diff --git a/app/page.tsx b/app/page.tsx
index f048eae..9151a52 100644
--- a/app/page.tsx
+++ b/app/page.tsx
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import { getEventsSafe } from '@/lib/data/event';
 import { getClubsSafe } from '@/lib/data/club';
 import { getHubsSafe } from '@/lib/data/hub';
 import { getGalleriesSafe } from '@/lib/data/gallery';
+import { getBlogsSafe } from '@/lib/data/blog';
 import type { Metadata } from 'next';
 
 export const metadata: Metadata = {
@@ -20,13 +21,14 @@ export const metadata: Metadata = {
 };
 
 const Home = async () => {
-  const [hero, potw, events, clubs, hubs, galleries] = await Promise.all([
+  const [hero, potw, events, clubs, hubs, galleries, blogs] = await Promise.all([
     getPageHero('home'),
     getPersonalityOfTheWeek(),
     getEventsSafe(),
     getClubsSafe(),
     getHubsSafe(),
     getGalleriesSafe(),
+    getBlogsSafe(),
   ]);
 
   return (
@@ -47,7 +49,7 @@ const Home = async () => {
       <HomeHubsPreview initialHubs={hubs} />
       <HomeClubsPreview initialClubs={clubs} />
       <RecentEvent initialEvents={events} />
-      <Contribute />
+      <Contribute initialBlogs={blogs} />
       <Gallery initialGalleries={galleries} />
     </div>
   )
diff --git a/components/home/Contribute.tsx b/components/home/Contribute.tsx
index bbd83f7..342aed0 100644
--- a/components/home/Contribute.tsx
+++ b/components/home/Contribute.tsx
@@ -3,15 +3,15 @@ import Container from '../custom/Container';
 import { Button } from '../ui/button';
 import Link from 'next/link';
 import { ArrowRight } from 'lucide-react';
-import useBlogCollection from '@/hooks/useBlogCollection';
+import useBlogCollection, { type Blog } from '@/hooks/useBlogCollection';
 import BlogCard from '../blog/BlogCard';
 import FetchError from '../custom/FetchError';
 
 import { motion } from "framer-motion";
 
-const Contribute = () => {
+const Contribute = ({ initialBlogs }: { initialBlogs?: Blog[] }) => {
 
-    const { data: blogs, error } = useBlogCollection()
+    const { data: blogs, error } = useBlogCollection(initialBlogs)
 
     if (error) {
         return <FetchError />
diff --git a/components/home/HeroSection.tsx b/components/home/HeroSection.tsx
index 82d7938..f06fe76 100644
--- a/components/home/HeroSection.tsx
+++ b/components/home/HeroSection.tsx
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ const BAND = {
   curve: 80,
   fade: 18,
   fill: 0.72,
+  sizes: '(max-width: 768px) 55vw, 30vw',
 };
 
 function arc(bend: number) {
@@ -261,6 +262,22 @@ const HeroSection = ({
     };
   }, [variant, bend]);
 
+  const readyRef = useRef(false);
+
+  const reveal = (node: HTMLImageElement | null) => {
+    if (!node || !readyRef.current) return;
+    if (!node.complete || node.naturalWidth === 0) return;
+    node.setAttribute('data-shown', '');
+  };
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    readyRef.current = ready;
+    if (!ready) return;
+    for (const row of shots.current.values()) {
+      for (const node of row) reveal(node);
+    }
+  }, [ready]);
+
   const band = layout ?? measureBand(1200, 560, 200, 560, false, bend);
   const cycles = tiles.length > band.columns;
 
@@ -268,6 +285,7 @@ const HeroSection = ({
     if (variant !== 'band') return;
     for (const tile of tiles) {
       const preload = new window.Image();
+      preload.sizes = BAND.sizes;
       if (tile.srcSet) preload.srcset = tile.srcSet;
       preload.src = tile.src;
       preload.decode?.().catch(() => {});
@@ -294,6 +312,7 @@ const HeroSection = ({
   const orbit = `hero-orbit-${bandId}`;
   const peek = `hero-peek-${bandId}`;
   const tileClass = `hero-tile-${bandId}`;
+  const shotClass = `hero-shot-${bandId}`;
   const radiusPct = 100 * arc(bend);
   const unitOf = (n: number) => `calc(${+n.toFixed(4)} * var(--band-tile))`;
   const vanish = +(((band.sweep - band.limit) / (2 * band.sweep || 1)) * 100).toFixed(1);
@@ -307,7 +326,9 @@ const HeroSection = ({
     `@keyframes ${orbit}{` +
     `from{transform:translateZ(var(--band-r)) rotateY(var(--band-from)) translateZ(calc(-1 * var(--band-r)))}` +
     `to{transform:translateZ(var(--band-r)) rotateY(var(--band-to)) translateZ(calc(-1 * var(--band-r)))}}` +
-    `@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.${tileClass}{animation-play-state:paused}}`;
+    `@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.${tileClass}{animation-play-state:paused}}` +
+    `.${shotClass}{opacity:0;transition:opacity 700ms ease}` +
+    `.${shotClass}[data-shown]{opacity:1}`;
 
   const peekCss =
     `@keyframes ${peek}{` +
@@ -341,7 +362,7 @@ const HeroSection = ({
             className='pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 transition-opacity duration-500'
             style={{
               ...bandVars,
-              opacity: layout && ready ? 1 : 0,
+              opacity: layout ? 1 : 0,
               perspective: `${+(radiusPct * CAMERA).toFixed(3)}cqw`,
               perspectiveOrigin: `50% ${band.axis}%`,
               maskImage: bandMask,
@@ -392,6 +413,7 @@ const HeroSection = ({
                         maskImage: sliceMask,
                         WebkitMaskImage: sliceMask,
                         backfaceVisibility: 'hidden',
+                        backgroundColor: '#e9ecef',
                         left: unitOf((BAND.aspect - share) / 2),
                         width:
                           k === band.slices - 1
@@ -410,14 +432,16 @@ const HeroSection = ({
                             const row = shots.current.get(t) ?? [];
                             if (node) row[k] = node;
                             shots.current.set(t, row);
+                            reveal(node);
                           }}
+                          onLoad={(event) => reveal(event.currentTarget)}
                           src={tile.src}
                           srcSet={tile.srcSet || undefined}
-                          sizes='(max-width: 768px) 55vw, 30vw'
+                          sizes={BAND.sizes}
                           alt=''
                           draggable={false}
                           decoding='async'
-                          className='absolute top-0 max-w-none object-cover'
+                          className={`${shotClass} absolute top-0 max-w-none object-cover`}
                           style={{
                             left: unitOf(-k * share),
                             width: unitOf(BAND.aspect),
diff --git a/components/home/RecentEvent.tsx b/components/home/RecentEvent.tsx
index adcc984..0deb0da 100644
--- a/components/home/RecentEvent.tsx
+++ b/components/home/RecentEvent.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 import Image from "next/image";
 import { ctfSrc } from '@/lib/contentful-src';
 import { format } from "date-fns";
+import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
 import { ArrowRight, CalendarDays, Clock } from "lucide-react";
 import Link from "next/link";
 import useEventCollection, { type EventItem } from "@/hooks/useEventCollection";
@@ -12,6 +13,31 @@ import * as Tabs from "@radix-ui/react-tabs";
 const RecentEvent = ({ initialEvents }: { initialEvents?: EventItem[] }) => {
   const { data: events, isLoading, error } = useEventCollection(initialEvents);
 
+  const sectionRef = useRef<HTMLElement>(null);
+  const [showVideo, setShowVideo] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const node = sectionRef.current;
+    if (!node || showVideo) return;
+    if (typeof IntersectionObserver === 'undefined') {
+      setShowVideo(true);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const observer = new IntersectionObserver(
+      (entries) => {
+        if (entries.some((entry) => entry.isIntersecting)) {
+          setShowVideo(true);
+          observer.disconnect();
+        }
+      },
+      { rootMargin: '600px 0px' }
+    );
+
+    observer.observe(node);
+    return () => observer.disconnect();
+  }, [showVideo]);
+
   const now = new Date();
 
   const upcoming = events
@@ -39,10 +65,12 @@ const RecentEvent = ({ initialEvents }: { initialEvents?: EventItem[] }) => {
   }
 
   return (
-    <section className="px-4 sm:px-page-sx md:px-page-x py-12 lg:py-24 font-header bg-background/50 overflow-hidden relative">
+    <section ref={sectionRef} className="px-4 sm:px-page-sx md:px-page-x py-12 lg:py-24 font-header bg-background/50 overflow-hidden relative">
       <video
         className="absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full object-cover z-0"
-        src="/videos/coenight.mp4"
+        {...(showVideo ? { src: "/videos/coenight.mp4" } : {})}
+        poster="/videos/coenight-poster.jpg"
+        preload="none"
         autoPlay
         loop
         muted
diff --git a/lib/contentful-client.ts b/lib/contentful-client.ts
index d511261..5109798 100644
--- a/lib/contentful-client.ts
+++ b/lib/contentful-client.ts
@@ -11,21 +11,18 @@ if (!CONTENTFUL_SPACE_ID || !CONTENTFUL_ACCESS_TOKEN) {
   });
 }
 
-// How long (seconds) a cached Contentful response is served before revalidation.
-// Because this cache lives on the server, one refresh serves every visitor, so
-// the number of origin calls stays roughly constant regardless of traffic.
 export const CONTENTFUL_REVALIDATE_SECONDS = 3600;
 
 export const CONTENTFUL_CACHE_TAG = "contentful";
 
-// `next` is a Next.js fetch extension not covered by graphql-request's types.
+const CONTENTFUL_TIMEOUT_MS = 8000;
+
 type GraphQLClientConfig = ConstructorParameters<typeof GraphQLClient>[1];
 type NextRequestConfig = GraphQLClientConfig & {
   next?: { revalidate?: number | false; tags?: string[] };
 };
 
 const requestConfig: NextRequestConfig = {
-  // GET (rather than POST) lets responses flow through Next's Data Cache / CDN.
   method: "GET",
   headers: CONTENTFUL_ACCESS_TOKEN
     ? { Authorization: `Bearer ${CONTENTFUL_ACCESS_TOKEN}` }
@@ -33,11 +30,6 @@ const requestConfig: NextRequestConfig = {
   next: { revalidate: CONTENTFUL_REVALIDATE_SECONDS, tags: [CONTENTFUL_CACHE_TAG] },
 };
 
-/**
- * Direct client to the Contentful GraphQL API. Intended for server-side use
- * (Server Components, route handlers) where the `next.revalidate` Data Cache
- * is shared across all requests/users.
- */
 export const contentfulDirect = new GraphQLClient(
   `https://graphql.contentful.com/content/v1/spaces/${CONTENTFUL_SPACE_ID ?? "undefined"}`,
   requestConfig
@@ -47,15 +39,13 @@ interface PartialErrorShape {
   response?: { data?: unknown; errors?: { message?: string }[] };
 }
 
-/**
- * Contentful answers HTTP 200 with usable `data` alongside non-fatal errors
- * such as UNRESOLVABLE_LINK (a published entry pointing at an unpublished
- * asset). graphql-request throws on any `errors`, which would take a whole page
- * down over one missing image, so partial data is served and logged instead.
- */
 export async function requestTolerant<T>(query: string, variables?: Variables): Promise<T> {
   try {
-    return await contentfulDirect.request<T>(query, variables);
+    return await contentfulDirect.request<T>({
+      document: query,
+      variables,
+      signal: AbortSignal.timeout(CONTENTFUL_TIMEOUT_MS),
+    });
   } catch (error) {
     const partial = error as PartialErrorShape;
     const data = partial.response?.data;
@@ -73,11 +63,6 @@ export async function requestTolerant<T>(query: string, variables?: Variables):
 }
 
 async function request<T>(query: string, variables?: Variables): Promise<T> {
-  // On the server, hit Contentful directly so we benefit from the shared
-  // Data Cache. In the browser, proxy through our own route handler so the
-  // response is served from that same server-side cache — this keeps origin
-  // calls flat no matter how many people are online, and keeps the access
-  // token off the client.
   if (typeof window === "undefined") {
     return requestTolerant<T>(query, variables);
   }
@@ -87,9 +72,6 @@ async function request<T>(query: string, variables?: Variables): Promise<T> {
     params.set("variables", JSON.stringify(variables));
   }
 
-  // The page carries the time content last changed. Putting it in the URL means
-  // a publish gives every browser a fresh address, so nobody is served an hour
-  // old copy from the CDN, while unchanged content still hits the cache.
   const version = (globalThis as { __contentVersion?: string }).__contentVersion;
   if (version) params.set("v", version);
 
@@ -111,8 +93,4 @@ async function request<T>(query: string, variables?: Variables): Promise<T> {
   return res.json() as Promise<T>;
 }
 
-/**
- * Isomorphic Contentful client. Mirrors `graphql-request`'s `.request` API so
- * existing call sites stay unchanged while transparently caching on the server.
- */
 export const contentfulClient = { request };
diff --git a/providers/ReactQueryProvider.tsx b/providers/ReactQueryProvider.tsx
index 70cf5b0..9b590bd 100644
--- a/providers/ReactQueryProvider.tsx
+++ b/providers/ReactQueryProvider.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,16 @@
 
 import { QueryClient, QueryClientProvider } from "@tanstack/react-query";
 import { ReactNode, useState } from "react";
-import { ReactQueryDevtools } from "@tanstack/react-query-devtools";
+import dynamic from "next/dynamic";
+
+const ReactQueryDevtools =
+  process.env.NODE_ENV === "development"
+    ? dynamic(
+        () =>
+          import("@tanstack/react-query-devtools").then((m) => m.ReactQueryDevtools),
+        { ssr: false }
+      )
+    : () => null;
 
 export default function ReactQueryProvider({
   children,
diff --git a/public/videos/coenight-poster.jpg b/public/videos/coenight-poster.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6ed90e
Binary files /dev/null and b/public/videos/coenight-poster.jpg differ