#Charles and Julia Hall

[tenth-sentence]

Working with his sister Julia, who had also studied chemistry, Hall successfully produced globules of the metal within 8 months.

"Chemistry" 2e - Blackman, A., Bottle, S., Schmid, S., Mocerino, M., Wille, U.

[cultfaction]

Cult Faction Podcast Ep. 88: Troll (1986)

Troll, the 1986 cult classic, goes under the spotlight this week! It was directed by John Carl Buechler and produced by Charles Band. It stars Noah Hathaway, Michael Moriarty, Shelley Hack, Jenny Beck, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, June Lockhart, Anne Lockhart, Brad Hall, Gary Sandy, and Phil Fondacaro and Sonny Bono. All that plus our usual chat and…

[doromoni]

Hunting Affections

Charles Leclerc x photographer! reader

Max Verstappen x photographer! reader

Part 3.

fanfic + smau fic

y/n faceclaim : Hwang Eunbi

warning: angst , mild swearing , implications of cheating(?)

!song credits belong to Julia Micheals alone

A/N : UP FOR EDITING 🤍

<previous next>

Summary; Love is but a concept — just connections of neurons that take part in the brain … and yet, why is it the most painful when one falls alone?

or

Loving someone who doesn’t love you back , until you can’t no more. Maybe then they’ll actually know what they’ve lost.

You were never the patient kind , I could tell. You also didn’t like sharing — to this day I still grimace to the memory of your shouts that time I wore your hoodie when it rained out; I didn’t understand your anger … you hated that hoodie. You said that it was yours , you didn’t want it , but it was still yours. I was in shock, yet you could never do wrong in my eyes , always perfect and always kind.

There were times when your words were ugly and crass — more often than I would like to admit. I could understand french , did you know? I heard you mutter “la pute” under your breath when I didn’t want to go out partying 3 nights in row. I was hurt , did you notice? Did you look back? I didn’t see , the tears were blocking my vision.

Your friends pitied me when you took off with another girl from the party you invited me too— petit and brunette, you did have a type. I should be humiliated, I should’ve cried, but all I felt was the cold that numbness provided.

I guess, I should thank you, because if you haven’t left me, your friends wouldn’t have helped. Oh, did you know? your friends and I got along great; I knew that we were going to be the bestest of friends the moment they said “ I’m sorry about Charles. My name is Daniel , that’s Lando and this is Max, we were about to leave and get some ice cream , wanna join?” His lie was obvious, but I didn’t point it out — I only smiled and said “Sure , but only if it’s the cheap kind” because another expensive object forced into my hands is the last thing I needed.

We then found ourselves in the parking lot of McDonald’s — dressed in couture priced at hundreds and thousands of dollars on top of an Aston Martin, eating soupy ice cream from half empty McFlurry cups and munching on mostly soggy fries. We were laughing about nothing and everything. I was having the time of my life . I felt the cold wind of Monaco’s evening breeze in my hair as mindless chatter filled the air. It felt nice.

I did not think of you. You never once came to mind. That was the first time where I didn’t fucking care. I felt … free.

I sensed someone nudge my side, It was Max . “You grew quite, are you alright?” He asked , his eyes filled with concern ; I never knew that eyes could be that blue. I smiled and gave him a nod, and to my surprise a fry was suddenly pushed into my mouth. The only thought in my mind then was how salty the fries were and how beautiful the smile that adorned the face of the dutch racer was.

***

navi.exe

likes are hidden

navi.exe this is goodbye.

Comments have been limited

maxverstappen1 1h

viewed by y/n_stills. , charles_leclerc , carlossainz55 , and 1,506,189 others

story replies :

y/n_stills. EMILIAN! how mean >:((

charles_leclerc Mate, is that y/n?

charles_leclerc She’s with you? She said she was busy.

y/n_stills. 30m

viewed by maxverstappen1, carlossainz55, charles_leclerc, and 307, 251 others

story replies :

maxverstappen1 : im sorry~ liebling, please let me hug you :((

y/n_stills. No

charles_leclerc Y/N?!

charles_leclerc You said you were busy, what the fuck is this then?

charles_leclerc please answer your phone, pick up my calls.

charles_leclerc i swear y/n… pick up the phone.

F1wags

liked by user1 , user2 , navi.exe, and 68,081 others

F1wags Max and Y/N spotted at singer-songwriter y/f/n’s concert!!

A fan had seen both max and y/n arriving together in Max’s Aston Martin at the concert hall earlier this evening, It was reported that the two were hand in hand as they were escorted towards backstage and stopping to sign autographs for fans who recognized them.

During the Formula 1 summer break, these two were mostly silent until the most recent post of Y/N that features a mystery man - whom she called “my hero” to which Max left a 💙 in the comments. Could the unnamed guy be Max? Is Y/N finally an official wag?

Even before Max, fans have speculated something going on between Y/N and Charles — more than a employer:employee relationship. Yet nothing was confirmed or made official by the Ferrari driver.

Nevertheless, Y/N has been a staple at the paddock and is loved by both fans, drivers, and motorhomes alike.

Admin: We love Y/N so much it hurts >:((

tagged : maxverstappen1 and y/n_stills.

user1 WHAT?? Max and Y/N? I didn’t see that coming… yet they surprisingly suit each other ngl

user2 Ikr they oddly complement each other and the height difference?? they got me so softtt.

user1 grumpy x sunshine on track ~ they’re so cute!

user3 lmao off track these two are just crack x crack @user1

user1 facts, imagine them together with Lando and Daniel … complete and utter chaos.

user4 Charles and Y/N weren’t dating? Bruh fumbled and lost a 10. Should’ve bagged her when you had the chance.

user1 much like his team , his strategy failed.

user4 @user1 Lmao , and Red bull is here to overtake 🤭

user5 everything is clicking omg. It makes sense! Y/N is close to Max’s sisters and surprisingly Jos!

user6 dude imagine being bffs with your boyfriend’s dad. I swear everyone just loves y/n and if you don’t. That’s a you problem.

user7 oof big L for Charles 😭 , yo girl went to the enemy .

user8 well its a fact that villains love harder, I support you y/n! get the most payed athlete on the grid .Girl get the bag!

user9 tbh I never was a supporter of the Y/N and Charles ship… It felt one sided?

user10 @user9 I thought I was the only one! It felt like Y/N was always pushed to the side or smth.

user8 they’re both glowing in their recent posts~ must be nice to have someone. ha ha ha im not lonely at all.

landonorris they didn’t invite me, again.

user1 lando what are you doing on a wag page??

user2 what do you mean again… so this ain’t new huh. Interesting

user3 so it’s basically true, They are together! confirmed. I wont take no for an answer

***

📍 AO Arena , Manchester

The light had again started to dim, only a single spotlight shone — illuminating my most dearest friend. A familiar arm snaked around my waist, pulling me back into their warmth . Sighing with content as I melted into his embrace

“How are you feeling , liebling?” Max whispered in my ear, drawing mindless circles around my waist . I couldn’t answer, as I was too overwhelmed with peace and comfort. I could only fall deeper in his embrace and letting my head lean on his shoulder. Feeling the soothing beating of his heart as my back pressed into him.

“alright everyone, I want to sing one last song. This one is not written by me, but my dearest and longest friend, y/n! She’s actually in the audience today. This song is dedicated to the person who she opened her heart to after going through every hardship she faced, and I was made aware that the certain person is here with her tonight. This song … It’s too beautiful not to share with the world. Y/N im sorry for putting you on the spot , I know how this song means so much to you. You deserve all the happiness and love in this world. You finally found it.”

Hearing what what y/f/n had said , my pulse grew quicker and my throat grew dry, yet I didn’t pull away from Max’s embrace. I wasn’t sure if I wanted for him to hear what I in wrote that song. That song held the contents of my heart, holding nothing back; baring my soul in each word. I laid all my cards for him to see.

“The summer before you

I thought love was Shakespearean

More or less a painful experience

Only ever real if you're delirious

The summer before you

I let it take up very little oxygen

Nowhere I'd rest my head, more like an ottoman

Never had someone like you to treat me like Solomon

But little did I know

You would be the one I confide in

Learn how to try with

Little did I know

It was you before I ever decided

Oh-oh-oh, little did I know

Oh-oh-oh, little did I know

The summer before you

You can't spell "drama" with consonants

And I admit, I usually was the cause of it

Now here we are, you got me changing all of it

Slow me down, I want you too

It's different when it comes to you

Hey, yeah

But little did I know

You would be the one I confide in

Learn how to try with

Little did I know

It was you before I ever decided

Yeah, little did I know

You would be the one that would save me

Learn how to change me

Little did I know

Oh-ooh, just look at you, can you blame me?

Oh-oh-oh, little did I know

Oh-oh-oh, little did I know

The summer before you

I thought love was Shakespearean

More or less a painful experience

Only ever real if you're delirious

But little did I know

You would be the one I confide in

Learn how to try with

Little did I know

It was you before I ever decided

Yeah, little did I know

You would be the one that would save me

Learn how to change me

Little did I know

Oh-ooh, just look at you, can you blame me?

Oh-oh-oh, little (yeah) did I know (did I know)

Oh-oh-oh (oh), little did I know (did I know)

Oh-oh-oh, little did I know that it could feel like this (yeah)

Oh-oh-oh, little, every time I got you on my lips (hey)

The summer before you”

Shouts and claps filled the stadium, but it grew deaf in our ears as we stood frozen in time- the beating of our hearts beating louder than ever. Then suddenly, I was again staring at the bluest of eyes that reflected every emotion and this time they were filled with unshed tears. My hand shook as I slowly lifted my palm to his cheeks.

“Do you mean it?” His voice soft , filled with yearning and hope . Slowly leaning his forehead against mine.

“Every last word” I whispered.

Then his lips finally met mine. We didn’t have to say it, we both knew that we were each other’s.

y/n_stills.

Liked by maxverstappen1, justy/f/n , landonorris , and 805,415 others

y/n_stills. Little did I know , it was you before I ever decided. Little did I know it could feel like this.

Thank you for waiting for me , my love💙

tagged @maxverstappen1

Comments are been disabled

maxverstappen1

Liked by y/n_stills. , redbullracing, danielricciardo, and 2,628,917 others

maxverstappen1 I would’ve waited for eternity if you needed me to, my Liebling 💙

tagged @y/n_stills

Comments are disabled

***

“CHARLES! Are you alright?!”

“Mom, what have I done… I lost her. I lost y/n”

[wingardiumfm]

hello! i just stumbled across your group and was wondering if the admins had any most wanted canon characters/families and any most wanted fcs? thank you!

off the bat i know we would love to have alastor moody, amelia & edgar bones, kingsley shacklebolt, marlene mckinnon, charity burbage, amycus carrow, bilius weasley ! we also have bryony nee wilkes parkinson’s wc for a younger brother, atticus diggory wc for amos diggory, arthur weasley’s wc for molly nee prewett-weasley, mary macdonald’s wc for mulciber !

as for most wanted fcs ( this is about to get long we have many we’d love to see )  : manny jacinto, keith powers, steven yeun, sean teale, charles melton, oliver jackson-cohen, jonathan daviss, oscar isaac, drew starkey, rafael silva, alperen duymaz, dev patel, glen powell, brenton thwaites, pedro pascal, jordan fisher, ben barnes, joe keery, taylor zakhar perez, noah lalonde, emilio sakraya, leo woodall, josh hueston, aria shahghasemi, xolo mariduena, mena massoud, kiowa gordon, tom glynn carney, wang yibo, dan stevens, william moseley, ryan potter, logan shroyer, diego tinoco, jorge lopez, oliver stark, henry goulding, harry shum jr, bill skarsgard, gabriel basso, domhnall gleeson. adria arjona, kylie bunbury, davika hoorne, anna sawai, sobhita dhulipala, mikey madison, cagla demir, anne hathaway, alexandra breckenridge, deepika padukone, demet ozdemir, phoebe tonkin, karrueche tran, meghann fahy, pooja hedge, ayca aysin turan, eva de dominci, nathalie kelley, bensu soral, julia dalavia, lisette olivera, jessica chastain, grace van patten, simone ashley, mimi keene, adeline rudolph, courtney eaton, jaz sinclair, lola tung, olivia cooke, nicole maines, nicola coughlan, madison bailey, madelyn cline, maitreyi ramakrishnan, samantha logan, yara shahidi, isabel may, jodie comer, hunter shafer, halle bailey, samara weaving, charithra chandran !

[princessanneftw]

Sorry, Charles, but the answer to everything is Princess Anne

By Deborah Ross for The Times

This week, a royal quiz because, come on, you thought you’d get away without one? This week of all weeks? And if you actually did think you’d get away without one, and I don’t mean this spitefully, aren’t you somewhat dense?

However, in the light of the no-fluff, no-nonsense interview Princess Anne recently gave to Canadian television and all the admiration that unleashed, and in my belief that you don’t like to be overstretched on a Thursday morning, particularly as some of you are still recovering from the news that Jacob Rees-Mogg finds broad beans “loathsome” — it isn’t yet known what broad beans make of him; I will ask next time I push one to the side of my plate* — I have decided to make this easy for you.

The answer, in every instance, is “Princess Anne”. Again, I don’t mean this spitefully, but if you get one wrong you will have no one to blame but yourself.

● Who is the best king we’ll never have, would have been known as “King Anne I”, and would have told those Repair Shop people to “just get on with it” and stop blubbing all over the place and let me know when you’re finished as I have to go kick ass and am behind with kicking ass as it is? (“I get up at 4.30am to kick ass but the day runs away with me all the same, Jay.”)

● Who was not their mother’s favourite child, which, to quote Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, proved “a big mistake. BIG! HUGE!”?

● Who sits somewhere between Kate being marvellous (and “dazzling”) for just wearing a dress and Meghan being an evil bitch and the new Stalin simply for adopting a different hairstyle?

● Who has never, ever suddenly adopted a different hairstyle and therefore can’t be either an evil bitch or the new Stalin?

● If someone attempted to kidnap you on The Mall and you thought, “What would a royal do in this instance?” which royal would most spring to mind? Particularly if you wished to tell the kidnapper, “Not bloody likely.”

● Ranking them in order, which royal do you suspect rolls their eyes at Fergie the most?

● If you had to bet on one royal retaking America, who would it be?

● Which royal was never dubbed “Randy Annie” or “Air Miles Annie” because they never adopted the kind of freeloading, entitled, licentious lifestyle that would one day bite them on the arse and have them running to Mummy?

● Who, of all the family, do you suspect most often swears like a sailor under their breath and would smoke Woodbines, if they smoked?

● Which royal would be most likely to run over Paddington in their Range Rover and not look back?

● Who demanded that titles weren’t conferred on their children, saying they’d have to earn their own money, and also, chances are, campaigned, albeit unsuccessfully, for Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice to get married at Hackney Town Hall followed by Nando’s?

● If a royal were to meet Greg Davies in a post-performance line-up, who would be most able to think up a brutal snub along the lines of, “A lot of ex-teachers become comedians. I can’t see why”?

● Which royal most probably inherited their mother’s Tupperware and will keep it going for future generations, thereby ensuring no royal cornflakes ever go soft?

● Which royal could probably get a potato to peel itself and leap into hot fat just by looking at it?

● Who sliced and diced Cherie Blair at Balmoral in 1997 by refusing to call her “Cherie”, as requested, and instead said, “Let’s not go that way. Let’s stick to Mrs Blair, shall we?”?

● Which royal taught their mother to use Zoom during Covid — “you should have six people on your screen . . . you don’t need to see me. You know what I look like” — but probably gave up on teaching her to text, like we all do, so no judgment there?

● Which royal probably couldn’t be bothered to even get their mother started with online banking?

● Who has inherited a look that amounts to wearing a headscarf tied under the chin like an old Greek lady guiding a donkey down a lane with a stick?

● Who has a look that, for some reason, never sells out everywhere the next day?

● Which royal did The Crown reveal to have been an absolute goer in their youth?

● Which royal did, in fact, have different hair as a young child and looked the spit of Harpo Marx?

● Which royal once reportedly said of Princess Diana, “I will not be pushed around by that brainless woman”?

● If you had all their numbers, which royal would you call if you needed a chicken’s neck wringing?

● If you had to come up with a royal who once appeared on Wogan while looking for all the world as if they’d prefer to have had their head on the chopping block like that other Anne, the Boleyn one, who would that be?

● Which royal do you most imagine would give you a horsewhipping** if you didn’t close the Tupperware properly, thus failing to maintain its airtight seal and letting the cornflakes go soft?

● Which royal has best withstood all the scandals as well as their own divorce and has provided so little grist for the newspapers we might as well all just go home?

● Which royal kind of reminds you of Willa from Succession, who sees everything that goes on in this family but knows if you get too involved you’ll be torn apart and fed to the wolves?

● Lastly, of all the royals, who would you name as the one who actually gets what being a royal is all about?

(*Funnily enough, I did push a broad bean to the side of my plate just now and it said: “The feeling is mutual”)

(**Or a savaging from her dog Dotty)

[edwin-paynes-bowtie]

In ur HC, what novels and fandoms would AU Modern day, Historical TSC be into rn?

Follow up, if each of them had a Tumblr , what would their blogs about be and why?

I'm just going to do my favourite characters, hope that's alright!

MATTHEW

Tumblr handle: @/wilde-wanderer. He posts travel content and dog pics a lot, and there's a lot of crossover with his travel Instagram. He also is in the Oscar Wilde fandom for sure and posts a ton of Ben Barnes thirst traps (@belle-keys, thinking of you).

5 books he'd love, because he's a romance and fantasy lover like me (queer books are blue):

The Charm of Magpies seriously. It's got Wildean weird vibes and also is just genuinely an oddball series unlike any other.

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma Alban (this is NEW btw and incredibly good, an immediate favourite

By Any Other Name by Erin Cotter

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

The Carnivale of Curiousities by Aimee Gibbs

ALASTAIR

If he had Tumblr, I think his handle would be @/grumpycatcarstairs. But he'd post minimally and just let it sit and sit forever. Periodically, Thomas would remind him it exists. He'd just post aesthetic paintings and cPTSD content.

5 books he'd love, because he likes mysteries and philosophical works that make him think:

The Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo

The Scythe trilogy by Neal Shusterman

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Sins of the Cities series by KJ Charles

Not really modern, but after his time. I think Maurice by EM Forster would hit him hard in the solar plexus.

THOMAS

His handle is @/thomas-the-tree. He's a pretty active Tumblrina and he posts a lot of his own content, mostly aesthetics and moodboards. Maybe some stimboards ala @caterpillarstims. He also posts a lot of positivity for people with mental illness.

5 books he'd love because he loves both action and comfort literature:

The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian

The Heartstopper comics by Alice Oseman

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco

CORDELIA

I am of the strong belief that her handle would be @/kickitwithcordy and she'd have a sideblog for Cortana pics called @/kickitwithcortana. She and Alastair would also have a joint blog called @/kickitwiththecarstairs, but it's mostly on YouTube and they just have gossip videos. There's a full one where they roast Matthew's famous travel Insta.

5 books she'd love about kickass women:

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong

The Divine Rivals duology by Rebecca Ross

Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir

The Rhapsodic series by Laura Thalassa

James, of course, always reads them aloud to her even when they're not to his personal taste. <3

[dvar-trek]

Romance Roundup: Part 2

the full list:

loved | liked | okay | didn't like

 ●Captive Prince Trilogy by C.S. Pacat     ○Captive Prince     ○Prince's Gambit     ○Kings Rising     ○The Summer Palace  ●Whyborne and Griffin Series by Jordan L. Hawk (there are like 11 of these in total, but this is as far as i got. this is not the only reason i stopped, but this series does contain a sex scene wherein sliding back the foreskin is described as "peeling". and i just. i simply don't think you should peel a dick. i don't think it's good for them.)     ○Widdershins     ○Eidolon     ○Threshold  ●Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner  ●Sailor's Delight by Rose Lerner  ●Something Human by A.J. Demas  ●Doomsday Books by KJ Charles     ○The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen     ○A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel

 ●Old Bridge Inn Series by Annick Trent     ○Beck and Call     ○The Oak and the Ash  ●10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall  ●Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (okay, listen, the first chapter hits you with a high concentration of cringe, and is therefore difficult to read. but the cringe concentration lessens considerably as you go along, and this ended up being one of my faves.)  ●Husband Material by Alexis Hall (again with the cringe, but it's not a strong enough book otherwise to make up for it, imo. the first book stands up great without having to bother with the sequel)  ●The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn  ●Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn     ○The Duke and I     ○The Viscount Who Loved Me (there are six more of these, but i simply couldn't go on)

 ●The Mystery of Nevermore by C.S. Poe  ●Turner Series by Cat Sebastian     ○The Soldier's Scoundrel     ○The Lawrence Browne Affair     ○The Ruin of a Rake     ○A Little Light Mischief  ●The Last Binding by Freya Marske (these are kissing books, but i didn't like the actual romances so much as the. like. plot.)     ○A Marvellous Light     ○A Restless Truth     ○A Power Unbound  ●Lucky Lovers of London by Jess Everlee     ○The Gentleman's Book of Vices     ○A Rulebook for Restless Rogues  ●A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland  ●His Heart's Obsession by Alex Beecroft  ●Seducing the Sedgwicks by Cat Sebastian     ○It Takes Two to Tumble     ○A Gentleman Never Keeps Score     ○Two Rogues Make a Right  ●Hard Sell by Hudson Lin  ●Green Men World by KJ Charles     ○The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal (can be read as a stand-alone. is also not really a romance, per-se, although they sure do fuck. more like if shelock holmes had been a ghost-hunter, and watson had told us about all the sex they were having)     ○Spectred Isle (n.b. this was meant to be the first book in a series that is on hold indefinitely, though i enjoyed it plenty on its own)

 ●Winterbourne series by Joanna Chambers (there's one more novella in this series but none of my libraries has it)     ○Introducing Mr. Winterbourne     ○Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas     ○The First Snow of Winter  ●The Vicar and the Rake by Annabelle Greene  ●The Gentleman and the Spy by Neil S. Plakcy  ●The Lord and the Frenchman by Neil S. Plakcy  ●Unfit to Print by KJ Charles  ●Brook Street by Ava March  ●Enlightenment Trilogy by Joanna Chambers     ○Provoked     ○Beguiled     ○Enlightened     ○The Bequest (epilogue novella)  ●Unnatural by Joanna Chambers  ●Restored by Joanna Chambers  ●Society of Gentlemen by KJ Charles (another one where the whole series is worthwhile for the story, even if i didn't love all of the romances. the characters are endearing and there's an excellent little series epilogue availble on the author's website)     ○The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh (prequel novella)     ○A Fashionable Indulgence     ○A Seditious Affair     ○A Gentleman's Position

 ●Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall  ●Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian  ●The Missing Page by Cat Sebastian  ●Sins of the Cities by KJ Charles     ○An Unseen Attraction     ○An Unnatural Vice     ○An Unsuitable Heir  ●Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston  ●Bright Falls series by Ashley Herring Blake (I'm still on a waitlist for the third book, which just came out)     ○Delilah Green Doesn't Care     ○Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail  ●Fake it 'til You Make Out by Isla Olsen  ●The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite  ●The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite  ●The Lilywhite Boys by KJ Charles     ○The Rat-Catcher's Daugher (prequel novella)     ○Any Old Diamonds     ○Guilded Cage     ○Masters in this Hall (sequel novella)  ●England World by KJ Charles     ○Proper English     ○Think of England  ●Will Darling Adventures by KJ Charles     ○Slippery Creatures     ○The Sugared Game     ○Subtle Blood

 ●The Lady's Secret by Joanna Chambers  ●A Charm of Magpies series by KJ Charles     ○The Magpie Lord     ○A Case of Possession     ○Flight of Magpies  ●Other KJ Charles book linked to the Magpies world     ○A Queer Trade     ○Rag and Bone     ○Jackdaw  ●Wanted, A Gentleman by KJ Charles  ●The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ Charles  ●A Thief in the Night by KJ Charles (novella linked to Gentle Art)  ●Band Sinister by KJ Charles  ●Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian  ●A Duke in Disguise by Cat Sebastian

romance roundup part 1

[ems-self-ships-galore]

The World as We Know Chapter One - Awakening

How long had it been since the house was full of life?

How long were they all waiting?

How long?

Seeing that once beautiful house, all overgrown with foliage like nature had decided to retake it, made them all sad. Worried even, for their lovers, their friends, their pets, and their family were all in there last they checked, before they left them behind.

Emma, for Nicholas and Eddie.

Cordelia, for Pierre, Olga, and Alexei.

Luna, for Ren, Hisoka, Rui, Akari, and Shiragiku.

Maryse, for Stephen.

Cora, for Calvin.

Samara, for Miles, Phoenix, Maya, Pearl, and Trucy.

Jacqueline, for Franziska and Apollo.

Mary, for Nick, Deacon, Piper, and Cait.

Elizabeth, for Arthur, Javier, Charles, and Sadie.

Louise, for Jonathan.

Selene, for Jackson.

Sidonie, for Raoul and Erik.

Imogen, for Brahms.

Moira, for Vilkas.

Ameia, for Serana and Brynjolf.

Hannah, for Leon, Luis, and Ada.

Rosetta, for Helena.

Christina, for Joshua.

The Docent, for The Curator.

Jerusha, for Simon.

Josephine, for John.

Leah, for Abraham and Mary.

Lillian, for Andrew and Daniel.

Lisbeth, for Abed and Troy.

Natalia, for GraveRobber and Shilo.

Athena, for Janni and Allan.

Evie, for Dan and Laurie.

Emestria, for Claire.

Alessia, for Gomez and Morticia.

Keira, for the Dust Witch.

Norah, for Egon.

Kathleen, for Booker and Elizabeth.

Copia, for Adam, Heather, the Guardians, and the Ravagers.

Heather, for Fox and Dana.

Celazith, for Geralt, Jaskier, Yennefer, and Cirilla.

Edith, for Eva and Neil.

Dorothy, For Inara.

Claire, for Alex.

Lady Vermillion, for The Suspects (save for Mr. Green) and Wadsworth.

Elora, for Bigby.

Ariadne, for Matt, Rosalind, Julia, Howard, and Michael.

Lydia, for Sebastian, Joseph, and Juli.

Lilly, for Miles.

Claudia, for Olive, Barbara, and Adam.

Delilah, for Jareth.

Courier Anna, for Red Lucy.

Queen Gwendolen, for Page and Ben.

Crystal, for Dale.

Eliane, for Alfred, Maria Robin, Aya, and Mathilda.

Caroline, for Austin and Scott.

Savannah, for Hawkeye and Klinger.

Ida, for Ten.

Richardis, for Spencer.

Lula, for Barbie and Ken.

Helen, for Q and Geordi.

Felicity, for Seven, Harry, and Tom.

Ruth, for Shannon and Junebug.

They all were referred to as the ones who left, yet they all stood in front of the house where they all once were a long time ago. It all felt odd, yet so relieving to be back. Deciding that the daylight was dimming and it would not be safe to stay out so late at night, only to be greeted with the once great and beautiful interior of the beloved house. Dust, cobwebs, and dilapidated furniture all lined every nook and cranny of the main hall; without a doubt the rest of the place as a whole was going to be in the same condition, if not much worse than here.

"We've been gone for so long?" Louise wondered as she glanced around the once grand place; she was glad to be back, but was more or less concerned with finding Jonathan. "It appears so, I wonder why none of our prospective lovers or our family greeted us?" Jacqueline stated. "Well I'm tired of waiting, I'm off to find Sebastian, Joseph, and Juli." Lydia stated as she went in a different direction, towards the specialty wing to be precise. "Lydia, wait! You don't know what could be lurking over there!" Ariadne called out to her, she was even going to follow her had Hannah not stopped her. "Relax, Dr. Camden- I am sure that Lydia knows what she is doing,"

"Ariadne does have a point though, there could be some unsavory shit lurking in the dark." Luna stated, picking up a bullwhip off the floor. "Wait a second- that's Franziska's whip," Jacqueline pointed out as she went over to Luna and took the bullwhip from her hands. "It's not like her to just leave her most prized possession here," She added. "You don't think something bad could've happened to Franziska, Miles, Phoenix, Pearl, and Trucy?" Samara wondered. "I hope not," Jacqueline stated. Just now, the group heard Lydia's call of anguish coming from somewhere in the specialty wing.

"Everyone else stay here! Celazith, Copia, and Kathleen- come with me," Hannah ordered as she, Celazith, Copia, and Kathleen rushed into the darkened specialty wing. "Lydia! Where the hell are you?" Copia called out first when she and Kathleen failed at looking into the other rooms, hoping to find Lydia alive. "In here! Come quick, please!" Lydia called out, Celazith managed to find Lydia first in the laboratory thanks to her using an illumination spell that Yennefer had taught her at some point. On the floor was Lydia, kneeling next to an unconscious yet hopefully not deceased Joseph Oda.

"I tried getting him to wake up but he can't! He just won't budge for me.." Lydia explained through tears pouring down her cheeks. Hannah rushed over after finding Copia, Celazith and Kathleen huddled around Lydia, checking Joseph's pulse. "He's got a pulse at least and I don't see any other injury he may have; I hate to say this Lydia, but Joseph is comatose." Hannah proclaimed. "What? No, this cannot be." Lydia began to doubt Hannah's statement, but one look on the Southern Huntress' face told Lydia that she was telling the truth; how Joseph became comatose to begin with was unknown, as he had no prior medical issues that would've caused this, and Lydia knew it well.

"If Joseph is laying still as a rock then that must mean-" Kathleen stated, coming to the harrowing realization that Booker and Elizabeth also must've been put under the same spell, the same thing applied to Celazith, Copia, and Hannah. "That must mean everyone else, not just the lovers but family and friends as well, are all asleep." Celazith added. The five rushed back to the group in the main hall who were still anxiously waiting for their return. "What happened? Did something happen to Lydia?" Emma asked. "Not quite, she found Joseph comatose in the lab." Hannah stated.

"But that is so strange, he didn't have any major health issues that would've caused that to happen- hell none of our lovers, friends, and our family did to begin with!" Elora pointed out. "Isn't your fiancé deathly allergic to silver?" Copia wondered. "Yes, but silver doesn't make Bigby comatose- it puts him in a morgue," Elora said. "Do you think some type of sleeping gas was released while we were gone?" Ariadne wondered. "That was my first thought, but no caliber of Nightcaller Temple's miasma is present here. Not even a trace," Moira pointed out. "Well that's just great, does anyone have any idea to fix this?" Claire asked, rather irritated at this point. "I could try, but I would need to do some research on this situation." Ariadne stated. "And how long would that take you, Ariadne?" Alessia asked. "Not too long, I would just need to apply what I already know to some newly acquired knowledge." Ariadne stated, right as she began her trek to the library. "Wait-! Let me come with, I think I know what we need to do!" Edith stated as she followed Ariadne.

In the darkened library where Edith and Ariadne walked, scouring the dusty shelves filled to the brim with tomes on every subject possible; separated by classification, Ariadne managed to find a book on the shelf named, To The Moon and Finding Paradise; flipping through it, Ariadne came across the peculiar method of memory traversal, so she decided to seek Edith out about it. "Edith, what do you know about this memory traversal?" Ariadne asked, walking up to her. "It was something that came with the job when I took up position at Sigmund Agency of Life- when I started working with Neil and Eva, memory traversal or memory alteration if you will- it's only used on people who are in their last stages of living, i.e. the elderly who are close to dying," Edith explained.

"Do you think it could be used on the comatose people in question?" Ariadne wondered. "It can be, in fact Neil has a machine that is for his own usage." Edith pointed out. "Perfect! All we need to do is get back to the others, tell them about our findings and seek out the comatose." Ariadne stated, a hint of glee on her face. "That is going to be a tedious task, for all I know all of our lovers, family, and friends are scattered about this place." Edith pointed out. "Then we'll all seek our lovers first, if we happen to come across any of our friends and family then that'll give us a jumping point at least." Ariadne stated, Edith seemed to agree with this, as this method was something that she was well acquainted with. "Give me a few to find Neil's machine, then we'll pick someone from the group to go first and then so on and so on." Edith suggested, just as she left Ariadne alone in the library. Taking a few seconds to look for another source book, Ariadne managed to find the source where she, Matt, and their own children came from; aptly named, 7th Heaven.

Ariadne was starting to get a little emotional as she read the text dating from 1996 to approximately the late aughts-early 2010s; 1996, was when she met Matt; she was rather shy seventeen year old at the time who had moved with her parents to Glen Oak from San Francisco because the latter did not provide ample quiet for the Phillips Family. Then leaving Glen Oak behind due to taking an apprenticeship. Meeting Matt again at Columbia University. Graduating and moving into an apartment with him. Then finally, getting married, moving into a nice house, and popping out four kids. Ariadne could hardly believe that this simple life that she and Matt led had to be interrupted by all of this, so much that Ariadne had to put the book down simply because she couldn't take anymore emotional pain.

That was until Edith walked back in, carrying the memory traversal machine in her hands. "Lisbeth managed to get the power to this entire house back on," She said, as she walked back out to the main hall with Ariadne following behind. "I also managed to turn on the main radar system, so we can locate everyone." Emestria announced. "That's delightful, alright who's going first?" Evie asked as everyone loudly talked amongst each other, only to be shut up by Kathleen firing her pistol at the ceiling. "Little harsh, Kathleen." Heather sarcastically stated. "Well excuse me, Ms. Watson- but I couldn't exactly hear over everyone's loudness," Kathleen retorted. "Let's not argue here, in fact the best thing we should do is draw lots to see who goes first." Ameia suggested, something everyone seemed to be on par with at most. "Ameia is right, but- how should we do that?" Sidonie wondered, everyone became lost onto how this drawing lots thing should work, until Norah suggested this, "Whoever blurts out their significant word to break the silence goes first."

"Sounds chaotic and rather confusing, but reasonable at best." Savannah stated as everyone went silent. That was, until the silence was broken by,

[docrotten]

DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1920) – Episode 160 – Decades Of Horror: The Classic Era

“Damn It! I don’t like your tampering with the supernatural.” What if he just tinkers with it a bit? Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Doc Rotten, and Jeff Mohr – as they make the Decades of Horror’s fourth encounter of a strange kind with Robert Louis Stevenson’s story as depicted in Paramount’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920).

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 160 – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

ANNOUNCEMENT Decades of Horror The Classic Era is partnering with THE CLASSIC SCI-FI MOVIE CHANNEL, THE CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE CHANNEL, and WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL Which all now include video episodes of The Classic Era! Available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, Online Website. Across All OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop. https://classicscifichannel.com/; https://classichorrorchannel.com/; https://wickedhorrortv.com/

Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing man’s hidden, dark side and releases a murderer from within himself.

  Director: John S. Robertson 

Writers: Robert Louis Stevenson (novella, 1886); Clara Beranger (scenario) (as Clara S. Beranger); Thomas Russell Sullivan (play) (uncredited)

Selected Cast:

John Barrymore as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde

Brandon Hurst as Sir George Carew

Martha Mansfield as Millicent Carew

Charles Lane as Dr. Lanyon

Cecil Clovelly as Edward Enfield

Nita Naldi as Miss Gina

Louis Wolheim as Music Hall Proprietor

Alma Aiken as Extra (uncredited)

J. Malcolm Dunn as John Utterson (uncredited)

Ferdinand Gottschalk as Old Man at table in music hall (uncredited)

Julia Hurley as Hyde’s Landlady with Lamp (uncredited)

Jack McHugh as Street Kid – Raises Fist to Mr. Hyde (uncredited)

Georgie Drew Mendum as Patron in music hall (uncredited)

Blanche Ring as Woman at table with old man in music hall (uncredited)

May Robson as Old woman outside of music hall (uncredited)

George Stevens as Poole – Jekyll’s Butler (uncredited)

Edgard Varèse as Policeman (uncredited)

The Classic Era Grue Crew takes in another silent scream with this 1920 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, starring John Barrymore. The makeup-lite early versions of Hyde soon develop into something far more terrifying, augmented by Barrymore’s excellent acting and use of body language. Throw in a quality supporting cast and one of the freakiest dream sequences the crew’s ever seen, and you have a top-notch silent scream!

To check out the other Decades of Horror episodes focused on Stevenson’s novella check these out:

DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1931) – Episode 122 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

DR. JEKYLL & SISTER HYDE (1971) – Episode 175 – Decades of Horror 1970s

THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1968) – Episode 71 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

If silent films are your thing, check out these episodes of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era focused on silent screams:

THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1920) – Episode 13 

NOSFERATU (1922) – Episode 21

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925) – Episode 42

THE CAT AND THE CANARY (1927) – Episode 60

HÄXAN (1922) – Episode 79

PHANTOM CARRIAGE (1921) – Episode 85

THE GOLEM (1920) – Episode 99

FAUST (1926) – Episode 145

At the time of this writing, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is available to stream from Tubi, Amazon Prime, Hoopla, Kanopy, Screambox, and Crackle. The film is also available as a DVD from multiple sources. Unfortunately, the Kino Classics Blu-ray is no longer available.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror: The Classic Era records a new episode every two weeks. Up next in their very flexible schedule, as chosen by Doc, is The Alligator People (1959) featuring Lon Chaney Jr., effects makeup by Dick Smith and Ben Nye, and the cinematography of the legendary Karl Struss!! Put your hip-waders on for this trip; they’re going to the swamp!

Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel, the site, or email the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com To each of you from each of them, “Thank you so much for watching and listening!”

Check out this episode!

[nashvillehq]

BEN ADKINSON is looking for his BEST FRIENDS/BANDMATES (0/2).

CONNECTION TYPE: Best friends / Bandmates WC NAME: Adam Park and Carina (last name UTP) WC AGE RANGE: They're both 28! POTENTIAL FCS: Adam: Most be Korean! Choi Woo-shik, Lee Do-hyun, Charles Melton, Seo Ji-joon, Park Ji-hoon, Jeon Jung-kook, Nam Yoon-su, Choi Min-ho, or any Korean actor/faceclaim that fits the age range! Carina: Any FC that fits the age range! Simone Ashley, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Halle Bailey, Sophie Thatcher, Saoirse Ronan, Fivel Stewart, Chase Sui Wonders, Julia Dalavia, Lee Ji-eun, Taylor Russell. CONNECTION DETAILS: Ben, Adam, and Carina all met in a music class when they were around eight years old. Since then, the three have been an inseparable trio ever since. They've stuck together through thick and thin throughout the childhood years all through now. In high school, they formed a band together called "The Shore". They started out in the underground music scene in London, performing mostly rock and punk music. They were little troublemakers just being young and dumb, going through life together. Ben's father ended up marrying Adam's mother, Joanne, after him and his wife split a few months after high school graduation. Ben and Adam were over the moon to be step-brothers, especially since Carina had been invited into the family a few years prior after being mistreated and cast aside by her own parents. They all became one big family. With growth, their music style changed and they started to lean more indie-alternative over the years. Adam and Carina are the two people that have stuck with him since the accident with his niece. They've seen how addiction and depression have completely taken over their best friend and, no matter what, haven't given up on him. Ben has since taken a small step back from music, so the band is currently just made up of just Adam and Carina. Ben helps out with songs here and there but doesn't fully contribute as much as he used to as he feels he needs to get his life together before being in the band again. Adam and Carina, though, have been doing everything to get him back in The Shore as music has been all of their dreams since they were young. ANYTHING EXTRA: As for Adam and Carina's full backstories, personalities, etc, that's completely up to you! You can play off the small pieces I've written about them and create your own perspective and story as to who they are and where they've come from. Please feel free to message me @benadkinson and we can plot together if you'd like!

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 2.23 (before 1940)

303 – Roman emperor Diocletian orders the destruction of the Christian church in Nicomedia, beginning eight years of Diocletianic Persecution. 532 – Byzantine emperor Justinian I lays the foundation stone of a new Orthodox Christian basilica in Constantinople – the Hagia Sophia. 628 – Khosrow II, last Sasanian shah of Iran, is overthrown. 705 – Empress Wu Zetian abdicates the throne, restoring the Tang dynasty. 1455 – Traditionally the date of publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed with movable type. 1725 – J. S. Bach leads his Tafel-Music Shepherd Cantata for the birthday of Christian, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels. 1763 – Berbice slave uprising in Guyana: The first major slave revolt in South America. 1778 – American Revolutionary War: Baron von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to help train the Continental Army. 1820 – Cato Street Conspiracy: A plot to murder all the British cabinet ministers is exposed and the conspirators arrested. 1836 – Texas Revolution: The Siege of the Alamo (prelude to the Battle of the Alamo) begins in San Antonio, Texas. 1847 – Mexican–American War: Battle of Buena Vista: In Mexico, American troops under future president General Zachary Taylor defeat Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna. 1854 – The official independence of the Orange Free State, South Africa is declared. 1861 – President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrives secretly in Washington, D.C., after the thwarting of an alleged assassination plot in Baltimore, Maryland. 1870 – Reconstruction Era: Post-U.S. Civil War military control of Mississippi ends and it is readmitted to the Union. 1883 – Alabama becomes the first U.S. state to enact an anti-trust law. 1885 – Sino-French War: French Army gains an important victory in the Battle of Đồng Đăng in the Tonkin region of Vietnam. 1886 – Charles Martin Hall produced the first samples of aluminium from the electrolysis of aluminium oxide, after several years of intensive work. He was assisted in this project by his older sister, Julia Brainerd Hall. 1887 – The French Riviera is hit by a large earthquake, killing around 2,000. 1898 – Émile Zola is imprisoned in France after writing J'Accuse…!, a letter accusing the French government of antisemitism and wrongfully imprisoning Captain Alfred Dreyfus. 1900 – Second Boer War: During the Battle of the Tugela Heights, the first British attempt to take Hart's Hill fails. 1903 – Cuba leases Guantánamo Bay to the United States "in perpetuity". 1905 – Chicago attorney Paul Harris and three other businessmen meet for lunch to form the Rotary Club, the world's first service club. 1909 – The AEA Silver Dart makes the first powered flight in Canada and the British Empire. 1917 – First demonstrations in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The beginning of the February Revolution (March 8 in the Gregorian calendar). 1927 – U.S. President Calvin Coolidge signs a bill by Congress establishing the Federal Radio Commission (later replaced by the Federal Communications Commission) which was to regulate the use of radio frequencies in the United States. 1927 – German theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg writes a letter to fellow physicist Wolfgang Pauli, in which he describes his uncertainty principle for the first time. 1934 – Leopold III becomes King of Belgium.

[alexlacquemanne]

Décembre MMXXIV

Films

Le Sourire de Mona Lisa (Mona Lisa Smile) (2003) de Mike Newell avec Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ginnifer Goodwin, Dominic West, Juliet Stevenson, Marcia Gay Harden et John Slattery

Le Corbeau (1943) de Henri-Georges Clouzot avec Pierre Fresnay, Ginette Leclerc, Pierre Larquey, Micheline Francey, Héléna Manson, Noël Roquevert, Liliane Maigné et Pierre Bertin

Conversation secrète (The Conversation) (1974) de Francis Ford Coppola avec Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Frederic Forrest, Cindy Williams, Michael Higgins et Elizabeth MacRae

La Cuisine des anges (We're No Angels) (1955) de Michael Curtiz avec Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, Aldo Ray, Joan Bennett, Basil Rathbone, Leo G. Carroll et Gloria Talbott

Le Fils du Français (1999) de Gérard Lauzier avec Josiane Balasko, Fanny Ardant, Thierry Frémont, David-Alexandre Parquier, Florian Robin, Luca Barbareschi, George Aguilar et Fanny Valette

Ne m'envoyez pas de fleurs (Send Me No Flowers) (1964) de Norman Jewison avec Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall, Paul Lynde, Hal March, Edward Andrews et Patricia Barry

Boulevard du rhum (1971) de Robert Enrico avec Lino Ventura, Brigitte Bardot, Bill Travers, Clive Revill, Jess Hahn, Antonio Casas, Andréas Voutsinas, Guy Marchand et Jack Betts

Le Seigneur des Anneaux : La Guerre des Rohirrim (The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim) (2024) de Kenji Kamiyama avec Gérard Darier, Marion Gress, Augustin Bonhomme, Barbara Tissier, Vanina Pradier, Daniel Njo Lobé et Cyril Descours

La Main au collet (To Catch a Thief) (1955) d'Alfred Hitchcock avec Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis, John Williams, Charles Vanel, Brigitte Auber, Jean Martinelli et Georgette Anys

Maman, j'ai raté l'avion ! (Home Alone) (1990) de Chris Columbus avec Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Catherine O'Hara, Roberts Blossom, Gerry Bamman et Terrie Snell

Fais pas ci, fais pas ça : On va marcher sur la Lune (2024) de Alexandre Castagnetti avec Valérie Bonneton, Guillaume De Tonquédec, Isabelle Gélinas, Bruno Salomone, Yaniss Lespert, Tiphaine Haas, Canelle Carré-Cassaigne, Timothée Kempen-Hamel, François Vincentelli et Alice Dufour

La Cité disparue (Legend of the Lost) (1957) de Henry Hathaway avec John Wayne, Sophia Loren, Rossano Brazzi, Kurt Kasznar, Sonia Moser et Angela Portaluri

Le Calendrier secret de Noël (Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy) (2019) de Sean McNamara avec Maggie Lawson, Paul Greene, Rukiya Bernard, Holly Robinson Peete, Barbara Niven, Jill Wagner, Ashley Williams, Patty McCormack et Colin Lawrence

Serenity (2005) de Joss Whedon avec Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Sean Maher, Summer Glau, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Ron Glass et Chiwetel Ejiofor

Les Aventures d'Arsène Lupin (1957) de Jacques Becker avec Robert Lamoureux, Otto E. Hasse, Liselotte Pulver, Paul Muller, Daniel Ceccaldi, Huguette Hue, Georges Chamarat, Renaud Mary et Henri Rollan

Love Actually (2003) de Richard Curtis avec Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman, Martine McCutcheon, Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Andrew Lincoln, Keira Knightley, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rowan Atkinson, Kris Marshall et Martin Freeman

Danger planétaire (The Blob) (1958) de Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr. et Russell S. Doughten Jr. avec Steve McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe, Olin Howland, Elbert Smith, Hugh Graham, Anthony Franke et George Karas

La vie est belle (It's a Wonderful Life) (1946) de Frank Capra avec James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Frank Faylen, Ward Bond et Gloria Grahame

La Dame de Noël (1958) de Marcel Bluwal avec Jean Marc Bory, Nicole Courcel, Roger Coggio, Maurice Chevit et Guy Decomble

Père Noël et Fils (1983) d'André Flédérick avec Jean-Claude Brialy, Dominique Davray, Annie Girardot, Sébastien Privat, Jean-Marie Proslier, Popeck, Yvonne Clech, Hélène Duc, Marthe Villalonga, Hubert Deschamps et Johnny Hallyday

Ulysse (Ulisse) (1954) de Mario Camerini avec Kirk Douglas, Silvana Mangano, Anthony Quinn, Rossana Podestà, Jacques Dumesnil, Sylvie, Daniel Ivernel, Franco Interlenghi, Elena Zareschi et Evi Maltagliati

Maman, j'ai encore raté l'avion ! (Home Alone 2: Lost in New York) (1992) de Chris Columbus avec Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Catherine O'Hara, Brenda Fricker, Eddie Bracken, Tim Curry et Rob Schneider

Le Pôle express (The Polar Express) (2004) de Robert Zemeckis avec Maxime Baudouin, Camille Donda, Jean-Philippe Puymartin, Lola Krellenstein, Céline Monsarrat et Laurent Lévy

Anastasia (1956) d'Anatole Litvak avec Ingrid Bergman, Yul Brynner, Akim Tamiroff, Sacha Pitoeff, Helen Hayes, Martita Hunt, Ivan Desny et Felix Aylmer

Dix Petits Nègres (Ten Little Indians) (1974) de Peter Collinson avec Oliver Reed, Elke Sommer, Richard Attenborough, Stephane Audran, Gert Froebe, Herbert Lom, Maria Rohm, Adolfo Celi, Alberto de Mendoza et Charles Aznavour

La Classe américaine : Le Grand Détournement (1993) de Michel Hazanavicius et Dominique Mézerette avec Christine Delaroche, Evelyne Grandjean, Marc Cassot, Patrick Guillemin, Raymond Loyer, Joël Martineau, Jean-Claude Montalban et Roger Rudel

Séries

Columbo Saison 10, 11, 12

Criminologie appliquée - À chacun son heure - Un seul suffira

Les Enquêtes Ceméléon

Une Affaire de famille - Attention à la peinture

Firefly

Serenity - L'Attaque du train - Pilleurs d'épave - Le Duel - Sains et Saufs - La Femme du commandant - De la boue et des hommes - La Panne - Intrusion - Histoires anciennes - Déchet précieux - Le Message - Mission secours - Objet volant identifié

Psych Saison 5, 6, 7

Mort de frousse - Dual Spires - Premiers de la classe - Espèce menacée - Grosse Bêtise - Yin, Suite et Fin - Immunité problématique - Carrément mordus ! - Very Bad nuit - Super héros - Tous au stade - Shawn au-dessus d'un nid de coucou - Complètement babas - Mon père cet escroc - Enfin seuls ! - Indiana Shawn et le Trésor perdu - À mourir de peur - Les Prétendants - À chœur et à cris - Un crime peut en cacher un autre - Juste Cause - Santa Barbara, ton univers impitoyable - Santa Barbara 2, l'arme fatale 5 - Un site de rencontre mortel - Le Projet BigFoot

Friends Saison 5, 6, 7

Celui qui prenait de bonnes résolutions - Celui qui riait différemment - Celui qui avait un sac - Celui qui découvre tout - Celui qui prenait des coups - Celui qui enviait ses amis - Celui qui ne savait pas se repérer - Celui qui se sacrifiait - Celui qui ne savait pas flirter - Celui qui sauvait des vies - Celui qui jouait à la balle - Celui qui devait casser la baraque - Celui qui était à Las Vegas : première partie - Celui qui était à Las Vegas ; deuxième partie - Ceux qui revenaient de Las Vegas - Celui qui console Rachel - Celui qui était de mauvaise foi - Celui qui perdait sa belle assurance - Celui qui avait une belle bagnole - Ceux qui passaient leur dernière nuit - Celui qui avait une jolie colocataire - Celui qui avait les dents blanches - Celui qui s'était drogué - Celui qui souhaitait la bonne année - Celui qui avait le derrière entre deux chaises - Celui qui inventait des histoires - Celui qui sortait avec la sœur - Celui qui ne pouvait pas pleurer - Ce qui aurait pu se passer : première partie - Ce qui aurait pu se passer : deuxième partie - Celui qui avait l'Unagi - Celui qui sortait avec une étudiante - Celui qui avait des problèmes de frigo - Celui qui avait une audition - Celui qui rencontrait le père - Celui qui se la jouait grave - Celui qui achetait la bague - Celui qui faisait sa demande : première partie - Celui qui faisait sa demande : deuxième partie - Celui qui croyait faire jeune - Celui qui réglait le mariage - Celui qui s'était mal assis

Affaires sensibles

Le Corbeau : La légende noire d’Henri-Georges Clouzot - La Bête qui mange le monde : Gévaudan, 1764 - Les enfants otages de Loyada : la France sous pression - Dissolution de 1997 : les coulisses d'un fiasco - Mirapolis, la chute d’un géant - "Sept morts sur ordonnance" : quand la littérature et le cinéma s’emparent d’un fait divers - La présidentielle américaine de 2016 et l’improbable victoire de Donald Trump - Présidentielle 2012 : Hollande l’inattendu - L'aérotrain, l’ex-train du futur - La famille Sackler, les opioïdes et la mort - Charlie Chaplin banni des États-Unis - Un bateau pour le Vietnam : quand la France découvrait les boat-peoples

Astrid et Raphaëlle Saison 2

L'Étourneau - Irezumi - Le Paradoxe de Fermi - Point d'orgue - Circé - Golem - Le Livre - En garde à vue

Cat's Eyes Saison 1

Durrieux - Heinz

Alexandra Ehle Saison 5

Un message pour l'éternité - La femme bleue

Commissaire Dupin

La croix d'Emma

Zorro Saison 1

Episode 1 - Episode 2

Meurtres au paradis

Qui veut tuer le Père Noël

Doctor Who

Joy to the World

Spectacles

Eric Clapton : Live at Montreux (1986) avec Nathan East, Phil Collins et Greg Phillinganes

Michael Bublé : at the BBC (2016)

Kool & the Gang : Live from House of Blues (2001)

Etienne Daho Show (2023)

Stephan Eicher : Eldorado Trio Live (2008)

Claude Nougaro : Embarquement immédiat (2001) au Théâtre des Champs Elysées

Michael Bublé: Home for the Holidays (2012) avec Michael Bublé, Kevin Clash, Carly Rae Jepsen, Blake Shelton et Rod Stewart

Christmas in Rockefeller Center (2011) avec Tony Bennett, Big Time Rush, Michael Bublé, Javier Colon, Neil Diamond, Megan Hilty Megan Hilty, Carole King, Katharine McPhee et The Radio City Rockettes

Cartoons in concert (2022) par le DR Symphony Orchestra

Le professeur Rollin se re-rebiffe (2017)

Raiders of the Symphony (2023) par le DR Symphony Orchestra

Livres

Deux tueurs (suivi de) Mickey Mickey de Michel Pirus, Véronique Dorey et Mezzo

Une enquête du commissaire Dupin : Enquête troublante à Concarneau de Jean-Luc Bannalec

Batman : Amère victoire de Jeph Loeb et Tim Sale

J'ai peur des mouches de Frédéric Dard

Le Spirit : Intégrale, tome 1 de Will Eisner

La vengeance de Zorro de Johnston McCulley

Le Spirit : Intégrale, tome 2 de Will Eisner

Strange N°146

Strange N°171

Captain America, tome 13 : Le Faucon et la Vipère de Steve Englehart, Steve Gerber et Sal Buscema

[genius-species]

What I Read in 2024

I read 44 books in 2024.

I did not meet any of my 2023 goals - I read no Spanish language picture books, no poetry, no translated books, and did not finish any books by Sudanese, Ukranian, or Palestinian authors.

For 2025, my goal is to fall in love with reading again! I think downloading my library's SimplyE app is going to help--now I'm not locked into borrowing only Kindle books or hard copies.

Highlights of 2024 reading include the newest KJ Charles novel and T. Kingfisher's latest Paladin book (Shane, my beloved). A friend introduced my to Joanna Lowell's work (historical romance featuring lady fine artists! heck yes!). I also enjoyed learning more about Edith Hamilton (pour one out for when 'public intellectual' was an actual career path, seriously).

What did you read and enjoy this year?

My full list below the cut:

Romance

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles

The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

Diamond Ring by K. D. Casey

For Her Consideration by Amy Spaulding

The Hate Project by Kris Ripper

To Marry and To Meddle by Martha Waters

The Duke at Hazard by KJ Charles

The Lawrence Browne Affair by Cat Sebastian

The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian

10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall

Pansies by Alexis Hall

For Real by Alexis Hall

Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall

A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell

The Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell

Mystery

Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose

Murder at Kensington Palace by Andrea Penrose

The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray

Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen

The Bell in the Fog by Lev AC Rosen

YA

Travelers Along the Way by Aminah Mae Safi

Fantasy / Sci Fi

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldtree

The Ladies of Mandrigyn by Barbara Hambly

Witchmark by C. L. Polk

Stormsong by C. L. Polk

Soulstar by C. L. Polk

Wolfsong by TJ Klune

Ravensong by TJ Klune

The Hopkins Manuscript by R. C. Sherriff

Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher

Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher

Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher

Paladin's Faith by T. Kingfisher

Swordcrossed by Freya Marske

Historical Fiction

All the World Beside by Garrard Conley

Nonfiction

Ask a Queer Chick: A Guide to Sex, Love, and Life for Girls Who Dig Girls by Lindsay King-Miller

Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections by Emily Nagoski

American Classicist: The Life and Loves of Edith Hamilton by Victoria Houseman

A Year's Turning by Michael Viney

The Race to be Myself by Caster Semenya

A Naturalist Buys an Old Farm by Edwin Way Teale

Your House in the County by Henry and Eugenia Mins

[thedole]

The Entrepreneurial Life of Charles Sidney Dole

Remembered for his creation of one of Crystal Lake, Illinois’ most emblematic structures, Charles Sidney Dole was born in 1819 in Bloomfield, which became a suburb of Detroit. His father, Judge Sydney Dole, served as a prominent local community member. As one of the area’s earliest settlers, he issued the first legal document ever produced in Oakland County.

Following a devastating fire, Charles and his younger brother James left for Chicago, then known as Fort Dearborn, where their uncle George W. Dole resided. With an enterprising character, George contributed to the 1838 construction of Chicago’s first grain storage facility. In 1848, the small burgh took a significant step toward becoming a modern city after completing the Illinois and Michigan Canal. In addition, the municipality gained the Chicago and Galena Railroad. It inked the community with lead mines in Galena. The Market Building served as the first city hall on State Street.

When George accepted an appointment as Chicago’s postmaster in 1850, 31-year-old Charles became the Assistant Postmaster. He subsequently established C.S. Dole & Co., a grain commission business, with his brother James. The two purchased and sold wheat and constructed grain storage facilities. Then, Charles became involved in the broader industry as an early Chicago Board of Trade member.

In 1850, the Board tried to establish quality standards for wheat, which the industry lacked. However, it had difficulty enforcing them as Chicago developed a reputation for producing inferior wheat. In 1858, Charles and S.H. Butler led a newly formed committee and created a new set of recommendations. The committee adopted them, bolstering the city’s major grain center position. In 2024, many of these standards remain in place in Chicago.

Then, in 1860, Charles diversified his entrepreneurial footprint, founding Armour, Dole & Co., which maintained a grain elevator at the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad depot. With an initial capacity of 850,000 bushels, they expanded it to 2.1 million bushels within a decade and attained a 6.3 million bushel granary capacity by the early 1880s.

Personally, Charles S. Dole also experienced a transformation. He married his cousin Julia Louise Coffin on October 9, 1858, at St. James Episcopal Church. By the early 1860s, he had purchased a thousand acres in Crystal Lake, 45 miles northwest of Chicago, intending to settle down and start a family. The community established Crystal Lake Depot in 1856 in the downtown area of Dearborn as it continued experiencing growth.

The land Charles acquired had a lake view, and he spent $100,000 on constructing a three-story mansion with adjacent stables and a garden. The property included an extensive stock farm, a half-mile racetrack, and a stable that bred Percheron horses. He resided there with his wife Julia, mother-in-law Mrs. Harriet Coffin, and two daughters and a son until the 1890s.

Moreover, Charles amassed a fortune as the railroad helped transport grain products to market. During his daughter’s wedding in 1883, he notably constructed a spur line that brought guests from the Chicago and Northwestern railway tracks to the mansion doors. Among the venerable guests was Julian Rumsey, Chicago’s mayor, and first cousin Levi Leiter, the initial partner of department store magnate Marshall Field.

[ulkaralakbarova]

Chris is the top brain who just wants to party, Mitch is the 15-year-old college wiz kid. Supposedly hard at work on a lab project with a mysterious deadline, they still find time to use their genius to discover new ways to have fun. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Chris Knight: Val Kilmer Mitch Taylor: Gabriel Jarret Jordan: Michelle Meyrink Professor Hathaway: William Atherton Kent: Robert Prescott Major Carnagle: Louis Giambalvo Lazlo Hollyfeld: Jon Gries CIA Man Decker: Ed Lauter Shuttle Pilot: Stacy Peralta Laser Ray Victim: Daniel Ades Bartender: Andres Aybar Air Force General: Charles Shull George: Beau Billingslea Larry: Charles Parks Boy at Science Fair: Sean Frye Girl at Science Fair: JoAnn Willette Old Lady: Ina Gould Student at Science Fair: Nadine Vix Mr. Taylor: Paul Tulley Mrs. Taylor: Joanne Baron Darlington Recruiter: Harry Johnson Sherry Nugil: Patti D’Arbanville Dr. Dodd: Monte Landis Mrs. Meredith: Sandy Martin Dr. Meredith: Severn Darden Cornell: Randy Lowell Carter: John Shepherd Reid Bodie: Tommy Swerdlow ‘Ick’ Ikagami: Mark Kamiyama Math Professor: Martin Gundersen Carpet Man: Brett Miller Milton: Dean Devlin Fenton: Yuji Okumoto Chris’ Girl at Party: Lynda Wiesmeier Ick’s Girl at Party: Penny Baker Cornell’s Girl at Party: Marcia Karr Girl at Party: Isabelle Walker Girl at Party: Marii Mak Girl at Party: Cheri Wells Girl at Party: Catherine MacNamara Student: Johnny Vasily TV Makeup Man: Ed Garrabrandt TV Stage Manager: Isabel Cooley Waitress: Robin Stober Susan: Deborah Foreman Student in Hall: David Marvit Air Force Gate Guard: Michael Crabtree Air Force Gate Guard: Charles Sweigart Air Force Gate Guard: Peter Parros Computer Technician: Ronald Taylor Air Force Major: James Carrington Air Force Controller: Michael Backes Air Force Sergeant: Corki Grazer Laser Technician: Jeanne Mori Engineer: David Ursin Congressman: Joe Dorsey Laser Specialist: Will Knox Air Force Technician: Kevin Hurley Girl in Popcorn (uncredited): Kimberly Spak Film Crew: Director: Martha Coolidge Set Decoration: Phil Abramson Camera Operator: John J. Connor Producer: Brian Grazer Casting: Jane Jenkins Production Design: Josan F. Russo Hairstylist: Edie Panda Visual Effects Supervisor: Richard L. Bennett Casting: Janet Hirshenson Screenplay: Neal Israel Screenplay: Pat Proft Editor: Richard Chew Makeup Artist: Zoltan Elek Original Music Composer: Thomas Newman Art Direction: Jack G. Taylor Jr. Special Effects Coordinator: Phil Cory Executive Producer: Robert Daley Director of Photography: Vilmos Zsigmond Screenplay: PJ Torokvei Associate Producer: Sam Crespi-Horowitz Music Supervisor: Becky Mancuso-Winding Music Supervisor: Michael Papale Supervising Sound Editor: Julia Evershade Sound Designer: George Budd Music Editor: Ted Whitfield Costume Supervisor: Marla Denise Schlom Costumer: Joseph Roveto Costumer: Michael F. Hamer Visual Effects Supervisor: David Stipes Stunts: Kenny Alexander Stunts: Shane Dixon Stunts: Kenny Ferrugiaro Stunts: Linda Lee Franklin Stunts: Allan Graf Stunts: Marian Green Stunts: Debby Porter Stunts: Bernie Pock Stunts: Spiro Razatos Stunts: Edward J. Ulrich Stunts: David M. Graves Unit Production Manager: Billy Ray Smith First Assistant Director: Stephen McEveety Second Assistant Director: Joseph P. Moore Set Designer: Erin M. Cummings Set Designer: Steven Wolff Other: Alex Tavoularis First Assistant Camera: Ken Nishino Second Assistant Camera: Robert Samuels Second Unit Director of Photography: Frederick Elmes Key Grip: Richard W. Deats Grip: Jerry D. Deats Best Boy Electric: Robert Jason Additional Editing: Arthur Coburn First Assistant Editor: Albert Coleman Other: Alexandra Leviloff Other: Deborah Cichocki Other: Bill Wilner Sound Editor: Anna Boorstin Sound Editor: Virginia Cook-McGowan Sound Editor: Cari Lewis Sound Editor: Marshall Winn Sound Editor: Roxanne Jones McCarthy Supervising ADR Editor: Beth Bergeron ADR Editor: Lauren Palmer Assistant Sound Editor: Paul C. Warschilka Assistant Sound Editor: Christy Richmond Sound Effects: John P. Fasal Sound Effects: Doug Hemp...

[wankerwatch]

Commons Vote

On: Finance (No. 2) Bill: Third Reading

Ayes: 215 (98.6% Con, 0.9% Ind, 0.5% DUP) Noes: 19 (94.7% SNP, 5.3% PC) Absent: ~416

Likely Referenced Bill: Finance (No. 2) Act 2010

Description: A Bill to grant certain duties, to alter other duties, and to amend the law relating to the National Debt and the Public Revenue, and to make further provision in connection with finance.

Originating house: Commons Current house: Unassigned Bill Stage: Royal Assent

Individual Votes:

Ayes

Conservative (211 votes)

Aaron Bell Alan Mak Alberto Costa Alec Shelbrooke Alex Burghart Alex Chalk Alicia Kearns Alok Sharma Amanda Milling Andrew Griffith Andrew Jones Andrew Lewer Andrew Murrison Andrew Percy Andrew Selous Andy Carter Angela Richardson Anna Firth Anne Marie Morris Anne-Marie Trevelyan Anthony Browne Antony Higginbotham Ben Everitt Ben Spencer Ben Wallace Bernard Jenkin Bill Wiggin Bim Afolami Bob Blackman Bob Seely Brandon Lewis Caroline Ansell Caroline Nokes Charles Walker Cherilyn Mackrory Chris Clarkson Chris Grayling Chris Green Chris Philp Conor Burns Craig Tracey Craig Williams Damian Hinds Daniel Kawczynski Danny Kruger David Davis David Duguid David Jones David Rutley David Simmonds Dean Russell Dehenna Davison Derek Thomas Desmond Swayne Duncan Baker Edward Argar Edward Leigh Elizabeth Truss Elliot Colburn Esther McVey Felicity Buchan Fiona Bruce Gagan Mohindra Gareth Bacon Gareth Davies Gareth Johnson Gary Sambrook Gavin Williamson Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Gillian Keegan Graham Brady Graham Stuart Greg Hands Greg Smith Guy Opperman Harriett Baldwin Heather Wheeler Helen Whately Holly Mumby-Croft Huw Merriman Iain Duncan Smith Iain Stewart Jack Brereton Jack Lopresti Jackie Doyle-Price Jacob Rees-Mogg Jacob Young James Cartlidge James Cleverly James Davies James Duddridge James Sunderland James Wild Jane Hunt Jane Stevenson Jeremy Quin Jerome Mayhew Jo Churchill John Glen John Howell John Lamont Jonathan Djanogly Jonathan Gullis Julia Lopez Julian Lewis Julian Smith Julian Sturdy Justin Tomlinson Katherine Fletcher Kelly Tolhurst Kemi Badenoch Kevin Hollinrake Kieran Mullan Kit Malthouse Laura Farris Laura Trott Lee Rowley Leo Docherty Lia Nici Liam Fox Lisa Cameron Louie French Lucy Frazer Luke Hall Marcus Jones Mark Fletcher Mark Francois Mark Garnier Mark Logan Martin Vickers Matt Hancock Matt Warman Matthew Offord Mel Stride Michael Ellis Michael Fabricant Michael Gove Michael Tomlinson Mike Freer Mike Wood Mims Davies Neil O'Brien Nick Fletcher Nick Gibb Nicola Richards Nigel Huddleston Paul Beresford Paul Holmes Paul Howell Pauline Latham Penny Mordaunt Peter Aldous Peter Bottomley Philip Dunne Philip Hollobone Priti Patel Ranil Jayawardena Rebecca Harris Rebecca Pow Rehman Chishti Richard Bacon Richard Drax Richard Fuller Rob Butler Robbie Moore Robert Buckland Robert Courts Robert Goodwill Robert Halfon Robert Largan Robert Syms Robin Millar Robin Walker Royston Smith Sajid Javid Sally-Ann Hart Saqib Bhatti Sara Britcliffe Sarah Dines Scott Mann Selaine Saxby Shailesh Vara Sheryll Murray Simon Baynes Simon Clarke Simon Fell Simon Hart Simon Hoare Simon Jupp Stephen Metcalfe Steve Baker Steve Brine Steve Tuckwell Stuart Andrew Suzanne Webb Theo Clarke Theresa May Theresa Villiers Thérèse Coffey Tobias Ellwood Tom Hunt Tom Pursglove Tom Randall Tom Tugendhat Tracey Crouch Vicky Ford Victoria Atkins Victoria Prentis Wendy Morton Will Quince William Cash

Independent (2 votes)

Mark Menzies William Wragg

Democratic Unionist Party (1 vote)

Jim Shannon

Noes

Scottish National Party (18 votes)

Allan Dorans Amy Callaghan Angela Crawley Anne McLaughlin Brendan O'Hara Chris Law Chris Stephens David Linden Deidre Brock Joanna Cherry John Nicolson Kirsty Blackman Marion Fellows Owen Thompson Peter Grant Philippa Whitford Richard Thomson Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Plaid Cymru (1 vote)

Hywel Williams