View allAll Photos Tagged expecting
Typical July day in San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge shrouded by fog and tourists who were expecting California sunshine. September is the warmest month in SF.
Saturday night i was experimenting with an old liqueur recipe from my mother. She made this kind of liqueur for Christmas using oranges, cinnamon and sloe. As I have no idea where I could get sloe I used pomegranate instead. I love pomegranate, it is a beautiful fruit with an extraordinary color and it tastes good, too. They are just difficult to clean, everything looks splattered afterwards. So, now I have to wait 6 weeks until I can try it – in the mean time I expect the best.
Sorry for the blurry pic on the left.. it was past midnight.
Here is the original
I wasn’t expecting her until November! I thought I would have snow to photograph her in, and more time to put together an outfit. More time to photograph all of my multiples of the same sculpt together… she’s thrown off how many sets of triplets I have. I was trying to keep a Dasha Majority in my multiples but now I have more Agnes than anyone else! (Not counting Poppy, I don’t actually collect poppy so the 3.5 Poppys I have don’t count at all.😹😹)
I’ve really been admiring her in everyone else’s photos! So glad I got her, she is just stunning. Really doesn’t feel like there is anything “basic” about her.
(Now, just how bad do want Beach Babe Poppy??)
Expecting a 37, 47 or a 57, it was a big surprise to see 43076 and 43089 appear from underneath Bromford Bridge with 0Q94 Leicester LIP to Long Marston. The pair were going to collect a single Mk3 to take back to Leicester LIP.
I had never expected a country filled with beautiful scenery, with windswept mountains alternating with blissfully green hills, with rugged coastlines interspersed by petite towns, to be also so culturally rich and full of character and passion. It was a study in contrast going from the capital city of Dublin, where tradition and modernity wove a tangled web of commerce and industry, to the pastoral countryside replete with old castles, charming town centers, delightful bed-and-breakfasts, and the ever-ubiquitous Irish pubs with lively folk music.
It wasn't a country that wowed me with grand spectacle the likes of Iceland and Chile, but it was the hidden charm of the little things that I got to discover exploring around. I wish I could return there under better conditions. Meanwhile, here is a sampling from the heart of the isles
Ireland
Wasn't expecting to see this in Robertsbridge today, and this vehicle was on Southeastern Trains Rail Replacement Services from Hastings to Robertsbridge and was seen turning into Station Road Hill.
And be sure to check by my other acount: www.flickr.com/photos_user.gne?path=&nsid=77145939%40..., to see what else I saw Very Recently!!
So yeah wasn't expecting to see this on my way home tonight!, and after getting stuck behind it in traffic near my house, I was able to get ahead of it to this layby along the M20 near Aycliffe, though I don't where it was going or why it was passing through the Dover area.
And be sure to check by my other acount: www.flickr.com/photos_user.gne?path=&nsid=77145939%40..., to see what else I saw this Year!!
Raven's Claw forces recently moved out of Germany, and striaght to Scotland, getting word from the inside that NHE forces are planning to take it over. Not anymore.
---------------------------------------
Beat you to it Heer. ;D
LMG
Please comment if you fave. ;)
I was expecting a track plant move, but was pleasantly surprised to find 37099 towing Ballast Regulator DR77901 as 6Z88, the 12:45 Swindon Transfer - Rugby D.E.D at Circourt
The Colas livery helped no end in the Stygian gloom
"A frigid winter is expected across Alberta, especially during January and February. While a few periods of milder weather are expected, we have a heightened risk for extended periods of severe cold, as well as for blizzard conditions as Arctic air plunges south across the region. A snowy winter is expected across the southern half of the province, including Calgary. Near normal snowfall is expected elsewhere, including Edmonton." I have just read the Weather Network's forecast for Alberta. Almost wish I hadn't, ha.
Another five photos from my archives this evening. I am adding the description that I wrote under a different image taken on the same outing.
After endless emails and phone calls, the work on my car is finally about to start, four and a half weeks after I dropped it off at the dealership. It has now been decided that both the slight hail damage and the peeling paint repair will be done at one location, not two different ones. The hail damage repair should be starting straight away. It could still be maybe two or two and a half weeks (or more) before all the work is completed. Will it be done before Christmas? Later: hail damage repair has been completed. Now I have to wait for an empty booth so that the peeling paint damage can be fixed and basically the whole car will have to be repainted.
Update on car situation, 9 December 2021. Just heard that the repainting of my whole car might be finished somewhere around 21 December. However, the whole car then has to be put back together - and, guess what, the person who would be doing this is going to be away over Christmas, meaning that I won't be getting it back till AFTER Christmas!!! Wish I had never pointed out the 3"x 1" patch of peeling paint in the first place, when I took my car for a routine service. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined all that is going on. Sigh.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"If you’ve gone looking for raptors on a clear day, your heart has probably leaped at the sight of a large, soaring bird in the distance– perhaps an eagle or osprey. But if it's soaring with its wings raised in a V and making wobbly circles, it's likely a Turkey Vulture. These birds ride thermals in the sky and use their keen sense of smell to find fresh carcasses. They are a consummate scavenger, cleaning up the countryside one bite of their sharply hooked bill at a time, and never mussing a feather on their bald heads." From AllABoutBirds.
"What vultures lack in looks, they make up for with brains and an affectionate, fun-loving nature. Ramona VanRiper, Turkey Vulture Society president, can vouch for vultures being sweet and personable because she's known several, including one named Clem. "Vultures raised by humans learn quickly to love and trust us," she says, "and will often respond to human attention long after they have successfully reassimilated into their natural communities." From link below.
tpwmagazine.com/archive/2005/oct/legend/
This particular bird resides at the Alberta Bird of Prey Centre in Coaldale, southern Alberta, a wonderful place that rehabilitates and releases (whenever possible) various birds of prey - hawks, owls, Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures, and Golden Eagle. Some of these birds act as Wildlife Ambassadors, too, educating the public.
Over the last few years, I have seen three or four Turkey Vultures flying very high overhead within the city of Calgary, which was a thrill. Too far away to see any detail at all, which is why I love going to this Centre, to see raptors up close.
It had been a few years since my last visit there - I had been maybe three or four times - and I had been longing to go back. Much too far and all new driving territory for me to even think about driving there myself. However, on 9 September 2016, that is exactly what I did. A friend had said she would come along, too, but she emailed me at 1:00 am that morning to say that she assumed the trip had been cancelled, as she hadn't heard back about the time to meet. In fact, I had sent two emails giving the time, so I don't know what happened there. Very unfortunate, as it would have been great to have had company on such a long drive and I know she would have had lots of fun with her camera.
I knew it would be a long day and further than I would normally drive - and in a brand new car that I had/have yet to learn to drive! It didn't look or feel quite as new after travelling 481 km! Only got lost twice, one minor and the other major. Must have taken a wrong turn somewhere down south and I ended up in Lethbridge, that I had very carefully planned to avoid. After three and three-quarter hours, I finally arrived at my destination, to my huge relief.
Despite getting there later than I had hoped, I still had more than enough time to wander round the grounds and photograph the various raptors. Some were tethered out in a couple of grassy areas and others were in large outdoor cages. Wonderful to get such a close look at the various majestic birds.
I took a slightly different way home via #845 (?) making absolutely sure that I didn't accidentally find myself in Lethbridge again and it wasn't too long before I found myself in the area that I had driven a few weeks before, when I went SW of Vulcan to look for Common NIghthawks (without any luck). Just so happy that I finally made myself do this drive. When I had Googled the Centre's website, I discovered that they were closing two days later for the winter. So, it was either a case of going the next day or not at all till next May onward.
The very next day, 10 September 2016, I took my daughter on a long drive in Kananaskis. This was yet another place that I had longed to be able to drive for many years - and finally I did it! I had been lots of times with various friends, but this was the very first time I had ever done the drive myself."
More light pollution than I expected and the moon is out. The Milky Way over the lake in Finley, NSW. Tamron lens, processed in Lightroom.
Rainbow on the road to Buttermere in Cumbria on 6-10-19.
Another wet week in Cumbria, but it's beautiful.
Ref: IMG_4556 6-10-19
It would nice if someone can identify this plant.
Wishing you all a most wonderful weekend.
We are expecting a winter storm to come our way. Hoping for a mild one.
Enjoy the snow if you are in the storm path. Take care.
Website: www.estefaniaalmarte.com
-
Stranger at a medieval market in Alicante, he was shy and didn't want to have a photo taken but when he less expected it I just quickly snapped his portrait! (I sent this to him and he now loves it) It is this times when people don't expect the shot that more real expressions appear.~
Well here's a bird I never expected to see in Britain, and especially not 20 miles from home. This one has been in a garden in Northowram for a couple of days but was only identified yesterday so I went along this morning as it was a new British bird for me. Scarlet Tanagers are incredibly rare in Britain with this being only the 8th record (4 on Scilly, 2 Cornwall and 1 Barra), though there are 6 records for Ireland. It is also the first since 2014. Adult males are scarlet red with black wings but females and immature males, like this, are greenish yellow. Being in a garden near Halifax, West Yorkshire seems a rather unlikely place for a rare American vagrant to appear but it didn't have any rings, and it was flycatching like a wild bird. Its scientific name Piranga olivacea; Piranga being a Tupi name for an unknown species of small bird, and olivacea refers to the olive green colour of females. The name Tanager also comes from a Tupi word Tangara which means dancer in this extinct language. And one final thing; even though British birdwatchers immediately think of this species when talking about Tanagers, it is not actually a proper Tanager. Tanagers are a wholly New World family Thraupidae (eg Speckled Tanager www.flickr.com/photos/timmelling/16388055747/in/photolist ), but DNA has shown that Scarlet Tanager, and others in the genus Piranga, are actually in the same family as Cardinal (Cardinalidae): www.flickr.com/photos/timmelling/8584281843/in/photolist
Here's a report of the occurrence on the BBC: www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg571eygj97o
I did not expect to see this rare little machine parked up as I was passing by, however it certainly put a smile to my face. The Hillman Husky was a small economy estate car that was produced from 1954 to 1965 by Hillman under the Rootes Group. However the car was re-launched in 1967 and looked like this, which was based on the Hillman Imp. By 1970 production of the Husky ceased.
I'm expecting a few more of this guy to be posted today, although some of my cohorts have already done their "studio" bit with this bird. While we waited, unsuccessfully, for the Rough-legged Hawks to make an appearance in the Great Swamp today, this Red-tailed Hawk put on a show instead - catching voles and a songbird and chowing down right in front of us. My friends had already seen the show earlier in the day, but I was just stunned at how close this bird landed to us. I got hundreds of photos, but I found that, in addition to needing the proper lighting on the feathers, you also need to get the right light on the eyes as the heavy brow keeps the eyes in the dark shade most of the time.
I had to note in the title that this is a bird in the wild. Also, this shot is completely uncropped. That red stuff on the beak is vole.
Taken in New Jersey, USA
© Steve Byland 2007 all rights reserved
Unauthorized use or reproduction for any reason is prohibited
Couldn't really get much Flickr-ing done this weekend due to family visiting and terrible internet connection problems. Finally got rid of both last night with the help of a new router. Well, the router managed the internet connection problem at least. I expect the family will return some time. Ah well.
Textures courtesy of Shadowhouse Creations and CGtextures.com
Cheers!
Etapa 13 do desafio 14 cores - 14 marcas: dourado.
No meio de tanto PL divino que eu tenho aqui, não poderia deixar de colocar um nesse desafio.
Não tinha nenhuma expectativa quando escolhi esse esmalte pra essa etapa, tinha achado ele bonito nas fotos da Lu, mas ao vivo ele é simplesmente um desbunde. Cobre com 2 camadas, os glitters são facílimos de aplicar e super casa com uma festa ou simplesmente naquele momento "sou diva sem motivo" dentro de casa mesmo. Brilha muito e os glitinhos holo são um charme. Acabou se tornando meu esmalte dourado favorito.
Apliquei 1 camada de base Setim (Colorama) + 2 do PL + 1 de Seche Vite.
1 - Verde: In The Limelight (Sinful Colors).
2 - Roxo: Pixel Party (Jade)
3 - Nude: Don't Pretzel My Buttons (OPI)
4 - Rosa: Fergie (Zoya)
5 - Azul: Dreamer (Revlon)
6 - Amarelo: G11-6 (Yes Love)
7 - Preto: Rock (Zanphy)
8 - Laranja: Mamão (Dote)
9 - Marrom: Mahogany Magic (China Glaze)
10 - Lilás: Lilás Fresh (Panvel)
11 - Vermelho: Vermelho Crystal (Avon)
12 - Cinza: Grey Matters (Misa)
13 - Dourado: I Wish Money (Penélope Luz)
Good morning all my dear friends. I'm back, partially. It has been a very hard week for the entire family and I wanted you all to know how much we have appreciated all the kind words and prayers that you all bestowed upon my family. It is so hard to loose someone you love and to not have expected it. We really thought she would have pulled out of it and would have been back home cooking up her famous Beef'n Noodles and spending time with all her grandkids and kids. But that was not to be the case.
In addition, we also were forced to put down our dog Duke who was 16 years old. He was my favorite dog ever and he will also be missed. I'll try to hunt up a picture of him for later on. He was partially paralyzed and the vet said it was the most humane thing for us to do for him. We knew this was true, but it doesn't make it any easier to handle the loss of a great friend.
Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you and that we have really appreciated everyone keeping us in their thoughts and prayers.
Take care!
PS: On a much lighter note, today is my 20th Wedding Anniversary! WooHooo! Love that man of mine!
Large: farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2882215050_c1d41000a0_b.jpg
Betcha weren't expecting something this dark to start off 2011, were you?
Hello. I'm Three less neurons per minute. Less than 20 people know my real name here in Flickr through flickrmail and not from reading comments in my pictures. I am not a teenager, but creepers are still unwelcomed. I have a sinking feeling that none of my photos are particularly excellent, I just have really awesome and supportive contacts. I don't want to be labelled as the girl who does photomanipulations. Any label, good or bad, limits and confines our abilities. Besides, I want to go out on a limb for photography, and photoshop dependency hinders that. I would like you to believe that my screen name is something deep and existential. A reference to the decay of human soul and capacity in the dawn of machines, technology and the internet. A reminder of how every minute we live is a minute we die, a grand exchange. But that would be pretentious, because my screen name is nothing of the sort. Flickr makes me happy and sad at the same time. It connects me to people and alienates me horribly, that's why I'm not going through with a 365 project and why i'm not here too often anymore. I don't show my face in any photos, except for one taken from a strange angle where I'm barely recognizabe. It's not a self esteem issue, worry not, it's for privacy reasons. I might show my face soon, as there are photos I want to experiment with that are difficult sans face. What about privacy? Live dangerously, I say.
I sound somewhat depressed after reading this.haha. Believe me, I'm not. :)
+ colored and 2 outtakes
Wasn't how it started, but ended up looking like this.
Here's to another year of adventures.
Thanks everyone so much for subscribing to me! I really appreciate it, seeing as I've only been posting for about about 2 months. I appreciate all the support and you can expect more MOCs in the future!
It’s Movie Night again and Stormtrooper Bruce wants to mix things up a bit. The guys are usually up for anything and have often said they have come to expect the unexpected. But he’s pretty sure they never expected this.
TK-432: Vader’s Dogs! What up with the tv? Hope this isn’t one of Fett’s pranks again!
TK-1110: And what’s up with that paper bag? If it’s healthy food, I’m outta here!
STB: Settle down ladies. I think you’ll be pleased with what I’m about to say. If you can guess what’s in the bag, you get to pick tonight’s movies. You each get three guesses. So choose carefully.
TK-432: What? Are you playing Bilbo and we’re Gollum and Smeagol, guessing what’s in your filthy pocketses?
STB: Yes, something like that. So… go ahead and guess away.
TK-1110: We’ll it’s almost Cinco de Mayo so I’m hoping tonight is an early celebration. Is there a sombrero? A piñata? An Aztec calendar?
TK-432: Hey, I like your thinking! Is there a ton of tacos? A bunch of nachos? A gallon of Margarita mix?
STB: Wow! I can not believe you two. Are those your final guesses?
TK-432: OK, I’ll play along with your three guesseses – Handses. Knife. String-nothing.
STB: Wrong, all wrong. What about you – are you going to change your guesses?
TK-1110: Nope. There’s no way in the Great Galaxy we could possibly guess what’s in there. You’re just messing with us!
STB: Well, you might be surprised. Because I actually DO have an Aztec Calendar! Found it in the Library the other day. Something else they were getting ready to toss.
TK-1110: You’re joking! I never win anything. Wowzer! So I really get to pick the movies tonight? Well, fasten your seatbelts fellows. It’s going to be a bumpy ride!
STB: So, I’m guessing that's your clue to what we’re watching?
TK-432: Nothing says Cinco de Mayo like an HP movie marathon. So let’s hurry up and board that Night Bus and get this evening started!
______________________________________________
Viewing Large is always fun. Just click on the image.
*** And May the Fourth be with us all, too!
This series, which I expect to continue for a while, is taken at Jordan Lake. It is a man made "Recreational" area that was created in the late 60's or early 70's. Although it is located just about 20 miles from my home in North Carolina, I have never explored it in the 6 years I have lived here. In fact, I have avoided it like the plague because from early spring until late fall it packed with people.Not my kind of place at all! But, recently I visited it on a cold and cloudy winter day and there were virtually no people at all. I saw some possibilities for photographs. It's a rather large lake with lots of places to explore so I will...until the crowds return.
Seen on its second day in service at Redditch is their new B9TL. It has been transferred down from the Rotala PLC's newly acquired Bolton for use on the 247, which is expecting an increased passenger demand as a result of the cancellation of the 301 (Alcester Schools) service, which for the last year of operation was ran commercially. Before that, it was a council tender and numbered the 182. While I was still in school, this carried a large number of passengers, and the 247 was almost always full and standing, hence the need for this decker.
Diamond's BJ14 KTC (40625) is seen at the top of Station Way before heading down into Redditch Bus Station with a 58 Matchborough Circular. The 57/58 operate up to every 8-10 minutes on each side of the circular. It is Redditch's most popular, and profitable route, and is nice to see a modern double decker on the service, after the Trident previously at the depot. BJ14KTC was new in April 2014 as one of two Geminis for use with the Rotala PLC's Wessex operation. Soon after, it gained branding for use on the 51, a service Wessex stepped in to save that First West of England had axed. Sister BJ14KTA was also branded for the service. KTA (40626) has remained at Hounslow in a white livery for the Royal Holloway University, whereas in July 2019, KTC was transferred up to Diamond Bus North West (DBNW/DNW), for use at their newly taken over (from First Manchester) Bolton depot. However, September has seen it transfer down to Diamond Bus West Midlands for use at Redditch on the 247 (Redditch-Evesham) to provide extra capacity on the service following the withdrawing of the 301 (Alcester Schools-Redditch), which ran infront of the service. 40625 is a Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2.
"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
Abraham Lincoln
_______
Happy birthday my dear sis ... make all your wishes come true Tara
.......How do you expect me to remember your birthday,
when you never look any older? :)......
_______
Gorgeous texture provided by:'Playingwithbrushes'
Stock butterflies by 'shoofly-stock'
Interestingly I haven't been to Croxteth Park in months, yet once again I find myself there on New Year's Eve, having just dropped Laura off at work. Co-incidence? Fate? Or am I just a creature of habit, even if unconsciously so.
The sun was pretty much just rising as I got there, and I was treated to what seemed like the first clear skies we've had in ages. This is mad, as two hours earlier it was grey and miserable and two hours later it was grey and miserable, so I touched lucky.
Wandering along the fields to West Derby Village I disturbed the Highland Coos at breakfast. I say 'disturbed' - they didn't blink. The photos I got facing into the sun were of course rubbish, but the ones I got later in the walk with the sun behind me fared a little better, and so this one makes it as photo of the day, and the last entry in my 365 for 2015.
With a photo of cows, you'd expect a little rumination on my 365 for this year, and so here we go...
Reviewing the album, it doesn't feel like a particularly strong set this year, and that's not hugely unsurprising. It's been very much about shooting things as they happen and less about looking for things to shoot, and that always means you take a bit of a dip in creativity unless you do this kind of thing for a living. I'm looking for photos to remark on, and it's not a particularly remarkable set, but there are some that are more interesting than others.
When I'm stuck for something to shoot I often turn to light painting, but not so this year. About the only example I can muster is this one from way back in January, after building a Lego fairground set. That said, this year nature gave me some beautiful light a couple of times and both of these occasions saw me in or around the Park. Do you remember this one and this one? And speaking of natural light, I'm sure we must all remember looking skywards in March for the eclipse.
Photographically I had a pretty poor airshow season, though I enjoyed the shows I went to. This shot is worth a mention though, simply as it shows a formation that we're unlikely to ever see again, with the second retirement of the Vulcan bomber this year.
Fate hasn't been too cruel to me this year, though people I hold dear weren't all so lucky. On my way home from a funeral in Belfast I was at least fortunate enough to be gifted a beautiful view of the park from my plane. Maybe it was a final gift from Allen, but I'm grateful for it.
That last shot was taken with my mobile phone, as were a HUGE amount of others this year. I used to say that with some lamentation, but I think now I'm embracing it. On the principle that your best camera is the one in your hand it does the job more than well enough for me for a daily shot, and with the right light can produce really good results like this dandelion, this snail and this busy bee!
I've not had a terrible year with shots of people, though I don't seem to have that many! One occasion when I did loads of shooting was at Niamh's Birthday party - that's my cousin's daughter. I got lots of nice shots, including a really lovely one of Ethan but that wasn't in my 365! My pick of the day was though, and that was this lovely moment of the birthday girl herself demonstrating quite how much she liked what she was munching! I love the pose, but also her eyes and the little hint of a fringe poking out from under the hat.
So...favourites! What was the internet's favourite? Judging by views is always tricky because earlier photos have had much longer to gather views than later photos. It comes as little surprise then that the internet's favourite is from January, albeit the 31st, having gathered 3,538 views this year.
Sorting by flickr favourites reveals a different picture, with the top favourited being this street scene of the emergency services dealing with an incident. That said, it only got 3.
Now then, what was my favourite? I think a favourite shot should be one that makes you smile, and this one unfailingly does that, though I don't really know why! Karin's display of core strength just turned into something interesting, and a photo that I really like. I suspect she probably couldn't do this right now though! Is it shot of the year though? I think that honour might fall elsewhere. I'm reminded of the 2015 UK Snooker Championship in which Mark Selby played an astonishing swerve shot to traverse the whole table and dislodge a poorly placed yellow. In his commentary Willie Thorne said "please mark that as the shot of the championship". It was duly shortlisted for the shot of the championship and indeed went on to win. Was that because Willie Thorne's commentary unduly influenced the voters, or was it that he just called it for what it was. I'm reminded of that because Keith did exactly the same in September when he commented that this shot of Olivia on Rocky the rocking horse was 'picture of the year'. I think he might have called it correctly though. Livvy is a very happy child, but her natural demeanour isn't a smiley one, and her default face is usually more passive or inquisitive. Her smiles can light up the room, but they're always spontaneous and usually fleeting. This was one of those glorious moments when the fates of composition, lighting and subject all come into conjunction and you get a gem of a shot. It was certainly a surprise to her Mum who declared that getting a good photo of Olivia smiling was near impossible. Snappers, we dreamed the impossible dream!
Well, that's about it. Thanks to everyone who joined me on the journey of 2015 and I hope you've enjoyed the ride. Thanks to everyone who appeared in any of my photos and thanks to those who waited for me while I took them. A very, very happy New Year to you all and I hope you'll stick with me next year!
Chuck- Hey, where's Crane?
Two-Face- Busy.
*The meeting took place at Elliot Heights, per Chuck's suggestion. The attendees- three of the four heads of Penguin's new Pact, and each of their lieutenants, arrived later then Brown expected, with none of them the wiser regarding the whereabouts of Deacon Blackfire. The last to arrive, Black Mask and his allies knocked on the door with an air of impatience*
Sionis- The elevator's busted.
Chuck- We know.
*Sionis grumbles, but sits down, waiting for Chuck to start talking*
Freeze- So. Talk. You said you had information.
Chuck- Yes, um, first of all I'm glad you all came. But before we start, do we know where Blackfire-
Two-Face- Get on with it.
Chuck- Right. We've identified the sniper. It was Black Spider.
*The assembly is silent. Then Roman groans*
Sionis- Oh, of course it is... What's the bastard even doing in Arkham?
Two-Face- It's not rocket science Sionis. He's probably a prisoner like the rest of us.
Sionis- No, I don't buy it. Didn't he get a pardon for that Society crap?
*Li, who has been staring at the uncharacteristically quiet Penguin, leans over and mutters to Sionis, gesturing at Firebug*
Li- Yes sir, he did. But, so did Mr Rigger. Clearly, the government cares little about their promises.
Sionis- Yeah. Suppose I shouldn't be surprised...
Freeze- Answer this, Kite-Man isn't it?
Chuck- Just call me Chuck...
Freeze- How on earth did you find this information?
Chuck- Ah, well this is Mitch.
*At this, Mayo, still wearing the bloodied vest from last night, and far from looking his best, stands in front of this audience of hardened killers and gangsters, and they can barely contain their laughter*
Sionis- Is this a joke?
*It didn't take long. Despite their initial... "apprehension," they all listened to Mayo's story in full. When he was done, they set out in search of Needham. Dent went to the old GCPD building, in search of Needham's arrest reports, anything that would give them any insight to his whereabouts. Sionis returned to his factory, alerting his men of the news. Cobblepot sent his assistant, Lark, away, as he talked with Zebra Man as they made their way back to the Iceberg Lounge*
Zebra- So. What are you going to do? Kill them?
*Cobblepot sighed, handing him his top hat, Zebra peers inside, and takes out a note taped inside*
Penguin- Nothing so brash. You've spent far too much time with Kobra... They'll start hunting soon enough, and they'll want you with them, for the extra manpower of course. When they find him, however long that takes, you will do whatever you can to stop him talking.
That note, is all I have on him, his family, friends, past relationships and pain. Use it, and eliminate him. You'll be the hero.
Zebra- All that talk of loyalty.
Penguin- I meant it all. Do you understand how hard I've worked to keep this hellhole together? If the Monarch had to die, so be it. If Needham must join him, very well. You of all people should understand that...
=====
*Philip lost his hands, his sight, to this man. Mr Camera. His time in Blackgate, away from photos had driven the man mad, or maybe it was Meister's voice in his ear. No matter the reason, Harry Simms severed Ten's hand over a single photograph. Now Reardon relied on mechanical limbs to hold the very gun in his hand he was pointing at his head. The same gun Blackfire offered him. "Was it even Simms?" he wondered. Without his sight, he couldn't know for sure that it *wasn't* some other captive of Blackfire, an innocent man who's life now rested in his hands. All he knew was that there was something dark creeping around inside his body, a voice telling him that the vengeance he craved was finally here. All he had to do, was pull the trigger. The worst part? He didn't know if it was Blackfire's toxins, or his own anger*
Blackfire- Christ died for *our* sins, but what of theirs? Those who commit atrocities far worse than God can forgive? That is our duty my children! Our time is now. We will slay first these common mongrels, then we will make our way to the top. Divine justice comes to all!
Simms- I didn't do anything!
Blackfire- Enough! Harold Simms, you threaten and extort innocents, you collect incriminating evidence that you lust over like a man possessed. No more!
*They cheered. They all cheered for Blackfire. Yet, while Philip was coerced by drugs, these people needed only the spoken word to jeer at Simms*
Ten- Then... it's true, you've been using the tunnels to hunt people down. Kill them.
...
Blackfire- My boy, I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about.
=======
*Cobblepot returned to the Iceberg Lounge three hours ago, just thinking in his office. Eventually, he left his sanctuary and sat down at the bar. With a flick of his wrist, the two people previously sitting there, got up and left*
Penguin- Long day Leonard?
Len- It is what it is. Those two tried to trade their socks for some beer. Socks I tell you.
Penguin- Ah, well, it can't be helped.
Len- Well what are they meant to tip? Their knickers?
*Penguin laughed in a manner not dissimilar to his namesake, producing a noise that sounded something like a "Waugh." Behind them, Magpie tapped on the microphone, on top of the stage*
Magpie- I'd like to sing a song. Perhaps you know it.
*Len muttered something under his breath that unfortunately, David Wist, Magpie's husband, happened to hear*
Len- Urgh, Moon River. It's always Moon River.
Wist- Hey, she sings it very well!
Penguin- Oh it's lovely, David, absolutely lovely, but you have to understand it gets repetitive.
Wist- Of course Mr Cobblepot, I didn't mean, I-
Len- I'm just asking, why's it always Moon River...
*Roman takes another seat up at the bar beside Oswald*
Penguin- Roman! My friend!
Sionis- If, when we get out, and I hear that song, that damn song, on the radio... Someone's dying. I hate it.
Wist- Look, the moon is really shiny. She likes it
*And with that, Wist brushes past Li, offering a comforting smile to Mags as he heads off towards the stage*
Sionis- You. I'll have a Vodka Martini, Li here will have a, rum and coke was it?
Li- Just the Cola please. I don't drink.
Sionis- Throw in the rum anyway. I might drink it. We've got him.
Oswald- You can't have found him already surely?
Len- What's this?
*Sionis glances at Len and back at Oswald*
Sionis- Is he good?
Oswald- Certainly.
Sionis- The guy that shot this place up, your pal identified him as Black Spider.
Len- Shit...
Sionis- Exactly. Dent went to get some files from the GCPD database, the computers there are still connected to the server. Don't know what he found, but he said best bet, he's at the cemetery. Got Freeze, Zsasz and your guy down there already.
Oswald- Then, it's just a matter of waiting.
====
*The Gotham Cemetery is sprawling. One of the biggest controversies behind Arkham, was separating loved ones from those buried there. Of course, with Strange's connections, it didn't take the government long to overrule the City Council. With all of Gotham's tragedies- the breakouts, the earthquake, the crises, the Signal Man incident and the City of Fear, there's no bigger graveyard in the entire state. It's a labyrinth of headstones and crypts. It takes a lot of manpower to cover the area. The glow from Freeze's goggles, are about the only thing lighting up the area*
Freeze- Spread out. Firebug, take the east. Zsasz, cover the west. I will search the South Quadrant, leaving you, Zebra Man, with-
Zebra- The North. Da.
*Rigger lit a match so he could see. Doing so caused a flock of birds to burst out from the nearest crypt. He cursed himself as he sucked the blood from his scratch marks. Owls. Zsasz wandered around the headstones, and grinned. So many bodies... So many put there because of him. And Freeze saw the graves of those husbands and wives buried together, and his blood boiled. He would find his Nora. It was Zsasz that found him first, a bouquet in his hand. He fired a shot, startling Needham*
Zsasz- I prefer the knife Mr Needham. More personal... Guns end it quickly, and, I don't want to end this quickly after all... you know the blade too, don't you?
*He fired again, but this time Needham was quick, and he disappeared into the trees*
Zsasz- Two-Face was right. He's here.
*Freeze was the next to see him, a blast of ice firing from his gun*
Freeze- I made a promise to my wife Needham. I don't break my promises, not to her.
*The ice stream follows Spider all the way into Rigger's quarter*
Rigger- You don't have to do this Spider. You can come quietly.
Needham- I go and I'm as good as dead.
*He shoots at him, knocking Rigger off balance, and then- Blam! The shot sends him down the hill. Landing with a thud, Zebra Man follows him*
Needham- I know your kind... I know you won't stop but *Urgh* My girlfriend and my son were buried in two unmarked graves here. Her family didn't want me visiting them, her brother especially, blamed me for what happened. They overdosed you see... But I knew the truth. It was the drug business that got them killed, and I wasn't gonna rest until every last one of them was gone. When I was sent to kill Sionis... Couldn't wait. *Cough* I didn't want Penguin's money, you hear me? What's the use in this place? Nah. I just wanted to know where my family was buried. I just wanted to lay some flowers on my kid's grave.
*Pinned against a gravestone, Needham coughs up blood, placing a hand over his wound. He ought to be dead. He can't move. *
Needham- So... Go ahead. Do it. But you take these, and you put them there.
Zebra- Your family were junkies. Weak. They deserve nothing. Neither do you.
*And yet, just behind him, Zebra hears the quiet chink of a piece of metal, and as he turns back-
Blam. Blam. Two bullets to the head bring Zebra Man's life to an end. A hand grabs Needham and carries him up to the waiting group- Freeze, Zsasz and Rigger*
Reposted from 2011 with a new scan:
Where it was postmarked is illegible, but it was mailed to an address in Hanover, Indiana. This card is embossed, with the embossing coming through the verso side. Beautiful penmanship even with the embossing.