#international summer holiday tour

[bananaofswifts]

Whether she's breaking records or breaking Ticketmaster, Taylor Swift has proven time and again that she's one of the most powerful figures in modern music — and the Eras Tour is a manifestation of that.

By TAYLOR WEATHERBY

But after witnessing it in person, it's clear that Swift is not just delivering the tour of the year — it's the tour of her generation.

Sure, Beyoncé fans can't wait for her tour this summer; Harry Styles is about to embark on the final leg of his highly successful Love On Tour trek; BLACKPINK sold out stadiums around the country too. Yet, it's hard to imagine that any other tour this year will have a cultural impact as big as the Eras Tour — something that's wildly apparent whether or not you were there.

Even before Swift hit the stage for her first night at Nashville's Nissan Stadium on May 5, her influence was felt. Practically every fan of the 70,000 in attendance (a record for the venue — more on that later) was wearing some sort of reference to their favorite Swift era: a beloved lyric, or an iconic performance or music video look. While that's not necessarily a new trend in the Swiftie world, seeing all 10 of her eras represented throughout a stadium-sized crowd was equal parts meaningful and remarkable.

As someone who has been to hundreds of tours and most of Swift's — including the Reputation Tour, which I naively referred to as "the peak of her career" — I didn't think this one would feel much different than a typical stadium show. But even when Swift was just a few songs in of her impressive three-and-a-half hour set, a feeling came over me like I wasn't just watching one of music's greats — I was part of music history.

Below, here are five reasons why the Eras Tour will go down as one of the most iconic of Swift's generation.

It's Treated Like A Holiday

In the week leading up to the shows and over the weekend, Nashville was abundant with special events in Swift's honor. From Taylor-themed trivia nights to pre- and post-show dance parties to wine lists transformed into "eras," practically every place you went was commemorating her return (she last performed in Nashville in 2018).

While it's unclear whether this kind of takeover is happening in every city — after all, she does consider Nashville a hometown, as she said on stage — it's rare to see an artist have such a ripple effect by simply just coming to town.

During her May 5 show, Swift added to the excitement by sharing the highly anticipated news that Speak Now (Taylor's Version) was coming on July 7. Upon the announcement, three of Nashville's monuments — the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, the Tennessee State Capitol and the Alliance Bernstein building downtown — were illuminated in purple, the album's color.

It's Breaking Records Left And Right

Though Swift is no stranger to breaking records, she continues to do so with the Eras Tour. After setting the all-time attendance record at Nissan Stadium on night one of her Nashville run, Swift topped herself (something has become accustomed to on the charts as well) with another attendance record on night two.

And despite the controversial ticketing frenzy the tour caused, Swift also broke a Ticketmaster record with more than 2.4 million tickets sold — the most by an artist in a single day — in the presale alone. If Swift announces an international leg of the tour, Pollstar projects that the Eras Tour could surpass $1 billion, which would add yet another first to her ever-growing list.

It's Spawned Parking Lot Parties

As if history-making attendance and record-breaking ticket sales aren't indication enough of Swift's power, the Eras Tour is so highly in-demand that fans are sitting outside of the venue to still be part of the show. Fans crowded barricades and camped out in the parking lot of Nissan Stadium, ready to watch (and sing along) Swift on the big screen — something that has seemingly been happening in every city.

It Can't Be Stopped By The Elements

Adding to the magnitude of the Eras Tour, Swift performs 45 songs across three and a half hours. And to make her last night in Nashville even more momentous, she did almost all of that in pouring rain.

Swift didn't get to take the stage until after 10 p.m. on May 7 because of storms in the area (she normally goes on around 7:50 local time), but that didn't mean she'd be shortening her set. Carrying on until after 1:30 a.m. — even through the "element of slippiness happening," as she joked — Swift made it clear that she's determined to give each show her all regardless of the weather.

It's Simply A Feel-Good Celebration

Perhaps it was the five-year gap between the last time she toured. Perhaps it was the four new albums of material. Perhaps it was the celebratory nature of the show. Whatever inspired the vibe of the Eras Tour, I've never seen Taylor Swift or her fans so alive. The passion was tangible, the energy was magnetic.

Though Swift has always been known as an artist with a very loyal following, it was still mind-blowing to hear 70,000 people belt out every word for three hours straight. There aren't many artists whose catalogs are as equally beloved as they are extensive, especially one who hasn't even seen her 34th birthday. No matter how many albums and tours are in Swift's future, the Eras Tour captures a special moment in time — and celebrates a legend in her prime.

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Fics Written In 2022 (3) Masterlist

part one, part two

A Fire Inside (ao3) - Lackless

Summary: Of course it would happen to him, during a world tour he’d specifically planned around his cycle. One day this will become a comedy bit.

and more still to come (ao3) - cityofphanchester

Summary: He wonders for half a second whether it was stupid to come here, whether he’ll have to go home tomorrow restless with worry over how much of Dan he actually knows.

“I’m starving,” Dan says, and it’s his regular familiar voice.

and the house becomes a home again (ao3) - BLUEGREYKIM

Summary: Dan’s plane lands at one-thirty-two AM (he’s been tracking the flight since it took off, and his stomach’s been flipping with jitters since Dan’s phone switched to aeroplane mode and his texts stopped going through).

Two and a half months, since Dan's been home, and Phil has been going crazy.

(also known as the dan comes home fic)

baby, it's cold outside (ao3) - pasteldanhowells

Summary: Dan is traveling to his parent’s house for Christmas. There’s a blizzard expected to hit just as Dan’s leaving, but Dan doesn’t think anything of it, not until his car breaks down and he’s stranded. Kind stranger Phil steps in and offers to help Dan.

Betta Late Than Never (ao3) - indistinct_echo

Summary: Dan hires Phil to therapize his betta. They get along swimmingly.

Dan and Phil and DOG (ao3) - nivi_chip

Summary: It’s Phil’s birthday, and Dan gets him a gift that’s long overdue

envelop the lonely places (ao3) - cityofphanchester

Summary: Dan in his arms is like remembering how to breathe.

(reunion fic, dec '22)

familiar perspectives (ao3) - cityofphanchester

Summary: Kath twinkles in Dan’s direction, and he knows she’s been watching his hands move across the puzzle. “Is he, now? Shame you’re stuck with him, then.”

(scenes from the isle, oct ‘21.)

It's Of Some Comfort (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: hurt/comforty smut

Llama Legs (ao3) - Anonymous

Summary: After a short break, Dan and Phil are about to begin the next arm of their breakout international tour, TATINOF. The problem is, all good little boys have to have some form of entertainment during their break - and Dan has just began exploring his little-space. What happens when Dan doesn't listen to Phil and decides not to use the toilet before beginning a show, leading to a regression?

made for you (ao3) - BLUEGREYKIM

Summary: Phil, in all the years he's known Dan, can tell what he's thinking with a glance, a lock of eyes. Dan, in all the years he's known Phil, is the same.

aka the fic where they have a super psychic connection and insane communicative skills (real life)

More than 2 and a half weeks (ao3) - natigail

Summary: The night before Dan leaves for the American leg of his tour, Phil pulled him into shooting a video and then he pulled him into his arms.

(not a) boyfriend hoodie (ao3) - dizzy

Summary: Phil really likes cuddling up in Dan's new hoodie.

Which would be fine, if it were actually Dan's hoodie.

not a chew toy? (ao3) - phantasticworks (steddieworks)

Summary: Apparently some things aren’t meant to be chewed on. Who knew?

pretty (ao3) - cityofphanchester

Summary: The boxes sit piled in a jumble in the corner of Dan’s closet for weeks. Phil starts getting notifications for them in the days after Nashville, alerts of purchases off the credit card they don’t use often and then the packages themselves, one by one at the door.

(little dresses and fishnet stockings, 2022)

Scraps and secrets (ao3) - Writtenbyalonelynerd

Summary: Phil is a librarian, dan has nowhere to go during the summer holidays so decides to do some reading. Meets Phil and love grows from there.

tell you later (ao3) - cityofphanchester

Summary: Phil looks up again after a while, at the tilt to Dan’s head and the idle fidgets of his fingers against the edge of the desk as he rereads. Some of Dan’s last few months have been spent doing not much thinking at all, and some of them have been spent doing far too much thinking, and in the depths of it all Phil had hoped and trusted but never quite known that those hours of anxious thought would ever morph into something useful.

(new projects and pride)

The Hockey Game (ao3) - Jinny12912

Summary: Dan and Phil go see a hockey game while touring through Canada. Dan has too much to drink during the game and needs some help from Phil to make it back home before wetting himself.

The Problem With Travelling During The Holidays (ao3) - Nefertiti1052 (Succubusphan)

Summary: Dan is in a tricky situation, running to catch his connecting flight with no other than his annoying enemy right on his heels. If he could just get on the plane and be away from Lester that would save Christmas.

Luckily for Dan, things don't tend to go his way.

Together Again (ao3) - LivingVicarioslyThroughDaydreams

Summary: This is Dan’s moment, and Phil is more than happy to let him have this time. So when Dan calls every night, gushing with energy and excitement, Phil doesn’t tell him how he wants to be with him, how he misses him so much. He only smiles and laughs along and tells Dan how proud of him he is.

But now Dan is coming home, back to him. He almost feels selfish with how excited he is. Today though, he’ll allow it. Dan has had his time to find himself, but today: today will be just for them. Together again.

(Phil's perspective on missing Dan and being reunited with him)

try, try again (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: Phil is so stubborn when he gets an idea in his head, and Dan is fully prepared just to be along for the ride as his test subject on this one. They’ve already recorded the cheese challenge, and it didn’t go very well at all, so Dan has a fairly good idea of how this is going to go down. So to speak.

Welcome home! (never leave that long again) (ao3) - natigail

Summary: Dan comes home from tour and stumbles right into Phil’s arms. He is more touch starved than he’d realised.

Werewolf by Night (ao3) - silentdescant

Summary: Dan remembers when these woods scared him. The dark doesn’t seem so oppressive now; he can see the bright light of the full moon through the gaps in the trees, and the forest floor is as easy for him to navigate as if it were daytime. The sounds of nature similarly don’t bother him anymore. There’s only one predator here worth worrying about.

your time starts now (ao3) - danhoweiis

Summary: The email landed in his inbox on a Wednesday morning at 10am.

Dear Phil Lester,

After doing some research on your career and seeing your popularity online we’d like to invite you to be a contestant on series 16 of the Channel 4 TV show Taskmaster, produced by Avalon television production group…

[joshsilverseyebrow]

type o negative for Metal Maniacs Magazine (2000)

what it says for people who don’t want to zoom in:

DEATH IS ONLY THE BEGINNING by vincent n. cecolini

Manhattan's Chelsea Hotel is the bona fide landmark where Thomas Wolfe and Dylan Thomas stayed while slaving over eventual literary masterpieces; it's where the Red Hot Chili Peppers were evicted for skateboarding through its halls; it's notorious for being the place where Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious bludgeoned his girlfriend Nancy Spungen while stoned on heroin; and on this extremely hot early July affernoon, it's the place Roadrunner Records has chosen to preview Brooklyn doom‘n’gloom metallers Type O Negative’s latest offering, World Coming Down, to the assembled international media.

The 70+ minute epic & the band's most adventurous, containing its most decidedly uncommercial songs to date, an obvious about face from 1996's critically acclaimed October Rust.

After a your of media blackout, Pete Steele spoke to the European music press this past spring after returning from Iceland (the Brooklynite is of Icelandic and Polish descent) where he went to relax after the stress of songwriting for the new album had gotten to him. In the pre-album interviews, Steele distanced himself from October Rust, hinting that if the new album was not a commercial success, he would split Type O Negative and embark on a solo career.

“I was not really distancing myself from October Rust," he explains. “I was dissing myself for listening to the label and trying to write ‘singles.’ The singles that come off of the album did not have the impact of [Bloody Kisses’ singles] 'Christian Woman' and ‘Black No. 1’ We've learned that when we don't try so hard to do things, good things happen. And I had to go to Iceland, because I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown."

"He actually went to Islip (Long Islond), New York,” laughs guitarist Kenny Hickey.

*We needed a break," says keyboardist Josh Silver.

At album number four-five if you count the 65 minute Origin Of The Faces "EP"-you would expect Type O Negative to know its threshold for tension.

"[The creative process] is different each time," says Silver.

"We just took our time," interrupts Kenny. We began rehearsing a couple of times a week and then things began to pick up. But it still got to be too much.”

*We were rushed during October Rust,” says Steele, “We had just come off of five big tours and we were on a roll with [1993's] Bloody Kisses [both the band and Roadrunner Records’ biggest success to date] and the label wanted to capitalize on it. I don't think it hurt the album, I just didn't like working under those conditions."

It is hard to believe, but the band actually started work on World Coming Down way back in October 1998. “It took so long (to create this record) because of a lack of motivation,” says Steele. "We had been touring a lot for the previous four years- a year and a half alone in support of October Rust. And when we came home, we needed time off from each other.

“We had gotten beat up for four years,” adds guitarist Kenny.

“This time we just took [the extra time we needed]," says Steele. "It wasn't as if we dragged our asses. Yes, we could have worked faster, but we didn't take our sweet time."

Although the band began to demo new material last summer, Steele continued to write. The band finally headed into the studio this past April and finished recording the second week of July. World Coming Down is Type O Negative's darkest effort both musically and lyrically, which says a lot for a band known for its slow brooding songs about using red wine to ward off the spirits of dead relatives during the Christmas holidays and gothic women who enjoy looking at themselves in mirrors during sex.

"We didn't want to saturate the album like we did on October Rust," explains Steele.

“We wanted the bass and guitar to stand out more and we wanted to make the songs more riff-oriented as opposed to the last album, which was more chord-oriented.”

The band admits the album is heavily influenced by Black Sabbath, adding that the Doors, the Rolling Stones, Kiss, Pink Floyd and the Beatles are also inspirations. In fect, the album's requisite cover is supposed to be the Beatles "Day Tripper." Unfortunately, as happens whenever the band decides to cover a classic-Seals And Croft gave the band headaches when they wanted to change the lyrics of the 1970s staple “Summer Breeze”-Type O Negative are having trou-

ble obtaining permission. Evidently, Michael Jackson, who owns the rights to the Beatles catalogue, is charging an exorbitant price. To make matters worse, the band wants to include snippets of three other Beatles songs in its version. At press time, the situation has yet to be decided.

Ironically, in the band's attempt to turn a deaf ear to their label and write World Coming Down as an uncompromising, uncommercial rock record, they've created some songs which are actually among their most accessible efforts to date, including the potential single "Everything Dies,” a darkly humorous examination of our mortality,

"I wrote the song after my father's death and I'm not going to say that I've been obsessed with his passing, but it is a hard thing for me not to think about,” he admits.

"As you get older, people you love drop dead and there is nothing you can do about it. I come from a big family and it seems like every three months another relative dies." Although people have speculated that Steele maintained a day job with the New York City Parks Department well into the success of Bloody Kisses, due to his responsibility for his elderly parents, the frontman contends that he continued to work on the concourse under the Brooklyn Bridge because he "liked the job."

*It was cushy and I had a lot of freedom,” he says. "I liked the paycheck- I made $800 a week picking up human shit— and it had great benefits. But I had to make a decision because of that damned Motley Crue four a few years ago."

Although World Coming Down is not as musically busy as its predecessors, it continues the Type O Negative tradition of flowing one song into the next, leaving the listener with little, if any, time to catch their breath during its duration. The album’s theme is “No matter what you do, you are stil going to die.”

"Nothing makes me happy anymore," admits Steele. “I feel bad about that because I realize that I am a very fortunate person. And I am not just talking about the success of the band; I think anyone who can walk, talk and see has nothing to complain about. It's ironic and sad. The past three years have been very confusing for us. There have been a lot of changes in our lives. There has been a lot of death and turmoil, but rather than go out on the street and punch somebody out beceuse I'm mad at the world, I decided to write a bunch of lousy songs.”

Steele, like everyone it seems, also has an opinion about the millennium. “The year 2000 is arbitrary,” he says “People were also freaking out in 999, because they thought the year 1000 was significant. If and when the end of the worle comes and the bombs start dropping, I just hope one hits me.”

“What will probably happen is Brooklyn [New York] will be blown to bits while we're on tour in New Zealand,” says Hickey.

"Oh, when the bombs drop, there will be one for Brooklyn,” continues Steele.

"I have it waiting in my garage," laughs drummer Johnny Kelly.

Unlike bands who continually boast that they are from Brooklyn, but have moved to either Long Island, Staten Island or California, the members of Type O Negative have not ventured from the nest. Besides living in the borough, the band continues to record at Systems Two in Brooklyn, where they have recorded everything they've done (including pre-Type O Negative projects) since they were 6 years old. They shot the photos for the album's back cover of the East River piers in Greenpoint ("Brooklyn’s glass beaches," says Steele affectionately). And it is also the place where Steele continues to cruise around in his mutant monster car, “the Death Trap” which was built from parts of various cars and trucks. Roadrunner considered giving the vehicle away in a promotionol contest coinciding with the release of October Rust, but the label eventually decided against it when they realized the car was nearly inhabitable. A source of the label once joked that they feared wrongful death lawsuits from the families of the contest winner.

"He's still got the car, but one day that car is going to get him,” says Hickey.

“It looks great, but it's a rolling catastrophe,” adds Kelly.

Ironically, it was not until earlier in the day, when Kelly was paging through a magazine dropped off by a foreign journalist, that he noticed that Type O Negative would begin touring in Europe at the end of August. “We're going to tour as long as the album lasts,” he says.

*It all depends on the success of the record,” says Kelly. "Anyone who tells you anything else is lying to you,"

"It's a matter of opportunity,” continues Hickey. "If we don't have the opportunity to support a major touring act, we'll tour on our own until someone comes along. It depends on the singles and the feedback we get, It also depends on radio airplay."

"Part of our problem is that we have never fit into a particular radio format, " says Kelly,

“We have received airplay before, but who knows what is going to happen this time around."

Type O Negative is the band that time forgot,” says Steele. This is a real retro album. It’s an album that should have been released in the 1970s.”

"The album is a product of the time and place we came from," says Kelly: “It's constant stimulation. We never let you off the hook.”

"[When we began working] I didn't know how this album was going to turn out,” says Steele. "It could have gone in a thousand ways, each one cool, but it come out this way and that’s fine."

The album condudes with a backward message, which the band refuses to decipher.

"It says Keep God happy, kill a journalist,” laughs Steele. There was a backward messsage on the last album that said, “People who play their records backwards should find better things to do with their time.”

If the new album fails to return the band to Bloody Kisses-era glory, will Type O Negative split? Although the bond refuses to comment, Steele admits he already has a title for his solo debut.

“I’m gonna call it Give Pete A Chance."

[dustedmagazine]

Tsunami — Loud Is As (Numero Group)

Tsunami rolled over the 1990s like the natural phenomenon it was named for, swamping conventions about what punk should sound like, who should make it, how it should be delivered to its audience and what subjects it should tackle. Coming out of a DC hardcore scene defined by an angular, aggressive hyper male sound, Tsunami was half-female, dauntingly intelligent, haunted by melody and smothered in fuzz.  A new box set from Numero documents the band’s eight year run, including three full albums, 11 singles and some unreleased four-track demos. An exhaustively researched history by Joe Gross comes illustrated with contemporary photography, concert flyers, backstage passes and album art. Four pre-eminent female music critics—Jen Pelly, Evelyn McDonnell, Gina Arnold and Ann Powers—offer personal reflections on individual Tsunami albums.  It is a gloriously complete retrospective. If you’re not cherry picking favorites and reliving memories from the first time around, expect to be overwhelmed. It will require some time to get a handle on this.

It began in Arlington, Virginia, at a punk house called Positive Force, where Jenny Toomey and John Pamer first met in 1990, and shortly after that, encountered Kristin Thompson. Toomey’s college band, Geek, was winding down, and she had started her own label, Simple Machines. A last hurrah, summer tour for Geek, supporting Superchunk and Seaweed, threw her into contact with Andrew Webster, soon to be Tsunami’s bass player. The band came together after their return. Toomey and Thompson played guitar, with Toomey singing, and Pamer sat in on drums.  

Things moved quickly after that. A nine-song cassette called Cow’s Arcade came out early in 1991, followed by the Headringer 7” later in the spring. In August of that year, Tsunami toured with Velocity Girl and played at the International Pop Underground Convention in Olympia, Washington, alongside Beat Happening, Bikini Kill and Fugazi, still less than a year into their run as a band. It was about this time that they wrote and recorded “Genius of Crack,” still one of Tsunami’s best known tunes and a wonderfully noisy but languid meditation on alienation. “We're so slack, we come off like geniuses on crack,” Toomey belts against a beautiful roar of feedback-addled guitar tone.

A spate of singles and compilation tracks took Tsunami through 1992, and in 1993, the first LP, Deep End appeared. That full-length takes up the entirety of LP 1 in this five-album set. Side one ends with the furious drone and churn of “460,” whose explosive energy and shimmering textures cross the Replacements with, oh, I don’t know, Bailter Space. That same year, 1993, Tsunami toured with Superchunk, opened for PJ Harvey once or twice, and got invited to play at the Primus/Alice in Chains/Dinosaur Jr. headed Lollapalooza.

Heart’s Tremolo, in 1994, interspersed lyrical intervals with blaring guitar mayhem, very much in the loud-quiet way of the mid-1990s. Songs like “Fast Food Medicine” simmer disconsolately before they flare to life, and the song “Fits and Starts” begins its brief life as a folk song, full of squeaky string slides and earnest poetry. “Quietnova” is the album’s opener and a statement of purpose; the most dangerous stuff isn’t always the loudest.

The third LP encompasses the 1995 singles/B-sides/compilation tracks compendium World Tour and Other Destinations. It includes another version of “Genius of Crack,” the wonderfully noisy “Kickball Babe,” Tsunami’s surprisingly sensitive (and only holiday offering) “Could Have Been Christmas” and their full-throated Minutemen cover “Courage,” among others. A Brilliant Mistake, from 1997, expands the instrumentation further, with jazz-leaning bass and Luther “Trip” Grey’s intricate and unhinged drumming (check out the opening to “David Foster Wallace”).

This review, of course, can’t describe any more than a fraction of what Tsunami puts on offer here. The set includes 62 songs, more than three and a half hours of music, in-depth history and analysis and loads of imagery. Tsunami may have roared into the culture like a tidal wave—and retreated almost as quickly — but this expansive box set reminds us (or perhaps informs us in the first place) of what made them special.  

Jennifer Kelly

[player1064]

despite being a very in shape man the amount of times jamie’s ever been seen shirtless (that i’m aware of anyway) is depressingly few and i’ve always hc that it’s because of his stomach scars so maybe some insecure about his scars jamie and gary who just thinks everything about his tall hunk of a man is incredibly sexy

this ended up a lot more 'silly holiday fluff' than 'jamie being insecure' though like. he IS insecure about it u just have to look at his instagram to see it bc honestly WHY ELSE DOES HE ALWAYS WEAR A TSHIRT ON THE BEACHHHHH!!!

---

Despite the break between Premier League seasons being three months long, the reality of punditry (or at least, the reality of punditry as done by Gary Neville) is that you end up getting pulled in to cover the international tournaments, and then the off-season tours, and then the pre-season ramp-ups. Then, of course, there’s all the non-football business admin, always thoughtfully pushed to the summer months so as not to distract from the season, and the podcast is an every-week-of-the-year type of thing, so no breaks there. Which all adds up to allow for a generous two-week – at a stretch – summer holiday each year.

Gary was the winner of this year’s ‘holiday destination’ argument, so he and Jamie are at his house in Malta, spending their precious two week break doing fuck all besides sitting round the pool or wandering down to the beach. A housekeeper comes by every morning to prep their breakfasts and lunch, and they go out for dinner most nights, revelling in their ability to go out on the town unrecognised.

He's even turned off his email notifications. Sure, his assistant is still sending him any important updates, but only because two weeks is an awfully long time to be completely off the grid for, and this is the compromise he and Jamie were able to reach after another couple of hours arguing.

Today, he wakes to sunlight streaming through the sheer curtains and to Jamie, sat on the edge of the bed with a freshly brewed cup of coffee for him.

The first thing he sees when he blinks his eyes open is Jamie smiling at him, leaning down to brush a gentle kiss over Gary’s lips. “Mornin’, lazy bum,” he says, and Gary can’t help but smile back.

“Mornin’, you,” he replies, reaching his arms above his head to stretch with a yawn. “Y’sleep alright?”

“’bout six hours, yeah,” Jamie says, clearly pleased with himself. If it was anyone else, Gary would think he was out of his mind. But it’s Jamie, so he knows he’s out of his mind. And, unfortunately, while a six-hour sleep might leave Gary cranky and exhausted, for Jamie it’s almost luxurious. “Just got back from me run, the sea’s lookin’ gorgeous. Fancy a beach day today?”

Gary hums in agreement, far too preoccupied with the mug of coffee he’s sipping at to contribute much else to the conversation.

“Sound, okay then. Just need a quick shower, then I’m all yours.”

“D’you want company?” Gary offers.

Jamie scrunches his face up. “Ugh, I’m all sweaty ‘n disgustin’ though.”

“’s how I like you, to be fair.”

Jamie rolls his eyes, but he takes Gary’s hand and tugs him out of bed and towards the bathroom.

*

The beach closest to the house is a small one, but it’s only really accessible from the other handful of houses on the street, so it’s blissfully quiet. When they walk down there Gary immediately gets himself set up in a sun lounger with the book he’s been reading, ignoring Jamie’s pleas to come for a swim with him.

“Maybe later, James, leave me in peace fer a bit,” he teases, laughing when Jamie walks down to the water grumbling about what a lazy cunt he is.

This, of course, is a mistake on Gary’s part. Because when Jamie’s done with his swim, he comes over and pushes his way onto Gary’s chair, draping himself all over him while still soaking wet.

Gary screeches.

“My fuckin’ book, Jamie, th’ pages are gonna get all wrinkled now!” he complains, trying to push Jamie away.

Jamie presses closer, nuzzling his cold nose into Gary’s neck.

“You filthy, filthy Scouser,” Gary says, but he’s stopped his attempts at pushing Jamie and has instead let his hands lie still on his torso, fingers curling into the wet fabric of his t-shirt. “You wait until – oi!”

He cuts himself off, frowning at the t-shirt under his hands.

“Oi?” Jamie asks, one eyebrow raised.

“This is mine, you dickhead, now it’s gonna be all stretched out, an’ the saltwater’s gonna fade it… I fuckin’ liked that shirt.”

“Think my wallet can stretch to buy you a new t-shirt, prissy fuck.”

“It’s the principle of the thing.”

“I’ll buy it from Stone Island.”

Gary should probably take a moment to at least pretend to consider the offer, but he’s on holiday and maybe today that means cutting to the chase and just saying “fine.”

“There we are.”

“But you’re still not wearin’ this one, c’mon, off w’it.”

“Oh my god,” Jamie argues, rolling his eyes. “I didn’t bring down a spare, all mine are in the wash. I can’t be fucked to walk all the way back to house, Gaz, can’t y’just leave it? I’ll buy you two t-shirts, even.”

“It’s thirty degrees, Jamie, not a single cloud in the sky! We’re at the beach! Dunno about you, but I never found the farmer’s tan a particularly sexy look, you’d be better off if y’just went without.”

“Gary…” Jamie sighs.

“I’m serious,” Gary says, tugging at the hem of the t-shirt. “There’s what, two other people on this whole beach? Three? An’ I’m sure they ‘ave better things to look at than you. A mouldy log, maybe. Or what’re them fishes called, the ones with the noses? I bet y’could strip right down naked an’ nobody’d blink an eye.”

“’m not strippin’ down naked in public, lad.”

“I’m not askin’ you to.”

“You’re bein’ awful precious over a t-shirt, considerin’ what you’ve got in the bank.”

“I could give a fuck about the t-shirt,” Gary says quickly. “Now that you’ve ruined my book maybe I need somethin’ nice to look at, t’pass the time.”

Jamie looks away from Gary, a faint red flush to his face. “Find you a mouldy log, then,” he mutters.

They’re on holiday, so Gary decides he can allow himself to spout a bit of sentimental rot. These opportunities only come round once a year, after all. He slips his hand under Jamie’s shirt, rubs his thumb gently over the rough skin underneath.

“Eh, think I’d much rather look at you,” he says, soft and sweet and everything that makes him want to wash his mouth out with soap.

“Clingy, aren’t we?” Jamie says, grinning. He pulls away for a second, tugs the shirt over his head. “Y’only look at me every day of yer fuckin’ life, Christ, maybe I need t’get a restrainin’ order.”

Gary tugs him back down to shut him up the best way he knows how.

[zalrb]

Could u tell us about ur time in college? Where’d and what did u study. What did do while studying (work , parties). Did u go abroad? Do u think it was useful for ur career present day?

Yeah, I've spoken about it before. I even posted grad photos because I was graduating when I first got on tumblr lmao. So I always knew I was going to do something with writing or something with film so I curated my studies, I did English and Cinema Studies in undergrad plus a creative writing certificate at the school of continuing studies, which was in Toronto and then I did my MFA in New York. I did one summer semester in Italy in undergrad. In undergrad, I volunteered at the Toronto International Film Festival for three years and worked all four years, mostly retail, sometimes at amusement parks. In grad school, because I was an international student, getting a job was a little bit harder, I did one summer job on campus and then I interned at a literary agency where it was basically my job to read the slush pile, which was a really interesting experience. Because it was difficult to get a job in New York, I would come back home during holiday break and do seasonal work. But I was extremely, extremely broke during those years. Literally the best part of the summer job I had was that I worked for a summer program and employees got to eat lunch with the students so that was one less meal I had to worry about but we were all struggling because they also weren't paying us on time so my friend/colleague was nearly evicted from his apartment because he just did not have the money, I had to cuss everyone out to get our first two pay cheques, lmao.

Undergrad I didn't party that much because I was living at home, I had a strict mom, I also had to commute about two hours to get home, and I was working, and my friends also had very strict parents so like there wasn't really much of an opportunity for a busy social life, although Italy was like a crash course in undergrad partying because I went there the summer between first and second year while mostly everyone else was in third or fourth year so I was actually the youngest in the program and when I explained I'd never really gone to an undergrad party back in Toronto or had that much of a social life, it kind of became a collective goal for the other students to take me clubbing, take me drinking, and give me the sort of dorm experience. And then in third year for various reasons, I did more drinking and clubbing, it was also the year I had the heaviest course load so I think I just needed a lot of stress relief and I always tell people to never pack your schedule with courses, it's not worth it, haha.

My MFA was a loooooooooot of drinking but it was also just the culture of the writing program because, like, authors were teaching us, not profs, and authors do like to drink so we could literally be having classes in a bar or if an instructor didn't mark our stories because they had their own deadlines or their own issues, they would apologize by getting us a couple of rounds at the bar, sometimes we drank in class, haha, and then our program just had a lot of readings or a lot of parties so grad school was basically writing and drinking for two years. That was just fiction though. The nonfiction students and the poetry students had different experiences. Because I was New York, I got to see/meet a lot of different authors who would come through for lectures or book tours, I even got to introduce an author at one of her lectures, so that was also really cool.

[dancinginmydressinthesun]

Can Taylor announce international tour dates in the summer holidays (starting 21st of June where I live) so I dont have to skip my teacher job for a whole week pretending to be sick so I can get tickets :///

[blueboxphenomenon]

The Gatwick Incident, 1966

London. 20th July, 1966

On the morning of July 20th, 1966 flight 729 returned from Madrid to Gatwick airport, only to be forced to abort its attempted landing due to an obstruction on the intersections of runways five and two. The pilot reported the presence of a police box on the runway, prompting air traffic control to dispatch police. Police chased away four strangers, and the police box was collected from the runway. Control initially believed it to be the product of a practical joke. If only they knew what they were in for that day…

If you were a student in 1966 looking for a cheap gap year, Chameleon Tours were your best budget option. For just £28, Chameleon Tours offered people between the ages of 18-25 a package holiday to any one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe: Zurich, Rome, Athens, Dubrovnik, and Freiburg, Madrid, and Baden-Württemberg. It was a popular choice, with 50000 young people taking to Europe from Gatwick via Chameleon Tours, who operated four of their own planes from the airport.

Fifty-thousand young adults left Gatwick for various European flights, and not a single one returned. One of those people was Ryan Briggs, who took a Chameleon Tours flight to Rome. Everything seemed normal to his family at first. Ryan caught his flight, and sent back a hand-written postcard shortly after arriving. However, that was the last the Briggs family heard from Ryan for some time. His sister, Samantha Briggs, implored the authorities for help, but was unable to get anywhere with them. She contacted the hotel at which Ryan was supposed to be staying, only to find he had never checked in. Police in Rome found no trace of a Ryan Briggs, and neither did Rome's international airport. Inspector Gascoigne was the first to take Samantha's worries seriously and, on the 20th of July, arrived at Gatwick to investigate. While airport security was dealing with the matter of a police box and four trespassers, Gascoigne was investigating the private Chameleon Tours hangar. That is where his corpse was later found, his clothes singed as though he somehow died by electrocution.

A police box on a runway, a missing young man, and a murdered police officer. You would think things were already as strange as they were going to get, but you'd be wrong. Two people arrived at Immigration and Customs attempting to report a dead body. They arrived with no passports, despite coming from the arrivals gate. One was a scruffy-looking gentleman in a frock coat and the other a boy with a Scots accent wearing a kilt. When interviewed by journalist James Stevens, Samantha Briggs would describe the scruffy-looking man's accent as "blurred," and referred to him as "a short man with a mournful face and dishevelled clothing." He seemed to her to be "incredibly well informed." Everyone seemed to call the man "Doctor," as though it were more of a name than a title. The Scots boy wearing the kilt went by the more conventional name of Jamie. Curiously, a white-haired man also calling himself "Doctor" was present with Sir Charles Summer in South Kensington at the time, seemingly involved with the on-going War Machine threat caused by the activation of WOTAN.

The airport manager, Charles Gordon, was called to satisfy the Doctor's demands to see a figure of authority about the body, and escorted the mystery man and Jamie to the Chameleon Tours hanger, where they found nothing more than a crate of plastic cups. Unamused by the Doctor's claims, Gordon tried to have trespassers arrested, only for them to escape.

It was around this time that Samantha Briggs arrived at the Chameleon Tours kiosk to make enquiries about her missing brother Ryan Briggs. She found the representitive entirely unhelpful but ended up meeting with Jamie, who promised that he had a friend who might know how to help her, and mysteriously asked that they meet later. It was Samantha that made an important discovery in the case of the missing passengers - Chameleon Tours had their customers fill out postcards before leaving on their flight. The postcards were collected at the kiosk, sent out to Chameleon Tours facilities at the country the flights were supposed to go to, and then posted back by Chameleon Tours to the families in the UK as if from the passengers. Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Crossland arrived in search of his missing collegue: Detective Gasgoigne.

Inspector Crossland was able to convince Charles Gordon to humour the Doctor further, and it appears some members of Gatwick staff were starting to come around as it was the manager's assistant Jean Rock who made the next key discovery. Having called around the various international airports to which Chameleon Tours were chartering flights, she discovered that Chameleon Tours only ever picked up passengers but never dropped them off. It was as though the passengers disappeared mid-flight.

Gatwick usually only monitors flights for around fifty miles before they drop off the radar, otherwise they would have too much traffic to monitor. It was not unusual that Chameleon Tours flights disappeared from their radars after fifty miles, as they simply weren't looking that far. Manager Gordon could not have expected to see what he did when he requested the RAF to tail the 1530 to Rome, however. As the Chameleon Tours flight to Rome reached the edge of expanded radar range, the RAF jet was seen to go completely out of control and crash into the sea, disappearing from radar. The Chameleon Tours flight then appeared to stop moving, something that could only indicate that it was dropping straight down. The plane then disappeared off radar.

The initial assumption was that the two aircraft had collided, dropping into the ocean. When rescue services found the wreckage, however, there was only wreckage of the RAF fighter jet and no sign of the 1530 to Rome. The pilot was found electrocuted in his seat. So where did the Chameleon Tours flight go? Where do all the Chameleon Tours flights go? Perhaps the plane did not drop out of the sky, but instead shot directly upwards beyond the scope of radar, into space. Maybe that sounds farfetched, but how else do you explain an aeroplane hovering in the same spot on radar but without leaving wreckage in the sea below? Admittedly, many wrecks are lost at sea, but then how do you reconcile the fact that the RAF flight, which went down at the same time, was found while the Chameleon Tours flight was not?

Let's break down what was happening. Chameleon Tours planes would leave from Gatwick carrying a cabin filled with young people. They would fly fifty miles out of the UK and disappear. The flight would then return without passengers. Postcards from the passengers, filled out before the flight, would be sent to the plane's supposed destination and then posted back to the UK to make it appear as if the passengers arrived safely. But to what end?

The reports of DI Crossland simply refer to "holiday fraud," and while there are no police reports regarding the recovery of the fifty-thousand missing people, they started to turn up on delayed flights for the rest of the evening, trickling back into society as if they hadn't gone missing at all. Twenty-five members of staff at Gatwick airport recall waking up lying on the concrete in the carpark, missing hours of time with no recollection of how they got there.

Some theorise that Chameleon Tours were a cover for a human trafficking ring and even though they were busted the whole thing was covered up so London's second biggest international airport could save face. Others theorise that it was a money laundering front involving simply moving the same group of people around to make the company look busier than it really was. More outlandish theories include Chameleon Tours being a result of C-Day and the computer WOTAN trying to wipe out humanity, a system of alien abductions replacing people with shapeshifting duplicates, and a government test of international security where they abducted real people and wiped their memories before returning them later.

Whatever the truth was behind Chameleon Tours, there are plenty of witnesses to the presence of "the Doctor" and it features one of the most convincing blue box sightings in history as it comes from a pilot.

[beardedmrbean]

The data is part of a report by FEDIAF (the European Pet Food Industry Federation), which includes international companies such as Mars, Inc.

5.1% is the annual growth in the number of families in Europe that keep pets, according to the latest FEDIAF report for 2023, part of which is Mars, Inc. The total number of households with four-legged friends is 91 million. This is 46% of families on the Old Continent, according to data from the European Federation. In the leading position in Bulgaria among pets are cats, which are 815,000, followed by dogs, which are 750,000.

Considering this information and at the height of summer, the experts at Mars, Inc. have prepared a list of some useful tips for the owners of four-legged friends who do not want to part with them during their summer vacation. The tips include all the most important things that carers need to think about before departure. Starting with choosing a suitable destination, to providing a balanced diet for pets to feel as comfortable as possible during new and unknown adventures for them.

5 Tips for Traveling with Pets from Mars, Inc.:

1. Destination: Before planning a holiday with your pet, it is important to research the destination - what is the climate like, are there enough activities to do with your pets, is there access to a vet nearby. For example, if you are headed to the sea, check in advance if there are any nearby beaches where pets can walk freely.

2. Transportation Check the conditions for traveling with animals on your chosen transport. Prepare the necessary medical documentation if necessary and make sure your four-legged friend's passport is in order. In case you will be traveling by car, make sure that the animal feels comfortable. If it has no experience being transported in a car, it is advisable to do a few sightseeing tours of the city so that the pet gets used to it before the trip.

3. Accommodation More and more hotels and guest houses are now accepting pets, but it is important to check their pet conditions, additional fees and possible restrictions to avoid unwanted inconveniences upon arrival.

4. Food It is possible that changing the familiar atmosphere can be stressful for pets. To avoid additional stress for your furry friend, be prepared with plenty of food and treats that your pet already knows and loves. Products such as Whiskas, Pedigree, Perfect Fit, Sheba, Dreamies, Cesar and other well-known brands from the Mars, Inc. portfolio. are perfect for the occasion. The wide selection of nutritious and environmentally-friendly packaged food produced from sustainable sources contains everything you need to keep your pets happy and healthy. Also, make sure you provide them with enough water in the summer heat. It is recommended that you also bring a portable pet bowl or bottle. To make sure your pet feels good and adapts to the new environment. Try to stick to the meal, walk, and rest schedule you're used to at home.

5. Have fun This is also the most important of all tips. Vacationing with pets is a perfect opportunity to create unforgettable memories and strengthen your bond with them even more. Knowing the temperament and moods of your pet, do not be afraid to improvise and get as many positive emotions and fun moments as possible from your joint adventures.

[cletusthurstonbeauregard]

Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘The Boy and the Heron’ opens to record-breaking $12.8 million

“The Boy and the Heron,” a fantastical coming-of-age story from animation maestro Hayao Miyazaki, earned $12.8 million in its opening weekend, becoming the first original anime production to top the domestic box office. The GKids release is showing in Imax and other premium large format auditoriums, which bolstered its record-breaking revenues and helped secure its first place finish. It also benefitted from a lack of big-screen offerings, with holiday blockbusters such as “Wonka” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” still waiting to make their debuts in the coming weeks.

“The Boy and the Heron” marks Miyazaki’s unexpected return to screens after being absent for more than a decade — the filmmaker behind classics like “Spirited Away” and “Princess Mononoke” announced he was retiring in 2013 when his previous film, “The Wind Rises,” was released. “The Boy and the Heron” has slowly been rolling out internationally, earning $84 million, with $56 million of that coming from Miyazaki’s native Japan.

Last weekend’s champ, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” tumbled in its second weekend, earning $5 million for a fifth place finish. That’s a precipitous 77% drop, signaling that the music icon’s concert film may not have the staying power of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” which has grossed nearly $180 million. “Renaissance” has earned roughly $28 million domestically. Like Swift, Queen Bey has bypassed a traditional studio in order to release her film, enlisting AMC Theatres to oversee its distribution. That allows her to keep a larger share of the ticket sales.

As “Renaissance” faltered, Lionsgate’s “Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” took second place, picking up $9.4 million to push its domestic haul to $135.6 million. That’s a solid number, particularly considering that the “Hunger Games” prequel carries a $100 million production budget, a modest figure for a film of that size and scope.

Toho International’s “Godzilla Minus One” continued its hot streak, stomping to $8.3 million in its second weekend. The monster movie’s domestic haul stands at $25.3 million, making it the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film to be released in North America.

Universal and DreamsWorks Animation’s “Trolls Band Together” will take fourth place, earning $6.2 million. That brings the family film’s total to $83.1 million. One of the weekend’s other new offerings, Bleecker Street’s “Waitress: The Musical,” earned $3.2 million.

In limited release, Searchlight’s “Poor Things” earned a sterling $644,000 from just nine theaters. Its per-theater average of $72,000 is also the best of the fall awards season — it falls slightly behind the per-theater bows of “Beau Is Afraid” ($80,000) and “Asteroid City” ($142,000), which came out in the spring and summer. The off-beat comedy from Yorgos Lanthimos, the director of “The Favourite,” stars Emma Stone and has been generating plenty of Oscar buzz since it debuted at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Golden Lion.

“Origin,” another critical favorite, opened in limited release with $117,063 from two theaters. That’s a per-screen average of $58,532. The Neon release is written and directed by Ava DuVernay and adapts Isabel Wilkerson’s “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” a historical examination of hatred and racism.

Next weekend brings the release of “Wonka,” a look at the early days of the candy maker that stars Timothée Chalamet. That should sweeten the box office, but theater owners and analysts believe this holiday season will be more muted than the prior two years, when the mega-grossing “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” debuted

[brookston]

Holidays 6.19

Holidays

Artigas Day (Uruguay)

Baseball Day

Beggar's Banquets (Brazil)

Butterfly Day

Constitution Day (Seychelles)

Day of the Independent Hungary

Día del Nunca Más (a.k.a. Never Again Day; Argentina)

Emancipation Day (Texas)

Feast of Forest (Palawan)

Festival of the Coming Ice Age

Garfield the Cat Day

International Box Day

International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN)

International Fathers Mental Health Day

Juneteenth (US)

Labour Day (Trinidad and Tobago)

Laguna Day (Philippines)

Mass Market Paperback Book Day

Midsummer’s Eve (a.k.a. Midsommarafton; Aland, Finland, Sweden)

Midsummer’s Eve [Day before Summer Solstice]

National Ding Free Day (Canada)

National FreeBSD Day

National Heroes’ Day (Bermuda)

National Pets in Film Day

National Reading Day (India)

National Watch Day

Never Again Day (Uruguay)

New Church Day (Swedenborgian)

Pediatric Headache Awareness Day

Red Soda Celebration

Rye Day (French Republic)

Spooky Stories Appreciation Night

Surigao del Norte Day (Philippines)

Surigao del Sur Day (Philippines)

Svalbard Global Seed Vault Day

"War Is Hell" Day

World Albatross Day

World Sauntering Day

World Sickle Cell Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Eat An Oreo Day

National Dine Out Day

National Martini Day (a.k.a. Dry Martini Day)

Real Food Day

3rd Monday in June

National Tour Guides Day [3rd Monday]

Organic Act Day (US Virgin Islands) [3rd Monday]

Ride to Work Day (Motorcycles) [3rd Monday]

Rusalka’s Week begins (Honoring Divinity of Rivers; Asatru/Slavic Pagan) [3rd Monday]

Take Your Cat to Work Day [Monday of 3rd Full Week]

Independence Days

Mondero (Declared; 2010) [unrecognized]

Thebes (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Asatru Alliance Founding Day (Asatru)

Boniface of Querfurt (Christian; Saint)

Cornelius Krieghoff (Artology)

Deodatus (a.k.a. Didier or Die) of Nevers (or of Jointures) (Christian; Saint)

Feralia: Day of Purification (Pagan)

Festival for Minerva (Ancient Rome)

Georges Ribemont-Dessaignes (Artology)

Gervasius and Protasius (Catholic Church; Martyrs)

Hildegrim of Châlons (Christian; Saint)

Jude (Christian; Saint)

Juliana Falconieri (Christian; Saint)

Martini Day (Pastafarian)

Pelayo (Positivist; Saint)

Princess Gwendolynda (Muppetism)

Robert Heinlein Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Romuald (Christian; Saint)

Ursicinus of Ravenna (Christian; Saint)

Zosimus (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 28 of 60)

Premieres

American Gods, by Neil Gaiman (Novel; 2001)

Batman Returns (Film; 1992)

The Brave Little Toaster (Animated Film; 1987)

Bukowski (Film; 2013)

The Cannonball Run (Film; 1981)

Dancing in the Street, recorded by Martha and the Vandellas (Song; 1964)

Devil May Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1954)

Dream for an Insomniac (Film; 1998)

The Enigma Variations, by Edward Elgar (Orchestral Piece; 1899) 

For Your Eyes Only, by Sheena Easton (Song; 1981)

Garfield (Comic Strip; 1978)

The Gospel According to the Son, by Norman Mailer (Novel; 1997)

Hatari! (Film; 1962)

How to Save Your Own Life, by Erica Jong (Novel; 1977)

The Idler Wheel…, by Fiona Apple (Album; 2012)

I’m a Honky Tonk Girl, recorded by Loretta Lynn (Song; 1960)

Inside Out (Animated Pixar Film; 2015)

Jason and the Argonauts (Film; 1963)

The Last of Us Part II (Video Game; 2020)

Mulan (Animated Disney Film; 1998)

The Music Man (Film; 1962)

Porky’s Building (WB LT Cartoon; 1937)

The Proposal (Film; 2009)

Purple Haze, by Jimi Hendrix (US Song; 1967)

Ramblin’ Rose, recorded by Nat King Cole (Song; 1962)

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (UK Musical Play; 1973)

Rough and Rowdy Ways, by Bob Dylan (Album; 2020)

Roxanne (Film; 1987)

Streamlined Greta Green (WB MM Cartoon; 1937)

Superman II (Film; 1981)

Tim McGraw, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2006)

X-Files: Fight the Future (Film; 1998)

Today’s Name Days

Juliana, Romuald (Austria)

Božidar, Julijana, Romuald (Croatia)

Leoš (Czech Republic)

Gervasius (Denmark)

Sigrid, Siiri, Siivi (Estonia)

Siiri (Finland)

Gervais, Romuald (France)

Juliana, Romuald (Germany)

Paisios, Zosimos (Greece)

Gyárfás (Hungary)

Gervasio, Protasio, Romualdo (Italy)

Nils, Vaironis, Viktors (Latvia)

Dovilas, Dovilė, Ramunė (Lithuania)

Elling, Erling (Norway)

Borzysław, Gerwazy, Julianna, Odo, Protazy, Sylweriusz (Poland)

Iuda (România)

Alfréd (Slovakia)

Aurora, Gervasio, Romualdo (Spain)

Germund, Görel (Sweden)

Carisa, Carissa, Jarvis, Jervis, Karissa, Ralna (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 170 of 2024; 195 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 25 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Duir (Oak) [Day 8 of 28]

Chinese: Month 5 (Wu-Wu), Day 2 (Wu-Shen)

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

Hebrew: 30 Sivan 5783

Islamic: 30 Dhu al-Qada 1444

J Cal: 20 Sol; Sixday [20 of 30]

Julian: 6 June 2023

Moon: 3%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 2 Charlemagne (7th Month) [Pelayo]

Runic Half Month: Dag (Day) [Day 10 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 91 of 92)

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 29 of 32)

[mjachotel]

Home

Hotel Near New Digha Sea Beach

 If you are looking for a perfect holiday experience with memories to Digha hotel near see beach you are at the right place. Closest to New Digha 5-Star Hotel Near New Digha Sea Beach Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

Our hotel Mjac International one of the best  warm with and friendliness, simplicity with style, convenience and affordability for all executives and travellers. The hotel is an exemplary showcase of the contemporary and elegant in its ambience, distinguished by the latest business technology, modern amenities. To provide especially prepared food to the respected guest is our main concept.Digha beach is one of the most famous in West Bengal. It is a natural wonder and a must see tourist spot. Digha is a quiet beach with white sand and crystal waters. The waves are gentle and the water is warm during the summer months. It's a popular spot for families, honeymooners and locals alike. Digha, making it an ideal tourist site. Digha has a lot to offer those who visit it. Book your Hotel in Digha online. No reservation costs. Great rates. Motels. Special Offers. Low Rates Know More

Mjac International

5-Star Hotel Near New Digha Sea Beach Hotels in New Digha Sea Beach Road, Mjac International, vision is to continue to apply and set the highest standards of service quality and in that way justify and uphold the reputation that we have among the guests, partners, competitors and the wider community as new digha hotel near sea beach. Our sea facing hotels in Digha with swimming pool to use and constantly introduce environmentally friendly technologies and processes in order to remain in balance with nature and also meet the needs of contemporary society, Digha hotel close to the see beach

Closest to New Digha 5-Star Hotel Near New Digha Sea Beach

Take a look at some pretty pictures captured in and around our premises.

Hotel Near New Digha Sea Beach

What is New Digha famous for? Digha is West Bengal’s most popular seaside and tourist destination southwest of Kolkata. It is 187 kilometers away from Calcutta, known as “Brighton of the East“, and is the most suitable for vacation. Digha has a gentle slope, flat sand and gentle waves, stretching for 7 kilometers. Which is the best month to visit Digha? Digha is a beach destination. The best times to go to Digha are October, November, December, January and February. Since this is peak season, expect some crowds at this time. March, April, May and June are mild. Which is better Mandarmani or New Digha? Since Digha has more beaches than Mandarmani, you can enjoy many activities like fishing in a better way in Digha. Not just fish, there are many more aquatic life to see in the water bodies of Digha. How many days are enough for Digha? Digha is one of the most popular small town beach resorts in the East Midnapore district of the Burdwan division of West Bengal. This Digha 2 nights 3 days tour package gives you a chance to explore the beautiful place Can hotels refuse unmarried couples? According to the Hotel Association of India, there is no law that allows refusing accommodation on the grounds that the occupants are unmarried couples. Which is better old or New Digha? Comparatively speaking, the new beach is larger and better kept than the Old Digha beach. Where to stay near New Digha Sea Beach, Digha? Mjac International offers best rooms for stay near New Digha Sea Beach, Digha. Click Here to find best deals on hotels near New Digha Sea Beach, Digha. Can we bath in New Digha Beach? Digha is inhabited throughout the year. Bathing is not permitted on the Old Digha Sea Beach. Even if one lives in Old Digha, one must travel to New Digha to take a bath in the sea. How much does a trip to Digha cost? Book Digha Tour Packages Starting @ 2026 at Mjac International.

Sea facing hotels in new digha Call to Action  hotels in Dighahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1mya6qbjsg

Digha hotel near sea beach namely Mjac International ! We can help you fit your stay and experience within your allotted budget. Book Your Stay Now - +91 7872576065 Read the full article

[aasaanholidays]

Trending International Tour Packages for Winter

Winter is the best time to travel to more international destinations. From sea lovers to city break enthusiasts and mountain lovers – there is something for everyone.

Let’s explore some of the most trending destinations this winter.

Dubai & Abu Dhabi

If you plan to spend your winter holiday in comfort, shopping, and adventure, then Dubai and Abu Dhabi are precisely where you want to be. See the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, buy goods and electronics from attractive malls and enjoy a heart-throbbing and twisting ride at Ferrari World. 

The Dubai Desert Safari is must include adventure because you will get to do some dune bashing and get treated to Arabic hospitality. The climate of the UAE is generally mild, so winter is very suitable for outdoor activities.

Thailand

Thailand is a favorite among Indian travelers. From the vibrant nightlife of Bangkok to the beautiful beaches of Phuket and Krabi, there is so much to explore. Pattaya offers exciting shows and water sports, while Chiang Mai’s temples provide a peaceful retreat. 

Thai food is a treat for your taste buds, with dishes like Pad Thai and Green Curry. Winter is the best time to visit as the weather is cool and dry.

Singapore and Malaysia

Singapore and Malaysia are great options for a family-friendly vacation. Visit Gardens by the Bay, Universal Studios, and the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. 

Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur is known for its Petronas Towers, while Langkawi offers pristine beaches. Both countries combine modern attractions with natural beauty, making them ideal for all age groups.

Sri Lanka

Just a short flight from India, Sri Lanka is a mix of beaches, wildlife, and history. Explore the ancient city of Sigiriya, go on a safari in Yala National Park, and relax on the beaches of Bentota. 

Don’t miss visiting the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya for a refreshing experience. Sri Lanka’s tropical weather is pleasant during winter.

Vietnam

Vietnam is an affordable yet exotic destination. Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling streets are perfect for city lovers. For nature enthusiasts, Halong Bay offers breathtaking limestone islands and caves. 

Don’t forget to try Vietnamese street food, especially Pho and Banh Mi. Winter in Vietnam is cool and ideal for sightseeing.

Bali

Bali is a paradise for honeymooners and beach lovers. From the iconic rice terraces to the vibrant nightlife in Seminyak, Bali offers a mix of relaxation and adventure. 

Explore ancient temples like Tanah Lot and enjoy water sports at Nusa Dua. The tropical weather in Bali makes it a warm and welcoming destination during winter.

Baku, Azerbaijan, and Almaty

For something unique, consider Baku in Azerbaijan and Almaty in Kazakhstan. Baku’s Flame Towers and old city charm are captivating. Almaty is a winter wonderland with snow-covered mountains, perfect for skiing and other winter sports. 

Both destinations offer a mix of modern attractions and cultural experiences, ideal for those looking for offbeat travel.

Maldives

The Maldives is synonymous with luxury and relaxation. Stay in overwater villas, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and enjoy world-class spa treatments. It’s a top choice for couples and families alike. 

The Maldives’ tropical climate makes it an ideal winter escape for Indian travelers.

Australia & New Zealand

If you’re up for a long-haul flight, Australia and New Zealand are worth the journey. Explore Sydney’s Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, and Melbourne’s vibrant culture in Australia. 

New Zealand offers stunning landscapes, from Queenstown’s adventure sports to Rotorua’s geothermal wonders. 

Summer in the Southern Hemisphere coincides with Indian winters, making the weather perfect for exploration.

Turkey

Turkey is where East meets West. Visit Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar, explore the unique landscapes of Cappadocia, and relax in the thermal pools of Pamukkale. 

Turkish food, like kebabs and baklava, is a delight for food lovers. Winter adds a magical touch, especially if you’re lucky to see snow in Cappadocia.

Japan

Japan is a dream destination, especially in winter. Visit Tokyo for its modern vibe, Kyoto for its traditional temples, and Hokkaido for its snow festivals and skiing. 

Japanese cuisine, including sushi and ramen, is world-famous. Winter in Japan offers unique experiences like soaking in hot springs (onsen) surrounded by snow.

Conclusion

Aasaan Holidays offers curated winter international tour packages to these trending destinations. Whether you decide to go on holiday with your family or friends, there are many attractions to enjoy. Make unforgettable memories. For travelers in Gujarat, check out the International Tour Packages from Ahmedabad offered here for even more convenience.

Pack your bags and prepare for a winter full of excitement and joy!

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Mahabaleshwar Hotels for Summer 2025: Exclusive Deals and Offers 

As Summer 2025 approaches, it’s time to plan your perfect getaway to the scenic hill station of Mahabaleshwar, known for its cool climate, lush greenery, and breathtaking views. When it comes to finding the ideal accommodation for your summer escape, Hotel Dreamland, a premier 5-star resort in Mahabaleshwar, is the perfect choice. With exclusive deals and offers, it promises an unforgettable stay for every type of traveler, whether you're planning a family vacation, romantic getaway, or adventure-filled retreat.

Why Hotel Dreamland is the Best 5-Star Resort in Mahabaleshwar

Located in the heart of Mahabaleshwar, Hotel Dreamland is a top-rated resort in Mahabaleshwar, offering luxury accommodations, world-class amenities, and unmatched hospitality. Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, or a romantic retreat, this resort provides everything you need for a memorable summer vacation.

Here’s why Hotel Dreamland is the ideal choice for your summer holiday:

Prime Location: Enjoy stunning views of the hills and valleys right from your room. The resort’s central location makes it easy to explore local attractions such as the famous Strawberry Festival, Venna Lake, and the Elephant’s Head Point.

Luxurious Accommodations: Spacious rooms with modern décor, comfortable bedding, and panoramic views of Mahabaleshwar’s beautiful landscape.

World-Class Dining: Treat yourself to exquisite meals at the resort’s restaurants, offering a wide range of local and international dishes, perfect for every palate.

Personalized Service: With exceptional attention to detail, Hotel Dreamland’s dedicated staff ensures every guest has a tailored experience, providing excellent service throughout their stay.

Exclusive Summer 2025 Deals at Hotel Dreamland

Hotel Dreamland offers a variety of exclusive summer deals designed to cater to all types of travelers. Here are some of the special packages you can avail for your Summer 2025 trip:

1. Family Vacation Packages

Planning a family getaway? Hotel Dreamland’s family-friendly packages include:

Spacious rooms or family suites to accommodate your loved ones.

Access to the resort’s pool and kids’ play area.

Family discounts and kids’ activity programs.

Special family dining experiences with a variety of cuisines to choose from.

Special strawberry-themed events for the entire family to enjoy during the Strawberry Festival season.

2. Romantic Getaway Packages

For couples looking to escape into nature, Hotel Dreamland offers romantic getaway packages that include:

Candlelight dinners in a private setting with picturesque views.

Spa treatments for two, ideal for unwinding together.

Romantic sightseeing tours around Mahabaleshwar’s famous spots.

Honeymoon suites with breathtaking views of the valley.

3. Adventure and Nature Tour Packages

Mahabaleshwar is known for its stunning natural beauty, and for those seeking adventure, Hotel Dreamland offers:

Guided treks through the lush greenery of Mahabaleshwar.

Outdoor activities like boating, nature walks, and sightseeing tours.

Visits to popular local attractions like Mapro Garden and Lingmala Waterfall.

Adventure-themed dining experiences with local Mahabaleshwar cuisine.

4. Spa and Wellness Packages

For those looking to unwind, Hotel Dreamland provides rejuvenating spa and wellness packages:

A variety of wellness treatments and massages, ideal for relaxation after exploring Mahabaleshwar.

Yoga and meditation sessions for inner peace and tranquility.

Detox and rejuvenation programs tailored to guests’ needs.

5. Early Bird Booking Offers

Looking to plan ahead? Book your stay early and enjoy exclusive discounts on your summer getaway. Hotel Dreamland offers up to 20% off on bookings made in advance for Summer 2025. The earlier you book, the more you save, so don’t wait to secure your dream summer vacation.

Book Your Summer Stay at Hotel Dreamland Now

Summer 2025 is the perfect time to visit Mahabaleshwar, and there’s no better place to stay than Hotel Dreamland. Whether you’re traveling with family, on a romantic retreat, or seeking adventure, the resort’s exclusive summer deals and luxury offerings ensure an unforgettable experience.

Don’t miss out on the best deals—book your stay at Hotel Dreamland today!

Conclusion

If you're looking for a luxurious and relaxing getaway this summer, Hotel Dreamland, a 5-star resort in Mahabaleshwar, is the ultimate destination. With its exclusive Summer 2025 offers, including family packages, romantic getaways, adventure tours, and spa experiences, your dream summer holiday awaits. Don’t miss out on these incredible deals—secure your Mahabaleshwar hotel booking today and make this summer one to remember!

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Viareggio City Tour Guide, Distance, Attractions & Weather Italy Destination

About Viareggio City destination: Viareggio is a coastal city which is located in Lucca Province of the Italy country. Viareggio city has some modern and fully developed beaches where tourists can get water transport services in summer season such as water scooter riding, kayaking, windsurfing, swimming, fishing, boating and other activities.

Viareggio city is a good place to more know about local to local Italian people social, culture, modern life and daily things to do. Near of the city also has some modern destination where tourists can enjoy their time such as city parks to enjoy picnic, theme amusement parks spend time with children, modern shopping market place to buy Italy memorable gifts and walking in notable streets to eat delicious foods etc. New Zealand holiday travel booking, Japan holiday travel and Switzerland holiday travel booking.

How can come to Viareggio City: Viareggio is a modern city which is very good connected to Italy regional places and other European countries via road, train, water and air transport.

Other countries people can come to Viareggio city via air and water transport where also has international airport and international seaport to overseas countries transport.

Air Transport: Pisa International Airport is the nearest and main airport where tourists can get air transport services to other countries and Italy regional places.

Train Transport: Viareggio Travel Terminals is the city main railway station where tourists can get train transport services to other European countries and Italy regional places.

Water Transport: Porto di Livorno is a nearest seaport where tourists can get water transport services to other countries and Italy regional coastal places.

Road Transport: Viareggio is very well connected to Italy regional destinations and other European countries via modern road transport network.

Distance from Viareggio City: Viareggio is a famous city which is very good connected to other Italy regional places and other European countries via road, train, water and air transport.

Viareggio city is exact 44.9 KM distance from Livorno city.

Viareggio city is exact 24.4 KM distance from Pisa city.

Viareggio city is exact 110.7 KM distance from Florence city.

Viareggio city is exact 370.6 KM distance from Rome city.

Viareggio city is exact 1.7 KM distance from Viareggio Travel Terminals.

Viareggio city is exact 45.6 KM distance from Porto di Livorno.

Viareggio city is exact 1.1 KM distance from Porto di Viareggio.

Viareggio city is exact 31.5 KM distance from Pisa International Airport.

Viareggio City tourists attractions: Near of the Viareggio city has many natural places, historical places and modern places to visit which some are Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre - National park, Parco Naturale Regionale delle Alpi Apuane - Nature preserve, Cascate del Dardagna, Tower of Pisa - Historical place, Parco Regionale Migliarino - Park, Leonardo da Vinci museum - Art museum, Devil's Bridge, Certosa di Farneta - Monastery, Percorso "La Via delle Erbe e dei Fiori", Spiaggia della Lecciona - Beach, LIPU Massaciuccoli - Nature preserve, Bocca di Serchio - Park, Oasi Mare e Dune - Lido, Sant'Andrea di Compito - Museum, Villa Puccini Museum - Heritage museum, Villa Borbone - Museum, Museo Carnevale Viareggio - Art center, Pontile di Lido di Camaiore - Fishing pier, Bagno Brunella e Ada Beach, Spiaggia Libera - Beach, Spiaggia del Tonfano - Beach etc.

Viareggio City famous Restaurants & accommodation: Viareggio city has many famous and modern hotels to stay in city during the tour plan. Viareggio city has some restaurants to eat many types of the foods which some are Trattoria Il Fiaschetto - Meat dish restaurant, I Levrieri - Holiday home, Gelateria Butterfly - Ice cream shop, Ristorante Trattoria Rosticceria Da O' Dino - Restaurant, A pochi passi dal mare - Holiday apartment rental, Hotel Giuly - 1-star hotel, Camping Dei Tigli - 1-star hotel, B&B Caffeletti - 3-star hotel, Affittacamere da Laura - 3-star hotel, Torre Dell'Arte - 4-star hotel, Lavanda hotel, Villa Tosca - Holiday home, La Lecciona - Pizzeria Ristorante - Pizza restaurant, La Casa Nei Pini - 3-star hotel, Agriturismo la vietta hotel, A Casa Mia - Italian restaurant, Pizzeria La Vietta - Pizza restaurant, Bar Cenerentola - Espresso bar, Bar Stadio - Seafood restaurant, Bar Trattoria Nostromo - Seafood restaurant etc.