#mark simon

[vintagehomecollection]

Painting any surface white makes it advance toward the eye. This fireplace, designed as the focal point of the living room by architect Mark Simon, is striking because of its temple shape; its white color, in contrast to the other hues in the room, makes it seem to zoom forward.

House Beautiful Color, 1993

[videomessiah]

Hit Parader #255, December 1985 - Grim Reaper Interview

[thecuddlymuffintop]

I put Robotnik's theme over a thicc rat. Video uploaded by mynameistylerbutyoucancallmesimon. Robotnik’s theme is from Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.

[soldiersandshitposts]

For A Star To Be Born: Chapter 1

Year: 2020

He didn’t want it to have to come this, he really didn’t, but for his own safety he knew it needed to be done. Running around with no shelter wasn’t the best idea, but it seemed it was something that needed to be done. Karen was becoming too insistent, if she found a way to contact advent it would be over for him. He didn’t want to put his daughters at risk without someone protecting them, but it seemed that was the way she wanted it. He had knowledge he couldn’t let fall into advent’s hands, and she damn well knew that, but it didn’t seem as if she cared.

He was trying to get a few things together, he didn’t plan on taking much more than a small pack. Karen was busy downstairs with the girls, probably trying to force Sophie to learn how to read again. He had time to go through their room and pick out things that were important. A few sweaters, heavy coat, heavy blanket.

And then he turned around and was greeted by Sophie watching him. She looked ready to cry. He hadn’t really came up with an explanation for all of this yet, it looked like the time for that was right now. He opened his arms, letting her walk over and wrap hers around him.

“You said you weren’t leaving again.” Quiet, he didn’t realize she knew how to be this quiet.

“Things, things change Sophie. It’s not safe for me here.” He hugged her tightly, trying his best to be able to make up for things.

“I came here to hide, because mom’s hitting me again. And now you’re leaving?” He leaves the girls with her for less than an hour and Sophie is already complaining about her getting mean, he couldn’t leave her to this, it wasn’t fair. Taking her wouldn’t be safe either. There’d probably be no medical care, and Sophie got sick if there was even a drop of water on her and it got super cold. He should just stay, but she made that impossible, it seemed there was no way out.

“Mom hit you, why?”

“Because I don’t want to read, and I’m stupid and…” It felt like she stopped breathing.

“Sophie?”

“She called me a failure.” His mind was made then, he couldn’t leave her. It would be hard, but he couldn’t leave her to this.

“And what about Sadie, is she going after her?”

“No, she only praises her. She’s so smart I’m pretty sure mom is happy either way.” Sadie was safe, he figured that. At least he wouldn’t have two kids to worry about.

“Okay, I’ll get stuff together for you, don’t let mom know. I won’t leave you behind this time, not with her.”

She just nodded her head before making way to his bed. “I’m going to hide here, she won’t think to look for me here.”

“Alright kid, I promise you, things will get better. We’ll make it, okay?” He didn’t know if he was convincing her or himself, but either way it felt like it was something that needed to be said.

“Yeah! I know you wouldn’t hurt me. You love me too much. You’ll make sure I’m safe.” It was reassuring to hear, at least. One person believed.

Getting away wasn’t the easiest thing. He thought of hiking when it was just him, but he knew Sophie wasn’t going to be able to keep up with him and they wouldn’t make it far. The car was easily trackable, but it seemed like the best bet.

Their house was out in the woods well hidden. It was always convenient but it ended up working out well for the past five years, he hated to leave. He knew trying to chase Karen out would be impossible, at least Sadie would be safe.

Sophie was passed in the back seat, almost immediately after she said she’d stay up with him. He was glad, her laying down prevented anyone from seeing her if they just glanced in, she was safer.

The gas tank in the car was still pretty full, when Mark went for supplies he always made sure it was somewhere he could reach on foot. (Getting out of the woods was too hard on bike, though he did it a few times for longer occasions.) The car would have to be left eventually, but hopefully it could get them to a point where he could find a safe place to make camp.

The first stop was in the mess of what used to be their nearest town. Mark finally had a use for the drugs he came by when he was making his way back to his family after xcom’s fall. Trading for canned goods seemed like a good idea, he wouldn’t dare take his supply from home. He might’ve been mad at Karen, but threatening her survival wasn’t very fair for her. Finding a way to get food was when it was clear he was safe to leave.

It took him about an hour to get there. His contact waiting for him. He nodded once he was out of the car.

“Look, I know we agreed to trade for food, but if you have any medicines that can be used for pain, I had to take my daughter with me, I can double what I offered.” It was worth being upfront, he had to try.

“Could just give her some of this morphine, I’m sure she’d like that.”

“She’s ten.” If he wasn’t trying to make a deal, he probably would’ve punched the guy.

“Right, ten, never too young for the drug addiction, you really should just let her have the fun, how long do you think she’s going to last? A few more years? Don’t kid yourself, we’ll all be dead soon enough.”

“Doesn’t mean I should offer her less than the best chance possible.” He knew the game, and knew it wasn’t worth getting upset over. The man just laughed.

“I can throw them in, have a gun for her? I can offer that for free, wouldn’t want the girl unprotected.” It wasn’t a bad idea, she did need a way to protect herself. He could teach her how to use psionics instead-

No, the gun was a better idea.

“Please? Would be nice. Know anywhere safe?”

“Maybe a days drive away, up north a little, there’s not much advent control. You’d be safe from them there, they don’t like the heavy woods and cold.” He handed Mark the gun and bag of foods after throwing the medicine on top. He smile brightly when he saw the drugs.

“Washington state area?” Mark took the bag and placed it in the trunk, hoping that it being out of sight would keep them safer.

“Something like that, it’s winter there. Probably have to find a new car, shouldn’t be hard for you. Girl know her dad’s a murder?”

“She doesn’t need to know of my past, I can’t put that on her.”

“Hmm, think this is where we part ways, best of luck my friend.” He bowed, going back to his own vehicle.

Mark sat in the car, Sophie started sitting up. She looked confused for a second, and then scared.

“Dad?” Her voice sounded dry, he could only hope she wasn’t already getting sick.

“Still me Sophie, you’re still safe, go back to sleep.”

“Okay, love you.” She curled back up, her purple rabbit wrapped up in her arms.

“Love you too Sophie.”

He found a place that seemed quiet enough, he needed to at least take a break from driving. There was also the matter of teaching Sophie how to pitch a tent, and make fires.

Oh, and not to mention, the bright idea to teach his ten year old daughter how to shoot a gun.

Sophie was awake and chattery, treating it like an everyday average car ride. Pointing out sights, getting excited when there was something pretty. She was amazed when she saw the first city center, Mark was just happy to pass by it unnoticed. He could explain to her later what they were, let her have her pretty things.

The tent part was easy, Sophie picked that up quickly. Fire was… well… one of those moments where it was kinda bullshit he promised himself that he wouldn’t use his psionics around his daughter. She needed to learn how to make a fire normally though, it was for the better.

Sophie was happy sitting by the fire, eating a can of spaghettios. It wouldn’t be daylight much longer, he needed to get the fire out and well, needed to teach her about the gun while he could.  

Sophie looked unhappy when he started to put out the fire, but it wasn’t something he could help. She reluctantly helped him after a bit, even if it was more of her clinging to him for warmth.

“Hey Sophie, this is going to seem weird, but this is something you gotta learn.” Her eyes brightened up, at least she seemed excited. “I know it’s hard for you to see, but-” He pulled the pistol of of the car’s glove box, Sophie didn’t look happy now. “You have to learn to protect yourself.”

She at least took it when he handed it to her, even if she look terrified. He showed her proper positioning, where to hold it, what to do.

“You want to try firing it?” He pulled his arms away from her, content that she could hold her position herself.

“Uh, maybe?”

“See that tree? Aim at it, try to hit the hole in it if you want.”

She breathed heavily for a few seconds before firing the pistol, it barely missing the hole, he had to admit it was impressive.

“Keep trying till you hit it.”

It took a few attempts, but eventually she was able to. She seemed proud of it.

“You want this back?” She handed him the pistol.

“No, I have my own, you keep that just incase. Put it in your bag.”

She nodded her head, at least she was seeming more happy about it. Maybe things could be okay. If they ran into a pack of advent at least he’d have help. Trying to stay away from psionics would be hard enough.

Once she was done they curled up in the tent together. Sophie seeming very happy to be able to sleep curled up with her dad. He couldn’t say he was upset either, it helped remind him that they were there, and that they made it. It would be okay. He just had to keep telling himself that.

[soldiersandshitposts]

47. — stars

She was thankful to have night time watch over the camp, sleeping wasn’t exactly the easiest of things for Cass now. Everything had fallen apart in less than a day, the commander was gone, the council surrendered, it felt like hell.

She was surprised there wasn’t more of an effort to find them, the survivors who didn’t just run. How many people from xcom had fled to the new ‘safety’ of the aliens, how many more would in the coming years? Surely someone had joined them would’ve been able to give them the info to track the rest down.

She heard someone walking up behind her. They weren’t trying to be quiet, it couldn’t be anyone wishing to cause harm. She glanced behind her to find Mark walking up to her, he waved once he noticed that she saw him.

“What the hell do you want Simon? Aren’t you supposed to be leaving?”

“Ouch, Decide I don’t want to stick around anymore and I lose the best friend status.” He sat down next to her, completely ignoring her attitude. “Came to check on you, and well, say final goodbyes I guess.”

“I don’t fucking get it. How can one person make that big of a difference. Surely the council could’ve found someone else, or we could’ve tried to get her back.” She sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“Hey Cass? Look how many stars there are. Billions, right? Even that can be lowballing it.” He gestured towards the sky, leaving his hand to point at one star in specific, the brightest one. “Now think of the most important star, the North Star. People in the old days followed that shit, it brought them home, they trusted it, no other star would do. What would’ve happened if that one specific star would’ve burned out? They would’ve been lost. That star is the commander, we lost her and now we’re all just stumbling through. Hell, most people have flat out given up.”

“Wow, poetic, didn’t know you had the brains for that level of thinking.” She laughed and shook her head, sitting up straight again.

“Y’know me, a ladies man, of course I’m good at poetry my dear Cassandra.” He crossed his arms and smirked at her, mainly causing her to just laugh more.

“So, you got some big moral lesson hot shot? Or you didn’t think that far.”

“Oh come Cass, you know me, I just pulled all that shit from my ass.” He laughed for a second and then sighed. “I don’t fucking know, maybe the lesson is just hold on hope until that special star comes back. Either way, I gotta go. Have two girls and a dog waiting for me at home. Owe it to them to go try and keep them safe from this hell. You’re still welcome to come.”

“I can’t, you know I can’t. But thank you. Also? Try not to get yourself killed, or caught. Remember those two girls if you ever try to do something stupid. And remember you don’t have me covering you.”

“Me? Get caught, c’mon, you know I’m better than that.” They both stood, hugging each other tightly.

“You’re a fucking asshole.” She said, trying to fight back tears. “I’ll miss you.”

Once they finished the hug and Mark walked off Cass couldn’t fight back tears anymore. She couldn’t help but feel she was watching a ghost walk away.

[gorskon]

NORI protocol: The fruit diet that doesn't cure cancer

NORI protocol: The fruit diet that doesn't cure cancer, regardless of what quacks claim.

I’ve been blogging for well over 14 years now. So you’d think (or at least I do much of the time) that over all those years I’ve covered pretty much every form of dubious cancer treatment there is. Sadly, every so often reality disabuses me of this notion. Over the weekend, I was perusing what I like to call my Folder of Woo, basically a folder of links to potential blogging topics, when I…

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[soldiersandshitposts]

Playing In The Rain

Trigger Warning for child abuse

Sophie was home alone with her mom, probably her least favorite time of the day. It wasn’t abnormal for her to be with her alone being her dad always went places and Sadie was allowed to go, unlike her, but she still hated it. Her and her mom, they didn’t exactly get along. Something always went wrong, and Sophie was always to blame.

She was sitting on the couch, curled up with Sif. Her mom had told her to sit still, to not move. So she just laid on the dog, hoping that she’d fall asleep soon enough so she wasn’t a problem. Just as she started to fall asleep Sif whimpered, looking at the door.

“Mom? Sif needs to go out.” She said to the lady cooking in the kitchen.

“She’s going to have to wait until I’m done.” The response was short, angry. Sophie just sighed as Sif continued to whimper.

Sophie knew she could walk Sif whenever she was allowed out, and she knew her mom would eventually walk away from the door. It was just a waiting game until she could sneak out. Running her tiny fingers through the dog’s coat she whispered in her ears. ‘It’s okay girl, a few more minutes.’

Sif seemed to understand, she stopped whimpering and laid her big head on Sophie’s lap. The girl kissing it before resting hers on top.

She waited until her mom went downstairs, and then she quietly got up, pushing Sif off her. The dog followed behind her, head hung low. Sophie had to climb a bit to get her collar and leash, but she eventually reached them. Sif happily let her put the collar on after, tag wagging, but careful not to smack into anything. Sophie didn’t bother with shoes and a coat, wasn’t something she was ever worried about.

When they snuck out the door Sophie was happy to see it was raining outside, she instantly ran to a puddle, splashing into it. Sif following her, the two playing happily. Sophie seemed to forget that she was supposed to just sneak out, now yelling and laughing. Her mom at the back of her mind.

It lasted maybe five minutes, but it felt like barely anytime to Sophie.

“Sophie, what did I tell you!” Sophie swore she felt her heart stop working whenever her mom yelled.

“Sif really needed to-“

“Get in here, right now.”

She looked at her, then to Sif, and then towards the driveway. It didn’t take much thought to try and run, but she was scared. She hesitated, long enough for her mom to get to her and grab her arm as she tried to take off. Her mom’s grip was tight, her arm instantly hurting as she tried to pull away, so she scram. That was when her mom hit her across her face. The last thing she remembered was falling into the puddle.

———

‘She needs to realize she can’t be outside, people will ask questions.’

‘No one cares Karen, honestly, we can’t keep her hidden forever.’

‘She should be dead. We wouldn’t have to deal with this.’

‘Well, she’s not, so get used to it already. She’s just a kid, let her be one.’

———

Sophie woke up coughing, her dad’s arms tightly around her. He had her wrapped in a towel and three other blankets but she was still shivering. She looked up at him and he just shook his head.

“What happened?”

“Just go back to sleep, okay?”

“Am I gonna be okay?”

“You’ll be fine, I wouldn’t let you be hurt.”

She nodded her head and then leaned it against his chest, closing her eyes again. Maybe forgetting was the best bet.

[janeunchained]

#LunchBreakLIVE with well known clinical nutritionist Mark Simon, making Enchilada Lasagna, all dairy-free and, therefore, cholesterol free! Mark is the founder of NORI – Nutritional Oncology Research Institute, which helps people battling cancer adopt the optimal diet for survival, namely a plant-based!

Quick Enchilada Lasagna

6-8 Corn Tortillas, Organic

1/2 Cup Enchilada Sauce, red or green, Trader Joe’s or Sprouts

2 Cups Spinach or Swiss Chard

2 Medium sized Zucchini, very thinly sliced

Optional, any thinly sliced vegetable such as sweet potato, eggplant, onion, butternut squash, carrot

1/2 Cup Daiya Cheese, Pepper Jack is best

Saute, boil or steam all vegetables. Pour 1/4 cup enchilada sauce into 9 X 7 inch pyrex baking dish. Layer tortillas, spinach, vegetables and cheese creating 2-3 layers. Pour remaining enchilada sauce on top. Bake at 350 F for 15-20 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro and green onion. Optionally, top with guacamole, salsa or vegan sour cream.

Enchilada Lasagna? Dairy-Free & Delish! #LunchBreakLIVE with well known clinical nutritionist Mark Simon, making Enchilada Lasagna, all dairy-free and, therefore, cholesterol free!