#we actually had one day in november last year when it snowed so much that like school was cancelled & so on because

[httpiastri]

What part of Sweden are you from? Do you have a lot of snow? Can you see the northern lights? Do you have some pics? 🥰

i live in stockholm, the capital! it’s on the east coast, a bit more south than the middle of the country. i unfortunately haven’t seen any northern lights yet, they’re almost only visible in the far north, but we usually get snow in the winter! some years it’s very little, some years it’s a lot. very cozy 🤭🤭

i wasn’t sure if you meant pics of the country itself or of just snow but i just got out some of my snow pics shdjshsj

[born-to-lose-writing]

You Make It Feel Like Christmas

Pairing: old!Roger Daltrey x reader

Requested by anon

Summary: You spend the holiday season with Roger.

Tags: fluff, one sexual reference

Words: 1,321

A/N: Since I've been down bad for old man Roger lately, here's some Christmas fluff 💖

Tag list: @johnentwistlesbassguitar

These weren't your first holidays with Roger, but the first you spent with him entirely after you had only had a small personal celebration on the 23rd last year before spending actual Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with your families, respectively. To say the least, you were excited to experience the whole holiday magic as you now lived with him and had the chance to prepare for and celebrate Christmas with someone you loved like you had dreamed of.

However, Roger was a worthy opponent in the battle of who was more excited. Since mid-November, he had pointed out nearly daily how many days there were until Christmas. You adored how he was still looking forward to it this much while most people his age weren't too invested anymore and only saw the stressful side of the holidays. Despite having played Ebenezer Scrooge, he wasn't one at all.

It was almost like he was a child again, especially when you started decorating the house. He had plenty of decorations—many from the time when his daughters and sons were little—and he let you go through them all and choose this year’s theme. In case you found you needed more, he offered to buy some with you, but his selection was good enough and you only ended up getting a new table runner while you accompanied Roger buying presents for his kids and grandkids.

You had met them all separately before during your time with Roger, but this year, you were going to be together with his whole family for the first time as they were coming over for Christmas Day. You were a little anxious, even though there was no real reason to be, yet you also couldn't wait to see them all again, not least because Roger was happy whenever they visited him.

First, you decorated outside the house, but it was inside where you got to be more creative, putting up fairy lights, candle arches, paper stars, bows, snow globes, nutcrackers, porcelain figures and whatever else you found in his collection. You regularly asked Roger if he thought it was too kitschy, but he just watched you adoringly, handing you more decorations with sparkling eyes and saying he got to decorate every year, so you were welcome to do whatever you wanted.

Obviously, you let him help you decide where to put the items you had picked. That way, it was more fun for both of you and to reward yourselves afterwards, he made some eggnog and you cosied up to the fireplace in the living room together.

“We should get matching socks, shouldn't we?” you suggested, rubbing your leg against his.

“I wasn't going to reveal it until Christmas Eve, but I got us two pairs,” he said after a short pause. “It's not the only thing I have for you, so if you want, we can wear them earlier than that.”

“You really think of everything, don't you? It’s up to you, I don't mind only getting them for Christmas either,” you shrugged.

Roger put his mug down and wrapped both arms around you. Suddenly, you started giggling. “What is it?” he asked, smiling because you sounded like you were up to something.

“I also got matching outfits for us, but you'll definitely only see them in three weeks.”

“That’s okay, I like surprises,” he laughed, interlocking his fingers with yours. He did like surprises, but he was curious what your matching outfits would be; he had a feeling it would either be ugly Christmas sweaters or those silly costumes you could get at department stores.

Besides decorating and other projects Roger had to keep busy and liked to involve you in, you took walks on most days and when it snowed, it was even better. There wasn't enough to build a snowman or make snow angels, but it was nice to just watch the snowflakes fall and realise that Christmas was coming closer.

Of course, you also baked at least twice a week and always together. Roger's recipes were the best and it was no wonder the cookies, cupcakes and cakes you made were gone within two days.

You put down the tray of cookies and turned around to get a plate from the cupboard, but bumped into Roger, who was puckering his lips. “Give me a kiss!”

“Again?” you asked, surprised. He had just kissed you before turning off the oven when the timer rang.

“Didn't you see the mistletoe?” He grinned and nodded up at the mistletoe dangling from the ceiling above you.

You wondered where he even picked as much mistletoe as he hung up all over the house, insisting it's tradition every time you were standing underneath one. However, you were not complaining at all. You would kiss him all day if you could and he was committed to getting as close to kissing you all day as possible. His smile each time you leaned in to give into his gentle demands was the cutest thing.

You chuckled, putting your arms around his middle and pointing out, “You put them up everywhere, and I know you have one behind your back.”

Roger moved his face towards yours and closed his eyes, mumbling, “Mhm, that's for special kisses.”

Then he raised his occupied hand above your heads and eagerly kissed you—deeper than your usual chaste and sweet mistletoe kisses. In the heat of the moment, he pressed you against the edge of the counter, but he soon pulled away and reached up to open the cupboard, handing you the plate you had almost forgotten about by now.

“Thank you,” you said, still playing with the curls at the back of his head and pecking his lips before he stepped aside to let you get back to what you had been doing.

Finally, the day to see your promised matching outfits came. You had wrapped them in pretty paper and gave Roger his, leaving the room to get dressed yourself. Watching each other change was no issue at all, but you found it would make for a more dramatic reveal if you did that separately. Your costume probably looked more stupid than his, but you liked wearing it for a laugh.

You heard footsteps getting louder from the doorway of the living room and before you stood Roger dressed up as Santa Claus, wearing his classic wide smile. As you looked him up and down with a grin, he put his hands on his stomach and laughed exaggeratedly. Due to the way his normal laugh often sounded like a jolly elf, your costume may have been fitting for him too. Perhaps next year. However, he looked better in this outfit than you had expected. A little silly, but it suited him and he seemed to be having fun with it.

“Father Christmas? More like Daddy Christmas,” you purred teasingly, walking up to him and placing the matching hat on his head.

He put his hands on his hips and looked over the edge of his glasses. “Don't make me add you to the naughty list.”

“Oh come on, I’m only guilty of innocence,” you said, batting your eyelashes at him. God knows he had been naughtier than you, though much less now than back in the day, which you appreciated in certain aspects.

Roger sat in the armchair next to him and you immediately took a seat on his lap, wrapping your arms around his neck. He gently put a hand on your thigh to keep you in place and smiled, stroking it with his thumb. Then he straightened up and asked like a mall Santa, but with genuineness in his tone, “What's your wish, darling?”

You stayed silent for a moment, getting lost in his blue eyes. “I have everything I could wish for,” you replied, gently pulling down his fake beard and cupping his cheeks as you leaned in to kiss him.

[faneliansficaloh]

A Lifetime of Happiness

(Chapter 1) (Chapter 2) (Chapter 3) (Chapter 4)

This is Chapter 5

----------

11 November, 1817

Dear Penelope,

It is so odd to have such warm rain in the middle of November, I find myself missing the cold, even though the warmth is much easier on my fingers as I write all day every day now, as I have for the last two years. The letter writing has increased for obvious reasons.

I know my first letters might just be arriving to their destinations about now, but I haven’t been able to wait for the responses to some of them. I am compelled to write as I think, I write letters or in my journal, when I am not working on documents and translations for work. I do not mind it, but I have developed a little dent on my index finger and what seems to be permanent stains on my finger tips. Mother would be appalled, for along with the way the sun has darkened my complexion, I must not convey a very aristocratic figure at all, if I ever did.

I swear even the sound of the rain is different here. Even when it’s pouring in full force, it still sounds softer than English rain. It is very peaceful. It makes me think I could fall asleep outside without minding it at all, as if the drops would fall gently like soft caresses, like the fingers of a beloved person running through the features of a darling face.

Has it started snowing yet? I do not believe it ever does here.

Yours, Colin.

1814 – New Acquaintances

The Featherington dinning room was perhaps the less affected by Lady Featherington’s tastes. It was a rather sober room in comparison to the rest of the house with its citrus coloured walls. It was almost tasteful, although a little on the lived-in side, which might betray that it had indeed not gone through a renovation at the hand of the current Lady of the house.

“Mrs. Bridgerton, will you and Mr. Bridgerton be travelling to Aubrey Hall earlier with the rest of the family or are you planning to arrive with the rest of the guests for the main event?”

“We will be travelling earlier, with the rest of the Bridgertons, Lord Featherington”

“Ah, what a wonderful opportunity to get better acquainted with your new family”, Lady Featherington interjected.

It was no secret that the new Mrs. Bridgerton did not spend much time at Bridgerton House, even though it had nearly been a year since the marriage took place. Marina had simply not shown much interest, she had become very reserved and kept mostly to her home and the occasional dinner at the Featherington house, making extremely short appearances at social events. Portia assumed at first that she was simply very dedicated to her babies, but there was something in her air that did not sit well with her. She did feel sympathy for her, of course, but there was nothing to be done if the marriage had not turned out a happy one. Besides, there was no use having such a connection if it was this feeble, Portia thought, so she was glad there was an opportunity to strengthen it and maybe even lift the girl’s spirits.

She did not think that their situations might be exactly the same, for Mr. Bridgerton did not seem to be a cruel man as her late husband had been, no. Mr. Bridgerton had indeed endured the situation with much more kindness than Portia had ever expected from a man, but in her own experience, when there was no love to be found in one’s marriage, one could always pour themselves into their children and find diversion in society. The one thing they could do was to secure the best opportunities for their children, make sure they had all the possible advantages, so that their futures would be brighter than their own and here Marina, unlike her, had the advantage of not having to actively work against her husband to achieve it.

“Indeed, it is a good opportunity. But I must confess I find it a bit daunting, and was actually intending to ask if you would do me the favour to allow Penelope to travel with us, if she’d agree, of course. It would mean a lot to me to have her support and I know how dear she is to Eloise and the rest of the family so her presence would be invaluable to me”

“I wouldn’t want to impose on the Viscount and Lady Bridgerton, have you talked to them about this?” Penelope couldn’t think of a single other reason why she wouldn’t accept without making it obvious she just didn’t cherish the prospect of enduring the trip in such close quarters with the couple. Besides she still felt guilty for not having told Lady Bridgerton about Marina much earlier. Maybe Anthony would oppose her coming, since Penelope knew the true purpose of the advance trip and she imagined he might not be pleased by the increase in attendance once the Sharmas’ party joined them.

“Colin will ask Violet, won’t you?” Marina turned to her husband, to ask.

“I will, but it almost seems unnecessary. My mother adores Penelope, she will be happy to have her, she is always welcome”

Marina might not have known the family as long or as well as Penelope had, but she had this one thing right. If Colin asked Anthony directly, there was a chance for denial, but if he went through his mother, it was as well as a done thing. Colin had a way of getting whatever he wanted from Violet and well, she had just been deluding herself earlier if she thought Anthony would deny his mother a fairly simple request like this.

“Seems I should start packing, then” She said with a tight smile.

“Wonderful!” Marina’s smile seemed genuine, so Penelope felt a little hopeful it would be a good thing after all. “I’m looking forward to it. I miss the country so much.”

“It is settled then” Lady Featherington said cheerfully.

“I look forward to joining you later and making your family’s acquaintance, Mr. Bridgerton” Lord Featherington raised his glass and Colin followed suit.

***

The advance party had barely set foot at Aubrey Hall when Benedict was notified that he had a visitor and so he went into the study without any idea why this man would be calling on him.

“Good afternoon” Benedict greeted the man that had come to Aubrey Hall asking to see him. He did not know this man “Sir Phillip Crane, is it? I do not believe we have met. Benedict Bridgerton”

“Oh” Sir Phillip then produced a wrinkled piece of paper, a letter, from the pocket on his waistcoat. He opened it and looked for a detail on it. “Forgive me, Mr. Bridgerton, I was hoping I could talk to Mr. ColinBridgerton. I’ve been corresponding with him on a rather important… business, so as I learned your family was coming to the country, I thought to seize the opportunity to have the conversation in person”

“Ah, I see. Please have a seat” He motioned to the footman who immediately went out to look for the aforementioned Mr. Colin Bridgerton “Is your home nearby?”

“Yes, Romney Hall. I much rather the country. I am seldom to be found in London, avoid going there as much as possible, so you see this was a perfect opportunity for me as it is but a short ride away” He was fidgeting with the letter in his hand, which he had promptly re-folded many times into a tiny square.

“You rode here?” Benedict looked at the window. It was a grey, cloudy afternoon with every indication that a storm might fall at any moment.

“I did” And as Sir Phillip followed Benedict’s line of sight he became embarrassed “I believe I might have overestimated the speed of my steed and underestimated that of the clouds”

Colin entered the study a moment after

“Good afternoon. Did you call for me?” Benedict nodded and indicated towards Phillip.

“You have a guest”

“Sir Phillip Crane, at your service”

“Well, I will leave you to discuss your business in private” Benedict left the room.

“Please” Colin motioned to the other man to get back to his seat and took one opposite him.

“I’ve come in the hopes I can persuade you to reconsider the matter we’ve been corresponding about. I do understand and appreciate you taking care of the children as if they were your own--” He paused as he saw Colin get affronted by his choice of words “All I mean is, they deserve – My brother wanted them to have the Crane inheritance that is rightfully theirs. I cannot in good conscience ignore this.”

“That is very honourable of you but --”

“Please. I must do this. You have many siblings, brothers and sisters? George was my only brother, and he always supported me when others wouldn’t. I couldn’t-- I won’t – I just rather their legal guardians are aware that arrangements have been made for their future. I unfortunately cannot pass on the title to the boy, as you understand.”

“Do you not intend to marry, have your own children?” Colin felt he needed to protest, as it seemed that once more decisions were being made on his behalf and he was just being informed. At what point in life had he lost agency over his destiny so completely?

“Adjustments will be made, proportionally as necessary, if such a thing were to happen, but it won’t be any time soon, I can assure you. There is just one thing. I just-- I would like to meet them” He didn’t know this man, but so far he had come through in his letters as a proud individual, so he was prepared to fight a refusal.

Colin could see the hope on this man’s eyes. And he thought how terrible it would be if they were to lose Daphne and then be denied to see Augie again and the thought made him shudder. It was also rare to have a gentleman so concerned with the well-being of children that were on all accounts, not his burden. He would have to deal with Marina later, as he was sure she would not be happy at this.

“Very well” he nodded and rang the bell, instructing the footman as he entered the room “Please ask miss Carrigan to bring the children to the drawing room, and have tea and some sandwiches sent there as well for Sir Phillip and myself.” He stood up and motioned for Phillip to follow him. “No time like the present”

The drawing room was full of people, as it turned out.

Hyacinth and Gregory were playing chess by the window and Eloise was reading a book in a sofa, next to Benedict, who was talking with Anthony. Lady Bridgerton and Francesca were working on some embroidery in the opposite sofa. Marina he knew was in their room with Penelope.

“I suddenly realize why it isn’t a good idea to show up unannounced” Phillip said a little embarrassed.

Lady Bridgerton stood up as she noticed they had an unexpected visitor.

“I take it business has gone well?” Benedict asked from his place standing near the chimney, with a smile as his eyes surveyed both men.

“It has. Mother, Anthony, allow me to introduce Sir Phillip Crane, our neighbour from Romney Hall”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance. Please take a seat, would you like some tea?” Violet gestured to the seat opposite Eloise, who made for a hasty retreat fearing one of her mother’s schemes and moved to inspect the game of chess closely, but her brother and sister had already stood up to acknowledge the unexpected guest.

A wave of curtsies and bows rose and fell through the room, as pleasantries were exchanged before he was finally seated, in the place where Eloise had been before fleeing. He shifted rather awkwardly, removing the book Eloise had left behind between the seat cushions. He seemed intrigued by the title and opened it, idly perusing the pages, waiting for the babies to be brought in, absent-mindedly ignoring the company. Eloise cringed at discovering her carelessness, but then she noticed he had apparently found something interesting as he had stopped turning pages and was actually reading. She found herself curious at what part could it have been.

“Sir Phillip, it seems you have arrived just in time to avoid the coming storm” Said Violet after too long a moment, to try and ease the awkward silence that had befallen the room. It had already started raining, but it was still a gentle rain. The more ominous clouds were still at a distance, but the wind had started picking up.

“It appears so” He said as he stopped his reading to look through the window behind him, while carefully marking his place with his index finger. “Hopefully it will pass soon before I am to make my way back home”

“I certainly hope so, too. If it doesn’t, We will gladly arrange for you to spend the night, we cannot have you on horseback in such weather.” Offered Anthony.

“Heavens! Not on horseback, no” Violet said with a gentle laugh.

“I don’t think the storm will pass soon” Eloise muttered.

The doors opened, Penelope was carrying Amanda while Miss Carrigan, the nurse, carried Oliver. Violet seemed to then fully understand what Sir Phillip was there for.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have so much work to do in preparation for our ball! Sir Phillip, I hope you will be able to join us this year, I believe you have gotten your invitation already?”

“Ah, yes, Th-- thank you” He said, rather surprised and evidently not knowing the appropriate way to respond. Violet had indeed made sure an invitation was sent to Sir Phillip, as even though the Cranes had rarely-if ever- attended any such events, it was the neighbourly thing to do, especially because he was now on all the lists of eligible bachelors in the county.

“If you’ll excuse me I have to… go” Benedict said, unable to come up with an acceptable excuse and completely giving up on pretending to have one.

“Wait for me” said Eloise who made a stop in front of Phillip “May I please have my book, sir”

“Oh, Of course!” He said with a little embarrassment, as evidently he had forgotten that the book was in his hand, with his finger still keeping his place.

“Thank you” She said, curtsied and quickly caught up with Benedict at the door, exchanging a puzzled glance with Penelope as she passed by her. “I’ll tell you later” Penelope muttered, as she shifted Amanda on her arms.

Benedict then summoned the youngest siblings “Gregory, Hyacinth, come with us, we’ll play cards in the game room” Both children exchanged glances and reluctantly followed their older brother and sister. “Anthony, you’re welcome to join us, if you are not too busy”

“As a matter of fact I have business to attend to, if you’ll excuse me, Sir Phillip.” Anthony left the room at a brisk pace.

Colin finally said, after patiently waiting for everyone to make their graceful exits “Alright. Miss Carrigan, could you please give us a moment”

The nurse exchanged a quick glance with Penelope as she knew it would now be up to her to handle both children.

“It’s alright” Penelope assured her and miss Carrigan was out the door after having set up a blanket and toys and gently placing Oliver on it.

“This little lady” Said Collin as he took the girl from Penelope’s arms “is Amanda”. His face was immediately softened, it made Phillip wonder if it truly was the same man he had been talking to earlier in that study downstairs.

“And the lady?” Judging by her dress and how she had not been dismissed with the other, the woman that had been holding the girl was clearly not a servant.

“Oh, Pen, I’m terribly sorry! Sir Phillip, this is Miss Penelope Featherington”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance” She said and upon seeing Sir Phillip sporting a mildly confused semblance she added “Mrs. Bridgerton sends her apologies, she won’t be able to join us”

“Miss Penelope is Marina’s cousin” Colin then went down on one knee to gently place Amanda down beside his brother “And this little fellow is Oliver”

“May I?” Phillip asked hesitantly.

“Of course” Colin said the words but he was rather unsure that this man would know how to properly handle a baby.

“Hi Oliver!” Phillip sat on the floor and greeted the child, who made babbling noises at the mention of his name “I’m your uncle Phillip!” His voice was very soft and there was some pain in it as his eyes filled with tears as he recognized his brother in his children’s faces. “Hi Amanda!” he seemed enthralled for a long moment, and then he looked up at Colin who was sitting on the chair opposite. “Thank you!”

Penelope smiled at Colin approvingly and it made him feel he had finally done the right thing. None of them had really noticed how dark the day had turned, until they were snapped to attention by rumbling thunder and the crack of a tree branch fighting the wind.

“You’ll have to join us for dinner” said Colin.

“If it is not too much of an imposition”

“Not at all. Pen, would you mind?”

“I will take care of it” Penelope then left the drawing room. She intercepted a maid that was walking down the corridor and asked her to let Lady Bridgerton know that Sir Phillip would be staying for dinner and then returned to Marina’s room.

“Marina?” She asked, before entering the room

“Has that man left yet?” was her answer.

“No. He will be staying for dinner, actually, because of the storm”

“I cannot believe this.” Marina was clearly exasperated.

“Marina, what is the matter? He seems perfectly agreeable and for all we know he just wants to know his brother’s children. Is that so terrible?”

“I do not trust him, Penelope. I never met him because he was always off somewhere while George had to take the blunt of his father’s temper. His father was an awful man, If Sir Phillip is anything at all like their father, I want him nothing to do with my children”

“But isn’t that more reason to try to asses him in person?”

“Absolutely not. I do not have any reason to bend to the will of that man at all. If it were for me he would have been sent away immediately, but Colin is just so easily persuaded” Penelope highly resented her tone.

“I do not think either of them is being unreasonable, Marina. Will you be joining us for dinner or not?”

“Will you stay here with me, please?” She pleaded.

“I’m sorry, but I will not. You may stay here if you wish, I will ask for a tray to be sent up, but I fully intend to join our hosts at the dinner table”

“I see” Marina was clearly displeased with her answer, but Penelope was not about to, as she had put it ‘bend’ to her will, as she thought she was being unreasonable. If she had an objection to Sir Phillip’s character, she would make sure to make the most of the time they had together to make an assessment.

“If you’ll excuse me” She responded curtly, and left Marina alone.

Colin approached her outside the room, after the children had been returned to the nursery and Sir Phillip escorted to the game room by a footman. “Did you tell Marina about dinner?”

“I did. She refuses to accompany us, I will ask for a tray to be brought up to her” She started walking and he followed her, going downstairs.

“Thank you, Pen. I really do not understand what her objection is.” He seemed to be worn off by the topic “I’ve given this a great deal of thought and I do not see an outcome that is not beneficial for the children, as much as it hurts my own pride.”

“I believe he has a right to know his brother’s children, it seems fair and not at all unreasonable. But Marina seems to have some concerns about his character, based on undesirable traits from his father. She admits to never have met Sir Phillip himself, though, so I do not see any reason why he shouldn’t be allowed to meet the children while supervised.”

“And I think the fact that he is setting aside some assurances for their future should be something to be grateful for, but I have not been able to convince her otherwise. They do have the full support of the Bridgerton name, of course, but I am merely a third son, after all.”

“Assurances? I thought he was here just to meet the children.” She seemed surprised and he reflected that he had not told her about the letter and the details of Sir Phillip’s request. They had in fact not talked in a while, but it had seemed natural to him to assume that she knew everything.

They stopped at the end of the stairs “No, he came here to inform us that he will be setting aside part of the Crane inheritance for them. He seems genuinely regretful that he cannot pass on the title to Oliver. Marina had tried to refuse this offer but he said he would do it, regardless of our opinions, out of respect for the memory of his brother and his last wishes”

It seemed like a very generous offer, to her. “Well, let us take the opportunity to make more of his character, then.”

They both nodded in agreement and went to join the visitor and his siblings.

***

“You must excuse me, Miss Featherington for any ill-manners that might come across, I am not accustomed to high society dinners and events” Sir Phillip privately warned Penelope as they were seated, which she found extremely unusual but his delivery made it endearing.

She responded in the same private manner “Do not worry, sir Phillip, the Bridgertons are not very concerned with etiquette on these small family gatherings. As you can see we are to be joined by the children, which is altogether unusual”

“I see you are very close with the Bridgertons, Miss Featherington” He said, more openly as to invite conversation.

She shyly responded “We are close neighbours in Mayfair, so our families have known each other for many years and I am very good friends with Miss Eloise.”

“We do consider you family, Penelope” Lady Bridgerton said with a warm smile, which Penelope returned with great relief. Violet had already talked to her about the discussion they had when she told them about the elopement. That night Violet had been understandably harsh with her but had later apologized. This was the first time, however, that Penelope felt she had been truly forgiven for her part of the mess.

“Indeed, but I think of you more like an annoying little sister” Eloise responded “But with the advantage of always having the best book recommendations for me, unlike some other siblings of mine.” She directed a mocking face towards Hyacinth and Francesca, both of whom made unladylike faces at her in response.

“I take that as a very high compliment, Eloise” Penelope smiled, appreciatively.

“It was your book, the Conversations d'Emilie.” Sir Phillip said looking at Eloise, but then quickly turned to Penelope “Was that your recommendation, Miss Featherington?” For some reason he seemed to feel more at ease talking to her.

“No, not at all. I’m afraid Eloise has more elevated intellectual pursuits than I do”

“Oh, well, it reminded me of something else I had read, but I am sure the author was English, not French”

“So, not Rousseau, then?” Said Eloise, with the air of one setting up a trap.

“Though I didn’t get to read much, your book seemed to be a sort of response to his Emile, but I might have formed an entirely wrong idea, forgive me.”

“Have you read Wollstonecraft?” She said with a suspecting glance.

“Oh, yes, I believe that is what I’m thinking of. Mrs. Gardiner gifted me that when I visited her school at Elsham Hall. They have a most extensive library, for the benefit of the young ladies attending. Miss Featherington, I could send you my copy if you’re interested in reading it”

“Would you give up such a gift?” Penelope said, surprised. She could not think of parting with a book if it was not for the benefit of a very good friend and she had known this man for no more than a couple of hours, at most.

Colin felt Penelope made a very good point. What was this man attempting, talking about giving a gift to a lady he had just met?

“I believe such works are not meant to be collected, but shared with as many people as would be interested in them. I would not part with my Flora Graeca, though.” Sir Phillip smiled, thinking of one of his most beloved volumes.

“Are you a naturalist?” Eloise said, assuming this was the case from his mention of flora greca.

“Indeed I am! Cambridge trained botanist. I carry my own experiments at Romney Hall” He seemed to be rather proud of both these facts and smiled as he looked around the table.

“How interesting! --” And before Penelope could form a question to continue the conversation in that vein, Colin interrupted with his own.

“Have you been to Greece then, Sir Phillip?” Colin had always wanted to visit and had read extensively about the Country, but had not had a chance to venture there yet.

“I have not, unfortunately. I’ve always wanted to visit the olive orchards in Lesvos, they must be a wonder to behold” His face was even more animated now.

“I believe they are very ancient, are they not?” Colin was excited to be able to share some of the facts he had learned in his self-conducted studies, as the opportunities seldom presented themselves within his family, who thought him a bore whenever he tried to share a new fact he had found interesting.

“They have been there since the third century B.C.” He said this as if he were proud of the trees for such an accomplishment.

“Can they really be that old?” Eloise asked, genuinely curious.

“Well, Olive trees have adapted to resist threats that would normally destroy them. For example, they are shorter, so they are less prone to being struck by lightning or unrooted by high winds, and then they develop saplings from the same root, so even if the larger part of the tree suffers from some issue, it can continue living from the offspring”

“I knew there had to be an advantage to being short!” Penelope directed the jest to Eloise, but everyone chuckled.

“There must surely be others?” Benedict asked, teasingly. Colin directed a frown at him and he simply dismissed it.

“I will let you know if any come up” she responded and he bowed with a grin.

“You are so down to earth, Pen!” said Eloise, making her laugh.

“And yet I look up to you, El” This opened up the floodgates and everyone started laughing.

“Well, you can’t look down on anyone, Pen” Colin noted.

“I’ve gotta hand it to you, Penelope, because you probably cannot reach it” said Benedict

“Family, please. You’re all above this!” Said Anthony, hiding his laughter behind a soft fist. But they were all laughing, including Sir Phillip who had at first been very confused by the exchanges at the expense of Miss Featherington, but she seemed to be enjoying the light hearted abuse.

Lady Bridgerton was slightly embarrassed by the display but really she was simply too delighted that Eloise had actually engaged in conversation with a --very eligible – man. Although he seemed to be more at ease talking to Penelope, which could also be a very good match. She had never been so grateful for a raging storm to occur so close to a ball. They would have to deal with the state of the roads and clean up the grounds, but that would be a matter for tomorrow. For now they could let themselves enjoy the evening.

The storm had decreased in intensity, the heavy wind had ceased but the rain was still pouring relentlessly.

After dinner the children were sent up to bed, the ladies retired to the drawing room and the gentlemen stayed behind to have a drink. Colin excused himself as he needed to check on his family upstairs.

When he got into their room, he found Marina packing.

“What is this?” He said, alarmed

“I’m leaving and I’m taking my children with me!”

“You will not do such a thing! First of all there is a damn storm outside, it would be incredibly dangerous! Second of all you are being completely irrational!”

“You do not own me, and you certainly cannot make decisions on my children for me!” She was furious and He could not believe what he was hearing.

“I would never do anything to harm them, Marina, I love them!”

“But you are not their --!” She stopped just short. She had never seen Colin so angry before, it was frightful. He came towards her, towering above her, and grabbed her arm, seething.

“They have my name, do they not? Was that the only thing you wanted from me? To just give you my name and let you live on your own without having a say?” He let go and turned away from her, but looked back to say “We are supposed to be a family!”

“I told you I didn’t want anything to do with that man, and you still went and took my babies to him, and here he is, having dinner with your family! Even Penelope has chosen him over me. I will not let anyone take my children from me”

“Nobody is taking them from you! Were is this coming from?” Her reasoning escaped his comprehension completely. She seemed to be making up scenarios out of thin air. How could he fight her imagination?

She suddenly looked more afraid than angry “How can I trust you will not one day change your mind, if you haven’t even respected my decision on this?”

“Change my mind?” He was confused for a second.

“About me. About staying together” It seemed like an accusation.

“And you thought taking the children in the middle of a stormy night and throwing it in my face that I am not their father would prevent that?” She had no response. He knew she would not concede, she never did, never apologized for she thought anything she did for her children was the right thing. But she had stopped packing and was now sitting still. “It pains me that you do not trust me, but I am a man of my word. For what is worth, Sir Phillip only came to communicate us his plans, not to ask for any kind of approval or permission. And there was absolutely no harm in letting him see the children of his deceased brother, the closest family he has left, while Pen and I were in the room watching over them. Maybe if you share with me the reason of your hatred towards the man I could understand”

“I do not need a reason!” she bellowed.

“Well, I do! He seems honourable and decent and he has made no unreasonable requests.” He waited for a response and got nothing back. He felt drained “You will not leave this house without me, is that understood?” Again a maddening silence “Is that understood!” He raised his voice and Marina nodded this time, a little frightened again. He hated that, but he felt it necessary, given the circumstances. “Good. I will be downstairs. You should go to sleep, do not wait for me.”

He raced downstairs, unsure of where to go, he was still filled with unvented rage. He decided to go outside, even if it was raining, he needed to keep moving, it felt as if the ground may give beneath him and swallow him if he stayed in a single spot. He only made it out onto the terrace, as he found Benedict was there, sitting in peaceful contemplation. He went to lean on the baluster, looking out into the darkness.

“Do you want me to ask, or --” Colin turned his head to face him.

“What are you doing here?”

“They’re playing charades now, it got way too competitive”

“I would think you would enjoy that”

“Too much noise, I am already too anxious about the Academy. I rather enjoy the rain, now that it’s quieted down” He searched his younger brother’s face with concern. “What is it now?”

“Is our visitor still here?”

“He is. Mother wouldn’t let him go since she is so very concerned by his safety” Colin rolled his eyes “Admittedly, we don’t know the state of the terrain and it would be dangerous in the dark, but you know our dear mama is all too pleased with the turn of events”

“If she knew the trouble it has caused me she would not be so happy about it” Colin sounded listless.

“Oh?”

“I will not go into details but Marina has it now in her head that I will leave her and take the children from her” He rolled his eyes.

“Because of Sir Phillip?” That seemed like a very strange leap.

“She does not like the man.”

“I’ll say!” Benedict scoffed “So, will you?”

“Leave her? Of course not!”

Benedict had stood up to stand beside him “I mean, you appear miserable together, Colin. I understand it would be a very scandalous thing, but wouldn’t that be preferable to living like this forever?”

“Benedict, even if Marina doesn’t think so, I became their father the moment I held them in my arms. I would never leave them, and I will certainly not take them from her, nor do I wish to publicly humiliate Marina and send her to live in ignominy. We’ll have to figure out something else.” Benedict gave him a half hug and a kiss on the head.

“I’m coming in now, are you coming along?”

He shook his head “I need another moment”

“Very well”

Colin was left alone to wonder why did he feel he needed to try so damn hard. The woman hadn’t even tried to apologize to him once. She did what she had to for her babies, she would say, as if what she had to do hadn’t been a cruel thing against him, regardless of how necessary she thought it. And he still kept trying every approach possible to make the best of a life together, instead of doing the usual manly thing and leave. Not even divorce, just live his own, separate life, alone – maybe take up a mistress, if he could really want a woman who would accept that sort of sordid arrangement. Were those really the only options? There surely had to be something else to life.

The rain kept falling and he let the sound take over his mind, washing away his thoughts.

When he finally decided to go back inside, he was lured by the sound of laughter coming from the game room. He stood in the doorway, profoundly appreciative of his family. This was all he had wanted.

Sir Phillip was standing next to the fireplace talking to Anthony and Benedict. Colin could not make out what they were discussing, but he caught him glancing at the ladies’ table and he could swear, the man had blushed.

“Eloise, you’re clearly cheating!” Accused Francesca

“I am certainly not! You are such a sore loser, just like Anthony and Gregory” she said that last part loudly for all the room to hear.

“I beg your pardon?” Anthony tried to defend himself.

“Everybody knows it, Anthony. You hate losing! You’re the sorest loser to ever grace this earth” He scoffed.

“Eloise! You will have to excuse my children, Sir Phillip, they seem to have forgotten their manners today”

“I do not mind at all, Lady Bridgerton. Only a loving family could be so bold, it is refreshing and an honour to witness” Violet returned his smile, pleased with his response.

“You cannot be this good at cards, Eloise, it’s preternatural” complained Penelope, with a laugh

“Now, girls, let’s be more observant this next round and we shall see” Violet started shuffling the cards.

“Ah, I think you two are in cahoots!” Francesca accused again.

“How dare you accuse your own mother of such a thing!” Violet asked in a fake offended tone.

“Well, you will have to get to the bottom of this mystery of Eloise’s prowess with cards for me, I must go to bed now.” Penelope got up against the ladies’ protests.

“But we need four to keep playing, you’re just ruining it for everybody, Pen”

“I am sorry to put a damper on your winning streak, El, but I am too tired to be any good at it” But then she noticed Colin standing at the doorway and said with a bright smile “Maybe Colin can join you instead?”

“I must disappoint you, I am in no state for cards at present”

Penelope made her way to the door, which he was still blocking.

“I too, shall retire for the evening, if you’ll excuse me. Good night. Sir Phillip” He said with a nod and moved so Penelope could go through the door, following her.

Once they were at a safe distance, Penelope said “I may not be the best judge of character, but I could not find anything wrong with him this evening” They continued talking as they made their way upstairs.”I think you did well, letting him meet his brother’s children.”

“Thank you. I trust your judgement very much, Pen” He did seem exhausted as he said this.

“I’m not sure you should. I’ve been known to make some mistakes in the past, you know?” She still did not fully believe that he held no resentment against her for her part on Marina’s deception.

“Oh, I’m fully aware that you decided to be friends with Eloise. But she grows on people, so I don’t hold it against you” She laughed.

“Oh, thank you! It’s so very gracious of you to let my one transgression slide!”

He smiled softly “Be careful, though, you only get two more and then you will fall to Benedict’s rung”

“I shall do my best, then” They were both smiling broadly now.

“Good night, Pen”

“Good night Colin”

She couldn’t help but notice that he walked past his family’s rooms, clearly he was not going in there with Marina.

Chapter 6

[kylesvariouslistsandstuff]

Yes indeed, here we are, at the cusp of MOANA 2's opening weekend.

Gigantic $57m opening Wednesday take, a little below INSIDE OUT 2's $64m opening day take from this past summer. INCREDIBLES 2 ($71m) and LION KING Remake ($77m) still hold the top spots.

Has a curious A- CinemaScore, which WISH also had. Not terrible, but not particularly great for an animated family movie title. Could go either way now because of that. If my shift on Thursday was anything to go by, audiences dug it. Heard two ovations when doing my theater cleans, and some of the crowds seemingly enjoying it. May not go down like WISH did. We'll see. Reviews tended to be generally okay, with many noting that it definitely feels like a patch job of TV show episodes, as it was suspected by some to be.

Does it set a bad precedent for Disney? To just hastily turn something into what it was not meant to be at first, and then crunch the living heck out of the animators (if recent rumblings are to be believed, I mean c'mon they're likely true) at both studios after such a significant overhaul? In this era, MOANA 2 is the only project to have evolved from a halfway-finished Disney+ show. As far as I know, TIANA will remain a TV series. WDAS, to my knowledge, has no other Disney+ shows in the works. That whole rush from all of Disney's film divisions to churn out content-content-content for D+ has slowed to a crawl. ZOOTOPIA 2 was a movie from the word-go, so I don't know about that.

From my perspective, they had an original movie lined up for this fall, and I guess after how badly STRANGE WORLD and WISH went over (the latter, to my eyes, an also obviously rushed product to meet the Disney centennial)... And because they just had to have a new WDAS movie out for Thanksgiving 2024 (annual tradition at this point, only stopped once by COVID, as RAYA left Thanksgiving 2020 for March 2021), they hit the panic button and movie'd MOANA: THE SERIES into MOANA 2... That's my guess, and a lot of Jennifer Lee's stepping down from the studio CCO position was one of the big fallouts of that. A tell-all I'd love to hear. I think the smart thing would've been to take that SNOW WHITE thing and swap that with MOANA 2. It probably still would've been huge anyhow, and SNOW WHITE could've benefited from the holidays if it's a stinker. Maybe not. I know at the end of the day that that juicy opening day take and likely massive weekend gross matters *much more* to Disney in the end... Plus this will probably help make back what the previous two features lost... But I'm that uncool person who thinks of the people actually making these things. I think a spring 2025 debut would've given the filmmakers more time to sort things out. It all seemed very last minute, and that's not cool. Especially amidst the negotiations going on between the Animation Guild and the wider industry.

Also, we could've gotten a complete repeat of 2016, the year both the original MOANA and the original ZOOTOPIA came out... Just back to front this time, MOANA 2 as a March release, and ZOOTOPIA 2 as a November release. But, MOANA 2 will likely make its budget back by the end of next week or the week after. It'll chug to $600m very soon, it'll probably easily surpass the $640m+ take. Unless it's actually really bad, which it doesn't seem to be to most family audiences flocking to this film... So yeah, $600-800m in sight, maybe even a billion. They'll likely greenlight a third movie, as I hear the film itself explicitly sets one up?

Funny how in the WDAS realm, FROZEN and MOANA - two movies from this past decade - get a trilogy before FANTASIA gets a proper third film. FANTASIA almost got a third film, did you know that? FANTASIA 2006 would've contained THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL, ONE BY ONE, LORENZO, and DESTINO, but it ultimately did not happen. I feel FANTASIA 2023 would've been the proper way to celebrate Disney's centennial last year, not WISH. I'm sayin', they should make another FANTASIA, don't mind me over here wishing for another FANTASIA movie.

Anyways, big waves ahead for MOANA 2. I'll be curious to see how high this thing goes, pun sorta shamelessly intended.

[fonulyn]

so since I've now posted all of my @yearoftheotpevent fics, I figured I'd make one compilation post of them. here's my year of nivannedy!

January: good to be prepared

Leon gets stuck in a snow storm when his car breaks down, and a handsome stranger saves him from the roadside. Of course they hit it off, but only later they realize they actually do know of each other.

February: 'cause you know the love we have is always gonna be

Finally Piers and Leon get married, surrounded by their loved ones, in their very own home. It's been a long road, they've deserved their happy ending.

March: at the shore of the unknown

The end of the world comes quietly, almost secretly, despite them fighting it all these years. But even if the world is ending, Leon and Piers find each other, and their story is only beginning.

April: I crave therefore I am

Piers has been half in love with Leon for as long as he can remember, but no matter how much he's pining, he's not going to be the kind of a dick who tries to come between Leon's current relationship. Except that relationship is not exactly as real as he's been lead to believe.

May: as long as you'll have me

Leon gets infected on a mission, and although there is a known cure, the cure fucking sucks. At least, after Leon alarms him with a few incoherent texts, Piers is there to help him through the worst of it.

June: you're a dream

Piers has been dreaming of his soulmate ever since he was eleven years old, and not even the continuous stream of monsters can keep him from finding whoever that is. Of course, nothing in life can ever be that simple.

July: that heaven in your eyes

Piers and Leon have some honeymoon fun by the lake. It's exactly what they wanted.

August: light in the darkest place

Leon and Piers grew up together, and when at twenty-one they both got a job at the RPD they thought it was a giant stroke of luck. They had no idea their first day was going to be one hell of a long day.

September: all the tears and the fears and the lies and the cries of the past

Krauser kidnaps Leon on Wesker’s orders to use as bait. Things get messy.

October: before I even knew your name

Leon gets an accidental text sent into the wrong number and it ends up changing his life for the better. They might both suck at flirting, especially through text, but that doesn't matter when inexplicably they're still into each other.

November: right from the start

Leon gets some unexpected backup on his rogue mission in the Eastern Slav Republic. Later, he might just have to thank Chris for sending Piers in. Especially as he learns he and Piers work together well in more ways than one.

December: a merry little christmas (make the yuletide gay)

Piers and Leon and their first holidays as a married couple in their own home. Of course with a visit from the Redfields.

I am both incredibly content that I managed to write something for all of the months (even though two of these fics are still technically unfinished, for the Damnation au I haven't posted the last chapter and for the RE2 au I still need to write the rest of it) and really really happy with how they turned out :3

[alexin-wonderlust]

Day 2 - Japan Blog - 8 February 2024

Disneyland

I promise this blog wont be as lengthy but I really wanted to share my tips about hot to get in to Japan; today we are off to Disneyland. Let's get it off the bat, first thing, straight to the good stuff. Starting the day with a Squeeze Squeeze (my favourite Orange Juice, it is the most pulpiest juice ever, it's like biting into an orange) we started the commute to Disneyland. 

Now; I wanted to get there early -- I didnt think ropedrop was necessary but apparently it was. I missed out on the Space Mountain priority pass AND the Enchanted Tales with Belle priority pass (the one you have to pay for...) I was actually blown away. The amount of planning I did; and that still wasnt enough to anticipate the crowd that was the day we attended. I managed to sweet talk one of the lovely Cast Members at Space Mountain and she gave me a Switch Rider Pass, arigato -- so I could come back and use that at a later time (just like a fast pass). Ben didnt want one because he isnt a "ride guy". Fair enough, but SPACE MOUNTAIN IS AMAZING -- if you are a ride guy and want to try something awesome, please give it a go. You wont regret. 

After being sad and chucking a tantrum about not being able to go on the ONE RIDE I SO BADLY WANTED TO RIDE... I was satiated with a cute pink Mickey beanie and Ben got the matching glasses (because Valentines Day is next week!!) and then we went on to Toontown to see the bits of the park we missed last time. 

This is my sixth visit to Tokyo Disneyland and while there have been some changes -- It's so nice to see it back to "normal" since COVID. When we visited in November 22, there was so much magic missing and there still is; ahem -- single riders line, paper maps... just to name a few. But there are also some good changes and the merch is back to being fun and cute. I really enjoyed shopping at Disneyland a lot more this time than I did in 2022. 

(Bring back single riders lines and paper maps because I need it!)

Ben got to go on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride which I have been raving about for years (it was closed for refurb last time) and we even got to have a beer before hand -- Since when can you drink beer in Disneyland!? This is new and I like it! Also, seeing snow (albeit dirty piles, I dont care!!) in the park is SO GOOD -- I had fun doing a squish!

For dinner, we settled on the Queen of Hearts Banquet which -- of course, was mediocre at best. But, I mean. Its a counter meal, it is easy, fun and the theming is cute. Although my phone battery was starting to deplete and the charge bank I brought with me turned out to be a pile of trash. 

Here's a TIP! If you are going to be spending the day out and about -- PLEASE CONSIDER BRINGING A FULLY CHARGED BATTERY BANK.

If you cant, there are some options; but Disneyland struggled to meet our needs and here's why.

-The charge spots are in Japanese. No issue, except I need my phone to translate and that drains battery.

-You need an APP to hire a battery bank. This is also in japanese and you cant translate it.

-You have to scan the QR code 3 or 4 times which means people are hanging around in the area, which is ANNOYING because therye in the way and you're stressing out because of the next point...

-It doesnt accept any other payment method except CREDIT CARD. Not debit card, not paypal linked to a credit card, not apple pay. It has to be "enter your CREDIT card details" to make a payment.

This was very frustrating because by the time I had located the charge spot; tried about 3 times; downloaded the app, created an account, tried to link my debit card, paypal, etc... my battery is now on 2%. EEP! 

HOW TO FIX; I went to the HOME STORE next to the American Waffle Co near the Main Street and they sell battery packs for approximately 2900YEN. Which was about $30AUD. This thing was amazing. It had enough charge to fill both ben and my phone to at least 60% and get us through until back to the hotel. Thank you Disney! :)

I wanted to keep this short so I will just say the next things in dot point form:

-Minnies Funderland promo is super cute but the girls hogged the picture spots and there were massive line ups for the special foods all day.

-Got some super cute pictures at Golden Hour at the castle. 

-Ben got his sherrif pin for winning the Shooting Gallery and getting 10 shots in a row!

-Rides we went on were Space Mountain, Star Tours, Pirates of the Caribbean

-The electrical parade is amazing but its TOO COLD -- the fireworks were bloody pitiful. Sorry, but they suck.

Then we start the long trek through the crowd back to the hotel (this is why I prefer to stay onsite when I go to Disneyland... its just easier for a hotel thats not much more expensive...!)

On the way back we found a supermarket and I stocked up on some "healthier" options; like a banana and I organised myself a bath and a face mask for my first relaxation, pamper session. One of my favourite things to do in Japan. While I was in the bath; Ben went to the 7/11 and they had an onigiri which has now plagued my brain -- pork and wasabi. I need more and I need them all.

[detective-jane-rizzoli]

01: Do you have a good relationship with your parents? They are dead, but we were inseparable, and I loved them to the moon and back. Today would have been their 68th wedding anniversary. ;',(((

02: Who did you last say “I love you” to? My bff, whom I regard as my sis.

03: Do you regret anything? Oh, don't get me started!...

04: Are you insecure? I am.

05: What is your relationship status? Single AF.

06: How do you want to die? ♫♪"I don't wanna die, I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all"♪♫ But to answer the question: quickly, painlessly. Dunno, like suck-starting a 12 gauge shotgun or something...

07: What did you last eat? Hot dog

08: Played any sports? Hell no!

09: Do you bite your nails? I do.

10: When was your last physical fight? Who the fuck remembers?... :/ When I was like 12-14, shortly after dinosaurs roamed the earth.

11: Do you like someone? Sure I do.

12: Have you ever stayed up 48 hours? Nope. After being awake for 20-24 hours, I'm dead.

13: Do you hate anyone at the moment? I do! With the burning hate of a thousand suns. May they rot in hell.

14: Do you miss someone? I do. A LOT of people.

15: Have any pets? Nope.

16: How exactly are you feeling at the moment? Like shit? :/

17: Ever made out in the bathroom? I have. Much more than just making out :P

18: Are you scared of spiders? Not really, apart from some "exotic" spiders I have (luckily) never encountered in my life. (Black widow, tarantula, etc.)

19: Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? Each and every minute, or I should say, second!!!

20: Where was the last place you snogged someone? Fuck rememberes... :/

21: What are your plans for this weekend? "Ah, ah, ah, ah stayin' alive, stayin' alive"

22: Do you want to have kids? How many? No way. Zero!

23: Do you have piercings? How many? Just a standard lobe piercing.

24: What is/are/were your best subject(s)? Chemistry.

25: Do you miss anyone from your past? I think we've already covered this, but let me reiterate: I do!

26: What are you craving right now? Tranquility.

27: Have you ever broken someone’s heart? I have.

28: Have you ever been cheated on? I have been

29: Have you made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry? I have.

30: What’s irritating you right now? Everything. Well, almost everything, lol

31: Does somebody love you? I don't think so. :/

32: What is your favourite color? Just one? Duh... Black. It matches everything. :D

33: Do you have trust issues? You're goddamn right I do!

34: Who/what was your last dream about? I don't remember, and honestly, I don't want to...

35: Who was the last person you cried in front of? I don't remember.

36: Do you give out second chances too easily? I used to, but not anymore...

37: Is it easier to forgive or forget? Forgive

38: Is this year the best year of your life? Huh? o.O I don't know what you're on, but I want some, lmao. My best years of life were decades ago.

39: How old were you when you had your first kiss? 16

40: Have you ever walked outside completely naked? No.

51: Favourite food? Chopped steak with mushroom sauce, potatoes & red wine

52: Do you believe everything happens for a reason? Sometimes I do, though it's irrational. Maybe some things happen for a reason...

53: What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night? Put on some YSL Opium (FYI, that's a perfume, not a drug ^_^)

54: Is cheating ever okay? It's not okay, but it happens.

55: Are you mean? Depends...

56: How many people have you fist fought? Do you actually expect me to remember each and every physical fight as a child? o.O

57: Do you believe in true love? I kind of do...

58: Favourite weather? Oh, those typical gray, gloomy (but NOT rainy!!) november days. Cool but not cold (shaken, not stirred) ^_^

59: Do you like the snow? I don't.

60: Do you wanna get married? Nope. Besides, who would put up with me anyway? :P

61: Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby? It would be cute, I guess... Lol

62: What makes you happy? I'll pass on that one.

63: Would you change your name? In a heartbeat.

64: Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed? No.

65: Your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do? All kinds of questionable, naughty things. :P

66: Do you have a friend of the opposite sex who you can act your complete self around? I do.

67: Who was the last person of the opposite sex you talked to? A cashier.

68: Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with? My bff

69: Do you believe in soulmates? I don't.

70: Is there anyone you would die for? Right now? I don't think so...

70 horrible questions ... Fuck it

01: Do you have a good relationship with your parents? 02: Who did you last say “I love you” to? 03: Do you regret anything? 04: Are you insecure? 05: What is your relationship status? 06: How do you want to die? 07: What did you last eat? 08: Played any sports? 09: Do you bite your nails? 10: When was your last physical fight? 11: Do you like someone? 12: Have you ever stayed up 48 hours? 13: Do you hate anyone at the moment? 14: Do you miss someone? 15: Have any pets? 16: How exactly are you feeling at the moment? 17: Ever made out in the bathroom? 18: Are you scared of spiders? 19: Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? 20: Where was the last place you snogged someone? 21: What are your plans for this weekend? 22: Do you want to have kids? How many? 23: Do you have piercings? How many? 24: What is/are/were your best subject(s)? 25: Do you miss anyone from your past? 26: What are you craving right now? 27: Have you ever broken someone’s heart? 28: Have you ever been cheated on? 29: Have you made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry? 30: What’s irritating you right now? 31: Does somebody love you? 32: What is your favourite color? 33: Do you have trust issues? 34: Who/what was your last dream about? 35: Who was the last person you cried in front of? 36: Do you give out second chances too easily? 37: Is it easier to forgive or forget? 38: Is this year the best year of your life? 39: How old were you when you had your first kiss? 40: Have you ever walked outside completely naked? 51: Favourite food? 52: Do you believe everything happens for a reason? 53: What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night? 54: Is cheating ever okay? 55: Are you mean? 56: How many people have you fist fought? 57: Do you believe in true love? 58: Favourite weather? 59: Do you like the snow? 60: Do you wanna get married? 61: Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby? 62: What makes you happy? 63: Would you change your name? 64: Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed? 65: Your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do? 66: Do you have a friend of the opposite sex who you can act your complete self around? 67: Who was the last person of the opposite sex you talked to? 68: Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with? 69: Do you believe in soulmates? 70: Is there anyone you would die for?

[vinnamah]

I am so glad I moved. The state I live in now is so much better. Like, in terms of state government and laws and policies, as well as cost of living and minimum wage and stuff like that. I actually qualify for health insurance and food stamps here, when I didn't before I moved. That being said...

TL;DR - This place is fucking uninhabitable. I hate everything about the Land of Eternal Darkness and Cold. Humans were not meant to live in such an environment.

(Long rant incoming below, you've been warned)

It is just too dang cold. The temps didn't even get above 20°F today, and winter only started yesterday. We had gone like record-breakingly long into November before getting first snow this year, and I feel like it has been going on for way too long, so what do you MEAN it is gonna keep snowing basically through February and maybe even into March or April? January and February average temps never get above freezing, and frequently get single-digit temps, even *subzero* temps (in Fahrenheit)! What the actual HECK? That sounds like Hell to me.

The sun starts setting at like 4pm and doesn't start rising until close to 8am. We live in the land of eternal darkness. Vitamin D who? Don't know her. I DO know SAD or seasonal depression or whatever theh are calling it nowadays, though. Especially with my messed-up sleep schedule. There are some days that I never see the sun at all. Humans were meant to see the sun for more than like 15 minutes for at least most days.

The cold weather starts setting in near the beginning of Autumn and doesn't leave until very late Spring. We get like 3 months of fairly mild weather, and then it is back to Cold and Dark times. And you're still expected to get up and be a productive member of society, despite it being cold enough to kill you, the snow deep enough to get lost in, and it being eternally nighttime? What a scam!

The other day I forgot my gloves. It snowed for like an hour while I was at work. Had to brush snow off my car windows so I could see to drive home, maybe 30 seconds of my habd touching the snow. I could not feel my pinkie finger for most of the drive home, and when feeling started coming back, it was incredibly painful. And this is normal????

Wanna take a hot shower? Well TOO BAD, you better SPEEDRUN that shit! Because for some reason, being really cold outside means the hot water only lasts half as long. It's the same hot water heater year-round, so I don't get why its capacity is halved in this weather!

"I'd rather be cold than hot, because you can always put on another layer of clothes but you can only get so naked" yeah well I've lived in one of the most extreme places for each side of the temperature spectrum, and I'd say "give me 110°F summers with 100% humidity" over THIS. Because in the cold, everything aches and everything goes numb. You go clumsy because you can't feel your anything. The more layers you put on, the longer it takes to put everything on and off every time you go in and out of somewhere heated. Or you die of heatstroke because you don't wanna take off your million layers. You gotta wear gloves, which means you can't use your touchscreen devices, not without buying special gloves that only sometimes work. No matter how many layers you wear, you are still cold.

And I am learning so much about how awful it is to live somewhere that it snows. Sometimes your car doesn't wanna start if it is too cold. You have to shovel snoe and dig your vehicle out. You have to shovel your entite driveway. You are SOL if the snowplows haven't come by yet but you need to go somewhere. The Silent Hill fog ALONE that accompanies snow most of the time is way worse than ANY rainstorm. My first ever time driving in snow in my entire life was on the freaking HIGHWAY, because it started snowing when I got to work and did not stop the entire time, and the highway hadn't been plowed, so that was terrifying. You can get stuck, you can slip and slide, you have no idea where the lanes of the road are, you can try to turn and your car can just DECIDE it doesn't want to. You gotta buy special snow tires, but only for the time of year when it snows, so either sell or store your other tires. But then you need to get normal tires back onto your car once the snow is over, too! Your windshield wiper wears out way faster thanks to the salt. You need to have all the fluids in your car swapped out for winter versions that won't freeze every winter. You need to get your car washed way more often, or else the constant snow and salt will rust your vehicle to death!

And everything is so slippery! People put salt onto the roads and sidewalks to fix it, but then your car gets covered in a layer of gross white salt-film. I didn't know that happened! I don't know what to do about it! It kills your visibility when driving, especially when every other person has a giant lifted pickup truck with LED headlights brighter than a thousand suns. Someone at work today told me to use the winterized non-freezing windshield wiper fluid. I don't have that, because my windshield wiper sprayers have never worked on my car. I've never needed them until now, apparently. And my windshield wipers aren't doing anything about it without fluid. Can't use water, that would just give me a layer of ice instead, as well as possibly cracking my windshield. And the salt-film covers your headlights too, so if you DON'T have the brighter-than-the-sun LED headlights, they don't work for crap if you don't remember to clean the salt scum off of them before driving.

[kinetic-elaboration]

December 5: Chatting

Much chatting at work today. Little productivity. On the one hand, this is fine, because I have been very productive earlier this week and the backlog is under control, and I enjoy chatting, but toward the end of the day I was getting a bit tired of not even being able to leave my desk without being caught up in something, of having even my lunch and reading time overrun by chatter.

A non-exhaustive and non-chronological topic list off the top of my head:

HVAC issues causing the reading rooms in the addition to be very hot ("I see students bringing in their blankets and I want to say: you don't need those. Unless you want to dip them in water and wear them around your neck.")

Heating issues driving J from her office, jump scaring me from the student processing cube

Heating issues causing startling humidity drops in special collections/one of the rare book rooms

Dean of Students jump-scared by mannequin

Snow experiences, including T driving 21 hours cross-country, unable to stop, because the roads were being closed behind him ("If I hit customs, I know I took a wrong turn.")

Gross room experiences including A's older kid falling into every 21-year-old boy stereotype there is and T, again, telling a horrifying story about his college roommate (stolen clothes, stolen dishes, gay porn magazines, and "I got really good at picking locks" all part of the story)

Breakfast (ugh...whatever--I hate quarterly breakfast and I hate being in the last quarter--though, upside, I like being right in my predictions on how things will go)

United Healthcare shooting (I had an actual work related comment when I started this conversation)

C and I running for office on the platform of "daylight savings lights should be a thing--festivity from November to March;" we followed this all the way to the inevitable infighting and demise of the movement

Physical media good. Licensing and lack of ownership bad. VHS > DVD

Vendor contract tomfoolery. This one's so bad the Dean is getting involved and "talking to university counsel." Look. This might have slight ramifications for me later but right now I'm playboy-eating-popcorn.gif about it

"Interesting development. I have no thoughts." (Another law library director reacting to the above on the directors' listserv)

And so on.

Anyway, when I got home, I took a nap. It was decently satisfying. But it's hard to wake back up again and then you gotta do essential evening tasks and I still need to shower. I think tomorrow will be a quiet day. Hopefully a quiet evening as well and then I guess I have to do literally everything this weekend? I'm horribly in denial about how unrealistic my to do list is but there we are.

[newstfionline]

Friday, November 22, 2024

Bomb Cyclone Hits Northwest (1440) Two people have died in Seattle, as a bomb cyclone impacts the Pacific Northwest. Nearly 600,000 customers have lost power. A bomb cyclone occurs when a storm system undergoes bombogenesis, with its central pressure dropping rapidly within 24 hours. This particular storm system has been fueled by an atmospheric river, a band of moisture in the sky with water vapor levels comparable to average flow levels at the mouth of the Mississippi River. The resulting weather system has unleashed hurricane-level winds in parts of Oregon and Canada, with Vancouver Island witnessing winds as high as 101 mph—the equivalent of a Category 2 storm. Heavy winds, rain, and snow are expected to continue impacting the region in the coming days. A separate storm is due to hit the Northwest as the current storm moves east.

How Trump’s tariffs could spark a trade war and ‘Europe’s worst economic nightmare’ (Washington Post) The prospect of a trade war ignited by the Trump administration is looming over European capitals. The European Union—which counts the United States as its largest export market and one of its closest strategic allies—could be among those hardest hit if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his tariff plans. Already, Europe’s major economies are lagging behind the United States in their post-pandemic recovery. Economists say that protectionist policies imposed by Trump after taking office in January could trigger further contraction on the continent, while straining alliances. There is talk of “Europe’s worst economic nightmare” and “full-blown recession.” Some economic models estimate that, faced with an across-the-board 10 percent tariff, euro zone exports to the United States could fall by nearly a third. That would be a big deal, because Europe is so export-dependent, and its largest economies are already facing sluggish growth and rising debt. Goldman Sachs calculates that trade conflict with the United States could subtract 0.9 percent from the euro zone economy.

How Science Lost America’s Trust and Surrendered Health Policy to Skeptics (WSJ) The rise of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from fringe figure to the prospective head of U.S. health policy was fueled by skepticism and distrust of the medical establishment—views that went viral in the Covid-19 pandemic. Lingering resentment over pandemic restrictions helped Kennedy and his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign draw people from the left and the right, voters who worried about the contamination of food, water and medicine. Many of them shared doubts about vaccines and felt their concerns were ignored by experts or regarded as ignorant. Doctors, scientists and public-health officials are asking themselves how they can win public trust back. Among their postelection revelations: Don’t underestimate or talk down to those without a medical degree. Much of Kennedy’s popularity reflects residual pandemic anger—over being told to stay at home or to wear masks; the extended closure of schools and businesses; and vaccine requirements to attend classes, board a plane or eat at a restaurant. “We weren’t really considering the consequences in communities that were not New York City,” the places where the virus wasn’t hitting as hard, former National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins said at an event last year. Authorities focused on ways to stop the disease and failed to consider “this actually, totally disrupts peoples’ lives, ruins the economy and has many kids kept out of school,” Collins said. In October 2023, 27% of Americans who responded to a Pew Research Center poll said they had little to no trust in scientists to act in the public’s best interests, up from 13% in January 2019.

Nicaragua’s Ortega proposes reform to make him and his wife ‘copresidents’ (AP) Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega on Wednesday proposed a constitutional reform that would officially make him and his wife, current Vice President Rosario Murillo, “copresidents” of the Central American nation. While the initiative has to pass through the country’s legislature, Ortega and Murillo’s Sandinista party control the congress and all government institutions, so it is likely to be approved. The proposal also looks to expand the presidential term to six years from five. Ortega put forward another bill Wednesday that would make it illegal for anyone to enforce sanctions from the United States or other foreign bodies “within Nicaraguan territory.” Nicaragua’s government has imprisoned adversaries, religious leaders, journalists and more, then exiled them, stripping hundreds of their Nicaraguan citizenship and possessions. Since 2018, it has shuttered more than 5,000 organizations, largely religious, and forced thousands to flee the country.

Residents in Haiti’s capital stand with police in a battle to repel gang attack (AP) Gangs launched a new attack on Haiti’s capital early Tuesday, targeting an upscale community in Port-au-Prince where gunmen clashed with residents who fought side by side with police. At least 28 suspected gang members were killed and hundreds of munitions seized, according to Lionel Lazarre, deputy spokesman for Haiti’s National Police. The turmoil in Port-au-Prince deepened late Tuesday, when Doctors Without Borders announced it was suspending critical care across the capital as it accused police officers of violence and threats against its staff, including rape and death. The aid group will halt patient admissions and transfers to its five medical facilities, a blow to a country with extremely limited medical care. MSF said one of its ambulances was attacked by police last week, resulting in the killing of at least two patients and physical harm to its staff. The aid group reported four other recent violent incidents in one week alone, including one in which it accused an officer of saying that police would start executing and burning its staff, patients and ambulances.

Swooping In On The Lame Duck (AP/Reuters) As the Biden White House enters its lame-duck phase, China is looking to capitalize on the U.S.’s shaky diplomatic standing. At the recent G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands with Argentinian President Javier Milei and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, securing deals with two of the most important leaders in South America. Meanwhile, Xi and Lula agreed that the China-Brazil relationship had become a “Community with a Shared Future for a More Just World and Sustainable Planet”—Chinese government jargon for “best buds.” On top of that friendship announcement, the pair announced 40 cooperation agreements across various sectors to drive over $150 billion in bilateral trade between their two countries.

Landmines in Ukraine (1440) President Joe Biden announced yesterday the US will send antipersonnel landmines to Ukraine, reversing a ban in place since 2022. Officials suggested the devices will shore up Ukraine’s defenses against Russia’s deployment of small squads across its lines; rights groups say the mines will endanger civilians. More than 160 countries are signatories to the 1997 Ottawa Convention banning the mines designed to detonate on contact. Russia and the US are not party to the treaty, with Russia deploying mines since the start of the conflict. Ukraine—a signatory—manufactures them.

Ukraine says Russia launched an intercontinental missile in an attack for the first time in the war (AP) Ukraine says Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight targeting Dnipro city in the central-east of the country, which, if confirmed, would be the first time Moscow has used such a missile in the war. In a statement Thursday, Ukraine’s air force did not specify the exact type of missile, but said it was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, which borders the Caspian Sea. It said an intercontinental ballistic missile was fired at Dnipro city along with eight other missiles, and that the Ukrainian military shot down six of them. While the range of an ICBM would seem excessive for use against Ukraine, such missiles are designed to carry nuclear warheads, and the use of one would serve as a chilling reminder of Russia’s nuclear capability and a powerful message of potential escalation.

ICC arrest warrants (BBC) The announcement of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has triggered a furious response in Israel. Hamas has welcomed the decision, without commenting on the warrant for its own military commander, Mohammed Deif. The announcement is a major blow to Israel’s international standing, to the two individuals named, and most specifically to Israel’s ongoing efforts to present its military campaign in Gaza as a fight between the forces of good and evil. Israelis are appalled that, in their eyes, the world seems to have already forgotten or overlooked the atrocities committed by Hamas on 7 October last year. Palestinians, especially Gazans, feel vindicated that their accusations of Israeli war crimes have now been echoed by an international body with some weight. But international lawyers have expressed doubts over whether either Netanyahu or Gallant will ever be brought to The Hague for trial.

Gaza death toll nears 44,000 (ABC News) After ordering policies leading to the displacement of 90% of all Gazans, the deaths of almost 44,000 people (70% of them women and children), and the destruction of 80% of the area’s health facilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally stepped foot in the Palestinian enclave, where he recorded a video telling Palestinians that the IDF would hunt down and kill anyone who harmed the Israeli hostages and offered a $5 million bounty for the return of each hostage.

Virtually no aid has reached besieged north Gaza in 40 days, UN says (BBC) Palestinians are “facing diminishing conditions for survival” in parts of northern Gaza under siege by Israeli forces because virtually no aid has been delivered in 40 days, the United Nations has warned. The UN said all its attempts to support the estimated 65,000 to 75,000 people in Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and Jabalia this month had been denied or impeded, forcing bakeries and kitchens to shut down. Earlier this month, a UN-backed assessment said there was a strong likelihood that famine was imminent in areas of northern Gaza. Hundreds of people have been killed and between 100,000 and 130,000 others have been displaced to Gaza City, where the UN has said essential resources like shelter, water and healthcare are severely limited. Meanwhile, the US vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The 14 other Security Council members voted in favour, but the US said the text did not explicitly call for the immediate release of the hostages being held by Hamas as part of a ceasefire.

How Students Can AI-Proof Their Careers (WSJ) The current generation of college students is facing a challenge that those who came before never had to worry about: They’ll be competing with AI for jobs. What can they do to get ready? One consensus: It’s important to master skills not easily matched by machines, such as human-style communications and the ability to understand and work smoothly with people who have different perspectives and personalities. “In many ways the human skills are going to be more fundamental than they are now,” as machines take over some routine tasks, says Joseph E. Aoun, president of Northeastern University. A survey of 255 employers by the National Association of Colleges and Employers last year found that the three top “competencies” they sought in job candidates were communication, teamwork and critical thinking. Communication and teamwork rely on emotional intelligence, or EQ. “AI has probably won the IQ battle,” says Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, chief innovation officer at Manpower Group and professor of business psychology at Columbia University, “but the EQ battle is up for grabs.”

Duct-taped banana artwork fetches US$5.2m at New York auction (Guardian) Maurizio Cattelan’s viral artwork was bought by Chinese-born crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun on Wednesday evening at Sotheby’s New York, besting initial estimates of between $1 million and $1.5 million. “I never thought I’d say ‘$5 million for a banana,’” the auctioneer quipped as the bid was approaching its climax. Sun said he plans to eat the banana “as part of this unique artistic experience.”

[captain-kit-adventuress]

I like that there’s nuance being introduced to this, so I’m going to bring some more for everyone to enjoy.

Climate change is definitely about warming, to be sure. But it’s not the only thing that’s going on. One of the ongoing challenges is that US weather event reporting hasn’t really been widely standardised except in the last 70 years or so, maybe a bit longer depending on where you live. That doesn’t mean anything before that isn’t reliable—weather nerds like meteorologists (professional or not) have been collecting great data for centuries—but it doesn’t always mean it’s covered in the same way we would today or that the same emphasis would be given to the same events. Sometimes it’s a tech issue, too, where we just didn’t have the equipment or the techniques to record the data in the first place.

A feature of global warming that doesn’t get mentioned nearly enough is that the planet isn’t just getting warmer, it’s that the climate is becoming more extreme. So, climate change is causing obvious seasonal changes in a lot of places, but it’s both that the hots are getting hotter and the colds are getting colder. Snow events that used to be steady and small might now be dumping feet at a time and then melting right away, only to repeat itself a few times a season. Billion-dollar weather events that used to be rare are becoming suspiciously common.

The person who pointed out about Australia isn’t wrong, either. The rest of the world is super impacted by climate change, but not in exactly the same ways as in the US. Most of the rest of the world is getting noticeably warmer and having more extreme weather events become quite common, at a much faster rate than in the US and sometimes without the social and physical infrastructure to support it—though I would argue that’s actually the same in the US, but on a different scale.

This year (2023) might seem especially potent in the US because of a weather phenomenon called El Niño, which is exacerbating already-warm conditions and making them warmer.

There’s also the idea of how long the timeline of climate change really is. When did it actually ‘start?’ I don’t think we can exclude the idea that style of industrialisation specific to the global northwest might have been some sort of mini kick in the pants, and as that style was adopted elsewhere, it spread those changes wider. Though there is no doubt that the US in particular has been a shameless catalyst of climate change via corporate industrial practice, corporate actors in other nations around the world have certainly done their part to make it worse.

I live in an area which regularly sees a lot of snow pretty evenly spread throughout the winter, and it is absolutely not normal for us to have a span of 60-degree days in December. I know there are plenty of years with outliers, that’s just how statistics works. What’s most concerning to me is that when we’re breaking those records, it’s not decades apart anymore, or even one or twice in the same decade; feedback loops in weather patterns are pretty common. Instead, it’s becoming a long run of consecutive years. What the data appears to suggest, in both my home state and across the US, is not so much that outliers exist but that they’re closing the gap between common and and less common. Our outliers, on the other hand, are becoming more extreme. Where I live, the chance of even a single 80-degree day in November should be as close to zero as is possible barring freak events, and yet, the last few years have had just that, or temps close to it, and this year had a span of them.

All it really means to have been in keeping within normal weather averages is that maybe the climate isn’t changing quite as fast in that particular locality. This is demonstrably not true in most of the world, as pretty much any climatologist will tell you. Moreover, if we are talking local, most of what climate scientists have predicted both for my state and my region has come to pass, and my region was predicted to change one of the most since 2013, I believe—I unfortunately can’t remember precisely when I read that particular set of articles.

I don’t think it’s simply nostalgia for something specific in a carol or depiction of the holiday season. And quite frankly, while I’m a big fan of accurately representing the world as it is, I’m not certain a little more alarmism isn’t warranted if it ushers in more change. Good things are happening. But we need even greater participation, both in the US and around the globe, and I’m not seeing nearly enough resources being put toward cooperative efforts to rein in this very manmade acceleration we’re seeing.

That said, I understand why you said what you did, Marzi, and you’re right, it can feel completely overwhelming. It is an overwhelming thing to consider. I’m not trying to ‘dunk’ on you or invalidate anything you said. But I also don’t want people to downplay what’s happening, either. Outliers in weather are a lot more common than people realise, for sure. It’s more that the outliers are changing in nature, too, and I think I can pretty safely say that we both agree it’s important to recognise everyone’s feelings.

It’s okay to take a breather from this stuff if anyone needs to, absolutely. It’s so hard to reckon with and stay even a little optimistic for the future, and there are reasons to be optimistic! But as I said, I like nuance, and this is my very, very, very long-winded way of showing that.

Christmas as a cultural icon is starting to get really dystopian in a climate sense, december has historically been a time of year in which there would be snow in a significant portion of europe and north america, and the fact that its not even icy this time of year and all the christmas songs and decorations reference a time of year that will likely never exist in the same way again in my life time is so strange.

[engbergsinfinland]

Hello for Monday!

Hey everyone! Or, hei, kaikille!

We have had a nice last few days and the weather's been rather mild, but the temperature dropped about ten degrees from Saturday to Sunday, and now the highs are in the 30s and it feels damp and cold. It was totally dark, basically, by 4:50 p.m. today, so the darkness is setting in. It hasn't bothered us too much, though!

Since I last wrote, we continued with "the usual" -- kids' after-school activities, our Finnish class, my course planning, prep, and grading, and lots of cooking, and some scheming over Christmas decorations. We may be in a temporary home, but we are going to get our Christmas on, and soon! Some people have told me that since it is dark here in November, and people find it to be a gloomy month, they often decorate for Christmas and get lots of lights up. We may do that same. At one of our favorite stores, Tokmanni, I found a 14 euro Christmas tree, that is spindly like I like, and would sit on our low credenza table in the living room. This is similar to our set-up in the US, where our tree sits on a side table, and thus looks much taller than its actual 4 feet. So, I am eyeing that tree and I have looked into seeing whether anyone on Facebook marketplace is selling a load of ornaments at a decent price. But, of course, with Tokmanni nearby and Flying Tiger across the street, we can buy cheep ornaments a-plenty and everything will be cheerful and bedecked before too long. I have to figure out our Scandinavian paper window star situation somehow, so that is another phenomenon I am looking into.

On Sunday, Cece and went back to the trampoline park at Kauppi and tried to make some progress on her front handsprings on the tumble track, with the goal of moving towards a front flip on the trampoline, and then we aimed to do some work on the Level 3 beam routine. We did really make some good progress on the front handspring, but something is just not working out with it when she moves it to the floor. Though I really wish I could spot her and help her that way, I cannot spot her because, a) I don't know how (I was always on the other end of that situation), and b) I have for five years had a bad right shoulder and it has atrophied considerably, so I don't have the strength to spot her even if I knew how. So, all of my coaching is verbal, except for handstands on beam. Anyway, there is a pit there, and so we worked on front flips into the pit and that really, really helped, because she was finally able to grasp the concept of flipping up. When I've watched her at the gymnastic center on Tuesdays when I go, I clasp my hands in worry every time she just tries a front flip with her classmates, one after another, on the tumble track, because she flips down and goes like spread eagle in the air. It is not the way it is supposed to go. I think we made considerable progress getting her to feel, with developing "air sense," the right body shape and movement. And then, by the end, she did some great front flips on the trampoline! Yay!

The kids had skating Saturday and Sunday this weekend, and they had piano Friday night, so things were a bit moved around. We did not do any real outdoor exploring or go to any events this weekend, so there is nothing huge to report. We did go to a more suburban part of Tampere on Saturday afternoon, so Eric could take us to one of his favorite sporting good stores (XXL), because we needed to get a few things for skiing, because we have a small lil' ski trip to Ruka coming up in a few weeks. I did not bring ski pants and the kids need actually two pairs of snow pants, so we looked for these things. I found green Scott ski pants, so I was very stoked about that.

But get this! Albuquerque's local ski area, my beloved Sandia Peak, got three feet of snow last weekend and opened this week! It is unprecedented! I don't think they've ever opened in early November in all of my life. First, people in New Mexico were able to see the aurora borealis once the Engbergs moved to Finland, and now, epic snow?? What is going on here?

OK, in the interest of sharing Finland-specific information and tidbits with you, I want to tell you about Finland's epic -- the Kalevala. I was given a copy by the Fulbright Foundation and I had heard of it before. I do love a good epic (I mean, the Odyssey is a real trip, no?). So, my college roommate and friend, Halima, and I decided we'd have a reading group where we read the Kalevala and discuss it in monthly meetings. We had our first meeting today and we'd read through the first 10 sections. This is a real epic, a founding story, for this land, and, actually, it is not "ancient," having only been compiled in the 1830s, but the songs from which is was assembled are very old, these Finnish folk songs. I will share more of what I learn in coming weeks, and I got some books about the Kalevala at the library today, so I should be able to understand the verse style and meter, the references, and more, so much better now that I have some supplemental texts to help me. And, you know Quora has had some really, really helpful information (such as this string about how old the component parts of the Kalevala are; the string also contains some interesting side notes about Finnish people's love of Donald Duck, something I did not know, and even this gets tied to the Kalevala). But, the main star of the Kalevala is Väinämöinen. Väinämöinen sings the world into being and he basically wins a singing battle against this young upstart Joukahainen, who gives Väinämöinen his sister Aino, and then Aino perishes in the waters by her own design, because she'd rather do that than be married off to "old Väinämöinen." Then, Väinämöinen tries to find himself a wife while traveling into the north of Finland (on his mother's advice). He encounters many an obstacle, as all epic heroes do, and --long story short--he establishes a founding narrative and worldview for Finnish people. The establishment of the Kalevala as the Finnish epic story is super important; the story had great utility in allowing a sensibility of Finnishness, for the Finnish people, to proliferate in the country, building evermore, until the country's independence in 1917.

One work-related thing I did not mention was that I gave a guest lecture last Thursday in a colleague's class and that was so fun! I am just loving having opportunities like that -- and I hope I get more, including some guest lecturing opportunities in other EU countries! We shall see if those come together :)

[dorefasolsido]

26. This is Halloween, everybody make a scene

Are you excited it's October?!

Yeees, oh I'm really feeling the vibes this year. 

Have the leaves started changing yet where you live? 🍁

Hmm, I actually think not yet. Or if they have, it's still very much unnoticeable.

Do you prefer pumpkin spice or apple cinnamon? 🎃🍎

I've never tried pumpkin spice, but apple cinnamon sounds like something I'd love more either way.

Have you worn a sweatshirt yet this fall?

Yup. 

What is the normal temperature range during fall where you live?

Well that really changed in the past few years. It used to be between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius, sometimes a bit above 20, but nowadays it's usually between 20 and 30.

...and where do you live?

Serbia.

At what temperature do you normally start wearing gloves? 🧤

I don't know, when it starts snowing usually. Or sometimes I wear them earlier, but only because I love my fingerless gloves and would literally wear them all the time if I could.

Have you worn a scarf yet this fall? 🧣

I don't usually wear scarves.

What is your favorite leaf color? 🍁

Red.

Is your birthday in the fall, and if so, which month?

Nope, I'm a summer kid.

Will you decorate with pumpkins this year? 🎃

Not with real ones. We don't technically celebrate Halloween, I just do little things to mark it for myself.

Do you have fall allergies? 🤧 🍁

Nope.

What is your favorite type of tree in the fall? 🍁 🍂

I have no idea.

Have you worn a sweater yet this fall?

Nope, not yet.

What's the most frustrating thing that's happened to you recently?

I wanted to buy tickets for this anime symphony thingy because I attended last year and it was so cool. But apparently everyone heard about it this year and all tickets were sold out by the time I checked the website :)))

Are you going to be celebrating Halloween this year? 👻

In my own way. Watch some horror films, attend midnight horror showings hopefully. I wanted to do a Dracula tour to Transylvania for Halloween but decided to put that off for November instead.

...and if so, do you know what you are going to be yet?

I'm not going to wear a costume.

What are three things you hope to accomplish this fall?

Hmm, finish translating the book I started, go to Transylvania, and I don't know what else. I guess just do what I always do.

Do you make bucket lists for each season?

Nope.

...and have you made a fall bucket list?

Nope.

What are three things you are thankful for?

My family (including my cat), my friends, and I guess being able to pursue what I love.

What color pants are you wearing today?

Now I'm wearing black and white striped pajama shorts.

Do you enjoy wearing fall colors?

Not particularly. I love fall fashion though.

What is your favorite fall drink? 🧋

Hot chocolate. Maybe that's more of a winter drink, but that's my favourite either way.

Have you ever had pumpkin spice pancakes? 🥞🎃

Nope.

What is your favorite type of pie to eat on Thanksgiving? 🥧

I don't have Thanksgiving. But aside from that, my favourite is apple pie.

Will you be celebrating Thanksgiving with anyone this year?

Nope.

Have you ever spent Thanksgiving Day alone?

Probably, considering we don't celebrate it.

Do you like to eat turkey? 🦃

Yup.

Would you rather decorate with scarecrows or skeletons?

I think skeletons.

Do you think you will put a mask on a skeleton, scarecrow, or pumpkin this year? 🎃 😷

I won't put on any of those.

Have you ever drank Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider?

Nope.

Do you enjoy drinking chai lattes? ☕️

Yeah, there is one I tried and really liked.

Which name do you like best for a girl: Harvest, Autumn, October, Maple, or Ember?

Maybe Ember or Autumn.

Have you ever met anyone named Apple? 🍎

Nope

Have you ever met anyone named Ember? 💥

Also nope.

Do you enjoy bonfires in the fall? 🪵🔥

I've never really seen anyone make bonfires in the fall. I guess that must be an American thing?

What color is your favorite zip-up hoodie?

I don't have a zip-up hoodie.

What color is your favorite pullover hoodie?

Black. 

Have you ever walked through a haunted house? 🏚 👻

Yes, and it was fun. I wish it was scarier, though.

Have you ever been on a haunted hayride?

I'm not entirely sure what that is, but sounds like something I'd enjoy.

How close is the nearest cemetery to you? 🪦

It's like five minutes away. You literally just walk down the hill and there it is.

When was the last time you visited a cemetery? 🪦

Last November when I attended my friend's dad's funeral.

What was the last disturbing death you heard about? 🪦

Well, the only thing that comes to mind is what my sister told me on Friday. She had one of her medical classes and they had to inspect a suicide victim's body. Obviously, I don't know the guy and neither does she, but yeah.

Do you believe it is possible to resurrect the dead? 💀

Probably not.

Have you ever done the Thriller dance? 🕺

Nope.

Would you rather dress up as a unicorn or vampire? 🦄 🧛

Vampire. 

....a princess or a zombie? 👸🧟‍♂️

Zombie. 

....a ghost or a scarecrow? 👻 🌾

Ghost.

What is the coolest Halloween costume you think you've ever seen?

I’ve only really seen Halloween costumes online, but nothing comes to mind now.

What is your favorite type of Halloween candy? 🍬

I don't know.

Will you put purple or orange lights up this year?

Neither, but man, I'd love some purple lights.

Do you own a string of pumpkin lights? 🎃

Nope, I'd love that too though.

What is one thing you are looking forward to wearing this fall? 🧣👢

Hoodies, jackets, boots.

Do you own a pair of leopard-print boots? 👢🐆

Nope.

Have you ever been to Canada in the fall? 🇨🇦

I've never been to Canada.

When was the last time you built a blanket fort?

I don't remember, I was a kid when I last built one.

Do you own a dreamcatcher?

Nope.

Are there any fall crafts you plan to complete this year? 🫙🍁

Hmm, I have no plans to make any crafts, but that might come spontaneously.

What is your favorite thing you own that has feathers on it? 🪶

I don't think I have anything with feathers.

Would you rather visit a pumpkin patch or a cider mill? 🎃🍎

Pumpkin patch. 

Do prefer to drink apple cider hot or cold?

Hot.

Would you rather decorate a scary pumpkin or a pretty pumpkin? 🎃

Any pumpkin, tbh.

Which name do you like best for a cat: Pumpkin, Chestnut, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, or October? 🐈

I like October for a cat.

What is your favorite lipstick color to wear in the fall? 💄

I don’t wear lipstick, so I can't tell what's fall-appropriate. 

Do you have red hair? 👩‍🦰

Well, it's purple, but since it washed out a lot, it has this reddish tone to it.

What is one book you would say is a good read for fall? 📕

Pet Sematary. That book really has that Halloween spooky feel for me.

Have you ever gone camping in the fall? ⛺️

Nope, I've never gone camping.

What three things are you most looking forward to this fall?

The Fall of House Usher, horror films, my trip to Transylvania.

What is your biggest fear?

Hmm

What scares you the most about Halloween?

Halloween doesn't scare me, it's fun.

Have you ever been to a Halloween-themed dance? 💃 🎃

Nope.

Have you ever made pumpkin bread? 🍞 🎃

Nope.

When was the last time you ate corn? 🌽

I feel like it was sometime this year, but I'm really not sure.

Do you own a plaid flannel shirt?

Yes.

What color are your favorite boots to wear in the fall? 👢

Black.

Do you own a pair of maple leaf earrings? 🍁

Nope

Have you ever been on a fall retreat?

Nah.

And last but not least, did you enjoy this survey?

Sure, it was fun.

[loki-wants-an-army]

I remember only like ten years ago it used to start snowing usually at some point in late October through early-mid November and just. Never fully melted until like April. There used to be snow and ice more of the time than not. And even on those few weird March or February days when it was only just chilled, the ground still wasn't able to really thaw, just a few surface puddles that would refreeze again overnight. It was simply accepted that from roughly the point of the first big snow of the season until the later half of spring the ground was at least somewhat obscured. Last winter it only lightly snowed and flurried a few times, and I had to deal with too many bugs in months when there weren't supposed to be any active outside. That semi-permanent frost was really important.

And as for summer, this year I experienced the haze of wildfire smoke for the first time and it was incredibly unsettling. Summer was never *this* hot. We didn't have these types of extreme storms so often. Drought, drought, drought, then sudden extremely hard downpours and lots of hail. This area was not one considered to be at much risk for tornadoes in the past, but it has become an increasing danger. Summer was always fairly hot, but not overbearingly so. It usually rained or lightly to moderately thunder stormed at least a few times a week. We've also always been part of hurricane season technically, but the frequency and severity of cyclones actually veering up here due to the changing wind patterns and increasingly warm seawater is concerning.

Spring and autumn also both used to be much more mild and gradual of shifts. They were really beautiful to watch and were distinct seasons of their own, with moderate temperatures, crisp winds, and some cold rain. Now, it sort of seems to be blazing summer until it's not, then sort of broken winter until it's suddenly hot again.

It all frightens and angers me.

Climate denialism in the netherlands is so fucking funny like. Bro the floods. They’re coming

[babyboywilson]

last christmas you gave me your heart

For Day 13 of @drgarth and @starrynightdeancas B&B’s Holiday Advent Calendar Event (this is angsty and includes poetry at the end!)

Christmas Shopping // Christmas List // “"Merry Christmas, " I wrapped it up and sent it, With a note saying "I love you, " I meant it”

For @floral-cas and @mjulmjul Winternatural Celebration, prompt: Snow/Faith and for @acklesology Winter Celebration, prompt: Snow

Also posted on ao3!

The rain slips down the window, sometimes mixed with flakes of snow as it falls from the sky. The Impala is cold; heat long since seeped out into the darkness of the night. But Dean can’t turn the ignition on. Can’t risk hearing the song again. The tears are still clinging to his eyelashes, burning streaks of agony down his cheeks. His heart ripped open and raw. The lyrics claw through his mind again, and another sob tears from his mouth.

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. But the very next day, you gave it away.

It hadn’t been Christmas. But the date is seared into his mind forever. November 5th. A year ago. A heart given to him, honest and pure and devastatingly vulnerable. And the hollowness that followed. Words that died on Dean’s lips. A confession he should’ve said. An emotion like a tsunami hurtling out from his chest. A soft smile; a truth that could’ve been more, torn away.

This year, to save me from tears, I’ll give it to someone special.

That was a lie. A filthy life. There was never going to be anyone else. Never going to be anyone more special. Cas was… Cas is… Cas is everything. The air that Dean breathes. The blood his heart pumps. The tears his eyes pour out. The ache is his chest that begs to find his missing half.

How could Dean ever give his heart to someone else?

It had belonged to Cas for so long. Longer than it had any right to be. But God. He fell. Gave his faith to Cas, gave his love, a million times in a million different ways over the years. He’d just never found the way to say the words. But Cas had. Right at the end. He’d said it.

How dare he? How dare Cas say that to him? How fucking dare Cas just go and give his heart to Dean and leave him behind? What the fuck? What did Cas think was going to happen? Did he think Dean was just going to go and live happily-ever-after after that? No. There was no happy ending anymore. If Cas wasn’t by his side, there was nothing.

Actually, there was something.

And Dean hated it.

Despised it.

There was love. Cracked and bleeding, raw and aching.

Why couldn’t Cas take the love Dean felt when he left him behind? Because this was worse. This splitting agonizing love that made Dean want to tear his heart out of his chest. It was too pure. Too much wrapped in the ethereal glow of Cas’ being. It stung like shards, yet it was soft like a cloud.

It ached and it bled, yet it soothed and it comforted. It was the only thing keeping Dean alive, and he loathed it and adored it. His love for Cas never gone, never forgotten. And that was worse. How was Dean supposed to live with this bursting in his chest every second of every day? There was only one cure. Cas’ touch. Cas’ lips on his. Cas’ love melding with his own until it was unified. Until it was whole.

"Merry Christmas," I wrapped it up and sent it, with a note saying "I love you," I meant it.

That was the lyric that had unraveled Dean. Because it was still sitting in his pocket. He carried it with him everywhere he went. Unwrapped the wrinkling page and read the words out loud everywhere he thought of Cas. By the river in a small town in Pennsylvania. Whispered softly in a diner in Nebraska. At the foot of a windmill in a field in Wyoming. And now, in the front seat of the Impala, as snow drifted down around him, near a barn in Illinois.

“Cas. Have you got your ears on? I’m by the barn where we first met,” Dean said, words shattered and falling to pieces in his mouth. Were the words even decipherable right now? Or were his sobs distorting everything he was saying?

“Merry Christmas, Cas.” A whisper. Barely audible.

“I know… giving you the same present I gave you last year. I hope you understand why. But… it means more. Every day. It means more.”

And then, quiet, pained, with hands shaking and breath sticking in his throat, Dean read his poem.

Now I know what a fool I’ve been, but if you kissed me now, I know you’d fool me again.

[little-lynx]

THE COLOR OF MY DRESS IN 7

Who missed Victory Tour outfits? ;) Me! So here’s Everlark Outfit #15: Victory Tour, District 7, dinner.

What do we know about this outfit (not much, haha): Jackson has devised a game called «Real or Not Real» to help Peeta. He mentions something he thinks happened, and they tell him if it’s true or imagined, usually followed by a brief explanation. <...> But since Peeta’s greatest confusion centers around me—and not everything can be explained simply—our exchanges are painful and loaded, even though we touch on only the most superficial of details. The color of my dress in 7. My preference for cheese buns. The name of our math teacher when we were little. Reconstructing his memory of me is excruciating. Perhaps it isn’t even possible after what Snow did to him. But it does feel right to help him try.

So we have only one sentence in “Mockingjay” about this outfit. And still I decided to draw it because I have a theory (head canon?) about it. Ok, look. There are this couple of quotes: [1. At dinners, we are borderline delirious in our love for each other. We kiss, we dance, we get caught trying to sneak away to be alone.] and [2. You're so ... pure,” he says finally. “I am not!” I say. “I've been practically ripping your clothes off every time there's been a camera for the last year!”] and [3. I sit next to Peeta on the sand to eat my rolls. For some reason, it's difficult to look at him. Maybe it was all that kissing last night, although the two of us kissing isn't anything new. It might not even have felt any different for him.]

So my theory is that something really steamy happened during Victory Tour dinner in District 7. I mean, Peeta couldn't remember his favorite color, but for some reason he was interested in the color of her dress in 7. I think there are some very vivid memories associated with that night, which Peeta may have replayed more than once in his head (and that's why they're so tightly stuck there, haha). I suppose that they succeed in sneaking away to some private room (or balcony, I prefer balcony 😏) and tried to be really convincing about why they wanted this privacy. Just a little more intense kissing you know. I think that’s why Katniss suggested that Peeta “might not even have felt any different” because they already had some really passionate kisses. And something like “ripping his clothes off” too, not literally but... Well, Katniss was stressed and focused on their purpose (to appear “madly in love” when they would be caught) but I think for Peeta it was really... ugh... hard night. In many ways 😂.

Actually I even started to draw a comic based on this head canon (with a lot of passionately kissing everlark haha) back in November but it’s so difficult and detailed work, it will take me days to finish it. Maybe I will return to it eventually...Or I can set a goal for this comic on my Ko-fi, if anyone is interested 😏.

Ok, well, now to our outfit. I think red dress is perfect for some passion, right? Peeta has dark red + black + a little bit gold which is also sexy color combination. Hope you enjoy this one! ❤️