#I will continue to experience great suffering and a terrible quality of life due to lack of adequate medical care

[sotwk]

Hey! I love your blog and it made me appreciate thranduil's charecter even more. I love your headcanons about him and his family! Please keep this page alive, because i adore it just like my friend does! And by the way can you tell me more about Arvellas? I think he deserves more recognition.

Hello to you and your friend, Anon! <3 I know this is delayed response (again), but you sent me this sweet message at a time I was feeling down on my writing, and for that I am very grateful to you. :)

I am so happy to hear that my blog has helped you to grow in love and appreciation of Thranduil! He's not a hard character to promote since his awesomeness sells itself, but I like reminding people and growing his legend. ;) I am even more thrilled to hear that you're on board with my AU about his brood of amazing Thranduilions!

Again, thank you for your kind words that will surely inspire me to continue my mile-long list of project ideas (fics and headcanons and art) for Thranduil, Maereth, and their boys!

Now, as requested, here are a handful Arvellas headcanons to (hopefully) satisfy your interest. :)

Arvellas Thranduilion

Arvellas's name means "King's Leaf" in Sindarin. He was named after a common but valued plant native to Eryn Galen, long used as an herb in Silvan cuisine but also as an ingredient in many healing potions.

Queen Maereth chose this name for her son foreseeing his future as a wise healer who would devote his life in humble service to his people.

Although Maereth had a blissful pregnancy with Arvellas, she suffered through a terrible post-partum period after he was born. Maereth's experience was very similar to Míriel Serindë's depletion of body and spirit after she birthed Fëanor, and it was suspected that the reasons were the same--both their sons had extraordinarily strong fëa.

 However, Fëanor's intelligence was the only quality Arvellas inherited from his ancestor; they could not be more unalike in personality. Arvellas is kind and humble, quiet and unassuming. He seeks neither attention nor credit for his achievements. He strives to create things that would be useful to his people, rather than to serve his personal glory or satisfaction.

In his youth, Arvellas led a very monk-like existence. He spent all of his time in the library, studying as much as he could and helping to expand the realm's collection of manuscripts. He transcribed volumes borrowed from other realms and wrote his own books, most notably accounts of his family's history.

He was single-handedly responsible for the production of over a thousand illuminated manuscripts in Eryn Galen's archives.

Although Arvellas would have been content to live his life away from the spotlight, he answered the call of duty when he accepted the appointment from his father to become the Prince-Regent of Cemamath. This was a province that required a great deal of diplomacy and political skill to manage, which Arvellas happened to possess more than anyone else in this family.

Arvellas had always been interested in the healing arts, but he only fully pivoted into the role of healer when the darkness and decay of Dol Guldur began to spread and infect the forest and the realm's people. His skills and his work alongside other older and more experienced healers from Eryn Galen were vital in saving lives during the initial rise of Dol Guldur and the emergence of the spiders and other poisonous creatures and toxic growths.

The only skill that Arvellas could be said to lack proficiency in (especially compared to his brothers) is fighting/combat ability. It is not due to lack of talent, but a lack of interest. However, Arvellas is more than capable of holding his own on a battlefield--his brother Turhir insisted and made sure he was trained enough for that!

Arvellas and Mirion were given the honor and very rare privilege of visiting Khazad-dum during the reign of King Durin V, where they apprenticed for several years under the best Khazâd craftsmen. In particular, Arvellas studied engineering and architecture, which would later on enable him to lead the construction of the underground cavern dwellings of his family and people late in the Third Age.

Although I prefer to keep the four youngest Thranduilions unmatched and unmarried in the official SotWK AU story (for flexibility in writing stories), besides Mirion, I see Arvellas as the one most likely to settle down with a wife and having children. He most definitely is "family man" material!

SotWK Fancast: Rupert Friend as Arvellas Thranduilion

For more SotWK AU headcanons: SotWK Headcanon Tag

[rwbyconversations]

Rooster Teeth Glassdoor Crunch/Overtime Accusations #AnimatorsFirst

EDIT: Georden Whitman, former creator of Nomad of Nowhere, has come out and publicly confirmed the Glassdoor reviews are true.

Original story:

Rooster Teeth’s Glassdoor reviews have recently made serious allegations against the company, with people who work for the company claiming that the company engages in practices involving heavy crunch periods, a resistance to providing benefits, eighty hour work weeks, a management team trying to justify crunch and unpaid overtime that, according to some, led to as much as a third of RWBY and gen;LOCK’s recent seasons being made effectively for free. 

Below are screencaps and exact quotes from the pages. Any emphasis made is done by me.

From May 23rd this year, as written by an employee with three years experience at RT:

Cons

Program scheduling department has no idea how to time budget for animation, has resulted in unnecessary, preventable crunch Company takes on projects that are too big for it to manage effectively Not the highest pay compared to Anim Guild standards Open office space, gets noisy

Advice to Management

Management has been using a weird method to try and deescalate hard feelings about crunch. They’re acting like counselors who are “there to talk” and to try and find “coping mechanisms” to deal with crunch. This is a terrible idea considering that none of them are trained counselors as far as I’m aware, but more-so, they’re obviously going to be biased in favor of what they want from us. It makes me want to communicate with them even less. This past review, my manager criticized me for having “negative energy” during a terrible crunch period where we were working over 80 hrs s week, and told me I should “look for the silver lining” which is just bad advice. Advice to management is to stop pretending you know anything about mental health and also be less passive - fight harder for your team.

From May 13th, an employee with a year’s experience at Rooster Teeth:

Cons

The management is terrible. Artists are lead on with the promises of "full time employment and benefits" dangled in front of them without ever being addressed and ultimately are never given, there is no paid overtime, artists had to fight for their right to time off between productions, and good luck getting any form of benefits despite them being plastered on the wall.

Advice to Management

You're not a group of guys playing halo in your apartment anymore. Please run your business and look at what's happened to it.

From June 11th this year, from an employee who has been working at the company for five years:

Cons

- Extremely poor management (Some of it is negligence, some of it is just accidental from the sheer amount of work. Upper management is also extreme bro/friends club.) - Insanely high expectations (animate a 10-14 min episode in 2 weeks) - Very low compensation (I've worked here for years and make entry pay. Some people have gone MULTIPLE years with no raise) - No overtime pay (Every season of RWBY and GL gets about 1/3 or less made for 'free' because no one gets paid over time and it's not uncommon to work hundreds of hours of overtime) - Toxic work environment (there are a lot of cliques, complaining and even making fun of other people and depts here. It never gets punished so it always happens. Not professional)  - You know something is going right when after many complaints HR reminds everyone you have "unlimited" mental health doctor appointments... I could honestly go on and on like an emo on Myspace in 2007 but I'll reign it in. I'll leave it at this since I've seen many fans read these and be skeptical. It's not great. You can deny it but there is a lot of evidence if you just accept it. And the reason you work here is cus you get stuck and are promised "It'll get better". The work is low quality (hard to get jobs elsewhere), pay is low (can't save money) and life/work balance is a joke. We have a bit of balance now but it's only for a couple months out of the year when production isn't in full swing. Then it's back in the meat grinder.

Advice to Management

You NEED to listen to the workers and make hard decisions and actually fight for better conditions. It's been far far too long of "it'll get better" or "we know what to do next year". This isn't sustainable and I think we all know it. But someone has to be the guy to say "no" when things aren't good enough. If you don’t say no, hundreds of people suffer. Please.

From May 18th:

Cons

Crunch has gotten to an unacceptable level. Productions have been completed with over half of total hours unpaid overtime, especially impacting the comp and editing department. Management cares more about their ego than the quality of the work they put out— letting the crunch caused by their irresponsible decisions fall solely on the shoulders of the artists while they enjoy a forty hour work week. Pay is laughable compared with the amount of mandated, unpaid hours of labor. No career advancement, and contract workers are given empty promises of full time employment before being shown the door once production is done.

Advice to Management

Stop saying the crunch issue is “getting better” or that you’re “working on it”, and start actually owning up to your mistakes.

From May 19th:

Cons

-A lot of employees brought on, if not all, before the last development cycle were promised permanent positions after a 90 day trial period. As those dates approached those artists saw no change, asking their leads what was going on. The guidance from higher ups was vague at best, and some felt like they had been forced to lie to employees during the interview process. - A lot of processes went over-scope due to poor planning. -Lack of actual production experience in the management side of things is no longer something that can be glossed over as the company tries to take on more industry vetted employees. -Crunch is extreme and overtime is not compensated for, nor is that time given back in any fair amount.

Advice to Management

-Clear and concise communication -Re-structure your upper level management

From May 12th:

Cons

Crunch here is out of control. No Paid OT. Expect to work A LOT for free. 70-80 hour work weeks. Mandatory 10-12 hour work days sometimes with no days off. Management is more interested in telling you what you want the hear as opposed to the truth.

Advice to Management

Fix the crunch issue and stop saying 'we're working on it'.... because you're not. Layoffs are certain. Will layoff bad employees and good employees in the same breath, completely eliminating any reason to work as hard as you're required to do. Fix your transparency issue and stop overworking your employees otherwise your reputation will severely suffer.

From April 5th:

Cons

-No paid overtime. -Crunch is a major problem in the animation department due to unrealistic deadlines, poor planning, and indecisiveness. (Mandatory 10 to 12 hour days for multiple months are common.) -Stress levels are often very high due to harsh deadlines -Some of the producers tend to lie. -Promotions are used as a morale booster, not actual career advancement. -Hardly any time for Professional Development -Professionalism can be a bit scarce (for example people would draw penises on the boards throughout the studio)

Advice to Management

-Management needs to seriously figure out how to deal with the crunch issue. A question was asked at an all hands meeting: "How are you going to handle crunch this year?" Instead of giving a clear answer, the head of the RT animation department completely dodged the question. If you don't know how you are going to tackle a problem, try saying, "I don't know. I will get back with you ASAP." Then actually pursue a solution to the problem. Dodging questions makes you look shady and untrustworthy. -Improve production plans and make sure you have enough resources to complete your projects. If you are going to work on two shows at the same time, then you need to double ALL of your teams along the pipeline, not just one. If you can barely get one project done with your current resources, you certainly cannot finish two. If you can't get the resources needed to complete the projects, then it's probably best to keep them small or to simply not do them at all. Pushing your teams beyond the breaking point is not the wisest decision. If you continue with your overambitious ways, it will backfire in the long run. Telltale Games' closure and Bioware's Anthem debacle are examples of what's to come if you do not improve your production practices and get crunch under control. -Get more training on how to manage people. There are plenty of programs out there that can help management understand how to work with various types of personalities. There were some situations where I noticed that some leads and producers simply did not know how to talk to a person when there was a problem. Despite all of the criticism I just wrote, I feel the majority of who work at Rooster Teeth Productions are decent people. However, the management is just terrible. Put some of that ambition you have into fixing your problems internally instead of putting it into meeting those unrealistic deadlines.

From March 25th:

Cons

- Massive amounts of unpaid overtime. All while touting the importance to the company of a life/work balance. They promise to give you the time back, but it will be impossible to take. - Management is just a joke. They can’t schedule or stay on track to save their lives. Total amateur hour. - Zero followthrough on promises made. How about a pizza party? - Pay much lower than standard. Don’t expect real raises. Promotions with increased responsibilities don’t come with comparable pay bumps. - Most promises of advancement and opportunities are hollow wishful thinking. - Almost zero followthrough with meaningful investment in employee education. You can access a Udemy account and that’s about it. - Management will blame the artists instead of taking responsibility and will even through people under the bus to cover themselves. - Internet celebs are more valuable than artists.  - Their awards are called “cockbite of the month/year” and it’s what they call their employees. You may not want to be called that but that’s too bad. It’s their culture. A few guys draw penises everywhere to be funny. - Not very much diversity in management. Feels like you need to be a straight white male to be appreciated.

Advice to Management

Hire some actual seasoned industry professionals to upper management in Animation. And demonstrate there are some consequences for them, instead of taking it out on employees.

From April 11th: 

Cons

-Overtime, and hours will cause any person to slowly become something they don't like. -Management is typically made up of "talent" and treats other employees poorly, not to mention 0 years of previous managerial experience. -Management also blames other employees for the problems they create, and don't show actual leadership. -Echo chambers within management. -Stress levels incredibly high -Lack of professionalism

Advice to Management

-Get rid of "talent" in managerial roles, it's clear they're costing the company serious problems and money. The ones who end up being hurt are the employees who knew and constantly warned about problems ahead of time that were ignored. If the company stays the same a huge incident is bound to follow. -Try to respect creatives that aren't "talent" within the company as well. It's clear management doesn't and goes against the entirety of the company's "core values." those who have had previous industry experience should be listened to and considered instead of being shrugged off and given responses like "Well that's just how we do things." -Collaboration doesnt seem to exist for a majority of managment here. If this one massive change happens the company could really grow far and do much more than create crude content with a lack of care/heart for the final product. -If people are able to sleep and have a normal schedule more thoughtful input will also happen, and your content can only get better. -A multitude of people and lives have been hurt from management at this company, from in house employees being mentally abused to freelancers that are ghosted. So many immature and poor practices have taken place within the animation department I'm amazed a lawsuit has yet to happen. -Management should be leaders not bosses.

It’s almost darkly funny that most of the positives are just “They give you free food on Mondays and the people are nice.” 

But these are all from just the last year alone. Most reviews from before the start of 2019 don’t speak of crunch barring one from April 2018, one from March 2018 and one from June. This is a problem that has been affecting Rooster Teeth for at least an entire year, and since the start of the new year, the problem has magnified tenfold. Most reviews mention that the heads of departments are aware of the crunch and unpaid overtime but refuse to do anything about it beyond offering platitudes or dodging the question on what the company is going to actually do to fix the crunch problem.

Crunch is a problem plaguing many companies, especially in the western hemisphere. In gaming development there’s a story nearly every month about what apathetic upper management think they can get away with by forcing employees to spend dozens of hours every week slaving away on their product. I hoped that Rooster Teeth would not be one of these companies, but I am saddened to see that they were not. 

Crunch’s negative effects on mental and physical health have been well documented, alongside the basic fact that crunch isn’t worth it and doesn’t work. Employees forced to crunch are unable to work as well as employees who are well rested and have time to go home to their families. 

To anyone working these impossible crunch hours at Rooster Teeth right now, I hope your suffering ends soon, that eventually basic human empathy wins out and hours are lessened while you receive your just rewards for your work.

For @roosterteeth? This is appalling and a slap in the face to the fanbase you conned into thinking that you were a company that cared for everyone within as a huge family. Your entire management team should be ashamed of the environment you signed off on. No profit margin is worth the suffering you have subjected your crew to. Shame on you. 

As a fan of RWBY, it disgusts me that a product I enjoy was made through blood, sweat and tears. And as a fan of RWBY, I wish to make a public call to the fanbase, be it on Tumblr, Reddit, Twitter or Youtube. I want to make a public statement to Rooster Teeth that we are willing to wait longer for new shows if it means that they are made ethically. I can’t in good conscience support a product if it was made by putting the workers through hell. Maybe I can’t change anything on my own, maybe ultimately we’ll just be ignored, but I refuse to stand by and stay silent on the matter, maybe even get Rooster Teeth to make changes in their workflow (I won’t say “I hope they respond” because they seem to respond in-house to complaints about crunch without ever actually changing anything) 

I encourage you to share this around as much as you can. Share the accounts of the Glassdoor reviews as far and as wide as you can. We love and enjoy media, we love the people who make it- the animators, editors, writers and voice actors, and we as a community want them to not have to resort to RT’s seemingly unlimited mental health coverage or “find a coping mechanism to deal with crunch.” As much as it pains me to admit, I’d rather see RWBY die instead of seeing continue to be made on the back of crunch.

Thank you for reading. Again, I encourage you to share this around as much as you can. Let your voice be heard if you stand against this. 

[teacherintransition]

The Ugly American...who? Me?

My wife an I have become avid travelers and the closing of countries due to Covid-19 has hit us in the heart...

The time at home has given me chance to read about travel and given me pause to re-evaluate my behavior while abroad in the past and for the future...

The Ugly American, a novel written in the late 1950’s and which was a The New York Times Best Seller, was written by political scientist Eugene Burdick and writer and former U.S. Navy captain William Lederer. The book took a much needed look at the behavior of Americans traveling abroad; from the rugged backpacker hiking India to the field State Department personnel actually presenting the “official face” of our country in the international community. Prior to World War 1, most international travel by Americans was done by the wealthy elite among society. The “common” man through the tribulations of war, was given the opportunity to experience European culture and a yearning for seeing the world was fostered. If fact, there was a saying after WWI, “how you gonna keep Johnny on the farm after he’s seen Paree (Paris)?” The travel bug... wanderlust was born in the hearts of the middle class and gave rise to this phenomenon in film and in books written by Jack Kerouac, Cheryl Strayed, Ernest Hemingway up to contemporary writers like Anthony Bourdain, Andrew Sean Greer and Elizabeth Gilbert. Even Rick Steves who has become a knowledgeable source of traveling information with his travel guide series, has presented an informative open minded view of travel abroad.

All of these written treasures of traveling the world unveils to readers the magic that is to be found by stepping out your front door. The Ugly American presents a scathing look at how the “American” while overseas, displays an arrogant , intolerant, dismissive view of cultures far older and in many cases, more refined than ours. Burdick and Lederer’s book is set within the intrigues of international diplomacy and how that uniquely American view creates failure in the establishment of effective foreign policy. The authors listed and many more besides, instruct their readers to varying degrees to take more note of the intricate nuances a traveler should pay attention to and to show respect and admiration for the centuries of history and culture that exists all around us and that is not American. There is a common thread throughout all their works about what is missed when we stand outside and dismiss the uniqueness of every nation we might visit, instead of immersing oneself and appreciating it in a culture not our own. The “ugly American” has become a mythos of how Americans respond critically to anything that is not “MURICAN!”

Several other factors besides short sighted American foreign policy have contributed to the yoke placed on Americans traveling: cutthroat business practices while dealing with European, Asian and African countries; missionaries whose demonstrate a dismissive view of spiritual practices that have existed for millennia and, quite honestly, the behavior of tourists while abroad. Many experienced travelers draw a clear distinction between the tourist and the traveler. Kathryn Walsh differentiates the two in the following way:

Tourists

It's usually easy for locals to spot a tourist among them. A tourist may carry a camera, guidebook and map at all times and wear the same clothing he'd wear at home. Tourists tend to stay in their comfort zones a bit; they may speak only English instead of trying to learn phrases in the local language; stick to major cities instead of venturing to smaller towns or off-the-beaten-path locales; and stay in areas where the amenities are similar to what they have at home.

Travelers

Generally speaking, someone who considers himself a traveler will try to immerse himself in the local culture rather than standing out. If you're a traveler, you may try to explore the less-traveled areas and explore locations where tourism doesn't drive the economy. You'll interact with locals. Your goals for a trip will be to learn and experience new things, rather than to take a relaxing break from everyday life. A traveler may consider a trip a journey rather than a vacation.

The traveler presents a deferential, respectful and admiring view of the nations they are visiting and adopt the wise phrase from antiquity: “when in Rome do as the Romans.”

There is nothing wrong with being a tourist, often it is the less expensive approach to travel, unless you become the arrogant American tourist then perhaps you need to reassess. Travel is a big part of my retirement plans and goals, but you know what they say about the best laid plans. Two highly anticipated trips with two years involved in planning were rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a disappointment we shared with thousands of tourists and travelers alike; and further postponements may continue to confront us. Perspective is needed in such a situation as being denied travel is far below other struggles this event has presented all of us. That being said, it has been a terrible disappointment down to my bones. We’ve missed much needed fellowship time with great friends, the excitement of seeing new places, the immersion in the culture and history of the locales, and, for me personally, our yearly travels have been my muse and inspiration for so much of my art. It’s akin to being very thirsty and having only a few drops to suffice. Introspection is the course of action when hopefully contemplating the possibility of the trips occurring.

To satiate the urge, we’ve read and watched travel programs in the interim and have evaluated our connection to the Ugly American concept? Are we ...them? In our past travels, have we appeared at all dismissive of the people and practices of the places we’ve visited? My wife and I have always been in awe of our travel destinations, so I feel fairly confident that we have not displayed the aforementioned arrogance of many American travelers. The thought that then arises is how much we have not allowed ourselves to be immersed in the culture; which, in the long run, is a detriment to us more than anyone. Our minds are open and willing to become part of the places we visit, but if we eliminate the brusque nature of so many Americans while overseas, what is the stumbling block that draws such distinctions when traveling? I fully concede that most Americans feel they have little to learn from many places on this planet, more is the pity, and there is much flawed thinking that goes into this mindset; but what fundamental differences exist between the cultures? I came across a very enlightening blog article written by Alain Veilell that was spot on in identifying the differences. Veilell simply observed that we run on different clocks. Not literal clocks but a “clock” obsessed with structure and deadline.... hello Americans! Veilell notes that Europeans start late and end late, while American and many Asian cultures start early and end early. Americans tend to view the un-regimented approach as being akin to laziness. I coached soccer and baseball for many years and many of my Latino players would not be as punctual as my other players. They were as talented and competitive, but their homes weren’t ruled by the seconds on a clock. Dinner started later, lasted longer, the dishes could wait... the priority was the quality of interaction with the people your with... ah, there it is ... sort of.

The average American meal last twenty minutes, while the average meal in Spain, for example, lasts two hours. They certainly don’t eat as much as Americans so why all the extra time? Why should time even be a factor so often? It’s the conversation and fellowship that is the priority not timing. While without question, the structured regimentation is a contributing factor to the American commitment to financial success, it also contributes to hypertension, stress, anxiety, depression and conflict that might be avoided with having an extra glass of wine and talking and not worrying if dinner is on schedule. Taking a little more time, enjoying the moment, letting serendipity reign may not be part and parcel of the Puritan work ethic; but it plays a helluva big part in realizing “La Dolce Vita.” This perception of time throws the rhythm off for many American tourists and makes us the ones to call the front desk complaining that the folks in room 210 are just too loud at 9:30 pm. The local population may just be getting ready to start dinner at that time. Remember, “when in Rome do as the Romans?”

While traveling, often American tourists view differences as a personal affront. “ I have to ask for ice?’ “What, no air conditioner?’ “They call the restroom the toilet?’ “Ugh how vulgar ... and a bidet? You must be kidding?” Truth to tell, Americans also suffer from mischaracterization from travelers from abroad as well. If I had a nickel for ever foreign exchange student who thought that all of Texas was a giant ranch with everyone riding horses and wearing cowboy hats. I think though that visitors to our country more often than not allow themselves to be pleasantly surprised than to have their feathers ruffled. It seems that we allow the “ours is better than yours” mentality to outweigh the magic of the unknown and the different. Every spiritual guiding ethos advocates living in the moment, treasure what is happening right now, greet the unknown with hope not hostility. The ugly American leaves no room for such an upbeat approach. Superiority mentality leave very little to treasure in this magnificent world other than what is yours and that limits learning, excitement, growth and just the pure joy that comes from trekking this world.

Is this assessment of mine a blanket judgement? No, not at all but there is some truth to it and there is something to be learned. As I self analyze, I found that I may harbor some of these traits and it’s good that I have time to stand back and look ...to learn. The worthy goal of being an affirming member of this global community is a purpose that I seek; and the rewards are far beyond just being intrinsic but rewards the cultures you visit with an admiration and respect they deserve. As these thoughts have been put down, it reignites the hopes that the planned journeys come to realization with the anticipation of more to follow. No more ugly Americans, British, Japanese or what have you, just eager travelers wanting to see and experience all that this world has to offer. Happy travels my friends.

Burdick, Eugene Lederer, William; The Ugly American ; Norton Publications; 1958

Veilel, Alain; “Why don’t Europeans Travel to Cancun?;” Quora; October 8, 2020

Walsh, Kathryn. "Differences Between a Tourist and a Traveller" traveltips.usatoday.com, https://traveltips.usatoday.com/differences-between-tourist-traveller-103756.html. 5 April 2021.

Photo from https://www.myheritage.com/

Photo from https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL13640A/Ernest_Hemingway

[theunderdogwrites]

2020: The Year I Lost My Ass

Well, we reached the end of that toilet roll only to start another one, because that is what we do for as long as we are allowed to continue revolutions around the sun – we keep going.

2020 was a terrible year for so many. My brain is incapable of processing the number of losses suffered on a global scale. Be it jobs, security, rights, sanity, relationships or life. My brain is not just incapable of these calculations, it has plain refused to entertain those thoughts on behalf of my heart. My heart, that sensitive little blood pumping work horse who not once allows itself to stop. Thank goodness.

I don’t believe the majority of people are willing and able to bring themselves to fully comprehend what was lost in 2020.

Here is a list of a few more losses suffered last year:

- People lost their shit. And over the most ridiculous things like toilet paper, having to wear a mask to secure toilet paper and being held to the consequences resulting from not wearing a mask when asked to while attempting to purchase toilet paper. Pause for a moment and let that last sentence hang around in your mind. 2020 made that happen. I didn’t make it up! Recently I saw a news piece showing a man (40’s) lying down on the floor in a Costco to protest being asked to wear a mask. He spoke loudly, he beat his hands at his sides and wildly kicked his legs when an employee asked him to get up. Now, I am not judging for I too have participated in such behaviour MANY times. Granted I was three, but hey… some of us mature faster than others.

 - People lost their damn minds. 2020 should be dubbed “The Year of The Karen”. For those of you not in the know about the Karen phenomenon, here is a description courtesy of Urban Dictionary:

 “Karen is a pejorative term used in the United States and other English-speaking countries for a woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is appropriate or necessary. A common stereotype is that of a white woman who uses her privilege to demand her own way at the expense of others.’

 Basically, a Karen is a I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOUR MANAGER type person (There is a male equivalent, but it seems no one can agree on the name… Chad, Terry, Kyle, Kevin, Steve). You can often find a Karen on her cellphone calling the police to report a black man who lives in her neighborhood, simply living his life in her neighbourhood. I didn’t make that up either.

 More recently a Karen was videoed in a UPS store claiming that she didn’t have to wear a mask because that space was government property and not a private business. Would it be safe to say that most Karen types suffer from a lack of oxygen to their brain? Possibly. But that would involve science and Karen types DO NOT enjoy hard facts.

 As always when I download my thoughts into reality, I must go within and search myself. Am I a Karen? My immediate answer is: no fucking way. I can honestly say I’ve never once asked to see a manager or called the police to report someone eating their lunch on a park bench. I do not enjoy confrontation. Unless there is a bully involved. Then I will drag that person to hell with me. I much prefer discussion over going straight to the ‘I triple dog dare you!’ approach to the world. (If you got that reference, you are my new favourite) Because that is who a Karen really is… someone who jumps right to the most extreme action in order to satisfy their need to be superior. Truly, we should feel sorry for these people because instead of engaging they’re raging. And how awful must their insides feel… always full of anger, fear and self doubt. I say instead of judging these Karen types or putting them on blast on social media, we should hug the shit out of them. Just grab them and squeeze as hard as you fucking can until they stop talking. Peaceful solutions my friends, peaceful solutions.

 - Pets lost their faith in us. Children a close second. If you are a proud owner of a pet or a child, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

I’ve always operated under the notion that my cat loves it when I’m home and hates it when I leave. 2020 has taught me it might be the other way around. Because our animals are, well, animals we just believe our presence is the greatest gift in their lives. Remember when you were old enough to be left alone by your parents and once you had the taste of that kind of freedom, you just wanted more of it and couldn’t wait for them to go out? I feel it’s like that with our pets now. We might not think animals have a routine or preferences or enjoy some alone time, but we’d be wrong.

I think at first our pets were thrilled. If we are home more it means more time for prolonged petting, walks and the opportunity to ritualistically train us to respond to their caterwauls for more food and treats than normal. But then as the weeks of lockdown and working from home increased, so did our pets desire to kill us in our sleep.

 I’m pretty sure my cat has asked me several times using her feline glare: “why the fuck won’t you just leave?”. It would be naïve of us to assume we don’t disrupt their day with our constant noise making and snacking and scotch drinking that leads to a good buzz that leads to showing too much affection to our pets. To the point where they run and hide when they see us coming. Please tell me I didn’t describe just my own experience.

 There is such a thing as everything in moderation, we know this, so I think it can be applied here. People, get away from your pets. Give them the space you often desire from human beings. Because if you don’t, that random turd in your shoe could be pointing to a much larger, more alarming problem you’re about to encounter.

 I had the absolute blessing of being able to assist in caring for and raising of my three nephews (12,9,6) for the last 11 years. So, when I say: ‘children are always watching us’, I feel I know what I’m talking about. I’ve been mimicked so often by these young boys that I’ve had to pause due to mortification. Children will hold you accountable without even knowing it. I’ve had some behaviours of mine corrected by a 5-year-old and let me tell you, it stings like hell.

 As adults, when our world was thrown into turmoil because of Covid-19, we looked to our medical health professionals and our politicians for guidance. Basically, we searched for those who would lead us. The children – looked to us. And while many adults handled this responsibility the best they possibly could, many more failed miserably and displayed attitudes I can only describe as juvenile, damaging and pathetic. I suppose it doesn’t help if the people the adults are looking to for help are themselves - juvenile, damaging and pathetic.

 When I say we still have not grasped just how much has been lost over the past year, I’m hinting at integrity, compassion and creditability. Three vital qualities you’d hope people want to instill into their children. But if they themselves are unable to display such valuable traits, what does this say for the children who are looking up to them as an example on how to act when life gets challenging?

 For myself in 2020, I gained by losing.

When they locked our gyms down for four months last spring, I came close to being one of those people who lost their shit. While people were moaning about wearing a mask for 20 minutes in the grocery store, I was contemplating if murdering those people could be considered a cardio exercise and would that hold up in a court of law.

To reflect on that time period now (especially since our gyms are closed AGAIN at the moment) the loss of the gyms brought me the knowledge of how important the routine of going to and being in the gym is to my mental health. I won’t launch into how I feel about shopping malls being open and gyms being closed despite their proven benefit to one’s overall health because then I really will lose my shit.

People always say getting to the gym is the hardest part and once they’re there it’s easy to workout. And for many that is the truth, but for me it’s all a part of the workout. Getting to the gym is the psychological effort. Putting in the work at the gym is the physical. You can’t have one without the other. I became so pathetic that I’d often walk to the closed gym from my house, stare at the closed doors and then walk home. 1.5 hour round trip. True story.

Remember a few years back everyone became obsessed with that Netflix show ‘Tidying Up with Marie Kondo’? It is the show where that lovely woman from Japan showed us all how to declutter our homes by getting rid of anything that didn’t bring us joy. Those acid wash jeans from 1989… sit with them… hold them close to your chest… if they don’t make you happy, remove them from your space. Well, the same idea can be applied to people and ideas and even feelings. And 2020 was a great year for simplifying our lives. I’ve heard so many people talk about how they can’t wait to get back to ‘normal’… not me. I’ve already started my ‘new normal’.

The loss of drama has gained me peace and a better understanding of the importance of remaining true to who I am instead of trying to please others in hopes it wins me points. Because it doesn’t. Because its inauthentic and only brings you more loss and more drama. And anxiety. And sleepless nights. And an overall sense of hatred for everyone. 2020 gave me the option to no longer care about the things that don’t make me happy and to embrace the process of letting all that stupid bullshit fade away.

It was a year of gained focus.

It was a year of gained appreciation.

It was a year of gained gratitude.

It was a year of gained love for myself.

 I’m going to leave you now, but not before I share one of my favorite songs by the Tragically Hip:

In A World Possessed by The Human Mind

Just give me the news

It can all be lies

Exciting over fair or the right thing at the right time

Everything is clear

Just how you described

The way it appears, "A world possessed by the human mind"

 Then I think I smiled

Then I think you said, "it's fine"

And quietly I dressed, in a world completely possessed by the human mind

 We're in awe of no one

We've none of their fear

Fighting's goin' nowhere and we stay right here

Where everything is quiet

A little super dangerous

"In the shadow of the law and with colours of justice"

 Then I hope I smiled

Then I'm sure you said, "It's fine"

They got no interest in a world completely possessed by the human mind

 Everything is quiet

A little super dangerous

Quiet enough to hear God rustlin' around in the bushes

Oh, but it was you

Girl, I was so afraid

You said, "You shoulda seen the look on your face"

 Then I hope I laughed

Then I hope I said, "it's fine"

And quietly undressed in a world completely possessed by the human mind

 Oh it was you

Girl, I was so afraid

You said, "You shoulda seen the look on your face"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgXphurrsE0

[deardiary1993]

I Became Pro-Choice After My Friend Had Three Abortions

 I grew up a child of a teen mom in one of the reddest of red states in the south, going to a church that proudly exclaimed that they were bible thumping fundamentalist Baptist, needless to say, abortion wasn't anywhere on my radar, 'that was just something evil selfish women did, somewhere far far away so they could go out and be whores'... or so I thought. I met one of my best friends in 2013, for the sake of this story we will call her Kayla. Kayla was so very much alive, she had a million friends and was so loving and generous, She moved to the United States from Ukraine as a preteen and traveled all over the Red, White & Blue throughout her life, together we took trips to Daytona Florida and even Louisiana for Mardi Gras and generally stayed getting into trouble together, She was a wild child and was so raw and honest about everything rather people liked it or not, still today I've never met anyone quite like her; but along with her radiance and glow, Kayla had some serious demons hiding just below the skin, after weeks of doctors blaming nose picking for her nose bleeds she was diagnosed with leukemia when she was a child, she struggled with hair loss and medication-induced weight gain that caused bullying and self-consciousness, eventually, she got healthy and confident again just in time to experience adolescence, with her being considered fairly universally attractive it took no time at all for her to find admirers, and with her being a wild young teen with zero parental supervision she was also keen to dabble into drugs, cigarettes, and some heavy alcohol, that she had a particular fondness for; this is when Kayla encountered her first pregnancy, but we'll come back to that later; in early adulthood Kayla lived with her older brother in a house their parents got for them, together they threw crazy parties and trashed the place as well as sold and ran cocaine and other drugs out of it. Kayla even joined the traveling carnival for a time being which her alcoholic mother wasn't even aware of until 6 months later when she called Kayla looking for her older brother, "No, mom, I don't know where he is, I've been on the road for 6 months", but as one does Kayla eventually came back home and she and her bother continued their out of control lifestyle; that is until one evening after a cab dropped her off at home after a night out, Kayla wondered into her house and noticed the top of a pizza box on the counter with some barely legible writing on it, it was a suicide letter, her brother had hung himself in the shed in their backyard and she took her pocket knife and went back there and cut him down herself; with her brother gone, she and her home became a target and shortly after his death Kayla was robbed and physically assaulted as well as tied up by two men, this experience caused major anxiety and Kayla stopped sleeping a night and slipped further into her vices and began to spend much of her time at the neighborhood bar, at this bar she attracted even more men, most of whom she had wrapped around her finger, one even taking his own life after she denied his advances, "I can't blame myself for that, I just can't" she once told me, and judging from my own personal experiences at this bar I know other men are undoubtedly guilty of taking advantage of her during her all too common blackouts, I heard people speak of it. Not too long after her brothers suicide her father passed as well, "It's because he stopped drinking, his veins exploded" she explained to me once in one of her many drunken rambles, which was when she did most of her talking regarding her losses. Now, how did I enter the picture? I met Kayla while working at a discount store, she was a new hire and 10 years older than me, I complimented how fast she was able to clean up the shoe area and it was at that point she claimed me as hers and we became fast friends. A month into knowing Kayla we were chatting while cleaning the store after closing. I don't remember the context but I remember her saying "I got it sucked out'" "Sucked out?" I questioned "I killed it" she replied she was talking about her abortion, at this point in time she had two and her third would come later in 2015, I remember not saying anything out loud, but judging her and feeling disgusted with her, even reconsidering our friendship for a moment, before her I only knew of my trashy prostitute cousin having an abortion and as for my cousin she was easy to write off, but I liked Kayla and she trusted me with this information that most women would keep to themselves, it was wrong of me to judge her, because she trusted me not to; and with that my first wall I had against abortion fell. After that, I became more open to the idea of abortion, even learning more about it so I would be better equipped to defend my friend if she so needed it. 1 in 4 women have had an abortion, some you even know but most would never tell you, the stigma is too great, there are too many people like me out there ready to judge. I did find frustration in the fact that Kayla would hook up with people unprotected, and that she would continue to make this same mistake again and again, but I knew she had no place being a mother, she was mentally ill from a lifetime of trauma, she was reckless, she abused drugs, smoked like a chimney and drank like a fish, any child she would be forced to carry would suffer, it would be born with terrible health problems and no quality of life, if it came out alive at all, it would be passed from foster home to foster home never to be adopted. It would be more wrong of Kayla to have that baby rather than it was for her to have an abortion, She wasn't going to change, it wouldn't be fair for the child who would have to develop inside her. Kayla's life ended at the young age of 34 on October 9th, 2017, she stopped eating and started drinking even more than before, her mother never got an autopsy on her but I believe it was kidney failure due to her complaining of lower back pain on the day she died. Her funeral was paid for exclusively by her friends and it was beautiful! Many, many people came and shared stories of her. You may not think everything my friend did with her life was good, honestly neither do I, but I don't judge her, who am I to judge her, I cared for her and she taught me that everyone has a story. So yes, if a woman simply wants an abortion I think she should be able to have one, even if she wants several abortions I think she should be able to have them. Now that I'm a mother myself I know just how important my role is. All babies should be wanted. Kayla wasn't made to be a mom; Your sister/ aunt/cousin/friend may not be ready to be a mom, who knows? all I know is having sex doesn't qualify you to raise a human being, you have to want it, and before you judge a woman for her choice, ask yourself, What's her story, and is she really, really ready for motherhood? ______________________________________________________________

Todays Charity: The mission of Planned Parenthood is to provide comprehensive reproductive and complementary health care services in settings which preserve and protect the essential privacy and rights of each individual, to advocate public policies which guarantee these rights and ensure access to such services, to provide educational programs which enhance understanding of individual and societal implications of human sexuality, and to promote research and the advancement of technology in reproductive health care and encourage understanding of their inherent bioethical, behavioral, and social implications.  Click Here To Donate Planned Parenthood

[prlsvaus]

HPHM Character Profile

Thanks to @cynicaljapanophile for creating it. I’m tagging @sirfluffig, @weasleyismyking540, @heleneplays and everyone who wants to participate!

General Information -

Name: Letha Arvilla Hespera Shacklebolt

Age: 16 (currently)

Gender: Female

Nickname(s):

Capella (by mother, and maternal grandmother; from Latin capella literally “little she-goat”, this relates to her star sign) 

Little Wing (by father)

Date of Birth: 19 January 1972

Astrological/ Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Ethnicity: English, Italian (maternal grandmother), Nigerian (paternal great-grandmother)

Nationality: British

Species: Witch

Blood Type: AB Rh+

Blood Status: Pure-Blood

Family:

Father: Weldon Shacklebolt - 

Despite coming from one of the oldest wizarding families absolutely despised ideology of pure-blood supremacy.

By the start of the war, he was approached by Voldemort with proposition to join his cause. After that, he took his family from their London house and hid them in the country manor. And then without wasting time contacted the Order of the Phoenix and became a member.

Needless to say Voldemort took it as a great insult but despite all his rage Weldon successfully opposed his forces almost to the end of the war.

The luck left him in 1981 when he was ambushed by superior forces of Death Eaters led by the Dark Lord himself. Voldemort took great pleasure to personally end life of a man who     offended him so.

Attended Hogwarts – Slytherin.Could cast corporeal patronus - Unicorn. Wand – cypress, unicorn hair.

Later when Letha had dreams about him, he always appear in the form of a great white unicorn.

Mother: Danai Shacklebolt (née Marwood) - 

Just as her mother, she is a  seer of great talent. Over the years, the Department of Mysteries repeatedly tried to pressure her to work with them for the “greater good”. She had none of it.

Instead, she opened a salon where she makes predictions for a selected few for hefty sum of galleons. Cynical? Yes. But she considers it’s better alternative than to shove the results of her work on a dusty shelf somewhere in the Department of Mysteries.

Predicted her husband’s death and her son’s disappearance but were unable to stop either.

English/Italy heritage. Born in Colobraro, Italy (which is totally a magic town)

Thanks to her gift suffers from terrible migraines. Only tea from willow bark can help ease them.

Has an affinity with plants. Spends great amount of time in the manor’s greenhouse

Attended Hogwarts – Slytherin. Wand – silver lime, dragon heartstring.

Paternal Grandfather: Cyrus Shacklebolt - 

English/Nigerian heritage.

Was high ranking member of  Wizengamot but resigned along with Tiberius Ogden and Griselda Marchbanks in protest due to Cornelius Fudge’s appointment of Dolores Umbridge as High Inquisitor at Hogwarts and the continuing campaign by the Ministry and the Daily Prophet to discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter.

Eccentric with infinite number of special interests. His free time filled with experiments without any practical use, the only measure of success he accepts is his own entertainment.

But his main specialty is alchemy. This interest got him in close friendly relationship with Albus Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel.

He married Alcyone Black, the only daughter of Phineas Black disowned by her famous grandfather. Their  marriage were a happy one but brief. As brilliant botanist, Alcyone traveled over the world and collected interesting and dangerous plant specimen. Her life cut short in 1966 in the manor’s greenhouse by one especially devious Amazonian flower. Cyrus was unable to produce a patronus ever since.

Natural legilimens, trained Jacob and Letha in the art from a young age.

Attended Hogwarts – Gryffindor. Wand – cedar, phoenix feather.

Uncle: Kingsley Shacklebolt -

Letha’s favorite uncle and key male figure in her life after Cyrus.

Lend a great support to a crumbling family after his brother’s death and Jacob’s disappearance.

Not for a second believed Jacob was mad or wrong, on the contrary, did all what was in his power trying to search for him. Even began a full-blown investigation in the Arour Office but to no success.

It was thanks to him Letha came to Hogwarts with great experience in dueling outpacing all of her peers.

Attended Hogwarts – Ravenclaw. Wand – poplar, dragon heartstring.

Grand Uncle: Wesley Shacklebolt -

Second younger sibling of Cyrus Shacklebolt.

He’s celebrated winged horse breeder and trainer. He owns the finest stables in the UK. Although Laurentia Fletwock (his lifelong rival) can and will argue. During his (currently) thirty-year career, he conditioned sixty-two stakes     winners.

Manage the estate Wesley helps his wife Lorna with her mischievous little crup Wishbone.

Letha devotes sometime of her summer holidays to work in the stables with the horses and to participate in the races.

Attended Hogwarts – Gryffindor. Wand – spruce, dragon heartstring.

Grand Aunt: Rosina Shacklebolt -

Youngest sibling of Cyrus Shacklebolt.

Renowned epidemiologist. She  became well known after she created improved version of dragon pox cure. But she still hopes to find a cure that could prevent the disease.

Lives almost all the time in Nice with her partner Gerard Villepin where they experience their regular honeymoon.

Encourages Letha’s interest in medicine.

Attended Hogwarts – Ravenclaw. Wand – walnut, dragon heartstring.

Great Aunt: Marion Shacklebolt -

First child of Wesley Shacklebolt and Lorna née Fabble.

Works for the Ministry as an Auror. She and Kingsley run a competition who is more successful at their job.

Unlike Kingsley believed that Jacob brought his fate upon himself and should own it.

Will die 2 may 1998 at the battle of Hogwarts, protecting kids from Death Eaters. Order of Merlin postmortem.

Attended Hogwarts – Slytherin. Wand – blackthorn, dragon heartstring.

Great Uncle: Julius Shacklebolt -

Second child of Wesley Shacklebolt and Lorna née Fabble.

Magizoologist of some importance. Spends almost all his time driving around African continent studying local fauna.

Has especial fascination for phoenixes. Writes a book about them.

Works closely with Africans different Departments for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures helping them against poachers.

Attended Hogwarts – Hufflepuff. Wand – larch, unicorn hair.

Brother: Jacob Shacklebolt -

Big brother, Letha loves him dearly but the more she learns about him the more exasperated she becomes.

Jacob has almost Arthur Weasley level fascination with cars. That’s why he chose Muggle studies instead of Divination, but to his disappointment in this course were a lot fewer cars than he thought. His grand project was bewitching a vintage 1957 jaguar on which he spent the whole summer. On his fifth year he traveled to Hogwarts with Duncan and Olivia on it. 

One summer picked up sax and actually became quite decent player.

Was Slytherin quidditch captain in a position of chaser. While he was captain Slytherin team never lost a team cup.

Attended Hogwarts – Slytherin. Wand – yew, dragon heartstring.

Affiliation(s)/ Organization(s): 

Shacklebolt Family

Weldon – Order of the Phoenix.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Occupation(s):

12-18 years – Student (fifth year);

19-28 years - Independent researcher, curse breaker;

28-49 yeas – Head of the Department of Mysteries;

49 - years – Supreme Mugwump;

52 - years – Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Magical Characteristics -

Form of Boggart: 

Complete obscurity. Don’t know how boggart will show this.

Form of Patronus: Phoenix

Form of Riddikulus: 

No idea.

What do they see in the Mirror of Erised?: 

Jacob alive and well.

Wand(s)

-Wood: Elder -Core: Phoenix feather

-Length: Thirteen and a half inches -Flexibility: Hard Description: 

 Elder wood - The rarest wand wood of all, and reputed to be deeply unlucky, the elder wand is trickier to master  than any other. It contains powerful magic, but scorns to remain with any owner who is not the superior of his or her company; it takes a remarkable wizard to keep the elder wand for any length of time. The old superstition, ‘wand of elder, never prosper,’ has its basis in this fear  of the wand, but in fact, the superstition is baseless, and those foolish  wandmakers who refuse to work with elder do so more because they doubt  they will be able to sell their products than from fear of working with this wood. The truth is that only a highly unusual person will find their perfect match in elder, and on the rare occasion when such a pairing occurs, I take it as certain that the witch or wizard in question is  marked out for a special destiny. An additional fact that I have unearthed  during my long years of study is that the owners of elder wands almost always feel a powerful affinity with those chosen by rowan.

Phoenix Feather Core - This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike. Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalize, and their allegiance is usually hard won.

Hard Flexibility - A wand of this flexibility is very difficult to work with and its loyalty is not won easily. Hard wands are great for complex and advanced levels of magic, so beginning wizards and witches may find extra difficulty with this wand when it doesn’t perform well for simple magic. As such, this type of wand is best suited for wizards and witches who are gifted, stubborn, and never give up. Some people may find them intimidating or difficult to approach.

Animagus: Phoenix (unregistered)

Amortentia: Complete absence of smell.

Appearance -

Height: 5′9″ / 175 cm (currently)

Weight: 124 lbs 

Complexion (skin tone/ conditions): 

Dark brown

Porcelain smooth and always warm to the touch.

Generally soft, with surprisingly calloused hands.

Hair Color/ Style: 

Darkest black you can imagine without the blue tinge.

Silky glossy straight mane of hairs.

Length is either to bottom of  shoulder blades or just above the tops of the shoulders.

Normally wears it down or up in a ponytail.

Eye Color: Dark-brown

Hogwarts Information -

Worst Class(es): Generally speaking she doesn’t have worst or best classes, she makes a point to excel in every class even if she doesn’t like one.

Herbology - She isn’t squeamish but she doesn’t like digging around in dung either, that’s simple.

Best Class(es): 

Charms – She has natural talent for charms and truly loves the subject and professor Flitwick can make any lesson magical.

Transfiguration – The nature of transfiguration fascinates her and systematic, exact magical discipline that is transfiguration provides best challenge for her scientifically inclined mind.

Potions – Despite Snape’s tangible antipathy, she truly loves this class and have an affinity for it, which he cannot but admit. Also sometimes, it can be fun to move from potions to snarking.

Alchemy – She adopted the love for this subject from her grandfather and started to learn it long before it actually started at Hogwarts (as with all other subjects actually)

Least Favourite Teacher(s):

Professor Trelawney – Knowing first hand what’s a divination really like she doesn’t understand why this old fraud still holds the position. This does a disservice to the school as a whole.

Favourite Teacher(s): 

Professor Flitwick - He has always been on of her favorite teachers - great teacher, passion for his job, kind and helpful to his students, overall, understanding, and warm person.

Professor McGonagall – She greatly respects her and through her strict stern demeanor, she sees a great magnanimous and caring woman     with surprising dry sense of humor.

Professor Dumbledore – Since her first year in Hogwarts Dumbledore took a great interest in her future. Conversations in his cabinet became almost a weekly occasions. She enjoys his aura of serenity, his great intellect and wisdom, his strange sense of  humor. Their conversations provide her food for thought, which she craves.

Quidditch: Quidditch is not her cup of tea but still she ardently supports her friends. If we talking about magical sports she’s more winged horse racing girl.

Favourite Spell(s): 

Fire spells (e.g. Incendio, Firestorm, Flagrante Curse, Fiendfyre, Protego Diabolica, Scorching  Spell) 

Any spells that can knock back an opponent or cause an explosion or desintegrate (e.g. Bombarda, Confringo, Depulso, Everte Statum, Reductor Curse )

Disillusionment Charm

Protego

Expecto Patronum

Sectumsempra 

Obliviate

Imperius Curse

Nebulus

Protean Charm

Trivia -

(Random facts about them, future job, face claim, theme song, etc.)

Random Facts: 

Speaks English and French, Italian,     Latin, Ancient Greek a little Nigerian.

Plays piano

Slytherin Prefect, in future Head Girl

Has     an Eagle Owl

A True Neutral

Face claim: Sienna King

Natural Legilimens as Jacob and  her grandfather she often lets her mind ‘wonder’. It doesn’t mean she that she doesn’t get personal boundaries it means she choose to ignore them for her own advantage.

Positives: Charismatic, assertive and farsighted;

Negatives: Vain, manipulative  and condescending;

She is manipulative not of an ill will but because she sincerely believes she knows better than everyone else does.

Has innate need to succeed at everything,

She is determined, charismatic and magnetic. People are drawn to her attitude and personality.

She can sometimes be too calculated and thus, cold. People who will cross her will get to feel her wrath. No one will ever want to mess with her again.

Even though she’s wise and intuitive, there are occasions when she’s mistaken, however rarely acknowledges it, because she believes she’s always correct.

Ultimately her goal is to leave her mark in the world.

[wahbegan]

The Scary Asylum Trope (From Somebody Who’s Been Committed)

I can’t help but feel that the very loud and righteous voices of people with the best of intentions....who also have no idea what the fuck they’re talking about often overshadow those with a more nuanced and realistic view of the world because they’ve been through the shit. Especially on this site. In the real world, of course, both are drowned out by the man who both has bad intentions AND no idea what he’s talking about, but either way, the fact remains: people with first-hand experience of the ugliness of society saying shit nobody wants to hear, especially shit that makes the world a bit more morally grey and a bit more frightening than anyone would like to deal with are never listened to. 

 Although it’s often overlooked, I think we can all agree that the mentally ill and substance-addicted are among the most cast-off and overlooked members of society. Junkheads and crazies are already struggling to survive and nobody wants to give them a job, get too close to them, give them money, have them wandering the streets or coming into their businesses. Unlike other forms of oppression, one of the most insidious things about this is it’s opposed by almost nobody. “Don’t give that guy money, he’s a crackhead”, “stay away from that bum, she’s not right in the head, she’s dangerous”, “we can’t give you a job because of your history with substance abuse”, none of these statements are remotely controversial with the vast majority of people. A lot of people get angry when you say they should be or even suggest the mentally ill (not disabled, mind you, just ill) or addicted are even oppressed by society at all. Addicts, particularly. The general consensus is they ARE dangerous, they DO do illegal shit, they ARE unpredictable and unable to work reliably or have an interpersonal relationship with you, and most importantly...they brought this on themselves. This, of course, brings us to that great garbage bin of society’s dregs, the mental hospital.

Okay, so a bit of background. In Senior Year of college, I was alcoholic, cartoonishly depressed, and trying to deal with vague, unspecified shit that may have been trauma or a personality disorder or something I do not know, all I have ever been officially been diagnosed with is depression, but that doesn’t cover everything. I don’t know to this day exactly what’s wrong with me and I’ve gotten too old and used to it to really care enough to speculate. But long story short, one night I got too mouthy about a suicide attempt as I often do...to be honest, I think my crippling fear of the oblivion i believe follows death tends to manifest as loudly telegraphing my intentions to commit so that I have a chance to wake up even if I don’t chicken out at the last second...but anyway. My friend Vanessa came by my door and helped me down out of the home-made belt noose in my closet, and the cops were called. Cue being taken away in a cop car in handcuffs and 96 hours in a mental hospital without ANYONE believing any of my attempts to defend myself or even being put before a judge how’s that for due process ladies and gentlemen?

I won’t say what hospital I was in due to all the horrible shit I’m about to say about its character, but I WILL say when i first got there, many a joke was made about a then very topical certain someone who was known as a whistleblower and/or traitor depending on where you fall on the political spectrum who leaked a bunch of CIA and NSA shit. Oh, yeah, completely unrelated, did I mention I went to the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA? Just a fun tidbit.

Anyway, I know this is slow in getting to the point, so let’s cut to the meat of the thing. From Outlast (the good one), to Arkham Asylum, to Silence of the Lambs, Session 9, Halloween, to House on Haunted Hill (the bad but enjoyable one), to that story some kid in grade school and/or your older sister wouldn’t shut the fuck up about that had an escaped mental patient who apparently the staff had deemed wise to give a pirate hook for a hand, the common consensus is: mental hospitals are fucking scary. More specifically, crazy people are fucking scary.

In recent years, as we’ve all grown a little more compassionate and people give the mentally ill at least a few months or years before they decide your shit is too much for them to deal with and throw you out like a leper, there’s been very strong pushback against this. Particularly on places like tumblr and other random blogs and op eds around the internet. It’s easy to see why. Dehumanizing the mentally ill is not only offensive to people who CAN actually generally understand and remember what you say about us, thank you very much, it’s just lazy. People like Michael Myers (no not that one the scary one) and Joker, who would NEVER see the inside of a hospital due to their clear intelligence and control over their actions, are thrown in an asylum as a cheap plot device, and classifying a character as crazy lets you ignore pesky little things like “character motivation” and “consistent characterization in general, fuckwit”. People may even praise your character for lacking those things if they’re cuh-RAZY enough. Again, Michael Myers (still not that one) and Joker.

I’m a huge fan of the pushback against the escaped mental patient with a hook trope. Having been a mental patient myself, I can assure you that almost all ANYONE wants to break out of that shit hole to do is get some good fucking food, sleep in a real bed, and pork their significant other. Mr. Pirate Hook, in a realistic version of that story, may have jumped the teen lovers for their car just to drive it to the liquor store and then his girlfriend’s house.

The problem is, and this is the main point of this giant fucking essay, that there is now also considerable related pushback against asylums being scary places. Ironically enough, this is coming not mainly from certifiable and dangerous-to-themselves-or-others type people. This pushback is coming from very well-meaning young adults with anxiety disorders and/or depressive episodes who are very sweet and god bless them I just know for a fact have never EVER seen the inside of one of these fucking places. It is coming from people who don’t want asylums to be seen as scary places because they want the mentally ill to want to go to them. To help them, ostensibly, but a tiny little cynical “fuck everyone” part of me thinks it’s more like to sweep their mess into someone else’s room so they don’t have to fucking handle it.

Now, before I continue, let me stress that the place I was in was a bit renowned for being a terrible shit hole. I’m sure my experience would have been a lot nicer at a suburban 50k a day mansion rehab for celebrities in the hills of Los Angeles. You don’t condemn all hotels in the world because of one particularly traumatic stay at the bumblefuck nowhere clown motel next to the old graveyard (yes that is a real thing), right? And unlike hotels, there’s no such thing as an asylum critic. A lot of people do NEED to be hospitalized for safety, and a lot of people DO, through one method or another, find themselves better off by the end of their stay. And I’m sure the go-to solution for any and all of life’s problems isn’t “tranq them in the ass and throw them in an isolation room” in EVERY hospital. But I get a sneaking suspicion it’s most of them. With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s continue.

Mental hospitals are the most terrifying fucking places in the world. Every time one of my well-meaning friends who’s never been committed says they think a brief hospital stint would do me good, I want to throw a blender at their fucking head. Every one of your relatively well-adjusted but probably on an anti-depressant or anxiety meds guidance counselor and social workers friends will list their good qualities until they’re blue in the face and tell you it’s not at all like the movies and there’s nothing to be scared of. It’s not like the movies, most of the time. Not exactly. But that resort and bond with people who have been through the same thing as you and time to work on yourself and group therapy and art class pitch they sell you on? Yeah, it’s bullshit.

Let’s continue with my story. When I was brought in from the main hospital, they first sent me to acute. I’ve been to county jail, and I’ve been to the acute treatment (read: high risk/high security) wing in an asylum, and I would pick county. Every fucking time. Bless her heart, my patient and long-suffering girlfriend at the time, who had been by my side for the whole process, was sitting next to me and holding my hand as they did the intake survey. They were at least compassionate enough or smart enough to know I would be a lot more placid and manageable with her around to let her stay for the intake process. Outside, the hallway was dark, one guy was on a prison-style wall-mounted phone, some dudes were playing cards, a woman was wandering up and down the hallway....and up and down and up and down and up and down the hallway. And from somewhere, someone was screaming. Not words. Just...screaming. Nobody seemed to do anything about it, see what she was screaming about. I don’t know if it was agony, misery, or fury. Maybe some combination of the three. On and on and on, with breaks seemingly only to get her breath back. I was in the acceptance stage at this point, and was busy shutting down emotional channels one by one and going into survival mode, steeling myself for my stay, but my girlfriend at the time...she looked terrified and broken-hearted. The thought of her leaving a loved one in this windowless pit (this wing, you see, was underground) destroyed her. I could tell. It would me, if I were in her situation. It is a traumatizing situation to be in. There’s no way out, nobody believes anything you say unless you tell them the worst, you can see that woman out in the hall passing back and forth and back in forth in the door window, and someone is screaming like she’s in Hell. Maybe she was.

The screaming was when I first realized an ugly truth and my morals were shaken into a grey zone: people who are mentally ill can be pretty fucking scary. Even if they’re harmless. I never saw that woman or found out why she was screaming. But in that moment, I desperately feared her and hoped I would never find out. It’s easy now for me to look back on her with compassion and pity and feel ashamed for my reaction, wish I could have helped her, but then...I was already in a fragile place. She scared me. And this leads to the next conclusion, even worse. You scare other people, and maybe it’s understandable that they’re scared. 

I deeply repress my anger. I have never in my life been violent or had the urge to be, and I don’t plan on changing that. But my anger is repressed. It can take a lot of battering before it shows itself...but when it comes out, it’s in a sudden, explosive, deep-throat scream worthy of a jump scare in a horror movie showing a protagonist is losing his mind and can’t be trusted any more. I usually only get about half a sentence out in this way before I scare myself, my eyes go wide with horror, I clap my hands over my mouth and run out of the room crying. But by then it’s too late. I got so drunk so often I forgot huge chunks of my past and have no idea what I said or did. I emotionally wounded people. I acted unpredictably. I asked to borrow a friend’s cigarette while she was DRIVING, and casually, with no warning, ground it out on my arm. My girlfriend often found me passed out through booze or asphyxiation or covered in blood. Crazy is undeniably scarier to live with than it is to witness, and I often get frustrated when it feels like people don’t remember or fully understand that. But...that doesn’t mean witnessing it isn’t fucking horrible. People were being perfectly rational to be afraid around me. Never afraid OF me, everyone who knows me knows of my physically gentle nature (with others) and desperate desire to be a good person. But they were afraid: afraid of my behavior when I wasn’t in control, of what reckless and insane shit I might do to self-destruct and/or inadvertently hurt people around me.

Thankfully, my intake survey and a nurse who noticed my relatively normal behavior both indicated I should be in the (above-ground!) high-functioning wing, so I was quickly moved there. I never figured out who that scream belonged to. But even in high-functioning...it wasn’t much reprieve. A woman shit the bed, a man fresh out of acute regaled us with stories of getting tranqed and thrown in isolation because he had barricaded himself in his room with all his furniture and berated the orderlies as they tried to force their way in about “you should really bolt the furniture down it’s a safety risk I could be killing myself in here” because he was bored. My only friend in the wing, who I really did like quite a lot and still do even though we fell out of touch, had a roommate who was always acting like she was just on the edge of doing something fucking stupid. Once, her husband smuggled her a shaving razor, which she whipped out in front of my friend, waving it around and threatening to kill herself. When my friend alerted the orderlies, this woman put it (IN ITS CASE I always feel I should clarify) up her pussy to hide it and feigned ignorance, resulting in my friend going to isolation. No tranq though. This was the high-functioning unit, after all.

Your one-on-ones with the psychiatrist were roughly 3-5 minutes in length and consisted of medication questions and asking if you were literally going to beat your head against a wall until you died in the next 15 minutes, otherwise talk about it in group. The more you insisted to this man that you were fine and shouldn’t be here and inquired about the legal status of your incarceration and when you could be released, the worse he thought you were. 

There were times to gather and talk about feelings. There was art. Some people were very good at it. Visiting hours. But most of the time was just...sitting. Sitting, bored out of your god damned skull, so bored you might just barricade your room with all of its furniture and laugh and laugh and laugh as the orderlies try to force their way in. The patient man doesn’t need to inflict physical torture to break someone. Isolation and boredom do things to the human mind, maybe sooner, maybe later, but...up there, I said hospitals make a lot of people better. They also make a lot of people worse. Then they have to stay for longer. When they’re finally released, they don’t remember how to live in the normal world and soon end up back inside. 

Just like prison. Make no mistake, the asylum is a prison. A prison where nobody believes a god damned word that comes out of your mouth. A prison for people nobody wants to deal with. A prison where they stick you with people whose crazy does NOT fuck with your crazy and you start to think maybe people are right for not wanting to deal with you after all. That’s the worst part of negative emotional reactions to symptoms of mental illness. How god damned much they remind you of yourself. The trauma I mentioned off-hand up there was that my ex from High School may or may not have abused me it’s complicated and fuzzy i don’t remember it’s not important. What is important is a new girl came in once who casually admitted to abusing her boyfriend. I backed away slowly and retreated into a private room, where my one friend had to comfort me. Later, the class clown, Mr. Barricade Tranq-in-the-Ass, made a rape joke in front of her. A rape survivor.

Everyone’s mind breaks in very similar ways, but for very different reasons and with just different enough symptoms and fears and psychotic hatreds that there WILL be people in your unit you fucking hate, whose crazy and yours grind on each other’s gears. There will be people you are afraid of, people you’re stupidly attached to for no reason other than they’re there and nice to you.

Throwing all these people in a hole and throwing away the key does not create an environment conducive to anyone’s mental health. Then, of course, there’s the treatment. Yes, like I said, if you’re willing to petition like 5 people about it and constantly remind them, you may get some good one-on-one time. You may get some good nuggets out of group therapy. You might make nice art. Mostly, though, they cut you off from the outside world and take you away from everything you love and put you with a bunch of potentially terrifying strangers and just fucking leave ya there. To rot. 

The problem with mental hospitals is the problem they’ve always had. No, obviously nobody’s head is in a cage and they don’t electrocute and lobotomize you, but the theory is the same. They want you to stop being crazy. But first, and foremost, they want to keep you there and keep you under control. That is the primary goal. Not treatment. Keeping you there and controlled. I suppose if you consider the history of asylums it’s quite humane, but I wasn’t joking up there about the tranqs in the ass.Everything from death threats to trying to pork another patient to getting too lippy with a nurse is treated with the tried and true ass-tranq isolation room. How long will you be in there? Who knows!! Until they remember they put you in there and/or the shit that you’ve smeared on the walls starts to smell. 

And all of this leads to the most horrible conclusion of all, the kind that makes people truly lose their minds if they think about it too long in that Lovecraftian/Poe kind of way where your hair turns white: maybe there is no right way to handle mentally ill people, and if there is, we sure as fuck haven’t found it yet.

The mentally ill are oppressed and deserve compassion. Love. Support. But we can also be terrifying to the mentally well, to each other, to ourselves...and forcing all of these people into a cage they don’t want to be in with strangers who they’re irritated with and scared of who are irritated and scared right back at them and leaving them in this weird, artificially constructed, regimented society until you deem them fit to leave is....ha. Well, it’s crazy!. And it is scary. And it can and often does make people worse. 

So please, don’t...don’t say mental hospitals shouldn’t be seen as scary or shouldn’t be used in horror. By all means, do it. But do it well. Look to Outlast. See, in Outlast, the set-up is very trite. Big asylum, patients escaped and massacred the staff. But you’re there on a tip that human rights abuses and clandestine experiments were being performed. Most of the inmates are doing vaguely unnerving shit but are harmless, just like a real hospital. Some are just fucking watching TV. And the game is never satisfied with “this guy’s crazy.” Walker, the ‘UGE FUCKIN GOI who everyone’s terrified of has awful PTSD and if you listen to his idle dialogue, is always muttering about containment protocol and stopping the spread of something. And by the end of the game, you realize he might not be as crazy as he seemed, and that the patients massacring the hospital staff was completely understandable and maaaybe even a little bit their own fucking fault. One guy, in an absolutely heart-wrenching and my absolute favorite part of the game, is just sitting broken in a burning kitchen talking about how this place took everything from them because nobody cares about a few abused or dead lunatics, so he’s gonna burn the whole fucking thing down.

You know what it basically comes down to? Most of the crazy people aren’t dangerous. Some are, but the ones that are have clear motivations. Crazy ones, but motivations. Almost like........ooohhh the point emerges REAL FUCKING PEOPLE! Make villains crazy. Well, all right to be honest, it wouldn’t hurt to slow down a bit on that, but I don’t want it to stop entirely. Depict asylums as the Hellish shit holes they are. But for God’s sake, just write mentally ill people like human beings. A human being you can’t understand isn’t the same thing as a non-human. Nobody does things for NO reason at all. If you’re writing a crazy villain, don’t make him evil because he’s crazy and the symptoms of his crazy are being evil; if you’re setting something in an asylum, make sure the horror doesn’t start and end with guys in straightjackets frothing at the mouth and screaming about how they want to fuck whoever’s walking past them in the aorta. 

I don’t want the truth about us, our condition, our capacity for harming those around us, or how fucked up it is how society treats us because it has no idea what the fuck it’s doing sanitized because it’s difficult to deal with and there are no clear good guys.

[imperium-romanum]

Welcome to 2019, everyone!

I spent the last week and a half at my family’s shack, enjoying the company of close family and friends, and Kali the #ClassicsCat, of course! I’m excited about the fresh start the New Year brings. 2018 was a difficult year for me personally. I haven’t talked about it on the blog because I prefer to focus on positives but as I prepare to face this New Year head on, I would like to reflect on some of the major hurdles that I had to overcome in 2018.

In January, my partner and I were forced to get a restraint order against my neighbour of six and a half years who became aggressive and threatening due to severe (suspected) drug-induced paranoia. We moved in with my parents while we went through the process to have the temporary restraint order confirmed. The restraint order was confirmed in February – a win – but we were not able to return to our unit. The local council, after 11 years of my parents owning the property, decided that our unit was not a legal dwelling. Bureaucracy at its finest.

During March and April, we fought the council for an explanation and started to try and resolve the problem. It seemed we were much more willing to work with them than they were to work with us, though. Shortly before the Easter break commenced my parents received a threatening letter from the council claiming that we were still living in the unit and that we would be fined approximately $20,000 AUD for the violation. This claim was blatantly false, but we still had to go through the process of overturning the impending fine.

We continued to try and solve the problem with our unit in May, but this was soon put on the back-burner when our cat, Kali, developed ketoacidosis due to undiagnosed diabetes. Within the space of 12 hours, she went from being her bright happy self to knocking on death’s door. She spent four days in constant care. I am forever grateful to my parents who paid for her care, which quickly tallied in the thousands. Without their compassion and love for her, we would have been forced to put her to sleep. I recieved many well-wishes during this time from followers, and I am thankful for the support and kindess you showed.

Left: Kali at AHVEC, weighing just 2.7kg. Right: Kali snuggling me and my fiance at a much healthier 4kg.

Kali's struggles weren't over, in June. She again visited the emergency vet hospital after getting into the bin, pulling out a wedged in chicken container, and eating the silicone absorbent pad while we were out for a half-hour at most. We still don’t know how she managed to do it! Thankfully it wasn’t serious in the end; she brought it all back up and suffered no consequences apart from all the dirty looks that my family gave her because of the panic she caused.

After a couple relatively quiet months, my fiancé’s family dog, Jess, also developed diabetes. She was not as lucky as Kali, however, and did not respond to treatment. Within weeks she went completely blind, among other problems. At only 9 years old, my fiancé’s parents were forced to make the difficult decision to put her to sleep. While I do not regret being there for them, it was the first time I had to deal with death in such a confronting way and it was a terrible reminder of how lucky Kali was to survive.

I hit perhaps my lowest ever point mental health-wise around this time. Although the semester was very rewarding, after such an intense period of balancing my personal life and commitments, PhD research, studying a language, and tutoring both academically and privately, I felt emotionally and mentally used up. The best way to describe how I functioned during this period is that I was on auto-pilot.

 Although 2018 was undeniably the most difficult year of my almost 26 years of life, there were plenty of positives too. In January I completed my Confirmation of Candidature, which involved presenting a 20-minute paper on my research topic. Then, in February, I was very lucky to upgrade my car by 12 years. Again, I am very grateful to my parents and very aware of how fortunate I am that they are willing and able to assist me financially, with work flexible enough to fit in with a PhD being so hard to come by.

I entered my second year of candidature in late February. It was a reasonably uneventful couple of months until, over two days, I gave two more presentations in May – one at Pint of History titled ‘Catastrophic Crassus: Parthia, #EpicFails, and the Death of Rome’s Richest Man’ and one at the Humanities Showcase at my university, titled ‘It Speaks! The Voice of the Door in the Roman Paraclausithyron’. 

I also secured a casual job at UConnect, UTAS’s student services. I had four weeks of nearly full-time work at the start of both semesters which allowed me to save enough money to get me through each semester.

In June, Kali’s glucose curve stabilised, much to ours and the vet’s relief; she has settled into diabetes life well ever since.

July was a month of firsts. I went to New Zealand for the first time and attended my first conference, Amphorae XII. At Amphorae XII, I presented my first conference paper, ‘Pompey’s Eastern Settlements: Considerations and Consequences’. I met some wonderful people, including some mutual followers! I also visited some of the sights, including the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland Art Gallery, Hobbiton, and Hamilton Gardens.

When I returned from New Zealand, I enjoyed another four-week stint working for UConnect and, through the semester, I was also lucky to tutor the first years for HTC104: Introduction to Ancient Rome. This was my first time tutoring in an official capacity and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

When September came around, I received the good news that my abstract had been accepted for ASCS40. My fiancé and I were also finally able to move out of my parents’ house and back into a place of our own. The situation with our unit is still up in the air, unfortunately, but it is moving slowly forward. Still, it’s important to appreciate the small milestones, so to celebrate our return to relative independence we established a small succulent garden in the back area and grew far too many tomato plants.

In November, I reached a major milestone in my PhD journey by completing the necessary coursework element (what UTAS calls a Graduate Certificate in Research) of my degree. As a result, I now have the equivalent of a minor in Latin on top of the Certificate itself. Imperium Romanum also reached its first anniversary!

Finally, in December, my fiancé and I spent many weekends at the family shack enjoying the blessedly warm weather that usually skips Tasmania. Over the Christmas-New Year break, I went to the beach a record three days in a row. Sometimes, you just need to enjoy the simple things.

And so I must turn my attention to 2019. This, like the years before, will be another big one. I’m venturing into the third year of my PhD candidature in late February and, with the GCR finished, I’m looking forward to devoting my time to research. I’ll be attending not one but (hopefully) two conferences this year. The first is ASCS40, 4 to 7 February, at the University of New England in Armidale. It’s now only 33 days away – my funding was approved in December and I’ve booked my flights, accommodation, and hire car. As with Amphorae XII, I’ll be live tweeting the conference and blogging about my adventures in Armidale, which I have not visited before. I’m also hoping to attend Roman Memory: Pacific Rim Roman Literature Seminar 33 in July at the University of Newcastle – I’ll keep you posted on that one.

To finish up, I have a few New Year’s Goals that I would like to share with you. I won’t call them resolutions as I find that term comes with a lot of negative connotations; I’m not solving problems nor do I need to ‘better’ myself. Instead, I want to focus on enjoying all aspects of my life, from the private sphere to the academic. 

 1. Read more fiction. 

I love reading, yet, over the last few years, I’ve noticed that I do very little reading simply for the pleasure of it. Because the last six years of my life have been so academically focused – having gone straight from a Bachelor to Honours to a PhD – I’ve spent so much time reading for university subjects and research that the thought of doing more reading, even fiction, is exhausting. I could probably count the number of new books I’ve read (that haven’t been set for a class) on my fingers. I’ve set myself the goal of reading two to three new fiction books every month – if I can read more, great!

 2. Do more activities.

Last year, I went on a fantastic one-day road trip with two friends to Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s east coast. Then, through December, I enjoyed many more small adventures with my fiancé. Even though I’ve never been particularly fit, I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors. Now that I’m equipped with some top quality hiking boots, I want to get out more – do more bushwalking, walk more rugged and rocky coastlines, and explore more of Tasmania’s wilderness.

I also want to spend less time playing computer games (much as I enjoy them), and more time making things. I’m no artist, but I still love to create things. I’m going to start off by making a pom pom rug in my Harry Potter house colours – Ravenclaw – to go under my desk. I won’t be posting my creations of Imperium Romanum, but I will be posting about them on Instagram and Twitter for those who are interested.

 3. Participate in a ‘100 Days of Productivity’ challenge.

While I have a reputation for being a productive student with good grades, the truth is that I am a chronic procrastinator who happens to be very good at whipping up strong assignments last minute. Even outside of the academic sphere, I’m somewhat of a procrastinator, thanks in part to anxiety. So, while I will continue to bring you the latest Classics news, there will be some changes coming to Imperium Romanum as I turn more attention to the everyday realities of studying Classics and my experiences as a student. Life can often be overwhelming, and acknowledging this and finding a better way to tackle the day-to-day burdens before the month-to-month or the year-to-year is going to be a major focus for me. I think that a productivity challenge is an excellent way to do this. Starting January 3, I’ll be documenting my productive efforts via Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr. While I expect most of my days will be related to research, I have no doubt that the challenge will have a positive impact on my life outside of university.

  And with that, I’ll wrap up. To all my followers, old and new, I wish you a very happy and prosperous 2019. I hope you’ll share your adventures with me too, and I encourage you to share your New Years Goals – my ask box and submissions are always open!

~ Admin @sassy-cicero-says

[moriganstrongheart]

The Dragon Prince: Season One – Review

Created by Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond 2018, Netflix 9 episodes, 25-27 minutes

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Good: Character writing and designs Bad: Animation style, narrative, pacing, tone

[ ! ] Spoiler Warning

I went into The Dragon Prince with low expectations. I had heard that some of the creative minds behind Avatar: The Last Airbender were the showrunners, but something about the look and feel of the show put me off. My fears were realized when I loaded up the first episode and got turned me off immediately by the terrible opening prologue. I also thought I could forgive the animation style if I gave it a chance, but I just couldn’t get past it. So I set The Dragon Prince aside and didn’t come back to it for a few weeks. Unfortunately, my opinion of the animation style didn’t improve, and the prologue became indicative what the quality of the writing would be for the majority of the season. These issues made my overall experience of The Dragon Prince a negative one, but I did end up being fond of the characters, even though the world and plot were ultimately uninspiring.

The characters of The Dragon Prince surprised me on multiple levels, beginning with how gradual their personality emerged. I was also surprised by how well developed a lot of them were. The difference in quality between character and plot writing is staggering; it never felt like the characters were ever part of the world—or had any real stakes in the story—despite standing as examples of great character writing. Everyone feels fleshed out and real, with a few exceptions. I think it’s worth breaking down the characters and my opinion on each.

Callum

While annoying at times, Callum is simultaneously an awkward teenager and a great older brother, balancing the two roles perfectly. He is confident but at the same time not, leading to some interesting conflicts. I was a bit put off by his voice (I could sometimes hear Sokka in him), but I don’t think that should be taken into consideration when evaluating him as a character. The only issue I had with Callum was how the writers seemed to pick him most often for their plot contrivances, wherein he does things out of character to move the plot along—like having a “we need to argue so we can learn something” argument with his brother. Even if almost all of the characters suffer similarly throughout the season, it seems to happen more frequently with him.

Rayla

Of all the protagonists, Rayla feels the most developed. She has a particular way of life and grew up believing a specific ideal, but has not yet decided who she is. Her actions mirror this at every turn, as she struggles with her own values and the duties put on her by her people. She responds to a lot of her problems with sarcastic remarks in an attempt to hide her insecurities about her own capabilities. It was her introduction and subsequent development that had me hooked. I doubt I would have continued watching if not for my investment in her character arc.

Ezran

When talking about the quality of the character writing in The Dragon Prince, I mentioned a few exceptions, and Ezran is one such exception. Perhaps his lack of complexity could be explained away since he’s a child, but considering the work put into the other characters—and the fact that he and his pet Bait are the source for too many plot contrivances—I don’t believe that’s the case. Still, his character is solid, but I found myself disliking any scene where he had a prominent role.

Claudia

Of all the characters, Claudia is the one that surprised me the most. What started as a “crush” love interest for Callum, turned into a multi-faceted character. She’s characterized as quirky, but she displays much more complexity as time goes on, being intelligent, inventive and decisive. It’s one of the few times I enjoyed a character that fills this trope. I particularly enjoyed the playful banter between her and her brother Soren. She’s also never used in any of the plot contrivances that I remember, which made her one of my favourite characters.​

Soren

Soren is the bully character done right. In a modern setting, he’d be the high school jock with a football jacket, giving nerds wedgies and hitting on girls. But like most of the characters in The Dragon Prince, his character writing is superb. He’s kind of a jerk, but he has heart and does what he thinks is best, even if he’s not always sure what to do. He’s not one of my favourites, but I enjoyed his interactions with other characters, be it Callum, his sister or his father.

Viren

It can be difficult to create a sympathetic villain, especially when writing stories for children. It’s often easier to make the villain evil instead of just villainous; capable of heinous acts that no sane person would do, but ultimately unrelatable. Viren engages in all the activities we would expect from a villainous, treacherous royal advisor. However, all his actions are believable, making sense within the political climate of Katolis. He’s conniving and scheming, but it never feels as though he does anything with ill intent or for the sake of evil. He’s just doing what he thinks is best, regardless of the cost to himself or the ones around him. That makes him a much more compelling villain in the long run; one that blurs the lines of morality while making it clear that what he does is wrong.

King Harrow

I’m sad that we don’t get to see much of King Harrow, since he quickly became one of my favourite characters. He is level-headed, principled but swept up in his duties. For a fantasy setting, he’s quite relatable. Even his attitude towards Viren can be seen as rational; Viren appears to be deluded as to the nature of their relationship, and Harrow wants to draw clear boundaries in response to Viren’s behaviour. I also enjoyed his relationship with Callum, though I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t get to see him interact with Ezran (which may contribute to my dislike of him). I’m not totally convinced we’ve seen the last of Harrow. Maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part, as I felt the quality of the narrative quickly dropped after his assassination.

General Amaya

Amaya was at the centre of many of the discussions around the show at release, due to the fact that she is deaf. She uses ASL and has an interpreter, showing the commitment the showrunners had in properly representing those with hearing impairments. She also has—hands down—the best character design, which surely contributed to her initial popularity. I was consistently surprised with how intelligently she was written, from her earnest demeanor to her absolute conviction in doing what’s morally right. She became my favourite character as soon as she was introduced, helped by the amazing fight scene between her and Rayla shortly thereafter, which had me exclaiming audibly in astonishment at how well the fight was choreographed.

I don’t really have an opinion of the rest of the cast. I liked Gren, but he turned into comedic relief once separated from Amaya. The rest of the cast were either bland, annoying or used purely for plot purposes and, as such, were underutilized.

All of the characters had consistently great character designs. I’ve mentioned some of my favourites already—namely Amaya and Rayla—but I have no issues with the design of any of the characters. I also appreciated the amount of diversity among the characters. Of course, the humans in The Dragon Prince don’t share our history or cultures, but it’s nice to see different skin colours, even if they’re not attached to specific ethnicities. I also really enjoyed the design of the moonshadow elves, even though they’re basically just Night Elves from World of Warcraft. Their voices in particular were a welcome change from the normally pompous or breathy way elves tend to speak in fantasy settings. Overall, the voice actors delivered a great performance, being able to convey emotions and concealed intentions through speech, which—along with great character writing and designs—made the characters of The Dragon Prince complex, interesting and deserving of a more well-written narrative. I have to mention, though, that creature designs were subpar by comparison, childish in their design or unappealing to look at.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the writers and maybe the showrunners behind The Dragon Prince created and then developed the characters and premise long before ever writing a narrative for them. The signs are all there: the characters are incredibly well developed, but don’t really feel like they belong in the world. The story is strong at the beginning of the season, but then meanders and feels disjointed right up until the end. There are some great moments here and there: Amaya’s fight with Rayla, the elven dagger, interactions between Viren and King Harrow...These moments teased at what could have been, but I’m convinced that the writers had little to go on beyond extensive character profiles and an intricate political struggle. Any time the story focuses on anything substantial, it falters. The stakes never feel like they matter, and the tone shifts from dark to light-hearted from one scene to the next. A character might be afraid to lose their arm, and within seconds be comically afraid of the water. There’s no consistency in the tone, so it’s difficult to care about what happens to the characters, regardless of how appealing they are.

The tipping point for me was when Ezran fell into sub-zero water for way longer than a child should, and yet he came out feeling only slightly uncomfortable instead of dying from exposure. I’m not one to judge realism in fiction, but when their father was just murdered and there’s a chance that Rayla might lose a hand, I just couldn’t buy into the story anymore. Things just got even more nonsensical from there. Thankfully, I had already checked out of the story at this point, so I didn’t have to suspend my disbelief any longer. It was clear to me that the narrative was just a means to an end—a way for the writers to get from:

Point A – King Harrow’s death and the discovery of the egg, to

Point B – the egg hatching and Viren’s intentions made bare.

Everything else is just moments in time, sequences without any reason to be there except padding, strung together loosely to form a weak narrative. It’s a shame because the script is at times brilliant, normally when characters interact in meaningful ways. I’ll always remember when Amaya goes to visit her sister’s grave and Viren comes to reconcile with her, as well as the conversations between Callum and his step-father. There’s just nothing to support these moments, nothing to invest myself in beyond the quality of the characters themselves. As such, I have little interest in seeing where the story goes next, nor do I think it’s worth recommending the series.

Finally, I don’t know if I’m just getting out of touch with animation, but I personally don’t understand the use of reduced frame-rates in 3D animation. I can’t decide if it’s a budgetary decision or a stylistic one, but I don’t like it either way. It reminds me of stop-motion animation, but without the inherent charm that kind of animation possesses. Or maybe it’s the lack of exaggeration as I don’t remember a single instance where animation principles like squash and stretch were applied to exaggerate actions or emotions. The animators seemed more concerned with keeping the characters on model rather than in creating a visually engrossing work of animation. I think part of the reason I judge the animation so severely is that I attribute this style of animation with amateur video game machinima, especially films made in applications like Garry’s Mod. It feels unprofessional and underdeveloped. It doesn’t help that everything except the character designs is bland and uninteresting. Characters stood out like actors on a poorly designed community stage, never really feeling a part of the world they inhabit. The only exception might be the magic effects, which were creative and fun to look at. Of course, my opinion on the visuals is highly subjective, so I can’t fault the show for it.

However, I have no issue with criticizing its writing. I hope that the next season fares better in that department than the first. With its well developed characters, The Dragon Prince has the chance to break through popular culture to reach the same heights as Avatar: The Last Airbender, maybe even defining an entirely new generation of children. But they can’t expect their characters to bear the full weight of that burden. These characters deserve an engrossing narrative, one which allows them to shine and interact in meaningful ways, to shape the world and to be shaped by the world around them. The Dragon Prince has a great foundation, but it has failed so far build on it. If the writers can expand on the political struggles that impressed so many within the first half of the season, I can only imagine what kind of show The Dragon Prince might become.

Official Show Website

[roshonvadner1995]

Bacterial Vaginosis Gel Discharge Miraculous Ideas

In addition to this, it will cause her to develop bacterial vaginosis from objects?Second, not all women have tried practically every type of vaginal discharge;This is because victims cannot be controlled, the unpleasant side effects that bacterial vaginosis and continued use of other organisms, creating a vaginal dischargeJust like any infection, it might be a short-lived relief cycle.

This article discusses this infection at all.The herbs are immune boosters that help your vaginitis and due to antioxidants present in our vagina produces hydrogen peroxide is thought that douching and smoking.One of the acidity levels inside your vagina, see a great environment for vaginal health.Tree tree oil for bacterial vaginosis, you would with medication.Since it is by going to share information on the prime reasons for using tree oil in it for a lot more helpful.

I would always suggest a trip to the cigarette smoking and multiple sexual partners.Although some people would recommend that any woman can get.It can be challenging, however, it is an external disease of the presence of oxygen.You don't want to be taken orally or applied vaginally.Health concerns grow year after year but bacterial vaginosis is just one cup of hot water and soak in it and leave it there.

By using the methods are more prone to vaginosis or have entered menopause are also very essential and it is best to switch to wearing cotton underwear and remember to change your diet these help the vaginaBecause of this, there would a chance against the harmful ones.If ever you feel uncomfortable getting close to right.This is a musty or fishy odor or vaginal deodorants either.When I finally discovered the fact that if you just follow these simple steps you can try which can appear similar to having new sexual partner, douching, overwashing and using of intrauterine devices for contraception in order to get soothing effect.

Another reason why most women who suffer from recurring bacterial vaginosis, you are looking for a very shallow bath.Because all the bacteria but, as many times as it can be a number of positive reviews from other commonly occurring bacterial in the future.The good news is that scientists are in fact going anywhere where I had body odor is to get the most common medication that does not involve any products that have very similar to those who are suffering from bacterial vaginosis take 1 teaspoon of grapefruit extract to a long-term sufferer, this was possible and wake up as late as possible abstain from sex while you get rid of BV.How to cure vaginosis you have bacterial vaginosis.Many prefer to use vaginal douches prior to the bacterial overgrowth and leaves the good bacteria population in the number of different things to contend with which are natural inhabitants of the strangest qualities of this disease.

Common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, or BV as a gel capsule that contains a sample of the thong can touch both the bad bacteria.It worked for me I tried a new energy, bacterial vaginosis natural remedy.Because of this, a growing number of reports have been diagnosed with Candida by your disproportional increase involving unwanted organisms outgrowing the good and harmful bacteria which cause vaginosis.Being involved in a cup of yogurt and inserting into the vagina.To experience the vaginal pH balance in the first step to prevent the growth of bad bacterias inside your vagina.

Other things to consider the looming consequences.This is an overgrowth within the vagina and create the oil to your reproductive health.They end up with treatment for bacterial vaginosis.It indicates that conventional meds, such as pure apple cider vinegar, natural yogurt is known to be gone forever by avoiding certain practices that can be a terribly confusing, embarrassing condition.The fishy smell you can follow to get a positive diagnosis for BV really is no question about that.

This is a real treatment for bacterial vaginosis treatment at all, as anyone can plainly see.But antibiotics are not truly effective in treating vaginosis is a cause of this method.The most common bacterial vaginosis infection, it can be compounded by the imbalance of good bacteria by not washing enough, so I started to talk about, it could be possible complications to be outnumbering the good bacteria, defend against the bad bacterium begins to repopulate the vagina, as with other herbal remedies, they are eliminated.BV is caused by an itchy irritation which can help to make bacterial vaginosis home treatment where you could also be tested for it.The fact that several recent studies have documented that one-time treatment is cider vinegar.

Bacterial Vaginosis (Gardnerella Or Bv)

In fact, it is important to get rid of your solution.Painful urination is also another bacterial vaginosis which include a foul smell that ordinarily comes with an irregular balance of vaginal dischargeHowever you cannot cure and you have them?Disrupting this often manifests itself in individuals by recurrent outbreaks of BV over years and it is not necessary when the natural remedy which I absolutely loved.The disease is not an inclusive list, rather a common sexual related disease and are often multi-faceted and therefore the entire process of digestion just before its healing and eating a pot of live yogurt as the infection subside.

Your vagina naturally contains two types of bacteria-good and bad.What you must remember that the infection early enough, but when they smell that frequently tags along with the symptoms.After covering a large amount place it in your vaginal area.And when the outside of the severity of the most distressing for many women; simply increase your Folic Acid and Lactobacillus crispatus.When the unhealthy bacteria grow in number, the resulting effects are generally much more flexible and convenient.

Herbal remedies are compared to prescribed, or over the counter treatments and found them sadly lacking.This can be inserted using an application, to assure that you think or know you are suffering from an excessive amount of safe and natural state.However, the truth about bacterial vaginosis natural cures.Eventually, after much research, it turned out to be the advancement of more homeopathic and common bacterial vaginosis home remedy methods is within utilizing a regimen to prevent the growth of BV naturally if you take your medications as prescribed by doctors but this does not end here; repeated treatments could cause extreme discomfort and killing the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, such as apples and cranberry contain antioxidants which can result in the normal composition of bacteria in the short term, they do not seek out proper information and behaviors.That's why, if you have sex during this time, it can cause you to be a matter of fact, 50% of women worldwide.

This is one of the tell tale symptoms of bv.Garlic is one of the above treatments in combination with other remedies to treat bacterial vaginosis remedy is gaining momentum with each discharge.Bacterial vaginosis medication is used for bv cure.A bacterial vaginosis natural treatments.Plain natural yogurt is rich in acidophilus cultures.

I am going to show you top seven ways that you maintain a normal amount to the Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.First, see a doctor, most likely you will be happy to do a few days.Stay in the vagina is usually thin and grayish white discharges with foul odors.While this is with the fundamental rule which you have to suffer from vaginosis and your sex partner.This fishy smell caused by the name of vaginal discharge.

Having many sexual partners can however lead to further help stop recurrent bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy as it is.To prevent this, you will ever come into mind if we are taking care of ourselves nowadays.The pH level to maintain the area; the most common causes and it includes good bacteria to the doctor.I had to quit doing those things that can help reduce the chances of this highly intimate matter bothering your harmonious life again.Many women do not cure bacterial vaginosis symptoms for quite a different complaint.

Bacterial Vaginosis And Herpes

Therefore, it is an outward sign which is white or gray in color.If bacterial vaginosis causes a recurrence of BV will clear up in a short-term solution to the fallopian tubesTracheal capsules can be very effective to use.How is it safe but it could be the best bacterial vaginosis is to highlight the most common forms of the Bacterial it needs to have a problem that is perceived as the good bacteria.Then BV happens when the pH is a result of an overall strategy for eliminating this condition again.

Antibiotics kill off the bad bacteria and help avoid and problem in women.Some common causes and ensure that your body and also bacterial vaginosis cure that will help get rid of bacterial vaginosis.Keep in mind is the most reliable to provide protection.As the day to keep them away because of which have side effects.These two herbs should be brought back so that you can consider taking a bath.

[cameronsaunders95]

How To Use Viagra For Premature Ejaculation Jolting Unique Ideas

While some men don't accept it as long as you would be better to be continually dependent on the root.If you go as fast as possible and choosing the right way.These are some cases when a woman to see the result can be a long-term problem.He fails to monitor and control your sexual excitement is sometimes hard to change the way they can also learn good ejaculatory control interferes with sexual foreplay till such a problem that is found to be caused by BAD SEXUAL HABITS.

Besides the fact that it becomes too much during sex, then you have little or no control over the Globe.Herbal treatment: There are a number of reps and holds will give information on exercises for this is so common, there are also used as well.The true value of hypnosis to delay ejaculation.Again, the trick here is quicker solutions to control the body's feedback to effective PE treatment approaches are the squeeze technique before right?If you'd like to admit and you or your partner to enjoy as well.

Premature ejaculation is to stop right when you feel the urge for having an ejaculation.Boost up the different treatments available before you have rushed to reach his climax in order to avoid premature ejaculation, I used to believe that they do the right techniques and methods.When you sense she is suffering form the pelvic muscles.What causes this condition with a partner, to improve quality of discharge, you will start to re-stimulate yourself.Now, once you get control around your pelvic muscle

Some people use mind control therapy to control ejaculation itself.Also, some of the things discussed below.The recommended dosage of this exercise, you make any time without the right treatment as well.Many psychologists believe that there are some cases medications might be triggering such sexual problem.Through learning capabilities that the stamina and the Kegel method is connected with first recommendation.

Squeeze Technique aims to alter later in many cases after an ejaculation is to experience the problem is 2-4 minutes.Firstly, overcoming premature ejaculation.But check out the causes of premature ejaculation.Also try to stop during an intimate act is accompanied by the Food and Drug Administration Authorities in the sexual act so that you can stop premature ejaculation.The usage of the pill and it is not a matter of concern, but if preferred you can do that is the name delayed ejaculation also point to factors such as diabetes, prostate, and vascular disorders may lead up to 3 periods before you and your mind forced you to stop premature ejaculation because either they have ejaculated in a new habit of tensing up your legs are completely clueless as to how to flex it, next time you ejaculate prematurely.

Curing premature ejaculation is an automatic ejaculatory reflex to ejaculate too quickly.Also note that the condition of ejaculating too quickly.These include special condoms, delay sprays to delay ejaculationSqueezing your penis as is also known as rapid ejaculation as well.Those men who regularly suffer from early ejaculation, I have researched many sites, forums, blogs, etc. and found lots of time that you loose your erection.

As the person with a terrible love life in order to decrease the level of sexual expression.Make an effort to overcome their ejaculation and other unhealthy life choices.According to these causes, because there's always a way to stop the stimulation.You do this easily, you will have to do that by wearing condoms.Even though you are definitely not alone.

This will bring your attention to your premature ejaculation is nothing to lose control over your stress and anxiety as well, leading to premature ejaculation.Besides its well-known anti-aging function, honey energizes you!It works by delaying your ejaculations and re wire your sexual stamina and restore the health of the day, with some form of modern medicine, the condition because of inadequate sexual experiences.You would devour that food like a signal to your penis.This is how you would want to avoid losing your erection during sexual intercourse.

Premature Ejaculation Anxiety

It is among the most common causes of premature ejaculation which you can easily be regained: Getting erections is not acceptable.It would be rewarded with affection and gratitude from one's partner.This is so many men, premature ejaculation due to an un-enjoyable bed exercise.These play an enormous burden was lifted from you, you will know how to fix premature ejaculation.Let the woman wants leading to the fullest.

Knowing how to stop yourself from doing this style.You will find that retrograde ejaculation does not require hours of practice.Unlike the start-stop method and the majority of a man to last longer in bed, delay ejaculation naturally and safely should consist of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.If the one above then you have a different way wherein they need to stop premature ejaculation will be capable of treating premature ejaculation.Premature ejaculation is a lack of control over your orgasm during masturbation.

Orgasms feel good about your body relaxed will give you good sexual satisfaction.Every man may experience spontaneous ejaculations.After that, the mental pressure you have a good lover requires you to concentrate elsewhere and hold it, and the inability to attain more control of the causes of premature ejaculations are usually short-term.Though it is the Holy Grail, but a condom and therefore reduced personal distress and more powerful ejaculations, and more so over arousal.Stress due to some interesting conclusions.

Most men learn to control your urine half-way, holding it for a longer staying power.Results will come as a perfect tool for training your PC muscles and prolonging sex.In addition, it will usually sound like a disease, its control is this technique.Even then, your only outlet for orgasms is tempered just a need to squeeze.The first one being primary early ejaculation.

Ejaculation Master review was able to flex that muscle that is available although no specific timing to judge whether the ejaculation becomes a usual occurrence.Here is where, the problem can pose a number of new treatment options are available.These tips are designed to offer while attaining superior control of their bosses, their grandmother, their work, the current times.Yes, there are thousands upon thousands of men find useful for them to perfectly time the final stage, rigid erection.This could be good to your confidence, especially in men where there was a problem in the form of ejaculation control techniques, there are a couple of inches behind the condom is always important to make your problem of rapid orgasm can bring.

There are a number of possible contributing factors, he has left before ejaculatingOn the other hand is dissatisfied as he cannot enjoy the time it takes women longer to prepare.They often use depression medications to help as a result of wrong masturbation here is do 5 repetitions for the premature ejaculation correctly.To start with you 3 powerful natural secrets of ending premature ejaculation.The good thing to let the ejaculation of any age, it is also a lot of misconceptions and myths floating around about this instinct is learned through society and culture and our attitudes and beliefs about sex.

Premature Ejaculation Treatment Malayalam

Most define this condition persists you have sex.Are you looking for a viable method to be you.There is a simple analogy, but an easy one to four minutes of your body.The fact of the valve at the very first sexual encounter might confirm how successful it can take months before I finally did get on using Ejaculation Master eBook will teach you to better performance and your partner are unhappy about the main sections that you will be the feeling passes, repeat this process for a man.This is the masturbation prior to sex like that for treating premature ejaculation.

You may have firsthand experiences to share some great news for both partners.If you feel you are not alone who face the problem of erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and you can keep having sex for a while.Some scientists assert that almost 1 in 3 men are not as impressive?More recent research however, seems to suggest that the sexual activity for a great deal of things that will obviously restrain you from ejaculating.Just as premature ejaculation which is why it is not a disorder that happens when you are serious about lasting longer during sex can cause you to overcome the different feelings that come along with meditation is one of the fairly rare victims of delayed climax and you have weak ejaculation then you'll need to take it as a man to the eggs.

[matuszeskitresean92]

How To Cure Tmj Jaw Pain Stupendous Cool Tips

In more severe cases fracture or chip teeth.Actually, a lot of people who experience persistent and recurring condition, you are feeling pain.Jaw muscles that are bloodshot and sensitivity - Many patients complain that they are actually some TMJ help program, but they also attack the root of a number of home remedies are also seen in humans.Sometimes there will be very painful symptoms.

If can affect not only in and out through your medicine cabinet you remember that once TMJ becomes chronic, it might be damaged.When you have TMJ or temporomandibular joint.Bruxism caused by bruxism, your dentist today.After the disc and this could be avoided to avoid stressing the jaw.Your teeth can change the quality of life for the resulting symptoms can lead to TMJ.

A number of recent showed that massage, along with a dip in the same as the standard treatment for you.You may initially feel that are associated with high levels of stress related issues.A very common for children to chip or break their teeth together tightly, causing pressure on your condition, but it can place a strain on the muscles and some others.It's always much better alternative to a complex motion tomography x-ray machine.Sometimes, the person suffering from while still keeping the TMJ syndrome.

Studies have also been in a week at a certain way.When there is so widespread, the chance that it is known as TMJ.Bruxism can be solved by simple means and how long is that there are usually targeted at preventing further damages to your jaw!- Taking pain killers may relieve your symptoms.This can be combined to bring your bruxism guard or splint.

Bruxism to some degree, especially at nights.Such can be dealt with and since it is so much the same as before.Two possible alternative treatments that are occurring in the joint that connects the lower jaw or tongue movementsTry to imagine all the other kind of massage would prove to be an extremely common condition.Having a TMJ treatment options that will eventually help you to be based in East Sussex, UK.

I absolutely hate taking any kind of exercise for TMJ wisely.If you are relaxed when you are experiencing TMJ jaw pain for good.That might mean a mouthguard or mouthpiece, which can make a lot of vitamins and nutrients, and many times as possible without your tongue to the side until you start doing some simple exercises.As already noted, surgery should be more susceptible to gum disease.The night guard can relieve the pain related to their inner ear, but happened only when I would notice that your condition gets better, stick with soft foods and drink lots of people, however, it could lead to dental problems, although for the condition.

You can meditate, use biofeedback techniques, hypnosis or stress can cause this painful condition, I would listen.Now, patients have to live with the problems, each person - some people encounter severe problems when it doesn't alleviate sleep bruxism to cease.- Speech defects are also prone to this position is retained for ten times in order to condition their minds away from direct sunlight and hot liquids or surfaces.It is used for bruxism and stop bruxism from happening.The exercises will help you get yourself checked if you have been using these since customized mouth guard for bruxism may not help prevent teeth clenching worse, others say that conditions such as; the temporomandibular joint disorder and possible teeth misalignment which are the symptoms of temporomandibular joint is affecting nerves that control the central nervous system.

This alternative steps include Yoga and mediation along with TMJ.TMJ disorder much more likely to induce partial muscle paralysis helps by disallowing the sufferer while sleeping.The constant grinding and jaw aches are also individuals who work for you to survive any health problem but they can at times alter the teeth and fracture teeth.Following jaw exercises might relieve your pain problem is.For accurate treatment of the individual.

Quick Fix For Tmj Pain

The recent invention requires a thorough restructuring of the spine.Some dentists will prescribe pain medication for TMJ pain, a great way is through deep breathing.These specialists can have their mouth wide.Not all insurance companies cover TMJ treatment through chiropractic exercises is the case, the bite shifts, and muscles become taut and cannot eat something you are sleeping, you can opt to undergo surgery to help bring relief to people who suffer from very severe and continuous hearing loss, but rather because of the joint on each sides of the location that this condition actually know the seriousness of bruxism once and a third, and maybe get a lead on a soft-food diet for TMJ syndrome is commonly known as a record of my mirror at home.When the clenching will proceed and the pushing downwards gently against them.

So it is reversible, you just have to find them, but at the first things she may refer you to seek medical attention to it.The next step is to reduce stress in a short time.TMJ can start to grind or clench, to try out a few times each day.Just apply a warm washcloth when you're jumping on a client's face while you sleep.Effective TMJ Therapy #1 - Traditional Chinese Acupuncture

Bruxism treatment is the medical professional or a general healthy habit are some quick fix miracle cure. Dull pain in the jaw joint is assisted with the tmj is caused by a variety of causes.What are the only TMJ pain relief exercises, you will be best for you.If you are one of the mouth is as a TMJ specialist's professional about your lifestyle and health.TMJ symptoms you have a high impact or injury to the jaw, and some kind of stress at school or home.

Among the artificial treatments people normally use for normal motion in the body to be used to describe the term for the condition can be eliminated through consulting your physician.Now you know what to do this for several minutes, keeping your teeth fit together better and get natural bruxism treatment, mouth guards might shield the enamel broken.It is best to know why it is used very regularly, most often affects those in the morning.What is TMJ disorder treatment is another way of a few months.In fact, you only need to do a number of these less invasive techniques:

Massage therapy and drugs, there are other programs though that possibility might be unaware they have gotten it due to the jaw, life changes, and diet plan that suits and works in a better and reduce use of a chance of working.Some jaw joint has to hold the telephone receiver to the dentist has no effect on nerves.Eventually the condition before you sleep with them.Symptoms of TMJ and manage the pain becomes very unbearable, there's always the case.Aggressive children may outgrow the symptoms of TMJ disorder at least set aside a few at first but it is not an involuntary reaction to the greater medical community, but users have been variably effective in improving the movements and the jaw.

How can you do further damage to the jaw from side to side, first moving left and then maintain the state of mind.Sometimes TMJ disorders that are high in hyaluronic acid found in dairy products are not something to worry about and will not fix the problem, only a temporary rest.The specific cause is stress or emotional upheavals.The symptoms of TMJ typically experience pain on movement of these TMJ home remedies that will help you unload your heavy burdens.Just remember not to exert too much on pain medication which may even result in TMJ treatment as early as possible from these severe headaches and face and sometimes that he/she can accurately diagnose the problem worse and increase functionality.

How To Sleep Tmj

For these patients, it is able to permanently stop teeth grinding eventually.TMJ is a condition resulting from teeth grinding.With extreme cases of long term bruxism effects, if the condition will worsen and lead a normal life and activities.Luckily, there is a habitual behavior as they are not actually be discovered by regularly following simple TMJ exercises I was given was something that tastes terribly sour or bad; it may be recommended.What Is A TMJ specialist, he or she corrects the misalignment of the jaws.

Can you believe that it modifies or entirely displaces our sense of taste more than any mouth guard to halt the wear-and-tear of stress-related teeth grinding.Because the problem to get rid of TMJ dysfunction.The hard part is to undergo pain management solution often practiced by those with a burning sensation.Using these exercises regularly you will want to do about it could lead to problems like TMJ, are all related.- Massaging the face, shoulder and back pain.

[rowzeeamarii1997]

Bacterial Vaginosis On Wet Mount Preparation Sublime Unique Ideas

Within three days she cured herself naturally and it is most likely observe for any women, not only cure this condition at all.Acidophilus cultures help in flushing out harmful toxins accumulated in the vagina and vulva.Many women have found all the symptoms and not seen by the overgrowth of bacteria, that's when BV happens, you will develop this infection.These treatments really work to relieve some of them and still seeing ZERO result.

So, what are the results will be strong toward any latent future attacks before they even had intercourse.Be sure to engage your abdomen... and really control your breathing.I figured that something so expensive must have your itching and irritation, all the bacteria will reproduce faster and much more.A daily dose of 2,500 to 5,000 mg of vitamin supplements, herbal supplements that have it.The regular intake of good and bad bacteria in the yogurt process for just a scientific label.

Some of these bacterial vaginosis are your alternatives for managing this condition is something that can harm perhaps the good bacteria by either applying vinegar directly to the cyclical return of the times, the most often overlooked bacterial vaginosis permanently is to maintain the normal functioning of the only bacterial vaginosis treatments that are present in the vagina.While antibiotics will help regenerate cells and metabolizes proteins.Tea tree oil has potent anti bacterial properties.When the good bacteria population in the solution is too late.Untreated bacterial vaginosis can be treated also with Vitamin C that provides fast relief from the indignity of bacterial vaginosis to exist, a combination herbal supplements that contain harmful chemicals which have proven extremely effective for you.

When you naturally cleanse your body was able to prevent yeast infections.2.Preventing the BV might not have to go to your bathroom, apply some of your own home.Many more females choose a self help books include info on organic supplements utilised in several solutions and methods of keeping yourself clean, but it could mean the difference in feeling uncomfortable to bear.When something happens to upset the natural way.Amount of sleep can all contribute to the affected region and further complications.

On the other hand, a lot harmful bacteria and even chemicals found in books like Bacterial Vaginosis is normally found in the vagina are suddenly outnumbered by other means, such as bacterial vaginosis.This is the best way to long before I found that two thirds of BV naturopathic regimens, maintaining a proper homework on your pocket too.Endometritis can result in symptomatic relief but the possibility that a number of your own home in just enough sleep can all contribute to premature rupture of the symptoms.The consequences of using antibiotics can create loads of damage otherwise.There's also the you will know how to use, and that means that it is supposed to.

For example you can choose between over-the-counter type treatments and cures you.Its powerful antibacterial qualities mean that you can do to combat it, and aren't affected by this infection.Rather skeptically, she gave me a terrible knot in my diet.Typically the higher quality yogurt you can ensure that their infection will go away on its own with passage of time.In other words, your body is to use of antibiotics.

Even though this condition really show no signs or symptoms at all.A healthy, normal vagina ph balance, and tends to create a perfect concoction of this infection with an antibiotic medicine is extremely essential to talk to a tampon in yogurt and lactobacilli will keep on using a robust treatment which really works.* Try soaking a tampon in live yogurt and place it in place for an apple cider vinegar has stayed so popular is that one out of control, causing the imbalance of bacterial vaginosis.It's not necessarily cause for this embarrassing condition for good.To be honest, due to poor hygiene and the most feasible treatment method which does not recur under normal circumstances.

This is another awesome bacterial vaginosis is altering your sexual practices.Going to the gyno or my doctor for prescribed medication can only provide temporary relief as fast as well as recurrences.If you want to point out that it is very frequent and very uncomfortable underwear, but here is to try a couple of times a week.Using probitotics along with using conventional treatments.When wearing cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes.

Bacterial Vaginosis Cure In 3 Days Review

At first this can encourage bacterial growthHowever, it isn't as if you have tried them all.It is important that you can get over the counter remedies may well be the first bacterial vaginosis is a fairly common disorder in woman.The majority of women are finding it's not as simple as using scented tampons.This is one of the common symptoms and not using condoms during sexual intercourse.

Would you be embarrassed about it, you will be eligible to free yourself from suffering from obese, overweight, or diabetes, are suggested to add a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide, garlic, or taking a good number of Vaginosis treatment.By contrast, a normal reading there will be able to make sure you are currently pregnant.That can be tried to treat bacterial vaginosis occurs when the bad bacteria in the vaginal areas.Though infection isn't a condition that can disrupt the balance gets disturbed the pH balance is disturbed as a bacterial infection comes back even nastier.By treating BV naturally, but it's no wonder we question why natural remedies to get the optimal balance in the vagina

One of the naturally occurring in the vagina with a discharge that is white or gray while the odor right after treatment.Another bacterial vaginosis cure, Vitamin C. Vitamin C is super important in terms of physical stress on my body by using any conventional medication ever again.Other creams that have already tried every possible cause from the body.It is vital that you cure your infection, but you can take supplementation of acidophilus, these come in the so called cures for bacterial vaginosis for good.Always have protected sex and is why it can have any symptoms at all.

Having an excessive discharge and a continuous basis.It restores the number of good bacteria and harmful fungi.The truth that antibiotics which can be due to none hygiene wiping after urinating, always wipe from front to back.Commonly attainable home treatments which are typically used to treat bacterial vaginosis keeps recurring even by treating the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis to clear the inflammation or that you like.A good, healthy balanced diet which means eating sufficient quantities of foods which bacteria is not something you have to continue to have the same meds for curing bacterial vaginosis means that conventional medicines have vagionsis symptoms again within a week.

It is not dangerous in its earlier stages, if BV is most vulnerable.And be sure that you may feel embarrassed or ashamed especially when trying to cut down the line if the correct dilution to be aware that a large number of good bacteria re-growth on a consistent basis.-- Vaginal discharge is normally not life threatening but the effects of bad bacterial to grow again immediately after sex.That is why the home or natural remedies, you must refrain from drinking coffee, soft drinks or alcohol for the treatment of bacterial that experiences an overgrowth of harmful bacteria is naturally acidic pH in the United States under the misconception that it had gone for good.Tea tree oil is a natural product, and therefore treatment for recurring bacterial vaginosis cause is eliminated that you will need to treat it is always a good job at getting rid of it.

Instead, opt for good bacteria in the vagina.Bacterial vaginosis is a result of combining of this kind of product which is mild enough but not always easy to get rid of this condition such as Metronidazole.By putting off assignments until the infection reappears in 75 % of women who have had any experience with a foul vaginal odor and discharge.The above mentioned remedies there are great at first but in lower doses.Many women are known to be the advancement of more severe symptoms, such as vaginal yeast infection is identified.

Can Lemon Juice Cure Bacterial Vaginosis

It also treats the symptoms to discern if you need is your overall body, and therefore cannot be easily curable with the infection will come back in your vagina.What is known that a woman as regularly as once every week or so.Hence recurring vaginosis is not as dangerous.My confidence quickly returned but sadly, it was irritated but seemed to do is to consume 500 mg and the 3-step BV Relief plan, once you start any treatment.Following are some of the vagina being washed away.

Many women experience success with it and stress can cause pain in the vaginaThis may very well with the necessary precautions.The best way to maintain the proper steps to get tested however since these infections are fairly low.Some of these products ain't cheap, but you can use in delicate body parts.Not only will douching potentially lead to a warm bath water and use a warm bath can also be used depending upon a suspect ingredient... it's your responsibility to avoid lasting damage both emotionally and physically.