#Health and Wellness Radio Programs

[bookishscrolls]

Innovative Content Ideas for Engaging Community Radio Programs

Creating captivating and engaging content is the lifeblood of any Community Radio Station (CRS). It’s the magic that transforms your station from a simple broadcast into a beloved community staple. But what keeps listeners tuning in and, more importantly, feeling connected to your station? The answer lies in continuous innovation and deep community involvement. From educational programs to…

[black-fist-order]

BREAKING - AND NOW THERE ARE THE EMAILS TO PROVE IT.

Trump has been on a vendetta against the State of Maine, in a personal revenge campaign against Governor Janet Mills.

Trump clashed with Mills at a White House event for the National Governors Association back on February 20th.

As he boasted he was ending the participation of transitioned students in women's sports, he singled her out and demanded that Maine comply with his order. There is only one such student athlete in the entire state.

Mills replied that Maine's schools were complying with all State and Federal Laws.

GASP. A WOMAN. Speaking back to TRUMP. He was furious.

“Well, we are the federal law,” Trump bawled. “You’d better do it. You’d better do it, because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t.”

The Governor was not impressed. She is a former state attorney general and district attorney.

“We’re going to follow the law sir. We’ll see you in court,” she said sternly.

Something like this was like nothing Trump had ever seen before in the history of the world. It was catastophic. It was disgusting. It was NASTY.

“Enjoy your life after governor, because I don’t think you’ll be an elected official afterwards,” Trump snarled.

He could not let go of it. He seethed for the next two days, and even golf at Mar-a-Lala could not distract him. In a late Saturday night rant on X he demanded "a full throated apology" from Mills.

She ignored him.

"This will not end well for the Governor and the people of Maine," said a statement from the White House.

It has not.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Trump’s Department of Education head, wrestling queen Linda McMahon, launched an "inquiry" against Maine's Department of Education last week.

This week, The New York Times reported that Trump’s Department of Agriculture said that it had “frozen federal funding for education programs in Maine, the latest in a barrage of actions targeting the state.”

MSNBC reports that "in case that weren't quite enough National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sent a letter to Maine cancelling funding for Maine Sea Grant."

Maine Public Radio says that in recent days, both the U.S., Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education have declared that Maine is violating Title IX. The agencies have given the state 10 days to come into compliance with the Trump administration's interpretation of the law and make other changes or risk referral to the U.S. Department of Justice for additional potential sanctions.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

But besides all of this - from the safety of his chair behind his desk - Trump ordered acting Social Security Administration Commissioner Leland Dudek to don the armor of Truth, Justice and the American Way and had sent HIM for a holy joust against the fearsome Dragon of Maine.

Dudek decided to take out Trump's revenge on new parents and grieving families in Maine.

Leland asked his staff about what contracts Maine had with the Social Security Administration, and he cancelled them.

He ordered the cancellation of the online electronic program that allowed babies to be given Social Security numbers right from the hospital, and the program allowing the hospitals to register deaths by electronic verification.

Huffpost reports: According to their emails, the Social Security staff informed Dudek that canceling the contracts “would result in improper payments and potential for identity theft.”

Dudek told his staff to go for it anyway.

“Please cancel the contracts. While our improper payments will go up, and fraudsters may compromise identities, no money will go from the public trust to a petulant child,” Dudek wrote, referring to Governor Janet Mills.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Canceling the vital records contracts would not only make it more difficult for families to register births and deaths IN PERSON at Social Security offices, it also would make it more difficult for the federal government to track births and deaths in Maine accross ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, all of which use Social Security records to prevent improper payments.

And all the agencies let Dudek know it.

Dudek reinstated the contracts in less than 24 hours amid an outcry the agencies, AND from pediatricians, hospitals, funeral directors and Maine’s congressional delegation. He said he hadn’t "intended" to create an “undue burden on the people of Maine,” though his internal emails expressed exactly that.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wednesday, those emails were obtained by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.

Rep. Connolly has called on Dudek to resign immediately.

“The acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration should serve the American people, not create waste, fraud, and abuse on the taxpayer’s dime,” Connolly wrote in a letter to Dudek laying out the email traffic.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dudek is only a Trump appointee, and has not received any official Senate confirmation for the important post he holds.

He had been only a mid-level IT staffer at Social Security when he helped Elon Musk’s DOGE team access sensitive databases inside the agency, which he bragged about on LinkedIn. He was put on administrative leave.

But when the Social Security head resigned in protest, and more senior officials refused to cooperate with Musk’s team, Trump tapped him to lead the agency as acting head.

Last month, Dudek threatened to shut the agency down altogether after a federal judge ordered DOGE affiliates to withdraw from Social Security databases containing sensitive personal information about Americans.

Dudek knows NOTHING about the contracts the federal governments has with the states. He knows NOTHING about what they mean, and he cares NOTHING about the consequences. And he cares NOTHING about making OUR information safe.

He also obviously cares NOTHING about Trump's and Musk's purported crusade to prevent fraud and waste in government.

So far, the Social Security Administration has not responded to calls by the news media for comment.

Neither has the White House...

[reasonsforhope]

"Vice President Kamala Harris is proposing to provide federal funding to cover home care costs for older Americans, aiming to help the “ sandwich generation " of adults caring for aging parents while raising their children at the same time.

Appearing Tuesday on ABC’s “The View,” Harris talked about taking care of her mother when she was dying and personally experiencing the challenges many families face when seeking affordable in-home care for their aging loved ones.

She promised that if, elected in November, she will seek to expand Medicare, the federal health insurance program for older Americans, so that it covers long-term care and includes services like in-home aides. Harris said aides could help seniors do things as simple as preparing meals or putting on sweaters because it is “about dignity for that individual. It’s about independence for that individual.”

Her proposal is a new one just a month out from Election Day but the issue is one that President Joe Biden's administration has been working on for years.

In an effort to soften the effects of inflation, the White House promoted as part of Build Back Better, its legislative agenda that stalled on Capitol Hill years ago, steeply increased federal spending for child care as well as for seniors. After Build Back Better collapsed, the Biden administration continued to promote increasing spending for what it calls “the care economy,” a cause Harris has continued to mention after replacing Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket.

“These plans are common sense. They can help family caregivers work and save both families and the federal government money by allowing seniors to stay in their homes instead of being sent to nursing homes,” the Harris campaign said in a fact sheet detailing her proposal. “Medicare at Home will also reduce hospitalizations.”

As part of a blitz of media interviews she’s been doing in recent days, Harris sat down after her appearance on “The View” with radio personality Howard Stern, who said that his mother is 97. Taking care of an elderly parent, he said, “will bankrupt you.”

Such costs have increased pressure on adults caring for their parents and kids simultaneously. In 2019, roughly 30% of family caregivers of older Americans lived in households that included children or grandchildren, according to AARP.

Harris would likely have to work with Congress to achieve key parts of her proposal. Harris’ campaign points to past, similar proposals projected to cost $40 billion annually, but says much of that can be offset by savings achieved through efforts begun by the Biden administration to expand Medicare’s ability to negotiation prices with major drug manufacturers.

Harris is also promising to further expand Medicare to include hearing and vision coverage, while changing existing rules that can allow federal authorities to seize a deceased beneficiary’s home to recuperate costs. [Note: I'm sorry the current rules fucking what] The campaign fact sheet says that practice “means that those homes are not passed on to the seniors’ children, which particularly harms rural and minority families.”"

-via AP News, October 8, 2024

[hivemuthur]

Maybe this is gonna be a strange ask, but how do you think Viktor would be like, if he existed in the real world? Do you have any headcanons for real world Viktor, some adaptations of canon Arcane lore…? I’m new here, and I know you have stories set in modern times, but I kinda want to know your understanding of him first (so I get everything when I check those out).

Hi Anon! This is a very fun ask, thank you! And if you are new here, welcome! Got very long, so under the cut:

So, since in Arcane we see Viktor in around his 30s mostly and he is said to have an eastern-European accent (specifically Czech per Harry), first and foremost I HC him as a Czech millennial. And those facts matter to me in terms of his character building, because here the generations of millennials and gen-X overlap due to the existence of Soviet Block. What it means culturally: most of the western trends and technology were introduced to Eastern Europe throughout the 90s and 00s. The way his situation is presented in Arcane makes me believe that a character such as him wouldn't be coming from an imperial country. If we put him in his 30s now, he also wouldn't remember communism, but would be the last generation affected by it through his elders and the slow shift in the general system.

It's perfectly valid that he would still be disabled. As I favour femoral rotation for his disability, it's very likely that when he was born it wasn't spotted and treated properly, leading to him using a mobility aid throughout his life. I do believe that with medicine advancement in 00s, it would be possible for him to avoid wearing the back brace OR fully reverse the need for it due to the last few years rise in awareness about physiotherapy. When it comes to his lung disease: it wasn't very common in Europe to have areas so heavily polluted for him to have definitely developed it, but! If I were to give him one, it would be squamous cell lung cancer, which can affect anyone with proper genetic predisposal or weak immunity only after a short exposure to for example asbestos. I admit, I tend not to, because I really don't want him to die :c So, for me, he grew up in some small city in Czechia :x

As for what he is like: definitely a nerd. I can see him finishing biochem or maths/physics profile in highschool and then following it through to university (unis here are state, so education is free, you just have to pass the exams). Throughout school I can imagine him attending after-hours extracurriculars such as chemistry classes or programming classes where kids could play computer games on ZX-Spectrum in the last 30 minutes (and given how long those games would load it's not a lot of game time okay). I can see him programming his own games and being able to make an early radio receiver using a crystal detector. He would construct toys too. And maybe break toys to make new ones.

I think he would follow through with STEM/engineering but with an idealistic purpose. Oddly, I don't think he would become a physician (I'm a med person, so I'm allowed to say this) - I believe a lot of physicians are ego-driven (this is not necessarily a bad thing). There is no ego in anything Viktor is doing throughout the show: he doesn't attempt to steal Jayce's research, he wants to see it through, because it could change the world for the better. So he doesn't let Jayce drown. He's not interested in being the face of it. The ambition lies within the goal, not within the recognition.

Moreover, I think he would act from within deep philosophical understanding of life, which would lead to him reading a lot of books on different subjects. I can see him reading fantasy, sci-fi as well as people like Deleuze and Jorge Luis Borges and connecting all those dots. When it comes to relationships, I think he would be more open to those in modern era, especially when we erase the seizing fear of death coming from his health deteriorating. Still, hard to get through to or to be found by his person, but entirely more possible than in Arcane universe.

From smaller things, I think he would still be a workaholic. I think he would love animals, because it's impossible for someone so kind to not love them. I think he would feel alienated by the world and have difficulty taking pleasure from spending time with large groups of people simply because of his intelligence and the ability to think systemically. Which is why once someone who he gets on with appears, he would keep this person very close, no matter if it's friendship or romantic relationship.

In general, I think Viktor would grow up to be a very well-read, intelligent, kind and ambitious man that would struggle against the system his whole life. I think he feels a lot and deeply but doesn't show it so often, it would be visible in his work.

Okie, I think these are the most important aspects of his character in modern era for me. I hope I passed the test and now you can enjoy my modern Viktor blabber in fics!

[astroismypassion]

✨PART OF FORTUNE IN SIGNS AND HOUSES SERIES: 9TH HOUSE✨

Credit: Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

ARIES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aries and Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You would do well as a personal trainer or fitness instructor since you have great energy and motivation that can inspire clients to achieve health and fitness goals. You feel abundant when you are inspired and inspiring others and when you can experience the childlike joy and share it with those around you.

TAURUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Taurus and Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You can earn money via teaching about practical skills, business, economics or the arts, via creating and selling educational content (online courses, e-books, instructional videos), by becoming a travel writer or blogger, starting or managing a tourism-related business (travel agency, boutique hotel or guided tour company), via international law.

GEMINI PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Gemini and Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You can earn money via developing or working with educational technology platforms that facilitate online learning, via work in international business/trade, via diplomacy, engaging in media production, creating content for TV, radio or online platforms.

CANCER PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You can feel the most abundant when you have Cancer and Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You can earn money via selling home-brewed beer or offering brewing classes, via media content (podcasts, videos) connected with family relationships, emotional health, cultural traditions, life coaching, via real estate related to family homes, community housing, vacation properties that provide a sense of home and comfort, via non-profit organizations that focus on family support, emotional well-being and cultural preservation.

LEO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Leo and Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You can earn money via providing high-end services, such as image consulting or bespoke travel planning, via engaging in theatre, film, directing, producing, via creative arts (music, painting, dancing), via sharing your experiences by storytelling, via teaching, arts, philosophy or leadership.

VIRGO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Virgo and Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You can earn money via nutrition counselling, naturopathy, wellness coaching, preventative care, via writing for technical and scientific publications, via developing or managing programs that facilitate cultural exchanges and study abroad opportunities. You feel abundant when you are focused on service and when you have clear communication.

LIBRA PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Libra and Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You can earn money via becoming a make-up artist, creating tutorials or selling beauty products. You feel abundant when you travel with your loved ones, your partner or as a part of the team. You find wealth via becoming a teacher in subjects like art, design, law or philosophy. You find abundance in starting a business in art (art gallery, design studio, fashion brand).

SCORPIO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Scorpio and Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You can earn money via esoteric studies, sociology, spiritual transformation, via energy work, shamanic healing, transformational coaching. You feel abundant when you dive into transformation, healing and deep psychological insights. You can also offer consulting services in areas, like crisis management, organizational transformation or deep personal development. You feel abundant when you promote healing and transformation via self-help books, wellness products or spiritual tools.

SAGITTARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You can earn money via offering tailored travel plans, starting a business in adventure tourism (offering hiking, trekking and cultural tours), offering spiritual counselling or coaching, helping others find their path and purpose.

CAPRICORN PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Capricorn and Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You can earn money via import/export, global consultancy, multinational corporations, via offering historical tours, archaeological digs, via eco-tourism, via international law or corporate law. You feel abundant when you are disciplined, patient and persistent.

AQUARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aquarius and Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You can earn money via writing or speaking about progressive philosophical or spiritual ideas that align with modern, futuristic or humanitarian values, via online courses, workshops or alternative education methods, via technology, social sciences or futuristic studies.

PISCES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 9TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Pisces and Sagittarius Sun people in your life. You can earn money via producing media content (podcast, video, documentary) on spiritual, artistic, cultural topic, via creating educational programs/workshops that blend traditional learning with holistic or spiritual perspective, via spiritual coaching, astrology or psychic readings.

Credit: Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

[verysium]

blu lock top artists on Spotify??? i need your thoughts on it

anon you had me pulling up my spotify playlists and browsing through the entirety of genius.com for three hours straight. i'm going to tweak this prompt a little bit and include specific songs that best represent them since it's easier for me to explain that way.

RIN

the fanon answer for this is chase atlantic. while their songs do encapsulate parts of his personality (mostly the edgy teenager and disillusioned youth persona), i feel like this choice does not do his full character justice.

the canon answer for this is king gnu, more specifically the song "prayer x." i can picture this since rin seems like the type to enjoy alternative rock/indie, but the fact that it's the ending theme to banana fish is what gets to me. like...do you see yourself in ash or something? i hope you don't cus it doesn't end well. that anime had me bawling my eyes out for months, and i still can't think about it without breaking down again.

furthermore, the lyrics and music video to this song are very cryptic and borderline nihilistic. for example, "hiding behind this nonchalant smile" and "my life's spark will wink out of existence." i feel like this speaks volumes about rin's mental health and internal thought process. he obviously does not process his emotions normally and instead represses them. he also struggles with the idea of finding a purpose in what is otherwise a cyclical routine with no end. he's worried and, quite frankly, afraid that if he ever stops pursuing his dream, everything will come crumbling down, and he will have to face all the demons he's avoided for so long. the main theme here is that he cannot face his reality (the fact that sae's dream is not his own.) so he does everything in order to escape this fact even if it ultimately destroys him.

from my own playlists, i'd assign him the following songs/artists:

"beautiful boy" by john lennon

this is a love letter to baby rin. i feel like he would've enjoyed this song as either a lullaby or something he listened to on car rides to the beach during summer vacations. he probably still listens to this when it's raining outside or he's had a bad day. reminds him of his childhood and the good parts of it.

"the love club" by lorde

this is something pre-teen rin listened to. the irony is spot-on, and i feel like the lyrics would be relevant during a time when he was going through his rebellious phase and fully fleshing out his place in society. in this instance, the club would metaphorically be wherever his brother is at, whether that's the guys sae meets in spain or the group of football players considered "top-notch" in japan. everything is about finding a place in this club/clique in an effort to become free and differentiate himself from others. the only problem is that rin ironically loses his freedom because he tries so hard to be among the best. he signs his life away in pursuit of a dream, and it's something that now defines him.

"the only problem i got with the club / is how you're severed from the people / who watched you grow up"

this lyric in particular could apply to either one of the itoshi brothers. it's one of the caveats that comes with fame. you gain everything, but you lose everything before that. both of the itoshis likely experienced some amount of separation from their loved ones, including each other. also lorde's vocals are beautiful as always, so there's no reason not to include this song.

"howlin' 404" by DEAN

the production for this song is on point. the intro has a segment from a 1930s american horror radio program which is fitting because rin canonically watches horror movies. i think this song is something rin might listen to during cold autumns or midnights when he just can't sleep.

lyrically, there is the motif of a time loop which is also present in "prayer x." rin's character itself just has this connection with the raw grittiness of existentialism and this idea of repeating days without purpose. (in fact, he would make a great psychological thriller lead.) rin is also a control freak. if he lets one loose end go, it will unravel the entire thing. that matches up with the idea of "killing me softly." rin would rather prolong his pain than have it ripped from him all at once and leave him with nothing. i find this in a lot of people in real life too. even if your trauma wasn't good for you, it sometimes becomes the only thing you truly own. it's like that one quote from bojack horseman. "if i don't, that means that all the damage i got isn't good damage, it's just damage." rin feels like he has something to prove, and if he fails, all his suffering would've been for nothing.

"moonchild" by RM

i may be a bit biased since i love the mono mixtape, and i've written a rin fic about celestial bodies, but....this song just fits him. there's also a remarkable similarity with the lyrics of the previous songs i've listed. i'm just going to list a few:

"smiling in endless pain / you know / there's no freedom when you say freedom out loud"

one thing i love about RM is that he doesn't shy away from character flaws. he writes songs specifically for those who are always picked last, who aren't remarkable in any way, who feel weighed down by their normality. he gives them their spotlight and due diligence. for example, the entirety of the chorus is a repeat of "moonchild, you shine." i find this interesting since it's usually the sun that shines. but the sun is already sae, and rin is relegated to being the moon. yet even though the moon doesn't have its own light (it merely reflects the sun), it still shines bright in the darkness. rin doesn't know it yet, but he himself is a big role model for others such as isagi, his fans, and people just like him. so yeah....i'd take this song as a message of hope for future rin.

SAE

the fanon answer is lana del rey, and i would agree to a certain extent. under the right circumstances, he could become one of those dreamy, emotionally stunted, and tired men you guys all lust over. if y/n ever wrote a romantic song about him, it would be either "west coast" (for the spanish influences) or "art deco" (for the vibes.)

the headcanon answer is nothing. i don't think he listens to music much. even if he did, it would be probably classical/instrumental or just white noise for his long flights. i imagine him listening to erik satie's "gymnopédie no. 3" on a train ride or something.

from my own playlists, i'm going to give him these songs/artists:

"remind me" by röyksopp

i don't know how to explain this, but this song gives a bittersweet sense of nostalgia. think early 2000s when the TV footage was still grainy and had retro graphics. you're carrying around your mini mp3 player whilst wandering through the airport and wondering how the hell you even ended up there. that's the general ambience of this song.

lyrically, the song also matches well with sae. i'm going to give you a few examples:

"it's only been a week / the rush of being home in rapid fading"

again, this is a tribute to the disconnection sae feels from his home. he goes everywhere, but he belongs nowhere. when he finally returns to japan, he finds himself missing spain. when he's in madrid, he thinks about the ocean back in kamakura. there never is a place that truly fills that gaping hole in his chest. i also feel like sae experiences FOMO on a whole other level. he constantly feels like something is wrong/missing and he's not doing enough.

"brave men tell the truth / the wise man's tools are analogies and puzzles"

the idea here is that though sae is blunt with his words, he is a coward with his intentions/true feelings. he can brutally call out someone without hesitation, but to actually reveal his own truths and motives? he'd rather shrivel up in a hole and die. this is especially applicable to love. to him, a wise man is someone who doesn't open his heart up easily. instead, he hints at his feelings, and whether or not you can figure that out is on you. sae hates it when others play games with him. it's where his hypocrisy lies. he demands straightforward honesty from others, but he himself will unintentionally play games with you if it means he can hide himself behind his walls.

"a woman holds her tongue / knowing silence will speak for her"

this is the closest you guys are ever going to get to sae itoshi's ideal type. he loves people who don't need to say something for him to believe it. they just get it. your silence is automatically enough for him to know that you love him. similarly, you don't even need to speak a word to understand what he's feeling.

"night shift" by lucy dacus

this song is sae if he was that one ex-boyfriend who really fucked you up emotionally, and you never got over him even though you said you did. now that i think about it, the story could be told from either POV. this could be sae trying to erase you from his mind, or it could also be you post-breakup.

"you've got a 9 to 5 / so i'll take the night shift / and i'll never see you again / if i can help it"

i know this one lyric caused controversy all over tiktok, so i'm going to add my own interpretation. at face value, this is exactly what it says it is. sae doesn't want to see you again, nor do you. he's willing to go out of his way just to avoid you, and truthfully he would. when sae finds himself in trouble, he doesn't look for something new to fix him. instead, he cuts everything off and subtracts anything that is deadweight. if you're out of his life, then you're out of his life. he's not coming back for you (or at least that's what he says to convince himself). same thing with rin. he knows he hurt rin, but he's not going to go back and try to make it right. he's going to move on and try to justify his actions every step of the way. one day, rin will move on too, and then sae would have been right all along. (unfortunately, that is not the way things work, but that's a lesson for another time.)

the alternative interpretation is that y/n is the other woman. this could be literal as in sae already has someone else in his life, and he only sees you at night. you're only ever going to be the night shift. it could also be metaphorical as in you're merely a distraction in the grand scheme of things. you're the mistress, but football is his wife if that makes sense. his career will always take precedence.

"you get me so high" by the neighborhood

this song is all the words sae wished he said to rin but never did. it made me cry because everything would have been so different if they had just set aside their pride and truthfully sought each other out.

"hope you don't regret it / i pushed a lot back but i can't forget it"

repressing feelings seems to be a recurring issue with the itoshi brothers. like....maybe if i just push it out of sight, it will also go out of mind. and at its core, this all stems from fear. fear of facing the consequences, the hypotheticals, the terrifying realization that you did something you regret and there really is no turning back from it. but realistically, if you think about it, a lot of this is the byproduct of overthinking. sometimes the situation isn't as complicated as we might make it out to be. sometimes an apology doesn't fix everything, but it's a proposition to be something more, an attempt at a solution. but sae and rin are so blindsided by their own internal turmoil that they cannot see this.

"for a long time i took it all for granted / i really thought we had it / but at the time it was more than i could manage"

ah....the "taking for granted" part. i could ramble on about that for hours. i think it really is some sort of self-fulfilling prophecy that we never miss something until it's gone. and in a way, it's not something that we can always control. the value you assign to a person/object when you have it is going to be fundamentally different from the value you assign to it when it's no longer in your grasp. that's how scarcity works. something with a limited supply is always going to be worth more. the vice versa works as well. you might yearn after something but then throw it away the moment you finally have it and grow tired of it. this sort of dilemma that comes with appreciation is so common i really wouldn't blame the itoshi brothers for what they did. it is immensely difficult to know when you're going to lose something or when you need to let it go. and sometimes it's hard to be constantly grateful for what you have because many of us are wired to want something more. tbh that's what makes the itoshis relatable.

"if we can leave it all behind us / and meet in between"

now sae would never say this unless he himself had actually reflected on what happened and fully processed it. but maybe in the future, they could set aside their differences and reach out to each other. (this is how i cope)

"but i just had to let you know / i never meant to hurt you, though / i had all my motives / i didn't know they wouldn't mix with your emotions / i just had to reach my goals / never knew i'd meet you though"

that's the thing with personal ambition. sometimes you get so caught up in yourself, you forget all about others. and this isn't really selfishness, or at least intentional selfishness. it just sort of happened that way. you never meant to hurt them, but you still somehow did.

"we should stick together / you're my best friend / i'll love you forever"

yeah....this line was the one that did it for me. something about the dysfunctional sibling dynamic just eats away at my insides. like....i could've loved you, we could've been so much together, but why aren't we? what we have isn't hate, but it isn't the love i know and crave either.

"we could be the greatest / it doesn't matter if we're never rich or famous"

ok but if rin ever heard this leave sae's lips, i think all of his trauma would just be magically healed. he just wants his brother to see him. like fully see him and love him. but alas, what is blue lock without angst, am i right?

"love in the dark" by adele

now i don't think sae would ever listen to adele, but the lyrics are just too fitting. i was going to write a fic on this, but it's going to have to ferment a bit in the drafts for now. basically this is the entire rin/sae traumatic scene but as a melodramatic torch song with adele's heavenly vocals.

"take your eyes off of me so i can leave / i'm far too ashamed to do it with you watching me"

um...this is literally sae's internal monologue??? i feel like letting go of things is something both the itoshi brothers struggle with. their lives are constantly pulling them in different directions, and eventually they become numb to it all. they don't form any strong attachment to anything besides football because that's the one thing that won't change for them. in a way, this is necessary for their character development (in the sense that they need to discern for themselves what to keep and what to let go), but it also destroys any sense of belonging they might have (hence why they feel lonely.)

"don't try to change my mind / i'm being cruel to be kind"

sae would definitely say this. like word for word. if only he wasn't a vague dumbass with no communication skills.

"i can't love you in the dark / it feels like we're oceans apart"

this is literally their dynamic in one lyric. there is the physical distance, and then there's the emotional distance.

"we're not the only ones, / i don't regret a thing / every word i've said, / you know i'll always mean"

this sort of reminds me when sae said that the world is huge, and there's so many players way better than him out there. i think spain really gave him a reality check, and he grew angry at rin when rin couldn't understand his disillusionment.

"everything changed me / and i don't think you can save me"

adele sort of echoes this softly at the end of the song. i feel like sae would do that too. he wouldn't admit his own insecurities until the very end, and only then does the truth come out.

"i'll sleep when i'm older" by bruno major

this is sae when he's older and fully mature, preferably after he meets you. he finally decides to damn it all and do what he wants.

"conversations with elders and the wisdom they bring ... / the view from an aeroplane at twelve thousand feet"

sae views things that previously annoyed him in a new light. he used to hate his elders, but he visited you and your mother once, and something changed within him. now he calls his parents more often, and his eyes linger on the old couples near the park benches. sometimes, his gaze softens just a bit when he imagines the two of you growing old just like them.

flights used to be a mundane part of his routine, but now he finds himself leaning over your window seat to see the mountains down below. the clouds and sunny weather set him aglow. and you just look so pretty when you fall asleep on his shoulder. he doesn't ever want this change.

"meet god on a mountain top along with the stars / find love somewhere, anywhere / fall deep from the start"

sae used to avoid love, but now he's running at it full-force. people tend to shy away from making sae a romantic because it seems too ooc. however, in the right situation, i think sae could entirely abandon his previous ideals and become someone else entirely. (that's why it's called a character evolution guys.)

"misplace my mind and follow my heart"

again, if you're able to make sae lose all rationality and let his heart guide him instead, then you've really done something. kudos to you for penetrating the walls of the coldest asshole known to mankind.

"i'll be a firework, not a flickering flame / treat life all around me like a one-player game"

this one lyric applies both to younger and older sae. younger sae is someone unafraid of risking it all if it means he can achieve something worthwhile. it doesn't matter how many players he has to defeat, how many people he has to leave behind. in this world, it is just him and the goal he has to accomplish.

however, after he's mellowed out after a few years (i'd say around middle age), he probably reinterprets this as something else. he's not going to constrain himself to his tunnel vision anymore. there's so much more to life than that.

"i'll go to the party and forget all the names / should it climb back to haunt me, / it ends all the same"

sae finally lets himself live the life he never thought he'd have. he does stupid things like get drunk and make a fool of himself. but you're there for him, so he doesn't really care. in fact, he can finally say that for the first time in a long time....he's having fun.

KAISER

the fanon answer is the weeknd. i'm not going to lie, i completely agree with this one. i saw this one edit of him to "party monster," and i can say i have been fully enlightened and converted. however, this is not just about a toxic male manipulator anthem. it's much more than that.

this is about running away from the ugliest parts of yourself, becoming a slave to your vices, knowing you're broken somewhere and you can never fix it. i would say his character is most similar to "starboy" in the fact that he literally flaunts everything he has to hide the fact that deep down inside, he really has nothing else to hold onto. "starboy" is all about the status symbol (money, red lamborghinis, glass table girls turning into ebony table girls lol). but at the end of the day, he doesn't really have anything except an empty heart and a satirical quip for all those who made him famous. the same theme applies to "the morning" and "house of balloons."

in the romantic sense, i think "don't break my heart" would represent kaiser. and no, this is not a justification for him being an f-boy. it's more so an exploration of why people might think he is an f-boy. i do not condone his actions, but i do try to understand them. in particular, i feel like the lyrics of "sacrifice" also fit him well.

"i was born in a city / where the winter nights don't ever sleep / so this life's always with me / the ice inside my veins will never bleed"

i headcanon kaiser as being born in either berlin or munich. and if you don't know anything about those two places, just know that you freeze your ass off during wintertime. i think it's interesting how his past could be intrinsically tied with a place, and he takes a piece of his past self with him wherever he goes. the ice in veins part also made me think about how kaiser would rather freeze up every weakness within himself than let them run free and make him human.

"every time you try to fix me / i know you'll never find that missing piece"

guys...did you hear that? to all you delusional people out there, this is your service announcement. you cannot fix someone who does not want to be fixed. write that down and memorize it. all meaningful change starts with a shift in mindset, and if they themselves are not in the right headspace to recognize that something is wrong and actively want to change, you're not going to get anywhere. so yeah....kaiser is not going to change unless HE starts doing the changing.

"i hold you through the toughest parts / when you feel like it's the end / 'cause life is still worth living"

i think this lyric sort of explores kaiser's dynamic with ness. on one front, he is the one picking ness up from his miserable past and instilling a sense of hope into him (intentionally or not.) but on another front, this could also be a problem. kaiser is almost forcefully optimistic in the way that he believes anything is possible. it has to be possible because there can be no other way. but the thing is.....you have to know your limits sometimes. blind optimism is, ironically, similar to cornering yourself.

"i can break you down and pick you up / and fuck like we are friends / but don't be catching feelings"

this is definitely the type of bullshit kaiser would spew. i could picture a fwb or situationship with him where y/n just constantly receives the short end of the stick. now this may be reaching, but i also feel like this is how kaiser projects his own trauma onto others. he himself clawed his way up to the top and put himself back together every time he fell down. the problem is that he also expects you to be that resilient. he's going to treat you badly because you're supposed to be like him: someone who can overcome everything and strive towards the impossible.

the headcanon answer to his top artist would be keshi. in particular, i think kaiser would fit the vibe of "2 soon" and "drunk." long story short, you finally broke up with him, and he's still reeling from the impact.

within my fics, i envision a dialogue between kaiser and y/n from each one of their perspectives. so based on that, i'm going to assign him the following songs/artists:

"gibson girl" by ethel cain

i know i said earlier that kaiser's character is not solely about toxic manipulation, but you have to understand that all bad habits originate from somewhere. kaiser is innately self-destructive, and he brings you down along with him. this song is about that but from y/n's perspective. there's this idea of trying to find agency in a situation where you have none. i don't have the word count to explain ethel cain lore in all of its naked glory, but all i can say is that this song is a banger and deals with themes like femininity as a performance, finding power in pain, religious motifs, etc.

"glory box" by portishead

this song is y/n's last plea to kaiser before they fully give up on him and leave. i'm also a sucker for anything that involves an exploration of gender dynamics and what it means to be a woman, and this song is riddled with it.

"suffocation" by crystal castles

this is kaiser post-isagi defeat (cue that one scene where he was trying to choke himself.) similar to sae, it's all or nothing with him. he suffers from this feeling of inferiority. everyone made him out to be this great figure of impossible dreams and legends, but look at him now. he's nothing. aren't you disappointed? he had you fooled, but he also fooled himself. so yeah....kaiser is definitely the most self-deprecating out of all of the boys at blue lock.

ISAGI

the fanon answer is laufey, and i also agree. he's so sweet, and laufey's music just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. he would also be that one love that came creeping up on you when you least expected it. "valentine" would be the song for that. i picture a reader who's had a series of unfortunate breakups and is right on the edge of giving up entirely. but then isagi comes along, and it's just so easy to love him. as easy as breathing. and then you think maybe it wasn't so bad after all. you just never found the right one until he came into your life. furthermore, isagi is a jazz pop princess, and you can't convince me otherwise.

the headcanon answer is IU. more specifically, i would say "troll" from her lilac album. i feel like even if you and isagi broke up, it would still be like you two never broke up at all. you're both on good terms, and even though you know it's counterproductive to keep cycling back to each other, you do it anyways. and it's okay because you're both still in love.

from my own playlists, i would assign the following songs/artists:

"winter bear" by v

this is my comfort song. it feels like those big sherpa blankets you tuck yourself under when you're lying next to the heater in winter. isagi would kiss your forehead and nuzzle your nose before you two drifted off to sleep.

"a boy named pluto" by hailey knox

this one is so romantic lol. i also like the dynamic where one party is afraid to love, but the other person loves them unconditionally. that would be isagi. he'd respect your decision and wait for you as long as you need it. but if you're ever ready to give him a chance, just know that he's going to treasure all of you.

"put your records on" by ritt momney

the inspiring thing about isagi is that he never lets anyone put him down. he takes rejection as redirection, failure as room for improvement. and in that way, i think this song encapsulates his resilience. he'd be such a good boyfriend not just romantically but in the way that he would literally pick you back up to your feet, dust you off, and make sure everything was alright.

"fairy of shampoo" by dosii

i picture isagi as someone who falls first and falls harder. he just loves you so much, and he doesn't even need a reason why. i saw somewhere that sometimes you don't love someone because they're your soulmate/twin flame/supernaturally fated other. you love them because you consciously made the decision to. isagi is like that. he loves you on purpose.

helppp why does this sound like an academic paper...i'm sorry anon. i got carried away with this, but i hope u like it.

[nereidof40k]

I found more Husbandry words. So double update day. Don’t expect it every day though.

=====

I’m back, hope you guys weren’t too worried. Yesterday was really quite bizarre, but ended really very well. I don’t think I will be able to walk straight today, but it was so worth it. I’m actually surprised the bed didn’t break. Who the hell made beds that survive an enthusiastic Night Lord back in the 800s or so? No, I didn’t leave out a number. This house really dates back to early Viking times or possibly even earlier.

My wonderful man updated you yesterday, it seems, so there is not really much for me to tell.

My Night Lord has gone to clear out the orchard, getting rid of the undergrowth and weeds.

It is good he is so indefatigable. Nothing would have gotten done today otherwise.

While I am sitting here, I did some research about the pendant. It’s really curious how it responded when the clown attacked. It felt like pure ice. But didn’t hurt at all.

I haven’t been able to find out how yet. But the symbolism is interesting. Going by local beliefs, a mistletoe arrow would be Baldr, specifically his death.

And the snake is clearly Jormungandr, the World Serpent. The combination points to Loki Laufeyson. Norse trickster god. I’m more confused than ever, frankly. I wish there was a better library in this house. Maybe down in the maze. Ha. We’re not in a mystery story, are we?

Oh, my dear man came in, said he had something to show me, then swept me off my feet. I will be back in a few.

=====

Raven here, again. While the two lovebirds dig up more weirdness, I will keep you updated on other goings on.

First off, Altani and I are fine. Don’t worry, they have both been as attentive as ever before.

She is a sweet girl, I’ve been reading to her, trying to make sure she doesn’t watch too much TV. Though I have to admit there’s some very nice programs. I’m learning a lot about this time period and other ancient Terran history. I’ve even found a considerable amount of information about the area I myself came from. Shit, I’m starting to sound like Magnus.

The poachers are complaining to the news about being denied bail. I think it’s for the best. They should be too scared to leave jail. I guess they need to be frightened more. Might need to hint to the grandmothers about that.

Still more Astartes getting new homes and being reunited with their families.

Which leads to something I have been wondering about, given how much free time I have while recovering.

Compared to the rest of this time period, this place seems a bit … stuck in the past. I can’t explain it better than that. Not a bad thing though.

Raven out.

=====

Gods, when I saw what Raven had written, I swear my brain rebooted. He has a very good point. Modern society is so busy and uncaring. But not here. It’s like we’re living in one of those stories about an idyllic past. What is going on?

As for what my man showed me, I can’t believe it.

While most of the trees in the back part of the orchard are a total mess, he found one apple tree that looked just perfect. Practically dripping with big, juicy glowing apples. Yes, glowing. It’s also a bit early for them to be fully ripe.

Yet when I tried one, it was so ripe and sweet it didn’t seem real.

I swear any lingering soreness disappeared, and I feel like I’m millennia younger, if that makes sense.

My sweetheart also said the same. What even is this place, and why does it feel so right that things are like this?

We took some apples back to Altani and Raven. Same thing happened to them, they’re both running around like little kids in prime health.

First Loki, then these apples. If a Jotunn shows up next I might scream.

One second, emergency radio broadcast.

=====

Dear fuck, those apples came at the perfect time.

Some of the fuckers from the fighting ring managed to break out. And they’re out for blood. Altani immediately went out to grab more apples, I will join her as soon as I finish this.

My boys immediately started fortifying the place, mentioning it would have been very good to have someone named Rogal Dorn around, but he’s not here sadly.

Also the Grandmothers called. The entire town and its outlying farms are preparing for war. They shall not find us wanting.

For some reason the boys found that phrase funny. No time to explain now though.

But I will update you later, I have a little girl to protect. Though my sweetheart said she is extremely powerful, I still worry. Even with all the weirdness I haven’t been this happy in ages.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Arthur Delaney and Igor Bobic at HuffPost:

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives on Thursday approved budget cuts proposed by the White House that would claw back funding for public broadcasters NPR and PBS, as well as foreign aid that Congress had previously approved on a bipartisan basis. The measure passed 214 to 2 12, with four Republicans and all Democrats opposed. Republicans argue the $9.4 billion in spending cuts are necessary to address the nation’s mounting debt even though last month they passed a package of tax and spending cuts that could add an extra $3 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years. The cuts passed Thursday, if approved by the Senate, would amount to less than a hundredth of a percent of projected federal spending for this year.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has touted the so-called rescissions package as a win for the Department of Government Efficiency, the effort previously headed by billionaire Elon Musk that dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development earlier this year without direct approval from Congress. “This rescission package is a critical step, and it’s one of many,” Johnson said Tuesday. “There’ll be several of these that will come from the White House who work together with the administration to cut out all the fraud, waste and abuse.” Much of what DOGE has done has been stopped by federal courts because the Constitution says the legislative branch, not the executive, is tasked with setting federal spending. Thursday’s vote represents the first attempt by Congress and the White House to take Musk’s work and make it official. Democrats blasted the content of the rescissions package, saying the cuts to foreign aid would weaken America’s standing around the world, while simultaneously mocking the scale of the cuts relative to Musk’s early ambitions to find $2 trillion in savings.

[...] At first, it appeared the bill would fail, but two Republicans, Reps. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.), switched from no to yes. LaLota changed his vote after several minutes of intense conversation with Speaker Johnson, who made a quick cutting motion to the presiding member, who then gaveled the vote to a close. [...] Republicans were helped by four Democratic absences on top of the three vacancies left by Democratic lawmakers who’ve died in office this year. (Two Republicans missed the vote as well.) [...] Congress has the power to cancel funds that the federal government has not yet spent but had previously appropriated under the rescissions process. Rescission requests, which are initiated by the White House, cannot be filibustered in the Senate, meaning they require a simple majority to pass.

Still, the bill could face problems in the upper chamber, where Republicans hold 53 seats. Republican senators have expressed concerns with its cuts to global health funding, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the George W. Bush-era program that is credited with saving millions of lives in Africa and elsewhere. [...] Republicans can afford to lose no more than three votes in the Senate to pass the legislation since all members of the Democratic caucus are expected to oppose it.

House Republicans, weeks after voting to increase debt in the OBBBA, voted 214-212 (all Democrats voting + 4 Republicans voting against) to approve a rescissions package targeting NPR, PBS, and foreign aid. The bill needs simple majority to pass in the Senate, since rescissions cannot be filibustered.

See Also:

CNN: House GOP advances $9.4 billion in DOGE cuts to foreign aid, public radio

[littlethingwithfeathers]

Small Ways to Make a Difference

So... we all are stressing about Trump (and let's face it... Musk really) slashing through budgets left and right for public services and such. And... it feels like there's not really anything you can do about it besides protest (which not everyone can do or is comfortable doing). But... you can! Because here's the thing... while a lot of stuff is losing national funding, much of that stuff is actually staffed, scheduled, and budgeted at the local level. And usage by the public is usually the metric tracked in order to determine exactly how much of the local budget gets allocated. More use? More people through the door? More money. And the opposite is true. Think of a local budget like pie... and the size of slices is allocated by how many people are going to eat that slice pie. So... wanna help fight this nonsense and ensure public services don't go away? USE YOUR PUBLIC SERVICES. But what does that mean? What's a public service? Anything your tax dollars pay for. Libraries. Parks. Public Health Departments. Public schools. Many museums and such as well. So here's some suggestions (most of which do not cost anything but time): Use your public library. Check out books. (Even if you don't read them. Have a favorite book? Make sure it stays in circulation by giving it traffic!) Go log into a computer and use the internet for a bit. Reserve and request books/movies/music (did you know that you can get DVD sets at a library? For free? No streaming service needed!) Attend a meeting/presentation. Hell, SCHEDULE a meeting for something... maybe a game night or a book club. Go to public parks and green spaces. Especially if there's a logbook or other way to be counted. Your presence is ammunition for the people fighting to keep green spaces from getting paved. Also take pictures of yourself here and tag those spaces on social media. This gives them free images of real people to use when they're making their budget presentations and writing grant requests. Look up your local health department and see what services you can access at your income level. Often they offer free or discounted vaccines, health checkups, and cancer screenings. And if you're hemming and hawing about whether or not you need it, your traffic will ensure someone who very much does need their services has access. Call and find out when they're slow (my uneducated guess is that traffic picks up around the start of school and during cold/flu season) so you aren't competing with people trying to get sports physicals and vaccines for their kids. Listen to and interact with your local public radio and TV station. This one is pretty self explanatory. Log onto their website and stream their programming. Make music requests. Look up stuff on their community calendar. Even if you aren't into their programming, they're valuable community resources for communicating local events and such, especially during an emergency. Oh... and donate money if you can. They really depend on that stuff... especially now. Use public transit. This one is pretty self explanatory too, but might cost a little money. This includes public rent-a-bikes if they're around. Even if you don't need it, use it sometimes. It will keep it there for others who might depend on it. I'm sure there's a bunch that I'm missing, but in my area, this is a pretty good starting place. Feel free to add on!

[primnroses]

Hello, do you have a post explaining technology in the naruto universe? It seems to be inconsistent.

It is pretty inconsistent and I think it's not used properly for the amount of technological advances they've made because in Boruto it becomes bogus. I'm gonna give you some examples but a lot of these are used 24/7 so I'm just gonna use one image.

Konoha, as well as the rest of villages (Kumogakure is said to be the most advanced technologically), have everyday life technology that we use in the real world. Pretty much everything is mechanized in Boruto's shinobi world.

1. TELEVISION AND LIVE STREAMING, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, CAMERAS:

Both Kakashi's Team 7 and Team Minato took team pictures, which means the predecessor of their modern cameras existed at least since the era of the Third Hokage, early term.

Naruto chapter 16.

They've been using television screens to broadcast live images from the Chūnin Exams back when Team 7 were genin. Gaara even looks at the television, which means there are also cameras, obviously, because they mention videotape. They also have VCR.

Naruto chapter 58.

Sasuke had a television at home, so all those interview programs that Naruto got invited too in Boruto were also a thing at least twenty years before it all. Later, everybody has a television at home, Naruto and Sakura have some more modern plasma screens.

Not to mention Konoha has screens all over their plaza in Boruto.

Naruto chapter 181 and Naruto Gaiden chapter 1.

Livestreaming wasn't just a Konoha thing, every single nation had televisions, cameras and they powered them using some special batteries as well. they also have those satellite dishes on top of buildings for broadcast.

Naruto chapter 488.

The livestreaming is actually pretty useful for daimyō conferences and emergency Gokage Summits.

The Last: Naruto the Movie and Boruto chapter 57.

2. COMPUTERS, TABLETS AND VIDEOGAMES:

I don't think I need to delve into this one too much because it's clear that in Boruto people now work using desktop computers and laptops everyday. Naruto has a laptop, the Scientific Ninja Tools obviously have multiple computers, many of Konoha's teams and departments also use laptops, Boruto has a desktop in his room, etc.

Naruto chapter 700 and Boruto episode 219.

They also have tablets and even videogame consoles have also become available in modern Konoha.

Boruto episode 211 and Boruto: Naruto the Movie.

Of course, since Naruto, there have been several machines used for health and recovery and DNA machines, etc. Or machines to facilitate mind reading as well.

3. TELEPHONES, INSTANT COMMUNICATION AND RADIO:

Phones and landlines became available after Naruto became Hokage and they're used pretty much all the time. Apparently mobile phones also exist but the information is very ambiguous because I don't recall ever seeing one, though Naruto mentions Sasuke has one depending on the translation.

Naruto Gaiden chapter 2.

Wireless radio are also very commonly used in Naruto during missions and they even evolved during the 2 year timeskip. They cover at least 1km from the shinobi's position.

Naruto chapters 9 and 263.

They have become kinda obsolete in Boruto for no reason, but they were used at least in Boruto: Naruto the Movie and the early chapters of Boruto.

It's mentioned that it's not reliable for long distance communication, but the new device is at least covering more area since Konohamaru is somewhere in the Land of Fire talking to Konoha.

I don't recall them ever using it again, which is bogus because the new radio is very modern and small so it's easy to carry even without realizing, so I don't know why everybody in Konoha don't use it if they want to forego the landlines.

Boruto chapter 16.

Konoha, as well as the Allied Shinobi Forces, used special Chakra Communication Devices or telepathy devices for mass distance communication with machines of all sizes.

The Intelligence Division and Yin users (mental energy which is the base of mind related techniques) used it to share messages from across countries to eighty thousand shinobi, as the different divisions were scattered everywhere in the Land of Lightning and other countries.

Naruto chapter 521.

I talk more about it here since this is one of the most used technological devices in Konoha.

Naruto chapter 520.

Konoha also uses a more modern version of this device in their Barrier Team to notify people of intruders. They also use computers, screens and all technology mentioned above.

Similar to the wireless radios, I don't understand why Konoha hasn't made a smaller version of this for everybody to use if they want to forego telephones.

Boruto chapter 81.

Despite the technology, Sasuke still uses his hawks for example, or Naruto sends shinobi to other villages to dispatch more confidential information. Also, I'm not sure why they haven't made more practical and smaller devices for shinobi to use or why they decided to stop using some technology.

Now the shinobi gauntlet is another story because I don't understand why they're trying to sell it as some groundbreaking invention when it's just ninjutsu sealed inside scrolls. Fūinjutsu is used to seal anything, chakra, objects, ninjutsu, even life forms.

I know they are used to seal hiden jutsu as well but it's still nonsensical because Jiraiya can even seal Amaterasu inside scrolls, and Amaterasu is a Kekkei Genkai so it can't be imitated.

[beardedmrbean]

If your dreams of driving the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile don’t look to be coming true, you now have a chance to drive yet another comically large piece of food around the country.

Planters is looking for three new drivers for its Peanutter squad, who will be responsible for driving a 26-foot-long peanut up and down the nation’s highways. Applications are being accepted through Feb. 14.

For what it’s worth, the NUTmobile might be a foot shorter than the Weinermobile, but the pay for this gig is $10,000 higher. Planters will offer drivers a $45,000 salary for the job, which runs from June 2025 through June 2026. You’ll also get travel expenses, meal stipends, and health insurance (dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.) There’s a 401(k) program, with corporate matching, as well.

To be a member of the fourth class of Peanutters, you’ll need a college degree, preferably with a focus in communications, marketing, advertising, public relations or some other field, as well as a driver’s license. To apply, send a resume and a short video explaining why you would be a good addition to the Peanutter team.

(Maybe don’t mention that whole "Mr. Peanut is dead" Super Bowl PR stunt that fizzled five years ago.)

As a member of the Peanutter squad, you’ll act as a corporate ambassador at parades, community events, and grand openings across the nation, helping the company shell its product. (Listen, we know that wasn’t a great joke, but one of the job requirements is “a proficiency in nut-related puns,” so we’re just trying to get your creative juices flowing.)

There actually are some real responsibilities with this job. While the company’s corporate communications team will schedule drivers for major events, drivers will be responsible for independently planning events and routes around those larger assignments, as well as pitching local media (radio, TV, and digital publications) to let people know when the NUTmobile will roll into town.

You may also have to dress up in a costume and perform in a character role, the responsibilities mention. And, really, how many other jobs let you dress up as a giant peanut?

[voicesunified]

@radioiaci | The Sinner Kidnap Exchange Program Michael & Alastor

ㅤHe's kind of like a pet. At least, that was what they described to Michael. Feed, water, walk, entertain, and raise to be a good person. Those were kind of what you did with a pet, right? Michael's never owned a pet, but he's taken care of the local birds and raised his own siblings, and it was all kind of similar. So logically, he thought that this made sense. It was also much easier to figure out what he was doing if he thought about it that way, just watching over a stray wild animal. Keeping it content and healthy.

ㅤMuch easier thought about than actually done.

ㅤThere's tea settled between them over an old wooden table. The room they had trapped placed him in was one of the spare ones inside the golden palace. Gabriel thought it made more sense to keep the enemy close and there was nowhere closer than the building the Archangels lived in, the home of the first angels and God himself. Not that God actually lived in the palace anymore, more a pocket dimension attached to it. That wasn't important though.

ㅤThis was Michael's first encounter with the sinner and he thought starting it off with a health tea would make things easier. He loves tea after all and it's calming effects he hoped would help ease things a little it.

ㅤIt wasn't doing that at all.

ㅤSince the moment he walked into the room he could feel the animosity. Not that he blamed them actually, Michael would have been rather pissed if he was kidnapped too. He was also honestly dreading the conversation with Lucifer if his twin ever found out Heaven just felt like kidnapping a random Pride Ring resident (an overlord at that too) to run tests on like he was some human experiment. Michael's pretty sure the mortals outlawed stuff like that actually, not that angels really held themselves to the same standards as mortals.

ㅤAt the very least, he wasn't in any danger here. Michael could kill him but what was the point in doing that? Ruined the experiment.

ㅤNot that he thought this was going to work.

ㅤThe tea was growing a bit cold now and Michael was already on his third cup. Sitting in silence was starting to grate on his nerves and he was desperate for any sort of sound just to chase it away. His gaze flicked up briefly, took in the sight of the sinner again and then immediately lowered back down. What—do you even say to someone you've kidnapped? Not that Michael did it personally, no, that was all the Seraphims. This was their idea, and apparently Cassiel's but his little bother had always been a bit strange.

ㅤReaching for the tea pot again he picked it back up, warmed it with his magic and then poured another cup of it. Forth one down and he was starting to wish it was spiked with literally anything. He might not be a drinker, but he was starting to see the enjoyment of such a thing.

ㅤ"They call you the Radio Demon, correct? Would you like one? Heaven might not have the type of music that Hell does, but… well…" literally anything is better than this awkward silence, even hymns at this point.

[dahtwitchi]

I was gonna continue one or another of my sketchbook scribbly tobiruka comics. But.

I cannot for the life of me find the sketchbook t.t <.> >.<

Anyone got a bright clue for me where it might be?? >.>

EDIT found it in the shipping box of the fantasy zine, where I temp tidied away everything I had used when trying my new art supplies. 'I'll just tidy up real quick to make presentable room' way too often leads to time-consuming having 0 clue where stuff was put later on <.> It ain't worth it. Ppl visiting for casual time can damn well deal with the piles of 'I know where it is when it's all over my space and I haven't really got a quick space for it where I'll actually know for later'.

Brain.

Try to remeber that ppl gotta conform when they visit your house culture, they only there for minutes to some hours, u gotta live for days and weeks and months and years on end and not spend an hour or two a day to try find things again x'D

(If they complain, especially relatives, the day I learned to say yeah no, if it makes it so uncomfortable to visit my home u rather complain or comment on it than spend that time with me and whatever housemates I got, then maybe for my sake and for your own mental health that clearly can't handle it u shouldn't step by.

Once the clean-shaming lessened, and I felt less anxiety over my messes. I. Actually had more time caring for my home instead of lamenting my householding skills. It wasn't as daunting. After a while I even was able to (within clear limits don't ducking touch my piles!! That has grown fewer over the years, too) accept help, from those who had unlearned their pattern of _ducking commenting on my home at every thing they came across while helping_.

Stop the household skill shaming! It just makes it worse! Shaming doesn't help overwhelmed people! I learn that from a psychology radio program where a group who specialisred in ppl unable to keep up with their home and hoarders, and encouraged u to set boundaries and realise how RUDE it is to comment on ppls homes, and anyone out there wanting to help messy home frienda and family to stop commenting if u actually had good intentions.

Changed my life, that randomly was on the radio program i listened to because it was on.)

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New SpaceTime out Wednesday

SpaceTime 20250115 Series 28 Episode 7

Could Dark Matter have shaped one of the galaxy’s stellar streams

Physicists have proposed a solution to a long-standing puzzle surrounding the GD-1 stellar stream, one of the most well-studied streams within the Milky Way’s galactic halo.

Sun emits three powerful solar flares

The Sun unleashed three more significant X class solar flares all on the same day.

Quadrantids meteor show spectacular

The Earth is currently experiencing one of its most spectacular Quadrantids meteor showers which is lighting up the night sky with an array of dazzling so called shooting stars.

The Science Report

A quarter of the worlds’ freshwater animals are now at risk of extinction.

Study confirms that a diet of plant-based foods increase your microbiome that favour human health.

Confirmation that too much scrolling and posting makes you more irritable.

Alex on tech: Facebook confirms that fact checkers are dishonest.

SpaceTime covers the latest news in astronomy & space sciences.

The show is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Apple Podcasts (itunes), Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pocketcasts, SoundCloud, Bitez.com, YouTube, your favourite podcast download provider, and from www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com

SpaceTime is also broadcast through the National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio and on both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

SpaceTime daily news blog: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/

SpaceTime facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime Instagram @spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime twitter feed @stuartgary

SpaceTime YouTube: @SpaceTimewithStuartGary

SpaceTime -- A brief history

SpaceTime is Australia’s most popular and respected astronomy and space science news program – averaging over two million downloads every year. We’re also number five in the United States.  The show reports on the latest stories and discoveries making news in astronomy, space flight, and science.  SpaceTime features weekly interviews with leading Australian scientists about their research.  The show began life in 1995 as ‘StarStuff’ on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) NewsRadio network.  Award winning investigative reporter Stuart Gary created the program during more than fifteen years as NewsRadio’s evening anchor and Science Editor.  Gary’s always loved science. He studied astronomy at university and was invited to undertake a PHD in astrophysics, but instead focused on his career in journalism and radio broadcasting. Gary’s radio career stretches back some 34 years including 26 at the ABC. He worked as an announcer and music DJ in commercial radio, before becoming a journalist and eventually joining ABC News and Current Affairs. He was part of the team that set up ABC NewsRadio and became one of its first on air presenters. When asked to put his science background to use, Gary developed StarStuff which he wrote, produced and hosted, consistently achieving 9 per cent of the national Australian radio audience based on the ABC’s Nielsen ratings survey figures for the five major Australian metro markets: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.  The StarStuff podcast was published on line by ABC Science -- achieving over 1.3 million downloads annually.  However, after some 20 years, the show finally wrapped up in December 2015 following ABC funding cuts, and a redirection of available finances to increase sports and horse racing coverage.  Rather than continue with the ABC, Gary resigned so that he could keep the show going independently.  StarStuff was rebranded as “SpaceTime”, with the first episode being broadcast in February 2016.  Over the years, SpaceTime has grown, more than doubling its former ABC audience numbers and expanding to include new segments such as the Science Report -- which provides a wrap of general science news, weekly skeptical science features, special reports looking at the latest computer and technology news, and Skywatch – which provides a monthly guide to the night skies. The show is published three times weekly (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and available from the United States National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio, and through both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

[fishyyuzi]

2024: A retrospect

Happy new year! 2024 drew to a close in the blink of an eye, and 2025 came marching in. I hope the new year finds everyone well, and wishing all of you a good health for this year too!

I usually don't really write very long blog posts due to being shy about my own writing skills, but I decided I want to do this anyway. I wanted to look back and re-organize my thoughts about 2024, as well as write down what I hope to do and achieve in 2025. If you don't like reading long posts then please feel free to skip over! Otherwise, brace yourselves because it is going to be a LONG one indeed, haha.

Now then, where do I start...2024 has been a wild ride for me. I actually never "officially" announced it on my socials, but in April of 2024, I actually went to Japan to study and find employment there! This has been one of my biggest life-long dreams, and I am fully aware that this is a BIG priviledge that could not have been realized without the help of my parents. I'm so SO thankful for them for everything they've done for me, I definitely will not let this oppurtunity go to waste, I will do my best to get a stable job, get a stable life and then repay them back (this is my own free will) for all the financial support they have given me.

Life in Japan

Life in Japan has been good. Of course, it's not all rainbows and sunshine all the time, and I have definitely faced my fair share of obstacles as well as having identity crisis multiple times, lol. But the things I have learned and experienced here far exceeded the negativites.

I came here with the determination of first improving my language skills, especially my verbal skills, and also to improve my social skills. Through my school, I ended up joining in the local community work of picking up trash in the morning and sharing a cup of tea or coffee afterwards. Although I originally inteded to join to practice interacting with the local people, I found myself enjoying this volunteer work so much that I eventually just started joining out of my own volition instead of through school. I also joined a lot of other programmes, such as a short homestay program and a longer homestay + cultural exchange program amongst other things. All in all, I really tried my best and I think I have somewhat succeeded in my goals! I could communicate with locals now without much issues, and I can listen to radio shows or watch TV shows with minimal to no subtitles now (and also understand most of what people in real life are saying of course!). Also, not to toot my own horn, but a lot of locals have also commented about how natural my accent sounds, and it makes me very happy to hear that because I worked really, really hard, so it felt like a validation of my efforts ;w;

As you all may have realized, in exchange for me putting in the time and effort in real life, 2024 was a very very barren year for me art-wise lol. I didn't draw much (didn't had the time and energy or the willpower) this year, but I somehow still managed to make some drawings as well as making a doujinshi with a friend this year and took part in Reitaisai Autumn 2024! I have always thought of participating in Reitaisai as a dream that would never come true in my life, but I'm glad that wasn't the case… thank you to my friend Opu for inviting me as well as shouldering most of the things from planning to printing and also the booth setup T_T!

Expressing Thanks

On that note, I would also like to take some time to express my gratitude to a plethora of people, as well as the smaller things in life that brought about so much more positivity in my life.

First of all, and as mentioned earlier, I would like to thank my parents for giving my this opportunity to come abroad and believe in my one last time for me to achieve my dreams. I actually didn't really have a very good relationship with my parents prior to this, and despite that they still cared for me enough to send me abroad and only wished the best for me…physical distance with them has opened my eyes to so many more other things, not just my feelings towards them, but also things that contributed to my personal growth. I've not only grown closer to them in the past year, I've also finally become "independent". It is hard for me to put it into words, but I truly felt myself finally becoming an adult this year, and I will get deeper into that later (want to tie it together with a small announcement).

Next off, are my friends in Japan who has helped me so much with adjusting to life here, as well as hanging out with me when we have time! I'm not sure if they are ccomfortable with me naming them, but I've also witnessed their very very major growth in their pursued field this year, and it just makes me so, so proud to be able to call them my friend! To see them achieve their own dreams and goals, it motivates ME a lot to work towards my own! Also!! They always hear me out when I have troubles of my own, and also gave me so much practial advice (particularly for when I was applying to part time jobs), I am forever so grateful for them and I would honestly gladly d*e for them lmao that is how extremely grateful I am towards my friends!! I don't know if they are reading this or not but if you are YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!! いつもありがとうね！！This year is the year I will make you proud!!!!!

(ahem). Jokes aside, I would also like to thank my school, and my school teachers for making my Japanese improve so much lol. I really came here with ¼ of that bucket filled, and it is thanks to their teaching that I gradually filled it up, and now I think the bucket is probably like 70% filled…..learning is a never ending journey though, so I would like to continue improving my Japanese even after I graduate! If I continue to list more people I think this post is never going to end…but last one ok I would like to thank my co-workers at my part time job too for being some of the nicest people I've ever worked with!! And the customers who come to the shop! They always put a smile on my face!! Thank you so much!

Other things I'm grateful for!

Being able to eat what I want whenever I want!

Being able to go to Karaoke and release steam every Sunday morning!

The manga and drama "What Did You Eat Yesterday" for being my comfort media when I just came here and was filled with much anxiety! It was like having 2 more dads in my life, lol

Getting to know Hoshino Gen's works! His songs, especially "SUN", uplift me a lot! I listen to his songs almost daily now because it's a great energy booster…also, his literature works are very inspiring! I've since became obsessed with this guy to a kinda crazy level actually I'm so sorry lol but I HOPE I CAN GO TO HIS CONCERT THIS YEAR SCREAMS (prays for my ticket lottery)

Saizeriya for being cheap and delicious. I love you Saizeriya!!!

A final look back, as well as what's to come

This post has gotten way too long…sorry for that but if anyone's still sticking around, thank you for reading me yap so much!

2024 was really such a wild ride for me. I can safely say that my life has changed for the better ever since coming to Japan, and I'm excited to tackle 2025 and the challenges it has in store for me.

In regards to what would happen to my art/drawings, I have…so much I want to say, but because this post is long enough, I'll try to be brief.

Starting from 2025, I will no longer be taking personal art commissions. Commercial commissions would be heavily considered, but for the most part, I would like to take a step back from drawing for work.

It was not an easy decision to make, and reaching this point took a lot of energy on my part as well. I love drawing, I love to draw for others and see them be happy with the work I made for them. But I'm not cut out to be a freelance artist. The past 2 years was honestly, a very very lonely time for me. Sure I had more flexibility in time and scheduling, but I didn't have financial stability, and "making enough money" just ate away at me all the time to the point of destroying my mental health, and causing a rift between me and my family. Despite all this negativity though, I'm just glad I experienced it in my 20s when I'm still young and had the room to make mistakes like this. 

And of course, I am always thankful to those who have commissioned me, or bought my art at events! I will always remember your kindness and support. If it wasn't for all of you, I wouldn't be surviving till today. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

So where do I go from here?

I cannot 100% predict what the future holds for me, but my most important goal for now is to secure a proper job as a 正社員 in a company here, hopefully obtain a working visa and start planting my roots here in Japan!

In my free time, I would like to work on translating some of my favourite books from JP -> EN. I don't want to  bet on freelance work again a second time, especially not in a foreign country…but, it would be nice if one day I could ACTUALLY officially work to translate those favourite books of mine. And what better way to achieve that than to actually start putting in the work? I know it's going to be a tough road but I will work hard!

Art will take a backseat from now on, but that doesn't mean I will stop drawing! It's just that I will mostly be drawing for myself now.

Thank you to everyone who has looked at my drawings up until this point. For those who choose to stay and continue following me, thank you and I hope you will continue to watch over my journey.

Stay safe, and have a great 2025.

fishy魚子

[copperbadge]

Radio Free Monday

Good morning everyone, and welcome to Radio Free Monday!

Ways to Give:

Anon linked to a fundraiser for littlestpersimmon, an indigenous trans man who has struggled to support himself and his family this year and has been taking commissions to cover the gap. You can check out some of his work here and read more and find commission/giving information here.

Anon linked to a fundraiser for Nisha, whose father was recently hospitalized with a brain infection and now has neurological issues that require a home nurse, as well as new medications and physical therapy; Nisha has had to stop working to help care for him. You can read more and support the fundraiser here.

coffeecocoatea-me linked to a fundraiser for a friend, actor and audiobook narrator Umi Markkanen, whose cat Blondie recently had to go to the emergency vet for sudden health complications; they had thought her pet insurance was current but it had been cancelled in October despite ongoing payments. You can read more and give to the fundraiser here.

Malcolmschmitz recently rescued an older kitten from a parking lot, and is fundraising to cover the unexpected costs that go along with rescue, including food and litter, rideshares to get the kitten to a foster home, and other expenses. As part of his fundraising, you can purchase a copy of his new book "The Cats and the Cockatrice", a novella about a plague doctor veterinarian and unruly cats. You can read more and reblog here or purchase the book here.

Anon linked to a fundraiser for bakchang, whose cat Ellis just had cleft lip surgery; he's recovering nicely but the surgery was costly, and they're hoping to raise some funds to help cover it. You can read more, reblog, and find giving information here or give through Venmo at lucifer_mp3 or Cashapp at $lucifermp3.

Anon linked to the St. Louis Zoo and its Zoo Parents program, which allows you to "adopt" an animal to help pay for its care and feeding. They're recommending support to adopt an Hellbender, under "Reptiles and Amphibians" at the adoption link. Adopters' names do appear on the website but you can designate that you wish to be anonymous.

Recurring Needs:

thegeeksqueaks is a high school science teacher (who has fundraised previously for supplies and comfort items for her students, particularly her neurodivergent and queer students) who has been seeking a diagnosis for ongoing migraines, vertigo, and head pain for most of the year; she now has a diagnosis and a procedure date, but needs to raise $1.5K to cover the post-insurance payment estimate. You can read more, reblog, and find giving information here, give via Paypal here, and give via Venmo here.

rilee16 is raising funds to cover utilities, to afford medication and possibly an upcoming move without local support; they've also had expenses related to a recent incident where their roommate, who has been a problem for some time, got violent and the police got involved, and for their own safety they've had to stay elsewhere at times. Currently they are dealing with a shorted paycheck and an overdraft because of it. You can read more, reblog, and find giving information here.

gwydion linked to a fundraiser for a friend, whose dog Rosie needs medical care, dental work, and special food; you can read more and give here at gofundme.

And this has been Radio Free Monday! Thank you for your time. You can post items for my attention at the Radio Free Monday submissions form. If you're new to fundraising, you may want to check out my guide to fundraising here.