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tell me about the real historical figure Marco polo

Marco Polo is famous for finding his way around the world by shouting out his own name and following when distant people from unfamiliar lands called it back to him. He did so even from across land masses as he rode on horseback, hitting a ball with a hammer, and over bodies of water like oceans and pools, hence his nickname, "Water Polo." He also invented a new type shirt that could establish at a quick glance that its wearer was a rich pretentious jerk.

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What do you mean by Nabokov’s handwriting having a Russian accent? Is he writing in a style of handwriting that was unique to Russia at the time?

Nabokov used an informal style of Russian cursive to write in English. Here is a picture of entries in his travel journal, where he wrote in both languages—you can see the characteristics that carry over from Cyrillic to Latin.

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MISS CONGENIALITY | 2000 

bonus:

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Clouseau (= clue + zo) is such a perfect name for a character who is both a detective and a clown.

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#thanks i hate it

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I sing of feet and a man

(my boots are too tight)

#ouchie

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shit, sorry, I'll delete that post right away. I didn't know he was a mythologist at all, let alone that he was infamous for positing a "universal" narrative structure that reduces a variety of works and storytelling traditions to variations on a single Jungian theme regardless of whether their actual contents line up with his thesis. I only knew about his work with Canned Soups.

#lmao

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January 2nd: Maria Callas Walks off Stage

Standing on the stage in front of the President of Italy and most of Rome’s high society, Maria Callas walks off of stage after the first act of Bellini’s Norma. The crowd, waiting for her to come back, eventually booed and chastised her for not returning during the second act. The management ended the night by telling some 3,000 patrons that the opening show would be moved to that next Saturday and the show that night would not go on. Callas would later tell reporters that she was pressured to go on that night and had thought that she should not, but did anyway.

Now, an Opera Singer walking off stage during a performance, even one as big as this, may not seem like a major thing in history; but the singer is attributed with being the reason for the resurgence of 19th Century Operatic works during her time. She was very popular during the 50’s and 50’s and 60’s, and quite frankly still now as many opera fans still adore her. She also appeals to many aspects of the entertainment world, specifically with Angelina Jolie’s portrayal and “responsibility to Maria’s life and legacy” within a forthcoming biopic.

Her walking off after act one hit newspapers in the states the next day, The New York Times reporting several different articles about the reception of her leaving the show after the first act. According to an article written by Paul Hofmann for the paper, hundreds of protestors had gathered in front of Callas hotel and “policemen swinging truncheons charged the crowd repeatedly before order was restored.” Hofmann also reported that supposedly the singer had scene a doctor that night and had taken some quinine, which is an anti-malarial medication.

With the travel of performing all over the world, it would make sense that Callas was possibly exposed to an area that may have malaria carrying mosquitos. But it she was still ill during rehearsals and before the performance, why would she let herself go on and take the role?

This supposedly wasn’t the first time that she had caused some form of major drama though that the media felt the need to report on what seems to be regularly. There were reports of her breaking contracts with opera companies, an article specifically on Jan 28th 1958, not even a month after her debacle in Rome, reports that she was reprimanded for a breaking of contract that the American Guild of Musical Artists ruled was not completely justified.

Upon some more digging, there was an article from the New York Times on November 4th, 1956, that she been performing and finished the performance “despite a slight throat ailment,” on a performance of Norma at the Met. I find it odd myself that there is two reports of her being sick during the same role.

I could most likely go on for some time about the turbulent life of hers simply based on the database of New York Times articles I’ve located during her active career. There are a few lawsuits listed, some contracts ending, apparently Londoners being furious with here, and so much more.

References:

“CALLAS REPRIMANDED: Musical Artists Guild Scores Her on Breaking Pact,” January 28, 1958.

Hofmann, Paul. “Rome Crowds Denounce Callas; Physicians Say Her Voice Failed: Rome,” January 3, 1958.

“MARIA CALLAS AILING: Singer Continues in Role of Norma at ‘Met,’” November 4, 1956.

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my lord i fear i must inform you that you have reblogged a post made by the general whose forces encircle my fortress. please delete it posthaste

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i hate my linear algebra textbook.

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BEHOLD

smiling bat :)

based on this guy ^ my favorite little guy from British Library Harley MS 3244 f 55v

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There needs to be some kind of compulsory perfume etiquette class for teenage boys. Every single time I get on public transport I am assaulted by the miasmic presence of some young whippersnapper and his 666 spritzes of some messy bitch of a citrus. How would YOU like it if I punched you in the soul with 150 tons of decomposing orange flowers

#and this is through an n95 mask #perfume

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#why the fuck is there a comma there #by the beards of Strunk and White