#anti 2024 Snow White

[rogue205]

Oh my god. What is with Disney these days? No one wants a “woke” Princess and it’s like they don’t even understand the word anyway.

Pixar does because look at Merida. She still got help from “a man” even if they were her little brothers. It was still “female empowerment” because her mother is actually the one who killed the bad guy anyway and it was because he was about to kill Merida. It wasn’t just “women strong!”. Hell, Merida refuses to get married and actually ends the movie that way but she never comes across as “ew, men” but that she simply doesn’t want to. I can relate.

But back to Disney. They changed Little Mermaid so Ariel literally did EVERYTHING including killing Ursula despite the fact that she shouldn’t even know how to drive a damn ship. 🙄 There was nothing wrong with Eric doing it!

And now we’re getting “woke” Snow White who is named as such because her skin is WHITE AS SNOW! But noooooo… she has to be a person of color too so Disney can have lazy writing and call everyone racist when we call them out on this BS. POC are just shields for them now although Rachel Zegler tried to accuse everyone of hate already. Lady, that’s not going to get people to see your point. And frankly, it’s not even about her. It’s about Disney and what they’re doing.

Also they’re apparently planning to change the Prince coming in to wake her up at the end. Like, what? And most of the seven dwarves are gone too. I think there’s only one now while the others are “normal”. They thought(and Zegler said) that the Prince was “acting stalker-ish” so that’s why they wanted to change him. Hah. They clearly didn’t watch “Once Upon a Time”. Now THAT is a live-action Snow White.

Plus there is a “deleted scene” comic which explains how the Prince even knew to come looking for Snow White. He was captured and locked up by the Evil Queen and witnessed her transform into the hag and poison the apple. He immediately went to find Snow when he managed to escape. All the live-action had to do was include something like this and then he isn’t “stalkerish”. 🙄

Frankly, their movie is not even Snow White anymore and I can tell already that it’s going to flop with all these unneeded and unnecessary changes. All it shares in common now is the name. Nothing else.

This is just my opinion. You don’t have to agree.

[artist-issues]

Snow White's Race and Skin Color Are Not Integral to the Story.

They're just not. It doesn't matter if she's brown or black or white or literally anything in color. Im sorry. I know it's a talking point, but it's not a very good one if you know how many different cultures have stories with the exact same point and themes as the popularized German version that Disney's is based off of.

I know, I know, it's in the name, her NAME is "Snow White," how can whether or not she's white not be a thing?? Because the point of Snow White is not "she's white." The point of Snow White is, "she's pure and beautiful." And the popular version just uses the symbolism of "Snow" to make that point with a clever name. She could also have been named after her "blood-red lips" or her "ebony-black hair."

But they didn't name her "Blood-Red." They named her "Snow White." Because the point wasn't really on the way one specific feature looked--it was on who she was. Pure.

It's a story about purity. So sure, the Disney version--and the only versions in any cultures that can lay accurate claim to the title "Snow White--" depict the lead character with white skin.

But that really only matters to the story if you're trying to associate her, by look, with the color of snow. Which you don't strictly need to do. Because the color of snow is not the only way to communicate "this girl is pure and innocent."

Any skin color can go into portraying that. There's lots of different ways to say "pure and innocent."

NOW

You can say, "but this proves that the Live Action Disney creators are racist against white people now; they're erasing white people culture! They're erasing white people history! They're just being ridiculous, because the word "white" is in her name!"

You can say all that if you feel like it. But those are different issues than the one I'm talking about, and for the sake of argument, it should be very clear: The STORY does not need the Princess to have pale skin in order to work.

(The character doesn't even need pale skin for her name to still be "Snow White," because again, the snow-and-white-thing was only a word picture for "purity." Her name could also be "Silver" or "Salt" or "Refined Gold" or "Filtered Water." It would all serve the same purpose. It just maybe wouldn't have the double-ness of the meaning unless her hair is refined gold-colored or her eyes are the color of filtered water or something. You get what I'm saying)

[cherrytea556]

I think people are yet again hating on disney for the wrong reasons. Disney is not pushing any 'woke' agenda on anyone, what they are doing though is using these 'woke' things for money. That's why you get these 'strong independent women' tropes in their remakes rather than disney actually putting effort to modernize and address the poorly age tropes they put in their work. That's why they add lgbt representation but either as a thing the audience doesn't notice or censors to keep homophobic countries money. That's why they raceswap the characters into their remakes without actually using it to tell the story in a different way (e.g, tell the story through the characters culture) instead of telling the same story with very little changes or even address their racism previously (e.g, the crows in the dumbo remake being completely gone) and with the new snow white movie coming up, its gonna be the same thing where the story would probably rehash jasmines plot from the alladin remake onto snow white and would be this 'strong independence feminist' movie without actually deconstructing the negative tropes of snow white into a feminist modern work.

Remember, these companies do not care about any agenda, only the money.

[gch1995]

Even the 1937 Snow White wasn’t just a helpless damsel-in distress. She gets saved by men twice throughout the story, and the Huntsman spares her life. However, you also have to remember that Snow White is the youngest princess in these stories and the most sheltered one. She’s somewhere between 13-14 years old. Of course, she’s going to be terrified when her evil stepmother tries to have her killed because she’s jealous of her being prettier than her.

However, even though her parents die when she is still young, she is forced to be a scullery maid in rags by her stepmother, and she forced to flee from her own kingdom when said stepmother tries to have her killed out of jealousy of her beauty, Snow White still does her best to remain cheerful, helpful, gracious, kindhearted, and selfless. That’s a really difficult thing for a lot of people to do when they’ve been put through a wringer of abuse, loss, mistreatment in life. It’s not easy to hold on to hope and kindness in the face of mistreatment and trauma. That’s what made the 1937 Snow White such a great role model. She didn’t need to be a girlboss to be strong.

Ginnifer Goodwin is a great actress, she is beautiful, and she made a pretty badass Snow White on OUAT in the first three seasons. To be fair, though, it wasn’t her fault that Adam and Eddy destroyed her character, David’s character, and every other main character on that show who lasted past the first two-and-a-half to three seasons. They ran out of story to tell after the Neverland arc, and tried to keep redoing the same arcs for the characters over and over again until they became shells of their former selves.

Rachel Zegler is such a brat. She’s definitely the most disrespectful and obnoxious young actress they’ve chosen to cast for these unnecessary live action Disney remakes. Yeah, Emma Watson and Hallie Bailey were mildly bratty, but even with them you could tell they were just spouting Disney’s “woke” agenda to not ruin their contracts. Hallie Bailey at the very least seemed to enjoy playing Ariel, and tried to honor Jodie Benson somewhat. Rachel’s absolute arrogance, greediness, and disrespect for the animated Disney source material is the worst yet, though.

Rachel Zeglar: I’m gonna be the first Snow White who is not going to be a damsel in distress dreaming about true love and instead she’ll learn to become a fighter and a great leader for her kingdom! No one’s ever done an independent Snow White before!

Me:

[teddie-bear420]

tier list

OPINONS UNDER THE CUT

warning this is super long and ranty but does have some silly doodles ill post else where :)

-teddie bear 420

I have had several dreams about vaggie and lute and alastor, they plage my every waking moment. one was me going to smooch city with alastor (very scary that man does not wash his teeth). the others vaggie just shows up sometimes

really liked vaggie in her angel flash back, her hair cut was so cute, not a fan she still has pink eye but what eves. I LOVE HER PONY TAIL THO, give my girl better hair styles!!!

do you think theyve explored each others bodies?

I hated lute at first cuz, just look at her. you could get snow blindness with how white that woman is oh my lord. but once the 8th episode rolled around with hot women fighting my brain kinda clicked on for our old second in command. i keep going back to her in my brain and slowly morphing her into a heart broken lesbian who has a superiority complex and bullies her crush and then moves on to having a sugar mama situation ship with Lilith.

alastor is just so fun and silly, and there's this one x reader fic that ive made fan art of, you've all seen it. i just love this guy but i like to imagine he's a woman just for me :)

i understand why he is a fan favorite

i love charlies look but i hate how childish she is, like girl you are like 24 kill your friends pimp. nifty molly emily are all so cute and i enjoy looking at them. cant wait for the nifty episode (delusional)

i do love nifty more than the rest of these ones tho. i see lots of folks talking about how nifty is alastors daughter or angel dusts little baby daughter SHUT UP

SHES 25 YEARS OLD AND MURDERED HER HUSBAND IN HER SLEEP. NIFTY CALLED ALASTOR OVER TO HAVE THEIR LUNCH DATE AND HIDE THE BODY!!!

OK maybe nifty lives in my dreams too

do you think theyve explored each others bodies?

mimzy makes me mad cuz the show hated having her there clearly, like why is she the only fat person in hell. dont worry girl, I'll appreciate you once again i have to make alastor a dyke for my own sanity

do you think they-

lilith and rosie are good to look at, i like how rosie talks and her showtunes, god i love her show tunes. pentious is the only yellow dude in hell. velvete looks like ass most of the time but I LOVE A BAD BITCH

like i said, no strong feelings

ok most of these dudes are too ugly or too annoying and i hate when they are on screen, lucifers pants are his skin, angel dust has the worst fashoin sense ever UGHS I HATE HIM WHERE ARE HIS TITS WAAAAAA

also i love that her name is sarah, thats such a basic name, like i can type alastor x reader and theres a bunch of results but if i typed sarah x reader, shes no where :(

also shes got that mlp horse face going on i love it

i despise carmilla carmine, i hate her dumb horns, i hate her unnamed daughters, i hate her skirt, i hate her song, i hate her blazed ass eyes, i hate her long hair

vox just looks bad i cant lie

OK ADUM MAKES ME SO MAD HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN JACK BLACK WE SHOULD HAVE SEEN HIM BEING A FAT BASTARD CUZ I WAS CONVINCED HE WAS ANOTHER SKINNY TWINK also i am an anti shipper when it comes to adum x lute cuz that shit is weaaaak. he is so mean to her and not in a hot way, adum is some incel and lute is a goddess

yeah, #adumisoverparty 2024 the most divorced man in heaven

i can not wait for season two dude, im so pumped

[grub-xd]

Old New West

Ectoberhaunt 2024 - Day 1: Present

Danny and Vlad somehow ended up stuck in an alternate dimension where different times and eras seem to mesh together. Danny and Vlad have a lead as to how they can get home however.

Somewhere, in the Old New West, is a facility that has been researching inter-dimensional travel. It is an ancient facility in this world. Despite their attempts to sneak in, the walls are lined with some type of anti-ectoplasmic material, making it impossible for Vlad and Danny to just sneak in.

They need a key, and what better place to find a key to an ancient facility than a museum?

Ye Olde Village, the sign reads, welcoming would be travelers to its town.

A hover car then passes it by, kicking up dirt as it passes by a wheat field with a robot tending it.

The man driving the hover-car, with a lit tobacco pipe hanging on the side of his mouth, fixes his cowboy hat and the red tie hanging from his plain white dress shirt, complete with a vest.

As he approaches the main street, a bunch of the villagers shopping along the businesses camped along the main street stare at their newcomer.

To his left, a group of greaser boys loiter in front of the saloon with their hover-bikes. As he passes them by, the greasy haired boys give the stranger a side-eyed stare as a welcoming present. A couple of them, holding spiked bats and 6-shot revolver pistols glare at the newcomer.

The driver, feeling a bit of sweat form around his brow, wipes his face. His breath shutters, wondering what exactly he has gotten himself into.

Peaking back into the back seat of the vehicle, he asks, "You sure this is the place?"

The boy sitting in the back seat, his face hidden under his own hat, with snow white hair spiking out from it answers, "I'm sure."

"Daniel, I'm really not too sure about this."

Danny's glares at the driver and asks, "You got a better idea, Vlad!?"

Vlad shouts back, "Well, it certainly wouldn't have started with driving the Fenton Hovercraft into the one town controlled by one of the most notorious biker gangs of the Old New West! Brilliant planner!"

"We needed a distraction!"

"And we could have done that by blowing up their hoverbikes with a sneak attack! But you didn't think about that, did you!?"

"Pssh-What do you mean!? Of course I did!"

"Then why didn't we do it!?"

"That's easy! Because-" Danny begins, "...we -uh, well...there was...a need, to ensure, that the...uh...paint?"

Vlad slams his head into the dashboard, and speaks, "Brilliant, Daniel, just brilliant. While I have tried to figure out for weeks how we can get home from the Old New West, and finally found a lead on the key to getting into the facility that holds the way home, at least I can count on you to ensure that we don't hurt this dimension's property values!"

"Hey!" Danny shoots back "We have a duty to not do any more harm than needed!"

"Like that has stopped you ever, back in Amity Park?"

Danny folds his arms and sits back, "It's different when I can be around to help pick up the damage."

"And foot the bill on me..."

"Hey, you wanted to be mayor."

"Until I remembered that kids can still use the first amendment." Vlad looks so defeated from back where Danny is sitting.

Danny laughs a little, feeling a bit of triumph. "Heh...maybe consider not shooting kids."

Vlad corrects him, "I shot the limo."

"Right, and the laser went through the doors and into me, not before hitting the fuel line which set off the explosion."

"We're getting off topic," Vlad says.

Danny, not letting it go, adds, "You really got to look before you shoot. That's like, first rule of shooting guns. Remember what happened to Dick Cheney's friend?"

"Daniel!"

The loudness of his voice shocks Danny, freezing his words.

Vlad is really pissed now. His face is visibly red. Vlad is now looking back at Danny at Danny, hollering, yelling, and pointing at him and then outside, trying to prove some point.

It's lost on Danny, because..."Um, Vlad?"

"No! Shut up! I'm talking!"

"Vlad?"

The little brat then raises his finger. Vlad smacks his hand and continues his screaming session, "Why can't you just listen while I'm talking to you!?"

"Vlad!" Danny shouts!

"What!?"

Danny doesn't speak. Just pointing, with eyes full of fear.

Vlad turns and his face drops. He sees a wall, only feet in front of him, and they are still moving.

"Cream puf-" Vlad doesn't finish his curse.

The hovercraft crashes into the building at the end of the main street, tearing a gigantic hole in the wall.

Thankfully, this is the building they needed to be in.

From the driver's seat, Vlad looks out the windshield. Dozens of statues, paintings, and pieces of pottery are displayed throughout the hallway.

Vlad is frozen, shocked that he had let this happen. "Shit," he says.

Danny floats to the front seat and sits himself on it, "Well, if we needed a distraction, we have it now."

"Don't speak anymore, Daniel."

Danny then notices the display of artifacts in the building. "Hey, hey," he exclaims, "We made it to the museum!"

"Yes, Daniel. We did," Vlad concedes.

Danny floats up from his seat, "Well, if you need me, I'll be off grabbing that key." He then points towards where they came from, "Can you handle the cavalry?"

Vlad is confusion . "Cavalry?"

"Yeah," Danny says, approaching and pointing to one of the mirrors, "Those gangsters look pretty pissed." Through the reflection in the mirror, they can see a group of those bikers approaching, with pistols and bats drawn.

"Daniel, I must really ask that yo-"

"See ya!" Danny disappears from his seat.

Vlad mutters "That little shit, can't believe he would leave me to fend off these lunatics by myself."

Peaking through the mirror at the spiked bat waving gangsters approaching the Fenton Hovercraft, Vlad takes a breath and remembers that most of these guys that they encountered before haven't been ghost hybrids.

Opening the door, Vlad steps out of the hovercraft with his two 6-shot revolvers drawn. He announces, "Alright, you heathens!" He twirls one of the pistols, "Stand down! Or prepare to face the wrath of Vlad Master-!"

They start shooting at him.

A bullet hits Vlad's hat, knocking it off of his head. Another bullet whizzes by his ear, followed by another, and another until dozens of bullets are raining past him!

"Oh, fudge biscuits!" Vlad jumps into cover behind the wall next to the hole.

As he catches his breath, the footsteps from the gang outside grow louder. The clanging of their metal spiked bats ringed past the hole, echoing throughout the whole room.

He fires back a couple of shots, blindly. Hopefully that stalls them.

"Get them," he hears one of the brutes shout.

"Good luck, imbeciles!"

Backing up from the wall, Vlad prepares to fall back deeper into the museum, but still has his pistol pointed towards the entrance next to the hovercraft.

Seconds pass, and then one of the gangsters pushes through into the building.

Vlad fires, hitting one of the gangsters in the leg.

"So sorry, my bad," with a sly smile.

"AAAAAHH!" He screams.

Seeing that there is no way he can hold them all off from here, Vlad retreats deeper into the building. He runs into a hallway and dives around a corner.

Despite his efforts to evade, one of the gangsters saw him turn the corner. The leader of the chase squad signals to his minions and tells them, "Come on!"

More of the gangsters soon flood into the museum. They swarm all the surrounding hallways in an effort to cut off Vlad and Danny from escaping.

As the squad chasing Vlad approaches the corner that Vlad had hid behind just moments before, they prepare their weapons. They turn and find that Vlad is nowhere to be seen.

That can't be right, they think.

"They couldn't have gotten far! They must still be here! Find them!"

They scatter.

What they don't know however is that Danny is watching them, from just above. He is hovering along the top of the ceiling watching them make their moves.

"Daniel?" He hears through his earpiece. Great...

He responds with a whisper, careful to not alert the guards below. "Yeah?"

"Where are you?" Vlad asks.

"Where those idiots last saw you."

"How do you know where the last place they saw me was?"

"Meh...I was watching."

"And you didn't think to help!? Or steal the key!?"

"What key?" Danny tries to hold back his laughter holding his hand to his face. He pictures the way Vlad must be having a stroke over that.

"This isn't funny, Daniel!"

"For you, clearly. Me? I'm having a great time."

"It isn't going to be funny for you when I have my hands around your neck!"

Danny imitates static, "psssh- bzzz- sssssssh-"

"Vlad?" He then asks, "I-eeeek, think I'm lo-ing you."

"Don't pull that shit with me again! I can hear you fine!"

"Yeah, I'm gonna have to call you back. These guys are offering to file your taxes at a discount," Danny then yeets the earpiece smackdown on top of one of the heads of the gangsters.

The brute looks up and glares at Danny. Fury burns in his eyes.

It doesn't phase Danny though. "Hey asswipe," he shouts, before blasting an ectobeam at the man's feet.

It hits the ground. The blast explodes, sending a shockwave throughout the room, hurling the gangster against the wall, knocking him unconscious.

This is just too easy Danny thinks.

"Over there!" He hears someone shout. More gangsters flood in with their guns drawn.

"Would love to stay and chat, but gotta' run!" He phases out of the room.

"Find him!"

...

Just on the outside of the building, Danny emerges from the roof and hovers above it, holding the purple skeleton key in hand. "Finally got you," he says.

All of that had gone much better than expected. And then, just a few feet from Danny, a purple ectobeam blasts out straight up out of the roof

Staring at the new hole the museum had collected, Danny hovers back toward it and peaks inside. He sees a bunch of commotion going on down there, with Vlad in the center of it.

He needs some encouragement , Danny thinks. "Keep it up, old man! I'm sure you'll be alright," 

He backs away and turns around, only to see Plasmius standing right in front of him. "Oh, hey," he laughs nervously, “Welcome back!”

Danny attempts to break the ice, "So...uh-...did you win?"

"Are you serious!? 'Did I win!?'"

"Sheesh," Danny says, "No need to be so rude about it."

Vlad's hands begin to glow pink.

Danny backs up just a wee bit and asks, "Little mad?"

"A little!?"

"Okay...? So," he continues, "a lot then?"

Vlad blasts another ectobeam. It barely misses Danny whizzing just past him before he turns to see it hit one of the gangsters who had just climbed onto the roof. It blasts him off and down onto the street.

As Danny begins to look back at Vlad, the old man begins his lecture: "Daniel, you really need to work on being more aware of your surroundings. Now, come on!"

Danny can't argue with that and followed. Thankfully that was the shortest lecture ever.

As they begin moving towards the edge of the roof, Vlad continues, "We have to get back to the hovercraft and get to the facility!"

They run back towards the front of the building, and then, an explosion.

They see fire erupt from where they had left the Fenton Hovercraft, just before the shockwave hits them. It blasts the two of them backward. The explosion tears through the front of the building, shredding and throwing the wood from it and scattering the debris everywhere.

Bits and pieces of shrapnel from the hovercraft begin falling from the sky. They start small, like nothing more than pebble size pieces hitting their bodies, before the larger ones come hurdling in.

As Danny lies on top of the roof, a sharp hunk of metal from the ship is hurdling right toward him!

"Oh, shit," Danny shouts. He rolls, and he feels the wind of it whoosh by his face as it impales the roof.

"Man, that was too close," he says.

Crash

Another piece crashes.

"Shit!" He covers his head

Other large pieces of the hovercraft crash into the building.

Danny keeps his head covered while Vlad goes intangible instead.

After the rain of debris stops, they look up, surveying the damage -- one of the pieces containing the green ghost logo.

"So much getting back to the hovercraft," Danny says.

As Danny walks towards the edge of the roof, thinking about what to do next, he catches a side eye of Vlad.

"What?" Danny asks, oh so innocently.

"Happy now? We lost our vehicle and all of our equipment!"

"Hey, you're the one who wanted to go all Texas Ranger or Revolver Ocelot on those guys."

Vlad counters, "Revolver Ocelot is the coolest cowboy in existence and you, a little shit, will never convince me otherwise!"

"Yeah, yeah, let's just get out of here. We got what we need," he says, looking down at the key in his hand.

The direction of the facility is just out in the mountains in the distance.

"Let's get moving and get back to the present," Danny says, before adding, "Wherever that is."

"Technically, dear boy, we are already in the present."

"Yeah?" He turns his head back at Vlad, "In what era?" Danny points at the village below, "None of what appears around us gives us an exact hint of where the hell we are on the timeline! Hover bikes mixed with old time western towns!? The greaser looking biker gang ripped from the 1950s!? Or how about the use of old Shakespearean English!?"

"Well, obviously we are in the future," Vlad says.

"Then why did we run across a calendar that said it was the year of 896!? And why was it using the French Revolution calendar!? It was the ninth day of the week when we read it! Furthermore, why the hell was it named 'UNIX Time!?'

"I don't ask questions I can't know the answers to, Daniel."

"Liar."

"Am I? Or am I just not wasting my time, along with yours?"

"Whatever."

"Consider asking yourself that next time."

As the two idiots bicker, they begin hearing more of the gangsters clamoring to get onto the roof.

They go intangible, so as to hide themselves. Danny says, "If you were so committed to not wasting my time, you wouldn't be trying to convince me this is the future." He looks down again at the village, "Because I really have no idea where we are," he says solemnly, "and I don't think you do either."

Instead of the argument Danny anticipates, he hears nothing. Vlad stands there in silence.

"Daniel...I-" He tries to find the words, "You're not wrong. I just didn't want to let on that I don't know either, because...I think it's more terrifying if we don't."

"You're not sparing me by keeping me in the dark from your thoughts."

"I know, but I still feel as if I should. Wouldn't you do the same for Danielle?"

That catches Danny by surprise. "I-" he begins, but is interrupted by Vlad.

"Let's get moving."

Vlad floats up off of the roof and begins flying in the direction of the mountains. Danny follows.

Hopefully the way back home is there.

[gone2soon-rip]

DONALD SUTHERLAND (1935-Died June 20th 2024,at 88).Canadian actor and anti-war activist whose film career spanned over seven decades. He received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Critics Choice Award. He has been cited as one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination. In 2017, he received an Academy Honorary Award.

Sutherland rose to fame after starring in films such as The Dirty Dozen (1967), M*A*S*H (1970), and Kelly's Heroes (1970). He subsequently starred in many films both in leading and supporting roles, including Klute (1971), Don't Look Now (1973), The Day of the Locust (1975), Fellini's Casanova (1976), 1900 (1976), Animal House (1978), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), Ordinary People (1980), Eye of the Needle (1981), A Dry White Season (1989), Backdraft (1991), JFK (1991), Six Degrees of Separation (1993), Without Limits (1998), The Italian Job (2003), and Pride & Prejudice (2005). More recently, Sutherland portrayed President Snow in The Hunger Games franchise.

He was the father of actor,Kiefer Sutherland,best known for his role as Jasck he tv action series,24,and films such as Stand By Me and The Lost Boys. Donald Sutherland - Wikipedia

[bluecrocss]

Yap-Sesh number... Whatever: "Race-swapping", White supremacy, Misogyny, and Casting in Hollywood

Okay... so Tiktok kept trying to push clips of Walker Scobell and Mason Thames at Comic-con to me (I guess cuz I'm pretty active in pjo series fan spaces), and each time I would find myself quickly scrolling away or having no interest in seeing the clip.

And at first I thought, maybe it's because as much as i love Walker as Percy and as much as I think the cast are so adorable, I'm an adult and I'm not really one of his fan girls (for obvious reasons), so I'm not super interested in edits that are basically simping for him.

But the intensity with which I avoided these clips, I realized there was something else that was driving that feeling... it was resentment.

As you can see from my blog, I've invested a lot of time/energy pointing out the hypocrisy of the anti-blackness and backlash that has been thrown at Leah Jeffries for her casting as annabeth, as well as consistently coming to her defense against the bigots I've encountered on literally every social media site I've used. And I'm already pre-exhasuted knowing that I'm going to have to do the same thing for Nico Parker when the httyd movie comes out, despite the fact that she is just as white as Pete Wentz and more white than KJ Apa (who y'all had no problem with him dying his hair and playing canonically white Archie Andrews), the backlash she's going to get is insane and it's going to be a Leah Sava Jeffries situation all over again.

But when Zendaya or Jaz Sinclair or Amanadla Stenberg play fully black characters, with two black parents, you don't see the black community up in arms and losing our shit. But God forbid somebody who is 3/4s white play a white character and suddenly y'all wanna bring up the one-drop rule and start preaching about racial purity. You people are genuinely closet white supremacists.

Like...

The httyd movies might be based on aspects Scandinavian culture, but they aren't actually historically accurate to Norse (or "viking" as some of y'all like to call it) culture. It's like with Game of Thrones or D&D, the setting is inspired by real cultures but the contents are fantastical and don't require any "Ethnic accuracy" (what's that thing about white people can hold their disbelief for dragons but not POC in fantasy? 💀).

Which is crazy because NONE OF THE CAST (including the fully white actors) ARE ETHNICALLY SCANDINAVIAN. Furthermore, Mason Thames looks NOTHING like Hiccup. Hiccup is supposed to be an awkward, gangly nerd in the first movie and Mason Thames looks like a highschool Jock (which I don't mind. Cuz unlike y'all, I'm more interested in his acting and portrayal of the character).

Y'all did the same thing with Rachel Ziegler and snow white, who is in every way racially white and fair skinned, but y'all lost your shit because her mom is Colombian (news flash, Latinos can be white also. Ask Anya Taylor Joy). I think it goes beyond white supremacy though, y'all are also just misogynistic because when Keanu Reeves (half white) plays Jonathan Harker in Dracula, or Pedro Pascal (Latino) plays Joel and is in gladiator or Oscar Isaac (Latino) plays a welsh folk singer or a british noble or Mark-Paul Gosselar (Half-white) plays the iconically white all-american teen, Zack Morris for 5 years, it's suddenly not a problem.

Everytime y'all dogpile on a WOC actress like this, it's with this idea that they're getting an "unfair advantage". Hollywood is pushing it's "Woke agenda" and a hardworking white actress lost a role because a less-talented woc is "stealing" the spot. So you drag them in the name of "accuracy to the source material". But again, in 2024 71% of lead theatrical roles were played by white people and every other racial group made up 29%. Where is this hollywood woke agenda?

It's so funny, because it works the exact opposite because a WOC getting this kind of role is a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence, and then she's tokenized by hollywood for a few years and then left to dry.

I always think about how Jennifer Lawrence and Lupita Nyongo both had similar buzz when they first broke into Hollywood, and alot of people would put them at similar talent levels in terms of acting (I personally thing Lupita washes Jlaw, tbh). Yet over the course of their career, look at the quality of roles hollywood has offered each. Look at who hollywood pushed in the limelight over and over again.

When Percy Jackson and HTTYD are over, both Walker and Mason are going to get the hollywood white boy of the month treatment. Hollywood is going to try to make them leading men and put them in EVERYTHING. Like they did with Timothee Chalamet, Tom Holland, Chris pratt, Leo DiCaprio, even going back to James Dean in the 50s. And it's not to say that these men aren't talented, but it is the reality of where the bias lies in hollywood. Nico Parker, despite being a literal Nepo Baby, will never get the pure number of opportunities Mason gets, simply because MOST lead roles are written with white people as the default (keeping in mind that she is LITERALLY more white than she is black) and most lead roles still go to men.

It's just so unfair that these are young hard-working actors who have done nothing to y'all but because of pure racism and misogyny (that's what it is, even if you personally feel like it's not), look at the difference in the experience Leah and Nico have versus Walker and Mason. The difference in peace of mind. Feeling loved and supported vs being told you don't belong and you're not good enough. It's so reflective of real life for WOC and white men in general.

Everyone says they believe in "equality" and "hiring based on merit" and "representation is important", but most of y'all are lying. How are we ever going to get to point of actual equal representation in hollywood, when this is how white people act while they are STILL the majority? And don't say it's because of "race-swapping" because Amandla Stenberg has gotten racial backlash TWICE. Once when she played a character that was written to be black, but got backlash from white audiences because they had imagined the character white (and once again, the character was supposed to be fully black AND darker-skinned, but you didn't see black people losing our mind that she was being played by a light-skinned, biracial actor); and second in the acolyte, where she played a COMPLETELY ORIGINAL CHARACTER and still got racial abuse (yes, I have heard the show isn't very good, but the backlash started before it came out so save the gaslighting).

And for the Walker and Mason fans who are going to ignore the entire thesis of this post and interpret it as a hate-post towards your faves... this is literally a blog dedicated to the pjo live-action. I love Walker as Percy. He's seems like a really sweet kid and I'm glad he's getting all the recognition he's getting. And I love how supportive he's been of Leah. Same with Mason, he was great in Black Phone and I have no doubt he'll kill it in HTTYD. But would y'all ever give that level support or benefit of the doubt to their costars?

Also, also... for all the weirdos who are going to catch on the Rachel Ziegler example and say "oh it wasn't her race, she shit-talked the character" blah blah blah. No she didn't. Y'all took a few interview clips out of context and joined in on a misogynistic hate campaign from the anti-woke brigade like y'all did with Brie Larson. There was already backlash to her casting before she had even done a single interview. Why don't y'all save the hate for the literal Zionist that is playing the evil queen (apt title tho 🤔) instead?

[barefootbaltimore]

I just saw a post talking about Disney Princesses and the trope of a "strong female character" which is a conversation near and dear to my heart but I didn't agree with some of the ways OP framed the idea of feminism as a whole so I'm making my own post.

Classic, more stereotypically "feminine" Disney princesses have just as valid, if different, messages for children, and people as a whole, as modern more "strong" princesses. I feel like in 2024 this isn't really a hot take. I feel like we all know this. We know that "strength" shouldn't have to mean being loud and rebellious and a good fighter, and we know that "feminine" doesn't have to mean weak, and passive, and "a bad influence". At least we should know this.

And obviously we all know that no one children's movie is going to act as a person's entire model for how to be a person. Which is great because as much as I personally love classic Disney movies even the modern ones suffer from the use of racist, antisemitic, and ableist stereotypes. People need a wide range of role models and cultural touchstones and no one character or plot is going to "corrupt" them.

That said here are all of the ways some of the Disney princesses who used to be labeled as "bad influences" or "anti feminist" empowered me personally as a child and even today:

Snow White: This girl had an evil stepmother who tried to have her murdered, then she was left to find for herself in the woods. She'd have every right to rage and scream and never be kind or trust ever again. But she doesn't. She is still kind, she still trusts ( some times a bit too freely) and she makes a home and happiness where she is. She never blames herself for her abuse and neither do her friends. They believe her and they do their best to protect her. As a young girl who was being abused by her step-mom this was a powerful message for me. I can be happy after this. People will love me. I can be a kinder person. This doesn't define me.

Cinderella: Similar to Snow White in a lot of ways but shows even more how during the abuse Cinderella finds moments of joy and love and friendship. Her step sisters destroying her dress mirrors experiences I've had as a child, I know the devastation she was feeling. So the most important lesson for me, a child with very little control over her own life, was that someone could still come save me. I know that tends to be the exact opposite of the desire to have the princess save herself, and as an adult connect to those characters a bit more, but when I was watching Cinderella regularly? I needed to feel like if I could just find some happiness in my days then one day I would be rescued. Surviving until help arrives is also strength.

Belle: Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairytale so Belle was, naturally my favorite princess. Also she loved books and *I* loved books so obviously we were basically the same. Belle isn't abused, she has her father and even though people in town see her as kind of weird she has some people, like the bookseller, who are kind. The thing I love about this movie in particular is that the point of her character *is* that she is so much more than what people see. Just like Beast. It's no wonder that her name means beauty after all. Then her father goes missing and she is determined to find him, to save him. And she does, she willingly trades herself so that her father will go free. That's bravery. As a little girl who thought my dad was a superhero I liked to think I'd save him if he needed it. Then at the end of the movie she risks her life to save Beast as well. She's kind of a badass actually.

Ariel: I'm gonna be real if I had to hear one person slander this child for being manipulated into giving up her voice to live the life she always wanted I'd have been on the news. Like the lesson is right fucking there. Her family didn't support her interests or dreams and it drove her to someone who was looking to exploit a distressed kid for her own goals. This isn't rocket science people. Support your kids but also giving up your voice is *never* worth it. The other ways might be harder or take longer but you need your voice to advocate for yourself and to be your full self. Don't lessen who you are, it will bite you in the ass.

Sleeping Beauty: Okay heres a little note on Aurora. There really is no way to look at that movie and say Aurora was much more than a plot device. I mean she was also seen to be making the best out of a tough living situation but mostly this is Phillips movie and I accept that. She plays the setpiece role that the Main Characters love interest always had in those early Disney movies. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing it's just a thing.

Anyway thanks for coming along on this long and kind of pointless post. Remember to continue to boycott Disney because they are a horrible corporation and also because the BDS movement has called for a number of boycotts of Disney services and movies. Cancel that Disney+ and watch your old DVDs instead. And as always Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo.

[alexsgrimoire]

Full Moon Ritual Script - February 2024

For the Full Moon Esbat this month, I'm in charge of leading it and writing the script! I got the OK to share the script online, so here it is! If you'd like to use it, please tag me in it!

DO NOT INTERACT: TE/RFS, TE/HMS, SW/ERFS, TRAN/SMEDS, TRUS/CUM, TRANSPHOBIC, HOMOPHOBIC, EXCLUSIONISTS, CONSERVATIVE, NAZI, TRADWIVES, ANTI-BLM, ANTI-ASIAN, XENOPHOBIC, ABLEIST, ANTI-POP CULTURE PAGANISM

Meditation

Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Feel the air come in through your nose and out through your mouth. Take a moment to center yourself.

You find yourself at the entryway to a lush forest in the middle of the night. There is a light dusting of snow on the ground and the pine trees in front of you, and a slight chill to the air that leaves goosebumps on your skin, but not too cold that it becomes uncomfortable. You feel pulled to enter the forest, a gentle energy calling you from deep within the woods. You make your way in, the snow and branches crunching under your footsteps.

As you venture through the forest, you see small shrubs and tiny, white primroses beginning to bloom. The plants line your pathway as you find your way, helping you along. As you go deeper, you encounter a fork in the path. As you ponder which way to go, the voice that called you into the forest calls you again. You look up and notice a white owl standing on a branch leading to one of the paths, and it hoots, beckoning for you to follow.

You follow the owl, its wings almost angelic as it flies from tree to tree. Come with me, you feel it say as it leads you. It acts as a guide, preventing you from straying from the path. The trees thin out as you continue, and you reach the opening of a glade. The owl stops and turns its head towards the open space. Here we are, you hear in your mind.

As you step into the open space, you are greeted by a large lake. The light of the Moon ripples off of the waves, and you are shown Her Divine energy. The Moon glows, radiating Her gentle, guiding power. It radiates from the lake, filling you with calming energy. Come, My child, she calls to you. In Her Full Mother phase, She invites you to come near the waters. Be Blessed by my energy. You take off your shoes and dip your toes into the water, chilly but filled with cleansing power. 

Think of what you yearn most for, and look into My waters. You look into the water, watching your reflection in the waves. You see your reflection morph into your manifestations, the successes to come as the Full Moon shows Her strength. You feel your body rejuvenated, not only by the power of the Moon Goddess but also by your own strength and will to meet your accomplishments. You are Blessed by Her, full of renewed power for the coming year.

My chosen animal will guide your way home, She says. Do not forget your blessing, and feel My energy with you every day. You thank the Moon Goddess for her guidance and energy, bowing your head in respect. You step out of the water and slip your shoes back on. The water The Moon cleansed you with is not uncomfortable or soaking your shoes. The owl hoots once more and flaps its wings, calling for you. You follow it through the grove, the Moon’s guiding light shining as you return from where you came.

As we end this meditation, center yourself and take another deep breath. Feel your feet ground you as you return to this plane. Once you are ready, slowly open your eyes.

Chant & Calling the Quarters

We’ll sing “We Are a Circle” now. Feel free to stand, but don’t feel pressured to.

ALL: We are a circle within a circle, with no beginning and never-ending. (x3)

Form circle deosil around the group with wand (x1) to the pace of the chant

Now, to call the quarters.

East/Air Quarter Caller: Guardians of the East, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of knowledge and wisdom, guided by Air, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!

Light yellow candle

ALL: Hail and welcome.

South/Fire Quarter Caller: Guardians of the South, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of energy and will, guided by Fire, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!

Light red candle

ALL: Hail and welcome.

West/Water Quarter Caller: Guardians of the West, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of passion and emotion, guided by Water, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!

Light blue candle

ALL: Hail and welcome.

North/Earth Quarter Caller: Guardians of the North, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of endurance and strength, guided by Earth, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!

Light green candle

ALL: Hail and welcome.

Center/Spirit Quarter Caller: Guardians of Above and Below, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of grounding and balance, guided by Spirit, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!

Light white and black candles

ALL: Hail and welcome.

The Meaning of the Moon

February’s Full Moon, also known as the Snow Moon, is named for the time of year when snow is typically at its heaviest. It’s also known as the Quickening Moon due to many animals expecting birth and the “quickening” of the Earth below our feet in the spring, or the Hunger Moon, because of the difficulty of finding food during the harsh winter months. While the nights are getting shorter, winter is not yet behind us. 

Nonetheless, it’s a time to celebrate new beginnings, courage, and self-reflection. It’s a time to mark the completion of a cycle and meditate on what you’ve done not only successfully, but where to improve in the future. The Snow Moon shows there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and the warmth of spring in the coming months will bring new joy.

The Snow Moon for 2024 is under Virgo, symbolizing purification, healing, and grounding. The energy around you changes with the Moon’s phases, allowing for further growth and banishment of negative energy. Spring is on its way, and the old thought patterns of 2023 are now behind us. 

Writing and organization are also key themes. You may have felt the urge to pick up a paper and pen or clean your workspace, which is typical and encouraged! It’s an excellent time to start Spring cleaning and make your home and hearth comfortable as we await the colorful blooms that Ostara will bring in March.

As displayed in the Triple Moon Goddess, the Full Moon is the Mother. According to Jung’s theory of the Collective Unconscious, the Mother is a symbol of the Divine Feminine, filled with nurturing, loving, and compassionate energy. Examples of the Mother include the Goddesses Demeter and Selene from the Hellenic pantheon, Ceres from Roman mythology, or the Badb from Celtic lore. The archetype persists in Pagan influences and other religious influences in pop culture, such as Selûne from The Forgotten Realms or The Dolorosa from Homestuck. (Author's note: I know The Dolorosa is based on The Virgin Mary, but She still embodies the Mother archetype)

As the Earth slowly awakens around us for the changing seasons, She is there to guide us. The Mother represents growth, new life, and the love of all creatures on Earth. Though it may seem slow, new life is beginning to bloom. Her earthly womb is fertile, and the Spring will offer birth to all manner of flora and fauna. As the Full Moon rises above, Her Grace will continue to bloom.

Cone of Power

Now, for the Cone of Power. Stand if you’re able, with hands linked. Left hand under, right hand over.

ALL: Ancient Lady, Ancient Moon 

Rising now above us 

We gather in Your sacred grove 

Asking that You bless us.

Repeat louder & faster until energy is built, then call release.

Drawing Cards & Intentions

Full Moons are a time particularly suited for divination and connected to the Fae, as it was thought they’d be particularly active under the light of the Full Moon. I invite each of you to pull a card from my Fairy Tarot deck.

Walk around with deck fanned and allow each person to pull one card.

Inspect the card. Look at the imagery in the artwork. Read the description at the bottom of the card. Now, take this information in. Think of how it applies to your accomplishments this past Moon cycle and what you want to manifest in the future. It’s time to be grateful for yourself and your power and celebrate big and small events. 

Pass around papers and pens.

With these in mind, take a paper and pen and write your intention for the coming weeks. It can be anything. For example, good health, time for relaxation, or the energy you need for practicing your Craft at home. Once you’ve written your intention, fold it up and place it in the cauldron. We’ll light it at the end of the night.

Simple Feast

It's time for cakes and ale. We have unleaded, ________________ provided by ________________, and leaded, ________________  provided by ________________. We also have ________________ for cakes, provided by ________________.

Pass around wafers, cups, and drinks.

May you never hunger.

ALL: May you never hunger.

May you never thirst.

ALL: May you never thirst.

Dismissing the Quarters & Farewell

Now, to thank the quarters.

North/Earth Quarter Caller: Guardians of the North, powers of endurance and strength, guided by Earth, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!

Extinguish green candle

ALL: Hail and farewell.

West/Water Quarter Caller: Guardians of the West, powers of passion and emotion, guided by Water, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!

Extinguish blue candle

ALL: Hail and farewell.

South/Fire Quarter Caller: Guardians of the South, powers of energy and will, guided by Fire, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!

Extinguish red candle

ALL: Hail and farewell.

East/Air Quarter Caller: Guardians of the East, powers of knowledge and wisdom, guided by Air, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!

Extinguish yellow candle

ALL: Hail and farewell.

Center/Spirit Quarter Caller: Guardians of Above and Below, powers of grounding and balance, guided by Spirit, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!

Extinguish white and black candles

ALL: Hail and farewell.

The Circle is open, yet the Circle remains as its magical power is drawn back into us. 

ALL: Merry meet, and Merry part, and Merry meet again! So mote it be.

Bibliography

“Badb.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Nov. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badb.

Boeckmann, Catherine. “Snow Moon: Full Moon in February 2024.” Almanac.Com, 9 Feb. 2024, www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-february.

Brethauer, Amanda. “Snow Moon: The Extraordinary Full Moon of February 2024.” The Peculiar Brunette, 1 Feb. 2024, www.thepeculiarbrunette.com/february-full-snow-moon-spiritual-meaning-definition-and-how-to-celebrate/.

Butler-Bowdon, Tom. 50 Psychology Classics: Your Shortcut to the Most Important Ideas on the Mind, Personality and Human Nature. Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2017.

Chamberlain, Lisa. “Maiden, Mother, and Crone: The Wiccan Triple Goddess.” Wicca Living, 6 Nov. 2017, wiccaliving.com/wiccan-triple-goddess/.

“Dictionary.” SpanishDictionary.Com, www.spanishdict.com/pronunciation/dolorosa. Accessed 10 Feb. 2024.

Gardiner, Barbi. “Exploring February’s Full Moon: A Night under a Glowing Snow Moon.” The Outdoor Apothecary, 29 Dec. 2023, www.outdoorapothecary.com/februarys-full-moon/.

Gardiner, Barbi. “The 12 Full Moons: Their Names, Meaning, and Magical Influence.” The Outdoor Apothecary, 29 Dec. 2023, www.outdoorapothecary.com/full-moons/.

Gladheart, Friday. The Practical Witch’s Almanac 2024. Microcosm Publishing, 2023.

“Jungian Confrerie.” The Mother Archetype, www.jungian-confrerie.com/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/8209?opendocument&part=24. Accessed 10 Feb. 2024.

“Moonlight and Flowers on Tumblr: February’s Full Moon (Snow Moon) - Correspondences.” Tumblr, 10 Feb. 2019, www.tumblr.com/moonlight-and-flowerss/182706308866/this-year-februarys-full-moon-will-be-on-the.

“Norse Pagan Witchcraft on Tumblr: Moon Phases and Correspondences.” Tumblr, 3 Jan. 2020, www.tumblr.com/trolldomblog/190029034485/moon-phases-and-correspondences.

Nykos. “Snow Moon Magic.” The Witch and Wand, The Witch and Wand, 12 Nov. 2022, www.thewitchandwand.com/post/snow-moon-magic.

“Porrim Maryam (Post-Scratch).” MS Paint Adventures Wiki, Fandom, Inc., mspaintadventures.fandom.com/wiki/Porrim_Maryam_(post-scratch). Accessed 10 Feb. 2024.

Russell, Davy. “Full Moon in Virgo.” DavyandTracy, 23 Aug. 2023, davyandtracy.com/spirituality/full-moon-in-virgo/.

“Selûne.” Forgotten Realms Wiki, Fandom, Inc., forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Sel%C3%BBne. Accessed 10 Feb. 2024.

“Triple Goddess (Neopaganism).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Feb. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_Goddess_(Neopaganism)#:~:text=These%20three%20figures%20are%20often,consort%20is%20the%20Horned%20God.

Wigington, Patti. “February’s Quickening Moon.” Learn Religions, Learn Religions, 14 Nov. 2019, www.learnreligions.com/quickening-moon-2562394.

Wigington, Patti. “The Maiden, Mother, and Crone of Pagan Traditions.” Learn Religions, Learn Religions, 28 Jan. 2019, www.learnreligions.com/maiden-mother-and-crone-2562881. 

Special thanks to @elunoir-unlovable for the help with the native pronunciation of Badb!

[brookston]

Holidays 3.7

Holidays

Alexander Graham Bell Day

Arbor Day (California)

Be Heard Day

Bird Day (California)

Bloody Sunday Anniversary Day (Selma, Alabama)

Chamorro Heritage Day (Guam)

Cybercombine Day (Prudentianopolis)

Doronicum Day (French Republic)

Equal Pay Day (Gleicher Bezahlungstag; Germany)

Finnmarkslopet Dog Sled Race (Finland)

First Planting Festival (Elder Scrolls)

Get Grandma To Write Down Her Meatloaf Recipe Day

Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Day (British Virgin Islands)

International Brick Maker Day

International Day of the Anti-Fascist Woman

International Women’s Day (Angola, Tajikistan)

INTERPOL International Day of Remembrance for Fallen Officers

Jose Abad Day (Philippines)

Liberation of Sulaymaniyah (Iraqi Kurdistan)

Mahasivarathri Day (Sri Lanka)

Maritime Day (Slovenia)

Masaryk Day (Czech Republic, Slovakia)

Maslenitsa (Russia)

National Ben Day

National Carol Day

National Cooper Day

National Day of Lesbian Visibility (Argentina)

National Heroes and Benefactors Day (Belize)

National Sauna Day (Japan)

National Sharon Day

National Slam the Scam Day

National Teresa Day

Neil Diamond Day (Las Vegas)

Nones of March (Ancient Rome)

Plant Power Day (UK)

Say Hello Day

Suez Canal Day

Teacher’s Day (Albania)

Texas Energy Day (Texas)

307 Day

Transport and Telecommunication Workers Day (Turkmenistan)

World Oneness Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Cereal Day

National Crown Roast of Pork Day

National Flapjack Day

Punsch Roll Day (Sweden)

1st Thursday in March

Kid Lit Art Postcard Day [1st Thursday]

Nametag Day [Thursday of Name Week]

National Hospitalist Day [1st Thursday]

National Vending Day [1st Thursday]

White Ribbon Day (Massachusetts) [1st Thursday]

World Book Day (Ireland, UK) [1st Thursday]

Independence & Related Days

Aleutian Islands (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Sulaymaniyah Liberation Day (Iraqi Kurdistan)

Festivals Beginning March 7, 2024

Antikmässan (Stockholm, Sweden) [thru 3. 10]

Brazilian Beer Festival (Blumeneau, Brazil) [thru 3.9]

Cincinnati International Wine Festival (Cincinnati, Ohio) [thru 3.9]

Crufts Dog Show (Birmingham, England) [thru 3. 10]

Eastern Bison Association Winter Conference (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) [thru 3.9]

Fulton Oysterfest (Fulton, Texas) [thru 3.10]

Limassol Carnival (Limassol, Cyprus) [thru 3. 17]

National Coffee Association Convention (Nashville, Tennessee) [thru 3.9]

New England Brew Summit (Portland, Maine)

Red, White & Snow (Park City, Utah) [thru 3.9]

Sustainable Wine Dinner Series (Los Angeles, California)

The WhiskyX (Miami, Florida)

Feast Days

Ardo (Christian; Saint)

Barbara Eden Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Billy (Muppetism)

Boris Kustodiev (Artology)

Contradiction Day (No It’s Not!; Pastafarian)

The Devil Is God Reversed Day (Everyday Wicca)

Drausius (a.k.a. Drausin; Christian; Saint)

Empodocles (Positivist; Saint)

Edward Landseer (Artology)

Esterwine (Christian; Saint)

Festival for Vedovus (God of the Dead & Volcanic Movements; Ancient Rome)

Impeachment of March Goblins (Shamanism)

José Olallo (Christian; Saint)

Junoalia (Old Roman Festival to Juno)

Leonid Feodorov (Russian Greek Catholic Church)

March Storms and Blasting Rods Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Milton Avery (Artology)

Paul the Simple (Christian; Saint)

Perpetua and Felicity (Christian; Saints & Martyrs)

Piet Mondrian (Artology)

Psyche’s Day (Pagan)

Pierre-Henri Dorie, Siméon-François Berneux (Christian; part of The Korean Martyrs)

Theophylact (Christian; Saint)

Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church (Christian; Saint)

Treachery Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Tuan Reincarnation Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

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

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 11 of 60)

Premieres

Alice the Collegiate (Disney Cartoon; 1927)

The Caine Mutiny, by Herman Wouk (Novel; 1951)

Coal Miner’s Daughter

Foxes (Film; 1980)

The Edible Woman, by Margaret Atwood (Novel; 1969)

Erlkönig, by Franz Schubert (Lied; 1821)

From Genesis to Revelation, by Genesis (Album; 1969)

The Golden Eggs (Disney Cartoon; 1941)

The Grand Budapest Hotel (Film; 2014)

Grateful Gus (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1958)

Highlander (Film; 1986)

The Home Guard (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

The Long Goodbye (Film; 1973)

Mame (Film; 1974)

Mickey’s Grand Opera (Disney Cartoon; 1936)

Mirror (Russian Film; 1975)

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (Film; 2008)

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (Animated Film; 2014)

My Beautiful Launderette (Film; 1986)

The Nude Who Never, by Ted Mark (Novel; 1965)

The Old Mill Pond (Happy Harmonies Cartoon; 1936)

Olive’s Sweepstake Ticket (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1941)

Our Lady of the Flowers, by Jean Genet (Novel; 1943)

Page Miss Glory (WB MM Cartoon; 1936)

Pistol Packin’ Woodpecker (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1960)

Post Office, by Charles Bukowski (Novel; 1971)

A Room with a View (Film; 1986)

Royal Cat Nap (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1958)

Sailor Moon (Japanese Anime Series; 1992)

The Six Million Dollar Man (TV Series; 1973)

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost (Poem; 1923)

Taboo (Adult Film; 1980)

Things Ain’t What They Used To Be, recorded by Johnny Hodges and his Orchestra (Song; 1941)

Way Out West, by Sonny Rollins (Album; 1957)

Young Americans, by David Bowie (Album; 1975)

Today’s Name Days

Felicitas, Perpetua, Reinhard (Austria)

Bogoljub, Felicita, Perpetua, Teofil (Croatia)

Tomáš (Czech Republic)

Perpetua (Denmark)

Ralf, Raul, Rolf, Rudolf, Ruudi, Ruut (Estonia)

Taika, Tarja, Taru (Finland)

Félicie, Félicité, Nathan (France)

Felicitas, Felizitas, Perpet, Reinhard, Volker (Germany)

Evgenios (Greece)

Tamás (Hungary)

Quintilio, Tommaso (Italy)

Ella, Elmira (Latvia)

Felicita, Galmantė, Rimtautas, Tomas (Lithuania)

Are, Arild (Norway)

Felicja, Nadmir, Paweł, Polikarp, Tomasz (Poland)

Efrem (Romania)

Tomáš (Slovakia)

Felicidad, Perpetua (Spain)

Camilla, Ottilia (Sweden)

Davon, Devan, Deven, Devin, Devon, Devonta, Devonte, Devyn, Dewey, Lothar, Luther (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 67 of 2024; 299 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of week 10 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Nuin (Ash) [Day 19 of 28]

Chinese: Month 1 (Bing-Yin), Day 27 (Geng-Wu)

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

Hebrew: 27 Adair I 5784

Islamic: 26 Sha’ban 1445

J Cal: 7 Green; Sevenday [7 of 30]

Julian: 23 February 2024

Moon: 10%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 11 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Thucydides]

Runic Half Month: Tyr (Cosmic Pillar) [Day 13 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 78 of 89)

Week: 1st Week of March

Zodiac: Pisces (Day 18 of 30)

[adrl-pt]

Expansion of a Military Biolab Near Moscow. March Against Putin and the War. Winter Arrives in Ukraine

You are watching news from the weekly rally at the Russian Embassy in Lisbon. Today is November 2, 2:30 PM.

On October 25, The Washington Post released satellite images of a military research site near Moscow, where 10 new buildings are under construction to expand the Soviet-era biolab Sergiev Posad-6. In an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, the laboratory’s military commander, Sergei Borisevich, described the facility as "the cornerstone of the country's biological defense system." The 48th Central Research Institute, which operates out of Sergiev Posad, has been linked to chemical weapons development, notably those used in the assassination attempts on Alexei Navalny and the Skripals. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/interactive/2024/russia-biological-chemical-weapons-laboratory-expansion/

And it may also be related to the two poisonings of Vladimir Kara-Murza. https://ru.bellingcat.com/novosti/russia/2021/03/20/vladimir-kara-murza-tailed-by-members-of-fsb-squad-prior-to-suspected-poisonings-ru/

On October 30, recently exchanged opposition figures Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin, and Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexei Navalny, announced a solidarity march for November 17. Their demands: remove Putin from power and try him as a war criminal, withdraw troops from Ukraine, and release political prisoners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQPlIf8rRKM

The cover of the announcement video includes Russian flags, which sparked considerable debate. Vladimir Kara-Murza explained to Dozhd TV that the march references the anti-war march in Moscow on September 21, 2014, organized by Boris Nemtsov, who was assassinated a few months later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3vDyhdwi3w

At Associação de russos livres, we believe that although the Russian tricolor was a revolutionary symbol in the 90s, it has now become a symbol of conquest and war crimes. For this reason, it is banned at our actions. Bring our symbol of resistance to war and Putinism: the white-blue-white flag.

We, along with other Russian anti-war activists in the Free Russians Global community, are already planning actions in our cities. Expect an announcement in Lisbon as well. https://freerussians.global/

Yesterday, it was reported that after a year under house arrest, Belarusian filmmaker and activist Andrei Gnyot has been released and has left Serbia. https://www.facebook.com/andrew.gnyot/posts/pfbid025UVtkWTsFpZovZr6L4A5G2e2FjpqRGazsSRtKasYqzRkraAx1M3ryxxXfGAw5Cvcl

On October 21, Russian anti-war activist Vladislav Arinichev was released from prison in Croatia, though his trials are still ahead, and he continues to need support. https://www.facebook.com/CentarzaMirovneStudije/posts/pfbid03ak6W3rXgH5Z6C8z1wC7iftLxPazKsaMEz2s6zoopT4inMmgNEnsLWPie3wcGLK4l

On October 16, Serbia ordered Anton Bobryshev, a Russian with an anti-war position, to leave the country within a month after his residency permit renewal was denied. https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/rusija-srbija-bezbednosni-rizik/33161057.html

On October 27, Le Monde reported that, using publicly available data shared by users of the Strava sports app, security personnel for top officials of several countries could be identified. Pay attention to your security: just because you can share certain information doesn’t mean you should. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2024/10/27/strava-the-exercise-app-filled-with-security-holes_6730709_13.html

Meteorologist Natalka Didenko reported on Friday that a cold atmospheric front has reached Ukraine. On November 4, several regions are expected to experience wet snow and strong winds. https://www.facebook.com/tala.didenko/posts/pfbid028KWpjWEEBinTc2U3LCE5PNTCzMmGbuRp3nE5tvEKU6n5GecdwPmoQrxUPW51zcb2l

Therefore, let’s quickly close the fundraiser for portable power stations, organized alongside other Russian anti-war associations, to support Ukrainian hospitals and schools. https://antiwarcommittee.info/en/energy-for-life/

Proofs and links are in the description. Subscribe and help!

Schedule of our activities, 11 social networks in 3 languages and much more on our website: https://adrl.pt/en

[artist-issues]

Quick reminder: when you're criticizing someone or something in the public arena, remember that you should really be defending a good value.

I argue in long obnoxious posts against Rachel Zegler and Greta Gerwig's takes on Snow White, and I argue FOR Cinderella, because I believe in certain values. And those values are under attack. It's not because I actually care what a young actress with eight years of experience or every random blogger on tumblr thinks.

It's because the ideas and values that certain movies represent are under attack, and they're worth defending.

And even my defense is worth defending, because it all needs to point back to worthwhile values.

You want to tell me my posts are being written because I'm just a racist or anti-feminist or jealous or whatever? I'm going to correct you. Not because I care what you think of me: but because if we're going to fight, let's fight over something worthwhile. If you're going to sling your stones, I'm going to make sure you know what you're really slinging them at. Because you don't know me: ALL you know of me is what I post and what I argue for. Therefore your attacks are, once again, against my values.

And I am going to stand up for those values. Self-sacrifice, the worth of love between men and women, innocence, and faith are all worth me shining a spotlight on with my arguments. They're worth all the time I take typing, they're worth all the tedious replies, and they're worth taking the trouble to get them out there for others to stumble across, among the weeds and the rants.

That's what I'm encouraging everybody who has values to do. Before you froth at the mouth against a celebrity or another blogger for something they said, ask yourself why. What values are they attacking, and are you defending them by replying? If so, it's worth it.

[crimson-catalyst]

nephfei's Mending Day 2024 was going to be set in Atala, the centicorn capital, but didn't quuiiite make it around jac's busy schedule - but that didnt stop me from unlocking the deep Laika lore for @skittykittycat's Ersie! written piece once more.

(related introduction: Ersie's Mending Day 2023 && followup comic (4 panels) sorry the intermediate time is trapped in discord speculation hell LOL)

~~~~~

bzt bzt!

A text? This late? Ersie carefully shifts the pizza box she’s carrying to get at her phone and flicks it on. It's Laika, replying to her invitation to lunch from much earlier this morning.

sorry i missed you 😭 maybe we can catch each other next week instead?

Well, she was still in the neighborhood... and she had all this leftover pizza that had been thrust upon her by the showrunners at the gig she had just left. What would it hurt to stop by?

aw nbd  💖 im just a block away actually if ur still up and want to say hi rq?

my clients gave me a whole box of pizza if u wanna take some off my paws 😭😂

Laika’s usually fast to reply so she should hear back before she leaves the area... Hope she was okay earlier, Ersie muses. Probably just busy at the studio for Mending Day photoshoots.

bzt bzt!

youre too sweet 💚💛🧡 though id hate to make you go out of ur way

Heck with it, Ersie figures. She’s exhausted socially and physically but whats one more quick visit? Maybe her batteries are so shot that it'll nerf her anxiety (ha, as if). And besides, she’ll never eat this much pizza alone.

its no biggie ill cya soon ;3 

She shoots back a text, plucking the box out of the air so as not to risk magic overuse. Laika’s is... she pivots. This way!

Swapping the stupid box to her other paw again - she really should just use magic, honestly - Ersie pokes the faulty doorbell until she hears its distant chime.

“Hey,” Laika’s mane ruffles in the rush of air as the door opens on her snow white halo. “Late night gig hunh? Don’t let me keep you out too long.” Her voice peaks and cracks. Ersie’s certain her smile is forced.

“Y-yeah,” should she say something?? “A little uh, ~Anti-Mending Day~ rave. It was neat, I’ve never been to something like it! Their previous sparky recc’ed me.” She holds her tongue, as much as she’d like to gush more about the event. It’s late, Laika’s clearly tired...

“There’s so much happening today! Nobody can agree what Mending Day should be about,” she sniffles and not-so-subtly wipes her red nose with a paw. “Haha, I wonder if we would’ve even been able to find a place for lunch. Sorry about that, by the way...”

Okay, she’s not just tired. Every curious bone in Ersie’s body screams for her to pry, especially after last year’s Mending Day when she came home from Roost and talked Laika’s ear off. What had this cat so expertly avoided telling Ersie about her past?

“No no it’s okay! I wouldn’t have been able to stay long anyway what with early setup.” don’t ask, Ersie, don't- “.... Iiis everything okay?” ah.

Laika’s smile falters.

“I just! mean, um, was it busy at the studio today? Or did you have a date that didn’t- ah, um, spent time with family and all their drama-” she was just making this worse. “Ohh my gods. ahem. Did someone-” Ersie!!!! “sorry. SORRY.”

She can feel her cheeks burning as she sinks into the floor, only to be assuaged by a peal of quiet but genuine laughter as Laika giggles at her. Her ears perk up and she looks up at her friend standing in the door. Tears are pricking her eyes, but her smile is real this time.

“Ersie, Ersie; it's okay. You’re right, today sucked.” she hiccups on the last word. “Get in here, I owe you the tea anyway.” She steps back and out of the doorway, gesturing Ersie inside.

“I- you don't have to tell me if you're not ready.”

“I spent all day wishing I’d already told you so I didn't feel like such a jerk calling off lunch. But- only if you don't have to get home,”  she adds, “Don't let me make this all about me.”

“My plan for the night was ‘scroll KucKoo and eat cold pizza.’” Ersie grins.

“Then let's gossip and eat cold pizza. Heavens knows my life is a KucKoo-worthy story as it is, and I skipped dinner.” Laika rolls her eyes, then offers her paws for the box and takes it as Ersie walks into the condo.

“There’s a coaster next to you,” Laika hands Ersie a glass of cherry soda. She reaches her little paws out of the huge plush blanket she’s already nestled in. Ersie’s kind of couch, honestly. She loved visiting Laika’s place. She chirps a quick “Thanks!!”

She takes a little sip as Laika sets down her own drink and arranges herself in a mountain of pillows, carefully tucking her massive tail around herself. “Goddsssss. Okay.” Laika takes a deep breath to hype herself up, sniffling a little bit. “Sorry I'm such a MESS I've been holed up in here all day. Urghhh.”

“The Atala ex?” Ersie guesses. Not that she knows any more than that.

“The one and only,” she groans. “Mending D-day” she chokes, “Is- was- our anniversary. Both for dating and-” she gestures as her horn, and hisses with unmistakable venom. “-this.”

Ersie hides her surprise with another sip of soda. She’s never heard Laika’s voice that hard.

“I just- I’m thinking a lot about how Mending Day was originally all about thanking the other nephs for their generosity to spinx - I mean, I think it's bunk, but that's not the point. He was a religious neph. He chose today. Did he know? Was it just coincidence? I -” she pauses. “Wait. Let me start over, there’s so much to this." She adjusts her tail one more time and shakes her head to clear it, then spreads her beans out dramatically to start the tale.

“So you know I’m from Atala?”

Ersie nods.

“I moved here when Urban Fabrics hired me. That was it, I’ve been working there since I set my first paw on the Catalis pavement - technically I was an employee even before that legally speaking.”

---

“Danik! Danik, I got scouted!”

“You what?” the centicorn turned his head to her as he hung up his coat. She had grabbed the mail first on their way in; he had picked her up from work.

“I got a job offer from Urban Fabrics Company!!” Laika squealed, hopping with excitement as she clutched her letter.

“Urban Fabrics? The guys who put on Next Top Meowdel?? From when they visited your salon? Oh babe, that's so cool! For how long?”

She holds the papers out to him proudly across the apartment. “They have a permanent show stylist position opening up!! Oh my gods, this is a DREAM...”

“Is it for the run of a show? I don’t know anything about showbiz.” he walks behind her, touching her fur gently, and peers over her shoulder at the text. “Six months??”

“That's just the trial contract,” Laika explains, giddy. “Then if they like you you get onboarded on salary. They can afford to be picky.”

“Can you say no?”

“I- sure probably,” she flicks her ears, confused. “If the work environment sucks that's also my opportunity to bail. It’s a win-win.”

“That could work,” He nods thoughtfully behind her. “It’s a long time, but then you’ve got a glowing star on your resume, and we don’t have to move to Catalis.”

Her brain short circuits and she’s silent for a moment.

“What do you- it’s not for one show, it's for the company as a whole, indefinitely. If I get the full-time position we would have to.”

“Why would we move to Catalis?? All our family is here, all our friends are here! We have duties and jobs here and a home! We’d be insane to leave.”

Laika clutches the papers back to her chest, ears flattening. She edges away from her partner as she turns to face him.

“I’d be insane to pass this up! This is the opportunity of a lifetime, Danik, this is the kind of thing you leave behind your childhood for!”

“We’ve always planned to raise our family here!”

“But-”

"But nothing!" The centicorn leans forward over Laika, sweeping an arm in front of him angrily. “We can’t leave our parents, and the temple! I grew up with that congregation - and you're a part of it now too - and we’ve known for a while I’m going to be next on the council!”

“I don't remember talking about either of those things,” Laika mutters stonily.

“Sure we have! forever!! Adopting twins if we can find any? Twilight and Astarion? A mushroom house? You a stylist and me a cleric, on the side while we're parenting???” his hooves sound like firecrackers on the tiled floor as he clops to underline each point.

“Wh- Danik, we last talked about baby names playing hooky behind the school! We aren’t sixteen anymore!! We’re adults with different plans than an idyllic two-and-a-half foals in Atala!”

“You haven't given me any reason to think that wasn’t the plan!”

Her eyes burn with tears and she thrusts the letter in his face. “Well here’s your reason! I want this job that I’ve dreamed of since I got licensed and I want to move to Catalis for it!”

---

Laika faceplants into a pillow and growls in frustration before looking back up at Ersie.

“Like, am I wrong that fangirling over a show so hard that you build a successful career around it and talk about working for them all the time is pretty clear communication? Are Atalan centicorns just that dense??” She throws her paw up in an exasperated one-handed shrug.

Ersie doesn't respond, furiously tapping out some final words on her phone and flips around a shitty meme generator. 'i am dropping hints that i want to work for urban fabrics.' Laika laughs a sharp “HA” and throws the pillow at her, giggling through her tears.

“I mean, clearly you probably should've talked about it,” Ersie admits, “but he could've done the same, girl!!”

“TRUE!” Laika crows, picking up another piece of the cold sheet pizza. Pillows are all over the floor and they've both been back and forth to the kitchen to refill their drinks. They're laughing more than Laika is crying, but it's hard not to feel punchy when you're this tired this late at night. Maybe it's for the best.

"What gets me is that even though the first fight SUCKED I was open to work it out! I tried so many times to have a rational conversation about our future and how much it meant to me - even a long-distance thing - and he just dug his damn hooves in deeper and deeper." She bites her pizza in revenge. "My tipping point was realizing that my friends and my family were barely in the area anymore, and he was only really tallying his. Eventually it was him or the job. His words!! Not even kidding!!!"

"Wow, scumbag much?"

"URGHHH with every year I agree with that more and more, but... we were together for almost fifteen years. He wasn't shitty for most of it... just the very end." Laika droops again, sniffling.

"I don't know, not being willing to even listen to your partner when they say 'this is important to me' doesn't seem like an issue you develop overnight." Ersie tilts her head. "It simply hadn't come up, I guess."

Laika clutches a new pillow and squeezes it, looking away. "Yeah...."

"And!" Ersie adds, "He was ~sooo~ good at communicating in other situations. Like the plan for your entire future. Relationships can't just be trivial things; what if it was about something else? Like kids?? It HAS to be better that this-" she waves a paw, "-happened when it did and not later."

"You're right," Laika sighs. "That's what I keep telling myself too. Gods, he's so good at communicating that 'I just need some space' became 'I'm never gonna acknowledge your existence again.' Not that it matters, I don't want to talk to him anymore."

"In three years??"

"Nope. Nothing. Not since I walked out the door."

"Damn. Cold."

"I broke his heart, I guess." She's trying to shrink into the pillow but it's much too small. "It sucks," she laughs bitterly, "to have a constant reminder of him nailed to my forehead. Sometimes I wish he'd corrupt me."

"...to prove he hates you too?"

"I don't.... hate him. It's complicated, I......" she growls. "Alright. Yeah. A little. But that's not my point, I was kinda getting at this earlier; it's been on my mind all day. You went to an Anti-Mending Day rave, right?"

"Worked it, but close enough." It's a fine line of distinction in Ersie's profession.

"Yeah, and.... there's Destruction Day protestors too. I don't entirely agree with them either but it's gotten me thinking. Does he know? Did he know how much this tied me to him? He was religious, he must have. How much it was expected of Atalan spinxyn - or at least in our neck of the woods - to get gifted horns if they 'did it right', nevermind what 'it' was? You know what I mean." she gestures vaguely to Ersie's normal, empty, catlike shoulders.

Ersie's mind instantly flashes to her brothers. "Ohhhhh yeah. I get it. At least for us it's-" she scrambles for a word. "-more casual? Even a friend can gift you your wings." she snorts, and amends with heavy airquotes, " """Your""" wings, as if everyone should have them. But you know how harpips are, especially in comparison to centicorns."

"It's true! Atalan centicorns, at least, are more reticent. You have to ~earn it~." Laika rolls onto her back and punches the pillow with her back legs, flipping it into the air and over the back of the couch. "I dunno. It's hard to say, he was a part of the system too. I don't think he did anything malicious; he made it look like my tail and he gave me a mane..."

"Your HAIR is his????" Laika, famous(ly employed) hairdresser? Her whole life was her fur!

"IT IS!" She howls with surprised delight that only comes about well past one's bedtime, "You didn't know??"

"I mean I guess he did a good job! Or YOU do a better job blending it in!" Ersie grins and flicks Laika's head fur with her tailtip, happy to have lightened the mood a little again. "I can't believe you've gotta look him in the mirror every single day."

"Yeah..." Laika's burst of energy sputters out again all too quickly. It's late, and the soda's wearing off.

She holds two fingers out in a circle like a telescope. "I try not to think about it too much but being spinxyn kind of sucks sometimes."

“Yeah.”

The girls sit in silence for a moment.

“You should come with me to the Anti-Mending Day rave next year.”

“Yeah. I should. That sounds like fun.”

[newstfionline]

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Spring starts early as US winter was warmest on record (AP) Across much of America and especially in the normally chilly north, the country went through the winter months without, well, winter. In parka strongholds Burlington, Vermont, and Portland, Maine, the thermometer never plunged below zero. The state of Minnesota called the last three months “the lost winter,” warmer than its infamous “year without a winter” in 1877-1878. Michigan, where mosquitos were biting in February, offered disaster loans to businesses hit by a lack of snow. The Great Lakes set records for low winter ice, with Erie and Ontario “essentially ice-free.” For a wide swath of the country from Colorado to New Jersey, and Texas to the Carolinas, spring leaves are arriving three to four weeks earlier than the 1991-2020 average, according to the National Phenology Network, which tracks the timing of plants, insects and other natural signs of the seasons.

US ‘prepper’ culture diversifies amid fear of disaster and political unrest (Reuters) Thirty-year-old Brook Morgan surveyed booths at the “Survival & Prepper Show” in Colorado that were stocked with boxes of ammunition, mounds of trauma medical kits, and every type of knife imaginable. Morgan is one of a new breed of Americans getting ready to survive political upheaval and natural catastrophes, a pursuit that until recently was largely associated with far-right movements such as white nationalists since the 1980s. Researchers say the number of preppers has doubled in size to about 20 million since 2017. Much of that growth is from minorities and people considered left-of-center politically, whose sense of insecurity was heightened by Donald Trump’s 2016 election, the COVID-19 pandemic, more frequent extreme weather and the 2020 racial justice protests following the murder of George Floyd.

UnitedHealth could take months to fully recover from hack (Reuters) UnitedHealth Group, the largest U.S. health insurer, is likely to need several months to make a full recovery from a cyberattack that has been one of the most disruptive hacks against America's healthcare infrastructure, security experts said. The insurer’s Change Healthcare unit processes about half the medical claims in the US and its offerings touch a third of US patient records. In short, it’s a smorgasbord for hackers. The company expects its payment platform to be operational on March 15, and its claims network three days later. Doctors face a hard choice because of the hack: stop treating patients or stop paying staff.

Foreigners trapped in violence-torn Haiti wait desperately for a way out (AP) Dozens of foreigners, including many from the United States and Canada, are stranded in Haiti, desperately trying to leave the violence-torn country where anti-government gangs are battling police and have already shut down both of the country’s international airports. They were in Haiti for reasons ranging from adoptions to missionary and humanitarian work. Now, they are locked down in hotels and homes, unable to leave by air, sea or land as Haiti remains paralyzed by the mayhem and the gangs’ demands that Prime Minister Ariel Henry resign. “We are seriously trapped,” said Richard Phillips, a 65-year-old from the Canadian capital, Ottawa, who has traveled to Haiti more than three dozen times to work on projects for the United Nations, USAID and now, a Haitian nonprofit called Papyrus.

A lonely radio nerd. A poet. Vladimir Putin’s crackdown sweeps up ordinary Russians (AP) A lonely man jailed for criticizing the government on his ham radio. A poet assaulted by police after he recited a poem objecting to Russia’s war in Ukraine. A low-profile woman committed to a psychiatric facility for condemning the invasion on social media. President Vladimir Putin’s 24 years in power are almost certain to be extended six more by this month’s presidential election. That leadership has transformed Russia. A country that tolerated some dissent is now one that ruthlessly suppresses it. Along with opposition politicians, independent journalists and human rights activists, ordinary Russians have been increasingly swept up in a crackdown reminiscent of the Soviet era.

Turkey’s Erdogan says March election will be his final, state media reports (Reuters) Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said local elections scheduled for March 31 would be his last vote, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Friday. Erdogan, modern Turkey’s most successful politician, has led the country for more than two decades. A winner of more than a dozen elections since 2002, Erdogan was re-elected for a five-year term during hotly contested elections in May 2023.

The Taliban once smashed TVs. Now it fosters YouTubers to promote its image. (Washington Post) The Taliban-run government is fostering a thriving community of YouTube influencers and video bloggers in Afghanistan, seeking to shape a positive narrative about the country by rewarding those who have welcome viewpoints with access to stories that can draw millions of views online. The Taliban, which smashed televisions and burned films in the 1990s during its first stint in power, is now using modern video technology in its radical campaign to remake Afghanistan. The regime grants influencers coveted broadcasting licenses that put them on an equal footing with TV networks and radio stations, and threatens to withdraw the licenses of those who break official rules. Influencers whose work is seen as benefiting the regime have been allowed to embed with government ministries and showcase their achievements. Meanwhile, videos that are critical of the Taliban have largely disappeared from platforms such as YouTube over the past two years as a result of Taliban pressure and self-censorship.

With Unusual Speed, Hong Kong Pushes Strict New Security Law (NYT) Under pressure from Beijing, officials in Hong Kong are scrambling to pass a long-shelved national security law that could impose life imprisonment for political crimes like treason, a move expected to further muzzle dissent in the Asian financial center. The law known as Article 23 has long been a source of public discontent in Hong Kong, a former British colony that had been promised certain freedoms when it was returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Now, it is expected to be enacted with unusual speed in the coming weeks. China has sought to tighten its grip over Hong Kong after massive antigovernment protests in 2019 engulfed the city, posing the greatest challenge to Beijing’s rule in years. Many protesters had taken to the streets to push back against Beijing’s encroachment over the city and its erosion of Hong Kong’s civil liberties, but Chinese officials said the demonstrations were instigated by Western forces seeking to destabilize the territory and China.

Taylor Swift gave Singapore’s economy a massive boost (Washington Post) Singapore is set to earn big money and a big reputation from hosting global pop sensation Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, analysts are calculating. Swift’s six sold-out concerts, which run from March 2 to 9, are expected to bring in an estimated $260 million to $375 million in tourism receipts, Erica Tay, Maybank director of macro research, told The Washington Post. The city-state is the latest beneficiary of “Swiftonomics,” the phenomenon named for the economic boost experienced by destinations of the record-breaking tour, which has surpassed $1 billion in global sales. Singapore’s GDP is likely to expand by 2.9 percent in the first quarter of the year—its highest in six quarters—Bloomberg News reported Friday, with economists raising predictions for annual growth from 2.3 percent to 2.5 percent.

Philippines strikes security deals as tensions rise with China at sea (Washington Post) The Philippines has been striking new defense agreements with other countries at a rapid clip, seeking to build what officials here call a “network of alliances” that could deter Chinese aggression in disputed waters. The Philippines has signed or entered discussions over new security agreements with at least 18 countries since a Chinese coast guard vessel flashed a military-grade laser at a Philippine coast guard ship in the South China Sea last year, according to the Philippine Defense Department. While the deepening Philippine alliance with the United States—which includes granting the U.S. military expanded access to Philippine military bases—has drawn much attention, Manila’s security campaign goes beyond Washington. Since 2022, the Philippines has inked new defense agreements with the European Union, India and Britain. Japan, Canada and France are looking at signing visiting-forces agreements with the Philippines, which would allow those countries to send troops to Philippine bases, according to their embassies.

At Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque, Ramadan brings uncertainty and fear (Washington Post) Just days before the start of Ramadan—the busiest and often most volatile month in Jerusalem’s Old City—the offices of al-Aqsa Mosque were bustling with preparations and uncertainty. Even in quieter years, al-Aqsa is a Ramadan tinderbox. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians come to worship at this mosque that has sat for more than a millennium on a site that both Muslims and Jews claim as sacred ground. It’s administered by Jordan, but access is controlled by Israeli security. Jews revere the site they call the Temple Mount as the location of the first and second temples and worship at the Western Wall, a remnant of the ancient complex. Muslims know it as the Noble Sanctuary, where the prophet Muhammad is said to have ascended to heaven. It’s the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest in Islam. The competing claims are one of the most challenging elements of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Clashes here have been a repeated flash point for war. With Ramadan only days away, tensions around al-Aqsa are soaring. Hard-liners in the Israeli government have pushed to limit the number, age and gender of Palestinians allowed on the plateau, prompting warnings from both sides that restrictions could lead to violence.

Europe and U.S. Plan to Supply Gaza by Sea, but Aid Groups Say It’s Not Enough (NYT/Reuters) A day after President Biden announced plans for maritime aid delivery to the Gaza Strip, European leaders said Friday they would deliver aid by ship as early as the weekend. But aid groups and Gaza officials criticized shipments by air or sea as too cumbersome, urging that vastly more food and medicine be supplied by trucks. The complications of delivering aid to the hungry residents of Gaza were underlined on Friday when the authorities in Gaza said at least five Palestinians were killed and several others were wounded after they were struck by packages of humanitarian aid that were dropped from an aircraft. The United Nations has warned that five months of war and an Israeli blockade have left hundreds of thousands of Gazans on the brink of starvation, prompting a variety of proposals to speed the delivery of food and other vital needs. Israel insists on inspecting all supplies going into Gaza, and aid trucks have been allowed in through just two border crossings—one from Egypt and one from Israel—in southern Gaza. One UN official said discussing complicated aid routes to reach territory blockaded by an ally “is absurd in a dark and cynical way.”

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 3.7

Holidays

Alexander Graham Bell Day

Arbor Day (California)

Be Heard Day

Bird Day (California)

Bloody Sunday Anniversary Day (Selma, Alabama)

Chamorro Heritage Day (Guam)

Cybercombine Day (Prudentianopolis)

Doronicum Day (French Republic)

Equal Pay Day (Gleicher Bezahlungstag; Germany)

Finnmarkslopet Dog Sled Race (Finland)

First Planting Festival (Elder Scrolls)

Get Grandma To Write Down Her Meatloaf Recipe Day

Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Day (British Virgin Islands)

International Brick Maker Day

International Day of the Anti-Fascist Woman

International Women’s Day (Angola, Tajikistan)

INTERPOL International Day of Remembrance for Fallen Officers

Jose Abad Day (Philippines)

Liberation of Sulaymaniyah (Iraqi Kurdistan)

Mahasivarathri Day (Sri Lanka)

Maritime Day (Slovenia)

Masaryk Day (Czech Republic, Slovakia)

Maslenitsa (Russia)

National Ben Day

National Carol Day

National Cooper Day

National Day of Lesbian Visibility (Argentina)

National Heroes and Benefactors Day (Belize)

National Sauna Day (Japan)

National Sharon Day

National Slam the Scam Day

National Teresa Day

Neil Diamond Day (Las Vegas)

Nones of March (Ancient Rome)

Plant Power Day (UK)

Say Hello Day

Suez Canal Day

Teacher’s Day (Albania)

Texas Energy Day (Texas)

307 Day

Transport and Telecommunication Workers Day (Turkmenistan)

World Oneness Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Cereal Day

National Crown Roast of Pork Day

National Flapjack Day

Punsch Roll Day (Sweden)

1st Thursday in March

Kid Lit Art Postcard Day [1st Thursday]

Nametag Day [Thursday of Name Week]

National Hospitalist Day [1st Thursday]

National Vending Day [1st Thursday]

White Ribbon Day (Massachusetts) [1st Thursday]

World Book Day (Ireland, UK) [1st Thursday]

Independence & Related Days

Aleutian Islands (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Sulaymaniyah Liberation Day (Iraqi Kurdistan)

Festivals Beginning March 7, 2024

Antikmässan (Stockholm, Sweden) [thru 3. 10]

Brazilian Beer Festival (Blumeneau, Brazil) [thru 3.9]

Cincinnati International Wine Festival (Cincinnati, Ohio) [thru 3.9]

Crufts Dog Show (Birmingham, England) [thru 3. 10]

Eastern Bison Association Winter Conference (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) [thru 3.9]

Fulton Oysterfest (Fulton, Texas) [thru 3.10]

Limassol Carnival (Limassol, Cyprus) [thru 3. 17]

National Coffee Association Convention (Nashville, Tennessee) [thru 3.9]

New England Brew Summit (Portland, Maine)

Red, White & Snow (Park City, Utah) [thru 3.9]

Sustainable Wine Dinner Series (Los Angeles, California)

The WhiskyX (Miami, Florida)

Feast Days

Ardo (Christian; Saint)

Barbara Eden Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Billy (Muppetism)

Boris Kustodiev (Artology)

Contradiction Day (No It’s Not!; Pastafarian)

The Devil Is God Reversed Day (Everyday Wicca)

Drausius (a.k.a. Drausin; Christian; Saint)

Empodocles (Positivist; Saint)

Edward Landseer (Artology)

Esterwine (Christian; Saint)

Festival for Vedovus (God of the Dead & Volcanic Movements; Ancient Rome)

Impeachment of March Goblins (Shamanism)

José Olallo (Christian; Saint)

Junoalia (Old Roman Festival to Juno)

Leonid Feodorov (Russian Greek Catholic Church)

March Storms and Blasting Rods Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Milton Avery (Artology)

Paul the Simple (Christian; Saint)

Perpetua and Felicity (Christian; Saints & Martyrs)

Piet Mondrian (Artology)

Psyche’s Day (Pagan)

Pierre-Henri Dorie, Siméon-François Berneux (Christian; part of The Korean Martyrs)

Theophylact (Christian; Saint)

Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church (Christian; Saint)

Treachery Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Tuan Reincarnation Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

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

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 11 of 60)

Premieres

Alice the Collegiate (Disney Cartoon; 1927)

The Caine Mutiny, by Herman Wouk (Novel; 1951)

Coal Miner’s Daughter

Foxes (Film; 1980)

The Edible Woman, by Margaret Atwood (Novel; 1969)

Erlkönig, by Franz Schubert (Lied; 1821)

From Genesis to Revelation, by Genesis (Album; 1969)

The Golden Eggs (Disney Cartoon; 1941)

The Grand Budapest Hotel (Film; 2014)

Grateful Gus (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1958)

Highlander (Film; 1986)

The Home Guard (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

The Long Goodbye (Film; 1973)

Mame (Film; 1974)

Mickey’s Grand Opera (Disney Cartoon; 1936)

Mirror (Russian Film; 1975)

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (Film; 2008)

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (Animated Film; 2014)

My Beautiful Launderette (Film; 1986)

The Nude Who Never, by Ted Mark (Novel; 1965)

The Old Mill Pond (Happy Harmonies Cartoon; 1936)

Olive’s Sweepstake Ticket (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1941)

Our Lady of the Flowers, by Jean Genet (Novel; 1943)

Page Miss Glory (WB MM Cartoon; 1936)

Pistol Packin’ Woodpecker (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1960)

Post Office, by Charles Bukowski (Novel; 1971)

A Room with a View (Film; 1986)

Royal Cat Nap (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1958)

Sailor Moon (Japanese Anime Series; 1992)

The Six Million Dollar Man (TV Series; 1973)

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost (Poem; 1923)

Taboo (Adult Film; 1980)

Things Ain’t What They Used To Be, recorded by Johnny Hodges and his Orchestra (Song; 1941)

Way Out West, by Sonny Rollins (Album; 1957)

Young Americans, by David Bowie (Album; 1975)

Today’s Name Days

Felicitas, Perpetua, Reinhard (Austria)

Bogoljub, Felicita, Perpetua, Teofil (Croatia)

Tomáš (Czech Republic)

Perpetua (Denmark)

Ralf, Raul, Rolf, Rudolf, Ruudi, Ruut (Estonia)

Taika, Tarja, Taru (Finland)

Félicie, Félicité, Nathan (France)

Felicitas, Felizitas, Perpet, Reinhard, Volker (Germany)

Evgenios (Greece)

Tamás (Hungary)

Quintilio, Tommaso (Italy)

Ella, Elmira (Latvia)

Felicita, Galmantė, Rimtautas, Tomas (Lithuania)

Are, Arild (Norway)

Felicja, Nadmir, Paweł, Polikarp, Tomasz (Poland)

Efrem (Romania)

Tomáš (Slovakia)

Felicidad, Perpetua (Spain)

Camilla, Ottilia (Sweden)

Davon, Devan, Deven, Devin, Devon, Devonta, Devonte, Devyn, Dewey, Lothar, Luther (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 67 of 2024; 299 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of week 10 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Nuin (Ash) [Day 19 of 28]

Chinese: Month 1 (Bing-Yin), Day 27 (Geng-Wu)

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

Hebrew: 27 Adair I 5784

Islamic: 26 Sha’ban 1445

J Cal: 7 Green; Sevenday [7 of 30]

Julian: 23 February 2024

Moon: 10%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 11 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Thucydides]

Runic Half Month: Tyr (Cosmic Pillar) [Day 13 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 78 of 89)

Week: 1st Week of March

Zodiac: Pisces (Day 18 of 30)