#Convertible Collaborative Spaces

[archspaceandguides]

The Future of Flexibility: Adaptable Furniture Solutions for Agile Workspaces

As the landscape of labor continues to adapt, so too does the demand for bendy and agile workspaces. The traditional, static workplace setup is giving way to dynamic environments that can adapt to the converting wishes of modern businesses. In this article, we explore the destiny of flexibility inside the place of business, focusing on the role of adaptable furniture answers that empower…

[thesleeptokenarchive]

Social Media Update: January 6 2022

The first post for the collective in 2022 to their socials was about their first cover of a magazine, Metal Hammer issue 357, that went on sale this day.

Behold, an expression of Worship from the @MetalHammer publication. Consume - http://bit.ly/buyhammer

[X]

Additional photos from the article, by Andy Ford.

Words by RICH HOBSON. Article can be found here: [Link]

Sleep Token are a Mystery

Anonymous members, no interviews and sold-out shows: Vessel et al have become a modern metal phenomenon. We followed them on tour to try and find out more.

The view from 2022

As Vessel doesn’t talk, we predict the next 12 months on his behalf

What are his New Year’s resolutions?

To ensure a Sleep shrine in every home in the UK, perfect for accepting His offerings. Also for Vessel to kill fewer people using his telekinetic abilities (see: the video for Alkaline) and to use them for something more constructive instead, like whale conservation.

Sleep Token vocalist Vessel stands in front of 1,500 people at Birmingham’s 02 Institute, and the room falls silent. All eyes are fixed on the masked and cloaked singer for a sign – any sign – that might betray some message or hidden meaning behind the band’s mystique.

What’s going to be the biggest thing in metal in 2022?

“We love you!” cries a young woman. Finally, the spell is broken, and the crowd erupt into cheers that Vessel politely acknowledges with a slight nod. Then he moves, and the church-like quietude falls again. Leaning towards the mic, for the briefest of moments it seems Vessel’s five years of almost total silence will end, with Birmingham about to receive gospel from one of metal’s most enigmatic forces. Instead, he clenches his hands together in a sign of gratitude, saying everything by saying absolutely nothing – and everyone loses their minds.

Sleep Token will engage in a holy war with Ghost, ultimately triumphing and ending the line of Papas. Satan will convert to Sleep worship, rendering the whole ‘satanism’ thing redundant. Deicide will become door-todoor missionaries, converting people to the Sleep cause. Black metal musicians will end up switching to country, singing about the good ol’ days when you could burn churches and burn inverted crucifixes into your head.

We’re at the second night of Sleep Token’s eight-date UK tour, and since emerging in 2016, they’ve maintained an iron grip on their anonymity: they obscure their faces, they don’t talk onstage, and they have only ever done one interview – with this very magazine in 2017. The closest comparison is Ghost, but even they had ‘Nameless Ghouls’ who acted as regular spokespeople until Tobias Forge eventually broke cover, a decade into the band. It’s all very impressive – but who the hell are they?

What event or issue will define the world in 2022?

Here’s what we know: in that 2017 interview, Vessel told us that their music is all in service to ‘Sleep’, a mysterious deity whose roots stretch back centuries.

Sleep Token will make history by hosting the first livestream to be beamed directly into your dreams. A bit like with U2 and Apple, the whole thing will cause a massive fuss but ultimately blow over. Mastodon will try to do the same and end up falling through space/ time like a live-action replication of Crack The Skye.

“How we got here is as irrelevant as who we are – what matters is the music and the message,” they said. “We are here to serve Sleep and project His message.” And… that’s about it. Cheers for the insight, pal.

Despite – or perhaps because of – their secrecy, Sleep Token are fast becoming a cult sensation. While the lore is centred around Vessel, Sleep Token describe themselves as a collective, suggesting a collaborative effort between seasoned musicians, all feeding into the art. That may go some way to describe their fluid approach to genre, pulling elements of everything from tech metal and alternative to pop and R&B – part of a new breed of heavy bands who aren’t afraid to embrace multiple genres, as well as nontraditional ways of working.

In 2019, they drip-fed a series of singles that eventually became their debut album, Sundowning, rather than going ahead with a straightforward release. Even though they couldn’t tour during the pandemic, last September’s This Place Will Become Your Tomb charted at No. 39 in the UK, and this current run will conclude at London’s 2,000-capacity Shepherd’s Bush Empire. It’s no small feat.

“Sleep Token are an expression of where metal is in the 2020s,” says Ihsahn, co-founder of black metal legends Emperor and pioneering avant garde solo artist, who’s on the same label as the collective. “From the first time I heard them, I was completely intrigued – the way they mix modern metal elements with very dark moods, but also very clear, modern R&B-style production values.”

Sleep Token are by no means the first anonymous collective in metal, but their symbol-emblazoned masks, dark body paint, and use of everything from Nordic runes to Hindu symbology in their artwork have piqued the curiosity of metal fans and fellow musicians.

“It’s similar to what we had with the black metal scene, with the masks and mystery that helps to raise it all,” Ihsahn explains. “Emperor wouldn’t be where they were without that theatricality, because we needed to do something to distance ourselves from the spotty teenagers we were!

“It creates a clear distance and space between the art and the artist,” he continues. “I’ve always appreciated artists who created that distance – going back, you can watch all these interviews with David Bowie but it never feels like you knew him. The art he created was an offering and you just had to try to understand it.”

Of course, with Vessel it’s even more difficult. Our attempt to get answers in 2017 was like grasping at mist: when we asked why they wished to remain anonymous, Vessel turned the conversation towards what he thought was truly important – the art itself. “Our identities are unimportant,” he said. “Music is marketed on who is or isn’t in a band; it’s pushed, prodded and moulded into something it isn’t. Vessel endeavours to keep the focus on His offerings.”

When asked what the future held, Vessel simply replied: “Nothing. Lasts. Forever.” Does that mean there’s a time limit on the band? What the fuck is going on?

It’s tinfoil hat time. Outside of live performances, Vessel has only appeared in music videos. His first onscreen appearance came as a shadowy, grasping figure in the 2016 video for Thread The Needle, before appearing maskless in the 2017 video for Calcutta – albeit with Slipknot/Before I Forget style editing that only showed his mouth, cheek and eye. He’s become more prominent in recent videos – even telekinetically taking out a room of hazmat-suited goons in the video to Alkaline – but still no obvious, overarching narrative has emerged.

Elsewhere, his mask has made its own separate appearances. In the video for Fields Of Elation it floated free in a body of water, and in Nazareth it appeared standing alone in the video’s final moments, before appearing in blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments in Jaws, where it’s worn by the video’s star.

Which raises the question: is Vessel the man behind the mask, or something the mask brings forth?

Sleep Token’s acolytes have been searching for clues. In a Discord server set up by Coventry-based fan Chris, they pore over the band’s lyrics, album artwork, music videos and merchandise in an attempt to decipher hidden meanings, like a metal take on The Da Vinci Code. “It was actually through Metal Hammer that I got into the band,”

Chris tells us. “Reading the interview with Vessel on the website, I wanted to find out more. I took to Reddit to see if there was a community for the band and at the time there wasn’t, so I decided to create it.”

Now numbering more than 900 members, the group have become adept at deciphering codes left by the band. They discovered that a string of numbers featured on a t-shirt design were coordinates for a ‘whale fall’ – an event where a whale’s carcass falls to the ocean floor and becomes a source of nourishment for an entire ecosystem. When This Place Will Become Your Tomb was released, Benjamin, one of the admins, even took on the semi-joking role of Keeper Of The Lore, maintaining and steering discussions for each new song.

“I loved the hidden identities and world-building the band was presenting,” he explains. “There was a whole experience outside of just the music. The new album features heavy imagery of a decomposing whale and the animals that would feed on it; a representation of life in death –a topic lyrically discussed by Vessel frequently – and eternal recurrence.”

The Discord continues to provide fascinating insights into what the band may – or may not – be exploring through their art. But without any form of ‘official’ statement on their theories, and with a potential fixed end point for Sleep Token, couldn’t the fanatics be setting themselves up for disappointment down the road?

“Nothing lasts forever – until then we Worship,” Chris says matter-of-factly.

Aside from discussions on mythology, the Discord has also become a social club that binds people together. “The Discord community is amazing,” says New York-based fan Veronica, aka BluKittie. “There are people from all over the world and we share the same love and passion for the band. We are always there for each other. Last year my father passed away and the members of the community helped me through that rough time, and still do. I am just happy to have found friends there.”

An hour before Birmingham’s 02 Institute opens, the queue is already snaking down the street as far as the eye can see.

At the band’s request, we’re not allowed backstage lest we see their faces, but we do speak to their support act, solo artist AA Williams. Like Sleep Token, she’s found an audience with metallers even though her music spans alternative, pop, soul and metal –a sound we’ve previously tagged as ‘death gospel’.

“I think we work pretty well together,” she says. “It’s great to see an artist who is able to explore both pop and really heavy music without the need to hold back or overcompensate on either element. The shifts in dynamics really come to life live, and their crowd utterly lap it up – it’s like going to church.”

Are there any difficulties that come from playing with such a secretive act? Has anyone tried to get her to reveal Sleep Token’s identity? “Well, it’s not like we’ve had to sign NDAs or anything,” she says. “At the same time, you do want to make sure you’re not impinging on their privacy, and respecting their choice to present their art in a particular way. If anyone asks who they are, I think I’ll make up a celebrity – it’s Robert De Niro. Next question – ha ha ha!”

Tonight AA commands rapt attention, but there’s no competing with the headliners. All chatter is silenced as the room plunges into darkness. Moments later, Vessel strides onto the stage alone to cheers of approval, his mask the only thing visible against now-muted lighting. He tinkles the ivories for Atlantic and the crowd are soon singing along to every word, even though the album has barely been out two months.

AA WILLIAMS

For 90 minutes, Sleep Token hold attention in a way that defies logic. How can a band that don’t speak be so damned expressive? Compared to the stagecraft of bombastic arena bands such as Iron Maiden or Sabaton, Sleep Token are low key, but Vessel radiates gravitas, his twisting and grasping movements bringing to mind the theatrics of interpretive dance, where each flick of the wrist could be conveying some hidden meaning. The fans are utterly enraptured, moshing and singing along with religious fervour, lending credence to the band’s social media descriptions of their shows as ‘rituals’.

As it was in Birmingham, so it is in Glasgow, Sheffield, Dublin and beyond. By the time the tour arrives at London’s sold-out Shepherd’s Bush Empire, it’s clear that, much like Ghost before them, Sleep Token are fast outpacing their status as a cult phenomenon, smaller academies no longer able to contain their rapidly growing fanbase.

If Birmingham was about reverence, London is outright revelry – an irrepressible crowd engaging in a bacchanalian frenzy that has little to do with the extortionate bar prices and everything to do with the explosive performance unfolding onstage. And then, a couple of lads start Cossack dancing in the middle of a circle pit. Sleep help us…

Not to be outdone, Sleep Token bring out their own dance troupe for Fall For Me. Not that they need any help capturing people’s attention: here, Sleep Token are preaching to the converted, a cult threatening to spill over into the mainstream.

No one knows what direction Sleep Token will go in next, and it’s not as if they’re about to tell us. But then, that’s how things have always been with the band – each release a mystery that fans can’t wait to unwrap. “When I heard the second album, there was no indication of where they were going, so in my mind it just had so many seeds of development,” Ihsahn says. “There’s more maturity and there’s clearly something they are building towards, though exactly what that is, is impossible to say…”

Perhaps the stock answer from Vessel, five years on, would still be “nothing lasts forever”. Will they push their sound even further? Will they start conducting interviews? Will they ever unmask? Right now, anything is possible – and that’s what makes Sleep Token so exciting.

[moondal514]

hi! do you have any fic recs for the aftg fandom? ideally AUs but where the characters aren’t ooc

Anon you have no idea what kind of blank check you’ve given me with this ask 😂. For the sake of my own sanity I have limited myself to only listing 10 fic recs but please know that there are literally 100s of fics I could rec within these parameters 😂.

the opposite of hunger by constelationprize/ @constelationprize

One would think that, being a necromancer, Kevin Day would be more excited at the prospect of immortality. And maybe he was, once, before he had actually sat foot inside Canaan House.

...

Based on prompt #1, or: "the locked tomb au where kevin and riko are necromancers and jean is their cavalier. they are invited to canaan house by the emperor to achieve lyctorhood, but kevin refuses to perform the lyctoral theorem on jean. riko, on the other hand, has no qualms about it. "

The Locked Tomb au. This fic is just insanely good and highlights how well Perfect Court dynamics work for the Third House and it just blows my mind honestly

if i die young by animediac, dayurno/ @jaywalkers, @dayurno

Kevin Day is sixteen with eyes too human, a gift no one should ever have, and blood Andrew thinks would spill out black over the snow outside. He is standing in the school hallway with a dead boy at his feet, and he is going to die by Andrew Minyard’s hands.

He must. He will.

Kevin Day, singer of bodies. Harbringer of death.

Teen Wolf au. A collaboration between 2 amazing writers in this fandom and responsible for converting me to Kandreil

vengeance and death by cthulu_sun

legend says you have wax-dipped wings and golden fingernails and knives made of the blood you have spilled. legend says you are not merciful.

-

in which renee is a tired guardian angel, finds the foxes, and falls in love.

Guardian angel au. This is one of my favorite Renison fics because it’s such a cool universe written in a beautiful and unique style and I just think it’s one of the most underrated fics in the fandom

Hush, Don't Say a Word by waterwings/ @amywaterwings

Excerpt from local newspaper, January 10, 2016

A Killer Is on the Loose at Palmetto State. Are You Safe?

For a detailed re-telling of the gruesome events that gripped the Palmetto State campus over the past eight months, please see the pages below. But I beg you, dear reader, tread lightly. You don’t know what’s waiting for you, out there in the dark.

~Katelyn Golightly, Student Journalist

Murder mystery au. One of my favorite fics of all time ever across any fandom because the writing is visceral and gut-wrenching, the kind that has you holding your breath and on the edge of your seat as you read it, and by the end of the fic it’s broken your brain in the best way possible

We Can Live Forever by mostly_maudlin/ @mostlymaudlin

PALMETTO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC FUNDRAISER

WINTER SERENADES - $5 EACH

On sale Dec. 15-17 during lunch blocks. Support our teams, and let them show your friends how much you care through choreographed song and dance!

-

Participation in the fundraiser is mandatory for all student-athletes. Maybe none of this would have happened if they weren't pushed out of their comfort zones. (But honestly, maybe it was always going to end this way.)

A story about the joys of competition, the people in your corner, and, of course, the misfortune of being a teenager in love with your best friend.

High school au. My favorite high school au in the fandom because it just makes me so so so happy and I always read it when I need a pick me up

The Real Folk Blues by moonix/ @annawrites

Captain David Wymack and the bounty hunter crew of the Bebop spaceship might be a little out of their depths chasing down the infamous hacker and notorious runaway Neil Wesninski, whose bounty exceeds even Kevin's wildest dreams. Worst of all, Andrew might actually enjoy it.

Cowboy Bebop au. Super fun au featuring the Foxes as space cowboys and copious amounts of weird Andreil flirting

Under A Sea of Mist by puddlejumper99/ @writingpuddle

For a thousand years the Lord Ruler has reigned over the Final Empire. Ash falls from the sky and strange mists shroud the night. The skaa labour in the fields and the nobility dance in their Keeps, their glittering lights blinding them to the cruelty in their hearts.

The skaa rebellion is a fantasy and Neil knows it. The Lord Ruler is immortal; there's no overthrowing him. It's as much a surprise to him as anyone else when he gets recruited. But as he gets drawn deeper into the plot, he starts to discover things that will change their understanding of magic forever.

There's always another secret.

Mistborn au. A fic whose existence still feels incredibly self-indulgent to me because it’s a mashup of 2 series I really love and an au plucked from my wildest dreams

The Sphynx and the Hare by darkbluebox/ @darkblueboxs

Neil knows he should burn Wymack's contract and run until his legs can no longer carry him. His daemon, the mouthpiece to his soul, says otherwise. He's ignored her for far too long; it's time to follow his heart, be it to dream or damnation.

Daemon au. Theeee daemon au of all time, I’ve yet to see any other daemon au in this fandom where I agreed with the choices of animals for daemons this hard

the bittersweet between my teeth by alaynes/ @nicolos

In which Neil Josten is a Time Jumper, and everywhere he goes he keeps seeing one man.

-

Neil's throat dried; the sound of keys rang in his ears, but so did his voice.

Andrew Minyard stared back at him, expression inscrutable.

Time travel/reincarnation au. Time travel au’s are always tragic on some level but this one really takes it to the next level with the way it explores Andreil existing outside of time the way they do; my go-to fic when I need to experience an Emotion™️

The Last Warm Hand To Hold You by sambutwithbooks

When Kevin Day warns him that the Moriyamas will send a monster to collect their star investment, Andrew expects something beastly.

-

Five Times Andrew Asks Neil To Bite Him and One Time He Finally Does

Vampire au. This is to me the vampire fic of all time; idk something about it is ridiculously romantic in a way I can’t help but love

-

Hope you enjoy these anon!

[jeffyfitoftheyear]

🌟Jeff Satur outfit of the year 2023🌟

Okay sats, it's here. We've suffered all year, now it's time to see which cunty little Jeff fit reigns supreme for 2023!

Instructions for how it will work is below. Nominations are now open! And will close on the 20th of Dec, 1pm AEDT. Here's a link to a time zone converter.

Submission rules:

Images must be from 2023, and must be submitted with a nominated category. Images submitted with no category will be admired dutifully, but then discarded. 

Submit an image to this blog with a nominated category. You are allowed to submit as many as you like!

The categories are:

Promo Event: this can be a music award, brand event, sponsorship appearance or affiliated sponsorship photo post.

For a music award event if Jeff performed: the outfit on the red carpet would go under promo event, the outfit on stage would go under concert

Music Video Any outfit from Jeff’s music videos and collaborated music videos. This also includes promo like the Space Shuttle number 8 video, as it has the similar levels of planning/art direction.

Concert: Any outfit Jeff wears on stage.

Magazine: Any outfit from a magazine shoot.

*If you have a photo with a fit that doesn’t seem to fit any of the above nominated categories but you really want it in, nominate it with Misc, and we will try to shoehorn it into one we think it fits, if we can. This isn’t gonna be an exact science 💖

Bonus Round: Thirst trap (please submit these with ‘thirst’ as the category.)

These are not outfits, these are Jeff thirst traps. Like this :)

*thirst trap is important for our morale pls submit your worst

The spirit of this is silliness. Please campaign for your favorite Jeff fits. Wax lyrical upon how and where gender was stolen. Tell your friend about the cunty little boots and hot little corsets. 

Advisory: Don’t be negative on other outfits, don’t comment in ways that insult or put down other outfits, people or Jeff. This is just for fun! So please, have fun and be considerate. 

How it will work:

Images will be submitted for different categories, then moved on into voting rounds.

NOMINATIONS:

Open to Submissions! Send all images to this blog's inbox, with your nominated category.  Send as many as you like!

ROUND ONE:

Winnowing down submissions

(This will be the trickiest bit and will need the most participation. So please, look upon the Jeffy images and cast your valued votes upon your most favoured fits….)

Submissions will be gathered under four categories, and posted under a cut (this will be four separate posts, one for each category). Each image will be numbered. Each person gets three votes per category, and can choose their top three images by commenting. 

For example, you can comment under a post: I choose 21, 9, and 8!

Each image you choose gets one vote. If you are biased you can do this:

I choose 11, 11, and 11

PLEASE be cutthroat. It will both be funny, and help us winnow down the images.

The top images will be chosen by the highest number of votes cast.

The top five in each category will then progress to the next round.

ROUND TWO - 24 hour poll

Category finals

Four separate posted polls for each category. (Promo Event, Music video, Magazine and Concert)

Vote for your favorite in each category. The four winners of each category will move on to the finals.

ROUND THREE, SEMI FINALS - 24 hour poll

The four winners from the Category finals will go into a face off. Who gets bracketed up against each other will be chosen by past polls results. The two highest scorers/percentage winners will go up against each other (for example if Magazine got 61, and Promo got 72, they will be up against each other, whilst the lower scorers get put up against each other)

The two winners proceed to the FINALS

ROUND FOUR, FINALS!!! - 24 hour poll

FINAL ROUND

This is it. The moment. The two cuntiest Jeff fits of 2023 will be pitted against each other….

The final poll will run for 24 hours, and after that the winner will be declared!!

_

Okay I tried to make this simple and as straightforward as I could. Happy to answer any questions etc, below!

Also beautiful boobtube Jeff gif by the immeasurable @guzhu-furen 🙏💖

[cognitivejustice]

A collaboration between the store owner, Al Jones, and local farmers, J’s, the only Black-owned supermarket in the area, now carries fresh produce.

The new stock and collaboration was made possible by a deal among Jones; Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), a non-profit that works to provide access to nutritious food; Rootswell, a Mississippi Delta-based group that was formed to “shift the paradigm of food apartheid”; Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company; and other groups.

“At a time in our country when the federal government is just pulling money back everywhere, we invested in people and community,”

People who queued – around 200 locals– were given a reusable grocery bag with a voucher to allow them to purchase fresh produce. “It’s amazing. They’re saying that they haven’t seen anything of this nature in this community,” Jones said of the new store. “They’re used to Hot Pockets and cups of noodles, never greens and okra, corn. So that’s what we gave to them.”

 The grocery store is in a walkable, mixed-income community, with an elementary school almost right across the street. A middle school, a Head Start center, a nursing home and senior citizen housing, low-income apartments and single-family homes are all in close proximity. In addition to the newly offered produce, the store also features a third space: a seated, shaded area surrounded by raised beds planted with herbs, where residents can gather and chat.

The Mississippi Delta is abundant in fertile land and crops; agriculture is the state’s No 1 industry. Though some 30% of the state is farmland, most of that land is dedicated to cash crops, which are exported. In 2022, nearly 20% of Mississippians were food-insecure.

Farms in the region “produce a lot of commodity crops, like corn, soybean, cotton. They don’t produce a lot of food that we eat,” said Robbie Pollard, one of the farmers whose produce is now sold at J’s.

“We’re trying to change the landscape to start producing more food in the Delta, like converting some of that land that’s used for row-crop production.”

[spiribia]

my review of sky cotl seasons since i joined

season of nesting: i joined midway through this one. i like the idea of a decoratable home space you can invite your friends to, and 'nest' is a very sweet name for it, but sadly furniture ended up just broadly not appealing to me as much as outfit cosmetics do, so i didn't feel i missed too much. i actually really enjoyed the season guide storyline for it, and as i was getting into the game around then, i considered it a shining example of the wordless, minimalist ways it could communicate something kind of moving. i also think it's funny and charming the season guide initially refuses to let you go past the counter into their space but softens to you going back there in time.

season of duets: very strong guide duo + i really enjoyed the outfits being their outfits at various stages of their lives as they grew into stage prominence. i thought the rewards for this were gorgeous and i really enjoyed the visually atmospherically cohesive theming, but none of the pieces i was particularly excited about ended up being ultimates, and a lot of the trees were occupied by 1,000 posters and for some reason plain colored rugs, which made me posthumously kind of resent season of nesting for introducing furniture into the game

season of moomin: i've heard rumors it was for copyright reasons, but i do think the stark separation of the moomin world from the sky cotl world to the extent that sky kids and moomins never both exist in any given area made the collaborative meld not quite as smooth as it had been for the previous collaboration seasons. i really, really, really love that they adapted The Invisible Child and that they were willing to further explore this concept with metaphorical supplementary quests. while i wish sky kid could have gone to moominvalley, going through it as a butterfly was still nice, maybe even smart as a compromise, if it really was one. to be honest, i wasn't especially excited about a lot of the season pass outfit pieces for this one. them locking half of some sets to IAP and the other half in season pass (snufkin's cape in the pass, his hat as a separate purchase, for example) was genuinely kind of repugnant

season of radiance: beautiful, beautiful, versatile cosmetics. an animal themed ultimate mask, my dream. i was fairly uninvested in the storyline for once. a bunch of guys were just dyeing their clothes. i really like the concept of dyeing outfit pieces and am not opposed to dye being something you collect from the overworld, but the way it was implemented feels a little bit clunky to me, even gameplay wise. burning down a dye plant and then collecting the dye from the butterflies and then converting the dye into jars feels like hitting a bunch of tiny consecutive snags at times with how the autotargeting works, how the vines are finicky, and how getting the dye from the butterfly cloud becomes weird when other players are also trying to collect from the same swarm, which you all have to share

[princessdimondheart]

Sea of Cortéz | Price x Daughter! Reader | Ch.2

Pairing: Price + Daughter! Reader, Reader x OC, TF-141 x Platonic! Reader

Warnings: 🔪- blood mentions

Edited: No

A/N: The suspense. That’s all I’ll say. NCIS is mentioned here! Hopefully as the chapters progress the word count increases. It’s 5am and I haven’t slept :/

Masterlist 

Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 [Here] | Ch. 3

Character banner ©️ Me

2.

“… So, this Gunny is going to become a Medal of Honor recipient?” Price stood from the bench. 

Laswell nodded her head. “Yes… he will. It’s practically guaranteed that in a few weeks the proposal will be on the President’s desk and signed.” She sighed. “Let’s talk more in private.”

She led them to a small room that usually held debriefings but was now converted into a storage room. The projector and computer monitors were still up and covered in dust. 

“Tell us more about the Gunny, Laswell.” Gaz looked at her and then to his Captain in worry. They both sat in the old chairs, arms resting on the light gray table. 

Laswell sat across from them. “Well, he went through a lot in the last few years. Put his poor wife through lots of heartache with his recovery and all…”

“Wife?” Both Gaz and Price questioned. John shook his head. Was the Gunny cheating? 

“Yes? They’ve been married for several years now. I’ve collaborated on several occasions with her.” Kate leaned forward. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“Kate, this man knows my daughter.” John stuffed his hand into his pocket and pulled out the skimpy photo of his little girl, now grown woman. 

Laswell’s eyes widened, but then her expression changed to an awkward grin. “That’s his wife. Y/N Cortéz, that’s your daughter?”

“You know her by name? How do you know my daughter?” But instead of saying Price after her name, she said Cortéz. John was becoming more confused by the second. His knee was bouncing slightly and his hand was messing with his beard. It took him a moment to process all of her words. “Wait-, you said Cortéz? She… she’s never told me that she was seeing anyone let alone married to them. What the hell is going on here, Kate?”

“I-I don’t know what to say, John. She’s never mentioned her side of the family before. Just her in-laws and their kid.”

“Kid?” Price stood up, palms slamming on the table. “Do you mean to tell me that I have a grandchild out there?”

Kate put a hand to her mouth in shock. “My god… you didn’t know.” Her eyes wandered off to the wall, contemplating. “You don’t know what the life of your daughter has been for… years now?”

“No. Which makes no bloody sense since I talk to her every chance I get!” His voice rose in frustration. Kyle felt like he was in some poor written soap opera that his aunties would watch when he was younger and had stayed with them. On second thought, it was every time he saw them. 

“John, Y/N works with me in CIA. She’s a Special Agent in the counterterrorism division.” Price sat back down heavily. “Umm, I have resources in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service that could lend a helping hand on this situation. I’ll give them a call, since the Gunny is a Marine and Y/N is a dependent so she falls under their jurisdiction.”

“Thank you, Kate.” John paused. “I hope they can set everything straight.”

With that Kate left the room. She couldn’t believe that the girl whose office was only a few doors down from hers was the daughter of her best task force Captain. Kate shook her head as theories ran through her mind. Pulling out her phone she dialed a number. She hoped that the late hour in Washington wouldn’t be a bother to the person on the other line. 

“Sorry it’s so late, Jethro.”

~~~~~

Price stayed where he was for a moment just staring off into space. Only startled by Kyle placing his hand on his shoulder. “Maybe we should head back to the med tent and see if there are any updates on the Gunny?”

Price looked at the younger man and then rose to his feet. “Yeah, there’s no use just sitting here.”

They soon found themselves in their previous position on that old bench. Waiting for any news. An hour passed by when a doctor, presumably the surgeon who operated on Cortéz, exited the OR and came up to them. 

“My guess is that you guys were the ones who found Gunny Cortéz?” She looked at them attentively. 

“Yes, we found ‘im.” Both John and Kyle stood up. John continued, “He’s still alive, right? No complications?”

“Yes, he’s been taken care of. Lots of bleeding so he needed a few blood transfusions. No head trauma, but he’ll be in and out of consciousness for a while. He might need another surgery if we find anymore bullet fragments.” She looked between the two of them. “He’ll be moved to a different room in just a few moments. Next of kin will be notified of his condition and efforts will be made to get him back to the states.”

Price thanked the doctor and shook her hand. He had a lot to think about and he was definitely going to send a rather strong message to his daughter about the situation. 

~~

Dad: I know about your husband. 

Seen

Dad: Hey, Y/N, I know you’ve seen this. Answer 

Seen

Dad: Hello? Y/N

Seen

Dad: Hey! What’s going on? Answer me Y/N!

Delivered 

Dad: Y/N? Are you okay? Please

Not Delivered 

🔖 Taglist:

@rand0m--fangirl @starre-eyes

[tinyelvenwitch]

A Call for Community

I’ve been reading a very sad, fascinating book lately. It’s brought up some thoughts about spiritual community and, especially, how important it is now and in the immediate future. The book itself is called A Well Trained Wife by Tia Levings. I know - Red flags immediately. Stay with me here.

In this book, Tia explains her experience with religion over time - from being a teenager where “going to church meant I had the power to make everyone happy” to being a wife in the thick of an Evangelical Calvinist sect. Specifically, in a few separate spots, she mentions how it was often frowned upon for the women to gather, to make friendships in the church. The men and the Patriarchal leaders in charge would frown upon it, or even outright forbid it. 

Women without community were simply more vulnerable. Submissive. Less open to what Could Be.

Now I want to specify before we go any further that I identify as non-binary. I use they/them pronouns, wear a binder, and have historically been incredibly uncomfortable with femininity in regards to myself. I am, however, female presenting to the general public. There is your disclaimer. The points Levings makes, while she writes about women, are applicable to all.

We see this frequently, I think, throughout history. The best way to control people is to seize their communities, break them up, or pervert them to your desires. Native American assimilation, the conversion of Pagan deities and figures into Saints, the Witch Trials. The historical talks and theories about the rise of Patriarchy. All different but with a similar, bitter aftertaste. 

Preventing a diverse community and breaking up the pack allows for the hunter to pick off the wanderers, the thinkers, the rebels all that more easily. Convincing people that their salvation is in the hands of someone else. Isolation to control. Bring them back into the fold of the Church, under one umbrella of thought, but not too close. You don’t want them to gather to form their own thoughts now, do you? Let me tell you how to eat and dress and live, and if you do a good enough job maybe you’ll make it into Heaven! Convert others, convince yourself that you are saving them, don’t listen to their Original Thoughts! Clearly, that is the Devil Himself. Hate anyone that is different because they just seek to bring you into Damnation. Don’t worry. I know you’re struggling with that - Just be quiet and I’ll tell you how to think. 

Control comes from fear, from sameness. Rinse, repeat.

So why now, why this call for community? Clearly, community building can turn into something horrible. I am calling for discernment here.

Community has the potential to be something beautiful. It can be a space where people with many viewpoints can come together to share and meld ideas. Collaboration breeds innovation when it is built with respect and discernment. And what do I mean when I say discernment? I mean using your Critical Thinking Brain and your intuition both. Let us not be led astray by beautiful influencers promising to sell you spiritual awakenings on a silver platter for the low price of $2,500 (Do you see how similar that is to the promises of organized religion?). Does a community start to give you an icky feeling, the shadow of “Something isn’t right here…”? Leave it immediately. 

Beware of the Echo Chamber - if it’s always the same ideas circulating around, watch for polarization and extremism. 

Beware of the Cult Leader mentality. No one person can save you.

Beware of anyone trying to sell you Spirituality at absurd prices. $50-$200 for a class is normal. $2,500 is not.

Beware of anyone asking you to do anything you aren’t comfortable with.

Humans need connection. We need the ability to form relationships with other people that mean something. People to love, people to bond with, parents, children, mentors, teachers, students, guides, enemies. For some, the relationships that we build define our place in the world. We need a system that we can rely upon for support, to keep us company and to help us in our darkest times. Specifically in regards to spiritually, it can be immensely helpful to connect with those deemed “Other” by society that share similar views. Will Megan the Christian Neighbor understand when you’re discussing energy movement and directing will? Possibly. More than likely, no. Others can, they can validate you, commiserate with you, and stand in support of your goals and trials both. They can provide you with resources and hope and love. They can teach you, or allow themselves to be taught by you. They can make you feel less alone. And of course, there is always strength in numbers.

Finally, for as much as I love the internet, I urge you to seek out real connections as well. Find a local Witch/Pagan/Spiritual group you vibe with (but leave if they ask you to do something you’re not comfortable with - I cannot stress this enough), talk to your neighbors, give and receive support and gratitude. Go to the library. Start a group, if you’re so inclined. Volunteer to give back to the community. You are not going to agree with everyone and I can hazard a guess that you may even get into arguments with others that hold other beliefs. That’s okay. Hold space for that and move on. Be respectful.

Before the world changes in the next month - In a world that seeks to divide, come together with those in your community. When bad things happen, fall back on the people there to support you. Remember that most people are simply trying their best. Thanks for reading. Go in peace.

[foxes-that-run]

I don't wanna live forever

In the video Zayn arrives in a classic convertible, similar to Blank Space. She 'called out' Harry's cars in KoMH "'Cause all the boys and their expensive cars / With their Range Rovers and their Jaguars"

Then the hotel looks a lot like the Bowery Hotel where Harry stays in NY. Also, not to sound flippant... but it's Zayn and Taylor.

Harry and Taylor refer to Hallways in 10 songs and in the Perfect MV.

There are white roses throughout which Taylor pulls apart. Since Red, TS Roses have been about Harry, he has a rose tattoo. On their May anniversary in 2013, she posted roses saying she thought something would grow. She threw white roses in the Blank Space MV.

The people in the background are dressed like Harry and Taylor at the Victoria Secret show, which is also the subject of So it Goes.

They trash the hotel room, which mocks Perfect's MV. 1D's made a mess, Taylor and Zayn smash a mirror and a lamp.

i don't wanna live forever came together very quickly. wrote it with taylor and sam dew and produced it at home mostly on paper sounds. recorded taylor at my house. zayn sent parts from LA – we did it in a week basically. i've never had something come out that quick — jackantonoff (@jackantonoff) December 9, 2016

Zayn said that Jack approached him, then Zayn spoke to Taylor who already knew the track. I think given the importance of Jack and Taylor's relationship it's more likely Taylor choose Zayn and Jack was an intermediary than Jack raising it.

The collaboration itself is enough to confirm who it is about and caused a directioner-swiftie Twitter fandom storm. Many viewed it as a way for them both to mess with Harry, I think in part it is a response to Perfect. To suggest it's not about Harry for either is... a choice.

Zayns audio has leaked with different, maybe draft lyrics:

I know the fires burning / But it don’t feel nothin’ at all / You got this heavy heart turning just a sad sack /something for all to see

When was it written

Jack and Taylor were in the studio recording the bulk of Reputation in September 2016, Zayn was was in LA then, so maybe. But Fifty shades wrapped in April 2016 and it was likely wanted then.

Live performances

Taylor performed it 7 times in promotional events and then only twice in concert, interestingly both times was it the first week of June:

June 9, 2018, Manchester's Reputation Surprise Song. They were in a good (and maybe more) place then. Also Harry's hometown (he was in Florida)

June 3, 2023, Chicago Eras surprise song. It is sadder that above, the MH split announcement was 2 days later so maybe related. Haylor relations seemed warm before and after that.

Taylors split from CH and Harry left to shoot Dunkirk in June 2016. From I did something bad / High Infidelity / Ole we know CH was over earlier and they had spent some time together in February and April 2016. Playing this in June, when Harry left for Dunkirk and his IG going colour after the 2016 Met Gala has me side eyeing the end.

Lyrics

[Verse 1: ZAYN] Been sittin' eyes wide open Behind these four walls, hopin' you'd call It's just a cruel existence Like there's no point hopin' at all

Eyes wide open is a reference to Eyes wide Shut, the Stanley Kubrick erotic psychological drama. Like Fifty shades is features a masquerade party.

Harry and Taylor refer to waiting for calls in: AYHTDWS "Here you are now, calling me up, but I don't know what to say" August "Cancel plans just in case you'd call". Maroon "the rust that grew between telephones" FTDT "Even my phone misses your call, by the way"

Cruel existence is a theme of referring to their relationship as something they are trapped in. Cruel Summer "It's a cruel summer with you", MMIH "Cause once you go without it / Nothing else will do" and others. Taylor also had no hope in Treacherous "This hope is treacherous"

[Pre-Chorus: ZAYN] Baby, baby, I feel crazy Up all night, all night and every day Give me somethin', oh, but you say nothin' What is happening to me?

Taylors pre-chorus is the same but "I gave you somethin', but you gave me nothin'"

IWYW has a similar line "You always knew how to push my buttons / You give me everything and nothing" and Say "don't go" "I said, "I love you" (I said, "I love you") / You say nothin' back"

[Chorus: ZAYN] I don't wanna live forever 'Cause I know I'll be living in vain And I don't wanna fit wherever I just wanna keep calling your name Until you come back home x2

Taylor has referred to not wanting a life without Harry in Is it over now? "Oh, Lord, I think about / Jumping off of very tall somethings" Hoax " Stood on the cliffside / Screaming, "Give me a reason"" This is me trying "Pulled the car off the road to the lookout / Could've followed my fears all the way down"

In Where do broken hearts go "Now I'm searching every lonely place / Every corner calling out your name / Tryna find you but I just don't know / Where do broken hearts go?"

I don't want to fit wherever seems a response to Perfect "Or the arms that hold you any time you want them / But that don't mean that we can't live here in the moment / 'Cause I can be the one you love from time to time". HS had not been available because of the band, but wasn't in 2016 when Taylor wanted someone there for her but I expect was focused on his solo career and Dunkirk so not in the band or available. To me this line could be why it still didn't work out.

[Verse 2: Taylor Swift] I'm sittin' eyes wide open And I got one thing stuck in my mind Wonderin' if I dodged a bullet Or just lost the love of my life, oh

In second Verse Taylor has let it go, dodged a bullet/lost the love of her life is pretty straight forward - but it's an interesting link to Love of my Life on Harry's House which was still 6 years away. (yes I know his only 13th track on the album he released on their 10th anniversary is about England.... ....)

[Bridge: Taylor Swift, ZAYN, Both] I've been looking sad in all the nicest places Baby, baby, I feel crazy I see you around in all these empty faces Up all night, all night and every day I've been looking sad in all the nicest places Give me somethin', oh, but you say nothin' Now I'm in a cab, I tell 'em where your place is What is happening to me?

Looking sad in all the nicest places reminds me of:

This is me trying: "And it's hard to be at a party / When I feel like an open wound/ It's hard to be anywhere these days / When all I want is you"

Hit's different "Freedom felt like summer then on the coast / Now the sun burns my heart and the sand hurts my feelings"

Take the cab to his place is also similar to other times they go to each others house:

DBATC: "I Take the long way home"

Wish You Would. "It's 2 A.M. in your car / Windows down, you pass my street / The memories start" and "It's 2 A.M. in your car / Windows down, I pass my street / The memories start"

[Outro: Taylor Swift, ZAYN] I just wanna keep callin' your name Until you come back home Until you come back home

Finally, home is an important concept to them. Generally, they refer to each other as home. However in this song and Sweet Creature, "Wherever I go, you bring me home Sweet creature, sweet creature When I run out of road, you bring me home"

Sweet Creature and IDWLF were both written in 2016 they refer to HS coming home to her.

The lyric 'And I don't wanna fit wherever / I just wanna keep calling your name / Until you come back home". Is a hope that eventually they will be together, but accepting not yet. This idea is in several songs:

HYGTG "Broke your heart, I'll put it back together / I would wait for ever and ever (I want you for ever and ever)"

Suburban Legends " When you told me we'd get back together / And you kissed me in a way that's gonna screw me up forever"

Someday "Someday maybe when we're old and gray / We could be in love once more / Till then I won't give my love away / Darling, I'm forever only yours"

Something Great: "One day, I'll come into your world and get it right / I'll say we're better off together here tonight"

Happily "We were meant to be but a twist of fate / Made it so you had to walk away."

Satellite "Spinning out, waiting for ya to pull me in / I can see you're lonely down there"

[rockerb0y]

𝚏𝚎𝚊𝚝. 𝙿𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙷𝚁𝙾𝙿𝚈 / 𝙱𝚄𝚂𝙸𝙽𝙴𝚂𝚂 𝚅𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙴𝚂

the grand illusion, a highly regarded rock club which was frequented by several prominent musicians over the years ( including johnny himself ), was purchased by both johnny and kerry about four years after samurai's disbandment. although the purchase wasn't made public and was rooted in long-standing nostalgia, johnny still maintains a strong presence in the club — often performing secret shows without advance notice or grabbing a few drinks when he's in the area. although his status as an owner isn't advertised or flaunted, regulars are aware of his connection to the club and share a 'if you know, you know ' mindset

disdainful of the modern shift towards megacorporations controlling the media and snuffing out artist's creativity to suit their needs, johnny bought several warehouses throughout night city and converted them into affordable housing for up-and-coming artists. silverhand studios was founded on the belief that artists should be free from creative suppression and shouldn't be influenced by megacorps in order to make a living. the first level was typically empty and used as a collaborative space where loft occupants could share ideas. the second floor housed the individual lofts which were clean and vermin-free. as a landlord, johnny visited occasionally and was of the belief that tenants could do as they pleased as long as they did not interfere with or disrupt their fellow artists

after the purchase of his porsche 911 turbo at a significant discount from its previous owner, johnny spent several months restoring and customizing it to his tastes. he relied heavily on the assistance and advice of a local mechanic due to his limited mechanical expertise and over time, the pair became good friends. they eventually got talking and after learning of the mechanic's keen interest in motorcycles, arch motorcycle was born. similar to johnny's porsche, the company specialized in custom motorcycles that were tailored to the needs of the owner. johnny himself acted as a silent partner and eventually left the company to the mechanic after his death. since then, the company has evolved over the years and continues to be active in 2077

despite his varying success over the years, johnny only held onto the income he needed to maintain his lifestyle and cover living expenses. aside from his more formal ventures, he's a frequent donor to multiple non-profit youth organizations and charities with a particular focus on music and creative initiatives. donations are always anonymous and while he rarely attends fundraising events, he does occasionally make exceptions for less renowned organizations

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New map of Milky Way in atomic hydrogen reveals its clumped 'flocculent' nature for first time

Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti, the Pei-Ling Chan Endowed Chair at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, has co-authored a paper that uses young stars to develop a more accurate map of the outer gas disk of the Milky Way galaxy.

The findings are being presented at the 246th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS 2025) in Anchorage, Alaska, held June 8–12, in conjunction with Michigan State University (MSU). It has been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal and is available on the arXiv preprint server.

The study employs a technique the researchers call "pattern matching," using Cepheid variable stars to effectively anchor the distances of the gas on the outer edges of the galaxy's spiral arms for the first time.

"The structure in stars is a lot smoother than in the gas. The gas is very fleecy looking, and it actually looks a lot more disturbed," Chakrabarti says. "This is an area I worked on for many years, starting when I was a Ph.D. student with my very first work on spiral structure, particularly with a focus on the gas. Later, as a postdoctoral fellow, I did computer simulations to understand the disturbances in the traditional atomic hydrogen map that was produced by researchers at Berkeley."

Building a hydrogen map for the Milky Way has long been crucial to understanding the galaxy's structure, dynamics, star formation and evolution, as well as refining the observations of distant objects. The new study is a collaboration with Chakrabarti's former doctoral student, Dr. Peter Craig, a research associate in the MSU Department of Physics & Astronomy and lead author of the paper. The study incorporates data from the European Space Agency (ESA) Gaia mission.

"Distance is one of the most fundamental things you can measure in the universe, and one of the most foundational things we can work on in astronomy," Chakrabarti explains. "Unless you know distances, you can't map anything. The Berkeley map was based on the traditional method using so-called 'kinematic distances' that assume a model for the velocity fields of the galaxy."

Kinematic distances rely on measuring the velocity of objects and comparing them to a model of the galaxy's rotation, allowing astronomers to associate velocities with distances.

"The assignment of kinematic distances uses an assumed rotation curve to convert velocity information into a distance estimate," Chakrabarti notes. "For stars, there are some really good ways of doing this. But for the gas, there isn't anything."

Bridging the distance

Using kinematic distances to measure distances to gas can be inaccurate due to several factors. "The accuracy of kinematic distances can depend heavily on the rotation curve assumed for the disk," the researcher explains. "Regions of the disk that deviate from the assumed velocity model, such as near-streaming motions along spiral arms, will lead to systematically inaccurate distance estimates and produce misleading features in the resultant maps of the Milky Way's gas distribution.

"There can be deviations from the assumed velocity model also towards the galactic bulge and bar. So, when you have a real galaxy you will see these deviations, and if your distance method relies on the simple velocity model, of course you're going to get some inaccurate distance estimates," says Chakrabarti.

To address these challenges, the new study uses "pattern matching," the idea of pairing young stars that have known locations with nearby clumps of gas to provide a new map that for the first time does not depend on kinematic distances.

"When you look at galaxies, you see the spiral structure in the gas is very similar to the spiral structure in the young stars," Chakrabarti says. "That's not very surprising, because young stars are born from the gas which collapses and forms these stars, and then they move from their birth site. With young stars, the patterns of the spiral structure are still very similar to that of a gas."

For the study, Chakrabarti and her colleagues chose Cepheid variable stars. Cepheids are pulsating stars that vary in brightness regularly, with periods ranging from a few days to several months. These stars are extremely luminous and can be seen at great distances, making them useful for determining the distances to galaxies.

"The three basic quantities that go into the gas data are longitude, latitude and velocity," Chakrabarti says. "We plot these for the gas and for the young stars, and you see they're very similar. Cepheid variable stars have very precise distances because [American astronomer] Henrietta Leavitt worked out this fantastic relationship many years ago. So, if you have Cepheids that are close to a clump of gas that doesn't have distances, we give the distances of the young stars to the gas that doesn't have it. This is the idea of pattern matching."

"Our new maps nicely demonstrate that the spiral structure in the gas disk of the Milky Way is highly flocculent, and that the overall structure of the disk is complex," Dr. Craig adds. "The maps generated using our new technique can capture features in the gas that might be missed when assuming a smooth rotation model for the Milky Way.

"Pattern-matching maps of the hydrogen disk will only get better with time, as accurate distance measurements become available for an ever-increasing sample of young stars in the galaxy. These new, more accurate, maps of the galactic hydrogen disk may allow for better characterization of the dark matter in the galaxy."

Analysis of simulated spiral galaxies indicates that pattern-matching distances are 24% more accurate than kinematic distances for gas, which promises important implications for understanding large-scale disturbances in the gas disk and how they are impacted by interactions between the Milky Way and dwarf galaxies.

In all, the research employed more than 37,000 stars distributed throughout the Milky Way disk with ages under 210 million years to create the new map. "In the future, this novel distance method can be improved with more complete stellar samples," the study concludes.

IMAGE: Cepheid variables are extremely luminous and can be seen at great distances, making them useful for determining the distances to galaxies. Credit: NASA

[nasa]

Let's Explore a Metal-Rich Asteroid 🤘

Between Mars and Jupiter, there lies a unique, metal-rich asteroid named Psyche. Psyche’s special because it looks like it is part or all of the metallic interior of a planetesimal—an early planetary building block of our solar system. For the first time, we have the chance to visit a planetary core and possibly learn more about the turbulent history that created terrestrial planets.

Here are six things to know about the mission that’s a journey into the past: Psyche.

1. Psyche could help us learn more about the origins of our solar system.

After studying data from Earth-based radar and optical telescopes, scientists believe that Psyche collided with other large bodies in space and lost its outer rocky shell. This leads scientists to think that Psyche could have a metal-rich interior, which is a building block of a rocky planet. Since we can’t pierce the core of rocky planets like Mercury, Venus, Mars, and our home planet, Earth, Psyche offers us a window into how other planets are formed.

2. Psyche might be different than other objects in the solar system.

Rocks on Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Earth contain iron oxides. From afar, Psyche doesn’t seem to feature these chemical compounds, so it might have a different history of formation than other planets.

If the Psyche asteroid is leftover material from a planetary formation, scientists are excited to learn about the similarities and differences from other rocky planets. The asteroid might instead prove to be a never-before-seen solar system object. Either way, we’re prepared for the possibility of the unexpected!

3. Three science instruments and a gravity science investigation will be aboard the spacecraft.

The three instruments aboard will be a magnetometer, a gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer, and a multispectral imager. Here’s what each of them will do:

Magnetometer: Detect evidence of a magnetic field, which will tell us whether the asteroid formed from a planetary body

Gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer: Help us figure out what chemical elements Psyche is made of, and how it was formed

Multispectral imager: Gather and share information about the topography and mineral composition of Psyche

The gravity science investigation will allow scientists to determine the asteroid’s rotation, mass, and gravity field and to gain insight into the interior by analyzing the radio waves it communicates with. Then, scientists can measure how Psyche affects the spacecraft’s orbit.

4. The Psyche spacecraft will use a super-efficient propulsion system.

Psyche’s solar electric propulsion system harnesses energy from large solar arrays that convert sunlight into electricity, creating thrust. For the first time ever, we will be using Hall-effect thrusters in deep space.

5. This mission runs on collaboration.

To make this mission happen, we work together with universities, and industry and NASA to draw in resources and expertise.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the mission and is responsible for system engineering, integration, and mission operations, while NASA’s Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Services Program manages launch operations and procured the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

Working with Arizona State University (ASU) offers opportunities for students to train as future instrument or mission leads. Mission leader and Principal Investigator Lindy Elkins-Tanton is also based at ASU.

Finally, Maxar Technologies is a key commercial participant and delivered the main body of the spacecraft, as well as most of its engineering hardware systems.

6. You can be a part of the journey.

Everyone can find activities to get involved on the mission’s webpage. There's an annual internship to interpret the mission, capstone courses for undergraduate projects, and age-appropriate lessons, craft projects, and videos.

You can join us for a virtual launch experience, and, of course, you can watch the launch with us on Oct. 12, 2023, at 10:16 a.m. EDT!

For official news on the mission, follow us on social media and check out NASA’s and ASU’s Psyche websites.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[kfkr1ze]

Vividly Colored Imagination - Chapter 11

Characters — ✈︎ Akuta, Kiroku, Nanaki, Muneuji, Ushio, Sakujiro

Location: HAMA Asunaro High School

Hakkei: Well then, it seems as if the Ward 6 Tour will take place at this school during the nighttime…

Tour Customer A: I was interested in this tour as an alumni, but I’ve never been to the school at this time!

Tour Customer B: I’m kinda nervous! It feels like I’m sneaking in, somehow.

Hakkei: (Even when at a familiar place, just changing the time of day can arouse a sense of adventure… Or so it seems.)

(If you are an OBOG [1], this would feel like an even more special experience. However… this trick will not work on this“Charming Gentleman Guardian,” Hakkei Shigematsu)

(If you don’t see a man for three days[2]… or so the saying goes. Let us see just how much the new kids of HAMA have grown…!)

Location: HAMA Asunaro High School Second Campus Central Botanical Garden

Hakkei: The theme this time seems to be an Art Fes. For now, I will just follow the instructions given on the directional panels.

Hoh… this is…!

The projections seem to be giving the school a traditional Japanese atmosphere. Hmm… Well, this is not a bad choice.

(Hum. That is that boy who survived the space battle with me in that planetarium from the first tour.)

Yumenosuke: How are you fairing, Uncle?

Gannosuke: The spooky colors match the atmosphere to a perfect degree. It’s like a Japanese Night at the Museum.

Hakkei: (Is that man standing next to him a relative of his? They look eerily similar.)

(As the two of them said, coupled with the music that has been playing since the beginning, a unique atmosphere has been created.)

Tour Customer C: Look! There’s something floating over there…!

Hakkei: That is… An okiagari doll?

(Holograms of dolls with varying designs are being projected all over the place…)

Tour Customer D: Amaazinggg! How pretty!

Yumenosuke: There are a lot of strange designs… H-However I can’t seem to take my eyes away from them…!

Gannosuke: GUOOOOOOH!!

Yumenosuke: Uncle!? Why did you scream so suddenly!?

Gannosuke: These dolls are inspiring the creative side of me…! My artistic desires…!!

This inspiration is plaguing me! What should I use as an outlet…!! GUAAAH!

Yumenosuke: Uncle, pull yourself together!!

Akuta: Attention, atteeention! Everyone gather around～! How about you try painting your very own okiagari doll over heeere? 

Hakkei: P-Painting…?

Muneuji: All of these charms come directly from a workshop in Kanazawa. You can take home whatever you end up creating.

Tour Customer E: Ehh cuuute! Let’s go!

Gannosuke: Yumenosuke-kun, hurry… Lend me your pen!!

Yumenosuke: Yes, Uncle, here!

Muneuji: Hello. Since you’re already here, why don’t you try painting something for yourself?

Hakkei: …I do wish to give it a try, however… I am uncertain of what to draw myself…

Muneuji: If you’re feeling unsure, feel free to replicate the designs of the pine. bamboo, and plum Hachiman okiagari dolls being projected onto these models.

Hakkei: I see. Then I will try to draw the pine tree in the center of this doll.

Gannosuke: TAAAAAH!!

Yumenosuke: Amazing…! Eyelashes that are fluttering in the wind were carefully drawn on…! Is this what it means to be an eyelash artist…!?

Hakkei: Phew… It is finished. I ended up inspired by the atmosphere around me and ended up using some rather unusual colors, but it all came together in the end.

Ushio: Once you’re done, you can 3D scan your design and have it be displayed alongside the other dolls, so feel free.

Gannosuke: Aah… The eyelashes I drew are being converted…

Yumenosuke: A collaboration between the modern world and the traditional crafts of Kanazawa… We were shown something of wonderful taste.

Hakkei: (I see… The dolls we created are also being made a part of the venue. The entire space itself is a work of art.)

(This shows us that art is not some sophisticated craft, but rather, it is something that can be enjoyed on a personal and casual level…)

Akuta: The amount of dolls from Kiroku and the customers is amazing. This is a whole new level!

Muneuji: It was good news to hear that all 100 of the rough drafts he submitted were ultimately approved in the end.

Ushio: With that quality, there’s no way that they wouldn’t be. It must’ve been refreshing. 

Sakujiro: Ladies and gentlemen, we will soon be showing the live painting on the live stage! You do not want to miss such a grand event tonight!

Hakkei: At last, the main event of the tour has come. I shall make my way over there. 

Location: Day2 Special Stage

Nanaki: We’ll start painting on this giant okiagari doll here. I hope you enjoy it.

Tour Customer F: …That doll is super big! That has to be at least 3m, doesn’t it?

Tour Customer G: The brushes those kids on stage are holding are huge! Those paint buckets are huge too.

Kiroku: …………

Kaede: Wah, that was a loud cheer…! I wonder if Kiroku-kun is okay…

Akuta: No problemo there!

Muneuji: He’s wearing open ear headphones that he borrowed from Nanamegi. He should be able to focus his full attention on drawing.

Kiroku: Breathes in… Breathes out…

Hakkei: (That is… Ward 6, Kinugawa-kun, who drew my portrait on the first tour, is it not?:)

(The pressure of revealing your rawest form to the audience must be nerve wrecking. Howeverーー)

Kiroku: (…I can do this.)

Sakujiro: It has finally started. Now it is time to witness your growth, Kinugawa-kun.

Kiroku: (――Nanamegi told me about my individuality, my individuality that was rejected as “creepy” before…)

(It might be difficult to immediately like and accept my individuality, but…)

Kaede: All of the customers are watching Kiroku-kun’s every move…!

Kiroku: (At least, when I’m listening to the song that Nanamegi made for me… I can love my own world. I can breathe deeply.)

Kiroku: (I don’t wanna reject myself. I want to let my brush move freely, protect it, nurture it, and fully enjoy it――!)

Kaede: You got this, Kiroku-kun…!

Kiroku: (Deeper… more deeper…)

Muneuji: Go, Kinugawa.

Kiroku: I can… breathe.

Akuta: He’s moving all crazily, it’s like an explosion of technique! Show ‘em, Kirokuーー！！

Kiroku: I believe that… my individuality… can reach someoneーー！！

Hakkei: Muh!? The brush is moving without hesitation…! I want to see more and more of these complex and beautiful patterns at all angles…!

Yumenosuke: This time… Well, you did a good job, you barbaric bomber wardens. 

Gannosuke: You grew up well, Kinugawa.

Kiroku: Hah… Hah…

(I’m… done…)

(But it’s not enough… I need a little more… but of what…?)

Nanaki: Kiroku…!

Kiroku: ……Ah.

Nanaki: That way we can call them all idiots that can’t understand anything in front of them, and continue to create things with anger and sadness in our hearts…

Wouldn’t that be fun, too?

Kiroku: …That’s it.

(Nanamegi is… also here… Anger and sadness… I’m sure that… all of those…)

(We feel… together.)

Kiroku: Nanamegi.

Nanaki: Yeah?

Kiroku: The paint that’s left in the bucketーー

Let’s use it all.

Nanaki: Eh!?

Kaede: Huh…? Those two, what are they doing?

Ushio: It’s about time they start wrapping things up.

Kiroku: Nanamegi, over there.

Nanaki: Ehh, seriously?

Kiroku: Yeah… let's go.

Nanaki: Waiー Noー Shit…! I really can’t tell if you’re serious or not…!’

Kiroku: … Ready, and…!

Everyone: EHHHHHHHHHH!?

Ushio: W-What the fuck are they doing…!? They just threw all the paint all over the place. Are they insane!?

Sakujiro: However, the fact that it looks ridiculous upon first glance does not affect the actual quality of the work. In that senseーー

Kaede: Getting swept up in the atmosphere makes it kinda looks intentional…!

Akuta: It’s crazy and I don’t get it at all!! But, this is entertainmentーー!!

Kiroku: Haah… Haah…

Nanaki: Haah… Hah…

Kiroku: Hehe…

Nanaki: Haーー

Nanaki & Kiroku: Ahahaha…!

Kiroku: It’s… finished now.

Hakkei: This uplifting and immersive feeling… this is… an Art Fest…!

Kiroku: …… Haah.

That was… fun.

Previous — ✈︎ Masterlist — ✈︎ Next

Notes — ✈︎

OBOG basically means an alumni!

The full saying would be “If you don’t see a man for three days, look at him with renewed vigor” meaning. A young person can grow into a completely different person in 3 days.

[whyyourkochi-basedbusinessis]

Why Hiring a Social Media Marketing Agency in Kochi is Crucial for Your Brand’s Growth

In today’s ever-evolving digital space, social media isn’t just a platform for conversations—it’s a powerful tool for business visibility, customer engagement, and revenue generation. Whether you're a startup or an established brand, partnering with a professional social media marketing agency in Kochi can be the game-changing move your business needs.

With social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube driving customer behavior, businesses that fail to leverage these channels risk falling behind. That’s where local expertise meets strategy—delivered by Kochi’s leading digital professionals.

Understanding the Role of a Social Media Marketing Agency in Kochi

A social media marketing agency in Kochi provides comprehensive solutions to help brands build and maintain a dynamic presence online. These agencies are equipped with skilled strategists, content creators, ad specialists, and designers who work together to craft results-driven campaigns tailored to your target audience.

Key services include:

Strategy development and competitor analysis

Organic and paid campaign management

Content creation (videos, carousels, reels, infographics)

Influencer collaborations

Analytics and performance tracking

Unlike DIY or in-house methods, professional agencies deliver a data-backed, creative, and consistent approach across platforms.

Why Choose a Kochi-Based Social Media Marketing Agency

Hiring a social media marketing agency in Kochi provides significant advantages, especially if your business caters to the local or regional market.

1. Local Market Insights

Agencies based in Kochi understand:

The local culture, dialect, and preferences

Region-specific events and buying trends

Effective messaging in both Malayalam and English

Geo-targeting tactics for better ad relevance

This local understanding translates into more personalized and engaging content, which builds deeper customer relationships.

2. Creative and Strategic Expertise

Top agencies in Kochi don’t just post content—they tell stories. They understand what your audience wants to see, when to post, and how to craft messages that convert. From festive campaigns to influencer partnerships, they use creativity backed by data to build meaningful engagement.

Results You Can Expect from the Right Agency

A trusted social media marketing agency in Kochi will help your business achieve the following goals:

Increased Brand Awareness: Reach thousands of potential customers daily through organic and paid efforts.

Better Engagement: Interact with your audience, respond to queries, and build brand loyalty.

Lead Generation: Run targeted ad campaigns that convert viewers into inquiries and sales.

Consistent Growth: Monthly content calendars and optimized ad spends ensure stable progress.

Improved Customer Trust: Well-designed content and customer feedback highlight your professionalism and reliability.

Industries Benefiting from Social Media in Kochi

From tourism and hospitality to healthcare and education, almost every industry in Kochi benefits from powerful social media strategies.

Restaurants and Cafes: Use visually appealing posts and reviews to attract foodies.

Boutiques and Fashion Stores: Showcase collections with trending reels and influencer tie-ups.

Hospitals and Clinics: Build credibility with educational content and patient testimonials.

Real Estate and Builders: Generate leads with walkthrough videos, virtual tours, and promotions.

Education and Coaching Centers: Promote results, facilities, and admission campaigns effectively.

Choosing the Right Social Media Marketing Agency in Kochi

Before selecting an agency, consider the following:

Portfolio of past clients and industries served

Style and quality of content across platforms

Client reviews and retention rate

Pricing and flexibility of service packages

Transparency in performance reports and KPIs

A good agency doesn’t just deliver services—they become a partner in your brand journey.

Conclusion

If you're aiming to elevate your brand’s online presence and connect meaningfully with your audience, partnering with a reliable social media marketing agency in Kochi is the smart move. With regional insights, creative flair, and strategic execution, these agencies help brands grow, engage, and thrive in the digital age.

Don’t let your competitors outshine you on social platforms. Make the shift now and watch your digital story unfold with purpose and impact.

[leibal]

The Med Terrace is a minimalist home located in London, United Kingdom, designed by ALL&NXTHING in collaboration with Merrett Houmøller Architects. The project has successfully converted the once dark and segmented spaces into a series of interconnected, open areas. The centerpiece of this redesign is a striking double-height, trapezoidal living and kitchen area.

[jordanianroyals]

7 August 2024: Queen Rania met with young entrepreneurs and content creators at co-working center Bldr Space in Amman on Wednesday, to talk about their projects and learn more about their innovative businesses.

During the visit, Her Majesty met with Bldr Space’s co-founder Natasha Salti, who explained that the co-working environment aims to foster a strong sense of community among the entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote employees it serves. With two locations in Amman, Bldr regularly hosts workshops, and networking and speaker events to encourage collaboration and relationship building among coworkers.

Queen Rania also met with team members of Jordanian tech company Bith.AI, which provides users with AI-powered tools to facilitate video and image creation and editing.

According to Bith.AI Co-Founder and CEO Omar Dweik, the company is the Arab World’s first online platform to provide simple video content generation services utilizing artificial intelligence. To date, it has reached over 400,000 creators in more than 60 countries around the world, supporting the creation of over 650,000 videos through its AI-powered solutions.

Established in 2019, Bith.AI began as a sports tech company before becoming fully dedicated to content creation tools. In 2021, Bith.AI launched a user-friendly video editor tool aimed at gamers, live streamers, podcasters, and educators. Earlier this year, the company released its first AI video generator, which allows users to convert text to video.