#summary number 63

[maplesyrupsainz]

˖⁺｡˚⋆˙ur hot call me | GR63˖⁺｡˚⋆˙

pairing: george russell x florist y/n reader (she/her)

genre: social media au

warnings: none jus fluff :)

summary: in which a mysterious boy leaves a note for you to call him in your workplace, so you do

a/n: got a super vague request for george content so hope i did him justice!!! i luv george sorry if it's soo short

request!!!!: hello hello, i would like to request a george smau? i know we love him and carmen but... i'm in my george feels tonight so... i don't think i have an actual request i just want more george...

fc: various brunette girls from pinterest

my masterlist

instagram ->

yourusername

liked by yourbff, user1, and 1,183 others

yourusername this is me trying not to exclusively post 🌻🌹🌷��!!

view all 89 comments

yourbff i miss u!

yourusername i miss u too come visit the shop this week! 💐

georgerussell63

liked by alex_albon, landonorris, and 333,728 others

georgerussell63 🌊🌺👯‍♂️🍷

view all 4,283 comments

charles_leclerc thanks again for the flowers george

alex_albon ?? he got me flowers too

landonorris the boy is mineee

georgerussell63 can everyone relax

user1 my favs fr

user2 who r the flowers for george russell 63⁉️

user3 me

charles_leclerc me

user4 😭

messages ->

instagram ->

yourusername posted a story

liked by yourbff, georgerussell63, and 102 others

yourbff where are you

yourusername on a date 🤫

yourusername with flower shop boy

yourbff tell me everything

georgerussell63 posted a story

liked by charles_leclerc, landonorris, and 137,183 others

charles_leclerc the mystery woman

landonorris interesting

messages ->

twitter ->

instagram ->

yourusername

liked by georgerussell63, yourbff, and 1,728 others

yourusername 🐱💐🌼❤️

view all 101 comments

georgerussell63 nice caption

yourusername i copied (u)😊

yourbff the note lol

yourusername 🤫

user8 wait

twitter ->

messages ->

instagram ->

yourusername

liked by yourbff, user8, and 3,283 others

yourusername some of my favourite bouquets from this week 🌷

view all 1,019 comments

yourbff the last one is insane & my favourite ever

yourusername this is exactly how i feel about u

user10 this is george's new gf's account??

comment deleted by yourusername

user11 she doesnt seem like george's usual type

comment deleted by yourusername

user12 this is george's gf?? why is she a flop lowkey

comment deleted by yourusername

comments are now restricted on this post

twitter ->

instagram ->

georgerussell63

liked by lewishamilton, alex_albon, and 402,837 others

georgerussell63 pic haul

view all 6,273 comments

user17 no girl this time

user18 she cant handle it i think

yourbff make dinner for me next time too im left out

georgerussell63 are you sure you want that

user19 who is this girl ?? what is going on 😭

user20 how many gfs george got 💀

charles_leclerc everyone is obsessed with your personal life george

georgerussell63 i know, how boring

user21 yikes

messages ->

instagram ->

yourusername

liked by georgerussell63, yourbff, and 63,273 others

yourusername it's u & me thts my whole world <3

tagged: georgerussell63

view all 11,183 comments

georgerussell63 oh my god

yourusername hello bf 👋

georgerussell63 hello my perfect perfect gf

user22 OMG

user23 omg

user24 we knew it

yourbff & i rmmbr the day he gave u his number on a lil note

yourusername come a long way

georgerussell63 it was love at first sight

charles_leclerc we lost a real one today

alex_albon fly high 🕊️

georgerussell63 so dramatic for what?

user25 new favourite wag

liked by yourusername

THE END 🤍

[my-own-walker]

Reptilia

summary: it’s your first time at the cortez. it’s devil’s night. james has plans for you. you have plans too.

warnings: sm*t, choking, murder, drowning, drugging, knives, etc

+++

He seemed impressed by the way you came in. Your poise as you made your way into the Hotel Cortez almost made the room stop. A glimmer in your eyes told him that there was something special about you. It was Devil's Night, and your curiosity had been piqued. You'd heard stories of the ghosts in the building celebrating in lavish ways on October 30th.

Your friends viewed you as mad. It was amusing to them that you believed in spirits and all things supernatural in the way you did. It wasn't just an interest, it was an obsession. A way of life.

James Patrick March watched from the balcony that overlooked the lobby. Watched as your hips swayed as you walked. Watched as a smirk stayed on your lips as you checked in. Watched as you entered the elevator with your overnight bag.

He found you as you walked through the halls to your suite. Room 63. Slinked quietly behind you until he saw an opportune moment to approach you without startling you. A soft touch glanced at your upper arm just as you stuck the key into your suite door's lock. You spun to face the dark-haired man standing before you.

'I don't mean to startle you, miss,' he spoke in a thick trans-Atlantic accent.

'Oh, not at all. I'm fine, I was ju-'

'My, you are one pretty bird,' he said in a sing-songy tone. You couldn't even respond. A hot flush rushed to your cheeks as you smiled and cast your eyes to the ground. 'Now, now, you mustn't hide that lovely face of yours.' He lifted your chin up. As your eyes met his, a funny feeling coursed through your middle. Recognition.

'Well, thank you, Mister...' you replied.

'March. James Patrick March. But you, my dear, can call me James,' he smiled.

'Y/N,' you whispered.

'Y/N,' he repeated. The word danced out of his mouth in the most delicious way, swirling around your head like a thick smoky haze. 'I have a proposition for you, Y/N.'

'You do?' you laughed.

'Come to my gathering tonight. It's in suite number 78. Knock twice and only twice,' he instructed.

'Uh, alright,' you spoke, your tone reflecting tone of someone taken aback by his forthrightness. 'I will be there, Mr. March.'

'Again dearest, it's James to you,' he declared, already walking away.

'Okay James,' you called after him, turning back to the task of getting into your room.

+

You spent the afternoon preparing yourself for the party. James was a classy man. He was a true 1930s time capsule. He spoke like a rich man and dressed like one as well. You picked out a black dress and a simple string of pearls. Something fit for a rich person’s soirée.

As soon as night fell, you were at the door marked '78' knocking twice, as James instructed.

'Ah, there she is!' James announced as he opened the door. 'Our guest of honor.' You stepped into the entryway and were met with a stale floral aroma and the most gorgeous room you'd ever seen. Candelabras burned all throughout the space, flickering, creating the perfect ambiance.

You smiled sheepishly as James led you into the dining room and presented you to the room full of people. Men dressed as serial killers sat around the table, smiling expectantly at you. Jeffery Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Richard Ramirez. All horror freaks, just like you.

'Hiya,' you grinned, shifting your weight uncomfortably on your feet.

'This is Y/N,' James said, adding a flourish with his hand.

'Tell us a story, I know you're not boring,' a man dressed as Richard Ramirez quipped. 'If I have to hear about Gacy's woodworking hobby one more time I will simply scream.'

'Oh, um, well, I'm not sure what to tell,' you murmured. A table of people wanting to hear something about you. Talk about pressure.

'Dear, have a seat,' James assured you, placing his hand on the small of your back as he guided you to the nearest open chair. You sat gently and smoothed the front of your dress, looking around the table anxiously.

'Well, c'mon. Tell us somethin'!' the Ramirez lookalike pressed.

'I was afraid that you would not insist,' James smirked. 'I must hear something simply juicy about you, nightingale.' He put a hand on top of mine.

'You're in a strange part of our town, tell us something strange,' Ramirez continued.

'Okay,' you replied, steeling yourself. 'What if I told you I faked my death to come here today?'

'I'd say you're lying,' the Dahmer character spoke.

'No, sir, I did. In fact, the plot was so elaborate, I may have to disappear forever.'

'Do tell us more,' James hummed, standing and walking over to a bar cart in the corner of the room. He began pouring drinks for all of the members of the party.

'I'm more cunning than you'd think, people. I wasn't allowed to leave home. I drove my own car into the river and sold my father's gold watch to pay for my train ticket. I needed to escape, and I did. Now I am patiently waiting for the catastrophe of my situation to seem beautiful again,' you explained.

'You drove your car into a river. Real interesting,' the Ramirez character snarked, yawning.

'You sound so sleepy, just take this,' James said, handing him green-hued liquid in a crystal glass.

'Whatever, take my story as you will,' you sighed. 'Just know that there's more to me than meets the eye.' James slid a glass to you and winked.

'Drink up, dear,' he smiled. 'Everyone, drink! Let us celebrate Devil's Night.' The individuals at the table raised their glasses and sipped. You joined, but smelling the sweet licorice smell of absinthe, you thought better than to actually drink.

After some polite conversation and more drinks, the room grew in energy. About an hour went by. The people at the table became restless. Their drinks were finally beginning to take effect.

'My pretty bird,' James purred in your ear. 'Can I show you to my bedroom?'

'Absolutely,' you replied. The moment you were waiting for. He took you by the hand and guided you through the suite and into a lavish bedroom. You ignored the hoots and hollers of the other guests as you walked. Crude.

As soon as the door shut, James had you pinned against a wall, one hand around your neck, another behind your head so you wouldn’t hit it. His lips made contact with yours passionately. There was a hunger there.

‘I know there’s a darkness within you,’ James breathed, separating from your mouth for just a second before continuing to kiss you. ‘Please don't slow me down if I'm going too fast. I so desperately need you.’

You leaned into his desperation and began to fumble with the buttons on the front of his shirt. You unclipped his suspenders and threw them across the room. His shirt fell open with the release of the last button. You smoothed your hands over his strong chest. All the while, James had already unzipped your dress all too easily. It pooled heavily at your feet.

He picked you up and tossed you onto the soft bed. The silky duvet cover felt like diamonds on your bare skin. James stood at the edge of the bed removing his trousers. He slicked his hair back with one hand before returning his attention to you.

His tongue trailed from your left hip bone all the way up to your neck as he crawled onto the bed. You shivered and moaned quietly. He kissed hard and fast all over your body, making sure to leave a mark or two here and there to prove he had been there.

Your back arched as you anticipated his entrance. He thrust into you with power and let out a deep groan.

‘James,’ you cried, waves of pleasure washing over you as he fucked you brutishly. The gentle touches of earlier were replaced by animalistic passion. He placed his hands over your throat and began to choke you, just a bit. Your eyes lit up. There was nothing you loved more than that.

He slid in and out of your wet pussy mercilessly, making you continuously cry out in pleasure. It was not long before you both came with thunderous moans and screams.

James crashed down onto the bed beside you and reached over to his bedside table, lighting a cigarette before returning.

‘That was wonderful,’ he cooed.

‘It was,’ you agreed. ‘We should go again.’

‘Ah, my dear, but I have guests to attend to.’

‘I see. I really should get going, then,’ you decided, sitting up to find your dress. You couldn’t shake the pit that formed in your stomach the minute you walked in. Him not wanting more was giving you an out.

'The night's not over,’ he protested.

‘You're not trying hard enough,’ you smirked. ‘If you want me here, you really gotta try to keep me.’

‘Oh, I can think of an arrangement,’ he said, a sick tone coloring his words. You grabbed your dress from the floor and slipped it on, half zipping it before giving up. ‘Here, love, let me help you.’

You stepped over to James who was now standing beside the bed. He took the zipper in his fingers and tugged it up gently. Before you could move, though, his hand was over your mouth. His other arm was wrapped around your body, a knife hovering over your stomach.

‘The wait is over, dearest. I'm now taking over,’ he growled. ‘It’s time for the main event.’

Quick on your feet, you slipped down and out of his grip and scrambled to your feet in the corner of the room.

‘Fuck you, March, I knew this would happen,’ you spat. A look of utter confusion crossed his face. ‘I know who you are, James Patrick March. I’ve heard the stories. You’re dead.’

��I’m sure I don’t understand,’ he started.

‘I’m sure you don’t. You’re not laughing now, huh?’ you challenged. ‘I didn’t drink that stupid shit. I know you lure people here to kill them on Devil’s Night. Innocent looking girls, like me.’

‘You’re a smart one, I see,’ he replied calmly.

‘Let me leave, and we won’t have any problems here,’ you demanded.

‘Now, bird, I see something in you, though. A tactfulness. A darkness. Something that would serve us well over on my side of the mortal plane,’ he spoke. ‘You belong with us.’

‘I risked it all to come here so I could kill you, however you kill a ghost,’ you stammered. You hadn’t entirely thought out your plan. ‘You’re evil.’

'I thought I told you, this world is not for you,’ he replied coldly, creeping toward you, knife still in hand. ‘There’s a reason you threw your old life away to be here. You want to join me.’

‘No,’ you mustered entirely flustered by his words and your lack of a solid plan. He lunged at you quickly and you dodged him, ducking to the side and rushing over to his bedside table. Once again, he made a move to grab you, but you ran, out of the room and into the suite.

The people in the dining room had migrated. They all stared at you as you made your escape, but you didn’t care.

James needed to get some semblance of decent before he came running after you, so it bought you time to figure out the way out. In a crucial mistake, though, the door you chose was not the exit. It was the door to the bathroom.

You slammed it shut behind you and barricaded yourself in by sticking a broom handle under the doorknob. You hopped into the bathtub and laid quietly, hoping no one saw you come in.

Almost seconds later, loud bangs started raining down on the wood door. The broom couldn’t withstand the blows and broke in two under the pressure. The door swung open and light streamed into the space.

‘Where the hell are you?’ he yelled.

'You sound so angry. Just calm down, you found me,’ you resigned, sitting up.

‘It’s time for you to join me, beautiful,’ he smirked darkly. He turned the bathtub tap on and held you down. You didn’t even struggle. Your fate was sealed, and you were to live out the rest of your days with him, just as the legend said.

And to him, you couldn’t drown fast enough.

+++

I love JPM stories inspired by songs I like. It really fills me with so much joy. I wanted to fit so much into this so sorry if it feels rushed!!

[magz]

Palestine summary for March 16 to March 28, 2024. (From "Lets Talk Palestine" broadcast channel). Quote.

March 16, 2024.

Day 162

• 1st aid shipment departing Cyprus arrived in Gaza yesterday carrying 200 tons of food, marking 1st Gaza sea shipment since 2005 + planned 2nd ship coordinated by US, UAE, Spain & Japan; but unclear on distribution of aid across Gaza

• Massacre in central Gaza as Israel destroys home, killing 36 Palestinians, incl. kids & pregnant women

🔻 Senior Hamas & Houthi officials hold rare meeting to discuss coordinated action against an Israeli Rafah ground invasion

• Israeli settlers attack homes in Nablus (West Bank), throwing stones & shooting the air + 20 Palestinians abducted in West Bank, incl. some released in Nov. hostage exchange deal

•⁠ ⁠Palestinian Authority (PA) president Abbas accuses Hamas of causing “return of Israeli occupation of Gaza”, essentially blaming Hamas for the ongoing genocide. Was prompted by Hamas criticism of ‘unilateral’ appointment of new PM of the PA (see our last broadcast)

• 63 Palestinians killed, 112 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours

March 17, 2024.

Day 163

🇺🇸⁠ NBC: Biden frustrated over drop in poll numbers in swing states Michigan & Georgia due to his handling of Gaza genocide. Shouting and swearing in a White House meeting, saying he’s doing what is right

•⁠ 19 aid trucks arrive in north Gaza — first convoys to reach the north without incident in 4 months. But aid remains scarce as Israel keeps blocking entry of aid as trucks pile outside Rafah crossing + rate of malnutrition among children under 2 in north doubles in past month

•⁠ 14th Palestinian dies since Oct 7 in Israeli prison following multiple allegations of extreme abusive conditions for Palestinian hostages

🇪🇺⁠ ⁠EU President condemns an Israeli Rafah invasion, joining countless nations to do so like the US & Arab countries

•⁠ Israeli forces abduct 25 Palestinians, incl. a woman with cancer from Gaza & a child in overnight raids in West Bank

•⁠ ⁠92 Palestinians killed, 130 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours

(No specific summary for March 18)

March 19, 2024.

Day 165

🇨🇦⁠ Canada to halt all further arms exports to Israel in support of ceasefire and 2-state “solution”, recognizing ICJ ruling. This came after a non-binding parliamentary resolution which called for ending arms sales. But resolution’s language was watered down during amendment, denoting Hamas as a “terror organization” + removing call to sanction Israeli officials

• 93 Palestinians killed, 142 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours

• Israel escalates attacks across Gaza with 1 attack on Rafah killing 14 Palestinians + ongoing raid of al-Shifa hospital killed & injured dozens

• Israel issued 100,000 new gun licenses to Israeli’s since Oct 7 out of the 299,354 applications

• Israel massacred aid distribution committee at Kuwaiti roundabout (north Gaza), killing at least 23 people

•⁠ ⁠Israeli settlers, w/ ongoing genocide as a distraction, accelerated building of 18 new illegal roads + 15 outposts (unauthorized settlement illegal under Israeli law) in West Bank since Oct

March 20, 2024.

Day 166

•⁠ 104 Palestinians killed, 162 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours

🇺🇸 Reuters:⁠ US Congress & White House reach deal on funding bill that includes blocking UNRWA donations until March 2025, based on Israel’s unverified allegations

🏥 IOF siege on al-Shifa hospital enters 3rd day, as forces surround the complex trapping hundreds inside & block rescue efforts

•⁠ 8 Israeli attacks kill 100+ aid workers in 1 week + IOF massacred 23 aid seekers in north Gaza

🚢 Israel Hayom: Israel plans to buy port in Cyprus amid fears of Haifa port closure from Hezbollah strikes, hindering military & commercial imports

⚓️ ⁠Israel’s Eilat port will fire half its employees due to Red Sea blockade

•⁠ Israeli High Court approves demolition of a Palestinian’s home for carrying out a non-lethal resistance operation in West Bank; marking first authorized home demolition by court for an operation without fatalities — an escalation in Israeli repression

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia pledges $40m to UNRWA

March 21, 2024.

Day 167

• As Arabs celebrate Mother's Day today, we remember that on average 37 mothers are exterminated everyday in Gaza, meanwhile mothers from Gaza make up 28 of the 67 female detainees in Israeli prisons

• 65 Palestinians killed, 92 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours

🏥 Israel continues 4th day siege on al-Shifa Hospital, killing 140+ Palestinians & abducted 600 people, incl. medical staff. 13 patients killed as Israel cut off electricity, depriving oxygen, medicine & food

• 18-year-old Ubai Abu Maria abducted by Israeli forces in West Bank for 7th time, impeding treatment for bullet wound requiring surgery

•⁠ Poll finds 71% of Palestinians in Gaza & West Bank support Hamas's Oct 7 resistance operation; compared to poll 3 months ago, support among West Bank residents dropped by 11% but amongst Gazans rose by 14%

• Israel ordered 25 patients receiving care in West Bank to return to Gaza. They're among the 400 patients from Gaza who were left stranded in West Bank after Oct 7

March 22, 2024.

🚨Russia & China veto US UN Security Council ceasefire resolution

The resolution showed a shift: US had vetoed every ceasefire proposal, most recently Algeria’s as the US opposed language of “immediate” ceasefire, preferring “humanitarian pause”. But now the US draft states “the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire”.

The problem? It’d last only 6 weeks, is conditional on release of Israeli hostages, and condemns both Hamas’ op & the Houthi naval blockade. The wording of “determines the imperative” is also weak, implying the importance of a ceasefire, not demanding one.

The result? It wouldn’t obligate Israel to end the genocide + let it continue on the pretext that there’s no “acceptable” hostage deal.

It was vetoed by 🇷🇺 & 🇨🇳 who said it’d let Israel continue attacks & invade Rafah. Algeria also voted against it.

10 states are planning alternative resolution calling for Ramadan ceasefire, including but not conditioned on release of Israeli hostages. US likely to veto.

Day 168 - IMPORTANT

•⁠ Gaza death toll surpasses 32,000 not including the thousands buried under rubble

‼️ Israel seized 1,977 acres of West Bank land for settlements, the largest land theft since 1993

🇺🇸 Congress passes bill that bans funding to UNRWA until 2025; expected for Senate to pass before midnight deadline

🏥 Israel’s siege on Shifa Hospital enters 5th day as they bomb & demolish buildings with bulldozers; abducting 240+ patients & 10 medical staff from radiology unit. IOF forces ordered trapped patients to surrender despite continuous heavy gunfire

•⁠ 50 Palestinians abducted incl. 4 kids during 60+ Israeli military raids across West Bank in 2 days. Marking March 20 “one of the deadliest nights recorded to date” in 2024 in West Bank w/ 7+ Palestinians killed. Israeli settlers also took over 20+ Palestinian residential structures

•⁠ UN aid mission to north Gaza for 7,500 people was denied by Israel

🇫🇮 Finland to resume UNRWA funding

March 24, 2024.

Day 170

🚨 Israeli forces lay siege to 3 hospitals, surrounding al-Amal Hospital forcing Palestinians to strip naked & leave; currently carpet bombing near Nasser Hospital & sniping anyone moving, while continuing aggressive 7-day seige on al-Shifa

• 84 Palestinians killed, 106 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours

• Israel denied thousands of Christians from West Bank entry to Jerusalem on Psalm Sunday, heightening military checkpoints. Israel’s apartheid system discriminates Palestinians’ freedom of movement, requiring permits for West Bank residents to enter, which is rarely granted. More info on Israeli apartheid: https://rb.gy/vjocrd + checkpoints: https://rb.gy/rabxt6;

• Israel to deny all UNRWA aid convoys to north Gaza, despite 70% of population subject to “catastrophic starvation”

• BDS launches boycott of tech company Intel due to its $25bn investment in new factory in Israel, the “largest investment ever”; on top of Intel’s $50bn+ investments in Israel in past 50 years

March 25, 2024.

UNSC CEASEFIRE MOTION PASSES

For the 1st time the Security Council managed to pass a ceasefire resolution. The US abstained while all 14 others voted yes

The US planned to veto if it didn’t mention the hostages so it “demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire, and also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”

But it doesn’t condition the ceasefire on a hostage swap the way done by the US draft that got vetoed by 🇷🇺 & 🇨🇳

It doesn’t condemn Hamas explicitly as the US wanted but it “deplores” all attacks against civilians & “all acts of terrorism” noting that it’s illegal to take hostages under int’l law. So it’s indirect condemnation

It expresses deep concern “about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip,” calling for more efforts for more aid & to protect civilians. This is weak language

Better than nothing but not enough as people are slaughtered & raped.

Day 171 — Attacks on 3 hospitals

🚨 Israel escalates attacks on “safe zone” Rafah killing 30+, including women and children amid threats of looming ground invasion

• 107 Palestinians killed, 176 injured in past 24 hours

🏥 22,000 displaced Palestinians face worsening conditions in the European Hospital, one of the last functioning in Gaza, overcrowded with patients awaiting critical care

🏥 Israeli forces lay siege to further hospitals in Khan Younis forcing critically ill patients to evacuate the premises surrounded by complete destruction

🏥 Israeli forces open fire on medical staff forced to evacuate al-Amal Hospital amid continuous attacks on the premise leaving patients in critical condition, deprived of medical supervision

• Netanyahu cancels Israeli delegation trip to US over its abstention in today’s UNSC vote, calling it a departure from their long-standing support of Israel. Biden called the move “disappointing”

• Israeli assaults targeting homes in central Gaza kill 18

(No march 26 summary)

March 27, 2024

Day 172

🚨 Gaza Gov’t Media Office demands end to aerial aid drops after one today killed 6 & caused 12 to drown in north Gaza

• 81 Palestinians killed, 93 injured in the last 24 hours

🇯🇴 100+ protesters arrested & teargassed outside Jordan’s Israeli embassy amid demands to end Jordan’s military & economic ties with Israel

🇧🇪 Brussels City Council passes motion to ban council purchases of products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank on the basis of international law violations

• Israel bombs residential building in Rafah, killing 15+ displaced Palestinians incl. 4 kids. Analysts say the Rafah bombings mark the start of a “silent” invasion

🏥 Ongoing Israeli attacks on Shifa Hospital kill 30+ people incl. a family living in a residential building near the besieged complex

• IOF abducts 30 Palestinians in overnight raids in West Bank cities

🇱🇧 Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon kills 2 people, an escalation as the bombing was far from south Lebanon, the usual battleground

March 28, 2024.

Day 173

🇮🇪 Ireland to follow Nicaragua and join South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel

•⁠ ⁠Israeli attacks on residential homes in Rafah kill 25 displaced Palestinians, incl. multiple children

•⁠ ⁠76 Palestinians killed, 102 injured in the last 24 hours

•⁠ ⁠IOF kills 4 in central Gaza, forcefully burying them by bulldozers

🇺🇸 ⁠US state department report claims Israel is complying with international law, as US reviewed Israeli usage of US weapons in order to validate future arms exports

🇱🇧 Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon residencies kill 12 in past 24 hours with many still trapped under the rubble

•⁠ ⁠Two aid seekers remain in critical condition as Israeli snipers target the Kuwait Roundabout aid distribution point

🇺🇸 Poll: 55% of Americans disapprove of Israel’s actions in Gaza — a 10% increase from November’s poll

•⁠ ⁠Israeli drone attack kills 8 in West Bank; IOF abducts 20 Palestinians in overnight raids

[corazondebeskar-reads]

march fic madness rec list

TYSM to @the-blind-assassin-12 for this absolutely awesome idea of reccing 63 fics over 31 days as a "march madness" for fic engagement!

based on these challenge guidelines, I'll update this list with my recs as the month goes on.

dividers by @saradika-graphics

key:

💀 dead dove | 🏴 dark | ⛓ bdsm | 💕 fluff

note: these are in order that I read and reblogged; the number is not a ranking of any other sort

"a kindness you can't afford" by @joelscruff 🏴 (dark!Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: there are no limits to how or when joel plays with his special girl.

2. "sweet days of summer" by @ozarkthedog (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: you and joel sneak away for a quick fuck during a family outing.

3. the gift of your grave by @gasolinerainbowpuddles (Dave York x Frankie Morales)

summary: Max has elbowed his way into a prestigious, high paying corporate career, and he enjoys the luxuries it offers – primarily, doing what he wants, getting what he wants, and never wavering from making himself the top priority. Enter Frankie, the contracted corporate pilot who’s on the upswing after a long line of struggles and mistakes. When his recovery is compromised, will Max give in to the desire to put someone else first? Will Frankie allow himself to believe he’s worthy of being put first?

4. "between two lungs" by @ozarkthedog (Joel Miller x f!reader x Tess Servopolous)

summary: you join Joel and Tess mid fuck.

5. "Swelter" by @notjustjavierpena (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: You have a crush on Sarah’s father. It is summer, it is hot, and you just want a cold drink.

6. "you wanted this" series (ongoing) by @alwaysmicado (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: Joel and you have a fun dynamic going. You provoke him, he punishes you - you both get off. When you meet him after you’ve fucked someone else, he decides to show you who you belong to. It’s all fun and games, right?

7. "smother" series (ongoing) by @beardedjoel 🏴⛓(dark!Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: can you hold a man as both your savior to be worshipped and the monster that he is?

8. the dress series (complete) by @janaispunk ⛓ (Dave York x f!reader)

summary: You’re having an affair with Dave York. When he takes you on a week-long vacation, you realize that you have deeper feelings for him than you should.

9. "Enjoy the Silence" by @strang3lov3 (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: You trespass into Joel’s house in search of some peace and quiet so you can get yourself off. Joel catches you in his bed in a compromising position.

10. "glory o" by @milla-frenchy (Javi P. x f!reader x Steve Murphy)

summary: you work in a brothel, and two guys want to try something new

11. "fine art" by @lincolndjarin 🏴(dark!Javi G. x f!reader)

summary : you were an up and coming actress, javi is your biggest fan, he’d do anything to have meet you.

12. "the end of the world" by @studioghibelli (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: you had a strict relationship with joel that stuck to the rules. fuck, leave, repeat. it was only a matter of time until feelings were dragged into the mix. when joel leaves at the first sign of love, you’re left wondering what you had done wrong. 

13. "run rabbit" by @mermaidgirl30 🏴⛓(Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: At the beginning of every month, you meet Joel to play a little game of hide and seek at the abandoned mansion near Jackson. It’s not just any game of hide and seek though. It’s dark and it’s twisted. If he catches you, he gets to do whatever he wants with you.

14. "All The Fear and The Fire of The End of The World" by @criticallyacclaimedstranger (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: Joel has told Ellie about what happened in Salt Lake City, and she is livid with him. Seeking comfort with you, Joel however finds you in the grips of a nasty flu, and has to put his own needs aside to nurse you.

15. "men like me" series (ongoing?) by @lokischocolatefountain 🏴⛓ (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: Joel’s warnings about what men like him would do to girls like you only makes you want him more

16. "seasons of you (year 1 - spring)" by @kedsandtubesocks (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: it’s your very first spring living in the valley & you’re very sure Joel Miller already wants you leave

17. dress up joel series (ongoing) by @covetyou (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: when a mysterious stranger breaks into your house, and keeps breaking into your house, he gives you the fright, and the ride, of your life. Welcome to your seasonal encounters with one Mr. Joel Miller.

18. "savior" by @ozarkthedog (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: joel saves you from a crooked qz guard and you want to thank him properly aka joel fucks you in an alley.

19. "sweet release" by @cavillscurls ⛓ (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: the aftermath of finishing without joel’s permission.

20. "over the edge" by @ilovepedro ⛓ (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: Joel agonizingly taunts you before pushing you over the edge.

21. "confines" by @gutsby 🏴⛓ (dark!Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: dark!Joel explaining to you how reader-proofed the bunker, because you're his now and he's never ever letting you go.

22. "sir" by @honeyedmiller (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: ceo!joel miller x f!reader drabble

23. "touch" by @morallyinept (Joel Miller x f!reader)

summary: Inspired by that GIF. You know the one. Yeah. Nuff’ said.

[hankcon-bingo]

Interest Check Summary

Hello, Hemlock here!

Once more, thank you to everyone interested in signing up for Hankcon Bingo! I appreciate the time in filling and sharing the Interest Check form. 💙💙💙

The total interest checks received were 27! 🥳 (One shy away from 28, an important number in DBH 😉)

In summary, here is a short breakdown:

💙 A Hankcon Bingo event running from October to the end of December (with January as a catch up month.)

💙 Mini prompt fests outside the main Bingo with generic or themed prompts. No sign-up required.

💙 3x3 (Nine square) bingo cards with the option to request second cards for extra inspiration and badges.

💙 An A03 collection and hashtags on Tumblr and Twitter will be highlighted to make works easier to find and share.

Please let me know your thoughts or any feedback you have. I am hoping to post a concrete schedule in the coming week for a Hankcon Bingo as well as prompt surveys for both this and prompt fests that could take place this year. 💙

Please find enclosed below the percentage breakdown for each question, followed by summaries on how this can work towards the Hankcon Bingo event.

Q1. Are you interested in participating in the bingo?

66.7% - Yes

25.9% - Yes, I just don’t know if I’ll be able to sign-up.

7.4% - I want to do a fest indeed!

0% - No, but I’m interested in the content.

Q2. What size bingo card would you prefer?

63% - 3x3 (Nine squares per card)

33.3% - 5x5 (Twenty-five squares per card)

3.7% - N/A - I want to do a fest!

Q3. When would you like the event to start?

81.5% - October

55.6% - November

51.9% - December

40.7% - September

29.6% - Sometime early in 2025 (Either February or March)

18.5% - August

Q4. How long would you like the event to run?

59.3% - 3 months

40.7% - 6 months

Q5. Where do you prefer to post Hankcon content?

92.6% - A03

63% - Tumblr

33.3% - Twitter

Based on this feedback, there is a preference for:

💙 A Hankcon Bingo event over a prompt fest 💙

As expected, the thirst for a Hankcon Bingo is still strong! Consider a 2024 Hankcon Bingo event officially set in stone!

There was a smaller mixed response between those wanting to take part but being unsure if they will sign-up, and wanting to do a fest instead.

With this in mind and further clarification from the OG Mod, I have been considering running mini prompt fests outside of the main Hankcon bingo. They would be something fun to do, and be an alternative option for those who are unsure or unable to commit to a full event (but bingo participants are more than welcome to do both, of course.)

These would be week long fests at different times of the year, a prompt a day, that can be generic or themed. Themed examples:

💙 Seasonal like Summer, Fall, Halloween, Winter, Valentines, etc.

💙 DBH anniversaries like the official game release, THE HUG, Connor or Hank’s birthday, etc.

💙 Tropes like AU, hurt/comfort, canon divergence, etc.

No sign-up would be required to take part in prompt fests, just create something if one or more prompts speak to you, and enjoy. ☺️

Depending on the bingo start date, we could try a small fest beforehand. Would that be something that you all would be interested in?

💙 3x3 (Nine square) square bingo cards 💙

There was a majority preference for 3x3 square bingo cards. As clarified in later section, smaller cards might work better if the event runs for 3 months as opposed to 6 months.

Participants will be more than welcome to request second cards if they finish the first cards, and are hungry to create more Hankcon content! There are extra badges for second bingo card achievements too!

💙 October starting period 💙

The majority of responses preferred an October start date for a Hankcon Bingo event. This actually works out in getting everything ready as well as for those of you (myself included!) creating for the DBHRBB which should have wrapped up posting by the time the bingo begins.

💙 3 month event 💙

A bingo running for three months was preferred, meaning that with an October starting month, the event should run from October until the end of December.

January could be a grace month for last minute posts, etc, as December can be a busy month for a lot of people with holidays and the sort.

💙 Posting on A03 💙

A03 is the preferred place to post Hankcon content with decent numbers for Tumblr and Twitter.

There will be a Hankcon Bingo collection available on A03 if you would like to add your works (art very much welcome!)

Anything posted to Tumblr will be reblogged, and hashtags will be shared nearer the time to make finding content easier on both Tumblr or Twitter.

I understand this is a lot to take in, so I appreciate your patience for reading this far. 😅

Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to any feedback or comments everyone has on the direction of thr Hankcon Bingo this year. 💙

[flowerygrdn]

HURT MY FEELINGS || l. fantilli

pairing: luca fantilli x reader

summary: just a short smau cause I literally have no other ideas here....

warnings: suggestivness....?

a/n: here is my once a decade post luvs 😇

fc: tate mcrae

youruser

liked by rutgermcgroarty, luca.fantilli, and 1,000,000 others

youruser want you so bad, baby hurt my feelings #thinklater #63

view all comments

yourbsf HAWT

user1 umich hockey?! 63?! Oh????

↳ ynfan yn and luca?....interesting

adamfantilli 👀

↳ youruser not too much....

user3 babes gettin' bold

↳ youruser 😋

umichhockey queen #goblue

user4 she wears your number but I got what you like.....HELLO?!

luca.fantilli oh?

↳ youruser oh

luca.fantilli

liked by youruser, yourbsf and others

luca.fantilli i should've known better.... #thinklater

view all comments

rutgermcgroarty r u kidding around?!

↳ luca.fantilli 🤫

seamuscasey26 down bad

↳ adamfantilli real bad

↳ luca.fantilli f u

youruser who's that hot chick 😱

↳ luca.fantilli some random

ynfan she's drop dead gorgeous

liked by luca.fantilli

user1 ain't no way

user3 they're so together

user2 TEAAAA

youruser

liked by ynfan, luca.fantilli, and 1,500,900 others

youruser nvm y'all, i got his number 😉

view all comments

yourbsf mama ý papa 👨‍👩‍👧

↳ youruser our child 🤲

rutgermcgroarty down bad

↳ adamfantilli real bad

↳ youruser real bad

↳ luca.fantilli i hate this

seamuscasey26 @lucafantilli basically eating your jaw 💀

↳ lhughs_06 @youruser blink twice if you need help

↳ luca.fantilli she's my girlfriend jackasses

ynfan OMFG I CALLED IT

user1 wishing i was luca rn

↳ user2 don't we all

user4 oh....

luca.fantilli i love you baby ❤️

↳ youruser i love you, lu 🫶🏼

---

[georgegraphys]

Warning : Unprofessional unverified talks as I am not Mercedes nor have 10 masters degrees. Fragile snowflakes that got their heart shattered by opinion differences are not welcomed. An opinionated talk.

I'm just gonna back track on what happens here. What started this all sudden China PR campaign of this douyin acc thing and my whole summary of thoughts. If you're new here and you haven't had the time to scroll through my PR talks regarding this whole 2024 George PR cooking class. Let me summarize you here (this lacks the recent targa florio updates, mercedes vision one eleven, etc. i haven't updated it further)

Again, I'd like to say. I am not a Mercedes Benz PR team member. I am not a professional. I am just someone who worked in a similar field who analyzes, plans, and strategizes PR agendas like this. Of course the very first time I posted about this whole theory it's just a goofy hypothetical tweet of "what IFs"

This was just minutes after George opened his douyin acc btw. Something just struck me like "Huh? Why bother opening an account for a race that lasts 2-3 days?". As someone who worked in PR myself, these things are not a good move. Like why the hell open a douyin account? If I were Mercedes, I'd open a tiktok account for George that could be used beyond China GP. That was my mindset back then until I watched the video again and I realized George saying things like his F1 journey throughout the season. And that's the part where it struck me.

Now why does it intrigue me? Douyin is a platform that is only available in China (or probably in Macau/HK/Taiwan too, idk sorry) and to sign up for Douyin you need a Chinese phone number or ID card verification. It makes me think that maybe Mercedes pulled some strings? To be able to get George in Douyin? But until then my thoughts are just goofy ahh what if lol. Then suddenly Douyin Sports starts posting about George on their account and George makes a specific video greeting for Douyin Sports. Now this kind of confirms my idea? Because douyin sports rarely post international athletes unless you are on the calibre of probably Marc Marquez or Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, other than that they just posted about the chinese athletes. Afterwards, there was the Mercedes Benz official account commenting here and there and I just went "maybe this isn't a joke"

For now, it seems that the douyin account is also posting personal things about George like his post with Carmen, his family and friends and more. Well surprising considering I thought they're going to be full racing and business because at first i thought that douyin acc pr move was solely for the company because they were promoting lots of 63 series that George will probably lead the promotions later. I didn't expect them to actually build something that is also personal to George? Like his brand image? As they also involve posts about his beloved ones and not pure business. Also Mercedes even invited a LOCAL press to directly interview George one-on-one??? I'm surprised by that. But this is honestly good for George!

I know i've seemingly been all positive about this but just to let you know, I had doubts lol. Like I thought this wasn't gonna last this long. I thought it was just to keep the China GP hype for 2 weeks and it's all gone and dusted. But it didn't. Turns out they even have these 3 days posting patterns which not only intrigues me but also intrigues the chinese audience. It brought them to pay attention to George and question things like "oh he is still posting??" "who posts for him??" "he's using douyin actively??". I honestly expect lower than this and thought that the account would be another vessel to promote Mercedes cars to the chinese audience but wow... also building his individual brand images? I did not expect that.

I might have been able to guess the purpose of the douyin account making but I could never know what they were cooking. It baffles me. You might not understand but in that one single douyin account, there's a social media team or at least one person handling it and a PR planning over it. The posts were planned, it has posting patterns and it shows that it was scheduled, the subtitles, the songs (even though it's shitty), and the editing. The editing specifically appeals to the chinese audience. And I cannot wrap my mind on the reason why. These have lots of efforts poured into it and the supportive Mercedes Benz account? Unusual. Because they usually gave 0 fucks in other platforms. You need to acknowledge that this is

a) A whole ass PR planning with the approval of the company because it represents George and even also builds his individual brand value and image to the chinese audience/target market

b) No doubt Mercedes pulled some string to get his account to douyin and have the app promote his account

c) This stretched out longer than i would ever expect. My expectations weren't low but it's realistic. This thing is a bucket full of effort and planning inside for it to stretch until this long.

Now this part gets a bit sensitive. So again WARNING that this is highly SPECULATIVE and we're PREDICTING not saying that this is true. "But ari you're so jobless for all of this guessing. No one does this except the obsessed ones" This is what I and some people who worked in the PR sectors do. We look at a company's PR planning and make a guess out of it. Why? To counter their PR strategy of course. For the sake of competitions. And it's a REAL PAID JOB. But anyways

My guess is that maybe in the future George will be used as some sort of representative or ambassador for the chinese market? As for now, Mercedes Benz's objective and target market is the Chinese market. Their collaboration with Denza and BAIC, Beijing Benz subsidiary making China specialized vehicles, joint cooperation with chinese universities like Tsinghua and more.

Not to mention that this whole Mercedes in China field trip is not just any other field trip. It is state backed. Germany and China seem to be building this whole bestie relationship when it comes to automotive, technology, engineering, etc. Judging by how it's state backed and which means things won't get "nahhh okay byeeee" just anytime, that means this would then be a long term thing?

I'm just connecting two points here. A) Mercedes strong ambitions on the venture in China (Not every automotive manufacturer is aboard on this idea btw. Stellantis doesn't) B) George's sudden PR campaign in China. I look at those two and suddenly 🧐🧐, maybe it might be related??? I understand that Mercedes could use chinese ambassadors to promote Mercedes in China. Of course they're more popular and relevant in China than George since he isn't Chinese. But to promote China and Beijing Benz outside, they need a guy too yk? And that guy MAY be George Russell with all this PR cooking up behind him.

Again this is just a silly goofy guess based on EVIDENCES and PROOFS shown. As much as I love to waffle, I don't lie about these things unlike Toto. But also, don't trust me on it and take my words seriously?? Because I ain't Mercedes 😁😁 🤷‍♀️

Lastly, George's linguistic journey is basic at its finest. ciao, bonjour, JEL-AND-WAGEN, adios, hola, konnichiwa. For him to suddenly be SITTING DOWN reading a written script of his introduction in Chinese??? To be seriously sat and memorizing "da jia hao, wo shi qiao zhi la sai er-" means something 😭😭😭 don't tell me someone did not write that down for him and tell him to memorize that like an asian parent would sign their kid to a mandarin course.

[cdyssey]

Abbott Elementary S1-S2 Bracket

Hi all!

Welcome to the Abbott Elementary S1 and S2 Tumblr Bracket, where we’ll vote on episodes to see what the Tumblr's current favorite episode is. The thirty-five episodes are seeded based on iMDb ratings, and voting rounds will last an entire week. Since Round 1 has the most episodes of all, we’ll split that one into two weeks, so there aren’t 17 polls going on at once, lmao.

On this doc, you’ll find all the information you need to know about the rounds, as well as all the imDB scores, summaries, and original air dates of episodes! Meanwhile, this post will be continually updated with links to all the polls once they go live!

Hope you guys have fun!! Voting will officially start on 4/21/23!

- Maggie

Final Update (6/13/23): All poll data is now available! A winner has been declared.

Round 1, Pt. I:

Duration: 4/21/23 - 4/28/23

Since there is an uneven number of episodes, the highest rated episode and our #1 seed “Teacher Conference” is going to have a bye-week, which just means it’ll sit out on Round 1 until we can get the remaining choices to an even number!

"Art Teacher" (#35) vs. "Festival" (#2) → "Festival" (82%) [167 votes]

"Juice" (#34) vs. "Candy Zombies" (#3) → "Candy Zombies" (75.7%) [144 votes]

"Pilot" (#33) vs. "Work Family" (#4) → "Work Family" (74%) [123 votes]

"New Tech" (#32) vs. "Zoo Balloon" (#5) → "Zoo Balloon" (71.6%) [141 votes]

“Story Samurai” (#31) vs. “Mom” (#6) → "Mom" (81.3%) [134 votes]

“Light Bulb” (#30) vs. “Educator of the Year” (#7) → "Educator of the Year" (50.9%) [108 votes]

“Student Transfer” (#29) vs. “Valentine’s Day” (#8) → "Valentine's Day" (62.7%) [118 votes]

Round 1, Pt. 2:

Duration: 4/28/23 - 5/5/23

“Gifted Program” (#28) vs. “Holiday Hookah” (#9) → "Holiday Hookah" (83.2%) [137 votes]

“Mural Arts” (#27) vs. “Sick Day” (#10) → "Sick Day" (58.7%) [109 votes]

“Fight” (#26) vs. “Development Day” (#11) → "Development Day" (62.9%) [116 votes]

“Wishlist” (#25) vs. “Teacher Appreciation” (#12) → "Teacher Appreciation" (70.3%) [91 votes]

“Step Class” (#24) vs. “Fundraiser” (#13) → "Step Class" (62.4%) [117 votes]

“Ava vs. Superintendent” (#23) vs. “Read-a-Thon” (#14) → "Read-a-Thon" (70.9%) [103 votes]

“Principal’s Office” (#22) vs. “Desking” (#15) → "Desking" (62.8%) [121 votes]

“Attack Ad” (#21) vs. “Franklin Institute” (#16) → "Franklin Institute" (85.8%) [106 votes]

“Egg Drop” (#20) vs. “Wrong Delivery” (#17) → "Egg Drop" (68.4%) [98 votes]

“Fire” (#19) vs. “Open House” (#18) → "Fire" (71.3%) [101 votes]

Round 2:

Duration: 5/7/23 - 5/14/23

"Festival" (#2) vs. "Candy Zombies" (#3) → “Candy Zombies” (62.2%) [74 votes]

"Work Family" (#4) vs. "Zoo Balloon" (#5) → “Zoo Balloon” (58.3%) [60 votes]

"Mom" (#6) vs. "Educator of the Year" (#7) → “Mom” (69.5%) [59 votes]

"Valentine's Day" (#8) vs. "Holiday Hookah" (#9) → “Holiday Hookah” (77.8%) [63 votes]

"Sick Day" (#10) vs. "Development Day" (#11) → “Development Day” (54.3%) [70 votes]

"Teacher Appreciation" (#12) vs. "Step Class" (#24) → “Step Class” (55.6%) [63 votes]

"Read-a-Thon" (#14) vs. "Desking" (#15) → Read-a-Thon” (50.8%) [118 votes]

"Franklin Institute" (#16) vs. "Egg Drop" (#20) → “Franklin Institute” (74.3%) [74 votes]

"Teacher Conference" (#1) vs. "Fire" (#19) → “Teacher Conference” (82.9%) [35 votes]

Round 3:

A disclaimer about one of the Round 3 options: So Maggie effed up, lmao. When you have an odd number of choices for a bracket, you're supposed to give the highest ranking seeds a bye-round, which I did for the highest ranking seed! 😭 However, you're also supposed to take out as many as you need to get the first round to the closest power of two, which I didn't realize. Since Abbott has 35 episodes, for instance, the closest power of 2 would be 32, which means that three episodes needed to have a bye-week for the tournament to shake out perfectly. This means for this round, one of the polls unfortunately has a three episode option. However, after that, we'll be back on track for a smooth finish! Sorry for the mess-up!!

Duration: 5/21/23 - 5/28/23

"Candy Zombies" (#3) vs. "Zoo Balloon" (#5) → “Candy Zombies” (59.5%) [185 votes]

“Mom” (#6) vs. “Holiday Hookah” (#9) → “Holiday Hookah” (63%) [138 votes]

“Development Day” (#11) vs. “Step Class” (#24) → “Step Class” (59.4%) [69 votes]

“Read-a-Thon” (#14) vs. “Franklin Institute” (#16) vs. “Teacher Conference” (#1) → “Teacher Conference” (55.1%) [107 votes]

Round 4 [Penultimate Round]:

Duration: 5/29/23 - 6/5/23

“Candy Zombies” (#3) vs. “Holiday Hookah” (#9) → "Holiday Hookah" (#9) (65.3%) [49 votes] “Step Class” (#24) vs. “Teacher Conference” (#1) → “Teacher Conference” (67.6%) [71 votes]

Round 5 [Final Round]:

Duration: 6/5/23 - 6/12/23

“Holiday Hookah” (#9) vs. “Teacher Conference” (#1) → "Teacher Conference" (71.3%) [178 votes]

Cumulative Poll Votes:

3,447

Ultimate Winner:

"Teacher Conference"

[cindylouwho-2]

ETSY FIRST QUARTER 2024 EARNINGS REPORT - No Idea When Sales Will Improve, But Lots of Change Coming

(Above: Slide 18 from Etsy's Investor Presentation, © Etsy. The top 6 categories were down across the board)

As Etsy predicted last quarterly report, gross marketplace sales were down in the first quarter of 2024, but contrary to predictions last quarter, the top brass now do not expect anything to improve in the second quarter. They didn't even try to sugar coat it much.

However, this turned out to be an interesting call anyway. Given that they had bad news and little new to announce, they actually had to divulge more details on how the site actually works, and the search plans for the near future. I strongly suggest that every Etsy seller familiarize themselves with what is coming down the pipe.

First, here are the official sources:

the press release

transcript of the conference call

slides from the conference call

video of the call (click on “Webcast”)

my summaries of the first quarter 2023, and the fourth quarter 2023 for comparison

Then, the basic numbers (covering January to March 2024, compared to the same period in 2023):

Sales on Etsy were $2.6 billion, down 5.3% year over year

Total sales for all 3 marketplaces (Etsy, Reverb, and Depop) were $3.0 billion, down 3.7%. [Elo7 was officially sold in mid August; its numbers were included in the comparison totals from 2023]

Etsy’s revenue (including all 3 sites) was $646 million, up 0.8%

Seller service revenue was up 3.2% to $179 million, while marketplace revenue was down 0.1% to $467 million

Net income was $63 million, down 15.5%

Active buyers on Etsy alone stand at 91.6 million

Active sellers on Etsy alone are at 7 million, up over 1 million from the first quarter 2023 but no change from the 4th quarter. [Note that “active” means one charge or transaction in the past 12 months; many “active” shops currently have nothing for sale.]

Etsy sales where the buyer and/or the seller was not in the United States were 48%, although across all three sites it is only 45%

As usual, I am mostly reporting on what Etsy said, but my own comments will be in square brackets, as well as in the analysis section at the end of this post.

Gift Mode and Gifting Initiatives Aren't Going Away

Etsy's front office seems happy with Gift Mode so far, and note that gift buying on the site in general is already increasing. "We're pleased to report that Etsy's total site-wide gifting GMS in the first quarter grew in the low-single-digits year-over-year," which was better than other gift sites they were tracking.

Gift Mode was also a huge success at getting attention, with over 4 times the news coverage of any previous Etsy public relations campaign. CEO Josh Silverman said they were happy with the Super Bowl ad, and would consider doing one in the future if the company had another big thing to announce.

And finally, we heard the real reason that Gift Mode sucked when it was released: the team that came up with it in the summer of 2023 intended it to be released in 2025, but Silverman insisted that they do it for 2024. He admits it needs a lot more work. [So a lousy product that doesn't do anything it is advertised to do was launched a year early because the CEO was out of other ideas and needed something fast. No doubt that is why a lot of the ads and emails are leaning into the personas instead of the main function of choosing a gift for a particular person and occasion.]

Etsy Search and Discovery

They've been talking about this for a while, but this time the comments were far more explicit: Etsy search has too much "clutter". The whole quote is important:

"All too often, when you visit Etsy, your search is cluttered, showing you too many items that feel very similar...failing to highlight the incredible diversity that is a towering strength for Etsy. In addition, you might not be clear as to why each of these items belong on Etsy. For example, which are handmade by the seller themselves, which are designed by the seller, but produced in close collaboration with the production partner and/or which are personalized and customized by the seller. While there's demand on Etsy for each of these categories of items, it depends a great deal on the buyer's shopping mission." [my emphasis]

Slides 8 through 10 discuss how Etsy plans on solving this problem.

The first point - removing non-handmade items - is covered below.

As has been mentioned in previous calls, Etsy wants to change its search to show more "quality" products. This means adding factors "such as the quality of the listing and photography, shipping price and reliability and customer reviews into our organic search algorithms." [This is likely the reason Etsy recently updated the search legal policy page, mentioning these sorts of factors in their recommendation algorithms. Yes, as I have been telling people for a while now, image quality is becoming part of Etsy SEO and its other algorithms. Looking at the listings which have "Etsy's Picks" badges is a good way to spot what Etsy currently thinks is "quality", but that could easily change at any time. Note also that he said "organic search algorithms" - apparently they are not planning on doing this with Etsy Ads just yet, meaning shops who lose visibility through organic search may have to pay for ads to make up the difference.]

Their definition of quality excludes "sellers that have higher levels of refund or consistently ship late" - they want the customer to be happy with the whole buying experience, not just the product. So above-average rates of returns and late shipping are also likely to factor into Etsy's many algorithms, if they don't already. [Shipping late is a policy violation, and those are search factors under the Customer & Marketplace Experience Score. All of this is Etsy SEO now. We already knew they hated refunds/cancellations because some sellers have received payment reserves for having too many - as few as 1 or 2 in some cases - in a short period of time.] Silverman did agree with a comment that returns/refunds lead to lower Etsy revenue as well.

They also seem to be working on some new way to categorize or filter items, as hinted above with the comments on production partners. "Better organizing our diverse listings into cleaner aisles will declutter our site." This could be referring to the previous attempts t auto-filter large generic searches into narrower categories; see examples in my third quarter 2023 summary. It might also connect to 2 other quotes worth reading:

"[T]he first page of search results might be 30 things that look very, very similar... If these 30 things are virtually identical, can't you just tell me, which one is the best or what are the three, and what are the trade-offs between them? And that's harder for us where we don't map to a catalog. But I think with the latest machine learning and GenAI techniques, it's easier and easier for us to start to understand what the stuff is, what's very substantially similar and really try to give you fewer choices of just the best."...

"Gen AI is actually going to be, I think, more and more helpful at understanding how much value did this particular seller truly add to the product. And we're looking to prioritize items that are really original where the seller really added value and then be able to explain to the buyer exactly where the seller did add value. Did the seller make it themselves, did they design it and produce it with a production partner, did they personalize it, I think that buyers are interested in knowing that." [my emphasis]

So the search plan is to show fewer items that look similar to each other, while adding more diverse items to the first page, all while boosting listings where the seller "added value". That sounds difficult to accomplish. Think of some searches where it is clear that many of the shops are using the very similar supplies, using the same fonts etc. In his ideal version of Etsy search, are most of those items going to disappear from the early pages in favour of things that look different and/or more complicated to make?

[There were 2 separate mentions of the differences between handmade vs. designed vs. personalized, including in the prepared remarks. Are they actually going to do something to make this more evident to shoppers, and if yes, how? If a shop sells POD and has their production partner linked, Etsy could display that more prominently on the listing, and even use that fact as a search filter. However, many owner-designed products don't have integrated production partners, and Etsy has done almost nothing to enforce disclosure there. We know from experience that AI will do a poor job of figuring this out, but Silverman doesn't seem to have noticed that yet. I am intrigued, but not hopeful.]

"Keep Commerce Human" and Handmade Policy "Violations"

They continue to tout increased removal of items and shops under the handmade policy, and mentioned the AliExpress bot again. If the image exists on AliExpress, "our default now is we take that down". Silverman mentioned that sellers can appeal the takedown, but failed to mention that the process takes weeks or even months, and the shop loses a ton of sales and their listing quality score in the meantime.

Handmade removals more than doubled in the first quarter compared to the year before. Etsy has lost a bit of money due to more aggressive removal of listings and shops as handmade violations; they estimate sales are 0.5% lower than they would have been if nothing was removed. Since the push started, they claim millions of listings and tens of thousands of active sellers have been taken down.

The annual transparency report should have more details; it will be out next week. [I will write my review of it the week after, when I return from a short vacation.]

The Economy

In case you haven't heard, some people feel they have a shortage of discretionary income these days. Silverman claims that Amazon and Walmart are only growing because they sell "everyday essentials". [Remember when Etsy said they were a site for everyday essentials too? The early pandemic was a wild time, and Etsy might be better positioned today if they hadn't assumed the ecommerce boost would continue forever.]

One of the analysts expressly asked if Etsy could still see itself as "a growth company" when they weren't showing any growth, and if they were planning on making really aggressive moves to restart growth this year. Silverman insisted they were all about big moves, citing Gift Mode as an example.

[Perhaps in frustration, this is where Silverman slipped up and swore, saying the corporation does "a sh**-ton of measurement" on the value of its projects, which for me was truly the highlight of the call. I like it when the talking heads show they are human.]

CFO Rachel Glaser pointed out that Etsy is still growing in the higher income brackets, and that when economic conditions improve for lower income households, Etsy will be in great shape.

Miscellaneous

In shipping updates, Silverman reported that:

"Our fulfillment team recently launched a new machine learning model, which reduced our estimate of USPS transit times by greater than one day, resulting in a nearly tripling of the percentage of eligible orders for which Etsy is now able to show an estimated delivery date of seven days or less."

[This would explain why so many shops are reporting items due to arrive before they ship, or have the wrong processing times on them. Any time Etsy applies machine learning to anything, there are widespread errors. They do seem to have fixed the processing time issue, however. Expect Etsy to continue to push for shorter processing times all year, and to have issues with USPS estimates.]

We finally got updated information on buyer app use: 45% of active buyers use the app. That does not necessarily mean that 45% of purchases come from the app, just that those customers use the app at least once in a while. Oddly enough, this was the first quarterly report in years that did not mention sales from mobile. Last quarter, 68% of sales across all of Etsy's sites came from mobile. If those stats are identical on Etsy - that's a big "if" - and if the 45% app use number was actual sales (not just occasional use) that would mean that 45% of Etsy sales would come from the app, 32% from desktop, and 23% from mobile browser. They will be pushing the app much more again this year, "since purchasing days per app user are 75% higher than our non-app users."

the $15 sign up fee for new shops reduced both new sellers and fraud attempts. Silverman referred to "low-effort sellers" and stated "if you're not prepared to invest $15 to get your shop going on Etsy, you may not have the skill or the will to really succeed." [This is such a huge change from the years of him bragging that anyone can start a shop for 20 cents that I wonder how he doesn't get whiplash from these reversals.]

we got a little more info on the planned loyalty program, but not a lot. It won't even be out in beta until the second half of the year, and "the focus is going to be on occasional shoppers...and [how to] turn those people into more loyal buyers."

Reverb and Depop both had good quarters, in part due to their "appeal to value-oriented shoppers".

My Commentary

The biggest takeaway is that algorithms will be changing, and that could hurt a lot of sellers who are currently doing well. They've been saying this for a while now, but recent policy updates and more details on their vision makes this feel much closer.

If they are truly going to narrow down searches to the best of the similar, a lot of items will be shown a lot less than they are now. The difference in "quality" between one listing and the next could be very minor, so setting the goal of narrowing the choices down to just a few means some top sellers could be impacted.

If you want your Etsy shop to keep being shown to visitors, work on:

eliminating late shipments. Extend your processing times and extend individual orders as required. Make it easier for your customers to understand they need to provide information for custom items. [This is tough to balance, because longer processing times and cancelling orders when you don't have the information from the buyer yet are both things that also hurt your visibility. It's just another way in which Etsy is sabotaging sellers of truly custom made items on the site.]

reducing returns and cancellations as much as possible. Examine the reasons people cancel or return orders in your shops, and look for common complaints/reasons you could potentially decrease though information in descriptions and images, FAQs, automated notes to buyers, and Message snippets. [I once stopped selling a product because too many people couldn't figure out how to use it properly. I thought I was explaining it well, but obviously I was not. There is no shame in failing, as long as we recognize the fact.]

improving image quality. This includes making sure your photos are at least 2000 px in the shortest direction, and are clear, uncluttered, properly white balanced and attractive in composition.

making your unique contributions evident in the photos and description. If you "add value" to the product, let everyone know that.

when considering new lines, doing your best not to look like everyone else. Aim to sell that original version that Etsy wants to display as evidence of Etsy's diversity.

remembering that shipping price is a search factor. It may eventually be necessary to bury some or all of the shipping fee in the product price, or to discontinue low-margin and expensive-to-ship products, if they are going to be narrowing down to only a few "quality" products for each query.

I'll have more to say on the handmade violations initiatives after I read the transparency report next week. My current feeling is that the seller community needs to be more publicly vocal about how Etsy's refusal to "keep commerce human" by hiring more support and more handmade screeners is harming truly handmade artisans. Removing items that are also showing up on Aliexpress or Shein as the default action, then forcing small business owners to wait weeks or even months for a resolution, is the antithesis of "human". Oh, and instead of picking on handmade items, try turning AI on the boxes of commercial snacks and foods that continue to violate Etsy policies and cheapen the site.

Some people seem really worked up about the loyalty program plans, but since we know virtually nothing about it yet, I will reserve judgement. A properly-planned loyalty program should produce enough extra revenue to cover the costs, just as Etsy aims for with its periodic "save $10 on all orders over $40" offers.

Finally, last financial call they said they expected to see things picking up in quarter 2, now they say that is not expected until the second half of the year. What happened? Is it truly economic pressure, or did they have to abandon their plan to make more money by forcing shops into tiered subscriptions, at least temporarily? Silverman did stress that they think the gifting initiatives will pay off more as the year goes on, but the tone of this call was so different from the previous one that I can't help but feel that they had other plans just a few months ago.

My prediction from last quarter - that 2024 will be a rough year for many sellers - still stands.

[ladyluscinia]

I really cannot make it clear enough that the only people who think Izzy Hands has a massively outsized following in the OFMD fandom are people who aren't paying attention and probably get annoyed by every positive mention of Izzy Hands.

Those of us who do post about him / read fics about him / enthusiastically ship him / whatever are far more likely to quip about how there are whole dozens of us in our corner because that's a hell of lot closer to the reality. But if plain statistics on fics or repeatedly pointing out that tumblr notes are the same people hitting that same reasonable average of double digit reblogs... Idk. Maybe a more descriptive exercise would make this clear?

I'm sorting AO3 by most kudos, looking at OFMD fics with Izzy's character tag (aka the one place he really outstrips the other side characters in numbers). A few observations:

Izzy's name appears in a fic summary for the first time on Fic 6, with "...and Izzy getting disrespected several times." Not much of a mention.

First Izzy/OC ship is Fic 7 (Hell or High Water - a title I recognize but have never read)

First Izzy/Other Character is Fic 17, with Izzy/Lucius, which also appears to be the first Izzy focused fic

Fic 22 is the first appearance of BlackHands as part of a SteddyHands fic

46 Fics in we get the first one Not Technically Ship Tagged with BlackBonnet (a Lucius/Izzy with a "background blackbonnet" tag), and at Fic 63 we get the first Actually Not Ship Tagged with BlackBonnet (a Stizzy fic about bonding over hating Calico Jack).

I think Fic 215 is the first mention of Sam Bellamy? I'm trying to find something specific and it's taking a while...

Oh wait there it is! 216 Fics by Kudos into the "Israel Hands" character tag (out of 7785 total) we have the first BlackHands fic that doesn't have Stede involved. Prior to this there were a lot of BlackBonnet fics, and notable numbers of SteddyHands and Izzy/Lucius. Hell we even hit Izzy/Frenchie and Izzy/Captain Flint before getting to this point.

I'm just really trying to illustrate here that for all the snide accusations and defensive worrying I see about all the sinister Izzy fans trying to make the whole show and fandom about him, "Izzy" content (which this ought to demonstrate is hardly all about Izzy) is just not that overwhelming. Izzy content that excludes or ignores the Revenge crew even less so. Like, run this exercise with any side character and you'll get pretty similar results - seeing as the dominance of BlackBonnet above all else is still ridiculous by fandom standards - but that's kinda the point.

Izzy is a popular side character, which is a thing that tends to happen when side characters get speaking time, characterization, camera focus, exploration of their current and potential relationships (conflict counts), etc. You know, things that Izzy gets a bunch of as an antagonist? Izzy having more content than Oluwande is not really more weird than Oluwande having more content than Buttons or Wee John? I'm not going to pretend that fandom spaces don't drop the ball on content for characters of color pretty often, but the tagged content breakdown in this fandom is not far off from what you would expect by character descriptions alone.

Like the list goes Cool Protagonist / Love Interest -> POV Protagonist -> Live-In Primary Antagonist -> Side Fun Guy with a Death Cliffhanger / Fanfic Gap Ending -> Side Pirate Assassin with a Subplot -> Assassin's Side Love Interest... I mean, maybe Lucius is a bit higher than Jim even for what "Lucius in the walls" fics can account for, or Lucius / Izzy have a bit bigger of a lead than they would without white identifying bias, but that's like? Unprovable speculation at best???

Not remotely comparable to, like, "Star Wars Sequel Trilogy" where Kylo Ren is 46.3% of fics while the two non-white protagonists are only in 35.7% (Poe) or 29% (Finn). Like Poe is technically behind Hux's 35.9%, which is absurd for a secondary antagonist no matter how fun I found his blatant evil. It's like if Chauncey Badminton was neck and neck with Jim or even Edward. That is a content percentage you should question, and the numbers might be worse in "Star Wars - All Media Types" (though Kylo does at least lose to Obi Wan).

[cyberwulf]

Strange Arrangements Prequel

Chapter 13 is only halfway done. For some reason everyone decided to go shopping. Meanwhile I've had a year to think about how exactly Jessie and Delia got together prior to the events of the story, so here's a summary for anyone who's interested:

The Before-time:

When Ash's father Jack Ketchum finally abandoned his family for good, Samuel Oak was there to help Delia pick up the pieces and carry on. Over time they drifted into a very loose friends-with-benefits relationship. Delia had a child to raise and a business to run and hadn't the time or the desire for a full-on relationship, but some nights she wanted company and he was happy to give it. When it became clear that Ash was going to keep travelling, some part of Delia began to want more, and subconsciously she knew Sam couldn't give more.

Meanwhile, during their years of travelling together Jessie and James had also become friends-with-benefits. They had a number of discussions about it, all of which ended in them tearfully agreeing that if they became boyfriend and girlfriend, every petty argument would turn into one about their relationship, then they'd break up, and who would get custody of Meowth??? No, best to leave things as they were. For the team.

Canon divergence:

Instead of being sent on a top secret mission to Unova, our TRio were fired at the end of Sinnoh League Victors. Too many screw-ups, zero pokémon, and a lot of Giovanni's money down the drain. They drifted towards Pallet town, perhaps following Ash out of habit, camping and making money doing odd jobs and yard work. When they got to Pallet, they made for Delia's diner - partly for some food and partly because the outside needed a bit of a spruce-up. Ash was immediately suspicious but Delia was willing to give them a chance if they promised they weren't with Team Rocket any more. Ash decided to stick around to keep an eye on them just in case it was a trick.

Hanamusa:

Delia put the TRio to work repainting the outside of the diner. There was a spark of attraction between her and Jessie from the beginning - Delia's Jessie's type (albeit Rule 63'd) and Delia got to watch Jessie doing hard work in a very short top. Delia was mildly horrified to find out that the TRio were camping and offered them the attic storage of the diner as a safe place to sleep. She and Jessie got closer as Jessie would sometimes hang around in the diner while Delia was closing up - partly to be near Delia but also partly because she was worried about what they should do next. James was looking to her to be the leader still, and Meowth was very despondent after being fired by his hero Giovanni. Delia found out Meowth could cook and offered him a job in the diner. She encouraged Jessie to start a proper business in landscaping and home repairs and went through the legal forms etc. with her.

Delia managed to get Jessie and James a job doing up a cottage that a former Pallet resident had inherited from an elderly relative. During the course of the renovation James fell in love with the place and asked the client if he'd be willing to sell it. (At this point Jessie stepped in to haggle so James wouldn't get ripped off.) James tapped his wealthy grandparents for the money and they were only too happy to oblige now that he'd finally left that awful Team Rocket. The TRio moved out of the diner's attic and into the cottage once the job was finished.

Jessie's feelings for Delia had been growing, but she'd kept them to herself - surely someone as kind and sweet and good as Delia couldn't possibly like her, she was just imagining all those little signals. Until James sidled up to her one evening, for the first time since they'd been fired, and pointed out that Meowth wasn't home. At that point Jessie felt she had to come clean with him and tell him that aspect of their friendship was over. It collapsed the waveform for her and she awkwardly asked Delia out the next day. Delia hadn't been intimate with Sam for some time at that point, but she broke it off with him gently right away. Sam had been expecting that something like this would happen, especially with Ash no longer needing as much parental attention. He wasn't thrilled that Delia was in love with Jessie specifically, but he took it all pretty well.

That only left Ash. His reaction when Delia asked what he would think if she dated Jessie was to angrily confront Jessie and demand to know if her plan all along was to date his mom to get to Pikachu. Jessie denied it, telling Ash that Delia made her want to be good and made her believe that she could be good. With Ash's (initially begrudging) blessing the two began dating, Jessie ultimately moving in after about six months.

Sad James:

James did not take the emergence of Hanamusa well. He was hurt that Jessie had moved on from him, but after she moved out it was less about that and more about her spending most of her free time with her new family. Meanwhile Meowth often worked evenings and weekends, which left James with the option of hanging around the diner or doing something on his own. More often than not, the "something" was lying on the couch watching TV and drinking soda or something stronger. Both Jessie and Meowth knew that James was feeling down. Jessie felt guilty, even though she did nothing wrong, and Meowth just didn't know what to do for him. So they both just sort of waited for him to snap out of it. Besides, it's James, of course he's lying around Visibly Being Sad. You can't take that seriously. He's the King of Drama.

Which brings us up to Strange Arrangements. Chapter 13 is still being worked on, I promise. Halfway done.

[creativename87]

orv ask game!!!

0 - What got you into reading orv? it could be the story of how you found out about it, or the reasons why you decided to read it, or both!

2 - do you remember the point in the story where you realized that it was something special? ( if you even consider it special)

3 - What's your favorite part about the orv community and why?

4 - picking a favorite arc can be hard! Pick a few favorites if you can't decide on just one and tell me why, I'm curious :)

9 - ok favorite piece of literary object (ex. symbolism, foreshadowing, metaphors, etc. etc.) that appears

5 - we've all thought about it at one point in time or another, if you were a constellation what would your name be?

1 - be honest. would you survive the first scenario? If so, would you be able to survive the apocalypse in general? give a brief (it can be long! but the apocalypse is a lot to cover, so feel free to shorten it, it might help a bit) but efficient summary of why/why not.

whatever number we're on right now - okay a little basic BUT: favorite relationship/character/character arc/whatever else you adore and wish to talk about and why you love it

18 - something you love that the fandom overlooks a lot and/or something important that you think the fandom got wrong

63 - what's your favorite quote? if you can't pick just one then pick a couple, or give me only a few of your favorites, but don't forget to tell me why they mean so much to you!

[blacksailskmeme]

There is a gloryhole in the brothel, frequented by all of our favorites. Captain Flint is on the other side, working off some stress by being Nassau's best throat goat

This is PROMPT #63

AO3 Collection (if you like this prompt, please submit a fill of at least 500 words ANONYMOUSLY to this collection with the prompt number in the summary/description. If you need help submitting or tagging, please reach out to event host @jaynovz)

[magz]

(Alternatively: march 11 to 17, 2024 week summary for palestine on instagram)

March 15 to March 19, 2024 Palestine Summary. From "Let's Talk Palestine" (instagram broadcast channel). Quote,

March 15, 2024.

Day 161

• UNICEF: 1 in 3 children (31%) under the age of 2 in northern Gaza suffer from acute malnutrition, an escalation from 15.6% in January

• 149 Palestinians killed, 300 injured in Gaza in the past 24 hours

• Netanyahu dismisses Hamas’s ceasefire proposal, despite US stating that it is “within the bounds” of what was discussed + announces war cabinet approved plans for Rafah ground invasion. Israel continues to send mixed signals as they are also set to send delegates for truce talks in Qatar

⚖️ ICJ to begin hearings in early April on Nicaragua’s case against Germany for complicity in genocide in Gaza, per Nicaragua’s request for emergency rulings

🇦🇺 Australia to resume UNRWA funding of $6 million, following internal determination that “UNRWA is not a terrorist organization” despite Israel’s accusations

🔻 Hamas claims 4 Israeli soldiers killed in central Gaza + ground fighting continues in Khan Younis (south Gaza) & targeting of an Israeli armored troop carrier and tank

March 16, 2024.

🗞️ The Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister and his cabinet resigned on Feb 26, while PA President Abbas will stay; a move towards a post-genocide plan to create a ‘unity’ PA gov’t across West Bank & Gaza.

Set up in the 90s, the PA operates as a subcontractor of Israel’s occupation, lessening its financial and political burdens. Today, PA is controlled by Abbas’s US-backed Fatah party, after Gaza split from its control under Hamas in 2007.

Since Oct, US has pushed for Gaza’s return to the governance of a reformed PA, but without elections, as Fatah would likely lose. Rather Abbas claims he’ll appoint a “technocratic government of officials & experts”. He chose a new PM 2 days ago.

But the rhetoric of “Palestinian unity” covers up the plan’s dismissal of popular demands for representative leadership. Palestinians doubt the reforms, overwhelmingly demanding the PA’s dissolution, Abbas’ resignation & PLO elections.

👩‍🏫 Confused about the PA? Read our post: tinyurl.com/4yhr7k67

Day 162

• 1st aid shipment departing Cyprus arrived in Gaza yesterday carrying 200 tons of food, marking 1st Gaza sea shipment since 2005 + planned 2nd ship coordinated by US, UAE, Spain & Japan; but unclear on distribution of aid across Gaza

• Massacre in central Gaza as Israel destroys home, killing 36 Palestinians, incl. kids & pregnant women

🔻 Senior Hamas & Houthi officials hold rare meeting to discuss coordinated action against an Israeli Rafah ground invasion

• Israeli settlers attack homes in Nablus (West Bank), throwing stones & shooting the air + 20 Palestinians abducted in West Bank, incl. some released in Nov. hostage exchange deal

•⁠ ⁠Palestinian Authority (PA) president Abbas accuses Hamas of causing “return of Israeli occupation of Gaza”, essentially blaming Hamas for the ongoing genocide. Was prompted by Hamas criticism of ‘unilateral’ appointment of new PM of the PA (see our last broadcast)

• 63 Palestinians killed, 112 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours

March 17, 2024:

Day 163

🇺🇸⁠ NBC: Biden frustrated over drop in poll numbers in swing states Michigan & Georgia due to his handling of Gaza genocide. Shouting and swearing in a White House meeting, saying he’s doing what is right

•⁠ 19 aid trucks arrive in north Gaza — first convoys to reach the north without incident in 4 months. But aid remains scarce as Israel keeps blocking entry of aid as trucks pile outside Rafah crossing + rate of malnutrition among children under 2 in north doubles in past month

•⁠ 14th Palestinian dies since Oct 7 in Israeli prison following multiple allegations of extreme abusive conditions for Palestinian hostages

🇪🇺⁠ ⁠EU President condemns an Israeli Rafah invasion, joining countless nations to do so like the US & Arab countries

•⁠ Israeli forces abduct 25 Palestinians, incl. a woman with cancer from Gaza & a child in overnight raids in West Bank

•⁠ ⁠92 Palestinians killed, 130 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours

March 18, 2024

Day 164

🚨⁠ Israeli forces raid al-Shifa Hospital, where 30,000 Palestinians are sheltering, shooting snipers at those fleeing despite ordering an evacuation. Al-Shifa has regained minimal functionality since Nov seige, but now unable to treat the injured due to siege. 200+ civilians abducted, incl. Al Jazeera journalist Ismail al-Ghoul & his crew — stripped, blindfolded & taken to unknown location, reporting abuse & beatings

•⁠ 81 Palestinians killed, 116 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours

•⁠ Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC): Famine imminent, expected in north Gaza by May as 70% of its population subject to “catastrophic” starvation; while famine in Khan Yunis, Rafah & Deir Balah by July

•⁠ ⁠Israel recaptures Rawda Abu Ajmiyeh, previously released in Nov hostage exchange deal; 13 Palestinians recaptured, a clear violation of the deal

•⁠ West Bank: 300 homes demolished + 1,640 Palestinians displaced since Oct 7

🇪🇺 EU announces plans to sanction Israeli settlers

👆 Graphic from IPC report on the levels of starvation and food insecurity in Gaza. On the left: current levels of food insecurity in Gaza; on the right: projected food insecurity levels by July

March 19, 2024

📣 We’ve just launched a dedicated page to fundraising for Gazans via our linktr.ee/fundsforgaza initiative. We’ve already facilitated tens of thousands of dollars in donations in the past weeks to families in Gaza.

The people we’re helping fundraise for are not numbers. This is a matter of life or death for people with dreams, passions, and stories like you.

Follow the new page @ fundsforgaza (instagram) to get updates on the fundraisers, share content with others to help fundraisers, and support people in Gaza ❤️🇵🇸

Https://instagram.com/fundsforgaza

[sixcostumerefs]

Performance Stats: 2022 (mainland edition)

Alright, it’s (no longer) that time of year again! Summary of all 2022 calendar year performances stats!! - This was a CRAZY year full of cross-production covers + emergency cover chaos so very fun to write up. It also made it a bit of a challenge with organization. If an actor was primarily with one production but served as an emergency cover for another, I listed them with their primary or initial production. - Yearly disclaimer that some errors and/or disparities could exist. - And as always, if you repost/use these stats anywhere, please credit me @sixcostumerefs (or six.costume.refs on Insta) And as always....a shoutout to Dionne Ward-Anderson, who featured in the largest number of performances this year, at a whopping 353 shows! Runner up is Andrea Macasaet at 327 shows, with Brittney Mack a very close third with 322! Most performing Aragon was Phoenix Jackson Mendoza (270), Seymour was Claudia Kariuki (293), Howard was Samantha Pauly (314.5), and Parr was Meesha Turner (267.5, but Alana Robinson was at 267). 2021-22 West End Amy di Bartolomeo: 242 performances Amanda Lindgren 255 performances Tsemaye Bob-Egbe: 233 performances Meesha Turner: 267.5 performances Paisley Billings: 114.5 performances (55 A, 44.5 C, 14 P) 2022-23 West End Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky: 81 performances Baylie Carson: 78 performances Koko Basigara: 65 performances Monique Ashe-Palmer: 14 performances (7 A, 1 B, 6 C) Leah Vassell: 40 performances (20 S, 1 C, 19 P) 2021-22 UK Tour Lauren Drew: 71 performances Maddison Bulleyment: 62 performances Caitlin Tipping: 68 performances Shekinah McFarlane: 60 performances Vicki Manser: 63 performances Elena Gyasi: 66 performances (61 regular prior to cast change + 5 emergency cover post-CC) Cassy Lee: 22 performances (8 A, 14 C) Cherelle Jay: 7 performances (1 B, 1 S, 2 C, 3 P) 2022-23 UK Tour Chloe Hart: 269 performances Casey Al-Shaqsy: 252 performances total (249 on UKT + 3 as E/C for WE) Aiesha Pease: 7 performances Jessica Niles: 237-245 performances total (19-27 performances with Breakaway 2.0, 218 performances with UKT) Jaina Brock-Patel: 110 performances Rebecca Wickes: 72 performances Alana M Robinson: 267 performances Harriet Caplan-Dean: 72 performances (10 A, 9 B, 13 S, 7 C, 18 H, 15 P) Grace Melville: 153 performances total w/ 151 performances on UKT (55 A, 4 B, 91 C with 60 of those performances as T/R, 1 P) + 2 as E/C for WE (2 C) Leesa Tulley: 186 performances (1 A, 35 B, 11 S, 137 H with 57 of those performances as T/R, 2 P) 2021-22 Broadway (+ Aug replacements) Adrianna Hicks: 202 performances Bre Jackson: 123 performances (two of these were half shows) Andrea Macasaet: 327 performances Abby Mueller: 117 performances Keri Rene Fuller: 183 performances (59 as T/R, 1 as early debut, the rest as principal) Brittney Mack: 322 performances Samantha Pauly: 314.5 performances Anna Uzele: 97 performances Joy Woods: 146 performances Brennyn Lark: 85 performances Mallory Maedke: 67.5 performances (16.5 A, 47 S, 4 H) Nicole Kyoung-Mi Lambert: 95 performances (39 A, 26 B, 30 C; two A were half-shows) Courtney Mack: 99.5 performances (25 B, 57.5 H, 17 P) Keirsten Hodgens: 107 performances total. 104 on Bway + 3 as emergency cover for Aragon Tour (Bway was 33 S, 25 C, 46 P; Tour was 3 C). Ayla Ciccone-Burton: 20 performances total. 12 pre-CC + 8 post-CC (pre-CC was 2 B, 3 C, 7 P; post-CC was 2 B, 3 C, 3 P) Holli’ Conway: 18 performances total. 9 pre-CC + 9 post-CC (pre-CC 3 C, 6 H; post-CC 5 A, 4 H) Hana Stewart: 2 performances (1 A, 1 P) 2022-23 Broadway Hailee Kaleem Wright: 27 performances Leandra Ellis-Gaston: 30 performances Bella Coppola: 30 performances Nasia Thomas: 29 performances Zoe Jensen: 19 performances Taylor Iman Jones: 29 performances Kristina Leopold: 2 performances (all as S) Aubrey Matalon: 9 performances (all as H) Aragon Tour Khaila Wilcoxon: 258 performances Storm Lever: 267 performances Jasmine Forsberg: 267 performances Olivia Donalson: 263 performances Didi Romero: 261 performances Gabriela Francesca Carrillo: 257 performances Cassie Silva: 41 performances total. 4 with Broadway + 37 with Aragon Tour (Broadway 3 B, 1 H; Aragon Tour 10 B, 13 C, 14 H) Kelly Denice Taylor: 29 performances total. 3 with Boy + 26 with Aragon Tour (Bway 3 S; Aragon Tour was 12 A, 7 S, 7 C) Kelsey Kimmel: 43 performances (16 A, 12 S, 15 P) Erin Ramirez: 34 performances (9 B, 11 H, 14 P) Boleyn Tour Gerianne Perez: 95 performances Zan Berube: 96 performances Amina Faye: 89 performances Terica Marie: 93 performances Aline Mayagoitia: 91 performances Sydney Parra: 96 performances Cecilia Snow: 18 performances (4 A, 11 S, 3 C) Tay Pearlstein: 13 performances (5 B, 7 H, 1 P) Jana Larell Glover: 20 performances (5 A, 8 C, 7 P) Aryn Bohannon: 13 performances (3 B, 4 S, 6 H) Australia Tour Phoenix Jackson Mendoza: 270 performances Kala Gare: 283 performances Loren Hunter: 291 performances Kiana Daniele: 269 performances Chelsea Dawson: 267 performances Video Makan: 254.5 performances Karis Oka: 137 performances (13 A, 28 B, 1 S, 26 C, 38 H, 31 P) Shannen Alyce Quan: 86 performances (9 A, 14 B, 30 S, 2 C, 6 H, 25 P) Chiara Assetta: 93 performances (29.5 A, 3 B, 3 S, 32 C, 18 H, 6.5 P) Cristina D’Agostino: 7 performances (all as P) Madeline Fansler: performances (with Breakaway 3.0: . 16 with Aus Tour: 7 A, 4 S, 5 P) Actors who primarily continued with their initial productions: Claudia Kariuki: 293 performances - 231 pre-CC - 62 post-CC Dionne Ward-Anderson: 353 performances - 269 pre-CC - 84 post-CC Roxanne Couch: 178 performances - Totalling 1 A, 5 B, 61 S, 13 H, 98 P - 122 pre-CC (1 A, 5 B, 61 S, 13 H, 42 P; two of the P were half performances) - 56 post-CC as principal Parr Rachel Rawlinson: 166 performances - Totalling 44 A, 13 B, 51 S, 29 C, 16 H, 13 P - 142 pre-CC (40 A, 12 B, 37 S, 29 C, 13 H, 11 P; 1 C + 1 S were mid-show swing-ons) - 24 post-CC (4 A, 1 B, 14 S, 3 H, 2 P) Esme Rothero: 153 performances - Totalling 19 A, 32 B, 19 S, 16 C, 27 H, 40 P - 129 pre-CC (17 A, 31 B, 19 S, 16 C, 19 H, 27 P) - 24 post-CC (2 A, 1 B, 8 H, 13 P) Danielle Rose: 192 performances - 152 pre-CC (6 A, 51 B, 4 S, 3 C, 87 H, 1 P) - 40 post-CC (15 B, 21 H, 4 P) Jennifer Caldwell: 289 performances total - Totalling 296 as B, 11 H, 3 P - 21 pre-CC as alt (7 B, 11 H, 3 P) - 287 post-CC as principal Boleyn - 2 as E/C Boleyn for West End Natalie Pilkington: 142 performances total - Totalling 8 A, 3 B, 65 S, 12 C, 2 H, 52 P - 130 performances with 22-23 UKT (2 A, 3 B, 64 S, 12 C, 1 H, 48 P) - 3 performances w 21-22 UKT (1 A, 1 H, 1 P) - 9 performances as E/C for WE (5 A, 1 S, 3 P) Standby swings: Harriet Watson: 78 performances total - Totalling 2 A, 19 B, 21 S, 14 C, 6 H, 14 P - 42 performances as alt for the 21-22 UKT (10 B, 11 S, 4 C, 5 H, 12 P) - 3 performances as E/C on the UKT (3 C) - 17 performances as E/C for the WE (6 B, 6 S, 2 C, 1 P) - 6 performances as standby swing for 21-22 WE (2 B, 3 S, 1 H) - 10 performances as standby swing for 22-23 WE (2 A, 1 B, 1 S, 5 C, 1 P) Marilyn Caserta: 5-7 performances total - all as Aragon - 2-4 Bliss 3.0 (all as A) - 3 Bway (all E/C as A) Emergency Covers Courtney Bowman: 1 performance (WE)

[roadtogracelandx45]

Baby, I Do| Austin Butler!Elvis

*This is a rewrite, I think that Sylvie forgave him to easily in the first verison of it. I like this one better. masterlist will come soon.*

masterlist

@thatbanditqueen

Baby, I Do 

Summary: Elvis has had enough of Sylvie being away, and he goes to New York before the night shows he was booked to do to get her back. And he is willing to do everything he can to get her back. Including offering the one thing they both always wanted. Marriage and a family. 

Volume 2 

Inspired by Prompt 63

“Well, you are coming home with me whether you like it or not.” + “Like what see?”

 Austin Butler!Elvis/ Sylvie  

Kind of what if. Instead of the colonel going to get Sylvie it’s Elvis 

*** 

1956

New York City 

4 months after Roberta successfully kicked Sylvie out of Graceland 

** 

Elvis could never understand why Sylvie wanted to be in a big, loud, smoke-filled city like New York. Memphis, he could understand because that was home, but New York, never. 

Maybe it was because she could blend into the crowds and be a 22-year-old woman. Not just the only female member of the Memphis Mafia, not Elvis’s girl Friday. Not the Dream Maker. She was just Sylvie here and it was something she had needed. 

She had tried to voice her opinion and needed time off but Elvis and the boys tended to forget that Sylvie had to press the off button for a while and just be her. She couldn’t just take the pills or get injections and bounce back to it. 

And the fight with Roberta and him siding with her over Sylvie was the straw that broke the camel's back and in the middle of the night, she had snuck out of Graceland and came up to New York and had stayed out of contact with them. 

It had gotten so bad with the phone calls and letters, that she took the phone off of the hook and marked the letters return to sender. The first letters she had sent back had broken his heart and he knew it was his fault. He could never have just one girl, he had to have multiples and he thought that the love that they shared was strong enough. 

But he had broken it again and that love they had was shattered again.  He shattered Sylvie “My boy, why, why are we here?” Colonel asked, he had come up with him to New York for the show. 

“Sylvie is here and I need to see her.”  The older man groaned and shifted his cane to where it was sitting in the crock of his elbow. 

“You don’t need her, you have Roberta.” He liked the idea of Roberta better, she didn’t push against what he wanted. Sylvie on the other hand fought tooth and nail for not only things that Elvis needed and in turn what she needed.  The singer turned to him and glared at him, “I am seeing her.” There was such a finality in his voice that it almost scared him. Whatever Sylvia held over him was something fierce and having another woman in his life was never going to cut it. 

Sighing the Colonel opened the front door to the studio where Frank Sinatra and several others were recording, they had been informed by the doorman at Sylvie’s building, that she had been picked up early that morning by Frank’s driver and his daughter Nancy to be taken to the studio.  And Elvis insisted on stopping there before going any further into the city. 

“You know she is betraying you by being here right?” He asked, “This, this Frank has said things.” 

“He is also Sylvie’s favorite singer.” The singer added as the girl sitting by the desk pressed a few buttons on the phone. 

 “Besides you.” A voice came from the back hallway, Angie, Frank’s assistant had come out of the studio that had tracks playing and Sylvie’s voice was mixing in with Frank’s.  “She made that clear that you were her number one and she wasn’t going to take any negative comments about you. If you come with me Mr. Presley, I will show you to the studio. Colonel Parker, Frank asked for you to stay out here.’ 

“I am his manager.’  

“That doesn’t matter,  he is insisting and mostly on Ms. Adams’ part. And what Frank wants, he gets.” She motioned the security guard to come over just in case he put up an argument like Sylvie had warned them, 'You have done enough damage to her, the only reason, why he is welcoming Mr. Presley in, is because of Ms. Adams and her feelings for him.’ 

“What? What feelings?” 

“If you have to ask that, then you don’t know your client or Ms. Adams well at all.” 

“Stay out here. This shouldn’t take long.” Elvis patted the man’s shoulder before taking steps to follow Angie toward the hallway.  “Don’t bring that girl back Elvis. She isn’t good for you. And isn’t good for your career.’ 

Angie, along with Nancy spent several days with Sylvie and Natalie Wood and heard all about Sylvie’s feelings for Elvis and the lingering feeling that she felt that he had for her, bit her tongue from mouthing off.  

Plus the stories about Roberta.  They reflected badly on both Parker and Elvis.  

Still biting her tongue, Angie led Elvis back to the studio. He spotted his girl right away, she was sitting perched on the rolling chair by the soundboard, laughing at something the producer had said to her. “Sylvie.” Her name escaped him before he could stop himself. She turned quickly and her smile faded.  “Elvis. What are you doing here?” 

“We need to talk.” Releasing a sigh, the girl stood up from the chair. 

“Give me a minute?” She directed back at the booth where Frank was at. 

“Take your time.”  Normally Frank wouldn’t get involved in this kind of stuff, but his daughter Nancy had formed a friendship with Sylvia and heard stories and seen pictures of the two together.  The girl needed Elvis and in turn, he needed her, they just needed to sit down and admit it all. 

**

“Where’s the Pequin?’ She asked once they were in the room across the hall. “In the waiting room.”  

“And Roberta?”  

“At Graceland.”  Sylvie was glad her back was turned, so he couldn’t see the eye roll or the hurt. This was all just a repetitive cycle,  him bringing girls around and her dealing with it.  ‘And my sister and Davey?” “With Mama.”  “Once I get settled here, I will come down and get them. They aren’t yours or Gladys’s responsibility.” 

“You aren’t taking the kids. Graceland is their home. It is your home.” 

“No, it’s not. You bringing Roberta home and letting her overtake me changed that.” 

“Sylvie.” Elvis started as he crossed the room to go to her side, “I wasn’t thinking.” 

“Yeah, you were. Just not with the brain that God gave ya.’  She took another step away from him putting the table between them, she was the one that put a stop to what they had going on when Roberta tried to mother Andie and David. 

She was the one responsible for them, not Roberta, Andie was her sister and David was her son. And on top of that, he had chosen Roberta over Sylvie. After he had promised her the world and just dropped everything to be with another girl.  

“I miss you Syl.” He admitted causing her head to fly up and her eyes to go to him. 

“What?”

 “I miss you.”  This time he was able to come to her and stand in front of her, his hands stealing her hips and pulling her closer to him. 

For the first time since she had seen him, she was getting a good look at him, there were dark rings underneath his eyes, and the normal spark that they held was missing. His lace shirt was hanging loosely off of his slumped shoulders.   

“I need you with me, baby. I am not complete without you.”  

An unladylike snort escaped Sylvie, “You say that about every single time but you still do it! Why should I keep coming back?” “Because I love you god damn it.” Sylvie took a stumbling step back. Elvis never swore like that around her. “That life we were living, you, me, Andie, and Davey. With Mama and Daddy. Is the life I want.”

She put her hands on his chest and pushed him back slightly, “Then prove it. Words isn’t going to cut it this time.”