#(tagging that colloquially)

[intermundia]

i just read about the "narcissism of small differences," aka the idea that the more a community has in common, the more likely the people in it are to engage in interpersonal feuds and mutual ridicule because of hypersensitivity to minor differences perceived in each other, and i knew there was a reason my time in academia and fandom felt oddly similar lmao

[martian-garden]

Hey besties help a weird ND guy out

[reddpenn]

What makes a rock a rock and not a crystal?

Ok SO

A mineral is a naturally occurring non-organic solid with a defined chemical composition and an orderly molecular structure. This means the molecules throughout the entire structure will be exactly the same, and be arranged in a symmetrical, geometric, repeating pattern called a crystal lattice.

Quartz is a mineral. Its chemical formula is silicon dioxide, and its crystal lattice forms a repeating tetrahedron.

Ice is also a mineral. Its chemical formula is dihydrogen monoxide, and its crystal lattice forms a repeating hexagon.

Obsidian is not a mineral. It is a mineraloid, a mineral-like substance. Its chemical composition can vary wildly, and instead of a crystal lattice, its molecules are jumbled up in an amorphous solid, meaning there’s no nice repeating pattern to them.

A crystal is any solid material with a crystal lattice.

All minerals, by definition, have a crystal lattice. So all minerals are crystals! Some things that are NOT minerals are also crystals!

Sugar is a crystal. It has a crystal lattice made from molecules of sucrose. But it is not a mineral because it is organic.

Often, these repeating geometric patterns in the crystal lattice cause the substance to naturally form big geometric structures with distinct faces - such as the points formed by quartz. These larger structures are colloquially also called crystals, and their shape (called a crystal habit) is determined by the shape of the crystal lattice. The same crystal lattice can produce multiple different crystal habits, and it’s all very cool and complicated but I won’t go off on a tangent about it right now.

A substance does not have to form big structures like this to be scientifically considered a crystal. It just needs a crystal lattice!

A rock is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids. It can be made of a single mineral, or a bunch of different minerals. But when made from a single mineral, it will not be one solid block of that mineral with an unbroken crystal lattice. Because it is an aggregate, it will be a bunch of micro- to macroscopic grains of that mineral all compacted together, each with their own individual crystal lattices.

Granite is a rock. It is made of grains of minerals such as quartz and feldspar.

Limestone is a rock. It is mostly made of grains of calcite.

So rocks can be made of crystals, but rocks are not crystals - in the same way that a house can be made of bricks, but a house is not a brick!

And this is just a very quick overview of these terms, because the scientific definitions can get increasingly pedantic and there are tons of weird exceptions! It is all very fascinating.

But of course, the word rock also has a colloquial definition, which is just… a chunk of that hard stuff the planet is made of! A mineral, a crystal, a fossil or a bio-organic solid… whatever! This is a rock collection and these are my rocks!

[chilapis]

I am. deeply struggling to word my thoughts but I’ve been thinking about Childe and Garnets since morning.

Did you know garnets are gemstones generally known for their gorgeous blood-red hues (though like most other gems, they do come in other colours as well)? Did you know their name actually comes from the Latin word for pomegranate because of the similarity in colours?

Did you know that because of that similarity, garnets have been seen as a symbol reflecting the affection shared between Persephone and Hades? Did you know that the gemstone actually developed an association with Persephone, the Greek goddess known for her duality? The goddess of spring, and fertility but also queen of the underworld?

A duality finding balance of gentle innocence and growth, and death, reincarnation; even referred to as a protector(ess) in reference to the latter?

And on the topic of protection, did you know it was used by travellers journeying far from home so popularly that it’s sometimes referred to as the Traveller’s stone? It was seen as a bringer of good fortune and protection for those travelling; it was thought that it would bring them back to their homeland safely. It was actually given to loved ones embarking on faraway journeys quite commonly, with the hope that this stone would guide them home safe and sound. It has also been noted to be a popular gift among lovers to symbolise their affection but its most popular tradition (at-least in the past) remains that of it being gifted with the hope of being reunited, of having this person who means so much to you, finally come back home to you. And whether or not you believe in stone-related superstitions and myths, is there not sweetness to be found in the desperate human impulse to find comfort? Even if you view the belief to be silly, the fact that to console the anxiety and fear rooted in that separation, the people from those times dedicated these feelings and warmth to this stone, isn’t that special?

That said though, this stone also stands to represent passion, strength, vigour and life. It’s recommended for those who feel fatigued because it’s said to energize the wearer’s mind and body alike, while granting protection and strength alongside. This strength is generally seen to be mental but some might even argue it to be physical due to the belief that it promotes health of the heart and bones; and in association with the heart, promotes recovery from disorders or deficiencies regarding the blood. This stone protects, strengthens, energises, protects, and impassions.

I mean, I don’t know, the idea of a blood-red stone related with life, passion and strength that also has a history of being given to loved ones journeying away from their homelands to protect them and bring them home in one piece while also standing to represent the goddess, the protector, that balances both the gentle spring and the depths of the lower world just sounds strangely suitable for a certain someone.

+TL;DR: [desperately trying to flirt] wow handsome, you are so. rock

[b4kuch1n]

the legends speak of it as a kind of enthrallment: the life ended by the tiger is tied to the tiger. in this way there is a line of souls following the beast, for no reason except to show that they were killed. that they could be saved - if only the beast would die [...] in the dark of the wood you see it walk, shadow to shadow, followed by loss after loss after loss, a tail trailing seemingly into the deep death of night [...]

[artemisbarnowl]

No see results button if you're not Australian you'll just have to wait for results to be published in your language. Like with all science.

If you pick yes plz share in what contexts/how often.

[shoyoist]

I’VE BEEN SUMMONED DID I HEAR KARASU?? pls he’s so precious to me 🥺🫶 he’s such a little shit i feel it in my bones. (my fave trope with him is def academic rivals to *wink wonk* more but regardless) you totally have one of those relationships where you just playfully roast each other and purely communicate in jabs. you’d think he actually hates you, but if anyone else talks shit about you he’s quick to brutally cut them down bc “‘m the only one who gets to badmouth you, kay, my sweet little nemesis?” he’d TOTALLY call you shit like that to piss you off i wanna kick him with my mouth. “my precious headache. my loveliest irritation. my most beloved torment.” it’s never your name, only my, my, my and whatever he decided to annoy you with that day. and you’re confused, because you know him in a very specific context due to the nature of your whatever-ship, but you don’t actually know him because you’ve never once had a serious conversation with him ever. and you think it’s time you change that. “if you’re free this weekend, let’s get milkshakes. my treat.” and karasu already has that permanent smirk curving on his mouth. “what’s this, my prettiest groupie? that desperate for company?” “if you keep being an ass i’ll invite someone else on a date.” and for the first time, you’re able to knock that smirk right off his face and render him into a wide-eyed, flustered mess. because he’s like oh. oh. a date. you’re actually serious. and he’s liked you for so long he doesn’t know what to do with himself, or his arms, but he knows he’s blushing profusely and you look all smug, but for once he’ll let it pass because he’s been horrendously and painfully flirting with you for the past year and holy shit you just asked him on a date. he’s a dork underneath all that sass and brains i KNOW HE IS

DIZZY DIZZY DIZZY <3333 guhh you do not know how much i enjoy academic rivals to lovers i eat that shit up so hardd and god with karasu it's even better. when he started calling you things like "my sweetest inconvenience" it started off as a joke. he enjoyed the way your brows knitted together at the sound of his voice, the irritated twist of your lip and he loves when you quip back.

but as it carries on, he realizes that while he's been teasing you through the my, my, my game, he's started to truly desire you for himself. he wants to call you his. you're mine. he wants it. wants it more than anything. imagine a rivals to fwbs plot where after he's realized his feelings, you get heart broken by the person you love, and he makes himself available to you as a vice, to vent out your frustrations on and to help you feel good.

he can handle it, he thinks. he's smart, has control over himself. he'll be fine.

but as he cups your face in his palm, grazing your cheek with his thumb, looking into your tear-filled. discontented eyes as he says, "'m sorry 's how it turned out for ya, my sweet." he stuns himself with the fact that he didnt add any more to it. my sweet.

my sweet what? everything, he thinks later, after you're gone and he's all alone in his bed again. arms crossed behind his head, the sheets bunched up around him smelling of you. you're my sweet everything.

and he wishes so badly for you to feel the same about him. maybe he cant handle it, after all.

[qulizalfos]

hello liza i hope ur concussion gets better soon pls don't die ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ily ily sending you heated blankets and spring water okayyyyyy 💕💕💕💕💕

HELLO BEE MY BELOVED thanjk you so much!!!! as of right now i can confirm that i have not died yet (or gone into a coma?[thanks for that google<3]) and do not plan to<333333333 but fr i am feeling a lot better!!!!!! ilysmmm i recieved the blankets and water btw and i am cherishing them forever MWAH

[butchdykekondraki]

ehrlich gesagt mochte ich ab und jack nie. deshalb ist es so seltsam zu sehen wie leute versuchen die verwendung ihres charakters zu verteidigen, du weißt? jack war für mich immer nur gruselig deshalb habe ich mich sowieso nie auf ihn eingelassen. jedes mal wenn ich leute sehe die verwendung von jack als charakter verteidigen kommt es mir so vor als würden sie ausreden finden um einen charakter zu verwenden zu dem sie sich hingezogen fühlen. es ist so seltsam .:-/

[chicago-geniza]

You can always tell when Jel is writing in Stef's place for Wiadomości by the first sentence because their styles are so distinct and Jel's 1) lapses into gwara łódzka probably more often than she would like to admit, 2) is MUCH more casual and conversational and like...slangy? Stef would pick a word other than "popychadło," for example

[laneaconite]

She wanted to break the cycle

I told her I won’t have kids, "‘Cause the chronic pain’s hereditary," laugh half mirth.

She cries, “I’m sorry, baby, I’m so sorry.” And it’s the 3rd cigarette she’s lit this phone call. Said she didn’t care about Christmas this year except what she sent to me, her mom, my sisters.

I look up from the calendar I’m marking, only 7 painful days away from 500.

Show my smile and say, “Mom, momma. It’s okay, it’s not like I wanna die. I’m a jack of all trades—I’ve got plenty left to live for."

-Lane Aconite

December 20th, 2023

[a-eo-iu]

Selection of characters for a possible story set in 1900s northeast Brasil

Mira is a jagunço, a sort of gunslinger who works as hired protection. He used to be a cangaceiro (criminal gunslinger who operated in bands and often attacked farms and small cities), but his band fell apart, and he started working for the first farmer who caught his attention: nhô Carlos.

Nhô Carlos, a rich (and single) ranch owner, and Dona Ana, last heir of a powerful family of the region, are rival farmers/land owners. The two often clash over claims on each other's territories, and each has gathered a small personal army to protect their properties.

Sôr Sérgio is Carlos's most trusted employee and boss of the cowboys/ranch hands in his property. Mira often spends his time helping sôr Sérgio with the animals instead of doing his actual job of guarding the property.

Coronel Alexandre, who is not actually a colonel, is a captain of the Guarda Nacional, the imperial and early republic equivalent of the police. He's in charge of keeping the peace in the region the story is set in, and Mira is in charge of causing trouble, so you might guess they do Not like each other very much.

[chilapis]

Happy Tartaglia Tuesday, everyone. ♥️ Don’t forget to hydrate and stretch!

[businesstiramisu]

#tbh I still want to grow up to Cimorene. or Morwen. or Kazul (my tag from prev post)

actually it's very funny to me, over the years i've had a couple definite Aspirational Characters and my sights have definitely gotten less ...fantasic? grandiose? over time

Ages, idk, 4~10: Cimorene, Kazul, Morwen -- all incredibly competent people, two of them rule countries. They all live *exactly* the lives they want to lead, and Morwen is a Cool Witch

High school: Sophie Hatter -- not hypercompetent, held up by her own (relatable) neuroses, but she finds people that help her overcome them, and she gets to be a Cool Witch

College: Maree Mallory -- pretty simiar to Sophie but more depression? Basically the fantasy is "what, even if you were too depressed to graduate college, you still got to Be A Cool Mage And Save The World"

Almost 30: Soos Ramirez -- He *does* end up a small business owner, arguably comparable to Sophie? But the fantasy here is absolutely "found a job you like and are competent enough to keep doing it for years"

[maulfucker]

AS PROMISED.

Songs I am considering as titles for this fic

I am translating here part of these songs that I find relevant - to some it'll be just the chorus, to others it'll be almost the whole song. The bolded bits are the ones I like the most as potential titles from each of them

1. Amor Distrai (Durin) by Carne Doce

"Tonight I just want to fuck And not make love, Love distracts From finding out every possibility to satisfy me I want to feel in one spot I want to feel the whole thing I want you wild, And a new way to moan You look great In a new way to fuck And don't turn off the lights And don't close the door And let's find out what excites me, what excites you, What to do to make it better Because I only come like this, Loud and clear"

2. Garoto by Carne Doce

"Boy, I get it, let's not pretend You want me and can barely wait And I want you too, it's plain to see I looked at you with that look Easy Costly Gluttonous Vulgar Hungry Eyeing you up I can already feel myself get wet"

3. Me Beija Com Raiva by Jão

"Throw your whole truth in my face And before you leave I catch you, stop And kiss me angrily, kiss me angrily..."

4. Pilantra by Jão & Anitta

"Lie to me, run from me We swear it doesn't count In this way of ours But it's not because I hate you That I can't kiss you anymore"

5. Escorpiano by Jão

"After trying everything Kissing anyone I found in the world Drinking in parks, calling and hearing you on mute I know... After I swore to forget you Lied to myself until I was convinced When I managed to not think only of you Then you show up [...] 'Wish you well' my ass I'm gonna fuck you up You will remember me 'Wish you well' my ass I am not your friend But you made me like this"

6. Quem Te Fez Rainha? by Lupa

"I closed my eyes to not see you I crossed my arms to not want you But my lips tremble from hearing you arrive My feet take me somewhere else My bones scream for you [...] Everything I did, everything I wanted Everything I am, everything that's left [...] I loved in secret so I wouldn't hear I cleaned up my dreams so I wouldn't remember But this knot doesn't want to be untied The ground starts to quake My bones scream for you Ah, if only I wasn't crazy for you..."

7. Tangerina by Tiago Iorc & Duda Beat

"My destiny Suicidal desire Divine death Sweet tangerine..."

8. Hater by Carne Doce

"You are my favorite coward, My pet hater Who loves me in reverse, Hates me with adoration"

(that's just my favoritest from each, you can specify different bits in the comments if you want)