jayoflasgalen-blog

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Just received my signed copies of the Swordspoint books! Thank you so much to Serial Box, Ellen Kushner and Delia Sherman, and the whole Tremontaine team!

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I love to watch the fine mist of the night come on, The windows and the stars illumined, one by one, The rivers of dark smoke pour upward lazily, And the moon rise and turn them silver. I shall see The springs, the summers, and the autumns slowly pass; And when old Winter puts his blank face to the glass, I shall close all my shutters, pull the curtains tight, And build me stately palaces by candlelight.

Charles Baudelaire - Les Fleurs du Mal (via pagewoman)

A poem (and poet) I've never come across before. This is lovely.

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It’s a long-standing tradition for the sitting president of the United States to leave a parting letter in the Oval Office for the American elected to take his or her place. It’s a letter meant to share what we know, what we’ve learned, and what small wisdom may help our successor bear the great responsibility that comes with the highest office in our land, and the leadership of the free world.

But before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th. Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.

Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I’ve pulled strength. I’ve seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers – and found grace in a Charleston church.

I’ve taken heart from the hope of young graduates and our newest military officers. I’ve seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and wounded warriors once given up for dead walk again. I’ve seen Americans whose lives have been saved because they finally have access to medical care, and families whose lives have been changed because their marriages are recognized as equal to our own. I’ve seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees, or work for peace, and, above all, to look out for each other.

I’ve seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor, and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I’ve seen our future unfolding.

All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work – the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there’s an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime.

I’ll be right there with you every step of the way.

And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We the People.’ 'We shall overcome.’

Yes, we can.

And if you’d like to stay connected, you can sign up here to keeping getting updates from me.

President Barack Obama 

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“All quiet on the Eastern front” … really, mum. They’re just horribly misunderstood creatures, Ironbellies. Pyotr Kravchenko, the Chief Warlock of the Beast Division here in Tarnopol, is a staunch supporter of the Tsar and has named all the dragons after members of the Muggle royal family. Nikolai is positively sweet. Anastasia can be a handful at times, but nothing we can’t handle. I think she may be allergic to something they’re feeding her. Thanks for the woollen socks you sent, and especially for the Hot Air Charm you’ve put on them. Please give my love to Theseus when you write to him. And make sure Nipper eats properly. He always moults so badly while I’m away. They say we’ll be home by Christmas, so I’ll be seeing you soon. Your loving son, Newt

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From BBC TVs Antiques Roadshow. Perfect for Diane!

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“Pass that Quaffle already, Scamander!” “Wait - was that – a Jobberknoll?!” Newt Scamander being unhelpful at Quidditch. 

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Thank you for MiddleEarth, Professor ^_^

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As much as could be hoped for

Watercolour and white gouache on Etival fine grain paper, A3 size. Eärendil, Elwing, and Elros and Elrond. 

Prints: http://www.jennydolfen.com/store/p13/Custom_Print.html

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“This is Riverside, honey. We know no honor but the sword.” A gifset for Riverside, duels, and of course, Ixkaab Balam herself. Tremontaine is our serial set in the world first seen in the incredible Ellen Kushner’s Swordspoint. Ellen is the lead writer, and she’s joined by many talented authors in both season one and the upcoming season two.

“TREMONTAINE. A Duchess whose beauty is matched only by her cunning; her husband’s dangerous affair with a handsome scholar; a foreigner in a playground of swordplay and secrets; and a mathematical genius on the brink of revolution—when long-buried lies threaten to come to light, betrayal and treachery know no bounds with stakes this high. Mind your manners and enjoy the chocolate in a dance of sparkling wit and political intrigue.”

Interested? Good! You can read the whole first episode of Tremontaine for free! Go here https://www.serialbox.com/episodes/tremontaine-1

*********************************************************** Of course, no gifsets will ever do our incredible authors’ words justice, but they are fun to make. All gifs sourced from giphy.

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The Hobbit book by Tory Sevas on Behance, via Book Graphics

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The Department of Awesome Automata seldom gets an opportunity to show off, but today they’re pulling out all the stops with this breathtaking Silver Swan automaton. Housed at the Bowes Museum in North East England, this exquisite 18th century clockwork bird was designed by designed and built by John Joseph Merlin along with London inventor James Cox.

The life-size swan automaton swims in a stream made of moving glass rods along with small silver fish. When it’s clockwork is wound up, a music box plays as the swan turns its head from side to side, preening her silver feathers, eventually spotting a fish in the water and then bending down to catch it.

In effort to preserve this extraordinary creation, the Silver Swan is only operated once each day. But we can watch it as many times as we like thanks to this video:

Top photo by Ryan Gangan

[via AmazingTechnologyVideos and Wikipedia]

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Thranduil in autumn by Mysilvergreen

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Went shopping today with my Litographs™ Swordspoint bag: "Oh, I love that! Is it one of those bags with the text of a book on it?" It's the first time it's been recognised! 😄

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Tremontaine: Season One

…was making some improvements on the first one and then decided “screw it let’s continue the saga”. And so I ended up with these! I’ll just say it’s Season One and then make another set when Season 2 ends ehehehee… ~(*v*)~

Again, @tremontainetheserial is perfection and I’M PIMPING IT TO Y’ALL.

is2g i should be doing NaNoWriMo

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Edoras + details

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Snow Arch, Cambridge, England

photo via kate