#wedding 2021 Budget

[thatsonemorbidcorvid]

“Forced marriage — in which one or both parties do not give full, free consent — is recognized globally as a form of modern slavery. My story is far from unique: Around the world, 22 million people were in a forced marriage as of 2021.

Yet, even though the United States acknowledges that forced marriage is a human rights abuse, few laws and policies are in place to prevent or punish it, and the nation has paid such scant attention to this issue that we do not even know how often forced marriage happens here. 

What’s more, child marriage remains legal in most U.S. states, even though it is recognized as a form of forced marriage and a human rights abuse. Some 300,000 children were married in the U.S. between 2000 and 2018, mostly girls wed to adult men. At least 60,000 marriages occurred at an age or with a spousal age difference that should have been considered a sex crime.”

Note: The following essay contains descriptions of sexual assault and abuse.

They sent me off to be raped, with a party and a tube of K-Y Jelly.

The lubricant was to reduce the intense physical pain they explained I would endure while being penetrated by a stranger-turned-husband, without foreplay, without consent. Every month. Until death do us part.

The party — a low-budget wedding in 1995 at a Brooklyn venue aptly nicknamed Armpit Terrace — was to distract me from the horrific reality of my forced marriage to the stranger.

“Mazel tov!” they told me, beaming.

In the reclusive Orthodox Jewish community in New York City where I grew up, choices about whether, when and whom I would marry did not belong to me. At home and at the all-girls religious school I attended, where I learned to cook and sew and keep house, I was groomed from early childhood to expect a teen marriage to a stranger my family and a matchmaker would choose for me.

I was allowed to meet the stranger several times before my engagement, but I was not allowed to be alone with him nor to have any physical contact with him. I was a clueless 19-year-old who had never been allowed to “talk to a boy,” and suddenly I was given a matter of hours, over a period of a few weeks, to answer my family and his family and the matchmaker and everyone in the community standing there, tapping their feet, looking at their watches, waiting for me to tell them: You’ll marry this man we chose for you, right?

“No” was never really an option.

During my six-week engagement, I still was not allowed to be alone with the groom nor to have any physical contact with him, which left more time for me to begin experiencing the myriad other abuses that come with a forced marriage.

First, a virginity exam. The groom’s rabbi sent me to an Orthodox Jewish gynecologist, where I was instructed to disrobe, get on the examination table and put my feet in the stirrups. The doctor inserted her gloved fingers into my vagina and confirmed that my hymen was intact.

“Mazel tov!” she told me, beaming.

I attended one-on-one bridal classes, where the curriculum centered on the requirement that I have unprotected sex with my husband on my wedding night and on a monthly basis thereafter. A lifetime of rape.

Yes, the rapes probably would hurt, the bridal class teacher explained. Hence the K-Y Jelly.

“Mazel tov!” she told me, beaming.

My stranger-turned-husband turned out to be violent and abusive. I learned this exactly one week after our wedding, when he became enraged because he had woken up late, and he punched his fist through the wall — hard enough to leave a sizable hole. 

His first threat to kill me came only days later. Soon these threats became more frequent, specific and gruesome. He was brimming with creative ideas for how he would end my life, and he took the time to describe them to me in vivid detail. A lifetime of fear.

Yet I was trapped.

My forced marital sex was carefully timed each month for when I was ovulating. The reason for this was obvious: My first child was born 11 months after my wedding, and soon I had a second child.

I love my daughters, but I did not consent to having them. A lifetime of forced parenthood.

This denial of sexual and reproductive rights was not the only shackle preventing me from leaving my marriage. My husband did not allow me to have my own bank account or credit card, and I was taught that, under Orthodox Jewish law, if my husband allowed me to work, any money I earned belonged to him. A lifetime of domestic servitude and financial dependence.

I had limited legal rights too. Under Orthodox Jewish law, only a man can grant a divorce. I, as a woman, did not have the legal right to end my own marriage. A lifetime of being locked in unwanted wedlock.

One escape route for me would have been to move back in with my family as an agunah, a “chained woman” who is bound to a husband who refuses her a divorce. The life of an agunah is brutal; she is shamed for her powerlessness, blamed for her failed marriage and treated as an outcast. 

But even this dreadful escape route was closed to me, because my family refused to take me back in. A lifetime of betrayal.

So I remained trapped in my abusive forced marriage. In accordance with Orthodox Jewish law, I was considered “unclean” every time I menstruated. While I was “unclean,” I was prohibited from having physical contact with my husband, sleeping in the same bed as him, handing him anything or undressing or singing in front of him. A lifetime of shame.

Once my period ended, I needed to count seven “clean” days without any menstrual blood, during which time the rules against physical contact continued. To make sure I stayed “clean” for the full seven days, I was required to wear white panties and, twice a day, to insert a white cloth into my vagina, swish it around and inspect it in sunlight to make sure it did not have blood spots. If I found questionable marks on my panties and could not tell whether they were blood, the rabbi would inspect them and give his pronouncement.

And the rabbi would keep my panties. A lifetime of extreme patriarchy.

Each month, after the seven “clean” days, I was forced to strip naked in front of an attendant who watched me immerse in a mikvah, or a ritual bath of rainwater, which frequently left me with a yeast infection and always left me shaking uncontrollably. A lifetime of violation. 

All I wanted, every time I left the mikvah, was to take a hot shower and scrub the violation off me. That was prohibited. Instead I was required to go home and have nonconsensual sex with the man who had spent the day describing to me in graphic detail how he was going to murder me. The man who would not let me close the door when I used the bathroom, because “what was I hiding from him in there?”

No matter. I had to get on the bed and spread my legs and forget what had happened to me at the mikvah and ignore the pain while I waited for him to finish, and I had to remind myself how lucky I was that he usually was done after only three or four thrusts. A lifetime straight out of Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

Forced marriage — in which one or both parties do not give full, free consent — is recognized globally as a form of modern slavery. My story is far from unique: Around the world, 22 million people were in a forced marriage as of 2021.

Yet, even though the United States acknowledges that forced marriage is a human rights abuse, few laws and policies are in place to prevent or punish it, and the nation has paid such scant attention to this issue that we do not even know how often forced marriage happens here. 

What’s more, child marriage remains legal in most U.S. states, even though it is recognized as a form of forced marriage and a human rights abuse. Some 300,000 children were married in the U.S. between 2000 and 2018, mostly girls wed to adult men. At least 60,000 marriages occurred at an age or with a spousal age difference that should have been considered a sex crime.

My husband would regularly search through my personal belongings in front of me, including in the pockets of the clothing in my closet and in my bag of tampons under the bathroom sink. A lifetime of subjugation. When I finally realized at age 27 that I was the only person who would help me leave my abusive forced marriage alive and I decided I would secretly save up cash for my escape, I found the only safe hiding place in the house: a box of Whole Grain Total in the pantry.

I saved more than $40,000 in that cereal box over the next five years.

During those years I also defied my community and did something no one in my family had ever done: I became a college student. My husband forbade me from attending classes. I informed him, calmly, that nothing he did to me would stop me from getting my education.

And I did something no one I knew had ever done: I threw out the limp, ugly wig I was required to wear as a married woman to cover my own thick, healthy hair. I walked outside with my uncovered head held high — the equivalent, in that community, of walking outside naked.

My family retaliated immediately by shunning me. One of my sisters notified me that my family was planning to sit shiva — or observe the Jewish mourning ritual for me — as if I had literally died. I have had almost no contact with my family since that day. A lifetime of being dead.

But I graduated from Rutgers University (as commencement speaker, the equivalent of valedictorian) at age 32, and I escaped my abusive forced marriage on my own, with my daughters and my box of Total. I fled the Orthodox Jewish community too, and I rebuilt my life.

In 2011 I founded a nonprofit organization, Unchained At Last, to combat forced and child marriage in the U.S. through direct services and systems change.

The U.S. is one of 193 countries that agree forced and child marriage are harmful practices, particularly for women and girls, and have promised to eliminate these abuses by year 2030 to help achieve gender equality, under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Yet the U.S. is not on track to keep its promise. 

I refuse to accept this. Not after I escaped my lifetime of oppression.

We at Unchained are fighting back by providing crucial wraparound services to a long-ignored population: those who are fleeing an existing or impending forced marriage in the U.S. To date we have provided legal and social services, always for free, to nearly 1,000 individuals, to help give them a lifetime of dignity, safety and hope.

We also started a national movement to end child marriage. In the last few years, our groundbreaking research and relentless advocacy have allowed us to help change the law in 10 U.S. states to ban child marriage — a stunning victory for the 7.5 million girls who live in those 10 states — and we are working on the other 40.

A lifetime of preventing other lifetimes of rape.

“Mazel tov!” I now tell myself, beaming, with each triumphant step closer to ending forced and child marriage in the U.S.

Fraidy Reiss is a forced marriage survivor turned activist. She is the founder and executive director of Unchained At Last, a survivor-led nonprofit organization working to end forced and child marriage in the U.S. through direct services and systems change. Fraidy’s research and writing on forced and child marriage have been published extensively, making her one of the nation’s foremost experts on these abuses. She has been featured in books (including as one of the titular women in Hillary and Chelsea Clinton’s “The Book of Gutsy Women”), films and countless television, radio and print news stories.

Need help? Visit RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s website.

Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we’re looking for here and send us a pitch.

[non-binary-laurie-strode]

Who cares about the Oscars? The most celebrated awards of the year are, of course, the Pink Bette awards!

The Pink Bettes are my own version of my film awards. I originally did this as a silly joke in 2020 for the films I had seen in 2019, so this is the fourth itineration of them. (2019's films, 2020's films, 2021's films, and now 2022's films.) Last year, I kinda just dropped the post and ran because I was feeling down about things, but I'm going to be pushing this one. (Sorry in advance.)

The rules are these: Any film that was new-to-me in 2022 is eligible for an award. Thus, Bound, a 1996 film, is eligible for these awards even though it is decades old; it's about when I saw them. I typically choose 5-6 "winners" to be designated My Favourite _____. This is done because choosing just one is silly when I can spread the love around; additionally, I call them "My Favourite" because it's about my emotional response to them, and honestly I would feel egotistical calling something the definitive BEST.

Anyway, here we go:

Some categories will have a little summary or write-up; others won't. There's only so many adjectives I can use to describe stuff, yknow?

For better or worse, these line readings gripped us. These all became meme-ified, in some way, between me and Mack.

"These are tortillas! Tortillas deliciosas!" - Hong Chau, The Menu. (Honorary mention to "You'll eat less than you desire and more than you deserve"—not a funny memed phrase, but the delivery. Chilling.)

"anD eNOUgh chamPAYNE... tFILL thNILE! *throws drink*" - Gal Gadot, Death on the Nile

The Trish Story - Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar

"Are you the LESBIAN?" - Idina Menzel, Kissing Jessica Stein

"He died?! *hand on heart*" - Tovah Feldshuh, Kissing Jessica Stein

All of these disappointed in some measure. Shame, shame, shame!

Netflix's Texas Chainsaw Massacre - The original TCM is one of the few horror movies to actually really get to me, with that ending being particularly nauseating. This new Netflix entry is a cheap and lazy attempt at continuing a franchise.

The Evil Dead, The Evil Dead 2 - The first time I encountered The Evil Dead as a property, it was in a college production of the musical The Evil Dead. The musical is, surprisingly, the best packaging of this property. These two, largely the same story but with a bigger budget the second time around, both completely fail to live up to the fun of the musical.

Men - I thought, after X and Pearl, I would like A24 horror more. Ha.

Bros - Enough has been said about this one, I think. Aside from a few jokes ("Like the bearded lady in The Greatest Showman, this is me."), I just didn't really find it funny.

Memoirs of an Invisible Man - John Carpenter, why the fuck is there a brownface scene in this one? You can do so much better than that, John.

The opposite of the previous category: These movies impressed me much more than they had any right to!

Marry Me - Featuring former musical theatre tumblrite Mason! For all of two seconds! Anyway this is so much fun and the title song is lowkey a jam.

The Lost City - Okay, aside from the fun of Sandra Bullock, seeing Channging Tatum's ass HUGE on a screen just... yeah. Yeah.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding - Okay, so, I used to think this one was like... a frat bro thing? I saw Greek and was like Greek life? But no, it's just Greek Greek.

The Batman - Here for the sole reason that it's a superhero movie that I came out mostly positive on.

Drive - Maybe I was just horny for Ryan Gosling. Who knows?

These four are 2022 releases that sort of came and went in theatres. I think they deserved better!

Three Thousand Years of Longing - Really, I just love Tilda so much. This is a modernistic version of the Thousand and One Nights with a clearly neurodivergent character at the front who finds romance. And it's so neat!

Umma - Sandra Oh in a horror movie. What more could you want?

Mrs Harris Goes To Paris - It's nicecore but it's still so lovely. When you think she won't get the dress is CRUSHING.

See How They Run - Saoirse Ronan in an Agatha Christie send-up comedy. Of course it's delightful! Though, at our screening, we had a gaggle of teens sitting across the auditorium, and they were being so loud and so obnoxious, and usually I am fine to let the youth be the youth, but girls... my blood boiled that day. I was ready to tear someone apart! Thankfully they left soon after.

Oh boy, here's where the graphic design is not my passion comes out. Anyhow. Supporting Performances. There are nine that I've picked out, with some honorable mentions:

Ke Huy Quan, EEAAO - He is so lovely and so wonderful and he deserves every single good thing that is happening to him right now.

Jamie Lee Curtis, EEAAO - My mother finally got an Oscar nom! I'm so happy for her. Deirdre is so ridiculous, and Jamie really commits to the insanity.

Stephanie Hsu, EEAAO - She is going THROUGH it in EEAAO. I almost put her in lead, but since she literally got a Supporting Oscar nom, I guess she can fit here.

Brandon Parea, Nope - Five stars, Angel, five stars.

Justin Long, Barbarian - When will he call me the f-slur? He's an ass but he made it look fun.

Billie Lourd, Ticket to Paradise - She has like one vibe across most of her performances, but she does it so extremely well.

Hong Chau, The Menu - Hong Chau, my beloved. I have only known her for two months, but she has completely gotten me in her grip.

Candice Bergen, Let Them All Talk - I don't actually have anything witty to say about her. She just Did Well in this one.

Hong Chau, The Whale - The moment where she realises he had the money the whole time and cracks? Ugh. Performance!

Honorable mentions: Tyne Daly, Hello My Name Is Doris; Tovah Feldshuh, Kissing Jessica Stein; Paul Dano, Little Miss Sunshine; Bill Skarsgard, Barbarian (RIP Sweet Little Meow Meow).

This is fairly self-explanatory.

Michelle Yeoh, EEAAO - "You can either lay there or you can come with me and change the multiverse." "I'll just lay here!" I used the opera picture because that's my favourite Lewk for her, but she's just so amazing all around. In all forms!

Sally Field, Hello My Name Is Doris - What really gets me with this one is when her therapist tries to clean up her house and she has a full break down. The way she speaks those lines just really hits.

Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading - God forbid women do anything. She's totally insane in this and is a complete wrecking ball. I love it!

Mia Goth, Pearl - That end credits face journey alone is worth a thousand awards. Just captivating!

Jennifer Tilly & Gina Gershon, Bound - Genders, genders all around. Of course the Wachowskis would make something so cool and sleek, and these two are the perfect ones to realise that vision.

Austin Butler, Elvis - Tom Hanks had a very "what the hell is this" performance, but really, the transformation for Austin Butler in this is super impressive. I am not immune to biopics!

Jenny Slate, Marcel The Shell With Shoes On - He Is Just A Little Boy and I love him.

Keke Palmer, Nope - Release the spin cut! (She has a spin in the trailer during her spiel at the beginning, and it's cut in the movie. That would have gotten her the Oscar nom, I'm sure.)

Kristen Wiig, Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar - The way this movie just radiates the energy of our friendship, I can't. Kristen gets the leg up on her co-star because she double dips on roles and I think I prefer her delivery.

Thandiwe Newton, God's Country - So, we saw God's Country on a whim because Mack liked the lead actress. And I totally get it. She's so strong and so unyielding in the face of those nutcases in this, and, though I know nothing about her and heard nothing about the film otherwise, she has stayed with me.

Cate Blanchett, Tár - That first long shot, where she's just talking as the camera is rolling? Electrifying. She had us hooked from moment one.

Ralph Fiennes, The Menu - Yes, Chef! We love you, Chef!

Honorable mentions: Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye; Matt Damon, The Talented Mr Ripley; Emma Thompson, The Remainds of the Day.

Oh, good, we're back to reasonable category sizes. Anyway, though I am a horror queen, I feel as though the films I loved most in 2022 were not horror! But there were a few that rose to the top.

Scream 5 - It's Scream. It's good! "Trap? Yeah, it's a trap." Such a simple exchange, but it's my favourite moment in that one. I'm so excited for 6!

Pearl - Sorry, Paris. But I loved this. It's mostly a character study for a horror movie character until the final act, and what a final act it is! "I'm a star!" and the end credits face journey are just such great moments.

Nope - I liked it better than Us! But really, Jordan Peele is just consistently so good at writing horror.

City of the Dead - The way this is a dark horse pick for me. It just hits that spooky foggy creepy Halloween aesthetic that I love so much! And it's got great performances and a decent enough story. Plus, the Elvira inserts are fun!

Barbarian - This happened to a friend once, I think.

The Menu - Truly my favourite movie of 2022, coming in right at the end of the year. The mix between the comedy and the horror, the social jokes, Hong Chau... it's perfection to me.

Honorable mentions: Let The Right One In, Watcher, The Autopsy of Jane Doe.

Dramatique! To some extent or another; I don't think Before Sunrise counts as a comedy or a horror, so it kind of falls here even though it's just a romance.

Dramarama - This one hits me so hard that it hurts. A group of high school graduates, all very into theatre, have one last murder mystery party as a group, before they split up. And it's just so... if you weren't in theatre in high school, you won't get it, but if you were, this hurts.

EEAAO - Do I need to explain.

Bound - As explained above!

The Talented Mr Ripley - The schemes! The intrigue! The homoeroticism! I love it!

Before Sunrise - A tender, sweet romance in Vienna. All of one night, with the lovely Ethan Hawke, just wandering a sleepy city at night.

Tár - Captivating, electric, a modern tragedy of hubris. For me, Best Picture needs to be between EEAAO and Tár. There is nothing else. Honorable mentions: Pride & Prejudice, In The Mood For Love, The Remains of the Day.

2022 was all about comedy for me. There were so many just perfect comedies that we saw this year that it's hard to pick a handful to show off. Barb & Star is Mack and me spiritually, which means it is Beloved here, but all of these I look on so fondly.

Hello, My Name Is Doris - A old Sally Field tries to find love with a much younger man. She's very awkward, almost too much to watch at points, but she's soooo good.

Kissing Jessica Stein - We love people questioning their identity and then deciding if it works out for them or not! It's a fun time.

Burn After Reading - The relentless absurdity just kills me. The hair, the drôle situtations, it's all just SO much of a ride.

Little Miss Sunshine - That little girl deserved to win that pageant.

Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar - Again, this is just our friendship. It's so stupid, but I treasure these two ladies.

Glass Onion - "Did you think a sweatshop was a place where they manufactured sweatpants?" "Yeah..."

Honorable mentions: The Lost City, The Bob's Burgers Movie, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

But anyway. That's enough of the respectable awards. Let's have some fun.

We come to this place to celebrate men in film being hot, sexy, and/or slutty. Here are just some of the men that, ahem, piqued my interest. They are, of course, named after only the most beautiful man to have graced cinéma, Mr Keanu Reeves himself.

I'm doing these individually in case tumblr decides it doesn't like something :s (Also.... you've seen my graphic design skills.)

Dylan Minnette's shower scene in Scream 5. Not even a hint of ass! Cowards.

Nico Greetham in Dramarama just casually showing his chest around.

Girls...... seeing Channing Tatum's ass, huge, on a screen during The Lost City in a theatre. That was a MOMENT.

Félix Lefebvre in Summer of 85. We love blond French boys, huh.

Seeing THAT swinging on Kid Cudi in X...... You all know I'm an ass queen, but come onnnn.

When will Ryan Gosling Drive me around town? Huh? Don't I deserve that?

The cast of Fire Island as a whole. Or as a hole. Either way.

Speaking of beach boys, can we talk about the fuzz on Jude Law in The Talented Mr Ripley?

Ethan Hawke in Before Sunrise in such a simple look can be so hot. He's so sweet and tender and just lovely.

And then we have the duality of Ethan Hawke:

My commentary here will be reposting some letterboxd reviews of The Black Phone:

Thomas Doherty in The Invitation can turn me into a vampire if he wants, idc, I'd throw it all away. That woman was WILD to just turn that down so quickly!

And finally, Mr Thousand Shades of Grey himself, Jamie Dornan in Barb & Star. He's actually done a nude photoshoot but uh. I'll keep that one to myself.

Anyhow. If you made it this far, thank you for reading through the Pink Bettes! I'll be here again next year!

#the pink bettes #this is an extremely long post so i hope the read more works on every device lol

[coochiequeens]

How is two men not considering adoption a news story?

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/for-one-gay-couple-it-will-take-some-luck-and-a-surrogate-to-become-fathers

For one gay couple, it will take some luck — and a surrogate — to become fathers

Aaron and Kyle Demes have been talking about being dads since their first date at the Yaletown Brewing Co. in 2018. Since then, all the milestones in the couple’s relationship have been building blocks to becoming parents: their mid-COVID-19 wedding in 2021, Aaron’s decision to take Kyle’s last name and their purchase of a home in the Port Moody suburbs.

Now, they just need an egg and someone to carry their child.

“They say it takes a village to raise a kid. It’ll take a village to create one,” said Aaron, a 33-year-old who works for TransLink.

Their hunt for a surrogate may not be easy.

A growing number of same sex couples are using surrogacy to have children but the number of women willing to be gestational surrogates is dropping, said Sally Rhoads-Heinrich.

After carrying twins for an American couple in 2000, the Ontario woman launched Surrogacy in Canada Online, an agency that introduces prospective parents to potential surrogates. A gestational surrogate doesn’t have any biological connection to the child and has the egg and sperm implanted into her uterus by in vitro fertilization.

It’s legal in Canada to use another person’s eggs, sperm or uterus to conceive a child, but it’s illegal to pay for it, according to the Assisted Human Reproduction Act passed in 2004. That’s why couples rely on the altruism of someone willing to carry a stranger’s child. It’s also illegal for an agency to match people with a surrogate, which is why Rhoads-Heinrich’s company facilitates introductions through a profile that’s not unlike online dating.

Couples pay a one-time, $8,000 membership fee in the hopes of matching with a surrogate.

“The matches are going down because there are not as many surrogates,” she said, estimating the number of surrogates using her service has dropped by 50 per cent. “There’s more intended parents than ever. But we just don’t have the surrogates to match everyone. So only the lucky ones are getting picked.”

One of the reasons could be that fewer women are choosing to be mothers.

“If you just go on Tik Tok or social media, you’ll see a real trend towards being child-free,” Rhoads-Heinrich said.

Fertility rates have been steadily declining since 2009, a trend intensified by COVID. Canada’s fertility rate decreased from 1.47 children per woman in 2019 to a record low of 1.4 children per woman in 2020, according to Statistics Canada.

Rhoads-Heinrich said that when she first starting the agency, about four per cent of intended parents were same sex couples. Now it’s about half. Her members also include heterosexual couples who are infertile or single people wanting to become parents.

In the U.S., where it’s legal to pay for surrogacy, couples can expect to spend between $100,00 and $170,000. That includes paying the surrogate compensation — usually around $50,000 — and expenses, agency fees, legal fees and medical costs.

Kyle and Aaron spoke to other same sex couples who paid either for eggs and sperm or a surrogate in another country and they were concerned about the possibility of exploitation.

“That is certainly something that’s been on our mind the whole time is, ‘When this (a woman’s body) is the commodity that people are exchanging finances for, who is really impacted by that and how?’ ” said Kyle, 36, who runs a consulting firm.

The couple opted against paying a surrogacy agency, which is why they’re sharing their story in the media.

“There’s something about the altruism in surrogacy, about finding somebody that you have a connection with who is willing to help you, I think really resonates for us,” Aaron said.

The couple has been told to budget $40,000-to-$60,000 to cover the surrogate’s expenses — which could include food, travel and lost wages — medical costs including IVF and legal fees to ensure they’re recognized as the child’s legal guardians.

Aaron has known about surrogacy since he was 11-years-old. In 2001, his mother, B.C. NDP cabinet minister Selina Robinson, was a surrogate for her friend, Terri Rypkema, who had lost one baby and was left infertile after a second pregnancy.

“I think my favourite part of the story is where I went to my teacher and said, ‘I just want to let you know my mom is pregnant. But it’s not my dad’s. And it’s not my mom’s either.’ And I had to explain surrogacy as an 11-year-old.”

That was during a time when doctors didn’t do surrogacies in B.C., so Robinson had to travel to Calgary to have the embryos implanted.

Census data doesn’t track the number of surrogate pregnancies in Canada but data collected by the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society and BORN Ontario show that surrogacy rates have been increasing over the last decade, with 563 gestational surrogates in 2021, compared with 364 in 2011. However, that data tracks the number of embryo implantations but not successful pregnancies or births.

Alana Cattapan, an assistant professor at Ontario’s University of Waterloo and Canada Research Chair in the Politics of Reproduction, said that based on the data she’s not seeing evidence to support Rhoads-Heinrich’s claim that fewer women are willing to be surrogates.

She and her colleagues are working on a study that included a survey of 174 people who have been surrogates in Canada. That survey, which is consistent with other studies that have been done in Canada, shows 30-to-40 per cent of surrogates in Canada are providing for intended parents who live abroad, likely in countries where surrogacy is illegal or where it’s more difficult for same sex couples to have children. Any form of surrogacy is illegal in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria and Taiwan.

Italy, under its new far-right government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is making it more difficult for same sex couples to have a child through an international surrogate, ordering municipalities to stop certifying the children’s foreign birth certificates.

Aaron and Kyle said they’ve heard nothing but support for their desire to become dads.

“Everyone’s like, ‘You guys are gonna be great dads.’ And 15 years ago, that wouldn’t have been the case,” Kyle said. “We’ve made huge strides.”

Robinson, who already had two children when she carried Rypkema’s son, Evan, recalls people asking during her pregnancy how she can give up a child.

“I never felt like I was letting go of anything or giving anything up,” she said. “The gift for me was helping a friend. There’s a human being here because I helped make that happen.”

At the time, Robinson’s family was interviewed for a TV documentary series called The Things We Do For Love. She still chokes up at Aaron’s response when the reporter asked him how he felt about his mom carrying someone else’s child.

While playing Legos, he said: “Well, if everyone did something because they felt it was the right thing to do, the world would be a much better place.”

Aaron and Kyle Demes have set up an email in the hopes of finding a surrogate and an egg donor. People can contact them at [email protected]

Does anyone else see this push towards altruistic surgery as leading to constantly hounding child free women to be surrogates? Or harassing women women state they have the number if kids they want?

#anti surrogacy sunday #anti exploiting women #babies are not commodities #no one is entitled to biological children #Just adopt #Men trying to create children with no legally recognized mother

[cjblthoughts]

Short, Sweet & Fluffy BLs for your viewing pleasure:

My Pistachio

a boy has a crush on an upper classman and finds a way to confess.

Watch on GagaOOLala

20 minute short film, South Korean, released in 2018

Nobleman Ryu's Wedding

a boy takes the place of his sister during her wedding after she runs away. Very comedic historical bl.

Watch on Viki

8 11 minute episodes, South Korean, released in 2021

Calculating Love

cute friends to lovers story. Note: low budget

Watch on YouTube or LineTV app

6 25 minute episodes, Thai, released in 2020

History2: Right or Wrong

a father/professor and a college student who nannies his daughter fall in love.

Watch on Viki

8 25 minute episodes, Taiwanese, released in 2018

En of Love Tossara

two university students woo each other and fall in love

Watch on Viki

4 45 minute episodes, Thai, released in 2020

Wish You: Your Melody in My Heart

2 musicians meet by chance, end up working together and fall in love.

Watch on Netflix or Viki

8 10 minute episodes (movie edit also exists), South Korean, released in 2020

Mr. Heart

two track runners are forced to train together and fall in love.

Watch on Viki

8 10 minute episodes, South Korean, released in 2020

GL Special Mention: Dear Uranus

A sweet high school love triangle between 3 girls.

Watch on Youtube

3 12 minute episodes, Taiwanese, released in 2021

#short and sweet bl recs #fluffy bl series #bl recs #bl drama recomendation #my pistachio #nobleman ryus wedding #calculating love #history2: right or wrong #en of love #en of love: tossara #wish you #wish you bl #wish you your melody in my heart #mr. heart #dear uranus #gl rec

[simshousewindsor]

[??]: From the moment they stepped on the red carpet, their love affair has captivated Windenburg. Join SNN for LIVE coverage over the next two hours as we present The Royal Wedding of HRH The Princess Lara to Anthony Mercier-Jones.

[??]: Their love story began in 2021 when Anthony photographed the Princess for her infamous ROGUE cover. Little did the public know, a budding romance had developed but by the time the magazine was released in November 2021 speculation of the pair dating had Windenburg excited.

[??]: Princess Lara and Anthony then made their red carpet debut in May at the 2022 Simsopolitan Gala and instantly stole our hearts.

[??]: Their whirlwind engagement in Mt Komorebi only made us fall even more in love with the royal couple.

[??]: but it wasn't until their engagement interview with Cameron Dorly that Windenburgans really got to see and hear from the couple.

[??]: The Princess, who grew up before our eyes, and the dashing photographer who swept her off her feet, captured all of our hearts in their 60 minute interview and soon they will wed in a love-filled ceremony.

[??]: I’m Shon Gableton and we’re LIVE at West Simster Abbey. We are less than one hour away from the brides arrival and fans are already exploding with cheers of excitement!

[Shon]: An estimated three thousand spectators made the boat ride over to The Crumbling Isle to witness Princess Lara and the Royals make their way down Abbey Road to West Simster Abbey. Hallie, how are things where you are?

[Hallie Howell]: Thank you, Shon and Good morning, Windenburg! I'm LIVE outside of Buckingsim Palace where crowds have been waiting since 8:00 a.m. to get their first glimpse of the Princess, who is expected to depart the Palace in 30 minutes or so. Queen Rowena is expected to depart for West Simster Abbey even sooner! Back to you, Shon.

[Shon]: Speaking of West Simster Abbey, the historic church was built in 1881 and hosted its first royal wedding in 1883. The original wooden doors were recently reinstalled after two years of overdue repairs. The first time the doors had been removed, since the Abbey was built.

[Shon]: Speaking of firsts, this is your first royal wedding!

[??]: It is! Good morning, Windenburg. Cameron Dorly here. Another first is TIHs The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire! The Caledonyian Empire have been longtime friends of the Royal House of Windsor and are the first foreign royals to arrive.

[Shon]: Buckingsim Palace also announced the new Earl and Countess of Boykins would be visiting @stthomaspalace​ when they carry out their first tour next year.

[Shon]: Crown Princess Elizabeth always looks so stylish! His Imperial Highness The Duke of Devonshire looks quite splendid too!

[Cameron]: Emperor Akio Liu of Mt Komorebi has arrived with Empress Miyamo.

[Cameron]: Prime Minister Keller has really helped turn around parliament in his first few months in office. No surprise he’s here, although former Prime Minister Churchill was who approved the budget for this royal wedding before departing office.

[Shon]: Many were shocked to see King Felipe and Queen Aoki of Oasis Springs on the guest list. The monarch and his wife have been fairly quiet since ceding Glimmerbrook.

[Cameron]: Former Prime Minister, Winstin Churchill has just arrived.

[Shon]: Without his wife. Reports are that she’s been ill.

[Cameron]: We haven't seen much of the new Earl and Countess of St Peters since welcoming their first child five months ago. The future Duke and Duchess of Kent are said to have become quite close to Princess Lara and Anthony.

[Shon]: Queen Rowena arriving with the Duke of Cambridge is not a surprise. It’s no secret the two have quite a close mother-in-law/son-in-law relationship.

[Cameron]: Queen Rowena is the current consort and Rainier is future King consort. The pair are said to have bonded even more over the past few months. Queen Rowena is said to have really helped comfort the Prince through the loss of his family three months ago in that tragic plane crash.

[Shon]: Finally! The new Earl of Boykins has arrived! Here comes the groom!

[Cameron]: Anthony is accompanied by his brother and best man, Perry. 

[Shon]: Perry is the older of the brothers by three years!

[Hallie]: Here comes the Bride! Princess Lara has departed the Palace!

[Shon]: Princess Lara chose six Bridesmaids. Her Royal Highness’ sister, Princess Katherine, is matron of honor followed by her best friend and maid of honor, Lady Marina. The four other bridesmaids are Princess Anna (cousin of the bride), Daphne, Duchess of Hastings (friend of the bride), Lady Amirah (friend of the bride) and Lady Ariana (friend of the bride).

[Shon]: What a surprise! Flower Girls and Pageboys were also inside the limo! This is a huge wedding party!

[Cameron]: The four Flower Girls are Lady Sadira Grimaldi (daughter of Princess Anna of Kent), Princess Grace of Cambridge, Ms Hali Jabari (friend of the royal family) and Ms Olympia Wilson (daughter of tennis great Serena Wilson). The two Pageboys are Prince Phillip of Cambridge and Lord Martin Grimaldi (son of Princess Anna of Kent).

[Shon]: The way this crowd just erupted, we know what that means. The Bride must be coming. Oh yes, we see the car! King George and Princess Lara have made it to West Simster Abbey!

Previous | Beginning | Next 

#TS4 #Princess Lara is getting married #ts4 royal wedding #ts4 simblr #ts4 story #sims 4 royalty #ts4 royalty #sims 4 story #sims 4 monarchy #the sims 4 #the sims 4 story #sims 4 royal family #ts4 royal simblr #simblr #sims 4 simblr #the sims royal family #The wedding begins #ts4 legacy

[legendaryrooftopscene]

on November 27, 2021, I started watching bad buddy out of idle curiosity, given a mutual's long meta post about the greatest first kiss in cinematic history. i watched all 5 available episodes and fell ass over teakettle for not only the show, but thai BL as well. it is now November 27, 2022. here's everything I've watched, ranked out of 10 (including BL from other countries and some non-BL as well). final count: 116. (92 finished. 18 started/in-progress but did not finish. 6 actively watching that are airing now). I kept copious notes about all the shows I watched so if you're curious why I ranked a certain show like I did, please feel free to send me an ask :) I love talking about my thoughts about things

10/10 (i had fun 100% of the time I was watching or it made my brain produce happy static to think about)

Kinnporsche

Manner of Death

Tale of 1000 Stars

Until We Meet Again

HIStory 3: Trapped

9/10 (great show, great characters, but there was 1 or 2 things I didn't like about the writing/acting/production)

Bad Buddy

Not Me

A Man Who Defied the World of BL

Lovely Writer

My Beautiful Man

A First Love Story

Semantic Error

Cherry Blossoms After Winter

The Sound of Magic

DNA Says Love You

Triage

Old Fashion Cupcake

Roommates of Poongduck 304

8/10 (same as above, with slightly more egregious errors)

He's Coming To Me

Cherry Magic

Keita Hatsukoi

Where Your Eyes Linger

Kei x Yaku

The Eclipse

You Make Me Dance

Long Time No See

Tinted with You

Please Tell Me So

You're My Sky

Love and Leashes

My Only 12%

TharnType Special Episode

HIStory: Obsessed

HIStory: Stay Away From Me

Secret Crush on You

Plus and Minus

Mr. Unlucky Has No Choice But to Kiss

Love Stage (Thailand)

We're Both Grooms

Hey Rival! I Love You

Kimi no Koto Dake Mite Itai

On Cloud Nine

We Best Love

7/10 (flawed but I enjoyed it. a pulp that is a 7/10 has a much higher score than a high-budget/polished show that has a 7/10)

Cutie Pie

BeLoved In House: I Do

SOTUS

Color Rush

Nobleman Ryu's Wedding

Light On Me

Wish You

To My Star

7 Days

HIStory 2: Crossing the Line

HIStory 2: Right or Wrong

Dear Doctor, I'm Coming for Soul

HIStory 4: Close To You

Because of You

You Are Ma Boy

Gameboys

Love from Outta Space

Blueming

Tonhon Chonlatee

Cupid's Last Wish

Close Friend 2

The Ring Goes Missing

About Youth

Mr. Heart

Zero Photography

Takara-Kun and Amagi-Kun

Love in the Air

6/10 (seriously flawed and/or disappointing. usually in the 'I can fix it' range)

Star in your Mind

Theory of Love

Golden Blood

Why R U?

My Secret Love

My Tee

Mood Indigo

Senpai This Can't Be Love

Want to See You

5/10 (everything here I got through on 1.5x-2.0x speed)

Together with Me

Close Friend

Kissable Lips

Puppy Honey

Puppy Honey 2

Love's Coming

Meow Ears Up

The Promise

En of Love: Love Mechanics

Zero Supporter

4/10 (I finished it so i must have liked something about it)

Love By Chance

3/10 (hatewatch)

The Pornographer

TharnType

DFN (did not finish for various reasons. sometimes shows I enjoyed greatly are on this list. some I am still watching at my own pace)

3 Will Be Free

7 Project

Ingredients

Love is Science?

Enchante

War of Y

Ghost Host Ghost House

Lovesick

Big Dragon

Second Chance

The Gifted

Miracle of the Teddy Bear

I'm Tee, Me Too

Even Sun

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Love Between Fairy and Devil

Coffee Melody

Ocean Likes Me

Still airing

GAP

Choco Milkshake

Between Us

I Will Knock You

Remember Me

My Tooth Your Love

#59/116 are thai! I counted bc i was curious #original #not tagging all these shows that would be insanity

[mariacallous]

Ever since Donald Trump descended the Trump Tower escalator to Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” he’s remained the center of America’s political universe. But at least one former congressman believes the continued fixation on the 45th president is now a distraction. He’s only part of the story, especially now that Trumpism has grown larger than Trump himself.

On Friday, the House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol formally subpoenaed Trump, which seems to be the minimum amount of red meat the Democratic base demanded from the panel. While the big reveal of the subpoena—which was leaked to NBC News during the panel’s final hearing earlier this month—garnered headlines and TV hits, it overshadows the misunderstood and still-unfolding story of the digital machinations that fueled the attack and are poised to remake America for years to come, if not forever.

The US has entered an era of algorithmic political warfare, according to former Republican congressman Denver Riggleman. Until this spring, he served as a senior advisor to the January 6 committee, which he recounts in his new book, The Breach: The Untold Story of the Investigation into January 6th. A former Air Force intelligence officer, Riggleman cofounded a successful data mining and analysis military contracting firm before his election to the House in 2018. While the special panel conducted hundreds of interviews, Riggleman says, they’ve been lapped.

“The information war moves at the speed of electrons, not at the speed of interviews. That’s it. We’re in a new world,” Riggleman says. “The committee did a great job, but we have to move faster. We have to be more aware of how data can help any investigation into these types of activities when it comes to domestic terrorism or the radicalization pipeline.”

Riggleman says it’s unfortunate that the select committee devoted the bulk of its time and resources looking backward. He fears they missed what’s afoot—and still to come. “We’re trying to solve today’s problems tomorrow with yesterday’s technology. We’re in an information warfare battlespace,” Riggleman contends. “They’ve already changed their tactics. Deplatforming didn’t work. They just go to other platforms.”

Riggleman, a conservative who left the Republican Party after he was primaried out of office in 2020 for officiating a same-sex wedding, had asked the committee for a budget of $3.2 million for his digital sleuthing, but he says he was allocated just a fraction of that.

Still, he was granted a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into not just the January 6 attack. He also believes he identified the insurrection’s central player: Trump’s former chief of staff, Mark Meadows. Riggleman handed the special committee 2,319 text messages Meadows sent or received from the election through Biden’s inauguration, which he says reveals how deeply conspiracies have now “metastasized” in today’s Republican Party.

“What it shows is that QAnon conspiracy theories have saturated every level of the GOP,” Riggleman says.

The coordination included members of Congress, the wife of a Supreme Court justice, myriad lawyers, little-known aides, and, of course, Trump’s most ardent supporters. Riggleman also revealed a mysterious nine-second phone call placed from the White House switchboard at 4:34 pm on January 6 to 26-year-old Anton Lunyk, who has since pleaded guilty to entering the Capitol. Despite these findings, the former intel officer bemoans not being able to go all the way down the meme- and hashtag-laden rabbit hole.

“Thousands of documents are great, but millions of lines of data are better. And so when you look at call detail records or open source intelligence research or you look at social media, those types of things can tell you a lot,” Riggleman says. “And I think it can actually direct the way that you investigate more than bringing people in who lie, plead the Fifth, or sometimes conveniently forget things.”

The real story, Riggleman contends, isn’t Trump. (“If you indict Trump, his polling numbers are going to go up,” he says. “So good luck.”) Trumpism is now gospel to an online army of devotees, hundreds of whom are now running for state and local offices. No matter which party comes out in control of Congress once the dust settles on Election Night, the next Congress is guaranteed to have Donald Trump’s stamp on it. The GOP candidates on the ballot next month include 291 who say they wouldn’t have certified Biden’s 2020 victory, according to the Washington Post. Of those, 171 are running in safely Republican districts.

As a former member of the House Freedom Caucus who has deep libertarian leanings (he farms his own hemp), Riggleman is worried about the digital takeover of a party he used to love, respect, and doggedly fight for. “You also have to figure out who the hell is pushing these radicalizing ideas over digital channels because that’s where it’s happening too,” Riggleman says.

Thousands of Trump supporters took his post-January 6 deplatforming as their cue to follow their leader off Twitter and Facebook and into a new world of almost-anything-goes social media apps, like Trump’s own struggling Truth Social, or Parler, which Kanye “Ye” West plans to buy. Those apps suck up the most recent coverage, but other apps continue to attract new and frustrated users.

There’s Gab (where QAnon devotees feel safe discussing ever-evolving conspiracy theories), GETTR (a “free speech”-focused app founded by former Trump aide Jason Miller), Rumble (think YouTube for the far right), MeWe (think Facebook for Trump Republicans), and CloutHub (if Twitter and Facebook had a baby). Even Reddit is helping Trump successfully spread ungrounded conspiracies about ballot-stuffing in Arizona.

Many on the right are also increasingly employing popular messaging apps like Telegram, which allows private groups to include as many as 200,000 members, and Signal, popular for its promised end-to-end encryption. That includes many of Trump’s most motivated followers, which we know from the dramatic spike in users they both attracted after Silicon Valley firms started their post-insurrection purges.

Then there are forums like 4chan, 8kun, and Endchan. Movement-inspiring memes, dangerous conspiracy theories, celebrations of violence and violent rhetoric all abound on these hubs connecting kindreds who proudly consider themselves social outcasts set on upending the “normie” society most of us inhabit.

As the select committee now prepares its final report on the preparation and planning leading up to the savage assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, the right has moved on. And in laying the groundwork to leave a Trump-sized imprint on this year’s midterms—including upending voting laws in countless battleground states and recruiting thousands of new pro-Trump poll workers to “police” local polling locations—the former president’s acolytes are also proving to be a few steps ahead of their opponents in their plan to capture the White House in 2024.

Just as an escalator helped Trump glide into the center of US politics, Riggleman says, the real story is the online gears, lubricants, chains, and steps lurking just under our feet. Likewise, unless more attention is paid to these means of political production, this new political order is something we all should get used to.

“We’re in a post-truth era, but we’re also in a post-Trump world—where those belief systems are baked in, and we’re going to have to deal with this for decades,” Riggleman says. “We need to look at going faster, harder, and better with more technology and more resources in that arena.”

[cindylouwho-2]

Etsy Second Quarter 2022 Earnings Report - Sales Down a Bit, But Still Relatively Strong

As ecommerce continues to slide and the world fears a recession, Etsy’s second quarter results for 2022 actually beat many projections and met their own. Can this continue?

This post covers the highlights of the financial call that sellers might be interested in, with my commentary in square brackets. Have comments? Please leave them below, email me through my website, or contact me on Twitter.

The relevant materials, for those who want to take a closer look:

The press release

Transcript of the earnings call

Slides from the presentation

Video of the call; click on “Webcast”

My summary of the first quarter 2021 for comparison

The basic numbers (covering April to June 2022, compared to the same period in 2021):

Sales on Etsy were $2.6 billion, down 6%

Total sales for all 4 marketplaces (Etsy, Reverb, Depop, Elo7) were $3 billion, down 0.4% (note that Etsy did not own Depop and Elo7 one year ago)

Revenue (including all 4 sites) was up 10.6% to $585 million; seller service revenue was up 9.1% to $145.5 million, while marketplace revenue was up 11.1% to 439.5 million. This improvement was partly due to the Etsy transaction fee increase, and also Etsy Ads. 

Income was $73.1 million, down 25.6%, which Etsy attributed to increasing staff 70% in a year, including Depop and Elo7 hires

Active sellers on Etsy alone are now 5.3 million, up only 100,000 (2%) YOY and down from last quarter’s 5.5 million, while there are now 88.1 million active buyers on Etsy, down from just over 90 million a year ago [note that “active” means one charge or transaction in the past 12 months; some “active” shops currently have nothing for sale]  

Sales on mobile are now at 66%, up from 63% last year, with the mobile app now contributing more sales than desktop (since the first quarter).

Sales with at least one non-US party are 44% of the total, up from 41% YOY

Why Did Sales Drop?

In short, economic and other trends. CEO Josh Silverman noted that some (but not all) of the total drop on Etsy was due to currency fluctuations; sales for all 4 marketplaces would have been up 2.6% instead of down 0.4% had currency rates not changed. 

Not only did active buyers drop, but they also spent slightly less (40 cents per buyer less) than they did previously (see slide 25). Some categories such as Home and Living are down while others such as Travel, Weddings and Paper & Party Supplies are up (slide 24). Etsy estimates that 75% of the sales drop is from much lower sales in both Home & Living and Craft Supplies, which made a lot of money during the pandemic. 

In the US, people are now about as mobile as they were in 2019, meaning they aren’t at home as much to shop online. 

Etsy Search

Slide 6 (shown above) is from the search portion of the presentation. Silverman describes search as now being run by multiple search engines, including the old text- based exact match form of relevancy, X-Walk (using the way buyers interreact with listings/shops to turn up the right results), and “Neural IR” (”do we understand what you are looking for even if you do not know how to describe it?”). [While this might surprise some sellers, Google also combines many different algorithms to come up with one set of search results.]

Silverman considers the success of the “add to cart” button on search pages to be “...a testament to the fact that we’ve improved the quality of search and the information provided on the search result page, enough that some people are ready to buy without even needing to visit the seller’s listing page.”

The press release reports that XWalk is now used in all countries, not the just the US, which is something they promised previously. 

Advertising, Promotions and Nudges

Etsy Ads seller budgets are up 80% this year, continuing this growth trend. Revenue from ads has grown twice as much as total sales have in the past 5 years. Recently, this is due to better relevance and more clicks, as well as adding more ad slots throughout the site, including the home page. 

Brand marketing spend was up 4%, while the overall marketing budget was down 2% due to a small drop in performance marketing. “Our performance marketing spend declined year-over-year driven by our improving model and data feed efficiencies combined with softer consumer demand and weaker Google search trends for our related terms.”  Offsite ads are now shown in Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, and Mexico. 

"[w]e prompted signed-out browsers to download the Etsy App, leading to a 53% increase in downloads" YOY. [If your listings are not optimized for the app, you are likely falling behind.]

Depop, Reverb & Elo7

All three of the other marketplaces have struggled in the current economy, and have decreased Etsy’s net income. They still feel that Depop  and Elo7 were good acquisitions for Etsy in the long term. 

The new CEO of Depop, Kruti Patel Goyal, was previously Chief Product Officer of Etsy and will push some of the same things there. 

Reverb has upgraded search and also created landing pages for outside search engines. [Maybe similar to Market pages on Etsy?]

Elo7 has introduced new shipping carriers. 

Miscellaneous

The pandemic buyer cohort is more valuable than buyers acquired previously.

Etsy will be advertising the buyer purchase protection changes more as we get closer to the holiday season. 

While other ecommerce and retail companies are laying people off, Etsy did not, but did slow hiring somewhat in the second quarter. 

Etsy sees most of its future growth coming from outside of the US and the UK.

Habitual buyers made 46% of the orders this quarter, with strong improvement in Germany and Australia. 

"we began proactively reviewing listings for potential handmade violations - in fact, in the second quarter we removed approximately 50% more listings than in all of 2021" [the call gave no further clarification on this statement, which comes from the press release]

Etsy is sitting on $1.1 billion in cash. 

My Thoughts

This was probably the most boring call I have followed; no big announcements, and no grand plans. There was a palpable relief that numbers weren't as bad as they could have been, so although sales being down was nothing to celebrate, they are actually pretty proud of the performance. They are also still worried about what the third quarter will look like, but did not give us any figures on July. 

A lot of retail and ecommerce companies are panicking; Etsy is not. The next 6 to 12 months will likely show us whether or not they are being realistic about the future. 

#EtsySellerNews #ecommerce #marketplace #Etsy

[lowrymichelsen04]

hermes mini kelly 7

Hermes Kelly 22cm Black Mini Pochette Swift Ghw I love to help individuals rework their style and select the best products that can help you feel assured. As of 2021, Hermes Mini Kelly worth is $8,150 in the US, and £6,159 within the United Kingdom. The demand for these luggage keep growing and the value keeps growing annually. wikipedia handbags Perhaps, you’re holidaying this summer or have dinner or occasions booked. There is not any occasion the Hermes mini Kelly bag isn’t made for. Two colorways exist, one accomplished in Cobalt Ostrich, Turquoise Swift , and Colvert Clemence leathers, and the opposite carried out in Vert Véronèse Ostrich, Bamboo Swift, and Taupe Clemence leathers. Created as a restricted edition in 2012 and thru 2013, the Arlequin Kelly has a shocking array of colours in two distinct colorways. The colorways are designed to provide a colorblock look that mimics the arlequins of the Italian Commedia dell’arte, with splashes of brilliant colors that lend a stunningly unique look from each angle. The bag’s design entailed the wedding of thirty six leather-based pieces by the houses’ most skilled craftsmen, using roughly 600 and eighty hand stitches in their distinguished piqué sellier technique. There is size, colour, and leather-based to bear in mind. However, earlier than you'll be able to even start to consider these choices, you should resolve whether the Birkin or the Kelly is the type for you. The guide beneath is designed to provide you with all the information wanted to make that decision. replica hermes mini kelly You have my dream bag the Hermes mini Kelly in the vert you have with GHW . My dream bag but can not get one as Hermes don’t wish to promote me a bag . It’s so sad as I’d like to have a set of Hermes bag and at some point purchase the Himalayan berkin . It took years for the event of a shiny cactus to be perfected to Hermes’ high standards, but success has been found. This Kelly Pochette is rendered in just that color, intensely green with more of a shiny grassy tint than Emerald, tilting towards Jade with out changing into translucent. Paired with heat gold hardware, this store-fresh clutch is a surprising example of how Hermes can improve even on what seems good. Once, a single “It” purse dominated each trend season. The intent of the gathering was mainly targeted to the burgeoning Asian market, however the world over these bags are sought out for their distinctive look and collectability. Hermès is a French brand established in Paris, synonymous with a luxury way of life. Many individuals who buy even one item from the Hermès assortment have a budget that enables the purchase of equipment that may value upwards of $100,000. Other gadgets like scarves are underneath 6-figures and should cost between $10,000 – $30,000. 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As a end result, people started to discuss with the “Sac à dépêches” as to the Kelly bag. In the Nineteen Thirties, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a deal with and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is claimed to have used one of these baggage to conceal her being pregnant during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the protection catapulted her purse to worldwide recognition. In 1977, Hermès formally renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born.

#hermes mini kelly #mini kelly bag #mini kelly #mini kelly 2 #mini kelly ii

[lizseyi]

Considering A Loan For Your Wedding?: A Good Or Bad Idea?

It’s not exactly news that weddings are expensive things to organise – but still, it’s good to put a few hard figures on the cost to give some all-important perspective. According to research by the Hitched website, the average wedding in the UK cost £18,400 in 2022, which was 6% up on the figure for 2021, and more than double the amount spent during the COVID-affected 2020. 

So, you can see that after a period when many people weren’t exactly spending a huge amount on their weddings, those costs have crept up again. This is to be expected, during a time of rampant inflation combined with couples wishing to hold in-person nuptials again. 

If, then, you are set to tie the knot, we can well understand you carefully poring over all the costs, and considering how you can both save and add a bit more to your wedding budget. 

With that in mind, you may have heard that a lot of couples have taken out wedding loans in recent years to help pay every penny incurred by their big day. But might using such a loan be the right option for you and your sweetheart, or could there be better alternatives? 

In certain situations, a loan might be an option to consider for added wedding expenses.

As the information we set out above makes clear, the typical wedding cost in the UK these days is hovering around tens of thousands of pounds.

Naturally, every couple’s exact situation is different. At CashCompare, we offer short-term loans that typically range from £100 to £5,000. Such loans might be considered by those who find a small shortfall in their wedding budget.

And in what specific circumstances might you require that slight budgetary boost? Well, it may be that you have your hearts set on getting married on a particular date, and therefore want to be able to access extra funding for your wedding sooner, instead of waiting until you have saved up more money. 

Or maybe a loved one of yours was previously going to fund certain parts of your wedding, but has suddenly found themselves in a situation where they are unable to do so, thereby leaving an unplanned-for gap in your budget? 

The above are just some examples of circumstances in which couples think about – and take out – wedding loans. If you have a favorable credit rating, you might access certain interest rates, but it's essential to be comfortable with the repayment terms.

But wedding loans may not be the right solution for everyone 

The reality is, it is important to consider your specific circumstances extremely carefully before committing to any kind of loan, and the situation is no different when it comes to wedding loans. 

After all, taking out a loan to fund your wedding means you will be starting your married life with a debt. If your circumstances are such that you are confident of paying that money back, or if you only borrow a relatively small amount, this might not seem like a big issue. 

However, it could be a reason to consider whether there are better alternatives – such as cutting back on certain things you were initially intending to spend on your wedding, to help make possible the things you really want from your wedding. 

Do you really need to have a DJ or band when you could have a Spotify playlist instead, and do you really need to have a guestlist quite that long, consisting of some distant relatives you might barely know? And of course, there’s often a lot of scope for haggling or attractive discounts on the prices for key wedding services such as the venue, dress, and photographer. 

Essentially, all the usual truths about the importance of responsible borrowing also apply to wedding loans, including the importance of not borrowing an amount that you might struggle to repay. It’s also crucial to consider the amount of pressure that an outstanding loan could put on your relationship, and what would happen with the debt in the event of the relationship breaking down. 

Remember that a failure to repay what you owe could damage your credit rating, thereby harming your chances of being able to borrow money for anything else in the future. So, the impacts could be felt for a very long time after your wedding day, and perhaps even after the marriage itself. 

Could a short-term loan obtained via CashCompare be the answer? 

Naturally, no couple planning their wedding is in exactly the same situation as another, so there’s no “one size fits all” answer to this question. You really will need to think carefully about your own priorities and circumstances, and whether you will be able to pay back any loan to which you commit.

Don’t forget that here at CashCompare, it’s a two-minute process to complete our online form and ask for a no-obligation quote. This might further assist you in your decision-making in relation to wedding loans, and their usefulness (or otherwise) for funding the most important day of your life.

#CashCompare

[chikucabllp]

Taxi Service in Delhi NCR.

Delhi is the capital of India and a buzzing metropolitan city, where the mode of transportation is the cab, and a huge number of taxi service in Delhi are common. It has modern architecture, a chic complex, and ancient monuments that showcase the heritage of India from Tuklak to the Mughal and British eras. Here the place is humming with a population of diversity and bustling streets, markets, food stalls, grand spectacular forts, religious temples, elite accommodations, and lavish hotels, in short, it is a place that cherishes its tale of past and present in its own texture.

Noe whether you arrive at the city, and plan to return with a bag full of memories, you need to plan before the arrival, may it be through bus, train, or flight. In this 21st century, all things from booking a ride to hotels or food for delivery or dine outs everything can be done through mobile apps like Ola, uber, etc but then there is a gap and the gap is “The Waiting” and of course after a long journey or short one, no one wants to wait for hours. What if all the things are pre-planned like taxi services that include picking up from the arrival destination and sightseeing scheduled and dropping back to the departure? Like all things done, headache and tension are out of reach and you enjoy your holidays, click pictures, store your mind with memories, learn about the monuments, enjoy the outskirts and nearby destinations, and just relax.

Join us to learn more about the top taxi service in Delhi (based on Google reviews, and pricing changes from time to time you can check the ranges on their official sites):

In a survey of 2021, it was discovered that there are approximately 112 thousand taxis registered in Delhi but without proper taxi services, with no security, there remains a chance of fraud and this certain amount of uneasiness destroys the joy of tourism.

Cab Bazar:

The fare of taxis depends on the kilometers and days and they give you the chance to choose the cab according to your choice. These taxi service in Delhi include local sightseeing and outstations.

Saavari Car Rentals:

They provide you with diverse preferences while selecting taxi service in Delhi; they have a wide range of cabs that include Sedans, Innova, and Tempo, based on the judgment of the number of people traveling. Self-drive services are also provided here.

Rajputana Cabs® Delhi

They provide you with the best taxi service in Delhi for weddings, nearby outstations, Agra, Rajasthan, Shimla, Manali, and local Delhi sightseeing.

Avis Cab Service in Delhi

They are the taxi service in Delhi which are very convenient and flexible starting from Delhi haat, the Nehru Planetarium, and romantic places.

CHIKU CAB

Just sharing the location, and time of arrival you can book the Cab service in Delhi from CHIKU CAB. They have a mass network of taxi services including all the local sightseeing of Delhi from the Red Fort to Lotus Temple. And outstation trips to Shimla, Manali, Jaipur, Varanasi, and many more at an affordable cost. You can book the taxi service through online. From business travelers to passionate tourists they have regular services which are flexible and hassle-free, and the cab service is available at your demand. You don’t need to wait for the arrival of the taxi services. They are just one call away from you. And you get the 24X7 taxi service in Delhi from them.

So here is the list of the cab service in Delhi. Plan according to your budget choose according to your comfort and plan a trip to the combined city of modernization and grandeur of Indian heritage. Why too late, India has stored its essence of all seasons’s means you can travel all year round.

#taxi services in Delhi #cab service in Delhi #outstation cab in Delhi

[classiccarhire]

Hummer limousines are known for their impressive size and extravagant design

It seems like you're interested in hiring different types of luxury and exotic vehicles. Hiring these types of vehicles can be a great way to make a special occasion even more memorable. Here's some information about each of the vehicle options you mentioned:

Hummer Limo Hire: Hummer limousines are known for their impressive size and extravagant design. They often come equipped with luxurious amenities, such as leather seating, entertainment systems, and mood lighting. Hummer limos are popular for events like weddings, proms, and other special occasions.

Ford Mustang Hire: Ford Mustangs are classic American sports cars known for their iconic design and powerful performance. If you're a fan of muscle cars, renting a Ford Mustang can be an exciting experience, especially if you want to make a statement or enjoy a thrilling drive.

Chrysler Limo Hire: Chrysler limousines are another luxurious option for special occasions. They often feature sleek and elegant designs, comfortable interiors, and various amenities for passengers' comfort and entertainment. They are a popular choice for weddings and corporate events.

Bentley Mulsanne Hire: The Bentley Mulsanne is a high-end luxury sedan with a reputation for its opulence, craftsmanship, and performance. If you're looking for a vehicle that exudes sophistication and class, renting a Bentley Mulsanne can be an excellent choice for events like weddings, corporate transportation, or simply for the experience of traveling in luxury.

When looking to hire these types of vehicles, it's important to contact local car rental agencies or limousine services in your area. They can provide you with information on availability, pricing, and any additional services they may offer. Be sure to check for licensing, insurance, and reviews to ensure a reputable and reliable rental experience.

The cost of renting a Bentley Mulsanne can vary widely depending on various factors such as your location, the rental agency, the duration of the rental, and any additional services or features you request. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, renting a Bentley Mulsanne could cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 or more per day, depending on the factors mentioned.

Keep in mind that prices may have changed since then, and they can also vary by region. High-demand areas, such as major cities or popular tourist destinations, might have higher rental rates. Additionally, some rental agencies may offer packages that include a chauffeur or other services, which can affect the overall cost.

To get an accurate and up-to-date quote for renting a Bentley Mulsanne, I recommend contacting local luxury car rental agencies in your area or using online platforms that specialize in exotic and luxury car rentals. They can provide you with specific pricing information and help you choose the rental package that suits your needs and budget.

Hummer limousines, often referred to as Hummer limos, are a type of stretched limousine based on the Hummer H2 or Hummer H3 SUVs. These vehicles are known for their imposing size and unique design, making them a popular choice for various special occasions and events. Here are some key features and information about Hummer limos:

Size and Design: Hummer limos are significantly larger than traditional limousines. They are known for their rugged and boxy design, which sets them apart from other luxury vehicles. The extended body provides extra interior space, making them suitable for accommodating large groups of passengers.

Interior Features: Hummer limousines are equipped with luxurious and high-end amenities to enhance the passenger experience. Some common interior features may include leather seating, mood lighting, entertainment systems (TVs, DVD players, sound systems), bars with refrigeration, and fiber optic lighting.

Seating Capacity: Hummer limos come in various configurations with different seating capacities. They can typically accommodate anywhere from 12 to 20 passengers, depending on the specific model and modifications. This makes them an excellent choice for proms, weddings, bachelor or bachelorette parties, and corporate events.

Driver/Chauffeur Services: Most Hummer limo rentals include a professional chauffeur who is experienced in driving these large vehicles. The chauffeur will ensure a safe and comfortable ride for all passengers.

Special Occasions: Hummer limousines are often chosen for a range of special events, including weddings, proms, quinceañer as, and birthday parties. Their bold and eye-catching appearance adds an element of luxury and grandeur to these occasions.

Pricing: The cost of renting a Hummer limo can vary depending on factors such as location, rental duration, the specific model, and any additional services or amenities. Rental rates can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars per hour.

Safety and Regulations: It's essential to choose a reputable rental company that adheres to safety regulations and maintains its vehicles properly. Safety is paramount when it comes to transporting passengers in a stretched limousine.

When considering a Hummer limo rental, be sure to research and compare different rental agencies in your area. Ask for quotes, check the condition and features of the vehicle, and verify that the rental company is properly licensed and insured. It's also advisable to read reviews and testimonials from previous customers to ensure a positive and memorable experience.

#heathrow luxury airport transfers #rolls royce cullinan hire #white london taxi hire #gatwick luxury airport transfers #stansted luxury airport transfers #chrysler limo hire #bentley mulsanne hire #ford mustang hire #hummer limo hire #rolls royce airport transfers #wedding #car hire

[popentertainment-moviereviews]

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 (2023)

Starring Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Louis Mandylor, Elena Kampouris, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin, Maria Vacratsis, Elias Kacavas, Gerry Mendicino, Melina Kotselou, Elias Kacavas, Alexis Georgoulis, Stephanie Nur, Giannis Vasilottos, Anthi Andreopoulou           , Ektoras Kaloudis, Dimos Filippas, Stavroula Logothettis and Peter Tharos.

Screenplay by Nia Vardalos.

Directed by Nia Vardalos.

Distributed by Focus Features. 92 minutes. Rated PG-13.

Character actress Nia Vardalos sort of hit the lottery 21 years ago when her screenplay My Big Fat Greek Wedding – based on her large eccentric Greek family – caught the attention of producers Tom Hanks, his wife Rita Wilson and Gary Goetzman who agreed to fund her passion project. (Obviously you know who Hanks and wife Wilson are. And the film Licorice Pizza was loosely based on Goetzman’s young life.)

A sweet, goofy wedding comedy that was made on a shoestring budget of about $5 million, My Big Fat Greek Wedding became a surprise hit, taking in over $367 million.

Honestly, I didn’t see it in the cinema when it was out but was looking forward to reviewing it when it came out on DVD. Truthfully, I thought it was okay, but I was a little underwhelmed. It felt like a much less interesting take of a different family-based ethnic love story, Moonstruck. Eventually it became a bit obsessive about the wedding itself, which is always much more interesting to people getting married than the people surrounding them. I thought it was kind of cute but ultimately very forgettable. However, I do realize that I was in the minority because the film did surprisingly well and became a cult favorite.

And Vardalos has pretty much been living off it ever since.

This new film is Vardalos’ fourth return to the Big Fat Greek well, following a short-lived 2003 sitcom My Big Fat Greek Life and the 2016 sequel My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. Well actually, it’s the fifth return, if you count Vardalos’ 2009 comedy My Life in Ruins, which has an extremely similar story to My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, about a Greek American who returns to the homeland to try to find the meaning of her life. That one is just about similar characters with different names.

Honestly, since the first film none of the others has done particularly well. And, frankly, most people have pretty much forgotten the first film more than two decades on. So, is anyone really waiting for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 all these years later?

I kind of doubt it. At least I hope not, because they will be disappointed. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is even much worse than the original film. (I have to admit, I never saw the second film, so I can’t really comment on that one.)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 careens all over the place tonally, bouncing from silly comedy to wildly celebratory parties, from cliched romantic beats to not-so-dramatic life crises, from maudlin pathos to wacky family and neighbors. And I still don’t get the damned Windex references.

No one in the world – no matter how eccentric and how Greek they may be – is as over the top as nearly every single character in this film. I mean these people are bouncing off the ceilings, constantly in a state of wild emotional highs and lows.

However, Wedding 3 takes Toula (played by Vardalos, who wrote the screenplay and also directed) and her wacky family to Greece for a family reunion and also to deliver the diary of her late father (who was played in the other two films by Michael Constantine, who died in 2021) to his three childhood best friends.

Therefore Toula and her husband (John Corbett), decide to go, taking her now-college-aged daughter (Elena Kampouris) who is hiding the fact that she may be flunking out… yawn. Her grooming-obsessed brother (Louis Mandylor) and crazy aunts (Andrea Martin and Gia Carides), some cousins and probably a few other family members who I can’t even make myself remember, also come along for the ride.

However, her mom, played by the always delightful Lainie Kazan, barely makes an appearance here – and when she finally appears, it is done by Facetime – and then the screenplay drops yet a bit more unnecessary pathos on the storyline by suggesting that she may be suffering from dementia.

Once in Greece, they meet eccentric townspeople, distant relatives and uncover some “shocking” secrets of their dad’s life. But they can’t find the three friends, so Toula starts to melt down about letting her dad down. Eventually, they are found surprisingly easily. Toula goes on and on about how great it is that she found her dad’s three friends – but honestly her husband and her cousins really were the ones who found them. And even they basically just stumbled upon them.

Cue much celebration and yet another over-the-top Greek party scene.  

None of the dramatic reveals is particularly gripping, and much of the comedy falls way flat. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is loud and makes lots of big gestures, but mostly it doesn’t have all that much to say.

That said, Greece looks stunning. If nothing else, you can spend your time checking out the scenery.

Jay S. Jacobs

Copyright ©2023 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: September 8, 2023.

#My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 #2023 #Movie Review #Nia Vardalos #Jay S. Jacobs #Youtube

[crountry123]

wedding planning in los angeles

wedding planning in los angeles The cost of hiring a wedding planner in Los Angeles can vary widely depending on factors such as the planner's experience, services offered, the size and complexity of the wedding, and the specific needs of the couple. On average, wedding planner fees in Los Angeles can range from around $2,000 to $10,000 or more.

It's important to note that these are just average ranges, and actual costs can vary. Some high-end or luxury wedding planners in Los Angeles may charge more, while newer or less experienced planners might charge less. Additionally, some planners may offer customizable packages, allowing you to choose the services that best fit your needs and budget.

When considering hiring a wedding planner, it's a good idea to schedule consultations with a few different planners to discuss your vision, needs, and budget. This will help you get a better understanding of the services they offer and the associated costs. Be sure to ask about any additional fees, such as travel expenses, that might be applicable.

Keep in mind that these cost estimates are based on information available up to September 2021, and prices may have changed since then. It's recommended to do some research and reach out to local wedding planners in Los Angeles to get the most up-to-date and accurate pricing information.

TO KNOW MORE : 

Send an Email to  [email protected]

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#wedding

[yashallied]

UAE Event Services Market—Allied Market Research

The event service industry in the UAE is rapidly increasing, with a steady increase in popularity for both scheduled and unplanned events. A variety of services, such as strategy, preparation, budget plan, and growth, communication and also logistics, management of guests and also participation, event wedding food service, virtual or hybrid event that have made it possible for services, and location rental, to name a few, have significantly boosted the market.

Request To Sample :- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/21089

To fulfill the various needs of organizations such as companies, sports, education and learning, and others, the pool of services given catered to a diverse range of events such as music concerts, festivals, sports, events, conferences, company events, and seminars.

The high data connection and unified communications facilities in place, aided by the Government's Digital Change methods, are a significant factor propelling the expansion of the market for event services in the UAE, providing a variety of possibilities for market players.

Request To Customization:- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/21089

UAE event services market is segmented into Service, Event Type, End User and Organization. On the basis of service, the market is fragmented into strategy, planning, budget & development; communication & logistics; attendees management & engagement;  event catering; virtual or hybrid event enabler; location rental; and others. As per the event type, it is segregated into music concerts, festivals, sports, exhibitions & conferences, corporate events & seminar, and others. By end user, it is categorized into corporate, sports, education, entertainment, and others. According to organization, it is classified into small & medium enterprises, large enterprises, and government bodies & NGOs.

Key companies tracked in the report are, CN Media Events., Bright Events, Al Rostamani Events, Twofour54, Mawased, ADNEC Group, GEMS Events, Expo Centre Sharjah, Artal Events, DMG Events Dubai.

Purchase enquiry:- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/21089

Key Benefits For Stakeholders

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the event services market analysis from 2021 to 2031 to identify the prevailing event services market opportunities.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the event services market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

[mariacallous]

Italy is heading to the polls on Sunday for a snap general election.

A right-wing bloc -- consisting of the parties of Giorgia Meloni, Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi -- is on course to win, according to opinion polls.

1. This is Italy's first summer election campaign

A scan through all of Italy's general elections since the nation was created in 1861 shows that this is the first electoral season to have started in the middle of summer, as well as the first time Italians are heading to the polls in September.

August is usually a time of relaxation for Italians. The 15th of the month is Ferragosto, an ancient Roman festival turned Christian observance which is now a national holiday, and sees hordes of Italians flocking to the country's sprawling coastline.

As such, starting an election campaign in the middle of Italians' almost ritualistic descent to the beach is hardly opportune. This is a time when the only "ticket" people want to see is the ticket for the pedalo hire, not a political party. And this summertime apathy is looking like it might endure until election day: around 40% of the electorate is not planning on voting.

But there are more technical reasons why Italy never holds summertime elections. The budget for the following year is usually approved in September, and as such, it makes little sense to have a change of government around this time.

2. Four former prime ministers are running for office

Italian elections can often be summarised by the old wedding adage: "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue".

It often sees a mix of fresh-faced candidates and ghosts from the past, and this time around is no exception: there are four ex-prime ministers in the race.

The centre-left bloc's biggest force, the Democratic Party, is headed by Enrico Letta, a professor who had been formerly appointed as the technocratic head of a big-tent coalition government in 2013. His 10-month premiership ended as a result of scuffles inside his party, and he was succeeded in February 2014 by Matteo Renzi.

Renzi himself, while no longer a member of the Democratic Party, is running for PM again this year - this time, as a candidate of a considerably smaller centrist coalition called the Third Pole (Terzo Polo).

The Five Star Movement is also headed by a familiar face: Giuseppe Conte, a lawyer who presided over two coalition cabinets from 2018 to 2021 and led Italy through the first part of the COVID-19 pandemic. His downfall was triggered by ex-PM Matteo Renzi, who withdrew his support from the coalition and triggered a governmental crisis.

And lastly, Italy's longtime ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi has made a phoenix-like comeback as part of the right-wing coalition.

3. Italy has had 67 governments since the end of World War II

Italy is a country that is famed for its political instability, and so it comes as little surprise that it has seen 67 cabinets since the end of World War II.

That averages out to approximately one government every 13 months.

There is a multitude of reasons for the volatility of governments in Italy. Part of this is rooted in the country's ever-changing electoral laws.

Professor Daniele Pasquinucci, a historian at the University of Siena, told Euronews that the matter is complex and cannot be reduced to a single factor.

"I don't want to say this is a typically Italian problem," he noted, pointing out France's history of changing governments. "But it's rooted in various issues. The electoral systems Italy has can, in a certain context, provoke instability, as well as internal squabbles in parties."

4. Outgoing PM Mario Draghi was ousted by Giuseppe Conte - the same PM he had replaced

The labyrinthine world of Roman politics, politics can often be a game of tit-for-tat.

In January 2021 - deep in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis and just as the vaccination scheme was being rolled out - premier Giuseppe Conte was ousted after former PM Renzi withdrew his support from the coalition. 

Mario Draghi, nicknamed Super Mario for his acclaimed fiscal policies, was chosen and appointed as prime minister.

But come this July, Draghi found himself having to resign as a result of a government crisis triggered by none other than the aggrieved Five Star Movement leader, Conte, himself. 

The crisis emerged after disagreements on how economic aid funds should be spent and saw three of the government's coalition parties abstaining from a confidence vote.

5. Probable next PM Giorgia Meloni once described Mussolini as a 'good politician'

In a recently resurfaced interview with French TV from 1996, a 19-year-old Giorgia Meloni -- then a budding student activist -- can be seen describing Benito Mussolini as a "good politician"

Meloni, who leads the Brothers of Italy movement, has been widely criticised by her detractors for not shaking off the party's neo-fascist roots, even maintaining the tricolour flame symbol of the post-fascist Italian Social Movement.

In an interview with Euronews, Meloni aligned herself with conservatives such as the UK's Conservative Party, US Republicans, and Israel's Likud, and did not make any allusions to any neo-Fascist tendencies inside her party.

"Brothers of Italy is the party of the Italian Conservatives: we believe in individual freedom and the importance of the family, in the Italian, European and Western cultural identity, in private entrepreneurship and social solidarity," she stated. "We are a modern governmental right wing, which today in Italy governs 15 out of 20 regions."

She has also rejected the 'Eurosceptic' label - in response to her purportedly cavalier attitude towards Brussels - and instead prefers to be defined as a 'Eurorealist'.