#Sofia Retrospective

[felipeandletizia]

Infanta Sofia on July 12, 2010 during an audience for the Men's National Soccer Team who had won their first World Cup that year and on August 20, 2023 celebrating the first World Cup win for the Women's National Team

[mizoox]

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[gamalhasan]

Stori Bundle information

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BREAKTHROUGH AI TECHNOLOGY AUTOMATICALLY CREATES STUNNING WEB STORIES WITH JUST

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[lolotheparagon]

Top 10 Sofia the First Songs

Fuck it, I know most of you dont give a shit about Sofia the First but this show has been a sheer delight for me so y'all gonna sit down, shut up and appreciate some good music. The music in this show is much like the music in Friendship is Magic. They both went way too hard than they needed to.

Here's the top 10 best songs in Sofia the First

10. King Cedric the Great

Villain songs are always fun and its even better when the villain singing it is about as dangerous as a rubber duck. Cedric is the true example of how to write a sympathetic villain. He's a hapless sorceror who's actually really good at magic but his anxiety combined with everyone (except Sofia and his niece Calista) viewing him as some kind of loser are the reason why he wants to take over the kingdom cos he thinks that's the only way he can get respect. As this song illustrates how he wants Sofia's amulet so he can use its powers, but as the episode goes on, he finds out he doesnt really have it in him to be truly evil for reasons I won't go into, cos the episode this song's from is SO good. Its called Cedric's Apprentice if anyone wants to look it up.

As for the song itself, its a homage to classic Disney villain songs but Cedric's plan is so childishly over the top its hard to take him seriously, which is the song's intention. Its a great juxtaposition. Jess Harnell's singing is just the ham on top of these cheese sandwich.

He really has a knack for playing characters that are totally wacko

9. Wendell's Way

Speaking of sorcerors, here's another villain: a kid named Wendell. A spoilt brat who stole all the flying horses of Enchancia for his birthday. He's like if Horrid Henry went to that terf wizard school. The song itself has a very boisterious energy, amplified by the hard rock drums and the lute/guitar solo?? which makes it all the more satisfying when Sofia, Amber and James get the upper hand in the end and Wendell's mother comes out of nowhere to ground him, its fucking great. Its nice to see a bully character actually stay a bully and not get force-redeemed by the writers so they can pull the 'everyone deserves a second chance' message , when in actuality, no, some people really are that mean and you're not obligated to give a shit about a bully. Wendell is, in retrospect, a breath of fresh air as the song doesnt pull some sad backstory out of the aether to make you feel sorry for this kid. No, he's just that selfish.

Also the lyric: 'That is a promise, but also a threat' is fucking great.

Its a simple song but a bop nonetheless.

8. Make Some Noise

Sometimes a song is good when its just plain fun. And this song definitely applies. In the episode this is from, Sofia befriends a bunch of trolls living under the castle that everyone warns her are dangerous and violent and here... theyre actually super chill. The fact that Sofia instantly gets into the groove is delightful and again showcases how compassionate she is.

The song itself has a fun, jazzy melody with the trolls using thier equivalents of piano, trumpets and of course their clubs. It's such a feel good song, almost like the voice actors just got up from the chairs and just danced like they dont give a shit and the directors just hit record. It really feels like a song you would hear at a party. Even the repeated animation doesnt bother me.

7. A Princess True

One of this show's biggest weakness is portraying people from different cultures cos its clear the show is made by mostly white people who have a limited understanding of non-white cultures and can easily fall into racist stereotypes without realising it. Its not by any means racist as the show features plenty of non white side characters (Khaled, Kashmir, Jun, Jin and Kari) that the main cast are on friendly terms with. But here, this song is relatively tame as this song is all about Sofia, a white girl, believing in Lani, a Hawaiian girl, as her actions throughout the episode are proof she's the real deal.

In the episode, Princess Leilani lost her family heirloom the Emerald Key into the sea after fighting an evil witch, where it gets washed up in Enchancia so Leilani goes to the castle to get the key back, cos its a key to help her parents find their way home from the sea. However, the witch Mamanu disguises herself as Leilani as well so she can trick the Enchancian royal family into giving her the Key. So Roland puts both Lanis to the test but the test involves the Lanis to act like THEIR cultural view of royalty. Sofia notices one of the Lanis aces it and the other competely fails at it and does something different instead. So Sofia thinks the latter is the real princess and this song is her showing her full support and belief that Lani is the true princess.

Its a very sweet song to a very meaty episode which is why I had to explain in full detail. Its not perfect but the song really encapsulates Sofia's and the show's earnestness towards non-white characters and I appreciate that. It helps the creator is Jewish and went on to make a show all about Latina culture and did actual research on it. So this song, and the episode itself is a good, albeit rocky start.

Even if they fucked it up with giving Lani powers in the next episode she appeared in, goddammnit why the magical native stereotype we were so close!!!!!

6. Me and My Mom

Creator Craig Gerber has stated many times that one of Sofia the First's core themes is teaching kids about blended families and how to adapt after getting new parents and step siblings in your life (since he was a child of divorce himself and had to adapt to having a new father and siblings). This song is about Sofia's struggles to adapt now that she has to share her mother with Amber and James. You really feel sorry for Sofia cos she's so used to having her mother being the only family she has and of course, is easily attached to her.

Its a very soft, heartfelt song that resonates with a lot of kids that are in Sofia's position. I bet they felt very seen by this episode.

5. Improvise

In the episode, Amber wants to join in Sofia's girl scout group but in typical Amber fashion, she brought nothing but dresses and jewellry to an outdoor trip and forgot to pack a tent. So Sofia and her friends teach her how to improvise via musical number. A cute lesson about being resourceful and a great example of Amber becoming a more versatile character as she grows to love the outdoors.

There's a very jovial, motivational energy to the song that really makes it stand out from the usual pep-talk songs in this show. What else can I say? Its a highlight of Amber's character development and a fun little song to boot. Whats not to love?

4. Two By Two

Amber's relationship with her sister Sofia is always expanded upon in the show but her relationship with brother James is a lot less so since Amber and James sparsely interact beyond typical sibling teasing. So its nice this episode, and this song helps establish how much Amber actually cares about her twin brother.

In the episode, Amber accidentally turns James into a toddler thanks to a botched magic spell cos Amber didnt want to share her birthday but as her and Sofia run around trying to find baby James. Sofia suggests to Amber to sing the twin song that James and Amber used to sing all the time when they were little. (which is just adorable)

I love how Amber starts the song in a very deadpan, almost annoyed tone until the second verse hits and slowly her singing becomes more melancholy and emotional, like the fact that her twin being lost is just now hitting her. Especially since she spent the whole episode wishing to have a birthday to herself for once, not realising that she's taking away James' birthday and thus losing him too. That small bit of her looking at the pocket watch with her and James' portrait it, finally finding baby James behind the throne, picking him up and hugging him and them finishing the song together

STOP, MY FUCKING HEART CANT TAKE THE AMOUNT OF CUTE

Its so nice to see a sibling relationship that's actually wholesome.

3. Dare to Risk It All

One of Amber's biggest flaws is her envy and her getting over being an jealous bitch to her little sister is a lesson that Amber has always had to learn in the show's earlier seasons. And while she has made some development, this is the episode where Amber makes the most change. And this song is emblematic of that.

Dare To Risk It All has Rapunzel appear to teach Amber that you have to put other's needs before your own to earn forgiveness, to prove you can change, which is a lesson not a lot of kids shows teach nowadays cos most shows like Steven Universe and even MLP put the pressure on the victim to forgive their bullies or let them off easy (especially if they're family) but in this episode, Sofia is rightfully angry at Amber for stealing her amulet and isnt afraid to snap at her for it the whole episode so Amber throughout this song (and the episode) realising how much Sofia means to her and it puts the pressure on Amber to be a better person and a better sister.

Its one of the few good Disney Princess songs the show has. The Disney Princess aspect of the show is honestly its biggest crutch cos Sofia always has a good role model with her mother and her dad to some extent and the princesses havent exactly had the best trakc record for teaching good lessons to Sofia since they either state the obvious or gaslight her. So its nice to see the princesses teach someone else for a change. And its Rapunzel, the best Disney princess.

Also bonus points for having a good song about earning forgiveness whilst flying dragons.

2. Princess Things

Sofia wants to do flying horse-racing even though mostly boys at her school do that sport and both Amber and Sofia's rival Prince Hugo are discouraging her from trying out the sport. Its your typical girl empowerment message. While the pilot episode established the whole premise, this episode (Just One of the Princes) and this song establishes Sofia's character: a pro-active princess who doesnt fall for anyone's bullshit, which is perfect for a moral center protagonist.

I love how Sofia's expression throughout the song goes from confused to smiling like she's internally screaming. And her verses are basically 'screw you guys i do whatever the fuck i want.' So not only did everyone waste their time singing to convince Sofia but in fact made her even MORE CONVINCED to try out the flying horse derby. Good job, guys.

Aside from that, the song itself is a bop. The repeated chorus really emphasises the peer pressure Sofia is going through. Second episode of the series and they're already making a hit.

1. All You Need

In the episode, Sofia meets Vivian, a princess who's a great artist and musician but is painfully shy and thus everyone is spreading rumours around her. Even Sofia was a bit apprehensive but she pushes through it to meet Vivian at her house whilst they work on their school project and this delightful song just pops up.

I love how it starts with Vivian nervously playing her lute and Sofia starts singing, whilst helping her IN SONG start brainstorming their ideas for a dream castle. Then after Sofia's verse is done: ending with the lyric, Ill paint all the towers blue, now the rest is up to you, Vivian immediately jumps and enthusiastically suggest her own ideas. The music even matches the tone of the characters. When it starts, its only Vivian's lute and a backing track but as soon as the bridge comes, the music swells when Sofia's singing motivates Vivian and its just chef kiss.

This song, as well as the episode this was from, made me really like Vivian as a side character and I always loved her interactions with Sofia whenever she made an appearance. I like how she retained her newfound confidence into later seasons, where she becomes just as pro-active as Sofia.

This song, to me, is what Sofia the First is all about. A girl who's just the sunniest child, befriending the shy kid in her class and having the most adorable musical number. Are there songs with better lyrics and theming? Absolutely. But the sheer serotonin levels this song has, as well as encapsulating the main character's compassion for others, is why this is the best song of the show

Thank you for coming to my TED talk about a bluebell princess

[lgbtpopcult]

Best of 2022 So Far Awards

Halfway through the Year Retrospective

Best Film Drama

Girl Picture

Best Film Comedy

Crush

Best Film Action

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Best Animated Film

Lightyear

Best TV Series Drama

First Kill

Best TV Series Comedy

Only Murders in the Building

Best Miniseries

Irma Vep

Best Soap Opera or Telenovela

The Young and the Restless

Best Reality or Competition Show

Lovestruck High

Best Animated Series

Harley Quinn Animated Series

Best Video Game

Rune Factory 5

Best Mobile Game

Scripts

Best Book Fiction

Count your Lucky Stars

Best Graphic Novel

DC Pride 2022 Anthology

Best Comic

Poison Ivy

Best Audiobook

The Last Lavender Sister, Melissa Brayden

Best Audio Drama

Star Wars Picard No Man's Land

Best Web Series

Flunk Series

Best Music Album

Hayley Kiyoko Panorama

Best Music Video

I Fucking Love You

Best Online Content Creator

Sofia Gómez, TikTok

Best News Story

Church of Scotland ministers are now permitted to perform same-sex marriages if they choose.

The church’s General Assembly approved an overture that allows parish ministers and deacons to apply for authorization to marry same-sex couples. It passed on Monday by a 274-136 vote.

AND

[hqmillioncorn]

Our wishes shall come true, amidst the light and dark.

"Miss Babycorn Corn!" Sofia shouted from atop the balcony. "Huh?" Babycorn squinted her eyes and watched as Sofia ran down the stairs of the second floor all the way to the ground to met her there. When she did Sofia pointed a finger at her. "I have decided that I am going to adopt you as my big sister!!" Sofia declared. "There's no need to thank me. " It would be an honor wouldn't it? As that meant that would make Babycorn a Princess just like her. Babycorn, who would find out what the word adopt meant just a few days later, was just really confused.

Lalapril 4/24 Wish

in the middle of the night cherrypit misses his sister and sofia has the solution for all of his problems. trademark princess secret!!

Sofia turned onto her side, pulling up the blanket to try and keep herself warm. Tonight she had decided to sleep in one of the barracks of the Twin Adder since it was one of the few places that had multiple beds to sleep in. 

They weren’t all that comfy but it wasn’t like Sofia wasn’t going to get all that much sleep anyway. Sofia turned onto her other side and stared at the person on the bed next to her’s. 

Cherrypit was sitting with his back turned to her, humming something to himself. It was strange. The singing wasn’t the only thing that was strange but the whole thing was super weird! 

As it turned out the person she knew as 'Cherrypit' was actually borrowing his sister's body. That wasn't even what he looked like!

Even stranger was that his sister happened to be the person that she admired the most. Strangest of all was that Cherrypit himself had told her that he was only two years old?!?!?!

When she found all of this out Sofia had dropped her bow in shock.

Knowing all of that made the sight of Cherrypit hitting all the targets she had spent hours setting up even more baffling. How could a toddler even be capable of something like that?! Even inside a body that wasn’t his. 

Sofia couldn’t imagine what he really looked like. Probably really small, like any other two-year-old that she had seen. She recalled what the other members of the Twin Adder had said about what she was like as a baby. It was always things like ‘I could carry you in one hand’ and ‘You were as heavy as three apples.’ 

“By the twelve, I could have killed him.” 

It was obvious even when they first met that Cherrypit was much younger than her, but how was she even supposed to know he was actually that young. Sofia sat up,  thinking back on one of the first things she had asked Cherrypit back then. Something along the lines of asking where his parents were. 

Apparently Cherrypit’s parents were out there looking for him but he had no idea where they were. That was the big reason why Sofia felt an instant connection to him, having been separated from her own family when she was just a baby. No matter what anyone told her she knew that they were still out there somewhere looking for her.

‘I’ll take you under my wing kid!’ Sofia had boldly proclaimed. 

How was she supposed to know that Cherrypit knew way more than she did!?

Well, in some regards at least.

One thing that Sofia figured out was that Cherrypit didn’t know how to count or read all that well. There were also a lot of other things he just didn’t know or just would plain forget.

In retrospect she should have really gotten the sense something wasn’t right when Cherrypit tried to eat mud off the ground. 

During one of their archery practices Cherrypit had brought up the topic of his sister. Since that moment he never stopped talking about her. All about how he wanted to see her again and how he missed her. So much. 

When Cherrypit just casually mentioned that his sister was one of THE Warriors of Light, well, Sofia must have asked him to repeat himself at least a dozen times just to check if she had heard him right.

Sofia wondered for a moment if she had a lost brother out there looking for her too alongside her parents. That would make him a prince, just like she was a princess. Could he have passed by Gridania at some point? Having any sort of sibling sounded nice. Especially if they were really really cool…

One thing was clear. Sofia was insanely jealous. 

But at the same time, she was glad she wasn’t Cherrypit.

Sofia found it a little strange how Cherrypit sometimes looked at people. Sometimes he just looked scared of them. She could recognize the look, from all the times she had spied over new recruits of the Twin Adder. 

But there wasn’t any reason for Cherrypit to be scared of people just saying ‘Hi’ to him, was there?

Sofia sighed and looked out to the night sky outside. The thought of asking Cherrypit why he looked scared around people sometimes crossed her mind but she didn’t want to pry. Or even worse, learn more things about him that would keep her awake at night even longer than she already was. 

Then, Sofia’s eyes went wide when a sparkle lit up in the sky, trailing behind it was a bright and thin tail.  

“Whoa?!” Sofia scrambled onto her knees and pressed her face against the window. It was almost freezing cold but that hardly mattered right now because if she was right and she saw what she thought she saw then this was big news. “Cherrypit! Do you know what this means?!”

Sofia assumed that Cherrypit must still be awake, since he was still sitting. Little did she know that Cherrypit had made the unfortunate mistake of falling asleep sitting down. Her first clue should have really been that the singing had stopped but there was no time for sleeping! Not right now!

Because when there’s one shooting star another will surely follow.

Sofia practically leaped from her bed onto Cherrypit’s. The force of her landing was enough to send Cherrypit airborne for a few seconds. He opened his eyes and yawned, not particularly caught by surprise. Though usually he was the one doing the bouncing rather than being the bounced on. 

“Cherrypit Cherrypit! Cherrypit!” Sofia called for him in a hushed tone. There weren’t any people in the room besides them but it was late at night and Sofia didn’t want to risk waking anyone up. If it was up to her however, she would have woken everyone in Gridania if she could. It was this important!! 

Cherrypit turned around and yawned, rubbing his eyes. “Soapiea?” He let out another long yawn, “What’s wrong? Everything okay?” If there was something bad going on there would probably be more noise but Cherrypit figured he might as well ask. There were a lot of wrong things happening lately. 

“Quite the opposite actually!” Sofia stood on top of the bed, hands resting on her hips. “The answer to all of your problems has just arrived!” 

Cherrypit looked confused. “What probem?” 

“The problem with your sister! How you wish she was back!”

Cherrypit’s eyes lit up, “Bebes here?!” He zipped his head back and forth, looking all over the room. There was no sign of his sister anywhere. It took him a bit to realize that he was still trapped inside of her body. “Oh…” Cherrypit’s smile became empty. The sudden surge of hope he had just felt was just violently stomped out until it barely remained. 

Sofia took note of how devastated Cherrypit looked. She felt bad but right now there was no time to waste.

Without any time to lose she grabbed Cherrypit’s arm and dragged him to the window. When Sofia saw that Cherrypit was just short of looking out of it she used two pillows to give him the extra boost he needed. 

Cherrypit exhaled his breath on the glass. It fogged up and let him draw a silly little face on it just as Sofia pointed up to the sky.

“I saw a shooting star go across like this!” Sofia moved her finger across the window. Her finger left behind a mark on the window exactly where she had remembered the star falling.

“What’s a shooty star?” Cherrypit had never heard of something like that before.

Sofia opened her mouth, then closed it. She brought a hand up to her chin and hummed in deep thought. “Cherrypit Pit can I trust you with a royal secret?” Normally she wouldn’t dare something this sacred with just anyone but as a princess she surely should have her subjects best interests in mind, right? It was her job to help and protect her people! No matter how small the problem!

Cherrypit looked confused. He rested his head on the windowsill, “Secret? I can keep secret!” He really couldn’t but most of the time he just forgot about them anyway.  

Sofia looked around, seeing if there was anyone else listening in. “I don’t know if this is supposed to work for anyone but princesses or princes but…” It couldn’t hurt to at least give it a shot. Sofia moved the curtains so they could see more of the sky. “In almost all of the fairy tales I’ve read there’s a shooting star in the sky that the princess makes a wish on.” Sofia explained, “I saw one just right now so when another one comes around you can make a wish to see your sister again!” 

“Really?!” Cherrypit could hardly believe it.

“Really! We just have to keep our eyes open!” 

Now that Cherrypit really thought about it, the idea of making a wish on a star sounded a little familiar. He couldn’t really quite remember where he had first heard of it but if he closed his eyes he could vaguely recall someone sitting by him, looking up at the sky and holding their hands together. This person Cherrypit couldn’t remember smiled at him, but they didn’t look happy.

“Cherrypit! Cherrypit! Look, look!” 

Cherrypit’s eyes snapped open just in time to see what Sofia was yelling about. A shooting star traveled across the night sky, twinkling as bright as it could until it disappeared behind the trees of the Twelveswood. He placed his hand on the window, trying to grab onto the lingering glow it had left behind. 

Sofia waved her hand in front of Cherrypit to get his attention. “Here! Copy what I do!” She put her hands together and closed her eyes, “Just do this and make the wish in your head!” Sofia had enough confidence in Cherrypit to keep her eyes closed as she went ahead and made her own wish. 

It was also kind of because she didn’t want to lose this once in a lifetime chance.

Cherrypit looked at Sofia and then looked down at his own hands. His hands looked a lot different than her’s but he still managed to copy what she was doing.

He looked back and forth again and again to make sure he was doing it right. Once he was confident enough he looked back at the sky, where the shooting star had once crossed. 

There was something a little scary about closing his eyes. Cherrypit didn’t like the dark. It really scared him. So much so, that on the rare occasion that he decided to sleep he never willingly closed his eyes. Instead he just waited enough for his own body to do the sleeping for him. 

…But this was for his sister. If there was anything that he proved throughout this ordeal it was that he was willing to do even the most scariest things in the world if it was to help her. 

Sofia slightly opened her eyes just to check on Cherrypit. She had already made her wish so it was safe now. Cherrypit’s eyes were closed and his hands were clasped together. “Wanna see Bebe again…” He quietly said. Sofia thought for a moment about reminding him his wish was supposed to be a secret but if she just didn’t listen then surely it would still count. 

Surely both of their wishes would come true, right?

Surely they would both be reunited with their families. 

Right?

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

SETI institute employs SETI ellipsoid technique for searching for signals from distant civilizations

Researchers show that the SETI Ellipsoid method can leverage continuous, wide-field sky surveys, significantly enhancing our ability to detect these potential signals

In a paper published in the Astronomical Journal, a team of researchers from the SETI Institute, Berkeley SETI Research Center and the University of Washington reported an exciting development for the field of astrophysics and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), using observations from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission to monitor the SETI Ellipsoid, a method for identifying potential signals from advanced civilizations in the cosmos. The SETI Ellipsoid is a strategic approach for selecting potential technosignature candidates based on the hypothesis that extraterrestrial civilizations, upon observing significant galactic events such as supernova 1987A, might use these occurrences as a focal point to emit synchronized signals to announce their presence.

In this work, researchers show that the SETI Ellipsoid method can leverage continuous, wide-field sky surveys, significantly enhancing our ability to detect these potential signals. By compensating for the uncertainties in the estimated time-of-arrival of such signals using observations that span up to a year, the team implements the SETI Ellipsoid strategy in an innovative way using state-of-the-arc technology.

“New surveys of the sky provide groundbreaking opportunities to search for technosignatures coordinated with supernovae.” said co-author Bárbara Cabrales. “The typical timing uncertainties involved are of a couple months, so we want to cover our bases by finding targets that are well-documented over the course of about a year. In addition to that, it’s important to have as many observations as possible for each target of interest, so that we can determine what looks like normal behavior and what might look like a potential technosignature.”

In examining data from the TESS continuous viewing zone, covering 5% of all TESS data from the first three years of its mission, researchers utilized the advanced 3D location data from Gaia Early Data Release 3. This analysis identified 32 prime targets within the SETI Ellipsoid in the southern TESS continuous viewing zone, all with uncertainties refined to better than 0.5 light-years. While the initial examination of TESS light curves during the Ellipsoid crossing event revealed no anomalies, the groundwork laid by this initiative paves the way for expanding the search to other surveys, a broader array of targets, and exploring diverse potential signal types.

Applying the SETI Ellipsoid technique to scrutinize large archival databases signifies a monumental step forward in the search for technosignatures. Utilizing Gaia's highly precise distance estimates, the study demonstrates the feasibility of cross-matching these distances with other time-domain surveys like TESS to enhance monitoring and anomaly detection capabilities in SETI research.

The SETI Ellipsoid method, combined with Gaia's distance measurements, offers a robust and adaptable framework for future SETI searches. Researchers can retrospectively apply it to sift through archival data for potential signals, proactively select targets, and schedule future monitoring campaigns.

“As Dr. Jill Tarter often points out, SETI searches are like looking for a needle in a 9-D haystack,” said co-author Dr. Sofia Sheikh. “Any technique that can help us prioritize where to look, such as the SETI Ellipsoid, could potentially give us a shortcut to the most promising parts of the haystack. This work is the first step in searching those newly-highlighted parts of parameter space, and is an exciting precedent for upcoming large survey projects like LSST.”

As humanity continues to explore the mysteries of the universe, the SETI Institute remains at the forefront, employing innovative techniques like the SETI Ellipsoid to bridge cosmic distances and connect with potential civilizations among the stars.

IMAGE....SETI ellipsoid Credit Zayna Sheikh

[burlveneer-music]

Ariel Kalma, Jeremiah Chiu & Marta Sofia Honer - The Closest Thing to Silence

In August 2022, Australia-based, French born fourth-world music legend Ariel Kalma was invited to participate in BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction series of special collaborations. The program pairs artists who have not previously worked together to create new music cooperatively. Kalma was quick to suggest working with two musicians whom he had never met – International Anthem recording artists Jeremiah Chiu & Marta Sofia Honer, whose critically-acclaimed duo debut 'Recordings from the Åland Islands' had been released just a few months earlier. An invitation was sent to Chiu and Honer, which was received with great enthusiasm, as Chiu had long been a fan of Kalma’s work, even citing him as a major influence on his approach to electronic music composition. The essential structure of the Late Junction collaboration was that the artists would work together to create around twenty minutes of music. They began passing music back and forth, some that Kalma had started, and some that Honer & Chiu had started, with each adding to or editing the track before returning it to the other. The music would only go back and forth a few times before being finalized. After meeting their twenty minute goal for the program (four pieces total), the three musicians were satisfied in what they would present and sent along their work to the producers of Late Junction. However, there was a nagging suspicion that this wasn’t the end of the story. There were several pieces that they had nearly completed but that weren’t sent for inclusion in the radio program, and there were many ideas for refining those pieces that had. With this in mind Kalma, Chiu and Honer agreed that they would continue to work together to try to push the music further. The freshly minted trio felt like there was much more to be said and more work to be done. The Late Junction program was broadcast in September of 2022. Simultaneously, Kalma, Chiu and Honer began expanding upon the music they had started for the purpose of the broadcast, working diligently on the music for several months. Their collective approach to this work was born in improvisation and realized via collage-based editing. The end result brings several distinct musical moments — recorded sometimes decades apart — into conversation with one another, forming new narratives from building blocks of old ones. There are snippets of improvised playing from each musician, edited together with recordings that Kalma had made in the 70s at GRM, and even moments of audio notes — like Kalma explaining his ideas — that would make it into the final mixes. Ultimately, the collection of music highlights the work of all three musicians, intertwining the contextual immersion heard on Chiu & Honer’s 'Recordings from the Åland Islands' with an intergenerational reverence for (and the undeniable presence of) Kalma’s decades-spanning body of work. It is work that has definitively enshrined him as one of the true, transcendent pioneers and sages of new age and fourth-world music. That reverence is affirmed by the album title chosen by the group — "The Closest Thing to Silence" — which is taken from a quote by Kalma included in a documentary by RVNG Intl (as part of their release of the 2014 compendium/retrospective An Evolutionary Music). Perhaps coincidental, Kalma’s quote was a slight modulation of a legendary ECM Records motto, as he said: “Music is the closest thing to silence.”  All Compositions by Ariel Kalma, Jeremiah Chiu, and Marta Sofia Honer. Design and layout by Will Work for Good & Some All None. Photography by Alejandro Ayala & Ama Kalma.

[yuribracket]

With that, the Maligned Yuri Bracket's preliminary round has come to an end!

There are some things I wish I'd set up differently in retrospect, but the results stand!

It will take a while longer to build a bracket, but for now, I present you with the final list of pairings that will be included in the competition!

Winners of the preliminary round:

Kay Faraday/Ema Skye (Ace Attorney)

Susato Mikotoba/Haori Murasame (The Great Ace Attorney)

Aiho Yomikawa/Kikyou Yoshikawa (A Certain Magical Index)

Ichigo Hoshimiya/Aoi Kiriya (Aikatsu!)

Annaliese/Erika (Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper)

Talia Al Ghul/Selina Kyle (DC Comics)

Stephanie Brown/Cassandra Cain (DC Comics)

Kazuha Toyama/Ran Mouri/Sonoko Suzuki (Detective Conan)

Erika Satonaka/Chiyoko Shiraishi (Kamen Rider OOO)

Aurora/Mulan (Once Upon a Time)

Elesa/Skyla (Pokemon)

Nemona/Penny (Pokemon)

Cyllene/Zisu (Pokemon Legends Arceus)

Setsuna Higashi/Inori Yamabuki (Fresh Pretty Cure!)

Saki Hyuuga/Mai Mishou (Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star)

Yuko Omori/Hime Shirayuki (Happiness Charge Pretty Cure!)

Bibury/Ciel Kirahoshi (KiraKira☆Pretty Cure A La Mode)

Reika Aoki/Miyuki Hoshizora (Smile Pretty Cure!)

Hosshiwa/Sasorina (Happiness Charge Pretty Cure! and Heartcatch Pretty Cure!)

Laura La Mer/Asuka Takizawa (Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure)

Sora Harewataru/Mashiro Nijigaoka (Hirogaru Sky! Pretty Cure)

Elena Amamiya/Hikaru Hoshina (Star☆Twinkle Pretty Cure)

Amane Sumeragi/Hina Yayoi (Waccha Primagi)

Penny Polendina/Ruby Rose (RWBY)

Hotaru Tomoe/Chibiusa Tsukino (Sailor Moon)

Sayaka Miki/Kyoko Sakura (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)

Nao Egokoro/Reko Yabusame (Your Turn to Die)

Tomoyo Daidouji/Meiling Li (Cardcaptor Sakura)

Aizawa/Ichigo Momomiya (Tokyo Mew Mew)

Hitori Gotoh/Kita Ikuyo (Bocchi the Rock!)

Goombella/Vivian (Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door)

Gideon Nav/Harrowhark Nonagesimus (The Locked Tomb)

Katya Michailov/Sofia (Goncharov)

Jenny Dolittle/Lynn Lambretta (Mouretsu Pirates)

Sophia Ascart/Katarina Claes (My Next Life as a Villainess)

Bloom/Stella (Winx Club)

Misa Amane/Rem (Death Note)

Nobara Kugisaki/Maki Zenin (Jujutsu Kaisen)

An Lili/Yona (Yona of the Dawn)

Mayura Ransaika/Urara Ransaika (Akane-banashi)

Irisviel von Einzbern/Artoria Pendragon (Fate/Zero)

Kyoshi/Rangi (Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Rise of Kyoshi)

Lain Iwakura/Alice Mizuki (Serial Experiments Lain)

Svetlana Sergievsky/Florence Vassy (Chess)

Rin Hoshizora/Nozomi Tojo (Love Live!)

Ranma Saotome/Akane Tendo (Ranma 1/2)

Morena Prudo/Theta (Hunter X Hunter)

Marcille Donato/Falin Touden (Dungeon Meshi)

Rei Ayanami/Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Shirayuki/Kiharu Toghril (Akagami no Shirayuki-hime)

Karen Aijo/Mahiru Tsuyuzaki (Revue Starlight)

Foo Fighters/Jolyne Cujoh (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure)

Shanoa/Laura (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)

Sagiri Yamada Asaemon/Yuzuriha (Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku)

Sun Jing/Qiu Tong (Tamen de Gushi)

Pairings that received multiple submissions:

Riko Ayano/Shirakaba Yuki (Catulus Syndrome)

Mako Mankanshoku/Ryuko Matoi (Kill la Kill)

The Boss/Strangelove (Metal Gear Solid)

Quiet/Venom Snake (Metal Gear Solid)

Marika Katou/Chiaki Kunihara (Mouretsu Pirates)

Rikka Hishikawa/Makoto Kenzaki (Doki Doki! Pretty Cure)

Haruka Haruno/Yu Nanase (Go! Princess Pretty Cure)

Rin Natsuki/Nozomi Yumehara (Yes! Pretty Cure 5)

Mari Maya/Moe Morita (Samurai Flamenco)

[dsneybuf91]

Other 2022 Recommendations

I often find a fascinating piece of media with at least one Asian or Hispanic/Latin American entertainer prominently involved, but don’t end up blogging about it. Sometimes, I feel too far from the target demographic to properly discuss it. Other times, my admiration doesn’t feel as deep as it does for the likes of Everything Everywhere All at Once. Yet other times, the subject seems too intricate for me to blog about, especially if I check it out beyond its time of relevance. Still, some of this media felt entertaining and/or noteworthy enough for at least lip service. For brevity’s sake, I’ll limit my recommendations to works released this year. Each section lists them by order of release date.

Most of these works have more Asian, Hispanic, and/or Latin American cast and crew members than listed.

Honorable Mentions

Various Disney Channel cartoons: The Owl House (episodes #30-41 aired this year) and The Ghost and Molly McGee (#11-20) deliver charm and emotional appeal, best appreciated when watching the respective shows in whole. The Owl House probably would've risen into the Recommended TV Shows section if Disney didn't force everyone involved to rush the story.

Easter Sunday: Reportedly the first major motion picture with a predominantly Filipino-American cast, this comedy draws laughs from satirizing FilAm family quirks and celebrity worship culture. Unfortunately, while the characters' exaggerated demonstrations of admiration for Manny Pacquiao formed the plot line that I enjoyed the most, they wouldn't amuse viewers who never belonged to his fanbase - as I once did - and/or wish that the movie gave his role to someone non-homophobic.

Toon Makers' Sailor Moon pitches: The long-awaited unearthing of a cheesy, unfaithful, and failed attempt to adapt Naoko Takeuchi's beloved manga for American children deserves acknowledgement in this year-end retrospective, as well as at least one viewing from American Sailor Moon fans.

Recommended Movies

Turning Red: The nostalgic feature-length directorial debut of a future Pixar vice president of creative proved objectively nice enough to become one of my top 10 favorite movies from the studio.  It also became the first Pixar picture from this decade that I would purchase on Blu-ray and digital.

Starring Rosalie Chiang as Mei Lee and Sandra Oh as Ming Lee

Co-Starring several other Asian actors, including Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Priya Manga, Hyein Park as Abby Park, and Wai Ching Ho as Wu

Directed by Domee Shi

Written by Domee Shi and Julia Cho

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent: Delightfully expert comic timing and a wide emotional range help develop passionate cinephile Javi Gutierrez beyond a wish-fulfilling self-insert.

Starring Pedro Pascal as Javi Gutierrez

Father of the Bride: Among all the movie adaptations released so far of Edward Streeter's novel, the humor and drama of this one feel the most up my alley, though I felt I needed at least one more viewing to fully grasp the worth of the added divorce-related storylines.

Starring Andy Garcia as Billy Herrera, Gloria Estefan as Ingrid Herrera, and Adria Arjona as Sofia Herrera

Co-Starring Isabela Merced as Cora Herrera, Diego Bonita as Adan Castillo, and Pedro Damián as Hernan Castillo

Directed by Gary Alazraki

Written by Matt Lopez

Bonus Features

Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red: As with Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, Turning Red's most insightful extra feature remains exclusive to Disney+.

Almost Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Everything Everywhere All at Once: The Everything Everywhere All at Once Blu-ray and DVD contain the most comprehensive extras platter I've found in quite a while for a brand-new movie, especially since this 41-minute documentary runs longer than every other documentary I've seen on an A24 Blu-ray.  One of the other bonus features even reached the big screen, when EEAaO's critical and financial successes convinced A24 to theatrically distribute a version of the film with the gag reel tacked onto the end.

Recommended TV Shows

Our Flag Means Death Season One: While not the main character, incognito assassin Jim Jimenez and their vengeful plight form some of this charming show's most intriguing subplots.

Co-Starring Vico Ortiz as Jim Jimenez and Guz Khan as Ivan

Guest-Starring Fred Armisen as Geraldo

Directed by Fernando Frías (#5: "The Best Revenge is Dressing Well"; #6: "The Art of Fuckery"; #7: "This is Happening")

Written by Eliza Jiménez Cossio (#4: "Discomfort in a Married State"), John Mahone (#5: "The Best Revenge is Dressing Well"), and Zaye Ferrer (#7: "This is Happening")

Amphibia episodes #50-58: The most widely-appealing Disney Channel cartoon I've seen with a female lead of color aired its last nine episodes this year, and managed to stick the landing in the finale.

Created by Matt Braly

Starring Brenda Song as Anne Boonchuy

Co-Starring Anna Akana as Sasha Waybright, Haley Tju as Marcy Wu, On Braly as Mrs. Boonchuy, and Brian Sounalath as Mr. Boonchuy

Co-written by Jenava Mie (#52a "Sasha's Angels"; #54a "The Root of Evil"; #57 "All In") and Gloria Shen (#50 "Return to Amphibia"; #52b "Olm Town Road"; #55a "Newts in Tights"; #57 "All In")

What We Do in the Shadows Season Four: This offshoot of my favorite Taika Waititi movie deftly pulls off a literally monstrous premise with strong comedy and pathos.  Season Four's changes to the status quo resulted in some worthwhile revelations and storylines, even if not all of those changes will carry over into Season Five.

Starring Kayvan Novak as Nandor the Relentless and Harvey Gullién as Guillermo de la Cruz

Co-starring Anoop Desai as the Djinn and Parisa Fakhri as Marwa

Directed by Tig Fong (#36: "The Wedding")

Written by Marika Sawyer (co-wrote #36: "The Wedding"; wrote "#38: "Go Flip Yourself" alone)

Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World: This miniseries delivers some fascinating insight into various types of South American wildlife, and their relationships with the environment and humans.

Narrated by Pedro Pascal

Starring various South American scientists as themselves

Andor Season One: Due to my preference for Star Wars chronicles that instill a sense of accomplishment and/or hope, episodes in which the Empire inflicts realistic despair only appeal to me if I can bunch them with ones in which Cassian and his peers achieve rousing and immensely satisfying, yet either small or incomplete, victories.  While this condition and the relatively low view counts could call into question Disney+'s decision to release Chapters 4-12 at a rate of one per week, the season's grounded insight into the Rebellion, captivating performances, and high-quality production values still turn this into one of the most exemplary Star Wars TV shows.

Starring and Executive Produced by Diego Luna as Cassian Andor

Co-Starring Adria Arjona as Bix Caleen, Varada Sethu as Cinta Kaz, and Andy Serkis as Kino Loy

Guest-Starring Antonio Viña as Kassa

Whether you agree or disagree with me on any of these works, or if you have any other relevant recommendations, feel free to politely let me know in the comments section.

Plug

Discrimination towards Asian-Americans has reached alarming levels.  I would like my readers to donate to The AAPI Community Fund, even if I personally take no share of the funds.

[felipeandletizia]

Felipe, Letízia, Leonor and Sofia’s Christmas Cards through the years (2004-2023)

[mimiatmidnight]

Include pics: What are your top 5 ( 10 if you want) royal wedding jewelry ( earrings, bracelets, necklaces) you would want in your personal collection.

Hi, thanks for the question! I'm way less versed with other royals than everyone else who already answered this question, but I did a bit (a lot, lol) of retrospective research to try my best ^_^

Tbh I was surprised how the vast majority of the jewelry I saw was reallyyyyy not to my taste. I thought this was just a BRF problem, but man, most royal jewelry is . . . ugly. Especially what they choose for their weddings. I don't know, maybe I'm just too poor and plebeian to understand the tastes of the elite. But still, I managed to scrounge up a few pieces that I liked. Namely (and in no particular order):

Princess Claire of Luxembourg — Earrings

I don't know if this is a cheat or not, since she technically wore these to her civil marriage ceremony and not the actual big wedding, but whatever, I'm counting it, cause LOOK at that gorgeousness. Stunning aquamarine pendants with a sleek diamond halo? Absolutely lovely. I'd wear these in a HEARTBEAT.

Princess Rajwa of Jordan — Earrings

Especially as bridal earrings go, these are so fresh and unique. She didn't go for the tired old look of dropped pearls that eeeeeeveryone and their mama falls back on for wedding looks. Plus that double-draped line is so cool, especially with how the stones are all irregularly shaped and sized. (My friend is reading this over my shoulder as I write this, and she says the shape of the earring looks like a vagina to her, but ignore her, she drinks). These earrings were a super interesting and pretty choice that complemented her tiara well, but would also not be out of place on a peasant like me to get dressed up in.

Archduchess Gabriella of Austria — Earrings

If I absolutely have to go for dropped pearls, this, in my opinion, is the way to do it. Super minimal, sleek, letting the pearl speak for itself, with nothing but the tiny diamond stud to help balance it out. Very nicely done here. Tbh I don't think it matches particularly well with the tiara she chose, but that's not my business lol. We're just talking about what I'd take for my own closet, and these earrings are for sure the most wearable of any royal bride I've seen yet.

Queen Sofia of Spain — Necklace

Similarly, Sofia's necklace was probably the wrong choice for what she had going with the neckline of her dress at the time. It's getting overwhelmed by all that high-necked lace, unfortunately. BUT, as you can see, she wore it multiple times afterwards (swapping out the cross pendant for a simple diamond), as well as her daughter-in-law Letizia, and both of them had the sense to pair it with much more open and clean necklines, where you can see that absolutely lovely shape and glitter of the piece. I don't know what this kind of pinched, V-shaped design is called, but I love it.

Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex — Ring

Now, in my research for this post, I'm obviously not pretending I was able to closely scour every single royal bridal look ever. But I did go through a LOT, and none of the ones I saw ever experimented with some fun statement rings like Meg did. I love this absolutely enormous aquamarine on her, both because it's so bold and unexpected, it's objectively beautiful on its own, and of course, its connection to the story of her late mother-in-law.

BONUS: Princess Eugenie — Tiara

Okay I know you probably did not mean for tiaras to be included, and so I tried very hard to work around that. But I'm sorry, I just have to sneak this one in at the end. As I mentioned in another post a while ago, I've been largely unimpressed with the tiaras I've seen in the past (though I did come across some interesting ones while researching this post), but I make absolute exception with Eugenie's wedding tiara. I suspect I might be partial to the Kokoshnik tiara style in general, but what the Greville in particular pulls off with those breathtaking emeralds and the perfectly sloped shape and all those lovely scalloped diamond details . . . perfection. Truly. Best piece of royal jewelry I've ever seen in my life.

[lucygold95]

[Belladova-Opéra Garnier's ballerina(Giselle) and soprano(Richard Coeur-de-Lion)(Kopit's Phantom(90, 91)]

0:01 15th Century Chartres(French) hymn tune ( -> Saw You Never, in the Twilight(Cecil Frances Alexander)(1853)) - Michèle Lagrange

0:13 Giselle(, ou les Wilis (=Giselle, or The Wilis') 2:35 )(1841)(Music - Adolphe Charles Adam) (* Teri Polo who played Belladova(and Christine) had learned ballet for many years.)

1:25 Giselle(, ou les Wilis)(1841)

(Choreographer - Jean Coralli & Jules Perrot, Music - Adolphe Charles Adam, Libretto - Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges & Théophile Gautier)

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- Yvette Chauviré(Giselle) & Cyril Atanasoff(Albrecht)

(* Yvette Chauviré was a French 'Prima ballerina assoluta'(She is the only French dancer to hold the title) and actress. She is often described as France's greatest ballerina, and was the coach of prima ballerinas Sylvie Guillem and Marie-Claude Pietragalla. The role of Giselle was a particular passion for Chauviré, and she considered it her signature piece. Of course, she is considered one of the gratest Giselles in history.)

1:56 Carla Fracci(Giselle) & Erik Bruhn(Albrecht)

(* Carla Fracci was an Italian ballet dancer, actress and ballet director. Considered one of the greatest ballerinas of the 20th century, she was a leading dancer of La Scala Theatre Ballet in Milan, then worked freelance with international companies including the Royal Ballet, London, Stuttgart Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Fracci is known for her interpretation of leading characters in several Romantic ballets, such as La Sylphide, Giselle, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet. Fracci is considered one of the gratest Giselles in history too.)

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5:34 & 6:20 Je crains de lui parler la nuit(= I'm afraid to talk to him at night)(André Grétry's Richard Coeur-de-Lion(=Richard the Lionheart)(1784)) - Michèle Lagrange

(* André Grétry(you might see his face at Belgium 1000 Francs) was a composer from the Prince-Bishopric of Liège (present-day Belgium), who worked from 1767 onwards in France and took French nationality. He is most famous for his opéras comiques.)

7:42 Je crains de lui parler la nuit

(André Grétry's Richard Richard Coeur-de-Lion(1784)) - Mady Mesplé

11:03 / 13:45 Пётр Ильи́ч Чайко́вский(Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)'s Пиковая дама(= Pique Dame = The Queen of Spades)(1890). Tchaikovsky(Чайко́вский)used Grétry's 'Je crains de lui parler la nuit'.(In Grétry's Opera, Soprano sings this, but in Tchaikovsky(Чайко́вский)'s opera, Mezzo Soprano sings this song.)

13:45 - Soňa Červená

15:31 - Sofia Preobragenskaya(acted by Yelena Polevitskaya)

(* Virginia Zeani - One of the greatest female opera singers of the 20th century - sang this song too(as a Countess in The Queen of the Spades(In Italian)). You can find that audio recording at youtube.)

17:29 Musical version (Kopit(Book) & Yeston(Music and lyrics)'s musical "Phantom"(1991))

P.S. You can see two famous actors - Burt Lancaster(7:39) and Олег Александрович Стриженов(Oleg Aleksandrovich Strizhenov)(14:54) in this video. From this film(Пиковая дама(1960)), Oleg Strizhenov received the Aleksandr Pushkin's Big Gold Medal and the prize of the Russian Musical Fund of Irina Arkhipova "for the brilliant realization of the figure of Hermann in the film Queen of Spades".

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Playlist - Opera x The Phantom of the Opera(with English subtitles / 한글, 한국어 자막): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxVjmfb0YlsGxobwIudGb5OJmVvDY7PSo

Playlist - The Phantom of the Opera 1990 × Opera(+English subtitles, 한글 자막): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxVjmfb0YlsExPULC9h1BvlZfYX6sPzjs

Thank you for allowing me to use your 4k Phantom of the Opera 1990 video, Phantom Retrospective 2.0! https://youtu.be/8f3Hr422BPk

[seasurfacefullofclouds1]

now…do you think they were going for alycia but she refused so they decided to go for sofia?

It’s possible, I guess! In retrospect, we can see it was always going to be someone!

[Was this round two with Alycia though?]

[aboutanancientenquiry]

“The Influence of Herodotus on the Practical Philosophy of Aristotle

March 2017

Labyrinth 18(2):104

Dimka Gicheva-Gocheva

Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

Abstract

The approach of this paper is a retrospective one. It is an attempt to show that many important ideas of Herodotus, a great ancestor of Aristotle, have influenced his practical philosophy. The paper focuses specially on several topics from the Histories of Herodotus, which have found a resonance in the Nicomachean ethics and in the Politics of Aristotle. The main ones in respect of the ethical theory are: the different forms of justice and the just as for example the super-human justice, the just in the family relations, the judicial just and the just in the polis or the larger human community. Book Epsilon of the Nicomachean Ethics is indebted to Herodotus in several points. In respect of Aristotles' political theory, there are two topics in the History of Herodotus which deserve a special interest: firstly, the conversation of the three noble Persians, who discuss the six basic types of political order and organization of power-and-submission in a state or city-state (in book ІІІ, 80-82); this becomes a paradigm for the next typologies of Plato (in the Republic and the Statesman) and Aristotle (in the Politics); secondly, the importance of personal freedom, the equity of the speaking (discussing?) men on the agora, and the supremacy of law for the well-being of any community and its peaceful future. The legacy of Herodotus is obvious in many anthropological and ethical concepts of Aristotle, especially in his most read and quoted ethical writing and in his Politics.”

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317397309_The_Influence_of_Herodotus_on_the_Practical_Philosophy_of_Aristotle

The entire paper can be found on https://www.academia.edu/37571279/DIMKA_GICHEVA_GOCHEVA_Sofia_The_Influence_of_Herodotus_on_the_Practical_Philosophy_of_Aristotle

Dr. Dimka Gicheva-Gocheva is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, Sofia, University St. Kliment Ohridski