#nick of the woods

[demi-shoggoth]

2023 Reading Log, pt 6

I have read a lot less this year than in the last couple of years. I'm not going to beat my previous record of 129 books, that's for sure. But I feel like I've hit a decent stride of quality over quantity with this batch (also, one of them is over 600 pages long)

26. The Ashgate Encyclopedia of Literary and Cinematic Monsters, edited by Jeffery Andrew Weinstock. For anyone who is remotely interested in either monsters or literature, this book is a must-read. Yes, I know it’s an A-Z encyclopedia format and is more than 600 pages long. You can skip around, or read it in chunks. This book is the perfect tool for thinking with monsters, and is an excellent reference tool for using monsters intelligently in a project, or just as a collection of “oh, I should check that out”. It’s not perfect. All kaiju are lumped together under “Godzilla”, which barely gets two pages. Pokemon gets a single, very dismissive, paragraph. On the other hand, the entry for Harry Potter is ridiculously long and very fannish, and the “HP Lovecraft, Monsters in” article ignores Lovecraft’s racism entirely (because it’s written by ST Joshi, who else?). My biggest complaint is the lack of a general Mad Scientist entry—mad scientists are the monster of the 20th century, and both psychopaths and witches get generic entries as well as specific examples. My two biggest highlights are “Women, Monstrous”, which is a college level course in institutional misogyny and how it has been celebrated by some authors and subverted by others; and "Nick of the Woods", which is possibly the most influential American novel that has been almost entirely forgotten in the modern era. You can draw a direct line from Nick of the Woods to everything from Marvel movies to Wounded Knee.

27. Tasting History by Max Miller, with Ann Volkwein. “Tasting History with Max Miller” is one of my favorite YouTube series, and the book of the show doesn’t disappoint. It’s beautiful, with color photos of the food and images of historical characters and events. Most of the recipes come from existing episodes, and so the stories therein are familiar, but not told identically, and there are some that have new lore to go with old recipes. Or lore covered in the show, but a different recipe because the one that was made for the video wasn’t very good. Also, my copy is signed! Max Miller came to a local book fair, so I got to hear a book talk and then get my copy signed afterwards. And that was… two months ago? My reading really has slowed down!

28. Birds: Myth, Lore and Legend by Rachel Warren Chadd and Marianne Taylor. This book collects legendry about birds from around the world, and compares the stories that different cultures tell about the same animal with the animal’s actual ecology and behavior. A fair amount of the stories were new to me, which I was expecting, but I wasn’t expecting the science to be as well! For example, the book talks about a paper that suggests that lyrebird foraging is important for reducing wildfires, as they help to break up mats of eucalyptus leaves and encourage decomposition. Also, as can probably be expected in a book about birds, there’s a lot of very nice photography.

29. The Cat’s Meow by Jonathan Losos. Losos is an evolutionary biologist (he’s the guy doing all of the studies with convergent evolution in Caribbean lizards) who got the domestic cat bug, and this is his book about the evolution of domestic cats. It’s written in a very readable style and goes into quite a bit of depth on how we know what we know. So individual scientists and breeders are profiled for topics like, which population of wildcats do domestic cats descend from? How does the behavior of feral cats in the Australian Outback differ from feral cats in rural Georgia? How is a new breed developed from a single individual? Losos also shares plenty of anecdotes about his own cats, as any loving cat owner would, and shares his ��million dollar idea” with the reader. Saber toothed housecats, bred for both long canine teeth and a calm, indoor-friendly disposition.

30. Iberian Monsters by Javier Prado. This was a birthday present from my girlfriend @abominationimperatrix. The book is an illustrated collection of Iberian bogeys specifically—monsters designed to scare children into doing X or avoiding Y. At least half of the monsters in here are altogether new to me, and each entry often discusses multiple related monsters, with the “headliner” getting a full page illustration. Three things that jumped out to me. 1) How many parallels there are between the monsters of Spain and the monsters in Spanish colonies, like Latin America and the Philippines. I mean, that’s logical, but since I knew less about Spain’s monsters, I didn’t see the connections. 2) The large number of monsters that are based on historical individuals. Mostly soldiers and bandits, but also a watchmaker and an anti-fascist writer. 3) The story that scared me the most as a little kid was “Tailypo”… and there’s a variant in here that’s even worse. You know, for kids!

[sonicrainbooms]

def missing some but i only have so much room.

also im aware commander fox and fennec shand are only named after foxes and not coded but it's MY meme and i get to make the rules!!

[floristmatt]

🙏🏼

[egophiliac]

HELLOOOO HAVE YOU SEEN LILIA'S DORM CARD YETTTT

personally, what made me most gleeful about the update news is that the part 2 description implies that they forgot to invite Malleus to Lilia's farewell party. god yes rub that salt into the wound, Monday can't come soon enough

[hrhprincegalitzine]

Nicholas Galitzine in The Watcher in the Woods (2017)

[hooked-on-elvis]

Elvis with actors Natalie Wood and Nick Adams, who's mimicking Elvis' cheesy smile. 1956.

[theflowerofthecommonwealth]

Jasmine: (Does a ghostly call around a campfire) “¡Ayyyy miiiissss hijooooos! ¿Dónde están mis hijoooooosss?”

MacCready: (Puts his hands over his ears) “StOoOoOoOp!”

Jasmine: (Has her hands out in front of her as she moves around) “¡Quiero mis hijooooos! ¿Dónde están mis hijos?”

Piper: “I have NO idea what you’re saying, kid- but it’s freaking me out!!!”

Danse: (Is as white as a ghost at his spot by the campfire)

X6: (Says nothing while shuffling on his own two feet, hands in his pockets)

MacCready: “Can’t you just… Tone it down a notch or two?”

Jasmine: (Throws up her hands) “It’s Halloween!!! It’s suppose to freak you out!!! That’s the point!!!”

Piper: “After all the spooky scares we pulled on each other during the prank war- we all are a bit tender!!! So give us a break! Now we have to worry about some vengeance filled Mexican lady coming after us!”

Jasmine: (Rolls her eyes) “¡Cobardes! Y’all are a bunch of sissies! I’ve been hearing this story since I was born and so had most of the kids my age in my neighborhood.”

MacCready: “And I’m pretty sure you kids were living off a gallon of coffee and three hours of sleep all the time!”

Deacon: (Comes out from behind a bush dressed in a white nightgown and a long dark wig) “OoOoOoOoOoOo!!!” (Slowly moves towards the campfire, the smoke machine he set up earlier adding extra dramatic flare)

Jasmine: (Points and gasps) “¡La Llorona!”

MacCready, Danse, and Piper: (Scream bloody murder in sync)

X6: (Stands there stock still as his soul silently leaves his body)

Nick: (Comes running over) “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!?”

Everyone: (Dives behind RoboDad for protection)

Jasmine: (Runs up and puts her arms around his waist, staring up at him innocently) “Papi- La Llorona wants to take me away and drown me! So you hafta protect me!”

Nick: (Heavy sigh as he picks the teen girl up) “Not the vengeance ghost lady again- haven’t you told enough of those scary stories?”

Jasmine: (Huffs) “No- I haven’t told everyone about El Cucuy yet.”

Nick: (Glances behind him at the trembling adults) “Maybe hold off the scary stories until after Christmas…”

Deacon: (Waves his hands around some more) “OoOoOoOoOo!”

[payte]

The Cast and Crew

Happy Halloween!

[dorothy16]

via elsie fest's instagram ✨️

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Alex Kaplan at MMFA:

Multiple far-right figures and social media users — including white nationalists — have praised Project 2025, a comprehensive transition plan organized by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation to guide a future Republican presidential administration toward staffing extremists and implementing a far-reaching right-wing agenda. Among the plan’s contributors is Richard Hanania, who was revealed last year as an anonymous author of white supremacist content online and who has continued to appear on white nationalist programs. [...]

Project 2025 contributor Richard Hanania, whom JD Vance previously called a “friend,” anonymously wrote online for white nationalist sites — and continued to associate with white nationalists after his activity was discovered

On July 29, USA Today reported that some contributors of Project 2025 have a “trail of racist writings, activity,” including Richard Hanania, who previously spent years contributing to white nationalist sites using a pseudonym. The article also named failed Virginia GOP Senate candidate Corey Stewart, who told a crowd in 2017 that he was proud to stand next to a Confederate flag. According to USA Today, at least three contributors have also pushed the racist “great replacement” conspiracy theory, including Michael Anton, a former senior national security official in the Trump administration. [USA Today, 7/29/24]

Multiple far-right influencers, including white nationalist Richard Hanania, have given praise to Heritage’s Project 2025 by calling it “the best personnel database.”

[floristmatt]

things nick says

[eggsforgristol]

YALL??????

Bro imagine you just open up your dm’s and all the sudden GRISTOL MALIK is asking to go to your animal crossing island so he can sell turnips

[prettysunnyday]

The Creeps find out their s/o attends Hogwarts

Jeff the Killer, EJ, Hobo Heart, Nick.

Warning: Mentions of wounds, kidneys, and victims.

Just a quick note: I am going to briefly talk about the House I think each is in. Now most might simply say Slytherin, but I find that obvious. So I am looking at their other qualities and judging what I personally think would suit them.

(I am in Hufflepuff😎)

❤💛💚💙

Jeff

-- How he reacts depends on how he finds out. If you are mad at him and you have had enough of his crap, then I can see you casting a jinx at him. Of course if you did that he would be stunned. So surprised that he'd just stare at you. He is a killer and has seen bizarre things, but NOT that.

-- I can see this going in two ways. First Jeff is mad that you jinxed his legs together, regardless of how you accomplished that feat. Or Jeff yells at you for keeping such a thing from him while internally screaming that his s\o has super powers!!

-- Your number one Fan! Jeff will also try and use this to his advantage. Some creep pisses him off? No biggie. He just whines to you to jinx their butt. If you comply or not is up to you, though he will complain.

-- Also remember to take care of him!!

-- Jeff has lots of confidence and bravado. Despite the "I don't care" poker face he puts on, Jeff gets hurt too. So if he is injured from a wound, be sure to help him with a quick healing spell.

-- You end up being the locater for everything cause you can just wave your wand (or stick, as Jeff would call it).

-- Jeff is either Slytherin or Ravenclaw. I don't find him particularly ambitious, so a point off Slytherin. However, I think Jeff is intelligent and cunning and a quick learner.

-- Over all, Jeff finds you awesome and cannot believe he is lucky to have you.

EJ

-- I don't know how EJ would know. I think you'd just tell him, which he may not believe because he thinks you're joking. Once you prove him wrong... He is in awe!

-- However, despite all the things you can do with magic, EJ will want to make sure you can heal yourself when you are injured. If you assure him you can heal a gaping wound or a tiny scratch he will lay off you a bit and admire you.

-- EJ will especially love your summoning charms. He isn't very forgetful but on those days where he may forget to bring jars with him for his victims, well having you summon what he needs is a blessing.

-- Another spell he will enjoy is transfiguring spells. Similar to the summoning spell, he likes this one because you can transform anything into what he needs as well. That fork becomes a glass. The stick becomes a scalpel. The kidneys he must carry turn into rocks.

-- EJ would be Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. He can be hard working and kind, but he also seems studious and intelligent.

-- EJ would be impressed, but also relieved because his wonderful s\o has more protection.

Hobo Heart

-- He is crying!!

-- His wonderful s\o has magical powers which is amazing and makes him happy that you're happy... But the danger you are in!!

-- Heart is glad you can protect yourself and heal your wounds, but the thought of bad witches and wizards possibly harming you? No, this added to his worries.

-- He already protects you from Zalgo and other rogue creepypastas. Now there is another enemy towards you he knows little about.

-- You will have to reassure him and calm his nerves because he will stress to the point his face face will age to look 100.

-- Heart loves you, alright. It is his job to protect you since you are one of the few people who has expressed love towards him.

-- So remind him of who you are by performing little spells, such as healing yourself and jinxing Jeff or Ben. Heart will calm down eventually and watch in awe as you flick your wand about.

-- Hobo Heart is a Hufflepuff for fairly obvious reasons. I can also see him possibly being in Gryffindor but I think Hufflepuff is best.

-- Altogether, Heart finds you even more amazing and cannot fathom why you love him so much.

Nick Vanill

-- Things just keep getting better!

-- Nick finds out when you decide to prank him or someone else. At first he probably is confused, even if you are holding a wand. But as soon as you say that you can perform magic, darling prepare for anything.

-- Nick is a tease, thief, and wouldn't put it pass himself for a revenge prank back.

-- He will call you out. He will point and say "Warlock! Witch! Wizard!" Whatever enters his mind. He will steal a witches hat for you and plop it on your head.

-- Now be aware Nick will take any and every opportunity to steal your wand!

-- and he will not give it back without a fight (in the playful sense)

-- He will want to pull pranks or do odd things like shape shift into an animal. One of his favorite spells is your patronous (sorry if that is wrong) and also enjoys transfiguring objects, much like EJ.

-- Nick Vanill is Slytherin. I think he is cunning and ambitious. He is arrogant as well but that is not a value.

-- Nick is all for it! You are magical and fun. He couldn't ask for a better s\o to love.

Thanks for reading💐

(None of these characters are mine!! They belong to their creators.)

[heximinimalsartstuff]

When will he wear wigs?

[aprill-99]

I love the characters whose perceptions of their own powers and abilities and personalities are all completely fucked by their own context.

Prince Zuko for example: The guy goes around like “wow is me. I am such a failure of a Fire Bender” for three whole seasons of television.

Babe, no. It’s just that the only 3 people on the entire planet who are better at it than you all live in your house.

Obi-Wan Kenobi only thinks he’s a less powerful Jedi because his constant companions are essentially the demigod descendants of an Eldritch Horror running the galaxy. Everyone knows else, including the Eldritch Horror Spawn, think you’re in the top 10 to ever live.

I could go on, but the main point is that I live for the moments when a character who is constantly down on themselves off-handed mentions something the other characters know to be near impossible and have their Elle Woods moment when questioned.

“What, like it’s hard?”

Yes, yes my guys, gals, and non-binary folk. Yes it is hard.

You’ve just trained yourself to think that you had to succeed at everything right up to the lines of the impossible and perfect because you spent a lifetime watching very particular people calmly go skipping right over it.

You are now hyper-competent and should maybe look in to getting some therapy before we all inevitably turn to you to survive the on-coming End of Days.