#task: tonga

[blackswaneuroparedux]

I never admitted to anybody during my entire military service that I had been an actor. I was terrified that I would be put in charge of Ensa [Entertainments' National Service Association]. Not even my closest friends knew I was an actor. I told them I was reading English at St Andrews University.

- Richard Todd

In his heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, Richard Todd was Britain’s leading matinee idol. If you love old movies, you’ll have seen Todd in one of his starring roles in “The Virgin Queen” opposite Bette Davis, “Stage Struck” with Marlene Dietrich, or “The Dam Busters” for which he won a Golden Globe Award. He was the tough little Scotsman in the wartime weepie “The Hasty Heart” and had audiences madly hunting for hankies.

Those were the days when Todd streaked across North American film screens as virtually every romantic hero from Rob Roy to Robin Hood. Ian Fleming chose him to play James Bond in “Dr. No” in 1962, but a schedule clash meant Sean Connery stepped into the role.

Little less known is the fact that he was also among the first British soldiers and the first Irishman to land in Normandy on D Day. More specifically, he participated in Operation Tonga during the D-Day landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944.

So it must have been surreal for Richard Todd the hearthrob actor to find himself playing Major John Howard in the epic movie ‘The Longest Day’ (1962) based on Cornelius Ryan’s book. Not least because he served with Howard and took part in the fighting at Pegasus Bridge that Major John Howard was tasked to secure on D Day.

Richard Todd was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1919. His father was a medic in the British Army and, as his posting required, the early years of his life were spent in India. The family settled in Devon upon their return to England, and Richard was educated at Shrewsbury Public School, in Shropshire. The theatre was his first love, and he furthered his dramatic skills at the Italia Conti school, thereafter moving to Scotland where he helped to form the Dundee Repertory Theatre. When War was declared, Todd went to St. Andrew's University on the following day to volunteer. He was not a member of the University, but he not only convinced the selection unit that he was, but also added that he had been reading English there for six months, and that he had obtained a Cert A in his school cadet corps; a key point to being accepted as an officer. Despite success in passing off this invented career, Todd was to be disappointed by a lack of interest in him thereafter.

Becoming increasingly desperate to get into the War before it ended, he sent numerous letters to the War Office to press his case, which, in June 1940, was finally noticed.

Accepted by the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Todd went to Sandhurst to receive his officer training. He had a very lucky escape here when he was in a corridor on the second floor of a building when it was hit by a bomb, and he was blown into the garden outside by the blast. He got to his feet in the darkness and did not feel particularly affected by it, but an examination by torchlight revealed that his whole body was covered in blood from numerous small wounds.

A spell his hospital delayed his passing out from Sandhurst until early 1941. Celebrating in London, he narrowly avoided death again when he found his usual haunt, the Cafe de Paris, was too crowded to admit him and so he went elsewhere; it was hit by a bomb that same night and 84 people were killed.

His Battalion, the 2nd/4th Battalion The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was posted to XII Corps in defence of Kent, where a German invasion if it came would almost certainly land. Todd was given command of the infantry in the Dymchurch Redoubt, a fort of the Napoleonic era mounting two six-inch guns.

In the event of an invasion, this would certainly have been a primary target for the enemy, and those manning it were told that, with the main defensive line far to their rear, they would be left to fight to the end. General Montgomery commanded XII Corps at this time, and his characteristic emphasis on training and preparedness led to the formation of the first Battle Schools. Richard Todd attended one of these, and the experience allowed him to run his own School when, in December 1941, he was sent to Iceland with the 1st/4th King's Own Light Infantry to be trained in arctic and mountain warfare. Returning to England in September 1942, he eventually ended up in the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion of the 6th Airborne Division. He was among troops of the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion who, at 00:40 hours on 6 June 1944, landed behind the Normandy beaches in a cornfield, perilously close to tracer fire.

Todd scrambled into a wood and with 150 other paratroopers reached Pegasus and Ranville bridges, vital crossings to allow Allied forces to break out from the beachheads into Normandy. They had been seized by a glider force from the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry under the command of Major John Howard, who needed reinforcements to fend off ferocious German attacks.

In his memoirs, Caught in the Act, Todd would write of the carnage, “There was no cessation in the Germans' probing with patrols and counter-attacks, some led by tanks, and the regimental aid post was overrun in the early hours. The wounded being tended there were all killed where they lay. There was sporadic enemy mortar and artillery fire we could do nothing about. One shell landed in a hedge near me, killing a couple of our men.”

Todd would go on and see action at the Battle of the Bulge and push into the Rhine into Germany. After VE day, his division returned to the UK for a few weeks, then was sent on counter-insurgency operations in Palestine. During this posting he was seriously injured when his Jeep overturned, breaking both shoulders and receiving a concussion. He returned to the UK to be demobilised in 1946. 

In 1962, Todd was given the part of Major John Howard in the film adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's book about the D-Day landings, ‘The Longest Day’ (1962). Due to the nature of cinema, it was impossible for the film to give a thorough reflection of the role of the 6th Airborne Division during the Invasion, and as such their activities were solely represented by a reconstruction of the capture of Bénouville Bridge by Howard's coup-de-main force. Although briefly mentioned, the role of the 7th Battalion in the defence of the western bridgehead was largely ignored, and so it appeared as if the defence of the bridge rested only on Howard's men.

Naturally, the omission of their fierce defence of Bénouville caused some resentment amongst veterans, not least because one of their own was championing this re-working of history. Todd, however, regarded ‘The Longest Day’ (1962) as a film rather than a documentary, and his part in it was simply that of an actor doing as he was told.

Richard Todd would never have guessed, that in 17 years since he was on Pegasus Bridge as a paratrooper that he would standing there again as an actor portraying Major John Howard who was given the order: 'Hold,… until relieved'. It had to be Richard Todd’s 'twilight-zone' moment.

The ‘relieve’ for Howard had to come from Lord Lovat and his troops, who had landed on SWORD Beach, and were legging it towards Pegasus Bridge.

Before the shooting of the scenes were started at Pegasus Bridge, the film producer of The Longest Day, Darryl F. Zanuck, had the real life Lord Lovat and Major John Howard brought over to meet the men who were going to portray them (Peter Lawford portrayed Lord Lovat). The men had not seen each other since 6 June 1944.

Photo (above). From L-R: Peter Lawford, Lord Lovat, Richard Todd, Major John Howard.

[sugarpkts]

FOOLSERRAND Hopeless task OOZE Turtles discover it's secret FHQWHGADS Come on ____ I said ____ IMNOTWEARINGHOCKEYPADS Bruce's response to "What gives you the right? What's the difference between you and me?" (2008) AGAKAKSKAGESH Violent animated nodding react SPIRITOMB Reward for speaking to 32 trainers underground LUIGI Came into possession of a mansion in 2001 DUKENUKEM He's got balls of steel POPPYSEED Pretty good bagel EXPIRE What shampoo doesn't do GOLDENEYE Brosnan's debut OMOCHAO Robotic menu attendant on GCN FUNKOTRON Toe-jam and Earl planet, but it sounds like the name of a dancing robot FINGERS Helpful in a pinch ASTROLOUNGE Album featuring When The Morning Comes, and All Star OBJECTION Phoenix's cry EGADD Inventor of the Poltergust NEPTR Ceaseless pastry tossing automaton GATESMCFADDEN Paging Dr. Crusher KRAID Corpulent, three-eyed green reptilian boss BOSSNASS Leader of the Gungan High Council, if meesa recall CROMULENT Acceptable or adequate, perfectly so DONCHEADLE Boogie Nights actor born November 29, 1964. ABANDONED What Daniel Plainview did to his boy SHAGADELIC Great word for a groovy carpet or parody spy MISTERROGERS Ultimate showdown victor NEN Gon has plenty of it SIXMONTHS Time served for stealing half a calendar NOOKSCRANNY A different sort of Uncle Tom's cabin JENOVA Source of Sephiroth's mommy issues JOCRYSTAL It gives him (38, houston) confidence at work, home, social situations, etc. TANUKI Cousin of dogs legendary for their shapeshifting (and hint for the cabin clue!) TURKISHDELIGHT Starch confection and temptation of Edmund Pevensie REVACHOL BABYPARK Mario Kart stage with extra laps ALMONDS If a Hershey's bar has these it can fuck off LANKYKONG He posseses neither style nor grace, but may handstand if required SHEHULK Alter-ego of Jennifer Walters MONSTERRANCHER Mostly forgotten anime franchise featuring an eyeball, a golem, and a kickboxing rabbit ESPRITDECORPS A feeling of loyalty between fellow soldiers, or officers of the Revachol Citizens Militia CARMELA Mother to Meadow and AJ HALF Type of A press BANSHEE Flying counterpart to a ghost or wraith ROFLCOPTER ASCII transport NUMANUMA Common name for Dragostea Din Tei

DRACULAS Vampires

THESEDAYS Useful sentence fragment for when ‘now’ is a little quick on the draw

MONEYPENNY M’s secretary

KOKOPELLI flute-playing Native American fertility deity and purveyor of fine television sets

MCNAMARA SecDef to Kennedy and Johnson, playable Nazi zombie character

HARVEST Type of moon

CLYDE Rounds out Inky, Pinky, and Blinky

SUE Clyde’s female replacement

WILBUR Caretaker for Mr. Ed

PUDDYTAT I tawt I taw one..

TONGA Polynesian kingdom with over 170 islands

REQUISITE Must have

GRIMOIRE A tome of spells

LAPITUP What racecar drivers and thirsty cats do

CHUMBAWUMBATUBTHUMPING Artist and title of that 1997 hit that can’t be kept down

BOUVIER Marge’s maiden name

[questioned-quetzalcoatl]

WRITING IDEA FOR UUUU BABY <333

Zeaonga drabble with Kainga being a suffering art student like the poor bby they are, with the task of painting an anatomy piece. Unfortunately, James seems far too willing to help out ;) PAINT HIM LIKE ONE OF YOUR FRENCH GIRLS-

'Brushstrokes'

Rating: T

Pairings: New Zealand/Tonga (Hetalia)

Variation: University/Student AU

AN: My urges to make this smutty were chained up like a dog outside of Ikea, still it has (though poor) Nsfw descriptions. But this sounded like such a fun prompt I couldn't resist, and James just walking around butt naked in their flat is cause for much hilarity.

I don't know how to describe male anatomy, either, so this should be fun. Paint him like one of your french girls Kai 💅

---

"For gods sake, can you not sit still for five minutes?"

Came out as more of a desperate plea then might've originally hoped. Mainly because it forces the shift of their eyes back to the completely bare-ass naked man laid across his couch on his side like he was posing for some Renaissance piece.

He even brought grapes and everything like some Roman emperor.

“Are yer sure ya don’t like me and yer not a pervert because, ya could have asked anyone to do this." 

They supposed they'd half expected him to just dodge the question, cocking an eyebrow at him instead. "I did ask." They insisted first, taking another stroke of their brush across the canvas to look away from the growing smirk on the others face, "...and everyone else was busy. I'm no social butterfly, trust me when I say you were my last option. No matter how much you begged."

"Fat chance Kai-boob, I bet yer just wanted to see me naked~"

Kainga furrowed their brows in an attempt to block out his voice, their eyes trailing his body for each tone, dip, sharp and rugged curve, it only now dawned on them how perfect of a model they'd chosen. They'd seen his body time and time before, the man walked around severely lacking a shirt half the time, now they felt like they were in some badly shot porno with one of the University's top rugby players. Their glasses slipped a little.

"On your couch nonetheles-"

"James if you don't shut up and stay still I'll pour paint water down your throat." God why did he have to be so hot?!

Trying to avert their eyes from going lower and lower down the body of the man who was built like an actual god, Kainga continued their rough starter of an outline with the basic shapes and pose they wanted. Their face scrunched up, deciding if they were pleased with any of it. Though with how wriggly their subject was being, they decided on just keeping it.

"Almost done over there Da Vinci? I wanna see it!" James shifted himself into the smugest way possible as Kainga peered back around the canvas on their axel, unashamedly, the other's ego seemed to bloom as he finally caught Kainga's eyes right on his exposed crotch. How does that thing fit in his pants?

"Are you kidding me?! I just started, it's been 10 minutes."

"Well how long does it normally take?!"

"Longer if you keep moving!" They snapped and threw a paintbrush half heartedly at his face. Causing James to try and block it, poorly.

"Well however long it takes I bet it's going to be a masterpiece."

Kainga blushed a little at his sentiment, as if he was actually complementing their skills in the medium of art. About to ask if he really meant it for a heartfelt moment that would ultimately end up with them both on the floor, naked, covered in paint and making out in the heat of it al-

He probably meant a 'masterpiece' because he, James, was the focus. And that he did mean.

Surprisingly, James was quiet for a couple of minutes. Probably just to admire himself like this, but Kainga had a little more progress completed. They'd given up on trying to be dainty with not looking too much at his body, they couldn't help themselves at this point. The pink on their face indicated that like a positive pH test.

And oh, James noticed alright. He loved it, loved the feeling of being quietly admired by them in their flustered state. He just knew.

"Enjoying yourself there sugar?~"

"Not as much as I'm going to enjoy shrinking your dick down in the rough sketch."

"W-what?!" Suddenly James was up like the alarm sirens for 'Someone thinks you have a small dick' alert was going off. "Kai that's just cruel! Everyone needs t' see this masterpiece of genetics in all it’s glory.”

"If I keep it full size it'll be distracting from the rest of it." They retorted with a smirk, oh the power they held within that paintbrush was enough to send the Kiwi on their couch into hysterics like a primate. Finally they chuckled with how red James had gotten. “...Well, you’re always free to use it to convince me otherwise~”

[freehawaii]

DID POLYNESIAN VOYAGERS REACH THE AMERICAS BEFORE COLUMBUS?

History.com - May 25, 2023 According to science, voyagers from Moananuiākea reached America around 800 years ago. “A 2020 study found that Polynesians from multiple islands carry a small amount of DNA from indigenous South Americans, and that the moment of contact likely came some 800 years ago…” Polynesian voyagers sailed without a compass or any other nautical instruments. Yet by reading the stars, waves, currents, clouds, seaweed clumps and seabird flights, they managed to cross vast swaths of the Pacific Ocean and settle hundreds of islands, from Hawaii in the north to Easter Island in the southeast to New Zealand in the southwest. Evidence has mounted that they likewise reached mainland South America—and possibly North America as well—long before Christopher Columbus. “It’s one of the most remarkable colonization events of any time in history,” says Jennifer Kahn, an archeologist at the College of William & Mary, who specializes in Polynesia. “We’re talking about incredibly skilled navigators [discovering] some of the most remote places in the world.” Tracing Polynesian Ancestry Based on linguistic, genetic and archeological data, scientists believe that the ancestors of the Polynesians originated in Taiwan (and perhaps the nearby south China coast). From there, they purportedly traveled south into the Philippines and further on to New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, where they mixed with the local populace. By around 1300 B.C., a new culture had developed, the Lapita, known in part for their distinct pottery. These direct descendants of the Polynesians rapidly swept eastward, first to the Solomon Islands and then to uninhabited Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, and elsewhere. “The Lapita were the first ones to get into remote Oceania,” says Patrick V. Kirch, an anthropology professor at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, and author of On the Road of the Winds: An Archeological History of the Pacific Islands before European Contact. “It was really a blank slate as far as humans were concerned.” By the 9th century B.C., the Lapita had made it as far as Tonga and Samoa. But then a long pause ensued without further expansion. Researchers note that, beyond Tonga and Samoa, island chains are much further apart, separated in some cases by thousands of miles of open ocean, and that the winds and currents generally conspire against sailing east. Perhaps Lapita boats simply weren’t up to the task. Moreover, as Kirch points out, the closest coral atolls had not yet stabilized by that time. “It’s possible that there was some voyaging past Samoa,” he says, “but they would have found just coral reefs and not actual land they could settle.” Double-Hulled Canoes Accelerate Expansion During the long pause, a distinct Polynesian culture evolved on Tonga and Samoa, and voyagers there gradually honed their craft. In time, they invented double-hulled canoes, essentially early catamarans, lashing them together with coconut fiber rope and weaving sails from the leaves of pandanus trees. These vessels, up to roughly 60-feet long, could carry a couple dozen settlers each, along with their livestock—namely pigs, dogs and chickens—and crops for planting. “They now had the technological ability and the navigational ability to really get out there,” Kirch says. Though the exact timeline has long been disputed, it appears the great wave of Polynesian expansion began around A.D. 900 or 950. Voyagers, also called wayfinders, quickly discovered the Cook Islands, Society Islands (including Tahiti), and Marquesas Islands, and not long after arrived in the Hawaiian Islands. By 1250 or so, when they reached New Zealand, they had explored at least 10 million square miles of the Pacific Ocean and located over 1,000 islands. “You can fit all of the continents into the Pacific Ocean,” Kahn explains. “It’s a huge, huge space to traverse.” Even the tiniest and most remote islands, such as Pitcairn, did not escape their notice. As Kirch points out, no one else in the world was remotely capable of such a feat at that time. “Around 1000 A.D., what were Europeans doing?” Kirch says. “Not much in the way of sailing.” He adds that, as late as the 15th century, even the most accomplished European seamen, like Vasco da Gama, were merely hugging the coast. Easter Island Among Many Inhabited by Polynesian Voyagers The Polynesians did not have a system of writing to record their accomplishments. But they did pass down stories orally, which tell, for example, of how Hawaiian settlers came from Tahiti, more than 2,500 miles away. “Where the sun rises, in Hawaiian understanding anyway, is a place where the gods reside and our ancestors,” says Marques Hanalei Marzan, cultural advisor at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. “To get to that place is probably one of the reasons why the migration east continued.” (As an April 2023 study confirms, Polynesian voyagers sometimes sailed west as well into what’s commonly referred to as the Polynesian Outliers.) Each island chain developed its own unique characteristics. On Easter Island, for instance, the inhabitants constructed giant stone statues. Yet all Polynesians spoke related languages, worshipped a similar pantheon of gods, and built ritual sites with shared features, Kahn explains. The various islands also maintained at least some ties with each other, particularly during the heyday of Polynesian expansion. “It’s not just that they came from a place and left and never made their way back,” Marzan says. “They actually continued those relationships.” Evidence that Polynesian Sailors Reached Americas Most experts now believe the Polynesians crossed the entire Pacific to mainland South America, with Marzan saying it happened “without question.” Stanford University biologist Peter Vitousek has similarly told HISTORY that “we’re absolutely sure,” putting the odds of a South American landfall in the 99.9999 [percent] range.” For one thing, experts note that Easter Island (also known as Rapa Nui) lies only about 2,200 miles off the South American coast, and that Polynesian voyagers, capable of locating a speck of rock in the vast Pacific, could hardly have missed a giant continent. “Why would they have stopped?” Kahn says. “They would have kept going until they couldn’t find any more.” Genetic evidence backs up this assertion. A 2020 study found that Polynesians from multiple islands carry a small amount of DNA from indigenous South Americans, and that the moment of contact likely came some 800 years ago (not long after the Vikings, the best European sailors of their era, made landfall on the Atlantic coast of the Americas). Archeologists have likewise found the remains of bottle gourds and sweet potatoes, both South American plants, at pre-Columbian Polynesian sites. Some scientists speculate that the sweet potato could have dispersed naturally across the Pacific, but most agree that the Polynesians must have brought it back with them. “Try to take a sweet potato tuber and float it,” Kirch says. “I guarantee it won’t float very long. It will sink to the bottom of the ocean.” Poultry bones from Chile appear to show that Polynesians introduced chickens to South America prior to the arrival of Columbus, though some scientists have disputed these findings. Meanwhile, other researchers analyzing skulls on a Chilean island found them to be “very Polynesian in shape and form.” Less evidence ties the Polynesians to North America. Even so, some experts believe they landed there as well, pointing out, among other things, that the sewn-plank canoes used by the Chumash tribe of southern California resembled Polynesian vessels. What Happened to Polynesians in Americas? No Polynesian settlement has ever been unearthed in the Americas. It therefore remains unclear what happened upon arrival, particularly since, unlike the Pacific islands, these landmasses were already populated. Perhaps, Kahn says, “they got up and left and went back.” When Captain James Cook explored the Pacific in the late 1760s and 1770s, thus ushering in a wave of Western imperialism, he recognized the Polynesians’ exemplary sailing skills. “It is extraordinary that the same nation should have spread themselves over all the isles in this vast ocean, from New Zealand to [Easter Island], which is almost a fourth part of the circumference of the globe,” he wrote. Eventually, however, as they colonized the islands and suppressed native languages and cultures, Western powers began to downplay Polynesian achievements, according to Marzan, who says they assumed “that the people of the Pacific were less than.” Some falsely claimed, for instance, that Polynesian sailors had merely drifted along with the winds and currents. (It didn’t help that, at the time of European contact, many Pacific Islanders no longer used large, oceangoing canoes. Some, like those on Easter Island, had already chopped down all the tall trees needed to produce them.) Worst of all, European diseases decimated the Polynesian population. “It was this massive, devastating loss,” Kirch says. “And when you have that, your society really falls apart.” Before long, most remaining Polynesians began sailing with Western techniques. More recently, though, the old traditions have been revived, starting around 1976, when the Polynesian Voyaging Society sailed, without instruments, from Hawaii to Tahiti. They have since embarked on numerous other expeditions, including a worldwide voyage from 2013 to 2017. “The Polynesian Voyaging Society has really inspired many cultures across the Pacific to reconnect with their traditional practices,” Marzan says. Once again, double-hulled canoes are plying the ocean.

[tasksweekly]

Hey folks! As of recent events Natalie is no longer involved with this blog and I've found a new admin, until we get things up and running again the new unofficial task will be to focus on providing the community with Indigenous resources! I've made a masterlist of resources that were lost HERE and of course there are several tasks dedicated to Indigenous people under the cut:

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE OLDER ONES NEED UPDATING!

#053: The Iroquois Confederacy

#054: The Anishinaabe

#055: The Navajo

056: The Iron Confederacy

#057: Great Sioux Nation

#064: Apache

#065: Inuit

#066: The Blackfoot Confederacy

#067: Seminole

#068: Metis

#072: Choctaw

#086: Māori

#094: Tonga

#103: Tahiti

#106: Chickasaw

#117: The Wabanaki Confederacy

#118: Shoshone

#119: Hopi

#120: O'odham

#121: The Powhatan Confederacy

127: Imazighen

#128: Hmong

#156: Indigenous Peoples of Taiwan

#169: Comanche

#170: Lumbee

#171: Cheyenne

#172: Nez Perce

#173: Yaqui

#211: Arapaho

#212: Crow

#213: Yupik

#214: Paiute

#260: Quechua

#261: Dene Peoples

#262: Taino

#263: Lenape

#274: Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines

#291: Mixed Indigenous American and Asian

#292: Mixed Pacific Islander and Asian

#293: Mixed Indigenous American and Black

#300: Alaskan Athabaskan Peoples

#301: Maya Peoples

#302: Interior Salish Peoples

#308: Kamilaroi People

#314: Two-Spirit Faceclaims

#315: Wiradjuri

[firecat17]

Moana live-action remake wishes

So recently I found out that a live-action Moana remake is in the works a mere six years after the animated one was released. That being said, and given the nature of Disney’s live-action remakes, there are some expectations I have for it that I hope it meets (which I don’t have much faith in).

Not just expectations, but in fact ideas that would make the story more ideal. BTW, all of the following ideas are based on actual criticisms (and rightfully so) by actual Polynesian reviewers. 

First off, set it in an actual, non-fictional Polynesian location, like Samoa or Tonga (Samoa would be a good choice). By doing this, Disney can avoid making all the Polynesian cultures into a monolith. Monolithing is a racist, damaging practice that refers to taking multiple similar and geographically related cultures and blending them into one, giving the illusion that they are all interchangeable. Moana isn’t the only Disney movie guilty of this (*glares in the direction of Pocahontas, Raya and the Last Dragon*). Sure, it may not represent all the Polynesian cultures this way, but at least by doing so they can avoid making a monolith. Since Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is Samoan, I’d (again) suggest setting it in ancient Samoa. Or if not Samoa itself, at least a nearby island directly related to Samoa. That means all the actors would ideally be Samoan. 

Second, hire an all (or nearly all) Polynesian production team; directors (unless one or two have already been chosen), producers, artists, designers, costumers, and more consultants than you can count. The animated movie was directed and made largely by white people.

Third, change Maui’s character. In the original Polynesian myths, Maui is described as a slender youth, whereas the movie made him into a large-figured middle-aged man. This image reinforces the harmful stereotype of Polynesians as obese. Now we know that Dwayne Johnson will be reprising the role, in which case Maui can’t exactly be young, nut at least he won’t be big. And that’s not all that needs to be changed. In the movie, Maui is made into the modern “American jerk” stereotype who relies solely on brute force and egoism (which is due to his tragic beginnings) to get by until he changes later in the movie. The mythological Maui is described as a flawed but well-meaning man who uses his resourcefulness to overcome obstacles and fulfill tasks. He can still have a tragic past and resulting insecurities, but that’s not an excuse for him to be an egotistical brute who doesn’t change for the better until later in the movie. By making both these changes, Maui can be truer to his mythological counterpart. 

Fourth, get rid of Tamatoa. Sorry Tamatoa fans, but he has to go. There are no Polynesian myths whatsoever that tell of a giant, flamboyant David Bowie crab who likes to sing anachronistic pop songs about how shiny he is. Replace him with an actual Polynesian mythological villain of some sort, one who DOESN’T get a modern glitzy David Bowie makeover.

Fifth, make all the songs authentically Polynesian. That means “You’re Welcome” and “Shiny” will have to go; they’re overly modern/American and are not only out of place in ancient Polynesia but also disrespectful. They can have some modern elements, such as being sung in English and having modern instruments, but remain true to Polynesian rhythm. Te Vaka, the famed Polynesian music sensation behind much of the animated movie’s soundtrack, will once again come in handy for such a task.

Sixth, change Te Kā’s character. Te Kā is widely inspired by Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, lightning and volcanoes. A Polynesian reviewer pointed out how culturally appropriative it was to make Pele into a villain. Te Fiti can still exist, but have her instead turn into something like a giant skeleton to represent death and chaos instead of a lava giant. I know a giant skeleton might be scary for the kids, but at least it won’t appropriate the figure of Pele. 

That’s all for now. Knowing Disney, I have almost zero faith in them to do these things, but it’s worth a shot. Feel free to discuss these ideas with me, and Polynesians are especially welcome to share what they think! 

[novumtimes]

Hammer attacker crushed as court delays NRL return

A former St George Illawarra player who hoped to have his sentence halved after being involved in a violent hammer attack has been left disappointed and waiting for his return to professional rugby league. Junior Amone had been sentenced to a 24-month intensive correction order after he and his father confronted a tradesman who had parked on a neighbouring property in Warrawong, a suburb of Wollongong, in November 2022. The 22-year-old smashed the man’s car windscreen with the hammer before climbing onto a roof and chasing the victim. The man fled from Amone, jumping across to another rooftop before falling from the building, hitting an air-conditioning unit on the way down. The ex-Dragons five-eighth was convicted along with father Talatau, who egged him on during the attack, in Wollongong Local Court in December. Both appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday. Amone’s lawyer John Korn asked Judge William Fitzsimmons to reduce his client’s sentence from two years to one, which would mean the term finished before the end of the year. Instead, the judge re-sentenced the Amone to a 16-month intensive correction order, commencing on Wednesday, meaning the total sentence will not be completed until October 2025. “This type of unprovoked, violent behaviour … must be denounced in the strongest terms,” he said. Judge Fitzsimmons found the conduct was out of character for Amone who had no prior criminal record. But he noted the former NRL player had not expressed remorse for his actions. Nevertheless, Amone had good prospects of rehabilitation, having continued his training regime to return to the NRL, and it would be a tragedy for him if he lost his chance to continue his professional career, the judge found. In earlier submissions, Mr Korn said the NRL would be happy to have the ex-five-eighth come back to the game after his sentence was completed despite his contract being ripped up on his conviction. Amone had already been doing menial tasks for his junior club and was being mentored by two professional players, including one with a troubled past who had resurrected his career, the court was told. Both father and son faced one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one charge of intimidation over the incident. Talatau Amone faced an extra count of entering a building or land to commit an indictable offence and was jailed for two years and six months with a non-parole period of 12 months. Judge Fitzsimmons previously rejected the pair’s conviction appeals. Mr Korn said Amone had been raised in a strict disciplinary household and was obeying his father, who had spurred him to act during rooftop chase. Crown prosecutor Rob Taylor disputed this, saying Amone had gone further than his father’s encouragement by arming himself with the hammer and being prepared to use it. He also tried to justify his conduct by claiming he was tired as he had just returned on the day of the attack from the UK, where he had played for Tonga. Mr Korn told the court his client had already completed the 300 hours of community service imposed as part of the 24-month sentence, and had gone above and beyond that by doing further work for his club. “He has gone about accepting that he’s done the wrong thing, and needs to change and improve himself,” he said. As well as imposing the 16-month corrections order, Judge Fitzsimmons ordered Amone to conduct a further 50 hours of community service work. Speaking outside court, Mr Korn said Amone likely “feels crushed” by the outcome with no known avenues of appeal left open to him. His father’s severity appeal was adjourned until August after Judge Fitzsimmons requested information from community corrections, including whether home detention would be appropriate. Source link via The Novum Times

[thomascarterpd]

Tips for Choosing the Perfect 2024 Holiday Destination

Choosing the perfect South Pacific island holiday destination in 2024 can be an exciting yet challenging task. With a myriad of beautiful islands to explore, each offering unique experiences, it’s important to consider various factors to ensure your trip is unforgettable.

From aligning your interests with the activities available to evaluating the best time to visit, accessibility, and accommodation options, these tips will guide you in making an informed decision. Whether you seek adventure, cultural immersion, or relaxation, the South Pacific has something for every traveller, promising a memorable and enriching holiday experience.

Consider Your Interests

Choosing a South Pacific island that aligns with your interests can make your holiday truly memorable. Each island has its unique charm and activities. If you’re an adventure enthusiast, consider Fiji, known for its world-class diving sites, vibrant coral reefs, and thrilling water sports. For those who appreciate rich cultural experiences, Samoa offers a deep connection to its Polynesian heritage, with traditional villages, ceremonial events, and historical landmarks. Meanwhile, if relaxation and serene landscapes are your priority, the cook islands holidays or Norfolk Island, steeped in fascinating convict history, provide an idyllic retreat.

Understanding what you want from your holiday is key to making the right choice. Research the various activities and attractions each island offers to ensure they match your interests. Whether it’s exploring volcanic landscapes in Vanuatu, hiking through lush rainforests in Tahiti, or discovering the ancient ruins of Tonga, there’s an island for every type of traveller. Look into tahiti holidays and experience the magic for yourself.

Evaluate the Weather

The climate in the South Pacific can greatly influence your holiday experience, so choosing the right time to visit is crucial. The dry season, typically from May to October, is ideal for those who prefer sunny days and minimal rainfall. This period is perfect for outdoor activities like beach outings, snorkelling, and hiking, providing the best conditions to enjoy the natural beauty of the islands. Destinations like Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Cook Islands are particularly appealing during this time, offering warm, pleasant weather.

On the other hand, the wet season, from November to April, has its own advantages, such as fewer tourists and potentially lower accommodation prices. This season brings lush, green landscapes and vibrant tropical flowers, enhancing the islands’ natural beauty. However, it’s essential to be prepared for occasional rain showers and higher humidity. If you don’t mind these conditions and prefer a more secluded experience, visiting during the wet season can be quite rewarding. Understanding the seasonal climate variations helps in planning a trip that suits your comfort and activity preferences.

Read the full article to know more Tips for Choosing the Perfect 2024 Holiday Destination

[worldscollidehqrpg]

Welcome to WORLDSCOLLIDEHQ! We've been open on DISCORD for a little over a year now and are constantly evolving to make our group the best it can be! We offer TUPPER for those who are interested in having multiple roles, OR the people who don't want to change up their discord accounts! We also have social media channels, Monthly events, Optional tasks. YOU get to talk to the admins if you want to host an event as well! Our Admin team is always open to hearing suggestions on everything! Also a reminder that we are not an EFED! No matches take place here! Heres our MOST WANTED LIST: Eddie Kingston, Saraya, Candice Le Rae, Claudio Castagnoli, Hook, Austin Gunn, Will Ospreay, Alexa Bliss, Carmelo Hayes, Brinley Reece, Isla Dawn, Elektra Lopez, Dakota Kai, Myla Grace, Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Jakara Jackson, Jackie Redmond, Ludwig Kaiser, Ethan Page, Matt Cardona, Logan Paul, Jaida Parker, Nikkita Lyons, Kiana James, Luca Crusifino, Tony D'angelo, Arianna Grace, Channing Stacks Lorenzo, Indi Hartwell, Vipress, Jay White, Toni Storm, Maxxine Dupri, Jade Cargill, Naomi, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Swerve Strickland, Serena Deeb, Karrion Kross, Renee Paquette, Mandy Rose, Shotzi, Harley Cameron, Brandi Lauren, Nathan Frazer, Eva Marie, Jamie Hayter, Blair Davenport and plenty more are open for applications! Drop a message or find us on DISBOARD.

[revolutionrpg]

REVOLUTIONHQ. A Non Kayfabe Semi AU wrestling based server. (We are not an EFED). We do monthly events and tasks. Offer TUPPER and are all inclusive meaning there’s not going to be 23 of the same muse!

We would LOVE to expand our community so here below I’ll post what roles are available for application! Want to ask about a role! Just send a DM and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

CURRENTLY OPEN ROLES:

Tama Tonga, Jamie Hayter, Toni Storm, Deonna Purrazzo, Solo Sikoa, Damian Priest, Charlotte Flair, Ludwig Kaiser, Gunther, Stevie Turner, AJ Lee, Jack Perry, Nick Jackson, Matt Jackson, Tay Melo, Malakai Black, Brody King, Bronco Nima, Zoey Starks, Vipress, Logan Paul, Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Thea Hail, Penelope Ford, Kip Sabian, Nick Wayne, Kiana James, Fallon Henley, Matt Cardona, Steph De Lander, LA Knight, Jacy Jayne, Brinley Reece, Tony D’Angelo, Adriana Rizzo, Channging Stacks Lorenzo, Asuka, ZSJ, Will Ospreay, Renee Paquette, Kelly Kincaid, CJ Perry, Bo Dallas, and plenty more!

[mayhemproduces]

This ring is filling up with stars quickly, and it seems for the second year in a row, Los Ingobernables de Japon has joined the Clusterfuck, Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi, BUSHI, and Yota Tsuji, the lattermost of which making his first official MPW appearance here tonight. The five take their time getting into the ring, The Bullet Club having ceased all activity in the ring to stop and wait for their fellow NJPW roster members, but something tells us it’s not a warm welcome they have in store. As soon as they get into the ring, the fight is on, as Natio and Prince Devitt make up for lost time by immediately starting to batter one another, Hiromu takes Tama Tonga, Bushi goes after Tanga Loa, and Shingo & Yota gang up to try and tackle the massive task head of them, that being Bad Luck Fale. 

Natio and Devitt trade forearms back and forth, before Naito blocks one, leaps up, and catches Devitt on the back of the head with an Enziguri, before turning, hitting the ropes, and dropping Devitt with a huge dropkick, knocking Devitt out of the ring! Natio gets back to his feet, turns and hits the ropes, and starts running off the ropes as if he’s going to dive, before rolling, setting up to pose, but before he can, Tama Tonga catches him with a boot to the face! There will be no showboating in the face of the Bullet Club tonight!  

This immediately paints a target on the back of Tama Tonga, who’s accosted from behind by a big forearm from Shingo, as those two begin to brawl. Outside of the ring, Riho and Io Shirai had found one another, with Io trying to choke Riho out against the guardrail, and a brawl between Syn and VIOLET had spilled out into the crowd! Currently VIOLET was laying into Syn with a series of forearm shots, knocking him down into a chair, and as Syn sat there, VIOLET picked up a chair and cracked it over his skull! Syn was stunned, and VIOLET then proceeds to throw the chair at hi, Syn catching it, before VIOLET kicks it into his skull with an End of Everything! VIOLET just about takes Syn’s head off! 

Max was trying to get to his impromptu partner for the evening, but Max currently found himself a little tied up by Pandemonium, who was delivering a series of european uppercuts to the Devil outside the ring, up against the guardrail! Two of the biggest dickheads in MPW were in pretty deep trouble! 

Back in the ring, Samoa Joe had Zach Wentz trapped in a corner, laying into him with a couple of stiff rights, and Riho was currently using her foot to choke Colin Delaney in the corner. The ring was in a state of absolute chaos as we await our next entrants.

10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…

[brexiiton]

US navy secretary says Australian multination military exercise demonstrates unity to China

By Associated Press 7:41am Jul 22, 2023

The major multination military training exercise launched in Australia sends a message to China that American's allies are cooperating to defend their security and democratic values, US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said.

Talisman Sabre began in 2005 as a bjennial joint exercise between the United States and Australia but has expanded this year to 13 nations and more than 30,000 military personnel.

Del Toro and deputy prime minister Richard Marles welcomed ever-closer closer bilateral military ties as they launched the exercise at a Sydney naval base.

US Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conway, at the launch of the bilateral military exercise, Talisman Sabre. (Janie Barrett).

Del Toro said land, sea and air military platforms are becoming increasingly complicated and allies need to exercise together to be able to operate as a single task force.

"The most important message that China can take from this exercise and anything that our allies and partners do together is that we are extremely tied by the core values that exist among our many nations together," Del Toro told reporters.

"We are prepared to actually operate together in defence of our national security interests and in defence of the core values that we all share," he added.

Marles said more than 800 military vehicles will cross a single-mobile wharf to be deployed at the Queensland state coastal town of Bowen during the two-week exercise.

"It's going to be the most significant logistics exercise that we will see between Australia and the United States in Australia since the Second World War," Marles said.

"All of this is actually building muscle memory between our two countries defense forces, is building comfort and familiarity and obviously not just between Australia and the United States but the other 11 countries that will be participating," Marles added.

Del Toro and Marles were upbeat about progress on the so-called AUKUS deal under which the United States and Britain will provide Australia with a fleet of submarines powered by US nuclear technology.

Del Toro said land, sea and air military platforms are becoming increasingly complicated. (Janie Barrett)

The closer military relationship will be underscored on Saturday when USS Canberra is commissioned in Sydney.

The Independence-variant littoral combat ship, built by Australian manufacturer Austal, will become the first US warship to be commissioned in a foreign-port.

The original USS Canberra was a cruiser launched in 1943 named after the Australian cruiser HMAS Canberra that was torpedoed by the Japanese in 1942 with a loss of 193 lives while supporting US Marines landings on the Solomon Islands.

The Australian warship was named for the Australian capital.

The Solomons are again a security concern for the United States and its allies over recent security agreements the South Pacific nation has signed with Beijing.

Chinese spy ships have been shadowing Talisman Sabre exercises since 2017.

Australian Army Lieutenant General Greg Bilton said a Chinese spy ship had been contacted in the Coral Sea off Australia's northeast coast on Thursday and was expected to move into the exercise area.

"They've done this for a number of years. We're well prepared for it," Bilton said.

Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Britain, Canada and Germany are taking part in this year's exercise that ends on August 4.

The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are attending the exercise as observers.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 5.19

639 – Ashina Jiesheshuai and his tribesmen assaulted Emperor Taizong at Jiucheng Palace. 715 – Pope Gregory II is elected. 1051 – Henry I of France marries the Rus' princess, Anne of Kiev. 1445 – John II of Castile defeats the Infantes of Aragon at the First Battle of Olmedo. 1499 – Catherine of Aragon is married by proxy to Arthur, Prince of Wales. Catherine is 13 and Arthur is 12. 1535 – French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships, 110 men, and Chief Donnacona's two sons (whom Cartier had kidnapped during his first voyage). 1536 – Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII of England, is beheaded for adultery, treason, and incest. 1542 – The Prome Kingdom falls to the Taungoo Dynasty in present-day Myanmar. 1643 – Thirty Years' War: French forces under the duc d'Enghien decisively defeat Spanish forces at the Battle of Rocroi, marking the symbolic end of Spain as a dominant land power. 1649 – An Act of Parliament declaring England a Commonwealth is passed by the Long Parliament. England would be a republic for the next eleven years. 1655 – The Invasion of Jamaica begins during the Anglo-Spanish War. 1743 – Jean-Pierre Christin developed the centigrade temperature scale. 1749 – King George II of Great Britain grants the Ohio Company a charter of land around the forks of the Ohio River. 1776 – American Revolutionary War: A Continental Army garrison surrenders in the Battle of The Cedars. 1780 – New England's Dark Day, an unusual darkening of the day sky, was observed over the New England states and parts of Canada. 1802 – Napoleon Bonaparte founds the Legion of Honour. 1828 – U.S. President John Quincy Adams signs the Tariff of 1828 into law, protecting wool manufacturers in the United States. 1845 – Captain Sir John Franklin and his ill-fated Arctic expedition depart from Greenhithe, England. 1848 – Mexican–American War: Mexico ratifies the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo thus ending the war and ceding California, Nevada, Utah and parts of four other modern-day U.S. states to the United States for US$15 million. 1883 – Buffalo Bill's first Buffalo Bill's Wild West opens in Omaha, Nebraska. 1900 – Great Britain annexes Tonga Island. 1900 – Second Boer War: British troops relieve Mafeking. 1911 – Parks Canada, the world's first national park service, is established as the Dominion Parks Branch under the Department of the Interior. 1917 – The Norwegian football club Rosenborg BK is founded. 1919 – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk lands at Samsun on the Anatolian Black Sea coast, initiating what is later termed the Turkish War of Independence. 1921 – The United States Congress passes the Emergency Quota Act establishing national quotas on immigration. 1922 – The Young Pioneer Organization of the Soviet Union is established. 1933 – Finnish cavalry general C. G. E. Mannerheim is appointed the field marshal. 1934 – Zveno and the Bulgarian Army engineer a coup d'état and install Kimon Georgiev as the new Prime Minister of Bulgaria. 1942 – World War II: In the aftermath of the Battle of the Coral Sea, Task Force 16 heads to Pearl Harbor. 1943 – Winston Churchill's second wartime address to the U.S. Congress 1945 – Syrian demonstrators in Damascus are fired upon by French troops injuring twelve, leading to the Levant Crisis. 1950 – A barge containing munitions destined for Pakistan explodes in the harbor at South Amboy, New Jersey, devastating the city. 1950 – Egypt announces that the Suez Canal is closed to Israeli ships and commerce. 1959 – The North Vietnamese Army establishes Group 559, whose responsibility is to determine how to maintain supply lines to South Vietnam; the resulting route is the Ho Chi Minh trail. 1961 – Venera program: Venera 1 becomes the first man-made object to fly by another planet by passing Venus (the probe had lost contact with Earth a month earlier and did not send back any data). 1961 – At Silchar Railway Station, Assam, 11 Bengalis die when police open fire on protesters demanding state recognition of Bengali language in the Bengali Language Movement. 1962 – A birthday salute to U.S. President John F. Kennedy takes place at Madison Square Garden, New York City. The highlight is Marilyn Monroe's rendition of "Happy Birthday". 1963 – The New York Post Sunday Magazine publishes Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail. 1971 – Mars probe program: Mars 2 is launched by the Soviet Union. 1986 – The Firearm Owners Protection Act is signed into law by U.S. President Ronald Reagan. 1991 – Croatians vote for independence in a referendum. 1993 – SAM Colombia Flight 501 crashes on approach to José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín, Colombia, killing 132. 1996 – Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on mission STS-77. 1997 – The Sierra Gorda biosphere, the most ecologically diverse region in Mexico, is established as a result of grassroots efforts. 2000 – Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-101 to resupply the International Space Station. 2007 – President of Romania Traian Băsescu survives an impeachment referendum and returns to office from suspension. 2010 – The Royal Thai Armed Forces concludes its crackdown on protests by forcing the surrender of United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship leaders. 2012 – Three gas cylinder bombs explode in front of a vocational school in the Italian city of Brindisi, killing one person and injuring five others. 2012 – A car bomb explodes near a military complex in the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, killing nine people. 2015 – The Refugio oil spill deposited 142,800 U.S. gallons (3,400 barrels) of crude oil onto an area in California considered one of the most biologically diverse coastlines of the west coast. 2016 – EgyptAir Flight 804 crashes into the Mediterranean Sea while traveling from Paris to Cairo, killing all on board. 2018 – The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is held at St George's Chapel, Windsor, with an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion.

[questioned-quetzalcoatl]

30 Days of OTP - Day 14, Genderbent

Rating: K

Verse: Nyotalia

AN: This is set up so that it's not the 'Oh my god we've turned into women' cliché because I didn't want this to sound as cringe as some of the previous days ;w;

But yeah they're already established as their Nyo! versions and in a ball in the 1800's because I'm always a sucker for vintage things, especially clothing and fashion of the time period. Kainga literally looks the same both canon and Nyo, that's being androgynous for you *shrug*

I will actually write Non Binary Tonga one day I swear-

Juliet (New Zealand) Kainga (Tonga)

Why was she here again? She didn't remember. Taking it upon herself to accept the party invite in the first place, what on earth was she thinking?

Dressed in her light blue ballgown, she'd even forgot where she'd got this from. Perhaps caught her sight in the window of a store as she walked past the window of flashy dresses, new in style of the typical modern style of the 1800's. She clearly didn't try it on before she ran into the store to buy it, she just knew she had to grab it before someone else did. The consequences catching up to her as the dress constricted around waist and stomach, designed that way to make her slimmer, defining her more feminine features in its purpose design.

Despite the coreset half crushing her ribs, the dress was enticingly beautiful. The sleeves and blouse were vaguely puffed out, all done in sapphire blues and shades of cobalt flecked with white that seemed to undulate of their own volition. The lower skirt of the dress consisted of ruffled tiers of sky blue satin that ended in a ragged hem just above her ankles, as if the seamstress had suddenly been called away before completing her task. Patterned up with light blue flowers across the fabric, woven into the creamy material. A spidery white lace bodice consummated the ensemble, shimmering under the ballroom light that matched with the pearl necklace wrapped around her neck. Silk cyan ribbons held up the dresses lace around about the area of her chest, waist and upper arms where her pleated trimmed sleeves came to an end.

She held her matching fan up to rest on her chin and mouth, watching the ballroom with weary eyes. Three dozen glittering crystal chandeliers spiraled down from the ceiling, which was the exact shade of yellow of a sunny summer day in August, sending a lovely diffused golden light over the ballroom’s occupants. And how they glittered as well. A group of three women in front of Kainga all had flowing, elaborately-bejeweled ball gowns of the most beautiful shades of emerald and ruby and amethyst. They smelled of roses and hyacinth and jasmine and every other flower in the garden outside the palace. The ballroom had been cold for centuries, until true love entered and the torches lit as if by divine hand, to feel the presence of a heart with such a strong soul-connection. But there was no one here for her.

It was too stuffy in here anyways. Was there a way out? She had no purpose here than to sit and look pretty for the glazing eyes of single men who watched her trying to figure out if she was truly a woman, man, or something entirely different. It was the way she held her hair wasn't it. Dark brown curly hair, the waves of hair wrapping around themselves like locks of pure silk. Held together with a small white headband so her hair curled up in the same fashion where her hair curled like the horns of a sheep.

Making her way to the balcony, she was glad to find it was relevantly empty. A few people stood at the large arching entrance to the balcony, she could hear their low chatter as they talked among themselves and laughed, seemingly completely at ease. Around the balcony where lush bush grew, coiling around the marble pillars like snakes within the thick trees that hung over her. Her gloved hands rested on the railing on the balcony, just glad to get some fresh air and-

There was a rustle from the trees, the sound of grunting. Was someone attempting to climb it? She peeked forward timidly, unexpectedly, another woman jumped from canopy of the trees, making Kainga scream in surprise and drop her fan. The other woman didn't seem phased, in fact, she laughed loudly at her. Like this was some kind of joke that the Tongan had almost ripped her dress.

Juliet is surprised to say, she got away with wearing such masculine clothing for a woman. Dressed in a suit and tie, the pants up to her ankles because god forbid she show her ankles in public. But she wasn't one to fit into the exact norms of the time, plus it was easier to climb trees and sneak into parties in. That's the kind of woman she was.

"Sorry to scare ya!" she bent down at the hips, Kainga was baffled by her behavior. What woman bends at the hips? It would reveal...everything! How informal was she? This woman in a suit bending down at her hips before-

She handed her back her fan with a smile coaxed on her face. "Miss Tonga is it?"

Kainga took the fan with a small huff, opening it up to fan it in her face. She noticed the strange looking markings under the woman's lower lip. They looked like some kind of chin tattoos, she examined it closely. It looked rather traditional, consisting of curls and swirls patterned on her dark brown skin. Whatever it was, or meant, it was strangely beautiful. Kainga looked back into her bright eyes. "Miss Kingdom of Tonga to you-"

"That's too long," the Kiwi complained. "Can I just call ya Miss Tonga? You got a human name? Are ya even a shelia-?"

She let out a small sigh and shot her a dark look, looking away from the over woman with her fan half covering her face. "Kainga." she said meekly, looking back up at her. "You?"

"Ms Aotearoa!" Juliet chirped cheerfully. "Or New Zealand as Alice calls me, I prefer Aotearoa, it's badass!"

Kainga let out a small scoff. "Right. And your human name..?"

"Juliet! Me friends call me Julie!" Juliet took the gloved hands of the Brunette in front of her, making the other almost jump out of her dress. Speaking of which. "Wow, this dress is amazin'! Where'd ya get it from?!" Without warning, she grabbed the helm of Kainga's dress all too innocently and lifted it up to inspect more.

Kainga could only let out a scream of pure blaspheme, whacking the Kiwi woman over the head with her fan. While Juliet only caught a glimpse, she could tell that the Tongan possessed the same genitals as her. Tonga was indeed a girl. But she really didn't mean to lift that far up. Juliet let out a scream as her fellow colony punches her and starts shouting at her in her mother tongue as the pair scrapped on the floor.

Even as the smaller woman was on top of her probably trying to kill her for such awful deeds, she couldn't help but think about how adorable she was. When her hits gave less force, she just grabbed the Tongan's wrist.

"I'll have ya know, I think yer adorable." Juliet exclaimed all too happily. "Like a poodle, a really feisty poodle!"

Kainga's wrist slipped out of the white silk glove as Juliet held it. She shyed her hand away and attempted another swipe for it. "I'm no poodle!" she snapped angrily. Pushing herself off of Juliet's not so womanly body, from the looks of her, she was rather strong. At least compared to how petite Kainga was. "Give it back!"

She snatched the glove out of Juliet's hand with a disgruntled high pitched huff, standing up to dust off her dress and make sure that the boisterous Kiwi woman hadn't ripped it. Juliet however, was rolling on the floor in a hoot. "Yer shoulda seen ya face! Priceless!"

"Oh shut up you! You crinkled my dress!" She pinned her hair back up with the bobby pins and slipping her headband back on. Giving Juliet a lighter hit on the head with her fan. To be fair, it could've been worse. She'd had her fair share of men try to grab her bust, above all, this woman didn't seem like she really meant harm. Maybe she was just a bit stupid. Or really stupid. She took that latter.

"Oh relax princess, it's not the end of the bloody world!" Juliet stood up with a jump in her step and smiled at her. Suddenly, taking the smaller woman's hand in her own when the music got noticeably louder. "I like this song," she hummed thoughtfully. ",Yer dance?"

"W-what?!"

"I'm askin yer, if ya wanna dance with me~" She took her hand, raised it onto her shoulder. Kainga's gloved hands were so slim and elegant. She noticed, trailing her own fingertips down her arm before going to hold her waist. Taking the position of the 'man' in the dance, the Tongan gasped. Scandalous, she's never danced with another woman before. She felt her face flush as if she was being courted by a man but, no, it was different. At Kainga's incredulous stare, Juliet only smiled.

"Well...yes I suppose so-"

She couldn't even finish her sentence before Juliet swept her off her high heels into a dance. Outside on the balcony, just the two of them. They fell in step, letting the rhythm control their movements. Kainga didn't even know this dance, nor did she even dance but something about being in Juliet's grasp made her feel gentle. Safe. All the scenery and people around them vanished, it was just Juliet and Kainga.

Kainga set her head on her shoulder, eyelashes fluttering shut like the beat of a butterflies wings. They continued to dance, simply just lost in each other. Time could only pass as their feet moved in the steps of the foxtrot.

She brought her head up and sleepily opened her eyes. She leaned in and planted her lips on Juliet's. Juliet wrapped her arms around her neck in return and held her tight as the kiss continued.

Kainga broke off gently and gazed at her, Juliet's lips stained with her crimson lipstick. "Scandalous. You're really something else aren't you?"

Juliet still could not get over how beautiful Kainga truly was that, she couldn't even respond.

[bollywood143114]

Who is this new grandpa seen in MDH Spices' new ad? What is your relationship with Dharampal Gulati?

Who is MDH Uncle Rajeev Gulati? The country's most popular spice brand MDH, or Mahasian Di Hatti, is recognized in every corner of the country. At the same time, the founder Mr. Dharampal Gulati is nationally known as MDH Wale Dadaji. MDH's Dadaji Dharampal Gulati has created an identity in every corner of the country through TV commercials. Today is the 100th anniversary of Dharampal Gulati's birth. But in 2020, at the age of 98, I have to say goodbye to the world. At the same time, the grandfather with MDH was replaced by an uncle with MDH. Let me tell you about Rajeev Gulati who replaced Dharampal Gulati in that situation. Who is Rajeev Gulati of MDH? How is Rajeev Gulati related to Dharampal Gulati? Dharampal Gulati was replaced by Rajeev Gulati. In MDH's new ad, Dharmapal Gulati has been replaced by Rajeev Gulati. Following the death of Dharampal Gulati, maintaining the legacy of the MDH plant at such a sky-high level is a very difficult task. In that situation, after the death of Dharampal Gulati, the biggest question was who would take over the brand. So tell them that Rajeev Gulati, featured in MDH's new ad today, is the son of Dharampal Gulati. Not only can he be seen in MDH's new commercials, but Rajiv Gulati is also handling MDH's orders. Who is Rajiv Gulati? Rajeev Gulati is the son of Dharampal Gulati. Since his father's death, he has been running MDH's business. Today, MDH is recognized all over India. MDH is considered India's largest producer of spice brands. Dharampal Gulati company's success is sky-high. Under such circumstances, he now appears in MDH's television and print advertisements instead of Dharampal Gulati. MDH Company exports spices not only domestically but also overseas, including the United States, Europe, Canada, the United Kingdom, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the United States. What is the history of MDH company If we talk about the founding of MDH Company, let's just say that Dharampal Gulati once did small things to live his life. At first he bought a Tonga for 650 and ran it between Qutub Road and New Delhi railway station. Thus he raised money and he opened a store of the same name in Karol Bagh, Delhi, under which name the Sialkot family business started, which laid the foundation for MDH and was registered as an MDH company. 1959. He officially recognized Kara. Today, MDH companies have a unique identity in India and Dubai. The company has more than 18 factories. MDH spices prepared in this plant are sold all over the world. MDH has a total of 62 products. ALSO READ- A sequel to ‘3 Idiots’ is coming. Kareena Kapoor shared a video DISCLAIMER We’ve taken all measures to insure that the information handed in this composition and on our social media platform is believable, vindicated and sourced from other Big media Houses. For any feedback or complaint, reach out to us at bollywoodofindiaa@gmail.com Read the full article

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I am very glad to be virtually attending our 2023 Parliamentary Dialogue on the United Nations Convention against Corruption (aka UNCAC the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument) coinciding with our Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) Annual General Meeting in Doha, Qatar. And to have been invited as the Chairman of the Gopac Secretariat Global Task Force (GTF) on UNCAC to speak on the Panel for: "UNCAC at 20 Years On: Roles of Parliament" Where I was able to elucidate on Tonga’s 🇹🇴journey from 2007 and the enactment of the Anticorruption Commissioner Act, and my journey over 16 years including Parliamentary advocacy through 5 different governments to achieve UNCAC accession and establishment of the Commission. Working unwavered by successive governments unwilling to implement the Act or accede to UNCAC:- 1) In 2015 myself and another colleague put a motion to Parliament which was adopted unanimously for Tonga 🇹🇴 to have a parliamentary Standing Committee on Anti-Corruption, the first of its kind in the Pacific. With the assistance of UNDP Pacific and UNODC SE Asia/Pacific, capacity building was done that enabled the Committee to train MPs and to achieve milestones such as: (i) Implement a gap analysis with the Ombudsman’s Office updating our laws to comply with UNCAC; (ii) redraft the Parliamentary House Rules to provide for explicit inclusion of GOPAC and its Terms of Reference in the Rules, ensuring both UNCAC and other international best practices would always be required of the Committee and by extension the Legislature; (iii) most significantly, due to no government being willing to establish the Commission we amended the House Rules to give the Chairman and the Committee all the powers of the Commissioner and the Commission in order that 🇹🇴not be left in limbo without an anticorruption structure and arbiter. 1/2 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpir3DZyQ8w/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=