#arati watches

[rozecrest]

the i-am-brushing-her-hair-it’s-cruel-to-be-a-god monologue in episode fourteen weighs down my whole earth every time. being a kid and feeling the safety and rightness of lesbianism for the first time and having it clash with the realities of the way world treats you for being yourself is so real and makes me ache

[mrsvalentinefucker1]

Double penetration (2 holes) Leone abbacchio x f!reader x Bruno Bucciarati

“Abbacchio. Why are you in such a sour mood. You’re always shooing me away for no reason!”

“You’re just annoying.”

“What! Bruno doesnt think I’m annoying.. right Bruno?”

“I do not think you’re annoying cara, i actually think you’re quite the opposite. I could listen to you all day long ~”

Your face went red “really?”

“Mhm..”

“Bucciarati, you’re kidding right?” Abbachio chimed in

“No im not Leone, I’m actually being serious. Give her a try and you’ll see how much you like it. She can do something’s other women cant~” he winked at Abbachio

“Wh- what do you mean by that…?”

“Why don’t you find out. You’re a big man so I’m going to need you to be gentle with her.. and use protection. She’s very fragile.”

“Have you.. slept with her Bucciarati.?”

The man shushed his lips and walked away smirking

“Y/n.” Abbachio gripped your shoulder

“Yes..?” You looked up at him

“Have you had sex with Bucciarati?”

“Why… who is putting you up to this!”

“He told me to be careful with you, you’re fragile. How would he know that?”

You looked down “I- I don’t know.”

“Oh come on now y/n! There is no need to lie, tell him everything we’ve done~ maybe he’ll like you more..” Bruno’s voice cut the thick air

You nodded and began to explain what you two have done.

“Now all we have left to do is have you join, Leone Would you like too?” Bruno moved behind the man and gripped his hips

Abbachio gulped and slowly nodded

Bruno kissed him up and down as you walked over and began to do the same thing.

“Bucci— arati…”

“Yes?”

You looked at the two men and then back down, he was hard

“Hard already?”

He nodded

“How cute..”

Bruno looked at you and gave you your cue to start getting underdressed. Bruno pulled Abbachio’s cock out and began pumping it, his own member getting hard in the process

“You’ll take her pussy,” he whispered into the man’s ear as he let go of his cock and began taking his own out “you’ll like it..”

“Y/n! Come here please!” You walked over and sat down

“Abbachio, lift her up please.”

He lifted you up as Bruno came up behind you and began to slip his cock into your ass “now you slip into her cunt.”

“Bruno. I don’t know if I can take him..”

Bruno whispered into your ear and kissed your neck “you’re a good girl.. I know you’ll do great..”

Abbachio slipped his cock into your tight pussy, letting you adjust

“Be gentle..” you asked

The men nodded

“We can bounce her. Y/n let me know when you’re ready.”

You nodded “I’m ready..”

The men started to slowly lift you and slam you down onto their cocks.

You moaned out their names and began kissing Bruno while Abbachio watched in envy. He pulled you away and began kissing Bruno

“We’re gonna fill you, just because you want to be a little slut!” Abbachio snapped

“But you’re a good slut, amore.” Bruno jumped in

You moaned and giggled as they thrusted into your core, filling you.

You moaned and collapsed onto Abbachios chest as you finished your orgasm

————

Buy me a Kofi! ☕️

Definitely not required but they do help:)

[jazzytrait]

So... Emilee needs to put herself out there more. She did what most people do in a new town: she got an app. Basically... I WANT YOUR SIMS. More info below the cut.

Now, I know a lot of people gameify these things like reality shows. I don't watch reality shows... so I have NOT ONE SINGLE IDEA of how that works. Sorry.

Still, we can have fun doing this the old fashioned way. What will happen: 1. I'll load all the potential matches into the game and stick them all on a single lot in the neighborhood. (sucks to be them) 2. One at a time, I'll have them go one dates with Emilee. 3. We'll check their first impressions and see how they get on. (There will be no selfie with interactions - that's basically cheating.) 4. If it goes well, they'll get a second date. 5. Whoever has the highest combined relationship (friendly + romantic) at the end of 3 dates, will get to start dating her officially. 6. Aging will be temporarily turned off so we can get this done properly. About Emilee: 1. Favorite Movie: Get Him to the Greek 2. Favorite Radio Stations: Blues, Spooky and Alternative 3. Favorite TV Show: Community 4. Likes: extreme sports, the smell of fresh laundry, street food, the sound of snow crunching beneath her feet, mystery novels, sketching, painting, snowboarding, rock climbing, hiking, cooking 5. Dislikes: rom coms, slugs, people who chew with their mouth open, wet socks, gummy bears 6. Goals: Enjoy life to the fullest. She's not entirely sure if she wants a family just yet. She's got too much to do before she adds kids to the mix. 7. Career: Freelance artist / Yoga instructor

What Emilee is looking for: 1. Can have cc (please include with files) - Maxis Match or Maxis Mix 2. Male or Masc Female young adults only 3. Any traits 4. I may make tiny adjustments to fit my defaults and preferences. 5. I'm only accepting up to 8 sims (because more than that is just too much.)

How to apply: Tag me in a post with your sims' picture and info. I'd like to know: 1. traits 2. zodiac (for the lols) 3. short backstory 4. skills, likes/dislikes 5. hobbies 6. short "About Me", etc. Once I have all the sims for the dating to start, I'll make a big post with all their Simdr profiles based on the info you give.

Entrants: 1. Leonardo "Dodo" Harper by @akitasimblr 2. Arati Narang by @m0ckest 3. Devon Hearn by @challengedsimmer 4. Isaac Flores by @sweetestsimvotion 5. Sloane Huxley by @piinkplumbob 6. Cyrus Huxley by @piinkplumbob 7. Omar Murphy by @simsinfinitylt 8. Cassandra by @wastelandwhisperer

[queer-book-character-tournament]

Do you have Anna Lightwood and Ari Beidgestock accounted for on the divorce poll?

I do! I think I’ve got pretty much all the shadowhunter chronicles couples (not because I know this since I only watched the show, but just by sheer numbers of couples and characters in the submission list there can only be so many more) I’ve got so far:

Magnus vs Alec

Ari/Arati vs Anna

Kieran vs Mark vs Cristina

Helen vs Aline

Kit vs Ty

And Alastair vs Thomas (who I’m realizing now was never even submitted in the first place, but I’ll make an allowance for it since I already said yes before)

[bbnewsin125]

On October 30, President Biden issued a landmark Executive Order to ensure America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of AI. Watch as Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Dr. Arati Prabhakar explains the actions we’re taking, and then head to AI.gov to learn more. #bbnewsinternational #corp #bulletinews #dailynews #worldnews #trendingnews #newsoftheday #newsupdates #newsmedia #newsdaily #newsroom #internationaleditor www.bbnewsin.com

[moviesandmania]

TAHKHANA (1986) Reviews of Bollywood Hindi horror plus free to watch on YouTube

Tahkhana is a 1986 Bollywood Indian horror film about two sisters separated at birth and the search for a hidden treasure which is guarded in a dungeon by a bloodthirsty monster. The title translates into English as “Dungeon”. Written and directed by Shyam Ramsay and Tulsi Ramsay (Darwaza). The movie stars Hemant Birje, Arati Gupta and Kamran Rizvi, Narendranath, Puneet Issar Imtiaz Khan,…

[lizaw46]

Brass 7 Arati Stand With Wooden Handle

Step into a world of divine radiance with the alluring Brass Sata Dipa with Wooden Handle. This exquisite piece is a testament to the convergence of elegance and functionality, making it an essential addition to your sacred space. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it boasts a sturdy brass base adorned with intricate engravings that capture the essence of traditional artistry.

The highlight of this majestic artifact is its wooden handle, which offers both practicality and aesthetic appeal. The smooth texture and natural warmth of the wood provide a comfortable grip, allowing you to effortlessly move and maneuver the Sata Dipa during your spiritual rituals.

Designed to hold multiple diyas (oil lamps), the Brass Sata Dipa creates a captivating display of luminosity and brilliance. As you kindle the flames, watch as the flickering light dances through the intricately crafted patterns, casting a warm glow that envelops your sacred space in an ambience of tranquility and spirituality.

Whether you're performing religious ceremonies, meditation, or simply seeking solace, the Brass Sata Dipa with Wooden Handle serves as a timeless symbol of enlightenment and devotion. Embrace the beauty of spiritual illumination as you elevate your spiritual practices with this remarkable piece. Let the brilliance of the Brass Sata Dipa guide you on a journey of self-discovery and connection to the divine.

[sankirtan]

Radha Krishna Boat festival at New Nandagram | Ramai Swami. Keshava Prabhu, from Hare Krishna Valley (New Nandagram) in Bambra, Victoria, invited Devamrta Maharaja and I to the Radha Krishna boat festival at the farm.The previous day was hot and gusty but the weather turned more pleasant on Sunday and there were 300-400 guests who attended. The day started with arati and kirtan at the temple, then everyone went in procession down the hill to the lake. There was a joyous mood as the devotees anticipated seeing Their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Krishna in a beautifully decorated boat bestowing Their merciful darshana to all. Once there, Their Lordships were offered a wonderful variety of preparations, which was followed by arati and kirtan. Devamrta Maharaja and I spoke about Radha and Krishna’s pastimes in Vrndavan, especially at Manasi Ganga and on the Yamuna. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a sumptuous feast. To read the complete article and/or watch the video please click here: https://bit.ly/3TuXa6y

[linenova-au]

I’ll never again use a bath towel here’s what I use in its place.

Do you remember how wonderful it feels to get out of the water, gallop back to your beach chair, and curl up in your towel like it’s a huge blanket? Or perhaps after taking a revitalizing shower in a hotel bathroom, you wrap yourself in a soft white towel and collapse into the bed to watch TV only to pass out in its inviting comfort? What if I told you that you could recreate such feelings at your house Buy Bath Towel Set Online?

Here’s how: bath sheets.

If you’ve never heard of bath sheets, I want to make it clear that they are just big bath towels and have nothing to do with the sheets you use for your bed. Right, let me clarify these aren’t simply big bath towels; they are the best purchase you can make for bathroom supplies and will significantly improve your post-shower self-care routine.

While bath towels and bath sheets have the same components and structure, it’s the size that makes the difference. Bath linens are around 40″ by 65″, but standard bath towels are roughly 30″ by 58″. A throw blanket is typically 50″ by 60″, so a bath sheet is essentially the same size as one, except that it is meant to snuggle you rather than your sofa and is ultra-absorbent.

I have often used normal bath towels. They dried me off, and I believed that was all I needed. But when I acquired a beach towel on cheap during the winter and started using it as my bath towel, I unintentionally realized I enjoyed a bath sheet. I adored how it encircled me and how I could effortlessly wrap it around my complete frame to make the trip from the restroom to my bedroom.

I’ve discovered that the extra fabric allows me to use the towel for longer periods of time without worrying about it being entirely soggy. Another thing is that setting out a bath sheet for overnight guests to use is a thoughtful touch if you ever host them in your house. In fact, I’ve persuaded others to adopt the bath-sheet way of life, and they’ve all benefited.

But, there are detractors for every excellent (read: revolutionary) proposal. The “cumbersome” bulk of the sheet is the main complaint of most bath towel supporters. “I really don’t want to have to deal with all that additional fabric in my apartment-size linen “closet,” or on top of my head after a shower—my neck would not like the extra weight,” says Arati Menon, senior content lead for Home52. Also, even if the larger towel size seems warm, market editor Jada Wong would “would prefer wear a terry fabric robe and lay around.”

Fine! Buy Bath Towel Set Online! Nevertheless, before you say, “My bath towels are great; I don’t need to spend on a bath sheet,” allow me to persuade you by presenting some of my favorite bath sheets available for purchase.

[keralaweddingtrends]

Robin Radhakrishnan & Arati Podi Engagement Photos

Bigg Boss Malayalam fame Dr.Robin Radhakrishnan got engaged to entrepreneur, actress and model Arati Podi. The duo got engaged in an intimate function on 2023 February 16 with family and friends. During the ceremony, the couple was spotted both in purple. While Robin looks handsome in a desi wear, Arati looks ravishing in a heavily embellished lehenga. Here you can watch engagement photos of…

[lexiklecksi]

Happy STS! (It's still Saturday in my time zone and, in my defense, I was watching Nimona.)

What is phrase do you use way too much in your writing? Mine is "breathed a sigh of relief."

I love Nimona! Recently rewatched it. Her vibe reminds me of my mc the dragon girl Enya Arati. That's how I imagine Enya all the time:

I haven't started editing yet, I'm still writing my first draft. So future me will find out if there is a phrase I use way too much. I honestly have no idea, it's probably something stupid about the weather.

[edgarallanhoetry]

arati watches The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star (aka WE ARE BACK BITCH!!!!)

oh shit I didn’t know V Hudge was producing these movies. you go girl!!! #girlboss

my smiley man Kevin looks so good all cleaned up!

ahhh I hope JFK being closed because of the weather means this annoying ass child isn’t going to be in this movie

these power couples with their walking and talking on phones *heart eyes*

clearly they miss Fiona a LOT because this is a paper thin excuse for calling her in. but I do love this movie for saying fuck jails! love a community service convent Fiona who’s smarter than the cops. <3

her SHOES ! my girl, stealing the scene as always.

shoutout to Edward actually noticing the minions stealing the silver given that everything else he has said so far was stupid lmfao

wow between V Hudge, Remy Hii, and this drug being narrowed to the Asian black market (lmfao), this movie really said Asian American rights

okay two questions: 1. Is this movie like significantly sexier than the previous ones?? 2. Why am I so much more taken by Pemmie + Peter’s romance than anyone else’s 🥺

omg fuck yes, we’ve unlocked Fiona’s tragic backstory. V came into this movie ready to ACT

Reggie saying “I’m double jointed” with such glee - yikes I’m in this photo and I don’t like it

my favorite thing about this scene where they’re coming up with the plan is that it reminds me of Fast and Furious - the stakes are higher than ever and they are a familia!!!

um..............this practicing moving through the lasers scene is HOT. my bratty femme is COMPETENT and FLEXIBLE. 

omg the Saga of Olivia’s difficult journey continues and now Kevin is going to pick her up - they really said get everyone except Fiona out of the wayyyyyy

love how everyone is like “this is a TERRIBLE idea” except for Stacy and Margaret who clearly live for these old switcharoos

omfg Princess Switch 3 is a heist movie with 3 Fionas this movie was literally made for meeee the target audience is meeeeeee <3 <3 <3 

omg oh no Stacy is trying to sabotage Fiona ! I should be madder about this but I am also obsessed with Stacy’s very bad impression of Fiona and am finding it oddly compelling 

damn pussy so bomb his password is still her birthday over 5 years after they broke up?

okay this tango + moving through the lasers montage scene was also made explicitly for me

love that this deux ex machina santa man who shows up to help in all the movies is down for the shenanigans

okay completely unironically, I’m moved by the drama/emotion in this one

aww a Stacy - Fiona reconciliation scene! the girls are (no longer) fighting!!

their happy ending! 😍we stan apologizing when you’ve been wrong, honest communications, and fireworks

[newscountryindia]

Shooting 55kms/sec from our own bunkers gave us a strange positivity: Arati Kadav

Shooting 55kms/sec from our own bunkers gave us a strange positivity: Arati Kadav

When the country was under lockdown and the migrant crisis was creating ripples, writer-director Arati Kadav thought of making a short film about “human connect”. Through the story of an awkward man confessing his love to his college crush during a farewell group call with his school friends, moments before a meteor hits the Earth, Kadav touches upon what’s important to us in life,…

[aliveandfullofjoy]

When we rang in the new year, I was super sick with what might have been Covid (but also might have been the flu? idk, I got three negative PCR test results, it’s very weird). I’m much better thankfully, so now, over halfway through the first month of 2022, I’m finally sitting down to do my yearly tradition: it’s time for my ten favorite new-to-me movies of 2021!

The rules are the same as always: no movies from this past year (2021) or the year before (2020). Every other year is free game.

All ten of these movies are wonderful and well worth your time, so consider this a strong endorsement for all of them. I’ve also included ways to watch all of the films (as of this writing: Jan. 17, 2022).

01. Yi Yi (dir. Edward Yang, 2000; Taiwan) Over nearly three hours, Yang explores the emotional struggles of a middle-class family living in Taipei. It's not quite a spoiler to say the film opens with a wedding and closes with a funeral, because the plot isn't necessarily the important thing in Yi Yi. What matters are the moments of human connection -- a casual chat with a work colleague, a one-sided conversation with a comatose grandmother -- and those nearly imperceptible turning points in our lives -- a new hobby, an unexpected tragedy, a visit to an old friend. This is the first film I've seen from Yang, but if Yi Yi is any indication, he really understood people. As a work of cinema, as a human drama, as a meditation on the act of being alive, Yi Yi is magnificent. It's as rich and empathetic a film as I've ever seen. (Yi Yi is streaming on the Criterion Channel and is available to rent online.)

02. The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (dir. Preston Sturges, 1943; USA) I have no earthly idea how The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek got made. Mercilessly skewering practically every tenet of the American way, from motherhood to virginity to marriage to the press to the war effort, this film is a screamingly funny screwball comedy with a surprisingly huge heart. Sturges guides his phenomenal cast to a host of great performances: Eddie Bracken, Betty Hutton, Diana Lynn, and William Demarest (who delivers some shocking pratfalls) all turn in top-notch work. It’s breathlessly ridiculous and I loved it so, so, so much. (The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek is available to rent online and to view at this link.)

03. The Big City (dir. Satyajit Ray, 1963; India) At this point, I don't really feel like I'm being too hyperbolic when I call Ray one of the wisest and most empathetic dramatists of the 20th century. Anchored by a tremendous performance from Madhabi Mukherjee, The Big City follows the tension in a middle-class conservative Calcutta family after Arati, a housewife, gets a job to earn the family some extra money. It's a terrific feminist film, one that paints a vivid picture of 1960s attitudes towards womanhood in India without being too on-the-nose about it. And, like in Ray's best films, the conflict that arises from the rest of the family unfolds honestly and poetically. There are no bad people in this Big City -- just complicated people who sometimes hurt each other. A masterwork from one of the best to ever do it. (The Big City is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel and HBO Max.)

04. A Woman Under the Influence (dir. John Cassavetes, 1974; USA) I'm a little embarrassed to confess that this was my first experience with John Cassavetes. The film lives and dies by Gena Rowlands, who does GOAT-level work here. She's legendary, and rightfully so: her Mabel emerges as an unflinchingly authentic human being, a whole bunch of nervy contradictions bundled together into one woman stuck in a marriage with an emotionally stunted husband who doesn't fully understand her. Brutal and shocking, raw and warm, exhausting and devastating, this is an undeniably great -- if taxing -- film. (A Woman Under the Influence is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel and HBO Max.)

05. Three Colors: Red (dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski, 1994; Switzerland/France/Poland) I'm not proud of the fact that it took me over four years to finish watching the Three Colors trilogy, but from what I can remember, Red is by far the most satisfying chapter. With two fully-fleshed out characters played beautifully by Irène Jacob and Jean-Louis Trintignant and a script that feels comfortable wrestling with multiple big ideas (god complexes, odd couples, fate, artistry, justice, the cyclical nature of love, etc.), Red feels far more complete than its predecessors. It probably helps that it's inarguably the warmest and most optimistic film of the trilogy too. An utter joy to watch and to dig into. (Three Colors: Red is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel and HBO Max.)

06. 2046 (dir. Wong Kar-wai, 2004; Hong Kong) I was nervous it wouldn't live up to the hype. I mean, how could it? In the Mood for Love is so singular a cinematic achievement, an all-time masterpiece that was rightfully canonized almost immediately, and then Wong Kar-wai tempted fate by releasing a sequel. I shouldn’t have worried: 2046 is a marvel that blurs the lines between reality and fiction, history and the imagined future. Unlike its predecessor, which is an intimate chamber piece, this is a much larger meditation on the very experience of heartbreak, of rebuilding oneself after a love affair has turned sour. This is a deeply empathetic, almost unbearably gorgeous film. (2046 is available to rent online.)

07. Rocco and His Brothers (dir. Luchino Visconti, 1960; Italy) Rocco and His Brothers is huge, but tremendously powerful and pretty handily my favorite film from Visconti so far. Brutal, precise, tragic, and beautifully realized, this epic family drama is anchored by a slew of great performances from Alain Delon, Katina Paxinou, Max Cartier, and Annie Girardot, but it’s Renato Salvatori who walks away with the film. His devastating portrait of toxic masculinity is astonishing to watch. Essential viewing. (Rocco and His Brothers is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel.)

08. Silkwood (dir. Mike Nichols, 1983; USA) Undoubtedly one of the high points in the legendary careers of both Mike Nichols and Meryl Streep. It’s a terrifying film -- terrifying because the ways Karen Silkwood was destroyed, psychologically and physically by men in power -- but it's also utterly infuriating in its clear distillation of her injustice. From the beautifully observed interpersonal relationships around the factory to the gradual fraying of the central friendship between Streep’s Karen and Cher’s Dolly, the film's human component is always firmly front-and-center. That doesn't make it any less politically toothy though: the story of corporations trying to destroy unions and the people who run them is as American as apple pie. That truth makes Silkwood one of the most essential films this country has ever produced. (Silkwood is currently available to rent and can be viewed at this link.)

09. 35 Shots of Rum (dir. Claire Denis, 2008; France) Claire Denis is indisputably a master storyteller, but she's also one of the most perceptive, empathetic filmmakers walking the planet. Taking inspiration from Ozu's Late Spring, she infuses the mundane beauty in the world and in the day-to-day intricacies of our familial relationships with an almost cosmic grace. A lesser film might put the father-daughter relationship in the background in favor of the romance, but not Ozu, and certainly not Denis, and thank goodness for that: 35 Shots of Rum comes most alive when we linger in the bittersweet, frustrating love that Alex Descas' Lionel and Mati Diop's Josephine have for each other. By the ending, the audience feels like they've spent several months with this family rather than just 100 minutes. It's a real wonder. (35 Shots of Rum is currently streaming on MUBI.)

10. It’s Always Fair Weather (dir. Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly, 1955; USA) I can’t believe I hadn’t even heard of this film before this year. It's Always Fair Weather is like if The Best Years of Our Lives and On the Town had a baby and also that baby had depression. I mean that in the best way possible. So much happens in this film (Betty Comden and Adolph Green’s script is a miracle) that it’s hard to describe without getting lost in the weeds, but there are two elements that deserve individual recognition: first, Dolores Gray, who steals the film as a vapid, manipulative TV hostess, and brings the house down with her big number “Thanks a Lot, but No Thanks;” second, just like in Singin' in the Rain, the most wonderful moment in the film is a solo performed by Gene Kelly on the street: “I Like Myself,” an irrepressible expression of joy and one of the best numbers of Kelly’s career. (It’s Always Fair Weather is available to rent and can be viewed at this link.)

Honorable mentions (in alphabetical order): Big Deal on Madonna Street (Mario Monicelli, 1958), The Bigamist (Ida Lupino, 1953), Blood Simple (Joel Coen, 1984), The Children’s Hour (William Wyler, 1961), Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt (Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman, 1989), Dance, Girl, Dance (Dorothy Arzner, 1940), Distant Voices, Still Lives (Terence Davies, 1988); The Eternal Breasts (Kinuyo Tanaka, 1955), Floating Weeds (Yasujiro Ozu, 1959), Funeral Parade of Roses (Toshio Matsumoto, 1969), The Gleaners and I (Agnès Varda, 2000), Hail the Conquering Hero (Preston Sturges, 1944), The Heartbreak Kid (Elaine May, 1972), It Should Happen to You (George Cukor, 1954), The Last Detail (Hal Ashby, 1973), Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday (Jacques Tati, 1953), Morocco (Josef von Sternberg, 1930), My Neighbors the Yamadas (Isao Takahata, 1999), News from Home (Chantal Akerman, 1977), Nights of Cabiria (Federico Fellini, 1957), One Week (Buster Keaton & Edward F. Cline, 1920), Paprika (Satoshi Kon, 2006), Point Break (Kathryn Bigelow, 1991), Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor (Dave Fleischer, 1936), Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (Akiva Schaffer & Jorma Taccone, 2016), A Raisin in the Sun (Daniel Petrie, 1961), Salt of the Earth (Herbert J. Biberman, 1954), The Sea Wolf (Michael Curtiz, 1941), Sweet Smell of Success (Alexander Mackendrick, 1957), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (Joseph Sargent, 1974), To Joy (Ingmar Bergman, 1950), Touch of Evil (Orson Welles, 1958), Twenty-Four Eyes (Keisuke Kinoshita, 1954), Uptight (Jules Dassin, 1968), Wanda (Barbara Loden, 1970), and Where is My Friend’s House? (Abbas Kiarostami, 1987).

And some miscellaneous viewing stats:

First movie watched in 2021: Carmen Jones (Otto Preminger, 1954)

Final movie watched in 2021: When Harry Met Sally... (Rob Reiner, 1989)

Worst movie watched: The Snowman (Tomas Alfredson, 2017)

Oldest movie watched: Les Vampires - Episode Two: The Ring That Kills (Louis Feuillade, 1915)

Longest movie watched: War and Peace (King Vidor, 1956; 208 minutes)

Month with most amount of movies watched: April (42 movies, including shorts)

Month with least amount of movies watched: September (7 movies)

First movie from 2021 seen: Judas and the Black Messiah (Shaka King, 2021)

Total movies watched: 282

[triviareads]

A Very Bridgerton Diwali 🪔

In Which the Bridgerton Clan Celebrates Diwali

It was times like Diwali, Kate reflected, that she became very aware of the number of aspiring arsonists within the Bridgerton clan.

It had started in the afternoon when Kate and the others decided that the children needed something to do to keep them occupied while the adults relaxed. They’d already used up all the rangoli on the driveway (it now looked like a color bomb had exploded over it), and had exhausted Mary in the kitchen, so Kate figured decorating diyas was the best option.

An hour later, Kate and Sophie stumbled upon little Charlie fumbling with a lighter while Benedict patiently attempted to teach him how to use it. He was being egged on by a crowd consisting of Amelia, Belinda, Caroline, David, and Edmund.

“Benedict!” Sophie shrieked. “What are you doing?”

“Letting them light the diyas?” Benedict offered to his wife with a grin, then looked at Kate. “I thought that was traditional?”

“Not if the kid is five!” Kate exclaimed, and did not leave the scene until Benedict gently coaxed the lighter from his son and pocketed it with a wink in their direction.

Then there was Daphne who had taken a ridiculous liking to the incense sticks Kate used for pujas, and Kate had caught her practically inhaling one of them.

“Forget about scented candles,” Daphne said with a feverish gleam in her eye. “I’m buying these for the house from now on- where can you get them from again?”

“The Indian store,” Kate supplied, adding dryly, “Or most ethnic aisles.”

Hyacinth had been tasked with bringing the fireworks to Aubrey, because, as she’d told them in a deeply suspicious manner, she “knew a guy”. She’d brought with her a rucksack full of sparklers and fireworks of dubious legality, and said rucksack was currently positioned near the end of the terrace.

Kate saw more than one child (and adult) look longingly in its direction.

Honestly, Kate was beginning to think the only normal one in this family was, inexplicably, Colin.

(But then again, Colin had also shoveled about five bhajis and three laddoos into his mouth in rapid succession upon arriving at Aubrey, and then asked what was for lunch).

Now, the family was assembled outside, facing the makeshift alter Mary had created with Edwina’s help. Because of the fire hazard of having open flames in a five hundred year-old stately home, they’d opted to do the puja on the large terrace behind Aubrey Hall. Everyone watched with rapt fascination as Kate and Edwina lit the diyas and the tiered brass lamps, and Mary began to chant the ancient Sanskrit prayers. Kate closed her eyes and mouthed the words silent meditation as her stepmother’s soothing voice carried in the open air. There was something deeply moving about this- being here, with her family and children, celebrating the holiday in their home. Diwali for so many years had meant greasy Indian food and parties with drunken sparkler shenanigans, she’d nearly forgotten the simple things that made Diwali, Deepavali, one of her favorite holidays.

Now, the sun had nearly set and Aubrey Hall’s stone facade was lit by a fiery haze of oranges and reds and the little lamps and lanterns burned bright even in the brisk November breeze. The scent of incense and smoke penetrated the air and Kate could not help but breath it all in deeply.

Finally, it was time for the arati, Mary circling the twin flames in front of the alter of their Gods before offering it to all the adults and children.

“What are we supposed to do?” Eloise asked.

“Touch the flame,” Anthony told her, smug in his knowledge of Hindu customs by now.

Eloise squawked, “Touch the-”

“-What your idiot brother means,” Kate interrupted, “is set your right hand vaguely over the flame, then touch that hand to your forehead, then chest, and then do a namaste- oh my God, Belinda don’t actually touch-”

Daphne hurried forward and all but yanked her daughter’s hand away from the open flame.

See? Aspiring pyromaniacs, the lot of them.

“Now spin three times, clockwise, and do another namaste-”

“That means to your right,” Simon put in dryly, watching the children (and some of the adults) struggle with the instructions.

“How come right?” Miles asked his mother. Miles was in that particularly exasperating phase of childhood where he questioned everything under the sun. Luckily, this was a question worth humoring.

“And how come three?” Alexander piped up, Mile’s little shadow, that one was.

“Left is sacrilegious and so are non-odd numbers,” Edwina said succinctly. “Did I get that, Ma?” she asked Mary, who gave her a thumbs-up. There was a distribution of haldi, kumkum, and a comfortable lull fell over the family.

Belinda tugged at pallu of Daphne’s saree (Mary had helped all the ladies drape them earlier in the afternoon). “Can we do the fireworks now?” she asked.

“In a moment,” Daphne told her daughter indulgently. “I think Aunt Kate has a story for all of us.”

“Story?” Belinda repeated.

“Dad and Mary used to tell us this one every year during Diwali, well, Naraka Chaturdashi specifically, and I thought it would nice to keep the tradition going,” Kate said with a fond smile in her stepmother’s direction.

“Oh I know this one!” Eloise cried. She’d dabbled briefly in Buddhism and was a vegan. “The one with Ram and Sita and why you celebrate Diwali, right?”

“No,” Kate shook her head. “This is another origin story, and a bit more feminist too.”

Eloise raised a curious brow. “I’m interested.”

“Right, gather ‘round, children,” Kate instructed her sons, nieces, and nephews. Gregory and Hyacinth also came forward.

Kate began. “Once upon a time, there was a demon by the name of Narakasura. He was born of Varaha and the earth goddess Bhumi, was very evil-”

“-So, a monster,” Ned supplied, little know-it-all that he was.

“Yes Neddy,” Edwina said gently, “a monster.”

“Narakasura was power-hungry and not only took over the world, but also the heavens. He got so bad, he kidnapped sixteen-thousand women and stole Aditi, the mother goddess’s earrings.”

Colin gave a low whistle here, and Anthony threw him a dirty look.

“What?” Colin asked his older brother defensively. “It’s just, sixteen-thousand women-”

“-Yes, thank you, Colin,” Anthony interrupted loudly, “for showing us exactly where your mind goes when my wife is trying to tell us a chaste, religious story.”

“I mean…” Kate said mischievously, adding like the trial lawyer that she was, “feel free to reraise your question upon the conclusion of this story, counselor.”

Colin smirked and nodded.

“Anyway,” Kate went on, “Aditi and all the gods were obviously upset with the havoc Narakasura was wrecking and so they went to Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. You see, Narakasura had been granted a boon that he could only die at the hands of his mother Bhumi, and Satyabhama was actually an incarnation of Bhumi, so it was decided Krishna and Satyabhama would go and wage a war against Narakasura to defeat him.

“So,” Sophie asked delicately, “does that mean she was Bhumi, or like, a version of Bhumi, or…?”

“A version, I guess,” Kate said thoughtfully. “Honestly, I can never keep track of who’s an incarnation of whom.”

“Narakasura’s father was Varaha, who is an incarnation of Vishnu and Krishna is also an incarnation of Vishnu,” Mary supplied helpfully.

“Oh my gosh,” Amelia said, wide-eyed, “is the bad guy going to be killed by his parents?”

Kate was too impressed by Amelia’s deductive skills to really ponder on the theological implications at play here. She opted instead to continue with the story.

“And so there was a great war, and Satyabhama and Krishna fought all the demons. Krishna finally fought against Narakasura, weapon for weapon, blow for blow. But suddenly, Krishna was hit-”

Here, Violet issued a little gasp. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly to her daughter-in-law. “It’s just, this is so riveting! I wish Sunday School was like this.”

“Mum, you never sent us to Sunday School,” Daphne pointed out.

“No wonder we’re such a godless lot,” Benedict joked.

“And so Krishna was hit by Narakasura,” Kate went on, “and he fell briefly unconscious. This enraged Satyabhama so much, she fought Narakasura herself, and as the old boon promised, Narakasura was killed by Satyabhama, the incarnation of the goddess Bhumi. The heavens rejoiced, Krishna rose up again, and they returned Aditi’s earrings and rescued all those women. It is in honor of this occasion, among many, that we celebrate Diwali.” Kate glanced at her littlest niece Caroline, who was listening raptly. “Caro sweetheart,” she said, “you want to finish off the story?”

Caroline wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know it,” she told her aunt.

“And they lived…” Kate prompted.

“And they lived happily ever after!” Caroline cried, and then promptly asked, “Fireworks?”

Kate laughed. “Yes, go on, the lot of you.”

The children ran off onto the grounds with a collective whoop, Gregory and Hyacinth chasing after them.

“They’re going to set something on fire, aren’t they?” Violet said, watching their retreating figures with a placid smile. “Probably,” Anthony told his mother, draping his coat around Kate, who hadn’t even realized she was shivering in her silk saree. It was a mark of how comfortable Anthony had gotten with fatherhood if he wasn’t worriedly chasing after his wayward sons and their cousins, Kate reflected fondly.

Mary and Sophie came out with trays of steaming-hot filter coffee and sweets which the adults gratefully partook in.

“So,” Colin said to his sister-in-law, munching on a homemade jalebi, “sixteen-thousand women?”

“Right,” Kate grinned. “Afterwards, they all married Krishna.”

Daphne choked on her sip of coffee. “They what?”

“Polygamy was practiced in a lot of ancient Eastern religions,” Eloise told her older sister loftily.

“She’s not wrong,” Mary shrugged. “And Satyabhama was only one of Krishna’s eight chief wives.”

“Krishna is the great lover among our gods,” Kate said with a wry smile. “A romantic hero of sorts.”

“Is that the moral of the story- of Diwali- then?” Anthony asked Kate, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Love?”

“Love, equal partnership-” she leaned into his embrace and he kissed her forehead. “And family.”

The first fireworks shot up into the air and exploded in the night sky in a shower of sparks and light.