#patriotic art competitions

[townpostin]

Jamshedpur Women's University Honors Kargil Heroes

NCC unit hosts art competitions and tributes for Vijay Diwas Jamshedpur Women’s University commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas with a series of patriotic events, fostering national pride among students. JAMSHEDPUR – NCC cadets at Jamshedpur Women’s University pay homage to Kargil War heroes through artistic expressions and informative programs. Jamshedpur Women’s University’s NCC unit organized a…

[forthegothicheroine]

Henchwomen Through the Ages

The "ages" of comics are not hard and fast things, and even comic book historians argue where they begin and end. They're more like moods than time periods, and your standard game of Henchwoman RPG will probably be set in a vague time period that could be anywhere from the thirties to today with an overall Silver Age mood. Still, let's take a look at how the roll of the Henchwoman has evolved, shall we?

Goldie is a gun-toting, cigar-chomping bank robber in victory rolls and a bullet bra. She's not called a henchwoman- she's called "Look out, that broad has a grenade!" She's loyal to the boss despite his dumb penny gimmick, but if he ever finked on her in court, he wouldn't live to see the sunrise. There's no Henchwomen's Union for her to join yet, but she's provided muscle for plenty of mob-backed unions. Goldie can't afford to be soft on heroes since they'd be just as happy to throw her off a roof as to arrest her, but she might be wooed by an appeal to patriotism- she ain't no Nazi rat! Her hobbies include matinee shows, swing dancing, and blasting coppers.

Sylvia is a competitive surfer and was a cocktail waitress until they fired her for slapping too many customers. Thanks to the newly formed Henchwomen's Union, she's treated much better by her current job, which usually involves crashing parties to steal themed jewelry. She and the heroes she fights have an understanding- they'll never be rough with her, and she won't check up on them after putting them in a death trap to see if they've died. On her off hours, she can go dancing in the same outfit she worked in- a silver jumpsuit, gogo boots and a purely decorative motorcycle helmet.

Brawny is a member of the Sisterhood of Wicked Witches, and she fights for a cause- or rather, several causes. These range from the reasonable (Save the whales!) to the less reasonable (A free ray gun for every child!) The Henchwomen's Union is strong enough to get her good pay, so many of her problems are philosophical- is she a good guy or a bad guy, and what do good and bad even mean? Brawny has to be a bit more careful than she would have been ten years ago, since death may well stick- but that also means she might really kill a hero, at least for a while, and that's what matters!

Tenebra prefers to be called a Dark Muse, a member of a vampire circle dedicated to bringing art to life, painted in colors of blood. Her eyeliner is swirly and her gowns are velvet, and she wears them onstage in her sideline darkwave band. Tenebra arranges her crimes in accordance with pre-raphaelite imagery, with victims displayed in heartbreakingly beautiful and mythologically-influenced poses. Her boss may technically be the Queen of the Vampires, and she may have a card with the Henchwomen's Union, but her true loyalty is to art itself.

Ferra is a mercenary with a separate pouch for each type of bullet, and she has a lot of types of bullet. Her stilettos are tall but her hair is taller, and she can strike intimidating poses that would break a normal person's back. The Henchwomen's Union had its own back broken by the bosses, and is now more of informal underground thing, but it still hooks her up with real deal bad guys. She'll kill without a second thought for her boss, but she's only one bad day away from turning her gun on him. It might even happen accidentally, since he and the heroes dress exactly the same. Ferra somehow has a heavy metal soundtrack even when there's no music playing.

Ally got a degree in psychology but until she can afford grad school, she gigs as a henchwoman. Her bosses are sillicon valley dickheads, but the first one to offer her real benefits will have her loyalty for life. Thanks to the resurgence of the Henchwomen's Union, Ally gets to wear big stompy boots instead of high heels, but she still has to wear a big day-glo logo on her leather jacket that might as well be a target sign. Her hobbies include pop culture conventions, smoking weed and credit card fraud.

[accio-victuuri]

sharing this China news network article about Guo Jing and the recent LOCH trailer.

this is particularly helpful for me as someone who has zero experience with anything LOCH related 🫶🏼

"Stupid child" Guo Jing "killed" most smart people in seconds

A trailer that "exploded" countless martial arts fans.

On the 23rd, the only martial arts movie "The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero" in the Spring Festival file, led by China Film Co., Ltd., co-produced by China News Network, directed by Tsui Hark, and starring Xiao Zhan and Zhuang Dafei, released the latest trailer, which quickly appeared on the hot search, and the turbulent martial arts world has a more tangible embodiment. Some viewers sighed "dreaming back to the golden age of martial arts" and began to look forward to this version of Guo Jing's style.　　

"The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero" is adapted from the novel of the famous writer Jin Yong. In Jin Yong's martial arts world, Guo Jing is a key figure in the "Condor Trilogy", who is kind by nature, decent, affectionate, diligent and patriotic, and almost has the most exemplary chivalrous spirit in Jin Yong's pen.　　

Before becoming a hero, he had a very strong circle of friends, Hong Qigong and other masters taught him martial arts, the smart and witty Huang Rong was his strongest assistant, and later defended Xiangyang City, and there were also a group of people who were willing to follow him.

So, the question is, why is Guo Jing, who seems to be wooden, so likable?　　

01

The counterattack of the "silly child".

If you ask someone what their impression of Guo Jing is, the answer is likely to be "stupid child".　　

Guo Jing had bad luck in the early days. Guo Xiaotian and Li Ping originally lived a good life in Niujia Village, but they were framed and their families were ruined. Guo Jing lost his father, followed his mother to earn a living in the desert, and also learned Mongolian.　　

He's a bit of a goofy-headed, and he's slow to learn to speak. After the Seven Monsters of Jiangnan and Qiu Chuji made an appointment for a martial arts competition, they found Guo Jing and patiently taught him martial arts, but Guo Jing just didn't open his mind, and he didn't make much progress in practice.　　

In terms of adaptability, Guo Jing is not outstanding. He saved the "Sharpshooter" Jebe, and was forced to ask about Jebe's whereabouts by the pursuers. At this time, children who are smart often reply "I don't know", but Guo Jing's answer is "I don't say".　　​

All kinds of actions made him look a little unsmart. But the core of this so-called "stupidity" is rare honesty. "Jin Yong fan" Liushen Lei Lei is more willing to use "sincere and loyal" to describe Guo Jing.　　​

With honesty and kindness, he won the favor of Ma Yu of Quanzhen Sect, and his martial arts made progress, laying the foundation for the growth of "force value" in the future. After meeting Huang Rong, he always treated each other with sincerity, and also exchanged Huang Rong's sincerity.

As Guo Jing grows up, this kind of loyalty and sincerity becomes more and more powerful.　　

By chance, he and Huang Rong met the leader of the beggar gang, Hong Qigong, the beggar gang. Hong Qigong liked the food made by Huang Rong very much, and appreciated the simplicity of Guo Jing's nature, so he taught Guo Jing the eighteen palms of dragon descending.　　​

Later, Guo Jing guarded Xiangyang City and had a dialogue with Kublai Khan, the commander of the Mongolian army. That's because Guo Jing never speaks carefully, he will say whatever he thinks in his heart, but it goes straight to the hearts of the people.

In fact, many classic literary works like to write about "silly children", such as Pierre in "War and Peace", etc., and Guo Jing is also one of them. Their sincerity helps them grow, and it is also like a mirror, reflecting the flies and dogs in the world.　　

02

Chivalrous spirit

"Chivalry" is the core soul of Jin Yong's novels, and many of Guo Jing's practices are the concrete embodiment of the chivalrous spirit.　　

For example, he admired Jebel's bravery, and in the face of coercion and temptation, he would rather die than betray Jebel. After the crisis was resolved, Zhebei gave him gold, but he didn't want it, but he just remembered his mother's teaching, "You must help the guest, not ask for the guest's things." ”　　

Due to the friendship of their parents, Guo Jing and Yang Kang were born as sworn brothers. After he met Yang Kang, he always took care of Yang Kang, hoping that he could change his evil and return to the right; After Yang Kang's death, he treated his son Yang Guo as his own and cultivated him as carefully as possible.　　

After breaking with Tuo Lei and others, Guo Jing did his best to protect Xiangyang City, and finally became a great hero praised by everyone in the martial arts.

The great man of chivalry is for the country and the people. For the selfish Yang Kang Ouyang Ke, these eight words are probably just a slogan, at most shouting two sentences to seek some benefits for themselves; But for Guo Jing, this is a promise that is heavier than Mount Tai, and he has been paying for it all his life.　　

​Diligent, upright, responsible, patriotic...... Guo Jing is enough to afford the word "chivalry", and his huge personality charm has infected many people around him.

Of course, some people may say that without the assistance of the resourceful Huang Rong, Guo Jing would not have achieved so much. Indeed, Guo Jing's quality ceiling is very high, and whether or not this ceiling can be activated requires acquired factors. Huang Rong is an activating factor.　　

Then again, why is Guo Jing's personal quality ceiling high? The reason is that he has an ability: to gain the trust of others.　　

Dealing with the world requires a certain amount of emotional intelligence, but high emotional intelligence is not about being delicate and ruddering, but about making others trust you unconditionally. Guo Jing has similar excellent qualities. And the core of this quality is sincerity.　　

How you treat others, others will treat you, sincerity is always nirvana. When he didn't know Hong Qigong's identity, Guo Jing was still very friendly to him. Hong Qigong was also willing to teach him martial arts after learning about Guo Jing's personality.　　

Guo Jing followed the master little by little, and at the end of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", the "force value" was greatly improved, and he had the ability to go head-to-head with the master Qiu Qianren. Later, even if he made a move with the East and the West, he could support hundreds of moves to be undefeated.　　

There may be many opportunities in a person's life, but whether they can grasp it depends on whether they have the ability in the end.

​　　

03

Feelings of family and country　　

Counting carefully, as a big IP, the "Condor Trilogy" has had multiple film and television versions. These film and television dramas may have adapted the original work, but the direction of the story has basically not changed, Guo Jing has always been the hero who has the world in mind.　　

This role is actually not easy to play. Guo Jing should belong to the type of "wise and foolish", which looks a little wooden, but in fact he is not a person who fights or grabs, is very principled, practical and steady, and all kinds of subtle states are difficult to grasp.

In the past few decades, actors such as Huang Rihua, Zhang Zhilin, Hu Ge, and Yang Xuwen have all played Guo Jing, each with its own merits. The film and television version that is more recognized by the audience is the 83 version of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", with a Douban score of 9.2 points.　

Guo Jing in the 95 version of "The Condor Heroes" is also good, he is a middle-aged person, honest and simple, but he is very capable of fighting. Liushen Lei Lei remembers a scene, that is, Guo Jing beat Huo Du violently in Chongyang Palace, which looked very enjoyable.　　

Time passed, and people's enthusiasm for "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" did not dissipate. This can be seen from the popularity of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero" after it was announced, and in the messages that frantically swiped the screen, thousands of words were combined into one word, "expectation".　　

Liushen Lei Lei once commented on "The Legend of the Condor Heroes": Writing plot characters is ever-changing; Writing about the feelings of the family and the country makes people's blood boil. This book is a sign that Jin Yong has become a master. The upright and kind Guo Jing is the person who has family and country feelings.　　​

Some people once said that Jin Yong's heroes are "superheroes" in the Chinese context. Guo Jing, who is endowed with a deep traditional Chinese concept and loyalty and filial piety, affects his growth and reminds him to become a responsible person.　　

There is no martial arts in life, but there may be various choices and tests. Just like Guo Jing, keep your heart pure, don't ask for everything to go well, but seek to be worthy of your heart.

[tab00-t33f]

Holiday headcanons (JoFoes x Reader)

Kars

What You Receive: An exquisite piece of art carved by Kars himself—likely a statue or an intricate piece of jewelry. He takes pride in creating something immortal, like himself.

What You Gift Him: A telescope to observe the stars or something related to his fascination with perfection and nature. He’s surprisingly touched, though he hides it well.

Holiday Activities: Kars isn’t interested in frivolities but will indulge you by taking a midnight walk under the stars or letting you playfully drape ornaments on him. He’ll eventually join in after some persuasion.

Esidisi

What You Receive: A fur-lined cloak or a stunning outfit he personally picked to highlight your best features. He’s all about extravagance.

What You Gift Him: A music box with a melody reminiscent of his homeland or something nostalgic for his ancient memories. He’ll tear up and act like it didn’t happen.

Holiday Activities: Esidisi throws himself into the festivities with fiery enthusiasm, whether it’s cooking a feast or decorating. Be prepared for intense, competitive snowball fights.

Wamuu

What You Receive: A handcrafted weapon or tool to symbolize his respect for your strength and individuality. If you don’t fight, it’s something practical yet meaningful.

What You Gift Him: A woven scarf or cloak with designs inspired by his culture. He treasures it deeply, seeing it as a token of your connection.

Holiday Activities: Wamuu will enjoy quiet traditions, like lighting candles or sharing stories by the fire. He’s also open to teaching you about ancient customs from his time.

Dio Brando

What You Receive: Something both beautiful and sinister—a black diamond ring or a mirror with a gothic design. He wants you to feel regal, like his queen/king.

What You Gift Him: A rare artifact or something that appeals to his ego, like a painting or sculpture inspired by him. He’ll laugh and claim it’s only natural.

Holiday Activities: Dio keeps the holidays dark and indulgent, with wine, an extravagant feast, and plenty of drama. Expect moments where he’s possessively affectionate.

Yoshikage Kira

What You Receive: A perfectly chosen, practical gift, like gloves or a scarf—anything to ensure you’re both stylish and discreetly cared for.

What You Gift Him: A watch or tie that suits his understated yet impeccable taste. He’ll admire your attention to detail and wear it daily.

Holiday Activities: Kira enjoys quiet, cozy nights. You’ll wrap gifts together (he’s unnervingly precise), watch classic movies, and sip tea or wine by the tree. He’ll relax more than usual, enjoying your presence.

Diavolo/Doppio

What You Receive: Diavolo gives you something opulent, like designer clothing or jewelry, while Doppio surprises you with a sweet, homemade card or trinket.

What You Gift Him: For Diavolo, a rare or expensive item that symbolizes his power. For Doppio, something cute and heartfelt, like a plushie or personalized mug.

Holiday Activities: Diavolo avoids public celebrations but ensures you’re treated to the finest meal and decorations. Doppio will excitedly help you bake cookies or decorate, beaming with pride at every small accomplishment.

Enrico Pucci

What You Receive: A meaningful gift, like a rare book of scripture or an elegant piece of jewelry tied to his ideals and philosophies. He’ll present it with reverence, emphasizing the connection it symbolizes between you.

What You Gift Him: A vintage rosary, a beautifully crafted bookmark, or something thoughtful that reflects his devotion and intellect. He’ll be quietly touched, cherishing it more than he lets on.

Holiday Activities: Pucci enjoys peaceful, contemplative traditions—lighting candles, listening to soft hymns, and having deep discussions by the fire. He’d take you to a midnight service, sharing his quiet reverence with you.

Funny Valentine

What You Receive: An elegant but patriotic gift, like a brooch or pocket watch engraved with subtle American motifs. It’s a token of both his affection and his ideals.

What You Gift Him: A framed historical artifact or document that ties into his interests. He admires your attention to his passion for history and symbolism.

Holiday Activities: Valentine plans a formal, grand celebration, complete with a lavish dinner. He’ll also spend time walking with you through snow-covered grounds, discussing his vision for the future while showing his softer side.

Tooru

What You Receive: A trendy, expensive gadget or piece of tech—he always picks something he knows you’ve been eyeing. He’ll act casual about it but secretly craves your praise.

What You Gift Him: A sleek accessory, like a watch or phone case, that complements his effortlessly cool aesthetic. He’ll thank you with his usual laid-back charm.

Holiday Activities: Tooru keeps the holidays casual but memorable—watching movies, sharing snacks, and teasing you about your decorating skills. He’s surprisingly clingy and enjoys lazy cuddles by the fire.

[sixty-silver-wishes]

well, @illumiost asked to hear my Russian, so here's me reciting a poem that's very important to me.

This is "Страхи" (Fears) by the Soviet poet Evgeny Evtushenko, written 1962. The poem was set to music for the fourth movement of Shostakovich's 13th Symphony.

The historical context to this poem is vital to understanding it. After Stalin's death in 1953, Khrushchev's government came with some easing of cultural restrictions, and the decline of the "Socialist Realism" art style, most prominent in the 30s-50s. This period of Soviet history is known as the "Thaw." While the Thaw resulted in a rise in avant-garde Soviet art, it was still heavily discouraged, albeit not to the extent that it was during Stalin's time in power; while the fact that this poem makes an appearance in Shostakovich's symphony is indicative of the changing cultural atmosphere, it also faced censorship and controversy (albeit not to the extent of another Evtushenko poem featured in Shostakovich 13, "Babi Yar").

The poem alludes to two major historical events that defined Soviet culture during the Stalin era- the Great Purges (1936-38) and WWII (in the Soviet Union, 1941-45). During the Purges, a culture of fear and distrust grew, and while the war resulted in devastating losses of life, wartime and postwar propaganda pushed an image of Soviet strength and military power. This cognitive dissonance between fear and trauma caused by one's own government, while projecting a cultural image of patriotic might and confidence, is reflected in the poem as well.

Overall, "Страхи" is a poem about the lasting presence of cultural trauma and its consequences for Soviet Russia (and, one could argue, modern Russia). The first and last stanzas contain the line, "Умирают в России страхи" ("in Russia, fears are dying"), but as the rest of the poem states, this is not the case. Fear is still as alive in 1962 as it was in 1936, and it manifests as mistrust and a wariness to speak out against oppression. The poem purposefully contradicts itself multiple times; fears are dying in Russia, but they still permeate Russian society. Russians were unafraid of warfare during WWII, but were terrified of speaking aloud to themselves at home.

Here is my original English translation of "Страхи." It's not a one-for-one literal translation, but I did my best to preserve both the meaning and the original rhyme scheme.

In 2022, before Russia invaded Ukraine, I was taking Russian language classes in college in order to further my music history research. I was invited by my Russian professor to participate in the Evgeny Evtushenko poetry competition, which required Russian learners (both students learning Russian as a foreign language and heritage speakers) to recite a Russian-language poem on a Zoom call. Evtushenko's widow and son were on the judges' panel. As I was familiar with some of his work and knew he collaborated with Shostakovich- a composer whom I had been enamored with researching- I signed up for the competition and chose this poem, as I was already familiar with it from the symphony. My professor was surprised I decided to choose such a long poem with that sort of historical weight to it, but agreed to help coach me with the pronunciation and enunciation.

Reciting this poem in front of her was difficult, even before the war began. My professor grew up in Russia, and I didn't want her to think I was taking the poem lightly by any means; I was dealing with serious subject matter from a culture I was not a part of, and while my historical research had helped me somewhat understand what the poem was about, I knew there was a cultural component to it that I would never be able to fully grasp. However, my professor encouraged me to learn the poem, and urged me not to shrink away from some of the more cutting stanzas.

I was probably halfway through memorizing it when the invasion happened, and that made me gain another layer of understanding. Going on Reddit and reading posts from Russians who had previously dismissed the idea of an invasion of Ukraine as "western propaganda," only to be completely shocked and disillusioned when the invasion actually began, hearing how scared my friends in eastern Europe were, reading news reports of protesters being arrested just for holding anti-war signs, and seeing the war be met with apathy or claims of being "apolitical" by civilians as it went on made it harder to learn and recite the poem, as I was beginning to see just how relevant it was.

One day, I read a news report that a memorial in Babyn Yar, Ukraine, had been damaged by bombing- the site of the 1941 anti-Semitic massacre where, in 1962, as stated in the Shostakovich 13 setting, there "was no monument." When I went to practice the poem that day in front of my professor, I broke down crying. 1936 became 1941 became 1962 became 2022, and that day, I felt as if I had caught a glimpse of the impossible length of history.

I can hardly remember being on the Zoom call and reciting the poem for the Evtushenkos. I couldn't believe I was actually speaking to them, and that they were listening to me recite the words of the famous poet- to them, a husband and father- who had collaborated with the Dmitri Shostakovich on one of the most monumental symphonies of the 20th century. I wish I could have looked at their faces on the screen, but I didn't; I just recited and then listened to the rest of the students read their poems. I didn't win the competition, and didn't even place, but a few weeks later, my Russian professor handed me this small book of Evtushenko poems, which she said the Evtushenko family wanted to give me. It's by far my most prized possession.

[blacktowbarony]

d100 Character Quirks

Addicted to pipe weed.

Agent of a secret society or cult.

Always looking for the right accessory.

Always wants to spring the trap.

Anti-establishment.

Aspirant of one random career, but is really awful at it.

Ass-kissing suck-up.

Big competitive streak.

Bitter over some past wrongdoing.

Blasé towards dire circumstance.

Bluntly states the facts.

Boastful of family name.

Bookworm.

Braggart.

Brave to the grave.

Cannot abide the destruction of art.

Cautious.

Collects seeds, statues, etc. for their garden back home.

Deep ties to a mud-wrestling club.

Dire nut allergy.

Dumb as a rock.

Enraptured by cute animals.

Every insult must be avenged.

Exalts the virtues of walking barefoot.

Excellent restraint and self-control.

Excellent tipper.

Fusses over the health of allies.

Generous disposition.

Gore turns the stomach.

Gravitas in spades.

Greedy enough to steal the food from another’s plate.

Grizzled survivor of total party kill.

Gullible, susceptible to suggestion.

Habitual rhymer.

Habitually underestimates foes.

Happily married.

Has a grand, idealistic vision for the future.

Has an item of huge sentimental value.

Hopeless romantic.

Humble.

Illiterate.

Immature sense of humour.

Keeps proposing friendly wagers.

Knows all the constellations.

Laser-focus on current tasks.

Laughs at others’ misfortunes.

Licks their weapon to intimidate foes.

Likes their personal space.

Love of gold for gold’s sake.

Loves swimming naked in ice-cold water.

Loves to smash glass.

Merciless.

Monsters make them blush.

Musically gifted.

Nationalist patriot.

Neat freak, avoids getting dirty.

Never had friends before now.

Never misses a joust, knows all the knights’ names.

Never turns down a chance to hobnob with the social elite.

Oath of celibacy.

Out of retirement for one last job.

Overconfident in own abilities.

Polite to a fault.

Proud parent of d4 kids.

Pyromaniac.

Rich parents have cut them off.

Secret relative of another player character.

Secretly wants to try cannibalism.

Sharp dresser, keeps affairs in order.

Short-tempered.

Sluggish and lazy.

Spits. A lot.

Spouts cryptic metaphors.

Staunch teetotaller.

Strong code of honour.

Strong phobia (d20 Phobias).

Student debt for one of their careers.

Suspects strangers to be vampires.

Talks to the stars like an agony aunt.

Terrible liar.

Theatrical thespian.

Town drunk.

Tremendous appetite.

Tries to accept all cultures, no matter their customs.

Tries to convert others to their religion.

Ugly. Just really, horribly grotesque. Good person though, popular in hometown but nowhere else.

Unwavering faith.

Very chipper, especially in the mornings.

Very superstitious.

Wants enough gold to buy an island.

Wants immortality, in one form or another.

Wants something named after them.

Wants to capture a rare monster and train it to play an instrument.

Wants to taste every monster.

Wears a helmet to keep “them” out.

Why tell the truth when a lie is more fun?

Wine snob.

Would give their life for a noble cause.

Writes bad poetry.

Writes embellished accounts of their adventures, for future publication.

[taito-division]

Contestants/Couples (1/2)

Of course, we couldn’t forget about the main event! We’ve searched high and low throughout Japan to find the very best, the crème de la crème of each and every Division had to offer and we certainly weren’t disappointed with the line up we have and something tells us you aren’t going to be either once we reveal who our couples for this competition are. The couples and contestants for the 2024 Mr. and Mrs. HypMic Couples' Pageant are...

1. "Introducing first, both hailing from the sunny beaches of Los Angeles, California, they are widely-known as America's Sweethearts, who have been together longer they any couple in this competition. Perhaps their long time dating one another will give them a heads-up against the rest of the competition. Give it up for the American Pretty Boy, himself, Ace "MC Patriot" Douglas, and his popular and highly-stunning model of a girlfriend, Evelyn "SPIRIT" Rose, from Okinawa!"

America's Sweethearts

2. "Introducing next, they are two of the most artistic individuals Japan has ever seen. While one is making herself known online and in art galleries as an established painter, the other is mesmerizing both men and women of the world with his enchanting voice. Please welcome highly-talented artist, Kureha "Eclipse" Koizumi of Saitama, and her partner, the first-ever winner of the Mr. HypMic Pageant, the most-talented and sexiest man in 2023 and highly-acclaimed rock star, Ren "Vox" Nakashima of Kobe!"

The Dark Canvas

3. "This next couple is, without a doubt, perhaps the most promiscuous pairing in this competition. Needless to say, they've got a number of winnings under their belts, so to speak. Will their experience and success rate be enough to have them win? We'll see! Please welcome Japan's Self-Proclaimed "Strongman", Karada "Nike" Kessaku of Aoyama, and the Goddess of Beauty, herself, Lola "Aphrodite" Takahashi of Saitama!"

The Deities

4. "This next partnership is perhaps the scariest pairing we have in this competition. Despite their young ages, these two young men aren't afraid to get their hands dirty and paint the environment red if they have to, or if the need should strike them. If I were you, I'd best proceed with caution around them! But who knows? Perhaps their infamy will somehow resonate with the fans. We'll see! In any case, put your hands together for the popular Lolita model, Kaiji "Jinx" Sano of Kobe, and his partner, Japan's Most Notorious Serial Killer, Touya "MC Darling" Kisaragi of Katsushika!"

...Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to let these two in this?

Angelic Facade

5. "These next contestants are perhaps living proof that 'money is equivalent to success!' Standing at the top of Japan's hierarchy because of their wealth and status, this power couple, who is due to be wed in just a few short months, might I add, will stop at nothing to trample over their competition, no matter who or what they may be! So give them the respect they deserve and welcome, none other than, the heir to his prestigious family, Tomi "High Class" Chōten of Aoyama, and the CEO of one of the most powerful conglomerates in Japan today, Miho "Iron Maiden" Kobayashi of Shinagawa!"

The "Power Couple"

Let's wish these lovely contestants the best of luck!

@kobedivision @saitama-division @aoyama-division @katsushika-division @shinagawa-division

[lboogie1906]

Willie Jones (September 23, 1994) was born in Shreveport, Louisiana to Michael and Delores Jones. He creatively blends hip-hop and country music. During his childhood, he wrote verse and improvised music almost instantly. He showed the agility, range, and vocal phrasing necessary for development as a professional musical performer.

He graduated from the Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy, where he participated in the school choir. He studied and surrounded himself with country music. He participated in Yazzy, a youth jazz and theater company.

He was a contestant on The X Factor. He performed “Your Man” at the audition round in Greensboro. During Fox’s Boot camp, 1 round, he sang “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.” He was eliminated from the competition. He went on the UneXpected Tour in Providence, Rhode Islands as the guest artist vocalist for Lyric 145. The L.O.F.F. Tape gained him his first national recognition. He was cast in Cameron.

He released his first single recording, “Runs in Our Blood.” He released his debut album Right Now on The Penthouse/Empire label, amassing a cumulative stream count of 27.5M to date on Spotify. His debut album featured the poignant patriotic single “American Dream.” He performed on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. He signed a contract with Sony Music Nashville in partnership with The Penthouse.

He produces a recurring video on the YouTube channel called “Story Time with Willie Jones.” He has an interest in fashion design and plans to produce a clothing line.

He has become one of the fastest-rising stars in that genre. His signature song, “American Dream,” written on the Fourth of July in 2020 is a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr’s attempt to address racial issues dividing the nation. He writes lyrics of protest for racial equality and social change. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[toournextadventure]

Oohh you’re an Olympic fan! Me too! I’m looking forward to it. I feel like everyone around me isn’t interested.

I’m a sporty person and I get it with the injuries that come with it, my whole body felt that. Always sucks if you have them. Drumline that’s nice! To me it’s an art sports if that makes sense…you have to practice so hard, that I do not different compared to play basketball but that’s just my opinion. I love me some sports, but unfortunately I couldn’t do it all so I had to pick between tennis, basketball, football/soccer and competitive swimming. Ended up doing swimming for years. But just like you I had to quite cause of a shoulder injury. Luckily enough I had 10years doing it

I'm always pumped for the Olympics, it's the only time I consider myself patriotic. I'll watch any sport that's on. Fun fact about me, when I was MUCH much younger (12? Maybe?) my taekwondo instructor wanted to train me up for the Olympics! Realistically, I don't think I ever would've made it, and idk how realistic the idea was to begin with, but it's still kinda cool to look back and think "huh, I wonder"

Yeah, I did basketball until I was about 14, so not too old. I wanted to play again after injury, but my school basically said "band and basketball practice at the same time so you have to choose one" and basketball was fun, but music is a passion, so I missed out on the chance. I kinda regret it? But not too much cause I wouldn't have gotten far, I was way too short and didn't fumble, but still wasn't skilled enough to make up for the disadvantage

[loiladadiani]

Photographs: 1. The exterior of the Mariinsky as it looks today; 2. A view of the facade; 3. The lobby; 4. A view of the orchestra and of the "Royal Box" which was in fact used by the Tsar only when there was visiting Royalty from other countries, etc. in attendance; 5. The "Royal Box" as seen from the stage; 6. The stage as seen from the "Royal Box" (notice the decorated ceiling and lamp); 7. Another view of the stage. 8. Notice the box next to the stage; that was the Tsar's real box - that was where he sat when he attended a performance with his family; 9. Another view of the Tsar's box next to the stage

"The Season" at Saint Petersburg, the Tsars and the Mariinsky Theater

Those interested in Romanov history and how the members of the dynasty lived know that "The Season," the ballet, opera, balls, etc., were an important part of their personal and political lives. So important, that one of the many factors contributing to the fall of Nicholas II might have been his withdrawal from the social activities "The Season" entailed.

"The Season" in St. Petersburg began in the last two weeks of September. The nobility returned from their vacation in their country dachas at the end of October, at the same time as the Tsar and his family. The most brilliant part of the Season took place during this time, and long-term visitors reported the city looked most brilliant and glorious during this exciting time of gala court balls, festivals, and masquerades.

All of this revolved around the person on the Tsar, who was the most important host, guest, and critic. Nicholas I attended the theater almost every day during the Season. This pattern continued until the reign of Alexander III, when he began to cut back his attendance. His son Nicholas loved the theater (he wrote in his diary that nothing moved him more than music), and as Tsarevich, he attended operas, ballets, plays, and concerts as often as he could. After he married, his wife's frequent pregnancies and illnesses increasingly cut into his attendance. In 1900 the Imperial couple was still attending concerts and performances in the city. Still, they were becoming fewer and fewer each year.

At the center of much of Saint Petersburg's entertainment life was the famous Mariinsky Theatre. Today, it still plays a significant role in Russia's cultural life. The Mariinsky underwent several rebuildings over the years. The luxurious building went up in 1860. In 1883 it was extensively remodeled, and more decoration was added to the facade. The Mariinsky was the center of the famous Imperial Ballet and Opera, home to many of the most famous performing artists of the last 100 years.

Many of the names of these stars are legendary - Nijinsky, Karsavina, Pavlova, Kschessinska, Chaliapin, Petipa, and many others. The artists of the Imperial theatre and the upkeep of its facilities were the responsibility of the Tsar, and all of these costs came out of the annual revenues of the Imperial estates.

Tickets to the Mariinsky were hard to get. Most of them were pre-assigned to subscribers who held their seats for life; when Prince Felix Yussupov married the Tsar's niece, Irina, the Tsar asked him what he wanted as a wedding present. Yussupov, a fan of the performing arts, asked for the right to use the Tsar's box at the theater when he was away - which was a gift beyond price. His request surprised and amused the Tsar, who granted it. The Tsar's private box was on the left-hand side of the Mariinsky stage. It had an incredibly intimate view of the stage, a dining room, and its own elegant bathroom. It also had a private entrance to the building and a staircase.

The Mariinsky Theatre invariably began the Season with A Life for the Tsar, a patriotic opera. The ballet opened on the first Sunday of September, the company having assembled two weeks before.

The competition for seats and the right to subscribe proved the interest it aroused. A petition to the Chancery of the Imperial Theatres had to be filed to obtain a seat; the chance of success was so small that advertisements constantly offered big premiums to the original holders of the stalls. Fathers handed their seats down to their sons. There may have been personal motives in the attachment of some to the ballet, but the cult of this delicate art was always uppermost. (gcl)

[usagirln12003]

Astrid Hofferson: Hogwarts AU

Astrid Hofferson is a Pureblood witch that was born on the 18th of April 1975 and started attending Hogwarts on the 1st of September 1986, being sorted into Gryffindor house.

She has a Blackthorn wand with a Dragon Heartstring Core.

Her Patronus is a Norwegian Ridgeback.

Her favorite subject is Defense Against the Dark Arts and her least favorite subject is Divination.

She was one of Gryffindor's Prefects, a Chaser on the Quidditch team from her 5th year onward and became Quidditch Captain & Head-Girl in her 7th year.

Astrid is an extremely bright, dutiful, and immensely devoted to her cause to be patriotic of the "Wizarding ways" until meeting and befriending Muggleborns when she started at Hogwarts. Competitive by nature and highly dedicated, Astrid works hard to achieve her goals. During her first years, she pushed herself to become a better witch and becomes immensely irritated with her classmates' lack of focus. After bonding closely with Hiccup, Astrid's focus shifts to becoming a skilled Quidditch player. In her last years, she is the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team and her determined and strong personality makes her hard to impress.

Though Astrid exudes confidence and might, her interaction with her friends suggests - at least when she was young - that she may privately feel inadequate and under-estimated because of her gender. While describing Quidditch strategies and the skill of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, she trips up and inadvertently applies herself into the discussion.

Astrid is emotionally driven, and as a witch, is sworn to protect those she holds dear. At one point, Astrid's innate pride and sense of duty toward her family drove her to face a dragon on her own, without any regard to herself. At one point, she also blames herself for her family's near-death in Dagur the Deranged's attack on Godric's Hallow despite being fully aware she couldn't have done anything to prevent it. Her guilt and responsibility toward her family probed her to take immediate action. Even as an adult, Astrid is willing to go rogue and defy direct orders to ensure the safety of her loved ones.

When younger, she is short-tempered and somewhat of a perfectionist at times, which is especially true before befriending Hiccup. Further exacerbated by her emotional personality, this can lead her to act impulsively and irrationally. In her first year, Astrid was solely focused on studying and becoming an auror, often isolating herself and ignoring the other Gryffindors. When Hiccup began surpassing her in class, she grew visibly upset. Fueled by jealousy and suspicion, she started to follow him discreetly, eventually leading her to interrogate him in the Forbidden Forest.

Astrid grew more even and level-headed as she matured, though she is still shown to be quite fiery under intense circumstances. She had also become more openly talkative and closer to a few of her classmates. Astrid could be prideful and dismissive of people who she thought of as lesser than her, as pointed out by Ruffnut, but she was also able to own up to her mistakes, yet again demonstrating a never-ending will to improve herself. In her sixth year, Astrid pulled a prank on the Twins as payback for April 1st, showing significant growth in her playful side.

She has also proven to be greatly reliable and becomes Hiccup's most loyal supporter. Her methods of encouragement vary but she rarely outright gives him the answer to his problems. Instead, she boosts up his confidence and stands by him as he walks through the solution at his own pace. She has often shown compassion to the rest of her peers and has especially let Heather confide in her on numerous occasions. Although her loyalties are steadfast, Astrid had to hold back information from Hiccup at Heather's request at one point. She struggled deeply with guilt over it as she had never lied to him before.

During her O.W.L.S., due to her overtiredness, Astrid suffered from uncontrollable euphoria. She became overly chipper and peppy, almost to the point of insanity, which is the opposite of the way she usually behaves.

By the time of her 7th year, Astrid has adopted an optimistic and relaxed outlook on life. Although slightly cheeky and overconfident at times, she is more emotionally secure. Her sense of adventure and exploration is also apparent, but her ongoing competitiveness and rigid approach to grave situations remain. As an adult, she is generally more spirited and playful and loves to goof around with Hiccup, Stormfly, and Toothless.

After graduating from Hogwarts, Astrid is Hiccup's sole confidant and emotional support. It is even made clear by Valka that she is the only one that can get through to Hiccup. Her relationship with him is even more secure to the point that they are both willing to marry.

[townpostin]

Jamshedpur: Art and Rangoli Competitions Held at Divine Mission School Sundernagar

Students showcase patriotism through creative expressions, and a tree plantation drive promotes environmental awareness. Divine Mission School in Hitu, Narwa Pahad, Sundernagar organized art and rangoli competitions on July 27, 2024, engaging students from nursery to class 10 in creative activities. JAMSHEDPUR – On July 27, 2024, Divine Mission School in Hitu, Narwa Pahad, Sundernagar hosted art…

[kathai-kavithai-kadhal]

அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை - Motivation for Difficult Times

If you have ever been in Tamil Nadu on independence day or republic day or even some random school's fancy dress competition, chances are, you would've seen a (varying in size, age and accuracy) human dressed in Bharathiyar's signature white veshti, white shirt, black blazer and white headpiece, sometimes replete with a drawn-on moustache and bright red pottu on their head, reciting "Achamillai achamillai, acham enbathillaye," with fervent enthusiasm. But this poem isn't just an anthem of patriotism or rebellion. It's an expression of honor, of anger, of channeling one's inner strength in a world designed to make people feel powerless. And on more occasions than I can count, I've found myself reciting words from this work of art to remind myself - "Achamillai achamillai, acham enbathillaye."

அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்ப தில்லையே இச்சகத்து ளோரெலாம் எதிர்த்து நின்ற போதினும், அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையே துச்சமாக எண்ணி நம்மைச் தூறுசெய்த போதினும் அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்ப தில்லையே பிச்சை வாங்கி உண்ணும் வாழ்க்கை பெற்று விட்ட போதிலும் அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்ப தில்லையே இச்சைகொண்டே பொருளெலாம் இழந்துவிட்ட போதிலும், அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்ப தில்லையே.

(We) have no fear, (we) have no fear, the concept of fear doesn't exist for (us). Even if everybody in the world stands against (us), (We) have no fear, (we) have no fear, the concept of fear doesn't exist for (us). Even when we are treated with contempt and abused, (We) have no fear, (we) have no fear, the concept of fear doesn't exist for (us). Even when (we) have gotten a life where (we) have to beg and eat, (We) have no fear, (we) have no fear, the concept of fear doesn't exist for (us). Even after losing everything (we) love, (We) have no fear, (we) have no fear, the concept of fear doesn't exist for (us).

கச்சணிந்த கொங்கை மாதர் கண்கள்வீசு போதினும், அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்ப தில்லையே நச்சைவாயி லே கொணர்ந்து நண்ப ரூட்டு போதினும், அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்ப தில்லையே பச்சையூ னியைந்த வேற் படைகள் வந்த போதினும், அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்ப தில்லையே உச்சிமீது வானிடிந்து வீழு கின்ற போதினும், அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்ப தில்லையே.

Even if scantily-clad women cast their eyes upon (us), (We) have no fear, (we) have no fear, the concept of fear doesn't exist for (us). Even if the people (we) consider friends feed us poison, (We) have no fear, (we) have no fear, the concept of fear doesn't exist for (us). Even if bloodthirsty (more like flesh-seeking) armies come to fight, (We) have no fear, (we) have no fear, the concept of fear doesn't exist for (us). Even if the sky above crumbles and falls down, (We) have no fear, (we) have no fear, the concept of fear doesn't exist for (us).

As you can see, this poem talks about the intermingling misery of colonialism and poverty. But the first lines of the second stanza of this poem, "கச்சணிந்த கொங்கை மாதர் கண்கள்வீசு போதினும், அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்ப தில்லையே," kind of perplexed me when I read it. Now, I'm no expert on Bharathiyar, but this is the same man who wrote Puthumai Penn, an ode to the modern woman, the same man who understood that just talking about educating women to free them from the clutches of patriarchy wasn't enough, and so taught his wife Chellamma, how to read and write, and then wrote love poem(s) to her, one of them being Paayum Oli Nee Enakku (I'll probably translate that next because it is literally relationship GOALS). I don't think that such a man would think of a scantily-clad woman looking at him with siren eyes as a distraction. I refuse to believe that he would write something so demeaning about a fellow human being, because he was a poet with so much empathy for everyone.

But then I kinda realized something: scantily-clad women is usually a term used for women who worked in a certain industry (you know what I'm talking about) and the people who worked in this industry were usually desperate women who were driven to this industry by poverty and/or abuse. If a lot of such women were casting their eyes upon him, it could mean that he was living in a neighborhood with so much poverty that many of the women were turning to this work to survive. So he isn't talking about these women casting their eyes at him to distract him; rather, he's talking about the situation of being so poor that you become desperate and are even willing to be abused, if it means you get to survive another day. Of course all of this is completely open to interpretation, and there is a chance that I'm wrong since, as I mentioned before, I'm no expert on Bharathiyar. But I didn't really see any other translations talking about this, so I thought I'd address it here.

[byneddiedingo]

Bette Davis and Paul Lukas in Watch on the Rhine (Herman Shumlin, 1943)

Cast: Bette Davis, Paul Lukas, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Lucile Watson, Beulah Bondi, George Coulouris, Donald Woods, Henry Daniell. Screenplay: Dashiell Hammett, based on a play by Lillian Hellman. Cinematography: Merritt B. Gerstad, Hal Mohr. Art direction: Carl Jules Weyl. Film editing: Rudi Fehr. Music: Max Steiner.

Paul Lukas has the dubious distinction of being one of those Oscar anomalies, a longtime supporting player who suddenly gets thrust into a leading role that wins him the award for best actor. His competition included Gary Cooper in For Whom the Bell Tolls (Sam Wood), Walter Pidgeon in Madame Curie (Mervyn LeRoy), and Mickey Rooney in The Human Comedy (Clarence Brown). Oh, and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (Michael Curtiz), the one performance that everyone remembers. Lukas had plenty of opportunities to attract attention before: He had begun acting in movies in his native Hungary in 1915, and after coming to Hollywood had appeared in numerous films, playing Professor Bhaer opposite Katharine Hepburn in Little Women (George Cukor, 1933) and the sinister Dr. Hartz in The Lady Vanishes (Alfred Hitchcock, 1938), for example. He had played the role of Kurt Muller, the coordinator of resistance movements against the Nazis, in the original Broadway production of Watch on the Rhine in 1941, so he was a natural choice for the film version, though he landed the role only after the actor producer Hal Wallis wanted, Charles Boyer, was unavailable. As often happens, the Oscar was no step toward better roles in movies, and Lukas spent much of his later career on stage, though he continued to appear on film and TV up till his death in 1971. The play was written by Lillian Hellman, whose lover, Dashiell Hammett, did the screenplay with some input from her. Unfortunately, the result is less a movie than a sermon about doing one's patriotic duty in the struggle against fascism. It didn't help that Wallis hired the play's director, Herman Shumlin, for the film: Shumlin had never directed a movie and had to be assisted throughout by cinematographer Hal Mohr. He was also unable to rein in Bette Davis, who is miscast as the noble and dutiful wife and has a tendency to slip into some of her familiar and caricaturable mannerisms in the film.

[sharp-teeth-and-archived]

Muse Profile | Lydia

Full Name: Lydia Barnett (shh I never figured out a middle name for her)

Nicknames: Lyd, Patriot PrincessTM (just by me lmao)

❌ Flaws

moody | short-tempered | emotionally unstable | whiny | controlling | conceited | possessive | paranoid | liar | impatient | cowardly | bitter | selfish | power-hungry | greedy | lazy | judgmental | forgetful | impulsive | spiteful | stubborn | sadistic | petty | unlucky | absent-minded | abusive | addict | aggressive | childish | callous | clingy | delusional | cocky | competitive | corrupt | cynical | cruel | depressed | deranged | egotistical | envious | insecure | insensitive | lustful | delinquent | guilt complex | reclusive | reckless | nervous | oversensitive

👑 Strengths

honest | trustworthy | thoughtful | caring | brave | patient | selfless | ambitious | tolerant | lucky | intelligent | confident | focused | humble | generous | merciful | observant | wise | clever | charming | cheerful | optimistic | decisive | adaptive | calm | protective | proud | diligent | considerate | compassionate | good sportsmanship | friendly | empathetic | passionate | reliable | resourceful | sensible | sincere | witty | funny | playful

🖌️ Skills & Hobbies

art | acting (her spying stuff) | astronomy | animals | archery | sports | belly dancing | bird watching | blacksmithing | boating (she literally can't swim) | calligraphy | camping | candle making | casino gambling | ceramics | racing | chess | music | cooking | crochet | weaving | exercise | swordplay | fishing | gardening | ghost hunting | ice skating | magic | engineering | building | inventing | leather-working | martial arts boxing | meditation | origami | parkour | people watching | swimming | puppetry | pyrotechnics | quilting | reading | collecting | shopping | socializing | storytelling | writing | traveling | exotic dancing | singing

TAGGED BY: stole this off the dash

TAGGING: steal it from me

[bushwaa]

Fresh writer arc??? Holyshit... Incredibly cool! Loving getting your art updates n stuff, and I'm pumped to hear abt fics too.

(This is an open invitation to ramble abt your merc takes should you so desire :]!)

Omgggggg I’m so glad that you submitted this!!!! I literally planned this all out in my head during a church service I had today. I wasn’t even paying attention LMAO. Anyways.

I had this whole idea where Spy is literally the butt of the group because he’s Japanese. Soldier hates him because he’s all patriotic for Korea and stuff and Scout follows after him because he’s never had a father figure in his life (there’s this whole thing in Korea where military men are more respected and blah blah blah whatever).

I’ve fleshed out a lot about Scout, so here’s a few things abt his family/life!

- His umma (mom) is the nicest person you’ll ever meet… when other people are around. She whoops her children’s asses when no one’s there to see. But, the plus side is that she makes the best soondubu jiggae (jiggae’s basically a stew).

- Scout mostly grew up around the countryside, after Spy left his mother, so he absolutely loves catching bugs and fish and all that jazz!

- Something ironic about him is that he absolutely hates spicy food. That’s prob why his fav food is white kimchi of all things. (No offense to white kimchi tho. That shit’s good)

- Scout’s seven brothers all grew up to be doctors/lawyers (I know, such a stereotype lmao). That’s why he HATES learning and is so stupid all the time. Hagwon gave him trauma. (Not talking from experience pfffttt)

- Scout hates, and I mean absolutely HATES Japanese people. Not only because of the ugly history that Korea has with them, but also because he’s been told all his life that the father who left him was Japanese.

- Scout’s really into 80’s indie music! From American bands especially! He wants to move there someday to experience “the land of the free”.

- Scout’s idols has to be those Korean opera singers that go on competitions and stuff. His mom turned it on the tv and never let him touch the remote. So that’s all he had for entertainment. (Those vibratos are still haunting me)

And that’s about it! I’ll come out with some other mercs’ info soon! So stay tuned for that!!!! I’m so glad y’all like my Asian tf2 hc <333