#toronto tea festival

[teainspoons]

Foggy River Farm’s Forest Air | Tea Review

[sgiandubh]

Still nothing from The Cut. I guess distributors are not interested.

Dear The Cut Anon,

I don't know and I don't want to further speculate.

What I do know, is that the producers (Tea Shop Productions and Amazing Owl, USA) and the sales agent (The Exchange, USA) were, indeed, looking for distributors at the TIFF:

[Source, heh: https://www.thewrap.com/toronto-film-festival-2024-lineup-angelina-jolie-mike-leigh-edward-burns/]

I guess we'll eventually know who picked it up for distribution. Worst case scenario is for it to go directly on the platforms, but I doubt it.

[brian-in-finance]

Orlando Bloom /The Cut

Orlando Bloom And Sean Ellis Talk About Star’s Transformation Into Past-His-Prime Boxer In ‘The Cut’: “He Was Willing To Have His Nose Broken” – Toronto Film Festival

Sean Ellis’s sixth feature, following the deliriously atmospheric 19th-century vampire movie Eight for Silver (2021), is yet another curveball from the criminally underrated British director. Titled The Cut, it is the story of a past-his-prime boxer who goes behind his wife Caitlin’s back to accept a lucrative comeback fight in Las Vegas. But this is not yet another Rocky-style underdog story, the kind that culminates in the ring. Instead, it is a sometimes-shocking psychological thriller, a sort of boxing procedural that details the extreme lengths that cornered fighters will go to. On paper, it sounds like Southpaw, but in reality, it has a little more in common with this year’s Cannes hit The Substance, a visceral body-horror movie about a fading starlet (Demi Moore) and her desperate drive to maintain her fame.

Sean Ellis / Getty Images

In The Cut it is actor Orlando Bloom’s turn to defy expectations. As the boxer, the former Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings star is a revelation. He’s not entirely unrecognizable as the matinee idol of the 2000s, but, thanks to the magic of prosthetics, he certainly looks like he’s been through the wringer, and his return to professional boxing is not a sure thing. In fact, the most suspense in the film is generated by the initial weigh-in, which will determine whether he even gets to fight in his own title category at all. Caitlin (Caitríona Balfe), his wife and his trainer, can only get him so far, and when the team gets to Vegas, the boxer meets the charismatic Boz (John Turturro). Boz hooks into the boxer’s insecurities, drawing him into an increasingly dangerous training and weight-loss routine.

With the film about to make its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Deadline sat down with Ellis and Bloom to discuss the film and its themes.

DEADLINE: Where did the project start? Who was attached first?

ORLANDO BLOOM: I’d worked with our producer, Mark Lane, some years ago on a movie for Tea Shop Productions. We did a movie together in London called Retaliation, but it was released as The Romans. It was another small, British independent movie production. It was brutal, and I loved the brutality of it. One day Mark said, “I’ve got another one for you,” and he pitched me The Cut. We talked about it, and I loved it immediately. I loved the idea — the premise of a boxing movie without the boxing, where the focus of the fight wasn’t the boxing match itself but rather the fight within the character, who just happened to be a boxer. I thought that was really fascinating, an interesting commentary on the way masculinity operates within that space.

We worked on the script for about a year or two with [screenwriter] Justin Bull, who was fantastic. And then we were just over the moon when Sean read it and responded to it exactly as you’d hope a director with his kind of vision would. He said, “Yeah, I see this.” [To Sean.] Right, Sean? That’s the long and short of it, isn’t it?

SEAN ELLIS: Yeah, that was pretty much it. The first time I read it, actually, was over the Christmas period [in 2022]. Mark had sent it to me, and I was interested because I’d been looking to do a boxing movie. But how do you do a boxing movie? I mean, it’s become almost a genre in itself. They’ve become so clichéd. Like submarine movies: You’ve got to have a scene with one person trapping themself in the air lock and drowning, as they tap away at the little porthole.

With boxing, you’ve got to have an impossible match that they’re not going to win, and then they either do or they don’t. And I thought The Cut was just a really interesting take on that. It was the about the preparation that an athlete goes through, and the drama of that. I thought that was so much more interesting than anything we’ve already seen in a boxing movie. I called Mark back, and I said, “It’s great.” I mean, it grabs you and it doesn’t let go. And it really delivers. It doesn’t let you down, and it really takes you right through to the end. And as OB was saying, it’s pretty brutal.

BLOOM: It’s an assault on the senses — which was kind of what it was like for me, physically.

ELLIS: Yeah. But I love cinema like that. I love it when it grabs you and shakes you. I think that’s what cinema should do.

DEADLINE: Orlando, how much did you weigh when you started the process?

BLOOM: I was about 185 pounds. [Laughs.] Sorry to use pounds and not stone!

DEADLINE: Same as the character?

BLOOM: Give or take.

DEADLINE: How did you lose the weight?

BLOOM: We worked with a great nutritionist called Philip Goglia. He started me on a program about three months prior to filming, and I tiered down from there. I was eating more food than I’d expected, in order to maintain the muscle but drop the weight. There was a sort of science to how much and how often I was eating, like having a spoonful of honey at night, things like that, to hold the muscle but lose the fat. This was three months prior to filming, so when I landed in London to start — which was about three and a half weeks before filming started — I would say I weighed about 170 pounds. I’d dropped quite a lot of weight before I came to the UK, and then in that three-week period I was basically eating five tiny meals a day. A lot of it was tuna and cucumber, and nothing else. I dropped to 152 pounds for the weigh-in scene. We shot that at the beginning of the movie, and then we shot the whole movie backwards.

DEADLINE: Why was that?

BLOOM: Philip, the nutritionist was like, “He’s not going to have any brain function or energy to make the movie.” [Laughs.] He said, “You’ve got to start with the weight loss and then feed him through the movie.” So, we shot the movie in reverse. I remember, I had this massive drop [in weight], because I was sitting at about 163 pounds for what felt like forever. And the training regime was a lot. It was two hours of cardio every day, an hour in the morning and again at night, and then boxing, and then weights, and a very limited amount of food.

I’d already started training — I’d been doing boxing training in America before I came over — and then I dropped 10 pounds of water weight in one night, which was crazy. Philip had told me about this routine that boxers do — they have a hot Epsom-salt bath. I don’t know whether it’s down to osmosis or just some weird body science, but it worked. I had a photo of myself, and I sent it to my partner and my mates, who were tracking me through this wild experience. I sent it to Sean. And then I sat in this space of that weight for about two and a half weeks before we started filming. [Pause] Is that right, Sean? I have to say, my brain is very scrambled…

ELLIS: Yeah, he came to us at his lightest weight because you can’t lose weight and work. It’s almost impossible — you can’t remember your lines or anything else. So, Phil said, “He has to come to you at his lightest, and then you need to allow him to start eating again. But that means you have to shoot the movie in reverse chronological order.” Now, chronological order is a nightmare at the best of times. But reverse chronological order is a total Rubik’s cube. We only had 25 shooting days, and, obviously, Orlando was putting weight on as we were reaching the end of the shoot, which was actually the beginning of the film. But when you edit it in reverse, he starts off heavy and then goes to his lightest point. It was a big jigsaw puzzle, but we got there.

DEADLINE: How did you feel about him losing all that weight? Did you ever feel guilty?

ELLIS: Mark Lane said, “Look, he’s really committed to this. Have a call with him and see if you guys jell,” and I did, instantly. But more than that, what I saw in OB was a huge commitment to make this right. And he was willing to do anything. I think at one point we even spoke about him going to the dentist and having his teeth filed and recapped. There was also the idea that he was willing to have his nose broken. [Laughs.] I was like, “I’m not sure we have to go that far.” But Orlando’s a good-looking bloke, and we were thinking, “How do we convince the world that he’s a professional boxer and make him look like a professional boxer?”

[British makeup artist] Mark Coulier came in and did a lot of work on his face. Mark got an Oscar nomination for Elvis. I’ve worked with him on a couple of movies and he’s just amazing. He took a head-sculpt of Orlando and then showed us what he would be able to do with him. A broken nose; fake ears that were more like cauliflower ears from the fighting; a change of the jawline — there were these “plumpers” that went into his mouth — and the teeth. The eyes as well: Mark gave him a droopy boxer’s eyelid.

I remember when I saw him sitting in the makeup chair. He had the haircut and everything, and I thought, “I buy this guy as a professional fighter.” At that point, he didn’t actually look like Orlando, strangely enough. In fact, I remember when we were shooting, there were two girls in the hotel we were using — just were members of the public — and they were waiting for the elevator to go down. Orlando was down the other end of the corridor, in his pants, and one of them nudged the other one. She whispered, “That’s Orlando Bloom.” The other one looked up and said, “Nah,” and then they got in the lift. I was laughing, because they didn’t recognize him.

DEADLINE: Were you surprised by his dedication?

ELLIS: Even from that first call with him, it was obvious that he was just so committed to this film and was willing to immerse himself. We were referencing [Irish featherweight and lightweight champion] Conor McGregor for a while, to the point where we started talking about the character being Irish, and we loved that idea. Then we cast Caitríona [Balfe], who’s Irish as well, and it made even more sense. It felt like the journey from Ireland to Vegas was bigger, because in the original script he was American, I think. Those changes came about from just me and Orlando talking about the character. I love his accent in it. Honestly, he’s not giving us an Orlando that we’ve seen before, and I love that. I love the change.

DEADLINE: Why did you want Caitríona?

ELLIS: I’d seen her in a couple of movies, Belfast and Ford v Ferrari, and her TV show Outlander. And at the point when we were having these discussions about Orlando playing Irish, I was like, “Well, let’s find an Irish actress.” So, I spoke to Jamie Dornan about Caitríona, because he’d worked with her on Belfast, and I said, “What’s she like? Is she nice? I love her movies. Is she good to work with?” And he was like, “Oh, she’s the best.” So, I got that endorsement, we offered it to her, and, luckily, she said yes. [To Bloom] It was just the three of us a lot of the time, wasn’t it?

DEADLINE: How did her casting affect the script?

ELLIS: A lot of her character was really born out of a lot of the discussions that the three of us had about the relationship that the two characters had. How their past dictated their relationship, and how it was going to dictate their future. So, it was really lovely just to work with both Orlando and Caitríona on finding those characters and really giving them life without really having to spell it out. Boz has more of a visual background, because you see him in flashbacks, but what I love about Caitríona’s character is that there’s a lot of subtext in her performance. It’s not overwritten, but you still get a sense of her life and what’s happened to her in the past.

BLOOM: I remember a conversation I had with her when we first spoke. I called her up. In the early drafts, the script was really centered on this transformation that the boxer goes through, the inner torment and the fight. And I said to Caitríona, “Look at the script as a blueprint, because there’s so much more between the lines than there is in the lines.” I really wanted the authenticity of this relationship to play. Because I think he can’t live without her. He can’t function, he can’t operate without her.

DEADLINE: In the middle of these two you have John Turturro as his trainer, Boz. It’s a very interesting part, almost like a kind of sadistic Jiminy Cricket…

ELLIS: We had many conversations about the script before John actually came on board, but I think John wanted to reassure himself that he was right about how he was going to do it. Because when John turned up — am I right, OB? — he’d fully formed that character. You said, “Action,” and John just did it. There was no, “What do you think?” He’d decided how Boz was going to be.

BLOOM: Can I jump in, Sean? What was on the page for that character was completely different to what John brought to the film. I remember sitting next to him in the makeup chair, and I was in and out of consciousness, in terms of how I felt emotionally. I was paranoid as hell. It was a really weird time, because of my mental state: I wasn’t having any food. Or sleep. I wasn’t sleeping because you don’t sleep when you’re not eating — you keep waking up.

And then he said to me, “It’s love.” And I was like, “What?” He said, “It’s a love story.” And my mind exploded. Sean was like, “Yeah, of course it’s a love story.” But his part wasn’t really written like that. He was written as a pretty straightforward character, like a drill sergeant, very aggressive. And then when he told me that, it became this love triangle in my mind. Boz was seducing me, in a way, into his web. Like, “You’re my guy now.”

Obviously, I’ve been huge fan of the man and the actor for years, and everything he’s ever done. That part could have been so generic in the hands of anyone else, but he just knew what to do. He was sprinkling magic dust all around us. I think we had that conversation on the second day of filming because we were all a bit thrown to begin with. Do you remember that, Sean? I was, certainly. I was like, “Wait, what’s going on?”

ELLIS: I remember Mark coming up to me and saying, “So, is that how we want Boz to be?” Because Boz was very much on the page as a character like the drill sergeant from Full Metal Jacket. I remember saying to him, “That’s John Turturro, and he’s giving you Boz. It might not be the Boz you saw on the page, but it is a Boz, and he’s absolutely made it his own.” As OB said, he’s sinister, he’s conniving, and he’s also kind of a groomer, because he understands his victim and he knows how to take control. So, he really pulled himself into this in a very insidious way, which I find very creepy and just brilliantly executed.

BLOOM: Yeah, he totally transformed what the movie could have been.

DEADLINE: You’ve got the Toronto premiere coming up. What kind of reactions are you hoping for?

ELLIS: Well, I hope they don’t throw eggs at the screen. [Laughs.] Listen, I’m incredibly proud of the film and I’m incredibly proud of the performances that the actors have given. It was just such a privilege to record them, and be present, and see them craft those characters. That’s the thing I’m most proud of when I look at it. I think it’s very strong, and it’s a drama with very strong characters.

DEADLINE: Orlando?

BLOOM: Yeah, it’s funny, when I was at drama school, I remember working on The Seagull, the Chekhov play, and there’s a moment at the end where the audience goes silent, because it’s just so uncomfortable. And I think this movie has a similar impact. It’s such an assault on the senses. And, to his credit, Sean never takes his foot off the gas. You can’t hide at any point in this movie. It’s like we strap you into a rocket, and you’re off. And there’s a lot of commentary on the way athletes — male athletes in particular — operate. Obviously we haven’t taken this from a true story, it’s fictitious. But I think it deals with very real ideas about self-worth. It’s about what people will do to fill the void that’s in their stomach, or in their soul. It’s about the lengths they will go to.

Deadline

Remember… (about Caitlin, Caitríona’s character) I really wanted the authenticity of this relationship to play. Because I think he can’t live without her. He can’t function, he can’t operate without her. — Sean Ellis

[shandian-go]

UNDER THE SAME SKY - AN MXTX CUPSLEEVE EVENT

Join us this Midautumn Festival to celebrate the love between MXTX's beloved characters!

Date and Time ↳ September 30, 2023 ↳ 2 PM - 6 PM

Location ↳ Kungfu Tea on Wellesley ↳ 584 Yonge Street ↳ Toronto, ON

Gift set ↳ Each set includes 1 paper cup, 1 photostrip and 1 ticket ↳ Limited quantity so will be available on a first come, first served basis ↳ There's no pre-registration for this event so you won't be able to reserve a set in advance - you'll have to physically be at the venue to claim your gift set!

Activities ↳ The venue will be decorated so feel free to take pictures and come dressed in cosplay! The 1st floor also has a Life4Cut photobooth if you'd like to take photos and print them on the spot :) ↳ Try your luck at spin-the-wheel for a chance to win prizes (including limited edition merch)! ↳ Origami paper will be available should you wish to make mini lanterns (Hua Cheng style) or creations of your own ↳ Bring your plush dolls along and play dress up with the doll clothes available ↳ Shop for official and fanmade danmei merch (payment by card, E-Transfer, PayPal and card accepted!)

Look forward to seeing everyone there!

[brookston]

Holidays 6.12

Holidays

Anne Frank Day

Bedstraw Day (French Republic)

Blue Galaxy Day

Children’s Day (Haiti)

Crowded Nest Syndrome Day

Dia dos Namorados (Brazil)

Flag Day (Brazil; New Zealand)

Ghost in the Machine Day

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Idol Day

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International DDX3X Day

International Dubbing Day

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Interracial Marriage Day

June 12 Commemoration (Lagos State, Nigeria)

Lancaster Day (UK)

Little League Girls Baseball Day

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Loving Day

Magic Day

Man of Steel Day

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National Control Room Worker’s Day

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National Dame Day

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Food & Drink Celebrations

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Independence & Related Days

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2nd Wednesday in June

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Weekly Holidays beginning June 12 (2nd Full Week)

California State Parks Week (thru 6.16)

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Festivals Beginning June 12, 2024

Emmett Cherry Festival (Emmett, Idaho) [thru 6.15]

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Mattituck Strawberry Festival (Mattituck, New York) [thru 6.16]

North by Northeast [NXNE] (Toronto, Canada) [thru 6.16]

San Diego County Fair (Del Mar, California) [thru 7.7]

Taste of London (London, UK) [thru 6.16]

Teapot Day (Tea, South Dakota) [thru 6.15]

W. C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival (Henderson, Kentucky) [thru 6.15]

Feast Days

Adriaen van Stalbemt (Artology)

St. Anthony’s Day Eve (Portugal)

Antonina (Christian; Martyr)

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Feast of the Blessed Polish Martyrs of World War II

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Gerard Hoffnung Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

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Henry Scott Tuke (Artology)

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Korean Rice Farmers Stream Hair Washing Day (Everyday Wicca)

Len Wein (Artology)

Leo III, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Media Ver VII (Pagan)

Odulf (Christian; Saint)

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Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Shavuot, Day 2 (Judaism) [6-7 Sivan] (a.k.a. …

Feast of the Harvest

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Festival of Weeks

First-Fruit festival

Wheat Harvest

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Prime Number Day: 163 [38 of 72]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [34 of 57]

Premieres

Admission Free (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1932)

All About Dogs (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

Andy Warhol’s Blue Movie (a.k.a. Fuck; Adult Film; 1969)

Are You My Mother?, by P.D. Eastman (Children’s Book; 1960)

The Brighter Buccaneer, by Leslie Charteris (Short Stories; 1933) [Saint #12]

Bullet Park, by John Cheever (Novel; 1969)

Can’t Hardly Wait (Film; 1998)

Chesapeake, by James A. Michener (Historical Novel; 1978)

Chuck Berry Is On Top, by Chuck Berry (Album; 1959)

Clash of the Titans (Film; 1981)

Cleopatra (Film; 1963)

Clockwork Angels, by Rush (Album; 2012)

Coming Up for Air, by George Orwell (Novel; 1939)

Deep Throat (Adult Film; 1972)

Donald’s Garden (Disney Cartoon; 1942)

Donovan’s Reef (Film; 1963)

Farmer Al Falfa’s Bedtime Story (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

Food, Inc. (Documentary Film; 2009)

Foundation and Empire, by Isaac Asimov (Novel; 1952) [Foundation #2]

Go Bo Diddly, by Bo Diddly (Album; 1959)

History of the World: Part 1 (Film; 1981)

The Horse Soldiers (Film; 1959)

I’ll Chase the Blues Away, recorded by Ella Fitzgerald (Song; 1935)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot (Science Book; 2010)

Jurassic World (Film; 2015)

Line of Duty (BBC TV Series; 2012)

Love and Kisses, recorded by Ella Fitzgerald (Song; 1935)

Mariah Carey, by Mariah Carey (Album; 1990)

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (Film; 2015)

Moon (Film; 2009)

Palestrina, by Hans Pfitzner (Opera; 1917)

Predator (Film; 1987)

Raiders of the Lost Ark (Film; 1981)

Rhapsody in Blue, by George Gershwin (Orchestral Jazz; 1924)

The Sailor’s Home (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

She’s Not There, recorded by The Zombies (Song; 1964)

Some Time in New York City, by John Lennon (Album; 1972)

Speedway (Film; 1968)

Superman vs. The Elite (Animated WB Film; 2012)

Surfer Girl, recorded by The Beach Boys (Song; 1963)

Swingers (Film; 1997)

Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, by Blink-182 (Album; 2001)

Testimony of Two Men, by Taylor Caldwell (Novel; 1968)

Toreadorable (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1953)

2 Cool 4 Skool, by BTS (Album; 2013)

The Witches of Eastwick (Film; 1987)

Today’s Name Days

Florinda, Guido, Leo (Austria)

Bazilid, Gašpar, Leon (Croatia)

Antonie (Czech Republic)

Balisius (Denmark)

Eskel, Esko (Estonia)

Esko (Finland)

Guy (France)

Florinda, Guido, Leo (Germany)

Onoufrios (Greece)

Villő (Hungary)

Basilide, Guido, Onofrio (Italy)

Ija, Narda, Nora (Latvia)

Anupras, Dovė, Kristijonas, Kristis, Ramūnas (Lithuania)

Sigfrid, Sigrid, Siri (Norway)

Antonina, Bazyli, Jan, Leon, Onufry, Wyszemir (Poland)

Onufrie, Pavel, Petru (România)

Zlatko (Slovakia)

Juan, Onofre (Spain)

Eskil (Sweden)

Onopriy (Ukraine)

Ahmad, Ahmed, Aisha, Asia, Mohamed, Mohammad, Mohammed (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 164 of 2024; 202 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 24 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Duir (Oak) [Day 4 of 28]

Chinese: Month 5 (Geng-Wu), Day 7 (Ding-Wei)

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

Hebrew: 6 Sivan 5784

Islamic: 5 Dhu al-Hijjah 1445

J Cal: 14 Blue; Sevenday [14 of 30]

Julian: 30 May 2024

Moon: 36%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 23 St. Paul (6th Month) [St. Charles Borromeo]

Runic Half Month: Dag (Day) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 86 of 92)

Week: 2nd Full Week of June)

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 23 of 31)

[izoryotaro]

Tales of the Emperor - Jack Winter

I found this book for $1 in the little store tucked into the back of the Toronto Library, when I was visiting with a friend. It seemed weird and interesting, so I though eh why not, and indeed, weird and interesting it was! I've collected my favourite quotes below and noted the section they were taken from (although these excerpts were rarely the beginning or entirety of the section).

The Emperor's schooling The academy presented no need to vacate and every incentive to stay on and, in the way of the academy, to seek out an abject corner in a neglected field of study and to become its propagator and its proponent, its proctor and its prodigy, its professor and, eventually, its professed. Indeed, the Emperor might have elected to remain at the academy, a prisoner of its delights, were it not for the profound misery he detected there.

Taking Tea I build my fire of bracken boughs, my bed of straw and twine. I boil and pour my nettle tea, not once expecting wine. Between my knees the valley lights flicker and are gone. Above my eaves the cooking fires beyond the clouds burn on. I never am invited to sup and sleep elsewhere. I'm too high up for some folk, for some not halfway there. Here beside me on this ledge where I sip and sit, The stunted tree has cracked the rock you'd think imprisoned it.

Regarding farmers The land and the army are lawful occupations. If a man's wealth is in next year's crop, he will not run with it on his back. If neighbouring states are kept always in peril of invasion, no man will run there. The land and the army are one occupation. Farmers endure and their hope is seasonal. With little alteration they can be used for war.

Reflections on reputation Reputation has no substance beyond report. Report is the whole of it, its origin, its occasion, its objective, its accomplishment, its residuum, not only its basis but its entirety. The reputation of any one of us depends upon who is reporting it, how he came by his opinion, his entitlement to it, his nature and his quality and his condition at the moment he permits it to be released, his (at the risk of wit-play) reputation. [...] The impulse to gather together the fragments of observation, the shards of gossip, the detritus of scandal, and to construct of them a reputation for another being is irresistible. [...] The attraction of it when done is unique. Who, after all, does not enjoy literature? In our natural state the least of us is an original of untamed will and contradictory impulse who, once arrested and examined, alters. He must be apprehended and scrutinized again and again. Our world with us in it moves on, and is incomprehensible. But characters wholly invented hold still.

The governing of the Empire When we named the date for our revolution, the First Emperor declared it a national holiday so that our massing in the streets appeared to be in his honour. When we looted the shops, the First Emperor declared all property common so that we would not be guilty of theft. When we decided to disband our revolution and go home, the First Emperor declared that the revolutionary army was required for the defence of the empire, and we remain conscripted.

The Festival of the Fall Immediately following any war, the restitution of a land, of its infrastructure and its chattel, is premised upon the will of the people to carry it out, something that itself requires the sort of psychic energy possessed by those whose recollection of war is merely historic. Such was not the case in the empire where everyone was pretty well convinced that any reconstruction merely would be the construction of a new target. This condition of the public temperament was not a matter of embitterment, but of practical observation and accurate short-term memory. The credulity needed for renewal would take several generations of innocence to acquire.

The Second Criterion (the vital axis) "In the mountains at the snow line, sparse in foliage, of boulders plentiful, there amid the scrub-bush, ancient rockfall, elder moss, there is born the river, born in tumult among ice-crags amid snowfields combed with blowholes, dropping sheerly down the rock face to the cauldron pool beneath. [...] Here an island temple hollow with crows, a broken bridge no more than a board, a barge half-sunk where a jetty stood. No men yet, only relics of their passing. Water-reeds, bending, paint the wind. Here antique pavilions too remote for tenants, vacant the horizon, seamless the sky. Indolent the river, loitering nearly shoreless, water by its ripples, pleats in unstained silk."

The first letter of the Imperial Historian I must complete my book. It is not that I want to write. I want to have written. The writing, that is a matter of the severest pain. How could it be otherwise?

The fifth letter of the Imperial Historian Oh, horror! In an age unenvisaged among folkways undreamt of, a passerby stoops to examine a shard, finds another to fit, lays a third as a through-band, and by such rude mechanics manages to build -- build what? A cairn in a landscape not yet evolved? A rough stone altar to gods unborn? A dyke to withstand who knows which beast from incursion upon what occult husbandry? No! No! A maimed book of my broken half-told tales bearing the name of another!

The advice of Li Ssu regarding archives Normally, conquerors destroy with zeal the archives of a conquered people. Which consideration does not apply to us. Your people, sire, have long since given up consulting their historians.

The last words of Li Ssu A man tortured for information gives the name of his friend because he is afraid to die alone. When they meet for execution, the betrayed forgives his betrayer. In whispers through the blindfold he confides that even now, if he were given the chance, he too would betray another to save himself, no, not to save himself, what is worse, he like his own betrayer would betray another only so as not to die alone. "That," he whispers, "is the advantage the authorities possess. They are not tempted into betrayal by the possibility of companionship."

Imperial gossip regarding Chao Kao In the final days of the empire, Chao Kao wielded much power and his deeds influenced the lives of many, but no book of the Emperor contains his life. Thereafter, no matter how important a man may be, if he is wholly without admirable parts, history chooses to ignore him as much as possible. Thus, if good is rewarded by the perpetuation of its name, then the reward for evil is oblivion, which probably is why evil so vigorously seeks its reward in the here and the now.

[clementinefight]

Sorry if you haven’t heard from me, whoever’s waiting to hear from me. May was hard. May was Captain of a lot of things that didn’t feel so good. I watched a lot of Shetland & one night made brownies from the box. I think it was the same night, oh dear. It all goes flashing down the rear. May was like, “how is it possible the flowers can bloom when I feel like this, So pointless, aimless, out of wack And unretrieved or left behind, How is it all coming up as I’m going down, Shouldn’t we, as nature, be in a tandem dance.” May, I was alone a lot and felt it. Though that is nature – up and down in tandem, Good and bad in the same exquisite sandwich. I take a bite. Cloudy day. I’m just in it. Glad to be in it – I love the thorn in the rose bush as that’s what makes it rose bush.

I’m in Nova Scotia, baby, it’s my first time here. Flew in from Toronto with my sister (not twin, who is in Italy) and my cousin. It only took 1 hour and 44 minutes in the air to get somewhere I’d never been in my life. We are here for my birthday on Monday but also because BenIsHerFriend.

Cold air out here, no? Walking into the tiny shack where we’re staying my sister said about the cold, “I can feel it in my bones.” But the air is fresh and sparkly green. Green everywhere. Green landing. I brought a book – never let me go by Kazuo – but I probably won’t touch it, I just don’t have those kinds of eyes at the minute. Staying in a boat shack in LaHave, as I somewhat mentioned, which is an hour twenty-minute drive out from Halifax. The highway, if that’s what it is, is very nice, grey and bordered in tall trees, a thrumming yellow-green embroidery. We didn’t rent a Jeep Wrangler but that’s what the car rental place had for us after losing (?) our original car and having us waiting near an hour for its replacement. It was a fine wait, huddled at a high bar table in the airport with English breakfast tea and a morning glory muffin. And we got a cool Jeep at the end. I felt like this was special, because we’ve always wanted to drive in a big hulking Jeep machine in a space with nice, open skies. Hopefully the weather will warm to the point we can take the roof off and if it doesn’t, maybe we’ll do it anyway and shiver for a bit of time.

Today, though, today I’m sodamntired but coffee isn’t helping. Do you ever have something to do that you just can’t fucking do? So it just runs in your brain as something you’ve GOTTA do! It’s not all bad. I enjoyed a cheese croissant and two lemony dolmas for lunch which was great, and lemon loaf for lunch-dessert. Rain glides in the air, and on these blustery days, a note of lemon cracking through does real business.

Also – I got a Graphic Design internship! With an animation festival in Ottawa. It’s virtual, forty hours a week and starts tomorrow and runs until the first day of September. I’ll be helping design the festival book. Maybe in the fall will drive to Ottawa to meet them all in person / attend a few of the shows. But this means I’ll have to lower my hours on the island, so hopefully that’s cool. Otherwise, I’ll quit the island. That could only have been a summer job anyway.  

Tomorrow, will visit Lunenberg :•)

[kelleah-meah]

When Astrology Meets Aesthetics

I can't seem to get away from the exploration of aesthetics or just general navel-gazing about how I present myself to the world in my day-to-day life. So I've decided to lean in and continue the exploration until I bore myself to death and move on.

In this post, I engage in pairing astrology with aesthetics and where I think my lifestyle reflects my astrological vibration. (So if you're into aesthetics, but not astrology or astrology, but not aesthetics, this post may not interest you.)

A quick note: Some of the traits, colors, or activities I do on a regular basis aren't mentioned below because it's something I think all of the aesthetics I embody are known for, so it doesn't really belong to just one of them. (For example, eating in or hanging out in cafes while reading, writing or people watching. I feel that activity really belongs to all of the aesthetics below.)

Enough introductory explanation, let's dive in ...

Pisces Sun

- Art Academia (An aesthetic centered around the creation and enjoyment of art. It is similar to Light Academia and Dark Academia in its value of studying, dedicated practice of learned interests, 18-19th century-inspired aesthetics, and architecture, but is unique in focusing primarily on the visual and performing arts.)

Here are some ways in which I feel I express this aesthetic in my day-to-day life:

Journal 🖊️

Headscarves

Ballet flats 🥿

Cardigans

Leather satchel (in cooler months)

Always carries a smartphone & hard copy day planner📱

Statement ring 💍

Reads books on art movements, artists, fashion, and more

Paints, sketches and colors 🎨

Studies French

Tea drinker 🫖

Collects art 🖼️

Pilates & floor barre

Enjoys going to the theater & ballet 🎭

Goes on vacations in cities with thriving arts scenes like Toronto, Boston, and Paris

Attends dance classes 💃🏽

Loves jewel tones

Homemade bread 🍞

Foggy mornings 🌁

Reading nook 

Cooks at home more than eats takeaway or out at restaurants 🥘

Reads James Joyce, Lorraine Hansberry, and Oscar Wilde 

Major vice: procrastination

Pisces Moon

- Downtown Girl (An aesthetic centered around the romanticization of living in the downtown of a major metropolitan city, specifically New York. It involves a more cozy, almost autumnal view of urban areas and emphasizes having a cultured lifestyle of visiting museums, cafés, and thrift shopping with a laid-back attitude and admiration for the music and visual culture of that community.)

Here are some ways in which I feel I express this aesthetic in my day-to-day life:

Headphones 🎧

Caps & hats 🧢

Converse sneakers 

Flannels & t-shirts

Canvas tote bag (year-round)

Always carries a notebook & pen 📒

Silver hoop earrings 

Goes secondhand shopping for vinyl records, books and home decor

Listens to a wide variety of music 🎶

Studies American Sign Language (ASL)

Hot chocolate drinker ☕

Collects candles 🕯️

Bikes and walks in the park & hikes on trails 🏞️

Enjoys going to arts & culture festivals

Attends stand-up comedy & improv shows 

Loves mixing patterns & texture 

Succulents 🌱

Record players

Public transportation 🚍

Happily mixes analog and digital tech

Reads Edgar Allan Poe, Anne Sexton, and Langston Hughes

Major vice: starts new projects before finishing old ones

Aquarius Rising

- Beat Bohemian (An aesthetic centered around the counter-culture movement of the Beat Generation in the mid-1950s and early 1960s characterized by their rejection of conformity, social norms, and mainstream culture while romanticizing the bohemian artist communities of San Francisco’s North Beach, Paris' Latin Quarter, and NYC’s Greenwich Village. It advocates for personal release, purification, and illumination through heightened sensory awareness via music, spirituality and experimental drugs like mushrooms. Find more info here and here.)

Here are some ways in which I feel I express this aesthetic in my day-to-day life:

Dark nail polish

Berets

Black ankle boots

Hand-me-down sweaters 

Canvas messenger bag (in warmer months)

Always carries a book & bookmark 📕

Simple silver ring

Studies philosophy, spirituality, and religion ☯️

Argues with idiots online & IRL about important social and political issues

Studies Spanish 

Vodka drinker 🥃

Lifts weights 💪🏽

Enjoys going to concerts & small clubs to hear musicians play 

Goes to sci-fi conventions & book signings 🖖🏽

Attends poetry readings & jams

Loves the color black

Herb gardening

Goes to absinthe tastings 

Road trips 🚙

Black cats 

Abnormal sleep habits

Reads Albert Camus, Simone de Beauvoir, and Lao Tzu 

Major vice: occasionally smokes cigs

[kaiisens]

mom got us tickets to the toronto tea festival ive never been more excited

[iliad24]

lady grey, turkish tea, and darjeeling!! i am definitely miffed that the chai question is about ur starbucks order so i would have asked that if it wasn’t the starbucks thing. surprise chai question is you get to answer whatever you want if you want to do the chai question

the joke is that i do go to starbucks sometimes and i do usually get hot chocolate and sometimes i get white hot chocolate because it's the greatest thing on the planet but the white chocolate syrup or whatever does have milk in it so i probably shouldn't do that. although it doesn't bother me. and if i want caffeine i'll get a mocha but caffeine fucks with me and the doctor said don't have it so. usually it's hot chocolate. however i will use the chai question to tell you about what i get at the hot chocolate place downtown

lady grey: favourite outfit?

OUGH GOOD QUESTION i don't know 100% if i have an answer though. well my overalls are super broken but they're probably involved. and like. nice striped T-shirt probably :)

turkish tea: where have you travelled?

ohh i've been to like. a good number of states on the east coast. i've been to california once (san diego) and new mexico when i was a little kid (san diego) but otherwise i haven't been much further west than minneapolis. i've also been to canada (toronto/montreal/my family used to go to the stratford festival) but like i've never lived anywhere where it wasn't really really easy to get to canada so that barely counts. like i frequently travel through canada to get to other places in the us. and i've been to italy which. highly recommend. excellent place

darjeeling: a hobby?

already answered <3

chai: what do you order at starbucks?

okay i'm going to doxx myself really hard right now but. as discussed i get hot chocolate at starbucks but what i really like if i'm willing to like. actually park and walk in downtown burlington is to go to the lake champlain chocolates store on church street. and there i will get the spicy hot chocolate or the peppermint or SOMETIMES they have a raspberry one and it is actually everything to me. but they get just the right balance of chocolate and milk where it's like. not watered down. i think there's another chocolate place in burlington though i need to try it sometime

[teainspoons]

2024 Toronto Tea Festival | Event Recap

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 10.31

Holidays

All Souls’ Day (Ecuador)

American Indian Day (Tennessee)

Bitcoin Day

Cavalry Day (India)

Crillo Music Day (Peru)

Dark Matter Day

Day of Local Songs (Peru)

Day of the 7 Billion

Día de la Canción Criolla (Peru)

Girl Scout Founder’s Day

International Black Sea Action Day

John Candy Day (Toronto, Canada)

King Father’s Day (Cambodia)

Martyr’s Day (Burkina Faso)

Medusa Day

Mount Rushmore Day

National Bug Busting Day (UK)

National Evangelism Day

National Prince Day

National Unity Day (India)

Non-Working Day (Russia)

Pal-O-Ween (from “Kevin Can F**k Himself”) [Every 31st]

Phi Day

Plough Tree Day (French Republic)

Rabbit Rabbit Day [Last Day of Every Month]

Reformation Day (Chile; Germany; Slovenia)

Saci Day (Brazil)

Senior Absurdity Day (Bronx, NY)

Spider-Girl Day

Trixie Day

World Cities Day (UN)

World Savings Day

World Thrift Day (India)

Youth Honor Day (Iowa)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Billy Beer Day (Plains, Georgia)

Brewtopia (NYC)

International Day of Rice

Japanese Tea Day (Japan)

National Caramel Apple Day

National Keg Day

The United Nations of Beer (New York)

Independence & Related Days

Edan (Declared; 1999) [unrecognized]

Nevada Statehood Day (#36; 1864)

Wellington (Declared; 2009) [unrecognized]

New Year’s Days

Old Celtic New Year’s Eve

5th & Last Thursday in October

International Carignan Day [Last Thursday]

Punkie Night (Somerset, England) [Last Thursday]

Thirsty Thursday [Every Thursday]

Three-Bean Thursday [Last Thursday of Each Month]

Three for Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thrift Store Thursday [Every Thursday]

Throw Away Thursday [Last Thursday of Each Month]

Throwback Thursday [Every Thursday]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 31 (Last Week of October)

None Known

Festivals Beginning October 31, 2024

The Big Sur Food and Wine Festival (Big Sur, California) [thru 11.2]

A BOO-tiful Downtown Halloween (Los Altos, California)

Dragon of Shandon Parade (Cork, Ireland)

Halloween Trick or Treat! (Mystic, Connecticut)

Hillsborough County Fair (Dover, Florida) [thru 11.11]

JazzFest Berlin (Berlin, Germany) [thru 11.3]

Living History Farms Annual Farmstasia (Urbandale, Iowa)

MichiganFun' Convention (Port Huron, Michigan) [thru 11.2]

New York’s Village Halloween Parade (New York, New York)

Rakfisk Festival (Fagernes, Norway) [thru 11.2]

Ringneck Festival & Bird Dog Challenge (Huron, South Dakota) [thru 11.2]

Saga International Balloon Fiesta (Saga, Japan) [thru 11.4]

Thessaloniki International Film Festival (Thessaloniki, Greece) [thru 11.10]

Treat Street (Chico, California)

Feast Days

Abaidas (Coptic Church)

Alphonsus Rodriguez (Christian; Saint)

Ampliatus (Christian; Saint)

Begu (Christian; Saint)

Bob Crane Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Diwali Begins (Hindu, Jain, Sikh), a.k.a. ... 

Deepavali (Guyana, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka)

Deepawali (Sikkam, India)

Divali (Fiji, India, Kenya, Mauritius, Suriname)

Diwali Amavasya (India, Trinidad and Tobago)

Èugene Fromentin (Artology)

Festival of Lights (Celebrating the Indian god Laxmi)

Gai Tihar (Nepal)

Kag Puja (Day of the Crows)

Kag Tihar (Day of the Crows)

Kali Puja (Assam, Odisha, West Bengal; India)

Laxmi Pooja (Nepal)

Laxmi Puja (Sikkim, India)

Naraka Chaturdashi (Assam, Odisha, West Bengal; India)

Tihar Festival (Nepal)

Yam Panchak (Nepal)

Erc of Slane (in Cornwall; Christian; Saint)

Feast of Sekhmet Bast Ra (Ancient Egypt)

Felix the Chicken (Muppetism)

Festival of Inner Worlds

Foillan (in Namur; Christian; Saint)

Gerbil Caressing Day (Pastafarian)

Hallowe’en (also celebrated as ... 

Allantide (Cornwall, UK)

All Hallows Eve

All Saints’ Eve

Apple and Candle Night (Wales)

Beggar's Night

Beltaine [Southern Hemisphere; begins at sunset]

Books For Treats Day

Caramel Apple Day

Carve a Pumpkin Day

Chiang Kai-Shek Day (Taiwan)

Day of the Dead begins (Mexico) [until 11.2]

Dookie Apple Night (Newcastle, UK)

Duck Apple Night (Liverpool, UK)

Fright Night (Pastafarian)

Ghostwriter’s Day

Halloween

Hello-Wiener (Pastafarian)

Hop-tu-Naa (Isle of Man)

Increase Your Psychic Powers Day

National Doorbell Day

National Dress Like a Slut Day

National Keg Day

National Knock-Knock Joke Day

National Magic Day

National UNICEF Day

Night of a Thousand Screams (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Nut-Crack Night (UK)

Out of the Broom Closet Day

Saci Day (Brazil)

Samhain [Northern Hemisphere; begins at sunset]

Samhain Eve (Celtic, Pagan) [7 of 8 Festivals of the Natural Year]

Scare a Friend Day

Sneak Some of the Candy Before the Kids Start Knocking Day

Thump-the-Door Night (Isle of Man)

Trick or Treat Night

Hello-Wiener (Pastafarian)

Hokusai (Artology)

Isis/Osiris Mysteries IV (Pagan)

Johannes Vermeer (Artology)

John Keats (Writerism)

Kant (Positivist; Saint)

Makoshe’s Holiday (Asatru/Pagan Slavic celebration of Mother Earth)

Marie Laurencin (Artology)

Martin Luther (Anglican Communion)

Meindert Hobbema (Artology)

Neal Stephenson (Writerism)

Old Celtic New Year’s Eve

Paul du Toit (Artology)

Paul Shinji Sasaki and Philip Lindel Tsen (Episcopal Church)

Reformation Day (Germany, Slovenia, Lutheran Church)

Quentin (Christian; Saint)

Susan Orlean (Writerism)

Theodore Romzha, Blessed (Ruthenian Catholic Church)

Vetmaetr (Norse beginning of winter, start of Odin leading the Wild Hunt)

Wolfgang of Regensburg (Christian; Saint) [Germany]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it’s Xt'Tapalatakettle's Day.)

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [51 of 57]

Premieres

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle (Novel; 1892)

All Wet (Ub Iwerks Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Disney Cartoon; 1927)

Ash vs. Evil Dead (Film; 2015)

Bohemian Rhapsody, by Queen (Song; 1975)

The Boys of Summer, by Roger Kahn (Baseball Memoir; 1972)

Catty Cornered (WB MM Cartoon; 1953)

The Country Cousin (Silly Symphony Disney Cartoon; 1936)

Explosive Situation or Don’t Make It Worse — It’s Badenov (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 121; 1961)

Foul Hunting (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Girls! Girls! Girls! (Film; 1960) [Elvis Presley #11]

I Only Have Eyes For You, recorded by The Flamingos (Song; 1958)

Kitty from Kansas City (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1931)

Like a Virgin, by Madonna (Song; 1984)

Livin’ on a Prayer, by Bon Jovi (Song; 1986)

A Modest Proposal, by Jonathan Swift (Essay; 1726)

Ninety-Five Theses, by Martin Luther (Pamphlet; 1517)

Period of Adjustment (Film; 1962)

The Red Sea Sharks, by Hergé (Graphic Novel; 1958) [Tintin #19]

The Secret Teachings of All Ages, by Manly P. Hall (Book; 1928)

Slap Happy Hunters (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

Somebody Stole My Gal, recorded by Count Basie (Song; 1930)

Spellbound (Film; 1945)

Star Dust, recorded by Hoagy Carmichael (Song; 1927)

Strategy, by B.H. Liddell Hart (Book; 1929)

Two Weeks Vacation (Disney Cartoon; 1952)

Unplugged MTV Show, recorded by Squeeze Live Show; 1989) [1st Unplugged Show]

The Walking Dead (TV Series; 2010)

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane (Film; 1962)

A Witch’s Tangled Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1959)

You’ve Got Me in Switches or Suture Self (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 122; 1961)

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (Film; 2008)

Zot, Parts 1 & 2 (Underdog Cartoon, S1, Eps. 9 & 10; 1964)

Today’s Name Days

Christoph, Quentin, Wolfgang (Austria)

Alfons, Volfgang, Vukmir (Croatia)

Štěpánka (Czech Republic)

Louise (Denmark)

Ardo, Ardu, Arti, Arto, Artur (Estonia)

Arto, Arttu, Artturi (Finland)

Quentin (France)

Melanie, Quentin, Wolfgang (Germany)

Ablia, Apellis, Aristovoulos, Narkisos, Stratoniki (Greece)

Farkas (Hungary)

Lucilla (Italy)

Rinalds, Smilga, Valts, Volfgangs (Latvia)

Alfonsas, Liucilė, Tanvilė (Lithuania)

Edit, Edna (Norway)

Alfons, Alfonsyna, Antoni, Antonina, August, Augusta, Godzimir, Godzisz, Lucylla, Łukasz, Saturnin, Saturnina, Urban, Wolfgang (Poland)

Amplie, Afelie, Aristobul, Narcis, Stahie, Urban (Romania)

Aurélia (Slovakia)

Alonso, Quintín (Spain)

Edgar, Edit (Sweden)

Maura, Moira (Ukraine)

Cruz, Flint, Flynn, Kruz, Trent, Trenton (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 305 of 2024; 61 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of Week 44 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Hagal (Hailstone) [Day 5 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 29 (Wu-Chen)

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

Hebrew: 29 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 27 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 5 Wood; Fryday [5 of 30]

Julian: 18 October 2024

Moon: 1%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 25 Descartes (11th Month) [Ferguson / Condercet]

Runic Half Month: Wyn (Joy) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 39 of 90)

Week: Last Week of October

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 8 of 30)

[gokitetour]

Top 5 well-known Chinese cities to visit

Exploring well-known cities in China and Canada offers a glimpse into diverse cultures and landscapes that captivate travelers worldwide. In China, cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Guilin stand out for their rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. Each city offers unique attractions, from ancient landmarks and bustling markets to modern skyscrapers and serene landscapes. On the other hand, Canada's most populated cities, such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Quebec City, represent a blend of urban sophistication and natural splendor. These cities are renowned for their multiculturalism, vibrant arts scenes, and economic vitality. From the iconic CN Tower in Toronto to the historic charm of Old Montreal and the scenic beauty of Vancouver's coastline, each city in Canada has its own distinct character and appeal. Whether you're drawn to the ancient wonders of China or the modern urban centers of Canada, these cities promise unforgettable experiences for travelers seeking cultural immersion, historical exploration, and natural wonders. Understanding what makes these cities unique enhances the journey, whether you're planning a visit to explore China's ancient heritage or Canada's dynamic urban landscapes.

Here are some well-known Chinese cities to visit.

1. Famous monuments in Beijing: The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square are just a few of Beijing's famous monuments. Beijing is the capital of China. A glimpse of China's rich cultural heritage and imperial past can be found at these historic places.

Cultural Heritage: Old temples like the Temple of Heaven, contemporary architectural marvels like the Bird's Nest Stadium, and traditional hutongs (narrow lanes) are all open for exploration by tourists. Beijing also organizes cultural events, such as traditional Chinese festivals and opera performances.

Culinary Delights: With its renowned Peking duck, street food vendors, and vibrant night markets like Wangfujing Snack Street, Beijing is a food lover's dream come true. The city's rich history and diversified cultural landscape are reflected in its gastronomic scene.

2. Shanghai Modern Metropolis: With its futuristic cityscape dominated by buildings like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower, Shanghai is both China's financial hub and a showcase of modernity. The shoreline at Bund provides breathtaking metropolitan views.

Historical Charm: Shanghai maintains historic districts like the French Concession and classic gardens like Yu Garden despite its modernization. The city's theaters, museums, and art galleries combine modern and historical elements.

Shopping and Entertainment: Shanghai is an ideal destination for shoppers, offering a plethora of upscale boutiques on Nanjing Road, hip stores in Xintiandi, and distinctive items in local markets like Tianzifang. Traditional tea houses and rooftop bars are part of the city's lively nightlife.

3. Xi'an Ancient Capital: Known for the Terracotta Army, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Xi'an is one of China's oldest towns and was the seat of numerous dynasties. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the historic city walls are open for exploration.

Cultural Riches: With its bustling food markets, Muslim Quarter, and traditional crafts, Xi'an provides a window into China's rich cultural past. Exhibiting items spanning millennia of Chinese history is the Shaanxi History Museum.

Gateway to the Silk Road: Xi'an's advantageous location serves as a starting point for investigating the historical significance of the Silk Road. The city's vibrant marketplaces and regional cuisine provide a window into its historical significance as a center of trade and culture.

4. Chengdu: Chengdu is well-known for its Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, where tourists can witness pandas in their native environment, contributing to panda conservation. The city is a great choice for animal enthusiasts because of its dedication to panda conservation and study.

Sichuan Cuisine: Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, is well-known for its fiery delicacies, like mapo tofu and hotpot. Authentic cuisines and cultural experiences may be found in the city's food scene, which includes street sellers and traditional teahouses.

Calm Lifestyle: Jinli Ancient Street's lively nightlife, teahouse culture, and traditional Sichuan opera performances all contribute to Chengdu's well-known carefree attitude. People's Park and other parks offer peaceful havens in the middle of the city's bustle.

5. Guilin's Natural Beauty: Guilin is well-known for its stunning karst scenery, which includes limestone mountains, crooked rivers like the Li River, and historic rice fields. Photographers and nature lovers are drawn to the landscape, which has been captured in Chinese art and poetry.

River Cruises: Taking a river boat along the Li River, which passes past picturesque locations like Yangshuo and its karst peaks, is a well-liked method to take in Guilin's natural beauty. Yangshuo provides hiking and cycling opportunities amidst breathtaking natural landscapes.

Cultural Heritage: The traditional rituals, handicrafts, and ancient villages such as Daxu are evidence of Guilin's cultural heritage. Tourists can take part in folk art activities, visit local markets, and see live cultural performances that highlight Guilin's many customs.

 Conclusion

In conclusion, exploring well-known Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Guilin offers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences and natural beauty. From the ancient wonders of the Great Wall and Terracotta Army to the modern skyline of Shanghai, each city showcases China's diverse heritage and vibrant spirit. Planning a China tour allows visitors to immerse themselves in centuries-old traditions, bustling markets, and breathtaking landscapes, creating memories that last a lifetime. Similarly, Canada's most populated cities Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Quebec City blend urban sophistication with natural wonders. Whether marveling at the CN Tower in Toronto, exploring the historic streets of Old Montreal, or enjoying outdoor activities in Vancouver, each city offers a unique perspective on Canadian life and culture. Planning a visit to these cities provides opportunities to experience multiculturalism, vibrant arts scenes, and friendly hospitality. Whether your travel interests lie in exploring ancient civilizations or discovering modern metropolises, both China and Canada promise diverse and enriching experiences. A journey through these well-known cities unveils the best of cultural heritage, urban dynamism, and natural beauty, making them top destinations for travelers seeking adventure and discovery.

[brookston]

Holidays 10.31

Holidays

All Souls’ Day (Ecuador)

American Indian Day (Tennessee)

Bitcoin Day

Cavalry Day (India)

Crillo Music Day (Peru)

Dark Matter Day

Day of Local Songs (Peru)

Day of the 7 Billion

Día de la Canción Criolla (Peru)

Girl Scout Founder’s Day

International Black Sea Action Day

John Candy Day (Toronto, Canada)

King Father’s Day (Cambodia)

Martyr’s Day (Burkina Faso)

Medusa Day

Mount Rushmore Day

National Bug Busting Day (UK)

National Evangelism Day

National Prince Day

National Unity Day (India)

Non-Working Day (Russia)

Pal-O-Ween (from “Kevin Can F**k Himself”) [Every 31st]

Phi Day

Plough Tree Day (French Republic)

Rabbit Rabbit Day [Last Day of Every Month]

Reformation Day (Chile; Germany; Slovenia)

Saci Day (Brazil)

Senior Absurdity Day (Bronx, NY)

Spider-Girl Day

Trixie Day

World Cities Day (UN)

World Savings Day

World Thrift Day (India)

Youth Honor Day (Iowa)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Billy Beer Day (Plains, Georgia)

Brewtopia (NYC)

International Day of Rice

Japanese Tea Day (Japan)

National Caramel Apple Day

National Keg Day

The United Nations of Beer (New York)

Independence & Related Days

Edan (Declared; 1999) [unrecognized]

Nevada Statehood Day (#36; 1864)

Wellington (Declared; 2009) [unrecognized]

New Year’s Days

Old Celtic New Year’s Eve

5th & Last Thursday in October

International Carignan Day [Last Thursday]

Punkie Night (Somerset, England) [Last Thursday]

Thirsty Thursday [Every Thursday]

Three-Bean Thursday [Last Thursday of Each Month]

Three for Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thrift Store Thursday [Every Thursday]

Throw Away Thursday [Last Thursday of Each Month]

Throwback Thursday [Every Thursday]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 31 (Last Week of October)

None Known

Festivals Beginning October 31, 2024

The Big Sur Food and Wine Festival (Big Sur, California) [thru 11.2]

A BOO-tiful Downtown Halloween (Los Altos, California)

Dragon of Shandon Parade (Cork, Ireland)

Halloween Trick or Treat! (Mystic, Connecticut)

Hillsborough County Fair (Dover, Florida) [thru 11.11]

JazzFest Berlin (Berlin, Germany) [thru 11.3]

Living History Farms Annual Farmstasia (Urbandale, Iowa)

MichiganFun' Convention (Port Huron, Michigan) [thru 11.2]

New York’s Village Halloween Parade (New York, New York)

Rakfisk Festival (Fagernes, Norway) [thru 11.2]

Ringneck Festival & Bird Dog Challenge (Huron, South Dakota) [thru 11.2]

Saga International Balloon Fiesta (Saga, Japan) [thru 11.4]

Thessaloniki International Film Festival (Thessaloniki, Greece) [thru 11.10]

Treat Street (Chico, California)

Feast Days

Abaidas (Coptic Church)

Alphonsus Rodriguez (Christian; Saint)

Ampliatus (Christian; Saint)

Begu (Christian; Saint)

Bob Crane Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Diwali Begins (Hindu, Jain, Sikh), a.k.a. ... 

Deepavali (Guyana, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka)

Deepawali (Sikkam, India)

Divali (Fiji, India, Kenya, Mauritius, Suriname)

Diwali Amavasya (India, Trinidad and Tobago)

Èugene Fromentin (Artology)

Festival of Lights (Celebrating the Indian god Laxmi)

Gai Tihar (Nepal)

Kag Puja (Day of the Crows)

Kag Tihar (Day of the Crows)

Kali Puja (Assam, Odisha, West Bengal; India)

Laxmi Pooja (Nepal)

Laxmi Puja (Sikkim, India)

Naraka Chaturdashi (Assam, Odisha, West Bengal; India)

Tihar Festival (Nepal)

Yam Panchak (Nepal)

Erc of Slane (in Cornwall; Christian; Saint)

Feast of Sekhmet Bast Ra (Ancient Egypt)

Felix the Chicken (Muppetism)

Festival of Inner Worlds

Foillan (in Namur; Christian; Saint)

Gerbil Caressing Day (Pastafarian)

Hallowe’en (also celebrated as ... 

Allantide (Cornwall, UK)

All Hallows Eve

All Saints’ Eve

Apple and Candle Night (Wales)

Beggar's Night

Beltaine [Southern Hemisphere; begins at sunset]

Books For Treats Day

Caramel Apple Day

Carve a Pumpkin Day

Chiang Kai-Shek Day (Taiwan)

Day of the Dead begins (Mexico) [until 11.2]

Dookie Apple Night (Newcastle, UK)

Duck Apple Night (Liverpool, UK)

Fright Night (Pastafarian)

Ghostwriter’s Day

Halloween

Hello-Wiener (Pastafarian)

Hop-tu-Naa (Isle of Man)

Increase Your Psychic Powers Day

National Doorbell Day

National Dress Like a Slut Day

National Keg Day

National Knock-Knock Joke Day

National Magic Day

National UNICEF Day

Night of a Thousand Screams (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Nut-Crack Night (UK)

Out of the Broom Closet Day

Saci Day (Brazil)

Samhain [Northern Hemisphere; begins at sunset]

Samhain Eve (Celtic, Pagan) [7 of 8 Festivals of the Natural Year]

Scare a Friend Day

Sneak Some of the Candy Before the Kids Start Knocking Day

Thump-the-Door Night (Isle of Man)

Trick or Treat Night

Hello-Wiener (Pastafarian)

Hokusai (Artology)

Isis/Osiris Mysteries IV (Pagan)

Johannes Vermeer (Artology)

John Keats (Writerism)

Kant (Positivist; Saint)

Makoshe’s Holiday (Asatru/Pagan Slavic celebration of Mother Earth)

Marie Laurencin (Artology)

Martin Luther (Anglican Communion)

Meindert Hobbema (Artology)

Neal Stephenson (Writerism)

Old Celtic New Year’s Eve

Paul du Toit (Artology)

Paul Shinji Sasaki and Philip Lindel Tsen (Episcopal Church)

Reformation Day (Germany, Slovenia, Lutheran Church)

Quentin (Christian; Saint)

Susan Orlean (Writerism)

Theodore Romzha, Blessed (Ruthenian Catholic Church)

Vetmaetr (Norse beginning of winter, start of Odin leading the Wild Hunt)

Wolfgang of Regensburg (Christian; Saint) [Germany]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it’s Xt'Tapalatakettle's Day.)

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [51 of 57]

Premieres

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle (Novel; 1892)

All Wet (Ub Iwerks Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Disney Cartoon; 1927)

Ash vs. Evil Dead (Film; 2015)

Bohemian Rhapsody, by Queen (Song; 1975)

The Boys of Summer, by Roger Kahn (Baseball Memoir; 1972)

Catty Cornered (WB MM Cartoon; 1953)

The Country Cousin (Silly Symphony Disney Cartoon; 1936)

Explosive Situation or Don’t Make It Worse — It’s Badenov (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 121; 1961)

Foul Hunting (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Girls! Girls! Girls! (Film; 1960) [Elvis Presley #11]

I Only Have Eyes For You, recorded by The Flamingos (Song; 1958)

Kitty from Kansas City (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1931)

Like a Virgin, by Madonna (Song; 1984)

Livin’ on a Prayer, by Bon Jovi (Song; 1986)

A Modest Proposal, by Jonathan Swift (Essay; 1726)

Ninety-Five Theses, by Martin Luther (Pamphlet; 1517)

Period of Adjustment (Film; 1962)

The Red Sea Sharks, by Hergé (Graphic Novel; 1958) [Tintin #19]

The Secret Teachings of All Ages, by Manly P. Hall (Book; 1928)

Slap Happy Hunters (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

Somebody Stole My Gal, recorded by Count Basie (Song; 1930)

Spellbound (Film; 1945)

Star Dust, recorded by Hoagy Carmichael (Song; 1927)

Strategy, by B.H. Liddell Hart (Book; 1929)

Two Weeks Vacation (Disney Cartoon; 1952)

Unplugged MTV Show, recorded by Squeeze Live Show; 1989) [1st Unplugged Show]

The Walking Dead (TV Series; 2010)

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane (Film; 1962)

A Witch’s Tangled Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1959)

You’ve Got Me in Switches or Suture Self (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 122; 1961)

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (Film; 2008)

Zot, Parts 1 & 2 (Underdog Cartoon, S1, Eps. 9 & 10; 1964)

Today’s Name Days

Christoph, Quentin, Wolfgang (Austria)

Alfons, Volfgang, Vukmir (Croatia)

Štěpánka (Czech Republic)

Louise (Denmark)

Ardo, Ardu, Arti, Arto, Artur (Estonia)

Arto, Arttu, Artturi (Finland)

Quentin (France)

Melanie, Quentin, Wolfgang (Germany)

Ablia, Apellis, Aristovoulos, Narkisos, Stratoniki (Greece)

Farkas (Hungary)

Lucilla (Italy)

Rinalds, Smilga, Valts, Volfgangs (Latvia)

Alfonsas, Liucilė, Tanvilė (Lithuania)

Edit, Edna (Norway)

Alfons, Alfonsyna, Antoni, Antonina, August, Augusta, Godzimir, Godzisz, Lucylla, Łukasz, Saturnin, Saturnina, Urban, Wolfgang (Poland)

Amplie, Afelie, Aristobul, Narcis, Stahie, Urban (Romania)

Aurélia (Slovakia)

Alonso, Quintín (Spain)

Edgar, Edit (Sweden)

Maura, Moira (Ukraine)

Cruz, Flint, Flynn, Kruz, Trent, Trenton (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 305 of 2024; 61 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of Week 44 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Hagal (Hailstone) [Day 5 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 29 (Wu-Chen)

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

Hebrew: 29 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 27 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 5 Wood; Fryday [5 of 30]

Julian: 18 October 2024

Moon: 1%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 25 Descartes (11th Month) [Ferguson / Condercet]

Runic Half Month: Wyn (Joy) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 39 of 90)

Week: Last Week of October

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 8 of 30)

[instant-coffee-artist-collective]

Instant Coffee builds another NOOK for #unmanned art festival @Ooigawa, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Japan

The year was 2008 when Instant Coffee was invited to build a series of NOOKS as part of Medellin Art Festival, Medellin, Colombia (it was actually called something else but my memory fails me - it might have been called Antioquia Triennale). Originally nook was architectural facsimile of one of Instant Coffee members kitchen where many dinner parties, discussions and meetings took place. Seeing it as a place of lively interaction and focus as a corner of powerful space we wanted to re-enact or bring it to life elsewhere.

Since then many other iterations of NOOKS came into existence - becoming a place to screen videos, a concert, karaoke event and dinner parties, at Henry Art Gallery in Seattle; Mercer Union, Toronto; and Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver.

Here in Nukuri, Shimada City, Shizuoka - this tea growing agricultural region of middle of nowhere Japan - pristine and idyllic - contemporary art is used in different ways - in an effort to revitalize the area, Art Festival is created to boost tourism and traffic in the area adding much needed energy by bringing in artists to produce various works of art. This unmanned art festival is more than other run of the mill middle of nowhere countryside art festivals in that it uses all the unmanned train stations in the region and local volunteers and members do all the work themselves meaning the whole of area is involved in producing the work to installation and the actual celebration. <https://2024.unmanned.jp/>

Instant Coffee Nook at Nukuri is made out of recycled plywood originally used to support concrete while forming as we specifically wanted to use material that was unwanted and plentiful. This meant the recycled plywood needed to be cleaned of concrete debris and oil, before painting or other work can begin which took considerable amount of time.

Instant Coffee NUKURI NOOK with Emi Kodama, Sunny Lee and Aruma Oishi #unmannedartfestival #unmanned #nukuri #instantcoffeeartcollective #sunny #pinknoisepopup #shimada #shizuoka #artfestival

#unmanned #shimada #shizuoka

[msmunifystudyabroad]

Exploring Canada Together: Networking Tips for Each Province

Introduction

In the vast expanse of Canada, networking is more than just a professional strategy; it's a cultural and geographical necessity. Connecting across provinces opens doors to diverse opportunities, but the approach varies based on the unique characteristics of each region. This article explores effective networking tips tailored for every province, ensuring that you can navigate the Canadian networking landscape with finesse. Get ready with your maple syrup and poutine, as we're about to set off on a nationwide exploration of networking tips to assist you in your Overseas education!

The East Coast Charm: Atlantic Canada

Embrace the Kitchen Party

In the maritime provinces, networking often happens in a casual and friendly setting. Embrace the 'kitchen party' culture, attend local events, and engage in conversations over a cup of tea or during a ceilidh. Building relationships in this warm and welcoming atmosphere can open doors to various opportunities in Atlantic Canada.

Leverage Community Events

Atlantic Canada thrives on community gatherings. Attend local fairs, festivals, and sports events to connect with individuals who share common interests. This not only expands your professional network but also integrates you into the tight-knit communities of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

The Urban Jungle: Networking in Central Canada

Navigate Toronto's Business Hub

In Ontario, particularly Toronto, networking revolves around the bustling business landscape. Attend industry meet-ups, conferences, and workshops to establish connections in this economic powerhouse. The diverse population provides opportunities to network with professionals from various sectors.

Explore Montreal's Cultural Mix

Quebec's largest city, Montreal, is a melting pot of cultures. Networking here involves immersing yourself in the vibrant arts and culture scene. Attend art exhibitions, film festivals, and language exchange events to connect with the diverse and dynamic professionals residing in this cosmopolitan city.

The Prairie Prowess: Networking in Western Canada

Attend Networking Events in Calgary

Calgary, situated in Alberta, is a hub for the oil and gas industry. Attend industry-specific networking events and conferences to tap into the thriving energy sector. The city's welcoming business community ensures ample opportunities for forging valuable connections.

Embrace Outdoor Networking in British Columbia

In the picturesque province of British Columbia, networking often extends to outdoor activities. Participate in hiking groups, eco-friendly events, and outdoor sports to connect with like-minded professionals who appreciate the natural beauty surrounding them.

The Northern Resilience: Networking in the Territories

Connect at Local Indigenous Events

In the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut, networking involves engaging with the indigenous communities. Attend local events, cultural festivals, and workshops to build connections with the resilient and resourceful individuals who call these territories home.

Utilize Virtual Platforms in Remote Areas

Given the vastness of these territories, virtual networking becomes crucial. Leverage online platforms to connect with professionals in remote areas. Virtual meet-ups and webinars create a space for networking, and overcoming the geographical challenges of the northern territories.

Conclusion

Networking across study in Canada requires a nuanced approach that respects the unique characteristics of each province and territory. Whether you're enjoying a kitchen party in Atlantic Canada, navigating the urban jungle of Central Canada, embracing outdoor networking in the West, or connecting in the northern territories, adapting your strategy is key. By understanding the cultural nuances and business landscapes, you can successfully network across the diverse and expansive Canadian landscape.