I think we all need some happy Friday links this week.
Good news!!! Hillary Clinton to launch political group as soon as next week
Also! You can now buy a new story by Rainbow Rowell and help the ACLU!
This is a fun interview (by Andrew Rannells!) and your Friday could probably be improved by looking at his face: Matt Bomer: The King of Summer TV
What the world needs now: Dorie Greenspan Gets a New York Times Magazine Column and It’s All About Dessert
I assume you want to see Justin Trudeau dressed as a firefighter (kinda).
In Praise of Agatha Christie's Accidental Sleuths
This is GREAT for those of us who like poring over genealogical tables in history books: Royally Connected
Speaking of, Princess Charlotte had her birthday this week and she's very cute.
The Most Ridiculous Jeans Styles of the Year, Ranked
Let's go! New 'Downton Abbey' Exhibit Lets You Walk Through Mrs. Patmore's Kitchen and More
Friday, May 5, 2017
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Afternoon Tea (5/4/17)
'Girls on Fire' author Robin Wasserman sees parallels between '90s and today in politics and women's empowerment
That Solo Travel Blogger? She Just Wants a Vacation (I would read a million novels about the secret lives of various kinds of social media celebrities.)
I'm not sure this is TRUE but I found it comforting, as I DO keep reading books I hate: Why You Should Read Books You Hate
The Murder of Colonel Dooly Of Georgia: A Revolutionary War Mystery
Pushing the envelope: Siam’s stunning stamps
That Solo Travel Blogger? She Just Wants a Vacation (I would read a million novels about the secret lives of various kinds of social media celebrities.)
I'm not sure this is TRUE but I found it comforting, as I DO keep reading books I hate: Why You Should Read Books You Hate
The Murder of Colonel Dooly Of Georgia: A Revolutionary War Mystery
Pushing the envelope: Siam’s stunning stamps
Morning Coffee (5/4/17)
Last night Twitter was full of rumors that someone had died, because Buckingham Palace called an emergency staff meeting, so I'm relieved to find the news is no more tragic than the retirement of a very elderly man: Prince Philip to step down from carrying out royal engagements
This is (among the reasons) why Trump being buddy-buddy with Russia is a big deal: Chechnya’s Anti-Gay Pogrom
U.N. Documents Syrian War Crimes, but Prosecution Moves Slowly
Sigh. Of course he is: Trump Is Expected to Relax Tax Rules on Churches Endorsing Political Candidates
The US Department of Justice is literally prosecuting a woman for laughing at Jeff Sessions
I'd forgotten about this but OF COURSE: Ivanka Trump Was In Gossip Girl Because Of Course She Was
How Ingrained Is Sexism in Silicon Valley? Ask the Women Trying to Get Funding
America's First Offshore Wind Farm Shutters Diesel Power Plant
Off with their heads: 3D scans reveal Lord Nelson and PM Pitt's secrets
Oh, interesting: Amazon expands its literary horizons, making big imprint in translation niche
This is (among the reasons) why Trump being buddy-buddy with Russia is a big deal: Chechnya’s Anti-Gay Pogrom
U.N. Documents Syrian War Crimes, but Prosecution Moves Slowly
Sigh. Of course he is: Trump Is Expected to Relax Tax Rules on Churches Endorsing Political Candidates
The US Department of Justice is literally prosecuting a woman for laughing at Jeff Sessions
I'd forgotten about this but OF COURSE: Ivanka Trump Was In Gossip Girl Because Of Course She Was
How Ingrained Is Sexism in Silicon Valley? Ask the Women Trying to Get Funding
America's First Offshore Wind Farm Shutters Diesel Power Plant
Off with their heads: 3D scans reveal Lord Nelson and PM Pitt's secrets
Oh, interesting: Amazon expands its literary horizons, making big imprint in translation niche
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Afternoon Tea (5/3/17)
Morning Coffee (5/3/17)
David Remnick is always worth reading: A Hundred Days of Trump
As is Masha Gessen: The Real Madman
How Trump Could Get Fired
The House Mother & the Fraudster: The Convicted Con Artist of the Winter White House
Donald Trump Doesn't Know Why the Civil War Began. Most Americans Don't Know How It Ended.
A Woman’s Death Sorting Grapes Exposes Italy’s ‘Slavery’
The Worrisome Reporting on Aaron Hernandez's Sexuality
How the techniques of 19th-century fake news tell us why we fall for it today
God bless Norway: The ultimate slow TV: a 168-hour show on reindeer migration
Heh: I Am a Tinder Guy Holding a Fish and I Will Provide for You (No seriously. STOP WITH THE FISH.)
As is Masha Gessen: The Real Madman
How Trump Could Get Fired
The House Mother & the Fraudster: The Convicted Con Artist of the Winter White House
Donald Trump Doesn't Know Why the Civil War Began. Most Americans Don't Know How It Ended.
A Woman’s Death Sorting Grapes Exposes Italy’s ‘Slavery’
The Worrisome Reporting on Aaron Hernandez's Sexuality
How the techniques of 19th-century fake news tell us why we fall for it today
God bless Norway: The ultimate slow TV: a 168-hour show on reindeer migration
Heh: I Am a Tinder Guy Holding a Fish and I Will Provide for You (No seriously. STOP WITH THE FISH.)
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Afternoon Tea (5/2/17)
The U.S. Gymnastics System Wanted More Medals, And Created A Culture Of Abuse To Get Them
Whoa: Found: The Hoof of Napoleon’s Horse, Hiding in a Cottage Drawer in England
Transylvania Cave Offers a View Into Europe's Past Climate
The Professor and the Jihadi
One of the Earliest Industrial Spies Was a French Missionary Stationed in China
Whoa: Found: The Hoof of Napoleon’s Horse, Hiding in a Cottage Drawer in England
Transylvania Cave Offers a View Into Europe's Past Climate
The Professor and the Jihadi
One of the Earliest Industrial Spies Was a French Missionary Stationed in China
Morning Coffee (5/2/17)
Strike averted! Writers Guild Of America Reaches A Tentative Deal With Studios
Wilbur Ross Says Syria Missile Strike Was ‘After-Dinner Entertainment’ at Mar-a-Lago
Fact Check: Could Andrew Jackson Have Stopped The Civil War, As Trump Said?
Trump’s Volatility in Asia Distresses a Longtime U.S. Ally: Australia
Tunisia’s Truth-Telling Renews a Revolution’s Promise, Painfully
How factions in South Sudan’s war took shape on British campuses
Congressional Credentialing Committee Deals Breitbart A Devastating Rebuke
Interesting: Ryan Seacrest Tapped as Kelly Ripa’s Permanent Co-Host on ‘Live’
The Company Behind "The National Enquirer" Just Bought "Us Weekly" — Here's Why That Matters
I Grew Up In A Fundamentalist Cult — ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Was My Reality
Wilbur Ross Says Syria Missile Strike Was ‘After-Dinner Entertainment’ at Mar-a-Lago
Fact Check: Could Andrew Jackson Have Stopped The Civil War, As Trump Said?
Trump’s Volatility in Asia Distresses a Longtime U.S. Ally: Australia
Tunisia’s Truth-Telling Renews a Revolution’s Promise, Painfully
How factions in South Sudan’s war took shape on British campuses
Congressional Credentialing Committee Deals Breitbart A Devastating Rebuke
Interesting: Ryan Seacrest Tapped as Kelly Ripa’s Permanent Co-Host on ‘Live’
The Company Behind "The National Enquirer" Just Bought "Us Weekly" — Here's Why That Matters
I Grew Up In A Fundamentalist Cult — ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Was My Reality
Monday, May 1, 2017
Afternoon Tea (5/1/17)
Fandom Tea: Game of Thrones Sampler (Part II)
As I mentioned in the previous post in this series, Adagio sent me some free fandom-themed tea to review. You can read post one, which includes some general thoughts on the packaging, etc., right here.
One of the items I picked was this Game of Thrones sampler. I liked the art and the flavors sounded interesting - lots of spice. The six tins came together in a cardboard box that was also decorated with the art for each flavor along with a general banner, as you can see here with my House Stark mug:
I really like the way the art incorporates the description of each flavor - not all of the fans who make the blends choose to do that, but it's helpful not to have to go look up what's in what. As you can see, I opened these all up and sniffed them; they were all pleasant and all spicy, as the descriptions suggest. I took the picture with the tins partially open so you can see how each tea looks different, which is good - who wants a sampler that's all similar? - and I was surprised by how different the different teas tasted. I'd been worried that they'd all just taste like spice, but they were quite distinct. The way the flavors and art adhere cohesively to thematic elements would make this sampler a nice gift for the Game of Thrones fan in your life who already has all the standard merch.
And now some specific thoughts on two houses and one dragon:
Stark Winterbrew - I love how smoky the scent of this one is, but unfortunately I didn't taste the smoke very much. It is dark and strong, as Stark winter tea should be. It could use some more spice, though - the flavor was a bit flatter than the others.
Lannister Royal Tea - This one gets extra points for the pun, obviously. It's very smooth - the almond helps there - and the spice is more of an undercurrent, as seems appropriate for a refined court tea. (Murdery and incestuous, I guess, but refined.)
Rhaegal's Fire - This is a green tea, but honestly just read as "pleasantly spicy" to me. As a dragon tea should be! The green-ness does make it a bit lighter, which is nice, and as I'm not a huge green tea fan in general I was just as happy that that taste was not dominant.
Next time: Detective teas!
One of the items I picked was this Game of Thrones sampler. I liked the art and the flavors sounded interesting - lots of spice. The six tins came together in a cardboard box that was also decorated with the art for each flavor along with a general banner, as you can see here with my House Stark mug:
I really like the way the art incorporates the description of each flavor - not all of the fans who make the blends choose to do that, but it's helpful not to have to go look up what's in what. As you can see, I opened these all up and sniffed them; they were all pleasant and all spicy, as the descriptions suggest. I took the picture with the tins partially open so you can see how each tea looks different, which is good - who wants a sampler that's all similar? - and I was surprised by how different the different teas tasted. I'd been worried that they'd all just taste like spice, but they were quite distinct. The way the flavors and art adhere cohesively to thematic elements would make this sampler a nice gift for the Game of Thrones fan in your life who already has all the standard merch.
And now some specific thoughts on two houses and one dragon:
Stark Winterbrew - I love how smoky the scent of this one is, but unfortunately I didn't taste the smoke very much. It is dark and strong, as Stark winter tea should be. It could use some more spice, though - the flavor was a bit flatter than the others.
Lannister Royal Tea - This one gets extra points for the pun, obviously. It's very smooth - the almond helps there - and the spice is more of an undercurrent, as seems appropriate for a refined court tea. (Murdery and incestuous, I guess, but refined.)
Rhaegal's Fire - This is a green tea, but honestly just read as "pleasantly spicy" to me. As a dragon tea should be! The green-ness does make it a bit lighter, which is nice, and as I'm not a huge green tea fan in general I was just as happy that that taste was not dominant.
Next time: Detective teas!
Morning Coffee (5/1/17)
Me elsewhere: TV news for the week.
How Modern Tyrants Use Terror Management to Consolidate Power
Foes on the Run as Erdogan Makes Power Personal
The Lessons of the Chibok Kidnappings, Three Years Later
Brexit and Britain’s delusions of empire
The ‘Goddess’ Yi Wan Ka: Ivanka Trump Is a Hit in China
This whole saga is amazing. (The last sentence is the best.) I Worked at Fyre Festival. It Was Always Going to Be a Disaster.
Ahahahahaha: Fyre Festival Head Billy McFarland: 'We Were a Little Naive'
Of... course he is: James Patterson is writing a true crime book about Aaron Hernandez
This sounds cool: Game of Thrones language class coming to UC Berkeley this summer
How Modern Tyrants Use Terror Management to Consolidate Power
Foes on the Run as Erdogan Makes Power Personal
The Lessons of the Chibok Kidnappings, Three Years Later
Brexit and Britain’s delusions of empire
The ‘Goddess’ Yi Wan Ka: Ivanka Trump Is a Hit in China
This whole saga is amazing. (The last sentence is the best.) I Worked at Fyre Festival. It Was Always Going to Be a Disaster.
Ahahahahaha: Fyre Festival Head Billy McFarland: 'We Were a Little Naive'
Of... course he is: James Patterson is writing a true crime book about Aaron Hernandez
This sounds cool: Game of Thrones language class coming to UC Berkeley this summer
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