#16th Empire Awards

[courseyoulovemeyoudontknowme]

Easy A (2010, Will Gluck)

05/12/2024

[scotianostra]

On February 16th 1954 the writer Iain Banks was born in Dunfermline, Fife

Banks was a son of a professional ice skater and an Admiralty officer. He spent his early years in North Queensferry and later moved to Gourock because of his father’s work requirement. He received his early education from Gourock and Greenock High Schools and at the young age of eleven, he decided to pursue a career in writing. He penned his first novel, titled The Hungarian Lift-Jet, in his adolescence. He was then enrolled at the University of Stirling where he studied English, philosophy and psychology. During his freshman year, he wrote his second novel, TTR.

Subsequent to attaining his bachelor degree, Banks worked a succession of jobs that allowed him some free time to write. The assortment of employments supported him financially throughout his twenties. He even managed to travel through Europe, North America and Scandinavia during which he was employed as an analyzer for IBM, a technician and a costing clerk in a London law firm. At the age of thirty he finally had his big break as he published his debut novel, The Wasp Factory, in 1984, henceforth he embraced full-time writing. It is considered to be one of the most inspiring teenage novels. The instant success of the book restored his confidence as a writer and that’s when he took up science fiction writing.

In 1987, he published his first sci-fi novel, Consider Phlebas which is a space opera. The title is inspired by one of the lines in T.S Eliot’s classic poem, The Waste Land. The novel is set in a fictional interstellar anarchist-socialist utopian society, named the Culture. The focus of the book is the ongoing war between Culture and Idiran Empire which the author manifests through the microcosm conflicts. The protagonist, Bora Horza Gobuchul, unlike other stereotypical heroes is portrayed as a morally ambiguous individual, who appeals to the readers. Additionally, the grand scenery and use of variety of literary devices add up to the extremely well reception of the book. Its sequel, The Player of Games, came out the very next year which paved way for other seven volumes in The Culture series.

Besides the Culture series, Banks wrote several stand-alone novels. Some of them were adapted for television, radio and theatre. BBC television adapted his novel, The Crow Road (1992), and BBC Radio 4 broadcasted Espedair Street. The literary influences on his works include Isaac Asimov, Dan Simmons, Arthur C. Clarke, and M. John Harrison. He was featured in a television documentary, The Strange Worlds of Iain Banks South Bank Show, which discussed his literary writings. In 2003, he published a non-fiction book, Raw Spirit, which is a travelogue of Scotland. Banks last novel, titled The Quarry, appeared posthumously. He also penned a collection of poetry but could not publish it in his lifetime. It is expected to be released in 2015. He was awarded multitude of titles and accolades in honour of his contribution to literature. Some of these accolades include British Science Fiction Association Award, Arthur C. Clarke Award, Locus Poll Award, Prometheus Award and Hugo Award.

Iain Banks was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the gallbladder and died at the age of 59 in the summer of 2013.

[darkmaga-returns]

The High Court of Kenya has suspended a series of highly controversial legal immunities and privileges recently awarded to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Context

It is one of the most widespread practices in international relations since antiquity.

Diplomatic immunity is the principle by which only government officials such as ambassadors and their employees are granted protection from local lawsuits and prosecution of another country. This is to ensure that diplomats cannot be coerced or harassed when tensions arise between states.

Picture source

In an extraordinary  and concerning decision under  Kenya’s  Privileges and Immunities Act,  Kenya had granted diplomatic protection to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a private entity,  and their employees.  Privileges included:

·        Exemption from  Kenya’s direct taxes and tariffs

·        Immunity from legal action for acts done in Kenya in the course of official duties

·        Exemption from  Kenya’s national service obligation (conscription)

·        Immunity from immigration restrictions for Gates Foundation’s employees, their spouses and dependents

·        Exemption from taxes on income.

Strikingly, these types of privileges  are near-identical to those awarded to European merchants trading which undermined the Ottoman Empire from the 16th to the 20th century.

Capitulations

16th century copy of the first  capitulations signed between Charles IX of France and Sultan Selim II in 1569. Picture source. 

The term ‘capitulations’ referred to the headings or chapters in a treaty. They allowed non-Muslim traders entering the Ottoman Empire to be exempt from:

·        prosecution by local courts

·        import and export taxes, local taxation,

·        military conscription (national service)

·        the searching of their domicile

First introduced by France into the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, capitulations were subsequently signed with 18 European countries plus the United States until the start of World War 1 in 1914.

[gone2soon-rip]

DABNEY COLEMAN (1932-Died May 16th 2024,at 92).American actor. Coleman's best known films include 9 to 5 (1980), On Golden Pond (1981), Tootsie (1982), WarGames (1983), Cloak & Dagger (1984), The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), The Beverly Hillbillies (1993), You've Got Mail (1998), Inspector Gadget (1999), Recess: School's Out (2001), Moonlight Mile (2002), and Rules Don't Apply (2016).

Coleman's television roles included the title characters of Buffalo Bill (1983–1984) and The Slap Maxwell Story (1987–1988), as well as Burton Fallin on The Guardian (2001–2004), the voice of Principal Peter Prickly on Recess (1997–2001), and Louis "The Commodore" Kaestner on Boardwalk Empire (2010–2011). He won one Primetime Emmy Award from six nominations and one Golden Globe Award from three nominations. Dabney Coleman - Wikipedia

[onetimetwotimesthreetimess]

There will never be anything more despicable than building and celebrating, and forcing a nation to celebrate on the taxpayers money, a temple build on the mass graves of Muslims. The Hindu nationalist state, has proved again that this nation belongs to only Hindus.

Babri Masjid, 1992

Ram Temple, 2024

A bit of context for those who don’t know about the issue:

Babri Masjid, was a mosque in Ayodhya, India. It was built in the 16th century by the Mughal Empire. Babri Masjid was a holy place for the Muslims in the country. There’s a history of communalism (created by the British Empire) between Hindus (the majority religion) and Muslims (the minority) in the country.

In 1992, Babri Masjid was attacked and demolished by Hindu extremists who believed that the mosque was built on the site of birthplace of Ram (Hindu god). Thousands of people lost their lives. Thousands of Muslims were killed in cold blood by a hyper-nationalist state.

In 2010, after decades of Muslims fighting for justice, the Allahabad High Court upheld the claim that the mosque was built on Ram’s birth place. Muslims were also awarded one-third area of the site for the construction of a mosque. However, thr decision was subsequently appealed by all parties to the Indian Supreme Court, wherein a five judge bench heard a title suit from August to October 2019. On 9 November 2019, the Supreme Court quashed the lower court's judgement and ordered the entire site to be handed over to a trust to build the Hindu temple.

Today, 22nd January, 2024, marks the inaugural of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. On a site that is so deeply entrenched within a community’s blood, pain and trauma. While these Hindu nationalists celebrate, every Muslim in the country feels more scared. Muslims in India have always been unlawfully detained, persecuted, punished and killed throughout the past seven decades but it has only worsened ever since BJP, the ruling party came in power. Celebrities, sportsperson, politicians and millions of people travelled to Ayodhya to celebrate this tremendous failure of the state.

Today, the Indian constitution lies under those thousands grave.

If any one of you celebrated, I hope you understand the gravity of your actions. I hope you understand what you all set in motion. I hope that one day, you understand and that there is no redemption for you after that.

I hope you all rot in hell.

Here’s a short poem by Rabindranath Tagore about an old god, a new temple, an arrogant king and many hungry and homeless ordinary people.

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

Duncan Lacroix stands in front of a statue with the Beatles' song playing in the background, seemingly unaware of what type of statue it is. 🙄

This is the statue behind Duncan, Statue of Earl Roberts by Harry Bates, which is in Glasgow`s Kelvingrove Park, commemorates one of the most distinguished commanders of the British Empire, Field Marshal Lord Frederick Sleigh Roberts of Kandahar 1st Earl Roberts (1832 – 1914) and is an exact replica of the original which was unveiled in 1898 in Calcutta, India, to acknowledge his actions during the “Indian Rebellion,” 1857-1858 also known as the “Sepoy Mutiny”.

Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts (30 September 1832 – 14 November 1914) VC KG KP GCB OM GCSI GCIE KStJ PC was one of Britain’s most successful military commanders of the 19th century. British Victorian-era general born in Kanpur (Cawnpore) India served much of his military career there. Kanpur became one of the most important commercial and military stations of British India.

He won important victories during the Second Afghan War and revitalised the British campaign in the Boer War. He rose to Major-General during the Afghan war, 1878-80, and Commander-in-Chief in India, 1885-93.

A Field Marshal is the highest rank in the British Army. The rank of Field Marshal is never awarded except to a General who has commanded an army in war.

These are words from a recruiting speech given by Lord Roberts:

"I seem to see the gleam in the near distance of the weapons and accoutrements of this Army of the future, this Citizen Army, the wonder of these islands, and the pledge of the peace and of the continued greatness of this Empire" Extract from Lord Robert's speech in Glasgow on 6th May 1913.

Lord Roberts was the protagonist of a national military service and he visited Glasgow on the 5th of May 1913 as part of his duties to the National Service League and aimed to ‘rouse public interest to the necessity of a more adequate home defence.

The University of Glasgow decided confer his honorary degree upon him at a special ceremony, to coincide with Lord Roberts visit at this time. Professor James Moir, Dean of the Faculty of Law, presented Earl Roberts for the degree of Doctor of Laws at the Bute hall.

Lord Roberts died at the Front of pneumonia at St Omer, France while visiting Indian troops fighting the First World War. He was given a state funeral after lying in state at Westminster Hall (only one of two non-royal family members to do so in the 20th century, the other being Sir Winston Churchill) and was buried in St Paul's Cathedral.

Indian troops preceding the coffin of Field Marshal Roberts, November 1914. From W. R. DEIGHTON, 4, GRAND HOTEL BUILDINGS, STRAND, LONDON, W.C.

#StatueofEarlRoberts #KelvingrovePark #Victorianera #LordFrederickSleighRoberts #RobertsofKandahar #1stEarlRoberts #replica #Calcutta #India #IndianRebellion #SepoyMutiny #commandersoftheBritishEmpire #Glasgow #FieldMarshal #General #Kanpur #Cawnpore #HarryBates #sculptor #StOmer #France #FirstWorldWar #Indiantroops #statefuneral #WestminsterHall #StPaul's Cathedral #lyinginstate

Posted 16th March 2024

[crowandmoonwriting]

This or That? Tag

Tagged by @writernopal! Thanks, ily!

Historical or Futuristic

Historical, definitely! I’ve written on my blog before that sci-fi disturbs and sometimes frightens me, and not in the fun way. I am a professional historian, so I’m very comfortable writing about several periods and places I’ve studied, in academic settings but also through my personal studies. I’ve written about ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China, the Byzantine Empire, Middle Ages Europe, Renaissance Europe, Feudal Japan, 18th century Europe and the Americas from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Currently I’m playing around with an idea about or based on Tudor England.

Opening or Closing Chapter

Closing chapter! It’s finally over, lol. And you can torment your readers with a little cliffhanger for the next book ;)

Light and Fluffy or Dark and Gritty

A good mix of both, but I suppose I lean juuuust slightly towards dark and gritty. I write a good deal of horror, and that is definitely a factor. But light and fluffy definitely comes in! It can’t be grimdark all the time.

Animal Companion or Found Family

Found family! I turned away from animal companions after Robin Hobb’s books lol. If you know, you know. (I do love them but that one scene…oof.)

Horror or Romance

Horror AND romance! The horror OF romance! The romance OF horror! It’s difficult for me to write one without the other. They intertwine so perfectly, and together they can have strong emotional impact.

Hard Magic System or Soft Magic System

It depends on the WIP, but I do like a hard magic system sliiiightly more than a soft magic system.

Stand-alone or Series

Series! When I fall in love with a story (particular with the characters), it’s hard to let go. I like to give them more adventures, see how they grow and change, or how their world changes around them. As a historian, I’m very interested in the latter, in how political and social tides rise and fall.

One Project at a Time or Always Juggling 2+

Always juggling! I love to explore different genres in particular, so although I have a fantasy world I’ve been working on for more than a decade, I write southern gothic, ocean gothic, historical fiction, and horror often as well. I have so many WIPs it’s not even funny lol.

One Award Winner or One Bestseller

That’s tough. I don’t particularly care about accolades of any kind, but I do like to know that people like my work. So I’ll go with bestseller. If I impress critics, that’s nice, but I want to make an audience happy more than anything.

Fantasy or Sci-Fi

Fantasy, 1000%. My first real fandom experience was in the Tolkien fandom. I loved Lord of the Rings when I was a child (I collected all the action figures, and like a the red-blooded gay boy I was, Legolas was my favourite <3). I fell in love with Elves in particular, the beauty and elegance of their faces, forms, architecture, clothing. I wanted more of their lore. So I went to The Silmarillion, and that was it for me. I do like some sci-fi, but it’s not as escapist as fantasy for me. And fantasy, particularly Tolkien’s and Tolkien’s followers’ fantasy, is heavily based on historical Europe, which is my primary academic study.

Character Description or Setting Description

Both! And like horror and romance, they intertwine. I like to match my character’s inner world to the outer world, and have their appearance hint at their location or place of origin. The people of Merovyn, for example, have very pale skin, a reflection of the snow around them, and the people of Heledd tend to have richer coloured hair and eyes, a reflection of the jewels and gold and other wealth of their country.

First Draft or Final Draft

Final draft! Ugh, first drafts are the worst! Sure you have more freedom, but editing is far easier for me than drafting. I am a freelance editor, and have even worked on a now published book as an editor. I love doing it, as it’s sort of like a puzzle, and also a refining process that I liken to the final polishing of a marble statue. That image appeals to me lol.

Tagging my mutuals! @chromehoplite, @silvertalonwritblr, @thewardenofwinter, @sam-glade, @jasmineinthenight, @elshells, @words-after-midnight, @lola-theshowgrl, @moonshinemagpie, and anyone who sees this and wants to do it!

[ddsuites]

Palaces and Pearls: Luxuriate in Agra's Best Hotel Hideaways

Introduction: A Glimpse into Agra's Mystique

Nestled on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra stands as a testament to India's rich tapestry of history, culture, and architectural brilliance. As you traverse its storied streets, you're greeted by the whispers of emperors and the echoes of love stories immortalized in marble. In this comprehensive guide, we invite you to delve deeper into the places to visit in Agra, where every corner reveals a new chapter in its illustrious saga.

Discovering Agra's Architectural Masterpieces

The Timeless Marvel of the Taj Mahal

Behold the Taj Mahal, a sublime symphony of love and craftsmanship that transcends time and space. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this architectural masterpiece enchants visitors with its ethereal beauty. As the first light of dawn kisses its pristine marble facade, the Taj Mahal shimmers like a mirage, casting a spell of awe and reverence upon all who behold it.

Unraveling the Secrets of the Agra Fort

Step into the annals of history as you explore the formidable walls and majestic palaces of the Agra Fort. Constructed by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site bears witness to the rise and fall of empires. Wander through its labyrinthine passages, where every stone whispers tales of valor and intrigue, and soak in the tourist places to visit in Agra.

Journeying to the Forgotten Splendor of Fatehpur Sikri

Venture beyond the beaten path to uncover the hidden gem of Fatehpur Sikri, a ghost town frozen in time. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, this UNESCO World Heritage Site beckons travelers with its haunting beauty and architectural grandeur. Marvel at the intricate carvings of the Jama Masjid, stand in awe before the towering Buland Darwaza, and lose yourself in the serenity of its deserted streets.

Indulging in Luxury: Agra's Finest Hotels

The Majestic Oasis of the DD Suites

Experience a world of unparalleled luxury at the finest hotels in Agra, where every moment is a celebration of opulence and refinement. Set against the backdrop of the Taj Mahal, this palatial retreat offers panoramic views of the iconic monument from every corner. Indulge in the sumptuous comforts of its lavishly appointed suites, savor exquisite culinary delights at its award-winning restaurants, and rejuvenate your senses at the opulent spa.

The Enchanting Charms of the Hotels

Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of DD Suites, where tradition meets modernity in perfect harmony. Situated in the heart of Agra, this iconic hotel exudes warmth and hospitality at every turn. From its spacious rooms adorned with classic furnishings to its inviting poolside oasis, every aspect of the best hotels in Agra exudes a sense of refined luxury and understated sophistication.

The Regal Splendor of Agra Hotel

Step into a world of regal grandeur at DD Suites, where the legacy of the Mughal Empire comes to life in every detail. Nestled amidst lush gardens and cascading fountains, this architectural marvel is a sanctuary of indulgence and tranquility. Lose yourself in the exquisite beauty of its Mughal-inspired architecture, pamper your senses with bespoke spa treatments, and savor the flavors of Mughlai cuisine of fine dining restaurants at the best budget hotels in Agra.

Conclusion: A Journey Beyond Imagination

As we bid farewell to the enchanting city of Agra, we carry with us memories that will last a lifetime. From the ethereal beauty of the Taj Mahal to the luxurious comforts of its luxury hotels in Agra, it captivates the soul and ignites the imagination like no other destination. Whether you're a history buff, a romantic at heart, or a seeker of luxury, Agra offers an experience that transcends expectations and leaves an indelible mark on the traveler's soul. So come, embark on a journey beyond imagination, and let the timeless charms of Agra weave their magic upon you.

[mikegunnill]

The Chatham, Kent mother and her story of war time sacrifice.

Which wasn’t true!

Laying a wreath on the 7th of November 1928, at the new Winnipeg Cenotaph in Memorial Boulevard, Charlotte Susan Wood 1861-1939 from Chatham, Kent first made public,  a claim that she had lost 5 sons / stepsons,  during The Great War.  

The card on the wreath read; “In loving memory of my Dear Sons Killed in the Great War 1914-1918; Joseph, Louis, Fred, Harry and Percy, from their mother, Mrs C.S.Wood.”

© picture: Mrs Charlotte Wood and her salute.

In 1931 Charlotte Wood returned to Europe, visiting the war graves of the Western Front as part of a British Legion memorial visit to France and Belgium. She claimed to have made a visit to Chatham at this time and was later scheduled for audience with Queen Mary, but this was forced be to postponed, due to illness.

On the 6th May in 1935, Mrs Wood was awarded the George V Silver Jubilee Medal.  On the 16th July 1936 she sailed from Montreal, Canada for The Vimy Pilgrimage. This comprised of 8,000 Canadian ex-servicemen and next of kin, travelling to Vimy, France for the official memorial unveiling ceremony by King Edward 8th.  While by the Vimy Memorial, Mrs Woods was photographed for the Canadian newspapers, saluting, wearing her usual awards and war medals. Among these are, the full-sized Mons Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, another British War Medal, Victory Medal, the Memorial Silver Cross Medal and a selection of miniature war medals. These according to relations, she wore nearly all the time until her death in 1939.

picture: King Edward and Charlotte Wood.

Before arriving in England, the Winnipeg Free Press in 1936 reported that King had held her hand at the Vimy Memorial after the official opening on the 26th July, as Mrs Wood spoke of her 12 sons fighting during World War One and that, 5 sons had been killed.

The Canadian newspaper reported the full conversation between Mrs Wood and the King.

King:  “Madam, you had sons in this war?”

Wood: “It is a great honour sir, to have you speak to me.”

King:   Now holding her hand.

King: “What do you think of our beautiful memorial?”

Wood: “It is lovely, but I went to the trenches. I did not know until now. Wasn’t it dreadful our boys had to live like that?”

King: “Please God. It should never happen again.”

Research in recent years, by Wood relations has proved without doubt, that the basic story as portrayed by Mrs Wood to the Canadian people was, wrong.  Two of her stepsons died in the war and not the five she claimed.

One of the early people to challenge Mrs Wood’s statements, was her own stepson. Arthur Abraham Wood 1885-1949 who was born at 22 Chatham Hill, Chatham. He never emigrated to Canada like most of the family, but Arthur Wood as a Royal Marine met up with his father in Canada during the 1923-1924 Empire Cruise. A photograph, taken in 1924; during the visit, shows his father, Frederick Wood driving, and Arthur without his hat in the rear of the open top car. Two other Wood family members are in the photograph:(left to right) John J. Wood, Frederick Wood father, Arthur A. Wood and James A.Wood.

© picture: 1924 Wood family members, driven by Frederick Wood.

In 2010, based on letters written by Arthur Wood, the Great War Forum started to also question the Mrs Wood story. John Rusing, the grandson of Joseph James Wood joined the campaign, when he found his grandfather had not died in the war as previously thought. He had been one of those listed as dead by Mrs Wood.  

John Rusing says;

“I believe Charlotte Wood got caught up in the sadness surrounding the World War One deaths and stretched the truth when discussing her family’s involvement, for whatever reason.”

Mr Rusing continues: “On the positive side, it must be remembered that seven of her sons, returned to England to enlist and fight in the war.

With help from different researchers, Bygone Kent and Wood family members, this is an agreed, complete and up to date list of Frederick Louis Woods children.  The first five sons were by, his wife Elizabeth Willis Wood. The remainder by second wife, Charlotte Susan Wood.

1. RICHARD THOMAS WOOD number:7599, never served in World War One. Born on the 13th April, 1880 in St Thomas, Exeter, Devon but he moved to Chatham, aged one. Enlisted in the Royal Horse and Artillery Regiment from 1900 to 1905 when he was discharged as medically unfit. Died January 21, 1925 in Strood, Kent.

2. LEWIS ROBERT WOOD, never served in World War One. Born on the 19th of November, 1881 in St Thomas, Exeter, Devon. Lived in Chatham all his life, died 23rd of July, 1904 in Southwark, London.

3. JOSEPH JAMES WOOD number:19435, never served in World War One. Born on the 21st February, 1883 in Chatham, Kent.  Enlisted in the Royal Navy from 1897 to 1903 when he was discharged via a shore purchase. Died on the 29th of January, 1947 in Royal Oak, Oakland, Michigan, United States of America.

4. WILLIAM WALTER WOOD number:8133, never served in World War One. Born on the 27th of October, 1884 in Chatham, Kent. Enlisted in the Royal North Lancaster Regiment in 1904 and was discharged 8 days later as “not likely to make an effective soldier.” Immigrated to Canada in 1906, Died in Canada, *possible date*- Alberta 1929.

5. ARTHUR ABRAHAM WOOD number:14851, served in World War One and survived. Born on the 1st November, 1885 in Seymour Road in Chatham, Kent. Enlisted in the Royal Marines Light Infantry from 1904 to 1927 when he was honourably discharged. Died on the 10th of January, 1949 in Plumstead, Kent.

6. JAMES ALFRED WOOD number:6344, served in World War One and survived. Born on the 29th of July, 1887 in Chatham, Kent. Served in the Coldstream Guards during World War One and was discharged after a serious leg injury. Died on the 20th of April, 1948 in Winnipeg, Canada. Buried close to his mother in the Military Section. Left unmarked for many years, his grave was marked in 2017 by the Canadian Last Post Fund.

7. * FREDERICK FRANCIS WOOD number:13071, served in World War One and killed in action. Born on the 7th February, 1891 in Chatham, Kent.  After been first turned down for service, Frederick Wood, as Frederick Haywood enlisted successfully at Woolwich, and was killed on the 24th August, 1914.  He is buried, as Corporal Frederick Francis Haywood, in the Saint Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons, Belgium. In official army documents, he is referred to as an, “alias of Frederick Francis Wood.”  

8. JOHN JACOB WOOD number:436163, served in World War One and survived. Born on the 29th of July, 1892 in Strood, Kent. Enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force from 1914 to 1917 and was discharged after a serious head injury which resulted in a 50% hearing loss. Died on the 24th of May, 1969 in Edmonton, Alberta.

9. BENJAMIN BERT WOOD, never served in World War One. Born in Strood, Kent on the 2nd of August, 1894. A medical condition prevented him from serving in the War. Most of his life, farmed with his father, Frederick. Died on the 3rd of December, 1977 in Gunn, Alberta, Canada. Buried at Rich Valley Baptist Cemetery in Gunn, Alberta.

10. HERBERT HARRY WOOD numbers:436232 & 624177, served in World War One and survived.  Born on the 23rd of September, 1896 in Greenwich, Kent. Enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force from 1915 to 1917 and was discharged as 30th November 1917 medically unfit due to poor eyesight. He died on the 1st of April, 1918 in Edmonton, Alberta, while serving as a fireman, falling from a moving fire engine.

11. * PETER PERCY WOOD number:887640, served in World War One and killed in action. Born on the 21st of May, 1899 in Belvedere near Bexley Heath, Kent. Enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force from 1915 to 1917 when he was killed in action in the area known as *The Triangle*. This was a set of heavily fortified German held trenches, where snipers caused heavy losses. It was a strategic position, northwest of the village of La Coulotte, France, near the cross-roads where the Lens-Arras and the Lievin-Avion roads met. Percy was seen to be killed while successfully taking the German trenches, but his body was never recovered. Wood died on the 5th of May, 1917 in France. He therefore has, ‘no known grave’, but his name is recorded on the Vimy Ridge Memorial, panel.

picture: Percy Wood, died 1917.

12. CHARLES CHRISTOPHER WOOD number:624201, served in World War One and survived. Born on the 11th of April, 1901 in Erith, Kent.  Enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force from 1916 to 1917 and was discharged as a consequence of being a minor. His mother, Charlotte Wood may have reported him. Died on the 11th of September 11, 1988 in Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America, and buried in Roseland Park Cemetery, Berkley, Michigan.

13. ELLEN BEATRICE WOOD 1889-1983 Mrs Charlotte Wood had a daughter by Frederick Wood. She emigrated with the Wood family in 1911 and married, Lewis Robert Carle, having a daughter, Yoeland Kathleen Carle 1919-1980.  As Ellen Wood she returned to England, married John McCarthy 1884-1937 in January 1930 and she died in Strood, Kent 24th August 1983.

© Mrs Wood from Chatham, Kent and her medals.

Mrs Charlotte Susan Wood from Chatham in Kent, became an early Canadian *celebrity* for her pioneering work and support for the soldiers of World War One. She did however hide the truth from many who respected her, never thinking that the modern form of research via the Internet would one day, expose her story.

Charlotte Susan Wood 1861 - 1939.

*The First Silver Cross Mother of Canada. *

* This was originally to be used by Bygone Kent magazine. Due to space problems it was never published.*

[elennemigo]

1st ✧ New photo by Greg Williams for British Vogue.

2nd ✧ Interview for Times.Radio, by Mariella Frostrup.

3rd ✧ TPOTD gets 8 nominations for the BAFTAs, including Best Leading Actor. (Benedict´s reaction)

✧ Benedict and other stars, share their life advice | British Vogue.

6th ✧  Benedict wins Critics Best Actor Awards. 

UK´s Critics Circle Award for Actor of the Year. (Acceptance Speech)

International Society of Film Critics.

7th ✧ Super/Natural - a new series from James Cameron and narrated by Benedict, is coming to Disney Plus later this year.

8th ✧ TPOTD gets 12 nominations for the Oscars, including Best Actor in a Leading Role. 

✧ TPOTD Star Reflects on Nomination, How He Tried to Impress Jane Campion. - THR

✧ Benedict reacts to 2022 Oscar Nomination - Variety.

✧ Benedict Cumberbatch just earned his second Oscar nomination, this time for TPOTD - The NY Times. 

[my gifset]

13th ✧ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” debuts during the Super Bowl.

✧ New official poster.

✧ TV spot.

[my gifsets: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9]  

14th ✧ Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness: Strange And Wong Meet America Chavez –Empire´s Exclusive Image.

16th ✧ New interview and photoshoot for Netflix Queue.

17th ✧ Benedict Cumberbatch Asks Tough Questions About the Industry, Representation And Himself - Variety. 

✧ Stars about Making It In Hollywood - Vanity Fair

[my gifsets: 1 2]  

23th ✧ Benedict and TPOTD cast & crew discuss two scenes from the movie.

24th ✧ From Doctor Strange to Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch’s 10 Best Performance - by  Jenelle Rile for Variety.

✧ TPOTD screening at Soho Hotel. (Gallery)

✧ TPOTD screening at The Ham Yard Hotel (Gallery)

25th ✧ Guest at The Graham Norton Show.  (If you´re from Uk you can watch here. Also in 5 parts, you can find it here . Gallery.)

[my gifset]  

27th ✧ TPOTD cast reunited for a screening and Q&A, with Jenelle Riley. (Fans pics and videos: x x x x x x x)

✧ Screen Actors Guild Awards Ceremony. 

Red carpet interviews: People/Entertainment Weekly Entertainment Tonight. E! Red Carpet and Awards, with Laverne Cox. ExtraTV

Gallery 1, 2, 3

Benedict and Jesse Plemons presenting  Female Actor in a TV movie or Limited Series

28th Benedict receives his own Star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  (Gallery)

[my gifsets: 1 2]  

                           ❯───｢ FIN ｣───❮

[scotianostra]

On February 16th 1954 the writer Iain Banks was born in Dunfermline, Fife

.

Banks was a son of a professional ice skater and an Admiralty officer. He spent his early years in North Queensferry and later moved to Gourock because of his father’s work requirement. He received his early education from Gourock and Greenock High Schools and at the young age of eleven, he decided to pursue a career in writing. He penned his first novel, titled The Hungarian Lift-Jet, in his adolescence. He was then enrolled at the University of Stirling where he studied English, philosophy and psychology. During his freshman year, he wrote his second novel, TTR.

Subsequent to attaining his bachelor degree, Banks worked a succession of jobs that allowed him some free time to write. The assortment of employments supported him financially throughout his twenties. He even managed to travel through Europe, North America and Scandinavia during which he was employed as an analyzer for IBM, a technician and a costing clerk in a London law firm. At the age of thirty he finally had his big break as he published his debut novel, The Wasp Factory, in 1984, henceforth he embraced full-time writing. It is considered to be one of the most inspiring teenage novels. The instant success of the book restored his confidence as a writer and that’s when he took up science fiction writing.

In 1987, he published his first sci-fi novel, Consider Phlebas which is a space opera. The title is inspired by one of the lines in T.S Eliot’s classic poem, The Waste Land. The novel is set in a fictional interstellar anarchist-socialist utopian society, named the Culture. The focus of the book is the ongoing war between Culture and Idiran Empire which the author manifests through the microcosm conflicts. The protagonist, Bora Horza Gobuchul, unlike other stereotypical heroes is portrayed as a morally ambiguous individual, who appeals to the readers. Additionally, the grand scenery and use of variety of literary devices add up to the extremely well reception of the book. Its sequel, The Player of Games, came out the very next year which paved way for other seven volumes in The Culture series.

Besides the Culture series, Banks wrote several stand-alone novels. Some of them were adapted for television, radio and theatre. BBC television adapted his novel, The Crow Road (1992), and BBC Radio 4 broadcasted Espedair Street. The literary influences on his works include Isaac Asimov, Dan Simmons, Arthur C. Clarke, and M. John Harrison. He was featured in a television documentary, The Strange Worlds of Iain Banks South Bank Show, which discussed his literary writings. In 2003, he published a non-fiction book, Raw Spirit, which is a travelogue of Scotland. Banks last novel, titled The Quarry, appeared posthumously. He also penned a collection of poetry but could not publish it in his lifetime. It is expected to be released in 2015. He was awarded multitude of titles and accolades in honour of his contribution to literature. Some of these accolades include British Science Fiction Association Award, Arthur C. Clarke Award, Locus Poll Award, Prometheus Award and Hugo Award. 

Iain Banks was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the gallbladder and died at the age of 59 in the summer of 2013.

[kuramirocket]

As Mexico looks back on the 500th anniversary of the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs, an award-winning filmmaker wants his fellow Mexicans and others to confront their national identity — and re-examine how the legacy of colonial history still impacts people today.

“Nationalism tells you where you come from so it can tell you where you’re going,” Rodrigo Reyes told NBC News. “I think it’s important to feel proud of where you’re coming from. I’m super proud of being from Mexico. But I do believe that some of these narratives are so simplistic, so black and white, that they damage our understanding of who we are and how we’re interconnected.”

On Aug. 13, 1521, the army under Spanish "conquistador" Hernán Cortés took the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán after a brutal siege with warships and cannons that lasted at least 75 days. The popular idea of a small Spanish army defeating a much larger Mesoamerican empire is factually incorrect, Reyes said.

The filmmaker described his movie “499,” which won best cinematography as a documentary at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, as an “anti-epic” that “hacks the 500-year anniversary of the Spanish conquest” to expose the far-reaching footprint of colonialism that still lingers over Mexico today.

“We spoke with an amazing group of scholars who are local chroniclers, and they point out that the conquest didn’t end on Aug. 13, 1521,” Reyes said. “It continues to this day because Mexico sadly has a huge problem with racism and classism that forces Indigenous communities to assimilate.”

The movie, premiering in New York on Aug. 20, is a hybrid of a documentary and a fiction film. It follows a 16th-century chrome-armored conquistador (played by Eduardo San Juan) who travels through time to modern-day Mexico and goes on the path Cortés’ army took from the coast of Veracruz to Mexico City.

The conquistador narrates moments from the Spanish invasion in 1521 as he is also compelled to listen to the testimonies of contemporary Mexicans — who are grappling with their own issues around violence and politics a half-millennium after Cortés' army's victory.

History, Reyes said, is not something remote or alien but very much alive in different parts of society.

Mexico, U.S. struggle with 'uneasy truths about the past'

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador wrote a letter to Felipe VI, king of Spain, denouncing the inhumane violence of the Spanish Empire on the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Cortés’ army in 2019. Obrador’s government has also renamed the five-century anniversary of the conquest as 500 years of Indigenous resistance.

When comparing the Mexican government's perspective of history with the United States', the filmmaker said both countries struggle with uneasy truths from the past.

“In the U.S., we’re still wrestling with the fact that George Washington was a slave-owner and the founding father of our country,” he said. “The stories of victims are pretty often being erased. And this is true for every country that is grappling with a history that remains unattended.”

Reyes said this is the case for many Latinos and other diverse groups in the United States who are struggling with the unattended history of their own communities and demanding greater inclusivity in mainstream society.

Engaging with history, the filmmaker said, can help people work through centuries of cultural and social traumas.

The 'atrocious' reality of conquest

“For the defeated, the days immediately after the fall of Tenochtitlán were atrocious,” historian Hugh Thomas said.

Thomas wrote that when looking back at the destruction of the Aztec Empire and the conquest of other Indigenous peoples in the Americas, European colonizers have tried to justify the violence.

Yet historians say the magnitude of violence the Spanish conquest had on Mexico — as well as the destruction perpetrated by other European conquests in the Americas — is undeniable.

Thomas referenced a letter from Pedro de Maluenda, a commissary working with Cortés, which said making the trip back from Tenochtitlán to Veracruz was like traveling from hell to heaven.

The historian described a devastated city in the wake of the Spanish conquest, with defeated Aztecs leaving their homes in smoke and ruins and the streets of their capital full of unburied bodies.

To put the size of the destruction into perspective, Thomas described Sevilla, Spain’s biggest city at the time, as “probably a mere quarter of the size of Tenochtitlán.” The Aztec capital was bigger than any other city the Spanish soldiers had seen.

"Cortés and his men felt awe,” the historian wrote. “For in front of them lay a city as large as any that anyone in his party had seen — though Naples and Constantinople, with over 200,000 people each, ran Tenochtitlán close.”

For Reyes, the footprint of colonialism still looms over the Americas, in large part because different groups don't heed the lessons of history through the eyes of others' experiences.

“We are in a moment of conflict. And there are huge sectors of society, huge sectors of power, who do not want to listen to the voices of people who are being impacted by the lingering actions of colonial domination,” he said. “If we can listen to the voices of our history, then we can actually reinvent the future.”

Reyes is currently taking his film on a pilgrimage of sorts through Mexico, screening “499” for people living on the historic warpath that Cortés took from Veracruz to Tenochtitlán. On Aug. 13 he will arrive in Mexico City — which is built on the ruins of the Aztec capital.

[snowonthebeachmp3]

March 2016

Mar 1st - Taylor and Calvin are seen leaving the Beverly Wilshire Hotel together in LA. (x)

Mar 3rd - Taylor posts a photo to Instagram wishing Camila Cabello a happy birthday. (x)

Mar 6th - Taylor and Calvin's one-year anniversary. Taylor posts about it on Instagram (x) and Calvin posts a snapchat story of their one-year cake. (x)

Mar 11th - Taylor posts a photo to Instagram of herself and Karlie Kloss at Body By Simone dance studio, presumably the one in LA since they're both papped there two days later. (x)

Mar 12th - Taylor appears in Serayah's Snapchat story. They are both at Este Haim's 30th birthday party in LA. (x)

Mar 13th - Taylor and Karlie go to the gym and get brunch together in LA. (x)

Mar 15th - Taylor posts a bunch of photos to Instagram of her and Calvin on holiday together in an unknown tropical beach location. (x) The pictures are presumably from their anniversary earlier in the month, when there is a window of several days where she is not papped anywhere.

Mar 16th - Calvin posts videos of their beach holiday on Snapchat. (x)

Taylor posts a video of herself in Nashville eating whipped cream straight from the can and messing around with Andrea's dog Kitty. (x)

Mar 18th - Taylor helps Ryan Seacrest open a recording studio at a children's hospital in Nashville. (x) Later that day she is seen going out for dinner in LA with Britany. She then flies to Las Vegas where Calvin has a residency at OMNIA Nightclub (x) (mistakenly referred to as Hakkasan Nightclub by JustJared; Hakkasan Group is actually the name of the company that operates the club.) Todrick Hall posts an Instagram video taken during Calvin's show on the night of the 18th in which he and Taylor lip-sync to We Found Love. (x) Austin, Karlie, Haim, Serayah and Britany are also there. (x)

Mar 19th - Taylor performs at Reese Witherspoon's 40th birthday party at the Warwick in Hollywood. (x)

Mar 20th - Joe Alwyn attends the Jameson Empire Awards 2016 at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London. (x) Reshoots for Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk have not yet begun in LA, as his hair is not buzzed.

Mar 22nd - Taylor is seen leaving a doctor's office in LA. (x)

Mar 25th - Taylor goes to the gym in LA. (x)

Taylor and Lorde go on a night out in LA, visiting Roku Sunset and The Nice Guy. (x)

Mar 26th - Taylor attends Lady Gaga's 30th birthday party at No Name Club, LA. (x)

Mar 27th - Taylor posts videos of her and Austin messing around and smashing Easter eggs together in her LA house. (x)

Mar 28th - Taylor has dinner with Reese Witherspoon at the Madeo restaurant, LA. (x)

Intro // February // March // April // May // June // July // August // September // October // November

[aboutcreativehatti]

September festivals and holidays in 2021 to keep up the joyful spirit.

In our hectic routines festivals come as bearers of delight. Be it the days of school or going to work the anticipation of upcoming festivals fills you with excitement and we even enjoy counting the days till the holiday arrives. So let’s get counting, here’s a list of festivals in September that are going to make wait eagerly for the fun to commence.

September 1st to 4th, Ladakh Festival

The Ladakh Festival, organized by the Tourism Department with the help of locals, aims to promote tourism and the region’s unique culture. Folk dances, traditional music, Ladakhi food, artisan products, archery competitions, and polo matches are among the cultural events held. Mask dances are one of the festival’s highlights. This event provides an excellent opportunity for travelers to learn about the culture and way of life of the Ladakhi people.

September 2nd, Pang Lhabsol.

Pang Lhabsol is celebrated in Sikkim, commemorating Mount Kanchenjunga, who is deemed as a guardian deity. The people believe that the mountain deity is responsible for introducing Buddhism to the state and that he has been safeguarding the state from difficult times. To enable their worship, Dzonga, Gonpo, and Dragpo Deshi are created as representations of the festival’s three principal pillars.

September 2nd-11th, Chakradhar Samaroh.

Chakradhar Samaroh is a week-long classical dance and music event held in Raigarh. This event, named after Chhattisgarh’s King Chakradhar Singh, gathers rare skills of Indian classical dance and music for enthusiasts. Music, dance, and songs are prominent events of Chakradhar Samaroh.

September 5th, Teacher’s day.

As we all know it’s a day to celebrate our Teachers, Mentors, and people who’ve had a huge influence on our life decisions. Teacher’s day is originally celebrated on the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan who was a strong supporter of education and the second president of India. On this day people contribute and show gratitude to their teachers through various activities and gifts.

September 7th, Neelamperoor Padayani.

The annual Neelamperoor Padayani Festival, hosted at the Neelamperoor Palli Bhagavathy Temple, is one of the most vivid spectacles in the entire Alappuzha region. It takes place in the Malayalam month of Chingam and is one of the rarest Padayani presentations in the entire country. Colorful processions are carried, massive effigies of swans and other legendary figures are built, and the air is filled with culture during the festival.

September 8th, Parkash Utsav Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

The Guru Granth Sahib Parkash Utsav is a regional holiday celebrated in Punjab every year on the 15th day of Bhadon, and the Traditional Punjabi calendar’s sixth month. On this day people celebrate the Guru Granth Sahib which is the holy scripture of Sikhs and contains words spoken by the worshiped Sikh Gurus. The day commemorates the opening ceremony of Guru Granth Sahib at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

September 10th- September 19th, Ganesh Chaturthi and Ganesh Visarjan.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival where the people in India celebrate the god of luck and good fortune Shri Ganesh. On the day of the festival, a statue of Ganesh is brought home and prayers are sung followed by distributing of prashad. The festival usually lasts 9 or 10 days and then the statute is immersed in the sea, indicating Shri Ganesh's return to his home. This ritual is also called Ganesh Visarjan. A large number of people gather in rallies singing and dancing on their way to send off Shri Ganesh.

September 11th, Nuakhai.

Nuakhai is majorly celebrated in Odisha and nearby places where Odia culture is predominant. The festival is celebrated to welcome the new rice of the season. On this day people make a food called ‘arsaa pithaa’ and gather to celebrate on a specific hour called lagan. The day is to honor agriculture and farmers.

September 11th, Rishi Panchami.

Rishi Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the Bhadrapad month of the Lunar calendar. The day is celebrated to remember the seven sages also called Sapta Rishi, who contributed to the improvement of society. On this day women fast and take baths in holy rivers to honor and worship the sages.

September 14th, Hindi Diwas.

Hindi Day is celebrated to mark the declaration of the Hindi language as the official language of India in 1949. The day is also celebrated to remember the efforts of Beohar Rajendra Simha along with his companions in the adoption of Hindi in the Devanagri script as one of the official languages of India.

September 15th, Engineer’s day.

Engineer’s day is celebrated on the birthday of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, a noted engineer in India and made various contributions to better the nation. He was awarded as ‘Knight’ in 1915 as a commander of the British Indian Empire by King George V. He studied Bachelor of Arts and pursued Civil Engineering and later made contributions in the field regarding the same.

September 16th, Ramdev Jayanti.

The holiday is to celebrate the birthday of Ramdev, a Hindu folk deity of Rajasthan. He was believed to be a reincarnation of Lord Krishna and has devoted his life to the upliftment of the poor. On this day, devotees offer to prepare wooden horse toys, dress them in new clothes, offer special meals, and sing prayers to worship him.

September 21st, Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti.

Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti is an important public holiday in the state of Kerala. On this day, shrines, as well as roads, are decorated with flowers and dried coconuts as tribute. Prayers are sung to remember the contributions of Narayana Guru to the empowerment of people in Kerala and communal feasts are arranged with special emphasis on the poor and downtrodden to honor his teachings.

September 23rd, Haryana Heroes’ Martyrdom Day

The day is celebrated to respect the heroes who made ultimate sacrifices to defend the state of Haryana. Heroes’ Martyrdom Day is a regional government holiday in Haryana, India on September 23rd each year. This holiday is observed on the death anniversary of Rao Tula Ram, a freedom fighter during India’s first war of independence in 1857.

September 27th, World Tourism Day.

World Tourism Day is observed each year on September 27th to raise awareness about the significance of tourism and its effect on our society. The day is also celebrated to spread awareness about global challenges outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to mark the efforts the tourism industry can make to achieve sustainable development goals.

[yama-bato]

AUTHOR: Pawel Pilch UNITED STATES

Shapeshifter                                                Spanish Colonial Churches, New Mexico. The Spanish missions in the Americas were Catholic missions established by the Spanish Empire during the 16th-19th centuries in the period of the Spanish Colonization. The central building of each newly established mission was it's church. Made of adobe with walls 3-7 ft thick, they not only play crucial role in establishing visual dominance over the terrain but also became a formidable stronghold during frequent uprisings of native population. Combination of local and foreign esthetic, style and building practices created a unique colonial iconography.

https://monovisionsawards.com/winners-gallery/monovisions-awards-2020/show/3747

[adminjolene]

hey kids! i’m so excited to be able to tell you about our upcoming trip to universal and the house point competition. 

during the trip you will all be expected to share rooms with members of your house, so while you may chose your own roommate (or two) you better show some house pride and find a friend in the same house as you. a full list of everyones houses can be found here (x). your roommate choice should be submitted to me by monday the 26th of april or you will be randomly assigned one by the school. the rules for the trip will be posted by one of the deans in the upcoming days.

while this trip is an opportunity for all those at Devereux to have fun and let loose there is also an educational aspect to it, though you will not be assessed the school is issuing a house points challenge with an opportunity to win a variety of prizes. points can be earned by completing tasks that reflect your learning this year, as well as by socialising with your fellow students and generally engaging in D/s culture. points can be won both next week during your week free from lessons and also during the trip at universal. the opportunity for earning points ends on the 9th of may 2021. you will notice that we have randomly selected prefects for each house from the Dominant members of those houses. these prefects as well as your heads of houses have the power to take away house points should you break any of the rules while on the trip.

The Prizes

the all members winning house will all be allowed to chose their roommates for the rest of the year (the roommate must be of the same designation) , and receive free tickets to the museum and aquarium for the rest of the year.

-  our top points earner will be given the opportunity to live in one of the empty suites in the teacher accommodation will be decorated to their specifications with a roommate of their choice for the rest of the year. - our first runner up will be given one of the empty trial claim suites to share with a roommate of their choice. - the third runner up will win a weekend mini break to the grand empire with four friends. 

How To Win Points

Things Worth 5 Points

A scene with someone who you’ve scened with before 

Receiving scene advice from a member of staff 

Completing a task for a Dominant/Switch

Issuing orders/a task to a Switch/submissive

Agreeing to share a room with someone you’re not friendly with

Trying a new kink you’ve not engaged in before

Inviting someone you’ve not hung out with before to join you in an activity 

Teaching someone a new skill

Carrying out a maintenance punishment

Making an open post on the online forum (max 5 points)

Responding to an open post on the online forum (bonus five if it’s someone you’ve not spoken to before)

Performing a random act of kindness to another member of the school

Things Worth 10 Points 

Following/creating a set of rules to be followed while on the trip (if you are already in a claim/trial claim adding five additional rules to follow while on the trip can also earn you these points)

A scene with someone you’ve not scened with before (additional 5 points if they’re in your house)

Escorting/being escorted to the parks by someone you haven’t spent much time with before

Carrying out a staff approved punishment

Have a conversation that last more than five replies on an open post on the forum (max of 10 points per character or ooc pairing eg fauna/sawyer kore/nic)

ooc: all things may be headcanoned but the headcanon must have a paragraph from each player and be relatively descriptive, a few sentences isn’t going to be enough. An additional 5 points will be awarded for anything that is parad, the para doesn’t have to be long but should include at least five responses from each player. All things should be tagged with devereuxhogwarts and posted in the house points channel on discord. while the last chance in game to earn points is the 9th of may, you have until the 16th to turn in any paras. the winners will be announced as soon as the points are counted.