#David Autor

[nextwavefutures]

The ‘vast uncertainty’ of AI and jobs

Making sense of the ‘vast uncertainty’ of AI and jobs—understanding models of change is more useful than spraying numbers around. New post at. The Next Wave.

I wrote here, critically, about the recent IMF report on the impact of AI and jobs. I was doing some research for a report I was writing recently which required me to go back into the same area, and found an article by David Autor that has a different view. Not more cheerful, necessarily, but maybe more honest about the radical uncertainty that pervades this whole area. Autor is a credible voice…

[leggerezza-dell-essere]

Il complimento più grande che mi è mai stato fatto fu quando uno mi chiese cosa ne pensassi, ed attese la mia risposta.

Henry David Thoureau

[schreckensbleiches-nervenbuendel]

Wegen meiner letzten Ausbildung habe ich ein Rechtsmedizin-Skript auf meinem Laptop, das ich für meine Fanfics benutze.

An manchen Stellen stehen Kommentare und Anmerkungen der Autoren..

Ich sag euch: ich hab mich fast an meinem Kaffee verschluckt und wäre verreckt. Das war ganz knapp.

(Unten ist ein Screenshot angehängt mit zwei Texten. In einem geht es um die Voraussetzungen für eine wirksame Strangulation. Im anderen geht es um David und Goliath.)

[sebluna-fandomverse]

Poster de "El Príncipe del Sol" 👑, inspirado en el libro del mismo nombre de la excelente escritora Claudia Ramírez Lomelí ❤❤❤.

[altamontpt]

Rádio Clube Altamont #31 – Jessica Pratt | Neil Young | Life Aquatic

Novo mês, novo episódio de Rádio Clube Altamont. Em mês de pico de Verão, nada como dar um salto a “On the Beach”, de Neil Young, submergir num oceano com a equipa de Steve Zissou e mergulhar na tranquilidade do novo disco de Jessica Pratt, “Here in the Pitch”. Rádio Clube Altamont, uma parceria Futura – Rádio de Autor com Altamont.pt.

[adribosch-fan]

Revés legal al deporte trans: Lia Thomas, fuera de los Juegos Olímpicos

La nadadora trans finalmente no acudirá a los Juegos Olímpicos de París de este verano. David Vinuesa Revés legal al deporte trans: Lia Thomas, fuera de los Juegos Olímpicos | Archivo Venimos contando desde hace meses la polémica en Estados Unidos por la autorización de que la atleta ‘trans’ Lia Thomas participase, en supuesta igualdad de condiciones, con el resto de mujeres de su categoría. Eso…

[libreriamilitareblog]

Incontri in libreria e digitali - Presentazione del volume "Extreme Sniping" con gli autori L. Scollo, G. Palmisano e D. Pisenti

La Libreria Militare è lieta di invitarviGiovedì 16 Novembre 2023 – ore 18.30IN LIBRERA MILITARE (Via Morigi 15, 20123 Milano) e sulle piattaforme Zoom e Facebook all’incontro con gli autori Gen. Luigi Scollo, Giuseppe Palmisano e Davide Pisenti, che presenteranno il volume “Extreme Sniping – Manuale avanzato sul tiro di precisione con armi lunghe” (Ed. Libreria Militare). Per chi fosse…

[poemaseletras]

ENCONTRE UM AUTOR:

Envie sugestões. Leia uma citação no modo aleatório.

Autores Desconhecidos

Adélia Prado

Adrian Tchaikovsky

Affonso Romano de Sant’anna

Alain de Botton

Albert Einstein

Aldous Huxley

Alexander Pushkin

Amanda Gorman

Anaïs Nin

Andy Warhol

Andy Wootea

Anna Quindlen

Anne Frank

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Aristóteles

Arnaldo Jabor

Arthur Schopenhauer

Augusto Cury

Ben Howard

Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Benjamin Rush

Bill Keane

Bob Dylan

Brigitte Nicole

C. JoyBell C.

C.S. Lewis

Carl Jung

Carlos Drummond de Andrade

Carlos Fuentes

Carol Ann Duffy

Carol Rifka Brunt

Carolina Maria de Jesus

Caroline Kennedy

Cassandra Clare

Cecelia Ahern

Cecília Meireles

Cesare Pavese

Charles Baudelaire

Charles Chaplin

Charlotte Nsingi

Cheryl Strayed

Clarice Lispector

Claude Debussy

Coco Chanel

Connor Franta

Coolleen Hoover

Cora Coralina

Czesław Miłosz

Dale Carnegie

David Hume

Deborah Levy

Djuna Barnes

Dmitri Shostakovich

Douglas Coupland

Dream Hampton

E. E. Cummings

E. Grin

E. Lockhart

EA Bucchianeri

Edith Wharton

Ekta Somera

Elbert Hubbard

Elizabeth Acevedo

Elizabeth Strout

Emile Coue

Emily Brontë

Ernest Hemingway

Esther Hicks

Faraaz Kazi

Farah Gabdon

Fernando Pessoa

Fiódor Dostoiévski

Florbela Espanca

Franz Kafka

Frédéric Chopin

Fredrik Backman

Friedrich Nietzsche

Galileu Galilei

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

George Orwell  

Hafiz

Hanif Abdurraqib

Helen Oyeyemi

Henry Miller

Henry Rollins

Hilda Hilst

Iain Thomas

Immanuel Kant

Jacki Joyner-Kersee

James Baldwin

James Patterson

Jane Austen

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Jean Rhys

Jean-Paul Sartre

Jeremy Hammond

JK Rowling

João Guimarães Rosa

Joe Brock

Johannes Brahms

John Banville

John C. Maxwell

John Green

John Wooden

Jojo Moyes

Jorge Amado

José Leite Lopes

Joy Harjo

Juan Ramón Jiménez

Juansen Dizon

Katrina Mayer

Kurt Cobain

L.J. Smith

L.M. Montgomery

Leo Tolstoy

Lisa Kleypas

Lord Byron

Lord Huron

Louise Glück

Lucille Clifton

Ludwig van Beethoven

Lya Luft

Machado de Assis

Maggi Myers

Mahmoud Darwish

Manila Luzon

Manuel Bandeira

Marcel Proust

Margaret Mead

Marina Abramović

Mario Quintana

Mark Yakich

Marla de Queiroz

Martha Medeiros

Martin Luther King

Mary Oliver

Mattia

Maya Angelou

Mehdi Akhavan-Sales

Melissa Cox

Michaela Chung

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Mitch Albom

N.K. Jemisin

Neal Shusterman

Neil Gaiman

Nicholas Sparks

Nietzsche

Nikita Gill

Nora Roberts

Ocean Vuong

Osho

Pablo Neruda

Patrick Rothfuss

Patti Smith

Paulo Coelho

Paulo Leminski

Perina

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Phil Good

Pierre Ronsard

Platão

Poe

R.M. Drake

Raamai

Rabindranath Tagore

Rachel de Queiroz

Ralph Emerson

Raymond Chandler

René Descartes

Reyna Biddy

Richard Kadrey

Richard Wagner

Ritu Ghatourey

Roald Dahl

Robert Schumann

Roy T. Bennett

Rumi

Ruth Rendell

Sage Francis

Séneca

Sérgio Vaz

Shirley Jackson

Sigmund Freud

Simone de Beauvoir

Spike Jonze

Stars Go Dim

Steve Jobs

Stephen Chbosky

Stevie Nicks

Sumaiya

Susan Gale

Sydney J. Harris

Sylvester McNutt

Sylvia Plath

Sysanna Kaysen  

Ted Chiang

Thomas Keneally

Thomas Mann

Truman Capote

Tyler Knott Gregson

Veronica Roth

Victor Hugo

Vincent van Gogh

Virgílio Ferreira

Virginia Woolf

Vladimir Nabokov

Voltaire

Wale Ayinla

Warsan Shire

William C. Hannan

William Shakespeare

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Yasmin Mogahed

Yoke Lore

Yoko Ogawa

[sonicjustbecause]

What about the earliest Shadow?

Mods and Shadow has his Chao following him...

I imagine that most people got so interested in Shadow lately because he is back to be likeable, but also because of the incoming movie.

For the last decade Shadow has been the laughing stock from Sonic series. Crazy OoC-ness from fans were deliberate and not a mistake.

Yes, happy Shadow was a choice by its autor. Is a long story...

The most common image of last decade Shadow we had was... THIS...

Idiot...

I knew Shadow first from Adventure and Heroes. I didn't play heroes but I played a lot SA2B, especially the chao game and I always used Sonic and Shadow because they were the safest to have around chao. I rediscovered him later, in 2010, but he wasn't the likeable character I once knew so I completely lost interest in him (also I'm more a Sonic fan). I forgot who he was and all the things I knew were from meme. But also video from games showing 'how Shadow is an asshole' 'Shadow the edgelord' and IDW comics, the worst of all (not that Game Shadow was better, he was often underused and his few lines tasted as 'Go fuck yourself'. To make things worse he was dubbed by Kirk Thorton, not a really beautiful voice, to not say brutal things...).

Sega just took Shadow and removed all his good qualities, all what made him well rounded, keeping only the flaws (I've read the mandates, do you know what an Anti-Mary Sue is? Well...). They wanted him being unlikeable I guess. Is mainly from Prime and tMoStH that Shadow sparkled my interest again into exploring him as character, that made me think there is more, that he must also have good qualities, not only flaws.

The earliest Shadow (Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Heroes) was hardly grumpy. He was sad, lonely, somewhat insecure, often lost in though, but also stubborn, certainly less cold than people might assume. As for grumpiness, if I compare him to Sonic in 2001, Sonic seemed slightly grumpier than Shadow at that time. Shadow himself seemed to be aware of that and to have fun picking on Sonic. Both of them are rather cold outside but both of them are shown to be able to feel strong emotion (Shadow having a panic attack and Sonic wiping his eyes during the credits, Shadow being controlled by is own emotions while Sonic refusing them) At least that was the impression he gave me. Since Shadow was meant to die, most of his personality traits aswell as his backstory were packed and shown during the whole game, like a character ark. He is pratically the protagonist in the dark storyline. By the end of the storyark he is able to open up to Sonic (during the final battle against the biolizard he openly told Sonic he was not feeling well. Also the hand clasping was a gesture of openess from Shadow) and to some degree toward Amy. Not so much toward Rouge who pratically is the one who hurt him the most. In heroes Shadow appears to be pleasant to have around, althoug aloof. He is not fond in humanity and that's one of his main traits, but he doesn't let his predjudice win over him. He still has this melancholic aura around him though, it doesn't matter how content or cheerful he may seem sometimes.

Sonic was dubbed by Ryan Drummond and Shadow by David Humphrey. David's voice was different from the other VA Shadow had. His voice was more high pitched, youthful, cute. Still soft spoken. Ryan's voice was legendary, and when he made Sonic talk soflty, he sounded almost like Shadow. The two VA had so similar voices that made Sonic and Shadow sound like legit twins, and back in 2001 I though they shared the same VA all the time. Well, Drummond also dubs Shadow for a short time.

So what went wrong?

The 00's era were the years of the prince of the saiyan, or better, the king of the edgelords:

This guy was also sad and lonely. But he was also more impulsive, rough, boorish and extremely grumpy. Maybe because he is a muscular human and not a cute velvety male calico kitten hedgehog he filled the dreams of young and older teenagers.

Some said Shadow is based on Vegeta (not only him but also him) the more the 00's approaches the 10's, the more Shadow became grumpier, arrogant and standoffish. Sadness and melancholy were replaced by selfishness and he became less and less fun and interesting. Shadow the edgelord.

Archie Shadow was maybe too expressive (and his sadness was very underlined) but with only SA2 and Sonic Heroes around this interpretation was more than understandable. They (Flynn, Penders I can imagine) referred from the material they had. Shadow opening up to Sonic is there in Adventure 2, is undeniable, so it was normal assuming he was more open.

He is left handed, yeah! (This is actually correct)

In Sonic Universe Shadow was more balanced, maybe closer to the one we saw in early '00s. Lonely, rejected, sometimes bullied (although he could defend himself with his sharp tongue) because he was different.

Then the IDW.

No. Seriously Shadow?

That is unavoidable if we are talking about characters that are created by a team and not by a single. We already see this with Disney. When the writers change the charcters change too, everybody notices different things about a character, based on it's own experience of life. The characters chanfe even when the single writer deals with them, because people change too. Any kind of mandates can only help this far, if they're too heavy they end to be counter productive.

This is my personal opinion, but I would have seen better Shadow befriending Amy and Sonic more than Rouge in early days. Rouge worried for him at times, but there were moments she purposefully hurted him (although later she cared sincerely for him). She would take time to regain his trust. With Sonic, following SA2 would have been open, even more than what we see in Prime. With Amy he would be in good terms though often drained by her own cheerfulness and extrovertion. Tails is rather reserved although not socially awkward so he would not have problem with him. With Knuckles things would become funny I guess, Shadow used to be calm and smart while Knuckles is more simple and is grumpy. I think he (Shadow) would still have issues and relapses with his PTSD though and the need to be left alone.

Well, now the movie will come out. They did a good job until now. I'm curious about what they will do with Shadow. I hope he will be likeable like in SA2.

[fashionbooksmilano]

Stardust David Bailey

Con un saggio di Tim Marlow

Skira, Milano 2015, 272 pagine, 26x33,8cm, Inglese, ISBN 9788857227795

euro 58,00 - 50% €29,00

email if you want to buy booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

Catalogo Mostra PAC 1 marzo 2 giugno 2015

Oltre 300 fotografie, alcune delle quali inedite, selezionate personalmente da David Bailey dal suo immenso archivio, ripercorrono più di mezzo secolo di carriera del grande artista. 

Francis Bacon, Salvador Dalí, Johnny Depp, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Man Ray, Bob Marley, Jean Shrimpton: una straordinaria galleria di attori, scrittori, musicisti, politici, registi, modelle, artisti, ma anche persone incontrate durante i suoi viaggi in Australia, India, Sudan e Papua Nuova Guinea; molti famosi, alcuni sconosciuti, tutti assolutamente coinvolgenti e memorabili. Nato a Londra nel 1938, negli anni Sessanta David Bailey si è affermato nella fotografia di moda come collaboratore di Vogue, divenendo uno dei più popolari esponenti del mondo della fotografia d’autore; la creazione di ritratti, geniali e spesso provocatori, è sempre stata un interesse centrale nella sua attività. Pubblicata in occasione della grande mostra milanese (co-prodotta da Comune di Milano, PAC Padiglione d’Arte Contemporanea e Tod’s) proveniente dalla National Portrait Gallery di Londra, la monografia è suddivisa per temi, con immagini iconiche affiancate da ritratti meno noti e inediti, ed è introdotta da un saggio dello storico dell’arte Tim Marlow. David Bailey, membro onorario della Royal Photographic Society, è considerato uno dei più grandi fotografi viventi. Nel 2001 è stato insignito del titolo di Commander of the Order of the British Empire, come riconoscimento per il suo impegno artistico. Ha recentemente pubblicato Bailey’s East End (2015). Tim Marlow, storico dell’arte inglese, autore di numerosi libri e presentatore di programmi radiofonici e televisivi, è direttore delle mostre della galleria londinese di arte contemporanea 

18/01/24

[bettiepagetheblackangel]

Bettie Page Unbound #8 Cover - J Royle

Bettie Page Unbound es una serie de cómics donde Betty se transforma en diferentes personajes femeninos de ficción como Red Sonja, Vampirella, Dejah Thoris, Tinker Bell, Malefica, y otras heroinas diversas. Adoptando ella misma el rol de una agente modelo espia secreta con el glamour de toda una Mata Hari. En Unbound, Betty va dando saltos en el tiempo cuando atraviesa una puerta interdimensional, adoptando entonces el rol de diferentes personajes. No sé si esta serie se quedo en el número 10 o siguió adelante. La serie contó con autores de la talla de David Avallone (Guión), Julius Ohta (Ilustración, Tinta). La serie sigue la tendencia de Dynamite Entertainment en cuanto a los cambios de portada. En su número 8, la portada corrió a cargo de John Royle.

Bettie Page Unbound is a series of comics where Betty turns into different fictional female characters such as Red Sonja, Vampirella, Dejah Thoris, Tinker Bell, Malefica, and other diverse heroines. Adopting herself the role of a secret spy model agent with the glamour of an entire Mata Hari. In Unbound, Betty goes jumping in time as she crosses an interdimensional gate, then adopting the role of different characters. I don't know if this series stayed at number 10 or went on. The series featured authors such as David Avallone (Screenplay), Julius Ohta (Illustration, Ink). The series follows the trend of Dynamite Entertainment in terms of cover changes. On number 8, the cover was run by John Royle.

Como no podía ser de otra manera, no puede faltar el cover con la foto real de Bettie Page. As it could not be otherwise, the cover with the real photo of Bettie Page.

Bettie Page Unbound #8

[blonde-love]

The warmth of waiting...

Summary: You try to strike a deal with the Murdstone brothers to improve the quality of the work of the children in the factory. While you are waiting for Mr. Edward, careless touches become deep actions, discovering the softness in that cold and metallic lady.

Warnings: Nothing for now. [You will have to wait for the rest of the chapters].

Parts of the story:

The warmth of waiting...

The warmth of waiting... [Day 1].

The warmth of waiting... [Day 2]. Soon.

The warmth of waiting... [Day 3]. Soon.

The warmth of waiting... [Day 4]. Soon.

The warmth of waiting... [Day 5]. Soon.

The warmth of waiting... [Day 6]. Soon.

The warmth of waiting... [Day 7]. Soon.

Autor’s Note: I think this is the longest series of stories I've ever thought of, I'm really in love with that romanticized side of the time that this took place. As in all my stories, I like to remember that english is not my first language, so any constructive criticism is really appreciated!

You saw that woman, an imposing lady dressed in black, tall before you even though she was seated, a cup of tea on a small table near her as she held a small book in her hands,those blue eyes similar to the ocean slid over the pages of a book with patience.

You were following one of her maids, feeling how another one of them took off your coat, nervous hands while she and others looked concerned at the one who had let you in without requesting permission from their lady before… Some looking at you with intrigue, with curiosity, and others as if you were the cause of some evil that you were unaware of.

"Mrs. Murdstone…". Her maid called softly, the one ahead of you, so the woman turned to look at you quickly, lowering her book and closing it as she realized you were there. "You have visitors, she says it's important… Mr. Murdstone told me that she would come, so I let her in…".

The maid looked nervous, her voice slightly trembling as the woman's stern gaze slid over her contemptuously before raising her eyebrows and taking her cup between her hands, crossing one of her legs.

"You can go…". The black-haired woman indicated the woman who had guided you into the house. You didn't think she had such a beautiful, almost angelic voice.

‘She is a cold and metallic lady…’.

David's words echoed deep within you as you watched her, remaining silent as the relieved servant left.

"Good afternoon… I assume you are Mrs. Murdstone…". You said calmly, analyzing her features and realizing that indeed her skin was as white as your friend had so extravagantly described in the middle of his stories. "It's a pleasure to meet you".

Jane looked you up and down, raising an eyebrow as she took a sip of her tea, bordering on cynical before speaking.

"What is the reason for this visit?". She asked without hesitation.

“It seems that he was not informed of my arrival… [Y/N] [Y/L/N], heiress to the [Y/L/N] company and a potential investor in the factory that you and your brother own". You introduced yourself, Jane taking a minute before recalling the great liquor company that was recognized in the country, which carried your last name for its name, a possession of your family. "My arrival was agreed with Mr. Murdstone by letters".

To punctuate what was said, you took an envelope from a pocket in your dress, handing it to her, which she carefully opened, taking out a couple of sheets of paper with your handwriting and her brother's, his signature perfectly placed at the end, proof that you were here with his permission.

"He is not here". She said without further ado, returning it with an almost annoyed tone of voice, her features softening in parallel with her words as she pointed to a seat near her. "He is on a business trip…".

You sat in the place offered, listening to her call the name of some servant who came over with a teapot, serving a little of what she was drinking; a bitter tea.

"We don't make big decisions until he returns from his trip…". She murmured, as you took your cup carefully, feeling the warm sensation between your fingers through the porcelain.

"Sure, I understand that both of you own half of the rights to the factory, I was surprised the first time I heard it". You said, wincing at the taste of the drink. Not that you had anything against bitter things, after all you were an experienced drinker of strong things considering you were the heiress to a liquor company, but it was a far different thing when that taste came with a slightly liberating burn than with a traces of herb flavors that felt more like the medicine you hated as a child…

You only heard Jane hum in response, looking at you with some judgment as you began to place a couple of sugar cubes in your cup.

"Why are you interested in investing in our business? I understand that your company is already quite powerful compared to ours". The woman in front of you looked quite distrustful of you, so you smiled slightly.

"I'm interested. It is part of a personal project…". You murmured softly, arousing the intrigue of the lady of the house a bit.

"Personal project?".

"That's how it is. It is proposed to give more resources for the improvement of the facilities so that the working children can have a better environment in which to develop without leaving their jobs since they need them due to their poverty, in addition to benefiting the factory owners by implementing new safer and faster machinery". You explained calmly, watching her narrow her eyes.

"I didn't think a rich lady like you would have a heart for those ungrateful brats". It was a scathing comment, showing the hatred for the childrens that David told you she had, making a sigh escape your lips as you took another sip of your drink, wrinkling your nose at the still unpleasant taste, not understanding how it seemed that the another woman enjoyed it just as much.

"A friend motivated me to do it…". You commented vaguely, trying to drink the liquid more quickly to avoid torturing yourself slowly. "I think that you know him…".

There was a short pause, Jane tilting her head with doubt, not sure exactly who you were referring to.

"David Copperfield". You said softly, watching her frown with some annoyance, leaning back in her chair.

"That damn brat…". She muttered under her breath, still upset by what he had put her hand through, how much money she had spent with the doctors to keep it functional again after his actions against her as revenge against the bad way she treated him.

"Mr. Murdstone found the idea interesting, although his dissatisfaction with my inspiration was also made clear in his letters, he said that I could come today to discuss it with you two personally, but apparently his business trip was delayed".

"That's how it is…". Jane whispered, studying you slowly, realizing that you were probably aware of the story that unfolded between the pair of brothers and the boy who had grown into an adult who made money from writing to tell his life story.

"Listen, Mrs. Murdstone, I am aware that your factory has been seriously deficient for the last few months, so your sales are going down and my friend does not want his childhood and youth friends to be stranded, so I came up with the idea of the agreement...". Your hand lightly motioned for one of Jane's servants to come closer.

"How much are you willing to invest with us for those ungrateful kids?". She ask, her servant carefully approached you.

"Bring me some whiskey, honey…". You asked the girl in a low whisper, looking for something to wash away that herbal feeling on your tongue, the maid nodding quickly before going off in search of your request. "As I said, I am willing to give more advanced machinery that will allow a more optimal work and… less risky in its use…".

Your mischievous eyes fell on Jane's hand that had been injured by David when he had been young.

"Advanced machinery…". She repeated almost mechanically, unaware of what you had asked of her servant, Jane watching her leave with intrigue.

"Yes, as well as money in case it is necessary to repair anything, as well as clothes and a small meal plan for the children who work there". You continued, realizing that her interest in the last part was non-existent, her mind rather focused on managing money for her own pocket and her factory.

‘She is a cold and metallic lady…’.

It was again what was repeated in the back of your mind when you saw that like the rest of most employers, she was just as ruthless and cruel, seeing children simply as cheap labor, if not as objects to be used and exploited.

"Your proposal sounds tempting… especially if the amount we're talking about is as big as your… charity for other people's children". The glass you had ordered was placed on the table, a smile on your lips as you pushed the cup away and took the glass between your fingers.

"It is, believe me… Do you know when Mr. Murdstone will be back so we can get it over with more officially?".

"Within a week". Those judging eyes rested on your drink, which was considered only a man's thing, too strong. "You shouldn't drink things unsuitable for a lady". She harshly criticized you.

"Being a lady can be considered undervalued". Your words came out without thinking, staring at her as you tipped the drink into your mouth in one fell swoop, drinking without even a grimace, Jane somewhat surprised to remember that even her own brother used to be disgusted by the stinging, painful burn it left on the tongue and throat.

"Do you drink it often?". The astute remark slipped from her lips, deciding to ignore the comment you made, her mind focused on avoiding missing out on that big money check you agreed to compare to the size of your good deeds with the kids.

"When it is necessary, yes". You answered vaguely, before sighing. "Usually when I work in my studio. It's liberating".

"So a business woman with a big heart for children and a glass of whiskey while she works… what a character you are made of…". Jane murmured more to herself, getting a small laugh to escape your lips, thinking of David and how he would describe you for that in his next story.

"And you haven't really seen much…". You shrugged, looking at the book she had been reading. "'You shouldn't do things unsuitable for a lady.'" You mimicked her words as you pointed to the reading material.

"I don't…". She tried to advocate for herself, trying to place her hand on the book so she could hide the title from you, a twinkle in your eye as you noticed.

"Pretty fascinating…". You murmured under your breath, knowing that the book was a sapphic work, quite romantic, sometimes erotic with dark overtones between the pages. "It is a good book…".

"Have you read it?" She asked confused, looking at you as if a third head had grown, to which you nodded gently, somewhat amused by the way she reacted.

"When I was young… I found it very lovely without a doubt. It seems you've liked it so far too…". You made the observation when you realized that the separator was in the second half of the book, something that would not be the case if Jane had not found the content between the pages interesting. "Do you want to add something else to the list of things you find peculiar about me?".

As the words left your mouth, you pulled a pack of cigarettes from one of your pockets, holding it out for her to take one, the woman looking perplexed by your statements about the book and what you were offering her.

"Do you smoke?". She took a cigarette between her fingers before you did the same, nodding gently as you hand her a small match which she lit to place on her cigar. "You are the first woman I know who smokes".

"Just like you're the only one I know too". Her blue eyes rested on yours, analyzing you for a moment, while a mischievous idea crossed your mind, leaning over the table to be close to her, placing both ends of the cigars together, inhaling slightly so that the one in your hand was ignited by hers.

You saw her stare at you as you leaned back in your seat, her pupils dilating for a moment at your actions as she let her mouth open to release some smoke with a shocked expression.

"A close friend taught me when I was young…". You spoke, fiddling with the cigarette in your hand as you watched her, knowing the effect of your actions. "Did someone teach you to smoke or was it just curiosity too close to your father's objects?".

"My brother". She said simply before elaborating a bit more on her response. "He taught me when we were teenagers… I guess… we've been mostly close…". She counted, a little fond gleam in her eyes despite her impassive face.

‘She is a cold and metallic lady…’.

That message did not get tired of appearing over and over again while you looked at her, Davis's numerous warnings regarding her behavior kept you on your toes, the gears in your head turning slowly at the thought that it couldn't be completely true. Everyone had a tail to step on.

"Jane Murdstone…". You repeated her name, passing your gaze over the book and then over her, the woman watching you attentively. "Are you a sinner or just a daughter of God who likes to be morbid?". Was the question that left your lips as you pointed to the book, dragging the smoke into your mouth before releasing it into the air.

She swallowed, her grip on the book loosening, taking another drag from her cigarette.

"You?". She asked back instead of answering, a bold move.

"None of us are married despite our age." You were much younger than she was, but it was certainly customary to get married at a slightly earlier age than you were. "There is no ring on your finger or mine…".

Jane's eyes fell on your hands, verifying that indeed there was no engagement ring, much less marriage, on any of your fingers.

"But there's certainly no shortage of prospects…" You whispered, knowing that certainly more than one man must have been interested in Jane because of her neat way of carrying herself in addition to her undeniable beauty, although you supposed that perhaps it could also have happened that her domineering attitude had driven away any unresisting gentleman…

"I suppose with your wealth many men must have begged for your hand… None of them caught your eye?". She was trying to divert the conversation, but unfortunately for her it didn't really work.

You stubbed out the cigarette you had, reaching for Jane's and slowly removing it from her hand, seeing that the woman was too engrossed in your face.

"Let's say… I prefer to vacation on the island of Lesbos…". Those lips of yours were placed on the black-haired woman's cigarette, in the same place where hers had been moments before, a shiver running through the woman, something that you realized. You managed to affect her.

"Oh…". It was the only thing that left her lips as you stood up, positioning yourself in front of her, releasing the smoke from your mouth near her lips.

"Would you allow me to stay here while your brother returns from his trip? I'm afraid the trip to London and back is a great wear and tear". You muttered, handing back the item you took, she swallowing hard.

"It would… it would be too rude not to accept you considering how far you went to get here". She tried to make her voice as serious and neutral as possible.

"Thank you". Your hand was placed on her shoulder, too weak but enough to affect her once more. You heard a name called, a maid appearing in front of you in an instant, quite flustered like the rest.

"Show her the guest room…". She commanded her, her flawless facade repositioning properly as you watched the girl nod, waiting for you to follow her.

"I am humbled by your charity". You whispered, walking away with a kind smile as you followed the young woman up the stairs to the second floor, taking one last look at that woman out of the corner of her eye.

‘She is a cold and metallic lady…’.

This time a small giggle escaped your lips at the thought.

Apparently you weren't the only one with interests on that island…

[artandthebible]

King David Playing the Arp

Artist: Gerard van Honthorst (Dutch, 1592–1656)

Genre: Religious Art

Date: 1622

Medium: OIl on Canvas

Collection: Central Museum, Utrecht, Netherlands

David was a shepherd boy when he was chosen to follow in Saul's footsteps as King. He united Israel into a single kingdom and conquered Jerusalem, which he then made his capital. David was a musician and, according with tradition, is thought to be the autor of some of the psalms. He is depicted here with his natural attributes, a harp and a crown.

[pehitsme]

Um desenho inspirado em um autor desconhecido, provavelmente David seed, A drawing inspired by an unknown author, probably David seed.

[delirantesko]

Tag do N-O-M-E

Indique um livro para cada letra do seu nome ou usuário

+ marque 1 mútuo para responder também! :)

Despossuídos, Os - Ursula K Leguin

Entrevista com o Vampiro - Anne Rice

Let's Eat Grandma's Pills - David Thorne

Ismael - Daniel Quinn

Rita Lee - Outra Autobiografia

Assombro - Chuck Palahniuk

Novelist as a Vocation - Haruki Murakami

The Storytelling Animal - Jonathan Gotttschall

Escrever para não Enlouquecer - Bukowski

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - Caitlin Doughty

Karma Cola - Gita Mehta

O Médico e o Monstro - Robert Louis Stenvenson

Consegui, mas faltaram vários outros livros e autores.

[adribosch-fan]

Mensaje para los cruzados judiciales de Brasil: La censura en nombre de la democracia sigue siendo una amenaza a la democracia

David Inserra sostiene que la supresión generalizada de la libertad de expresión bajo el pretexto de proteger la democracia, la sociedad o el gobierno va de la mano del aumento del autoritarismo, los abusos gubernamentales y el sufrimiento humano. Por David Inserra En las últimas semanas, un conflicto latente sobre las prácticas de censura de los tribunales brasileños ha estallado en conflicto…