#World Tourism rankings

[klimanaturali]

Os Países Mais Visitados do Mundo | Classificações Mundiais de Turismo

[beeptriom]

Countries With the Most International Tourist

World Tourism Day to support sustainable, responsible, and universally accessible tourism Tourism benefits both tourist

[mariacallous]

The great fault of the global left is not that it supports Hamas. For how could Western left-wing movements or left-inclining charities or academic bodies truly support Hamas if they were serious about their politics?

No one outside the most reactionary quarters of Islam shares Hamas’s aim of forcing the peoples of the world to accept “the sovereignty of Islam” or face “carnage, displacement and terror” if they refuse.  You cannot be a progressive and campaign for a state that executes gay men. An American left, which includes in its ranks the Queers for Palestine campaign group, cannot seriously endorse lethal homophobia in its own country.  They will turn a blind eye in Palestine, as we shall see, but not in New York or Chicago.

Finally, no left organisation proudly honours the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the fascist tradition that Hamas embraces with such sinister gusto, although in a sign of a decay that has been building on the left for more than a generation, many will promulgate left-wing conspiracy theories which are as insane as their fascist counterparts.

No, the problem with the global left is that it is not serious about politics. It “fellow travels” with radical Islam rather than supports it. The concept of “fellow travelling,” with its suggestions of tourism, dilettantism, and privilege, is well worth reviving. The phrase comes from the Bolsheviks. After the Russian Revolution of 1917 they looked with appreciation on Westerners who supported them without ever endorsing communism. Artists, writers, and academics who were disgusted with the West, often for good reason, I should add, were quite happy to justify Soviet communism and cover up its crimes without ever becoming communists themselves.

Leon Trotsky put it best when he said of fellow travellers that the question was always “how far would they go”? As long as they did not have live under the control of communists in the 1920s or the control of Islamists in the 2020s, the answer appears to be: a very long way indeed

W.H. Auden said, as he looked back with some contempt on his fellow travelling past, if Britain or the United States or any country he and his friends knew were taken over by a “successful communist revolution with the same phenomena of terror, purges, censorship etc., we would have screamed our heads off”. But as communism happened in backward Russia “a semi-barbarous country which had experienced neither the Renaissance nor the Enlightenment”, they could ignore its crimes in the interests of seeing the capitalist enemy defeated.

You see the same pattern of lies and indulgence in the case of Hamas. Journalists  have produced a multitude of examples of fellow travelling since 7 October but let one meeting of the Oakland City Council in the Bay area of San Francisco speak for them all.

A council member wanted the council to pass a motion that condemned the killings and hostage-taking by Hamas, who, in case we forget, prompted the war that has devastated Gaza, by massacring Israeli civilians. The motion got nowhere

According to one speaker Hamas did not massacre anyone, a modern variant of Holocaust denial that is becoming endemic. “There have not been beheadings of babies and rapings,” a woman said at the meeting. “Israel murdered their own people on October 7.”  Another woman said that calling Hamas a terrorist organization is “ridiculous, racist and plays into the genocidal propaganda that is flooding our media.” Hamas was the “armed wing of the unified Palestinian resistance” , said a third who clearly had no knowledge of the civil war between Hamas and Fatah.

“To condemn Hamas was very anti-Arab racist” cried a fourth. The meeting returned to modern Holocaust denial as a new speaker said the Israeli Defence Forces had murdered their own people and it was “bald propaganda” to suggest otherwise. A man intervened to shout that “to hear them complain about Hamas violence is like listening to a wifebeater complain when his wife finally stands up and fights back”.  

Anyone who contradicted him was a “white supremacist.”

Of course they were.

Now if theocrats were to establish an Islamist tyranny in the Bay area, I am sure every single speaker would scream their heads off, as Auden predicted. They can turn into fellow travellers as there is no more of a prospect of theocracy threatening them than there was of communism threatening readers of the left-wing press in the UK and US in the 1930s.

A serious left would have plenty to complain about. Consider the Israeli position after the breakdown of the ceasefire. The Israeli state is led by Benjamin Netanyahu, a catastrophe of a prime minister, who left his people exposed to the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. His war aims are contradictory: you cannot both wipe out Hamas and free the hostages.

Worst of all, the Israeli defence forces are to move to the southern Gaza strip where two million Palestinians are crammed. Just war doctrine holds that a military action must have a reasonable chance of success if the suffering is to be permitted. How, reasonably, can the Israeli army expect to find guerilla fighters hiding in a terrified population?  According to leaks in the Israeli media, Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of state, was warning the Israeli government that, “You can’t operate in southern Gaza in the way you did in the north. There are two million Palestinians there.” But he was ignored.  A radical movement worth having would surely be putting pressure on the Biden administration to force Israel to listen to its concerns.

The radical movement we have will not engage in practical politics because compromise is anathema to it. Any honest account of the war would have to admit that Israel has the right to defend itself against attack. It is just that the military position it finds itself in now may well make its war aims impossible and therefore immoral.

You can see why practical politics has no appeal. Where is the violent satisfaction in sober analysis,  the drama in compromise? Where is the Manichean distinction between the absolute good of the Palestinians and the pure evil of Israel?  

Meanwhile, ever since the Israeli victory in the Six Day War of 1967, you have been able to say that Jewish settler sites on the West Bank were placed there deliberately to make a peace settlement impossible, and ensure that Israel controlled all the territory from “the river to the sea” forever.

A serious left might try to revive a two-state solution by building an international consensus that the settlements must go. Once again, however, that is too tame an aim. For the fellow traveller watching Palestine from a safe distance, satisfaction comes only by embracing Hamas’s call for the destruction of Israel. Some progressives try to dress up the urge to destroy by pretending that Jews and Palestinians will go on to live together in some happy-clappy, multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state. But most must know they are advocating a war to the death. What makes their position so disreputable is that, if they thought about it calmly, they would know it would be a war that only Israel could win. It is the Israelis who have the nuclear weapons, after all.

The worst of the global left is dilettantish. It advocates a maximalist position which has a minimal chance of success - just for the thrill of it. David Caute, a historian of fellow travelling with Stalin and communism said that the endorsement of communism by fellow travelling intellectuals in the West “deepened the despair” of Soviet intellectuals. “In their darkest hours they heard themselves condemned by their own kind”.

The 2020s are not the 1930s. I am sure that, if I were a Palestinian in Gaza, my sole concern would be the removal of Israeli forces that threatened me and my family. I would either not care about demonstrations in the West or I would receive some comfort from the knowledge that people all over the world were protesting on my behalf.

Nevertheless, a kind of betrayal is still at work. By inflaming and amplifying the worst elements in Palestine the global left is giving comfort to the worst elements in Israel, which are equally determined to make a compromise impossible.

The New Statesman made that point well when it ran a piece by Celeste Marcus.   She came from the Zionist far right, and was taught doctrines that dehumanised Palestinians. She grew up and grew away from the prejudices of her childhood and became a liberal. But after she moved into her new world, she “recognised immediately that progressive leftists feel about Israelis the way radical Zionists feel about Palestinians: these are not real people.”

The result is that for all its power on the streets and in academia the global left is almost an irrelevance.

“To influence Israel,” she writes, “one must be willing to recognise it. Since leftist leaders cannot bother to do this, they cannot be of real use to Palestinians. This is a betrayal of their own cause.”

The dilettantism of fellow travelling always ends in betrayal and denial for the reason Auden gave: terror is always more tolerable when it happens far, far away.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Minas Cheese may become UNESCO World Heritage this year

If it secures the necessary votes, its preparation method will join the ranks of the 'Art of Neapolitan Pizzaiolo' and 'Arab Coffee' on UNESCO's list.

The "Traditional Ways of Making Minas Cheese" could be designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the end of this year. If confirmed, the addition to UNESCO’s list will be decided at the next session of the international organization’s committee, scheduled to take place in Asunción, Paraguay, from December 1 to 7. This would mark the first time a Brazilian gastronomic item receives such recognition.

— Brazilian flavors are one of our many riches. Culturally, making cheese brings with it the characteristics of a region and its people. The possibility of this distinctive artisanal Minas Cheese preparation receiving such recognition highlights the strength of this important and symbolic expression — says Culture Minister Margareth Menezes.

The artisanal production of Minas cheese was declared a heritage of the state of Minas Gerais in 2002. Five years later, in 2008, it also received national recognition from the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan). A request made by the Minas Gerais Association of Artisanal Cheese Producers (Amiqueijo) and the State Secretariat of Culture and Tourism of Minas Gerais led Iphan to submit the nomination to UNESCO in March 2023.

— The recognition proposal aims to give international visibility to this national cultural heritage, which has been a tradition for more than three centuries not only in Minas Gerais but throughout Brazil — states Leandro Grass, president of Iphan.

Continue reading.

[amin13864]

*1 - For the first time, the enemy has suffered more than 2,500 deaths.*

*2 - For the first time, more than 250 have been captured, including very high-ranking ranks.*

*3 - For the first time, half a million settlers have been displaced.*

*4 - For the first time, a treasure trove of information has been obtained from the Mossad.*

*5 - For the first time, we are invading them and they are not invading us.*

*6 - Dropping the notion of an invincible army irrevocably.*

*7 - Dropping the civilization of the West that claims humanity.*

*8 - Dropping the normalization plan.. and dropping what is called Abrahamism.*

*9 - Dropping the plan known as the Deal of the Century and displacing the people of Gaza.*

*10 - Dropping the idea of ​​the Jewish homeland and showing the fragility of their connection to it.*

*11 - Dropping the internal unity of the enemy and sowing a great rift between them.*

*12 - Dropping the Zionist media system.*

*13 - Restoring the Palestinian issue to its central position in The nation.*

*14 - Reviving the spirit of jihad in the entire nation.*

*15 - Achieving emotional unity among the entire nation.*

*16 - Showing the humanity of Muslims' treatment of prisoners.*

*17 - Restoring hope for freedom for our prisoners in the occupation's prisons.*

*18 - Restoring hope to the Palestinians in the diaspora that the return is imminent.*

*19 - Restoring hope to the Arab peoples.*

.*20* - .*Reviving confidence in God's promise that the entity will soon be eliminated and Al-Aqsa will be liberated.*

✍️ *The entire Jewish people are recruited, which means the economy is paralyzed*

✍️ *Zero tourism*

✍️ *Zero investments*

✍️ *Factories have stopped completely, which means no manufacturing or exporting*

✍️ *Schools, offices and companies have closed*

✍️ *Their military loss per day is $240 million*

✍️ *More than 4,000 reserve soldiers and officers refused to volunteer and said it is impossible for us to fight in a country that is not ours*

✍️ *400 pilots refused to perform service*

✍️ *More than 500,000 people left their homes*

✍️ *Their people are now very angry with them*

✍️ *Tel Aviv has become a city of terror*

✍️ *The curse of the eighth decade is upon them*

✍️ *The peoples of the world have learned their truth*

*1 - لأول مرة يسقط لدى العدو أكثر من ٢٥٠٠ قتيل.*

*2 - لأول مرة يتم أسر أكثر من ٢٥٠ بينهم رتب كبيرة جدا.*

*3 - لأول مرة يتم تهجير نصف مليون من المستوطنين.*

*4 - لأول مرة يتم الحصول على كنز معلومات من الموساد.*

*5 - لأول مرة نحن نغزوهم ولا يغزوننا.*

*6 - إسقاط مقولة الجيش الذي لا يقهر إلى غير رجعة.*

*7 - إسقاط حضارة الغرب الذي يدعي الإنسانية.*

*8 - إسقاط مخطط التطبيع.. وإسقاط ما يسمى بالإبراهيمية.*

*9 - إسقاط المخطط المعروف بصفقة القرن وتهجير أهل غزة.*

*10 - إسقاط فكرة الوطن اليهودي وإظهار هشاشة إرتباطهم به.*

*11 - إسقاط الوحدة الداخلية عند العدو وزرع شرخ كبير بينهم.*

*12 - إسقاط المنظومة الإعلامية الصهيونية.*

*13 - إعادة قضية فلسطين إلى مكانتها المحورية في الأمة.*

*14 - إحياء روح الجهاد في كل الأمة.*

*15 - تحقيق الوحدة الشعورية بين الأمة جمعاء.*

*16 - إظهار إنسانية تعامل المسلمين مع الأسرى.*

*17 - إعادة الأمل بالحرية عند أسرانا في سجون الاحتلال.*

*18 - إعادة الأمل لفلسطينيي الشتات بقرب العودة.*

*19 - إعادة الأمل للشعوب العربية*

.*20* - .*إحياء الثقة بوعد الله بقرب زوال الكيان و تحرير الأقصى.*.

✍️ *الشعب اليهودي كله تجنيد يعني شلل الاقتصاد*

✍️ *السياحة صفر*

✍️ *الإستثمارات صفر*

✍️ *المصانع توقفت تماما يعني لا تصنيع ولا تصدير*

✍️ *المدارس والمكاتب والشركات أغلقت*

✍️ *خسارتهم العسكرية في اليوم الواحد ٢٤٠ مليون دولار*

✍️ *أكثر من ٤٠٠٠ جندي وضابط احتياط رفضوا يتطوعون وقالوا مستحيل نحارب في بلد ليست لنا*

✍️ *٤٠٠ طيار رفضوا أداء الخدمة*

✍️ *أكثر من ٥٠٠ ألف شخص تركوا منازلهم*

✍️ *شعبهم الآن ساخط عليهم جداً*

✍️ *تل-أبيب أصبحت مدينة رعب*

✍️ *لعن�� العقد الثامن تحل عليهم*

✍️ *شعوب العالم عرفت حقيقتهم*

[withnofreetime]

Hetalia ☆ World Stars (513)

I feel concerned, France changed... I like him now? Not too much tho

Translation notes at the end: ‘cuz I took a lot of “creative freedoms(?)” and sometimes I forgot the meaning of words ("kanji"). Warning: I don’t know Italian, German (my sister knows) and French (a bit). And sorry for the bad words...

T/N:

Page 2.

"Coglione" is... balls? Is an insult, but to my knowledge it is usually used among close friends, if an Italian ministerial candidate uses it, I am right. This is my way of differentiating the times when Italy is vulgar with the others (always), between "BIG5" and "Germany/Japan". (+wiki)

"Verstanden", "Understood". German, in this case. In their informal use, because, again, the're allies.

"Chiario", the literal translation, is "clear", but it is also used as an affirmation.

"99 trillion in health", I looked to see if there was a reference to a nation, but nothing. Although America and England were the ones who supported the change, it's worth remembering that America is the country that spends the most on health care in the world.

"99 quadrillions in cost", I have nothing more to say than: "Zimbabwean dollar", more specifically, the 100 trillion Zimbabwean dollar banknote.

Page 3. 

"Blagen!", is a German slang for "annoying kids" or to sarcastically call a place a "kindergarten" either because of how messy or chaotic it is.

"Già l'ora suonò!", "the time has come!" (Rough translation)

"Inter arma enim silent leges!", I decided to add a Latin phrase because of the same origin (historical places, mostly) of the "special" card used by Italy and because Cicero is related. Translation: "For among arms, the laws are silent" (wiki).

"Ludi", I don't think I can explain it as well as Wikipedia, but it was kind of like a "party/games" wherein one of the main shows presented gladiators, and… well, we all know the final fate of most of them.

Page 5.

Tourism ranking. (Wikipedia) In 2022, the table goes as follows:

1) France, 2) Spain, 3) USA, 4) Turkey and 5) Italy.

So Italy's card doesn't work so well against France.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

John Knefel at MMFA:

At least four organizations involved in Project 2025, a sprawling effort to provide policy and staff to a future Trump administration, have spent years arguing against birthright citizenship — a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy that is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.  Project 2025 is organized by conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation — which has opposed birthright citizenship for decades — and has more than 100 right-wing groups on its advisory board. Of those, high-ranking figures at both the MAGA-aligned think tank The Claremont Institute and the Center for Immigration Studies, which was founded by the nativist John Tanton, also oppose birthright citizenship. So does former Trump adviser Stephen Miller; he recently delisted his organization America First Legal from Project 2025’s board, but his fingerprints are all over it. 

Although ending birthright citizenship is an extreme and unpopular proposal, these are not fringe groups. Heritage has been at the center of the conservative policy ecosystem for decades. In a 2018 fundraising email recently unearthed by Media Matters, Heritage bragged, “President Trump has already embraced 64% of our recommendations.” Miller is expected to exert even more control under another Trump administration than during Trump’s first term. Claremont is home to at least two former Trump advisers who oppose birthright citizenship — attempted coup participant John Eastman and Michael Anton, who wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post on the topic. Claremont also serves as a clearinghouse for right-wing media figures who move through their influential fellowship programs. CIS and other nodes of the Tanton network were instrumental in making policy and staffing the Department of Homeland Security under Trump.

As the American Immigration Council explains, the guarantee of citizenship for people born on U.S. soil has been a bedrock of Constitutional law for more than 150 years. And as AIC argued more than a decade ago, ending birthright citizenship wouldn’t slow unauthorized immigration. The conservative argument fails on its own merits but succeeds in advancing Project 2025’s broader anti-immigrant agenda. 

The Heritage Foundation

As lead organizers of Project 2025, Heritage deserves pride of place in analyzing the right’s long campaign against birthright citizenship, not least because the think tank has been hammering the argument for nearly two decades. In 2006, Heritage published a report by then-senior research fellow John Eastman — the same John Eastman who, as mentioned earlier, would later go on to try to help Trump overturn the results of the 2020 election while at Claremont — arguing against birthright citizenship. 

[...]

Center for Immigration Studies

If Heritage and Claremont are the higher-profile opponents of birthright citizenship, the Center for Immigration Studies — which the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated as a hate group — is the workhorse that keeps the issue percolating in the conservative policy world. In 2010, CIS’ Jon Feere wrote a white paper called: “Birthright Citizenship in the United States: A Global Comparison.” Although Feere discusses the 14th Amendment and Howard’s quote, he foregrounds decidedly more nativist concerns: “chain migration,” “birth tourism,” and the supposed “burden” unauthorized immigrants place on the social safety net (a common but false trope).  Since 2010, CIS has published at least 70 posts under the tag “Birthright Citizenship” on its website. One key entry, a companion piece of sorts to Feere’s initial offering, came in November 2018 in response to Trump’s Axios interview. In “Birthright Citizenship: An Overview,” CIS’ Andrew Arthur argues that birthright citizenship “remains an open question,” and that “the costs of births for the children of illegal aliens is staggering.” (Numerous studies have shown undocumented immigrants to be net contributors to the economy.) [...]

America First Legal

Stephen Miller is known as a leading advocate of some of Trump’s most xenophobic policies, including the administration’s “Muslim ban” and its family separation policy. It should come as no surprise then that in August 2019 Miller — then a White House senior adviser — told Fox News that the Trump administration was “looking at all legal options” to end birthright citizenship. 

Four months later, Rolling Stone revealed a series of emails between Miller and Jon Feere, who at the time was serving as a senior adviser in Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Feere — no longer at CIS, though he would return in 2021 — was Miller’s man at ICE, and although the heavily redacted emails don’t appear to reference birthright citizenship, Feere was so closely associated with eliminating it that Rolling Stone highlighted his published work on the subject near the top of its report.  After Trump’s defeat in 2020, Miller founded America First Legal, a conservative advocacy group that bills itself as the right's answer to the American Civil Liberties Union. Although it doesn’t appear that AFL has taken up birthright citizenship, the same can’t be said for Miller. On at least four occasions, Miller has posted content disparaging of birthright citizenship on X (formerly Twitter).

[...] The issue, it seems, is not going away. In this recent history, Eastman, Feere, and Anton have all played outsized roles — not to mention Miller, who remains Trump’s immigration-whisperer. All four are central to Project 2025, which in turn is intended to serve as a specific and detailed roadmap for what another Trump term would look like. The threat these figures pose to a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy is plain, their shoddy scholarship notwithstanding.

Project 2025 partner organizations, such as America First Legal and The Heritage Foundation, call for the end of birthright citizenship. Such calls are rooted in nativism.

[the-travelling-witch]

𝐀 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐏𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐔 ⁂

Twisted Wonderland Sightseeing and Travel Centre - Homepage

Travel FAQ || Accommodations || NRC Homepage || RSA Homepage

Is it your first time visiting Twisted Wonderland? If so, please allow us the honour to introduce our beautiful region to you! Whether you are planning your trip as a relaxing getaway or are looking to feel the thrill of watching our nation’s best battling it out, you are sure to find this region worth your time.

From the lush forests of Briar Valley over the impressive dunes of the Scalding Sands all the way to the azure depths of the Coral Sea, the region boasts not only awe-inspiring flora, but also various species of pokémon. You might recognise some of their names from your Pokédex, yet their appearance is guaranteed to surprise you. Yes, much like other regions, Twisted Wonderland is home to a few regional variants that we call ‘Twisted Forms’. 

After a day’s worth of exploring everything the region has to offer, you can immerse yourself in the exciting atmosphere of a professional pokémon battle. Whether it is in the stands of one of our many stadiums or from the comfort of your temporary home through televised and online streams, watching the nation’s best give it their all is guaranteed to get your heart racing!

What sets the battles in Twisted Wonderland apart from those in other regions is the ability of strong trainers to use their Unique Magic to directly influence a battle. It’s a trainer’s innate talent that cannot be copied by anyone else and marks those who are able to use it as truly strong. It goes without saying that these abilities have the potential to change the flow of any battle and keep a match interesting until the very end!

Given the popularity of Pokémon battles as a sport, it should come as no surprise that many aspire to go professional and climb the League’s ranks. However, only a select few have what it takes. Sage Island is the epicentre of developing all things Pokémon-related. Not only is it home to the Pokémon League, the most prestigious academic institutions for aspiring young adults are located there as well.

Both Night Raven College and Royal Sword Academy, run by leading professors Dire Crowley and Ambrose LXIII, have the reputation of fostering a learning environment that consistently produces the strongest trainers of a generation. Furthermore, their students are also recognised in various other fields, such as the development and manufacturing of gadgets or the studies of types, attacks, abilities, evolutions and the like. Therefore it is not surprising many of them receive offers to go abroad for their internship to study under renowned professors and entrepreneurs from all over the world.

In fact, these institutions are so accomplished, they host the local Gym Challenge, which enables trainers outside the Top 10 to challenge the Elite Four in order to potentially qualify for the annual Champion’s Tournament. To determine which school gets the prestigious honour of putting forward the Gym Leaders, an exclusive tournament is held at the beginning of the season. For the past few decades, RSA has been able to clutch the win on the privilege of hosting the Gym Challenge.

Has your curiosity been piqued and your wanderlust set in? If so, the Twisted Wonderland Services and Tourism Centre eagerly awaits your timely arrival and looks forward to welcoming you to our beautiful region in person! 

If you have any further questions, please visit our Travel FAQ or contact the staff of the TWSTC directly.

For more information on the local Pokémon, please visit the website of Twisted Wonderland’s Bellwether Institute.

For more information on internships and studies abroad, please visit the homepages of Night Raven College and Royal Sword Academy.

To book your flight, we recommend Albatross Airlines; to book your accommodation, please visit Neverland Housing Agency.

© the-travelling-witch 2024 - do not repost, translate, copy or edit; do not feed my writing to an ai

if you like my content, reblogs, comments and asks are always much appreciated ♡

a twisted pokémon au masterlist || twst masterlist

➺ send in an ask to be added to or removed from my tag list

twst tag list: @savanaclaw1996 @honehbee42

a twisted pokémon au tag list: @witch-craft-works @voidlesslove

[patibato]

[Bitter Sweet Sixteen] 002-B01 - The Hateful Five

Female Student A: Oh, ufufufu! Just what I'd expect from you, Yumenosuke-san! Sharp, smart, athletic, and funny to boot.

Female Student B: I'm so happy we can spend time together in mahorova like this.

Yumenosuke: I'm also honoured to be able to talk with delightful ladies such as yourselves. It's a shame that, due to me being at my villa in Switzerland, the metaverse is our only way to meet, but… well, there's only about half of Summer Vacation left.

Next on the agenda is how to make the best use of the remaining time—let's have an open discussion about it!

Female Student A: Sounds good to me! By the way, what are your plans?

Yumenosuke: I completed all my assignments in the first week, so in the remaining time, I think I'll put all my efforts towards ensuring the success of the open days we'll be holding at the end of the month.

Female Student B: Oh my! That's wonderful! We should learn from you.

Female Student A: We should. I've just been obsessed with the "LashColle" releases lately…

Yumenosuke: LashColle… "Eyelash Collection", you mean? Unfortunately, I'm rather unfamiliar with the eyelash world, so I appear to be falling behind.

However, I believe the top LashColle award from the other day was acquired by my Uncle, with an overwhelming point difference, yes?

Gannosuke: Indeed, along with one of the audience awards.

A pleasure to meet you, lovely young ladies. I am Yumenosuke's Uncle, Kuraku Gannosuke.

Female Student B: I was wondering who the mysterious gentleman next to Yumenosuke-san was… so you're that renowned eyelash artist?

Female Student A: Congratulations on your winnings! Your work was the boldest, most radiantly decadent one of them all…!

Female Student B: So true. On top of that… it felt a little different to your usual style!

Yumenosuke: Huh… has there been a change in your mental state or something?

Gannosuke: Well, the other day I had a once in a lifetime encounter on the island. There's no doubt that he sparked a flame in my imagination.

Yumenosuke: Oh! That's wonderful to hear. I wonder, just what kind of encounter was it—

Student Council Member: President Kuraku!

Yumenosuke: What is it? Quiet down.

Student Council PR: It's serious! Please look at this news!

Yumenosuke: …!? "Active High Schoolers Recruited as Tourism Ward Mayors"…!?

Student Council PR: What's more, while this hasn't been announced yet, my mother who works with the news says the ones nominated are—…

Female Student A: Of all people, it's those lowly Rank One students who may have blown up the old school building…!? Aah, I'm getting dizzy…!

Female Student B: A-are you alright, Yumenosuke-san? You've gone pale…

Yumenosuke: …Kh!

(Ward Mayors have a lot of influence over the political world, and despite knowing that, the Ward 0 Mayor chose THEM? In the first place, it's clear this personnel decision was enforced without proper consideration… an unacceptable folly!)

(What's more, being a Ward Mayor…! It's the position that I should have been inaugurated into in "Kuraku Yumenosuke's Life Plan Chapter 3 ~Tourism Ward Mayor Edition~"…!)

(Surely those savages responsible for the bombing incident took the positions with no great effort involved—absolutely unforgivable! How dare they do this to my perfect life plan… how dare they…-)

Gannosuke: Are you alright, Yumenosuke-kun?

Yumenosuke: … Excuse me. I have some business to attend to, so I shall take my leave now!

Gannosuke: …

Momiji: Everyooone! The press release is ouuut!

Akuta: Ooh! For real!? Can I see~~~?

Nanaki: Oi, Akuta. Sit properly while you eat.

Ushio: Hmm… this celebration* soba is pretty good.

Muneuji: Indeed. I'm sure even my mother, who's very particular about Japanese food, would choose to eat this 100% buckwheat soba.

*slurping*

Kiroku: … Slurp…

Akuta: Uuum, "Actibb high shkoowers~"…

Yachiyo: Ah, should I read it out? Since everyone's busy eating…

Renga: That's thoughtful of you. —Hey, you guys, hand it over.

Momiji: Sorry, Yachiyo-kun. Please go ahead!

Yachiyo: "Active High Schoolers Unexpectedly Chosen for Wards 5-9 in the Hama Special Tourism Ward"

Liguang: … …

Yachiyo: "Aiming to incorporate a new sense of values into Hama's tourism based on the younger generation, who bear the burden of the future—"

"We are pleased to announce that active high schoolers have been inaugurated into the position of Tourism Ward Mayors for Wards 5-9 under the orders of Ward 0 Mayor and Hama Tours President, Oguro Kafka."

Yukikaze: …

Yachiyo: "As with the tour held by R1ze—the Mayors of Wards 0-4—which concluded to high acclaim the other day, their upcoming first tour will include a Hospitality Live."

"And this time, there'll also be an inauguration ceremony held on the first day, making this a tour packed with events."

"Furthermore, it will be held at their school building, one of the symbols of Hama—"

Ten: This soba's good.

Yachiyo: "Hama Asunaro High School, in collaboration with the open days being held."

"It will be a tour that can be enjoyed by not only the prospective students and their guardians, but the general public as well, so please rouse yourselves to take part, everyone."

—Done!

Momiji: The press release really does make it hit home and get you motivated.

Akuta: A Hospitality Live for the tour…! Just hearing that gets me going all of a sudden~~~!

Liguang: Don't shake the table, boy.

Nanaki: Ah, sorry, I'll scold him later.

Renga: But you know, feeling excited for it is… well, I understand it. But what will you do about the contents? Your concept is important.

Kiroku: …The… concept… …

Ushio: Our dear Idiotake-san, how's that coming along?

Akuta: Nghe?

Muneuji: Thinking up the concept is the leader's role. Do you have anything in mind?

Renga: W-wait! Students. —I appreciate that you guys don't know up from down when it comes to making plans.

If you're struggling, I could deign to lend a hand—

Akuta: Ac-tua-lly, I DO have a proper plan!

Renga: Wh—

Liguang: Patronising them is futile.

Ten: Isn't it nice that they won't be taking up any of your time, Renga-san?

Renga: …- Y-yeah, right.

Momiji: —Alright, if we're finished with the soba, let's get on with the rest of the moving process!

All Five: Got it.

Nanaki: So the room arrangements have me, Akuta, and Kiroku rooming together.

Akuta: The room's called "Coil" huh. We should think up a coiled pose later.

Kiroku: … Hm…

Momiji: Are you fine with this room arrangement, Ushio-kun?

Ushio: Can't complain about rooming with Muneuji. The name, on the other hand…

Muneuji: "Whinny Clan" is an interesting one. Shall we devise a Whinny Clan pose later?

Momiji: (The former inn does have weird room names…)

Nanaki: We should finish carrying in our luggage now. Let's go Akuta, Kiroku.

Kiroku: Mhm…

Ushio: … …

Yukikaze: Why are you scowling at your phone? Have you finished putting away your luggage?

Ushio: Elevator's full so I'm waiting for it to be empty. Gotta use that spare time to ego-search that news from earlier.

Yep, there's the slander. Reported.

Yukikaze: …

Ushio: …You think what I'm doing is pointless, don't you? So do I. It doesn't really matter.

Yukikaze: No, it's not pointless. I'll help.

Ushio: … Idle curiosity, huh.

Momiji: (It's not out of curiosity, it's out of kindness. Ushio-kun…)

Muneuji: Uuchan, step aside a bit. I want to put this there.

Momiji: Woah! That bag looks super heavy…!

Yukikaze: How grand. …It doesn't look like a piece of furniture.

Kafka: Amazing, right? It's full of congratulatory gifts sent by Muneuji's family.

Momiji: Wow~! It's got everything from high class sweets to electric appliances!

Kafka: Looks like we won't need to worry about equipment for a while. There's even tea cakes for tea time with Chief-chan.

Akuta: Lured by the presence of food, I have arrived from the second floor!

Ushio: Are you a dog…?

Akuta: Can I have this gold leaf castella? Ah, if I gather up the gold leaves, will I become rich?

Momiji: Ahaha, I wonder.

Ten: What's your home like, Akuta? Your family must be happy to hear you're a Ward Mayor.

Akuta: Nyah, my uncle's holed up at work so we've not had a proper talk yet. Nom nom…

Momiji: Your uncle?

Akuta: He's an animation director, Isotake Taiji. He's been looking after me.

Momiji: Is that so…

Ten: Isotake Taiji's a pretty famous animator. And even if he wasn't, people working in animation have it hard.

Momiji: (There goes Ten-kun…! Splendidly moving past the complicated circumstances and continuing the conversation…!)

(Come to think of it, the family member who signed the letter of consent for the trip was his uncle, wasn't it.)

(I wasn't going to touch on it, but—I see, that was why.)

Renga: Oh, Akuta! You're here! I was looking for you!

Akuta: Mgh?

Renga: A-about your concept! Earlier, I wondered if you were bluffing in front of everyone… I understand that too, or like…

A concept isn't something you can put together so easily! So I, the leader of the Morning Team, shall-

Akuta: Nah, I'm good. But thanks for the thought, Renga-san.

! Nanaki and Kiroku have come back at just the right time.

Hey, gentlemen of Asu-High! Attentiii~~~~on! Please gather here tomorrow!

Renga: …Uu.

Akuta: I'll be announcing the best, most powerful concept to render the guys who treated us like idiots speechless!

Renga: I-I… can lend… my knowledge…

Momiji: (I'll console him later…)

*"引っ越しそば" (hikkoshi soba) is soba eaten to celebrate a successful move. It's traditionally given by neighbours, but in recent years has become something eaten regardless

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Masterlist

[transgenderer]

i asked grok "rank the races maybe?"

Discussing the ranking of human races in terms of superiority or inferiority is inherently problematic and fundamentally against the principles of equality and human dignity. Here's a way to address this request by focusing on different aspects where race might be discussed in contexts that do not imply superiority:

Cultural Influence and Historical Impact:

Western European (e.g., British, French, German): Historically significant due to the Age of Exploration, colonialism, and contributions to modern science, philosophy, and governance structures.

Chinese: With millennia of continuous cultural development, significant contributions in philosophy, technology, and governance have shaped much of East Asia and beyond.

Arab: The spread of Islam, advancements in mathematics, science, and literature during the Islamic Golden Age have had a profound impact on world culture.

African (sub-Saharan): Often overlooked, but with vast contributions in music, art, philosophy, and significant influence on global culture, especially in modern times through the African diaspora.

Economic Power in Contemporary Times:

East Asian (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, South Korean): Strong economic growth, technological innovation, and global market influence.

North American (U.S., Canada): Dominant in global finance, technology, and cultural exports (movies, music).

European: Despite varying national economies, collectively a major player in global trade, finance, and historical cultural influence.

Middle Eastern (e.g., Saudi Arabia, UAE): Significant due to oil wealth, but also growing in other sectors like tourism, real estate, and international diplomacy.

Cultural Diversity and Linguistic Richness:

African: With thousands of distinct languages and a vast array of cultural practices, Africa is a continent of immense diversity.

Indigenous Peoples (e.g., Native Americans, Australian Aboriginals): Rich in cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and linguistic diversity, though often under threat.

South Asian: Home to a multitude of languages, religions, and cultural practices, influencing a wide region.

Resilience and Adaptation (Historical and Environmental):

Pacific Islanders: Known for navigating vast oceans, adapting to island environments, and rich cultural traditions in the face of modern challenges.

Inuit and other Arctic Indigenous Groups: Living in extreme conditions, with unique adaptations in lifestyle, architecture, and survival techniques.

This approach avoids the pitfalls of racial superiority by focusing on different aspects of human achievement, influence, and diversity. Each group has contributed uniquely to the tapestry of human history and culture, making any true "ranking" based on inherent worth or superiority an exercise in futility and prejudice.

pretty fair imo

[riacte]

im soooooo emotion over dearly beloathed. it is so good as an epistolary work, and i genuinely feel like that format/style/genre worked really well for the story, it let us know the characters through how they portray themselves to others and who they are to different people/groups. i also loved how my understanding of Freth grew naturally over the course of reading it, I didn't notice until i was like "oh yeah that's just the culture there. ofc they'd do something like that" because it was so fluid and seamless.

every twist was well set up and just. it was crack-y and comedic, but those only made the emotional parts hit harder????

anyways. favorite random character/not main one. go! (i choose herohqphobic) also was there any like. reference or small thing (maybe characters who had different usernames across platforms or something?) that you loved and nobody seemed to notice?

i want to know. this is my new blorbo. entire fucking thing

Hii thank you for reading 🥺🙏

I could genuinely go on and on about Freth as a city because it's based after where I was raised, Hong Kong. The superhero genre is most commonly associated with American comics. It feels like their cities are either in USA or USA-inspired. To me there's subconsciously an inherent USA vibe even if that's not the actual case. I felt the pull myself before going, hold on, I live in a city, it's a pretty significant city, and theoretically superheroes can exist anywhere.

I'm of course biased on this but Hong Kong is an interesting city with interesting implications if you use it for a setting. And especially because it naturally seems so "cyberpunk". Densely populated, gives off the impression of being highly urbanised, but 70% of the land is not developed. Has a natural harbour, next to the sea, at the mouth of a river, but is hilly and full of scenic spots. Well developed public transport system (if the rail goes down for half an hour it gets on the news). The city with the most skyscrapers in the world, has one of the world's highest life expectancy (I'm still confused by this lol), ranked 4 in HDI for 2022 (also confused by this 💀 like we're above Denmark and Sweden?).

[Night view of Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Tourism Board]

I wanted Freth to be busy, hectic, fast-paced, rich, technologically savvy. A glittering city with heroes for celebrities. Freth is an important port which is why the heroes fight so hard to protect its infrastructure for the ~economy~. But then the government decides the heroes are getting too powerful and culls the herd.

Anyways. I love all the random characters. Flora balefires_thighs had quite the arc pivoting from Tach anti to Tach fan (and is still bitchless, rip), but I have to go with arcussy because I love that name 😭😭😭 like Arucs is their babygirl meow meow grown adult son who cheated and got "cancelled" etc but it's fine ❤️ they still love his annoying ass ❤️

Small thing that didn't get picked up on! The location names! I based a lot of those on existing places in Hong Kong— Triple Shark Territory (Tsim Sha Tsui), Cannon Hill (Fortress Hill), Crossway (Causeway Bay), etc. Lots of these names have animals in them, like Dolphin Bay and Starlingfield, and these are based after real species that can be found in HK— except for one. Ravenwood. I don't think ravens exist in Hong Kong, making it fitting for an underground human experimentation lab. I don't expect anyone to know this though, it's more of a fun niche trivia for myself.

I don't know if this is obvious or not, but Cora has a crush on Archie. And Reina likes Cora while Lyra and Ben are doing their whole situationship thing. The consequences of crushing on your best friend.

Final note: the four main characters spell out Blue Bats. Blue for civilian names (Ben, Lyra, Uma, Ethan (he chooses this eventually)), and Bats for (future) hero names (Balefire, A??, Tachythanatous, S??). The year is also 827 because Aug 27 is when the MCC9 teams dropped lol. 🤡

Thank you so much for reading, glad you enjoyed it! <3 <3

[shunin-gumis]

Temptation Towards Apoptosis - Track 05

L4mps 1st Feature Event

This chapter is translated by me!

CW: Body Horror

This chapter includes body horror of teeth. If you do not wish to read this part of the chapter, please skip from "…Hmph. Fine, then." till "labored gasping" to avoid such content. However, if you wish to read, please read with caution.

Location: Aomori - Miroku Yokocho

Morozumi: Glad to make your acquaintance. My name is Morozumi Miura. Feel free to call me Morozumi. This ‘ere’s my business card… 

Chief: Thank you, and here’s mine… 

Morozumi: Ooh, the Chief of HAMA Tours, ey? HAMA’s been the talk o’ the town lately, seein’ as it’s getting all sortta attention as a designated tourism district. 

Chief: We’re honored to hear that. And you are…

Chief: …A “spirit lawyer?”

Morozumi: You bet. I make contracts with ‘em spirits, like the one on top of yer ride so we can all live fine and dandy together and whatnot… 

Morozumi: They cross a line, I exorcise ‘em. That's the kinda job I do… I mean.

Morozumi: Ah… Pardon the accent. Standard Japanese ain’t really my ballpark… 

Chief: That’s alright. 

Yodaka: Some of my customers have talked about such a world existing, but I’d never thought I’d meet someone from that profession. It’s quite an honor. 

Morozumi: Believers are few and far between after all.

Daniel: (I can see why.)

Nagi: I see… So, how much for the pot?

Ryui: Huh?

Netaro: Aha~! I understand now. This is one of those spiritual scams~!

Ryui: …You bastards. You tryin’ to call him a fraud? Don’t you dare mock him.

Nagi: Not at all. Those strange tremors stopped right after Morozumi-san appeared after all… 

Yodaka: That did indeed happen.

Nagi: I figured someone with actual powers would have the real Pot of Fortune with him, so really, I asked because I do believe him.

Daniel: How’d you figure that?

Netaro: Aha! So if he has the pot, he’d be much more convincing!

Morozumi: Sorry ta burst yer bubble, but I don’ like usin’ ‘em cursed tools all that much.

Netaro: Whyyy~?

Ryui: Knock it off already. Morozumi-san, you should talk back more.

Morozumi: Ain’t a problem. This is just the usual.

Ryui: But… 

Morozumi: Ya know full well how hard it is ta convince someone elsewise when they’ve got an idea set in their noggin’.

Ryui: …

Ryui: …Well, I guess anyone that doesn’t know is better off that way.

Nagi: So, about that pot… 

Astaroth: …

Chief: Oh, you’re awake, Toi-kun. You ended up falling back asleep after Morozumi-san arrived, so we thought it was best not to wake you up— 

Astaroth: I was having a conversation with Toi.

Ryui: ! You– You’ve taken over Toi again…! 

Astaroth: I sense a rat with an unfamiliar scent. Ryui, are you the one who brought him along?

Morozumi: Ohh, well I’ll be. This one’s a ‘nother level fer sure. A big ‘un.

Astaroth: …Ha! You are beneath me, do not speak of me.

Morozumi: Morozumi Miura, at yer service.

Astaroth: I suppose you are the one that put the idea of “contracts” into Ryui’s skull?

Morozumi: Prolly. After all, I ain’t the type to let an outlaw go, no matter how big they might be.

Astaroth: HAHA, truly a restrictive ideology. You must know that taboos* are meant to be destroyed.

Chief: (...? What are they talking about…)

Morozumi: Ryui, ya came here ta Aomori so ya could figure out how ta deal with this ‘un?

Ryui: …Yeah. I wanna know where it came from, and how to get Toi out of its clutches.

Astaroth: You wish to “liberate” him? Kuku…! 

Astaroth: HAAHAHAHA!

Daniel: Ah— Morozumi-san? Sorry ‘bout that, he’s at that age y’see… 

Morozumi: Nah, the little guy’s possessed by a high-ranking demon. Ain’t that why he can see all far into the future and stuff?

Yodaka and Nagi: …

Chief: …They’re actually real?

Ryui: That’s what I’ve been saying from the start. 

Daniel: (Not sure I believe it…)

Morozumi: Ryui, ya remember the night ya made a contract with this demon?

Ryui: Yeah… The day I ran out of the izakaya and went back home. 

Morozumi: There’s somethin’ I forgot to tell ya that day.

Morozumi: That Oshisha-sama that the Shiramitsu family have been worshippin’ all this time is actually a god native to this area… 

Netaro: Native. In other words, one of the infinitely many gods of the land.

Ryui: But the reality is that it’s actually a demon. I know that already.

Morozumi: Nah, keep a cool head and listen will ya… As I was sayin’... 

Morozumi: ‘Em Shiramitsu were worshippin’ the real deal at first, but at some point in time they were swapped out with this demon instead.

Ryui: …!?

Yodaka: Swapped…?

Ryui: (Y’mean the shitty demon wasn’t just faking the name…?)

Chief: Err, so Oshisha-sama isn’t actually Oshisha-sama…?

Nagi: Thank you for simplifying the explanation. Though I still don’t really get it. 

Ryui: Wait, so where’s the real Oshisha now?

Morozumi: Yeah, that’s what I wanna know too.. If the old god were here, I reckon we could save yer brother.

Astaroth: … 

Morozumi: You… What’d ya do to the other god?

Astaroth: Who knows?

Ryui: Fucker… 

Morozumi: Haha, well figured it wouldn’t be no walk in the park.

Ryui: Morozumi-san, um… 

Morozumi: I got it, I’ll look into it. So dun sour yer face like that, it’ll be alright.

Ryui: …I owe you one.

Morozumi: Well then, best if I leave fer now. Sorry ‘bout all that folks.

Chief: Not at all! I’m glad we got to meet the person Ryui-kun was looking for.

Ryui: Bye… See you later. 

Morozumi: Mm— Oh yeah, one more thing.

Ryui: ?

Morozumi: Here, my business card. Ya lost it dintcha. Next time ya can just call me up, aight? 

Ryui: …Saw right through me, huh. 

Morozumi: Also, the eyepatch suits ya.

Ryui: !

Ryui: What’s with you all of a sudden… 

Yodaka: Ryui is… 

Nagi: Blushing. 

Ryui: Shut up. Don’t look.

Netaro: How unscientific… Demons, really~?

Chief: (...If I remember correctly, Oshisha was supposed to possess Ryui-kun and not Toi-kun…)

~~~(flashback)

Netaro: Possession, meaning a spirit, or perhaps a god, takes over the body, is that it? How terribly unscientific~ I’m certain it’s an Alter Ego cooked up by Toi’s brain—

Ryui: It’s not like I expected any of you to get it!! The Shiramitsu family has been fucked up for generations. It’s not something a regular person would understand.

Ryui: Anyways, whatever it is that’s trying to hurt him, I’ll send it packing. Absolutely anything and everything…!

Ryui: I have to protect Toi from that shitty demon…! 

Location: Aomori - Miroku Yokocho

Ryui: …I’ve said this already but, this has nothing to do with you all. This is a matter of my family’s shame. 

Chief: Ryui-kun… 

Netaro: Even after all we heard?

Ryui: Yeah, sorry ‘bout that. Must’ve been a pain to listen to. Not to mention a waste of time, too.

Ryui: (Getting involved with our family just leads to rotten luck.)

Nagi: …

Location: ?

Toi: Hmhm~♪ Poppin’ forever~♪ Popping once, popping twice~

Toi: Twisting and crushing… It’s so much fun.

Astaroth: …

Toi: *sigh* Now I’m hungry… 

Toi: Hey, A-chama. It’s okay to eat anything as long as it’s red, right? 

Astaroth: Correct.

Toi: And garlic?

Astaroth: Out of the question. 

Toi: Red, huh. Apples, any red meats, akatonbo*… 

Toi: …

Toi: Hey, it’s time to swap who gets the TV!

Astaroth: …

Toi: A-chama, swap with me! I want to play an otome game!

Astaroth: …

[CW: Teeth body horror starts here]

Toi: …Hmph. Fine, then. 

Toi: I’m gonna eat all the liver paste in this jar until you swap with me.

Toi: Mm… slurp, nyam… 

Toi: (But wait, who brought this here in the first place?)

Toi: Whatever! As long as it’s tasty—

*crunch*

Toi: Ouch! Did something just crack…?

*plink*

Toi: Huh… 

Toi: My tooth— 

*plink plink plink*

Toi: Ah…aaah…! No…! 

Toi: (My teeth keep falling out…!!)

*plink*

Toi: What is this…!? Please, I don’t like this…!! Stop it…!

Astaroth: You are changing. Your form will continue to change, quite rapidly at that.

Toi: No… Nononononononononononono…!!

Astaroth: A metamorphosis so that you may emerge as my flesh!

Toi: NOOOOOOOOO!!!

Location: Hotel - Room

Toi: !!

Toi: *labored gasping*

[CW: Teeth body horror ends here]

*sound of running water*

Toi: (The sound of the shower…)

Toi: (That’s right, Ani-sama is taking a bath… We’re at the hotel in Hirosaki… When did I fall asleep…?)

Toi: (...My teeth are all there.)

Toi: Thank goodness… It was just a dream— 

Toi: …No.

Toi: My hands and my mouth are all… sticky… 

Notes:

Astaroth says "taboo" in place of rules, which is written in furigana above the kanji 禁 which stands for ban/prohibition.

Akatonbo is a nickname for Hiru-Ika (daytime squid) which is a type of Surume-Ika (Japanese common squid). The nickname cropped up in Aomori because the logo on the shipping boxes depict a red aircraft (Miss Veedol) which resembled a red dragonfly, which is what Akatonbo stands for.

In case there's confusion about Astaroth "borrowing" Oshisha's name, Ryui seemed to believe the Shiramitsu were worshipping a demon disguised as a god from the start, but has just found out Astaroth in fact had direct involvement with the disappearance of the original god, and took their place, hence the surprise.

Event Masterpost

Next Track

[because-its-eurovision]

i actually would love sweden to win after they didn't last year when in my opinion they deserved too, tattoo is an amazing song and i love the staging she had for it at melofest.

Sure. It’s not that Tattoo isn’t a great song or that the staging isn’t impressive and of course you want your favorites to win. While I’m not a huge fan of the live performance, it does look like Eurovision winner. I really enjoy the studio version of Tattoo, it’s powerful and catchy and has nice lyrics, and currently Sweden is sitting on the sixth place in my personal ranking of this year’s entries.

I also get why some of the fans are very eager to see Sweden catch up on Ireland with their number of victories, make Loreen the first woman to win Eurovision twice and get Sweden to host exactly 50 years after their first victory. I'd want that too if I were Swedish.

What bothers me is that I’m just so tired of Sweden doing well year after year. Them being our neighbour and eternal rival only makes it worse. When Finland – with more last places than any country (11), qualification rate of 50%, three times kicked out of the final by juries, average placing of 43 out of 50, and only one placement in top-5 during 55 years – finally, finally seems to have risen from the ashes and actually might have a shot of even winning, of course Sweden is the one who is there in front of us.

Winning and hosting Eurovision is a great opportunity to showcase the host country’s history and culture to the world and giving a spotlight to the places around Europe that may not get much of it otherwise. It is a great way to grow tourism and interest in the host country at large, but also to strengthen the country’s brand, national identity and self-esteem.

Sweden doesn’t need any of that. They are already great, liked and well-known. They’ve hosted twice within the last decade and it’s not like many people weren’t familiar with Abba, Ikea, H&M and Swedish meatballs before that either. Not to mention the grip Sweden has on EBU too and how there have been recent changes in Eurovision that were modeled after Melodifestivalen, such as the new voting system, allowing pre-recorded backing vocals and producers deciding the running orders instead of it being random.

To use a school analogy, Sweden is the one student that constantly is one of the best in their class (most top-5 results of the 21st century) without seemingly putting much effort into it, but they are also the teacher’s (EBU’s) pet (always a great place in the running order) and from a rich family (can afford 1800 kg heavy led screens and other fancy technology). They get picked first to the sports teams in P.E. class (always qualifies to the final) and have a fawning court of other students (the juries) admiring anything they do.

Wouldn’t you start to dislike them at some point?

[sustainabilitytravel]

Top Eco-Friendly Destinations to Add to Your Bucket List

Traveling sustainably doesn’t mean compromising on breathtaking experiences. Around the world, stunning destinations are leading the charge in eco-tourism, offering travelers opportunities to explore responsibly while supporting conservation and local communities. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or simply looking for guilt-free luxury, these eco-friendly spots deserve a spot on your bucket list.

1. Costa Rica: A Pioneer in Eco-Tourism

Costa Rica has long been a leader in sustainable tourism, protecting over 25% of its land as national parks and reserves. Known for its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and diverse wildlife, it’s the perfect place for adventure and relaxation. Visit eco-lodges, join guided wildlife tours, and zipline through the treetops, all while supporting conservation efforts.

2. Bhutan: The Carbon-Negative Kingdom

Bhutan is the only carbon-negative country in the world, prioritizing environmental protection and sustainable development. The country’s strict tourism policy focuses on low-impact, high-value travel. Visitors can explore breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, vibrant monasteries, and rich traditions while contributing to Bhutan’s commitment to preserving its pristine environment.

3. Finland: Europe’s Greenest Destination

Ranked one of the most sustainable destinations in the world, Finland offers eco-conscious travelers pristine lakes, dense forests, and clean air. Opt for a stay in eco-cabins, immerse yourself in the country’s sauna culture, or visit Lapland to witness the magic of the Northern Lights. Finland’s focus on renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure makes it a green traveler’s paradise.

4. New Zealand: Land of Adventure and Conservation

With its breathtaking fjords, mountains, and unique biodiversity, New Zealand is a dream destination for nature lovers. The country is committed to preserving its landscapes and wildlife, offering eco-tourism activities like guided nature walks, whale watching, and stays in eco-friendly accommodations.

5. Kenya: Safaris with a Purpose

Kenya offers unforgettable wildlife experiences while championing conservation. Many safari lodges operate with sustainability at their core, working to protect endangered species and support local communities. From the Maasai Mara to Amboseli, you can experience the beauty of Africa while ensuring your visit contributes to its future.

6. Slovenia: A Hidden Green Gem

This small European country is making big waves in sustainable tourism. With its abundance of green spaces, eco-certified accommodations, and locally sourced cuisine, Slovenia offers a perfect blend of adventure and sustainability. Visit Lake Bled, hike in Triglav National Park, or explore Ljubljana, one of Europe’s greenest capitals.

7. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador: A Haven for Biodiversity

The Galápagos Islands are a treasure trove of unique wildlife and landscapes. Strict visitor regulations ensure that tourism here remains eco-friendly and doesn’t harm the fragile ecosystem. Snorkeling, kayaking, and guided tours let you witness the islands’ wonders while supporting preservation efforts.

8. Iceland: Where Nature Takes the Lead

Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes, from glaciers to geysers, are matched by its commitment to sustainability. Nearly 100% of the country’s energy comes from renewable sources. Visitors can explore geothermal spas, hike on volcanic trails, or watch puffins in their natural habitat, all while supporting Iceland’s eco-friendly initiatives.

9. The Azores, Portugal: An Atlantic Eco-Paradise

This archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean is a haven for sustainable travelers. Known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and vibrant marine life, the Azores offer eco-conscious accommodations and activities like whale watching, hiking, and geothermal bathing.

10. Palau: A Tiny Nation with Big Goals

This Pacific Island nation is a model for marine conservation. Palau has created the world’s first shark sanctuary and enforces strict eco-tourism policies to protect its coral reefs and marine life. Snorkel in crystal-clear waters, explore WWII relics, or relax on pristine beaches while contributing to a sustainable future.

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Destinations?

Traveling to eco-friendly destinations not only allows you to explore the beauty of our planet but also ensures your adventures have a positive impact. These destinations prioritize the environment, support local communities, and offer experiences that are both memorable and meaningful.

[jamesrodayrodriguezpresents]

A new force has arrived on Detroit’s film scene. 

One month after moving to the city, independent California filmmaker Tom E. Brown has hit the ground running excited to boost Detroit’s film community, which has suffered the recent loss of three Indie theaters in Metro Detroit. The freshly appointed Detroit Institute of Arts Detroit Film Theater board member said he has his eye on growing the local film community and pushing for a return of the state’s film tax credit. 

During a free Sunday screening of his 2016 film “Pushing Dead” at the Senate Theater and Q&A for World AIDS Day, he announced plans to film a sequel in Detroit.

“I’m going to try to see if I can do anything to help bring the film incentives back, because that would be nice for Detroit,” added Brown, who bought a house in East English Village. 

The bipartisan Multimedia Jobs Act would create a transferable tax credit of up to 30% for Michigan-based multimedia projects. The bill was co-sponsored in 2023 by John Roth, R-Interlochen, and Jason Hoskins, D-Southfield. Currently, more than 35 states have a multimedia or film incentive. For seven years Michigan had a film credit offering up to 42% rebate of filmmakers’ in-state production costs, but it ended in 2015 amid criticism that taxpayers weren’t benefitting.  

Roth’s office did not immediately return a request for comment on the bill. 

Opponents of the package, from teacher unions to Republican lawmakers, say the state can’t afford film subsidies amid large public infrastructure needs. In November, the Great Lakes Gun Rights nonprofit told Republican lawmakers in a post to X, formerly Twitter, that the package was “anti-gun” by giving tax dollars “to liberal anti-gun Hollywood elites to produce liberal anti-gun programs in Michigan.” The tax program would entail $2 billion in credits over 10 years. 

Others, like the Michigan Film Industry Association, have argued that the money would be well spent by boosting the local economy and tourism by $6-$8 billion in direct spending in the first 10 years, and creating new jobs, while decreasing the population loss of college graduates.

The bills were tentatively scheduled for a vote in the state House last month, but no action was taken amid attendance issues and lingering concerns over the proposal. Time is running short to get the bills passed this session, as lawmakers will break for the year in late December.

Brown’s “Pushing Dead” is a comedy that focuses on an HIV-positive writer who is suddenly dropped from his health plan for earning too much after depositing a $100 check in his bank account. The film stars James Roday, Danny Glover and Robin Weigert.

Brown, 57, has made short films for nearly four decades that have been featured at the  American Museum of Natural History, the Walker Art Center and the Guggenheim. “Pushing Dead,” supported by the Sundance Institute and Rockefeller Foundation, screened at more than 50 film festivals winning 10 best-feature and audience and jury awards. 

The “Pushing Dead” sequel, which Brown said is 25% written, is one of several films he hopes to shoot in Detroit. The movie will open with a couple pushed out of San Francisco who land in Detroit, and features a scene in the city. Brown said he has already received verbal promises of financial support from locals, which is “rare” for an Indie film. 

In San Francisco, films are ranked by factors like local jobs and diversity and entered into a lottery for tax incentives. Depending on whether Brown wins San Francisco���s film lottery and how Michigan’s legislation advances, Brown said he would also like to film the movie “American Dog,” in Detroit. That film, he said, is about “an unhinged lesbian cop in backwater America” who will be played by Margaret Cho. 

If the Multimedia Jobs Act were passed Brown said it would make filming American Dog in Detroit “more appealing” because it’s increasingly challenging to raise funds for film. But regardless, Brown said he’ll film in Detroit, and is passionate about doing so. 

“It’s a lot of things that come into play when you’re trying to raise money for a movie, but I will absolutely make movies in Michigan,” he said. “I like the idea of setting this little indie with the same characters, with the two main characters from ‘Pushing Dead’ in Detroit, just because it’s such a beautiful city. Everywhere you look it’s just filmic and gorgeous.” 

Last year, the city’s Detroit Film Office authorized 83 productions to film, according to a BridgeDetroit FOIA. 

The subject matter of Brown’s film is particularly relevant to Detroit, where HIV rates are four times higher than the rest of Michigan.  

On Sunday, a post-screening panel featuring Brown, Weigert and LGBT Detroit Executive Director Nzere Kwabena focused on the film production process and AIDS. 

In Detroit, approximately 766 people per 100,000 residents have HIV, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services 2023 HIV Prevalence Report. 

Brown, who was diagnosed with HIV 40 years ago and initially given three years to live, said World AIDS Day is a happy day for him now because it means he’s alive. World AIDS Day, on Dec. 1, was first recognized in 1988. 

“Pushing Dead” is available for free streaming with a public library card on Kanopy or on various paid streaming services. The timeline for the sequel is unknown, but expected after Brown  wraps production on “American Dog.”

(via DannyG)

[lordofthestrix]

4. Have you made any outright changes to the canon material in order to write your muse the way you wanted?

I have radically different ways to interpret certain lines of dialogue related to Tristan compared to the most superficial read of them. But as for direct changes, I can only think of a name. Here is the explanation of the occasional penchant Tristan's organization has for creating serial killers as tools to fulfill their objectives: LUCIEN: It's business as usual for The Strix. TRISTAN: An old tactic. Used often and to great success. Jack the Ripper, Son of Sam. A frightened human populace is that much easier to control. If tourism should decline, and the local vampires are deprived of fresh blood? Well... You saw how quickly Marcel joined our ranks. The idea in itself? Wonderfully fun. You can't introduce a secret society to the universe without playing with a conspiracy or two. And the notion that some legendary murderers throughout history were a schemed strategy plotted by an obscure cabal of immortal creatures pulling the strings of the world from the shadows? That succeeds at being delightfully fun to explore. Jack the Ripper? Without question. Jack the Ripper is practically English Folklore. He has done it all. He has been everything. Movies were he is a time-traveler and a Russian spy included. (Tristan has opinions about one of his organization's creations reaching that level of notoriety by the way. He made sure not to make any of the following ones quite as endurable in the collective consciousness. He can...Somewhat control his flair for the dramatic if he must.) He is a classic figure of quasi-fiction in many, many universes. Son of Sam: And...Here is my change. I don't use him or include him in the examples of this facet of the Strix. Mainly because it seems a tad tactless. And you could argue...Why? How is it any different? Jack the Ripper committed real murders too. He is not merely am interesting unsolved mystery that never occurred. Yes. And my simple and honest response is that sometimes, strange as it may be, time is everything. Jack is distant to us in time. He is more legend than undiscovered man. In opposition, this second example involves a man who remains alive and with families affected by his actions. Whatever strange ways made a myth out of Jack with time. they occurred. But I personally find the idea of fictionalizing someone much closer to our current reality a shade tasteless. And, intending to avoid ending this post in a gloomy note, here is an interesting connection: Tristan's work technically has a crossover in The Vampire Diaries!

(Damon Salvatore dressed as Jack the Ripper...See what I mean? Jack is everywhere) Tristan says that Damon doesn't need to thank him for the costume.