#White Label Support for Go High Level

[isuremediasblog]

Best White Label Support for Go High Level Agencies in 2024

Looking to streamline your agency operations and provide top-notch service to your clients using Go High Level? Curious about how white label support can help? In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of White Label Support for Go High Level agencies, discussing how it simplifies processes, enhances brand reputation, and where to find the best support to propel your agency to success in 2024 and beyond.

What White Label Support for Go High Level is all about?

Curious about how White Label Support for Go High Level can transform your agency’s customer service? Imagine having a team that offers customer support and technical assistance, but under your agency’s name. So, when your clients using Go High Level have questions or need help, they’re assisted by a team that seems like an extension of your agency. This service seamlessly integrates into your offerings, making it appear as though the support is coming directly from your agency. Plus, your clients get consistent, high-quality support without knowing it’s outsourced. Pretty neat, right?

But what about the benefits for SAAS businesses using Go High Level? Let’s dive in. Think expert support, available 24/7, without the hassle and costs of managing an in-house team. Sounds like a game-changer, doesn’t it?

And it’s not just about troubleshooting. Highlevel support covers everything from technical guidance to helping your clients make the most of Go High Level’s features. With this support in place, SAAS businesses can focus more on core activities and strategic growth.

White Label Support for Go High Level is more than just a service, it’s a game-changer for your agency and your clients alike.

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL

Benefits of Outsourcing White Label Support for Go High Level

Cost Savings

Outsourcing WhiteLabel High Level Support eliminates the need to hire and manage an in-house support team, resulting in significant cost savings for your agency.

Focus on Core Activities

By outsourcing support tasks, your agency can focus on core activities such as client acquisition, marketing, and strategy development, leading to increased productivity and growth.

Enhanced Client Experience

With expert White Label Support handling client inquiries and technical issues, your clients receive timely assistance, leading to improved satisfaction and loyalty.

Brand Consistency

White label support ensures that all client interactions reflect your agency’s brand, maintaining consistency and professionalism across all touchpoints.

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL

How to Choose the Best White Label Support Provider for Your Go High Level Agency

When it comes to selecting the right White Label Support provider for your Go High Level agency, making the right choice is important. Here’s how to navigate the process effectively:

Assess Expertise and Experience

Look for a support provider with extensive experience in providing White Label Support for Go High Level agencies and a track record of delivering excellent service.

Review Client Testimonials and Case Studies

Reading client testimonials and case studies can provide valuable insights into the support provider’s reliability, responsiveness, and client satisfaction levels.

Evaluate Pricing and Flexibility

Compare pricing plans and service offerings from different support providers to find one that offers the best value for your agency’s budget and requirements.

Consider Communication and Support Channels

Ensure that the support provider offers responsive communication channels and support options that align with your agency’s preferences and client needs.

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL

White Label Support for Go High Level Agencies with Isuremedia

At Isuremedia, we understand the transformative potential of Go High Level and the unparalleled benefits of white labeling. Our expertise lies in providing highly skilled GoHighLevel virtual assistants who excel in setting up and managing white-labeled Go High Level accounts, offering comprehensive White Label Support for Go High Level.

But our commitment doesn’t stop at white labeling. We believe in providing unwavering support and guidance that truly make a difference for your agency. We recognize that white labeling isn’t just about customization; it’s about ensuring your brand shines. That’s why our team of experts is dedicated to guiding you through the entire white labeling journey, from initial setup to ongoing support and customization.

At Isuremedia, we go the extra mile to ensure you harness the full potential of Go High Level’s White Labeling Feature. Our personalized Zoom sessions offer one-on-one guidance to ensure you maximize the benefits of white labeling for your agency.

To further demonstrate our expertise, we’ve compiled testimonial videos from our valued clients. These testimonials provide real-life accounts of how Isuremedia’s Go High Level Support has made a positive impact on their businesses. By hearing directly from satisfied clients, you can gain confidence in our ability to deliver exceptional results for your agency. With Isuremedia, you’re choosing a trusted partner backed by the support of our satisfied clients.

Unlock the full potential of Go High Level with Isuremedia by your side. White label support for Go High Level SaaS can revolutionize your agency, helping you establish a strong brand identity, nurture client relationships, and stay ahead of the competition. With Isuremedia as your trusted partner, you can be confident that you’re receiving the best agency for Go High Level White Label Support, enhancing your White Label CRM Services.

Contact us today and discover how Isuremedia’s expertise can drive your agency’s growth and success with complete White Label CRM Services.

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL

[elicit-digital]

GoHighLevel Pricing & Automation: What You Need to Know in 2025

Unlock the full potential of your business in 2025 with GoHighLevel’s powerful pricing plans and cutting-edge automation tools. Whether you're a marketer, agency owner, or consultant, this guide breaks down everything you need to know—from CRM features to sales funnel automation—so you can choose the right plan and scale smarter. Discover how HighLevel’s all-in-one platform streamlines operations, boosts productivity, and maximizes ROI with expert insights and support. Ready to automate your growth? Dive in now and transform your workflow!

[myvirtualtalentmvt]

go high level white label support

At MyVirtualTalent, we understand how important your brand identity is, which is why we offer top-notch gohighlevel white label support. Our  white label solutions allow you to present high-quality Gohighlevel services as your own, helping your brand to expand and resonate with more clients. You can trust us to add that personalized touch to your marketing platforms, making your clients happier—and when your clients are happy, so are we! With our gohighlevel white label pricing, you can save on hiring full-time staff, training them, and still not having tasks done to your expectations. Choose MyVirtualTalent for efficient and effective service that enhances your brand’s presence and client satisfaction without the overhead.

[court-jobi]

How'd You Know (I Needed This)

((banner by me! I don't own Horikoshi's (sleepy) characters/work))

Pairing: Aizawa x reader (American!Pro Hero fem!reader, set before the events of Season 1)

Words: 4.9K

Rating: T+

Warnings: Aizawa has feelings and doesn't know what to do with them, alcohol mentions, slow burn, he fell first she fell harder, the feeling is mutual TM

Summary:

Shouta Aizawa surrenders his capture weapon for the night in favor of humoring Hizashi, and is rewarded for his follow-through at his show. He wants to know you, more than he has from teaching the brats alongside you for the last few months. Wants to know the smile that reaches your eyes more intimately.

He’s happy he gets this balcony happy hour with you -out from all their eyes inside- to be able to water this sweet, small thing he feels towards you to fullness.

A/N: I've been WAITING for this one, turn it up!!! Aizawa my beloved, I've wanted to write you for so, so long and can only hope I can do you justice. The man just has such a gentle side and I just wanted to give him something nice and self-indulgent~

For my My Hero Academia Masterlist, check it out here!

Read on Ao3

Damn it, why was he thinking like this? He’s in public for goodness’ sakes, with only two sips of drink under his belt. Not two drinks- two sips of a drink.  So if that’s the case of his sobriety, why was he off in his own little headspace as if he were drunk?  

‘Put Your Hands Up Radio’ found its home recording studio attached to this lounge: a place Shouta Aizawa never frequented unless expressly invited- or when Eraserhead was needed to scout out trouble. Far too noisy, too chatty, and filled with too many grown adults losing their sensibilities for his liking. 

Through one round of begging or another, he’d been roped into joining some of the staff of UA to an evening out, in support of Present Mic. Naturally, Aizawa would go- as his presence would all but guarantee everyone else’s. Despite begrudging the plans that pushed himself out of his preferred rest mode, he kept true to his word for Hizashi’s sake.

Promise kept, and therefore, appears to have been rewarded. 

Once the show wrapped for the night, his best friend was over the moon at how things were turning into a party that Friday night. After a day of shrill, whinging teenagers he’d wrangled all week, this level of volume was honestly the last thing he needed. Yamada’s voice doubled the decibel of the entire room- and that’s without his quirk activated. He always managed to annoy Aizawa when he started fangirling about one duet matchup or another.

But truthfully? Every sound this tired hero registered around him fell to white noise while he looked at you…

Sweet Little Miss, you are; gracing the lounge with your presence. You’re a vision tonight. Insist with your lilting dip to your words they all call you by your first name, outside of school grounds and against what’s considered custom. No hero titles either, unless an emergency called for formalities- then you’d cave.

These Americans are too casual. Even down to these outfits. What’s this–  black turtleneck, necklace she won’t leave alone- moving it around her thumb like that, short skirt.. and those damn thigh highs and tights. How is it she’s driving that moped of hers, wearing something like this…

Everything on your person, down to the way you held yourself in perfect confidence and ease adorned you like a perfectly-styled pro hero. It couldn't be a more stark contrast to his tried and true wardrobe. Even this after-hours look sat perfectly around each bend and curve of you, as you listened to the group. 

You’re smiling, too. It’s subtle, but it reaches your eyes, which makes it all the more authentic.

A smile he shouldn’t want to keep all to himself. Curves he really should have no business noticing. Features that he’s actually surprised he’s labeling as ‘attractive’ in his mind because the last time he ever felt an ounce of attraction to anyone in that way, he’d barely been able to grow facial hair. 

Desire for a safe place to land his dizzying mind is driving his tired sights to look to you for relief again and again in the conversation– without you even saying a single word. 

The barely-touched drink in his hand is only a prop; something to make him blend into the scene and not something he’s actually tasting for pleasure… meaning, these are his thoughts. Nearly completely sober. Should be illegal. Just illegal-

"Yo Sho, you still with us, sleepyhead?" 

Yamada pulled him out of his thoughts. Disguising any flare of being put on the spot, Aizawa  flitted his absent gaze back to his blond friend–

"Be nice. He’s had a rough day and is a good enough sport by being here,” you chirped up catching Yamada’s pull for Aizawa to part from the fringes of your little gathering.

Now toward you? He’ll soften his edge. After all, with you sticking up for him with blind loyalty, he nearly felt guilty for spacing out and causing you to speak up in the first place.

“- yknow, I'm inclined to take a nap myself," you leaned forward to grab a few more calamari bites to tend to your seemingly insatiable appetite. Aizawa felt warm at the sweetness and straightened up at Yamada’s prodding.

From then on, he made sure to look in your direction more often when you spoke to help him pay attention. He still didn't say much, never did. But he liked the company well enough.

These nights were truly few and far between. Life as an in-demand hero left him jumping from role to role, daytime and midnight obligations. The routine split his waking hours and stretched them paper thin.  Now more than ever,  he typically shirked as much off time as he was offered. And yet, he had to remember to prioritize levity and breaks– and in this case, indulge his treasured friend’s interests and ‘take one for the team’. Good for morale, he reasoned, just this once. 

The occasion was also a way for you to integrate with the group in an informal setting– great for the transplant from the States. You’ve taken amicably to the group of alumni-turned-faculty at UA, though much still remained a mystery about you, presently being peeled back bit by bit through stories and slips of the tongue. There was only so much a dossier could truly reveal about a person- even one curated by S.W.O.R.D. to volunteer aid their Japanese counterparts in their hero work.

It couldn’t tell what kind of teacher you’d turned out to be. Even with no experience working with students, you tread the line between instilling team-centered outlooks and pushing their quirk’s limitations to their max benefit. A crafty, inventive counterpart to complement his blunt teaching style: better together, and even the principal agreed.

It couldn’t point out where your true ambitions lie or where your drive came from. There remained much to be explained as far as your hero status here in Japan– a red-tape nightmare Aizawa was still intrigued to learn about. So far, you’d shared some limitations about “immigration statuses are being vetted with a fine toothed comb, so they’re still trekking through the paperwork”, so your wings are essentially clipped down to a student’s provisional license. This doesn’t please you too much, but you’re driven as much as his finest students with the aire of a professional he’d love to see in full action.

It couldn’t explain the stillness you could dip into, that he only caught once or twice when you believe yourself alone. There’s a past was weighing your shoulders level and compliant in the eyes of the law… but an urge to push back and ‘play this out’  brought hypotheticals to your lips whenever you chatted about what hero life is like for him, and added a sparkle to the eye that he had yet to fully source.

It couldn’t give away the gentleness you hold behind a carefully guarded smile– even in this harsh hero world. Maybe it was that indomitable spirit that those foolhardy patriots overseas carried… or rather, maybe it was the way you fought against such a loud persona. So far, Aizawa has taken only a few notes, but each little mental post-it was cluttering up his headspace. You held a quiet love of tea, a comical passion for the oxford comma, and a mind to care for the little things in life– like the lizards you rescue in an inverted cup to take outside where they belong . 

Surely life must have treated you hard to elicit such softness. Something tenderized you to achieve the peace you carry around or else you’re wearing a damn good mask. No, he determines you had to have made a choice to continue on the path that’s brought you to the present– even to this table where you’re taking your fill of maki rolls while casting little caring glances his way. 

All smiles and calm surety, as he mills through his thoughts that are damn near obsessed with you.

An employee file could never record ‘heart’, anymore than it could expose anything you didn’t want to reveal.

The night progresses while Aizawa stews on these thoughts, and plenty of others… for the ones that drift to his co-teacher offer him more mental stimulation than that he finds in the club’s lights and music.

Yamada’s night of filling his social battery was made nearly perfect by the karaoke that just started. Several of the other teachers got preoccupied in round after round of song, so it left Aizawa with a moment's peace. 

Well, peace he was going to enjoy by laying back on the couch for a little shuteye–  when his gut jumped at the feeling of a hand trailing up his forearm to the elbow with a polite, companionable touch. 

Facing its owner, Aizawa caught your little smirk and nod towards the balcony. You didn't pull hard, yet he followed like a magnet out to the patio. 

From there, rather than stay by the door to listen in on their friends ‘releasing their inhibitions and feeling the rain on their skin’,  you took him to the right, where a matching lounge set positioned itself in a blind spot between the rooftop bar and the fire escape. 

"Thought you looked like you could benefit from some soundproofing~" you brushed your hair back over one shoulder to follow the breeze’s direction, and left an open spot next to you by the railing. 

Nightlife and neon didn’t hold magic for Eraserhead given as many nights as he’s spent perched on precarious heights, but through a newcomer’s eyes, he could see the appeal. This part of the city glowed at night from dusk to dawn, and you clearly loved looking out over it; Aizawa certainly didn't mind this view either. 

Your perception skills are spot on, and incredibly thoughtful as you’ve suggested some fresh air- for his sake. If he wasn’t drawn to you any of the other times he’s paid attention to the spastic moths a more romantic person might call ‘butterflies’ before…  this cements each and every one as valid. 

He likes you. He really likes you. 

Time passed with appreciative quiet until you spoke again, 

"The only thing is, you can't really see stars in the city... there’s too much light."

"The beaches have a nice view," Aizawa replied after some thought.

"Oh yeah?"

"Enough to stargaze properly,” he offered without much sentimentality. Right by the pier was the best spot he and his former classmates would go on the weekends, before their hero work took off.

"I'll have to remember to take a drive there. Y'know, sometime when I'm not in two-and-a-half-inch heels." you chuckled as you shuffled back to the rattan settee, sitting for a bit to stretch out your legs. "I don't know how Nemuri does it."

"Feet hurt already?" Aizawa snuck his hands from his pockets and came to the seat across from yours. “Night’s young.”

"Getting there,"  your laugh greeted him over, "But you know what they say, dress to impress and all that. Yamada really pitched some hype for this afterparty, so~"

Fashion was hardly something that ever swayed Aizawa’s decision-making. Utilitarian was the way to go for his wardrobe- then, as now. 

"If aesthetics are all that determine these pros’ attention, that’s horribly vain." 

You bristled in good humor, 

"He didn't mean it like that– I just meant, he said to look nice for fun instead of for work. Call it ‘girl code’ if you want. We know that means to– just– /doll up a bit/!"

Aizawa held back a snicker at how you still ran into difficulties finding the most apt Japanese equivalents in your (pretty decently executed) second language. English slang you reverted to in moments like these fell from your mouth with an odd drawl. Still couldn’t place the regional accent you carried, but it charmed Aizawa all the same. 

“//Doll up//?” he mimicked. 

"//I like dolling up//!"

Aizawa reached and pulled his glass to his lips, meant to look aloof but not hiding his interest altogether well. 

"You don’t need to put on airs to get people to notice you…" 

"Right, because the accent gives me away."

"No, it’s your-”

Finally, a coward’s streak flared deep in his belly to shut him up. A rare hesitation. Damn this. What the hell’s happening to me–

 “–nevermind."

"My what?" you’re fully  interested, knowing a secret when it's presented.

"Nothing important."

Thankfully you not-so-subtlety dropped it with a hummed ‘ok’, but kept a watchful eye for him in your peripherals. 

The pro hero mused. Better for him to be honest, right? 

Just choose your words carefully. You’ll have to look her in the eye after this, you know. 

Aizawa widened his seated stance so his knee barely breached your space. 

Your sights lifted to him while he put his best poker face on. It’s not really any different than what he’d give to a perfect stranger– the only difference here is he has to force it.

Shit shit shit you're in deep, Shouta.

"You're plenty noticeable as you are. Anyone who meets you can see that," Aizawa shared in his usual soft-spoken tone. "Give ‘em ten minutes, and you've got them wrapped around your finger. It’s a whole impression, not just the outer package. Doesn't matter if you're in a dress that costs a month’s paycheck or a black button down. You're welcoming, sincere..." 

He’s realizing he might be trailing off, but finding you listening with full attention led him on; no liquid courage required. 

"You're stunning from the inside out. Enough to get others to notice."

Aizawa heard your appreciation before he saw it, a hum preceding the a genteel smile. With the win of his walls coming down, he had to give an honest smirk back. It was only fair; you’d earned it just by being you. By your flattered look, you were touched– but your brain was still working beneath the surface, and soon showed by a fleeting expression that spit from him.

Then, you caught your bottom lip for a second, before daring to look in Aizawa’s eyes again. It’s a sneaky look– like he’d snuck a peek at a card he’d meant to hide.

"...You remember what I wore on my first day at UA."

It was half question, half amusement. So dear, but oh-so pointed.

Aizawa froze.

"Black button down. You noticed me, then?" you countered more, "And here I thought you didn't care about appearances~" 

"In professional circles, no. Personal… that's a different thing, entirely." 

He kept your  sights locked onto his, not unlike how he used his quirk in a challenge– only far softer and he could risk the occasional blink.

Even when you took his glass from his hand and placed it away on the table alongside yours, he still looked fondly after you, in fact tilting his head to the other side, studying the way one piece of your hair was caught by your neck. What he’d give to be familiar with you enough to ever-so-carefully brush it back, letting his touch send a wave of shivers across your skin and maybe even make you hum at the gesture. But he couldn’t trust himself to do it now, settling on stretching his arm around the back of the couch. Just an open move, letting you join him on the couch as close as you’d like.

Was he really doing this? He never has before, but this felt so natural. 

You smiled still– and as you sit, you’re leaning into it.  Well then. 

“What was I wearing, Aizawa?”

With free fingers, he risked some little brushes on your near shoulder, bringing a happy little eyebrow lift from you. He just took in your features in close quarters, settled in it, as he remembered that day:

Black button down, grey skirt. Biker boots -practical choice- and these damn tights.

Aizawa’s dazed in the head, but he knows he's listed it off aloud based on how your sights widen, impressed. 

"Hmmm, tights do it for ya?” you smiled, “I'm surprised you haven't jumped the darling Ms. Nemuri then."

"I know way too much about Kayama to ever consider her that way,”  Aizawa’s tempered hand twirled a finger along a blown-away section of hair, just absently enough. “You however, tease just enough." 

"Do I tease you?” you offer with a little depth, “I don't mean to."

It’s here he’s worry he’s stepping over a line- if it weren’t for the downright delicious look in your eye. You say it like you’re sorry for acting unprofessionally– but you’re urging him on, hardly apologetic for your sweet posturing.

"You may not mean it, but it's not unnoticed," 

He took second to swallow, and steps fully over it. 

"or unwelcome."

You’re pleased with this, but deflect with your trademarked humor- 

"Well now that’s saying something. You've seen me in my pjs, too- far from glamorous.  That didn't break the allure for you?"

Aizawa had to huff though his nose at that memory.

"I caught you at arguably your most real self, that first night you patched me up," His outstretched arm rubbed full circles onto your shoulder now, with the lightest touch. 

“Still have no clue why you chose me over Recovery Girl. For the harshest grader in school, that was a pretty dumb move.”

“You were closer than going to campus. It was the practical choice.”

“You didn't even know if I knew first aid.” 

“You do,” Aizawa smirked. “You're too nurturing to not have a knack for it.”

Your legs crossed over, deflecting both your words and refreshing your body movement. In doing so, you slid even closer- a move not lost on Aizawa. 

“Well, I'm still not happy about it. You needed more attending than I was able to pull off. Whatever you get into those nights,” you flitted a look to the underside of his arm that lays outstretched –where you know he sports a scar now- “It… looked like it hurt, ‘Zawa.”

Warm. Warm and cared form. Felt it then, feel it now. That's the life in his chest he gets when he’s around you. 

"Can't change the past, and I certainly wouldn't have changed that. Wouldn’t pass up seeing that sight of you for the world."

This connection, this dance, it all feels that it must be older than what it is, more rooted in a shared history than a short few months. 

Aizawa wants to ‘get’ you. Know the thoughts behind your eyes. Get you talking, even if it means he needs to give up his silent nights and muted text alerts so he can learn you.  He’s happy he gets this balcony happy hour with you, out from other’s eyes, to be able to water this sweet, small thing he feels towards you to fullness.

His eyes narrowed playfully, "Are you embarrassed right now?"

Out of this entire teasing exchange, that note seemed to surprise you and turned you shy.  Short of clapping a hand onto your cheek, you just darted your gaze away- can you be cuter if you tried?

“h-Yeah, a little!" –though you tried to snark your way out of it, "you were hurt before, and blubbery- but now that we’re y'know– awake, and talking... Pretty faces make me nervous."

Nervous? Pretty? Aizawa doesn’t like the sound of either of those.

Aizawa raised a brow and gave a look, a touch more serious.

"Hey," He tapped your chin still with his free hand, "if you want me to lay off, you say the word."

Blindly, you hold his hand from retreating away– "No. You're good, I promise."

He’s drowning in you leaning into the cool touch offered to you–

“ Heh, I–uh… I’m pretty sure ‘friends’ don’t talk about each other like this, though.”

He couldn't be a coward now– not with you melting on the spot and giving him an insane amount of hope.

“Maybe not,” Aizawa reasoned gently, “-not if they’re content to stay that way.” 

–then all of a sudden his heart soared at her next words:

"Well… I like this."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I like you, like this.” With your insistence for touch, you cupped his wrist in your own chill-tipped hand.

Hell yeah. 

Aizawa huffs another win in his foolish heart, but then watches as you keep talking–  you don’t break from your softness, but look reflective off to an absent point on his chest.

“It’s funny, y'know? Most jobs, you’d be lucky to find someone you would actually wanna talk to outside of board meetings and quarterly reports… but here in our line of work, you count on each other to save your lives.”

“That’s right.” Aizawa breathes.

“I uh.. never thought I’d be workin’ with kids- trying to keep them alive too. Teach them how to do the same. But I wouldn’t feel nearly as confident to do it, rise to the challenge, if it weren’t for you, ‘Zawa. You’re just as special. Inside and out.”

And when you look to his eyes again, fully awake and still sober, he swears he’ll say yes to any night Hizashi invites him to if it means he can have you this close. Things with you just feel lived-in. Companionable. He’s drawn to you in a way unlike others before you, because he didn’t believe he’s had the right, desire, or time to even entertain it. 

But everything’s different now. It just works, in his mind. He wants to spend his respites, his missions, everything- with you at his side, having his back. For however long you’d let him.

Touching your cheek, cursing the helmet you’d have to wear on the way home that would hide this angelic face from him once again– Aizawa curls towards you, barely tipping his head which screams ‘kiss her you ass’. You notice, and follow his lead almost halfway. 

“Yeah, I like you like this…” you sighed lightly, “--and I’d like us like this, too.” 

"Hm. Good."

...the door to the patio swinging open from around the corner startles you both. Present Mic doesn’t know his strength as he projects for the block to hear, swaggering about in his search.

You looked flustered sitting back up, but Aizawa was characteristically unphased at the sight of Hizashi finally rounding with a singsong cry of his name. 

Dammit.

"Hey kids, been looking for YOU, Miss America! There's some stateside artists on the karaoke lineup with your name on iiiiit- c’mon! I hyped you already to Nemuri– she didn't believe me that you sang with me for my English midterms!!"

"What?!” you blanched, “ Who said I was doing that?"

"I did!!” Yamada thumbed at his own brilliance, “ C’mon I'll do the first one with you!"

"First one– Dude, I don't need to be touting my Southern-ass self to a bunch of pros before I even make a name for myself here."

"This is HOW you'll do it! Come n’ wow them, break the ice- you’ll do amazing!" Yamada came to your side of the settee, tugging you up to your feet with little fight. "Tch, Sho, you're rubbing off on her, aren't you? Turning our sweet teach into a wallflower as we speak, huh?"

"She was doing me a favor- has an eye out for me when I needed an escape, unlike you." Aizawa droned, to your amusement.

"Yeah yeah fair enough. Now pleeeeeease, would you come inside?  It would be so much fun!"

From the way you’re freshening your jacket collar, you’re warmed from the neck up, caught between what just almost happened and the current situation Yamada is putting you in.

You look to Aizawa just like you did inside– a  glance, but it lingers longer than before. Like you are waiting to see what he thinks. If he’ll stay or go, should you leave. 

But Aizawa isn’t so selfish like before. He doesn’t feel it necessary to keep you to himself, because he sees your affection so clearly in your eyes now. He hosts butterflies in his stomach, yes, but they aren’t frantic and flitting about wondering what you may or may not think of him- chronically tired and a contrast to the breath of fresh air you are. You see him as a companion, too. Someone he might just get the chance to study, and learn, and adore in return.

No, he knows you like him as he is. Knows you’ll choose to meet him where he stands. He can share you, and will simply watch on as you stun him even more...

The Pro-Hero is desperate for some eyedrops in all this wind outside, but he would grin and bear it if you choose to deny Yamada’s pull on you. So instead, he merely leans forward to perch on his knees, with a hand on the lip of both your drinks. What Aizawa says in his non-answer left it open to what you wanted to do.  Stay or go, he’d follow suit.

Returning to the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed fellow teacher, you breathily gave in with your ‘ok’. 

"YEAAAAAUHHHH!"

"Damn peer pressure."

"You said yes," Aizawa smirked.

"Oh if she’s going, you're coming in too!" Hizashi was already whisking you away, and Aizawa rose on his own, following your knowing smile over your shoulder and matching it. 

With many forced karaoke and radio show nights, it’s Aizawa who braves the crowd and comes up behind you at one of Present Mic’s shows,  stepping in from the balcony where you wait by its door. He’s fresh off of work, sporting a new scar across his cheek courtesy of his day job, this time.. but you greet him with that familiar scrunch of the nose that he still finds adorable.

It’s rare he leaves campus nowadays, because he feels the stakes are higher than ever for him to remain vigilant. His students are his life, and as proud of them as he is, they are a constant effort of his mind and strength. Rest doesn’t come easy, and his rewards for a job (passably) done aren’t found in many places. 

One constant he has found helps, has been you. 

You, still alluring as ever, but who makes sure he doesn’t fixate on giving and giving of himself until he breaks– but to take his rests, reset, and even take a little jaunt over to these radio shows when he has staff coverage back at the dorms. Gives you two some time to get nostalgic, sentimental– or as close as he can get to those mushy spots in his heart about the club where he wrestled out his feelings for you for the first time.

He smooths a hand across your lower back now, when he joins you. He’s held onto your hands when they're cold, giving you whatever warmth he has. He knows each and every gap on your resume, partnered with you out on the streets, tag-teams in his classroom with this plucky 1-A Class he now leads, and is content to let you fill his thoughts when he wants to rest his eyes.

He doesn’t fight his affections now. Still would rather not simper in public too much because he’s quite averse to being the center of tabloids’ attentions, but stands by you all the same. 

"I'm surprised to not see you up there,” Aizawa greets, cool as ever. 

You lean on a hip, closer to him. 

"He's got his sets lined up today, didn't ask me-” You speak a little louder over the crowd, “I swear, your cockatoo still acts like I'm some gift from the heavens, just ‘cuz I can sing!"

"It's earned. You deserve every bit of it, and not just from Hizashi."

You turned over to him shyly, drawing his attention further– your tendencies to melt under his words encourages Aizawa to compliment you directly. Often. Whatever it is about his voice that you say you’re obsessed with, he still doesn’t understand– but he uses it to full advantage as he robs your drink from your hand,

"I happen to think you have a gorgeous voice," Aizawa speaks low to your ear. “You should sing at home more often.”

“Please. As if the kids would ever let me live it down.”

You refer -of course- to the twenty shared students between you, taking them all in stride since you’ve sufficiently bonded through fire alongside them. 

“That’s teaching for ya. Gotta push yourself beyond, plus ultra and all that.”

You chortle back in your throat, risking a kiss on his etched cheek to counter his snide remark, 

“You’re off the clock, ‘Zawa. No more hero talk, huh?” 

Aizawa cocks a brow, stealing a sip, “Sorry we can’t all turn it off like you, dear.”

The comment has you biting the inside of your mouth at the tease, and allows him a quick moment to press the glass’ condensation against his eye. 

“Want some air, hon?” you try again, softer than this atmosphere should allow.

Looking back at you -your hold on his elbow ready to guide him outside just like the first night- and Aizawa doesn’t need any more sips of the whiskey he holds.  

The retreat to ‘your couch’ is one he looks forward to any chance he gets. Bass boosted from the speakers inside becomes background noise that dulls his senses, doubled by the way you cozy up under his arm watching the skyline shift in light and color in comfortable silence. You trade roles with him: taking watch while he shuts his eyes for some restorative hydration. 

But before he gets too terribly relaxed by your weight settling his aching muscles to stillness, he registers a warm press to his mouth that he’s quick to chase after. That’s a satisfying thought, too: he doesn't have to imagine what it'd be like to kiss you anymore. 

[incendiobrock]

Boston Blues {Matt Sturniolo}

Request: Linked here

Prompt(s): A showing up to B's doorstep, soaking from the rain + "Wait, don't go. Please..."

Warnings: mentions of emotional abuse (parents), language

You had always loved growing up in Boston. The colorful leaves on the trees in the fall, the fluffy, white snow in the winter, watching the flowers bloom in the spring, and relaxing by your friends pool in the summer. Every season in Boston had its perks, and sharing those memories with three of your neighbors made it that much sweeter.

When you were in middle school you had met three boys that lived down the street from you. You were waiting at the bus stop when they had arrived and introduced themselves as Nick, Matt, and Chris. The four of you instantly became inseparable and would spend every waking moment together, considering all you had to do was walk down the street and knock on their front door.

As the years went on the friendship grew, and a special spark had formed between you and Matt. Matt was your escape from reality, the anchor to your ship. Throughout your last couple years in high school there was a divide between your parents. They constantly argued into the late hours of the night, and somehow you were always brought into it. Your parents made it difficult to be home so you began to seek refuge in Matt.

Matt was the support system you needed to keep yourself from dwelling on the fact that you had such a strained relationship with your parents. You began catching feelings for the boy, which he had reciprocated. Things were untraditional in the relationship you had formed because your parents had made you lose the longing for a true relationship. They showed you that love doesn't always last and someone you love could easily become someone you hate, and that thought terrified you. Matt understood your anxieties, knowing about your home life, and let you take things at your own pace. There was no label, due to your fear of abandonment, but you were practically dating on every other level.

Now, you were both twenty years old, graduated from high school, and trying to begin figuring out adulthood. Matt and his brothers had started a YouTube channel that grew tremendously in popularity and brought in some extra pocket change. They all loved doing it, and you supported them the whole way. As you stood in their parents kitchen late one night they began discussing their future.

"I really wish we had our own space to make content. I love filming the car videos, but it would be nice to film content in a house without having to worry about disturbing mom and dad." Chris shared, taking a sip out of his Pepsi can.

"Yeah, I've been really thinking about LA ever since we've gone those few times to visit Madi." Nick added, agreeing with his brother that they would benefit from their own space. You stayed silent as you sat at the island, scared about the thought of losing your three closest friends. The chat that night was just a daydream the boys had, nothing set in stone until about a month later.

Matt paced his bedroom, dragging his feet lightly on the hardwood floors. He was waiting for you to come over so he could tell you some news that he knew would be difficult for you to hear. A light knock on his door pulled him out of his trance, "Come in!" He said. Slowly, you peeled open the door, spotting Matt standing at the foot of his bed. You smiled widely, walking over to him and initiating a hug. "Hi Matt," You said under your breath, instantly feeling lighter in his presence.

He felt himself gulp as you pulled back from the hug, you had no idea what was about to come. "Hey." He replied, taking a seat on the edge of his bed and patting the space next to him for you to sit. You complied, plopping down on his plush bed and throwing your legs over his lap as you faced towards him. His hands rested on your knees as he began to twirl the silver ring he wore on his index finger.

"Matt, what's wrong? You seem stressed?" Your hand reached out to take place on top of his, rubbing your thumb across his knuckles soothingly. His eyes remained glued to his lap as he took in a shaky breath.

"Nick, Chris, and I are moving to LA... We bought a house over there and we will be moving in a couple weeks. I know this is really sudden but we didn't know the turn around would be so fast until our offer on the house got accepted." His eyes had finally met with yours, watching as your face fell into a frown.

"Oh-" Was all you managed to say back, now you were the one looking at your lap.

"I want you to come with me." He said, placing a hand on your shoulder which causes you to reconnect your eyes with his. Your eyebrows furrowed slightly as you repeated what he had said inside your head. You shook your head, letting out an exasperated chuckle, "You know I can't leave Boston."

"Why not? You're an adult for one, plus you hate being at your house with your parents." Matt countered.

"I know... But I don't have a steady income and I just can't." Your head was spinning, thinking about what he was asking you to do. Leave your whole life behind and move halfway across the country with him? What if he decided he hated you one day and you were stuck stranded out on the West coast?

"Come on y/n, you're being ridiculous. I will help you out, I love you so much I just want you to come with me, please." Matt begged.

You shot up off the bed, glaring at him as he watched in shock at your sudden movement. "I said I can't Matt! Don't try to force me to move halfway across the country with you!" You said, raising your voice and feeling your emotions begin to catch up to you. This wasn’t a simple request that he was asking you to fulfill, this was leaving behind everything you had ever known. Jumping straight into a pit of fire, burning you with your own insecurities of being too caught up in a relationship, leaving you vulnerable to being abandoned.

"I'm not trying to force you!-"

"Yes you are! I can’t just leave my whole life behind for you! Have fun with Nick and Chris... I'm not moving." And with that, you stormed out of his room making sure the door slammed behind you. You knew deep down that he was going to leave you eventually, you just didn't expect it to be today. This was exactly why you never made anything official between you two.

---

Two weeks had passed and you hadn't heard a single word from Matt. You spent a lot of time in your bed, unable to leave it. You hadn't felt hungry and your eyes were red from all the tears you had cried. The whole time you had been apart you reminisced on all the years you had spent with Matt and the other boys. You weren't sure you were ready to leave that all behind. Nick had messaged you a few times throughout the weeks, updating you on their move. Today was finally the dreaded day.

Rain tapped on your window as it steadily poured outside. It's like the world knew how depressed you had been, reflecting your own emotions with the weather forecast. The boys had to leave to go to the airport in a little less than two hours. The walls in your house were extremely thin, allowing you to hear your parents yelling from down the stairs. Did you really want to live here like this? A numbing headache pounded in your head as you listened to the screeching downstairs.

Without thinking you pulled a small suitcase out of the back corner of your closet. Necessities and a small amount of clothes began to pile in, only grabbing what you absolutely needed. You didn’t have time to think about your actions, knowing that your own fears were going to hold you back if you let them. If things didn’t work out then you would just figure out a new plan, or so you tried reminding yourself. After grabbing as much as you could fit into your suitcase you checked the time on your phone, 1:47pm… They would be leaving to get to the airport any minute now.

The wheels on your suitcase echoed as you dragged it down the hallway, leading to the stairs. You ran down them and into the living room, causing your parents to stop their fighting and look over at you. Shock caused your body to stop in place, wide eyes looking back at your parents as they both stood with their arms crossed over their chest, angry scowls on their face. “Where do you think you’re going?” Your dad’s voice boomed, surrounding the stagnant air. Doubt about your plan began rushing back, worried about how your parents were going to react when you told them you were leaving to move across the country with a boy that they hadn’t even met. Sure, they knew who Matt was, and they had seen him around, but you never introduced him.

You swallowed some saliva as you began to walk quickly towards the front door, trying to keep your head held high, “I’m sorry, I don’t have time to explain. I promise I’ll text you when I land!” By this point your hand was on the door knob and you were stepping out into the freezing cold rain.

“Land? What do you mean land?” Your mom yells, as you shut the front door and take off down the street, your suitcase rolling behind you. It was in moments like these you felt thankful that the triplets only lived down the street from your house. Rain drops pelted you in the face, soaking through your jeans and hoodie. From a distance you could see Nick, Matt, and Chris packing the trunk of the van with their belongings.

“Wait!” You yelled, causing them all to look up at you as your feet smacked against the wet, gravel road. Finally, you had reached their house. Your chest heaved up and down as you tried to catch your breath.

“Kid, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Chris asked, taking ahold of the handle of your suitcase and rolling it away from your body.

“Wait, don’t go… Please!” You got out, between some huffs of air.

“Our flight is at 2:45, we have to go y/n…” Matt said solemnly, feeling his heart break seeing you standing in front of him for the last time, covered in rain. You shook your head, taking a step closer to Matt and taking his hands into your own, “Not without me.” Tears formed in your eyes as you tried to choke back your emotion.

Matt’s hands immediately let go of yours as he pulled you into a hug, wrapping his arms over your shoulders. You accepted the hug, tightening your grip around his torso, snuggling your face into his chest. You didn’t think you would ever get to feel him hold again. You were thankful the trunk of the car was covering you both as the rain continued falling around you. “You’re coming with us?” He whispered, trying to convince himself that what you said was true. He felt your head nod, confirming his question and mending his breaking heart.

His hands found sanctuary on the sides of your face as he pulled your lips in for a rough kiss. You kissed him back with passion, thanking your mind for not holding you back from this moment. After the kiss, your foreheads rested against one another and a soft smile formed across your lips.

“I love you, Matt. Let’s go to LA.”

“I love you more… You have no idea how happy I am that you’re coming with me.”

[schizoid-hikikomori]

Something I don't see people talking about often when it comes to schizoid pd is that idea of relatability.

I don't think I've been able to truly relate to anyone in my life. I believe part of that may come from my observations of behavior from my older sisters and older cousins and being able to learn what not to do or how not to behave.

Many people form bonds over being upset with their parents, as a very early example. Because I didn't have violent emotional outbursts like I would observe my sister to have, I wasn't punished in the same way, I didn't harbor the same frustration that other people might experience with their parents, and again, I never got to experience those dramatic emotions.

So when you start off early in life diverging from expected behavior, it doesn't set you up well. Not to mention the fact I went to a school of mostly white students as a nonwhite and multiracial/multiethnic student. White kids in this small school had established social groups they wouldn't diverge from, they looked at me differently and talked to me differently than they would their friends, and had a very distinct non-interest in interacting with me. (And the typical tropes of white girls being jealous of my hair).

Of course I had friends, but consistently it was only one or two I would be seeing outside of school, while my sisters and cousins had larger friend groups with more things going on.

I developed depression in middle school and at this point I think my more identifiable schizoid traits became more pronounced here. I was never all that happy as a child, but this is where it became very clear to outsiders that I wasn't doing well if they were paying attention.

At this time the rift between myself and others grew even larger. Kids would be hormonal, getting into relationships, smoking cigarettes and weed, drinking alcohol, and starting drama just for the hell of it. Those things people described as high school activities started in middle school.

In high school I got this feeling I was falling behind. I never experienced things other people experienced by the time they were in high school. I just wanted to drop out completely and move on. (I didn't, of course. My mother would never have allowed it.)

It became a phenomenon where when I was talking to someone new that I would get annoyed or frustrated when they tried to relate to me. I would tell them something that seems simple about me, and they would make an attempt to relate.

The issue is, they experience that specific thing for a different reason than I do. You think you get it but you really don't.

As an obvious example, people group withdrawn and solitary individuals into groups and labels but fail to recognize the reason someone might be withdrawn.

Similarly, someone might claim to despise people as I do, but still make an effort to seek out new friends and attend social events, which tells me no, you're not anything like me. Stop pretending to be.

This same phenomenon of people trying to seek relatability wherever they might find it also leads to the impulsive self diagnosis thing. People see a basic list of DSM symptoms (which are very surface level) and start imagining they have a disorder, ignoring the reasons behind those symptoms.

It's to the point where they even have to advise psychology students studying abnormal psychology to be aware of this and to avoid it.

I've seen people with other disorders able to bond over their shared experiences and provide one another with support, creating a sense of community, but there's something about schizoid pd that completely prevents me from being able to do that.

Early on, there were so many factors that prevented me from being able to properly connect with people in my family, and furthermore with classmates, which evolved into this full barrier between myself and everyone else.

I don't try to relate to anyone anymore, and it's irritating when people try to relate to me when I know they won't ever be able to fully understand.

Photo from a few weeks ago.

[lunastrophe]

BG3 Drow Lore 🕷️ Kar'niss' Past - Eilistraean Theory

We can probably assume that Kar'niss was born a szarkai (albino drow), but the game gives us next to no information about his background. We know that after being turned into a drider, he was "cast out", "erased" and "forgotten" - the reason of this punishment remains a mystery though, as well as his past from before change.

This is probably going to be a really, really long shot, even for a fan theory, but hear me out:

Perhaps there might be something in Kar'niss' past that connected him to the cult of Eilistraee?

🕷️ Spider's Lyre - Kar'niss can be called by the lyre music and does not appreciate butchering the tune. In such scenario, he even makes a snide comment, calling Tav a "torturer of lyres".

Maybe Kar'niss holds this instrument in such a high regard simply because he sees it as "his mistress' lyre", provided by the Absolute - or rather, by one of her servants - to summon him.

But maybe he cares so much also because the lyre - or music in general - reminds him on some level of his previous life and of his previous self...?

🌕 Eilistraee's followers are encouraged to nurture music and song, the goddess' favoured arts, and her priests are pretty much obliged to have some decent music skills . Eilistraee is also known to use "a silvery radiance, sometimes accompanied by a wordless snatch of song or a few echoing harp notes" as her iconic manifestation.

Also, Eilistraee sometimes manifests as a sweet, soothing, otherworldly beautiful tune to call to the drow - through this music, she tempts them to follow her ideals and seek a different, better life for themselves, away from the clutches of Lolth.

🕷️ Blessing of Light - Kar'niss speaks about "the light" he carries with great reverence, claiming that this is his goddess' benevolent blessing... even though everybody around him - even random goblin cultist - know that this is no real blessing. He was merely given a magic lantern.

Maybe Kar'niss' attitude reflects simply his fanaticism, his desire to be recognized and respected as the Absolute's favoured. A large part of his faith - his very identity, even ("Light of the Absolute") - is woven around the concept of this "blessing".

But maybe the light that offers protection and comfort in the darkness reminds him also of some real blessing of some other goddess...?

🌕 "Eilistraee has also been known to aid her worshipers by providing a faint silvery radiance when they need to find something dropped in darkness, or follow an unknown trail by night through dark woods..."

Eilistraee can also bestow upon her followers moonfire that "...can range from a faint glow to a clear, bright (but not blinding) light". Moonfire can have blue-white, soft green, white or silver colour and can serve as a source of light for "finding one's way, and attracting others to a desired location."

Moonfire can also serve as a rare, visible blessing or sign of Eilistraee's support, and can be manifested even by "beings without any priest powers who work to further Eilistraee's aims".

🕷️ Heart's Desire - from what we see in game, the Absolute doesn't warp her servants' personalities to the point of making them unrecognizable. Rather, she seems to be playing on their desires and ambitions, making them believe that she is everything they could ever wanted.

In case of Kar'niss, the Absolute clearly plays on his desire to belong and to be recognized as a worthy servant of his goddess.

It is logical to assume that before he was turned into a drider, he worshipped Lolth - but at some point, she labeled him unworthy, rejected him and punished. Who knows, maybe he refers to the Absolute as "his queen" not only because he sees it fitting, but because it is an echo of the most known title of Lolth: Queen of Spiders.

🌕 But what if the Absolute plays on Kar'niss' former devotion to another goddess?

🔹 Maybe he responds to the lyre music because in the past, a similar kind of music called to him.

🔹 Maybe he treasures the lantern's light in a spiritual sense because in the past, he experienced a similar "blessing of light" - a visible sign of his goddess' favour and protection, a guiding light in the darkness.

🔹 Maybe he was tasked with guiding the Absolute's followers because in the past, he was guiding followers of some other goddess through a different kind of darkness - protecting Eilistraeans when they were pilgrimaging from the Underdark to the surface, as was their custom.

🔹 Maybe one day... something went wrong? Maybe after whatever happened, he could no longer see himself as a worthy follower - and on the top of that, his Lolth-sworn kin found out that he turned to another goddes? Maybe that was the reason why Lolth changed him into a drider?

I know: many, many 'maybes', little evidence, few leads - but... Imagine the kind of backstory the Eilistraean accent could give Kar'niss - and the absolutely epic redemption arc that could follow it later 🥺

"If the DM allows it, a drider dedicated to Eilistraee (..) might even aspire to throw off its curse through the divine intervention of the Dark Maiden, perhaps by completing a great quest." (The Ecology of the Drider)

Avatar of Eilistraee by Zhenvision

For more of my drow lore ramblings, feel free to check my pinned post 🕷️

[mariacallous]

Where do Elon Musk’s business interests end and Donald Trump’s political interests begin? Trick question—they’re one and the same.

How else do you explain the jarring sight of the President of the United States hawking Teslas on the White House South Lawn? Trump has always been a salesman, lending his name to real estate, casinos, restaurants, steaks, vitamins, a fragrance for men, watches, water, a bicycle race, office chairs, sneakers, vodka, coins, another fragrance, NFTs. You could, at this very moment, buy a Trump pickleball paddle from the Trump Store online, or a Trump sea mist & sage candle.

But Trump is most famously a pitchman for himself. (And Pizza Hut, if the price is right.) To spend this much political capital on Musk? The world’s richest man? Over a few protests at Tesla dealerships and a tanking stock price? Come on.

Trump is no altruist. Musk did, though, spend nearly $300 million on the 2024 US election cycle, with the vast majority of that directly in support of Trump’s presidential campaign. His transformation of Twitter into X has created an online MAGAtopia barely rivaled by Trump’s own Truth Social platform. And his work with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency has let Trump outsource the tedious mechanics of actual governance.

Trump reading off a literal list of Tesla retail prices is the purest distillation yet of a dynamic that won’t end well. It’s already going quite badly, for them and for us: The stock market is tanking, Musk is nearing rock bottom in opinion polls. GOP representatives are canceling town hall meetings rather than face the wrath of constituents over DOGE. Trump’s own cabinet officials are apparently just as fed up with Musk’s level of influence.

Meanwhile, that influence continues to grow. When engineers from SpaceX invaded the Federal Aviation Administration, they reportedly were quick to suggest their own Starlink technology as the solution to the agency’s technical problems. On Thursday, a month after Musk inexplicably met with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in Washington, DC—with three of Musk’s children in tow—Starlink inked deals this week with two major wireless carriers there, creating a glide path for operating in the country.

Even Congress, supposedly a coequal branch of government, is beholden to Musk’s tempers and tweets. At a talk at Georgetown University’s Psaros Center on Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson named Trump and Musk as the two people he prioritizes.

“Elon has the largest platform in the world, literally,” Johnson said. “If he goes on and says something that's misunderstood or misinterpreted about something we're doing, he can blow the whole thing up.”

What started as a self-serving bromance has become more volatile, and it goes deeper than DOGE. Trump told a reporter during his infomercial on Tuesday that he would label anyone who committed violence against Tesla dealerships a “domestic terrorist.” On Wednesday, members of the House DOGE subcommittee sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation director Kash Patel and US attorney general Pam Bondi to probe the “wave of organized attacks” in recent weeks against Musk and Tesla.

Rather than process the “Tesla Takedown” protests as a sign of the deep unpopularity of DOGE and its ringleader, Trump and his adherents have leaned into conflation. What’s good for society is what’s good for Elon Musk. What’s bad for Elon Musk must be bad for society.

The lines are too blurred and the stakes too high. When Elon Musk calls the foreign minister of Poland a “small man,” will that animus be reflected in US policy? When he tells members of Congress to call him with concerns about DOGE, will they be speaking with a special adviser to the president or the guy who holds billions of dollars in government contracts? Whose interests does it serve when Musk blames a denial-of-service attack against X on Ukraine, even though there’s no indication that the country was involved?

It’s hard to overstate how deeply weird it is to see Trump, who never met a self-promotion he didn’t like, promote someone else. Even weirder when that person is increasingly a liability. In previous administrations, Musk’s deep unpopularity would have made him exactly the kind of person Trump fired unceremoniously, with an offhand I barely knew the guy. But Elon Musk is no Anthony Scaramucci. He’s not even a Corey Lewandowski. He’s the world’s richest man, and by god he needs to sell some cars.

There may be signs that this fever is breaking. Musk reportedly has designs on donating $100 million to Trump-affiliated political action committees; The Financial Times says that Musk was rebuffed and is wearing out his welcome. Musk wanted a government shutdown; Trump has pushed aggressively to prevent one.

But whatever rifts may exist between Trump and Musk aren’t wide enough to stop the president from dropping at least $90,000 on a cherry-red Tesla Model S Plaid. To save him from saying “everything’s computer!” in front of press pool cameras when confronted with a modern dashboard. To give Musk a vote of confidence so over-the-top that it simultaneously debases himself and his office.

Tesla stock had a nice bounce, though.

[intersexcat-tboy]

I am in a weird position and I am curious to see what other people think because I can't seem to make up my mind.

So I was diagnosed with PCOS as a teen and it was explained to me as "you have too many boy hormones" disorder, and I was forced onto hormonal birth control to "fix" the issue even though I did not want that. And a few months ago after years of seeing people say that folks with PCOS were intersex, I started identifying as intersex (which helped me understand my experiences with forced hormone treatment).

And then I decided I wanted to start low dose testosterone to help bring my body to where I've always been told is where it naturally wants to be. I tried to look at my PCOS diagnosis to figure out what T levels to aim for and discovered that apparently I had not been diagnosed with the actual diagnostic criteria. I was diagnosed due to painful/irregular periods, a hormone test that is not actually part of the diagnostic criteria, and the fact that I "looked like I had high levels of testosterone" which I find suspicious because I'm mixed race but look white, and everything they said points to high testosterone were traits that I get from the non-white part of my family.

Even though I asked for and was told my endocrinologist would take through hormone levels before I started testosterone, that wasn't the case, and now my doctor says there's no way to figure out whether or not I actually have PCOS without stopping all my hormones for a month (which I am willing to do but she uses as a reason to not go through with it). So now I'm in this position where for the past decade or so I was treated as being intersex and understood myself as being intersex (even if not in those terms), and it seems like the diagnosis that lead to that treatment was incorrect, but I have no way of actually knowing.

And now I'm like. I still have the PCOS diagnosis, am I still allowed to identify as intersex given that the diagnosis may not be accurate? If the diagnosis is not accurate and/or it would be incorrect of me to identify as intersex for whatever reason, how can I find community and support around being forced onto hormones without taking away from the struggles and needs of folks who actually are intersex? Am I allowed to stick with the narrative that exists in my brain of "testosterone is bringing my body back to what it's supposed to be/where it would have been without intervention" even though there's a solid chance that narrative is untrue, because at this point I don't actually have any way to know?

To be clear I'm not asking for you to be the final arbiter on these topics or anything like that, I'm just curious to hear what someone who's intersex thinks about this because I don't have anyone irl whose opinion I can ask about this

The PCOS label is honestly often slapped onto people as a first diagnosis, when it's supposed to be a diagnosis of exclusion. There's also an aspect that you don't need to know what caused your variations you don't need a dx to know yourself. I've spoken with others about the concept of "what if there was never anything different and they did it anyways" or how "what if a different med caused it at a young age"- I connected to the second for a while, worried for a time that maybe the variations I had were actually caused by gabapentin lowering estrogen during most of my puberty.

There's a weird line of "intersex is biological" and "sex, including intersex, are social phenomena". Many intersex activists will say how perisex (trans) people don't face forced medicalization (I agree if it's *systemically*), but we have to remember David Reimer, where a perisex man's treatment was used to create intersex guidelines. I see him as an honorary intersex man because what he faced is, bluntly, an intersex experience.

I do think it is beneficial to explore how racism ties into this! Back on the social phenomena, intersex is different according to each actual culture and race, and BIPOC face an extra level of having to fit into white standards. Even if your traits are normal from that side of your family, are they in the race as well? Did anyone else in your family face the same medicalization? I never thought I was intersex because, to me, it seemed typical as it was typical for my family, but not broadly, ykwim? Just bouncing some ideas back

Also fuck your doc, I always hear stuff like "oh get a new doc" as if it's that easy.

I think ultimately you would find a lot of community with intersex individuals. I do think going on t, in a way, would bring you back to what it would've been if not messed with, whether or not that un-intervened state is intersex

[realitymage]

Did you know that the success of Star Trek helped give us Barack Obama?

In 2004, Obama was a relatively obscure State Senator in Illinois who had thrown his hat into the ring for the upcoming US Senate election. While his primary win and rousing speech at the 2004 DNC had earned him the label of "rising star", he was by no means a shoe-in for the wide open Senate race. His Republican opponent was Jack Ryan - a Dartmouth and Harvard educated Catholic who had quit Goldman Sachs to become a high school teacher.

Obama led in the early polls, especially after Ryan's decision to put a spotter on Obama backfired massively. However, this was still not expected to be a blowout for Obama. By mid-May, Obama's polling lead had dropped to single digits.

But then, June 2004 rolls around. An LA judge unseals documents relating to Ryan's 1999 divorce from his wife, Jeri. Jeri was a well-known, and much beloved actress, who at the time was best known for her roles on Star Trek: Voyager and Boston Public. The unsealed records, which related to the Ryans' custody hearings, contained allegations from Jeri that Jack had pressured her into going to sex clubs during their marriage and further pressured her to perform public sex acts on him.

This became the story of the day in every major newspaper. People were outraged - at the courts for unsealing these documents against both Jack and Jeri's wishes, at Jack for his behavior (ESPECIALLY given how well-known his wife was) - but another entity that was outraged was the Republican Party itself. Because during the vetting process, Jack Ryan had told the state-level bosses that there was nothing embarrassing in the sealed court records. The Republicans were very much the party of family values - they had beaten Al Gore on his tainted links to Bill Clinton in 2000 and a baseball-loving, god-fearing Texan had been in the White House the last four years.

Three days after the court records are unsealed, Jack Ryan drops out of the race. To stem the bleeding, the GOP hurriedly tried to neutralize some of Obama's "advantages" by nominating Alan Keyes, a Black Reagan-era State Department official who had run for Senate twice in Maryland and twice for President. Keyes had never lived in Illinois and never held public office, but he was a Black academic with an Ivy League background (who would arguably start the spurious claims about Obama"s heritage). He was truly the last choice for the Illinois GOP, who had unsuccessfully attempted to get former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka to accept the nomination.

Meanwhile, Obama is taking advantage of the chaos to campaign in traditionally Republican areas of the state, a near-unprecedented move for an Illinois Democrat. Keyes responded by...attacking Hilary Clinton for her tenuous New York residency claims? Eventually, Obama was so far ahead in the polls that he left Illinois and began campaigning for OTHER Democratic candidates around the country.

On election night, the race was called for Obama almost as soon as polls closed. He won 69.97% of the vote, the largest Senate victory in the state's history.

Jeri Ryan would later go on to voice her support for many Democratic candidates, including Obama and Biden.

[xxgwenstacyxx]

Canon Queer Characters in Doctor Who

why yes, keeping a spreadsheet documenting the queer representation in doctor who is a completely normal thing to do during a rewatch why do you ask

Season 1 & 2

Putting these together because they're off to a similarly disappointing start. The Doctor isn't even confirmed genderqueer yet. Weak. Shout-out to Jack for carrying season 1 on his shoulders all on his own.

(details on my criteria for queer representation below the cut)

The rules for getting onto this spreadsheet are very loose. One-off mentions count. So do jokes. So do off-screen characters. Oh, a writer implied you snogged a woman for a joke? Congrats, you're going on the spreadsheet.

Canon representation but no specific labels means they get listed by vibes (e.g. bi vs. pan). Feel free to fight me on my choices! I'm very willing to make adjustments.

To differentiate between tiers of representation I included the "Role" and "Canon" columns: in order of importance from low to high it goes off-screen, side character, supporting character (played a major role in their episode(s)), recurring (played major roles in several episodes, perhaps across seasons) and main (Doctor or companions). For canon, we have implied (which could mean it was vague, up to interpretation or possibly meant as a joke), stated (clearly said within the story at least once), or explicit (on-screen kisses, regeneration to a different gender, sexuality/gender as an integral part of the character/the story or something that keeps being brought up, etc). I'm also including characters using lgbtq+ inclusive language as "allies".

To make it a bit more organized, I used purple to signify tier-level. Dark purple for the Doctor and queer companions, medium shade for recurring characters like Jack, light purple for supporting characters who feature majorly in their own episodes, white for side/off-screen characters or allies.

Only the main show counts! If a character is confirmed queer in an audio drama/a spin-off, but there's no mention of their orientation/identity in the main show, you won't find them on the spreadsheet.

Let me know if you can think of characters I've forgotten!

[elicit-digital]

GoHighLevel Pricing & Automation: What You Need to Know in 2025

In the fast-paced digital marketing world of 2025, automation and CRM integration are not just helpful—they’re essential. Whether you're a startup, an agency, or a consultant, platforms like GoHighLevel (also known as GHL) are transforming the way we work. From HighLevel’s marketing automation tools to GoHighLevel CRM experts, there's a lot to explore.

If you're wondering about GoHighLevel pricing, automation tools, and how it can power up your sales and marketing strategies, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

What is GoHighLevel?

GoHighLevel is an all-in-one CRM and marketing automation platform designed for agencies, consultants, and small businesses. It combines features like sales funnel builders, email/SMS marketing, workflow automation, booking systems, and more into one user-friendly dashboard.

Think of it as a powerful toolbox packed with GoHighLevel tools that replace several standalone software solutions—while offering white-label services that allow agencies to brand it as their own.

GoHighLevel Pricing in 2025: Plans That Fit Every Business

Understanding GoHighLevel pricing is key to choosing the right plan. In 2025, the platform continues to offer flexible options:

Starter Plan – $97/month

Perfect for freelancers or small businesses:

1 Account

GoHighLevel CRM

Funnel and Website Builder

Booking tools

GHL workflow automation

Agency Unlimited Plan – $297/month

Ideal for growing agencies:

Unlimited sub-accounts

GoHighLevel automation tools

Full access to gohighlevel sales funnel builders

Branded desktop app

SaaS Mode Plan – $497/month

Great for scaling and reselling:

Everything in Agency Unlimited

GoHighLevel white label features

Full SaaS reselling tools

Priority Go High Level support

There are also annual billing options with discounts. Many GoHighLevel experts suggest going for the Agency plan if you're looking to scale faster and offer white-labeled services to your clients.

Why Marketing Automation Matters in 2025

Marketing automation is the key to saving time, improving conversion rates, and increasing efficiency. With GHL CRM integration and workflow automation, you can:

Nurture leads automatically

Trigger personalized emails and SMS

Create advanced sales funnels

Assign tasks to your team without manual work

With Go High Level automation, businesses can build smart systems that work 24/7, giving you more time to focus on strategy and customer relationships.

Powerful Automation Features in GoHighLevel

Let’s dive into some of the automation features that make Go High Level software a game-changer:

GHL Workflow Automation

Design custom workflows for lead nurturing, sales follow-up, appointment reminders, and more. It's visual, drag-and-drop, and easy to use.

Sales Automation

From email drips to SMS triggers, sales automation helps close deals without the constant back-and-forth.

GoHighLevel Funnel Builder

Use drag-and-drop functionality to create conversion-focused sales funnels and marketing funnels. Capture leads, upsell offers, and schedule appointments all in one place.

AI & Smart Triggers

2025 brings even smarter automation. With AI-based triggers and lead scoring, GoHighLevel automations are more intelligent than ever.

CRM and Funnels: The Heart of HighLevel’s Power

A major reason businesses turn to Go High Level is its powerful CRM and funnel capabilities. Let’s break them down:

Go High Level CRM

Manage leads, pipelines, tasks, and customer conversations in one place. Many gohighlevel CRM experts highlight its simplicity and effectiveness.

GoHighLevel Funnel Builder

Easily build pages for lead capture, upsells, or webinars. It's similar to tools like ClickFunnels but fully integrated with your Go High Level platform.

GoHighLevel Website Builder

Need a landing page or full site? No problem. The built-in website builder makes it simple to create branded, mobile-optimized websites quickly.

GoHighLevel Support & Community

A big plus is the growing community and resources available for users. If you're stuck, Go High Level support is responsive, and you can also connect with a GoHighLevel consultant or Go High Level experts to help you implement your systems.

Want to see how it works? Book a Go High Level demo to explore features before committing.

Why Agencies Love GoHighLevel

Agencies especially love GHL for these reasons:

White-label options to resell as their own CRM

Automate onboarding, follow-ups, and client management

Custom dashboards with agency branding

Affordable pricing compared to stacking tools like Calendly, Mailchimp, ClickFunnels, and HubSpot

With a single login, you manage multiple client accounts—making Go High Level company setup incredibly scalable.

Is GoHighLevel Right for You?

If you're looking for a:

Centralized CRM with automation

Powerful sales and marketing funnel system

Affordable and scalable pricing

White-labeled software solution

Platform backed by growing support and expert consultants

Then yes—GoHighLevel could be the perfect fit. Whether you're a GoHighLevel consultant, freelancer, or digital agency, there’s a plan for every stage of your business.

Conclusion: 

As automation, CRM, and funnel-building become more essential in 2025, GoHighLevel stands out as an all-in-one growth solution. From marketing automation and sales automation to CRM integration and white-label services, it’s everything a growing business or agency needs under one roof.

Looking to implement GoHighLevel for your agency or startup? At Elicit Digital, we specialize in setting up, customizing, and scaling GHL systems for maximum performance. Whether you need a custom GoHighLevel website, optimized GHL workflow automation, or expert-level funnel strategy—we’ve got you covered.

Ready to automate your growth? Contact Elicit Digital today and let our GoHighLevel experts show you what’s possible.

For more information:

Visit: https://www.elicit.digital/

Email: sales@elicit.digital

Call us: +91-9111555876

[cripple-culture-is]

i have a genuine question.

i'm very sure i'm physically disabled on some sort of level(?), and doing research, i have seen other disabled folk say that my experiences are valid. i have seen people say that unnamed/unknown/undiagnosed disabilities are still such, and should be included in the discussion. i know how limited i am in terms of all the things i can't really do, such as stay outside or even stand for very long, and i often get many headaches just for doing minor things like that. i'm also prone to chronic pain/illness, albeit quite mild, but i feel like any of it's not enough to earn me a voice. there's some sort of guilt i have when i want to claim a community label or discuss my experiences, as i wonder if i'm speaking over people who have it worse than me and definitely do know everything about themselves with the confidence to justify their place.

do you think someone like me belongs in disabled safe spaces? would i get harassed and booed out for using my privilege to fake and deceive my way in? am i not really disabled and/or should i seek a much lighter, open to questioning, unprioritized, etc. version of the wider community so that i can get what i need without intruding on those who need it more? i'm just afraid of offending people who are actually, clearly disabled. i assume it's possible for someone's life to be physically difficult to navigate due to complications without necessarily being classified as disabled. y'know?

Thank you so much for the question! I am very happy to answer it 😁

I'm going to preface this by saying there is no such thing as being "not disabled enough". There are disabled people with higher and lower support needs (I have low support needs, my wheelchair using relative has high support needs), but no one is inherently "not disabled enough".

People tend to think of disability as being linear. They see the disability spectrum as ranging from being "less disabled" to "more disabled". That's not true. Not everyone with the same condition will manifest the same way.

Not everyone with my medical condition is disabled. While I seem "less disabled" than my relative, I am still equally disabled under U.S. law.

There are always people who will have something worse than you. But the more you think about them, the more you begin to ignore your own struggles. It can fall into the realm of "toxic positivity". By thinking "Oh, I don't have it that bad, someone else has it worse", you kind of gaslight yourself into thinking you're completely fine when you're not.

I read actually a lot of internalized ableism in your comment. Happens to all of us. It honestly makes me cringe, but it's definitely not your fault.

From my own experiences, you belong here. People think that only visible disabilities are VALID disability. Those with "actual clear" disabilities. But most disabled people actually have invisible disabilities.

I am NOT visibly disabled. I don't use a wheelchair, cane, or any other type of mobility aid. I have an autoimmune disease that causes chronic pain, inflammation, and joint damage. I have been physically disabled my entire life.

Trust me when I say that you not being visibly physically disabled DOESN'T MEAN you aren't physically disabled.

July is Disability Pride Month, yes, it's the 31st, so the last day of July. But the point still stands. There's a banner on the Disability Pride Month pride flag for people like us. The white banner stands for invisible and undiagnosed disabilities. There is definitely a space here for you.

You aren't "faking" or "deceiving" your way into the disabled community. Will you be harassed? Maybe. There is some ableism within even the disability community. I've been harassed in real life for using things I have a legal right to, merely because I'm not "clearly disabled".

I can guarantee that if you saw me, you would just see a "standard", "normal", non-disabled 20 year old girl. 100%. I know because that's how most people see me. But I'm physically disabled under American law.

There is space for you here. You are welcome here. And I do not tolerate ableism of any kind on this blog, therefore, you're safe here, and your experiences are just as valid as any of the other physically disabled people here ❤️

Most non-disabled people don't run into barriers in society when it comes to what they can do physically. Chronic pain is ALWAYS considered a disability under U.S. law, and if (and hopefully when) you get a chronic illness/chronic pain diagnosis, you are automatically protected under the ADA. If you run into issues standing for long periods of time, you are likely disabled. I struggle with the same exact thing.

And I know most people DON'T struggle with that. Earlier this year, I saw 20+ people stand up for the entirety of a junior hockey game, including intermissions, and that was about 1 and a half to 2 hours long. I can only stand in one spot for about 2-5 minutes without my knees and feet hurting, to the point where I will always shift my weight from foot to foot when standing.

And I'm also going to be 100% honest with you. People will say "those who need it more". There actually AREN'T many accommodations for disabled people, and there's actually no shortage of accommodations for disabled people. They are just HIGHLY HIGHLY gatekept by the non-disabled government and withheld, sometimes even from those who need it.

You belong in this community, and you are welcome here ☺️

[low-carb-avenue]

Low Cal Bread: The Ultimate Guide to Healthier Bread Options For Weight Loss

Bread is trendy, but standard bakery varieties are often high in calories and have minimal nutritional value. If you’re watching your weight or trying to eat healthier, regular bread can be challenging to incorporate into a calorie-controlled diet. Fortunately, there are now many excellent low cal bread options available. By making this switch, you can continue to enjoy toast, sandwiches, and more without exceeding your calorie budget.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different types of low calorie bread, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each, and offer advice on selecting and savoring healthier bread options. I aim to help you find nutritious, low-calorie bread varieties that align with your dietary goals and preferences.

What is Low Cal Bread?

Low-calorie bread refers to bread varieties that have fewer calories compared to regular bread slices. They typically contain 70-120 calories or fewer per serving, enabling individuals to incorporate bread into a calorie-controlled diet for weight loss or health objectives. Common types of low cal bread include whole grain, flatbread, pita, tortilla, and lower calorie sliced bread options.

Types of Low Cal Bread

Several main categories of bread generally contain fewer calories than traditional varieties. Let’s look at each one in more detail.

Whole Grain Breads

As the name implies, whole grains consist of the entire grain kernel, including the bran, germ, and endosperm. This makes them higher in fiber, nutrients, and protein than refined grains.

100% whole grain breads include whole wheat, oats, rye, and quinoa varieties. They typically contain 70- 120 calories per slice.

Sandwich Thins and Flatbreads

Light and crispy thin sandwich “breads” such as flatbreads, lavash, and matzos provide an alternative to sliced loaves. With 60-90 calories per piece, they satisfy cravings with fewer calories. Varieties made with whole grains add nutrients.

Low Calorie and Diet Breads

Low-calorie and diet bread is formulated to reduce the calorie count by removing fat, sugar, and sometimes fiber. These sliced breads contain approximately 45-80 calories, thanks to ingredient adjustments. Brands offer varieties such as white, wheat, and gluten-free.

Pita and Tortilla Breads

Wraps made from pita, lavash, or large tortillas offer convenience, containing approximately 70-110 calories each wrap. Whole-grain versions increase the fiber content.

Bread Alternatives

For those seeking to eliminate bread, crunchy vegetable “chips” made from cauliflower, broccoli, or sweet potato offer textures with minimal calories (30-50 calories per bag).

Whole Grain Breads: A Nutritious Foundation

Whole grain varieties should be your go-to, low-calorie bread option when nourishing your body. Here are a few key reasons why:

High Fiber Content: Fiber from whole grains slows down and prevents blood sugar spikes, which helps to keep you feeling longer. For a longer period.

Vitamin: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support immunity, heart health, and more. Refined grains lose most of their nutrients.

Blood Sugar Control: The fiber, protein, complex carbs, and carbohydrates in whole grains help regulate sugar levels steadily and effectively compared to carbs. Carbohydrates.

Very Satisfying: Whole fills are highly nutritious and can effectively keep you feeling full, with 70-120 calories per slice.

Top picks include breads that contain 3 or more grams of fiber and 5 or more grams of protein per slice. The fiber and nutrients will keep you feeling satisfied on a low-calorie diet.

Tips for Choosing the Best Low Cal Bread

With the wide range of bread options available on grocery store shelves, it can be challenging to determine the healthiest choice. Use these tips when selecting a low calorie bread:

Check the Nutrition Facts label and ingredients list to verify it as a true whole grain variety containing 3+ grams of fiber and at least 5 grams of protein. Avoid excessive sodium.

Watch out for sneaky added sugars on nutrition labels, even in “whole grain” varieties. Five grams of sugar or less is best for a slice of bread.

Compare calorie counts – whole wheat bread typically ranges from 70-120 calories per slice, while lower calorie bread may have 45-80 calories per slice, depending on the recipe or formulation.

Consider the protein content in addition to fiber – protein is filling and helps regulate blood sugar levels. 5+ grams per serving is ideal.

Be skeptical of claims like “low carb” or “high protein” without verification of whole grain or fiber contents. Marketed aggressively but not always healthiest.

Remember, it comes at a cost – flatbreads, pitas, and tortillas have more calories than sliced loaves for portability, but they also have calories and overall calorie content. Measure portions.

Experiment to find textures you enjoy for compliance – some appreciate lighter and fluffier low- calorie loaves versus denser 100% whole grain varieties.

Healthy Ways to Enjoy Low Cal Bread

Once you’ve stocked up on nutritious low calorie bread options, it’s time to start enjoying them! Try incorporating bread into your diet in these satisfying, low-calorie ways:

Open-Faced Sandwiches: Top slices of bread with your favorite sandwich fixings, then broil until lightly toasted for half the calories of a closed sandwich.

Bruschetta: Chop fresh tomatoes, herbs, and garlic and toss with balsamic for a zesty, crunchy bread topper full of flavor but few calories.

Toast & Avocado: Spread avocado in moderation on toasted bread for creaminess with monounsaturated fats to satisfy.

Pizza Rounds: Top pita bread or English muffin halves with pizza or pasta sauce, sprinkle with part-skim cheese, then broil until melted.

Quesadillas: Fill small whole wheat tortillas with desired fillings such as beans, spinach, and cheese, then pan-fry crispy.

French Toast or Bread Pudding: Get creative with seasonal produce and Greek yogurt in these decadent yet lower-calorie recipes.

Croutons: Cut bread into cubes, toss with olive oil and seasoning, and bake until crispy for crunchy salad or soup toppers.

Enjoying bread mindfully in small portions with lean protein and fiber-rich veggies makes it an integral part of a balanced, heart-healthy diet. Just be strategic with the type of bread and toppings chosen.

[hamlets-bootycheeks]

I was just going to put this in tags but I'll put it here.

This is why I'm uncomfortable when people make sweeping generalizations about conservatives/Republicans.

On a fundamental level, I do disagree with the political beliefs that lead people to holding those labels.

But at the same time, there's such a huge difference between someone who is Republican because they think that we should have lower taxes, and someone who is Republican because they think rich white men are the only people worthy of rights.

When we make those blanket statements of "every Republican is racist" or whatever, we're making it less likely that those people are going to do stuff like this. Often it leads to people doubling down on their beliefs, even if they are inherently harmful.

You also have people like my mom. She is a registered Republican, born and raised in Idaho, super super Mormon.

She's a registered Republican because she thinks that society should be built to promote the family and help families thrive.

But she also supports universal healthcare.

I tell her all the things I think are cool about Harris and Walz and she's always like "wow, yeah, that is really cool!"

She's a high school teacher and because of that now supports gun control.

She doesn't give a shit that I'm aroace. (Haven't talked about gender stuff but I'd feel pretty comfortable bringing it up at this point to be honest.)

The thing is that the public/left awareness of the Republican party has shifted, following the people who are in power. Because those in power are getting more extreme.

There are people who have always held really extreme right-wing beliefs.

There are people like many who are voting for Trump who used to be less extreme, but have followed those in positions in power in gradually making their views more extreme.

There are those like my mom and dad who have some not great but far more reasonable beliefs who feel like the Republican party no longer represent them.

It's important to talk about those problematic beliefs that people like my parents hold, but at the end of the day they are genuinely good people. They've got internalized racism and homophobia and misogyny just like everyone else, but they're still good people.

Honestly even most hardcore Trump supporters are good people. (My grandparents voted for him! They're some of the kindest people I know!)

But if we just throw everyone under the label of "Republican" and then assume that includes things like homophobe, white supremacist, etc, you're going to end up with a lot of people who don't want to get behind what you're behind.

It's so much better, in my experience, to build a report, built trust, try to genuinely understand where the other person is coming from. I've talked to my Trump voting grandparents about trans people and they listened to me. I may not have changed their minds, but they have at least seen that other side from someone they respect.

That's going to go a whole lot more good in the long run than just calling them Republican and never talking to them again.

Of course there's more nuance than this, and if someone has like genuine beliefs that. Really really not great. Dump their ass. It's not worth it. There's a difference between someone who's a white supremacist because that's what they deeply believe, and someone who's just parroting what they saw elsewhere. The later deserve time and understanding, because they have the potential to turn into the former but aren't there yet.

And of course there are people like my mom. If she took a political compass quiz it would tell her she's liberal, hands down. Still a registered Republican.

Anyways, these are thoughts I've had for a bit and maybe I'll write something later that's a bit more planned out. Hope that makes sense.

And there's just a ton of nuance here that I can't get into because I've almost hit my time limit on Tumblr and I need to go take an exam. Plus it's dumb to expect me to elaborate on every possible way this could be misinterpreted. Just assume I kinda know what I'm talking about please, unless I accidentally said something blatantly incorrect. O7

Please vote tomorrow.

Be compassionate.

Imagine those around you complexly.

Think about my mom. :p

Have a cat picture for the road.

i'm a huge fan of Republicans, conservatives or however you want to be politically labeled choosing country over party. please let me see more stories. it's a brave thing to do this. even if you voted for him in both 2016 & 2020 but you changed your mind now, WELCOME. it's a massive deal to get out of any cult successfully & MAGA is no different. being filled with anger & hatred, & fear is intoxicating & honestly easier than choosing to do the right thing. i'm glad you saw the light.

check your registration status often & don't stop talking about Project 2025. they can pretend they're distancing themselves from it as much as they want but it's absolutely their policy. we can do this though if we just show up & VOTE. we got this 💙

[drgyana]

The Heart-Smart Way to Grocery Shop (According to Experts)

When it comes to maintaining heart health, what you put in your shopping cart can be just as important as what happens in a clinic. Choosing the right foods is one of the most effective ways to support cardiovascular wellness, and it all begins at the grocery store. By understanding how to read labels, pick the right items, and avoid the usual traps, you can make each visit to the store a step toward better heart health.

Start with a list (and stick to it)

A simple, focused grocery list can be your first defense against unhealthy impulse buys. Planning meals for the week allows you to create a list centered around whole grains, fresh produce, lean proteins, and heart-friendly fats. It also helps limit sodium, added sugars, and processed foods that contribute to increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Shop the outer aisles first

Most health professionals recommend beginning your shopping in the perimeter of the store. This is typically where you’ll find fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, and fresh meats—foods that are less processed and more nutrient-dense. These items support balanced blood pressure and contribute to a heart-friendly diet without added preservatives or excess salt.

Choose heart-healthy fats

Not all fats are created equal. While trans fats and saturated fats can raise your risk of heart disease, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can actually support a healthy heart. Look for foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds. Swap butter and hydrogenated oils for olive or avocado oil in your cooking.

Read nutrition labels carefully

Understanding labels can empower you to make informed decisions. Look at the sodium content—aim for items with less than 140 mg of sodium per serving, especially if you’re managing blood pressure. Pay attention to added sugars, which often hide in yogurts, cereals, and sauces. Fiber is another crucial component; foods high in fiber help reduce cholesterol levels.

Whole grains over refined

Instead of white bread or rice, go for whole grain versions. Brown rice, quinoa, oats, and whole wheat pasta provide more nutrients and fiber, keeping your heart and digestion in better shape. Products marked "100% whole grain" offer more benefits than those labeled simply as “multi-grain” or “wheat,” which may still be highly processed.

Lean proteins matter

Proteins are essential, but the type of protein you pick matters. Choose lean meats like chicken breast or turkey, and include plant-based proteins like lentils, beans, and tofu. Fatty fish, such as tuna and sardines, are rich in omega-3s and are a better choice than red or processed meats.

Go colorful with fruits and vegetables

A colorful cart means a nutrient-rich cart. Each color group brings a unique set of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support overall health. Dark leafy greens, red peppers, oranges, and purple cabbage all contain elements that support heart function and reduce inflammation.

Beware of marketing traps

Words like “natural,” “low-fat,” or “sugar-free” can be misleading. Many of these products are still highly processed and may contain ingredients that aren't ideal for a heart-healthy diet. Always rely on the nutrition label over front-of-package claims.

Don’t shop hungry

It may sound simple, but shopping on an empty stomach often leads to impulse decisions. Hunger can cloud judgment and make unhealthy snacks seem more appealing. Have a small, nutritious snack before heading to the store to help keep your decision-making on track.

Consult a local expert if needed

If you're unsure about what choices are best for your heart, speaking to a professional can help. A consultation with a cardiology doctor in Bhubaneswar can provide you with personalized dietary recommendations based on your health profile. Having that extra insight makes it easier to choose foods that truly support your well-being.

Consistency over perfection

Shopping heart-smart isn’t about overhauling your life overnight. It’s about making better choices, one cart at a time. Start small—switch white rice for brown, or soda for water. Over time, these small shifts add up. If you're managing heart-related concerns, regular check-ins with a cardiology doctor in Bhubaneswar can keep you on the right track.

Grocery shopping isn’t just a routine—it’s an opportunity. Every trip gives you the chance to make choices that can impact your long-term health. With the right strategy, your cart can become one of your strongest tools in supporting a healthy heart.