gentile (Doesnt specify if its Nicola Gentile, the one who wrote a book): not a member, but associates with LCN Joseph Guarniere: not a member Dr. Vito Guardalabene: Son of former boss Pete; no living Guardalabene is a member of mafia Danny Lampone: No Lampones are made Tony LaRosa: associated with LCN, not member Sam Librizzi: Gambling LCN associate Tony and Tom Machi: gamblers John Mandella: not a member Vincent Mercurio: not a member John Percurio: creditor to Frank Balistrieri who he's related to Tom Piscitello: not a member John and Joe Piscuine: Gamblers; no Piscuine's have been members Bruno Ramazini: former operator of Holiday House Frank "Big foot Hogan" Sansone: gambler; runs a restaurant Joe Sardino: no other Sardino's are connected with LCN Tom Sorce: Gambler Frank Stelloh: Close to Frank Balistrieri and Steve DeSalvo; non Italian, so couldn't be made Nick Tarantino: "very close" and trusted by Frank Balistrieri; couldn't be made because he helped police in a burglary investigation, this was well known to LCN John Triliegi: LCN associate Sam Vermiglio: former head of a counterfeit cigarette stamp ring; deals drugs; murdered John Volpe: runs the Holiday house
-An informant, possibly Maniaci, advised in 1964 tht Frank Balistrieri has a share in William Covelli's gambling operation (CI doesnt say, but Covelli may have been made)
-Aforementioned informant said Balistrieri also has a share in John Rizzo's bookmaking operation. Al Albana is the one who brings the money from Rizzo and Covelli to Balistrieri
-Both Maniaci and another CI reported that Balistrieri, Rizzo, and Covelli thought about buting a Key Club in Park City, Illinois. Maniaci said that if Balistrieri was serious, he would have to talk to Chicago first since its their terretory
-On April 5, 1964 CI (aforementioned informant, probably not Maniaci) advised that he expected Buster Balestrere and Joe Gurera were expected to come back to Milwaukee before June of 1964. They are coming back to act as hosts in a big crap game. Nick Tarantino would be a treasurer in the game. Frank Balistrieri will own the game and Buster Balestrere will be pit boss and host. The reasoning for starting the game was it would make a lot of money and wouldn't violate a federal law.
-Sam Cefalu and Sam Librizzi run a gambling office recieving a line from out of state, this is the only out of state line. Sam Dentice is a runner for the operation. Anthony "Sheriff Cefalu" Cefalu used to be involved, but is inactive
-a CI advised that 70% of gamblers are represented by Dominic Frinzi. Frinzi has represented Anthony Cefalu, Charles Piscuine, Robert Pick, William Cole, Steve Halmo, and Harvey Wach
-A CI advised on March 7, 1964 members of "Chicago and Miami outfits" (maybe meaning Tampa) were trying to build a motel in the bahamas. Balistrieri was going to have a 5% interest in it
-A different CI advised that Giancana was interested in a casino at Cat Cay in the Bahamas.
-Ben Novac owned the Fountainbleu Hotel in Miami and was a close associate of Chicago and New York LCN. He applied for a license to operate a casino in the Bahamas in April of 1964 and was denied due to his financial ties to gangsters
-a CI (probably Maniaci) reported on April 3, 1964 that Balistrieri and former capodecina, but current soldier Joe Caminiti had a meeting where they discussed the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). Balistrieri said he helped get cheif of police Harold Breter into office. Blaistrieri said he felt the MPD was trying to put heat on him by arresting young people who frequented Gallagher's restaurant and they surveilled LCN members. Balistrieri met with inspector Kremsreiter who was the number 3 man in the MPD. Kremsreiter and Balistrieri met at Fazio's and had lunch. At lunch, Balistrieri suggested that the MPD should stay away from his kind and that there are not enough police to be just focusing on him. Balistrieri told Caminiti that he was happy with how it went.
-Frank Ranney is a secretary-treasurer of Teamsters local 200 and is very close to Balistrieri even working together at Atomic Industries, a bubble gum company
-An informant advised on March 24, 1964 that Balistrieri, Frank Ranney, and Joe Caminiti met at Fazio's. The informant said Balistrieri had "some form of domination over Ranney"
-One CI stated that Balistrieri is connected to Jimmy Hoffa and could get a multi-million dollar loan to build a motel in Milwaukee.
-Tony Volpe is connected with Chicago and has access to the money from the welfare and pension fund of the teamster union in Chicago and that many Las Vegas casinos have been financed with the money.
-On April 3, 1964, a CI (or wiretap) reported that Joe Caminiti and Frank Balistrieri had a meeting where they discussed "the disposition of money supplied by the Teamsters to Frank Balistrieri for distribution to some of the candidates for Alderman in the City of Milwaukee." Caminiti told Balistrieri he'll advise the candidates that they are backed by the teamsters.
-During the same meeting Caminiti insuled Robert Kennedy saying he operated a gestapo. They also talked about a speech Congressman Alvin O'Konski gave talking good about Jimmy Hoffa. The Teamsters gave money to O'Konski and Senator Morse (ph) for political purposes
-Caminiti said Robert Kennedy infringes on civil liberties, this was after O'Konski told him about an investigation coming by the DOJ
-Caminiti also said that the Teamsters had trouble getting the poney to pay for Jimmy Hoffa's legal expenses. Out of 35 locals in Wisconsin, 20 wouldn't pass anything in support of paying. Because of this, they decided they would take the money out of the joint counsil, meaning every member will pay .05-.10 cents
-Joe Caminiti told Frank Balistrieri that Frank Ranney said to be careful giving money to Alderman Allen L. Calhoun. This was due to when Calhoun once moved districts, he came into conflict with Al Hass who was close to the Milwaukee LCN. Balistrieri already knew and met with Calhoun and told him that Hass is who they're most loyal too, but they will support whoever won. Balistrieri gave cash to Calhoun as an unreported donation
-Balistrieri gave a donation to Art Else, who's opponent was Henry Maier. Balistrieri gave Else the donation at Gallagher's restaurant.
-Angelo Provinzano was a member of the city service commission who was mobbed up. Balistrieri gave money to Provinzano who then donated money to mob backed candidates. Provinzano donated $995 to mayor Henry Maier. Provinzano also was used in the past to get Italians in positions in the city government and police department. Informant said Provinzano wasn't made
-On April 17, 1964, Dominic Frinzi (mob attorney) was going to run for governor and the mafia backed him. Frinzi himself wasn't confident he could win, but it would give him publicity which he could later use to become a judge
-Anthony Biernat was found buried in a cellar of an abandoned farm sprinkled with lime, but it wasn't the right kind which would disintegrate a body
-Frank Balistrieri partly owns The Pitch Specialty Co. Balistrieri's relative Peter Picciuro operated the business. His father John Picciuro also has a piece or co-owns it.
-Carl Dentice has a jukebox operation in his name for Frank Balistrieri
-Sam Dentice got a jukebox license under his name for Balistrieri
-Peter Sciotino's bakery was targeted in a bombing because of Balistrieri's shakedown campaign. Sciortino was personally connected to Joe Bonanno in some way and ended up not having to pay. Sciortino himself wasn't a LCN member
-Balistrieri's shakedown campaign began in the summer of 1962 with Joseph Gurera and Buster Balestrere shaking businessmen and gamblers down. Some people did resist so Balistrieri wanted to send a message. They were going to kill either Bill Cole or Bobby Pick, but when LE found out they stopped trying.
-An informant though Tony LaRosa might be killed because it was said the Milwaukee family heard he gave information to LE
-In may of 1964, an informant said that Steve DeSalvo and Frank Stelloh now operated as musclemen for Balistrieri. They even planned to murder someone who the informant didn't know.
-The informant thought the murder target may have been Izzy Tocco who was a booker for Sam Cefalu and got in trouble, but the informant thought that this would be too little a reason to murder someone
-A different informant supplied information suggesting the murder target may be Joe Beck. Beck was making complaints against the Continental Sales Co. Balistrieri made comments to the acting manager Gus Chiaverotti where he expressed his anger against Beck.
-An informant advised on April 10, 1964 that he heard a story about a Milwaukee gangster being offered $5,000 by the Chicago LCN "to make a hit" on a prominent businessman who was made. The reasoning was because the man owed the Chicago family between $18,000-$20,000. The man either stole the money or bet and lost the outfit's money

Last summer I made it a project to go to all the parks I could in Bloomington and Monroe county. I missed a few, but I thought I would give some highlights. Even as a townie, there were some I had never been to, and many have been updated in recent years. Most frequently, I go to parks with kids ranging in age from 5-10, but I will list features that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Full info with addresses etc can be found here .
Bryan Park -- A Bloomington classic. Everyone should go to Bryan Park at least once. There are two main playgrounds, a baby/young kid one, which is fenced in, and a bigger kid one down the hill. There is also a smaller playground on the eastern side of the park. Paved/accessible trails border and go through the center of the park, and there are many mowed fields you can run and sprawl in. Nice park for a picnic. The City also hosts events here throughout the summer.
Broadview Park -- Smaller park on the near-westside. There is a fun climbing wall/barrel structure that inspired my kids to play pirates. This playground is one of the only fenced-in locations, useful if your kid is a runner.
Butler Park (9th Street Park) -- Another park with nice large fields to play in. Good sledding hills in the winter. The playground features some unique climbing equipment (ropes with a circle thing in the middle), as well as boardwalks, slides, etc. Access to the B-Line trail, and also hosts the People's Market in the summer on certain weekends.
Goat Farm Park / Rogers Family Park -- Newly renovated trail system! This park is now accessible from the Rogers Rd / High Street roundabout, as well as Elliston Dr (at Sherwood Oaks Park). Large native prairie area, interspersed with paved multi-use trails. Wonderful area to walk, ride bikes, rollerblade, etc. No playground in this section, but it is adjacent to Sherwood Oaks Park, and if you continue up the trail, Olcott Park.
Griffy Lake Nature Preserve -- Another Bloomington classic. Footpath trails in the woods (not accessible), as well as a new, accessible walkway for fishing and enjoying the lake. If you haven't been to Griffy in a few years, you should check out the new walkway, and the new / improved Griffy Loop Trail. Also, be sure to check out the dam-side trails. This area is scheduled for improvement in the coming years, but still has nice trails and a neat view of the dam. Good area to fly kites, as well.
Highland Village Park -- Smaller playground surrounded by mowed open field, and a paved trail encircling the park. Fun spinny toy with balls in it, younger kid played with for a long time, as well as swinging step stones that were a challenge for bigger kid.
Leonard Springs Nature Park -- Footpath hiking through the woods, as well as a large staircase. There is a waterfall here, and a wetland at the bottom. Nice spot to find frogs, toads, skinks, and other wildlife. Limited parking.
Lower Cascades Park -- Another one recently updated, be sure to check it out if you haven't been lately. The playground is GIANT, with a huge "big kid" area featuring multiple levels of equipment and boardwalks, as well as a "little kid" area adjacent. This is the playground most-requested by my 6 year old. The City has put a lot of work into improving the river bank area, with new limestone steps going down to the river. They have also completed a paved wooden boardwalk leading up to the waterfall, which is super nice and accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, etc. Limestone shelter houses def give the taste of Old Bloomington.
Miller Showers Park -- No playground. You can walk / bike around the paved loop and talk to your kids about traffic and the water features ( "a state-of-the-art stormwater retention facility and beautiful gateway to the city of Bloomington.")
Olcott Park -- Awesome park on the southside. This playground has a nice mix of equipment for babies/little kids and bigger kids. There are long, low boardwalks and small slides suitable for toddlers. There are also taller features which interest bigger kids. Mature trees surround the playground giving a nice amount of shade. There are sports fields here as well, which are frequently in use. The whole park is surrounded by a paved walking trail, much of which goes through woods, and connects to a paved trails that heads to Sherwood Oaks Park / Goat Farm.
Park Ridge Park -- Hidden gem on the eastside! This park is small, but has a unique, super-TALL, 3-story play structure. Excellent if your kids like heights, pretending to be in an eagle's nest, rocket to space, etc! Surrounded by mature trees, the whole park is well-shaded. There is also a picnic area with a shade canopy set up. Directly behind this park, there is a long paved walking trail that borders the train tracks and some apartment buildings. It crosses Pete Ellis (near the post office) and then lets out near 10th and the Bypass. Nice for walking, riding bikes, etc.
Park Ridge East Park -- Basic playground with large fields surrounding, and several tennis courts. Extra large climbing wall. Easy walk to Bruster's Ice Cream.
RCA Community Park -- Big, sprawling park on the west side. Pickleball courts seem to get good use. The playground is great if your kids like "floor is lava" / "ninja warrior" type games, because there are lots of more challenging climbing and jumping type structures. There is a small baby area, but most of the equipment on this playground is better for bigger kids. There are also large open fields, and an big wooded area with trails (some accessible, some not) throughout.
Sherwood Oaks Park -- Basic playground, tennis court and basketball court. The playground is kind of lackluster, but the real draw here is the creek access. There are multiple areas here where you can access Jackson Creek, with large banks of geodes, fossils, and sandstone to play and explore. There is a pedestrian bridge going over the creek, which is really nice, with areas to play on either side. LOTS of wildlife, including fish, crawdads, aquatic sow bugs, turtles, frogs, banded water snakes (non-venomous), fishing spiders, deer, etc etc. If your kid loves water, nature, fossil-hunting, skipping rocks, etc, it's a great spot.
Southeast Park -- Small playground surrounded by tennis courts, and connected to a paved trail. The walking trail is quite nice and leads through a wooded area and under a (non-sketchy) bridge.
Switchyard Park -- Another one you shouldn't miss! This park really has something for everyone. With the playground specifically, there are super-cool, Dr Seuss-inspired hills and tunnels built in, two really nice limestone slides, and the best rope-climbing structure in town. There is also a splash pad active in the summer. Beyond that, there is a skate park, a dog park, pickleball courts, basketball courts, community gardens, amphitheater, wide open spaces for sprawling or picnics, on and on. There is a large pavilion which the City uses for events, as well.
Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park (3rd Street park) -- This park has recently been renovated, it's on my to-visit list! Short walk to the Chocolate Moose.
Winslow Woods Park -- Hidden gem of a nature park in town. There is a small, but fun playground, bordered by Winslow Woods. The woods have extensive foot trails through them, great for exploring. There are numerous sinkholes and on area that looks like a cave entrance to me, but I didn't go poking around too close. This park is next to the Community Orchard, as well, which is neat to check out.
Jackson Creek Park -- Monroe County Park. The playground is really lackluster, but this is your other option if you want creek access. I will say this park is a lot more isolated compared to the others, and I felt it was too remote to hang out just me and the kids.
Karst Farm Park -- Monroe County Park. Fantastic county park on the far west side. Do not miss! Multiple playgrounds and sports fields. They also have a splash pad, which is far superior to the one at Switchyard---really fun water features, and it is fenced-in. The only thing is that their splash pad has limited days, so be sure to check before you head over. The playground next to the splash pad is amazing for both big and little kids. Multiple boardwalks and levels to play on, music features, new bouncy turf for the ground, shelter houses and shade canopies, absolutely a great park.
Beanblossom Bottoms -- Part of the Sycamore Land Trust. This is a wetlands nature preserve with boardwalks and foot trails leading through it. Super unique nature preserve in southern Indiana, full of wildlife and a natural environment you rarely see around here anymore. Be sure to wear bug spray and look out for snakes.
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Parks with fenced in playgrounds: Byran Park, Broadview Park
Parks with accessible creeks: Sherwood Oaks Park, Jackson Creek Park, Lower Cascades Park, Bryan Park (mostly overgrown / grassy, not stone banks)
Parks best for kids who love to climb: Switchyard Park, RCA Park, Park Ridge Park
Best accessible walking trails: Goat Farm/Sherwood Oaks/Olcott (all connect), Switchyard (B-line goes throughout), Southeast Park
Best playgrounds with shade: Park Ridge Park, Olcott Park
Best playgrounds for bigger kids: Switchyard Park, RCA Park, Lower Cascades

I went to the local city aquatic center to swim, and a woman smiled and said she knew me. After so many guesses she asked my religious affiliation. There it was. Yep, we knew each other a long time ago. She asked me why I left. I told her I discovered the Watchtower had been taken to court for mishandling CSA. I told her about local dude who went to prison but had just been sitting at my book study. I also told her I knew too many people who killed themselves after being shunned. I said I found that deplorable, and would never return. I told them about PA and the A.G. investigation and all.
She said I sounded like an apostate, and I said I am! Proud of it,too. That did it for her, she was waving her hands to ward me away, and she said she was getting sick and had to leave. She was with another woman who had remained silent. I turned to this person and asked her if she was a Jw. She said NO, she just comes to pool with the Jdub. My last words were , Don't join .
I have to conclude that they prefer heads in sand. Oh, and the Jw said what I was saying sounded like ..... Qanon. That was her comeback. I never lost my cool, did not call her names or say she is in a cult. I am a bit annoyed. But, they left and I enjoyed my session.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Ps, I placed 2 activism stickers in the ladies locker room.

Part 1: https://www.reddit.com/fantasybooking/comments/140vxxe/rebooking_wwe_survivor_series_part_1_from/
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Part 2: https://www.reddit.com/fantasybooking/comments/140y80rebooking_wwe_survivor_series_part_2_from/
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Part 3: https://www.reddit.com/fantasybooking/comments/141hefw/rebooking_wwe_survivor_series_part_3_from/
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Survivor Series 2002 (November 17, 2002 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York):
Team Raw (Lita, Stacy Keibler, Jazz, and Molly Holly) (Raw) def. Team SmackDown (Torrie Wilson, Jacqueline, Ivory, and Dawn Marie) (SmackDown!) - 4-on-4 Women's Interbrand Survivor Series Elimination Match (Jazz is a Sole Survivor)
The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) (w/Spike Dudley) (c) (Raw) def. 3-Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal) (w/Rico) (Raw) - Tag Team Elimination Tables Match for the World Tag Team Championship
Billy Kidman (SmackDown!) def. Jamie Noble (c) (w/Nidia) (SmackDown!) - WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match (TITLE CHANGE)
Victoria (Raw) def. Trish Stratus (c) (Raw) - Hardcore Match for the WWE Women's Championship (TITLE CHANGE)
Lance Storm and William Regal (w/Test) (Raw) def. Tommy Dreamer and Stevie Richards (Raw)
Team SmackDown (The Rock, The Undertaker, Rikishi, and The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn)) (SmackDown!) def. Team Raw (Stone Cold Steve Austin, Christian, The Hurricane, and The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy)) (Raw) - 5-on-5 Men's Interbrand Survivor Series Elimination Match (The Rock is a Sole Survivor)
Big Show (SmackDown!) def. Brock Lesnar (c) (w/Paul Heyman) (SmackDown!) - WWE Championship Match (TITLE CHANGE)
Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo Guerrero) (SmackDown!) def. Edge and Rey Mysterio (SmackDown!) and Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle (c) (SmackDown!) - Triple Threat Tag Team Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship (TITLES CHANGE)
Shawn Michaels (Raw) def. Booker T (Raw), Chris Jericho (Raw), Rob Van Dam (Raw), Kane (Raw), and Triple H (c) (w/Ric Flair) (Raw) - Elimination Chamber Match for the World Heavyweight Championship (TITLE CHANGE)
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Survivor Series 2003 (November 16, 2003 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas):
Team SmackDown (Stephanie McMahon, Torrie Wilson, Dawn Marie, Ivory, and Sable) (SmackDown!) def. Team Raw (Trish Stratus, Victoria, Jacqueline, Jazz, and Stacy Keibler) (Raw) - 5-on-5 Interbrand Women's Survivor Series Elimination Match (Torrie Wilson is a Sole Survivor)
Tajiri (SmackDown!) def. Ultimo Dragon (SmackDown!)
Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Edge, John Cena, and Rey Mysterio) (SmackDown!) def. Team Heyman (Brock Lesnar, Big Show, A-Train, and The World's Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas)) (w/Paul Heyman) (SmackDown!) - 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match (John Cena and Chris Benoit are the Sole Survivors)
Molly Holly (c) (Raw) def. Lita (Raw) - WWE Women's Championship Match
Kane (Raw) def. Shane McMahon (Raw) - Ambulance Match
The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) (SmackDown!) def. Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo Guerrero) (c) (SmackDown!) - WWE Tag Team Championship Match (TITLES CHANGE)
Team Bischoff (The Rock, Chris Jericho, Lance Storm, and Evolution (Randy Orton and Batista)) (w/Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff) (Raw) def. Team Austin (Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Booker T, Christian, and Rob Van Dam) (w/Kevin Nash, X-Pac, and Scott Hall) (Raw) - 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match (The Rock is a Sole Survivor)
Mr. McMahon (WWE) def. The Undertaker (SmackDown!) - Buried Alive Match
Goldberg (Raw) def. Triple H (w/Ric Flair) (Raw) by Disqualification - World Heavyweight Championship Match
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Survivor Series 2004 (November 14, 2004 at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio):
The Cabinet (Ron Simmons and John "Bradshaw" Layfield) (w/Danny and Doug Basham) (SmackDown!) def. The Hurricane and Rosey (Raw) by Countout - Interbrand Tag Team Match
Team Raw (Victoria, Gail Kim, Stacy Keibler, Molly Holly, and Ivory) (Raw) def. Team SmackDown (Torrie Wilson, Jacqueline, Sable, Dawn Marie, and Jazz) (SmackDown!) - 5-on-5 Women's Interbrand Survivor Series Elimination Match (Victoria and Stacy Keibler are the Sole Survivors)
Spike Dudley (c) (SmackDown!) def. Billy Kidman (SmackDown!), Chavo Guerrero (SmackDown!), Funaki (SmackDown!), Paul London (SmackDown!), and Nunzio (SmackDown) - Six-Pack Challenge for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
The Basham Brothers (Danny and Doug Basham) (SmackDown!) def. Rey Mysterio and Ultimo Dragon (c) (SmackDown!) - WWE Tag Team Championship Match (TITLE CHANGE)
Team Cena (John Cena, Rob Van Dam, Big Show, Jeff Hardy, and Hardcore Holly) (SmackDown!) def. Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Booker T, Carlito, and The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley)) (w/Paul Heyman and Sharmell) (SmackDown!) - 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match (John Cena, Big Show, and Jeff Hardy are the Sole Survivor)
Team E&C (Edge, Christian, Gene Snitsky, and La Résistance (Sylvain Grenier and Robért Conway)) (Raw) def. Team Y2J (Chris Jericho, Kane, Matt Hardy Version 1, and The World's Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas)) (Raw) - 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match (Edge and Christian are the Sole Survivors)
Lita (Raw) def. Trish Stratus (c) (Raw) - WWE Women's Championship Match (TITLE CHANGE)
Eddie Guerrero (c) (SmackDown!) def. Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) (SmackDown!) - No Disqualification Match for the WWE Championship
Team Benoit (Chris Benoit, Shawn Michaels, The Rock, and Dude Love) (Raw) def. Evolution (Triple H, Ric Flair, Randy Orton, and Batista) (Raw) 4-on-4 Survivor Series Elimination Match (Chris Benoit is a Sole Survivor)
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Survivor Series 2005 (November 27, 2005 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan):
Juventud Guerrera (c) (w/Psicosis and Super Crazy) (SmackDown!) def. Davari (w/Muhammad Hassan) (SmackDown!) - WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match
Paul London and Brian Kendrick (SmackDown!) def. The Hurricane and Rosey (Raw) - Interbrand Tag Team Match
Team Orton (Randy Orton, Matt Hardy, Booker T, and The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley)) (SmackDown!) def. Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Jeff Hardy, The World's Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas)) (Raw) - 5-on-5 Men's Interbrand Survivor Series Elimination Match (Randy Orton is a Sole Survivor)
Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch (Raw; World Tag Team) def. MNM (Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury) (w/Melina) (SmackDown!; WWE Tag Team) - Champions vs. Champions Tag Team Match
Team Trish (Trish Stratus, Lita, Victoria, Torrie Wilson, and Mickie James) (Raw) def. Team Melina (Melina, Stacy Keibler, Jillian Hall, Christy Hemme, and Michelle McCool) (SmackDown!) - 5-on-5 Women's Interbrand Survivor Series Elimination Match (Mickie James is a Sole Survivor)
The Undertaker (SmackDown!) def. Triple H (Raw) - Interbrand Match
Ric Flair (Raw; Intercontinental) def. Chris Benoit (SmackDown!; United States) by Submission - Champion vs. Champion Match
John Cena (Raw; WWE Champion) def. Batista (SmackDown; World Heavyweight Champion) - Champion vs. Champion Match
Team Guerrero (Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Christian, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, and Bobby Lashley) (SmackDown!) def. Team HBK (Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Big Show, Kane, and Edge) (Raw) - 5-on-5 Men's Interbrand Survivor Series Elimination Match (Eddie Guerrero is a Sole Survivor)
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Survivor Series 2006 (November 26, 2006 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania):
Kelly Kelly (w/Mike Knox) (ECW) def. Jazz (w/Rodney Mack) (ECW)
Team WWE Legends (Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes, Sgt. Slaughter, and Jimmy Snuka) (WWE Legends) def. The Spirit Squad (Kenny, Johnny, Mitch, Nicky, and Mikey) (Raw) - 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match (Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair are the Sole Survivors)
Chris Benoit (United States; SmackDown!) def. Eddie Guerrero (Intercontinental; Raw) - Champion vs. Champion Match
Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Big Show, Hardcore Holly, Mike Knox, and CM Punk) (ECW) def. The ECW Originals (Tommy Dreamer, Sabu, Rhyno, The Sandman, and Tajiri) (ECW) - 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match (Kurt Angle is a Sole Survivor)
Edge and Christian (Raw) def. The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) (SmackDown!) - Interbrand Tag Team Match
Team Raw (Trish Stratus, Mickie James, Torrie Wilson, Victoria, and Maria Kanellis) (Raw) def. Team SmackDown (Lita, Ashley Massaro, Jillian Hall, Stacy Keibler, and Michelle McCool) (SmackDown!) - 5-on-5 Women's Interbrand Survivor Series Elimination Match (Mickie James is Sole Survivor)
The Undertaker (SmackDown!) def. Kane (Raw) - Interbrand Match
Team Raw (D-Generation X (Triple H and Shawn Michaels), Chris Jericho, Ric Flair, and Carlito) (Raw) def. Team SmackDown (Rey Mysterio, Batista, Mr. Kennedy, Bobby Lashley, and Montel Vontavious Porter) (SmackDown!) - 5-on-5 Men's Interbrand Survivor Series Elimination Match (D-Generation X are the Sole Survivor)
King Booker (w/Queen Sharmell) (World Heavyweight Champion; SmackDown!) def. John Cena (WWE Champion; Raw) and Rob Van Dam (ECW Champion; ECW) - Champion vs. Champion vs. Champion Triple Threat Match
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Part 5 is coming soon (Survivor Series 2007 to Survivor Series 2011).

The Spongebob franchise is widely known and loved by many. But many things in the series don’t make much sense. I am going to try to explain a lot of it. Spoilers ahead.
THE ANIMALS
Spongebob Squarepants, as we all know, is a sponge, specifically an “Aplysina fistularis”. Sponges are in the Porifera phylum and were the first animals to appear on earth. But he is very inaccurate to a real-life sea sponge. For one thing, sponges can’t move. They only move in larvae form. They are asymmetrical animals, lacking definite shape. Spongebob is rectangular shaped (like a sponge you would have in your kitchen), which doesn’t happen in nature. They are the most primitive multicellular animals, as they lack internal organs, nervous tissue, limbs, circulatory systems, respiratory systems, and digestive systems. They are hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female reproductive parts. They procreate by shooting their reproductive cells into the sea. Sponges can also regenerate body parts, which is shown in the show’s theme song.
Squidward Tentacles, despite his name, is actually an octopus. You can tell by the bulbous head. Octopuses are part of the Cephalopod class in the Mollusk phylum. They are highly intelligent and can camouflage, regrow limbs, jet-propel themselves, and spray ink when in danger. And since octopus lack bones, they can easily squeeze in and out of tight places. They often feed on clams, crabs, and fish. Octopuses have a lifespan of about 2 years, and their lives usually end after mating. The male will die from dementia or being cannibalized by the female, while the female will die from starvation because she sits on the eggs full time. Only about two of the thousands of eggs will survive to adulthood. Not an easy life. Might explain why Squidward is so miserable. Squidward also has a mouth instead of a beak, six limbs instead of eight, and his nose might not actually be a nose.
Patrick Star is a pink starfish, part of the Asteroidea class in the Echinoderm phylum. Patrick is noticeably more humanoid than a normal starfish. Normal starfish have their mouths in the center of their bodies and use their many tiny hydraulic feet to crawl around. Starfish have no blood or brains, and sense through their feet and small eye spots. They reproduce similarly to sponges, but most aren’t hermaphroditic. Starfish feed on oysters, snails, and also sponges. So SpongeBob should have been Patrick’s dinner.
Plankton is a plankton (hence the name). They are microscopic plants (phyto) or animals (zoo) found in water all over the world. He is specifically a crustacean-like species known as a Copepod.
Crabs are Crustaceans in the Arthropod phylum, with jointed appendages and exoskeletons. Mr. Krabs is specifically a red crab, which is about 6 inches long. Larry the Lobster is a spiny red lobster.
Pearl Krabs is a Sperm Whale and Mr. Krabs' (adopted) daughter. Sperm whales are the largest toothed predators in the world, at around 50 feet long, as well as having the largest brain. They are also the loudest animals in the world, and use echolocation to navigate the ocean. Before the discovery of petroleum, whales were hunted for their oil to use as energy. They have a large diet and are famously known to hunt the giant squid. They have four stomachs filled with methane gas, and old perfumes used to be made from ambergris, which is actually aged and hardened sperm whale feces. I bet we are all wondering, what the heck happened to Pearl? She is miles smaller than a normal whale (barely bigger than Krabs) and has arms and legs too.
Sandy Cheeks is a squirrel, and there’s nothing really odd about her except for the fact that she lives underwater. She lives in a dome with a tree and oxygen, and wears a diving suit when she goes outside. She’s also from Texas.
The townspeople of Bikini Bottom consist of many different sea animals, like fish (anchovies, trout, bass, tuna, pufferfish, seahorse, eels, reef fish), sharks, whales, dolphins, eels, reptiles, and seals. The main things that distinguish them from real sea life is their size and the presence of arms and legs. Instead of swimming, they walk around underwater like humans do on land. They also have more primitive creatures, like jellyfish and snails, along with “wild animals” underwater as well, which are just land animals with fins and aquatic features (like the “Sea Bears”). Merpeople are present in Bikini Bottom, but they are also near the size of the other animals. Even Poseidon and Neptune are pretty small, all at least under 3 feet. There are even some “human” characters in the town, in the form of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy, but they are the same size as the rest of the characters, which is confusing. Maybe they are also part of the merpeople group? None of this makes much sense.
EXPLANATION
Bikini Bottom is radioactive. Bikini Bottom is under “Bikini Atoll”, a remote coral reef in the Marshall Islands in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of 23 islands that surround a 230-square-mile central lagoon. This location was a place where the United States did nuclear tests from 1946 to 1956. The radiation released into the ocean around it affected the sea life in the area (maybe with a hint of magic too). That’s why the animals are so different and more human. As well as changing them physically, it made them smarter. Their town is similar to that of a normal human town, but smaller, underwater, and with animals. The residents wear clothes, use tech and tools, and live in buildings (made of small human items). Another odd thing to note is that there are lakes and pools underwater. But underwater lakes do exist, so that we can explain. In the episode “Feral Friends”, an orb comes around the town and reverts the characters back into normal animals. The world underwater is animated but is live-action out of water. When Spongebob and Patrick got dried out in “The Spongebob Squarepants Movie (2004)”, they turned back into normal animals. But when the water turned them back into cartoons, it also turned the other animals into that. The water is full of radiation and affects the sea life it touches. The radioactive water brings them back. Also, “Sponge Out of Water (2015)” marked one of the first times that the characters went on land, but through Bubbles’ magic.
THE TIMELINE
Similar to many other long-running cartoons (Simpsons, Family Guy, Phineas and Ferb), the timeline doesn’t make much sense without explanation. Spongebob was born in 1986, and the show’s first episode was in 1999. Which means he is a teenager in the events of the series. The Spongebob Squarepants Movie (2004) was supposed to be the end of the series, but the show kept going on. But I see that the first movie is set in the future, at the end of the whole series (whenever that may be). It is set after the events of the show and other movies. Many of the things from the movie were never featured in future episodes, like Krusty Krab 2, Goofy Goobers, and Neptune's Crown. There are 248 episodes of Spongebob, plus three movies, and each episode covers one or more days. So the events of the show are only happening in the late 90s and early 2000s. Episodes that are futuristic-themed are more parodical, so it’s not required to be included as canon.

AngryObservation
u/AngryObserver
Angry Observation: Ron DeSantis smells a lot like a certain failed primary baby... : AngryObservation (reddit.com)
more from the subreddit I found a few days ago

Angry Observation: Ron DeSantis smells a lot like a certain failed primary baby...

🤬 Angry Obs
What I love about this title is that it could be anybody. Comparisons here have been made to Jeb Bush, Elizabeth Warren, Scott Walker, Marco Rubio, Bernie Sanders, and Ted Cruz. Take your pick. But I'm going to take a different track for once:
Ron DeSantis is resembling Special Envoy for Northern Ireland Joe Kennedy III.
The race was for a Senate seat in a state where it is exceedingly impressive for Republicans to win any counties at all. The progressive left was electrified from a series of victories in the 2018 elections, and the party in general was looking forward to ousting Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell (they would succeed at both).
Ed Markey, the incumbent Senator, was practically invisible. The long-time Congressman, like all the other members of the Massachusetts club, had faithfully waited his turn in line in one of the state's twelve solid blue districts. Massachusetts is one of the few states where it still makes sense to talk about a "Democrat machine", where a concentrated group of party elites hold immense power over the primary process. Markey was a quiet, somewhat lame incumbent who had managed to blend into the walls even after nearly half a century in Washington.
Kennedy challenged Markey, and enjoyed a huge lead in the polls, and won the very rare endorsement of Nancy Pelosi. He ran as a progressive who supported Medicare For All and the Green New Deal, which made sense given the progressive wing's ascendancy in the previous cycle and Massachusetts being a very progressive state.
The trouble? Kennedy may have supported the Green New Deal, but Markey wrote it.
Markey's invisbility quickly became an asset, as he strove to reinvent himself as the left's tentative champion. It worked. Seriously, go through the politics sub and check out the articles pertaining to that race: Markey got the endorsements of progressive figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and portrayed Kennedy as the establishment's man. This was a patent fabrication, but an effective one. Markey ate into Kennedy's lead, eventually overtook it, and went on to beat Kennedy by nine points. The Representative became the first member of that dynasty to lose a race in the state.
Pundits were unanimous in noting that Kennedy really had no reason to be running other than he wanted to be a Senator. He failed to explain why he was better than Markey, and paid bitterly for it. He couldn't believably rebrand himself as an alternative from the left, and coming from the center would be suicide. He did neither, and as a result Markey and his allies painted him as the establishment's revenge.
Ron DeSantis, similarly, has avoided picking a fight with Trump. Despite the fact that there are few if any real differences between the two, Trump has managed to pull off some outrageous rebranding. He has successfully painted DeSantis as an acolyte of Paul Ryan and Bush wing of the party, while simultaneously coming from the center on certain issues. Trump has consolidated support among conservative media in much the same way that Markey got the likes of Jacobin, Slate, and Salon to sing his praises. The whispers in the right-wing media is that DeSantis really has no reason to rock the boat.
And like Joe Kennedy III, DeSantis has squandered an enormous primary lead and is now bitterly paying the price for that. He hasn't even announced yet.
Unlike Kennedy, DeSantis actually has valid things to differentiate himself from Trump on policy and his record. The question of whether he will pursue this aside, there's a more glaring problem: Trump's base doesn't care. They're happy with the Big Guy, particularly after the last few months' development. DeSantis is angling to be Trump but younger, smarter, and more likable. Nobody cares.

Unforgiven 2007
Date: 16/9/07
Location: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
WWE Tag Team Championship:
Matt Hardy & MVP (c) vs Deuce ‘n Domino
Women’s Championship:
Candice Michelle (c) vs Beth Phoenix
Triple H vs Carlito
(Triple H insults Vince McMahon on Carlito’s Cabana and McMahon tells Triple H he wishes he never came back. Carlito says the lack of respect Trips has shown to Vince McMahon is disgusting and someone needs to teach him a lesson so Vince books this match and has the utmost confidence in Carlito to make Triple H pay. Triple H says the beating he’s going to give Carlito will be cool before moving onto bigger things. Triple H wins although after the match, he’s attacked by… Umaga! Umaga gives Triple H a Samoan drop and stands over him, much to the delight of Vince.)
Extreme Rules Match for the ECW Championship:
CM Punk (c) vs Tommy Dreamer
(Tommy Dreamer wins a #1 Contender’s Match against The Miz to earn this opportunity. Tommy Dreamer says a main goal he has is to become the ECW champion after years of dediciation, blood, sweat and tears for the land of extreme. CM Punk says Dreamer is a god of ECW who has nothing but his admiration and respect but he’s not losing his title any time soon again to anyone, especially the old guard. Punk retains and shakes Tommy Dreamer’s hand after the match.)
WWE World Tag Team Championship:
Paul London & Brian Kendrick (c) vs The World’s Greatest Tag Team
(After the match, Shelton Benjamin turns on Charlie Haas. Benjamin is traded to ECW after the PPV and The Gold Standard is born.)
World Heavyweight Championship:
Batista (c) vs Finlay w/Little Bastard vs Kane vs Rey Mysterio
(Batista says now that he’s back on top of the food chain on SmackDown again, he welcomes all challengers. Finlay interrupts and says Batista’s next challenge is going to be him because he’s worked his arse off to the point he can no longer be overlooked. Rey Mysterio comes out and says with all due respect to Batista because he loves him, he wants the chance to relive the dream again even if it’s at his expense, especially after just having almost a year of his career took away from him. Kane then makes a case for himself saying Batista hasn’t ever defended his title against him and if he got the chance, he’d become the World Heavyweight Champion in one attempt. Batista says he doesn’t care who it is, he’ll face all 3 of them if he has to. Teddy Long announces that’ll be the case at Unforgiven. Batista retains by pinning Finlay.)
WWE Championship:
Randy Orton (c) vs John Cena (By Disqualification)
(John Cena invokes his rematch clause at Unforgiven. Cena promises to regain the title at the first time of asking and says Randy Orton is nothing but a coward. Randy Orton in order to get into Cena’s head, slaps his father on Raw in the build up and makes it very personal. During the match, Randy Orton pulls Cena’s father over the barricade and punts him in the skull. Cena then flips and attacks Orton with a steel chair which results in him being disqualified. Cena then delivers an FU to Orton through the announce table and goes backstage with his dad who’s being carried out on a stretcher.)
Casket Match:
The Undertaker vs Mark Henry
(After weeks of mind games and vignettes, The Undertaker returns and wants revenge on Mark Henry. Taker on the vignette tells Mark Henry their match will be a casket match and at Unforgiven, Mark Henry will Rest in Peace! The Undertaker wins on his return after he manages to hit Henry with a Tombstone Piledriver before putting him in the casket.)
Note:
(John Cena tears his pectoral muscle on the Raw before No Mercy, putting him out indefinitely.)
No Mercy 2007
Date: 7/10/07
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
No Holds Barred Match - Winner faces the WWE Champion in the main event:
Triple H vs Umaga
(Umaga is hired by Vince McMahon to deliver consequences to Triple H after being severely disrespected by The Game. Vince says Triple H is going to wish he never came back after Umaga’s done with him and announces that he’ll face the Samoan Bulldozer at No Mercy in a No Holds Barred Match. After John Cena gets injured, Jonathan Coachman announces that the winner of this match will face Randy Orton in the main event for the WWE Championship in a Last Man Standing match. Triple H wins in a bloody encounter to seal his spot in the main event.)
WWE World Tag Team Championship:
Paul London & Brian Kendrick (c) vs Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch
Rey Mysterio vs Jamie Noble
(Vickie Guerrero who’s just been named the new GM of SmackDown is disrespected by Jamie Noble who claims if her name wasn’t Guerrero, she wouldn’t be in her role. Guerrero tells Noble for his comments, he’ll pay so she books him in a match with someone she knows well, Rey Mysterio! Mysterio beats a confident Noble who arrogantly thought he’d easily win because Mysterio’s smaller than him.)
Intercontinental Championship:
Jeff Hardy (c) vs Carlito
The Brothers of Destruction vs Mark Henry & Big Daddy V w/Matt Striker
(After Unforgiven, Mark Henry continues to go after The Undertaker although this time with someone by his side, Big Daddy V! As a result, Kane evens the odds for his brother and Vickie Guerrero books a tag team match to take place at No Mercy.)
Women’s Championship:
Beth Phoenix (c) vs Candice Michelle
Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match for the ECW Championship:
CM Punk (c) vs Tommy Dreamer
(Tommy Dreamer challenges CM Punk to one more match for the ECW Championship. Punk happily accepts and tells Dreamer once again they’ll elevate ECW but he’ll also emerge victorious again, especially in his hometown of Chicago. Tommy Dreamer says his days are numbered in wrestling but he’ll be going nowhere until he at least wins the ECW Championship again. New ECW GM Armando Estrada announces that this match will be a Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match! Dreamer says he doesn’t care how much blood he loses, it’ll be worth it in the end when he leaves CM Punk’s hometown of Chicago as the new ECW Champion. CM Punk retains in a bloody affair in his hometown.)
World Heavyweight Championship:
Batista (c) vs Finlay w/Little Bastard
(Finlay cheats in a match against Rey Mysterio to earn this opportunity against Batista. Finlay says The Animal is nothing but hype and he’ll give him an old fashioned Belfast beat down at No Mercy. Batista says Finlay is an idiot who’s best weapon isn’t even the Shillelagh, it’s that dumb little troll they call Little Bastard. During this match, Little Bastard tries to help Finlay win the title by handing him his Shillelagh when the referee isn’t looking but Batista is aware of the potential threat tactic and overcomes Finlay to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.)
Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Championship:
Randy Orton (c) vs Triple H
(Triple H comes into this match banged up and tired from his match against Umaga earlier in the night. The Cerebral Assassin puts a fight but in the end, Randy Orton totally capitalises and retains his championship after he RKO’s Triple H through the announce table and The Game fails to make the count of 10.)
Note:
(Shawn Michaels returns on the Raw after No Mercy and beats the hell out of Randy Orton for putting him out of action.)
Cyber Sunday 2007
Date: 28/10/07
Location: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
United States Championship:
MVP (c) vs Kane (fan voted) (By Disqualification)
(The fans choose Kane to be MVP’s opponent for the United States Championship. MVP gets himself disqualified after hitting Kane over the head with the title before retreating.)
WWE World Tag Team Championship:
Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch (c) vs Paul London & Brian Kendrick
Falls Count Anywhere Match - Fan Voted:
Rey Mysterio vs Finlay w/Little Bastard
Intercontinental Championship:
Jeff Hardy (c) vs Mr. Kennedy (fan voted)
Extreme Rules Match for the ECW Championship:
CM Punk (c) vs The Miz
(The Miz wins a Battle Royal to earn this opportunity against CM Punk. The Miz says his journey from Tough Enough to now will have it’s next step towards greatness at Cyber Sunday when he beats CM Punk for the ECW Championship. Miz demands to be taken seriously and CM Punk says at Cyber Sunday, he’ll take him serious just like he does every opponent he faces even though he most likely shouldn’t take Miz serious because he’s nothing but a jackass. After the match, John Morrison attacks CM Punk and The Miz joins in on the beatdown.)
Stretcher Match - Fan Voted:
Triple H vs Umaga
(Vince McMahon is furious that Triple H didn’t appear to shake Randy Orton’s hand the night after No Mercy so he once again sends Umaga after him to teach him a lesson. Triple H says The Samoan Ass kisser should’ve stayed away after he beat him at No Mercy but instead he comes back for more and promises he’ll regret it.)
WWE Championship:
Randy Orton (c) vs Shawn Michaels (By Disqualification)
(Shawn Michaels wants revenge on Randy Orton for costing him 5 months of his career and demands a match for Orton’s beloved WWE Championship at Cyber Sunday. Orton grants him the match because he wants to kill the legend of Shawn Michaels even further by not only beating him to a pulp but also admits he has a desire to put him on the shelf again after he attacked him although this time for good. Shawn Michaels tunes up the band and is about to win this match with a Sweet Chin Music but The Legend Killer blatantly hits him a low blow and intentionally gets himself disqualified. Orton continues to attack Michaels and hits him with an RKO before walking away with his title.)
World Heavyweight Championship - Stone Cold Steve Austin is the Special Guest Referee (Fan Voted):
Batista (c) vs The Undertaker
(On the SmackDown after No Mercy, The Undertaker confronts Batista and signals that he’s wanting back the World Heavyweight Championship so Vickie Guerrero books the match. It’s highly emphasised in the build up that Batista has never beaten Undertaker after 3 attempts and he feels like he has a huge chip on his shoulder to finally overcome his demon. Batista says Taker still doesn’t intimidate him, he never has and promises he’ll finally slay The Deadman at Cyber Sunday. The fans choose Stone Cold Steve Austin to be the referee. Batista’s determination and focus finally pays off as he delivers two Batista Bombs to The Undertaker and pins him clean to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in his hometown.)
Notes:
(Matt Hardy & MVP lose the WWE Tag Team Championship against John Morrison & The Miz on SmackDown. After the match, MVP turns on Matt Hardy and breaks his ankle. This writes Hardy off of TV.)
Survivor Series 2007
Date: 18/11/07
Location: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
WWE World Tag Team Championship:
Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch (c) vs Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes
Survivor Series Tag Team Match:
Team Mickie James (Mickie James, Candice Michelle, Maria, Michelle McCool & Torrie Wilson) vs Team Beth Phoenix (Beth Phoenix, Melina, Jillian Hall, Victoria & Layla)
(Sole Survivors: Mickie James & Michelle McCool)
ECW Championship:
CM Punk (c) vs The Miz vs John Morrison
(The Miz and John Morrison announce their alliance on ECW because they have a common enemy, CM Punk. They say Punk being on top of ECW is a joke when it’s them that should be in the spotlight because they’re the future of the company. Punk says both men aren’t ECW Champion because they don’t have his desire and dedication. Punk also says to show his dedication as well as his talent, he’ll fight both of them if he has to which Armando Estrada grants him his wish and books a triple threat match at Survivor Series. Miz & Morrison promise one of them will become ECW Champion and remain a team meanwhile Punk promises to embarrass both men in what he knows will be a glorified handicap match. CM Punk overcomes the odds to retain his championship.)
Survivor Series Tag Team Match:
Team Triple H (Triple H, Jeff Hardy, Kane, Rey Mysterio & Finlay) w/Little Bastard vs Team Umaga (Umaga, MVP, Mr. Kennedy, Big Daddy V & Mark Henry) w/Matt Striker
(Matt Hardy was originally meant to be in this match but after being attacked by MVP, he’s replaced by Finlay who’s just turned face.)
(Sole Survivors: Triple H & Jeff Hardy)
WWE Championship - Shawn Michaels is banned from using Sweet Chin Music and if Randy Orton is disqualified, he’ll lose the WWE Championship:
Randy Orton (c) vs Shawn Michaels
(Shawn Michaels attacks Randy Orton on the Raw after Cyber Sunday in retaliation to the assault Orton gave him while cowardly getting himself disqualified and hits him with a Sweet Chin Music. Michaels demands another match with Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. Orton accepts on the condition that Shawn Michaels is banned from using the Sweet Chin Music. Michaels accepts but also on the condition that if Randy Orton is disqualified like he was at Cyber Sunday, he’ll lose the WWE Championship. Orton accepts and saus Michaels is nothing without the super kick. Michaels attempts to hit Sweet Chin Music but stops when he realises its banned. Orton capitalises quickly, hits an RKO out of nowhere and pins Michaels to retain the WWE Championship.)
Hell in a Cell Match for the World Heavyweight Championship:
Batista (c) vs The Undertaker
(After Cyber Sunday, Batista says he’s proven that he can beat The Undertaker even though it was something he was doubting himself over after constantly hearing he never done so. Batista then says he’s won 1, Taker’s won 1, they’ve had 2 draws so that makes them even. Taker interrupts and tells Batista this isn’t over because not only are they even but he has the one thing that he wants which is the World Championship. Batista says if Taker wants a rematch and one final battle, he’s got it. Taker tells Batista… Hell in a Cell! Batista promises to end this for good meanwhile Taker says Batista will Rest in Peace! During the match, Taker hits Batista with Tombstone Piledriver on the steel steps and covers Batista only for a camera man to pull the referee out of the ring. The camera man is… Edge! Edge smashes The Undertaker over the head with a camera, gives him the Con-Chair-To and puts Batista on top of The Deadman. The referee reluctantly makes the three count, Batista retains the World Heavyweight Championship! Edge then also gives Batista a Con-Chair-To as Survivor Series draws to a close.)
Notes:
(Chris Jericho returns on the Raw after Survivor Series.)
(It’s revealed that Edge and Vickie Guerrero are in a relationship and Vickie told Edge to screw over The Undertaker at Survivor Series. The Deadman then proceeds to Tombstone Vickie Guerrero on the SmackDown after Survivor Series.)
Armageddon 2007
Date: 16/12/07
Location: Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
WWE Tag Team Championship:
John Morrison & The Miz (c) vs Jesse & Festus
Women’s Championship:
Beth Phoenix (c) vs Victoria
(Victoria leaves the company not long after this match.)
United States Championship:
MVP (c) vs Rey Mysterio (By Countout)
Extreme Rules Match for the ECW Championship:
CM Punk (c) vs Big Daddy V w/Matt Striker
(Big Daddy V wins a Battle Royal to become the #1 Contender for the ECW Championship. Matt Striker warns CM Punk that his days are numbered when he faces this 500 pound mountain of a man. Punk says he’s overcome plenty of challenges but Big Daddy V is his biggest but promises he’ll find a way and find a way he does. Big Daddy V exposes the turn buckle, runs towards Punk who moves and smashes his face off the exposed turnbuckle knocks himself out. Punk then delivers an elbow drop from the top rope and pins Big Daddy V to retain the ECW Championship.)
#1 Contender’s Match for the WWE Championship:
Triple H vs Jeff Hardy
(After Survivor Series, Vince McMahon announces that although they might’ve been partners at Survivor Series, Triple H and Jeff Hardy will be opponents at Armageddon! Vince also says there’s a catch, the winner will face the WWE Champion at the Royal Rumble! Jeff Hardy wins this match via a roll up and Triple H can’t believe it. After the match, Triple H shakes Hardy’s hand and walks away in a bit of frustration.)
WWE World Tag Team Championship:
Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch (c) vs Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes
Shawn Michaels vs Mr.Kennedy
WWE Championship:
Randy Orton (c) vs Chris Jericho
(Chris Jericho interrupts Randy Orton during his highly anticipated return! Jericho says he’s back to once again become the WWE Champion and most importantly to save the fans from The Age of Orton! Orton says while Jericho’s been gone for 2 years, he’s solidified himself as the man, especially after injuring John Cena and he’ll have no hesitation injuring Y2J but this time he’ll not only be gone for 2 years, he’ll be gone for good! During the match, Jericho has Orton in the Walls of Jericho while the referee is down and Orton is tapping. JBL who’s pissed off at Jericho throwing Orton over the announce table onto him delivers a Clothesline from Hell to Jericho. Orton capitalises when the referee is regaining consciousness and pins Chris Jericho to retain the WWE Championship.)
World Heavyweight Championship:
Batista (c) vs Edge vs The Undertaker
(After it’s revealed that Vickie Guerrero and Edge are in a relationship, she reveals The Undertaker won’t be getting another shot at Batista’s title and rewards Edge with a match against Batista because he never lost the title. After The Undertaker hits Vickie with a Tombstone on the SmackDown after Survivor Series, Teddy Long is temporarily back in charge and has bad news for Edge, the match for the World Heavyweight Championship at Armageddon will be a triple threat match with The Deadman added! Edge is furious and wants Batista to back him up on the fact they should be facing each other on one. Batista tells him he should be facing someone one on one but it should be The Undertaker and not him. Batista goes on to say Edge is nothing but a slimy little weasel and he’s going to punch his teeth down his throat for getting involved at Survivor Series and attacking him also. During the match, Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder appear dressed like Edge and get involved and it causes slight confusion to the referee. The Undertaker then delivers a Tombstone Piledriver to Batista only for Edge to smash The Deadman over the back of the head with a chair and capitalise as he pins Batista to win the World Heavyweight Championship!)
Note:
(Ric Flair returns on the Raw after Armageddon. Flair says he’ll never retire and will be wrestling till the day he’s no longer breathing! Vince McMahon interrupts and tells Flair to stop dreaming because the next time he loses a match, his career is over!)
And that’s part 46! I hope you all enjoyed this part of the project and stick along as we head into 2008. I’ll be back very soon for part 47 where we’ll see a memorable Royal Rumble, Floyd Mayweather appear on WWE TV and The Rated R Superstar look to further cement himself as The Ultimate Opportunist at WrestleMania! Stay tuned.

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