#Mafalda Mais

[narizentupidocartazes]

[2022] 11 de Novembro | Reptilian Expo | Dilian | George Silver & Mafalda Mais | Damas - Lisboa Cartaz [Catarina Real]

[dimensionesogno]

DRAMMA ANTICO

Afrodite nasce dalle onde del greco mar, il mare Ionio che sta dentro il mare che sta in mezzo alle terre, nasce dal seme del Cielo stellato, Ouranos, nasce dal membro amputato dal figlio, Kronos, Ouranos e Kronos per Lei, la Venere greca aveva del maschio e della femmina, bastava a se stessa, autonoma perché faceva Legge a se stessa, a se stessa, a se stessa, autos kai nomos, potere e gloria…

[outfitsinspiration]

Who: Vicky Montanari (vicmontanari)

What: FORA by Mafalda Patrício sunglasses in Cherry (149.00€) Where: Instagram - May 29, 2024

Worn with: Sophihe and Lucie bikini set and trousers, Prada hat

[jerzwriter]

New Traditions

Trystan may have lived in New York for years, but Thanksgiving was always just another day. This year, he's spending it with Carolina, Tommy, and their friends. He's impressed with their celebration's Latin flair and their generous, unique traditions, all of which lead him to a bit of self-discovery.

Book: Crimes of Passion (Post Book 2) Pairing: Trystan Thorne x F!MC (Carolina Rose) Other Characters: Tommy Rose, Luke Watanabe, Ruby Webster, Mafalda Ginovesi. Words: 1,800 Rating: Teen A/N: This had been in the works already, but I appreciated the ask as well! Participating in @choicesnovchallenge - Thanksgiving / @choicesholidays - I'm thankful for you... / @choicesficwriterscreations Holiday Event

Full Masterlist | COP Masterlist | Holiday Masterlist

Carolina stood quietly in a darkened corner behind the bar, eyes focused on her task. The day before Thanksgiving was always chaotic at her uncle's bar, but she had only one care in the world: slicing plantains with meticulous precision. She was grateful for the repetitive task, for while it was a happy chaos that surrounded her, it kept her out of the melee.

“Luke!” Rubby yelled from across the room, eyeing the seating chart on her clipboard. “What did you do? This table isn’t supposed to be here.”

“If we put it this way, it will give us more room to walk behind and serve food,” he insisted.

“Yes. But if we put it this way,  we can’t put another against the wall. If the same amount of people show up as last year, we won’t have room for everyone to sit.”

“But....”

“But nothing,” Mafalda scolded from a few feet away. “I personally put Ruby in charge of the seating for a reason. We aren’t expecting as many as last year; we’re expecting more, and we have to maximize seating.”

“Fine,” Luke sighed begrudgingly. “I’ll defer to the boss.”

“And in this situation, that’s clearly Ruby,” Carolina winked. “Right, Luke?”

Luke was about to retort when he was interrupted by Uncle Tommy running through the room. 

“Coming through! Coming through! I have the pernil!”

“He has the Pernil,” Mafalda sang joyfully.  “Now, we know it’s going to be a party!”

“Yeah, too bad it’s not for us,” Carolina chuckled.

Tommy turned to his niece with sympathetic eyes. “Sobrina, you know the rules. You’ll have plenty of your own pernil... tomorrow.”

“I know, I know... I’m just teasing! I love our community Thanksgiving. I wouldn’t change it for anything!”

There was a loud tap on the front door, and Carolina’s face brightened visibly when she saw Trystan outside, his arms loaded with boxes filled with baked goods. She and Ruby both rushed to greet him.

“Hello, gorgeous!” Carolina beamed, placing a quick peck on Trystan’s ice-cold cheek as Ruby helped take the falling boxes from his hands.

“Thanks for the help there, Carolina,” Ruby teased.

But Trystan wouldn’t have it. “Hey! Priorities!” He took off his jacket, and a chill ran through him. “God, it’s cold out there.”

“Well, perhaps you should begin dressing for New York winters,” Carolina reprimanded.

“Says you!” Luke interrupted. “I’ve never seen you in more than that unlined leather.”

“Yes, but style matters to me... and besides... I don’t complain about the cold.”

“She’s got you there,” Ruby agreed.

“No matter,” Carolina dismissed, “Because I have the perfect way to help you warm up.”

Trystan raised a brow as he took Carolina under his arm. “Oh, do you now?”

But she pushed him away with a giggle. “Easy there, tiger! I meant you could work up a sweat helping me slice the plantains. We have five pastelons to make, and they’re not going to cut themselves.”

He followed her behind the bar and lifted the largest plantain with an adolescent amusement.  

“Oh, slicing phallic-shaped fruits into pieces... that’s how I’m going to warm up.”

“Yes it is,” Mafalda smirked. “And I’d be careful if I were you! Because Carolina finds that task very relaxing.”

“Yeah, I’d be good if I were, pal,” Luke cautioned.

Trystan wrapped his arms around Carolina and pulled her into a kiss. “As if I’d be anything but."

“Iww. Gross,” Luke protested. But Carolina wouldn’t have it.

“Hey, you started it!”

Tommy came in from the kitchen with some appetizers, and the group gathered around the bar as Trystan and Carolina continued slicing away.

“So, what are pastelons anyway,” Trystan asked.

“It’s sort of like a lasagna, but instead of layered pasta, we use layers of sliced plantain,” Carolina advised.

“And it’s delicious,” Ruby salivated. “Pastelon, Tommy’s pernil, and some arroz con gandules... that’s all I need to be happy in this world.”

“Good to know," Luke deadpanned.

“I meant foodwise, of course.”

“While everything sounds delicious, I’ve done some research, and this isn’t traditional Thanksgiving fare.”

“It’s traditional Thanksgiving fare when you’re dating a Puerto Rican from the Bronx, my love,” Carolina smiled.

“It’s not as if we won’t have the rest,” Tommy piped in. “I have three turkeys in the oven right now, along with stuffing, and my mashed potatoes are to die for.”

“What about yams?” Trystan asked, earning him peculiar looks from all in attendance.

“Honey... no one eats yams.”

“You’re kidding me!” He gasped in mock horror. “Now, my entire holiday is ruined! I was led to believe there would be yams!”

“Babe,  you’re making far too big a deal out of this.”

“I know. I yam,” Trystan grinned.

Carolina playfully smacked his arm as the others groaned.

“How did we end up with him?” Luke asked.

“It was sheer luck on your part!” Trystan stated. “So, how did this evening's tradition begin?”

“Opening the bar to the community?” Carolina asked.  “We’ve been doing this since I was very young. My father and Uncle Tommy always loved doing this, and I followed in their footsteps.”

Tommy poured some wine for all as he began to share the story.

“Jimmy and I were working late one year, and a woman came in quite distraught.  Her husband had recently died, leaving her with three young children.  She didn’t have the money for a proper Thanksgiving dinner, but it had been her late husband’s favorite holiday, and she didn’t want the kids to go without. Jimmy and I just shot each other a look; we knew what we were going to do.  We told her not to worry about it and, on Thanksgiving Day, we brought everything her family needed to her apartment. It was the best feeling to know we could help.”

“This has always been a low-income community,” Carolina added.  “So, there are a lot of families who have to do without.”

“She’s right,” Tommy nodded.  “But it isn’t only about money.  We have a large immigrant community, and sometimes they don’t have family here, and it can be hard to spend the holiday's alone."

“Exactly,” Mafalda agreed. “Not to mention, everyone isn't blessed with a loving family. Some choose not to spend the holidays at home because their family isn’t accepting.”

“Amen to that,” Carolina agreed. “I remember when I told my father and Tio that I was bisexual.  They were great, but many of my friends were not that fortunate.  Let’s just say the holidays can be the most depressing time of the year for many people, and we like to do our part to help that where we can.”

“So we decided we’d always open The Drunk Tank to the community on Thanksgiving Eve.  No one is turned away.”

Carolina nodded in agreement. “And once local residents and businesses learned about this, they began to give us donations, and it’s gotten bigger every year that we’ve hosted.”

“Yep, and all we ask is that everyone pay it forward with an act of kindness to others.”

“This is a beautiful tradition,” Trystan said, his voice rife with emotion.  “So you have Thanksgiving with your community today and again with the family tomorrow.”

“Almost,” Tommy corrected.  “We get to have Thanksgiving with our family today and tomorrow. Our extended family today, and our closest family tomorrow.”

“We don’t do much eating tonight,” Luke informed. “Tonight, we’re here to serve. But tomorrow, make sure you wear your yoga pants, Trystan, because eating becomes a competitive sport.”

“Yoga pants?” Trystan asked. “I don’t think I own yoga pants.”

“Well, then you better squeeze into a pair of mine,” Carolina insisted.  “Because, trust me, you won’t survive the day without the benefit of spandex.”

Shortly after, people began to arrive, and the flow never seemed to end.  It was hard work, but the team worked together, and you could feel the joy and electricity in the air.  Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, Tommy was locking the door after the last guest left shortly after midnight. After quickly cleaning up, Tommy happily lined up glasses on the bar for one last tradition.

“Oh! This is my absolute favorite part of the night!” Mafalda grinned. "Coquito!"

“This isn’t my favorite part of the night,” Carolina said, grabbing her delicious coconut, rum and spice beverage. “This is my favorite part of the year."

“Yeah, why don’t we have coquito year-round?” Luke asked.

“Because if we did, then it wouldn’t be so special now.” Tommy said as he raised his glass.  “To another successful Thanksgiving, and to the most important thing of all... family.... which includes every one of you.”

“Hear, hear,” Ruby nodded as glasses clinked together.

Later that night, Trystan mindlessly played with Carolina’s hair as she nuzzled her head on his chest.  Exhausted but still buzzing with joy, they simply reveled in the thing they were most thankful for that year... each other.  Though he was silent, Carolina could tell Trystan was deep in thought. 

“What’s on your mind,” she whispered. “You’re never this quiet.”

“Are you saying I’m a loudmouth?” He asked.

“Just answer my question,” she laughed.  “I won’t be forced into brutal honesty on this special day.”

But Trystan refrained a moment longer, and Carolina felt when he swallowed hard. “That’s just it,” he said with a broken voice. “This day is special, and I’m sure tomorrow will be, too.”

“It will be.  We are pretty casual about it, but it’s a day filled with fun, food, and the people we love.”

“It’s about... family.” Trystan paused, gently lifting Carolina’s chin to face him.  “You know there are plenty of us Thorne’s; if we follow the textbook definition, it is a family.”

“Yes...”

“I’ve spent most of my life with them, and I always felt so alone.  But tonight... here with you, and Tommy, and everyone... Carolina, this is the first time in my life I’ve ever spent a holiday as part of a family, a true family... and that’s all because of you.”

With tears in her eyes, Carolina leaned over and met Trystan with a warm, gentle kiss.  When they eventually broke away, each wore blissful grins.

“It’s not all because of me,” she insisted. “We wouldn’t let just anyone in, you know. It took someone pretty incredible.”

“I am incredible,” he smirked. “Aren’t I?”

“Yes, you are.  And you’re humble... oh, so humble.”

They both giggled as Trystan pulled her close.

“I love when you acknowledge that,” he teased. “But all joking aside... I’m so grateful for what we share. You... you’re my family, Carolina.  And I never plan on letting you go."

“Damn right,” she beamed. “Because you’re my family too, and family is forever.”

~~~~ So, our Drakovian prince and New York Rican princess are happy again... I sense some drama coming soon! lol Thank you for reading!

Tagging on separate post.

[sk1fanfiction]

Chapter Ten: Parry, Feint, Castle

“What is it?” asked Harry, pushing himself up into a sitting position so he could get a better view.

Sirius let the medal slip through his fingers, the satin ribbon held between his index finger and thumb, slowly rotating in the ample light of the Hospital Wing, the ‘M’ sparkling.

“Order of Merlin,” he said. “First class.”

I knew it was something important! thought Harry triumphantly.

“Not something you drop in a junk shop,” said Sirius contemplatively. “Not something you’re really intended to wear, either. Some sort of message, maybe… a warning… or a threat…”

There's something he suspects, thought Harry, his stomach lurching uneasily, searching Sirius’s face studiously, noticing the slight clench of his jaw. Something he doesn’t want to tell us.

“What is it?” Harry breathed.

Sirius sighed heavily, his voice growing more and more bitter as he spoke. “I can’t be sure. But there’s one Death Eater who definitely owns one of these, one Death Eater for whom it is his crowning glory, his only achievement.”

All the time Sirius was speaking, it was as if something dark and heavy was settling on the Hospital Wing. Harry felt as if the light had dimmed, the room had darkened, a great shadow was leaning over them.

“I can’t be sure,” said Sirius again, frowning at the medal. ”But I think this may belong to—"

Dumbledore, T.M. Riddle, and Bill get to the bottom of the mysterious curse. Sirius visits Harry in the Hospital Wing. Tonks trains Mafalda for her new and dangerous mission — spying on Narcissa Malfoy. Read from the beginning at FFN|AO3!

[lilyoffandoms]

Crimes Drabble (Trystan x Noel)

Warning & A/N: A little gift for @hydn-jpg as a thank you for all the beautiful art you created for free a few weeks back for our little fandom. You are a gem!! Imagine this takes place right after book two.

The tension that leaves me with the momentary weightless feeling of the plane taking to the air has me breathing a sigh of relief. If I believed in a higher power, I’d say a prayer in thanks.

I watch out the window as the Drakovian capital slips further and further away. I watch until the clouds begin to blot out every neighborhood one by one. If only they could blot out the bad memories that linger in the air.

Luke and Ruby sit snuggled close together near the front of the cabin. Some Drakovian spy thriller plays on the screen before them. I can’t help the small smile that threatens to break at their critiques of the acting, realism, and cinematography.

Mafalda and Tommy sit with a glass in their hands sipping whiskey and reminiscing over old cases. Again, a small smile seeks its way to the surface as I think of how lucky I am to have all four of them in my life.

I start as a hand slips into mine and a bottle of whiskey is set between us.

Of all the people I am most thankful to have found in my life, I worry it may be him.

“What’s the for?” I question the bottle and no glasses.

“You look like you need it. Have you even taken a breath since takeoff?” he grins.

“I’ll breath when we are out of Drakovian air space.”

“Noel,” he chuckles at me.

The smile finally breaks and I shake my head at him and turn back to the window to watch the last of the godforsaken place and case disappear beneath the clouds.

“Have a drink with me.”

“We can have a celebratory drink when we touch down in New York,” I state and rest my head on his shoulder.

“Noel,” he laughs again.

“That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”

“Fine. I can agree to that,” Trystan whispers into a kiss to the top of my head.

I close my eyes and pray to gods I don’t believe in that the worst is finally behind us.

[sobreiromecanico]

Amadora BD

Mais um ano de Amadora BD, desta vez em duas etapas: uma primeira ida de manhã para tirar senhas para os autógrafos da tarde (ao melhor estilo Loja do Cidadão / Centro de Saúde) e, enfim, para desgraçar a carteira. O desastre só não foi maior devido a algumas despesas inesperadas deste mês... mas ainda deu para trazer uns livrinhos para casa.

Não sei bem quem teve a ideia de começar a fazer excelentes adaptações de literatura para banda desenhada, mas têm vindo daí imensos bons livros. A Seita, em particular, tem apostado bastante neste segmento; este O Inferno de Dante é um dos mais recentes de uma colecção que já inclui Dracula, Frankenstein e Macbeth, entre outros. Quanto à Joana Afonso e à Joana Mosi, a esta altura do campeonato é seguro dizer que compro qualquer coisa ilustrada e/ou escrita por elas. No caso da Joana Afonso, aproveitei para comprar este Maria Moisés, com argumento de Carina Correia adaptando o romance homónimo de Camilo Castelo Branco para a colecção "Clássicos da Literatura Portuguesa em BD" da Levoir em parceria com a RTP (uma excelente iniciativa, já agora!). Da Joana Mosi já tinha comprado há uns dias o seu mais recente livro, A Educação Física, mas calhou encontrar este Nem Todos os Cactos Têm Picos numa das bancas, e não o deixei ficar lá.

Tanto Maria Moisés como A Educação Física tiveram direito a apresentação oficial no auditório do Amadora BD, com a presença das autoras - é sempre muito interessante ouvi-las a falar sobre os seus trabalhos. E seguiram-se os autógrafos.

Primeiro com a Joana Mosi, que fez uma excelente apresentação ao novo "A Educação Física", e com quem é sempre um gosto conversar nestas ocasiões.

E depois com a Joana Afonso, e também com a Carina Correia. Já o disse aqui no ano passado, também a propósito da passagem pelo Amadora BD, e suspeito de que voltarei a dizê-lo qualquer dia: ver a Joana Afonso a desenhar é absolutamente extraordinário. Já vi muitos excelentes artistas a fazer trabalhos incríveis em sessões de autógrafos, mas há qualquer coisa na forma como a Joana aborda o desenho que é fascinante de ver. Temos cá em casa a maior parte dos livros dela - todos óptimos, diga-se de passagem, e quase todos (se não todos) autografados; aliás, é possível que a Joana Afonso seja a autora portuguesa com mais livros nas nossas estantes.

Fora do espaço das bancas- bem composto, como se vê, mas sem o caos do ano passado - há ainda uma zona de gaming (onde não fui) e o pavilhão das exposições, onde o destaque vai para a Mafalda, de Quino, por ocasião do 60º aniversário da célebre contestatária:

Uma exposição dedicada ao 25 de Abril, no ano em que se assinalam os 50 anos da revolução que pôs fim à ditadura em Portugal:

E um pequeno espaço dedicado ao super-herói Daredevil, da Marvel.

E mais alguns espaços - existe uma exposição dedicada a Naruto, outra à história de tiras de jornal do diário desportivo A Bola, e mais algumas que me escapam agora. O espaço está óptimo (ainda que demasiado quente, ou pelo menos assim parecia hoje à tarde).

A Amadora BD vai continuar até ao próximo Domingo, 27 de Outubro. Já para mim só regressará em 2025.

[leozinnxl]

Hoje eu recebi a pior notícia de todas, vou ter uma atividade para fazer no dia do meu aniversário 😭, tinha vários planos para fazer nesse final de semana ate o dia 15, mais meus sonhos foram tudo para o ralo. Depois da aula, eu a Duda, px e Mafalda ficamos um pouco no parque e dps fomos para o senac, onde não tinha absolutamente nada para fazer, um tempinho depois o px ficou me enchendo o saco para ir embora falei para ele que não queria ir, então ele ficou tristinho e foi embora com lágrimas no rosto.

esse foi meu dia blog, até amanhã 💙🤸🏽‍♀️

[hprarepairfest]

Rare Pair Fest IV Works - Day 15

We're slowly winding down with sharing our incredible submissions! Here's another day of amazing ships!!

~

Title: Apple Tree and Juniper Author: @trueliarose Ship: Harry Potter/Charlie Weasley Prompt: #372 Rating: T Word Count: 17732 Warnings: None Summary:

Charlie Weasley, dragon tamer, single, attractive and the man Harry had had a crush on for years - what will happen when said man has to take some time off at work and decides to occupy himself by helping out with Harry's business?

💞🍐💞

Title: God/Monster Author: @autumnsup Ships: Remus Lupin/Harry Potter, Remus Lupin/Sirius Black, Harry Potter/Ginny Weasley Prompt: Lupin has survived the War but Harry isn't sure the same holds true for himself, and he turns to Lupin for help during eighth year (self-prompt). Rating: M Word Count: 35k Warnings: Mild smut, mention of blood, grief, mind games, implied self-harm, homophobia, and cheating Summary:

Harry's in trouble, after finding an old journal of Sirius' that may or may not be cursed, and Lupin, newly reinstated as a Defense professor at Hogwarts, is in the unenviable position of cleaning up the mess. Luckily he and Harry have an innocent friendship free of complications to see them through the process - OR DO THEY?

💞🍐💞

Title: anatomy of a memory Author: @venom0usbarbie Ship: Tom Riddle/Ginny Weasley Prompt: #239 - Instead of Harry or Hermione getting flung back in time to Tom's school days, it's Ginny. Rating: M Word Count: 9,626 Warnings: implied underage sexual content, mild violence Summary:

Five years ago, a diary nearly killed her. Five years later, it's still hidden below her pillow. Maybe she should have burned it when she had the chance.

💞🍐💞

Title: Heliotrope Author: @hermioneclone Ships: Mafalda Hopkirk/Dolores Umbridge, Mafalda Hopkirk/Fabian Prewett, Mafalda Hopkirk & Arthur Weasley & Molly Weasley, Mafalda Hopkirk & Gwenog Jones Prompt: #182 Rating: Explicit Word Count: 22,146 Warnings: Extremely Dubious Consent, Espionage, Bad BDSM Etiquette, Heavy BDSM, Double Penetration, Bondage and Discipline, Grief/Mourning, Flogging, Dolores Umbridge Being an Asshole, Crucio | Cruciatus Curse (Harry Potter) Summary:

Voldemort is back, even if the Ministry is denying it, and Mafalda knows what's at stake. The last war robbed her of a future with Fabian, and hell if she was going to sit around doing nothing while Molly and Arthur ran into battle. Getting dominated by Dolores Umbridge might not sound quite as noble, but Mafalda was willing to do whatever it took to get the information she needs. And if she enjoys herself at least a little bit? Well. She considers it payment for services rendered.

💞🍐💞

Title: Use Mouthwash Afterward Author: @eloiseevans Ships: Severus Snape/Lily Evans Potter, James Potter/Lily Evans Potter Prompt: #5 Rating: E Word Count: 3,141 Warnings: Sexual bribery Summary:

What her daughter wants, her daughter gets. Lily will not see Rose's heart crushed a third time, no matter how far she has to go.

~

See the whole collection HERE!

🍐

[peonierose]

Thank you @aallotarenunelma for tagging me in WIP Friday. I have so many WIPs I could probably fill out 365 days well 366 days this year 🥰 So I’ll share some of my current WIPs with you.

Peppermint Kisses

Book: Crimes of Passion

Pairing: Rose De Luca x Trystan Thorne

“Cheer up Rosa. We’re trying to have fun. You do remember what fun is, right?“ Trystan grins and I give him an evil glare. Mafalda, Luke, Ruby and uncle Tommy snicker from the side.

“She actually doesn’t know what that word means. It’s not in her vocabulary.“ Luke teases. I take a marshmallow out of my mug and throw it at him. It hits him square in the face.

“Ugh. Gross.“ He rubs his cheek and we all laugh.

“There’s more where that came from.“ I taunt him and his dark brown eyes widen behind his black rimmed glasses.

Dear John - Part 1

Book: Open Heart

Pairing: Keiki Lahela x Koa Haulani

“What are these? They must be really old. And look, they're dated back from the 1940s. That’s during Pearl Harbor.“ She shudders. I pull her closer until she almost sits in my lap. She instantly relaxes.

“Where did you say you found these letters?“ I ask her and she picks another letter out of the pile.

“I found the letters down at Waikiki beach. They were hidden in the sand.“

“Damn Keiki, that's really cool. These letters date back a long time ago. Does it say anywhere who wrote the letters?“ I ask her and she opens up a letter and turns it over.

“Someone named Joy. No last name. She wrote it to the guy she loved. His name is John.“ She turns the letter over again.

We read the letter together, though it almost feels wrong to read lines in a love letter that wasn’t really meant for our eyes.

You make me see in colors

Book: Open Heart

Pairing: Luna Auclair x Bryce Lahela

”With the power vested in me I now pronounce you as husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride. But please don’t turn it into a make out session. That would make for a very awkward scene. Just saying.“

Lunes and I grin.

I take Lunes' face into my hands and kiss her. It feels as if we’re kissing for the first time. Her lips faintly taste like grapefruit.

I smile against her lips. Not wanting the kiss to end.

Sky turns towards everyone.

”I represent to you Mr. and Mrs. Lahela.“

Las hijas de Luna

Book: Open Heart

Pairing: Luna Auclair x Bryce Lahela

”Okay that’s good Lu. That’s good. Just keep pushing.“ Meilani says in a soothing voice.

I get to Luna’s side.

Luna shoots me an angry look.

”Where the fuck were you B?“

I wince and then I smile at her for using a curse word.

”Let’s leave story time for after you’ve given birth. What’s important is that I’m here.“

”I’m going to kick your ass for this later.“

I grin and kiss her forehead.

”I wouldn’t have it any other way.“

Meilani grins and her head nurse Valerie standing next to Meilani, keeping track of the heart monitor.

Meilanis voice gets me out of my trance.

”Dad? Wanna do the honors?“

I squeeze Luna‘s hand and stand in the front to catch the first baby.

As I do, a loud cry fills the room and I suddenly hold one of my girls in my arms.

Valerie smiles next to me.

I look at my little girl, and a whole new love enters my heart. I wasn’t prepared for this feeling.

It’s as if my heart is going to burst from all this love. Making space for new people entering my life. I still can’t believe Luna and I created these beautiful babies.

I take my daughter's little hand in mine and kiss it.

”Hi there, beautiful. Look at you being all pretty huh?“

Valerie keeps sniffing.

”A new member in your Ohana.“

I nod and keep rocking the baby and when she opens her eyes she looks at me and stops crying.

”It’s your awesome dad. So cool right? Look at your mom. Super strong and going at it.“

I’d love to see what you are working on if you’d like to share (no pressure):

And anyone else is welcome to join and share 🩷🩷🩷🩷

@inlocusmads @jerzwriter @the-pale-goddess @trappedinfanfiction @storyofmychoices @noesapphic @cariantha @cadybear420 @rosepetals1 @lilyoffandoms @aria-ashryver @zealouscanonindeer @kristinamae093 @amortentiaopenheart @jamespotterthefirst @liaromancewriter @potionsprefect @surrrenderronniebabe1 @a-cloud-for-dreams

[rosie-love98]

Hallows Or Crows?:

This is for a fic series where the "Harry Potter" films share the same universe as the 1998 "Worst Witch" series. As part of the series, it may reveal that, through Molly's Squib Second-Cousin, (let's call him "Benvolio Prewett"), the Weasleys are related to either Ethel Hallow and her sisters or Clarice Crow (the friend of Sybil Hallow).

Here's Choice 1: The Hallows--

As a Squib, Benvolio Prewett would work in the Muggle World as an accountant/stockbroker. Then, in the 1960's, he'd marry a lovely woman by the name of "Bernadette". Yet, Benvolio would soon reaize that Bernadette was a witch of the Ex-Codice ("Worst Witch" wizards) breed. The two would then have a daughter, Mafalda who, with her "Slytherin-Like" traits, would marry a wizard; Otis Hallow of the wealthy Hallow family. Together, they would have three daughters; Ethel, Sybil and Mona ranging from 1986-1994.

Choice 2: The Crow--

Benvolio Prewett would marry the Ex-Codice witch, Clarissa and have Mafalda as their daughter. Mafalda would later marry a wizard called "Lucas Crow" with Clarice being the product of the union.

With this in mind, which would be a better fit?

[thelivebookproject]

April - June 2023 | Reading Wrap Up

Hello hello, it's me!

Another three months have passed, which means I'm back with a reading wrap-up! I've done much much better these past few months because my pace of life has changed, which hopefully means I'll have way more time to read now than I had had until now. Yay for positive changes!

Code: books read in English are in black, books read in Spanish are in red and the book I read in French is in blue.

APRIL (3) • Everything I Know About Love: A Memoir - Dolly Alderton • De la Terre à la Lune (Baltimore Gun Club #1) - Jules Verne • A Rational Arrangement (Arranging Paradise #1) - L. Rowyn

April, if slow, was good: Dolly Alderton's memoir was absolutely amazing (although it wasn't until almost 60% when it convinced me because the beginning was very slow), I tackled my French reading goals with a Jules Verne I bought in a flea market in France, and I finally read A Rational Arrangement, after being threatened into it by a couple of friends for months. It was good, but not enough to read its sequel novella!

MAY (7) • Duke I'd Like To F...: A Historical Romance Anthology (Duke I'd Like to F... #1) - Various authors • Loxandra - María Iordanidu, translation by Selma Ancira • Mafalda, volumes 1-2-3-5-8-9-10, edited by Lumen - Quino • I'm So (Not) Over You - Kosoko Jackson

May had a lot of rhythm to it: I started with what I can only describe as "vaguely historical, mostly porn" (fun and entertaining); continued with a really good journey into the Greece at the beginning of the century with Loxandra (very recommended!); followed by seven volumes of the adventures of Mafalda, a very popular Argentinian comic strip not too dissimilar from Calvin and Hobbes, although it's more political and socially critical; and ended with a gay rom-com. Honestly, brilliant all around.

JUNE (6) • Viajes con Heródoto - Ryszard Kapuscinski, traslation by Agata Orzeszek • Una furtiva lágrima - Nélida Piñon, translation by Roser Vilagrassa • A Week to Be Wicked (Spindle Cove #2) - Tessa Dare • Emoji Pride and Prejudice: Epic Tales in Tiny Texts - Chuck Gonzales & Katherine Furman • Supersaurio - Meryem El Mehdati • Gods of Jade and Shadow - Silvia Moreno-García

And June was the month I saw my TBR, tackled it, and beat it into submission by reading four books that had been on it for YEARS. All of them were very good, I honestly don't know why I waited that long... I also picked up a Tessa Dare for light reading (as usual, very fun) and read a new-to-me Brazilian author, Nélida Piñón, who sadly wasn't it for me. But overall I'm very happy with my month!

In other notes, I've kept participating in the Goodreads group La vuelta al mundo en 80 libros (I do recommend it if you can read or discuss in Spanish!) and I joined the wonderful Forgotten YA Gems' Summer Reading Bingo Challenge once again (fifth edition!! Time flies!), which means it's time for a fancy bingo card update now that the first month has finished:

- New to you author: Una lágrima furtiva - Nélida Piñon, translation by Roser Vilagrassa - Heard about it online: A Week to be Wicked (Spindle Cove #2) - Tessa Dare - Retelling/adaptation: Emoji Pride and Prejudice: Epic Tales in Tiny Texts - Chuck Gonzales & Katherine Furman - #ownvoices: Supersaurio - Meryem El Mehdati - On TBR forever: Gods of Jade and Shadow - Silvia Moreno-García

Not doing too bad, I think!

All in all, I'm very happy with my reading progress and my yearly goals are on track -how are yours doing?

[outfitsinspiration]

Who: Mafalda Patrício (mafaldapatricio)

What: Chanel Lambskin Leather CC Logo Mary Jane Buckle Ballet Flats (Sold Out) When: Instagram - May 24, 2024

Worn with: Opéra Sport shirt, Rouje pants

[stereotypesclass1teachercarmen]

Stereotypes in cartoon strips

By Manuela Zanni

Cartoon strips can be very harmful, enhancing stereotypes and ethnocentrism? While they often rely on simplification and exaggeration for 0comedic effect, these very qualities can sometimes lead to the reinforcement of stereotypes. Looking in some newspapers and even respectable books like Garfield, Calvin and Harold and Mafalda, we can find some examples, and realize how harmful they can be. Most of them are stereotypes about women and nationalities. According to a Berkeley article, we stereotype because stereotyping is a common cognitive process, and it stems from the use of mental shortcuts known as "heuristics."But heuristics can lead us to make potentially damaging assumptions about other people, which is really bad. 

Throughout the latter half of the nineteenth century, ethnicity was the topic of many magazine cartoons. Most of these cartoons are not understood by today's readers as humorous. Even though we are in 2023 now, some cartoonists still make offensive jokes, including those old topics that are seen as wrong. A very current one is related to the paper of the woman, who is normally portrayed as vain and selfish: just thinking about clothes, shoes and herself. Of course, there are people like this, yet it is a minority and stereotype a lot saying all women are like this. Even being for a joke, it seems like all women are futile, clueless and those things. The list of peoples exploited by cartoonists includes more than this, going from that to ethnic and religious groups, intellectuals, professors, the elderly, scientists, poets and furthermore. 

But there is more: in addition to enhancing stereotypes, ethnocentrism also appears. Consequently, this concept is related to how certain comics or comic strips may promote or exhibit a biased or one-sided perspective that prioritizes one's own cultural group while denigrating or misunderstanding other cultures. On the other hand, there is a point in cartoon strips. Some of them bring stereotypes and ethnocentrism as a criticism to talk about people who really say that. Cartoonists often use stereotypes to critique, challenge, or satirize these preconceived notions in society. 

Cartoonists use stereotypes as part of a visual shorthand to communicate complicated ideas quickly and effectively. It's important to critically assess the content of these strips and consider the cultural and social context in which they were created.  Not only it's important to do this, but also some older cartoon strips have been rightfully criticized for perpetuating stereotypes, many contemporary creators are actively working to create more inclusive and diverse content that reflects the complexities of modern society. However, it’s important to always remember that the reason why those stereotypes also exist is to be funny, but from the moment it starts to not be a joke for someone it shouldn't be for no one

In conclusion, cartoon strips have the potential to both perpetuate stereotypes and challenge them, and it is up to creators and audiences to engage in a thoughtful and responsible examination of their content to ensure that they contribute positively to the discourse of our ever-evolving world and contributes constructively to a good dynamic and society, where everybody can stay in harmony, if this really exists…

[automatismascrive]

Charlie Brown meets the cryptids: Blind Alley

Quando nel consiglio dedicato a what happens next ho fatto il mio cappello vagamente nostalgico sui webcomic, ho citato anche una delle categorie più influenti che oggi traina il genere: fumetti – o graphic novel o qualsiasi altro modo in cui vengono chiamati nel tentativo di ottenere il rispetto della critica letteraria ok la pianto  – disegnati da illustratori professionisti pensati per essere rilasciati in formato cartaceo dopo un certo numero di tavole pubblicate e una fanbase sufficientemente ampia da assicurare delle vendite che permettano di coprire i costi di stampa. Intendiamoci, non è affatto l’unico formato di pubblicazione che oggi va per la maggiore (basti guardare Webtoon e i suoi peculiari formati di impaginazione), ma di sicuro le tavole super dettagliate pensate anche e soprattutto per il formato fisico sono molto più comuni rispetto ad anni fa. Ecco, Blind Alley, scritto e disegnato da Adam De Souza, è sicuramente uno di quei fumetti che nasce per essere stampato in formato fisico e a cui il digitale aggiunge poco o nulla, ma per tutt’altri motivi rispetto a quelli delle pubblicazioni appena citate: giusto per farvi capire senza bisogno di spiegare nulla di più, ecco una delle prime strisce.

Se vi si è affacciata alla mente una certa Lucy Van Pelt, avete centrato il punto.

Il formato è identico a quei classici fumetti – Peanuts, Calvin & Hobbes, Mafalda, Sturmtruppen e potrei citarne ancora un bel po’ – pubblicati come strisce singole su quotidiani, riviste specializzate come il mio amato Linus o altre pubblicazioni regolari che avevano sezioni dedicate. Tratto minimale, tavole in bianco e nero con le occasionali pagine a colori inserite appositamente per le raccolte delle strip più belle, buildup e punchline esauriti nello spazio di quattro vignette (qualcuno ha detto yonkoma?) e personaggi ricorrenti dal design distintivo e dalla personalità semplice e ben definita; ad una prima occhiata, tutto sembra identico a quei fumetti che hanno segnato in maniera indelebile il panorama del genere fin quasi all’omaggio spudorato. Eppure, striscia dopo striscia, appare evidente che Blind Alley vuole fare anche qualcos’altro: dalla sintetica descrizione del webcomic, che recita “This comic strip is about growing up in the strange and lonely neighborhood of Blind Alley”, ai piccoli elementi lontani dal tono degli scambi tra Lucy e Charlie Brown che compaiono man mano che le strisce aumentano di numero. Infatti per ogni conversazione tra bambini che cercano di capire il mondo degli adulti o che riscoprono accidentalmente qualcosa di universale nel mondano, abbiamo una striscia in cui il genietto dell’informatica scopre telecamere nascoste negli uccelli, o una in cui un bebè manifesta all’improvviso poteri telepatici; nonostante Blind Alley non rinneghi mai la sua anima schultziana, è evidente che si tratta anche di un fumetto che vuole usare tutti quegli archetipi degli urban horror per costruire un’atmosfera a metà tra una striscia di Watterson e un episodio di Welcome to the Nightvale – e sono convinta che fino ad ora ci stia riuscendo piuttosto bene.

Sì, Oliver assomiglia a Charlie Brown. C’è anche una gag che lo associa esplicitamente al nostro pelato preferito, ma questa vignetta mi faceva più ridere.

Questo tipo di pubblicazione funziona molto bene quando funzionano i suoi protagonisti: l’intero formato si regge sulla loro abilità di suonare a tratti più saggi di quello che dovrebbero essere i bambini, e a tratti dei normalissimi ragazzini che parlano di cose da ragazzini e che soprattutto si comportano come tali, anche nei loro modi di fare più insensibili ed egocentrici, in cui si ritrova anche un certo acume che rende gli scambi godibili anche da un pubblico adulto. Sicuramente Souza è molto abile nello scrivere esattamente questo tipo di personaggi, che appaiono insospettabilmente maturi nelle strisce che richiedono una riflessione adulta – pur filtrata da occhi giovani – e adorabilmente (o più spesso, insopportabilmente) infantili nelle loro dinamiche di gruppo; Kay, il maschiaccio che è capace di tenere testa a Ten, il bulletto del gruppo, rappresenta forse il personaggio più riuscito in questo senso, passando in poche strisce da una ragazzina che sfiora con tono ironico alcune verità del diventare adulti e della vita famigliare, ad una bambina che ama giocare a calcio e disegnare piccoli fumettini che vende in un banchetto che di sicuro ve ne ricorderà uno più famoso. Quasi tutti i personaggi, pur nella bidimensionalità della loro personalità richiesta dal formato, con il passare delle strip si evolvono e fanno scoprire al lettore ulteriori lati della loro personalità che sono coerenti con quello visto in precedenza senza rimanere costantemente uguali a sé stessi; si tratta oltretutto di bambini chiaramente cresciuti negli anni duemila, poiché Souza non si limita a riproporre archetipi di ragazzini degli anni ottanta per un fattore nostalgico, ma scrive personaggi che sono chiaramente figli del nostro tempo: ad esempio, Red è un informatico recluso che preferisce i computer agli amici in carne ed ossa, mentreTen e Oliver si scambiano spesso carte Pokémon. I riferimenti alla contemporaneità sono sporadici e molto vaghi, anche per massimizzare sia l’effetto di straniamento che quello di universalità delle dinamiche infantili, ma di certo siamo stati risparmiati dall’effetto di strangerthingificazione di alcuni media contemporanei.

Pokémon! E una April prima del makeover: è l’unico personaggio a cambiare aspetto in modo significativo nel corso delle strisce.

Anche il character design contribuisce alla naturalezza con cui impariamo a conoscere tutti gli abitanti di Blind Alley: ciascun bambino ha una forma stilizzata immediatamente riconoscibile – con la possibile eccezione di Pip e Red, almeno all’inizio – che con pochi tratti fornisce una rapida impressione della personalità di ciascuno senza scadere in stereotipi triti. Sweetpea e Pod, le gemelle inquietanti con un legame psichico, sembrano uscite da Midsommar; Red indossa una felpa da cui spunta solo il viso perennemente preoccupato, mentre Crane (forse il mio preferito!) se ne va in giro con una costume da scheletro che ricorda un adolescente nel pieno della sua fase goth. Questi personaggi interagiscono in ambienti minimali, strade deserte e nella totale assenza di adulti o altre figure di riferimento – compresi bambini che non facciano parte del loro solitario gruppetto; si tratta evidentemente di un espediente narrativo molto vicino a quello che adottò Schultz nel disegnare le avventure di Charlie Brown, ma in Blind Alley quest’aspetto è utilizzato per creare un’atmosfera lievemente inquietante che aumenta con il passare delle strip, avvolgendo l’intero vicinato in cui i bambini abitano, giocano e passano tutta la loro vita.

Blind Alley è un posto un po’ particolare.

Già, perché come accennato poco sopra, questo webcomic sovrappone alle battute fulminanti e alla presentazione retrò ben congegnata un’ambientazione misteriosa, a tratti un filo disturbante, e una pervasiva sensazione che nel vicinato non tutto stia andando come dovrebbe. Accanto alle strip autoconclusive si aggiungono una serie di trame orizzontali che sconfinano nel paranormale: se la prima storia a durare più di una striscia concerne la sparizione di Penny, il cane di Crane, convinta di averlo deluso a causa della sua eccessiva irruenza, quelle successive vedono Red alle prese con un sistema di sorveglianza un po’ troppo invasivo, una misteriosa presenza che si aggira per le fogne e che accetta il cibo che il piccolo Pip gli porge dai tombini, nefasti sogni premonitori che le due gemelle condividono ogni notte… Insomma, per quanto non si tratti certo di un horror pensato per spaventare o scioccare il lettore, lentamente il fumetto tratteggia un mondo ricco di segreti ed entità sovrannaturali con i quali i bambini dovranno fare i conti – con quella naturale accettazione del paranormale e dell’assurdo che accomuna i ragazzini cresciuti in un ambiente tanto bislacco, probabilmente. Mi duole segnalare, ancora una volta, che il webcomic è in corso e che non mi sento di fare predizioni circa quanto gli aspetti più orrorifici e inquietanti prenderanno il sopravvento e quanto la striscia si allontanerà dal canovaccio rodato delle gag wattersoniane per scoprire che cosa c’è sotto (ma anche sopra, negli anfratti polverosi, nel bosco misterioso di) Blind Alley, ma sono convinta che Souza padroneggi il formato abbastanza bene da non deludere le mie aspettative a prescindere dalla direzione che prenderà la storia.

... Un posto molto particolare. Il povero Red non era preparato a scoprire gli orrori del surveillance state a otto anni.

Sì, si tratta di un consiglio più corto del solito, ma giurin giurello che il motivo non è la mia pigrizia (... via, diciamo non il principale): Blind Alley racconta una storia che funziona talmente bene, al momento, che non ci sono difetti o magagne particolari da segnalare. A differenza di altre segnalazioni in cui ho presentato narrativa insolita e spesso ricca di problemi strutturali, mancanze tecniche o imperfezioni di altro tipo, questo è un fumetto estremamente curato nella presentazione e in tutti i suoi elementi fondamentali; anche per questo la scelta è caduta proprio su di esso, nonostante non ami segnalare prodotti ancora in corso. Insomma, se siete mai stati lettori accaniti di almeno una strip tra quelle con cui vi ho martellato fino ad adesso, o siete affascinati dalle cittadine descritte dagli urban horror senza avere bisogno di sangue e budella a volontà per divertirvi, sono sicura che lo adorerete, quindi buttatevi!

[maffywitch]

Olá a todos.

O meu nome é Mafalda, tenho 32 anos quase a fazer anos :) e sou portuguesa.

Gosto de escrever livros com personagens das séries que mais amo como por exemplo, Vampire Diaries, Harry Potter, Twilight, TeenWolf e True Blood.

Descobri este site agora mesmo e por isso sou nova por aqui.

Nesta página irei publicar um livro meu que acabei de criar e que também estou a publicar noutros sites. Quem não perceber português eu posso traduzir para inglês :)

Ainda estou a organizar as minhas ideias mas espero que gostem do livro.

Boa noite a todos (aqui em Portugal são quase 2 horas da manhã)