#Antique Pot Cupboard

[fairuzfan]

Another soldier, who served in northern and central Gaza, testified that soldiers “took rugs, blankets, [and] kitchen utensils,” and explained that there was no briefing on the matter from the army either before entering or while in the field. “There was zero talk about it from the commanders,” he said. “Everyone knows that people are taking things. It’s considered funny — people say: ‘Send me to The Hague.’ It doesn’t happen in secret. The commanders saw, everyone knows, and no one seems to care.”

The soldier offered his explanation for why the phenomenon is so widespread: “There is something about this reality in which the house is already [in ruins] that allows you to take a plate or rug. In one of the operations, in a destroyed house, there was a cupboard with antique kitchen utensils, special plates, special mugs. I saw them being looted, unfortunately.”

“[The commanders] didn’t really talk to us about it,” another soldier testified. “They didn’t say you couldn’t take things. And most people felt the need to take a souvenir.” 

The soldier noted that the looting was no secret; indeed, some of their seniors were doing it too. “The company sergeant major distributed Qur’an study books that he found and gave to whomever wanted them,” he said. “Another soldier took a set of coffee mugs, a serving tray, and a pot. Another unit, whom we met after they returned from a tour, brought a motorcycle, like the Nukhba [Hamas special forces] motorcycles. One of the soldiers declared that it was his. They [the soldiers] talked about renovating it.”

Another soldier who served in Gaza told +972 and Local Call that soldiers took “prayer beads, spoons, glasses, coffee pots, jewelry, rings. Whatever is easy and accessible is taken. Not everything, but people felt like the lords of the land.” He noted also that “maps from children’s textbooks were taken to show how they are taught there.”

[abbygrabska]

Voyage of The Damned

The Doctor walks around the console, deep in thought. Then something crashes through the wall and we fall to the floor.

I let out a cough and wave a hand in the air to clear the smoke. “What the fuck?!” I spot a life preserver that reads ‘Titanic’.

The Doctor gets up, and, using various controls, closes the Tardis, pushing out the ship.

The Doctor and I step out and brush ourselves off. I pat the Tardis, making sure she’s okay. The Doctor opens the cupboard door and steps out. I follow him.

We enter a wood-paneled room decorated with potted palm trees and Christmas decorations. People dressed in early 20th-century clothes mill about as waiters pass hors d’oeuvres and champagne. The band is playing a sedate version of ‘Jingle Bells’.

We approach two golden angels garbed in white. They move mechanically and I realize they’re robots.

I wander over to the window and look out, “Right.”

We’re in space.

“Attention all passengers. The Titanic is now in orbit above Sol 3, also known as Earth. Population: Human. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Christmas.”

A video of a bald man with a thin mustache sitting behind a desk, “Max Capricorn Cruiseliners-the fastest, the farthest, the best. And I should know because my name is Max.”

The screen reverts to the cruise line logo.

We walk towards reception.

We stroll through the entertainment lounge, looking around.

“Merry Christmas, sir, ma’am.” The Steward says.

We respond in kind, “Merry Christmas.” We pass by a man speaking into a futuristic phone.

The Doctor approaches a robotic angel.

“Evening. Passenger 57 and 58. Terrible memory. Remind us. Uh, you would be…” The robots voice is neutral, movements smooth and controlled, rather than robotic, “Information: Heavenly Host supplying tourist information.”

“Good, so um… tell me, cos I’m an idiot, where are we from?”

“Information: The Titanic is ‘en route’ from the planet Sto in the Cassavalian Belt. The purpose of the cruise is to experience primitive cultures.” “Titanic.” I nod, “Who thought of the name?” “Information: it was chosen as the most famous vessel on the planet Earth.” “Did they tell you why it was famous?” I ask.

“Information: all designations are chosen by Mr. Max Capricorn, president of Max- Max- Max…” The robot keeps repeating the name, becoming higher in pitch. The head jerks with every ‘Max’.

“Ooh, a bit of a glitch.” The Doctor reaches into his pocket, about to sonic the Host when the steward rushes in.

“Sir, we can handle this.” He waves to others for assistance. Two other stewards arrive and switch off the host taking it away, “Software problem, that’s all. Leave it with us, sir. Merry Christmas.”

In reception, I spot a waitress drop her tray after bumping into the man on the phone. “For Tov’s sake, look where you’re going! This jacket’s a genuine Earth antique.” “I’m sorry, sir.” She bends down to pick up the broken glass. “You;ll be sorry when it comes off your wages, sweetheart.”

I glare, storming over to him, “Hey, don’t talk to her like that. If you were paying attention that wouldn’t have happened.”

He rolls his eyes, walking off, “No wonder Max Capricorn is going down the drain.”

I kneel on the floor and help the waitress with the glass. The Doctor does the same.

“Thank you, sir, ma’am. I can manage.” “Never said you couldn’t. That man was a proper dickhead.” I grin, “I’m Abby, by the way.” I motion to the Doctor, “And that’s the Doctor.” “Astrid, ma’am. Astrid Peth.” “Nice to meet you, Astrid Peth. Merry Christmas.” She seems surprised with him, “Merry Christmas, sir.” “Just Doctor, not sir.”

“You enjoying the cruise?” She asks.

I nod, “We are.”

She stands, “That’s good.” We stand as well.

“What about you? A long way from home, Planet Sto.” “Doesn’t feel that different. I spent three years working at the spaceport diner, traveled all the way here… and I’m still waiting on tables.” She walks away. I follow her, pulling the Doctor along. “No shore leave?” He asks. She clears a table by the window, “We’re not allowed. They can't afford the insurance. I just wanted to try it, just once.” She looks out the window, “Never stood on another world. I used to watch the ships heading off to the stars and I always dreamt of… It sounds daft.” “You dreamt of another sky. New sun, new air, new life. A whole universe teeming with life. Why stand still when there’s all that life out there?” I ask.

“Yeah. So.. you two travel a lot?”

“All the time. Just for fun. Well, that’s the plan. Never quite works. Must be rich, though. Haven’t got a penny.” He whispers the last word, “Stowaway.” “You’re kidding.” “Seriously.” “No!”

“Oh, yeah.” I grin.

She laughs, “How did you get on board?”

“Accident. I’ve got this, sort of, ship thing. I was just rebuilding her. Left the defenses down, and bumped into the Titanic. Here we are. Bit of a party, we thought, ‘Why not?’”

“I should report you.”

“Go on then.” “I’ll get you two a drink…” She whispers, “on the house.” She walks away.

The singer starts ‘Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’, the dance floor livens up. I see a heavyset couple dressed in purple country-western outfits sitting and eating a basket of chicken wings. Everyone is laughing and pointing at them.

“Just ignore ‘em.” I hear the man say as I approach.

I sit at the table with them, the Doctor joins me.

“Something’s tickled them.”

“They told us it was fancy dress. Very funny, I’m sure.” The woman says.

“They’re just pickin’ on us because we haven’t paid. We won our tickets in a competition.” The man tells us.

“I had to name the five husbands of Joofie Crystalle in ‘By the Light of the Asteroid.’” “Probably not good enough for that lot.” The man motions to the laughing crowd, “They think we should be in steerage.”

I reach into the Doctor’s pocket, “Can’t have that, can we?”

I hold the sonic at my side and aim behind me.

The champagne on the table pops its cork, spraying all over those at the table.

The two laugh.

“Did… Did you do that?”

I shrug, “Maybe.” I hand the Doctor his sonic.

“I’m Morvin van Hoff.” The man shakes my hand, “This is my good woman, Foon.”

I shake Foon’s hand, “I’m Abby, this is the Doctor. And can I just say, I love your outfits. They remind me of Dolly Parton.” “Who’s that?” Foon asks.

“She’s an Earth country singer. She has her own amusement park called Dollywood. It has a museum of all the outfits she’s ever worn on stage, it’s honestly amazing. I think she’d love you two.” Morvin smiles, “Isn’t that nice. Do you know much about Earth?”

“I was born on Earth. 1986. I’ll be 23 soon.” “You were born there? I thought Earth wasn’t aware of aliens. How’d you get on board then?” I open my mouth to answer then the PA echoes.

“Attention, please. Shore leave tickets Red 6-7 are now activated. Red 6-7.” Foon takes out a ticket, “Red 6-7. That’s us.” The couple stands, “Are you Red 6-7?”

“Might as well be.” I shrug. “Come on.” Morvin puts his arm around Foon, “We’re going to Earth.”

An older man, dressed in a tweed suit holds up a red sign bearing ‘6-7’.

“Red 6-7. Red 6-7. This way, as fast as you can.” We all walk over. Astrid approaches us. “I got you two drinks.”

I take the tray from her, “And we’ve got a treat for you. Come on.”

“Red 6-7 departing shortly.” The Doctor holds up his psychic paper and my hand, “Red 6-7 plus one.”

“Uh, quickly, sir, and please take three teleport bracelets if you would.” “I’ll get the sack.” I hand her a bracelet, “Brand new sky.”

“To repeat, I am Mr. Copper, the ship’s historian, and I shall be taking you to old London town in the country of the U.K. ruled over by the good King Wenceslas. Now human beings worshiped the great god Santa, a creature with fearsome claws, and his wife Mary. And every Christmas Eve the people of the U.K. go to war with the country of Turkey. They then eat the Turkey people for Christmas dinner… like savages.”

“Excuse me, sorry, sorry, but, um… where did you get all this from?” I ask.

“Well, I have a first-class degree in Earthonomics. Now stand by…” “And me! And me! Red 6-7!”

The owner of the voice is a small red-skinned alien with short spikes along his head.

“Well, take a bracelet, sir?” “Uh, but, um, hold on, hold on. What was your name?”

“Bannakaffalatta.”

“Ok, Bannakaffalatta. But it’s Christmas Eve down there. Late-night shopping, tons of people. He’s like a walking conker. No offense, but you’ll cause a riot ‘cause the streets are going to be packed with shoppers and parties…”

We get teleported down to Earth and arrive on an empty street.

“Oh.” I look around. “Now, spending money. I have a credit card in Earth currency if you want to buy trinkets or, uh, stockings or the local delicacy, which is known as ‘beef’, but don’t stray too far, it could be dangerous. Any day now they start boxing.” While Mr. Copper continues to talk, the Doctor looks around, confused by the empty street.

“It should be full. It should be busy. Something’s wrong.”

“But it’s beautiful.” Astrid states. “Really? Do you think so? It’s just a street. The pyramids are beautiful, and New Zealand…” “But it’s a different planet. I’m standing on a different planet. Th-there’s concrete… and shops, alien shops, real alien shops! Look, no stars in the sky. And it smells. It stinks!” She gasps, “This is amazing! Thank you!” She hugs us. “Yeah? Come on then, let’s have a look.” We cross the street to a newsagent’s booth. There’s an old man inside, bundled in winter clothes.

“Hello there! Sorry, uh, obvious question, but where’s everybody gone?” “Oh-ho, scared!” It clicks in my head, “Oh, yeah. That checks out.” “Why?” The Doctor asks.

“Well, it’s them, up above.” The old man points skyward, “Look, Christmas before last we had that big bloody spaceship, everyone standing on a roof.” He points at his small TV, “And then last year, that Christmas Star electrocuting all over the place, draining the Thames.” “This place is amazing.” Astrid admires.

“And this year, Lord knows what. So everybody’s scarpered, gone to the country. All except me… and Her Majesty.” The man stands proudly and looks at the TV.

“Her Majesty the Queen has confirmed that she will be staying in Buckingham Palace throughout the festive season to show the people of London and the world, that there’s nothing to fear.”

“God bless her!” He salutes, “We stand vigil.”

“Well, between you and me, I think Her Majesty’s got it right. As far as I know, this year, there is nothing to worry about.” We get teleported away suddenly.

“I was mid-sentence.” The Doctor tells Mr. Copper.

“Yes, I’m sorry about that. A bit of a  problem. If I could have your bracelets…”

The chief steward joins us, “Apologies, ladies and gentlemen, Bannakaffalatta, we seem to have suffered a slight power fluctuation. If you’d like to return to the festivities. And on behalf of Max Capricorn Cruiseliners, free drinks will be provided.” The ticket holders depart.

“That was the best, the best!” Astrid leaves. The Doctor and I approach the chief steward.

“What sort of power fluctuation?”

I spot a framed screen showing a video loop of Max Capricorn, I tap the Doctor’s shoulder and point to it.

He puts on his glasses and takes out his sonic screwdriver, which he uses on the frame.

It opens and he changes some settings until the screen shows the Titanic and its immediate surroundings. The shields are offline. I peer out the window and see the meteors approach.

“Is this the bridge? I need to talk to the captain. You’ve got a meteoroid storm coming in West 0 by North 2.” “Who is this?” “Never mind that. Your shields are down. Check your scanners, Captain. You’ve got meteoroids coming in and now shielding!” “You have no authorization. You will clear the comms at once.” “Yeah? Just look starboard!”

Two stewards come to escort us out of reception.

“Come with me, sir, ma’am.”

The Doctor and I are led away through reception, still arguing.

“You’ve got a rock storm heading for this ship and the shields are down!”

I slam my foot on the steward’s foot and run to the stage where the band is playing.

“Everyone, listen to me! This is an emergency! Get to the lifeb…” A host covers my mouth and pulls me away.

I am taken away more forcibly from the room.

“Look out the windows!” People slowly go to the windows.

“If you don’t believe us, check the shields yourself!” “Sir, I can vouch for him!”

“Look, Steward, he’s just had a bit too much to drink.” “Sir, something seems to have gone wrong. All the teleports are down.” “Not now!” The Doctor and I are led through the maintenance corridors. Astrid, Mr. Copper, Bannakaffalatta, and the Van Hoffs follow us. “The shields are down, we are going to get hit!”

Everyone begins talking at once.

“Oi! Steward! I’m telling you the shields are down!” “Listen to him! Listen to him!”

Meteoroids hit the ship three times and we are all thrown to the floor.

The Doctor stops me from hitting my head.

The Doctor is the first to stand, he shoes everyone and listens, “It’s stopping.”

He helps me up, “You all right?” I nod, “Yeah.” “Bad name for a ship. Either that or this suit is unlucky.”

“I think it’s you that’s unlucky.” I grin.

The Doctor kneels to examine one of the stewards, the man is dead.

“Ev��� everyone… Ladies and gentlemen, Bannakaffalatta, I must apologize on behalf of Max Capricorn Cruiseliners. We seem to have had a small collision.” “Small?” “You know how much I paid for my ticket?” “If I could have silence, ladies, gentlemen…” Everyone ignores him and continues arguing.

“Quiet!” Everyone stops, “Thank you. I… I’m sure Max Capricorn Cruiseliners will be able to reimburse you for any inconvenience. But first I would point out that we are very much alive.” I notice the cut on Mr. Copper’s head, “Are you all right?” I dab the cut on his head.

The Doctor walks over to us. “She is, after all, a fine, sturdy ship. If you could all stay here while I ascertain the exact nature of the… the situation.” The chief steward goes to open a hatch.

“Don’t open it!”

The hatch opens and the chief steward is sucked out into space by the vacuum. Everyone grabs hold of the piping near them. The Doctor goes over to the comms and uses his sonic screwdriver on the computer to replace the shield.

“Everyone all right? Abby? Astrid?” I nod.

Astrid pants, “Yeah.” “Foon? Morvin? Mr. Copper? Bannakaffalatta?” “Yes.” “You, what was your name?” The Doctor asks the rude man from earlier.

“Ah, Rickston Slade.” “You all right?” “No thanks to that idiot.” “The steward just died.” Astrid points out. “Then he’s a dead idiot.”

I go to slap him, and the Doctor grabs my hand, “All right, calm down. Just stay still, all of you. Hold on.”

He walks to the hatch opening.

Astrid and I join him, “What happened? How come the shields were down?” “I don’t think it was an accident.” I look out into space and see bodies among the flotsam and jetsam floating above Earth.

“How many dead?” Astrid asks.

“We’re alive, just focus on that. We’ll get you out of here, Astrid. I promise. Look at me. I promise.” I tell her.

She nods. “Good. Now,” The Doctor looks around, “if we can get to Reception, I’ve got a spaceship tucked away. We can all get on board…” I tap him on the shoulder, “Oh.” “What is it? What’s wrong?” Astrid asks. “That’s my spaceship over there.” “Where?” “There, that box. That little blue box.” 

The Tardis floats in space. “That’s a spaceship?” “Oi, don’t knock it.” “It’s a bit small.” “A bit distant. Trouble is, once it’s set adrift, it’s programmed to lock onto the nearest center of gravity and that would be… the Earth.”

The Tardis starts to move towards Earth.

The Doctor speaks into a comms device, “Deck 22 to the bridge. Deck 22 to the bridge. Is there anyone there?” “This is the bridge.” “Oh hello, sailor. Good to hear from you. What’s the situation up there?” “We’ve got air. The oxygen field is holding. But the captain… He’s dead. He did it.” The voice breaks, “I watched while he took down the shields. There was nothing I could do. I tried. I did try.” “All right. Just stay calm. Tell me your name? What’s your name?” I ask.

“Midshipman Frame.” “Nice to meet you, sir. What’s the state of the engines?” “They’re um… Hold on.” there’s a groan on the other end.

“Have you been injured?” “I’m all right. Oh my vot. They’re cycling down.” “That’s a nuclear storm drive, yes?” “Yeah.” “The moment they’re gone, we lose orbit.” “The planet.”

“Oh yes. If we hit the planet, the nuclear storm explodes and wipes out life on Earth. Midshipman, I need you to fire up the engine containment field and feed it back into the core.” “This is never going to work.” “Trust me, it’ll keep the engines going until I can get to the bridge.” The Doctor switches off the comms and faces us.

“We’re going to die!” Foon shrieks.

“Are you saying someone’s done this on purpose?” “We’re just a cruise ship!” “Okay, okay. Tch, tch. First things first. One: we’re going to climb through this ship. Two: we’re going to reach the bridge. Three: we’re going to save the Titanic. Right then, follow me.” “Hang on a minute. Who put you in charge and who the hell are you anyway?” Rickston asks.

“I’m the Doctor. I’m a Time Lord. I’m from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterborous. I’m 903 years old and I’m the man who’s gonna save your lives and all six billion people on the planet below. You got a problem with that?” “No.” “In that case, allons-y!”

The Doctor slowly pushes open a metal door that leads into a stairwell littered with debris and sparking cables, “Careful. Follow me.” The Doctor goes ahead clearing the way.

I follow.

“Rather ironic when this is very much the spirit of Christmas. It’s a festival of violence. They say that human beings only survive depending on whether they’ve been good or bad. It’s barbaric.” Mr. Copper says. “Actually, that’s not true. Christmas is a time of-of peace and thanksgiving and… what am I on about? Christmas is always like this.” The Doctor uncovers a dormant host, “We’ve got a Host. Strength of ten. If we can mend it, we can use it to fix the rubble.” “We can do robotics, both of us.” Foon says. “We worked on the milk market back on Sto. it’s all robot staff.” Morvin elaborates.

“See if you can get it working.” I look to the others, “Let’s have a look.”

We climb further up the stairwell and find our path blocked by the wreckage. “It’s blocked.” Astrid points out. “So what do we do?” I ask. “We shift it.” She realizes.

“That’s the attitude. Rickston, Mr. Copper, and you, Bannakaffalatta… look, can I just call you Banna? It’s gonna save a lot of time.” “No! Bannakaffalatta!”

“All right then, Bannakaffalatta, there’s a gap in the middle. See if you can get through.”

“Easy. Good.” Bannakaffalatta squeezes through the opening.

The ship lurches again sending loose debris falling.

“This whole thing could come crashing down any minute!” “Oh, Rickston, shut up!”

“Bannakaffalatta made it.” “I’m small enough, I can get through.” Astrid makes her way through the hole.

“Careful.” I call.

“I’m fine.” “Thing is, how are Mr. and Mrs. Fatso going to get through this gap?” Rickston asks rudely.

I turn my head and glare at him, “First of all, you’re a dickhead. Second of all, we make the gap bigger.” I hand him a piece of metal.

I hear laughter echo through the stairwell.

“What happened? Did they find a donut?” “Shut it!”

“I can clear it from this side. Just tell me if it starts moving.”

“What’s going on up there?!” I ask, hearing faint whispers.

“I think Bannakaffalatta and I just got engaged.”

The Doctor opens the comms, “Mr. Frame, how’s things?” “Doctor, I’ve got life signals all over the ship but they’re going out one by one.” “What is it? Are they losing air?” I ask.

“No. One of them said it was the Host. it’s got something to do with the Host.” The Doctor rushes down the stairs.

There is a commotion before Morvin and Foon come up.

Rickston goes through the opening. “I’ll never get through there.” “Yes, you can. Let me go first.” Mr. Copper sneaks through.

I do the same.

Mr. Copper, Astrid, and I are helping Foon.

“No, I’m stuck!”

“Come on, you can do it!” I urge.

Mr. Copper uses a metal pole to widen the space, “It’s going to collapse!” Foon makes it through.

“Rickston, vot damn it, help me!” Rickston refuses. “Morvin, get through.”

The Doctor comes up behind Morvin.

“Doctor, he’s stuck!”

“Mr. Van Hoff, I know we’ve only just met, but you’ll have to excuse me.” 

Morvin makes it through.

“That’s it. We’ve got you. Doctor, come on, get through.” The Doctor turns to the host, “Information override! You will tell me the point of origin of your command structure!” “I can’t hold it!”

“Information: Deck 31.” “Thank you.” The Doctor scrambles through the hole, “Let go!”

Mr. Copper releases his grip on the pole and the beam crashes onto the Host’s head.

We find ourselves in another open room.

Foon looks at a table, “Morvin, look, food.” Rickston speaks sarcastically, “Oh great. Someone’s happy.” “Don’t have any then.” Morvin says.

“Mr. Frame, you still there?” “Yes, sir, but I’ve got the Host outside. I sealed the door.” “They’ve been programmed to kill. Why would anyone do that?”

“That’s not the only problem. I had to use a maximum deadlock on the door, which means… No one can get in. I’m sealed off. Even if you can fix the Titanic, you can’t get to the bridge.” “Yeah, right, fine. One problem at a time. What’s on Deck 31?” “Um, that’s down below. It’s nothing. It’s just the Host storage deck. That’s where we keep the robots.”

The Doctor looks at the scanner, “Well, what’s that?” He puts on his glasses, “See that panel? Black. It’s registering nothing. No power, no heat, no light.” “Never seen it before.” “100% shielded. What’s down there?” “I’ll try intensifying the scanner.” “Let me know if you find anything.” He takes off his glasses, “And keep those engines going!” Astrid brings us some food, “Saved you some. You might be a time king, but you need to eat.”

“Yeah, thanks.” The Doctor takes the food and sits.

Astrid sits with us, “So, you look good for 903.” The Doctor speaks through a full mouth, “You should see me in the mornings.” I stare at him, “You barely sleep.”

“Doctor, it must be well past midnight, Earth time. Christmas Day.”

“So it is. Merry Christmas.”

“This Christmas thing, what’s it all about?” “Long story. I should know, I was there.” “But if the planet’s waking up, can’t we signal them? They can send up a rocket or something.” “They don’t have spaceships.” I say.

“No, I read about it. They have shuffles, space shuffles.” “Mr. Copper, this degree in Earthonomics… where’s it from?” I ask.

“Honestly?” “Just between us.” “Mrs. Golightly’s Happy Travelling University and Dry Cleaners.” He mops his brow with his hankie and sits.

“You… you lied to the company… to get the job?” “I… I wasted my life on Sto. I was a traveling salesman, always on the road and I retired with nothing to show for it. Not even a home. And Earth sounded so exotic.”

“Hm, I suppose it is, yeah.” “How come you know it so well?” Astrid asks.

“Abby was born there. And I was sort of… a few years ago, was sorta made… well, sort of homeless, and, um there was the Earth.” “Thing is, if we survive this, there will be police and all sorts of investigations. Now the minimum penalty for space-age fraud is ten years in jail. I’m an old man. Well, I won’t survive ten years.”

There is a banging on the door and the Doctor drops his food and rushes to the opposite door.

“A Host! Move! Come on!”

The pounding on the door continues, which dents from the force. We all follow the Doctor to the opposite side. He uses his sonic on the door and it opens to reveal a space that runs the height of the ship. The only way across is a makeshift bridge, created by a fallen strut below which are the engines. “Is that the only way across?” Rickston asks.

“On the other hand, it is a way across.” “The engines are open.” Astrid points out. “Nuclear storm drive. Soon as it stops the Titanic falls.” “But that thing, it’ll never take our weight.” “You’re going last, mate.” Rickston sneers.

“It’s nitrofine metal. It’s stronger than it looks.”

“All the same, Rickston’s right. Me and Foon should…” Morvin steps on a weak piece of metal near the edge, the railing gives way and Morvin falls towards the engine with a scream.

“Morvin!” “I told you! I told you!”

I turn to Rickston, “Shut the fuck up!”

Foon talks to the Doctor, hysteric, “Bring him back! Can’t you bring him back? Bring him back, Doctor!” “I’m sorry, I can’t.” “You promised me!” “I know. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” A group of Host is marching through the halls towards us. “Doctor, I rather think those things have got our scent.” “I’m not waiting.” Rickston starts across the bridge. “Careful! Take it slowly!” There’s a rumbling as the ship rocks and Rickston is nearly knocked off, “Vot help me.” “You’re okay. One step at a time. Come on, you can do it.”

“They’re getting nearer!” The Doctor uses his sonic on the door, “Seal us in.” “Leaving us trapped, wouldn’t you say?” “Never say trapped, just inconviently circumstanced.” “Oh.” Rickston is halfway across, “I’m okay!”

“Maybe he’s all right. Maybe… maybe there’s a gravity curve down there or something. I don’t know. Maybe he’s unconscious.” “I’m sorry, Foon. He’s gone.” I hug her. “What am I going to do without him?” She cries.

“Bannakaffalatta, you go next.” “Bannakaffalatta, small.”

“Slowly!” I call.

The Host are pounding on the door from the other side. “They’ve found us!” “Astrid, get across right now.”

“What about you?” She asks. “Just do it. Go on.” Astrid starts across, “Mr. Copper, we can’t wait. Don’t argue.” Mr. Copper follows, “Abby, go, I’ve got Foon.”

I slowly make my way after the others.

“Doctor, I can’t open the door. We need that whirring key thing of yours!” “I can’t leave her!” “She’ll get us all killed if we can’t get out!” “Mrs. Van Hoff, I am coming back for you, all right?” Foon nods and the Doctor starts across. The metal creaks at the weight of the five of us.

“Too many people!” “Oi! Don’t get spiky with me! Keep going!” “It’s gonna fall!” Astrid cries. “It’s just settling! Keep going!” It becomes quiet as the pounding stops. “They’ve stopped.” I realize. “Gone away?” Bannakaffalatta asks. “Why would they give up?” “Never mind that. Keep coming!” Rickston urges. “Where have they gone? Where are the Host?” Mr. Copper looks up, “I’m afraid… we forgot the tradition of Christmas that angels have wings!” He points. 

The Host glide down from above and encircle us. They reach for their halos. “Arm yourselves! All of you!”

We all reach for pipes and metal to defend ourselves as the Host throws their halos. We keep batting them away.

One grazes my arm and another Mr. Copper’s leg. 

Astrid falls to her knees, “I can’t.”

“Bannakaffalatta stop! Bannakaffalatta proud! Bannakaffalatta, cyborg!” Bannakaffalatta lifts his shirt and discharges energy, disabling the Host, and all but one fall toward the engines. One falls onto the strut behind the Doctor.

“Electromagnetic pulse took out the robotics. Oh, Bannakaffalatta, that was brilliant!” Bannakaffalatta falls and Astrid goes to him, “He’s used all his power!”

“Did good?” Bannakaffalatta asks.

“You saved our lives.” “Bannakaffalatta happy.” “We can recharge you, get you to a power point, and just plug you in!”

“Too late.”

“No, but… you gotta get me that drink, remember?” “Pretty girl.” Bannakaffalatta takes one last breath before dying.

Astrid goes to button his shirt when Mr. Copper reaches for his power source. “I’m sorry. Forgive me.” “Leave him alone.” Astrid says.

“It’s the EMP transmitter. He-he’d want us to use it.” He removes it, “I used to sell these things. They’d always give me a bed for the night in the cyborg caravans. They’re good people. But if we can recharge it, we can reuse it as a weapon against the rest of the Host. Bannakaffalatta might have saved us all.”

“Do you think? Try telling him that.” Rickston points behind us.

We all turn to see the host that landed on the strut begin to move.

“Use the EMP!” “It’s dead!” “It’s gotta have an emergency…” Astrid takes the EMP from Mr. Copper.

The Doctor confronts the Host, “No, no, no. hold on. Override loophole security protocol… 10! 666! Oh. 21, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Um, I dunno, 42! Uh, 1!”

The Host stops mid-motion and stands passively, “Information: state request.” “Good… right. You’ve been ordered to kill the survivors, but why?” “Information: no witnesses.” “But this ship’s gonna fall on the Earth and kill everyone. The human race has nothing to do with the Titanic so that contravenes your orders, yes?” “Information: incorrect.” “But why do you want to destroy the Earth?” “Information: it is the plan.” “What plan?” “Information: protocol grants you only three questions. These three questions have been used.” “Well, you could have warned me.” “Information: now you will die.” The Host prepares to strike the Doctor with its halo when a lasso is thrown over its head and tightened around its body by Foon, “You’re coming with me!”

Foon closes her eyes and jumps over the side, pulling the Host with her.

“NO!” I scream.

We all watch helplessly as Foon falls to her death. “No more.” We make it out and into another set of maintenance halls.

“Right. Get up to Reception One. Once you’re there, Mr. Copper. You’ve got staff access to the computer. Try and find a way of transmitting an SOS. Astrid, you’re in charge of this.” He holds out the EMP, “Once it’s powered up, it’ll take out Hosts within fifty yards but then it needs sixty seconds to recharge. Got it? Rickston, take this.” He gives Rickston his sonic screwdriver, “I’ve preset it. Just hold down that button. It’ll open doors. Do not lose it! You got that? Now go and open the next door. Go on! Go!”

“All right!” Rickston runs off. I take down the first aid kid and hand it to Mr. Copper, “We need you fighting fit. Astrid, where’s the power point?” “Under the comms.” The Doctor and Astrid run to the power point and he shows her how to recharge the EMP.

“When it’s ready, that blue light comes on there.” “You’re talking as if you’re not coming with us.” “There’s something down on Deck 31.” I answer, wrapping my wound, “We’ve gotta find out what it is.” “What if you meet a Host?”

“Well, then we’ll just… have some fun, eh?” “Sounds like you two do this kind of thing all the time.”

“Not by chance. All we do is travel. That’s what we are, just travelers. Imagine it. No tax, no bills, no boss, just the open sky.” He grins.

“I’m sort of… unemployed now, and I was thinking the blue box is kinda small, but I could squeeze in. like a stowaway.” “It’s not always safe.” I say.

“I’ve got no one back on Sto, no family, just me. So what do you think? Can I come with you?”

I look at the Doctor and nod.

He smiles, “Yeah.” The ship lurches again and the Doctor stands and speaks into the comms, “Mr> Frame, you still with us?” “It’s the engines, sir. Final phase. There’s nothing more I can do. We’ve only got eight minutes left!” “Don’t worry, I’ll get there.” “The bridge is sealed off!”

“Yeah, yeah, working on it. I’ll get there, Mr. Frame, somehow.” The EMP turns blue, “All charged up? Mr. Copper, look after Astrid. Astrid, look after Mr. Copper. Rickston, um… look after yourself. And we’ll see you again, promise.” The Doctor grabs my hand and we run off.

We run into a small kitchen and are surrounded by four Host. I grab a pot by the handle, prepared to use it as a weapon.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait! Security protocol one! Do you hear me? One! One!” the Host stop advancing, “Okay, that gives me three questions. Three questions to save my life, am I right?”

“Information: correct.”

“No, that wasn’t one of them. I didn’t mean it. That’s not fair. Can I start again?” “Information: no.” I slap my forehead, “Honey, for fuck’s sake, please think before you ask the last one.” “One question left. One question. So, you’ve been given orders to kill the survivors but survivors must therefore be passengers or staff, but not us. We’re not passengers. We’re not staff. Go on, scan us. You must have bio records. No such person on board. We don’t exist, therefore… you can’t kill us. Therefore, we’re stowaways, and stowaways should be arrested and taken to the nearest figure of authority. And I reckon the nearest figure of authority is on Deck 31. Final question: am I right?” “Information: correct.” “Brilliant. Take us to your leader.” He smiles, “I’ve always wanted to say that.”

The Doctor and I are escorted by the Host to Deck 31. There is much structural damage as well as small fires.

“Now that is what you call a fixer-upper. Come on then, Host with the most, this ultimate authority of yours, who is it?” 

Two doors slide open behind us and we turn around, “Ooh, that’s clever. That’s an omnistate impact chamber. Indestructible. You can survive anything in that, eh?”

A vehicle starts wheeling out, “Sit through a supernova or a shipwreck. Only one person can have the power and the money to hide themselves onboard like this and I should know, ‘cause…”

The vehicle is revealed to be a giant life-support system for Max Capricorn who is now just ahead, “My name is Max.” The gold tooth glints.

“It really does that.” I whisper.

“Who the hell are they?” “I’m the Doctor, this is Abby. hello.” “Information: stowaway.” “Well…”

“Kill him.” “Oh, no, no! Wait, but you can’t. Not now. Come on, Max… you’ve given me so much good material like… How to get ahead in business. See ‘head’? ‘Head in business’? No?” 

I stare wide-eyed at the Doctor, ‘I’m gonna fucking smack him if we survive this.’ “Oh, ho ho, the office joker. I like a funny man. No one’s been funny with me for years.” “I can’t think why.”

“176 years of running the company have taken their toll.”

“Yeah, but… nice wheels.” “No, a life-support system in a society that despises cyborgs. I’ve had to hide away for years. Running the company by hologram. Host, situation report.” “Information: Titanic is still in orbit.” “Let me see.” Max moves forward and we step out of the way, “We should have crashed by now. What’s gone wrong?” He goes to the edge and looks down at the engines, “The engines are still running! They should have stopped!”

“When they do, the Earth gets roasted. I don’t understand.” I say, “What’s the Earth got to do with this?” “This interview is terminated.” “No, no, no, no, no, no! Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! I can work it out. It’s like a task. I’m your apprentice. Just watch me. So… business is failing and you wreck the ship so that makes things worse. Oh yes! No. yes. The business isn’t failing, it’s failed. Past tense.” “My own board voted me out. Stabbed me in the back.” “If you had a back.” I say, “So.., you scupper the ship, wipe out any survivors in case anyone’s rumbled you and the board finds their shares halved in value. Oh, but that’s not enough. No, ‘cause if a Max Capricorn ship hits the Earth, it destroys an entire planet. Outrage back home. Scandal! The business is wiped out.”

“And.. the whole board is thrown in jail for mass murder.” He grins. “While you sit there, safe inside the impact chamber.” The Doctor says.

“I have men waiting to retrieve me from the ruins and enough off-world accounts to retire me to the beaches of Pentaxico Two where the ladies, so I’m told, are very fond of metal.” The Doctor speaks indignantly, “So that’s the plan. A retirement plan. 2,000 on this ship, 6 billion underneath us, all of them slaughtered. And why? Because Max Capricorn is a loser.” “I never lose.” “You can’t even sink the Titanic.” “Oh, but I can, Doctor. I can cancel the engines from here.”

Alarms sound.

“You can’t do this!” I shout.

“Host, hold them.” The Host hold us by the arms and pull us away.

“Not so clever now, Doctor. A shame we couldn’t work together. You’re rather good. All that banter yet not a word waster. Time for me to retire. The Titanic is falling and the sky will burn. Let the Christmas inferno commence. Oh! Oh, Host! Kill them.” The one Host not holding us removes their halo preparing to follow orders.

“Mr. Capricorn!” I turn my head to see Astrid in a forklift, “I resign.” She starts the forklift and rushes towards Capricorn.

“Astrid, don’t!” I shout. Astrid lifts the front of Capricorn’s life support just enough so the tires have no purchase. His rear tires have enough traction to cause a standoff. The Host who was about to kill us throws their halo at Astrid but misses, hitting something else. “He’s cut the break line!” The Doctor realizes.

Astrid looks at us. She stares meaningfully at us before she turns back to Capricorn. She raises the fork higher, lifting Capricorn fully off the ground, and steps on the gas. They both go over the edge.

“Astrid!” I scream.

We run to the edger and see Astrid falling towards the engines, her hands reaching for us.

“Titanic falling. Voyage terminated.” The Doctor and I walk away as sparks fall behind us and fires burn. I grab onto him and he holds out his arms to either side. He snaps his fingers and the host holds his arms and fly us upwards.

With arms raised they break through the floor of the bridge causing Frame to shout.

“Deadlock broken.” We climb through the hole and stand.

“Ah, Midshipman Frame at last!”

“Uh, but… the Host!”

“Controller dead they divert to the next highest authority and that’s me.” “There’s nothing we can do. There’s no power. The ship’s gonna fall.” “Titanic falling.” The Doctor takes the wheel, “What’s your first name?” “Alonzo.” I share a look with the Doctor, “You’re kidding me.”

“What?” He looks at us puzzled.

“That’s something else I’ve always wanted to say. Allons-y Alonzo! Whoa!”

The ship lurches dramatically as the Doctor tries to steer. We fall straight towards the Earth’s atmosphere as Alonzo screams. The Doctor fights with the wheel.

An alarm sounds, and I check it. The computer shows the impact zone to be somewhere in London.

I sigh, “Ah.” I use the comms to ‘dial out’, “Hello, yes, um… could you get me Buckingham Palace?” I get through to a very confused security guard, “Listen to me! Security Code 771! Now get out of there!”

“Engine active. Engine active.” The Doctor pulls back on the wheel, sending Alonzo back against the wall. Straining and bent over backward, the Doctor regains control. I can see from the monitor we’ve barely missed Buckingham Palace.

Once out of danger, the Doctor begins to enjoy steering and laughs.

Alonzo rings the ship’s bell. “Whoo-hoo-hoo!”

The framed picture of Capricorn sparks and falls to the floor.

Alonzo sits on the floor, the Doctor and I join him. “Used the heat or re-entry to fire up the secondary storm drive. Unsinkable, that’s me.”

“We made it.” 

“Not all of us.” I pause, “Teleport!” I get up, “She was wearing a teleport bracelet!”

The Doctor and I rush out the door.

We rush into reception, and the Doctor with his hand out, “Rickston! Sonic!” Rickston throws it and he catches it, “Mr. Copper, the teleports, have they got emergency settings?” “I don’t know. They should have.” “She fell, Mr. Copper. She fell. What’s the emergency code?”

“Uh, let me see…”

“What the hell are you doing?” Alonzo asks. “We can bring her back.” The Doctor begins to work on the teleport.

“If a passenger has an accident on shore leave and they’re still wearing their teleport, their molecules are automatically suspended and held in stasis so that we can just trigger the shift.” The Doctor finishes, “There.” He stands and turns around.

A glowing, transparent Astrid appears, “I’m falling.” “Only halfway there. Come on.” He adjusts the inner workings of the teleport. “I keep falling.” “Feed back the molecule grin, boost it with the restoration matrix.” The teleport sparks, “No, no, no, no! Need more phase containment.” “Doctor…” “No! If I can just link up the surface suspension…” “Doctor,” I say softly, “she’s gone.” “I just need to override the safety. I can do it.” “Doctor, let her go.” The Doctor turns to face Astrid’s ghost-like figure. He kicks the teleport in frustration, “I can do anything.” “Stop me falling.” The Doctor walks towards her while we watch.

Mr. Copper stands beside him, “There’s not enough left. The system was too badly damaged. She’s just atoms, Doctor. An echo with the ghost of consciousness. She’s stardust.” He walks closer, “Astrid Peth… citizen of Sto… the woman who looked at the stars and dreamt of traveling. Now you can travel forever.” He opens a window behind her with his sonic screwdriver and she turns into motes of light, “You’re not falling, Astrid, you’re flying.”

The lights go out the window, leaving us.

“The engines have stabilized. We’re holding steady till we get help and I’ve sent the SOS. A rescue ship should be here within twenty minutes. And they’re digging out the records of Max Capricorn. It should be quite a story.” Alonzo tells us. “They’ll want to talk to all of us, I suppose.” “I’d have thought so, yeah.” Mr. Copper wanders over to us, “I think, uh, one or two inconvenient truths might come to light. Still, it’s my own fault, and then years in jail is better than dying.”

Rickston walks over to us, “Doctor… I never said… thank you.” He hugs him, “The funny thing is… I said Max Capricorn was falling apart. Just before the crash, I… sold all my shares, and transferred them to his rivals. It’s made me rich. What do you think of that?”

I look at him, before looking at the Doctor, “Can I?” He sighs, nodding.

I grin, step forward, and knee Rickston right in the crotch. He groans bending over, I hit him in the Adam’s apple and he gasps for breath, hobbling off.

“Of all the people to survive, he’s not the one you would have chosen, is he? But if you could choose, Doctor, if you decide who lives and who dies…” Mr. Copper shrugs, “That would make you a monster.”

The Doctor looks at Mr. Copper, curious at the insight, “Mr. Copper…” He turns to the teleporter and takes three bracelets, “I think you deserve one of these.” Mr. Copper smiles and puts on a bracelet. Alonzo sees, and mouths ‘Hey!’ as he stands.

Mr. Copper chuckles and the Doctor starts the machine. Before we disappear, Alonzo salutes and the Doctor salutes back, forefinger to the forehead.

The Doctor, Mr. Copper, and I walk across to the Tardis, in what appears to be falling snow.

“So, Great Britain is part of, uh, ‘Europee’ and just across the British Channel you’ve got Great France and Great Germany?”

“No, no, it’s just… it’s just France and Germany. Only Britain is great.” “Oh, and they’re all at war with the continent of Ham-erica?”

I wince, “No, well… not yet, uh… could argue that one.” We arrive at the Tardis, “There she is.” I pat her, “Survive anything.” “You know, between you and me, I don’t even think this snow is real. I think this is the ballast from the Titanic’s salvage entering the atmosphere.” The Doctor looks up, “Yeah. one of these days, it might snow for real.” “So, I-I suppose you’ll be off.” “The open sky.” I grin.

“And, uh, what about me?” “We travel alone. It’s best that way.” “What- what am I supposed to do?” Mr. Copper asks.

“Give me that credit card.” I say.

Mr. Copper hands it over, “Well, it’s just petty cash, spending money. It’s all done by computer. I… I didn’t really know the currency, so I thought a million might cover it.” “A million? Pounds?” “That enough for trinkets?” “Mr. Copper, a million pounds is worth 50 million credits.” The Doctor grins at him. “How much?”

“50 million and 56.” “I… I’ve got money!” “Yes, you have.” I hand back the card.

“Oh, my word. Oh my vot! Oh my goodness me! I… Ya-ha!”

“It’s all yours, Planet Earth. Now that’s a retirement plan. But just you be careful, though.” “I will. I will. Oh, I will.”

“No interfering. I don’t want any trouble. Just… have a nice life.” I smile at him. “I can have a house, a proper house, with a garden, and-and a door, and… Oh, Doctor, Abby, I will make you proud.” He hugs us, “And-and I can have a kitchen with chairs, and windows, and lace…” He skips off laughing.

I pause as the Doctor unlocks the Tardis, “Um, where are you going?”

Mr. Copper chuckles, “Why, I have no idea!” “No, me neither.” “But, Doctor, Abby… I won’t forget her.”

I look up at the sky and see a blue streak of light zigzag across. I look back at Mr. Copper skipping away, “Merry Christmas, Mr. Copper.”

[sanguinosa-blog]

Rugs, cosmetics, motorbikes: Israeli soldiers are looting Gaza homes en masse

Soldiers describe how stealing Palestinian property has become totally routine in the Gaza war, with minimal pushback from commanders. By Oren Ziv February 20, 2024

Israeli soldiers fighting in Gaza have not been shy about posting videos on social media gleefully documenting their wanton destruction of buildings and humiliation of Palestinian detainees. Some of these clips were even exhibited in South Africa’s presentation at the International Court of Justice last month as evidence of genocide. But there is another war crime being readily documented by Israeli soldiers that has garnered less attention and condemnation despite its prevalence: looting. 

In November, the Palestinian singer Hamada Nasrallah was shocked to discover a TikTok of a soldier playing the guitar that his father had bought him 15 years earlier. Other videos uploaded to social media in recent months show Israeli soldiers boasting about finding wristwatches; unboxing someone’s collection of soccer shirts; and stealing rugs, groceries, and jewelry. 

In a Facebook group for Israeli women comprising nearly 100,000 users, someone wondered what to do with the “gifts from Gaza” that her partner, a soldier, had brought back for her. Sharing a photo of cosmetic products, she wrote: “Everything is sealed except for one product. Would you use these? And does someone know the products or are they only in Gaza?”

Indeed, since the start of Israel’s ground invasion in late October, soldiers have been taking whatever they can get their hands on from the homes of Palestinians who have been forced to flee. More than an open secret, the phenomenon has been widely — and uncritically — reported in the Israeli media, while rabbis from the Religious Zionist movement have been answering soldiers’ questions about what is permissible to loot according to Jewish law. 

Soldiers who returned from fighting in Gaza confirmed to +972 Magazine and Local Call that the phenomenon is ubiquitous, and that for the most part their commanders are allowing it to happen. “People took things — mugs, books, each one the souvenir that does it for him,” said one soldier, who admitted that he himself took a “souvenir” from one of the medical centers that the army occupied.

Another soldier, who served in northern and central Gaza, testified that soldiers “took rugs, blankets, [and] kitchen utensils,” and explained that there was no briefing on the matter from the army either before entering or while in the field. “There was zero talk about it from the commanders,” he said. “Everyone knows that people are taking things. It’s considered funny — people say: ‘Send me to The Hague.’ It doesn’t happen in secret. The commanders saw, everyone knows, and no one seems to care.”

The soldier offered his explanation for why the phenomenon is so widespread: “There is something about this reality in which the house is already [in ruins] that allows you to take a plate or rug. In one of the operations, in a destroyed house, there was a cupboard with antique kitchen utensils, special plates, special mugs. I saw them being looted, unfortunately.”

“[The commanders] didn’t really talk to us about it,” another soldier testified. “They didn’t say you couldn’t take things. And most people felt the need to take a souvenir.”

The soldier noted that the looting was no secret; indeed, some of their seniors were doing it too. “The company sergeant major distributed Qur’an study books that he found and gave to whomever wanted them,” he said. “Another soldier took a set of coffee mugs, a serving tray, and a pot. Another unit, whom we met after they returned from a tour, brought a motorcycle, like the Nukhba [Hamas special forces] motorcycles. One of the soldiers declared that it was his. They [the soldiers] talked about renovating it.”

Another soldier who served in Gaza told +972 and Local Call that soldiers took “prayer beads, spoons, glasses, coffee pots, jewelry, rings. Whatever is easy and accessible is taken. Not everything, but people felt like the lords of the land.” He noted also that “maps from children’s textbooks were taken to show how they are taught there.”

In contrast to the others who testified, this soldier said that it was clear to him that looting was forbidden. “In my experience, of course, it’s a big no no,” he explained. “They emphasized this issue, but no one supervises the reservists. The most common thing [to steal] is ‘local souvenirs’ [i.e. quintessentially Palestinian or Arab items]. Once, they kicked out a soldier who stole money.”

The soldier added that he and his team tried, with varying degrees of success, to persuade other soldiers to leave behind the items they had stolen in Gaza. “They [soldiers] would come back with things; we told them it was better to leave them [inside the Strip, near the fence], it’s better to throw them away than to take them.” ‘From the ruins of Khan Younis, in the classic Gazan style’

In a communique this week to commanders in charge of units fighting in Gaza, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi urged soldiers “not to take anything that is not ours.” But this letter comes after several months in which looting has become completely routine.

So normalized is the phenomenon that in a recent segment on Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, soldiers presented reporter Uri Levy with a mirror they had brought back from Gaza. “From the ruins of Khan Younis, in the classic Gazan style,” Levy jokes, without asking the soldiers where they found the mirror or why they stole it. In a column on Ynet, Nahum Barnea quotes a soldier who said he saw the looting of “phones, vacuum cleaners, motorcycles, and bicycles.”

It should be noted that in addition to the “independent” looting by soldiers, there is a special unit in the Israeli army dedicated to seizing money and other property found in the battlefield. So far, it is known that the military has seized tens of millions of shekels from Gaza, which it claims belonged to Hamas.

‘And you shall eat the riches of all the nations’

Alongside the looting of Palestinians’ belongings, Israeli soldiers are also routinely eating the food they find in Gaza’s abandoned homes. “After two or three weeks, soldiers use whatever they find, clean it, and disinfect it,” a soldier told +972 and Local Call — though, according to him, soldiers are not supposed to use food found in Palestinian homes in case it is contaminated. Others said that no precise instructions were given regarding how to behave while staying in houses, many of which are set on fire or blown up by the army once they are no longer of use.

In a recent Haaretz article, Israeli soldiers described their “experiences” of cooking in Palestinian homes using the ingredients they found there. “Gazan cuisine, from what we’ve seen, is full of spices,” one soldier said in the article. “In every house you’ll find a lot of ras el hanout style mixes. There are also plenty of lentils, so at first we made a lot of stews …. Every house we stayed in had olives that [Palestinians] make, which we tasted … Olive oil is also present in every home, in gallons, and it helps a lot to upgrade any food. They also have a great spicy sauce. 

“Sometimes you encounter special things — suddenly there’s garlic and then you go all out on pasta with tomatoes and garlic,” the soldier continued. “I also came across this carob sauce that we added to the porridge and it was excellent.”

Last month, a letter published by the military rabbinate detailed instructions on how to keep kosher when using food and utensils found in homes in Gaza. The letter, signed by Rabbi Avishai Peretz ends with the biblical directive: “And you shall eat the riches of all the nations.”

Rabbi Sheilat also addressed the issue of whether it is permissible to eat food found in Palestinian homes in his Q&A. “With regard to non-kosher foods, there is a difference between what happens when you find food in enemy homes, where the law is that if you find food that you don’t have, and you want that food, even if it’s not essential, say sweets … it’s permitted to eat them without worrying whether it’s kosher or not.” 

In a statement to +972 and Local Call, the IDF Spokesperson said: “The IDF views with severity any case in which soldiers act contrary to the spirit of the IDF, including cases of unlawful taking of property. IDF commanders in various units conduct an ongoing dialogue on the subject throughout the fighting. Every report received on the subject is examined and dealt with individually. In relevant cases, an investigation is opened by the military police, and in some cases suspects are detained for interrogation purposes. The IDF operates in accordance with international law and will continue to do so.”

A version of this article was first published in Hebrew on Local Call. Read it here.

[godesssiri]

Thrifting Philosophies 3

Psychometry is real.

Ok maybe it’s not, maybe it’s para-psychological mumbo jumbo. Psychometry is also known as object reading, practiced by psychics, it’s the belief that we leave impressions of ourselves in physical objects. All I know is I once bought home a very old straw-stuffed toy dog and my house felt incredibly happy for days, like his previous owner was thrilled he had a new person who would love him, like he’d been hugged and loved and treasured for so many years that he just exuded happiness. And this dog is easily over 100 years old, you’d expect him to smell dusty, but he smells like a summer hay meadow, I have no idea how that smell has survived so long – he’s a treasure. I've had him nearly 10 years and still occasionally give him a cuddle and breath in a lungful of that summer meadow scent and just feel happy.

I love old objects because they feel good in my home. They add depth and weight and gravity and history and whimsy and joy. When you hold something old you can’t help but wonder who owned it before you? Whose hands has it passed through to get to yours? It’s so cool finding out a bit of backstory about second hand objects. I love nothing more than to buy something from a thrift store and come home and research it and I get such a buzz when I find out the history of an object. I have so much trouble passing up an item that has a note on the base about the person who previously owned it, or a dedication or inscription. I have a stunning antique book about the life of Dr Livingstone (As in: Dr Livingstone I presume?) that was compiled after his death, and the thing that makes it even more special is that there is a newspaper cutting glued inside the back cover from the obituary of his last surviving child in 1889. I love to imagine the first or second owner of that book coming across that obituary and thinking ‘I should stick that in my book about his father for posterity’.  I have an ink drawing of a snake skeleton in a box, it’s so intricately detailed it looks 3D, every rib is detailed and has a shadow beneath it, it must have taken so long to draw, I love to try and put myself in the headspace of the artist because they must have been completely in the zone. I have a trench art vase with Tobruk Libya Jan 44 SAAF engraved on it. In late 43 a lot of Allied troops were captured in the region of Tobruk and they were liberated by the South Africans in Jan 44, I imagine one of the liberated NZ troops bought that vase home as a memento of the South African Air Force who helped save him. I love to extrapolate the stories of items I find in thrift stores, to think about the person that made that thing or who owned and treasured that item.

I also have A LOT of family heirlooms. I am The One Who Can Be Trusted With Heirlooms in my family. I’ve gotten many of them just because I put my hand up and said ’can I have that?’.  AND I’ve actively saved many heirlooms. I’m the one who found my great uncle's Buffalo Lodge certificate scrunched at the bottom of a box and framed it. The one who striped gross old varnish off the Edwardian pot cupboard my great-gran bought at auction in the 40s and gave it it’s first oil in probably 100 years. The one who refused to let my grandad get rid of (and instead absconded with) the carved wooden elephant that his friend bought back from Malaysia after WW2, when he was downsizing. The one who picked through the box of photo albums and framed photos that the fire department inspector grabbed for us before condemning my great aunts house after it burned down and salvaged whatever could be saved. I’m child free but I have my eye on my cousin’s children, trying to pick who in the next gen will have a love of vintage and antique. If none of them will love these treasures then I’ll make sure they go to other people who will love them and I will pass along the stories that go with them. When you own vintage/antiques you become a custodian of an item that had a life before you and will have a life after you. You are a link in the chain connecting past to future and that connection feels very special.

My previous thrifting post

[periodoakantiques]

THIS WONDERFUL TABLE IS FROM THE GREAT HALL OF APPLEBY CASTLE , WESTMORELAND. SEAT OF LADY ANNE CLIFFORD. SEE IMAGE ATTACHED. THIS TABLE IS COMPLETELY ORIGINAL, IT HAS A FIVE SIDED TOP WITH ORIGINAL HINGES, AN ORIGINAL SLIDE OUT LEG PULLS OUT TO SUPPORT THE EXTENDING LEAF. WITH A CUPBOARD UNDER WITH ORIGINAL HINGES AND HANDLE, THE WHOLE WAIST GADROON CARVED TO ALL SIDES, STANDING ON TURNED LEGS WITH A POT SHELF BELOW.

Visit us at: https://www.periodoakantiques.co.uk/antique-tables/a-rare-mid-17th-century-english-oak-folding-credence-table-appleby-castle-circa-1630-2-stockno-1727/

[stardust-swan]

My Dream Home

aka where I'd live if I was rich and had time to maintain all of this

Outside

Powder blue, with murals painted on the side

There will be roses, violets, lavender, petunias, marigolds, peonies, mayflowers, and a cherry blossom tree in the front garden

And tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, blueberries, onions, mint, courgettes, garlic, sage, thyme, basil, lettuce, peas, carrots, and cucumber in the back

Pretty birdbath

A wrought iron bench

Lanterns and string lights to light up the garden at night

A marble or bronze statue of Aphrodite

A calm fountain

Bonsai trees

Bedroom

Satin and silk bedsheets in ballet pink, lavender, baby blue, and duck egg green, and floral quilts and duvet covers

Beaded clothes hangers on the clothes rack

Fluffy fur rugs on the floor

An illuminated vanity with my favourite makeup, perfume, and Pandora charm bracelet on display

A nook for a shrine to Aphrodite

A clothesline of theatre programmes I've gone to on the wall

A large shelf for my collector barbies

A light up shoe rack big enough for my (vast) collection of shoes

Plushies on the bed

My closet and drawers will have sachets of potpourri and scented soaps in them so that my clothes will smell beautiful

A velvet headboard

Heavy drapes on the bed

Kitchen

Delicate floral ceramics in the kitchen

There will always be fresh-baked cookies and pastries for when guests drop in

A cupboard stocked full of herbal teas

Will always have a soup cooking on the stove and a pie cooling on the windowsill

The fridge will be stocked with vegetables and berries from my garden, fresh eggs, whole milk and good butter and cheese, cured meats, smoked salmon, macarons, homemade limoncello and cider, jam made from my own berries, and jugs of water with cucumber, lemon slices, and springs of homemade mint

Other foods will include: an array of spices and herbs, fresh bread, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, green and black olives, brown rice, veg that I canned and pickled myself, kimchi, almond milk, rice milk, mochi, marzipan, white chocolate with raspberries, dried fruits and nuts, honey, and fresh pastries

A six burner stove

Marble countertops

Elegant silverware

Living Room

Homemade throws on the chairs

A large bookshelf and more books on the windowsill

Will always smell delicious because of the candles I burn every evening

Will always be filled with the sound of classical music or jazz

Lots of cushions on the sofas

Sconces with frilled shades on the walls

A dining table with a beautiful centrepiece and elegant table settings

A comfy armchair for me to sit on while reading and crocheting

Bathroom

Jurlique rose handcream and fancy rose-pink soaps by the sink

Fluffy, thick, soft towels in white, pale pink, baby blue, lavender, and mint green

A vanity which has a mirror with soft pink lights, and enough storage space for my creams, body butter, exfoliater, face masks, toner, body mist, etc

Patterned toilet paper

Shower curtains made of silk or satin

Sea salt scented diffusers and a potted plant to make it feel fresh, and aromatherapy candles to make it feel calm

A bidet!

Mosaic tile walls and marble flooring and countertops

A clawfoot bathtub with elegant curves and gold accents

Plush rug next to the bath and a pretty toilet seat cover

Antique bathroom accessories, like a silver soap dish and crystal toothbrush holder

Maritime and botanical themed artwork on the walls

A built in sound system to play relaxing music while I bathe, like classical music, Native American flute music, or my Aphrodite playlist (on days where I'm having a long pampering session).

A large mirror with an ornate frame

A stained glass mirror so nobody can look in

Multiple Rooms/Other

Gilded framed pictures of my loved ones throughout the house

A potted houseplant on the side of each step of the staircase

Wide windows with velvet or satin curtains that let in lots of natural light

Prints by local artists on the walls

Vases of flowers taken from my garden in each room, even on the bathroom counter

Deep, plush carpets on the floor

Soft lighting from salt lamps and fairy lights

South-facing windows, so that the house will be full of light

The walls will be painted in pastel colours or will have a delicate wallpaper

Lots of pretty trinkets on the surfaces

Sapphic artworks that portrays lovers or the female form

Crystal handles on the cabinets and cupboards in the house

Lavender incense

Lace doilies on the side tables

Ribbons and bows everywhere

[philomelia]

below is a run - down of cassie's living space, from her teenage years to her most current accomodation. it has picture references and a little bit of analysis for each thing.

section one. the rikes' set up.

when cassie is a teenager, she has no fixed home. the rikes' family ends up moving to a new place every few months or so; the houses that they are clearing out are usually very old and weak, so they can't exactly live inside of them. instead, the rikes have a lot of waterproof tents and a big camper van that they usually live in during this time.

this is the sort of caravan vibe i'm talking about. it's usually dragged along behind one of their cars. it has a small bathroom in it, one bed for the rikes' parents, and a small kitchen. it doesn't have a dining room or anything similar.

the family only stay inside of there when the weather is incredibly bad- storms and the likes. otherwise, they set up small tents on the property so that they can have the allusion of privacy. each of them have their own tent that they tend to gravitate towards. the sisters have very few personal belongings due to how often they travel. everything ends up getting lost and they have such limited room already in the caravan and cars when they move from place to place.

the tents are pretty cozy and pretty expensive. this and this sort of aesthetic.

if they ever do stay inside a house, they usually put the tents up inside to stop attacks from insects, falling objects, ect- the sort of things you'd expect from a house being rennovated.

section two. cassie' van.

when cassie is seventeen, she inherits a van from athena. it is, without a doubt, the most beloved thing cassie has ever and will ever own. she stops sleeping in the tents and begins to sleep in the back of the van, actually decorating it to make it look a little more homely.

the outside has definitely been hand - painted by them all and looks like a much worse version of this. there is absolutely no missing it. inside has this old, outdated sort of vibe to it.

cassie tries to keep it clean, but she doesn't always manage it. there's cigarette butts that line the driving area. she's definitely spilled a lot of fizzy drinks on the floor, so there's stains she hasn't bleached out. apart from that, it's mostly messy, with her clothes and things strewn about. inside, there is a fluffy carpet, a little nook to sit, an old games console, and a mini fridge. she tends to sleep in the sitting nook.

section three. cassie's apartment.

cassie keeps the van, but decides in her twenties that she would like a place that feels permament. after a childhood spent constantly moving, she felt as if the apartment was an act of rebellion. even though she doesn't stay there for long, she likes the statement that it makes.

cassie's apartment is nearly entirely empty, especially of anything personal. there is a small kitchen where only one cupboard is full, mostly of pots and pans. she has some noodles in there, too. the fridge usually has out of date food. she has a sofa, with no tv or coffee tables. there is a rug. she has stacked some books to the side.

in the bedroom, there is just a bed and stacks of clothing near it. she keeps her shoes in her bedroom, too. her building is clean and modern, though sometimes the door doesn't lock right and the pipes sound like they're screaming whenever someone turns on a tap.

despite rarely being there, she makes an active effort to get to know the other residents of the building.

section four. cassie's shop.

in some verses, namely her grishaverse and dc verse, cassie and the madame co - own a small magic shop. this shop sells antiques, questionably magic artifacts and ingredients, and gives private readings. the madame will also conduct seances for a pretty extortionate fee.

the vibes are very much this, this, and this.

the shelves are absolutely overflowing with books and antiques. there's soft rugs of reds and yellows and greens, all bought by the madame. in the same room, there is a place to sit, with plush, worn sofas and a small table in the middle filled with cameras. there is a long counter for checking people out. in the back, there is a small storage cupboard and a ladder that takes visitors up to the second floor, which houses beds.

they have a comfortably reliable clientale and all well - regarded by those who visit.

[traditionalproduct]

Era Fusion: Blend Old and New with Vintage Modern Decor 

Styles of decor from the past are once again popular in modern home design. Vintage modern decor, vintage country decor, and vintage office decor are the most important of these types of decor. With just the right amount of memories and charm, they give any space a captivating vibe and a warm atmosphere. Vintage cookware is becoming more and more popular, and not just as useful tools for cooking. It's also becoming more and more popular as decorating items that make homes look more elegant and appealing. Vintage modern decor combines mid-century style with modern elements in a tasteful way, giving a space a warm and cozy feel with a bit of class. In the kitchen, old cookware looks great with this style of decorating. In vintage-modern kitchens, the cabinets and tables are often very sleek, which makes the bold retro elements stand out. Copper pans, enamel or cast iron pots, and even famous mid-century kitchen tools are all part of the decor. Their nice looks draw attention to them and make the space feel familiar and comfortable. Another popular style is vintage country decor, which has a rustic charm and personality that values simplicity and usefulness. This style of decorating is warm and inviting, and it uses a lot of wood, repurposed things, and old collectibles. This style of kitchen makes a lovely, laid-back space perfect for eating and spending time with family and friends. Stoneware crocks, farmhouse enamelware, iron skillets, and old-style pottery are just a few of the antique cookware that would look great in these rooms. With these pieces set up in an open-shelving style, they add to the country feel and make a real link to the past without taking away from their usefulness. Vintage office furniture, on the other hand, strikes a beautiful balance between a professional air and a personal touch, creating an atmosphere that is both focused and creative. Used kitchenware from the past is a great way to tie together a nostalgic look in break rooms or office cupboards. For a real retro look, use painted mugs, coffee percolators made of stainless steel, or old tea sets. In the office, decorative jars, milk glass things, or old storage tins make it feel more like home. These pieces not only stand out, but they also tell a story, which is a great way to break the ice in team meetings or when greeting clients. Finally, modern tools may be very useful, but many people still love the way old cookware looks. Because they can be used in a lot of different ways, vintage cookware is still very popular. You can find it in homes with vintage modern decor, kitchens with the rustic charm of vintage country decor, or office spaces with vintage decor. It reminds us that there's always room for nostalgic charm in our everyday lives, even as we get used to how easy and quickly things change in the modern world. So, old cookware doesn't just help you make delicious food; it also looks great and adds color to any room it's in.

[houserulesfilm]

first pass at the treatment

The tenant lies on the floor surrounded by a pool of blood. Some body parts are missing or somewhere else in the room. Some on the wall along with trails of blood, some replacing the paintings that were once adorning the room. He coughs up blood and suffers to get his last few breaths in. “You’re probably wondering how I got here,” he narrates.

The tenant walks into the house to a kitchen illuminated only by a single candle on the dining table. He sets down his bag on the floor and walks over to the table to find a piece of paper titled “House Rules” sitting next to the candle. He picks up the paper and reads the first rule. He shrugs and reads the second rule. He smiles, grabs a wine glass and opens the wine cupboard. He takes out an opened wine bottle, pours a glass and sits at the table. He reads the next rule, looks at it with a confused expression, and reads it again. He stares at the paper for a second. He finishes his wine and walks to the basement door and opens it. He slowly walks down the creaky stairs. He turns on the light to reveal two freezers. He slowly walks closer to one and hears a faint sound. It’s muffled at first but then turns into the sound of a heart beat. He hesitates, reaches for the handle and opens the freezer. It’s dark inside. Suddenly a hand reaches out and a single eye opens. The being inside asks if he wants some ice cream. The tenant screams, runs up the stairs and shuts the door behind him. His heart beats out of his chest. The first thing he goes for is his phone. He tries to make a call but it doesn’t work. He decides to leave the house but catches a glimpse of the next rule. He reads the next rule on the paper and immediately walks away, trying to make his way to the study area to find the antique phone mentioned in the rule. He stumbles into the study and finds the antique phone. He dials numbers to no avail until he gives up and walks away to the kitchen. He picks up his keys and bags and walks to the door, but he stops at the sound of the antique phone ring. He turns his head to face the noise, looks back forward, and pauses for a moment. He drops his bags and walks to the study. He picks up the phone despite the rule’s warning and hears a whisper, making his pupils shrink. He feels his stomach churn and stumbles back into the kitchen. A hand claws its way out of his stomach and a little being crawls out (not sure what this is yet but something stupid like an anime girl figure). The tenant is on the floor and reaches for the table, but brings down the paper with the rules instead. He reads the last rule. Suddenly a knock on the door makes him jump. He hears a woman’s voice coming from the door. He looks back at the house rules in horror as he reads rule #5 again. He runs away into a hallway. He turns a corner, then another, he passes by walls of paintings and hallway lined with potted houseplants and fancy statues of busts. He ends up right back in the kitchen. He pauses for a second and hears the door creak. He sees a creepy shadow cast by the housekeeper. He runs away again and once again ends up in the kitchen. The housekeeper stands across from him, a silhouette in the doorway. His heart pounds as they stare at each other. She points and the tenant follows where she’s pointing. She’s pointing at the empty wine glass on the table. “Ruuuule number onnee” she says. He looks back at her. With a slash blood splatters all over the kitchen.

“There you have it,” he narrates, “all I had to do was follow the rules."

[bemuseing]

Akutagawa's Birthday 2023 🍂 @moonhund sent:

"--happy birthday." Gin's gift to her brother is not wrapped, but instead placed out upon the table: an antique tea set, porcelain decorated with a coiling pattern of a red and gold dragon that winds throughout the cups and pot. Hoping he will want to try the set out, Gin has already brewed some tea and it awaits being poured for the siblings.

In the confines of their own home, in the presence of just his sister, was where he was most comfortable and open. Birthday wishes from almost anyone else might be met with indifference, but when he heard them from Gin, a sense of peaceful warmth filled him. It was still just one more day, but this day marked another year that he was alive, despite everything.

He examined the tea set, admiring the craftmanship and design. Everything about it was elegant and timeless; and the pattern and colours of the dragon perfectly fit his preferences. He could find no faults in it, nor would he expect to. This tea set made a most worthy addition to their cupboards, and one that would certainly see much use in the future.

Ryuunosuke looked at his sister; a subtle but natural smile on his face.

❝ This is very tasteful. Thank you. ❞

The scent of tea had filled the air. Disregard of holiday traditions aside, a quiet celebration with Gin was something he could enjoy.

❝ It's the perfect time for afternoon tea. Shall we? ❞

[thakefurniture]

Pot Cupboard, Commode - Early Victorian mahogany pot cupboard. Galleried top over a cupboard door with brass knob. Raised on ring turned legs. Circa. 1840

[alsjeblieft-zeg]

196 of 2023

Do you have the same things as me in your home? 🏡 [January 2023]

Created by joybucket

Living Room loveseat recliner ....that you never sit in hope chest ...that you store out-of-season clothes in desk lamp floor lamp ....that was gifted to you by a neighbor as she was moving out Christmas tree 🎄 box fan air conditioner bookshelf a framed picture of you in high school a picture frame with a year on it a framed picture of you and a friend a mini heart-shaped trinket dish a set of rag dolls that your mom made to look like each member of your family a piece of wall art that you purchased from Kmart a painting on the wall 🖼️ ....that you painted ....of a giant rose a framed drawing the wall ...that you drew an ottoman/footrest a sliding glass door ....that is connected to your balcony a giant window clutter on the floor grayish-beige carpet boxes filled with things that you need to sort through eventually 📦 a huge mandala tapestry a string of pink Christmas lights lots of colorful throw pillows a pink fuzzy pillow a stuffed purple cat a teal teddy bear a vacuum cleaner cream-colored walls a piece of wall art that says "Life is beautiful" a pillow that says "hello" a framed picture of you and a sibling a framed picture of your pet a framed picture of your favorite photo of yourself in high school exercise bike pedals

Kitchen/Dining room a table chairs refrigerator ...that keeps making funny noises, and you think you might need to call maintenance soon an oven/stove cupboards a mini stepping stool to help you reach things in the higher cupboards a trash can 🗑️ lots of magnets on the fridge a sink dishes 🍽️ dish soap a wall calendar boxes of macaroni and cheese microwave toaster Magic Bullet a chandelier shelves with scrapbooking supplies on them an ironing board a Chinese paper lantern a Mason jar filled with fake flowers 🫙💐 shelves that you have to stand on top of a chair or the counter to reach a jar of quarters 🫙🪙 a cupboard filled with canned food that you always forget you have a candle 🕯️ a dish towel a dish rack dirty dishes in the sink bar stools some of your own artwork on the walls a fluorescent light a lightbulb that often flickers 💡 a nightlight spoons 🥄 forks and knives 🍴 a dish rag bottles of prescription medicine in a cabinet 💊 a set of teacups ☕️ a teapot 🫖 a colorful wallhanging with embroidery on it ...that you made in an art class in high school fake flowers 💐 pots and pans

Bathroom toilet 🚽 sink bathtub 🛀 shower head 🚿 towel bathrobe bath mat linen closet makeup 💄 shelves a hot pink feather boa wall art that you bought at a garage sale wall art from Goodwill wall art from Kmart mini trash can mirror 🪞 wall art that says "life is beautiful" a colorful shower curtain with flowers on it berry-scented push soap 🧴 shampoo conditioner Dove shampoo and conditioner 🕊️ pomegranate-scented body wash hairspray that you hardly ever use nail polish 💅 bath bombs ...that you often forget you have a box of tampons laundry hamper toilet paper 🧻 toothpaste a pack of Band-Aids that you hardly ever use 🩹 folded up towels on a shelf folded up washcloths on a shelf a hairbrush a comb a box of Kleenex a color scheme for the room ....of red, teal, orange, and yellow Bedroom a bed 🛏️ ...that's twin-sized two windows 🪟 nightstand teal sheets on the bed brown and aqua comforter bookshelves an antique desk a bobblehead a lava lamp a mini dreamcatcher a bulletin board that you spray-painted hot pink ...with a pink and orange feather boa around the rim an end table that you painted a wooden chair that you painted ...with a colorful outer space them a picture of a fairy on the wall 🧚‍♂️ colorful wall art some of your own artwork on the walls a walk-in closet an antique wooden dresser clothes clutter on the floors a bed with drawers underneath it storage bins a full-length mirror an earring holder lots of earrings jewelry 📿 a plaque that says "With God all things are possible" an antique ottoman a purple trash can ...that you got from Target blinds on the windows a sunlamp books 📚 a set of yearbooks photo albums makeup 💄 a porcelain doll a teddy bear 🧸 a rose made of feathers 🌹 🪶 room decor from the dollar store a brown closet door 🚪 cream-colored walls a big throw rug ...that's brown with bright-colored flowers on it a window with a view of the dumpster a window with a view of the parking lot a window with a view of the yard a window with a view of your neighbors a window with a view of the street a CD player a collection of CDs 💿 ...that you forget you have and hardly ever listen to

Hallway a bulletin board that you spray-painted neon teal ...and then pinned magazine clippings to it a circuit box with magnets on it shelves ...with journals on them a piggy bank 🐖 wall art a smoke detector ...that's gone off when you were cooking🧑‍🍳 ...but it's a good thing, because you accidentally caught the stove burner on fire 🔥 an overhead light carpeted floor

Closet/Closets clothes hangers storage bins shelves a collection of scarves 🧣 a shoe rack a collection of shoes 👠 blank artist's canvases 🪧 painting supplies random stuff you keep in storage out-of-season holiday decorations a jewelry box bags and purses 👛 a winter coat 🧥 dresses 👗 skirts hoodies

Other Miscellaneous Things Bible 📖 journals 📔 pens 🖊️ paper 📝 notebooks 📓 cell phone 📱 old phone that you don't use anymore laptop 💻 a box of masks 😷 (still mandatory in the hospitals) laundry pods a wreath a ceramic fairy figurine that you painted 🧚‍♂️ a ceramic genie figurine that you painted 🧞‍♀️ scrapbooks boxes full of old photos a mug with an elephant on it ☕️ 🐘 a collection of greeting cards you've received from friends and family a collection of hair accessories a pair of scissors ✂️ thumbtacks 📌 a sock drawer 🧦 spare lightbulbs 💡 Clorox wipes a heating pad 🟦 🔌

[fabulivonline]

The Best Kitchen Cabinets You Can Buy Online in India: A Guide 

If you are looking for new kitchen cabinets, you will want to find that it is easy for you to buy them. However, as a homeowner, it can be hard to know where to go for the best deals and what should be considered when making your purchase decision. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about buying kitchen cabinets online in India.

Kitchen Cabinet Types Available Online in India

The kitchen cabinets are one of the most important parts of your kitchen because they provide storage space and also help in organizing your kitchen. You can buy kitchen cabinets online in India from different brands and companies. These cabinets come in different styles, sizes, and prices.

There are many types of cabinets available online in India. Some of them are:

Glass doors for cabinets: These glass doors come with a lot of features like sound insulation, energy efficiency, durability, etc. Depending on the preference of the producer, they come in a variety of forms and patterns.

High-gloss finish cabinet: The high-gloss finish is another type of style that comes with all the features mentioned above and some other useful features like scratch resistance, moisture resistance, etc. This type of cabinet is available in various finishes, such as stainless steel or even marble.

Base cupboards: Pots, pans, and dishware are kept in these lower cupboards, which are located on the floor.

Wall cabinets: These are the upper cabinets that are mounted on the wall and are used to store items such as plates, glasses, and food. 

Tall cabinets: These are tall and narrow cabinets that are typically used to store items such as spices, oil, and other cooking essentials. 

Corner cabinets: These are cabinets designed to fit into the corner of a kitchen, maximizing space and making it easier to access items stored inside.

Pull-out cabinets: These are cabinets with pull-out shelves that make it easier to access items stored inside and also make better use of space. 

L-shaped cabinets: These are cabinets that are used in L-shaped kitchens. They can be a combination of any two types of cabinets.

Themed Cabinets: These are cabinets that come in a variety of designs and styles, such as antique, vintage, European, and modern. 

Customizable Cabinets: These are cabinets that can be customized to a specific size, color, and design of your choice. 

Benefits of Purchasing Kitchen Cabinets Online in India 

The benefits of purchasing kitchen cabinets online in India are manifold. It has become an easy and convenient way to buy new kitchen cabinets. The best part is that you do not have to travel to the store. It's simple to order from home and have items delivered right to your door. 

Some of the benefits of purchasing kitchen cabinets online in India include;

Convenience: The convenience factor is what makes this method so popular nowadays. You can easily order kitchen cabinets online and have them delivered right to your door without having to make any extra effort or drive out of town.

Cost-effective: You can save a lot of money by purchasing kitchen cabinets online in India rather than having them installed in your home by an expert contractor. It will be much cheaper than hiring someone for such a job, and you can also save on shipping charges.

Variety: Online stores typically have a wider selection of kitchen cabinets to choose from than physical stores, including different styles, sizes, and designs.

Customizable options: Some online retailers offer customers custom-made kitchen cabinets, which can be made in specific sizes and designs.

Easy Comparison: It is much easier to compare prices, designs, and features of different kitchen cabinets online than it is in physical stores.

Reviews and Feedback: Online retailers allow customers to leave reviews and feedback about the product, which can help you make more informed decisions when purchasing kitchen cabinets.

Delivery and Installation: Many online retailers offer delivery and installation services, making it easy for you to have your new kitchen cabinets set up and ready to use.

Easy Returns: Online retailers make it relatively easy to return or exchange the product if it does not meet the customer's expectations.

Features to Look at While Selecting an Online Kitchen Cabinet Supplier

When selecting an online kitchen cabinet supplier, there are several key factors to consider to ensure that you get high-quality cabinets at a fair price. Some of these elements consist of:

Product selection: To locate the ideal cabinets for your kitchen, look for a provider who provides a large selection of cabinet types and finishes.

Quality: To guarantee that your cabinets will be strong and long-lasting, look for a supplier who employs high-quality materials and building methods.

Customer service: Check to see if the supplier offers good customer service, is responsive to questions and helps with the selection.

Reviews: Read customer reviews to get an idea of the supplier's reputation and see what other customers have experienced when ordering from them.

Pricing: Compare prices across different suppliers to find the best deals, but keep in mind that the cheapest option isn't always the best.

Lead times: Make sure you are aware of the lead times, which is the time the supplier needs to make the cabinet ready for shipping. They should fit your schedule and renovation plan.

Warranty: Look for a supplier who offers a good warranty, as it will give you peace of mind in case anything goes wrong with the product.

Delivery and Installation: Check if the supplier also offers delivery and installation services, as this will help you save time and energy. 

How to Assemble Your Kitchen Cabinet After Delivery

After you have chosen the best kitchen cabinet and ordered it from the online store, you will receive it at your doorstep. But before you start assembling, you need to take your time to figure out how to assemble the kitchen cabinet. The following steps will help you assemble it properly:

If you have a professional handyman with you, he can help you assemble the cabinet and save you time. Otherwise, if you are an expert yourself, follow these instructions and make sure that all parts of your new kitchen cabinet are properly aligned before moving on to the next step.

The first step is to align all parts of the kitchen cabinet and ensure that they are all in line. This includes aligning all drawers as well as doors and shelves. You should do this by using a level or plumb bob, if necessary. If there is any misalignment, use a shim or a piece of wood to correct it until it is perfectly aligned again.

Conclusion

The best kitchen cabinets you can buy online in India are those that have been designed with care and are of good quality. You should also consider the price tag and the features offered by the company before making a purchase. If you want to know more about kitchen cabinets, or if you just want to buy one for your home, then this article is for you.

[thakeham]

Pot Cupboard, Commode - Rare Georgian mahogany nightstand. Shaped galley top over a panelled front with dummy doors, and an open shelf to the back. Raised on square chamfered legs. An unusual and versatile piece.. can be displayed either way round depending on your requirements! circa. 1780

[vintagehomecollection]

The Cook’s Room: A Celebration of the Heart of the Home, 1991