#south indian squad

[45cementry-gates]

Thoughts on Ishan :

(and ict in general)

1. When he opted out of India's test squad before our series with S. Africa....I knew... I KNEW it will be a long time before we'll get to see him playing for India again.

And then few weeks later Rahul Dravid said in a press conference... He can come back... Just play domestic.... My heart sank.

Here's the thing, I don't blame him at all for taking a break due to mental fatigue.

I fully support his decision as well. He prioritised himself and that's good.

But my dude... If I was your friend, if I was there with you... I wouldn't have let you go.

I would have grabbed his trousers and refused to let go. This is team India. You take one step back and 10 other people are standing right behind you ready to take your place.

Shubhman gill was hyped up so much... Remember his 126 in 63 balls against New Zealand?

But he faltered.

And Today he's in reserve.

Jaiswal is going to be our new opener in all 3 formats very soon. And there's nothing wrong with that. The guy earned it.

Ishan left the South Africa Series and a month later during the india Vs England test Series Jurel was picked and he did an excellent job.

Now imagine... Imagine if Ishan was there instead... If ishan had scored those 90 runs.....he would have made his place permanent.

I'll repeat myself.... I don't blame him for leaving... But he should have thought this through. Especially when a guy like Rahul Dravid is your coach.

(he's the same guy who gave declaration during a test match when Sachin Tendulkar was about to score a century. He's not as innocent as he looks.)

Another thing which really hurts me is how so many people complain about him being benched and then dropped but Yaar....there are tons of players who have gone through this.

Even Ashwin was benched. He said in an interview that when his team would win he wouldn't even feel like going in the ground to congratulate them coz of how hurt he felt.

It happens.

.

.

.

Anyways My overall opinion on this drama is :

1. I support him for leaving.

2. But I hate that he left.

3. A block of ice would be a better coach than Rahul Dravid.

Anyways... Jo hogaya so hogaya.

What I want now is for him to focus on his future.

And He can start by leaving Mumbai Indians.

MI was the team who would pick young players, groom and invest in them and make them capable enough for team India.

The MI we have seen this year is no longer that team. It doesn't matter how many reels their insta page puts out, the atmosphere of that team is tense, awkward and a hot mess.

If Mumbai really cared about a future captain as they claimed.... They should have made Ishan their new captain...like how csk and gt did with ruturaj and gill.

But oh well.

Right now... The best he can do is keep himself fit, play domestic and leave MI at THE EARLIEST.

That team, it's atmosphere, the mismanagement and inner conflicts (believe me, they exist) will not help him at all.

Imo, he doesn't need a team to grow. He has developed a good skill set. What he needs now is a stage.

A team like Kkr, RR or Gt will be great for that because these teams don't drop Their players after 1 or 2 matches... Have good coaches, stable environment and a good atmosphere overall.

Ishan is an excellent wicket keeper + batsman and the type of cricket he plays is best suited for t20 format (one day and test also but especially t20).

Whether we win or lose this t20 world cup... This one is the last one for our senior players.

After that, our youngsters will take charge (at least they should).

Yashasvi and Abhishek should be our openers.

Gill, rutu and Riyan would perfect be for middle order.

Ishan, with his explosive batting style, would be the perfect finisher.

Also... This dumb culture of batters not learning bowling (encouraged by this stupid impact rule) that has developed in the Indian team needs to STOP.

Look at Australia and New Zealand's t20 squad. Look at how many all rounders they have.

Look at ours. We won the 2007 cup because of all rounders as well.

Also... We cage our players. We hold them back. A player like Travis head is playing with such ferocity because his style and mindset is supported by his captain, his team and his media.

Meanwhile... If an Indian player attempts to do the same and doesn't make a big score in 2 -3 matches... He'll be benched instantly.

Another thing... If we look up the stats of our players in this year's t20 wc squad...

Except virat, Bumrah and maybe kuldeep ...everyone else is on ram bharose.

When players like n. reddy, ishan, rutu, gill, Riyan, natrajan... will be groomed and given enough opportunities....their aggressive style will be supported instead of criticized.... that's when we will win trophies.

@fangirlingintellectual @roseromeroredranger @snowcloudsss

@ishuess @bimesskaira

[birdy-bat-writes]

Tu Maan Meri Jaan

Jake Seresin x Desi!Reader Headcanon + The Dagger Squad and Maverick

A/N: Hey Guys! So, @girl-in-the-chairs-void and I sort of slipped into the topic of conversation of a Jake getting married to a Desi woman and we both were so in love with the idea that we came up with this. I want to thank you, Pav, for always helping me break out of creative blocks and always being there for me in general. And ofc, I also want to thank you for working with me to create something that can desi and brown girls in this fandom can relate to. To all you, We hope you love it! Now, even I sometimes forget some of the terms that are used for Indian wedding functions so I’ll try to drop a quick explanation in parenthesis after specific terms 😊 But if I miss anything or you’re confused, just let me know in a comment and I’ll be sure to explain it.

Also, A few months ago I saw a reel on Glen’s Instagram of him at Nick and Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Diwali party so here’s that 😁

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I completely melt at the thought of Jake getting married to a South Asian bride and they make the wedding half Western and half South Asian.

I feel like he’d already just love the parts of your culture that you share with him. When you go to plan your wedding, he’d already be down to do a multiple-function, multi-day wedding and his sisters and parents would be so excited.

When you first started dating, he didn’t understand the things you whisper to him in your language. 

He makes it his mission to learn a little bit of your language without telling you. So, when you speak to your family or friends and it’s mostly them teasing you two, he knows but doesn’t mention it until later.

Like on the reception he just whispers “meri jaan” My life or something sweet in your ear as the Pandit (Priest) officiates it. 

All the little kids calling him the various names for “uncle” and you’re feeling so proud and holding them all close to you, he looks at you so softly, getting the kids to leave the stage as they scurry off after hugging both of you.

Jake on a horse, riding his way to your house with the Baraat, and being a natural because he’s no stranger to horse riding.

Him seeing you in the wedding lehenga for the first time and just forgetting how to speak.

You are not expecting to be as speechless as you are when you see him in his wedding outfit. And he would tease the hell out of you about it.

His dirty blond hair glistening in the harsh light coming from the camera man and seeing the rest of the squad in traditional desi clothes is the cherry on top.

He had his hands in the air as the dhol and drums (a traditional drumset that plays live at weddings) echo loudly, mimicking some of the dance moves your father or brother may have taught him.

He gets down on one knee as he approaches the stage where you stand, a ring in hand, maybe saying a few sentences in your language that has you crying.

“Main aur kisi ke bare main kaise soch sakta hoon jab meri duniya mere samne hai?” Basically how can I think about someone else when my whole world is in front of me?

Also, I headcanon sometimes that Jake loves to dance and his whole family really enjoys dancing at the wedding. It usually take a glass of wine or so to get him loose but the man can dance.

They drag him onto the stage and what people don’t know is that he has been practicing his moves.

If a lot of Punjabi families are there, then we know we got the booze flowing and as soon as the songs come on, he is going at it.

You are laughing and giggling in your chair as you watch him do bhangra or any other type of dance that he has up his sleeve.

You’re just like, “Babe…. where did you learn to dance like that? When did you find the time to learn this?” “Well, I am a Seresin, Darlin’.”

The wedding vows go like this: 

“The things I do for you my love, but today, I wanna dedicate this day, not to us; but to you. Because my heart has been so full of you that I simply cannot call it mine anymore. My soul has been bewitched and my mind has been taken over by every thought of you. I am a mere reflection- a shadow of you. There was a quote in this movie we watched on our third date: om shanti om (apologies for the pronunciation); you said it was your favorite movie growing up and you cried when shah rukh khan said; "Itni shiddat se maine tumhe paane ki koshish ki hai, ki har zarre ne mujhe tumse milane ki saazish ki hai. So today as our worlds gather around us to witness this beautiful moment, I want to say to you; mujhse shaadi karogi?”

To which you just laugh and say “We’re already married, dumbass” while tugging him up to kiss him and whisper, “A thousand times yes.”

The food, omg, okay. So, in your 5 year long relationship, you have never seen him enjoy pani-puri as much as you do at your own wedding. He happily ate them whenever you went out to eat at an Indian restaurant or made him eat Lamb Karahi (for my Pakistani girls out there), he ate it with a smile on his face, but usually, all he could feel was his mouth going numb at the spice.

But now, he is just gobbling them down. The shocking part? He’s eating them with the spicy water.

You’re shocked because he can handle more spice than you almost. And when you mention it he’s like “Baby you know I like it spicy”😉😉

Every daal or butter chicken or biryani that is brought to the table is just eaten, mostly by him.

When you taste the things yourself, the spice is there but he hasn’t picked up his glass

When you look at him, He just shrugs and says “I’m hungry.”

And you’re already reaching for water now and again.

Rooster and Javy are borderline crying.

And you keep giving them dahi (yogurt) to cut the spice because even you’re starting to

Even Phoenix can handle her spice, but Jake is surpassing that level and your mom is impressed to say the least.

Rooster watching hangman eat straight spicy biryani like 👁👄👁️

The Mehendi (a wedding function in which the bride, groom and guests’ hands and somethings feet are decorated with ethnic temporary tattoos” and Haldi rasam (a wedding function in which a yellow paste made from turmeric is applied to the bride’s and groom’s skin) has you thinking he looks absolutely adorable.

The yellow pastes make his skin glow and while everyone is admiring him all the young girls and aunties eyes are on him, he is just admiring you from the corner of the room as you get the haldi all over you.

You don't notice his eyes on you through the thin curtain until your mother whispers to you: “Everybody’s watching him, but he’s only been looking at you”

If there is haldi left after the ceremony you and Jake just attack Mav and the squad with it. 

And the aunties probably have something to say about how he’s just completely all over you, but you two don’t even care. You’re already too far gone into the bliss of your wedding preparations and traditions that nothing seems to affect your mood.

He’d probably really enjoy the fact that your wedding outfits reveal the midriff if you wear a lehenga. For each function that you wear one or even a sari, he probably really likes being able to feel your skin on his when he puts his arm around your waist.

Maybe if you decide to have a destination wedding in the house you rented, he shows up late at night at your door in a beige or black kurta that your mum made him wear, a few buttons undone from the top, hair a little messy.

He was up with your male family members playing antakshari (a card game often played at celebratory occasions).

If it’s in India, he takes you to a late-night drive to eat ice cream. You introduce him to paan and chai, two common late nigh street foods.

You threaten him that if he ever calls chai, chai tea, you will divorce him. 

When you get back it’s dark and late enough that no one else is awake, he quietly slips into your room as you both try to take in the last few days, barely having a moment to yourselves, as he just stays there and holds you until you drift off to sleep and when you do, he gives you a kiss on the forehead before slipping back into his room.

There’s a tradition where the brides name is written in the groom’s mehndi, and the groom’s name is written in the bride’s. When it comes to him trying to find his name in your hands, it takes him time, but he finds it hiding in the side of your pinky, because when you are nervous you hold onto each other’s pinky’s in a crowded room. It was a small thing you guys used to do before you had started dating.

If you've hidden his name as well, he finds it immediately but takes his name pretending like he didn’t see it just to play with your hands longer.

Yours is hidden in a kaleidoscope of stars and things he’s got on his palms and wrists, it’s in a moon shaped piece that has another thing written under it “mera chaand” My moon.

Phoenix shows up in the most stunning outfits and turns out she has dressed up every single one of the dagger boys.

It came as a surprise to you when she helps you with your jewelry, having known about many uncommon things about the certain things you were putting on.

She manages to take the boys away from you as you are getting ready for your main ceremony.

You both keep a Polaroid of the two of you getting ready, hair and makeup done, mehndi pristine, bangles on, jewelry pretty much all on and your outfits are on the hangers. Standing with arms around each other in tank tops and shorts and it’s the funniest sight. It's a memory you’ll cherish forever with your best friend.

Dude, can you just imagine Javy, Rooster, Mickey and Reuben all lifting the kids at the wedding in the air and pretending like they’re flying fighter jets.The kids are just like “I love Reuben uncle!” And “Jake maamaji is my favorite”.

After the wedding ceremony everyone’s making jokes about how y’all are probably going to get it on but you’re both so tired that you just fall asleep.

Before you do, Jake helps you take off your jewelry.

He counts the huge amount of bobby pins in your hair, the pile is bigger than your head. His eyes are wide by the time he is done taking out the last one. 

“Do you have anything else hiding in your skull somewhere? How did your head not fall?”

“Yeah, now you know why I’m so tired, I’m carrying twice my head’s normal weight.”

You let your clothes just fall to the floor but being the neat freak that he is, he goes to pick them up and put them on the hanger. He groans at the weight of it because it is just so heavy.

“Babe, how were you walking in this? Are you a bodybuilder?”

“Damn, Jake, I thought you navy officers were strong. Can’t even carry a dress??” He glares at you playfully.

He will not stop referring to you as Mrs. Seresin for ages.

You both lay down and just take in the past few days.

He says “Goodnight Mrs. Seresin”. You both just let yourselves fall asleep in like oversized shirts and underwear because you’re too tired to find anything else.

The next day you choose to have a little Western wedding party reception.

And he didn’t know what you were going to wear so when he sees you in a white wedding dress, he loses his mind. Bonus points if it’s Jake’s Mom’s dress.

Mrs. Seresin loves you, and seeing you make her son so happy, just fulfills her life mission.

You look angelic in it.

You remember when he had teased you about how when he gets married he’d take the Garter off with his teeth like some people do and I feel like even if he didn’t, he’d tickle up your leg a little as he took it off with his hands. 

He lets his hands roam around a little longer than needed, announcing that he can’t feel it until he disappears under your dress. He has is in his mouth as he reappears from under your dress, secretly giving it a sniff before tugging it into his pocket.

You get so flustered because your mother and his parents were there too.

Your father would be so mad, as most Asian dads would be in this situation.

Jake's mom might spontaneously combust; “Doesn’t this boy feel embarrassed?”

and the aunties will go feral. You don’t even care though because you’re way too in love with the man in front of you. But everyone had a good laugh over it, it was cute how in love you two are.

You cut cake and toss the bouquet.

Rooster just cuts through- like the diva he is and catches it.

Maybe giving it to your sister or a cousin of yours he’s been eyeing…

And everyone just tells stories from them about how you made naval aviators fall in love with the brown women in your family. Because it’s a common thing for a lot of matches to be made at desi weddings. They’re usually so big; friends and very extended family are invited from both sides and over the 3-7 days you all spend together, it’s not uncommon for some people to exchange numbers or so.

Like it all started there for everyone.

You and Jake take total credit for all the matches that were made.

Even phoenix, she saw your distant cousin that she got along with when your wedding ceremonies started and as she gets to know her; you stumble upon them on the rooftop on a late night, wrapped up in each other’s arms, a blanket around the two of them

Bonus points if you and Jake caught them there together and you all agree to just never mention it because you two weren’t supposed to be there either.

Imagine rooster giving the bouquet to your sister.

Like that man has been following her around the entire time the wedding ceremonies. It’s like a classic trope in a Bollywood movie.

One night, you’re looking for your earring which you’re convinced you sister took. And you walk into her room and he’s just there, minding his own business, chilling on his phone and he just jumps seeing you walk in, trying to explain.

Jake doesn’t even realize that rooster is involved with your sister until he sees them dancing. He just turns to you and is like “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” And you’re just sitting there, smirking. *I know what you are dog meme*

According to Punjabi tradition, you have to wear a red set of bangles after the wedding as a sign of being a newlywed woman. 

According to tradition you need to keep it on until you have kids or like at least for a year. 

It’s not even a year after your marriage that Jake comes home to find your wrists empty of the beloved bangle set he’s so used to. Oh. Oh.

He knows what it means. The empty wrists have him staring, and he’s dying to ask whether you took it off because of discomfort or if there is bigger news behind it. 

After an hour of pondering, he gives up his patience and asks you. 

“Oh, I was waiting until later to tell you this but…” 

You drag him to the nearest seat, sitting him down as you sit opposite, burying your hands into your cardigan pocket and around the plastic stick that felt  a little too heavy now that you were face to face with him. This is what you had been trying for, it's good news. The warmth in his eyes encourages you to let it be, that this was the right time. 

You place the pregnancy test in front of him, he picks it up to inspect as his face lights up with joy that you had only seen the day you got married. In a flurry, he just picks you up and spins you around. You're screeching for him to put you down, but he refuses, burying his face into your stomach as you laugh.

When he does put you down, he makes you sit on the couch with him as he bends down to your stomach; “Hey there champ, you gonna give your ma trouble for the next few months huh?”

—--------------

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[aroundtheworldwithphillyfogg]

December 9th: sleigh with sails

Throughout the night Aouda, full of sad forebodings, her heart stifled with anguish, wandered about on the verge of the plains. Her imagination carried her far off, and showed her innumerable dangers. What she suffered through the long hours it would be impossible to describe.

Fix remained stationary in the same place, but did not sleep. Once a man approached and spoke to him, and the detective merely replied by shaking his head.

Thus the night passed. At dawn, the half-extinguished disc of the sun rose above a misty horizon; but it was now possible to recognise objects two miles off. Phileas Fogg and the squad had gone southward; in the south all was still vacancy. It was then seven o’clock.

The captain, who was really alarmed, did not know what course to take.

Should he send another detachment to the rescue of the first? Should he sacrifice more men, with so few chances of saving those already sacrificed? His hesitation did not last long, however. Calling one of his lieutenants, he was on the point of ordering a reconnaissance, when gunshots were heard. Was it a signal? The soldiers rushed out of the fort, and half a mile off they perceived a little band returning in good order.

Mr. Fogg was marching at their head, and just behind him were Passepartout and the other two travellers, rescued from the Sioux.

They had met and fought the Indians ten miles south of Fort Kearney. Shortly before the detachment arrived, Passepartout and his companions had begun to struggle with their captors, three of whom the Frenchman had felled with his fists, when his master and the soldiers hastened up to their relief.

All were welcomed with joyful cries. Phileas Fogg distributed the reward he had promised to the soldiers, while Passepartout, not without reason, muttered to himself, “It must certainly be confessed that I cost my master dear!”

Fix, without saying a word, looked at Mr. Fogg, and it would have been difficult to analyse the thoughts which struggled within him. As for Aouda, she took her protector’s hand and pressed it in her own, too much moved to speak.

Meanwhile, Passepartout was looking about for the train; he thought he should find it there, ready to start for Omaha, and he hoped that the time lost might be regained.

“The train! the train!” cried he.

“Gone,” replied Fix.

“And when does the next train pass here?” said Phileas Fogg.

“Not till this evening.”

“Ah!” returned the impassible gentleman quietly.

Phileas Fogg found himself twenty hours behind time. Passepartout, the involuntary cause of this delay, was desperate. He had ruined his master!

At this moment the detective approached Mr. Fogg, and, looking him intently in the face, said:

“Seriously, sir, are you in great haste?”

“Quite seriously.”

“I have a purpose in asking,” resumed Fix. “Is it absolutely necessary that you should be in New York on the 11th, before nine o’clock in the evening, the time that the steamer leaves for Liverpool?”

“It is absolutely necessary.”

“And, if your journey had not been interrupted by these Indians, you would have reached New York on the morning of the 11th?”

“Yes; with eleven hours to spare before the steamer left.”

“Good! you are therefore twenty hours behind. Twelve from twenty leaves eight. You must regain eight hours. Do you wish to try to do so?”

“On foot?” asked Mr. Fogg.

“No; on a sledge,” replied Fix. “On a sledge with sails. A man has proposed such a method to me.”

It was the man who had spoken to Fix during the night, and whose offer he had refused.

Phileas Fogg did not reply at once; but Fix, having pointed out the man, who was walking up and down in front of the station, Mr. Fogg went up to him. An instant after, Mr. Fogg and the American, whose name was Mudge, entered a hut built just below the fort.

There Mr. Fogg examined a curious vehicle, a kind of frame on two long beams, a little raised in front like the runners of a sledge, and upon which there was room for five or six persons. A high mast was fixed on the frame, held firmly by metallic lashings, to which was attached a large brigantine sail. This mast held an iron stay upon which to hoist a jib-sail. Behind, a sort of rudder served to guide the vehicle. It was, in short, a sledge rigged like a sloop. During the winter, when the trains are blocked up by the snow, these sledges make extremely rapid journeys across the frozen plains from one station to another. Provided with more sails than a cutter, and with the wind behind them, they slip over the surface of the prairies with a speed equal if not superior to that of the express trains.

Mr. Fogg readily made a bargain with the owner of this land-craft. The wind was favourable, being fresh, and blowing from the west. The snow had hardened, and Mudge was very confident of being able to transport Mr. Fogg in a few hours to Omaha. Thence the trains eastward run frequently to Chicago and New York. It was not impossible that the lost time might yet be recovered; and such an opportunity was not to be rejected.

Not wishing to expose Aouda to the discomforts of travelling in the open air, Mr. Fogg proposed to leave her with Passepartout at Fort Kearney, the servant taking upon himself to escort her to Europe by a better route and under more favourable conditions. But Aouda refused to separate from Mr. Fogg, and Passepartout was delighted with her decision; for nothing could induce him to leave his master while Fix was with him.

It would be difficult to guess the detective’s thoughts. Was this conviction shaken by Phileas Fogg’s return, or did he still regard him as an exceedingly shrewd rascal, who, his journey round the world completed, would think himself absolutely safe in England? Perhaps Fix’s opinion of Phileas Fogg was somewhat modified; but he was nevertheless resolved to do his duty, and to hasten the return of the whole party to England as much as possible.

At eight o’clock the sledge was ready to start. The passengers took their places on it, and wrapped themselves up closely in their travelling-cloaks. The two great sails were hoisted, and under the pressure of the wind the sledge slid over the hardened snow with a velocity of forty miles an hour.

The distance between Fort Kearney and Omaha, as the birds fly, is at most two hundred miles. If the wind held good, the distance might be traversed in five hours; if no accident happened the sledge might reach Omaha by one o’clock.

What a journey! The travellers, huddled close together, could not speak for the cold, intensified by the rapidity at which they were going. The sledge sped on as lightly as a boat over the waves. When the breeze came skimming the earth the sledge seemed to be lifted off the ground by its sails. Mudge, who was at the rudder, kept in a straight line, and by a turn of his hand checked the lurches which the vehicle had a tendency to make. All the sails were up, and the jib was so arranged as not to screen the brigantine. A top-mast was hoisted, and another jib, held out to the wind, added its force to the other sails. Although the speed could not be exactly estimated, the sledge could not be going at less than forty miles an hour.

“If nothing breaks,” said Mudge, “we shall get there!”

Mr. Fogg had made it for Mudge’s interest to reach Omaha within the time agreed on, by the offer of a handsome reward.

The prairie, across which the sledge was moving in a straight line, was as flat as a sea. It seemed like a vast frozen lake. The railroad which ran through this section ascended from the south-west to the north-west by Great Island, Columbus, an important Nebraska town, Schuyler, and Fremont, to Omaha. It followed throughout the right bank of the Platte River. The sledge, shortening this route, took a chord of the arc described by the railway. Mudge was not afraid of being stopped by the Platte River, because it was frozen. The road, then, was quite clear of obstacles, and Phileas Fogg had but two things to fear—an accident to the sledge, and a change or calm in the wind.

But the breeze, far from lessening its force, blew as if to bend the mast, which, however, the metallic lashings held firmly. These lashings, like the chords of a stringed instrument, resounded as if vibrated by a violin bow. The sledge slid along in the midst of a plaintively intense melody.

“Those chords give the fifth and the octave,” said Mr. Fogg.

These were the only words he uttered during the journey. Aouda, cosily packed in furs and cloaks, was sheltered as much as possible from the attacks of the freezing wind. As for Passepartout, his face was as red as the sun’s disc when it sets in the mist, and he laboriously inhaled the biting air. With his natural buoyancy of spirits, he began to hope again. They would reach New York on the evening, if not on the morning, of the 11th, and there were still some chances that it would be before the steamer sailed for Liverpool.

Passepartout even felt a strong desire to grasp his ally, Fix, by the hand. He remembered that it was the detective who procured the sledge, the only means of reaching Omaha in time; but, checked by some presentiment, he kept his usual reserve. One thing, however, Passepartout would never forget, and that was the sacrifice which Mr. Fogg had made, without hesitation, to rescue him from the Sioux. Mr. Fogg had risked his fortune and his life. No! His servant would never forget that!

While each of the party was absorbed in reflections so different, the sledge flew past over the vast carpet of snow. The creeks it passed over were not perceived. Fields and streams disappeared under the uniform whiteness. The plain was absolutely deserted. Between the Union Pacific road and the branch which unites Kearney with Saint Joseph it formed a great uninhabited island. Neither village, station, nor fort appeared. From time to time they sped by some phantom-like tree, whose white skeleton twisted and rattled in the wind. Sometimes flocks of wild birds rose, or bands of gaunt, famished, ferocious prairie-wolves ran howling after the sledge. Passepartout, revolver in hand, held himself ready to fire on those which came too near. Had an accident then happened to the sledge, the travellers, attacked by these beasts, would have been in the most terrible danger; but it held on its even course, soon gained on the wolves, and ere long left the howling band at a safe distance behind.

About noon Mudge perceived by certain landmarks that he was crossing the Platte River. He said nothing, but he felt certain that he was now within twenty miles of Omaha. In less than an hour he left the rudder and furled his sails, whilst the sledge, carried forward by the great impetus the wind had given it, went on half a mile further with its sails unspread.

It stopped at last, and Mudge, pointing to a mass of roofs white with snow, said: “We have got there!”

Arrived! Arrived at the station which is in daily communication, by numerous trains, with the Atlantic seaboard!

Passepartout and Fix jumped off, stretched their stiffened limbs, and aided Mr. Fogg and the young woman to descend from the sledge. Phileas Fogg generously rewarded Mudge, whose hand Passepartout warmly grasped, and the party directed their steps to the Omaha railway station.

The Pacific Railroad proper finds its terminus at this important Nebraska town. Omaha is connected with Chicago by the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, which runs directly east, and passes fifty stations.

A train was ready to start when Mr. Fogg and his party reached the station, and they only had time to get into the cars. They had seen nothing of Omaha; but Passepartout confessed to himself that this was not to be regretted, as they were not travelling to see the sights.

[stoookes]

You know what, I'm going to compile a list of all the cricketers VK has been paired with so we can get an exact number and appreciate how much of a slut he really is 😂😂😂 Here goes:

Australia- Pat, Glenn, Travis, Josh, Steve, Starcy, Marshy, Marnus, Johnson, Faulkner, Adam, Marcus, Cam, Paine, Finch. That's 15 Australians, damnnn VK! Planning to sleep with the whole country there? 😜😉🤣

England- Jimmy, Ali, Joe, Jos, Ben, Jonny, Ollie R, Ollie P, Sammy, Zak, Harry, Lees, KP, Stuart, Woakesy and Woody too, (I think??) That's another 15, this time Britishers.

South Africa- ABD, Faf, Steyn, Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira. 5 South Africans.

New Zealand- Kane, Trent, Brendon ig? 3 New Zealanders.

Pakistan- Babar, Shadab. So 2 of them.

West Indies- Gayle, Kesrick Williams. Again 2 people here.

India- Rohit. Surprised there's only one of them tbh 😯

So 15+15+5+3+2+2+1=43. That's a whopping 43 people VK's been paired with? Anyone I'm missing? Lmk, I'm sure we can get this number up to 50 🤣🤣

Come on now, there has to be more than ONE Indian?? MS has to be on there? Plus there has to be more from the current squad - I cannot believe that of all the players VK is paired with only ONE is Indian xD

[emadakn]

This is definitely a book about Palestine, but it is also so much more.

It is a book about the hypocrisy, greed and disregard for human rights by the “good guys”.

It is about Israel providing arms to the brutal Hutu regime in Rwanda before and during the genocide.

It is a book about Israel supplying arms to General Pinochet and the junta in Chile and negating the US arms embargo.

It is about Israel supporting and arming Iran under the Shah, death squads in Colombia and the apartheid regime in South Africa.

It is about Israel supporting the Argentinian dictatorship, knowing that they were torturing Jews

It is about Israel currently supporting Russia in the invasion on Ukraine.

Ceausescu's Romania, Duvalier’s Haiti, Suharto’s Indonesia, Somoza’s Nicaragua, the list is huge

It is a book of governments spying on their citizens to suppress democracy, dissent, homosexuality, religious freedom or any civil liberties expected in society today.

It is a book about Facebook, Google, Instagram and Twitter suppressing the voices of Palestinians and Kashmiris and allowing hate speech from Israelis and Indians.

Books like this always take me a long time to read because I find many parts so difficult to believe that I have to check the facts myself; I haven’t managed to catch the author out on any of his assertions.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62790909-the-palestine-laboratory

[hellsitesonlybookclub]

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

CHAPTER XXX. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG SIMPLY DOES HIS DUTY

Three passengers including Passepartout had disappeared. Had they been killed in the struggle? Were they taken prisoners by the Sioux? It was impossible to tell.

There were many wounded, but none mortally. Colonel Proctor was one of the most seriously hurt; he had fought bravely, and a ball had entered his groin. He was carried into the station with the other wounded passengers, to receive such attention as could be of avail.

Aouda was safe; and Phileas Fogg, who had been in the thickest of the fight, had not received a scratch. Fix was slightly wounded in the arm. But Passepartout was not to be found, and tears coursed down Aouda’s cheeks.

All the passengers had got out of the train, the wheels of which were stained with blood. From the tyres and spokes hung ragged pieces of flesh. As far as the eye could reach on the white plain behind, red trails were visible. The last Sioux were disappearing in the south, along the banks of Republican River.

Mr. Fogg, with folded arms, remained motionless. He had a serious decision to make. Aouda, standing near him, looked at him without speaking, and he understood her look. If his servant was a prisoner, ought he not to risk everything to rescue him from the Indians? “I will find him, living or dead,” said he quietly to Aouda.

“Ah, Mr.—Mr. Fogg!” cried she, clasping his hands and covering them with tears.

“Living,” added Mr. Fogg, “if we do not lose a moment.”

Phileas Fogg, by this resolution, inevitably sacrificed himself; he pronounced his own doom. The delay of a single day would make him lose the steamer at New York, and his bet would be certainly lost. But as he thought, “It is my duty,” he did not hesitate.

The commanding officer of Fort Kearney was there. A hundred of his soldiers had placed themselves in a position to defend the station, should the Sioux attack it.

“Sir,” said Mr. Fogg to the captain, “three passengers have disappeared.”

“Dead?” asked the captain.

“Dead or prisoners; that is the uncertainty which must be solved. Do you propose to pursue the Sioux?”

“That’s a serious thing to do, sir,” returned the captain. “These Indians may retreat beyond the Arkansas, and I cannot leave the fort unprotected.”

“The lives of three men are in question, sir,” said Phileas Fogg.

“Doubtless; but can I risk the lives of fifty men to save three?”

“I don’t know whether you can, sir; but you ought to do so.”

“Nobody here,” returned the other, “has a right to teach me my duty.”

“Very well,” said Mr. Fogg, coldly. “I will go alone.”

“You, sir!” cried Fix, coming up; “you go alone in pursuit of the Indians?”

“Would you have me leave this poor fellow to perish—him to whom every one present owes his life? I shall go.”

“No, sir, you shall not go alone,” cried the captain, touched in spite of himself. “No! you are a brave man. Thirty volunteers!” he added, turning to the soldiers.

The whole company started forward at once. The captain had only to pick his men. Thirty were chosen, and an old sergeant placed at their head.

“Thanks, captain,” said Mr. Fogg.

“Will you let me go with you?” asked Fix.

“Do as you please, sir. But if you wish to do me a favour, you will remain with Aouda. In case anything should happen to me—”

A sudden pallor overspread the detective’s face. Separate himself from the man whom he had so persistently followed step by step! Leave him to wander about in this desert! Fix gazed attentively at Mr. Fogg, and, despite his suspicions and of the struggle which was going on within him, he lowered his eyes before that calm and frank look.

“I will stay,” said he.

A few moments after, Mr. Fogg pressed the young woman’s hand, and, having confided to her his precious carpet-bag, went off with the sergeant and his little squad. But, before going, he had said to the soldiers, “My friends, I will divide five thousand dollars among you, if we save the prisoners.”

It was then a little past noon.

Aouda retired to a waiting-room, and there she waited alone, thinking of the simple and noble generosity, the tranquil courage of Phileas Fogg. He had sacrificed his fortune, and was now risking his life, all without hesitation, from duty, in silence.

Fix did not have the same thoughts, and could scarcely conceal his agitation. He walked feverishly up and down the platform, but soon resumed his outward composure. He now saw the folly of which he had been guilty in letting Fogg go alone. What! This man, whom he had just followed around the world, was permitted now to separate himself from him! He began to accuse and abuse himself, and, as if he were director of police, administered to himself a sound lecture for his greenness.

“I have been an idiot!” he thought, “and this man will see it. He has gone, and won’t come back! But how is it that I, Fix, who have in my pocket a warrant for his arrest, have been so fascinated by him? Decidedly, I am nothing but an ass!”

So reasoned the detective, while the hours crept by all too slowly. He did not know what to do. Sometimes he was tempted to tell Aouda all; but he could not doubt how the young woman would receive his confidences. What course should he take? He thought of pursuing Fogg across the vast white plains; it did not seem impossible that he might overtake him. Footsteps were easily printed on the snow! But soon, under a new sheet, every imprint would be effaced.

Fix became discouraged. He felt a sort of insurmountable longing to abandon the game altogether. He could now leave Fort Kearney station, and pursue his journey homeward in peace.

Towards two o’clock in the afternoon, while it was snowing hard, long whistles were heard approaching from the east. A great shadow, preceded by a wild light, slowly advanced, appearing still larger through the mist, which gave it a fantastic aspect. No train was expected from the east, neither had there been time for the succour asked for by telegraph to arrive; the train from Omaha to San Francisco was not due till the next day. The mystery was soon explained.

The locomotive, which was slowly approaching with deafening whistles, was that which, having been detached from the train, had continued its route with such terrific rapidity, carrying off the unconscious engineer and stoker. It had run several miles, when, the fire becoming low for want of fuel, the steam had slackened; and it had finally stopped an hour after, some twenty miles beyond Fort Kearney. Neither the engineer nor the stoker was dead, and, after remaining for some time in their swoon, had come to themselves. The train had then stopped. The engineer, when he found himself in the desert, and the locomotive without cars, understood what had happened. He could not imagine how the locomotive had become separated from the train; but he did not doubt that the train left behind was in distress.

He did not hesitate what to do. It would be prudent to continue on to Omaha, for it would be dangerous to return to the train, which the Indians might still be engaged in pillaging. Nevertheless, he began to rebuild the fire in the furnace; the pressure again mounted, and the locomotive returned, running backwards to Fort Kearney. This it was which was whistling in the mist.

The travellers were glad to see the locomotive resume its place at the head of the train. They could now continue the journey so terribly interrupted.

Aouda, on seeing the locomotive come up, hurried out of the station, and asked the conductor, “Are you going to start?”

“At once, madam.”

“But the prisoners, our unfortunate fellow-travellers—”

“I cannot interrupt the trip,” replied the conductor. “We are already three hours behind time.”

“And when will another train pass here from San Francisco?”

“To-morrow evening, madam.”

“To-morrow evening! But then it will be too late! We must wait—”

“It is impossible,” responded the conductor. “If you wish to go, please get in.”

“I will not go,” said Aouda.

Fix had heard this conversation. A little while before, when there was no prospect of proceeding on the journey, he had made up his mind to leave Fort Kearney; but now that the train was there, ready to start, and he had only to take his seat in the car, an irresistible influence held him back. The station platform burned his feet, and he could not stir. The conflict in his mind again began; anger and failure stifled him. He wished to struggle on to the end.

Meanwhile the passengers and some of the wounded, among them Colonel Proctor, whose injuries were serious, had taken their places in the train. The buzzing of the over-heated boiler was heard, and the steam was escaping from the valves. The engineer whistled, the train started, and soon disappeared, mingling its white smoke with the eddies of the densely falling snow.

The detective had remained behind.

Several hours passed. The weather was dismal, and it was very cold. Fix sat motionless on a bench in the station; he might have been thought asleep. Aouda, despite the storm, kept coming out of the waiting-room, going to the end of the platform, and peering through the tempest of snow, as if to pierce the mist which narrowed the horizon around her, and to hear, if possible, some welcome sound. She heard and saw nothing. Then she would return, chilled through, to issue out again after the lapse of a few moments, but always in vain.

Evening came, and the little band had not returned. Where could they be? Had they found the Indians, and were they having a conflict with them, or were they still wandering amid the mist? The commander of the fort was anxious, though he tried to conceal his apprehensions. As night approached, the snow fell less plentifully, but it became intensely cold. Absolute silence rested on the plains. Neither flight of bird nor passing of beast troubled the perfect calm.

Throughout the night Aouda, full of sad forebodings, her heart stifled with anguish, wandered about on the verge of the plains. Her imagination carried her far off, and showed her innumerable dangers. What she suffered through the long hours it would be impossible to describe.

Fix remained stationary in the same place, but did not sleep. Once a man approached and spoke to him, and the detective merely replied by shaking his head.

Thus the night passed. At dawn, the half-extinguished disc of the sun rose above a misty horizon; but it was now possible to recognise objects two miles off. Phileas Fogg and the squad had gone southward; in the south all was still vacancy. It was then seven o’clock.

The captain, who was really alarmed, did not know what course to take.

Should he send another detachment to the rescue of the first? Should he sacrifice more men, with so few chances of saving those already sacrificed? His hesitation did not last long, however. Calling one of his lieutenants, he was on the point of ordering a reconnaissance, when gunshots were heard. Was it a signal? The soldiers rushed out of the fort, and half a mile off they perceived a little band returning in good order.

Mr. Fogg was marching at their head, and just behind him were Passepartout and the other two travellers, rescued from the Sioux.

They had met and fought the Indians ten miles south of Fort Kearney. Shortly before the detachment arrived, Passepartout and his companions had begun to struggle with their captors, three of whom the Frenchman had felled with his fists, when his master and the soldiers hastened up to their relief.

All were welcomed with joyful cries. Phileas Fogg distributed the reward he had promised to the soldiers, while Passepartout, not without reason, muttered to himself, “It must certainly be confessed that I cost my master dear!”

Fix, without saying a word, looked at Mr. Fogg, and it would have been difficult to analyse the thoughts which struggled within him. As for Aouda, she took her protector’s hand and pressed it in her own, too much moved to speak.

Meanwhile, Passepartout was looking about for the train; he thought he should find it there, ready to start for Omaha, and he hoped that the time lost might be regained.

“The train! the train!” cried he.

“Gone,” replied Fix.

“And when does the next train pass here?” said Phileas Fogg.

“Not till this evening.”

“Ah!” returned the impassible gentleman quietly.

CHAPTER XXXI. IN WHICH FIX, THE DETECTIVE, CONSIDERABLY FURTHERS THE INTERESTS OF PHILEAS FOGG

Phileas Fogg found himself twenty hours behind time. Passepartout, the involuntary cause of this delay, was desperate. He had ruined his master!

At this moment the detective approached Mr. Fogg, and, looking him intently in the face, said:

“Seriously, sir, are you in great haste?”

“Quite seriously.”

“I have a purpose in asking,” resumed Fix. “Is it absolutely necessary that you should be in New York on the 11th, before nine o’clock in the evening, the time that the steamer leaves for Liverpool?”

“It is absolutely necessary.”

“And, if your journey had not been interrupted by these Indians, you would have reached New York on the morning of the 11th?”

“Yes; with eleven hours to spare before the steamer left.”

“Good! you are therefore twenty hours behind. Twelve from twenty leaves eight. You must regain eight hours. Do you wish to try to do so?”

“On foot?” asked Mr. Fogg.

“No; on a sledge,” replied Fix. “On a sledge with sails. A man has proposed such a method to me.”

It was the man who had spoken to Fix during the night, and whose offer he had refused.

Phileas Fogg did not reply at once; but Fix, having pointed out the man, who was walking up and down in front of the station, Mr. Fogg went up to him. An instant after, Mr. Fogg and the American, whose name was Mudge, entered a hut built just below the fort.

There Mr. Fogg examined a curious vehicle, a kind of frame on two long beams, a little raised in front like the runners of a sledge, and upon which there was room for five or six persons. A high mast was fixed on the frame, held firmly by metallic lashings, to which was attached a large brigantine sail. This mast held an iron stay upon which to hoist a jib-sail. Behind, a sort of rudder served to guide the vehicle. It was, in short, a sledge rigged like a sloop. During the winter, when the trains are blocked up by the snow, these sledges make extremely rapid journeys across the frozen plains from one station to another. Provided with more sails than a cutter, and with the wind behind them, they slip over the surface of the prairies with a speed equal if not superior to that of the express trains.

Mr. Fogg readily made a bargain with the owner of this land-craft. The wind was favourable, being fresh, and blowing from the west. The snow had hardened, and Mudge was very confident of being able to transport Mr. Fogg in a few hours to Omaha. Thence the trains eastward run frequently to Chicago and New York. It was not impossible that the lost time might yet be recovered; and such an opportunity was not to be rejected.

Not wishing to expose Aouda to the discomforts of travelling in the open air, Mr. Fogg proposed to leave her with Passepartout at Fort Kearney, the servant taking upon himself to escort her to Europe by a better route and under more favourable conditions. But Aouda refused to separate from Mr. Fogg, and Passepartout was delighted with her decision; for nothing could induce him to leave his master while Fix was with him.

It would be difficult to guess the detective’s thoughts. Was this conviction shaken by Phileas Fogg’s return, or did he still regard him as an exceedingly shrewd rascal, who, his journey round the world completed, would think himself absolutely safe in England? Perhaps Fix’s opinion of Phileas Fogg was somewhat modified; but he was nevertheless resolved to do his duty, and to hasten the return of the whole party to England as much as possible.

At eight o’clock the sledge was ready to start. The passengers took their places on it, and wrapped themselves up closely in their travelling-cloaks. The two great sails were hoisted, and under the pressure of the wind the sledge slid over the hardened snow with a velocity of forty miles an hour.

The distance between Fort Kearney and Omaha, as the birds fly, is at most two hundred miles. If the wind held good, the distance might be traversed in five hours; if no accident happened the sledge might reach Omaha by one o’clock.

What a journey! The travellers, huddled close together, could not speak for the cold, intensified by the rapidity at which they were going. The sledge sped on as lightly as a boat over the waves. When the breeze came skimming the earth the sledge seemed to be lifted off the ground by its sails. Mudge, who was at the rudder, kept in a straight line, and by a turn of his hand checked the lurches which the vehicle had a tendency to make. All the sails were up, and the jib was so arranged as not to screen the brigantine. A top-mast was hoisted, and another jib, held out to the wind, added its force to the other sails. Although the speed could not be exactly estimated, the sledge could not be going at less than forty miles an hour.

“If nothing breaks,” said Mudge, “we shall get there!”

Mr. Fogg had made it for Mudge’s interest to reach Omaha within the time agreed on, by the offer of a handsome reward.

The prairie, across which the sledge was moving in a straight line, was as flat as a sea. It seemed like a vast frozen lake. The railroad which ran through this section ascended from the south-west to the north-west by Great Island, Columbus, an important Nebraska town, Schuyler, and Fremont, to Omaha. It followed throughout the right bank of the Platte River. The sledge, shortening this route, took a chord of the arc described by the railway. Mudge was not afraid of being stopped by the Platte River, because it was frozen. The road, then, was quite clear of obstacles, and Phileas Fogg had but two things to fear—an accident to the sledge, and a change or calm in the wind.

But the breeze, far from lessening its force, blew as if to bend the mast, which, however, the metallic lashings held firmly. These lashings, like the chords of a stringed instrument, resounded as if vibrated by a violin bow. The sledge slid along in the midst of a plaintively intense melody.

“Those chords give the fifth and the octave,” said Mr. Fogg.

These were the only words he uttered during the journey. Aouda, cosily packed in furs and cloaks, was sheltered as much as possible from the attacks of the freezing wind. As for Passepartout, his face was as red as the sun’s disc when it sets in the mist, and he laboriously inhaled the biting air. With his natural buoyancy of spirits, he began to hope again. They would reach New York on the evening, if not on the morning, of the 11th, and there were still some chances that it would be before the steamer sailed for Liverpool.

Passepartout even felt a strong desire to grasp his ally, Fix, by the hand. He remembered that it was the detective who procured the sledge, the only means of reaching Omaha in time; but, checked by some presentiment, he kept his usual reserve. One thing, however, Passepartout would never forget, and that was the sacrifice which Mr. Fogg had made, without hesitation, to rescue him from the Sioux. Mr. Fogg had risked his fortune and his life. No! His servant would never forget that!

While each of the party was absorbed in reflections so different, the sledge flew past over the vast carpet of snow. The creeks it passed over were not perceived. Fields and streams disappeared under the uniform whiteness. The plain was absolutely deserted. Between the Union Pacific road and the branch which unites Kearney with Saint Joseph it formed a great uninhabited island. Neither village, station, nor fort appeared. From time to time they sped by some phantom-like tree, whose white skeleton twisted and rattled in the wind. Sometimes flocks of wild birds rose, or bands of gaunt, famished, ferocious prairie-wolves ran howling after the sledge. Passepartout, revolver in hand, held himself ready to fire on those which came too near. Had an accident then happened to the sledge, the travellers, attacked by these beasts, would have been in the most terrible danger; but it held on its even course, soon gained on the wolves, and ere long left the howling band at a safe distance behind.

About noon Mudge perceived by certain landmarks that he was crossing the Platte River. He said nothing, but he felt certain that he was now within twenty miles of Omaha. In less than an hour he left the rudder and furled his sails, whilst the sledge, carried forward by the great impetus the wind had given it, went on half a mile further with its sails unspread.

It stopped at last, and Mudge, pointing to a mass of roofs white with snow, said: “We have got there!”

Arrived! Arrived at the station which is in daily communication, by numerous trains, with the Atlantic seaboard!

Passepartout and Fix jumped off, stretched their stiffened limbs, and aided Mr. Fogg and the young woman to descend from the sledge. Phileas Fogg generously rewarded Mudge, whose hand Passepartout warmly grasped, and the party directed their steps to the Omaha railway station.

The Pacific Railroad proper finds its terminus at this important Nebraska town. Omaha is connected with Chicago by the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, which runs directly east, and passes fifty stations.

A train was ready to start when Mr. Fogg and his party reached the station, and they only had time to get into the cars. They had seen nothing of Omaha; but Passepartout confessed to himself that this was not to be regretted, as they were not travelling to see the sights.

The train passed rapidly across the State of Iowa, by Council Bluffs, Des Moines, and Iowa City. During the night it crossed the Mississippi at Davenport, and by Rock Island entered Illinois. The next day, which was the 10th, at four o’clock in the evening, it reached Chicago, already risen from its ruins, and more proudly seated than ever on the borders of its beautiful Lake Michigan.

Nine hundred miles separated Chicago from New York; but trains are not wanting at Chicago. Mr. Fogg passed at once from one to the other, and the locomotive of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railway left at full speed, as if it fully comprehended that that gentleman had no time to lose. It traversed Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey like a flash, rushing through towns with antique names, some of which had streets and car-tracks, but as yet no houses. At last the Hudson came into view; and, at a quarter-past eleven in the evening of the 11th, the train stopped in the station on the right bank of the river, before the very pier of the Cunard line.

The “China,” for Liverpool, had started three-quarters of an hour before!

[floripire]

“What do you know about werewolves?”

today will be different // @savagevillain

it is a strange thing, coming face to face with klaus mikaelson. it is a strange thing, floribeth thinks, because he's been so many things to so many different people.

he's been someone to love.

he's been someone to loathe.

he's been both in equal measure to multiple people. some of which are still around today. some of which aren't.

(while floribeth's long since graduated, she doesn't think she'll ever forget the fact that there's a book dedicated to him in the library. klaus mikaelson, it says, the great evil.

it's the only book that floribeth hasn't read. mostly out of respect for hope. but also because she's certain that derek machado is but a footnote. maybe not even that.

then again, isn't it also evil to talk dorian williams into working at a school that is very specifically built to celebrate the very person that has murdered your family?)

mister mikaelson can probably hear her brain whirring, hear her crunch the numbers to the point that she almost misses the question.

what do you know about werewolves?

and suddenly floribeth feels more human than ever, despite being a fanged creature of the night. she feels like she did whenever teachers called on her back when she still lived in maple hollows and went to school there.

her throat feels dry, and she thinks she could do with a blood infused lollypop or two, or a bloodbag.

maybe even someone who's willing to let drink from the vein, or take a little bite.

"that depends, sir." it's best to be polite. like her parents taught her to be. because while this interaction with hope's dad is actually quite pleasant, floribeth is no fool. all it takes is one misstep and things can go south real fast. "what do you want to know? because, well, there's the myth of king lycaeon, who got turned into the first werewolf after angering zeus. and there is lupa, the mother of remus and romulus. and though there are more weretigers than werewolves in indian lore and legends, certain people did carry the epithet 'vrikodara' which means 'wolf bellied'."

"and when people in the west say aswang," floribeth tells him, eyes sparkling. "they usually mean 'vampire' but it's actually a catch-all phrase, consisting of several categories. five. each distinctive category has a parallel and is a nod to a creature of the west: the vampire, the viscera sucker, the weredog, the witch and the ghoul. that's why in most accounts, it's a shapeshifter that shares characteristics of vampires and werewolves and witches specifically."

there is also the regular things: being beholden to the moon. silver - bullets or otherwise. aconite.

and the not so regular things like the werewolf witch trials in france during the sixteenth century - an offshoot of the european witch trials.

part of her wants to ask about paige billingsley and ray sutton now that she's answered his question but floribeth knows that it won't help her, so she doesn't. part of her wants to ask why he felt the need to ruin her sire's life back then, but she doesn't ask about that, either.

"you're not looking for the beast of gévaudan, are you, sir?" floribeth gives him a smile and hopes that he'll be gracious enough to ignore the fact that she's still wary - still scared, because derek made him seem like a monster. she fishes her phone out of the back pocket of her high waisted jeans and adds: "or the wolf packs spotted in anjou?"

[text to hope: sos your dad is here, asking about werewolves, no idea what to do now]

[text to the anti squad: love you, mean it <3]

[text to jed: klaus mikaelson is standing in front of our door, asking about werewolves; you and your sisters might want to take the long way 'round, just in case]

[text to jed: love you <3]

[jayant1122]

The Stars of RCL 2025

Meet the Teams: The Stars of RCL 2025

The countdown has begun! Cricket fans and food lovers are in for a treat as the Restaurant Cricket League (RCL) 2025 gears up for an exhilarating showdown. From February 19-23, 2025, this one-of-a-kind T10 cricket league will bring together the thrill of the game and the joy of gourmet cuisine in an unforgettable celebration.

With 16 teams battling for glory, each representing iconic restaurants from across India, the stage is set for a spectacle where cricket meets cuisine. Here's your chance to meet the stars of RCL 2025 and learn more about the teams making this event extraordinary.

The Concept of RCL India

RCL India is more than just a cricket tournament—it's a fusion of sport, food, and culture. Each participating team brings together passionate cricketers and culinary experts, creating an atmosphere that celebrates the spirit of competition and the love of food.

The T10 tournament 2025 is designed to deliver fast-paced, nail-biting matches while allowing fans to indulge in a culinary festival featuring signature dishes from the restaurants these teams represent. It’s not just a league; it’s an experience.

February Cricket Events: Why RCL Stands Out

While February often brims with cricket events, RCL 2025 stands apart with its unique theme of blending cricket with cuisine. Held over five days, the league transforms the venue into a buzzing hub of entertainment, featuring live matches, food stalls, and cultural performances.

Meet the Teams: The Stars of RCL 2025

This year, 16 teams will compete for the coveted RCL trophy, each with its own identity, spirit, and flair. Here’s a sneak peek at the participating teams and the magic they bring to the field:

1. The Spicy Strikers

Representing a popular South Indian restaurant, this team is known for their fiery passion on the field and their love for spicy dishes off it.

2. The Grill Masters

Hailing from a renowned barbecue chain, this team blends power-packed cricket with the smoky flavors of grilled delicacies.

3. The Curry Kings

With roots in North Indian cuisine, the Curry Kings are experts in delivering explosive performances on the pitch, much like their bold curries.

4. The Sweet Smashers

Dessert lovers rejoice! This team, representing a famous bakery, knows how to bring sweetness and strategy to the game.

5. The Tandoor Titans

Masters of tandoori flavors, this team combines sizzling cricket skills with the essence of Indian grilling traditions.

6. The Coastal Chargers

Representing a seafood specialty restaurant, the Coastal Chargers bring the freshness of coastal vibes to their gameplay.

7. The Fusion Fighters

This team showcases the best of fusion cuisine, blending innovative strategies on the field with experimental culinary delights.

8. The Biryani Blasters

Inspired by India’s most-loved dish, the Biryani Blasters bring layers of skill, precision, and teamwork to their game.

9. The Kebab Knights

Representing a restaurant famous for kebabs, this team is all about sharp plays and perfectly timed shots.

10. The Dosa Daredevils

South Indian cuisine takes the spotlight with this team, known for their disciplined gameplay and love for crispy dosas.

11. The Chaat Chargers

With a flair for fun and creativity, this team reflects the vibrant spirit of street food and dynamic cricket.

12. The Brew Blazers

Representing a coffeehouse, the Brew Blazers combine the energy of caffeine with the intensity of cricket.

13. The Sizzler Squad

This team, representing a sizzler restaurant, brings the heat both on and off the field.

14. The Thali Warriors

Symbolizing variety and balance, the Thali Warriors aim to serve up consistent and diverse performances.

15. The Roll Rockers

Masters of wraps and rolls, this team specializes in swift, impactful plays that leave their opponents rolling.

16. The Feast Falcons

Representing a multi-cuisine restaurant, the Feast Falcons bring versatility and flair to their cricketing skills.

Why RCL Teams Are Special

What to Expect from RCL 2025

High-Intensity Matches: Witness thrilling T10 games packed with action and excitement.

Culinary Extravaganza: Explore food stalls offering signature dishes from participating restaurants.

Family Entertainment: Enjoy cultural performances, live music, and activities for all age groups.

Community Spirit: Celebrate the coming together of sports and food in a vibrant atmosphere.

Don’t Miss the Action!

As the teams gear up to showcase their skills on the pitch and their culinary prowess off it, the stage is set for an unforgettable event. Mark your calendars for February 19-23, 2025, and join us at RCL India to cheer for your favorite team and indulge in the best of cricket and cuisine.

Experience the magic of RCL 2025, where pitches meet platters, and stars shine brighter than ever!

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Mumbai Indians will have 23-player squad for the next season. (PC: X.com) The Mumbai Indians (MI) had done most of their heavy lifting before the auction, using up Rs 75 crore of their total purse on retaining five players. Rohit Sharma, former captain, Hardik Pandya, the current leader, Suryakumar Yadav – India’s T20 captain – Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma all stayed, meaning that the auction focus was very much on the foreign contingent and finding bowlers to supplement Bumrah’s sublime skills. “We had four of our top 7 in place already, just needed to fill a couple of slots with the right complimentary players,” said Akash Ambani, the team owner, after the two days in Jeddah. “We focused a lot in this auction on getting our bowling combination right and I think we have achieved that at the end of two days of auction.” HITS  Though he’s 35, bringing back Trent Boult could be an inspired move. Back in 2020, he enjoyed his best IPL season in MI colours, taking 25 wickets from 15 games at an economy rate under 8. With Deepak Chahar, once MS Dhoni’s go-to new-ball bowler, also drafted in, MI potentially have a new-ball attack that could hoop it around corners in most conditions, leaving Bumrah to do his damage in the second half of the innings. Chahar has played just 18 games in the last three years though, and keeping him fit will be of paramount importance. MI have also taken a punt on Afghanistan’s Allah Ghazanfar, who could be the next mystery spinner to keep an eye on. MISSES  There was a time when Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard were cornerstones of MI’s title-winning sides. The present overseas contingent lacks that quality. Ghazanfar, South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton and New Zealand’s Bevan-John Jacobs have not played in the IPL before, while Will Jacks, Reece Topley and Lizaad Williams have barely made a dent in the competition. Boult has vast experience, and so does Mitchell Santner, but the rest have plenty to prove. They may not need to go spin-heavy at the Wankhede, but at other venues, the slow-bowling back-up for Santner and Ghazanfar doesn’t inspire much confidence either.   Overall Rating: 7/10 Mumbai were always going to be hamstrung at the auction on account of having spent nearly two-thirds of their budget to retain their stars. But they’ve still managed to bring in a new-ball pairing who could be lethal on their home turf, and a young spinner who could potentially make the sort of impact that Rashid Khan did nearly a decade ago. Jacobs is only 22, but his big-hitting prowess has already caught the eye in New Zealand, while Jacks struck at over 175 in the eight games he played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.  Pandya will surely have a more impactful season this time, with the captaincy furore having died down, and Bumrah appears to be better than ever. If Rohit can play as freely as he did in the two white-ball World Cups, MI certainly have the weapons to make a play-off push. To go further and claim that elusive sixth title, however, will need some serious contributions from that untested foreign pack.  Squad Batters: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Bevan-John Jacobs. All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Raj Angad Bawa, Karn Sharma, Mitchell Santner, Vignesh Puthur. Pace bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Lizaad Williams, Reece Topley, Ashwani Kumar, Satyanarayana Raju, Arjun Tendulkar. Wicketkeepers: Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton, Shrijith Krishnan. Spinners: Allah Ghazanfar. The post Indian core envy of the rest; inexperienced foreign cast – Mumbai Indians at the mega auction appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] Mumbai Indians will have 23-player squad for the next season. (PC: X.com) The Mumbai Indians (MI) had done most of their heavy lifting before the auction, using up Rs 75 crore of their total purse on retaining five players. Rohit Sharma, former captain, Hardik Pandya, the current leader, Suryakumar Yadav – India’s T20 captain – Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma all stayed, meaning that the auction focus was very much on the foreign contingent and finding bowlers to supplement Bumrah’s sublime skills. “We had four of our top 7 in place already, just needed to fill a couple of slots with the right complimentary players,” said Akash Ambani, the team owner, after the two days in Jeddah. “We focused a lot in this auction on getting our bowling combination right and I think we have achieved that at the end of two days of auction.” HITS  Though he’s 35, bringing back Trent Boult could be an inspired move. Back in 2020, he enjoyed his best IPL season in MI colours, taking 25 wickets from 15 games at an economy rate under 8. With Deepak Chahar, once MS Dhoni’s go-to new-ball bowler, also drafted in, MI potentially have a new-ball attack that could hoop it around corners in most conditions, leaving Bumrah to do his damage in the second half of the innings. Chahar has played just 18 games in the last three years though, and keeping him fit will be of paramount importance. MI have also taken a punt on Afghanistan’s Allah Ghazanfar, who could be the next mystery spinner to keep an eye on. MISSES  There was a time when Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard were cornerstones of MI’s title-winning sides. The present overseas contingent lacks that quality. Ghazanfar, South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton and New Zealand’s Bevan-John Jacobs have not played in the IPL before, while Will Jacks, Reece Topley and Lizaad Williams have barely made a dent in the competition. Boult has vast experience, and so does Mitchell Santner, but the rest have plenty to prove. They may not need to go spin-heavy at the Wankhede, but at other venues, the slow-bowling back-up for Santner and Ghazanfar doesn’t inspire much confidence either.   Overall Rating: 7/10 Mumbai were always going to be hamstrung at the auction on account of having spent nearly two-thirds of their budget to retain their stars. But they’ve still managed to bring in a new-ball pairing who could be lethal on their home turf, and a young spinner who could potentially make the sort of impact that Rashid Khan did nearly a decade ago. Jacobs is only 22, but his big-hitting prowess has already caught the eye in New Zealand, while Jacks struck at over 175 in the eight games he played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.  Pandya will surely have a more impactful season this time, with the captaincy furore having died down, and Bumrah appears to be better than ever. If Rohit can play as freely as he did in the two white-ball World Cups, MI certainly have the weapons to make a play-off push. To go further and claim that elusive sixth title, however, will need some serious contributions from that untested foreign pack.  Squad Batters: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Bevan-John Jacobs. All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Raj Angad Bawa, Karn Sharma, Mitchell Santner, Vignesh Puthur. Pace bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Lizaad Williams, Reece Topley, Ashwani Kumar, Satyanarayana Raju, Arjun Tendulkar. Wicketkeepers: Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton, Shrijith Krishnan. Spinners: Allah Ghazanfar. The post Indian core envy of the rest; inexperienced foreign cast – Mumbai Indians at the mega auction appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[cmi-times]

IPL Auction 2025: 7 Players Mumbai Indians Can Buy with Their Remaining Budget

The IPL Auction 2025 is around the corner. And as in each season, big moves with Mumbai Indians can be expected to strengthen their team. Well, with a good core of retained Indian players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma, Mumbai Indians will have an excellent national backbone, which forms the core strength. Though their primary emphasis will be on quality foreign players, particularly fast bowlers, as Wankhede Stadium is an outright fast-tracking surface. Here are 7 players MI could target to strengthen their squad within their available budget:

Josh Hazlewood (Australia) - Fast Bowler Josh Hazlewood’s precise line and length make him a potent threat in any condition. MI’s interest in him would be particularly strong given the flat pitches at Wankhede Stadium, which can benefit fast bowlers who can generate swing. Hazlewood’s ability to bowl under pressure in the death overs and his experience in T20 leagues around the world make him an ideal candidate for MI's bowling attack.

Dawid Malan, England Top-order batsman Dawid Malan, the top-order batsman of England, would be one excellent pick for MI. Consistency is one of his key strengths, and with Malan, an innings is anchored to a better extent. Malan comes across as versatile, considering he can play against both pace and spin. He has enormous experience in T20 cricket in leagues like Big Bash League and The Hundred, so that automatically adds value to the batting line-up for MI.

Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand) – Fast Bowler In the past, MI has often backed strong pace bowlers, and Lockie Ferguson is no exception. He's been renowned for his raw pace and can be a massive destroyer of batsmen in the death overs. His express speed coupled with his ability to bowl yorkers even when in pressure situations makes him an expensive asset in T20 cricket. Against Wankhede, where swift bowling can cause serious problems for batsmen, Ferguson might find solace along with Bumrah and Pandya.

Adam Zampa - Leg Spinner 4. Australia Adam Zampa, of course, is a proven wicket-taker, one who is a specialist in the middle overs. With Wankhede sometimes allowing spinners to gain a seam that helps them win the game, Mumbai might just need Zampa to provide the right arm of control and variation. Experience in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore and his attendant performances in other T20 leagues make him a high-profile target for MI looking to strengthen their spin arsenal.

Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies) – Middle-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer is an aggressive middleorder bat, but a hitter nevertheless. He has the ability to fire in the latter half of the innings, which is a great asset for MI to have as a finisher. With the aim of a power-hitting depth in the squad, Hetmyer's experience in T20 cricket and the time he has spent in IPL would add to his value for the team. His aggressive stroke play could complement MI's strong top-order batsmen such as Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma.

Kyle Jamieson (New Zealand) - All-rounder Kyle Jamieson is well balanced between his pace and batting depth. He can bowl consistently at a speed of 140 km/h plus and chip in with the bat towards the end, making him a valuable asset to MI across both departments. He will complement Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder and provide some extra heft with their bowling attack on flat Wankhede pitches.

Rilee Rossouw (South Africa) – Top-order Batsman The game may turn out to be a game-changer for MI if Rilee Rossouw manages to form partnerships at the top of the order with aggressive strokes. With his experience playing T20 leagues around the world, Rossouw has a reputation for coming under pressure and accelerating games as needed. Rossouw might be the injection MI will need to give depth in the middle overs and allow players like Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma to come out and play freely at the top.

Conclusion With IPL Auction 2025 around the corner, Mumbai Indians will do some shrewd maneuvering to add strength to their squad, especially in the foreign player department. Fast bowlers are going to be some of the major targets for MI, especially going by the nature of Wankhede Stadium's pitch. Josh Hazlewood, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Zampa will bring fire in their bowling attack while Dawid Malan, Shimron Hetmyer, and Rilee Rossouw will provide the batting lineup depth and versatility. If MI can get these players within the remaining budget, they will have a strong, well-balanced squad to challenge for the title in IPL 2025.

Keep watching CMITimes for more updates on the IPL Auction 2025 and Mumbai Indians' strategies!

[cricketbazaar]

Top 3 Knocks By Rohit Sharma In Test Cricket

Over the past few years, Rohit Sharma - who is renowned for his powerful hitting and elegant stroke play - has undergone a significant transformation. Once widely regarded as a limited-overs specialist, the Hitman has hushed his critics and become a pivotal figure in India's Test cricket resurgence. Rohit's development from a T20 superstar to a capable Test batsman demonstrates his adaptability and unwavering determination. He possesses a special gift that is typically reserved for the finest players: the ability to effortlessly transition between forms. His exploits in the shorter forms continue to enthrall fans, but his achievements in Test cricket have solidified his status as a contemporary icon. With a combination of strength, timing, and attitude, Rohit Sharma has produced innings of exceptional excellence in the game's longest format. His ability to lead the innings and his propensity for scoring enormous totals make him an essential element of the Indian Test team, especially in the upcoming cricket matches. Let's examine some of the maestro's best knocks played in the red-ball format.

212 vs South Africa, 2019 Ranchi

Rohit Sharma had a spectacular comeback in Test cricket in 2019. He had an outstanding game and finished as the series' leading run-scorer. In three tests, Rohit Sharma amassed 529 runs at an average of 132.25. In the series' third Test match, he scored his highest-ever Test Cricket score. Rohit Sharma's run rate was unaltered even when players like Mayank Agarwal, Pujara, and Kohli were dismissed at low scores. He scored 212 runs in just 255 balls with a strike rate of over 80, including six sixes and 28 fours inside his knock. His effort helped India collect 497 runs in the first innings. India won that match by 202 runs and an inning.

177 vs West Indies, 2013 Kolkata

India's current captain, Rohit Sharma, made his Test debut in November 2013 at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata during Sachin Tendulkar's farewell Test match against the West Indies. The skipper of India had an outstanding Test debut. After the West Indies scored 234 runs in the first innings, India amassed an incredible 453 runs in the second, thanks to a spectacular knock by Rohit Sharma. The hitman came onto the pitch during a difficult part of the game. India had lost four wickets and only managed 82 runs. However, Rohit Sharma then struck with a stunning punch. In order to take control of the game, he assisted in forming crucial alliances with MS Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin. Rohit Sharma was quite successful, scoring 177 runs in 301 balls with 23 fours and 1 six, setting the live scorecard on fire. Apart from saving the innings, he also registered his first hundred in the already long list of Rohit Sharma centuries. Moreover, this was the innings that established his reputation as a dangerous player.

176 vs South Africa, 2019 Visakhapatnam 

In Test cricket, Rohit Sharma's performances deteriorated after he made some outstanding knocks in the first few games. He was later dismissed from the squad. Rohit Sharma was given another chance to start his Test Cricket career again before the 2019 World Test Championship started. Rohit Sharma began for India against South Africa at Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Stadium, scoring 176 runs off 244 balls in his first return innings. He helped the team to 502 runs in the first innings by sharing an incredible 317 runs for the first wicket with Mayank Agarwal. India won by 203 runs in that match. 

[starbiopic]

New Faces in Team India’s Squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy and South Africa Tour

The Indian Cricket Board has recently unveiled the squads for two major upcoming cricket series – the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and the South Africa T20 series. This announcement has brought several new faces into the spotlight, surprising fans and experts alike with some unexpected selections. Exciting Additions to the Australia Test Series Squad India’s five-match Test series…

[ridikaislamsblog]

Corey James Anderson

Born

December 13, 1990, Christchurch, Canterbury

Age

33y 310d

Batting Style

Left hand Bat

Bowling Style

Left arm Medium fast

Playing Role

Batting Allrounder

TEAMS

United States of AmericaNew ZealandSan Francisco UnicornsAucklandBarbados TridentsCanterburyDelhi DaredevilsHobart HurricanesLahore QalandarsManipal TigersMI EmiratesMorrisville UnityMumbai IndiansNew Zealand ANew Zealand Under-19sNorthern DistrictsRoyal Challengers BangaloreSomerset

Corey Anderson had always been known for his powerful striking, but he took it to a new level on New Year's Day 2014 when he set what was then the world record for the fastest ODI hundred with a 36-ball blitzkrieg against West Indies in Queenstown. It came at a time, a few months after he scored a century in his second Test, that Anderson was suggesting he was ready to fulfill the potential spotted in him as a teenager.

Anderson, who would not look out of place in the All Blacks' front row, became the youngest New Zealand player to gain a contract when, at 16, he was awarded the deal that Chris Harris declined. Anderson had already appeared for Canterbury the previous year and, within a year, he had played for New Zealand A, as well as in the State final. A left-arm pace bowler and middle-order batsman, Anderson played in the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in 2008 and two years later again made the squad for the tournament, which was held at home in New Zealand.

Anderson made his first-class debut in 2007, but had to wait till 2012 for his maiden first-class century. It was a big hundred, though - 167 against Otago - and soon after that he was included in New Zealand's squad for the Twenty20 international series in South Africa. He didn't do much in that series, and was injured for the subsequent one-dayers - a continuation of fitness issues that have followed him through the early part of his career - but continued to score runs in the domestic season. In 2013, he was included in New Zealand's ODI squad for the Champions Trophy, and made his debut in that format against England in Cardiff.

A Test debut followed later in the year against Bangladesh and he scored a hundred in the second match of the series in Dhaka. Since then, he has established himself as a regular member of the New Zealand side in all three formats, and played a key role in their run to the ODI World Cup final in 2015. He made a strong case to be adjudged the allrounder of the tournament, scoring two half-centuries, including a 58 in the semi-final chase against South Africa, and picking up 14 wickets at 16.71.

In 2021, Anderson made a move to the USA and participated in the Major League Cricket competition subsequently. In 2024, he was selected in USA's T20 World Cup squad.

ESPNcricinfo staff

View

[hussyknee]

Okay, let's get one thing straight: the JVP never murdered Tamils. That's all JR Jayawardena's propaganda. He did Black July, the '83 genocide of Tamils that ignited the 26-year Sri Lankan Civil War.

When JR swept into power with the nation's first super majority, he established the Executive Presidency, stripped Sirimavo of her civil rights, aligned with the US and threw open the economy, doing nothing to absorb the shockwaves for the poor and working class that up to that point had formed the backbone of the failed self-sufficient policies of the socialist government. This obviously led to starvation level poverty among the rural poor and labourers, especially in the South, and trade unions and Marxist protest groups rose up. JR responded by hunting them all like dogs. His PM Premadasa was especially known for murdering trade unionists.

He also increased the militarized presence in the North and East by passing the Prevention of Terrorism Act of 1979, the single most enduring curse on democratic freedom in this country. Ostensibly to crack down on Tamil militant groups, in reality it unleashed a reign of terror by cops and army, escalating rapes, kidnappings and murders of Tamils in far greater numbers than seen since the '58 Gal Oya riots. This obviously caused the a stronger armed response by separatist groups like the LTTE, which is what JR wanted. He used the LTTE's killing of the 13 Sinhalese soldiers to deliberately inflame the Sinhalese all over the country, bussing in mobs and making the army aid and abet them to burn thousands of Tamils alive. Obviously, groups like the LTTE swelled overnight as a consequence. Again, a win for the militarized state and the powers it gave the Executive.

JR then killed two birds with one stone by framing the JVP as the instigators of the genocide. Sirimavo had banned the party after their first insurrection in '71, but JR revoked it as a populist measure just to spite her when he first came to power. Now, he banned it himself. This forced the JVP underground and to take up arms once more— another win for the military state. Ranjan Wijeratne and Gamini Dissanayake, JR's personal Goebbels and Himmler, along with his PM Premadasa, wanted a "Jakarta Method" cleansing of all communists and unleashed another reign of terror against Sinhalese youth in the late '80s. Their death squads and black sites claimed upwards of 60,000 lives, including school children, most of them for offenses such as pissing off a government spy and refusing to have sex with a cop.

But make no mistake, the JVP wasn't much less ethnonationalist than the two major parties. In fact, the South's sense of disaffection and resentment directed against the elites was also turned on what they saw as "special dispensations" for Tamils to occupy it by achieving higher education and government positions. Even then, there existed a tentative Marxist solidarity between the JVP and Tamil militant groups who exchanged weapons against the SL Army, the Indian Peace Keeping Force, and the LTTE, which was trying to purge all the other Tamil factions as their competition. However, once the JVP joined politics in '93, they spent the next ten years nurturing nuclear racists like Wimal Weerawansa and throwing in with the saffron mob (Buddhist priesthood).

The JVP did have a special grievance against the LTTE specifically. When Ranasinghe Premadasa became President after JR in '89, he decided he wasn't going to fight a bunch of militants in two fronts, especially considering he had to figure out a way to kick out the Indian Peace Keeping Force. (The IPKF were supposed to be Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Ghandi's emissaries sent to mediate between the government forces and the LTTE. In reality, they turned out be a band of out of control terrorists that preyed on civilians worse than either). Therefore Premadasa made a truce with the LTTE to join the Army and run out the IPKF, but also enlisted their help cleaning up the JVP cadres in the East and Central Provinces. The Army and LTTE were very chummy up until Premadasa caught and killed JVP Leader Rohana Wijeweera in November that year, even as other Tamil militants were supporting the JVP. The LTTE rewarded Premadasa's machinations by assassinating him in '93.

This does not excuse the JVP marching against Ranil's peace package offered to the LTTE in 2004 and fully backing Mahinda Rajapaksa's push to launch a "final solution" military offensive against the North. By doing that, they became fully party to the 2009 Tamil Genocide that killed upwards of 170,000 civilians in the North and East. Even though they were one of the first to defect from the Rajapaksas five years later, and has been a consistent thorn in the Rajapaksas' side ever since, none of it was out of recognition of their war crimes or concern for the ongoing ethnic cleansing and persecution of the North and East. I don't ever expect Tamils to forgive that, and the NPP winning the Tamil and Muslim areas actually broke my heart a bit, especially given how the Sinhalese on social media spewed hate at them for failing to vote for AKD in the Presidential election.

On the other hand, the NPP is the only party that didn't run on a racist platform since...2015? 2010? Which is the literal bottom of the fucking barrell, and also no small thing considering the fact that Sinhalese Buddhist chauvinism has been most non-minority parties' bread and butter from the beginning. Their every rally and parade have been bolstered by the most virulent saffron jackals they could find, and even SJB party leader Sajith Premadasa, who was supposed to be the minority-friendly option against the Rs, decided to court their favour in both elections. (Apples, trees, etc.) The NPP is the only party that attempts some separation of church and state (or temple and state, as it were), paying only lip service to the niceties of our wannabe-theocracy.

Also, not for nothing but Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was the director at the Open University of the program that teaches about the Tamil genocides, Tamil struggle, Sinhalese Buddhist historical revisionism, the creation of the ethnostate, the violence of the military state et al. She's one of the reasons I began to support Tamil resistance. Now she's in a party surrounded by racist ballsacks who can't be arsed to provide translations for Tamil speakers. (For the thousandth time, I appreciate your intentions but, woman. What are you doing?)

Like, I excused them not campaigning in the North and East in the Presidential election because I believe they didn't have the funds, but the General?? Bussing in people from other provinces in their Northern rallies? Not having a single Muslim in their Cabinet? It's not great to be passive about your racist past and lack engagement with minorities in your ostensibly non-racist present, but to start out your super majority government that way when they voted for you is completely inexcusable. I am, quite frankly, worried. They've also said they're leaving the Prevention of Terrorism Act alone (which I thought might just be trying not to rock the boat before the General—the JVP was literally hunted and massacred under the PTA, what the fuck) and have said nothing about demilitarizing the North and East, when the harrassment and persecution of the civilians there are getting ever more dire.

I don't believe they're going to rain hell down on minorities the way the other two parties have historically, because they've made a concerted effort to distance themselves from that kind of MO. It is, after all, a reason they won the Muslim and Tamil vote, a bar in hell as it is. But completely ignoring a wounded and ailing demographic is also as a great a violence. So I don't know. But I think the worst outcome is simply that nothing changes for Tamils, rather than more mob violence and harsher military response. Both have always been circuses for the government to distract from the lack of bread, and now we can't afford either.

Edit: okay, so I might have been a bit unfair and misinformed about their efforts in Jaffna. The NPP's candidates seem to be well chosen by both the party and the electorate, and now-party leader Bimal Rathnayake has spent a good amount of time and energy on Jaffna. And there are two Tamil Ministers in the Cabinet. The quality and focus of the representatives have changed in the North and East just as much. Here's hoping they receive the solidarity and allyship they need to make real change for their constituents.

Trying to explain what the fuck just happened in Lankan politics today.

The leftist party has won 159 seats out of 218 in the Parliamentary elections. The single biggest landslide win since we broke from the British and achieved universal franchise in 1948.

Any party achieving a super majority in the executive and legislative is, objectively speaking, bad. It disables checks and balances, which is a catastrophic thing for any democracy, and the only two other times it's happened for us has irrevocably eroded the fabric of civic rights and democratic freedom. Also, the reason the NPP won the North and East is that the colonized, genocided and subjugated people there have no faith in electoralism anymore. The way this government has engaged minority issues has been utterly abysmal and now they've been rewarded for it.

On the other hand:

The winners. Are all. Grassroots. Candidates.

We have voted out every single career criminal that's been barnacled into the Lankan political arena since before I've been alive. The fascist party has only three seats. The other fascists didn't win a single seat. The neoliberal legacy party won none. There are only forty people in Parliament that represent any sort of dynastic political legacy. After 76 solid years of nothing but political dynasties.

This is barely five years after the Rajapaksas swept in and absolutely glutted the Parliament with their family members and cronies end to end.

This is the illegitimate interim government we had for most of the last 18 months. We literally, physically, chased the Rajapaksas out of the country and this fucking demon set up a puppet government just so he could finally sit in that goddamn chair and be the despot he'd always dreamed of in exchange for letting them all come back. He's now gone. His entire circle is gone.

THEY ARE ALL FUCKING GONE.

In US terms, just imagine the entire GOP and the worst of the Dems destroyed and purged from Congress and Senate, the Green Party in control of all three branches of government, an unmarried abortion rights activist Vice President, and the Dems reduced to barely 20% of the House. Five years from now, when Trump's GOP has control of everything.

This is my anthropology professor. She joined politics from the small nascent leftist coalition to help keep the government accountable. She's now the Prime Minister and the most popular Parliamentary candidate in the nation's history.

On the other hand— the woman who helped make me a radical anarchist and literally helped write a book on political dissent and resistance...now is the state.

But there are so many women in Parliament! We had the lowest female representation in a South Asian Parliament and some of them were from the list of seats reserved for parties rather than elected ones. Most were either anti-feminist conservative embarrassments, widows and daughters of elite politicians and neoliberal shills. It's still only an increase of a few percentage points but now we have elected academics, feminist advocates, activists! THERE IS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR MALAIYAHA TAMILS IN THE CENTRAL PROVINCE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY AND IT'S A YOUNG WOMAN! This is the plantation community that still live in conditions closest to the slavery the British forced upon them two hundred years ago!

I'm like. Completely mindfucked. To be very very clear, these people are not Marxists or anything near; they're mild social democrats who would only be threatening to like, USAmerican liberals, who are now center-right. The actual chances for radical reform are still quite low, and the opportunity for further erosion is extremely high.

On the other hand:

What the fuck.

Sometimes living through historical events is really damn amazing.

[news-wtf]

Invasive mice are devouring albatrosses alive on a remote island in the Indian Ocean, so conservationists have come up with an explosive solution — "bombing" the mice.

Mice have been wreaking havoc on Marion Island, between South Africa and Antarctica, for decades. Humans accidentally introduced the mice in the 19th century, and the rodents have since developed a taste for wandering albatrosses (Diomedea exulans) and other threatened seabirds.

The Mouse-Free Marion Project, a collaboration between the South African government and BirdLife South Africa, is trying to raise $29 million to drop 660 tons (600 metric tons) of rodenticide-laced pellets onto the island in winter 2027, AFP news agency reported on Saturday (Aug. 24).

The project plans to send a squad of helicopters to drop the pellets. By striking in winter when the mice are most hungry, the conservationists hope to eradicate the entire mouse population of up to 1 million individuals.