I've learned to be careful when searching for "Prince Albert" images, because without adding extra words like "tobacco", "Victoria" or "royalty", those images might be distinctly NSFW.

(No problem here & just makes @dduane giggle, but in other situations such pics might be problematic. It's a piercing, and a knee-crossing, cringe-inducing one, at least for me. Enuff said.)

*****

Apparently this particular tobacco is still extant.

The name struck me as odd at first because I always think of "Prince Albert" as Queen Victoria's husband, the one whose early death put her into a decline that nearly put paid to the monarchy, and was AFAIK directly responsible - again via Vicky - for the entire era's adoption of OTT ostentatious mourning.

So, enter (brief) confusion, because the man on the tin ISN'T HIM.

*****

Per Wikipedia, that picture represents "Bertie" AKA Prince Albert Edward, AKA the Prince of Wales, AKA Edward VII, AKA "Tum-tum" and "Edward the Caresser" (these last two not used to his face).

The difference involves what's called a "regnal name", meaning what a king or queen chooses to be called when crowned, rather than how they're known to their family. Usually they choose the first name from the several they've been christened with, but not always.

Albert Edward / "Bertie" became Edward VII, and I've read some histories and biographies suggesting that was because he'd had Quite Enough Of Dear Albert during his mother's lifetime, especially since she blamed him for Dear Albert's demise.

Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David (!), known around the house as "David" became, briefly, Edward VIII before abdicating, and his brother Albert Frederick Arthur George - another "Bertie" - became George VI, but the most recent monarchs have gone with First Name On The List, being "Elizabeth" Alexandra Mary and "Charles" Philip Arthur George.

*****

The advert confusion, though quickly sorted, arose because Bertie / Edward's facial hair was a "full set" - a beard-tache combo - as here.

Albert, on the other hand, had a moustache and separate side-whiskers...

...which were memorably described by the fictional anti-hero, coward and reprobate Harry Flashman like so:

Given his reputation, that Albert would probably have disapproved of his likeness being used to sell tobacco.

Bertie, on the other hand, who smoked on average 20 cigs and 12 cigars a day, might have found it amusing, if perhaps a bit over-familiar.

He was apparently like that - This Far and no further, or else.

The problem lay in finding out what This Far was today (it varied depending on booze consumption, which could be considerable), and more importantly finding out beforehand, since finding out afterwards was too late...

Ravens in sync. (via @NatureIsAmazing at the Former Bird Place)

They fly in synch, too.

I don't know where this clip was shot, but we've seen Co Wicklow ravens from the demesne across the way do it more than once.

(And because I Am Silly, I think dubbing in a voice-over from a Red Arrows display would work better with that short video than it should...)

Then there's this:

Horse Handle Lapis Lazuli Dagger khanjar,

Persian, 19th Century CE.

The Al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait

Lapis lazuli handle, possibly genuine-Damascus blade - knowledge of how to make the real thing was already fading at the time this dagger was made - probably-koftgari gold embellishment, almost certainly hand-ground serrations...

This is a Quest Object or even a Blade of Plot Advancement. :->

Hi, fish - or maybe Haifisch.

Very annoy when this happens

Been there & done that SO OFTEN.

Twitter thread by Melissa Caruso about a labyrinthine magical bookstore in Syracuse, NY. Link to the first tweet in the thread; most pictures have image descriptions! Now here are the screenshots of that thread:

And then a hero of the labyrinthine magical bookstores of the world put all the bookstores that people listed in the replies on a map! (Google Maps link)

This place has the vibe of: I'm checking an empty suitcase on the flight I've booked to NY and I am coming home with nothing but books. If I don't make it back just tell them that I disappeared doing what I loved -- staring at thousands of books in awe, walking the labyrinth of knowledge with at least a stack of six books in my arms (why yes my wrists arent happy but shhh, books), and wondering if the owner would let me live there.

Attn. @dduane. A visit to Hay on Wye is overdue... :->

Also remembering, with affection, the used-book shop in Tempe AZ, USA, which we found when at Coppercon (and where I found some research material about US firetrucks for "The Longest Ladder") but which was gone by the time we were back in Tempe for the first US Discworld con.

socks are the primary producers of the laundry biome. they typically mate for life and come in a wide variety of patterns, though—unlike shoes, which many theorize to be a symbiotic species—they lack sexual dimorphism. juvenile socks resemble their parents, but have yet to develop the long necks that distinguish socks from other species of the extremity family, such as mittens

the lint trap is a fascinating example of a decomposer. it relies on the environment to bring food in the form of detritus, which it then breaks down into lint. lint traps have relatively long lives in comparison with other species (especially given the recent downward trends in lifespan, which are likely caused by a combination of genetic bottlenecks and poor nutrition). the lint trap has an unusual relationship with fire—some theorize that it uses fire as a tool to increase resource availability, while others believe that its frequent proximity to fire is due to environmental factors

the apex predator of the laundry biome is, of course, the dreaded duvet cover. duvet covers lead solitary lives, and are rarely seen socializing with one another. its preferred prey is socks, although it is an opportunistic eater and will prey upon much larger targets, such as t-shirts, leggings, and even sheets. aside from its large territory and antisocial nature, its behaviors are poorly known and highly controversial. one major theory is that the duvet cover is an ambush predator, lying in wait for its prey. another is that the duvet cover seeks out prey, using its superior size and large mouth to overwhelm its victims in a matter of seconds. a third, less popular supposition is that the duvet cover lures its victims to it by mimicking the laundry bag, a preferred shelter for many residents of the laundry biome. more research on this topic is necessary

seconds before a thunderstorm

From the blog: The Indisputable Joy of Things Arranged in Rainbow Order (featuring the book Encyclopedia of Rainbows)

“Some years ago, I was stuck on a crosstown bus in New York City during rush hour. Traffic was barely moving. The bus was filled with cold, tired people who were deeply irritated—with one another; with the rainy, sleety weather; with the world itself. Two men barked at each other about a shove that might or might not have been intentional. A pregnant woman got on, and nobody offered her a seat. Rage was in the air; no mercy would be found here.

But as the bus approached Seventh Avenue, the driver got on the intercom. “Folks,” he said, “I know you’ve had a rough day and you’re frustrated. I can’t do anything about the weather or traffic, but here’s what I can do. As each one of you gets off the bus, I will reach out my hand to you. As you walk by, drop your troubles into the palm of my hand, okay? Don’t take your problems home to your families tonight—just leave ‘em with me. My route goes right by the Hudson River, and when I drive by there later, I’ll open the window and throw your troubles in the water. Sound good?”

It was as if a spell had lifted. Everyone burst out laughing. Faces gleamed with surprised delight. People who’d been pretending for the past hour not to notice each other’s existence were suddenly grinning at each other like, is this guy serious?

Oh, he was serious.

At the next stop—just as promised—the driver reached out his hand, palm up, and waited. One by one, all the exiting commuters placed their hand just above his and mimed the gesture of dropping something into his palm. Some people laughed as they did this, some teared up—but everyone did it. The driver repeated the same lovely ritual at the next stop, too. And the next. All the way to the river.

We live in a hard world, my friends. Sometimes it’s extra difficult to be a human being. Sometimes you have a bad day. Sometimes you have a bad day that lasts for several years. You struggle and fail. You lose jobs, money, friends, faith, and love. You witness horrible events unfolding in the news, and you become fearful and withdrawn. There are times when everything seems cloaked in darkness. You long for the light but don’t know where to find it.

But what if you are the light? What if you’re the very agent of illumination that a dark situation begs for?

That’s what this bus driver taught me—that anyone can be the light, at any moment. This guy wasn’t some big power player. He wasn’t a spiritual leader. He wasn’t some media-savvy “influencer.” He was a bus driver—one of society’s most invisible workers. But he possessed real power, and he used it beautifully for our benefit.

When life feels especially grim, or when I feel particularly powerless in the face of the world’s troubles, I think of this man and ask myself, What can I do, right now, to be the light? Of course, I can’t personally end all wars, or solve global warming, or transform vexing people into entirely different creatures. I definitely can’t control traffic. But I do have some influence on everyone I brush up against, even if we never speak or learn each other’s name. How we behave matters because within human society everything is contagious—sadness and anger, yes, but also patience and generosity. Which means we all have more influence than we realize.

No matter who you are, or where you are, or how mundane or tough your situation may seem, I believe you can illuminate your world. In fact, I believe this is the only way the world will ever be illuminated—one bright act of grace at a time, all the way to the river.“

–Elizabeth Gilbert

I think it’s time this got another airing.

Hittite silver drinking cup in the shape of a fist. c. 1400-1380 BC. Central Turkey. Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

the best trope in media is: “characters turn on the lights, see the monster, and immediately turn the lights back off”

I can hear this image

Know what it is?

Ever used one?

I still HAVE one - and for a lot of tasks it's far more practical than a craft knife and a straight-edge.