The Doorway: a panfandom game

Given our frequent flyers on the network, I think recent discussion in the scientific community might be of note: passengers taking flights during thunderstorms may be exposed to twice the recommended level of gamma radiation. It's been known for-- well, a while, I guess about forty years?- that thunderstorms are capable of generating terrestrial gamma-ray flashes bright enough to blind instruments all the way in outer space. However, there are a lot of factors in place that prevented further official measurement - I mean, you've got the actual storm, being in an aircraft during the storm, and using electrical devices during a storm. It's not the safest research on or off-planet to pull off. All scientists knew was that the level of radiation "was probably not a big deal, but it might be catastrophic". (I... really wish that wasn't a direct quote.)

What scientists have only just discovered is the process behind the burst of gamma-rays. Thunderstorms are apparently capable of producing a rare kind of electrical breakdown (it involves electrons and positrons - antimatter, I mean, of course). The electrons and positrons incite an explosive, if unstable, growth in the number of high-energy particles, ultimately emitting the terrestrial gamma ray flashes while discharging the thundercloud. This process - this flash - moves even faster than regular lightning, and somewhat poetically is referred to as "dark lightning". Very little visible light can be seen from this occurrence, even if radiation levels are spiking.

Passengers can definitely get a dose of that gamma radiation if their luck runs bad. If you're flying through the top of the storm, a nearby strike of dark lightning will produce the radioactive equivalent to about 10 chest x-rays - or the same amount that an average person would experience within a year's time. More disturbingly, if flying near the middle of the storms, the radiation dose could be at least 10 times larger - comparable to some of the largest doses received during medical procedures, roughly equal to a full-body CT scan.

After hearing of this research, I have two reactions: a) I wonder why a superhero hasn't shown up with the name of "Dark Lightning", and b) Well, I guess now I have an excuse for hating flying.


[Edited to Add:] If you fly too much and get an overdose of gamma radiation, statistically, you will not gain superpowers.

Sara and I are currently in Ravello, and we absolutely don't want to come back. I'm no stranger to dodging customs, but unfortunately, I think we're going to do the legal thing and come back to New York before our tourist Visas expire.

Here are some photographs of our trip: ( under a cut )

There are worse views to wake up to.

[Neal]

Nothing crossing the desks here at the office that seem related to your missing friend. Any news on your end? You know, before you get TOO comfortable in Italy while some of us stay here.

[El]

Two people in the office today sick and I've been feeling a tickle in my throat. Not a good sign. I think I'm going to drown myself in orange juice this weekend and hope for the best.

I think Loverboy said it best, way back in the early 80s. We're "working for the weekend." Some time off is just the thing I need right now.

FILTERED TO PETER & ELIZABETH BURKE AND NEAL CAFFREY:

Peter, try to keep yourself contained, but Neal and I are taking a vacation to Ravello, Italy this coming weekend.

I have no plants to water or fish to feed, this is more of an informational post. Try not to get into too much trouble while we're gone.

TEXT MESSAGES TO NEAL CAFFREY:

» Caffrey, is that you making all that noise?
» Some of us have company over, you know.

( Delivery slipped under Neal Caffrey's Door )

As much as I love the city, and I typically love cold weather, I'd kill for a tropical vacation.

FILTERED TO NEAL CAFFREY:

Please tell me you're getting up to some kind of shenanigans, Caffrey? You're never this quiet without a reason.

I'm so painfully bored it's not even funny.

This is just embarrassing. Not only will it not hold up to the mildest of scrutiny, but you've officially attracted insects. I guess if you're going for a certain artistic "look", then all bets are off, but otherwise... sloppy and sad.

Put me with the others suffering from DST. Maybe I'm just cranky.

( Several Filters + SPOILERS for last night's White Collar )

I think I've found the best coffee shop in all of this version of Manhattan. Ninth Street Espresso, if you're interested. Small menu, smaller venue, and made the traditional way. Assolutamente perfetto!

FILTER: PRIVATE

Oh.

Hi everyone!

I know the night Alicia is organizing is still a few days away, but I spent yesterday evening researching consignment shops and other budget-friendly stores around the city. I'd like to go find a dress for Saturday, and if anyone going dancing with us would like to go with me I'd be more than happy for the company. Or anyone, really, even if you aren't coming.

Here are the shops I found that could be promising:

( ... )

I'd be happy to help modify anything you find or have in your closet if you'd like, so please don't hesitate to ask! And please come dancing with us on Saturday; it will be a lot of fun.

[ Filtered to Peter Burke, Elizabeth Burke, Sara Ellis, and Diana Berrigan ]

Brussels! I've got some options for us. Some are more promising than others.

- Manon Peeters: owns a B&B in the center of the city. Big fan of the show. Shockingly normal. I've looked up pictures of the B&B and it looks decent enough.

- Camille Janssens: has a townhouse downtown that looks great. Marble counters, her father's in the wine business, very posh. Has a stipulation that I'm not allowed to wear a shirt while on her property, so I vote no.

- Léa Wouters: will be out of town the next week to visit her boyfriend in Germany. Sounds ideal, right? She made the point of mentioning she has cameras in every room in her house. I don't know if that's her being careful about thieving or if she just likes to watch.

For the record, I'm still fine with smiling our way into a Four Star and seeing where it gets us.

Hello, floors 20&21!

For those of you who don't already know me, my name is Joan Watson, and I am your new housing assistant.

I'll tell you a little bit about myself. I am from this time and this city in a world that is very much like this one. I am currently an investigator, working with Sherlock Holmes and the NYPD. Prior to coming here, I had worked as a sober companion for the last several years, and I would be happy to assist anyone who is currently struggling with addiction in any way that I can. (I also have medical training, and will be able to assist in case of emergencies, but please don't hesitate to call 911.)

As for what my position entails, in addition to helping out with any housing issues you may have, I'm also here to help you adapt to your new surroundings in any way that I can. I'd be happy to help you find a job, navigate the public transportation system, use modern technology and currency, and so on. If there's ever anything you need help with, please don't hesitate to ask. My number and my hours of availability will be posted on the door of room 2108. I look forward to getting to know all of you better.


(( Pretend that there is a valid logistical reason why this wasn't posted sooner. Joan would have posted it in a timely fashion, but I was out of town when it happened, and only remembered yesterday. Which happened because I was sick at home with the stomach flu, and kept wishing Steve Rogers was there to carry me from place to place so I wouldn't have to stand up. ))

[Filtered to El, Neal, Diana, and Sara]

I've received a callback about my inquiries into rejoining the FBI here. The good news is that I'll be going Friday to pass a formal interview and sit for the exam they generally pass out at the end of training in Quantico.

The bad news is it's been a long time since I took that exam, so I have until Friday to prepare for it. If I fail, I have to take the 20-week course all over again. Even if I pass, it will take upwards of a few weeks to process and get back to me. Part of me thinks it's because they want to make sure I don't up and disappear back through that blue box.

[End Filter]

[Filtered to El only]

Are you getting restless yet? I was thinking we could take a long stroll and see who can spot the most differences between here and home. You know, make a small game of it.

After that, there's a club called The Iridium here that's featuring Bucky Pizarrelli tonight at 8pm (and 10pm) and I know you wouldn't want to miss seeing a jazz legend. I may have already picked up a pair of tickets.

[End Filter]

Not to be an alarmist, but either I saw Spider-Man in downtown Manhattan last night or an extremely good cosplayer. Now while it's been a really long time since I've attended a con, I don't think they've come far enough along to actually swing between buildings.

Add to the fact that I've had a chat on here with Captain America, this really has to be a dream. A dream within a dream. El, why did you make me watch Inception? This is what happens. I overthink things.

This interrupts my planned day. It's not everyday you're told you are from a TV show or feel that level of-.

Has anyone seen my husband around? Peter Burke?

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. $50 million worth of diamonds in five minutes. No one killed, a smooth in and out, and the faces they have on camera are useless. Just smooth.






Horrible criminals, villains, etc. I thumb my nose at them, sirs.

I'm at least thankful for the fact that if a mysterious portal was going to take me anywhere, it'd pick New York. I'm almost certain I want to own everything in the Diane von Furstenberg fall collection coming out.

Now if it could just teleport me over to London for the rest of that fashion week, I'd be eternally thankful. I could use the break from working 14 hour days from now until the end of time.

FILTERED TO NEAL CAFFREY, PETER BURKE AND DIANA BARRIGAN:

Guess who made friends with the lead on the NYPD Art Crimes unit? This lady. We're working with them on a missing painting this week, and it has all of us completely stumped. Deputy Inspector Charles Neacy, sweet fellow that he is, took me to lunch yesterday so we could chat a little more candidly.

He thinks it's internal in the family that the painting was stolen from, but so far all the evidence points away from that.

I may have alluded to the fact that I know a few people that could help. He may or may not be a fan of the show.

What do you say? Anybody want a job for the week?

[Filtered to Neal Caffrey]

Neal.

I'd really like to believe this is some elaborate con you've set up for a potentially good reason, that you somehow forgot to tell me about it, and that I'll come around a corner to find you and Mozzie doing something you really shouldn't.

But.

I think this may be beyond even your ability. No offense. Television? I did not see that coming. I'm fairly certain all those years at Quantico weren't completed with an 80s montage, so it's a little hard to swallow. I feel like I'm we're through the looking glass.

You are there, right?

[End Filter]

[Filtered to Diana Barrigan and Sara Ellis]

Diana. Sara. Tell me this isn't as weird as I think it is. Tell me it's a huge prank, because I'm pretty sure I was just at S.H.I.E.L.D... and there was a guy there I would swear reminded me of a comic book character named Thor. Hammer and all.

I should probably mention that I read comics when I was growing up. I suspect you may have already guessed that. Judge if you want, but you should know Captain America is why I love my country.

Don't tell Neal.

Oh, I forgot to say hello. Hello.

[End Filter]

Hello. My name is Peter Burke and I'm overwhelmed right now.

Neal Caffrey's Guide to Valentines Day

If you're from this and similar 'verses, Valentines Day is enough to make you want to hide. If you're not from this world, you're probably wondering what the big deal is. Valentines Day is, historically, a celebration of spring planting and life-giving, though our culture capitalized more on the love aspect of the holiday rather than anything having to do with planting.

If you're single, Valentines Day is impossible to ignore. This can be a good or bad thing, depending upon your attitude toward being single. If you're longing for love and human connection, your best bet is to drown yourself in a bottle of Chardonnay from the Hyde Vineyard and say "oh, I didn't even notice". If you're single and loving it, check out some of the wilder bars NYC has to offer (check out the Summit Bar in the East Village and ask for the Alchemist's Menu, if you're one for mixed drinks).

If you're in a relationship, however defined or undefined, Valentines Day is always, always something upon which to tread lightly. You can go all out, but it'd better not look like it takes much effort unless your sweetie's into that sort of thing ("pity love", I believe that's called). Burning down the kitchen may be endearing, but it's temporarily so, and if you don't have something else up your sleeve, you run the risk of being cute and not romantic. However, on the flipside, don't expect to toss a bear and some chocolates at your SO and get away with it. Lazy. Lazy. Get personal. "Classic" isn't necessarily the way you want to go. Consider if your lover is actually into whatever you're getting him or her. Sky-diving may be memory-making, but would they actually like it, or is that something you're into? Does your sweetie want to go out on the town to the most expensive, exclusive restaurant, or would they be happier at home with their favorite horror movie and you making your world-famous scrambled eggs? Make it count, if you want to do it.

If you're in a relationship that hates Valentines Day, well, too bad. You need to do something for it, even if it's a "We Hate Valentines Day" dinner at the local dive diner. Because you can hate the holiday, and you can be that self-congratulatory couple who high-fives each other and makes fun of their friends for taking it seriously, but if you make a fumble and don't acknowledge it at all when the SO is quietly hoping for something... well, you're just going to be that jerk who didn't even try.

The bottom line? Valentines Day is about showing someone you care, once you get beyond the capitalist hoorah. Do that.

[ Filtered to Sara ]

I discovered a restaurant. This may have been when I was casing the art gallery next door, but the menu was more interesting than the 17th Century prints.

[ /Filter ]

I try to keep myself healthy to a ridiculous degree. I will get the odd cold -- usually via sick workaholics at the office that would rather infect everyone than take a day off and away from work -- but otherwise I pride myself in hardly ever getting really and truly ill. So it would figure that I would catch the flu only after being displaced through time and space.

I felt fine most of yesterday, but then was down for the count by evening. Fingers were crossed that it was just a fluke, but no. Not with me feeling like I do now.

Ugh.