#Madrid Horse Week

[reitsportportal]

"Double D" auch in Madrid erfolgreich - Sieg für Daniel Deusser in Madrid

“Double D” auch in Madrid erfolgreich – Sieg für Daniel Deusser in Madrid

Daniel Deusser und Jasmien vd Bisschop (Foto: Thomas Reiner)   Daniel Deusser und Jasmien vd Bisschop bei der Siegerehrung (Foto: Thomas Reiner) Daniel Deusser siegt im Internationalen 5*-Springen – dem  Höhepunkt des Samstagabends bei der IFEMA Madrid Horse Week 2022 Estrella Damm präsentierte am Samstagabend eine mit 95.550 Euro dotierte 5-*Springprüfung mit Winning Round.  Am Start waren 44…

[sainzproductions]

𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐝𝐨 ⋆ 𝐜. 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐳

THE OTHER WOMAN / SEQUEL !

where you acclimate to the current dating scene after eight years of being with carlos...

liked by lewishamilton, charles_leclerc and others

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↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ-

You felt like you had done a good job all by yourself. You took your sweet time getting used to being alone again, having spent the better part of the past decade accompanying carlos and living together with him.

As embarassing as it was to admit, there were days where you'd wake up abruptly as if hearing his footsteps, or the faint rumble of his voice lulling you to sleep. There were moments where you'd break down crying upon seeing an article of clothing belonging to carlos, or seeing pictures when you were still happily together.

It wasn't easy to forget an eight year relationship. You soon realized. He was all you've ever known and adored... You dreamt a life with the guy for crying out out loud!

You wanted all the permanent things, the domestic future, him.

But the reality was that you were different people who wanted starkly different things in life. Carlos was set on his career while you had the burden of being a woman. You didn't have forever to waste away, and you didn't want to spend it waiting for a future that could never be in the stars for you and him.

You had accepted it. It wasn't all tears, and tearful reminiscing anyways. Your life had picked up after a couple of weeks. It was a lie. You spent a month and a half being pathetic. But who was counting?

You were having the time of your life. Your singleness provided a way for you to realize new and old hobbies.

You finally went back to your hometown, despite your fears of facing your parents' knowing looks and getting an ill timed i told you so's from their ever skeptic way of seeing life. Especially your relationship with Carlos..

But your mother took one look at you; in your deshieveled and devastated form, wordlessly opening her arms and craddling your pathetic self as you wept about your broken heart.

You found peace in the tranquility of your childhood home. Reacquainting yourself with your horse, champion whom you had been neglecting— you realize belatedly. The help couldn't take the horses out that much, where you formerly took the stallion out for most of the day. You made sure to make up for lost time however.

You were also able to rekindle old friendships, quickly becoming fast friends once again as if no time had passed at all. You traipsed all over Madrid, enjoying the thrill of meeting new people, of learning new things... And how forward the current dating scene seemed to be in regards to matters concerning...

"Wait, wait." You press a hand towards his broad chest, breathing roughly. Your chest rose and fell with excitement as you tried to come down from how fast the things had quickly become heated between the two of you. "We're going a bit too fast, don't you think?" You whine under your breath, as his face came down to press open mouthed kisses on your neck, easily finding your most sensitive spot as he expertly manouvers your body, backing you up against the wall.

"Relax. We won't do anything you don't want." He says, softening his tone, "I'm not a hooligan." He tuts, pressing a feather like kiss on the side of your lips.

"Says the man who pulled me into a dark room to play tonsil tennis." You retort amusedly, stroking your fingers on his neck. You couldn't help but close your eyes at the sensation of his lips against your skin, his fingers making quick work of slipping under your skirt, and you hissed from the sensation of his cold rings against your thighs, "You're cold!"

"Warm me up then, love." He was evidently amused by your reactions and the way your cheeks flushed at his crude remark. He wiped away every other thought from your mind, as he kisses you wantonly. He made sure to hold your gaze as he pulls away, sinking down to his knees... and kissing your thighs softly. "Beautiful. So fucking beautiful. I couldn't think of anything else when you walked into the room. Nobody else mattered but you... you're bad for my business, darling."

You could hardly register anything else after that

↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ-

The breakup came with the long forgotten territory of male attention. Sure, there were some bold and uncaring lads few and far between, but Carlos had quickly shut down every attempt with a swift glare and a possesive hand over you. You didn't mind. You only needed him and his attention and everyone else were merely annoying backnoise.

As it is, your breakup was made public through the urging of Carlos' management and his public relations team. You cooperated seamlessly despite being civil, to the point of rudeness, to their every demand.

How ironic was it that through his blatant act of wanting to separate himself from you and everything else that had to do with you; he made a declaration to the world that you were readily available.

Your dms were sure packed to the brim when you'd later had the energy to do anything asides from the basic tasks of taking care of yourself. You couldn't laugh nor cry upon seeing several of carlos' work acquaintances making their presence known in your dms. You even saw his former (and possibly current) teammates taking their shot.

You couldn't help but wonder for how long has he been... Non committal towards his best mates about your real score. They couldn't possibly muster up the courage had it been the true duration of your separation. Men aren't that proactive. They atleast had some base sense of loyalty.

Then again, it didn't take very long for him to be spotted with some model on his arm. He looked happy, invigorated... Annoyingly handsome. Fuck him and his perfect face. You wished you atleast threw a heel at him for being a dickwad.

Were you seeing other people out of spite or trying to prove yourself to him? You wouldn't exactly say so. You'd had an agreement with the well established, and good looking gentleman who had made you tremble and writhe under his tongue. He was incredibly lax and cool, and great company in every sense of the word. He made you laugh, he also made you cry just now.

And so while you made yourselves look presentable, you were first out the door while he waited a few minutes to make his entrance into the party again. You gratefully took a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, wetting your parched throat as you looked around as normally as you could. Blending in with the fancy people in their cocktail dresses and designers.

You heard footsteps approaching after a few moments. Another man spotted him, and he grinned in recognition upon the sight of the ever famous....

"Sir Hamilton!"

[needcake]

@hetaberia-week

Day 5: royalty/ghosts

.

.

1578,

Marrakesh

His prison cell was small. He could tell it was night when the walls grew cold, and he could tell it was day when he couldn’t stand with his back against them for too long. Down the long corridor of the prison, he could hear the young men that had been captured with him in the aftermath of the battle crying softly, quietly, praying that their families still had enough money and possessions to pay for their ransom.

Portugal stared at the walls and thought of the battle lost.

He had seen his young King ride out into battle, he had seen him with his sword raised, his horse kicking up a cloud of dirt.

He hadn’t seen him come out.

The days dragged on slowly, but all Portugal thought was the battle. Had they cinched their horses right? Had they loaded the right ammunition into their muskets? Had they planned their strategy correctly? Had the King died?

The young men cried night after night in the other prison cells down the corridor, begging to be rescued. Portugal dreamt of clouds of dirt, the King’s horse riding out and disappearing from view, of Ottoman banners raised behind Morocco’s men on the other side.

He stared at the walls, listened to the boys crying down the corridor, saw his King disappearing into a cloud of dirt.

“Have you lost your mind yet?” the Turk asked him from the corner, smirking that infuriating smirk, looking at him from behind that stupid mask as if Portugal couldn’t recognize him even in the dark, even miles away from this damp, dark, small prison cell.

“Not yet,” he mumbled in the dark, looking at the walls. Where had they gone wrong? What if they had come earlier to Morocco? What if he had attacked the capital instead? What if they had stayed in Lisbon? What if he had done more to protect his King? What if, what if, what if.

The boys cried down the corridor and Portugal dreamt that it was his King crying, begging for help, praying Portugal would find him and bring him back.

The bars to his cell were opened and gentle hands pulled him upright. “Not yet,” he mumbled in the dark, but a voice shushed him.

“It’s okay, Port, it’s me. We paid the ransom, it’s okay,” the voice continued and it sounded like Spain, but Spain was miles away in Madrid, Portugal was still trapped in the battlefield.

Gentle hands guided him down the corridor supporting his weight, Portugal flinched when they reached the outside and the harsh Moroccan sun blazed down on him.

“Not yet,” he mumbled, gripping the hands that so gently carried him forward, away from his prison cell, away from the walls and the shadows and the boys crying to be rescued. What if he was still in there, what if Portugal was leaving him behind. “Not yet,” he tried a little louder, trying to push away the gentle hands, trying to go back. He had to follow him, follow his King’s horse into the cloud of dirt and smoke, he was only a boy.

“It’s okay,” Spain continued to say, gripping him tighter, not letting him go. “I’m here to help.”

Portugal sagged in his arms, no more fight left in him.

He felt a presence behind his back looking at him, but when he looked back, looked back like Orpheus, looked back like Lot’s wife, cursed and fated, unable to stop himself, all he saw was a cloud of dirt.

-

King Sebastian of Portugal disappeared in the aftermath of the Battle of Alcácer Quibir, also known as the Battle of the Three Kings, presumed dead. Fighting alongside him were young men from almost every noble family in Portugal, who were held for ransom after the battle was lost, and whose families had to plead help from the Spanish King Philip II to bring them back from Morocco. This marks the beginning of the decline of the Portuguese Empire, and sparked the myth of Sebastianism, the idea that King Sebastian wound return on a misty day to bring back the glorious days of the Empire.

[purplebass]

Give us some Thomastair headcanons post-ChoT!

These are more than a few and someday they might turn into fan fictions maybe 👀💙

I probably said this several times and hinted it in my fics, but Thomas can't cook to save his life 😂 he once tried to prepare something easy after he asked the cook who works for the Lightwoods, but he almost set the kitchen on fire. Alastair promised him that he would try to teach him, but so far they didn't have enough time for that

Alastair is not a heavy sleeper and he hates being tickled (sometimes Thomas likes to wake him up with tickles)

They have a "games night" at the Lightwoods every two weeks. Alastair discovered that Thomas is super competitive when it comes to board games, but he can easily distracted if he eats while he plays lol

They adopted two cats, even though Alastair silently curses when they leave fur all over his black outfits. For this reason, Thomas suggested him to switch his wardrobe to different colors and to ask Matthew for advice, but Alastair refused. (He only lets Thomas pick his ties for now)

They went to Spain more than once and Thomas showed Alastair around Madrid. They decided to that they would visit at least one artistic city or country per year

One time they almost fell into the Serpentine because Thomas wanted to go boating but their little boat was damaged so they had to go back before the ship would sink lmao

A few years after Zachary was born, a neighbor of Sona at Cirenworth who decided to move to the city decided to gift his three horses to their family. It turned out Thomas didn't know how to ride (James was the only one who owned horses among their group). Alastair knew how to ride because when he was a child his mother taught him and Cordelia, and now he taught Thomas - even though if you ask Thomas, he'd rider ride on the same horse as Alastair

They have matching rings that symbolize their union. They exchanged their vows one night by themselves, and then threw an intimate party to celebrate with family and friends

Thomas likes to write poetry about Alastair, and Alastair writes music to go along with Thomas' poems

[mariacallous]

Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s interim and perhaps soon-to-be (again) prime minister, is no stranger to taking risks. But his latest gamble has triggered a massive backlash from broad swaths of Spanish society, including in his own party, that threatens to tear the country apart.

To break a monthslong deadlock after an inconclusive general election in July, Sánchez has struck a controversial political agreement with Catalan separatist parties to grant them amnesty for all charges related to the failed 2017 independence referendum in Catalonia, the northeastern part of Spain. Sánchez’s Socialist Party (PSOE) came a close second in the elections to the mainstream conservative Popular Party, though neither won close to a majority.

Thanks to his horse-trading, Sanchez now has the necessary votes to renew a coalition government with support of the far left and formerly standoffish Catalan regional parties. He could regain the premiership this week if legal challenges don’t stop the effort.

But it comes with a huge price tag. The concessions to the separatists, chief among them the amnesty bill, have triggered outrage on the right, discomfort among some PSOE leaders, a nearly unanimous rejection from judicial bodies and associations, and street protests all across Spain. Thousands of citizens protested peacefully on Nov. 12, convened by the Popular Party and the far-right Vox. For days now, hundreds of citizens have gathered in front of the PSOE’s headquarters in Madrid, including a minority of far-right extremists who have violently clashed with the police; even U.S. political commentator Tucker Carlson showed up.

Loudspeaker trucks trundled through Madrid on Monday, the day after the big protest, proclaiming “Sánchez, Traitor!” and “We will stop the coup.” Santiago Abascal, the leader of Vox, decried Sanchez’s amnesty on Tuesday as “backdoor regime change” and filed a legal challenge with the Spanish Supreme Court.

Coalition governments are often the norm in Spain’s parliamentary system, and the handful of parties that Sanchez cobbled together to support his investiture again as prime minister together won more votes than many other previous governments did in recent decades. But what has set off the alarm bells is the way that Sanchez went about it, embracing—and preemptively pardoning—parties whose reason for being is to break up the country.

“Those who wanted to thwart a right-wing government are actually handing over control to the pro-independence right,” said Emiliano Garcia-Page, the head of the PSOE in the region just south of Madrid.

This all began with Catalonia’s most recent bid to break away from Madrid. Catalan demands for sovereignty date back centuries, alternating between periods in which it sought more power as a region within Spain and others in which it pushed to break away from Spain. In 2017, in the wake of Spain’s economic crisis, a separatist Catalan government organized a referendum that Spain’s judiciary deemed unconstitutional, followed by a failed and largely symbolic unilateral declaration of independence.

In 2019, a court ruling sentenced seven Catalan politicians and two activists to prison for the events in 2017, sparking a wave of mass protests in Catalonia. In a first attempt to ease tensions, Sánchez issued pardons that released them from their remaining jail time. Other organizers of the 2017 referendum fled Spain and have since avoided extradition, including Carles Puigdemont, the Catalan regional president who masterminded the referendum.

And then came the political impasse this summer. The Popular Party got slightly more votes, but even with the backing of Vox, it could not form a majority in parliament. Sanchez’s Socialists and their far-left allies could—as long as the Catalan regional parties were brought onside. So Sanchez paid the price to do so, offering a blanket amnesty in what Spanish courts and judges had already ruled was an illegal maneuver.

In exchange, Junts per Catalunya and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, the pro-independence parties, have each agreed to pursue their goals of independence in agreement with Spain’s government and under the constitutional system. This is a critical concession, especially for Junts, a party that has until now defended unilateral action to break away from Spain.

Their return to pursuing their goals within the Spanish system raises hopes that agreements on devolution, which has been stalled while Catalan nationalists sought independence, could be reached. “It’s a political term for institutional politics and to explore a path of agreements,” said Marc Sanjaume, a professor of political science at Pompeu Fabra University.

The PSOE negotiator behind the deal, Santos Cerdán, said that it constitutes “a historic opportunity to resolve a conflict that should only be resolved through politics,” adding that it’s time to provide a “horizon” for Catalans and the rest of Spaniards “in which past difficulties are not an obstacle.”

Alberto Nuñez Feijóo, the Popular Party chief, said during the Nov. 12 rally that it was “one person’s greed,” referring to Sánchez, that brought them to protest. “We Spaniards do not accept that the premiership has become a sales transaction.” Feijóo and his party are calling for new elections.

Political problems aside—and they won’t stay aside—there are also a lot of legal issues with the amnesty agreement. The deal between Sánchez and Puigdemont’s party has raised almost unanimous criticism from judicial bodies and associations, specifically regarding one proposal to create parliamentary inquiries to examine so-called lawfare, or the use of the judiciary to target political opponents. Judges and Spanish lawyers, however, have seen this as the legislative meddling with the judiciary. So have international legal experts.

The meddling “will severely erode the rule of law in Spain,” said the president of the International Bar Association, a Spaniard, in a recent statement.

Many Spaniards also find it hard to see the amnesty bill as a genuine attempt to act “in the public interest,” as the text says, when it’s the result of political horse-trading with those whom the amnesty will benefit. The fact that an amnesty related to the Catalan separatist movement has largely been dismissed as unconstitutional until now, including by plenty of PSOE leaders, has left many agape.

Once approved, the law will surely undergo examination by the Constitutional Court. “An amnesty is an act of justice,” said Jesús María de Miguel, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Cantabria, who believes that this amnesty is at odds with Spain’s legal system. “Those who benefit are part of a transition from one regime to another. The new regime says that the former regime enforced the law unfairly.”

It implies that there has been wrongdoing by the state, De Miguel added, and thus the bill could erode Spain’s rule of law: “If you say ‘let’s forget something because it is an act of unfairness from the state,’ your rule of law collapses under its own weight.”

The legal thicket will be ugly, and it will take time to play out. The political minefield, however, is right in front of Sanchez. Junts only guarantees political stability insofar as there is, in Puigdemont’s words, “fulfillment” of the agreements reached as part of negotiations between the PSOE and Junts that will occur throughout the parliamentary term. Their purpose is to achieve “a set of agreements that contribute to resolving the conflict over the political future of Catalonia.” Junts will keep defending the idea of holding a new independence referendum with Spain’s consent, and the PSOE will propose devolving more powers to the region.

Another referendum might be a bridge too far, but progress on further devolution—the kind of trick that has kept Scottish, Welsh, Basque, and Catalan regional political forces at bay—could be feasible, said Sanjaume, who has advised the Catalan government with proposals to achieve statehood. That’s especially true for tax revenues, which have not been touched in years, he said.

Spain’s had an identity crisis since at least the 15th century, and it’s still dealing with the fault lines and fissures. Sanchez’s latest gambit might buy time for a new government and some further changes to Spain’s already centrifugal territorial system.

But even for a man who’s always landed on his feet—and Sanchez is a gato, or cat, a slang term for a Madrid native—this looks like his ultimate gamble.

[seaofwine]

it’s ok if you’re not still doing this but i was wondering if i could get some photos of poseidon amphitrite or helios? dealers choice :)

Hey @egg-wyrm ! This is a fascinating ask, at least for me, and I'm going to take the opportunity to talk about syncretization between Helios and Apollon in their solar aspects and how to tell them apart in works of art (I'd also love to make a post for Poseidon & Amphitrite, so stay tuned! They’ll come up within the next week or so).

The syncretization of Apollon and Helios is a very old concept, going back to the Hellenistic Age (323 BCE - 31 BCE). It’s no secret that artists have conflated the two in their works, reliably using them interchangeably. There are only two details in paintings that separate them from each other: the aureole, and a chariot pulled by horses, which are sometimes flaming, and other times just winged. So we end up with pieces such as these:

Helios as the Personification of Midday by Anton Raphael Mengs, 1765, Palace of Moncloa, Madrid. 

Helios on His Chariot by Hans Adam Weissenkercher, 1695, Universalmuseum Joanneum Graz, Austria.

While the name of Helios is given to the subject of the first work, the details, robes, bow and flaming arrow, and the hairstyle are all distinctly associated with Apollon. The aureole is not enough to separate the two, and leads to more questions than answers. The simplest idea is that those attributes are more universally recognizable when associated with the Sun. The second piece is a far more distinct portrait of Helios. He is in the Sun chariot, completed in gold, his hand raises a whip for his horses, he is silhouetted against the eclipsed sun. These are all historically attested attributes for Helios as a solar deity. This was something that struck me about your question and I have challenged myself to include works that function more like the second piece. 

1.) Helios and Selene by Hans Rathausky, Opatijta, Croatia. 2.) Helios in the Sun Chariot, accompanied by Phosphorus and Hermes, by Giuseppe Ignazio Appiani, c. 1760, Nymphenburg Palace, Munich. 3.) Helios in His Chariot, early 4th century BCE frieze, Athena’s Temple. 4.) Helios and the Sun Chariot attributed to Raphael, c. late 15th century, Castello Chigi, near Rome.

[shahbarbee44]

Electric Scooter Guide - The Pride Celebrity Xl

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[umichenginabroad]

Week 11: Easter Break, Short Sleeves, and The Royal Palace

I’m back in Madrid after my Easter break travels! With a week off for Easter, I went around to some nearby countries and visited Brussels, Bruges, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Verona. I definitely enjoyed my time going around, and it was really nice to see the similarities and differences between Madrid and all the cities. Just as a quick recap, here were my favorite things about each city.

Brussels: The waffles. Oh my gosh the waffles were so good I would go back just for that. They were so good, I didn’t take any pictures of them, so enjoy this Tin Tin mural instead.

Bruges: The brick architecture along with the beautiful canals. Seriously looked straight out of a painting.

Amsterdam: Houseboats and tulips!! It was so cool to see the different houseboats, and the flower fields we saw for the tulip festival were absolutely breathtaking.

Berlin: The city did a fantastic job with all their museums and memorials. I especially liked the East Side Gallery, which is a long section of the Berlin Wall that’s painted by different artists around the world. A lot of the artists painted their section when they were right out of school and just starting to become established artists, so the art is very unique there. I really think it��s been one of my favorite art exhibitions/galleries I’ve seen.

Copenhagen: The general Danish culture and Copenhill. Everyone and everything was so orderly here. Like the lines were perfect, no one pushed, and everyone was so respectful of public places. Also people really do leave their babies in strollers outside buildings! It was really interesting to observe the norms here and see how well put-together everyone was. Also, the architecture around the city was just gorgeous. Especially Copenhill, a building that’s a trash processing facility and only outputs water vapor. And, you can ski on top of it! I learned about this building from one of my favorite documentaries, Abstract: The Art of Design, and I highly recommend looking up the building!

Verona: The small, Italian city vibes were amazing. So easy to just sit and chill and people-watch. 

After going around all these places, I was definitely happy to be back in Madrid. The familiarity and the bustling people everywhere felt comforting to come back to. 

Coming back to Madrid, I finally went to see the Royal Palace. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to see the palace that’s a literally five minute walk from my house, but I guess that sometimes happens when you live somewhere. I’ve seen quite a few palaces during my time here, but I was actually really impressed by this one! It was one of the prettiest palaces I’ve seen, with all the rooms curated and decorated really well. I think it’s even cooler that the palace actually gets used today, and I’m glad I went even if it did take me this long.

Some of my favorite things were this conversation couch where you can speak into the little microphones to talk to people around the couch, these gorgeous hand-painted plates, and the horse armor. I’d never seen such elaborate armor for horses before.

I also spent a lot of time this week walking around and soaking up the sun. I’m seriously going to miss the vibes of everyone out on the terrace and on the streets when it’s nice outside. Walking out and seeing everyone having a good time is just an immediate boost of happiness, and I really want to try to incorporate some of that into my life back in the US. While there might not be as much of a culture that lends easily to that, I think I can at least take some time to go to a park and read or grab a smoothie or something in the evenings.

While I was wandering around Madrid this weekend, I walked through Justicia, a neighborhood I had never really been to before. It felt pretty upscale compared to the city center, and I came across a small market with hand-made jewelry, clothes, prints and other artisanal things. Everything was so beautiful there and the craftsmanship was amazing. I also stumbled upon a dance exhibition with dresses from Spanish dance from the last 100 years. It was pretty cool to see the evolution of the dresses, and the building itself was so gorgeous. 

Hasta la próxima semana,

Isha Venkatesh

Mechanical Engineering

Comillas — Madrid, Spain

[whatsonmedia]

Multi Sports: Top Matches to Watch This Week!

This week is packed with exciting sporting events, with top matches in cricket, football, and basketball. Here is a rundown of the top matches to watch, with some background information on each match. Cricket 4th ODI, England v New Zealand - 2023 Men's ODI Series: England and New Zealand are currently locked in a 1-1 draw in the five-match ODI series. This match is crucial for both teams as they look to take the lead in the series. England will be without their star all-rounder Ben Stokes, who is out injured. New Zealand will be looking to their captain Kane Williamson to lead them to victory.England vs New Zealand০ Date : Friday 15 September ০ Time : 17:30 BDT০ Venue : Lord's Cricket Ground, London4nd ODI, South Africa v Australia - 2023 Men's ODI Series : South Africa and Australia are also locked in a 1-1 draw in the five-match ODI series. This match is a must-win for both teams if they want to stay in the series. South Africa will be relying on their batting firepower, which includes Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, and Rassie van der Dussen. Australia will be looking to their bowling attack, which includes Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. South Africa vs AustraliaThis is the final match of the five-match ODI series. The team that wins this match will win the series. This is sure to be a thrilling contest, with both teams evenly matched. ০ Date : Friday 15 September০ Time : 17:00 BDT০ Venue : Supersport Park, Centurion5th ODI, South Africa v Australia - 2023 Men's ODI Series :South Africa vs Australia০ Date : Sunday 17 September০ Time : 14:00 BDT০ Venue : The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg1st ODI, England v Ireland - 2023 Men's ODI Series :England vs Ireland০ Date : Wednesday, 20 September০ Time : 17:30 (BDT)০ Venue : Headingley, Leeds1st ODI, Bangladesh v New Zealand - 2023 Men's ODI Series :Bangladesh vs New Zealand০ Date : Thursday, 21 September০ Time : 12:00 (BDT)০ Venue : Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, MirpurAsia Cup 2023 :Asia Cup 2023 has few exciting matches this week :India vs Bangladesh ( Match 12)০ Date : Friday, 15 September.০ Time : 15:30 BDT০ Venue : R.Premadasa Stadium, KhettaramaFinalist 1 vs Finalist 2 (Final)০ Date : Sunday 17 September০ Time : 15:30 BDT০ Venue : R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama Football Bundesliga :This is a match between two of the top teams in the Bundesliga. Bayern are the defending champions and will be looking to start their campaign on a strong note. Leverkusen will be looking to upset the odds and beat Bayern. There will be a few of Bundesliga matches played this week, including:Bayern vs Leverkusen০ Date : Friday 15 September, 2023০ Time : 19:30০ Venue : Allianz ArenaLa Liga :Barcelona vs Real Betis০ Date : Saturday 16 September, 2023০ Time : 20 :00০ Venue : Estadi Olímpic Lluís CompanysReal Madrid vs Real Sociedad০ Date : Sunday 17 September, 2023০ Time : 20:00০ Venue : Santiago BernabéuLigue 1 :PSG va Nice০ Date : Friday 15 September, 2023০ Time : 20:00০ Venue : Parc des PrincesPremier League :This is a match between two of the top teams in the Premier League. West Ham are a dark horse team and will be looking to upset the odds and beat Man City.There will be couple of premier league matches this week :West ham vs Man City০ Date : Saturday 16 September, 2023০ Time : 15:00০ Venue : London StadiumArsenal vs Everton০ Date : Sunday 17 September, 2023০ Time : 16:30০ Venue : Goodison ParkUFEA Champions League :This is a match between two of the top teams in Europe. PSG are one of the biggest clubs in the world and will be looking to start their campaign on a strong note. Dortmund is a young and dynamic team and will be looking to upset the odds and beat PSG. PSG vs Dortmund০ Date : Tuesday 19 September, 2023০ Time : 20:00০ Venue : Parc des PrincesBayern vs Man Utd০ Date : Wednesday 20 September, 2023০ Time : 20:00০ Venue : Allianz Arena Basketball WNBA playoffs this week:Mystic vs Liberty০ Date: Friday 15 September, 2023০ Time: 05:30 am০ Venue: Barclays CenterSun vs Lynx০ Date: Sunday 17 September, 2023০ Time: 11:00 pm০ Venue: Mohegan Sun ArenaAces vs Sky০ Date: Thursday 21 September, 2023০ Time: 8:00 am০ Venue: Wintrust Arena Read the full article

[bailunahats]

Exploring the Fascinating World of Fashion Hats in Madrid

Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain, is not only known for its rich history, art, and cuisine but also for its fashion-forward attitude. When it comes to accessories that elevate one's style, fashion hats play a significant role. In this blog, we will dive into the enchanting world of fashion hats in Madrid, exploring the styles, trends, and places to find the perfect hat for every occasion.

A Legacy of Hatmaking:

The tradition of hat-making in Madrid dates back centuries. The city boasts a rich heritage of skilled artisans who have mastered the craft of creating exquisite hats. From the traditional sombrero to the contemporary fedora, Madrid has a diverse range of hat styles that blend history with modern flair. Many family-owned hat shops, some with decades of experience, continue to thrive, preserving the artistry and craftsmanship that Madrid is renowned for.

Statement-Making Styles:

 In Madrid, fashion hats are not merely functional accessories; they are statements of personal style. From oversized brims to sleek and minimalistic designs, there is a hat for every taste. The city's fashion scene embraces both classic and avant-garde styles, allowing individuals to experiment with unique shapes, colours, and materials. Whether you're attending a gala event or strolling through the picturesque streets of Madrid, a well-chosen hat can effortlessly enhance your ensemble and make you stand out from the crowd.

Where to Find Fashion Hats :

Madrid offers a plethora of options when it comes to finding the perfect fashion hat. The renowned Salamanca neighbourhood is home to upscale boutiques and department stores, where you can discover high-end designer hats that cater to the most discerning tastes. Gran Va, the city's iconic shopping street, is another hotspot for fashionable headwear. Here, you'll find a mix of well-known international brands as well as local designers who offer a blend of contemporary and traditional hat styles.

For a more authentic and intimate experience, exploring the hidden gems of Madrid's neighbourhoods is a must. Malasaa and Chueca are known for their independent boutiques and vintage stores, where you can unearth one-of-a-kind vintage hats that add a touch of nostalgia to your wardrobe. Additionally, the bustling El Rastro flea market on Sundays is a treasure trove of unique finds, including vintage and handmade hats crafted by local artisans.

Hat Culture and Events :

Madrid embraces its hat culture with various events and exhibitions throughout the year. The annual Madrid Hat Week is a celebration of hats as an essential fashion accessory, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of designers from Spain and beyond. This event features runway shows, exhibitions, and workshops, offering a platform for both established and emerging designers to present their latest creations.

Furthermore, Madrid's horse racing season, particularly the prestigious Gran Premio de Madrid, presents an opportunity to showcase elegant and elaborate hats. Fashion-conscious attendees can be seen donning impressive headpieces, making it a spectacle worth witnessing.

Conclusion:

Fashion hats in Madrid are not just accessories; they embody the city's fashion-forward spirit and rich cultural heritage. Whether you're exploring designer boutiques, vintage stores, or attending fashion events, Madrid offers a world of possibilities for hat enthusiasts. Embrace the beauty and versatility of fashion hats and make a stylish statement in the vibrant streets of this Spanish capital.

[reitsportportal]

IFEMA Madrid Horse Week 2023: Olivier Robert gewinnt die MARQUES DE VARGAS TROPHY

[brn1029]

On this date in music history. Not a lot of stuff, but some milestone moments frozen in time….

November 10th

2015 - Allen Toussaint

Allen Toussaint the American musician, songwriter, composer, record producer, and influential figure in New Orleans R&B died aged 77 while on tour in Madrid, Spain. Many artists recorded his songs including; 'Mother-in-Law', 'Fortune Teller', 'Ride Your Pony', 'Working in the Coal Mine', 'Here Come the Girls', 'Yes We Can Can' and 'Southern Nights'. Alison Krauss and Robert Plant covered 'Fortune Teller' on their 2007 album Raising Sand.

2014 - The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones faced a battle to win a $12.7m (£7.9m) insurance claim for concerts they postponed when Mick Jagger's girlfriend died. L'Wren Scott took her own life in March, prompting the Stones to postpone a tour of Australia and New Zealand. The group had taken out a policy to be paid in the event shows were cancelled due to the death of family members or others, including Scott. But underwriters said Scott's death may not be covered by the policy.

1997 - Tommy Tedesco

American session guitarist Tommy Tedesco died of lung cancer aged 67. Described by "Guitar Player" magazine as the most recorded guitarist in history recording with The Beach Boys, Everly Brothers, Supremes, The Monkees, The Association, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Zappa, Sam Cooke, Cher, and Nancy and Frank Sinatra. And played on many TV themes including Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, M*A*S*H and Batman.

1979 - Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac scored their second UK No.1 album with the double set 'Tusk', the 12th album by the British/American rock band.

1979 - Eagles

The Eagles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Heartache Tonight', the group's 5th and final US No.1. It made No.40 in the UK.

1975 - David Bowie

David Bowie was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Space Oddity' the track was first released in 1969 to tie in with the Apollo 11 moon landing. Rick Wakeman (former keyboard player with Yes) provided synthesizer backing. Bowie would later revisit his Major Tom character in the songs 'Ashes to Ashes', 'Hallo Spaceboy' and 'Blackstar'.

1975 - Patti Smith

Patti Smith released her debut studio album Horses. Produced by John Cale, Horses has since been viewed by critics as one of the greatest and most influential albums in the history of the American punk rock movement, as well as one of the greatest albums of all time. Horses has also been cited as a key influence on a number of acts, including Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Smiths, R.E.M. and PJ Harvey.

1973 - Elton John

Elton John started a eight week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', the singers third US No.1. The album which had the working titles of Vodka and Tonics and Silent Movies, Talking Pictures, is his best selling studio album with worldwide sales of over 15 million copies. Recorded at the Château d'Hérouville, the album contains the Marilyn Monroe tribute, 'Candle in the Wind', as well as three successful singles: 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' and the title track.

1967 - The Beatles

The Beatles filmed three promotional films for their new single ‘Hello Goodbye’ at the Saville Theatre in London. Each of the three film clips featured different costumes and Beatle antics. In the first film they wear their Sgt. Pepper uniforms, for the second The Beatles are wearing everyday clothes, the third film clip features shots from the first two films, plus additional shots of (especially John) doing the twist. A Musician's Union ban on lip-sync broadcasts prevented the films being used on British television.

1955 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley attended the fourth Country Music Disc Jockey Convention in Nashville Tennessee. Back at his hotel Mae Boren Axton played him a demo of a new song she had written with Tommy Durden called 'Heartbreak Hotel'. Presley released the track as a single on January 27, 1956, his first on his new record label RCA Victor. The song gave him his his first No.1 one pop record.

[needcake]

@hetaberia-week

Day 2: summer

.

.

1544,

Lisbon

It was the end of summer and the branches of the trees lining the sides of the roads connecting their countries were heavy with fruit, the air warm and sweet as Spain rode at top speed through Badajoz and into Elvas, gripping the reigns tight and kicking back his horses’ sides to make him go even faster, ignoring the locals’ surprised and judgmental stares.

By the time he came into Lisbon the sun was hot and burning above him and there was a pang of hunger hollowing his stomach. He would deal with it later, the letter he brought with him from Madrid safely secured inside his doublet and he left his horse at the royal stables before climbing up the stairs of the Ribeira Palace two steps at a time, the guards opening the doors for their ally without question.

He looked around the antechamber while he waited, the palace’s high ceilings decorated with paintings of angels and saints, white and blue tiles depicting historical victories in battles long fought when Portugal had first ventured out into the north of Africa. Spain knew the stories, everyone knew the stories. No one knew exactly how Portugal had accomplished such deeds, but they had all heard about them. The long sieges, battles that went long into the night, city walls that crumbled under Portuguese cannons. Civilization conquering barbarism.

“It’s unlike you to come unannounced,” Portugal said as he came to greet him, and Spain spun on his axis to see him come into the antechamber, eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“I received a letter from a mutual acquaintance,” Spain answered in lieu of explanation, reaching into his pocket for the folded paper with the English seal, Portugal’s eyebrows furrowing further as he extended it to him. “I would like your opinion on it.”

Portugal’s eyes moved swiftly over the pages, his frown turning into amusement as he read, lips pressing together to hold in laughter, and Spain almost regretted coming to him in the first place if Portugal hadn’t looked up at him and asked, in the most serene of tones:

“Have you eaten yet?”

-

“England is a jerk,” Spain complained sullenly, slouched on the couch of Portugal’s private quarters after a full and hearty meal, watching him lay out cards on a low table while sitting cross-legged from it, playing a hard game of solitaire against himself. “I told him I wanted to end the war against France, I finally had France agree to back me up on the church reform project I told you about, he finally agreed to break his alliance with the Ottomans—” Portugal grunted loudly, laying a queen of hearts on top of a king of clubs, “—but if England doesn’t stop hostilities against France and Scotland in the north it’ll be all for naught!”

Portugal listened, but didn’t comment, turning three cards from the pile and frowning at his game. Spain threw an arm melodramatically over his face.

“I don’t know how you can stand England,” he groaned with a pout, “He’s a bully and his breath stinks and his King is an idiot,” Spain mumbled, but Portugal merely hummed from his spot on the floor, continuing to stack cards on the table.

“He makes me laugh,” he said quietly, still too engrossed in his game to see the way Spain peeked at him from under his arm.

He huffed in mild disbelief. He found nothing funny about England. The air that came in through the open windows was warm, the afternoon sun glowing gold on the horizon with the end of summer.

“When is your next trip?” Spain asked, peeking at him again.

Portugal’s lips moved worriedly from side to side, searching for a card until he finally spotted a jack of spades and placed it on top of his queen of hearts. “I have to be in Japan in four months.”

“Can I come with you?” he piped up excitedly, lifting himself up from the couch on his elbows, looking at Portugal pleadingly. “I haven’t been out of Europe in years.”

But Portugal merely gave him a reproachful look before turning his eyes back down. “We agreed you’d stay on your side of the line,” he said before going back to his game, and Spain let his body fall back down with a defeated groan.

“I’m starting to think you’re a bully too,” he told him demurely.

Portugal snorted. He snorted, but didn’t disagree.

[survey--s]

397.

What does your town’s name begin with? A letter of the alphabet. Are you a seafood fan? I love seafood, but it’s not really something I ever order even though we live beside the sea lol. Do you prefer dark, brown or white chocolate? Milk or dark chocolate. White chocolate is just sugar. Give me a random word in another language. Tell me what it means. Cheval means horse in French Which city would you like to visit- Rome, Tunis, London, Madrid or Paris? Madrid or Tunis as I’ve visited all the others already.

Have you got perfect vision? Not even close lol. My vision is about -9 in both eyes, plus I have an astigmatism which makes my sight even worse ha.

What song(s) do you put on repeat often? it depends on my mood, lately it’s country stuff mostly as they just added it as a category on BeatStar and I’ve discovered loads of new songs. How many letters long is your last name? Six. Are you wearing shoes, just socks or nothing on your feet? I have bare feet at the moment. Do you like the smell of a barbecue or bonfire? I absolutely love it.  How often do you drink soda? Normally most days, but lately I’ve been drinking less and going for more hot drinks. What accent is the sexiest? Australian, Irish and Scottish. Do you currently live in the same country you were born in? Yes. What’s your current mood? Relaxed and pretty happy, to be honest. I got some extra work booked in and had a laugh with Jade earlier which is always nice. A romantic meal, a trip to a theme park, or go to a concert? Either a theme park or a concert, depending on the weather. How good is your memory? I have an unnervingly good memory lol. It’s not always a good thing to be honest as it means I find it impossible to forget the things that hurt me. What was the last pill you took? Ibuprofen. I had horrendous period pains yesterday. Have you ever seen someone you knew and purposely avoided seeing them? Sure, more times than I can count to be honest. Do you think you have made a difference in anyone’s life? I mean, of course. I’m pretty sure my existence made a fucking huge difference to my parents lol. Are you smiling in your default picture? No, I’m not looking at the camera. It’s a photo of me on the beach with Archie, Bob and Banjo (beagles) staring at me as I have food in my hands lol. You think you can last in a relationship for six months? Sure, six months is nothing. Do you like pickles? Nope. Luckily Mike loves them so if I get them on meals, he has them for me. Are you texting someone? Not right now. Be honest, do you miss your ex? Nope. Do you believe exes can be friends? In some circumstances. What was the last thing you looked up on Google? The photo that’s at the beginning of this survey. Is your hair naturally straight? No, it’s really curly and full of ringlets. Do you have a best friend that knows you inside and out? My husband does, for sure. Do you remember the Pepsi Commercials with Britney Spears? Of course. Have you kissed someone with the name beginning with J or B? Yeah, several people beginning with J. What’s something you really want right now, be honest? For it not to rain tomorrow but there’s a fat chance of that happening, lol. Would you be able to name everyone you kissed in 09? Uhhh. Dominic, Jimmi, Joshua...maybe Alex, but that might have been the beginning of 2010. I think that’s it. Who’s the last person who you went out to eat with? My mum and I went for lunch last week. Is it awkward when you run into your exes? That never happens as I live at the opposite end of the country from them all. How did you get one of your scars? Getting scratched by a cat. Do you wear makeup everyday? No. Were you single for your last birthday? Nope. When will you be in a relationship next? I’m married and I don’t plan on that changing anytime soon.

[mariacallous]

A day marking a historical defeat may seem like an odd point to declare the resurgence of Catalonia's independence movement. 

Not for activist Imma Caboti.

She believes the fact people are still campaigning to split from the rest of Spain shows the strength of support for independence. 

Five years ago, on 1 October 2017, 92% of voters backed splitting from the rest of Spain in a referendum Madrid deemed illegal. But after the Catalan parliament declared independence, the Spanish government imposed direct rule, sacked its leaders and dissolved the parliament.

Today, support for independence remains strong, according to people like Caboti. 

Waving their distinctive red, yellow and blue flags, tens of thousands of Catalans marched through Barcelona for their national day in September, which marks the city falling to a military defeat by Spain in 1714.

"The public support for independence is massive," says Caboti, a committee member of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC), a popular grassroots campaign group.

But her optimism is marred by infighting among Catalonia's pro-independence parties, which hold a 51% majority in the regional parliament. 

Internal rifts over the strategy to break away from Spain -- either dialogue with Madrid or unilateral action -- are undermining the independence movement, according to Caboti. 

"Our point of view is clear -- we have a majority in votes. Our government was elected with a mandate to implement independence, which isn't happening," Caboti tells Euronews. 

"The internal divisions are perfect for the Spanish. We believe Catalonia can only achieve independence unilaterally."

The ANC's hardline position -- to see Catalonia reinstate its independence declaration by 2024 -- is indicative of the split in Catalan politics after the 2017 referendum.

The ill-fated ballot, which saw 92% of voters -- or two million people -- choose independence with a 43 per cent turnout, was a "major defeat" for the Catalan movement, according to Dr Andrew Dowling, Hispanic historian at Cardiff University.

Dowling says many Catalans feel alienated from Spain after its response which included police violence, arrests of politicians and spying on activists. 

"Any consolation Spain can offer now is likely to be too little too late for Catalans who have psychologically broken off from Spain," says Dowling. 

"Even if 40 per cent of Catalans support independence it's still a big problem for Spain."

A government poll in September showed that around 52% of Catalans oppose independence and 41% back it -- a drop from the 49% in 2017. 

However, Catalonia now finds itself divided by -- as Dowling puts it -- "a government with two horses riding in different directions".

"There was a fair degree of unity that kept the independent movement going up until the referendum," he adds. 

Catalonia's divided politics

Catalonia, home to 7.7 million people in Spain's northeast, is governed by a fragile coalition of pro-independence parties that have clashed over their strategy to break with Spain. 

Regional president Pere Aragones, leader of the ERC (Republican Left of Catalonia), has preferred dialogue with Madrid, which has infuriated coalition partner Junts (Together for Catalonia). 

Last week, the coalition narrowly avoided collapse after Pere Aragones sacked his vice president Jordi Puignero -- head of Junts -- without consulting other government members. 

The spat came after Aragones announced on Tuesday that he would seek permission from Spain's capital to hold a referendum; a request that Madrid immediately rejected. 

"If the government had a united front and a clear plan it would probably encourage more people to support the movement," says Caboti, whose pro-independence group the ANC is considering fielding candidates for a future election if the stalemate continues. 

Identity 'under threat'

Catalonia's quest for independence can be traced through the centuries but current debates centre on its economy and identity. 

The region is financially lucrative and contributes around 19 per cent of Spain's GDP -- the second highest behind Madrid -- yet in 2022 the Spanish government allocated 17.2 per cent of state funds back to Catalonia in its budget.

"Catalans feel they are underfunded by the Spanish state," says Ana Sofia Cardenal, political scientist at Catalonia's Open University.

She adds that the imbalance causes tension in the region which faces some poor public services like trains and roads that need more funding. 

Meanwhile, some fear for Catalonia's language, which is spoken by most Catalans and has been seen to have come under attack.

In 2021, Spanish courts sparked outrage by ruling that a quarter of teaching in all schools in Catalonia must be in Spanish.

The decision clashed with a system of language immersion -- in place for 36 years -- that saw Catalan used in classrooms to protect the language that was quashed under the Franco dictatorship.

Catalonia's government is challenging the court decision and has told schools that they don't need to hit the quota of teaching 25 per cent in Spanish this year.

"Catalans feel they don't have enough guarantees that they will be protected from the central state, they need some safeguards," says Cardenal.

"It's this sense they can't protect their policies on language, finances or services from external interference." 

Public support

Cardenal adds that rising energy costs due to the war in Ukraine mean people are not engaging as much with independence activism, which may provide a chance for Spain to dampen the movement. 

"People are just not motivated because they have more pressing problems," Cardenal says.

"If there's real progress in solving some of the problems for Catalan people then we could see the support for independence going down."

Spain has made some efforts to appease Catalonia since the failed referendum.

Last year, the government ordered the partial pardon of 12 convicted Catalan separatists convicted for their roles in the 2017 referendum. 

But in Arenys de Munt, a small town 40 kilometres north of Barcelona, opinions on the quiet streets are as divided as those in the corridors of power. 

"I'm already 64, it won't happen in my lifetime," says shopkeeper Magda Artigas, who voted for independence in 2017. 

Josep Lluis Rodriguez, a former business owner, is more optimistic but voices his frustration at the government's current direction. 

"It's clear they [the government] are no longer openly interested in independence. Of course there is frustration and anger, because they didn't do what they should have done," Rodriguez says.

"We are organised and when the time comes, we will mobilise," he adds.