Egyptomania: Ancient Egypt in Modern Culture

From its rediscovery in the early 1800s, Ancient Egypt has beguiled the modern world with its visually distinct and instantly recognizable cultural legacy. Georgian and Victorian artists wasted no time to appropriate its motifs, sometimes creating anachronistic and fanciful fusions of past and present that encapsulates the spirit of Egyptomania, if not always of Egypt itself. There is, for example, a lovely early 19th century French tea service, using hieroglyphs as artistic styling, but without any knowledge of the linguistics behind the symbols. A late Victorian illustration shows an impression of statues of Sekhmet at the Temple of Mut at Karnak. A portrait of Isis by Lily Moses. One artistic impression blends Egyptian pharaoh figures with chubby cherubs. Another painting pays tribute to Khonsu, a lesser-known deity also known as "The Traveler". There are early twentieth century cigarette ads that borrow Egyptian inspiration to emulate exotic sophistication. Gilt furniture that wouldn't look out of place in a temple. Many of the images are time capsules of fragmented past comprehension. Yes, they are flawed. But they are beautiful too. 

Members: 9.5k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Cultural Appropriation

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Actors, Actors, Actors! Wanted!

Do you need a new voice for your YouTube channel? A few faces to bring a music video to life? Collaborators on a student project? Are you keen to join a regional theatre company, but don't know where to start? Looking for an opportunity to intern as cinematographer on a film set? Or just want to put your skillset out there, in case someone might tap you for their latest project? Here's a hub for potentially making that extra-special connection that could take your career to the next level. Posts featured a diverse range of wish-lists and casting calls from different locations, although US and UK based projects dominate. Some productions make appeals for brand partners, investors or technical skills. There are also updates from members sharing recent successes and offers to help develop attention-grabbing showreels. Here and there workshops or coaching opportunities are on offer. This group is recommended interested in movies or theatre.

Members: 62.9k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

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DUBAI EXPATS

 If news media - particularly on YouTube is to be believed - then vibrant Dubai has become a ghost town ever since the current conflict in the Middle East began. But this Facebook Group, which functions as a support hub for foreigners living in Dubai or planning to come, presents a more complex image. One post of someone looking for a domestic worker still gets a fair amount of attention from hopefuls. There are listings for cars and apartments available for sale and rental. Particularly insightful was one thread with over a hundred comment on whether relocating to Dubai was still viable. Several commenters spoke of Dubai's culture of resilience and the general quality of living, while also expressing appreciation for the government's handling of the crisis. There are also practical threads for social get-togethers, tips for travelling to the United Emirates as a neurodiverse person or social media resources to help newcomers "make soft landings". One really important post highlighted the higher incidence of abandoned pets with the current tension in the Middle East, which places a tougher burden on animal rescues active in the region, and another made an appeal for human flight-buddies to help reunite pets being with families relocated abroad.

Members: 146.3k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

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A Garden Gnome's Advice Service

Many, many years ago, at the very dawn of this blog, I featured the Garden Gnome Liberation Front, a loose organization who famously stole garden gnomes, took them on holiday and very occasionally returned them to their garden domicile. Ah, those were far more innocent times, but perhaps we need the garden gnome far more now with his wholesome world view, his apple-cheeked smile, long white beard and distinctive red hat. The group showcases a wonderful variety of artwork by illustrators such as Tony Wolf, Cornelia Haendleer, Marie Laure Viriot, Mili Weber Polina Tsymbalova, Heinrich Schlitt, Margaret Winnifred Tarrant and Linda Lammers as well as an anonymous artist or two (who certainly deserve to have been remembered) featuring gnomes and fairies at work and play. One highlight is Italian artist Antonio Lupatelli's Tarot of Gnomes and Fairies, which is beautifully conceived. There is also a selection of photographs showing off gnome statues, as they can be viewed in the Polish city, Wrocław, doing everyday things such as playing cards or enjoying an ice cream. The city has over 800 gnome figures in total. If nothing else, the merry, whimsical nature of the gnome serves as an antidote to the doom and gloom permeating current world affairs. 

Members: 17.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

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House Gardening Hacks

With the first signs of spring arriving unfurling in the northern hemisphere, it's time to give your green space (if you're lucky enough to have one) a little tender loving care. And if you're looking to change things around, turn over a fresh leaf perhaps, this Facebook group has plenty of innovative hacks to incorporate into your gardening routine. You will for instance learn how to create an easy-to-harvest potato tower out of recycled milk crates or grow a selection of salad greens in a barrel. You can use old egg cartons to organize bulbs for a splendid flower path or use mason jars to protect vulnerable seedlings from late frost. Make organic fertilizer from banana peels or turn your herb garden into an attractive spiral feature spread across multiple tiers. Discover the best companion plants for your tomatoes and how adding a tiny hack to your bird bath will attract more feathered friends. Here and there, you will also find household tips and wellness insights.

Members: 215.3k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

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Work Memes

 Start your Monday with just a sprinkling of humor in your newsfeed. Clever puns about cops and robbers. A genius take on resume stuffing. There are Byzantian levels of ulterior motives that can be inserted into every moment and aspect of your work day. Various manifestations of stress. Wellness vs well, coffee. Mental challenges to keep your brain cells in motion. The juxtaposition between expectations and reality. Benefits debunked. Wry observations about work-life balance. Work related cat memes (why not?). The joys of anticipating a day off. Having worked weekends many years myself, it's great to see that weekend workers are also acknowledged. It's always great to see a massive Facebook Group (and this one is huge) that maintains its cohesion and identity - and the memes were enjoyable, mainly because they touch on so many aspects of work culture, with humor that feels authentic and makes you think. 

Members: 3.8 million, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

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The Giant Army of Tuxedo Cats

I said goodbye to a very special tuxedo lady just about three years ago, so to honor our sweet Beanie, I am visiting her tribe tonight. In case you're not a cat person, tuxedos are black-and-white, cats, found in any number of pattern variations. Pink noses. Black noses. Multi-colored toe beans. Mostly black. Half-half. You name it. One household had no fewer than four tuxedo, each with its own distinct pattern. And if this group is any indication, then many are the hobbies and interests of that great army of tuxedo cats. Naturally there would be at least one who stands in stern judgement of his human's woeful mismanagement of household affairs. There were goofballs, comedians and memes-in-training, as well as a tuxedo enjoying his spaghetti, and several tuxedos on outside patrol. One tuxedo boss had his own box - Yay! Whoa, wait, here's one with his very own miniature cardboard replica of a Costco warehouse - talk about bosses. But then, I guess nothing beats the elderly gent who had just celebrated his twenty-third birthday. Congratulations, dude! That's no small feat, for a feline. 

Members: 42.3k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

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