#Big Ben cuckoo clock

[alex-the-nonsensologist]

Disney Dreamland - Part 4: Fantasyland

(I had already posted about Mysteryland previously, which retroactively makes it Part 3. So we're moving on to the next part.)

Quite possibly the largest of the five lands, probably even beating out my mega-Adventureland. 

Small World Gardens

Located behind Small World, this sprawling area would transition into Storybook Town Square. Flower arrangements inspired by Keukenhof in the Netherlands. Similar to Paris’s Fantasyland, there would be a couple rivers running through the garden with lovely bridges to cross over them. 

Dumbo the Flying Elephant : The Masquerade Circus could be positioned near the Mysteryland/Fantasyland border so that the back of the tents could serve as a backdrop for the Dumbo ride, which would have its own little area in the gardens. I was at a loss on where else to place this ride, but I stubbornly wanted to include it as it is currently the only attraction to be found in all 6 existing castle parks and I didn't want to break that streak.

"Casey Jr. Circus Train": Doesn't have to specifically be Dumbo-themed, I just really want a cute novelty train to wind through the garden, with cute bridges to pass over the walkways and rivers.

“Swan Boats”: Paddle boats. I say “swan boats” but they don’t have to be just swans, but could also resemble other birds such as ducks, geese, and flamingos.

Symphony Gazebo: A gazebo in the garden for a live band to play classical music.

“Windmill snack stand”: I saw a picture of the Old Mill in Paris and thought it looked so charming. German pretzels. 

Storybook Town Square

The town follows in the footsteps of Ananheim’s 1983 overhaul with each building having its own unique look. Would feature a fluid mix of Bavarian and British architecture. The Bavarian half of the town on the west contains “Pinocchio Square” and the theater. The British half on the east contains Peter Pan, Little Nemo (even though Nemo is American), and Mr. Toad. A large fountain stands in the center. Cobblestones would pave the ground. I want this area to evoke the feeling of Paris’s Fantasyland as well as Efteling in the Netherlands . 

Pinocchio’s Daring Escape: Focuses more on escaping Pleasure Island. The only other thing I would change is have all the sets and animatronics appear to be carved out of wood, and have real clothes on the animatronics, for a more high-quality “hand made” look, the implication being the entire ride is a life-sized puppet show. The ride building along with the toy shop and restaurant form a smaller “Pinocchio Square”, which would include a smaller fountain with a statue of Pinocchio.

Geppetto’s Toy Shop: Would feature regular retail plush toys, as well as old fashioned toys like wooden marionettes and wind-ups, as well as cuckoo clocks. Christmas ornaments can also be purchased here.   

Pinocchio’s Pizza Place: Italian cuisine. Basically the Pinocchio Village Haus in Orlando, but with an alliterative name, and also some of the pizzas have toppings decorated to look like Pinocchio smiley faces. Quick service.  

Once Upon a Time Theatre: Hosts live indoor stage shows. While any show with Disney musical medleys is fine, I would much prefer original shows of rarely-featured stories, such as the other tales from the 1001 Arabian Nights, or a stage version of Disney's Return to Oz (which I personally love better as an Oz adaptation than MGM's movie; 2013's Oz the Great and Powerful was meh). Building design would be modeled after the new Fantasyland Forest Theatre in Tokyo.

“German restaurant”: Table service. 

Flight to Neverland: Would utilize the best aspects from each version of the ride. For example, I love that Shanghai’s queue is themed to a London park (Kensington Gardens?), and the chimneys in Paris’s loading dock blow smoke. The building facade would definitely have a functioning clock tower, in homage to Big Ben, but designed to fit with the small town aesthetic. The name change is simply because I feel like guests actually take on the role of the Darling children more than they do Peter.

Little Nemo in Slumberland: Little Nemo may not be a Disney IP, but it has such rich and vibrant imagery, I think it could work really well as a Disney ride. Not to mention it’s in the public domain, so there shouldn’t be any legal issues. In many ways it’s very similar to Peter Pan’s Flight, so maybe it could also help balance the wait times between the two rides. Guests take on the role of Nemo and ride flying beds (or at least, benches that look like beds, with a headboard and a footboard) that soar out the bedroom window. What follows are awe-inspiring, almost surreal, scenes of Slumberland. Things start to distort and become chaotic as the dream turns into a nightmare. Before anything too awful happens, guests “wake up” back in Nemo’s bedroom while the voice of Nemo’s mother scolds us for eating before bed. For visual reference, I recommend the Osamu Dezaki pilot film that was created during the movie’s development, though I obviously wouldn’t put the giant Sauron eye in the ride. 

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: Orlando’s former double-track ride, but with Anaheim’s building exterior. I never got to experience this ride and I really want to.

Ever After Castle

Here it is, the traditional centerpiece of all Disney parks, now the centerpiece of Fantasyland instead. I personally think of most Disney castles as tall but not wide. This castle would be slightly different from the traditional Disney castle by taking up more ground space. I hate to sound blasphemous, but for this castle I’m thinking of something similar to Shrek’s Far Far Away Castle in Universal Singapore but with more detailed ornate decorations like Paris’ castle, and the outer walls slightly covered in ivy vines for a more inviting, homely look. It would also stand on top of an elevated foundation, surrounded by a moat. There would be a large courtyard in front of the main castle building, with the carousel placed in the center of it. The gift shop and the meet-and-greet are each placed on either the west or east side of the courtyard. The north of the courtyard would feature the restaurant on the ground floor, the entrance to the underground boat ride, and stairs to the second floor attraction. 

Cinderella’s Carriage Carrousel: Regarding the visual design, I want it to look like the pumpkin carriage turned into a carousel. The canopy could include fiber optic fairy dust that lights up at night.

Be Our Guest Restaurant: French cuisine. I really like Tokyo’s Beauty and the Beast ride and would love to import it, but I respect the OLC’s exclusivity rights too much. I wondered if I could make it a combination ride and restaurant where each table is a ride vehicle, but I worried that would cause motion sickness which is a big no-no for a restaurant. At the very least, for my version I would love to have animatronics perform “Be Our Guest” every 30 minutes or so. Also, perhaps every hour, Belle and Beast performers would come out onto the dance floor and invite guests to waltz with them. Hot Take: The Grey Stuff is very obviously a savory food as it is clearly presented on a tray of hors d'oeuvres in the movie. But since the version currently offered in the parks has been imprinted in fans’ minds I think it’s best to offer two versions: Savory (chicken liver pate) as an appetizer and Sweet (cookies and cream) as a dessert.

Royal Meet-and-Greet: I personally do not care much for meet and greets, but for the people that do, here you can meet the Princesses, some of the Princes, as well as non-Princesses such as Giselle, Esmeralda, and TinkerBell. 

Kingdom Treasures gift shop: Based on the Tokyo shop of the same name. 

Crystal Caverns Canal: Boat ride underneath the castle. My first idea for this ride was basically Voyage to the Crystal Grotto from Shanghai, if all the character statues were built out of crystals and mosaic tiles. Then I realized, there’s probably too much IP already in the land, so I think there could be an original story about the crystals being a source of magic for the kingdom, and have scenes of wizards and fairies harvesting the crystals and creating experiments with them. Sort of a “tour of the workshop” kind of ride. I’m thinking of something with the same vibes as Dreamflight in Efteling. 

Merlin’s Library / Yen Sid’s Library: Located on the second floor of the castle. Originally I wanted a ride in a similar vein to Symbolica in Efteling, but with a story like that of Mystic Manor in Hong Kong. Then I wondered if it would be feasible to have a ride in the second story, so I’m also okay with this being a walkthrough attraction.  I feel either wizard could work here. Merlin is the more well-known wizard, but Yen Sid is easier to create an original backstory for. The basic gist of the attraction is you wander around a library with little vignettes of magical items operating on their own; a quill pen writing  by itself, a large spell book turning its own pages, floating books sorting themselves on the shelves, etc. There could even be some interactive elements, such as paintings that change, or opening a book can project a scene “coming to life” and “escaping” the book.

Fairytale Gardens: Walkthrough garden. There would be lovely little vignettes scattered throughout, including Snow White’s wishing well, a giant beanstalk, and The Sword in the Stone placed in a little alcove in the castle’s outer wall. This would be outside the courtyard. Maybe off to the side, to the west, wrapping around the outer castle wall, next to Shadowland Forest.

Shadowland Forest

Inspired by the Black Forest of Germany, this area features spookier attractions. West of the castle, shares the border with Mysteryland and the Gravity Falls area. There would be plenty of fir, spruce, and pine trees to make it feel like an actual forest, maybe even hide some of the attractions from view. 

Snow White’s Scary Adventures : Building facade would include the Evil Queen peeking out her window. I would place the building nearest to Storybook Town Square, at the edge of the forest.

“Gingerbread Factory Tour” : Based on my twisted Hansel and Gretel dark ride idea. Guests are given a tour of gingerbread golems at work (something like Tim Burton’s version of Wonka’s factory if it were more surreal and set in 1800s Germany), then are chased through obstacles, such as lollipop blades swinging from the walls, and peppermint stick darts, by Hansel and Gretel themselves. They’ve been very distrustful of adults after their parents abandoned them in the woods, and after the witch held them captive. They deem the guests harmless, and let them go but warn them to never come back.

Candy Carnival shop: The ride would exit into a shop themed to a candy carnival safe haven that Hansel and Gretel built for children lost in the woods. Would feature gingerbread treats and a nice selection of old-fashioned candies and German sweets. Guests can also watch bakers and candymakers at work. (Despite the name, there are no actual rides here, just animatronic decorations.)

Dragon Mountain: I wanted a unique “Mountain” ride, much like how the Matterhorn and Everest are unique to their parks. And dragons are cool. Originally this was going to be based on Maleficent, but now I’m leaning more towards an original story. And to put a neat spin on things, instead of a fire-breathing dragon, it would be a wintery ice dragon! I would also love it if the dragon was not portrayed as a mindless, violent beast hoarding treasure, but a parent protecting their child from intruders.

I initially wanted a sub-land recreating Halloween Town (with a spooky "Scare-ousel") but I felt Fantasyland was already overrun with too many IPs (and seven carousels is enough for one park), so here an area is set aside for seasonal Nightmare Before Christmas or Villains themed events, leaving the Haunted Mansion free during the holidays. 

Disney Dreamland Railroad Fantasyland station: Styled after the ruins of a medieval castle. Located on the edge of the forest near Ever After Castle, next to the entrance to Winter Village.

Wonderland

East of the castle, on the border with Create-It-Land. While there would be plenty of natural green, there would also be an abundant mix of giant pink, purple, and turquoise “wildlife”, as seen in the initial scrapped concept art for Tokyo’s expansion. Giant mushrooms in place of benches,  trees decorated with misleading signs, lamp posts that look like giant flowers. March Hare would definitely be included as a walk-around character alongside Hatter and Alice. People often forget the tea party took place at the Hare’s and mistakenly believe Hatter to be the host, and I will not stand for this March Hare erasure.  I would also have plenty of card soldiers roaming around, “patrolling” the area.

Down the Rabbit-Hole: An upside-down funhouse with wonky mirrors, and trick doors galore! A hall of doors in the end would lead into the maze. I was thinking there could probably also be a madhouse ride portion where guests can experience the room actually turning upside down; inspired by Villa Volta in Efteling. 

Wonderland Maze: As much as I like the Alice in Wonderland ride in Anaheim, I personally feel that Wonderland is a world that is best experienced up close and at your own pace, which a maze perfectly embodies. While the maze would obviously be themed to classic animated Alice like the Paris version, it would have different environments, like Shanghai’s Tim Burton version. First half of the maze would be a forest-like environment with giant plants and singing flowers. Second half would have rose bushes, fancy iron fences, and carved stone walls and statues for the Queen of Heart’s castle area. There would be a handful of tiny doors scattered throughout that guests can crawl through as shortcuts. Among the character statues scattered around the maze, I really want to include the Mock-Turtle and Gryphon, based on their designs from the Jell-O commercial, perhaps on a sandy beach shore by a small fountain / pond.

House of Cards Banquet Hall: Inspired by the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall in Tokyo. Would follow the same eccentric and colorful design scheme, but I want it to look like a stone castle made out of cards. Definitely would have lovely stained glass windows. Desserts include Royal Heart Tarts. They could also come in souvenir cups and plates like the ones found in Tokyo.

Mad Tea Party: Would have a canopy roof to protect from the weather and direct sunlight, but I also wouldn’t mind a stained-glass version. Or even a canopy made of trees. Teacup designs would be a mix of various patterns from all versions (except Orlando’s, I do not care for the zigzag scribbles). Would also include the giant teapot with the Dormouse in the center. To help with queue waits, I’d even have two ride systems, much like how Orlando doubled their Dumbo ride. One could even be themed to the Hatter while the other to the March Hare.

March Hare’s tea shop: Would have the same building design as March Hare Refreshments in Paris. Would sell several varieties of tea, Unbirthday Cake, and macarons. Could also feature a long table with interactive tea things to play with, like Shanghai does at the end of its maze, and plenty of fancy chairs for photo-ops.

Mad Hatter’s hat shop: Hats, Mickey ears, and other headgear. To match the March Hare’s chimney ears, this building would resemble a large top hat. Would also feature hat racks for photo-ops, like Shanghai does at the end of its maze.

100 Acre Wood

East of Town Square, on the border with Create-It-Land. A tiny little area with tall trees providing shade, a lovely little Poohsticks Bridge over a small river, and a cozy corner for a meet-and-greet with Pooh and friends.

Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day: Basically the same as Pooh’s Hunny Hunt in Tokyo, which includes the giant book facade, and the same level of crafted detail and technical marvel throughout the ride, but with scenes added for the “rain, rain, rain”, and Pooh’s hero party as the ending. I would also use Anaheim’s zany color scheme for the Heffalumps and Woozles room with some added special effects for even more zaniness.  The ride’s name change is just to both set it apart from the other versions, and because I realized with the exception of Pooh stuck in the honey tree, all the iconic scenes in the ride come from Blustery Day.

Pooh Corner gift shop: Also utilizes the same English cottage look as Tokyo’s.

Hunny Smackerels snack stand: Hunny Pot cupcakes, honeycomb, honey ice cream, and a separate cart for honey popcorn in lovely Pooh-shaped popcorn buckets. It would be really cute if the stand is actually inside a giant tree trunk, with a dutch door counter window for guests to order from. 

The next three sub-lands would be behind Ever After Castle, outside the perimeter of the railroad tracks border. The entrance to Winter Village is between Shadowland Forest and the castle, while the entrance to Encanto Valley is between Wonderland and the castle. Mermaid Lagoon is directly behind the castle, between the other two sub-lands and only accessible through them. Small mountains would form berms for each sub-land. For reference, think of how Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, and Toy Story Land are arranged in Hong Kong.

Winter Village

Inspired by my Narnia theme park concept. This entire mini-land would be indoors, to have air-conditioning to sell the illusion of winter, and to preserve the artificial winter setup from the real-life elements outdoors. This mini-land would be round (roughly) so that the glass ceiling that lets in natural light can have a hexagonal snowflake design. At night time there’d be projections of Northern Lights. NOT Frozen themed. It’s a cute movie and all, but far overstayed its welcome before it was even released on DVD. Village would be a mix of Russian and Scandinavian architecture.  Can be used for a Santa Claus meet-and-greet during Christmas.

Enchanted Snow Palace: The planned but never built ride based on Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen. The concept art looks leagues better than the final product of Frozen Ever After.

“Winter Sleigh Ride”: Ride through winter scenery in sleighs pulled by reindeer. Technically a dark ride, since the entire subland is indoors, but feels like an outdoor ride.

"Snowball Arcade": I really wanted something to simulate snowball fights, but without the chaos and mess. Here, guests can throw snowballs at targets to win plush prizes.

"Russian cafe": Russian pastries and snacks

"Ice skating rink": Free if you bring your own skates.

Mermaid Lagoon

A scaled-down version of the land in Tokyo DisneySea, without the playground and kiddie rides. Like DisneySea, it would have a lovely seashell castle facade, with the attractions indoors. Unlike DisneySea, there would be a small lake in front with a ship restaurant docked on it.

“Under the Sea”: NOT a retelling of the movie, but instead an original story that would take place some time pre-movie. Follows Ariel on one of her outings as she explores the sea looking for new treasures to add to her collection. Final scene could be of Ariel in her grotto after completing her latest trip, but feeling unsatisfied as she wistfully looks at her collection, while instrumentals for “Part Of Your World” softly play in the background. 

King Triton’s Concert Hall: Just like the one in Tokyo DisneySea, this would be a 360 degree show with Ariel “swimming” in midair above the audience, a giant animatronic Triton, performer puppets of Flounder and Sebastian, and other mixed special effects. 

Undersea Carousel: Fish carousel. Underwater lighting effects and blows bubbles as it spins. 

Ariel’s Grotto gift shop

Ship restaurant: Mediterranean seafood. I mean, it’s on a human ship that’s not technically in Triton’s Kingdom, so I think this gets a pass for serving fish. It could even be themed to Chef Louis for a laugh. 

“Nighttime Water Show”: Just spitballing an idea, maybe the lagoon could also be used for a nighttime water show a la Fantasmic / World of Color. The viewing area could be across the lagoon from Triton’s castle; the lights of Triton’s castle would coordinate with the show.

Encanto Valley

A lovely recreation of the valley, with Casita and a little village area for shops and Colombian dining, and plenty of lush greenery. 

La Casa Madrigal: I really like @rrdcooc’s idea for Casita as a walkthrough attraction! It’s so cool! Especially the ideas for Pepa and Luisa's rooms. I wouldn’t change much, aside from adding a few extra touches, such as an interactive flower wall in Isabela’s room that mimics guests’ silhouettes (like Daniel Rozin's "Mechanical Mirrors"), and maybe a couple themed flat rides to add capacity, such as a flowery swing spinner ride in Isabela’s room, and a tiny jungle animal carousel in Antonio’s room. In Dolores's room, guests can see sound waves (like that Magic School Bus episode), and Camilo's room can contain "mirrors" with different character models that mimic guests' movements in real time (like VTuber avatars). Also includes a gift shop selling ��homemade” fashions and plush toys by Mirabel.

“Magic Realism Art Exhibit”: While I think the final movie is perfect, I would have loved it if Casita more closely resembled its concept art, which leaned much more heavily into magic realism. This attraction would be a walkthrough art exhibit full of giant optical illusion paintings that guests can pose in for photo-ops. For reference, I’m recalling the Trick Eye Museum, a temporary art exhibit I went to years ago in Hong Kong.

Encanto Sing-Along: I’m not always a huge fan of the “book report” shows they do in the Parks, but in this case, most of Encanto’s songs are so specific to the story that removing them from the context of the movie wouldn't work (especially in the case of fan favorite “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”).  The stage can also be used for original Colombian performances, as well as from neighboring Latin American countries.

Julieta’s Arepas: Food cart. These arepas may not heal you, but they’re magically delicious! 

Arabian Oasis (scrapped)

Before Encanto was released and became one of my favorite recent movies, my initial idea was to put in an Aladdin-themed area. Not an exact recreation of Agrabah, more like a broad strokes version of Agrabah in the same manner as Arabian Coast in Tokyo DisneySea.

Magic Carpet Ride: A suspension ride in a similar manner as Peter Pan’s Flight, using the carpet vehicles. Fly through the Agrabah marketplace, over the desert, and above the clouds. Ride music features instrumentals from “A Whole New World”.

Scheherazade’s Tales From the 1001 Nights: Stage show.

Flavors of Agrabah: Arabian / Middle-Eastern cuisine 

Cave of Wonders gift shop: I think the theming is appropriate considering guests are exchanging money for goods and not stealing them (ideally).

Other parts:

World Galleria

Adventureland

Mysteryland

Create-It-Land

Discoveryland

[usernoneexistent]

Juniper goes back to Hogwarts for the first term when one of her friends disappears. Will Juniper and her friends find their missing companion?

Warnings: mention of substance abuse, talks about plant murder.

"Ma! Ma!" Juniper shook her mum gently. The bottle of draughts lay empty next to her. Juniper didn't need to read the labels to know that her mum had downed the calming and sleeping potions.

"We're going tae be late if you don't wake up!"

Juniper bit her lip to hold back tears of frustration. She was dressed and ready and even squeezed time for breakfast. If Juniper could, she would take herself down to King Cross station. Still, she needed the extra hand to carry her luggage and couldn't use her magic outside Hogwarts yet nor apparate. On top of everything else, they were out of floo powder.

"Ma! This is no funny!" She turned to look at the old cuckoo clock. "I have tae be there in half an hour!"

She shook her body again but gained no reaction from her mum. Though the sound of her rhythmic breathing still reassured her that she was alive at least, a morbid thought that she quickly buried.

Running out of time and options, Juniper ran to the Doughlas, hoping either could take her. Though luck was in her favour, Gedeon looked as though he was ready to leave for work.

"Ged! Wait up!"

"Junie!" He dropped his things to the ground and immediately rushed to her. "Is everything alright?!"

"Nothing is alright!" She cried out loudly. "Ma is knocked out, and I need tae be on the Hogwarts Express in less than half an hour!"

"Don't worry, I'll help you."

Gedeon half dragged Juniper back to her home. Taking long strides and getting in half the time. He helped gather her luggage and quickly apparated to Kings Cross station. They ran as if their life depended on it through the pillar of platforms 9 and 10, barely making it.

"Don't worry, Junie." As he pushed the luggage cart, Gedeon comfortingly patted her back. "Just get on the train and I'll worry about your stuff, okay? Enjoy Hogwarts, and I'll take care of your mum."

"Thanks Ged."

Before Juniper leapt onto the locomotive, she gave Gedeon a big hug of gratitude. She searched through all the compartments looking for Rowan and Ben.

To her surprise, she found her friend, Rowan, alongside Ben, Penny, and Tonks.

"Hey guys," She said, still catching her breath.

"Juniper!" Rowan got up and hurried over to embrace her.

"We were so worried when we couldn't find you." Penny looked relieved at Juniper. The train jerked as it moved from the platform to the countryside.

"I waited as long as I could with my parents. I'm sorry I couldn't wait any longer." Rowan looked ashamed, but Juniper hugged her back.

"Nae worries, Rowan. There were some delays at home."

Juniper finally could sit down and calm down properly.

"Are you going to tell us who that handsome guy was, Moss?" Tonks shifted to Gedeon's appearance. Juniper blushed brightly at the insinuation of the question.

"He's just a family friend." She quickly shut down Tonks. "Anyway, what's everyone's schedule like?" Juniper changed the topic, causing Tonks to express annoyance by blowing a raspberry. The rest rummaged through to find their timetables.

"I think we still have charms together." Ben looked over at Juniper's schedule. He looked relieved, but he was reticent. Too quiet for Juniper's liking, but she also realised that she, Penny and Tonks were extroverted personalities to deal with.

"We still have Herbology together." Penny smiled brightly. "I do enjoy Herbology as there's a lot of ingredients used in potions and this year we finally get to work in the greenhouses."

Juniper and Tonks shared a mutual glance. They have found unity in the fact they have brown thumbs rather than green fingers.

"While Penny shines in giving plants the kiss of life." Tonks dramatically starts.

"Tonks and I will rule in the shadows as plant killers." Juniper finished off, taking their claim to their rulership of the underground of Herbology class.

"Wanna make a bet on who can kill the most?" The Hufflepuff girl had a mischievous glint like an imp.

"3 gallons."

"Make it 5."

"Deal."

"Guys, let's not kill any plants please." Penny pleaded at the novice plant killers, but Juniper and Tonks laughed with found amusement.

Rowan peeked behind her book about European wizards in medieval times. "I agree with Penny. I don't think Professor Sprout would be very pleased with finding her plants deceased."

Tonks and Juniper shrugged but carried on catching up. The trolley lady came, and they bought sweets. They compared and bartered with their frog cards until the familial scenery of the wet, Scottish highlands came to view.

When arriving at Hogsmeade station, they searched their luggage and changed into their uniform. Though what's different this year is that they walk straight to the castle instead of the boats. Ben excused himself, mumbling that he had forgotten something on the train, so they left without him.

"How did your search go?" Rowan pulled Juniper from the group. Tonks and Penny carried on talking, not noticing their absence.

"I couldn't get much but I practised a lot of spells. Ged helped me out." Juniper surmised the only helpful thing that she could do over the summer.

"Well I finally managed to find something. I read everything I could find relating on our search for the cursed vault."

Juniper felt herself fill with hope at Rowan's answer. She pulled out her pocket journal from inside her robe.

"'The ice knight stands guard past the vanished stairs.'" She managed to quote from her scrawl of handwriting.

"Exactly," Rowan pushed her glasses up. "I didn't find anything about the ice knight, but I found descriptions of staircases in Hogwarts that no longer seem to exist."

"Those vanished stairs could lead to a cursed vault. And if I can find a cursed vault, I might be able to find ma brother."

Her heart leapt with joy. This meant they could actually find a curse vault and be closer to finding Jacob. She could run over the bridge from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts with glee.

"Though there are a hundred and fourty-two known staircases in this castle."

"That's going to take some time, but we can just ask Penny and Ben to help later." Juniper was so happy that she didn't mind embarking on the exhaustive search they were about to undertake. For now, she just wanted to be back in the place that was a haven.

Students streamed in, slightly wet from the drizzle but drying up quickly from the warm fire. Dumbledore stood regal in purple as the new first years were introduced. The sorting hat sang the song he thought of throughout the past year, accompanied by the frog choir with Professor Flitwick enthusiastically conducting. Then the new first year was sorted into their houses.

"Welcome to our new first-year students! For all, you returning students, welcome back!" The headmaster gathered the students' attention. "Focus on your studies, make time for your friends, but above all else be careful as your journey about the castle. If you see anything odd that isn't normal Hogwarts sort of oddity do not hesitate to tell a professor."

Juniper felt the piercing blue stare from Professor Dumbledore like he was sending a personal message to back away from her quest. He swiftly glanced back at the rest.

"Every year is an interesting one at Hogwarts, but something tells me this year holds more surprises than most. Enough of my grand proclamations, and ominous warnings. Please enjoy the feast."

With that speech concluded, everyone tucked into the feast. Right after it, Juniper crashed head first on her fluffed-up pillow of the top bunk by the house elves of her dorm rooms.

"Merlin, I missed this bed." She mumbled.

"Glad to you see you too, Juniper Moss." Tulip replied, with her hands on her hips. Juniper gave a grunt of acknowledgement.

"Aw, they've cleaned up my drawings." Her other Ravenclaw dormmate, Badeea, mentioned. Tulip and Juniper gathered around the bed and saw the colourful marks on the bed posts had disappeared.

"I'm sure you'll draw more beautiful art, Badeea." Juniper assured.

"It's fine; some art is not meant to last forever," Badeea said.

Another girl, Juniper, seemed to have missed last year, laid out the poster and plastered it to her small area. It was of a quidditch team, Wigtown Wanderers, and she recognised it as a Scottish quidditch team.

Juniper was too tired to think about anything else and quickly fell asleep.

The next day, she and Rowan attended their classes as usual. The teachers were the same, but Juniper had a nagging feeling about something. She couldn't focus on anything. At lunch, that feeling intensified. Penny offered Rowan and Juniper to sit with her.

"Rumour is, that Skye Parkin is going to play for the Ravenclaw quidditch this year?" Penny went on, but Juniper was too zoned. She subconsciously looked for Ben at the different tables. "You do know who she is? Juniper?"

"Huh?" Juniper snapped out of whatever daze she was in.

"Are you okay?"

"No, I mean, yes but I'm concerned for Ben." She answered anxiously, cracking her fingers. Rowan scanned the room and came to the same realisation too.

"Wait, when was the last time you saw Ben?" The Ravenclaw inquired.

Juniper thought hard. She never saw at the Gryffindor table during the feast. "I think when we got off the Hogwarts Express."

Penny nodded in agreement. "Yes, I haven't seen him since we stepped off the Hogwarts Express either. And he wasn't in potions class too. I'm a little worried now."

Rowan remained silent. Juniper didn't like that her other best friend was uncharacteristically this quiet. She remembered Ben was the same on the train shortly before he disappeared.

"We have to make sure he's okay. I can ask around and see if anyone knows where he is." Penny offered.

Juniper had another person in mind who could be of faster help.

"We could ask Professor McGonagall what she thinks." She suggested. The Transfiguration teacher was usually pragmatic and reliable, Juniper found. "She's his Head of House, so she'll ken what to do."

"Thanks, Juniper. Please let me know what you find. I have a bad feeling about this..."

***

Juniper searched for Professor McGonagall and learned from other students that she was patrolling the clock tower courtyard. On her way through there, she bumped into a familiar Slytherin or, instead, she purposely bumped into the Ravenclaw.

"Watch yourself, Moss."

"Aye right, Snyde!"

They glared for a moment longer, but Juniper had other worries and adding Merula wasn't helping her.

The Professor in her green velvet robes stood to watch. Her eyes kept track of every student.

"Professor McGonagall?"

"Miss Moss, I assume you're here to discuss about your friend, Mr Copper." The teacher said out loud Juniper's thoughts.

"Aye, Professor McGonagall. Ben's missing, and I was wondering if you could help me find him?" Juniper implored; the adults should be able to do something, right?

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. "Did you see Mr Copper on the Hogwarts Express?"

"Aye, along with Rowan, Penny, and Tonks. But he seemed fine." The girl assured though she didn't seem convinced of her own statement.

The Professor picked up on it. Her nose wrinkled a little. "Have you noticed him behaving strangely at the end of last year?"

Juniper shook her head in dismissal. " No, I mean, aye, Ben always has been a bit odd, but no..."

"It's unclear what damage was done when you made your ill-advised trip to the room filled with cursed ice. That ice has been known to have strange effects on students." Professor McGonagall sighed. Juniper hid her gulp of guilt. It seemed more teachers had painted a target on her head than she had expected.

"Did you find anything in that room? Any clues or warning about potential threats beyond the room itself? I understand your reckless pursuit of the rumoured cursed vaults given your brother's unfortunate circumstances. This, however, is not about you. This could not only affect Mr Copper's well being, but all of Hogwarts." She warned sternly. "It's critical that you be honest, Miss Moss. What did you find?"

Juniper knew better than to lie to a professor and Professor McGonagall of all the teachers. Still, most adults seemed to have not been able to help her.

"I did nae find anything, Professor."

"Hmm." She pursed her lips again. This could be better. "You better be telling me the truth. Unlike last time, we hope the ice remains in that room."

"Last time?" Juniper perked up more. She hoped that the Professor would tell her more.

"It's not important. What's important is that you search all of Mr Copper's known hiding places for clues to his whereabouts." Professor McGonagall stressed, and she knew that the girl would want more. "The faculty will likely find him first, but any assistance is welcome to ensure that he s found as quickly as possible. Report back to me if you do find him. I would like to know he is safe, and I would like to reward you for your efforts."

Juniper forced a smile and politely said. "Thank you, Professor McGonagall.".

She headed out to her remaining classes of the day. Juniper informed Rowan about her conversation with Professor McGonagall. They agreed that they should use the artefact room later. Ben spent much time there, especially at the start of the first year.

After class, they head towards the artefact room. The sooner they searched, the sooner they could find Ben.

Entering the room made Juniper feel nostalgic. The number of times she snuck in here for secret meetings or to find Ben. She even missed his constant pessimism and paranoia.

"I was kinda hoping to find Ben here, you know." Juniper lamented, though not only about Ben. Her visions from the previous year stemmed in this room.

"Yeah, like he was secretly hiding here this whole time, and his reason was that he was terrified of Professor Snape." Rowan half-heartedly laughed. Juniper knew that Rowan was trying to distract her.

"I guess I'm also secretly hoping that I get another vision." The girl admitted. "One that points to where Ben is."

"Well let's search for any clue for Ben unless you receieve a vision." Rowan knitted in her brows.

Juniper wiped some boxes, which was a mistake. The dust particles get caught in her throat, becoming a coughing fit.

"You think that Filch ever cleans this room?" As Juniper opened up the box and found books.

"Probably not," Rowan commented, looking through the shelves. She checked under the skull, seeming to be crept out by it.

Juniper looked lower down and rummaged through any box at the site until the last one. The reddish brown box was worn like everything else. She tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge.

"Hey Rowan, there's a locked box."

"Do you think it might be something?" Rowan observed, pushing up her glasses.

"Lets see," Juniper said as she pulled out her wand. "Alohomora!"

The box produced a clicking sound. It was open, and inside the clutter was a note. It contrasted with the old and worn objects. The paper was fresh; it must be important.

"Look at this note." Juniper held it up for Rowan to take a closer look.

"Do you think it belongs to Ben?"

"Ben always hangs out in this room, and we're the only other people who ever come in here. I think it has to belong to him." Juniper reasoned; she really hoped so.

"Let me read it." Juniper handed over the note to Rowan. She watched as Rowan was intensely reading. "It's some sort of code, but it's different from the one we found last time."

"Can you decipher it?"

"I think so, but it will take some time."

"I'm afraid time may not be on our side." Juniper sighed though it was something and definitely more than what the teachers had found anyway.

She noted their findings in the notebook and quickly hid them in her skirt pocket. Juniper goes to the great hall to find and hang out with Penny, while Rowan wants to study in the library. She told Penny of their discovery as the rain drizzled lightly outside.

Penny caught Juniper up on the latest gossip and invited her out. The Ravenclaw was curious about what the Hufflepuff girl had in mind, but Penny wanted to surprise her.

She returned to the Ravenclaw tower as another girl slithered closer to her, staying in the shadows.

"You looked worried, Moss." Merula gloated, baring her pearly teeth like fangs despite the darkness.

"What'd you want, Snyde?" Juniper crossed her arms. Her tone was clear that she wanted to get this conversation over and done with.

"I was wondering whether you'd had any luck finding that cowardly mudblood friend of yours." The Slytherin jeered at her.

Juniper clenched her fists. Her stance looked a lot defensive, and no one was around, so if Juniper did punch Merula, at least there were no witnesses. No witness, no crime.

"That's none of your business."

"I know more than you." Juniper knew Merula was smirking in the dark. "I know that sometimes even when people are missing, they're exactly they're supposed to be."

"What in Merlin's pants are you talking about?" Juniper looked at her, confused. She knew Merula tended to have this crypt act last year, but this takes the cake, and the term has barely begun.

"There are things happening at this school that you could never being to understand, Moss. Trying to uncover those things is going to get you killed." The girl warned menacingly.

At this point, Juniper was above done with this conversation.

"If you're trying to scare out of finding the cursed vaults, it's not working."

Juniper walked past, completely ignoring Merula. However, Merula stayed and turned around, leaving one last ominous message for her.

"As you wish, Moss. It don't say I didn't warn you..."

Previous chapter: chapter 11

Next chapter: chapter 13

[clockchimemotors]

Electronic Clock Parts

On Time and Chime Clock Movements

Time and chime clock movements are fascinating, relatively contemporary electronic gadgets that incorporate the prosaic function of telling time with the older tradition of ringing out the hrs with bells. Time and chime clock movements (or motors), keeping track of expiring time, placement the hr and min hands to their appropriate positions on a continuing basis, as well as they likewise use this information to cause chiming sequences regularly (i.e., per hour and/or quarter-hourly). These devices might likewise implement particular other functions or uniqueness, depending upon their developed feature collection.

Chime clock movements make use of time, you may say, to do all the procedures they have been configured to fulfill. Nowadays, the motor is not mechanical but digital, implying that it is a lot less encumbered with numerous physical components, such as gears, pendulums, weights, springtimes, as well as escapements. This subsequently indicates that they have the ability to work out beyond the capabilities of traditional, mechanical watches.

Power is required, from one source or another, for the electric motor to function; in the mechanical case, hanging weights or curled springtimes use torque to flywheels to produce rotational pressure, whereas in the electronic case, voltage put on quartz crystals produces streams of pulses at a really high and also precise frequency. The bulk of stuff associated with mechanical movements renders them somewhat restricted and also requires them to be reset or rewound on a regular basis. Upkeep comes to be cumbersome.

The digital clock movement essentially does everything in software. The end outcome coincides, namely, turning concentric shafts (whereupon are mounted the 2 or 3 hands) right into position respective to the dial and its numbers. However instead of establishing the appropriate rotational angles with a network of equipments, the pulses from the crystal are counted electronically and also subdivided constantly to calculate claimed angles.

This streamlining of operations makes it relatively simple and also straightforward to display more complicated timekeeping. Rather than a 12-hour cycle (midnight and also noon look the very same), some movements go a full 24 hours or even longer (a week or a month) prior to resetting hand settings. Executing such time extensions entails specifically calibrated dials as well as may require an added hand, but the effect has a tendency to astound viewers.

As for the chime abilities of particular clock movements, modern executions tend to replicate similar functionality discovered in numerous types of clocks (cuckoo clocks, grandpa clocks, and also some mantle clocks) going back centuries. The idea is to mimic Big Ben, state, calling the top of the hour each hr. Another aspect is to play a tune with the bells or carillon.

Though the expensive watches that chimed might have had actual chimes installed in a cupboard, that is unlikely to be the case today. Modern movements usually synthesize bell-like audios or play experienced waveforms in ariose series. The result is fairly practical as well as convincing.

Most individuals are familiar with the Westminster and Winchester tunes, and also 2 others, Whittington and St. Mary's, are also preferred. You can find chime movements nowadays that provide any type of or every one of these choices. Furthermore, in some cases you can tape your very own song to seem the hr as well as replace it wherefore is supplied by the maker.

A word of warning: chimes appearing every fifteen minutes can obtain frustrating rather promptly, no matter how enchanting. This is particularly true if the clock remains in or near a bed room. We advise making sure your movement has a button for silencing the chime or at the very least disabling it during the night. clock movements

There's no doubt that the clockmaker contends their disposal a wide collection of tools for creating wonderful wrist watches. A good way to stun your pals or family members is by producing clocks based upon time and also chime clock movements.

[rubykgrant]

I made a slightly condensed version of my Spooky Ref list; it still has a heck ton of movies and books, but now I combined certain categories, eliminated a few, and removed some of the titles that don’t quite fit. If you are looking for things to watch or read so you can get into the Halloween mood (or of you just like some creepy content), here you go!

Movies and Books for October

These range from children’s media to adult content, so be sure to check the ratings/reviews, this way you’ll find ones that are suitable for the right viewers. The dates of movies and names of authors for books are included to make searches easier

(a * symbol is for when a title is in both sections, a book that got made into a movie, ect)

Halloween and Ghosts

Movies- Hocus Pocus (1993), *the Halloween Tree (1993), the Nightmare before Christmas (1993), Trick r Treat (2007), Monster House (2006), Halloweentown (1998), the Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949), Scary Godmother Halloween Spooktacular (2003), Poltergeist (1982), the Haunting (1999), Casper (1995), Ghostbusters (1984), the Haunted Mansion (2003), Thirteen Ghosts (2001), the Others (2001)

Books- How to Drive Your Family Crazy on Halloween by Dean Marney,*the Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury, the Haunted Mask (Goosebumps) by RL Stine, Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge, Stonewords a Ghost Story by Pam Conrad, Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn, Ghost Beach (Goosebumps) by RL Stine, All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn, the Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein, Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

 Witch/ESP/Mental Powers

Movies- *Practical Magic (1998), *the Wizard of Oz (1939), *the Witches (1990), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost (1999) *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001), the Craft (1996), the Witches of Eastwick (1987), *Carrie (1976), *Firstarter (1984), *Matilda (1996), the Last Mimzy (2007)

Books- *Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, *the Witches by Roald Dahl, Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones, *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling, *the Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum, T*Witches by HB Gilmour and Randi Reisfeld, the Worst Witch by Jill Murphy, *Carrie by Stephen King, *Firestarter by Stephen King, *Matilda by Roald Dahl, Scorpion Shards (Star Shards Chronicles) by Neal Shusterman, the Witch’s Boy by Michael Gruber

 Vampire and Werewolf

Movies- Blade (1998), the Little Vampire (2000), Hellboy Blood and Iron (2007), *Hotel Transylvania (2012), Fright Night (2011), What We Do in the Shadows (2014), Alvin and the Chipmunks meet The Wolfman (2000), Ginger Snaps (2000), Van Helsing (2004) Wolf Children (2012), the Wolfman (1941)

Books- Bunnicula by James and Deborah Howe, Dracula by Bram Stoker, ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King, Red Rider’s Hood by Neal Shusterman, the Werewolf of Fever Swamp (Goosebumps) by RL Stine, Werewolves Don't Go to Summer Camp (Bailey School Kids) by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Jones, Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause, Night of the Werepoodle by Constance Hiser

 Zombies and Slasher/Gore

Movies- Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998), ParaNorman (2012), Night of the Living Dead (1968), *Pet Sematary (1989), Zombieland (2009), Resident Evil (2002), Dawn of the Dead (2004) Scream (1996), a Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), *I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), Kill Bill (2003), Happy Death Day (2017), the Hills Have Eyes (2006), US (2019), Friday the 13th (1980), the Thing (1982), *the Girl with all the Gifts (2016)

Books- *Pet Sematary by Stephen King, the Haunting of Derek Stone by Tony Abott, Welcome to Dead House (Goosebumps) by RL Stine, *I know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan, the Dark Half by Stephen King, The Dead Girlfriend (Point Horror) by RL Stine, Another by Yukito Ayatsuji, the Prom Queen (Fear Street) by RL Stine, *the Girl with all the Gifts by MR Carey

 Demons/Possession/Afterlife

Movies- the Omen (1976), Insidious (2010), the Exorcist (1973), *Christine (1983), City of Angels (1998), All Dogs go to Heaven (1989), Fallen (1998), *Rosemary’s Baby (1968), Bedazzled (2000), What Dreams May Come (1998), the Book of Life (2014), Flatliners (2017), *the Lovely Bones (2009), Coco (2017), Jennifer’s Body (2009), the Mummy (1999)

Books- *Christine by Stephen King, Needful Things by Stephen King, HECK where the bad kids go by Dale E Bayse,* Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin, Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, Paradise Lost by John Milton, Inferno by Dante Alighieri, *the Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

 Monsters/Mythology/Dangerous Animals

Movies- Monsters Inc (2001), Godzilla (1998), *a Monster Calls (2016), *Jurassic Park (1993), King Kong (1933), Doug’s 1st Movie (1999), Darkness Falls (2003), Atlantis the lost empire (2001), Sinbad Legend of the Seven Seas (2003), *the Last Unicorn (1982), Urban Legend (1998), *How to Train Your Dragon (2010), the Flight of Dragons (1982), Shrek (2001), *the Hobbit (1977), Quest for Camelot (1998), Ferngully the last rainforest (1992), Lake Placid (1999), Jaws (1975), *Cujo (1983), Deep Blue Sea (1999), Anaconda (1997)

Books- *a Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, *Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, Sasquatch by Roland Smith, *the Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle, the Moorchild by Eloise Jarvis McGraw, the Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riordan, the Boggart by Susan Cooper, *How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville, *the Hobbit by JRR Tolkien, *Cujo by Stephen King, Cat in the Crypt (Animal Ark Hauntings) by Ben M Baglio, Congo by Michael Crichton, Watership Down by Richard Adams, the Dark Pond by Joseph Bruchac

 Dolls and Toys, Circus/Carnival/Clowns, Comedy Horror

Movies- *Coraline (2009), the Adventures of Pinocchio (1996), Child’s Play (1988), Toy Story (1995), 9 (2009), We’re Back a dinosaur’s story (1993), the Care Bears Movie (1985), Little Nemo adventures in Slumberland (1989), *Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983), *Big Top Scooby-Doo (2012), Killer Klowns from Outer Space, *IT (2017), *Beetlejuice (1988), Army of Darkness (1992), Gremlins (1984), Arachnophobia (1990), Jawbreaker (1999), Tremors (1990), the Frighteners (1996), Twilight Zone the Movie (1983), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Eight Legged Freaks (2002), the Goonies (1985)

Books- Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell, *Coraline by Neil Gaiman, No Flying in the House by Betty Brock, Doll Bones by Holly Black, Joyland by Stephen King, *Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, the Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, *IT by Stephen King, the Cuckoo Clock of Doom (Goosebumps) by RL Stine, a Dirty Job by Christopher Moore jr, Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (Treasury) by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by Stephen Gammell, JTHM (Director’s Cut) by Jhonen Vasquez

 Gothic/Dark Fantasy, Curse/Transformation

Movies- *the Addams Family (1991), Rebecca (1940), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Mama (2013), the Phantom of the Opera (2004), Crimson Peak (2010), Legend (1985), the Dark Crystal (1982), Labyrinth (1986), *the Neverending Story (1984), *the Secret of NIMH (1982), Anastasia (1997), Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), Willow (1988), *the Last Unicorn (1982), the Princess Bride (1987), *Legend of the Guardians the Owls of Ga'Hoole, Beauty and the Beast (1991), the Princess and the Frog (2009), the Swan Princess (1994), the Thing (1982), the Mask (1994), Freaky Friday (2003), Song of the Sea (2014), Pirates of the Caribbean the Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Books- the Raven by Edgar Allen Poe, the Shining by Stephen King, Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark, a Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, Well Witched (Verdigris Deep) by Frances Hardinge, Poison by Chris Wooding, *the Neverending Story by Michael Ende, *Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C O'Brien, a Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz, the Dark Portal by Robin Jarvis, Zel by Donna Jo Napoli, *the Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle, *Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky, Owl in Love by Patrice Kindl

 Mystery/Thriller/Psychological/Suspense

Movies- Clue (1985), *Holes (2003), Get Out (2017), Hot Fuzz (2007), Minority Report (2002), Kidnap (2017), Saw (2004), Wind River (2017), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), the Great Mouse Detective (1986), Eve’s Bayou (1997), Breaking In (2018), Cube (1997), *Secret Window (2004), Silent Hill (2006), the Sixth Sense (1999), the Good Son (1993), Psycho (1960), Donnie Darko (2001), Fargo (1996), the Game (1997), the Invisible Man (2020), Breaking In (2018)

Books- *Holes by Louis Sachar, the Lost (the Outer Limits) by John Peel, We’ll Meet Again by Mary Higgins Clark, When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman, *Secret Window Secret Garden (Four Past Midnight) by Stephen King, House of Stairs by William Sleator, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King, Tangerine by Edward Bloor, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the Girl who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King

 Sci-Fi/Space Aliens, Robots and Technology

Movies- I Robot (2004), the Iron Giant (1999), the Terminator (1984), AI artificial intelligence (2001), the Stepford Wives (2004), Wall-E (2008), *Screamers (1995), *Sphere (1998), *Blade Runner (1982), *2001 a Space Odyssey (1968), MIB (1997), Mission to Mars (2000), Galaxy Quest (1999), Alien (1979), ET the extra terrestrial (1982), Independence Day (1996), Spaced Invaders (1990), Buzz Lightyear of Star Command the Adventure Begins (2000), Chicken Little (2005), *War of the Worlds (1953), *Contact (1997), Signs (2002), Treasure Planet (2002), Frequency (2000), Back to the Future (1985), the Time Machine (1960), Planet of the Apes (1968), Lost in Space (1998)

Books- the Terminal Man by Michael Crichton, Feed by Matthew Tobin Anderson, *Second Variety (Screamers) by Phillip K Dick, *I Robot by Isaac Asimov, Cell by Stephen King, *Sphere by Michael Crichton, *Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (Blade Runner) by Philip K Dick , *2001 a Space Odyssey by  Arthur C Clarke, a Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, the Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman, *War of the Worlds by HG Wells, *Contact by Carl Sagan, Childhood’s End by Arthur C Clarke, Aliens Don’t Wear Braces (the Baily School Kids) by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Jones, the Invasion (Animorphs) by KA Applegate

 Dystopia/Disaster, Other Worlds

Movies- Waterworld (1995), the Matrix (1999), Escape from New York (1981), *Demolition Man (1993), the Day After Tomorrow (2004), Volcano (1997), the Fifth Element (1997), Titan AE (2000), Armageddon (1998), Twister (1996), the Birds (1963), the Book of Eli, (2010) Spirited Away (2001), *Alice in Wonderland (1951), Pleasantville (1998), *the Phantom Tollbooth (1970), *the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), *Hook (1991), the Pagemaster (1994), *James and the Giant Peach (1996)

Books- Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, the Road by Cormac McCarthy, the House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer, 1984 by George Orwell, Armageddon Summer by Bruce Coville and Jane Yolen, the Giver by Lois Lowry, the City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, *Brave New World (Demolition Man) by Aldous Huxley, Malice by Chris Wooding, * the Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, the Golden Compass (His Dark Materials) by Philip Pullman, *The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (the Chronicles of Narnia) by CS Lewis, *James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

 Anime/Manga and J-Horror

Movies- Akira (1988), Perfect Blue (1997), Ring (1998), Dark Water (2002), Ghost in the Shell (1995), Tokyo Godfathers (2003), Cat Soup (2001), *Cowboy Bebop the Movie (2001), Blood the Last Vampire (2000), Pokemon the First Movie (1998), Sailor Moon R Promise of the Rose (1993), DBZ the World’s Strongest (1990), Digimon the Movie (2000), Ju-On (2000)

Manga- Claymore by Norihiro Yagi, Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, *Yu Yu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi, *Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa, *Blue Exorcist by Kazue Katō, *Soul Eater by Atsushi Ōkubo, *Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi,

Anime- *Yu Yu Hakusho, *Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, *Soul Eater, *Blue Exorcist, *Inuyasha, *Cowboy Bebop, Mob Psycho 100, .hack//SIGN , the Promised Neverland, Paranoia Agent, Tokyo Ghoul, Hellsing Ultimate

 Super Hero

Movies- Hellboy (2004), Ghost Rider (2007), the Incredibles (2004), Batman Beyond return of the Joker (2000), TMNT (2007), Logan (2017), Black Panther (2018), Sky High (2005), Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse (2018), Justice League Crisis on Two Earths (2010), Batman Under the Red Hood (2010)

Comics- Animal Man (New 52, 2011) DC Comics, Swamp Thing (New 52, 2011) DC Comics, BPRD Dark Waters (2012) Dark Horse Comics, Nextwave (Agents of HATE, 2006) Marvel Comics

Animated Series- Batman the Animated Series, X-Men Evolution, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003), Darkwing Duck, the Powerpuff Girls, Teen Titans (2005), Static Shock, Green Lantern the Animated Series

 Cartoons and TV shows

Over the Garden Wall, The Simpsons (Treehouse of Horrors), Regular Show (Terror Tales of the Park), Adventure Time (Stakes), Scooby-Doo Where Are You/What’s New Scooby-Doo,  El Tigre the Adventures of Manny Rivera, Phineas and Ferb (Night of the Living Pharmacists), Gravity Falls, Good Omens, Miracle Workers, Grimm, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, What We Do In the Shadows, Hotel Transylvania the series, Wolf’s Rain, Danny Phantom, Aaahh Real Monsters, the Munsters, So Weird, Tutenstein, Gargoyles, Xena Warrior Princess, Are You Afraid of the Dark, Tales from the Crypt, Goosebumps, Samurai Jack, Metalocalypse, Super Jail, My Life as a Teenage Robot, Futurama, the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, *Beetlejuice (animated series), Sabrina the Animated Series, the Owl House, Bewitched, Growing Up Creepy, the Addams Family (animated series), a Series of Unfortunate Events, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Star VS the Forces of Evil, Amphibia, Infinity Train, Penn Zero Part-Time Hero, Murder She Wrote, the Venture Bros, Avatar the Last Airbender, Invader ZIM, People of Earth, Star Trek Next Gen, Rick and Morty, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

[papermoonloveslucy]

APPLE BLOSSOM LUCY

April 30, 1964

If it were not for the scourge of Corona Virus, this week would have been the start of the annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival and Parade in Winchester, Virginia. The event began in 1929 and was only previously  cancelled during World War II. The event features an Apple Blossom Queen (aka Queen Shenandoah), a parade with a Grand Marshal, and celebrity appearances. 

In 1964, TV legend Lucille Ball, served as the Festival’s Grand Marshal. The Queen of Comedy was joined by another famous Lucy - Luci Baines Johnson, who was Queen Shenandoah. 

Luci Baines Johnson (born July 2, 1947) is the younger daughter of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, Lady Lady Bird Johnson. Her father was president from November 22, 1963 (President Kennedy’s assassination) to January 20, 1969. Her first name was originally spelled "Lucy" just like Lucille Ball’s nickname, but in her teens she changed the spelling. As her parents both had the initials LBJ, they named their two daughters so that they would have these initials as well.

A brochure for the 1964 event shows both Luci and Lucille on the cover. 

A more generic tourist guide was also available for visitors. 

A program book was available for fifty cents. 

Naturally, the ‘two Lucy’ event gathered a good deal of press, as with this brief column in Variety. 

The Post Office even commemorated the Festival with special envelopes and postmarks. The top left envelope is from the 1964 event and shows the Johnson family home. 

If Lucille Ball needed to be convinced to be Grand Marshal, she just had to ask some of her famous friends, who also went to Winchester at Festival Time. 

1949 & 1975 - Bob Hope

1953 - Howard Keel

1953 - Arthur Godfrey

1954 - Ed Sullivan

1957 - Johnny Roventini (Philip Morris Bellboy) also present in 1964 with Lucille Ball

1958 - Audrey Meadows

1968 - Eddie Bracken (Too Many Girls)

1969 - Ed McMahon 

1973 - Mike Douglas

Three days before Lucy’s appearances at the Apple Festival, “Lucy Enters A Baking Contest” (TLS S2;E28) was aired for the first time. The episode depicts Lucy making pies, although they were cream pies, not apple! 

For the 75th Anniversary Festival in 2002, Lucy’s granddaughter, Katharine Desiree Luckinbill, served as Queen Shenandoah. Lucille Ball’s daughter, Lucie Arnaz and Lucie’s husband Larry Luckinbill, accompanied their daughter Katharine to the event and also rode in the parade. 

AN APPLE A DAY...

Although audiences never knew it, apple sauce was the main ingredient in the pies dumped on William Holden in “Hollywood at Last!” (ILL S4;E16) and apple pectin was the secret ingredient in Vitameatavegamin in “Lucy Does a TV Commercial” (ILL S1;E30). 

“Lucy’s Notebook” - a publication from the mid-1950s - includes a recipe for Apple Pie de Luxe!  

She was also known for her Sweet Apple John - recipe above!

Speaking of Apple John, in “Lucy Goes to Art Class” (TLS S2;E15), Viv bakes an apple pie for John, a handsome new bachelor she met at art class. 

In the same episode, Lucy ‘meets cute’ with John when the contents of her purse spill out on the floor and he helps pick them up - including an apple!

In “Lucy Buys a Boat” (TLS S1;E30), Lucy snacks on an apple while Viv is out cold from too many sea sickness pills! 

In “Lucy Learns To Drive” (ILL S4;E12) Lucy tries to coax a catatonic Fred out of his daze by tempting him with a piece of her apple pie! 

In “Lucy and Chuck Connors Have a Surprise Slumber Party” (HL S6;E13) Connors decides to spend the night in the Carter house. His director (Ryan MacDonald) informs him there’s plenty of apple pie in the fridge! 

Lucy Ricardo owned an apple cookie jar! Lucy’s Hull Apple Cookie Jar, was often seen in the Ricardo kitchen. Hull Pottery was quite popular in the 1950’s.

In early episodes of “I Love Lucy” apples (and other fruits) were readily available in the Ricardo living room! 

Int “The Kleptomaniac” (ILL S1;E27) while Lucy is stealing Fred’s cuckoo clock for her club bazaar, she grabs an apple from the sideboard as a snack!  

A ravenous Lucy takes a bite out of juicy looking apple - only to discover that it is made of wax - in "Lucy’s Schedule” (ILL S1;E33). 

In “Lucy Helps the Countess” (TLS S4;E8), Lucy Carmichael, the Countess, and Mr. Mooney, accidentally get locked in a vacant high rise apartment for the weekend!  The only food they have is one solitary apple! 

In “Dirty Gertie” (HL S5;E10), Lucy Carter goes downtown to bring a basket of surplus apples to her hairdresser, and is mistaken for an impoverished “Apple Annie” by some local mobsters. 

In “Lucy in London” (1966), after Anthony Newley’s medley, there is a quick shot of Lucy as an Eliza Doolittle-type figure in the balcony of a theatre munching an apple!  Technically, London theatres were known for their orange sellers, but why quibble?

In “Lucy Becomes a Reporter” (TLS S1;E17), Viv’s old flame Argyle (John Vivyan) says she was known in high school was as ‘Truckie’ because of her dance moves while doing “The Big Apple.” In “Love Among the Two By Fours” (LWL S1;E3). Lucy Barker and her old flame Ben (Peter Graves) say they first met doing the same dance!

Apples are 18 cents a pound in 1970′s “Lucy Loses Her Cool” (HL S3;E13). 

In a silent movie sketch in “Lucy and Mickey Rooney” (TLS S4;E18) The Kid (Rooney) swipes an apple from a fruit stall, but The Tramp (Lucy) stops him. 

He was only emulating the Keystone Cop!  

At the start of “Lucy the Gun Moll” (TLS S4;E25), Lucy Carmichael wants Mr. Mooney to install an apple vending machine for the employees at the bank.  Although vending machines offering fresh fruit are rare in today’s world, the Fruit-O-Matic Company started to manufacture such machines around 1950.

In “World’s Greatest Grandma” (LWL; unaired) Lucy Barker considers singing “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)” for a talent show - except (as usual) she can’t sing! 

In “Lucy and the Andrews Sisters” (HL S2;E6), Lucy Carter and daughter Kim join Patty Andrews in a medley that contains the song. It was originally sung by the Andrews Sisters in the 1942 film Private Buckaroo.

[ducktracy]

106. buddy’s bug hunt (1935)

release date: june 22nd, 1935

series: looney tunes

director: jack king

starring: billy bletcher (spider/judge), jackie morrow (buddy), bernice hansen (butterfly/witness)

and then there were 4. buddy’s fate is nearing to a close. we have this, buddy in africa, buddy steps out, and buddy the gee man, all directed by jack king, save for buddy in africa, which is a hardaway cartoon. i don’t really hate buddy as much as i thought i would, but there have been times where i’ve been watching a cartoon and thinking “good god i miss bosko”. jack king probably makes the better buddy cartoons, sorry, ben! but if it’s any consolation, i prefer ben’s porky cartoons over jack’s. this cartoon also has the neat distinction of featuring the first ever ACME gag. who knew? buddy dreams he’s being tried in insect court for causing harm to bugs. (also, a note: i changed the credits from jack carr to jackie morrow because the evidence was too strong. buddy definitely sounds like a different voice and like an actual child, probably starting with buddy’s lost world. my mistake!)

buddy’s eagerly pursuing a butterfly, swatting his net carelessly as he dashes around on a farm. he scales a set of stairs, going back down on a different set of stairs—a cow, a farmer, and a pig. he passed a sign advertising “BE SURE TO SEE SEASIDE BEACH!”, where the butterfly is resting on a broken piece of wood. buddy swats his net and lands the catch... or so he thinks. an angry woman pops up with the net around her head, her bow serving as the fake butterfly. she throws the net down and stalks away. the REAL butterfly flutters into view, and buddy runs after it.

the chase continues into buddy’s bughouse (labeled as such outside a shabby little shack). after some searching, buddy spots the butterfly resting on a flower in a flowerpot. he runs his hand down the flower, squeezing the butterfly into a glass enclosure below. it turns out his bag is filled with live butterflies—he dumps them into a separate enclosure, satisfied with his work.

big excitement when buddy finds a spider. he plucks it off its dangling web, glueing it under a microscope. wow, cruel! the spider is crying as buddy peers into the microscope with oblivious glee. however, he accidentally turns the knob on a can of ether, the fumes knocking him out. thus launches the dream sequence.

to begin, buddy’s victim, the spider, frees himself from the glue. it’s clear he seeks revenge as he gives a good ol’ billy bletcher villain laugh. he sneaks to the aid of his other spider victims, trapped inside a jar. with a bit of elbow grease he tugs the lid open, and his comrades are freed. he motions for them to follow, and thus begins a liberation movement.

i wonder if something was cut or if it’s just extremely poor staging. earlier, the main spider had peered down to make sure the coast was clear—buddy was still unconscious. however, NOW he’s trapped beneath a web (like gulliver’s travels?), crying “help, help! lemme outta here! stop!” there was no indication of him waking up, nor any indication of the spiders trapping him. there could have been a scene cut here, but at the same time i doubt it.

together, the insects work to reduce buddy in size. nothing like some “reducing pills” to do the trick! they stuff a funnel in buddy’s mouth. the pills are mixed in with water, and a frog pipets the mixture through his mouth (i’m taking a biology course for the first time in 4 years this semester. what not to do: mouth pipeting!) and into the funnel.

look, ma! baby’s first acme reference! i can’t make out what it says—ACME GLASS? nevertheless, the bugs cheer as buddy shrinks to their size, no longer a dominant force. all of the bugs gather around buddy and jeer at him. song segments have been typically reserved for merrie melodies only, but not here. the insects (and frog) launch into an original number, “you’ll get yours today”—a song about how buddy is at their mercy. the lyrics are amusing, as is a quick dance segment, but nothing mind blowing.

two of the insects separate a roller skate in half, another poking a tied up buddy in the butt with a pen point. he’s forced into the roller skate, the insects typing him in so he can’t break free. damn, they really want revenge! one of the bugs wheels buddy through a radio labeled “SUPREME COURT”. bug court, love it!

all of the insects in the courtroom are ecstatic to see buddy get what he deserves. another acme reference, the acme fly paper advertising “HEAR YE HEAR YE! BUDDY WILL BE TRIED IN COURT FOR CRUELTY TO INSECTS”. the jury sit patiently in an egg carton, while a bug announces in rhyme that “his honor’s coming into court”, riding away on a grasshopper.

sure enough, a cuckoo clock reveals the judge, sitting in typical judge garb (a powdered wig, no less!). he smacks the gavel against the table, knocking water from the pitcher into a glass. he holds up a heart playing card and asks that buddy cross his heart not to tell a lie. buddy is dumbfounded and provides no answer—a great gag as the judge hits him over the head with the gavel immediately and grunts “WON’T TALK, EH?”

the judge then asks to hear from the witnesses. a grasshopper with a clothespin for its leg laments about his experience with buddy, how he yanked his leg off “and now they call me peg!”. the judge tuts in disapproval and asks to hear the next witness—a butterfly who looks strikingly similar to cookie (appropriately so, since bernice hansen provides the vocals). she laments that buddy took her parents away, leaving her to die. man, buddy’s seriously got a lot on his record!

after another witness (once more voiced by hansen) gives her testimony, the appalled judge whacks buddy on the head with the gavel once more for good measure, gingerly brushing it off as if it had been contaminated—good gag. he then asks the jury what buddy’s verdict is: guilty as charged (“guilty! guilty! guilty! and we want to hear him squeal!”).

with that, the insects position buddy on top of a cigar lighter, plugged into a remote that sends electric shocks. Buddy Receives the Electric Chair (1935) dir. Jack King. what a twist, though! they crank up the volts, which cause buddy to get singed with the flames of the lighter. buddy flops onto his stomach, yelping in pain.

back to reality as buddy comes to on the floor. his magnifying glass is positioned just so it catches the sun’s rays, burning his butt. buddy hurriedly throws himself into a spare washtub, grinning in relief as the flame is extinguished. he dries himself off, and, with a change in heart, frees all his captives. he slams the door shut once they’re gone, his clubhouse collapsing into a pile of wood. buddy pokes his head out of the pile in a daze, two frogs using a piece of board as a seesaw as we iris out.

like buddy, i had a change of heart. first watch through i thought this cartoon was bad. i thought it was discombobulated, incoherent, and trite. thank god for those rewatches i do while typing this whole shebang out! this isn’t my favorite buddy cartoon, but it’s not at all my least favorite. it’s definitely surreal and strange, and i applaud directors who go down that route and try something new. i’ve said before how i don’t like jack king’s porky cartoons—they pale in comparison to those put out by tex avery and frank tashlin in 1936. they’re strange and downright creepy, but i also applaud that. i like that king takes a different approach to things and can appreciate it, even if it doesn’t align with my tastes. billy bletcher did a great job as the judge, seeing buddy get whacked with the gavel is always a plus. it’s not the most riveting of cartoons, but it isn’t a dreadful watch, either. heads up, though: the rip is pretty worn and has some damage to it, so there’s a lot of flashing and distortion towards the top of the screen.

link!

[writingfortoomanyfandoms]

2K Writing Challenge!!

Yeah, that’s right guys! I hit 2K followers!!!! Thank you all so so so so so much for following me - it means the world that so many of you are out there reading my writing and sending me lovely messages

As I did with my 1K celebration, there are two parts to this - one is a blurb week (more than a week lads just saying I write for too many characters eek) and the other part is this: a writing challenge!!

This time around I decided to do a British Comedy Theme (yeah I was watching an episode of Outnumbered when I decided on this) so under the cut are the prompts, the characters and the rules!!

The Rules

1) You don’t have to be following me but it is a follower celebration so it would be nice :)

2) If your piece of writing is over 500 words, please use the ‘read more’ feature

3) Reblog this post to get the word out (and tag anyone who may be interested!)

4) It’s going to be one person per prompt but if needed I can add more prompts

5) Smut is fine but please leave warnings as appropriate

6) On the back of that one, no inappropriate pairings pleaseeeeee

7) Also please make sure you leave appropriate warnings at the beginnings of fics if any sensitive subjects are brought up (e.g. mental health etc)

8) Ships and OC’s are welcome

9) Tag me in your writing!

10) Use the hashtag #courts2KBCWC

11) If you want to enter send me an ask with the prompt you want and the pairing you’ll be writing it with

12) The deadline for this is 3rd August (this can be extended if y’all need it)

Happy writing guys!

Characters/People/Pairings

1) Ben Hardy (+ Warren Worthington)

2) Joe Mazzello (+ Eugene Sledge, Gardner Langway, Pat Murray, Dr Tim Murphy)

3) Gwilym Lee (+ Charlie Nelson)

4) (BoRhap!)Queen members (Freddie only platonically)

5) Roger x Reader x Ben

6) Joe x Reader x Ben

7) The Hargreeves Children (older!Five only)

8) Richard Madden (+ David Budd, Robb Stark, Prince Kit)

9) Taron Egerton (+ Eggsy)

10) Rocketman!Bernie Taupin and Ray Williams

11) Smosh Members 

You can write for other characters who I may have missed off the list just send me an ask asking if that character is okay and I’ll let you know :)

Prompts

1) “Can you get him to address his fascination with sulphuric acid?” Outnumbered

2) “This is for you. It’s a dream catcher. It’s made by the native Americans and it catches all your dreams to keep them safe forever.” “I had a dream about weasels eating me last night and I don’t want that one again.” Outnumbered

3) “I don’t like salmon, it’s too orange. I don’t eat anything orange. Except for oranges - because they admit they’re orange” Outnumbered

4) “Women can do things men can’t. Women can have babies” ''Yes, but I’d rather have a moustache than a baby. Then if you change your mind you can just shave it off. You can’t do that with babies” Outnumbered

5) “Imagine being mummified in an embarrassing position. Because you would have thought at least one person would have been on the toilet” “If a volcano’s exploding I imagine most of the town would be on the toilet” Outnumbered

6) “You have to treat everybody’s views, no matter what they believe, with respect” “What, even idiots?” Outnumbered

7) “One day of niceness doesn’t make up for thousands of days of horribleness” Outnumbered ( @writing-of-a-british-bitch w/ Warren Worthington)

8) “I’ll give you a cookie now, shall I?” “In England we call them biscuits” Outnumbered ( @davidbuddbg w/ Richard Madden)

9) “Well you shouldn’t be prejudiced against fat people, thin people… men who have turned into women, women who have turned into men, gay people, ginger people… people from Liverpool” Outnumbered 

10) “Do you think you could stop being so cheeky?” “Do you think you could stop asking stupid questions?” Outnumbered

11) “Stand back kids, this school’s insurance policy doesn’t cover blown minds” Bad Education

12) “The only thing you could contribute to science is your body” Bad Education

13) “If I was a font, I’d be comic sans” Bad Education

14) “How about you ‘fuck off’ and stop ‘trying to ruin my life’” Bad Education

15) “I gave this speech on our wedding day. Now I’d like to give it again with clothes on and you, our family, present.” Cuckoo

16) “I stopped believing in God when I realised it was just dog spelt backwards” The Inbetweeners

17) “I spend my entire life around people. As much as I would like to, it’s almost impossible to avoid them” The Inbetweeners

18) “At best I am ambivalent towards most of you, but some of you, I actively dislike” The Inbetweeners

19) “We’re very hufflepuff here, wouldn’t you be happier in slytherin?” Fresh Meat

20) “People with my accent make foreigners shit themselves” Fresh Meat

21) “It’s not that we don’t like you - obviously, we don’t really know you - it’s just that we think we won’t like you” Fresh Meat

22) “Is it a bacon sarnie or another one of your lies?” Fresh Meat

23) “If you open a car door it’s not… technically a car” Phil Wang, Taskmaster 

24) “I genuinely once returned to my flat to find her in my bed, eating biscuits and watching a documentary on Colditz” Greg Davis, Taskmaster

25) “What’s the best way to make friends “Tell a woman you love her, and she says ‘I think we’re just friends’” Jimmy Carr, Jon Richardson

26) “The only dance I do is YMCA, that’s more spelling than dancing” Jon Richardson

27) “Every triangle’s a love triangle when you love triangles” James Acaster

28) “There’s four things you can be in life: sober, tipsy, drunk and hungover. Tipsy is the only one that you’re not crying” James Acaster

29) “All of us hate ourselves on some level - that’s not weird, just to let you know” James Acaster

30) “Most people don’t realise the bell is called Big Ben and not the clock. The clock is called Tickety-Ted the Time-Telling Bitch” James Acaster

[selkiesbittybonanza]

Meet the Caretakers of the Shop

Selkie

art by @melle-d

Selkie is the owner of the shop: she loves to meet new people and discuss their bittys with them! She’s interested in all sorts of bittys and their families, but has a soft spot for any kind of lamia bitty!

Selkie is a Celtic seal spirit but she’s decided to “give up her skin” and live on land. It’s a lot easier than it used to be with the popularity of sushi and other raw foods! She still puts on her skin for a “dip”, but she considers herself a land dweller now.

On the outside she’s extremely friendly and accommodating but she struggles with general and social anxiety. She loves her shop and her adoptees but sometimes the social pressure can get to her. Her service bitty, a full size Sunlust Lamia named Brin, is there to help her when things get too much but for the most part she can hold things together until her clients are gone for the day. Brin ends up napping under the lobby desk most work days…

Big Ben

art by @melle-d​

Big Ben, or Ben, is a full size King lamia adopted from @vex-bittys and a younger brother of Waffle. He’s always had a soft spot for hatchlings, he drags Selkie to Vex’s shop once a month for story time with Edgar and the babies. Ben was her second command at her home and did an excellent job but Selkie could tell something was missing. He was envious of Waffle, Elvis and other Kings who had the chance to live at bitty shops, and although he’d never complain, it was plain to see the longing on his face whenever Selkie and him would visit a shop.

When Selkie discussed opening a shop with him, he was overjoyed! He’s now the head caretaker of the nursery and decides when and which lamias are ready to join the adoptee pool and look for a permanent home. He also helps with the rehabilitation of injured, sick or traumatized lamias that may come through our shop.

With his new responsibilities it means that he spends most of his time in the shop and less time at home. Selkie misses him terribly but wants to support him and his dream job which he throws his whole mighty heart into.

art by @zwagyzonk

Helios

Helios and his cousin, Apollo, spend most of their time at the shop. (They’re always welcome at home, however.) Helios is a Luminary from @polestar-bitties and is in charge of health and wellness at the shop! With his healing magic and expertise with lamias he’s the perfect bitty to ask if one of your friends isn’t feeling well! He works closely with Ben in the nursery and clinic making sure the babies are all well and growing appropriately!

Apollo

Apollo is a Precursor and like his cousin he was adopted from @polestar-bitties He’s in charge of security for the nursery (and to a lesser extent, the entire shop). He makes sure that the most vulnerable members of our centre are safe. He also makes a good cheerleader and laid back friend for everyone in the nursery/clinic.

Jasmine

Instead of Selkie adopting Jasmine, Jasmine adopted themself to the shop! They came in with @gaiasteapot to rescue a Puff (who was then adopted) and formed a bond quickly with Helios and Apollo. They were invited to stay at the shop and the three have been inseparable ever since! As an Illuminous bitty they are a very soothing presence at the shop and Jasmine has been using their skills to help rehabilitate bittys that come to the shop with psychological or confidence issues. When not working on rehabilitation they help Helios with exams, procedures and anything else that needs to be done in the clinic!

art by @sirpumpkinlumps / @polestar-bitties

Brin

Brin, or “Brinden Rivers”, (yes, I know it’s spelt wrong) is Selkie’s Service Bitty specializing in anxiety and panic attacks. He can usually found curled around Selkie’s feet under the front desk at the lobby purring like a car engine. He is a full size Sunlust Lamia adopted from @bitti-tarts after Selkie decided to open the shop and Ben began staying away from home more often to give Selkie the support she needed. Like all Sunlusts he’s a big flirt but if you see him at the shop he is usually “on duty” and most of his focus is on Selkie and her mood. His scales are a beautiful golden brown with the rainbow iridescence that Sunlusts and Starlusts are known for - and pastel orange heart-shaped eyelights. He’s a handsome guy! He’s usually wearing his service vest when he’s at the shop.

art by @saiyurimai

Piquante

Piquante was brought in to the shop to help with the harpy bittys; who have more energy than sense! It helped that Piquante had wings, unlike the other caretakers, and was therefore inescapable! Although Piquante has a gruff attitude the harpys adore him and the fact they have a caretaker all to themselves! Since joining Piquante has set up many games and events for the harpys to enjoy and with his supervision they are given more freedom than before. Piquante lives in the aviary with his charges in a large ornate nest box carved to look like a cuckoo clock.

(More of his back story can be found here!)

Members of Selkie’s Bitty Tribe that you’ll probably run into at the shop:

Mars (Martian, Mars Bar, Snaggletooth) – Edgy Bitty, Selkie’s first bitty.

Slim Jim (Slim) – Home-brew SF!Papyrus/Boa Constrictor Lamia (Full Size)

Furnace (Furn) – Western Edge Bitty from @mythical-adoptions

Cistern (Tern) -  Eastern Red Bitty from @mythical-adoptions

Perogy (Dumplin’) - Starnoodle from @dawnsbitties

Wonton (Juan) - Galaxywing from @dawnsbitties

Timber (Timbit) - Puppy Pupyrus from @nyehtish

Fred - Soul bitty from @wolf-n-bones

Pinion (Pin) - Angelic bitty from @mythical-adoptions

Homebodies; but never say never:

Caesar (Chez, Chezzer, Cheese-its) – Sunny Bitty from @wolf-n-bones

Maize (Corn Dog, Corn Chip, Popcorn, etc.) – Corny Lamia (Mini) from @vex-bittys

Yuzu – Pup Bitty from @sansy-fresh

Coco – Wormy Lamia Bitty from @bitti-tarts

Chess & Checkers - Twin children of Caesar and Maize

Alfredo (Alfie) - Screech bitty from @memeshero

All art in this post were commissioned by me, for my blog!

[aarmclocksthings]

On Clock Motions that Chime

clock mechanismsClock activities are the cores of every wrist watch, tracking elapsed time as well as effectively positioning the hands at each moment. But clock activities (likewise called motors) are actually capable of working out beyond this function either with timekeeping extensions or with included features. This post concentrates on the novelty feature of chiming, an enhancement that rarely fails to highlight surprise, joy, and appeal in those that experience it.

The clock motions these days are substantially advanced than the typical ones, making them more conveniently prone to designing as well as applying novelties and extensions. The old method involved using a hanging weight or coiled spring to exert a rotational force on a flywheel, with pendulums and also escapements equipping timing guideline. Routine rewinding or resetting of the force was required, as well as the complicated network of gears used to acquire seconds, mins, as well as hrs made adaptations awkward and also unwieldy.

However the digital design of the modern-day clock electric motor has actually replaced the old mechanical arrangement. Digital control completes the positioning of the shafts connected to the hands, and a quartz crystal gives a stable stream of pulses that can be counted in numerical signs up. Subdivision of the gathered worths results in exact timekeeping, and also the entire system is both basic as well as fairly flexible.

So movements in clocks normally track elapsed hrs, minutes, and also seconds, but they could easily tackle other duties too. Prolonging the cycle by 12 hours causes 24-hour timekeeping (with a similarly special dial). Further extensions to regular or monthly cycles permit monitoring of days in a week or the day.

Such expansions are rarely seen in off-the-shelf clocks, despite their charm while amusing as well as notifying. But there have long been different means to report the moment, particularly the hr and/or the quarter-hour. As an example, cuckoo clocks spruce up these announcements both aesthetically and also aurally.

Maybe the cuckoo clock is stemmed from, or a minimum of pertaining to, the old practice of town criers. The very same could be said of the chiming watch, though an added impact was unquestionably the bell tower. Absolutely the connecting of occasions and news was early associated with revealing the time, as well as the audible signals of this, taking form as tolling, bell ringing, or vocal shouts, well preceded the aesthetic cues.

clock mechanisms

Besides, interactions were primitive and also townspeople were generally clueless except when receiving notices while assembled in a church or the square. You could say that getting the word out at that time was a predecessor of program media. And also establishing timelines for reporting the information was clearly deemed to be essential.

Ultimately the church belfry came to be the village square clock towers. Homeowners and town site visitors could watch the clock and hear its chimes. However, those outside of community, such as peasants as well as farmers, had no visual cues and also depended upon the audible bells to recognize just what time it was.

Another trend with time was to reduce the scale of timekeeping yet to continue the mix of sight and also hearing hints. Grandpa clocks and also mantle clocks that sounded bell patterns became popular. The audible chimes and the visual hands strengthened each other.

You are apt to find four chime patterns conveniently available from suppliers of motions: Westminster, Whittington, Winchester, and St. Mary's. The very first is the most acquainted, being exactly what Big Ben plays everyday and also exactly what Brahms adapted into his First harmony. The various other three are pleasurable as well as a welcome change.

When chimes audio every 15 mins, the repeating can obtain extremely frustrating regardless of exactly how enchanting the tune. A good bell tone aids, but ensure that the particular clock activity you pick comes with an override button.

Some motors provide a way for the user to record audios to be made use of as the chiming pattern. There are no limitations to the clockmaker's imagination with this attribute. Appeal your friends as well as thrill your family by taking advantage of clock movements that chime.

[bristolforeurope]

"For the magazine’s latest issue, the artist Mark Ulriksen was tasked with the premier challenge of our time: how to make sense of Brexit. His response speaks for itself. “The British icon that most resonates with me is Big Ben,” Ulriksen said. “Upon realizing that, a bell rang in my head . . . a cuckoo clock!” Imagery aside, the clock is indeed ticking, and The New Yorker’s writers are here to demystify the crisis across the pond." https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2019-03-25 #StopBrexit #Brexit #StopBrexitSaveBritain #StopBrexitSaveUK #BrexitBreaksBritain #BrexitShambles https://www.instagram.com/p/BvEgDr4Aecs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=q6yo4ibrbu68

[simplyadorkable-blog1]

Season 6, Episode 17 - “Rumspringa”

Jess is nervous about starting her new role as principal, so Nick and Schmidt take her on a relaxing day trip to Solvang; Cece helps Winston try to finalize his divorce from Rhonda.

“Welcome to Big Dinner, where the news is big and the dinner is regular sized. Not be confused with Big Supper, where we eat dinner and we watch the movie Big.” Jess welcomes us to the episode and I welcome you to this breakdown. Let’s just ignore that they watch Big often enough that they have a name for when they do so. Anyways, Jess and Schmidt have gathered the remaining roomfriends to announce their new promotions and as Schmidt puts it, “celebrate [their] final weekend inside the chrysalis of professional mediocrity before Monday, when [they] burst forth in fully pupated positions.” Let’s all give Jess and Schmidt a round of applause for their new positions as Principal Day and the Director of Non-Television, Non-Radio West Coast Marketing, respectively. Congratulations!

Winston interrupts their proud announcement with an announcement of his own: he has to divorce his wife, Rhonda. To be honest, I totally forgot about her. But Cece clearly has not because she tells Winston that she hates her. “Hey, that’s my wife!” Winston growls back, catching me entirely off guard and sending me into a fit of laughter. Nick comments that it was, “Such a good Harrison Ford.” Great point. Nick then interrupts the celebration to complain that Raisin said his room is stupid. Schmidt is livid that everyone keeps interrupting with all of their common topics. This is why he proposed Common Lunch! Too bad nobody showed up.

Jess tries to put the conversation back on the rails. She points out that she’s so happy and has been preparing for this job ever since she was young enough to believe leprechauns were real. Nick interrupts again to argue that they are real, Winston caught one. Before they can get into the leprechaun debate, Schmidt declares that it’s time for the rites of passage. To the tune of Pomp and Circumstance, Jess presents Schmidt with a new set of business cards and Schmidt presents her with her principal’s blazer. The thought that these two had this entire performance planned out might be funnier than the actual act. It’s quickly made clear that her blazer doesn’t fit and we skip to the middle of the night when Nick finds a frazzled Jess crazily adjusting it.

The next day, Nick approaches Schmidt to get a second opinion on his bedroom. Schmidt agrees with Raisin that it looks like he lives in an abandoned daycare. Nick disagrees because he knows exactly what that looks like. Queue flashback of little Nicky left in an abandoned daycare which is totally plausible considering his dad. “Okay, we need to talk about that a lot more later,” Schmidt is alarmed, as if he was also transported into the flashback. Nick changes the subject to Jess and how she is freaking out about work because he’s still the sweet, attentive guy we know and love.

The pair check on Jess in the kitchen, where she’s still crazily working on her blazer. She unconvincingly tells them that’s she’s “gawd.” Concerned, Nick and Schmidt retreat to his room to figure out how they are going to help. Nick reminds Schmidt of when he helped Schmidt in college by taking him on boy rides Rumspringa. We’re also informed that Schmidt took an Intro. to Environmental Feminism class—what even? Anyways, the decide to take Jess on a little Rumspringa of their own.

Meanwhile Cece is at the bar with Winston and Aly as they wait for Rhonda. Aly cutely coos over her ring and Winston grosses us out by saying, “I love that ring on your finger. I want to bite it off, and swallow it, and then digest it properly. And give it back to you in a day and a half.” This moment is interrupted by Rhonda’s sudden entrance. She’s holding a baby. Hopefully everyone caught onto her prank immediately because if not, Winston’s, “Now you listen to me, baby. My father walked out on me, and I swear I will never do that to you,” line will break your heart. Hell, I even knew it was a prank right away and I was still in awe over Winston’s sweetness. Thankfully Rhonda doesn’t string Winston along and reveals her prank. As we know, Winston’s taste in pranks is terrible so he is the only one to laugh along with Rhonda. Rhonda explains that she borrowed the baby from her obstetrician cousin, Dave, who is also in the bar. Cece points out that that’s a felony, not the two police officers in the room. Aly tries to play nice and introduces herself to Rhonda. She congratulates the engaged couple, signs the divorce papers, and leaves. Can we all agree that despite how annoying her pranks are, her enthusiastic tone is hilariously perfect? Unfortunately, Winston opens to the folder to see that she used disappearing ink and effectively pranked them.

Back at the loft, Nick and Schmidt barge into Jess’ room where she has unknowingly added two additional sleeves to her blazer. How did that happen? Wasn’t she just letting it out? Anyways, the guys suggest a boy ride/Rumspringa to take her mind off of her first day jitters. Jess adamantly refuses, citing, “Rumspringa is a hallowed Amish tradition, not a one-day buddy comedy. Second of all, I don’t want to go to a casino or a sexual petting zoo.” Schmidt explains that’s why they’re going to an old-timey Danish town oddly located in California wine country called Solvang.

At the craft fair in Solvang, Jess continues to pout and tries to leave. Schmidt tells her he paid for all-day parking so she’s out of her mind if she thinks they’re going to leave. That statement is vaguely paternal so we better get a Schmece baby in season 7 (#reNewGirl). Nick encourages Jess to have fun and picks up a sign from a nearby vendor. “Look at this sign: “When has it become a crime to rhyme all the time?” So true! And it’s really funny.” “Somebody just thought of that,” Schmidt chimes in. Nick’s truly grasping at straws, but it’s so endearing, I wish Jess would open her unusually large eyes! Instead, she wants to go home and practice her morning announcement voice. Schmidt thinks she’s overthinking this and tells her to exude confidence all the time like him. Jess tells him he can’t skate by on confidence alone since he’s the boss now. This scares Schmidt so they’re both freaking out when Nick reappears with a folksy, old-timey reenactment guy. This somehow convinces Jess to stay—Nick knows her so well—and she springs into Leslie Knope mode and starts firing off questions. But if you ask me, I’m 99.9% that’s not the real Ben Franklin. Wait, what? Before she can get through all 87 of her questions, he offers them Aquavit, which is a flavored spirit from Scandinavia, according to a quick Google search.

I guess Rhonda is still close to the bar because she’s already back and laughing at Winston for falling for her disappearing ink trick. Aly is justifiably furious and demands that Rhonda grow up and stop acting like Dennis the freaking Menace. Rhonda thinks Aly’s dislike of pranks is basic and is worried about Winston marrying her. She goes on say she’s never going to give Winston a divorce and she’ll prank him for life. Winston tries to reassure Aly and they’ll figure something out. It turns out that that something is agreeing to help pull a group Rhonda so she’ll sign the papers with permanent ink.

At Solvang, Jess gets hammered on Aquavit and Nick buys a quilted jacket that he wants to make into a throw pillow. Nick is going full country-living. When Jess tries to buy more Aquavit, the vendor informs her that it’s 4:30 pm and they close early on Sunday. Nick tries to keep the party going by taking them to the Aquavit cellar and inadvertently locks them in. To be fair, he really does keep the party going. Jess immediately starts shouting out the tiny window in the door that they need to pupate. “They don’t know what that means. Say something more accessible. Help!” Yes, much better, Schmidt.

After over an hour of being trapped, Nick is still trying to distract Jess like the perfect boyfriend we all wish he currently was. “Our bodies are trapped in this cellar, but our minds can go anywhere.” He switches his attention to Schmidt, who’s shouting that he’s the Director of Marketing for Associated Strategies out the tiny window, and asks him to pick a number. Schmidt picks 23, which is wrong. Jess picks 19, which is right. Same wavelength, those two. Nick tries to entertain them by saying a bird is going to pop out from the cuckoo clock that is for some reason in the cellar. Jess rips out the bird in anger and yells at Nick that they’re adults and can’t handle their problems by forgetting about them. Nick finally cracks, saying, “You’re right. Maybe I handle my problems like a child. Maybe I decorate my room like a child. I mean, I even undress like a child.” His flashback of trying to kick off his pants has me in stitches. Does he do that every time? “I’m usually the rock of this group. Once you lose old Nicky Miller, the whole thing falls apart,” He continues and starts to drink a bottle of Aquavit.

We return to Rhonda’s prank where Cece and Winston, dressed as nurses, rush into a delivery room with Rhonda covering her face on the bed. Dave, our second favorite New Girl female health practitioner, is in the room and lifts up the sheet to take a look. Aly’s jelly-covered head is poking up through a hole in the cart and scares Dave. She deadpans, “Wah. I’m a baby. I’m coming out.” Rhonda then reveals herself and “Rhonda’s” Dave. Aly crawls out from under the cart and starts to freak out that her skin in burning. Winston rushes to Aly’s side, worried. Rhonda apologizes to Aly. Rightfully so, because she just got Aly’d. Rhonda is impressed with her prank game and agrees to sign the papers and gives the couple her blessing.

Back in the cellar, it’s now 4:00 am. The guys have been peeing in bottles for hours and Jess is sad that she’s missing her first day. Nick promises that once they get out, he’s going to start growing up. He says there’s so much he wants to do like try cilantro, figure out what NASDAQ means, and not shimmy out of his pants. He also apologizes to Jess for kidnapping her, he just hated to see her with first-day jitters. Can they just start dating already? Jess realizes she’s being silly, she’s been preparing for this job her entire life. Nick suggests they toast with a bottle of champagne, which Schmidt points out has a wire around the cork. He channels his inner Nancy Drew and picks the lock, allowing them to rush out. Upon arriving at their car, they realize that they’re all too drunk to drive. Thankfully, Schmidt exchanged numbers with the reenactment guy and he comes to the rescue with the promise of getting on The Price Is Right.

Cece, Winston, and Aly’s storyline wraps up back at the the loft. The divorce papers are finally finalized. Winston assures the ladies that they’re good since the longest disappearing ink on record is only 42 minutes. Shouts to the blog I follow who pointed out that Winston has that memorized. Aly admits that she actually had a good time pranking Rhonda and that they could get into it as a couple. They can prank, have sex, and pet the cat. #RelationshipGoals. Remember when Winston’s proposal included his complicated relationship with God? Well it’s true, because he goes off on a tangent about how we are pranks because God pranked the animals with us. Aly finds this endearing and they kiss. Meanwhile Cece notices that there are adoption papers among the divorce papers and that Rhonda adopted Aly in Liberia. I guess she got the last laugh…? I hope that’s just a throw away line because I’ve had enough incestual relationships this season.

Jess makes it to her school just in time for morning announcements, but when Nick encourages her to get out of the car and be principal, she suddenly gets nervous again. Nick, like the sweetheart he is, asks Schmidt for a minute alone with Jess. Schmidt exits, saying, “Sure. A grown man standing around a bunch of ten-year-olds, holding bottles of his own urine. What could go wrong?” Now alone, Nick tells Jess he knows what’s wrong with her. She’s scared that she’s reached her goal. Jess admits it’s stupid, but Nick disagrees. “And as a guy who has never had a path like that, I’m personally really excited to see what happens next.” Then they stare into each other’s eyes. Jess, freshly emboldened, gets out of the car. She takes a few steps before realizing she forgot her blazer. When she turns back to the car, Nick gives her his new, quilted jacket. “But I thought you were going to make a pillow out of that,” Jess tries to give it back. “Ah, it won’t fit in my room. It’s not a good style for me. It looks great on you.” Jess thanks him and says, “And, Nick, I… I like your room the way it is. It already has a style. It’s… it’s you.” They smile at each other again and my heart breaks that they’re not together yet.

Originally Aired 2/21/2017

[argumate]

and then of course you need characters for watches, grandfather clocks, cuckoo clocks, specific famous clocks like the Big Ben one or the Times Square clock--

premium emoji sponsored by Rolex

[nemesisbinxartifactseries]

Artifact Series C

C. Everett Koop's Scalpel

C. Henry Kempe's Teddy Bear

C.D. Atkins' Orange Juice Jug

C. H. Bennett's Ball of String

C. L. Blood's Bellows

C. S. Lewis' Wardrobe

C. S. Lewis' Writing Pen

C.S.A.: Confederate States of America Film Poster

Cab Calloway’s Zoot Suit

Cabbage Patch Monkey Doll

Cable from the Warsaw Radio Mast

Cai Lun’s Paper

Cain's Stone

Calaveras Skull

Calico Jack's Belt

Calico Jack's Flintlock Pistol

California Gold Rush Mining Pan

Caligula's Battle Armor

Caligula's Sandals *

Calvin Coolidge's Kerosene Lamp

Calvin Graham’s Sailor Suit

Calypso's Conch

Camera from the Ed Sullivan Show

Cameron Todd Willingham's Lighter

Camille Flammarion's Flammarion Engraving

Candles from Jeanne Calment's 100th Birthday Cake

Candle from the Conspirators Camp

Cangjie’s Oracle Bone Script

Canister of Greek Fire

Canister of Inconsolability *

Cannon from the Battle of Narva

Cao Cao’s Beard Brush

Captain Adrian Snow's Gauntlet

Captain Edward John Smith's Hat

Captain Gallagher’s Sword Hilt

Captain Hendrick Goosen's Trawling Net

Captain Joseph White’s Mattress

Caracalla's Bathing Amphora

Caravaggio’s Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence

Caravaggio's The Lute Player *

Carbondale Oppressing Iron *

Cardea's Hinge

Cardinal Richelieu's Table Knife

Caretaker Ribbon *

Carey Loftin's Gloves *

Carl Barks' Animation Cels

Carl Hagenbeck's Circus Wagon

Carl G. Fisher’s Acetylene Headlight

Carl Gustav Hempel's Apple

Carl Jung's Cuckoo Clock

Carl Jung’s Sofa Cushion

Carl Laemmle's Nickelodeon

Carl Linnaeus' Cravat

Carl Linnaeus' Herbarium

Carl Magee’s Parking Meter

Carl McCunn's Driver License

Carl Ray's Paint Brushes

Carl Sagan's Jacket

Carlo Collodi's Bracelet *

Carlo Pellegrini’s Spats

Carlos Arredondo's Hat

Carlos Hathcock's Feather

Carlos Marcello's Favorite Table

Carmen Miranda's Maracas

Carmine Galante’s Cigar

Carnation Flowers from the Carnation Revolution

Carrie Nation’s Hatchet

Carrie White's Prom Dress

Carry-on Bag

Casey Jones' Pocketwatch

Casey Martin's Golf Club

Casey Martin’s Golf Tee

Casimir Pulaski's and Michael Kovats de Fabriczy's Hessian Cavalry Swords

Casimir Zeglen’s Bulletproof Vest

Cask of Amontillado

Caspar Wistar’s Shutters

Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson's '58 Ford Thunderbird

Cassie Chadwick's Pearl Necklace

Cassius Dio's Silver Coins

Castle Crasher Knight's Weapons

Catequil's Clubs

Caterina Sforza's Spine

Catherine de' Medici's Corset

Catherine of Aragon's Wedding Ring

Catherine O'Leary's Cow Bell *

Catherine the Great's Scarf

Catherine the Great's Slippers

Catherine the Great's Washing Board *

"Cats" Vinyl Record

Cattle Skull

Caucasian Eagle Automaton

Caught-in-the-Throat "Laff!" Sign *

Cauldron of Annwn

Cauldron of Rebirth

Cave of the Piasa Bird

Cecil B. DeMille's Riding Crop *

Cecília Meireles' Rose Pen

Cellphone from the Set of Dollhouse

Celtic Red Deer Hide

Ceramic Black Buffalo

Ceramic Figurine Collection

Cernunnos' Torc

Cesar Chavez's Hoe

Cesar Chavez's Trellis

Cesira Ferrani's Atomizer

Chain from St. Mary of Bethlehem Asylum

Chains Used to Topple Saddam Hussein's Statue in Firdos Square

Chair from the Norrmalmstorg Bank Robbery

Chalice of Dionysus

Chalkboard Erasers from the Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic

Champagne Glasses From the SS United States

Chandelier from the Montansier Opera House *

Chandre Oram's Flag

Chang and Eng Bunker's Wedding Rings

Chang Apana's Detective Badge

Charlemagne's Crown

Charlemagne's Stirrup

Charles II of Navarre’s Bandages

Charles II's Croquet Balls *

Charles II's Executioner Axe

Charles VI’s Pillow

Charles Addams' Harpsichord

Charles Algernon Parsons' Gramophone Horn

Charles Angibaud’s Mortar

Charles Babbage's Gears

Charles Babbage's Difference Engine

Charles Baudelaire's Second Volume of Les Fleurs du mal

Charles B. Franklin’s Camshaft

Charles Bell's Rolls of Canvas

Charles Blondin's Tightrope

Charles Blondin's Unitard

Charles the Bold’s Livery Collar

Charles Bourseul’s Telephone

Charles Bowles' Flour Sack

Charles Calvert's Tobacco

Charles Carpenter’s Bazookas

Charles Correll's Amos 'n' Andy Taxi

Charles Coughlin's Collar

Charles Cretors’ Popcorn Cart

Charles Cullen's Scrubs

Charles Darwin’s Magnifying Glass

Charles Darwin's Spyglass

Charles Davenport's Syringe

Charles Dickens' Badminton Racket *

Charles Dickens’ Desk

Charles Dickens' Scotch

Charles Dodgson's Rosary

Charles Douglass’ Laff Box

Charles Édouard Guillaume's Balance Wheel

Charles F. Urschel’s Blindfold

Charles Fort’s Newspaper Clippings

Charles Fort's Umbrella

Charles Francis Hall's Coffee Cup

Charles Goodyear's Synthetic Rubber

Charles Hanson's Rocking Horse *

Charles J. Guiteau’s Revolver

Charles Jeffries' Skeleton Army Cap

Charles Kingsford Smith's Airplane's Undercarriage Leg and Wheel

Charles Knight's Hail Cannon

Charles Lindbergh Jr.’s Baby Rattle

Charles Lyell's Tool Belt

Charles M. Schulz's Pumpkin

Charles Macintosh's Socks

Charles Manson's Metal Guitar Pick

Charles Manson's VW Bus

Charles Martel's Stirrup

Charles Minthorn Murphy’s Bicycle Rollers

Charles Osborne's Water Cup

Charles Page's Cross

Charles Peace's Gold Pocketwatch

Charles Pearson's Tin-Can Telephone

Charles Perrault's Seven-League Boots

Charles Portal's RAF Pin

Charles Ponzi's Money Clip *

Charles Richter and Beno Gutenberg's Paper Roll and Pen

Charles Richter's Fountain Pen and Cap

Charles Simic's Fork

Charles Wells’ Roulette Wheel

Charles Whitman's Sniper Rifle

Charley Parkhurst's Whip

Charlie Chaplin's Bowler Hat

Charlie Chaplin's Cane

Charlotte Corday's Hairbrush

Charlotte Perkins Gilman's Wallpaper

Charlton Heston's Rifle

Charles Whitman's Sniper Rifle

Charred Crane from Greene County Oil Well Fire

Château de Madrid Majolica

Che Guevara's Beret

Chen Si's Motorbike

Chernobyl Three's Lab Coats

Cherry Hill Murder Artifacts

The Chest of Chirizu-kakai-o

Chester Moore Hall's Achromatic Lens *

Chesty Puller's Bullet Shells

Chesty Puller's Five Navy Crosses

Chicago May's Lipstick

Chicago Wheel

Chief Tecumseh's Robes

Chimariko Tribe Shaman Drum

Chi Medallion

Chicago City Key Chain

Chinese Baoding Balls

Chinese Chopsticks

Chinese Doubling Pot

Chinese New Year Good Luck Knot

Chinese New Year Red Envelope

Chinese Orchid *

The Chinese Sandalwood

Ching Ling Foo’s Bowl

Ching Shih's Katana

Chiune Sugihara's Visa Stamp

Choe Bu's Diary

Choe Museon’s Hwacha

Chris Gardner's Parking Tickets

Chris Hadfield's Acoustic Guitar

Christchurch City Cathedral Spire

Christiaan Barnard's Scalpel

Christiaan Huygens' Pendulum

Christiaan Huygens' Prism

Christian Doppler's Tie

Christian Mortensen's Thread and Needle

Christina the Astonishing's Thurible

Christine Chubbuck's Pearl Necklace

Christine Skubish's Toy Blocks

Christmas Lights from the Rockefeller Tree

Christmas Pyramid

Christmas Truce Submarine Ornament *

Christopher Columbus' Brooch *

Christopher Lee's Bowtie

Christopher Lee's Copy of The Lord of the Rings

Christopher Müller’s Gold Tooth

Christopher Reeve's Superman Cape

Christopher Robin Milne's Sketchpad

Chōchin-obake

Choe Bu's Diary

Chōjun Miyagi's Gi Belt

Chowchilla Kidnapping School Bus

Chromatic Bermuda Kite

Chrysippus' Wine Bottle

Chuck Jones' Glasses

Chucky Doll

Chuck Yeager's Favourite Record *

Chuck Yeager's Flight Helmet

Chun-Kwai Seducing Vase *

Chung Ling Soo's Plate

Chunk of the Chelyabinsk Meteor

Church of St. Pancras' Altar Cross

Chyren's Rapier

Cinderella's Carriage

Cinderella's Glass Knife *

Cine-Kodak 8 Model 25 Camera

Cintamani Stone

Circe's Wand

Cirque du Soleil Leotard

Civil War Snare Drums

Clap-board from Thriller

Clara Barton's Gloves *

Clarence Birdseye's Food Freezer

Clarence Birdseye's Heat Pump

Clarence Saunders’ Turnstile

Clark Gable's Grooming Kit *

Clark Wiley's Cage

Claude Alexander Conlin’s Crystal Ball

Claude Alexander Conlin's Thought Control Turban *

Claude Louis Berthollet's Snuff Box

Claude Shannon's Chess Board

Claus von Stauffenberg’s Plastic Explosive

Claus von Stauffenberg's Suitcase

Clay Models From Corpse Bride

Clement Moore's Pen

Clementine's Ballcap

Cleopatra's Perfume Jar

Cleopatra's Preserved Asp *

Cleve Hall's Airbrush

Clever Hans’s Horseshoes

Clint Malarchuk's Blood-Stained Jersey

Clipped Wings of Pegasus

Clock Face and Hands from the Original Big Ben

Closet Door

Clothing Folding Laundry Hamper

Clyde Barrow's B.A.R. Machine Gun

Clyde W. Tombaugh's Photographic Plates

Coclé Cat

Coconut Husks from Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Coco Chanel's Handbag

Code of Hammurabi Tablet

Cold Feet Shoes

Cold War Air Raid Siren

Cole MacGrath's Amp

Cole MacGrath's Courier Jacket

Collection of Jimmy MacDonald's Sound Effect Devices

Colonel Sanders' Suit

Colossus Computer Vacuum Tubes

The Colt used by Clement Vallandigham

Columbia Space Shuttle

Combustable Figgy Pudding

The Comfy Chair

Complete Encyclopedia Brittanica, Circa 1966 *

Confucius' Flip-Flops *

Confucius' Lantern

Congo the Chimpanzee's Paint Brushes

Connor Kenway's Tomahawk

Conrad Haas’ Nozzle

Conrad Reed's Gold Nuggets

Consoling Valentine's Day Chocolates

Constance of Penafiel's Throne

Constantine the Great's Crucifix *

Constricting Yo-Yo

Conversation-Stopping Robot

Convincing Dreidels (canon)

Constantin Stanislavski's Eyeglasses

"Cookie Thieves Beware" Cookie Jar

Cookware from the Iron Chef Set

Copper Bowls of Life and Death *

Copper Roof Panel from the Plaza Hotel

Copy of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial from the Alamogordo Landfill

Coraline Jones' Doll

Corbels from the Church of St Mary and St David

The Cordwaining Shoebox

Cornelis Drebbel’s Micro-Telescope

Cornelis Drebbel's Oar

Corner of Moses Stone Tablet *

Corrupted Zalgo Computers

Corsican Brother's Vest *

Corn Popper

Corvo Attano's Gas Mask

Customer Service Cell Phone *

The Cottingley Fairies

Cotton Club Matchbox

Cotton Swab from the Phantom of Heilbronn

Count of St. Germain's Ring *

Cover of the Book of Kells

Covered Wagon

Craig Jackson's Watch

Craig Shergold’s Greeting Cards

Cranston's Police Blotter

Crazy Horse's Tomahawk

Creighton Abrams' Hat

Cretan Labyrinth Archway

Cristofori's Piano Keyboard

Cross Brace from the LZ 129 Hindenburg

Crown Devon Honey Pot Preserves Jar

Crown of Minos

Crown Prince Sado's Sandals

Crowns of Peter and Ines

Crying Heart Piano

Cryogenic Gas Heater

Crystal Skull

Crystalline Diamond Necklace *

Ctesibius' Water Clock

Cuchulainn's Post

The Cudgel in the Sack

Cuevas de los Cristales Selenite Sample

Cupid's Arrows

Currier & Ives Advent Calendar *

Curtis Ebbesmeyer’s Friendly Floatees Bath Toys

Cutthroat Kitchen's Hatchet

Currency Changing Wallet

Cy Young's Baseball

Cybermen Outfits

Cymbal-Banging Monkey

Cynebil of Porththorp's Jawbone and Skull

Cynthia Doll

Cyrill Demian's Accordion

Cyrus Teed's Orrery

Cyrus the Great's Achaemenian Tapestry

[todaynewsstories]

Prague′s astronomical clock moves again | DW Travel | DW

On Friday, September 28, the figures of the apostles and the hands of the historic clockwork from 1410 will once again move before the public’s eyes in Prague’s Old Town from 6 p.m. onwards.

Last check before recommissioning

Every hour on the hour, the figures of the twelve apostles will once again appear as usual at the little door. On the square in front of the town hall a crowd of people with visitors from all over the world will form regularly. 

“Orloj” in Prague

The famous Prague clock is probably the oldest astronomical clock in the world that is still in operation. Among other things, it also shows the phases of the moon. The first major restoration in decades took place despite a legend that says the country is threatened by war and disaster if the clock stops one day.

is/ks (dpa)

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

The clock at the Town Hall in Prague

The Astronomical Clock at Prague Town Hall from 1410 is a masterpiece of Gothic technology. According to legend, after completion the eyes of the builder were plucked out so that the watch would remain unique in the world. And it is unique! After nine months of restoration, the 12 apostles have once again delighted visitors to Prague’s Old Town with their puppet play.

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

Big Ben in London

Europe’s most famous clock tower stands in London. Big Ben is only the nickname of the tower, because it is actually called Elizabeth Tower. Big Ben correctly refers to only the largest and heaviest of the five bells. The “Voice of Britain” tune played by the bells usually chimes every hour. The next few years, however, the bells remain silent, because the tower is being renovated.

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

World Time Clock in Berlin

The world time clock on Alexanderplatz is of a more recent model. It was designed in East German times by industrial designer Erich John and in 1969 presented to the public. Since then it has become a popular meeting place for Berliners and tourists. At the top is a simplified model of our solar system and the cylinder below shows the time in the 24 time zones of the earth.

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

Clock of Flowing Time in Berlin

A less well-known but all the more interesting clock is located in Berlin’s Europa-Center. The 13 meter (43 ft.) high chronometer from 1982 covers three floors. Here you can watch the flow of time. The level of green liquid in the large spheres on the left shows the hours, the small spheres on the right the minutes.

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

Zytglogge clock tower in Bern

When it comes to clocks, Switzerland is a must. The Zytgogge, the clock tower from 1530, is the landmark of the capital Bern. On the hour tourists can always watch the game of figures depicting the golden hour beater, the cock and Chronos, the god of time.

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg

This masterpiece of the Renaissance inside Strasbourg Cathedral was also built by Swiss clockmakers. The figures start moving every day at 12.30 pm. The apostles and the four ages, personified as children, juveniles, adults and the elderly. They all pass by death.

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

The world’s largest cuckoo clock in Triberg

Cuckoo clocks alongside Bollenhut red bobble hat and cherry and chocolate gateau are the symbols of the Black Forest in southern Germany. So it is no wonder that the world’s largest cuckoo clock can be found here in Triberg. The movement alone weighs six tons! The cuckoo is impressive – to the full and half hour the 4.5 meter big wooden bird calls from its window on the first floor.

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

The Glockenspiel in Munich

Two or three times a day, the glockenspiel figures make their big appearance at Munich City Hall. The life-size figures depict two events from Munich’s city history: the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V. in 1568 and the cooper’s dance depicting their defiance after a devastating plague epidemic. As historic as the glockenspiel is, it is operated with solar energy in a very modern way.

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

The Anchor Clock in Vienna

Vienna’s best-known clock adorns a small bridge between the two parts of the Anker-Hof building on the Hohe Markt square. The clock was designed by the Art Nouveau painter Franz Matsch. Within twelve hours twelve copper figures from Vienna’s history cross the bridge. At 12 noon accompanied by music all the figures parade, among them Empress Maria Theresia and composer Joseph von Haydn.

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

The Clock Tower in Graz

In Austria, this clock is also famous, the Clock Tower of Graz, located on the Schlossberg, visible from afar. Its special feature is that the hour and minute hands are reversed. Originally there was only one large hand for the hours, so that it could be seen from a distance. Later, the small minute hand was added.

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

Torre dell’Orologio in Venice

The Astronomical Clock on St Mark’s Square displays not just the time, but also the current zodiac sign as well as the phases of the moon and the sun. Until the last restoration in 1998, the “Temperatore”, the tower guard, lived in the tower with his family. Since 2006, the clock has been digitally monitored.

The most beautiful clocks in Europe

The House of Magic in Blois

This is not a real clock, but the dragon heads in the French city of Blois still keep time. Every half hour they appear at the windows and move in a terrifying way. Behind the façade is a museum that provides a glimpse into the history of magic, because the father of modern magic, Robert-Houdin, was once born in Blois.

Author: Elisabeth Yorck von Wartenburg

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[2clockinsert]

Those Chiming Clock Components both Beauty and Keep Time

The clock components that determine watch performance (and also somewhat kind) are referred to as motions. These certain clock parts monitor elapsed time and find out how you can point the hands properly at every minute; that is their main purpose. However movements (or electric motors) frequently have subsidiary purposes that can be fairly lovely, and one such attribute is chiming.

Typically, clock parts ran completely mechanically, using weights or curled springs to supply rotational pressure and also a network of equipments to obtain secs, mins, as well as hours. Pendulums and also escapements regulated the regularity of ticking to make sure that the force wasn't applied at one time.

In modern times clocks run online rather than mechanically. There are still some mechanical parts, such as hands connected to turning shafts, yet the timing resource of a weight or springtime has been supplanted with a quartz crystal. Digital registers accumulate the variety of timing pulses, thereby making sure precision timekeeping.

Both the typical and modern variations of motors have the capacity of tracking things past elapsed secs, minutes, as well as hours. One can quickly expand their cycles from semi-daily to daily, weekly, or monthly. These attributes are seldom seen on analog clocks (though common on digital ones), but when executed they invariably appeal the visitor.

Cuckoo clocks are longstanding examples of conventionally revealing the hour both aesthetically and aurally. There have also been several various other means of doing this, as well as often neighborhoods of the hour are signified. Such results invariably captivate while notifying.

The chime is similar in function to the cuckoo, though it lacks any aesthetic cue. Maybe one is stemmed from the various other, however chimes are most certainly related to single town criers and bell towers. Singing notifies, bell ringing, as well as tolling were all kinds of revealing news or occasions audibly.

The outcome of such news was for townspeople to collect in a public space such as the square or a church. In a feeling this was a very early form of broadcast media, verifying very reliable and also effective in getting words out. We know that town criers announced the moment as well as thus developed the method of connecting information with the time.

Church belfry were likewise effective aural signalers. Eventually the towers started providing a clock face as well as hence furnishing a visual hint. This was a helpful kind of communication for those around, though not of much use for individuals farther out.

However, the lasting pattern was in the direction of a combination of view and hearing cues, especially as the advancement of timekeeping mosted likely to a smaller sized scale. Mantle clocks and grandpa clocks prevailed that charmed aesthetically yet likewise chimed approximately four times an hour and also appeared an hour matter. House owners and entrepreneurs received the visual or acoustic sign, signaling them to attend to the various other one.

Chiming conventionally comes in patterns, several of which have ended up being rather prominent. Big Ben's Westminster pattern is most likely one of the most acquainted, but there are alternatives similarly enchanting that pass the names of Winchester, Whittington, and also St. Mary's.

2" clock inserts  

Chimes have their downside: their recurring nature swiftly resulting in intense inconvenience, particularly when it appears every 15 minutes. The bell tone has a huge effect in just how one responds to the chime. In any case, be sure that the clock activity you order includes an override button for disabling the chime (a minimum of in between 11 at night and also 7 in the morning, otherwise altogether).

Some motions offer a means for you to tape-record your own chime sounds. This feature manages the chance of being innovative and adding a note of personalization. There actually is no end to the means one can obtain a watch that both beauties as well as keeps time by constructing the appropriate mix of chiming clock parts.

[ceceropia]

So.

I’ve been thinking about how the Lost Light crew would react to Earth. But it’s very specific: I want to see how Whirl reacts to our clocks.

Like, imagine his expression the first time he sees a cuckoo clock go off, or to those big city clocks that chime out a little tune on the hour. I can hardly imagine what he’d think of Big Ben. Or him freaking out at those people who smash their alarm clocks every morning.