i give my life

The Prague astronomical clock, or Prague Orloj, is a medieval astronomical clock attached to the Old Town Hall in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The Orloj is mounted on the southern wall of the city’s Old Town Hall in the Old Town Square.

The clock mechanism has three main components – the astronomical dial, representing the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky and displaying various astronomical details; statues of various Catholic saints stand on either side of the clock; “The Walk of the Apostles,” an hourly show of moving Apostle figures and other sculptures, notably a figure of a skeleton that represents Death, striking the time; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the months. According to local legend, the city will suffer if the clock is neglected and its good operation is placed in jeopardy; a ghost, mounted on the clock, was supposed to nod its head in confirmation. According to the legend, the only hope was represented by a boy born on New Year’s night.

The service clubs, which were staffed by civilian employees and volunteers, became the social centers of bases, with the best equipped having a coffee shop, snack bar, dance hall, pool room, library, music rooms, and meeting rooms. [...]

But the loneliness that came with hiding one's sexuality led many to seek the companionship of others living through the same situation. "When you got to a camp," recalled Ben Small, "you just immediately sought out other gay guys just for the reinforcement of knowing you were not alone."

Gay GIs carefully put out feelers and used subtle eye contact to identify each other without exposing themselves to those who, in gay slang, were not "wise" to gay life.

Postcards from Italy part I. 🍂✨

Venice / Milan / Florence / Como

Deux tireurs d'élite du 1er Bataillon parachutiste canadien lors d'une inspection par le roi George VI, la reine Elizabeth et la princesse Elizabeth – plaine de Salisbury – Angleterre – 17 mai 1944

Photographe : Elmer R. Bonter

©The Library and Archives of Canada

Colorisation par David Stroodle

Inlaid earthenware tiles, England, 13th-16th centuries