#asia on argyle

[sgiandubh]

Keepers of the Quaich

This time, we're going to look at things a bit differently and this could very well be my most speculative post ever. So be it: it is a risk I am taking and warning you about from the get go.

The only thing Mordor understood about the next October 4 event organized by the US Chapter of The Keepers of the Quaich is something that probably gave them collective relief: S is not going to be with C on her birthday. Not together. Not on the same continent. Shut up, shippers, you are stupid.

As usually, Mordor takes things at a very primitive face value, without bothering for context. But they always focused on the lewd side of the story, not on its deep ramifications, of which there are many. Anything that denies S's halfwit manwhore image upsets them greatly.

The Scottish society of The Keepers of the Quaich is not one of those old, steeped in tradition clubs, but it is damn selective. It only dates back to 1988, which is almost five minutes ago, for Europe (and especially the UK) and is deeply rooted in Highlands' lore, celebrating excellence in whisky trade and promotion worldwide. General facts about it have already been discussed elsewhere, but with a bias and little to no context. Also, really LOL at Mordor's idiocy to think that was a fan promotion event and go ballistic for the members-only and by invitation access to it.

Membership is by co-opting and with a five-year proven performance history only (ten years, if you step up to Master level). You need not one, but two recommendations, which makes it harder to join than a Masonic lodge or the Rotary Club (and I know what I am saying, heh). That S could actively seek to be inducted, rather sooner than later, is pretty much clear, as he could use the network it readily provides, along with the prestige:

(Sourced at: https://www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia/341/people/keepers-of-the-quaich)

I first had a look at the list of its International Chapters and it is interesting to notice Muslim countries as Turkey or the Emirates each having their own chapter, which clearly tells me it's all about luxury and more specifically, luxury hospitality business, in that case. If inducted after the customary five years' wait, S could also make good use of the German chapter's (a market that proved to be very problematic for him) network, along with the Nordics and Netherlands, if he would think about cleverly expanding his trade in the EU. Last but not least, I would keep an eye on Brazil and India (along with the more predictable South Africa and Australia), because he already has a solid fanbase in the first one and well, Asia is always interesting, when it comes to alcohol business.

I did not really bother with the list of the Patrons, which spells a good and prestigious sliver of Debrett's Peerage's Scottish section. But I also looked at the list of the Management Committee, who does all the hands-on dealings and is directly responsible for the induction ceremony of new members. Aside from representatives of Diageo and Pernod Ricard (giants of the alcohol business world), a familiar name popped right at the bottom of the page:

Annabel Meikle, Director of The Keepers of the Quaich and as such, directly involved in the management of its activities (and probably also in all the underground shenanigans leading to the induction of new members, too). A great contact to have in your rolodex, judging by her public CV on LinkedIn:

Glenmorangie (also a member of the Keepers) - keep that reference under your sleeve, we are going to need it soon :).

Could she be related to...

I am leaving this without an answer, because I don't know and I will always refuse to go data mining for anything, but that sure as hell is not a common surname, as Smith or Martin!

At any rate, Mrs. Meikle is also (along with the Duke of Argyll, the current Keepers Grand Master) a member of The Scottish Committee of something very, very prestigious: The Worshipful Company of Distillers (https://www.distillers.org.uk/), based in London and founded in 1638, by Royal Charter (for “Body Politique and corporate” to govern the “Trade Arte and Mystery of Distillers of London” - how I love history, people!) granted by Charles I, a Stuart (of course). I am speculating and having visions of Livery status and Freedom of the City, followed by Knighthood for S (no bong needed, this particular narrative writes itself and believe it or not, it's not entirely without logic). And it is my strict constitutional right to be a poetic coo about it - that guy is smarter than we thought and I would curate that contact to death if I were him (but I am not, I am just a benevolent and intrigued observer, as you all know). Back to Earth from these optimistic conjectures, I will keep a tab on it, as I dutifully took note that one of their current interests is tequila:

Onwards to the US. We can have a fair idea of October 4th event just by looking at one of their few press releases on the occasion of the Chapter's launch gala, on September 25 2019, in New York (https://www.distilledspirits.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/KOTQUSA-Release-10.04.19.pdf - with quotes selected by me):

Moët Hennessy. Another reference to keep under our sleeve, for it will be soon very relevant. So yes, what has been speculated by Miss Marple is partially true: more business than aristocratic. But this is only if we do not consider as American aristocratic the venue of the next event. The Metropolitan Club is a very East Coast, WASP old money and (well, technically yes) Republican (but not MAGA Republican and this, to me, is very important for some reason) organization:

That was the state of play on Friday, folks, and I was already excited to share my optimistic findings with you. And then, C went to Paris and more dots started to speculatively connect. Bare with me for this long passegiata, I think it's worth it.

It was particularly important that C would be seen in a very friendly-casual pose with Delphine Arnault, out of all the other people attending that event. Not because Arnault is currently the big boss of Dior and Loewe (as I already explained here: https://www.tumblr.com/sgiandubh/729801825900953600/city-of-lights?source=share). And not only because C suddenly seems very interested to renew and expand her fashion days' old network. But also, because, as I already said, Delphine Arnault is also the daughter of her father and in France, business and family are always closely entwined. Always.

The French luxury market is roughly split between two behemoth players: Bernard Arnault (LVMH Moët Hennessy • Louis Vuitton S.A) and Antoine Pinault (Kering, ex- Pinault-Printemps- Redoute). These people and their businesses are number 1 and 2, respectively, on the global market. And out of these two, the only one very interested in the alcohol business is Arnault (Pinault does not deal in this sector).

So I took a look at his very diverse alcohol and spirits brand portfolio (25 references - https://www.lvmh.com/houses/wines-spirits/): rhum, brandy, champagne, tequila, wines (Argentina and even China). Two Scottish whisky brands: first Ardberg (the graceful peat from Islay). And - oh, hello, Mrs. Meikle - Glenmorangie, acquired by Arnault in 2004, after a bitter battle with Pernod Ricard (https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/21/business/world-business-briefing-europe-france-scotch-maker-acquired.html):

Back at Mrs. Meikle's CV - hers was a pivotal role in the post-acquisition reshuffle, as part of LVMH:

Coincidence? I think not.

And then also a bourbon reference. Woodinville (based in the state of Washington, USA) with a pitch that made me grin again like the Cheshire Cat:

Sounds familiar? Rings a bell? See a pattern? You should: no, it's not S in disguise, but it could be SS in a couple of years, if S decided to sell it for a hefty profit.

But I was also interested in what is missing from this catalogue.

NO GIN.

Who knows? Maybe these French people could be enticed? In that case (and remember: I am SPECULATING), it would have to be a brand with a proven track record. You see, Arnault is famous for always buying only brands with a proven history and proven recognition (Tasting Alliance, anyone? LOL). Up until now and as is, FMN is just a pet project and a virtual endeavor. Nothing more and we shall see. But that little wild Scottish gin which could win hearts and already an award in Frisco is something completely different.

Now, then. You connect the dots. You draw your own conclusions. I see something very intriguing here and, as I already told you, the business underground situation is completely different from the bland façade.

You see, this is not about papers or checking a pulse or awkwardly grabbing a fist on some stairs. This is show me the money time. This is all about finding unexpected connections, at a very high level and on a very narrow niche.

So you think S and C can't stand each other anymore?

Humbug. They have each other's back from Day 1. And more. Ship on, ladies. Whatever clownery these days might bring, I know what I know. And by now, you should start asking yourselves the real questions, not if Waldo is with Carmen Sandiego (we KNOW), nor if they were online at the same time or not. I mean, that's cute: but to be honest, I think we're past that... uh... waypoint?

Next on my list is that Lallybroch trademark thing. This is the most complex one and I will take my time. I may speculate, but never without a logical base. And I always take these things very seriously.

Keepers of the Quaich, indeed. :)

[evenmorefatallyobsessed]

Non-RWBY/ MLP models I wanna do and how I'd explain them in Remnant.

01. Felix Argyle (Ferris)

Would Probably use a similar story to how he met his princess but set and altered to fit Remnant.

Felix was simply born with two physical Faunus traits. While I say simply this would be more on pair with a condition/ mutation like Polymelia a genetic anomaly that results in people having extra limbs.

The difference being that in Felix's case he's simply born with a extra trait. However the effects it has on him are more detrimental For instance racist see him as even more of a animal then most faunus.

While some faunus see him with contempt for seemingly being to them what Faunus are yo racist. His parents ashamed and afraid of redicue lock him up I their house

Things would play out similar to how they did in their book but instead of Crusch Jaune and the Arcs noticing the families odd behavior find and rescue the boy.

2. Toga (My Hero Academia)

Her circumstances can be similar to her series. Given that Neo can form illusions and Xanthe can quite literally transmutation seemingly anything to gold I don't see why Toga can't take on the apperance/ voice and even eventually semblance of those whose blood she ingest.

Though I would alter the reasoning to that of that she needs the others aura to mimic them. Blood is just the easiest way to injest it as while the blood cells are still there is no reason they shouldn't theoretically still retain their aura.

03. Najimi Osana (Komi Can't Communicate)

This one's fairly easy too, Najimi simply grew up with Jaune (Or one of his sisters) as a classmate. He befriended everyone like in his own manga/ anime.

And simply got a crush on Jaune convincing himself he'd confess at graduation... Only Jaune wasn't there and had left for Beacon.

04. Rebecca (Cyberpunk 2077)

Rebecca's is a bit harder but off the top of my head, I can see her and the gang she rolled with in Mantle. Not as techy as they had been in Cyberpunk though, or maybe they were. Not really too important for the relevance her, point is Rebecca nearly dies. And only survives because Pietro can't help but try and save her on principle.

Using his technology... And even his semblance he does manage to save the girl, though the result leaves her more mechanical then human. Rebecca as we know is loyal, arguably to a fault.

So once she hears the old man quite literally tore his soul apart to save her she grows attached to him and his... daughter Penny who insist on calling her sister.

05. Midna (Legend of Zelda, Twilights Princess)

Honestly, I got nothing for this one, doesn't mean I wanna make it any less. Maybe Jaune falls into the Twilight Realm instead of the Everafter... Or Midna is sent to Remnant instead of Zelda's world. Or Jaune and the Arc's as a whole could be Link's Ancestors who could be guarding the Mirror of Twilight to this day.

06. Amy Rose, Rouge the Bat & Blaze the Cat (Sonic Franchise)

Jaune fell into Mobius instead of the Everafter

07 Hideri Kanzaki (Blend S)

Him and Jaune come from the same village were his parents are farmers. Hideri unlike Jaune adored getting dressed up and praised and dreamed of the big city and becoming a cute idol.

Jaune supported his dream, encouraging his friend who in turn encouraged him to be a Huntsman as well. He left for Vale with Jaune who fought off several Grimm on their way there. He aimed to start his career as a idol while Jaune tried for Beacon...

Several months later he's crossdressing at a cafe and Jaune steps in to see how his friends doing.

08. Fujiwara Sisters, Maki & Nagatoro's Crew

These are actually super easy, their civilians, lets say Mistral, since both shows are based in japan and Mistral seems to be the asia of Remnant.

I can see two simple ways of doing it, Senpai and Shirogine can be related to, or friends of Jaune's parents. Hence why when visiting Mistral Jaune decides to see how his old friend/ Cousin are.

Also maybe I should give a brief summary of three others I've already maid.

Louise de La Vallière (Familiar of Zero)

this one as a commission already has a setting... Basically the Valliere family fought with the Arcs in the Great War where her grandfather fought besides Jaeger Arc.

The two grew close as brothers and agreed to marry their children, unfortunately Julius fell in love with Juniper and caused friction by cancelling his engagement to the two elder daughters.

Thankfully Jaeger did have a younger son, Jaune, who would become Beacon's Prof. Arc.

This is a reference to Louise fiancée Jean-Jacques Wardes

who looks about the same ages a my Prof. Arc model, the irony being that Jaune supported, trained and helped his fiancée however he could unlike his traitorous counterpart.

He never intended to actually make the young girl follow through with their wedding either. Perfectly willing to break his word and dishonor himself so she could be free to love whoever she chooses.

Because of Jaune's influence and the fact that she's not considered a failure magician in Remnant and in turn ostracized Louise isn't as violent as she is initially.

And while Jaune doesn't notices it, Louise doesn't see their engagement in a negative light.

Manami Aiba/ La Brava (My Hero Academia)

Born with dwarfism Manami always felt different, self conscious and misunderstood. She yearned for connection and affection from a young age and could always feel others look at her differently...

She was quite sharp and capable, but there was another facet to her... She Loved HARD. When she got a crush it wasn't a simple crush, but instead utter affection.

Her pure little heart was so filled with affection on her first ever that the immense emotion awoke her aura and semblance... Love. The ability to multiple the targeted individual dependent on her feeling towards them.

Given her semblance she saw it as proof that she needed to pursue him, cherish and learn about him. Unfortunately it resulted in her freaking said boy out, viewing her as a stalking, and rumor spread over the tiny lil' weirdo stalker.

She ended up leaving school, shutting herself off from others, and surviving in private using her impressive computer skills to make money. Whether that be a regular computer job, hacking systems for less savory people or selling information she managed to dig up to Hei Xiong.

But nothing healed her heart, made her reach out, there was no Gentle Criminal who filled her world with light in Remnant... No instead one day, where she'd been forced to leave her home on a rare occasion she was stopped by several thugs... And then saved, by a random, kind... Cute, tall... Knight.

Ilulu (Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid)

I'm thinking of doing something similar to the series but instead of Toru being injured and found by Kobayashi it's Ilulu who is found and healed by Jaune.

[scotianostra]

On 15th June 1996 Sir Fitzroy MacLean, the Scottish soldier, diplomat, politician and author, died.

Fitzroy Maclean was a British diplomat who was one of the first Westerners to explore Soviet Russia. He was a founder member of the SAS, and later liaised on behalf of the allies with the Partisans in Yugoslavia.

Before World War II Fitzroy Maclean served as a diplomat at the British embassy in Moscow, from where he made several notable journeys to Siberia, the Caucasus and Soviet Central Asia.

During the war he served in the SAS and was also involved with the Free French forces in Iran. In 1943 he was dropped by parachute into German-occupied Yugoslavia as Winston Churchill's personal envoy and Commander of the British Military Mission to Tito and the partisans. He recorded some of these experiences in 'Eastern Approaches', a classic memoir, which has sold more than a million copies.

McLean wrote many other best-selling books and in addition to serving as Under Secretary for War in the post-war Churchill and Eden governments. Diplomat, soldier, statesman, traveller, writer - a true modern hero - Sir Fitzroy was often put forward as the model for his friend Ian Fleming's 'James Bond', a distinction he neither accepted nor denied.

Fitzroy Maclean died while he was visiting friends in the English village of Hertford having just completed a swim at the age of 85!!!, he was stricken by a heart attack and died instantly, I think he would rather have gone that way rather than faded away. . He was returned to the location of the family home in the village of Strachur, Argyll County and was interred in the cemetery of historic Parish Church.

There’s a great article about the man here https://warisboring.com/fitzroy-maclean-fought-the-nazis-blew-up-forts-and-met-a-king/

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 7.3 (after 1900)

1913 – Confederate veterans at the Great Reunion of 1913 reenact Pickett's Charge; upon reaching the high-water mark of the Confederacy they are met by the outstretched hands of friendship from Union survivors. 1938 – World speed record for a steam locomotive is set in England, by the Mallard, which reaches a speed of 125.88 miles per hour (202.58 km/h). 1938 – United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicates the Eternal Light Peace Memorial and lights the eternal flame at Gettysburg Battlefield. 1940 – World War II: The Royal Navy attacks the French naval squadron in Algeria, to ensure that it will not fall under German control. Of the four French battleships present, one is sunk, two are damaged, and one escapes back to France. 1944 – World War II: The Minsk Offensive clears German troops from the city. 1952 – The Constitution of Puerto Rico is approved by the United States Congress. 1952 – The SS United States sets sail on her maiden voyage to Southampton. During the voyage, the ship takes the Blue Riband away from the RMS Queen Mary. 1967 – The Aden Emergency: The Battle of the Crater in which the British Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders retake the Crater district following the Arab Police mutiny. 1970 – The Troubles: The "Falls Curfew" begins in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 1970 – Dan-Air Flight 1903 crashes into the Les Agudes mountain in the Montseny Massif near the village of Arbúcies in Catalonia, Spain, killing all 112 people aboard. 1973 – David Bowie retires his stage persona Ziggy Stardust with the surprise announcement that it is "the last show that we'll ever do" on the last day of the Ziggy Stardust Tour. 1979 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter signs the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul. 1988 – United States Navy warship USS Vincennes shoots down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 people aboard. 1988 – The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey is completed, providing the second connection between the continents of Europe and Asia over the Bosphorus. 1996 – British Prime Minister John Major announced the Stone of Scone would be returned to Scotland. 2013 – President of Egypt Mohamed Morsi is removed from office by the military after four days of protests all over the country calling for his resignation, to which he did not respond. The president of the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt, Adly Mansour, is declared acting president until further elections are held.

[drhoz]

#2168 - Lycium ferocissimum - African Boxthorn

The specific derives from the Latin ferox meaning fearless or bold, referring to the spininess of the plant.

A tree-sized nightshade, growing up to 5m tall, native to the southern coasts of Africa, but now widespread elsewhere, naturalised in Australia and New ealand, and a declared noxious weed in the US.

Lycium is most diverse in South America, but there's multiple species in North America and southern Africa, a few scattered across Europe and Asia, and one native to Australia.

Common English names for Lycium include box-thorn, wolfberry, and desert-thorn. Fruit of some have been traded as medical since at least the time of Pliny the Elder, and Lycium barbarum (variously known as Chinese wolfberry, barbary matrimony vine, or red medlar, or the Duke of Argyll's tea tree) produces the edible gogi berry.

Willans Hill, Wagga Wagga, NSW

[the-emerald-standard]

Skyrocketing Market Growth: Cannabis Products Testing Services Set to Reach $2.3 Billion by 2027

Cannabis Products Testing Services Market Booming Worldwide

The cannabis products testing services market is booming worldwide, according to a new report from Argyle Report. The report found that the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.6% between 2020 and 2027, reaching a value of $2.3 billion by 2027.

The report attributes the growth of the market to the increasing demand for cannabis products testing services due to the legalization of cannabis in many countries. Additionally, the increasing number of cannabis-related businesses and the growing awareness of the health benefits of cannabis are also driving the market.

The report also found that the market is dominated by North America, with the U.S. accounting for the largest share of the market. Europe is the second-largest market, followed by Asia Pacific and the rest of the world.

The report also identified ACS Lab as an industry-trusted testing and compliance partner for hemp and cannabis. ACS Lab provides comprehensive testing services for cannabis products, including potency, terpene, and pesticide testing. Additionally, ACS Lab also offers compliance services to ensure that cannabis products meet all applicable regulations.

Key Takeaways

The cannabis products testing services market is booming worldwide, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.6% between 2020 and 2027.

The market is dominated by North America, with the U.S. accounting for the largest share of the market.

ACS Lab is an industry-trusted testing and compliance partner for hemp and cannabis.

ACS Lab provides comprehensive testing services for cannabis products, including potency, terpene, and pesticide testing.

ACS Lab also offers compliance services to ensure that cannabis products meet all applicable regulations.

For more information on the cannabis products testing services market, please read the full article here.

Hiring ACS Lab as a testing and compliance partner for hemp and cannabis can provide many advantages. ACS Lab offers comprehensive testing services for cannabis products, including potency, terpene, and pesticide testing. Additionally, ACS Lab also offers compliance services to ensure that cannabis products meet all applicable regulations. To learn more about ACS Lab, please visit ACS Lab.

[chicagochinesenews]

【北華埠的牌子被拆了！】芝加哥阿蓋街(Argyle)著名地標誌牌子不見了！

(芝加哥時報快訊) 位於芝加哥北華埠阿蓋街(Argyle)著名地標誌牌子“亞洲在阿蓋”( Asia on Argyle) 9月19日星期二被移除，原因是 L 鐵路站改造，所以必須將標誌和亭子暫存，直到找到新位置才會重新放上去。 Continue reading Untitled

[lindalb1]

Asia on Argyle

[chaunceyandchumleysdad]

Gogol Bordello June 1, 2019 Riviera Theatre, Chicago

I had a great time with my wife seeing Gogol Bordello at the Riv. I have seen them twice before, both at Riot Fest. Their shows are incredibly fun. I always thought seeing them in a smaller venue would be awesome. I was not disappointed. With their unique brand of Gypsy Punk, they are very theatrical on stage with non-stop energy. Eugene Hutz has energy that exceeds that of Mick Jagger. He is always moving, jumping up on stage plinths while he sings and plays acoustic guitar, leaning into the audience, and dancing around the stage. Early in the show, he opens a bottle of wine. He drinks some of it but most of the contents get spilled out during his frenetic stage movements. Late in the show, he sends an old-style marching band bass drum out into the audience. The audience members, arms stretched high, hold the drum about their heads while Eugene sings both on his knees and standing on the drum. He is having so much fun and it is like he does not want the show to end. The band played a five-song encore and after they left the stage, Eugene stuck around and finished with a solo acoustic song. The Riviera is an old ornate movie theater that was built in 1917. The seats on the main floor have been removed and it was jammed with fans. We were up in the balcony and we had as much fun watching the moshing fans below as we did the show. The Riv is in the Uptown neighborhood on Chicago’s north side. Uptown was quite a seedy area a few decades ago. It has changed quite a bit, for the better, but not in a gentrified way. There are dozens of independent restaurants within a few blocks of the theater. My wife and I like Asia on Argyle, a section that is lined with Asian restaurants. This time we ate at Tank Noodle on the corner of Argyle and Broadway. The Riv is also less than a block from two other old theater/concert venues; The Aragon Ballroom and The Uptown Theatre. Sadly, The Uptown has been closed for several years now and its future is uncertain. (My best memory of The Uptown is attending Frank Zappa concerts). The Aragon is still alive and well, and on the same night we saw Gogol Bordello, Wu-Tang Clan was at the Aragon. Both shows got out at the same time and a throng of people spilled out onto the streets. With the revelry of the crowd and sirens screaming from emergency vehicles, it was quite a classic Chicago scene on an early-summer night.

Set List:

1.       Through the Roof 'n' Underground

2.       Not a Crime

3.       Immigrant Punk

4.       I Would Never Wanna Be Young Again

5.       Saboteur Blues

6.       My Companjera

7.       Alcohol

8.       Rebellious Love

9.       Trans-Continental Hustle

10.   Immigraniada (We Comin' Rougher)

11.   Passport

12.   Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley cover)

13.   When the Trickster Starts A-Poking (Bordello Kind of Guy)

14.   Last One Goes the Hope

15.   Start Wearing Purple

16.   Wonderlust King

17.   Pala Tute

Encore:

18.   Sacred Darling

19.   I Can't Find My Mind / Wild On (The Cramps cover)

20.   I Just Realized

21.   Baro Foro / Undestructable

22.   60 Revolutions

23.   Sun Is on My Side (acoustic)

[reimenaashelyee]

Vampire Business

Image: My OC nerdy vampire dad Zeynel carries a stack of books. His pet albino raven greets him on top of that stack.

Comments from this post.

@aflamethatneverdies

oh please do share some more vampire/gothic fiction recs! I love The Carpet Merchant btw and am curious about your inspirations.

Hoooyeah!! Time to share that KNOWLEDGE:

- Dracula, Bram Stoker: obviously.

- Carmila, Sheridan Le Fanu: If you think the original Dracula has big repressed queer vibes, Carmilla is a hundred times over and has surprisingly evocative textual evidence of lesbian tension between the punk goth futch vampire and the blonde madonna heroine. More traditionally gothic with regards to the story structure and tropes compared to Dracula. Which makes it sexier.

- The Vampyre, John Polidori: This is the first appearance of an aristocratic Lestat-type vampire in literature. It’s an okay story, nothing impressive except as a historical artifact of the Ur literary vampire. However I cannot forget this footnote from the story, which describes a particular version of a vampire that oozes blood out of its pores???? What the heck.

- The Giaour, Lord Byron: This poem is influential to TCM because it’s that link between literary vampires and their connection to Oriental literature (stories from West and Central Asia translated and embellished into Western language and lens i.e 1001 Nights), alongside Robert Southey’s Thalaba. It’s set in Istanbul and talks about a love triangle, and how the infidel lover is cursed to become vampire.

@dreaming24601

I'm so excited too! I read Dracula for the first time last year, and i haven't had anyone to talk to about it! This is awesome!

Yeah same! I couldn’t talk to anyone about Dracula or literary vampires outside of my gothic fiction class @_@  I can’t wait to see everyone’s responses to the story.

@natandacat

Gilgamesh by mail where you get argyle tablets delivered to your house every month

I’ll collect them like our favourite Babylonian scammer.

@buam

It’s such a fun way to read a book, really amps up the tension!

It is!! It’s not the same experience reading the whole book all at once, because the writing can get sluggish and Too Much and very into the details. Treating it like the occasional email you’re getting from your deranged pals is more exciting and narratively appropriate.

[scotianostra]

On 15th June 1996 Sir Fitzroy MacLean, the Scottish soldier, diplomat, politician and author, died.

Fitzroy Maclean  was a British diplomat who was one of the first Westerners to explore Soviet Russia. He was a founder member of the SAS, and later liaised on behalf of the allies with the Partisans in Yugoslavia. 

Before World War II Fitzroy Maclean  served as a diplomat at the British embassy in Moscow, from where he made several notable journeys to Siberia, the Caucasus and Soviet Central Asia. 

During the war he served in the SAS and was also involved with the Free French forces in Iran. In 1943 he was dropped by parachute into German-occupied Yugoslavia as Winston Churchill's personal envoy and Commander of the British Military Mission to Tito and the partisans. He recorded some of these experiences in 'Eastern Approaches', a classic memoir, which has sold more than a million copies. 

McLean wrote many other best-selling books and in addition to serving as Under Secretary for War in the post-war Churchill and Eden governments. Diplomat, soldier, statesman, traveller, writer - a true modern hero - Sir Fitzroy was often put forward as the model for his friend Ian Fleming's 'James Bond', a distinction he neither accepted nor denied.

Fitzroy  Maclean died while he was visiting friends in the English village of Hertford having just completed a swim at the age of 85!!!, he was stricken by a heart attack and died instantly, I think he would rather have gone that way rather than faded away. . He was returned to the location of the family home in the village of Strachur, Argyll County and was interred in the cemetery of historic Parish Church.

There’s a great article about the man here  https://warisboring.com/fitzroy-maclean-fought-the-nazis-blew-up-forts-and-met-a-king/

[casbooks]

TitleTitle: British Military Operations in Aden and Radfan: 100 Years of British Colonial Rule

Authors: Nick van Der Bijl

ISBN: 9781783032914

Tags: Aden, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, British Army, Radfan, RAF, Winston Churchill, WWI, WWII, Yemen

Subject: Books.Military.18th-19th Century.Middle East-SWA.Aden, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Middle East-SWA.Aden, Books.Military.Series.Pen and Sword

The book examines the military history of Aden Colony from 1839 including the fractious turn of the century Border Commissions with Turkey and the defeat of British forces near Aden by the Turks in 1915. Great Britain successfully defended the base for the rest of The Great War and throughout the Second World War. The period after 1945 was one of rising tension as Great Britain drew down its Imperial commitments from the Near and Middle East. Britain's intention to retain a military base in Aden was rejected by Egypt, who, having embarrassed Great Britain during the 1956 Suez Crisis, set about supporting Yemeni aspirations with subversion, in concert with the Soviet Union and China. This led to Aden coming under increasing pressure from Yemeni nationalism during the late 1950 and early 1960s. When an attempt was made to murder the British High Commissioner, a State Emergency was declared. Initially, while operations were confined to the mountainous Radfan region near the border, the internal security of Aden became increasingly fragile as nationalists escalated attacks on the Security Forces and Service dependants with grenade, shootings and bomb attacks in the narrow streets. When the British declared that they would leave in 1967, the British forces were caught up in interfactional fighting with 20 June 1967 proving a black day with twenty British soldiers murdered. This led to the famous occupation of Crater district by Lt Col 'Mad Mitch' Mitchell and his Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. By November that year, after conducting a masterly withdrawal in contact, the British left Aden for good.

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[wally-b-feed]

Argyle Posts

[almighty-horriness]

Guest Muses

Fate

Astolfo

Artoria Pendragon

Rin Tohsaka

Sakura Matou

Illyasviel von Einzbern

Irisviel von Einzbern

Medea

Medusa

Mash Kyrielight

Jeanne d’Arc

Mordred

Jack the Ripper

Frankenstein

Nero Claudius

Tamamo no Mae

Kiyohime

Nursery Rhyme Scáthach

Ishtar

Musashi Miyamoto

Marie Antoinette

Osakabehime

Medb

BB

Passionlip

RWBY

Ruby Rose

Weiss Schnee

Blake Belladonna

Yang Xiao Long

Pyrrha Nikos

Velvet Scarlatina

Neopolitan

Okegom

Yosafire

Froze

Rawberry

Macarona

Chelan

Dialo

Wadanohara

Memoca

Dolpi

Igls Unth

Relicuf

Moge-Kov

My Hero Academia

Ochaco Uraraka

Tsuyu Asui

Momo Yaoyorozu

Mina Ashido

Mt.Lady

Camie Utsushimi

Konosuba

Aqua

Yunyun

Wiz

Re:Zero

Rem

Felix Argyle

Overlord

Albedo

Shalltear Bloodfallen

Mare Bello Fiore

Senki Youjo

Viktoriya Ivanovna Serebryakov

Blazblue

Noel Vermillion Litchi Faye Ling Taokaka

Mai Natsume

Senran Kagura

Yumi

Asuka

Ikaruga

Katsuragi

Hibari

Haruka

Persona

Yukiko Amagi

Rize Kujikawa

Ann Takamaki

Makoto Nijima

Haru Okumura

Futaba Sakura

Kasumi Yoshizawa/Sumire Yoshizawa

Rosario + Vampire

Kurumu Kurono

High School DxD

Rias Gremory

Akeno Himejima

Asia Argento

Koneko Tojo

Gasper Vladi Baka and Test

Hideyoshi Kinoshita

Mizuki Himeji

Minami Shimada

Steins Gate

Kurisu Makise

Faris NyanNyan

Moeka Kiryu

Ruka Urushibara

Doki Doki Literature Club

Monika

Sayori

Natsuki (Female and Trap)

Yuri

Gurenn Lagann

Yoko Litter

Pokémon

Wally

Misty

May

Dawn

Serena

Lillie

Leaf

Kris

Lyra

Whitney

Jasmine

Roxanne

Flannery

Elesa

Skyla

Hilda

Rosa

Selene

Gloria

Solana

All Pokemon (including Gijinka)

Disgaea

Etna

Flonne

Rozalin

Sapphire

Artina

Seraphina

Usalia

Majorita

Food Wars

Ikumi Mito

Akame Ga Kill

Akame

Sheele

Mine

Leone

Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid Tohru

Quetzalcoatl (Lucoa)

Elma

Shouta Magatsuchi

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

Rimuru Tempest (human form)

Milim Nava

One Punch Man

Tatsumaki (Tornado) Is it Wrong to Pick Up Girl in a Dungeon

Hestia

Code Geass

C.C

Kaguya-sama

Kaguya Shinomiya

Chika Fujiwara

Assassin Classroom

Nagisa Shiota

Kaede Kayano

Rio Nakamura

Manami Okuda

Toka Yada

Irina Jelavic

Negima

Negi Springfield

Konoka Konoe

Haruna Saotome

Ayaka Yukihiro

Makie Sasaki

Akira Okochi

Ako Izumi

Yuna Akeshi  Chizuru Naba Misa Kakizaki

Sakurako Shiina

Madoka Kugimiya

Darling in the Franxx

Zero Two

Ichigo

Miku

Kokoro

Blend S

Maika Sakuranomiya

Kaho Hinata

Mafuyu Hoshikawa

Miu Amano

Hideri Kanzaki

Heaven’s Lost Property

Ikaros

[luckywilliams]

V C War hero on the 70th Anniversary

It was in the Korean War, rather than the Second World War, that Kenneth Muir’s courage as a soldier, and as a commander, was to be truly revealed. The south eastern Asia country of Korea had been occupied by Japan since 1910. Following Japan’s total defeat in 1945, the north part of Korea had been made into a communist state under Kim Il Sung, and south of the 38th parallel, a democratic state under Syngman Rhee had been created. On 25 June 1950, the communist north invaded the south, and British troops were sent to support Rhee’s country (as part of a United Nations force commanded by the Americans). Chester born Kenneth Muir, and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, were amongst the very first British troops to begin fighting on the Korean peninsula, as part of what soon became known as the 27th (Commonwealth) Brigade.

North Korean troops quickly occupied most of the south, apart from a small area around the south eastern port of Pusan. In September 1950, UN forces, including the 27th Brigade, began to push outwards from this so-called Pusan Pocket, and on 23 September 1950, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders became involved in a desperate battle for the strategically vital Hill 282, in the province of Seongju. Major Muir, who was second-in-command of the Highlanders, first became personally involved during the effort to extricate casualties from Hill 282. He led stretcher parties onto the hill at a time when the Scottish soldiers were being overwhelmed by counter-attacking North Koreans. Muir led the fight against the attackers, and called in U.S. airstrikes to assist his men. Tragically, the Americans hit their allies rather than the North Koreans, in one of the first and worst examples of ‘friendly fire’ in the Korean War. Muir and his men had little option but to retire some way down the hill. It was at this point that Major Muir organized and led a counter attack, involving thirty men of all ranks, which again took the summit of Hill 282, despite overwhelming odds. Ammunition was running low, however, and it was here, at the head of his men, and firing a two-inch mortar, that Kenneth Muir was cut down and killed by enemy fire. As a result of his actions, Muir was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, and he was also given the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) by the Americans.

Kenneth Muir’s parents received their son’s VC from King George VI, in person, during a 1951 Buckingham Palace ceremony. Muir’s father, Garnett Wolseley Muir, never really recovered from the death of his son on Hill 282, and in 1954, obviously burdened by grief and sadness, he took his own life. Garnett Muir, just as much as his son, Kenneth, was a sad casualty of the Korean War.

[earthstory]

The Argyle Pink Jubilee

The most consistent source of pink, purple and the very rare red diamonds is the Argyle mine in the remote desert wastes of Western Australia (seehttps://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/posts/516555285072187), and the annual tenders in Perth are one of the fixtures of the high end jewellery market since these special stones are usually cut in house so as to maximise the added value. There are only ever a few stones for sale over a carat, maybe half a dozen yearly. The largest rough pink ever found there (in 26 years ofoperation) is this slightly etched distorted octahedron, which weighed in at a puny 12.76 carats (2.552 grams). The colour is a pale but powerful rose, similar to the Williamson Pink, found in Tanzania and gifted to the Queen of England on theoccasion of her wedding by the mine owner. Unlike most of the mine's production, this stone ended up being donated to the Melbourne museum (where it on permanent display) after being the expected star of the show at an invitation only tender in 2012. Luckily for the world, when they started cutting it they found a knot, an internal line of stress and incipient cleavage reflecting the stone's exciting geological history during the process of formation or eruption from the mantle in the lamproite pipe that brought it to the surface (these knots are known in the trade as a gletz). When the saw or scaithe (the round polishing disc) encounter these knots, the usual result is that the stone promptly explodes into shards as the internal strain is released.

The preshaping removed 4 carats (it is common to lose 40-80% of a rough diamond during cutting) before it was donated to the museum, but pieces like this almost never end up in such places in the rough. Rich patrons sometimes donate cut stones, such as the Hope at the Smithsonian, but commercial companies tend to sell all their rough. While they could have cut several smaller stones out of the rough, it was decided to donate it, since it had been the largest Argyle crystal ever found. Since the museum had a long standing relationship with Rio Tinto, they got the lucky prize. Next time I'm over that way I guess I'll drop round and visit it.

Loz

Image credit: BBC/Getty http://roskingemnewsreport.com/The%20Argyle%20Pink%20Jubilee/ http://roskingemnewsreport.com/the-2012-argyle-pink-diamonds-tender/ http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/luxury/precious-pink-sparkler-lights-up-museum-20120712-21yyz.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17108778