Followers- Dw i angen eich help / I need your help
This is a post I've been sitting on for a while and it's time I finally write it to let you all know how I am, where I'm at and the progress of Prosiect Llyfr Enfys.
So, as I alluded to in previous posts, I had a health scare at the end of May which landed me in the hospital. I've spent June recovering from that and dealing with a few life changes as well (which I will talk about later).
Unfortunately, me and my partner had to deal with an unexpected bill of £200 this month which had to come directly out of my savings and is a huge chunk of it.
I've been doing research in preparation for hopefully doing a Masters at Aberystwyth in September on the topic of LGBTQ+ Welsh terminology before the 20th Century. My undergraduate dissertation was on the topic of 20th-21st Century LGBTQ+ Welsh terminology (which is currently unmarked due to the marking boycott). Hopefully after graduation I can share it with you. But my research into older terminology means needing to travel to different archives and libraries in Wales, which at the minute, I just can't afford. The closest place would be Bangor, but I have no money to spare at the minute and Prosiect Llyfr Enfys is not funded by any scheme or grant- it's currently all funded by myself.
For the first time in my life, I've been considering using a food bank. We're not quite at that stage yet, but it's precarious. It's another unexpected bill away from a critical situation.
Currently, my monthly expenses for anything related to the dictionary totals around £40 (subscriptions to archives, libraries, genealogy research tools) which have been instrumental in my work. For example, I couldn't have written my articles for Hanes LHDT+ Cymru without access to ancestry sites or online newspaper archives. This does not include other expenses such as bus tickets to get to the National Library of Wales when I need to, or costs of purchasing dictionaries in order to source them in my work.
All of this is to say that i need your help:
I have a patreon which I will be posting in next in July- if you enjoy Prosiect Llyfr Enfys and want to help keep it going, please consider subscribing today by clicking the link above or in my bio. The lowest tier is affordable and if you have the cash to spare, will enable me to keep on working on the project. If you want to make a one-time donation, I'm considering enabling tips on tumblr for those who would prefer that.
If enough people are able to subscribe to keep the project going, I can start to make some concrete plans for a trip to Bangor and share my journey with you all and involve you in the trip. If I'm unable to raise enough funds, I will have to make the decision to pause the project until after my Master's. I do not currently have a publisher, which is also a big factor in that decision, if I need to make it.
All your support is greatly appreciated- if you cannot donate, please share this post.
As ever, huge huge diolch yn fawr to everyone who has supported the project so far- with your help, we can get this dictionary published to help benefit the whole Welsh LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
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Deep dives into folklore: Welsh folklore
Welsh folklore is a rich tapestry of myths, legends, and traditional stories that have been passed down through generations, shaping the cultural identity of the Welsh people. Rooted in a landscape steeped in history and mysticism, Welsh folklore reflects the unique character of Wales and its people. Let's take a deep dive into some key aspects of Welsh folklore:
The Mabinogion:
The Mabinogion is a collection of Welsh prose tales, comprising some of the earliest literary works in the Welsh language. It consists of four branches: Pwyll Pendefig Dyfed, Branwen ferch Llŷr, Manawydan fab Llŷr, and Math fab Mathonwy.
These tales are a blend of mythology, legend, and fantasy, featuring gods, heroes, and magical elements. Notable characters include Pryderi, Rhiannon, and Bran the Blessed.
The Red Dragon:
The Red Dragon is a symbol deeply ingrained in Welsh folklore and mythology. Legend has it that the red dragon was the emblem of Cadwaladr, a legendary king of Gwynedd. The dragon is associated with Welsh identity and pride and is prominently featured on the national flag of Wales.
King Arthur and the Welsh Connection:
The legendary King Arthur has strong ties to Welsh folklore. While the broader Arthurian legend is widespread, some key elements, such as the magical sword Excalibur and the wizard Merlin, have roots in Welsh tales like the Mabinogion.
Places like Caerleon and the ruins of Castell Dinas Bran in Llangollen are often linked to Arthurian legends.
Y Tylwyth Teg (The Fair Folk):
The Tylwyth Teg are Welsh fairies or magical beings often associated with mounds or fairy rings. They are known for their beauty and magical abilities. Crossing paths with them could lead to both blessings and misfortune, depending on the encounter.
Tales warn of the Tylwyth Teg taking humans to their underground realm, where time passes differently.
The Legend of Gelert:
The legend of Gelert is a poignant tale of loyalty and tragedy. It tells the story of Llywelyn the Great, a medieval Welsh prince, and his faithful hound Gelert. The dog is mistakenly killed by Llywelyn, who later discovers that Gelert had actually saved his son from a wolf.
The Mari Lwyd:
The Mari Lwyd is a traditional Welsh custom associated with the winter season. It involves a horse's skull mounted on a pole, decorated with ribbons and bells, carried by individuals who go from house to house, engaging in a form of door-to-door singing and challenge.
Celtic Water Spirits:
Wales, with its rivers, lakes, and coastline, has numerous tales of water spirits. Creatures like the Afanc, a lake monster, and the Gwragedd Annwn, beautiful water maidens, are part of Welsh folklore. These spirits often play pivotal roles in cautionary tales and myths.
Branwen Uerch Lyr:
The tragic tale of Branwen, the sister of the legendary King Bran the Blessed, is another prominent story in Welsh folklore. It involves betrayal, war, and the symbolic connection between Wales and Ireland.
Welsh folklore continues to inspire contemporary literature, art, and cultural expressions, maintaining a strong connection to the country's past. The tales and mythical elements contribute to the unique identity of Wales and its people, adding a layer of enchantment to the historical and natural landscape.
Taglist (reply or reblog to be added):
@axl-ul @crow-flower @thoughts-fromthevoid @alderwoodbooks @harleyacoincidence @tuberosumtater @sonic-spade @theonlygardenia @holymzogynybatman @nulliel-tres @w0rkah0licz @sylvanthorn @tigertaurus22 @profiterole-reads @mathias-musings @1899adgg1997tbmd @grimmparanormalinvestigations
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Dusted Mid-Year 2023, Part Three (The Lists)
Natural Information Society
Swapping records is fun, but when it comes down to it, we like what we like. What’s that? Glad you asked. Read on for our writers’ mid-year favorites.
Jennifer Kelly
Meg Baird — Furling (Drag City)
Robert Forster — The Candle and the Flame (Tapete)
The Drin — Today My Friend You Drunk the Venom (Feel It)
En Attendant Ana — Principia (Trouble in Mind)
Stella Kola—S-T (Self-Release)
Mudhoney — Plastic Eternity (Sub Pop)
Sleaford Mods — UK Grim (Domino)
The Tubs — Dead Meat (Trouble in Mind)
Nighttime — Keeper Is the Heart (BaDaBing)
Purling Hiss — Drag on Girard (Drag City)
Lonnie Holley — Oh Me Oh My (Jagjaguwar)
The Toads—In the Wilderness (Upset the Rhythm)
Dan Melchior—Welcome to Redacted City (Midnight Cruiser)
James and the Giants—S-T (Kill Rock Stars)
Ben Chasny and Rick Tomlinson—Waves (VOIX)
Bill Meyer
Natural Information Society — Since Time Is Gravity (Eremite)
Elkhorn — On the Whole Universe in All Directions (Centripetal Force)
Meg Baird — Furling (Drag City)
Robert Forster — The Candle and the Flame (Tapete)
The Necks — Travel (Northern Spy)
Milford Graves — Children of the Forest (Black Editions)
Peter Brötzman Heather Leigh — Naked Nudes (Trost)
Yo La Tengo — This Stupid World (Matador)
Magic Tuber Band — Tarantism (Feeding Tube)
Drew Gardner — Flowers in Space (Feeding Tube)
Jozef Van Wissem and Jim Jarmusch — American Landscapes (Incunambulum)
Dave Rempis/Elisabeth Harnik/Tim Daisy — Earscratcher (Aerophonic)
Alasdair Roberts — Grief in the Kitchen and Mirth in the Hall (Drag City)
Jonathan Shaw
BIG BRAVE — nature morte (Thrill Jockey)
Wound Man — Human Outline (Iron Lung)
Gel — Only Constant (Convulse)
Home Front — Games of Power (La Vida Es Un Mus)
Sleaford Mods — UK Grim (Domino)
Spirit Possession — Of the Sign… (Profound Lore)
Bryon Hayes
Yo La Tengo — This Stupid World (Matador)
Big Blood — First Aid Kit (Feeding Tube / BaDaBing)
Meg Baird — Furling (Drag City)
Califone — Villagers (Jealous Butcher)
M. Sage — Paradise Crick (RVNG Intl.)
The Reds, Pinks & Purples — The Town That Cursed Your Name (Slumberland)
John Atkinson — Energy Fields (AKP Recordings)
Joseph Allred — What Strange Flowers Grow in the Shade (Feeding Tube)
The Far Sound — The Far Sound (Centripetal Force)
Ulaan Khol — Milk Thistle (Desastre)
Powers / Pulice / Rolin — Prism (Cached Media)
Lia Kohl — The Ceiling Reposes (American Dreams)
Tim Clarke
Jana Horn — The Window Is The Dream (No Quarter)
Arrowounds — In The Octopus Pond (Lost Tribe Sound)
Meg Baird — Furling (Drag City)
Pile — All Fiction (Exploding In Sound)
Tim Hecker — No Highs (Kranky)
Califone — Villagers (Jealous Butcher)
King Krule — Space Heavy (XL/Matador)
This Is The Kit — Careful Of Your Keepers (Rough Trade)
Cory Hanson — Western Cum (Drag City)
Andy Shauf — Norm (Anti-)
Patrick Masterson
Pile — All Fiction (Exploding in Sound)
Yves Tumor — Praise a Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) (Warp)
Wednesday — Rat Saw God (Dead Oceans)
Jayda G — Guy (Ninja Tune)
Ryuichi Sakamoto — 12 (Milan)
Malla — Fresko (Solina)
Skech185 — He Left Nothing for the Swim Back (Backwoodz Studioz)
Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru — Jerusalem (Mississippi)
Meg Baird — Furling (Drag City)
Andrea — Due in Color (Ilian Tape)
Memphis LK — Too Much Fun EP (Remote Control)
BigXthaPlug — Amar (United Masters)
Andrew Forell
Algiers — Shook (Matador)
King Vision Ultra — Shook World (Hosted by Algiers)
Asher Gamedze — Turbulence & Pulse (International Anthem)
99LETTERS — Makafushigi (Disciples)
The Drin— Today My Friend You Drunk the Venom (Drunken Sailor)
Comet Gain — The Misfit Jukebox (Tapete)
billy woods & Kenny Segal — Maps (Backwoodz Studioz)
Kevin Richard Martin — Above the Clouds (self-released)
SQÜRL — Silver Haze (Sacred Bones)
The Murder Capital — Gigi’s Recovery (Human Season)
Parasite Jazz — Paradise Jazz (Disques de la Spirale)
Christian Carey
The Reds, Pinks, and Purples — The Town that Cursed Your Name (Slumberland)
Aaron Cassidy — A Way of Making Ghosts (Kairos)
Arrowounds — In the Octopus Pond (Settled Scores)
V/A – Red Hot and Ra: Nuclear War LP (Red Hot)
Oval — Romantiq (Thrill Jockey)
Meg Baird — Furling (Drag City)
Black Duck — S/T (Thrill Jockey)
Mother, Sister, Daughter — Musica Secreta (Lucky Music)
Natural Information Society – Since Time is Gravity (Eremite)
Alasdair Roberts — Grief in the Kitchen and Mirth in the Hall (Drag City)
Fever Ray — Radical Romantics (Mute)
James Romig — Spaces (Sawyer Editions)
Brad Mehldau — Your Mother Should Know (Nonesuch)
Nina Berman and Steve Beck — Milton Babbitt: Works for Treble Voice and Piano (New Focus)
Marc Ducret — Palm Sweat (Out of Your Head)
Jennifer Grim — Through Broken Time (New Focus)
Erkki — Sven Tüür: Canticum Canticorum Caritatis (Alpha Classics)
James Ilgenfritz — #entrainments (Frequent Seams)
Brandon Lopez — vilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevilevile (TAO Forms)
Lonnie Holley — Oh Me Oh My (Jagjaguwar)
John Liberatore — Catch Somewhere (New Focus Recordings)
Sebastian Rochford, Kit Downes — A Short Diary (ECM Records)
Frederic Rzewski — Late Piano Works (Naxos)
Rebecca Saunders — Skin (NMC)
Guided by Voices — La La Land (self— released)
Susan Narucki and Donald Berman — This Island (Avie)
Chamber Music From Hell — Chris Opperman (Purple Cow)
Elkhorn — On the Whole Universe in All Directions (Centripetal Force)
Purling Hiss — Drag on Girard (Drag City)
Caterina Barbieri — Myuthafoo (light-years)
Yo La Tengo — This Stupid World (Matador)
Ian Mathers
Fifteen, in alphabetical order:
Aarktica — Paeans (Projekt)
Acid King — Beyond Vision (Blues Funeral)
ALL HANDS_MAKE LIGHT — “Darling the Dawn” (Constellation)
Avalon Emerson — & the Charm (Another Dove)
Brìghde Chaimbeul — Carry Them With Us (Tak:til)
The Drin — Today My Friend You Drunk the Venom (Feel It)
Ladytron — Time’s Arrow (Cooking Vinyl)
loscil // Lawrence English — Colours of Air (Kranky)
Meg Baird — Furling (Drag City)
Mute Duo — Migrant Flocks (American Dreams)
The National — First Two Pages of Frankenstein (4AD)
Tacoma Park — Tacoma Park (Self Released)
Tørrfall — Tørrfall (De Pene Inngang)
Yo La Tengo — This Stupid World (Matador)
Yves Tumor — Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) (Warp)
Derek Taylor
New releases
Kirk Knuffke & Joe McPhee Quartet + 1 — Keep the Dream Up (Fundacja Sluchaj)
Natural Information Society — Time is Gravity (Eremite/Aguirre)
Aruán Ortiz — Serranias — Sketchbook for Piano Trio (Intakt)
Mark Dresser — Tines of Change (Pyroclastic)
Andrew Cyrille — Music Delivery/Percussion (Intakt)
Steve Millhouse — The Undwinding (Steeplechase)
Archival Releases
The Jazz Doctors — Intensive Care/Prescriptions Filled: The Billy Bang Quartet Sessions 1983/1984 (Cadillac)
Milford Graves w/ Arthur Doyle & Hugh Glover — Children of the Forest (Black Editions)
Abdul Wadud — By Myself (Bisharra/Gotta Groove)
Sirone — Artistry (Of the Cosmos/Moved By Sound)
Marion Brown — Mary Ann: Live in Bremen 1969 (Moosicus)
Steve Swell’s Fire Into Music — For Jemeel: Fire From the Road (2005-2006) (RogueArt)
Margaret Welsh
Wheatie Mattiasich — Old Glow (Open Mouth)
Rozi Plain — Prize (Memphis Industries)
Glass Triangle — Blue and Sun-lights (Relative Pitch)
Andy Shauf — Norm (Anti)
Yo La Tengo — This Stupid World (Matador)
Horse Jumper of Love —Heartbreak Rules (Run for Cover)
Bill Orcutt — Jump On It (Palilalia)
Lana Del Rey — Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (Interscope)
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