KhrysLo

Khrystyna • 26 • Ukraine I’m too lazy to create side blogs so this is the place where I keep everything I’m obsessed with

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

I’d like to say something and it’s from the bottom of my heart: I hate Bridgerton Season 2. I absolutely hate it. I waited so long for it and now I want to forget watching it.

[bobbiedebruyn]

Hate to be that person, but WW3 trend on TikTok is not funny at all, especially your stupid POVs. Because no, Jessica from Chicago, you won’t have to hide in the basement to avoid being nuked and no, Kyle from LA, you won’t get drafted to the front lines. 

You again missed the whole point and managed to make this situation all about yourself, so I’m going to assure your stupid ass - this war is not going to affect you in any way, but you know who it’s going to affect? Actual people from Ukraine, who are going to lose their lives and be displaced from their homes, just like for the past 8 years. 

So congratulations on your stupidity, because it’s not about “I need a way to cope 🥺🥺🥺”, it’s about you celebrating and making fun of other people’s death.

[swamp-cats-den]

All those takes 'oh it's Putin's war against Ukraine, the people hold no responsibility for it, the Russians and the Ukrainians are actually so close, that's so sad!' need to stop. They are, once again, repeating the imperialistic rhetoric Russia has always used against Ukraine. We are their 'younger brothers', but also 'khohly' who should just lie down and take whatever they give us, our culture is non-existent, but also the object of mockery, our language is not real, only they don't understand it and have been trying to destroy it for centuries banning publications and public use of Ukrainian. Being Ukrainian meant being an 'uneducated villager', and those are the views not of just the ruling elite but of many, many people in general.

And even being an anti-Putin Russian doesn't always equal being pro-Ukrainian. I remember watching the interview with IC3PEAK, a vocally anti-government Russian music band, and, of course, they were progressive in all their answers but one: what about Crimea? Their reaction was a typical 'it's a difficult question' bothsideism (maybe their position has changed ever since, I haven't checked). The beloved freedom-fighter Navalny has also said that Crimea is supposed to 'remain a part of Russia' and is not 'a sandwich to pass it back and forth'.

Thinking that invasion of Ukraine is just the decision of a delusional despot is a huge mistake. Ukrainophobia is a systematic issue and has been a part of the Russian policy since the very beginning. It is what let the current war happen, and the Russian people have to acknowledge it and take the responsibility for it.

[anoonimthepoorchad]

The war has not ended yet. This is not a trend or a new joke. It's an awful tragedy and it is serious. I should describe my experience and what my friends and relatives lived through:

- my classmate's house got destroyed in the bombing and she had to spend 5 days in the underground shelter before she managed to escaped with her family.

- my best friend had to evacuate twice since 24th of February. Twice.

- my classmate and friend got stuck abroad with an abusive family. Also, many ukrainians have been hopelessly stuck with abusive family members in this war.

- many of my classmates experience all of this for the second time in their lives. They have been victims of the russian aggression in 2014 and now they have to live through this once again.

- my parents are still not in a safe and calm place. Hell, we're AWFULLY LUCKY TO BE IN A SAFE PLACE OURSELVES.

Now, about more global news that noone seems to talk about here:

— since 24th of February russian troops harmed more than 840 children in Ukraine.

— in Kyiv, on the day before our escape, russia bombed the television tower and THE MEMORIAL OF HOLOCAUST VICTIMS. THIS IS THE MAIN HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL BECAUSE IN 1941 THERE WERE MURDERED MORE THAN 34000 JEWISH AND ROMANI PEOPLE, 752 PATIENTS OF THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL AND MANY OF THE UKRAINIAN RESISTANCE AND LITERATURE ICONS. Russia claims that we're the nazi ones but they bomb the memorials of the victims of nazism.

— We honor our dead heroes, while there were published documents of russian army, telling their troops to hide any names or passports of their soldiers. The dead ones will be buried together without names, burned on sight and destroyed to prevent leaking info about their losses in russia. They keep lying to their people while their dads, brothers, sons and lovers die here. Don't believe me? Here's the receipts:

— one of the captured russian bombers on a question "how are you able to murder innocent people by bombing civil houses?" answered that any place he bombs is just some coordinates for him. Not people, not children, not innocent civilians, just numbers he decides to wipe out.

— there were published documents that russian troops knew where they were going. The document says "people who agree to take part in war actions in foreign countries" (not "trainings" like they claim) and a list of signs from soldiers:

— my friends have been checking instagram for the accounts of russian soldiers. They found MANY MANY stories of the soldiers bragging how they were going to murder Ukrainians and using slurs against ukrainian people. They were taking pride in murdering civilians and the only thing that stopped them was death or being captured.

— AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON HOW RUSSIAN CIVILIANS WHINE ABOUT THE SANCTIONS. It's the price they pay for their silence. You can "oh, they're scared of being arrested on the protests" but MY PEOPLE DIED IN PROTESTS IN 2014. MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE SHOT AND MAULED BY THE POLICE FOR OUR FREEDOM AND PRIDE. Our people are giving birth in bomb shelters (i think 8 kids were born there already) and fighting armies with bare hands. And you can't handle life without spotify and avocado toast. Stop being pussies and go act at least to get your spotify back, not talking about power over your own fates, lives, deaths, country and government. You're not looking brave while you're silent. Redeem yourself, act. For every dead civilian and warrior of ours, I have no kindness or sympathy to you.

Also, those who will blame me for not having sympathy to people, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH. YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THROUGH A WAR. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE. THERE IS NO SYMPATHY FOR THE MURDERERS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO KILL YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. YOU CAN BE A PACIFIST FOR HOW LONG YOU WANT TO BUT WHILE YOU'RE STALLING, PEOPLE ARE BEING MURDERED.

— i don't think i have anything left to say. I feel numb. I feel tired and irritated. I feel angry.

Just, please, don't forget about Ukrainians. We're strong and brave and we deserve attention and respect.

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

Part 2&3 of ‘I’ve connected the two dots’ the Gilded Age edition

I don’t like the intro. Way too much is happening out there for my taste.

Butlers are the only sane people in this show.

One of these days ladies will gang up on Marian. She is walking on thin ice.

The tea party was pure comedy. Nobody is subtle and Agnes is one step from murder.

Marian: I wish I understood what brings you to New York. Me: Girl, are you blind?

I love the ‘we like riling Agnes up’ club.

Listen I have nothing against Marian but please spice her up a bit. I have like no interest in her as separate character apart from potential love triangle. So far she looks to be a Mary Sue dressed in historical clothes. Honestly, Julian, you can do better.

On the other hand, I’m really intrigued by Peggy. Her past is a total mystery. Frankly speaking I know nothing about America of that period so I cannot tie whatever happened to her to any real life events that would explain why she needs a lawyer. That is why my totally wild and uneducated guess is that she married someone in Pennsylvania against her father’s will and now she’s like ‘oh shit that was a mistake but I won’t admit it to him’. Yep that’s a cliché and dumb theory. I know.

Mrs. Chamberlain is another intriguing character. She is married or she was married. Oh I have a theory! She is a widow who married a very rich but old man who died soon and after his death she got herself a toy boy or whatever they called it in 19th century. That does sound scandalous enough to make Anges’ blood boil, doesn’t it?

I have a question about the dress worn by Carrie Astor in the last scene: what the heck? Did she lose a bet and has to wear this atrocity for a week?

I kind of respect Mrs. Astor. Is she a snob? Yeah. Is she a clever snob though? Hell yeah.

Raise your hand if you don’t trust Tom Raikes. *raises hand*

I mean… yeah I get it sex before marriage is a taboo so if you want to get some, you need to put a ring on it and blah blah blah but dude seems to be too hasty with proposal even for a horny teenager, let alone grownup gentleman.

Agnes is right about him, isn’t she? I bet he is an opportunist indeed. However, what can a middle class lawyer get from this marriage? Money? Nah, Marian is penniless and he knows it. Social status? Eh it isn’t of much use for him.

Unless she isn’t penniless after all. Remember they were talking about shares in railroad companies or something like that which he claims are worthless? What if they are actually worth a freaking fortune?!

Will it have something to do with the station George Russell is about to build? Maybe. IDK. It sounds reasonable now but we’ll see.

I still want to giggle every time George Russell is mentioned.

That freaking maid… She is too clever to seduce George just for the sake of seducing him.

Is she planning to become his mistress? Bitch please. Bertha will twist her neck.

Is she planning to blackmail him? Bitch please. George will twist her neck.

Someone wake Larry up.

Dude, remember that blond neighbour you were flirting with? Yeah it’s time to act. Now!

Give Gladys a sock and set her free.

I seriously try to look at it from 19th century perspective but boy oh boy.

Option #1: Oscar van Rhijn. Is he the worst thing that can happen to a young lady? *remembers what was said about late Mr. van Rhijn* Probably not.

Option #2: whatever her mother planned for her. That one sounds like Gladys is about to be shipped to England and search for a husband with a title. It worked for Cora from DA but a long time ago I’ve read about those American heiress who ended up totally miserable as a result of it so that sounds scary…

Option #3: the boy she mentioned. Archie? I cannot remember the name. Anyway, as Agnes van Rhijn said: ‘sounds dull enough to be respectable.’

I feel for John Adams who lies there imagining quiet life with Oscar and their three corgis while Oscar goes on and on about money and how wonderful Gladys is.

Marian gets on my nerves. Seriously, I get it: she’s strong, fearless, modern woman and all that stuff. But it’s 19th century higher society for Pete’s sake and Marian acts like a time traveler from 21st century. She seems to have no control over her mouth and just says the first thing that comes to her head. In the company of the family it might be sassy and endearing but with strangers she sounds really dumb.

Like how many times can she ask why they don’t include Mrs. Russell? Does she expect that if she asks it a hundred times, they’ll get tired and give up? I really struggle to understand this character.

On paper her lines are clever, in action though… She ain’t one and only dowager countess of Grantham. Sorry not sorry. She’s just too young and her position in society isn’t high enough for her to speak her mind so freely in public.

Ada still creeps me out at times but I felt really sorry for her.

However, it’s one more proof that Agnes sees right though people.

Peggy doesn’t deserve this shit. Period.

I should have seen it coming, right? Yet I didn’t. I was so happy for her and ugh. I hope when she becomes a famous novelist, she’ll write in one of her books something like ‘Dear assholes from The Christian Advocate, screw you!’

‘Do you think we should kneel?’ line aged well.

I naturally disliked Patrick and Anne Morris. They deserved punishment for their actions but daaaamn not like that. I didn’t expect this show to go so far.

How many brain cells does Anne have? Zero?

Somehow Aurora Fane pisses me off even more than Anne.

The boy toy theory… yep I was an idiot.

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

Also, the thing that I didn’t want to include into the previous post because it wasn’t showed yet but that bothers me is the potential Oscar and Gladys match. I know it sounds crazy and random but their descriptions from the website give me wild ideas.

A classic, innocent and lovely child of the rich who doesn't want a governess or for her mother to treat her as a child anymore—she yearns to be out in society meeting suitable young men. She doesn’t really know how her father made his money, and she doesn’t much care, but she is used to it and wouldn’t know what to do without it. She has an independent streak, but her defiance is no match for her mama. Her mother uses her as a tool for her own ambition and forces her toward socially advantageous situations.

Agnes van Rhijn's charismatic son. He's decided it's time to settle down and has become obsessed with money while on the lookout for a serious heiress who will allow him to live, as he would put it, properly. Smart, attractive, poised, charming and mischievous, he enjoys witty banter. He is one of the few who will stand up to his mother and will not listen to his mother’s advice which will cause her a good deal of frustration.

Am I reading too much into that? Probably.

However, if it is what I think it is, all I can say is GOD NO PLEASE NO.

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

The thing that I can’t really figure out is how old Gladys is. I know that the actress is 27 but the character is certainly younger. Cora from DA made a debut in 1888 at the age of 20. It was mentioned that it’s hight time for Gladys to debut into society but she looks like 14??! I’m confused.

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

Welcome to part 1 of ‘I’ve connected the two dots’ the Gilded Age edition. Basically, I decided to make this sort of post after each episode because I want to ramble about this show but I don’t know anyone who watches it too so I share my thoughts here instead. Fair notice to everyone: I most certainly suck at making predictions, I fully aware of it, later on I’ll be laughing at my own dumbness and you all are free to laugh at me too. Considering that I’m about to make some sort of conclusions after just one episode when we know next to nothing about the plot, it’s bound to end bad. That never stopped me though so let’s go.

I’m not sure whether I like Marian Brook as protagonist so far to be honest. She’s nice but a little bit bland. I got this feeling based on that scene with Agnes and Oscar that she’s supposed to have the wow factor but… nah? I just don’t see this sort of charisma in her. 

However, I absolutely adore Larry Russell. He’s this golden retriever kind of character. I just want to hug him and hurt everyone who hurts him. I’m curious how he’ll manage to work with his father because he doesn’t have this ruthlessness in him to conduct the business in the same way. I expect some sort of existenatial crisis to happen when Larry gets more familiar with the world outside of ‘greenhouse’ he was raised in.

Love triangle is coming, right? Or maybe even love square so to speak.

Marian and Larry make almost too much sense for me. IMO they would be ideal end game. It’s not important that she is technically poor because his family is so damn rich that money are not an issue for them. If they end up together, her family would have to accept his family into society. It would be sort of win-win situation. She gets financial security, he gets status. Also, both of them seem to be too naïve for their own good. They think they know life but they don’t know shit. So I expect it to be used against them and cause all sort of drama.

I slightly dislike Tom Raikes. Please don’t @ me. I have no objective reason. It’s just a gut feeling that he will cause the drama mentioned above.

Another source of drama can and will be Bertha Russell. Maaaan, that promise to make everyone who rejects her regret it one day will cause lots of tears. And I fear that it’s the innocent ones who will be crying the most.

Speaking of innocent. Gladys Russell must be protected at all cost and I have a feeling she’ll need that.

Agnes van Rhijn is a mood. I really don’t want to make any comparisons with Downtown Abbey and bring up Dowager Countess of Grantham so I’ll just say this: Julian Fellowes sure does know how to write sassy characters. I love Agnes and how everyone seems to be terrified of her. I also appreciate that even though she’s The Bitch™, she is nice to Peggy and recognises her cleverness and talent.

Ada Brook is weird. She creeps me out. That’s it. I said it. I’m not sure whether it was intended or the acting is to blame here.

As much as I like watching glitter, glitz and petty fights, I’m really curious about Peggy Scott plotline. I think that there’s a lot of potential.

Also, Peggy’s mom saying ‘I’m your mother, I’m allowed to give you money’ is such heartwarming moment. It reminded me of my mom who gives me food so I don’t need to cook and my granny who puts money in my pocket and whispers that it’s for me to buy candies every time I visit her. Mothers being mothers no matter what era you live in.

I’m F1 fan so I couldn’t help myself giggling every time George Russell was mentioned.

Screw Bertha’s maid. Me and my homies hate her.

Was that corset comment truly necessary?!

As usual the visuals are gorgeous. I just love love looove watching period dramas and this one is an eye candy. I’m not an expert on historical costumes and I’m sure there are screw ups here and there but overall I think it does the job. It looks great to me. Although, jewellery occasionally looks kinda cheap.

Ahh that’s it. I think that I said everything that I wanted to. I’d like to chat with others so pretty please share your thoughts about the show.

Have a nice day ☺️

[redrum-my-dear]

The Gilded Age, S1E1

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

Edwina: Explain to me how you guys got into an accident.

Kate: Well we were driving and there was a deer on the road and Anthony didn’t notice it so I said “Anthony, deer!”

Kate: Tell her what you said.

Anthony:

Anthony: [sighing] "Yes, honey?"

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

Anthony: You think I enjoy being a mother hen to you all?

Benedict:

Colin:

Daphne:

Eloise:

Francesca:

Gregory:

Hyacinth:

Anthony: Ok fine, it’s like crack to me.

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

Kate: [breathes]

Anthony: EVERYONE SHUT UP SHE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY AND IT’S I M P O R T A N T

[songs-of-the-east]

Malanka. Photographed by Brenden Hoffman.

“IN THE SMALL Ukrainian town of Krasnoilsk, just a few miles north of the Romanian border, everyone is pitching in to make painstaking, yet festive, preparations. It’s January 13, and in keeping with the Julian calendar, it’s New Year’s Eve. That means it’s also the holiday called Malanka. But Malanka is much more than a New Year’s party—it’s one of the oldest, happiest, most vibrant days of the year in Ukrainian culture.

By nightfall, villagers bedecked in elaborate homemade costumes depicting bears, goats, nurses, and gypsies will parade from house to house singing carols, acting out skits, and pulling practical jokes. Through the night and well into the next day, the entire village will turn out to celebrate—preparing feasts, sewing each other into costumes, and reveling in a shared history.

“I don’t know when Malanka appeared,” says Dmytro Dragun, “before Jesus or after.” Dragun’s sentiment is shared by locals and historians alike. Malanka is a celebration so deeply embedded in Ukrainian identity and culture that no one is quite sure exactly where it came from or how old it is. The name refers to a character in ancient folklore: Malanka was Mother Earth’s daughter, she was kidnapped by the Devil, and there was no spring during her captivity. Upon Malanka’s return, the Earth bloomed once more. And so, the festival celebrates both the new year and the impending arrival of spring.

In the 20th century, the holiday came to mean even more. As the Soviet Union aimed to assimilate all previously independent countries into a singular culture, the subsumed people tried to hang on to their identities.  

“In Soviet times, you could go to prison for celebrating Malanka,” remembers Mykola Savchuk.. “It was a big hazard, but we celebrated anyway.“ Even in recent years, as Ukraine struggles with inner conflict as well as hostility with Russia, Malanka has become a symbol of unity, of Ukrainian steadfastness.

“It’s in our blood; it’s tradition,” says Ilya Iliuts. “Malanka brings everybody together. If two people are having an argument, they become friends again during Malanka.

“When surveying the costumed crowds, it’s hard to imagine how Savchuk and his friends got away with celebrating such a lavish occasion. The air is full of raucous music and the scent of meals being cooked. The revelers wear  masks and  layers of colorful clothing. Some of the bear costumes are so enormous and stacked with decorations that the wearers have to be sewn into them.

While the fragile costumes often don’t last the next year, the tradition does. And it stays in the hearts of Ukrainians who move away, but still return for Malanka. 

.“Everybody’s coming from abroad for Malanka,” says Olena Istratii. “It’s a very big holiday. My mother, my grandmother, and my great-grandmother did it too. We will do everything we can so the tradition will not disappear.”

- Melody Rowell

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

Daphne: What do the words “take out” mean to you?

Colin: Food.

Anthony: Hitman.

Benedict: Date.

Eloise: All three if you’re not a coward.

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

Anthony: I told Colin his ears turn red when he lies and now I can tell when he is lying.

Benedict: What? How?

Anthony: Watch this. Colin do you like Penelope?

Colin: [covering his ears] N-no!

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

Sophie: Who's the more clingy one?

Anthony: [sitting behind Kate, arms wrapped around her and face buried in the crook of her neck]

Anthony: Kate is, obviously.

[uhyeahmaybenoidk]

Please tell me I’m not the only one who waits for the premier of The Gilded Age. I just can’t wait anymore!