Pepperoni Saved My Life: A Pizza Redemption Story, Vol. 2

The Many Slices of Life (and Pizza)

Discover the delicious diversity of pizza! From the smoky simplicity of Naples-style to the crisp and creative Roman slices, and the iconic, foldable New York favorite, each style tells a story of tradition and taste. Hungry for more? This is just the beginning, click through to explore these mouthwatering styles and get a sneak peek at what’s coming next in our pizza series!

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Excerpt:
From the bustling streets of Rome, where pizza is cut with scissors and served by weight, to the hearty deep-dish pies of Chicago that some argue are more casserole than pizza, the options are endless. In New York, pizza purists defend their foldable slices with a passion, claiming their perfect balance of chew and crispness reigns supreme. Meanwhile, Italians cherish the sacred traditions of their regional styles, emphasizing simplicity and high-quality ingredients.

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Pepperoni Saved My Life: A Pizza Redemption Story. Vol. 1

Did you know pizza’s story began long before mozzarella and pepperoni? From ancient Roman flatbreads to the bustling streets of Naples, this culinary icon has a history as rich as its sauce. Discover the bold innovations, fiery controversies, and timeless traditions that transformed pizza into the global sensation we love today. 🍕 Uncover the epic tale behind every slice—click through and explore the delicious history on Patreon!

Read more as a free member!

Excerpt:
The Epic Tale of Pizza: A Journey Through Time and Taste
Pizza, that beloved creation from cucina povera, carries a history as rich as the sauce slathered on its doughy canvas. This tale starts long before modernity graced its crust, weaving through the kitchens of antiquity where flatbreads were crowned with rudimentary toppings to become the culinary ancestors of what we now know as pizza.

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A Testament to Shadows Encircling My Cabin

Enter a haunting world of isolation and dread with this original poem. Written from the perspective of a lone soul trapped in a one-room cabin deep within the snowy woods, the piece weaves a chilling narrative of encroaching spirits, fragile defenses, and a desperate plan for salvation. Through vivid imagery and an intimate voice, it explores themes of guilt, loneliness, and the struggle to survive against otherworldly forces.

Perfect for fans of atmospheric horror and dark poetry, this piece invites you to step into a story where every crack in the walls and whisper in the wind carries an unsettling promise of doom. Stay tuned for more immersive tales and poetic explorations of the macabre.

Thank you for your support—it keeps these dark tales alive!

More on Patreon

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New short story: Whispers

“Whispers in the Neon”
In the heart of a decaying city, where shadows twist and the streets breathe with desperation, a mysterious woman moves through the night. Guided by eerie whispers and an insatiable hunger she doesn’t fully understand, her path crosses with a man who hides a monstrous secret of his own. What begins as a cat-and-mouse game of power and control unravels into something far darker—an ancient force stirring beneath the surface.

This is a tale of predators and prey, where the line between the two is blurred and the true nature of fear waits in the shadows.

Are you ready to see what the whispers reveal?

Join on Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/c/TouchingTheAwesome

Opening excerpt:

The city was alive, breathing in short, metallic gasps. It pulsed beneath the slick veneer of rain-slicked streets and the whispered promises of neon. Shadows leaned heavy against brick and glass, moving in sync with the cacophony of sirens, the low rumble of late-night engines, and the hiss of steam curling from sewer grates, the sigh of an ancient beast. She watched it all, her sharp eyes reflecting fragments of neon, her smile faint and inscrutable—a mask of warmth that revealed nothing.

It had been a strange night, and the strangeness clung to her skin, damp and heavy with the chill of rain. She tasted it in the air, sharp and metallic; a secret bleeding out into the gutters. Outside the club on 12th street, a confrontation had fizzled out, a wet fuse sputtering in the dark—an angry drunk lunging, only to falter, his bravado collapsing into mumbled apologies. “Sorry, lady. I—I don’t know what came over me.” Later, at the bus stop, another had grabbed her wrist, his grip reeking of whiskey and desperation. She had held his gaze, unblinking, until his fingers fell away and he staggered back, his face pale and tight with something he couldn’t name.

The encounters left her restless, each one stirring something just beneath the surface, an itch that refused to be soothed. She paused mid-step, her head tilting slightly, listening to something just out of reach. The whispers came then, faint and fleeting, barely distinguishable from the hiss of rain against the pavement. There. Go there. They were soft at first, but insistent, tugging at her thoughts, threads pulled tight.

Her lips parted to argue, but the whispers pressed on, airy and strange, skipping through her mind, a needle catching on warped vinyl. The stairwell. You’ll find what you need.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, a response she couldn’t place. It wasn’t joy or agreement, but something caught between curiosity and resignation. The city whispered too, its secrets curling on tendrils of smoke and exhaust, wrapping around her, a shroud tightening with each step. The glow of its lights smeared across the wet streets, feverish and unstable, shimmering just enough to make her doubt their solidity.

She turned sharply on her heel, the click of her boots slicing through the rain-drenched air. Her movements were deliberate yet guided by something outside herself, the whispering thread pulling her onward. The parking garage loomed ahead, its squat concrete form silent and foreboding. And yet… it felt right. The whispers quieted as she approached, holding their breath, waiting.

Her heart quickened—not from fear, but from the odd certainty that the whispers were right. Something waited for her here. Something she needed.

Join on Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/c/TouchingTheAwesome

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Busting Myths and Taking Action: Your Guide to a Greener Lifestyle

Hey there, eco-warriors! Ever feel overwhelmed by all the dos and don’ts of environmental conservation? Well, you’re not alone. It’s time to sort fact from fiction and take some real action. Let’s bust some common myths, explore easy ways to make a difference, and figure out how to measure our environmental impact. Ready? Let’s dive in!

Debunking the Myths:

Environmental conservation is a critical issue, but it’s often surrounded by misconceptions and myths that can hinder effective action. First up, let’s tackle five pesky myths about saving the environment:

  • Small Steps Matter: Think your individual actions don’t count? Think again! Every little effort, from recycling to saving water, adds up to big changes.
  • Budget-Friendly Green Living: Guess what? Going green doesn’t have to break the bank. Energy-efficient gadgets save cash in the long run, and who doesn’t love a good bike ride over a traffic jam?
  • Paper vs. Plastic: It’s not as straightforward as you might think. Both have their environmental costs, so it’s all about being mindful of how we use and dispose of them.
  • Climate Change is Now: This isn’t just a future problem. It’s happening right now, and it’s affecting us all.
  • Every Change Counts: Large-scale changes are great, but don’t underestimate local and personal actions. They’re equally crucial!

Making an Impact:

Ready to start making a positive impact? Making a positive impact on the environment doesn’t have to be complex or challenging. Here are five easy actions that everyone can take to contribute effectively to environmental conservation:

  • Embrace the Three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – it’s the golden rule!
  • Conserve Water: Fix those leaks and keep showers short and sweet.
  • Energy Efficiency: Lights off, folks! And let’s not forget about energy-saving bulbs and appliances.
  • Sustainable Transport: Got a bike? Use it! Public transport and carpooling are your friends.
  • Eco-friendly Products: Shop smart – think recycled materials and minimal packaging.
  • Remember, every small step by each one of us can lead to massive leaps for mankind (and the planet!).

Calculate Your Carbon Footprint:

Curious about your environmental impact? Calculating your carbon footprint gives you insight into the impact your lifestyle has on the environment, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. While exact calculations can be complex. Let’s break down how to calculate your carbon footprint in a simplified approach:

  • On the Move:
    Track those miles in your car, on public transport, and in the air. Multiply by the right emission factors to see your transport impact.
  • Home Sweet Home:
    Check out your energy bills and figure out your household’s energy use.
  • You Are What You Eat:
    Your diet matters too. Meat lover or veggie fanatic – it all adds up differently.
  • Shop Till You Drop:
    Consider your spending habits. Every purchase has its carbon tag.

Feeling overwhelmed? There are awesome online calculators to simplify the process. Just plug in your info, and voila!

So there you have it! A no-nonsense guide to living a greener, more sustainable life. By debunking myths, making mindful choices, and understanding our carbon footprint, we can each make a world of difference. Let’s embrace this journey with open arms and maybe, just maybe, we can turn the tide in favor of our beautiful planet. Ready to join the green revolution? Let’s do this!

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An Exoplanet Round-Up, Part 1

Welcome Aboard the Exoplanet Express!

All aboard ‘An Exoplanet Round-Up, Part 1’! Fasten your seatbelts as we launch into a cosmic odyssey, exploring some of the most jaw-dropping discoveries in the universe. Our focus? Exoplanets – those enigmatic planets that orbit stars far beyond our own solar system. These aren’t your grandma’s planets; each one is a universe of mysteries, boasting features that range from eerily familiar to downright bizarre.

Imagine a place where you could find Earth’s long-lost cousins or gas giants that make Jupiter look like a lightweight. The ten exoplanets we’re about to introduce are like the all-star cast of an intergalactic saga. They’re a sneak peek – the tip of an immense cosmic iceberg – in a galaxy where ‘thousands’ is just a casual count. These celestial wonders offer a kaleidoscope view into the endless diversity and spellbinding mysteries of far-off planetary systems.

So, let’s zoom through the stars and meet these out-of-this-world exoplanets. Get ready to have your mind blown by the wonders that await!

  • Kepler-22b: One of the first exoplanets discovered in the habitable zone of its star, where conditions might be right for liquid water.
  • Proxima Centauri b: The closest known exoplanet to the Solar System, orbiting the star Proxima Centauri. It’s located in the habitable zone, raising questions about its potential to host life.
Trappist-1 System, conceptual art
  • TRAPPIST-1 System: A system of seven Earth-sized planets, three of which are in the star’s habitable zone. This system is particularly interesting because of the potential for interplanetary habitability. NASA page. Explore the system in 3-D
  • Gliese 1214 b: Known as a “water world,” this exoplanet has a thick, steamy atmosphere and is believed to have an ocean or ice layer.
  • HD 209458 b (Osiris): This was the first exoplanet discovered that was seen transiting its star. It has a very short orbital period and is known for its extended atmosphere, which is being stripped away by the star.
  • Kepler-452b: Sometimes referred to as “Earth’s cousin,” this planet is in the habitable zone of its star and is close in size to Earth, although much older.
  • 55 Cancri e: An incredibly hot planet thought to be covered in lava, it orbits its star so closely that a year lasts just 18 hours. NASA page
  • J1407b: Known for its enormous ring system, which is much larger and heavier than Saturn’s and may have moons forming within them.
  • WASP-12b: A “hot Jupiter” with one of the shortest orbital periods known, it’s also being consumed by its host star, providing valuable insights into planetary dynamics.
  • K2-18b: This exoplanet is intriguing because it’s located in the habitable zone of its star and has an atmosphere that contains water vapor, raising questions about its potential for habitability. NASA page.
K2-18b illustration

Stellar Farewell (For Now)

As our interstellar tour of ‘An Exoplanet Round-Up, Part 1’ comes to a close, we hope you’ve enjoyed this astronomical adventure as much as we have. These ten exoplanets are just a small sample of the wonders that lie beyond our solar gaze, each a reminder of the boundless possibilities that our universe holds. As we continue to peer deeper into the cosmos, who knows what other astonishing worlds we’ll discover? Until ‘Part 2’ of our exoplanet exploration, keep looking up and wondering. The universe has endless stories to tell, and we’ve barely scratched the surface!

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