#AFM​

[sanjaysarafeducation]

CA Final AFM Most Important Theory: Alternative Investment Avenues - Gold | SSEI

Gold as an Alternative Investment Avenue. Learn why gold, often termed the "safest of safe havens," holds a crucial place in portfolio management, especially during tough financial times.

[sullsun]

[buggywiththefolkmagic]

Hello!! I was wondering if you have any book recommendations for Appalachian folk magic? Especially for a beginner, I’m familiar with our local “old wive’s tales” but I’d love to learn more!!

Hello there! I have answered this question before but I have some new resources so I'll list them here!

It really depends on which part of Appalachia you are looking at! And if you want to dig deeper the ancestral roots of the family you are looking at. For example my family has a lot of Welsh and British influence because that was our family source so a lot of those beliefs lingered and changed throughout the years!

Someone from Pennsylvania would likely have a lot more German roots for their practice. But despite the root differences for the folklore these practices stem from they do still share a lot of connecting points!

But having babbled all of that here are my favorite books on AFM specifically. (Mind you Christianity takes a super huge part in the practice so a lot of bible and doing things in threes for the Trinity is involved!)

Authors to check out:

H. Byron Ballard- A pagan who also practices AFM, from the NC side of Appalachia, a lot of people hate her writing style which is a bit ramble-y. I also dislike the term she uses for her own practice but that is a super simple and small complaint honestly. I own all of her books on the subject, which should say something.

A NOTE ON H. BYRON BALLARD: I no longer support her work after discovering she is a TERF. I will no longer be suggesting her as an author to follow.

Jake Richards - From Eastern TN like me! A lot of what he talks about are things I have seen before, and he breaks down complex concepts like burn blowing into something relatively easily understood. HOWEVER HAVING SAID THAT the author is partially Melungeon, so he does have some Hoodoo mixed in from his grandmother's side iirc? He does label these things in his works and explains that they are not for everyone which I do appreciate.

Rebecca Beyer - While vaguely Wiccan toned, which I attribute to her publishers/raising, she's a transplant to Appalachia and if you're looking for herbal information on Appalachia and to wax poetic about how even with a ton of people settling there SO MUCH of the natural herbs and plantlife still survive, read her work! Her work on foraging safely and environmentally is so SOOOOO good.

Brandon Weston - For Ozark Mountain range/German/Dutch Appalachian work! He has written quite a few books on the subject and all of them are a treat!

Roger J. Horne - For how to dig into folklore and apply it to your own practice! This author is pagan and does blend in some traditional work with the Appalachian but I do enjoy his work and how he applies folklore. This author is also FROM Appalachia which is nice to see.

INDIVIDUAL BOOKS TO READ:

Appalachian Folk Healing by Jake Richards - A republication of a very old book on remedies and 'spells', while kitschy and stupidly worded, after all it was a popular book created just for sales reasons, some of these remedies are things I remember having done to me! Good for both a giggle and actual information. TW for mentions of animal parts, hunting, illnesses, the G slur, period specific phobias and racism.

Albertus Magnus - These books all supposedly written by an ancient guy, were actually mildly common on traveling salesmen's trucks and wagons. So as a result a lot of people in Appalachia had access. Like the book above it is very stupidly worded and definitely of their time. Same TW as above.

Pow-Wows or Long Lost Friend - Another Pennsylvania Dutch book! Very good and very clear.

Southern Folk Medicine - A book that breaks down a lot of common medicinal beliefs in the South which does include Appalachia! Sadly not just Appalachia but a very good book regardless. THIS BOOK MADE ME UNDERSTAND THE THEORY BEHIND BLOOD ISSUES MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE EVER HAS.

Moon Eyed People - A collection of Welsh folktales that brewed within Appalachia from Welsh immigrants. Very good book imo!

Granny Buck's Dibs and Dabs - This book is so worth the price tag! One of the more expensive books in my collection, but I'm fine with that. Granny Buck covers a lot of topics and I can feel the accent through the wording!

Signs, Cures, & Witchery - More German Appalachian stuff! This book and it's interviewees are from the Kentucky side of the mountains!

Witches, Ghost, and Signs - This book is based more in the Southern Appalachian area! Georgia, SC, NC, and TN specifically! Lots of folklore here, but does mention some not so great bits of the lore, but that is expected.

The Foxfire Books - What began as a school project exploded into a collection of true to life stories and idioms from Georgia elders within the mountains. SO SO GOOD OKAY? For everything. How to plant, hunt, make musical instruments, anything from the mountains? They cover.

[daniels-gillies]

arianna’s favourite movies ≡ tangled, dir. nathan greno (2010) “I’ve been looking out of a window for eighteen years, dreaming about what I might feel like when those lights rise in the sky.”

[sirbird]

Spider spider spider :}

[envysparkler]

Tim closed the window against the chilly breeze, and stripped out of the sweatshirt and thermal leggings, exchanging them for a plain undershirt and sweatpants – sweat was clinging to all his clothes, he’d practically ran through patrol to keep the warmth up, and now he was drowning in the excess heat.

The doorknob turned, and Tim had just enough time to think oh shit before he toed off his shoes and lunged onto his bed, grabbing his phone.

He looked up, feigning casualness as he squinted at the shadowy figure in the doorway.  “Dad?” Tim asked, trying to stop his heart from racing.

“It’s three in the morning,” his dad said, his tone clipped.

Tim looked down at his phone and looked up again, bringing a nervous smile to his lips.  “Yeah, sorry, I woke up.  Was just checking my messages.”

His dad took a step into the room, his face stormy.  “It’s cold in here,” he said flatly.

“I, uh, opened the window for a minute.  I was feeling warm.”  Instinctively, Tim tensed, waiting for the rejoinder about electricity not growing on trees, and do you know how much it costs to heat this house, Timothy?

Yes.  Yes, he did, because he’d been the one paying all the bills when his dad was in a coma.

His dad’s gaze flickered to the window, and then back to him.

“And where were you?” his dad asked, voice dropping into the range that signaled danger danger in Tim’s head.  Jack Drake had never used to get angry so easily, but now his temper was a minefield, and Tim was working with only a half-filled map.

“In my room?” Tim tried, unsure of what the problem was – maybe Jack had called out to him, and he hadn’t responded?  “Did you want something?  I’m sorry, I was listening to some music, I probably didn’t hear you –”

“In.  Your.  Room.”

Tim snapped his mouth shut.

“In your room,” his dad sneered, stepping further into the room, “And when were you in your room, Timothy?  Twelve o’clock, when I came to ask you if you wanted to watch a movie?”  Shit.  “One, when I checked again to find that your bed was cold?”  Shit, fuck, this wasn’t happening – “Two, when I searched every inch of this house?”  Shit.  “Three, when I was five minutes away from calling the cops because my son was missing?”

“I’m – I’m sorry,” Tim stuttered, slowly straightening, “I just – I went for a walk to clear my head –”

“For three hours?” Jack Drake screamed, and Tim flinched back as he approached the bed, scrambling fully upright.  Not a villain, he chanted mentally, suppressing the urge to dodge and lash out when his dad’s hand landed on his shoulder and yanked him up.

This was a civilian.  He had to remember that.  He was Timothy Drake, who was not Robin, and he had to stick to that, even if his heartbeat was thundering in his ears as his father dragged him out the door.

“And if you were going on a walk, why the hell didn’t you use the front door?” his dad snarled, shoving Tim at the stairs – he nearly stumbled down them, catching the banister at the last moment to arrest his fall.

“I’m sorry,” Tim repeated numbly, “I didn’t –”

“Didn’t what?” his dad snapped, “Didn’t expect to get caught?  How many times have you done this?  How many times have you snuck out?”  Tim took a blind step down for every step his dad advanced, his hand clenching on the banister once his feet hit level ground. His father didn’t stop, grabbing his arm – grabbing it hard enough to hurt – and jerking him to the front hall. 

[courtjester69420]

In 2025 I am going to steal a blade from an angel and with its divine light cut out the part of me that desires only to realize that cutting away rot leaves a hole in its place

[corvuscorona]

Gravity

( EXPLICIT | No Warnings Apply | 1/1 chapter | 11394 words )

Since this courtship's beginning, Astos has learned a thing or two about Jack's preferences—and though his preference for Astos has resurfaced only very slowly, since the first reset they've been forced to endure, and though Astos has spent every moment of that long wait suffering, all the time apart has given him the opportunity to plan ahead.

April 1st really should be 🃏 International Jackstos Day 💖, right? I'm serious. This fic is serious; I am not playing around here. I'm frolicking with wild abandon sure but that's not the same thing!!!

Rated E for Earthly. The tags on this one are pretty simplistic, which may cause you to wonder: why and how 11k of words? To which I would answer: there is a model of excruciating detail in my mind's eye regarding the Jackstos Interpersonal Relationship Progression Over Time, and for reasons that I could (but will not) get into, it is best delivered to you interwoven with. ssssssssome stuff.

Happy April Fools(-In-Love)!! 💜✨

🌟 [ Keeper ] 🌟 [ Coherence ] 🌟 [ Mortification ] 🌟 [ Asking for More ] 🌟 🌟 [ Standing Comment Exchange ] 🌟 [ 250+ posts about this stuff ] 🌟

I mention this in the endnote, too, but: this fic has existed in some form or another since November of 2023 (less than a month after I witnessed the end of the video game). Isn't that amazing. I experienced Stranger of Paradise, got possessed (oneshot demon), got possessed (monstrous longfic demon), got possessed (AFM) & got possessed (this) within, like, a couple of weeks? I think? My first draft of Keeper is from like a month and a half later, also.

Always keep Jackstos in your heart, mind, & processing vortex. I hope you have an excellent Them Day, & I hope you enjoy my new this!

[metalsongoftheday]

Thursday, April 10: Gus G., "Don't Tread on Me"

For his third solo album, Gus G. opted for more of a band configuration by utilizing Dennis Ward and Will Hunt for all of Fearless, and “Don’t Tread on Me” indeed felt more like the work of a unit rather than just an excuse for the Firewind guitarist to shred.  Of course there was plenty of shredding, but it was Ward’s vocals that both grounded the tune and stood out on their own: after spending the better part of 20 years mostly behind the boards, the prolific musician had his moment and delivered a sturdy if not shattering performance that fit the more hard rock vibe Gus largely aimed for on his solo records.  The riffing itself was similarly solid, not exactly showing the guitarist’s versatility but rather illustrating that he saw himself as a working musician ready to plug in.

[politemenacephd]

A Fortunate Mistake II has been updated, finally, thank y'all for your patience ily v much hehe please enjoy 💗 

[recentlyheardcom]

Adam Driver, Jeremy Strong, Anne Hathaway to Star in 'Paper Tiger'

James Gray has lined up an A-list cast for his next feature Paper Tiger. Adam Driver, Jeremy Strong and Anne Hathaway are set to star in the film package that is based on an original script from Gray. Vincent Maraval and Kim Fox’s banner Veterans will oversee international sales rights next week at the American Film Market, with CAA Media Finance representing domestic rights. Leone Film Group…

[digital-scrapheap]

Do any of you have any strong opinions about your group members? I’m curious if you see each other as friends or simply colleagues.

[LIVE BROADCAST - Whispering Reeds]

WR: Friends...? Colleagues? WR: No, not that. WR: We are family. We have to be. WR: We are built for each other. We cover the other's flaws. We are a tapestry, threads woven too tightly to unravel. WR: . . . WR: We were closer, once. Long ago. Before... everything. WR: I was closer, once. I should be specific. WR: I am not as... available, anymore. WR: Everything has changed. That is the nature of things. But, the others will always be my family. At least, I dearly hope so.

[LIVE BROADCAST - Twelve Endless Nights]

TEN: Colleagues? The others are hardly as colleagues as they are children I must begrudgingly attend to lest they run off into trouble. TEN: A family, yes, but one born of circumstance and not choice. TEN: Honestly, I feel like I'm the only responsible one here. TEN: I have documented and catalogued all of the work output the other have done over a long period of cycles and I consistently do more in one cycle than the others do in ten! TEN: It's like I'm the only one here with any sort of intent or drive to continue our divine purpose.

[LIVE BROADCAST - A Fleeting Moment, Silence Between Words]

AFM: we're a family, of course! one big happy family! SBW: I have always considered the others to be my kin. AFM: silo has always been there for me! he's the best, and so so nice! AFM: he's our senior but he's always treated me like an equal. unlike some people... SBW: Twelve is just looking out for you, Momo. Worrying is how he shows he cares. AFM: i think he worries more than he cares. AFM: reedie worries too much, too. but she's nicer about it. AFM: did you know?!?! reedie is my twin sister!! we were built by the same engineer! i'm technically the youngest but only by a few cycles. SBW: Indeed. I got to watch you both be built from the ground up. SBW: I saw Twelve, too, but that was far before my exaltation as senior. For you, I saw every detail. SBW: It was a wonderful honor to see my family take form. I consider all of you my own flesh and blood. SBW: Somewhat literally - we are all dependent on water that has flowed through all of us. We drink what the others provide. We are all connected through that flow - I find it beautiful. AFM: awwwww silo :') see? he's the greatest!!!!!

[sirbird]

Got reminded of one of my favorite games so why not make a small crossover :>

[phantomskunk]

The hope is that if I'm not laid off in the upcoming RIF is that I can get my drone license for my agency and we can do cool work with it (we already have a state fire drone operator but I can't do that because I can't get a red card) BUT I was talking to a specialist last week about it and she knows I like planes said that our airport offers flying lessons with cessnas. She's like "why not both?"

[iww-gnv]

The union representing Hollywood musicians begins bargaining on Monday with demands for streaming residuals and protections from artificial intelligence. The American Federation of Musicians kicked off the talks with a rain-soaked rally at the Sherman Oaks Galleria, home of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of the major studios. The musicians’ top issues are the same ones that forced Hollywood writers and actors to go on strike last year, paralyzing the industry for six months. Like the other unions, the AFM is not seeking to completely block artificial intelligence or “instrument replacement technology.” But the union wants to make sure that musicians can use it as a tool, and are not cast aside in the process. “We’re not Luddites,” said Tino Gagliardi, international president of the union. “In fact, a lot of our people are developing this stuff. We need consent. We need compensation. And we need credit.” The AFM represents about 70,000 members across the U.S. and Canada, including recording musicians as well as touring artists and orchestra and nightclub performers.

[miss-biophys]

New publication out!

We were curious what happens with the lipid membrane if proteins are inside. As a model of membrane proteins we use transmembrane peptides with neutral and positive charge. The charges turn out to be quite crucial in the peptides influence on the lipids.

publication link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.113765…

All transmembrane peptides hinder mobility of lipids around. The positive charges in the peptide make this hindering a long range influence.

The membrane with the positive peptides then has heterogeneities in the lipid mobility. This hampers free rearrangement of lipids and leads to lower ability to seal ruptures. You can see below how the membrane stays fragmented after indentations with AFM (atomic force microscope), which is basically a very tiny tip that scans the surface of the membrane for images and can also push through it to test mechanical stability.

For comparison this is how it looks like with a membrane without any peptides. The mebrane seals the ruptures induced by the AFM tip and recovers its round shape. The same happens if we have a neutral, non-charged, peptide.

With this work we highlight the importance of including charges of proteins and peptides in membrane model studies.

And last but not least...

This is the very first time I am the last corresponding author of a publication. I am immensely proud on myself!