#carbon culture review

[mostly-mundane-atla]

Inupiaq Books

This post was inspired by learning about and daydreaming about visiting Birchbark Books, a Native-owned bookstore in Minneapolis, so there will be some links to buy the books they have on this list.

Starting Things Off with Two Inupiaq Poets

Joan Naviyuk Kane, whose available collections include:

Hyperboreal

Black Milk Carbon

The Cormorant Hunter's Wife

She also wrote Dark Traffic, but this site doesn't seem to carry any copies

Dg Nanouk Okpik, whose available collections include

Blood Snow

Corpse Whale

Fictionalized Accounts of Historical Events

A Line of Driftwood: the Ada Blackjack Story by Diane Glancy, also available at Birchwood Books, is a fictionalized account of Ada Blackjack's experience surviving the explorers she was working with on Wrangel Island, based on historical records and Blackjack's own diary.

Goodbye, My Island by Rie Muñoz is a historical fiction aimed at younger readers with little knowledge of the Inupiat about a little girl living on King Island. Reads a lot like an American Girl book in case anyone wants to relive that nostalgia

Blessing's Bead by Debby Dahl Edwardson is a Young Adult historical fiction novel about hardships faced by two generations of girls in the same family, 70 years apart. One reviewer pointed out that the second part of the book, set in the 1980s, is written in Village English, so that might be a new experience for some of you

Photography

Menadelook: and Inupiaq Teacher's Photographs of Alaska Village Life, 1907-1932 edited by Eileen Norbert is, exactly as the title suggests, a collection of documentary photographs depicting village life in early 20th century Alaska.

Nuvuk, the Northernmost: Altered Land, Altered Lives in Barrow, Alaska by David James Inulak Lume is another collection of documentary photographs published in 2013, with a focus on the wildlife and negative effects of climate change

Guidebooks (i only found one specifically Inupiaq)

Plants That We Eat/Nauriat Niģiñaqtuat: from the Traditional Wisdom of Iñupiat Elders of Northwest Alaska by Anore Jones is a guide to Alaskan vegetation that in Inupiat have subsisted on for generations upon generations with info on how to identify them and how they were traditionally used.

Anthropology

Kuuvangmiut Subsistence: Traditional Eskimo Life in the Latter Twentieth Century by Douglas B. Anderson et al details traditional lifestyles and subsistance customs of the Kobuk River Inupiat

Life at the Swift Water Place: Northwest Alaska at the Threshold of European Contact by Douglas D. Anderson and Wanni W. Anderson: a multidisciplinary study of a specific Kobuk River group, the Amilgaqtau Yaagmiut, at the very beginning of European and Asian trade.

Upside Down: Seasons Among the Nunamiut by Margaret B. Blackman is a collection of essays reflecting on almost 20 years of anthropological fieldwork focused on the Nunamiut of Anuktuvuk Pass: the traditional culture and the adaption to new technology.

Nonfiction

Firecracker Boys: H-Bombs, Inupiat Eskimos, and the Roots of the Environmental Movement by Dan O'Neill is about Project Chariot. In an attempt to find peaceful uses of wartime technology, Edward Teller planned to drop six nukes on the Inupiaq village of Point Hope, officially to build a harbor but it can't be ignored that the US government wanted to know the effects radiation had on humans and animals. The scope is wider than the Inupiat people involved and their resistance to the project, but as it is no small part of this lesser discussed moment of history, it only feels right to include this

Fifty Miles From Tomorrow: a Memoir of Alaska and the Real People by William L. Iģģiaģruk Hensley is an autobiography following the author's tradition upbringing, pursuit of an education, and his part in the Alaska Native Settlement Claims Act, where he and other Alaska Native activists had to teach themselves United States Law to best lobby the government for land and financial compensation as reparations for colonization.

Sadie Bower Neakok: An Iñupiaq Woman by Margaret B. Blackman is a biography of the titular Sadie Bower Neakok, a beloved public figure of Utqiagvik, former Barrow. Neakok grew up one of ten children of an Inupiaq woman named Asianggataq, and the first white settler to live in Utqiagvik/Barrow, Charles Bower. She used the out-of-state college education she received to aid her community as a teacher, a wellfare worker, and advocate who won the right for Native languages to be used in court when defendants couldn't speak English, and more.

Folktales and Oral Histories

Folktales of the Riverine and Costal Iñupiat/Unipchallu Uqaqtuallu Kuungmiuñļu Taģiuģmiuñļu edited by Wanni W. Anderson and Ruth Tatqaviñ Sampson, transcribed by Angeline Ipiiļik Newlin and translated by Michael Qakiq Atorak is a collection of eleven Inupiaq folktales in English and the original Inupiaq.

The Dall Sheep Dinner Guest: Iñupiaq Narratives of Northwest Alaska by Wanni W. Anderson is a collection of Kobuk River Inupiaq folktales and oral histories collected from Inupiat storytellers and accompanied by Anderson's own essays explaining cultural context. Unlike the other two collections of traditional stories mentioned on this list, this one is only written in English.

Ugiuvangmiut Quliapyuit/King Island Tales: Eskimo Historu and Legends from Bering Strait compiled and edited by Lawrence D. Kaplan, collected by Gertrude Analoak, Margaret Seeganna, and Mary Alexander, and translated and transcribed by Gertrude Analoak and Margaret Seeganna is another collection of folktales and oral history. Focusing on the Ugiuvangmiut, this one also contains introductions to provide cultural context and stories written in both english and the original Inupiaq.

The Winter Walk by Loretta Outwater Cox is an oral history about a pregnant widow journeying home with her two children having to survive the harsh winter the entire way. This is often recommended with a similar book detailing Athabascan survival called Two Old Women.

Dictionaries and Language Books

Iñupiat Eskimo Dictionary by Donald H. Webster and Wilfred Zibell, with illustrations by Thelma A. Webster, is an older Inupiaq to English dictionary. It predates the standardization of Inupiaq spelling, uses some outdated and even offensive language that was considered correct at the time of its publication, and the free pdf provided by UAF seems to be missing some pages. In spite of this it is still a useful resource. The words are organized by subject matter rather than alphabetically, each entry indicating if it's specific to any one dialect, and the illustrations are quite charming.

Let's Learn Eskimo by Donald H. Webster with illustrations by Thelma A. Webster makes a great companion to the Iñupiat Eskimo Dictionary, going over grammar and sentence structure rather than translations. The tables of pronouns are especially helpful in my opinion.

Ilisaqativut.org also has some helpful tools and materials and recommendations for learning the Inupiat language with links to buy physical books, download free pdfs, and look through searchable online versions

#eskimo on main

[sunsolii]

Napoleon's Marshals and their Birthstones Part 2

This is part 2 of my series where I list all 26 marshal's birthstones, I'll also be adding two non-marshals to the list ;). In this post I'll go over months May through August, the format will be the same as the last post. If you want to review the terms used in the post I'll put the link to the first part here .

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Emerald (May)

Marshals- Davout, Kellermann, Massena, Perignon, and Poniatowski

Type: Mineral

Group: Beryl (Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆)

Color: Green or bluish-green

Cleavage: Indistinct to none

Fracture: Conchoidal

Mohs Scale: 7.5-8

Luster: Vitreous

Streak: White

Fun Fact: Emerald is one of the four cardinal (most valuable) gemstones, along with diamond, ruby, and sapphire. Its value is due to the limited amount of beryllium (an element in beryl minerals) found in one location on the surface of the Earth, making it rare to find. An even rarer type of emerald is a trapiche emerald, which has the shape of a wheel, with each piece of emerald separated by the inclusion of black shale; the shale becomes less present as time passes. Its green color is due to the presence of chromium or vanadium in its chemical composition. Traces of iron make the color turn into a bluish or yellowish tint.

Pearl (June)

Marshals- N/A (Honorable mention: Joséphine de Beauharnais)

Type: Mineral

Group: Carbonate (CaCo₃)

Color: White, pink, silver, cream, iridescent, blue, gold

Cleavage: None

Fracture: Uneven

Mohs Scale: 2.5-4.5

Luster: Pearly

Streak: White

Fun Facts: Pearls are made either naturally or synthetically. Natural pearls are formed inside the soft tissue of various mollusk species like oysters and mussels when an irritant such as sand gets inside the mollusk. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk covers the object with a substance called nacre, a combination of aragonite and conchiolin. These layers build up over time until they create a pearl. Man-made or cultured pearls are formed when a small piece of a mussel shell is inserted into the mollusk's tissue, causing the mollusk to secrete nacre onto the shell piece. Under a controlled environment, pearls form a perfectly shaped sphere, rather than forming in irregular shapes like organic pearls form.

Ruby (July)

Marshals- Moncey, and Marmont

Type: Mineral

Group: Oxide (Al₂O₃)

Color: Blood red, orange red, pink, or purple red

Cleavage: Indistinct

Fracture: Conchoidal or splintery

Mohs Scale: 9

Luster: Vitreous

Streak: White

Fun Fact: Rubies have the same chemical composition as sapphires, making them the same type of mineral (corundum), the only difference being that rubies are red due to chromium in their crystal lattice, while sapphires are blue, but it does come in different colors [1]. Rubies are not only known for their use in expensive jewelry but also for having major cultural significance ranging from ancient to modern times. In ancient Greece, rubies were thought to preserve mental and physical strength. Many Greek warriors wore talismans with rubies as protection when heading into battles [2].

Peridot (August)

Marshals- Bessières (Honorable mention: Napoleon Bonaparte)

Type: Mineral

Group: Silicate ((Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄)

Color: Green, yellowish-green, olive-green

Cleavage: Poor

Fracture: Conchoidal

Mohs Scale: 6.5-7

Luster: Vitreous or greasy

Streak: Colorless

Fun Fact: Peridot can be dissolved in hydrochloric acid, creating a gelatinous silica form. It was first discovered on the volcanic island of Zabargad in the Red Sea (located near Egypt) 3,500 years ago. The largest known peridot was also discovered in Egypt, weighing approximately 319 carats. The Egyptians were very fond of peridot and believed it to be the gemstone of the sun god Ra, giving it the name the 'evening emerald.' When determining the value of a peridot, its color plays an important role. Peridots with a pure green hue are more desirable than those with a yellowish tint (high iron levels are present). Peridot is also the gemstone with the most inclusions visibly present, which can affect its value, but it is often attributed to it being part of its natural structure.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Sources:

Emerald: King, H. M. (n.d.). Emerald. geology. https://geology.com/gemstones/emerald/

Pearl: MAT, M. (2023, August 26). Pearl: Mineral, gemstone: Properties, formation, occurrence. Geology Science. https://geologyscience.com/minerals/organic-minerals/pearl/?amp

Ruby: [1] King, H. M. (n.d.). Ruby and Sapphire. geology. https://geology.com/gemstones/ruby-and-sapphire/

[2] MAT, M. (2023, April 25). Ruby: Properties, formation, occurrence " Geology science. Geology Science. https://geologyscience.com/gemstone/ruby/?amp

Peridot: MAT, M. (2023, August 29). Peridot : Gemstone, properties, occurrence and uses " geology science. Geology Science. https://geologyscience.com/gemstone/peridot/?amp

#napoleonic era #napoleon bonaparte #french history #napoleon's marshals #rocks and minerals #gemstone #birthstone #napoleonic wars #funny how none of the marshals was born in June #pearl is quit fitting for Josephine xD #peridot too since bessi is known for wearing his green uniform #also pearls are technically not a mineral due to it being organically created #what is considered a mineral is the aragonite in its structure

[wrc1905]

Review for Sea People by Christina Thompson

I've always been interested in Anthropology and human development around the world. This book made effort to point out that there is still significant gaps in our knowledge about how the people of Polynesia migrated across the Pacific Ocean. Many of the early tales from European explorers shows their utter bewilderment that such small canoes could travel such huge distances as European ships needed to be so much larger to travel the same distance.

Many of the theories of the early anthropologists were total shots in the dark, with some just guessing that Polynesians were migrants from South America whilst others believed they were survivors of a sunken continent. These theories were quickly disproven as carbon dating became more accurate allowing for a timeline of movement to be established throughout the various Pacific archipelagos. Two of the most important discoveries was the carbon dating of rat bones that were native to the islands (before the European Black Rat was brought to the region) and the discovery of pottery allowing for distinct periods of Polynesian culture to be placed in order.

The book also highlights the catastrophic damage that was done to the various Polynesian cultures by the colonising Europeans who brought with them disease, alcohol and far more dangerous weapons. The Polynesians who didn't die of illness watched as their religions were slowly replaced by Christianity as missionaries descended on the islands. However, by the 1960s and 70s the collective consciousness of many Polynesians was raised by the Black Power and Red Power movements in the United States. This led to further celebrations of culture.

In conclusion: Highly recommend this book if you want to understand more about Polynesian culture, and history.

#anthropology #history #books #polynesian

[backup-baby-backup]

Initial thoughts (spoilers)

I don't think this is Midnights 2.0 as some people are saying... but it's also not not Midnights 2.0? There's unmissable hints of Folkmore (The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived would fit well on Evermore (half of it anyway... if you get what I mean)) Like the Jack Antonoff synths are here but they're also fundamentally much more interesting than on Midnights. For example, I love how the synths just sound off and funky on Down Bad which really wouldn't fit the slick production. It would be disingenuous to say this sounds totally divorced from Midnights but it's also not the carbon copy some feared. I honestly think it's much better than Midnights, as she did give up her glitter gel pen as advertised.

Which brings us to the lyrics. You could tell Taylor herself wanted to put the lyrics forward given how forward her vocals are on the mix. Although Twitter will undoubtedly have a field day with "Charlie Puth should be a better artist" (well you can tell they were high), I honestly think this album has some of her most diverse writing yet, from the pop culture references to the person life hints we all know and love (tangent: these will take ages to plow through, that's for sure...). It's reminiscent of literally every previous era. I even hear hints of Speak Now on But Daddy I Love Him.

Again, the main criticism I have for The Tortured Poets Department is that it is way too long. As two separate albums, sure, but 31 tracks is giving Drake levels of blurring the lines between a playlist and an album. Especially The Anthology, yes the songs are beautiful and the lyricism is as strong as ever but after sitting through 25 songs I'm kind of losing track.

Honestly, not to pull a Lover review but cut roughly 10 of these tracks, work in a few catchier hooks, and this might give Folkmore a run for their money. But well.

HIGHLIGHTS: My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys, Down Bad, Florida!!!, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, Clara Bow

lowlights: I Can Do It With A Broken Heart (we have Paper Rings at home...)

Speak Now

Red

1989

Folklore

Evermore

The Tortured Poets Department

Midnights

Fearless

Reputation

Debut

Lover

#taylor swift #the tortured poets department

[litcityblues]

'Revelation Space' --A Review

I can't remember why I picked this one off the shelf in Foyles when we were visiting the UK back in April. I think I was looking for Iain M. Banks or possibly Ken Macleod-- trying to scratch that British SF Author itch in London seemed the appropriate thing to do at the time. Failing to find either of those authors, I went ahead and selected this one- having heard of Reynolds before, but never actually having read any of his work.

Turns out, I made a really, really good choice.

Set in the year 2551, the first half to two-thirds of the book is centered around three plot strands that gradually merge. The first centers around Dan Sylveste who is an archaeologist excavating the remains of a long-dead alien race, the Amarantin on a planet in the Delta Pavonis system that they call Resurgam. Sylveste is obsessed-- for, nearly a million years before, something destroyed the Amarantin and he has dedicated his life to finding out just what happened to them and caused their destruction Unfortunately, he doesn't much care about people getting in the way of his obsession-- there was a mutiny on the colony and some split to head back to the planet Yellowstone some decades earlier and now it appears Sylveste is on the wrong end of another mutiny and he's taken captive.

The next strand centers on the starship Nostalgia for Infinity (great name!)-- and its crew. Ilya Volyova is searching for a cure for their captain, Brannigan who has been infected with a Melding Plague that attacks human cells and machine implants and twists them into unstable combinations. Right away, you realize that this isn't the Starship Enterprise we're talking about here. The Captain is barely human anymore and has to be gradually warmed so they can communicate. The rest of the crew is in reefer/cryo sleep as they travel the distances between the stars and Volyova needs a new gunner because her current gunner Boris Nagorney has been driven insane by something-- she isn't sure she wants to know what- and she's forced to kill him. The Nostalgia for Infinity feels like a massive, deserted ship, with long, dark corridors and twists and turns and all kinds of surprises to be found-- lots of Nostromo from Alien and Event Horizon vibes with this one.

The final strand centers on the assassin Ana Khouri, who lives on the planet Yellowstone (in Epsilon Eridani) and is hired by a mysterious figure known as the Mademoiselle to assassinate Sylveste. With the assistance of the Mademoiselle, Khouri joins the crew of the Nostalgia for Infinity as the new gunner and they depart Yellowstone to head back to Resurgam to find Sylveste.

(Should be noted: I've never read Altered Carbon books, but I've seen the Netflix series and there are similar vibes here. No warp drive or fancy interstellar travel, so they deal with the effects of time dilation and years pass between point A and point B-- which again, strikes me as very real, very ground in the hardest of sci-fi interstellar travel and the effects it has on people. That aspect of this is really well done, to me.)

Once back at Resurgam, the crew's mission becomes clear. They want to find Sylveste so he can cure the Captain- and eventually, after threatening the colony below, they get him delivered to the ship. Sylveste has other ideas, however: he threatens to trigger the antimatter bombs hidden inside his artificial eyes that could destroy the ship and render him unable to aid the Captain. He wants to go to Cerberus, a nearby planet orbiting a neutron star that he believes holds the answers to the questions has sought for his whole life. Sylveste gets the answers he was seeking: Cerberus is actually a massive beacon, aimed at alerting machine sentience to the emergence of new space-faring cultures so they can be destroyed. That sentience is what destroyed the Amarantin and as the book ends, the characters all think they have done enough to avoid awakening it once more.

Overall: The hardest of science fiction, there is a lot to recommend about this book. First of all, it's incredibly well-written. The crew of the Nostalgia for Infinity isn't one you will forget anytime soon-- the ending, which goes into full-on cosmic/Dave Bowman/Star Child territory is the perfect climax to this big, meaty book. I love that this future is complicated. It's not shiny and pretty and easy-- technology comes with costs to human biology in this world. It's a struggle out there in the cold dark, but people are doing it anyway. I hate getting sucked into trilogies I wasn't planning on reading, but this one has its hooks in me well and good, so I guess it's onto the next two! My Grade: **** out of ****

#revelation space #book review #alastair reynolds

[reliaabledevelopers]

Reliaable Developers: Exploring the Advantages of Mixed-Use Developments

Mixed-use developments have emerged as a promising solution to the challenges posed by rapid urbanization. These developments, which integrate various functions like housing, businesses, and amenities within a single space, are gaining traction for their ability to foster vibrant, connected communities. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the advantages of mixed-use developments and their potential to shape the urban landscapes of the future.

Enhanced Quality of Life: Mixed-use developments offer residents a comprehensive living experience by providing a diverse range of amenities within proximity. From residential units to offices, retail outlets, restaurants, parks, and recreational facilities, these developments create vibrant, inclusive environments that cater to various needs and preferences. Residents can easily access essential services, entertainment options, and recreational activities without the need for extensive travel, resulting in a higher quality of life and greater overall satisfaction. For example, Reliaable Ecity is strategically located near major offices such as Tech Mahindra and Wipro, as well as prominent institutions like Delhi Public School and Kauvery Hospital, enhancing convenience and accessibility for residents. Walkability and Accessibility: These pedestrian-friendly developments encourage residents to rely less on cars and embrace alternative modes of transportation such as walking, cycling, or using public transit. This not only reduces traffic congestion and air pollution but also fosters healthier, more active lifestyles among residents. Additionally, easy access to public transportation hubs enhances connectivity, making it convenient for residents to travel within the city and beyond. Reliaable Ecity highlights this approach with the availability of a restaurant, supermarket, and seamless access to public transportation, further promoting walkability and accessibility for its residents. Reliaable Developers reviews by residents often highlight the convenience of getting around within Reliaable Developers' mixed-use developments, emphasizing the pedestrian-friendly design and access to public transit. Environmental Sustainability: Sustainability lies at the core of mixed-use developments, which are designed to minimize environmental impact and promote responsible resource use. Mixed-use developments incorporate sustainable building practices, such as green building materials, energy-efficient design, and renewable energy sources, to minimize carbon emissions and reduce energy consumption. This commitment to environmental sustainability not only benefits the planet but also enhances the overall resilience and livability of the community. For instance, Reliaable Developers projects prioritize environmental conservation, as seen in initiatives like the rainwater harvesting system implemented in Reliaable Dollars Colony.

Community Engagement: Mixed-use developments serve as vibrant hubs of community life, fostering social interaction, collaboration, and a sense of belonging among residents. The diverse mix of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces creates opportunities for spontaneous encounters and shared experiences, strengthening social ties and fostering a sense of community. Moreover, mixed-use developments often host community events, cultural activities, and recreational programs that bring residents together and promote civic engagement. Reliaable Developers projects actively promote community living, bringing together like-minded individuals and fostering a sense of belonging among residents. Higher Property Values: The comprehensive amenities, convenience, and vibrant atmosphere offered by mixed-use developments often lead to higher property values for residents and investors. The diverse range of functions within these developments appeals to a broad spectrum of homebuyers, tenants, and businesses, driving demand and increasing real estate values over time. As a result, mixed-use developments are not only financially lucrative investments but also contribute to the long-term prosperity and sustainability of the community as a whole. Reliaable Developers' commitment to creating thriving mixed-use developments shows their dedication to enhancing property values and fostering sustainable growth within the community. Reliaable Developers Reviews often mention the value appreciation of properties within their mixed-use developments, highlighting them as lucrative investments in the real estate market.

Conclusion In conclusion, mixed-use developments represent a holistic approach to urban planning that prioritizes sustainability, livability, and economic vitality. By integrating diverse functions within cohesive, well-designed spaces, these developments not only enhance the quality of life for residents but also foster vibrant, resilient communities that thrive in the face of change. As we look to the future, embracing the principles of mixed-use development will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the cities of tomorrow, with initiatives like those undertaken by Reliaable Developers leading the way towards a more sustainable and inclusive urban landscape. About Reliaable Developers:

Established in 1999 by Dr. Rama Reddy and Mr. H.P. Rama Reddy, Reliaable Developers is a leading name in Bangalore's real estate. Led by Dr. Rama Reddy and Dr. Mahendra Reddy, the company blends tradition and innovation. With a focus on BDA-approved plots, they've delivered over 15,000 plots across prime Bangalore locations. Customers often praise the company’s dedication to excellence and its prime locations of BDA-approved plots in Reliaable Developers reviews, further solidifying its positive reputation in the real estate sector. Notable projects include Reliaable Lifestyle and Dollar Colony, reflecting their commitment to quality and timely delivery. They envision a future driven by innovation and sustainability.

#reliaable developers #reliaable developers reviews #reliaable developers ecity #reliaable developers plots #Reliaable developers Projects #reliaable developer projects #reliaable developers bangalore reviews #reliaable developers bangalore

[lalainegumalal]

Title: "Navigating the Travel Landscape: Trends Past and Future"

The past five years have seen a variety of factors impact travel trends, including technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences, global events, and voluntourism. There are some major trends that have shaped the travel industry. The first is the rise of experiential travel. As travelers They are more likely to choose immersive and unique travel experiences over traditional sightseeing. Activities like culinary tours, adventure travel, and voluntourism have gained popularity. Next is the impact of technology, which has revolutionized the way people plan, book, and experience travel. Travel-related technologies, such as mobile apps, online booking platforms, and travel review websites, have become indispensable tools for travelers, providing accessibility and convenience. Another one is the transition to sustainable tourism. The travel industry is becoming more conscious of social and environmental challenges. Sustainable tourism techniques, such as carbon offset programs, eco-friendly lodging, and responsible wildlife tourism, are becoming more popular as more and more tourists value moral and environmentally conscious vacation experiences. Rise of Solo Travel: Traveling alone is becoming more and more popular, particularly for millennials and Gen Z. Solo travel has become more and more popular due to factors including growing independence, a desire for self-discovery, and the influence of social media. They saw the highest level of solo travel, or travel by itself. Going somewhere else by yourself is known as solo travel. While it's true that we can enjoy ourselves to the fullest when we travel alone, it's also possible to meet new people and not always be by yourself.The three possible travel trends in the next five years are sustainable and responsible tourism. With increasing awareness of environmental issues and social responsibility, travelers are likely to prioritize destinations and experiences that align with sustainable practices. This trend may involve choosing eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local communities, engaging in volunteer activities, and reducing carbon footprints through mindful travel choices.Tech-Driven Travel Experiences: This integration of technology into every aspect of travel is expected to continue, enhancing convenience, personalization, and safety for travelers. This trend may include the widespread adoption of augmented reality for immersive cultural experiences, AI-powered travel assistants for trip planning and recommendations, contactless technologies for seamless check-ins and payments, and blockchain for secure and transparent booking processes.

#travelwritingandphotography

[mostlygibberish]

"But I haven't got another cat!"

I liked the part with the heroin.

My knowledge of beatnik culture is so limited that I can't possibly know if this is accurate, but I choose to believe it's a perfect depiction. Something about sarcastic, pretentious, strung out jerks snarkily reciting poetry at each other and revelling in their own esotericism is very entertaining to me.

Julian Burton had great presence and delivery, Antony Carbone's reactions and expressions were hilarious, and Dick Miller displayed an incredible downhill sprint into madness. The scene where the café owner was about to turn him in to the police, but the bidding on the artwork kept going up until it changed his mind was comedy gold.

I don't really get why it was named A Bucket of Blood when the closest it came to including that was one insignificant shot of blood dripping into a cooking pot. I mean, come on, that's isn't even a bucket. Also what was up with that one guy correctly pronouncing the Graham in "Graham cracker"? Americans don't do that; They love saying words wrong.

A great little movie. Lots of fun.

#a bucket of blood #a bucket of blood 1959 #movie review

[horsesarecreatures]

Book review: The Overstory by Richard Powers

This is a collection of short stories and novellas with the theme of trees. It was well written and won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, but I wasn't crazy about it. To me, being around nature is a source of happiness, but the stories were just depressing.

 The first story follows immigrants named Jorgen and Vi Hoel who move to Iowa from New York to start a farm. Joel brings along a bunch of American Chestnut seedlings and plants them, but over the years they die off one by one until only one remains. This tree, however, becomes massive and is a local landmark. Subsequent generations of Hoels begin photogating it every season. Nicholas Hoel, an artist, keeps the tradition going. One winter the family gathers back at the farm, most of which has been sold off, for Christmas. Nicholas decides to brave a snowstorm on Christmas Eve to go to an art exhibit in Omaha. The rest of the family stays put. Nicholas almost dies in a car wreck on the way back. When he finally arrives home, he is greeted by silence. He enters the house to find his entire family dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. But guess what remains? The chestnut tree!!! Its “...profligate twigs click in the breeze as if this moment, too, so insignificant, so transitory, will be written into its rings and prayed over by branches that wave their semaphores against the bluest of midwestern winter skies.”

The next story is about another immigrant named Ma Sih Hsuin. He is a Chinese Muslim from a immensely affluent family who leaves for San Francisco to escape the communists who will descend on his family in another 6 months and send them to workcamps. In the US, he becomes a successful engineer who develops an early version of the cell phone, marries a southern woman named Charlotte, and has three daughters. He enjoys camping and has a happy life. He plants a mulberry tree in his yard because one of the things his father gave to him before he left was a ancient painting of Fusang, a magical mulberry tree from the far east where the elixir of life is hidden. But as his daughters grow up, the mulberry tree grows sickly despite all the care he gives it. Despite his phone becoming licensed, when he realizes he cannot save the tree, the normally cheerful Ma Sih Hsuin becomes depressed and “puts a Smith & Wesson 686 with hardwood grips up to his temple and spreads the workings of his infinite being across the flagstones of the backyard.”

..............................................................................................................................

I get that Powers was emphasizing the theme of nature being infinite in comparison to individual humans, but the heavy mood and imagery in this book just seemed over the top to me. Stylistically, I also found it to be very similar to The Dubliners by James Joyce, which I read once in high school, again in a Cultures of Colonialism class at Stockton, and a third time in a James Joyce class at Montclair State, and at this point I���m sick of it. For these reasons I found this book’s 500+ pages to be repetitive and tedious, even though in the end Powers did a somewhat unique thing where the 9 characters from the short stories came together to protect the forests. 

#the overstory #richard powers #short stories #novellas #fiction #book #bookblr #book review

[heibaicnpost]

Sneakers 2.0 A Quantum Leap into the Future of Footwear

In the dynamic realm of fashion, Sneaker aren't just shoes; they're the oil upon which invention, culture, and technology meet. This composition envisions the coming phase in the elaboration of Sneaker, exploring the possibilities of Sneaker2.0 — a futuristic world where Rep Sneaker Website footwear becomes a amount vault into style, sustainability, and unknown functionality.

Biofabrication and Sustainable Luxury

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#Rep Sneaker Website #Best Rep Sneaker Website #Best Place to buy replica Sneakers #Replica Sneaker Website #stockx Sneakers

[poppletonink]

Review: The Do Over

★★★★☆ - 4 stars

"It won’t count tomorrow and it’ll be like I never said it, but on this Valentine’s Day, I fell in love with you."

Lynn Painter is the writer for the YA contemporary romance fans; for the hopeless romantics and Taylor Swift lovers. The Do Over, much like her debut novel Better Than The Movies, is rich in pop culture references and contains an excellent cast of characters.

It tells the tale of Emilie Hornby, a bookish overachiever with the perfect boyfriend, the perfect scholarship and the perfect life. However, it all falls apart in one disaster Valentine's Day involving a car crash with seemingly grumpy Nick, dashed hopes for the future and her cheating boyfriend Josh. After this hellish nightmare of a Valentine's Day, Emilie wakes up the next morning to have to undergo the same events again, and again, and again. Heavily inspired by the timeless classic Groundhog Day, Painter takes the reader by the hand on a fantastic tale of love, heartbreak and self discovery.

The main romance of the book is highly similar to Jess Mariano and Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls, often referred to as Literati by members of the fandom. Nick Stark is practically the carbon copy of Jess (and this comparison is even made within the book) with a grumpy exterior to those who don't know him well, a bookish disposition, a love for bands like Metallica and a heart of gold towards those he cares about. Emilie Hornby is also highly similar to Rory - a high achiever, an aspiring journalist, has divorced parents, is a book lover, someone who abides by using a planner and a girl with a rapid downfall. The similarities are eerie but also make this book even more brilliant for anyone on Team Jess!

Overall, The Do-Over is a perfect, lighthearted read filled with an adorable love story and a reminder of the importance of relationships with others (in all their forms) upon our very livelihoods. This Lynn Painter read will have you caught up in a flurry of drama and pages; I guarantee you won't be able to put it down.

#books #book blog #booklr #readblr #book reccs #book recommendations #bookaddict #bookblr #bookworm #books and reading #the do over #lynn painter #romance books #romance #romcoms #valentines day #groundhog day #jess mariano #team jess #rory gilmore #literati #grumpy x sunshine #time travel #fantasy books #fantasy #contemporary romance #book review #emilie hornby #nick stark #emilie x nick

[nursingscience]

Medical Abbreviations on Pharmacy Prescriptions

Here are some common medical abbreviations you may see on pharmacy prescriptions:

qd - once a day

bid - twice a day

tid - three times a day

qid - four times a day

qh - every hour

prn - as needed

pc - after meals

ac - before meals

hs - at bedtime

po - by mouth

IV - intravenous

IM - intramuscular

subQ - subcutaneous

mL - milliliter

mg - milligram

g - gram

mcg - microgram

stat - immediately, right away

NPO - nothing by mouth

cap - capsule

tab - tablet

susp - suspension

sol - solution

amp - ampule

inj - injection

Rx - prescription

C - Celsius

F - Fahrenheit

BP - blood pressure

HR - heart rate

RR - respiratory rate

WBC - white blood cell

RBC - red blood cell

Hgb - hemoglobin

Hct - hematocrit

PT - prothrombin time

INR - international normalized ratio

BUN - blood urea nitrogen

Cr - creatinine

Ca - calcium

K - potassium

Na - sodium

Cl - chloride

Mg - magnesium

PO2 - partial pressure of oxygen

PCO2 - partial pressure of carbon dioxide

ABG - arterial blood gas

CBC - complete blood count

BMP - basic metabolic panel

CMP - comprehensive metabolic panel.

ECG - electrocardiogram

EEG - electroencephalogram

MRI - magnetic resonance imaging

CT - computed tomography

PET - positron emission tomography

CXR - chest x-ray

CTX - chemotherapy

NSAID - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

DMARD - disease-modifying antirheumatic drug

ACE - angiotensin-converting enzyme

ARB - angiotensin receptor blocker

SSRI - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

TCA - tricyclic antidepressant

ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CAD - coronary artery disease

CHF - congestive heart failure

DVT - deep vein thrombosis

GI - gastrointestinal

UTI - urinary tract infection

OTC - over-the-counter

Rx - prescription

OD - right eye

OS - left eye

OU - both eyes.

TID - thrombosis in dementia

TDS - ter die sumendum (three times a day)

BOM - bilaterally otitis media (infection in both ears)

BT - body temperature

C&S - culture and sensitivity

D/C - discontinue or discharge

D/W - dextrose in water

ETOH - ethyl alcohol

FUO - fever of unknown origin

H&P - history and physical examination

I&D - incision and drainage

I&O - intake and output

KVO - keep vein open

N&V - nausea and vomiting

PERRLA - pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation

PR - per rectum

QAM - every morning

QHS - every bedtime

QOD - every other day

S/P - status post (after)

TPN - total parenteral nutrition

UA - urinalysis

URI - upper respiratory infection

UTI - urinary tract infection

VO - verbal order.

XRT - radiation therapy

YOB - year of birth

BRBPR - bright red blood per rectum

CX - cervix

DVT - deep vein thrombosis

GB - gallbladder

GU - genitourinary

HCV - hepatitis C virus

HPI - history of present illness

ICP - intracranial pressure

IVP - intravenous pyelogram

LMP - last menstrual period

MRSA - methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

MVA - motor vehicle accident

NKA - no known allergies

PEG - percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

PRN - pro re nata (as needed)

ROS - review of systems

SOB - shortness of breath

TAH - total abdominal hysterectomy.

TIA - transient ischemic attack

Tx - treatment

UC - ulcerative colitis

URI - upper respiratory infection

VSD - ventricular septal defect

VTE - venous thromboembolism

XR - x-ray

w/c - wheelchair

XRT - radiation therapy

ASD - atrial septal defect

Bx - biopsy

CAD - coronary artery disease

CKD - chronic kidney disease

CPAP - continuous positive airway pressure

DKA - diabetic ketoacidosis

DNR - do not resuscitate

ED - emergency department

ESRD - end-stage renal disease

FFP - fresh frozen plasma

FSH - follicle-stimulating hormone.

GCS - Glasgow Coma Scale

Hct - hematocrit

Hgb - hemoglobin

ICU - intensive care unit

IV - intravenous

JVD - jugular venous distension

K - potassium

L - liter

MCH - mean corpuscular hemoglobin

MI - myocardial infarction

Na - sodium

NGT - nasogastric tube

NPO - nothing by mouth

OR - operating room

PCN - penicillin

PRBC - packed red blood cells

PTT - partial thromboplastin time

RBC - red blood cells

RT - respiratory therapy

SOA - short of air.

SCD - sequential compression device

SIRS - systemic inflammatory response syndrome

STAT - immediately

T - temperature

TPN - total parenteral nutrition

WBC - white blood cells

ABG - arterial blood gas

A fib - atrial fibrillation

BPH - benign prostatic hypertrophy

CBC - complete blood count

CO2 - carbon dioxide

COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CT - computed tomography

CXR - chest x-ray

D5W - dextrose 5% in water

Dx - diagnosis

ECG or EKG - electrocardiogram

EEG - electroencephalogram

ETO - early termination of pregnancy.

FHR - fetal heart rate

GSW - gunshot wound

H&P - history and physical exam

HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin

I&D - incision and drainage

IBS - irritable bowel syndrome

ICP - intracranial pressure

IM - intramuscular

INR - international normalized ratio

IOP - intraocular pressure

LFT - liver function test

LOC - level of consciousness

LP - lumbar puncture

NG - nasogastric

OA - osteoarthritis

OCD - obsessive-compulsive disorder

OTC - over-the-counter

P - pulse

PCA - patient-controlled analgesia

PERRLA - pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation.

PFT - pulmonary function test

PICC - peripherally inserted central catheter

PO - by mouth

PRN - as needed

PT - physical therapy

PT - prothrombin time

PTSD - post-traumatic stress disorder

PVC - premature ventricular contraction

QD - once a day

QID - four times a day

RA - rheumatoid arthritis

RICE - rest, ice, compression, elevation

RSI - rapid sequence intubation

RSV - respiratory syncytial virus

SBP - systolic blood pressure

SLE - systemic lupus erythematosus

SSRI - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

STAT - immediately

TB - tuberculosis

TIA - transient ischemic attack.

TID - three times a day

TKO - to keep open

TNTC - too numerous to count

TPN - total parenteral nutrition

URI - upper respiratory infection

UTI - urinary tract infection

V-fib - ventricular fibrillation

V-tach - ventricular tachycardia

VA - visual acuity

WNL - within normal limits

AED - automated external defibrillator

ARDS - acute respiratory distress syndrome

BID - twice a day

BP - blood pressure

BUN - blood urea nitrogen

CAD - coronary artery disease

CHF - congestive heart failure

CVA - cerebrovascular accident

D/C - discontinue

DKA - diabetic ketoacidosis.

DM - diabetes mellitus

DVT - deep vein thrombosis

EGD - esophagogastroduodenoscopy

ER - emergency room

F - Fahrenheit

Fx - fracture

GI - gastrointestinal

GTT - glucose tolerance test

HCT - hematocrit

Hgb - hemoglobin

HRT - hormone replacement therapy

ICP - intracranial pressure

IDDM - insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

IBS - irritable bowel syndrome

IM - intramuscular

IV - intravenous

K - potassium

KVO - keep vein open

L&D - labor and delivery

LASIK - laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.

ROM - range of motion

RT - radiation therapy

Rx - prescription

SCD - sequential compression device

SOB - shortness of breath

STD - sexually transmitted disease

TENS - transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

TIA - transient ischemic attack

TSH - thyroid-stimulating hormone

UA - urinalysis

US - ultrasound

UTI - urinary tract infection

VD - venereal disease

VF - ventricular fibrillation

VT - ventricular tachycardia

WBC - white blood cell

XRT - radiation therapy

XR - x-ray

Zn - zinc

Z-pak - azithromycin (antibiotic).

AAA - abdominal aortic aneurysm

ABG - arterial blood gas

ACS - acute coronary syndrome

ADL - activities of daily living

AED - automated external defibrillator

AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

ALS - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

AMA - against medical advice

AML - acute myeloid leukemia

APAP - acetaminophen

ARDS - acute respiratory distress syndrome

ASCVD - atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

BPH - benign prostatic hyperplasia

BUN - blood urea nitrogen

CABG - coronary artery bypass graft

CBC - complete blood count

CHF - congestive heart failure

COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPAP - continuous positive airway pressure

CRF - chronic renal failure.

CT - computed tomography

CVA - cerebrovascular accident

D&C - dilation and curettage

DVT - deep vein thrombosis

ECG/EKG - electrocardiogram

EEG - electroencephalogram

ESRD - end-stage renal disease

FSH - follicle-stimulating hormone

GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease

GFR - glomerular filtration rate

HbA1c - glycated hemoglobin

Hct - hematocrit

HIV - human immunodeficiency virus

HPV - human papillomavirus

HTN - hypertension

IBD - inflammatory bowel disease

IBS - irritable bowel syndrome

ICU - intensive care unit

IDDM - insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

IM - intramuscular.

IV - intravenous

LFT - liver function test

MI - myocardial infarction

MRI - magnetic resonance imaging

MS - multiple sclerosis

NPO - nothing by mouth

NS - normal saline

OCD - obsessive-compulsive disorder

OSA - obstructive sleep apnea

PCOS - polycystic ovary syndrome

PMS - premenstrual syndrome

PPD - purified protein derivative

PSA - prostate-specific antigen

PT - prothrombin time

PTT - partial thromboplastin time

RA - rheumatoid arthritis

RBC - red blood cell

RSV - respiratory syncytial virus

SLE - systemic lupus erythematosus

TB - tuberculosis.

It is important to remember that medical abbreviations can vary based on location and specialty. 

Healthcare professionals should use medical abbreviations with caution and only when they are familiar with their meanings. 

Patients should always communicate any questions or concerns they have about their medications or medical care to their healthcare provider or pharmacist to ensure they receive safe and accurate medical care.

[littleglasswalelu]

CarboN The Primitivision by Larry Hodge

Review:

Seattle Book Review – 5 stars

CarboN: The Primitivision is the premiere art book by Lawrence Armondo Hodge (aka CarboN). His new book is a collection of CarboN’s work from 1989 to 2021. This Bay Area native drew his inspiration from many cultures, styles, and art genres. As viewers flip through the pages of his book, it is easy to detect design hints from many civilizations and other artists. Mythological and natural forms can be seen in his drawings and figures from his imagination. The book spans thirty-two years of CarboN’s creative process. This book is broken down into four sections, showing the evolution of CarboN’s stylings.

This book takes the viewer through the years of his progression. Browsing through each section, one gets a sense of how CarboN’s art developed. His early works could be considered flash art. The pieces seem to be smaller and simpler but also detailed. The inkwork is lighter, and the art contains more open spaces. Later works tend to be more complex and abstract. Many later works are very involved, and CarboN explores the whole page. The lines get heavier and darker. At first glance, these larger pieces look like elaborate doodles, but the longer one studies them, the more one sees.

It has been said that all art should evoke emotions. CarboN’s works are no exception. Primarily black and white, some works are repetitive, giving them an Escher-like feel. Others are more in the style of Aubrey Beardsley. With the wide range of influences CarboN cited as his muses, it is hard to put a hard label on his works. Though, if I were to give them a genre, I would have to call his art psychedelic tribal with hints of surrealism and abstractism. It is not hard to lose oneself in the pages of this book for hours. Viewing the later works can be an all-day endeavor. The longer one explores these works, the more one will find.

The beauty of CarboN’s art is on full display in this book. It is well crafted yet simple and elegant. This publication would be a great addition for anyone who collects art books. CarboN holds off explaining his pieces, allowing the viewer to put their thoughts and emotions into how the art makes them feel. This book would be great as a conversation starter, for casual viewing, or in-depth meditations. Aspiring artists could draw motivation from this well-done tome. CarboN: The Primitivision is a highly fulfilling viewing experience.

~  Eric Smith, Seattle Book Review

Buy the Book – Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

Lawrence Armando Hodge (aka ~CarboN~) was born in San Leandro CA on October 11, 1970 and spent much of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has been consistently honing his drawing style since the mid to late 1980's.

During his younger years he was drawn to art and design from a multitude of different cultures including Pacific islander tattoo design, Ancient Hindu and Egyptian design, Greek, Norse mythology, Celtic, Far East and Oriental, Japanese woodcuts, Native American, Islamic, and African Tribal.

Major influences include: Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Aestheticism, Vorticism, 1960's and 1970's psychedelic and Pop Art.

[dwollsadventures]

Magnus Chase Project Idea

The next thing for my list of projects is something a little closer to home and achievable, but also perhaps less anticipated. 

Percy Jackson was the first series of novels that I ever read of my own volition. It instilled a love of reading and appreciation of mythology that continues to this very day. When I heard that Riordan was going to be writing a series based on Norse mythology in 2014, I was ecstatic. Unlike before, I had a basis of knowledge to draw from to prepare for the books. When the books were released and I read them though, I felt a little disappointed. I actually have a large document that I wrote back in 2017 detailing all of my criticisms, but I’ll summarize them here: 

Magnus Chase as the protagonist goes through a very well defined and meaningful character arc in the first book. It’s probably one of the only things that make him stand out from Percy Jackson, who he can sometimes read as a carbon copy of. In the subsequent two books, however, he loses everything that made him special. His identity as a peacemaker and healer, and his choice to not use Jack the sword as a weapon are all forgotten about. 

Rick Riordan’s passion for Greek and Roman history oozes out of everything he wrote for his previous books. And while he did make an attempt, the mythology presented in Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard is one of its greatest flaws. The gods of the stories are shallow, one-joke cut-outs compared to the complex parents and power players in PJO. Heimdall is the worst example. Rather than echoing themes and remixing myths, oftentimes the characters play out recreations of Norse myths word for word during the course of the story. Norse mythology has a lot of large gaps in its content, meaning that an author will almost certainly have to bridge them with their own creations at some point. Riordan chooses to do this by mixing in modern culture and folklore from the 1800’s of Scandinavia. 

This book was not the first to feature cross-overs from other Riordan books, but it is the one that leaned the most heavily on them. Annabeth’s inclusion in the first book was appropriate, but it seemed like pandering to include Percy in the last one. When reading reviews to refresh myself for writing this, a good percentage of them cried out about their insufficient screen time. 

Slavery. The mythology point above makes me the most peeved, but this one baffled me as I read the books. One of the first einherjar characters introduced is Hunding, from the Volsung Saga. In the Saga, another of the characters, Helgi, kills Hunding, and his reward for the victory is that Hunding becomes his slave in Valhalla, commanded to “of every hero / Wash the feet, | and kindle the fire, / Tie up dogs, | and tend the horses, / And feed the swine | ere to sleep thou goest”. This is present in the books, but couched in PG13 language, so that Hunding is Helgi’s “servant”. One of the main cast of characters is Thomas Jefferson (TJ) Jr., a runaway slave that died fighting in the Civil war. In the third book, one of the other main characters replays a scene from mythology where she gets a bunch of jotunn slaves to accidentally kill each other. This character then apologizes to TJ for killing the slaves and they make up off-screen. Hunding is never rescued from eternal slavery, the existence of slavery in Valhalla is never acknowledged, the end. 

So what? Why did I list all of my gripes with the series and put it under the future projects title? Well, after I wrote my laundry list in 2017, I capped it off with a “what I would do” section. I’ve never been able to get into the realm of fan fiction. But what about fan rewrites? Rewriting the book chapter by chapter with my own changes? 

The reason I haven’t done this is because, again, I don’t have a foot in the fan fiction world, and for most of my time I’ve thought that spending so much time and effort working on something like that would be a waste of my time when I could be working on my own stuff. But recently I’ve been rethinking that. Finding the motivation to work on my own Acronym Pending series is conflicting with my anxiety about perfecting it so that I don’t tear it down a month afterwards. What if working on fan fiction doesn’t trigger this response? After all, the hard work’s already been done. If I end up doing this, it will be because I can’t bring myself to work on the TDG, which is bad, but it would mean something is still getting done, even if it’s something I cannot claim as 100% my own. 

What would I do differently? Here’s a few examples:

Magnus is not a demigod. Demigods are not a big thing in Norse sagas or myths, and it links the series too much to the previous ones. 

Samirah would not be a valkyrie, but another of the einherjar. 

Valhalla and the Norse elements would not be modernized, at all. 

Hearthstone’s father would be Volundr. 

Overall, the story would be closer to a runaway tale rather than a hero’s journey. The overarching mythological theme would be focused on breaking the cycle. 

#magnus chase #magnus chase and the gods of asgard #mcga #magnus chase spoilers #rick riordan #writing #writing idea #fan fiction idea

[historyhermann]

Supa Team 4 Spoiler-Filled Review

Supa Team 4 is a computer-generated superhero action-comedy series. Malenga Mulendema is the series creator and co-executive producer. Trigger Fish Animation Studios, known for the recent animated series Kiya and the Kimoja Heroes and Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, and various television specials and films.

Reprinted from Pop Culture Maniacs and Wayback Machine. This was the forty-fifth article I wrote for Pop Culture Maniacs. This post was originally published on August 21, 2023.

This series shows its Zambian roots from the get-go, beginning in Zambia's capital, Lusaka. A reporter, Geoffrey (voiced by Sne Dladla) talks about a mysterious tornado striking the city. Former secret agent Mama K (voiced by Pamela Nomvete) brings together all the protagonists. They include a gutsy and agile girl with hair parted into two box-like sections named Temwe Chiti (voiced by Kimani Arthur) who is a bit of a juvenile delinquent" and troublemaker; a smart, organized, and creative techy girl named Komana Mwinga (voiced by Zowa Ngwira); a brainy, industrious, athletic, and tall girl named Zikomo "Zee" Phiri (voiced by Nancy Sekhokoane); and a physically strong, calm, and wise girl with an afro tied at the top named Monde Wamunyima (voiced by Namisa Mdlalose). Each has their own superhero names. Temwe is T-Mlilo, Komana is K-Bongo, Zee is Za-Mpezi, and Monde is M-Kozo.

In some ways, Supa Team 4 is like other teen superhero series in recent years (DC Super Hero Girls, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, and Young Justice) and classic series from the 2000s (Static Shock and My Life as a Teenage Robot). It comes at a time there are is growing number of Black animated series, like Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, My Dad the Bounty Hunter, Craig of the Creek, Central Park, Iwájú (upcoming), Iyanu: Child of Wonder (upcoming), and Karma's World. The latter series ended in September 2022. There are indie animated series focusing on Black stories such as Defenders of Alodia, Jumbie, Captain Zero, LimeLight, and Diver: The Animated Series. Most are in development or on hiatus like Diver.

The difference with this series is that its stories are completely Zambian and said to be "something special for Zambians." Even so, it is relatable to everyone, like Kizazi Moto, a series primarily produced by the same animation studio. In both cases, the shows bode well for the development of the African animation industry. Supa Team 4, like Kizazi Moto, emphasizes the importance of family, Monde is close to her sister Marjory (voiced by Celine Tshika), sports (through Zee), and political corruption. City residents call for Mayor Sikazwe (voiced by Sne Dladla) to resign, which the villain exploits. Temwe's love of eating food may be relatable.

Like any other superhero series, there is a need for them to keep their real identities secret, even from those that they know well. This is accomplished through their transformation into superheroes wearing specialized super suits ala magical girl style. Unlike any other transformations I've seen, each transformation has upbeat music and a distinctive flair, making it stand apart.

All four girls are chosen after being watched for weeks. It echoes Jerry's reasoning for bringing in Sam, Alex, and Clover in Totally Spies! or "choosing" the Mew Mews  in Tokyo Mew Mew New. Different from that series, Mama K lets the girls choose whether to be superheroes. The girls in that series were experimented on without their consent and forced into the superhero role. In this series, the girls have gadgets to entrap and defeat villains. Temwe's ribbon wand reminds me of Mega Pearl's weapon in Steven Universe Future or Cure Parfait's rainbow ribbon in Pretty Cure.

There is one other similarity between Tokyo Mew Mew New and Supa Team 4: the importance of preserving the environment. Komana builds a carbon-capture machine in the first episode, allowing her to capture a tornado. She receives a scholarship from Lee Magedzee (voiced by John McMillian), owner of a local energy company, Magedzee Power Corporation (MPC). He is impressed by her portable invention. It purifies carbon dioxide into safe carbon-based fuels. He later praises her solar-powered "smart art" that can charge phones and other devices.

Having an A.I. like T.O.M.I. (voiced by Thabe Ntebe), otherwise known as Technical Operations Management Interface, is not unique. Other series have featured A.I. as well. This A.I. is not a be-all-end-all. It is only one of the tools they use against villains, such as Storm Drain, Locus Pocus, Snap Back, Alley-Gator, Trash Man, Otherwise, I liked the role of Mama K's goat, Chomps (voiced by Gary Martin) throughout the series. It is even revealed that he is a secret agent!

Through the series, there is a push-and-pull of responsibilities to family and school. Temwe manifests this by her often run-ins with the school principal, Nkwashi (voiced by Abubakar Salim), who has it out for her. She gets suspended when Nkwashi thinks her ribbon wand might hurt someone. She later learns how to use her "hangry power" during battles rather than provoking Nkwashi's ire during the school day.

The series encourages viewers to believe Nkwashi is the shadowy villain, Bad Magz (voiced by John McMillian). There are hints. He has files on every student at Kamiji Secondary School. In the final episode, Temwe thinks that Nkwashi vanished like smoke. She is convinced he is the villain, after he declares she can't volunteer with Mama K (cover for their secret activities) if she fails a chemistry test. The girls don't buy her hair-brained explanation.

The series opening, first shown when the second episode begins, makes each episode pop. While the series music is by Ben Onono. Sampa the great does the theme music, in collaboration with Mag 44. It has to be one of the best opening sequences that I've seen in some time, and I watch a lot of anime series.

Following the first episode, Supa Team 4 turns to subjects like nanotech. The team reverse engineers some nanotech locusts for their own purposes. The obsession with popularity, homesickness (in the case of Monde and Marjory), garbage/rubbish collection, vlogging, value of art, education, and mind control are other topics. In the first half of the series, the villain is a shadowy figure not unlike the character of the same name in OK K.O.: Let's Be Heroes!. But, this person is more malicious.

He wants everyone in the city to lose electric power. This leads to random power cuts (load shedding) to compensate for electric energy loss after the hydroelectric dam is damaged. This allows Lee Magedzee to step in, declaring his wind farm will be upgraded and generate more electricity. At the same time, the villain exploits anger against the mayor for his own benefit. All the while, people hanker for more solar power.

Mama K has her own secrets. Formerly, she headed a crime-fighting team at the Intelligence Agency for Zambia (IAZ) and had the code name of Mkango. She, a computer expert named Rhino/Chipembele/Uncle Chi and a confidante (and inventive genius) named Towela, worked to bring down Chusi.

Even worse, this villain steals top-secret information, uploading the information to his mind, and destroys the original documents. As a result, the government didn't have access to their own intelligence! This ends sadly. Chusi used their device, the Brainstorm, to wipe the memories of Towela. It gives her amnesia. He also blinds Chi. Mama K is alone. The four protagonists cheer her up, convincing her they can all take down Chusi, also known as Bad Magz, together.

The Supa Team 4 season one finale blows everything wide open. Chusi gets, thanks to Professor Greenthumbs, some of the tech that Team 4 is using. Principal Nkwashi says that his own goal is to help Temwe. He is worried that she will become like him. He was a feisty and spirited kid who lacked focus. The four team members follow a Baobab tree to an abandoned mine. Greenthumbs deactivates their super suits, takes away their weapons, and pulls them into an underground lair! The biggest reveal is not that Nkwashi isn't the villain, but that Chusi is Lee Magedze!

This unexpected twist shows how devious the writers and animators were, leading the audience to believe that the Principal was the villain. The fact that Lee Magedze is the villain means he has the duality of being a Black leader who is trying to increase people's power and trying to take it away. My prediction is that he will attempt to unseat the mayor. The citizens would elect him if he ran on a Black empowerment platform. Once in office, he will have even more power, as the villain and the mayor.

There are reports that Supa Team 4 will have at least 25 episodes. In fact, the Director of Production at Triggerfish Animation Studios, Mike Buckland, confirmed a second season, writing "hold your breath for Season 2, because it just gets better from here." Such a season will undoubtedly continue to center on African stories, without any White characters, and remain relatable to Black girls and Zambians. The series may lean more into romance as well, as Zee's friend, Chipo Hamoonga (voiced by Daniel "KStar" Lyapa), has a crush on her, and a boy has a crush on Temwe.

Furthermore, the series may influence more Africans to tell their stories through animation, as they may see themselves, and their experiences represented, even as some Zambians claimed the character accents weren't authentic. Supa Team 4 is indicative of how collaboration is important in Africa, as the animation industry deals with many challenges, that "anyone from anywhere can be a superhero," and the great storytelling traditions on the continent. At the same time, I'm glad that the series was renamed from the original title ordered in 2019, Mama K's Team 4, as the current title makes the less about Mama K and more about the team.

Significantly, the series is dubbed in isiZulu. Mama K voiced by Linda Sokhulu. Many of the same voice actors re-appear. This dub promotes accessibility to a new audience. It provides the opportunity for people within South Africa, and other areas where Zulu is spoken, to connect with the characters within the series.

I find it funny that some complain about threats and violence in this series, since that is common in animation. Such complaints make the series appear more mature than the reality. It is more accurate to say Supa Team 4 is an all-ages series full of adventure, action, and humor, with a diverse cast. In addition, it defies oft-stereotypes of Africa. Others reported that the series draws visual inspiration from hip-hop girls groups and retro 1990s R&B groups. Malcolm Wope, an artist from Cameroon, does the visual design. The series has distinct characters, a real world but futuristic setting, while working through the girls' interpersonal issues.

Despite calls by Morrow for sharing the show, which she called a "project of passion," there is little chatter about the series on Reddit, and only one mature fanfiction written on July 30. There is more chatter on X/Twitter, with one account even as an unofficial fan page. Furthermore, on Tumblr, fans praised the show's animation, described the series as relatable, cute, have listed LGBTQ+ headcanons, drew fan art, and liked the magical girlesque transformations of the four protagonists. There may be chatter on other platforms, like Mastodon servers, but I am not personally aware of it.

Like they do with many series these days, Netflix did the fans of Supa Team 4 a disservice. All eight episodes dropped the same day on Netflix. While this makes it easy to binge the entire season, it creates a situation of catch-up among fans who run the risk of seeing spoilers on social media for episodes they haven't watched. This severly limits the possibility to discuss each episode without spoilers and can ruin pacing for a series. Netflix should have followed the model used for anime: dropping one episode each week. That would have allowed for more community to build around the show, than dropping it one day and moving on. It is irresponsible.

Although I wasn't familiar with series writers Ng'endo Mukii, Khadidiatou Diouf, Voline Ogutu, Maame Boateng, Omotunde Akiode, Tshepo Moche, or Gloria Huwiler, I knew of Vanessa Kanu. She directed the third episode/film of Kizazi Moto entitled "Moremi." It centered on the frailty of the human condition, family togetherness, and the value of one's soul.

Series director Dave Osburne, assistant director Tabitha O'Connell, production designer /art director Alessandro Chirico were names. I did not know series producer Ceri Barnes, head writer Amy Keating Rogers, and story editor Cindy Morrow either. Rogers worked on other girl-power series like The Powerpuff Girls and My Little Pony: Friendship. In addition, Osburne has worked on his share of animated series since the mid-1990s, as did O'Connell. At the same time, Chirico worked on Black Mirror, a series based upon The Twilight Zone. Barnes has been producer since the late 1990s.

For many voice actors, this may be their first voice role. Arthur previously voiced Willow in Nella the Princess Knight. MacMillan provided his voice for video game characters, as did Martin. Salim voiced Zanror in The Legend of Vox Machina. Animators have worked on series such as Kazazi Moto, Star Wars: Visions, and The Amazing World of Gumball, and films (Seal Team and Storks).

I excited to see where the series goes from here. Maybe Mama K will practice Nichiren Buddhism like her voice actor. Perhaps Zee will have Cuban roots like her voice actress or some of the main cast of Supa Team 4 will be queer. Looking through the social media of the protagonists, I am seriously doubting the latter.

In Zambia, same-sex sexual activity, for men and women, is illegal, a legal measure inherited from British control, and reportedly many queer people are closeted. Unfortunately, there is a slim chance for change. The Zambian High Court upheld acquittal of a human rights activist, who called for the country to recognize rights of sex workers and LGBTQ+ people, in 2013. However, a public opinion poll, released in 2010, indicated widespread disapproval of "homosexual behaviour."

Even so, the series is primarily produced in South Africa. After the end of apartheid, it outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation. Furthermore, it is the only African state to legalize same-sex marriage. In addition, there are legal protections for LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in employment and elsewhere. At the same time, the creators may want to avoid making the series controversial and won't have any queer relationships so the show can appeal to all Zambians.

Ultimately, I hope Supa Team 4 reaches new heights in season 2. Maybe it will pave the way for African animation in the Africanfuturist, superhero, comedy, adventure, action, and other genres.

Supa Team 4 can be streamed on Netflix.

© 2023 Burkely Hermann. All rights reserved.

#supa team 4 #netflix #black animation #african animation #zambian animation #south african animation #zambia #lusaka #triggerfish #indie animation #homophobia #zulu #load shedding #south africa #dubbing #reviews #pop culture #pop culture maniacs #repost

[brookeolin]

If this approval goes ahead, Dems are all but urging their voters to sit out the 2024 election like they did in 2016.

------ NYTimes -----

ConocoPhillips intends to build the Willow project inside the National Petroleum Reserve, a 23-million-acre area that is 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The reserve, which has no roads, is the country’s largest single expanse of pristine land.

The administration slightly reduced the number of drilling sites the company had requested, to three from five. Still, Willow would be the largest new oil development in the United States, expected to pump out 600 million barrels of crude over the next 30 years.

Burning that oil could release nearly 280 million metric tons of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, a federal review found. Environmental activists, who have labeled the project a “carbon bomb” have argued that the project would deepen America’s dependence on oil and gas at a time when the International Energy Agency said nations must stop permitting such projects to avert the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.

Environmental opponents of the project say it is incomprehensible that a president who wants to confront climate change could approve the Willow project. The administration estimates the emissions linked to the oil would total about 9.2 million metric tons of carbon pollution a year — equal to adding nearly two million cars to the roads each year.

Karlin Itchoak, the Alaska senior regional director at The Wilderness Society, an environmental group, said approving Willow would be “a terrible, science-denying move” and hopes the administration changes course.

Among the staunchest opponents of the project are members of the community closest to it. Rosemary Ahtuangaruak, the mayor of Nuiqsut, an Inupiat community about 35 miles from the Willow site, has said more oil and gas development in the area amounts to an existential threat to her community of about 500 residents.

The federal agency, she wrote, “does not look at the harm this project would cause from the perspective of how to let us be us — how to ensure that we can maintain our culture, traditions and our ability to keep going out on the lands and waters.”

#StopWillow