#St. Olympias

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (December 17)

Born sometime between 360-365, this pious, charitable, and wealthy disciple of St. John Chrysostom came from an illustrious family in Constantinople.

Her father (called by the sources Secundus or Selencus) was a "count" of the empire.

One of her ancestors, Ablabius, filled the consulor office in 331 and was also praetorian prefect of the East.

As Olympias was not thirty years of age in 390, she cannot have been born before 361.

Her parents died when she was quite young and left her an immense fortune.

In either 384 or 385, she married Nebridius, Prefect of Constantinople.

St. Gregory of Nazianzus, who had left Constantinople in 381, was invited to the wedding but wrote a letter excusing his absence (Ep. cxciii, in P.G., XXXVI, 315).

He sent the bride a poem (P.G., loc. cit., 1542 sqq.).

Within a short time, Nebridius died and Olympias was left a childless widow.

She steadfastly rejected all new proposals of marriage, determining to devote herself to the service of God and to works of charity.

Nectarius, Bishop of Constantinople (381-97), consecrated her deaconess.

On the death of her husband, the emperor had appointed the urban prefect administrator of her property.

However, in 391 (after the war against Maximus), he restored to her the administration of her large fortune.

She built beside the principal church of Constantinople a convent, into which three relatives and a large number of maidens withdrew with her to consecrate themselves to the service of God.

When St. John Chrysostom became Bishop of Constantinople in 398, he acted as spiritual guide of Olympias and her companions.

As many undeserving approached the kind-hearted deaconess for support, he advised her as to the proper manner of utilizing her vast fortune in the service of the poor (Sozomen, "Hist. eccl.", VIII, ix; P.G., LXVII, 1540).

Olympias resigned herself wholly to Chrysostom's direction and placed at his disposal ample sums for religious and charitable objects.

Even the most distant regions of the empire received her benefactions to churches and the poor.

When Chrysostom was exiled, Olympias supported him in every possible way.

She remained a faithful disciple, refusing to enter into communion with his unlawfully appointed successor.

Chrysostom encouraged and guided her through his letters, of which seventeen are extant (P.G., LII, 549 sqq.).

That was a beautiful memorial of the noble-hearted, spiritual daughter of the great bishop.

Olympias was also exiled and died a few months after Chrysostom on 25 July 408, probably at Nicomedia.

After her death, she was venerated as a saint.

A biography dating from the second half of the fifth century, which gives particulars concerning her from the "Historia Lausiaca" of Palladius and from the "Dialogus de vita Joh. Chrysostomi," proves the great veneration she enjoyed.

During the riot of Constantinople in 532, the convent of St. Olympias and the adjacent church were destroyed.

Emperor Justinian had it rebuilt. The prioress, Sergia, transferred there the remains of the foundress from the ruined church of St. Thomas in Brokhthes, where she had been buried.

We possess an account of this translation by Sergia herself.

The feast of St. Olympias is celebrated in the Greek Church on July 24 and in the Roman Church on December 17.

Credit: The Catholic Encyclopedia

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

PINKCORE GREETINGS FROM K RECORDS.

PIC INFO: Spotlight on then new pink pin-back buttons/badges on two different shades of pink paper just in time for St. Valentine’s Day 2016. Illustrations drawn by BEAT HAPPENING's Calvin Johnson. 💞😽💕

Source: http://shop.krecs.com/collections/buttons.

[taylorhissed]

Olympia Le-Tan Spring 2015 RTW ♡

[gaygryffindorgal]

OC X OC Connections; HPMA/Next Gen Edition

Feel free to DM me, reblog this post, or comment if you think our OCs could get along!

SLYTHERIN:

 Roe Malinda, 1997 (MAIN CHARACTER)

Roe is outgoing, friendly, slightly eccentric and a bit aloof

Not extremely popular, though gains attention when dating Declan

They have this little blood malediction that made them accidentally kill their grandmother as a child

His closest friends in canon are Daniel and Ivy, though drama ensues during their friendship

Roe gets along with many different types of people, gravitating more towards extroverted folks as he gets older

Roe is not the most reliable person out there, though she does genuinely care about his friends

Knowingly hooks up with Declan while the latter is still dating Cassanda so not the most moral person out there either

Friends: OPEN

(I know for a fact I’ve discussed Roe being frends with some of yall but I can’t remember so pls comment on this post if I’m leaving you out cause I wanna make sure!)

Maxim Raeburn by @potionboy3

Nymeria Lee by @gcldensnitch​

Rivals/frenemies etc: OPEN

Love Interest: Declan Rovere by @potionboy3

(Nova and Theo are currently not looking for new friends because they're little loner bitches<3)

Edmund "Baby" Quinn, 2002

He used to be best friends with Rome St. James up until year 5, when the two had a falling out

Baby becomes popular, starts hanging out with the cool kids, becomes hot<3<3<3

Pureblood

He's nice, friendly, outgoing, and has this way of making you feel included in any company

Still, he ditched his best friend and didn't try very hard to find out what's wrong with him so.....rip

He's spoiled and a lil out of touch

Friends: OPEN

Stephanie Quinn-Vixen by @endlessly-cursed

Richard Beck by @potionboy3

Rivals/frenemies: OPEN

Love interest: Rome St. James by @potionboy3

HUFFLEPUFF:

Quentin "Quincey" Alderly, 1997

Goes pretty much exclusively by Quincey, don't call him Quentin it makes him uncomfy :(((

He's a prince!!! He hates it!!

A celeb in the Muggle world, has Harry Styles's phone number on speed dial etc.

Muggleborn though has magical blood in his family, going back generations

Quite popular at school, plays Quidditch as a seeker

Is friendly to everyone but doesn't have many close friends, as he's quite guarded as a person despite his seemingly easy-going demeanor

As he gets older he becomes more and more convinced that he doesn't want anything to do with the peerage or the royalty but he also doesn't want Alderly to revert back to the Crown so he's conflicted

Has a cat called Ser Pounce-a-lot

Likes video games

Friends: OPEN

Rivals/frenemies: OPEN

Dawn Harvelle by @potionboy3 (Quidditch rivals)

Love interest: Also Dawn Harvelle by @potionboy3

Barbara "Barb" Katz, 1997

A ray of sunshine with hidden depths

The only witch in a family of squibs, feels bad about it

Has a tight-knit group of friends, playfully referred to as the Girl Gang but is always open for more friends!

Can be quite blunt with her opinions though usually has your best interests at heart

Very loyal, would never betray your trust

Friends: OPEN

The Girlies, yall know who you are

Dawn Harvelle by @potionboy3

Rivals/frenemies: (extremely unlikely that she would have any but if the dynamic is right, I'm not opposed)

Love interest: Hester Gleason-Kearney by @cursebreakerfarrier

RAVENCLAW:

River St. James, 2002

American, wanted to attend Hogwarts cause his family sucks and had the chance because has some relatives in the UK

Muggleborn

Has a twin brother called Rome ( @potionboy3 )

More popular than his brother but kind of difficult to approach

Has his nose buried in a book 99% of the time

Most likely has a small group of friends and some acquaintances but is not extremely social

Respects smart people but has a penchant of thinking he’s always the smartest person in any given room

Competitive

Friends: OPEN

Rivals/frenemies: OPEN

Richard Beck by @potionboy3

Love interest: Also Richard Beck by @potionboy3

OTHER:

Olympia Alderly, 1998

Younger sister of Quincey

goes to Beauxbatons

Is very independent and enjoys doing many things on her own, such as travelling

Asexual but is open for a romantic relationship if the right person comes along

Is quite good at making friends but doesn’t often let anyone too close

Olympia would most prefer to have casual acquaintances to meet up for coffee with, and maybe a few closer friends to confide in

Friends: OPEN

Love interest: tentatively OPEN but keep in mind her sexuality

[gillianthecat]

USA Protests for Palestine This Weekend

List from the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights

https://uscpr.org/oct-2023-protests/

Thursday, November 2

ST PAUL, MN | Thursday, November 2nd at 12PM at St. Kate’s O’Shaughnessy Auditorium

PORTLAND, OR | Thursday, November 2nd at 3PM at 911 NE 11th Avenue

BOSTON, MA | Thursday, November 2nd at 4PM at Brewer Fountain, Boston Commons

YPSILANTI, MI | Thursday, November 2nd at 4PM at Eastern Michigan University Student Center

CLEVELAND, OH | Thursday, November 2nd at 6:30PM at Beit Hanina Cultural Center

Friday, November 3

ST PAUL, MN | Friday, November 3rd at 4PM at Snelling & Summit Ave

BROOKLYN, NY | Friday, November 3rd at 4:30PM at Brooklyn District 10 Office 340A 9th Street

MENLO PARK, CA | Friday, November 3rd at 5PM at Meta HQ 1 Hacker Way

Saturday, November 4

NATIONAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON | Washington DC, November 4th, 2 PM. Freedom Plaza. Cosponsored by USCPR and other organizations.

OLYMPIA, WA | Saturday, November 4th at 12PM at City Hall

CINCINNATI, OH | Saturday, November 4th at 12PM at Ziegler Park

RICHLAND, WA | Saturday, November 4th at 12PM at John Dam Plaza

ORONO, ME | Saturday, November 4th at 12PM at UMaine Folger Library

NASHVILLE, TN | Saturday, November 4th at 1PM at Centennial Park

SAN FRANCISCO, CA | Saturday, November 4th at 1PM at Civic Center

SACRAMENTO, CA | Saturday, November 4th at 1PM at Arden Fair Mall

BURLINGTON, VT | Saturday, November 4th at 1PM at Battery Park

PROVO, UT | Saturday, November 4th at 1PM at 550 N University Ave

JUNEAU, AK | Saturday, November 4th at 2PM at Marine Park

LAKEWOOD, OH | Saturday, November 4th at 2PM at City Center Park

SEATTLE, WA | Saturday, November 4th at 3PM at 400 Pine St

TUSCON, AZ | Saturday, November 4th at 3PM at Catalina Park

Sunday, November 5

DENVER, CO | Sunday, November 5th at 12PM at 200 E Colfax Ave

DALLAS, TX | Sunday, November 5th at 2PM at 3333 Turtle Creek Blvd

ROCKVILLE, MD | Sunday, November 5th at 2PM at 101 Monroe St

SAN CARLOS, CA | Sunday, November 5th at 6:15PM at Hiller Aviation Museum

poster art by Shreya Shah from a publicly available collection of free art for Palestine

[davidluongart]

Closeup details of an Ares illustration entry that I made for my Sing O Muse zine contribution last year. Ares, in my version, is often hanging out with Aphrodite and the Graces, Hera + her daughters, and Poseidon the most, either for his warrior bodyguard duty or just running casual errands in his home. Zine is out now, so you better check them out and grab them while you can since they are still piping hot from fresh printing !!!!

The temple background was that of Aphrodite Ourania in Kythera, one of the oldest structures dedicated to her located in mainland Greece dated from the 6th century BC, which was later converted into Agioi Anargyroi church (St. Cosmas & Damian) during Byzantine times.

According to legend, Aphrodite was born from the sea foam stranding to the seashores of Alvemonas Bay of Kythera first before arriving in Paphos, Cyprus. Aphrodite Ourania, as in her “heavenly love” aspect was depicted as an armed warrior goddess within this modest temple right here, and there are still fully preserved walls + niches within the current ruined building along with its Doric columns!!!!

Over on the sight of the divine couple is another chryselephantine statue of Aphrodite Ourania herself, with her foot standing on a tortoise. Made out of gold & ivory, with black stone eyes and carved by the famed Phidias who was known for the Athena Parthenos and Athena Promachos in the Parthenon, Athens; as well as the statue of Zeus of Olympia. (I knew that this statue of Aphrodite Ourania would later be transferred to Elis, in the further northern region of Arcadia, but I still loved it to be standing there, tbh.)

[aimeedaisies]

List of attendees to the service of Thanksgiving to the late King Constantine of Greece on 27th February 2024.

🇬🇧 Queen Camilla

🇬🇧 Princess Anne

🇬🇧 Sir Tim Laurence

🇬🇧 Princess Beatrice

🇬🇧 Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

🇬🇧 Zara Tindall

🇬🇧 Mike Tindall

🇬🇧 Lady Sarah Chatto

🇬🇧 Daniel Chatto

🇬🇧 Prince Richard, The Duke of Gloucester

🇬🇧 Birgitte, The Duchess of Gloucester

🇬🇧 Prince Edward, The Duke of Kent

🇬🇧 George, The Earl of St. Andrews

🇬🇧 Sylvana, The Countess of St. Andrews

🇬🇧 Lady Helen Taylor

🇬🇧 Prince Michael of Kent

🇬🇧 Princess Michael of Kent

🇬🇧 Princess Alexandra of Kent

🇬🇧 James Ogilvy

🇬🇧 Julia Ogilvy

🇬🇧 Marina Ogilvy

🇬🇧 George, The Marquess of Milford Haven

🇬🇧 Clare, The Marchioness of Milford Haven

🇬🇧 Penny, The Countess Mountbatten of Burma

🇬🇧 Lady Alexandra Hooper

🇬🇧 Thomas Hooper

🇬🇧 India Hicks

🇬🇧 David Flint Wood

🇬🇧 Amory Wood-Hicks

🇬🇧 Prince Andrew, The Duke of York

🇬🇧 Sarah Ferguson

🇬🇷 Queen Anne-Marie

🇬🇷 Crown Prince Pavlos

🇬🇷 Crown Princess Marie-Chantal

🇬🇷 Prince Achileas-Andreas

🇬🇷 Prince Odysseas-Kimon

🇬🇷 Prince Aristides-Stavros

🇬🇷 Princess Maria-Olympia

🇬🇷 Prince Nikolaos

🇬🇷 Princess Tatiana

🇬🇷 Prince Philippos

🇬🇷 Princess Nina

🇬🇷 Princess Theodora

🇬🇷 Matthew Kumar

🇬🇷 Princess Alexia

🇬🇷 Carlos Morales

🇬🇷 Princess Irene

🇪🇸 King Juan Carlos

🇪🇸 Queen Sofia

🇪🇸 King Felipe

🇪🇸 Queen Letizia

🇪🇸 Infanta Elena

🇪🇸 Infanta Cristina

🇪🇸 Juan Urdangarian

🇩🇰 Princess Benedikte

🇩🇰 Prince Gustav

🇩🇰 Princess Carina of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg

🇩🇰 Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Countess Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille

🇩🇰 Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille

🇯🇴 Queen Noor of Jordan

🇯🇴 Prince Hassan

🇯🇴 Princess Sarvath of Jordan

🇧🇬 Prince Kyril of Bulgaria

🇷🇸 Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia

🇷🇸 Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia

🇩🇪 Bernhard, Margrave of Baden

🇩🇪 Stephanie, Margravine of Baden

🇩🇪 Landgrave Donatus of Hesse

🇩🇪 Hereditary Prince Ernst August of Hanover

🇩🇪 Princess Saskia of Hohenlohe-Langeburg

Other notable attendees

Nicholas Soames (Conservative politician)

Rocco Forte (British Hotelier)

Hugh Cavendish, Baron Cavendish of Furness (Former member of the House of Lords)

Grania Mary Caulfield (wife of Baron Cavendish of Furness)

John Kerry (United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

Lady Susan Hussey (Lady-in-Waiting)

Sir Jackie Stewart (Racecar Driver and good family friend)

Alexandra von Fürstenberg (American Socialite)

Dax Miller (Alexandra von Fürstenbergs husband)

[jeannereames]

I'm new to reading about Alexander the Great, and I read your books first, then Mary Renault's. I like your Hephaistion a lot better, and Olympias (Myrtale), but the two novels were a lot alike in the story itself. I saw at least one reviewer said that yours was like a retelling of hers: "dangerously similar." So I wondered how much her first novel on Alexander influenced yours?

You’re not the first to ask, and the answer is: very little.

When I get that line about my novel being “too much like” Mary Renault’s, or even “fanfic” on Mary Renault, it tells me the reviewer is completely unfamiliar with the ancient sources themselves. For those who are familiar, I never hear this (perhaps because where we differ is obvious).

Unlike the novelist who makes up a completely original plot, when writing historical fiction, at least of this type, there IS a historical thread to follow. I’m not copying Renault. I’m following Plutarch, Diodorus, and, to a lesser degree, Justin. So is she.

Where we “cross” is on the historical elements in the original sources.

If you remove those bits, our two retellings don’t have much in common. Likewise, even in some of the elements from those sources, we differ in interpretations. My novel also begins a good deal later in ATG’s life. We do both end with the same event—I suspect because, when history gives you a “made for Hollywood” incident like the murder of Philip, you don’t turn it down. LOL. Also, for me, it’s the “natural joint” between Alexander-the-prince and Alexander-the-king. Just as the end of Alexander’s stay at Mieza with Aristotle forms the hinge between the two novels—or originally, the hinge between two halves of one novel. (Which is why I was able to divide it in half, when Riptide insisted that I do so in order to publish it, due to its original length.)

But the plain fact is I’d written my own before I’d ever heard of Mary Renault. I backed into Alexander as a result of some grad classes at Emory. He kept popping up in lecture, and I realized I had NO idea who he was. As an English major, I’d read Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra,” so I knew the “big” Roman-era names. But I’d managed to get out of both high school and my BA at the University of Florida without taking any (real) history classes. Now I was running into mentions of people (and places) with which I was completely unfamiliar.

So, I waltzed over to the Emory library and picked out two bios on Alexander: Nick Hammond’s Alexander the Great: King, Commander, and Statesman, and Peter Green’s Alexander of Macedon (the original version, with pictures…I picked it because it had pictures). As I’ve said elsewhere, I couldn’t have selected two more different views of the conqueror if I’d tried. And that’s what intrigued me…so I kept reading. Then I decided to write a novel about the “making” of him (coming-of-age), and the importance of Hephaistion in his life (because Green was so dismissive of the poor guy). Hephaistion was originally much clearer in my mind. In fact, he’s the (real) protagonist of Dancing with the Lion…certainly for the novel’s first half (Becoming). So I’m glad to hear you liked how I portrayed him.

It was only later that somebody said, “Oh, hey, have you heard of Mary Renault?” English major or no, I hadn’t. I did pick up her novels on Alexander but read only a little way before putting them down precisely because I didn’t want to be influenced by her work. In fact, I read nobody’s novels on him until I finished my original (way too short) rendition. Then I started on the second draft (which turned out to be way too long).

But by that point, my picture of Alexander, and even more so, Hephaistion, was quite set. As was the story I wanted to tell.

So no, Mary Renault’s novels had little impact on the genesis of Dancing with the Lion. But you are not the first person to wonder.

Ironically, Mary Stewart’s Crystal Cave and her subsequent Arthurian Saga had a much greater impact on how I chose to tell Alexander’s story. I did read those as a teen girl, and they fomented a fascination for King Arthur in me that lasted into college. The fact I wound up getting a PhD in Greek history is ironic, as I actively avoided it in high school and (undergrad) college, all my love given to Celtic and Scandinavian myth and history. I still do enjoy Celtic myth, btw. And it was with some amusement that I realized the tale of Alexander and Hephaistion was the foundation for the legend of Arthur and Lancelot. That probably IS part of why Alexander and Hephaistion gripped me so.

So yes, a “Mary” did influence me, but Stewart, not Renault. 😊

[dysthanasia-series]

Character Intro: Dorian St-Ange

Age: 27

Birthday: August 10

Pronouns: They/them

Affiliation: Coven, bloodborn dept. (by necessity), Olympia bloodborn (by choice)

Strengths: Charismatic, optimistic, fearless

Weaknesses: Self-sacrificing, head gets lost in the clouds, fearless

Those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it. Which is why each generation of the St-Ange family has made sure to arm the next with knowledge, both of mundane matters and the supernatural. Dorian grew up aware of their family's long involvement in the fight for human as well as bloodborn rights. Agents of the Coven's Unseen Hand burning down their gran's house showed them at an early age what kind of hazards the work comes with. Still, Dorian has chosen to carry on the family legacy of being a thorn in the Coven's side. Even when circumstances force them to join the organization to protect a friend, they never lose sight of their true loyalties (though it might lead to losing their head eventually).

Being approached by one of the Unseen Hand's own Aquilae is the last thing Dorian expects. First, because he apparently isn't there to kill them. Second, because he makes an offer to help them wriggle out from beneath the Coven's thumb for good. All Dorian has to do is a small favor in return: put in a good word for this Aquilae with their rebellious family and friends up in the northwest territories. There's absolutely a hidden catch somewhere, in other words.

History is also written by the victors, and Dorian is tired of reading the same old story. Whatever price they wind up paying is worth the chance to change its ending.

Story Intro

Dysthanasia Supplementals Taglist (Sign up or ask to be +/-): @thecyrulik @thatndginger @space-writes @scoundrelwithboba

Other Character Intros:

Isaac

Renato

Elfy

Kinslayer

[youneedtostudyives]

"How can I boycott big chain stores that support Isr@el when these are the only stores in my town?"

Farmer's markets.

If not farmer's markets, then food co-ops. Find co-ops that support Palestine, like Olympia Foods or St. Hilda's East Food.

If not co-ops, then there's the tried and true brand boycott. You can use bdnaash to put your money in as few pro-Isr@el products as possible.

Above all, shop Palestine.

[ceph-the-ghost-writer]

hey ceph, happy STS!

i love reading about the different coven departments in dysthanasia (magical bureaucracy <3) - if you had to pick one to work in yourself, which would it be though?

(--@space-writes)

@space-writes

Hi, Space! That's a question I've never actually considered. Huh. Thanks for sending it in.

While Story-Ceph's department is the Skeleton Crew (one of the Unseen Hand factions that I'll start covering this coming week), I don't quite fit the profile to join their ranks. I think.

After some consideration, I'm going to say I'd follow Isaac's footsteps and become a werecreature researcher. The various werecreatures of the States and its territories are generally decent people, and the job would let me travel around without office politics or management smothering me. I'd get to nerd out about nature and magic a little, even though I don't have the academic chops to be an agent for the actual magic department--definitely not for archives. Although bloodborn would seem like the obvious choice for me, given I write about them so much, in reality I'd be a little intimidated by many of them. (Except for maybe the Olympia bloodborn, who are pretty down-to-earth.) The spirit department is intriguing, and I lovvve spooky stories/movies, but, again, not sure I'd enjoy being haunted on the regular as much as Elfy does.

How about you? Is there a department you think you'd be willing to work for?

[dasenergi-diary]

With each sunny day, @maeganbobaegan ‘s seeds produce more and more flowers:

I am really blown away by how great this project turned out. Until now I’ve only been successful at growing sunflowers from seeds.

@maeganbobaegan has magic seeds! Here is a link to her Etsy so you can buy your own!

[taylorhissed]

Camille Rowe walking for Olympia Le-Tan Spring 2015 ♡

[elvis1970s]

In September 1970, with three wildly successful Las Vegas seasons and a record-breaking run at the Houston Rodeo behind them, the Elvis Presley Show hit the road for their first stadium tour of the 70s.

The itinerary and attendances were:

Sep 9 - Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, AZ 13 300

Sep 10 - Kiel Auditorium, St Louis, MO 12 000

Sep 11 - Olympia Stadium, Detroit, MI 16 000

Sep 12 - (Two shows) Convention Center, Miami, FL 24 000

Sep 13 - (Two shows) Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa ,FL 15 000

Sep 14 - Municipal Auditorium, Mobile, AL 10 800

For the first time, they would be working with an outside partner, pioneering stadium rock promoters Concerts West, who joined the tour on the second night in St Louis. They were in for a bit of a shock, according to Elvis biographer Peter Guralnick.

"...With RCA in charge of the Phoenix show, St. Louis was the first time that the new promoters got to show their stuff, and Tom Hulett (Concerts West) was determined that everything should be done first-class. “I went out and hired Clair Brothers to do sound...because I knew the show didn’t have a setup... I remember Tom Diskin (Colonel Parker's staff) came over to the building around noon—he had given me stage diagrams, so when Elvis walked out it would feel like Vegas. When Diskin got there, it was pretty much ninety-five percent set up the way he wanted it... All of a sudden he notices these huge boxes being moved in on the stage. He says, ‘Stop! What the hell’s that?’ I said, ‘Tom, that’s the sound system.’ He said, ‘We don’t use sound systems...There’s one in the building.’ I said, ‘Wait a second, you can’t—shit, the crowd won’t be able to hear, and I’m going to get killed with refunds—’ Then I realized: they hadn’t worked since 1956, and there were no sound systems then...I said, ‘What the hell did you guys use in Vegas?,’ and he said, ‘Just these two speakers.’ I never will forget, just these two Shures no bigger than the size of my couches if they were laid down. That was it, that was Elvis’ entire monitor system, and the house system was the house system, whatever was in the facility..." Peter Guralnick - Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley - Little, Brown and Company, 1999.

Clair Brothers continued to do sound for Elvis throughout the 1970s, and devised a rig whereby the speakers were hoisted on chains from the rafters to allow for the relatively small (and crowded) stage and not impact on arena seating, which was also sold behind the stage.

(Tour schedule and stats: Francesc Lopez elvisconcerts.com)

[mysticstarlightduck]

Happy STS! 😊 If you could visit any setting/location in one of your WIPs, where would you go? Why are you drawn to that particular place? What would you want to do there? 🗺️

Happy STS, Kate (@little-peril-stories)! Thank you so, so much for the ask! This is such a good set of questions!

(I'm working on catching up with my asks and tags, because my health has been one heck of a wild ride these past few weeks, so I'm slowly and surely coming back to being more active on Tumblr again!)

So let's start with this STS Ask!

If you could visit any setting/location in one of your WIPs, where would you go?

Ooh, this is a tough one! Since I've been working mostly on Enchanted Illusions (and Mutant Inquiries, but there are few places I'd actually want to visit in a near-dystopian cyberpunk future lmao) that's the WIP I'm going to use in this answer!

I'd definitely say that my top three, at least so far in Act 1 of the book, are:

1. the train rides from Ansburke to the other cities (for one, train rides in the middle of winter are highly atmospheric, plus, these trains are actually enchanted and have a lot of neat magical items and details to them. And these train rides are also the place of some pivotal moments for the main cast as well!),

2. Madam Olympia's Pastries and Baked Wonders, a bakery shop that is introduced at the beginning of the book - not only the magical sweets created in this shop are things I wish were real because they seem delicious, but the whole shop is like stepping into a unique universe of its own (plus the owner of the shop, the matronly faerie Madam Olympia herself is a wonderful character that I'd love to meet and I'd love to give her a hug and eat some pastries while she rambles about gossip),

3. the Hideout - Thaddeus' hidden hideaway in the city's catacombs, from which he conducts his revolution against the Hemlock Society and which becomes a headquarters for the main characters once they befriend him (I'd really, really love to visit this place in the story. For one, it is a giant underground system, almost like an underground "mansion/fortress" right underneath the city, which was built during the wars between humans and Myths and abandoned once it was over. Plus, it feels really homey, being a place of fun and reprieve for the main characters during their ongoing journey through the cities, and it also has some really interesting nooks and crannies about it that I can't spoil right now but can't wait to talk about!)

Some other "bonus" places I'd love to visit in this story are:

The Daemitya Mansion (because, let's be honest, it's one of the fanciest and most historic places in the entire city, and not only that is enough reason to want to visit, but the mansion has a whole maze of secret passages and hidden halls that only the Daemitya family know about, and those places are full of ancient secrets and magic, one only has to know the right password. Plus I'd just really like to be friends with Evangeline, lmao)

The "Fair" - it's the other side of the coin for Ansburke, a hidden undercity where the outcasts from above can be anyone and thrive, it's a haven for those unseen in the streets of the capital. It is a bit shady, and run by one of the most renowned vigilante guilds of the city, namely their leader Phoenix (Marcus Kallihan, who is an ally/friend of the main characters), but as long as you follow their rules and don't try to cause trouble, you'll have a great time. I'm a very curious person, and if I lived in Ansburke, I'd definitely like to pay this place a short visit - especially since it's one of the most mysterious and exciting places to be in the city.

[lonestarbattleship]

Reservists salute USS Olympia (IX-24, ex-C-6) is mowed to a pier near the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 1958.

"Troops of Battery C, 311th Field Artillery, an Army Rserve group from Norristown, boom a 17-gun greeting for the USS Olympia as Admiral Dewey's flagship moves to a Delaware River berth at the foot of Cherry St."

Temple University Library: P442198B