#Multi-Channel Communication

[business901-blog]

The Shift in Consumer Engagement Strategies

The way consumers engage with brands has undergone significant evolution. Gone are the days when a simple television ad would captivate an audience’s attention. Nowadays, consumers prefer personalized, interactive, and engaging experiences that resonate with their lifestyles and values. For example, consider how often you browse social media for product recommendations or reviews before making a purchase. This shift highlights a few key trends in consumer engagement: Desire for Authenticity: Consumers are drawn to brands that show genuine personality and transparency. Preference for Instant Gratification: With the rise of e-commerce, immediate access to products has become a standard expectation. Community Engagement: Many consumers seek a sense of belonging by engaging with brands and other customers online. The importance of relationship-building instead of mere transactions cannot be overstated. By using interactive strategies, brands can meet consumers where they are and cater to their evolving preferences.

[smsgatewayindia]

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[hsmagazine254]

Mastering Lead Follow-Up: Nurturing Online Marketing Campaign Leads for Business Success

Crafting Connections: The Blueprint for Expert Lead Follow-Up In the dynamic realm of online marketing, generating leads is just the initial step. The true power lies in the follow-up—the art of turning potential prospects into devoted customers. In today’s competitive landscape, where attention spans are short and choices are vast, mastering the skill of lead nurturing is indispensable for…

[plum-pitt]

GUYS THEYRE MAKING AN OFFICIAL CROSSOVER COMIC. THIS IS NOT A FUCKING DRILL.

ISSUE 13 OF SATURDAY MORNING ADVENTURES DROPPING IN JUNE.

updates below the cut —>

UPDATE #1:

Hiya! since this is blowing up just thought i’d stick this on here. I got this info from a YT community post from teddygamingreview, a smaller channel knee deep in the comics side of the tmnt franchise that i’ve been following for a while. From what i understand this is just teaser/promo material so there’s not a whole lot of other info out yet. Thats all, cowa-fuckin-bunga dudes

UPDATE #2:

TEDDYGAMING REVIEWS CAME IN CLUTCH ONCE AGAIN WITH A BREAKDOWN VIDEO

(Most important new info takeaway that wasn’t already laid out in the previous post, in case you don’t got time to watch right now: the issue after this has some villains from the 2012 series on the cover art, implying that whatever multiverse crossover shenanigans are going on might bleed into he next issue, at least to some extent?)

UPDATE #3:

THIS ONES TOO BIG SO I MADE A SEPARATE POST FOR IT, LINK HERE:

[lackadaisycats]

Hey Eldritch Friends,

Lackadaisy Community leader Newt is hosting a Fall-oween Event! The challenge: make a multi-media ghost story with friends combining any artforms you like - writing, drawing, sculpture, photography, music, poetry, etc.

The Discord community will vote on the winners!

Entries will be featured in a special Cast + Crew livestream!

Renowned voice actor Jason Marnocha (Viktor Vasko/Asa Sweet) has agreed to read the top placing written entry with all of the Victorian vampire swagger he can muster (which is a lot)

Deadline is October 26th

For more details, including prizes and submission link, visit the #server-annoucements channel at:

The Lackadaisy Discord

[saytrrose]

3rd Monthly Server Opening!

Art Above is done by my gorgeous, lovely bestfriend and server artist @strawberryside !! Characters above are from our most frequently discussed fandoms!

The link below will be open for 24 hours! Our next open period will be on June 1st!

Sanctuary is a multi-fandom 16+ server with around 70 or so people as of today!

What we offer:

🧡 An extremely welcoming LGBTQ+ community!

🤍 A system safe place with PluralKit available!

🧡 A server au based on the mods being staff members of a dark, eerie and secret asylum. Our member are our silly and dangerous little patients that we experiment on and house! We have a character sheet to fill out for it as well, and you have so much freedom to make your own lore.(You don't have to participate! It is its own separate category)

🤍 We often do events! For June we are hosting Pride Month Palooza! Feel free to read up on the announcement when you come in :)

🧡 We offer a vent channel for people to get off frustrations. Most servers no longer like to hold these, but we do have a nice set of rules to keep people comfy and it's always mutable if you want it out of sight, out of mind!

🤍 MORE!! There's more!! (Like a private NSFW section for our adults who show mods their ID for age confirmation- amongst other things!) Find out for yourself ‼️

JOIN!!!

If you have any server related questions before you wish to join the server, feel free to send in an ask!!

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - June 15-21

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles!

1. At UN Ocean Conference, Nations and Funders Seek to Create and Expand Large-Scale Marine Protected Areas

“[… W]orld leaders agreed to sweeping but nonbinding commitments[….] Samoa will [protect] a section of the ocean roughly the size of Vietnam[…. Vanuatu] would protect 2 million square miles, an area the size of the Amazon Rainforest [… as] the world’s first multi-national Indigenous-led marine reserve. […] Tanzania will designate reserves to protect seagrass beds and mangrove forests, which serve as natural storm and erosion barriers for its coastal communities.”

2. Australia could host 73GW of solar in abandoned coal mines: study

“[Australia has] 1,470 km² of mine sites potentially supporting some 73 GW of solar in total — and some 2.7GW of coal-to-solar conversions have been announced. […] “Repurposing mines for solar development offers a rare chance to bring together land restoration, local job creation, and clean energy deployment in a single strategy[….]” Green Gravity is testing using mine shafts for gravity based energy storage, and last year secured another $9 million to continue that.”

3. Inside the Veterans Affairs Department’s underground resistance to Trump’s care ban for transgender vets

““I’ve never met a veteran who thought another veteran didn’t deserve care.” […] Despite the risk, all three physicians described a rapidly growing but carefully hidden network of VA staff committed to ensuring that trans veterans still receive care, often through unofficial channels, coded referrals, or creative documentation workarounds[…] and “personal connections,” including community providers and informal care networks.”

4. Native American tribe steps up to protect Florida lands for wildlife

“The [Miccosukee] tribe is looking to buy and protect environmentally significant lands [… as] an ambitious project to connect 18m acres (7.3m hectares) of state and privately owned wilderness into a contiguous, safe habitat for scores of imperilled and roaming species[….] Cypress said the tribe […] already has collaborative or direct stewardship of almost 3m acres in the Everglades and Biscayne national parks, and Loxahatchee national wildlife refuge[….]”

5. More trees, more tools: Uzbekistan steps up on Aral Sea recovery and support for green business

“[Recent] afforestation has reduced dust storms and improved local air and soil conditions. Now, the government is […] focused on biosaline agriculture - using salty water to irrigate crops, climate-resilient farming and sustainable water use [- as well as…] the launch of a national green certification programme, aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) transition to cleaner, more sustainable practices.”

June 8-14 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[monowritestoomuch]

VA YOUTUBER D&D NEEDS TO BE UPON US

If VA YouTubers did D&D together, it might just be the most legendary thing ever, so let me make predictions:

Yuurivoice would be either a warlock or a wizard and would absolutely cast the funniest fucking spells, out of spite. He’d be lore-oriented, but at some point he’s get a little too serious and get silly OR he’d be a lawful neutral cleric according to my bug army D&D analysis bestie. I think he’s chaotic neutral, might just be me. He would undoubtedly be a cleric though. If he was a wizard, like I originally said, his ass would be casting a fireball any chance he gets.

Escaped would be a barbarian, let me cook, okay? I’m sure he could also be the DM, but he would TRAUMATIZE the party mark my fucking words. Anyway, he’d be chaotic evil, maybe chaotic good, but bro has not shown remorse for Crow or Chronus Seven and I haven’t forgiven him yet(could be chaotic neutral but hmmmmm). But he would have a giant two headed axe, bear with me now.

Escaped also gives me hella Astarion vibes but that might just be because of NIFODD. . .

I would love to tell you my ideas for PebblesASMR, because he is not free from me either lmao. I asked the bug army and got the response that he’d be a lawful evil, earth genasi sorcerer. Now, I don’t believe he’d be lawful evil, maybe lawful neutral? But I have a funny ass idea so here it is. Instead of being a normal player, I feel he’d just be a sentient sorcerer pebble with googly eyes. He would sit on Escaped’s shoulder and they would scheme or some shit. Believe it, I say those two would get along like a house on fire.

They would cook up some scheme and do the funniest of shenanigans together(someone please draw this it would be funny as all hell) and if Pebbles was an earth Genasi sorcerer and Escaped was a Barbarian, what do y’all think would happen? Me personally, the world would never see peace, or know it, ever again. The unbeatable duo that I’ve literally NEVER SEEN INTERACT LIKE WHAT.

Obi would be a Dragonborn, chaotic good. I’d say he’d be a true neutral warlock, maybe chaotic neutral or good neutral if you give him Zef or Timmy’s charms. In his Baldur’s gate, he’s a bard and he’s true neutral, however I have an idea of who would be the bard of the group. Who is his patron? I literally have no idea I’d say Bella (because the divines series has me in a chokehold rn and I can’t remember D&D gods) but maybe they have ideas? Anyway, Obi as a dragonborn is an elite masterpiece I came up with after listening to some TROY and getting in my ✨vibes✨. Would be peak and elite. Change my mind.

MAGE IT’S YOUR TURN NOW FACE YOUR FATE. *rubs hands together evilly* I’ve cooked up something for you—

Mage would be. . .either a neutral-evil wizard (harness your inner mlp friendship is magic) and would be a schemer (messing with folks for the fun of it{translation: traumatizing the masses}) OR Druid Wizard multi class, still neutral evil. Or as stated by you, *clear throat* a human spell caster named Captain Salad. From the old and noble Salad family. And her name isn’t captain she just doesn’t like her first name and thinks captain is a cool moniker. Her tactics involve throwing fireballs from a big stick at everything (amen would do the same tbh what a queen) and the stick isn’t even necessary she just found a branch.

Hear me on this ASMR VA Community, M would be a true neutral fighter monk multi class. I have nothing else to say but that they’d slay, literally. Would beat people up and not break a SINGLE sweat. Would also ironically be the peacekeeper, because this group is full of chaos and they seem the most sane?

Anyway, ShiningArmorASMR is up next and man would undoubtedly be a chaotic neutral, Artificer. My good sir gives me the most Arcane vibes out of everyone on this list. Inventor? Yes. Magic? Yes. Dude will channel the arcane as a master of invention and will be fashionable while doing it. Now, Ellis could be chaotic neutral, that would also make sense too.

Siren, Siren, Siren. SIREN’S SON TIME! He’d be either: A. A chaotic good/neutral bard, and I think he’d carry a lute, not a lyre, although he does give EPIC Apollo vibes. B. A chaotic good Druid. C. A lawfully evil bard. He really just gives me Halsin vibes from BG3 and actuslly has a fae character who has a SHOCKINGLY SIMILAR LOOK to Halsin. Coincidence, you say? I think not but okay.

Kabuya is him in Baldur’s gate. Warforged Barbarian, lawfully neutral (cuz of Biggs). Maybe a rogue if not a barbarian? In my mind, barbarian is obvious, as is being lawfully neutral, but along with M, he’d keep the peace in the group, just differently. He’d keep the peace by either a, glaring, or b, threats with a sledgehammer(that would be peak don’t lie or disagree). Either way, he’d be chiller? Probably one of the more logical ones within the party.

I have seen one of Scythe’s videos. It was a GOTCHA one. I’m planning on getting into his series but here’s what I’ve collected so far. Chaotic neutral/evil necromancer. His videos are very much horror esc, and hear me out when I say that man would rise an army of the undead to win a battle or simply put, a bet or wager.

As for GoodBoyAudios, who I am also planning on listening to! Fonzie thinks that he’d a a true neutral (added by critical roll) bloodhunter.

Atonal ASMR is a true neutral. I think that he might be a wizard of sorts? I’m honestly confused for him but I think he’d also keep a little peace in the group, but if he was a warlock instead of a wizard,(and keep with me) he’d be dedicated to the star god in his series. Even if it’s not canon to D&D I’m tired and it’s midnight and this is pure ideas and spite.

Nomads Tales & Audios, your time has come. A ranger, he’d be a ranger. Either lawful evil OR lawful neutral. He might not be keeping the peace within the group, but he’s going to have Deacons’ and Conners’ humor.

Finally, Daysprite would be a chaotic good Dragonborn sorcerer. Haven’t heard much from them YET! So I can’t do much judging, however, them as a Dragonborn would be sick as hell and a sorcerer kind of makes sense for them. Might just be their vibes.

If you have any more ideas reblog or comment, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

@fronzie , anything to add?

[smsgatewayindia]

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[drnikolatesla]

🚢 Tesla's Remote Control Patent: The Birth of Modern Automation 🚢

On November 8, 1898, Nikola Tesla was granted U.S. Patent No. 613,809 for his "Method of and Apparatus for Controlling Mechanism of Moving Vessels or Vehicles." This invention wasn’t just the first practical remote control—it marked a revolutionary step toward the development of wireless communication and automation.

🔧 How Tesla’s System Worked 🔧

Tesla's system worked much like how we control drones today—only over a century ago!

1️⃣ Transmitter: Tesla used radio waves to send wireless commands to the vessel.

2️⃣ Receiver: The vessel had a sensitive device that decoded the radio signals into specific actions, such as steering or powering motors.

3️⃣ Control Circuits: Tesla designed a series of circuits that ensured each command executed reliably, preventing errors and interference.

⚙️ Key Features ⚙️

💡 Command Logic: Tesla's circuits functioned like a primitive decision-making system, linking specific signals to specific actions—a conceptual precursor to today’s logic gates.

🔋 Multi-Channel Design: Each circuit operated on a unique frequency, akin to modern multi-device networks, ensuring precise control without interference.

🛡️ Safety First: Tesla implemented mechanisms to prevent accidental or incorrect activations, prioritizing reliability.

🌍 Applications Then and Now 🌍

Tesla saw the potential for:

✔️ Military Use: Guiding unmanned ships or torpedoes.

✔️ Disaster Response: Sending unmanned vessels into dangerous areas.

✔️ Remote Automation: Introducing wireless precision to various industries.

Today, Tesla's vision echoes in:

🚁 Drones: Controlled remotely through radio signals.

🤖 Robots: Autonomous machines performing tasks with precision.

🏠 Smart Homes: Devices responding to commands over Wi-Fi.

🏭 Automated Factories: Machines operating through programmable controls Tesla helped inspire.

🌟 Why Tesla’s Invention Matters 🌟

Tesla didn’t just create a remote control—he pioneered a framework for wireless systems that continues to shape modern technology. What are your thoughts on Tesla's advancement in wireless technology?

[jazzmasternot]

Hazbin hotel college AU head cannons

Note: decided to write these out after reading @sprainedwriting’s fanfic about Adam being a frat boy and I took that concept and ran with it.

Obviously this is based off of my own university experience where I attend a really big public university in the southern US. so that’s where my takes are coming from.

This is also my first time writing anything on here so there’s that aswell.

Charlie

Majors in musical theatre, but not performance education. She wants to be the unhinged theatre teacher that everyone loves. Lives in one of those really fancy student apartment lofts with keke. And is part of the cat club where she feeds the cats on campus

Vaggie

She probably does something super hard like biomedical engineering (let’s go women in stem!) which takes up allot of her time already. Is also an RA for one of the dorms on campus which is good for her bc free housing and gets paid to do her homework at the front desk. Met Charlie in an English class and have been together ever since. When she’s not on call she’s spending the night at Charlie’s and Charlie’s almost always sitting at the front desk with vaggie even tho she doesn’t work or live at the dorm and no one says anything bc it’s just not that deep.

Alastor

Majors in audio engineering and runs the campus radio station that people definitely still listen too. He went to community college first then transferred to a four year (to save money ofc) and is a commuter where he still lives with his mom. Does work study where he works the front desk of the library where he does his homework and works on his scripts for his radio show. Has no interest in working with Vox since he runs the tv channel simply bc he doesn’t want all that extra work. Still takes his notes on pen and paper and still has a nightmare of a time figuring out to electronically submit all his assignments and take his tests.

Angel dust

Okay so hear me out he majors in math ikik it sounds crazy but every gay math major I’ve ever met acts just like Angel dust. Goes to raves and frat parties even tho the guys don’t want him there but he always brings girls with him so the kinda have to let him in. Does nude modeling for extra cash at the art school so he’s kinda a celeb over there even tho he’s not in anyway related to that major.

Husk

Majors in Restaurant and hotel management and is one of those college students that are in their late twenties so already has more life experience than most other ppl here so he doesn’t do allot of the stupid college that allot of other ppl do. Lives in some off campus apartment that’s just a large house rented out to students made to look like a apartment (yk the ones in talking abt) works at the dive bar located just off campus that everyone goes to atleast once in their four years.

Sir pentious

Majors in mechanical engineering or industrial design I can’t really decided. Definitely uses the 3D printer all the time and is on the robotics team, which wins every competition they go to.

Nifty

She’s changed her major so many times nobody knows anymore. Is part of the kpop club and has biases complete with intricately decorated covers, like she has so many photo cards. Also runs the campus hotties account where it’s just a bunch of candids of cute guys taken from far away. Will also get really pissed if you don’t wash your dishes bc it will attract bugs so if ur her roommate you better do the dam dishes.

Cherry bomb

Art major and is the one who got Angel the nude modeling gig. Is always pulling all nighters bc she kept postponing the assimgment till the last minute. Has probably vandalized a couple buildings surrounding the university but hasn’t been caught. Goes to raves and the aforementioned frat parties with Angel. Also has a traffic cone in her dorm room for no other reason than just bc.

Vox

Majors in multi media marketing, runs the campus tv and YouTube channel. Definitely the president of a frat that inflates his ego more than it already is. Always at sporting events at the front row with all the frat guys giving everyone the inside scoop and game commentary. Is very pissed that alastor won’t work with him. Treats himself like a campus celebrity even tho ppl could care less and are just trying to get their degree.

Valentino

majors in film and media productions yeah he’s one of those. Always asking if you’ve seen pulp fiction and telling you that you need to watch some random black and white movie that’s only in French. Will definitely invite you over to watch something with you but we all know that’s not the case. Also all his film projects has allot of unnecessary nudity and sex under the guise of artistic expression, even when it’s so not relevant to the plot. Unless it’s a film that he’s making for the university in which case Vox is controlling every aspect of it which in this case is a good thing. Smokes in his dorm room without a care in the world and has really loud inconsiderate sex at any random point in the 24 hour day cycle.

Velvette

Majors in public relations and runs the university’s Instagram account. She’s always walking up to ppl with a lil microphone to ask you to tell us what you’re wearing. Speaking off she always comes to class dressed up (like the international students) no leggings and tennis shoes for her. Also is definitely in a divine nine sorority, and runs their insta too.

Carmilla

She’s a professor for the aerospace engineering dept and shes here bc she got sick of making rockets for Lockheed Martin and reatheon. Hella smart and ppl are baffled that she chose to give up a seven figure job to teach a bunch of college kids but she’s so chill abt it tho.

Zestial

Definitely English lit professor, makes you read the books no one’s heard of and not the classics. Always brings his own open regular coffee mug from his house to sip his tea from instead of a thermos, everyone asks how he doesn’t spill it on his ride to work. Also just straight up has an electric kettle in his office so he can have tea whenever he wants. Takes turns with carmilla eating lunch in each other’s offices.

Rosie

Studies agriculture sciences and food processing. Will probably run a slaughter house when she’s done with her degree. Hangs out with Alastor in his radio booth from time to time just to gossip about whatever drama is going around lately. Wears long skirts and a tote bag all the time. Is always sweet to Charlie and Emily, also loathes Vox just as much as Alastor she just finds him annoying.

Lucifer

Is probably a religion professor that’s not religious at all and is super laid back in his class like one easy discussion board post a week. The kinda guy to be like “it’s so nice out let’s have class outside today guys” or “if I make this shot ur all getting extra credit on the quiz this week”.

Adam

Definitely majors in finance and is a frat boy. And his band plays at all the said frat parties. Is very insufferable to talk to at parties will try tell you how crypto is the currency of the future and how wolf of Wall Street is his favorite movie. Has a Saturdays are for the boys flag in his room and navy blue sheets. Oh did I mention he vapes he definitely vapes those Mike Tyson ones that taste awful and look like bricks yeah those. Always gets drunk at the tailgate way before the game is even started.

Lute

Yeah she’s in premed and wants everyone to know she’s better than you bc of it. Everyone else’s major is easy compared to hers so don’t you dare complain about all your assignments in her vicinity. She’s basically made it her whole identity like she’s in the premed honors society, future doctors of America. Types her notes on her laptop and then rewrites them with all her gel pens and fancy highlighters, like thee be so colorfull and pretty then the title would be something like blood clots. Still friends with Adam bc they went to the same highschool together and always helping him with his homework in turn he gets her into the tailgate tents and frat parties so she always gets free alcohol.

Emily

Majors in Elementary education and looks like it too, with the Stanley cup, James Avery charm bracelet, and all. She also takes super pretty notes but she does them in class which is super power all in itself, like her desk is scattered with gel pens and highlighters of every color and swears by her bullet journal. She also feeds the cats on campus with Charlie and runs the arts and crafts club on campus where they always host events like tote bag painting in the grass area of the university. Also doesn’t drink bc she’s not twenty one yet even tho she’s in college and definitely won’t smoke even tho most of the ppl that show up to her events are total potheads

Sera

She’s like the university president who doesn’t actually GAF abt the students and just fund’s athletics and raises tuition every year under miscellaneous fees. She tries to come off as supportive when she’s out in public but no one’s buying it.

[gemsofgreece]

Hey, question: what are your thoughts on baklava? Is it turkish or greek?

It's not a matter of opinion, it's a matter of facts and the lack of them. The answer to this is normally an one-liner but I would like to give some context because there are foreign people out there who don't understand these feuds.

The one-liner is that the origins of the baklava are unknown.

Now the context: It is funny that what you will constantly hear is the "turkish vs greek" discourse when in actuality baklava is a traditional pastry in at least a dozen more countries in the Balkans, the Middle East and South Caucasus. The reason the discourse always zooms in in these two countries is because of their historically tense relations, which makes nationalists from these places channel their frustrations even in the pettiest of topics. Another reason is that this is a region which has nurtured numerous multi-ethnic empires but Turkey and Greece are the countries which are typically the most connected to these imperial pasts.

We do not know who the cook who came up with the baklava in the Ottoman empire was or to which of the various ethnic communities of the empire they belonged. We know for a fact that baklava's name is Turkish because this was the official language of the empire. Some turkish nationalists treat the turkish name as proof but this is not a good enough reasoning in an imperial context because everything is almost always popularised via the first language of an empire. With the same reasoning, we could say that since the basis of the baklava is the phyllo (filo) dough which is a Greek word, then baklava is a turkish sweet that is half-Greek because it has a Greek basis? These things are unserious.

We also do not know whether that first cook in the Ottoman Empire created the pastry out of thin air or was heavily inspired or was copying a pastry that was already a known delicacy in these regions before the establishment of the Ottoman Empire. Actually, we know that there was a suspiciously way too similar pastry in the Byzantine Empire, named "koptoplakýs¨, a Greek name corresponding to the official language of the Byzantine Empire. We still don´t know if koptoplakys was purely a Greek recipe or it was first made by one of the other Byzantine ethnic groups or it was also inspired by something else prior to it. Several speculations place the origins of baklava and that of koptoplakys to a variety of regions, such as Ancient Greece, Armenia, the Assyrian Empire and more.

The point is that since all these regions of the Balkans, Anatolia and the Middle East were parts of empires, various ethnicities cohabitating in the same place, in the same ecosystem with the same produce, even if this coexistence was not exactly dreamy, it is natural that all these people pretty much ate similar or the same foods and such foods with "controversial" origins are genuinely part of their culinary heritage. There's no "stealing" when it comes to regular everyday things massively consumed by people living together. It's a pastry. It's not some sacred, religious or national symbol. It's a pastry, traditional and with historical presence throughout most of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Like Farya Faraji correctly says, if anything, the differences were regional and not national, since nation states are a very recent development in world history. Meaning, all these countries make the baklava but you may notice slight differentiations in each country / region's version. The standard Turkish baklava is made with pistachios. The standard Greek baklava is made with walnuts. A baklava I had in Montenegro had a lot of lemon zest in it, which definitely is not a thing in Greece. Spices can vary too.

Also, sometimes there is so much discourse about dishes with the same name when in fact the dishes are not even the same. For example, turkish and greek moussakas, another huge discourse, are literally two different dishes!

Turkish mussaka:

Greek mussaka:

(Needless to say various types of mussakas are present throughout the aforementioned regions as well, again.)

"Yes but the similarities" the similarities can be found in literally all neighbouring regions in the world, let alone in places where different ethnicities have been crammed upon each other in empires for centuries. It's inescapable and you sometimes merge so much you cannot tell who started what. (Unless in cases when we DO know thanks to documented history. Then it's a HUGE no-no to confuse or conflate different neighbouring cultures. This is often very important when it comes to actually serious things like languages, religions, historical incidents instead of... nuts and doughs.)

If you are concerned what you should define it as, simply say "I'm having an x style baklava", x being whichever nation you're getting the pastry or the recipe from. Hope that helped.

[icyg4l]

Pick-A-Child Star: Inner Child Messages

In honor of Black History Month, I am continuing the series of highlighting Black icons while prioritizing the spiritual needs of Black Americans. Pick the image that resonates with you most.

Left-to-Right (1-3): Keke Palmer, Aleisha Allen, China Anne McClain

If you chose Pile One, you resonate with the energy of Keke Palmer. As we all know, she is a multi-talented human being. She is a singer-songwriter, actress, dancer, talk show host, podcaster and model. Her name is synonymous with the phrase 'busy bee'. Her infectious personality has followed us through movies and tv shows like True Jackson VP, Scream Queens, Akeelah and the Bee, Nope and much more. She continues to grace the screens with her charismatic nature.

"You're always wondering what you're not, can't you be happy with what you've got?"

When you were younger, you may have watched the tv show, 'How to Rock', starring Cymphonique. The premise of the show is navigating the social castes of high school. I channeled the theme song for this show. You really need to show some more gratitude, man. What's in your imagination is being reflected on the outside world; just enjoy the moment. Your brain is on overload all the time and you really need to rest. On Valentine's Day, you should give yourself some 'me time'. Another message that I get from your inner child is that you need to go play! For some of you, I sense that you're reluctant to let someone into your life when they have good intentions. I think high school plays a big role into why you navigate the world the way that you do. You are not in high school anymore! You are officially responsible for your own shit (that means the emotional trauma too, boo). Your inner child also wants you to know that you should take up some karate/self-defense classes. It is imperative that you learn how to stick up for yourself physically, not just verbally. Lastly, if you have lost a father figure, you should do that thing to honor his legacy such as getting a tattoo of him, getting a portrait painted of him, starting that company and naming it after him. You are your father's offspring, you know?

If you chose pile 2, this means you resonate with the energy of Aleisha Allen. She is most famously known for her roles in the 'Are We There Yet?' film series and School of Rock. Her cheeky portrayal of these characters solidified her as a Black child star icon. After starring in these classic films, she took on smaller roles in 'The Electric Company' and indie films. Since then, she has acquired a Bachelor's degree at Pace University and a Master's degree at Columbia University in Communication Science and Disorders to fulfill a career as a speech pathologist.

“I gets down, I don’t play”

Some of you may be in the midst of choosing a major after being undecided for so long. Some of you may switch majors a lot. Your inner child wants you to choose something that makes them come alive this time. In other words, choose a career path that's not boring to you. You could have ADHD/ADD or some type of learning disability. You need to slow down because you’re inviting some disingenuous energy. Your inner child does not trust the people that are around you. Your light shines too bright to be staying in spaces where you're not celebrated. This made me think of a video of Megan Thee Stallion talking about walking out of rooms where you don't feel comfortable. Do exactly that, my love. Everything will work out just fine if you believe that it will. Your inner child wants you to be as optimistic about this transition as possible. And lastly, you don't have to tolerate anyone's behavior, or quite frankly anything. If you feel like you have to put up with someone's bull, then you need to leave. You guys were quite the sassy kids, weren't you? Now, where did all of that energy go? Why are you dimming yourself down just to appeal to others? It doesn't matter if you're in a corporate meeting or a classroom filled with white people, you speak your mind. You know what's going on, don't be intimidated.

If you chose Pile 3, you resonate with the energy of China Anne McClain. She is known for her roles in Daddy’s Little Girls, A.N.T. Farm, the Descendants series and Black Lightning. Her range in roles highlights her witty, yet dramatic personality, which is the reason for any drawn interest in her. She is also a singer-songwriter who was once in a girl group with her older sisters, Lauryn and Sierra. Since then, she has documented her spiritual journey on social media after quitting acting.

“I’ve got friends on the other side”

This is the pile that I would probably choose. This is the pile of the hoodoos/witches/spiritualists/occultists. Your inner child wants you to know that the spells you’ve been casting have been working. As a child, you may have had some experiences with ghosts/spirits. Nobody believed you but who cares? They’re your friends now. There may be a cousin that you haven’t seen/talked to in a while. Please talk to them! Your inner child misses them so much! It doesn’t matter if you’re not on good terms with them, please go do it. For some reason, you should go play hide and seek. This could also mean that you should prepare for an item of yours to go missing temporarily. It could also mean that you will find out some information that you’ve been searching for. Finally, if you feel like you have nowhere to go, think again! Your inner child wants to go to place where you once frequented. This could be the beach, an arcade or the park. Go have a picnic. Go insert those coins/swipe that card into your favorite apocalypse game. Go dig your toes into the sand! You are going through self-actualization and it is important that you stay grounded. Be prepared to step into uncomfortable positions. Connecting with your inner child is a way to do so. It is essential for your growth as a person.