#Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival

[brookston]

Holidays 4.13

Holidays

Aerosmith Day (Massachusetts)

American Elephant Day

American Sikh Day

Arugula o Rocket Day (French Republic)

Auslan Day (Australia)

Beauty Peace Day

Celebrate Teen Literature Day

Day of Patrons and Philanthropists (Russia)

Day of the Dead (Elder Scrolls)

Environmental Protection Day

Feast of Rotten Endings

413 Day (Arkansas)

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) International Awareness Day

Homestuck Day

Huguenot Day (France)

Ides of April (Ancient Rome)

International Campus & Community Day

International Creativity & Innovation Day

International Day of the Kiss

International Functional Neurological Disorder Awareness Day

International Imposter Syndrome Awareness Day

International Jaat Day (India)

International Plant Appreciation Day

International Rock & Roll Day

International Special Librarian’s Day

International Turban Day

John Hanson Day (Maryland)

Katyn Memorial Day (Poland)

Military-Industrial Complex Employee Day (Ukraine)

National Boot Day

National Borinqueneers Day

National Hippy Day

National Hockey Card Day

National Japanese Spitz Day

National Kiss Your Homies Day

National Pathology Day (India)

National PhiliShui Day

National Silly Earring Day

National Sticker Day

National Theresa Day

Neil Banging Out the Tunes Day

Religious Freedom Day (England; France)

Scrabble Day

Silent Spring Day

Sinhala & Tamil New Year’s Eve (Sri Lanka)

Sterile Packaging Day

Swiftie Day

Teacher’s Day (Ecuador)

Thomas Jefferson Day

Unfairly Prosecuted Persons Day (Slovakia)

Western Mass Day (Massachusetts)

World Microscope Day

World Sarcoidosis Day

World’s Day of Remembrance for Victims of Katyn Massacre

Food & Drink Celebrations

Day to Give Thanks for Fish and Seafood

Hopocalypse Day (Drake’s Brewing)

National Make Lunch Count Day

National Peach Cobbler Day

2nd Saturday in April

Baby Massage Day [2nd Saturday]

Global Day to End Child Sexual Abuse [2nd Saturday]

National Catch & Release Day [2nd Saturday]

Slow Art Day [2nd Saturday]

World Circus Day [2nd Saturday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 13 (2nd Week)

California Native Plant Week [thru 4.20]

Independence & Related Days

Adammia (Declared; 2013) [unrecognized]

Mensa Ann (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Sicily (from Naples; 1848)

Varnland (Declared; 1991) [unrecognized]

Winterspell (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

New Year’s Days

Songkran (Thailand) (a.k.a. …

Bangla New Year

Bisket Jatra (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand)

Chiang Mai Songkran

Tamil New Year

Thai New Year

Festivals Beginning April 13, 2024

Armageddon Expo Christchurch, New Zealand) [thru 4.14]

Baldwin County Strawberry Festival (Loxley, Alabama) [thru 4.14]

Bar K Beer Fest (St. Louis, Missouri)

Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) [thru 4.14]

CNY Maple Festival (Marathon, New York) [thru 4.14]

Crawfish & Zydeco Festival (Kemah, Texas) [thru 4.14]

Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival (Kenosha, Wisconsin)

Dessert Wars (Baltimore, Maryland)

Georgia Renaissance Festival (Fairburn, Georgia) [thru 6.2]

Hall Cabernet Cookout (St. Helena, California)

Hudson Mac & Cheese Fest (Washingtonville, New York)

International Orange Blossom Carnival (Adana, Turkey) [thru 4.21]

Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival (Manteo, North Carolina)

Mobile Chocolate Festival (Mobile, Alabama)

National Grits Festival (Warwick, Georgia)

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival (San Francisco, California) [thru 4.14 & 4.20-21]

Polish Festival (Phoenix, Arizona) [thru 4.14]

Spring Cheese and Chocolate Weekend (Stillwater, Minnesota) [thru 4.14]

Supernova Pop Culture Expo Gold Coast, Australia) [thru 4.14]

Taste of Hillcrest (San Diego, California)

Feast Days

Alfarbot: Alfheim Day (Pagan)

Believe in Fairies Day (Pastafarian)

Bill Hicks Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Caradoc (Christian; Saint)

Carpus, Papyrus, and Agathonic (Christian; Martyrs)

Elizablecccch Arden (Muppetism)

Eudora Welty (Writerism)

Festival of Jupiter Victor (Ancient Rome)

Festival of Libertas (Ancient Roman personification of freedom and political liberty)

Grounding Meditation Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Guinoch of Scotland (Christian; Saint)

Hermenegild (Christian; Martyr)

Ida of Louvain (Christian; Saint)

James Ensor (Artology)

Libertas (Old Roman Goddess of Liberty)

Martin I, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Martius (a.k.a. Mars; Christian; Saint)

Poshui Jie begins (Water Splashing Festival; China)

Ptolemy (Positivist; Saint)

Purification Festival (Thailand; Everyday Wicca)

Samuel Beckett (Writerism)

Seamus Heaney (Writerism)

Squashing of Moonhopper Day (Shamanism)

Thomas Lawrence (Artology)

Vaisakhi (Sikh spring grain harvest festival)

Vishnu (Pondicherry, India; Hindu)

Yayoi Matsuri (Nikko, Japan; 5-Day Spring Festival)

Islamic Moveable Calendar Holidays

Eid al-Fitr celebrations continue (Islam)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Prime Number Day: 103 [27 of 72]

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Aladdin Sane, by David Bowie (Album; 1973)

An Apprenticeship or The Book of Pleasures, by Clarice Lispector (Novel; 1969)

Bedeviled Rabbit (WB Cartoon; 1957)

The Big Bad Wolf (Disney Cartoon; 1934)

Black Rose, by Thin Lizzy (Album; 1979)

Bridget Jones’s Diary (Film; 2001)

Brown Sugar, by The Rolling Stones (Song; 1971)

Bulldog Drummond (Radio Series; 1941)

By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept, by Elizabeth Smart (Novel; 1945)

Casino Royale, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1953) [James Bond #1]

Catch a Fire, by Bob Marley (Album; 1973)

Critic’s Choice (Film; 1963)

Dane, by Heinrich Schütz Opera; 1627)

Daltrey, by Roger Daltrey (Album; 1973)

Echo, by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (Album; 1999)

El Capitan, by John Philip Soul (Operetta; 1896)

Good Little Monkeys (Happy Harmonies; 1935)

The Greyhound and the Rabbit (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1940)

Hold the Lion Please (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1951)

The Kilkenny Cats (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1945)

Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here Grammar Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1974)

Messiah, by George Frederic Handel (Oratorio; 1742)

Mickey’s Kangaroo (Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Mouse Into Space (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1962)

The One Minute Manager, by Kennth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson (Book; 1983)

Rampage (Film; 2018)

Rising Sun, by Michael Crichton (Novel; 1992)

Safe at Home! (Film; 1962)

Swing Shift (Film; 1984)

Tango in the Night, by Fleetwood Mac (Album; 1987)

Tintin and the Picaros, by Hergé (Graphic Novel; 1976) [Tintin #23]

12 Angry Men (Film; 1957)

Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand (Historic Novel; 2012)

Today’s Name Days

Hermenegild, Ida, Martin (Austria)

Ida, Martin (Croatia)

Aleš (Czech Republic)

Justinus (Denmark)

Tarvi, Tarvo (Estonia)

Tellervo (Finland)

Ida (France)

Hermenegil, Ida, Gilda, Martin (Germany)

Gerontios (Greece)

Ida (Hungary)

Ermenegildo, Martino (Italy)

Egils, Jagailis, Justins, Justs, Nauris (Latvia)

Algaudė, Ida, Mingaudas (Lithuania)

Asta, Astrid (Norway)

Hermenegild, Hermenegilda, Ida, Jan, Justyn, Małgorzata, Przemysł, Przemysław (Poland)

Artemon (Romania)

Aleš (Slovakia)

Hermenegildo, Martín (Spain)

Artur, Douglas (Sweden)

Slavka, Yaroslava (Ukraine)

Thom, Thomas, Thomasina, Thompson, Tom, Tomas, Tommie, Tommy, Twain (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 104 of 2024; 262 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 15 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 28 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 5 (Ding-Wei)

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

Hebrew: 5 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 34 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 14 Cyan; Sevenday [14 of 30]

Julian: 31 March 2024

Moon: 28%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 20 Archimedes (4th Month) [Albategnius]

Runic Half Month: Man (Human Being) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 26 of 92)

Week: 2nd Week of April

Zodiac: Aries (Day 24 of 31)

[digitalspellcraft]

Seasonal Guide to Nomad Hotspots

For digital nomads, the quest for the ideal work-play environment is a perpetual adventure. Here, we offer a curated list of the top five destinations for each season, selected for their blend of connectivity, cultural richness, and climatic comfort. These locations not only enhance productivity but also provide a vibrant backdrop for life outside of work.

Winter Warmth

Chiang Mai, Thailand - Offering a blend of affordable living, excellent internet, and a warm climate, it’s a winter favorite for its peaceful ambiance.

Bali, Indonesia - Known for its serene landscapes and spiritual culture, Bali is perfect for those seeking warmth and wellness.

Cape Town, South Africa - Its summer during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter makes it a sunny spot with diverse activities and strong tech infrastructure.

Mérida, Mexico - With its colonial architecture, lively culture, and warm weather, Mérida is both charming and affordable.

Goa, India - Known for its beaches and relaxed vibe, Goa offers a warm winter refuge with a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences.

Spring Renewal

Lisbon, Portugal - The mild climate, historical beauty, and thriving digital community make it an ideal spring destination.

Kyoto, Japan - Cherry blossoms and cultural depth offer a tranquil and inspiring setting for creative work.

Barcelona, Spain - Its vibrant atmosphere and rich culture are perfect for those who thrive in energetic environments.

Austin, Texas, USA - Known for its live music, tech scene, and vibrant culture, Austin is an eclectic spring choice.

Amsterdam, Netherlands - With its canals, bike-friendly streets, and robust tech scene, Amsterdam blossoms in spring.

Summer Exploration

Berlin, Germany - A hub of creativity and innovation, Berlin offers a culturally rich summer with plenty of green spaces to enjoy.

Stockholm, Sweden - Exceptional quality of life, innovative spirit, and long summer days make Stockholm an attractive choice.

Vancouver, Canada - Ideal for nature lovers, offering both urban culture and outdoor activities.

Reykjavik, Iceland - Known for its stunning natural beauty and unique culture, the mild summer is perfect for those escaping the heat.

Edinburgh, Scotland - With its festivals and historical charm, Edinburgh is vibrant and inspiring during the summer months.

Autumn Retreat

Buenos Aires, Argentina - As the city springs to life, its European vibes and vibrant culture make it an exciting autumn choice.

Melbourne, Australia - Its cultural scene and dynamic urban life provide a stimulating environment as the Southern Hemisphere blooms.

Seville, Spain - The mild weather and cultural richness make it an inviting place to work and explore.

San Francisco, California, USA - Known for its tech scene and cultural diversity, it offers a mild autumn ideal for innovation.

Lisbon, Portugal - Again making the list due to its pleasant autumn weather and the continuity of its digital nomad community.

These destinations are not just places but portals to new experiences, each offering a distinct flavor and journey. Whether you’re seeking solitude in natural beauty or the hustle of a cosmopolitan city, each location is tailored to foster both professional productivity and personal growth. As you roam from one destination to the next, let each locale enrich your nomadic narrative, blending work with the continuous discovery of the world’s vast wonders.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 4.13

Holidays

Aerosmith Day (Massachusetts)

American Elephant Day

American Sikh Day

Arugula o Rocket Day (French Republic)

Auslan Day (Australia)

Beauty Peace Day

Celebrate Teen Literature Day

Day of Patrons and Philanthropists (Russia)

Day of the Dead (Elder Scrolls)

Environmental Protection Day

Feast of Rotten Endings

413 Day (Arkansas)

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) International Awareness Day

Homestuck Day

Huguenot Day (France)

Ides of April (Ancient Rome)

International Campus & Community Day

International Creativity & Innovation Day

International Day of the Kiss

International Functional Neurological Disorder Awareness Day

International Imposter Syndrome Awareness Day

International Jaat Day (India)

International Plant Appreciation Day

International Rock & Roll Day

International Special Librarian’s Day

International Turban Day

John Hanson Day (Maryland)

Katyn Memorial Day (Poland)

Military-Industrial Complex Employee Day (Ukraine)

National Boot Day

National Borinqueneers Day

National Hippy Day

National Hockey Card Day

National Japanese Spitz Day

National Kiss Your Homies Day

National Pathology Day (India)

National PhiliShui Day

National Silly Earring Day

National Sticker Day

National Theresa Day

Neil Banging Out the Tunes Day

Religious Freedom Day (England; France)

Scrabble Day

Silent Spring Day

Sinhala & Tamil New Year’s Eve (Sri Lanka)

Sterile Packaging Day

Swiftie Day

Teacher’s Day (Ecuador)

Thomas Jefferson Day

Unfairly Prosecuted Persons Day (Slovakia)

Western Mass Day (Massachusetts)

World Microscope Day

World Sarcoidosis Day

World’s Day of Remembrance for Victims of Katyn Massacre

Food & Drink Celebrations

Day to Give Thanks for Fish and Seafood

Hopocalypse Day (Drake’s Brewing)

National Make Lunch Count Day

National Peach Cobbler Day

2nd Saturday in April

Baby Massage Day [2nd Saturday]

Global Day to End Child Sexual Abuse [2nd Saturday]

National Catch & Release Day [2nd Saturday]

Slow Art Day [2nd Saturday]

World Circus Day [2nd Saturday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 13 (2nd Week)

California Native Plant Week [thru 4.20]

Independence & Related Days

Adammia (Declared; 2013) [unrecognized]

Mensa Ann (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Sicily (from Naples; 1848)

Varnland (Declared; 1991) [unrecognized]

Winterspell (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

New Year’s Days

Songkran (Thailand) (a.k.a. …

Bangla New Year

Bisket Jatra (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand)

Chiang Mai Songkran

Tamil New Year

Thai New Year

Festivals Beginning April 13, 2024

Armageddon Expo Christchurch, New Zealand) [thru 4.14]

Baldwin County Strawberry Festival (Loxley, Alabama) [thru 4.14]

Bar K Beer Fest (St. Louis, Missouri)

Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) [thru 4.14]

CNY Maple Festival (Marathon, New York) [thru 4.14]

Crawfish & Zydeco Festival (Kemah, Texas) [thru 4.14]

Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival (Kenosha, Wisconsin)

Dessert Wars (Baltimore, Maryland)

Georgia Renaissance Festival (Fairburn, Georgia) [thru 6.2]

Hall Cabernet Cookout (St. Helena, California)

Hudson Mac & Cheese Fest (Washingtonville, New York)

International Orange Blossom Carnival (Adana, Turkey) [thru 4.21]

Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival (Manteo, North Carolina)

Mobile Chocolate Festival (Mobile, Alabama)

National Grits Festival (Warwick, Georgia)

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival (San Francisco, California) [thru 4.14 & 4.20-21]

Polish Festival (Phoenix, Arizona) [thru 4.14]

Spring Cheese and Chocolate Weekend (Stillwater, Minnesota) [thru 4.14]

Supernova Pop Culture Expo Gold Coast, Australia) [thru 4.14]

Taste of Hillcrest (San Diego, California)

Feast Days

Alfarbot: Alfheim Day (Pagan)

Believe in Fairies Day (Pastafarian)

Bill Hicks Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Caradoc (Christian; Saint)

Carpus, Papyrus, and Agathonic (Christian; Martyrs)

Elizablecccch Arden (Muppetism)

Eudora Welty (Writerism)

Festival of Jupiter Victor (Ancient Rome)

Festival of Libertas (Ancient Roman personification of freedom and political liberty)

Grounding Meditation Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Guinoch of Scotland (Christian; Saint)

Hermenegild (Christian; Martyr)

Ida of Louvain (Christian; Saint)

James Ensor (Artology)

Libertas (Old Roman Goddess of Liberty)

Martin I, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Martius (a.k.a. Mars; Christian; Saint)

Poshui Jie begins (Water Splashing Festival; China)

Ptolemy (Positivist; Saint)

Purification Festival (Thailand; Everyday Wicca)

Samuel Beckett (Writerism)

Seamus Heaney (Writerism)

Squashing of Moonhopper Day (Shamanism)

Thomas Lawrence (Artology)

Vaisakhi (Sikh spring grain harvest festival)

Vishnu (Pondicherry, India; Hindu)

Yayoi Matsuri (Nikko, Japan; 5-Day Spring Festival)

Islamic Moveable Calendar Holidays

Eid al-Fitr celebrations continue (Islam)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Prime Number Day: 103 [27 of 72]

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Aladdin Sane, by David Bowie (Album; 1973)

An Apprenticeship or The Book of Pleasures, by Clarice Lispector (Novel; 1969)

Bedeviled Rabbit (WB Cartoon; 1957)

The Big Bad Wolf (Disney Cartoon; 1934)

Black Rose, by Thin Lizzy (Album; 1979)

Bridget Jones’s Diary (Film; 2001)

Brown Sugar, by The Rolling Stones (Song; 1971)

Bulldog Drummond (Radio Series; 1941)

By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept, by Elizabeth Smart (Novel; 1945)

Casino Royale, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1953) [James Bond #1]

Catch a Fire, by Bob Marley (Album; 1973)

Critic’s Choice (Film; 1963)

Dane, by Heinrich Schütz Opera; 1627)

Daltrey, by Roger Daltrey (Album; 1973)

Echo, by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (Album; 1999)

El Capitan, by John Philip Soul (Operetta; 1896)

Good Little Monkeys (Happy Harmonies; 1935)

The Greyhound and the Rabbit (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1940)

Hold the Lion Please (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1951)

The Kilkenny Cats (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1945)

Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here Grammar Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1974)

Messiah, by George Frederic Handel (Oratorio; 1742)

Mickey’s Kangaroo (Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Mouse Into Space (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1962)

The One Minute Manager, by Kennth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson (Book; 1983)

Rampage (Film; 2018)

Rising Sun, by Michael Crichton (Novel; 1992)

Safe at Home! (Film; 1962)

Swing Shift (Film; 1984)

Tango in the Night, by Fleetwood Mac (Album; 1987)

Tintin and the Picaros, by Hergé (Graphic Novel; 1976) [Tintin #23]

12 Angry Men (Film; 1957)

Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand (Historic Novel; 2012)

Today’s Name Days

Hermenegild, Ida, Martin (Austria)

Ida, Martin (Croatia)

Aleš (Czech Republic)

Justinus (Denmark)

Tarvi, Tarvo (Estonia)

Tellervo (Finland)

Ida (France)

Hermenegil, Ida, Gilda, Martin (Germany)

Gerontios (Greece)

Ida (Hungary)

Ermenegildo, Martino (Italy)

Egils, Jagailis, Justins, Justs, Nauris (Latvia)

Algaudė, Ida, Mingaudas (Lithuania)

Asta, Astrid (Norway)

Hermenegild, Hermenegilda, Ida, Jan, Justyn, Małgorzata, Przemysł, Przemysław (Poland)

Artemon (Romania)

Aleš (Slovakia)

Hermenegildo, Martín (Spain)

Artur, Douglas (Sweden)

Slavka, Yaroslava (Ukraine)

Thom, Thomas, Thomasina, Thompson, Tom, Tomas, Tommie, Tommy, Twain (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 104 of 2024; 262 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 15 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 28 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 5 (Ding-Wei)

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

Hebrew: 5 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 34 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 14 Cyan; Sevenday [14 of 30]

Julian: 31 March 2024

Moon: 28%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 20 Archimedes (4th Month) [Albategnius]

Runic Half Month: Man (Human Being) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 26 of 92)

Week: 2nd Week of April

Zodiac: Aries (Day 24 of 31)

[kingvideosblog]

Exploring the Magic of Cherry Blossom Season

Across the globe, the cherry blooms (also known as sakura) are a sight to behold. No matter if they're blooming in Japan or the U.S., or Canada, there is something enchanting about this beautiful flower that is a symbol of the shortness of life.

Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk is the perfect spot to take in the cherry blossoms peacefully. This walkway is surrounded Sakura trees, and provides peace and tranquility while admiring the stunning flower. Tokyo The cherry blossom season in Tokyo is a wonderful experience. The city is in a blaze of the pink hue with millions of trees that line the streets. In Japan, the blossoms have an immense significance. They represent optimism, renewal and hope. The shortness of the blooming season, however, serves as a reminder of how life is fleeting. For thousands of years long, the Japanese have been drawn by the elegance of sakura. It's a symbol of the Japan's reverence for life and its fleeting quality. There are many hidden treasures around the city that give visitors an experience unlike any other. Although many people choose to visit popular sakura locations however, there are many different places. If it's a stroll under the trees, or throwing a day-to-night picnic there's something to everyone to appreciate! San Francisco The blossoming of cherry trees is a time of joy and celebrations in the Bay Area. San Francisco is home to the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival A long-standing favorite of the city which celebrates Japanese culture as well as the Japanese-American community of the region. In the course of the two-week celebration, more than 200,000 people travel to Japantown to experience the color and beauty of Japanese culture. It is among the biggest festivals of cherry blossom in America. The festival also has traditional performances, martial arts as well as food stands. The Sakura 360 stage is home to J-pop and other Japanese musical performances. Another great place to see blooming cherry trees is the beautiful 18-acre Japanese garden in the South Bay called Hakone Estate Gardens. This National Trust for Historic Preservation site overlooks Silicon Valley and has dozens of cherry blossoms. The gardens feature koi and waterfalls on several levels, in addition to a dry area with a bamboo grove that was imported and multi-tiered pond. Vancouver Vancouver is a blooming paradise each spring. The 40,000 cherry blossom trees that make up the city's streets are brought to life with their delicate pink petals. Many believe that these blooms represent the beauty of nature as well as an opportunity to renew. It isn't easy to view these blooms in full in the winter months. The blossoms can be enjoyed without having to leave the city. First, keep track of the blooms take place with news from the fantastic people who are at the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. VanDusen Botanical Garden is a vibrant urban oasis that is sure to delight you. This is among the first places on earth to witness the cherry trees every year. It's also the location for the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. The Nitobe Memorial Garden, located at UBC, is a great area to take a stroll and look at the various kinds of trees. Stanley Park is a great spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Washington D.C. The Tidal basin and the National Mall are two of the most popular places to take a look at the cherry blossoms. There are other less-known places in the city where you can find blooms amazing. Washington DC's famous Yoshino Cherry trees bloom between late March and early April. The weather conditions, along with other things, can influence the exact date of bloom. However, on average it's between March 22-25. The trees began to bloom a few weeks sooner than normal due to an unusually warm winter. NBC Storm Team 4 estimates that the peak bloom period will take place between March 15 and. It's an excellent way to kick off with the start of a new year. However, it can be a little overwhelming to know which places to go to get the best views of blossoms. Watch the YouTube video

[whatgaviiformes]

10. Music Makers - Part 1 / Scenes from Gordon’s Bedside

Chapter Summary:  Virgil and Gordon and music Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 You are Here

Chapter A/N: In honor of 10 chapters of this concept, the plan is to give you a hell of a chapter 10 with a few moments in time strung together. I decided to go ahead and share what I have with you instead of waiting. Once the chapter has been shared in full over tumblr, I will post the full piece at Ao3 and FF.net. It may or may not make sense to remain as chapter 10 or be it’s own thing. Do share if you have an opinion. :-) 

The title Music Makers comes from “Ode” by  Arthur O'Shaughnessy, and it is very lovely. Part 1 A/N:  Music Referenced: Einaudi’s “Primavera”  Spotify | Youtube

***

Music Makers - Part 1/6

“You missed the cherry blossoms.”

San Francisco wasn’t too unlike Denver in Spring, but while Denver had some beautiful display of cherry blossom trees over in Cherry Creek, the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival was an event, the second largest outside of Japan coming in right behind the one in the nation’s Capital. Virgil remembered the trip they’d taken to Washington DC as a family, the spring he caught flowers buds in his hair.  The festival had seemed bigger than the one that took place in San Francisco the past two weekends, but then again, he had been just a small child at the time.

This time, his heart hadn’t been in it with John leaving and Gordon still not awake.  The slow rain of pink through his fingertips made him think his brother. Drifting. And he would not have gone in the first place if John hadn’t dragged him out of the hospital for a bit of fresh air…for his last few days on terra firma - John’s words, not Virgil’s.

“I don’t really want to leave right now,” John had said, silhouetted against the line of pink trees, stormy emerald eyes blinking against the glare of the sun.

“John,” Virgil had whispered, “you have to.” It wasn’t because John had no choice. There was always a choice, but the ISS was John’s dream, a once in a lifetime opportunity that he could only take up while under NASA’s employment. Once their project got off the ground, John Tracy would no longer be an astronaut. His work would be anonymous; he’d be invisible. They all would be.

Gordon would hate if he took that opportunity away. John needed to go to space.

Virgil knew his brother belonged above the mesosphere, that John’s veins were made of a particular brand of stardust that was quite potent in its call towards home. But it was to be John’s first time beyond the skies, and Virgil would be lying if he said he wasn’t a little fearful for his little brother rocketing through the atmosphere into the vacuum of space.

“Are you frightened?”

“Of what’s out there? No,” John had explained, a crushed petal falling from his grasp. “Of what I’m leaving down here – I’m terrified.”

April had turned into May all too quickly, yet ever so slowly at the same time. Scott had been called back to duty, and Alan back to school. John had returned to Houston for his last trainings before take-off. Virgil had missed his graduation ceremony.

Gordon remained motionless, and the cherry blossom trees had lost their vibrant colors.  

“You would’ve liked them,” Virgil says, but there’s no response from the figure on the bed.  “John would’ve been able to give you the scientific name. Uhh… here, let me try to find…” He slips his hand out from under Gordon’s to type the search in his phone.

“Oh, gee, there’s a lot. Prune-us Sair-ah-sus,” he says finally, pocketing the device. “I probably butchered that. I was never good at Latin.”

He picks up the hand again.

“Do you remember when Mom dragged you along to my first piano recital? Probably not. You would’ve been just three or four at the time, and Alan wasn’t born yet. I had never played in front of an audience before and so I practiced for months beforehand. It was Einaudi’s Primavera.”

He hums a portion of the tune, sinking back into the memory of being eight.

“Mom probably hated hearing it after the first week.” For just a beat, he lets himself chuckle thinking of their mother dealing with his earnest younger self. “Dad had gotten me my first suit for the recital, and Mom helped me with my hair so I could look like a professional. I’m sure we have pictures somewhere.”

Virgil pauses a moment, smiling as he remembers the rest of the story.

“You always said you liked my playing, but you wouldn’t know it from that day! You screamed and screamed, and Dad had to take you out of the auditorium while you fussed. I remember trying to look out into the audience, but I couldn’t see through the lights. But it was just Scotty, John, and Mom who met me after my performance, and I just knew that you’d ruined my big day.”

Virgil notices that a small sliver of light shines through the windowpanes to dance along a strand of red in Gordon’s hair.

Gordon in his purest form was joy – a laugh to accompany a joke, a sparkle in the eye with a mischievous glint, an open ease in the way he walked and spoke, a smile when you need it most. Gordon’s soul was a reservoir of light that he could never quite fill to full. Because just as quickly as he soaked the rays of the sun into his being, he released them to share with the world around him.

When Gordon was born his hair had been an almost white blond– Alan’s had been the same way. But as Gordon grew, the blond darkened into gold the color of sunflowers in fall. In winter, when Gordon wasn’t spending 90% outside, hints of auburn would poke through.

He wonders if the auburn has the same sun soaking powers as the blond around it or if auburn is what happens when you make a ray of light sad.

“Apparently you told Dad that my song made you cry,” Virgil continues. “And that you needed to give me a hug so I would stop being sad.”

He sighs wistfully.

“It’s how I felt watching the cherry blossoms, Gordon. It was like seeing spring and knowing the beauty is still there, but not being able to reach it, like watching through frosted glass, and I understood why you cried.”

This time when he hums the melody his fingers flutter in movement and intermittently Virgil sings the melody, replacing notes with “da” before falling back into hums.

Virgil loses himself in the lonely music, in cherry blossoms through frosted glass, in green eyes looking longingly to the stars, in the flickering of a sun ray desperate to find a path to his brother’s light.

He knows how his piano reacts to his hands, the exact distance from the keys to his fingertips as they descend.

As the music ascends, his keys rise to meet him.

A twitch.

Tap.

Virgil’s music falters.

Tap… tap…

“Gordon?”   Like a dream, he watches fingers nudge his hand. His heart races as he meets his brother’s gaze. Honey eyes tell a story of confusion, blinking, searching. “Gordon!”

Tap.

“…ug.” The word is intelligible, but Virgil knows what it is by Gordon’s eyes.

Hug.

Virgil reacts.

[iamhellabakla]

Hange works at Daiso for a day.

After leaving the 52nd Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival (13 April 2019), I visited my work place and helped them with some returns/putbacks, while in cosplay.

It was fun, despite the fact that I was dehydrated and sweaty. The festival was warm but this store was warmer.

[airmanisr]

Mikoshi by davegolden Via Flickr: 2018 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Grand Parade

[wefiveguys-blog]

Blog #10 - Community Event / Cherry Blossoms Festival

It was at this time of the year again, mid April 2019, the National Cherry Blossom comes. Cherry Blossom, specifically the Cherry Blossom Festival that marks the 50th anniversary celebration took place in Japantown has shown a relative significant part of the Japanese culture such as their cultural practices, dances, customs, items and food. The festival contains a big part of the Japanese culture that not only shows us the concepts but the actual acts were involved as well. I.e, Japanese martial art performance, music, parade and etc.

National Cherry Blossom Festival has come along way since its premiere in 1968, Japantown. A Taru Mikoshi was carried by about 25 people and it became a big hit with festival-goers and the parade judges — the first price was won. Today, the San Francisco Taru Mikoshi which weights 1,500 pounds is being carried by 150 people every April on each Northern California National Cherry Blossom Festival. It’s also one of the significant traditional items that represents part of the Japanese culture.

Kendo

Karate

Japanese Martial Art Performance April 21, 2019.

The day I attended the Cherry Blossom was the last day April 21, Sunday. Throughout the festival, I’ve seen a couple performances on stage under the towel by the entrance. I liked the performances pretty much a lot since they really showcase the authentic Japanese martial art. I also learned more from them as I watched their moves. By focusing on the Japanese culture, the festival has used wide range of relevant art that are comprised of the Japanese aesthetics, festival-goers, participants were addressed in costumes specifically for the event and many cosplayed for manga characters as well. The display of art through merchandise, cultural items show a sense of culture creation by native Japanese people time by time. They also showed “enthusiasm, hard work behind the cultural items and signifies a certain meaning. They trigger a sense of curiosity to the crowd as well. By showcasing a wide range of art comprised merchandise in Japantown, it is a good way to introduce the local their culture and aspects of their history. When the parts of the culture are displayed through ‘aesthetics,’ but in a positive way, more people would likely to get into learning the culture and embrace it.

Japanese crafts items

To me personally, the Japanese culture would always be part of my interest beside my own. Other than martial art, I think there are a plenty of aspects to study such as their religious practices, sacred items and general beliefs. The beauty of the culture — Aesthetics. Also, I find the craftsmanship of some items share the similarity to my own culture, the Chinese aspect such as the literature and historical monuments and hence it’s the reason that gets my interest into knowing more about them. In the end, I can see that the Cherry Blossom Festival relates to our class as it contains a significant part of Japanese culture that has established in the U.S. since the late 1960s and marks the creation of the Asian American identity, the American Japanese community in the U.S.

- Tony Ruan

[pandithepanda]

Help us vote on which new hat design we should make next! Let us know which one you love - musubi or boba? 〰️ Find us today at the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown, San Francisco! Pandi will be at the @fatrabbitfarm booth in Buchanan Mall area. 〰️ #illustrationartists #illustratorsoninstagram #pandi #pandithepanda #pandabear #panda #pandalove #musubi #dadhat #illustrationartists #illustratorsofinstagram #illustrationgram #illustration_daily #digitaldoodle #digitaldrawing #jadewave #bobameup #bobameup #bobaaddict #boba #bobatea #bobalove #bobamilktea #bobalife #boba#dadhats https://www.instagram.com/p/BwYNJwUB2ed/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=173dkyxj2j8r7

[furryfeline]

OMG records have been broken again! Sales per day on day one wow! Washington DC took the crown! We are here at @cherryblossfest in Washington DC Booth V4. We came in prepared but it was absolutely insane! Both of us are on our feet from start to finish. To all our friends in SF and surrounding Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival @nc_cbf we miss you guys! But feel free to shop with us online at furry-feline.com as we do not want you guys to miss all the fun we have to offer as we celebrate 10 years. #furryfelinecreatives #FFC10Years #furryfelinestud10s #japanesefestival #cherryblossomfestival #washingtondc #japanesestyle #japanese #kawaii #FFCnationwidetour2022 #lifestylebrand (at Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcJzpKOu5Ws/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[brookston]

Holidays 3.23

Holidays

Affordable Care Act Anniversary Day

Asian Corpsetwt Day [Every 23rd]

Asparagus Day (French Republic)

Atheist Day

Cuddly Kitten Day

Day of Hungarian-Polish Friendship

Day of the Liberation of Southern Africa (Angola)

Day of the Sea (Bolivia)

Dixie Cup Day

Elevator Day

Family Day (South Africa)

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Day

International Day of the Wedding Planner

International Expat Day

Liberation Day (South Africa)

Liberty Day

Lieldienas (Ancient Latvia)

Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Day (Azerbaijan)

National Alice Day

National Arts Advocacy Day

National China Day

National Coyote Day

National Day of Reflection (UK)

National Energy Education Day

National Jacob Day

National Puppy Day

Near Miss Day

Non-League Day (UK)

Nordic Day (Finland, Sweden)

O.K. Day

Pakistan Resolution Day

Promised Messiah Day (Ahmadiyya)

Rally for Decency Day

Ravenclaw Pride Day

Resolution Day (Pakistan)

Take Your Parents to the Playground Day

Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day

Walk in the Sand Day

World Bear Day

World Carpatho Rusyn Day

World Day of Learning

World Elevator Day

World Endometriosis Day

World Math(s) Day

World Meteorological Day (UN)

World Optometry Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Melba Toast Day

National Chia Day

National Chip and Dip Day

National Tamale Day

Orval Day

Toast Day

4th Saturday in March

Be Mad Day [4th Saturday]

Bike Store Day (Canada) [4th Saturday]

Corn Dog Day [1st Saturday of March Madness]

Endometriosis March Day [4th Saturday]

Walk in the Sand Day [Saturday after Spring Equinox]

Weekly Holidays beginning March 23 (3rd Week)

Tsunami Awareness Week (California) [thru 3.31]

Independence & Related Days

Otago Province Anniversary Day (New Zealand)

Pakistan (Republic Declared; 1956)

New Year’s Days

Chaitti (New Year’s Day; The first day of the month of Chaitra in the Bikram Samwat calendar)

Indian New Year (Northern and Central India in the Vikram Samvat calendar), [After the Spring Equinox, usually 3.23] (a.k.a. …

Cheiraoba (New Year's Day in Manipur)

Gudi Padwa (New Year's Day in Maharashtra)

Navreh (New Year’s Day in Kashmir)

Ugadi (New Year's Day in Karnataka and Andhra pradesh)

Nowruz (New Year) [Day 4, Around Spring Equinox] (a.k.a. ... 

Dita e Nevruzit (Albania)

Nary Meyramy (Kazakhstan)

Navruz (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan)

Nooroz (Iran)

Novruz (Azerbaijan)

Festivals Beginning March 23, 2024

Anime Japan (Tokyo, Japan) [thru 3.24]

The Big Tastes (Seattle, Washington)

Bradford County Strawberry Festival (Starke, Florida) [thru 3.24]

Chattanooga Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival (Chattanooga, Tennessee)

Cherry Blossom Festival (Conyers, Georgia) [thru 3.24]

Klein Karoo National Kunstefees (Oudtshoorn, South Africa) [thru 3.31]

Maple Syrup Festival (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) [thru 3.24]

Texas Inion Fest (Weslaco, Texas)

Veggie World (Dusseldorf, Germany) [thru 3.24]

Wellington Bacon & Bourbon Festival (Wellington, Florida) [thru 3.24]

World Cup of Beer Homebrew Competition Finals (Oakland, California)

Feast Days

Alphonsus Turbius, Archbishop of Lima (Christian; Saint)

Benedict the Hermit (Christian; Saint)

Clement of Alexandria (Positivist; Saint)

Charles Ponzi Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Cocidius of the Alder Tree (Celtic Book of Days)

Dance of the Salii (Ancient Rome)

Dandelion Dance (Shamanism)

Day of Artisans (Ancient Rome)

Edelwald of England (Christian; Saint)

Eric Fromm (Writerism)

Ethelwald the Hermit (Christian; Saint)

Gregory the Illuminator (Episcopal Church)

Gudi Padwa (a.k.a. Ugadi; celebrates the day Lord Brahma created the universe; Hindu)

Gwinear (Christian; Saint)

J. C. Leyendecker (Artology)

Joseph Oriol (Christian; Saint)

Juan Gris (Artology)

Lieldienas (Ancient Latvia)

Marzenna (Everyday Wicca)

Ottone Frangipane (Christian; Saint)

Pansexual Quantum Toaster Day (Pastafarian)

Quinquatria, Day 5: Day of Artisans Day (Pagan)

Rafqa Pietra Choboq Ar-Rayès (Maronite Church)

Rex the Rattlesnake (Muppetism)

Shaheedi Diwas (Haryana, India)

Symphony No. 94, The Surprise Symphony, by Joseph Haydn (Symphony; 1792)

Tubilustrium (Ceremony to Purify the Ceremonial Trumpets; Ancient Rome) [also 5.23]

Turibius of Mogrovejo (Christian; Saint)

Victorian, Frumentius and Companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Purim (Judaism) [begins at sundown] (a.k.a. ... 

Fast of Esther;

Survival Celebration

Ta' Anit Ester

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

The Abortion, by Richard Brautigan (Novel; 1971)

Achy Break Heart, by Billy Ray Cyrus (Song; 1992)

Blithe Spirit, by Noël Coward (Play; 1941)

The Collected Stories of Katherine Mansfield, by Katherine Mansfield (Short Stories; 1945)

Concert For Bangladesh (Concert Film; 1972)

Confessions, by Usher (Album; 2004)

Corn Chips (Disney Cartoon; 1951)

Doc McStuffins (Animated TV Series; 2012)

The Egg and Jerry (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1956)

Eliminator, by ZZ Top (Album; 1983)

Elvis Presley, by Elvis Presely (Album; 1956)

The Farmer (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1931)

Fisherman’s Luck (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1945)

Goldfinger, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1959) [James Bond #7]

The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson (Children’s Book; 1999)

High Steaks (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1962)

Home Made Home (Disney Cartoon; 1951)

Home on the Range (MGM Cartoon; 1940)

The Hunger Games (Film; 2012)

In His Own Write, by John Lennon (Book of Poetry; 1964)

Isle of Dogs (Animated Film; 2018)

Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, by King Crimson (Album; 1973)

Livin’ La Vida Loca, by Ricky Martin (Song; 1999)

A Mad House (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1934)

Messiah, by George Frederic Handel (Oratorio; 1743)

Midsomer Murders (UK TV Series; 1997)

Monsters vs. Aliens (Animated Film; 2013)

Muppet Babies (Animated TV Series; 2018)

The Night Agent (TV Series; 2023)

Pacific Rim: Uprising (Film; 2018)

Police Academy (Film; 1984)

Post War Inventions (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1945)

Pretty Woman (Film; 1990)

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark (Novel; 1961)

Racing with the Moon (Film; 1984)

Reach for Tomorrow, by Arthur C. Clarke (Short Stories; 1956)

Scrooge McDuck and Money (Disney Cartoon; 1967)

Sherlock Gnomes (Animated Film; 2018)

Shooter (Film; 2007)

Sleuth But Sure (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1956)

Songs of Faith and Devotion, by Depeche Mode (Album; 1993)

Spanish Onions (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1930)

That’s All, by Bobby Darin (Album; 1959)

Truth or Consequences (Radio Quiz Series; 1940)

Van Halen II, by Van Halen (Album; 1979)

Vile Bodies, by Evelyn Waugh (Novel: 1930)

Today’s Name Days

Otto, Rebekka, Toribio (Austria)

Lidiya (Bulgaria)

Dražen, Edmund, Oton, Rebeka (Croatia)

Ivona (Czech Republic)

Fidelis (Denmark)

Ailo, Aksel (Estonia)

Akseli, Selina (Finland)

Rébecca, Victorien (France)

Otto, Rebekka, Toribio (Germany)

Emőke (Hungary)

Fedele, Nora, Turibio (Italy)

Kalla, Mirdza, Žanete (Latvia)

Akvilė, Alfonsas, Galgintas, Vismantė (Lithuania)

Gerd, Gerda (Norway)

Eberhard, Feliks, Katarzyna, Kondrat, Oktawian, Pelagia, Pelagiusz, Piotr, Zbysław (Poland)

Nicon (Romania)

Galina (Russia)

Adrián (Slovakia)

José, Oriol, Rebeca, Toribio (Spain)

Gerd, Gerda (Sweden)

Lydia, Nykon (Ukraine)

Calhoun, Drake, Paloma, Pam, Pamela (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 83 of 2024; 283 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 12 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 7 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Ding-Mao), Day 14 (Bing-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025)

Hebrew: 13 Adair II 5784

Islamic: 13 Ramadan 1445

J Cal: 23 Green; Twosday [23 of 30]

Julian: 10 March 2024

Moon: 94%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 27 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Origen]

Runic Half Month: Beore (Birch Tree) [Day 13 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 5 of 92)

Week: 3rd Week of March

Zodiac: Aries (Day 3 of 31)

[msfangirlgonewild]

Hello, Ein! #cowboybeebopein #cowboybebop #dogsofinstagram #dogs #corgi #cute #cherryblossomfestival #sanfrancisco (at Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Arts and Crafts)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 3.23

Holidays

Affordable Care Act Anniversary Day

Asian Corpsetwt Day [Every 23rd]

Asparagus Day (French Republic)

Atheist Day

Cuddly Kitten Day

Day of Hungarian-Polish Friendship

Day of the Liberation of Southern Africa (Angola)

Day of the Sea (Bolivia)

Dixie Cup Day

Elevator Day

Family Day (South Africa)

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Day

International Day of the Wedding Planner

International Expat Day

Liberation Day (South Africa)

Liberty Day

Lieldienas (Ancient Latvia)

Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Day (Azerbaijan)

National Alice Day

National Arts Advocacy Day

National China Day

National Coyote Day

National Day of Reflection (UK)

National Energy Education Day

National Jacob Day

National Puppy Day

Near Miss Day

Non-League Day (UK)

Nordic Day (Finland, Sweden)

O.K. Day

Pakistan Resolution Day

Promised Messiah Day (Ahmadiyya)

Rally for Decency Day

Ravenclaw Pride Day

Resolution Day (Pakistan)

Take Your Parents to the Playground Day

Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day

Walk in the Sand Day

World Bear Day

World Carpatho Rusyn Day

World Day of Learning

World Elevator Day

World Endometriosis Day

World Math(s) Day

World Meteorological Day (UN)

World Optometry Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Melba Toast Day

National Chia Day

National Chip and Dip Day

National Tamale Day

Orval Day

Toast Day

4th Saturday in March

Be Mad Day [4th Saturday]

Bike Store Day (Canada) [4th Saturday]

Corn Dog Day [1st Saturday of March Madness]

Endometriosis March Day [4th Saturday]

Walk in the Sand Day [Saturday after Spring Equinox]

Weekly Holidays beginning March 23 (3rd Week)

Tsunami Awareness Week (California) [thru 3.31]

Independence & Related Days

Otago Province Anniversary Day (New Zealand)

Pakistan (Republic Declared; 1956)

New Year’s Days

Chaitti (New Year’s Day; The first day of the month of Chaitra in the Bikram Samwat calendar)

Indian New Year (Northern and Central India in the Vikram Samvat calendar), [After the Spring Equinox, usually 3.23] (a.k.a. …

Cheiraoba (New Year's Day in Manipur)

Gudi Padwa (New Year's Day in Maharashtra)

Navreh (New Year’s Day in Kashmir)

Ugadi (New Year's Day in Karnataka and Andhra pradesh)

Nowruz (New Year) [Day 4, Around Spring Equinox] (a.k.a. ... 

Dita e Nevruzit (Albania)

Nary Meyramy (Kazakhstan)

Navruz (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan)

Nooroz (Iran)

Novruz (Azerbaijan)

Festivals Beginning March 23, 2024

Anime Japan (Tokyo, Japan) [thru 3.24]

The Big Tastes (Seattle, Washington)

Bradford County Strawberry Festival (Starke, Florida) [thru 3.24]

Chattanooga Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival (Chattanooga, Tennessee)

Cherry Blossom Festival (Conyers, Georgia) [thru 3.24]

Klein Karoo National Kunstefees (Oudtshoorn, South Africa) [thru 3.31]

Maple Syrup Festival (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) [thru 3.24]

Texas Inion Fest (Weslaco, Texas)

Veggie World (Dusseldorf, Germany) [thru 3.24]

Wellington Bacon & Bourbon Festival (Wellington, Florida) [thru 3.24]

World Cup of Beer Homebrew Competition Finals (Oakland, California)

Feast Days

Alphonsus Turbius, Archbishop of Lima (Christian; Saint)

Benedict the Hermit (Christian; Saint)

Clement of Alexandria (Positivist; Saint)

Charles Ponzi Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Cocidius of the Alder Tree (Celtic Book of Days)

Dance of the Salii (Ancient Rome)

Dandelion Dance (Shamanism)

Day of Artisans (Ancient Rome)

Edelwald of England (Christian; Saint)

Eric Fromm (Writerism)

Ethelwald the Hermit (Christian; Saint)

Gregory the Illuminator (Episcopal Church)

Gudi Padwa (a.k.a. Ugadi; celebrates the day Lord Brahma created the universe; Hindu)

Gwinear (Christian; Saint)

J. C. Leyendecker (Artology)

Joseph Oriol (Christian; Saint)

Juan Gris (Artology)

Lieldienas (Ancient Latvia)

Marzenna (Everyday Wicca)

Ottone Frangipane (Christian; Saint)

Pansexual Quantum Toaster Day (Pastafarian)

Quinquatria, Day 5: Day of Artisans Day (Pagan)

Rafqa Pietra Choboq Ar-Rayès (Maronite Church)

Rex the Rattlesnake (Muppetism)

Shaheedi Diwas (Haryana, India)

Symphony No. 94, The Surprise Symphony, by Joseph Haydn (Symphony; 1792)

Tubilustrium (Ceremony to Purify the Ceremonial Trumpets; Ancient Rome) [also 5.23]

Turibius of Mogrovejo (Christian; Saint)

Victorian, Frumentius and Companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Purim (Judaism) [begins at sundown] (a.k.a. ... 

Fast of Esther;

Survival Celebration

Ta' Anit Ester

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

The Abortion, by Richard Brautigan (Novel; 1971)

Achy Break Heart, by Billy Ray Cyrus (Song; 1992)

Blithe Spirit, by Noël Coward (Play; 1941)

The Collected Stories of Katherine Mansfield, by Katherine Mansfield (Short Stories; 1945)

Concert For Bangladesh (Concert Film; 1972)

Confessions, by Usher (Album; 2004)

Corn Chips (Disney Cartoon; 1951)

Doc McStuffins (Animated TV Series; 2012)

The Egg and Jerry (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1956)

Eliminator, by ZZ Top (Album; 1983)

Elvis Presley, by Elvis Presely (Album; 1956)

The Farmer (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1931)

Fisherman’s Luck (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1945)

Goldfinger, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1959) [James Bond #7]

The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson (Children’s Book; 1999)

High Steaks (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1962)

Home Made Home (Disney Cartoon; 1951)

Home on the Range (MGM Cartoon; 1940)

The Hunger Games (Film; 2012)

In His Own Write, by John Lennon (Book of Poetry; 1964)

Isle of Dogs (Animated Film; 2018)

Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, by King Crimson (Album; 1973)

Livin’ La Vida Loca, by Ricky Martin (Song; 1999)

A Mad House (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1934)

Messiah, by George Frederic Handel (Oratorio; 1743)

Midsomer Murders (UK TV Series; 1997)

Monsters vs. Aliens (Animated Film; 2013)

Muppet Babies (Animated TV Series; 2018)

The Night Agent (TV Series; 2023)

Pacific Rim: Uprising (Film; 2018)

Police Academy (Film; 1984)

Post War Inventions (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1945)

Pretty Woman (Film; 1990)

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark (Novel; 1961)

Racing with the Moon (Film; 1984)

Reach for Tomorrow, by Arthur C. Clarke (Short Stories; 1956)

Scrooge McDuck and Money (Disney Cartoon; 1967)

Sherlock Gnomes (Animated Film; 2018)

Shooter (Film; 2007)

Sleuth But Sure (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1956)

Songs of Faith and Devotion, by Depeche Mode (Album; 1993)

Spanish Onions (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1930)

That’s All, by Bobby Darin (Album; 1959)

Truth or Consequences (Radio Quiz Series; 1940)

Van Halen II, by Van Halen (Album; 1979)

Vile Bodies, by Evelyn Waugh (Novel: 1930)

Today’s Name Days

Otto, Rebekka, Toribio (Austria)

Lidiya (Bulgaria)

Dražen, Edmund, Oton, Rebeka (Croatia)

Ivona (Czech Republic)

Fidelis (Denmark)

Ailo, Aksel (Estonia)

Akseli, Selina (Finland)

Rébecca, Victorien (France)

Otto, Rebekka, Toribio (Germany)

Emőke (Hungary)

Fedele, Nora, Turibio (Italy)

Kalla, Mirdza, Žanete (Latvia)

Akvilė, Alfonsas, Galgintas, Vismantė (Lithuania)

Gerd, Gerda (Norway)

Eberhard, Feliks, Katarzyna, Kondrat, Oktawian, Pelagia, Pelagiusz, Piotr, Zbysław (Poland)

Nicon (Romania)

Galina (Russia)

Adrián (Slovakia)

José, Oriol, Rebeca, Toribio (Spain)

Gerd, Gerda (Sweden)

Lydia, Nykon (Ukraine)

Calhoun, Drake, Paloma, Pam, Pamela (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 83 of 2024; 283 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 12 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 7 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Ding-Mao), Day 14 (Bing-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025)

Hebrew: 13 Adair II 5784

Islamic: 13 Ramadan 1445

J Cal: 23 Green; Twosday [23 of 30]

Julian: 10 March 2024

Moon: 94%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 27 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Origen]

Runic Half Month: Beore (Birch Tree) [Day 13 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 5 of 92)

Week: 3rd Week of March

Zodiac: Aries (Day 3 of 31)

[notinthemaps]

So I finally decided to create a bucket list. I know, I know, it’s cheesy BUT I love organization and when you have no goals, how do you achieve anything? I want to know what is on all of your bucket lists! Or if you don’t have one, you at least have somewhere you’ve been dying to go or something you really want to do so please share with me!

• Catch the northern lights • Travel for 6+ months continuously • Climb to Everest Base Camp • See the big 5 in Africa • Visit the Serengeti and Maasai Mara • Go to a full moon party in Thailand • Photograph a herd of elephants • Paraglide in Nepal • White water raft in Nepal • See a wild orangutang in Indonesia • Visit Zanzibar Island and snorkel the blue waters • Scuba certified! • Ride in a helicopter • Visit wild Gorillas in Uganda/Rwanda • Lapland, Finland • Island hop for a month in Indonesia • Machu Picchu (take a picture with a llama) • Travel anywhere outside the country with my momma • Blue Ridge mountains in the fall! • Patagonia, Chile • I have got to get to Dubai • Fly first class • Ride in a hot air balloon • Set foot on Antartica! • Go back to Australia, fall in love all over again • Work a few months in Hawaii • Hike Angels Landing in Zion • Visit the rescued elephants in Chiang Mai/cry because love elephants • Spend another few weeks in Byron Bay • Marvel at the Taj Mahal • Hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim • Go on safari in the Okavango Delta • Backpack in Denali National Park • See the Cherry blossoms bloom in Japan • Spend a few months backpacking anywhere in South America • Find out if the Great Wall of China is really great • Road trip through South Africa • Hike the Camino De Santiago trail • Swim with sharks • Go on a 3+ day sailing adventure • Spend a year living/working in New Zealand • Drive the Ring Road in Iceland • Attempt the PCT • Go back to New York • Petra, Jordan • Visit Madagascar to move it move it • Roadtrip highway 1 along California coast • Camp in Big Sur • Mt Rainier National Park • Seattle, Washington • Revisit/road trip around Slovenia • Go on a cruise • Visit more Greek Islands • Take a cooking class somewhere cool • Spend a summer falling in love in Italy • Hike Half Dome in Yosemite National Park • Snowboard in Japan! • Holi Festival • Tanzania, Tanzania, Tanzania • Nashville, TN to get my country on • See a band I don’t know in concert • Go to a music Festival • Visit Rocky Mountain National Park • Save $20,000 to travel for 9+ months • Spend new years abroad • Sleep in a tree house • Yoga retreat • Surf in Bali, Indonesia • Goa, India

[onceuponabookblr]

2017 Best Happenings Tag!

It was the best of times…it was the worst of times. 2017…happened. But it wasn’t entirely a steaming pile of crap either. Thanks to @shadowtearling and @alwaysbringabookwithyou for tagging me. 

January: 2/10 month. Donald Trump became president of my country (I didn’t like that). I marched in the Women’s March in D.C. (I did like that) (see below). I also saw a bunch of good movies (I also liked that).

February: 7/10 month. I had a really great birthday and got to reconnect with some old friends. I also went on a fun cruise to the Bahamas with people I don’t like very much (like I really shouldn’t complain - such a first world problem, I got to go on vacation to the CARIBBEAN, but I would have preferred to be with different people)…so I  spent a lot of the time lying a chaise lounge and reading read a lot of books, including one of my favorites (seen below).

March: 6/10 month. I did a lot of exploring of newer neighborhoods (Washington, D.C. is a really beautiful, wonderful city even without the touristy monuments, the President, and other historic places - we all have a great quality of life here) and tried a bunch of notable restaurants. My favorite is a ramen stand which imports its noodles from Japan (those noodles had to travel like 6,000 miles to end up in my stomach). D.C.’s famous cherry blossom festival occurred and I still haven’t been able to forget the 10 or so minutes when I was stuffing my face with powdered sugar funnel cake as two different couples were taking engagement photos on both sides of me. I really hope I don’t appear in anyone’s engagement photos as “Sugar Face”.

April: 5/10 month. My employer gave me a bonus this month, which was exciting! I got a cool, new haircut. I went to go see Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors. In addition, I went to the White House for the first time, even though I’ve lived in D.C. for 5 years now (see below - yes, I have fucking giant cheeks). I didn’t get to go in the White House, but I went for a tour of its gardens, including the Rose Garden. 

May: 5/10 month. I totally forget what happened in May. So either something bad happened that I blocked out or it was just kind of average. Instagram is telling me that I ate a lot of Vietnamese food this month. 

June: 10/10 month. I GOT TO FINALLY LIVE ALONE AND IN MY OWN APARTMENT WITHOUT NEEDING A ROOMMATE AND IT WAS THE BEST LIFESTYLE CHANGE I COULD HAVE ASKED FOR AT THE TIME. I read a lot in June and also got to take a trip with my nuclear family (whom I almost never see anymore) to national parks in Northern California (see below - at Yosemite Natl. Park).

July: 10/10 month. I JOINED BOOKLR AND STARTED INTERACTING WITH Y’ALL! There will also other things…but they weren’t important in comparison

August: 5/10 month. MY BOOKLR MANIA. I also bought a couple cacti this month.

September: 6/10 month. Was invited to join the U.S. Peace Corps in China in 2018 (happiness!!), but then had to turn it down unexpectedly a few weeks later (heartbreak!! lots of crying and existential musings about life!!)

October: 8/10 month. I started getting really, really unexpectedly popular on Booklr in October (I still can’t believe it - I love this community so much, y’all are cool as hell). I went to see Tom Hanks in person and also went on an amazing solo trip in Chicago!

November: 8/10 month. I visited Boston and hung out with friends that I made 6 years ago at a “distinguished” (distinguished is in quotes because half of the attendees were really brilliant and the other half were kids who came from money) college preparatory program for high-schoolers at Boston University. We went back to places we frequented when we were 17 years-old and just kept screaming variations of, “I can’t believe we’re all adults now HA HA,” at each other. I also read a lot this month.

December: Undetermined rating. Today I received a Staff of the Month recognition for my professional work and am excited to go back to my hometown in Western New York state in a week to spend the rest of 2017 with my mom, step-dad, step-brother, and spoiled puppy (4/5 of my treasured nuclear family). Not so excited for the hugs I’ll have to give my racist uncles, but it will be worth it, right?

I hope how much I don’t take myself seriously came through here. :’) 

Please don’t feel required to do this if I tag you, but feel free to accept the challenge I’m putting forward here: make your Best Happenings tag even more sarcastic than mine: @sweatersandsmiles @the-forest-library @coffeeseed @writerintraining-us @sunnysaysbookreviews @asexualbookbird