Neil Gaiman Reads 'A Christmas Carol'

Illustration for "The Children's Dickens: Stories selected from various tales" (1909) London: Henry Frowde and Hodder and Stoughton by Gilbert Scott Wright (24 July 1880 – 1958). This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1928.

109 Years Ago Today: Ambrose Bierce Disappears

December 16, 1913: Ambrose Bierce writes to his literary secretary, “I am going to Mexico with a pretty definite purpose which is not at present discloseable. If you hear of my being stood up against a Mexican stone wall and shot to rags, please know that I think that’s a pretty good way to depart this life. It beats old age, disease, or falling down cellar stairs. To be a Gringo in Mexico–ah, that is euthanasia!” 

Neither Bierce’s literary secretary nor any of his other acquaintances ever heard from him again after this letter. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/663536.The_Devil_s_Dictionary

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My Goodreads Reading Challenge 2022

 

Art Matters is one of the signed copies of books Tit and I picked up when we saw Neil Gaiman in person.

The book with "No image available" is this one.

102 Years Ago Today: The Gipper Passes On

December 14, 1920: George “The Gipper” Gipp, legendary Notre Dame football player, dies of strep throat and pneumonia in St. Joseph Hospital (then in South Bend, now located in Mishawaka). He is 25 years old. 

George Gipp is buried in his native Michigan, but an often-told legend around the Notre Dame campus is that Gipp's ghost haunts the old theater building, Washington Hall. According to the legend, when Gipp missed curfew and got locked out of his dorm building, he would sleep outside Washington Hall. 

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George Gipp "Gipper" Illustration Tribute by BHB Lange after the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football player's death on December 14, 1920. Scholastic, vol. LIV, no 12, January 15, 1921, pg 209: BHB Lange drawing tribute to football player George Gipp after his death December 14, 1920. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1928.

New Victorian Christmas Horror Story from There Might Be Cupcakes Podcast 2022

 

Find Carla’s short story “Holly Jolly Christmas” in Antimony and Elder Lace Press book Monsters Vol. 1 - preorder for $4.50 

Or follow Carla on Patreon and the cost of your book is included in your Patreon subscription.

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December 10th is the birthday of poet Emily Dickinson, born in 1830.

Lo-Fi Grunge Emily Dickinson Bubble-free Stickers

45 Years Ago Today: The Punch

December 9, 1977: In the NBA, the L.A. Lakers play the Houston Rockets. At the beginning of the second half of the game, Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Rocket Kevin Kunnert scuffle over a rebound. In the scuffle, Kunnert elbows Abdul-Jabbar’s teammate Kermit Washington. Washington punches Kunnert in the head. 

Kunnert’s teammate Rudy Tomjanovich runs over, intending to help break up the fight. Washington takes a swing at Tomjanovich, striking him in just such a way that fractures his skull. Tomjanovich falls to the court, unconscious and bleeding, although he quickly recovers and, apparently due to a rush of adrenaline, walks around the court in a seemingly aggressive manner. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75650.The_Punch

Tomjanovich doesn’t know it yet, but in addition to a broken jaw and nose, he has a fracture near the base of his skull leaking cerebrospinal fluid. He has to be rushed to the emergency room and given emergency surgery, since this is a life-threatening skull fracture. Tomjanovich requires five months of physical recovery before he can play again. 

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My Tumblr Year in Review 2022

 

My Top Tumblr Tags 2022

1. #books - 1,076 posts
2. #the simpsons - 602 posts
3. #cats - 382 posts
4. #reading - 321 posts
5. #art - 276 posts
6. #poetry - 263 posts
7. #artists on tumblr - 260 posts
8. #style - 225 posts
9. #mcu - 218 posts
10. #shakespeare - 217 posts

My Spotify Wrapped 2022

What music have I been listening to in 2022?

These were my top podcasts:

You know me and conspiracy theories: I find them fascinating as a kind of contemporary folklore. Although, I have to admit, they used to be a lot more fun before they were weaponized in U.S. politics, and before antiSemites like Kanye West felt emboldened to spew their hate in public.

I made a conscious effort to branch out and listen to a variety of new artists in 2022, yet somehow I still ended up listening to more minutes of Lady Gaga than anyone else.

In the comments, share what surprised you the most about your 2022 listening habits!

And now, because I happen to be in between day jobs at the moment of this update, please enjoy the following affiliate audiobook link.