#the last king of scotland mine

[zanephillips]

James McAvoy in The Last King of Scotland (2006)

[hope-ur-ok]

Surprise Song Master post ~ European Leg

5/9 Paris, FR: Paris + LOML

5/10 Paris, FR: Is It Over Now?/OOTW + My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys

5/11 Paris, FR: Hey Stephen + Maroon

5/12 Paris, FR: The Alchemy / Treacherous + Begin Again / Paris

5/17 Stockholm, SE: I Think He Knows / Gorgeous + Peter

5/18 Stockholm, SE: Guilty As Sin? + Say Don't Go / Welcome to New York / Clean

5/19 Stockholm, SE: Message In A Bottle / How You Get The Girl / New Romantics + How Did It End?

5/24 Lisbon, PT: Come Back... Be Here / The Way I Loved You / The Other Side of the Door + Fresh Out the Slammer / High Infidelity

5/25 Lisbon, PT: The Tortured Poets Department / Now That We Don't Talk + You're On Your Own Kid / Long Live

5/29 Madrid, ES: Sparks Fly / I Can Fix Him (No Really Can) + I Look In People's Windows / Snow On the Beach

5/30 Madrid, ES: Our Song / Jump Then Fall + King of My Heart

6/2 Lyon, FR: The Prophecy / Long Story Short + Fifteen / You're On Your Own Kid

6/3 Lyon, FR: Glitch / Everything Has Changed + Chloe Or Sam Or Sophia Or Marcus

6/7 Edinburgh, Scotland UK: Would've Could've Should've / I Know Places + 'Tis the Damn Season / Daylight

6/8 Edinburgh, Scotland UK: The Bolter / Getaway Car + All of the Girls You Loved Before / Crazier

6/9 Edinburgh, Scotland UK: It's Nice To Have A Friend / Dorothea + Haunted / Exile

6/13 Liverpool, England UK: I Can See You / Mine + Cornelia Street / Maroon

6/14 Liverpool, England UK: This Is What You Came For / Gold Rush + The Great War / You're Losing Me

6/15 Liverpool, England UK: Carolina / No Body No Crime + The Manuscript / Red

6/18 Cardiff, Wales UK: I Forgot That You Existed / This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things + I Hate It Here / The Lakes

6/21 London, England UK: Hits Different / Death By A Thousand Cuts + The Black Dog / Come Back Be Here / Maroon

6/22 London, England UK: thanK you aIMee / Mean + Castles Crumbling w/ Hayley Williams

6/23 London, England UK: Us w/ Gracie Abrams + Out Of The Woods / Is It Over Now? / Clean

6/28 Dublin, IE: State of Grace / You're On Your Own Kid + Sweet Nothing / Hoax

6/29 Dublin, IE: The Albatross / Dancing With Our Hands Tied + This Love / Ours

6/30 Dublin, IE: Clara Bow / The Lucky One + You’re On Your Own Kid

7/4 Amsterdam, NL: Guilty as Sin? / Untouchable + The Archer / Question...?

7/5 Amsterdam, NL: imgonnagetyouback / Dress + You Are In Love / Cowboy Like Me

7/6 Amsterdam, NL: Sweeter than fiction / Holy Ground + Mary's Song / So High School / Everything Has Changed

7/9 Zürich, CH: Right Where You Left Me / All You Had To Do Was Stay + Last Kiss / Sad Beautiful Tragic

7/10 Zürich, CH: Closure / A Perfectly Good Heart + Robin / Never Grow Up

7/13 Milan, IT: The 1 / Wonderland + I Almost Do / The Moment I Knew

7/14 Milan, IT: Mr. Perfectly Fine / Red + Getaway Car / Out Of The Woods

7/17 Gelsenkirchen, DE: Superstar / Invisible String + "Slut!" / False God

7/18 Gelsenkirchen, DE: Speak Now / Hey Stephen + This Is Me Trying / Labyrinth

7/19 Gelsenkirchen, DE: Paper Rings / Stay Stay Stay + It's Time To Go / Better Man

7/23 Hamburg, DE: Teardrops On My Guitar / The Last Time + We Were Happy / Happiness

7/24 Hamburg, DE: The Last Great American Dynasty / Run + Nothing New / Dear Reader

7/27 Munich, DE: Fresh Out The Slammer / You Are In Love + Ivy / Call It What You Want

7/28 Munich, DE: I Don't Wanna Live Forever / Imgonnagetyouback + LOML / Don't You

8/1 Warsaw, PL: Mirrorball / Clara Bow + Suburban Legends / New Years Day

8/2 Warsaw, PL: I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can) / I Can See You + Red / Maroon

8/3 Warsaw, PL: Today Was A Fairytale / I Think He Knows + The Black Dog / Exile

8/15 London, England UK: Everything Has Changed / End Game / Thinking Out Loud w/Ed Sheeran + King Of My Heart / The Alchemy

8/16 London, England UK: London Boy + Dear John / Sad Beautiful Tragic

8/17 London, England UK: I Did Something Bad + My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys / Coney Island

8/19 London, England UK: Long Live / Change + The Archer / You're On Your Own Kid

8/20 London, England UK: Death By A Thousand Cut / Getaway Car w/Jack Antonoff + So Long, London

[lesbiansandgayssupporttheminers]

So, why do people care so much about Cornish identity? Cornwall’s just a part of England right? Another county with some distinct foods and a funny accent, and they moan about the tourists- when they should be grateful for the money.

Except it’s not.

Whilst the rest of England was forming with a character influenced by Germanic and Norse cultures, Cornwall was holding itself separate as an independent Celtic kingdom, with strong links with Wales, Ireland and Brittany- as well as trading with the wider Mediterranean. For a long time, this kingdom included parts of Devon, but eventually the Celtic people were forced back past the Tamar, and at some point started referring to the land as Kernow, rather than Dumnonia (probably).

Even after the Norman conquest, in part because Cornwall came under the control of the Duke of Brittany, Cornwall retained elements of its unique culture, and certainly its language. There are existing works of literature written in the Cornish language (also called Kernewek) during the medieval period. Due to the active tin mining industry and the Stannary courts, they even had a separate legal system.

All of this continued until the start of the Tudor period, when Henry VII, desperate for money for his wars with Scotland, suspended the operation of the Cornish Stannaries, and imposed greater taxes. This ultimately led to the Cornish Rebellion of 1497. An army of as many as 15000 rebels marched towards Somerset, and ultimately to London, where the rebels met with Henry VII’s armies. Unfortunately, the Cornish lost the ensuing battle, and the rebel leaders were captured, killed and quartered, with their quarters being displayed in Cornwall and Devon. From 1497 to 1508, Cornwall was punished with monetary penalties, impoverishing the people, and land was given to the king’s (English) allies.

However, this wasn’t the death of Cornish culture or dreams of independence from England. Until 1548, Glasney college was still producing literature in Cornish- when it was destroyed in the dissolution of the monasteries, during the English reformation. The following year, 1549, the Cornish rose again- this time to demand a prayer book in their own language, which was still the first (and often only) language of most people in the region. The rebellion was also about the ordinary people vs the landowners, as shown by their slogan “kill all the gentlemen”.

Unfortunately, this rebellion failed too, and this time, it wasn’t just the leaders who were killed, but up to 5,500 Cornishmen- which would have been a significant proportion of the adult male population at the time. These factors combined are widely thought to have contributed to the decline of the Cornish language- although it was still widely in use centuries later.

Despite the failings of these rebellions, the Cornish retained a distinct language and their own culture, folklore and festivals. Mining, farming and fishing meant that the region itself wasn’t economically impoverished, as it was today. Even towards the end of the 1700s, there were still people who spoke Cornish fluently as a first language (including Dolly Pentreath, who definitely wasn’t the last Cornish speaker).

However, over time, the tin mines became less profitable, and Cornwall’s economy started to suffer. Especially in the latter part of the 19th century, many Cornish began to emigrate, especially to places like Australia, New Zealand (or Aotearoa), Canada and South America. Cornish miners were skilled, and were able to send pay back home, and along with the Welsh, influenced culture and sport in many of these places. Many mining terms also have their roots in Cornish language and dialect.

Throughout the 20th Century, Cornwall went through an economic decline- to the point where, when the UK was an EU member, Cornwall was receiving funding intended for only the most deprived regions in Europe. It was one of very few places in the UK to receive this funding- due to the levels of poverty and lack of infrastructure.

Part of the decline was also linked to the decline of historic fish stocks, such as mackerel. In the 70s and 80s, there was a mackerel boom- and large fishing trawlers came from as far away as Scandinavia (as well as Scotland and the north of England) to fish in Cornish waters. The traditional way of fishing in Cornwall used small boats and line fishing. The local fishermen couldn’t compete, and ultimately stocks were decimated by the trawlers. Many more families had to give up their traditional way of life. One could draw parallels here with worldwide indigenous struggles over fishing rights.

Despite this, Cornish communities retained their traditional folklore and festivals, many of which are still celebrated to this day. And throughout the 20th Century, efforts were made to preserve the Cornish language. Although there may not be any first language Cornish speakers left, it is now believed that community knowledge of the language was never truly lost.

Cornwall has since become a popular tourist destination. This brings its own problems- many people want to stay in self-catering accommodation and, more recently, air bnbs. This, alongside second homes, has gutted many Cornish communities. The gap between house prices and average wages is one of the largest in the country. Land has become extremely expensive, which hurts already struggling farmers. Roads can’t cope with the level of traffic. The one (1) major hospital can’t cope with the population in the summer. All of last winter, most Cornish households faced a “hosepipe ban” due to lack of water- yet in the summer, campsites and hotels can fill their swimming pools and hot tubs for the benefit of tourists.

Does this benefit Cornwall? Only about 13% of Cornwall’s GDP comes from tourism. The jobs associated with tourism are often poorly paid and may only offer employment for part of the year. People who stay in Air BnBs may not spend that much money in the community, and the money they pay for accommodation often goes to landlords who live upcountry and aren’t Cornish. Many major hotels and caravan sites are also owned by companies that aren’t Cornish, taking money out of the local economy.

Match this with a housing crisis where it’s increasingly difficult to rent properties long term, and buying a flat or house in Cornwall is out of reach of someone on the average salary and it’s easy to see why people are having to leave communities where their family lived for generations. This damages the local culture, and means centuries-old traditions can come under threat.

All of this feeds into the current situation; it feels like middle class families from London see Cornwall as their playground, and moan about tractors on the road, or the lack of services when they visit. People talk about theme park Cornwall- a place that’s built for entertainment of outsiders, not functionality for those who live here. More widely, a lot of people around the UK have never heard of the Cornish language, or view it as something that’s “extinct” or not worth preserving.

The Cornish are one of Britain’s indigenous cultures, alongside Welsh, Gaelic, Scots, Manx and others. And it’s a culture that’s increasingly under threat economically and culturally. We’ve been clinging on to our homes for a long time, and even now it still feels like we might be forced from them (indeed some of us are). So yes, Cornish people can seem excessively defensive about our identity and our culture- but there’s good reason for it!

[jeanvanjer]

Hi, I hope you don't mind the question, but do you have a list of (historical) romance novels you recommend somewhere? I'm pretty new to the genre and would like some recs to start off with.

Thank you!

Of course I dont mind! I dont have a list here (but if you check the book recs tag or reading romance im sure youd find books ive read or books friends have recommeded) so I'll just post a few here.

Fair warning! I am horrible of keeping track of the books I've read so my recs will be a just a bunch of random books I like. @mermaidsirennikita and @triviareads are far more organized in their book recs than I am so you can always check their pages.

Please let me know if you'd like specific tropes!! Or more importantly if you have any TWs!

The Chief (the entire Highland Guard series actually) by Monica McCarthy. Tor MacLeod is a highland laird very much focused on helping Robert the Bruce with his secret plan to free Scotland from English Rule but his sudden marriage to sweet Tina is distracting him. They're forced to marry after she's found in his bed (her dad blackmailed her into getting herself ruined instead of her sister). The entire series is honestly a banger. It marries actual history with romance in a very clever way. The Chief is 1 of 12 so you have a lot of different tropes and stories to choose from if this one isnt for you!

Convergence of Desire by Felicity Niven - A TRULY WONDERFUL book with great disability rep. Harry (Harriet) is probably the biggest STEM heroine Ive read in HR (I know you love those based on your writing) and is on the spectrum. On paper Thomas is a rake that cannot fathom committing to only one woman but he needs to marry for money fast and she just wants to solve Fermat's Last Theorem. They enter a marriage of convenience and this book is just plain lovely. The very few books that have made me cry. Its emotional and the relationship that builds between these two is just🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽

The Winter King and The Sea King by CL Wilson. CL Wilson is an amazing writing imo. I haven't read romantasy since high school and these books were the first ive read and enjoyed after such a long time. The first book is a marriage of convenience/ forced marriage situation. Her brother killed his brother and fiance?? I dont remember the specifics. But he wants a bride as payment and Thasin (our herione) father is an ass and decided TW there is dubcon. The first sex scene is the wedding night and there are aphrodiacs involved. Second one Dilys is a merman. Thats always fun. Super feminist too. Dont remember the exact details but did have a great time reading this one too.

The Duke Gets Even by Johanna Shupe. Shupe is a great writer and from the very few books I've read of her, The Duke Gets Even is probably my favorite.

Anything by Lorraine Heath but the most recent book I remember reading is The Duchess Hunt where the hero appoints his secretary (who secretly loves him) to find his a wife. Preferably one who is as organized, wonderful, and knows him as much as she does LOL. Lorraine one of the best writers in the genre and they always hit emotionally. You won’t go wrong with anything by her.

Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas. An all time favorite book of mine. Think Persuasion but with a revenge plot. Aline drives McKenna away when they were younger to save him and he comes back a rich ass bitch ready for revenge. The chemistry between Aline and McKenna is insane. One of the few times I truly believed the “soulmates” thing. These two are definitely soulmates. And there’s a wonderful secondary romance as well.

What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long. An Age Gap romance where Alexander plans to seduce Genevieve as revenge against her brother (who slept with his mistress) but she susses him out quickly from there they become sort of friends? he helps her win over her crush, he tells her she has stars in her hair, and along the way they fall in love. Alex is one of my all time favorite heroes.

Lord Of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase. As much as I love the hero of this book, Dan I recommend this book a lot solely for the heroine. Jessica Trent has my heart. She is that bitch.

Heartless Duke by Scarlett Scott. An intense romance between Leo, an agent for England and Bridgit, a fenian rebel. Lots of angst and sexual tension. So good.

Lost in Your Arms and That Scandalous Evening by Christina Dodd. These books were one of the first books I read when I started my own reading journey so these hold a special place in my heart. LIYA is about Enid who’s living her life as a widowed caretaker but then someone comes to tell her husband is alive and on the brink of death so she’s forced to nurse him back to health. The love confession that happens is honestly one of my favorite confessions of all time. TSE is about Jane who is back from self imposed exile after a scandal that ruined her ten years back. Ransom, the cause of her scandal and her last crush, suspects of being a spy and tries to stop her. With his heart (and dick).

[scotianostra]

William Angus was born 28th February 1888 at Polkemmet Rows, Cappers, Armadale.

Note some sources say this brave man was born in Carlulke, others give Armadale, he certainly spent a large chunk of his life in South Lanarkshire town. where a commemorative stone was unveiled in his honour in 2015.

On leaving school Angus worked in the nearby coal mines before earning a modest living as a footballer at several clubs, 1914 he was with Wishaw Thistle when war broke out and as a member of local Carluke Territorial battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, he was mobilised immediately.

William Angus was transferred to the 8th Royal Scots, the first Territorial battalion to join the Expeditionary Force. 8th Royal Scots had suffered a great many casualties and were in urgent need of replacements. He was serving as a lance-corporal in this battalion when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 12th June 1915 at Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée, France Lance-Corporal Angus voluntarily left his trench to rescue a wounded officer, fellow Carluke man Lieutenant James Martin, who was lying within a few yards of the enemy’s position and had been injured by a mine. To do this he had to travel through 64 metres in no-man’s land under heavy bomb and rifle fire, and received about 40 wounds, some of them being very serious, including the loss of his left eye, losing part of his foot and calf. His commanding officer said there had been no braver deed in the history of the army.

When asked why he had risked death to carry out such a mercy mission, he replied:

“I have to go back to Carluke. I cannot return if I left someone from Carluke to die here.”

40 wounds, can you imagine that?!

Angus was awarded the VC for his bravery in August that year at Buckingham Palace, when the King commented on his 40 injuries, Angus was said to have answered “Aye, sir, but only 13 were serious.”.

Due to his injuries he was no longer fit for active duty and was transferred to Cameronians on recruitment duties and promoted to Sergeant. He was invalided out of the Army in 1917 and started a haulage business, he later became president of Carluke Rovers, where he was known simply as “The VC”., a position he held until his death. Each year of his life, he received a telegram of thanks from the family of the man he rescued.

William Angus VC died just two days after the 44th anniversary of his brave deed. His last annual telegram of thanks from the Martin family was delivered to him in hospital.

William Angus' medals on display at the National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle.

You can read a wee bit more detail about William here http://www.vconline.org.uk/william-angus-vc/4585925970.html

[talesofsorrowandofruin]

Notice Me Reader Tag

Thanks for tagging me, @ahordeofwasps! :D

Rules: Share 3 (or more!) small details from your WIP that you feel have gone/will go unnoticed. (You can choose whether or not to share why the detail is significant!)

I was tagged twice, so I'll give details from two WIPs!

The Case-files of Seo Yo-han (counting all of them as one WIP for this):

Shakespeare is referenced in every book:

Leo reads Richard II in The Unfortunate Moth.

Silver Glass has a quote from King Lear as the epigraph to the last bit of the flashback ("...I am a man/More sinn'd against than sinning").

Also in Glass, Phil quotes Othello when she says she and Alec both "loved not wisely but too well".

Houses Full of Deceit has a more light-hearted example according to the outline, where Leo attempts to flirt with Phil by reciting Romeo's "Juliet is the sun" speech. ("Attempts" is the key word.)

Mine Eyes Dazzle mostly references John Webster and Gilbert & Sullivan (yes, really!) instead, but one character quotes Henry V -- specifically Act 2, Scene II. Which gives Yo-han an important clue, because that scene is about a former friend who became a traitor.

2. The murderers in books 1 & 3 are foils, and so are the ones in 2 & 4. Leo kills because he's paid to, while Ji-hun kills because he enjoys it. Davit kills from a mixture of love and hate -- love of Alec, hate of Gwladys -- while the still-unnamed villain kills because they both love and hate their victim.

3. For most of HFOD everyone is running from Ji-hun. For the climax, I want to turn the tables on him. He sets a trap and thinks he's caught Leo and Yo-han, but really they know it's a trap and have set up one of their own! (Namely, Phil hiding nearby with a gun.)

Uneasy Money:

Of the seven Millner siblings, the three oldest are fluent in German, the middle two are semi-fluent, and the two youngest barely speak it at all. This is because their mother was German, and she died when the three oldest were teenagers. By then she'd spent years in Britain and had mostly stopped speaking German, so the younger children picked up less of it.

Loughlinter isn't a real place. I borrowed the name from Anthony Trollope's Palliser series. (Where, oddly, Loughlinter is in Scotland -- it should be spelt Lochlinter. So based on spelling alone, moving it to Northern Ireland makes more sense.) I'm still vague on where exactly it is. I'm leaning towards somewhere around Limavady solely because my crush is from there, but that doesn't fit with Helena's statement that it's "twenty miles from Belfast". (Limavady is sixty miles from Belfast.)

Everyone has very different ideas of what sort of story they're in. Gilbert thinks he's in a P. G. Wodehouse comedy, Helena thinks she's in a Georgette Heyer romance, Thomas thinks he's in an Emily Brontë Gothic novel, and Tarka thinks she's in a Charles Dickens mystery. All of them are partly right.

Tagging @weaver-of-fantasies-and-fables, @sarandipitywrites, @oh-no-another-idea, @mysticstarlightduck, and anyone else who wants to do this! :D

[alj4890]

Confession Time

(Thomas Hunt x OC) in a Choices Red Carpet Diaries/The Royal Romance Crossover drabble

Thirty Kisses in Thirty Days Challenge with the prompt: finally kissing the friend you've been yearning for.

Rating: G for fluff

A/N THE FINAL PROMPT!!!! I know I'm a couple days late in posting this, luckily I missed a few days during the thirty days so technically I'm still on day thirty 🤣 It seemed appropriate to end this challenge like I began it, with my OTP Thomas and Amanda. Thanks @twinkleallnight for requesting them for this prompt. And to @hopelessromantic1352 for encouraging me to start the challenge. This is something my OTP do in just about every series of mine 😂 *I couldn't decide on which gif to use of my FC for Thomas, so both were used for the beginning of this drabble 😉*

@hopelessromantic1352 @trappedinfanfiction @my-heart-beats-for-ya ​ @aworldoffandoms ​​ @flyawayboo ​​ ​​ ��@sophxwithers @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @choicesficwriterscreations @peonierose @krsnlove

Masterlist

"Any news yet?"

Thomas directed the frown he had while staring at his phone to Holly.

"No."

She sighed while handing him his notes. "Did she say when she would let you know?"

"No. She did not."

Addison came rushing over.

"I finally found pictures of the coronation. I thought it would be live, but apparently there is some Cordonian rule against filming inside the ancient cathedral."

The three crowded around her phone to see photographs of Prince Liam being crowned king.

"Wow!" Addison gushed. "Liam is so handsome! He's like what you imagine every prince should look like."

Holly nodded in agreement.

"Look! There's Amanda!"

She scrolled back a picture and pointed at the duchess they all personally knew standing off to the side of the cathedral with other nobles.

Thomas's frown deepened.

She looks lovely, he thought. A possible queen in the making.

"I love her dress!" Addison babbled on. "I wonder if she'd mind my using something similar for your next film."

Holly doubted she would. "It's almost time boss."

"Right." He handed Addison her phone back. "Where are my notes."

"In your hand." Holly reminded him.

He grimaced somewhat over that.

"Try and smile!" Addison teased. "No one will ever want to see your latest film with that sour expression of yours."

Thomas rolled his eyes on his way to the podium. This press conference was tedious at best. He wanted nothing to do with it. The last thing on his mind, which should have been the first, was going into detail about his filming process.

He couldn't stop thinking about Amanda and the very real possibility that she'd be chosen as Liam's queen.

He'd become friends with the duchess when filming, The Last Duchess, in Cordonia a couple of years earlier. They'd grown close over their similar love of classic films and had managed to spend as much time together as possible. He took a lot of his free time to visit her in Cordonia along with her estates in Scotland and Italy. She in turn would visit him in California and on his various filming locations.

Their friendship came about so easily that he almost missed the realization that he'd fallen in love with her.

It wasn't until she told him about what typically happens when a crown prince or princess is about to become the new monarch that he realized he wanted to be with her.

"I know it sounds practically gothic." She tried to tease. "But every available lady of the Court must take part in being a suitor for Liam."

Thomas had been floored. His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach, even with her adding that she truly didn't think she'd be chosen.

"Liam and I are too good of friends." She explained. "He knows I don't have those types of romantic feelings for him. Plus he knows I have no desire to be queen."

"Wouldn't your friendship make you a desirable choice?" Thomas countered. "After all, I imagine he would at least want someone he knows and trusts by his side if he can't find someone he loves."

"Love isn't a necessity in the Crown's eyes." Amanda mumbled. "I never thought about being chosen because I'm his friend."

Silence fell between them as the seriousness of the situation struck them both.

He knew he couldn't tell her how he felt about her now, especially not over the phone. Thomas wanted to see her face when he admitted to being in love. She deserved to have romance and everything he could possibly do to show her how special she truly was to him.

Even more so now that she was forced into what should be a reality show scenario.

After weeks of sporadic contact with Amanda, he'd been scouring the international news sources to try and figure out just whom Liam would pick as queen. There was an American in the mix who seemed a very likely candidate. Liam certainly appeared happy with her in all of Ana De Luca's interviews and pictures.

He didn't know if he was relieved or more worried that there weren't that many images of Amanda and Liam together. If anything, there were only photographs from their past used in articles that mentioned her. They seemed so comfortable around each other. No romantic glances. No lingering touches. Nothing at all to even hint at romance.

It gave him the one glimmer of hope Thomas needed.

"Good afternoon." He gruffly greeted the members of the press. "Thank you for coming."

He placed his phone near his notes in the hopes of hearing from Amanda soon.

Thomas delivered his usual thorough explanation of both his decisions in casting along with the filming techniques he used. After years of teaching, he couldn't help but give a lecture of sorts for each press event. The reporters typically appreciated it since it made their jobs easy and he knew they were sure to have all the pertinent information.

He checked the time once he opened the floor for questions. He knew there was a nine hour time difference between Los Angeles and Cordonia. That meant that Amanda was just in the full swing of the coronation ball, the very one Liam would announce his choice.

Thomas hoped she would send him some type of text letting him know if he would be able to invite her along on his press junket or if he would be invited to her wedding.

Should I go, he wondered. Could I stand to see her marry someone who isn't in love with her now knowing how I feel?

"Mr. Hunt?" One of the reporters said a touch louder.

Thomas looked up. "Yes?"

The room waited on his response.

"Could you repeat your question?" He asked.

"What made you decide on casting Ryan Summers as the bad guy?"

Thomas ran his hand through his hair while proceeding to answer what made him choose Hollywood's most suave and handsome as the sadistic, cold, and manipulative antagonist.

His phone vibrated, causing him to pause mid-sentence.

The person he most wanted and dreaded hearing from finally sent him a message.

I'm on my way home. Liam chose Madeleine and I will have a few weeks of freedom before the next round of court events to celebrate their upcoming wedding. I have so much to tell you! I'm exhausted from this social season and am ready to collapse in bed. I will call you tomorrow 😘

Thomas had a huge smile on his face once her message was reread. He kept up the answer of Ryan's character while his mind raced with the possibilities.

He couldn't wait to start.

****************

Two days later...

Thomas pushed away from his car the moment Amanda stepped out of her plane. Her smile nearly matched his in delight of seeing each other after months of being apart.

He walked over to meet her at the end of the stairs, chuckling when she practically fell into his arms for a hug.

"Hello." He responded when she finally looked up at him.

"Hello!" She tilted her head. "You grew a beard."

He subconsciously rubbed his cheek. "I did."

She smiled, pressing a kiss to where his hand had been. "It suits you."

He closed his eyes over that simple touch. His mind immediately went to going ahead and telling her what he wanted from her, then he argued with himself that he should at least allow her a chance to recover from her travels.

"It feels so good to be here again." She looped her arm with his as they walked to his car. "I've never wanted to escape Cordonia as much as I have these last few months."

"Was it that bad?"

"Yes and no." She hugged his arm. "It was more tedious than anything else. Having to constantly be my best duchess persona without a chance to really relax was grating. I know it was worse on Liam."

As they drove off, she seemed to become sadder.

"What happened?" He asked. "From the few snippets of news we were able to see, it looked like Liam might choose the woman from New York."

"He intended to."

Amanda told him the entire story. His eyebrows rose a few times as she related the mysterious circumstances.

"So, he couldn't choose her?" Thomas felt a great deal of sympathy for Cordonia's young king.

"Not until he finds out who set her up." Amanda huffed. "I wish there was something more we could do. At least Riley didn't return to New York. Maxwell and Bertrand were able to convince her to stay. Liam asked though that we all wait to speak to her until the engagement tour starts. He doesn't want us to cause whoever did this to become suspicious."

"So you'll have to return to Cordonia?" Thomas frowned some at the notion.

"I don't have to, but I feel like I should help as much as I can. Liam deserves to be with the one he loves."

"I see." He muttered.

Amanda's brow furrowed as she studied his stern profile. "Is something wrong?"

His frown deepened. "Only that I intended on inviting you to come with me on my press tour."

"You did?"

He glanced at her face and saw just how happy that suggestion made her.

He reached for her hand, squeezing it in response.

"I did." He shrugged. "I've missed you and thought it would be nice to spend time with you. Plus, your company would make this part of my job much more pleasant."

"It would?" Her smile grew bigger.

"Yes." He replied.

"Where will you be going?"

"The usual spots. London, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Tokyo, New York." He listed. "A few other spots along the way."

"Hmm. A few of those are where the Court will be traveling. I don't suppose you'd have time to attend some court events with me during this?" She asked.

"I could." He eyed her. "I would make time for them if you wanted me to."

"Then I don't see why I couldn't travel with you!"

Amanda began to explain some of the upcoming dinners and balls to him. He noticed that the idea of his attending with her made her more excited than the actual events.

He found his own heart grow lighter as he drove her to his home. Perhaps all these romantic settings would help lead her into the next step he wished to take.

*****************

A few nights later...

Thomas finished getting dressed. He checked his reflection once more. He normally wasn't a man to second guess his appearance to the degree he was tonight, but he'd come to some decisions.

Tonight would be the night he teased the idea of the two of them together to Amanda.

He'd made dinner reservations at 71Above. With Los Angeles on a gorgeous display at night from the windows, he planned on beginning to flirt with her. He knew it was one of her favorite restaurants here, especially for the view. His hope was that the romantic atmosphere along with his own actions might awaken a possible interest in Amanda.

He stepped out of his bedroom the same moment Amanda did hers.

Her shy smile flashed.

His own lips curved as his eyes swept over her figure. She'd clearly spent a lot of time trying to look her best. The crimson dress she wore was perfect for what he had in mind. It took all his self control to not step closer to her and wrap his arm around her waist.

"Thomas?" She asked hesitantly.

"Yes?"

"Is something wrong?"

"Not at all." He gave himself a mental shake to stop staring at her.

He offered his arm to her, making her smile in response.

"You'll have to forgive me." He said as he led her downstairs.

"For?"

"For staring. Red is most definitely your color."

A blush rose to her cheeks.

"You're forgiven." She teased.

He chuckled. "I'm going to be the envy of everyone at the restaurant."

Amanda scoffed at that notion.

"I believe I will be the envy of everyone." Her hazel eyes drifted along his tall frame, lingering upon his face. "How could I not be?"

Thomas covered her hand that rested in the bend of his arm with his own. He was ready to keep her here and show just the effect her words had on him.

Instead, he led her out to the waiting car and instructed their destination to their driver.

He then sat back beside her and planned.

***************

"I insist on you ordering whatever you want." Amanda told him. "Dinner is on me in thanks for inviting me to spend the next few weeks with you."

She began to study the menu. "This and every other dinner we have."

"There's no need to do that."

"Of course there is!" She smiled at him. "You are always so gracious in opening your home up for me whenever I visit The States. The least I can do is pay for our evenings out."

"If you insist on owing me, then I believe I would like something else other than dinner." He countered.

Amanda's lips twitched with suppressed laughter. "Oh? Is it a car you wish me to purchase?"

He chuckled, draping his arm behind her shoulders. Thomas scooted a touch closer to her, his eyes never leaving her face.

"What I want, doesn't require money." He explained. "It only requires you."

Her brow furrowed in thought. "Me? For what?"

"I want our nights together to be actual dates. And since I'm the one doing the asking, I should pay for our dinner."

Her menu slipped through her fingers and slid off the table.

"I'm sorry." She whispered in disbelief. "What did you say?"

Thomas gently cupped her cheek. He brushed his thumb along her jawline and watched as a deep blush bloomed on her cheeks. It gave him hope that she might feel like he did.

"I realized a few months ago that what I feel for you goes beyond friendship."

Her lips parted in surprise.

"I intended to tell you then but you had to participate as a suitor for Liam." His eyes rested on her mouth then rose back to capture her startled gaze. "I didn't think it right for you to have to give me an answer while also possibly having to marry another friend of yours."

"So you..." Amanda sucked in a shaky breath. "You're attracted to me?"

"In every single way." He clarified. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."

Her eyes widened in response.

Thomas waited patiently for her to say something about her own feelings.

Their waiter came by, interrupting the charged moment.

"Is this going to be one check?" He asked.

"Yes." Amanda answered.

Her smile made Thomas's heart race.

"My date will take care of the check."

****************

The next few hours, Thomas set out to charm Amanda. And in turn, she did the same to him. The smiles, the flirty comments, the heated glances and touches all pointed to this transition being successful. They were definitely moving from a close friendship into a romantic relationship.

Thomas was honestly surprised how easily they stepped into these new roles. There was no awkwardness nor hesitancy on either part.

"Would you like to go somewhere else?" He asked once dinner was done. "Or would you like to go back home?"

He leaned close to her, bracing his arm above her head, when they got into the elevator.

"We could go for a swim or watch a movie." His fingers drifted down her bare arm pausing at her waist. "We won't be interrupted there."

"I'd like that." Amanda's hands rested on his chest.

They slid up to wind around his next, tugging him closer to her.

The elevator opening along with the sound of voices from those waiting to go up to the restaurant made them slowly pull apart.

Grasping her hand, he edged his way through the crowd, nodding to those who called out to him. He ignored the photos being taken of them and held the door open for Amanda.

Once they were safely back in the town car, Thomas raised the privacy barrier.

"I think I should confess something." Amanda said, making him pause in touching her.

"Oh? Sounds ominous." He teased.

She laughed, shaking her head. "I have been working up the nerve for nearly a year to tell you that I wanted more."

Her eyes raised to his.

"That I wanted you to be mine."

Now it was his turn to be shocked.

"You were thinking the same way?"

She nodded.

His lips curved as he drew her close to his side. "Then I suppose neither of us can ever deny our feelings for each other."

"That's true." She pressed a tender kiss to his cheek. "I know I certainly can't. Not now since I know you feel the same way about me."

"Amanda." He moaned, turning and capturing her lips in a deep kiss.

Her hand slid up his chest to tangle in his hair. Her tongue brushed against his, needing more of his touch.

His hands moved along her thighs and lower back. He knew he should slow down and pace their interactions, but each time he heard her say something he'd hoped to hear from her he couldn't stop his need from rising up and taking over.

He couldn't deny how much he wanted her. Since she not only returned his affection but encouraged him to take it another step further. He knew he was a goner.

Amanda checked the time. She knew they had about an hour or more until they reached his home. She unbuckled and straddled his lap. Their mouths met in a steamy kiss while their hands explored the other through their clothes.

Between the kisses and caresses that were fogging up the windows, the couple expressed their hopes for their new future together. Each wish was met with a more tender kiss than the last.

[the-butch-of-blaviken]

Tagged by @eredins-a-king-aint-he, thank you friend ❤

Stuff about me:

Relationship status: single & don't want any :)

Favorite color: used to be blue for many years, now i'm torn between mustard yellow and pastel pink

Stuck in my head: St. Petersburg by Supergrass

Last song I listened to: Rocket by Working for a Nuclear Free City

Favorite food: hard to choose only one, but right now i'm craving fried eggs with avocado toasts i had for brunch back in Toulouse

Dream trip: I'm a real homebody but I hope one day i'll be able to go hiking in Cornwall again. A friend of mine recently visited Scotland and the photos he sent to the groupchat were gorgeous, so I kinda hope I'll be able to go there too

Tagging (no pressure ❤) @she-who-drank-vodka-with-cats, @theowlseye, @elmonstro, @poetikat, @aretuzagradschooldropout and anyone else who'd like to do it!

[james-vi-stan-blog]

Hey👋🏻

The sypnosis for M&G episode 1-4 dropped. We‘re gonna get two episodes every thursday instead of just one per week, which is very exciting.

Episode 1 - The Second Son:

The impoverished English noblewoman Mary Villiers sends her attractive son George to France for education against his wishes. She hopes that this will help him rise to higher levels.

Episode 2 - Royal Hunt:

Mary wants to overthrow King James's favorite, Sir Somerset. So that her son George has the chance to attract the king's attention, she asks for an audience with Queen Anne.

Episode 3 - Love is Reverence:

Somerset puts obstacles in George's way, whereupon Mary decides to intervene. But their intervention ends in a debacle: Mary and George become the laughing stock of the court.

Episode 4 - The Wolf and the Lamb:

King James travels to Scotland, George and his younger brother Kit are allowed to accompany him. In Edinburgh, however, the King gives George the cold shoulder - to test his loyalty.

Thoughts?

I must say, I‘m really excited for episode 4 the most. Also I‘m not really sure how they‘ll manage to squish a decade worth of content into the last 3 episodes, so I feel like a sequel is inevitable atp, unless they do a major time skip.

Thank you!

2 seasons is more time for the story to breathe, but I'm not 100% that they will do 2 seasons because... The King's Assassin also had major timeskippage....... However, cramming all of Buckingham's later career (and it sounds like George is not even Buckingham by episode 4) into 3 episodes, especially given how much content they can mine out of the Spanish Adventure, does seem less plausible!

[immediatebreakfast]

Marmion time once again!

The fourth canto is the compeling errand given to lord Marmion after the dinner. A very politically charged canto since it mentions a tense situation between england, and Scotland which could very much escalate into a war. Moreover, in this exsct situation is where lord Marmion has to accomplish this errand.

No bird whose feathers gaily flaunt Delights in cage to bide; ... In fair Queen Margaret’s bower. We hold our greyhound in our hand, Our falcon on our glove; But where shall we find leash or band For dame that loves to rove? Let the wild falcon soar her swing, She’ll stoop when she has tired her wing.

The bird symbolism in the poem is very well used within the character of lord Marmion. He is established as a lord, but unlike the role that he could have played, Marmion is more of a knightly leader that uses his position as a lord to command his men. Restless to accomplish great things, and not yet satisfied to sit still. Marmion is the falcon whose eyes see everything, and actions help the Queen. The use of "trapped" in the first canto now seems to reflect Marmion's light distate for formalities such as these even if they are crucial to his campaings.

Nay, if with royal James’s bride The lovely Lady Heron bide, Behold me here a messenger, Your tender greetings prompt to bear; For to the Scottish court addressed, I journey at our King’s behest, And pray you, of your grace, provide For me and mine, a trusty guide.

So that is what is needed, a guide through Scotland as a errand for the english King. Lord Marmion, and his men need to act as messengers to represent the King in the eyes of the Scottish court. A task in which they need a guide, more specifically a religious guide that could guide them, and be a voice of reason and peace in between all of the knights.

A herald were my fitting guide; Or friar, sworn in peace to bide Or pardoner, or travelling priest, Or strolling pilgrim, at the least.

A very reasonable request. Yet, thanks to @warrioreowynofrohan helpful explanation, and the poem itself admiting through the captain's the failures of their political system, we learn that literally none of the clergy in Norham are suited for the job at all.

And though a bishop built this fort, Few holy brethren here resort; Even our good chaplain, as I ween, Since our last siege we have not seen: The mass he might not sing or say, Upon one stinted meal a day; So safe he sat in Durham aisle, And prayed for our success the while.

This chaplain didn't like that he had to ratio his food like everyone else so he just left Norham, and to this day has not come back.

Our Norham vicar, woe betide, Is all too well in case to ride; The priest of Shoreswood—he could rein The wildest war-horse in your train; But then, no spearman in the hall Will sooner swear, or stab, or brawl.

The vicar is in excellent condition to go! The problem is that he might as well be another knight with how much he likes to fight.

And then, the one who made me laugh, the Friar John of Tillmouth.

A blithesome brother at the can, A welcome guest in hall and bower, He knows each castle, town, and tower, In which the wine and ale is good, ’Twixt Newcastle and Holyrood. But that good man, as ill befalls, Hath seldom left our castle walls, Since, on the vigil of Saint Bede, In evil hour, he crossed the Tweed, To teach Dame Alison her creed. Old Bughtrig found him with his wife; And John, an enemy to strife, Sans frock and hood, fled for his life.

An alcoholic friar who is known for gambling, and straight up has by @warrioreowynofrohan's own words, "a neighbouring Scottish lord after his head because he snuck across the border, slept with the lord’s wife, was caught in the act, and ran away naked."

What a charming man of the cloth huh. However, and very solemnly, young Selby (Heron's nephew) explains that friar John is literally the best option they have if they want lord Marmion to do his errand well.

[ryan-rts]

Hi all! I'm here to show off another model!

This one was a little passion project that didn't really start until I realised I needed to complete a group of locomotives.

The London & North Eastern Railway's class A4s were the East Coasts most premier express locomotives. There are many models of this locomotive available across many gauges. In N gauge there is the old Minitrix model and the newer Dapol ones. In O gauge there are kits or the new ready to run Hattons model, in partnership with Heljan. And in OO gauge there is the older Bachmann model, the constant re-releasing Hornby Super Detail models and the Hornby Railroad model.

For what it is, the Hornby Railroad model is very good in quality. While the plastic moulding and the finish of the model makes it look very matt and bland, with the cheaper printed details not helping its case, the model is very well detailed, even with its moulded handrails and lack of features like lamp irons. Surprisingly, the model has brass fittings. Both the chime whistle in front the chimney and the safety valves embedded in the cab roof are turned brass, and stand out against the matt finish.

The reasoning behind wanted an A4 is because, within being on an Eastern Region kick, I have a Peppercorn A1 and A2, an A3 and to complete the group I wanted an A4. Luckily a mate of mine was selling a job lot to Rails of Sheffield with a Railroad Mallard and spare A4 body included. I offered a better price for it all, and that same day I got the models. My mate had previously modified the locomotive to have the Super Detail A4 valve gear, which did make the model look better. However, the A4 wasn't going to stay in "as purchased" condition for much longer.

Not long after I got home, after buying the models, I grabbed the spare body and attempted my plan of action. I cut the valances off of the spare body, using the inside of the bodyshell as a guide of where to cut, I scored a couple times down the valances before bending them out, making it easier to remove as the plastic on the Railroad models is softer than most models.

Because the cutting of the spare body worked out so well, I decided that I'd swap the bodies over and use the spare one on the final model. However one issue I faced with the spare body was the lack of chimney. Now that the original body was now spare, I removed the chimney off that body to put onto the spare one.

Other things that were changed to the body was the removal of the moulded handrails, addition of new ones using short handrail knobs and 0.45mm brass wire, and fixing any small mistakes on the valances with a file.

While I was detailing up the body the thought of "which A4 do I model" was crossing my mind. A lot of my Eastern Fleet worked all over the LNER. My A2, No.60538 'Velocity' has many pictures and videos of it working around York and Newcastle. The A3 I own is of No.60103 'Flying Scotsman' which worked all over the network in its lifetime. A lot of the smaller Eastern engines I own worked around Scotland or the South East. So when picking an A4 to model, it would be a preference to a name and which one was in similar condition to Mallard. In the end this was thrown out of the window.

Time for a little bit of Fake History!

The London and North Eastern Railway A4 locomotives are one of the most famous British Pacifics built. Its distinctive Streamlined casing of the 1930s giving a look of style and speed.

The original four A4s were nicknamed the silver batch because the names contained the word silver. Later batches would be named after birds but would later be renamed after famous and distinctive people. Originally the A4s were only going to have 35 members, however upon request from Kings Cross, a 36th member of the class was built on the 5th August 1938 and went around nameless until a name was decided.

4904 (the J39 doesn't exist) was sent to King's Cross as the last member of the A4s, fitted with a double chimney, as standard of the later batches, painted in LNER Garter Blue. The men at Kings Cross were allowed to choose the name, and after a number of months at Top Shed, it was requested for its name to be Thunder, a striking name for the last member of the class.

However the nameplates would never be fitted. In 1939, a year after the locomotive's construction, the Second World War broke out, and like other members of the class, 4904 was painted in a plain matt black, but didn't receive the NE lettering showing its home routes and allocations. Because of this, the locomotive was nicknamed "the Black Shadow" or "Eastern Ghost". 4904 roamed the network and managed to go to places such as Crewe, Birmingham and even Exeter during the war, making the engine become some sort of urban legend. The legend was enhanced when LNER 4469 'Sir Ralph Wedgewood', previously known as 'Gadwall', was blown up at York Sheds on the 28th April 1942. What started out as a nickname, 'Eastern Ghost' became a myth. Many workers mistook 4904 as 4469's ghost, while it went about its work at night.

When the war ended on the 2nd September 1945, 4904 was in a sorry condition. Two months previous the locomotive's axle boxes ran hot and were in desperate need of replacement, alongside this, the conjugated valve gear, which was built to be regularly maintained, was becoming worn due to a lack of maintenance. 4904 was the first A4 to be overhauled post war because of these factors. The axle boxes were striped and scrapped, new ones were casted and refitted. Parts of the valve gear that were salvageable from 4469 were used, but most of the rods were recast from new.

Finally on the 24th December 1945, 4904 emerged from Doncaster works. It was renumbered to No.35 and Finally received its nameplates, painted in a striking red. There were debates for the engine to take 4469's name of 'Sir Ralph Wedgewood' but another A4 was given the name (No.4466, later No.6, and later again to No.60006).

The locomotive throughout the rest of its life was Numbered 60035 and bounced about the East Coast performing duties on many of the named trains around the areas he was based at.

Having a majority of the locomitive's fake history written up, and out of boredom at the time, Thunder was painted I'm Wartime Black with the numbers painted on by hand with a toothpick in white. After this I realised I kinda copied the Sir Nigel Gresley 60007 trusts idea due to SNG currently wearing Wartime Black.

Thunder stayed in this condition for some time, I didn't have the nameplates or paint, so he sat in Black until they were ordered and arrived. Not long after arrival of the paints and plates, the locomotive was painted, lined, numbered and crested and was finally bestowed its name. Very fitting as it loosely followed his fake history.

Thunder, like Ryan, is a jewel in my fleet, sleek, shiny and unique. This project took me just over a month to do, and proves that, with minor modifications, that the Railroad Models can be bought cheap and made to look as good as the Super Detail Models available for double to price.

[bonzo193]

(Russell Auty) Radiomk    Bands In and Around Milton Keynes    Aug. 23rd.,2023 01Wesson     My Self Master     02 Blue Cabs     HEY PRESTO_       EP Hey Presto     03 Marseille     This Dream Of Mine     BubbleBrain Records 04 King's Division     This Thick Skin   06 The Standard Lamps    Cats and Dogs 07 Faiblesse Parfaite   Crocodile  08  Independent music club    Last train 09 The Get Gone     Rabbit in Headlights   New ~Release 10  Martial Dare     Dirt Track 11 Redwood Ridge  -Low Lifes_And High Hopes 12   NOASIS     Walk On   13 Grand Union Canal     How Come I’ve Learned to Love Heartbreak’ 14 Chris Mainfield and the Intouchables    In the shadow   15 Andrea Maria Ricchetti   Oh No There I Go 16  Malcolm Dunn    Scotland Revisited   Album Reflective 17 Tu-kay & Ryan - All That I Am    Realeasted 18  Kenneth J Nash     New Holes in Old Shoes         Old Hotel Records 19 Mandy Storm -i wont tell    geert@showbizzinfo 20 Leftover             Forbidden-fruit   Milton Keynes 21 Lead Shot Hazard - Current State Of Play 22 Robbie Buckley    Now or Never 23  LAKE ACACIA - You Will See 24 Rick Fletcher        Without Her       Four Queens And A Jack Records 25 Maini Sorri - Let me do your time 26 RAY MALCOLM sings   Cliff Richard's   Traveling Light , LIVING DOLL - 27  A Mouth Full Of Matches            Danger High 28 Furah Dread People Must Stop 29  Kayanites     Water 30  Jonny & The Mental Breaksowns 31  Jagged Little Thrills      Lovers Coup 33 Infinite Wisdom    Towards The Sun            

[womanexile]

Lol, she has always had a soft spot for the English as far back as Fearless era. Love Story- English regency theme, English actors played love interests in Mine & Style music videos, UK singer ES collaboration, and Wordsworth Windermere lakes district inspiration. Not sure on other eras.

reddit.com/r/TaylorSwift/comments/vk1wx6/miss_americana_taylor_swifts_american_heritage/

A way with words & diplomacy runs in the family bloodlines. One of the descendants came up with historical slogan “No taxation without representation.” Also settled peacefully in Martha’s Vineyard among the native Indians (pre-USA).

Recent deep dive heraldscotland.com/life_style/arts_ents/23623229.taylor-swift-edinburgh-star-real-queen-scotland/

“…the 33-year-old can trace her roots back to Scottish King William the Lion.

The monarch, of the House of Dunkeld, ruled from 1165 to 1214, and while records are patchy - and, let's face it, not the most reliable given most people couldn't read or write - it appears he could be 26th great-grandfather of the pop superstar.

The House of Dunkeld ended in 1290 when Margaret Maid of Norway died aged seven in Orkney.

She was the last legitimate descendent of William the Lion but, as she was never crowned, historians are split on whether she can be considered Queen of Scots.”

Her dna trying to lead her home lol

[mediawhorefics]

Book ask! 1, 10,19, 20! 💙

book answers <333

book you’ve reread the most times?

excluding the series that shall not be named... i have a few ~comfort reads that i've found myself revisting over the years. the watchmater of filigree street (natash pulley) is one of them. shocker i know, none of you expected this!! i've also read the captive prince series (c.s. pacat) a few times, esp. kings rising the last book. i really don't like diana gabaldon as a person (i think her stance on fanfiction is not only stupid as fuck but also hypocritical considering she stole her male lead from old doctor who episodes and didn't even change his name.) but the first outlander novel remains a favourite of mine in the historical romance department and i've read it many times. the series got lost along the way (at least i lost interest) but the first one is really entertaining! also time travel and scotland, you know i'm there for it. i've read red white & royal blue (casey mcquiston) a bunch. 3 or 4x ? it's got that classic romcom vibe and i deeply connected with the way it approaches grieving someone when you're young/for the first time. i've also read cyrano de bergerac (edmon rostand) a lot. both in the original french and different translations. it's excellent.

10. do you have a guilty fav?

i don't know if i believe in guilty favs tbh! as long as it's not hurting anyone, why should i feel guilty about art that i enjoy? but for the sake of the game/for the sake of argument, i'll try to come up with a list. i guess i read a lot of star wars novels (big nerd over here) and they're very quick adventure-y types with a sprinkle of character study so it's hard to consider them as literature sometimes? so a few of those would be on the list. i really enjoyed the padme trilogy, padawan, master & apprentice, all of claudia gray's sw novels, the rots novelisation, brotherhood etc. there are a few het romances i also love a lot that i suppose i could include here? outlander is the first. but i adore emily henry's writing too which makes me feel pretty basic bitch, but she writes a lot of fun romances with bookish themes and that's like catnip to me. any of the darth vader comics ?? that counts, right? oh! i recently read an arthurian retelling that cast merlin as a queer teenager coming to camelot impersonating her brother and meeting young arthur and kind of falling in love with him. i suppose that had a cringe cover but i had so much fun with it. one of my fav ya i've read recently. it's the other merlin! idk that i'd describe it as a favourite book overall but....

19. most disliked popular books?

i loathe the all for the game series that was popular on tumblr a few years ago? there was nothing compelling about it to me. it wasn't that well written, the characters weren't that compelling, the sport was boring and the romance just didn't have the ooof i needed from it. i truly never understood the hype. i tried reading the kiss quotient (helen huang) which was huge in the romance circles a while back and never finished it. ok this one comes from the depth of my childhood and will not be relatable to many of you but les chevaliers d'emeraude (anne robillard) is SO awfully written it gives me hives. i don't know if it counts but i despise jules verne too. fuck that guy, i know he's ~classic but his writing is so fucking dull. and i haven't read albert camus since high school so my opinion might change if i revisit him, but i remember him making me soooooo angry. i think everything written by cassandra clare is pretty awful. i hate her style. sooooo many people were gushing over boyfriend material (alexis hall) and i hated that. the main character was annoying and immature and simply not charming at all to me. i don't think i laughed even once. i need to laugh in a romcom, come on!! it has a four stars rating on goodreads and i simply do not get it. it was boring and i hated the writing style. and apparently, there's a sequel too ??? talk about the most unnecessary book written ever. sorry to fans of it, it was just no my cup of tea.

20. what are things you look for in a book?

not necessarily all at once but:

a historical setting (i esp. love the first half of the 20th century)

some fantasy elements. it doesn't have to be high fantasy (though i like that too) but a little sprinkle is always fun.

romance !!!!! i love a good pinning, swooning, soft, tender romance!!! (duh) enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, strangers to friends to lovers. it HAS to be a slow burn because instalove turns me off.

i love a good found family/a good friend group!!

time travel is not a must but it's an easy way to seduce me

my main character type is heart of gold/noble intentions/heroic but struggling with anger issues... so a bit of that and i'm sorted.

snarky female characters. (actually just well-written female characters in general, which feels like a very basic ask but we allllll know it's not that easy)

i looooooove a good mystery. not a murder mystery, i'm not super into those. but i love a book that presents us with something to solve (like the shadow of the wind)

i'm not super into unhappy endings (tho. i don't mind them once in a while) but i love melancholic stories and Drama. just something that makes me FEEL.

it has to be atmospheric/it has to transport me.

i love poetic writing/beautiful prose.

also it (almost always) has to be gay. lbr.

book asks

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday filmmaker Gillian Berrie, born on September 8th 1967 in Glasgow.

In 1996 Gillian co-founded Sigma Films with director David Mackenzie, writing and producing serial award-winning shorts, 'California Sunshine' and 'Somersault'.

Alongside, Gillian gained experience in numerous film and television roles, ie Casting Director on Ken Loach's 'My Name is Joe' (for which Peter Mullan won the Palme D'or in Cannes) and Lynne Ramsay's legendary 'Ratcatcher'.

Casting experience on the aforementioned led Gillian to create the charity, 'Starfish' which then became 'Jumpcut', which morphed into 'Short Circuit', and 'Big Fish Casting' which segued into Kahleen Crawford Casting

Gillian then produced many of David Mackenzie's films including: Last Great Wilderness, Hallam Foe, Young Adam, You Instead (aka Tonight You're Mine), Perfect Sense, Starred Up and the biggest film ever to be make in Scotland, Outlaw King. She was also heavily involved in the post-production, festival, UK/US theatrical release and Oscar campaign for Academy Award Nominee 'Hell or High Water'.

Sigma's films regularly premiere at A-List festivals and have received over 150 awards internationally, including the Prix de Jury in Cannes for Red Road, and the Silver Bear in Berlin for Hallam Foe, as well as numerous BIFA and BAFTA nominations and awards.

At the Scottish BAFTA New Talent Awards in 2002 Gillian won the BAFTA for Outstanding Achievement.

In order to create a vibrant hub for the film community in Scotland, Gillian founded the 65,000 square ft state of the art, Film City Glasgow in 2004. Since then it has been a full house of productions and film-makers.

In 2012 she founded 'Jumpcut', the UK's one and only, intensive, mentor-led Summer School to provide a fast-track for youngsters into working in the film industry. This project was a runaway success. Over 75% of the participants went onto working in the industry. It ran for two years and won several awards.

She also co-produced the multi-prize winner 'Dear Frankie' and Jonathan's Glazer's 'Under the Skin' (which won 23 awards and received 110 nominations).

Gillian also produced several features for first time feature film directors, including David Mackenzie, Colin Kennedy, Andrea Arnold, Morag MacKinnon and Ciaran Foy, as well as numerous additional shorts including the lauded I Love Luci.

Gillian continues to contribute to the next generation of Scottish film-makers through Short Circuit, which is in its 3rd year and has so far given the first opportunities in film-making to hundreds of new-comers and produced dozens of short films and is developing a number of feature films.

Short Circuit is Scotland's hub for filmmaking talent, supporting the creative and professional development of new and emerging writers, directors, and producers.

Over three years, Short Circuit's film commissioning strand ‘Sharp Shorts’ will award over £400,000 in funding across 27 filmmaking teams, creating opportunities for Scotland's most exciting emerging new screen talent.

‘Sharp Shorts’ has become one of Scotland's most diverse creative initiatives, with an overwhelming majority of female filmmakers as well as significant representation across the LGBTQ+, non-white and disabled communities.

The first batch of short films are screening internationally at festivals such as SXSW, BFI Flare, EIFF, Dinard, LSFF, Berlin, with multiple awards. In particular, Sean Lionadh's short Too Rough has won 11 awards to date.

The ‘First Features’ strand, with a fund of over £300,000, will support 30 new writers, directors, and producers, enabling Scotland-based filmmakers to take a career-defining step towards making their debut feature.

In 2022, Berrie exec-produced the critically acclaimed Pilot and 2nd episode of the Disney/ FX series Under the Banner of Heaven for which Andrew Garfield was nominated for an Emmy .She also produced Taron Egerton's feature, Tetris, which I was impressed with.

Relay, about a broker of lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten them breaks his own rules when a new client seeks his protection to stay alive. is the latest film she has produced, it actually premieres today at the Toronto International Film Festival. Next up is a thrilled called Fuze where construction workers in London unearth an unexploded WWII bomb, forcing evacuation. Opportunistic thieves use the chaos as cover for an elaborate heist.

[sasa-chans-random-history]

January 02

[366] The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers, invading the Roman Empire.

[1492] The Kingdom of Granada falls to the Christian forces of King Ferdinand V and Queen Isabella I, and the Moors loose their last foothold in Spain.

[1570] Tsar Ivan the Terrible's March to Novgorod begins.

[1788] Georgia votes to ratify the U.S. Constitution, becoming the fourth state in the modern United States.

[1815] Leading Romantic poet Lord Byron (27) weds Anne Isabella Milbanke (22).

[1905] The Russians surrendered Port Arthur (later: Lüshun, China) to the Japanese in the Russo-Japanese War.

[1971] 66 football fans are killed and 200 injured in a stampede at a stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.

[1981] The so-called Yorkshire Ripper is finally caught by British police.

[1985] Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood (37) marries British model Jo Karslake (29).

[1993] Supermodel Kim Alexis (32) weds ice hockey player Ron Duguay (35).

[2004] NASA's spacecraft Stardust collected dust grains from the comet Wild 2.

[2006] An explosion rocks the Sago Mine in Sago, West Virginia, where 13 were trapped and eventually 12 of them died.

[2019] United States international Christian Pulisic becomes the most expensive American soccer player when he moves from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea for £57.6M ($73M).

[2022] American actress and TV host Ricki Lake marries her third husband Ross Burningham.