[short] Mega Force Ultra Imaginauts 8

Makoto's wrist communicator alarmed.  Tweee-eeep, tweee-eeep.  He leapt from his seat at school, which alarmed all the students and Mr. Tetsu.  Heads swung around to look.

"Forgive me, Tetsu-san!  I have urgent matters to attend to.  As you can hear, my communicator has alarmed.  It must be a city-wide emergency.  Professor Uri is asking for all Mecha R's to report at once!"

Mr. Tetsu likewise rose to his feet, as did the class, "Go Makoto!  Proceed at once and may the kami be with you!"

Makoto bowed and ran from the room, as he leapt from the doors of the school he quickly noticed the eerie calm that fell over his city, Yokohama.  The clouds were grey, but mottled oddly.  The ever present breeze was stilled.  What monster are we dealing with today?  His eyes narrowed as he saw that no one was watching.

"Mega Force Ultra 8!"  He shouted as he made the kanji of 'power' and 'wind' with his hands and arms.  The Mecha R super robot armor appeared on his body, protecting him from harm.  His wrist communicator made a victorious noise and Makoto knew he had successfully transformed into one of eight powerful robots that protected the metropolis of Tokyo.  He could hear Professor Uri in his headset.

"Makoto we have a profound emergency!  Mecha R 3 and 7 are already fighting in Saitama - there are three sea creatures there.  We need you, Mecha R 8 to get to the port as we see at least one creature there, overturning fishing boats.  Mecha R 2 will be joining you shortly!"

"Yes sir!  I am on my way!"  With that Makoto triggered power jets in his back and feet to launch into the air, and toward the port, which was just south-east of his school.  While he made the leap, he bent his arms to turn the jump into flight.  He checked his munitions and noted that he was at full strength.  He nodded the validation and made a call to his teammate, Hex.

"Hex!  Please report on the situation at the harbor..."

Hex had a wheeled chair that helped him move through-out the cavernous control center of the Imaginauts HQ.  He had to be able to turn the right dials and start the right mechanics if they were going to win the fight.  "Makoto!  Good to hear from you!  There is a Class B creature from the sea.  It has overturned several fishing boats and threatens to make it to the city.  You must stop it from extending beyond the port.  Lives are in the balance!"

"Thank you Hex.  I see the creature now!"

Below Mecha R 8's scanners, a large creature, made from seawood and oil, was writhing its long tentacles all over the harbor, crushing some fishing boats, while overturning others.  People were swimming to pier and scrambling up the netting.  Luckily, the creature doesn't appear to be concerned with people, just the boats.  Then, the creature dismantled key sections of the ships and made itself make-shift armor.  Makoto gasped.  He is making himself more powerful with the addition of the steel from those ships!  He noticed that the creature could also use the oil and gas from the harbor as a powerful weapon.  I must be careful!

Makoto turned on Mecha R 8's amplified speakers, "Creature, I do not know if you understand me, but you must stop this unprovoked attack.  Do you hear!?"  The creature only returned a barrage of oil and fire at him, which singed his armor.  If Makoto had not made an unparalleled movement at the last second, he would have been destroyed.  So that's the way it will be...

Mecha R 8's chest opened to reveal a series of missles, "Let's open with fire for fire!"  Makoto released the missles at the creature.  The explosion was fantastic and lit the bay for a short period of time in red light.  The creature screamed.

Makoto drew Mecha R 8 from the port, hopefully to lead the creature away...the plan worked!

The Class B creature then used all of the ships it had captured to create a body.  It stood on three legs and shielded its body.  It didn't work!  This time, it was the creatures time to attack - it was able to produce small bombs, launching them all at Mecha R 8.

Makoto was barely able to survive the attack, but did sustain damage.  He did have wrist guns.  He fired them at the beast while slowly receding toward the ocean.  I must get him away from the city.

The guns didn't do damage, Makoto could tell, but it did keep the attention of the beast.  It was then he heard his teammate on his headset, "Mecha R 8 this is Mecha R 2.  Do you need assistance?"

"I do, thank you Mecha R 2.  Missles don't seem to work, do you have any ideas?"

"Hm.  You've done an excellent job leading him from sure.  Perhaps we need to figure out a way to put this seaweed creature on ice?"

"Excellent!  What do you propose?"

Mecha R 2 flew across the path of the creature to keep its attention toward the ocean, "We can do this, we just need to think!"

The creature enveloped more boats and was making its way to a container frigate.

"Whatever the plan is, we must find it quickly!"

[end of section]

[rough] "Daughter Vengence"

"I sat with my father only once.  I agonized over it.  After it was over, I understood all I wanted to do was overcome that feeling.  That stupid feeling of completing something because it had stuck in the brain, like a shopping list."  She twirled the mug around.  Only a little coffee was left, smearing the bottom like ink.

She leveled her eyes on me.  Grey.  Not the slightest glint of tears in them.

"I've tried not to become hard.  But it caught up with me.  Tried not to be like him, and I couldn't escape it."  She stopped twirling the mug on its edge.  "Here we are."

I measured my voice.  I didn't want to come off the wrong way.  "Why does it have to be like that?  We asked for something different..."

"Doesn't matter."  I wanted to argue the point, but now was not the time.  I picked up my mug even though it was mostly empty and acted a sip.

She pulled a tendril of hair back.  Her sleeve dropped with it, revealing a portion of her markings.  She was not shy showing them, to the contrary.  But she didn't advertise either.  "I've told you more than I've told anyone else.  I suppose that is why you are good at what you do."

"I've seen you dance.  You are good at what you do."

She didn't smile.  I didn't expect her too.  I would have in others.

Quickly, "Did the song come before the dance?"

A slight shudder in her shoulders.  I hit a nerve.  You are not so hard then.  No one is.

"The song came first.  Years before.  I was just a little girl and didn't even know of it for some time.  The dance...that drifted in my mind for just as long.  So, yeah, I think they evolved together."  Chuckle.  Not light or sharp.  "I sometimes think it's more than me.  Or him.  I guess it had to be."

"That's profound."

She didn't shrug.  I did expect her to.

"What am I then?  If this is more than me?"  She stared at me for an answer.  I asked the waitress for a refill.

  

[short/rough]: Poorer Offerings the Wiser

laid at your feet

All that I had...all of what I could be
my heart, for what it's worth, may hold some value
to anyone other
could be brave, take my gaze, tell me what it amounts
even as a mere acquaintance I should feel more value than 

an abjected ally now
am I so easily cast, after all?

was it age, or time, or unintended me 

which detracted that first entrancing gleam
where I did my best to prove, that it was love (the best of what I could)
no small offerings here
just say the word
any one will do
and proof will be given

but being met in silence
or fear
or the mild misunderstanding that creates derisiveness
the light snarl of the lip
the flippancy of action
and it cuts me to the core
and I'll admit it
I'll tell you I wish it weren't so

but here it is

and how, or, by what means do you weigh an offered love?
impossible measures never met?
impassable climes of situational perfection?
unfathomable riches you'll heed in anyone else but me?
where I'm encumbered in admirable stones
aglow with the bright tones, respect and love
sigils of what is best, perhaps misplaced
assuredly
but where I could assure is that
if you simply accept them
hesitancy would fall away for you would see them true and not to harm

but in hailing, providing clarity
without no other desire than acceptance
all given
no one thing in return

where your lips would only be happily met in eager warmth
eyes that ignore the passing pleasures of the age to stare at you
and revel in the the darker hues when you look at mine
I sense subtlety
and done what i could to embrace yours
yet here we are
impassable, unfortuitous
lost.

[drink] the Dorsey Penicillin

The Venetian's Cocktail Lounge, the Dorsey, makes a refreshing and memorable Penicillin, a drink that's made the rounds of late.  In it's 'Conversation Pieces' section of its cocktail menu, it's simply listed as scotch, fresh lemon, ginger, honey & an Islay [scotch] float.  Breaking down a version for home, meaning we don't want to necessarily break the bank, may take some finesse.

The cocktail itself was created in 2005 by NY bartender Sam Ross.  Meant to be a cure-all, because of it's reliance on two very important (and I would note some Asian-influence) ingredients, the ginger, lemon and honey.  As prepared, it's meant to be sipped, breaking through the layer of Islay scotch.  It is there that you break through that smokey start and into the citrus sweet in the body.

To finish, you have a candied ginger, that gives you sweet sharp candy...and a hope to cure your ails.

Vegas has its atmospheric challenges, for those that go often.  The mixture of dryness and constantly air-conditioned air.  Smoke.  Among the global vector of people...I like to enjoy this drink a few times during a stay.  Not demonstrably, but, by belief, it helps keep me going.

So, to make a home version that recognizes we aren't all jet-setters with deep pockets:

The drink first starts with a honey-ginger syrup.  Honey, ginger and a cup of water, reduce and chill overnight.  Strain to keep it clear of any solids.  Take some care in its preparation for best results.

In a cocktail shaker:
- 2 oz of Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whiskey - ranges from $75-$90 - I enjoy this particular scotch for its refined taste and good pairing in cocktails
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice - and use real lemons, avoiding the plastic yellow one, with no offense against it, but the tones are much different
- 3/4 oz of the honey-ginger syrup
- ice

Give it a good shake, taking care to feel the temp of the shaker and consider not allowing too much ice to melt in the process.

If we are following the Dorsey, strain over a massive cube of ice, in a traditional 'old fashioned' cocktail glass.  You know, like a half-sized tumbler.  A glass is important for any cocktail to maintain flavor.

Layer the drink with a splash of Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey - ranges from $75.  Don't overpower the drink, a light 'shot' suffices here.  Laphroaig is a totally doable Islay with a nice cask taste of peat and oak.

Wrap it up with candied ginger.  Now, fair warning, it is sometimes hard to find at normal supermarkets.  You'll have better luck at a Sprouts or Whole Foods.

Let me say that you want all of this to complete the drink.  I have tried variants, without even close results.
...
As to the namesake -

We owe great credit, as a civilization, to Dr Alexander Fleming.  In 1928, while studying colonies of Staphylococcus aureus (you'll know it as a staph infection), good ol' Penicillium notatum prevented its growth.  It was not until Dr. Howard Florey (with biochemist Dr Ernst Chain) saw the research some 10 years later and then 'industrailized' it for practical use.

The first recipient of the refined pencillin did well, then died, but it proved enough of its worth to continue what would ultimately become a success.  It's interesting to note that the first recipient merely scratched his face while gardening, with a streptococci and staphylocci spread to his eyes and scalp - then death.  Not cool.

Drink well!  For the full site visit, edwardianjackal.com.

[If you want to replicate the bubble bottom glasses of the Dorsey, Walmart has a similar set.]
...

[listen] night sounds

hot nights mean cruising, cruising on hot nights leans on a solid mix tape

night sounds s1e1 https://edwardianjackal.podbean.com/e/edwardianjackalcom-podcast-night-sounds/

night sounds s1e2 https://edwardianjackal.podbean.com/e/edwardianjackal-night-sounds-s1-e2/

night sounds s1e3 https://edwardianjackal.podbean.com/e/edwardianjackal-night-sounds-s1e3/

...

[rhyme] la femme dangereuse

SHE collects their attention, steals any modicum of silence
or solace yet claims nothing
as if each glance were but a breath
taken but unremembered
where the fancy and object of desire is calm as silk
the fancier is brutalized
hungering for that which will only escape him
clamor in want
that will never, ever come
the animus fills
and the sheets soak in fitful, quiet rage
leading each time, every time, to hate
HER name
Soir de Paris in lace that was begged for as consolation
the feel of her skin, where one would swear it never touched before
and the reaction, the moment where the entire frame could be felt
and almost yours
and, as fleeting as it was,
the next instant the distance
insurmountable and cold

the eyes lost from you
not as if forgotten, even in a loss of memory, in the least there is a thread
that could be pulled
but not here

you are kept alive for some time
to extract what is needed to keep Guerlain upon those lips
Balenciaga on her shoulder
Lightly playing with langoustines a la vapeur at Hostellerie Jerome
After riding a young man from Brussels since lunch

Perhaps it's us
What does the hunt for the elusive
in the end
gain?

[eye] The Majesty of Hearst Castle

There's always been a rush for me when visiting Hearst's 'Castle' - or as he coined it, 'La Cuesta Encantada', The Enchanted Hill.  There's a wild mix of what is the core of California - the natural beauty of the area, the unspoiled vistas, the lunancy of business, the legacy of Hollywood.  Hearst was a genius, there's no denying that.  The care in each placement of a tree, or statue, or fountain is undeniable.

The Roman Pool is otherworldly.  It's as if an ancient Roman bath was lifted back from time.  It is grand and terrifying.  Dark.  It is a daunting pool compared to what we know in California otherwise - the safety of light and air. The ability to see the pool's floor...here a chorus of tile and shadow.

This happy statue used to sit directly outside the main door, but has been brought in to safe it from the weather.

One could only imagine the discussions that went on in this smoking room, whose ceiling needs to be meticulously cleaned from the ravages of cigarettes and cigars.