#israel is 1st of the odds

[comaberrenices]

For Eurovision fans/and anyone else who would be watching Eurovision this Saturday

Please, please convince your friends and family (and yourself) not to vote for Israel for the Grand Final if it's for political reasons. Israel's victory would completely disrepute the contest and we DO NOT WANT it to happen Like, just vote for any song but Israel's or better, if you/ your friends/family like it, please vote for Croatia. Not only a Croatian win can stop this (or other country), it's the most positive outcome for this year's contest and the most plausible one to do it. I don't want to force you not to vote for Israel if you like the song. However, after the Italian televote leak, we have to do it together to prevent an Israel win.

[such-justice-wow]

People saying the Israel Palestine conflict somehow is at odds with the Met Gala existing

Last year's met gala was on May 1st while 29 countries were at war and had over 100,000 casualties across the span of the year

The first met gala was March 21st 1973 a year which saw the end of the Vietnam War and the Yom Kippur war

Like I don't know how to break it to you but people have been being killed on mass your whole life

[shipposttt]

Ship of the Day: BlackBonnet

Names: Edward Teach and Stede Bonnet

Ship Name(s): BlackBonnet

Original Content: Our Flag Means Death

THIS COVERS SEASON 1 ONLY SO PLEASE (if you comment) DO NOT COMMENT SPOILERS PLEASE! THANK YOU!

Ship Info:

Now it's time for our most important topic (in my opinion). Gay pirates.

Our Flag Means Death first graced our TV screens in 2022 with a second season following shortly after in 2023 (this blog will only cover the 1st season so please don't spoil anything!). This series is rich with people who we would recognise in the time when pirates roamed the earth such as Israel "Izzy" Hands, Calico Jack, Jim (who is based on multiple real-life pirates) and so on. The actual title of the show could also be a reference to this time due to the dangers and risks associated with piracy, where engaging in pirate activities often led to a perilous fate depending on who you ran (or sailed) into. But the two main pirates of the show are the real reason I'm writing our blog, so let's get on with it!

'Gentleman Pirate', Stede Bonnet, is an inexperienced pirate who used to be an Englishman during the 18th century. He lacked experience yet somehow managed to find himself as the Captain of his own ship known as 'The Revenger'. 'Blackbeard', Edward Teach, is a notorious pirate who also sailed the seas during the 18th century. He was known for his fearsome appearance, long black beard, having multiple weapons strapped to his body as well as being in command of a fleet of ships. The odds of these two meetings seem pretty slim right? WRONG! The two do meet. And have a hell of an adventure that sends them both (and the audience) on an emotional rollercoaster.

Although I would love to dissect every single scene that could have led audiences shipping these two, I have limited it to several to save time for myself and for those of you who are reading.

The first scene I would like to introduce comes from the first season where Edward (Blackbeard) had been staying on the Revenge, teaching Stede how to become a more fearsome pirate while in return Stede taught him about higher society. Already the two represent being people the other person dreamt of being, already creating a connection of respect in some cases. After being insulted by the captain of a ship they had just raided, we are given a glimpse into Edward's backstory after he pulls out some red handkerchief his mother had given him. Attached to this handkerchief is a memory that has followed Edward for years of his mother telling him when he was a child that 'they were not the kinds of people that got to have fine things'. Additionally, on the captured ship an invitation to a high-society party is found, and we see Edward desperately wanting to attend. While at this party he takes on the identity of 'Jeff the Accountant' and entertains the aristocracy. But things turn sour when he fails to remember the correct utensils to use at dinner, causing the aristocracy to start laughing at him and no longer with him. Stede handles the situation by starting a brawl amongst the aristocrats, leading to the boat catching on fire. Now we get to the main bit of this section, as Edward removes the red handkerchief from his shirt and reminisces about what his mother had said to him we see Stede come up to him. He takes the red handkerchief, folds it into a rose and places it into Edward's breast pocket, telling him that 'he wore fine things well', leading to a moment of silence before the two walked away from each other (not without a glimpse back though). To some of the fanbase, the red handkerchief could be a personification of Edward's heart. He views it as a 'tatty old thing' that he should hide since he doesn't think it suits him to have a heart. He might think it's weak to have one since it could lead to him being hurt in a place he cannot heal. We first see him hiding the fabric, embarrassed to show Stede. This could also be because he views Stede as the 'fine thing' that he cannot have. That his heart will not suit Stede due to their different upbringings. But as the two grew closer that evening he shows his heart to Stede, who folds it into a beautiful rose showing him how beautiful his heart could be. This could also mean that Stede is the amplifier that Edward needs in order to see himself for who he truly is and to see how he can wear his heart well. This showed progress of their relationship for many fans due to how he was showing a part of him (that he normally kept hidden) to Stede. A desire he always wanted but did not think he deserved. And how Stede reassured him he did deserve it. This is only one of the scenes that proves how important the two are to not only each other for things such as teaching each other how to be a better pirate or teaching the other about the finer things in life, but also to each other's growth as individuals.

We again see their relationship change when Edward tries to kill Stede Bonnet (it sounds worse than it is, trust me). As we learn how the only time Edward felt fear was when his father was killed by the 'Kraken' and how he was there to witness it, he decided it was time to teach Stede about the 'art of fuckery' and how it could be used as a great way to install fear in their enemies. However, some of Edwards crew (Izzy,Ivan and Fang) had had enough of Edward acting like Stede's 'pet' (someone that Blackbeard would never let on his ship) and said it was time for Bonnet to die. Edward agreed. As he went on to do the deed ,unaware that Stede was planning to do an 'art of fuckery', the special effects resembling a Kraken attack cause Edward to go into a panic and hide in Stede's bathroom. Alarmed at this reaction, Stede follows and Edward reveals that he was the 'Kraken' who killed his abusive father. With this, he also tells Stede that he was planning to kill him but couldn't as he broke down in tears saying how he 'wasn't a good person' and that this was why he 'didn't have any friends'. Stede rebukes this claim and says how he views him as a friend and how he will forget about the planned killing, comforting Edward. This showed how much comfort Stede provides Edward. When Edward felt unsafe or needed somewhere he felt safe he went to STEDE'S bathroom. This showed that when he feels vulnerable, when all of the emotions he's kept hidden for so long come to surface his one confidant is Stede. And again, he shares something he has never shared with anyone else showing how much he trusts him. The way he can't kill Stede or keep his emotions in check around him could also highlight the fact that he cannot bring himself to be Blackbeard around Stede. He can only be Ed. The better self that Stede had helped him find. And how Stede straight away went after Edward, comforted him even when he revealed he was going to kill him and reminded him of his frienship showed that he could see the real Edward. And that was the version he wanted to see. Not the Blackbeard the others demanded came back to surface. The one that suited fine things. Edward. And with this interaction how could we not want a happy ending for these two?

Sadly, we do not get to see a happy end as of season one.

As soon as Edward learns that Calico Jack (his former crewmate) was sent by Izzy to make sure that he was away from the Revenge before the English arrived and captured Stede and his crew, he abandons the dinghy to return to the revenge. Once he arrives him, Stede and the rest of the crew are captured. But, as their hands are tied and they're thrown onto the floor, we see a moment between the two that had cemented for many fans that they did indeed have feelings for each other. They look at each other, content that they were together again. And as the camera slowly zooms out, we see Edwards boot reach for Stede's ankle, and in response Stede rubs his ankle against Edwards boot. Despite the chaos happening outside, their only concern is comforting the other. And if they have the means to do it, they will not hesitate. As long as they each have that little bit of comfort the world could burn and they would still be okay. Since they have the other as company. Nothing would hurt them more than being separated. If they could have even the tiniest bit of contact, nothing be bad. Even when death faces them and comes for their 'flags', they are just happy they would go through it together. There's no 'Mine' in 'Our Flag Means Death' after all.

The next episode we see as they both try and defend each other over Stede's crime (killing Nigel Badminton) showing how they wanted to make sure the other one was safe, even if it meant death for themselves. They just wanted the other one to be safe. In the end they both get put on trial. It was decided that Edward would go with Izzy Hands while Stede would be sentenced to death by firing squad. Not wanting Stede to go to a place he wouldn't be able to follow him to, Edward declared Act of Grace to save 'The Gentleman Pirates' life. This was agreed to and Stede would be pardoned if the both of them signed a document which would mean they would need to give up their life of piracy and serve the king. They both signed. As they spend some time in the Royal Privateering Academy, Stede questions how Edward was able to handle the situation so well to which Edward says he wanted to do 'what makes Ed happy'. He confessed that it was Stede that made 'Ed' happy. To make a sweet moment so much sweeter, he ends the confession with a kiss. As Stede accepts Edwards feelings they both decide to run away together. However, Stede never turned up. Just before the two planned to meet, he was awoken up at gunpoint by Chauncey Badminton who told him that he 'defiles beautiful things'. He reminded him of his crime of killing Nigel, of his family and how he had brought 'histories greatest pirate to ruin'. Stede finds himself agreeing to this and makes the decision to go to back to his former home. Edward is left heartbroken as he finds his way back to the Revenge, alone. He reverts to his old ways as 'Blackbeard', throwing away his old red handkerchief. Throwing away his heart and everything that reminded him of Stede. While Blackbeard began getting rid of his old life as 'Edward', Stede realsied how much he really loved Edward. As his wife (Mary Bonnet) revealed what it was like to be in love with Doug, he started thinking about his time with Edward and how much it meant to him. This was love. The two then used the 'art of fuckery' to fake Stede's death (which worked), but it was too late. Edward and the Ship were gone from the location where it had been last. In this scene we might as well have seen the death of 'Ed' as without Stede, he was just Blackbeard. Afterall, the pair of them are only their best selves when they are together.

Type of ship: Queer Canon

The 'Our Flags Mean Death' franchise is one of the best series I have personally watched regarding representation and in the way it rejects toxic masculinity. The LGBTQ+ community have suffered at the hands of what is known as 'queer baiting' for so long. This is when through advertisements and interviews with casts ect the TV producers sort of lure the community into watching and promoting their show with a false promise that their will be non-heteronormative couples involved in their franchise. But they don't follow through with this and get our hopes up making us feel lead on (see shark emoji post on BeChloe). This is why Our Flags Means Death was such a breath of fresh air. Actually FOLLOWING THROUGH with what was promised just raised our hopes a little more and allowed more people (who do not get near enough representation through TV shows and movies ect) to feel a bit more seen and also helped people discover who they are when they see people going through the same issues they're going through.

Stede and Ed's relationship was a pleasure to watch. To see two men have such comfort in each other and to see characters talking about their feelings and having breakdowns without feeling any shame or embarrassment was needed in order to challenge the toxic masculinity we see too much in this world and in the media. And to have such positive representations of Queer relationships being healthy was also amazing.

The journey we followed with Stede and Ed (although it ended on a cliffhanger) showed us what love was all about. Trust. Being your true self with each other. Sacrifice. Loving each other when we're at our worst. Loving the parts of the other that they couldn't love themselves. And so much more. And to find out what we hoped would happen, did happen is such a win for the LGBTQ+ community. We can only hope that shows will take a few lessons from this show and that we don't need to fear queer baiting happening as frequently as it does.

Even the show director (David Jenkins) admitted 'that Stede and Blackbeard’s romance was always part of his initial pitch for the series — and one of the things he and the writers found most creatively fulfilling". The opposites attract troupe which lead to the both of them just finding out what each of them actually wanted, fixed with the slow burn and not just the both of them automatically liking each other and showing the development of their relationship felt like a reward and made it feel natural and not forced.

It's safe to say I cannot wait to watch season 2. The only complaint I have for this show is how lonely it makes me feel. We all deserve a relationship like Stede and Ed.

Admin, 🦒

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 5.9

Holidays

Aso ote Tala Lei (Gospel Day; Tuvalu)

Birth Control Pill Day

Cameltoe Day

Damita Jo Day (Auton, Texas)

Dianetics Day

Earls Court Day (IA, KS, MN, VA, WY)

Europe Day (Schuman Declaration; EU)

Goku Day (Japan)

Hanswijk Procession (Mechelen, Belgium) [Sunday before Ascension Thursday]

Hurray for Buttons Day

John Brown Day

Lawn Mower Day

Liberation Day (Guernsey, Jersey)

Lost Sock Memorial Day

Make Believe Day

Marukh’s Day (Elder Scrolls)

Muppets Day

National Alphabet Magnet Day

National Childhood Depression Awareness Day

National Day (Alderney)

National Home Front Heroes Day

National Sleepover Day

National Teacher Appreciation Day

Ode to Joy Day

Peter Pan Day

Piccolo Day (Dragon Ball Z)

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Fairies Foundation Day

Schuman Day

Sophie Scholl Day

State Flag and Emblem Day (Belarus)

Tear the Tags Off the Mattresses Day

Vast Wasteland Day

Victory and Peace Day (Armenia)

Victory Day (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan)

Victory Day Over Nazism in World War II (Ukraine)

Webcomic Day

Xotira va Qadirlash Kuni (Day of Remembrance and Honors; Uzbekistan)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Butterscotch Brownie Day

Lawn Mower Beer Day

National Bake Sale Day

National Cookie Dough Day

National Foodies Day

National Moscato Day

Punch's Birthday (London, England) [Sunday closest to May 9]

2nd Tuesday in May

Childhood Depression Awareness Day (a.k.a. Green Ribbon Day) [Tuesday of 1st Full Week]

National Slow Down Move Over Day (Canada) [2nd Tuesday]

Independence Days

Romania (from Ottoman Empire, 1877)

Feast Days

Beatus of Lungern (Christian; Saint)

Beatus of Vendome (Christian; Saint)

Brynoth I, Bishop of Scara, Sweden (Christian; Saint)

Christopher (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Fabricius (Positivist; Saint)

George Preca (Christian; Saint)

Gerontius of Cervia (Christian; Saint)

Gina’s Blot (Pagan)

Gregory of Nazianzen (The Episcopal Church (US) and traditional Roman Catholic calendar)

Hermas (Christian; Saint)

Kermit the Frog (Muppetism)

Lemuralia, Day 1 (Ancient Rome; Dedicated to Eradicating Malevolent Spirits of the Dead)

Lost Sock Memorial Day (Pastafarian)

Medea Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Nicholas Albergati (Christian; Saint)

Nicolaus Zinzendorf (Lutheran)

Oedipus Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Olympieia (Zeus Festival; Ancient Greece)

Pachomius the Great (Christian; Saint)

Remembrance for Gudrod of Gudbrandsdal (Slavic Pagan/Asatru)

Tudy of Landevennec (Christian; Saint)

Wear Odd Socks Day Day (Pastafarian)

Yom Yerushalayim begins (Jerusalem Day; Israel) [Iyar 28]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Lemuria (Day 1of 3; Ancient Rome) [Unlucky to Marry.]

Premieres

Ant Pasted (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

A Burnt-Out Case, by Graham Greene (Novel; 1961)

Down with Love (Film; 2003)

The Draft Horse (WB MM Cartoon; 1942

The Fall (Film; 2008)

The Fifth Element (Film; 1997)

For Whom the Bulls Toil (Disney Cartoon; 1953)

Friday the 13th (Film; 1980)

A Good Time for a Dime (Disney Cartoon; 1941)

Hey There Delilah, by Plain White T’s (Song; 2006)

Hot Rod and Reel! (WB LT Cartoon; 1959)

In the Jungle of Cities, by Bertolt Brecht (Play; 1923)

Kojak Variety, by Elvis Costello (Album; 1995)

Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return (Animated Film; 2014)

A Mighty Wind (Film; 2003)

Neighbors (Film; 2014)

Short Circuit (Film; 1986)

Sleepy Time Donald (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Speed Racer (Film; 2008)

Vertigo (Film; 1958)

The Winthrop Woman, by Anya Seton (Novel; 1958)

Today’s Name Days

Beatus, Caroline, Volkmar (Austria)

Beata, Dionizije, Izaija, Mirna (Croatia)

Ctibor (Czech Republic)

Caspar (Denmark)

Kahru, Ott, Otto (Estonia)

Timi, Timo (Finland)

Pacôme (France)

Beat, Caroline, Theresia, Volkmar (Germany)

Christoforos, Essaias, Isaias (Greece)

Gergely (Hungary)

Beato, Duillio, Gregorio, Luminosa (Italy)

Einārs, Ervīns, Klāvs, Rebeka (Latvia)

Austėja, Edita, Grigalius, Mingailas (Lithuania)

Jesper, Kasper (Norway)

Beatus, Bożydar, Grzegorz, Job, Karolina, Mikołaj (Poland)

Isaia, Nicolae (România)

Roland (Slovakia)

Gregorio, Isaías (Spain)

Reidar, Reidun (Sweden)

Christopher (Ukraine)

Casandra, Cassandra, Grizelda, Kasandra, Kassandra, Zelda (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 129 of 2024; 236 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of week 19 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 24 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Bing-Chen), Day 20 (Ding-Mao)

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

Hebrew: 18 Iyar 5783

Islamic: 18 Shawwal 1444

J Cal: 8 Bīja; Oneday [8 of 30]

Julian: 26 April 2023

Moon: 82%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 16 Caesar (5th Month) [Camillus]

Runic Half Month: Lagu (Flowing Water) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 51 of 90)

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 20 of 30)

[brookston]

Holidays 11.14

Holidays

American Teddy Bear Day

Children’s Day (India)

Chinggis Khan Day (Mongolia)

Day of the Colombian Woman (Colombia)

Dobruja Day (Romania)

Fappiano (Thanksgiving on Melmac, in “Alf”)

Good Stone Day (Japan)

International Day Against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property

International Farmers’ Day

International Girls Day

International Selfie Day

International Street Vendors Day

Inuit Asking Festival (Eskimo)

Leftover Trading Day

Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day

Mobile Brigade Day (Indonesia)

Moby Dick Day

Momentum World Day of Giving

Monet Day

Movie Day (South Korea)

National Block It Out Day

National Education Support Professionals Day

National Family Pajama (or PJ) Day

National Figure It Out Day

National Marie Day

National Metallurgists’ Day (India)

National Pride Day (Mongolia)

National Seat Belt Day

National Survivors’ Day (Australia)

Odd Socks Day (UK)

Operating Room Nurse Day

Orange Day (French Republic)

Readjustment Movement Anniversary (Guinea-Bissau)

Remembrance Day (Cayman Islands)

Sociologist Day (Russia)

Spirit of NSA Day (Nat'l Speakers Ass'n)

Streetcar Day (NYC)

Symphonic Metal Day

World Diabetes Day (UN)

World Radiotherapy Awareness Day

World Sexual Purity Day

World Syphilis Day (India)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Coast-to-Coast Toast Day

National Pickle Day (a.k.a. Pickle Appreciation Day)

National Spicy Guacamole Day (a.k.a. Homemade ‘Guac’ Day)

Ostkaka Day (Swedish Cheesecake; Sweden)

Independence & Related Days

Surtsey Island (Created by Volcano; 1963)

2nd Thursday in November

Genetic Counselor Awareness Day [2nd Thursday]

International Day of Zoo & Aquarium Educators [2nd Thursday]

International Tempranillo Day [2nd Thursday]

National Community Ed Day [2nd Thursday]

Return Day (Georgetown, Delaware) [Thursday after 1st Monday]

Thirsty Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thoughtful Thursday [2nd Thursday of Each Month]

Three for Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thrift Store Thursday [Every Thursday]

Throwback Thursday [Every Thursday]

Toast Thursday [2nd Thursday of Each Month]

World Quality Day [2nd Thursday]

World Usability Day [2nd Thursday]

Weekly Holidays beginning November 14 (2nd Full Week of November)

None Known

Festivals Beginning November 14, 2024

Red Sea Jazz Festival (Eilat, Israel) [thru 11.16]

Southern Christmas Show (Charlotte, North Carolina) [thru 11.24]

Tilth Conference (Vancouver, Washington) [thru 11.16]

Feast Days

Alberic of Utrecht (Christian; Saint)

All Saints of the Carmelites (Christian; Saint)

All Souls of the Benedictine family (Christian)

Astrid Lindgren (Writerism)

Bal Diwas (India)

Barlaam of Kiev (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Bonn Om Touk (Water Festival; Cambodia)

Claude Monet (Artology)

Dubricius (a.k.a. Dyfrig or Devereux; Christian; Saint)

Enzo Cucchi (Artology)

Equorum Probatio (Old Roman cavalry parade)

Feast of Dionysus (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Feast of the Musicians (Everyday Wicca)

Feronia’s Day (Pagan)

Gustavus Adolphus (Positivist; Saint)

Hypatius of Gangra (Christian; Saint)

John Steuart Curry (Artology)

Josaphat Kuncevyc of Polotsk (Roman Catholic)

Joseph Pignatelli SJ (Christian; Saint)

Julie Manet (Artology)

Justinian I (Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran Church)

Laugh Like a Lunatic Day (Pastafarian)

Laurence O'Toole (Christian; Saint)

Manon Cleary (Artology)

Moccas (Celtic Pig Godess Festival)

Nikola Tavelic (Christian; Saint)

Philip the Apostle (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Samuel Seabury (Anglican Communion)

Sappho Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Scathach (Celtic Book of Days)

Serapion of Algiers (Christian; Saint)

Sidonius (a.k.a. Saëns; Christian; Saint)

Sonia Delaunay (Artology)

Venera (a.k.a. Veneranda; Christian; Saint)

The Whipley Triplets (Muppetism)

William Steig (Artology)

Workers Getting Into Championships (Gremlins; Shamanism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [46 of 53]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 52 of 60)

Premieres

Anastasia (Animated Film; 1997)

Apollo 12 Day

The Art of Skiing (Disney Cartoon; 1941)

Back to the Soil (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

Bah, Hummock! A Looney Tunes Christmas (WB Animated Film; 2006)

The Black Album, by Jay-Z (Album; 2003)

Black or White, by Michael Jackson (Music Video; 1991)

Bosko’s Soda Fountain (WB LT Cartoon; 1931)

The Brothers Lionheart, by Astrid Lindgren (Novel; 1973)

Buried Treasure, Part 1 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 125; 1961)

By the Light of the Silvery Moon (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1931)

The Chocolate Soldier, by Oscar Straus (Operetta; 1908)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Film; 1980)

Conspiracy of One, by The Offspring (Album; 2000)

Dumb and Dumber To (Film; 2014)

End Game, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2017)

The Facts of Life (Film; 1960)

Father of the Bird (WB LT Cartoon; 1997)

A Fight to the Finish (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1947)

A Fundraising Adventure (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 2014)

Future Man (TV Series; 2017)

Go Bananas, by Little Big (EP Album; 2019)

The Great Gold Robbery, Parts 1 & 2 (Underdog Cartoon, S1, Eps. 13 & 14; 1964)

Hello Lola, recorded by Red McKenzie & the Mound City Blue Blowers (Song; 1929)

Hoosiers (Film; 1986)

The Jackal (Film; 1997)

Let’s Talk About Love, by Celine Dion (Album; 1997)

Little Beau Porky (WB LT Cartoon; 1936)

Live Rust, by Neil Young (Live Album; 1979)

Looney Tunes: Back in Action (WB Animated Film; 2003)

Lo, the Poor Buffal (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1948)

Love Actually (Film; 2003)

Mail Dog (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

The Man Who Knew Too Little (Film; 1997)

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Film; 2003)

Mother Pluto (Silly Symphonies Disney Cartoon; 1936)

Murphy Brown (TV Series; 1988)

The Ocean Hop (Ub Iwerks Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Disney Cartoon; 1927)

Of Rice and Hen (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

Quantum of Solace (US Film; 2008) [James Bond #22]

Raging Bull (Film; 1980)

Smooth Criminal, by Michael Jackson (Song; 1988)

Suspicion (Film; 1941)

The Swords of Lankhmar, by Fritz Leiber (Novel; 1968) [Fafhrd and Gray Mouser #5]

A Ticket A Casket or The Bury Box (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 126; 1961)

Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson (Novel; 1883)

What to Listen for in Music, by Aaron Copland (Music Book; 1939)

Yellowjackets (TV Series; 2021)

Today’s Name Days

Nikolaus, Sidonia (Austria)

Filio, Filip, Filipa (Bulgaria)

Laurencije, Nikola, Nikolina (Croatia)

Sáva (Czech Republic)

Frederik (Denmark)

Alve, Alvi, Alviine (Estonia)

Iiris (Finland)

Sidoine (France)

Karl, Nikolaus, Sidonia (Germany)

Filippos, Gregory, Philip, Philipia (Greece)

Aliz (Hungary)

Giocondo, Venera (Italy)

Fricis, Fridrichs, Vikentijs (Latvia)

Emilis, Judita, Ramantas, Saulenė (Lithuania)

Fred, Freddy, Fredrik (Norway)

Aga, Agata, Damian, Elżbieta, Emil, Emiliusz, Jozafat, Józef, Judyta, Kosma, Laurenty, Lewin, Ścibor, Ścibora, Serafin, Wszerad (Poland)

Filip, Grigorie (România)

Irma (Slovakia)

José (Spain)

Emil, Emilia (Sweden)

Philip (Ukraine)

Aphrodite, Chrystal, Cristal, Crystal, Kristal, Krystal, Venecia, Venice, Venus (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 319 of 2024; 47 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of Week 46 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Hagal (Hailstone) [Day 19 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Yi-Hai), Day 14 (Ren-Wu)

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

Hebrew: 13 Heshvan 5785

Islamic: 12 Jumada I 1446

J Cal: 19 Wood; Foursday [19 of 30]

Julian: 1 November 2024

Moon: 98%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 11 Frederic (12th Month) [De Witt]

Runic Half Month: Nyd (Necessity) [Day 8 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 53 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of November

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 22 of 30)

Calendar Changes

November (Julian Calendar) [Month 11 of 12]

[mystery-twin-mystery-bags]

NEW FAQ HERE

Calling all Gravity Falls fan artists for a charity project benefiting Palestine!

[EDIT 8/30/2024: We have been overwhelmed with some AMAZING support! Due to the large, unexpectedly high number of applications we've already received, we decided to close applications at 11:59 p.m. PT on Sept. 1st, so we can have ample time to review everyone's submissions. Thank you, all!]

Hello, Hana Hyperfixates here! I’m a YouTuber with videos focusing mainly on Gravity Falls and fandom culture. But I’m also a Palestinian person who has been heartbroken watching the violence unfold in Gaza. So far more than 40,000 people have been killed, and countless more have been injured, starved, displaced and oppressed under the threat of genocide.

I want to do something about it, and if this fandom is what I know it to be, I’m sure others do, too. 

The Gravity Falls fandom has had no shortage of wonderful, generous efforts to extend aid to various charities and to those in need. Through my ten years in this fandom I’ve seen calendars and zines and similar projects be sold, with hundreds of dollars being raised.

So I am happy to announce a new fundraising effort: Mystery Twin Mystery Bags. 

The idea: bring in artists from across the fandom to design pins, stickers, charms, posters and more. These items would be pre-ordered, purchased, randomly assorted into mystery bags and shipped out to fans like you!  Options would exist at differently-priced tiers, for you to buy anything from a handful of random stickers, to a big box of everything, and the funds would all go to a great cause!

After shipping out items, 100% of the profits for this project would be split 50/50 between these two funds for aid and relief in Gaza.

Watermelon Relief: Aid for Displaced Families in Gaza 

The Sameer Project - Tents for Palestine refugees

[Edit: As Watermelon Relief is no longer accepting donations, all proceeds will go to the Sameer Project)

As the situation in the Gaza is ever-evolving and needs change, we might add other charities onto this roster. We will be transparent if this ever happens. The most important thing is getting the money where it is needed the most.

We need artists and graphic designers with a wide range: Remember, the plan is to make everything from stickers to posters! 

If you would like to be a part of this project, either as an artist, as a manufacturing manager, or as a mod, please apply with this link:

Before you apply, I also want to make something clear: Our ability to extend compassion and aid to Palestinian refugees is not at all at odds with our commitment against antisemitism. We condemn any antisemitic rhetoric in our space, in our replies, in our askbox and (once established) in our Discord, and that rhetoric is not welcome here. 

Our condemnation of the horrific actions of the government of Israel does NOT mean that we can’t protect and stand with our Jewish friends and community members. Likewise, us standing against antisemitism does not mean we can’t extend empathy and funding to the refugees of Palestine. People are dying, to help them is to be human. 

So do your part to help! Apply above to be an organizer (bonus points if you have experience managing a large fandom project), as an artist (bonus points if you’ve made art for a big fandom project before), or as a manufacturing manager (bonus points if you have experience with selling stickers/pins/etc.)! 

And if you can’t apply, please reblog this to give us a boost! Spread the word! And follow this account for more updates!

Application link

Thank you!

[EDIT 8/30/2024: We have been overwhelmed with some AMAZING support! Due to the large, unexpectedly high number of applications we've already received, we decided to close applications at 11:59 p.m. PT on Sept. 1st, so we can have ample time to review everyone's submissions. Thank you, all!]

[dfroza]

Today’s reading from the ancient books of Proverbs and Psalms

for may 22 of 2024 with Proverbs 22 and Psalm 22, accompanied by Psalm 65 for the 65th day of Astronomical Spring, and Psalm 143 for day 143 of the year (with the consummate book of 150 Psalms in its 1st revolution this year)

[Proverbs 22]

A good reputation is preferable to riches,

and the approval of others is better than precious silver or gold.

Rich and poor have something in common:

both are created by the Eternal.

Prudent people see trouble coming and hide,

but the naive walk right into it and take a beating.

A humble person who fears the Eternal

can expect to receive wealth, honor, and life.

Thorny branches and traps lie ahead for those who follow perverse paths;

those who want to preserve themselves will steer clear of them.

Teach a child how to follow the right way;

even when he is old, he will stay on course.

The rich lord it over the poor,

and the borrower is the slave to the lender.

Those who sow injustice reap disaster,

and their methods of oppression will fail.

Generous people are genuinely blessed

because they share their food with the poor.

Expel a mocker, and watch the wrangling go with him;

rivalry and rude remarks will also stop.

Those who love a pure heart and speak with grace

will find that the king is their friend.

The Eternal keeps a watchful eye on those with knowledge,

but He subverts the words of the faithless.

A lazy person says, “A lion! Right outside!

I will surely die in the streets!

Yet another good reason to stay in today.”

The alluring words of a seductive woman are a deep hole;

the Eternal is incensed toward those who fall in.

Foolishness consumes the heart of a child,

but corporal punishment, properly administered, drives it far away.

If you take advantage of the poor or coddle the rich to get ahead,

you will end up destitute.

[The Words of the Wise]

Lend an ear, listen to these words of the wise,

and align your thoughts with my instructions

Because true pleasure will be yours by learning them, living them,

and being ready to repeat them to others.

In order that you will trust only in the Eternal,

I teach them to you this day—yes, even you!

In fact, didn’t I already write down for you

Thirty axioms of good advice and sound knowledge

To reveal to you what is reliably true

so you can answer those who sent you with these truths you’ve learned?

Do not cheat poor people just because they are vulnerable

or use shady tactics in court to crush those already suffering;

For the Eternal is ready to take their case,

and He ruins anyone who is out to ruin them.

Do not befriend someone given to anger

or hang around with a hothead.

Odds are, you’ll learn his ways, become angry as well,

and get caught in a trap.

Do not be a person to guarantee someone else’s loan

or put up collateral for the debts of an acquaintance;

For if you do and you can’t repay,

won’t you risk having your bed ripped out from under you?

Do not steal property from your neighbors by moving the boundary markers

your ancestors established.

And as for those who are skilled in their work,

they will be recognized and invited to serve kings

rather than regular folk.

The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 22 (The Voice)

A note from The Voice translation:

We do not like or want to believe it, but there are limits to what humans can accomplish. Whatever wisdom and knowledge we think we possess is nothing compared to God’s. Whatever plans we make will come to nothing unless they line up with God’s plans and purposes for us.

[Psalm 22]

For the worship leader. A song of David to the tune “Deer of the Dawn.”

My God, my God, why have You turned Your back on me?

Your ears are deaf to my groans.

O my God, I cry all day and You are silent;

my tears in the night bring no relief.

Still, You are holy;

You make Your home on the praises of Israel.

Our mothers and fathers trusted in You;

they trusted, and You rescued them.

They cried out to You for help and were spared;

they trusted in You and were vindicated.

But I am a worm and not a human being,

a disgrace and an object of scorn.

Everyone who sees me laughs at me;

they whisper to one another I’m a loser; they sneer and mock me, saying,

“He relies on the Eternal; let the Eternal rescue him

and keep him safe because He is happy with him.”

But You are the One who granted me life;

You endowed me with trust as I nursed at my mother’s breast.

I was dedicated to You at birth;

You’ve been my God from my mother’s womb.

Stay close to me—

trouble is at my door;

no one else can help me.

I’m surrounded by many tormenters;

like strong bulls of Bashan, they circle around me with their taunts.

They open their mouths wide at me

like ravenous, roaring lions.

My life is poured out like water,

and all my bones have slipped out of joint.

My heart melts like wax inside me.

My strength is gone, dried up like shards of pottery;

my dry tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;

You lay me in the dust of death.

A throng of evil ones has surrounded me

like a pack of wild dogs;

They pierced my hands and ripped a hole in my feet.

I count all my bones;

people gawk and stare at me.

They make a game out of dividing my clothes among themselves;

they cast lots for the clothes on my back.

But You, O Eternal, stay close;

O You, my help, hurry to my side.

Save my life from violence,

my sweet life from the teeth of the wild dog.

Rescue me from the mouth of the lion.

From the horns of the wild oxen, You responded to my plea.

I will speak Your Name to my brothers and sisters

when I praise You in the midst of the community.

You who revere the Eternal, praise Him—

descendants of Jacob, worship Him;

be struck with wonder before Him, all you children of Israel.

He’s not put off

by the suffering of the suffering one;

He doesn’t pretend He hasn’t seen him;

when he pleaded for help, He listened.

You stir my praise in the great assembly;

I will fulfill my vows before those who humble their hearts before Him.

Those who are suffering will eat and be nourished;

those who seek Him will praise the Eternal.

May your hearts beat strong forever!

Those from the farthest reaches of the earth will remember

and turn back to look for the Eternal;

All the families of the nations

will worship You.

The Eternal owns the world;

He exercises His gentle rule over all the nations.

All the wealthy of the world will eat and worship;

all those who fall in the dust will bow before Him,

even the life that is headed to the grave.

Our children will serve Him;

future generations will hear the story of how the Lord rescued us.

They will tell the generations to come

of the righteousness of the Lord,

of what He has done.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 22 (The Voice)

A note from The Voice translation:

Jesus prayed this individual lament from the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). Though it begins with a sense of abandonment, it ends on a triumphant note.

[Psalm 65]

For the worship leader. A song of David.

All will stand in awe to praise You.

Praise will sweep through Zion, the Sacred City, O God.

Solemn vows uttered to You will now be performed.

You hear us pray in words and silence;

all humanity comes into Your presence.

Injustice overwhelms me!

But You forgive our sins, restoring as only You can.

You invite us near, drawing us

into Your courts—what an honor and a privilege!

We feast until we’re full on the goodness of Your house,

Your sacred temple made manifest.

You leave us breathless when Your awesome works answer us by putting everything right.

God of our liberation—

You are the hope of all creation, from the far corners of the earth

to distant life-giving oceans.

With immense power, You erected mountains.

Wrapped in strength, You compelled

Choppy seas,

crashing waves,

and crowds of people

To sit in astonished silence.

Those who inhabit the boundaries of the earth are awed by Your signs,

strong and subtle hints of Your indelible presence.

Even the dawn and dusk respond to You with joy.

You spend time on the good earth,

watering and nourishing the networks of the living.

God’s river is full of water!

By preparing the land,

You have provided us grain for nourishment.

You are the gentle equalizer: soaking the furrows,

smoothing soil’s ridges,

Softening sun-baked earth with generous showers,

blessing the fruit of the ground.

You crown the year with a fruitful harvest;

the paths are worn down by carts overflowing with unstoppable growth.

Barren desert pastures yield fruit;

craggy hills are now dressed for celebration.

Meadows are clothed with frolicking flocks of lambs;

valleys are covered with a carpet of autumn-harvest grain;

the land shouts and sings in joyous celebration.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 65 (The Voice)

[Psalm 143]

A song of David.

Eternal One, I come to You in prayer.

Hear me out; I plead with You.

Lend an ear to my requests.

In Your faithfulness and justice, respond to my pleas.

Be kind and slow to judge Your faithful servant,

for compared to You, no one is truly just.

My adversary has pressed in, drawn closer, threatened my life;

he’s crushed me, driven me underground.

He’s forced me to live in the dark;

it’s as if I joined those who died a long time ago.

That’s why my spirit is growing faint inside me; I have nothing left;

my heart is completely empty and desolate.

And yet I can’t forget the days of old, the days I’ve heard so much about;

I fix my mind on all You have done;

I ponder the work of Your hands;

I reach out my hands to You.

All that I am aches and yearns for You, like a dry land thirsting for rain.

[pause]

Hurry and answer me, O Eternal One,

for my spirit is weak, my courage is gone.

Do not turn away; let me see Your face;

otherwise, I’ll die and be like all those who have gone to the grave.

Make me hear of Your faithful love in the morning,

for I trust in You.

Teach me how I should walk,

for I offer my soul up to You.

Rescue me from my enemies, Eternal One,

for You are my shelter from them.

Teach me how to do Your will,

for You are my God.

Allow Your good Spirit to guide me

on level ground, to guide me along Your path.

For the sake of Your name and the good of Your reputation,

preserve me, O Eternal One.

In Your righteousness, save my life from burden and misery.

In Your loyal love, silence my enemies for good;

destroy all those who take pleasure in my suffering,

for I am Your faithful servant!

The Book of Psalms, Poem 143 (The Voice)

[kwangyanese]

i feel like its easier for me to follow/like boygroups now bc i dont really get emotionally invested. i actually think i wont ever get that invested into a group again after aespa. and not to ramble but i feel like a hypocrite because i told myself i was gonna leave kpop but i guess i surrounded myself with it online so badly in the past 3 years i'd probably have to either 1) redo all my accounts and unfollow all my moots 2) try to get obsessed with something else and make the algorythm "renew" itself. truth i'd lose many moots that i like if i did the 1st and i'm already doing the 2nd but i feel frustrated for how slow it is plus i end up watching kpop videos to chill anyway. and when i 'judge' (not that i go around annoying them about it) my kpop moots for still posting about idols that either haven't spoken up or are doing deals w pro-israel brands it's like throwing stones from a glass house LOL i mean at least i'm not posting about #those idols but i still haven't left kpop as a whole which imo would be ideal lol. well, again, what i'm into rn is just tvxq and riize and as much as i can go awww <3 i don't feel nothing beyond that. sorry to objectify idols but i'd drop them in a instant i just can't truly connect with men in general.... and to be even more honest i still have feelings for ningning that i'm trying to get rid of.... it's actually quite sad how far a parasocial relationship will ruin you.... like sure i like shotaro he is quite actually such a sweet guy that so far hasnt had a single moment where i went "oh he is a man after all" and i like jaejoong/changmin/yunho but i missed so much of their fandom lore so i don't know them that well lmfao it makes me feel distant. and i dont feel the need to get closer to neither of them. oh that reminds me that the only (parasocial) closeness i felt to a man was jonghyun and then atsushi and they are literally dead rn (rip)... like fr i know ur not supposed to put ppl on a pedestal, nobodys perfect etc but i do feel the least i can do as a person is expect someone i like to do the bare minimum and theres only do much i can ignore (like ningning being obsessed with malnourishing herself and bleaching her skin into oblivion to look whiter hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) but i think what's really making me feel liek the Odd One Out is that every other my is just going about their business as usual and aespa enthusiasts don't care fr theyre just there for the pretty girls. it was only me and this one moot that i saw be disgusted with the whole thing and dropping them and like........... seeing other mys not do anything at all just makes me think like even if it was another situation would they not care also? like what would it take for these ppl to be like Woah hey this is not right. or am i thinking too much? maybe it's not that serious? if anything perhaps this was the last straw for me bc aespa was already literally ruining my day either for always lying or for sm being a terrible company to their ggs, and me being excited about aespa coming to brazil literally got me into a scam and i ended up losing over $1k (thats on me though but still. if i hadnt become a fan that wouldnt have happened), and the general stress a parasocial relationship brings (stressed out bc ningning doesnt know i exist and that i loved her so much). i feel stupid and i know it's stupid for writing these kind of these cos there's literally more important things going on. i'm nothing but a drop of water in the sea and sharing my thoughts is like screaming into a void it means nothing at all. anyway good morning.

[zyx204]

On Tuesday Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed envoy to the Palestinian Authority presented his credentials to President Mahmoud Abbas during his visit to the West Bank. This is the first time a Saudi delegation has visited the West Bank since 1967, this is a huge step forward in the normalization efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, this still has its obstacles. The Saudis want a defense pact with the United States to help build their civilian nuclear program, which fuels the fears of an arms race with Iran. Along with this, the Saudis want Israel to grant some kind of concession to the Palestinians in the West Bank. All of this unfortunately would be met with fierce opposition due to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s far-right government. Regardless this is still a major milestone for both sides as Netanyahu has worked to forge relations with multiple Arab countries, ending its isolation, and forming better relationships with nations that have been at odds with Israel for decades. 

[betweenthetimeandsound]

Three Minutes to Eternity: My ESC 250 (#29)

#29: Ofra Haza -- Hi (Israel 1983)

“שמעו, אחיי, אני עוד חי ושתי עיניי עוד נישאות לאור רבים חוחיי, אך גם פרחיי ולפניי שנים רבות מספור”

“Listen, my brothers, I’m still alive And both my eyes still look into the light Many are my thorns, but also my flowers And I have countless years ahead of me”

Like with Kan (#31), Hi might be seen in bad taste if it was released today. However, unlike the former, Hi firmly celebrates the Jewish people's survival, and it's in more than just the vivacious and hopeful lyrics.

For the contest in Munich, where a lot of events relating to Nazi Germany occurred (the Beer Hall Putsch, the first concentration camp in Dachau just outside the city, the Munich Agreement of 1938), Ofra Haza and her backing vocalists strolled on stage and happily exclaimed that they were still alive despite all the bad the world has done with them. You wouldn't tell with the minor-key composition--the Israeli national anthem also has this combination--so you could hint at the pain hidden through the song.

Though already brazen in the studio cut, the orchestral version just amplifies it, from the brass to the string section. This happens through a lot of the 1983 songs (including #246 and #97 on this countdown, for example), but for Hi, it adds the sprinkles to a beautiful honey cake. The piano intro is emphasized a lot, followed by the verses, in which it keeps up the momentum. When it gets to the chorus, it just brings Hi to life! You could hear the musical punch it gives, especially compared to the studio cut.

And of course, Ofra's vocals gently carry the song, albeit with a certain bite. She sings of the Jewish people's determination to survive, telling how her grandfather sung this song to her father, and then to her now. Beyond the contest, she showed off her connection to her Yemenite roots; a year later, she released an album of Yemenite Songs which would be her breakthrough. The remix of Im Nin'alu was her biggest hit, though for a long time, I only knew her through her rendition of Yerushalayim shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold). It's absolutely beautiful.

Ofra Haza was not the first Yemenite Jew on the Eurovision stage, nor was she the last (three of Israel's four winners were of Yemenite descent) but was probably the most notable of them. Her career afterward mixed parts of her cultural heritage with modern music, which allowed a bridge between her two worlds. Ayelet Tsabari would later write this about her in The Art of Leaving (which I highly recommend):

"...in a world where the actors on TV and the singers on TV were Ashkenazi and the models in magazines were Ashkenazi, there was Ofra, the simple Yemeni girl from Ha'tikva neighborhood whose star shone brighter than anyone's, who made it against all odds, and who looked like me, or like one of my own prettier cousins." (39)

Basically, a lot of reasons why Hi should've won--rousing song, talented singer, beautiful orchestration and a clear connection to the country it's from. I have two more runners-up on this 250, but no other deserves to take the crown more.

Personal ranking: 1st/20 Actual ranking: 2nd/20 in Munich

Final Impressions on:

--1983: Germany's first hosting didn't showcase their world-famous efficiency, as the production was less than ideal. Marlene, their host, went over everything in English, French, and German, which extended the contest to the three hour mark for the first time. Plus she called the Norwegian conductor "Johannes Skorgan", haha. #allora.

But what the production lacked, the song quality more than made up for. I like just over half the songs; even the ones I didn't fancy had their charms (except Opera, haha). The German concert orchestra does a good job in interpreting them--if I did a personal list of favorite orchestrations of all time, I fear that I might overloading on this year when it came to the top.

The glaring flaw was with the winner--Si la vie est cadeau is a descent song on its right, and the verses were especially strong. It just falls flat by the chorus and doesn't convince itself after that (though Michel Bernholc did the orchestration). And as much as I iike French ballads, this one set the contest back quite a bit, which took until the mid 1990s to recover from.

--Israel: Just like their international reputation, Israel seems to be quite polarized in Eurovision. When they send good entries, like Hi, they are really good. But when they send bad entries, they are really bad. Of course, they have some average songs, but they don't stand out as much as those at the extremes. What I can say, regardless, is that they add a bit of spice to the Eurovision party, and we can all appreciate it for doing so.

[dailyaudiobible]

5/3/2022 DAB Transcript

Judges 17:1-18:31, John 3:1-21, Psalm 104:1-23, Proverbs 14:20-21

Today is the third day of May, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It is great to be here with you today as we continue the journey, the journey moving into this month, brand-new as it is, and the journey that we have been…been on since the 1st of January, the journey through the Bible, the journey through a year together and so let's continue that journey. We’re reading from the Modern English Version this week and we’re moving our way through the judges the Book of Judges, which tells us about the judges of Israel that follow Joshua's leadership. Today, Judges chapters 17 and 18.

Commentary:

Okay so, in the Book of Judges, we have this, kind of odd story, about a man named Micah who, who has prominence and he ends up hiring a Levite to be his priest from Bethlehem. Then later, the Danites get mixed up into the story because they're looking for land of their own. They've kind of been within the other tribes and they’re looking for land of their own and as their scouting for land, that's when they come upon Micah and see his carved idols and his…his priest, the Levite from Bethlehem. And so, that's one of the things that they scout out and see and then they go on to the city called Laish, and they see a group of Sidonia people who are living peaceably in a really, really beautiful area, but they’re undefended, they have no allies. If they were to be attacked, no one could get there in time to help defend them. They were just living peaceably, all by themselves and the tribe of Dan, made a decision to go and take that land. And so, they left to do exactly that and that's when they come upon Micah again. They steel his carved idols, they take his Levitical priest from Bethlehem and kind of seduce him away by saying ‘you want to be this priest for this one household or do you want to be a priest for an entire tribe of Israel’, of course, the Levite wants to be the priest for the tribe of Israel. And so, the Danites make it to Laish, where they conquer the people and changed the city's name from Laish to Dan. That place is still there, like the ruins of that place are still there. It is more toward the extreme northern part of what we now know as modern Israel but even in ancient Israel, once things are all established the territory is known from Dan to Beersheba. So, from Dan, in the north to Beersheba in the South. Today, we see where the city of Dan comes from and how it came to be.

Then, when we flip the page into the Gospel of John, we come to perhaps very, very, very likely, the most famous verse in all of the Bible, ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life’. And that very important verse, in the Gospel of John, really lays out a framework for God's love for us and our response in believing and once we do, eternal life becomes a reality. What is like, not always apparent or always known about this most famous of all verses is that, Jesus said that verse. He said it while having a conversation in the cover, under the cover of night with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. So, by this time, in Jesus’ ministry, there is animosity going on, Jesus is not understood and there are people who are very against him and other people are plotting against Him. So, this Pharisee, Nicodemus comes to Jesus under the cloak of darkness to have this conversation because he sees what's going on. In fact, everybody can see what's going on, they just don't know how to interpret it. They know that Jesus is drawing a crowd, they know that His words come with authority, and they know that signs and wonders are following what He is doing. And so, some people can say clearly this man is from God and other people say He gets His power from the devil so, that's how divided the whole thing is. But it's in this conversation, between Jesus and Nicodemus that this concept of being born again. comes from. And being born again, is like almost cliché for becoming a follower of Jesus, or converting to Christianity. But what Jesus is unpacking here is that, a person is born into the flesh, we are born into a human body, we are human beings of flesh, but there is a second birth of the Spirit, the awakening of this spirit, the reunification of the spirit with God, so that the separation isn't there, so that God is within us or as the Scriptures say, it isn't me who lives anymore, it’s Christ who lives within me. This spiritual awakening, this spiritual birth, if we want to use the term that Jesus is using, is what being born again is and it is explained in this verse; for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life. Of course, Nicodemus is confused. Like, how does a person get born again, like how does a person, when they have become old, then get born again? Do they, how can they go back into their mother's womb and be born again. That's when Jesus explains, that we are born of the flesh and born of the spirit and we are born of the spirit, when we believe. And according to Jesus, when we believe, we are no longer condemned, but when we choose not to believe, we are experiencing condemnation already, which does make perfect sense, doesn't it, because when we feel the most condemnation in our lives, is usually the time that we believe the least. Which gives us a glimpse of the fact that there really does seem to be a war within between darkness and light, clean and unclean, good and evil. And Jesus says as much, the light has come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. In other words, their deeds were in the darkness so, they don't want the light. For everyone, and I'm quoting Jesus again, “for everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed, be he who does the truth comes to the light that it may be revealed that his deeds have been done in God. So, yes, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, and we who believe are not condemned anymore. But as we believe we have an inherited, we have inherited eternal life, which brings us into the light where there isn't anything to hide anymore. So, the pertinent question for us then becomes well, what do I not want to be exposed to the light because that, whatever that is or whatever those things are, those things are actually pulling us toward and into the darkness. One of the beautiful things about the Gospel of Jesus and one of the really difficult things to live among other believers, is that the more we become like our Savior, the less there is to hide, the less there is to hide, the more truthful we can live, the more true that we can live, the more freedom that we can experience and yet we still choose darkness often. We still choose the darkness often, either out of fear of exposure or well-worn tired trails that we keep walking. God loved us enough to come for us and demonstrate for us what living in the truth, and in the light looks like and then going to Jerusalem and laying His life down to make this possible, for we who believe. So, why would we choose the darkness. Why do we choose the darkness? Maybe we know less about ourselves than we think we do, which means we know far less about God than we think that we do. But the one thing that we do know is that He loves us and desires our freedom. And if the gospel is correct, and the cross and its work is correct, then it's all available to us. We are simply choosing otherwise.

Prayer:

So, Jesus, even thinking about that, even thinking about choosing otherwise, almost feels like it's another slap in the face. But you haven’t come to keep condemnation upon us, You have come to continually encourage us forward and comfort us forward so that we can move toward the truth, move toward the light. And that is our desire, that is the desire of our heart, in a world of darkness, in a world full of dark people and a world where we’re battling it ourselves, within ourselves. We need the light more than ever, we need to be awake, and alert, and aware, and seeing more than ever. But we can’t open our eyes and we think it's all up to us, and it's all about us. Our eyes open in surrender. So, we surrender to You, we believe that You are changing and transforming us, in a world full of transformed people, living in the light is a transformed world and You have invited us to be a part of that story and it begins in our own hearts. So, come Holy Spirit, show us the things that lead us into darkness, show us the things that we do not want to be exposed. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base, it is where you find out what's going on around here. You can do that with the Daily Audio Bible app, as well. So, check that out. Check out things like the Daily Audio Bible Shop. There are resources there, whether that be things to wear, things to read, things to write with, things to write in, things to listen to, all kinds of stuff that has been developed for the journey through the Bible in a year, whether that be things to make us a little bit more in tune with the land, where these things happened. Or whether that be things to take us deeper in our understanding and of our relationship with God. So, certainly check out the Daily Audio Bible Shop.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible. If the mission that we have to bring the spoken word of God read fresh every day and offered freely to anyone who will listen, anywhere, anytime and to build community around the rhythm that we have of showing up every day. We call this the Global Campfire. If that is life-giving to you, then thank you, humbly for your partnership. There is a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you are using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address is P.O. Box 1996 Springhill, Tennessee 37174.

And as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app, that is that little red button up at the top, that looks remarkably like a Hotline button, you can press that from anywhere in the world. Or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that's it for today, I'm Brian, I love you and I'll be waiting for you here, tomorrow.

Prayer and Encouragements:

Good morning, my beautiful DAB family, this is Livy from Queensland in Australia. A few weeks ago, I prayed God would, from Psalm 51:10, create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew my spirit within me. Well, it’s been a rough couple of weeks and my faith has been sorely tested. This morning as I prayed, God showed me to read a passage where Jesus is praying prior to the ascension, John 17:3, This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and the one you sent - Jesus Christ. That’s it, to know Jesus and to know God. Well, with the light of a thousand suns spoke to me. My goal has been to read the Bible through and to read it again, through and through and through. And to get to know God and Jesus so that I might love them. I’ve struggled with doing what I think is right and what my faith in Him leads me to know what is right. I’m not going to do the things out of guilt. My goal is to do what I’m led to do with love because of love, the goal is love. May you all have a blessed day. Thank you so much Brian and the Hardin Family for this beautiful family, with the DAB community.

Good morning, everyone, this is Janelle in China. It is currently 6:57 on April 29th, I just listened to the April 28th recording and I wanted to call in response to the gentlemen who is celebrating his 18th birthday. I am praying for you; I am praying that the Lord will give you peace and discernment during this time. But I wanted to call and give you some unsolicited advice. That feeling of being totally unprepared, I’m sorry to tell you but that’s part of being an adult. Cause, I can’t tell you the number of times that that’s happened to me and what I’ve found is that it’s how you deal with that feeling and you respond to it which really defines how you are as an adult. There’s gonna be so many times where God will push you out of your comfort zone and He’s trying to grow you as a Christian. And this is one of those times, right now, I’m sorry but welcome to adulthood. There’s lots of joys as well as the anxieties, so focus on the now and trust God and He’ll get you through.

Hello DAB, this is Loyalan in Hohan in China. I’m calling because I listened to April 28th and I heard Owen, just had his 18th birthday. Doesn’t feel ready to be an adult. Dude, I feel ya, I just turned 27 recently and I still don’t feel like an adult a lot of the time. It’s hard, it’s hard to know what to do. But the good news is, even when I don’t feel like I know what to do and everything seems like a huge mess, God’s still there and He’s still taking care of it, even when I can’t see it or when you can’t see it. So, I’m definitely praying for you. In other news, I had posted on the Prayer Wall to pray for my friend Domin, who was really searching for God, having dreams. And praise report, he says he wants to become a Christian. It’s really amazing to just watch this unfolding. I don’t think that I helped very much but it’s not my job. So, thank you DAB for the Chinese that I could play for him. Thank you for praying, those of you who prayed. Praise God.

Good morning, Daily Audio Bible, this is Sharon in Southern California. I hope everyone is well and doing prosperously in the name of Jesus. I just heard a call from a young man named Owen. He just made 18 years old and he’s feeling anxious about being an adult. Owen, I just want to say, I think you calling the Daily Audio Bible was a very adult decision. You were asking for guidance; you were asking for God to be there for you and I am 56 years old and I do the same thing every day. So, Owen, I pray, my prayer for you is that the Lord will answer your prayer and help you, guide you through life’s ups and downs, you know, through happiness, joy, sadness, triumphs and obstacles, that is what He’s there for. I commend you for calling, I think that was wonderful. You made my day actually to know that there is still some young people out there seeking the Lord. So, I’m really happy for you. My prayer is that you find what you’re looking for. I pray that the Lord keep you in his protective care and loving arms always. In Jesus name. Amen.

Hey Owen, this is People on the Water from Indiana and I’m also 18 and in the last few weeks of my senior year. Looking into college and what it is being an adult. So, first of all, welcome to the club, it’s a good age. And there’s people around you, you’ve made it this far and you just trust that God does have your back. There is a good people around you, I just pray that God might give you eyes to see them. Alright, see ya.

Hello, Debbie DAB DABers, this is Trixaleena. I haven’t called in a while and I’m calling in cause I need prayer. I’ve been involved in my ministry for two years now and it’s been wonderful, just falling deeply in love with God, serving His people and finding people that love God as well, just spending time with them. But it turns out the pastor has not been paying rent on the houses, the ministry people have been living in. In exchange for work, they get free rent. We can house about 70 men that are coming out of prison, that are getting sober in their living. It’s the least of these that we serve in these houses. And it’s really sad to think about them losing their homes, is what it’s looking like. And so, if I may, please have prayer that may the Lord's will be done in all of these men's lives may the worlds, the Lord’s will be done in the path and where they go. And it's obvious that it just, it got over the Pastor’s head and he didn't know what to do and then it just got to the end. And I pray the Lord's will be done over my path and where I go, I'm just kind of like, I don't know where to go now. I don't know what to do but I know that I follow the Lord and He has a plan. I know He has a plan; I don’t know what it is. But may the Lord’s will be done, in the name of Jesus. And I just pray peace, happiness, hope, joy are over all these people in this transition and thank ya’ll, ya’ll have a good day.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 11.14

Holidays

American Teddy Bear Day

Children’s Day (India)

Chinggis Khan Day (Mongolia)

Day of the Colombian Woman (Colombia)

Dobruja Day (Romania)

Fappiano (Thanksgiving on Melmac, in “Alf”)

Good Stone Day (Japan)

International Day Against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property

International Farmers’ Day

International Girls Day

International Selfie Day

International Street Vendors Day

Inuit Asking Festival (Eskimo)

Leftover Trading Day

Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day

Mobile Brigade Day (Indonesia)

Moby Dick Day

Momentum World Day of Giving

Monet Day

Movie Day (South Korea)

National Block It Out Day

National Education Support Professionals Day

National Family Pajama (or PJ) Day

National Figure It Out Day

National Marie Day

National Metallurgists’ Day (India)

National Pride Day (Mongolia)

National Seat Belt Day

National Survivors’ Day (Australia)

Odd Socks Day (UK)

Operating Room Nurse Day

Orange Day (French Republic)

Readjustment Movement Anniversary (Guinea-Bissau)

Remembrance Day (Cayman Islands)

Sociologist Day (Russia)

Spirit of NSA Day (Nat'l Speakers Ass'n)

Streetcar Day (NYC)

Symphonic Metal Day

World Diabetes Day (UN)

World Radiotherapy Awareness Day

World Sexual Purity Day

World Syphilis Day (India)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Coast-to-Coast Toast Day

National Pickle Day (a.k.a. Pickle Appreciation Day)

National Spicy Guacamole Day (a.k.a. Homemade ‘Guac’ Day)

Ostkaka Day (Swedish Cheesecake; Sweden)

Independence & Related Days

Surtsey Island (Created by Volcano; 1963)

2nd Thursday in November

Genetic Counselor Awareness Day [2nd Thursday]

International Day of Zoo & Aquarium Educators [2nd Thursday]

International Tempranillo Day [2nd Thursday]

National Community Ed Day [2nd Thursday]

Return Day (Georgetown, Delaware) [Thursday after 1st Monday]

Thirsty Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thoughtful Thursday [2nd Thursday of Each Month]

Three for Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thrift Store Thursday [Every Thursday]

Throwback Thursday [Every Thursday]

Toast Thursday [2nd Thursday of Each Month]

World Quality Day [2nd Thursday]

World Usability Day [2nd Thursday]

Weekly Holidays beginning November 14 (2nd Full Week of November)

None Known

Festivals Beginning November 14, 2024

Red Sea Jazz Festival (Eilat, Israel) [thru 11.16]

Southern Christmas Show (Charlotte, North Carolina) [thru 11.24]

Tilth Conference (Vancouver, Washington) [thru 11.16]

Feast Days

Alberic of Utrecht (Christian; Saint)

All Saints of the Carmelites (Christian; Saint)

All Souls of the Benedictine family (Christian)

Astrid Lindgren (Writerism)

Bal Diwas (India)

Barlaam of Kiev (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Bonn Om Touk (Water Festival; Cambodia)

Claude Monet (Artology)

Dubricius (a.k.a. Dyfrig or Devereux; Christian; Saint)

Enzo Cucchi (Artology)

Equorum Probatio (Old Roman cavalry parade)

Feast of Dionysus (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Feast of the Musicians (Everyday Wicca)

Feronia’s Day (Pagan)

Gustavus Adolphus (Positivist; Saint)

Hypatius of Gangra (Christian; Saint)

John Steuart Curry (Artology)

Josaphat Kuncevyc of Polotsk (Roman Catholic)

Joseph Pignatelli SJ (Christian; Saint)

Julie Manet (Artology)

Justinian I (Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran Church)

Laugh Like a Lunatic Day (Pastafarian)

Laurence O'Toole (Christian; Saint)

Manon Cleary (Artology)

Moccas (Celtic Pig Godess Festival)

Nikola Tavelic (Christian; Saint)

Philip the Apostle (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Samuel Seabury (Anglican Communion)

Sappho Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Scathach (Celtic Book of Days)

Serapion of Algiers (Christian; Saint)

Sidonius (a.k.a. Saëns; Christian; Saint)

Sonia Delaunay (Artology)

Venera (a.k.a. Veneranda; Christian; Saint)

The Whipley Triplets (Muppetism)

William Steig (Artology)

Workers Getting Into Championships (Gremlins; Shamanism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [46 of 53]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 52 of 60)

Premieres

Anastasia (Animated Film; 1997)

Apollo 12 Day

The Art of Skiing (Disney Cartoon; 1941)

Back to the Soil (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

Bah, Hummock! A Looney Tunes Christmas (WB Animated Film; 2006)

The Black Album, by Jay-Z (Album; 2003)

Black or White, by Michael Jackson (Music Video; 1991)

Bosko’s Soda Fountain (WB LT Cartoon; 1931)

The Brothers Lionheart, by Astrid Lindgren (Novel; 1973)

Buried Treasure, Part 1 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 125; 1961)

By the Light of the Silvery Moon (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1931)

The Chocolate Soldier, by Oscar Straus (Operetta; 1908)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Film; 1980)

Conspiracy of One, by The Offspring (Album; 2000)

Dumb and Dumber To (Film; 2014)

End Game, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2017)

The Facts of Life (Film; 1960)

Father of the Bird (WB LT Cartoon; 1997)

A Fight to the Finish (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1947)

A Fundraising Adventure (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 2014)

Future Man (TV Series; 2017)

Go Bananas, by Little Big (EP Album; 2019)

The Great Gold Robbery, Parts 1 & 2 (Underdog Cartoon, S1, Eps. 13 & 14; 1964)

Hello Lola, recorded by Red McKenzie & the Mound City Blue Blowers (Song; 1929)

Hoosiers (Film; 1986)

The Jackal (Film; 1997)

Let’s Talk About Love, by Celine Dion (Album; 1997)

Little Beau Porky (WB LT Cartoon; 1936)

Live Rust, by Neil Young (Live Album; 1979)

Looney Tunes: Back in Action (WB Animated Film; 2003)

Lo, the Poor Buffal (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1948)

Love Actually (Film; 2003)

Mail Dog (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

The Man Who Knew Too Little (Film; 1997)

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Film; 2003)

Mother Pluto (Silly Symphonies Disney Cartoon; 1936)

Murphy Brown (TV Series; 1988)

The Ocean Hop (Ub Iwerks Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Disney Cartoon; 1927)

Of Rice and Hen (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

Quantum of Solace (US Film; 2008) [James Bond #22]

Raging Bull (Film; 1980)

Smooth Criminal, by Michael Jackson (Song; 1988)

Suspicion (Film; 1941)

The Swords of Lankhmar, by Fritz Leiber (Novel; 1968) [Fafhrd and Gray Mouser #5]

A Ticket A Casket or The Bury Box (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 126; 1961)

Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson (Novel; 1883)

What to Listen for in Music, by Aaron Copland (Music Book; 1939)

Yellowjackets (TV Series; 2021)

Today’s Name Days

Nikolaus, Sidonia (Austria)

Filio, Filip, Filipa (Bulgaria)

Laurencije, Nikola, Nikolina (Croatia)

Sáva (Czech Republic)

Frederik (Denmark)

Alve, Alvi, Alviine (Estonia)

Iiris (Finland)

Sidoine (France)

Karl, Nikolaus, Sidonia (Germany)

Filippos, Gregory, Philip, Philipia (Greece)

Aliz (Hungary)

Giocondo, Venera (Italy)

Fricis, Fridrichs, Vikentijs (Latvia)

Emilis, Judita, Ramantas, Saulenė (Lithuania)

Fred, Freddy, Fredrik (Norway)

Aga, Agata, Damian, Elżbieta, Emil, Emiliusz, Jozafat, Józef, Judyta, Kosma, Laurenty, Lewin, Ścibor, Ścibora, Serafin, Wszerad (Poland)

Filip, Grigorie (România)

Irma (Slovakia)

José (Spain)

Emil, Emilia (Sweden)

Philip (Ukraine)

Aphrodite, Chrystal, Cristal, Crystal, Kristal, Krystal, Venecia, Venice, Venus (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 319 of 2024; 47 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of Week 46 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Hagal (Hailstone) [Day 19 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Yi-Hai), Day 14 (Ren-Wu)

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

Hebrew: 13 Heshvan 5785

Islamic: 12 Jumada I 1446

J Cal: 19 Wood; Foursday [19 of 30]

Julian: 1 November 2024

Moon: 98%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 11 Frederic (12th Month) [De Witt]

Runic Half Month: Nyd (Necessity) [Day 8 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 53 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of November

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 22 of 30)

Calendar Changes

November (Julian Calendar) [Month 11 of 12]

[brookston]

Holidays 5.9

Holidays

Aso ote Tala Lei (Gospel Day; Tuvalu)

Birth Control Pill Day

Cameltoe Day

Damita Jo Day (Auton, Texas)

Dianetics Day

Earls Court Day (IA, KS, MN, VA, WY)

Europe Day (Schuman Declaration; EU)

Goku Day (Japan)

Hanswijk Procession (Mechelen, Belgium) [Sunday before Ascension Thursday]

Hurray for Buttons Day

John Brown Day

Lawn Mower Day

Liberation Day (Guernsey, Jersey)

Lost Sock Memorial Day

Make Believe Day

Marukh’s Day (Elder Scrolls)

Muppets Day

National Alphabet Magnet Day

National Childhood Depression Awareness Day

National Day (Alderney)

National Home Front Heroes Day

National Sleepover Day

National Teacher Appreciation Day

Ode to Joy Day

Peter Pan Day

Piccolo Day (Dragon Ball Z)

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Fairies Foundation Day

Schuman Day

Sophie Scholl Day

State Flag and Emblem Day (Belarus)

Tear the Tags Off the Mattresses Day

Vast Wasteland Day

Victory and Peace Day (Armenia)

Victory Day (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan)

Victory Day Over Nazism in World War II (Ukraine)

Webcomic Day

Xotira va Qadirlash Kuni (Day of Remembrance and Honors; Uzbekistan)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Butterscotch Brownie Day

Lawn Mower Beer Day

National Bake Sale Day

National Cookie Dough Day

National Foodies Day

National Moscato Day

Punch's Birthday (London, England) [Sunday closest to May 9]

2nd Tuesday in May

Childhood Depression Awareness Day (a.k.a. Green Ribbon Day) [Tuesday of 1st Full Week]

National Slow Down Move Over Day (Canada) [2nd Tuesday]

Independence Days

Romania (from Ottoman Empire, 1877)

Feast Days

Beatus of Lungern (Christian; Saint)

Beatus of Vendome (Christian; Saint)

Brynoth I, Bishop of Scara, Sweden (Christian; Saint)

Christopher (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Fabricius (Positivist; Saint)

George Preca (Christian; Saint)

Gerontius of Cervia (Christian; Saint)

Gina’s Blot (Pagan)

Gregory of Nazianzen (The Episcopal Church (US) and traditional Roman Catholic calendar)

Hermas (Christian; Saint)

Kermit the Frog (Muppetism)

Lemuralia, Day 1 (Ancient Rome; Dedicated to Eradicating Malevolent Spirits of the Dead)

Lost Sock Memorial Day (Pastafarian)

Medea Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Nicholas Albergati (Christian; Saint)

Nicolaus Zinzendorf (Lutheran)

Oedipus Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Olympieia (Zeus Festival; Ancient Greece)

Pachomius the Great (Christian; Saint)

Remembrance for Gudrod of Gudbrandsdal (Slavic Pagan/Asatru)

Tudy of Landevennec (Christian; Saint)

Wear Odd Socks Day Day (Pastafarian)

Yom Yerushalayim begins (Jerusalem Day; Israel) [Iyar 28]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Lemuria (Day 1of 3; Ancient Rome) [Unlucky to Marry.]

Premieres

Ant Pasted (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

A Burnt-Out Case, by Graham Greene (Novel; 1961)

Down with Love (Film; 2003)

The Draft Horse (WB MM Cartoon; 1942

The Fall (Film; 2008)

The Fifth Element (Film; 1997)

For Whom the Bulls Toil (Disney Cartoon; 1953)

Friday the 13th (Film; 1980)

A Good Time for a Dime (Disney Cartoon; 1941)

Hey There Delilah, by Plain White T’s (Song; 2006)

Hot Rod and Reel! (WB LT Cartoon; 1959)

In the Jungle of Cities, by Bertolt Brecht (Play; 1923)

Kojak Variety, by Elvis Costello (Album; 1995)

Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return (Animated Film; 2014)

A Mighty Wind (Film; 2003)

Neighbors (Film; 2014)

Short Circuit (Film; 1986)

Sleepy Time Donald (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Speed Racer (Film; 2008)

Vertigo (Film; 1958)

The Winthrop Woman, by Anya Seton (Novel; 1958)

Today’s Name Days

Beatus, Caroline, Volkmar (Austria)

Beata, Dionizije, Izaija, Mirna (Croatia)

Ctibor (Czech Republic)

Caspar (Denmark)

Kahru, Ott, Otto (Estonia)

Timi, Timo (Finland)

Pacôme (France)

Beat, Caroline, Theresia, Volkmar (Germany)

Christoforos, Essaias, Isaias (Greece)

Gergely (Hungary)

Beato, Duillio, Gregorio, Luminosa (Italy)

Einārs, Ervīns, Klāvs, Rebeka (Latvia)

Austėja, Edita, Grigalius, Mingailas (Lithuania)

Jesper, Kasper (Norway)

Beatus, Bożydar, Grzegorz, Job, Karolina, Mikołaj (Poland)

Isaia, Nicolae (România)

Roland (Slovakia)

Gregorio, Isaías (Spain)

Reidar, Reidun (Sweden)

Christopher (Ukraine)

Casandra, Cassandra, Grizelda, Kasandra, Kassandra, Zelda (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 129 of 2024; 236 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of week 19 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 24 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Bing-Chen), Day 20 (Ding-Mao)

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

Hebrew: 18 Iyar 5783

Islamic: 18 Shawwal 1444

J Cal: 8 Bīja; Oneday [8 of 30]

Julian: 26 April 2023

Moon: 82%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 16 Caesar (5th Month) [Camillus]

Runic Half Month: Lagu (Flowing Water) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 51 of 90)

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 20 of 30)

[ex-masturbator]

https://youtu.be/hRxN1DXmSdA

“ex-masturbator” is is obviously a really stupid blog where I’ve avoided expressing any serious opinions on Christianity. Typically I just share irreverent memes (generally secular, ironic, or atheist in nature) that often poke fun at fundamentalists. But as someone who grew up in evangelical churches where fringe and harmful teachings often made it into the sermon, this documentary really hit home for me. It’s two hours but well worth a watch, as it aims a critical eye at a lot of the bad theology that conservative Americans rely on to justify questionable policy that affects everyone’s lives.

Some takeaways:

- American evangelical christianity is just one of many, many denominations, and its doctrine is often at odds with the most common scholarly interpretations of the bible.

- Scholars are not “bible debunkers,” they are people often with very strong jewish or christian convictions who are interested in understanding the text within its academic and historical context.

- The evangelical reading of the bible commonly applies scriptures to our current political moment without any consideration of the context in which they were written.

- Historic passages about the nation of Israel are misinterpreted and misused by evangelicals, both to build Christian support for zionist political causes, and to promote the idea that America should be a Christian nation (along the lines the since ancient Israel was punished by God for practicing polytheistic religions, modern-day America should also eliminate religious diversity.)

- Claims that the bible fortells the end of the world are used to convince people that climate change is either unimportant or simply a fulfillment of an inevitable prophecy.

- The idea that the Jewish people were responsible for Christ’s death, as well as the idea that Christ is the Jewish messiah and that Jews are simply mistaken for not believing in him, are both cornerstones of antisemitism, and it is extremely important to challenge and discredit these hateful ideas.

Bonus category: “things you thought were in the bible but aren’t”…

- The rapture isn’t mentioned in the scripture, it is a relatively new idea that surfaced in the 1800’s and was later popularized by the Left Behind series, a work of fiction with conservative political motivations.

- Popular figures like Satan and the antichrist are composite characters, formed from unrelated passages, many of which were written hundreds of years apart and were not meant to be read in the same context. In other words, the devil, lucifer, etc. are not in the bible but were invented later by works of fiction.

- Likewise, the popular image of Hell as it features in Milton’s Paradise Lost (a lake of fire and eternal torment) is not in the bible.

- The book of Revelation does not depict the end of the world, it is a metaphor for the end of Christian persecution in Rome at the end of the 1st century, a message of hope for the early church.

Final Thoughts

The trouble with religion, of course, is that no one can verify the truth of any interpretation. It’s a mystery, and a matter of personal faith. That’s something responsible academics will freely admit, but many evangelical pastors claim that there is only one interpretation of the bible, which often happens to be the most literal and doctrine-obsessed take.

If any christians follow this blog, I want yall to know that you don’t have to choose between believing every weird or hateful thing you may have heard growing up, and renouncing your faith. Everyone picks and chooses; it is crucial that you do your own research and decide for yourself what to believe.

[dfroza]

Today’s reading from the ancient books of Proverbs and Psalms

for April 22 of 2024 with Proverbs 22 and Psalm 22, accompanied by Psalm 35 for the 35th day of Astronomical Spring and Psalm 113 for day 113 of the year (with the consummate book of 150 Psalms in its 1st revolution this year)

[Proverbs 22]

A good reputation is preferable to riches,

and the approval of others is better than precious silver or gold.

Rich and poor have something in common:

both are created by the Eternal.

Prudent people see trouble coming and hide,

but the naive walk right into it and take a beating.

A humble person who fears the Eternal

can expect to receive wealth, honor, and life.

Thorny branches and traps lie ahead for those who follow perverse paths;

those who want to preserve themselves will steer clear of them.

Teach a child how to follow the right way;

even when he is old, he will stay on course.

The rich lord it over the poor,

and the borrower is the slave to the lender.

Those who sow injustice reap disaster,

and their methods of oppression will fail.

Generous people are genuinely blessed

because they share their food with the poor.

Expel a mocker, and watch the wrangling go with him;

rivalry and rude remarks will also stop.

Those who love a pure heart and speak with grace

will find that the king is their friend.

The Eternal keeps a watchful eye on those with knowledge,

but He subverts the words of the faithless.

A lazy person says, “A lion! Right outside!

I will surely die in the streets!

Yet another good reason to stay in today.”

The alluring words of a seductive woman are a deep hole;

the Eternal is incensed toward those who fall in.

Foolishness consumes the heart of a child,

but corporal punishment, properly administered, drives it far away.

If you take advantage of the poor or coddle the rich to get ahead,

you will end up destitute.

[The Words of the Wise]

Lend an ear, listen to these words of the wise,

and align your thoughts with my instructions

Because true pleasure will be yours by learning them, living them,

and being ready to repeat them to others.

In order that you will trust only in the Eternal,

I teach them to you this day—yes, even you!

In fact, didn’t I already write down for you

Thirty axioms of good advice and sound knowledge

To reveal to you what is reliably true

so you can answer those who sent you with these truths you’ve learned?

Do not cheat poor people just because they are vulnerable

or use shady tactics in court to crush those already suffering;

For the Eternal is ready to take their case,

and He ruins anyone who is out to ruin them.

Do not befriend someone given to anger

or hang around with a hothead.

Odds are, you’ll learn his ways, become angry as well,

and get caught in a trap.

Do not be a person to guarantee someone else’s loan

or put up collateral for the debts of an acquaintance;

For if you do and you can’t repay,

won’t you risk having your bed ripped out from under you?

Do not steal property from your neighbors by moving the boundary markers

your ancestors established.

And as for those who are skilled in their work,

they will be recognized and invited to serve kings

rather than regular folk.

The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 22 (The Voice)

A note from The Voice translation:

We do not like or want to believe it, but there are limits to what humans can accomplish. Whatever wisdom and knowledge we think we possess is nothing compared to God’s. Whatever plans we make will come to nothing unless they line up with God’s plans and purposes for us.

[Psalm 22]

For the worship leader. A song of David to the tune “Deer of the Dawn.”

My God, my God, why have You turned Your back on me?

Your ears are deaf to my groans.

O my God, I cry all day and You are silent;

my tears in the night bring no relief.

Still, You are holy;

You make Your home on the praises of Israel.

Our mothers and fathers trusted in You;

they trusted, and You rescued them.

They cried out to You for help and were spared;

they trusted in You and were vindicated.

But I am a worm and not a human being,

a disgrace and an object of scorn.

Everyone who sees me laughs at me;

they whisper to one another I’m a loser; they sneer and mock me, saying,

“He relies on the Eternal; let the Eternal rescue him

and keep him safe because He is happy with him.”

But You are the One who granted me life;

You endowed me with trust as I nursed at my mother’s breast.

I was dedicated to You at birth;

You’ve been my God from my mother’s womb.

Stay close to me—

trouble is at my door;

no one else can help me.

I’m surrounded by many tormenters;

like strong bulls of Bashan, they circle around me with their taunts.

They open their mouths wide at me

like ravenous, roaring lions.

My life is poured out like water,

and all my bones have slipped out of joint.

My heart melts like wax inside me.

My strength is gone, dried up like shards of pottery;

my dry tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;

You lay me in the dust of death.

A throng of evil ones has surrounded me

like a pack of wild dogs;

They pierced my hands and ripped a hole in my feet.

I count all my bones;

people gawk and stare at me.

They make a game out of dividing my clothes among themselves;

they cast lots for the clothes on my back.

But You, O Eternal, stay close;

O You, my help, hurry to my side.

Save my life from violence,

my sweet life from the teeth of the wild dog.

Rescue me from the mouth of the lion.

From the horns of the wild oxen, You responded to my plea.

I will speak Your Name to my brothers and sisters

when I praise You in the midst of the community.

You who revere the Eternal, praise Him—

descendants of Jacob, worship Him;

be struck with wonder before Him, all you children of Israel.

He’s not put off

by the suffering of the suffering one;

He doesn’t pretend He hasn’t seen him;

when he pleaded for help, He listened.

You stir my praise in the great assembly;

I will fulfill my vows before those who humble their hearts before Him.

Those who are suffering will eat and be nourished;

those who seek Him will praise the Eternal.

May your hearts beat strong forever!

Those from the farthest reaches of the earth will remember

and turn back to look for the Eternal;

All the families of the nations

will worship You.

The Eternal owns the world;

He exercises His gentle rule over all the nations.

All the wealthy of the world will eat and worship;

all those who fall in the dust will bow before Him,

even the life that is headed to the grave.

Our children will serve Him;

future generations will hear the story of how the Lord rescued us.

They will tell the generations to come

of the righteousness of the Lord,

of what He has done.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 22 (The Voice)

A note from The Voice translation:

Jesus prayed this individual lament from the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). Though it begins with a sense of abandonment, it ends on a triumphant note.

[Psalm 35]

A song of David.

Make a case against those who struggle with me, Eternal One.

Battle against those who battle against me.

Be my shield and protection;

stand with me and rescue me!

Draw the spear and javelin

to meet my pursuers.

Reassure my soul and say,

“I will deliver you.”

Shame and dishonor those ruthless enemies

who wish to end my life.

Turn back those who conspire against me,

defeated and humiliated!

Let them be separated from the righteous as chaff is separated from the grain,

blown by the wind,

driven far, far away by the Eternal’s messenger.

Make their way unsure and dangerously dark,

a gauntlet of gloom

chased through the darkness by the Eternal’s messenger.

For no reason at all, they set a trap for me—a net, a snare—

then, without cause, they disguised a pit to capture my soul—another cowardly snare.

May they be surprised by their own destruction.

May they become tangled in their own net

and fall into the pit which they, themselves, dug.

When that day comes, my soul will celebrate the Eternal

and be glad in His salvation.

Every fiber of my being will shout,

“Eternal One, there is none like You!

You save the poor

from those who try to overpower them

and rescue the weak and the needy from those who steal from them.”

False witnesses step forward;

they ask me strange questions for which I have no answers.

When I do good to them, they do evil to me,

bringing misery to my soul.

When they were sick,

I mourned for them and wore sackcloth;

I chose to humble myself by fasting.

But my prayers came back unanswered.

So I mourned more deeply as if I grieved for my brother or friend;

I went around bowed down by sorrow, dressed in black,

as if I were weeping for my mother.

But when I stumbled, they gathered together

and celebrated my fall with joy;

People attacked me when I wasn’t expecting it;

they slandered me with no end.

Like godless mockers at a festival,

their words tore at me.

Lord, how long will You do nothing but watch?

Save me from their evil assaults, plots, and plunder;

rescue my life from these hungry beasts, these ruthless lions!

Then I will praise You and thank You at the great gathering,

in the company of the entire congregation.

Do not allow my enemies to boast at my expense,

for they despise me without any cause—

yet they wink at me—malicious, taunting winks.

Their words have no ring of peace.

They plan evil rumors and incriminations

against those who live peacefully in the land.

They speak lying accusations against me;

they say, “Aha! Aha! We know what you’ve been up to.

We’ve seen it with our own eyes!”

You have seen what’s happening, Eternal One; don’t remain silent!

Lord, do not stay far away from me!

Wake up; come to my defense!

Fight for me, my Lord and my God!

Pass Your judgment, Eternal One, my True God;

do it by the standards of Your righteousness.

Do not allow my enemies to boast over me.

Do not allow them to gloat over me,

“Aha, we have won! We got what we wanted!”

Do not allow them to brag,

“We chewed him up and spit him out.”

Shame and confuse those who celebrate my suffering;

may those who exalt themselves above me be covered with shame—

wrapped in a cloak of dishonor!

As for those who desire my vindication,

may they be joyful and glad.

May they forever say,

“The Eternal is indeed great!

He takes pleasure when good things happen to His servant!”

That’s why I will speak of Your righteousness

and sing praises to You all day long.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 35 (The Voice)

[Psalm 113]

Praise the Eternal!

All of you who call yourselves the children of the Eternal, come and praise His name.

Lift Him high to the high place in your hearts.

At this moment, and for all the moments yet to come,

may the Eternal’s name ascend in the hearts of His people.

At every time and in every place—

from the moment the sun rises to the moment the sun sets—

may the name of the Eternal be high in the hearts of His people.

The Eternal is seated high above every nation.

His glory fills the skies.

To whom should we compare the Eternal, our God?

No one.

From His seat, high above,

He deigns to observe the earth and her thin skies,

stooping even to see her goings on, far beneath His feet.

He gathers up the poor from their dirt floors,

pulls the needy from the trash heaps,

And places them among heads of state,

seated next to the rulers of His people where they cannot be ignored.

Into the home of the childless bride,

He sends children who are, for her, a cause of happiness beyond measure.

Praise the Eternal!

The Book of Psalms, Poem 113 (The Voice)

A note from The Voice translation:

Psalms 113–118 comprise an important unit called the Hallel, which in Hebrew means “praise.” Composed after the exile, these six psalms are recited together by observant Jews during some of the major holidays on the Jewish calendar. The Gospel writers tell us that Jesus and His disciples sang a song following their last meal together, which was the Passover (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26). That may have been the Hallel.

[itakecareofsickpeople]

Why Do I Hate Ivermectin?

I was asked to do an article on ivermectin and I feel that it is important to understand the science behind ivermectin (and HCQ).  I think if you know the science, you will be as skeptical as I am.

I was once being quizzed by an Attending Physician when I was a resident.  I stuttered as I was answering and said, “I think…”  He stopped me mid-sentence and said, “Son, you are a second year internal medicine resident, I don’t give a shit what you think.  What do you know?”

You see, it really isn’t relevant to all of you what I think. You aren’t interested in my opinion.   You are reading this post because you are interested in what I know.  I don’t take anything at face value and I always read all of the studies that people are using as a reference to prove a point. The thing is, most “studies” aren’t worth the paper they are printed on and don’t actually “study” anything.  Worst thing is, sometimes it’s a fake.  

We all know about the faked anti-vaccine trial by Andrew Wakefield, the completely discredited, former doctor, who started the anti-vaccine movement by faking data on autism and vaccines. In case you didn’t, he faked the original anti-vaccine study and In 2010, the British General medical council found that Wakefield “had been dishonest in his research, had acted against his patients' best interests and mistreated developmentally delayed children.”  That’s right anti-vaxxers. That’s your start, one giant lie. 

I have read all of the studies that I will make reference to in this post and regrettably, every study I can find on ivermectin. As of now, I do not see any evidence that supports the use of ivermectin for Covid in humans outside of a clinical trial. Hey! That’s what the cdc says too….odd. 

In general, American doctors are snobby.  We want studies from Europe, Israel, Australia, Canada and the good ole USA.  We don’t want studies from countries with dictatorships or totalitarian regimes.  These countries have a long track record of producing fake studies and bad studies.  Countries such as China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Brazil, Venezuela, etc.  You know, the same governments that hack us and steel info from us, those ones.  It is in their governments interest to make all of their people think they have a treatment for covid, otherwise there would be revolts.  American doctors generally would never consider a study from Egypt as high quality, unless it was published in a very well respected journal.  There just isn’t any quality control.

The science behind HCQ is basically the same, except with ivermectin, a large clinical trial showing it helped, was all fake.  HCQ just didn’t work.  Lots of us used HCQ at the beginning of covid until real studies were done showing it didn’t work and may actually worsen outcomes.

Remember, most drugs are safe in normal doses, but toxic in doses outside of the “therapeutic window” that is the dose that both will have the desired effect, but also is safe and well tolerated.  Too little drug, it doesn’t work, too much drug, it causes toxicity. 

First, It is very important to test all drugs that are easily available for activity in covid.  This starts in a test tube. Ivermectin was approved in 1996 for the treatment of  strongyloides and hookworms.  In animal studies, it is lethal in overdose and causes toxicity at 10x the approved dose.  It also was found to be a teratogen (birth defects) and is not approved for use in pregnant women.  Otherwise, it is quite safe and effective in comparison to approved treatments of the time and was approved after being studied in about 1700 patients (half given ivermectin, half given old treatments).  It is widely available and is pretty safe (Except in pregnancy).

Ivermectin was found to have in vitro (test tube) activity against the SARS COV2 virus.  I know that sounds great, but remember what we said about the therapeutic window. It was shown, in the test tube, to inhibit activity of covid by 50% at a concentration of 2 μM (1,750 ng/mL), which is > 35× higher than the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 0.05 µM (46.6 ng/mL) after oral administration of the approved dose (~ 200 μg/kg) and ivermectin showed little to no activity at 1 μM in vitro. 

Wait, so that means you would need 35 times the approved dose to inhibit covid and ivermectin is toxic at 10x the dose.  It also causes birth defects?  Count me out.

As you might imagine, based on this knowledge it is very hard for me to believe that you can safely dosed ivermectin could have any benefit for covid.  Now, on to the bad studies. 

Remember what I said about studies from certain countries?  

In November, an article from Egypt was published without review in an online site called Research Square.  Never heard of it? Me either?  It showed a 99% reduction in mortality.  Holy crap, that’s amazing, right?  Of course.  Despite it having such a completely unrealistic outcome, many doctors picked this up and ran with it.  In America, a group of doctors that named themselves the FLCCC, led by two guys named Paul Marik and Pierre Kory, latched on to this and started spouting its effects. I personally have a lot knowledge and not a lot of respect for Marik’s work predating covid. His FLCCC “treatment guidelines” have never been evidence based and in general he has never been able to publish studies that prove his claims.

So after this first study from Egypt comes out, a bunch of studies follow and are picked up by Marik’s group.  They did a “review” of them and included the Egyptian study. Most of the studies aren’t even reviewed and are published online as “preprint.” They are from Egypt, India, Iraq, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Peru, Nigeria, Mexico, and Argentina.  None of these places are exactly known for being in the 1st world and none of the other studies showed the massive effect as the Egyptian study.  

Then, a medical student in the UK is assigned the Egyptian study for a report. He actually reads the study.  It doesn’t make sense.  He then requests more information from the authors and they sent him the “patient data.”  It was clearly faked and he got some journalists involved.  After they involved an expert on faked studies, the study was then taken down from Research Square over “ethical concerns.”  Too bad Marik didn’t bother to do what the med student did.

Unfortunately, this has led to a massive amount of confusion.  If you think that there is a treatment for covid, you might not take the vaccine.  Even If it worked, we would be taking about a minimal effect.   Heck, it could even be toxic if you give it to that many people.  The other big problem is we have to do a bunch of American studies to see if it does work.  Studies that could have been done with another treatment.  What a waste of time and lives. 

So why do I hate ivermectin?  Well, I don’t.  I hate the waste of time I have spent writing this article to discuss a drug that could only be effective for covid if you took enough to kill you.  I hate the people that faked the study, they have cost lives.  I don’t hate Marik, but I definitely think he is crazy and I’m not interested in what he thinks and that isn’t new.  Unfortunately he has a big microphone and I just have this little one.

My biggest recommendation is ask your doctor if you should have the vaccine.  If you trust YOUR doctor, listen to HIM or HER.  Not some YAHOO online like ME. Remember, you trust your doctors to take care of your babies, born and unborn, cut you open, give us anesthesia and put cameras in all our holes. You trust them to help you make major medical decisions about your life. Keep doing that, they care about you. We care about you. 

Please, don’t post any articles in support of ivermectin. I read them and found them lacking. Also, don’t post another doctors opinion of ivermectin. I don’t care what they think, just what they know.

PS: I am a Critical Care Pulmonologist, I take care of sick people. Hopefully that won’t be you.

Oh yeah. Feel free to share. I should really charge for these.