floppywings-blog

[floppywings-blog]

the silent times

Jesus' childhood is scattered with holes. The joy surrounding his conception and birth is darkened by Herod's slaughter of the innocents. His family flees to Egypt and later returns to Nazareth. after a gap of ten years, Luke gives us the finding of the child Jesus in the temple. after that, we're simply told he grew in stature in wisdom. then the bible is silent again until we hear of his groundbreaking three-year ministry. I can't help but wonder if Jesus felt the same as we do during our waiting periods. if he, too, eagerly anticipated the day the father would send him out, speaking the truth and saving souls. if he daydreamed about the people he would meet and his adventures as a minister. What Jesus does during the waiting period, however, is really encouraging to me- when he's found in the temple, he tells his mother that he must be about his father's business. there's always something for me to do when I'm waiting for these promises to be fulfilled.

[floppywings-blog]

based adolin

adolin's arcs in the books seem boring because they're about him returning to an emotional baseline. he's the healthiest out of all the main characters in the series, so his main struggle is adapting to his changing place in the world

Adolin is the closest thing we get to an everyman in the Stormlight Archives- and for an everyman character, he's pretty exceptional. Adolin is charismatic, well-loved, and popular. He's found his place among his men on the battlefield. Meanwhile, most main characters are struggling against their inner chaos. Kaladin suffers from crushing depression and survivor's guilt, Dalinar is haunted by the ghosts he left in his wake, and Shallan battles vicious childhood trauma. Really, while everyone else is fighting through their arcs, Adolin is already at the end of his. He has a rather healthy baseline.

Compared to the other characters (especially Kaladin and Dalinar), Adolin just seemed boring. I was just neutral on him. Even Words of Radiance, which is considered the best Stormlight Archive book, didn't make me an avid fan of his. It wasn't until I read Wind and Truth that I realized his character journey. Whereas most characters in the Stormlight Archive are getting closer to a healthy baseline, Adolin's main arc is his returning to stability. He's almost like a social thermometer: we can see how the average person in his world is coping with the startling new changes.

Granted, I don't believe he plays this role very well anymore. After he became a Dustbringer, he just became another Radiant in a whole sea of them. He actually could have been special if he didn't have powers! Not every Kholin needs to be a radiant- in a way, giving every member of the royal family rare powers almost seems to justify the current monarchy! ( I hope someone actually brings that up in the story)

edit: i got adolin's order wrong- i forgot he and maya became something new entirely. my apologies

[floppywings-blog]

just one panel pt 2

i texted this analysis of a daredevil born again panel to a friend but wanted to post it here:

[floppywings-blog]

Hello 😇👋,

My family and I are facing incredibly difficult times due to the ongoing war in Gaza 💔. Our dreams and future have been shattered, leaving us feeling lost and without purpose. My brother Ahmad and I have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help us escape Gaza, continue our education, and support our family.

Making a small donation or sharing the campaign — would mean the world to us.

Link: https://gofund.me/ace8d602

Thank you so much for your kindness and support 💖

With gratitude,

Anas Basil

Vetted by @90-ghost & by association

Please help out if possible!

[floppywings-blog]

It's my 5 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

[floppywings-blog]

make room for white- the vulnerability of caitlyn's design

Amidst the calm navy of Caitlyn's uniform, there's a a broad white streak that runs through the middle of her dress. The white steak made Caitlyn's design feel more spacious and airy, along with the white ruffles and her neck scarf. More importanly, I believe the white represents her open-heartedness. The white streak is pointedly right over her heart, emphasizing the idea.

By contrast, her season 2 design has navy where white used to be. along with the buttons and tight, restrictive styling, symbolizing Caitlyn is closing herself off. Her neck collar is also red instead of blue, hinting at Ambessa's future influence. The gold accents on her outfit are paler. Their hue more closely matches that of the Noxians' accessories than the warm gold of her Season 1 design. Not only is this another indicator of Noxian control, but it indicates that she is far colder and callous. The navy in her outfit is also much darker, showing how Caitlyn's grief has overshadowed her character. The white cap hides her hair, which is styled into a tight bun. One strand of hair frames Caitlyn's face, making it seem more angular and severe. The overall look is far more austere and militaristic than Caitlyn's old design.

Then we get to the Count Caitlyn look. At this point, Caitlyn is completely swallowed in black and red, signifying how her grief and anger have consumed her. There is very little white, except at her elbows and her neck. She wears her hair down in this loo, probably because it's more ceremonial. Caitlyn wants to project an image of strength when she wears this. The leather on the cape's shoulders call back to the shoulder pads Caitlyn wore as an enforcer. The popped collar with the splash of red also does a good job of tying her design to Vi's, suggesting they're both sharing the same struggle.

Speaking of Vi. . .

[floppywings-blog]

A Little Too Literal

Trapped in subterranean darkness, people only see a facsimile of what life is actually like. A few brave souls venture beyond the dark and return with tales of a mysterious light that illumines the truth. This description fits the Allegory of the Cave, one of the most famous philosophical entreaties ever described. However, it also fits The City of Ember. It's been a while since I've read the book (I read it when I was in the 4th grade), so I had to skim a brief summary. The two main characters, Lina and Doon, live in an underground society that is suffering from corruption and decay. To save Ember, they must follow a map that leads to the surface world. When Lina and Doon finally reach the surface, they don't just hoard the knowledge. They lead the rest of the Emberites out of the darkness like Plato said a true philosopher-king would. What's even more interesting about Ember is how it adheres to the more political parts of Plato's allegory. The mayors purposefully keep Emberites ignorant of the surface world, similar to how the guards kept the prisoners locked in the cave. Ember adheres to a heavily stratified social system, where your position in life is chosen for you. Plato endorses a system like this in his bool The Republic.

[floppywings-blog]

Debra Morgan v Women

The heading is mostly a joke. Mostly.

After season one, Debra only interacts positively with two women: Rita, Dexter's girlfriend, and Lieutenant LaGuerta. For some unknown reason, LaGuerta disliked Debra despite the latter being the sister of LaGuerta's crush. When Debra returns to work after recuperating from the ice truck killer's attempt on her life, she hugs LaGuerta. This could be a start to a better relationship between the two women, but they scarcely interact after this. Then, in season 4, the two begin bonding over boys. Seriously? If they really had to bond over a man, it should have been James Doakes. You know, Debra's mentor? LaGuerta's partner? The man who was "proven" to be THE BAY HARBOR BUTCHER? These two women have so much more to talk about than just boyfriends.

In light of Doakes' apparent guilt, Debra's hostility towards Yuki Amada seems bullheaded at best and strangely naive at worst. After an experienced sergeant was exposed to be a serial killer, you get a new partner. You find out that he's being investigated by Internal Affairs, and you aren't the least bit curious about why? Why doesn't she view her coworkers with more skepticism?

She's skeptical of some people right from the get-go: she despises Lila West, and rightfully so. Lila was a psychotic bunny boiler (though it's not like Debra knew that). The only women Debra seems to have a positive relationship with are the prostitutes she worked with when she was with Vice and Rita. In other words, she's particularly soft towards victims. This fits with Debra's vulnerability and sincerity, protecting those who have previously been hurt. I don't think that Debra's hostile interactions with women who don't fit this mold are a critique on the character herself but the writers. I'm interested to see what her relationship is like with Hannah, Dexter's new girlfriend. (I'm on season 4)

[floppywings-blog]

introducing everyone's favorite peer mentor

Teachers saw how Guts, the new transfer student, opened up with Judeau's help. They saw that his skills could help other students feel at ease at school.

[floppywings-blog]

Berserk High School AU

Guts is Charlotte's adopted brother. They're both in high school, but Guts is learning how to weld so he can go straight into trade school. Charlotte wants to become an English teacher. Sweet and sincere, she ends up catching Griffith's attention. Who knows what hijinks will ensue?

This post was inspired by Guts' interaction with Charlotte while rescuing Griffith. I found their dynamic charming.

[floppywings-blog]

Hi 👋, My name is Mohammad, and I’m reaching out in a moment of desperate need. I’m a father of three young children living in Gaza, and we are caught in the midst of a catastrophic war. Our home is no longer a safe haven, and the future here seems increasingly uncertain. 💔

I’ve launched a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $40,000 to relocate my family to a safer place where my children can grow up in peace and have a chance at a brighter future. 🕊️🇵🇸

Unfortunately, my previous fundraising efforts were abruptly halted when my account was terminated without explanation. However, I remain determined to keep fighting for my family’s safety and well-being. 🫶

If you could take a moment to read our story, consider donating, or simply share our campaign with others, it would make an incredible difference. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to safety and a new beginning. 🙏

Thank you for your time, compassion, and support. ❤

https://gofund.me/fd1faea2 🔗

please donate if possible

[floppywings-blog]

Don't spoil it for me!

I seriously hope that Doakes is forced to question his hypocrisy regarding the Bay Harbor Butcher (aka his coworker). After Dexter, Doakes has the most kills and he kills for the same reasons Dexter does. Doakes could resolve his dissonance by saying he did it in the line of duty. After all, at least he was willing to face punishment for his crimes. That defense doesn't mean much when you consider Doakes' superior was his partner/ lover. When the system is rigged in your favor, it doesn't take much courage to submit yourself to it. This conundrum actually reminds me of Chip Zdarsky's Daredevil run; it deals with the conflict between vigilantism and the legal system.

[floppywings-blog]

Theon and Jon- Scraping the Bottom

Opposites attract, but similarities repel. On the surface, Jon and Theon's mutual dislike seem to be rooted in their contrasting personalities: Theon's swaggering and macho, while Jon is reserved and sullen. Their personalities are actually rooted in their strongest commonality- their status as outsiders. There's a bit of conjecture on my part, since GRRM never explicitly says it, but I wouldn't be surprised if Jon and Theon resented each other because they both had something the other wanted.

Theon desperately wanted to fit in with the Starks, yet Ned always kept him at a distance. This ensured that he was never as close to the rest of the family, either. He probably hates that Jon, a bastard child, can find family among his trueborn siblings when Theon was taken from his.

Jon might be a Stark, but he is never treated like one. While his siblings were seated at the high table, he ate with the squires. Even as a hostage, Theon is still treated with the respect due to their station.

The most interesting point of contention is actually Robb. Both Jon and Theon claim his friendship, but only one could be his right-hand man. Theon would provide a more political advantage and be more socially acceptable.

Theon and Jon are very similar and could've been somewhat good friends. Their natural personalities and Theon's social climbing ruined any chance at friendship.

[floppywings-blog]

The real shit.

[floppywings-blog]

How did someone I despise as a petty bully become a favorite character of mine? When I first saw James Doakes in Episode 1, I wrote off his suspicions about Dexter as him bullying the weird kid. In a job that prioritized level headedness, I found Doakes to be very short tempered.

My opinion shifted when I saw him mentoring Debra, who's my second favorite character. Doakes was capable and encouraging, giving Debra guidance when she needed it. Ok, so he wasn't the nicest person, but at least he was competent.

What tipped Doakes over from being a likable character into my favorite one was the episode "Father Knows Best". We get some more background about Doakes, including the fact that he was Black Op who fought against the Tonton Macoutes in Haiti. His suspicion towards Dexter clicked for me.

The Tonton Macoutes, according to Doakes, were pure evil. They were sadists who unleashed unbridled misery and terror unto the people of Haiti. Doakes has had direct experience with evil, of the likes many of the Miami PD possibly can't imagine. That explains his antagonism towards Dexter. Given his background, he probably can tell that there is something seriously off about the forensic blood splatter analyst.

This doesn't excuse the way Doakes treats Dexter, however. It's unprofessional and makes Doakes look petty. Granted, I am a bit more sympathetic towards him and I'm eager to see what is done with him later in the show.

[floppywings-blog]

Jaime Lannister's life is a series of good intentions leading him closer to hell. He saves King's Landing from wildfire? He suffers condemnation. He innocently congratulates Robb Stark on his upcoming marriage? Now he's suddenly implicated in the Frey's betrayal. He can't win!

[floppywings-blog]

Podrick Payne- The Boy Littlefinger was

I read a post a while ago about how Podrick only joined Brienne to search for Sansa, not for Tyrion. Podrick's chivalrous love for Sansa reminded me of Littlefinger's infatuation with Catelyn. Both Littlefinger and Podrick came from small houses, were fostered by a Great House, (in Podrick's case, he was Tyrion's squire), and developed a crush on someone unattainable. Sansa's romantic ending is still uncertain. However, if she rejects Podrick, I don't think Podrick will fall into self-pity and bitterness like Petyr did.