#Jordan Independence Day May 25

[suetravelblog]

Jordan Independence Day Amman

Jordanian Flag Independence Day – Edarabia May 25 is Jordan Independence Day, and the “most important event in the history of the country, marking its independence from the British government in 1946”. The 2023 celebration signifies 75 years since Jordan “officially gained full autonomy in 1948“. King Abdullah I bin Al-Hussein “Jordan’s independence took place during the reign of King Abdullah I…

[rabbitcruiser]

The parliament of  Transjordan made Abdullah I of Jordan their Emir on May 25, 1946.

Jordan’s Independence Day 

Jordan’s Independence Day is celebrated on May 25 every year, and is the most important event in the history of Jordan, as it commemorates its independence from the British government. After World War I, the Hashemite Army of the Great Arab Revolt took over the area which is now Jordan. The Hashemites launched the revolt, led by Sharif Hussein, against the Ottoman Empire. The Allied forces, comprising Britain and France supported the Great Arab Revolt. Emir Abdullāh was the one who negotiated Jordan’s independence from the British. Though a treaty was signed on March 22, 1946, it was two years later when Jordan became fully independent. In March 1948, Jordan signed a new treaty in which all restrictions on sovereignty were removed to guarantee Jordan’s independence. Jordan joined and became a full member of the United Nations and the Arab League in December 1955.

History of Jordan Independence Day

The first appearance of fortified towns and urban centers in the land now known as Jordan was early in the Bronze Age (3600 to 1200 B.C.). Wadi Feynan then became a regional center for copper extraction with copper at the time, being largely exploited to facilitate the production of bronze. Trading, migration, and settlement of people in the Middle East peaked, thereby advancing and refining more and more civilizations. With time, villages in Transjordan began to expand rapidly in areas where water resources and agricultural land abound. Ancient Egyptians then later expanded towards the Levant and would eventually control both banks of the Jordan River.

There was a period of about 400 years during which Jordan was under the rule and influence of the Ottoman Empire, and the period was characterized by stagnation and retrogression to the detriment of the Jordanian people. The reign of the Ottoman Empire over Jordan would eventually cease when Sharif Hussein led the Hashemite Army in the Great Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, with the Allies of World War I supporting them. In September 1922, the Council of the League of Nations recognized Transjordan as a state under the terms of the Transjordan memorandum. Transjordan remained under British mandate until 1946, when a treaty was signed, with eventual sovereignty being granted upon signing a subsequent treaty in 1948.

The Hashemites’ assumption of power in the Jordan region came with numerous challenges. In 1921 and 1923, there were some rebellions in Kura which were suppressed by the Emir’s forces, with British support. Jordan is generally a peaceful region today, and it has become quite a tourist destination in recent times.

Jordan Independence Day timeline

3600 B.C. Earliest Known Jordanian Civilizations

Fortified towns and urban centers begin to spring up in the area now known as Jordan.

1922 Jordan is Recognized as a State

In 1922, the Council of the League of Nations recognizes Jordan as a state under the Transjordan memorandum.

1946 First Independence Treaty is Signed

In 1946, Emir Abdullāh negotiates the first independence treaty with Britain which would later lead to Jordan's ultimate independence in 1948.

1955 Jordan Joins the United Nations

Jordan becomes a member of the United Nations and the Arab League in 1955.

Jordan Independence Day FAQs

What day is Jordan’s Independence Day?

Jordan’s Independence Day is May 25, every year. It marks the anniversary of the treaty that gave Jordan her sovereignty.

When did Jordan become independent?

On May 25, 1948, Jordan officially became an independent state.

Who is Jordan’s current leader?

The current ruler Of Jordan is the monarch, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, King of Jordan.

How to Observe Jordan Independence Day

Light up some fireworks

Prepare some mansaf

Share on social media

One of the hallmark celebrations of any independence day is the show of fireworks. Be sure to be a part of the beauty!

As you probably already knew, Mansaf is Jordan’s national dish. As such, preparing it on such a special day as Independence Day is a brilliant idea.

Take pictures and videos of you in your dishdasha celebrating Independence Day. Share them on your social media!

5 Interesting Facts About Jordan

Home to the Dead Sea

A nexus between Africa, Europe, and Asia

Over 100,000 archeological sites

The world’s oldest dam

Jesus was baptized in Jordan

The Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on Earth, is located in Jordan.

Jordan is a pivotal point connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Jordan has over 100,000 archeological and tourist sites.

Jordan is home to the world’s oldest dam, the Jawa Dam.

Jesus, who is the symbolic character of the Christian faith, was baptized in the Jordan River before beginning his ministry.

Why Jordan Independence Day is Important

Jordan is peaceful and liberal

The weather in Jordan is nice

Jordan is a tourist’s dream

Though a generally conservative country, Jordan is relatively liberal. The country is peaceful and tolerant of foreign cultures.

Jordan is a warm region. The weather is usually warm and pleasant at all times of the year.

Jordan has everything a tourist could dream of. Beautiful sights, calm weather, a welcoming culture, and amazing people make it a fantastic place for tourists.

Source

[jordanianroyals]

King Abdullah II, Queen Rania & Prince Hashem of Jordan during the celebration of the 78th Anniversary of Jordan’s Independence Day in Amman, 25 May 2024

[jordanianprincesses]

Princess Iman during the 76th Anniversary of Jordan's independence day on 25 May 2022.

[warningsine]

After the four-day, 27-state democratic marathon that is the European parliamentary election, a picture has emerged of a fragile centre just holding amid a shift to the right that carries a significant potential to shape the near future of the EU, despite having fallen short of producing the earthquake some predicted.

The big shock came in France, with President Emmanuele Macron’s defeat at that hands of the RN (Rassemblement National – National Rally) party prompting him to call snap national parliamentary elections. France needed not only “a clear majority” argued Macron, but citizens capable of “choosing to write history, not be driven by it”.

French Fissures

After some early relief among centrists over Dutch and German projected returns, the French figures provided a swift jolt, with the RN (led by Marine Le Pen’s protege Jordan Bardella) producing its highest ever nationals levels, decimating Macron’s own “Renew Europe” coalition led by Valérie Hayer into the “second-lowest EU election finish ever for a party in French government”.

Across the EU though, the picture is more nuanced. Despite predictions that the European Parliament would garner more members than ever before from the populist and extreme right, the EPP representing mainstream conservative views in Europe has increased its overall size in this election, having retained the centre ground, in its role as “the chamber’s historically dominant force”, on track to gain roughly 25% of the parliament itself with 184 MEPs.

The centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group also retained its previous toehold. Having reconsolidated its power base, the EPP will retain clear responsibilities regarding EU policy, including industrial, agricultural and climate policies now deeply contentious with EU citizens. To do so, the EPP now needs to identify its preferred leadership in the next stage of EU institution elections, including to the European Commission.

Still a good night for the far right

While the EPP and S&D have retained the centre ground, far right parties still did remarkably well. They represent a range of views, and it was already impossible for them to band into a single electoral group, due to intractable splits on everything from Russia to European defence.

In France, the Len Pen/Bardella RN walked off with a stunning third of votes, while in Italy a quarter of voters backing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy. Totalling up the remaining far right votes across the EU illustrates that two key parliamentary groups on the hard right (ECR), and far right (ID) will between them control 131 seats. Alongside, there are 34 additional hard right independents drawn from Germany’s AfD, Viktor Orbán’s Hungarian Fidesz party, and those from Poland and Bulgaria.

There may be just enough in common among some of those to pull together nationalist, anti immigration blocs in the European parliament, setting them up as 2024’s biggest winners, eminently capable of shifting EU strategic policies to the right including on immigration, trade, agriculture and climate change.

The numbers suggest that a single far right group would be the EP’s second largest party after the EPP. Coalition-building is tricky particularly amongst far right groups, but the numbers certainly count for something; “its sheer size will nonetheless put rightward pressure on EU policy,” reported specialist site Politico Europe.

Even if not formally consolidated, a conglomerate of far right voices will concern the EPP and & S&D groups. At this point, far right successes have three significant consequences. First: they confirm the anticipated tilt to the right of the parliament itself; second they may further entrench far-right preferences in a sizeable minority of EU member states; third, within the parliament – and across the EU – they send an signal to international partners, including the US, that the EU may abruptly change tack in terms of policy, and preferred partners.

Green Means Go(ne)?

In the Netherlands, despite heavy predictions that Geert Wilders’ far right Freedom party (PVV) party would triumph in the parliamentary election, the Dutch Labour/Green alliance tied with them, with seven seats apiece. For the Labour/Green alliance leader and former EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans, the outcome is something of a Pyrrhic victory. While no clear reprieve is in sight for the Netherlands itself in the face of recent slides to the right, the Dutch Labour/Green alliance has held together sufficiently to return an even number of seats to the EP, and in symbolic terms. It gives them, said Timmermans, much-needed “strength to keep fighting for a social and green Europe” at the EU level.

Green triumphs elsewhere were harded to find. German results for example put them fourth, a drop of 8.5% from 2019. In France, the Greens returned roughly 5%, the minimum electable threshold for MEPs. Absent the backing of French and German Greens and despite small increases in the Netherlands and Denmark, Europe’s Greens will now slip from fourth to sixth in the parliament, making them far less of a policy leader than previously, despite the extreme climate crisis facing Europe.

Does the European Parliament = the EU?

For many, the parliamentary election outcome is totemic of where the EU as a whole is headed: these results serve as a barometer of where national politics is headed in some of Europe’s most crucial capitals. In 2019, the EP returned a “green wave” of MEPs which catalysed a slew of ensuing green actions on climate change and green deals aimed at restructuring the EU from top to bottom in climate-friendly terms. Despite the ideological differences between conservative, populist, groups on the one side and the far and hard right on the other, the critical mass of avowedly Eurosceptic groups represents a categoric desire to remake key parts of the EU’s legislature, possibly decoupling the EU project itself from its post-war foundations.

For others, the parliament is not a microcosm of the EU. Not only will the series of right-leaning parties struggle to produce a super-group of any coherence within the party-specific complexities of the EP, the EU is a leadership-based entity, its key policies steered by big chiefs leading the European Commission, the European Council, the foreign policy chief, and to a far lesser extent, the parliament itself. The composition of the parliament, they will contend, has less to do with the strategic direction the EU will take post-election, and indicates instead preferences which are far more salient at national level, rather than continental.

Weeks of coalition talks

With weeks of coalition building on the cards for core parties and individual MEPs, at least five big-ticket items remain for the parliament, and indeed the EU as a whole, beginning with the package of executive elections to EU institutions. Most important is the two-stage process by which Ursula von der Leyen needs first to be backed by the EU Council (heads of state) for a second term as President of the Commission, and whether she now has the 361 votes needed in the 720-seat parliament (she won by only nine in 2019).

After that, with new teams in place, the to-do list will include the war in the Ukraine and European security, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and ongoing cost of living squeezes, which currently comprises a lethal cocktail of “high consumer prices, loss of purchasing power, rising social inequalities and stagnant economic growth”, as well as migration and asylum issues, and retooling climate change obligations. Set against the outcomes of the UK and indeed US elections later in the year, the EU’s inbox – and the EP as watchdog for both the EU budget and key policies – is still at the mercy of the “polycrisis” phenomenon: a mix of volatile and protracted emergencies without real resolution.

[brookston]

Holidays 5.25

Holidays

Africa Day

African Freedom Day (Zambia)

African Languages Day

African Liberation Day (Rastafari)

Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day

Bojangles Day

Chuquisaca (Bolivia)

Common Arens

Cookie Monster Day

Day of Youth (Yugoslavia)

EMS Save-A-Life Day

Flitting Day (Scotland)

Geek Pride Day

George Floyd Remembrance Day

Global Change Leadership Day

GDPR Day (a.k.a. General Data Protection Regulation Day; EU)

Global Planking Day

Global Surgery Day

The Glorious 25 Day (a.k.a. Glorious Revolution, Glorious 25th of May; Discworld)

Grand Prix de Monaco begins (Monaco)

Gypsy Day

Heroes’ Day (Lesotho)

Integrity Day (Scientology)

International Heritage Breeds Day

International Missing Children’s Day (UN)

International Planking Day

International Plastic Free Day

International Skin Pigmentation Day

Julia Pierpont Day (West Virginia)

Kids Ocean Day (California)

Languedoc Day

Last Bell (Russia, post-Soviet countries) [5/25 or Friday before, if falls on a weekend]

Lemon Balm Day (French Republic)

Liberation Day (Lebanon)

Local Radio Day (UK)

Maddie May Day

May Revolution Day (Argentina)

National Adoption Day (Brazil)

National Ahmad “Captain Poodaman” Butler Day

National Bath Bomb Day

National Cody Day

National Don't Utter a Word Day

National Enzo Day

National George Day

National Hometown Area Local Day

National Missing Children's Day (US)

National Sing Out Day

National Stop the Bleed Day

National Tap Dance Day

National VTuber Day

Peruvian Clown Day (Peru)

Poetry Day (Florida)

Ramsey Lewis Day

Saint Cool Day

Self-Reliance Day

Senior Health & Fitness Day

South Liberation Day (Lebanon)

Star Wars Day

Stinky Pee Day

Tap Dance Day

Towel Day (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)

World Fish Migration Day

World Tarot Day

World Thyroid Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Brown Bag It Day [also Last Wednesday]

National Italian Beer Day

National Wine Day (US)

Independence & Related Days

Empire of New Prussia (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

First Government Day (Argentina; Sudan)

Jordan (from UK, 1946)

Kingdom of Africa (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Kingdom of Sycamore (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Lunataria (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Neo-Dumnonii Kingdom (Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

Pilatia (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

4th & Last Saturday in May

Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day [9 Days before 1st Monday in June]

Defeat Depression Day (Canada) [Last Saturday]

Dillo Day [Last Saturday; Northwestern University]

Drone Day [Last Saturday]

Elmer Day (UK) [Last Saturday]

International Blacksmith’s Day [4th Saturday]

International Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Day [Last Saturday]

International Jazz Day [Saturday before Memorial Day/9 Days before 1st Monday in June]

Julia Pierpont Day (West Virginia) [Saturday before Memorial Day]

National Learn to Swim Day [Saturday before Memorial Day]

Pride in Armed Forces Day (UK) [4th Saturday]

World Enneagram Day [Last Saturday]

Weekly Holidays beginning May 25 (3rd Full Week)

Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Governing Territories (thru 5.31)

Festivals Beginning May 25, 2024

Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic (Decatur, Alabama) [thru 5.26]

Atlanta Caribbean Carnival (Atlanta, Georgia)

Bavarianfest (Helen, Georgia)

BBQ, Blues & Brews on the Bay (North Bend, Oregon) [thru 5.26]

Brew at the Zoo (Baltimore, Maryland) [thru 5.26]

Caribbean Festival (Mt. Airy, Maryland) [thru 5.26]

Carnaval San Francisco (San Francisco, California)

Chuck Wagon Festival (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) [thru 5.26]

The Creekside Beer Festival (Boulder, Colorado) [thru 5.26]

FlavorFest at Mount Hope (Mount Hope, Pennsylvania (thru 5.26]

Great Alaska Craft Beer & Homebrew Festival (Haines, Alaska)

Happy Valley Strawberry Festival (Anderson, California) [thru 5.26]

Hood Canal Fjord Fest (Brinnon, Washington) [thru 5.26]

Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival (Milton, Delaware)

Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival (Monmouth Park, Oceanport, New Jersey) [thru 5.27]

Koroneburg Old World Renaissance Festival (Corona, California) [6.23]

New Mexico Wine Fest: Las Cruces (Las Cruces, New Mexico) [thru 5.27]

Rib King NYC (Brooklyn, New York)

Roaring Camp Cook-Off (Felton, California) [thru 5.26]

Rockport Wine Festival (Rockport, Texas)

Rotary Art, Wine & Wheels (Mariposa, California)

Star Valley Strawberry Festival (Borden, Indiana)

Strawberry Festival (Beaver Dam, Kentucky) [thru 5.27]

Taste of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio) [thru 5.27]

Wine, Beer & Spirits Fest (Sierra Vista, Arizona) [5.26

Feast Days

Aldhelm (Christian; Saint)

St. Ambrose (Positivist; Saint)

Apollo Day (Everyday Wicca)

Barry Windsor-Smith (Artology)

Bede the Venerable (Christian; Saint)

Boniface IV, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Canius (Christian; Saint)

The Cat (Muppetism)

Celebration of the Tao (The Mother of the World; Taoism)

Cookie Monster (Muppetism)

Dionysius of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Dumhade, Abbot of Iona (Christian; Saint)

Dúnchad mac Cinn Fáelad (Christian; Saint)

Edward Bulwer-Lytton (Writerism)

Gennadius (Christian; Saint)

Gerard of Lunel (Christian; Saint)

Gregory VII, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Leo (a.k.a. Lye; Christian; Saint)

Madeleine Sophie Barat (Christian; Saint)

Mary Magdalene of Pazzi (Christian; Saint)

Maximus (Mauxe) of Évreux (Christian; Saint)

Mercurius (Ancient Roman Festival of Trade & Gain)

Ralph Waldo Emerson (Writerism)

Raymond Carver (Writerism)

Robert Ludlum (Writerism)

Sara-Kali’s Day (Pagan)

Stalin Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Stan Sakai (Artology)

Towel Day (Pastafarian)

Urban I, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Urbanas Diena (Ancient Latvia)

Venerand (Christian; Saint)

William Boyer (Artology)

W.P. Kinsella (Writerism)

Zenobius of Florence (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Lag B'Omer (Hebrew harvest time)  [17-18 Iyar]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Dismal Day (Unlucky or Evil Day; Medieval Europe; 10 of 24)

Egyptian Day (Unlucky Day; Middle Ages Europe) [10 of 24]

Premieres

Alien (Film; 1979)

Back to the Future (Film; 1985)

Back to the Future Part III (Film; 1990)

Barefoot in the Park (Film; 1967)

Barnyard Babies (Happy Harmonies Cartoon; 1935)

Beyond the Great Snow Mountains, by Louis L’Amour (Novel; 1999)

The Cookie Carnival (Disney Silly Symphonies Cartoon; 1935)

Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (Film; 1955)

The Day Lincoln Was Shot, by Jim Bishop (Historical Book; 1955)

Farming Fools (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1936)

Feud with a Dude (WB MM Cartoon; 1968)

A Gander at Mother Goose (WB MM Cartoon; 1940)

The Gastronomical Me, by M.F.K. Fisher (Food Essays; 1943)

Hair-Raising Hare (WB MM Cartoon; 1946)

Harry of Monmouth, by A.M. Maugham (Novel; 1956)

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, recorded by The Hollies (Song; 1969)

H.M.S. Pinafore, by Gilbert & Sullivan (Comic Opera; 1878)

Jesus of Montreal (Film; 1990)

Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, by The Cure (Album; 1987)

The Little Sister, by Raymond Chandler (Novel; 1949)

Men in Black 3 (Film; 2012)

Mickey’s Revue (Disney Cartoon; 1932)

Midnight Cowboy (Film; 1969)

Moonrise Kingdom (Film; 2012)

Nadja, by André Breton (Novel; 1928)

Paprika (Anime Film; 2007)

Pearl Harbor (Film; 2001)

Piker’s Peak (WB LT Cartoon; 1957)

The Pink Blueprint (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1966)

Pink, Plunk, Plink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1966)

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (Film; 2007)

Safety, by Coldplay (EP: 1998)

Samstag aus Licht, by Karl Stockhausen (Opera; 1984)

The Selfish Gene, by Richard Dawkins (Science Book; 1976)

Smoky Joe (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1945)

Solo: A Star Wars Story (Film; 2018)

Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope (Film; 1977)

Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (Film; 1983)

Three Little Pigs (Silly Symphonies Cartoon; 1933)

Tubular Bells, by Mike Oldfield (Album; 1973)

Under My Kin, by Avril Lavigne (Album; 2004)

War Machine (Film; 2017)

Today’s Name Days

Beda, Gregor, Magdalene (Austria)

Spas, Spaska (Bulgaria)

Beda, Grgur, Urban (Croatia)

Viola (Czech Republic)

Urbanus (Denmark)

Urban, Urbo, Urve, Urves (Estonia)

Urpo (Finland)

Sophie (France)

Beda, Magdalene, Miriam, Urban (Germany)

Nefeli (Greece)

Orbán (Hungary)

Basileo, Beda, Erminio, Gregorio (Italy)

Anitra, Anšlavs, Ciemvaldis, Gunita (Latvia)

Almantas, Danutė, Urbonas (Lithuania)

Ragna, Ragnar (Norway)

Epifan, Grzegorz, Imisława, Maria Magdalena, Urban (Poland)

Ioan (România)

Urban (Slovakia)

Beda, Gregorio, Magdalena, María (Spain)

Urban (Sweden)

Celeste, Celestine (Ukraine)

Madalyn, Madeleine, Madeline, Madelyn, Madilyn, Marlee, Marleen, Marlena, Marlene, Marley (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 146 of 2024; 220 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 21 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 14 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ji-Si), Day 18 (Ji-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 17 Iyar 5784

Islamic: 17 Dhu al-Qada 1445

J Cal: 26 Magenta; Fryday [26 of 30]

Julian: 12 May 2024

Moon: 94%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 5 St. Paul (6th Month) [St. Ambrose]

Runic Half Month: Odal (Home, Possession) [Day 1 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 68 of 92)

Week: 3rd Full Week of May

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 5 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Odal (Home, Possession) [Half-Month 11 of 24; Runic Half-Months] (thru 6.8)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 5.25

Holidays

Africa Day

African Freedom Day (Zambia)

African Languages Day

African Liberation Day (Rastafari)

Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day

Bojangles Day

Chuquisaca (Bolivia)

Common Arens

Cookie Monster Day

Day of Youth (Yugoslavia)

EMS Save-A-Life Day

Flitting Day (Scotland)

Geek Pride Day

George Floyd Remembrance Day

Global Change Leadership Day

GDPR Day (a.k.a. General Data Protection Regulation Day; EU)

Global Planking Day

Global Surgery Day

The Glorious 25 Day (a.k.a. Glorious Revolution, Glorious 25th of May; Discworld)

Grand Prix de Monaco begins (Monaco)

Gypsy Day

Heroes’ Day (Lesotho)

Integrity Day (Scientology)

International Heritage Breeds Day

International Missing Children’s Day (UN)

International Planking Day

International Plastic Free Day

International Skin Pigmentation Day

Julia Pierpont Day (West Virginia)

Kids Ocean Day (California)

Languedoc Day

Last Bell (Russia, post-Soviet countries) [5/25 or Friday before, if falls on a weekend]

Lemon Balm Day (French Republic)

Liberation Day (Lebanon)

Local Radio Day (UK)

Maddie May Day

May Revolution Day (Argentina)

National Adoption Day (Brazil)

National Ahmad “Captain Poodaman” Butler Day

National Bath Bomb Day

National Cody Day

National Don't Utter a Word Day

National Enzo Day

National George Day

National Hometown Area Local Day

National Missing Children's Day (US)

National Sing Out Day

National Stop the Bleed Day

National Tap Dance Day

National VTuber Day

Peruvian Clown Day (Peru)

Poetry Day (Florida)

Ramsey Lewis Day

Saint Cool Day

Self-Reliance Day

Senior Health & Fitness Day

South Liberation Day (Lebanon)

Star Wars Day

Stinky Pee Day

Tap Dance Day

Towel Day (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)

World Fish Migration Day

World Tarot Day

World Thyroid Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Brown Bag It Day [also Last Wednesday]

National Italian Beer Day

National Wine Day (US)

Independence & Related Days

Empire of New Prussia (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

First Government Day (Argentina; Sudan)

Jordan (from UK, 1946)

Kingdom of Africa (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Kingdom of Sycamore (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Lunataria (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Neo-Dumnonii Kingdom (Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

Pilatia (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

4th & Last Saturday in May

Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day [9 Days before 1st Monday in June]

Defeat Depression Day (Canada) [Last Saturday]

Dillo Day [Last Saturday; Northwestern University]

Drone Day [Last Saturday]

Elmer Day (UK) [Last Saturday]

International Blacksmith’s Day [4th Saturday]

International Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Day [Last Saturday]

International Jazz Day [Saturday before Memorial Day/9 Days before 1st Monday in June]

Julia Pierpont Day (West Virginia) [Saturday before Memorial Day]

National Learn to Swim Day [Saturday before Memorial Day]

Pride in Armed Forces Day (UK) [4th Saturday]

World Enneagram Day [Last Saturday]

Weekly Holidays beginning May 25 (3rd Full Week)

Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Governing Territories (thru 5.31)

Festivals Beginning May 25, 2024

Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic (Decatur, Alabama) [thru 5.26]

Atlanta Caribbean Carnival (Atlanta, Georgia)

Bavarianfest (Helen, Georgia)

BBQ, Blues & Brews on the Bay (North Bend, Oregon) [thru 5.26]

Brew at the Zoo (Baltimore, Maryland) [thru 5.26]

Caribbean Festival (Mt. Airy, Maryland) [thru 5.26]

Carnaval San Francisco (San Francisco, California)

Chuck Wagon Festival (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) [thru 5.26]

The Creekside Beer Festival (Boulder, Colorado) [thru 5.26]

FlavorFest at Mount Hope (Mount Hope, Pennsylvania (thru 5.26]

Great Alaska Craft Beer & Homebrew Festival (Haines, Alaska)

Happy Valley Strawberry Festival (Anderson, California) [thru 5.26]

Hood Canal Fjord Fest (Brinnon, Washington) [thru 5.26]

Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival (Milton, Delaware)

Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival (Monmouth Park, Oceanport, New Jersey) [thru 5.27]

Koroneburg Old World Renaissance Festival (Corona, California) [6.23]

New Mexico Wine Fest: Las Cruces (Las Cruces, New Mexico) [thru 5.27]

Rib King NYC (Brooklyn, New York)

Roaring Camp Cook-Off (Felton, California) [thru 5.26]

Rockport Wine Festival (Rockport, Texas)

Rotary Art, Wine & Wheels (Mariposa, California)

Star Valley Strawberry Festival (Borden, Indiana)

Strawberry Festival (Beaver Dam, Kentucky) [thru 5.27]

Taste of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio) [thru 5.27]

Wine, Beer & Spirits Fest (Sierra Vista, Arizona) [5.26

Feast Days

Aldhelm (Christian; Saint)

St. Ambrose (Positivist; Saint)

Apollo Day (Everyday Wicca)

Barry Windsor-Smith (Artology)

Bede the Venerable (Christian; Saint)

Boniface IV, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Canius (Christian; Saint)

The Cat (Muppetism)

Celebration of the Tao (The Mother of the World; Taoism)

Cookie Monster (Muppetism)

Dionysius of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Dumhade, Abbot of Iona (Christian; Saint)

Dúnchad mac Cinn Fáelad (Christian; Saint)

Edward Bulwer-Lytton (Writerism)

Gennadius (Christian; Saint)

Gerard of Lunel (Christian; Saint)

Gregory VII, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Leo (a.k.a. Lye; Christian; Saint)

Madeleine Sophie Barat (Christian; Saint)

Mary Magdalene of Pazzi (Christian; Saint)

Maximus (Mauxe) of Évreux (Christian; Saint)

Mercurius (Ancient Roman Festival of Trade & Gain)

Ralph Waldo Emerson (Writerism)

Raymond Carver (Writerism)

Robert Ludlum (Writerism)

Sara-Kali’s Day (Pagan)

Stalin Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Stan Sakai (Artology)

Towel Day (Pastafarian)

Urban I, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Urbanas Diena (Ancient Latvia)

Venerand (Christian; Saint)

William Boyer (Artology)

W.P. Kinsella (Writerism)

Zenobius of Florence (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Lag B'Omer (Hebrew harvest time)  [17-18 Iyar]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Dismal Day (Unlucky or Evil Day; Medieval Europe; 10 of 24)

Egyptian Day (Unlucky Day; Middle Ages Europe) [10 of 24]

Premieres

Alien (Film; 1979)

Back to the Future (Film; 1985)

Back to the Future Part III (Film; 1990)

Barefoot in the Park (Film; 1967)

Barnyard Babies (Happy Harmonies Cartoon; 1935)

Beyond the Great Snow Mountains, by Louis L’Amour (Novel; 1999)

The Cookie Carnival (Disney Silly Symphonies Cartoon; 1935)

Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (Film; 1955)

The Day Lincoln Was Shot, by Jim Bishop (Historical Book; 1955)

Farming Fools (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1936)

Feud with a Dude (WB MM Cartoon; 1968)

A Gander at Mother Goose (WB MM Cartoon; 1940)

The Gastronomical Me, by M.F.K. Fisher (Food Essays; 1943)

Hair-Raising Hare (WB MM Cartoon; 1946)

Harry of Monmouth, by A.M. Maugham (Novel; 1956)

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, recorded by The Hollies (Song; 1969)

H.M.S. Pinafore, by Gilbert & Sullivan (Comic Opera; 1878)

Jesus of Montreal (Film; 1990)

Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, by The Cure (Album; 1987)

The Little Sister, by Raymond Chandler (Novel; 1949)

Men in Black 3 (Film; 2012)

Mickey’s Revue (Disney Cartoon; 1932)

Midnight Cowboy (Film; 1969)

Moonrise Kingdom (Film; 2012)

Nadja, by André Breton (Novel; 1928)

Paprika (Anime Film; 2007)

Pearl Harbor (Film; 2001)

Piker’s Peak (WB LT Cartoon; 1957)

The Pink Blueprint (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1966)

Pink, Plunk, Plink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1966)

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (Film; 2007)

Safety, by Coldplay (EP: 1998)

Samstag aus Licht, by Karl Stockhausen (Opera; 1984)

The Selfish Gene, by Richard Dawkins (Science Book; 1976)

Smoky Joe (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1945)

Solo: A Star Wars Story (Film; 2018)

Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope (Film; 1977)

Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (Film; 1983)

Three Little Pigs (Silly Symphonies Cartoon; 1933)

Tubular Bells, by Mike Oldfield (Album; 1973)

Under My Kin, by Avril Lavigne (Album; 2004)

War Machine (Film; 2017)

Today’s Name Days

Beda, Gregor, Magdalene (Austria)

Spas, Spaska (Bulgaria)

Beda, Grgur, Urban (Croatia)

Viola (Czech Republic)

Urbanus (Denmark)

Urban, Urbo, Urve, Urves (Estonia)

Urpo (Finland)

Sophie (France)

Beda, Magdalene, Miriam, Urban (Germany)

Nefeli (Greece)

Orbán (Hungary)

Basileo, Beda, Erminio, Gregorio (Italy)

Anitra, Anšlavs, Ciemvaldis, Gunita (Latvia)

Almantas, Danutė, Urbonas (Lithuania)

Ragna, Ragnar (Norway)

Epifan, Grzegorz, Imisława, Maria Magdalena, Urban (Poland)

Ioan (România)

Urban (Slovakia)

Beda, Gregorio, Magdalena, María (Spain)

Urban (Sweden)

Celeste, Celestine (Ukraine)

Madalyn, Madeleine, Madeline, Madelyn, Madilyn, Marlee, Marleen, Marlena, Marlene, Marley (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 146 of 2024; 220 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 21 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 14 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ji-Si), Day 18 (Ji-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 17 Iyar 5784

Islamic: 17 Dhu al-Qada 1445

J Cal: 26 Magenta; Fryday [26 of 30]

Julian: 12 May 2024

Moon: 94%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 5 St. Paul (6th Month) [St. Ambrose]

Runic Half Month: Odal (Home, Possession) [Day 1 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 68 of 92)

Week: 3rd Full Week of May

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 5 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Odal (Home, Possession) [Half-Month 11 of 24; Runic Half-Months] (thru 6.8)

[bharathidasanprabhu]

JORDAN INDEPENDENCE DAY - 25 MAY 2024 - ஜோர்டான் சுதந்திர தினம் - 25 மே 2024.

[carolinemillerbooks]

New Post has been published on Books by Caroline Miller

New Post has been published on https://www.booksbycarolinemiller.com/musings/the-masculine-mystique/

The Masculine Mystique

Weaving in and out of the lunch tables at the retirement center one afternoon, I paused to sit beside a woman I hadn’t seen for a while. Looking up from her book, she frowned.  “Do you know the meaning of viand?” she asked.  Wondering if hers was a trick question, I answered tentatively.  “It means ‘food,’ doesn’t  it?” “Correct!” She slammed her palm on the table for emphasis. “You’d be surprised how many don’t know the answer.” Shrugging a little, I replied. ”Well, it’s an antique word by today’s standards.  What brought it to mind?” “Dickens, naturally!” This time, the hand covered with liver spots landed on the thick book lying on the table.    I nodded with understanding. We exchanged a few more words about the author, then I left her to her reading.  Headed for my apartment, I continued to think about words, particularly the new ones I’d learned that week–Flop era, gynecocracy, 4chan. Vocabulary expands so rapidly these days, why should I be surprised that Viand had fallen out of favor. Other words have suffered a similar fate or undergone revision. Take Man for example. Who can say what it means these days?    Christine Emba shares a dilemma similar to mine.  In her article, Men Are Lost, she notes the definition of man began eroding in the twentieth century.  In 1958, Arthur Schlesinger Jr. wrote  ..the male role has plainly lost its rugged clarity. As a result, …something has gone badly wrong with the American male’s conception of himself.  Historians blame women for the muddle.  They argue that when the industrial and technical revolutions created jobs that no longer required strength, women escaped domesticity for work outside the home.  As typists and file clerks, for example, they enjoyed the independence of personal incomes that allowed them to be choosey about their partners.  Some even chose other women. White males seemed to suffer most from their loss of economic status. Not only was it harder to find a wife,  but they were obliged to compete with women for employment.  Some males retreated to the sidelines, creating a vacuum their counterparts were eager to fill. Today, the fair sex has infiltrated what formerly were all-male bastions, finding jobs in higher education, science, and politics.  (“Explaining Men,” by Jackson Katz, Ms, spring, 2024, pgs. 25-27.) A few closet misogynists have stepped forward in the hope of restoring male hegemony and taking society backward. Jordan Peterson is prominent among them but there are others.  Constin Alamariu, a Romanian-American with a Ph.d from Yale became famous when he published his seminal book on misogyny, The Bronze Age Mindset.  Unfortunately, vainglory brought him unwanted attention which led to his arrest.  Currently, he resides in a Romanian jail convicted of rape and human trafficking. Jackson Katz draws a connection between women’s liberation and the rise of autocracy. …white men find comfort in regressive ‘strong man’ politics and the very conservative gender norms that underlie them. That primordial longing for the past, he suggests, makes the masculinity crisis […] a threat to democracy  (“Explaining Men,” by Jackson Katz, Ms. Spring 2024, pg. 26.)  Katz may have a point, but I would argue that a society founded on the masculine norm of winning and losing also poses a threat.  Inequality can destabilize the system, transforming democracy into an autocratic power game.   We know the forms of that corruption well–rape, suppression, a collapsed justice system, and war. I admit that democracy and equality aren’t natural bedfellows.  The former is an organizing principle.  The latter is a value.  Athenians, for example, saw no contradiction between their method of governing themselves and their right to own slaves.  Our founding fathers held the same split view. While championing equality for their peers, they saw no reason to extend that right to women or slaves. Even so, many in the United States have come to believe the relationship between democracy and equality is a symbiotic one, each as vital to the other as rain to a garden. When the preamble of our Constitution speaks of the general welfare, a majority of us believe it refers to everyone who resides in the country.       Dissenters exist, of course, and in numbers sufficient enough to risk an insurrection. What we’ve learned from the present struggle is that the conventions we’ve adopted are neither universally understood nor agreed upon. Words have failed us. Admittedly, some among us would rather pluck out their eyes than glimpse a future they cannot control. Nonetheless, time and tide are forcing choices upon us. Shall we continue to accept the masculine paradigm of winners and losers?  Or, shall we create a society based on values we hold in common? Either way, the critical issue to resolve isn’t about how we define a man or a woman, but how we define what it means to be human. Yes.  I’m convinced, we need new words for that.    

[glisteninbrown]

Fixed stars in natal charts (mega post)

There are many fixed stars but these are only a few, check the planets and angles they are conjunct with. Fixed stars can only be conjunct as stars do not cast out rays, they usually only allow an orb of 0°-2.50°. Any other aspect to it is only meant to enhance or hinder the conjunction, Fixed stars in charts add more tension but result in a stronger individual. These descriptions should be taken with a grain of salt.

Antares | 9°-10° Sagittarius (depending on year): Is one of the 15 Behenian stars with a nature of Mars and Jupiter. It is apart of the constellation Scorpio and makes one tough, determined, but also rambunctious and prone to violence. It also gives understanding and memory, help against evil spirits, and the power of driving them away and binding them. Sagittarius placements 7°-11° will feel this activate this star.

ASC conjunct Antares: Riches and honor but prone to violence (Mahatma Gandhi). 

Sun conjunct Antares: Honors and riches ending in ruin, dangers of treachery (Pablo Escobar, Britney Spears, and Winston Churchill).

Part of Fortune conjunct Antares: Poverty; drastic financial situations (Doris Day, Sigmund Freud, and Édouard Manet).

MC conjunct Antares: Honor and good fortune; military honor (Pablo Escobar and Abraham Lincoln).

Moon conjunct Antares: open-minded, popular, influential friends, great power, great honor and wealth but these may not last long (due to Antares’ brash nature), liable to blindness or eye injury (Michael Jordan, Pablo Picasso & Yoko Ono).

Mercury conjunct Antares: uses ecclesiastic influence in business, unpopular, accuses friends, funds obtained slowly and with difficulty (Steven Spielberg, Jane Austin).

Venus conjunct Antares: ruthless, deceitful, & able but selfish. (???)

Mars conjunct Antares: quite favorable for gain but detrimental habits powerfully affect relationships; trouble in relationships. (H.P. Lovecraft)

Jupiter conjunct Antares: Great zeal (even if pretended), & benefit from relatives. (Emperor Nero)

Saturn conjunct Antares: Materialistic, trouble through enemies, many failures, & trouble from children (Paul Cezanne, M. C. Escher, Megan Fox).

Uranus conjunct Antares: May have abnormal and extreme ideas, be extremely socialistic, lie and exaggerate more than the average person, and have trouble having children ( Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex & Katy Perry).

Neptune conjunct Antares: Can be cunning, dishonest more than the average, gain through hard work, & tendency to steal more than average (Abraham Lincoln, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Beckham, & Angelina Jolie).

North Node conjunct Antares: Hardworking & ambitious (Ariana Grande, Pablo Picasso, Leonardo DiCaprio).

Regulus | 28°-29° Leo (depending on the year): Is one of the most fortunate stars in the heavens, it is of Mars & Jupiter nature. It gives glory, riches, and power to all who are born under its influence, asserting that those born under it have a royal-like nativity. Leo placements 27°-29° & Virgo placements 0°-2° will activate the star.

ASC conjunct Regulus: Great honor and wealth, violence and trouble, benefits may not last, victory of enemies, courageous & frank character (Paul Gaugin, Donald Trump, Drake, Édouard Manet, George H. W. Bush, Natalie Cole).

Sun conjunct Regulus: Power, authority, great influence over friends, honor and riches, violence, and benefits may not last (Liam Payne, H. P. Lovecraft, Kenny Rogers, Coco Chanel).

MC conjunct Regulus: Military honor, preferment, good fortune, if conjunct Sun, moon, and/ or Jupiter ample honor and fortune (Clint Eastwood, Jim Carrey, Liam Payne).

Part of Fortune conjunct Regulus: Fame, Ample fortune, & powerful friends (Liza Minnelli, Michael Jackson, Steven Spielberg).

Moon Conjunct Regulus: Powerful friends, dangers from enemies/ false friends, public prominence, makes women high spirited and independent (Megan Thee Stallion, Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Dolly Parton, Venus Williams).

Mercury conjunct Regulus: Honorable, popular, generosity abused by opponents, & gain through high position (Gene Kelly).

Mars conjunct Regulus: Fame, strong character, & public prominence (Henry Ford, Ariana Grande, Donald Trump, Princess Diana of Wales).

Venus conjunct Regulus: Many disappointments, trouble through love affairs, & famous partners/spouses (???).

Jupiter conjunct Regulus: Riches and power could fall to these natives easily (Bill Gates).

Saturn conjunct Regulus: Success in Church or law, scholarly, gain through speculation, companies and friends, and/ or high position (???).

Uranus conjunct Regulus: Can be energetic, ambitious, successful, may be unjust or dishonorable, panders to aristocracy, favorable for marriage, friends may become enemies at end of life, and may retire and live in seclusion (Jim Carrey & Johnny Depp).

Neptune conjunct Regulus: Prominent leader, strong character, influential friends, few if any enemies, & natural death in old age (Clint Eastwood, Audrey Hepburn, Anne Frank, Andy Warhol).

North Node conjunct Regulus: Their destiny/life path leans towards getting noticed, obtaining wealth, fame, and fortune (Princess Diana of Wales, Barrack Obama, Martin Scorsese).

Sirius | 13°-14° Cancer (depending on the year): Is on of the 15 Behenian stars with a nature of Mars & Jupiter. Sirius gives honor, the goodwill and favor of men with the power to pacify nobles and others. Well connected, it promises fame, honors and riches. According to tradition, Sirius will give a famous death with honors beyond the grave if positioned in the 8th house. In good aspect with Mars and Jupiter and close to the MC, promise is given of gaining extensive wealth, a lucky hand in commercial enterprise or matters of government. Cancer placements 12°-16° will activate this star.

ASC conjunct Sirius: Military/CEO honor (Michael Jordan, Albert Einstein, Robert De Niro, Steven Spielberg).

Sun conjunct Sirius: Success in business, If rising or culminating, kingly preferment (Frida Kahlo & George W. Bush).

Moon conjunct Sirius: Success in business, influential friends of opposite sex, favorable for the father, good health, beneficial changes in home or business (Kurt Cobain, Heath Ledger, LL Cool J, Paris Jackson).

Mercury conjunct Sirius: Great business success, help through influential people, worries unnecessarily, & possible physical defect through accident (Will Ferrell, Khloé Kardashian, Elon Musk).

Venus conjunct Sirius: Ease, comfort and luxury, extravagant, gain by inheritance (Ernest Hemingway).

Mars conjunct Sirius: Courageous, generous, & military preferment (Pablo Picasso & Meghan, Duchess of Sussex).

Jupiter conjunct Sirius: Business success & possible help from relatives.  People born with this star aspected are generally born into a large family, and all those in the family circle are also interested in the large families themselves (Warren Buffett).

Saturn conjunct Sirius: Steady, reserved, diplomatic, high position through friends, favorable for home, gifts and legacies (David Beckham).

Uranus conjunct Sirius: Gain and prominence in Uranian matters, help from influential friends, & gain through harmonious marriage (???).

Neptune conjunct Sirius: Intuition, occult interests, good organizing ability, many influential friends, favorable for gain and domestic matters, and natural death (Frida Kahlo).

North Node conjunct Sirius: Military honor (Prince William of Cambridge & Adolf Hitler).

Spica | 23° Libra: Is on of the 15 Behenian stars with a nature of Venus & Mars. Spica gives success, renown, riches, a sweet disposition, love of art and science, unscrupulousness, unfruitfulness and injustice to innocence. However, if Spica is placed in angular houses and conjoined with Saturn, Mars, Uranus, Neptune or Pluto, and if these planets are afflicted, a rise followed by a downfall with tragic ending could be the result. Libra placements 21°-25° will activate this star.

ASC conjunct Spica: Unbounded good fortune, happiness, unexpected honor or advancement beyond native’s hopes or capacity (Hanz Zimmer, Bob Hope, Princess Anne, Jennifer Aniston, Gene Simmons, Eric Clapton).

MC conjunct Spica: Happiness & unexpected honor or advancement beyond native’s hopes or capacity (Princess Diana of Wales).

Part of Fortune conjunct Spica: Great wealth & voluptuous propensities (???).

Sun conjunct Spica: Great and lasting preferment, immense wealth, great happiness to native’s parents and children, & favorable for public and legal affairs (Eminem, Zac Efron, Ne-Yo, Chuck Berry, Keyshia Cole, John Mayer, Felicity Jones).

Moon conjunct Spica: Gain through inventions; success (Marie Antoinette & Justin Bieber).

Mercury conjunct Spica: Favor of clergy and people in authority, gain through investment, and responsible position (Margaret Thatcher).

Venus conjunct Spica: Benefits from friends, social success, & false friends of own sex (Woody Allen & Warren Buffett).

Mars conjunct Spica: Popular social success, may have good judgment and quick decision or be violent in dispute, and a straight fool (Viola Davis & Cameron Boyce).

Jupiter conjunct Spica: Social success, wealth, ecclesiastical honor and preferment (Bill Clinton & Winston Churchill).

Saturn conjunct Spica: Sharp or rugged, but does much good, occult interests, good speaker, many friends, gain through legacies but extravagant, good health, and favorable for domestic matters (Emperor Nero, Rudolf Hess, Leonardo Da Vinci).

Uranus conjunct Spica: Mediumistic, popular, gain through marriage, fortunate, & possible sudden natural death (???).

Neptune conjunct Spica: Comfortable surroundings, always sufficiently well off, associated with companies, gain through legacies, somewhat fast and extravagant (Michael Moore, Harvey Weinstein).

North Node conjunct Spica: Wealth, popularity, & powerful friends (Michael Jackson).

Altair | 1° Aquarius: Is a fixed star of Mars & Jupiter nature. Altair confers a bold, confident, valiant, unyielding, ambitious and liberal nature, great and sudden but ephemeral wealth, and a position of command. Capricorn placements at 29° and Aquarius placements 0°-2° will activate this star.

ASC conjunct Altair: Military honor and a natural born leader (Kirk Douglas, Hilary Duff,  Billie Holiday, Alan Cumming).

MC conjunct Altair: Near the Midheaven and in good aspect, Altair promises rise in life and honors. The native tries with sincere conviction to reach out for his aims with utmost will-power. He will avoid nothing in order to achieve them (George Washington).

Part of Fortune conjunct Altair: Military honor (Harvey Weinstein & John F Kennedy).

Sun conjunct Altair: Public honor, notoriety, favors from superiors, many friends and some envious ones who cause trouble through writings (Paul Cezanne, Charles V of France, Jeff Koons, Sam Cooke, Billy Ocean, David Lynch, & Dolly Parton).

Moon conjunct Altair: Interest in a strange or ancient discovery, disappointment and loss over property and gain, friends become enemies, trouble through companies or public affairs, difficulties through or misfortune to children (Russell Crowe, Napoleon II of France, John McCain, David Beckham, Abraham Lincoln, & John Lennon).

Mercury conjunct Altair: Many difficulties, misfortunes, and strange experiences, bad for partnership, loss of a relative under strange circumstances (Marilyn Monroe & Michael Jordan).

Venus conjunct Altair: Unfavorable for love affairs. Strange and peculiar attractions, & losses through friends (Elvis Presley).

Mars conjunct Altair: Sharp mind, trouble through friends, society and companies but eventual gain (???).

Jupiter conjunct Altair: Hypocrisy, trouble through legal with relatives, disappointment over inheritance (Barrack Obama & Pablo Escobar).

Saturn conjunct Altair: Sorrow and disappointment, separation from family or parents, possible danger of accident involving inability to work or lifelong affliction (Elizabeth Taylor, Jim Carrey & George Clooney).

Uranus conjunct Altair: Sympathetic though sometimes abrupt, just, idealistic, interested in occultism, disappointments throughout life, good mind, considerable gain, and natural death at a very advanced age (Richard Nixon).

Neptune conjunct Altair: Over-sensitive, high ideals, mystic, drifts without personal effort, secret enemies and trouble through occultism (Mark Twain).

North Node conjunct Altair: Military honor (Elvis Presley, Dwayne Johnson, & Albert Einstein).

Dubhe | 15° Leo: Is credited with the destructiveness of Mars, working itself out, particularly in mundane maps. If rising, wealth, power, courage, generosity, ingenuity, rise to authority, martial success. Subject to cuts, wounds, accidents, sores and injuries to the face, pains in the head and fevers. Leo placements 14°-16° will activate this star.

ASC conjunct Dubhe: Wealth, power, courage, generosity, rise to authority, martial success, subject to cuts, wounds, accidents, sores and injuries to the face. When rising is said to presage those who are kind to wild beasts and who “associate with bulls and lions as if they were people” (Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, Eddie Murphy, Sean Lennon, Chris Brown, Tyler The Creator Johnny Depp, & Michael Moore).

MC conjunct Dubhe: Martial eminence and success in trade (Katy Perry).

Sun conjunct Dubhe: Martial success, courage, & popularity (Barrack Obama & Andy Warhol). 

Moon conjunct Dubhe: Martial success and courage (Megan Fox & Barbara Windsor).

Venus conjunct Dubhe: Trouble with/in marriage (???).

Mars conjunct Dubhe: Ambitious but ruthless, courageous, impatient, and subject to accidents (Serena Williams and Hillary Clinton).

Jupiter conjunct Dubhe: Martial success and courage (Elizabeth Taylor).

Saturn conjunct Dubhe: Disappointments, setbacks in career, ruthless,  dishonest, & possible martial success (Adolf Hitler & Frederick the great).

Uranus conjunct Dubhe: Sharp; sudden changes in life more than average (Winston Churchill).

Neptune conjunct Dubhe: Scandals; many enemies (Marie Antoinette).

North Node conjunct Dubhe: Martial success (Robert De Niro & Mick Jagger).

[uncpanda]

Requests are Open!

Today’s prompt List is brought to you by my itunes library. I decided to take titles of songs and song lyrics and use them as theme prompts! I hope you enjoy them. 

The way today’s requests will work is as follows. Pick a song, and send in a number and a character. In three to six weeks you should have a one shot (Depends on my work schedule) . If you would like to be tagged in your request please make sure to leave it with your username. If you would like the reader to be Gender Neutral please let me know, I tend to default to female. I do not write male readers. 

I have decided to open 30 slots for the song recs, and I also have 5 slots for people to request original ideas. Please remember while I may hint at things I do not write NSFW. 

If you don’t see the character you want written on the list below please feel free and message me to see if I write for them! Thank you and have a great day! Prompts and Characters are below.

1) Almost Maybes- Jordan Davis 

2) Look What God Gave Her -Thomas Rhett 

3) Die a Happy Man- Thomas Rhett 

4) The House that Built Me- Miranda Lambert 

5) Tennessee Whiskey- Chris Stapleton

6) Your Man - Josh Turner 

7)  You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive- Patty Loveless 

8)  Forever and Ever Amen- Randy Travis 

9) Don’t Forget to Remember Me- Carrie Underwood 

10) What Makes a Good Man- The Heavy 

11) Something More- Sugarland 

12) Running on Sunshine- Jesus Jackson 

13) Nobody- Dylan Scott 

14) All My Ex’s Live in Texas- George Strait 

15) Whatta Man- Salt-N-Pepa 

16) Just Like Fire- P!nk 

17) Fantasy- Mariah Carey 

18) Gettin’ You Home- Chris Young 

19) Good Directions- Billy Currington 

20) It’s 2 A.M.- Shemekia Copeland 

21) Life Changes- Thomas Rhett 

22) Mine- Taylor Swift 

23) Man in the Mirror- Michael Jackson 

24) Skinny Dippin’- Whitney  Duncan 

25) Settlin’ -Sugarland 

26) Stronger  - Kelly Clarkson

27) T-shit- Thomas Rhett 

28) That Don’t Impress Me Much- Shania Twain 

29) This- Darius Rucker 

30) 10,000 Hours -Dan + Shay 

31) Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go- Wham! 

32) Toxic-  Britney Spears 

33) There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back- Shawn Mendes 

34) Sucker- Jonas Brothers 

35) Miss Independent- Kelly Clarkson

36) Lady- Brett Young 

37) It Won’t Be Like This for Long - Darius Rucker 

38) High Hopes- Panic! at the Disco

39) Death of a Bachelor- Panic! at the Disco 

40) Where You Lead I Will Follow- Gilmore Girls Theme Song 

41) Undisclosed Desires - Muse 

42) Meet Me In the Woods - Lord Huron

43) Don't You Tread on Me-  Matt Maeson

44) So Good- Joan

People I’m writing For 

1) Aaron Hotchner

2) Steve Rogers

3) Bruce Wayne

4) Dick Grayson

5) Derek Morgan

6) Jason Todd

7) Rafael Barba

8) Matt Simmons

9) Lex Luthor (Smallville)

10) Barry Allen

11) Tony Stark

12) Elijah Mikaleson

13) Marcel Gerard

14) Klaus Mikaelson x reader 

If you think of anyone else you can either message me or drop and ask in the ask box to see if I’ll write for them :)

[thehashemitefamily]

25/5/2014: King Abdullah attended a ceremony at the Royal Court to celebrate Independence Day, which included speeches from heads of authorities. Queen Rania and Crown Prince Hussein, along with other Royal family members and senior officials, diplomats and key figures attended the grand ceremony. The country won its full independence on May 25, 1946 following the end of the British mandate. His Majesty later bestowed medals on several national institutions and leading figures in recognition of their efforts in building the country and advancing its development. (Source: Jordan Times/Petra/Royal Court)

25/5/2014: حضر الملك عبدالله احتفالا بالديوان الملكي احتفالا بعيد الاستقلال تضمن كلمات رؤساء الهيئات. وحضر الحفل الكبير الملكة رانيا وولي العهد الأمير الحسين ، إلى جانب أفراد العائلة المالكة وكبار المسؤولين والدبلوماسيين والشخصيات البارزة. حصلت البلاد على استقلالها الكامل في 25 مايو 1946 بعد انتهاء الانتداب البريطاني. وأهدى جلالته في وقت لاحق ميداليات لعدد من المؤسسات الوطنية والشخصيات البارزة تقديرا لجهودهم في بناء الوطن ودفع عجلة تنميته. (المصدر: جوردان تايمز / بترا / الديوان الملكي)

[rabbitcruiser]

The parliament of  Transjordan made Abdullah I of Jordan their Emir on May 25, 1946.

Jordan’s Independence Day 

Jordan’s Independence Day is celebrated on May 25 every year, and is the most important event in the history of Jordan, as it commemorates its independence from the British government. After World War I, the Hashemite Army of the Great Arab Revolt took over the area which is now Jordan. The Hashemites launched the revolt, led by Sharif Hussein, against the Ottoman Empire. The Allied forces, comprising Britain and France supported the Great Arab Revolt. Emir Abdullāh was the one who negotiated Jordan’s independence from the British. Though a treaty was signed on March 22, 1946, it was two years later when Jordan became fully independent. In March 1948, Jordan signed a new treaty in which all restrictions on sovereignty were removed to guarantee Jordan’s independence. Jordan joined and became a full member of the United Nations and the Arab League in December 1955.

History of Jordan Independence Day

The first appearance of fortified towns and urban centers in the land now known as Jordan was early in the Bronze Age (3600 to 1200 B.C.). Wadi Feynan then became a regional center for copper extraction with copper at the time, being largely exploited to facilitate the production of bronze. Trading, migration, and settlement of people in the Middle East peaked, thereby advancing and refining more and more civilizations. With time, villages in Transjordan began to expand rapidly in areas where water resources and agricultural land abound. Ancient Egyptians then later expanded towards the Levant and would eventually control both banks of the Jordan River.

There was a period of about 400 years during which Jordan was under the rule and influence of the Ottoman Empire, and the period was characterized by stagnation and retrogression to the detriment of the Jordanian people. The reign of the Ottoman Empire over Jordan would eventually cease when Sharif Hussein led the Hashemite Army in the Great Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, with the Allies of World War I supporting them. In September 1922, the Council of the League of Nations recognized Transjordan as a state under the terms of the Transjordan memorandum. Transjordan remained under British mandate until 1946, when a treaty was signed, with eventual sovereignty being granted upon signing a subsequent treaty in 1948.

The Hashemites’ assumption of power in the Jordan region came with numerous challenges. In 1921 and 1923, there were some rebellions in Kura which were suppressed by the Emir’s forces, with British support. Jordan is generally a peaceful region today, and it has become quite a tourist destination in recent times.

Jordan Independence Day timeline

3600 B.C. Earliest Known Jordanian Civilizations

Fortified towns and urban centers begin to spring up in the area now known as Jordan.

1922 Jordan is Recognized as a State

In 1922, the Council of the League of Nations recognizes Jordan as a state under the Transjordan memorandum.

1946 First Independence Treaty is Signed

In 1946, Emir Abdullāh negotiates the first independence treaty with Britain which would later lead to Jordan's ultimate independence in 1948.

1955 Jordan Joins the United Nations

Jordan becomes a member of the United Nations and the Arab League in 1955.

Jordan Independence Day FAQs

What day is Jordan’s Independence Day?

Jordan’s Independence Day is May 25, every year. It marks the anniversary of the treaty that gave Jordan her sovereignty.

When did Jordan become independent?

On May 25, 1948, Jordan officially became an independent state.

Who is Jordan’s current leader?

The current ruler Of Jordan is the monarch, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, King of Jordan.

How to Observe Jordan Independence Day

Light up some fireworks

Prepare some mansaf

Share on social media

One of the hallmark celebrations of any independence day is the show of fireworks. Be sure to be a part of the beauty!

As you probably already knew, Mansaf is Jordan’s national dish. As such, preparing it on such a special day as Independence Day is a brilliant idea.

Take pictures and videos of you in your dishdasha celebrating Independence Day. Share them on your social media!

5 Interesting Facts About Jordan

Home to the Dead Sea

A nexus between Africa, Europe, and Asia

Over 100,000 archeological sites

The world’s oldest dam

Jesus was baptized in Jordan

The Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on Earth, is located in Jordan.

Jordan is a pivotal point connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Jordan has over 100,000 archeological and tourist sites.

Jordan is home to the world’s oldest dam, the Jawa Dam.

Jesus, who is the symbolic character of the Christian faith, was baptized in the Jordan River before beginning his ministry.

Why Jordan Independence Day is Important

Jordan is peaceful and liberal

The weather in Jordan is nice

Jordan is a tourist’s dream

Though a generally conservative country, Jordan is relatively liberal. The country is peaceful and tolerant of foreign cultures.

Jordan is a warm region. The weather is usually warm and pleasant at all times of the year.

Jordan has everything a tourist could dream of. Beautiful sights, calm weather, a welcoming culture, and amazing people make it a fantastic place for tourists.

Source

[jordanianroyals]

25 May 2023: King Abdullah II attended the ceremony held at Raghadan Palace to mark Jordan’s 77th Independence Day, also attended by Queen Rania and Crown Prince Al Hussein.

During the ceremony, the heads of the authorities delivered speeches expressing deep pride in Jordan and the importance of this occasion, which reaffirms Jordanians’ pride in their homeland, and their determination to continue towards further progress under its Hashemite leadership.

They expressed pride in the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security agencies for safeguarding the nation’s achievements, commending Jordan’s unwavering position, led by His Majesty, in defence of just Arab causes, especially the Palestinian cause and Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship.

They noted Jordan’s ongoing modernisation efforts across the political, economic, and administrative tracks, as the state moves forward into its second centennial.

Royal family members, senior officials and officers, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, and professional associations attended the ceremony.

[hiheyimhuy]

Movies/TV Shows

1 Roman Empire -Season 1 -Theme Funny -Golden Age

-Birthdays -Jayden Kouli Spring -Ian Spear Summer -Rex Woodbury Fall -Taylor Phillips Winter

-Jennie Mayer “Type 1” Insults -Arlene Williams “Type 2” Conversation -Tina Fey “Type 3” It’s Not Funny, But It Is Funny -Alison Kang “Type 4” Fighting

-Annie Bucher -Bayley Lichtenberg -Brenna Harrington -Briana Jackson -Carley Wood -Christine Baker -Ellie Hoekman -Emily Dugan -Emily Ross -Heather Bateman -Heather Stams -Jessie Torlai -Kailyn Pennock -Katie Fischbeck -Katie Theisen -Kirsten Brewer -Kristen Kemper -Kylie Barrett -Kyra Pennington -Lexi n Abby Klinkenberg -Meg Mullen -Meressa Mamon -Mia Torlai -Nicole Silver -Rebecca Nixon -Samantha Holler -Tahlia Carchedi 1/2 -Taylor Green 1/2 -Tessa Acay -Zoey Golden 1/2

-Austin From Gardenscapes -Kevin Hill

-Season 2 -Theme Suffering -50 Years After The Golden Age With New Complicated Rulers/King And Government Officials -Nice People -People Who Likes To Play Games -Hard Living -Ancient Technological Society -Consequences -Crimes -Passion of the Christ Roman Guards -Green River Teachers -Guys from Han Tinh Phan Kim Lien -Rating 100% -Jessica Clarke -Kelley Flanagan -Hannah Ann -Lindsey Allemeier -Julia Newell -Annika Brauer -Catherine Berner -Olivia Carlson -Louisa Dunwiddie -Emma Linde -Savannah Billedo -Danielle Brady -Jackie Robinson -Rachel Keyser -Angela Zhang -Megan Williams -Maia Lee -McKay Njos -Tylar Philpott -Vanessa Chukri -Dan Mitchell -Brett Goldstein -Brendan Welzien -Jackson Zariski -Adam Newton -Toro -Richard Ferguson -Jared -Royals Friends -Josh Brueckner -Katie Betzing -Matt Howard -Abby Howard -Charli D’amelio -Addison Rae -“Too Hot To Handle” IGTV video guys -Jacqueline Miller -Eileen Bruns -Johannes Huebl 2/3 -Matty Carrington -Franky Cammarata -Ben K Bowers -Colton Underwood -RJ King 2/3 -Graham Davis -Willem De Koch -Brian Pruett -Gigi Meyer  -Henry

-Hailey Napier -Blake Napier -Alex Knutson 2/3 -Elle Petschl -Sam Petschl -Anna Lynch -Ana Rae Miller -Brenna Hudson -Madeline Huletz -Claire Kennedy -Connell O’Brien -Max Tychsen -Dylan Inman -Austin Budke -Cameron Sackett -Elliot Knapp -John Mark Lambert -Colby Franklin -Season 3 -Theme Conquering -Depicts The Fall Of The Roman Empire -Combat Tactics -Strategies -In Places That Trigger Fear -“X Ambassadors - Renegades” Feel -Austin Olson -Chris Torlai -Kevin Hall -Matt Mead -Max Liebl -Nathan Lantz -Nathan Rodland -Oak Griffith -Sean Redmond -Stefan Andonian -Tanner Patnode -Travis McGuire -Wes Concepcion -Ben Affleck -Christian Bale -Tom Cruise -Cavill -Simon Pegg -Sam Quinby -Garrett Yrigoyen -Ben Higgins -Peter Weber -Jack Weber -Chris Harrison -Arie Luyendyk -Jason -Blake -Jared Haibon -Chris Soules -Jordan -David -Joe Sessa -Josh Canova -Graham Bennett -Kevin Park -Aaron Park -Julien Isnardon -Armie Hammer -Maurice Laab -Keegan Selby -Tyler Pichette -Season 4 -In Heaven With Henry And Malcolm

-Season 5 -Reunion Live “Maplestory - Ergoth’s Throne” “Maplestory - Orbis Tower” “Maplestory - Ludi PQ” -“Imagine Dragons - To Exist” 2 -“Imagine Dragons - Darkness Lies Above” 3 -“Imagine Dragons - Fear Is In Your Eyes” 3 -“Imagine Dragons - Only Way Across Is Cold Water” 3 -“Alesso - To Live Without Music” 1 -“Alesso - Watery Feels” 1/2 -“Bastille - What Keeps You Awake At Night” 2 -“Bastille - Every Time You Close Your Eyes” 2 -“Benny Blanco - The 4 Amigos” 1 -“The Chainsmokers - Wishing You Can Untouch” 2 -Might Change Title When I Have Time -“Charlie Puth - Day And Night Changes” 2 -“Coldplay - To Make You Wish You Don’t Have A Soul” 2 -“DNCE - The First To Arrive And Last To Leave” 1 -“Linkin Park - Rather Fall Than Surrender” 3 -“Kaskade - Your Voice Is All I Need” 1 -“Lana Del Rey - The “H” Word” 2 -“The Lumineers - A Cold Winter Morning” 2 -“Major Lazer - Gets You Off The Ground” 1 -“Major Lazer - Hard Bed, Soft Together” 1 -“OneRepublic - Rather Whisper Than Say” 1/2 -“Selena Gomez - Hope You Can Make It Back To Me” 3 -“Selena Gomez - I Need To Give You” 3 -“Shawn Mendes - If I Was Your First Lover” 1/2 -“Shawn Mendes - Fulfill Your Wishes” 1/2 -“Taylor Swift - February Missing You” 3 -“Taylor Swift - Waking Up And You’re Not Here” 3 -“Tove Lo - Roses In Water” 1 -“X Ambassadors - Repentance” 2/3 -“X Ambassadors - Remorses” 2/3 -“X Ambassadors - Regrets” 2/3 -“X Ambassadors - In The Woods” 3 -“X Ambassadors - No One To Be Found” 3 -“X Ambassadors - Only Nature Exists Now” 3 -“X Ambassadors - When You’re Lost” 3 -“2AM Club - I Still Remember You” 1

2 Killer -Henry Farm Childhood -Tom Cruise -Henry Cavill -Simon Pegg -Kelly Hu -Mila Kunis -Chiaki Kuriyama -Amy Johnston -Connell O’Brien -Yugioh Main Characters -Yugi -Joey -Bakura -Pegasus -Marik -Mai Valentine -Weevil -Rafael -Dartz -Charli D’amelio -Matt Howard -Alessandro Dellisola -Johannes Huebl -Sean O’Pry -Taylor Swift -Shawn Mendes -Girls Non-Killers -“Soft, Tender, Delicate” IGTV video -“Finger 11 - Paralyzer” IGTV video -Excluding Claire Miller -Abby Howard -Armie Hammer -Chace Crawford

3 Witches History on Earth -Malcolm in Heaven -Hocus Pocus -Vietnamese Girls -Trang Nguyen -Nguyen Ha My -Yen Nguyen -Written By Henry And Malcolm

4 Paris by Night in Modern Time -Presidents -Ben Affleck -Leonardo DiCaprio -1/4 Europeans -Brody Jenner -1/4 Asians -Japanese -Chiaki Kuriyama -Substitute -Cheyenne Stacey Powell -Administration -Nia Nguyen -Stephanie Che -The Bachelor Girls -The Bachelorette Girls -Clothes -Elementary And Middle School -Less Normal -High School -Fashion -College -Travel After College -Love

5 Ancient Forests -Josh Brueckner -Katie Betzing -“131 Tall Tree Guys” IGTV video -“Soft, Tender, Delicate” IGTV video -The Bachelor -The Bachelorette

6 Toys

7 Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) -Inventions -Movable Type Printing (1041-1048 AD) -Gunpowder (1000 AD) -Compass (1100 AD) -Paper Money (11th century) -Arts -Music -Literature -Philosophy -Theme Romance -Marco Polo -Born in Venice -Silk Road -Visited China (1275-1292 AD) -Father and Uncle -Lingchi Torture -TVB Actors/Actresses -Kenneth Lam -Kacie Lo -Chloe Tsang -Clarissa Chan -Jessica Yi -Danny Shin -Joyce Lin -Shin -Alex Landi

8 Ancient Egypt -Theme Revenge, Ruling, Warfare -Pharaoh -Pyramids -Sphinx -Nile River -Farming -Hieroglyphics -New Kingdom (1570-1069 BCE) -Kings Are Called Pharaohs -Golden Age -Wealth -Prosperity -Power -Wars -Burned alive -Thrown into river with crocodiles -Charli/Dixie D’amelio -Addison Rae -“Roosevelt High School” IGTV video -Andrew Mead -Austin Perlatti -Bret Johnson -Carter Rey Johnson -Casey Manso -Christopher Wilson -Clay Barton -Colby Foss -Connor Bennett -Dalton Bond -Derek Pedersen -Hayden Njos -Jake Zylstra -Jared McAboy -Jeff Seid -Jett DiPalma -Jordan Kirkland -Ken Williams -Kevin Brown -Kevin Hall -Kevin Kennedy -Kramer Fairclough -Leo Trotz -Marco Amalfitano -Max Liebl -Michael Leverenz -Mike Suguro -Mitchell Booth -Nathan Lantz -Nathan Rodland -Matt Fisher -Nick Fisher -Nick Watson -Oak Griffith -Ozamataz Buckshank -Pabi Dhaliwal -Pat McGuire -Pierre Groenewald -Roddy Hanson -Ryan Johnson -Scott Andrew -Seth Gunning -Seth Shields -Sheldon Stober -Stephen Bishopp -Tanner Patnode -Taylor Tinney -Wes Concepcion -Zane McCanless -“Soft, Tender, Delicate” IGTV video -“INNA - Amazing” IGTV video -Elizabeth Rodland -Armie Hammer -Chace Crawford -Franky Cammarata -Johannes Huebl -Sean O’Pry -Blake Horstmann -Jan -Joe Sessa and his friends -Matt/Abby Howard -Taylor Dean -Kelley Flanagan -Jessica Clarke -Madison Prewett -Lindsey Allemeier -Katie Betzing -Ben Higgins -Hannah Ann -Ian Spear -Laguna Beach -Lauren -Kristin -Stephen -Talan -Jessica -Taylor -Adam Newton -Sean Lowe -Catherine Giudici -Brianne Schmidt -Connell O’Brien -Tyler Pichette -Hannah Brown -Max Tychsen -Dylan Inman -Tyler Cameron -Taylor Phillips

9 Mesopotamia -Daily Life -Learning To Be A Scribe -Ziggurat -One Of The Seven Wonders -Hanging Gardens -The Fertile Crescent -Invented The Plow -People Of The City-States -Nobles -Priests -Merchants -Scribes -Craftworkers -Free Farmers -Enslaved People -Farmers Who Did Not Own Their Land -Cut One Hand Off -Women’s Legal Status

10 Ancient Greece -Philosophers -Socrates -Plato -Aristotle -Mathematics/Science -Euclid -Archimedes -Eratosthenes -Hippocrates

11 Greek Gods/Goddesses -Athena, Goddess of Wisdom -Parthenon Temple

12 Alexander the Great

13 Medieval Europe (500-1500 AD) -Theme Suffering -Boiling -Baking -Burning -Brazen Bull -Cooking -Stretching Bones -Sleep Deprivation -Quartering -Children’s Crusades -Castles

14 Islam -Muhammad -Arabia -Persia -Pillars -Architecture -Learning -Astronomy -Algebra -Medicine -Mapmakers -1001 Nights Book

15 India In The Middle Centuries -Taj Mahal

16 Central/South America -Theme Coming of Age -Maya -Toltec -Aztec -Tenochtitlan -Teotihuacan -Olmec -Inca -Cotton -Maya Calendar -Maize Corn -Metal -Writing -Soccer -Rituals -Religious Ceremonies

17 Europe (1400-1750 AD) -Peasant Revolts -Wars -Renaissance -Coldplay -Exploration -North/South America -Slavery -Imperialism

18 Industrial Revolution (Late 1700s AD) -England

19 Nations in Conflict (1775-1921 AD) -Revolutions -Independence -Nationalism -Ending Ancient China

20 1900s Conflict -Hitler -Russia -Japan -Westernization -Communism -World War I -World War II -Cold War -Berlin Wall -Technology -Advancements -Independence -Space Race

21 1900s Fun -China -Shanghai -David Kangmeng -South Korea -Fashion -Music -Recreation -France -Coffee -Restaurants -Sex -Hugh Jackman -Germany -Hugh Jackman -Spain -Hugh Jackman -Great Britain -Hugh Jackman

22 United States 1970-1990 -Fraternity -Fun -Matt Damon

23 Adulthood in the United States -The Bachelor -The Bachelorette -City -Country -Jobs -Relationships -Financial Problems -Making It In Hollywood

24 Masculinity -Male To Male Friendships And Siblings -Domination -Dealing With Girls

25 Comedy PBN Part 2 “Spin Off” -Continues After “Paris By Night In Modern Time” -Age Around 30+ -Van Son Cast -Similar To “Adulthood in the United States” And “Virtues of Harmony II” But Different

26 Countryside “Que” In VN -Theme Suffering -Financial Problems -Hard Living -Making It As Singers -Dating Singers -Accidents -Human To Human Crimes -How To Get To The United States

27 Physical Buildings And Transportation -Thailand, Malaysia, And Singapore -Hotels -Motels -Apartments -Bars -Clubs -Supermalls -Supermarkets -Companies -Motorcycles -Taxis -Trains -Airports -Gambling

28 Companies And Corporations -India And The Middle East -Work Time -Play Time

29 Modeling -Brazil, Portugal, And Spain -Amazon Rainforest -Rio De Janeiro -Marcello Alvarez -Jobs -Pay Less -Require Effort -Tired -Time Consuming -High School Drop Out -Saving Money -Criminal Offenses -Competition

30 Hierarchy In Society -Mexico -Poor -Rich -Cartels -Illegal Immigration To The United States -MTV Reality And Game Shows -Cabo San Lucas -Travel To The Caribbean

31 Route To Antarctica -Theme Living With Air Pollution 1990s -Chile -Santiago -San Antonio -Argentina -Buenos Aires -Andes Mountains -Lake Titicaca -Atacama Desert -Tierra Del Fuego -Tip Of South America -Cape Horn -Herding Farm Animals -Biking

32 High School In Vietnam -Movie Length Duration -Fun During School -Hard Times Outside Of School

33 United States Road Trip -Washington -Oregon -California to East Coast -Variety Of Climates -Route 66

34 Girl Pornstars -Hot Girls -Hard Past -Family -Friendships -Relationships -School -Money -On The Street -Need Food -Need House -Need Home -Models -Real -Instagram -Victoria’s Secrets -Pornstars -Feelings -Resentful -Fearful -Anxious -Apprehensive -Insecure -Suspicious -Trust -Travel -Making It In The Porn Industry

35 Guy Pornstars -Straight Guys -Gay/Bi Guys -Henry Pheet -Malcolm -Random Grindr Hookups -Travel -Making It In The Porn Industry Leonardo DiCaprio Robert De Nero John Travolta Tom Cruise Henry Cavill Simon Pegg Christian Bale Hugh Jackman Keanu Reeves Edward Norton Sean Connery Matt Damon Mel Gibson George Clooney Tom Hardy Orlando Bloom Guy Pearce Heath Ledger Robert Redford Paul Newman Scarlett Johansson Rachel McAdams Amanda Bynes Japan -1900s WWI/II -Westernization South Korea -1990s K-POP China -Song Dynasty -Ending Ancient China -1900s Beijing Vietnam -School In United States -Travel -Love -Comedy -Countryside “Que” Thailand, Malaysia, And Singapore -Physical Buildings And Transportation Drama India -The Middle Centuries Taj Mahal -Companies And Corporations The Middle East -Companies And Corporations Europe -Medieval -Renaissance -Exploration -Imperialism Italy -Roman Empire France -1900s Great Britain -Industrial Revolution Mexico -“Hierarchy In Society” Brazil -Modeling Portugal -Modeling Spain -Modeling

[sinceileftyoublog]

Gretchen Lieberum Interview: Eerie Nostalgia

BY JORDAN MAINZER

Singer-songwriter Gretchen Lieberum wanted to make an album of standards while totally subverting your preconception of what that sounded like. With This May Only Be A Dream, which came out Friday, she succeeds, in both capturing the magic of old recordings and performance styles while talking full advantage of the time-bending quality of modern production. In BAFTA-winning composer Keefus Ciancia, Lieberum picked the perfect partner. After singing over piano, she sent what were basically demos to Ciancia, who removed the piano, deconstructing and reconstructing the songs to then be rerecorded with session musicians. The result shares the ambition of something like Julia Holter’s version of “Hello Stranger” but over a whole album. Album opener “Come Rain or Come Shine”, which has been recorded by Ray Charles, Billie Holliday, and Chet Baker, combines lurking, fluttering woodwinds with reverb-laden vocals and chaotic orchestration. On “Blue Skies”, a song that you expect to build up with drums, strings, and chorus, like in a climax scene in a Hollywood epic, the strings cut in and out, toying with your perception. While there are some songs that sound familiar, like the Fiona Apple-esque percussive clatter of “Angel Eyes” or the solemn, quiet closer “While We’re Young”, the back-and-forth between subtlety and Technicolor orchestration keeps you on your toes.

A couple months ago, I spoke with Lieberum from her home in L.A. and Ciancia from his in France about how the album was constructed, their approach to recording, and how they would describe the music. Read our conversation below, edited for length and clarity.

Since I Left You: So this seriously just started with you singing over piano, Gretchen?

Gretchen Lieberum: I have a friend who has a studio in his house. I wanted to do an album of standards for years and years. It’s just an idea I’ve had I couldn’t let go of. I wanted to do an album of these songs but interpreted in an unusual way, not acoustic bass, drums, piano, and that’s it. I’ve known Keefus for years, and he was the only guy I wanted for the job. So I waited years and years, and finally, the timing was right to start working on it. I’d just record vocals with my friend Peter at his studio playing piano, which is great because I do much better in low pressure situations. If I’m in a big fancy studio, I’m like, “Oh god, how much is this costing?” It’s hard for me to be emotional and in the moment. I was just able to go to my friend’s house and record any song that popped into my head or I was feeling. I would send them to Keefus, and he would pick his faves. I think I recorded maybe 25 songs in all, and we ended up with 10.

Keefus Ciancia: The most important part is what Gretchen said--the comfort zone that Gretchen was in where she could get to the feel and heart of the song, comfortably with Peter. He’s an amazing piano player, and they had such a good rhythm that everything I was getting made it so that it was just real. It felt right. That was always fun to be able to open these and also have total separation, pick out Peter’s stuff and start reimagining things, erasing the chords. Gretchen was on fire! She was knocking them out. A lot of great pieces I’ve never heard, too, which I really enjoyed. Maybe that was good for me, too, to not know those standards as well so I wasn’t trapped in the chords. Maybe my lameness of being a hack--I wanted to be a jazz player but I couldn’t do it! [laughs]

GL: That’s what’s so great. I didn’t want a jazz guy to produce it. That’s what ended up happening--he would choose his own chords underneath the melodies that were really interesting and cool.

SILY: Did you know he was gonna remove the piano?

GL: Oh yeah. I know Keefus’s aesthetic and how he works, so I was like, “I’m gonna send you this, have fun, go to town.” I sent him literally zero notes and never knew what I was gonna get back. There’d be a song that’s a stark ballad that would come back with a full orchestra, some of the tempo sped up, some of it slowed down. Different lines chopped up into different places. Quite a few times, I’d take the song and rerecord the vocal to go with what Keefus did, to emotionally match what he created. Sometimes not--the song “Come Rain or Come Shine” was one take I did at Peter’s house and didn’t change at all.

SILY: How did you whittle down from the initial list of 25 songs for this record?

GL: This project was so much about emotion and love and love of these songs. What songs I loved singing and what was inspiring me. I grew up in a house where jazz was constantly playing. My father wasn’t a musician but a huge fan. It was a big part of my life growing up. I was in the jazz band as a singer in high school. These are songs I’ve known my whole life. There were some that I tried that I didn’t feel that I didn’t send to Keefus.

There are a few that aren’t jazz standards, too. We do a Beach Boys song, which is also a song that I love.

SILY: They’re standards nonetheless, independent of genre.

GL: Yes.

SILY: What made you want to release “Come Rain or Come Shine” as the first single and open with it?

GL: It’s just one of my favorites. One of the ones I’m most proud of. It’s indicative of the project as a whole. It’s a standard I approach traditionally from how I’m singing it, but there are these surreal flourishes around it. Also, I mean, what an intro, that [screams] “Ahhh!”

KC: I agree.

SILY: What was the process of getting the session musicians in after Keefus worked on the songs?

KC: Basically, it was kind of known all the way through that once we got these bodies we’d get some more breath and air on it to get more of the quality Gretchen and I love from old 50′s recordings but also taking it somewhere new. That studio is now closed--Vox Studios--such an amazing place that was perfect for that record. It was the first commercial studio in Hollywood through Paramount.

GL: It was the longest continuously running studio in the world, I read.

KC: Someone will move in, I’m sure. Woody [Jackson], who owns it, there was no rebuilding the rooms because they sounded so good from how they were built in the 40′s. The room is amazing, and his engineer Michael Harris is incredible. He was the first one to get his ears on this stuff besides Gretchen and I. To be able to put it in a room, listen through a different system, warm things up for his outboard gear. We had some of our favorite musicians. It wasn’t a ton of folks, but the dream scenario where we had 5 days and a rolling, “Get moving”. The next day, Gretchen sings, then some more people come in.

GL: Jay Bellerose is so damn good. So tasty. He just goes in and does his thing.

KC: His heart breathes all the old jazz but he’s also someone who likes to keep pushing things. I think that was the trick with us--we always want to hear something new. Of course, there are some things that sound great that you should do again, but we all listen to music so much you just want something new. Sometimes, you have to make it yourself.

SILY: The album does sound new even though it has older reference points, both the songs themselves and aesthetically. A lot of older jazz tunes with woodwinds and fluttery strings have something eerie and disorienting about them. Thinking about a track like “Blue Skies”, when the sound cuts in and out. That’s not something you hear on traditional “standards” records. To what extent were you trying to achieve that eerie nostalgia?

GL: I think “eerie nostalgia”’s just our M.O., you know? [laughs]

KC: I like that, eerie nostalgia.

GL: I don’t even think we try. 

SILY: “For All We Know” starts out with quiet plucks of string but ends up a swinging jazz tune, the moment on here that’s the most “traditional.”

GL: Even on that one, it’s funny because our friend David Ralicke, who plays the horns on everything--he’s incredible and has such great taste. But this one, I was like “Keefus, I don’t know.” Keefus was like, “It’s gotta get big. It’s gotta be a party at the end, an explosion!” Ralicke, he sent a bunch of horns. When he sent them in, they were very bright and intense, and I was like, “Oh god, this is a little weird!” Keefus was like, “Don’t worry, I’m gonna make it weird and demented.” It is traditional, but something about the way it’s mixed or the added affects give it that eeriness, which I love.

One thing Keefus often did that was really surprising to me was there were songs I sent as straight ballads, like this one. If you listen to the lyrics, the first half is like, “Who knows what’s gonna happen? Life is so uncertain.” But then it’s like, “Who cares? Tomorrow may never come.” And it’s a celebration. It’s one of my favorite songs now after being most uncertain about it at first. Keefus, you sent me Frank Sinatra, Jr. singing “Black Knight” [as a reference]. It starts as a ballad and explodes, an emotional outburst.

SILY: Is there any other specific track on here you think is a standout?

KC: Each one is such a little episode, that even that was tricky to put in order for the record. It almost would have been interesting to go old school and release 45s, make each one of them a single and B-side. When you hear “Wild Is The Wind”, on my radio, I would make that a single. It’s totally different than the others. It’s not this powerhouse. But if I bought it as a single, I would think it’s a really beautiful single. Same with “Who Knows Where The Time Goes”. That’s on Keefus & Gretchen radio. [laughs]

GL: “Who Knows Where The Time Goes” was the very first song Keefus did. It was the only vocal recorded at my house, with a different friend in my dining room, with a little laptop mic set up. We used that vocal. It’s a pretty special one, and genre-defying. “Wild Is The Wind” fits comfortably in the jazz section. Or not--I don’t know. It’s a weird question. One of the things I hate more than anything is when I’m uploading my music and it asks you to pick a category. I don’t know. I hate picking a category. Nothing feels quite right, and it feels like a mixture of all of these things.

KC: Gretchen is a huge jazz fan listening for a long time, but jazz records strayed from her and my tastes as it went along. Jazz records went on a different road and started getting not such a punk rock vibe. It was a classy thing, not so underground. That was one thing we were talking about when finishing the record. We think it should be heard by all age groups and invite them to learn these pieces because they might not have the chance to learn them as often. To pick a genre can really be dangerous for all artists because there are a ton of artists that like a ton of different music and can make a ton of different music and change their records as they go. That was big, too: approaching this apart from being a jazz record and bringing in new listeners. Gretchen and I don’t know exaxctly how this works with the tagging on Spotify, but if you put “jazz” on it, does that mean other people will never listen to it?

GL: I don’t think it is a jazz album. It’s an album of standards, but I wouldn’t call it a jazz album.

KC: I like to call it torched songs instead of torch songs.

SILY: What was the overall approach to the sequencing?

GL: I really pulled my hair out. I was crying myself to sleep at night. It was hard. One thing we ended up doing, which was Keefus’s idea, was he felt like the A-side of the record leaned themselves more to samples and surreal electronic elements. Keefus was like, “Once you get sucked into the album, the vibe is very complementary, and you can take people anywhere.” So after the first 4-5 songs, “Wild is the Wind” comes, which is a stripped down ballad. From then, you’re just on the ride.

SILY: What was the inspiration behind the album title?

GL: I had this idea of taking a line from one of the songs as the album title. I went through all the songs and went through some of my favorite lines. At one point, I thought I was gonna call it “How Blue The Sky” which is from the last song, “While We’re Young.” But then I thought “This May Only Be A Dream” felt really good with the dreaminess of this music and the somewhat surreal journey it takes you on. One thing I’m really proud of about the record is it takes you on an emotional journey from start to finish. I know the kids don’t listen to albums anymore. Peter was one of the people I sent it to, and he said, “I feel like I watched a film listening to this album.” That felt right.

SILY: What’s the story behind the cover art?

GL: Keefus’s daughter Raven [Violet Ciancia-Vincent] is a really talented visual video artist. She’s the one that directed the video for “Come Rain or Come Shine.” We made a video for the song “Don’t Explain”, and that’s just a still from the video. She layers things like a collage, so there’s a video of me with fireworks on top of it. When I was trying to come up with something to make the cover, I took a bunch of stills from the video, and that one jumped out at me, especially with the title, This May Only Be A Dream. I just thought it really worked beautifully together. The font, to me, is a throwback to the Blue Note covers. I know a lot of people do Blue Note covers, so I wanted to do a little nod to it without fully going there.

SILY: Are you planning on doing any shows?

GL: When we do end up playing live again--Keefus, I should probably talk to you about what the hell you think I should do--but some of it would be laptop-tracked songs with live bass or drums on top of it. That’s possible, right, Keefus?

KC: I would dream of a full-on 10-to-12 piece orchestra. For a special show in Los Angeles, and when everything explodes, a special show in New York and Paris. I think you could get the right band, and it’s all completely playable.

GL: Maybe a keyboard player adding samples.

KC: Do you play, Jordan? Gretchen’s looking for band members.

SILY: I don’t.

GL: Show me ya stuff, kid! [laughs]

SILY: What else is next for you?

GL: My husband [filmmaker Jacob Aaron Estes] ended up doing an alternate video for “Don’t Explain” that we’re gonna release that I’m pretty excited about. The other thing that I do--which is a totally other universe--is my Prince cover band with Maya Rudolph. I hope we start playing again. That would be great. I am glad, though, that I had so much time to focus on my own music. As much as I love doing Princess, it’s not totally me. I want to really focus on this for a while.

KC: I’m doing Pringles commericals. [laughs] I’ve been working on a bunch of shows and some records and a new soundtrack for a show [Made For Love]. I’ve made a lot of music during the last year and a half. There’s some fun stuff coming up. I’ll start a new Unloved record when our band is allowed to fly over here.

SILY: Anything you’ve been listening to, watching, or reading that’s caught your attention?

GL: My mind just went utterly blank. [laughs] Utterly. I’ve been reading a lot of weird dystopian future stuff to distract my anxiety about the dystopian future stuff we’re dealing with in real life. Reading it calms my nerves.

KC: I watched the Bee Gees documentary [How Can You Mend a Broken Heart] the other night on HBO. I thought it was beautiful. They just touch those places, when you hear those voices.