#Learning Management System Mentor Booking

[theambitiouswoman]

How To Become A Brand New Person ✨✨

Self Reflect:

Journal daily.

Think about past decisions and how they impacted your life.

Meditate regularly.

Create a vision board to visualize your goals.

Review your strengths and weaknesses.

Identify your core values and beliefs.

Figure out your passions and interests.

Think about your childhood dreams and aspirations.

Evaluate your current state of happiness and fulfillment.

Set Clear Goals:

Define specific career goals, like "Get promoted within two years."

Set health goals, like "Lose 20 pounds in six months."

Create financial goals such as "Save $10,000 for a vacation."

Establish personal development goals, like "Read 24 books in a year."

Set relationship goals, such as "Improve communication with my partner."

Define education goals, like "Complete a master's degree in three years."

Set travel goals, like "Visit five new countries in the next two years."

Create hobbies and interests goals, such as "Learn to play a musical instrument."

Set community or volunteer goals, like "Volunteer 100 hours this year."

Establish mindfulness or self-care goals, such as "Practice meditation daily."

Self Care:

Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.

Follow a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Prioritize getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

Practice in relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga.

Take regular breaks at work to avoid burnout.

Schedule "me time" for activities you enjoy.

Limit exposure to stressors and toxic people.

Practice regular skincare and grooming routines.

Seek regular medical check-ups and screenings.

Stay hydrated by drinking enough water daily.

Personal Development:

Read a book every month from various genres.

Attend workshops or seminars on topics of interest.

Learn a new language or musical instrument.

Take online courses to acquire new skills.

Set aside time for daily reflection and self improvement.

Seek a mentor in your field for guidance.

Attend conferences and networking events.

Start a side project or hobby to expand your abilities.

Practice public speaking or communication skills.

Do creative activities like painting, writing, or photography.

Create a Support System:

Build a close knit group of friends who uplift and inspire you.

Join clubs or organizations aligned with your interests.

Connect with a mentor or life coach.

Attend family gatherings to maintain bonds.

Be open and honest in your communication with loved ones.

Seek advice from trusted colleagues or supervisors.

Attend support groups for specific challenges (e.g., addiction recovery).

Cultivate online connections through social media.

Find a therapist or counselor for emotional support.

Participate in community or volunteer activities to meet like minded people.

Change Habits:

Cut back on sugary or processed foods.

Reduce screen time and increase physical activity.

Practice gratitude by keeping a daily journal.

Manage stress through mindfulness meditation.

Limit procrastination by setting specific deadlines.

Reduce negative self-talk by practicing self-compassion.

Establish a regular exercise routine.

Create a budget and stick to it.

Develop a morning and evening routine for consistency.

Overcome Fear and Self Doubt:

Face a specific fear head-on (example: public speaking).

Challenge your negative thoughts with positive affirmations.

Seek therapy to address underlying fears or traumas.

Take small, calculated risks to build confidence.

Visualize success in challenging situations.

Surround yourself with supportive and encouraging people.

Journal about your fears and doubts to gain clarity.

Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small.

Focus on your strengths and accomplishments.

Embrace failure as a valuable learning experience.

Embrace Change:

Relocate to a new city or country.

Switch careers or industries to pursue your passion.

Take on leadership roles in your workplace.

Volunteer for projects outside your comfort zone.

Embrace new technologies and digital tools.

Travel to unfamiliar destinations.

Start a new hobby or creative endeavor.

Change your daily routine to add variety.

Adjust your mindset to see change as an opportunity.

Seek out diverse perspectives and viewpoints.

Practice Gratitude:

Write down three things you're grateful for each day.

Express gratitude to loved ones regularly.

Create a gratitude jar and add notes of appreciation.

Reflect on the positive aspects of challenging situations.

Show gratitude by volunteering or helping others in need.

Send thank-you notes or messages to people who've helped you.

Keep a gratitude journal and review it regularly.

Share your gratitude openly during family meals or gatherings.

Focus on the present moment and appreciate the little things.

Practice gratitude even in times of adversity.

Be Patient:

Set realistic expectations for your progress.

Accept that personal growth takes time.

Focus on the journey rather than the destination.

Learn from setbacks and view them as opportunities to improve.

Celebrate small milestones along the way.

Practice self-compassion during challenging times.

Stay committed to your goals, even when progress is slow.

Keep a journal to track your personal growth.

Recognize that patience is a valuable skill in personal transformation.

Celebrate Small Wins:

Treat yourself to your favorite meal or dessert.

Reward yourself with a spa day or self-care activity.

Share your achievements with friends and loved ones.

Create a vision board to visualize your successes.

Acknowledge and congratulate yourself in a journal.

Give yourself permission to take a break and relax.

Display reminders of your accomplishments in your workspace.

Take a day off to celebrate a major milestone.

Host a small gathering to mark your achievements.

Set aside time to reflect on how far you've come.

Maintain Balance:

Set clear boundaries in your personal and work life.

Prioritize self care activities in your daily routine.

Schedule regular breaks and downtime.

Learn to say "no" when necessary to avoid overcommitment.

Evaluate your work life balance regularly.

Seek support from friends and family to avoid burnout.

Be kind to yourself and accept imperfections.

Practice mindfulness to stay present and grounded.

Revisit your priorities and adjust them as needed.

Embrace self love and self acceptance as part of your daily life.

[brucewaynehater101]

your posts about Tim being the parent in his time with Bruce+ Richard's parentification + Tim always planning of being a placeholder, got me thinking

What if Tim started off like that, playing parent for Bruce, ensuring he doesn't cross any lines or overworks himself

And just never stop?

His civilian life is starting to crack, and he's doing worse than he could be, but Batman has to be taken care off

In comes Jason who tries to kill him (great another Bruce) so his workload is doubled, and also Damian who has to be untaught murder

Well it's an escalation of what he's used to, but if he can deal with Batman, he can deal with his kids, time to bust out the books on therapy and deprogramming cult teachings

Besides, he's a placeholding for the two of them until they're better like Batman, so who better to teach them the ropes than him?

Let's toss in comments here and there that will clear misunderstandings between the Bats (excluding himself— he's temporary) and what about their interactions keeps the family apart

Like boy is neglecting himself to high hell, only stopping when it's literally impossible, and barely has a civilian life, but it's worth it for Gotham's betterment and the Batfamily's stabilization

Timestream? Well shit, he has to get Bruce back as per his job of keeping the family in order but the family is either not getting better or worse,

Let him just leave a bunch of personalized self-help guides and programmed schedules that'll ensure the bats are getting better while he's away

Oh hey Ra's, midn if I secretly learn everything about how Damian grew up in this fine League of yours so I can teach Damian what is so wrong about his childhood once I'm home?

So everything is getting better post BruceQuest, Richard can be a brother more (because Tim took on his job as parent-brother), Damian and his family are able to bond and understand each other (because Tim untaught an awful upbringing) and Jason feels like a member of the family (because Tim got Jason up to speed with how much he has always been loved) plus Bruce gets to be a father with his kids (because Tim kept the man out of his otherside inevitable self-made grave)

And say Batfamily, in a miracle of communication, realize that Tim has subsumed Bruce's role as caretaker and father

Not to the entire family of course, but even parenting for one sibling or parent as a kid yourself is one too many

And they remember all the comments Tim said to help the family get better subtly suggesting everybody but Tim is family

Like he's said "Your family," never "Our"

He says "You're a Wayne, a member of their family,"

He has to be referred to as Tim and Drake, never Wayne to catch his attention

And also imagine Richard saying "You can't keep being a parent to your brothers and father" and Tim going "glass houses, *tires to parent Rich*"

"NO—"

The shit storm that would happen if the batfamily realized that Tim donned Robin with the intention of always playing parent for Bruce, and then leaving once his intervention isn't need anymore

Yes! I absolutely love the ideas you incorporated with this. I didn't manage to hit all of them in my post, but I tried to expand upon them a bit:

At first, Tim wouldn't realize that's what he's doing. He just wants to help Bruce (even if that includes taking away the Batmobile keys, locking him out of the batcomputer, and using a rewards system when the man successfully takes care of his wounds).

Tim only comes to the realization that he's Bruce's parent when the YJ are being lectured by their mentors. At this point, the team has done far more dangerous stunts and missions than whatever the JL was lecturing them about. When the mentors come, Robin allows Batman to lecture him in front of the others. Tim knows they have to keep up appearances and can listen to a hypocritical discussion from Bruce to maintain the image of Batman Tim has spent so much time propping up.

After the other mentors leave, Tim pulls Batman into a private room for a chat. Bart, fearing that Robin is getting a second lecture, almost bursts in to save Tim. He's slowed down by the glare Tim sends his way. He's stopped by the conversation he overhears.

Tim, with his hands on his hips as he glares up into the cowl, lectures Bruce on all the behavior issues the man displayed the month that the YJ were away.

Bruce is just standing there, head slightly hung, as Tim goes on.

"This is why I feel I can never get away, B. I can't even leave you for a month before your excessive force statistics skyrocket! What am I supposed to do with you?"

Bart quickly leaves as he has a mental breakdown at this discovery. Two hours later, when Batman leaves, Bart asks Robin if he's Batman's father. Tim laughs it off at first, but after Bart lays out the evidence, Tim spirals for a few days at this discovery.

Once Tim accepts that he *is* like Bruce's dad, he decides to just embrace it. He and Alfred can share custody of the man-child (and this is also why Tim has the view of family that he does. His three examples of being a father are his own dad who constantly leaves, Alfred who maintains a professional distance, and Bruce who's his grieving son). Tim sees Dick as his brother, but he sees Bruce as his kid. It's confusing as hell, complicated, and Tim also doesn't see himself as part of the family at the same time.

While the teen is finally settling into his role as Bruce's parent, Jason comes back and tries to kill him. He doesn't know whether or not to laugh that Jason becomes his new responsibility at the same place Bruce officially (in Tim's mind) became Tim's.

The teen treats Jason similar to a grandson and son. He parents Bruce on how to interact with Jason, takes a few college classes and reads a few textbooks on PTSD, and interrogates LoA agents on the Pit. He slowly starts to feed them both phrases and perspectives so that they understand and interact with each other better. He almost wants to hit them both upside the head for their miscommunication.

It's not great, and Tim is so fucking tired, but they are getting closer to being a family. Tim can almost taste his retirement.

Then Damian comes into the family and tries to kill him. Tim wants to scream.

Damian isn't exactly friendly to Tim, but the teen spots a breakthrough when he catches how Dick and Damian interact. He, in what he later calls foolishly, drops some of the weight onto Dick's shoulders. Tim's tired trying to wrangle both Jason and Bruce into somewhat, even unhealthily, communicating with each other.

Then Bruce dies. It's unfair because Tim has lost someone who's both his son and his father to him. No one except Cassie could know about the amount of grief Tim is under because of that. Cassie, who Tim isn't talking to after the whole basement scientist cloning thing.

So, Tim finds evidence that Bruce is alive. He watches as Dick cracks under the weight of Batman and being a father to Damian. He's hurt (oh gods does it burn to lose his self-made but suffocating role that ties him to Bruce), but he understands why Dick gives Damian Robin.

Tim leaves, and he starts to discover himself. He became an adoptive father at thirteen. For once, even though he's heavily lost in the thralls of grief, he's free of that responsibility. He only has to take care of himself (an exhausting task he's never quite accomplished before) and he doesn't rely on anyone.

Still, despite his freedom, he sees Ra's offer for what it is. It's an opportunity to learn more about Damian. Bruce will need Tim's support when he returns, after all. If he takes down Ra's both for himself and Damian, that's neither here nor there.

When Bruce finally returns home, Tim starts to see his retirement again. He sees the progress he's enacting out of the family in all of their relationships. Like Tim's messy relationship with Bruce, Dick is both a father and brother to Damian. Jason and Bruce will occasionally meet at a diner. Damian and Bruce will have father-child outings outside of Batman and Robin. Cass returns home more often. Steph barges into the Manor for food or bugs different Bats on patrol. Babs is able to take time for herself outside of wrangling the Bats together. Duke is starting to join the family, but Tim doesn't imagine too much tension or difficulty with that transition. They'll be fine without him.

It's looking up. Tim can leave behind his the Wayne family.

Then Damian points out how Tim often uses "your" or "their" instead of "our" family.

Godsdamnit.

[csuitebitches]

Things I Have to do for My Sanity

1. Wake up at the first alarm - no snoozing and no going lying around in bed. Getting up straight away and head to the bathroom. It’s going to suck initially but you’ll get used to it in a few days.

2. Mental self care: 30 minute meditation, brain games mental math, reading, news. Knowledge is sexy and don’t deny yourself sexiness.

3. Daily review in my diary at the beginning and end of my day: what went well, what didn’t, what I need to accomplish to achieve my goals. This has tremendously helped my goals and keeping my motivation more consistent, especially at work. Analysing and correcting incremental changes creates long term success.

4. Cleaning up before bed - clothes, shoes, organising my bag, etc. I set a timer for 5 minutes and try to get as much done as possible.

5. Pick out my clothes the night before and steam iron them for the next day.

6. Face masks twice a week, a hair mask once a week, I scrub the soles of my feet with that foot scrubbing thingy once a week. Manicures every month because my nail beds are too sensitive to do it biweekly, iron supplements so that I’m not a moody bitch. Matching underwear to feel good about myself. Lavender spray on my pillow before sleeping so that I don’t get weird dreams.

7. Reading biographies and autobiographies. My mentor had suggested this to me and it’s amazing how literally I don’t have a single original experience - everything I’ve felt or mistakes I’ve made have already been done by someone else.

I’m going to curate a list of business books that I feel that have helped me the most recently.

8. I write a short essay everyday in the language I’m currently learning. I also end my day by talking about my day for at least 2 minutes in that language and I record it in voice memos to keep a track of my progress. I want to be fluent to a level where I can think in this language.

✨

I don’t generally share a lot about my personal life - none of you know my name or where I’m based and I feel comfortable doing that. But I do want to start giving out more insights to what I’m doing personally in my career - the good, the bad, the ugly.

Being self aware and honest to myself has helped me improve a lot. I know that shame is my Achilles heel, so now I’m reading books to combat that. I’ve caved in and decided to try therapy for a bit to see if what I’m doing is useful or not. My first session is tomorrow. Staying disciplined was my initial hurdle but the systems I’ve set (waking up early + habit stacking) have helped me slowly overcome that.

Work side, I’ve started establishing myself publicly more. I don’t want to reveal too much about what I do exactly but the good news is that our biggest competitor has noticed my progress (a former employee of that company came to us for an interview and directly asked our top management about me). It’s been 4 months that I’ve been working here but I know that next year I really have to swing the bat and hit a home run. I’ve decided to work on the field more and less in the office to really understand people’s needs and create unique solutions.

The daily/weekly/quarterly diary is definitely credited to my recent wins. That’s the biggest change I’ve made in my routine and i can already see that it’s working well. I’m going to continue refining and implementing that method.

Recent work methods I’ve decided to start working on (I’m not required to do these but I do it for my growth):

1. I’ve started studying popular companies’ business and revenue models in detail. Everything is adoptable and adaptable, you just have to figure out how to tweak something for your company’s clients and needs. Now I’ve decided that I want to keep a track of our competitors, their business models, their owners names, pricing strategy, their target audience etc etc on an excel sheet so that I’m aware with what’s happening in the market. 

2. I’ve started making client profiles. Every time I meet a client, I note down their name, the company name, what they were like, anything specific they seemed to like or want, how much they had paid us for a service, what their paying capacity could be, etc. 

[atopvisenyashill]

@amethyinst wait let’s TALK ABOUT IT bc everything you’re saying is CORRECT and OBVIOUS, and i wasn’t expecting it to be SO OBVIOUS and YET i feel like it gets really glossed over!

the “harsh journey across barren wasteland” thing is practically jumping off the page here, down to bran losing rickon & osha early in the journey and dany losing doreah early in hers, & the kicking off point being a fight between several factions of what’s left of drogo’s khalasar & dany’s, and the final sack of Winterfell being this kind of three way issue between what’s left of the iron islanders, the stark loyalists theon left alive, & ramsay. dany & bran really escape death here through like, oodles of luck and quick thinking from the people around them.

but ALSO you have dany currently on the dothraki sea and bran in the far north, and both of them are just kind of looking away when meat of a questionable source is given to them. and i think there’s something more here, in that dany shows up to qarth & it’s an oasis in the sea, only every door is shut in her face and the warlocks are there ~lurking. meanwhile you have bran showing up to the far north hoping for a miracle cure to his legs and to get all the magical answers he seeks only to get some very shitty answers from the cotf while bloodraven is ~lurking. this is why i think there’s a chance bran is leaving the cave p quickly in twow - like dany in the dothraki sea, he’s going to have an extended journey where it’s just him (and maybe Summer) using his warging abilities and trying to get his body to the wall. probably doing a lot of reflecting, and possibly learning the wrong lesson as he reflects!

and there’s a lot between hotu & the cave too - learning the old gods are just greenseers, seeing with his own eyes that the first men sacrificed people to fuel their magic, seeing his father talking about jon, seeing lyanna & benjen spar. meanwhile dany is having visions that include her brother talking about tptwp, her father yelling to burn everyone,and the “false wizards” who try to trick her. both of them being shown but not quite processing that all their visions are linked to their own history. there’s the elusive, suspicious way the warlocks & quaithe speak with dany, always in riddles, and bloodraven is equally suspicious and cagey. but they’re both learning, they’re both progressing in their magic, and they’re both really struggling with placing where ~the line is morally when it comes to how they use their magic - but look at their mentors lmao, they have the world’s shadiest teachers.

and YEAH everyone loves to talk about the targaryen connection & jon and dany both being born towards the end of the rebellion, but i think it’s glossed over that both dany & bran are kinda In The Shit when their parents get murdered during a succession war and have to go underground or get killed. dany’s fondest memories are the ones from when she’s bran’s age and younger, with willem darry there to care for her (like the ONLY capable adult she ever interacts with 😭). and you have osha, who like willem darry isn’t really a sworn sword type, they’re just very loyal people who were close at hand and did what they could for the children in their care. there’s something that links them when it comes to, idk exactly how to phrase it, but physical trauma & their magic coming in, basically. both of their childhoods whittling their support systems down until they’re alone - only when they’ve experienced physical traumas & lost everything can they access magic on a stronger scale. and the fact that they both reach for it sooo readily! jon doesn’t want anything to do with it, he’s spent nearly every book actively running from it, but dany and bran turn right into the arms of their magic as a refuge.

they’re also just both clearly the prophecy children lol no offense to jon (or tyrion for that matter) but i think even IF jon or tyrion or aegon (or euron 💀) manage to get a dragon, the capital p Prophecy Children are dany & bran as the last dragon and the last greenseer. and they’re so much THERE too - bran looks like an andal & dreamt more ~andal-ish dreams but inherits the legacy of the first men’s magic after being disabled and socially de masculinized bc of that disability, while dany looks a consummate valyrian but she’s a girl and inherits the mantle of last dragon after every man in her line fails. everyone wants to be THEM but they are the only ones capable of that power - and that’s a good thing but also a very bad thing.

[astroismypassion]

✨PART OF FORTUNE IN SIGNS AND HOUSES SERIES: 10TH HOUSE✨

Credit: Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

ARIES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aries and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via marketing or work in dynamic and fast-paced industries, via coaching, sports management, fitness entrepreneurship, coaching and mentoring services in connection with career development, leadership skills, personal empowerment, via work in innovation management, technology development, product development, especially emerging industries. You find abundance when you are bold, take risks, focus on ambitious goals, cultivate independence, build a strong public image and when you embrace leadership qualities.

TAURUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Taurus and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work in finance, banking, investment, wealth management. Or via working as a realtor, property manager, real estate developer, via curating, selling or managing art collections, working as a chef, restaurateur or food critic. You find abundance in work in hospitality (managing hotels, resorts, spas), via work in landscape architecture or gardening, interior design, or as a performer, producer or manager, through farming, agricultural management or sustainable food production or creating an eco-friendly business. You feel abundant when you are focused on stability, value quality, when you are patient and persistent.

GEMINI PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Gemini and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work as a journalist, writer, editor, public relations, marketing, working as PR specialist, brand manager, social media strategist, work as a teacher, lecturer, educational content creator, via writing content for blogs, websites or online platforms connected with technology, lifestyle, business. You find abundance when you write books (fiction or non-fiction), via work in technology sector, via technical writing, UX writing or product management, via event planning and work as a sales representative, account manager or business strategist. You feel abundant when you network actively, when you keep learning and embrace versatility.

CANCER PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Cancer and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work in healthcare as a nurse, doctor or therapist, work in interior design or home décor, helping others create comfortable and nurturing spaces, work as a chef, baker or food critic, via handmade furniture, textiles or pottery, engaging in childcare, daycare management or family support services, via work in real estate, helping families find their ideal home. You feel abundant when you use emotional intelligence, emphasize nurturing and care.

LEO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Leo and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via pursuing a career in acting on stage, in film or on television, working as a musician, singer or performer, via directing or producing theatrical productions, films or TV shows, work in television, radio or digital broadcasting, you could work as a host, anchor or presenter, designer, stylist, model, painter, sculptor or graphic designer.

VIRGO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Virgo and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via offering personalized health and wellness service. You can offer remote fitness coaching, such as offering personalized fitness plans and virtual training sessions. You could work in mental health professions, like counselling or psychology, work as a nutritionist, dietitian, work as a proofreader or editor, work with biology, chemistry, environmental science, mathematics or with language or having an IT role (system analysis, IT support or cybersecurity). You feel abundant when you develop organizational skills, use analytical skills and when you seek structured environments.

LIBRA PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Libra and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via offering dance classes, via work in art curation, gallery management or the fines arts, helping to showcase and promote artists and their work, via a career in human resources, focusing on employee relations, conflict resolution, via talent management, recruitment or career coaching. You feel abundant when you work in fashion design, graphic design, visual arts, brand management and marketing. You feel abundant when you aim for balance and harmony, emphasize fairness and justice.

SCORPIO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Scorpio and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via forensic accounting, crisis counselling or support services, via a career in scientific research, forensic science, medical research, psychology, surgery, oncology, energy healing, finance, technology or wellness, via art therapy and filmmaking. You feel abundant when you embrace transformation, healing, use psychological insight, when you pursue authority and expertise.

SAGITTARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Sagittarius and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via travel blogging, vlogging or becoming a travel consultant. You find abundance via academic research, publishing, by becoming a travel consultant, tour guide, work in the tourism industry, work connected with educational, human rights and cultural exchange, via career as a spiritual teacher, counsellor, life coach, via theological or philosophical work, writing or teaching. You feel abundant when you cultivate optimism or enthusiasm, seek global or cultural perspectives, pursue knowledge or education and embrace exploration and travel.

CAPRICORN PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Capricorn Sun people in your life. You find abundance via work as a financial advisor or analyst, accounting, as a property developer, manager or investor, via work in property management, overseeing rental properties, commercial spaces or large residential complexes, via civil engineering, work in educational administration (school or college management). You feel abundant when you focus on long-term goals and value pragmatism and responsibility.

AQUARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aquarius and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via buying and selling collectibles (stamps, coins, vintage items), creating eco-friendly products or services (zero-waste goods, sustainable fashion). You may also find abundance in esports coaching by offering coaching services for aspiring professional gamers. You feel abundant via work in scientific research, in fields like physics, astronomy, biotechnology and environmental science, work in roles focused on research and development, via digital marketing. You feel abundant when you are pursuing unconventional paths, via networking with like-minded individuals and align with social causes.

PISCES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Pisces and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work in music as a composer, musician or performer, via a career in painting, illustration, sculpture or other visual arts, via hospice work, via work in non-profit sector, focusing on causes related to humanitarian aid, environmental conservation or social justice, work in hospitality, such as hotel management or event planning, via cultural exchange, guided tours or spiritual retreats. You feel abundant when you embrace your creative talents, cultivate compassion and empathy, when you explore spiritual and esoteric interests and when you focus on meaningful impact.

Credit: Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

[strange-anni]

In 1881 Mark Twain first published his children's book The Prince and the Pauper. It is a tale of a young prince swapping places with a poor boy from the streets of London.

I think if my theory of Will and Mike swapping places in 1976 is true, this classic children's book might have served as major inspiration.

Read more on why I believe Mike and Will could have swapped places here and here.

In this tale by Mark Twain young Tom Canty lives in poverty with his grandmother and abusive alcoholic father but was also shown kindness by a local priest who thought him how to read and write.

One day he goes and loiters too close to the palace gates. The guards however catch him and want throw him out but in comes the young prince Edward who's next in line to the throne. He sends the guards away and the boys talk for the first time. Not only do they get along well, they also quickly discover that they look the same and even share the same birthday. So just for fun, they exchange clothes.

Then it is Edward in the clothes of Tom Canty who goes out to reprimand the guards for hat they did but isn't believed because they believe him to be the street urchin Tom so they throw him out.

Tom - now in Edwards place - must then try to find a way to cope with the manners and customs of the court. Him not knowing anything causes the court to worry that the prince might have an illness which caused all this memory loss. Later after Edwards father King Henry VIII dies and Tom is asked to sit in on judgements the court is reassured that his mind is well because of his common-sense judgements.

Meanwhile Edward manages to find his way "home" to Toms family. There he gets confronted with Toms alcoholic father who brutally tries to ab*se him. Edward flees and meets Miles Hendon, a nobleman and an ex-soldier returning from war. While Miles doesn't believe Edward is indeed the prince, he still takes a liking to him and becomes his protector. Later on they learn that the king has died and Edward is about to become king.

As Edward lives his life as a pauper in the streets of London he also learns first hand about how the harsh punitive judicial system affects the poor in particular. He sees how people get burned at the stake, flogged or pilloried all while learning that the accused are convicted by flimsy evidence and for petty offences. So he vows to rule with mercy once he can go back to the palace and take over as the rightful king. Meanwhile he declares himself as king in front of a gang of thieves who think he's just insane and then hold a mock coronation for him.

After some time and a series of adventures Edward finally manages to return to the palace where everyone is shocked at how much Edward and Tom look alike. Yet they still don't want to believe Edward that he is the true prince until he shows them the royal seal he brought with him when he first left the palace in Toms clothes. They switch back for good and Edward finally becomes king and then makes arrangements for Miles to become an Earl and for Tom to become the "King's Ward."

Source

I think some of the parallels are pretty obvious. It's Edward the prince who is Will in our story and Mike who is the boy living in poverty - Tom - if we are to believe that Will and Mike have swapped places in the past. That's not where the parallels end though.

As Edward comes home to Toms house he meets Toms father who is an alcoholic and also very ab*sive towards him and has likely been towards Tom in the past as well. Just like Will who's in Mike's place now is confronted with an ab*sive and possibly dr*g or alcohol addicted father. Unlike Edward who tries to flee Will has to stay with Lonnie.

Then we have the two mentor figures/ protectors mentioned in the Prince and the Pauper. I think it is Scott Clarke (Clarke also means Cleric) who's served as a great inspiration for Mike (and the boys in general) and just like the priest thought Tom to read and write it would not surprise me if Mr. Clarke sparked the joy for science inside Mike. The difference being that Mike probably only learned from Mr. Clarke after he already swapped places with Will.

Then of cause the character of Miles Hendon in our story is Jim Hopper. A (noble) man and an ex soldier who served in Vietnam and later came to be a protector of both Will and El just like Miles was to Prince Edward.

Just as Tom and Edward need to learn to survive and navigate their new lives Will and Mike had to do the same thing. Both are at different stages accused of having a mental illness or amnesia while our Mike and Will are dealing with the supernatural as well as their own mental health with them even agreeing to become crazy together if they're both going crazy.

In the end and after many adventures both Edward and Tom find their rightful place in the world and swap back to where they were originally coming from via proof of the royal seal. Just like Joyce tells us that Will apparently has a birthmark on his right arm which as far I know was never shown to us.

Then of cause there is the larger theme in the story of the Prince and the Pauper about the harshness and unforgiveness of the Justice system and being judged by what clothes you wear or where you come from which is also a great theme in Stranger Things. It's the authorities who can rarely be trusted and even if you need them to you do need to provide proof first. Then we have themes of not fitting in with the crowd and being branded a freak for it resulting in certain groups or even the whole town going after certain characters because of what they believe to be true about them. Judging first on flimsy evidence and then striking with a hard hand.

But what's the purpose of it all?

This is the quote The Prince and the Pauper starts with. It's from Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice and it shows the significance of mercy to those who rule.

For Edward his journey in the shoes of Tom through the streets of London embodies this pretty well. He is about to learn of mercy and not to judge others based on appearance either through experiencing the harsh justice system himself or by seeing others fall victim to it. In the end he takes a vow to be merciful once he is king and to never judge others as harshly as he has seen in his days as a pauper in the streets of London.

Yet there is also something else to consider. Prince Edward who then became King Edward is based on the real historical figure of King Edward VI the only surviving son of King Henry VIII. While it is true that he became king at the age of 9 he also never ruled himself as he died only one month after his 16th birthday never reaching maturity. Even if the real Edward had learned the same lesson as his fictional counterpart did, he would have never been able to apply it in real life.

After his death it was his cousin Jane Grey who became queen for 9 days only to be deposed by Edwards older half-sister Queen Mary I of England who also ruled for only 5 years in which she tried to reverse the English reformation set into place by her father as she herself was catholic and not protestant. After her death it was Edwards other half-sister Queen Elizabeth I who took over the throne and again restored the protestant reforms.

What does it all mean for Will? I'm not entirely sure but I do think it speaks for itself how much Will even despite all the horrible things he had to endure believes in things such as kindness and being good. He is willing to sacrifice himself or his feelings if it will make others happy and is deeply afraid of hurting others or becoming a monster like Lonnie. So the above mentioned quote fits Will quite well.

Although right now Will still believes he needs to kill Vecna, I don't believe that's what's going to happen in the end as Will will show him mercy. He probably together with Mike and El will persuade him and try to come to terms with him. Then they will all be able to face the truth of what happened to them in 1976 and who they were before.

[eccentricgrace]

Smoke Signals || IronDad

summary: tony feels so incredibly overheated, but if the kid wants to sleep on his shoulder, it'll take the world ending to get him to move.

tags: fluff, platonic cuddles, slight derealization, tony being a good dad

wc: 1,357

cross-posted on wattpad under the same name!

It's nearing twelve in the morning. The temp in the tower's seventeenth floor, remaining in the private living quarters, is a raging seventy-nine degrees Fahrenheit. This kind of heat makes him itchy— there's no reason for it to be that hot indoors, whether it be the middle of autumn or the early winter, it's too damn hot.

Seriously, if he wanted to be in a sauna, he would just go to one. Hell, if he wanted to be boiling in his skin, he'd just book a trip to the other side of the equator, bypass the sauna idea entirely. It's not like he doesn't have the money for a spontaneous vacation.

When he voices these very logical thoughts on temperature and whatnot, he's told this quality officially makes him an old man— and Pepper's feet are cold, yes even with socks on, Tony, so the heater stays cranked up. He sticks on his glasses and scrolls through his phone, and tries to keep the grumps to a minimum.

That isn't too difficult. Especially when Peter comes dawdling into the room, a pair borrowed pyjama pants clinging loosely to his ankles, his NASA shirt disproportionately baggy, and his face all scrunched up from the low lights like he's just woken up from a good nap.

"Kid," Tony greets simply, looking up from his screen. "Up for a midnight snack?"

There's a warmth in his chest, sticking to him like a second skin, seeing the teenager so at home. This had been one of his better ideas; the lab nights. Giving Peter a chance to take a break from his patrolling, something that Tony is learning he needs way more of, and— as May had described to him, over one terse-to-tactful phonecall: giving Peter someone who understands on some level the shit that goes down when aliens and petty thieves get involved in the world's problems.

Sometimes they end up stretching long into the early morning hours, but lately, because Tony's been getting good at this whole 'mentor' thing, he sends him to bed at around eleven. Sometimes earlier if he knows the kid's been dancing around sleep like a cat to a cucumber, which, he had been this week. As soon as Tony caught him yawning today, he wrapped up the session neatly and subtly— or at least he thought so.

To his question, Peter grunts.

His shoulders making a shapeless motion that vaguely resembles a shrug. He trudges into the living room and falls belly-first onto the couch, his face smushing into the cushions.

"Graceful as ever," Tony comments.

Peter grunts again.

"Couldn't find anything in the kitchen?" Tony tries. He wracks his brain back to the last grocery list he made, but he's almost positive that he got actually quite the extensive list of the kid's favourite snacks.

(Frozen pizzas, instant ramen, microwave popcorn, and when those aren't fast enough options, nearly every flavour of chips, yogurt cups, pudding, granola bars, blah blah blah known to the American man. His pantry could become the new poster child for the risks of red dye 40. It's fine though. He doesn't feed him everyday, and he's pretty sure Peter's immune system can take it. Probably.)

Tony brushes the thoughts off, watching with amusement as Peter doesn't even twitch from his spot on the couch. "I could make you something. We both know I'm banned from the oven and the stovetop, but I could manage the microwave. Or a delivery service."

Peter makes a low, grumbly sound into the couch.

Tony waits.

After a moment of what looks like a great, strenuous effort, Peter's chin lifts just long enough for him to mumble something coherent.

"Not hungry."

The voice comes out in a whisper, and the kid sounds tired. Bone-deep, voidly, like how he sounds after a bad patrol. There's an element missing, though. The first lesson Tony learned about Peter was that reading his face is a lot easier and more reliable than listening to his words.

Tony just saw him barely three hours ago, and he was fine. Tired, but fine. Unless something very bad happened in that small window of space that Tony wasn't looking, he doesn't know why Peter would be like some sort of shell.

Tony's eyebrows get this crease in them, and his eyes narrowing an imperceptible amount. He puts his phone beside him, facedown. He's admittedly at a loss for words, which is a state that he famously detests.

A nightmare could seem like a possibility, but it goes back to how the kid was looking. In the rare, terrifying events that Peter's stumbled in to the lab, to the living room, the kitchen, the hallway, after a nightmare, he looked haunted in a way that was impossible to replicate. If Tony paid close enough attention, which he sure as hell did, each time he could see the way Peter trembled in his skin.

Tony is paying very close attention right now, and Peter is entirely motionless. Like a zombie, or a plant waiting for sun.

Still, he clears his throat. "Nightmare?" He asks casually, just in the off chance that he was totally wrong about his observations.

Peter, his face still smushed into the couch, shakes his head. It looks wildly uncomfortable, but still, the message is there. Not a nightmare.

Tony feels smug. Yeah, I thought so. He can't afford to be wrong about things like this.

Even with that victory under his belt, that still leaves the original, more important problem to be deduced— what the hell is wrong with his kid? He needs to know, so he can fix it. Immediately. Like, yesterday, even.

"Can I help you with anything?" Tony tests, throwing caution to the wind. "You just wanna sleep here?"

Peter, if even possible, goes even more still. There's a hesitation that radiates off him, and once again, Tony waits— another thing he's getting good at lately. Patience is a virtue, and all that.

Slowly, Peter turns his face, just so that one cheek is pushing into the couch and he's able to look at Tony. He doesn't, of course. His gaze is unfocused, trained lazily on the coffee table in front of them. It's a step forward, though, so maybe Pepper's whole idea of open communication has some merits.

"Cold," Peter says finally, his nose wrinkled from being smushed. "In my room."

Well, Tony knows that's bullshit. He's basically sweating and he's not even in Pete's bedroom. The whole floor is too hot. Normally he'd tell that outright, but the way Peter says the words like they're a puzzle gives him pause.

There's a correct response to this. He can feel it, some weird sixth sense in his heart, whispering words to him just as easy as it pumps out blood. Tony's good at puzzles. He just needs to find the right pieces.

Peter's hands twitch at his sides restlessly, and he clings to his own shirt. He blinks long and slow. He isn't shivering. He isn't cold. But he looks like he's floating, almost— and that little detail is what makes some of the picture fade in.

"I'm warm. Come sit by me," Tony says easily, lifting his arm. He pats the back of the couch.

Peter's shoulders sag with relief, and wordlessly he clambers up and over, then back down, soaking into Tony's side like a medicine. His hard skull digging into Tony's shoulder, his bony legs and arms all awkwardly twining and twisting to get comfortable like he really is part spider.

Tony immediately feels overheated, from the extra warmth now digging at him, and the stupid heater, still running way too hot. He keeps his mouth firmly shut about both, and easily cards a hand through Peter's hair.

"Better?" Tony murmurs. "Comfy?"

Peter nods into his collarbone, pressing himself closer like a bookmark into the pages of Tony's ribs. He doesn't speak again, so Tony squeezes an arm around him and continues to brush Peter's hair out of his eyes.

There's some kind of bonfire in Tony's soul that's feeding on the apparent warmth. He thinks he could get used to the feeling of fondness, and furthermore, wouldn't mind entirely if it burned him from the inside out— just so long as the teenager in his arms wouldn't be cold.

"Get some sleep, kiddo," Tony murmurs, smoothing his thumb over Peter's eyebrow.

At last, Peter hums, content.

[audhdplatypus]

Are we still making warrior ocs. Can I info dump on my mine? Pls. With some art and lore. 🥺

I'll be honest. The last warrior book I read was the last hope when I was in like high-school. Ending made me mad that I stopped reading them (forever a Hollyleaf defender) though i kept up with other warrior fans so I vaguely know what happens in the newer series.

Also I hate how starclan works functionally so with my clans I want to revamp what Starclan is and how they work. Also each clan has a lot more specific talents and roles than just swimming or jumping or running. One clan gardens, another has no Deputy but a council, etc etc.

So here are some ocs from my warrior clans: Darkclan who live in the caves, Bluffclan on the steep ocean cliffs and beach, Mistclan in an abandoned port town, and Rootclan in an old farm land and forest. (Plus a couple kittypets and some rogues)

Here is who I've managed to design so far lol. If anyone seems interested I might make some lore drops and more specific stories. If you have any questions about these characters pls ask im still brainstorming lol

Smallstar the leader of Darkclan, her brother Umberbelly the medicine Cat. Sharpsight the blind navigator of the caves who helps lost cats in the endless tunnel system and acts as a guide. His Apprentice (still unamed) who wraps their eyes to heighten their senses and learn from their mentor Sharpsight.

Wispstar from Mistclan and her mate Brightfog. They had two beautiful kits. But Redkit started constantly complaining of the light hurting her eyes, constant headaches, and even painful skin. She refuses to leave the nursery den most of the time. After some time Wispstar decides that as much as it breaks her heart her kit can't thrive here. Redkit is moved to Darkclan where she is raised by Smallstar and later apprenticed to Umberbelly. This decision while ultimately best for Redkit causes a rift between Brightfog and Wispstar. Whisperkit left confused as to why her sister was sent away and why her moms are always fighting now.

Brineclaw of Bluffclan got seriously injured defending a kit who wandered out on to the cliffs from wild birds. He falls and is thrashed by the waves and washes up on a nearby beach where he is rescued by a kittypet named Selkie and her housefolk. As he recovers he falls in love with Selkie and once he's healed and she finds she's expecting kits he asks her to come back to the clan with him. Where their only daughter, Sealkit is born. Unfortunately Selkie struggles to adapt to clan life and when she discovers her housefolk are moving, she leaves with them. Brineclaw still believes she'll come back and in the meantime raises Sealkit with devoted adoration.

Let me know if yall would be interested in this at all lol

[fandoomrants]

Ok, so as much as the Hunger Games scare and unnerve me as a concept, I really want to learn so many things about how they played out through the years...

Let's start with the first games ever. I wonder how long they took and what happened, who was the victor ofc, I think that in this exact case, all tributes had more or less equal chances as they didn't know what to expect, but most importantly, how did everyone else die? Did anyone actually kill another tribute, or the arena finished them? Because we already saw what's going on in the 10th games and tbh, yes, there was a group that was ready to kill and all but most of them were just scared and didn't want to kill/hurt. But they got to watch 9 games before that and already had an idea what was to be expected. And also, this arena didn't seem that easy to control as the ones in the 74th and 75th so what happened during the first games?

Then there's the First Quarter Quell. It's been a while since I read the books and I don't remember seeing in the movies but it goes around the fandom that the twist there was people from the districts voted for who goes in? How crazy is that? Tbh, if I have to number the wickedness of these quells, I'd say this is the worst, followed by the victors entering again in the 75th, and then maybe the most... Mild would be the Second where it was double tributes. Because yeah, double the trubutes is awful but... they're all endangered and 23 or 47 lost lives is... when it comes to having large number of victims, somewhat not that crazy. And only victors entering again is also so crazy and twisted, like, look at them, they're all mostly mentally or phisically damged but imagine being chosen not in some large poll with numerous other names in it but because people choose you?! Like, neighbours, people that know you actually looked at you and decided "Yes, they'll be the ones doomed this time." How did this one even go?? I've already discussed this with friends and we were trying to decide if some of the districts chose the ones most likely to win, or just the ones they disliked for one reason or another. But come on, it's crazy. Though, this might be eventually how the idea of Careers appeared. But I also wanna know the victor of these games because just imagine winning games in which people you know put you in? How do you get back and live... Not a normal life but some kind of life and you just know people you interract on a daily basis send you to your death.

And then, of course like most people in this fandom, I want to know more about the games of the victors we've seen. We have some of them discussed and shown in bigger details but still, maybe just a little more information and details about how exactly these games played out wouldn't hurt...

I just said earlier how the Second Quarter Quell was maybe the most okay-ish when it comes to the twist but this doesn't make it less tragic. And we first see Haymitch when he's older and he's... Well, a total wreck, dealing with alcoholism and all of that and you just wonder how this guy even won?! And then we later learn how he won and what led him to become the way he is now but still, it's pretty crazy that he won when there were not 23 but 47 other people. And yes, he "cheated the system" but I don't really think he was the first one. As I've seen people pointing out, so did Lucy Gray and so did Katniss and Peeta. And I believe others also found a way to just... Survive. And as I sae in an earlier post, who was his mentor? I think there wasn't one. And there were surely Careers in these games too. Wasn't the last girl he was left with a Career? So, this guy from District 12 managed to win a game where there were double tributes without a mentor even. And then he just keeps suffering and honestly, I absolutely understand him. Honestly, I think for all he went through, alcoholism is an understandable thing, I probably would have just commited a suicide or sth. And the more I think about it, the more I think the real reason he was punished and had his whole family killed wasn't because he "cheated" but because he was someone who was extremely unlikely to win and yet he did and this is what really made lots of people angry. He wasn't an "interesting" tribute.

And speaking of "interesting", here comes Finnick. Yet another victor who we know most of the details about but still. He's famous for winning sg only 14. Was he a Career? Was he just unfortunate? And his whole story with Annie. Did they know each other before her games? Did they fall before or after that? Was she a Career? I've seen lots of people commenting on it and how she might have been, even though she developed problems after that. Likee, it's one thing to prepare for the games and a whole another to actually be there. Yet this only makes me think that if this was the case, they probably became a thing after the games. I just can't imagine him knowing what it means to be a victor (him, of all people!), and actually supporting her decision to take part.

And on the topic of Careers, I really want to know how this became a thing. I have to admit, I somewhat see the logic of children starting to prepare and train for the worst but I can't fully wrap my mind around the idea of someone volunteering for the games knowing fully well that they have a very big chance of dying. No matter what, there's is only one victor always (with one excpetion but we know how bad this played out in the end) so to enter willingly games where you just know there are others who have trained for? And one of them is also from your district and you've most likely trained together?? What's going onn?

And how some of the tributes would form packs. I actually want to see how games like this one played out. Haymitch and the girl from 12 (I know her name but I won't spell it right) broke theirs because they didn't want to kill each other in the end but there surely must have been games where this was the case in the end. A group of people who had been hunting down the others together would have been the only survivors in the end and they must have had to kill each other eventually. How do you even kill someone who was your ally and you had each others' backs until this moment??

And I also wonder how many people had won similarly to how Foxface got close to winning. By just avoiding the others and survivng. And were they punished for it later too?

Also, when and how did the victors become public and famous figures? We saw Lucy Gray after her games back in 12, continuing her life almost as before (though we see this through Snow's eyes so I don't claim she didn't have a hard time, it's just that she was left unbothered, mostly). Then, the 11th Games is when the Victor's Village first became a thing. And the tours? Everything else? The way the victors would be used by the Capitol for the rest of their lives? When did this become a thing? I can't help but think this must be just another form of punishment that was implemented there. They survive yet they suffer for it in other ways.

I just really need answers and these are only some things on top of my head now, I might add to the list later...

If anyone is interested in indulging and discussing these or something else, feel free to DM me..

[compo67]

Slowly, but Surely (Don't Call Me Shirley)

Hello, hello.

i am slowly, but surely, recharging my creative batteries. There's less pressure now, but with good things happening. A detailed account of what's been happening. All below the cut. TLDR at the end.

Let's start with the good.

I went to the Big Gay Market in Madison, WI for the weekend. It was marvelous. There were people of all kinds of genders, an affirming and friendly environment, and so many creatives. I felt like I was in community and it's been a long time since I've felt that way. I was sad when it ended. But I bought the most beautiful wreath to hang in my room. I'll snap a picture of it when I can.

I studied the entire month of June, whenever I had a spare moment and for dedicated study sessions.

I made a total of 300 flashcards, wrote 40 pages in my notebook, used 2 test prep books, 3 learning system books, a 100 page summary of competencies, and 2 apps. I answered 2800 practice questions on those apps. I practiced and practiced until I reached at least an 80% in each competency.

And what happened?

I PASSED.

I kicked that exam in the ass! When I saw "passed" on the screen, I nearly whooped in the testing center. I cried in my car as I relayed the news to my mom, who is also an HR professional. I could not believe it. I still can't. Cal Owens, SHRM-CP. It feels SO GOOD to have letters after my name.

I'm also still on that high of completing my HR Management certificate with "high honors" and then earning my SHRM certification right after it.

Then, at the end of May, right before my birthday, I sent in an application to the Arboretum nearby. They were looking for an HR Coordinator. And they weren't requiring at least 3 years experience or a BS in HR. After the radio silence for a month and a half, I gave up on them getting back to me. I sent a follow-up email, as instructed by my mentor, and still no reply. I figured I was set aside and I moved on to apply for more jobs.

Lo and behold, the Arb emailed last week and offered me a phone interview! I spoke with their Talent Acquisition specialist way past the 30 minute time slot, which I took as a good sign. Next step was to have a virtual meeting.

But guess what? They invited me for an in-person meeting instead! My interview was at 9 AM CST yesterday. it was LOVELY. i genuinely enjoyed speaking to the Sr HR Manager. We chatted for almost 90 minutes. It went by so fast. I felt like I had answers to all her questions, however, I wonder if I was direct and clear enough? I haven't interviewed since 2021, and before that since 2016. So I know I'm rusty, I hope my enthusiasm for the role got noticed.

I should know by early next week if they will move me to the third and final round--meeting the VP of HR. The Coordinator will be responsible for managing the VP of HR's schedule in Google. I just learned how to do scheduling in Outlook, I'm sure I can do it in Google.

Anyway! I can see myself working there. The pay meets the market for that kind of job around here, and the benefits are exceptional. And the view from the admin building? Beautiful. There's just a small lane to walk through from the parking lot to the building. I felt like I was in Jane Austen novel. *Dreamy sigh.*

Fingers crossed.

Okay, so let's get the not-so-good stuff over with.

Caregiving for my father continues to be a challenge. I am the only one of his 3 kids he 100% trusts and is close to. I don't get a lot of support from my sisters because A) he prefers me to handle things and B) they don't offer. I always have to ask, and even then, most of the time I end up doing the thing anyway. Sigh.

I tried a bunch of adaptive equipment things for my dad in June. I bought him an electric tea kettle that sits in a cradle and tips over to pour so you don't have to lift it. Well, it works okay for that, but he can't see how much he's filled the kettle. So that went back. I found a pen that "talks" to you. That's been a game changer. You get special labels with bumps on them, tap the pen to the label, and you can record a sound clip! so i attached them to every medication he has in the house. he's been using the pen! Now I just need to convince him to use his white cane.

Watching my dad go through losing his vision has been very difficult. He's a completely different man than the one I knew just 5 years ago. Little by little, things are changing and that change can get overwhelming. I did manage to find him a peer to peer phone program for folks with low vision. He gets a call every month to chat with a lady name Yvies from New Jersey and just talk about what it's like being low vision. I am so grateful to her. The organization will be creating a caregiver support group in the fall and I am on the waitlist.

So, yes. I've gotten overwhelmed at some points, impatient at others, but I show up. In the future, I want to know, that without a doubt, I was there for my father. I just need to figure out how to balance this and find ways to get help.

I continue to miss Henry and my grandma.

Sometime between this past Saturday and Sunday, I fell ill. Like, nauseated, dizzy, lightheaded. [Content Warning: The GI System Going Whack] Then Sunday, I could not retain food or water. I held out for Monday and Tuesday to see if I got better with a little imodium and zofran. Wednesday morning at 7:30 AM, I called my doctor and she said, "Get thee to the ER."

So, I went. My mother was with me. In miracles of all miracles, I only had to wait an hour to be seen in the ER. I was there from 8 AM to 12:30 PM and in that period of time, I got an ultrasound, labs, an IV with a bag of saline, pain meds, and reassurance that my gallbladder and liver were doing fine. And no one misgendered me. It was a good ER trip.

The ER doctor and my PCP have no idea what knocked me out for 5 days. Could have been a virus. Could have been a side effect of mounjaro. It'll be a mystery for the ages, I suppose...

Of course, it took a huge toll on my body. Today was the first day I felt almost normal again. No bloating, no cramping, no burping, and no intense pain in my abdomen. Yay! I am supposed to be eating "light," but dammit, I deserved pasta tonight and I'm not going to regret it!

I also, in my journey through illness, reached the Medicare donut hole. I have to spend $8,000 before my advantage plan will start paying for my meds again. I have to pay 25% of the cost of all drugs. Thank goodness I was able to get on a patient assistance program for my antidepressant, because I could not afford it otherwise. I've moved all my meds, except two, to be generics. I am always trying to cut the cost down as much as I can, whether it's through GoodRx, OptumRx, or Costco. I spend most of my SSDI money on healthcare, medication, and treatments. If we had free universal healthcare, I would have been able to save up all this money, dagnabit.

The difficult things have been... well... difficult. But they are outnumbered by the good things, which makes me smile.

I am excited to be excited about working again. I am doing my best to visualize myself in that role, going into *my* office and sitting at *my* desk. I see myself growing in that department and becoming a specialist in all things HR. This is what I did as I interviewed for the 24/7 Helpline and I got that job. I saw myself getting on a train to Chicago every day until they'd let me go remote. I saw myself as a city queer again. I felt the train to the city already underneath me. I get that feeling with this role. I feel like, if I get it, I will have a Mary Tyler Moore moment.

She's gonna make it after all!

Thank you, if you've red this far. Thank you if you send good vibes for this Arb job. Thank you for just being here. Hell, thank you for being you.

One of my uncles will be visiting us from Chile in early August. I am eager for him to arrive and spend time with us. I know my mom could really use his support and sense of humor right now.

So I will be driving them (and my father, if I can convince him to join us) all around Chicago and the burbs. I hope to gather some TCV ideas from the places we will go. It's exciting to think about.

I really want to take a small trip to Cedarburg, WI. Spend a night there in a bnb, and take in all the shops and restaurants. But my car's oil needs to be changed and my brakes too, so I will have to hold off on traveling for a while.

I would like to get back to work because it's work, but I would also like to get back to contributing to my 401k, saving, paying off my medical debt and car, traveling, and actually affording medication without (too much) sacrifice. Medicare, I was told, would be cheaper than private insurance. Well, I couldn't afford a supplement, so I got stuck with an Advantage Plan. And it's not all that bad (I've met my out of pocket max), but man, do they make it hard to succeed in the system and this is a system primarily designed for seniors??? Sigh.

Anyway!

There you have it. A detailed account of things that I have been up to or coping with or working on since mid-May.

Hockey is gone. Thank goodness the Oilers didn't win the cup. Pavs retired. Wedgie was traded. Delly was traded. Faksa and Tanev were traded. We kept Dutchy, but that was about it. With a burning passion of a thousand suns, I hate Dumba and DeSmith. They will never be my Stars.

Okay. So. Where does this leave me now?

Well, I am slowly getting back "into" my work as an author. I'm hoping I can read a book or two in the next two weeks. I am inspired by the creativity of others and now that I've passed my exam, I have more free time to read and plot things out in my head.

It also helps to you know... not be extremely dehydrated.

Holy smokes, it's late. And this is long.

TLDR: Lots of caregiving, looking for jobs, studying, and recharging has happened in my break from writing. I am focused on securing a job at the Arboretum. I passed my SHRM-CP exam. I had an ER visit this week, but feel much better now.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for taking the care to read this. I appreciate y'all and the safe space y'all have made for me. I'm so glad I get to lean on this cozy, peaceful corner of fandom.

One last time--thank you.

Let's chat more.

-Cal

[ladycatastrophe7]

Goal Ideas for your vision board

General to-do’s (decluttering, maintenence, donating things you don’t need, compleating a project you’ve been procrastinating on, health appointments, setting up important documents, declutter contacts/friendships that don’t serve you, learning a general lifeskill (cooking, sewing, woodwork, etc).

Self-concept (Healing childhood wounds and limiting beliefs, Journaling, self awareness, questioning limiting beliefs, abundance mindet, practicing radical self-acceptance and self-compassion, overcoming fear of judgement or rejection, stepping into your ‘higher self’ identity, shadow work)

Health (morning or night routine, sleep scedule, hydrated, learning about nutrition, mindful eating, walking a certain amount of steps, finding a form of exercise you love, healing your body, self-care, glow up)

Milestones (Buying your first car or upgrading to a dream car (getting a driver's license), Traveling to a bucket-list destination, Publishing a book, starting a business, or launching a creative project, Achieving a personal milestone (running a mrathon, learning a language fluently), Reaching a sub-goal in the direction of your dream life., Moving house (getting your first apartment, etc), Graduation, passing finals or going back to school)

Social life (Making a conscious effort to deepen existing friendships, Hosting regular gatherings, game nights, or dinner parties, Joining a club, class, or online community to meet like-minded people, Strengthening communication skill, Practicing charisma, Overcoming social anxiety or public speaking fears)

Purpose (Identifying and developing your "unique gift" to the world, Finding a cause or movement you deeply care about and contributing to it, Exploring spirituality and existential questions, Writing a personal mission statement, Defining your core values and aligning your life with them)

Career (Finding a mentor or becoming a mentor, Begining a passion project or side-hustle, Taking steps toward your dream career, Improving leadership and management skills, Building a personal brand (blog, social media presence, networking), Transitioning into a career that aligns with your values, Setting work boundaries to prevent burnout, Setting up a sustainable system of productivity that nurtures your mental health, as well as boosts your efficiency

Money (Paying off debt or student loans, Creating multiple streams of income, Saving for an emergency fund, travel fund, or dream home, Learning about wealth-building strategies, Become financially literate, Negotiating for a promotion, Setting up a buissness model that allows a portion of your revenue to become passive income, Building assets and investing, Donating a percentage of your income to a cause you care about, Work on limiting beliefs regarding money (abundance vs scarcity mindset)

Mastery (Deepening expertise in a field or industry, Learning a new creative skill (painting, music, writing), Picking up a new hobby, Developing a skill that's tied to your career or purpose, Becoming fluent in another language, Mastering a physical skill (surfing, rock climbing, archery), Developing discipline and consistency in skill-building

How to achieve them and book recs

[tareksaadi]

Surrounded by Idiots: How Knowing the Four Basic Behavior Types Can Revolutionize How We Communicate 

Thomas Erikson’s book Surrounded by Idiots has become a huge bestseller, especially in Sweden, where it’s sold over 1.5 million copies. Within its pages, communication expert Erikson shares what he believes are the four basic personalities (which he categorizes into the colors red, yellow, green, and blue) and the best ways to interact and communicate with each. 

The Four Personality Types 

In Surrounded by Idiots, Erikson suggests that there are four main types of people, as determined by their personality and behavior. Reds are typically boisterous, ambitious, and commanding, while yellows are optimistic, creative, and social, and greens are calm, considerate, and reliable. Blue personalities are precise, analytical, and quiet. The idea is that the reader can use this system to quickly and easily figure out which categories their family members, friends, or colleagues fit into and therefore be able to communicate with them in the most effective way possible. 

For example, writes Erikson, reds don’t usually appreciate small talk, while yellows are great for bouncing ideas off of, and blues can be relied on to take care of even the smallest details. 

Changing Communication Styles 

The aim of Surrounded by Idiots is to help readers understand themselves better and hone their social and communication skills. This, in turn, will enable readers to better handle conflict, get the best out of those they manage, and improve dynamics with their boss and team. As well as improving written and verbal communication, Erikson also shares advice on body language in the book, as well as tips on how to recognize when to push on and when to walk away from a conflict or situation.  

Surrounded by Idiots is rated highly by entrepreneur and thought leader Tarek Saadi, who uses many of the book’s tenets to boost productivity and connections within the teams he works with. 

Thomas Erikson: Writing Ambitions 

For Thomas Erikson, becoming a published author was the culmination of a 20-year ambition, during which time he learned new skills, sought counsel from professionals, tested new ideas, tweaked his writing style, and worked incredibly hard to make his dream come true. 

Today, Erikson is Sweden’s most translated active writer, a highly sought-after public speaker, and a mentor to entrepreneurs and high-level executives all over Europe. He lives with his wife in the Swedish countryside, where he runs a family business providing master classes and online courses on the topics he covers in his books. Erikson is a keen gardener, and enjoys topiary and collecting old Land Rovers. 

[femmefatalevibe]

hi, idk if you answered this before, but how did you manage to become self-employed by 24? also any career building tips in general?

Hi love! Well, I'm nearly 25 now (Leo baby here, lol) and have been self-employed since around 21/22 full-time. I would say the main factors at play are a combination of starting my career as early as possible (first real internship in the fashion industry at almost 16 and starting freelancing at around 19), earning a full scholarship to a top private university, and freelancing throughout college allowed me to have a lot of time and freedom to work on my skills, build my networks/portfolio, etc. (I'm not going to discount all of the privileges and resources I've had working in my favor, including the ability to begin my postgrad life with zero debts, that would be disingenuous, for certain).

In terms of career advice, I would say here are some of my most important tips:

Figure out where your skills and passions align. Then determine the lifestyle/work culture you thrive in and what sacrifices you're willing to make in your chosen career path (for some, it's always traveling/talking to people 24/7, working late hours, unpredictable/unconventional hours, potentially lower pay/less predictable income, etc.). It truly depends on your top values, your personality, and your goals/priorities in life.

First focus on getting incredibly talented at your craft. Find a mentor(s) who will push you with their feedback/suggestions. Take classes/skills courses/read books & articles to gain more applicable knowledge/hard skills. Join clubs, apply to internships, volunteer, and request informational interviews in your desired field.

Make your skills marketable. Create a professional resume and/or neat portfolio/collection of work samples. Discover and articulate your USP (that should essentially serve as the backbone of your elevator pitch). Frame your skills through a customer/business-centric lens. How does your experience/skillset solve their problems and help a company/client achieve their goals?

Build a network for yourself. Don't be shy to reach out to companies/individuals who inspire you. Speak with your secondary school teachers and professors for connections. Create peer-to-peer networks, too, so you can grow together. Be a fearless networker and connector. Help others, do favors, and make the person glad they met/hired you. Make it your objective to be memorable through your work ethic/providing high-quality work products and showing up with a motivated & overall positive attitude allows people to like and trust you with their time, clients, money, etc.

Master the art of a killer email/cold pitch. Especially in today's world, learning how to sell yourself through intriguing emails/LinkedIn messages is the key to unlocking potential success. One client or opportunity can create momentum that will be useful years down the line, too.

When in doubt, follow up – on an email, pitch, job opportunity, connection, etc.

Be ruthless and relentless with your research. For new contacts, connections, opportunities, and information to support your pitches/job interviews/networking conversations, new technologies, and trends within your field. Read everything credible you can get your hands on. Display working knowledge and practical applications of these concepts and how they can benefit the person in front of you/their business.

Create systems. For how you structure emails/pitches, conduct research, different types of workflows/ work template structures for different types of projects, time-blocking, client funnels, etc.

Get comfortable with rejection. Use it as a primer for self-reflection and refining your craft/processes or help you pivot your approach to help you achieve your goals. Never take business decisions on behalf of a company personally (and vice versa).

Give yourself breaks, but don't give up. Tapping out for good is the only surefire way to fail at an endeavor. Be flexible in your path, but zeroed in on your goal(s). Learn when to quit or pivot, and when it's time to coast or seek growth.

Hope this helps xx

[krishnapgstays]

Crafting an Optimal Study Environment: Tips for UPSC Aspirants at Krishna PG Stays

Embarking on the journey to crack the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination requires dedication, perseverance, and strategic preparation. Among the myriad factors that contribute to success, creating the perfect study environment is paramount. For UPSC aspirants residing at Krishna PG Stays, here are some invaluable tips to optimize your study space and maximize your chances of achieving your goals.

Designate a Dedicated Study Area: Establish a specific corner or room within your Krishna PG Stays accommodation as your study zone. This designated space will serve as your sanctuary for focused learning, free from distractions and conducive to concentration.

Prioritize Comfort and Ergonomics: Invest in comfortable seating and ergonomic furniture to support long study sessions without physical discomfort. Ensure that your chair provides adequate lumbar support and that your desk is at an appropriate height to promote good posture and prevent fatigue.

Harness Natural Light: Whenever possible, position your study area near a window to harness natural light. Natural lighting not only reduces eye strain but also enhances mood and productivity, creating a more inviting and refreshing study environment.

Minimize Distractions: Identify and minimize potential distractions in your study space. Keep your study area clutter-free and free from unnecessary gadgets or items that may tempt you to procrastinate. Consider using noise-canceling headphones to block out external sounds and maintain focus.

Personalize Your Space: Infuse your study environment with personal touches that inspire and motivate you. Decorate your study area with motivational quotes, pictures of inspirational figures, or vision boards outlining your career aspirations. Surrounding yourself with positive imagery cultivates a sense of purpose and determination.

Organize Study Materials Effectively: Implement organizational systems to keep study materials easily accessible and neatly arranged. Use shelves, folders, or storage bins to categorize books, notes, and reference materials, ensuring efficient retrieval when needed. A well-organized study space fosters mental clarity and streamlines the learning process.

Establish a Study Routine: Develop a consistent study routine tailored to your individual preferences and energy levels. Allocate specific times each day for focused study sessions, making optimal use of peak concentration periods. By adhering to a structured study schedule, you cultivate discipline and momentum in your exam preparation.

Stay Connected but Manage Social Interactions: While residing at Krishna PG Stays, it's essential to strike a balance between social interactions and solitary study time. Engage in collaborative study sessions with fellow UPSC aspirants to exchange ideas and insights, but also allocate sufficient uninterrupted periods for independent study and reflection.

Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care: Recognize the importance of regular breaks and self-care activities in maintaining productivity and well-being. Incorporate short breaks into your study routine to rest and recharge, whether it's taking a leisurely walk, practicing mindfulness, or indulging in a hobby. Prioritizing self-care nurtures resilience and sustains long-term motivation in your UPSC journey.

Seek Support and Guidance: Leverage the resources and support networks available to you at Krishna PG Stays and beyond. Engage with mentors, tutors, or online forums to seek guidance, clarify doubts, and stay informed about UPSC exam trends and strategies. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community fosters collaboration, accountability, and collective growth.

In conclusion, optimizing your study environment is instrumental in your UPSC preparation journey at Krishna PG Stays. By implementing these tips and customizing your study space to suit your needs, you empower yourself to study effectively, stay motivated, and ultimately realize your aspirations of success in the UPSC examination. Stay focused, stay determined, and embrace the transformative power of your dedicated study environment.

Visit Krishna PG for comfortable accommodation while preparing for your UPSC exams.

[shivajirajan]

Sales and Marketing Head in Chennai | Business Growth Strategy by Shivaji Rajan

Looking to drive revenue growth and build a powerful brand in Chennai? At Shivaji Rajan Business Consulting, we offer Sales and Marketing Head services for businesses that need expert leadership without the overhead of a full-time executive.

Our consulting-led engagement brings strategic direction, campaign planning, team structuring, and revenue-focused execution—all customized for Chennai’s unique and fast-paced market environment.

What We Offer

Strategic Sales Leadership

City-specific sales planning tailored for B2B/B2C markets in Chennai

Funnel optimization and CRM strategy

Performance-based forecasting and KPI setup

Integrated Marketing Planning

Offline and digital marketing mix (SEO, paid ads, content, and social)

Brand development and messaging alignment

Campaign calendar and product positioning

Team Building & Management

Define sales/marketing roles and structure

Recruit, train, and mentor sales & marketing teams

Implement scalable systems for lead-to-sale tracking

Revenue Growth Consulting

Analyze past performance and identify growth levers

Market segmentation and pricing models

Monthly dashboards and strategy reviews

Why Chennai Businesses Choose Us

With its booming tech, automotive, and retail sectors, Chennai demands a localized, high-performance approach. Our on-ground expertise ensures your sales and marketing efforts are data-driven, cost-effective, and locally optimized.

🔗 Partner with Shivaji Rajan Business Consulting

Bring executive-level vision to your company. Our Sales and Marketing Head services in Chennai help you scale with confidence and clarity—without the long-term hiring cost.

👉 Learn more or book a consultation at: shivajirajan.com

[ashokintradaytrader]

Why You Should Invest in a Stock Market Course – A Beginner’s Guide

If you’ve ever watched the stock market with curiosity—wondering how people make money from it—you’re not alone. More Indians than ever are turning to trading as a way to grow wealth, build a side income, or even change careers entirely.

But here’s the truth:

Jumping into trading without proper knowledge is like driving without knowing how to steer.

That’s where a stock market course comes in. Whether you're completely new to finance or have some experience, structured learning can make all the difference between success and loss.

Let’s explore why investing in a quality stock market course is one of the best decisions you can make if you're serious about trading.

The Importance of Proper Education

Many people start trading by following tips from social media, YouTube, or WhatsApp groups. While these may occasionally work, they rarely lead to long-term profitability.

What traders really need is a strong foundation built on technical analysis, risk management, and real-world practice.

A stock market course offers exactly that. These programs provide:

A step-by-step learning process

Practical strategies used by experienced traders

Mentorship from seasoned professionals

Lifetime access to course materials and updates

This kind of structured learning ensures that students not only understand how the markets work but also develop the discipline required to trade successfully.

Real Traders, Real Results

One of the most compelling reasons to join a stock market course is the opportunity to learn from real traders—not just instructors reading from a script.

Many successful traders today started their journey by enrolling in a reputable course.

They learned how to:

Read charts and candlestick patterns

Identify support and resistance levels

Use indicators like RSI, MACD, and moving averages

Manage risk effectively

Build their own trading systems

These skills allowed them to move from confusion and losses to consistent profits—a transformation that wouldn’t have been possible through random online searches alone.

Career Opportunities Beyond Trading

While many take a stock market course to invest or trade part-time, others see it as a potential career path. With the right education and mentorship, individuals can transition into roles such as:

Full-time trader

Financial consultant

Trading educator or mentor

Content creator (YouTube, blogs, Telegram)

Freelance analyst for investment firms

This opens up new income streams and opportunities for personal growth—especially for those who are passionate about finance and want to turn their interest into a profession.

Tools & Resources That Support Growth

Modern stock market courses go beyond traditional classroom-style teaching. They offer students access to:

Mobile apps for flexible learning

Telegram-based updates and alerts

Free revision classes and lifetime access

Live Q&A sessions with mentors

YouTube channels with free educational content

These tools ensure that students continue learning and growing long after completing the course.

Mentorship Makes All the Difference

One of the biggest advantages of joining a stock market course is the mentorship aspect. Learning directly from experienced traders gives students insights that books or videos simply can't provide.

Mentors help students:

Avoid common mistakes

Understand real market conditions

Develop a winning mindset

Stay disciplined during emotional market swings

This guidance is invaluable—especially for beginners who might otherwise give up after early losses.

Who Can Benefit From This?

Whether you're a:

Student exploring finance careers

Working professional looking to earn extra income

Homemaker wanting financial independence

Retired individual staying mentally active

New trader tired of losing money

...a good stock market course can help you build the skills and confidence needed to succeed.

No finance background? No problem. Many students start with zero knowledge and still become successful traders through structured learning and consistent practice.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

If you're ready to take control of your financial future and begin your trading journey the right way, investing in a stock market course is a smart move.

Do your research, read reviews, and find a course that aligns with your goals and learning style.

Remember—trading isn’t about luck. It’s about knowledge, discipline, and the right mentorship.

Start today, and you could be on your way to becoming a confident, self-reliant trader tomorrow.

Key Takeaways:

A stock market course provides structured, practical learning.

Mentorship from real traders helps avoid costly mistakes.

Courses often include mobile apps, Telegram updates, and lifetime access.

Trading can be a side hustle or full-time career with the right training.

Discipline, strategy, and consistency are key to long-term success.