#struggling with mobile integration

[fadewalking]

I hate how complicated themes are now. Back in my day you just slapped some vaguely code-like lines in there and somehow it functioned.

[outer-edges]

JASKGKFKKSKS OH MY GOD UNCOVERED THE CURSED SPIDERSONA X TWILIGHT CROSSOVER I WROTE IN HIGH SCHOOL. LOSING MY MINDDDDD. BEING A TEENAGE GIRL DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS QUITE A TIME.

[probablyasocialecologist]

All the takes are correct and yet they also miss the point. Yes, it was insane for the Democrats to think they could win by running a soulless candidate, without a shred of progressive policy vision, pursuing endorsements from neocon war-hawks everybody hates, while arming and funding a genocide, and belittling and crushing those who have enough morality to protest it. It is enraging that the Democrats are so smug and blind to this. But these are all just symptoms. The deeper reality is that liberalism has failed, liberalism is dead, and people urgently need to wake up to this fact and respond accordingly. It is a defunct ideology that cannot offer any meaningful solutions to our social and ecological crises and it must be abandoned. Democrats have proven over and over again that they cannot accept even basic steps like public healthcare, affordable housing, and a public job guarantee - things that would dramatically improve the material, social and political conditions of the working classes. And they cannot accept a public finance strategy that would steer production away from fossil fuels and toward green transition to give us a shot at a liveable future. Why? Because these things run against the objectives of capital accumulation. And for liberals capital is sacrosanct. They will do whatever it takes to ensure elite accumulation, it is their only consistent commitment. At home, they suppress and demonize progressive and socialist tendencies. Abroad, they engage in endless wars and violence to suppress input prices in the global South and prevent any possibility of sovereign economic development. The Democrats have done all this purposefully and knowingly, for my whole life, not as some kind of "mistake" but in full consciousness that it is in the interests of capital. And because liberalism cannot address our crises, and because it crushes socialist alternatives, it inevitably paves the way for right-wing populism. They know this pattern, and yet they risk it every time - this election being only the most recent example. They did it in 2016, when they actively crushed the Sanders campaign and sent Trump to the White House. They do it because ultimately they (and I mean the liberal ruling class here) don't really mind if fascists take power, so long as the latter too ensure the conditions for capital accumulation. They 100% prefer this to the possibility of a socialist alternative. So, progressives have to face reality. The dream of "converting" the Democratic party is dead. This is now a fact and it must be accepted. The only option is to build a mass-based movement that can reclaim the working classes and mobilize a political vehicle that can integrate disparate progressive struggles into a unified and formidable political force and achieve substantive transformation. This will take real work, actual organizing, but it must be done and that process must begin now.

Jason Hickel

[afloweroutofstone]

Tariffs and trade wars replace class conflict with economic nationalism. Rather than having workers unite against their bosses, tariffs put labor unions and corporate executives on the same side of a struggle against foreign workers and bosses, thus moving the focus of economic competition from class to nationality.

As the US labor movement weakened, its ambitions shrunk. Rather than pushing for transformative economic reforms, many unions satisfied themselves with calls for tariffs to protect domestic industries and US jobs. A strong internationalist labor movement would look in another direction: increasing cross-border cooperation between workers of different nations, preventing the bosses from forcing workers to compete with one another for scraps. This can be paired with strong public investment and industrial policy within each nation to support good jobs for all workers.

A long, thought-provoking article on the matter:

In 1966, at the height of the labor movement’s postwar power, Walter Reuther, then president of the United Auto Workers, helped establish the first four “World Auto Councils.” Workers at General Motors, Volkswagen-Daimler-Benz, Fiat, and Chrysler (now Stellantis) could now meet across borders and, it was hoped, establish common international contract expiration dates. The plan fell short of an international bargaining agreement, but the unions hoped it would “strengthen the hand of each union in the contract negotiations of its own country,” said World Auto Councils coordinator Burton Bendiner in 1978. In 1971, French GM workers who supplied gearboxes and transmissions for the company’s European operations went on strike. They coordinated with their counterparts in Germany’s IG Metall and the UAW to pressure GM management. They refused work that management had diverted from a struck plant and created a common strike fund. The French union, said Bendiner, was able to draw strength from the more powerful UAW. Similarly, when Ford workers in Britain went on strike in 1971, their counterparts in West Germany refused to pick up the slack with overtime. This increased striking workers’ leverage at the table while avoiding the legal challenges a sympathy strike would have provoked. Instead of letting companies pit plants and workers against each other, unions in France, Belgium, Austria, Italy, and Germany negotiated a “multinational-union agreement” that forced their common employer—a Belgian and French glass company—to distribute work among subsidiaries in different countries. This pointed to an international vision of economic development and job creation. The UAW was championing solidarity, not competition for scarce jobs. The common target was the multinational corporation... Auto companies, which have more plants than they need, have a bargaining advantage because they can easily add and subtract shifts and lines at each plant, undermining workers’ bargaining power across borders. The UAW wants to restrain capital mobility and increase its bargaining power when auto bosses threaten to offshore jobs and establish runaway shops abroad. But it is trying to do this not by coordinating with other unions abroad, but by erecting trade barriers to compel the companies to reshore jobs in the U.S. The UAW argues that tariffs could force the U.S. auto industry to bring back jobs from Mexico and Canada, though the union isn’t explicit about job losses to Canada’s unionized autoworkers. But if Mexican workers make on average $3 an hour, would a 25 percent tariff be enough incentive for auto companies to stop producing in Mexico? What about the savings they get from manufacturing in Canada, with its weaker currency and comprehensive national health insurance? Then there’s question of how deeply integrated auto industry is globally... When [UAW President Shawn] Fain says, “If the Big Three alone just got their currently active plants up to 100 percent capacity, they could add 50,000 jobs,” the conversation has shifted to a zero-sum calculus. Without an increase in car sales—a dim prospect with the world economy tipping into recession—Fain’s statement is tantamount to “take their jobs and give them to us.”... The well-being of U.S. autoworkers cannot come at the expense of workers in Canada and Mexico, as well as those in Asia or anywhere else... Sam Gindin, the former research director of the Canadian Auto Workers, argues that tariffs are a diversion from the fight for everything from “universal health care and inadequate access to higher education and affordable housing to the refusal to make unionization a substantive democratic right.” Gindin writes, “Trade matters, but the antagonistic and substantively undemocratic domestic impact of corporate and government decisions matters more.”...

[spidergvven]

"I am lesbian and transgender. I am a working-class, secular Jewish socialist. So let my first words be these: I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Arab and Muslim people in this room and around the world in the battle against the real axis of evil: the White House, Pentagon and Justice Department. And with every breath and every sinew, I fight for Palestinian liberation. ... I do not believe that our sexuality, gender expression and bodies can be liberated without making a ferocious mobilization against imperialist war and racism an integral part of our struggle. The degree to which any movement is progressive or revolutionary is measured by its independence from the rulers of the society it seeks to change. ... The U.S. claims that it pumps billions of dollars into the Israeli military each year in order to provide a safe haven for Jewish people. What a vicious lie! El Nakbe, the terrible catastrophe of using terror to slaughter Palestinians and drive millions into a forced Diaspora, was established to create a well-armed colonial outpost for big oil in the Middle East. This reactionary, apartheid crime against the people of Palestine is carried out in the name of all Jewish people in order to pit Jews against Arabs. The key to righting this historic wrong is to fight Zionism and its U.S. master. The Palestinian liberation movement is an anti-colonial movement. And I work to be counted as one of the best fighters for Palestinian liberation." - Leslie Feinberg

[chroniccoolness]

disability pride ask game

I'm so sleepy but I have persisted anyway bc i am so brave

feel free to reblog, try and send an ask to the person you're reblogging from so the game doesn't die, and absolutely never be pressured to answer anything that feels too personal--this is about/inspiration for what you Want to share about disability and experiences being disabled, not what you feel like you have to! (also: this ask game is PRO SELF DX.)

what disability/ies do you have? (and are they mental, physical, or both?)

how long have you known you're disabled? does that match up with diagnosis?

what, if any, disability aids do you use? (mobility aids, sensory aids, braces, communicative devices, IVs, etc. meds also count here). do you customize them/their containers/outsides?

do you know any disabled people irl? what about online?

if you have multiple disabilities: do they affect each other? how?

what's something good that's come out of being disabled?

what's a struggle you wish more people talked about?

does your disability affect how you experience other parts of your identity? (gender, queerness, culture, even hobbies/life goals you're very passionate about)

how do you measure your energy? (spoons, battery, something else?)

whats something youve come up with or integrated into your life that makes disability easier, besides typical aids?

how would you label your support needs?

what's something (a struggle, a symptom, a weird phenomenon, or even a funny experience) people don't realize about your disability?

whats the most Abled Person Thing someone has said to you?

has there ever been a time where you felt solidarity/community with another disabled person in a situation with you?

what does disability pride mean to you?

free space to talk about whatever disability issue or experience you want !

[howlsofbloodhounds]

If the Chromatic Crew had jobs in the Omega Timeline, what would they be?

I feel like Delta would work as some sort of mechanic, given his passion for technology and engineering. Perhaps he specializes in robotics, cybernetics, and biomechanical enhancements—particularly for monsters, hybrids, or even humans with prosthetics.

He could design and maintain cybernetic limbs or assistive technology for those who need mechanical augmentations.

Given that Omega Chara kinda cut him half, if his body still struggles to function in some way due to that despite its healing, and potential magical instability, he might experiment with integrating technology into his own recovery and mobility—like reinforced plating, internal stabilizers, or even minor cybernetic enhancements.

He might build AI-driven mechanical assistants to help him in the workshop, reducing the strain of overworking himself.

If the Omega Timeline likely has threats or conflicts, Delta could also potentially work as a weapon specialist, designing high-tech weapons, armor, and battle gear.

I think he’d likely refuse to create purely offensive weapons, instead focusing on defensive gear, shields, and non-lethal weaponry to prevent unnecessary deaths.

(And this is likely something Core agrees with if they allow him to build weapons in the first place. If Delta does make any offensive weapons, they’re likely hidden somewhere he deems safe.)

If the Omega Timeline has any advanced vehicles or transport systems, Delta would absolutely be involved in repairing, modifying, and upgrading them.

He might build experimental hovercrafts, motorcycles, or personal flight devices. I also think Delta is likely to take on side projects, where he builds things just because he can—whether it’s helpful inventions, weird gadgets, or impractical but cool devices.

He might experiment with combining magic and machinery, creating hybrid tech that blends the best of both worlds.

Given that Beta (his human half) grew up on the Surface and Sans grew up in the Underground, he might take inspiration from both human and monster engineering, leading to designs that take from both worlds.

Rather than working under a formal organization, i think Delta is more likely to be a self-taught, independent mechanic who runs his own private workshop or garage.

He might barter services instead of working for money, fixing things in exchange for food, materials, or favors.

Especially if he barters with Core and any members of the potential Council—ensuring their technology, infrastructure, and security remain secure and functional in exchange for housing where he either doesn’t have to pay rent/bills, or the Council covers that for him.

His workspace could be cluttered but functional, filled with half-finished projects, custom tools, and notes scribbled everywhere. He would probably refuse to take jobs from people he doesn’t trust, especially if he suspects they would use his work for harmful purposes.

Especially if we take into account the headcanon of how Killer used any weapons of Delta’s to fuel negativity for Nightmare and help the corruption expand his “organization.”

Color, however, I feel would be unable to work a traditional full time job, at least not for a long time.

And although Delta likely to insist on being the one to take care of everything and everyone in their household, willing to take on extra work if he has to, Color probably worries a lot about what would happen if he doesn’t “get better” and start “pulling his weight.”

Start behaving..like an “adult.” Again.

Will Delta leave him? Will he hate him and get mad at him, throw them out on the streets one day, because he realized how much of a drain Color has been on his life? The burden on his shoulders? Will Beta realize how pathetic he is, nothing worth looking up to? Will Sans look at Color, and be glad he didn’t make the wrong choices and end up like Color?

So at first—I think his best options would be remote work and self employment/commissions.

He could do writing like blogs, short stories, and transcription work. Data entry if he can manage long screen time, and even email-based customer service, not phone-based.

He could even sell any arts, crafts, or music online he makes—and before going on to paid work, he could even try out volunteering in an attempt to refamiliarize with being around people again. (Such as volunteering at the hospital with the children.)

And then eventually a part-time job with flexible hours, and it has to be low-stress, accommodating, and allow for breaks to prevent burnout, breakdowns, and physical collapses from Color.

Like working as a library assistant or a museum guide or doing archival work.

When he starts getting antsy about being trapped in the Omega Timeline, however, I do think he’d definitely be willing to push himself past his limits in regards to work if he views it as a means out of the Omega Timeline.

Perseverance definitely would make it near impossible to stop if it agrees with or shares Color’s desires to get out, or simply is particularly very ambitious on their job or helping Color, regardless of the strain or injury it could cause their shared body.

For Killer, at first I was considering something to do with the death care industry—like an embalmer or a mortician—but then I remembered how he tends to be towards the dead.

He doesn’t really show much respect or care for the dead, such as taking the souls of his victims or studying their dead bodies for his own purposes and ends without consent—and he’s trying to get better in this ending.

Keeping him around and trusting him to handle the Omega Timeline’s dead, tempting him, reminding him of what he’s been surrounded by for a long time now.

What he’s yearned for, what he’s done. Especially if he ever comes across any familiar faces or magical “signatures”…i doubt it’d be good.

So i definitely think he’d do something to do with animals. He loves animals, relates most to them, definitely has a lot more respect and care for them then he does for most other living beings.

He could potentially get a full or part time job in Ccino’s Cafe, working primarily with the animals—cats and dogs.

Especially since Ccino not only knows Killer through their shared connections with Nightmare, but Ccino also very likely has rapport with both Color and Epic.

And speaking of Ccino’s cafe and Epic, there’s Epic’s good pal, Cross.

Now I was a little stuck on potential jobs for both Cross and Epic, outside of the obvious ones—something science related for Epic, something Royal Guard or militaristic-like for Cross.

But I had a feeling that military work may not actually be as good mental health wise for Cross as it seemed, despite its familiarity, and I also felt that Epic had more potential options I just couldn’t see yet.

So I asked a friend of mine her opinions and thoughts on the matter, since she’s more familiar with the characters’ canon than I am at this moment, so I’ll paraphrase what they (@/zuzuelectricbugaloo) and down below:

Epic might take on a part-time role as a doctor since his ability to see Codes would be useful for treating cases where regular magic isn’t effective.

Additionally, he could run a daycare in the Omega Timeline, given his experience babysitting many kids like Palette, Goth/Vidal, Paperjam, and Gradient, and his genuine enjoyment of it.

As for Cross, he might initially consider a military-related job since he’s skilled in that area and likes feeling helpful. However, given the war-like trauma and PTSD he experienced in XTale/Underverse, it wouldn’t be the best choice for him.

He enjoys art and baking, so working part-time at a café could be a good fit. However, considering his past actions in Underverse—such as destroying AUs or causing harm, even indirectly—many Omega Timeline residents might not welcome him.

Because of this, he might prefer working elsewhere, like at Ccino’s café, where he has a good relationship with both Ccino and Epic. There, he could use his artistic side in baking and making drinks or even help with the animals. This setup would allow him to feel productive without overwhelming anxiety or the pressure of feeling like he’s doing everything wrong.

[crimethinc]

"The revolt in Georgia points to a horizon beyond the choice between Europe and Russia, expressing a growing social anger at both the local authoritarian regime and the grip of foreign economic powers upon the Caucasus in general.

"Contrary to the dominant media discourse, this popular mobilization is not simply a demand for Georgia to be integrated into the European Union. From a distance, it may seem reminiscent of the 2014 Maidan revolution in Ukraine, but to grasp the deep tumult that this particular struggle represents, we need to look closer."

https://crimethinc.com/GeorgiaRevolt2024

Following up our earlier coverage of the protests in Georgia, we present this analysis from within.

[beef-estrogenoff]

Secure in our own strength and righteousness, during the military tyranny, even during its most somber periods, the reconquest of power seemed near and inexorable. Nine years after the imperialist coup (of 1955) that naive optimism has given place to a more realistic and reflexive attitude, although always possessed by optimism.

The origin of this discontent isn't thus the violence of the regime, it's the suspicions about the aptitude of the Movement to defeat it. The imprisoned, the tortured, the dead, the innumerable days of combat, bear witness of our courage against adversity: they also raise the question of if we aren't ruining so much sacrifice.

Many of our companions relegate these unsettling intuitions, resisting to admit the deterioration of those old certainties. Others calm themselves by waging the conviction that, in spite of all the obstacles, in the long run the people will triumph. But this fatalistic optimism is nothing more than another form of self-delusion: our compromises are with this time, without us being able to excuse ourselves by transferring them to generations who would act in an imprecise future.

History isn't clear or linear or simple, today's Argentina is an example of its complications and ambiguities. The presence of peronism prevents the ruling classes from enjoying their usurped privileges peacefully: it's by itself the proof of the decrepitude of the regime, of its inefficacy to solve the issues of the country (note: though it must be taken into account their ways to prolong and recycle to uphold themselves).

The prevailing restlessness answers to the impression that our ultimate objectives lie within a foggy distance which our daily efforts don't seem to make shorter. Putting it a different way: in between the desires of taking the power and the episodes of our struggle, one can't see the relation of a strategy which advances to our ultimate objectives. There's organization in the tactical, but without integrating it on a policy which, no matter how hard the path it signals may be, presents revolution as feasible, as a goal we march onwards to. No more than that do the masses need, but for no less they will settle.

What's important is to highlight that therein lies the origin of that fear of not finding revolutionary answers to contemporary problems.

Ruling classes can't aspire to anything else more than upholding balance anymore, save for the fluctuations between phases of maximum tension and phases of relative social calm, they will keep themselves in the optimal situation as long as that parity doesn't break down. Peronism, as a majority association, needs to alter it. As long as it doesn't find the policy which leads it to achieving it, it extends the validity of the regime and simultaneously weakens itself internally.

It has in front of itself a choice between two lines of conduct. It can keep the current one, trusting that in some unforeseen manner it will seize power and thus the peronist millennium will begin, a bureaucrat conception. Or it can present the question on the inverse: understand that the future of the movement isn't in winning a lottery but in mobilizing the people within a revolutionary policy. The chance that grants us the government and assures our future will not be given to us. What we can do is to face the internal base changes that put us in the condition of aspiring to power.

John William Cooke, Outlines for the Militancy (translation by me)

[blackstarlineage]

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968) was a Baptist minister, activist, and one of the most prominent leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he was deeply influenced by his religious upbringing and the legacy of Black resistance against racial oppression. King emerged as a national figure in the 1950s when he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956), a pivotal campaign against racial segregation in public transportation.

King was a strong advocate of nonviolent resistance, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of civil disobedience. He believed that racial justice could be achieved through peaceful protests, legal challenges, and mass mobilization. As president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), he played a central role in organizing key civil rights demonstrations, including the Birmingham Campaign (1963), the March on Washington (1963), and the Selma to Montgomery March (1965). His famous "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered at the Lincoln Memorial, became one of the most iconic addresses in American history, calling for racial and economic justice.

Despite being widely associated with nonviolence and integration, King’s later years showed a growing shift toward addressing economic inequality, militarism, and systemic poverty. He became an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War, arguing that America’s military spending came at the expense of addressing domestic poverty, particularly among Black communities. His Poor People’s Campaign sought to unite marginalized groups across racial lines to demand economic justice and social reform.

King's activism made him a target of the U.S. government. The FBI, under J. Edgar Hoover, surveilled and harassed him, labeling him a threat to national security. On April 4, 1968, he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, while supporting striking sanitation workers. His death sparked nationwide unrest but also solidified his legacy as a martyr for justice.

King's impact extends beyond civil rights in the United States. His work influenced global movements for freedom and equality, including struggles against apartheid in South Africa and colonial rule in Africa and the Caribbean. His legacy continues to inspire activists advocating for racial justice, economic equality, and human rights worldwide.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The surveillance advertising to financial fraud pipeline

Monday (October 2), I'll be in Boise to host an event with VE Schwab. On October 7–8, I'm in Milan to keynote Wired Nextfest.

Being watched sucks. Of all the parenting mistakes I've made, none haunt me more than the times my daughter caught me watching her while she was learning to do something, discovered she was being observed in a vulnerable moment, and abandoned her attempt:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2014/may/09/cybersecurity-begins-with-integrity-not-surveillance

It's hard to be your authentic self while you're under surveillance. For that reason alone, the rise and rise of the surveillance industry – an unholy public-private partnership between cops, spooks, and ad-tech scum – is a plague on humanity and a scourge on the Earth:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/16/the-second-best-time-is-now/#the-point-of-a-system-is-what-it-does

But beyond the psychic damage surveillance metes out, there are immediate, concrete ways in which surveillance brings us to harm. Ad-tech follows us into abortion clinics and then sells the info to the cops back home in the forced birth states run by Handmaid's Tale LARPers:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/06/29/no-i-in-uter-us/#egged-on

And even if you have the good fortune to live in a state whose motto isn't "There's no 'I" in uter-US," ad-tech also lets anti-abortion propagandists trick you into visiting fake "clinics" who defraud you into giving birth by running out the clock on terminating your pregnancy:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/06/15/paid-medical-disinformation/#crisis-pregnancy-centers

The commercial surveillance industry fuels SWATting, where sociopaths who don't like your internet opinions or are steamed because you beat them at Call of Duty trick the cops into thinking that there's an "active shooter" at your house, provoking the kind of American policing autoimmune reaction that can get you killed:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/14/us/swatting-sentence-casey-viner/index.html

There's just a lot of ways that compiling deep, nonconsensual, population-scale surveillance dossiers can bring safety and financial harm to the unwilling subjects of our experiment in digital spying. The wave of "business email compromises" (the infosec term for impersonating your boss to you and tricking you into cleaning out the company bank accounts)? They start with spear phishing, a phishing attack that uses personal information – bought from commercial sources or ganked from leaks – to craft a virtual Big Store con:

https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/business-email-compromise

It's not just spear-phishers. There are plenty of financial predators who run petty grifts – stock swindles, identity theft, and other petty cons. These scams depend on commercial surveillance, both to target victims (e.g. buying Facebook ads targeting people struggling with medical debt and worried about losing their homes) and to run the con itself (by getting the information needed to pull of a successful identity theft).

In "Consumer Surveillance and Financial Fraud," a new National Bureau of Academic Research paper, a trio of business-school profs – Bo Bian (UBC), Michaela Pagel (WUSTL) and Huan Tang (Wharton) quantify the commercial surveillance industry's relationship to finance crimes:

https://www.nber.org/papers/w31692

The authors take advantage of a time-series of ZIP-code-accurate fraud complaint data from the Consumer Finance Protection Board, supplemented by complaints from the FTC, along with Apple's rollout of App Tracking Transparency, a change to app-based tracking on Apple mobile devices that turned of third-party commercial surveillance unless users explicitly opted into being spied on. More than 96% of Apple users blocked spying:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/96-of-us-users-opt-out-of-app-tracking-in-ios-14-5-analytics-find/

In other words, they were able to see, neighborhood by neighborhood, what happened to financial fraud when users were able to block commercial surveillance.

What happened is, fraud plunged. Deprived of the raw material for committing fraud, criminals were substantially hampered in their ability to steal from internet users.

While this is something that security professionals have understood for years, this study puts some empirical spine into the large corpus of qualitative accounts of the surveillance-to-fraud pipeline.

As the authors note in their conclusion, this analysis is timely. Google has just rolled out a new surveillance system, the deceptively named "Privacy Sandbox," that every Chrome user is being opted in to unless they find and untick three separate preference tickboxes. You should find and untick these boxes:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/09/how-turn-googles-privacy-sandbox-ad-tracking-and-why-you-should

Google has spun, lied and bullied Privacy Sandbox into existence; whenever this program draws enough fire, they rename it (it used to be called FLoC). But as the Apple example showed, no one wants to be spied on – that's why Google makes you find and untick three boxes to opt out of this new form of surveillance.

There is no consensual basis for mass commercial surveillance. The story that "people don't mind ads so long as they're relevant" is a lie. But even if it was true, it wouldn't be enough, because beyond the harms to being our authentic selves that come from the knowledge that we're being observed, surveillance data is a crucial ingredient for all kinds of crime, harassment, and deception.

We can't rely on companies to spy on us responsibly. Apple may have blocked third-party app spying, but they effect nonconsensual, continuous surveillance of every Apple mobile device user, and lie about it:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/14/luxury-surveillance/#liar-liar

That's why we should ban commercial surveillance. We should outlaw surveillance advertising. Period:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/03/ban-online-behavioral-advertising

Contrary to the claims of surveillance profiteers, this wouldn't reduce the income to ad-supported news and other media – it would increase their revenues, by letting them place ads without relying on the surveillance troves assembled by the Google/Meta ad-tech duopoly, who take the majority of ad-revenue:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/save-news-we-must-ban-surveillance-advertising

We're 30 years into the commercial surveillance pandemic and Congress still hasn't passed a federal privacy law with a private right of action. But other agencies aren't waiting for Congress. The FTC and DoJ Antitrust Divsision have proposed new merger guidelines that allow regulators to consider privacy harms when companies merge:

https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FTC-2023-0043-1569

Think here of how Google devoured Fitbit and claimed massive troves of extremely personal data, much of which was collected because employers required workers to wear biometric trackers to get the best deal on health care:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/04/google-fitbit-merger-would-cement-googles-data-empire

Companies can't be trusted to collect, retain or use our personal data wisely. The right "balance" here is to simply ban that collection, without an explicit opt-in. The way this should work is that companies can't collect private data unless users hunt down and untick three "don't spy on me" boxes. After all, that's the standard that Google has set.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/29/ban-surveillance-ads/#sucker-funnel

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[lgbtrefugee]

FIGHT FOR VISIBILITY FOR QUEER REFUGEES

Fighting for visibility for queer refugees means advocating for the recognition, protection and amplification of the unique struggles LGBTIQ+ refugees face often fleeing both persecution for their identity and neglect within refugee systems

Here are the key ways to fight for their visibility:

1 Amplify their Voices

Share stories by queer through media , art , podcasts, or blogs

Support platforms and organizations that give them a voice eig Rainbow Railroad, ORAM or any LGBTQ Refugee collectives

2 Demand inclusive Policies

Advocate asylum systems to recognize sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) as valid ground for persecution

Push culturally competent, trauma informed services in refugee camps and resettlement programs

3 Create Safe Spaces

Support or establish shelters, community centers or online groups specifically for LGBTIQ+ refugess

Ensure main stream refugee support organizations integrate queer inclusive practices

4 Educate and Mobilize Allies

Host workshops, panels and events to raise awareness

Encourage LGBTIQ+ and human rights organizations include refugess in their advocacy

5 Support Financially or Volunteering

Donate to or volunteer with non profits that support queer asylum seekers s

Sponsor LGBTIQ+ refugees in countries with private sponsorship programs like (Canada)

[anghraine]

Hi! Have you thought about potential faceclaims for Jess and S'paak? From what I remember, most of your faceclaims are for books where there is more room for interpretation(? I suppose. or at least disagreement with actors chosen). Does having established, albeit male, actors for the roles infringe on this?

Hello there! I actually hadn't thought about faceclaims as such, even though I usually do this far into the planning process.

My book-based genderbent scenarios where I go looking for some kind of visual representation for myself are almost always for characters who have only sketchy physical descriptions (I don't deliberately choose ones with limited descriptions, but it does seem to happen!). And I do enjoy going out of my way to veer away from fanon from adaptations or spin-offs if my attachment is to the original (especially when I dislike the physical casting in the first place, of course, but not only). On the other hand, when I'm envisioning a genderbent character who originated in visual media, it's more complicated, as you suspected!

I'm not a super visual person, and in general, with these kind of genderbent characters' appearances, I have to put some effort into coming up with a clear mental image. I like to integrate the original male character's appearance onscreen with the appearances of actual RL actresses who could have been cast at the time, or who at least seem like good choices if they'd been the right age at the right time. It's kind of a balancing act between considering RL actresses and recognizably evoking the original character.

For instance, when I was first planning my f!Luke Skywalker AU and started writing The Adventures of Lucy Skywalker (set during ANH), I was thinking of Mark Hamill's appearance in the film, of course, but also of how Luke's gender was flipped in the writing process (to the point that Ralph McQuarrie had painted some beautiful concept art of f!Luke looking over Tatooine with blonde hair in a ponytail). So I was also thinking about which RL actresses might have fit the role and been cast in that scenario. But I was also just keeping an eye out for any actresses that had the right "look" for f!Luke (according to me!), and after some struggle, my mental image of Lucy ended up mainly as a blend of Hamill, young Sissy Spacek—

And this particular shot of Emilie de Ravin c. Lost:

Anyway, on to your specific question!

Part of the reason that I loved this f!Kirk art so much is that you can see William Shatner's Kirk right out of "Where No Man Has Gone Before" in her appearance, but she's not just Shatner!Kirk with slight modifications, nor envisioned as super masculine when the original Kirk wasn't that even as a man. You can also see hints of the kind of seductive, dramatically-lit, noir leading ladies that just seem ... really obviously Kirk's natural form as a woman (and which probably already inform some of the visual language around him in TOS).

So I hadn't previously thought of a single faceclaim per se, but my mental image of Jessica Kirk is definitely informed by the likes of, say, Lauren Bacall along with TOS Kirk himself:

S'paak is both easier and harder because, while Shatner's Kirk notoriously has very mobile features and his appearance varies a lot depending on lighting, angles, etc (in addition to visibly gaining and losing weight throughout all of TOS), Nimoy's Spock has an incredibly distinctive face with a very prominent bone structure.

I definitely want a sense of that with S'paak. She's intensely attractive, but it's less of a light feminine prettiness like Jessica's and more about strong, arresting features, especially her nose and bone structure, without just being TOS Spock. My mental image of S'paak at this point probably falls somewhere between Leonard Nimoy's original TOS Spock and, say, Claudia Black.

S'paak also sounds quite a bit like Claudia Black in my imagination, tbh.

[botwstoriesandsuch]

Thank you!

Here are the symbols, as I know them:

Λ (lambda, phonetic symbo, Ll; ʎ used in math), ʃ ("esh" & integral; phonetic symbol, formerly used to represent ‘sh’) or ⎎ (technical symbol, hysteresis symbol, correlates to f), ǁ (math, parallel to; phonetic symbol, aveolar lateral consonant), : (ratios or scales), ❜ (phonetic symbol), o (phonetic symbol) or O (math, Landau's symbol, describes the asymptotic behavior of functions or represents the null matrix where all elements are zero), last is the drop-looking symbol that I'm struggling with.

And the lineup of powers as we first hear about them in BotW was from Rotana, who said that they were: "skill, spirit, endurance, knowledge, flight, motion, & gentleness."

However, the Stelae themselves write it out as "heart, skill, fortitude, wisdom, flight, mobility, & compassion."

Remember that this was supposedly left by the Heroines themselves, making it akin to a first hand account, I believe?

And, luckily, the difference is easily explained by the legend having been told multiple times over generations. As they can be condensed like this:

Heart/spirit, skill, fortitude/endurance, wisdom/knowledge, flight, mobility/motion, & compassion/gentleness.

I also looked up what kanji were used in the original text just in-case & this is ultimately my conclusion to it all with the order of both the Stelaes' list of powers, the symbols at both the ruins & in the shelter, & the gifts left at the underground altar:

Heart; Shin (心; means heart, spirit, or mind) = ❜ = Gerudo Shield

Skill; Gi (技; means skill or technique) = Λ = Golden Claymore

Fortitude; Tai (耐; means endure or resist) = O = Ruby

Wisdom; Chi (知; means knowledge or wisdom) = : = Sapphire

Flight; Hi (飛; means flight) = ⎎ = Topaz

Mobility; Dō (動; means motion) = Drop Sign = Gerudo Scimitar

Compassion; Jū (柔; means gentleness or softness) = ǁ = Gerudo Spear

Though, I noticed that the weapon missing from this line-up is the Golden Bow. But, then again, it's possible that one of the Heroines that gave a gem might've used one. Possibly the Heroine of Flight. I mean, Hi (飛) is evidently used in verbs referring to “letting something fly,” so that might well be it.

Similarly, I believe that the kanji that I paired with the fortitide also is correct as the kanji is used in the term taika (耐火) which means “fire-proof.” Ergo, the ruby. Similarly, jū (柔) is the kanji used for jūdō. So, if I'm right, then I think it suggests that the Heroine of Compassion might've been a master of Sōjutsu (the art of the spear). Or whatever the Gerudo equivalent of such might be.

And part of the reason why I believe that Misko might be related to the Heroines is due to their name in all other countries:

Japanese: Ramuda (ラムダ)

Dutch: Lambda

French: Lambda

German: Ramda

As in, their actual name is Lambda & their symbol is a Lambda.

So, yeah! That's what I have so far! :D

(At least, that's what my research has told me.)

Fucking sick as shit man!

[1americanconservative]

James Coburn, with his unmistakable presence and steely blue eyes, embodied the essence of Hollywood cool. Tall, lean, and effortlessly charismatic, he became a staple of action and adventure films during the height of his career, carving out a niche as the rugged antihero with an enigmatic edge. Though his screen image exuded confidence and control, Coburn’s path to stardom was anything but smooth—and the challenges he faced only added depth to the characters he portrayed.

Born on August 31, 1928, in the small town of Laurel, Nebraska, Coburn’s early years were shaped by the hardship of the Great Depression. That tough upbringing instilled in him a resilience and grit that would later define both his life and his performances. Drawn to storytelling and performance, he pursued acting at Los Angeles City College before continuing his studies under the legendary Stella Adler in New York. Early television roles introduced audiences to his striking features and resonant voice, but it was his breakthrough in 1960’s *The Magnificent Seven* that put him on the map.

As Britt, the knife-wielding gunslinger of the ensemble, Coburn turned minimal dialogue into a memorable performance. Sharing the screen with titans like Steve McQueen and Yul Brynner, he stood out through sheer presence and precision. It was a star-making role, one that positioned him as a new kind of action star—cool, understated, and quietly dangerous.

Coburn followed his breakout with a string of films that showcased his range. In the 1966 spoof *Our Man Flint*, he played secret agent Derek Flint with a satirical flair that poked fun at the James Bond phenomenon while still delivering charisma in spades. Audiences loved the mix of charm and irreverence, and Coburn proved he could lead both action flicks and comedies with equal ease. Throughout the 1960s and early 70s, he became one of the industry’s most reliable leading men, unafraid to take risks or embrace unusual roles.

But fame didn’t shield him from pain. In the 1970s, Coburn was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that caused excruciating pain and drastically limited his mobility. For much of the next two decades, acting became a struggle. Though he made occasional appearances, the disease kept him from working at full capacity. Yet Coburn never gave in. He explored alternative treatments, including natural medicine and lifestyle changes, eventually experiencing significant relief that allowed him to return to his craft.

His comeback was powerful. In 1997, Coburn delivered a raw, devastating performance as the violent, emotionally damaged father in *Affliction*. The role earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor—proof not only of his talent but of his perseverance. It was a performance that reflected his own battles, full of pain, honesty, and emotional depth.

Off-screen, Coburn lived with a passion for life that matched his on-screen intensity. He had a love for classic cars—his prized Ferrari would one day become one of the most expensive ever sold at auction. He also studied martial arts and was close friends with Bruce Lee, whose philosophy and discipline left a lasting impression on him. Coburn credited Lee with helping him develop a greater sense of focus, both in his personal life and his craft.

His gravelly baritone made him a popular choice for narration and voice-over work in his later years. Whether in a film, a documentary, or even a commercial, Coburn’s voice carried authority, wisdom, and a hint of mischief. Even as his health fluctuated, he remained a commanding presence—stoic, dignified, and never one to chase the spotlight.

Despite his fame, Coburn was deeply respected for his humility and warmth. Colleagues described him as approachable and genuine, someone who preferred meaningful roles over box-office hits. He made choices based on instinct and integrity, often turning down roles that didn’t resonate with him personally. That quiet principle set him apart in an industry often driven by compromise.

On November 18, 2002, James Coburn passed away at the age of 74, after suffering a heart attack at his Beverly Hills home. He died peacefully, listening to music with his wife, Paula, by his side. His passing marked the end of an era—one in which cool confidence and unspoken depth defined a man as much as his talent.

Coburn’s life stands as a tribute to quiet strength and unwavering resolve. He faced illness with courage, approached fame with grace, and brought an undeniable magnetism to every role he played. His legacy endures not just in his films, but in the example he set: that true greatness comes from living authentically, weathering the storms, and leaving behind a life filled with purpose, passion, and art.

[alexiaputellasera]

You can find my writings on wattpad.

Rehab Chapter One.

Every professional female athlete knows that sound, the agonising cry from a team mate who is now sprawled across the floor clutching their knee tears streaming down their face. Trainers and physios running from every angle with concern warped on their faces.

July 2022, London England.

The Spanish women's national team are training for the euros to start in just one day when an agonising howl is heard in the penalty area of a shooting drill.

The players look over to see Alexia Putellas their countries hero laying on the floor in floods of tears. Physios immediately surround her calming her down and start what is known as a Lachman test to see the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament followed by a shake of the head towards the teams national manager.

Team mates have now made their way over to Alexia who is heard telling staff, "I felt it pop, no one touched me I was shooting" her eyes brimmed with tears. She knew, she knew her tournament was over with one day remaining before their journey was to begin.

Staff assisted her up and immediately took her to the medical room, she was closely followed by Mapi her best friend who held her hand whilst they conducted further testing.

Her knee now swollen where the blood has rushed to the joint in a reaction to the injury and now rapidly mobility was getting stiffer by the minute. Crutches were now being passed to her by the medical staff and a van was waiting to collect her to return to the team hotel where she was currently staying.

Alexia was a shell of herself from just hours ago, barely speaking a word. Team mates arriving constantly to just pop in and say hello to let her know they were thinking about her.

Hours later after they got the news her mother and Alba arrived by her side, this is when the Spanish midfielder really broke down. She had just had the season of her life and was determined to win the euros after all the pain and suffering the national team squad had faced this was just another reason she should never of caved and come back to join up with her team. She should have listened to the doubt in her head.

Sleep was difficult she had her knee propped up under some pillows and had yet to hear from her girlfriend who was let know by Mapi what had happened earlier.

3am rolls around and she receives a FaceTime call from her seemingly drunk girlfriend who doesn't even mention the injury just that she wishes she was here to take care of her and that she missed sex. Alexia didn't usually mind these calls but not today she needed her on a less physical level and more of an emotional level. The FaceTime was ended by Alexia after her girlfriend Olga had crashed out on the bed at their home in Barcelona leaving Alexia to hang up feeling worse than she already did.

She had texted her manager Jona declaring she was 'done with football and to buy a new midfielder'. At this moment in time she was done, she didn't want to conquer that steep mountain of rehab and hard work and that same question had repeatedly popped into her head 'why me?'.

Alexia woke with puffy eyes and a ringing head, today was game day and she was going to watch before flying back to Barcelona for the big operation and to start the recovery process.

Grabbing the crutches and already struggling with it she threw her legs over the side of the bed and got up to get ready for the day. A small knock on her door and it opening slowly because heavens forbid they would be allowed to lock their door on international duty  and Mapi appeared with a small pitiful smile on her face.

"Bon dia hermana are you ready for breakfast?".

"Si" was all that came out of Alexias mouth before she moved slowly over to the wardrobe to grab some Spain gear and joined Mapi in the elevator.

Spain would play Finland today in their opening match and were one of the favourites to win the entire tournament, breakfast was full of loud noise everyone ready for the opening game.

Alexia was joined by Jenni and Misa two of her close friends on the team who didn't really know what to say so tried to act as normal as they could but she didn't laugh instead she sat there quietly sipping away at her coffee and barely touching her eggs.

The girls all got on the coach and made their way to the stadium, Alexia sat near the front tears now brimming she could hear everyone getting into game mode and that broke her heart even more. She shoved her AirPods in and listened to some music looking out the window watching them travel through the English city.

Sat pitch side was horrible, the game was frustrating a lot harder than it really should have been, the injury of Alexia seemingly stuck in the other athletes heads. Aitana scored and dedicated her goal to Alexia who loved the sentiment although it made her sadder than she had ever been before.

After the game Alexia went straight to her room not wanting to join in the celebrations for a win she didn't even participate in.

After what felt like an eternity she fell asleep knowing tomorrow she would fly home and start the next processes in her recovery knowing an operation was imminent.

Morning came and went and Alexia said goodbye to all of her team mates, they were sad to see her leave but sadder because of her injury most of them embracing her for longer than normal. The athletes did not want to be left with the Spanish federation without their loyal captain to protect and guide them, she was like their secret manager they mainly listened to what she said and not the idiot that was Jorge Vilda and his stupid arse.

The flight was a mere 2 hours long and Alexia fell asleep in pure exhaustion. She was met by her mother and Alba at the airport who could see their loved one was deeply hurting but hurried her into their car after they saw journalists spot her and would begin to hound her knowing her mental state was vulnerable they got her safely away.

Back at her home Alexia laid on the sofa hands over her face whilst for the first time she truly broke down, her mother held her and Alba whispered positivity into her ear, completely falling on deaf ears.

The front door opened and Olga arrived by Alexias side bringing her into a deep hug "how are we feeling Bebe?".

"Like shit Olga".

Olga screwed her face up at the comment and Alexia immediately apologised "lo siento mi amor I'm just frustrated".

Olga smiled and kissed her forehead, usually Alexia likes this sign of affection but not today, Olga hadn't bothered to contact her this was the first time she had asked her because she was too busy out partying at her club.

The tension in the room was thick, Alexia asked if she would join her at the hospital tomorrow to which Olga declined saying she had an important meeting. Alexia felt her stomach drop, she had deep feelings for this girl it wasn't quite love yet but while Olga loved her in a physical manner it wasn't matched by the level of manner that Alexia distributed towards her, hence the heavy imbalance in the relationship.

"We're coming carino" Eli gestures towards her and Alba. Alexia smiled at the words and flicked the tv on to watch yesterdays match, hell if she couldn't play she sure was going to analyse the shit out of it.

The day went slowly, the anticipation building up for tomorrow and the new fear setting in that she wouldn't be anywhere near as good as before.

Olga had already made dinner plans with her friends so Alexia was left alone for the evening to fight the fight that was now going on in her head. Moving about the apartment was difficult the crutches kept catching on everything and this made Alexia angrier by the second, in the end she resided to her bed defeated and sad about the position she was currently in.

Messages worldwide were now streaming in to support the captain and she had several missed calls from the Barcelona higher ups including her team manager Jona who had assured her everything was going to be fine and that he could never replace her. She snorted at that last comment and slammed her phone down on the side, knowing she was mentally done today she gave up and fell asleep.

Morning came and Alexia was a bundle of nerves, Olgas arms draped over her chest. She didn't even hear the Madrid girl come home last night she must of been exhausted.

Today was the day she would have her left knee operated on, she got up and made herself busy, making coffee and bringing Olga tablets and a fresh bottle of water for what she presumed would be a hangover any minute now.

Sitting at the kitchen counter drinking her coffee Olga emerged from her pit kissing her girlfriend good morning and pouring herself some fresh coffee.

"Good morning Bonita are you ready for today?".

"Si Bebe I'm nervous" Alexia had a tear in her eye but Olga didn't notice she was too busy replying to a text from her friends. "You will be fine Bonita and I'll be here to look after you" she kissed Alexias lips and made her way to the bathroom to shower for her day ahead.

A hard lump in her throat Alexia half knew that Olga wasn't going to be the one she needed to do this recovery process with, leaving Alexia ready to quit the game she loved altogether.

An hour later Alexias mother and sister arrived to take her to the hospital, once there a lot of different people spoke to her she didn't absorb any of that information and luckily her mother was paying attention.

As they prepped her for surgery that's when she became emotional, her mother holding her hand and kissing her, her sister calmly stroking her face but also visibly upset because her sister was hurt. Doctors entered the room all talking in fast Spanish and drawing lines on the areas that surrounded her knee ready for the operation.

As the medication kicked in Alexia started to relax and then everything went black.

As she opened her eyes there was a slight twinge in her left knee, she was still hooked up to the machines. Her mother was asleep holding her hand and Alba was in the corner sat on her phone waiting for the midfielder ti wake up.

"Ale!" Alba squealed coming over to hug her, Eli woke up at this noise and gently kissed her daughters hands receiving a small smile from her eldest daughter.

"How are you feeling?" Eli asked quizzically.

"Okay, but I'm guessing that's the drugs talking" they all laughed at that comment.

"Did it go okay?".

"Si we believe so carino, we will know more in the next few days".

Alexia felt the panic lower from her chest taking in a deep breath, she knew the road to recovery was going to take maybe over a year and that was incredibly daunting for her. Because of the length of time and also because she wasn't sure if it was what she wanted right now, she felt very lost in that moment.

Alexia was a pioneer for women's football and had fought tooth and nail to be the very best in the game and the hard work had come in many trophies and adoring fans recognising her efforts and achievements. Where did she go from here?

Alexia is discharged from hospital and returns home, Olga is now back trying to make small talk but getting nothing in response, Alexia didn't want to talk, talking would not help the situation she was in right now. She was ready to give it all up and disappear away from prying eyes and away from everyone she felt she had let down by sustaining this injury. She looked at her knee in anger the same left leg that had given her the life she had giving out on her before one of the biggest tournaments of her life.

Not giving any kind of response Olga decided she would go out and in such a decline in their relationship would begin. Olga had never been a supportive girlfriend as such she was also headstrong like Alexia and was on her own path. She was rarely at a game due to her own commitments and usually Alexia didn't mind as the sex made up for it. But now as much as she kept pushing Olga away she needed her right now.

A week passed and no one has heard from the Catalan star, Olga hasn't updated anyone probably because she hasn't been around. Alexia choosing to ignore all contact and wallow in self pity over her injury. But the timing of this injury and where she was right now was crucial as she had to began her rehab to progress to the next step but she hadn't she had locked herself away and laid on the couch all week watching crappy television and watching her team lose to Germany much to her annoyance.

At the end of week one she is ready to give it all up her knee was stiff and sore and she was rapidly losing muscle. Olga was almost a figment of her imagination going out for dinner and coming home at all hours of the morning. She had also tried to initiate some physical connection but was rejected by Alexia who felt like a failure at the moment in that department.

Barcelona staff and her mother and sister were worried sick and together they joined and came up with some kind of solution that could possibly pull her out of her slump and put her back on the right path.

It was early Thursday morning when there was a loud knock on Alexias door, Alexia used her crutches to steady herself and made her way over. Opening the door she was met by a face she did not recognise, but this women was wearing a Barcelona muscle top and shorts so she must of been sent by the club.

"Hola Alexia I'm Jay I've been sent by the club to help start processing your rehab".

"No" was all that came out of the captains mouth and she began to close the door before a foot stopped it and Jay slid past her and made her way into her home.

"Wait a minute you can't just..".

"Alexia with all due respect I've been sent by the club and you have a contract to uphold which includes major injuries and rehabilitation".

Alexia was stunned at this women's abruptness, Jay or what she had referred to herself as was quietly looking around the apartment taking it all in. Alexia took the moment to graze her eyes over the women, she was English based on her accent, quite tall about 5 foot 9 Alexia would say, tanned skin with tattoos clearly on show, long blonde hair, very blue eyes and very muscular. If Alexia wasn't so pissed or in the situation she was in she probably would have brought the girl a drink.

"Jay is it? I don't need help.. I'm fine here thank you I'll make contact with the club when you leave" Jay laughed which immediately pissed Alexia off.

"Alexia, the club has been trying to contact you I'm your last resort. But I will take care of all your rehabilitation and nutrition to help you get back to wherever you want to be".

Alexia scoffed and rolled her eyes, Jay caught this immediately "problem?".

"You are my problem now get out of my home" Alexia scolded.

"No" was the answer and a smile appeared before she rudely went and sat in Alexias living room.

Alexia hobbled behind her ready to engage in any kind of war she could but she stumbled bringing Jay immediately to her feet and over to assist Alexia. Jays warm hands came to Alexias waist to stabilise her and for a second their eyes made contact before Alexia came to her senses pushing the Barca staff member off of her.

Sitting down Alexia asked why she had never seen her before at Barca. "I've been brought in just for you, they know you are struggling and I want to help, so let's begin".

The interaction was interrupted by the door opening and closing, Olga appeared and spotted Jay on the sofa but wasn't concerned due to her attire but she didn't take a moment to rake her eyes over the girl.

"Hola" leaning down to shake Jays hand who reciprocated the gesture.

Jay went on to explain why she was there but could tell Olga wasn't really interested making small talk and announced that she would be going out for dinner with her friends causing Alexia to roll her eyes, Jay caught this interaction and could see this relationship wasn't working but it was not her place to overstep.

"Alexia do you have any questions for me?" Jay asks trying to interrupt the tension that has settled amongst her and Olga.

"Nope" Alexia replies bluntly.

"Great here is my number, I will see you tomorrow at 9am. We've got a lot to do" passing over her card which Alexia took sharply huffing in the process.

"Alexia you can call me anytime I live just over there" pointing to an apartment Alexia could see over the street. Alexia nodded and closed the door behind Jay.

Jay immediately went to Eli's house and informed her of her concerns for Alexias wellbeing. Alba arrived and bit her lip when she saw Jay a face Jay grinned at because Alba had a reputation about her. One Jay did not plan on indulging in because she took her job seriously and unbeknown to Alexia she was a huge fan of hers following her journey for years after hers had ended.

Jay left Eli's and went back to her own place looking up at Alexias window as she arrived. Weirdly their apartments were dead opposite each other both having the penthouses but she didn't know that before today otherwise she probably would have made contact sooner.

Alexia made herself some avocados and eggs and settled on her balcony to eat looking across the city she had loved since as long as she could remember a tear fell down her cheek as she couldn't begin to imagine the amount of work she had to do to get back to where she was.

Jay now back at her apartment had plans for the evening, she was off to the club with her friends for a wind down today was exhausting and she just wanted a drink and a dance with a random girl that didn't mean anything at all.

Olga appeared on the balcony kissing Alexia who didn't really kiss her back and told her where she would be. Alexia nodded and Olga left as quickly as she appeared, she was alone again. Alone with her thoughts.

Several drinks in Jay was starting to let loose, she could dance fairly well and had already been grinding with this younger Spanish girl all night. As she approached the bar she was met by a familiar face she had met earlier that day, "Olga what are you doing here?" "Hola Jay I could ask the same thing".

"Just enjoying my night off, how is Alexia?".

"Same as earlier doesn't talk to me doesn't even look at me" this made Jay feel instantly sad, "she has had a major operation Olga she needs stability and support".

"I've tried she doesn't want it, she doesn't even touch me like she used too, we haven't had sex in over a month".

This announcement surprised Jay, Alexia didn't need sex she needed a shoulder to cry on and a motivator to help her get back on her feet.

Jay was joined at the bar by the girl she had been dancing with who whispered in her ear that she wanted to leave. Jay downed her drink said goodbye to Olga and they both jumped in a taxi to her place.

As soon as she shut the apartment door the girl was on her, flicking the lights on so she could see where she was going and what she was doing.

Meanwhile Alexia hadn't moved from the balcony the food she made earlier was stone cold and she herself was getting colder by the minute.

Lights going on at the apartment over the street caught her eyes and she saw two people kissing against a wall. She smirked at the two before realising it was Jays apartment and then she saw Jay lifting a girl up and carrying her to the next room.

Alexia smiled to herself, she couldn't remember the last time she had been treated like that and then she came to a realisation that it was Jay and actually she wasn't fond of her right now.

Throwing the girl down on the bed she made short work of her orgasms letting her know that she had to be out at 8 as she had work. The girl nodded bringing Jay into another kiss as the pair went at it again.

Morning came and Jay said goodbye to the girl who had stayed the night before and made herself some coffee and breakfast.

Eating it on her balcony, she looked across the street to see Alexia slumped under some blankets on her own balcony fast asleep, not in a good position for her knee. She showered and got dressed and made her way over to Alexias knocking on her door loudly knowing she was on the balcony.

Loud bangs on the door were what woke Alexia up, her stiff knee causing her immediate discomfort as she steadied herself to get herself up before looking at her watch and realising it was 9 am and that it was likely Jay. As she walks through her room she's met by Olga who is still fast asleep the clubs stamp still smudged on her hand from the night before.

The door opened gently, "I need to shower and dress" "that's fine I can wait" as she brought Alexia a fresh cappuccino and walked past her with pastries from the local bakery down the street. Alexia guided her to the living room where she would leave Jay while she showered. Thirty minutes later Alexia appeared with dripping wet hair in the living room as Jay was writing notes on her laptop.

As she shuffled closer causing Jay to look up and make eye contact. Again longer than it should be, Jay looked at Alexia studying her features, her hazel eyes looked sad but were beautiful her dripping wet brown hair was slung over her shoulders and her tanned skin was glowing in the light that entered the apartment.

"Shall we begin?".