#James is molting

[hyenafan]

The bugs say Happy Halloween!!!

[james-lowry]

[velvetypoets]

Mister pitch perfect

The perfect Gryffindor golden boy has gone off his rails to catch a Black daughter.

Warnings: James Potter x reader fanfic, James is down bad, I tagged marauders but no peter, Slytherin reader, Black family reader, reader is portrayed as she/her, reader centric, forbidden love trope, SFW, James perspective

havent done this in a while and this will be the first time im posting on this platform. im very sorry if its quite messy!

this was supposed to be a oneshot but i drag it too much. so it'll be some sort of a series oneshot? will also be posted on ao3 soon!

————————————————————————————————————————

It was never meant to be. James Fleamont Potter was basically molted into the perfect specimen of man and every soul who has ever walked Hogwarts knew. Sure he would cause trouble every then and again with his fellow mates. Yet of course, James would always dazzle his way out of it with a few charming smiles or reasonings to squeal his way out of being blamed.

[ part 1|part 2|part 3 ]

He was confident, charismatic, spotless.

And when he meets eyes with you, it was set. James is sitting at his usual spot with the marauders at supper when the moment arrives. You were fixing your necklace to your neck at the Slytherin table, struggling with the clasps as your face scrunches in frustration. James almost walks the whole way over to you and offers his assistance right then and there.

"Stop undressing my cousin with your eyes, Prongs," Sirius brings James back to reality with a slap on the back of his head. He seems to still be having his feast so that was new of him to pick on James in that setting. Remus raises an eyebrow as he stares at the two, "Since when do you care about the other Blacks?"

"That was foul, Pads!" James yell as he rubs his head and glares at his mate, he's used to Sirius playfights but that slap seems to be sincere. He tries to focus on the conversation as he tries to find you again on the table across. You seemed to have moved next to Regulus as he helps you with your necklace. James lets out an involuntary sigh.

"She's different, Moony. She's on the edge too. Pretty sure she's going to find a way to run when she hits 18," Sirius lets out a scowl, "Heard she is to be arranged with Nott. Bloody brilliant that."

"Nott? That Nott? Surely you're joking. That bastard can't even keep his owl alive for a week! How's he going to keep a wife that young?!" Remus exclaims in disbelief. Whipping his head to take a good look at you now that you're a big deal. "I wish I was. I love you but seriously mate, don't. You're big enough trouble yourself," Warns Sirius with his fork right to to James face. A juicy piece of meat dangling right on it.

He bites it though. Sirius lets out a shrieking squeal of, "My meat!", erupting laughter at the Gryffindor table as James chews proudly with a sly smile across his face. The boisterous sound turns a few heads, including yours. Your brows raised at the sudden commotion, only to have the red of your cheeks creep in as you find one of your cousin being the center of it. He watches as you rub your cheeks to hide the tint.

James gulps the meat down. He's quite full himself but he must admit, it's nothing like he has ever had.

——————————————————————————

The next time he sees you, you are sitting by yourself writing in parchments on a patch of grass by the lake. James is in a broom practicing to catch the golden snitch on Hogwarts grounds. Quite foolish but he's gotten bored of the arena and its currently being used by the Hufflepuff team anyways.

He's worried about you sitting all alone in this breeze though. It's quite cold and you don't seem to be wearing enough layers. He keeps a distance near a tree so as not to scare you, although he is quite discontent with seeing just your figure by the lake.

You whipped your head to the skies behind you, "Reggie? Is that you?" You ask calmly, your eyes not missing the shadowy figure blatantly hiding behind a tree, "I saw you from the reflection. Very funny, Regs."

James cracked a smile at your sarcastic tone. He even finds your voice perfect. He fixes himself a little before he reveals himself off the shade and lands in front of you, "So I'll take it you find me quite funny?"

Your eyes widened as you process the man in front of you. Why would James Potter—the Gryffindor golden boy—be here? And why is he talking to you now?

"You're not Reggie." You said still in shock, almost sounding like a question. Your brows are raised as you try to study his demeanor. He's holding his broom awkwardly in his arms, you've always thought James Potter's confident composure was permanent.

"Well if your standards of humour is a certain Regulus Black, I'm sure I'd be comical, love," He cracks a small smile and a hand extended to you, "Potter. James Potter."

You look at James like you're Newt Scamander finding a newfound beast, "I know who you are. Everybody does," You said in disbelief, finding the whole situation suspicious. The breeze of wind moves his curly hair to his face, framing it gracefully, "What I want to know is why are you doing this? We're not exactly fit to be friends."

"Why that's quite bold of you, lovely. Who said I'd like to be friends?" He said as he leans closer. You never noticed it before but his glasses are rather clean today, his hazy eyes look at you with glimmer in them you've never seen on anyone before. You think to yourself if its one of the charisma of being James Potter.

You stood your ground, you would have never thought to ever be face to face with this dazzling man in front of you. You are a Black though, your legs won't give in even if you try, "Well that's settled then. Are you here to pick a fight?" You ask him plainly, crossing your arms upon your chest.

James finds it adorable, he knows full well of his effects on people and especially of course girls. What he doesn't understand is the effect you have on him. "The contrary, darling. I have a proposition for you."

You lift a brow and yet let him continue, "I heard you're in quite the predicament with Nott. Now I know a way to get you out," His claim makes your eyes open, you let him continue. Words dripping in confidence, "A date. With me."

This time, you can't help but let out a laugh–of which James can't help but take in the sight. He's completely enamoured.

'What? Huh– Hold on. You can't be serious," You looked at him as if he had gone mad, the thought of a Black and a Potter dating is out of this world, "I don't know what kind of prank you're up to, but do you seriously think I'll fall for that?"

"Wait, I am serious! Picture this, if Nott knows you're going out with me he'd be livid, enough to break off the arrangement. I mean have you seen the way that scum looks at me? It's like he has this permanent face of eating vomit flavoured Bertie Bott's Beans!" He rants as he joined in on the laughter with you.

You are smiling as the laughter reduces to giggles. As stupid as it is, it has a good chance of actually working. You pondered, there's still one thing on your mind, "What's in it for you? Would I have to do anything?"

James let out a smile, his palms are sweating like he's deep into a Quidditch game, "Well I get to see Nott lose his bride—" He pauses, confronting himself whether to tell you the real truth or not, "I mean I'll also get a beauty on my side."

You roll your eyes at that, "Don't you try to charm me, Potter. Give me the real reason or its off. I have a feeling you need this more than I do,"

She's right, James thought. He was about to play it off if you denied it straight away, he wasn't entirely sure you would actually take him seriously. He grasps the sight of you for a bit before closing his eyes tight, "Okay, how about I tell you the reason in a week— Maybe a month. You don't have to do anything, we'd just go out like normal couples do. Sounds good to you?" He said, he extends his arms to you for a handshake. His thoughts full of prayers to Merlin so you wouldn't notice the tremble in his arm.

You grin the same one James had seen a million times on Sirius's face, the Black's grin of content. You shake his hand firmly, his big ones almost encasing yours, "You've got yourself a deal, Potter."

James is using every atom on his magical being to control his ecstasy as he smiles widely at you. Once the handshake is done he reaches for his scarf over his neck and wears it on you, "Nice doing business with you, sweetcheeks. I do hope you start wearing warmer clothes though. No snogging will be done if you're in Pomfreys care."

She looks good in my color

Well technically so is the color of a quarter of the schools because of course its a Griffyndor scarf.

"You surely don't expect me to go back. To my dorm. Through the halls, the stairs and the common room. With this on?"

Oh I won't regret this one bit, James thought. He chuckles at your words dripped in such a sarcastic tone, "Of course not, darling. Do you think I'm mad?"

He extends his arms for you to hold, "We'll go back together. Through the halls, the stairs, even the common room. I heard you folks have lovely parties there."

You let out a chuckle as you circle your arms around his, "Oh, the best ones. Your Gryffindors ass is so not invited though."

"Well at least I do have a lovely one, don't I?"

"Oh shut it, Potter!"

——————————————————————————

Another storm of commotion is coursing through Hogwarts. A lot has played it off as a mere prank. James grins at the thought of it. He has only you on his mind lately, cherishing the bits of conversation you and him had.

He's on his way to charms class this morning, one that inconveniently does not have you in it, he checked. He checked your schedule last night sneaking through administration with the invisibility cloak.

Moony and Pads by his side as usual. Sirius seems to still haven't caught wind of it, his hair tousled from a good sleep. Apparently he was up all night helping Remus solve a 10k piece magic puzzle.

Won't be long with how loud the students are gossiping though. James let out a coherent sighs. He had an amount of grins with knowing looks from a couple male students and even a pat on the back by a random Slytherin, "Alright, what is going on?" Remus breaks first. Stopping the two boys right before the class door.

James crackles a laugh, "What's going on? Nothing's going on, mate! What?" Moony lets out a drawled scowl on him, one he makes when he pieces that they're in some kind of trouble, "Why is everybody on Hogwarts up your pants then, Prongs?!"

Sirius yawns as he hugs James by the side to lean his head on him, "Yeah... Saw that too even if my eyes were closed the entire walk. You can tell us mate, come on," He does notice the lack of scarf on his mate's neck though, none in this rapidly chilly morning? "Prongsie, where's your scarf? I could really use a pillow here–"

"Oh! Thank Merlin! One second late and I would've thrown this in the bin. Here, take this off me," There you are with James Potter red and yellow scarf on your hands, just coming out the door. All three boys were quite startled, "What? Wait. This isn't your class," said James. His eyes land on the presence of a Slytherin scarf wrapping your neck. James wishes he could take that one instead.

"Yeah... I'm sort of risking being late to Dark Arts for this but I can't take the whispering anymore. I might square the next person who even looks at me!" You told him, your grip on his scarf tightens and James wishes the fabric would stretch upon your nails.

Sirius is well awake now, his bagged eyes darting between you and James as if you're both insane, "Hold–Hold on! What is this? What is happening, Why do you have James's scarf?" He cuts, going between you and James to put a distance and blocks James view. Remus gives James a 'he did warned you, mate' face at the side.

James on the other hand, in too much of a thrill of seeing you this early in the morning, "You could also just admit ya didn't want me to get cold, love. Thanks for the thought there," He said almost shouting as he stands on his tips to try and see you from above Sirius's head.

You let out an annoyed grunt, "Ugh I don't have time for this. Here Siri, give this to that stupid friend of yours. I'd like to keep my Dark Arts seat next to Cissy and Malfoy's been eyeing it like the vulture he is," You throw James's scarf to your cousin's head not caring if it covers his vision, it earns a few chuckles from nearby students. He trashes to take it off and looks at you in betrayal.

You're about to run off to Dark Arts and leave your cousin and his foolish mates when your feet stop and turn you back, "If you still want that date to happen. Expect my owl, Potter. She's a snow named Emerald."

"Oh and it is lovely to meet you, Remus. Do take care of my sod cousin and my idiot boyfriend. Make sure they're out of trouble," You smiled sincerely at Remus, you actually do admire him a little. You love dark arts and your professor rants and rants about Remus's talents.

Remus seems taken aback, but that would make the three of them. You left after he reciprocated your smile and responded with a polite, "You too, (Y/N)."

And as such, you scurried off in a rush to go shoo away Lucius Malfoy from your seat and save Narcissa. Leaving behind a bewildered Remus, an angered Sirius, and a lovestruck James.

James keeps his eyes on you until you turn the corridor, a stupidly huge smile stays on his lips. He turns to find the reality of Sirius's wrath upon him. Remus is quite literally holding back Sirius with his whole body, it's quite an advantageous turn of events that Sirius hasn't had his proper sleep yet.

"Boyfriend! Boyfriend?! When did you even– How is this— Let me go, Moony! He's going to have an earful!"

He definitely will get that earful later. James grins an apologetic smile at Remus as he picks up his scarf that fell to the ground. He could already smell the sweet of your scent from a distance.

Remus lets out a huffed noise, "You really do always get what you want don't you?"

James doesn't reply. He wraps his own scarf on his neck, embracing the warmth it does to his skin. Your scent crashes onto him like tidal waves. A tint of rose blooms on the pale of his cheeks.

He smiles faintly at the open skies over the hall window. He wishes for an owl he hadn't even met for safe travels.

[useless-catalanfacts]

Happy 600th birthday! Per molts anys!

Giants are one of the most iconic figures in Catalan culture. Each town, city, or neighbourhood has their own couple of giant hollow figures that usually represent the mythical founders of the town or characters from local legends. People join the group to carry them and make them spin and dance on the streets on the days of local festivities, to the sound of live traditional Catalan festive music.

Giants don't exist only in Catalan culture, they're also present in other parts of Western Europe like Belgium, France, Portugal, Sicily, Southern Italy, the Basque Country, and some parts of Aragon and Castilla (Spain).

But this year, we are celebrating: the earliest ever written document anywhere in the world that mentions a giant figure dates from 1424 and talks about the Barcelona giants that danced in the Corpus festivity. This assures us that giants have been part of Barcelona's festivities for at least 600 years. Then, the giants were King David and the Giant (characters from the Bible), but with time they changed a bit and by the 1500s they were a king and a queen, who came to be identified with the king James I and the queen Violant of Hungary, the most iconic and important monarchs in Catalan history.

However, since they symbolise people from Catalan history, the giants were repressed by the Spanish fascist dictatorships of Primo de Rivera and Francisco Franco. These regimes had the aim of exterminating Catalan culture. They banned and persecuted the Catalan language and identity and many cultural celebrations of Catalan people, such as banning some songs and holidays. For this reason, the giants were forced to be renamed Isabella and Ferdinand and pretend like they represented the Catholic Kings, two key figures of Spanish history. When the dictatorship ended, they became Jaume I and Violant again.

The figures of the Barcelona city giants used nowadays aren't the same ones as 600 years ago, of course. The figures get copied into new ones when it's necessary. The ones used now were made in 1991 copying the previous figures, made in 1921.

Giants are adored by kids, and the Barcelona city male giant (gegant de la Ciutat) and the giant from Santa Maria del Pi parish of Barcelona (gegant del Pi) are also the main characters of one of the most popular traditional children's songs in Catalonia.

We love to see them continue being as popular as ever. Yesterday, they celebrated their anniversary with a meeting of giants from all the neighbourhoods of Barcelona and well as from other cities and towns. More than 600 giants gathered in Barcelona to dance together for the Barcelona city giants anniversary!

[marcmarcmomarc]

Once Upon a Lamp - list of characters

In honor of Once Upon a Studio turning one year old

EXT. THE STEVE JOBS BUILDING - EARLY EVENING

The Adventures of André and Wally B.

André

Wally B.

Luxo Jr.

Luxo Jr.

Luxo Sr.

Red’s Dream

Lumpy

Red

Tin Toy

Tinny

Gumbo

Flip ‘n Beth

Ace

Clocky

Spot

Zoo Train

Chrome Dome

Rallye Guy

Fire Hydrant

Helicopter Sheep

Toypot

Frodo

Bouncy

Eben’s Car

Les

RenderMan

Knick Knack

Knick

Sunny Miami

Sunny Florida

Sunny Egypt

Sunny Jamaica

Sunny Palm Springs

Sunny Israel

Surf Death Valley

Sunny Atlantis

Toy Story (Toys)

Woody

Buzz Lightyear

Jessie

Mr. Potato Head

Slinky Dog

Rex

Hamm

Bo Peep

Mrs. Potato Head

Bullseye

Mr. Pricklepants

Dolly

Trixie

Buttercup

Chuckles

Stinky Pete

Barbie

Ken

Lots-o-Huggin’ Bear

Big Baby

Twitch

Stretch

Chunk

Sparks

Chatter Telephone

Bookworm

Peas-in-a-Pod

Forky

Giggle McDimples

Ducky

Bunny

Duke Caboom

Gabby Gabby

The Dummies

Billy, Goat, and Gruff

Toy Story (Human side)

Andy Davis

Mrs. Davis

Molly Davis

Sid Phillips

Hannah Phillips

Bonnie Anderson

Bonnie’s Mom

Bonnie’s Dad

Buster

Scud

Geri’s Game

Geri

A Bug’s Life

Flik

Hopper

Princess Atta

Princess Dot

The Queen

Molt

Slim

Heimlich

Francis

Manny

Gypsy

Rosie

Tuck

Roll

P.T. Flea

Dim

Mr. Soil

Dr. Flora

Thorny

Cornelius

Thumper

Aphie

For the Birds

Bluebird Flock

Gawky Bird

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

Commander Nebula

Mira Nova

XR

Booster Sinclair Munchapper

Warp Darkmatter

Gravitina

N0S-4-A2

XL

Monsters, Inc.

James P. Sullivan

Mike Wazowski

Boo

Celia Mae

Randall Boggs

Henry J. Waternoose

Johnny Worthington

Scott “Squishy” Squibbles

Don Carlton

Terri and Terry Perry

Art

Tylor Tuskman

Val Little

Fritz

Katherine “Cutter” Sterns

Duncan P. Anderson

Roz

Yeti

Jeff Fungus

Banana Bread

Roger Rogers

Suzy “Sunny” Sunshine

Finding Nemo

Marlin

Dory

Nemo

Hank

Boundin’

Jackalope

Lamb

The Incredibles

Bob Parr

Helen Parr

Violet Parr

Dashiell Parr

Jack-Jack Parr

Lucius Best

Edna Mode (E)

Buddy Pine

Winston Deavor

Evelyn Deavor

Mirage

Rick Dicker

Voyd

One Man Band

Bass

Treble

Tippy

THX

Tex

Cars

Lightning McQueen

Tow Mater

Cruz Ramirez

Lifted

Stu

Mr. B

Ratatouille

Remy

Alfredo Linguini

Chef Skinner

Colette Tatou

Django

Emile

Anton Ego

Presto

Presto DiGiotagione

Alec Azam

WALL-E

WALL-E

EVE

Captain B. McCrea

John

Mary

M-O

GO-4

The Reject Robots

Hal the Cockroach

Partly Cloudy

Gus

Peck

Up

Carl Fredricksen

Russell

Dug

Charles Muntz

Alpha

Beta

Gamma

Kevin

Kevin’s Babies

Day & Night

Day

Night

La Luna

Bambino

Papà

Nonno

Brave

Merida

Elinor

Fergus

Hamish

Hupert

Harris

Fergus’ Dogs

Angus

The Witch

Maudie

Lord MacGuffin

Lord Macintosh

Lord Dingwall

Young MacGuffin

Young Macintosh

Wee Dingwall

The Witch’s Crow

Conan the Clan Dingwall Hunk

The Blue Umbrella

Blue

Red

Lava

Uku

Lele

Inside Out (Mindscape)

Joy

Sadness

Anger

Fear

Disgust

Anxiety

Envy

Ennui

Embarrassment

Nostalgia

Paula Persimmon

Xeni

Jean Dewberry

Janelle Johnson

Teen Riley

Rainbow Unicorn

Melatonin

Inside Out (Humans)

Riley Andersen

Jill Andersen

Bill Andersen

Grace Hsieh

Bree Young

Valentina Ortiz

Dani

Ally

Sofia

Nour

Coach Roberts

Sanjay’s Super Team

Sanjay

Sanjay’s Father

Hanuman

Durga

Vishnu

The Good Dinosaur

Arlo

Spot

Henry

Ida

Buck

Libby

Nash

Ramsey

Butch

Thunderclap

Downpour

Coldfront

Frostbite

Windgust

Bubbha

Lurleane

Pervis

Earl

Forrest Woodbush

Fury

Destructor

Dream Crusher

Debbie

Piper

Piper

Lou

Lou

J.J.

Coco (Land of the Living)

Miguel Rivera

Dante

Abuelita Elena Rivera

Enrique Rivera (Papá)

Luisa Rivera (Mamá)

Tío Berto Rivera

Tía Carmen Rivera

Tía Gloria Rivera

Abuelito Franco Rivera

Abel Rivera

Rosa Rivera

Socorro Rivera

Benny Rivera

Manny Rivera

Coco (Land of the Dead)

Papá Héctor Rivera

Ernesto de la Cruz

Mamá Imelda Rivera

Pepita

Mamá Coco Rivera

Papá Julio Rivera

Tía Rosita Rivera

Tía Victoria Rivera

Tío Óscar Rivera

Tío Felipe Rivera

Bao

Mom

Son

Dad

Cindy

Purl

Purl

Lacy

Office Bros.

Office Ladies

Kitbull

Kitbull

Dog

Smash and Grab

Smash

Grab

Float

Father

Son

Wind

Ellis

Ellis’ Grandma

Onward

Ian Lightfoot

Barley Lightfoot

Laurel Lightfoot

Corey

Colt Bronco

Blazey

Burrow

Rabbit

Badger Landlord

The Rabbit’s Neighbors

Soul (Living World)

Joe Gardener

Libba Gardener

Dez

Dorothea Williams

Curley Baker

Miho Akage

Connie

Melba

Lulu

Soul (The Great Before)

22

Moonwind

Terry

Counselor Jerry A

Counselor Jerry B

Loop

Renee

Marcus

Out

Greg

Jim

Manuel

Greg’s Parents

Gigi

Luca

Luca Paguro

Alberto Scorfano

Giulia Marcovaldo

Ercole Visconti

Massimo Marcovaldo

Daniela Paguro

Lorenzo Paguro

Grandma Libera Paguro

Ciccio

Guido

Machiavelli

Nona

Nona

Renee

Twenty-Something

Gia

Nicole

Turning Red

Meilin Lee

Ming Lee

Miriam Mendelsohn

Abby Park

Priya Mangal

Tyler Nguyen-Baker

Jin Lee

Grandma Wu Lee

Auntie Chen

Lily

Helen

Auntie Ping

Mr. Gao

4*Town

Lightyear

Izzy Hawthorne

Sox

Mo Morrison

Darby Steel

Commander Cal Burnside

Alisha Hawthorne

Kiko Hawthorne

Elemental

Ember Lumen

Wade Ripple

Bernie Lumen

Cinder Lumen

Gale Cumulus

Fern Grouchwood

Clod

Brook Ripple

Harold Ripple

Alan Ripple

Lake Ripple

Eddy Ripple

Marco Ripple

Polo Ripple

Ghibli

Self

Self

Win or Lose

Coach Dan

Softball Team

Frank

Lena

Elio

Elio Solis

Ambassador Questa

Ambassador Grigon

Olga Solis

Glordon

OOOOO

Ambassador Helix

Ambassador Tegman

Ambassador Turais

Hoppers

Mabel

King George

[adekalyn]

*Professor McGonagall storming into the boys room at 2 in the morning*

McGonagall: WHAT’S ALL THE RUCKUS?! YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE ASLEEP!

McGonagall: And what’s with all the feathers?! Are you tearing up your pillows?!

James: It was incredible, Professor! A herd of ducks flew in the window and molted! They left when they heard you coming! Honest!

*After Professor McGonagall leaves*

Remus: Nice alibi frizzletop! Detention for a week!

Sirius: You want another pillow across the kisser? I didn’t hear you offer any brainstorms!

[cris173]

Mentre facevano l'amore, lei glielo aveva bisbigliato, riassumendo i propri pensieri in un'unica frase: "Robert, sei così potente da farmi paura". Lui era fisicamente potente, ma usava la sua forza con cautela. E in ogni caso, c'era molto di più. Il sesso era solo un aspetto. Dal momento in cui l'aveva conosciuto, lei aveva vissuto nell'aspettativa - nella possibilità, perlomeno - di un'esperienza piacevole, che interrompesse finalmente una routine di ossessionante monotonia. Non aveva tenuto conto della sua stupefacente potenza. Era come se lui avesse preso possesso di lei, a tutti i livelli. Ed era una scoperta inquietante. Prima, neppure per un attimo aveva dubitato che una parte del suo essere avrebbe mantenuto il distacco da qualunque cosa lei e Robert Kinkaid potessero fare insieme, la parte che apparteneva alla sua famiglia e alla vita nella Madison County. Ma lui aveva spazzato via tutto. Avrebbe dovuto capirlo quando lo aveva visto scendere dal furgone per chiederle indicazioni. Le aveva ricordato uno sciamano, e quella prima impressione si era rivelata corretta. Facevano l'amore per un'ora, forse più, poi lui si staccava lentamente e guardandola accendeva una sigaretta per entrambi. A volte si accontentava di sdraiarsi al suo fianco, senza smettere mai di accarezzarla. Poi tornava ad affondare dentro di lei, sussurrandole parole dolci all'orecchio mentre la prendeva, baciandola tra una frase e l'altra, tra una parola e l'altra, le braccia intorno alla sua vita, attirandola a sé e sprofondando in lei. E allora lei cominciava a ripiegarsi su se stessa, a respirare più in fretta, e si lasciava trasportare là dove lui abitava, e abitava in luoghi strani, tormentati, molto addietro nelle ramificazioni della logica di Darwin. Con il viso sepolto contro la spalla di lui, le loro epidermidi a contatto, percepiva il profumo di fuochi di legna e di fiumi, sentiva i treni che lasciavano sferragliando stazioni invernali di molte notti addietro, vedeva viaggiatori ammantati di nero che avanzavano lungo fiumi gelati e pascoli estivi, diretti alla fine di tutte le cose. Il leopardo infuriava sopra di lei, ancora e ancora, come il vento incessante sulla prateria, e lei fremeva, travolta dal suo slancio, cavalcava quel vento come una vergine del tempio che avanza verso le fiamme miti e compiacenti che delimitano la dolce curva dell'oblio. E bisbigliava piano, senza fiato: "Oh, Robert... Robert... mi sto perdendo". Lei, che da anni non aveva più un orgasmo, ne ebbe una lunga serie con quella strana creatura che era per metà uomo e per metà qualcosa di completamente diverso. Si stupì di lui e della sua resistenza, ed egli le disse che poteva spingersi in quei luoghi lontani con il corpo come con la mente, e che gli orgasmi della mente avevano una loro qualità distintiva.

(Robert James Waller, "I ponti di Madison County")

[diceriadelluntore]

Storia Di Musica #344 - The Pogues, Poguetry In Motion, 1986

Nel 1976 la rivista Sounds (che era una delle tre meravigliose riviste musicali inglesi, con il Melody Maker e il New Musical Express, e dalle cui ceneri nascerà Kerrang!) onora il cantante della band di oggi con un titolo, Face Of The Year, a quel viso grottesco, sdentato, che nascondeva un genio tanto bizzarro quanto straordinario. Shane MacGowan è un irlandese nato nel Kent, nel 1957, ed è un giovane punk scorbutico e ribelle quando fonda, a 19 anni nel 1976, la sua prima band: i Nipple Erectors, con due suoi amici, Shane Bradley e Adrian Thrills (che guarda caso farà più tardi il giornalista per il NME). Visto il nome (e questa sua verve creativa lo avrà anche per il gruppo che lo farà diventare un personaggio), lo abbreviano in Nips, il trio incide un paio di singolo e un disco, Only At The End Of The Beginning (1980) che non si ricorda nessuno. La band si scioglie, ma lui è deciso a continuare. Abbandona la ferocia del rock punk e si dedica ad una riscoperta del folk, del rockabilly, del country, a cui però non disdegna di arricchire caustici testi. Nel 1983 forma una nuova band, che all'inizio suona in piccoli pub o come buskers band nelle strade principali. Dopo un po' di fiducia, decidono di provarci professionalmente: MacGowan alla voce, Jem Finer al banjo e altri strumenti a corda, Spider Stacey al tin whistle, il flauto irlandese, Andrew Ranken alla batteria e James Fearnley, polistrumentista. Per mantenere quella verve di cui sopra, chiama il gruppo in gaelico irlandese, Pogue Ma Hone, e con questo nome pubblicano un singolo nel 1984, The Dark Streets Of London / The Band Played Waltzing Mathilda, lanciato su scala nazionale. Ma lo scandalo avviene quando si scopre che quel nome vuol dire "Baciami Il Culo", tanto che si vira meno maliziosamente su The Pogues. Si aggiunge la bassista Rocky "Cait" O'Riordan, e con questa formazione pubblicano il primo disco, Red Roses For Me (1984), che è una versione graffiante e velenosa della musica popolare irlandese e scozzese. La critica più ortodossa ne è sconvolta (famoso il commento di un critico "sembrano un branco di ubriachi di un pub irlandese lasciati liberi in studio") ma quel suono grezzo, ma che ha radici antichi, la voce impastata e le immagini sognanti di MacGowan iniziano ad avere successo. Se ne accorge Elvis Costello, che chiamato prima come produttore per un singolo, si accorge che la band da il meglio di sè senza nessuna "sovraproduzione" e si convince a produrre il primo, storico album dei Pogues: il titolo Rum Sodomy & The Lesh (del 1985, frase che è attribuita a Winston Churchill in ricordo della sua esperienza nella Marina) fu scelto da Andrew Ranken "come il riassunto della nostra vita come band". In copertina La Zattera della Medusa di Theodore Géricault, con il fotomontaggio dei volti dei nostri sulla zattera. Il disco è un successo, il gruppo diventa un caso mediatico e la loro fama di personaggi bizzarri ai cui concerti può succedere di tutto inizia a spandersi ovunque. Costello è ancora con loro in Studio per un nuovo disco, e iniziano a scrivere molte cose. In queste sessioni nasce l'Ep di oggi, che doveva essere l'embrione del disco futuro ma successivi disguidi e screzi tra band e produttore lasciarono questi brani (e un altro, in seguito leggendario) pubblicati come EP.

Poguetry In Motion è un Ep di 4 brani, quattro gioielli Pogues che racchiudono la loro anima gioiosa e decadente, tra melanconia e sprazzi di euforia. London Girl è un rockabilly frizzante, ma sono gli altri tre brani davvero notevoli: Body Of An American è diventata famosa ultimamente per la presenza, quasi fissa, nella serie Tv The Wire della canzone durante i funerali dei poliziotti. Tra l'altro è storica una interpretazione di questo brano durante un Saturday Night Live del 1990, giorno di San Patrizio: MacGowan, visibilmente alticcio, con una sigaretta tra le labbra ne canta una versione strascicata e assurda. Planxty Noel Hill è "dedicata" al cantante di folk irlandese Noel Hill, che fu uno dei più critici contro il loro "celtic folk rock", definendolo una sorta di aborto della musica tradizionale. Ma la canzone più famosa, e in seguito loro classico, è Rainy Night In Soho: deliziosa, dolente e ideal-tipo delle loro future ballate dolorose, fu pubblicata in due versioni, una con un intermezzo di oboe e l'altra di tromba, più famosa.

In quelle sessioni con Costello, si registrò anche un altro brano, il più famoso dei Pogues: Fairytale Of New York fu registrata con O'Riodan come seconda voce, ma fu riscritta e re-registrata molte volte fino alla versione definitiva con Kirsty MacColl che appare nel loro disco successivo, If I Should Fall From Grace With God, che li consacra al successo internazionale. Un personaggio e una band che hanno lasciato un piccolo ma profondo segno, come dimostra il collettivo affetto che la morte precoce di MacGowan, nel Novembre del 2023, ha suscitato in tutto il mondo della musica.

[blacklotus-bloog]

- Il sorriso...

... comincia in molte parti del corpo. Le mie dita vi ascoltano, ascoltano la vostra pelle, i vostri muscoli talvolta anche i vostri pensieri.

- Ah sì?! E che cosa sto pensando ora?

- Non che cosa ma "Chi", Madame: state pensando ME.

.

.

.

JAMES CLAVELL - Gai-jin

[gregor-samsung]

" Un pensiero o idea di trasferimento [del popolo palestinese risale] ai primi tempi del movimento sionista, come mostrerebbe un'annotazione del diario di Theodor Herzl: «Dobbiamo espropriare con delicatezza. […] Cercheremo di indurre la popolazione in miseria ad attraversare il confine procurandole un'occupazione nei paesi di transito; negandogliela, però, nel nostro. […] Il processo di espropriazione e di sgombero dei poveri deve avvenire con discrezione e circospezione.»¹ A distanza di quarant'anni, Ben-Gurion ribadiva il concetto: «Il trasferimento di popolazione è già avvenuto nella valle di Jezreel, nella piana del Sharon e in altri luoghi. Siete a conoscenza del lavoro del Fondo nazionale ebraico in proposito. Ora occorre realizzare un trasferimento di ben altre dimensioni.»² Durante la guerra del 1948, Ben-Gurion mise in pratica le sue raccomandazioni. In una campagna nota come "Operazione Hiram" fu realizzato un trasferimento indiscriminato di popolazione dalla Galilea. Durante questa campagna, ha scritto Morris, le forze armate sioniste eseguirono "un numero insolitamente elevato di esecuzioni di popolazione civile contro muri o nei pressi di un pozzo con notevole metodicità". Molto scrupolosamente, Morris cita ventiquattro episodi di terrorismo o di massacro, di cui i più efferati ebbero luogo a Saliha (78 uccisi), Lod (250), Dawayima (centinaia) e, ovviamente, nel già citato villaggio di Deir Yassin. Alcuni di questi massacri furono probabilmente perpetrati per ragioni tattiche: a Dawayima, nei pressi di Hebron, per esempio, "una colonna entrò nel villaggio sparando all'impazzata e uccise qualsiasi cosa si muovesse". Altri massacri rispondevano, invece, all'intento strategico di terrorizzare la popolazione affinché fuggisse. Questi massacri non furono certo tenuti nascosti dalla popolazione palestinese. Dopotutto, come ebbe a dire una volta Lenin, l'intento del terrorismo è terrorizzare. (Morris, ricordiamo per inciso, ha giustificato i sionisti richiamandosi alla logica del ben noto aforisma di Lenin: "Per fare la frittata occorre rompere le uova").

Secondo un testimone oculare di Deir Yassin: «Deir Yassin era un villaggio che fu attaccato dagli israeliani, o dai sionisti, il 9 aprile 1948. […] Incontrerà delle persone che le diranno: "Questo è quello che successe a Deir Yassin", perché loro erano là. Ho incontrato una donna che mi ha detto che le portarono suo figlio e le dissero di prenderlo in grembo e poi lo uccisero. Usavano coltelli, baionette. Un macello; non un combattimento. Non c'era nessuno da combattere. Erano prevalentemente donne e bambini. Molte, moltissime persone furono massacrate in quel villaggio. Questo massacro terrorizzò l'intera Palestina. Tutti parlavano del massacro di Deir Yassin.» Complessivamente, furono cancellati oltre cinquecento villaggi palestinesi. La maggior parte dei palestinesi che fuggì fini in Cisgiordania, nella striscia di Gaza, nei paesi arabi limitrofi. Quelli con un certo grado di istruzione, con specializzazioni o disponibilità economica cercarono di rifarsi una vita meglio che poterono, talvolta in luoghi lontani come il Golfo persico, l'Europa, le Americhe. Quelli che non furono altrettanto fortunati finirono nei campi profughi, organizzati, inizialmente, dallo United Nations Releif for Palestine (Unrp). "

¹ B. MORRIS, Revisiting the Palestinian Exodus of 1948, in E. L. ROGAN e A. SHLAIM (a cura di), The War of Palestine, Rewriting the History of 1948, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2001, p. 41 [trad. it. La guerra per la Palestina: riscrivere la storia del 1948, Il Ponte, Bologna, 2004]. ² Ibidem, p. 43.

---------

James L. Gelvin, Il conflitto israelo-palestinese. Cent'anni di guerra, traduzione di Piero Arlorio, Einaudi (collana Piccola Biblioteca Einaudi n° 357), 2007¹; pp. 179-181.

[Edizione originale: The Israel-Palestine Conflict, Cambridge University Press, 2005]

[solosepensi]

“Molte persone credono di pensare, ma in realtà stanno solo riorganizzando i loro pregiudizi.”

William James

[sea-squeaker]

Okay so, instead of practicing German like I should be(I like to test duo's patience) I'm gonna rant about Luke and my hcs for him. Trust me I have tons.

Okay so first of all, for looks I have this card edit I did!!

Asmo did his nails for him, he likes to collect cute hair clips. Much like how he collects cute bandaids ingame:D

How I think his outfit works!! Okay so we all know he has wings and that once got me thinking on how exactly his outfit works with his wings. I'm not happy with just saying "it's magic ig" bcs I need a plausible answer or I'll go insane. Okay anyways, his shirt situation comes in two layers, the shirt part then the cape shoulder thing he's got going on. The shirt has a backless panel to it and is more like a sweater than a shirt, it buttons up in the back so he's able to put it on with his wings out. The shoulder thingy with the tassels is all together, minus the neck tie thing tho. I'll just leave the rest of the explaining to the diagram I tried to sketch up, I really hope it explains things well enough!!

So adding onto this ramble a lil bit, trust me it relates to Luke completely. I think the angels are like birds and do act a bit bird like. Luke has the wings of an albino barbary dove (basically just a white dove). However, due to him being a child, he's got the wings of a baby bird, so he's a lil angel nestling and I just think that's precious. Another thing on just angels, I believe that they do molt and their wings require preening by hand. Usually, juvenile angels are assisted with this by their gaurdians. So this means Simeon does help out Luke with his preening. This also means alot of cleaning around purgatory hall during molting, tons and tons of feathers!! (Luke's feathers are soft and fluffy, Simeon's feathers are longer and course) I also believe Simeon to have the wings of a mourning dove.

So for Luke's music taste, I think part of it is influenced by Simeon, the other part by Levi. Allow me to explain the Levi part. Levi introduced Luke to WonderlandxShowtimes and he most certainly got hooked. His favorite WxS songs are Becoming Potatoes and Miracle Painting, he also enjoys other energeticsongs like that. I think Simeon would like more peaceful and warm songs. Specifically the song, Welcome Home, Son by Radical Face. So yeah Luke likes those types of songs aswell. One more thing he enjoys listening to is the James and the Giant Peach musical:]

Things that Luke would watch!! I think they consist of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Bluey, Gravity Falls, and stuff like that!

Luke has a hard time sleeping without something to snuggle, he has a shiba inu plush that he sleeps with.

Luke really loves sea creatures!! I base this off of him wanting to visit the aquarium in his bday event. For his bday, Solomon got him a big encyclopedia on sea creatures and he was jumping with joy. He proceeded to not read a single other thing until he finished the sea creature book. His favorite sea creatures are blacktip reef sharks, moon jellyfish, sea angels, sea squirts, and sea bunnies:D

When Luke is very happy, he can often be seen jumping up and down, flapping his hands, bouncing on his toes, kicking his feet, etc. He is quite anxious when he can't find Simeon or is waiting for him to come back. He's like a dog waiting for his owner to come back from the grocery store in a way.

Thank you very much for reading these!! Have a Luke doodle:D

[ask-ttte-dragons]

Hey James, do you molt your feathers? And if you do, do you do anything with the shed feathers?

James: Molt? You mean when your feathers fall out and your skin gets itchy? Such an un-splendid condition happening to me??? ... Well, yeah I suppose so. But I don't let anyone see me! I wouldn't be caught dead with bald spots! And, no. I don't use the feathers for anything. It's not like I can stick them back in anyways, so why bother keeping them?

Bill: *mischievous grin* We use them for something.

James: What?! SINCE WHEN?! How have you been getting hold of my shed feathers?! *Realization hits* What are using them for?

Ben: *laughs* You'll see!

*the twins scamper off, leaving a confused and horrified James*

James: EDWARD!!! THE TWINS SAID THEY HAVE MY FEATHERS?! WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT MEAN?! WHAT ARE THEY DOING WHAT THEM?! EDWARD?!?!

[weirdesplinder]

Ricordiamo Richard Chamberlain e i ruoli letterari che ha interpretato nella sua carriera di attore 

-I tre moschettieri, di Alexandre Dumas

Link al libro: https://amzn.to/3tn6wYR

Link al film I tre moschettieri: https://amzn.to/4jjhjs5

Link al film MIlady: https://amzn.to/3EbSD5B

Trama: Il giovane d'Artagnan va a Parigi in cerca di fortuna. Divenuto amico dei moschettieri Porthos, Athos e Aramis, entra con loro al servizio del re. I quattro devono combattere le trame del cardinale Richelieu e della perfida Milady de Winter. Salveranno l'onore della regina che imprudentemente aveva regalato al duca di Buckingham, come pegno d'amore, una collana di diamanti avuta in dono dal marito Luigi XIII. Giustizieranno Milady, che aveva fatto uccidere il duca e una cameriera amata da d'Artagnan. Questi, riconciliatosi col cardinale, verrà promosso luogotenente, Athos si ritirerà in campagna, Porthos si sposerà e Aramis si farà abate.

-Vent'anni dopo, di Alexandre Dumas

Link al libro: https://amzn.to/3YaP5au

Link al film Il ritorno dei tre Moschettieri:https://www.vecchio-cinema.it/il-ritorno-dei-tre-moschettieri-dvd-1989-myork.html

Trama: Il romanzo ricomincia vent'anni dopo le vicende raccontate ne I tre moschettieri. Il cardinale Richelieu è morto nel 1642 ed è stato sostituito dal cardinale italiano Giulio Mazarino, “odiato” da gran parte del popolo; era morto anche il re Luigi XIII, lasciando Luigi XIV, il Re Sole, ancora bambino, che regnava sotto la reggenza della madre Anna d'Austria. A Parigi, inoltre, dopo un aumento delle tasse da parte di Mazarino scoppia la Fronda, che porta scompiglio nella città e preoccupa il cardinale. D'Artagnan ha ormai quarant'anni, è tenente nei moschettieri del re, non vede i suoi amici da molto tempo e si mette sulle loro tracce. Per primo, ritrova Aramis, o meglio cavaliere d'Herblay, fattosi abate, che non nasconde di appoggiare la Fronda. Poi D'Artagnan va da Porthos, che ha acquistato molte proprietà ed è divenuto il signor du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds, con lui c'è anche Mousqueton.

-Il visconte di Bragelonne, di Alexandre Dumas

Link al libro: https://amzn.to/3G1NiOM

Link al film L'uomo dalla maschera di ferro: https://amzn.to/4j7t0BS

Trama: l visconte di Bragelonne è il terzo e ultimo romanzo del ciclo dei moschettieri. Tra l'epopea e il romanzo picaresco, il dramma e la commedia di costume, si svolge nella Francia 'radiosa' di Luigi XIV. I quattro moschettieri - d'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos e Aramis - ormai avanti negli anni, si ritrovano su sponde diverse, ma il saldo vincolo dell'amicizia non viene meno anche nei momenti di più forte intensità drammatica. Sullo sfondo, intrecciati con le loro vicende, si sviluppano avvenimenti importanti per la storia europea, a cominciare dal perfezionamento dello Stato assoluto in Francia e la restaurazione monarchica in Inghilterra, mentre fioriscono le avventure galanti nella corte francese. È famoso l'episodio della Maschera di Ferro, che si svolge lungo diversi capitoli dell'opera e di cui sono state fatte numerose versioni cinematografiche.

-Il Conte di Montecristo, di Alexandre Dumas

Link al libro: https://amzn.to/3QZaeAJ

Link al film: https://amzn.to/43vH2J2

Trama: Nel febbraio del 1815, a Marsiglia, il marinaio Edmond Dantès viene falsamente accusato di bonapartismo e arrestato nel giorno delle nozze, alle soglie di una brillante carriera navale. Durante la prigionia nel castello d'If, uno scoglio in mezzo al mare, affina un odio feroce per gli autori della sua rovina e, quando l'amicizia con un altro prigioniero gli procura l'evasione nonché un favoloso tesoro, ne farà lo strumento di una vendetta grandiosa e spietata.

-Shogun, di James Clavell

Link al libro: https://amzn.to/4axOkMs

Link alla serie anni '80: https://amzn.to/4jyubL5

Link al mio video dedicato alla serie tv anni 80': https://weirdesplinder.tumblr.com/post/752372135608107008/vi-parlo-del-romanzo-shogun-di-james-clavell-e

Link al post dove approfondisco il ciclo letterario di cui fa parte questo romanzo: https://weirdesplinder.tumblr.com/post/752372082984222720/il-ciclo-asiatico-di-james-clavell

La serie tv del 2024 è su Disney +

Trama: 1600. Partito alla volta dell'Oriente per il monopolio olandese del commercio con Cina e Giappone, John Blackthorne, comandante dell'Erasmus, si ritrova costretto da una tremenda tempesta al naufragio in un villaggio di pescatori nel Giappone feudale del XV secolo. In quel mondo sconosciuto e lontano, Blackthorne deve trovare il modo di sopravvivere. Grazie al suo coraggio, che lo condurrà sulla via dei samurai, con il soprannome di Anjin (il navigatore) diventerà il fido aiutante dello Shōgun e nella sua ascesa al potere conoscerà l'amore impossibile per la bella e ambigua Mariko.

-Le miniere di re Salomone, di Henry Rider Haggar

Link al libro: https://amzn.to/3XD2AQa

Link al film Disponibile su Prime video:

Trama: Quando Allan Quatermain, famoso cacciatore di elefanti nel Sud Africa coloniale, viene avvicinato da Sir Henry Curtis perché lo aiuti a trovare il suo fratello minore scomparso, Allan è titubante, perché sa che Curtis intende avventurarsi alla ricerca delle "Miniere di Salomone", dove in molti hanno perso la vita. Quatermain alla fine accetta, e seguendo una mappa vecchia di trecento anni si ritrova in una terra sconosciuta, abitata dal popolo di guerrieri Kukuana, guidati dal sanguinario re Twala...

-Uccelli di rovo di Colleen McCullough

Link al libro: https://amzn.to/42o3GC1

Link alla serie tv: https://amzn.to/42bUdwf

Link al video dove vi parlo del libro: Libri vintage che spopolavano negli anni 70’ e 80’: https://youtu.be/ZcAkSsIuCVo?si=4adwLuxEIuhxsIto

Link al  secondo post dove vi parlo del libro: Romance con protagonisti non proprio simpatici o proprio cattivi: https://youtu.be/_ytDrPfCbRY?si=ra53vj4iI0ON2OQc

Trama: La storia dei Cleary inizia ai primi del ‘900 e si conclude ai giorni nostri, nel grandioso scenario naturale dell'Australia. Gli anni consumano le vite in una vicenda di sentimenti e passioni, di fede e amore, sulla quale si stende grave e inesorabile il senso della giustizia divina. I personaggi - soprattutto memorabili figure femminili, tenere e orgogliose - vanno incontro al destino come gli uccelli di rovo della leggenda australiana, che cercano le spine con cui si danno la morte.

-Ritratto di signora, di Henry James

Link al libro: https://amzn.to/4hRrenl

Link al film: https://amzn.to/42qdOKx

Trama: Un romanzo psicologico che porta il lettore nella sofisticata e pericolosa alta società dell’Europa dell’Ottocento attraverso le vicende di Isabel Archer. La vita della protagonista, giovane e ricca donna americana, rischia di perdersi dentro un fitto intrico di relazioni umane e amorose. Dopo aver rifiutato la corte di uomini affascinanti, il suo viaggio passa dall’Inghilterra all’Italia, dove s’illude di aver trovato l’amore e un matrimonio felice.

-Il padiglione sulle dune, di Robert Louis Stevenson

Link al libro:  https://amzn.to/427pXCS

Link al film: https://www.ebay.it/itm/145396218517

Trama: Cassilis e Northmour si trovano a difendere loro malgrado il padre della ragazza che entrambi amano, il disonesto banchiere Bernard Huddlestone, in fuga con i soldi sottratti ai carbonari italiani. E così, mentre quel remoto angolo della Scozia in cui si compie la vicenda va man mano infittendosi delle apparizioni sinistre e minacciose degli italiani in cerca di vendetta, il racconto di Stevenson diviene sempre più un bellissimo apologo sul coraggio e sulla viltà, sulla sete di ricchezza e sul bisogno di amore. E proprio quest’ultimo sarà all’origine del riscatto finale di tutte le vite in gioco.

-Lo sciame, di Arthur Herzog

Link al libro: https://amzn.to/3Y6Lc6A

Link al film: https://amzn.to/4cbFAxD

Trama: FAMIGLIA ATTACCATA DALLE API: DUE UCCISI MARYVILLE, N.Y. 26 settembre (AP) — Una famiglia di cinque persone in gita in un luogo isolato vicino a un ruscello è stata attaccata dalle api. Il signor e la signora William Peterson sono morti a causa delle punture di api. Anche i loro tre figli sono stati attaccati, uno, Karen, di 12 anni, in modo grave. Il medico legale locale, il dottor David P. Znac, ha ipotizzato che entrambi gli adulti fossero allergici alle punture di api, che possono essere fatali.  Questo notizia passa quasi in sordina solo su quotidiani locali, ma poi gli strani attacchi di una nuova e feroce specie di calabroni iniziano a diffondersi in tutti gli Stati Uniti a macchia d'olio e a sembrare addiruttura frutto di pianificazione. Spetterà a un gruppo di scienziati attingere alle proprie conoscenze per combattere un nemico che comprendono solo in parte in una disperata corsa contro il tempo.

[abatelunare]

Twins

James e John sono fratelli. Anzi, gemelli. James è un ispettore capo di polizia. John crea rompicapi enigmistici sotto lo pseudonimo di Ludwig. James scompare misteriosamente. Sua moglie convince John a indagare sulla sparizione del marito, spingendolo a farsi passare per lui. In estrema sintesi, questo è il sugo narrativo della serie poliziesca Ludwig. Mi sono piaciute molte cose. La costruzione dei personaggi. La recitazione degli interpreti. La risoluzione dei vari casi. Una cosa sola mi ha lasciato l'amaro in bocca. La spiegazione del perché James sia scomparso. L'ho trovata di una banalità sconcertante. Ma come: tutte quelle aspettative, e poi… Una seconda stagione è inevitabile, giacché ci sono alcuni nodi da sciogliere. Spero solo lo facciano in maniera meno banale.

[uncharismatic-fauna]

A Day Out with Mayflies

requested by @selkiegemm

Mayflies are a globally distributed order of insects consisting of over 2,100 species. They can be found in nearly any environment, provided there is a source of clean freshwater; the only places that lack any species of mayfly are the Arctic and Antarctic. The name of the mayfly order, Ephemeroptera, comes from a Greek word that means 'living for a day', which is appropriate given the group's famous lifespan.

All mayfly species begin their lives as nymphs, which hatch from eggs laid in fresh, usually slow moving water. These nymphs, also known as niads, are completely aquatic. Some species swim freely in the water; these species often lack gills and absorb oxygen directly through their exoskeleton. Other species do have frill-like gills, and burrow under rocks and logs, or directly into the mud. Most nymphs feed on detritus, algae, and vegetation, but a few are carnivorous and will hunt the larvae of other insects. Mayfly niads are also important sources of food for many other insects, fish, and amphibians.

The time a mayfly spends as a nymph largely depends on the species; some remain this way for only a few weeks, while others will live for up to three years as niads. When the time has come to grow up, the nymph will molt into the first of their two adult forms: the subimago. This form has a pair of wings, though they are rudimentary. At this stage, the gut also empties itself of organs and instead fills with air to bring the mayfly to the water's surface. They can fly as subimagos, albeit not very well; once they've fully molted, the new adult mayfly will leave the water to find a safe place for one last transformation. This is particularly tricky, as subimagos are a favorite food for many fish, amphibians, birds, and reptiles.

About 24 to 48 hours after emerging as a subimago, mayflies moult into their final form, the imago. This stage has much larger wings, which adults immedietly use to find a mate. Males swarm over open water in mating dances. When a male finds a female, he flies beneath her and clasps her abdomen to inseminate her. Afterwards, she lays between 400 and 3000 eggs in the nearest source of freshwater. The imago stage is the shortest of a mayfly's life; most live only a few days, assuming they are not caught by predators. The females of one species, Dolania americana, only live for five minutes after emerging from the subimago stage.

While there is a wide variation in the appearance of Ephemeroptera species, the general body structure is largely consistent. Nymphs are generally elongated, with compound eyes and an abdomen consisting of 10 segments. The imago adult stage has clear wings, short antennae, and distinct sensory organs known as cerci, which often resembles a pair of antennae emerging from the abdomen. Like antennae, these cerci are used to as sensory organs, as well as a defense mechanism in some species.

Conservation status: There is only one species of mayfly listed as Endangered by the IUCN: the large blue lake mayfly (Tasmanophlebi lacuscoerulei). This species is threatened by habitat loss; however many species of mayfly are sensitive to pollution, to the point where their presence can act as indicators of ecosystem health.

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Photos

Giant burrowing mayfly (Hexagenia limbata) by Miles Zhang

Mayfly larvae (Ameletopsis perscitus) by Jon Sullivan

Green drake mayfly (Ephemera danica) by James Owen

Drake Mackerel (Ephemera vulgata) by Felix Reigel via iNaturalist