#WHERe ARTUR??1??

[emayemae]

АААА КАКОЙ ИНГЛШИ Я ПЕРВАЯ Я ПЕРВАЯ ЛЮБЛБ ТИБЯ!1!2!₽!1(

Hello ew fandom that's bing in my w friends au shyamasworld + eddsworld bye

(I'm definitely not crazy about Bing)

[neine]

References in 1670 (Updated)

General info

Names

Jan Paweł - is a reference to a pope, Jan Paweł II. He's considered "the greatest polish person", up to a comical point. So he turned into a meme.

Jakub - A reference to a saying "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". In polish "Jak Kuba bogu tak bóg Kubie". Literally "As Kuba to god, god to Kuba".

Jędrula - A reference to a show about Foster family, to a character that liked to drink whiskey.

Andrzej - A stereotypical neighbour, where he has everything better than you.

Żmija - A reference to Ojciec Mateusz, a show about a priest solving crime, played by Artur Żmijewski (hence the name). Żmija is from Sandomierz, that's where Ojciec Mateusz was set. (From multiple people, @rabarbarzcukrem mainly.)

Historical background

Poland was going into a sort of a recession. It used to be one of the most powerful countries in Europe. As well as Lithuania, of course. Time of the Commonwealth. The plague didn't hit the Commonwealth as much because it wasn't densily populated. The biggest issue (one of many) were the tatars, who just kind of lived there. Usually were bribed into gaining some power in the country so they won't couse trouble. Lithuania was getting Polonised, but it wasn't going as good as you could imagine. It's the time after the swedish flood, where the whole country was basically looted. It was considered a very open country, many Jews lived here.

Liberum Veto - it's just that one person can say no and whatever they voted on, won't pass. Also huge reason why partations later happened.

Culture

Drowning of Marzanna is a ritual that happens every year, on the first day of spring, to say goodbye to winter. Marzanna is a slavic goddess associeted with death, winter and nature. Marzanna is sometimes set on fire and then thrown into a river. + Interesting tags from @ukulelegodparent (From multiple people)

Hunting by nobles was also kinda a cultural thing. It was often described in the books from that time.

References

"Ała kurwa rzeczywiście" - reference to this

"Quo Vadis" - meaning, "Where are you going?", is a reference to novel by Henry SIenkiewicz. More known overseas from a movie adaptation from 1951. (From multiple people)

"My wife, Zofia" is a reference to a movie "Miś". (From @gdzie-rosna-poziomki)

"Do dupy z takim spiskowcem. Mnie kury szczać prowadzić, a nie spiski" is a reference to Piłsudski's "Wam kury szczać prowadzić, a nie polityk�� robić. (From @gdzie-rosna-poziomki)

"Ta zniewaga... oczekuje, abym ją wymazał stosując przemoc." - "This insult... expects me to earase it with violance." Reference to "Zemsta", by Aleksander Fredro, "Ta zniewaga krwi wymaga." - "This insult requires blood spill". (From @rabarbarzcukrem)

Measuring tassels - likely a reference to "Pan Tadeusz". In modern speach, tassels means dicks. (Also from @rabarbarzcukrem)

Jan Paweł walking on Zofia and Rozalia in bed, the deer antlers look like they're growing from his head. It's a reference to a saying "przyprawić komuś rogi" (also in use in multiple other languages). Which means to cheat on someone. (Multiple people, mainly @rabarbarzcukrem)

Equality march - It's how Pride Prades are called in Poland. (From @rabarbarzcukrem)

Henry kicking a fern flower is a reference to Slavic mythology. It symbolizes ferility and love. (Also from @rabarbarzcukrem) @misticfog adds to it here. (And some other things)

Stasia the mouner saying "Wszystkie kary na mnie idą" ("All punishments come to me") is a reference to this: (from @00midnightrider00)

(Quote happens in 1:20)

Thank you for all the additions!

Lorem Ipsum - is a placeholder text often used in web page design.

"Koń jaki jest, każdy widzi" - What a horse is everyone sees, is a reference to the first polish dictionary.

[anxiously-sidequesting]

are you sure you don't wanna yap about the necromancers some more

LOOKS AT YOU WITH EYES FULL OF TEARS...........

SO LIKE the unserious reason why i don't yap about the necromancers some more is because i don't think i've said anything that already hasn't been said (the unfair treatment that they're subjected to in ravenwood vs. the spiral, how malistaire's actions indirectly made the lives of his students worse/creating or even heightening ambrose's quiet distaste for necromancy, how the narrative ((understandably but unfortunayely)) largely moves past these characters because they're not the focus of the plot, duncan's ENTIRE CHARACTER, etc.) these are all things that I've touched on before and out of fear that i'd repeat myself every few months i just....... sadly put my favorite characters away BUT.... I WILL SAY THIS......

i feel like if wizard101 was a show that didn't have us as the main focus, i feel like it would be super appropriate to have Malorn or Penny or even Marla be in the young wizard's place as the Savior of the Spiral. I feel like the story would only be enriched from a necromancer's perspective; they're the ones more directly affected by pre-arc 1 situations and it would reveal a side to Ambrose that isn't quite highlighted with us because we're a blank slate - not a set character with a set school (like the Death school).

If Malorn was the young wizard that would be..... oh man. In a series where the fictional setting would have more freedom and options to explore itself rather than its game form, i can really see Duncan becoming one of the series' antagonists and being the perfect foil to Malorn. I already talked about this too but these two guys are PERFECT for each other as narrative parallels and focusing on their unique personalities, skill sets, backstories, relationships with each other and the outside world while also highlighting their glaring similarities would be METAL to see on television. Dare I say it will even give Duncan's "gets recruited into the Schism" arc actual substance and justice rather than the "surprise funny bully man from high school is now your plot twist boss fight and you get to see him squirm and cry pathetically after you beat him up!" thing..........

if Malorn WAS the main character i can already see Penny and Marla being supporting characters, maybe like THE three alongside other wizards like CEREN NIGHTCHANT, Susie and Artur/ maybe even throw Nolan Stormgate in there fuck it! But i definitely, DEFINITELY want to see Wizard101's story told through a necromancer's eyes more than anyone else's. There's just more at stake, more to care about, and more to connect with through the hearts and minds of someone under society's proverbial thumb like that

[amberinn]

So since Acevi broke and cracked

o7 to the shippers

and Ace is now my wet little puddle soaked kitten

I need a copium Ace ship

PROBLEM!

Wait no... not problem moreso criteria

1. He's gay

This limits character ship pool to 6

1. Xander

2. Levi

3. Whit

4. Charles

5. David

6. Arturo

Problem?

Levi is a psychopath and doesn't mix well with Ace -1

Xander is malicious and doesn't mix well with Ace -1 (also broke his hand)

Whit and Charles are cutie patooties and do fit in with Ace well ^3^

I've just a bit of a pet peeve with shipping these 2 with anyone other than each other

That's not to say that I do not create content like that!

'm just not hardcore and lovey dovey about it... whoopz

It left me with David and Arturo tbh, and at this point I've been like thinking (damn the boypool is a fucker that's insane and tried killing 12 people and a bigot stalker (bigos mój artur))

but i think ive got it :3

Arturo is thinking about his dead sister in this one, timeline where they're like dating or so

Haha

Ace waking up to go do his job and giving Turo a mornin smooch

Idk the schedule of like, plastic surgeons but let's say it's free day for Arturo dw guys I played sims 4 i know you can have work on mon/wed/thu and none other day of the week

[blushyh]

tagged by @girliinterrupteddd thank youu 💌

if you had a spotify wrapped but for which hockey players you talked about the most, who would be your top 5?

1. trevor zegras - this is an absolute no-brainer i don’t think there’s been a single day this past year where i haven’t talked or at least thought about this boy

2. mat barzal (i miss you pls come back)

3. shane pinto

4. nico hischier

5. lukas dostal/arturs silovs i’m not sure which one i talked about more but i love them both so much so i’m putting them both here

tagging: @drysdaleknieslee @starshine-hockey-girl @sweetestdesire and absolutely anyone else who wants to participate 🤍

[cursedreverie1945]

Martin Bormann, to me, was a lot more interesting in death rather than alive. Bormann was honestly just a nazi thug that just got lucky.

He used that luck to control a lot of things, however, that could be said for a lot of the damn nazis.

At around 11:00 pm on 1 May, Bormann left the Führerbunker with SS doctor Ludwig Stumpfegger, Hitler Youth leader Artur Axmann, and Hitler's pilot Hans Baur, part of one of the groups attempting to break out of the Soviet encirclement. Bormann carried with him a copy of Hitler's last will and testament.[99] The group left the Führerbunker and travelled on foot via an U-Bahn subway tunnel to the Friedrichstraße station, where they surfaced. Axmann decided to leave the others and go in the opposite direction. When he encountered a Red Army patrol, Axmann doubled back. He saw two bodies, which he later identified as Bormann and Stumpfegger, on a bridge near the railway shunting yard. He did not have time to check thoroughly, so he did not know how they died. Since the Soviets never admitted to finding Bormann's body, his fate remained in doubt for many years.

During the chaotic days after the war, contradictory reports arose as to Bormann's whereabouts. Sightings were reported in Argentina, Spain, and elsewhere. Bormann's wife was placed under surveillance in case he tried to contact her, but she died from cancer not long after the war.

Jakob Glas, Bormann's long-time chauffeur, insisted that he saw Bormann in Munich in July 1946.

Bormann was tried in absentia at the Nuremberg trials and would be executed if he was ever found.

Sightings were reported all over the world, including Australia, Denmark, Italy, and South America. In his autobiography, army intelligence officer Reinhard Gehlen claimed that Bormann had been a Soviet spy and had escaped to Moscow. Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal believed that Bormann was living in South America. The West German government declared that its hunt for Bormann was over in 1971.

On 7 December 1972, construction workers uncovered human remains near Lehrter station in West Berlin. To the best of their ability, with the technology of the time. The remains were identified as Bormann's.

The remains were conclusively identified as Bormann's in 1998 when German authorities ordered genetic testing on fragments of the skull. The testing was led by Wolfgang Eisenmenger, Professor of Forensic Science at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Tests using DNA from one of his relatives identified the skull as that of Bormann.

[goodnightoilcountry]

jo's vancouver canucks fic rec list !

fic rec masterlist: jo's nhl fic rec list !

like my selection of fic recs? have a player who's not been featured? let me know and i'll go on a deep dive for you!

ARTURS SILOVS

foreign language pt1 + pt2 by @ silovsmenot summary: a first meeting with a certain Latvian goalie, a surprise that leaves him thinking of you … and an unexpected reunion thanks to injury. word count: 2.1k

BROCK BOESER

home by @ bedsyandco summary: in which your Brock’s best friend and the lines are blurry because you act like more both to him and his son. word count: 2.3k

because of brock by @ ohmyeyesmyeyes summary: a breakup because of brock word count: 8.7k

et me tell you that i love you (4+1) by @ brockadoodles word count: 3.4k

QUINN HUGHES

lucky by @ 43-hugs summary: in which quinn counts his lucky stars.  word count: 20k

4 times everyone else caught on before the 1 time you and quinn finally did by @ mrsensitive summary: a good old 4+1 ft. best friend beau & a couple other cameos, some mutual pining and also reader is a costume designer.

5 times quinn wanted to kiss you + 1 time he finally did by @ bedsyandco

friend's don't by @ hischierdevils summary: everyone can see that you and quinn are more than friends. everyone except the two of you. word count: 2.4k

third time's the charm by @ thatintrovertedwriter summary: in which Quinn hates parties, yet keeps throwing them in hopes you'll show up. word count: 5k

fearless by @ theemporium summary: the five times you tried to deny it, and the one time you and quinn gave into the bond pulling you together word count: 8.3k

plus one by @ bagopucks summary: “they are just so in love, i remember when we looked at each other like that.” word count: 4.6k

growing up is by @ adoristsposts summary: in which quinn has a hard time coming to terms with the road your relationship has taken.

nothing but love by @ starry-hughes summary: the four times quinn wanted to kiss you and the one time he did.

can i be close to you? by @ 43-hugs summary: after meeting you, he starts seeing you everywhere. while at first he's not so sure, quinn grows to enjoy your company, despite his crazy schedule in a city that demands a lot from him. word count: 7.4k

baby photos by @ 43-hugs summary: they met you before they had ever held you in their arms. this is every time jim and ellen hughes met you, before they actually did. word count: 3k

you are in love by @ sunkissed-zegras summary: 3 times that quinn wanted to tell you he loved you, and the 1 time he finally did. word count: 3.5k

oh, my, my, my by @ sweetteainthesummerx summary: you and quinn throughout the years, and how you fall in love <3 word count: 4.4k

down bad by @ sweetteainthesummerx summary: your sister sends you an article of you and quinn being absolutely down bad for each other... word count: 2.4k

is this off the record? by @ rempewiththetempe summary: y/n gets a job as a rinkside reporter for the Vancouver Canucks, befriending many of the roster members, but one player (who just so happens to wear the C on his chest) is rather against the idea of becoming friends with the girl. word count: 3.1k

sweet nothing by @ sweetteainthesummerx summary: 5 times Quinn knew you were the one, and the one time he let you know... word count: 2.3k

somehow still stuck on you by @ matthewtkachuk summary: navigating the realities of your post break up friendship with quinn is exacerbated by how much you’re not over him word count: 2.4k

in between by @ capquinn summary: your friendship with quinn is slowly transforming. there is an unspoken tension and feelings that simmer beneath the surface, keeping you on the edge of friendship and something more. the in-between is where you both linger, uncertain yet drawn to each other. word count: 4.9k

two hearts by @ capquinn summary: you and quinn drift apart, only to be drawn back together, held by a quiet, unspoken pull that lingers even after the breakup. it’s a constant ebb and flow, where the pain of separation and the comfort of reunion blur together, making it hard to truly let go. word count: 8.3k

all's fair in love and war by @ nhlclover summary: trevor invites you to a lakehouse for the summer, attempting to set him up with his friend. however, the summer doesn't go to plan when you meet his older brother who captures your eye and flips everything upside down. word count: 11.6k

family skate by @ pucked-bunnie summary: you haven't been on many dates in your life time - but you definetly haven't been on one quite like this one. word count: 4.5k

the collection by @ captain-huggy-bear summary: You keep every single puck that Quinn has ever given you, he finds your collection that you've been shyly hiding away. It might just be the thing that makes him realise you're the girl he's going to marry.

[theaskew]

Arturs Berzins (Latvian, b. 1971), Trees Grow Where They Are Allowed; Trees Grow as They Are Allowed, 2024. Wood, canvas, gesso, author's photo, gelatin silver copy, watercolour, toning, 9 1/10 × 7 in. | 23 × 17.7 cm. (Source: Maksla XO Gallery, Riga, Latvia)

[sunnyhoneyshimmermagic]

here it is, everyone! the official (and not without mistakes but fuck it this is the best anyone will ever get) appearance tracker of EVERY BIG NATE CHARACTER (that matters at least a little bit, also I forgot Rusty sienna r.i.p)

THE TOP 10:

Nate: 11,106

2. Francis: 4,166

3. Teddy: 2,936

4. Marty: 1,541

5. Mrs. Godfrey: 890

6. Chad: 691

7. Ellen: 583

8. Mr. Rosa: 537

9. Gina: 506

10. Jenny: 427

Rounding out the top 20:

11. Dee Dee: 358

12. Artur: 343

13. Coach Calhoon: 339

14. Spitsy: 304

15. Principal Nichols: 255

16. School Picture Guy: 219

17. Sheila: 202

18. Coach John: 164

19. Gramps/Vern: 163

20. Mr. Glavin: 152

MORE THAN A 100 APPEARANCES:

21. Dr. Cesspool: 150

22. Gordie: 147

23. Ms. Clarke: 145

24. Czerwicki: 139

25. Kim: 119

26. Biff: 116

27. Gram/Marge: 107

STILL PRETTY MAJOR:

28. Chip: 99

29. Chester: 97

30. Mrs. Shipulski: 95

31. Peter: 92

32. Pickles: 91

33. Randy: 81

GETTING THERE:

34. Nate drawing of Mrs. Godfrey where she doesn’t appear: 74

35. Nurse Maureen Biology: 72

36. Angie: 71

37. Trudy: 67

38. Dan Cupid: 65

39. Uncle Ted: 64

40. Mr. Staples: 62

40. Daphne: 62

42. Nate drawing of Ellen where she doesn’t appear: 61

43. Mr. Eustis: 60

44. Bob Snuggles: 51

44. Kelly: 51 

46. Sherman: 50

47. Moe Mentum: 46

48. Marcus: 42

49. Miranda: 41

YEAH THESE ARE GETTING OBSCURE NOW:

50. Kenny Smithson: 39

50. Timmy Snuggles: 39

52. Nate drawing of Marty where he doesn’t appear: 38

53. Honey Snuggles: 35

54. Punkin Snuggles: 34

55. J.B.: 33

56. Nate drawing of Francis where he doesn’t appear: 27

57. Superdad: 24

58. Derek Nack: 20

59. Daisy: 19

59. Warren Fuzzy: 19

61. Mrs. Bigbee: 18

61. Nate drawing of Teddy where he doesn’t appear: 18

63. Slim Stubby: 15

63. Nate drawing of Jenny where she doesn’t appear: 15

65. Nate drawing of Kenny Smithson where he doesn’t appear: 14

65. Wayne: 14

65. Whitey: 14

68. The Brain (Chess Camp): 13

68. Lila: 13

68. Nate drawing of Mr. Rosa where he doesn’t appear: 13

71. Action Cat: 12

72. Audrey the Lifeguard: 11

72. Nate drawing of Mr. Galvin where he doesn’t appear: 11

72. Hickson: 11

72. Craig (incel): 11

76. Paige: 10

76. Nate drawing of Mr. Staples where he doesn’t appear: 10

76. Nigel (doppleganger): 10

THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL:

79. Ronnie (Jenny’s Boyfriend): 9

80. Nate drawing of Gordie where he doesn’t appear: 8

80. Wink Summers: 8

80. Nate drawing of Nate where he doesn’t appear: 8

83. Kit: 7

83. Kaboodle: 7

83. Stan Cupid: 7

83. Emmit the Custodian: 7

87. Marla the Mailwoman: 6

88. Claire Voyant: 5

88. Fluffy Snuggles: 5

88. Nate drawing of Coach Calhoon where she doesn’t appear: 5

88. Nate Drawing of Ms. Clarke where he doesn’t appear: 5

92. Moe Mentum’s Agent: 4

92. Greg Proxmire: 4

92. Leo Tard: 4

92. She-Pulski: 4

92. Nate drawing of Principal Nichols where he doesn’t appear: 4

97. Jenny’s Dad: 3

97. Celine Paycheck: 3

97. Math Man: 3

97. Half-Pint: 3

97. Mrs. Holloway: 3

97. Stan Pokecheck: 3

97. Deke Boarding: 3

104. Nate drawing of Sheila where she doesn’t appear: 2

104. April Showers: 2

104. Mega Teen: 2

104. Ms. Brindle: 2

104. Nate drawing of La Chance where she doesn’t appear: 2

104. Nate drawing of Gina where she doesn’t appear: 2

104. Nate drawing of Pickles where she doesn’t appear: 2

104. Daphne’s mom: 2

112. Jenny’s Mom: 1

112. Nate drawing of ronnie where he doesn’t appear: 1

112. Nate drawing of Ms. Brindle where she doesn’t appear: 1

112. Nate drawing of Aldrige where she doesn’t appear: 1

112. Nate drawing of Wink Summers where he doesn’t appear: 1

112. Mrs. Williger: 1

112. Nate drawing of Uncle Ted where he doesn’t appear: 1

112. Nate drawing of Spitsy where he doesn’t appear: 1

112. Ultra Nate: 1

112. Algebro: 1

112. Nate drawing of Artur where he doesn’t appear: 1

112. Nate drawing of Chester where he doesn’t appear: 1

112. Mr. Holloway: 1

112. Nate drawing of Randy where he doesn’t appear: 1

112. Nate drawing of Kim where she doesn’t appear: 1

112. Nate drawing of Dee Dee where she doesn’t appear: 1

112. Nate drawing of Daphne where she doesn’t appear: 1

112. Nate drawing of Chad where he doesn’t appear: 1

Questions and replies are more than welcome! This list will update every Sunday when an arc is "over"!

[thealmightyemprex]

Fantasy month:Middle Earthathon Part 1 The Hobbit 1977

So to celebrate fantasy month I am also deep diving into the film adaptations of possibly the most beloved fantasy series of all time ,JRR Tolkiens Middle Earth series .Now there are actually more film adaptations of Tolkien then folks realize,so I am limiting myself to the 4 animated feature length films based on Tolkien and the 6 films made by Peter Jackson

In this 1977 TV Movie we follow Bilbo Baggins (Orson Bean ) as he is recruited by the wizard , Gandalf (John Huston ) to be the burglar for a company of Dwarves led by Thorin (Hans Conried ) to reclaim their treasure from the greedy dragon Smaug (Richard Boone )

So with the exception of one.....These are not gonna be first time reviews ,I grew up watching these films ,and all play a part in my love of fantasy .So I am gonna go over my relationship to each film before I do the review

So I was introduced to this film by my dad shortly after FEllowship of the Ring came out and when we came across this at our local Blockbuster,he was so excited to show it to me.....ANd I watched this a lot as a kid ,I was enchanted by this story ,and watching it as an adult I am still charmed by it

Lets talk about the big issue with the film....The pacing and run time.This is the issue detractors have for the film,and yeah it can rush past things and doesnt haver everything from the book.....But honeslty for me the run time was never an issue ,I think for a TV Special it effectively tells the novels story

The art style is devisive ,but personally I love the Artur Rackham influence ,and a lot of the designs work for me like Amphibious Gollum ,and Cat like Smaug.The one that doesnt are the Woodelves,which look very....Alienish to me

The Cast for a made for TV animated movie is pretty darn good .Its kind of an odd cast consisting of a Game Show regular ,a Western Heavy ,a stand up Tragedian,a few legendary voice actors and two acclainmed Directors.Now I know some Tolkien purists dont like that the cast is mostly American,but I feel the cast is pretty darn good choices ,with the exception of Otto Priminger as the Elf King who feels out of place .ORson Bean brings a nice fussieness to Bilbo while still being likeable and enteraining .Cyri Richard ,in his final oerformance is pretty perfect Elrond .Brother Theodore is wonderfully unhinged and creepy as Gollum,and combined with the design makes for such a creepy character.Hot take ,but I actually prefer Richard Boones take on Smaug to Benedict Cumberbatchs ,yeah one can make your jokes about Smaug sounding like a cowboy but I feel his deep sleepy voice highlights the dragons laziness and that Samug is a lazy vain bully .Hans Conried AKA CAptain Hook plays Thorin the leader of the dwarfs ,and I think its one of his most underrated performance showing off some good comedy (The scene where Thorin ,Bard and the Elf King are ready to kill eachother till they see the Goblins and immediately act like best friends always makes me laugh ) but also that he could do drama ,as his goodbye to Bilbo always makes me misty eyed ,The stand out however is John Huston as Gandalf whose deep commanding voice gives the wizard a feeling of authority

We also get some songs mostly sung by Glenn Yarburough ,though Thurl Ravinscroft sings for the Goblins.Most of the songs are from the book with the exception of the main theme the Greatest Adventure ,which is a fantasy classic for me ,I think fantasy adventure everytime I hear it .Of the Tolkien song I gotta say the best has to be Down Down to Goblin Town which is a banger,one heck of a fun villain song

So yeah this is a nostlagic favorite of mine and I feel a great intoroduction to Middle Earth

@theancientvaleofsoulmaking @themousefromfantasyland

@the-blue-fairie @ariel-seagull-wings @princesssarisa @amalthea9

@countesspetofi @barbossas-wench @filmcityworld1

[highladyluck]

Ok, AU five facts game: AU where all conflicts are solved with dance battles. Each society has its own style.

I am honored and alarmed that you chose me to fill this prompt. Let’s go on this journey together.

1. Cairhein traditionally does ballet. This really impressed the Aiel, who do a form of modern dance that evolved out of ballet and know a thing or two about stamina themselves. Then King Laman cut the joint arts funding that had bound their cultures together for hundreds of years. This is the cause of the Aiel War.

2. Andor is all about high-kicking you in the face. Just jumping up and down super high and kicking. Elayne scandalizes her court by dressing the Queen’s Guards like chorus dancers performing the cha-cha. Mat innovates on this model by also kicking really low, kicking really fast, and adding percussion.

3. Seanchan brings the marching band to Mardhol and nothing is ever the same again. Exotic brass instruments, such as tubas, kill thousands. Their flawless formations scatter only at the sight of Artur Hawkwing himself, bannered across the field at Falme, playing air guitar at them to accompany Mat on the French Horn of Valere.

4. The White Tower’s signature style evolved from DDR, with quick combinations of repeated movements that stack for combat bonuses. The test for the shawl was once conducted entirely on a DDR mat, but the passage of time has led to a more ritualized version that only bears a few symbolic vestiges of the original, such as visual path and level markers, memorized movement sequences, & specific posture requirements.

5. In Far Madding, only the men dance, and they are forbidden to use their arms while doing so. We would recognize their dance as the Worm.

[opera-ghosts]

From The New York Times; Dec. 30, 1920

SELMA KURZ HERE FOR AMERICAN TOUR; Famous Polish Prima Donna Has Mastered Her Fear of an Atlantic Crossing. NOTABLE CAREER ABROAD Long Favorite of the Vienna Opera Going Public, She Owes Her Success to a Chance Discovery of Her Voice.

Selma Kurz; known throughout Europe ‘as a leading coloratura soprano and famous particularly for her echievements at the Vienna Opera House, of. which she has been the pride for many years, has arrived in this city, almost unannounced, to make a tour of the United States.’ Her first appearance will be on Sunday, Jan. 9, at the Hippodrome with the National Symphony Orchestra, of which Artur Bodansky is conductor. In an interview with a Times reporter in her suite at the St.Regia; Mme.Kurz yesterday expressed keen delight over her forthcoming opportunity to sing before the American public, which she has been informed is most cordial. She is under the management of Otokar Bartik. Mme. Kyrz’s rise in the operatic.world is the.story of a girl in: humble surroundings, whose gift of song, discovered. by accident, was. developed by wealthy benefactors, who had the satisfaction in return of seeing their protége sought by the leading operatic managers of Europe. At Covent Garden, London, she won the admiration of British audiences and her success was no less when she sang in Paris. In thé days of the Czar she was literally showered with gold’ and gems when she sang .in Moscow and Petrograd.

Yet Mme.. Kurz somewhat wistfully admitted yesterday, as she reclined on a couch recuperating from her voyage and from her first strenuous. sight-seeingi n New-York, that hey destiny in her A hood days seemed” to lead to no more hopeful. than the life of a seamstress. , ‘““My parents were poor,”’ said Mme. Kurz, “‘and my needlework was necessary to help keep our family of eleven children together. My father was an umbrella mender in the little town of Bieliza, Poland. As I was skillful with the needle, I devoted most of my time to needlework, Perhaps it was that which made me want to sing to break the tedium of the work. ‘‘‘‘ In the factory where I used to work t| 1: often burst into song almost unconsciously. Sometimes I did not realize what was doing until the forewoman would touch me on the shoulder and give me this gentle reprimand: * You. should not sing so tempo—so slowly—because the other girls are. listening,- and it makes them work slowly, too. You should sing a lively melody, stitch . they will stitch with more spee While singing ‘as shé went about hérduties at home one day the giris voice attracted the attention of two boy playmates of her brother Mano, now a resident of San Francisco. They told the cantor of the synagogue in Bieliza about the wonderful voice they had heard, and on seeking. her out and hearing her sing he wee equally impréssed. He . inte ed in her behalf with -a wealthy Polish family, who agreed to provide for her musical education, When she appeared in. Vienna in the ttile réle of Thomas's "Mignon ’’ her success was immediate.

Mme. Kurz has a voice of great compass, her range being from low. A. to High F. Tp. describing it. Mr. Bartik a that Kienzl, composer of the ras ‘ The Evangelist ’ and “ Ran des Vaohes,' has. confirmed several times, with the watch in hand, that her trill has lasted forty seconds.’’ — her principarts are Gilda, Rigoletto; Luela the Queen, in — Meyerbeer's “ Huguenots * ; the title réles. in ‘‘ Traviata,”’ Lakmé,’’ and ‘ Dinorah ’’; Rosina, in ‘ The Barber of Seville ’’; Adina, in “ Elisir ’' Amina in La sonnambula; Norina, Don Pasquale ”’ Marie, in “La Fille du régiment‘; Queen of the Night, in Mozart's and Martha’; Elvira, in “‘ Ernani,”’ Other than coloratura parts include Madame Butterfly.”Mignon'', Eva in Meistersinger,’’ and Marguerite, in ‘' Faust. In deference to the American public a number of selections in English during her present tour. Among. these are ‘Il Penseroso,’’ by Handel, to Milton’s ‘words, and a number of familiar lyrics. She sings in French, Italian and Polish. In addition and: Polish, in addition English Mme. has been occasioned largely by the attractive compensation given ‘to prominent artists'here. It is necessary for her: to reco re her finances because, as she explain ever since the beginning of the war she has devoted her services to. the Vienna Opera’ House without charge, as did moſt of the other stars, who Were willing ~ ——— financial remuneration rather than see opera come to a standstill She planned to come to America ‘when Heinrich: Conried was head of the Metropolitan Opera company. She then contracted ninety performances, tly the agreement was not eesh ould "te said . that “her trip” to s time was marked by. no tuntoward — although she admitted that she was quite seasick the first day.

[polish-lyric-translations]

Beksa (Crybaby)

by Artur Rojek

YouTube link

Crybaby!

I've had enough of memories

Where someone chases me

Where I'm out of breath

Crybaby!

I hear it all the time

And I cover and I cover myself

Wrapped inside, with shadow under my eyes (1)

Fear prys open the clutched fists

Crybaby!

They say that when you die

You float in the air, you float

Crybaby!

Now, now, now

I can't stand this speed anymore

Everything is fucked over

Crybaby!

Terrible mess in my head

Our lillies wilt, they wilt when you leave

This is how I am

I don't talk with anyone, I don't share with anybody

This is how I am

Keep the change, get out of me

This is how I am

I don't talk with anyone, I don't share with anybody

This is how I am

Keep the change, get out of me

Crybaby!

I've had enough of memories

I can barely manage my own house

You could have remember different me, different me

Now, now, now

I'm putting the glitter on my face

I'm forgetting my lines

Crybaby!

Whatever you have wanted, mom

You can't change this anymore

Everything has been done already

This is how I am

I don't talk with anyone, I don't share with anybody

This is how I am

Keep the change, get out of me

This is how I am

I don't talk with anyone, I don't share with anybody

This is how I am

Keep the change, get out of me

(1) This line can either mean "bags under eyes" or "eyeshadow" in reference to later "putting glitter on the face", probably both

Translator's note: I think that this is a song about grief, as most interpretations say (not sure about the author but iirc he does to). To me it's about being queer person, particular in gender sense, so I relate to it a lot.

Original text:

BEKSA

Mam dosyć wspomnień

Że ktoś mnie goni

Że brak mi tchu

BEKSA

Wciąż słyszę

I zasłaniam się zasłaniam się

Zawinięty w środek z cieniem wokół powiek

Strach rozpycha, zaciśnięte dłonie

BEKSA

Podobno gdy umierasz

Lecisz sobie lecisz

BEKSA!

Już już już

Nie wytrzymuję tempa

Wszystko kurwa, skręca

BEKSA

Straszna chała w głowie

Więdną nasze lilie więdną gdy odchodzisz

Tak mam

Nie rozmawiam z nikim z nikim się nie dzielę

Tak mam

Zachowaj resztę wynoś się ze mnie

Tak mam

Nie rozmawiam z nikim z nikim się nie dzielę

Tak mam

Zachowaj resztę wynoś się wynoś

BEKSA

Mam dosyć wspomnień

Z trudem ogarniam własny dom

Mógłbyś zapamiętać mnie innego mnie innego

Już już już

Na twarz nakładam brokat

Mylą mi się słowa

BEKSA

Czego chciałaś mamo

Tego już nie zmienisz

Wszystko się już stało

Tak mam

Nie rozmawiam z nikim z nikim się nie dzielę

Tak mam

Zachowaj resztę wynoś się ze mnie

Tak mam

Nie rozmawiam z nikim z nikim się nie dzielę

Tak mam

Zachowaj resztę wynoś się wynoś

[apocalypticavolition]

Let's (re)Read The Great Hunt! Chapter 19: Beneath the Dagger

Do you still remember the deal? Probably not, huh? It goes like this: this reread has spoilers for the whole dang series. Spoilers for book 1 (kind of expected), book 2 (not uncommon), book 8 (I already ran out of parentheticals), book 10 (just kidding nothing happens in this one), and even book 15 (the one that only super special fans get to read). If you don't want that, don't click Keep reading.

The icon for this chapter is the Horn of Valere as it is the object of Rand's quest and his prize. It's also what our favorite lady in white gets fixated on. They're all very straightforward.

Every day they had been there on the mountainside, watching the place where Hurin said the trail had been, in that other world—where Selene said the Darkfriends would surely appear in this world—he told himself it was time to leave. And Selene talked of the Horn of Valere, and touched his arm, and looked into his eyes, and before he knew it he had agreed to yet another day before they went on.

I suspect that Selene is using Compulsion here and that it's working as much because this is what fate needs to happen as it is what Rand wants to do anyway. He thinks this is all nonsense and a complete long shot but in his gut he knows it's the only way to keep Mat alive, so all Selene is really accomplishing is pushing his surface thoughts out of the way of his true nature. It's borderline therapeutic!

I was happy then, I think, even running for my life. Playing the flute for my supper.

That is not remotely how it was, Rand. You were stressed and exhausted and for every place you got to play for your supper there was another where you got scammed or threatened or worse. It's quite interesting how we romanticize our memories though. One of Rand's bigger problems is that eventually he gets to a point where there's nothing to work with for this delusion, so all the "despair debt" as it were catches up with him in a lump sum.

In the moonlight he could see the shape of Selene, bending over his saddlebags, her hands on the buckles. Her white dress gathered the faint light.

There's something intensely metaphorical about the fact that the woman who has betrayed both sides of the metaphysical conflict at play is herself betrayed by the things that she does claim loyalty to.

“It came to me,” she said, “that I’ve been wearing this dress too long. I could brush it, at least, if I had something else to wear while I did. One of your shirts, perhaps.”

Points to Lanfear though for always having a back-up plan to work her angles.

Her soft laugh sent a shiver down his back, as if she had run a finger along his spine.

Rand doesn't mention goosebumps specifically in this sequence but I bet she really is running weaves of Air around him. Makes her creepier.

“Think of the glory that will come to the one who finds the Horn of Valere. How proud I’ll be to stand beside him who holds the Horn. You have no idea the heights we will scale together, you and I. With the Horn of Valere in your hand, you can be a king. You can be another Artur Hawkwing. You. . . .”

Honestly if Hurin hadn't interrupted her here Rand probably would have rebuffed her pretty hard anyway. Glory is the least of this boy's interests and Lanfear literally can't bring it up without going into this long-winded rant which she almost certainly plans to cap off with "topple the Creator and the Dark One". It's not even all that likely that someone with the Horn could pull off Hawkwing anyway - the world is too divided and the Heroes won't be happy being used for petty political warfare.

No reason to be angry with her.

Here's some other Compulsion Selene pulls off successfully, though the stakes are super low. There's plenty of reason to be mad Rand, even with just the info you have! It's weird she's digging around in your stuff in the middle of the night instead of talking to you about it. It's weird that she's sexually harassing you instead of respecting your boundaries. It's weird that she's clearly lying to you about Portal Stones!

“You don’t know you cannot take it. How many followers does this man have? You don’t know that, either.”

I will give Lanfear credit for actually providing useful tactical advice. Even if her "Get the Horn now!" routine is based entirely in her delusional self-importance, she's not wrong to point out that they should be learning about the enemy camp while they have the chance and the element of surprise. Rand's really more of the big picture strategist in warfare than this kind of skirmish.

“I am capable of guarding myself, until you return to protect me. Take the alantin.”

Nothing suspicious about any of THIS at all. Literally any other Ogier in the world would have called out someone calling them an Old Tongue name only, I think. Loial just doesn't do it because he's so naive.

“Remember the glory,” she said softly. “Remember.”

I think it's pronounced "Memento mori", Lanfear. Someone really should have been whispering that to you.

He wished he could stop thinking, and before he realized it, the void had formed within him, making thoughts distant things, as if part of someone else. Saidin shone at him, beckoned to him.

Being caught between Lanfear and the tainted saidin makes rocks and hard places seem like vacation destinations. But being able to use the void at all means that Tam's training saved Rand from quite a lot of Lanfear's influence I think.

Loial’s huge hand settled over Rand’s mouth, and a good part of his face besides.

This is far funnier to me than it has any intention of being. Breaks up the tension of the scene, which is quite effective but difficult to quote because it builds up over time.

Tam had told him Trollocs were lazy, apt to give up any task but killing unless fear kept them to it.

Really just another demonstration of how the Shadow without the Light is entirely self-defeating.

The Horn of Valere and the dagger Mat needed, both almost within reach of his hand. Selene’s face drifted with the chest. They could follow Fain’s party in the morning, and wait until Ingtar joined them. If Ingtar did come, if he still followed the trail without his sniffer. No, there would never be a better chance. All within reach of his hand. Selene was waiting on the mountain.

Again, points to Selene (from the Light's perspective) because Rand would have utterly wasted this opportunity without her guidance. It really makes me wonder how she got to rise through the ranks to Forsaken at all considering how little she does for the Shadow's agenda. Literally less than the Trollocs and I just got done roasting them.

His hand touched something else, on the lid. The dagger, bare-bladed. In the dark, his eyes widened. Remembering what it had done to Mat, he jerked back, the void shifting with his agitation.

Lucky he didn't cut himself on it. Or perhaps unlucky; if he had cut his hand on it maybe Ishamael would have given him a matching wound there as well instead of any side wounds and it would have been much less miserable in the long run what with Semirhage's post-cleansing amputation of the poor boy.

Even in the night it was plain Loial’s eyes were as wide as they could go; they looked as big as saucers in the light of the moon.

It's these subtle touches that do a good job of emphasizing how uncommonly brave Rand is. Loial is absolutely a trooper for making it this far but even he's got limits.

“I know it is you, al’Thor! You’re hiding from me, but I know you are out there! Find him! Find him! Al’Thoooor!”

It's funny how in this book, which is mostly moving well away from the LotR inspiration that all 80s fantasy novels needed to have, Fain is acting more Gollum-like than ever before.

Rand moved without thought. He was one with the blade. Cat Dances on the Wall. The Trolloc screamed as it fell, screamed again as it died.

Frankly, CDotW sounds less like a standard sword form and more like what mentors joking call it when the new guys start panicking and waving their sword everywhere in a panic, but I guess it works.

The Courtier Taps His Fan. No scream, this time.

In contrast, this particular form sounds much more dignified and controlled. Jordan using these names to describe the action without describing it was a really great touch.

Lizard in the Thornbush. He rose smoothly from one knee as the second toppled, horns almost brushing his shoulder.

I like sword forms okay?

Fain was there, and Darkfriends, and more Trollocs. Too many to fight. Too many to face and live.

As awesome as the forms are, I do have to point out how unbelievable it sounds that Rand just single handedly killed eight Trollocs and is worried about fighting more. Like obviously he will eventually get exhausted but it really feels like he burned through a good chunk of the enemy forces. I'm not really sure how many there are at this point anyway and I'm not sure if that's the text being vague for tension or if I just forgot from earlier chapters because of the break.

“Sometimes I do not understand half of what you say,” Loial said. “If you must go mad, could it at least wait until we are back with the Lady Selene and Hurin?”

Again: Loial is painfully naive. Any other Ogier would have been well aware of exactly how alarming Rand's confession of going mad would be. I'm just gonna say it outright: the Elders were lowkey right not to approve of Loial wandering around in the world on his own. Look at the company he keeps.

As she stretched on tiptoe to put a hand inside, Rand reached over her shoulder and lifted out the Horn of Valere. He had seen it once before, but never touched it. Though beautifully made, it did not look a thing of great age, or power.

Normally I don't approve of tall people using their height to thwart shorties but for Lanfear I must of course make an exception.

And also, I'm sure again: how fucking old IS the Horn anyway? It can't possibly just be going through the whole of the Wheel over and over. Who made it? Why? When? What parts of interacting with the Heroes that the cast just assumes is the natural order of the worldl are in fact only possible because the Horn exists?

“You misunderstand me, Rand,” Selene said. “You cannot go back, now. You are committed. Those Friends of the Dark will not simply go away because you’ve taken the Horn from them. Far from it. Unless you know some way to kill them all, they will be hunting you now as you hunted them before.”

Ugh and now she's made another good point, even though again it's only in her self-interest. Lanfear you are supposed to be crazy. Stop challenging that by actually being helpful.

“Be careful,” Selene said. “Do not cut yourself.”

Once again, one has to wonder how the Forsaken are so familiar with something that was never contemporaneous with any of them except ol' Ballsac.

I am also now struck by the wondering if Lanfear's behavior makes her some third flavor of evil that might also be destructive against the Taint if it only existed in larger qualities than her. Probably not, but... she's closer to pulling it off than anyone else.

“The chest will surely shield us,” Selene said in a tight voice. “And now I mean to finish what is left of my night’s sleep.”

Since the chest is a stasis box, Lanfear is of course quite pissed that Rand has accidentally found a valid solution to their problem.

He gestured to the first Trolloc that had brought him word al’Thor was not to be found. It still snapped at ground muddied with its own blood, hooves scraping trenches as they jerked.

Poor Trolloc. Nobody deserves Fain.

“I am a dog no longer. A dog no longer!” He heard the others shifting uneasily around the fire, but he ignored them.

A fun contrast. Rand protests he will not be made a puppet and aptly demonstrates this by making his own choices whenever possible and wise. Fain protests that he's not a dog even as he plans to follow Rand's metaphorical scent, then he goes barking mad. The Shadow: Not even once.

That wraps up another chapter. Lanfear doesn't deserve any points so I'm taking them all away from her before the chapter break. She's back to 0, tied with virtually every other character! Next time: Fewer points awarded to Lanfear, hopefully. Also: saidin.

[welcome-to-oslov]

Later on in his 20s, after his first couple of years of being free, Tilrey acknowledges he's been lying to himself and everyone for years.

He was was still sweetly, naively, honest during his two years with Malsha -- though Artur had tried to plant the seed of dishonesty-as-survival after the vexonil episode.

I think it's clear that now, as his second year with The Island kicks off, he's definitely now lying to others (including Bror).

But more importantly: what are the key things you think he's now lying to himself about? And what he still can't help but be honest about, even if only in his own heart?

That’s such an interesting question! Yes, Tilrey’s now lying more and more, to others and himself. I think the No. 1 thing he lies to himself about is how much control he has. It’s too painful to believe in a world where all this just happened to him through no fault of his own. He needs to feel he has agency. Plus, Upstarts keep telling him that he’s lucky and that his position is a privilege. So he tells himself that being a kettle boy is inevitable, that on some level he wanted it, that there’s something about him that is inherently suited to this. All things he knew weren’t true even when he lived with Malsha!

He also lies to himself about his mother and his friends in Thurskein, trying to convince himself they’re better off never seeing him again. 😥

One thing he doesn’t lie to himself about is the future—but that’s because he doesn’t let himself think about it anymore. When he was with Malsha, he knew he could eventually become Malsha’s secretary, and he didn’t like that, but at least it was better than being a kettle boy. With Verán, he knows there’s no point in asking about the future plan for him. He won’t be consulted and there’s nothing he can do about it.

Deep down at some level he still knows who he is, but only when he’s doing something like reading or swimming. Bror still helps him reconnect with his true self, but that’s becoming harder and harder. 😢 When you’re rarely real with yourself, can you be real with anyone else? That’s the challenge.

[iviarellereads]

The Great Hunt, Chapter 48 - First Claiming

(THIS PROJECT IS SPOILER FREE! No spoilers past the chapter you click on. Curious what I'm doing here? Read this post! For the link index and a primer on The Wheel of Time, read this one! Like what you see? Send me a Ko-Fi.)

(Dragon's fang icon) In which I was just wondering where you were.

PERSPECTIVE: Min is pushing through the panicked crowd in Falme, unable to find any of her friends. In the harbour she sees all the Seanchan ships fleeing as fast as the damane can force the winds to take them, and one tiny ship that can only be the Spray. She doesn't blame Domon for taking off, under the circumstances. One Seanchan vessel still in the harbour isn't burning, but that's solved quickly when Birgitte Silverbow and Artur Hawkwing ride across the water and attack it.

In front of a stone building, Min stops, uncertain. She knows somehow that this is where she needs to go.(1) She runs up the stairs and opens the door, and in a garden behind the house, she finds Rand, sprawled under an oak tree, his left hand gripping a sword with the end of the blade melted off.(2) She pries it out of his hand, though the heron on the hilt has branded itself in his palm.(3)

She examines him quickly, and finds a wound burned into his side, cauterized but ugly. But he's icy, deathly cold, despite clearly still being alive. She drags him into the house, complaining at his height and weight. She lights a fire in a hearth in a back room, and drags him into the bed next to it. Realizing he has no body heat to warm it himself, she climbs in next to him. She says quietly that she likes older men, educated men, she has no interest in farms, sheep, or shepherds. But then, he's not a shepherd anymore, is he?(4)

A sound in the hall heralds Egwene, who also felt Rand pulling her to him. Elayne too, but not Nynaeve.(5) She says Nyn and El are getting the horses, and asks if Min knows what Rand is. Min replies that she does, but whatever he might be, all she can do right now is keep him warm. Egg reiterates that a male channeler isn’t safe for anyone.

“Speak for yourself,” Min said. She pulled Rand’s face against her breast. “It’s like Elayne said. You tossed him aside for the White Tower. What should you care if I pick him up?” Egwene looked at her for what seemed a long time. Not at Rand, not at all, only at her. She felt her face growing hotter and wanted to look away, but she could not. “I will bring Nynaeve,” Egwene said finally, and walked out of the room with her back straight and her head high.

Min wants to cry with frustration, she doesn't want to hurt her friend. She looks at Rand again, saying it's not his fault, but he'll pay for it. And what if she told Egg that there's another woman yet to come, who she hasn't even met yet?(6) She doesn't know which of the three he'll choose, or if he'll try to juggle all three. She says it's not his fault, but it's not fair, naming him in full.

A woman in the door says his name is not Rand al'Thor, it's Lews Therin Telamon. The most beautiful woman Min's ever seen, pale skin and black hair and eyes, and a dress so white it would make snow look dirty. She says that he doesn't believe yet, but she knows that he knows, inside. She adds that Ishamael(7) thinks he guides events, but she’s the one in control. Min asks her who she is, and she names herself Lanfear.(8) She says that Lews Therin is hers, and Min should tend him until she comes for him. And then she disappears. Min is frightened.

PERSPECTIVE: Byar, galloping away, to tell Dain Bornhald that his father's dead, betrayed by Darkfriends like Perrin Aybara,(9) and then to tell Pedron Niall what he saw in the sky above Falme.

=====

(1) Rand's ta'veren-ness drawing in the help he needs. (2) Oh no, not his dad's sword! (3) "Twice and twice shall he be marked, twice to live and twice to die. Once the heron, to set his path. Twice the heron, to name him true." When Rand's identity is confirmed beyond any doubt, the second heron burned into his palm. Now he just needs to get himself some Dragon marks, whatever those are. (4) How hard do you think she tried to fight what she saw in those first visions around him? (5) Hmm. Why wouldn't Nynaeve feel the same pull? What do Egwene, Min, and Elayne have in common? Well, Egwene's his current-or-sort-of-ex girlfriend, Min has been fighting her feelings all book and possibly all the way since their first meeting, and Elayne's never made a secret of her crush. (6) And here, Min knows Rand will have three lovers, herself one, a second unnamed but known (I think we can guess whomst…) and a third they haven't met yet. Have we met anyone else who might qualify? (7) Dead, or not dead? She still seems to be talking about him in the present tense. (8) I do find it interesting that Lanfear tasks Min with taking care of Rand so easily. She doesn't see Min as any sort of threat to her claim, despite being in bed with him. Then again, why should she? She's more beautiful, more capable, a channeler, powerful enough to stand toe to toe with Rand… at least in her own mind, who knows how accurate that is. (9) MY MAN literally you didn't even SEE Perrin there, the only connection Perrin had to this as far as you're concerned is that Bornhald thought he might have seen him in that one village. Ohh this is gonna spiral hard into chaos, isn't it?