The Box
Kendrew Lascelles
Once upon a time, in the land of Hush-A-Bye,
Around about the wondrous days of yore,
They came across a kind of box
Bound up with chains and locked with locks
And labeled "Kindly do not touch; it's war."
A decree was issued round about, and all with a flourish and a shout
And a gaily colored mascot tripping lightly on before.
Don't fiddle with this deadly box,
Or break the chains, or pick the locks.
And please don't ever play about with war.
The children understood. Children happen to be good
And they were just as good around the time of yore.
They didn't try to pick the locks or break into that deadly box.
They never tried to play about with war.
Mommies didn't either; sisters, aunts, grannies neither
'Cause they were quiet, and sweet, and pretty
In those wondrous days of yore.
Well, very much the same as now,
And not the ones to blame somehow
For opening up that deadly box of war.
But someone did. Someone battered in the lid
And spilled the insides out across the floor.
A kind of bouncy, bumpy ball made up of guns and flags
And all the tears, and horror, and death that comes with war.
It bounced right out and went bashing all about,
Bumping into everything in store.
And what was sad and most unfair
Was that it didn't really seem to care
Much who it bumped, or why, or what, or for.
It bumped the children mainly. And I'll tell you this quite plainly,
It bumps them every day and more, and more,
And leaves them dead, and burned, and dying
Thousands of them sick and crying.
'Cause when it bumps, it's really very sore.
Now there's a way to stop the ball. It isn't difficult at all.
All it takes is wisdom, and I'm absolutely sure
That we can get it back into the box,
And bind the chains, and lock the locks.
But no one seems to want to save the children anymore.
Well, that's the way it all appears,
'Cause it's been bouncing round
For years and years
In spite of all the wisdom wizzed since those wondrous days of yore
And the time they came across the box,
Bound up with chains and locked with locks,
And labeled "Kindly do not touch; it's war."
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Max Perutz & John Kendrew, NOBEL PRIZE LECTURES, 11 December 1962.
Allan Cormack’ & Godfrey Hounsfield’, “Computed Tomography”, NOBEL PRIZE LECTURES, 8 December 1978 was the topic of an earlier blog post.
Here I present: Max Perutz, “X-ray Analysis of Heamaglobin”; and, John Kendrew, “Myoglobin and the Structure of Proteins”, NOBEL PRIZE LECTURES, 11 December 1962.
Hemoglobin is a protein normally in the blood at concentrations of 12-20 grams per deciliter. The…
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WOAH FREE PALESTINE??
This review of John Denver’s “Poems, Prayers, and Promises” is going to go in reverse.
This track (above) “The Box” is just John Denver reading a poem by the same name, written by Kendrew Lascelles. It is about how war is hell, and we seem to not want to stop it anymore.
Here’s the kicker though: this poem comes at the end of 35 minutes of some of the most beautiful music in the world. This album has ~that~ recording of Take Me Home Country Roads, and a cover of the Beatles’ hit Let It Be.
This music is beautiful. John Denver’s voice is beautiful. And while you listen, from start to finish, every so often there’s some moments where your brain will go “Wait this song is about the atrocities of the American government” (Wooden Indian) or “wait isn’t this about the message of positivity and love that’s supposed to come with the Bible?” (Gospel Changes).
Throughout the beautiful music, the stories told and the lives seemingly lived, John Denver reminds us of what is right.
And then he really reminds us. At the end. Just in case we weren’t listening. He makes sure to say it without beautiful music playing.
“No one seems to want to save the children anymore”
*Free Palestine
*Slava Ukraine
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Note: English is not my first language! Watch out for wonky English!
2016 (goodness my very old art of old roleplay) -> 2024 (2 game screenshots. I may or may not draw much of them, for I have a lot in my plate. I will use a lot of screenshots. A bit sad the character creation features are limited. But I go with this one for now; which I slowly grew fond of, and how 😳 charming they looked even I got swooned 🏃🏻♀️💨)
Introductory
Name: Sarah Alderman (before I knew of the game or the book, she was named Sarah Rookwood. In this universe, I change to Alderman. I was flabbergasted lolol)
House: Ravenclaw
Status: Muggleborn
D.o.B: 15th February 1874/1875
Zodiac: Aquarius
Birthplace: Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Ethnicity: Half British, half Afghan (Pashtun)
Gender: Woman; gender non-conforming (Note: Historically in this time period of Western world, for sure the concept, terminology, and label of not identifying to assigned gender/more than two genders was uncommon unlike 21st century we know of today. BUT Asia world; along with Indigenous people around the world, back then was celebrated & normal for having more than just two genders. They have their own terminology, labels, third gender and more in their languages before colonization came in. Some survived to these days, but had to face the after-effect post-colonization... Although this universe is welcome to diversity in this specific game, I headcanon the Non-Magical world is as not pretty as the real world historically. //Wew I can go on and on rambling regarding queer history in both Western & non-Western world; especially the aghasted pearl-clutching Victorians; as many of you know, had a LOT of… “opinions” about anything that is different & unconventional back then. But let’s focus on present or I rambling nonstop.// For now, I added “Gender non-conforming” for my character while they’re comfortable for having the body of a woman, dress however they want, etc.)
Pronouns: She/They (Sarah is okay of both of pronouns & interchangeable)
Education
House: Ravenclaw
Year: 5 (obvious canon game, while 2016’s one is Year 7)
Wand: Laurel Wood (I dont remember this when I chose my wand in the game. I chose cedar), dragon heartstring core, and I forgot the measurement and flexibility.
Patronus: Horse
Best subject(s): Herbology & Potions
Favourite subject(s): Herbology & Charms
Least favourite subject(s): Divination & Flying
Worst subject(s): None
Notes: Sarah Alderman excelled every single subjects Outstandingly (O), except Divination and Flying are Acceptable (A). They need to improved and maintain momentum of those two subjects.
Families & Friends
Pre-Hogwarts
Abdel Rahman Khan changed to Khan Alderman after migration to UK and for marriage (father, deceased)
Natalie Alderman (mother, deceased)
Mrs. Kendrew (caregiver and a mother figure)
Bonnie
Arlo
Olivia
Hogwarts
Professor Fig (a teacher and a father figure)
Natsai Onai
Sebastian Sallow
Amit Thakkar
Everett Clopton
Samantha Dale
Ominis Gaunt
Poppy Sweeting
Imelda Reyes
Leander Prewett
Garreth Weasley
Backstory
Sarah was born in 15th February 1874/1875.
Sarah’s parents
As stated of Sarah’s status of a Muggleborn, their parents are normal human beings with mundanity of career and life.
Sarah’s father, Abdel Rahman Khan was a scholar from a decent non-Magical family. Previously lived in Khorasan (now Afghanistan) until Anglo-Afghan War turmoil happened, him and his family moved to Pakstan (now Pakistan). During adulthood, Abdel ventured to UK to find his dead brother who worked as lascar on ports to bring him home. Despite of his mourning, he slowly grew fond of the places in UK, especially after meeting a woman who helped his searching, Natalie Presley; a co-owner of flowermaking company.
After his searching finished and proper burial made at his home country, he decided to migrate to UK for working opportunities and married the love of his life. Of course at first his family were wary, but in the end they blessed their wedding. However, Natalie’s upper-class family is the opposite. Abdel changed his name to Khan Alderman not only for marriage, but also for employment & the unfortunate ever close-minded Victorian society; yet remain the name Khan as his first name to always remember his family and home country. Eventually, they eloped and settling themselves at a town in West Yorkshire called Halifax. Much to Natalie’s dismay to her bigoted family for not wanting to put Khan name onto hers, Natalie’s full name is Natalie Alderman.
Abdel was founded dead alongside his colleagues from explosion at his workplace, when Natalie was still pregnant at home. The case was classified as accident. Natalie was so devastated of his death, and wishing her child live life to the fullest. After giving birth to Sarah, she passed away. Natalie’s family ruthlessly blamed the baby and late Abdel. They decided not to do anything with Sarah, while Abdel’s family side were unable to afford to travel to UK to get the baby; what with the series of political and war turmoil still happening at their country.
Hence, her ties to these two families slowly disconnected, and never see them ever since. (weww this made me wanting to explore this part of story, if I’m not lazy). The baby Sarah Alderman was sent to a decent Crossley Orphanage. The photos of their parents are the only thing that keep Sarah remembering them.
Childhood at Orphanage
Before Sarah knew she was a witch, they defy conventions of the society they lived in. Short hair, constantly switching clothes from girls to boys and vice versa for her own mood and comfort, and educated in a free school just around the corner of the orphanage at Free School Lane. The last thing for 19th century folks (let alone Presley family) wanted to hear was Sarah is a witch. Mrs. Kendrew is a supportive caregiver and there are few children who are befriended with Sarah (Bonnie, Arlo and Olivia).
Sarah’s first time heard about Hogwarts was when she was 6, chit-chatting with other older orphans whose one of their distant relatives have witch lineage. Listening to their stories made Sarah daydreamed to have magic like in storybooks and attend Hogwarts someday. But with no knowledge of Sarah’s family tree, she is ordinary and low chance to even see the magical school.
Little did they know…
There were three signs of magic slowly emerged into Sarah:
At the age of 14, Sarah first began to hear whispers from orphanage’s community garden; from every single flowers and foliages, but ignored it. She thought the voices was just playing in their head.
Things went normal until one day, they tried to reach a fallen teacup from one of caregivers’ tray and it “floated” as Sarah raised their hand in panic; much to orphans and caregivers’ aghast. Many who witnessed the commotion in the Orphanage decided to be remain silent and not spread out to the world (especially Presley family).
Lastly, on her 15th/16th birthday, Sarah saw an eccentric-looking man with tall conical hat that they have never seen before walking past the market. The man, to his shock; saw Sarah sees him, in which Sarah was confused of his reaction; and begin to apparate off. Witches and wizards were living among non-magical world all this time with the help of Muggle-Repelling Charm. Only witches and wizards can see them through the said charm. This confirmed that Sarah is a witch.
Letter from Hogwarts
Sarah went to London with Mrs. Kendrew to run some errands. That is where the letter from Hogwarts suddenly fell down into their hands from an owl near Big Ben. Mrs. Kendrew regardless seemed very supportive of what has been transpired on Sarah’s life. The caregiver believes this is an opportunity that only appear once, and holds the quote “We only live once” dearly.
Few days later, Professor Fig came to orphanage to explain everything about Sarah’s late blooming magic, the witchery & wizarding world, Hogwarts, and everything. Sarah was in disbelieved, but in a positive way; like all of this felt like come out from storybook. Remembered her caregiver’s words, Sarah accepted the offer to study at Hogwarts, and begin their magical journey with the help of Professor Fig’s tutoring on basic spell-casting and other knowledge of Wizarding World before depart to Hogwarts. Hogwarts may be their new home, but Sarah will dearly miss the orphanage, Mrs. Kendrew, Bonnie, Arlo, Olivia, and other children.
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Someone on twitter is polling the aftg fandom and one of the questions has to do with “Yes or no?: Most kevaaron shippers are just kandrew shippers who don’t want to break up andreil and they just give kevin’s personality to Aaron.”
First of all — what does that mean? LOOOOL I cannot understand the premise of the question. Is it like. ‘Kevaaron is actually andreil in disguise’ and ‘kevaaron is just kevin/kevin’? A friend has suggested they meant to say “they just give Aaron Andrew’s personality” which would make more sense but does not make the question any less dumb LOOOOL Y’all, if I wanted to ship kandrew, I WOULD SHIP KANDREW LMAOOOOOOOOO Just because you hate Aaron does not mean KEVAARON AND KENDREW ARE CODED TO BE THE SAME LMAOOOO
Anyway, just privately admit you hate kevaaron and read the kandrew you want to read 🫶
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