#multicultural toys

[diversityintoys]

Can You Use Sensory Toys As An Adult?

Sensory toys are usually considered toys for children, especially those with autism or ADHD. But grown-ups can use them too! These sensory toys for adultsmake for a very effective way to manage sensory input, which can help you feel calm and keep your attention on what you are doing.

What is sensory overload?

Sensory overload happens when our brains get confused by too much information from our senses, like sounds, sights, or touches. Sensory overload can make people feel overwhelmed, anxious, or even irritated by everyday stimuli.

For many adults, sensory toys like sensory fidget toys, balls, squishies, and tactile plates are an easy way to feel better during these situations. These toys are not only fun to play with, but they also help regulate the body's response to sensory input, making it easier to feel calm and collected.

Why are sensory toys good for adults?

Everyone processes sensory input differently. In other words, everyone "senses" the world around them in their own way, and sometimes all of that processing can feel too much and lead to stress and anxiety. When we feel this way, our brain's natural response is to stress a fight or flight response, and sensory toys can be really helpful here. These toys are designed to calm people's minds by refocusing attention and giving a safe outlet for nervous energy.

Using sensory toys can help adults in different ways — improved concentration, reduced anxiety, and even improved motor skills. Sensory toys are usually easy to carry, not too expensive, and can be used anywhere, making them a very easy addition to our everyday lives. 

Buy sensory toys for adults from a trusted seller!

If you are looking for fun sensory toys for adults, check out Diversity in Toys. They offer a wide range of sensory toys designed to cater to all ages and backgrounds. You can visit their website at www.diversityintoys.com to see all the sensory toys they have!

[memoriallibrarytmc]

What's Here Wednesday: Beyond Books: Multicultural Food Set

This multicultural set features a fantastic feast of food! Intended for ages 18 months and above, it's a great mix of cuisines from around the world. There are 15 popular foods in total, such as a "samosa, edamame, and more!" Classic favorites such as a slice of pizza and a taco are also there, of course. Add a little fun flavor to playtime in your early childhood classrooms! This set is simmering on the Nonfiction+ shelves in the TMC. 🍲🍤🍚

[rustingcat]

Spookycorp

Lena sighed, picking up the toy train from the floor. She must've told them to pick it a hundred times already, not that she was deluding herself that any of them would listen to her today, no, they were far too excited to be doing that. She shook her head and cleared the rest of the scattered toys on the floor, and reached her work table. She had a last minute file she had to send before she could be free for the day.

"Muuuuuuum!" The shout from the hall got closer by the second. "Mum look!"

Lena turned her head to see her six years old son wearing an elaborate pirate costume, holding their new puppy up in the air.

"Mum, look at Krypto!" He said, biting his lip in excitement, practically vibrating from joy.

The dog had colourful cloth wings tied around his neck and a little hoodie with a beak and painted eyes.

"He's a parrot?" She tried.

Connor nodded enthusiastically. "Jeju dressed him!"

"Very cute. Then you were free to clean up the toys I told you to collect?" She raised an accusing eyebrow.

"Uhhh…" He started, but was cut off by his sister who quickly appeared on his left.

"Mum, you're not ready!" Lori pointed at her mother with her little hand. She was dressed in a pirate costume as well. It was their family costume after all.

Lena smiled. She knew full well her daughter tried to distract her in order to help her twin, but it was a rather exciting day so she could let them go this once. "I'll be ready in a moment, there's still some time. Go help your Jeju with setting everything for our guests. They should be here soon."

"Okay!" They shouted in unison and disappeared from her view before she could say anything else.

Lena let out a small chuckle and finished her work. She turned to leave the room when she noticed the crooked picture on the wall and stopped to fix it. It was a picture from their wedding day both smiling as they stood under the chuppah dressed in white Kryptonian dresses, Lena's dress had a small handkerchief tied to hers with a small embroidered shamrock. An Irish tradition she thought was beautiful. They decided to make a multicultural wedding, they exchanged Kryptonian wedding bracelets they specially made themselves, along with rings. J'onn, who acted as the pastor, married them, and they both broke the glass together. The kids were there as well, laughing and dancing with joy and delight.

Lena smiled at the memory, and continued to their bedroom. The costume wasn't too complicated to put on, an important aspect she insisted on after the year they all dressed up as astronauts. Getting in and out of that costume was a nightmare, not to mention the kids were three at the time. Lena put on her captain hat and went to join her family in the living room.

"How Rrrr you my beautiful wife?" Kara asked her in a very exaggerated pirate accent. The twins giggled at the attempt.

"I'm fine, darling," she said with a smile as she walked closer to her. "How Rrrr you?" Lena smirked, side-eying the kids who started laughing at her poor pirate accent. She tried to keep a passive expression, that was made harder with their children's laughter and her wife's growing smile. Lena went to kiss her on the cheek when her captain's hat bumped into Kara's. After a long family discussion that involved more arguments than necessary, it was decided that both Lena and Kara would be the captains of the ship, and as captains it was very important that they wear the hats.

Read the rest of the chapter on AO3

[walks-the-ages]

"*scoffs* "There's no propoganda in Transformers One, what are you talking about? It's not that deep! Megatron is totally a villain; he's not justified in any way for killing Sentinel, and it fact it's bad that he killed him. TFOne has no propoganda in it at all except as toy advertisement!"

The "unjustified villain" in question, in one of his evilest moments after he's gone "fully evil" according to this "propoganda-free movie" :

[ID: A screenshot from Transformers One, showing Megatron standing on an arch over a cheering crowd of hundreds of bots, both of his arms raised in the air as the people gleefully cheer him on, shouting "Rise up!" to the crowd of formely-enslaved workers. End ID]

If you think a movie that is literally doing textbook propaganda "can't possibly have propaganda in it because its for kids" ..... idk what to tell you except that's not how that works, and is, in fact, how propaganda itself works.

If you can acknowledge the deep-seated problem with Marvel movies and shows having their villain be "People who want to make the world a better place and do so with Clear Leftist Politics like Inclusivity, Diversity, and Mutual Aid like Arthur Harrow in Moon Knight with his Walkable Neighborhood, Safe Space and Vegan-Friendly Multicultural food nights.... and he also Wants To Kill Babies and Little Old Ladies",

but you refuse to see this level of propaganda when its staring you in the face and shouting in your face what the message is??

Like, why are you even trying to argue with anyone if you can see the message in the movie but still deny and complain that people are going to be on Megatron's side because Orion is trying to maintain the status quo and that the movie is upholding the divine right of kings? When that's literally what it's doing?

Like, it's perfectly fine for Orion and Bumblebee to go around violently slaughtering guards, because just like in Marvel, the little guys don't matter, you can throw those grunts out of five story buildings or slam them through concrete walls all you want, or chop them in half and stab them through the head with a knife-hand on screen as long as you're framed as being either cool or silly and excitable while doing it:

no one will bat an eye and will in fact find you slicing someone in half vertically amusing and light hearted!

but if someone wants to kill the Big Bad Himself?

The literal Baby-Maimer In Chief ?

Oh, no, suddenly, you can't do that!

That's what villains do! Only evil, corrupt, power-hungry people go after the literal fascist dictator who's kept everyone as slaves for their entire lives! /sarcasm

Megatron is one of the only characters in this film voiced by a Black person. He is an enslaved worker finding out the truth and leading a rebellion against a fascist dictator, and when he successfully kills that dictator (despite the best efforts of his so-called friends), and when he wants to tear down the monuments to this Fascist Dictator Baby Maimer in Chief, he's described as "wanting to kill everyone".

Like. Okay. So Bumblebee can go around deliberately terrorizing people and destroying important infrastructure for funsies because he's on a power trip from killing half a dozen guards,

but the second Megatron, who has just killed the Slaver Baby Maimer In Chief wants to destroy the monuments to that fascist?

Oh, suddenly, this is horrifying and destorying the city and 'going to kill everyone!'

As though this is not a clear and direct parallel to monuments to racist, slave-owning "war heroes" in the south being torn down by activists, and the framing of such action as being terror attacks and "wanting to destory the city and their heritage" ?

Yeah, Megatron shooting the monument to a fascist dictator causes stuff to fall and make random bystanders flee in terror...... because it has to, because that is part of the propaganda that tearing down monuments to fascists makes you just as bad or worse than the fascists.

Optimus even flat out says the above in the movie:

We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel

Optimus literally, flat out, explicitly says that Megatron is just as bad as Sentinel Prime, because Megatron

killed the fascist slaver dictator in question in one-on-one combat no less, just minutes after Sentinel got done branding him like a slave

wants to tear down the monuments to said dictator.

Yeah, sure, Megatron shot Optimus........only because Optimus literally jumped in front of the bullet meant for the Literal Fascist Dictator.

If Orion hadn't of done that, and simply let Megatron kill the Literal Fascist Dictator like Orion and Bumblebee were going around killing guards left right and center, they would never have split factions, or caused a ~civil war~ or had The Divine Right Of Kings choose a new Godly Appointed Dictator of the Entire Planet.

They would have simply started a rebellion and succeeded, and could have rebuilt Cybertron together, for all.

Instead, Optimus decided to jump in front of a bullet to save a Fascist.

And we're supposed to see this action as heroic and for the Greater Good, because while it's apparently perfectly fine to go around killing lowly nobodies (nameless guards), it's the Ultimate Evil to kill Fascist Dictators. 🤦

Oh, and for anyone who missed it, everyone was cheering on Megatron for killing Sentinel Prime.

Everyone except for the three protagonists.

The entire enslaved-miner, noble, and working classes of Cybertron was united in their hatred and loathing of Sentinel Prime and were united in their newfound freedom from a fascist dictator...

... except the heroes of the story, who are terrified and dismayed to see their fellow workers cheering

"Rise Up! Rise Up! Rise Up!"

And, of course, our heroes are rewarded for their Hard Work of Stopping A New Evil Dictator by.......

becoming the new Godly Appointed Rulers of the entire planet with no one else having any say whatsoever in this decision:

The people of Cybertron chose Megatron as their leader, for leading them to freedom and killing the man who kept them enslaved and mutilated them before they were even alive.

The Divine Right of Kings said "no", and instead forced them by Divine Will to have a new leader who thinks that, actually, killing fascists is bad when other people do it, and only they themselves are allowed to go around indescriminately slaughtering people they view as dangerous.

Hey. Do you see any real-world parallels in the messaging and all here?

Does "The people choose one thing and a system designed to take choice away from the people takes that choice away from the people" ring any bells?

Does "It's okay for US to go around killing Nameless Evil People Who Are Evil but if you try to go after A Literal Fascist Dictator, you're actually the real terrorist and you're secretly a dictator here" ring any bells??

anyways as a parting shot I'll just leave you this.

Meanwhile, 5 minutes earlier...

*Brutally eviscerates a bunch of guards, laughs about it while joking about brutally killing some more guards, then abandons D-16 to fight Sentinel Prime on his own without a thought*

[rockbottomwithashovel]

In Honour of Invasion Day <3 (/sarc)

I would like to be proud of my country. I want to celebrate the culture of mateship, siding with the underdog, telling the pollies to piss off and multicultural diversity... but how can I??

How can I be proud of my country when the day we celebrate the country is the very day that this nation got stolen from the 'traditional owners'. There's already a problem with that term, see, a lot of Aboriginal people (First Nation Aussies and Islanders) see it as they belong to the land, not vice versa. I would like to appreciate Kevin Rudd's apology speech back in 2008, but not much changed, so where's the apology in that??

The people who's land I am currently writing this on deserve better than being seen as "lesser". What people don't realize is that the racism in this country is far from gone. Did you know that the stolen generation legislation didn't stop being a thing until 1969? Sounds a long time ago, right? That was only 55 years ago. My mother is older than that. Let that sink in. There are 55 year old men and women out there who were stolen from their families and given to white people for some wankery of an excuse "so they can have a better life" more like so they can be "civilized" and assimilated to our culture which we deem correct and anyone who stands in the face gets murdered, thrown in jail or worse.

I would love to celebrate, crack open a tinny, play some cricket and sing waltzing fucking matilda but that's not right. I have no rights to celebrate when fellow Australians have little rights in general and are being put in jail left and right, beaten to a pulp and left to die in prisons. And of course their deaths get covered up. The police brutality in Australia is horrific because it's insidious (I'm about to write another post about this with statistics, so stay tuned). A lot of cops around here will let you off with a warning, chilled out... but that's my experience. As a white girl who can cry tears at her "mistakes". I remember once I talked myself out of a $200 on the spot fine for sneaking onto a train, said I lost my ticket and fake cried over it (shitty move, right? But to be fair, I couldn't afford the train ticket, let alone a fine). The officers were nice, gave me a warning. But how nice would they have been if I weren't white? I'd probably have been taken in to the station even if I genuinely had been crying, bought a ticket, and lost it.

There is so much fucking racism in this country. I remember being 10, disgusted as the class threw the new, Aboriginal kid under the bus for a missing toy in the class room. He didn't steal it. We found it months later. But the hell he got as the students and teachers blamed him for it? He moved schools (Darren, if you're reading this, I'm so fucking sorry for not doing more). This system is against them. And my country, my people, have the nerve to celebrate this culture on the day that marked genocide of people who were perfectly happy just living??

Sometimes I hate being white. It's an unfair advantage and I don't want anything to do with those colonizing aka land stealing genocidal bastards, but what the fuck is the point in having this privilege if I don't use it? If Indigenous people aren't getting heard then I'll stand with them, maybe this racist system will listen to a white girl.

(Final note, you're not punk if you don't fight the system, you're a poser, if you don't stand up for people who are dying you're an asshole, if you're part of a minority and let other minorities get squashes what the fuck is wrong with you, and last but not least, if you don't have an opinion on things like this, you might want to check your privilege.)

[seratoninlackingangel]

This is about my life with ADHD and being a teacher, it maybe boring but I'm very happy!

So, all my life I have struggled with socialising because of my ADHD, and also, I'm not very physical hyperactive, but mentally I always playing around with scenarios, stories, and my imagination as a whole. As a kid sometimes I would just set my toys in place, close my eyes and imagine them playing around like a movie. Anyway, this year i became a teacher and one of my classes is in Multiculturalism, and I had an idea:

I got 2 little toys and divided my classroom in 2 teams, each one got one toy and one civilization to manage. They gave names, ways of life, feeding habits, habitats, morals, technologies and if they want to evolve something they just need to show me a little research about it. In this way they are learning about cultures and how they form, vary, evolve and all of that. So, this strange way of playing that always made me the strange kid on recess is now a way to teach and my kids love it, they are always asking for technologies, for ways they can improve, for some spare time to plan and all.

And i... I feel like im healing my inner child by this kids (that actually are all 16 to 18yo)

[lacefieldpoems]

Christmas Consumerism

Sparkling holiday lights shine in the eyes of communal shoppers, looking for the perfect gift this multicultural season of materialistic love languages.

Each dollar pocketed by mega corporations is spit back into the right-wing agenda to annihilate the misunderstood and divergents of mainstream tradition.

Apologies and bribes wrapped under  the Yule tree, decorated with tinsel and maxed out credit cards to fund the habit of purchasing love. 

Plague and sickness trample the shoppers to the economic death of the American Dollar. Surplus amounts to the theft of wages and cutting corners in the business pipeline.

Debt-riddled to provide glory and gift as the three wise men gave to the newborn baby of Bethlehem, penniless and born in what is now a site of genocide. 

Cold and shivering, there are children without a thread on their back,  living in modern mangers – asking for food instead of favored toys they desire. 

On the opposite side of the financial spectrum there are palaces and mansions of the slave-trading and war-profiteering billionaires ruining the Earth in which lies the eleventh hour of humanity.

by Jaime Lacefield

[jadelotusflower]

Obscure Christmas Movie Rewatch: Mrs Santa Claus

Are you looking for a feminist, multicultural, pro-union movie to watch this Christmas? Then Mrs Santa Claus is for you!

Not only does it star the late great Angela Lansbury, it features some catchy showtunes composed by Broadway great Jerry Herman, choreography by musical stalwart Rob Marshall, and costumes by the legendary Bob Mackie.

The story behind this one is also pretty interesting! According to this retrospective on Dame Angela Lansbury (RIP), much like she was a champion for older actors to guest star on Murder She Wrote to keep their SAG cards, she was also the driving force behind this tv movie in order to honour her friend Jerry Herman. While he’d had great success as a lyricist and composer for such seminal Broadway shows such as Hello Dolly!, La Cage Aux Folles, and Mame (the latter staring Lansbury), he was diagnosed as HIV positive in 1985 and by the mid-90′s needed a project to focus on. Enter Lansbury stage left, who had a deal with CBS for a number of tv specials, and pitched this film together with Herman.

Here’s the perfectly simple premise: It’s seven days until Christmas and the magnanimous Mrs Anna Claus sends all the elves home since they’ve finished the toys early. She also tries to improve Santa’s navigational route and wants to help him with his mail, but is utterly underappreciated by her husband (Charles Durning).

Lansbury brings her distinctive voice to her pleasant I Want song - “I've been manning the business and planning each holiday plan/And I'm tired of being the shadow behind the great man”.

She takes the sleigh and reindeer, but due to bad weather emergency lands in New York City, meeting Italian stable boy Marcello (David Norona) who shows her the immigrant melting pot via the song and dance number Avenue A (well, the Italian-Irish-Jewish pot at least). There’s tap and joyous dancing, all culminating in a Consider Yourself-esque street celebration extolling the “great kaleidoscope called Avenue A.”

There's also a cameo from Jerry Herman, suitably playing a piano.

We meet Sadie (Debra Wiseman), a young Jewish woman and Suffragette, with whom Marcello is in love with from afar, Sadie’s mother Mrs Lowenstein (Rosalind Harris, who memorably played Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof) who fears the police after fleeing pogroms in Europe, local gossips Mrs Shaughnessy and Mrs Brandenheim, and Nora (Lynsey Bartilson), a young Irish girl who works at child labor factory Tavish Toys. Nora's Irish accent is...look, I'm not here to rag on child actors. She tried her best.

Our villain is Augustus P Tavish, played by Broadway veteran Terrence Mann, crooning that his toys “Only have to last till Christmas.” If you want to hear his voice used to full effect however, check out the original Broadway cast recordings of Cats (Rum Tum Tugger), Beauty and the Beast (The Beast, particularly If I Can’t Love Her), and The Scarlet Pimpernel (Chauvelin, particularly Falcon in the Dive).

Mann is delightfully hammy in the role, in spats and spinning a cane, delivering every line on pitch as if it’s a song. It's CAMP and I love it. The movie's worth it for his dulcet tones alone.

Mrs Claus (taking the name Mrs North), is employed at Tavish Toys as a supervisor, singing and dancing around the factory floor, improving morale but aghast at the working conditions and poor quality of the toys.

Meanwhile, back at the North Pole, Santa only notices his wife is missing because his cocoa hasn’t been made right (ugh). It’s up to head elf (there’s always a head elf) Arvo is tell Santa she’s gone and deliver Santa some home truths.

Arvo is played by Michael Jeter, one of those delightful character actors with so many credits it’s impossible to identify where you would know him from (for me it’s Father Ignatius in Sister Act 2).

Santa bemoans that he can’t bear to think of Anna about her out there “alone and helpless.” Smash cut to:

What is it about Victorian/Edwardian garb that just feels like Christmas?

Sadie is literally on her soapbox (a manifestation of the trope), and Anna asks her advice about industrial action for the factory. In return, she gives Sadie advice for persuading other women to her cause, utilising the soft power of persuasion rather than shouting slogans. They go a recruiting through song, culminating in a suffragette march where they are joined by Nora, Mrs Shaughnessy, Mrs Brandenheim, and Marcello. I really like this one! It’s uplifting and upbeat, if a sanitised depiction of the struggle for women’s suffrage.

It musically echoes the opening number Mrs Santa Claus, even repeating lines that Anna sung for herself, now applied the the community of women who have embraced her: "We've planned our strategy and our flag is unfurled/For we have gifts of our own to offer the world."

Anna and Nora bond over missing the people they love - Anna her husband, and Nora her mother and little brother who are still back in Ireland (her father is working double shifts to raise the money to bring them over). It’s time for another song and dance number, Whistle - a tribute to vaudeville. This one is a bit overlong and unnecessary, the kind of number that works on stage post-intermission to ease the audience back in, but isn’t needed onscreen.

At the North Pole, Arvo and the Elves try to cheer Santa up by dancing to the tune of We Need a Little Christmas (first composed by Herman for Mame), but he remains sullen. Honestly, this Santa really sucks. He bemoans his predicament, and Arvo has to prod him to write down what his wife means to him. Of course he does it through song, promising to change but it’s a very shallow mea culpa.

Meanwhile Anna plays matchmaker, setting up local policeman Officer Doyle and Mrs Lowenstein, overcoming her fears when Doyle assures her he won’t be taking Sadie away for exercising her free speech. Mrs Lowenstein finally unpacks the bag she’s always kept ready in case they needed to flee again, including her grandmother’s silver candlestick - the matching one being lost when they fled the old country.

Marcello invites Sadie to the Policeman’s Ball, and they sing We Don’t Go Together At All, a pretty song I unapologetically love. However it does end with a trope I absolutely hate - where Marcello taps his cheek but when Sadie moves in to kiss it, he turns his head so she kisses him on the lips. It’s all played very sweet, but probably not something you’d see if the movie was made today.

At Tavish Toys, Anna leads the kids in a work slow down, and then a city-wide strike and boycott. Because this is fantasy world, this immediately leads to the mayor declaring that no child will again work under such conditions, and a call for child labor laws. I think its no coincidence that this passion project of Lansbury's deals with issues such as women's and worker's rights - however santitised. We must assume the elves have union benefits back at the North Pole!

At the policeman’s ball, Mrs North gets to wear this absolutely banger outfit, and gets toasted as “the Mrs Santa Claus of Avenue A.” Lansbury was 71 when she played this role, and all credit to Bob Mackie for dressing her not only with a stylish vibrancy in the earlier scenes, but putting her in a gown like this and going for glamour rather than the dowdy Mrs Claus cliche.

You may also recognise Nora’s outfit recycled from A Little Princess.

I also appreciate that Sadie hasn’t been overtly softened in her relationship with Marcello - she’s the one who gives the speech, engaging in some self-deprecation in decrying herself “the biggest mouth on Avenue A” and wearing a beautiful dress, but not torn down or diminished because of her activism - but rather celebrated and validated by the very people who used to deride her. She's learned the art of pitching your message to the audience rather than riding roughshod over them, but isn't any less of an activist.

But while Anna has finally been given the recognition and appreciation she’s craved, for some reason she misses her dropkick of a husband. “He Needs Me” is a nice song but undercuts the message a bit as she decides that “I need him much more”. You really don't Anna, go that extra step and stage a Santa coup - you deserve more than playing second fiddle to a dude who took two days to even notice you were gone!

She hurries back to the reindeer but is prevented from returning by Tavish, who has implausibly figured out who she is, and wants to stop Christmas so people will have no choice to buy toys from him again. It’s neatly and swiftly resolved by her recalling that as a boy the toy bear he’d received from Santa was stolen by his brother, and Mrs Claus gives him another one. Okay then.

Meanwhile, Santa is still sulking over his bad cocoa. WHY DON’T YOU TRY AND FIND HER YOU USELESS SACK OF SHIT?!? AREN’T YOU OMNIPOTENT? GET OFF YOUR ARSE AND DO SOMETHING!

This is a real false note for me - yes Anna has the sleigh and reindeer, but there is no way out of the North Pole other than that? He just sits and waits for her to come home - I suppose this gives her the agency, but it does feel like she is ready to return to her old life of being unappreciated, instead of going home to demand that he treat her right.

However Santa is slightly redeemed in that he declares that he will use her new navigation route, and also that she can join him in the present delivery duties. She also gets a new cape.

In New York, her friends also get their heart’s desire - Mrs Lowenstein her grandmother’s missing candlestick, Sadie and Marcello each other, and Nora the arrival of her mother and baby brother.

Overall I think this mostly holds up and deserves to be in the Christmas movie rotation. It’s a very female-focused piece - Mrs Claus is in the role of guardian angel, improving the lives of everyone she meets, but her solidarity is with Nora and worker’s rights, Sadie and women’s suffrage, and Mrs Lowenstein and her generational trauma.

It’s a charming little musical with a quintessential performance by Angela Lansbury and a nice parting message:

“As long as you love one another/You’ll have the best Christmas of all.”

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 6.9

Holidays

Accession Day (Jordan)

Ananda Mahidol Day (Thailand)

Bill and Ted Day

Birsa Munda Shahidi Diwas (Madhya Pradesh; India)

Clothing Poverty Awareness Day (UK)

Community Day (La Rioja, Murcia; Spain)

Coral Triangle Day

Cornflower Day (French Republic)

Denture Day

Donald Duck Day

Feast of the Birth of the White-Breasted Giantess

Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day

Global Maintenance Day

Home Sweet Home Day

International Archives Day

International Batten Disease Awareness Day

International Day of Celtic Art

International Dough Disco Day

La Rioja Day (Spain)

Light Industry Workers’ Day (Former USSR Nations)

Meezer’s Colors Day

Monkey Spank Day

Murcia Day (Spain)

National Cancer Thriver Day

National Earl Day

National Earl Baltes Day

National Helen Day

National Heroes’ Day (Uganda)

National Krewe of Tucks Day

National Long COVID Awareness Day (Canada)

National Meal Prep Day

National Mitchell Day

National Sex Day

National Sex Educator Appreciation Day

National Stripper Appreciation Day

No Apologies Period Day

Profess Your Love Day

Purple People Eater Day

Rockman Day

609 Day

South American Football Day

Toy Industry Day

Traverse Myelitis Awareness Day (UK)

World Accreditation Day

World APS Day (a.k.a. World Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Day)

Writers’ Rights Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

International Dark ’n Stormy Day

Kraft Cheese Day

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day

Independence & Related Days

Flevelt (a.k.a. the Confederation of Flevelt; Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

Självstyrelsedagen (Åland Self-Governing Day; Åland)

2nd Sunday in June

Abused Women and Children’s Awareness Day [2nd Sunday]

Bunker Hill Day observed (Massachusetts) [Sunday before 17th]

Canadian Rivers Day (Canada) [2nd Sunday]

Father’s Day (Austria, Belgium) [2nd Sunday]

International Drink Chenin Blanc Days, Day 3 [2nd Sunday]

International Shiatsu Day [2nd Sunday]

LEAF Open Farm Sunday (UK) [2nd Sunday]

Mother’s Day (Luxembourg) [2nd Sunday]

Multicultural American Child Day [2nd Sunday]

National Career Nursing Assistants’ Day [2nd Sunday]

National Children's Day [2nd Sunday]

National Garden Day (Germany) [2nd Sunday]

National Puerto Rican Day [2nd Sunday]

Race Unity Day (a.k.a. Race Amity Day; Baha’i) [2nd Sunday]

Ride the Wind Day [2nd Sunday]

World Pet Memorial Day [2nd Sunday; also 2nd Tuesday]

World Swallowtail Day [2nd Sunday]

Write To Your Father Day [2nd Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning June 9 (2nd Full Week)

National Automobile Service Professionals Week (thru 6.15) [Week with 6.12]

National Clay Week (thru 6.15) [2nd Full Week]

National Email Week (thru 6.15) [2nd Full Week]

National Flag Week (thru 6.15) [Week with 6.14]

National Little League Week [2nd Week]

National Pet Wedding Week (thru 6.15) [2nd Full Week]

National Right of Way Professionals Week (thru 6.15) [2nd Full Week]

Festivals Beginning June 9, 2024

Annecy International Animated Film Festival (Annecy, France) [thru 6.15]

Beacon Sloop Club Strawberry Festival (Beacon, New York)

Community-Wide FELStival (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

International Dairy-Deli-Bake Seminar & Expo (Houston, Texas) [thru 6.11]

Jewish Cultural Festival (Dayton, Ohio)

New England VegFest (Worcester, Massachusetts)

Peabody Awards (Los Angeles, California)

Savor Idaho (Boise, Idaho)

Feast Days

Aidan of Lindisfarne (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)

Architects of the Middles Ages (Positivist; Saints)

Bathe in Marinara Day (Pastafarian)

Bede (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)

Cloverfield Dairy Cow (Muppetism)

Columba of Iona (a.k.a. Columbia or Columkille; Celtic Christian) [Poets]

Edmund (Christian; Saint)

Ephrem the Syrian (Roman Catholic Church and Church of England)

George Pérez (Artology)

James Collinson (Artology)

Jim Jones Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Joe Haldeman (Writerism)

José de Anchieta (Christian; Saint)

Jotunheim Day (Pagan)

Liborius (Christian; Saint)

Lord Buddha's Parinirvana (Bhutan)

Michael Ancher (Artology)

Paul Beatty (Writerism)

Pelagia of Antioch (Christian; Virgin and Martyr)

Pieter Jansz. Saenredam (Artology)

Primus and Felician (Christian; Martyrs)

Ralph Goings (Artology)

Remembrance for Sigurd the Dragonslayer (a.k.a. Siegfried; Asatru/Slavic Pagan)

Richard, Bishop of Andria (Christian; Saint)

Robert Indermaur (Artology)

Vesalia (Feast of Vesta; Roman Goddess of the Hearth)

Vincent of Aden (Christian; Martyr)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [33 of 57]

Premieres

Bill of Hare (WB MM Cartoon; 1962)

Cars (Animated Pixar Film; 2006)

The Coo Coo Bird (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1947)

The Crying of Lot 49, by Thomas Pynchon (Novella; 1966)

Dire Straits, by Dire Straits (Album; 1978)

The Empty Chair, by Jeffrey Deaver (Novel; 2000)

Gone in 60 Seconds (Film; 2000)

How Do I Know It’s Sunday (WB MM Cartoon; 1934)

Invisible Touch, by Genesis (Album; 1986)

Jelly-Roll Blues, recorded by Jelly Roll Morton (Song; 1924)

Kids Say th Darnedest Things!, by Art Linkletter (Humor Book; 1958)

Labour of Lust, by Nick Lowe (Album; 1979)

Loki (TV Series; 2021)

Mr. Tambourine Man, recorded by Bob Dylan (Song; 1964)

The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco (Novel; US Translation 1983)

The Nine Billion Names of God, by Arthur C. Clarke (Short Stories; 1967)

Ode to Discord: A Chimerical Combination in Four Bursts, by Charles Villiers Stanford (Song; 1909)

A Pirate Looks at Fifty, by Jimmy Buffett (Memoir; 1998)

Party Girl (Film; 1995)

Secret, Profane & Sugarcane, by Elvis Costello (Album; 2009)

Some Girls, by The Rolling Stones (Album; 1978)

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (Film; 1989)

Stroke It Rich (Radio Game Show; 1947)

Super 8 (Film; 2011)

Tangled (Phantasies Cartoon; 1944)

3, by Honeyhoney (Album; 2015)

Tumble Weed Greed (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1969)

Ups an’ Downs Derby (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1950)

The Wise Little Hen (Disney Cartoon; 1934) [1st Donald Duck]

The Year of the Mouse (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1965)

Today’s Name Days

Annamaria, Ephraim, Grazia (Austria)

Diomed, Efrem, Kolumban, Ranko (Croatia)

Stanislava (Czech Republic)

Primus (Denmark)

Elar, Haljand, Hallar, Helar, Helari, Hellar (Estonia)

Ensio (Finland)

Diane (France)

Annamaria, Diana, Ephram, Grazia (Germany)

Rodanthi (Greece)

Félix (Hungary)

Efrem, Primo (Italy)

Gita, Liega, Ligita, Naula, Valeska (Latvia)

Felicijus, Gintas, Gintė (Lithuania)

Kolbein, Kolbjørn (Norway)

Felicjan, Pelagia, Pelagiusz (Poland)

Chiril (România)

Stanislava (Slovakia)

Efrén, Feliciano, Julián (Spain)

Birger, Börje (Sweden)

Cole, Coleman, Colman, Dean, Deana, Deanna, Dee, Dena, Diana, Diane, Dianna, Dianne, Dyane, Prima, Primavera (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 161 of 2024; 205 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 23 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Duir (Oak) [Day 1 of 28]

Chinese: Month 5 (Geng-Wu), Day 4 (Jia-Chen)

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

Hebrew: 3 Sivan 5784

Islamic: 2 Dhu al-Hijjah 1445

J Cal: 11 Blue; Foursday [11 of 30]

Julian: 27 May 2024

Moon: 12%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 20 St. Paul (6th Month) [Architects of the Middles Ages]

Runic Half Month: Dag (Day) [Day 1 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 83 of 92)

Week: 2nd Full Week of June)

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 20 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Dag (Day) [Half-Month 12 of 24; Runic Half-Months] (thru 6.26)

Duir (Oak) [Celtic Tree Calendar; Month 6 of 13]

[lizardsexposed]

My friend who is currently in Palestine, is a Palestinian man who works tirelessly and thanklessly for Palestinian emancipation, through diplomatic ways. He has, with his government travelled to many countries to engage in talks for a better life for Palestinians. His banner on Facebook is ‘peace, multiculturalism and understanding’. I know him because I shared an office with him while he was conducting his PhD on Palestine. Everyone forgot it was my birthday and he brought me a soft toy duck and some chocolates. The last message he sent me was ‘all hell has broken loose and I am terrified’.

[diversityintoys]

Why Fidget Spinners Are Perfect For Active Kids

Over the past few years, sensory toys have gained much popularity, especially among kids. While all sensory toys have seen remarkable growth in the market, the fidget spinner is one of the most highly used sensory toys.

While these toys also come under sensory toys for adults, fidget spinners can be a lifesaver if you have an incredibly active child. Fidgeting can sometimes be a default behavior that's best dealt with focused redirection. Let's check out a few ways these toys can benefit your child.

Boost Concentration And Focus.

Studies show that when children can control or redirect their movements, significantly when anxious or stressed, they can improve their focus and concentration. Sensory input and movement are critical for carrying out tasks and learning new skills. The tactile engagement you get by using a sensory fidget toy can offer a calming effect that helps your child concentrate more effectively.

Sensory Stimulation

To spin a fidget spinner, you must use precise hand movements. Practicing these movements regularly can help your child develop and refine their fine motor skills. Activities like twisting, spinning, or squeezing fidget toys can help strengthen your child's hand muscles and enhance hand-to-eye coordination. This can positively impact your child's everyday activities, including drawing, writing, and self-care activities.

Reduce Anxiety And Stress.

While anxiety and stress generally affect our entire body, they most notably affect our fingers and hands. Heightened anxiety amongst kids can result in shaking, restlessness, and cramping around the hands and finger muscles. While fidget toys don't eliminate these issues, they can help your child calm down. Fidget spinners give you a way to keep your hands busy and your mind distracted.

If you want to learn more about fidget spinners in general or want to find out how they could help you or your child, we suggest you immediately speak with a professional.

[tumblydovereviews]

The Puzzle Place Review

After the killing of Rodney King, a Black man who was a victim of police brutality, in 1991, racial tensions in the United States, especially in L.A., grew. Two years later, in 1993, the move to reunite unity in the States, Rebuild L.A., announced that they would be funding a new PBS preschool show meant to encourage multiculturalism and acceptance for young kids. This series would go on to become The Puzzle Place, officially premiering in September 1994 locally and January of the following year nationally.

The Puzzle Place follows the adventures of 6 (occasionally 7) young kids approximately 8 years old. They include:

Julie, a Chinese-American, stylish and loves to sing (a bit of a snob)

Leon, an African-American, who can be impulsive

Jody, who is Jewish, enthusiastic but gullible

Ben, Norwegian-American, who is easygoing but keeps his grudges

Kiki, Mexican-American, who has a short temper

and Skye, from the Western Apache, who is curious and thoughtful

Kyle, Irish-American, is Ben's friend who is a wheelchair user. He will occasionally appear in some episodes of the show.

In every episode, at least one of the kids would have some sort of problem, whether it be struggling with embarrassment after crying in front of friends, dealing with a fear of thunder, or accidentally breaking a friend's toy. The kids would deal with their problems using live-action segments featuring real kids, songs, and comedic sketches featuring Nuzzle the dog and Sizzle the cat, the resident pets of the Puzzle Place.

By far the best part of the series is the charm the actors bring into their roles. Each of them perfectly captures the personality and charm of the characters that they play. There were moments in the series that genuinely made me laugh, like the episode "Dressing Up is Hard to Do", where nobody takes mercy on Julie and roast her dress (although, she kind of deserved it for harassing Jody over her outfit choice). At the same time, it wasn't afraid to tackle serious topics like manliness, colorism, ableism, and non-traditional families.

The puppetry in this series is basic, but skilled. The expressive eyelids add emotion to the characters, and the puppets are designed great.

If I had to give any negatives to the show, while the voices are great, they sound a bit jarring and old for the characters, especially in Ben and Leon's cases. Also, the segments can drag on for quite a bit at times. Luckily, the in-between segments add a much-needed break to the story. (We can only take so much of Julie being- well, Julie- for so long!)

However, overall, The Puzzle Place is a great show. It was ahead of its time in almost every aspect, from its diversity to its puppetry and its themes of acceptance and appreciation. I'd highly recommend this show, especially to fans of the Muppets since many puppeteers from the franchise are actors in here.

Unfortunately, about half of the episodes are lost media and probably won't be found anytime soon, as PBS has lost the rights to the show and nobody had bothered to acquire it. But the episodes that have been found (at least partially) are available to find on YouTube.

8.5/10

[hazardous-waste-containment]

Almost every individual element of Kahanism that would raise questions (albeit pedantic ones) about whether it can fully be considered fascist does arguably have a parallel in some other fascism.

The idea that religious law should inform the law of the state: The Polish Falanga thought that all of Polish society, from culture to government to law, should be suffused with Catholicism, while their revolutionary rejection of all other traditional institutions still distinguished them from Catholic conservatism. The League of the South wants independent Dixie to be governed by Biblical law, though they have a non-confessional membership policy, and in any case their political libertarianism and hesitancy about revolution puts their own fascism into some doubt.

The idea that the land was promised to the nation by God: The Romanian Legionaries saw the borders of Romania as divine and eternal, sanctified by the will of God as much as by the blood of the ancestors that fought for it. The same can be said of Afrikaner fascists.

The idea that the nation has a special mission in the world from God: This is the entire thesis of South African Christian Nationalism, purporting that God entrusted Afrikaners with a unique (Calvinist) religious destiny to realize an Afrikaner homeland in South Africa and battle the forces of Satanic evil.

A free-market capitalist economic policy: George Lincoln Rockwell promoted “free enterprise” as an authentically American economic system, though he still called himself anti-capitalist on the grounds that ‘capitalism’ was merely a Jewish perversion of true free enterprise (certainly he never would have identified, as Kahane did, as an “economic liberal”). Only other comparison might be the free-market economics of early Italian Fascism in power (1922-24), which was similarly presented as unleashing the nation’s entrepreneurial spirit.

The two features that can’t be accounted for this way are 1) Kahane’s outright rejection of secular nationalism, and replacement of ethnic solidarity with religious solidarity in a manner more like the Islamic ummah (even this the Legionaries toyed with in the Christian context, but never went as far), and 2) most importantly, when pressed for a specific political doctrine, Kahane suggested that a truly Jewish state would mean the resurrection of the Sanhedrin, possibly under a monarchy; this is pretty clearly reactionary rather than fascist.

At the same time, the mobilizing myth of Kahane’s politics roughly conforms to palingenetic ultra-nationalism, with a myth of decadence (a “spiritual Holocaust��� brought on by the multicultural liberalism of the Jewish Establishment), a myth of the organic nation (the “authentic Jewish Idea,” what Kahane saw as the strong, heroic Judaism created at Sinai, though arguably this is more of an attempt at fundamentalism), and the myth of rebirth (the imminent renewal and salvation only to be found in the rule of Kahane and his party).

[internationaltravelhouse123]

Top Indian and International Destination to visit during winters

As winter sets in, it's time to plan a vacation that offers both relaxation and adventure. Whether you're inclined toward exploring India's rich cultural heritage or embarking on an international journey to bask in tropical warmth, numerous destinations are worth considering. From the rolling tea plantations of Munnar to the bustling streets of Dubai, travellers can enjoy diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures during the colder months. Winter is the ideal time to explore picturesque locations at home and abroad.

Top Indian Destinations for Winter 

Kashmir

Often referred to as "Paradise on Earth," Kashmir is an absolute must-visit during the winter months. The snow-covered landscapes, frozen lakes, and breathtaking views of the Himalayas make it one of the most sought-after winter destinations in India. Skiing in Gulmarg or enjoying a Shikara ride on the frozen Dal Lake are just some of the unforgettable experiences travellers await.

Munnar

Nestled in the Western Ghats, Munnar offers scenic tea plantations, mist-covered hills, and pleasant weather that perfectly escape the winter chill. This serene hill station in Kerala is ideal for nature lovers and those looking for a quiet, rejuvenating getaway.

Jaisalmer

For those seeking an extraordinary experience, the golden sands of Jaisalmer offer a mystical charm in the winter. The desert town comes alive with camel rides, desert safaris, and a rich cultural heritage that includes stunning forts and havelis.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are an excellent choice if you prefer a tropical escape. With crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and vibrant marine life, the islands offer a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.

Ooty

This charming hill station in Tamil Nadu, known for its cool climate and verdant landscape, is a popular winter destination. Ooty's botanical gardens, lakes, and toy train rides make it an enchanting spot for nature lovers.

Top International Destinations for Winter 

Thailand

Thailand remains one of the most popular international destinations for winter travellers. Its warm climate, stunning beaches, and vibrant culture make it perfect for those looking to escape the cold. Whether you're relaxing on the beaches of Phuket or exploring Bangkok's bustling streets, Thailand has something for everyone.

Dubai

Dubai's winter offers a perfect time to explore modern marvels and traditional souks. The warm temperatures are ideal for desert safaris, beach visits, and shopping at world-class malls. The city is a blend of luxury, adventure, and entertainment.

Sri Lanka

With its diverse landscapes, including beaches, jungles, and historical landmarks, Sri Lanka is an enchanting winter getaway. Travelers can explore ancient temples, relax on tropical beaches, or embark on wildlife safaris, all while enjoying pleasant winter weather.

Malaysia

Known for its multicultural cities, tropical rainforests, and pristine beaches, Malaysia is a winter paradise for travellers. Kuala Lumpur's iconic skyline, the natural beauty of Langkawi, and the wildlife reserves make it a top international destination.

Cambodia

Cambodia offers a perfect mix of history, culture, and nature. Its warm climate during winter is ideal for exploring the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, relaxing on Sihanoukville's beaches, or discovering the vibrant local culture.

Moreover, for an outstanding travel experience, International Travel House offers comprehensive holiday packages in India as well as international trip packages that ensure a hassle-free vacation. Whether you're planning a winter getaway within India or to one of the many stunning international destinations, International Travel House provides tailored services to meet your every need. From efficient booking solutions to travel insurance assistance, they make every trip memorable and stress-free.

[europeincoming-24]

Bavarian, Austrian, and Swiss Christmas Markets

Swiss Christmas Markets offer a different kind of charm, blending the country’s multicultural influences with a focus on quality craftsmanship. Zurich’s Christmas market, located in the city’s main train station, is one of the largest indoor markets in Europe, featuring a towering Christmas tree adorned with Swarovski crystals. The market’s cozy atmosphere is perfect for sampling Swiss chocolates, fondue, and other local delicacies. In Basel, the Christmas market is spread across two squares and is known for its beautifully decorated stalls and high-quality products, from wooden toys to artisan candles. The Montreux Noël market, situated along the shores of Lake Geneva, offers a scenic setting where visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere while gazing at the snow-capped Alps in the distance.In conclusion, the Bavarian, Austrian, and Swiss Christmas markets offer a magical escape into a world of holiday wonder. They are more than just shopping destinations—they are a celebration of the season’s traditions, filled with joy, warmth, and festive spirit. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or visiting for the first time, these markets provide an unforgettable holiday experience that captures the essence of Christmas in Europe.

Bavarian Christmas Markets are among the most famous in Germany and are celebrated for their rustic charm and deep-rooted traditions. Bavaria, with its picturesque towns and snow-covered landscapes, provides the perfect backdrop for a Christmas market. One of the most well-known is the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, which dates back to the 16th century. Here, visitors can wander through rows of wooden stalls adorned with festive decorations, selling everything from handmade ornaments to delicious Lebkuchen (gingerbread). The scent of roasted nuts and mulled wine fills the air, and the sound of carolers adds to the magical atmosphere. Other notable Bavarian markets include those in Munich, with its stunning Marienplatz setting, and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a medieval town that feels like stepping into a fairy tale.

Austrian Christmas Markets are equally captivating, combining the elegance of Austria’s cities with the warmth of holiday traditions. Vienna’s Christkindlmarkt at the Rathausplatz is a must-visit, known for its grand setting in front of the city’s iconic town hall. The market is illuminated with thousands of lights, and the scent of baked goods and warm drinks beckons visitors to explore the various stalls. Beyond Vienna, the Salzburg Christmas market offers a more intimate experience, set against the backdrop of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and the baroque architecture of the city. Here, you can enjoy traditional Austrian treats like Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake) and punch while browsing for unique gifts. Innsbruck, nestled in the Alps, provides a truly alpine Christmas market experience, where snow-capped mountains frame the festivities.

In conclusion, a Destination Management Company is an invaluable partner for organizing student travel to Europe. By handling the nitty-gritty of travel logistics, offering customized itineraries, ensuring safety, and providing local expertise, a DMC turns what could be a stressful endeavor into an exciting, educational, and enjoyable journey. If you're planning a student Europe Tour, partnering with a DMC could be the key to unlocking an unforgettable travel experience.

[tb2shopright]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: New with tag POSITIVE PALS “I AM LOVED” Brown Doll with hair and a Ring for play.