#sophie in malawi

[grandmaster-anne]

13 October 2022 The Countess of Wessex meets surgeons and health workers who have helped restore the eyesight of local people using TT (trachomatous trichiasis) surgeries and some of the beneficiaries for the national, annual World Sight Day celebrations during a visit to Salima, Malawi 📸: Jane Barlow

[the-physicality]

how to pick an nwsl team:

angel city fc (Los Angeles): if you like Christen Press. Very famous ownership group (politically concerning). The team is struggling but has bright young talent. Beckintweed is in her first season as head coach after bringing the team to the playoffs last year as interim.

notable players: christen press, Alyssa Thompson, Gisele Thompson, Messiah bright, Claire Emslie, Sarah Gorden

noteable injuries: Press- extended acl recovery, Jun Endo preseason acl

bay fc (San Jose/Bay Area): if you are an optimist/want to be an early adopter. a lot of exciting internationals, but struggle to win games. First year expansion team so also trying to define themselves. notable players: Rachel Kundananji, Princess, Asistat Oshoala, Deyna Castellanos, Tess Boade, Caprice Dydasco

notable injuries: Alex Loera - acl, Melissa Lowder gk #1 preseason acl

Chicago red stars: if you want to see a redemption story. coming back from a bad season, USA phenom mal Swanson is back to lead attacking talent. Also has USA gk #1 Alyssa naeher. Lorne Donaldson (who coached Jamaica wnt in the 2023 wwc as well as Sophia smith and mal Swanson at a youth level) is in his first year as head coach

notable players: Alyssa Naeher, Mal Swanson, Sam Staab

Houston dash fc: if you like rooting for an underdog and won't get discouraged. a team that has struggled historically but is still fun to watch. A lot of international talent, did very well in the draft. The team has a new head coach Fran Alonso who just came over from the Scottish women’s league. You can watch the team work to implement their new style in real time. Jane Campbell #3 gk for the uswnt as of late won goalkeeper of the year last year. Lost a lot of players to free agency and is rebuilding with rookies, trades, and transfers. somehow both the straightest team and the gayest team at the same time.

notable injuries/abscences: Kiki Van Zanten ankle/ lower leg sei, 3 players on maternity leave

notable players: Jane Campbell, Diana Ordonez, Sophie Schmidt, Paige Nielsen, Tarciane (incoming), Michelle Alozie

Kansas City current: if you like watching bangers. one of the top teams to beat this season. With Malawi sensation Themwa Chawinga this team is difficult to stop and has a lot of attacking prowess. Has some defensive liabilities. Coached by former uswnt head coach vlatko andonoski. Has signed a good number of u18 players

notable players: debinha, lo’eau labonta, themwa chawinga, Vanessa dibernardo, bia zaneratto

New Jersey/New York Gotham fc: if you like the uswnt. recently picked up 4 uswnt players in free agency. Also just got Ann Katrin Berger gk from Chelsea on a transfer. She is very good. Head coach Juan Carlos Amaros won coach of the year last year and the team won the championship. They have struggled with injuries this year and scoring more than one goal in a game.

notable injuries: Midge Purce acl , Abby Smith sei from 2023

notable players: Lynn Williams, Ann Katrin Berger, Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle, Tierna Davidson, Esther Gonzalez, Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett, Midge Purce, Yazmeen Ryan

North Carolina Courage: if you are ok waiting . traditionally a very strong team, has struggled a bit this season without Kerolin who tore her acl on the last regular season game in 2023.

notable injuries: Kerolin acl (Nov 2023)

notable players: Casey Murphy, Brianna Pinto, Tyler Lussi, Manaka, Narumi, Ashley Sanchez, Kerolin

Orlando pride: if you like the brazil women's national team. aka brazil fc. Has gone from a team that struggled to one of the top teams this year, in part due to the players brought in over the offseason, many of whom play for Brazil. Recently brought in Barbra Banda a Zambian striker, who has been very productive.

notable players: Marta, Barbra Banda, rafaelle, ally watt

Portland thorns: if you like soccer dynasties. traditionally one of the most successful teams in the nwsl with a lot of local support, the h th orbs struggled in the first few games with their worst start to the season ever. Following the firing of their head coach, the team has won 6 in a row in interim hc rob gale. Has a lot of strong attacking talent but is vulnerable on defense. The home field is turf.

notable players: Sophia smith, Olivia Moultrie, Christine Sinclair, Janine Beckie, Becky Sauerbrunn

Racing Louisville: if you want to watch a team turn around. a team that has struggled historically has put together a solid team in the offseason under new head coach bev yanez. Got some very good rookies in the draft and is off to a decent start.

notable players: Savannah Demelo, Reilyn Turner, Emma Sears, Uchenna Kanu, Ary Borges

San Diego wave fc: if you like to watch a team underproduce. very successful for a team established in 2022. Has a very strong system but has struggled with injuries as of late. The home field is shared with San Diego state football and is not always in the best condition.

notable injuries: Jaedyn Shaw, Alex Morgan (lower legs out tbd)

notable players: Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, Kailen Sheridan, Naomi Girma, Abby Dahlkemper, Maria Sanchez

Seattle reign: if you want to watch a team figure out their identity without US national team players. historically successful team that lost a lot of impact players in the offseason to retirement or free agency. Previously owned by the ol group, had to be sold because its owner Michelle Kang also owns the Washington Spirit. Dropping the OL, the brand got a massive upgrade. Is struggling this season. The home field is turf.

notable injuries: Claudia Dickey #1 gk

notable players: Jess Fishlock, Lauren Barnes, Quinn, Bethany Balcer, Alanna Cook, Ji So-Yun, Jordyn Heuitema, Veronica Latsko

Utah royals fc: if you live in utah. a new expansion team that is struggling quite a bit. First time head coach Amy Rodriguez selected ally sentnor as the first draft pick. Has a racist kit and stadium sponsor. Does not have a full roster.

notable injuries: Imani Dorsey Achilles

notable players: Mandy haught, Ifeoma Onumanu, Ally Sentnor

Washington spirit: if you want to watch rookies make magic. owned by Michelle kang, not afraid to make big moves and spend $$$ for a strong team. Has found success recently. Operating under interim hc Adrian Gonzalez until Barcelona head coach Jonathan Giraldez arrives after the end of their season. Croix Bethune is doing very well her rookie season.

notable players: Trinity Rodman, Croix Bethune, Casey Kruger, Andi Sullivan, Ashley Hatch, Hal Hershfelt

[royal-hair]

Sophie, Countess of Wessex during a working visit to Malawi and Ethiopia - 12/14.10.22

[thewomenofwindsor]

NEW Another trip for the Countess of Wessex. As Global Ambassador for the @IAPB1, Sophie will visit Botswana and Malawi this week - marking World Sight Day on Thursday, October 13. In 2012 The Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust was launched to end avoidable blindness across the Commonwealth and beyond. HRH will witness first-hand the lasting impact and legacy of the work undertaken in Queen Elizabeth II’s name across the two countries

[onlineproblems]

this zoo episode is so stupid lmao and also gorillas aren't native to Malawi so idk why the government would be trying to take custody of Sophie. also hasn't the research into sign language communication kind of debunked a lot of this like... they do the signs because of reinforcement from humans who project their own emotions onto the animals. i haven't been paying super close attention but also i think this a person in a gorilla suit. lmao

[brookston]

Holidays 5.15

Holidays

Army Day (Slovenia)

Asphalt Day

Break the Glass Ceiling Dy

Bring Flowers to Someone Day

Bring Your Legislator to School Day (North Carolina)

Cold Sophie's Day

Constituent Assembly Day (Lithuania)

Day of Customs and Traditions (Burkina Faso)

Dinosaur Day (UK)

Discovery Day (Cayman Islands)

Do Lunch with Your Dog Day

Festival of Masks (Los Angeles)

515 Day

Flag Day (Macedonia)

Flip Your Mattress Day

Germit Day (Fiji)

Halvard Vebjornsson (Norway)

HG Awareness Day

Hyperemisis Gravidarum Awareness Day (a.k.a. HG Day)

International Conscientious Objectors Day

International Day of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

International Day of Families (UN)

International Fluevog Day

International Huntington’s Disease Awareness Day

International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day

International Men Can Wear Dresses Day

International MPS Awareness Day

International Mucopolysaccharidoses Awareness Day (a.k.a. MPS Day)

National Numeracy Day (UK)

International Political Coordinators Day

International Virtual Assistants Day

International Water Safety Day

Kamuzu Banda Day (Malawi)

Kan Phuetchamongkhon (Royal Plowing and Farmers Day; Thailand)

Kepler’s Law Day

Konstantineoba (Georgia)

Law Enforcement Memorial Day (Florida)

Ma’alot Massacre Anniversary Day

Miracle Monday (Superman: Miracle Monday)

Mother’s Day (Paraguay)

Nakba Day (Palestine)

National Cycling Day

National Defense Transportation Day

National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day

National Pathological Demand Avoidance Day

National Pun Day

National Safety Dose Day

National Senior Fraud Awareness Day

National Stockings Day

National Stop Nausea Day

National Tuberous Sclerosis Global Awareness Day (a.k.a. TSC Global Awareness Day)

Never Turn Your Back on the Ocean Day

Nylon Stockings Day

Over the Rainbow Day

Peace Officers Memorial Day

Persian Language Day (Iran)

Relive Your Past By Listening to the First Music You Ever Bought, No Matter What It Was!, No Excuses Now Day

Republic Day (Lithuania)

Rhododendron Festival (Mentone, Alabama)

San Isidro Day (Mexico, Spain)

Shrub Day (French Republic)

Spring Astronomy Day

Straw Hat Day

Teachers' Day (Colombia, Mexico, South Korea)

Te Aso o te Tala Lei (Gospel Day; Tuvalu)

Tree Day (India)

U.S. Agriculture Day

VBF Day of Awareness (a.k.a. Vascular Birthmark Foundation Day of Awareness)

Welsh Poppy Day

World Aeronautical Informational Services (AIS) Day

World Climate Change Day

World Facilities Management Day

World Orthodontic Health Day

World Product Day

World Thrombectomy Day

World Vasculitis Day

Xenogender Visibility Day

Ziua Europei (Moldova)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

Hefe Day (Portland, Oregon)

National Bread Pudding Day

National Day of Pisco (Chile)

National Pizza Party Day

National Slider Day

Independence & Related Days

Gamerland (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Las Vegas, Nevada (Founded; 1905)

Paraguay (Independence Day, Day 2; from Spain, 1811)

Republic of Uniland (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Upper Silesia (Ceded to Poland by Germany; 1922)

3rd Wednesday in May

International Customer Support Day [3rd Wednesday]

International Trauma Survivors Day [3rd Wednesday]

National Employee Health & Fitness Day [3rd Wednesday]

National Juice Slush Day [3rd Wednesday]

National Parent Peer Support Provider Appreciation Day [3rd Wednesday]

National Playday for Health [3rd Wednesday]

National Trauma Survivors Day [3rd Wednesday]

Philly Loves PAWS Day (Philadelphia) [3rd Wednesday]

Turn Beauty Inside Out Day [3rd Wednesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning May 15 (2nd Full Week)

National EMS Week (thru 21)

National Law Week (Australia)

Festivals Beginning May 15, 2024

Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival; Kyoto, Japan)

The Great Escape Festival (Brighton, UK) [thru 5.18]

Nantucket Wine & Food Festival (Nantucket, Massachusetts) [thru 5.19]

National Association of Flour Distributors Annual Convention (St. Pete Beach, Florida) [thru 5.19]

World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (Memphis, Tennessee) [thru 5.18]

Feast Days

Achillius of Larissa (Christian; Saint)

Albert Dubout (Artology)

Aoi Matsuri (a.k.a. Hollyhock Leaf Crest Festival; Kyoto, Japan)

Argei (Ancient Rome) [also 3.16]

Athanasius of Alexandria (Coptic Church)

Bertha and Rupert (Christian; Saints)

Bike to Work Day (Pastafarian)

Buddha’s Birthday (Hong Kong, Macau)

Carlo Maratti (Artology)

Declutter Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Dymphna (Christian; Saint) [The Insane]

Feg Murray (Artology)

Festa dei Ceri (St. Ubaldo Day, Gubbio, Italy; Feast Day 5.16)

French Fried Fairy Awareness Day (Shamanism)

Hallvard Vebjørnsson (Roman Catholic Church; Martyr)

Hesychius of Cazorla (Christian; Saint)

Hilary of Galeata (Christian; Saint)

Huldra’s Blot (Pagan)

Ides of May (Ancient Rome)

Isaias of Rostov (Christian; Saint)

Isidore of Chios (Christian; Martyr)

Isidore the Laborer, celebrated with festivals in various countries, the beginning of bullfighting season in Madrid (a.k.a. Isidore of Madrid; Christian; Saint)

Jagger Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Jasper Johns (Artology)

Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (Roman Catholic Church)

Katherine Anne Porter (Writerism)

L. Frank Baum (Writerism)

Mercuralia (Old Roman Festival to Mercury)

Over Sea, Under Stone, by Susan Cooper (Novel; 1965)

Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Denise (Roman Catholic Church; Martyrs)

Purification Rite to River God of the Tiber (Sacrifice of 27 Straw Puppets; Ancient Rome)

Ralph Steadman (Artology)

Reticius (Roman Catholic Church)

Richard Avedon (Artology)

Simivisionios (Celtic Book of Days)

Sophia of Rome, the fifth of the Ice Saints (Roman Catholic Church)

The Sublime Ms. M (Muppetism)

Torquatus and His Companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Vespasian (Positivist; Saint)

Viktor Vasnetsov (Artology)

Welcome Time Travelers Yesterday (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [27 of 60]

Premieres

Angels & Demons (Film; 2009)

The Big Birdcast (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1938)

Bowling for Columbine (Documentary Film; 2002)

Bulworth (Film; 1998)

The Cactus Kid (Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Chariots of Fire (Film; 1981)

A Crown of Swords, by Robert Jordan (Novel; 1996) [Wheel of Time #7]

Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, by Vine Deloria Jr. (History Book; 1969)

Dhalgren, by Samuel R. Delany (Novel; 1975)

East Side Story, by Squeeze (Album; 1981)

Electric Earthquake (Fleischer Cartoon; 1942) [#7]

Fools Afloat or All the Drips at Sea (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 50; 1960)

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, by Patricia A. McKillip (Novel; 1974)

Gesta Danorum, by Saxo Grammaticus (Danish History; 1514)

Gigi (Film; 1958)

God Bless the Go-Go’s, by The Go-Go’s (Album; 2001)

The Great (TV Series; 2020)

Greetings Bait (WB MM Cartoon; 1943)

The Ground Floor or That’s Me All Over! (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 49; 1960)

Jungle Jive (Swing Symphony Cartoon; 1944)

The Last Picture Show, by Larry McMurtry (Novel; 1966)

Laterals, by Tool (Album; 2001)

Leave Us Chase It (Phantasies Cartoon; 1947)

Lethal Weapon 3 (Film; 1992)

Little Hiawatha (Silly Symphonies Cartoon; 1937)

Mad Max: Fury Road (Film; 2015)

The Magical Mystery Trip Through Little Red’s Head (DePatie-Freleng Animated TV Special; 1974)

Marouf, Savetier de Caire, by Henri Rabaud (Opera; 1914)

The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov (Novel; 1967)

The Matrix Reloaded (Film; 2003)

Neck and Neck (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

One Cab’s Family (MGM Cartoon; 1952)

Pitch Perfect 2 (Film; 2015)

Porky and Gabby (WB LT Cartoon; 1937)

The Portable Dorothy Parker, by Dorothy Parker (Short Stories, Poetry; 1944)

Pulcinella, by Igor Stravinsky (Opera; 1920)

Quest for Camelot (Animated Film; 1998)

Raising Hell, by Run-DMC (Album; 1986)

Raspberry Beret, by Prince (Song; 1985)

Romance (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

Royal Opera House (Opera House in Covent Garden, London; 1858)

The Runt, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

The Time Traveler’s Wife (TV Series; 2022)

Tokio Jokio (WB LT Cartoon; 1943)

21st Century Breakdown, by Green Day (Album; 2009)

Vision of Love, by Mariah Carey (Song; 1990)

Von Ryan’s Express, by David Westheimer (Novel; 1964)

Weezer (a.k.a. The Green Album), by Weezer (Album; 2001)

Whispering Smith (TV Series; 1961)

The White Dragon, by Anne McCaffrey (Novel; 1978) [Dragonriders of Peru #3]

Wise Blood, by Flannery O’Connor (Novel; 1952)

Today’s Name Days

Hertraud, Rupert, Sonja, Sophie (Austria)

Izidor, Jakov (Croatia)

Žofie (Czech Republic)

Sophie (Denmark)

Sofia, Viia, Viiu (Estonia)

Sofia, Sohvi, Sonja (Finland)

Denise (France)

Hertraud, Sonja, Sophia (Germany)

Achilleas, Archillios, Kali, Pahomios (Greece)

Szonja, Zsófia (Hungary)

Achille, Germana, Mattia, Torquato (Italy)

Arita, Saulnesis, Sofija, Taiga (Latvia)

Algedas, Izodorius, Jaunutė, Sofija (Lithuania)

Hallvard, Halvor (Norway)

Afanazy, Atanazy, Berta, Cecyliusz, Czcibora, Dionizja, Izydor, Jan, Nadzieja, Ruprecht, Strzeżysław, Zofia (Poland)

Iacob, Pahomie (România)

Žofia (Slovakia)

Indalecio, Isidro (Spain)

Sofia, Sonja (Sweden)

Yardarm (Ukraine)

Sofia, Sonia, Sonya, Sophia, Sophie, Ward, Wardell (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 136 of 2024; 230 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 20 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 4 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ji-Si), Day 8 (Ji-Mao)

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

Hebrew: 7 Iyar 5784

Islamic: 7 Dhu al-Qada 1445

J Cal: 16 Magenta; Twosday [16 of 30]

Julian: 2 May 2024

Moon: 50%: 1st Quarter

Positivist: 23 Caesar (5th Month) [Vespasian]

Runic Half Month: Ing (Expansive Energy) [Day 6 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 58 of 92)

Week: 2nd Full Week of May

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 26 of 31)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 5.15

Holidays

Army Day (Slovenia)

Asphalt Day

Break the Glass Ceiling Dy

Bring Flowers to Someone Day

Bring Your Legislator to School Day (North Carolina)

Cold Sophie's Day

Constituent Assembly Day (Lithuania)

Day of Customs and Traditions (Burkina Faso)

Dinosaur Day (UK)

Discovery Day (Cayman Islands)

Do Lunch with Your Dog Day

Festival of Masks (Los Angeles)

515 Day

Flag Day (Macedonia)

Flip Your Mattress Day

Germit Day (Fiji)

Halvard Vebjornsson (Norway)

HG Awareness Day

Hyperemisis Gravidarum Awareness Day (a.k.a. HG Day)

International Conscientious Objectors Day

International Day of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

International Day of Families (UN)

International Fluevog Day

International Huntington’s Disease Awareness Day

International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day

International Men Can Wear Dresses Day

International MPS Awareness Day

International Mucopolysaccharidoses Awareness Day (a.k.a. MPS Day)

National Numeracy Day (UK)

International Political Coordinators Day

International Virtual Assistants Day

International Water Safety Day

Kamuzu Banda Day (Malawi)

Kan Phuetchamongkhon (Royal Plowing and Farmers Day; Thailand)

Kepler’s Law Day

Konstantineoba (Georgia)

Law Enforcement Memorial Day (Florida)

Ma’alot Massacre Anniversary Day

Miracle Monday (Superman: Miracle Monday)

Mother’s Day (Paraguay)

Nakba Day (Palestine)

National Cycling Day

National Defense Transportation Day

National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day

National Pathological Demand Avoidance Day

National Pun Day

National Safety Dose Day

National Senior Fraud Awareness Day

National Stockings Day

National Stop Nausea Day

National Tuberous Sclerosis Global Awareness Day (a.k.a. TSC Global Awareness Day)

Never Turn Your Back on the Ocean Day

Nylon Stockings Day

Over the Rainbow Day

Peace Officers Memorial Day

Persian Language Day (Iran)

Relive Your Past By Listening to the First Music You Ever Bought, No Matter What It Was!, No Excuses Now Day

Republic Day (Lithuania)

Rhododendron Festival (Mentone, Alabama)

San Isidro Day (Mexico, Spain)

Shrub Day (French Republic)

Spring Astronomy Day

Straw Hat Day

Teachers' Day (Colombia, Mexico, South Korea)

Te Aso o te Tala Lei (Gospel Day; Tuvalu)

Tree Day (India)

U.S. Agriculture Day

VBF Day of Awareness (a.k.a. Vascular Birthmark Foundation Day of Awareness)

Welsh Poppy Day

World Aeronautical Informational Services (AIS) Day

World Climate Change Day

World Facilities Management Day

World Orthodontic Health Day

World Product Day

World Thrombectomy Day

World Vasculitis Day

Xenogender Visibility Day

Ziua Europei (Moldova)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

Hefe Day (Portland, Oregon)

National Bread Pudding Day

National Day of Pisco (Chile)

National Pizza Party Day

National Slider Day

Independence & Related Days

Gamerland (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Las Vegas, Nevada (Founded; 1905)

Paraguay (Independence Day, Day 2; from Spain, 1811)

Republic of Uniland (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Upper Silesia (Ceded to Poland by Germany; 1922)

3rd Wednesday in May

International Customer Support Day [3rd Wednesday]

International Trauma Survivors Day [3rd Wednesday]

National Employee Health & Fitness Day [3rd Wednesday]

National Juice Slush Day [3rd Wednesday]

National Parent Peer Support Provider Appreciation Day [3rd Wednesday]

National Playday for Health [3rd Wednesday]

National Trauma Survivors Day [3rd Wednesday]

Philly Loves PAWS Day (Philadelphia) [3rd Wednesday]

Turn Beauty Inside Out Day [3rd Wednesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning May 15 (2nd Full Week)

National EMS Week (thru 21)

National Law Week (Australia)

Festivals Beginning May 15, 2024

Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival; Kyoto, Japan)

The Great Escape Festival (Brighton, UK) [thru 5.18]

Nantucket Wine & Food Festival (Nantucket, Massachusetts) [thru 5.19]

National Association of Flour Distributors Annual Convention (St. Pete Beach, Florida) [thru 5.19]

World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (Memphis, Tennessee) [thru 5.18]

Feast Days

Achillius of Larissa (Christian; Saint)

Albert Dubout (Artology)

Aoi Matsuri (a.k.a. Hollyhock Leaf Crest Festival; Kyoto, Japan)

Argei (Ancient Rome) [also 3.16]

Athanasius of Alexandria (Coptic Church)

Bertha and Rupert (Christian; Saints)

Bike to Work Day (Pastafarian)

Buddha’s Birthday (Hong Kong, Macau)

Carlo Maratti (Artology)

Declutter Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Dymphna (Christian; Saint) [The Insane]

Feg Murray (Artology)

Festa dei Ceri (St. Ubaldo Day, Gubbio, Italy; Feast Day 5.16)

French Fried Fairy Awareness Day (Shamanism)

Hallvard Vebjørnsson (Roman Catholic Church; Martyr)

Hesychius of Cazorla (Christian; Saint)

Hilary of Galeata (Christian; Saint)

Huldra’s Blot (Pagan)

Ides of May (Ancient Rome)

Isaias of Rostov (Christian; Saint)

Isidore of Chios (Christian; Martyr)

Isidore the Laborer, celebrated with festivals in various countries, the beginning of bullfighting season in Madrid (a.k.a. Isidore of Madrid; Christian; Saint)

Jagger Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Jasper Johns (Artology)

Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (Roman Catholic Church)

Katherine Anne Porter (Writerism)

L. Frank Baum (Writerism)

Mercuralia (Old Roman Festival to Mercury)

Over Sea, Under Stone, by Susan Cooper (Novel; 1965)

Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Denise (Roman Catholic Church; Martyrs)

Purification Rite to River God of the Tiber (Sacrifice of 27 Straw Puppets; Ancient Rome)

Ralph Steadman (Artology)

Reticius (Roman Catholic Church)

Richard Avedon (Artology)

Simivisionios (Celtic Book of Days)

Sophia of Rome, the fifth of the Ice Saints (Roman Catholic Church)

The Sublime Ms. M (Muppetism)

Torquatus and His Companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Vespasian (Positivist; Saint)

Viktor Vasnetsov (Artology)

Welcome Time Travelers Yesterday (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [27 of 60]

Premieres

Angels & Demons (Film; 2009)

The Big Birdcast (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1938)

Bowling for Columbine (Documentary Film; 2002)

Bulworth (Film; 1998)

The Cactus Kid (Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Chariots of Fire (Film; 1981)

A Crown of Swords, by Robert Jordan (Novel; 1996) [Wheel of Time #7]

Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, by Vine Deloria Jr. (History Book; 1969)

Dhalgren, by Samuel R. Delany (Novel; 1975)

East Side Story, by Squeeze (Album; 1981)

Electric Earthquake (Fleischer Cartoon; 1942) [#7]

Fools Afloat or All the Drips at Sea (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 50; 1960)

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, by Patricia A. McKillip (Novel; 1974)

Gesta Danorum, by Saxo Grammaticus (Danish History; 1514)

Gigi (Film; 1958)

God Bless the Go-Go’s, by The Go-Go’s (Album; 2001)

The Great (TV Series; 2020)

Greetings Bait (WB MM Cartoon; 1943)

The Ground Floor or That’s Me All Over! (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 49; 1960)

Jungle Jive (Swing Symphony Cartoon; 1944)

The Last Picture Show, by Larry McMurtry (Novel; 1966)

Laterals, by Tool (Album; 2001)

Leave Us Chase It (Phantasies Cartoon; 1947)

Lethal Weapon 3 (Film; 1992)

Little Hiawatha (Silly Symphonies Cartoon; 1937)

Mad Max: Fury Road (Film; 2015)

The Magical Mystery Trip Through Little Red’s Head (DePatie-Freleng Animated TV Special; 1974)

Marouf, Savetier de Caire, by Henri Rabaud (Opera; 1914)

The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov (Novel; 1967)

The Matrix Reloaded (Film; 2003)

Neck and Neck (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

One Cab’s Family (MGM Cartoon; 1952)

Pitch Perfect 2 (Film; 2015)

Porky and Gabby (WB LT Cartoon; 1937)

The Portable Dorothy Parker, by Dorothy Parker (Short Stories, Poetry; 1944)

Pulcinella, by Igor Stravinsky (Opera; 1920)

Quest for Camelot (Animated Film; 1998)

Raising Hell, by Run-DMC (Album; 1986)

Raspberry Beret, by Prince (Song; 1985)

Romance (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

Royal Opera House (Opera House in Covent Garden, London; 1858)

The Runt, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

The Time Traveler’s Wife (TV Series; 2022)

Tokio Jokio (WB LT Cartoon; 1943)

21st Century Breakdown, by Green Day (Album; 2009)

Vision of Love, by Mariah Carey (Song; 1990)

Von Ryan’s Express, by David Westheimer (Novel; 1964)

Weezer (a.k.a. The Green Album), by Weezer (Album; 2001)

Whispering Smith (TV Series; 1961)

The White Dragon, by Anne McCaffrey (Novel; 1978) [Dragonriders of Peru #3]

Wise Blood, by Flannery O’Connor (Novel; 1952)

Today’s Name Days

Hertraud, Rupert, Sonja, Sophie (Austria)

Izidor, Jakov (Croatia)

Žofie (Czech Republic)

Sophie (Denmark)

Sofia, Viia, Viiu (Estonia)

Sofia, Sohvi, Sonja (Finland)

Denise (France)

Hertraud, Sonja, Sophia (Germany)

Achilleas, Archillios, Kali, Pahomios (Greece)

Szonja, Zsófia (Hungary)

Achille, Germana, Mattia, Torquato (Italy)

Arita, Saulnesis, Sofija, Taiga (Latvia)

Algedas, Izodorius, Jaunutė, Sofija (Lithuania)

Hallvard, Halvor (Norway)

Afanazy, Atanazy, Berta, Cecyliusz, Czcibora, Dionizja, Izydor, Jan, Nadzieja, Ruprecht, Strzeżysław, Zofia (Poland)

Iacob, Pahomie (România)

Žofia (Slovakia)

Indalecio, Isidro (Spain)

Sofia, Sonja (Sweden)

Yardarm (Ukraine)

Sofia, Sonia, Sonya, Sophia, Sophie, Ward, Wardell (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 136 of 2024; 230 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 20 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 4 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ji-Si), Day 8 (Ji-Mao)

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

Hebrew: 7 Iyar 5784

Islamic: 7 Dhu al-Qada 1445

J Cal: 16 Magenta; Twosday [16 of 30]

Julian: 2 May 2024

Moon: 50%: 1st Quarter

Positivist: 23 Caesar (5th Month) [Vespasian]

Runic Half Month: Ing (Expansive Energy) [Day 6 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 58 of 92)

Week: 2nd Full Week of May

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 26 of 31)

[stephanedugast]

📌[ÉCHO] Face caméra 🎥, je vous présente le dernier numéro du journal Embarquements, dont je suis le rédacteur-en-chef depuis 3 ans maintenant.

🗞️ Au menu donc :

🇪🇹 Immergez-vous grâce au travail de Lucien Migné en Éthiopie où la question du Tigré occidental n’est toujours pas résolue, après deux ans d’une guerre qui a officiellement prit fin en novembre 2022.

🚁 Découvrez l’engagement des médecins de l’extrême qui tous les jours interviennent pour prendre en charge des victimes dans des situations périlleuses. Un grand reportage signé Rémi Vinas.

🍵 Piquez votre curiosité avec les photos de Pascal Thole dans les Pyrénées où bourgeonne une filière de thé français. Eh oui !

🐠 Partez sur les rivages du lac Malawi pour une enquête sur la surpêche réalisée par Alice Roy. Elle a pu observer in situ l’effondrement de la ressource halieutique ainsi que la mobilisation pour y préserver la biodiversité et le précieux garder-manger qu’elle constitue.

🧭 Retrouvez aussi nos amis de la Société des Explorateurs Français, lisez et dégustez les récits des expéditions de Rémi Camus Explorer ou encore de Sophie Planque.

📚 Enfin, Magali de La Géosphère vous a concocté ses conseils lectures.

✊ Zéro pub, 100% indépendant, le journal Embarquements a plus que jamais besoin de votre soutien. 🙏 Abonnez-vous, abonnez vos amis !

🎯 Soutenez une presse libre et indépendante vantant l’esprit du voyage, de l’aventure, de l’engagement, de l’exploration et de la découverte.

➡️ www.embarquements.com

[littlemuoi]

Foreign Tours (or Trips) under King Charles III’s reign (Sep 8th 2022 - Present)

- 2022

September 22-23rd: Estonia and Germany (Edward)

October 3-5th: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sophie)

October 10-14th: Romania (Edward) / Botswana, Gaborone and Malawi (Sophie)

November 5th: Washington DC/Virginia, USA (Edward)

December 3-6th: Washington DC, USA (Sophie)

- 2023

February 1-3rd: The Netherlands (Sophie)

February 20-25th: the Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas (Edward & Sophie)

April 22-24th: USA and Canada (Edward)

May 22-25th: Germany and the Czech Republic (Edward)

May 24-28th: Iraq (Sophie)

September 28th: Turkey (Edward)

September 28-29th: Bahrain (Edward)

October 6-12th: Ethiopia (Sophie)

November 3-8th: Canada (Sophie)

November 13-25th: "Asia-Pacific Tour" Singapore / Auckland, New Zealand / Christchurch, New Zealand / New South Wales, Australia / Indonesia (Edward)

November 27th - December 1st: Columbia (Sophie)

[sulemanchitera]

Countess Of Wessex Arrives In Malawi

Countess Of Wessex Arrives In Malawi

Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex Sophie, who is also the Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, has arrived in the country through the Kamuzu International Airport. The Countess of Wessex who is married to Prince Edward, the youngest brother of King Charles III will be in the country from today 12th of October till the 14th of October. She is…

[grandmaster-anne]

The Countess of Wessex visits the Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana, Malawi, and Ethiopia

3 October 3 October 4 October

5 October 6 October 6 October

7 October 10 October 10 October

10 October 11 October 12 October

13 October 13 October 14 October

14 October

During her visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (3rd-7th)

Her Royal Highness focused on addressing the devastating impact of sexual and gender based violence in conflict, while supporting and empowering survivors and tackling the stigma they face.

During her visit to Botswana and Malawi (10th-14th)

The Countess saw first-hand the lasting impact and legacy of the work undertaken by the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust (QEDJT). The Trust was launched in 2012 with an aim to end avoidable blindness across the Commonwealth and beyond. The Countess served as Vice Patron.

During her visit to Ethiopia (14th)

The Countess of Wessex meets the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa

[jerseydeanne]

[ifreakingloveroyals]

Through the Years → Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (664∞)

12 May 2020 | In this photo montage screengrab Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Princess Alexandra pay tribute to the world’s nurses via video call, speaking with healthcare professionals working in Australia, India, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Bahamas, Cyprus, Tanzania and the UK, the picture being released to mark International Nurses’ Day. (Photo by Kensington Palace via Getty Images)

[skippyv20]

Thank you😊❤️❤️❤️❤️

The Queen and Sophie Wessex at Buckingham Palace reception

Her Majesty and the Countess of Wessex celebrated the success of the Diamond Jubilee Trust at a glittering Buckingham Palace reception this evening.   The Queen, looked stylish in a bold blue long-sleeved dress with sparkling thread and accessorised with pearls.

Sophie Wessex, 54, Vice-Patron of the Trust, paid tried tribute to the charity’s work, which has helped save the sight of more than 22 million people in just five years.   

The reception this evening brought together staff, supporters, partners and beneficiaries - including front-line ophthalmologists and eye health professionals from across the Commonwealth - to celebrate the Trust’s achievements. Sophie took the opportunity to pay tribute to her ‘dear Mama’, the affectionate nickname she has for her mother-in-law.

The royal has been campaigning to curb blindness around the world for 20 years and the Queen personally asked her to lead the trust’s work-set up to commemorate the Queen’s 60 years as head of the Commonwealth.

  At the reception, attended by 200 people whom the Queen all personally met, she said: 'I feel in a way that I have been your eyes, having travelled to Malawi, Bangladesh and India to see the work of the Trust first-hand, witnessing the ambitious initiatives being carried out in Your Majesty’s name, and ensuring that the intended legacy would be real and long lasting.’

'I am very happy to say that Your Majesty’s honour has been more than upheld.’

'The Trust has concentrated on tackling curable eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and a particularly widespread and painful eye issue, blinding trachoma.’

'This ancient disease, which even warrants a mention in the Bible, has been one of the most prevalent and out of control eye conditions the world has known and now, across the Commonwealth and beyond it is on the run.'  Sophie continued: 'Mama, when I have returned from my travels I have been so proud to share with you the work I have witnessed being carried out under the umbrella of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust and the care of so many people working so hard to save and cure sight. Each time you have listened with interest and been eager to hear of how the work is going, and each time I have been stunned as you have shared with me your deep knowledge of each of these countries, not top level observations, but personal experience, demonstrating to me time and again the real affection you have for all people of the Commonwealth and why that affection is so abundantly returned by them to you.’

The Countess of Wessex told the 200 assembled guests that the trust has concentrated on tackling curable eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and blinding trachoma, which is particularly widespread

    She added: 'On your 21st Birthday, while on a tour to South Africa you made a promise to dedicate your life to the service of the Commonwealth.  You have carried out this promise in so many ways ever since, but your Diamond Jubilee Trust has I believe allowed Your Majesty to demonstrate your dedication in a tangible and practical way, which has and is enriching the lives of people across the Commonwealth and will be felt by generations to come.’

Since 2014, the Trust has helped more than 22 million people in Africa and the Pacific receive vital antibiotics to combat trachoma - the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness - and supported Malawi and Vanuatu in removing the risk of the disease. Both are on track to be certified as having eliminated trachoma by the World Health Organisation. The Trust has provided sight-saving surgery to over 104,000 people suffering with trachoma trichiasis and ensured almost 19,200 people have received treatment to prevent the loss of sight due to diabetes. 

  Trachola is a bacteria condition, which starts as conjunctivitis and is easily treatable with antibiotics if treated early. It has been wiped out in developed countries yet is endemic in developing countries, partly through poor sanitation, and the trust has done incredible work to help so many over a short period.

The Trust’s chief executive Dr Astrid Bonfield said: 

'It was at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2012 that they wanted to say thankyou to the Queen and the best vehicle to do so was a charity. The British Government through DFID contributed £50million and we were able to match that, which was fantastic. 'It was a very bold and fantastic gesture. From day one the trust was always going to be life limited: only five years. We have reached more than 22million people in Africa and beyond working in partnership with people like Sightsavers. Four out of five people who are blind don’t need to be, 80 per cent is a chilling statistic. In Malawi three years ago 8million people at risk of going blind, now it’s zero.

'The numbers that have been helped are just so big and we’ve made tangible differences. Would we have achieved so much without a finishing line? Probably not. We’ve been given this opportunity in the name of the Queen and our duty was to maximise it to the limit. The countess has also been instrumental and it’s a subject that has been dear to her heart for a very long time.’

Sophie has met many of the beneficiaries on three separate trips with the trust to India, Malawi and Bangladesh. During a reception after the countess’s speech the Queen told guests that she found the Trust’s achievement 'amazing’.

'When John [Sir John Major] talked to me about setting up the trust I hadn’t realised how bad it [the issue of preventable blindness] was,’ she said, smiling. And if anything it seems to be spreading. What it [the trust] has achieved is remarkable.' 

The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme has also recognised 240 exceptional young people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth who are transforming the lives of others. Each year from 2014 to 2018, 60 exceptional young people are selected to receive a Queen’s Young Leaders Award and become 'Queen’s Young Leaders’ – one for every year that The Queen had served as Head of the Commonwealth at the time of her Diamond Jubilee. 

The Queen’s Young Leaders form a unique, dedicated and powerful group of young people from 53 Commonwealth countries who will continue connecting, collaborating and changing lives together for years to come. Commonwealth Heads of Government endorsed these goals when they met in Sri Lanka in 2013, and The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme and initiatives to end avoidable forms of blindness were formally launched in 2014. 

The Countess of Wessex became Vice-Patron of the Trust on the occasion of her 50th birthday and has since visited Malawi, Bangladesh and India to see the work of the Trust to tackle avoidable blindness first-hand.

[loftstudios]

Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor was photographed for a cover story for Telegraph magazine and spilled the beans on his directorial debut ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind' which tells the story of 14 year old William, who was forced to drop out of school during a deadly famine that struck Malawi in 2000-2001. As his family and neighbours slowly starved, he found refuge in a local library, where he discovered books that inspired him to build a series of windmills from tractor and bicycle parts to produce electricity for his village, and to eventually pump water. 

A hefty subject and something that means a lot to the Oscar Award winner. 

Currently working on a Netflix remake of comic book ‘The Old Guard’ with Charlize Theron, 2019 also sees him lock horns again (after 2010′s ‘Salt’) with Angelina Jolie in “Maleficent 2” 

This is a man who means business! 

Credits

Telegraph magazine, May 2019

Photographer: Jo Metson Scott 

Stylist: Sophie Warburton 

Grooming: Carlos Ferraz

Talent: Chiwetel Ejiofor

By Sara Darling

25.6