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cornerofmadnessSo I went to Sea Life Aquarium which turns out to be IN Crown Center, down the block from the Sheraton and I could have always snuck off to see this. Snort. It's geared more to kids and is side by side with Legoland (which does not allow adults without kids in it) it was a nice (if a bit pricy) aquarium. It had sea dragons and jellyfish so I was happy (and bought an axolatol plushie I didn't need)
And it turned out this place is there with the Hallmark visitor center museum thing so why not, right? I had no idea that JC Hall started this with gathering up pre-done postcards and sending them to retailers and hoped to get paid (it's practically a scam) And did you know his first greeting card with sound was in 1924? I sure didn't. Didn't know it wasn't called Hallmark until 1954 either (it was Hall Brothers before then) Loved the display of Christmas trees. Mom loves ornaments so I wasn't leaving here without one. All the gift shop had was baby's first Xmas, first Xmas in our new home and a creepy baby's first xmas sonogram) maybe because of mother's day. So I went into the big three story mall complex to the big hallmark and they only had the same one with a couple of birds and butterflies. Got one of a peep in a egg, dumb, tiny but I have it.
From there I went to the Museum of Kansas City. It was a private residence Corinthian Hall, but only used from 1910 to 1934 and became a museum in 1940 (seems rather a waste) The ground level was preserved as it was when the Long family lived there (hope to get the pics up in the next few days) They allow no photo shoots but I could take pics with my cell phone no flash.
Me - can I use my better camera with no flash?
Them - no, just your cell phone camera
Me - um...okay, why? they're both cameras
Them - we don't allow camera cameras
I let it go because what's the point in arguing with stupid? The upstairs was modern art (including from the Native people and African American communities) One was a recorded (I think, maybe entirely AI) talk with a former Polish Jewish woman who was in one of the camps and you could ask 'her' interactive questions and the AI would find the bits to play in the prerecording (or make shit up, who knows)
It was now after 3 so I'm like yeah, not trying for another museum for less than 2 hours. I went back to Elmwood cemetery now that I have a map in my head of where Leannah Loveall (prostitute turned Madame turned religious pillar) and I found her instantly. Must have driven past her 5 times the first time I was there.
I went to historic Union Cemetery (which has well put together historic literature for you to go on a scavenger hunt with), not a lot of impressive stones but it was super inner city now and reminded me of my college dorm, with the headstones right up to the apartments (You could have slapped a headstone from my dorm room window). One had this pool side full of hammocks and loungers with a view of the cemetery. You know there's a story in that.
Came back to the casino, played Voodoo Jackpots and accidentally dragged my finger over the touchscreen, jumping my .66 cent wager to 6.60$ without me knowing it until I hit bet. And hit a free spin bonus and won 225$. I wanted to stay for more but I did the hard thing and walked away without trying to hit another one and losing it all.
here's my![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
intoabar rough draft Hazbin Hotel/The Amazing Digital Circus. It's not ready yet to post there but I also wrote it for spikesgirl58's 6 word challenge and that's due tonight. I'll edit it and post it once I get home. Also too tired to do the fannish 50 fandom recs. I'll do that on Tuesday
the six words were Pneumonia Achieve Company Smooth Ensure Gallery
But Not For Me
Pneumonia Achieve Company Smooth Ensure Gallery
Kinger glanced up at the large Vegas-like hotel with glittering lights and bizarre inclusions like a broken train track, carousel, and a ship. “Where did Caine come up with this?”
“Why is everything on fire behind us?” Pomni stared back toward a city clocked in smoke and ringing with screams. She looped up at the red sky, her jester bells jangling. “And why the hell is there a giant pentagram in the sky?”
“It could be we’re in hell again.” Kinger fiddled with the dark goggles Pomni and Ragatha had designed for him. They didn’t fit well but they were helping to ground him.
“If Baron Theodore Mildenhall is here, I’m noping out. I’ll sit right here until Caine gives up on this adventure.”
“I don’t think that will work. We might as well go into the hotel and see what this is all about.”
She sighed and nodded, following him. “What does Caine hope to achieve with these adventures?”
“Engagement.” Kinger suspected that was right. The longer he stayed in the dark, the more he thought about Caine and his motivations.
She snorted. “Could be worse. The portal he tossed Ragatha and Jax through looked wet and cold. They’ll come back with pneumonia.”
“Not sure that’s possible but I’m glad we’re not wet.” Kinger didn’t know why Caine had separated them again. This might be better than the loud noises- flashing lights zone Zooble and Gangle had been consigned to.
He pushed open the hotel door and stopped insider before Pomni could even fall in step with him a little woman -?!?, he wasn’t entirely sure – in a blood spattered maid’s apron raced up to him wielding a huge knife. He put himself between her and Pomni, drinking in the mad glint in her solitary eye. She pulled up short and looked them over.
“Oh, new blood and one of them might be a bad boy,” she said excitedly.
Pomni failed to stifle her laugh. Kinger looked down at her. “What? Jax is the bad boy. You give off Dad energy.”
“I like that’s how you see me,” he replied but the one eyed woman scowled. “Hello, I’m Kinger and she’s Pomni. You don’t need a knife for us. We’re not here to hurt you.”
She shrugged. “I’m teaching the rats a less.” She brandished the knife.
“Rats?” Pomni shuddered.
“We have a lot of them. I’m Niffty.” She spun on her heels and shouted. “Husk! We have company.” Niffty looked over her shoulder at them. “Alastor is supposed to greet guests but he’s…” She frowned. “I need to give him another roach gift.”
Pomni mouthed ‘roach gift.’ Kinger shrugged, not sure where any of this was going or if they should be following a child-sized cyclops covered in rat blood. He’d say this was rather violent for Caine but after the whole Mildenhall Manor adventure who knew? Can was getting more erratic.
Niffty led them down a hall. They passed a gallery of photos of odd looking people, typical Circus bodies. The people looked happy at least. They lead up to a huge portrait of a snake man in a Navy-like uniform surrounded by Humpty Dumpties. She gestured to a bar where another Cyclopean woman sat in far sexier clothing, he supposed. It wasn’t his idea of sexy such as he remembered it – Oh Queenie – but he recognized the effort. A cat man with wings was behind the bar and a tall individual with multiple arms and a neon pink bustier on, showcasing a pink heart on their white fluffy chest They had one set of hands resting on the back of a little pig sitting on the bar.
“Just when I thought we were over all the noobs,” the cat said.
“Sorry, Charlie isn’t here to greet you,” the woman said.
“Want a drink?” the cat man shot them a decidedly grumpy look.
“God yes,” Pomni breathed and Kinger nodded. “You don’t want another corn cocktail do you, Kinger?”
“I ain’t making corn shit.” The cat flapped the bar rag at them. “I just mixed up a pitcher of Harder Daddy’s for this fool who better get his damn pig off my bar.”
“Harder Daddy?” Pomni asked before Kinger could.
“My signature drink and life motto,” the white and pink multiarmed fellow said. “Hi, I’m Angel Dust, he’s Husk and she’s Cherri and Fat Nuggets is waiting for you to give him a bowl of snacks, Huskie.”
“That pig is not going to spend all evening gobbling my nuts,” Husk snorted.
“Husk! We’ve talked about this! Don’t say it that way. Nuggsy is little,” Angel Dust covered the pig’s ears.
“I want some nuts,” Niffty said, climbing up a bar stool.
“Did I hear your name is Kinger?” Angel Dust leaned closer to him. “I’ve never had me a king before, just a lot of chumps who thought they should be treated like royalty.”
Kinger’s eyes popped straight out and the strangers all jumped as he shoved them back in place. The googles had been stretched by the wild take and barely fit. The bright neon lights started worming into his brain.
“Angel, behave,” Husk said, hanging Niffty a small bowl of nuts. “Yes or no on the Harder Daddy’s?”
“Why not? Kinger?”
“Say yes,” Angel Dust said.
Niffty pointed her rat knife at him. “He still might be a bad boy. That makes him mine.”
Angel Dust held up all four hands. “Not going to argue with you in this mood, Niff.”
“I’ll try one. What is this place? We’re trying to determine why Caine sent us here,” Kinger said.
“Caine? Now there’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time.” Husk poured two pinky-red cocktails that had obvious glitter in them.
“You are aware of Caine?” Kinger couldn’t help the shock in his tone.
“Adam’s kid.” Niffty shrugged. “He’s a weird one.” She popped a nut into her mouth and pushed the bowl to Kinger.
He waved his hand, fending her off.
“This is smooth,” Pomni said appreciatively after taking a big drink of her cocktail.
“Husk mixes a mean drink,” Angel Dust replied.
“I should get the recipe for Zooble,” Pomni said.
“And since you asked, the hotel is designed to redeem sinners and get us into heaven,” Cherri said.
Niffty snorted. “Probably boring.”
“So we’re in hell, really?” Pomni sounded part defeated, part scared.
Kinger fussed with the googles which had begun to slip and even more light was fuzzing his brain out.
“You don’t know you’re in hell, Toots. You must be higher than me.” Angel Dust laughed.
“Not possible,” Niffty said and Cherri snickered.
“So how do we get to heaven?” Kinger asked, hoping to make progress before he lost his center again and left Pomni on her own to figure things out.
“You’d have to ask Charlie,” Husk replied. “She thinks she has a plan to ensure we get into heaven.”
“Didn’t work for me,” Angel Dust said mournfully and Cherri rubbed his back.
“It involves therapy sessions, half the time with me as if I have the patience for that.” Husk rolled his eyes.
“Therapy makes sense,” Kinger replied. “Caine likes that.”
“It’s never helpful,” Pomni said.
Husk pointed a finger at her. “Exactly.”
Kinger jumped as Niffty stabbed her knife down next to his hand, pinning a roach.
“Okay, I think I’m done.” Pomni shuddered. “Let’s play therapy and get out of here.”
“We don’t play therapy,” a new voice said. They all looked over to see a tall blonde woman in a red circus ringmaster themed outfit with a short woman with pale hair and a short man in a white ringmaster outfit. “We do therapy. Hi, I’m Charlie. And this is my dad and Vaggie.”
“They’re Kinger and Pomni,” Angel Dust said. “They’re looking for their path to heaven, I think. It’s hard to tell.”
“Yes, we are,” Pomni said.
“Killing rats is better therapy than talking,” Niffty offered.
“Let’s call that plan B,” Kinger replied. The band snapped as he fiddled with the goggles. They fell away from his bulbous eyes. Kinger sighed.
“And…there goes therapy. With all this light, you’re not going to get sense out of Kinger unless you put a blanket over his head.”
“I can make that happen,” Angel Dust said. “I have plenty of them.”
“Ha, you into him, Angie or is it just the fancy robe? You like those,” Cherri said. “I mean, his eyes did fall out of his head, not your usual type.”
Angel Dust shrugged. “Not the weirdest thing I’ve seen all day. Val found a new costar for me who cums in technicolor.”
“Angel!” Charlie cried.
“Wait? Can you say that here?” Pomni asked.
Kinger pushed his glass to Husk. “I’d like a corn cob blitz.”
“What the fuck is that?” Husk glared. “I’m not doing special requests.”
“You can swear? Didn’t think Caine allowed that,” Pomni said.
“Really? That doesn’t sound like that little brat at all,” Charlie’s dad said.
“You know what, we should just go,” Pomni slipped off her bar stool and took Kinger by the hand.
“Are you sure? We could help,” Charlie said.
“If we can’t get out of here, I’ll give it some thought.”
“Pomni,” Kinger started but the thought fled as fast at it occurred.
“I’ll show them the door.” Niffty jumped down and ran ahead of them.
Kinger let Pomni move him along. Niffty opened the front door.
“Bye bye!” She waved to them.
Kinger blinked when intense light stabbed at him and they were back in the circus. Ragatha sat on a chair, wringing out her hair. Jax was flat out on the floor coughing up water. Kinger inched past them and crawled into his pillow fort. As the darkness settled him, he thought about the weird adventure where they didn’t actually do much. It didn’t seem like something Caine would do. What was his current preoccupation with hell? Kinger didn’t know. It bear thinking on. If only he could manage to do so.
And it turned out this place is there with the Hallmark visitor center museum thing so why not, right? I had no idea that JC Hall started this with gathering up pre-done postcards and sending them to retailers and hoped to get paid (it's practically a scam) And did you know his first greeting card with sound was in 1924? I sure didn't. Didn't know it wasn't called Hallmark until 1954 either (it was Hall Brothers before then) Loved the display of Christmas trees. Mom loves ornaments so I wasn't leaving here without one. All the gift shop had was baby's first Xmas, first Xmas in our new home and a creepy baby's first xmas sonogram) maybe because of mother's day. So I went into the big three story mall complex to the big hallmark and they only had the same one with a couple of birds and butterflies. Got one of a peep in a egg, dumb, tiny but I have it.
From there I went to the Museum of Kansas City. It was a private residence Corinthian Hall, but only used from 1910 to 1934 and became a museum in 1940 (seems rather a waste) The ground level was preserved as it was when the Long family lived there (hope to get the pics up in the next few days) They allow no photo shoots but I could take pics with my cell phone no flash.
Me - can I use my better camera with no flash?
Them - no, just your cell phone camera
Me - um...okay, why? they're both cameras
Them - we don't allow camera cameras
I let it go because what's the point in arguing with stupid? The upstairs was modern art (including from the Native people and African American communities) One was a recorded (I think, maybe entirely AI) talk with a former Polish Jewish woman who was in one of the camps and you could ask 'her' interactive questions and the AI would find the bits to play in the prerecording (or make shit up, who knows)
It was now after 3 so I'm like yeah, not trying for another museum for less than 2 hours. I went back to Elmwood cemetery now that I have a map in my head of where Leannah Loveall (prostitute turned Madame turned religious pillar) and I found her instantly. Must have driven past her 5 times the first time I was there.
I went to historic Union Cemetery (which has well put together historic literature for you to go on a scavenger hunt with), not a lot of impressive stones but it was super inner city now and reminded me of my college dorm, with the headstones right up to the apartments (You could have slapped a headstone from my dorm room window). One had this pool side full of hammocks and loungers with a view of the cemetery. You know there's a story in that.
Came back to the casino, played Voodoo Jackpots and accidentally dragged my finger over the touchscreen, jumping my .66 cent wager to 6.60$ without me knowing it until I hit bet. And hit a free spin bonus and won 225$. I wanted to stay for more but I did the hard thing and walked away without trying to hit another one and losing it all.
here's my
intoabar rough draft Hazbin Hotel/The Amazing Digital Circus. It's not ready yet to post there but I also wrote it for spikesgirl58's 6 word challenge and that's due tonight. I'll edit it and post it once I get home. Also too tired to do the fannish 50 fandom recs. I'll do that on Tuesdaythe six words were Pneumonia Achieve Company Smooth Ensure Gallery
But Not For Me
Pneumonia Achieve Company Smooth Ensure Gallery
Kinger glanced up at the large Vegas-like hotel with glittering lights and bizarre inclusions like a broken train track, carousel, and a ship. “Where did Caine come up with this?”
“Why is everything on fire behind us?” Pomni stared back toward a city clocked in smoke and ringing with screams. She looped up at the red sky, her jester bells jangling. “And why the hell is there a giant pentagram in the sky?”
“It could be we’re in hell again.” Kinger fiddled with the dark goggles Pomni and Ragatha had designed for him. They didn’t fit well but they were helping to ground him.
“If Baron Theodore Mildenhall is here, I’m noping out. I’ll sit right here until Caine gives up on this adventure.”
“I don’t think that will work. We might as well go into the hotel and see what this is all about.”
She sighed and nodded, following him. “What does Caine hope to achieve with these adventures?”
“Engagement.” Kinger suspected that was right. The longer he stayed in the dark, the more he thought about Caine and his motivations.
She snorted. “Could be worse. The portal he tossed Ragatha and Jax through looked wet and cold. They’ll come back with pneumonia.”
“Not sure that’s possible but I’m glad we’re not wet.” Kinger didn’t know why Caine had separated them again. This might be better than the loud noises- flashing lights zone Zooble and Gangle had been consigned to.
He pushed open the hotel door and stopped insider before Pomni could even fall in step with him a little woman -?!?, he wasn’t entirely sure – in a blood spattered maid’s apron raced up to him wielding a huge knife. He put himself between her and Pomni, drinking in the mad glint in her solitary eye. She pulled up short and looked them over.
“Oh, new blood and one of them might be a bad boy,” she said excitedly.
Pomni failed to stifle her laugh. Kinger looked down at her. “What? Jax is the bad boy. You give off Dad energy.”
“I like that’s how you see me,” he replied but the one eyed woman scowled. “Hello, I’m Kinger and she’s Pomni. You don’t need a knife for us. We’re not here to hurt you.”
She shrugged. “I’m teaching the rats a less.” She brandished the knife.
“Rats?” Pomni shuddered.
“We have a lot of them. I’m Niffty.” She spun on her heels and shouted. “Husk! We have company.” Niffty looked over her shoulder at them. “Alastor is supposed to greet guests but he’s…” She frowned. “I need to give him another roach gift.”
Pomni mouthed ‘roach gift.’ Kinger shrugged, not sure where any of this was going or if they should be following a child-sized cyclops covered in rat blood. He’d say this was rather violent for Caine but after the whole Mildenhall Manor adventure who knew? Can was getting more erratic.
Niffty led them down a hall. They passed a gallery of photos of odd looking people, typical Circus bodies. The people looked happy at least. They lead up to a huge portrait of a snake man in a Navy-like uniform surrounded by Humpty Dumpties. She gestured to a bar where another Cyclopean woman sat in far sexier clothing, he supposed. It wasn’t his idea of sexy such as he remembered it – Oh Queenie – but he recognized the effort. A cat man with wings was behind the bar and a tall individual with multiple arms and a neon pink bustier on, showcasing a pink heart on their white fluffy chest They had one set of hands resting on the back of a little pig sitting on the bar.
“Just when I thought we were over all the noobs,” the cat said.
“Sorry, Charlie isn’t here to greet you,” the woman said.
“Want a drink?” the cat man shot them a decidedly grumpy look.
“God yes,” Pomni breathed and Kinger nodded. “You don’t want another corn cocktail do you, Kinger?”
“I ain’t making corn shit.” The cat flapped the bar rag at them. “I just mixed up a pitcher of Harder Daddy’s for this fool who better get his damn pig off my bar.”
“Harder Daddy?” Pomni asked before Kinger could.
“My signature drink and life motto,” the white and pink multiarmed fellow said. “Hi, I’m Angel Dust, he’s Husk and she’s Cherri and Fat Nuggets is waiting for you to give him a bowl of snacks, Huskie.”
“That pig is not going to spend all evening gobbling my nuts,” Husk snorted.
“Husk! We’ve talked about this! Don’t say it that way. Nuggsy is little,” Angel Dust covered the pig’s ears.
“I want some nuts,” Niffty said, climbing up a bar stool.
“Did I hear your name is Kinger?” Angel Dust leaned closer to him. “I’ve never had me a king before, just a lot of chumps who thought they should be treated like royalty.”
Kinger’s eyes popped straight out and the strangers all jumped as he shoved them back in place. The googles had been stretched by the wild take and barely fit. The bright neon lights started worming into his brain.
“Angel, behave,” Husk said, hanging Niffty a small bowl of nuts. “Yes or no on the Harder Daddy’s?”
“Why not? Kinger?”
“Say yes,” Angel Dust said.
Niffty pointed her rat knife at him. “He still might be a bad boy. That makes him mine.”
Angel Dust held up all four hands. “Not going to argue with you in this mood, Niff.”
“I’ll try one. What is this place? We’re trying to determine why Caine sent us here,” Kinger said.
“Caine? Now there’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time.” Husk poured two pinky-red cocktails that had obvious glitter in them.
“You are aware of Caine?” Kinger couldn’t help the shock in his tone.
“Adam’s kid.” Niffty shrugged. “He’s a weird one.” She popped a nut into her mouth and pushed the bowl to Kinger.
He waved his hand, fending her off.
“This is smooth,” Pomni said appreciatively after taking a big drink of her cocktail.
“Husk mixes a mean drink,” Angel Dust replied.
“I should get the recipe for Zooble,” Pomni said.
“And since you asked, the hotel is designed to redeem sinners and get us into heaven,” Cherri said.
Niffty snorted. “Probably boring.”
“So we’re in hell, really?” Pomni sounded part defeated, part scared.
Kinger fussed with the googles which had begun to slip and even more light was fuzzing his brain out.
“You don’t know you’re in hell, Toots. You must be higher than me.” Angel Dust laughed.
“Not possible,” Niffty said and Cherri snickered.
“So how do we get to heaven?” Kinger asked, hoping to make progress before he lost his center again and left Pomni on her own to figure things out.
“You’d have to ask Charlie,” Husk replied. “She thinks she has a plan to ensure we get into heaven.”
“Didn’t work for me,” Angel Dust said mournfully and Cherri rubbed his back.
“It involves therapy sessions, half the time with me as if I have the patience for that.” Husk rolled his eyes.
“Therapy makes sense,” Kinger replied. “Caine likes that.”
“It’s never helpful,” Pomni said.
Husk pointed a finger at her. “Exactly.”
Kinger jumped as Niffty stabbed her knife down next to his hand, pinning a roach.
“Okay, I think I’m done.” Pomni shuddered. “Let’s play therapy and get out of here.”
“We don’t play therapy,” a new voice said. They all looked over to see a tall blonde woman in a red circus ringmaster themed outfit with a short woman with pale hair and a short man in a white ringmaster outfit. “We do therapy. Hi, I’m Charlie. And this is my dad and Vaggie.”
“They’re Kinger and Pomni,” Angel Dust said. “They’re looking for their path to heaven, I think. It’s hard to tell.”
“Yes, we are,” Pomni said.
“Killing rats is better therapy than talking,” Niffty offered.
“Let’s call that plan B,” Kinger replied. The band snapped as he fiddled with the goggles. They fell away from his bulbous eyes. Kinger sighed.
“And…there goes therapy. With all this light, you’re not going to get sense out of Kinger unless you put a blanket over his head.”
“I can make that happen,” Angel Dust said. “I have plenty of them.”
“Ha, you into him, Angie or is it just the fancy robe? You like those,” Cherri said. “I mean, his eyes did fall out of his head, not your usual type.”
Angel Dust shrugged. “Not the weirdest thing I’ve seen all day. Val found a new costar for me who cums in technicolor.”
“Angel!” Charlie cried.
“Wait? Can you say that here?” Pomni asked.
Kinger pushed his glass to Husk. “I’d like a corn cob blitz.”
“What the fuck is that?” Husk glared. “I’m not doing special requests.”
“You can swear? Didn’t think Caine allowed that,” Pomni said.
“Really? That doesn’t sound like that little brat at all,” Charlie’s dad said.
“You know what, we should just go,” Pomni slipped off her bar stool and took Kinger by the hand.
“Are you sure? We could help,” Charlie said.
“If we can’t get out of here, I’ll give it some thought.”
“Pomni,” Kinger started but the thought fled as fast at it occurred.
“I’ll show them the door.” Niffty jumped down and ran ahead of them.
Kinger let Pomni move him along. Niffty opened the front door.
“Bye bye!” She waved to them.
Kinger blinked when intense light stabbed at him and they were back in the circus. Ragatha sat on a chair, wringing out her hair. Jax was flat out on the floor coughing up water. Kinger inched past them and crawled into his pillow fort. As the darkness settled him, he thought about the weird adventure where they didn’t actually do much. It didn’t seem like something Caine would do. What was his current preoccupation with hell? Kinger didn’t know. It bear thinking on. If only he could manage to do so.
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Date: 2026-05-30 09:04 pm (UTC)I have an intoabar combo of Hunger Games (Mags) and FFXII (Ashe). I'm still thinking about it.
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Date: 2026-05-30 09:53 pm (UTC)good luck with that. That sound hard
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Date: 2026-05-31 12:31 am (UTC)The Nelson-Atkins Museum and the WWI Museum are also worth going to.
no subject
Date: 2026-05-31 01:25 am (UTC)Been to the Nelson twice.
Tried to go to the WWI but they have blocked off every road to the parking so I gave up