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cissyenthusiast010155 · 7 months

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If you can & want to. (Love ur work btw ❤️)

I’m in desperate need for more Mortica, like fuck…anyway lol I would like to request Sub!Mortica x SoftDom!Reader where Tish is so very desperate clinging to reader begging and pulling out all the stops:waterworks, big puppy dog eyes, nuzzling, whining &, clinging. Reader gives in and throughly fucks her, Tish is of course very happy and cuddling ensues after some fun.(CZJs eyes man, they are absolutely beautiful.)

(Shapeshifted p, praise kink Tish, Tish is obsessed with sitting on readers lap w/ her head tucked into the crook of readers neck and she loves cuddling)

Heyyy anon! Absolutely!!! Thank you for the request 🥰 Hope you Enjoy 💞💞 Nad I hope you have a lovely day/night!!

Wait Your Turn ~Sub!Morticia Addams xFem Soft!Dom!Shapeshifting!Teacher!Reader

Mommy… Master List

Requests & Prompt-List

Warnings: NSFW, 18+!!, smut, shapeshifting dick (g!p), riding, praise kink, begging, crying, kissing, overstimulation, etc.

Enjoy (;

It wasn’t even first period yet, and your wife was getting needy…

You chuckled to yourself as you were getting some early work done, and Morticia oh so innocently waltzed into your classroom. Her hips swayed and her fingers played with her raven locks, as she walked towards you.

“Morning ‘Tish…” you hummed, not looking up from your work as you finished your last graded paper of your fourth period class.

“I missed you…” the raven haired teacher pouted, “You weren’t at breakfast…”

“I’m gone for a couple of hours, and you already miss me…?” You teased your lover.

“Mhmmmm…” she hummed, moving to lay her upper body against your desk while waving her ass teasingly.

You put your pen down and filed the graded paper away, finally looking up at your wife. Your eyes widened slightly at the sight in front of you. Morticia was leaned up against your desk, giving you a perfect view of her perky tits, bouncy ass, and pouting lips.

“You’re too cute” you cooed, scrunching your nose in a little bunny movement.

Morticia grabbed your hands and pulled them forward to palm her tits in response, as well as giving you her classic puppy dog eyes.

“Use your words, sweet girl…” you reminded the raven haired woman, groping her tits as you spoke.

“Fuck me before your first class…?” Morticia needily asked, leaning into your touch happily.

You quirked your head at your wife, suddenly removing your hand. Morticia whimpered in response.

“Nuh uh…” you tutted as a reminder, “No complaining…”

The woman nodded.

“Sorry Ma’am…” she needily purred.

“Maybe later, sweetheart. Class starts in 10 minutes, that’s too close. Be a good girl and go back to your classroom, your students arrive in 5.” You cooed.

Morticia bit her lip in frustration and nodded in recognition. She walked out in defeat. But the sway in her hips told you that feeling wasn’t permanent. She’d be back…

~~~

The next time Morticia found you was during your shared lunch break. You had both brought food from home, and she had found you in your classroom once more.

This time she came right up to your chair and plopped herself in your lap. She hummed in content of being so close to you, nuzzling impossibly closer.

“Missed you…” Morticia whined into your neck.

Putting her head in the crook of your neck was one of her favorite pastimes…

You sighed and put your work and lunch down once more. Your hands went to her back and hip, and this made the woman purr in delight. She clung onto like there was no tomorrow. You chuckled at her clinginess and apparent neediness.

“You’re going to have to wait until we’re home, sweet thing…” you cooed.

Morticia pulled out to meet your gaze, her face contorted with big puppy dog eyes and a plumped up pouty lip.

“Please Ma’am… M’mm so needy…” she whined desperately, while grinding herself down on the plastic dick underneath your trousers.

“No, baby… Not until we get home…” you lightly teased, but with still a firm tone of voice.

The raven haired teacher let out a frustrated and strangled sigh. She pulled her head out from your neck. The woman bit her lip and then nodded slowly in recognition, her head hanging low and her eyes still looking at you doe eyed and needy. You chuckled lightly.

“You can stay here, in my lap, until I’m finished with my lunch, Baby. And if you’re good, we can go home early tonight. How does that sound?” You suggestively cooed.

Morticia’s eyes lit up a little and she picked her head up, nodding eagerly in agreement.

“Ok, yes please, please Mon Amour…” Tish begged with her best puppy dog eyes.

You smiled lightly in amusement and nodded, letting the woman curl back up into your frame.

For the rest of your lunch break, Morticia cuddles fiercely against you, not letting you go for even a millisecond. She purred like a happy cat, rocking her body against you and your bulge.

Time past and your lunch break ended swiftly. Picking up your wife and placing her back on her feet, you put your lunch away and kissed Morticia on the cheek.

“Time for our classes, my love…” you sighed.

Morticia looked at you, her eyes silently begging for you to drop all your classes for the afternoon and spend the whole rest of the day with her. And like you could read her mind…

“ ‘Tish, love, we’ll have all the time after class” you comforted your wife, “Can you be a good girl and go teach your students? We can meet here after last period.”

Morticia fluttered her eyelashes in a quick pattern, almost like she was getting ready to cry. But she simply nodded instead. You nodded and smiled lightly in response.

Before you could go back to focusing on your work, the raven haired teacher’s lips were on yours. You could taste the neediness on her tongue. You let Morticia have a couple minutes of kissing, before you broke away.

“I love you, Baby” you cooed.

“Love you too, Mon Amour” Your wife purred.

You then sent the woman out and back on her way to her own classroom.

~~~

Your last class of the day’s bell rang, and the students quickly packed up and poured out from your classroom and into the hallway.

You sighed in relief, finally finished with classes for the day and anticipatory of going home. You began to pack up your things, checking the clock and awaiting your wife’s soon arrival. Within minutes, Morticia was in your room, bag in hand, ready to leave.

“Almost ready, my love… Just have to pack up my things, then I will be good to go” you hummed.

Morticia pouted in response, sitting at one of the student desks and tapping the desk impatiently. You then heard her start sniffling. You looked up, picking up your bag, and walked over to your wife.

“Why are you crying, Baby…?” You cooed.

Tish sniffled and looked up at you. Her eyes were all puppy dog and again and her lip was trembling.

“Need you so bad… so bad it hurts…” she whimpered.

“Oh Baby… I know… Let’s go home.” You comforted the woman.

~~~

You’d both gotten undressed instantly when you’d gotten home, and now, you were sitting in the middle of your bed, with Morticia on your lap.

She was cuddled up, her face in your shoulder, as you dragged her wet cunt down onto your shapeshifted member. You sank Tish all the way down on your dick, and the woman cried out in overstimulation.

“So F-full… Too much Ma’am…!” Morticia breathlessly moaned, her sounds muffled by your neck and shoulders

“No no, you can take it, my good girl.” You cooed into her ear, “You begged for my cock all day… You can be a good girl and take it…”

Tish nodded vigorously, as you began to find a faster pace at which you started slamming into your wife’s aching hole. Sinful moans and cries flowed from Morticia’s lips, her sounds getting more and more desperate. Your pounding became more rough and hard.

You made Morticia crash over the edge for the first time that night, and she clinged onto you, crying out in pleasure and scratching the hell out of your back. Her cries didn’t stop though…

As you didn’t relent. You kept slamming up into her. Her hips rutted instinctually down on you dick. She began crying it was all too much for her. But she begged you not to stop.

And so you made her cum again. This time, Tish muffled her leud sounds by biting down on your shoulder. You groaned in pleasurable-pain, continuing to thrust in and out of the woman.

“Doing so well, Baby… Being such a good girl… Color?” You reassured the raven haired woman.

“Good God G-green—!!” Morticia desperately moaned out.

“Good girl…” you cooed.

~~~

Once Tish had finally been tired out, you immediately started to comfort and love on her. She cuddled into your frame, after you had cleaned up her thighs. Morticia clung onto you tightly, humming happily at having gotten what she wanted.

“Sleep Well, Sweet girl…” you cooed.

“Mmmm Night, Mon Amour” Tish whispered.

~~~

Morticia Addams Masterlist

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tanoraqui · 2 years

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Just want you to know that your Pseudo-Democratic Valinor post gave me the mental image of Master Samwise Gardner, formerly Gamgee, High King Of The Noldor.

I'm not even mad, that's hilarious to me.

I mean, by the early Fourth Age, the politics of Eldamar are definitely shaped by:

comfortable peace for longer than many people remember

old family feuds that are maintained partly out of real grievance, partly as a hobby

absolutely everybody knows absolutely everybody else, including all newborns

care for simple growing things (as well as, admittedly, elaborately constructed palaces made entirely of gemstones or something)

So...yeah, being High King in early Fourth Age Tirion is probably very much like being Mayor of Hobbiton! Sam would do fine. He came here to retire, though, so he wouldn't want to do it for long... Fortunately, when they semi-accidentally elected Frodo immediately upon his arrival in Valinor (and Frodo really just wanted to retire), they hastily passed a new law stating that, while the usual term for High Kingship is 100 years, in the case of more change- and weariness-prone mortals, it would be one year only.

(How was Frodo "semi-accidentally" elected High King of the Noldor? Well...

Over the years, the High Kingship has become a primarily ceremonial role, though the High King is the only one allowed to declare war and/or blasphemous rebellion on behalf of the Noldor, and might be called upon to decide judicial or moral arguments that lesser kings dispute. Most centuries, the position is held by Arafinwë, on account of historically famous common sense, unassuming but raw badassery, and the tendency of the general Noldorin populace to hew stubbornly to the line of Finwë in leadership positions. ["General Noldorin populace" being at this point roughly defined as, "all those who register to vote for and respect the authority of the High King of the Noldor", with established legal complications involving where people live, what guild they are or are not part of, and also most parts of the political system are experimentally changed every 500 years on average...but the High Kingship remains, because, essentially, everyone is more comfortable with a proven-responsible referee.]

It's usually Arafinwë, but because it's increasingly ceremonial, sometimes someone else is elected as sort of a popular award of great recognition. A painter named Helyanwillë was elected after unveiling her mountainside-sized mural of the Ainulindalë, to gaze upon which brings an echo of the Great Music to mind. The three-elf team who cracked the secrets of generating and taming lightning to run through wires and power things like dishwashers were jointly elected in TA 1200. There was a brief run of electing the old kings of Beleriand circa the 5000th anniversary of Dagor Bragollach: Fingon had a good term, Finrod threw some amazing parties, and then Turgon, after acting exasperated but tolerant in the whole run-up to his election, turned around and exerted the High King's right to not be ceremonial, and redesigned and remodeled the entirety of Tirion, and much of the surrounding infrastructure.

The people elected Arafinwë again after that.

[To be clear, Fingolfin is also around, and probably elected High King once or twice...as a vacation from his usual job, which is whatever title is given, by appointment or election, to the person who is actually doing politics and managing the function of the government. Every couple millennia when they invert the political structure to see what happens and Fingolfin has to win his way to the top again, it's like a pumpkin full of red meat thrown into his enclosure. His chief competition in this is Satarissë, second-youngest daughter of Finrod and Amarië, who ruthlessly leverages her unprecedented levels of Everyone's Favorite Baby Princess power for political advantage.

Every formal governmental structure includes unwritten assumptions about norms, and the Noldor's generally center around an assumption that Fingolfin will be in the upper echelon of management while Arafinwë is the safety net of common sense (eg, "Doom means Doom", "killing is always bad", "only try to 1v1 a Vala when you have immediate backup.") When Fëanor is one day returned from Mandos, people are going to SCRAMBLE to codify those unwritten rules before he breaks them all (again).]

...So, everyone knows the Ringbearers are coming soon, that Galadriel is coming home at last and Elrond is coming home for the first time and also little mortals called hobbits are coming, hobbits who defeated Sauron, which everyone is ??!!?!!! over. And either the timing works out to have an election or they decide to throw out the usual schedule, and the debate is: who do we honor first, Galadriel or Elrond?! Galadriel, our long-lost princess, ever-bold and much favored among the Sindar and Silvan with whom she made her home; we must welcome her! Elrond, heir to so much, host to so many, eagerly awaited by so many he has lost or never got the chance to meet; we must welcome him! Ooh, or what about the hobbits, I mean, they [one of them??] actually defeated Sauron, surely that's worthy of a crown...

The eager, excited debates start the second Barad-Dur hits the ground and the wise and foresightful see a change in the world, confirmed when Círdan sends word ahead [someone sailing earlier? A message in a bottle carried by Ossë?]

Then Findis, daughter of Finwë and Indis, publishes her most recent philosophical dialogue with the Powers of the World. Like many before, it is an account of a recent conversation [eg, yesterday] with Mandos on matters of Fate, Justice, the roles of Elves, Ainur, and stranger things in the Great Music...punishment and pity, forgiveness and forbearance... It concludes, though Mandos entreats her to stop, with her declaration that she is done waiting for a resolution that will never come, she is done tolerating a sentence that is already twice as long as Manwë gave his brother, without opportunity for repentance and reformation; a new Age of peace is dawning and she is willing to risk a little danger in it - so if Mandos doesn't release her half-brother and nephews in the next 100 years, she will find a way to cast her own fëa into utter dissolution in the Void; let not just Mandos but Manwë and Varda hear her words, and Eru hold her to them!

...And before anyone has fully processed that, Elrond, Galadriel, and the hobbits arrive, and on the boat with them, they've brought Maglor. Some people, knowing Elrond either in his youth in the War of Wrath or in his wisdom in later days, aren't surprised that Elrond did this, but Galadriel?!

In the ensuing confusion, the Younger Mr. Baggins election campaign slips through to victory, to the surprise of all and to Frodo's tired and frankly embarrassed dismay. Someone reassures him that it's just ceremonial, except for the authority to declare war, and he just needs to officially "re-appoint" Fingolfin to do the actual governing. This reassures Frodo very little.)

(A few hundred years later, some people are like, "hey, you know, Celebrimbor has been managing his terrible older relatives really well, and obviously his Rings came in CLUTCH for the whole Third Age. We should totally elect him--" To which Celebrimbor says, "oh Lord to Whom All Birds are Sacred, please NO, do NOT do that." To which his supporters says, "alright, let's get Huan elected as an honorable stand-in" and they almost, almost pull it off, but lose out in the end because their candidate a) isn't very good at giving speeches, and b) already has a full-time job being hunting partner/parole officer for Celegorm specifically, but probably he keeps an eye on all the whole Oath-bound family.)

#aman ever after #the silmarillion #samwise gamgee #lotr #feanor and feanor's kin #ficlet

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freddieraimbow74 · 1 month

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Happy Birthday Lady Gaga 🎉🍰🍾🥂

She was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta but is known professionally as Lady Gaga. She is known for her image reinventions and musical versatility.

Having sold 124 million records as of 2014, Gaga is one of the world's best-selling music artists and the only female artist to achieve four singles that sold at least 10 million copies globally. Her accolades include 12 Grammy Awards, 18 MTV Video Music Awards, 16 Guinness World Records, awards from the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and recognition as Billboard's Artist of the Year (2010) and Woman of the Year (2015). She has also been included in several Forbes' power rankings and ranked fourth on VH1's Greatest Women in Music (2012). Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2010 and 2019 and placed her on their All-Time 100 Fashion Icons list.

Her philanthropy and activism focus on mental health awareness and LGBT rights; in 2012, she founded the Born This Way Foundation, a non-profit organization aiming to empower youth, improve mental health, and prevent bullying. Gaga's business ventures include Haus Laboratories, a vegan cosmetics brand that launched in 2019.

Lady Gaga has stated many times how much she admired Freddie Mercury and Queen. Her performance style on stage hints at inspiration from Freddie Mercury. We all know Freddie hammered those ebonies and ivories and so does Gaga. She received piano lessons as a young girl but like Freddie, she plays by ear.

Freddie exemplified showmanship, and Lady Gaga does, too. Mercury theatrically danced and flourished by engaging with his audience. Gaga can be more stoic and picturesque, and her audiences love to sing along. They both make you feel as if you’re in the audience of a historical theater.

Freddie wore leotards and bright colors — disregarding conventional boundaries of gender and sexuality. Lady Gaga does much the same, but perhaps with a more haute couture flair.

When it comes to on-stage costumes, Lady Gaga never disappoints.

Lady Gaga, who wore her own take on the sequined jumpsuit on more than one occasion, is among those influenced by Queen, a band she said she “worshipped”; she followed Mercury’s fashion trends closely. She once said she “hoped Freddie Mercury would have thought I was great.”

On her stage name, Stefani said:

“I decided that I'd been playing under my real name for so long I wanted a new way to reinvent myself. So I said,'What about Lady Gaga?' because Gaga is sort of crazy and Lady has such connotations."

“I adored Freddie Mercury and Queen had a hit with Radio Ga Ga. That's why I love the name. Freddie was unique, one of the biggest personalities in pop music. He was not only a singer but also a fantastic performer, a man of theatre and someone who constantly transformed himself. In short, a genius!”

"I’ve always been Gaga ... I suppressed all those eccentricities about myself so I could fit in. Once I was free, I was able to be myself.”

While it's possible that she might revert to her real name down the road, for now, it's definitely Gaga.

You took your name from the Queen song “Radio Ga Ga. “What is your all-time favorite Freddie Mercury performance? (Far Out Mag)

“When he’s in the king’s outfit, with the scepter. Equating oneself with royalty is such a female thing to do. We dress up as princesses and queens and we wear crowns, but Freddie created this image of himself as rock royalty. That performance screams, “Watch me! I’m a legend!”

Roger Taylor even praised Gaga in an interview in 2019

“Lady Gaga is fantastic. I think there are lots of similarities between her and Freddie. She is an extraordinary woman. She does have a great voice, very musical. She is a great musician.”

Gaga collaborated with Brian May (who had electric-guitar duties) on her songs’ ‘Born This Way’ and ‘You & I,’ which just so happens to sample ‘We Will Rock You.’

She admitted to "Falling to the floor crying and laughing" when she found out that May agreed to the collaboration. A dream come true.

“I had a blast working with Lady Gaga, she’s very creative. She’s not just a singer, she writes her own material. She’s fantastic and very inspiring. She’s a very human person underneath all those layers. I love her, she’s great. The persona she’s built up certainly seems to be working.” ~ Brian May

Wishing you all the best Lady Gaga! 🎉🥂

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cruger2984 · 7 months

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THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT FRANCIS BORGIA The Patron Against Earthquakes Feast Day: September 30, October 3 (Jesuit calendar)

Francis Borgia (Francisco de Borja y Aragón) gave up incredible wealth, power and privilege as a Spanish nobleman to enter the Society of Jesus where his experience brought him to leadership as the third superior general of the young Society of Jesus. The oldest son of the third duke of Gandía, Borgia was born in the family palace in Valencia. His great grandfather on his father's side was Pope Alexander VI, and his mother's grandfather was King Ferdinand the Catholic.

Like other young nobles he was trained for life at court, and in 1522 was appointed page to his cousin Catherine, the sister of Emperor Charles V who invited him back to court after he studied philosophy for three years. In 1529, he married Leonor de Castro of Portugal, Empress Isabella's first lady-in-waiting. The 20 year-old Borgia was honored by the Emperor who named him Marquis of Llombai, and placed him in charge of the imperial household. During the next 10 years, Francis and Eleanor had eight children and lived in great familiarity with Charles and Isabella, until the Empress unexpectedly died on May 1, 1539.

Her death led directly to Borgia's conversion when Francis accompanied the funeral cortege to the burial place in the royal chapel in Granada. When the coffin was opened, he saw not the beautiful face of the 36-year-old queen, but a face beyond recognition. Not wanting to serve another master who would die, he began to devote himself to prayer and penance.

After he returned from Granada, he was appointed Viceroy of Catalonia in June 1539, and then became the fourth duke of Gandía after his father died four years later. He returned to the family palace to manage his estates, but when his wife Leonor died March 27, 1546, he resolved to dedicate the rest of his life to God's service. He was familiar with the Jesuits, having founded a Jesuit college in Gandía and being a personal friend of Father Peter Favre whom he asked to inform Ignatius of his decision. Ignatius welcomed him into the Society but recommended that he tell no one until he arranged affairs for his children and finished studying theology. Meanwhile, the founder of the Jesuits encouraged the duke to continue living as a nobleman. Francis pronounced his vows as a Jesuit on Feb. 1, 1548 and on Aug. 20, 1550 earned a doctorate in theology from the university which he himself had founded.

Since 1550 was a Holy Year, Francis took the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Rome so he could visit Ignatius and arrange his public entrance into the Society of Jesus. He left his home in Gandía, never to see it again, and lodged in the Jesuit residence in Rome with Ignatius rather than taking Pope Julius III's offer to stay in the Borgia apartments in the Vatican. After living as a Jesuit from the end of October until early February 1551, he returned to Spain where he resigned his title in favor of his son, Carlos. As soon as he received the Emperor's letter accepting his resignation, Francis donned the Jesuit cassock. He was ordained a priest on May 23 and celebrated his first Mass in the chapel in the Loyola family home.

For a few years Borgia worked as an ordinary parish priest. In 1554 he was named Commissary General in Spain, with power over provincials in Spain and Portugal. He founded Spain's first novitiate, at Simancas, and set up over 20 schools. He did not attend the first general congregation, convened almost two years after Ignatius died, but did return to Rome in 1561 at Pope Pius IV's request. He was chosen to be vicar general when Father James Laínez, who succeeded Ignatius as superior general, attended the last session of the Council of Trent. Upon Laínez's return, Borgia became assistant for Spain and Portugal, and then was elected to succeed Laínez after his death in 1565.

Borgia served as the third superior general of the Jesuits for seven years and devoted himself to revising the Society's rules, expanding its missions in India and the Americas, and shepherding the growth of the young Society.

His final project was a mission to Spain accompanying Cardinal Michele Bonelli in an effort to secure Spain's help against the Turks. The two churchmen left Rome in June 1571, and arrived in Barcelona by the end of August. Borgia was overwhelmed by the reception he received from people who had known him as a nobleman and honored his choice of religious life. In December, Borgia left Spain for France to continue the diplomatic mission, but he fell ill from fever and pleurisy because of the unusually cold. He had to spend weeks resting in Turin on the return trip to Rome and then stayed with relatives in Ferrara during the summer.

Finally, he set out for Rome on Sept. 3, 1572, going to bed immediately upon his arrival. His final illness lasted three days before the 61-year-old general died during the night of September 30.

Source: jesuits.global

#random stuff #catholic #catholic saints #francis borgia #francisco de borja y aragó #francisco borja #jesuits #society of jesus

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thepastisalreadywritten · 1 year

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The Royal Family have united at a Christmas concert hours after the controversial documentary came to a conclusion this morning.

Kate Middleton is hosting the concert at Westminster Abbey in London, where royals will come together for the festive event.

The concert will be broadcast as part of Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, a special programme narrated by Catherine Zeta Jones, which will air on ITV1 at Christmas Eve.

The special Christmas service is dedicated to the late Queen and will recognise the selfless efforts of individuals, families and communities across the UK.

A synopsis for the show outlines that the service aims to dedicate the late monarch and the values that she demonstrated throughout her life, including “duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others.”

It adds: “These principles are shared and personified by the inspirational guests who have been invited to the Abbey in recognition of their tireless work to help and care for those around them.”

Prince William, King Charles, Camilla, The Queen Consort, and other members of the Royal Family will be in attendance.

Kate looked incredibly festive in a beautiful fit and flare plum V-neck style dress for the evening.

She matched her look with a pair of suede heeled shoes and a glittery clutch bag, and accessorised her look with what appeared to be drop ruby gem earrings.

With her brunette locks styled into bouncy blow dried curls, she smiled at crowds who were gathered by the Abbey in London as she was pictured walking past a row of lit Christmas trees.

Following her arrival, other members of the family were pictured attending the venue.

Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, and her sister Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi followed into the church.

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, was then seen entering, wearing an elegant white trench coat.

The Abbey is filled with festive decorations to provide a beautiful Christmas backdrop and some of the nation’s most beloved carols, including O Come, All Ye Faithful, will be sung.

There will be performances from Craig David, Alexis Ffrench and Samantha Barks, and a special duet from Alfie Boe and former Spice Girl Melanie C.

Readings from Prince William, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Hugh Bonneville and Kadeena Cox have also been organised.

As well as this, the broadcast will feature additional content, including an introduction from Kate, as well as films highlighting individuals who have gone above and beyond to support others this year, and tributes to the Queen.

Kate recently published a behind-the-scenes filming picture on The Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Twitter account.

Wearing a sequin-covered Aurora Ballerina Dress from Needle & Thread that she debuted at a Buckingham Palace reception in January 2020, the Princess stood in front of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree as she beamed at the camera.

The princess wore her hair in loose curls and rocked the same dangling ruby Soru earrings she wore the first time she sported the dress.

She captioned the post:

"#TogetherAtChristmas @ itv Christmas Eve."

Social media users have taken to express their joy at Kate hosting the Carol concert again this year, as well as complimenting how "lovely" she always looks.

One person wrote: "The Princess looks so beautiful. Can't wait for this year's Christmas concert."

And another said: "So much beauty, talent and grace! Thank you Prince William for marrying someone that makes the UK and the Commonwealth so proud!"

While a third put: "Looking forward to it. Hoping that it is now an annual tradition. Loving the jobs that you are doing for us all."

And a fourth wrote: "Wow, Princess of Wales looking stunning and classy."

Another user said: "Catherine always looks lovely. Cannot wait to see who will be involved this year. Last year was amazing!"

Last year, Kate also sported red for the “Together at Christmas” event, wearing a Catherine Walker coat dress with a large bow at the neck.

She also sat down to play the piano for a special performance with singer Tom Walker, wowing the British public.

xxx

Edited

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/royals-unite-christmas-concert-hours-28742329

youtube

Royal Family Get Festive at ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service

16 December 2022

#Royal Carols: Together At Christmas #Royal Carols: Together At Christmas (2022)#King Charles III #Camilla Queen Consort #Prince William #Prince George #Princess Charlotte #Sophie Countess of Wessex #Princess Beatrice #Princess Eugenie #Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi #Jack Brooksbank #Mike Tindall #British Royal Family #Youtube

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lefresne · 2 years

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a list of strange things from the perlesvaus (part 1)

So Le Haut Livre du Graal (aka the Perlesvaus) is a very strange text. And by strange I mean incredibly violent in a sort of absurd, over the top way. (It’s so bizarre and disturbing that renowned French medievalist Ferdinand Lot posited that the author might have been suffering from combat PTSD (Lot was writing in the early years post WWI, interestingly, and I think his phrasing reveals as much about the text as it does about the time Lot was writing and thinking in))

General content note for child death and a baffling amount of severed heads.

- Text opens and straight out the gate: child murder. King Arthur is preparing to go on pilgrimage to cure one of the bouts of melancholy that plague him but the night before his squire has a dream in which he is killed by a black knight for stealing a candelabra. The squire wakes mortally wounded and holding the candelabra.This pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the text.

- in fact I would say that child death is one of the texts underlying themes. The Perlesvaus is one of, if not the, only text that presents Arthur and Guinevere as having a legitimate son. Unfortunately, Kay cuts off his head. The head is then sent to court in a chest, after which ensues an absolutely harrowing recognition scene. Guinevere dies of grief shortly thereafter and is buried with her son’s head in Avalon. I’m sorry everyone.

- After she dies, Guinevere’s Saracen family makes war on Arthur as they claim that the round table (which was part of Guinevere’s dowry) should be returned to them. The Perlesvaus is the only text to my knowledge that frames Guinevere as a (presumably converted) Saracen queen type figure. It’s a fascinating addition given the overall militant, crusading tone of the text. The Perlesvaus’s Guinevere is a complex figure, beloved by her husband and mother to his heir, and it is unclear whether or not her adultery with Lancelot (who is very much in love with her) is reciprocal, let alone consummated.

- very concerning emphasis on the scent of decaying bodies. The text usually describes it as sweet and cloying….my guy….that’s what rot smells like

- there is a cart pulled by three white stags that contains a heap of five-hundred severed heads covered by a black sheet embroidered with a gold cross.

- Upon seeing the stags, Kay comments on how nice they must taste roasted. Not the heads. Eating the stags.

- There is a woman with four coffins in her personal chapel for the three best knights of the realm (Lancelot, Gawain, Perceval). She has some relics displayed and if any of the three knights happen to come across her castle and go to look at the relics, she plans to pull on a chain, making a blade fall and chopping their heads off. The woman plans to then join them in death in the fourth and final coffin. She does this because she loves them.

- Gawain tries and fails to rescue a pagan king’s son from a giant. He brings the body back to the pagan king and the pagan king has his son cut into small pieces and cooked then fed to his subjects.

- Perceval’s sister, Dandrane, is an important figure who must complete a quest of her own in order for her brother to one day achieve the grail.

- Lancelot ends up having supper with a mysterious woman, with each course of the meal being served by imprisoned, injured knights: the first group of knights have their noses cut off, the second group have their eyes plucked out, the third group have there hand cut off, the fourth their foot, and the final group present the woman with their swords so that she may cut off their heads.

- Perceval is an absolute menace that should be prosecuted for war crimes: including decimating a wedding and drowning one of his mother’s enemies in a vat full of blood.

- knight with a flame-thrower.

- Lancelot, Gawain, and King Arthur all spend the night in an abandoned hermitage that, it turns out, has a room filled with dead bodies! This is because the lady from a few points above (the one who had supper with Lancelot) is repenting from her behaviour by carrying all the dead knights she finds in the forest to this hermitage. And there are a lot of dead bodies in that forest.

- Lancelot and Gawain find this extremely funny. If they’re dead, they will certainly not be disturbing them overnight. ‘You should be scared of the living!’ Yes, Lancelot, im starting to see that

#the vat full of blood thing is one of the most shocking scenes ive read in an arthurian romance I think ever?#arthuriana #arthurian legend #perlesvaus posting

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natequarter · 9 months

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🌻 !

when eleanor of aquitaine and louis vii of france had their marriage annulled, it was on grounds of consanguinity (blood relation) within the fourth degree (in this case, third cousin once removed). anyway, eight weeks after said annulment, she married henry ii of england, who was related to her even more closely - within the third degree. eleanor of aquitaine is one of the only medieval women given considerable recognition in general society, but like, considering she ruled england and france, acted as regent to richard the lionheart, went on crusade, saw both her surviving sons become king, was duchess of aquitaine in her own right, and lived to the age of eighty-fucking-one (or eighty-two), the attention she gets seems pretty justified

(link)

#asks #(this is a bit of a Sweeping Statement and i don't know how to word it but like #she is one of the most well-known Medieval Women if you get what i mean)

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the-henry-cavillian · 1 year

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The Superman Within: The Rise Of Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill is a British actor who has become a household name in Hollywood. He is known for his roles in major blockbuster movies such as "Man of Steel," "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," and "Justice League." Cavill has also made a name for himself in the television industry, starring in the popular series "The Tudors" and "The Witcher." In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and career of Henry Cavill, exploring how he became one of the most sought-after actors in the world.

Early Life And Education

Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill was born on May 5, 1983, in Saint Helier, Jersey, a small island in the English Channel. He is the fourth of five boys in his family. Cavill's father, Colin Cavill, was a stockbroker, and his mother, Marianne Cavill, was a secretary in a bank. Henry's parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised by his mother.

Cavill attended Stowe School, a prestigious boarding school in Buckinghamshire, England. During his time there, he discovered his love for acting and began taking drama classes. He also participated in school plays and musicals, honing his skills as a performer. After graduating from Stowe, Cavill studied at the University of Bristol, where he pursued a degree in Classical Studies.

Early Career

Cavill's acting career began in the early 2000s, when he landed small roles in television shows such as "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries" and "Midsomer Murders." He also appeared in the films "Laguna" and "The Count of Monte Cristo" in minor roles. However, it wasn't until 2007 that Cavill's big break came.

In 2007, Cavill was cast as Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, in the Showtime series "The Tudors." The show, which chronicled the life and reign of King Henry VIII, was a critical and commercial success, running for four seasons. Cavill's performance as Brandon was praised by critics, and it helped him gain recognition as an actor.

Rise To Fame

Despite his success on "The Tudors," Cavill's big break in Hollywood didn't come until 2011, when he was cast as the titular character in "Man of Steel." The film, which was directed by Zack Snyder, was a reboot of the Superman franchise, and it marked Cavill's first major role in a blockbuster movie.

Cavill's performance as Superman was widely praised by critics, with many calling him the best actor to ever play the iconic superhero. His portrayal of Superman was praised for its depth and nuance, as Cavill brought a sense of humanity and vulnerability to the character that had not been seen before.

Following the success of "Man of Steel," Cavill reprised his role as Superman in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Justice League." He also starred in the spy thriller "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." and the action movie "Mission: Impossible – Fallout."

In recent years, Cavill has also made a name for himself on television, starring in the hit Netflix series "The Witcher." The show, which is based on a series of novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, has been a massive success, with Cavill's performance as the monster hunter Geralt of Rivia being praised by fans and critics alike.

Personal Life

Despite his fame, Cavill has managed to keep his personal life relatively private. He has been linked to a number of high-profile women over the years, including actress Kaley Cuoco.

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heavenboy09 · 1 year

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Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 To A Very Talented & Distinguished Actor Of Epic Blockbusters, Scifi, Biographical Dramas, Independent & Riverting Time Period Films Of History & etc

He is an American actor. He received widespread recognition and acclaim after starring as Władysław Szpilman in Roman Polanski's The Pianist (2002), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor at age 29, becoming the youngest actor to win in that category. He is the second male American actor after Christopher Lambert to receive the César Award for Best Actor.

Other successful films that He has starred in are The Thin Red Line (1998), The Village (2004), King Kong (2005), Predators (2010) and Midnight in Paris (2011). He is a frequent collaborator of Wes Anderson's, having starred in four of Anderson's films, The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Splice (2009), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), and The French Dispatch (2021). In 2017, he portrayed Luca Changretta in the fourth season of the BBC series Peaky Blinders. In 2022, he portrayed Arthur Miller in the Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde and also starred as Pat Riley in the first season of the HBO sports drama series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.

Born On April 13th, 1973

He was born in Woodhaven, Queens, New York City, the son of Sylvia Plachy, a photographer, and Elliot Brody, a retired history professor and painter. His Father is of Polish Jewish descent; His mother, who was raised Catholic, was born in Budapest, Hungary, and is the daughter of a Catholic Hungarian aristocrat father and a Czech Jewish mother, although He says he was raised "without a strong connection" to either Judaism or Christianity.

As a child, He performed magic shows at children's birthday parties as "The Amazing Adrien". He attended I.S. 145 Joseph Pulitzer Middle School and New York's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. His parents enrolled him in acting classes to distance him from the dangerous children with whom he associated. He attended summer camp at Long Lake Camp for the Arts in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. He attended Stony Brook University before transferring to Queens College for a semester.

He received widespread recognition when he was cast as the lead in Roman Polanski's The Pianist (2002). To prepare for the role, He withdrew for months, gave up his apartment and his car, broke up with his then-girlfriend, learned how to play Chopin on the piano; at 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall, he lost 30 pounds (14 kg), dropping him to 130 lb (59 kg). The role won him an Academy Award for Best Actor, making him, at age twenty nine, the youngest actor ever to win the award, and, to date, the only winner under the age of thirty. He also won a César Award for his performance.

Please Wish This Outstanding Actor Of Incredible Acting Of Creative Roles In Movies A Very Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊

You Know Him

& You Have To Love Him

The 1

& The Only

MR. ADRIEN NICHOLAS BRODY

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 TO YOU MR. BRODY & HERE'S TO MANY MORE YEARS TO COME.

#adrien brody #the pianist #Spotify

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animemangasoul · 1 year

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Gloves for a Cane

Summery: Sturmhond gives one Kaz Brekker a helping hand on a slave ship.

Or, remember that scene in shadow and bones when Kaz leant Nikolai his cane? Yeah.

They'd expected resistance, of course they had. A slaver's ship wasn't going to just roll over and let them scratch it's belly. They'd know that, but frankly, Sturmhond or better known by the name Nikolai, King consort, was tired. He'd been at sea for what felt like months now, even though he very well knew it had only been three weeks, and he missed his wife damn it. He hadn't been away from her this long since they'd tied the knot and seeking her grow smaller and smaller by the harbor as he set sail had done something to his blackened heart he couldn't quite place a finger on.

In summary, he wanted to go home and he would be on his way there right now if rumours hadn't reached their ears that the slaver's ship Damnation was carrying a cargo to Katterdam. Nikolai hadn't even giving the decision a second thought, issuing orders and turning away from home sweet home to do what he must.

And now here they were, fighting a bloody and brutal battle against a bloody and brutal crew.

Nikolai was so freaking tired.

The sound of clashing swords and the scent of smoke filled the air as he and his crew fought to take control. So far many men had fallen victim to his guns and blade but more just kept popping up. "Oh for-" he hissed when a muscles of a man nicked his arm. Turning swiftly he shot him once, twice. He dropped and never got up.

"Tolya!"

"I'm good," one of his closest friends and comrades called back, his previous grunt of pain, all but forgotten as he reached out, clenched his fist and crushed the heart of the first man.

"Good good," Nikolai said, stabbing his sword through the nearest man's chest to the hilt. "Make sure to keep it that way."

"Ay ay captain."

Amidst the chaos, his mind remained focused on the mission at hand - rescuing the abused slaves that were likely still locked up in the brig unless this was one of those slave ships that tended to kill their cargo instead of losing it to rivals. Nikolai felt cold just thinking about it.

The deck was slick with blood and sea spray by the time the battle came to an end, the captain of the Damnation dead with a bullet through his skull.

Nikolai stood tall, his shirt stained red but his eyes blazing. "Tie up the rest," he said, waving carelessly at the remaining crew. "Tolya, come with me, we'll see who've they got in the brig."

Tolya nodded, following behind him silently; his big frame providing Nikolai some familiar level of comfort.

He stepped down into the bowels of the ship, the salty air turning dank and sour with each step they took. He peered into the first cell and found it empty, then moved to the next and then the next. Part of him was relieved because the sparsity of the cells meant they hadn't captured many, but the other half of him just wanted to see alive faces and-----

There, huddled in the corner of the fourth cell, was a group of people, haggard and thin, their eyes darting up to meet his. They looked starved, scared, defiant.

He put on a smile, falling behind his privateer mask to bury his anger and raised his hands in the air, universal sign of 'I mean you no harm.' Most of the people appeared to be of Fjerdan descent so with less than adequate accent, he stepped forward and said-

"I'm here to free you," Kaz said, his Fjerdan rough yet cheerful. "Do you know who I am?"

One of the prisoners shifted forward, their eyes lighting up with recognition. "You're Sturmhond," they said, their voice trembling. "We've heard of you. You're a privateer."

Nikolai's eyes lit up, smirk turning into a full blooming grin. Finally. "Yes, that I am." He tipped his hat; a beautiful piece of leather gift giving to him curtesy of Genya. "Good good. Then you know I've come to free you."

Bending down, he picked the lock with practiced ease and swung the cell door open. He'd gotten quite fast at lock picking ever since his favorite Ketterdam barrel rat had given him a most valuable lesson in it.

The prisoners stumbled out, some of them too weak to stand, and Tolya and him caught them before they fell. As they made their way back up to the deck, Nikolai couldn't help but let his shoulders fall in relief. He hadn't lost any of his crew on this unprompted raid and they'd found the kidnapped victims before anything worse could have happened to them. It was….. A relief.

Suddenly Nikolai saw movement out of the corner of his eye and he stiffened, hand immediately coming to rest on the revolver at his side.

"You should be more aware of your surroundings, demon."

He turned, eyes widening at hearing the familiar brittle voice of an old friend only to come face to face with the owner of the voice himself.

"Kaz?" He asked, disbelief coloring his voice.

Kaz lips quirked into what could arguably be construed as a friendly-ish smirk. "Sturmhond."

He was standing tall and maybe a bit stiff by the now opened cell door of the cell next to the one he'd found the rest of the people. Nikolai had been meaning to give the brig thorough check before heading up but part of him felt a twinge of guilt to not have done so immediately and missed Kaz. For it was obvious Kaz Brekker hadn't been here of his own violation by his ragged appearance and sunken cheeks. Or if he'd been, for it to have turned sour rather quickly.

"Didn't expect to see you here." He said instead, not voicing any of his racing thoughts. His concerns

"Fastest way back to Katterdam," was the younger's casual response. It made Nikolai snort.

"Of course."

"Best we get out of here," the Katterdam gangster said, after observing him quietly for a second. Nikolai nodded. Taking a step forward, cane missing, Kaz grimaced as the ship swayed and his left hand came in contact with the metal of the door in support. He pulled his hand away immediately but his cheeks had already taken on a greenish tint and Nikolai couldn't help but stare. He couldn't quite look away from the other's hands. His bare hands. For this had just finally managed to register in his head. His naked, bare, uncovered hands.

Where were his gloves? 'Likely where his cane is, idiot,' his brain supplied him helpfully and he found himself pulling a face. Yeah that made sense. Who'd let a slave keep his possessions. Hell, for all he knew, Kaz could have lost them both long before he boarded this ship. If they were here, Brekker would have gotten to them during the fight, wouldn't he?

Should Nikolai ask?

No? Yes?

"Best to get out of here before other slave ships are alerted to our presence," Kaz said, breaking him out of his thoughts and raising an eyebrow at him when their eyes met. It was obvious Kaz Brekker wasn't about to acknowledge that momentary sign of weakness and from the way he held himself, he might as well have loudly said he'd gut Nikolai if he did but----

A long time ago. Nikolai had been injured. He had tried to walk it off but his leg hadn't been willing to cooperate and frankly it had hurt like a bitch. Back then a particular young man with a penchant for violence, cruel words and carelessness regarding people's lives had lent him his cane. A cane he too had needed.

It had been a kind gesture.

Nikolai remembered it well.

"Sturmhond." There was a sharpness in Brekker's voice. "Let us go."

"Yeah, ok but first---" Without a second thought, Nikolai pulled off his own gloves, the thick material sliding off without resistance and exposing his blackened fingers to the cool air. He could feel the familiar discomfort that always accompanied the feeling of not hiding his hands despite having come to term with the demon inside a long long time ago, but he pushed it all aside as he held out his gloves to Kaz.

"Here, put these on," he said lightly, hiding his concern with humour. "Pretty sure your pale-ass hands will catch fire when we make it back to the deck otherwise."

Kaz's face went tight. "Sturmhond ," he said, this time the warning there unmistakable.

Nikolai didn't budge. "Take it," he said. "I owe you one." Layers behind the words Kaz clearly picked upon from the way his eyebrows arched.

When their eyes met this time, there was something unreadable in the younger man's gaze. For a second Nikolai almost took his hand back, thinking perhaps they did not actually have an unspoken understanding about this but just as his arm twitched, Brekker reached out. Fingers pinching and lifting the gloves oh so carefully as not to touch him but taking them nonetheless.

Nikolai sighed in relief.

"You did not have to do this," Kaz said after a pause, pulling the privateer's gloves on; they looked just this side of big on him to make it almost look adorable. Nikolai bit his tongue to not comment on it. He promised his wife he'd come back home alive.

Instead he shrugged off the gratitude which frankly felt more like casual observation, knowing that Kaz didn't like to be fussed over. "What can I say? I'm a sucker for repaying debts."

"Indeed."

How could someone so young, sound so dead inside?

"We have to get you out of here," Nikolai said, "everyone must be wondering what's taking me so long."

Kaz rested a hand against the metal; this time without a twitch of discomfort, Nikolai took bigger comfort in that than he was willing to admit. "Lead the way."

Together, they made their way back to the deck of the ship, where the rest of the crew was waiting.

Nikolai surveyed the scene before him: the still living slavers, writhing on the ground in pain or cowering in fear, tied together. Satisfaction pulsed through him at the sight.

A group of terrified, shackled people huddled together on the other side as his crew slowly worked their way to free them. Nikolai had seen many horrors in his time at sea, but the sight of people being treated as property still made his blood boil.

"Get them out of those chains as quickly as possible," he barked at his crew. "Before getting them back on our ship, get them something to eat too. We've got a long journey ahead of us, and I won't have them chained like animals by the time we sail off. Also, do try to treat your own injuries before helping anyone else." The crew scrambled to do as told even as they lightly ribbed each other, shoving him around good naturally as they passed him by.

God, he really loved these idiots.

Now, stepping up to the freed slaves, he tipped his hat.

"I'm Captain Sturmhond," he said. "And you're safe now."

One of the men stepped forward, his eyes wary. "Who are you really?" he asked, his voice shaking.

"I'm the man who just saved your life," Nikolai replied with a grin. "And if you're wondering where we're headed, let me just say that we're not in the business of selling people. You're free now, and we'll get you home as soon as possible. That is a promise."

Oh did he have a hell of a story to tell Zoya when he got back. Speaking off--

"What do you say about coming with me back to Ravka?"

"No."

He sighed. So ungrateful.

But as he watched Kaz leaning against the railing watching the sunset. The younger man having helped free the slaves in record time; gloves still firmly pulled over his hands, Nikolai couldn't help but smile.

He was glad.

Now, how to trick him into boarding Inej's ship so they could finally reunite.

#nikolai lantsov #kaz brekker #shadow and bone #grisha trilogy fanfic #shadow and bone fanfic #grishaverse #fanfic #but guys guuuuuuuys #why am I still freaking out about that moment #and now I can't stop thinking about nikolai returning the favor like #fjndjkndkjn heeeeelp #i need this #so I made it #living rent free in my head

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theliterarywolf · 2 years

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Modern fantasy idea I've been thinking about: the cast is aware of all the tropes because the ultimate battle of good vs evil is a generational occurrence and over the years people have noticed patterns. So like the inciting incident is a Lost Prince being attacked because the Evil King is about to announce his intentions to the world and wants to preemptively eliminate the One True Heir.

Okay, I admittedly had to reread this a few times because my brain initially went 'mm, you may have some trouble effectively utilizing/acknowledging the tropes in an engaging manner'.

However, I commend the addition of it being generational conflict and people actually using pattern-recognition to address the situation rather than being out-and-out snarky and fourth-wall-breaky does sound interesting...

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rabbitcruiser · 1 year

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Lugo, Spain (No. 4)

During the Middle Ages Lugo, like Santiago de Compostela, was a center of pilgrimage, because the cathedral had the special privilege, which it still retains today, of exposing to the public the consecrated host twenty-four hours a day. In the 18th century Lugo was granted the privilege of organizing the fairs of St. Froilán. During the Modern Age, Lugo had a certain supremacy, although other nearby towns such as Mondoñedo or Ribadeo disputed it. It was not until the division of the state into provinces in 1833 and the creation of provincial governments that Lugo has become the most important town in the province of Lugo, because of its capital status. This rise has been bolstered by the arrival of the first railroad to the city in 1875.

During the 20th century the city continued to grow as the administration and services center of the province. In 1936, when the Civil War broke out, the city became quickly under the Nationalists control. In the 1970s the city undertook important reforms, like the development of the Ceao Industrial Area (1979) and the complete restoration of the Roman walls.

Infanta Elena, the elder daughter of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain and fourth in the line of succession to the Spanish throne, has been duchess of Lugo since 1995.

In 2000, the recognition of the Roman walls on UNESCO's World Heritage Site was an important event in the city.

Source: Wikipedia

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zerogate · 2 years

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Two additional sin lists (combined here) from the Pseudoclementine Homilies (a fourth-century CE novel related to the Recognitions) sum up the Marcionite critique of the creator from the Jewish scriptures: the creator lies, tempts people while playing dumb, flies into fits of anger, changes his mind, becomes jealous, hardens hearts, blinds people, makes them deaf, counsels people to pillage, mocks them, shows weakness, creates evils, delights in war, shows no familial affection, and is not faithful to fulfill his promises.

For Marcion(ites), such a being could not be described as good. In their minds, Marcionites did not invent the evil creator. Rather, they exposed him from his own scriptures. Despite the accusation of anti-Marcionite reports, Marcionites did not simply proof-text scriptural documents. Rather, they performed serious exegetical and comparative work to display the creator’s wicked character. They were innovative and poignant in the art of contrast, showing how the character of Jesus and the god revealed by him was incompatible with the character of the creator.

[...]

The fact that “the god of this world” blinded people (2 Cor 4:4) might sound repellent today, but it is not out of character for the deity known from Jewish scripture. The creator repeatedly hardened the heart of Pharaoh (Exod 4:21; 7:3– 4; 9:12, 35), ordained that life-saving advice be refused (2 Sam 17:14), and incited a wicked spirit to speak lies in the royal court (1 Kings 22:20– 24). Yahweh also hardened the heart of his people (Isa 63:17), threatened to inflict them with blindness (Deut 28:28), and sealed the eyes of Israel’s prophets (Isa 29:10, cf. 14). The phenomenon of divine blinding and mental incapacitation is not restricted to Jewish scripture. According to Paul in Romans 1:28, god “gave up” people who worship the divine through images “to a debased mind” so that they would perform shameful acts. In 2 Thessalonians, god “sends the operation of deceit” so that unbelievers accept “the lie” of the “man of lawlessness” (2:11).

If this god is not himself a deceiver, he is not above sending agents of deceit or performing operations that result in blinding people from the truth. In the second century, a paradigm proof text for the god who blinds was Isaiah 6:10. In the Hebrew version of this verse, Yahweh commanded Isaiah to dull (literally “fatten”) the hearts of his people, to close (literally “make heavy”) their ears, and to blind (or “smear something over”) their eyes.

Septuagintal versions of Isaiah attempted to avoid the fact that Yahweh commanded blindness to afflict his own people. It said that the heart of the Israelites “became stupid; they heard poorly with their ears and they closed their eyes so that they do not see with their eyes.” The word “stupid” could more literally be translated “thick,” “fat,” or “dense.” It represents a passive verb, often taken to be a divine passive (epachunthē). The creator, in other words, is likely the one who incites the stupidity, an interpretation in accord with the previous verse, where the creator orders Isaiah: “Go and say to this people, ‘With hearing you will hear and certainly not understand; seeing you will see and certainly not perceive.” The statement is worded like a prediction. But the certainty of Yahweh indicates that he willed the prediction to come true and apparently played a role in realizing it. As we learn from the context (6:11), Yahweh had already sealed Israel’s fate: the people would be exiled and their country destroyed.

-- M. David Litwa, The Evil Creator: Origins of an Early Christian Idea

#quotes

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mitchbeck · 3 days

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ANDREW LORD NAMED ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR

Fourth-year bench boss becomes first in both franchise and Greenville hockey history to receive recognition By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, a proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, received the John Brophy Award as the ECHL's Coach of the Year. Lord, who finished as runner-up for the award in his first season in 2021, becomes the first coach in both franchise and Greenville professional hockey history to receive the league's honor. The John Brophy Award is presented annually to the ECHL coach who has contributed the most to his team's success. The coach is chosen by ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors, and media members. The trophy is named for John Brophy, who won a record three ECHL titles with Hampton Roads in 1991, 1992, and 1998 and was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2009. This season, Lord guided the Swamp Rabbits to a 44-23-4-1 record and 93 points in the standings, claiming the organization's first South Division Championship in over a decade with a second straight 40-win campaign. Additionally, the Swamp Rabbits earned their 30th win of the season in just 42 games, the fastest pace ever in Greenville professional hockey history. They won eight straight road games from November 14th to December 9th, a new franchise record. By holding the highest win percentage in the Eastern Conference before the Christmas break, Lord was named one of two coaches of the ECHL All-Star Team for the 2024 ECHL All-Star Classic in January. "I'm extremely honored to receive this award from the ECHL. It's truly humbling," said Lord. "A recognition like this is a true testament to the organization that we have here in Greenville. From Assistant Coach Kyle Mountain, Video Coach River Pease, our support staff in Alec Muise and AJ Smith, our players, front office, and ownership, this is a collective effort and a true reflection of our culture and determination to be better both on the ice and in the community. I'm grateful to Jeff Dickerson, our owner, Todd Mackin, Tim Vieira, our President, and everyone who made this season possible. It's a true honor, and I'm thankful for the ECHL's recognition." Over four years in the Upstate, Lord has compiled a 155-94-30-9 record in 288 games, a 0.606 win percentage. He's led the Swamp Rabbits to the Kelly Cup Playoffs each season, reaching as far as the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals in his first campaign. "I couldn't be prouder of Andrew in receiving this honor from the ECHL. It is very much well deserved," said Todd Mackin, President of Spire Holdings. "It was apparent during our hiring process four years ago that Andrew had what it takes to transform our team into one of the most competitive in the entire ECHL. He tirelessly works with his staff to build a team that's worthy of representing our community and competing amongst the best in the league. Back-to-back 40-win seasons, postseason qualification each year, and over a dozen players promoted to the American Hockey League only scratches the surface of where his career trajectory will take him. We are grateful for everything he's done for our team, both on and off the ice. I look forward to watching him continue this excellence as he pursues our first Kelly Cup Championship as an organization." Before joining Greenville before the 2020-21 season, Lord led the Cardiff Devils of the Elite Ice Hockey League to nine separate titles, including three Conference championships, two Challenge Cup championships, two League titles, and two Playoff championships. As the winningest coach in Devils history, he led the team to a 221-75-22 record across his six seasons as head coach. Before entering the coaching ranks, Lord enjoyed a lengthy professional hockey career out of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He spent ten seasons in the pro ranks, totaling 462 games. His best work as a pro was done in the EIHL, where he scored 173 points in 216 games, all with Cardiff. "Coach Lord epitomizes what it takes to be the best at his craft. The accountability and urgency he brings to our team make us better as an organization, not only on the ice, but off the ice and in the community," said Tim Vieira, Swamp Rabbits President. "Working with him is an immense privilege. His leadership of our men on the ice and our support staff has been evident from the very first day we worked together – and this recognition is a culmination of that dedication since day one. From coaching the ECHL All-Stars, to setting team records, and elevating everyone around him, there is no one more deserving of this honor." The Swamp Rabbits, 2024 South Division Champions, now look forward to the beginning of the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs, taking on the Orlando Solar Bears in the South Division Semifinals. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday, April 21st, slated for a 3:05 p.m. EST puck drop at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. John Brophy Award Winners (ECHL Coach of the Year) 2023-24 Andrew Lord, Greenville Swamp Rabbits 2022-23 Everett Sheen, Idaho Steelheads 2021-22 Jeff Pyle, Atlanta Gladiators 2020-21 Bruce Ramsay, Wichita Thunder 2019-20 Steve Bergin, South Carolina Stingrays 2018-19 Matt Thomas, Cincinnati Cyclones 2017-18 Brad Ralph, Florida Everblades 2016-17 Dan Watson, Toledo Walleye 2015-16 Richard Matvichuk, Missouri Mavericks 2014-15 Derek Lalonde, Toledo Walleye 2013-14 Spencer Carbery, South Carolina Stingrays 2012-13 Jarrod Skalde, Cincinnati Cyclones 2011-12 Rob Murray, Alaska Aces and John Wroblewski, Gwinnett Gladiators 2010-11 Brent Thompson, Alaska Aces 2009-10 Derek Laxdal, Idaho Steelheads 2008-09 Rick Kowalsky, Trenton Devils 2007-08 Chuck Weber, Cincinnati Cyclones 2006-07 Davis Payne, Alaska Aces 2005-06 Glen Gulutzan, Las Vegas Wranglers 2004-05 Nick Vitucci, Toledo Storm 2003-04 Pat Bingham, Wheeling Nailers 2002-03 Claude Noel, Toledo Storm 2001-02 Dave Farrish, Louisiana Ice Gators 2000-01 Troy Ward, Trenton Titans 1999-00 Bob Ferguson, Florida Everblades 1998-99 Bob Ferguson, Florida Everblades 1997-98 Chris Nilan, Chesapeake IceBreakers 1996-97 Brian McCutcheon, Columbus Chill 1995-96 Roy Sommer, Richmond Renegades 1994-95 Jim Playfair, Dayton Bombers 1993-94 Barry Smith, Knoxville Cherokees 1992-93 Kurt Kleinendorst, Raleigh IceCaps 1991-92 Doug Sauter, Winston-Salem Thunderbirds 1990-91 Don Jackson, Knoxville Cherokees 1989-90 Dave Allison, Virginia Lancers 1988-89 Ron Hansis, Erie Panthers About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits … Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has been providing family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly, the Greenville Road Warriors and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's LA Kings and the AHL'sLAntario Reign. Greenville is a ECHL, Premier' AA' Hockey League member. GREENVILLEAA'AMP RABBITS HOWLINGS Read the full article

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