#international owl festival

[balkanradfem]

So, I've decided to start learning biology.

My education left me with only primary school biology knowledge, because I had zero biology lessons in high school, and now I find myself sorely lacking in knowledge. Which is inconvenient, now that I'm sick and have no idea what to do. I didn't know where to start, but my roommate is in high school right now, and I borrowed her biology textbook to get myself started.

The biology textbook was so misinformed and outdated it made me worry for the education system. Not only they didn't update any info from the last 40 years, some of the info was completely wrong. For instance, it claims there's 6 billion people on the planet (there's 8), and that there's 6 empires of all living things (there's 8, and some of the old ones have been renamed and disputed). I learned quickly to fact-check every bit of information on wikipedia, and this is where I found some truly astounding info that I had no idea about.

If you all have learned this in highschool and it's common knowledge, please excuse me, but I am shocked.

One of the first topics the book covers is evolutionary history of the planet, and it explains how blue-green algae were the first historic plants to produce a lot of oxygen, which sounds like a positive development for us, because most of the living things right now thrive on oxygen. But, looking it up wikipedia uncovered that it was in fact, an extinction event. Most of life on earth was at that point, thriving in non-oxygen environment, and the introduction of oxygen killed 85% of all living species on earth. It was a huge disaster that happened! It's called 'Great Oxidation Event', or the 'Oxygen Catastrophe'.

But that's not all, I found out that it was not only that which destroyed almost all life on earth, but there's been 5 different events in the history that destroyed close to 80% of all species on the planet, and for some of them we don't even know why. We only found proof that lots of species disappeared at all times and the dominant species on the planet rapidly changed, but no idea why, for some of them it's assumed it has to do with volcanoes or ice, and of them that is well known is the meteor, that ended the big dinosaurs.

I never realized how much of evolution was destruction and then starting over, this was shocking to me. It was also fascinating, I found myself following links and learning more about extinction events, also that we're currently in the extinction event caused by humans who are driving lots of species into extinction by taking over their habitats, which made me sad.

At this point I started reading other, biology-related materials, for example, I read a book named 'What an Owl Knows', which is written by Jennifer Ackerman, an owl scientist who studied owls her entire life; now I know more about owls. I also started listening to an audio book about the ocean, and this one proved to be very difficult to follow, but I'll tell you what I learned from both.

The owl book was charming, I found out that owls are the most quiet, soundless birds when they fly, because their wings and feathers are the biggest part of their bodies. This is how they manage to swoop up prey without anyone hearing a single flap. They're also very silent and subtle. Unless you're studying owls, you won't be able to tell if the owl is startled, or scared, because she will sit very still and not give you any clues. Smaller owls can go into their 'freeze' response easily if they're being hunted, because their instinct is to be still and not move when in danger! It can make you feel like the owl is not scared, since she's not moving, but she is most likely not comfortable if anyone is approaching her.

Owls have similar faces to our faces, and they're very charismatic to us; this is why baby owls, and injured owls in human care, can sometimes imprint on humans. This is bad news for the owls, because once it happens, they can never again be released into the wild, they'll either never learn to hunt, or they'll act towards humans, like they do to other owls - brawling, attacking, aggressive, territorial. Even if they really like us, they will keep acting like we're other owl, not a different species. They see us similarly to how we see them.

One of the best information I've learned, is that in Serbia, there's the biggest gathering of owls of all species, there can be more than 300 owls in one place at the time. The reason for this is common use of old-fashined methods of harvesting grains, which leaves a lot of leftover corn and wheat on the ground, attracting mice, rats, and other small rodents, which creates a great food source for owls. Serbian farmers don't use rodenticide, so owls don't get poisoned. Owls so beloved and appreciated there, that they have an owl festival every year, and the whole month of november is called 'Sovember', because owl in serbian is 'sova'. I never knew about this, even though it's my neighbour country! I looked this up, and I found a website for the international owl festival, but I couldn't find any more info. I would appreciate it so much if any serbian followers could write me about this and tell me their experiences with it, I've never wanted to visit Serbia more!

The book contains information about owls used in Harry Potter movies, including the names of the owls, as well as discussing how the books made owls popular, and how it made people want them as pets. Owls do not make good pets, because they're predators and will destroy things and be very difficult to care for, but the book encourages readers to find the local owls and keep them safe, to leave old trees with holes in them standing, so the owls could nest in them, or to hang up baskets that can also be used as nests. It was a lovely, charming book and I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about owls.

The ocean book is named 'How the Ocean Works', by Helen Czerski, and I haven't finished yet, but it opened up a lot of questions for me. The funniest part of it was the breakup of what people used to think about the ocean; apparently before research, people assumed that the sea is salty because it's been left in the sun for too long, and that's just what you get from sun exposure, they believed that deep down it was not salty anymore. They also believed that the sea water cannot go putrid if left standing. It took a scientist checking this to confirm it was not true; sea water did go putrid left in a bucket in the sun, and non-salty water did not turn salty when left in the sun for months. It was interesting to know that for the longest time, people didn't realize it was the salt in the sea that made it salty, I then wondered how they got salt, and it turns out they just got it from the salt mines, which are leftover from the long-dried up seas.

Now new information that I didn't know, was that the salinity is different between the oceans, the Atlantic is saltier than the rest. The book also explained about how the salt is connected to the currents, and to the movements of the sea, and also changes the density of the water. One thing that had me taken aback was that the ocean waves are not only caused by the wind, but the water is reacting to earth's rotation, and this rotation is constantly moving the water. It feels like the ocean is being pulled both by the earth and the moon, constantly being driven by planetary forces, which is interesting, because it's difficult to tell that just by looking.

The book calls ocean the 'blue machine', because it's always moving, and filled with energy. Sun is always warming up the surface, making it a great reservoir of solar energy, and the book goes on about how it's possible to harvest this energy, using hot water, and cold water, apparently there's already buildings being cooled down by the ocean power, but I never managed to figure out how! I tried looking it up, and also found nothing. I wish the book explained the physics of it, so that I could try it out, it's a great thing to be able to get power jut by using hot and cold water, and the water is already heated by the sun, while you can get cold water from the bottom of the sea.

I think I might understand this book better if I read it, rather than listening to the audiobook, which as you can see, just has me puzzled because I do not catch details. Still I wanted to share my new learnings, and ask if anyone can tell me more, or if this is all knowledge that people who had biology in high school already have. I'm having a great time learning, especially because I can just divert in any direction that has my interest, and I can seek out information that gives me useful, practical knowledge. Wish all learning processes could be free and inspired like this!

[arthistoryanimalia]

3-5 March is the #InternationalFestivalofOwls at the International Owl Center so if you have any extra owls you didn't share during #Superb_Owl_Sunday now is the time! (I have tons 😉)

Papier Mâché Doll - Owl, Burma (Myanmar), collected 1963, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History collection.

[adrianmata26]

The Sachairi & Peaches Show - S1E4 - Bears, Unicorns, and Ice Merchants: Emma’s Trip to the 2022 Ottawa International Animation Festival

Emma has an update on their senior thesis short film and Adrian talks about his past few days working at Universal Orlando before the two of them talk about the former's visit to the 2022 Ottawa International Animation Festival in Canada, where Emma saw two notable films that form part of today's main segment: a feature, Unicorn Wars, and a short,��Ice Merchants. Afterwards, Adrian recaps what has happened on The Owl House so far, and he and Emma offer up their initial thoughts about the program before its series finale on April 8 on Disney Channel.

Follow Adrian: DeviantArt: @ AdrianMata26 Instagram: @ adrianmata26 and @ sachlandhub YouTube: @ Sachland (Adrian Mata // Sachland)

Follow Emma: DeviantArt: @ LocalPeaches YouTube: @ localpeachesstudios8124 (LocalPeaches Studios)

[lorei-writes]

At Midnight

Chevalier x OC (OC Chart: Esther) Suggestive ~550 words Prompts: Midnight Sun + Full Moon + Festival After the Dark + Late Night Tryst + Constellations

Double entry for Sunshine & Starlight CC hosted by @violettduchess and myself... and a little something to celebrate the International Kissing Day >:) I wanted to touch as many prompts as I could with it.

Also, @wordycheeseblob , thank you for help with the art <3

Content Warnings: none

Full moon hangs on the faraway sky, excluded from the panconsuming void of a fledgling micro-cosmos. It shines, and it flickers, and it fades, hidden safely among the hushed haze of whispers. Brambles rattle, each blackberry a piece of obsidian hidden among jades. “Chevalier, we really shouldn’t.” “You’ve grown tired of the festival as well.”

Full moon hangs on the faraway sky, excluded from the panconsuming void of a fledgling micro-cosmos. It shines, and it flickers, and it fades, hidden safely among the hushed haze of whispers. Brambles rattle, each blackberry a piece of obsidian hidden among jades.

“Chevalier, we really shouldn’t.”

“You’ve grown tired of the festival as well.”

The path narrows to disappear, lost somewhere among the swaying grass. Black darkness churns within three hollows, unsure branches huddling to obscure the stars, concealing that which should not be witnessed by the eternal eyes. Esther shudders, cold bark pressing against her back.

“Cheva —”

Her voice melts into a mewl, smelted by his very lips. Thorny scent of roses pricking her senses, Esther holds onto his coat, knuckles paling as nails struggle to fray the precious wool. Perhaps she could steal away a button if she set her mind to it; alas, too little of it remains unoccupied. It is just Chevalier and his lips and the steady comfort of his arms, the roughness of his hand where it cups her cheek. His fingers press into her side. Closer, closer still, for as long as their breath lasts…

But not a moment longer.

“You could have let me finished,” Esther complains after a pause, so quietly he can barely hear it. Their foreheads touch and Chevalier smirks. She can almost feel it on her skin.

“Unnecessary. I knew what you’d say.”

“And?”

He kisses her again, deeper now. Firmer. Voracious… Starved, starving, causing starvation, as humanely flawed as to require her to quench his thirst. Esther drags him into a nebula of need, the clasps of his cloak coming undone at her hands. It spreads over the ground and he has her fall, she the sole star he would ever entrust with his desires. Their garments are but stardust, but zodiacal light, so inconsequential neither of them realises when they scatter into the surrounding nothingness of a world.

Scalded, Chevalier grunts. Nightly dew vaporises off his skin, every of her gasps a budding supernova. Her fingertips brand him gently as they slide along his neck, and he leans down to kiss her, utterly blinded despite the dark. Esther burns at midnight, the sun, his sun…

***

Planetary bodies returned to flesh, thoughtful ululating of a long-eared owl has unsealed their universe. Esther sighs against Chevalier’s neck, a stray gust sowing goosebumps over her skin. It has tired of its blaze, what once branded now being defenceless against the elements, and he turns onto his side to be her shield again. A giggle whispers itself into what little space has remained between them.

“Please tell me you know where our clothes are. I can’t see anything,” Esther continues to laugh, her shoulders shaking as she nuzzles into his chest. Her curls tickle his chin.

“Who do you take me for?”

“Just making sure.”

Neither of them moves. Neither wants to. It is still too early, or perhaps it is too late… Too cold, too warm for them to separate… And the ground is too hard, so hard that comfort should not be disturbed… Yet it is also too fleeting, too impermanent. Esther sits up once the glow dims.

“Once we’re back at the embassy, we’ll have to check each other for ticks.”

Chevalier is more worried about her hair, or the leaves and twigs he’ll have to pick out of it before they can re-enter the light. Her remark, that he takes as a promise. He’ll be looking forward to that.

Various Works: Esther x Chevalier

You’ve seen a typo? Let me know!

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[flanaganfilm]

Hi Mike, how was Tribeca?

It was fantastic.

For those who don't know, I was lucky enough to be invited to sit on the US Narrative Feature Jury at this year's Tribeca Festival. I just got back yesterday from ten days in Manhattan.

I found the whole thing to be absolutely rejuvenating.

Our category had five jurors: myself, Zoey Deutsch, Stephanie Hsu, Tommy Oliver, and Ramin Bahrani.

Kate was also on a jury - she was on the International Feature Jury (which included Brendan Fraser and Zazie Beets) so that meant we spent the week seeing different movies. We'd pass each other on our way to different screenings, sometimes in the lobby of the theater, and then meet up for dinner or a party and get to tell each other about the awesome movies we saw that day.

It was overwhelming to start with. At the Opening Night reception, we met Robert DeNiro, and we saw Martin Scorcese and Matt Damon (we were way too timid to introduce ourselves). I did manage to introduce myself to Kenneth Lonergan, who has made some of my all-time favorite movies (You Can Count on Me is one of the best movies I've ever seen), and the great Chazz Palminteri (I got to tell him how much I absolute adore A Bronx Tale). I also spent a fair amount of time chatting with Peter Coyote, who was incredibly kind and funny. We chatted a lot about Ken Burns.

After that, we went to the Opening Night film, a terrific documentary called Kiss the Future. We walked the red carpet (something I'm never quite comfortable with, but luckily Kate is a natural) and we saw the movie with a packed house. It was a beautiful film and really started everything off on an amazing foot.

And then the judging started. I got to watch all of the movies in my category in the theater, with audiences. A car would pick me up and take me to the screening. At my busiest, I saw three movies in one day, but it was usually two.

I made it a point not to know anything about the movies before I saw them - sometimes I went in without knowing the title. And I can't overstate how amazing it was to see these independent films with an audience, in a theater, instead of streaming. Having spent the better part of the last five years watching this primarily at home, I was shocked at how inspiring and energizing it was to sit in a theater with a crowd over, and over, and over again. I've never seen this many movies in a theater in such a short time, and I LOVED it.

I didn't only see movies that were in my category, though. I also made sure I saw other films at the festival that I wasn't judging - including Downtown Owl, the directorial debut of my friends Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe.

I made a point to go to the premiere of Suitable Flesh, starring the amazing Barbara Crampton and Heather Graham, and produced by my old friends Joe Wicker and Morgan Peter Brown from the Absentia Days.

And it wasn't all movies, either - I also got to moderate a chat with the brilliant Sam Lake about his upcoming Alan Wake 2 release. Sam was a joy to spend time with, and we had a lot to talk about.

And my friend and colleague Justina Ireland traveled up to NY to moderate a Master Class where a theater full of people listened to me ramble about horror movies for an hour.

(With Justina Ireland and Johnathan Penner - Penner ran the Escape from Tribeca program, and it was his idea to bring me to the festival)

And then, just before I left, I met up with some friends to see a Broadway show. Karen Gillan and Willa Fitzgerald joined Kate and I to see Grey House.

My experience at Tribeca was fantastic. It was such an amazing celebration of art and cinema, and I can't wait to go back. I spent a lot of it feeling overwhelmed, and feeling like I didn't quite deserve my seat at the table (imposter syndrome is just one of the staples of being a filmmaker, isn't it?) but I'm so glad I went.

[bonny-kookoo]

Jungkook: Moon of Claiming (Teaser)

The Old Owl Calling; a pilgrimage all wolves old enough participate in, to honor their heritage, create new bonds past the boundaries of their own packs, and also find a potential partner for the Moon Of Claiming festival each year. This year? You catch the attention of one of the most admired alphas. And he's keen on proving his worth to you.

Tags/Warnings: Hybrid AU/Werewolf AU, Fantasy, Romance, Angst, Fluff, Adult themes, Alternative World/Universe, Superstition, Werewolf habits/behavior such as howling growling or shapeshifting, ABO dynamics, Alpha!Jungkook, Omega!Reader, injury and pain, Mutual pining, courting, mating rituals, feelings of inferiority, jealousy, protectiveness, fighting, smut, Primal kink, consensual hunting, breeding kink, biting/marking, knotting, rough actions such as mild hair pulling, grabbing the throat (no breath play/choking), manhandling, size difference/size kink, overstimulation, aftercare, nesting, MTBA

Length: 1.2k for this teaser. Full story will be 13k+ words.

………………………………………………………………………………………..

Down on the forest floor, it's quiet, dark, and most of all cold.

There's a ringing in your ears making you practically deaf for the moment, and as a human right now your eyesight is basically useless with the darkness around you. Shifting would only make it worse now- it'd sent you into panic mode, and god knows where you would run off to in that state.

So what do you do?

Your heart pumps aggressively up to your neck, as you try and settle your breathing. At least you're not injured, no part of your body hurting as you check for anything broken or cut, finding nothing but a few scrapes at most. You've only lost your blanket- a mere item that can be replaced, as your mother would say now.

You slowly sit up, letting your body calm down for a moment, before you listen to the searching howls of your pack and others. You're glad it happened now of all times, with everyone staying in one spot, and not when you're all on your way instead. The chances of being left behind now are rather slim.

It's when twigs snap however that you're back on high alert. It's only natural you're not alone in the forest, but still- you don't know in your human form how to distinguish a scent from as far away as you'd like to be able to.

A pair of eyes reflects what little light reaches you. Dark fur masking whoever's in front of you, letting them melt into the surroundings.

Before the wolf whines eagerly, all stealth thrown out the window as it walks towards you with a friendly wag of it's tail and body low on the ground to appear non-threatening at all cost. "Jungkook?" you ask, squinting your eyes- but you get your non-verbal answer quickly when his large head pushes into your body, eagerly inspecting you for what you assume are any injuries. "Don't worry, I'm okay, just bad luck I guess." you smile, his warm tongue almost scalding hot against your by now freezing skin.

He turns around and throws his head back, howling towards the camp that he's found you- a message he's eagerly answered with excited sounds and human calls you can't quite make out down here.

"Let's get back u-Ah!" you cry out, instantly catching the attention of the alpha, who's back at your side with your cry of pain. "It's okay, don't worry, just surprised me." you instantly try and calm him, but he's visibly unconvinced, staying close as you get up again. Once prepared for it, the pain isn't even all that big anymore- it's manageable, as you stand now and look up at the way you came down. "How do I get back up?" you wonder towards the wolf, signals you to stand down with a scratch of his foot on the ground- before he leaves you alone, running off.

Great.

So much about being concerned you thought to yourself, before internally scolding yourself for being this harsh on him. He probably ran to get help- considering his rather limited ability to do that like this. You can't shift either- your adrenaline is still high, fear too big to risk it at this point.

It makes you think; what did he actually see in you?

Any other wolf would've been able to get themselves out, or not even fall into this situation in the first place. Yet you're stuck here, having possibly injured yourself after all on your leg to be precisely, which couldn't have been a worse place considering you'll need to walk for a few more days at least.

Maybe he thought you were something special for joining at such an age? You weren't.

You were nothing but average, no out-of-the-ordinary skills to your name. You can knit pretty well, you're good at problem solving, but you're horrible at hunting anything other than fish and other sea-creatures. While your mother always praised your nesting abilities, seeing how talented and confident most omegas are here has opened your eyes that your own mother probably simply was biased and nothing else.

The things those omegas know, can do and represent is nothing but far out of reach for you.

Someone like him needs a talented partner, not someone average like you. He's a prime alpha after all, it's pretty clear from the way he smells, behaves, hell even looks- and someone like him is destined to lead one day. You've got no leading qualities, content with simply living alongside the pack, no interest at being at the top of the foodchain or anything. You don't care for any of that. He probably does- as he should.

You wonder when he'll realize that friendship might be all he can offer, after all? Jimin has said after all that he loves easily- maybe the alpha is simply confusing simple friendly feelings for more than they are to him.

"There you are." Jungkook's voice rips you out of your thoughts, visibly relieved as he crouches down to where you're sitting, a hand brushing away what you assume might be dirt from your forehead and hair. "Come on, let's get you back to the group. I'm sure they're all worried." He says as he turns towards Taehyung, who nods at an elderly man next to him, before they both turn, lanterns in hand. Jungkook turns around in front of you, holding his hands back. "come on." he invites, and you giggle a bit at his clear eagerness.

"I can walk." you tell him, and he clicks his tongue.

"I've even seen it with my own eyes!" he responds snappily- though you can hear his grin in his words, and a possible eye-rolling he at least visibly hid. "now stop being stubborn and let me carry you."

You sigh but agree, getting onto his back where he lifts you like you don't weigh anything. His arms support your legs, careful but strong, and his warmth really reminds you that with your adrenaline fading, the cold also starts to get to you.

"we're not that far away." he hums to you softly, once he notices you starting to shiver.

"I lost my blanket." you mumble a bit upset into his neck, and he adjusts your body a bit as he walks. You don't know why you said that. It must've sounded like a whiny puppy to him, not at all like a confident omega you want to be in his presence. It might be the close proximity, his smell- like mentioned, he's a prime alpha, he's supposed to make other wolves feel at ease around him. It's definetely working on you, that's for sure.

"You can share with me?" he offers, a slightly excited tone to his words as he speaks them. "Or- you know, someone else.. I think we have spare blankets in the cart too if you'd like-"

"We can share." you tell him, and he's quiet for a moment at that.

"You'd have to stay with me at night then." he says lowly, voice a bit deeper now.

"Oh no, between all those alphas? Well now I changed my mind!" you tease, his scent invading your mind and letting you feel more comfortable than you were just seconds prior, making his hands squeeze your thighs a bit where he's holding them.

"Of course not." he almost growls. "I don't want them near you, especially not when you sleep."

"Oh, possessive already?" you giggle.

"Can you blame me?" he offers, a lighter tone to his voice now before he drops it back down again to signal his seriousness. "No, but really. You don't have to sleep next to me-"

"I don't mind." you say, cutting him off. "You can prove how well you can protect me." you offer, and he chuckles.

"Don't worry-" he tells you, as the camp comes back into view. "-I won't let anything happen to you."

………………………………………………………………………………………..

[fanofspooky]

The Twilight Zone S5E22

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

“Tonight, a presentation so special and unique that for the first time in the five years we've been presenting The Twilight Zone, we're offering a film shot in France by others. Winner of the Cannes Film Festival of 1962, as well as other international awards, here is a haunting study of the incredible from the past master of the incredible, Ambrose Bierce. Here is the French production of 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.'”

[eris-snow]

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲

Tags: Valentine's Day, fluff, bakugou x fem!reader

To comfort all those who are single on this cursed day

Bakugou isn't much of a romantic. After all, he's busy, you're busy, so the chances of him doing something grand or huge is completely off the table.

And yet here he is.

No, it's not because he overhears you gushing with the other girls over something that damn nerd did for Uraraka. It wasn't because of that damn nerd one-upping him or Uraraka being too obliviously happy.

It was because of your eyes that made him do a doubletake.

"So that's why you were out for so long!" Mina squeals, as the rest of the girls huddle around Uraraka like she was getting fucking married.

"He took you to that owl cafe? the one that you've always wanted to go to?" Hagakure inquired excitedly.

"And he got you roses and a big batch of chocolates from that brand you like?" Jiro confirmed.

"You're such a lucky girl, Ochako!" You gushed as the girls partook in another round of squeals and giggles.

Bakugou stares at you unwaveringly, suddenly forgetting why he was in the damn kitchen in the first place the minute he hears your hoarse laugh.

"It's not my fault my schedule doesn't line up so nicely with these damn festivals," Bakugou mutters to himself, staring down at his cup of hot cocoa. he realised it was about to overflow and hastily slammed the kettle down in its home spot.

Deku got lucky, he justifies, cursing himself internally for getting distracted. Tomorrow's a weekend. He'll do something then.

Karma repays him with another round of guilt-tripping laughter, and it makes him look back at where you're sat on the couch, eyes pooling with unsaid envy. Bakugou almost breaks the glass in his hand.

Fuck it.

He transfers the hot cocoa into a thermal and grabs a spare picnic blanket from the cabinet, tossing it over his shoulder as he stomps his way out of the kitchen and over to you.

"C'mere you," he throws you over his shoulder and hauls you away, ignoring your surprised stutters and useless failings.

"Where are we even going Katsuki?!" You yell at him as the girls watch you get dragged out of the dorm rooms and into the dead of the night. "Isn't it past Bakugou's usual bedtime-?"

"I FUCKING HEARD THAT PINKY!"

---

"I didn't even get to change, Asshole," You complain, rubbing your wrist the minute Bakugou let you go. "Why did you bring me into the middle of nowhere past curfew-"

"Look around, Dumbass."

This was a spot he found after going for a walk through these trees. After one of his worse nightmares, he got up and tracked through the greenery to calm down.

Stumbling across this place was one of the best coincidences in his life. Bakugou spreads out the picnic blanket he brought along, flicking his wrists once, then twice as he hears you gasp beside him.

"I come here often when I need some quiet time to myself." He mumbles, plopping down on the ground. "Those extras always invade my room when I want privacy."

There's an opening at the place you're sitting, an opening in the canopy of the lush green trees to make way for the shining stars.

It just so happens that the sky was clear tonight.

"Hot cocoa," He announces, passing the flask to you without meeting your eyes. He couldn't, not with this heat crawling up his cheeks. You take the flask from him, gaze softening. He doesn't even need to look at you to know that you've got him all figured out. You're too smart.

"Is that what this is about? What the girls and I were discussing about earlier?"

"Fuck, no!" Bakugou replied. Crap. That was too fast. That was too obvious.

You quirk an eyebrow, raising the flask to your lips.

There's silence between the both of you because Bakugou knows you've identified his lie. There are no words as to not damage his pride. You just sit there and drink his hot chocolate understandingly, waiting for him to make the next move.

Bakugou runs his hand through his hair, ruby red eyes finally meeting yours. "I've been wanting to show this place to you," He admits. There's a shift in his aura that you notice. It's as if he's letting his guard fall as his once raspy shouting turns to soft, hoarse confessions of how he really feels.

"Just never found the time to."

Your heart clenches at that sentence. The both of you were so caught up with internships and homework and revision that it felt as if your relationship didn't exist. Maybe that's why your heart felt a little empty today.

It had completely slipped your mind, but the minute Uraraka started talking it'd reminded you...

Today's Valentine's Day.

And you didn't even do...anything.

No gifts, no flowers, no chocolates...not even a kiss.

Nothing.

All your presents for your boyfriend had been quarantined in your room because you never had the chance to give them to him.

Judging by his face, this was a last-minute plan as well.

"Happy Valentine's Day," You whisper, face breaking into a soft smile at Bakugou's flushed cheeks. "Thank you, Katsuki. For making my day."

Bakugou couldn't help but shake his head. Even with this makeshift plan, you were still so grateful for what little time you have left today.

"I don't deserve you," Bakugou rasped, intertwining his fingers with yours. "I'm so sorry, Y/n."

"It's fine, Katsuki-."

"No it's fucking not." He cuts you off. His eyes cut through yours, "Next year's gonna be different, got me? I'll buy the whole ass chocolate factory if you ask me to."

You burst into a fit of giggles at that, lying down on the blanket and staring up at the stars. "Thank you, Katsuki," You repeat, tightening your fingers around his.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Y/n." He mutters, staring up at the sky with you.

The very next day, you find a beautiful bouquet of orange roses and a box of handmade chocolate waiting right outside your door. The note on it says it all:

I love you, Dumbass.

[sailtomarina]

A Sprig of Unluck

Hermione x Draco | @hp-yuletide-bliss Day 17: “How about the floating mistletoe?” | WC 2596 | Rating: M

Hermione thoroughly questioned her sanity for once again accepting an invitation to the Weasley twins’ holiday bash.

It wasn't because she harboured some anti-Christmas agenda or that she was avoiding any particular person per se; it was a decision fueled purely by an intimate understanding of how out-of-hand their sorts of gatherings got no matter how much effort was put in on her part to counteract the inevitable.

Take, for example, her first year in attendance. This had been five years ago now, when she still looked fondly on the twins and their Hogwarts legacy. A large part of her guard was lowered in reaction to Fred’s miraculous recovery following the final battle; they’d all been convinced he was a goner, but through the valiant efforts of the St. Mungo’s Healers and the non-stop support of his many family and friends, he pulled through.

And how had they repaid her joy?

She became a victim of their experimental Potion Popper.

Just like the name entailed, the Christmas popper imposter presented the recipient with a random potion from the extensive stores of WWW. The miniscule bottles were charmed to prevent identification of the potion within. Hermione hadn’t been that concerned, because previous renditions of the constantly-updated surprise presented her with draughts that changed hair colour, or caused the imbiber to break out into one of Celestina Warbeck’s holiday hits. 

Hers, however?

It took all of one minute before she was spilling her guts to the nearest person, who just so happened to be her childhood bully. Malfoy had looked at her like she’d sprouted horns as she waxed on about the flattering way that his white blond locks fell just so across his forehead, and how much it made her want to brush it back. His grey-blue eyes widened with each word that passed her lips, looking around frantically like he was mortified to even be in her presence.

She hadn’t been able to look at him for weeks after.

She hadn’t talked to Fred and George for nearly half a year.

She’d skipped their holiday party the following year, and only returned for the next one after they’d sent her nonstop owls bearing increasingly exotic flavours of Sugar Quills.

Hermione loved eggnog with a fierce passion. She bought her own cartons in as large a size as she could get them, drinking a full glass each morning starting on the first of December and going all the way through to January. It was important to note, however, that her particular eggnog was strictly nonalcoholic. It wouldn’t do for her to be strutting into the Ministry drunk off of nog.

When she spotted the festive drink at their table of beverages on her celebratory return to the infamous party, she gave in to her impulse and promptly drank three cups in a row; they’d been tiny, after all!

There had to be some kind of law against liquor posing as harmless bearers of joy. She hadn’t detected a single thing different about the milky beverage, nor had she questioned the uncharacteristic warmth in which she struck up a conversation with Malfoy. Again.

Rather than spill her truths, she just talked and talked and talked, downing cup after cup.

She couldn’t remember much of that night after a certain point, but what she did recall included her finding whatever he’d said riotously funny and laughing so hard that she upchucked all over his dragonhide boots.

Queue another month of avoiding the poor wizard, which hadn’t been too difficult the first time around but was made exceedingly difficult this time due to the fact that they were now coworkers at the Department of International Magical Co-operation. When she finally mustered up the courage to ask him about replacing his boots, she’d nearly swooned when she looked up his particular brand of choice. He had to make due with an entirely different model she’d purchased at discount from the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary’s ethically-sourced suppliers. Malfoy had looked pleased as he inspected the leather and soles up close. She later thanked Charlie for his recommendation with an off-the-record International Portkey for himself and Lauren the next time they chose to visit.

This year, she checked herself over in the full-length mirror that barely fit in her bedroom and asked herself, yet again, why she even bothered. Perhaps if she avoided the party completely, she’d be spared another Malfoy surprise.

She was curious how the prat would react to her new outfit. She’d gone with Pansy’s recommendation and purchased the charcoal sweater dress she now wore. The soft-as-sin fabric clung to every curve and swell, accentuating the rewards from the sweat she’d put in at the gym lately in all the best ways possible. The dress was the perfect combination of modesty and sexuality, and she wanted to see his jaw drop.

“Eat your heart out, Draco Malfoy.” She smirked into the mirror and tossed her unrestrained curtain of curls over her shoulder as she checked out her arse. Perfection.

By the time she walked through the fireplace, the party was well under way.

As usual, their storefront was emptied of all shelves and merchandise, the room instead converted into an entertainment space worthy of keeping year round if they ever chose to switch focus. That would never happen, though. They were content with the once-a-year extravaganza, for which Hermione was endlessly thankful.

“Hermione!” Harry’s voice carried across the crowd and she soon found herself facing his familiar crooked smile and tousled black hair.

“Harry, Happy Christmas!” She flung her arms around and squeezed tight enough for him to grunt. 

“Steady on there, Granger. He’s more fragile than he looks.” From behind him popped a handsome young man whose lips always looked on the verge of a snarky comment.

“Theo!”

The series of exclamations repeated themselves as more and more friends came up to greet her. First was Harry and Theo, who’d begun dating earlier in the year, then of course Pansy dragging an amused-looking Neville behind her. Hannah and Susan walked by, each with a hand in the back pockets of Ernie Macmillian; they’d come out as a triad shortly after Hogwarts and now had a handful of children.

“Hermione–” Fred threw an arm around her neck.

“—love.” George swooped in to kiss her on the cheek.

“How do you do,”

“—this fine evening?”

“Fred. George.” She addressed them in turn without hesitation. “Happy Christmas. Your place looks stunning, as expected.”

They shook their heads in joint amazement.

“We can never fool you no matter how much time passes, can we?”

“The missing ear helps,” she teased, pressing a return kiss to George’s cheek.

“Oi! What about me?” Fred pulled her around to him, a look of deep indignation etched onto his face.

“Yes, yes, you, too.” This time, she tugged him down to lay her noisiest, most moist lipsmack against his forehead. “There!”

“And I shall wear it like a crown. Enjoy yourself tonight, love. Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do!”

They were off, and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. She checked herself over for any lingering possessions they might have left on her person, but as far as she could tell, she was safe.

The hours passed quickly in the company of her friends, and before she knew it, there were only a handful of couples left in the darkened room. Music still played, soft and slow, the multi-coloured lights casting festive patterns across the dance floor.

All in all, this might have been the most successful Weasley holiday party yet. There hadn’t been any unwelcome pranks, and she’d tamped down on the urge to over-indulge in refreshments. The only thing missing had been–

“Lingering, Granger?”

Pivoting slowly in place, she looked up and up a dark green Oxford, the buttons shaped like tiny snowflakes.

“I was just on my way out.”

No Christmas was complete without running into Draco Malfoy. She supposed she should consider herself lucky that there were few witnesses to what would no doubt end in yet another memorable event.

“I’m surprised you stayed this long, but, then again, you are always one to please, aren’t you?” 

She couldn’t quite make out the meaning behind his expression, but if she were pressed to guess, she’d say he seemed tense.

“What is that supposed to mean?” she asked, even though she agreed with him. While she might not be the first one at a party, she did prefer to stay behind and see if the organizers needed help cleaning up. 

“I think you spent time with every single person in the room tonight except myself, of course. Were you avoiding me, Granger?”

He stepped close enough for her to reach out and touch. Or puke on.

“Don’t you think that’s wise, given our Christmas traditions? Those shoes look expensive.”

And they did. They obviously were not his former dragonhide boots, nor the replacements she’d purchased. They were a foggy shade of grey in a suede that would absolutely be ruined by any sort of bodily fluid.

“Everything I’m wearing is charmed, so go ahead and do your worst.”

Again, she couldn’t tell if he was joking or not. There was a slight uptick to one corner of his lips, but that could have just as easily been a trick of the light.

With nothing else to add, she thought it best to escape while their luck still held.

“I’m going to do us both a favour and bid you farewell and Happy Christmas, Malfoy.”

At least, that’s what she had intended, but her attempt to back up was halted as securely as if she’d been cast into a full-body bind.

“What the–” No amount of pressing against the invisible barriers around her worked.

She looked up.

Oh.

“Is something the matter–”

“Malfoy, don’t!”

The timing was impeccable, the setting perfectly arranged for their entrapment. Nestled above them almost invisible between the floating decorations and exposed beams was a sprig of telltale green. 

Silence reigned for a beat as they registered their predicament, then slowly looked down and at one another.

“Well, then, how about the floating mistletoe?” 

She winced at his wry tone.

“You really shouldn’t have stepped close without checking first–”

“Yes, well, it’s far too late for that. You know what needs to happen now,” he snapped, irritation now quite evident in each word.

Hermione wanted to sink into the floor and disappear. Of all pranks, it had to be mistletoe to finally strike. She’d been on edge for something less obvious, more stereotypically and creatively Weasley that she’d overlooked their highest-selling Christmas product.

“I’m really sorry, Draco.”

She couldn’t look at him as she said it, her eyes trained to a snowflake button that glistened like it was inlaid with diamonds. 

Wait, were they real?

The inane question bounced around her skull as she contemplated the one and a million ways she could kill the twins, except death would be far too kind of a punishment. They needed something suitable to the crime, after all.

“Of all fucked up scenarios, this was not the one where I planned to hear you say my name for the first time.”

He sounded…upset?

Hermione looked up to search his face. It wasn’t the sort of upset that was aimed at her; it was the sort of disappointed tone one used when an idea, or maybe a dream, they’d long held had slipped through their fingers, or turned out less wonderful than they’d expected.

“I say your name all the time,” she protested, still puzzling through his statement.

He bent his face close to hers to stare into her eyes, stormy irises wrapping around and drawing her near. 

“Not. Like that. You don’t. It’s always ‘Malfoy’ or ‘you’...or, if I’m very, very lucky, ‘sir.’”

Now that was definitely a smirk on his face. She could feel her face heat up and imagined she was as red as a certain reindeer.

“That’s only when you catch me off guard and I don’t notice I’m talking to you.”

“Whatever you say.” His lips stretched across his face and Hermione was strongly tempted to kick him in the shins. “Well, shall we?”

He flicked his eyes back up in reference, before settling back down and waiting for her reply.

“It’s Weasley mistletoe.”

“I know.”

“Which means a peck won’t cut it, even if it’s on the lips.”

“I know.”

His gaze dropped to the aforementioned body part, and, sweet Circe, she couldn’t help but part them in surprise. He looked like he wanted to kiss her.

That couldn’t be right, could it?

Then he had to go and swallow, like the sight of her mouth opening affected him. Curiosity reared its head up and demanded satisfaction.

“Kiss me, Draco.”

Grey orbs snapped back up in shock, but Hermione wasn’t about to allow him any further delay. She fisted the silken fabric of his shirt right over that damnable shiny button and tugged him down, while her other hand reached up to caress his cheek.

Soft skin, the barest hint of stubble that she couldn’t even see with her naked eye, pink lips parting in anticipation.

Just as she felt the lightest brush of his mouth against hers, Malfoy wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her into him so that they pressed up against one another and she felt every deliciously hard muscle of his body.

She melted.

Into him, into the kiss, into the tantalizing scent of dark amber and wood.

He teased her with a dip of his tongue against hers, then a languid rubbing to say, hello, hi, how are you? She greeted him back with exuberance, earning herself a chuckle in response.

She lost all awareness of her surroundings. If there was anyone left in the store to witness their stroke of unluck, she wasn’t aware of them. There was only Malfoy. Draco.

If he hadn’t been holding her up, she would’ve collapsed the moment he pulled his face back. As it was, she clung to him, her mind struggling to catch up with the last ten, twenty minutes? How long had they been snogging, anyway?

“Well, this certainly beats all our previous Christmases.”

She gaped at the unexpected joke. Still hugging her against him, he threw his head back and laughed, the lovely lines of his throat bobbing with the motion. Merriment still in the crinkle of his eyes and the smile on his lips, he tilted his head as he considered her.

“It looks like we’re free.” He held out his free arm in demonstration, easily leaving the space of their former prison.

“So we are,” she uttered softly.

She didn’t make a move to pull away, nor did he let go of her.

“Keep me company? At least for a while longer?” The hand against her hip tightened as he asked, and, for the first time that night, lines marred his forehead.

He was anxious. About her?

Hermione thought back to the past handful of years, skimming over all the disastrous Christmas parties and their nonstop dance around one another throughout the rest of the year. He could have easily turned down her gifts, or steered clear of her tonight.

But, he hadn’t.

He’d accepted whatever she offered him, pestered her every chance he could, gave as good as he got, and he had approached her tonight.

“Your place, or mine?”

Maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t torture the twins. If the night progressed the way Hermione hoped it would, she might actually owe them a hex and a gift basket.

Cross-posted on Tumblr and AO3.

Okay, well, I think this one could have gone on much longer if I’d had more than half a day to work on it. I really had fun with this premise! I love the idea of ill-fortuned Dramione and their continuing to go back for more.

[poupeesdecirque]

Travel Blog - Anime Festival Kassel - Part 2

Saturday or: Contest hyper Bunny & the black out

Saturday had come so fast and I can tell it went like a blurr for me somehow? Entry includes a recording of my cosplay contest entry.

You know I'm an early owl and I woke up before my alarm again, after breakfast in the hotel I arranged a few things and went out to Kassel as I felt I needed a walk to get some energy off as I was getting nervous. Attending the Cosplay Contest again and being the first one to perform was slowly getting into my head.

I went for a little random shopping trip and walk around Kassel but it was super cold. Luckily I was able to do my make up in the hotel room of a friend and it took forever. I do love Allen's Clown variant but I hate putting on the make up OTL I guess this is the main reason I will not wear it often in the end. Not to mention the adhesive for the wig acted up and slipped off shortly before I put the wig on x_X lacefront aren't my faves.

I quickly ran back to the car to put on the rest of the costume and went into the hall to check the areas I missed the day prior. The 2nd floor hosts the Anime Cinema, two big event halls, the commercial vendors and all that.

After running around like a headless chicken I met Cestla again who took photos at the nearby church, then I got myself some Bubble Tea and a snack as the pre-judging was already due soon.

As it was super cold my make up smeared a bit and I had to fix it anyways. (Funny enough the only parts that crumbled later the day were the parts I had to fix earlier, guess they were too runny).

Overall I got more used to people thinking I am a "horror clown", as aside positive feedback from locals that the costume is nice and asking for photos I was actually called creepy and indeed horror clown, guess the claws added to that. But I think it helps with the issue I had back at the Connichi as I kind of forgot people can be scared of clowns.

We then gathered for the pre-judging aka the costume judging. This was really ... something else as the jury this time were all international cosplayers who are well known and everything I said was translated to them, and I didn't understand them much. But I think they found some of my solutions quite smart? At least they left such an impression for me. The officiall photographer then took a few photos.

The time until the contest was just me running around and being a headless chicken again. One of the other contestans was funnily the one who organized the contest at the NiSaCon (she later on was placed first). I read my script over and over again.

For my entrance my friend actually recorded it:

I forgot my script in the middle of it, so it's partially acted, partially me trying not to panic on stage. I was just glad as it was over. But sitting in the audience waiting until it was over was another can of worms.

I have no idea how I was ranked, i thought about asking but in the end it wouldn't help me much, I went on that stage, I had to change my idea several times before the contest, was severly stressed and short before cancelling it a few times but I did it. And I did it to cope with a few things. I think it helped. (Photos are the Top 3, Moana (1), Stein's:Gate (2) and a Yokai OC (3, tbh the theme was super similar to what I did).

As things were settled we fetched some snacks and went on a little shopping haul. I redressed into the full clown costume, I was so sure I wouldn't wear it like that after the Connichi, but it felt like a weight was taken off my shoulders... so I think attending the contest was the right decision. Somehow the day passed by quickly and we both were beat and decided to say goodbye.

I quickly got some more substantial stuff to have more for dinner than a small bao bun and some taiyaki :') though eating this late and having a ton of chocolate after the main was not the best idea as I had serious trouble sleeping that night.

Scrubbing off the make up was a task on its own, especially the fake eyelashes. I was super tired, but alas... sleep is for the weak.

Last day laid ahead. Sadly.

[enchantedbeingscircle]

September

September is here and I know this post is late, but I had to take a slight social media detox! I swear once September hits I am all Fall, y’all!! I’m about all things apple, pumpkin, fall leaves, sunflowers, soup, etc! Did you know that apples (and apple trees) are associated with love, health, divination, rebirth and renewal, life, learning, and so many other things? The original bobbing for apples game was a form of slight divination, even! It was said that marriage would come to the first person to bite into the apple while bobbing. Also, if you cut into an apple, you’ll find a pentacle type star!

Correspondences of September are sapphire and sardonyx for crystals, the bear and owl for animals, flowers are morning glory and aster, and the zodiac sign is Virgo.

Let’s talk about some days in September:

Not only is Labor Day the 2nd, but also the Celtic Tree Month of Vine begins…happiness and wrath are both symbolized with the vine, garden magic, magic for joy and happiness but also wrath, rage, anger.

Magical influences for this are empowerment, inner growth, introspection, and prophecy.

Sept 4th is bring your manners to work day (I liked this one, cause I’m constantly reminding myself to have manners in moments where people are pissing me off lol.)

Sept 7th national salami day and world beard day (I liked these two because we used to call our younger sister “salami” to piss her off when we were all younger and we still sort of joke about it to this day… and my boyfriend has a beard that I just love. I love feeling it, smelling it, looking at it…lol!)

Sept 8th grandparents day

9/11… a tragic day that affected so many lives in one way or another! On this day remember all those who lost their lives due to this tragic event and the war it caused!

Friday the 13th

FULL MOON in Pisces on Sept 17, Harvest moon aka the nut moon, barley moon, or wine moon (love that!), the color for this full moon is brown and crystals are carnelian, cat’s eye, iolite, lapis lazuli, peridot, sapphire, blue spinel, blue tourmaline, and zircon

Magickal influences from this moon are confidence, the home, manifestation, protection.

This is a Moon of wisdom, take this time to reflect back on lessons learned this past year, darker days are coming which is good for shadow work.

September 18th NATIONAL CHEESEBURGER DAYYYY

September 21st International Day of Peace

Sept 22 is Mabon, also known as the autumn (or Fall) equinox – this is a time where night and day or light and dark are balanced. This is a sort of mid-harvest festival, we are celebrating the second of 3 harvest festivals. I’ve read that there is a slight connection to Mabon for how Oktoberfest was created, by the Bavarians. They start celebrating this in the last week of September.

Celebrate Mabon and give thanks to the Earth for abundant crops, practice gratitude, give blessings, share with the less fortunate. When canning, infuse your recipes with magickal influences and charm your jars.

Mabon is also one of those “liminal times” or an in-between time. These are powerful times for spell-work, rituals, and magick in general.

Colors for Mabon are blue, brown, gold, maroon, orange, violet, and yellow

Plants, herbs, etc: aster, marigolds, sage, ivy, grape, fern, blackberry/bramble, chrysanthemum, grains, thistle, and trees are cedar, hazel, aspen, maple, oak, myrtle, and locust

gems: amethyst, topaz

animals: hawk, swans, swallows, geese, dogs, wolves

Element: water

Magickal influences: accomplishment, agriculture, balance, goals, gratitude, grounding

Deities are: Epona, Inanna, Ishtar, Kore, Modron (Celtic Great Earth Mother Goddess), the Morrigan, Persephone, Bacchus, Dionysus, Dumuzi, the Green Man, Hermes, Thoth, Mabon (translates to the divine son) is the son of Modron and he is associated with the element of water, grapes, ivy, dogs, horses, salmon and his magical influences are hunting, darkness, death, freedom, harmony, innocence, justice, the otherworld or underworld, quests, contacting spirits, strength, truth, and youth.

Ways you can celebrate Mabon:

Make a simmer pot with apples, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, vanilla, star anise, orange slices.

Host a harvest dinner and include apples, squash, corn, grains, root vegetables like carrots potatoes and onions, grapes and wine, nuts, pomegranates, mead, spiced teas.

Make a hearty stew with fresh baked bread, apple pie, mashed squash, mulled wine

Make a cornucopia, go to a pumpkin patch and farmer’s market, go for a fall nature walk, donate food, focus on balance in your life, write a gratitude list, decorate your altar for Mabon with apples, candles that are brown, orange, and gold, marigold and sunflowers, leaves, acorns, grape vines, a deity statue. Celebrate by giving thanks for the abundance and good in your life, and meditate on the things on the things from this past year you'd like to let go of!

Sept 30th Celtic tree month of Ivy begins which symbolizes life, death, and rebirth, spell work during this time would be great for self-work, healing, banishing toxicity, protection, binding spells

Magical influences during this time: decisions and introspection, growth, learning, developing skills.

September in general is a good time to work on magick and intentions for the home.

I feel like 2 of the biggest intentions you can work on in September however, are balance and change, so I’m going to share a spell for this month that I created!

Things you’re going to need: leaves, something to write with, sage, basil, apple, orange candle, oil, sunflowers.

Dress your orange (for balance and change) candle with oil of your choosing and sage for a clear mind, basil for opening yourself to receive messages, and sunflowers for overcoming obstacles.

Core your apple (for peace, rebirth and renewal, self-work) and place your candle inside. You’re basically using this apple as your candle holder!

Light your candle and meditate on the areas in your life that need balance and/or change. When you are done, write your setbacks and obstacles that you want to overcome (to make these changes and bring this balance) onto the leaves. Hold the leaves into your hands and let the wind take them away!

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 8.4

Holidays

Administrative Professionals’ Day (India)

Air Force Day (Ukraine)

Assistance Dog Day

Backgammon Day

Barack Obama Day (a.k.a. Obama Day; Illinois)

Bartlett’s Quotations Day

Beirut Port Explosion Memorial Day (Lebanon)

Bhoto Jatra (Katmandu Valley, Nepal)

Bowser Day

Coast Guard Day (US)

Constitution Day (Cook Islands)

Cycle to Work Day (UK)

804 Day

Esther Day

Fiestas de la Virgen Blanca (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain)

Founder’s Day (Ghana)

Freedom of the Press Day

Great American Outdoors Day

Hooray for Kids Day

International Clouded Jaguar Day

International Day of Solidarity with the Belarusian Civil Society

International Owl Awareness Day

Johnny Cash Day (Arkansas)

Loch-mo-Naire Pilgrimage (Scotland)

Matica Slovenská Day (Slovakia)

National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (Australia)

National Architect Day (Chile)

National Day of the Dahlia (Mexico)

National I Got My Happy Back Day

National Guard Day (Venezuela)

National Journalist Day (Colombia)

National Olivia Strong Day

National Owl Day

National Parks Free Entrance Day

New Brunswick Day (Canada)

Nicole Robin Day (US Virgin Islands)

Port of Beirut Explosion Anniversary Day (Lebanon)

Psychic Day

Quotations Day

Railroad Workers’ Day (Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia)

Revolution Day (Burkina Faso)

Satchmo Day

Saturday Evening Post Day

Single Working Women’s Day

Sinjska Alka (Croatia)

Skynet Online Day

Transport Workers’ Day (Kazakhstan)

Venn Diagram Day

Viking Pilgrimage (Spain)

World NTM Awareness Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

American Supermarket Day

Champagne Day

Kentucky Fried Chicken Day

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

National Lasagna Day

National White Wine Day

Poppin’ Fresh Day

Raisin Bran Day

Independence & Related Days

Ahmedland (Declared; 2009) [unrecognized]

Cabuyao Cityhood Day (Philippines)

Constitution Day (Cook Islands)

Corennica (Declared; 2010) [unrecognized]

Krzakacja (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

NZRE (Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

Revolution Day (Burkina Faso)

1st Sunday in August

American Family Day [1st Sunday]

Blessing of the Sea [1st Sunday]

Day of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Ukraine) [1st Sunday]

Day of the Railway Worker (Russia)

Dé Domhnaigh Crum-Dubh (a.k.a. Crom Dubh Sunday; Celtic/Ireland) [1st Sunday]

International Forgiveness Day [1st Sunday]

International Friendship Day (India) [1st Sunday]

National Doll Day [1st Sunday]

National Friendship Day [1st Sunday]

National Kids Day [1st Sunday]

National Peacekeepers' Day (Canada) [Sunday closest to 9th]

Pilgrimage to the Llyn a Fan Fach in Dyfed (Celtic Book of Days) [1st Sunday]

Psychic Day [1st Sunday]

Reason Day (Northeastern Cross-Quarter; Aretéanism) [1st Sunday] (Independent Critical Thinking)

Selaks Wines’ National Roast Day (New Zealand) [1st Sunday]

Sisters' Day [1st Sunday]

World Meditation Day [1st Sunday of Every Month]

World Naked Kitchen Day [1st Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning August 4 (1st Full Week of August)

Exercise with Your Child Week (thru 8.10) [1st Full Week]

International Assistance Dog Week (thru 8.10) [Begins 1st Sunday]

Knights of Columbus Family Week (thru 8.10) [1st Full Week]

National Farmers Market Week (thru 8.10) [1st Full Week]

National Fraud Awareness Week (thru 8.10) [1st Full Week]

National Health Center Week (thru 8.10) [1st Full Week]

National Motorcycle Week (thru 8.10) [2nd Week]

National Smile Week (thru 8.10) [2nd Week]

National Stop on Red Week (thru 8.10)

Rock for Life Week (thru 8.7)

Single Working Women’s Week (thru 8.10) [Week containing 8.4]

Weird Contest Week (thru 8.10) [2nd Week]

Festivals Beginning August 4, 2024

Andorra la Vella Festival (Andorra)

Ecuadorian Food Festival (Los Angeles, California)

Folklorama (Winnipeg, Canada) [thru 8.17]

Heritage Fire (Louisville, Kentucky)

Jackson County Fair (Jackson, Michigan) [thru 8.10]

Latin Festival: Tacos & Tequila (Monmouth Park, Oceanport, New Jersey)

Medieval Week on Gotland (Visby, Sweden) [thru 8.11]

NY Now Summer Market (New York, New York) [thru 8.7]

Smukfest (Skanderborg, Denmark) [thruu 8.11]

Feast Days

Aphrodite’s Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Aristarchus (Christian; Saint)

Buckwheat Day (Pagan)

Charles Addams Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Culhwich (Celtic Book of Days)

Dancing in Your Underwear Day (Pastafarian) (Writerism)

Dominic (Christian; Saint)

Dominic (Christian; Saint)

Euphronius (Christian; Saint)

Fairy Drying-Out Day (Shamanismvb

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (Artology)

Frédéric Janssoone (Christian; Blessed)

Hedda Sterne (Artology)

Is and Her Companions (Christian; Martyrs)

John Henry Twachtman (Artology)

John Mary Vianney (Christian; Saint)

Knut Hamsun (Writerism)

Laura Knight (Artology)

Loch-mo-Naire Magical Powers Day (Everyday Wicca)

Long Jane Silver (Muppetism)

Luanus (a.k.a. Lugud or Moles) of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Manzoni (Positivist; Saint)

Mead Day (Pastafarian)

Molua (a.k.a. Lua; Christian; Saint)

Nicolas-Jacques Conté (Artology)

Paul McCarthy (Artology)

Percy Bysshe Shelley (Writerism)

Raynerius of Split (Christian; Saint)

Robert Hayden (Writerism)

Sithney (Christian; Saint) [mad dogs]

Vigil of Oswald (Christian; Saint)

Zuni Corn Dance begins (Native American) [thru 8.7]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

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

Premieres

Anaconda, by Nicki Minaj (Song; 2014)

The A-Tom-inable Snowman (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1966)

Babe (Film; 1995)

Barnyard (Animated Film; 2006)

Beauty is Only Skin Deep, by The Temptations (Song; 1966)

Billboard Hot 11 (Song Ranking System; 1958)

The Case of the Screaming Bishop (Phantasies; 1944)

Coyote Ugly (Film; 2000)

Dick (Film; 1999)

Galaxy Express 999 (Animated Film; 1979)

Holiday Inn (Film; 1942)

Hound Dog, by Elvis Presley (Song; 1956)

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (TV Series; 2005)

King Ottokar’s Sceptre, by Hergé (Graphic Novel; 1938) [Tintin #8]

Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (Film; 1950)

Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run (WB Animated Film; 2015)

Magnificent Obsession (Film; 1954)

Pink Tuba-Dore (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1971)

Pornografia, by Witold Gombrowicz (Novel; 1960)

Rocket-Bye Baby (WB MM Cartoon; 1956)

Sex, Lies, and Videotape (Film; 1989)

Ship A’hoy Woody (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1969)

Space Cowboys (Film; 2000)

Sunset Boulevard (Film; 1950)

Super Fly (Fim; 1972)

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (Film; 2006)

The Tao of Steve (Film; 2000)

Young Einstein (Film; 1989)

You Really Got Me, by The Kinks (Song; 1964)

Today’s Name Days

Elizabeth, Johannes, Rainer (Austria)

Ivan, Tertulijan (Croatia)

Dominik (Czech Republic)

Dominicus (Denmark)

Veera, Veronika, Veroonika (Estonia)

Veera (Finland)

Jean-Marie, Vianney (France)

Berta, Elisabeth, Else, Rainer, Ulrich (Germany)

Eskakoustodianos, Maxmilian, Violeta (Greece)

Dominika, Domonkos (Hungary)

Francesco, Nicodemo (Italy)

Edmars, Romāns, Romualds (Latvia)

Domantas, Gerimantas, Irta, Milgedė (Lithuania)

Arna, Arne, Arnhild (Norway)

Alfred, Arystarch, Dominik, Maria, Mironieg, Protazy (Poland)

Maria (Russia)

Dominik, Dominika (Slovakia)

Juan, Rubén (Spain)

Arne, Arnold (Sweden)

Bohdanna (Ukraine)

Barack, Barak, Domenic, Dominic, Dominica, Dominick, Dominique,Reuben, Ruben, Ruby (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 217 of 2024; 149 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of Week 31 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 2 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 1 (Geng-Zi)

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

Hebrew: 29 Tammuz 5784

Islamic: 28 Muharram 1446

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

Julian: 22 July 2024

Moon: 0%: New Moon

Positivist: 20 Dante (8th Month) [Manzoni]

Runic Half Month: Thorn (Defense) [Day 12 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 46 of 94)

Week: 1st Full Week of August

Zodiac: Leo (Day 14 of 31)

Calendar Changes

蘭月 [Lányuè] (Chinese Lunisolar Calendar) [Month 7 of 12] (Orchid Month) [Earthly Branch: Monkey Month] (Qīyuè; Seventh Month)

[princesscatherinemiddleton]

The Princess of Wales' Year in Review: March

March 1st - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Wales and carried out a number of engagements. They started their day at Pant Farm, before visiting Abergavenny Market. Later, the couple visited the Hwb Torfaen before finally planting a tree at Blaenavon World Heritage Centre for The Queen’s Green Canopy

March 3rd - The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, held a Centre for Early Childhood Meeting at Kensington Palace. On the same day, the Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room released a post sharing Catherine's top five children's books: The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, Stig of the Dump, Charlotte's Web, the Katie Morag series, and Feelings

March 8th - The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, held a Centre for Early Childhood Meeting at Kensington Palace

March 9th - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Patrons of the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, received Lord Hague. That afternoon, William and Catherine visited the Ukrainian Cultural Centre

March 14th - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Commonwealth Observation Day service at Westminster Abbey

March 17th - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge presented shamrocks to the Irish Guards on St Patrick's Day

March 19th - On behalf of HM Queen Elizabeth II in her Platinum Jubilee year, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge departed from Royal Air Force Brize Norton for Belize, arriving at Philip S W Goldson International Airport. Later, the couple met with Juan Antonio Briceño (the Prime Minister of Belize) and Rossana Briceño (his wife)

March 20th - William and Catherine visited Che’il Mayan Chocolate Factory, before attending a festival of Garifuna culture at Hopkins Football Square. Later, the couple met marine conservation experts at Hopkins Dock

March 21st - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Caracol Natural Monument Reservation. Later, they attended a training session of the British Army Training Support Unit Belize in the Chiquibul Forest. That evening, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a Reception to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Cahal Pech ruins

March 22nd - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge departed from Philip S W Goldson International Airport, and arrived at Kingston Norman Manley International Airport, where they were met by - amongst others - Kamina Johnson Smith (Representative of the Prime Minister of Jamaica). After that, Wiliam and Catherine met with the Governor-General of Jamaica and Lady Allen at King’s House. Finally, they attended a Sports and Cultural Event at Trench Town Culture Yard

March 23rd - William and Catherine met with Andrew Holness (Prime Minister of Jamaica). The couple - in their role as joint Patrons of the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - visited Shortwood Teachers’ College, where Catherine gave a speech. Later, they visited Spanish Town Hospital, before visiting the Caribbean Military Technical Training Institute. Finally, the Cambridges attended a dinner to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee given by the Governor-General of Jamaica

March 24th - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Commissioning Parade for the inaugural Initial Officer Training Programme at the Caribbean Military Academy. They then departed Norman Manley International Airport before arriving at Lynden Pindling International Airport, where they were greeted by Sir Cornelius Smith (Governor-General of the Bahamas). William and Catherine later visited Philip Davis (Prime Minister of the Bahamas) and his wife

March 25th - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Sybil Strachan School, where Catherine gave a speech. They then attended a celebration for key workers at the Garden of Remembrance, before visiting Parliament Square. William and Catherine then participated in a Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta, before attending a reception at the Baha Mar Hotel to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

March 26th - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Daystar Church, before unveiling a memorial at Memorial Garden, to commemorate those who lost their lives in Hurricane Dorian. William and Catherine later visited a beach area in Abaco to meet local stall holders. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Grand Bahama Children’s Home. Before finally, in their roles as joint Patrons of the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visiting Coral Vita, winners of the 2021 Earthshot Prize. The couple departed Lynden Pindling International Airport for the UK that evening

March 27th - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at Royal Air Force Brize Norton

March 29th - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, attended the Service of Thanksgiving for The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey

[dead-as-i-tread]

27 club part 2 ☆

Gary Thaine 1948-1975 (Uriah Heep)

he became a member of the band "The Secrets", which eventually dissolved in 1966. Later, Thain was part of the rock trio The New Nadir, and with the drummer Peter Dawkins, he traveled from New Zealand to London, and once jammed with Jimi Hendrix before the trio split in 1969. Thain joined the Keef Hartley Band, performing at Woodstock in 1969 and, in 1971, they toured with Uriah Heep.

Alan Wilson (Blind Owl) 1943-1970

The "rural hippie anthem" became the unofficial theme song for the Woodstock Festival where Canned Heat performed at sunset on August 16, 1969. Although Canned Heat's live performance was cut from the original theatrical release of the Woodstock film, they were featured in the 25th anniversary "Director's Cut."

Leslie Harvey 1944-1972 (Stone the Crows)

In 1969, Harvey joined Scottish band Cartoone to record some tracks for their second album. He also accompanied Cartoone on their live tour of the United States supporting Led Zeppelin. Harvey was a co-founder of Stone the Crows in late 1969. While on stage with Stone the Crows at Swansea Top Rank in 1972, he was electrocuted when he touched a microphone that was not earthed while the fingers of his other hand were holding the strings of his guitar.

Ron “Pigpen” McKernan 1945-1973 (Grateful Dead)

He founded the Grateful Dead band, who he played for between 1965 and 1972. McKernan was close friends with American singer-songwriter Janis Joplin due to common musical influences and lifestyles, particularly a shared love of alcohol over other drugs. While his bandmates and friends were using cannabis, LSD, and other hallucinogenic drugs, McKernan preferred alcoholic beverages. friends and band biographers have described McKernan as a quiet, kind, and introspective person. Hart later said "Pigpen was the musician in the Grateful Dead." Kreutzmann said McKernan was "the sweetest guy anybody had ever met."

Dave Alexander 1947-1975 (The Stooges)

The Stooges’ founding bassist Dave “Zander” Alexander had the reputation of being a loose cannon before the group even came together: He dropped out of high school 45 minutes into his senior year to win a bet, and he and Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton once traveled to England with hopes of running into the Beatles. Alexander was fired from the band in August 1970 after showing up at the Goose Lake International Music Festival too drunk to play.

[brookston]

Holidays 1.5

Holidays

American Divorce Day

Apple Howling Day

Carnival begins (Old Bohemia)

Carnaval Blancos Negros, Day 2: The Day of the Blacks (Colombia)

Dia de la Toma (Spain)

Eve of Wonder

Fair Deal Day

Fathers' Day (Оци; Serbia)

501st Legion Day (UK)

Flint Day (French Republic)

FM Radio Day

George Washington Carver Day

Get on the Computer Day

International Declutter Day

International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival (Harbin, China)

Joma Shinji (Kamakura, Japan)

Kappa Alpha Psi Day

Little Cold begins (Chinese Farmer’s Calendar)

Monopoly Game Day

Mr. Ed Day

National Bird Day

National Day of Dialogue

National Don’t Talk Day

National Ellen Day

National Screenwriters Day

National Second-Hand Wardrobe Day

Nellie Ross Day (Wyoming)

Night of the Magic Camel (Southern Syria)

Red Hackle Anniversary Day of the Black Watch

Review Your Wrestling Holds Day

Right of Self Determination Day (Pakistan)

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day (Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney; Australia)

Tucindan (Serbia, Montenegro)

Turn Up the Heat Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Can Opener Day

Granny Smith Day

National Keto Day

National Whipped Cream Day

Sausage Day (UK)

Strawberry Day (Ichigo No Hi; Japan)

Take the Cake Day

Whipped Cream Day

1st Friday in January

Gals Night Out [1st Friday]

Thermopolis Day (Wyoming) [1st Friday]

Independence & Related Days

Ajdinland (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Monarchy of Craztonia (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Pitchfork Union (Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

Seirlandia (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Avian Day (Pagan)

Befana (Ancient Roman Goddess)

Burning of the Evergreen (Pagan)

Charles of Mount Argus (Christian)

The Eve of Epiphany (Christian; Transition Between Christmas & Carnival Season)

Feast of Poseidon (Ancient Greece)

Festival of Kore (Greek Goddess of Good Fortune & Zeal)

Festival of Lares Compitales (Ancient Rome)

Festival of Pyrotechnics

Gerlac of Valkenberg (Christian; Saint)

Hayao Miyazaki (Jayism)

Hoots the Owl (Muppetism)

International Sarcasm Day (Pastafarian)

John Neumann (Catholic Church)

Ludwig II Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Lycurgus (Positivist; Saint)

Mungday (aka Hung Mung’s Day; Discordian)

Nicolas de Staël (Artology)

Noche De Reyes (Three Wise Men; Mexico)

Nones of January (Ancient Rome)

Old Christmas Eve

Simeon Stylites (Latin Church)

Telesphorus, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Trettondagsafton (Epiphany Eve; Sweden)

Tucindan (Old Serbian Pagan Folk Festival)

Twelfth Day of Christmas

Twelfth Night

Twelve Holy Days #11 (Aquarius, the lower limbs; Esoteric Christianity)

Twelvetide, Day #12 (a.k.a. the Twelve Days of Christmas or Christmastide) [until 1.5]

Ullr Festival (Norse)

Umberto Eco (Jayism)

Verbal Abuse Day (Pastafarian)

The Voyage of Hathor to See Her Seven Sisters (Ancient Egypt)

Yves Tanguy (Artology)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Lucky Day (Philippines) [4 of 71]

Perilous Day (13th Century England) [4 of 32]

Prime Number Day: 5 [3 of 72]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [4 of 60]

Premieres

All My Children (TV Soap Opera; 1970)

Any Rags? (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1932)

Armed Forces, by Elvis Costello (Album; 1979)

Buddy the Gob (WB LT Cartoon; 1934)

Cavalcade (Film; 1933)

Chica Chica Boom Chic, by Carmen Miranda (Song; 1941)

Come Dance with Me!, by Frank Sinatra (Album; 1959)

The Dark Eidolon and Other Fantasies, by Clark Ashton Smith (Short Stories; 1935)

Desire, by Bob Dylan (Album; 1976)

Dog, Cat and Canary (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1945)

The Dud Avocado, by Elaine Dundy (Novel; 1958)

Giasone, by Francesco Cavalli (Opera; 1649)

Greetings From Asbury Park, by Bruce Springsteen (Album; 1973)

Happily N’Ever After (Animated Film; 2007)

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (UK TV Series; 1981)

In the American Grain, by William Carlos Williams (History Book; 1925)

Lion Down (Disney Cartoon; 1951)

Lyrical Ballads, by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Book of Poetry; 1798)

Maze Craze (Atari 2600 Video Game; 1980)

Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (TV Series; 1976)

Nixon (Film; 1996)

The Shannara Chronicles (TV Series; 2016)

Stop! In The Name Of Love, recorded by The Supremes (Song; 1965)

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Novel; 1886)

The Swiss Summer, by Stella Gibbons (Novel; 1951)

Three Little Bops (WB LT Cartoon; 1957)

Tiger Trouble (Disney Cartoon; 1945)

The Tortoise and the Hare (Disney SS Cartoon; 1935)

Waiting for Godot, by Samuel Beckett (Play; 1953)

What’s Sweepin’ (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1953)

Who’s Kitten Who? (WB LT Cartoon; 1952)

The Wiz (Broadway Musical; 1975)

Today’s Name Days

Emilia, Johann (Austria)

Emilijana, Gaudencije, Miljenko, Radoslavl (Croatia)

Dalimil (Czech Republic)

Simeon (Denmark)

Lea, Leana, Liia (Estonia)

Lea, Leea (Finland)

Édouard (France)

Emilia, Johann (Germany)

Syglitiki, Theoni, Theopemptos (Greece)

Simon (Hungary)

Amelia (Italy)

Sīmanis, Zintis (Latvia)

Gaudentas, Telesforas, Vytautas, Vytautė (Lithuania)

Hanna, Hanne (Norway)

Edward, Emilian, Emiliusz, Hanna, Symeon, Szymon, Telesfor, Włościbor (Poland)

Sinclitichia, Teona, Teotempt (Romania)

Andrea (Slovakia)

Amelia, Emiliana, Juan, Simeón, Telesforo (Spain)

Hanna, Hannele (Sweden)

Apollinaria, Teon (Ukraine)

Ladarius, Ladd, Laird, Lamont, Lane, Tania, Tanya, Tatiana, Tatyana, Tawni, Tawnya, Tia, Tiana, Tianna, Tonya (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 5 of 2024; 361 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of week 1 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Beth (Birch) [Day 11 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Jia-Zi), Day 24 (Wu-Chen)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 24 Teveth 5784

Islamic: 23 Jumada II 1445

J Cal: 5 White; Fryday [5 of 30]

Julian: 23 December 2023

Moon: 35%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 5 Moses (1st Month) [Lycurgus]

Runic Half Month: Eihwaz or Eoh (Yew Tree) [Day 11 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 16 of 89)

Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 15 of 31)

[the-great-elwisty]

Complicated-est thing I've ever tried on Tumblr

Thanks to @likeyua for tagging me. : )

Three ships: Sam Vimes/Sybil Rankin (Discworld); Barkspawn/cheese (Dragon Age Origins); Ammon Jerro/digging a hole while standing in it (Neverwinter Nights 2)

First ship ever: I'm not a very shippy person and never was soooo...maybe Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth in Persuasion? I saw the film version with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds first, then read the book. Love the 'letter' scene. You know the one.

Last song: According to my computer, it was Young Johnstone, a border ballad sung by June Tabor on her 2003 album 'An Echo of Hooves'.

Last movie: Can't actually remember. I tend to go in more for short TV binges and reading. I think it might have been The Banshees of Inisherin, which I saw in the cinema on the day of its release. At the start of spring this year, there's an international film festival coming up that I'm really looking forward to. I've already got four films pencilled into my calendar.

Currently watching: I'm between TV binges. December/January I watched Owl House, Gravity Falls, and Our Flag Means Death. Next month Shadow and Bone Season 2 is due out (haven't read the books, but quite liked S1), and I'll sign up to Netflix for that.

Currently reading: By coincidence, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, a campus fantasy novel set in a gothic, magical Yale.

Currently consuming: Had a bowl of tomato and red lentil soup for dinner. I'll have a bottle of strong dark beer before I go to bed. Muesli with hot soy milk, banana and cinnamon tomorrow morning for breakfast.

Currently craving: a thing that is excitingly different but not terrifying to happen to me. I don't know - maybe if I came across a friendly stray dog called Clootie Dumpling and was obliged to look after it for several days. Also, for Putin to trip and fall out of a high window. And for a general election in the UK at which the Tories are routed even worse than in 1997. (I still remember my parents almost dancing with glee.)

Too shy to tag people, but if you see this and want to join in, go ahead and tag me to let me know.