vanishing london: the Topographical Society laments and documents changes to the city—1900 to 1939
a murder of crows: a captivating thread about accidentally creating a fiercely loyal avian regimen
kaitenzushi: a 1948 proposal to move diners from course to course
genius loci: an investigation into the character Tom Bombadil from the Middle Earth legendarium
forwarding address: moving a Victorian mansion in San Francisco
Marking the end of a nine-day festival honouring familial ancestors called Parentalia (dies parentales, ancestral days), as historian and poet Ovid records in his book on Fasti, Romans across the Empire were prohibited in worship of the gods and instead were to visit the tombs of their departed and lay wreaths and leave offers of violets, salt and wine-soaked bread. 
More elaborate votives were permitted but this was sufficient to appease the spirits and the practice was strictly enforced, lest Rome return to a time when Ferฤlia was neglected and restless ghosts haunted the streets. As with most Roman holidays, observance was mostly a domestic, private affair and what public rites were held are an obscured and confused accounting, the only surviving description involving a drunk woman holding seven black beans (see also) in her mouth and lighting incense over the grave of a mouse, and sewing shut the mouth of a fish—then proclaiming, “Hostiles linguas inimicaque uinximus ora,” I have gagged spiteful tongues and muzzled unfriendly mouths.
gerontologists hate them: two Florida women disguise themselves as “grannies” hoping to get vaccinated sooner—via the New Shelton/Wet-Dry
the sleeping sharks of isla mujeres: Jaws-inspired speedo-fest that’s a favourite of Quentin Tarantino
orchestral manoeuvres in the dark: thirty-five years on, the soundtrack to Pretty in Pink is timeless
a searchlight productions: find actors, colours, objects in movies—try kitten, fox or cheese, via Waxy
a working-class hero is something to be: an obsessive photographic provenance of every figure featured on the Sgt Pepper’s album cover—see also here and here
it gettu betur each time you watch the clip: gentleman on Icelandic quiz show responds poorly to losing ruling against his answer
covax, co-pay: prices per vaccine paid globally varies widely, often not representative of purchasing-power
We especially liked the icons for sumo wrestling (็ธๆฒ) and udon (wheat flour noodles, ใใฉใ) Some are even animated to convey the ritual relaxation of bathing at an onsen (see previously). Much more to explore at the links above and at the Experience Japan project website.
