#and all the differnent ways they killed you…

[idknotgonnapost]

the wendigos in until dawn still haunt my dreams from the day the game came out to today beautiful creature design i loved them i loved how it was a consequence of cannibalism but the cannibalism was inevitable like it was a life or death situation she had to eat her and those miners had to eat each other and still boom ur cursed to eat more ppl forever

[manchestereyes]

(dark star emoji anon- i'm on my computer rn so no emojis lmao) I'm still struggling to find a job. Honestly at this point, I'm considering going back to school... Which kills me to say bc I know it's not what my family wants to hear. They really wanted me to go into the medical field and were really proud of me when I did, but not only can I not find anything, but I don't even know if I'd be able to function in that type of environment. (1/3)

I've tried a number of differnent things to apply to but no one wants me because I only have resturant experience for highschool and intership experience from college and nothing else. I just don't want to actually admit it's not working out.. Not to mention I hated college so to go back would be.. a lot to say the least. I tend to pour myself into school way too much and end up burnt out. I hate not knowing what to do, I seemed like i had it all figured out and now i just... dont (2/3)

I was looking at the vocational school the next town over because it's not as long as normal college. I saw this program for Digital Graphic Design that looked really cool but at this point, I'm scared to even try because of how it worked out the last time I went to school. I thought FOR SURE i'd have a job straight out and I don't. Should I go for something I think is interesting or should i go for what i think has the most job openings... im just so confused tbh... (3/3)

(dark star emoji anon again) also sorry for like being all negative in your ask box. i hope you're doing well by the way. I'm really digging Dans new merch, and am so excitred for the futrue with them (lol). (also he looked sooo good in those pictures, he's one of the few people who have the ability to bring my tiny bit of straight out haha)

omg i absolutely 10000% feel you, friend!!! being in this stage of life SUCKS because nobody tells you how hard it‘s gonna be, probably since most of our parents had it easier which sucks even more. i was feeling the exact same way last fall and it was pretty brutal since it felt like i didn’t have a purpose anymore and that was really scary. but in your case, i think it would be best to go for whatever sounds most interesting! that way, at least you can hopefully enjoy what you’re learning and if it leads to a job (even if it’s not the best job at first) that you can see yourself maybe enjoying, then that makes everything at least a bit easier!

and i don’t blame you one bit for not wanting to go into the medical field! from everything i’ve seen, it seems like SO much work and really stressful so i could never do it either. but i think it’s super great that you figured that out about yourself so now you hopefully won’t be stuck there! also literally SAME about college, which is why i’m kinda terrified to go back too hahahaha. perfectionism is a bitchhhhh but if it helps at all, maybe you could try breaking things down into a few steps at a time and taking lots of breaks? that helps me sometimes anyway lol

you’re definitely not alone in the “not having it all figured out” camp though! when i was getting ready to apply to my new school, my parents asked me if teaching was what i really really wanted to do and honestly, it threw me for a loop since idk what i really really wanna do. like, i always thought before that i’d be happiest in that job but now that i know how hard it is too, idk if i can see myself doing it. and then it spirals into idk if i can see myself doing anything and aaaahhhhh lol. not very fun, but it seems pretty common, despite what facebook might have you believing! i haven’t had the “traditional” 4 year college experience and neither have my 2 irl friends and that’s totally okay! everyone’s just taking life at their own pace and as long as you’re listening to yourself and know what‘s right for you and what isn’t, that’s all that really matters imo. :)

and no worries, you can be as negative as you need! life really really sucks sometimes and we need to let that out. and i’ll always be here to listen and help in any way i can! (also moooodddd lol i have no idea how straight i am since it changes every day but dan in those photos is.....really something hahahaha) and sameeee i’m already dying to see what’s next in store for them!! i’m not expecting it at all but a mukbang this week or next would be AMAZING

i really hope things start looking up for you soon!! quarter life crises are hard and awful and i wouldn’t wish them on anyone but i think it’s amazing that you’re pushing through this anyway! i’m sending you all the best vibes and motivational support (is that even a thing? well now it is lol) that you need! it’s soooo much work but i believe in you!! ❤️❤️❤️

[garp20-liambull]

Circus as Multimodal Discourse Performance, Meaning, and Ritual

Chapters 1 and 11

Paul Bouissac London : Bloomsbury Publishing 2012PublisherLondon : Bloomsbury PublishingCreation Date2012Format1 online resource (225 p.).LanguageEnglish SourceLJMU Library Catalogue

Chapter 1

Circus Perfomances as Ritual: Participative Ethnography The opening chapter opens with the role of the traditional circus and how this has developed into online advertising. I talks about the alluring qualities in which the circus showcases such as music, banners, painted panels and loudspeakers to entice an audience.

A key point to note is it says that each circus is an organisation with its own social identity and symbolic character. Something it says a lot of journalistic reports miss.

There is nothing fancy in the phonetics and semantics with respect to the languages of the countries they work it. The value of these acts are established in the memory of the spectators who went ad seen their acts over several generations.

Example - Circus BureauIt has a rather bland name but was held in high regard for the older generations that romanticise the stories of the circus. It creates an established image that people hold in high regard. It was endowed in glamour. It had blue and yellow tents and trucks which became iconic to its brand This is similar to what most circuses do as they need to establish their identity as a brand. The driect impact of a circus depends on its ability to stand out from a dull background. It was important for the to distinguish themselves from their competitors. To this day, traditions companies display bold, vibrant colours and patterns on their tents and trucks. The chromatic combinations invokes ancient coat of arms communicate the brand.

The WebsiteThis way of advertisement has been transferred onto an online presence for the circuses.The website is a semiotic gesture towards the audience. By combing images,textx and music, it provides a virtual sample of the goods it is offering.The websites convey the rich iconography of the circus by displaying crucial information two an audience. It first allows to show their identity and style through the colours of costumes, props and animal decorations. Secondly, the website displays content of the acts which the circus have chosen themselves to represent what they have to offer. The want to provide a glimpse into their artistic identity without disclosing the full content of what they have to offer.

The circus as a ritualCircuses qualify as a form of secular ritual. The term ritual has often been used in a metaphorical sense in modern sociological literature to designate forms of interaction which follow a set of patterns and convey meaning. Example include ‘how are you?’ And ‘have a nice day.’ Accompanied by a stereotypical hand gesture. It does not imply that the person cares about someone else day. It is rather a quasiautomic maintenance of the functionality of a network. It is engrained into our culture to do so. A handshake in some cultures can make a contract effective. It can also be a form of greeting and a visual display to show that two people are friends or acquaintances. That they are linked together as a network. It is a physical acknowledgement that you have become part of a group and people who stay in touch, literally. In animals, rituals mean a display of courtship, threat or submission.

In religion terms, a ritual is described as a performance involving an action, gesture, objects or words with the purpose to interact with supernatural entities. Extreme cases of this are a human sacrifice. Sacrificing a human life in order to establish a deal or agreement with a supernatural force. Typically for protection. This is  seen in Voodoo and Tantric Hinduis.

To be a ritual the action needs to set apart, remain unquestioned and require a radical suspension of disbelief. The actions follow a compulsory pattern. There is no practical rationale for them except that they must be obeyed for the ritual to be effective. They carry the symbolic seal of a transcendent order.

Bringing it back to circuses. In India, crises there use animals to perform rituals and religious acts such as elephants. Now as elephants, monkeys and cows are scared in hinduism, it is clear to see how the circus makes itself compatible with the accomplishment of a religious ritual and of the culture.  We can clearly see that circuses too, include the formal properties of rituals. The displays o circuses themselves are repetitive. Horses are included in acts that vary little, cage acts include lions, tigers, leopards or bears where the core action of the act is down to the same training techniques and displays. The acts of clowns are based on only a small number of gags. All these actions are executed with a formality and highly predictive manner. A circus can show heroes, like willing victims of a sacrifice for no other reason than the act itself. The themes of purification, survival, redemption, life and death is consistent in both religious rituals and the circus. Subtle actions of acrobats kissing their medals or wearing a talisman before performing an act or tilting their head towards the sky with a hand gesture gratitude retroactively endows their actions with a religious significance.

Chapter 11

Ideology and Politics in the Circus RingIt is explained that circus acrobatics often immtate there p[oses based on greek, renaissance and modern marble icons. The music score involved is typically synched to match the acrobatic style of the performance.

There is an element of voyeristic language to their performances. Erotisim is in the eye of the beholder. There is nothing pornographic as to the perfromnacer of the acrobatic performance. However with the elements of intimate body movement, costume and eye contact with the audience, it can be why some audience may feel this way.

The intimate dancing of the acrobats does have its constraints in some cultures. One of these being India. In the last century male and female performers were segregated in the ring. This contrasts to major circuses in America and European circuses which establish a variety of performers male and female which are in close contact with one another. Now this kind of intimacy would have been unacceptable in India in context to their culture which enforces norms of incompatibility.

Another example is in western civilisation and the taboo of homosexuality. Until the gay liberation movement, two acrobats on a single trapeze would of had to have been a man and woman. Despite this, having two woman on a trapeze was acceptable but only if it where stated that they where sisters and the emphasis was on the gracefulness of their acrobatics rather than the undertones of erotism.

Later when circuses such as the Zirkus Roncalli introduced program acts of two men displaying daring acrobatic seats it was perceived as a strong statement of sexual politics. 1983 “The Lindors” Martin Ener and Walter Joss performed and by how they displayed an unapologetically romantic between two men was loved by audiences in Germany and Holland. However no circus in Southern Europe would try this as Homophobia was still the social norm in there cultures. “Eric er Amelie” was an example of the progression of the male and female roles in the acrobats. Their performance was based “passion of perfect yet unspoken communication”. The performance displayed signs of mutual respect as the woman was also the bearer, balancing the man on her hands. A small detail which was insatiably noticed by the audience. This was due to the rise in sexual politics, men and women where becoming more equal.

The article explains how circuses included “Gay Circus Night” where the erotism is unleashed to the audience, examples being drag queens, erotic dancing and bear skin showing. However despite this being perceived by a naive audience as maybe being a pornographic show. It is intact sexual politics expressed through the language of the circus.

The language of the circus can be used metaphorically to convey political propaganda and ideologies. This can result from spontaneous representations of ethos of a culture. Examples include the idea of the American Dream, how we as individuals strive for excellence and to risk it all which is reflected in the lone acrobat who surpasses everybody else by showing self reliance and courage. This ranged differnent from Soviet Union circuses of the 50s and 60s which had the ideology of a communist culture which empathised the human concern as apposed to the recklessness of the American circus. Acrobats performing daring feats in a much more controlled manner with a safety net beneath them as to let a person injure or kill themselves in the pursuit of entertainment for a crowd was cruel and a symptom of the cruel capitalist culture.

Circus acts are loaded with political significance. From portraying the stereotypes of social classes such as fat priests, intellectuals of high class represented in attire and props such as books, men and women and their relation to one another. The language of the circus articulates its own multimodal texts which produce a deep meaning for its audience. “Circus is a well ordered microcosm that reflect harmonious society I which everybody works at the place which God has assigned to them.”