#and I hope they get that renewal for vol 10 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

maverick-werewolf · 2 years

Text

Werewolf Promo! Figure, book, and more

Independent and struggling creator/scholar and werewolf lady here with a werewolf-themed promo including real, physical rewards you can touch, handmade with love and care! And they’ll be all yours! Because the world can never have enough werewolf things.

From now through November 12, if you sign up for my Patreon at the $50 Nightlord tier or higher, you will get a package of goodies that includes lots of great stuff!

Physical, signed paperback copy of the short story collection Tales of Wulfgard, Volume I, updated and revised for 2022! Includes 2 werewolf stories!

Exclusive custom LEGO minifig of wolf-man Chrisanthos, as seen in “A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” in Tales

A handwritten thank you card

Wulfgard art stickers (including some werewolves!)

A Wulfgard bookmark

Even if you don’t sign up at the $50 tier, here are things you can get at other tiers, including as low as the $1 a month tier!

Participate in polls to decide the next Werewolf Fact and Vampire Fact!, access to writing and artwork journals (all starts at $1)

Monthly previews of folklore books (includes werewolf studies), novels, and short stories several years before publication (starts at $5)

Special thanks in all my future works (starts at $10)

Send me your research questions on folklore and more (starts at $10)

And much more; be sure to check out the tiers on Patreon, including secondary tiers of all price ranges featuring my stranger writing I don’t post elsewhere!

Click here to check out my Patreon; sign up for a $50+ tier to receive this exclusive reward package!

I hope you’ll check out my work and maybe consider supporting me - I deeply appreciate all the support I can get, and I’d love to send you some werewolf goodies! If you can’t support, all signal boosts appreciated! Thank you so much for reading!

(More info on myself, my work, the rewards, some disclaimers, etc below.)

This year, my Patreon reward minifig is Wolf-Man Chrisanthos, a farmboy born a mage with power over frost who had an unfortunate run-in with a werewolf, as seen in “A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing,” a short story featured in Tales of Wulfgard, Vol I.

REMINDER: This offer ENDS November 12! If you do not sign up at any point now until then, you will not be eligible for these rewards!

Expect more wolf-man minifigs to collect in the future, in a variety of colors, including the black-furred bestial werewolf form Tom minifig coming soon for patrons! If you sign up now, you’ll already be a patron when the next minifig is sent out (not all minifigs have promo alerts like this one)!

Check out my About Me page if you’re still not sure who the heck I am!

Not sure what Wulfgard is?

Discover a new world, a land of monsters and magic, of werewolves, shape-shifters, and beast-men, of danger and deceit - a world where all legends are true, where every myth is real and every fight could be your last, where darkness lurks in every corner… a world where only the bravest of heroes rise to answer the call of battle - and to the call of the hunt.

Discover the world of Wulfgard: the ancient-medieval dark fantasy universe where all legends are true, and terrifying werewolves howl in the night.

For more information on Wulfgard, be sure to visit the official Wulfgard site, and don’t forget to come hang out with us on the official Wulfgard and Nova Refuge discord!

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS:

All current patrons at $50 or higher (Nightlord and Apex Predator tiers, Lunatic and otherwise) will receive this package.

All new patrons at $50 or higher will receive this package regardless of how long they stay a patron. If you pay the $50 once, you will receive this package, even if you immediately lower or even cancel your pledge.

Tales of Wulfgard: Volume I has been revised and updated, including an all new and fully rewritten and improved edition of “Hunted,” Caiden’s Tale, now in line with The Hunt Never Ends and over twice its original length!

My Patreon renews subscriptions at the start of each month. This means you will be charged for your subscription every start of a new month regardless of when you paid for your first sub fee. If you were to subscribe mid November, for instance, you WILL be charged again December 1. Keep this in mind if it is of concern to you!

Reward packages will be sent out late November or early December. I will keep everyone posted as to when they will be sent. Please note the cover art for Tales as seen in the promo image may not look exactly the same, as the new and improved edition of the book is not yet finalized; the image is of the book’s previous edition.

Please send me a message on Patreon, email me, contact me via Twitter DMs or other social media (NOTE: I do not check Facebook regularly!), or contact me through my personal blog here on Tumblr if you have any concerns or questions!

I hope you’ll consider becoming a part of my Patreon pack!

Happy November!

29 notes · View notes

whatdoesshedotothem · 1 year

Text

Wed[nesday] 15 May 1833

8 5/..

11 3/4

rain for ab[ou]t an h[ou]r till 9 - found very gentle signs of my cousin an hour preparing

two napkins etc put one on between three and four in the afternoon F[ahrenheit] 56° at 10 1/4 at w[hi]ch h[ou]r br[eak]f[a]st -

skim[me]d ov[e]r the courier - dawd[le]d away the morn[in]g as us[ua]l - saunt[ere]d out a lit[tle] ab[ou]t 1 alone and read[in]g a few of Volt[aire]s let[ter]s vol[ume] 2

Eliz[abe]th Dalton left us ab[ou]t 2 - so[me]ti[me] d[o]wnst[ai]rs and th[e]n w[i]th IN- [Isabella Norcliffe] in h[e]r r[oo]m and th[e]n co[me] to my own

bef[ore] 4, and wr[ote] out Mon[day] yest[erday] and so far of today till 4 1/2 - the parc[e]l arriv[e]d th[i]s morn[in]g fr[om] Shibd[e]n

forward[e]d fr[om] Edin[burgh] - sm[all] pap[e]r box cont[ainin]g 2 p[ai]r woollen kneecaps and 1 p[ai]r d[itt]o socks fr[om] Miss

Walker (knitt[e]d for me by her) and no[te] fr[om] h[e]r dat[e]d ‘Udale 2 Ap[ril] 24th 1833’ - she seems no better

in mind and surely there neither is nor perhaps out to be any prospect of our being toge

ther tho’ I shall of course expect some answer to my letter to her this day week from York -

Miss W- [Walker] begs to hear fr[om] me bef[ore] my leav[in]g Eng[lan]d ‘when do you leave Eng[lan]d? where are you go[in]g fr[om]

‘Paris? w[i]th wh[o]m do you cross the channel? - I can[no]t tell you an[y]th[in]g really fav[oura]ble of my own mind,

‘I am gett[in]g qui[te] stout, b[u]t I feel th[a]t I am n[o]t improv[in]g in health of mind, and evils seem to increase up[on]

‘me, I ha[ve] n[o]t yet been ab[le] to form one resolut[io]n as to my ret[ur]n ho[me] tho’ my a[un]t says she wishes it

but I dread the idea of returning to greater evil all your predictions or I ought to say your warnings

appear to have been realized in me and I get deeper in the mire every day if you saw me now I am sure you

would say I was changed and you would observe it with regret and I begin to fear that my hopes of meeting

you again renewed in heart and body to which I have hitherto faintly clung will never be fulfilled

my sister and Captain Sutherland beg me to say everything that is kind from them with their very kinds regards accept all that friendship can

offer from myself pray let me hear from you for I shall not forget you and whatever befalls

me you will hear of either from myself or your aunt thro’ her at least I can gain intelligence

of you ever believe me yours faithfully and affectionately Ann Walker - dress[e]d - din[ner] at 5 1/4

made notes fr[om] Norc[liffe]s’ tour - upst[ai]rs at 10 50/.. - F[ahrenheit] 67° at 11 3/4 p.m. - an h[ou]r’s r[ai]n till 9 a.m. th[e]n fine

till ev[enin]g - rainy, windy night -

3 notes · View notes

mrlnsfrt · 8 months

Text

Life More Abundant

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. - John 10:10 NKJV

When you think about your life, during what moments have you felt the most alive? What were you doing? Who was with you? Where were you? How much effort did it require?

“Life” includes the physical, intellectual, and spiritual. Physical life is regarded as abundant in a body that is full of vigor and in perfect health. Jesus’ miracles of physical healing gave an abundant physical life to those whose life forces were ebbing. But physical restoration was by no means the complete fulfillment of Jesus’ mission. Man also has intellectual and spiritual life, which must also be made alive and abundant, for “man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3). Important as the physical and the intellectual aspects of a well-rounded life are, no life is fully complete unless the spiritual nature is nurtured. - Francis D. Nichol, ed., The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5 (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980), 1005.

I believe that Psalm 103 paints a beautiful picture of a God who provides life and provides it abundantly.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. - Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV

Once again, I would like to highlight that this is not a new approach that Jesus ushered in, but rather it has been God’s modus operandi from the very beginning. The God of the Bible, the God we worship, is a God who desires us to experience life to the fullest, and keeping this in mind as we read the Bible helps us better interpret His will for our lives.

Jesus shares His mission of giving us a more abundant life in John 10. Context is always important when we interpret text and in this case, Jesus is speaking these words after a blind man He healed was excommunicated, or disfellowshipped. This took place in John 9 and I have an entire blog post dedicated to it entitled The Gospel as Judgment?

John chapter 10 has been surprisingly challenging for me to grasp. What I take away from it is that Jesus is setting Himself apart from the religious leaders of His time. Given the harsh words Jesus uses “thief” and “robbers,” it does not surprise me that so many are careful to trust organized religion. However, we cannot simply do away with organized religion since disorganized religion seems even more troublesome. I say that tongue-in-cheek but I hope you get the idea. Organization is not the problem, the main concern should be the reason or mission of the organization. In other words, what motivated the church to be organized? Is the church organized to build itself up? To accumulate power and wealth? Or is the church organized for a mission? To serve, and help those in need.

Distrust of organized religion, government, or large companies, that greedily exploit the people for profit is understandable. I have a limited voice regarding what happens in my denomination worldwide, but I have greater influence over what happens at my local church. If Jesus came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly, what should we do as His church?

“Authorities who seek to gain possession of the sheep are not the true shepherd.” - Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of John. Vol. 2, Peabody, Mass., Hendrickson, 2003, p. 812.

We do not serve the church. We are the church. We do not come to be served, but to serve others. There are so many that I have talked to who stopped attending church because they were not treated as they expected to be. This reminds me of the story of a husband who did not want to go to church. It was Sabbath morning and his wife was telling him to get up and get ready to go to church. He just rolled over in bed and began to mumble complaints.

“But I don’t have any friends at church. The service is long and kind of boring. The music is not great, some of the people there are mean, and some are judgmental. I had a long week, I am tired, and I don’t want to go. Give me one good reason why I should go to church.”

His wife looked at him and replied.

“Well, for starters, you’re the pastor…”

I have heard this story a few times, sometimes it made me laugh, and sometimes it made me want to cry. No church is perfect. Even at a great church, you’re not guaranteed to have a great experience. Chances are you’re going to meet someone who rubs you the wrong way or disagrees with your political views or parenting philosophy. There will be people who have different tastes and ideas of how you should live, dress, talk, eat, vote, etc.

Why go to church?

So why do we keep coming to church? One of the reasons is to worship God. Another is to learn, to be instructed, comforted, challenged, and motivated. Another one is that we can do more as a community than on our own. I believe God is calling each one if us to join a church and be a part of what is good about it.

Is your church not friendly enough? Start a trend. Volunteer to greet. Choose to smile, and introduce yourself to those around you. Make a special effort to meet and talk to someone you haven’t talked to before.

Is your church not doing enough to serve the community? What could the church be doing? What do you need to begin doing? Find some other church members who have the same passion and begin, make a plan, and begin a new ministry.

This is part of my challenge in interpreting John 10. I understand that Jesus is the shepherd and that He gave His life for me.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. - John 10:11 NKJV

Part of the life more abundant that Jesus makes available for me is the eternal life that He died to give me. But I also believe that Jesus is our example and He calls us to live as He lived and that our mission as His followers includes doing our very best to also help those around us have a more abundant life. Part of that, of course, includes introducing people to Jesus, but it does not stop there. Life more abundant includes healthier relationships, a healthier body, and better education, it involves all areas of life.

Here are some questions I would love to pose to you.

What if a more abundant life is not found in idleness? What if rest is found in meaningful service? What if life more abundant comes from concentrated efforts in the right areas?

In order to work for God successfully, we must die to self, surrendering all to God. In words of great tenderness, Christ invites us, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” When you respond to this invitation, when you learn what it means to find rest by lifting the cross and bearing it after the Lord, you will be true witnesses for Him. But until this lesson is learned, self will appear, and Jesus will be kept in the background. - The Crucifixion of Self (published April 9, 1902 - Signs of The Times)

We experience life more abundantly as we serve, and those we serve also benefit and experience a more abundant life. It all flows from God, His great love, and His desire to save and bless us. I am not saying you should never rest physically, we all need to rest, and we all need to take breaks. What I am saying is that idleness is not the way. When all we do is rest and only live for ourselves we miss out on what living life more abundantly could be.

When we live focused on self we will never find a church that is good enough to belong to. Also, we will struggle to maintain relationships because no one treats us as we expect to be treated all the time. The more I focus on myself the more I feel sorry for myself. I can always compare myself to others and feel inferior. I can help others expecting to receive some reward and when I don’t I become sad. In a way, it all stems from pride. I believe that I deserve better from those around me than what I am getting so I grow resentful. I could begin to attack everyone who fails to treat me the way I believe I deserve to be treated and be lonely and bitter.

Once again, to be fair and balanced, we are created in the image of God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

This is tricky. I do not want to offend anyone. I also do not want to encourage anyone to stay in an abusive relationship. So please take what I say with a grain of salt and contextualize it to your experience. So I will try to say it as carefully as I can. I pray that you do not misunderstand me. Here’s an example.

Let’s say I get home before my wife and there is a pile of dishes in the sink. Also, let’s suppose those dishes are mostly mine. I see that pile and I decide to wash them all. So I feed the kids, put them to bed, and wash all the dishes, dry them, and put them away. My wife then comes home tired from a 12-hour shift at the hospital and dealing with all kinds of stressful and challenging situations. She goes to shower and change and we eat dinner together. She is happy to be home, and the kids are in bed, but she never mentions how amazing I am for doing all those dishes. After all, she had not seen the pile of dishes that were there from breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Now imagine if I get upset with her for not praising me. Especially if I regularly expect her to do what I did when I am at work and she is home and I never praise her for being super amazing.

This is a hypothetical situation but it’s not too far from reality. How many people say nothing positive when all goes well, but are quick to complain when something goes wrong?

How often do we thank God for not having to visit the hospital? How often do we complain to Him when we find ourselves sick?

What if part of experiencing a more abundant life comes from our efforts to bless those around us?

I may expect to receive life more abundant while sitting at home and doing nothing. And yes, Jesus gives us eternal life and we do not have to earn it in any way. However, what if there are further blessings, especially this side of eternity, that I am missing out on because of my focus on myself? What if I could be experiencing an overflowing sense of joy and aliveness, but I am missing out because I have not ventured out of my comfort zone to help someone who is in need?

What if a sense of responsibility toward others is what is missing from my Christian experience? What if I am experiencing spiritual stagnation because I consider myself too weak, too shy, too young, too old, too busy, too important, or not important enough, or whatever my excuse may be for not being involved in helping others?

What kept me in church my whole life was being too busy being a part of the solution to be thinking about the problems. Service has just been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My family has always been involved in helping others in some way or another. I don’t know another way to live. This can be difficult because I don’t always have healthy boundaries and have come close to walking away from it all a few times in life. Some of you know what I am talking about. You begin to help someone who always needs help with everything all the time and you can only do so much… then you begin to feel like you failed, you didn’t do enough. Guilt is not a healthy motivator. You should help because you genuinely desire to help. Your motivation should stem from the love you receive from God and a desire to alleviate the suffering of the one you’re serving. Also, pray for wisdom to know when to step back and recharge.

Another way of thinking about this is

Can you truly be satisfied eating from the banquet that God offers while those around you go hungry?

I don’t invite others to church for my benefit. I only invite someone else to church if I truly believe they will benefit from it. I share the gospel, the good news of salvation in Jesus, not because it benefits me. I do it to benefit the one I am sharing with. I have to truly believe that life is better with Jesus if I am to honestly and genuinely share Him with others.

Takeaway

My challenge for you is to make service a part of your spiritual discipline. Do not be satisfied with Bible study, prayer, and church attendance. I encourage you, I challenge you to add a dimension of service to your life at whatever level you can. Who can you help today? This week? What keeps you from doing it?

#Jesus #mission #life

0 notes

josefavomjaaga · 4 years

Text

Some more letters from March 1814

March 1814. The French empire has four more weeks to go. Murat weather forecast for Northern Italy: still unsettled and changeable.

From the memoirs of Colonel Maceroni, Volume II:

On the occasion of Lord Bentinck's applying to Murat for the cession of Leghorn and Pisa, as above stated, it was through the remonstrances of the Austrian Count Mier, and of other diplomatists of the allied powers, that Lord Bentinck withdrew his demand, and appeared quite reconciled, friendly and respectful towards the king. This induced the latter to give implicit faith in the victories of Napoleon recounted in the bulletins, and exaggerated by the French officers who still remained in our army, and about the king's person. The king having now had so many evident proofs of the insincerity of the allies, which it is not necessary for me to recapitulate, now made a last attempt to join with Prince Eugene. He therefore deputed to him the Marquis Livron and Colonel Desmolands, but the Prince, more influenced by his personal animosity towards Murat, than by a desire to serve the Emperor, who has since said so much about his fidelity, not only refused to listen to the proposal, but found means of acquainting Marshal Bellegarde with the occurrence!

***

From DuCasse, Memoirs and Political and Military Correspondence of Prince Eugene, Vol. 10

Eugène to Murat, Borgoforte, 3 March 1814

Sire, Your Majesty is informed of the setbacks recently suffered by the corps of General Nugent; they are considerable.

This is the moment when I desire more than ever to know the definitive intentions of Your Majesty. I must adjust my movements accordingly. I therefore beg Him to tell me what I have to hope or to fear from His army.

I will not permit myself to put before him the reasons which he has for declaring himself frankly for the cause of the Emperor, I limit myself to asking him to be so good as, at least, to have his army take positions which do not impede my undertaking for the interests entrusted to me.

A certain number of troops belonging to Your Majesty have been found in Parma. I ordered that they be treated well and that they be set free; they were to be sent back to you the same evening.

The three divisions which operate on the right bank of the Po have orders to put themselves in communication with me through Borgoforte. I flatter myself that Your Majesty will want to put no obstacle in the way.

I hope for a favourable response from Him. I dare to ask for a precise answer. The estrangement with the Austrians must finally allow Your Majesty to listen to his interests and his heart and to reveal himself as that which, I have no doubt, he has not ceased to be.

***

From DuCasse, Memoirs and Political and Military Correspondence of Prince Eugene, Vol. 10

Murat à Napoléon (sans date)

Sire,

Votre Majesté court des dangers ; la France est menacée jusque dans sa capitale; et je ne puis défendre ni l'un ni l'autre, je ne puis mourir pour vous! et l'ami le plus affectionné de Votre Majesté est en apparence son ennemi! Sire, dites un mot, et je sacrifie ma famille, mes sujets; je me perdrai, mais je vous aurai servi, je vous aurai prouvé que toujours je fus votre meilleur ami. Je ne demande dans ce moment autre chose, pourvu que le vice-roi vous fasse connaître ma conduite... Les larmes qui remplissent mes yeux m'empêchent de continuer ma lettre. Je suis ici seul au milieu d'étrangers; je dois cacher jusqu'à mes larmes; cette lettre vous rend entièrement, Sire, le maître de mon sort. Ma vie est à vous. Aussi bien avais-je fait le serment de mourir pour Votre Majesté; si vous me voyiez et si vous pouviez vous faire une idée de ce que je souffre depuis deux mois, vous auriez pitié de moi.

Aimez-moi toujours. Jamais je ne fus plus digne de votre tendresse; jusqu'à la mort, votre ami.

Murat to Napoleon (undated)

Sire,

Your Majesty is in danger; France is threatened even in her capital; and I cannot defend either of them, I cannot die for you! and the most affectionate friend of Your Majesty is apparently His enemy! Sire, say a word, and I sacrifice my family, my subjects; I will lose myself, but I will have served you, I will have proved to you that I was always your best friend. I do not ask for anything else at this moment, provided that the Viceroy makes my conduct known to you... The tears filling my eyes prevent me from continuing my letter. I am here alone amongst strangers; I must hide even my tears; this letter makes you, Sire, the master of my fate. My life is yours. If you could see me and imagine what I have been suffering for the last two months, you would feel sorry for me.

Love me always. I was never more worthy of your tenderness; until death, your friend.

This is heartbreaking. And I fear, Napoleon did not get it at all. Judging from his reaction below, he probably assumed Murat was faking it.

***

From DuCasse, Memoirs and Political and Military Correspondence of Prince Eugene, Vol. 10

Napoleon to Eugene. Soissons, 12 March 1814

My son, I am sending you a copy of a most extraordinary letter I have received from the King of Naples.

At a time when I and France are being assassinated, such feelings are truly inconceivable. I also receive the letter which you write to me with the draft treaty sent to you by the King. You can see that this idea is madness. However, send an agent to this extraordinary traitor, and make a treaty with him in my name. Do not touch Piedmont or Genoa, and divide the rest of Italy into two kingdoms. Let this treaty remain secret, until the Austrians have been driven out of the country, and 24 hours after its signature the king declares himself and falls upon the Austrians. You can do everything in this sense, nothing must be spared in the present situation, to add to our efforts the efforts of the Neapolitans.

Afterwards, we will do what we want; for, after such ingratitude and in such circumstances, nothing binds. Wanting to embarrass him, I gave orders that the Pope be sent, by Piacenza and Parma, to the outposts. I let the Pope know that, having asked as Bishop of Rome to return to his diocese, I have allowed him to do so. Take care, therefore, not to commit yourself to anything in relation to the Pope, either to recognise him or not to recognise him.

I assume this undated letter by Murat also is the »note« Eugène was so furious about in an earlier letter, when he called Murat “totally nuts now”, but which he still sent on to Napoleon. Apparently, it did not go over too well with that one either.

***

From Helfert, »Joachim Murat«

Mier to Metternich (postscript)

Bologna this 6th of April 1814.

My Prince! I have been informed by a reliable source that about mid-March the Viceroy had made proposals to the King of Naples for an arrangement between them concerning Italy.

The King listened to them but took no action on them. Some Neapolitan generals, who had taken it into their heads to reunite Italy and put the King of Naples at the head of the Italians, continued to haggle and used all possible means to get the King to adopt their plan. They argued that for its realisation it was necessary to come to an agreement with the Viceroy.

Things remained as they were until Bentinck arrived in Livorno. A few days before the King had received a letter from Campochiaro announcing the refusal of England to accede for the moment to our treaty of alliance, and the difficulties of Russia and Prussia on the same subject. His whole report was so stitched as to inspire H. M. with great distrust of the views of the Allies in His regard. At the same time His Majesty was forced to ask Marshal Bellegarde to recall and replace General Nugent in the command of the Austrian division, in order to put an end to the continual gossip and harassment.

This unfortunate combination of circumstances, all designed to annoy His Majesty, was not lost on the Viceroy, and he rightly considered the moment favourable to renew his proposals. Bentinck's conduct served him wonderfully, and the King, pushed to the limit, believing himself to be sacrificed, decided to enter into talks with the Viceroy. The Duke of Gallo spoke out strongly against this step, but he was not well supported by the other people surrounding His Majesty. M. Generals Carascosa and Livron were sent on several occasions to the Viceroy's headquarters. In this time I had been near Marshal Bellegarde; we were not unaware of all that was going on. Lord Bentinck maintained by the positive data of the bad faith of the King of Naples the necessity of treating him as an enemy; but Marshal Cte Bellegarde knowing the position and the state of our army, foreseeing the unfortunate consequences which would result if we had the Neapolitans against us, and not wanting and not being able to take upon himself the decision of an affair of such importance, was firmly opposed to it, and we decided that it was necessary to prevent by all possible means that the King should throw himself on the side of the French.

The arrival of General Balascheff to sign a treaty of alliance, the reassuring statements Lord Bentinck was authorised to give in writing to the King about the British Government's feelings towards him, of which he had hitherto made no use, and more than all this the certainty I had that the Queen, whom I had warned of the turn affairs were taking here, would make up her mind to come and rejoin the King, gave me hope that S. M. return to himself, return to his commitments and duties, and that everything would be arranged amicably. The state of the Queen's health and the position of affairs in the kingdom of Naples did not allow her to come to Bologna, but she sent two persons of confidence to her august husband with letters and verbal declarations so firm and energetic, threatening Him to leave Him, to separate His fate entirely from hers, and to make the Neapolitan government take the course which its true interests required, if He ever dared to dishonour Himself by failing to keep His engagements with Austria (which would bring upon His kingdom inevitable misfortunes), that they produced all the effect that could be hoped for. The King acknowledged His wrongs, was ashamed of them, cut off all communications with the Viceroy and declared himself firmly unwilling to hear any more about them.

From that moment on things took a different turn here, and it is to be hoped that all will go well. On the 7th of this month the King will have an interview with Marshal Bellegarde at Revere, where the plan of operation will be discussed and decided. He is in the best of spirits; I hope that this time we will be able to make the most of it. For more than a month I have been endeavouring to persuade him to hand over the command of his troops to Marshal Bellegarde, and for his own sake to return to Naples. It was the only means of putting an end to all the mistrust, all the cabals, of ensuring us of Him to provide a unity to the operations of the two armies. I had asked the Queen to assist me in this respect. She entirely approved my project and made it agree to the King who is decided to give the command of His troops to Marshal Bellegarde as soon as the Viceroy will have been forced in his position on the Mincio. Once the King is in Naples, under the supervision of the Queen, we can be at peace about His conduct. I have the honour etc.

Mier.

Calling in the cavalry on the cavalry general: Caroline. Not trying to be disrespectful but Mier does sound a lot like a nursery school teacher running out of steam and patience with a toddler in his care. »That’s it. I called his mom.«

#italy1814 #napoleon #joachim murat #eugene de beauharnais #caroline murat #helfert murat

10 notes · View notes

marinapeixes · 5 years

Photo

To celebrate the re-release of all the HS music on Bandcamp, here is a list (with links!) of my favorite HS music. There’s talent and heart in the vast Homestuck musicverse, and I highly recommend exploring it if you haven’t, returning to it if it’s been a while, and sharing your own favorites if they’re still in your mix today.

So here are my top 25 favorite Homestuck songs, including fan material:

In comic | On albums | On fan album* | Not in any collection**

Short but somehow very long descriptions of why I love each track under the cut:

1. Doctor | George Buzinkai | Homestuck Vol. 1-4 The original. The iconic. A genuinely haunting and atmospheric track, I think this was a big part of what really drew me into the story when first reading it.

2. Candles and Potency | Jeremy “Solatrus” Iamurri | (Youtube) I’ve posted this here before but like. This is still such a mystery to me. It was played as part of the stream leading up to the release of Volume 10. Why...was it not part of Volume 10. Why does it have no official release. I live in terror this video source for it will be taken down. It’s a stunning remix of Candles and Clockwork (x / x). Listen to it all the way through - the piano bit is my favorite.

3. Planet Healer | Seth “Beetfox” Peelle | Homestuck Vol. 5 Changes the mood of Doctor from “mysterious” to “inviting.” Great soundtrack for a playable segment of the comic, great to listen to on its own.

4. Pale Rapture | The Black Curtain | coloUrs and mayhem: Universe B This song has a noticeable physiological calming affect on me. I also just like it.

5. Trepidation | Svix | Homestuck Vol. 9 Energetic and uplifting. One of my cheer-up songs.

6. Voidlight | Thomas Ferkol | Homestuck Vol. 10 (Whispers in the Voidlight / Haven) I think I’m okay admitting that I like the preview version of this better than the final - because I still like the final great deal. I like that Whispers in the Voidlight has less layer, but I like the ending that was added to Voidlight. I’m pretty happy having both versions in my mix. It is a very comforting song to me.

7. Carne Vale | Malcolm Brown | Cherubim Still gives me shivers. This was the standout for me when Cherubim was released, and I’m glad it was put in the comic later - it made [S] Game Over. more palatable.

8. Austin, Atlantis | Clark “Plazmataz” Powell | Homestuck Vol. 9 (Austin, Atlantis (piano duet)) I cried the first time I listened to this. That’s...a recommendation. Sometimes the titles of instrumental songs don’t affect my impressions of them on a conscious level, but this one definitely did, and I actually felt an emotion like looking at a sunken city that I used to be able to walk though. Both versions are very good.

9. Crystalanthemums | Alex Rosetti | Homestuck Vol. 5 (Crystalguitarthemums* | Eric “Jit” Scheele | Land of Fans and Music 2) Another iconic leitmotif. I love the track itself, and Crystalguitarthemums is a fan release that has a similar mood of tranquility.

10. The Lyrist | Thomas "EidolonOrpheus" Ferkol | Cherubim I tended to skip the less exciting tracks on Cherubim at first, but now I love this for being sad and sweet and very pretty.

11. Skaian Birth | Mark Hadley | Song of Skaia

(Skaian Dreams Remix | Homestuck Vol. 2 (original), Skies of Skaia | Mark Hadley | Homestuck Vol. 1-4) The “Skaian” motif is very magical sounding. Like Voidlight, I find Skaian Birth very comforting. As of the posting of this, the Song of Skaia album seams to have bean eaten by the mass-reuploading...I hope it gets reuploaded as well.

12. Ascend | Joren “Tensei” de Bruin | Homestuck Vol. 10 This was such a good medley track. It was so ambitious in how many motifs it tried to pull together, and the fact that Tensei said they were tackling a music style that they hadn’t seen much in HS music before...and it all paid off spectacularly.

13. Terezi’s Theme | Toby “Radiation” Fox | Alterniabound What a great character theme. It’s pretty busy for a VG theme, but it seems to tell a whole story. I think it was The Lemonsnout Turnabout that established the harpsichord as a Terezi sound, and that was also a Toby Fox track, and it’s very effective.

14. Sburban Jungle | Michael Guy Bowman | Homestuck Vol. 1-4 (Sburban Countdown | Michael Guy Bowman | Homestuck Vol. 1-4) Early on I considered this just as iconic as Doctor, and I was surprised it didn’t get used more. (If you want to see it used effectively as a motif, check out #21 on this list.) It really helped the mood shift as the comic got more serious and dramatic.

15. Renewed Return | Marcy Nabors | Homestuck Vol. 10 Another great medley track. Whereas Ascend has kind of a party atmosphere, Renewed Return is solemn and dignified in a way that is very satisfying as a conclusion to a long narrative.

16. Another Chance | Eston Schweickart, Erik “Jit” Scheele | One Year Older Homestuck is freaking long, and very meandering, and I’ve forgotten many of the plot beats. But one way to remember them is if they have a killer tribute song. Another Chance always reminds me of a time when achieving god tier still felt like an incredible achievement, of how menacing Bec Noir was, and of the feeling of seeing a character resurrected. One Year Older appears to be another casualty of the reuploading...this was a beautifully cohesive solo album, and I hope it comes back somehow. Please give it another chance.

17. Knight in Two Dreams** | Malcolm Brown | (Tumblr) Hm. I think what I love about is that this track makes the time spent on the meteor feel real. The rhythm makes me thing of the passage of a lot of time. The music also makes me think of a sort of unease with being in close quarters with people and not being able to leave. And finally, it also has the sense it is waiting for something...as they are all waiting for their journey to be over.

18. Seer of Same-Colored Scalemate Combos | Alex Rosetti | (Tumblr) Speaking of Terezi’s harpsichord...This was the theme for a fun tile-swapping puzzle game made by insecureillustrator, which sadly I think is defunct now. In any event, the song is really fun.

19. Cuddlefish | Thomas Ferkol | Land of Fans and Music 2 Very sweet and calming. I like thinking of quieter moments in the HS multiverse, like the trolls started SGRUB.

20. Purple Bard | Gec | coloUrs and mayhem: Universe A I wish I knew more music words because I want to say what I like about this song is...the...mixing?? It’s very immersive, there are a lot of layers to it that contribute to making it creepy and kind of hypnotic.

21. Forever / Beta Version / The Deeper You Go | Michael Guy Bowman | Moebius Trip and Hadron Kaleido The instrumental tracks on MTAHK all give me a sense of depth of time, the remoteness of Skaia and the Medium, and the cyclical nature of SBURB. Spooky. It all makes the story seem much bigger somehow.

22. Three in the Morning (RJ's I Can Barely Sleep In This Casino Remix) | Clark “Plazmataz” Powell, Robert J! Lake | Homestuck Vol. 1-4 I love this one largely because it is nostalgic from when I first got into Homestuck in 2012 and for a while only had Volumes 1-4 to listen to (I didn’t discover the Bandcamp page until later). It might have to do with the fact that it’s sandwiched between Sburban Jungle and Doctor on the album, but it’s a fun and yet soothing track.

23. Superego | Yan "Nucleose" Rodriguez | coloUrs and mayhem: Universe A This captures a mood that I can’t put into words. I’m not sure if this was composed as a Vriska track, but if it wasn’t I’m glad it ended up as one, because it’s a feeling I don’t think any other song has.

24. Skaia Ad Infinitum | Andromeda's Cadre | Beforus This reminds me of all my old favorite DDR tracks. The melody makes me think of the changing Spirograph that represents Skaia.

25. Dreamers and the Dead | Thomas "EidolonOrpheus" Ferkol | Alterniabound This and Cuddlefish have always had a similar feeling to me (moreso than other Thomas Ferkol tracks). I like to think about exploring the dream bubbles as analogous to swimming through Alternia’s oceans.

Honorable mentions to Rustblood and It Be Like That Sometimes, which are only not on this list because they are technically Hiveswap and not Homestuck. If Homestuck really is continuing, and if there’s going to be more Hiveswap, I’m very much looking forward to more music.

#2019 #homestuck #catfishchat

163 notes · View notes

kingedwardvi · 4 years

Text

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Edward VI 1547-1553

1549.

1548–9. Jan. 4. (Brabant style.) Antwerp. The Magistrates of Antwerp to the Lord Protector and the Council. Their intervention has been besought by James Van Maseyck and Hubert Calnwaert, their fellow-citizens, in behalf of their partner and other fellow-citizen, William Van Eertwyck, who has been arrested in London, and is in danger of his life for having in his possession letters of licence from his Majesty, ascertained to be forged, but which he purchased in ignorance thereof for the sum of 100 pounds of Flanders money from Bernard Rubiis, public money-lender here. Send herewith certified copies of the judicial proceedings against the said Bernard Rubiis, and requesting that suit against Eertwyck may be stayed, &c. [Latin. One page.]

---

Jan. 7. Antwerp. Batoryk [Borthwick ?] to the Lord Protector. Refers to some marriage and exchange of property. The French king makes certain preparations for the defence of Scotland. Propounds a plan for eradicating Papismus by transferring the Kirklands to gentlemen's hands. Intends to depart to-morrow, and to get favourable letters from the King of Denmark to the French King to deliver the gentlemen of the castle of St. Andrew's according to the promise made to them by the Prince of Capua. [One page and a half. Much effaced by damp.]

---

Jan. 10. Brussels. The Emperor Charles V. d notre tres chier et bien amé Messire Guillme Paget, Chev de lordre et Contreroler d' Angleterre. Credentials of M. Francis Vanderdilst, his Ambassador, on resuming his functions in England. [One page.]

---

Jan. 17. Augsburg. Same to King Edward VI. Supporting the claims of certain citizens of Lubeck for the value of a vessel impressed by King Henry VIII. during his war with the French King, and for which indemnity had been promised. [One page.]

---

Jan. 20. Instructions for John Dymock sent to the Duke of Lunenburg, the Count of Oldenburg, and others, for the purpose of levying more soldiers under Courtpening. His Majesty offers to bestow on the Duke and the Count a pension of 1,500 crowns each, and has taken the son of the former into his service, and to be trained in his Court, with a pension of 500 crowns. [Sixteen pages. Draft.]

---

Jan. 24. Bremen. The Senate of Bremen to King Edward VI. Their reply has been communicated in writing to John Brend, his Majesty's Ambassador. They will take care that none of their citizens shall supply the Scots with munitions or provisions; reserving, however, their traffic with Ireland. Request the loan for a few years of 5,000 or 6,000 talents sterling. [Latin. One page.]

---

Jan. 25. Brussels. Emanuel Philibert, Prince of Piedmont and Duke of Savoy, to the Lord Protector. Recommends the bearer, Aleram, son of Boarel, Marquis d'Ancise, one of his vassals, who desires to be employed in the service of the King of England. [French. Broadside.]

---

Jan. 31. Gaspar de Figueredo, Portuguese Ambassador, to the same. Complains that a person from whom he had hired a house will not give him possession, and requests his Grace's interference. [Latin. One page.]

---

Feb. 23. Paris. Dr. Wotton to the same. On the 1st of this month the French Queen was brought a-bed of a fine boy. Hears that the King of Portugal, the Duke of Ferrara, and the Queen Dowager of Scotland are to be his sponsors; and that the King has sent expressly to the Emperor and the Bishop of Rome to intimate the birth. Monluc, who it is said is to be President of the Council in Scotland, has not yet left. M. de Thermes is here also, but reported as soon to go to Scotland, and M. d'Essé is to come home.

Divers captains come out of Provence for Scotland. Pietro Strozzi is at the Court again. Hears that the French King has news of the safe arrival of the Provenceaux in Scotland, and that in the beginning of next March 2,000 more men are to be sent there.

It is said that Berwick, which they reckon easy to be won, is to be besieged the first thing this year. Hears that the French King has renewed a league with the Swiss. Of late has been a great fray in this Court, connected with the rival claims of the families of De la Val and Andelot to the inheritance of certain estates, the particulars of which he gives at length.

Had on the 11th received his Grace's letter of the 3d inst. Fitzgarret being still about the Court, the bearer of this, Henry King, brought the priest to him; what they have done and how they have sped, they can best declare to his Grace.

Had spoken with Fitzgarret at his earnest desire; if his tongue and his heart agree, he is most anxious to return home. Trusts that his conversation with him may have somewhat confirmed him in that purpose, and he would fain it might be very shortly, for such causes as the said priest can declare unto his Grace.

Fitzgarret himself says that undoubtedly the French King sends another aid to Scotland next month, and those that are to go are hasted to Brittany. [Three pages; partly in cipher, deciphered. Printed by Tytler, except the portion in cipher, Vol. i., p. 156.]

---

March 24. Hamburg. John Dymock to the Council. Has been requested by some Lords of this city to introduce the bearer, who seeks redress for articles taken from some merchants here by Sir Andrew Dudley, whose note of hand bears that they were taken for the King's use.

Unless this is seen to, does not see how he can procure any ships for the King's service, so many similar grievances being complained of. Enumerates the articles and the ships from which they have been taken. [Two pages.]

--- March 24. Hamburg. John Dymock to the Lord Protector. The Earl of Oldenburg will not serve for less than what he received from the French King, viz., 2,000 crowns for himself, and the same sum for the entertainment of 12 captains. Thinks the Earl of Mansfeldt and his son have persuaded him to this. Had been to the Duke of Brunswick at the castle of Harburg on the 18th; after much persuasion he agrees to serve for 1,500 crowns. Determined opposition to the Interim in these parts. Necessity for increasing the pay of the mercenaries. Question as to the transmission of horses and men to England. The city of Wittenberg and castle of Turgo have been delivered to King Ferdinand by Duke Maurice. [Four pages. Partly printed by Tytler, Vol. i., p. 161.]

--- 1549. March 25. Hamburg. Same to the Lord Protector and the Council. As to the seizure for his Majesty's use of a vessel laden with salt fish belonging to some merchant of the Hanse Towns. [One page. Much defaced.]

--- March 28. Hamburg. Same to same. Sends by a special messenger to ascertain their pleasure on the various points contained in his letters of 16th and 24th inst., and recapitulates at great length his interviews and negotiations as to supply of ships and men. [Six pages and a half.]

--- April 6. Westminster. The Council to Sir Philip Hoby. Had received his letters of 31st March and 1st and 2d April. Are much gratified by the Emperor giving licence for soldiers to enter the King's service, his evil taking of the Frenchmen passing through his pale, and his promises of support in case of any invasion by the French.

Desire him to return their hearty thanks to the Emperor, and to ask if he will permit some of the soldiers to pass by four, five, or six, file a file, by land to Calais, where it is intended to employ them as occasion serves.

Also to thank Mons. D'Arras, Mons. Monfauconet, Mons. De Rie, the Ambassador from Florence, and others his Majesty's good friends and willers. Desire him to explain the cause of the wants of Boulogne and the disorders there, which are now all settled.

Should liberty be given for the soldiers to pass by land, he is instantly to apprize Dymock. If Captain Ventura will serve the King on the same terms as other Italians, they are willing to treat with him for himself and 200 footmen. [Two pages. Draft.]

April 11. Bremen. John Dymock to Sir Philip Hoby, Knight and Ambassador for the King's Majesty in the Emperor's Court. Has received his letter of the 25th March. Has done all that in him lies with the Lords of Bremen and Hamburg, but at no hand can have grant for ships or liberty to bring strange vessels into their ports, so as to convey men to England.

Has since then been to the Lady of Embden with like want of success, so that he has been unable to engage any soldiers, but he upholds them with good words until he can ascertain the pleasure of the Council.

All fear that after the arrival of his son in Brussels the Emperor will attack these countries. The Rhinegrave has laboured much by the King of Denmark with the Lords of Hamburg and Bremen, and has threatened, that if they allow any men to be conveyed out of their rivers, both the King of Denmark and the French King will capture their ships wherever they find them.

By means of a merchant is to get four great ships, which shall go to the Elbe and wait there 20 days for whatever lading shall come aboard of them. Has also sent to Amsterdam to freight other four ships in like manner. Within the same space will see to collect his men, and with 20 small vessels have them all taken aboard at one tide. Can have horsemen enough, but their freight will be very chargeable; besides they will not serve under five dollars per diem for every horse and man.

Requests him to write to the Protector to arrange for his drawing upon some merchant at Antwerp for 2,000l. sterling to be repaid there, as he fears he shall not have money enough to pay a whole month's wages, bounty, and victualling the ships, which will cost about 700l. or 800l. sterling. Farther financial details and suggestions. All the cities and towns here are busy fortifying themselves. Hopes he may come to a good end in this journey, as it is too weighty for one man alone to compass these things. [Three pages.]

---

April 17. [Westminster.] The Council to Sir Philip Hoby, Knight and Ambassador for the King's Majesty in the Emperor's Court. Instructing him to communicate with the Emperor in regard to the suppression of a horde of pirates some 20 sail strong, composed of lawless men of all nations, who have been ravaging the coast of Ireland as well as spoiling some of the Emperor's subjects. In regard of the subsidy to his Majesty granted in the last Parliament, the subjects of the Emperor residing in England shall be treated as heretofore they have been under similar grants. [Three pages. Draft.]

--- April 18. Hamburg. John Dymock to the Lord Protector and the Council. Has received their letters of 25th March and 1st April. The soldiers cannot be conveyed to England in either of the ways which they propose. Neither can he get the ships for the Elbe, the Lords of Bremen having had knowledge of his design and stayed them.

Can devise no manner of transport, unless they can have leave from the Emperor for the men to pass through the Low Countries, or arrest as many hoys on the Thames as will serve for the number of men, and send them on the Elbe or the Weser, when he will find means to ship them. If they desire to keep Duke Otho's men in their service, they must somewhat amend his son's living, or else help him out of debt and let him return to his father, as 500 crowns are not sufficient to maintain him in England. [Two pages.]

---- April 20. Antwerp. William Dansell to the Lord Protector. Sends packet from John Dymock at Bremen, who desires its instant despatch, and to know whether Dansell has orders to supply him with money for the King's service. Has provided such munitions as he had charge to do; and has acquired money sufficient to pay the King's debt, due on 20th May, at 13 per cent., without taking any goods with it.

If more money be wanted for his Majesty, he can procure to the extent of 100,000l. for 14 per cent., without taking any wares with it; this is not overmuch, as the Emperor himself even to his own subjects pays 15, 16, and often 18 per cent. [One page.]

--- April 24. Harburg. John Dymock to the Lord Protector. Letter of credence for Andries Ryenhorde, Chancellor to Duke Otho of Lunenburg, sent to England upon business of his master. [One page.]

--- April 25. Greenwich. The Council to William Dansell. Have received his letter of the 20th, and replied to Dymock by the inclosed. Lazarus Tucker has informed them by Bruno that he expects payment on the 15th of May, the day on which the money is due, or else that he shall have notice before then that the King will take longer day; wherefore desire him to arrange with Tucker for the continuance of the loan at 12 per cent. Decline to borrow more at the per-centage mentioned in his letter, and show how the Emperor's financial arrangements are made, in a manner very different from that of the King's Majesty. [Two pages. Draft.]

--- April 27. Hamburg. John Dymock to the Lord Protector and the Council. His difficulties are entirely from want of ships, which if he had, his men would be ready in ten days, and be embarked at one tide. Constant trafficking goes on between the Kings of France and Denmark, the Rhinegrave, and others.

The post which he sent into Denmark to Sir John Borthwick has returned bringing back his letters, as Sir John had left the King's Court and gone to Sweden; but he has written to him by a post sent from the Lords of these cities to the King of Sweden, and is in expectation daily of a reply.

The King of Denmark, being much ruled by his Councillors, who are all imperialists, will receive the Interim, and has written to the Lords of Hamburg that they should do the like. It is reported that the Duke of Wirtemberg has received the Interim, and his subjects have raised against him 16,000 men, who carry a black ensign, having on one side a crucifix and on the other a plough. Captain Hackford has sent to offer men on certain terms; if they accept them, they must order money to be sent from Antwerp. [Four pages.]

--- April 29. Greenwich. The Council to William Dansell. Inform him that Charles de Guevara, a Spaniard, has engaged to conduct hither 100 horsemen, to be at Calais by the 7th of June, and desire him to advance to the said Guevara a certain sum (left blank), taking security for its repayment in case the contract shall not be fulfilled. Also to pay to a certain Albanois in prest for him and other 30 Albanois an amount (likewise left blank). [One page. Draft.]

--- May 5. Hamburg. John Dymock to the Lord Protector and the Council. Has this day their letter of the 13th ult., the bearer having been fruitlessly detained at Brussels. Will do his best to procure the full number of 2,000 men, whom he will send by sea, having obtained the good will of the Lords of Hamburg to embark them within seven leagues of Hamburg, but they do not wish this to be known.

Desires to know his Majesty's pleasure whether those sent by land shall remain at Boulogne and so on to Scotland, and whether the others shall go by ship to Berwick or Boulogne, because he hears that the French King will have to do with Boulogne this summer with a great company, only that the Emperor do let him of his pass.

Brings with him a very good captain and a tall man as leader and governor of these men, in case anything should happen to Courtpening. Does not know what Courtpening means by allowing so many soldiers to come away daily, as they do; and those who come give such evil report of him, that all are loth to serve under him.

Recommends that he and Mr. Brend should be written to. If his Majesty wants 300 horsemen well appointed to come by water, Anthony Rassow, Governor of one of Duke Ollof of Holstein's towns on the sea coast, will gladly serve on the same terms as Captain Hackford has, and asks three French crown on every horse till he arrives in England. Has paid Duke Otho of Lunenburg his half year's pension. [Two pages.]

---- May 6. [Hamburg.] Same to same. To the like effect, and almost in the same terms as the preceding letter. Courtpening much complained of, "for it is said that men there are more ordered like beasts than Christians, both in the scarcity of victuals and payment." The Duke of Holstein is named Hans, not Ollof. [Three pages, considerably injured.]

--- May 11. Hamburg. Same to same. Has received their letters of the 25th April. Because Sir Philip Hoby has only got passport for 500 men, Dymock has the good will of the Lords here to wink at his embarking his soldiers at Friburg, seven leagues hence. The name of the captain who is to accompany them is Walderdon. Hackford is well known here, and little esteemed but to be a great braggart.

He has in his company under him the Earl of Ritburgh, whom Dymock knows very well to be a great mutineer; for he served before Boulogne with Eytel Wolff, and what ado he made there is not unknown to some of their Lordships. Has this morning been sent for to Lubeck, by one of the Lords there, because of the arrival at Holy-haven, eight leagues distant therefrom, of a large Scottish ship, with much munition and 80 men and a Lord, who is now in Lubeck, and intends to land all kind of munition for the wars. Wishes it were possible to disappoint him, both of his ship and his goods, with the help of the said Lords. [Two pages and a half.]

---

May 25. Greenwich. Minute of Council to William Dansell. Inform him that they have bargained with John Cooke for 500 quintals of saltpetre, and 1,000 harquebuses, after the Italian sort. Direct him to try the harquebuses, and, if found good, to pay Cooke on their arrival in England, as certified by Sir Michael Stanhope's letter to Cooke. [One page.]

--- May 25. Greenwich. Minute from Sir Michael Stanhope to Cooke. According to his letter of the 18th has moved the Protector, who directs that payment for the saltpetre and harquebuses shall be made to him by Mr. Dansell. Likewise for the "Colen cliffs," according as his Grace has written for the demi-lances; "those which be of the old form will do no man service, no man here will wear them, and therefore it shall be but loss to send them." Farther, with reference to the provision of bullion. [One page.]

--- May 25. Antwerp. William Dansell to the Lord Protector. Is much grieved to find by the letter of his Grace, sanctioned by the other Lords of the Council, that his doings should have been taken in such ill part when he considered himself rather entitled to thanks. Recapitulates his dealings with Lazarus Tucker, as certified by his letter of the 3d inst., and enters into full explanations as to the supply of money and delivery of the bullion purchased by Thomas Gresham and him from Tucker for the advantage of the realm, in refutation of the rumour in London alluded to in the Council's letter of the 17th. Refers to his letter of the 17th. The prices of various kerseys, lead, and bell-metal suggested to be sent, if the money payable in September is not to remain at interest for another year. The prices asked by Cooke for the saltpetre and harquebuses are higher than those for which the same are offered to Dansell. [Seven pages.]

(continues next)

1 note · View note

davidmann95 · 5 years

Note

Velvet's battle is a great choice, though I'll always have a special place in my heart for the fight against the Grimm Deathstalker and the Nevermore in Episode 8. That said, what do you think of the individual members of Team RWBY?

I decided to wait on this until I caught up on the series thus far, which I just finished doing the night before last in pretty much the only time in my life I’ve ever really properly binged anything other than comics, and…wow. I knew RWBY was a thing just as a matter of course from being on this site and Youtube, and from watching Death Battle, so I picked up some major beats by osmosis. But my main impression was that it was a charming pseudo-anime online thing of decent quality that unsurprisingly got heavier as it went along as such things tend to do, with extremely rad fights and music along the way; figured it’d be more than serviceable to watch while I was on the treadmill as a disposable distraction from the agony of propelling my wheezing, sweating, loathsome meat-scaffolding forward.

I did *not* expect it to eventually end up after growing pains a - while far from flawless - intensely engrossing story of all-consuming personal and generational pain and people who choose to love and do the right thing in defiance of that trauma and loss and hopelessness, where also occasionally a corgi gets fastball specialed at mechas. Though once it became clear that’s what it is, it pretty clearly sat at an intersection of a hell of a lot of my favorite things, especially when characters copped in-universe in both the main series and spinoff material that this is basically a superhero thing. My initial impressions re: the fights and music were on-point though.

I actually have quite a few thoughts on pretty much all the protagonists of note at this point (other than I suppose Oscar and Maria. Like them both though, and I do hope that nice boy’s brain somehow doesn’t dissolve into the blender of Ozpin’s subconscious), but I’ll just stick with the core four here as requested for now unless someone asks otherwise. Weiss is the simplest to get at the core of, I’d say: her arc is learning that fuck rich people, actually. She’s a seriously difficult character to get onboard for at first - especially if you’re watching those first episodes for the first time in 2019 - as the mean unconsciously racist rich girl who learns to be less mean and racist but still kinda mean. But after you’ve extensively seen the hideously toxic environment she grew up in, and fully understand her efforts to grow past the empty values it inculcated in her in favor of everything she was raised to think of herself as above, she becomes a hell of a figure to root for. Assuming RWBY is gonna go, say, a respectable 10 seasons given it was just renewed through 9, I could easily see the upcoming 7th be the climax of her arc with her return to Atlas and likely further reckoning with the consequences of her families’ actions beyond how they’ve hurt her personally.

Yang is also, in a certain abstract narrative sense, simple, in that she’s built around the very oldest trick in the book for characters whose main deal is ‘can punch better than absolutely anyone’: give them problems that cannot be solved by punching. Except in her case it’s less a material “well, this person is invulnerable to punching!” or “well, actually this other person can punch most best of all” issue blocking her path than “punching cannot solve depression, abandonment issues, questioning whether what she considers her purpose in life is one she’s truly pursuing for noble reasons or if she even has the resolve for it anymore after what’s happened to her, or PTSD”. Yet, while it may not be the kind that manifests in the form of punching people with a smirk and a bad pun anymore (much as she still definitely does that all the time) what ultimately drives her and defines her is still her strength: to move forward, to forgive, to let go, to do the right thing in spite of the risks. Which could easily come off as some unpleasant “you just have to get over your moping!” dismissal - there’s a bit with her dad that means it saddles riiiiight up to the edge of that - but there’s a weight to how her traumas remain a consistent factor in her life and have shaped her outlook even as her circumstances and day-to-day disposition improve that makes it feel thematically like it’s coming from a place of acknowledgment and endurance rather than denial, even if it’s not handled perfectly. Great to see her apparently recapturing some more of her joie de vivre based on the trailer for Volume 7, and how that’ll interact with how she’s grown should be interesting.

Blake is…tough, because you fundamentally cannot talk about Blake without getting into the Faunus, which is maybe the biggest aspect of RWBY that leaves it in the realm of Problematic Fave. It really, really wants to have something substantial to say about the proper response to racism, and every now and then it pumps out a “capitalism greases the wheels of systemic oppression and vice-versa” or “it’s perfectly reasonable for the oppressed to seek to fight back directly against their oppressors, and even the pacifist in the room can recognize that’s a defensible approach that deserves its place”. But then Abusive Boyfriend Magneto literally murders nuance in Vol. 5 episode 2, and it descends into some borderline “but what about black on black violence” respectability politics shit. It’s the classic X-Men setup - this persecuted race of often superpowered folks torn between pacifism and efforts to prove themselves to their oppressors, and those who think they should rise up and annihilate the flatscans - with most of the same pitfalls, but also we haven’t had over 50 years to get used to that just being how it works here, and it doesn’t have the excuse of having to expand as best it can on a metaphor that was originally devised before most of the people currently handling it were born. All of which would be rough enough, but given I watched this right as Jonathan Hickman’s been completely refining the entire X-Men paradigm outside that outdated binary, it especially grates. I’d love to be directed to any solid counterarguments - I’ve heard it might actually be an analogue, and a well-done one, for The Troubles, which I am one million percent unqualified to evaluate - especially since apparently one of the writers grew up in a mixed-race household, and at the end of the day I’m a white guy who may well be talking completely out his ass. But it sure comes off at a glance as some well-intentioned dudes stumbling through stuff that’s not their business, and that’s inextricable from Blake’s character when so much of her story is her navigating through that metaphor. Hopefully with new writers coming onboard this is something that can be navigated more insightfully in the future.

On a purely personal basis however, Blake’s a standout in terms of relatability when her story comes down to a pretty universal shared horror: how to climb back from having fucked up. She tried really hard to do the right thing, was taken advantage of and led into doing things she eventually realized were wrong, was so shaken that she couldn’t tell who to trust, and then the situation spiraled out of control on every possible front just as things finally seemed to be stabilizing. The way a single mistake - enabled and exacerbated by an abusive past relationship in her case - expands into a self-loathing far beyond the bounds of anything she could possibly be responsible for is brutal and completely understandable, and seeing her start put her self-esteem back together with the help of those closest to her and the power of her original convictions is arguably the single strongest, most clearly conveyed individual character arc in the series. I’m very curious where it goes from here: Adam’s finish represents a logical climax and the setup for a happily-ever-after with Yang (or Sun if they end up going that way after all) for her to coast through the remainder of the series on, but the way emotional consequences have played out in the series thus far I doubt her demons are going to be put to bed that simply.

Finally there’s Ruby, and I am contractually obligated to note up front: she is clearly not a Superman analogue. There is precisely zero percent chance that she was conceived as such or was ever deliberately executed in such a way that mirroring him was kept in mind. Though she IS a super-powered idealist raised in the middle of nowhere with a significant deceased parent who wears a red cape, flies, gives inspiring rallying speeches, has black-ish but primary color-tinted hair, and has a mysterious birthright that involves being able to shoot lasers from her eyes, plus she has a dog who also essentially has superpowers, plus she tells someone they’re stronger than they think they are, plus Yang basically quotes a bit from Kingdom Come regarding her in Rest and Resolutions. But it probably goes a ways in explaining why she works so well for me.

There’s more to it than that of course, though it does bring up the closest way in which she relates to the superhero paradigm: she doesn’t go through an arc in quite the same way as the others, instead being an already solidly-defined character who is simply illustrated by how she interacts with the people and situations around her. She learns and grows and matures, but her most basic motivations and goals and outlook haven’t really changed since the day she enrolled at Beacon. She’s a good, caring person, a leader archetype who still has more than enough personality to spare to keep from falling into the genericism that can often plague that role. A big part of the key I believe is that she’s the audience surrogate in a profound way beyond the obvious touchstones of her frequent awkwardness and self-doubt: the reason she does this is because she was inspired by stories. She’s a fan, ultimately, but one who learned all the right lessons, whether recognizing from day one the way reality falls short of the tales she was raised on but still believing in the ideals they represent, or openly holding up Qrow as a role model while being willing to call him on his shit when push comes to shove. It’s a romantic, hopeful perspective that stands out sharply from even our other heroes even as it mirrors their struggles, but as of yet there’s little to suggest it comes from a place of naivete so much as a belief that it’s the only way to bear the pain of the world and continue to believe in it. Bit by bit it’s clear she’s heading for a breaking point, but all signs point to that being a matter of her ability to withstand what she’s been through, rather than any doubt that it’s necessary, and should that time come she’s inspired plenty who’ll be able to help her back onto her feet the way she has for so many others. So while I understand her speeches apparently grate on some, as far as I’m concerned keep them coming, they’re the beating caring heart of the series and often the sole respite in the eye in the storm.

#RWBY #Ruby Rose #Weiss Schnee #Blake Belladonna #Yang Xiao Long #Mental Health #Racism #Superman #Analysis #Opinion

34 notes · View notes

daydr3am3r95 · 5 years

Text

Young avengers & Runaways comic books reading order (new)

Like I’ve said in a previous post, I’m very new to the comic book universe. I really wanted a reading order to 2 of my favorite comic book teams: the young avengers and the runaways. The runaways already made it on screen with their tv show, that is being renewed for a third season. The young avengers have not made it (yet). After watching Avengers: Endgame, it seems logical to introduce them (even more) to the marvel universe. Cassie Lang/Stature already has been introduced in Endgame, so maybe it’s time for the others as well. For those who are intrested in the young avengers and the runaways, but would also like to read the main events of the marvel universe, hopefully this is a POTENTIAL (maybe not so complete at the end) reading order: For those who want to add comics to the list or want to correct my reading order, please please please comment down below! Here it is:

ORIGINS SAGA

- runaways the complete collection vol 1 (runaways vol 1 #1-18)

AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED SAGA

- avengers disassembled (avengers #500-503) + finale

INBETWEEN

- runaways the complete collection vol 2 ° runaways vol 2 #1-18 ° x-men/runaways - young avengers the complete collection vol 1 (A+B) ° young avengers vol 1 #1-12 (A)

HOUSE OF M SAGA

- house of M (2005) #1-8

INBETWEEN

- young avengers the complete collection vol 1 (A+B) ° young avengers special (B) - runaways the complete collection vol 3 (C-->G) ° runaways vol 2 #19-24 (C)

CIVIL WAR SAGA

- runaways the complete collection vol 3 (C-->G) ° civil war: young avengers/runaways #1-4 (D) ° runaways saga (E) - civil war #1-7 - wolverine vol 3 #42 (young avengers) - cable and deadpool #30 (hulkling, wiccan, hawkeye)

INBETWEEN

- young avengers presents #1-6 - runaways the complete collection vol 3 (C-->G) ° runaways vol 2 #25-30 (F)

SECRET INVASION SAGA

- runaways the complete collection vol 3 (C-->G) ° secret invasion: young avengers/runaways #1-3 (G) - secret invasion #1-8 - avengers: the initiative, vol 3: secret invasion #14-19 (cameo young avengers) - secret invasion: new warriors vol 4 #14 (hulkling, wiccan, hawkeye) - secret invasion: home invasion (hulkling, wiccan, speed)

DARK REIGN SAGA

- dark reign: accept change -dark reign: young avengers #1-5 -new avengers vol 11: search for the sorcerer supreme #51-54 (wiccan) - mighty avengers: dark reign (comic book) ° contains: mighty avengers #21-36, amazing fantasy #15 & secret invasion: requiem

INBETWEEN

- runaways the complete collection vol 4 (H-->J) ° mystic arcana: sister grimm (H) ° runaways vol 3 #1-14 (I) ° what if the runaways became the young avengers (J)

SIEGE SAGA

- siege ° siege #1-4 (young avengers), siege prologue - siege: battlefield ° contains: siege: spiderman, siege: loki, siege: captain america, siege: secret warriors, siege: young avengers (one shot)

INBETWEEN

- uncanny x-men: birth of generation hope (molly meets x-men) ° uncanny x-men: the heroic age (one shot) ° uncanny x-men #426-429 - S.W.O.R.D. #1-5 (karolina and other aliens need to be deported) - doctor voodoo: avengers of the supernatural #1-5 (wiccan)

HEROIC AGE

- avengers: the childrens crusade #1-9 - young avengers: the childrens crusade (one shot)

FEAR ITSELF

INBETWEEN

- avengers academy: second semester #21-28 (runaways) - daken: dark wolverine (runaways)

AVENGERS VS X-MEN

- axis (i don’t know this too well, wiccan and hulkling would appear and cassie would return)

MARVEL NOW

- avengers arena #1-18 (nico and chase) - hawkeye vol 1-5 (omnibus) (kate bishop/hawkeye) - ultron #1 (victor) - avengers A.I #1-12 (victor) - young avengers #1-15 (vol 2) - avengers undercover #1-10 (nico and chase) - hawkeye vs deadpool #0-4 - original sins #1-5

SECRET WARS

- secret wars #1-9 - a force #1-5 (2015) (nico) - inferno #1-5 (wiccan) - runaways: batleworld #1-4 (molly) - house of M (2015) (wiccan and speed)

ALL NEW ALL DIFFERENT MARVEL

- new avengers A.I.M. (ewing’s) (wiccan and hulkling) (K-->M) ° vol 1: everything is new #1-6 (K) - a force #1-10 (2016) - all new hawkeye vol 6 #1-6 - vision vol 2 #7-12

STANDOFF

- new avengers A.I.M (ewing’s) (K-->M) ° vol 2: standoff #7-11 (L)

CIVIL WAR II

- civil war II #1-8 - new avengers A.I.M (ewing’s) (K-->M) ° vol 3: civil war II #12-18 (M) - civil war II: choosing sides #1-6 (young avengers)

MARVEL NOW 2.0

- doctor strange and the sorcerers supreme vol 1 #1-12 (wiccan) - hawkeye: kate bishop vol 1-2

SECRET EMPIRE

MARVEL GENERATIONS + MARVEL LEGACY

- hawkeye: kate bishop vol 3 - runaways (by rainbow rowell) vol 4 #1-17 (sometimes known as vol 5) ° runaways vol 1: find your way home #1-6

FRESH START

- west coast avengers vol 1 (hawkeye) - runaways (by rainbow rowell) vol 4 #1-17 (sometimes known as vol 5) ° runaways vol 2: best friends forever #7-12 ° runaways vol 3: that was yesterday #13-18

.... (this is the part where it get’s less complete i think) ...

VISION: new avengers vol 1 #18-20 / realm of kings: inhumans #1-2 / captain america reborn #3-6

CASSIE LANG: fantastic four vol 1 #403-416 / realm of kings: inhumans #1-2 / ant-man #1-5

PRODIGY: new mutants vol 2 #4-13 / new x-men vol 2 #1-46 / world war hulk: x-men #1-2 / secret invasion x-men #1-4 / avengers academy #29-31

NOAH VARR: marvel boy vol 2 #1-6 / dark reign: dark avengers #1-6 / · avengers (vol 4) (heroic age) #2-12 / avengers academy #10-11 / fear itself #1-7 / fear itself: avengers: #14,15,17 / shattered heroes: avengers #18-24 / avengers vs x-men #1,2,4 / avengers vs-xmen: secret avengers #26-28 / avengers vs x-men: avengers #25-27

30 notes · View notes

mrsspidermanmaryjanewatsonparker · 6 years

Note

Hey, I’m interested in getting back in to some comics and hoping you can help/guide/advise. I used to read most of the Ultimate universe until Ultimatum, I got lost and couldn’t catch up again. I want to start with Spider-Gwen but also interested in Venom and what I need to know to understand MJ as Spinneret (spelling?). If you can’t help with this, thanks anyways and enjoyed reading your posts and thoughts here.

Okay.

Spider-Gwen: If you want the crash course and just wanna stick strictly to her solo book what you do is check out Edge of Spider-Verse #2 and then just understand that she then appeared in a big crossover with lots of AU Spider-People including Spider-Ham, Jessica Drew and Silk/Cindy Moon.

Then read Spider-Gwen Vol 1 and if you REALLY wanna go there, Spider-Verse Vol 2 which was part of Secret Wars. This features several Spider characters forming the Web Warriors team. You can then if you want check out Web Warriors #1 and the rest of that book if you want.

But that’s ONLY relevant if you wanna cover EVERYTHING Spider-Gwen. Really it’s relevant for just establishing Gwen is friends with AU Spider people, part of a team with them and has a device that allows her to dimension hop. This is important because it plays into certain events in her solo series beginning in Radioactive Spider-Gwen #1 (aka Spider-Gwen Volume 2 #1).

You can mostly read that series unto itself just checking in on certain issues of Spider Woman, Silk, Spider Women Alpha and Omega and Spider-Man (the Miles Morales title) whenever crossovers crop up. There are easily found checklists online and in the comics themselves detailing the reading order. She also appeared in Clone Conspiracy but I do not believe that impacted her solo book at all and you don’t have to read that because it sucks shit.

tl:dr: Edge of Spider-Verse #2, then you can mostly just follow volume 1 and 2 of her solo series.

With the Ultimate Universe fuck dude that’s huge I can’t help you. If you are talking Spider-Man specifically I think you can get away with just picking up Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #1 reading all that up until the Death of Spider-Man, then go to Ultimate Fallout, then go over to UC: SM Volume 2 for Miles Morales. Read up to issue #10 then read the Spider-Men mini-series before continuing with the main book. When you are done with that switch to Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man and read that series it ends leading into Secret Wars.

You can check out some issues of the main Secret Wars 2015 mini-series as well as all of Ultimate End to see Miles’ adventures during Secret Wars and the wrap up to the Ultimate Universe.

If you STILL wanna follow Miles then you pick up Spider-Man #1 from 2016 and follow that up until issue #240.

Then you read Spider-Men II which resolves stuff from Spider-Men I and also has the actual final word on the Ultimate Universe.

Continue on with Miles’ solo book from issue #241 onwards up until the present and Miles will be getting a new solo book very soon.

Miles’ solo book has tie-in issues to various events like Cataclysm, Civil War II, Secret Empire and he also appears in All-New All Different Avengers and the Champions book as a regular member but these are not strictly neccesary.

tl:dr: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man>Ult Comics: Spider-Man Vol 2>Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man>Spider-Man 2016

Spinneret is way easier.

Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows Volume 1 #1-5>ASM: RYV Volume 2 #1-23

She might also appear in Spider-Geddon but we don’t know for sure yet

6 notes · View notes

theliberaltony · 6 years

Link

via Politics – FiveThirtyEight

Welcome to a new weekly collaboration between FiveThirtyEight and ABC News. With 5,000 people seemingly thinking about challenging President Trump in 2020 — Democrats and even some Republicans — we’re keeping tabs on the field as it develops. Each week, we’ll run through what the potential candidates are up to — who’s getting closer to officially jumping in the ring and who’s getting further away.

There were no new entrants into the Democratic primary field this week, but several potential 2020 hopefuls stepped into the spotlight to criticize President Trump’s proposed border wall and to call for votes on funding bills that would end the partial government shutdown that is now in its 21st day.

Democratic leaders advocated for an end to the impasse as quickly as possible, arguing that the border wall was an expensive and unnecessary solution to an exaggerated problem and one that could be negotiated at a later time without paralyzing the government. Most of the public, meanwhile, placed responsibility for the shutdown on Trump’s shoulders, according to recent polls, providing fodder for eventual stump speeches.

Jan. 4-10, 2019

Michael Bennet (D)

The Colorado senator changed his Twitter handle from @BennetForCO to @MichaelBennet, renewing speculation that he was interested in seeking higher office. Sources close to Bennet previously told Colorado Public Radio that he was considering a run for president.

Joe Biden (D)

The former vice president is in the final stages of deciding whether to run for president, The New York Times reported Sunday. Biden, who led some of the first Democratic national and Iowa caucus polls, is “skeptical” that other Democrats considering a run can defeat Trump, according to the newspaper.

Biden’s political action committee outraised those of some of his potential rivals, bringing in over $2 million in 2018, Politico reported Tuesday.

Biden’s brother Frank told The Palm Beach Post that he has been encouraging his big brother to run and that he thinks he will. Frank Biden also said that his brother would have won several states that Hillary Clinton lost in 2016, including Pennsylvania. According to Frank Biden, a group of Biden family members there voted for Trump.

Michael Bloomberg (D)

According to a Bloomberg Philanthropies press release, Bloomberg will be in Texas on Friday for announcements in Austin and San Antonio related to his philanthropic “American Cities Climate Challenge.” The former mayor of New York City will be joined by the mayors of Austin and San Antonio for meetings and a press conference.

Cory Booker (D)

The New Jersey senator was part of a bipartisan group that announced this week that they would re-introduce legislation to protect special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. The bill seeks to prevent a sudden dismissal of the special counsel by providing for an expedited judicial review of a firing and ensuring that any such decision is made solely for legitimate reasons.

According to CNBC, Booker met recently with Wall Street donors, one of whom said anonymously that “the meetings aren’t officially about running, but of course they are about running in 2020.”

Sherrod Brown (D)

Brown’s wife, Connie Schultz, said a decision on a presidential campaign will come “within the next two months,” in an interview with CNN.

The Ohio senator responded to Trump’s Tuesday Oval Office address on the government shutdown, saying that the situation at the border was “not a national emergency” but one that Trump created himself.

Julian Castro (D)

On Saturday, Castro will formally announce his decision about a 2020 presidential campaign at an event in San Antonio, where he previously served as mayor.

In an appearance on ABC News’s “This Week” on Sunday, Castro criticized Trump’s leadership and defended Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s call for a top marginal tax rate of 70 percent, noting that it was once as high as 90 percent.

On Monday, Castro, who led the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Obama administration, traveled to Iowa, where he met with Democratic activists and outlined his vision for the future. On Tuesday, he stopped in Nevada to meet with Latino leaders.

John Delaney (D)

Delaney this weekend will open campaign offices in the Iowa cities of Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. After a weekend of traveling through the state, he is scheduled to meet with county-level Democratic officials and deliver a presentation in Davenport on future trends in trade, education, health care and climate change, among other issues.

Jeff Flake (R)

Flake on Monday tweeted a defense of his replacement, Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, after a national Republican committeeman referred to her as “Senator Madonna” in a Facebook post and said she was elected in part because of “dumb ass people.”

No, @kyrstensinema won because she ran a good race and had a message that resonated with Arizona's voters. The sooner we Republicans recognize this, the sooner we will we be in a position to win the next contest. https://t.co/iMNwvMWxKJ

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) January 7, 2019

Jay Inslee (D)

On Saturday, the Washington governor will give the keynote address at the annual summit of the Nevada progressive advocacy organization Battle Born Progress.

Inslee signed the “No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge” on Tuesday, promising not to accept donations from the political action committees, executives or groups affiliated with the fossil fuel industry. “This is just one small statement that they should not continue to have undue influence over our decision-making over the existential threat against our nation,” he told HuffPost.

Inslee and fellow Washington Democrats announced legislation Tuesday that would give state residents a “public option” for health insurance, The Seattle Times reported.

Last Friday, Inslee began to solicit applications for clemency from Washingtonians convicted of marijuana possession misdemeanors in the years before it was legalized.

Tulsi Gabbard (D)

In a column in The Hill on Tuesday, the Hawaii congresswoman criticized Democrats for “weaponiz[ing] religion” in relation to the November questioning of judicial nominee Brian Buescher, who was asked by the Senate Judiciary Committee about his Catholicism and Knights of Columbus membership. “While I absolutely believe in the separation of church and state as a necessity to the health of our nation, no American should be asked to renounce his or her faith or membership in a faith-based, service organization in order to hold public office,” wrote Gabbard, who said she nevertheless opposed Buescher’s confirmation.

Kirsten Gillibrand (D)

Gillibrand has been reaching out to Wall Street executives to evaluate support for a potential presidential campaign but has been met with divided responses, CNBC reported.

Kamala Harris (D)

Harris released two books on Tuesday: a memoir, “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey,” and a children’s book, “Superheroes Are Everywhere.”

In interviews with ABC News’s “Good Morning America” and “The View,” Harris said that she was not ready to announce whether she’d decided to enter the presidential contest but said that she thought the country was “absolutely” ready for a female president of color. The California senator criticized Trump over the shutdown, labeling his proposed border wall a “vanity project.”

John Kasich (R)

In response to Trump’s Oval Office address on the shutdown, Kasich issued a statement criticizing the president for not “putting the country ahead of his politics and being more flexible with his goals.” The former Ohio governor added that “the President and Democrats need to learn how to compromise and put the American people first.”

Amy Klobuchar (D)

The Minnesota senator made news Wednesday when she tweeted that her attempt to meet with attorney general nominee William Barr was denied because of the government shutdown.

I tried (as did Blumenthal) to get meeting w/AG nominee Barr and was told he couldn’t meet until AFTER the hearing. The reason given? The shutdown. Yet shutdown didn’t stop him from other mtgs. This is a 1st for me w/any nominee as a member of judiciary. #Uncool #BadSign

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 10, 2019

The impasse appeared to be resolved Thursday morning, however:

Thanks everyone. My meeting is now set for this afternoon with AG nominee Barr. Coffee will be hot.

https://t.co/jUn2AONuQg

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 10, 2019

Beto O’Rourke (D)

Beto O’Rourke grew a beard — one (unlike that of his former rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz) that received decidedly mixed reviews from the internet after he debuted it during a Facebook Live video on Tuesday.

Facial hair aside, O’Rourke’s Facebook Live video featured his thoughts on Trump’s proposed border wall. The former Texas congressman said such a barrier “would cost $30 billion and take private property and cause death and suffering as more asylum seekers are pushed to ever more hostile stretches of the U.S.-Mexico border” as he shared views of the border from El Paso.

According to The Wall Street Journal, O’Rourke’s aides are plotting a cross-country road trip for the Democrat as he continues to consider a presidential bid. The newspaper reported that such a trip would be made solo, without advisers or press, and avoid Iowa and other early-voting states.

Despite indications that O’Rourke is leaning toward a run, Politico noted that advisers to the former congressman are not returning the calls of prominent Democrats in New Hampshire and Iowa.

Richard Ojeda (D)

Ojeda, who is one of the few officially declared presidential candidates, plans to resign from his West Virginia state Senate seat next week to focus on his campaign.

“I cannot — I will not — allow myself to not be sitting in my seat and leave it empty,” the Democrat told West Virginia Public Broadcasting on Wednesday. “It needs to be filled with somebody who’s going to go in here and just going to do their best to help the state.”

Bernie Sanders (D)

Sanders held a press conference Thursday to introduce legislation focused on lowering prescription drug prices — an issue that was at the forefront of his 2016 presidential campaign. The three bills would peg U.S. prescription drug prices to median prices in five other major countries, allow the health and human services secretary to negotiate prices under Medicare Part D, and permit drug imports from abroad.

Politico reported Thursday that a former Sanders presidential campaign adviser made sexually charged comments to another staffer and forcibly kissed her at a gathering after the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in 2016. (The accused adviser denied the allegation in a statement to Politico.) The account was the latest in a string of stories alleging sexism and harassment within Sanders’s campaign.

Should Sanders run for president this cycle, his campaign will not be managed by Jeff Weaver, who held the position in 2016. Weaver told CNN that he would likely take the position of senior strategic adviser, a decision that came before the emergence of the allegations against the campaign, according to a CNN source.

Tom Steyer (D)

The billionaire Democratic activist announced Wednesday that he would not run for president “at this time” to instead focus on his effort calling for the impeachment of Trump. Although his words left the door open for a campaign at some point in the future, Steyer said that for now he intends to concentrate on pressuring Democratic leaders like Speaker Nancy Pelosi to launch impeachment proceedings in the House.

Elizabeth Warren (D)

After announcing her presidential exploratory committee last week, Warren spent a busy weekend in Iowa at several organizing events and roundtables. The Massachusetts senator’s stump speeches focused on her desire to combat income inequality, making health care more affordable and empowering women.

This weekend, Warren will attend an organizing event in Manchester, New Hampshire, during her first visit to the state since the launch of her exploratory committee.

#IFTTT #Politics – FiveThirtyEight #politics #538 #Adam Kelsey

1 note · View note

rickjsposts · 4 years

Text

Superbowl Sunday, my analysis, my value added services to my service. My thoughts for a Sunday morning

New Post has been published on https://www.rickjshandicappingpicks.com/superbowl-sunday-my-analysis-my-value-added-services-to-my-service-my-thoughts-for-a-sunday-morning/

Superbowl Sunday, my analysis, my value added services to my service. My thoughts for a Sunday morning

Superbowl Sunday is finally here with KC matching up with TB.

First, let’s start out with This season’s record for my plays in the NFL:

Season to Date Sides: 17-8-2 or 68%

Season to Date Totals: 8-7 or 53.33%

Combined Season to Date: 25-15-2 or 62.5%

If you are laying -110 on these picks you would be +8.5 Units for the NFL Season.

Not a lot of plays, but it was a very steady NFL season with virtually no drawdown. I will take these results every year:)

As those of you that have been following me for the last 12+ years I have been online, the NFL has been as steady a sport for me as you will find. While most struggle every year in the NFL, for some reason I find it the easiest to handicap.

All my past year records are available either here on this site, On slack, or on Google sheets. If anyone has any interest in all my past records just send me an email and I will provide them for you if you cannot find them.

So that brings us to today’s Superbowl.

Every season I give the caveat that you do not have to wager on the game. I look at it as one game of many. Unless you are a fan, which I am, as a gambler you only make wagers if you feel you have an edge.

That is the purpose of handicapping, to try to determine if there is a positive EV wager on a game.

No two handicappers have the same methods. Some use an analysis of the player matchups, some use external variables, many use a combination of techniques.

One thing is certain in all of this. While handicappers may share their picks, the good handicappers will not share their methodology. This is something they have generated over many years of hard work.

I have been handicapping now for over 40 years:) I can tell you when it comes to handicapping sports nothing is static. What worked 5 years ago most likely does not work well now. So you have to constantly evaluate your methods and adjust when needed. It is time-consuming and requires a substantial amount of knowledge of various handicapping methods. Including the ability to develop your own methods that few handicappers use.

Years ago I wrote a 2+2 article named ” A Technique to improve your handicapping results”.

You can find the article at https://www.rickjshandicappingpicks.com/about-2-2/

or you can go to Two Plus Two Magazine Vol 7, No. 12 and read it there.

But much of what I wrote years ago still has some significance today. I typically do not write articles, but a poker player who I became friends with worked for 2 +2 and asked me to write an article for them as he followed some of my handicapping.

Now, let’s start my analysis of today’s game:

Let me start out by saying as I always do every Superbowl, that you do not have to wager on this game. Most bettors feel some compulsion not only to wager on it but also to wager more than they typically do over the season. It is similar to poker players who play 8/16 Omaha 8 all year round trying to grind out a few 100 a day. But then the world series rolls around, and you see the same players in the 75/150 Omaha 8 game. It’s the same mindset. What they have done is essentially have their entire year depend on how they do in 4 to 5 weeks of 75/150 after spending the other 47 weeks playing 8/16.

Saying that let’s look at the game to see if I see something worth betting on here. The models lean toward TB. Of course, at +3.5 there would have been enough EV to wager on the game. At +3 your edge if you have one is so slight its not worth betting. Remember the lower the edge the higher the variance. The variables lean even less to TB than the models. The public % edge is absent. At 41% on a +3 game, there is no edge. And there is no line move edge as the line has stayed pretty steady on this game. I look at Cris for that number. Pinnacle’s line comes out after Cris. You want to use the book that puts out the line first for that.

As far as the Total I do not see any value at all in the total. No leans either way on that wager.

Myself, I will not be betting the game. At least as the numbers stand right now. If the line were to move to +3.5 I will take another look at the game.

Now I know some of you are going to ask why I did not take +3.5 when it was available. The way I handicap most sports is I look at a number of things that move around right up until game time. So I did not know what all the numbers were going to be weeks ago.

Good luck whatever you decide to do on this game. Rick

This is what I sent out to subscribers to my service earlier.

As a subscriber, you get access to all of my handicapping picks, which covers the NFL, NCAAFB, NCAABB, NBA, NHL, and WNBA. In addition, you get access to my political odds picks along with where I think there is value in the political odds arena.

I also added another aspect to my handicapping service. As I am an active trader I share most of my trades with subscribers.

These trades include Mean reversion trades, swing trades, income trades and options trades. The option trades are restricted to selling puts and calls for income.

When sports betting was shut down completely I started doing some research on a short put selling technique where you would sell a put that expired after the close the next day. These trades are made on Thursday morning and either expire Friday after the close or you take delivery of the stock if it closes below the strike price. (which rarely happens)

Since I started sharing these with subscribers this is a graph of those trades:

As you can see there have been 265 trades with a 93.58% win rate and a profit factor of 4.57

A few things to note on these is that most have annualized returns of over 40% and the drawdown has been minimal.

We had a brief consolidation around trade 81 and pulled out of it around trade 110 and then had our only drawdown around trade 143 and recovered it all by trade 172. Other than that it has been virtually straight up.

It’s rare to find a trading method as consistent as this. Although, We are only looking at 265 trades. I suspect we will be over 500 trades by year-end and will have a better picture of whether these numbers are going to hold up.

Now These short puts are only those I sell on Thursday for Friday expiration. There are other short put sales I make where I would not mind owning the stock at the strike price. These typically are 1 month out short put trades.

Since posting these trades I have only made 8 closed trades with 7 winners and 1 loser for a profit factor of 11.85. I have at last count 4 or 5 of these trades pending right now for expiration Feb 19th. All are far away from the strike price.

In addition, they all produce annualized returns of over 40% if they expire.

The mean reversion trades I have posted have a 70.83% win rate with a profit factor of 6.34.

So far I have posted 24 of these types of trades.

Many of my subscribers have found this to be a very valuable addition to the service.

Here is the graph of the mean reversion trades:

All in all, I would put my service up against any other for value. While most charge 4 figures for one sport in a lump sum that is non-refundable. I charge only $49.00 a month which you are free not to renew at the end of each monthly period.

This price has been constant now for the last 10 years with no increases, despite the fact I keep adding value to the service.

If you wish to give it a try you can go to the drop-down menu and subscribe via the PayPal button and get a 3-day free trial, or you can subscribe via this link with no free trial.

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Rickjsports/49

Once you sign up I will have you up and going within minutes:) Hope to see you join us for the rest of the NCAABB season including March Madness along with the NBA and NHL.

RickJ

rickjshandicappingpicks.com

Twitter: rickjsportplays

Slack: rickjsports

0 notes

whatdoesshedotothem · 3 years

Text

Thurs[day] 11 September 1834

11 35/..

No kiss finish b[u]t dullish morn[in]g and F[ahrenheit] 52° in tent-r[oo]m at 9 am. Kind let[ter] 3 p[ages] and ends and und[e]r the

seal fr[om] M- [Mariana] Scarbro’ – L[ad]y St[uar]t’s hav[in]g writ[ten] to h[e]r to inq[uire] aft[e]r me seems to ha[ve] consol[e]d h[e]r

mo[re] th[a]n an[y]th[in]g and of my last let[ter] she says ‘wh[a]t you say on the subj[ec]t of n[o]t writ[in]g whi[le] you

were abr[oa]d gi[ve]s me all the consolat[io]n th[a]t you intend[e]d’ – she is rath[e]r bet[ter] b[u]t still ver[y]

poor[l]y - …. ‘may our friendsh[ip] w[hi]ch whi[le] we c[oul]d see each oth[e]r nev[e]r suffer[e]d one mom[en]ts

‘interrupt[io]n, and w[hi]ch I firm[l]y bel[ieve] no length of abs[en]ce will lessen, burn bright until one last

‘h[ou]r, and be renew[e]d in a bet[ter] world to last for ev[e]r and ev[e]r – I ha[ve] lov[e]d you long and fond[l]y, I love

‘you no less at pres[en]t tho’ our posit[io]n w[i]th reg[ar]d to each oth[e]r is so chang[e]d th[a]t I can[no]t now, as hith[er]to

‘I ha[ve] ev[e]r done when in Yorksh[ire], anticipate the happ[ine]ss of our meet[in]g’ ……. ‘now the mater[ia]l for

hope seems worn out, and I beg[a]n to th[in]k th[i]s bless[in]g is bey[on]d my reach’ …. pleas[e]d to hear my journ[e]y h[a]s

ans[were]d so well – ‘If I live till next y[ea]r I mean if poss[ible] to try and accomplish a trip up the Rhine’…..

she is in a lodg[in]g at Scarbro’ hav[in]g h[e]r sist[e]rs Ann and Mrs. Milne w[i]th h[e]r, her moth[e]r being w[i]th Mrs. Miller –

M- [Mariana] to stay th[e]re till 1 Oct[obe]r and w[oul]d like to stay a week long[e]r if the sea bath[in]g agrees w[i]th h[e]r – br[eak]f[a]st at 10

and h[a]d Washingt[o]n w[i]th us and read[in]g the pap[e]r till 11 1/2 – W- [Washington] val[ue]s Mytholm farm at £60 or £63 p[e]r ann[um] –

s[ai]d I mys[elf] val[ue]d it at £65. – b[u]t he will let me ha[ve] the partic[ula]rs – John br[ou]ght Lowndes’s bibliographies

man[ua]l fr[om] Whitley’s 4 vol[ume]s [octavo] 1/2 b[ou]nd purp[le] Turk[e]y moroc[co] 12/6 the 4 vol[ume]s 85/. b[u]t g[o]t th[e]m for 4 guin[ea]s –

in my study and wr[ote] the ab[ov]e of today till 12 25/.. th[e]n an h[ou]r wr[itin]g 1 1/2 p[age] to M- [Mariana] – th[e]n w[e]nt to Pickells – set h[i]m at

157

1834

Sept[embe]r

work clear[in]g away and wall[in]g for new coal-pl[a]ce - w[i]th h[i]m and ab[ou]t till 3 – th[e]n walk[e]d w[i]th A- [Adney]

1 1/2 h[ou]r in the walk – W[illia]m Green let the mare get int[o] the shrubb[er]y and br[oo]k off fine rose accacia [acacia] – vex[e]d

A- [Adney] lay d[o]wn 1/2 h[ou]r and was th[e]n 1/4 h[ou]r w[i]th my a[un]t whi[le] I w[a]s prun[in]g in the walk and d[i]d n[o]t co[me] in till 6 50/.. – din[ner] at

7 – coff[ee] – A- [Adney] won 2 gammons to my one and 5 hits to my 3 – came upst[ai]rs at 10 10/.. – 1/4 h[ou]r w[i]th my

a[un]t – h[a]d seen h[e]r in the morn[in]g – h[a]d h[a]d bad night and m[u]ch pain as us[ua]l today – finish autumnal

day – the trees green – n[o]t m[u]ch sign of autumn amid the foliage – F[ahrenheit] 58° now at 10 3/4 p.m.

in my study –

5 notes · View notes

cindyfelicia · 6 years

Note

Hi, I hope you’re doing well!! I was just wondering if you read comics? If so could you recommend some/ how to start getting into them? I want to start reading them, but it’s so stressful trying to figure out where to start. Also I love you blog!

Hi there! you’re all manners of sweet and kind thank u my advice abt approaching comics is going for solo runs first, this is how I, personally, did it and it’s way easier than jumping in on team books, or worse events bc they tend to be messier and need more bg info and pre-existing knowledge than a comic that focus on just the one character; I also feel it’s good to start with current or at least recent comics, you can always read the old stuff when you’re better acquainted with how comics work and which characters, artists and writers you like (or can tolerate).

actual recs under the cut because this got so long

i was gonna do a whole list of mcu characters’ solos because most people entry point to comics rn is superhero movies, and hmu if you want that, but instead I think I’m gonna rec you some good comics that are either separated enough from main marvel continuity as to be intelligible without extensive info gathering, or I just think they’re great and worth a bit of confusion (part of starting out reading comics is not knowing fully wth is going on sometimes, but stiking with it for some good art or for characters you love -I’m not gonna go so far as to say for good writing bc that’s just not realistic):

if you like yourself some spider-people:- silk (2015) and vol 2 (2016) are my absolute favorites- I’m not very much into spiderman but I read renew your vows and it’s lovely, it’s just not a main universe comic it’s an au where things are as, imo, they should be with ye old web slinger, and it’s good for getting your feet wet in the huge pool of spider-man comics;- I love miss jessica drew (spider-woman) but her solo is……. questionable if someone has a good jess drew intro rec pls tell me so I can pass it on, - miles morales has been written badly in more ways than one but I love him so I suffer, I can direct you without scruples only to his novel tho, absolutely lovely and not written by brian michaelbendis lmao- anya corazon is a really good character that marvel loves to forget it has, let’s not make the same mistake;- black widow 2014 and 2016 and bw: the name of the rose are all good comics (I know technically nat isn’t a spider person but like nothing about spider-woman’s powers screams ‘spider’ either so..

for wakanda I’d say good recent start-ups would be: - black panther (2016), - black panther: world of wakanda (w/ a lesbian couple as protag), - and rise of the black panther (ongoing)

some non x-men team books that are easier to approach as a beginner imho:-young avengers vol 2 (vol 1 has its moments if you want to start from the beginning with them but a lot of it involves the civil war arc and stuff.. also some characters die, the art is less good and I want to protect people from 17’s yo cassie lang’s nipples poking through her shirt.. I wish someone had protected me tbh) -I want to rec some Runaways but besides the current run (which is alright) there’s a lot to be said against the writing in most of the rest of them maybe vol 1? to have the origins pinned down-I feel like after a small read through of what exactly the hell was going on with secret wars you could approach A-Force vol 1 and the first half of vol 2 (the second half ties in with civil war II and I’m not touching that mess) and that and avenger world and sometimes secret avengers to me are good avengers books-she hulk 2014 and totally awesome hulk are my greens of choice but if you want an intro to bruce banner idont actually know, sorry-for the asgardians: thor 2014 and it’s follow up mighty thor, thor: god of thunder, angela: asgard’s assassin and its sequel angela: queen of hel, and loki: agent of asgard are my pick of this crop-we also have Fun here at marvel comics on occasion and both patsy walker aka hellcat and squirrel girl are nice in their own way although the latter isn’t really my thing

some follow up on the young avengers:- hawkeye (2013) an absolute fan favorite, good to discover that actually clint barton was a good character it’s that the avengers movies are just bad and hate people with disabilities- a couple of follow-ups to that (x) (x) and the kate bishop solo all pretty nice- america chavez’s solo (I’m just here to suggest gay comics, that’s almost all I read really)

I want to rec Champions to people but frankly it’s just a long series of event interruptions and bullshit interspersed with a couple of nice moments so far, so I’m gonna rec you some kids that are in the champions and have solos I haven’t already mentioned:- kamala khan’s book is probably my favorite ongoing series at marvel right now about any non-mutant char, I cannot say enough good about it,- nova is nice,- miles morales (spider-man) and amadeuscho (totally awesome hulk) are also there but I’ve already mentioned themalso in this house we love and respect elektranatchiosand any other attitude just isn’t tolerated.

on to the x-men, gotta love those guys, you just gotta:- like I said I prefer to tell people to start from recent comics but with the xmen that’s so difficult? it’s been 10+ bad years for them because of the movie rights situation and just marvel being shit in general, so my one recent team book to approach the x-men is prob x-men ‘92? because its based off of the xm animated series so you don’t have to straightaway deal with some mutant plague, eugenics plots, and other catastrophic events, but you can still get to know more of the char we all love - I want to say generation x vol 2, it’s not a good starting point for anything really but I love it so so much I had to mention it even tho it was cancelled and I’m still angry as hell about it.

the solo situation is better. I’m gonna be able to breathe without tasting my own bile while I type this, hurray!-all new wolverine follows laura kinney as she takes up the mantle from logan-iceman, good solid comic abt coming out and ice puns, who doesn’t like bobby really-jean grey, yes she’s a teen girl in this, yes it’s weird and I hate de-aging characters but it’s nice to see her train with different mutants, struggling with the incoming phoenix force and her adult self’s shadow, not really great entry point to jean grey but id read it anyway-if you were into the 00’s xmen movies like me, or at least a normal person’s amount the phoenix recently returned and with her adult!jean grey, it was a good book for me and good if you want to later start reading the actual phoenix saga (which is a lot of material so starting small with this might help) -I love wandamaximoff and despite what they’ve done to the maximoffs in order to bring them into the mcu (was it worth it for that result btw? really?) her recent book was good and I genuinely loved it -storm’s solo is so good, you’re gonna fall in love with an het ship and you’re not gonna regret it either-rogue and gambit, is ongoing and it’s good to get a little acquainted with these characters but mostly it’s about explorign their relationship

I’m sure I’m forgetting a lot of good x-men content atm but I can’t stop thinking I need to mention that there are ongoing series you could pick up its just.. I hate them.. some started out promising (xmen gold, astonishing xmen), but they’ve not developed in good directions imo, but I still feel they should be mentioned, there’s also a weapon x comic if you want to go for a more bloody kind of book and xmen blue if you like time displaced teens or something? god its bad

jeez this is so so long and guess what? I haven’t even finished yet.. there’s some excellent indie comics out there and with those you really don’t need to worry abt knowing any 30 years old lore or anything you pick them up and they explain themselves like any other normal media out there, I know, be still my heart:

- lumberjanes is my absolute favorite, a little corny, but so much fun and cuteness and if I could go back in time I’d give it to my little bi self so she’d know she’s not alone and anything I feel that ways about has a special place i my heart js

- Motor crush, there really isn’t any other comic book with a black lesbian as protagonist out there that I can think of, good if you’re into motorcycles but if like in my case that threatens to put you to sleep, it also has a sci-fi streak and solid character work, you won’t regret giving it a try

- moonstruck, cute non-white gay werewolves and other mythological creatures are there, I feel this cathers to me specifically every time I open it?? bless

- Hi-Fi fight club or heavy vinyl (they changed the title) if you want a period piece that’s fun and cute and gay (I meant it about me reading only gay comics as you can tell)

- saga, for a space, well ya know.. saga I feel that I can describe it as romeo and juliet in space with added racial commentary except they don’t kill themselves, I have to say not my favorite but you might stick with it for the characters, I sure do

- the wicked + the divine, I feel very much the same about this as I do about saga, only this is mythology based so like.. I sold my soul to it, but please do tread with care there’s a lot of deaths in it and so many of these dead people are gays and/or poc.. I’m none too pleased about it and I’d understand anyone not wanting to pick it up, I mean the deaths are basically in the premises of the books but that doesn’t change the end result..

lastly like I said dc is not my area of expertise but I’ve been following with pleasure both batwoman and green lanterns, and mr miracle was an amazing comic so I thought I’d mention them

#this is so long I'm sorry #I do hope it's somewhat helpful #Anonymous

3 notes · View notes

ddcassiere · 5 years

Text

10 tips for Buskers

Before we proceed with tips for buskers I want to announce everyone that our saturday appointment with Fat Jesus - Time To Bleed Robot, 40 songs for 40 saurdays - is coming back tomorrow!

I’m very happy about the reception of this project that was supposed to be addressed only to few individuals spread around the world... I checked the download section and numbers of downloads are growing every day.

Thank you!

For the ones that havent downloaded yet any Fat Jesus’, here is the free link containing the first ten songs:

Time to Bleed Robot Vol I

Now, to us. These tips come from my personal experiences and mistakes. I dont intend in any way make you believe that this is the truth, but thats for sure my truth.

Hope you find this post useful, weather you are a busker or not..

Keep a diary. a diary of what you played in the last set, a diary about who you met on the street, a diary of what happened. The street is things happening all the time and it might be healthy for your psiche to write down things. If not to hold grab of an overwhelming sequence of encounters, at least to have something to read one day, to remind you how crazy and lively and heroic this all was.

busking in Prishtina - Kosovo

A busker is an ancient figure that deserves respect. It takes guts to put yourself and your music at the mercy of anyone who happens to pass by. The fact that you are doing it, in my opinion is already worth esteem. Dont ever be bothered by the ones who dont listen, or that look you down. You are playing for yourself and for those who are into what you are playing. The others, let them walk away. That leads us to point 3.

The best way to enjoy busking is to do it in a friendly environment. If the shop owner, the tenant of the nearest building, or the buskers around you, complain about the volume of your amplifier, or about the music you are playing.. well you have to move somewhere else. It wont do anybody good to elbow your songs where they are not needed/wanted.

In my opinion the best pitch for playing is where is best for you. In few years I have seen many buskers playing in super loud spots, cranking their equipment over the noise in order to profit of the high number of people traffic. This is not my cup of tea.

It pays much more to be somewhere quiet with only few people going by. It is more satisfying for you to enjoy the sound of your show and it creates a better and more intimate link between you and the listeners. The city is yours, go and find a place where you feel good energy, where is quiet. It can be few metres from the loudest and crowded main street and it might be exactly what you were looking for.

In Istiklal Street, Istanbul

This is not an easy advice but it’s a true one: never close your eyes. I have been robbed few times, mostly in Europe. And it’s not funny to see your money going away after few hours of playing. If you are, like me, one of those who falls into a trance-like state while playing, you will learn how to reach that state and keep your eyes open. You will not be entirely awake, transported by the power of music somewhere else, but your open eyes will discourage cheap thiefs from your cash. It seems impossible at first but you will make it work eventually.

great singer, she. Prishtina, Kosovo

Before making your way to the busking experience, learn as many tunes as possible. So that you will be able to change your set as much as you can. I didnt do it enough and at a certain point of my journey, I was playing the same things over and over. If you have the chance, stop for a few weeks and renew your set. This will be good for you and for everybody around.

This is the most important advice: be friendly. Be nice to everyody. Especially to the ones that annoy you, drunkards asking for you to play wonder wall.. police officers and so on. Be good to the other buskers, be good to shop owners and anybody that is around you. Busking is an act of love and courage and it can work only under the condition that there is no spite or rancor in you heart. Let it go or be dragged.

Wroclaw, Poland

It’s difficult, if not impossible, to be an artist and to conform. But a dignified and proud way of presenting yourself will give you the chance to connect to a wider audience and to enrich someone else’s life with your music. Be yourself but also dont forget that light travels faster than music. It’s not by chance that Jimi Hendrix or Bowie would give as much importance to their music as to their dressing style. They are both means of beauty and you want to use them all to achieve a moment of awe into anybody who is passing by.

Again Wroclaw

You are on the street to present your music and to connect to your potential audience. One of the mistakes that I made in my years of busking is that I barely promoted my name, doing it only in the last few months of busking. I seldom used socials and I just cared of having a good time, selling few albums and make my day.

As beautiful as it is, it’s not as satsfying as keeping your fans updated on your projects. Inspiration is triggered by feedback. It’s a tricky game to be played with vanity but it’s not by blinding yourself to this game that you will overcome the trap of playing what people like the most. So, my advice is: don’t be shy to advertise your name with a piece of paper that link socials. Make people enter your journey, share your dream and your everyday life. If not for your career, this can inspire others to follow their own dreams.

Great guitar player, she. Sarajevo, Bosnia H.

My last advice is about magic. Have your own luck routine. Each busker has some. Mine was that I would tip myself 2euro before getting started. Some would have his coffee to go. Others would have other strange rituals. Choose yours and repeat it everytime before you start playing. It will make you company in every busking session and it will give you courage like an amulet. Never underestimate the power of magic.

Try bycicle busking! It’s healthy! Porto, Portugal.

That’s all for today. I hope that this post inspired you to walk your own artistic path with courage and joy.. See you next friday!

Love Love Love

Denis

0 notes

renaroo · 7 years

Text

Wednesday Roundup 15/6/2017

So this is a day late but in my defense I had a ridiculous amount of comics to get through with no one to blame but myself here. And you know what? I genuinely enjoyed almost everything. But does that mean every comic was good this week? And even so what did I think was the best?

Honestly I don’t know how to write these intros for people who wouldn’t be here to read my opinion anyway so let’s just jump into it.

Marvel’s All-New Wolverine, Marvel’s Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows, DC’s Detective Comics, DC’s Gotham Academy: Second Semester, DC’s Justice League of America, Image’s Motor Crush, DC’s Superwoman, IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, DC’s Titans, IDW’s Transformers: Salvation, DC’s Wonder Woman

Marvel’s All-New Wolverine (2015-present) #21 Tom Taylor, Leonard Kirk, Cory Hamscher, Terry Pallot, Michael Garland

Okay I need this issue to reread a million times over because there are just so many things I love all at once. Like, oh my gosh. I was almost in tears multiple times because relationships! Healing! Supporting each other!

Wade and Gabby alone could just about make this issue perfect, but then you have Laura and Daken hugging and worried about each other, and Old Man Logan being likable for the first time in any of my readings of him. There’s so much I enjoy, though I find the cover rather deceiving. This is much more of a Howlett family reunion than anything else, though I did enjoy Riri’s parts in it.

I just eriously adore these characters and it meant a lot to see them all come together like they have here and that cliffhanger HURT so much more for it.

I will nitpick the art a bit because we’ve been doing so good about keeping Laura in the Wolverine costume which is much preferred to her X-23 wardrobes, for sure, but this issue it pretty much looked exactly like one of her old costumes without the midriffs and it was kinda weird. I know she took off a lot of her armor for skin contact but it’s... idk. It was weird.

The main thing I’m happy about though is that as we go on, I realize that literally all of the Marvel books I’ve kept are going out of their way to not involve themselves in Secret Wars and it’s kind of beautiful. Laura and Gabby are stuck on an island that’s quarantined (and I can pretend Wade’s there with them instead of whatever’s going on since I dropped Deadpool for the summer crossovers, thanks Tom Taylor!), Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur are literally off world, and the rest are non-616. So yay me!

Marvel’s Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows (2016-present) #8 Gerry Conway, Ryan Stegman, Jesus Aburtov

For those who don’t know, Mary Jane Watson is genuinely one of my favorite Marvel characters and is easily one of the reasons I ever stuck with the Spider-Man comics for as long as I did was because of my interest in her and wanting to see her and Peter.

I can also thank her for my genuine attraction to redheads probably.

But one of the main reasons that I’ve loved this book so much is because, as written by Gerry Conway, this is the Peter and MJ of my dreams. I love them so much, and the complications that comes from their relationship and from growing older, raising a daughter, and MJ’s desire to continuously be the glue to keep both Peter and Annie together logically causes her to seek out a way to continue being Spinerette without syphoning off Peter’s powers.

It’s almost like growing old, having a stable relationship, trying to keep things fresh while raising a kid, are all dramatic and worthy of good storytelling in their own right or something HMM.

Anyway, yes it’s completely on the nose where this is going and it’s a little curious how MJ’s not immediately aware of the connection between what’s going on with her right now and the horrible, arguably traumatizing experience she and Peter had, but who knows what’s canon anymore lol

Basically, I sideye a bit from a story point of view, but this series continues to make up for it with the real thing that matters to me: these characters and their development.

DC’s Detective Comics (2016-present) #958 James Tynion IV, Aluaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez, Brad Anderson

Honestly I really love the slower issues where Tynion takes more time to make moments for the relationships between the characters and give us interractions we didn’t know we wanted -- Kate going with Luke and Jean Paul to a basketball game, Cass and Clayface being adorable by reciting a play, Bruce at a poker game with a bunch of assholes in homage to Almost Got ‘im!? It was a lot of fun honestly.

...

Okay I take issue with Cass’ dialogue. I know she was repeating lines from a tape and such but it’s weird to see her make so much progress when just two issues ago she was almost monosyllabic. Like... I want to see Cass gradually learning, I want to feel her frustration with hitting walls, I want to see her struggle and achieve despite the struggle because that gradual progression was honestly something we weren’t delivered in the former canon. We have a great opportunity for it here.

But y’know. I’m particular with Cass and it’s hard to say where her baseline for reading and speech even is in this canon because her dyslexia may be in tact but her circumstances growing up are completely different. So I don’t know.

Now. I’m a sucker for Bruce and Zatanna team-ups because I’m a schmuck but I’m really excited for next issue. Had a lot of fun with this one. This feels like a decent pace for Tynion -- at least in my opinion.

DC’s Gotham Academy: Second Semester (2016-2017) #10 Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan, Karl Kerschl, Adam Archer, Massyk, Sandra Hope

This comic is speeding toward an end and I’m not sure if I’m ready!

From the beginning, for me at least, the selling point for Gotham Academy has been just how much these kids felt like real teenagers and real friends with all their various relationships and connections, platonic or romantic or something in between. And it’s powerful to see that coming to play as an advantage to completing Olive’s arc, but also as a disadvantage since the consequences of many of her actions hurt that much more.

I’ll save a lot of my thoughts for a complete wrap up of the series but overall, very happy and very grateful for the continuously good read that is GA

DC’s Justice League of America (2016-present) Volume 1: Road to Rebirth Steve Orlando, Jody Houser, Ivan Reis, Andy MacDonald, Stephen Byrne, Jamal Campbell, Mirk Andolfo

WE GOTTA GET THE BAND BACK TOGETHER. WE’RE ON A MISSION FROM GAD.

In all seriousness, I’m a huge fan of Vixen and Ryan Choi as well as a big fan of Justice League International, as it was in its 80s glory. So my interests with this particular lineup were piqued from the beginning and I made myself wait for the first volume to dive in.

For the most part, this is a team gathering exercise. Characters that have lacked the spotlight in the last few years -- Vixen, Ray, Killer Frost, and the Atom -- were given whole issues to reintroduce them to this continuity. And honestly those issues were great. I really, really love the updated origins for them and feel that they’re a good blend of honoring the past of the characters as well as adapting them for a new world.

Lobo, Batman, and Black Canary took back seat, but considering that there were already tensions showing within the group, I think it’s safe to assume that giving the spotlight to the rest of the team won’t always last this long. Things are nothing if not explosive among these members.

I really did mean it when I said this is a team gathering exercise, because there’s no first case to unite everyone. There’s not any real antagonists or team-ups we see to speakof. It was just getting hte jLA together.

And for me it’s enough to get me intrigued, though I’d completely understand if people told me it was far from enough for them.

Now they just need to add Big Barda, Booster Gold, and Ted Kord and I’ll be satisfied.

Image’s Motor Crush (2016-present) Vol. 1 Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, Babs Tarr

I was not the biggest fan of this team’s Batgirl team though I appreciated the aesthetics and what not. There just never seemed to be a storyline that really interested me and I couldn’t be sold on the characterization for Barbara. So I kept hearing about Motor Crush for the last year and was really itnerested in it so I wanted until this volume came out and.

Well, quite simply, I’m in love.

Tell you what, those biker gangs that kept coming up really confusingly out of place in Batgirl make a hell of a lot more sense now that I can see this team’s actual passion project.

So I love Motor Crush a lot, I’m really invested in Domino, the mystery that is her origins and the powers of Crush itself. I love her relationship with her ex, Lola, I love her father -- I love just about everything and the cliffhanger really surprised me.

I will say that while I love having a world that speaks for itself rather than constant narration, it’s a little hard to follow this world entirely, I’d like a bit more explained than what has been, but at the end of the day I’m very excited to see more.

DC’s Superwoman (2016-present) #11 K. Perkins, José Luís, Ray McCarthy, HI-FI

You know, I have made it clear that I’ve been worried about this title for a while now, really just hoping it was going to find its direction and wow us with the great potential that is the Super Family outside of the main Kent triad. And I feel like that’s for good reason -- the end of Jimenez’s run let a lot of people feeling justifiably scorned, there was a mishandling of a lot of heavy and important subjects that were raised, and at least the initial stuff with Perkins taking over kind of left one wondering if they had a fully formed direction to go toward next.

But I am really glad that I stuck it out for this long because the family of John, Lana, Nat, and everyone else is so important and so fundamentally different from the dynamics found elsewhere in the new familial renaissance of the DCU that I needed it. And I hope it continues to emphasize these relationships and how important they are to each other.

I’m still unhappy with how anxiety and mental illness is being handled in the title and find it lacking since it was brought up to begin with and now being ignored. That subject alone is making me rethink my disinterest in Green Lantern books as a whole because I have loved and felt inspired so far by what I’ve seen of Jessica Cruz and their handling of anxiety, and it’s why I picked up Silk at the high recommendations of a close friend.

So I’d like for mental illness to be treated better in this title -- the least it can do after bringing it up and treating it the way it did at the end of Jimenez’s run, but there’s so much value in the non-nuclear family dynamic of the Irons household and of the uniqueness of Lana’s powers and her approach to fighting crime that it’s worth it. For me anyway.

IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2011-present) #70 Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, Mateus Santolouco, Ronda Pattison

I knew the end of this storyline was going to be, at the very least, explosive but wow, WOW I had no idea how many twists and turns it was going to take in that time. That was a phenomenal ending to the Mutanimals storyline for the time being, and I just feel so bad for Slash, down to my core. I’m so worried about him, and whenever he will be allowed to recover.

At least I hope he’ll recover.

This series is seventy issues strong and i’m just so blown away by the way they still manage to keep me on the edge of my feet while so many different storylines and character developments are happening at the same time.

I mean, I even feel for Old Hobb here!

I do suppose a complaint I could hold here is that the titular turtles themselves have ultimately not been very front and center throughout this storyline, and that really showed in the conclusion, where for the most part they were lost to the colorfulness of the huge, colorful supporting cast that has been developed over the years.

For me, personally, I think that’s honestly okay. We can’t have the same story over and over again with only the main four characters driving the narrative, and it’s been a long standing tradition in TMNT for a good 30 years now to sort of embody the concept that our main guys don’t really look for situations to get involved with but sort of fall into them naturally.

Not to mention it’s probably a strength that 70 issues in, we haven’t once repeated plots or stories or put any of the characters on a loop of development to end up right back where they started. I don’t think the achievement of that can be understated, especially as we near that landmark #75!

DC’s Titans (2016-present) #12 Dan Abnett, Kenneth Rocafort, Dan Brown

Bleh. BLEH. I was holding out judgment on the twist of Wally and Donna and Roy ending up in some kind of love triangle because I wanted the context but honestly the context is kinda... bleh. It would be awesome if we lived in some world and time where Donna’s origins were not constantly retconned and thus the source of her characterization in every run of every thing she showed up in. Which is by no means a new problem but still.

And my opinion is... Wally and Donna are both going through a hard time and Wally is having to accept that his life is fundamentally different from the previous world he knew, that he can’t just badger people into returning things to the way they were -- especially Linda, who he loves but it’s a very one-sided relationship as a result of the parallel universe paradox and stuff. It makes sense to me that in a ploy to gain some sense of control over that, he and Donna both would try to take fate in an unexpected direction, into their own hands.

But making it a love triangle with Roy just kinda keeps my eyes firmly rolled into the back of my skull.

I overall like Lilith, Dick, Garth, and Karen’s development and characterization in this issue. I think they’re taking Lilith in interesting directions and I’m really curious about what her omen means for the future, since apparently there’s a traitor among them. And they set up plenty of reasons for various members to be that traitor in this issue but I can’t help but assume already that it’s going to end up being a twist. Good twist or not remains to be seen.

IDW’s Transformers: Salvation (2017) John Barber, Livid Ramondelli

I’m going to be completely “original” here and say that I’m not a fan of Ramondelli’s at for the various Transformers comics. i know! I know. Shocking, never said before, completely going against the general fandom consensus. I’m such a brave soul. I know.

Okay, joking aside though... I didn’t think the art was bad in this one-shot. Actually! I’d argue a lot of it was even good. He may not be my favorite artist and I’ll think that his colo gradients are butt ugly most of the time, but there was better handled action sequences than usual, the characters looked like they had weight, and we even got a range of expressiveness in the characters that is... well, frankly, not usual for Ramondelli.

So other than that shocking revelation, I thought Barber performed good once more on tying the TF universe together again, answering some prior plot points and nicely knotting off loose ends. Trypticon being a Titan is not the biggest revelation in the world, but the development of Sandstorm and the Dinobots was great, and I loved just how devious Starscream truly is under Barber’s pen even though I’ve fully been enjoying the characterization for him in Till All Are One.

But the most important thing of all: SPARKLINGS. SPARKLINGS. All I’ve wanted for years is baby transformers so I am HAPPY BEYOND BELIEF. THEY’RE NO LONGER A DYING SPECIES AND THESE PRECIOUS BABIES COULD BE BORN WITHOUT EVER KNOWING THE CIVIL WAR AHHHHHHHH

DC’s Wonder Woman (2016-present) #24 Greg Rucka, Bilquis Evely, Romulo Fajardo Jr.

WOW! I mean, just wow! What a resolution to everything. I have so many emotions for Diana, for Barbara Ann, for even Veronica Cale of all people. Etta and Steve were great, the art was amazing.

It’s just such a relief and such... honestly just an amazing feat that Greg Rucka is beginning to wrap up this just phenomenal run of Wonder Woman

I really enjoyed how everything turned out and it was so remarkable to see Diana’s resolution to save Veronica but also to not turn her back on her friends and loved ones as well as the torment it is for Barbara to not be able to get into Themyscira after all her life’s work.

And I liked Diana’s assessment of Veronica at the end, it was true and also blunt to the point of cruelty. But fitting also.

It’s amazing what a turn around I’ve personally felt when it comes to Veronica’s character because in all honesty I was not a fan of her most of the time in the preboot, but Rucka really has fleshed her out and done something unique with her perspective now. There is tragedy but there’s also less deniability for her fault in all of it.

I’m sad to be coming toward Rucka’s end on the run, but I’m also so happy to see the love and passion he’s put into everything culminating to what it is now.

This is a genuinely hard choice but I think if I go by what tugged on my heartstrings the most, what gave me the most joy overall and just feelings unrelenting from start to finish, I would have to say that my pick of the week is All-New Wolverine. I adore this series and I couldn’t be happier with this issue and how they’re keeping my precious Marvel girls faaaaaar away from Secret Empire. A close second would be Wonder Woman but really I would happily recommend my entire pull this week. It was a geat week for comics.

But that’s just my opinion! I’d love to know your thoughts. Agree? Disagree? Think I missed something I should’ve picked up this week? I’d love to hear from you!

#Rena Roundups #SPOILERS #Wednesday Spoilers #All New Wolverine (2015 )#Amazing Spiderman: Renew Your Vows (2016 )#Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2011 )#Detective Comics (2016 )#Gotham Academy: Second Semester #Justice League of America (2016 )#Superwoman (2016 )#Titans (2016 )#Wonder Woman (2016 )#Motor Crush #Transformers: Salvation

20 notes · View notes