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thecandywrites · 6 months

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Monster March 2024- Day 29- Sphinx-Adjacent- Crocodillian

Blue Lotus

So, inspired by this here. And inspired by this documentary I watched about how Blue Lotus flowers and seeds were basically Ancient Egyptian Viagra. Oh this story practically wrote itself. And yes, I wrote this well before the Monster March Prompt List- by the incredible @borealwrites came out. And Sphinx- to me, I think Egyptian and this was close enough and adjacent enough. Enjoy.

M.M. 24 Day 29- Sphinx Adjacent- Crocodilian

Blue Lotus

You heard the rumble of your guest before you saw them as you sighed in defeat. You had just got done seeing off the last few “visitors” and had just sat down to pick up where you had left off. You’d done this over and over again and you had gotten more interruptions than you could stand as you let a low growl and a huff. You looked up to the surface of the water, to see your “guest” come over to where you were tending to the blue lotus root system to make sure they were all planted in a good pattern and that the sprouts would have room to make it up to the surface without other things getting in the way. But his rumble prompted your friends to quickly swim towards shelter to hide their pretty selves away as you could only hope that they had managed to escape notice by your guest. Even though, you could probably bet that this guest would probably be the last person who would threaten them. But still, you, nor they, could be too careful.

You specifically chose this place, it was a site on the other bank of the Nile, opposite of all the cities and settlements and pyramids on the other side. This was in a section that had something of a desert on the other side. You chose this particular site- halfway between the Lower and Upper Valley to grow the precious blue lotus flowers that were used in just about every temple, including the Pharaoh’s palace and the houses and palaces of the nobles. And to see your crocodilian acquaintance, usually brought you joy, but today, he was simply the latest intrusive presence in your meticulously curated area.

But the reason for your particular irritation at seeing them- was your assumption as to why they were here, which you were sure was the same reason for all the visits of all the others who had come to you- both today and yesterday and the day before that and would most likely continue for the foreseeable future.

Blue lotus flowers and seeds were used by most land walkers as an aphrodisiac, with good success too. Thus your work being encouraged, funded and protected by the Pharaohs.

But, your crocodilian friend did not need the lotus blooms and seeds for such a thing. They just didn't. All they needed to was rumble in the pool in the temple, which was more like a tuning fork and everyone got in the mood to fuck each other, no lotus flowers or seeds needed.

And, you just knew, by the looks of that fat belly and the color of their scaley skin, it had to be Shuketan. He was one of the many assistants to the high priests, and technically, a minor priest himself- in Suket’s temple. He was a favorite because he was so big and powerful. And his rumble, thanks to that rotund body and deep barrel chest- could be heard and felt father than most. He especially didn't need any of these lotus’ or seeds. That overfed lizard. Well, you still had some work to do, and he could wait on you as you let your irritation at the intrusion- vent in making him wait.

You turned partially away from him and continued to attend to your lotus roots tubers in the river’s bottom, while keeping a careful eye to the more delicate feeler roots as well.

It was when you felt that loud rumble again, much less, felt it- like he must have been right behind you, judging by the way your very bones and in your chest and pelvis seemed to vibrate because of his call as you closed your eyes to let yourself adjust to the frequency and- more poignantly- ignore it’s effects, before his long snout seemed to “sneak” over your shoulder as you rolled your eyes and just shook your head before his eyes seemed to finally be level with yours as you gave him an unimpressive look while his massive body seemed to curl around yours on the riverbed, that changed the subtle flow of the river around you and his own body joining you on the riverbed.

He had scared you the first few times he had done that, but now, it was just annoying.

“Like I didn’t hear you the first time you called?” You returned to him as you shoved your hair out of your face to keep it from floating between your line of sight and his, much less your work.

“Then why didn’t you answer?” He asked as you could swear that smug grin grew even more infuriating.

“Your call wasn’t urgent and I’m clearly, in the middle of planting the rest of these roots. It’s still planting season and I can already assume why you’re here. The answers to your questions will be, ‘it’s still too early to tell how many blue lotus flowers will bloom, much less, how many seed pods will grow. But I can assure you that your temple will get their just and fair share of them, the same as all the other temples’.” You answered as you gestured to the basket by your own tail with your other hand as your tools laid in another basket.

“Besides, I only have a few left in this batch to plant. Surely you could have sunbathed a little as you waited.” You offered as you went back to digging before you finished with that root before you grabbed your basket and moved down the “line” you were making as your powerful tail shoved his to make room for you to work before he let himself float on the current to reclaim his space next to you.

“The mosquitos feast on me too much as it is.” He decided to answer.

“As if any of their little pins could get through your thick hide.” You teased as you just grabbed your hair and quickly tied it off with the bit of twine you were using to “rope off” this section of river bed, not caring if you looked ridiculous. Your hair always misbehaved with that behemoth moving the water around as you took your little shovel and dug down a good spot for the root, yanking out a mudskipper before you planted the mudskipper between the hole and the last root, as the little territorial fish would keep anything from feasting on the precious tuberous root systems, while hunting for their own food around them, giving them a little pat on the head as you did.

You got another potato looking root and put it in there, making sure to orientate it so the buds would grow up towards the surface before you tried to bury it real quick before the river itself would wash the mud away as the other fish, congregating around you- seemed particularly interested to see if you had dug up any “tasty treats” from the mud itself, braving your crocodilian friend to do so. Like any other chicken would instigate a flower bed of a land walker.

“Ugh, there,” You grumped at the fish who were just as nosey as any chicken or fly- could be above the water as you took some snails and crushed them in your hands before throwing them into the current to get the fish to chase the bait and leave you and your work alone for a bit.

“So gross.” Shuket scuffed in disgust.

“Oh like disemboweling food by deathroll, isn't?” You tossed back as he rumbled a low growl between his chuckles.

“Why do you have to be like this? Did you get mosquito bites or something?” He asked but you didn’t answer him and just huffed through your nose and moved down the line to plant the next one.

“No. Just…I’ve already answered your questions that you didn’t need to ask. So why are you still here? Why did you take the trouble to swim all the way across the Nile? Don’t you have better things to do? Like ambushing zebra or wildebeest or something?” You asked.

“Why are you so irritated with my presence?” He asked thoughtfully. Damn him and his too perceptive eyes.

“It’s…it’s still spring. The blue lotus roots are just now at the point that they can be transplanted from the nursery to the riverbed. And I’ve already had just about every temple send messengers to me, all day today, and all day yesterday and the day before that and will probably continue to come for the next few weeks and interrupt my planting. I should have gotten all of this done yesterday morning, but I can't seem to plant a single basket’s worth of root tubers without several irritating interruptions. All of them asking and requesting and demanding- lotus flowers and whole lotus seed heads, and demand prepared lotus seeds to be consumed for the fertility festival so the Nile can flood again. And that’s already a lot of pressure and the last thing I need right now, is more demands for things that have yet to even sprout! Let alone grow, or let alone start to bloom or bud or anything, much less, be planted in the first place.” You pouted as you then took out your frustrations on the damn mud on the river bottom. Avoiding the nutrient desolate sand to plant these.

“I’m sure they’ll be fine, even under your fish fin’s care.” He offered before he snapped at a fish and just ate it right there, in front of you.

“Well at least you can stay fed on both land and in the water.” You shook your head and continued with your work.

“Have you been too busy to eat today?” He asked, his tone, if anything, thoughtful and genuine as you just sighed tiredly.

“I have too much work to do here under the water to begin to think about the work I have, out of the water.” You answered.

“How can I help? Besides keeping out of your hair and fins down here.” He asked as he delicately moved the long silken strands of your hair before they could waft into your face, as he tried his best to make sure he didn't tangle it in the process. But before you could answer him, another boat appeared on the surface and was being moved to your area. It was clearly a messenger from the Pharoah, judging by the shape and size of the boat itself as you made a little, quick chirp of a call so that your little friends would stay hidden and out of the sight of the newcomer as you untied your hair and quickly tried to wipe the mud off your arms and the rest of you before you stuck your trowel into the mud to mark where to pick up again before you rocketed to the surface to greet them as Shuketan went to the bow of the boat to grab it and keep it from harming the reeds of papyrus or the cattails, or the intermingled marshmallow.

“Oh! Shuketan! I didn’t expect you to also be here. But ah yes, Lady Divianna, how are the sacred blue lotus’?” The Pharaoh's assistant, a sphinx by the name of Nopheri asked as you climbed aboard their boat to talk to them face to face as you sat on your tail with your hands folded in your lap as the sun- made the blue of your own color lighten a lighter hue of blue to reflect more of the sun’s rays to keep you cooler.

“I am only half way done planting the root tubers from the nursery to the river bank. But so far, the river bank is in good health, as are the tubers. As you know- this is a very delicate yet intensive process. But so far, I have not lost any tubers, but gained some over the winter in the nursery. However, I do not wish to speculate how many blue lotus blooms we will have, let alone the number of seed pods, or seeds we will have for the festival. But I can promise that the Pharaoh and his house will always get the best of the best and the most generous portion.” You respectfully answered.

“I see, well, I shall give your answer back to the Pharaoh that all is well then, and moving- more or less on schedule. That is if you will favor the Pharaoh's house with your presence for the fertility festival. It really is a shame that you moved from the Pharaoh’s own private pool to this place, so removed and remote from the Pharaoh’s palace.” He offered as you had to swallow down your argument, about him using his closeness to flirt with you, rather shamelessly.

“Actually, I can serve the Pharaoh and all the gods and all of their temples better from where I am right now. You see, the blue lotus’ need a very delicate balance of both nurture and solitude to grow best. The Pharaoh’s private pool was always too busy with the whole royal family and the various purification ceremonies. And the soap used to cleanse the Pharaoh and his family always hindered the blue lotus’ and their growth. I would not wish to hinder the role that the sacred blue lotus’ and their role in the worship of all the gods and goddesses, and the Pharaoh and their family- just so I could selfishly enjoy the company of the Pharaoh and his family. The gods and goddesses have blessed my moving here and blessed the blue lotus’ themselves. I do not wish to anger the very gods and goddesses who gave me such a blessing, by being begrudged about the other unintended consequences of the new direction. Plus, as it is, I am now used to the seclusion and am finding that I too- am benefiting from more solitude. It allows me to be more singular in my mind in caring for the blue lotus’.” You managed to politely bite out, despite your irritation at his intrusion.

“What is more, I dare not disturb them by inviting more company here, much less, risk abandoning them, at their most crucial point in the year that the fertility festival is celebrated at- by not being here myself. I dare not take my own pleasure over my own sacred duty.” You carefully, but pleasantly contested before he could argue- with all the grace you could muster. You quickly let your own needle like defenses in your skin shoot out to kill every mosquito who tried to land to try to suck your own blood out before they retracted and the dead mosquitoes landed around you as you brushed off your arms and tail and smiled when the action made Nepheri jump just a little as you could hear and feel Shuketan practically purr to see your defense mechanism.

“And as it is, she is getting too many visitors to allow her to work and get what she needs to get done- get done. You have your answer for the Pharaoh, please- allow the gods and goddesses to continue to bless Lady Divinianna and her work.” Shuketan offered as he gently began to back the boat back into the river and away from the reeds. His own firm but pleasant tone didn’t allow Nepheri to argue as you simply smiled proudly before you slipped back into the water before he could argue any further as Shuketan continued to move the very boat around so that the others could move it back across the Nile as you swam down to the bottom to continue your work before you paused to really take the time to rebraid your hair to keep it out of your eyes.

“Thank you so much for that Shuketan.” You thanked him once he saw them off himself.

“You’re welcome. Let me at least make you something to eat so you can continue with your work.” He offered as your heart melted a bit, your previous irritation at his presence quickly melted away at his kindness and thoughtfulness.

“Thank you. I would really appreciate that actually. Sorry for being so short with you earlier. I don’t know what it is about this place, but it’s like those who only casually flirted with me, seem to think that the space allows them to flirt even harder with no one else to overhear them. I was hoping that the area’s mosquitos would discourage even the most ardent pursuer. But, it’s had the opposite effect.” You sighed tiredly as you finished with your braid and rubbed your face tiredly, missing how he seemed to snap and kill a few of your favorite fish to eat before he brought them up to your above water section of your home,.and then made you some bread to go with it while he roasted the fish with some of the spices that you had in your house as you smiled to look through the water and through the window of your house to see him practically make himself at home in your humble house as you finished with that basket and even went and got a second and completely finished that one before he stuck his head into the water.

“Food is ready.” He called.

“Coming.” You answered before you gathered your things and swam back and put them in your underwater half of your home before you sat in the special seat and began to dry off as he came over and handed you a plate with the roasted fish, the fresh bread he had made with a separate dish of fresh herbs he had finely minced and crushed in a special paste. So you could dip the bread in the spiced oil.

“Thank you so much Shua.” You thanked him gratefully as you took the plate and said a quick prayer over the meal before you dug in and tried not to moan too loudly when the amazing flavors bloomed on your tongue.

“This is so good.” You praised as he settled down into the pool with you, on the other side, to give you space to eat in ease and comfort.

“I taste why the temple promoted you to cook all the offerings at the temple.” You complimented as he seemed pleased to hear that and grinned.

“Thanks.” He nodded.

“So, the reason I was really here, was not to see how the blue lotus’ were doing. But rather, ask if you would teach me how to prepare the blue lotus’ seeds. Or is that a process you wish to keep to yourself?” He asked once you seemed to slow down in inhaling the food, but were now, slowing down to really enjoy the food.

“Oh, is the way I do it not good enough or…?” You began to ask.

“No, not at all. The way you do it, is perfect. It’s just a worry that because you don’t have any daughters of your own, or any assistants, we worry that something may happen to you and that sacred knowledge- before you can select another to replace you and teach them. It was hoped that you would teach me, so that I can help with the preparations as well as, help you safeguard that knowledge until you can have a successor, or at the very least, a helper.” He plainly explained.

“Who- exactly- has such worries?” You asked him as you paused in eating to look at him directly and shift to face your body towards his.

“The High Priests, of not just my temple, but most of the others as well. They rely on many assistants and a whole priesthood to carry on traditions. Only you chose this life from your mother’s daughters, and there is no one asking to help. And I, and others fear that it is too much for you to do alone. And I do not want you to refuse help, if you genuinely need it.” He explained.

“Ah, I see. Well, yes, there are a few times a year where there is a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. But there are other times where there is nothing to do but let them grow and go through their own cycles. Everyone wants to help distribute the blue lotus blooms, and their seeds, in particular, to pocket both the lotus’ flowers and their seeds, yet also- pocket a portion of the sales too and I can not let either happen.” You muttered before his features seemed to shift into a dark scowl.

“Who dares to do such things?” He asked.

“My latest guest especially.” You answered with a nod towards where the boat had come in and left.

“I see.” He nodded in understanding.

“As you can see, I like to live simply. I like my solitude for my work. The blue lotus’ needs it- to thrive. But, finding someone who likes the solitude with me- is quite hard. The real reason, I got a late start to the planting this year, is I even went out to the sea, during the purple algae bloom, to see if any other would be interested in joining me. But, none of them wish to trade the sea for the river. And most in the river, do not wish to leave where they are- already- for this space. It’s too secluded for most and most- have a leaning towards one particular temple over another, one god or goddess over another. And in this work- there needs to be a respect for all, but also- a sense of impartiality, of fairness and neutralness in dealing with all of the temples and the Pharaoh and his house. Because to favor one- would mean excluding another. And I dare not exclude anyone. Especially a god or goddess. Because there needs to be a fair representation to all for balance. And no one else seems to understand that. Even the Pharaoh’s pit the very gods and goddesses against each other for favor or to get them through the different seasons and to deal with the people. And it’s all ‘what can you do for me today’ kind of attitude. Which is why I like being all the way out here, and away from all the trivial drama of day to day life. I just want to stay focused on my work, given to me by the very gods and goddesses themselves.” You admitted as you broke your bread into little bites to pick up the various bits of oil and spice in the plate as you curled your fins in, to keep them from catching the currents in the pool and billow them out.

“And I have, all I need as it is. All the temples send in food and supplies and tributes and more gifts than I need or know what to do with. And once this house was built, it was hard enough to get the area to forgive it’s intrusion and continue growing beside it. The little fish and frogs are getting better at eating all the mosquitos and especially their larvae to keep from hatching in the first place so the mosquitos don’t bother me or bother my guests too much. But as it is, I’m too tired and weak from all the planting and the failed mating to cast a spell over my marsh to keep the mosquitos away all together. But if I do, then the fish and the frogs, don’t have the larvae as a food source, and would, in turn, cause them to stay only to the outside of the spell’s reach. Instead of right here, beside me.” You murmured as you then offered the fish tiny bread crumbs to eat right from your palm in the water as they gently gobbled them up and then inspected the rest of your hand for more, bringing a soft, and fond smile to your face as you watched them.

“It’s ok, you can come out.” You urged the micro mermaids who were peeking between you and Shuket worriedly.

“Who can come out?” Shuket asked.

“Them. The biggest reason I picked this spot in particular. Are these little friends. They are mini- pygmy- mermaids. They were caught by pet hunters from Ukerewe, supposed to be gifts for the Pharaoh. But they took one dip in the Pharaoh's pool with all that soap, and instantly got sick because they were never meant to breathe that water and had no choice but to flee and I brought them here. And then once I got to be free of the Pharaoh’s house, I came here too and we’ve been doing much better now.” You answered with a brighter grin.

“It’s ok. He’s not gonna eat you. I promise.” You urged them before they slowly slinked out from their “hiding place” in your house before you got your half eaten fish and offered it to them before Shuketan watched as a whole school of brightly colored, but tiny mermaids began to swim out and swarm the cooked fish.

“It’s a feeding frenzy.” He chuckled as he saw the bright colors swim and flash as they all swarmed it before you dropped in the bones of the other fish as others came to take the skeleton itself apart, The adults, happily taking the spines of the fish as weapons for themselves, leaving nothing left but scales that drifted to the bottom.

“So that’s Shua, he’s a friend. He won’t mean you any harm, it’s ok.” You repeated as you pointed to Shua in the water before they slowly seemed to approach him before he lowered his hands into the water and took up a nonthreatening pose before they began to slowly swim around the pool before they checked him out and then- once they got adjusted to him, they continued as normal.

“They say, from the lake they’re from- the dry landers called them mbuna. But to them, I’m a giant, but drab- mbuna. Like a small- completely landlocked sea, that gradually became fresh water, but was so isolated from all other sealife that they became what they are. They are all the same base species, but have grown into their own varieties and colors. But the lake must have only allowed them to thrive- only at this size.” You explained.

“I see, so this is really why you don’t want to leave this space. Best cause there is.” He realized with a grin and nod of approval.

“Yup. It’s why I’ll ignore the mosquitos, invite the other fish, frogs and snails and stuff. And why I have been so picky about a mate, going all the way out to the sea in search of a good one- and not feeling too upset about my failure to find one this year. Because there will always be next year for me. But if I do not help them along here and now, they won’t have a next year at all. And they are why I do not ask for assistants and send every one that the other temples and the Pharaoh’s house send my way.” You revealed.

“Shua, I will share the recipe for the blue lotus seeds with you, and I will even invite you back so we can work on them together this year, but that is only- if you can keep your mouth shut about them. We cohabit the same waters, and I’m happy to share all I have- with them, and they share what they have with me and we are happy and content. The last thing I want is for one to think that they are a pretty pet, or try to catch them and try to sell them back to the Pharaoh or any other noble. Because they would die if they had no choice but to breathe that soap poisoned water for more than a few minutes. And they are so far- finding their niche in this environment. But a pool in a palace- is not a big enough environment and would not have all the natural elements that this place does for them- for them to live well enough to thrive, to have spaces for shelter, to have prey of their own to hunt, and good, clean water to breathe.” You explained as you put your now empty plate aside and let yourself slip down into the water but kept your head out to stay talking with him as you moved slowly but gracefully, so as not to scare or startle the mbuna.

“Thank you for taking a leap of faith to trust me with the truth.” Shuket offered gratefully.

“Thank you for being patient enough to earn it.” You thanked him in turn.

“So how else can I help you and them?” He asked as you went to answer but hesitated before you shut your mouth.

“What is it? Whatever it is, you can tell me.” He asked.

“Well you see this pretty yellow one? She’s pregnant, and she needs “special rocks” for her children and I can’t understand what she means by ‘special rocks’. I have gone to the market many times, and even dug out every rock I know of and offered them to her, and it’s like there is special rock in the lake she comes from that isn’t available here. This orange one, she ended up having to use the roots of a mallow- to lay her clutch of eggs into, and the roots were a good nursery when they hatched but- it was so hard to keep the frogs and the other fish and the heron from wanting to make the nest- a quick snack. So, can you talk to them and can you try to understand what they need or what they are asking for? Because their dialect of our language is- different, and I’m trying to understand what they mean to tell me. But it’s like I only know less than a third of what they are really saying. And we’re the same species of being. But their isolation has meant that their dialect of our mother tongue is so far removed from the root language- it’s like talking to a mermaid or a siren or even selkie from the ocean instead of just the sea. I have made something of a stock pile of all the rocks I have brought them and they are happy to use it, as a home, like a big beehive. But it’s not- what they really want or need. But they are so grateful and appreciative for just that, that they don’t want to seem ungrateful for asking for anything else.” You explained.

“I’ll see what I can do. I will surely try my best though.” He offered before you dipped under the water to make the official introductions between them and Shuketan as more and more came as Shuketan realized, it was a whole school of them as he realized he should have caught more fish.

But thanks to him- having learned many languages of many who pilgrimed, he was able to converse a little easier with them as he asked what they needed and what they wanted before he seemed to understand what they were asking for.

“Ok, so they are asking for a rock nest, But one that has holes in it- so water flows through it, but still small enough and strong enough that no other can come in or out of it, to either eat them, eat their eggs and their new hatchlings. Of amethyst should be most suitable, because the little facets between gems should be good for sockets. And the snails would be able to keep the sockets clean of algae between uses.” He revealed.

“Oh! Oh that makes sense. But amethyst geodes are not inexpensive, how much will you need for such a thing?” You asked.

“Do not worry about the cost. I do know a jeweler, who has a site that he digs for amethysts in and finds geodes of them all the time and are just as common as limestone is here. It will not be all that expensive. It’s just a matter of reaching out to him and going there or him bringing me what he has when he comes to offer the best ones as tribute to the Pharaoh.” Shua subtly shook his hands and head no.

“I know you care for these little ones the same way a friend or even a mother would about her little ones. If a geode will be a good nest for them, and will in turn- fill their needs, they will be more at ease and thus, you will be more at ease and have one less thing to worry about.” He reassured you before you closed the distance between them and hugged him.

“Thank you so much Shua.” You thanked him, feeling a deep sense of relief that Shua had your tailfin with this.

“You’re welcome.” He offered.

“Are you still hungry?” He asked.

“No, I’m full. Thank you.” You smiled in relief.

“Good, then I’ll let you have your afternoon to continue planting and I will head back. I have some geodes to track down.” He offered before he pressed his long snout to your cheek as a kiss before you both were happy to leave your humble abode, as you could only sigh dreamily at his back as he swam back across the Nile, towards his own temple up stream.

No, Shua didn’t need the blue lotus flowers or seeds. He had all the sex appeal in the world without them. Besides, if he was going to do this for you, you mused you could always “test” a few prepared seeds, the way a chef will taste their dishes before a feast. And honestly? Him fucking you in a death roll? Oh, fuck yes. No fertility festival needed for that.

But not now, now you needed to finish this. But once you would be done, and he came back with a geode for a nest for your little friends? Oh, you’d have all the time you needed or wanted to fuck his brains out then.

#Monster March 2024 #Monster March 2024- Day 29- Sphinx #Blue Lotus #I'm on time! I caught up! Yes!#Crocodillian

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oediex · 6 months

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Let's hear it for soup. Soup is the meals of all meals. It is a one-pot kind of deal. It practically freezes itself for those rainy days when cooking's out of order. It's depression-friendly. Whatever's in your fridge, just throw it in. Even if it's a little off. Even if it's been there for a while. Soup is warming, heartening, filling. It's where you can hide the things you might not like as much on their own. Brussels sprouts are where I betray my Belgian nationality, but in soup I'll tolerate them. (They go well with broccoli, by the way.) Soup is the place for all the lentils. The red ones that disappear, for those who don't like them or if you're mixing. The darker ones if you like your soup in pieces and you like a bite. Potatoes work in soup. Pasta. Quinoa. Barley. Oh barley, my love. You can spice it up with so many herbs and spices. Fresh or ground. Don't forget your salt and pepper and for the love of the gods, add stock but not too much or it will drown out those delicious vegetable flavours. And be careful. Adding all these water-sucking ingredients puts your soup at the risk of becoming a stew and while stews are great too, they aren't soup. And in today's post, let's hear it for soup.

#soup #cooking #food #vegetables #i also love frying up tofu with salt and pepper and adding it in or on top #writing #my writing #a story every day #29 march #2024

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rabbitcruiser · 6 months

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World Piano Day

If you’re a fan of classical music, then you assuredly know about the famous piano. Used in concerts everywhere, the piano has a long history of bringing music to life with its delicate sound and beautiful resonance. But did you know that there’s a holiday dedicated to pianos? That’s right, there’s a day all about the history and love for pianos. Read more to learn about the history of the piano and about how you can celebrate this amazing holiday.

Learn about World Piano Day

World Piano Day has been designed to celebrate this incredible instrument, which has brought many of us joy over the years. No matter whether you play the piano yourself or you have an appreciation for this sort of music, we can all appreciate that listening to a quality pianist is a joy.

If you don’t know much about the piano, today is a great day to explore further. The main thing you obviously need to familiarise yourself with is the keys. After all, the keyboard is the most important part of your learning. If you look at the keyboard, you will see white and black keys that run from left to white. They do not alternative white-black-white-black. There is actually a pattern that is made of five black keys and seven white keys in a certain order. An interval is formed from the beginning of one set of keys and the ending, which is at the beginning of the next set. This is called an ‘octave’, which is simply a type of interval; an interval being the musical distance between two sounds.

In addition to this, it is important to note that the highest keys are on the right and the lowest on the left. If you start on the left side, every key is a half step higher than the one before it. Therefore, you need to go up or down two half steps to make a full step. You simply need to practice a bit to get to grips with these intervals. You should then try other intervals so you can hear the difference in sound.

History of Piano Day

The invention of the piano began through its predecessors, mainly through medieval times as a dulcimer, a fretted string instrument with three or four strings attached. From there it developed into the clavichord, the spinet, virginal, clavecin, gravicembalo, and finally, the harpsichord in the 15th century.

The harpsichord was invented by Bartolomeo di Francesco Cristofori and the harpsichord is considered to be to the closest predecessor to what modern-day people know as the piano because of the keyboards that activated the strings. From there, the harpsichord developed further over the next 300 years into what we know as the modern piano.

Piano Day began as an idea by the German pianist/composer/producer Nils Frahm. Nils Frahm composes classical piano music with electronic music, reforming piano music with an unconventional approach. He launched the holiday back in 2015. When Frahm was asked why the world needs a Piano Day, Frahm replied back “…mostly, because it doesn’t hurt to celebrate the piano and everything around it: performers, composers, piano builders, tuners, movers and most important, the listener.”

Since then, the holiday expanded as people held concerts, recitals, lectures, and demonstrations. An official website, Pianoday.org, lists all the concerts and events you can go to all over the world to help celebrate the beauty of the piano.

How to celebrate Piano Day

If you love hearing classical music, then listen to some beautiful classical music on your favorite device. If you’re wanting a fun night out, then attend a concert at your local theater. If you’re really adventurous then take some piano lessons at your local colleges or through online courses. While listening or playing amazing piano music, use the hashtag #worldpianoday on through your social media devices and let everyone know that this day is all about the beautiful piano.

If you have never played the piano before, you may feel at a little bit of a loss regarding what you should be looking for in an online course. But, don’t fret, as we have some top tips to help you out. The first thing you need to do is make sure that the website providing the piano lessons is right for your level.

Some websites start at the very beginning and are designed for those who don’t have a clue about playing the piano. Therefore, they will teach you how to read music and so on. However, there are other websites that have lessons for those who already have experience and are seeking more advanced lessons so that they have something to aim towards. In addition to this, you should take the time to read reviews that have been left by people and experts that have already used the website in question. This will save you a lot of time.

If you come across a lot of negative reviews from people saying that the lesson was too difficult to follow for beginners, for example, then you know to look elsewhere. Finally, you need to decide if you want to opt for free or paid lessons. In the beginning, it is worth looking into free resources. If you are then struggling to find something that matches your needs, consider a paid version, but do extensive research before spending your cash.

Source

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heritageposts · 4 days

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This is not the first time this has happened either:

[Jul 16 2024] Berlin police is arresting children at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, in what activists say is a shocking escalation of already widespread police violence against pro-Palestinian voices. The most recent confirmed arrest of children involved the early June detention of a 7-year-old boy for allegedly hitting an officer’s helmet with his flag. In a witness statement shown to The New Arab (TNA), the boy's father said he had been carrying his son on his shoulders at a march when they suddenly found themselves surrounded by officers who lashed out at the crowd and then took the pair away to a police van. The police confirmed via email that a 7-year-old was arrested on suspicion of "assaulting" a police officer at the same protest in Berlin. Police told TNA that six children under the age of 16 were detained on June 8. In a video posted on social media, the child can be seen screaming in a state of extreme distress while he and his father are surrounded and grabbed by 11 officers in riot gear. The father says the child now experiences anxiety and needs psychological treatment because of the incident. In another incident on the same day, a 13-year-old was handcuffed and dragged away by officers using a controversial "pain grip" after making a rude hand gesture to a police officer. Berlin police have confirmed that a 13-year-old was detained "on suspicion of insult," which is a criminal offence under German law. A few weeks earlier, on May 29, an incident was reported where two adolescents were punched in the face several times by police officers at a house entrance in Sonnenallee street in Berlin. This incident of police violence was condemned by Amnesty International Germany, and urged an investigation into allegations of unlawful police actions.

#free palestine #palestine #israel #gaza #germany #anti-palestinian racism

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autobot2001 · 6 months

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Their Mental Scars

Author: Autobot2001 Genre: Fanfiction Fandom: Transformers Rating: T Warning: Talk of poor mental health Pairing: None Description: The Autobots in a meeting change the subject to talking about Jamie, Crosshairs, and Drift.

@marchofpain day 29; scars

“… anything else we need to talk about?” Optimus’ holoform asks the other Autobots’ holoforms and Colonel Lennox who are sitting around the long table in the meeting room of the N.E.S.T. base. “Oh fine, I’ll say it,” Ironhide says, “what are we going to do to help our friends?” Everyone in the room agrees. “Are you deciding they’re no longer fighting in the war?” Sideswipe asks. This question disgusts everyone. “Enough! Let Optimus talk,” Ratchet yells. “Need I remind everyone the meeting wasn’t to discuss battle strategy? This was about strengthening our alliance with humans and an update on rebuilding Cybertron. No, I am not forbidding Crosshairs, Drift, or Jamie from fighting in battle should the Decepticons attack. However, I worry Jamie won’t be able to brush aside her mental struggle to fight. I’m leaving it up to Crosshairs and Drift what they will do with her if they believe she’s unfit for battle. While not the best idea, I only want them to plan for if Jamie is mentally unfit for battle.” “I can’t believe we’re talking about this,” Hound sighs. “I’m sorry I don’t know how to help them,” Rung says as he stands up. He tries to leave, but Optimus instructs him to remain. “It’s not your fault, Rung,” Lennox assures him, “you met Jamie four years ago. Jamie had been struggling for nineteen years. She has emotional scars from what she dealt with.” “Jamie doesn’t believe therapy will help. Which I think she’s right,” Ratchet adds, “you could try to help her, but it would be pointless with how she’s treated by her family.” “Crosshairs and Drift have already found out that having Jamie staying with them until she needs to go home doesn’t help,” Optimus adds. Everyone is angry and some agree with Sunstreaker about dealing with the problem, but unlike Sunstreaker, they know that wouldn’t help Jamie. The focus switches to Crosshairs and Drift’s emotional scars, not just from battle but also from the close encounter with Jamie’s death. Jamie’s depression and desire to be dead are not helping Crosshairs and Drift’s mental health. They understand why helping those two is also difficult for Rung. Even if both of them requested appointments with him. Even as friends, Rung’s ability to help Crosshairs, Drift, and Jamie is limited. The meeting’s focus has shifted to the Autobots figuring out how to help their three friends. Aware that any ideas won’t help them much.

#transformers #transformers fanfiction #transformers autobots #Transformers optimus prime #transformers ratchet #transformers sideswipe #transformers william lennox #william lennox #march of pain #marchofpain 2024 #\day 29 #scars #meeting #change of topic #worried about friends #poor mental health #trauma #mental scars

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500-moths-in-a-trenchcoat · 1 year

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for the new year, i have decided to make a couple edits and additions to the almighty Calendar. happy 2024.

IT JUST HAPPENS

DAY 15 GIVE IT UP FOR DAY 15

Thursday the 20th

The Fifth of Wednesday

Second Week of May: Eurovision

Sometime in June: That One Halloween Post Starts Circulating

Sometime in July: Dancing Pumpkin Man Video/Gif

WEEKLY EVENTS (at least the ones i celebrate)

Every Monday: Garfield Hates Mondays

Every Tuesday: Tom Servo Tuesday

Every Wednesday: It Is Wednesday My Dudes

Every Thursday: Out of Touch Thursday

Every Friday: Flat Fuck Friday

Every Saturday: Sea Slug Saturday

Every Sunday: Energy Sword Sunday

YEARLY EVENTS

January 1: Copyright Expiration Day

January 8: Spiders Georg Day

January 16: Appreciate a Dragon Day

January 18: Bug Race

January 29: Threshold Day

All of February: Funguary

ALSO All of February: Femslash February

February 3: WOE, VANILLA EXTRACT BE UPON YE

February 13: Galentines Day

February 14: Aromantic/Asexual Day

March 9: Miku Day

March 10: Mario Day

March 14: Pi Day

March 15: Ides of March

March 23: Ever Given Got Stuck Today

April 1: Mishapocalypse

April 2: Dashcon Announcement Anniversary

April 3: Dannypocalypse

April 8: Rex Manning Day

ALSO April 8: MARGARET THATCHER IS DEAD

April 13: Neil Banging Out The Tunes

ALSO April 13: Homestuck Day

April 20: haha 420 blaze it

April 25: The Perfect Date

April 28: Ed Balls Day

April 30: It's Gonna Be May

All of May: Mermay

May 3: Beginning of Dracula Daily

May 4: May the 4th Be With You

May 5: Revenge of the Fifth

May 25: The Glorious 25th of May

All of June: Pride Month

ALSO All of June: IT'S HALLOWEEN TIME TO GET SPOOKY

June 5: Barricade Day

ALSO June 5: RONALD REAGAN IS DEAD

June 12: Another Homestuck Day

June 16: Let Papyrus Say Fuck

June 22: Summerween

All of July: Disability Pride Month

July 11-13: Dashcon Anniversary

July 20: Moon Landing

September 8: The Queen Is Dead and Sans Undertale Killed Her

September 11: Mole Interest Monday

September 19: Talk Like A Pirate Day

September 21: DO YOU REMEMBER-

All of October: SKELETON WAR

ALSO All of October: People Draw A Lot Month? (so many names)

October 3: Mean Girls Day

ALSO October 3: Fullmetal Alchemist Day

October 13: Treat Yo' Self

October 20: Unnecessary Feelings Day

October 31: HALLOWEEN

November 5: honestly what didn't happen that day

November 19: Goncharov

November 29: HENRY KISSINGER IS DEAD

All of December: Will the Gävle Goat Get Destroyed Again?

December 10: Please, It's Christmas

December 12: Hawaii Part 2

December 23: Christmas Adam

December 24: ALMOST CHRISTMAS MEANS IT WASN'T CHRISTMAS

ALSO December 24: Cabinet Man Day

December 27: Porn Ban Effective Today

#there's definitely more but i'm not versed enough in this #tumblr holidays #add more in the tags/comments please #look i'm trying my best here i've been on tumblr for just over a year at this point #tumblr #tumblr calendar #it's complete. now i may rest.#holidays

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jadevine · 9 months

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Preindustrial travel, and long explanations on why different distances are like that

Update March 1, 2024: Hey there folks, here's yet another update! I reposted Part 2a (the "medieval warhorses" tangent) to my writing blog, and I went down MORE of the horse-knowledge rabbit hole! https://www.tumblr.com/jadevine/741423906984951808/my-post-got-cut-off-so-i-added-the-rest-of-it Update Jan 30, 2024: Hey folks, I've posted the updated version of this post on my blog, so I don't have to keep frantically telling everyone "hey, that's the old version of this post!" https://thebalangay.wordpress.com/2024/01/29/preindustrial-travel-times-part-1/

I should get the posts about army travel times and camp followers reformatted and posted to my blog around the end of the week, so I'll filter through my extremely tangled thread for them.

Part 2 - Preindustrial ARMY travel times: https://www.tumblr.com/jadevine/739342239113871360/now-for-a-key-aspect-that-many-people-often-ask

Part 2a - How realistic warhorses look and act, because the myth of "all knights were mounted on huge clunky draft horses" just refuses to die: https://www.tumblr.com/jadevine/732043691180605440/helpful-things-for-action-writers-to-remember

Part 3 - Additional note about camp followers being regular workers AND sex-workers: https://www.tumblr.com/jadevine/740604203134828544/reblogging-the-time-looped-version-of-my

I saw a post on my main blog about how hiking groups need to keep pace with their slowest member, but many hikers mistakenly think that the point of hiking is "get from Point A to Point B as fast as possible" instead of "spending time outdoors in nature with friends," and then they complain that a new/less-experienced/sick/disabled hiker is spoiling their time-frame by constantly needing breaks, or huffing and puffing to catch up.

I run into a related question of "how long does it take to travel from Point A to Point B on horseback?" a lot, as a fantasy writer who wants to be SEMI-realistic; in the Western world at least, our post-industrial minds have largely forgotten what it's like to travel, both on our own feet and in groups.

People ask the new writer, "well, who in your cast is traveling? Is getting to Point B an emergency or not? What time of year is it?", and the newbies often get confused as to why they need so much information for "travel times." Maybe new writers see lists of "preindustrial travel times" like a primitive version of Google Maps, where all you need to do is plug in Point A and Point B.

But see, Google Maps DOES account for traveling delays, like different routes, constructions, accidents, and weather; you as the person will also need to figure in whether you're driving a car versus taking a bus/train, and so you'll need to figure out parking time or waiting time for the bus/train to actually GET THERE.

The difference between us and preindustrial travelers is that 1) we can outsource the calculations now, 2) we often travel for FUN instead of necessity.

The general rule of thumb for preindustrial times is that a healthy and prime-aged adult on foot, or a rider/horse pair of fit and prime-aged adults, can usually make 20-30 miles per day, in fair weather and on good terrain.

Why is this so specific? Because not everyone in preindustrial times was fit, not everyone was healthy, not everyone was between the ages of 20-35ish, and not everyone had nice clear skies and good terrain to travel on.

If you are too far below 18 years old or too far past 40, at best you will need either a slower pace or more frequent breaks to cover the same distance, and at worst you'll cut the travel distance in half to 10 or so miles. Too much walking is VERY BAD on too-young/old knees, and teenagers or very short adults may just have short legs even if they're fine with 8-10 hours of actual walking. Young children may get sick of walking and pitch a fit because THEY'RE TIREDDDDDDDDDD, and then you might need to stay put while they cry it out, or an adult may sigh and haul them over their shoulder (and therefore be weighed down by about 50lbs of Angry Child).

Heavy forests, wetlands and rocky hills/mountains are also going to be a much shorter "distance" per day. For forests or wetlands, you have to account for a lot of villagers going "who's gonna cut down acres of trees for one road? NOT ME," or "who's gonna drain acres of swamp for one road? NOT ME." Mountainous regions have their traveling time eaten by going UP, or finding a safer path that goes AROUND, so by the time you're done slogging through drier patches of wetlands or squeezing through trees, a deceptively short 10-15 miles in rough terrain might take you a whole day to walk instead of the usual half-day.

If you are traveling in freezing winters or during a rainstorm (and this inherently means you HAVE NO CHOICE, because nobody in preindustrial times would travel in bad weather if they could help it), you run the high risk of losing your way and then dying of exposure or slipping and breaking your neck, just a few miles out of the town/village.

Traveling in TOO-HOT weather is just as bad, because pushing yourself too hard and getting dehydrated at noon in the tropics will literally kill you. It's called heat-STROKE, not "heat-PARTY."

And now for the upper range of "traveling on horseback!"

Fully mounted groups can usually make 30-40 miles per day between Point A and Point B, but I find there are two unspoken requirements: "Point B must have enough food for all those people and horses," and "the mounted party DOESN'T need to keep pace with foot soldiers, camp followers, or supply wagons."

This means your mounted party would be traveling to 1) a rendezvous point like an ally's camp or a noble's castle, or 2) a town/city with plenty of inns. Maybe they're not literally going 30-40 miles in one trip, but they're scouting the area for 15-20 miles and then returning to their main group. Perhaps they'd be going to an allied village, but even a relatively small group of 10-20 warhorses will need 10-20 pounds of grain EACH and 20-30 pounds of hay EACH. 100-400 pounds of grain and 200-600 pounds of hay for the horses alone means that you need to stash supplies at the village beforehand, or the village needs to be a very large/prosperous one to have a guaranteed large surplus of food.

A dead sprint of 50-60 miles per day is possible for a preindustrial mounted pair, IF YOU REALLY, REALLY HAVE TO. Moreover, that is for ONE day. Many articles agree that 40 miles per day is already a hard ride, so 50-60 miles is REALLY pushing the envelope on horse and rider limits.

NOTE: While modern-day endurance rides routinely go for 50-100 miles in one day, remember that a preindustrial rider will not have the medical/logistical support that a modern endurance rider and their horse does.

If you say "they went fifty miles in a day" in most preindustrial times, the horse and rider's bodies will get wrecked. Either the person, their horse, or both, risk dying of exhaustion or getting disabled from the strain.

Whether you and your horse are fit enough to handle it and "only" have several days of defenselessness from severe pain/fatigue (and thus rely on family/friends to help you out), or you die as a heroic sacrifice, or you aren't QUITE fit enough and become disabled, or you get flat-out saved by magic or another rider who volunteers to go the other half, going past 40 miles in a day is a "Gondor Calls For Aid" level of emergency.

As a writer, I feel this kind of feat should be placed VERY carefully in a story: Either at the beginning to kick the plot off, at the climax to turn the tide, or at the end.

Preindustrial people were people--some treated their horses as tools/vehicles, and didn't care if they were killed or disabled by pushing them to their limits, but others very much cared for their horses. They needed to keep them in working condition for about 15-20 years, and they would not dream of doing this without a VERY good reason.

—

UPDATE January 13: Several people have gotten curious and looked at maps, to find out how a lot of cities are indeed spread out at a nice distance of 20-30 miles apart! I love getting people interested in my hyperfixations, lol.

But remember that this is the space between CITIES AND TOWNS. There should never be a 20-mile stretch of empty wilderness between City A and Town B, unless your world explains why folks are able to build a city in the middle of nowhere, or if something has specifically gone wrong to wipe out its supporting villages!

Period pieces often portray a shining city rising from a sea of picturesque empty land, without a single grain field or cow pasture in sight, but that city would starve to death very quickly in preindustrial times.

Why? Because as Bret Devereaux mentions in his “Lonely Cities” article (https://acoup.blog/2019/07/12/collections-the-lonely-city-part-i-the-ideal-city/), preindustrial cities and towns must have nearby villages (and even smaller towns, if large and prosperous enough!) to grow their food for them.

The settlements around a city will usually be scattered a few miles apart from each other, usually clustered along the roads to the city gates. Those villages and towns at the halfway point between cities (say 10-15 miles) are going to be essential stops for older/sick folks, merchants with cargo, and large groups like noble’s retinues and army forces.

Preindustrial armies and large noble retinues usually can’t make it far past 10-12 miles per day, as denoted in my addition to this post. (https://www.tumblr.com/jadevine/739342239113871360/now-for-a-key-aspect-that-many-people-often-ask )

#writing #preindustrial #horse riding #horse care #writing advice #medieval

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febuwhump · 9 months

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FEBUWHUMP 2024 PROMPT LIST

this year's prompts were chosen through a suggestion poll (in which we recevied 2,281 prompts) and a subsequent vote, where over 1,000 people voted for their favourites. the top 29 make up the core prompts, and a mixture of the next most popular - and this blog's personal favourites - have become the alternates

i’m so excited to see what you all create with these prompts, and hope they’re inspiring enough to trigger a whole month’s worth of creativity for you! if you have any questions, please check out the blog's faq before sending an ask, or check out the previously asked questions on the blog!

please note: this year, notifying the blog of completionist status will happen through a google form that will be released closer to the end of febuwhump.

full write-up of prompts and rules under the cut:

FEBUWHUMP 2024 PROMPTS:

DAY 1: helpless

DAY 2: solitary confinement

DAY 3: "bite down on this"

DAY 4: obedience

DAY 5: rope burns

DAY 6: "you lied to me"

DAY 7: suffering in silence

DAY 8: "why won't it stop?"

DAY 9: bees

DAY 10: killing in self defence

DAY 11: time loop

DAY 12: semi-conscious

DAY 13: "you weren't supposed to get hurt"

DAY 14: blood-stained tiles

DAY 15: "who did this to you?"

DAY 16: came back wrong

DAY 17: hostage situation

DAY 18: too weak to move

DAY 19: "please don't"

DAY 20: truth serum

DAY 21: unresponsive

DAY 22: "you weren't meant to be there"

DAY 23: presumed dead

DAY 24: "i'm doing this because i care about you"

DAY 25: waterboarding

DAY 26: "help them"

DAY 27: left for dead

DAY 28: "no... not like this"

DAY 29: not allowed to die

ALTERNATE PROMPTS:

is there a specific day’s prompt you don’t want to fill? here are ten alternatives you can switch them out for!

ALT 1: human shield

ALT 2: "i love you"

ALT 3: found footage

ALT 4: human weapon

ALT 5: cpr

ALT 6: immortality

ALT 7: last words

ALT 8: killing game

ALT 9: lightning strike

ALT 10: last man standing

RULES:

SOFT RULES:

prompts should be answered in the form of whump

creators can produce whatever kind of media they want

you don’t have to complete all the prompts! you can create however much you want to

you can use the prompts after the event ends and can complete them in tandem with any other event

you can post on any platform you want, however this blog will only be sharing those posted on tumblr

if you want to be featured on the hall of fame then you have until the 3rd of March to inform this blog that you completed all the days

if you have questions consult the faq before asking

HARD RULES: (specifically for being featured on the blog)

when uploading febuwhump content to tumblr, please use the tags:

febuwhump (i’ll also be checking febuwhump2024)

the relevant day’s tag e.g. febuwhumpday1, febuwhumpday2…

nsfw (if relevant)

and any trigger warnings that may be important!

you can also tag the blog, @febuwhump

i cannot guarantee your work will be archived on the blog because I have no idea how many participants there will be. a random selection of works tagged in accordance to the rules above will be reblogged every day of february.

#febuwhump #febuwhump 2024 #febuwhump2024 #prompts #whump #whump prompts

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dontmean2bepoliticalbut · 4 months

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On 7/31/2019 Trump has a private meeting with Putin. On 8/3/2019, just 3 days after his private meeting with Putin Trump issues a request for a list of top US spies. By 2021 the CIA reports an unusually high number of their agents are being captured and/or being murdered. During the search executed at Mar A Lago the FBI find nore documents with lists of U.S. informants on them.

A Timeline

• FBI wiretapped Russian gambling ring headquartered at Trump Tower for two years - March 21, 2017

• Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian foreign minister and ambassador - May 15, 2017

• Trump, Putin Meet For 2 Hours In Helsinki - July 16, 2018

• Rand Paul Goes To Russia And Delivers Letter For Trump, Marking Our Era Of Irony - August 9, 2018

• Following the Money: Trump and Russia-Linked Transactions From the Campaign to the Presidential Inauguration - December 17, 2018

• The US extracted a top spy from Russia after Trump revealed classified information to the Russians in an Oval Office meeting - September 10, 2019

• Trump’s Loose Lips Force US to Extract Spy From Kremlin - September 10, 2019

• Was Mar-a-Lago Trespasser a Tourist or a Spy? A Judge Said Her Story Didn’t Hold Up. - November 25, 2019

• Trump downplays massive cyber hack on government after Pompeo links attack to Russia - December 19, 2020

• Russia has been cultivating Trump as an asset for 40 years, former KGB spy says - January 29, 2021

• There was Trump-Russia collusion — and Trump pardoned the colluder - April 17, 2021

• Longtime GOP operatives charged with funneling Russian national’s money to Trump, RNC - September 20, 2021

• Captured, Killed or Compromised: C.I.A. Admits to Losing Dozens of Informants - October 5, 2021

• Files Seized From Trump Are Part of Espionage Act Inquiry - August 12, 2022

• Ex-Clinton aide implies 'President of France' file found at Trump's home during Mar-a-Lago raid could be valuable to Putin as 'kompromat' - August 13, 2022

• Inventing Anna: The tale of a fake heiress, Mar-a-Lago, and an FBI investigation - August 22, 2022

• Russians used a US firm to funnel funds to GOP in 2018. Dems say the FEC let them get away with it - October 30, 2022

• Trump makes shocking comments about trusting Putin over US 'intelligence lowlifes' - January 31, 2023

• Russia's Prigozhin admits links to what US says was election meddling troll farm - February 14, 2023

• GOP operative sentenced to 18 months for funneling Russian money to Trump- February 17, 2023

• Trump allegedly discussed US nuclear subs with foreign national after leaving White House: Sources - October 5, 2023

• 'So appalled': What witnesses told special counsel about Trump's handling of classified info while still president - April 24, 2024

🤔🤔🤔

#us politics #news #republicans #conservatives #donald trump #gop #trump administration #classified documents #cheri jacobus #2024 #twitter #tweet #russia #vladimir putin #spies #foreign intelligence #espionage act #cia

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reasonsforhope · 3 months

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Life is hard for neurodivergent people in Peru. Now a grassroots uprising of people with bipolar disorder, ADHD and autism – organised through picnics in the park – is pushing for change at the heart of government.

On a bright summer afternoon in Lima, the capital of Peru, Carolina Díaz Pimentel takes some red and green tape out of her backpack. She’s in a park waiting for people to arrive at a picnic she and her friends are hosting. Guests know that they don’t have to be on time, don’t have to make eye contact, and can leave at any time if they feel overwhelmed. No one will question them.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable. At least this afternoon we want to take a break from the rules that are imposed on neurodivergent people every day to fit in,” says Díaz Pimentel, a journalist and a co-founder of the Peruvian Neurodivergent Coalition (CNP), who is herself autistic and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Hence the coloured tapes. Each attendee will choose one to express their “social battery”. If they choose the green tape, it’s because they want to participate in the activities. Red signals they prefer not to be approached. Everyone wants company, that’s why they are here, but in different ways. And that’s OK. People start to arrive. Several choose red.

CNP is a social initiative that first kicked off in March 2023. It is the alliance of five neurodivergent women who were already making waves by posting openly about their conditions on social media, but who longed to make real-world change. “I used to see this kind of gathering in countries like Mexico and Argentina and was sad to be so far away, until I saw the announcement of a picnic in Peru. Before joining the coalition, I didn’t really relate to anyone. I had good friends, people that care about me, but I knew I wasn’t like them,” says Mayra Orellano, another of the directors, an interior designer with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Today [in March 2024] is the coalition’s fifth gathering. A picnic may not sound like fertile ground for a burgeoning social movement, but behind the bags of cookies and crisps, that is what CNP is doing – campaigning for the rights of neurodivergent Peruvians to be understood and accepted, and to live free from stigma and abuse.

The birth of the neurodiversity movement

The concept of neurodiversity has been around for almost 30 years after first being coined in 1997 in an undergraduate thesis by Judy Singer. Singer, an Australian who is now an eminent sociologist, argued that conditions such as autism, dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are all simply part of the myriad ways in which human brains are wired. It proposed a new way to think about human difference and provided a name for a burgeoning movement. In Peru, however, it remains a concept that few have heard of.

“Neurodiversity is not a medical diagnosis, it’s a political movement that brings us together to defend our rights,” says Díaz Pimentel. When she first started posting about her bipolar disorder on social media in 2017, it was taboo: very few talked about their diagnosis in public. Bipolar disorder remains a stigmatised condition in Peru...

Diaz Pimentel’s commitment is stronger than prejudice, she says. Two years ago, when she received her autism diagnosis, she posted a photo of herself holding a rainbow cake with the words ‘Congrats on the autism’ spelled out in white icing. She wanted to celebrate with her community because she considered it a rebirth: at the age of 29, some of the puzzles of her childhood finally made sense...

From picnics to influencing policy

Neurodivergence is a huge umbrella that describes people with very different conditions. In Peru, this causes confusion and a lack of accurate data. Even in the case of autism, the best recognised of the neurodivergent conditions, the National Registry of Citizens with Disabilities lists some 15,000 people on the spectrum. But according to international statistics on the worldwide prevalence of autism, there are likely more than 200,000 people with the condition in the country.

María Coronel, the psychologist in charge of the ministry of health’s child and adolescent mental health department, says that clarifying this data is one of the institution’s priorities. She acknowledges that initiatives such as CNP’s can help educate people: “These organisations add to our efforts to detect people on the autistic spectrum and give them the help they need. They have a great ability to reach others because they are telling their own experiences.”

Although CNP has only existed for a year, the group is already influencing government policy. Two congressmen have asked for members’ feedback on bills to protect the rights of autistic people. The state agency in charge of integrating people with disabilities into society consulted them on the appropriate terms with which to refer to neurodevelopmental conditions. And the ombudsman’s office made a video with them to warn about gender bias in autism early detection. (In Peru, 81% of people receiving treatment are male.) ...

Creating a more sensitive society

The CNP community says its work has changed their own lives, but Díaz Pimentel recognises that it isn’t enough. Some experts agree – that the problems are as much structural as they are societal. “In Peru we have a gap in specialised human resources. We need more psychiatrists and neuro-paediatricians. We need more young people to choose these careers,” says Coronel...

[Natalie] Espinoza is also a CNP founder and the only founder who is a mother. She has a five-year-old autistic daughter. Finding a pre-school that would accept her was very difficult. Espinoza is familiar with that kind of rejection. At a former job, she was fired when they found out she has bipolar. She had always performed well, she says, but she was told that a person “on that kind of medication” could not work with them.

“When I found out that my daughter was autistic, there was no mourning or denial, just a desire to hug her tightly because I felt very afraid of what society might do to her. I would like her to grow up in a more sensitive place,” says Espinoza. Dedicating time to the coalition’s work is her way of contributing to that change. Currently its communications reach more than 12,000 people and it has 15 WhatsApp groups. Messages whizzing back and forth help their community in everything from getting diagnoses to finding places to sleep in the event of being evicted from their homes.

So what does the coalition want next? “We want it all,” says Lú Herrera, a lawyer with BPD and the fifth co-founder. They would love to create, for example, a “neurodivergent house”, a place where they can offer shelter to victims of violence, run educational workshops, organise neurodiverse entrepreneurship fairs and provide legal advice on inclusion rights. “Everything we already do but in a place of our own.

“You know what else we want to do in that house?” asks Herrera as if reminding herself. “We want to have mindfulness sessions, dance lessons, pottery classes. Activities that will ground us. We neurodivergents struggle so much every day that it would be nice to have a place to rest.”

For now, the picnics are opportunities to recharge, ready for the next conversation-shifting step.

-via Positive.News, March 13, 2024

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