Winter Solstice

Yesterday it was also Winter Solstice and the first day of winter.

 

The Fourth Sunday Of Advent

It's time to rejoice:

 Now we return to December and Christmastide, when during the darkest days, we rejoice in the promise of the one true Light who has come into the world. This great wonder is pondered each year across the 12 days of Christmas, from Dec. 25 through Epiphany on Jan. 6.

Before this great feast arrives, however, there is a great season of preparation. Advent is not just for baking, caroling or gift-giving, but also for holding back the fullness of Christmas joy until the Nativity itself.

Including the recipe for mincemeat pies;)

What Is Your Favourite Bible Version?

KJV, NKJV, NIV, ESV, NLT, NASB, Douay-Rheims? And why? What about the original manuscripts? TR vs CT vs Majority? 

The Importance Of Exercise

 I hope you haven't forgotten to exercise today:

Back in 2016, an international team of researchers reported that leisure-time physical activity was associated with lower risk for many types of cancer—and this held regardless of body size or smoking history. More recently, a 2025 study of more than 85,000 adults in the United Kingdom found that people with the highest level of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity had a 26% lower risk for cancer compared to those with the least. People who engaged in light activity (such as household chores), had higher daily step counts or substituted an hour a day of sedentary time with physical activity also saw benefits. Another UK Biobank study found that even brief bursts of vigorous activity totaling less than five minutes a day reduced cancer incidence among people who did not exercise regularly.

Do We Shower Too Much?

 That's an interesting topic;)

The case for showering less

Overcleaning your body is probably not a compelling health issue. Yes, you could be making your skin drier than it would be with less frequent showering. This is not a public health menace. However, daily showers do not improve your health, could cause skin problems or other health issues — and, importantly, they waste a lot of water. Also, the oils, perfumes, and other additives in shampoos, conditioners, and soaps may cause problems of their own, such as allergic reactions (not to mention their cost).

Thoughts?

The Magnificent Century Season 2

A review. 

Well, it did take me a long time to finally finish watching it, but keep in mind it is 39 double episodes. It starts with Leo's murder/suicide and ends with the iconic scene of the triumph of Hurrem. Because it's so long it's difficult to write a short review. I guess it could be summed up in a couple of sentences like this: A group of evil murderous psychopaths is trying to get rid of another group of evil murderous psychopaths by all means possible, with some characters changing their allegiance in the process. The stage is being set for the final power struggle which will take place in the last season.

All the characters who were more or less sympathetic in Season 1 change for the worse. By the end of the season there are few of them who never shed innocent blood. Basically, it's Prince Mustafa, his aunt Hatice-sultan and strangely enough, his mother Mahidevran (but not for the lack of trying). Mustafa is basically too good for this world (as someone pointed out in comments, he even sleeps with women out of pity) which will ultimately bring his downfall in Season 4. As for Hatice, I guess she just really didn't have it in her. She is literally the epitome of a pampered, sheltered, spoiled royalty (I am the DYNASTY! You serve ME;)

The story goes as follows. After her ex-boyfriend Leo's death, Hurrem is obsessed with taking revenge on Ibrahim, who is by now the 1st minister. For this purpose, she starts visiting an astrologist and black magician who gives her deadly poison. In the meanwhile, Sultan Suleiman is falling for Princess Isabella of Castile who is kidnapped by a pirate while sailing to meet her fiance and consequently sold to him. Her disappearance is one of the riddles of the series. What did really happen to her? Did Hurrem have her killed or just exiled? My bet is she was murdered, btw.

Ibrahim survives the attempt on his life but there is a conspiracy brewing against him led by the mysterious figure called "His Holiness" (or Master Lord in another translation). At the same time Hurrem realises that her position as the chief consort is really shaky and does her best to trick Suleiman into marrying her, with success. This and Isabella's disappearance finally turn Suleiman's mother (also known as Valide or Royal Mother) firmly against her. The power struggle between them will continue for years.

After the wedding takes place, Mahi goes into exile together with her son. When she returns, Mustafa is basically an adult and she decides to choose a concubine for him. Little does she know, that the girl she chooses is Hurrem's spy and a would-be assassin. Ibrahim, in the meanwhile, is banging his best friend's wife Nigar while telling his own wife Hatice that his frequent absence at night is due to the "state business"...

There are several other subplots but that's about it. From what I read, when the show just came out, it was widely criticised by conservative elements in Turkey for its licentiousness. A big part of action takes place in a br8thel. This br8thel is basically visited by everyone (Bali bey practically lives there:), including eunuchs (except Suleiman, that is). Eunuchs and Nigar's husband Nasuh efendi basically just go there to get drunk (that's where Nasuh spends his wedding night, btw). It's mostly called "a tavern" but some translations just called it what it is which makes for some funny dialogue between Hatice and Nasuh:

"Why did my husband and you keep visiting the br8thel?"

"To discuss state business." 

"So you only went to the br8thel because of state affairs?"

"Yes, m'lady, why else?"

Nasuh efendi in real life was a poet, a scientist and a very important historical figure but the show depicts him as an unlucky alcoholic who will try to pass Ibrahim's child as his own in the end. I heard that his family who are still around tried to sue the producers and I sympathise;)

Anyway, while Hurrem wins in the end, for me this victory was bittersweet because honestly, I don't see her as a positive character. But then, it's difficult to say who is...

The acting is superb, btw, which makes it a really great show. But the characters aren't really black and white but rather all shades of grey. Watch it at your own discretion.