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The Rats’ Maneuver of MV Lyubov Orlova

Morning fog, cool and thick, hovered just above the churning peaks of the water that enveloped the grey Kerry Coast. The spot was hundreds of miles away from land, and despite its loud, sloshing waves, the word that a witness would use to describe the scene would probably be “dead.”

The wind was at a standstill, and there were no sea hawks or gulls unleashing proud squawks, nor any eager creatures jumping out of the sea for a gulp of air. The spot seemed frozen and untouched, and when a dark, looming shape began to emerge from the east, its presence was so startling that it seemed to crash loudly through the fog.

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The Haunting of the Russian MV Lyubov Orlova Ghost Ship

I’m shamelessly addicted to all stories creepy, surreal, or unexplained. I especially love when they span over long periods of time, and that is exactly the case with the resurgence in the news about the Russian “ghost ship” MV Lyubov Orlova.

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Summertime and the Stinkbug

The noises of summertime in Monmouth County, New Jersey start very early in my neighborhood, which has a population ranging from sleepless retirees to gleeful little kids. The ever-present drone of lawnmowers starts to crop up at around seven o’clock in the morning, with the occasional “thwack!” (and subsequent cursing) as an overexcited neighbor unintentionally mows rocks or old toys.

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Ciudad Blanca and the Legend of the Lost City of the Monkey God

In our world of extreme modern innovation— sometimes to the point of destruction of ancient grounds– it’s a beautiful thing to know that there are still lands that are unexplored. Apparently, archaeologists have just discovered one of those places deep in the jungles of Central America, and I can’t wait for more updates about it! It is apparently a world that “resembles a vast tended garden” deep in the heart of the Honduran jungle. It has been sought after for centuries, most famously by Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes, to no avail. The wild tangles are rumored to be the location of a sprawling, mythical lost city in Honduras’ Mosquite region, with an ancient reputation of being filled with riches and gold.

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Celebrating Canadian Space Oddity Commander Chris Hadfield

I have been following Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield’s journey in space for some time now, and on May 13th, he stepped down from his command of the International Space Station. He has been on the artificial satellite since December 2012, when he arrived as part of Expedition 35, a six-person crew.

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Return of 17-Year Cicadas

As the Spring warms the air and welcomes the emergence of crawly creatures back into the light, the East Coast is beginning to buzz in anticipation of the return of periodical cicadas. From Georgia to New York, we can expect to see the winged bugs — Magicicadas — leave their underground burrows and emerge from their 17 year stay in the soil.

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The Slow, but Triumphant, Return of Sandy Hook, New Jersey

Just in time for the warm weather, I’ve learned some great news from home: Some portions of my beloved Sandy Hook, New Jersey beach and its recreation area will be available to the public again! The tireless rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy has paid off enough to merit a reopening ceremony on May 1st, and although I won’t be present for it, I couldn’t be happier.

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