It's hard when I'm still struggling and she has disposable income.
That seems like the opposite of hard. Play your cards right and you could stroll down easy street into the sunset buddy
xD i make nothing
made a joke about that today at the potluck. She was gathering leftovers so she wouldn't have to cook. I said I never cook on weekends anyway. She goes "Girl, you can afford that?" And I said "I certainly can't. but my husband can."
That's probably a big deal in Japan, since I think modern Japanese culture is just full of men and women who work really hard and don't really have as much time or interest in committed relationships. Of course you actually live there you'd probably know better than me
@Lightning Fast Listen to more Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti.
That's pretty much what this whole thing is-- a book of lies and the daydreams an 8 year old androgynous girl with Marfan syndrome, throwing a keylime pie away like the National Guard in Florida. "Shucks, ain't this swell?" she says, almost having a fit, "She freaks out and hits Cassie!"
@Altered Tundra 5.5/10 I really like the progression from soft, almost spaghetti westernesque melodies into harsher and harsher rock, and what feels to be some metal inspired fusion of alt. rock, but it kind of stagnates about halfway in for me. I also wasn't terribly fond of what the singer was doing with his voice or the kind of cliche'd story being told within the lyrics-- but still at the end of it all I'd deff say for me I liked it more than average.
But seriously, don't go Apple unless it's for phones. The quality of their computers are just stagnating when compared to literally everyone else in the field, big or small, and they're practically designed to be defunct in a few years, and their OS is second rate compared to windows.
IOS for iPhones is really underrated tho, and the earlier iPhones will last you for years.. of course, you want a computer not a phone.
Have you considered making your own? The parts are much MUCH cheaper on their own, and you can get more processing power and RAM etc. The only real expense would be paying someone good to put them all together.
ALSO Beats are actually pretty good for people who switch between different types of audiofiles often and want a consistent (but not top notch) sound quality for it all.
We at the Catalina International Academy for Young Men and Women are pleased to inform you of your acceptance into the 2016-17 World Exchange and Boarding program! Catalina Academy is famous for shaping some of the brightest minds in America, and indeed the world! Our students leave ready to look at the future in a way unique to Catalina alumni. Our board has determined that you posses the potential to express that same gift, along with a select few, and you have been chosen to learn about the world, and yourself, with the best and brightest.
Our emphasis on freedom and exploration makes us unlike other boarding schools, high schools and colleges, so the committee and I looked for much more than just grades and scores. Your creativity caught our eye, and we are glad you're ready to embrace your independence, delve deeper into your interests and the world around you, and discover what you love.
Each Catalina student makes a critical, personal contribution to campus and island life from day one, and we are excited to share the experience with you. Puerto Libre and the Libre Isle offers something completely new to everyone it touches, and through your schooling at Catalina, you will be able to experience the nature, culture, and community of our small island in a way few tourists are ever exposed to. You will be free to explore and learn more than we could teach you in a classroom.
Although a private school, Catalina Academy prides itself on it's numerous programs provided for free to students-- notoriously offered to students able to prove themselves worthy beyond a shadow of a doubt. You can now count yourself among the ranks of such students.
Included in this envelope are informational packets regarding Catalina Academy as well as some information regarding the Libre Isle, island culture, local business, activities and events you can take part in during the year, as well as general history of our lovely island of heaven. Also included is a prepaid Reply Form, to accept your admission and reserve your place in the Class of 2017. Our representatives will soon be contact you, as well as your school, in regards to transportation for you (as well as any personal effects), and transferring your credits.
Again, congratulations! We look forward to welcoming you in August!
With warmest regards, Dr. Mary Beaulieu, Ph.D Vice Principle, Assistant Dean, Head of Exchange Programs, Vice President for Academic Affairs
---
Catalina Academy was originally the 'Brillembourg Lighthouse Hotel' commissioned by business magnate and philanthropist Jack Brillembourg, one of the driving members of the islands business community. Mr. Brillembourg, despite being involved in countless other business ventures, personally managed his hotel, and ran it in a way to maximize profit as well as undercut other hotels on the island. The tourist industry was, and continues to be one of the islands biggest generators of revenue, and Mr. Brillembourg knew this. Constructed in 1944 as Mr. Brillembourg's first hotel, by 1956 he had put more than half of the hotels, by '60 he had all but monopolized the island's hotel industry, and he continues to do so today.
But in regard to his first hotel, the Brillembourg Lighthouse, something changed over the years, and for some reason, that still hasn't been completely explained, he had the school converted into a boarding school in 1978. The accepted theory is that Catalina, his late wife and a Spanish-Brazilian educator, inspire him to have the school opened with her death, although, the mysterious circumstances surrounding their relationship and her death make this hard to confirm.
What is known, though, is that in having the school opened, and handing educational control over to David Ochoa, the half-brother of the late Catalina, has ultimately resulted in one of, if not the most successful schools in the entire Caribbean, and one of the most uniquely personalized schools in the whole world.
*pictured, Catalina Academy and it's pool on an uncharacteristically clear night
--- *The exchange program is unique, in that, while you won't be separated from the other students of the Academy, you will all share the same classes and instructors, to help you build a repertoire with them and each other. --- Schedule:* August: Beginning of school; local events September: Ferry week; local events October: School and local events November: End of term tests; local events December: No School; local events; Pirate and Puerto Libren cultural festival; Christmas January: No School; local events; New Years; end of 'steam,' beginning of 'mist' February: New term of school; local events; White Death day March: School and local events April: Finals; local events May: End of classes; month of break; local events June: No school; local events July: Final days of exchange program; coincides with Sun Week; end of 'mist,' beginning of 'steam' *subject to change --- Absences: Absences are recognized for the following reasons:
1. Absences to participate in official campus activities (designated by the Vice President for Academic Affairs) 2. Absences for family or personal emergencies (designated by the Dean) 3. Absences for medical emergencies (discussed with instructor) 4. Absences for work or other of campus activities (discussed with instructor)
Puerto Libre is an archipelago located inside an atoll, the whole of which is known as Libre Isle. Puerto Libre is the largest island and is where the majority of the population and businesses reside. Home island, the third largest island in the Libre Isle, is rocky and mountainous, with only one permanent resident, being the person assigned to manage the Home Weather Station. The two, smaller islands to the south of Puerto Libre have no official names, scientists have determined that at one point, large amounts of people lived on the two islands, but some force either cause them all to leave, or, possibly, kill them all. Due to their similarity to Puerto Libre, they are known colloquially as 'mini Libre' or 'baby Libre.' The language of the previous inhabitants of the island is currently believed undecipherable.
The atoll, while colloquially known as 'Libre Atoll' is officially named 'Crescent Island', it is home to less than 5000 permanent residents, the majority of which are the Caribbean's most wealthy citizens. Businesses on Crescent Island are incredibly exclusive, with the only facilities being available to those who aren't extremely wealthy being the Libre Public Airport and the various ferrying and fishing services that exist on it's shore. Crescent Island is the only location in the Libre Isle not completely plagued by the notorious fog that the region is famous for, as such, satellite pictures have been taken of Crescent Island.
*pictured, parts of Crescent Island not obscured by fog from satellite ---
Ancient History -
The ancient history of the archipelago atoll known today as Puerto Libre is not well known. As the culture of the New World came to the Caribbean, The united citizens of the island that was known to them, translated, as the 'Soul of the World', would separate, traveling down different paths; either adapting and improving on European culture like Crescent Island, fighting and enslavement as the citizens of Home Island, isolation and defense as the people of western Puerto Libre or using political manipulation to remain independent as eastern Puerto Librens did, and disconnecting and disappearing altogether, as the citizens of the southern Islands did.
Western Puerto Libre is almost certainly abundant with culture and information regarding ancient Puerto Libre, but to this day, the jungles of the island remain wild and unexplored. Rumored to be protected by spirits, the plausible explanation is that the direct descendents of the original western Puerto Libren natives still practice tribal rituals, and can be heard warning off those who veer too close to their claimed reservation.
Like Cuba and Puerto Rico, the Libre Isle was 'discovered' in 1493. while culturally and religiously more advanced than the Taino people of their sister island, Puerto Rico, the pre-Columbian Librens lacked in physical resources. Contact with the Spaniards caused a rift in Puerto Libre, and it is thought this is the two most successful factions to stem from this, eastern Puerto Libre and Crescent Island, were able to avoid colonization altogether.
While a few documents from this era exist, most are believed to be fictitious or embellished religious texts, often depicting stories of legends and urban myths. No document exists from this time period acknowledging the fog that plagues the region today. ---
European Contact -
While other Caribbean islands were absorbed as European colonies, most of Puerto Libre managed to avoid this fate in several ways:
- It appears Crescent island managed to pool its resources, and temporarily become a kingdom it it's own right, quickly intermarrying with the most wealth and royal of European descent. Today most native citizens are probably more British, Dutch, French and Spanish than they are ethnic Libren, most are also probably directly descended from royalty.
- By entering into trade agreements with France, Portugal, England and Scotland, the united Eastern Puerto Libre avoided conflict in the most civil way possible, perhaps at the expense of the smaller islands in the isle.
- Western Puerto Libre hid, relying on religious fervor, guerrilla tactics and luck to fend off Europeans, as well as the people who were once their fellow islanders. They continue to do so today.
From this era is the first document discovered mentioning the fogs that characterize the island today.. ---
United States associated state -
The first significant US presence around Puerto Libre was in 1890, as the Spanish-American war was brewing. Puerto Libre always remained independent from the US, but as war waged on, the US found an ally in Puerto Libre and found having a base on the island beneficial. This led to the reunification of the isle, at this point in history officially known as Puerto Libre or the Libre Isle. By 1914, the two entered into a free association deal, that gave US citizens incentive to move to the isle, and bring their businesses, and things have remained stable for the island as it grew into the new era. Never particularly isolated, but certainly always strongly independent.
---
Warm, foggy days ahead! But you probably already knew that! Near perfect visibility on eastern Puerto Libre, decreasing visibility as you head west...
...*sigh* it's always the same.
Locations:** --- Crescent Island:* - Libre Isle Public Airport - Henry's Estates: The secretive cluster of mansions and businesses that take up most of the shore and north of Cresecent Island, there are things hidden here to those who aren't the top earners of the world. -Various Ferry services lines along the western Crescent shore: Most Ferry's dock at some point along the Crescent shore, it's how travel between islands occurs, there are rivers on Puerto Libre to allow . - --- Eastern Puerto Libre:* - Catalina Academy: Your new home for the year, you'll be living, sleeping and possibly eating, as well as taking most of your classes here. Campus is large and includes it's own library, pool, several eating areas, feilds as well as open areas to relax and talk, and it's own lighthouse. - Seaside Sand n' Surf Shack: Despite the lengthy, non-culinary name, there really isn't a better choice for fast food, traditional Libren cuisine and a nice selection of international choices. Owned and managed by Lorona Kuchisake, the Shack is a local hub and often serves as the center for local events and meetings. - Little America: A relatively new and failing restaurant, it is the only competition to the Shack. - La Mona Cafe: A small pastry and coffee place within walkable distance of campus, upscale, with wide selections of strong coffee and Libren pastries. The elderly Nueva couple continue to run it. - Cinema 8: The definitive hangout for Catalina students and all high schoolers nearby, Cinema 8 is famous for affectionately showing shitty B horror movies, as well as old black and white movies on the cheap. -Fortuna's: Although the island is filled with small stands, shops and clubs and tourist groups obsessed with the supernatural, Fortuna of Fortuna's is different. She isn't a carnie fortune teller, her predictions, no matter how cryptic do tend to have some truth to them. - Puerto Libre Elementary school: Potential part time jobs to be gotten here, if teaching small island children is your prerogative. It's principle, Evelyn Biez, is considered a community leader. - Liberty! war memorials and museum: A complex of memorials and buildings piecing together the history of the Puerto Libre, they are short bus ride away from the Academy, and they may be looking for part time workers. - The Tourist traps: A series of touristy businesses on the shore and mid-Puerto Libre, they are affectionately referred to as "the Tourist Traps" by locals. They are owned by various citizens of Crescent island. - Plantains and Rum: A bit of a bus ride away, this bar serves to minors, and there's usually some rumor going around here. - Puerto Libre Public Library: An old building run by old people, but in some cases, old is good. - Puerto Libre General Hospital: Notoriously empty, part time jobs may be available here. --- Western Puerto Libre:* - Mining, fishing, and deforesting businesses: These are more mid island than anything, but they certainly approach the west. Outside of the tourist industry and hospitality industry, these are the biggest money makers on Puerto Libre, most people don't know what it is that they're doing some of the thing done here for. But the elite on Cresecent island have to have a reason for it... right? --- Home island:* - Home Island Weather Station --- Southern Islands* - ??? --- *more to be added later/as discovered **not definitive, feel free to suggest or ask about these
---
Basis
So!
Greetings from Puerto Libre! is an RP about a group of students spending a year together in the fantastical mysterious Libre Isle. While pulling themes from Twin Peaks, Welcome to Night Vale, SMT: Persona and other works of fiction (and non-fiction), this is not a Twin Peaks fanfic, as much as it pains me to say, we won't get to have coffee and pie with Dale and Harry (;_;).
Genre wise, this plot is a supernatural mystery. I will be controlling most of the environment and NPC's you interact with as well as serving as your primary connection to the supernatural voices of the island (through PMs). You have autonomy over what you do with the information I give you; you can share it with your fellow students to forward progress in your search for the (reaching out to the) truth, you can try and solve the mystery on your own, you can say "fuck all that, I just want to do school," you could do something else, as long as you can reason why your character would do such a thing. Pretty much everything is a viable option. While definitely a "mystery," the investigation will only be what drives the plot, and this RP will be just as character driven as it is plot driven (that's the hope, anyway).
Mechanically, this RP will be a little different in two regards: more PMs (because scary visions) and less control over NPCs. I'm leaving this to mostly to your own to figure out though, like, if you ask a lunch lady for orange juice-- that's okay. Asking her if she was born on the 7th lunar solstice of the dark season and assuming an answer-- not so much. I realize that with having to wait for me to respond EVERY TIME you ask someone if they worship Satan can be frustrating, so I'm not going to raise a fuss over small posts like that, also, if it's convenient, I'm also open to collab posts and will try to respond to those requests as soon as possible.
Plot:
Be it through rumor, news, or some other way. You have become aware of the recent string of disappearances on the island of Puerto Libre. Maybe it's information that you just put away into the back of your mind, barely considering, maybe you can't go to bed because you're so obsessed with this.
However it effects you on the surface, deep down, will all of your characters, it is eating at you, bothering you on a level you can't quite comprehend.
You aren't aware of how to make it go away, and you doubt your time at Catalina Academy will help much, but... maybe...
...maybe.
--- Character sheet +stuff!
Name: (obligatory) Age: (How many times have you been around the sun?) Gender: (male, female, both, neither, something else? Biological sex and what your character identifies as, if applicable)
Personality: (What your character thinks of themselves and what they think other people think of themselves)
Your History: (A little bit of background on your character, can be kept general and short)
Why are you here?: (The Catalina Academy exchange program isn't the most prestigious in the world, but it is incredibly obscure, especially given that the specifics of applications submitted are left completely to the student. So how did you get in? What did you send in with your application? An essay? You singing? A lock of hair? Why did you apply for the program? How did you hear about it? These can be bullet points) Faith: (What does your character truly cherish and believe in? Can be left blank) Fear(s): (What is it your character fears most in this world? Can be left blank)
Astrological sign: (not required) MBTI: (If you want to assign your character one, put it here; not required) Other: (Anything extra you'd like to share about your character can go here; obviously not required)
Prologue post: (I'm not going to require this, but I would like to include a prologue for the opening post, and I think it'd be neat to see a small glimpse of characters before the events of the RP starts. Just a paragraph or two of your character doing... whatever... before they end up on the island. The RP will start with all the characters on a ferry from Crescent to Puerto Libre, so really any point before then works. A week before? Sure. You on the plane? Sure. Some memory from when you were 5? Why not!?)
--- And again, feel free to suggest/ask me things.
NPCs: (information and characters will be added as discovered) ---
The Dean
Who IS the dean? No official documents give a name, and Mary handles all the work he should do, so where is he, what does he do? Does The Dean even exist? --- Mary Beaulieu
Mary is they typical overworked subordinate. Jittery and skiddish, she handles virtually the day to day affairs as well as all non-day to day affairs. ---
---
Alex Olthuis
The enigmatic and completely gender neutral "voice of Puerto Libre," Alex provides social commentaries on island and world events, news updates, interviews with island citizens, and a variety of other radio based goods-- including music! Alex, despite funding, and personally hiring interns, has yet to be seen, and speculation on gender and appearance runs rampant among islanders. Either way, tune into 108.1 FM for updates, every hour on the hour!
---
- Puerto Libre Elementary school
--- - Puerto Libre High school
--- - Seaside Sand n' Surf Shack
--- - Little America
--- - La Mona Cafe
--- - Cinema 8
--- - Liberty! war memorials and museum
--- - The Tourist traps
--- - Plantains and Rum
--- - Puerto Libre Public Library
--- - Puerto Libre General Hospital
---
---
---
---
---
Fortuna
What exactly DOES Fortuna do? Her predictions are only accurate if you can accurately decipher the thick wordplay and riddles that go into making them, and besides that she does, what, magic? Yet she still ends up on TV... Whatever it is she does, she's doing it right. --- - First United Church of Bokonism Father Robert
---
Jack Brillembourg
*Brillembourg (right) pictured during one of his rare public appearances.
A reclusive and enigmatic business leader of Puerto Libre, he is known for his brutal business practices and shady tactics. Although he has a stake in Henry's Estates, he lives in an isolated castle on southern Crescent. He keeps matters regarding his business very private, but he seems to be involved in a little bit of everything, including less-than-legal activities, with his primary source of revenue being the hotel industry of the island. Although it might be easy to paint him as an objectivist industrialist, his involvement in the creation of Catalina Academy and his donations to the school's of the island do seem to suggest he has some concern for the population of the island.
---
Weather Station Volunteer
It's rumored that members of the Puerto Libre scientific community annually draw straws to decide who gets this position. It's not a glamorous post, but the unique and otherworldly weather of the area demands constant attention.
I had this idea a while ago but I couldn't get it to work then (15 posts in before it ultimately died). It's failure was possibly due to my preference to being in a more advisory position as opposed to full GM.
It probably needs striping down and rewording, but I think the general premise of a NightVale/Twin Peaks scary Caribbean island, and a group of kids having paranormal adventures on that island, is a pretty good one.
(I'd totally like to be involved if someone actually DID manage to revive it.)
@Imaginary 7/10 Very solid composition-- singer knows what he's there to do, band goes wild, I can dig it. I especially enjoyed the near seamless blending of the more indie vocal styling with the harsher rock of the rest of the band-- it almost became like this ethereal but hard chant. Pretty neato.
It's basically like a musical summation of Sons of Anarchy.
kapuchu
