... had me competing in the Olympics.
Dream-brain seemed somewhat hazy on whether this was summer or winter games, and normie or paras.
I'm not sure of the event either, possibly the Biathlon? Though skis seemed an afterthought and I don't recall any rifle showing up.
However in a firm nod to real life I was late for my race by way of being unable to negotiate athlete registration.
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simont for bringing it to my attention and me_and for making sympathetic and encouraging noises while I stared muzzily at the documentation this evening. Happy to report that I have successfully downloaded Adobe DRMed ebooks from my command line without any Windows install or emulators at all. buttonsbeadslace for posting about it (... link to follow...)evilsusan for the specific combination of courgettes, tofu and garlic that I still make regularly lo these many years later )
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atlas_obscura_places_feed Feb. 27th, 2026 04:00 pm)
On an isolated stretch of the Ring Road in South Iceland, a portion of a white wing from an Icelandair Boeing 757-200, has been mounted. It is dedicated to the service of aviation mechanics. The aircraft mechanic’s oath is printed on the wing.
The wing is set against the stunning backdrop of sheer mountain cliffs and the island’s wilderness. It is not the location of an airplane wreck, and, there is no indication why this out-of-the-way location was chosen.
atlas_obscura_places_feed Feb. 27th, 2026 02:00 pm)
Referred to by locals as Hong Kong's 'South Pole', Po Toi is the territory's southernmost island. Covering an area of 3.69 square kilometres, the car-free island is one of Hong Kong's least populated islands, home to only 20 residents.
Once on the island, three hiking trails of varying difficulty allow visitors to reach the main points of interest. Among which are rock formations like Buddha's Palm Cliff or Tortoise Rock, the supposedly haunted ruins of Mo's old house, and the Tin Hau Temple.
Most historically significant are the Bronze age rock carvings, speculated to be over 3000 years old and supposedly hewn to appease sea gods. Po Toi is also a popular destination for campers and stargazers, due to being one of Hong Kong's least light polluted locations.
While the sparse present-day population is a far cry from its 1950s peak of 2000 residents, the traditional industries of fishing and harvesting seaweed still remain prevalent. Combined with the fact that the island is without running water and off the electrical grid, Po Toi seems almost unbothered by the goings-on of the metropolis across the water, remaining a snapshot in time of when Hong Kong was merely an insignificant fishing village, clinging to the South China coastline.
atlas_obscura_places_feed Feb. 27th, 2026 12:00 pm)
The theater shows a mix of first-run indie, foreign and repertory films, classic double features, and specialty screenings throughout the year. It’s known for unique events like a 70 mm film festival, regular Rocky Horror Picture Show with shadow casts, and long-running classics.
A signature tradition at the Music Box is its house organist, who performs before weekend screenings. The theater houses a custom organ that honors its silent-film era roots.
Architecturally, the Music Box features a deep blue, cove-lit ceiling dotted with twinkling stars designed to mimic an Italian courtyard. This creates the feeling of watching a film under an open night sky.
Beyond the main screen, the venue includes a second smaller auditorium added in 1991 and a casual gathering space, the Music Box Theatre Lounge, used for discussions, drinks, and summer garden screenings.
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highadrenalineexchange writer,atlas_obscura_places_feed Feb. 27th, 2026 10:00 am)
Long before Collado Villalba had a town hall, it had a rock. Known as the Piedra del Concejo, this massive granite outcrop once served as the beating heart of local decision-making, where neighbors gathered in the open air to debate land disputes, local laws, and communal concerns in a form of direct democracy that predates modern institutions.
In 1724, the town’s mayor, known as Señor Sanz, ordered the stone to be reshaped with five carved steps, transforming it into a more comfortable civic platform. Chiseled into its surface are symbols, including a mysterious bird—interpreted as either a dove or the now-extinct francolin—that later became an emblem of the town itself.
Yet the stone’s story may reach even deeper into the past. Its weathered form and secondary, older steps suggest it may have been a ritual site long before municipal politics, perhaps even in pre-Roman times, echoing ancient sacred stones later repurposed by Christian and civic architecture.
Though it no longer hosts council meetings, the Piedra del Concejo remains a witness to centuries of public life. Declared a protected historic site in 1991, it stands quietly in the Plaza de la Constitución—still inviting curiosity, conversation, and a sense of shared history.
As you know, an emotional support animal is a companion that provides support to human individuals for a mental, psychiatric, or emotional disorder. These are often typical pet animals like dogs and cats, although other creatures — including plants — can improve your mental health.
Plants require a role reversal, though.
Animal companions for humans rarely get training, but you must train yourself to provide effective emotional support for plants. First, you must overcome plant blindness and see them as living beings. Then decide if you plan on supporting outdoor or indoor plants: gardening, rewilding your lawn, or sustaining indoor plants in pots?
If you already have plants, what kind do you have? Apps like Picture This and its website, Pl@ntNet, or guided observation and keys can help. Find out what that particular plant needs for warmth, light, and watering, and consider what you can offer.
Common houseplants are often jungle undergrowth plants, and your living room probably resembles a jungle floor in light and warmth — but check. Every plant has a niche, and it will suffer stress outside that niche. A cactus leads a very different life than a pothos, and small plants need more frequent care, sometimes daily, than big plants. Your first emotional support duty is to gauge your ability to minimize the plant’s stress.
“Moist” is a universally challenging concept when it involves soil, yet you must master it.
When you care for your plant, you will benefit both the plant and yourself. As you provide regular, attentive care, you may improve your own self-care. After all, you get by giving, and you learn responsibility by being responsible.
As the support animal, you will be rewarded by beauty and quiet companionship, and you will have created a supportive environment for the plant — and very possibly for yourself. Are you ready to change your life?
for your latest work: Not Pounded By This T-Rex On The USA Men’s Hockey Team Because It Turns Out He’s A MAGA Dork
(I had a full body "you go here TOO?" reaction when I saw that title, haha)
If you've managed to avoid being aware of the latest way men's hockey has been highly disappointing, please continue in blissful ignorance and/or consider watching a PWHL game this weekend, but I'll take this moment of crossover fandom for the comfort it is.
davidgillon - The Most Ridiculous Dream Ever ...kaberett - some good things!china_shop - New phonesabotabby - podcast fridaysummersgate - fridayatlas_obscura_places_feed - Aircraft Mechanics Creed Monument in Kalfafellsstadur, Icelandatlas_obscura_places_feed - Po Toi Island in Hong Kongdevilc - US Men's Hockey Teamtinny in nexticon - sad and blueatlas_obscura_places_feed - Music Box Theatre in Chicago, Illinoisrekishi - I just couldn't help myself anymore ^^;trobadora - Dear HA creatoratlas_obscura_places_feed - Piedra del Concejo in Collado Villalba, Spainmount_oregano - You can be an emotional support animaldolorosa_12 - Friday open thread: activities in incongruous placesdewline - Musical Interlude: "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught"andrewducker - Interesting Links for 27-02-2026puddleshark - Brighton Seafrontandrewducker - Some thoughts on the Gorton and Denton by-electionrmc28 - bless you Chuck Tingle
