#but then the ny special was lit

[kyuani]

Miraculous is doing something right for me to have been spoiled so much on this season, yet still be genuinely shocked & engaged in these episodes skskksks

[amhrosina]

Hiii

I LOVE your work, and I was wonderful if you could write something with hurt/comfort with Matt Murdock?

Like you were coming home late and someone was following you home, and Matt hears you heart beat and comes to find you juste before the creepy person makes a move on you? And the reader is like “I’m fine, I’m okay” even tho she crying very hard and can’t breathe and Matt is like “no you’re not, but it’s okay I’ll take care of you” and then he takes care of reader and it’s fluff and comfort?

Thank youuuuu

Savior (Matt Murdock x Reader)

A/N: Hiiii! Thank you for reading! It's a short ficlet, but I ended up really liking how it turned out! Also, Charlie Cox is so, so PRETTY. A special thank you to my beta reader @wheredidiputmyfish for being so great! <3 (Word Count: 1.0k)

MASTERLIST // JOIN MY TAGLIST

You didn’t fully comprehend the predicament you were in until it changed from sketchy to dangerous. Hell’s Kitchen was especially quiet that night, though the argument could be made that it never fully went to sleep. Bodegas, laundromats, and diners stayed open late into the night, and it was the light spilling from their fogged windows that lit your route home.  

You knew Matt wouldn’t be happy with your decision to walk home alone. He’d warned you time and time again to wait for him, or get a taxi if he wasn’t around, but taxis were expensive, and he hadn’t answered your call earlier. Now, you cursed yourself for not waiting. 

The man behind you had been following you for thirteen blocks – you'd counted in nervous breaths – and he was gaining on you. You walked at an increasingly rapid pace, heart thundering as you blindly dug through your bag for the pepper spray Foggy had gifted you when you’d moved to the city. It was big and a stark blue, with the words “I Heart NY” stamped around it, but your hands were shaking so badly that even if you could find it in the black hole that was your tote bag, you weren’t sure you’d be able to use it.

You turned the corner, nervously glancing at the stranger out of the corner of your eye, and almost yelped at the proximity he had gained. He was within ten feet of you, and you didn’t give yourself a chance to hesitate before you took off running. 

“Hey!” He called. 

You ignored him, pushing your legs to move faster. You could see the entrance to your building, a tiny speck in the distance, and you prayed Matt was close enough to hear your racing heart. The man’s feet pounded on the concrete behind you, and you let out a wild shriek that you hoped would alert someone nearby. If it was heard by anyone, they didn’t make it known. You were alone, and the man was so close to you now that you knew you’d be grabbed by him before you could make it to the safety of your building.  

Arms wrapped around your middle, hauling you into an alley. You began shrieking at the top of your lungs, if only to make it harder for your attacker to get away with whatever he planned to do. 

“Leave me alone! Stop!” You fought with all your might, swinging and kicking wildly in front of you in a last-ditch effort to get away. “Get off me, you fucking creep!”  

Hands cradled your face. 

“It’s me. It’s me, sweetheart.” Matt’s smooth voice coaxed your eyes open. You hadn’t even realized they were closed. “You’re safe, sweetheart. I’ve got you.” 

You blinked up at him in relief. Your heart thundered in your chest, making it hard to breathe. He wasn’t in his Daredevil suit, but the way he clenched his jaw told you that the Devil was itching to come out and play.  

“There was a man,” you started, voice scratchy from the screams you’d let out, “He was following me. I-I know I should’ve waited for you to come get me, but I didn’t want to bother you and then this guy showed up and I was trying to find the pepper spray but-” You were rambling now, gulping in air and waving your arms around as you explained.  

“Are you okay?” Matt asked, softly caressing the curve of your cheekbone.  

“Yeah.” You nodded. The lie tasted ashy on your tongue.  

“You’re crying, sweetheart.”  

“I-I’m fine.” You stuttered, attempting to blink the tears away. “I’m fine.” You tried again, but your voice wobbled as the words left your lips. You couldn’t tell if you were trying to convince him or yourself at that point. Matt nodded along with you, kissing your temple.  

“Let’s get you home, okay? You’re safe now. No one will ever hurt you again, okay? I’ve got you.” He led you to the apartment you shared with him, only letting go when you sunk into the cushions of the couch. “I’m going to make you some tea, okay?” 

“Okay.” Your voice was wispy, barely audible to anyone besides Matt, who had tuned himself to you so thoroughly that you sometimes felt like he could read your thoughts. Like right then, as the thought entered your brain, and he responded before you could even finish the thought. Some Chamomile tea would be grea- 

“Is Chamomile alright?” He called, clinking the mug against the counter. 

“Yeah, Matty. Thank you.” You breathed through your anxiety and wondered what happened to the man who’d been following you. 

- 

Later that evening, after he’d drawn you a bath and tucked you into bed, the Devil finally got what he wanted. Matt hadn’t mentioned it to you, but he’d been diligently tracking the stranger’s heartbeat since he’d intervened earlier that evening, and as soon as your heartbeat evened out, suggesting your deep slumber, Matt was jumping across rooftops towards the irregular heartbeat he’d been listening to all evening.  

He wasn’t sure what he was going to do once he got his hands on the guy who had followed you earlier. The blood curdling scream you’d let out was indication enough of your fear, and it echoed in Matt’s ears as he got closer to his target. 

He wouldn’t kill the man. That wasn’t a line Matt was willing to cross, but the thought certainly crossed his mind. If he’d put his hands on you, touched you with his filthy awfulness, Matt might’ve been angry enough to do it, though, and that terrified him. He’d never been so close to murder before, besides maybe with Fisk, but no one fucked with you and got away with it. He wouldn’t kill the guy, but he’d hurt him. Badly.  

Matt took a deep breath and let the Devil creep out. May God have mercy on the stranger’s soul, because the Devil surely wouldn’t.

Tag List:

@xleiaorgana @mukbee @soft-emo-enby @purple-amaranthe @kokoterainonago666 @blackwidownat2814 @minervadashwood @emiemiemiii @h4rrys @messymissy @mylifeispainandiloveit @mossexe @alina02 @spikedhe4rt @fictional-hooman @thedevilwearsblack @merleisapartygod @legocity2 @violet-19999 @quackson03 @certifiedhunter @shoxji @layazul @dumb-fawkin-bitch @americaarse @lazyxsquirrel @honeysucklepotter @m0nster-fvcker @matthewmurdockswhore @thatgirljayy @hiyabyeyababy @scoliobean @infinityisbright @myguiltypleasures21 @thegirlwiththeeyes1297 @goddesspsyche @mxxnligxt @ladamari68 @dnxgma @evyiione @twsssmlmaa @gpenguin666 @desert-fern @day-dreaming-goddess @alexxavicry @hallecarey1 @km-ffluv @chiaraxtargaryen @trulylavandedarling @D0wnbad @deliciousfestsalad @lilyevans1 @22carolina08 @definitelynotsugar @casualchaoticdevil @peachy-flxwr @nashja @xshewayout @blep--bloop @kpopgirlbtssvt

[hometoursandotherstuff]

1925 penthouse for sale in New York City is fully renovated, but the current owner is an art collector and it's full of pop art, that is not included in the sale. 4bds, 6.5ba, $26M + $38,440 monthly HOA fee. The buyer will have to be extremely wealthy just to afford the HOA fee! (It's one of those stock cooperatives where you own stock in the building.)

The unit has 2 elevator access points.

The stark white reno was done to showcase the large bold art. Love those coffee tables. Special gallery lighting is installed to properly illuminate the art.

The large paintings take up whole walls.

Almost every room, like the TV room, opens to the roof top deck.

There is a den off the TV room. Notice the carpet is the same pattern, but it's white & brown where the TV room's is black & brown.

The dining room has an amazing view of the New York City skyline.

And, it's even more amazing all lit up at night.

The eat-in kitchen also has a great view of the city and commercial stainless steel appliances.

This appears to be a bar and even has a dishwasher.

The primary bedroom also has a wonderful view and door to the roof, and it's a very large room with space for a sitting area. I can't tell if that's a carpet or a hard floor, but either way, how in the world do you keep clean it?

The primary bedroom has a closet that's as large as a clothing store.

The library is a lovely cozy space, but the red sofa and ottoman really make it pop.

This bath is very spa-like.

Large home office.

One of the secondary bedrooms is very attractive and has a door to a the roof. There are also 4 staff rooms in the home.

[fibula-rasa]

Lost, but Not Forgotten: The Dancer of the Nile (1923)

Alternate Titles: Tut-ankh-amen, Tutankhamen of Luxor

Direction: William P.S. Earle

Scenario: William P.S. Earle

Original Story: Blanche Taylor Earle

Production Manager: Dick L’Estrange

Camera: Jules Cronjager & Joe Goodrich (assistant)

Scenic Artist: Xavier Mochado

Set Designer: Paul Dodge

Technical Advisor: Capt. Dudley S. Corlette

Studio: William P.S. Earle Pictures Corporation (Production) & Film Booking Offices of America (F.B.O.) (Distribution)

Performers: Carmel Myers, Bertram Thomas Grassby, Malcolm McGregor, Anthony Merlo, Sam de Grasse, Iris Ashton, June Elvidge, Paul Weigel, Howard Gaye, Mother/Nellie Anderson, Beatrice Marsh, & Earle Marsh

Premiere: 12 October 1923, Loew’s New York, New York, NY

Status: presumed entirely lost

Length: 6 reels,  5,787 feet

Synopsis (synthesized from magazine summaries of the plot):

Princess Ankhnespaton [sic] (June Elvidge), daughter of King Akhnaton [sic] (Howard Gaye), has a run in with a band of thieves while traveling. Prince Karmit (Malcolm McGregor) of Syria arrives, disguised as a merchant, and saves the princess. The princess becomes enamored with Karmit and invites him back to the royal residence in Thebes. 

While visiting the royal gardens, Karmit encounters a dancer, Arvia (Carmel Myers). He is instantly smitten. The princess is furious that Karmit has rebuffed her for a mere dancer.

Meanwhile, tension between those loyal to the king and those loyal to the old gods erupt when the seasonal flooding of the Nile river doesn’t occur. The princess finds in this situation an opportunity to get her revenge on Arvia. 

The princess decrees that Arvia will be offered as a human sacrifice to the god Sobek, in order that the Nile will rise as expected. Arvia is adorned with a poisoned amulet to knock her out while she is fed to the crocodiles.

In an unexpected turn of events, the high priest Pasheri (Sam De Grasse) discovers that the intended sacrifice is his own daughter. Pasheri sneaks into the chamber where Arvia is to be sacrificed and saves her at the last moment. 

With Pasheri’s aid, Karmit whisks Arvia away. As the Nile rises, the new couple sail away to Karmit’s kingdom to live happily ever after.

The princess goes on to marry Prince Tutankhamen (Bertram Grassby). And, after the death of her father Prince Tut will become King Tut.

Additional sequence(s) featured in the film (but I’m not sure where they fit in the continuity):

The Temple of Amun-Re is also depicted in the film.

Points of Interest:

While many contemporary reviewers of The Dancer of the Nile (DotN) didn’t mark it as an especially good film, props were given for the artistic effects achieved by Director Earle. Earle and his brother, Ferdinand Pinney Earle, were both pioneers of the era in special effects. 

Ferdinand was a painter who contributed matte paintings and art titles to many films of the 1910s and 1920s. While William was primarily a director, both brothers ambitiously created films that were on the cutting edge in regard to techniques of incorporating matte paintings with live actors/studio-shot footage. 

For William, it was DotN, and for Ferdinand it was A Lover’s Oath (1920/1925, presumed lost save for a few fragments), which was an adaptation of Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat. (ATM, I’m planning on doing the next installment of this series on this film!)

(Explanatory note: One technique at use here involves double exposure. Part of the frame is obscured while filming, leaving the obscured part of the film unexposed. The film is then rewound, with the exposed part of the film obscured, to film another element. The final result is, hopefully, a cohesive sequence. 

Another technique is shooting through painted glass, which, if painted and lit correctly, results in the painting and the scene occurring behind it appearing as a singular space. 

For example, a fully painted environment with live actors moving across the scene. In DotN, there is at least one scene where a live actress ascends a set of stairs, which is a painting. These techniques require an amazing amount of precision, but when done right they can be really dazzling. The double-exposure matting technique has persisted through most of film history, albeit rarely at the scale the Earle brothers were using it! 

Below is an illustration of how a moving version of matte photography works from a 1926 issue of Photoplay, followed by some stills from DotN that used the multiple-exposure technique.

I have a few posts coming up that go into more detail on how special effects were executed in films of the 1920s!)

William P.S. Earle’s focus on the artistic elements without much regard for story or characterization may have left many critics cold, but DotN did prove to be a lasting attraction, running in theatres around the world for years following its release.  DotN was produced hot on the heels of the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922 in Luxor, which launched a new wave of Egyptomania. On one hand, Earle was cashing in on a trend, but on the other, he took the opportunity offered by assured profitability to experiment. In addition to the special effects discussed above, Earle attempted to capture as much period accuracy as possible in the painted settings, props, and costumes. Balancing historical accuracy with perceived “authenticity” in period art is exceedingly difficult—Earle seemingly had mixed success. However, one contemporary review in the magazine Art and Archaeology by Dudley S. Corlett (also the film’s technical advisor) is highly complementary of DotN’s attention to historical and artistic detail. [You can find the review in the transcription section!]

After Earle had more or less finished DotN, F.B.O. bought “Tut-ankh-amen” for distribution. F.B.O. financed reshoots that shifted the narrative away from Tut and towards Arvia, the dancer—hence the title change. I guess F.B.O. believed that cashing in on the trend of movies about dancers would be more lucrative than cashing in on Tut-mania!

☕Appreciate my work? Buy me a coffee! ☕

---

Transcribed Sources & Annotations over on the WMM Blog!

[aceontheline]

WTTT Headcanons: Alaska Edition!

Despite his exterior & cold nature, Alaska actually loves to play in the snow. Sometimes he'll invite his small circle of friends for a snowball fight. Or he'll play with his dogs ((Fido, Balto, Togo)), but Alaska mainly plays alone. He'll make snowmen & snow forts.

Alaska is friends with California (somewhat), Hawaii (closest friend), Maine, and New York. They like to hang out in Zoom meetings and just talk from time to time, or watch movies. He calls this group chat "The Upper Crust".

Alaska, to destress after appearing in meetings, does the following: Turns off all his lights (with exceptions), listens to music and tries to fall asleep. He cuddles with his dogs a lot, as he doesn't want to call upon anyone for that responsibility.

Alaska's playlist to relax mainly consists of ambient noise mixed with Lo-Fi (i.e: Rain or waves with Lo-Fi music).

Alaska has fairy lights. He uses them to calm himself down & to keep the room at least somewhat lit. He isn't afraid of the dark (obviously), but just enjoys the aesthetic look of it.

Alaska and Maine's friendship is only growing closer by the day. Without realizing it, Alaska has hugged Maine for extended periods of time, not that he minds.

Alaska has Autism Spectrum Disorder. He can have a hard time understanding certain social cues & will take any opportunity to talk about his special interests.

Alaska is always at "The Table" meetings, just lurking in a corner somewhere. He only appears if someone mentions his name, or anything about him. Alaska has told Gov numerous times that he doesn't feel the need to participate, but he sticks around for any opportunity to mock Texas. Or to see any of his friends quickly.

Alaska always wears his hat, no matter the weather. He really only takes it off to shower or to go to bed. Like New York, Alaska almost feels naked without it. But unlike NY, Alaska gets a little upset when he can't find it, becoming pouty and even more distant.

[wikipediafag]

15 questions | 15 people

tagged by @twinpeaksrecord thx 4 the tag !! v sweet :)

are you named after anyone? yup! Afeni Shakur she was a black panther party member & tupac's mother

when was the last time you cried? listening to Blonde as i type this lol had a lil tear at "you are from my past life/hope u feeling well bruh"

do you have any kids? nope

do you use sarcasm a lot? too much maybe

what’s the first thing you notice about people? behavior/mannerisms idk.. how they're Acting

what are the colour of your eyes? brown-black

scary movies or happy endings? scary!!!! my s/o and i watched Saw II for st. valentines yesterday it was super fun :p

any special talents? i dont think so? i dont wear makeup daily but im very good at it! more like a secret hobby lol i find it annoying to wear it under my glasses,, which i wear everyday so...

where were you born? NY

what are your hobbies? i love writing so... lots of that. poems, short stories, essays, journaling idk Anything. i play ukulele, been playing for 6? 7? years now :) love movies love horror movies and i listen to a terrifying amount of music each year. like every waking hour <3

do you have any pets? leopard gecko! she's a princess and i love her

what sports do you play/have you played? i've been pretty strictly Solo Sports for a looong time lol Martial Arts, Rollerskating, Ice Skating (i used to do figure but had to quit), Swim, Riflery, Archery, and Track bc of fucking course.

how tall are you? dont laugh yall im 5'1"

favourite subject in school? english history or french it was always one of the three

dream job? ok vast range but. mortician or english teacher. DreamDream job would be professor teaching african diaspora lit or smth

tags: i def wont do 15 ppl lol soz @ziggygloom @das-wil @thegenius8pie @merricatcoded @blehlife103 @fennnnton @lip-scrub @stonerfae

[afpwestcoast]

Colony, Woodstock, NY, 9/2/23

This was the last of a three-night stand at Colony in Woodstock. I missed the first show, but you can find my write-up of the second one here.

The previous show got off to a bit of a slow start (I’m not saying it’s because they didn’t open with Good Day, but I’m not NOT saying that either) but tonight they lit the afterburners from the first beat and never looked back. High energy, excellent execution, with just the right amount of antics and hijinx. Overall a stellar performance.

It was also a landmark event in Dresden Dolls history. The running joke is that when they hand out the set list to the crew before a show a common response is to just crumple it up with a ‘yeah, whatever’ because the Dolls are notorious for not following the set list. Tonight, however, for reportedly the first time in Dresden Dolls history, they executed the published set list to the letter. In response the crew “graded” the list like homework and gave it back to the band marked up as though by a third-grade teacher. After the show Amanda gifted me this remarkable document, suitable for framing.

As she had last November, Amanda hosted a Patreon brunch at the venue on the Sunday following the shows. At the November shows Brian had taken to drumming on the string of lightbulbs running across the stage, breaking several of them. It had been noted that the lights in question had been removed, and the thought was that this was a permanent modification. But no! At brunch on Sunday the lights were back! So this was definitely a Brian-specific alteration.

The highlight of the brunch - by far - was the presentation of a very special gift to Amanda. Melissa, an avid fan and Campersander, hand-crafted a beautiful ukulele and laser-engraved it with the names of everyone who attended the most recent Campersand. It was stunning and Amanda was deeply touched. Since she had never made a ukulele before Melissa was a little nervous about how it would sound, but Amanda played In My Mind on it and it sounded great!

Annotated Set List:

Good Day - The opener that god intended.

Sex Changes

Gravity

Night Reconnaissance

Bad Habit

Mrs. O

My Alcoholic Friends

After torching through the first seven songs without stopping for breath, Amanda paused to take the temperature of the crowd. I was exhausted from the previous night and told her I didn’t know whether I would make it through the set. Amanda responded, “Oh I am going to fuck you,” and then yelled “Everyone tonight gets fucked!” The crowd erupted into cheers at this, causing Amanda to muse about the nature of Dresden Dolls fandom. “It’s a little bit of a cult in some ways.”

Welcome to the Internet (Bo Burnham cover)

Amanda said they were about to play some brand new songs and asked that they not be recorded, but then said, “Before we play you that newnewnewnew stuff we’re gonna play an old old old old old one. … I am going to play you the very first Dresden Dolls song I ever wrote. I was 15 when I wrote this song.”

Slide

She then told the story of the Director of her high-school musical stopping a rehearsal to yell, “Amanda! You can’t sing!”, which is the source of the line Sing for the teachers who told you that you couldn’t sing in the song Sing. 

Whakanewha (pronounced fuckin-A fa)

Boyfriend in a Coma

Before heading into the brand new material Amanda placed an order with the bar. Manhattan, up, in a small glass, in case you’re wondering.

Mister God - This is Amanda’s new favorite song; she thought it was good … and then Brian ran it through his rigorous criteria in the Test Kitchen and turned it into fire!

Houdini

The band came to the front of the stage for the next song and Amanda used Betsy (stilt-walker extraordinaire) as a footrest.

Mein Herr

Merch Commercial

Ultima Esperanza

Coin-Operated Boy - During this song Brian had some sort of mechanical issue with his kit and eventually gave up, left the stage, and came and stood with us in the crowd. I handed him my phone and he proceeded to stare at it like the kid in the back with the phone who refuses to sing, which is actually a bit of a sore point. Eventually everything was sorted and the band played on.

Half Jack

— —

Girl Anachronism

Sing

Photo Gallery:

Amanda came out over-dressed.

Whole lotta drummin’ goin’ on!

Brian is having a moment.

Welcome to the Internet.

The Dresden Dolls are essentially a hair band.

Mein Herr! (Betsy is the best footrest.)

Brian is a vampire.

The first ever perfectly-executed set list!

Left: Lights removed from Brian’s reach during the show. Right: Lights replaced for Sunday brunch.

Amanda playing a beautiful ukulele hand-crafted by Campersander Melissa. It sounded great!

[alwaysbeyondhope]

I GOT A HUG FROM HELEN SJÖHOLM!!

It still doesn’t feel like real life.

I left Lund around 5, and it only takes 30-40 minutes by train to get to Helsingborg. But I’m still pretty anxious when it comes to travel times and being in places I’ve never been before.

The walk from the Helsingborg train station to the concert hall was super fast and easy. It was raining and at first I had my head down to shield me from the rain. But I looked up and I saw all the Christmas lights and the trees decorated and I thought to myself the city is so beautiful, take some time to enjoy it! So I took some pictures.

The concert hall itself was very nice - the lobby had a Christmas tree all decorated and lit up. My seat for the concert was front row dead center which was amazing.

And the music. Ohhh the music.

I saw Helen live in May for her En ny tid tour, and she was incredible. I hadn’t seen Anna Stadling perform in person before. But the two of them together - it was electric, it came off so easy and effortless. You could just tell how close they were even without knowing their history.

They played most songs from their album. Helen had a solo, Anna had a solo. They brought their cellist, Linnea Olsson, to sing an a cappella version of The First Noel with them.

The whole concert was amazing and breathtaking. It was the last show on the tour, so Helen and Anna received gifts from the band and Helen looked so surprised and touched by it and I was able to capture that moment on camera.

They were doing a signing after the show. I actually said a quick word or two to Anna as they were heading from the stage to where they were signing. I was super nervous and starstuck and said something like “amazing” and Anna smiled, said thank you, and gestured and said we’ll see you out there. (the gist of it anyway cause it was in Swedish and it was loud but I could figure out what she meant).

I brought my Snö och marshaller CD and my Chess på svenska lyric book to get signed. They were selling the album on vinyl and candles to benefit the Red Cross but it looked like the only payment they were taking was Swish (essentially a Swedish Venmo recognized throughout the country on a country level) so I didn’t buy anything.

I wanted to try and make the effort of speaking in Swedish, even knowing that it would be awful, so I approached and said something like “my Swedish is not good, can we talk in English?” and they were so nice about it! And said yes, of course English works!And I was so happy to have said it and tried it - which is probably the most I’ve tried to speak in Swedish in all the times I’ve visited - and it seemed like they were happy that I tried.

I told them I was learning Swedish but it’s still hard for me, and that I came here from the US and planned my trip specifically around this concert. Both of their jaws dropped and it was just so amazing to talk to them. I got both things signed, and I got a picture with them, and before I left I asked if I could give them a hug. So I got hugs from Anna and Helen. It was more than I could ever have hoped for.

I didn’t want to take too much of their time - I would have talked their ears off if I had the chance, talking about how amazing Kristina is and the Swedish version of Chess and how Helen’s music helped me through my separation and divorce, and how Anna’s music is incredible and their Christmas album is something so special to me because it’s not just traditional Christmas songs, it has depth and more of an open heart feeling. But I knew there were other people waiting. So I thanked them again and then I left and headed back for the train back to Lund.

There was no shame spiral. There was no worry about making a fool of myself or pushing boundaries or doing the wrong thing. It felt so natural and good and it was freeing, to be in that position and not feel like the walls were caving in.

I was a bit afraid today that I didn’t say enough, that I was really quick with the interaction. But it was fulfilling and worthwhile while also being timely and thoughtful of other fans. And the fear and the nerves only lasted a little bit.

It’s an experience I’ll never forget. And one that I have a picture of.

So speaking of pictures - gonna post some of the ones I took!

[wedesignyouny]

Celebrating Yahrzeit and the Candle Lighting Tradition

Understanding Yahrzeit and the Tradition of Candle Lighting

In Jewish tradition, the observance of Yahrzeit and the act of candle lighting holds significant cultural and spiritual importance. These practices offer an opportunity to remember and honor the memory of loved ones who have passed away. In this blog, we will delve into the meaning of Yahrzeit and the custom of lighting Yahrzeit candles, shedding light on the rich symbolism and heartfelt traditions associated with these practices.

Yahrzeit: Commemorating a Loved One

The term “Yahrzeit” is of Yiddish origin and means “anniversary” or “time of year.” It is observed on the anniversary of a loved one’s death, following the Jewish calendar. This poignant tradition allows family and friends to remember and reflect on the life and legacy of the deceased. Yahrzeit can be observed for parents, siblings, children, relatives or friends.

The Symbolism of Yahrzeit

Cycles of Life: Yahrzeit marks the cycle of life and death. It serves as a reminder that while the physical presence of a loved one may be gone, their memory lives on.

Continuity: By observing Yahrzeit, individuals affirm their commitment to carrying on the values and traditions instilled by the departed. It’s a way of maintaining a spiritual connection with the deceased.

Light in Darkness: Yahrzeit is often observed by lighting a special memorial candle, symbolizing the idea that even in the darkest moments of grief, there is a guiding light of hope and remembrance.

Yahrzeit Candle Lighting

One of the most significant aspects of Yahrzeit observance is the lighting of a Yahrzeit candle. Here’s what this ritual entails and the symbolism behind it:

The Candle: A Yahrzeit candle is a 24-hour candle, typically enclosed in a glass or metal holder. It is often marked with the name and birth/death dates of the deceased.

Lighting: The candle is lit at sundown on the evening of the Yahrzeit and should burn for approximately 24 hours. It’s usually placed in a prominent location, such as on a windowsill.

The Flame: The flame of the Yahrzeit candle is reminiscent of the eternal flame that burns in the Temple in Jerusalem. It signifies the eternal nature of the soul.

Memorial Prayer: While lighting the candle, a special memorial prayer, known as the Mourner’s Kaddish, is often recited. This prayer is a way of acknowledging the eternal connection to the departed and affirming faith.

The Significance of Yahrzeit Candle Lighting

Honoring the Deceased: Lighting a Yahrzeit candle is a profound act of respect and love. It serves as a beacon of remembrance, ensuring that the memory of the departed remains alive and vibrant.

Community and Support: Yahrzeit candle lighting often brings together friends and family to share in the memories and provide support to those who are grieving.

Consolation and Healing: The act of lighting a Yahrzeit candle can offer solace and healing by providing a dedicated time for reflection and prayer.

Yahrzeit and the tradition of candle lighting are meaningful Jewish practices that provide an avenue for remembrance, reflection, and spiritual connection to loved ones who have passed away. These traditions reinforce the idea that the bond with the departed is eternal, and their memory continues shining brightly in those who loved them. The act of lighting a Yahrzeit candle is a beautiful way to ensure that the flame of their memory never goes out, even in the darkest of times.

3026 Hempstead Tpke. Levittown, NY 11756

info@jmchapels.com

516.418.7000

https://jmchapels.com

[wyrmfedgrave]

Pics:

1 & 2. Photos of Edgar Rice Burroughs the creator of Tarzan, John Carter & so many other heroes, villains & vivid settings...

3. Map of the Inner World of Pellucidar. The name that comes from the word pellucid, for something that's "transparently clear" - as befits a 'place' under continual 'sun' light.

4. Cover for a special edition of the novel "Pellucidar." Back when artists helped you view the story in your mind!

5 & 6. Covers for 2 of the books in this 7 novel series & of interest to us...

1906: The Earth (is) Not Hollow.

Edgar R. Burroughs was an American writer who's best known for his hero Tarzan. He had a prolific output in the sci-fi, fantasy & adventure genres.

Burroughs' works sold 30 million copies during his lifetime! And, he was an early pioneer of the crossover event - having Tarzan visit his fantasy series, "Pellucidar".

Plots: These 7 Hollow Earth novels begin with a giant mechanical driller taking our heroes underground - to look for mineral deposits.

Instead, the "Iron Mole" discovers an Inner World some 500 miles below the Earth's crust!

A place lit up by a the molten core acting like a tiny 'sun.' So, there's no 'measurable' time there - it's always 'now'...

Stranger still, the land curves upward! As if everything's inside of a bowl.

More importantly, it's a place that's inhabited by ancient animals & enslaved humans!!

But, worse, every being in Pellucidar is trying to survive - by killing & eating each other!!

Mahars, winged reptilian overlords - with hypnotic powers, run a slave society & like to snack on people!

The series takes readers across many savage lands & seas - with our heroes battling their way thruout a vast Inner World...

Pics:

1 & 2. Great cover & card art(?) for "Tarzan At the Earth's Core." This was a landmark crossover between 2 of Burroughs' novel series. A rare event in those bygone days.

3 & 4. Inside art from a comic book adaptation - with, it seems, art from the great Thomas Yeates(?)...

Criticisms: Usually, such 'colonial' authors don't fare well with modern readers. Their legacies become tainted due to the writers' white supremacist sympathies.

Figures like: Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad & yes, even Lovecraft, all have repugnant personal ideas behind their works.

The same can be said of Burroughs. He's a man who's famous for creating an African jungle hero. Yet, the writer never visited Africa himself!

Burroughs was actually 'inspired' by the pulps he read as he struggled to sell pencil sharpeners...

ERB, "If (pulp writers) were paid for writing such... rot, I could write stories just as rotten..."

Since then, readers have argued that Burroughs exceeded the low bar he set for himself!

Burroughs was also smart enough to make business brands & franchises out of his works.

The skeptics of the time, chided him for 'diluting' his writings.

They were wrong.

To date, there's been over 50 films made out of his Tarzan character alone!

And, many of his literary inventions have received various types of multi- media adaptation.

According to the NY Times, "Before Tarzan, nobody understood... how marketable a (such a commodity) could be."

Weird Factoid: In 1929, the 1st Tarzan book was removed from the Los Angeles Public Library - supposedly because Tarzan & Jane were "living in sin!"

Then, in 1934, Germany got into the same act!! The Berlin Film Control Board banned all the Tarzan books for being "dangerous to Nazi 'principles' of race... & offensive to Nazi ideals (like) womanly dignity!"

(Why's my sense of irony tingling?!)

Life: Burroughs was a patriotic man who attended the Michigan Military Academy - both, as student & as a geology teacher.

At the beginning of WW1, Burroughs tried to attend West Point, get into 'Teddy' Roosevelt's Rough Riders or wanted to join the Chinese Army - as a mercenary!!

But, he was denied entry to all...

So, Borroughs enlisted in the U.S. Army - & got sent to Arizona! There, he was Captain of the U.S. Reserves & would rise to the rank of Major.

Burroughs also wrote patriotic articles & worked pro-American themes into his short stories & novels.

His military training had instilled the idea of honor between warriors in Burroughs. This morality came to play a role in his heroes' development.

Burroughs also hated Communism. He planned to write a novel of a future where Bolshevism ruled the world - just for the Army!

But, this idea was nixed in the bud.

After the war, this plot germ became his novel "The Moon Maid."

Later in life, Burroughs moved to Hawaii, where he heard the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor!!

Unable to join the fight, he became the oldest war correspondent in U.S. history...

After WW2, Burroughs suffered from several health problems. He was supposedly reading a comic book when he died - of a heart attack.

[doingthedirtydishes]

From New York City to Maine to Miami to Nicaragua to Costa Rica to Colombia; a Covid-19 journey of boundless determination: An ineffable odyssey of the heart.

It was April and soon I would be off to Europe to live and also record the pilot episode of my adventure travel TV show: Wheels Up! Having just returned from living in Amsterdam, Holland before Covid-19, still viewing the world through rose colored glasses, the thought that international travel would come to a standstill was absurd. And then it did. Almost all travel came to a halt, resulting in me becoming a man without a home. Yet with adamant resolve, I was determined to persevere in finding my way to Europe.

After being denied entry to board the plane to Holland twice in New York, over a one month time span, it became clear I was going nowhere. After checking into a hotel in Queens, NY, not a minute passed before I was looking for a new foreign country to settle until this virus blew over. After two weeks in a hotel yielding no results, soon to be broke and homeless in NYC, the idea of moving to Europe was a distant wish.  Eventually, by way of love from Elaine, a friend from Maine, I landed myself in Portland.

One Maine winter and almost seven months later, with the world of international travel non-existent, having tried twelve different countries, stranded at another hotel, with expenses adding up as savings dwindled, desperation set in. With spring on the horizon, one night on a call with a representative from Amazon, who resided in Nicaragua, after connecting with him through my story, he said: “Why don’t you move to Nicaragua?” I replied: “Well, it never occurred to me to move to there, but I will look into it.”

Figuring Central America was a great place to lay low for a short time, it became clear I had to get to Miami in order to then fly further south. By this time it was determined that Colombia would be a better location to shoot the pilot episode. Nicaragua was meant to be a temporary layover until I was able to gain entry into South America. Before moving there I knew there was no possibility of filming while Ortega was still in office. Nicaragua is a police state where one must mind their political “Ps” n “Qs.”

Off to Miami Beach I went for some well deserved relaxation in the sun. Not many cities in the world can pale in comparison with the experience of Miami. It is truly an international hot spot, though mostly for the naive rich who are unaware of their responsibility of time and wealth, or those who wish they were of the inane class of the aforementioned. Every third car that passes by on the neon lit streets of Miami Beach is of some exotic luxury or custom foreign import – a pretentious display of grandiose ostentation.

Staying at The Claremont Hotel in the heart of the inferno proved prudent. Mitch and his team were angels in disguise, always attentive to my needs and requests. Much time was spent at their restaurant and bar, where I was met day-to-day with pleasurable conversation and gregarious guests. As often is the case when out-and-about, I was invited to join another table for drinks and to chew the fat. One night Dan (see photo) and Kim from MA invited me to join them. A night of tipsy revelry was had by all.

Dan had experience with a family member who was in a wheelchair and understood the daily challenges and difficulties I faced. He knew getting to the beach required special assistance with the wheelchair – so he invited me to join them the next day. It is not often when traveling the world that a Dan presents himself – what a serendipitous gift! It was so refreshing and invigorating to my soul to hear and feel the ocean again. Water makes me feel as if I am back in the womb. A day of fond memories; I am grateful.

And after one month in thus far another hotel, with airlines still a total disarray of misinformation and canceled flights with little or no notification, finally I found a fitting condominium to live in Granada, Nicaragua. After much searching, I was able to reserve a one-way seat on a private charter flight to Managua – at ‘only’ double the price. Flight now reserved, with necessary medical clearance tests and registration with airline and government completed, one week later I arrived in Managua, Nicaragua.

My plan was to live in colonial Granada for six months until I could move to Colombia in August. Things were not right from the beginning with the owner of my home. An utterly unscrupulous man, often he changed prices and rules – but I blindly looked past his shenanigans. To say he was nefarious would be an understatement. When, after three months of his games, he decided to bribe fourteen heavily armed para-military to beat down my door to evict me with ten minutes to depart, I knew it was time to leave.

Within a week I found a way out of Nicaragua. It was not as easy as you might think at this time – travel was a total mess in this region. And with an impending election of a forty-year dictator, many airlines and companies no longer had an interest in doing business in Nicaragua. The day before I was to depart to Costa Rica, via land at Penas Blancas, my taxi driver canceled on me – surely connected to the owner. Thankfully my dear friend David from Madrid, Spain, decided to rent a car and drive me to the border.

Once safe and sound in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, I was able to relax and re-assess the whole situation. I spent my time in the land of Pura Vida sitting by the water, eating delectable far-off foods, recuperating. This was my first time to this part of the country. It is a land rich with an abundance of natural beauty, possessing no lack of verdant and liquid splendor. It was the respite I needed before traveling to my final destination: Colombia. Liberia airport has a quick and efficient Covid-19 testing center right on premise.  

Five days later, I found myself with an extended layover in Miami. After another week in Miami rollicking with friends and freshly energized from my nightmare in Nicaragua, in the fullness of time I departed to Cartagena, Colombia. A friend from Bogota had been helping me to find an apartment but none had come to fruition still before my departure. So it was decided I would stay at a hotel again until a more permanent residence could be established. That wish would prove much more difficult than anticipated.

As my reservation at the hotel in Cartagena was coming close to an end, a vital decision had to be made. There were no appropriate homes in the city limits fit for my requirements in searches at this time. I was forced to make a new reservation, at a higher rate. The Hilton at El Laguito is a dream for a wheelchair. The staff is immensely helpful. There are ramps and flat tile floors all about the property. And I had full access to the pool and outdoor bar and restaurant. But it was starting to break my already slim bank.

Amsterdam reappeared on the radar but it was soon fall in Europe and I was more hell-bent on staying in the tropical sun of South America. A friend from another city further up the Caribbean coast from Cartagena lives in “Qiami” AKA little Miami, Barranquilla. It is a newly developed city with state of the art roads, modern buildings and other large community projects. It is well known throughout Colombia for its seafood. The food there is spectacular. The amalgamation of people and culture is one of a kind.  

So one day a friend came to fetch me from the hotel, delivering me to Barranquilla. It was such a better solution than a taxi or the dreaded overcrowded bus. True, inevitably I ended up at another hotel. This time I made a reservation for three weeks, figuring that was adequate in order to locate proper housing. That initial three weeks turned into four months at the same hotel. Once again I was blessed with the most helpful and caring staff. Fifty-five apartments later, we still had yet to find a suitable apartment.

At this juncture, with the input of close trusted friends and mentors, it was decided that I would move to Mexico. Oddly, it was not a country that made it onto my possible “go-to” list. Adam, the producer of the TV show, has screamed since the start of this Covid-19 catastrophe that I should just blindly travel to Mexico and relax. As it turns out, it is also a country that qualifies for filming my adventure travel TV show, Wheels Up! The evidence was mounting for me to find my way somehow to Yucatan, Mexico.

Shakespeare postulated that life was a play and we are all actors on a grand stage. To go even one step further would be to entertain Musk’s belief in simulation theory. It is even possible we have lived this life already and presently are watching it play out as part of the ultimate virtual reality, one unimaginable in our current stage of human development and understanding. We are not suitably equipped with the required tools of profound intellect and spiritual know-how to answer the bigger questions of humanity. 

It is said that we need what we get and get what we need [in life]. Life is a river, and if one goes against the current, they are knocked down. In life we have our agenda, but life has its own. Guess whose wins? Not yours. Fall down seven; get back up eight. The journey continues when one looks within, taking the hero’s journey, slaying their inner dragons, thus entering their heart, in turn entering their soul: their inner God. You are a creation of God; you are a part of God. The chasmic quest of the heart is the way.

You are not from the universe; you are of the universe: you are the universe. All the answers you seek in life lie within you. One only needs to bridge the heart divide to start finding answers. Once in your heart it will bestow upon you the ride of your lifetime. Looking into my heart sent me down a road that today I am still in the process of trying to digest, understand. It practically left me broke and homeless abroad in a wheelchair, more than once. I would not change a thing. I am where I should be. The story continues.

There are no mistakes in life; all roads lead to the same destination. Next preordained mooring: Mexico.  

Travel Blog: Click here.

Spiritual Blog: Click here.

Book: Unbreakable Mind. (Print, Kindle, Audio)

Doing The Dirty Dishes Podcast: Watch or listen to episodes and subscribe: Spotify, Apple Podcast, Buzzsprout.  Also available on Google Podcast, iHeart, Tunein, Amazon Alexa and Stitcher. 

Doing The Dirty Dishes YouTube channel – watch and subscribe.

Social Media links: Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin.

Travel Blog links: Covid-19 stranded in NYC JFK and Maine – also travel stories on Ireland, Spain, Sweden,  Belgium, Iceland, Colombia (Espanol version), Amsterdam, Germany, New Hampshire, TN and NYC.

Personal Website link where you can also find my book, photos of my travels and updates on current projects.  

Thank you for your love and support.

[sandrateitge]

Steffani Jemison & Justin Hicks (Mikrokosmos) Another time, this time, one time 24 Jun – 2 Jul 2022

CCA Berlin  – Center for Contemporary Arts

Formed in 2016 as the collaborative platform of composer Justin Hicks and artist Steffani Jemison, Mikrokosmos mines the history of Black music. This ongoing project has manifested in many forms: workshop, study session, concert, listening session, book, prompt, score. The exhibition at CCA Berlin presents two related compositions inspired by Gil Scott-Heron’s  ambitious songbook. Another time, this time, one time (Aaliyah, Barbara, Brandy, Chaka, David, Erykah, Gil, Lionel, Loleatta, Mariah, Marvin, Stevie) tracks a small group of melismatic* gestures across bodies and time; it is a search for the "mother run." Another time, this time, one time, the first Mikrokosmos LP, uses Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s “We Almost Lost Detroit” (1977) as the raw material for R&B songwriting. Like a game in which new words are formed from existing letters, these live compositions and recompositions take the form of musical studies, samples, and improvisations. Jemison and Hicks reflect upon a wide range of subjects, including Scott-Heron’s biography, police violence in the United States, and the nuclear catastrophe that threatened the city of Detroit in 1966. *Melisma (Greek: lit. 'song'; from melos, 'song, melody') is the singing of a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession. Music sung in this style is referred to as melismatic. An informal term for melisma is a vocal run.

Justin Hicks is a multidisciplinary artist and performer who uses music and sound to investigate themes of presence, identity, and value. His work has been featured at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Performance Space New York, The Public Theater, JACK, National Black Theatre, The Bushwick Starr, MoMA, Dixon Place, festival Steirischer Herbst (Graz, Austria), Western Front Society (Vancouver, BC), MASS MoCA, The Whitney Museum of American Art,  Nottingham Contemporary (Nottingham, UK), The Albertinum - SKD (Dresden, DE),  The Highline, and The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts among others. Hicks has collaborated with notable visual artists, musicians, and theater-makers including Abigail DeVille, Charlotte Brathwaite, Kaneza Schaal, Meshell Ndegeocello, Cauleen Smith, Helga Davis, and Ayesha Jordan. He was the Drama Desk-nominated composer for Mlima’s Tale by Lynn Nottage (The Public Theater 2018 dir. Jo Bonney). His practice with artist Steffani Jemison, Mikrokosmos, has deployed commissioned performances and exhibitions internationally.  Hicks was a member of Kara Walker’s 6-8 Months Space and holds a culinary diploma from ICE in New York City.  He was born in Cincinnati, OH, and is based in the Bronx, NY.

Steffani Jemison was born in Berkeley, California and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her work has been the subject of solo exhibitions and special projects at JOAN Los Angeles (2022), Contemporary Art Center Cincinnati (2021), the Everson Museum (2021), the Stedelijk Museum (2019), Nottingham Contemporary (2018), Jeu de Paume and CAPC Bordeaux (both 2017), MoMA, New York (2015), RISD Museum, Providence (2015), and LAXART, Los Angeles (2013) among others. Her work has been included in numerous group exhibitions, including the Guggenheim Museum (2021), the Whitney Biennial, New York (2019), the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (2019), and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia (2017). It is in numerous public collections, including the Guggenheim Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum, the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Brooklyn Museum, the Whitney Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the San Jose Museum of Art, the Albright-Knox Museum, the Stedelijk Museum, and others. Jemison currently lives and works in Brooklyn and is an Associate Professor at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts.

*Steffani Jemison & Justin Hicks' ​Another time, this time, one time is part of CCA Berlin's Stirring Up Trouble, a program unfolding until the end of June, and which aims to host, restage, and think alongside four distinct artistic positions that foreground acts of listening and their manifold potentialities. Through their practices, invited artists engage listening as a method of witnessing unseeable formations of violence (Lawrence Abu Hamdan); an invitation to inhabit tropical geographies otherwise (Kent Chan); an everyday practice of place-making and communitarian belonging (Black Obsidian Sound System); and a regenerative archival portal into shared inheritances and histories of struggle (Steffani Jemison and Justin Hicks). By tuning in to organized sounds, accidental leaks, and enforced silences, they conceive modes of aesthetic experience that challenge common perceptions of artmaking, and trace roadmaps to resonant imaginaries. Stirring Up Trouble is generously supported by the foundation Between Bridges. Co-conceived with Edwin Nasr.

[itsnabychan]

« … that this trip helps you get some clarity. »

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[chinaaesthetic]

Chinese New Year! 新年快乐!

*please note that the information below isn’t celebrated by everyone in the same way. Some customs are more common in northern China rather than southern China and vice-versa.

How to wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year:

1. 新年快乐！Xīnnián kuàilè! - Happy New Year! (This can be used one the first day of the lunar calendar as well as the Gregorian calendar).

2. 新春快乐！Xīnchūn kuàilè! - Happy Spring Festival!

3. 新年好！Xīnnián hǎo! - Hello! (This is how you greet people during Chinese New Year).

When greeting or wishing someone a Happy Chinese New Year, many Chinese people wish their family and friends things like: “I hope you have a happy and healthy family,” “I hope you get a job promotion,” “I hope you have good fortune and pockets overflowing with gold.” Here are some examples:

4. 恭喜发财！Gōngxǐ fācái! - Wish you a successful and prosperous year! (This saying is known well because of this Chinese New Year song you can watch here).

5. 阖家幸福! Hé jiā xìngfú - Wish you a happy family!

6. 事业有成! Shìyè yǒu chéng - Hope you have a successful career!

You can watch this YouTube video or read this article to learn more about how to wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year!

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What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, also known as lunar new year or the spring festival, celebrates the first day of the new year on the lunar calendar. In 2021, this holiday falls on Friday, February 12!  This holiday is the most important holiday to those who celebrate this - its importance can be comparable to how Americans celebrate Christmas.

People have been celebrating Chinese New Year for about 3,500 - 3,900 years. It’s exact origins are unknown, but this tradition is believed to have started in the Shang Dynasty (1600-1049 BC) when people would make sacrifices to the gods and their ancestors towards the end of a year. However, the tradition was recorded and official during the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD) when Emperor Wu began using the lunar calendar. He chose to follow this calendar because it would let him know when second new moon after the winter solstice was.

Now, many Southeast Asian countries and people besides the Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year such as: Koreans, Vietnamese, Tibetans, etc. However, it is common to not see Japan celebrate Chinese New Year.

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Why do I keep hearing about the Year of the Ox/Cow?

Just like in western culture, there are zodiacs in eastern culture that the Chinese follow. There are 12 zodiacs, and these zodiacs follow a cycle of 12 years. Each new year represents one of the zodiacs. 

In order, they are: Rat/mouse, Ox/cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

2021 is year of the Ox/Cow - 2020 was year of the Rat/Mouse - 2019 was Year of the Pig... and so on. 

Because each zodiac has its own characteristics, they define a year. Chinese zodiac scholars have said in 2021, Year of the Ox, will be a flip-around positive change. They believe this year will be lucky and that it will be a good time to focus on love and relationships. People who are born in years of the Ox are known to have a lot of endurance, be calm and confident, but are also stubborn.

Just like in western culture, these zodiacs are believed to affect personality, fortune, etc, and instead of getting your zodiac by your birth month, you get your zodiac by your birth year. If you are interested in your Chinese zodiac, you can type in your birthday on this calculator and read about it.

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What happens during Chinese New Year and how long do you celebrate it for? Lantern Festival?

On average, Chinese New Year is celebrated for about 15-16 days (from about New Year’s eve to the first full moon). Preparations start seven days before New Years because stores and restaurants close and people travel to be with their families. Most students are also on their big break during this time - they get off from school around the beginning of january and go back after Chinese New Year. It should also be noted that Northern China and Southern China celebrate the new year differently.

During the preparation period, people go shopping for food and decorations. They also clean the house very well. If living in a different city than one’s family, many people will travel back to their hometown to celebrate with family.

During the New Year’s Eve period, the house is decorated with New Year’s decorations, and there is a reunion dinner with family at the host’s house. Out of all the dinners you have during the year, it is incredibly important you don’t miss this dinner, which is why there are so many issues with travelling during this time. At this dinner, you eat many lucky foods such as dumplings and fish. Also during this time, the older generations will give younger generations something called 红包, which translates to “red envelope.” These envelopes are filled with money and are only given on very special occasions such as new years and weddings. Friends give these to each other, but it is not common at all for a younger generation to give one to an older generation person. There is a custom where families stay up late to “watch over the new year,” which is called 守岁. Late at night, people also like to go to temples to hear the first bells of the new year ring because they believe it will drive away bad luck.

On Chinese New Year’s Day, fireworks go off, families cook and eat large meals together, sacrifices are made to ancestors, etc. (Fireworks are especially important because they believe it will make your business more successful.) One popular tradition you might know of is the dancing lion/dragon parades where people wear a dragon costume and parade through the city. Dragons are very representative of Chinese culture and are thought to bring luck to a community. Lions are a symbol of protection.

For about a week after the first day, most people go visit family and friends. A lot of times people will visit the other side of their family. For example, someone will spend most of the time with their mother’s side of the family during the new year, then during this week, they will go visit relatives of the father’s side.

After that week, most people go back to work. This is around day 8-10. Businesses, restaurants, and stores reopen, and many people leave their hometown to go back to jobs in the city.

Day 15, the final day of Chinese New Year, is the Lantern Festival. On this day, the first full moon of the new year happens. To celebrate, people will light more fireworks, revisit family, eat sweet dumplings (called tangyuan), and participate in the Lantern Festival. People release lit lanterns into the sky to honor dead ancestors. This is called 元宵节.

You can read more here.

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What foods are eaten during Chinese New Year, and what do they represent?

During Chinese New Year, many special foods are eaten, and these are foods that are considered to be lucky and to bring fortune into the new year.

1. Dumplings - represent wealth. Dumplings take hours to make and involve family help. They’ve been eaten for at least 1,800 years and are especially popular in northern China. It is said that the more dumplings you eat during the new year, the more money you will make.

2. Fish - represents prosperity and success. The word “fish” in Chinese sounds like the word “surplus” in Chinese.

3. Glutinous Rice Cake/Nian gao - represents success in your work (more money, better position). 

4. Spring rolls - represent wealth. They get their name because they are most often eaten during the Spring Festival which is CNY. This dish is more popular in eastern and southern China.

5. Oranges, tangerines - represents luck and fortune. This is originally a Cantonese custom, but many people grace their tables with citrus fruits. The word for “tangerine” sounds similar to the word for “good fortune” in Chinese.

6. Longevity noodles - represents longevity. These noodles are longer than usual to represent a person’s long and happy life. This is more commonly eaten in northern China. *It should be noted that these are mostly eaten on birthdays but can be eaten during the NY as well.

7. Sweet rice balls/tang yuan - togetherness in family. This food is eaten during the Lantern Festival, the last day of Chinese New Year. The shape and pronunciation is associated with closeness of the family.

8. Snacks - represent a sweet and pleasant life. Any sweet snack like dried fruit, candy, tanghulu is eaten during this time.

When it comes to food during Chinese New Year, there are superstitions about how foods should be prepared and what makes them lucky. You can read more about them here as well as here.

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What kinds of decorations are put up in houses during the new year? What do the colors represent?

1. Spring/door couplets - These couplets originated in the Shu era. As seen in the picture below, you post these on doors in couples - in Chinese culture, even numbers are seen as good luck. On many of these couplets are written wishes or poems for the new year. Each couplet should have the same rhythm and the same number of words.

2. Paper cutting - Translated as “window flower,” these intricate, red paper cutting pieces are placed on windows and often represent the zodiac of the new year or other symbolic animals such as fish, dragons, and phoenixes.

3. Upside down characters/Fortune - Many Chinese people during the new year hang up positive characters such as Fu, which means happiness and good fortune. It is written in calligraphy on a red piece of paper and then put upside down on doors and windows. It is hung upside down because the people want the good fortune to fall down onto them.

4. Red lanterns - These lanterns push away bad luck and are seen during both the Spring and Autumn Festival. They can be hung on trees, outside houses, etc. There are also many styles - they can come in many shapes and have symbols written on them.

5. Kumquat trees - As said before, citruses represent good luck and fortune. People place kumquats and citrus fruits on their tables or decorate their homes with small kumquat trees.

You can read more about decorations here as well as here.

Common colors seen during Chinese New Year are red and gold, but green can also be found.

The color red is not only dominate during Chinese New Year, but it is also very representative of Chinese culture as well. Red signifies fire, good fortune, and happiness. It is representative of good luck, keeps the holiday very joyous, and scares away bad spirits.

Gold or yellow is considered to be a very beautiful color. Gold symbolizes wealth, riches, and prosperity.

Green represents money, harmony, and growth. 

Though these are the most common colors, it should be noted that a color combination of green and red is considered to be tacky in Chinese culture. 

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What do people wear during Chinese New Year?

On the first day, it is traditional to wear new clothes and new accessories as it symbolizes new beginnings. However, there are people who like to wear sentimental accessories to respect and remember their ancestors.

Some people like to wear traditional Qipao/Cheongsam, Tang Suits, and Hanfu, but many people stick to western clothes like skirts, dresses, and pants. There is also a tradition of wearing lucky, red underwear for New Years.

Tang suits are the most popular to wear during the New Year, Qipao is also popular, but it is often too cold to wear during the winter months. Many people are starting to wear Hanfu again to celebrate the new year, but it isn’t widely accepted yet to wear during the new year.

During the new year, people wear a lot of red and gold. It is important to NOT wear mostly white and/or black. These symbolize death, and white is worn at funerals. Anything that is bright, bold, and upbeat should be fine to wear, but you should go for something that is red.

*If you want to wear something that is traditional Chinese for New Years, please make sure you know about cultural appropriation and know how to wear these properly.

🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉

As there is so much information about Chinese New Year, I cannot possibly tell you all about it in one post. It is truly something that you must experience in your lifetime. It is very beautiful, fun, and there are so many things to do and celebrate. I ask you that you please research this more and look at all the beautiful pictures of food, lanterns, fireworks, etc. 

Please stay safe and 新年快乐！

[1863-project]

Idk if you know anything about this, if not, I apologize.

I somehow convinced my sister that I want to go on a vacation (from canada) to New York to see the trains/subways. I've looked around the internet for some tours, and found some really interesting ones!

Though, do you know of any special places to visit? Either museums or locations that'd be interesting? Apart from the pokemon center shop of course lol

(A few years ago we went to NY and the tour guide told us to stay on the train past the last station -where it would turn around- to see an abandoned station. I spotted the entrance but that's it. Are there any other cool locations in your opinion?

Of course, only if you don't mind! Trains are just so interesting! Like, how the NY subway runs on metal wheels, compared to my city's subway tires (like a car, so rubber tires), and how the NY subway somehow chose to have the interior of the cabs have AC but all the heat is thrown out into the platforms? It's hilarious to me! And apparently they started including the Japanese point and call technique?? I love trains and subways!)

OH MY GOD, THAT WAS CITY HALL! That's my favorite subway station in NYC! It's the oldest, built when the NYC Subway opened in 1904, and it's gorgeous, with Guastavino tile on the ceilings. Here's what it looks like when it's lit up:

City Hall has been closed since the 1940s because the trains got longer and couldn't fit alongside the platform anymore, which is a shame because in my opinion it's the prettiest subway station in NYC. Right now, unless you go in via a New York Transit Museum tour, it might not be the safest to try to do the ride-through, because there's currently an initiative that forces everyone off at the end of lines (they're trying to "combat homelessness," but I suspect that isn't going to use the solution I would, which would be to house everyone so they had stability, give them access to mental health treatment and drug rehab programs, and help them find employment when they were settled).

If you're into trains, I highly recommend these places specifically:

Grand Central. You HAVE to see Grand Central in person to truly appreciate that ceiling. Check out the whispering gallery down by the oyster bar - if you stand diagonally across from someone and talk into the wall, they can hear you all the way on their side of the room! There's a library there that has the carpet from the 20th Century Limited (it's above the Apple store, which is currently trying to unionize), but I haven't even managed to get in there yet - it's by appointment and I've been busy.

If you want to cry, Penn Station. If you can find the brass rails from the original building, touch them and be sad with me. Moynihan Train Hall is an improvement, but it's not the original Penn Station and it never will be. Nothing will be.

The High Line! The High Line is a park that used to be a freight railroad. The New York Central used to own said railroad, and it used to go straight down 10th Avenue at street level to get to St. John's Depot. This did not go very well and a lot of people managed to get hit by trains, to the point that they started calling it Death Avenue. They actually hired men on horseback to precede the trains and warn the public they were coming - these men became known as the West Side Cowboys. Eventually, they figured out that they could elevate the line, which they did, building a new freight terminal (St. John's Terminal). The line was eventually abandoned, and it was rehabilitated into a park. It's a nice, relaxing walk with a lot of cool plants and art, and you get to pass through and near some old factories and drop-off points.

The New York Transit Museum. They're out in Brooklyn, so it can be a bit of a hike if you're mostly centering your trip in Manhattan, but if you like trains it is ABSOLUTELY worth it to go visit. Their collection of vintage equipment is amazing, and the station itself that the museum is housed in was a filming site for The Taking of Pelham One-Two-Three. You have to register for visiting times in advance right now, so if you're planning on including them in your trip in a few months book it now! They also have a secondary gift shop in Grand Central.

Hoboken Terminal. It's just a PATH ride away from Manhattan, and the ceiling of the waiting room has Tiffany glass skylights. Absolutely stunning, and you can then take the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to...

Communipaw Terminal, in Jersey City, which I talked a bit about in this post. Both Hoboken Terminal and Communipaw Terminal have Bush train sheds, which were considered a revolutionary design at the time and are now historically significant.

Now, if you're looking for non-train stuff...

Nintendo NYC. I’m there frequently because, y’know, video game merch. If they do a Splatoon 3 release event I’m going to try to go to it, actually. If you’re looking for Pokemon plush, go to the second floor!

American Museum of Natural History. My favorite place in the entire world and where I wanted to work as a child (I wanted to be a paleontologist). I did my archival internship and practicum there when I was in grad school, fulfilling my childhood ambitions in a way. If you like dinosaurs, this is the museum for you! (Also has a great subway stop with cool art - 81st Street!)

Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you’re more into arms and armor, ancient Egypt, or historical art in general, this is the museum for you.

MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). MoMA has free admission on Friday nights, and it has some classics, like Andy Warhol’s soup cans and Van Gogh’s Starry Night!

Take a walk in Central Park. If you want to avoid the tourists, get up to the northern part of the park.

If you like Seinfeld, you can eat at Tom’s Restaurant. I was actually there just a few days ago. It’s a good place to get the real NYC diner experience.

Get a hot dog or pretzel from the street vendors. Trust me, just do it.

The real-life Casteliacone can be obtained from a Mister Softee truck, if you happen to see one!

If you want to go to the Statue of Liberty, that has to be booked months in advance, so be warned and plan ahead.

If you’re interested in LGBTQIA+ history, visit the Stonewall Inn. There’s a cool augmented reality history project associated with it called Stonewall Forever that I recommend as an archivist.

If you’re more punk, St. Mark’s Place used to be the center of punk activity in NYC. It’s toned down now, but there’s a rather NSFW (...interesting art within) izakaya called Kenka (lit. “brawl”) that’s the best place to get a meal for under $20 in NYC. You have to get there around 4:30, get your name on the waiting list, and then be there when it opens for the night around 5 pm to get in at a reasonable time without waiting too long. The waitlist WILL get long. Kenka actually appeared in the Love Live movie, and New Yorkers who saw the movie recognized it instantly and were extremely happy.

I hope this helps, and have a great time! If you get lost underground message me and I’ll get you to where you need to go safely - I’m verrrry good at giving subway directions!