#online groceries online berlin

[spicevillagesblog]

Bringing the Flavors of India to Your Doorstep: Online Shopping Revolution

In recent years, Indian cuisine has transcended global boundaries, becoming a beloved part of the culinary landscape in Europe. The rich flavors, aromatic spices, and diverse dishes have captivated food enthusiasts across the continent, sparking a surge in demand for authentic Indian ingredients. As a result, the ability to Buy Indian Food Online has become increasingly important for both Indian expatriates and European nationals eager to explore the depth of India's gastronomic culture from the comfort of their homes.

Convenience of Buying Indian Food Online

For many, the journey of cooking authentic Indian meals begins with finding the right ingredients. The convenience offered by online platforms allows individuals to Buy Indian Food Online without the hassle of traveling to specialty stores, often located far from their residences. These platforms provide a wide array of products ranging from basic spices like turmeric and garam masala to more specialized items such as paneer and jaggery, all essential for a variety of Indian recipes.

Benefits of Online Grocery Shopping

Shopping online for Indian groceries offers numerous advantages. Customers can enjoy the luxury of browsing through extensive product catalogs with detailed descriptions and usage tips, ensuring they select the right products for their culinary needs. Additionally, online stores often provide recipes and meal ideas, which can be particularly helpful for those new to Indian cooking. The online model also facilitates price comparison and regular updates on new arrivals and discounts, enhancing the shopping experience and providing value for money.

Expanding Reach with Indian Grocery Online Europe

The scope of online Indian grocery shopping is not limited to specific regions but extends across Europe. The concept of Indian Grocery Online Europe has revolutionized how Indian food enthusiasts across the continent shop for their groceries. This service ensures that even those living in less populated or rural areas have access to the same variety of Indian groceries as those in major cities. Whether it's a small town in the Alps or a bustling metropolitan area like Berlin, Indian groceries are just a click away.

Challenges and Opportunities in Online Indian Grocery Shopping

While shopping for Indian Grocery Online Europeoffers convenience, it is not without challenges. Logistics, such as maintaining the freshness of perishables during transit and managing timely deliveries over vast distances, are significant concerns. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation in packaging and delivery logistics, making online grocery shopping even more accessible and reliable.

Conclusion

The trend to buy Indian food online and the growth of Indian grocery online Europe reflect a broader shift towards digital solutions to meet the evolving culinary interests of a diverse population. For those looking to indulge in the rich flavors of Indian cuisine or add some spice to their cooking, spicevillage.eu provides a comprehensive platform to access a wide range of authentic Indian groceries online. With just a few clicks, everyone from culinary novices to seasoned chefs can bring the essence of Indian cooking right into their European kitchens, bridging cultures and creating delicious dishes at home.

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[playerno456]

hi, my name is berlin ( or evan ) and i am a chronically ill Black queer transman in need of some mootaid. i recently moved states because i wasn’t able to afford my apartment despite working two jobs. now i live with a roommate, but am currently out of work because the job i had promised to transfer me once i moved states, but never did. i have been job searching for two months now to no avail. now i cannot afford rent / groceries / medicine / etc. it is embarrassing for me to have to post online like this, but i don’t have very many other options. please reblog in hopes that this reaches anyone who can help. thank you. v3*m0+c/sh*pp- evanisawizard (please dm for p@yp@1 link )

[sleepyivoryrose]

So! It's time for an update again, methinks!

I was thinking today...I wished I had more self-confidence. There are many reasons why I think this could be awesome, but one of them is that you can look incredibly ugly and undesirable and people won't look you like you're scum of the earth just because you inherited your moms nose, you see? Or at least, you don't care as much. In my apprenticeship as a translator, we had this really cool, sassy young woman, whom I had the pleasure to sit besides in class. She exuded such confidence, such power. She was so pretty too. She just happened to be really thicc, you know? And I'm not talking about the usual thicc some people use to talk about babyfat. No, I mean THICC (in the most respectful and loving way possible.) But she knew how tot dress, she knew how to present herself, and she always bragged in class about her newest boyfriend. I really admire her. I hope she's doing well wherever she is in the world. Last thing I knew is she wanted to travel to Berlin. Who knows what she's doing now. But I wish her nothing but the best, because she deserves it.

But to get back on topic...I always wondered how she managed to do it. She had the aura of a diva, of a superstar. I didn't mind being her shadow, but I always wondered how she managed to do that. I wished I could have asked. I am sure there is a lot of work behind it, with the right parents it may be easier, because you learn it from ground up.

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Today I was at the bookstore, and there are fewer and fewer mangas, the more often I visit, and it worries me. It's the only place where I can buy them in this small town, and I can't buy it online, so...I wonder how to get the goods. Maybe it's a divine sign that I should frikkin stop spending my money on stuff I probably don't really need to live. But I barely buy myself stuff, I think. At least not as often as others. It's true though- I don't need it need it. With the little money I have, it probably would be better.

On my way back, I noticed a lot of feathers on the ground. Some where too big to be crows or doves (and not the right color either) Maybe a gull? Or a heron. (They are huge! Really impressive...but also a little bit scary)

Imagining a heron flying over the town, where there's no water, is kind of weird though. It didn't rain much, so I can imagine it's difficult for them to find fish, since the water levels of the tiny river over here are very low due to the heat. Or maybe it's easier, because the fish are just lying kind of dead there? Then it would debunk my theory of it being a heron feather. I'm sure there are apps to recognize feathers like there are ones who identify flowers and plants...!

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I should go buy groceries again too. It's about time. The season for most fruit is almost over...but soon the oranges and mandarines will be back. I can't wait, when it's early in the season, they taste the best. Not many modly ones either in the bunch. It's also heavy to buy potatoes, carrots and oranges when you don't drive a car, but I'll see it as a part of a work out routine (I spend way too much time in front of the computer, I am very aware...but that's a story for another time.)

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Annnd I think that's about it!

[spice-junction1]

Discover the Rich Tapestry of Indian Spices at Spice Junction

In the heart of Berlin, a city renowned for its cultural diversity and vibrant culinary scene lies a hidden gem for food enthusiasts: Spice Junction. This online store is a treasure trove for anyone looking to explore the rich and diverse world of Indian spices and groceries. With an extensive selection of authentic products, Spice Junction brings the flavors and aromas of Asian countries like India, Pakistan right to your doorstep, offering a delightful culinary journey from the comfort of your home.

A Wide Range of Authentic Spices At Spice Junction, you'll find an impressive array of spices sourced directly from India. From the warmth of cumin to the earthiness of turmeric, the store offers a comprehensive selection that caters to both novice cooks and seasoned chefs. Each spice is meticulously chosen to ensure quality and authenticity, allowing you to recreate traditional Indian dishes with ease. Whether you're preparing a simple dal or a complex biryani, having access to fresh, high-quality spices is essential. Spice Junction's commitment to authenticity means that you can trust the flavors you're adding to your dishes are as true to their origins as possible. This dedication to quality extends to their packaging as well, ensuring that the spices remain fresh and aromatic until they're ready to be used.

Beyond Spices: A Full Range of indian grocery store online While spices are the cornerstone of Indian cuisine, the store's offerings go far beyond that. Spice Junction also stocks a wide variety of essential Indian groceries, including lentils, rice, flours, and oils. These staples are the building blocks of countless Indian dishes, and having them readily available makes it easier to experiment with new recipes and cooking techniques. In addition to these basics, Spice Junction offers a selection of ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and sweets. These products are perfect for those days when you crave the taste of India but don't have the time to cook from scratch. From crispy samosas to sweet gulab jamun, there's something for every palate.

Organic and Sustainable Options In today's world, many consumers are increasingly conscious of the environmental and health impacts of their food choices. Spice Junction recognizes this and offers a range of organic and sustainably sourced products. By choosing these items, you can enjoy the rich flavors of Indian cuisine while also supporting sustainable farming practices and reducing your carbon footprint.

User-Friendly Online Shopping Experience One of the standout features of Spice Junction is its user-friendly online shopping experience. The website is intuitively designed, making it easy to browse and find exactly what you're looking for. Detailed product descriptions and high-quality images provide all the information you need to make informed choices. Moreover, the online store offers convenient delivery options throughout Berlin, ensuring that your purchases arrive quickly and in perfect condition. This level of service and convenience makes Spice Junction a go-to destination for anyone looking to stock their kitchen with authentic Indian ingredients.

Join the Spice Junction Community Spice Junction isn't just an online store; it's a community of food lovers who share a passion for Indian cuisine. The website features a blog with a wealth of recipes, cooking tips, and cultural insights that can help you expand your culinary horizons. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, there's always something new to learn and explore.

In conclusion, Spice Junction offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant and diverse world of Indian cuisine. With its extensive selection of authentic spices and groceries, commitment to quality, and user-friendly online shopping experience, it's the perfect place to discover and enjoy the rich tapestry of Indian flavors. So why wait? Visit https://www.spicejunction.de/en today and start your culinary adventure.

[engineering-in-germany]

Affordable Accommodation in Germany for Indian students

Moving to Germany for studies is an exciting venture, but finding affordable accommodation can be a daunting task, especially for Indian students. In this guide, we'll explore various housing options, budgeting tips, and resources to help you secure comfortable and economical living arrangements during your stay in Germany.For More Info Visit: Accommodation in Germany for Indian students Types of Accommodation:Student Dormitories (Studentenwohnheim): Student dormitories are a popular choice among international students due to their affordability and convenience. These facilities offer furnished rooms with shared amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms, and common areas. While availability may vary, applying through your university's student services or online portals like Studierendenwerk can help you secure a spot.

Shared Apartments (WG or Wohngemeinschaft): Sharing an apartment with roommates is another cost-effective option. By splitting rent and utilities, you can significantly reduce your housing expenses. Websites like WG-Gesucht and Facebook groups dedicated to housing listings are valuable resources for finding shared accommodation opportunities.

Private Rentals: Renting a private apartment or studio offers more autonomy but may come at a higher cost. Consider exploring rental listings on websites like ImmobilienScout24 and eBay Kleinanzeigen to find affordable options within your budget.

Budgeting Tips:Set a Budget: Determine how much you can afford to spend on accommodation each month, taking into account other expenses such as tuition fees, utilities, and groceries.

Consider Location: Opting for accommodations in smaller towns or suburbs can be more budget-friendly compared to major cities like Berlin or Munich.

Utilities Included: Look for rental listings that include utilities like water, electricity, and internet in the monthly rent to avoid unexpected expenses.

Cultural Considerations:Understanding Rental Contracts: Familiarize yourself with German rental regulations and lease agreements to ensure transparency and avoid any misunderstandings with landlords.

Respect House Rules: Be mindful of cultural norms and etiquettes, such as noise levels and cleanliness, to maintain harmonious relationships with your roommates or neighbors.

For More Info Visit: Study in Germany for Indian Students  

Conclusion:Finding affordable accommodation in Germany as an Indian student is indeed possible with careful planning and research. By exploring various housing options, setting a budget, and embracing cultural differences, you can secure a comfortable living space that enhances your study abroad experience. Remember to leverage online resources, seek advice from university housing services, and engage with local communities to navigate the housing market effectively. With the right approach, you'll soon settle into your new home away from home in Germany.

[onlinemarktplatz-de]

Getir und Uber Eats starten Partnerschaft in Deutschland

Der Quick-Commerce-Pionier Getir / Gorillas und Uber Eats, die Plattform für Essenslieferungen, kooperieren in Deutschland. Ab sofort können Nutzer von Uber Eats innerhalb der Uber Eats-App alle Produkte aus dem Sortiment von Getir bestellen. Die Integration des Getir-Angebots in die Uber Eats-App startet gleichzeitig in Hamburg, Berlin, Köln, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt und München. In den kommenden Wochen werden sukzessive auch alle Gorillas-Stores in Deutschland in die Uber Eats-App integriert. Uber Eats-Nutzer haben damit direkten Zugang zu den mehr als 2.000 Artikeln des täglichen Bedarfs, die sie innerhalb weniger Minuten von den Getir / Gorillas -Kurieren geliefert bekommen.  “Wir freuen uns außerordentlich über die Partnerschaft zwischen Getir /Gorillas und Uber Eats in Deutschland. Diese Kooperation ermöglicht es uns, unsere hochwertige Produktauswahl aus lokalen und internationalen Marken und unsere ultraschnellen Lebensmittellieferungen einem noch größeren Kundenkreis zugänglich zu machen. Getir ist stolz darauf, zusammen mit Uber Eats innovative Lösungen für die Bedürfnisse der Kunden in den größten deutschen Städten voranzutreiben. Gemeinsam setzen wir einen wichtigen Meilenstein auf dem Weg, den deutschen Lebensmittelhandel der Zukunft zu erschaffen. Der Lebensmitteleinkauf wird damit für die Menschen bequemer, effizienter und noch schneller.”, erklärt Dr. Clemens Koebele, General Manager Getir Germany. Dr. Fabian Schrempf, Head of Grocery and Retail von Uber Eats Deutschland: “In den vergangenen zweieinhalb Jahren haben wir unseren Essenslieferdienst erfolgreich in mehr als 100 Städten in Deutschland etabliert. Jetzt bringen wir in Kooperation mit Getir zusätzlich mehr als 2.000 Produkte des täglichen Bedarfs auf unsere Plattform. Das ist ein wichtiger Schritt für uns auf dem Weg zur Plattform, auf der sich Nutzer innerhalb weniger Minuten fast alles per Klick in der App liefern lassen können.” So funktioniert’s In der Uber Eats-App können Nutzer unter der Schaltfläche “Lebensmittel” Produkte aus dem Sortiment von Getir / Gorillas finden. Sobald die Produkte im Warenkorb liegen und online bezahlt worden sind, werden sie von den Getier/ Gorillas -Kurieren innerhalb von Minuten an die gewünschte Adresse geliefert. Lesen Sie den ganzen Artikel

[infowindtech09]

Exploring the Best Food & Restaurant Apps in 2024

Is your restaurant in search of the top online Food app? We have looked at the best meal delivery apps, their capabilities, and the pros and cons of using each. After reading the reviews, you may find the software that meets all your requirements. Discover together; It is not just about talking anymore; most people’s everyday routines, from shopping to grocery shopping to meal delivery, are now online. This implies that in the modern day, digital innovation is essential to the success of any restaurant.

⦁ Swiggy Swiggy, one of India’s most popular food delivery apps, connects users with various eateries and provides lightning-fast deliveries. Users may pick from a broad choice of cuisines and foods, with the additional convenience of doorstep delivery. Swiggy has built a dedicated client following because of its prompt delivery and varied menu selections. Swiggy’s primary purpose is to act as a delivery service. Users may order for delivery from a variety of nearby restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. Users may locate eateries in their immediate vicinity, check out their menus, and get feedback from other diners before deciding where to eat. When an order is made on Swiggy Food delivery app, the user may check its progress until it arrives at their door. Users may also plan for delivery using this feature. This function helps organize meals, particularly when entertaining guests or working long hours.

⦁ Zomato Initially launched in 2008 as “Foodiebay,” Zomato is now an online platform for finding and ordering food from restaurants. The Indian firm succeeded so well on the home front that Uber Eats sold all their operations in India for $400 million. Zomato is now available in over ten thousand cities in twenty-four different countries. In 2021, the platform’s prosperity reached new heights with a USD 46 billion IPO, oversubscribed by a factor of 39.

⦁ Foodiv SaaS-based Foodiv Foodive is today’s most well-known commercial software for the restaurant and food service business. Its broad features and functions complete the system for any restaurant and café. This system may be customized to meet the demands of any meal-prep company, ghost kitchen, restaurant, bar, café, pizzeria, burger shop, or new food-delivery venture. Foodiv lets you purchase bespoke software for your restaurant, café, fast food chain, or bar. This software might be anything from a cloud kitchen ordering system to an alcohol delivery system.

⦁ FoodPanda Software that allows you to order meals online, FoodPanda, is used in 41 countries. The Berlin-based company partners with 39,000 eateries around the city to ensure timely deliveries.

⦁ Deliveroo Food delivery business Deliveroo was founded in London and now operates in over 200 locations worldwide. It’s the most downloaded app in Europe, and it lets users place orders from well-known eateries and more unique spots. The eateries pay a commission in addition to the user fees.

⦁ ChowNow  By making it easy for customers to navigate the menu, businesses may increase the likelihood that they will return. They can retain customers owing to the information acquired.

⦁ Postmates More than 90 U.S. communities now have access to the Postmates delivery app. Postmates is a delivery app like many others; it only delivers groceries and other items.

⦁ HappyCow Vegans and vegetarians may find all the global restaurants that serve only plant-based foods on HappyCow. Vegetarians and vegans may use the site to find restaurants that don’t serve meat, check out user ratings, and post their listings. Worldwide vegan, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly restaurants may be found in HappyCow’s extensive database. Meat-free restaurants in the user’s area or around the globe may be quickly located. The app includes ratings and reviews from actual customers, so you can learn more about the food and service you may expect. To simplify users’ identification of acceptable eating alternatives, the app features powerful search tools, such as the ability to filter restaurants based on location, cuisine, price range, and other parameters. The software also provides customized suggestions based on individual tastes.

⦁ Mixology Users may rate and review cocktails on Mixology, giving others an idea of how well or poorly each drink is received and helping others makes their cocktails to ensure they have everything they need. Mixology has quickly become the premier destination for cocktail connoisseurs and budding bartenders seeking a comprehensive database of cocktail recipes and bartending guides. Celebrity chefs’ cooking workshops are available in real-time and on-demand at Food Network Kitchen. To improve one’s culinary abilities, users have access to many recipes, cooking hints, and methods. The app’s interactive elements, such as shopping lists, timings, and video-playing controls, make meal preparation a snap. It has an enormous variety of dishes from many culinary traditions. Users may access recipes for different meals, events, and dietary preferences. Chefs and food experts from Food Network are leading interactive cooking sessions in this app. Users may participate in real-time or archived lessons to improve their culinary skills. Watching a Food Network chef demonstrate a dish or technique live on TV is like having a personal chef in your kitchen. The app makes making excellent meals simple by providing extensive, systematic cooking instructions and videos for each recipe. Nutritional data is provided with recipes on Food Network Kitchen so that consumers may make healthy decisions. The software helps users recreate restaurant-quality meals by detailing the tools and supplies needed to make each dish.

⦁ Food Network Kitchen The Food Network Kitchen Restaurant app has quickly become an indispensable resource for amateur chefs and foodies. It provides a comprehensive learning environment where they may follow the lead of some of the network’s most celebrated chefs.

Conclusion These best food and drink mobile apps have revolutionized the dining experience in today’s fast-paced world, providing unprecedented ease of use and intriguing new options for foodies everywhere. These applications make discovering new restaurants, preparing gourmet meals at home, and sipping delicious drinks a joyful and streamlined experience, catering to various tastes and preferences. We may anticipate functions that are even more cutting-edge and experiences from these applications in the future, elevating our digital-age appreciation of food and drink.

[spicevillageeu]

Asian Cuisine Dishes That Are Easy and Quick to Whip Up

Do you also face the issue of not having homemade meals when in a rush? It is very difficult to whip a filling, healthy meal at home when there is a shortage of time, but not impossible. If you have all the right groceries and ingredients in your kitchen, you can quickly make some very delicious, healthy, nutritious, and filling Asian meals. Spice Village, an online Asian shop in Germany provides people in Germany and nearby countries with the best, premium quality ingredients all available at pocket friendly and reasonable prices. Availability of these ingredients at a customer’s home makes it a lot easier for them to make delicacies from the land of flavour, Asia, quickly. Getting these groceries and ingredients is also super easy and convenient since all one has to do is pick out their smart device and order their favourite ingredients online from Spice Village website. 

Spice Village supermarket has gained fame and name in the Asian market in Berlin by being one of the best, most reliable and trusted stores along with providing a huge variety of items, brands, products and mind-blowing deals and discounts. Spice Village also provides free shipping in Germany over every purchase of 34.99 and same day delivery of groceries on Tuesday and Friday in Berlin. There is a huge variety and range of Asian and Indian brands provided at Spice Village all at pocket friendly and reasonable prices. This has made it easier for people in Europe to try some of the best, easy and quick to make Asian dishes at their homes without worrying about importing products, quality or prices. 

To make Asian food at home it is very important to firstly know your taste and spice tolerance. Since Asian cuisine is a very flavourful cuisine, the dishes can have spices and herbs which might not be easy for all to tolerate. Once you know your spice tolerance, you can adjust them in your meals while making the Asian dishes at home. These dishes are also loved for the same spices, and herbs because of the flavour and aroma they provide to each dish. Next an Asian cuisine friendly kitchen must have all or most Asian spices, herbs, sauces and pastes which one can get in Germany from online supermarket Spice Village at very cheap prices. The utensils used in the making of Asian cuisine are usually similar to those used worldwide except a few, some of which are also available on Spice Village’s website. Once you have all the things required all you need are good Asian dishes and their recipes. 

Here are some Asian cuisine dishes that are super easy and quick to whip up at home in case of time emergencies or sheer laziness to cook, no judging! Make these super easy Asian dishes using products from Spice Village supermarket: 

1.      Tempura: What's easier and quicker to make than fried veggies? Tempura is crispy veggies, or meats like shrimp coated in a special tempura batter served with mouth-watering dips. Get all the groceries and ingredients you need to make tempura from the best Asian supermarket in Germany, Spice Village. 

2.      Pad thai: Noodles made within 20 minutes, what is better than that. Made using basic ingredients and an easy recipe, pad thai can be made by even a beginner cook. You can get all the best ingredients to make pad thai home quickly and easily from Spice Village. 

3.      Saag paneer: Steamed spinach and paneer chunks cooked in a delicious gravy with the best spices and herbs. Saag paneer is an Indian winter staple recipe. Make this super quick filling and healthy dish at home and serve with Indian breads. 

4.      Shrimp Kung Pao noodles: Made in only an hour with spices, condiments, noodles, veggies and shrimp which is replaceable, these saucy, tangy and delicious noodles are quick and easy to whip up for any meal of the day. Do not forget to garnish it with freshly cut coriander. 

5.      Curried rice: Comfort food combined with flavours and spice! Curries rice is actually served without gravy but is called curries for the curry leaves used in the making of these rice. In the dish curried rice, the rice grains are first toasted in ghee and then steamed for extra flavours. 

6.      Laab gai: A delicacy from the Lao cuisine. Laab gai is a chicken dish served with delicious sticky rice. The main reason to make and have this dish is its flavours which are derived from the various spices and herbs used in the making. 

7.     Egg drop soup: A dish that takes nearly 10 minutes to make. Egg drop soup making is all about the technique. Once you perfect it, all this dish requires is your patience. Made in chicken broth the perfect way to make egg drop soup is to steam your eggs in the thickened bubbling broth. 

[mcrmadness]

How fun, I woke up before 7am, only because I was hungry.

I had such a hard time falling asleep. Everytime I almost did, my heart rate went up because my brain suddenly remembered about the upcoming dä tour and ticket sales. I was already so overstimulated I had to listen to a podcast as I tried to sleep but it ended before I could fall asleep properly. Eventually I did tho, but I kept dreaming about Tumblr, my mutuals and die ärzte posts and it all was just stress dreams.

Anyway, I had to get up to eat something and honestly, being awake now is particularly stupid. Because for the first time in a WEEK, I'm not tired. I slept FIVE HOURS??? However I'm going back to bed soon, maybe I can get some more sleep because today I really need to shower finally and go grocery shopping with my mom.

I'm still thinking about tä dä tour tho. I don't know what's wrong with dä’s website now but it doesn't show up the list for me on mobile, just a white rectangle which links back to the website. Anyway, the ticket sales are on Thursday and before that I should contact basically every online friend I just have, and ask around on Tumblr, if anyone would want to go to one or some of them with me and which one(s) I should choose because I literally know nothing of Berlin. But also I'm almost sure that even if I got company and was able to decide, I probably won't get any tickets because my language barrier is such a huge disadvantage here.

[jlf23tumble]

Top 10 Niche Interests

Fixations? Obsessions? This is incredibly hard because I have wayyyy too many niche interests, so instead of stressing about it, I tried to channel the 10 things that immediately speak to me and maybe aren't so obvious from what I post here, like how much I'm obsessed with wigs, doll furniture, incredibly specific blogs, all forms of clothing with pockets, swimming pools, whimsical bus stops, over-the-top bathrooms, etc. etc Instead, I opted for some specifics that feel a little more evergreen and long tailed, like, so LIFE-long tailed that it's tough to nail down when or how they became part of the national psyche. I thank @alienfuckeronmain​ for the initial tag, and I'm tagging her AGAIN for round two because I know she has a billion additional niche things, and she'll post them, and I'll scream because it'll trigger five other things I neglected to post here, and I'll probably post my own round two, arggggh, insert aggressive sighing. Anyway, I tag ANYONE who wants to do it, just tag me so I can see! 

1. Indoor Trees

I have no idea why this concept PULLS so hard because houseplants are kind of meh to me, but you want to plant an entire-ass TREE indoors, in the place where you live? Me, too, and I'd add a conversation pit plus a combo gold/red bathroom, among other things, and, bam, we're in my imaginary dream home, which I have literally, constantly ALWAYS mentally constructed from the time I was about six or so. (If you're curious, it has multiple themed rooms, and the closest I've seen to it recently is the outstanding Dita von Teese AD feature, but Amy Sedaris’s apartment comes close, too). There are two (2) 1960s houses in Long Beach with magnificent indoor trees, but I can't find them online, so have this modern interpretation and cry with me about how I can't visit the multi-story fake tree inside Clifton's Cafeteria for a good long while:

2. Conventions of Fans of Any Kind

One thing that I don't think I'll ever lose is how much I *love* people who are fans of SOMETHING, people who have a passion and create something about it or cosplay it or simply gather to celebrate it and connect to other people through it. The Internet provides in all kinds of ways, but I'm talking specifically about IRL conventions and the way my heart pitter pats when I first walk in those doors, SWOON! And it doesn’t matter how big the convention is or how random, I've been to smaller events like CatCon and the My Little Pony convention all the way up to biggies like WonderCon and Comic Con, and I have yet to be disappointed. I might know jack shit about what I'm walking into, but I want to see the merch, hear about the panels, and check out the people who are fucking PUMPED to be there. Sadly, I think it's gonna be a lonnnnng time until these come back, but I can live vicariously through my old photos, sigh:

3. Dutch Wax Fabrics and African Fashion

I'm not the snazziest of dressers, but textiles, colors, and patterns have been an obsession that has soothed my visual soul for as long as I can literally remember. Wax fabric marries all three of those touchpoints, plus throws in a healthy dose of style, and I count myself lucky to have seen two big exhibits on the subject (this was one of them), oh, how I wish there were more! For sure, there's a fucked up underlying colonial/imperialist history here, but there's also humor and color and vibrancy, a reclamation of sorts, and multiple levels of fashion that take my breath away. I cannot do the different patterns justice at all, but the fan motif is one of my faves:

4. Hearst Castle vs. Madonna inn

These two fall into my #home tag because they're where I'm from, and they speak to me as equally sublime and ridiculous, camp and kitsch writ large and small, different (yet similar!) versions of Xanadu that two rich white men built as shrines to their own personal "taste." And the irony is that a lot of people shit on Alex Madonna for being tacky (the Madonna Inn is...uh, something else), yet praise WR Hearst for all the high-class art and architecture, most of which is fully lifted from desperate churches between and after world and yet they're both more or less the same concept (lodging for weary travelers, self-aggrandizement, questionable taste-mixing). Hearst Castle edges out slightly for me because it's bigger and has spectacular scenery and history, plus it gives me doses of LA noir thanks to the way Hearst killed a guy in a jealous Charlie Chaplin-related rage and Hedda Hopper covered it up, all kinds of old Hollywood shenanigans happened up there, etc. But I'm low-key an expert on both houses of the holy, I'm OBSESSED with both, and we can leave it at that. I mean, come on:

5. Snow Globes

I had to cull my personal collection slightly just to fit it all on the dedicated shelf in my bathroom, and I seriously need to refill all the water lines, but nothing beats a snow globe in terms of memorable souvenir, especially when you put it in a bathroom. The majesty!!! The jewel of my collection is the one from Sherwood Forest because WHY NOT celebrate a historic place and moment in the basic way?? He robbed from the rich to give to the poor, and the gift shop about 100 feet from the tree he hid in does the same! The circle of life! The irony of all the watermarks on this blessed image...protect:

6. Highly Specific Museums

Look, we can all agree that the more venerated museums in the world are a form of garbage in terms of what they represent, what they've done, and who runs them, but I'm here for the museums that collect and celebrate things that tend to get overlooked. There are too many to list that I love that are still thriving, so I'm going to say goodbye to four recently departed faves. RIP to the Pez museum, I'm so glad I saw you and purchased your stale candy souvenirs. RIP to the museum of terrible food, you were a pop up when Phoenix and I saw you, and I will forever think about the worker describing people literally vomiting during their visits. RIP to the currywurst museum in Berlin, I've had currywurst exactly once and it was not for me, but I respect the Journey you took me on, including obscure east German TV shows that helped make you so popular (??). Finally, RIP to the velvet painting museum, there's no way to mince words, the person who owned you was crazy AS FUCK and had zero clue how to run a business, but I'm so glad I saw you multiple times and purchased my own velvet treasure (not this exact one, but remarkably similar):

7. Liminal Spaces: Grocery Store Edition

Confession time for those who don't know me all that well, I'm a big time voyeur, and nothing fills my heart with joy like a walk at 7 or 8 pm, the witching hour when people haven't pulled the curtains, and I can scope out their decorations/furnishings without it being "weird." Another confession is how much I unabashedly adore grocery stores in other countries and will spend at least an hour wandering aisle by aisle, falling in love with how much everything is different yet completely the same:

8. Agatha Christie Novels:

As a child, I was a fairly compliant reader--I had to read something for school? Okay! For my mom? Sounds good! But the books that sparked the initial fire for me to read something purely for myself were second-hand (probably fourth- or fifth-hand, judging by cover art) Agatha Christie short story anthologies, which were the gateway drug to full Agatha Christie novels, then other mystery novels, and so on. But getting back to Agatha, I obviously loved all the stories, but every decade spawned incredibly good cover art (like, exceptionally good), and this particular artist's are right up near the top for me (I go back and forth on a lot of the '50s and '60s ones):

9. Scopitones

I link my obsession with scopitones both to my love of music videos in general and a shop in Austin, TX, that sold DVD compilations of them in particular, but either way, they're underappreciated and kitschy all in one! Francoise Hardy and the rest of the ye-ye's are my forever girls for this medium, but seemingly every country cranked them out, both actual set videos and "live" performances? If you don't know what they are, scopitones were machines that played music videos in French cafes in the '60s (??), so it was sort of your proto-MTV way to see your faves sing and dance. Oh, Francoise...so moderne!!

10. Cover Songs

I have so much patience and love for cover songs of any stripe, the more genre-bending and/or surprising, the better! My only minor beef is the trend in slooooooooowing down songs to make a point, but even those ones have a special place in my heart if they're effective. Live Lounge feeds my hunger the best, but my meta fave for representing this concept is Pulp's Bad Cover Version, which was already lyrically INSPIRED, a song about bad cover versions in terms of relationships, but then they did a video that was a visual "bad" cover version, with actors lip synching over an audio "bad" cover version, and all of it just worked? The cover for the single is someone in the band as a boy, making his own bad cover version of a Bowie album cover, it's meta meta meta, and I love love love, here's the video, if you're curious. In the more sublime cover category, I'm absolutely addicted to all of Orville Peck's covers, I truly hope he officially releases them sometime soon, but I wholeheartedly support any artist who does it:

[newstfionline]

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Arizona third-grader holds food drives to help in pandemic (AP) Neighbors walked by during their morning stroll, passing families waved from their bikes and drivers slowed down long enough to read the hand-drawn sign—“Dylan’s Food Drive.” The poster was taped to two PVC pipes that were stuck inside construction cones for support. It was a typical scene for 8-year-old Dylan Pfeifer, who has been staging food drives from his home in metro Phoenix in response to the pandemic. Each drive is the culmination of hours of work that involves drawing posters, going door-to-door to hand out flyers and working with his mother to post information on Facebook. Dylan has hosted three drives from his home in Chandler, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Phoenix. He said he is planning his next one in June, when summer vacation begins. Dylan says he has collected more than 1,000 cans and boxes of nonperishable food and more than $900 in donations. On its website, St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix says it can convert $1 into seven meals, meaning Dylan has been able to provide more than 6,500 meals on just monetary donations. “It’s rare that you see kids at Dylan’s age who have a handle on what the problem is in their community, the people around them who are affected by it, and have the courage to do something about it,” said Jerry Brown, director of media relations at St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. Erin Pfeifer said the best part for her, as his mother, has been watching Dylan grow.

Verdict heard around the world: Global reactions to the George Floyd case (Washington Post) The conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd resonated globally, with foreign dignitaries and community leaders reacting to a verdict that revived calls for an international reckoning on racial inequality in justice systems around the world. Chauvin, who is White, was found guilty Tuesday of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Floyd, a Black man he pinned down outside a Minneapolis grocery store last year. Foreign media outlets ran live coverage, showing how the trial resonated far beyond its national context, and highlighting the outsized role the U.S. racial justice conversation plays internationally, as the rest of the world is forced to grapple with its own race relations. Floyd’s killing in May proved to be a moment of reckoning not only in the United States but also across the world, as protesters took to the streets calling for justice in his case and pointing to what they saw as parallels in their communities. In Japan, crowds last year gathered in Osaka holding signs that read “Black lives matter,” while in Germany, protesters took to the streets of Berlin holding placards that said “White silence is violence” and “I can’t breathe.” In Britain last year, they chanted for Mark Duggan, a 29-year-old who was shot by police during his attempted arrest in 2011. In France, they said the name Adama Traoré, a 24-year-old who died in police custody in 2016. In Australia, where Floyd’s death last year spurred a resurgence in activism over Indigenous people’s deaths in police custody, the guilty verdict led to fresh calls for authorities to scrutinize more than 400 Aboriginal deaths in custody.

Surveillance Nation (BuzzFeed News) A controversial facial recognition tool designed for policing has been quietly deployed across the country with little to no public oversight. According to reporting and data reviewed by BuzzFeed News, more than 7,000 individuals from nearly 2,000 public agencies nationwide have used Clearview AI to search through millions of Americans’ faces, looking for people, including Black Lives Matter protesters, Capitol insurrectionists, petty criminals, and their own friends and family members. BuzzFeed News has developed a searchable table of 1,803 publicly funded agencies whose employees are listed in the data as having used or tested the controversial policing tool before February 2020. These include local and state police, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Air Force, state healthcare organizations, offices of state attorneys general, and even public schools. In many cases, leaders at these agencies were unaware that employees were using the tool. Such widespread use of Clearview means that facial recognition may have been used in your hometown with very few people knowing about it. The New York City–based startup claims to have amassed one of the largest-known repositories of pictures of people’s faces—a database of more than 3 billion images scraped without permission from places such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. If you’ve posted images online, your social media profile picture, vacation snapshots, or family photos may well be part of a facial recognition dragnet that’s been tested or used by law enforcement agencies across the country.

Violence erupts as Mexico’s deadly gangs aim to cement power in largest ever elections (The Guardian) Violent clashes between rival Mexican criminal groups—and their alleged allies in the security forces—are escalating ahead of mid-term elections in June, triggering a string of political assassinations and the forced displacement of thousands. With more than 21,000 posts in local, state and national government up for election—including 15 state governorships—the 6 June polls are the largest in Mexico’s history, and criminal groups see the elections as an opportunity to further their interests. Much of the recent fighting has focused on the western state of Michoacán, where the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (Jalisco New Generation cartel) has stepped up its conflict with an alliance of local groups calling themselves the United Cartels. The violence has forced more than a thousand people to flee the area, feeding the flow of migrants heading to the US to seek asylum. “They are leaving because they get caught in the crossfire, because their homes have been destroyed, [and] because the main roads into [the area] have been carved up to stop the advance of the Jaliscos,” said Gregorio López, a Catholic priest who has sheltered refuges in the nearby city of Apatzingán. The Jalisco cartel, Mexico’s fastest-expanding criminal network, considers Michoacán, rich in international trafficking routes and extortion markets, a key building block in its bid for national criminal hegemony. But its decade-long attempt to take over the region has so far been frustrated by the local opponents’ deep political and social roots. With neither side able to impose its designs on the other or willing to back down, more than 15,500 homicides have been recorded here from January 2011 to February this year.

In Putin’s Standoff With Navalny, Many Russians Put Faith in President (WSJ) Thousands of demonstrators are expected to take to the streets in many Russian cities Wednesday in support of Alexei Navalny, the jailed opposition leader who has galvanized popular discontent with the long rule of President Vladimir Putin. But even as the opposition leader stirs dissent, Mr. Putin can count on the support of many Russians who either trust in his leadership, fear the uncertainties of political change or disapprove of Mr. Navalny and his protest movement. “If it were up to me, Putin would stay another 20 years in power,” said fashion designer Irina Larkina from her home in a drab apartment block in this Russian city on the Baltic sea. “He’s the one who has boosted our living standards and given us respect for ourselves again.” Even amid falling living standards and Western sanctions, Mr. Putin continues to enjoy enviable approval ratings. Sociologists say while few may feel deep support for Mr. Putin, the Kremlin can continue to count on approval ratings of around 60%. “There’s a point at which popularity won’t fall any further,” said Lev Gudkov, head of independent polling organization Levada Center. “The country has fallen into two camps, but the Kremlin knows there is a wealth of support it can still draw from within the population, even though it’s fallen in recent years,” he added.

Indian hospitals buckle amid virus surge (AP) Seema Gandotra, sick with the coronavirus, gasped for breath in an ambulance for 10 hours as it tried unsuccessfully to find an open bed at six hospitals in India’s sprawling capital. By the time she was admitted, it was too late, and the 51-year-old died hours later. Rajiv Tiwari, whose oxygen levels began falling after he tested positive for the virus, has the opposite problem: He identified an open bed, but the resident of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh can’t get to it. “There is no ambulance to take me to the hospital,” he said. These tragedies are now everyday occurrences in the vast country, which is seeing its largest surge of the pandemic so far and watching its chronically underfunded health system crumble. Tests are delayed. Medical oxygen is scarce. Hospitals are understaffed and overflowing. Intensive care units are full. Nearly all ventilators are in use, and the dead are piling up at crematoriums and graveyards. India recorded over 250,000 new infections and over 1,700 deaths in the past 24 hours alone, and the U.K. announced a travel ban on most visitors from the country this week. Overall, India has reported more than 15 million cases and some 180,000 deaths—and experts say these numbers are likely undercounted. “The surge in infections has come like a storm and a big battle lies ahead,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an address to the nation Tuesday night.

Further evidence in case against Indian activists accused of terrorism was planted, new report says (Washington Post) An unknown hacker planted more than 30 documents that investigators deemed incriminating on a laptop belonging to an Indian activist accused of terrorism, a new forensic analysis finds, indicating a more extensive use of malicious software than previously revealed. The report will heighten concerns about the controversial prosecution of a group of government critics under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Known as the Bhima Koregaon case, the prosecution is considered a bellwether for the rule of law in India. Human rights groups and legal experts view the case as an effort by the government to clamp down on critics. The space for dissent has diminished in Modi’s India, where journalists, activists and members of nongovernmental organizations have faced arrest and harassment. The activists accused in the case deny the charges against them. They include a prominent academic, a labor lawyer, a leftist poet, a Jesuit priest and two singers. All are advocates for the rights of the country’s most disadvantaged communities and vocal opponents of the ruling party. Many of them have been jailed for nearly three years as they await trial.

Community pantries offer reprieve from covid-19 hardships in the Philippines (Washington Post) They were of different ages, genders, and walks of life. Some had been there since sunrise. A number carried umbrellas and canvas bags. Hundreds stood in a line that stretched three blocks on Wednesday, all waiting for their turn to stock up on donated food. The community pantry, as it is known, bore a sign: Give what you can, take what you need. A week after the initiative began as a humble cart with free vegetables and canned goods, over 300 similar donation-driven efforts have popped up across the Philippines. The grass-roots action underlines the economic pain Filipinos are experiencing as they battle one of Southeast Asia’s worst coronavirus outbreaks and a harsh lockdown. The idea began when a small-business owner teamed up with local vegetable vendors and farmers who offered their produce to those in need. Within days, it grew into a multi-sector effort encompassing a variety of food and essential items—bread, eggs, fruit, rice, water, noodles—donated by rich and poor alike.

Iran Rattled as Israel Repeatedly Strikes Key Targets (NYT) In less than nine months, an assassin on a motorbike fatally shot an Al Qaeda commander given refuge in Tehran, Iran’s chief nuclear scientist was machine-gunned on a country road, and two separate, mysterious explosions rocked a key Iranian nuclear facility in the desert, striking the heart of the country’s efforts to enrich uranium. The steady drumbeat of attacks, which intelligence officials said were carried out by Israel, highlighted the seeming ease with which Israeli intelligence was able to reach deep inside Iran’s borders and repeatedly strike its most heavily guarded targets, often with the help of turncoat Iranians. The attacks, the latest wave in more than two decades of sabotage and assassinations, have exposed embarrassing security lapses. Most alarming for Iran, Iranian officials and analysts said, was that the attacks revealed that Israel had an effective network of collaborators inside Iran and that Iran’s intelligence services had failed to find them. “That the Israelis are effectively able to hit Iran inside in such a brazen way is hugely embarrassing and demonstrates a weakness that I think plays poorly inside Iran,” said Sanam Vakil, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House.

With most adults now vaccinated, Israelis are busting loose (Washington Post) Israel is partying like it’s 2019. With most adults now vaccinated against the coronavirus and restrictions falling away—including the lifting this week of outdoor mask requirements—Israelis are joyously resuming routines that were disrupted more than a year ago and providing a glimpse of what the future could hold for other countries. Restaurants are booming outside and in. Concerts, bars and hotels are open to those who can flash their vaccine certificates. Classrooms are back to pre-covid capacity. The rate of new infections has plummeted—from a peak of almost 10,000 a day to about 140—and the number of serious coronavirus cases in many hospitals is down to single digits. The emergency covid-19 ward at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv resumed duty as a parking garage, and waiting rooms are suddenly flooded with non-covid patients coming for long-deferred treatments.

Rebels threaten to march on capital as Chad reels from president’s battlefield death (Reuters) Rebel forces set their sights on Chad’s capital N’Djamena on Wednesday following the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby, threatening to bring more disruption to a country vital to international efforts to combat Islamist militants in Africa. Schools and some businesses were open in N’Djamena on Wednesday but many people had opted to stay home and the streets were quiet, a Reuters witness said.

[spicevillagesblog]

Exploring the Convenience of Indian Groceries in Berlin

The aroma of spices, the vibrant colors of fresh produce, and the rich flavors of Indian cuisine are treasures that many seek far and wide. In Berlin, a city celebrated for its cultural diversity, the demand for authentic Indian groceries grows as more people seek to connect with Indian culinary traditions. This burgeoning interest has led to the emergence of services and stores that aim to meet these needs efficiently, particularly through the Indian Grocery Online Free Shipping options and well-stocked Indian Grocery Store Berlin.

The Rise of Indian Grocery Online Free Shipping

In today's fast-paced world, convenience is king. For the Indian diaspora and culinary enthusiasts in Berlin, accessing traditional food items is no longer a weekend chore but a pleasant, hassle-free experience thanks to Indian Grocery Online Free Shipping. This service revolutionizes how people shop for groceries by allowing them to order everything from basmati rice and spicy pickles to ready-to-eat meals and organic spices online, with the added benefit of free shipping. This model not only saves time but also ensures that even the busiest individuals can enjoy homemade Indian meals without stepping out of their homes.

Advantages of Online Indian Grocery Shopping

Shopping for Indian Grocery Online Free Shipping provides numerous benefits. Customers can browse a wider selection of products than might be available at their local store, compare prices at their convenience, and plan their meals ahead of time. Additionally, the assurance of free shipping encourages regular ordering of heavier, bulkier items without worrying about extra costs, making it an economical choice for families and restaurants alike.

Indian Grocery Store Berlin: A Hub of Culture and Cuisine

While online shopping offers convenience, visiting an Indian Grocery Store Berlin provides a sensory experience that digital platforms can't match. These stores are not just retail spaces; they are cultural hubs where one can find fresh vegetables like okra and bitter gourd that are staples in Indian kitchens, alongside a range of ayurvedic products and traditional sweets. For those new to Indian cooking, staff at these stores often provide valuable advice on how to use certain ingredients, enhancing the shopping experience with a personal touch.

Enhancing the Shopping Experience in Berlin

An Indian Grocery Store Berlin does more than sell food; it fosters a community. These stores often host cooking demonstrations, celebrate Indian festivals, and offer special discounts during significant cultural events, thus providing a platform for cultural exchange and community bonding. For many expatriates, these stores are a reminder of home, while for others, they are an exciting introduction to the flavors of India.

Conclusion

Whether through the convenience of Indian Grocery Online Free Shipping or the immersive cultural experience of an Indian Grocery Store Berlin, the city offers myriad ways for residents to explore and enjoy Indian cuisine. Both options cater to the needs of diverse consumers, from those with busy schedules to those seeking a touch of authenticity and community connection. For a comprehensive selection of Indian groceries delivered right to your door or available at your local Berlin store, visit spicevillage.eu.This platform stands at the forefront of bridging the gap between traditional Indian food products and modern convenience, ensuring that every kitchen in Berlin can savor the true taste of India.

Blog Source URL :

[foodchow]

FoodChow has innovative features for their customers which include table reservation, scan and order, combo deals etc for the restaurant ordering system. Browse through the different option to find places in Berlin that provide Delivery, Pick up, or Catering services. Get Our White Label Online Platform to have your own website. Foodchow Opportunity to help hundreds of restaurants, bakeries, groceries shop, sweets, and cake shops in Berlin.

[mckitterick]

Welcome to the Slow Apocalypse

As a species, we'll almost certainly survive this COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / coronavirus pandemic, the ongoing African plague of locusts, and the apparent collapse of capitalism, but it's turning out to be a serious test for those who've never studied science fiction. Heck, for everyone.

If you grew up during the Cold War (hello, Gen-Xers) you've been bracing yourself for apocalypse since childhood... though, perhaps, not in this form. As kids, we anxiously prepared for World War III and nuclear annihilation by "duck and cover" under our elementary-school desks, but that's yet to materialize. 

After the Berlin Wall fell, we transitioned to worrying about the Robot Uprising, maybe something like AM (from Ellison's "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream"), or WOPR (WarGames), or SkyNet (The Terminator) - artificial intelligence taking control to vaporize us bothersome bio-beings. So far, we've managed to avoid that. 

More recently, along with the Millennial and Gen-Yers, we've worried about military biotech leading to devastating plagues, possibly even targeting particular genomes in an horrific form of genocide. All along, we maintained our apocalyptic anxiety with horrors such as nanotech run amok, or death from above via asteroid strike or nearby supernovae - or alien invasion. We've worried about global climate change at least since Ballard's 1962 The Drowned World, and that's still a strong contender for ending human civilization. And the million unexpected consequences and unintended side-effects of all the accelerating change we've been witnessing - for example, what if all the bees die?

This apocalypse feels a lot more like another Gen X novel, Stephen King's The Stand.

We're living through a strange, historic moment. It gives us a fair sample of what apocalypse might really taste like:

(abbreviated version of a new Patreon post)

Learning how well you can tolerate housemates as you socially isolate together. Working and schooling from home. Having to prepare safety gear to go outside. Decontaminating when you come back in - or, preferably, before you do so. Worrying about immunocompromised, elderly, and unwell loved ones. Not being able to buy basic staples such as toilet paper or facial tissues. Finding empty shelves at the grocery store. Emergency workers and medical centers unable to treat everyone who needs it, or unable to purchase needed supplies - succumbing to illness themselves. Worrying about death cults appearing on the scene committing their nonsense atrocities. Worrying about curfews and martial law and the end to democratically elected officials. Worrying, worrying, worrying. 

Everyone's learning to live with anxiety these days. My insurance company refused to fill a 3-month supply of my anti-anxiety and anti-depressant meds, despite promising they would allow such. Much of the ingredients for our meds come from China, where manufacturing has been at a near-standstill for months - and where most everything most everyone buys originates. You can see the results of this also in empty shelves at your local stores (if they're open), or in "Not Available" notices everywhere across sites like Amazon. 

Public schools are closed across the USA - and none too soon, those vectors of disease... and necessary socializing, and for many, necessary food and shelter. Some organizations are stepping up to ensure low-income kids can still eat lunch. 

Meetings and public events are canceled, concerts and conventions, anywhere more than 10 people might gather. Colleges extended Spring Break and then ended live classes, shoving some of the least-technical workers (professors) into the task of converting lively in-person discussions to online... things.

For my soon-to-be-online class, we're leaning toward using Zoom alongside our seldom-used Blackboard discussion forum space. (Teachers: Our tests reveal three options: browser [not great], phone app [effective], and computer app [best].) To reduce the tedium, I'm tempted to have us meet in a virtual-reality MMO space like Second Life or the Star Trek Online game, both of which offer free accounts. 

On that note, here's a fun (and perhaps too real) take on moving classes online: "Welcome to Your Hastily Prepared Online College Course," by Ryan Weber on McSweeny's.

This is a stupid and unnecessarily disastrous apocalypse. It didn't have to be, if leaders had listened to Gen X anxieties, if they'd listened to the Millennials and Gen-Yers who've been stating very clearly what's wrong with this world. 

For example, the Trump administration ignored warnings about how to respond to pandemics last year, then gutted an office that could have managed the outbreak response. Asked at a news conference on Thursday about the government’s preparedness, Trump lied, "Nobody knew there would be a pandemic or epidemic of this proportion. Nobody has ever seen anything like this." But the truth is instead that internal documents show the federal government did, in fact, have considerable knowledge about the risks of a pandemic and accurately predicted the problems that it is now trying to address. 

And the USA is far from the only nation to have failed despite the Cassandra cries of experts, science-fiction readers, and young people. 

This is not what we expected of the Apocalypse. 

No demons rising from the earth or aliens descending from above. No mushroom clouds rising over cities or nano-swarms melting them into gray goo. No robots or bio-engineered werewolves roaming the streets killing all humans. Nothing so exciting. 

Instead, we have to stay home in a desperate attempt to slow the daily exponential spread of a virus. We shake our heads at fools who continue to gather in bars. We honor and pity minimum-wage store clerks or other workers forced to face infection or lose the small income their jobs offer. 

We wash our hands for 20 seconds while reciting Lady Macbeth's "Out, damned spot" monologue. 

Instead of something dramatic enough for a big-budget Hollywood film, we watch the roots of economies based on the most-common form of capitalism rot as banks feed the rot, as they continue to demand mortgage and loan payments from out-of-work laborers. We watch stock markets implode as investors panic because they might no longer extract as much free money by gaming the system to enhance their personal wealth. 

This would be a most-boring apocalypse if not for the thousands suffering and dying - perhaps to hit millions in the next few weeks, if we're not all careful, if we don't get a vaccine soon, at the very least if we don't pay attention to how herd immunity works. If we don't pay attention to the power - and dangers - of a powerfully militarized, technological civilization.

Things are rough out there and will likely get worse for a while - shorter if people remain socially isolated. If we don't all panic. If we remember that we're all part of civilization, and try to make the best of it - for everyone. 

My heart goes out to every single person on Earth. Except those who knew better and had the means to prepare for this, but did nothing. Or, worse, who have taken advantage of us for so long as to caused what should have been a bad - but not insurmountably so - new virus.

Take care of yourself and those you care for. 

    *

Finally: How are you doing? What would you like to see from me, here, in the coming weeks? More stuff like this? New material from The Galactic Adventures of Jack & Stella as I work with my new deep editor? Content from my (newly online) "Science, Technology, & Society" course as we doubtlessly further explore this new pandemic issue from all those angles, as well as how things might continue to change in the coming years?

Related: I'm currently debating what the heck to do about my summer Speculative Fiction Writing Workshop (as is Kij for her SF/F Novel Writing Workshop)... is it ethical to even plan to host a live workshop now, knowing many attendees will have to fly to get here? And once here, do we continue to have them live near each other in our scholarship hall - formerly a big part of the community-building? And what to do about the dinners downtown together, or socializing late into the night? Do I really ask Pat Cadigan, cancer fighter, Cyberpunk co-founder, and brilliant author, to brave the plague skies to join us half way across the infected globe? Will we even have international travel by June? How about interstate travel?

The pandemic won't magically disappear by June. I don't know how we can expect to do the usual things that make this workshop such a wonderful and often life-changing experience for people. And I need to let applicants know ASAP... now is when I normally begin to send out my first set of acceptances. And then there's Pat...

So do I move the SF Workshop online? I've been planning an online workshop for a while - but for accessibility and frequency reasons, not because a pandemic threatens to end the social aspects of live workshopping that I hold most dear. A how to best include Pat - ask her to participate online, too? 

If I do take it online, I'll do my best to publicly share the resources on my Patreon that I offer my writers. 

Ugh. This apocalypse sucks. Not saying I want one of those other apocalypses I've been worrying about, but if society as-is was destined to collapse, why couldn't it have been aliens?

   *

Take care of yourself and those you care for. Virtual hugs and all my love. We'll make it through this, together.

Best, Chris

(top image is an edit of the Winter 1928 edition of Amazing Stories)

[lordsalehi]

ʻ   / wow ,   i am so excited  to introduce berlin sari to  our current  students at cape  coral . she  is  extremely  excited to  join  track and field & honors society.   coming  in as a  twenty two year  old sophomore  ,  they  shouldn’t  worry about  fitting in .   the cis female  scorpio  has  always  reminded  me of medalion rahimi  , but  some people  don’t see it .   trying to keep the  fact that she’s the side piece of a cape coral parent   from  getting  around this  school is going  to be tough . no  worries , though ,   cape coral will create  a new life for them , i  assure you . ʼ  

my momma used to say ‘baby make me proud’, you’ve got such a pretty face, but such a dirty mouth

NAME — berlin avery salehi.

NICKNAMES — n/a?

PRONOUNS — she/her.

AGE & DOB — 22 & november 8, 1997.

PLACE OF BIRTH — lewiston, maine.

NATIONALITY — american.

MAJOR — music and audio engineering.

EDUCATION — prev. parker community college, now cape coral international.

CLUBS — honors society, track & field.

* background overview !

so for ten years, it was berllin, her older brother, her mom, and her dad. everything was honestly pretty normal, he worked as a bank teller and her mom was an elementary school teacher. 

when she was ten, her mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and began treatment, it was in the middle of her moms chemo treatments that her dad decided he was done and left the three of them on their own. 

her older brother was stuck taking care of them both, berlin helped where she could, but it wasn’t exactly in the means of income. 

her mom did go into remission, but later it came back when berlin was 15. as soon as she turned 16, it was her brothers turn to leave them, claiming he was tired of it.  

from then on, she taught both piano and guitar lessons to anyone who was willing to let her teach as a means to support herself and her mom. 

music was and always has been a massive part of her life and was one of the few things she used as an escape when everyday life was just Too Much, so getting to teach others was something she really liked to do. 

when she was 18, one of her student’s parents had taken an interest in her and invited her over for dinner where they offered her the opportunity to be with them. she said yes and began her secret relationship, mostly using the money they gave her to help pay rent and for groceries, or if it was things, then it allowed her to use the money from lessons for other things. 

she was taking classes at pcc mostly online so that she had more time to be at home, but when the parents she was dating mentioned that the school their child was attending, cape coral, was offering a scholarship they encouraged her to apply. 

* personality !

god she is... kind of a mess. 

like being bitter is probably one of her defining personality traits, and it’s not even towards rich people bc of their money or anything, she’s just like bitter that THIS is the life she ended up with.

she can definitely sit and just have a normal conversation without chewing someone’s head off but she never really seems particularly cheery.

she’s one of those people that likes to run to blow off steam, which isn’t the worst thing in the world, but she’ll leave and go running at like 2am bc she’s stressed. 

is a hardass and thinks she’s like top shit even though she has absolutely no reason to be? thinks because she doesn’t directly “engage” or involve herself in drama that she’s better than everyone

is NOT afraid to call you out on your bullshit bc she really doesn’t have time to deal with it at all 

really, keeps a lot of people at a distance and doesn’t really like getting close to people because they can just leave whenever they want to. and she’ll never admit it but she doesn’t want to get hurt.

she’s double majoring in music (basic she knows) but in audio production as well, eventually she wants to produce music, whether it’s someone else’s or her own.

prefers to keep her private life mostly private? like what and how much she shares honestly just depends on her mood.

* character tropes !

so i was thinking and really, she’s a bit of the Corruptor. which sounds bad, but it’s kinda like, she’s so far up her own ass she thinks she’s better than everyone and that people need to be brought down from their pedestals and clouds. so she tends to poke at people until they show their worst sides, or sides they don’t necessarily like very much. i also saw a little bit of the Femme Fatale in her too, just because she’s gorgeous (duh) and fully uses that to her advantage when she can, like the affair turned sugar daddy/baby situation she has with one of the cape coral parents.

* playlist !

kings — tribe society:

i’ve been through the darkest of caves and suffering one hundred  steps off the end of the road painted with passion, my favorite color hope i’m alive when the story gets old we could be free 

this goes with both her personality and her past tbh. she’s really headstrong and not afraid to take the lead on anything she’s passionate about, but also won’t let anyone else sway her opinion on anything, like at all. it’s like trying to push a round stone up a hill. when looking at her past, it’s not anywhere near rainbows and butterflies. her dad left her family when she was really young, and her mom has been sick with recurrent cancer for years. for a while, her older brother helped take care of her and their mom, but when she turned 16 he left, leaving her to fend for the both of them. as awful as it sounds, all she wants is to be free of everything that’s held her down, she feels bad for wanting out, but she’s so tired of it all now.

monsters — ruelle:

one misstep, you’re mine and you better stay clever if you wanna survive once you cross the line you’ll be wishing you would listen  when you meet your demise 

funnily enough, this isn’t really as serious as it should be. the vibe IS her, i’ll tell you, but this is really where the Scott Disick comes in. like she’s very take no shit but will definitely call you out on your shit. more of a if you make yourself look stupid, or give her the chance to roast/call you out, she will and isn’t really worried about what’s going to come from it. not her fault it could expose or embarrass you for any reason!

something to hold on to — the band camino:

do you ever think of me? after everything give me something to hold on to  i need just a little piece  i’ll take anything 

so this, two things as well. i know the song’s a breakup song but it’s kinda at her dad and brother for just up and leaving her and her mom, kinda like the one time she’ll show any vulnerability is when she really wishes they had stayed. but also, she’s really musical, it’s her one escape and this is probably the style of music she likes to listen to and play.

* aesthetics !

sneaking out at 2am, vintage t-shirts, scrunchies, the satisfaction of snoozing the alarm clock, worn combat boots, long sleepless nights, calloused fingers pulling at guitar strings, quiet sounds of piano, an exhausted body finally laying down to sleep, black coffee, backhanded compliments, stone cold stares, the lure of seduction.

* character inspo !

scott disick (kuwtk) , rebeca de bormujo avalos (elite) , jade west (victorious)

* wanted plots !

i’m still not any better at coming up w plots so this is the Same

general friends: honestly some from childhood, some from high school, others from college, give me New friend with the people coming on scholarship, anything

best friends: someone that’s been by her side for years, someone she’d literally trust with her whole life

ride or dies: honestly what it says, maybe like one or two of them that have been through the thick and thin of it but still have a really strong friendship in the end?

confidant: honestly, probably someone she’s close with, but doesn’t see on a regular basis? 

better influence: someone who can teach her to let go and ease up more, and to not be so angry all the time

exes ( good, bad, anything in between ): you know the drill, hit me with the good angst. (male, female, nb)

roommate: rent ain’t cheap! 

hook ups: you also know this drill, but this is pretty much all berlin does (male, female, nb)

[coeval-magazine]

Kedr Livanskiy

The opening of Kedr Livanskiy’s Your Needtwinkles into audibility—a breathless mist, an upbeat shift. Quickly, it’s back down to earth, leveled by warm, warbling vocals. But for a minute, it’s pure pop, effervescent teenage girlhood cut, deliciously, with a little winking excess. Yana Kedrina—the artist behind the nom de plume—is radiant, unfathomably long platinum hair echoing the yellow stripe down the side of Your Need’s album cover. This second album, the Bandcamp copy tells us, is “a celebration of life and rebirth”—a high-energy jaunt, clubby and cavorting with peaks like “Bounce 2” and the focused, grainy build of the penultimate “City Track.” 

We’re eating hummus in the back of a Persian grocery store in London when Lawrence tells me he has a surprise. It’s embargoed but Really Exciting; he needs my passport and won’t tell me why until I guess the spot. He holds up a photo of the Stanislavsky Electrotheatre, and my dumb American sensibility is like, uhh, I don’t know, it’s some grungy former Eastern Bloc destination that, five years down the line, guys in Carhartts will describe as the Bushwick of the East? Maybe, in a manner of speaking. The depth of my Russian cultural knowledge is really nil, pathetic, so he humanely cuts me off to answer. Moscow. We’re going to Moscow.

Aside from some half-retained undergrad lectures about early Soviet film montage, Kedr Livanskiy is the beginning and end of my insight into the Russian avant-garde. I stream her debut EP, January Sun, on repeat while I wait for my visa to get approved, wandering around Berlin and relaxing into the titular track’s metered, melancholy flow. I’m kind of down about a bunch of impending change so January Sunand Audrey Wollen’s Sad Girl Theory are propping me up while I twitch around the cramped apartment block where I’m staying for a filmmaking residency, in which I learn that I actually really, really don’t want to be a filmmaker. The early EP, released in 2016, has a lo-fi grit about it that perfectly suits Berlin’s much-maligned maxim, “Poor but Sexy,” with its reverberant hum. 

Landing in Moscow, I’m allayed, for a second. Compared to Berlin, everything’s immaculate—pastel confections of buildings sit low on the horizon; a glass of complimentary champagne is stuffed in my hand when I check into Hotel Richter. My room! It has a fucking fresco on the ceiling! But within a day, the smoothness sours into homesick disorientation. In line for the bar one night, I watch a lethargic progression of gallery totes, screen-printed with Cyrillic sans-serif. Vacillating into and out of elation,Your Needturns out to be perfectly suited to my first trip to Russia. Grounded by slower moments like “LED” and “Why Love,” the albumflutters into occasional severity, recalling the coarse, foggy rhythms that magnetized me to January Sun.

Of course, it matters that I don’t speak any Russian. In my total alienation from lyrical meaning, Livanskiy’s songs come to me as pure structure—texture and affect and the granular nuances of each tiny build and fall, fully divorced from signification. I feel kind of icky and preposterous as I fumble towards interpretation, so it’ll suffice to offer a personal read, here. If January Sun scored a month of depressey self-searching, Your Need, released at the beginning of May, came right as the clouds began to clear, all while retaining a sense of the meticulous depth that made Kedrina’s early work so haunting. 

Lawrence shows his movie one night at a cinema club that was founded by Sergei Eisenstein. Lights up after and it’s really well-received by a crowd comprised entirely of plausible Gosha models. An angelic blonde with pigtail braids is the first to find him in the front row, before most have risen from their seats. “It was so great! I loved it!” He thanks her warmly. She rushes out. I elbow him, giggling. “That,” I hazard through a dumb starstruck grin, “was Kedr Livanskiy.”

Later I fall into some party at Strelka, the architecture-school-cum-cultural-hub that’s hosting a NTS showcase sponsored by the British Embassy. Beatrice Dillon—another favorite from the Cult of Domesticity playlist, dedicated to Women in House, where Kedr takes up residence in my Spotify library—takes the stage. Dancing mechanically, I catch a glimpse of platinum in my peripheral. I ask my newish buddy, probably an appropriate source of journalistic guidance because he has a monthly Vice column, whether it would be bullshitty to approach her. It’s loud so I don’t really know how he answers. 

I try to put it out of my mind. I keep grooving. Eventually, my dedication to hardcore reporting outweighs my sense of personal self-preservation, so I shuffle towards her and yell over the music.

—“Hey, I love your new album!” 

Graciously, she smiles. Magnetic.

 —“I’m writing a review for this online fashion magazine—want to talk to me about Your Need?” 

—“What?” 

 Yelling now, I’m so hyper-conscious of my shrill American valley-girl affectation, I want to unzip my skin and leave my body on the dancefloor. Mortified, I still persist, pressing on in service of Journalism. 

 —“I’m writing about Your Need! Is there anything you want my readers to know?” 

She’s stilted, no recognition. 

—“Uhh….. maybe later.” 

 Is that a scoop? Whatever. I still give this album five stars.

courtesy KEDR LIVANSKIY

@kedr_livanskiy

words ADINA GLICKSTEIN

@addieglickstein

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