#best instituted for class 1 to 12

[vivekedeucentre]

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[whencyclopedia]

Child Labour in the British Industrial Revolution

Children were widely used as labour in factories, mines, and agriculture during the British Industrial Revolution (1760-1840). Very often working the same 12-hour shifts that adults did, children as young as five years old were paid a pittance to climb under dangerous weaving machines, move coal through narrow mine shafts, and work in agricultural gangs.

It was very often the case that children's jobs were well-defined and specific to them, in other words, child labour was not merely an extra help for the adult workforce. The education of many children was replaced by a working day, a choice often made by parents to supplement a meagre family income. It was not until the 1820s that governments began to pass laws that restricted working hours and business owners were compelled to provide safer working conditions for everyone, men, women, and children. Even then a lack of inspectors meant many abuses still went on, a situation noted and publicised by charities, philanthropists, and authors with a social conscience like Charles Dickens (1812-1870).

A Lack of Education

As sending a child to school involved paying a fee – even the cheapest asked for a penny a day – most parents did not bother. Villages often had a small school, where each pupil's parents paid the teacher, but attendance was sometimes erratic and more often than not the education rudimentary in hopelessly overcrowded classes. There were some free schools run by charities, and churches often offered Sunday school. Not until 1844 were there more free schools available, such as the Ragged schools established by Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (1801-1885). These schools concentrated on the basics, what became known as the 3 Rs of Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. Compulsory education for 5 to 12-year-olds, and the institutions necessary to provide it, would not come along until the 1870s. Consequently, "at least half of nominally school-age children worked full-time during the industrial revolution" (Horn, 57).

Some factory owners were more generous than others to the children in their employ. An example is the Quarry Bank Mill in Styal in the county of Cheshire. Here the owner provided schooling after the long working day was over for 100 of its child workers in a dedicated building, the Apprentice House.

An indicator of better education, despite all the difficulties, is literacy rates, rather imperfectly measured by historians by recording the ability of a person to sign one's name on official documents such as marriage certificates. There was a great improvement in literacy, but by 1800, still only half of the adult population could sign their name to such documents.

For those children who could find work in the Industrial Revolution, and there were employers queueing up to offer it, there were no trade unions to protect them. For the vast majority of children, working life started at an early age – on average at 8 years old – but as nobody really cared about age, this could vary wildly. Working involved at best tedium and at worst an endless round of threats, fines, corporal punishment, and instant dismissal at any protest to such treatment. In one survey taken in 1833, it was found that the tactics used with child labourers were 95% negative. Instant dismissal accounted for 58%. In only 4% of cases was a reward given for good work, and a mere 1% of the strategies used involved a promotion or pay rise.

Continue reading...

[thecapricunt1616]

Sunflower 🌻

Syd x Carmy one-shot

♡ Summary: A/U where after graduating from the CIA at the top of her class, Syd goes on a food tour in NYC & ends up hooking up with the most talented CDC, at the best restaurant in the world.

♡ W/C: 3,434

♡ Posted Date: 04/12/2024

♡ A/N: This is pure filth I tried adding some plot- I hope it turned out the way I saw it in my head. As always requests are open - for SydCarmy, CarmyxReader as usual! I hope you enjoy :)

♡ Warnings for BTC: Smutsmutsmut nsfw 18+ - Oral (m receiving) , Barely edited bc we die like men.

➵ 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 ♡

Sydney Adamu had just graduated top of her class at the Culinary Institute of America. She’d been hunkering down with her dad, for a long four years, she was desperate to get out of there. She already had a plan all set up. 

She’d take the last bit of money her grandfather had given her for college, and make a catering business of her very own. It would be dedicated to her parents, (of course) Syd’s hopeless romanticism was thanks to their perfect, beautiful love story of course. She’d known since sophomore year of culinary school - Sheridan Road would be her baby. 

She’d settled on this idea - with any possible odd’s and ends money she’d made during her CIA training - she’d go out for as long as it would last her. She’d learn, study, and observe, then- create her catering business, with the confidence she’d gotten a taste of the very goal she had, a star. Well - three would be absolutely fucking insanity to her- but one? One she felt like if she had it? Her father would believe she was in a real line of work, instead of just happy she was perusing her own happiness. 

It was the perfect plan in her mind. She’d already set aside the amount of money, with extra safety net, for all of the licensures, and documentation she’d need- as well as her commercial kitchen rental she’d make the food out of. Then - with the extra 5k she had left over, she booked a full food tour of the most prestigious, luxurious restaurants in NYC. 

She’d planned the tour 6 months before she graduated, since the 3 restaurants wouldn’t even accept a reservation if it wasn’t made out any later then that, and when she walked the stage, 3 days later she was on the train into the city. 

She’d be staying at a decent hotel for 12 days. Each day, she’d be having one large meal including an app, two main courses, 2 cocktails, and 1 dessert from a Michelin starred restaurant. She would be staying 4 days for 1 star, 4 for 2 stars, and 4 for 3 stars. 

The schedule was as followed; 

Monday - Hirohisa *

Tuesday - Dirt Candy *

Wednesday - The Musket Room *

Thursday - The Red Paper Clip *

Friday - Atera **

Saturday - Jungsik **

Monday - Saga **

Tuesday - Daniel **

Wednesday - Per Se ***

Thursday - Le Bernadin ***

Friday - Masa ***

Saturday - 11 Madison Park ***

When she’d got off at Penn station- she was nearly vibrating with excitement - she quickly brushed passed people grabbing their obnoxious suitcases in the overhead compartments. 

“Sorry! ‘Scuse me! Fuck- shit sorry- exscuse me!!!- whoops! Sorry- scuse me- aah! Ugh- I Didn’t mean to- oop- oh- Jesus!! Excuse me!!” She rambled, frustration building in her chest. Getting off The L wasn’t this hard- why did Amtrak feel worse?!

She took a deep breath, her nose scrunching. 

Mm. So instead of cow shit - smog, I feel at home already. 

She’d thought to herself as she briskly walks with the crowd towards the exit she meant to take onto fifth. 

She slipped her wired headphones into her ears, texting her father 

‘made it!! Love you daddy!!’

Before opening her Spotify, hitting one of her comfort albums, Broken Clocks, as she walked briskly outside - the crisp city air hitting her like a ton of bricks. 

She leaned against the brick of the McDonald’s next door, avoiding the streams of people going down and up the sidewalk, taking a deep breath. She’d not been to New York before, she’d grown up in Chicago- been to the city more times then she can count, but the suburbs were her home. Being in the city- and let alone- a city like Manhattan versus Chicago- she was looking around, trying to gather her wits - and quickly.  She clicked the maps application on her iPhone 7, tugging her umbrella out of the water bottle pocket of her backpack and tucking it under her arm as she typed the address to her hotel and clicking for the walking directions.

It honestly kind of pissed her off that each day’s food was better than the last. She’d wanted to not give a shit about stars and just focus on giving people an experience to remember - but it was cut & dry that now that she’d tasted this kind of food - she was going to do whatever she could to become as talented as the chefs that made it. 

But - she hadn’t even tried the best yet. 

The best, the best, THE best. 

She honestly couldn’t believe she was going to be trying the food from Eleven Madison Park - but she couldn’t help but be so nervous. Every other Michelin starred restaurant she’d been to - the dress code was Formal attire. But this one? THE best restaurant in the fucking world? Oh- they just say on their website ‘many of our guests dress up for the occasion, but we do not have a dress code’  

Her entire trip, She’d been cycling through 2 very different floor length gowns. One of which she wore to her graduation, and the other she’d found at Windsor on sale but it did the job. She didn’t wear luxury attire often, okay? She was too busy being Culinary school for Christ sakes! And tonight she couldn’t for the life of her choose which one she’d wear. 

This being because she was attending a main dining room tasting, which was ten courses. Easy, luxury dining courses were stupidly small. But- she was also trying their bar tasting menu which was an extra four courses. Sitting at a bar in that stupid fluffy dress for two hours would not be comfortable. But- again- best. restaurant. in. the. WORLD!!! 

She knew for a fact that she would be mad at herself if she got there and everyone around was dressed to the nines, but - for comfortability sake she went with the simple silken red gown. 

The front of house service was literally perfect. She was glad she’d brought a new notebook, because she’d never have had enough space to take all the notes she was taking tonight in the one she’d been using the majority of the trip. Their staff was very casually mannered, and they made it very easy to order. Everything was very calm and comfortable, the furniture felt very luxurious in the sense of comfortability. 

After she just had the best meal of her entire life, she knew she had to speak with the person who made it. Her mind was blown for lack of a better word. The food was fucking incredible. She had a rule to keep herself able to taste as much as possible: she was only allowed one bite of each dish, but here- she couldn’t just limit herself to one. Each dish she was taking 2 even 3 bites- but when she got to the sunflower dish? It was brilliant. She finished every bite, she couldn’t not. It would be sinful to waste it. And the only thing on her mind was that she had to talk to the chef who’d made it.

Her waiter comes back to her table, giving her back her card and receipt. 

“Thank you for dining with us this evening, have a wonderful night” he told her 

“Thank you- Um- may I speak with the chef who made the sunflower plate please? I’d like to pay my compliments in person if possible.” She asked hopefully. 

“Of course, that would be Chef Carmen- give me just a moment I’ll go get him for you” he nodded and headed back to the kitchen. She looked over her notes, remembering the questions she’d wanted to ask about the dish. 

Carmen, she wondered if he’d been named after the saint. His talent was surely straight from the hands of the Mother of Christ. 

Shes interrupted from writing in her notebook by a husky, silvery voice 

“Excuse me- I was told you’d like to speak to me, I’m Chef Carmen, I made your sunflower dish this evening.” 

“Hey- I’m Sydney - that dish was- ” she stood up to face him- and when she realized who was in front of her, her heart began to race. Of course, she’d thought, of course - only a JBA contestant could come up with a dish so ingenious.

 “Oh- um…Hi.. Hello- you’re like -” she blinked a few times, in utter shock. “You’re Carmen Berzatto“ She swallowed thickly. 

Sydney was obsessed with this industry- she stalked the JBA website every year to see who would be nominated, dreaming that some day she’d be on that list. Being even nominated would allow her to die happily feeling as if she’d won a fucking Nobel Prize. That was how much she respected those damn awards. 

“I am” he said and cleared his throat nervously. 

“Well- firstly congratulations on your nomination- you like- if it was up to me you’d win because that sunflower dish was-” they’re interrupted by one of the food runners coming over 

“Chef Carmen- Chef Daemon requests you in back of house now.” she said urgently, the girl looked like she was on the brink of tears as she continued taking the tray of food over to the table it was meant for. 

“So sorry, i’d love to hear what you have to say but uh…” he trailed off. 

“Yeah- yeah- sorry, sorry I wont keep you-” she said and he shook his head a bit 

“No- no- um… I mean -” he wouldnt usually be so bold, but his ass was going to literally be kicked if he didnt get back there in the next 5 seconds. “I’m gonna go out for a smoke at 11:15. If you wanted to keep talkin’ ill be there” he said before heading back to the kitchen.

Sydney was nearly shaking - there were so so many things she wanted to ask him. She also realized he was much - infinitely hotter in person - how that was even possible? She remained unsure. She had reapplied her lipgloss and her perfume, nervously pacing back and forth along the sidewalk. 

She hears the back door open and she looked over, out emerging the greek god incarnate she somehow got so lucky as to run in to tonight. “Hey!” she said with her famous warm smile. 

He didnt return it, actually- he looked pissed. She swallowed thickly, rubbing her lips together nervously “Hey - sorry again I uh- fuckin’ boss” he muttered, fishing his cigarettes out of his pocket. 

“No- don’t apologize please, I totally get it. I mean, you're the CDC at literally the best restaurant in the world. I wouldn’t have bugged you if I knew, I mean- my table, like- I’m not a critic..I guess I should have clarified cause of the notebook thing but they usually are more…low key? I thought? Do they usually just come and whip out a notebook? That would make it easier I think… But nonetheless I’m so so grateful to have been able to eat a meal that-“ she rambled on anxiously but he stops her.

“You talk when y’nervous” he said with a small smirk, lighting the cigarette between his lips and inhaling, leaning against the brick.

“Uh-” she stuttered, her face feeling hot suddenly. “Sorry- I’ve uh… i’ve been told” she chuckled a bit, taking a few steps towards him and leaning on the brick only 2 feet or so between them.

“It’s charming, y’smoke?” he offered her the pack with a red top, she looked down at it.

“I don’t- not- not yet anyways” she joked, crossing a slim arm over her waist. He couldn't help but realize how the action made her breasts more prominent. 

“You’re a chef?” he asked, taking a drag of his cigarette.

“Yes! Yes- well.. Just graduated, not working anywhere yet- I’m going home soon to try and start my own catering thing…” she explained and he nodded.

“Where’d y’graduate from?” he asked, exhaling the smoke away from her direction.

“CIA - 2 weeks ago, Valedictorian actually, y’not the only chef around here with street cred” she joked and he chuckled.

“Really? Word. Thats sick, good job. Y’said y’re headed home? Where’s that?” he asked, taking another drag of his cigarette.

“Chicago! Can’t wait to get back, Hudson life is… not for me- I forgot how convenient public transportation was” she said. 

He raised his brows in surprise, “Chicago huh? Thats my old home base.” he said 

“I know! You’re actually… really famous did you know that? Like- they talk all about you during lectures, you’re the new golden child of the culinary world” she teased and he rolled his eyes playfully.

They’d been inching closer and closer without realizing throughout the whole conversation, she was now so close that she could see the barely there scar on his cheek, her focus locked on it. His gaze was locked on her plump lips and he was imagining how they’d feel around his cock.

“I do unfortunately - you’ll learn soon enough that praise means being a target in this industry.” He said 

She bit her lip, meeting his striking blue eyes once again. “I really meant to tell you earlier was that sunflower dish was the best meal i’ve ever had. And i’m not just…sucking your dick because you’re you - I knew that before I knew you made it” she laughed a bit.

He followed suit, “Well if you want to- i’m not gonna say no.” he said and her eyes widened a bit, feeling her core pooling with heat at the idea. Of course he was half joking. It was so sudden and out there he would have never expected her to indulge him. 

“I mean- here? What if your boss comes out?” she asked, a bit quieter as if she was trying to assure they’d not be caught.

He nodded towards the row of 12-wheeler trucks parked 50 or so feet away. “Haven’t moved in 6 weeks” he shrugged casually  “Lead the way Chef”  she motioned with her hand, a frisky smirk on her lips.

“Holy fuuuck” Carmy groaned, pushing his cock deeper into her tight hot mouth. “Y’like takin cock like this mmm? Y’like bein’ my little fuckin slut?” he muttered, thumbing away the warm tear that was gathering in the corner of her right eye. “So fuckin’ good f’me-” he growled, moaning at the wet gurgling noises emitting from her.

She swallowed around him, looking up at him with tear-filled dark lustful brown eyes, widening her jaw further and tonguing over the pulsing vein on the underside of his length, gently squeezing his thighs to urge him further. 

“Y’want me t’fuck y’throat? Mmm? Dirty fuckin girl” he gathered her braids into his fist, wrapping them around his palm and roughly tugging her off. 

She whined hotly, the sensation of his rough hand sending waves of pleasure through her being. “Please” she said wantingly, tonguing over his slit before wrapping her lips around the tip of his head in a sensual kiss.

He took his thumb, pulling her jaw open wide and thrusting into her mouth with a satisfied grunt. “Y’know-shhhit y’know what? I think this is the only way t’shut y’ass up? Mmm?” he inhales sharply as she pushed his foreskin back and spit on his exposed sensitive tip.

“Jesus fuckin-” he sharply inhaled through his teeth as she gently grazed her teeth over the sensitive head, his abs clenching in pleasure and hips quivering from the overstimulation “fuckin-h-aaaa-ahhh-mm-shhhhit-jesus fuckin christ” he whimpered, his head falling back against the metal with a sharp bang as she took the flesh into her mouth, flicking her tongue sharply over the weeping tip before smoothly sucking over the buzzing stimulation. He knew if she kept up the act he’d be filling her mouth with his seed within seconds.

“S-sooo fuckin filthy - y’want my cum in y’throat? Mmm? Little fuckin whore- h-holy-oh god- i-” he nearly suffocated her as he buried his cock further down her throat. He reached down, his fingers rubbing along his thick length buried in her warm tight throat. 

“F-fuuuuuck- ah- oh shhh- mmm- thats it- thaaaaaat’s it- good fuckin girl” he grumbled, roughly and sloppily guiding her head in such a way that the noises being made if it weren’t her he would think theyre overdramatic and disgusting. He also didn’t know where the hell all of this talking was coming from. 

Normally in the bedroom, he was quiet. Very quiet. The only way the women he was with knew he’d enjoyed himself was if he even came at all. Sex usually wasn’t about his own pleasure since in the presence of another he found it so hard to get off - it was more about giving him imagery that would help him later in regards to finishing. 

“You are so fuckin good at that huh? You take my cock so well such a good fuckin girl” his jaw goes slack as she put her hands on his hips to steady him and slowly sinks her mouth all the way down to the hilt, her eyes shut in focus. 

She gently rubbed her thumbs over his hips, swallowing around his length in a way that made whimpers fall past his lips he didn’t know he could make himself. “Holy shit y’fuckin- oh- ohhh fuck” he grunts as she takes one of her hands and begins massaging his balls and looking directly into his eyes, pulling off his length to breathe and gently pushing the foreskin back, kissing over the sensitive flesh with her plump lips. 

“You can fuck my face- but deepthroating after a meal like that is pretty hard, id love if I can keep it down” she said, even with spit running down her chin, teary eyes, and swollen lips - she still looked adorable to him. 

“Sorry- sorry” he muttered, loosening his grip on her hair “keep doin’ that fuck yesss” he breathed out as she swirled her tongue around his head. He thrust in and out of her mouth, gradually moving faster but being careful as to not slam into the back of her throat. 

She stroked the bottom half of his length with her other hand, eyes closing and doing her best to swallow around him all the excess saliva that was dripping down her throat. She hollowed out her cheeks, looking up at him as she slowly and carefully sunk down once again, keeping her eyes locked on his. 

“Mmm-shhhit-I’m fuckin-“ he groaned, his knees nearly going weak and head falling back with a thud. Blood roared in his ears, his hands shook slightly from the tension rolling off him in waves. 

She nearly choked at the amount rolling down her throat. She pulled off slightly, swallowing - more like gulping, assuring to hollow her cheeks and swirl her tongue as she pulled off with a pop as to not waste any of the sweet salty mess. 

“You- you- you are fuckin crazy” he breathed, looking down at her. 

She wiped off her mouth, chin, and neck with a tissue she’d kept in her purse before saying “I’d say you’re crazy, “ she got off her knees, picking up the chefs coat he had thrown down for her to kneel on, to which she insided it out before she did so it wouldn’t show any dirt. “If I had that coat? It would never touch the floor” she shook it off carefully. 

He quickly fixed his pants “he’s a friend it doesn’t matter I can always get a new one” he countered, putting the coat back on and buttoning it. 

Her eyes widened “friends?! How the hell did you run into him?!” She asked. 

“You- y’re into fashion ‘n shit?” He asked and she nodded enthusiastically 

“Are you fucking kidding me?! Thom Browne is insane all his shit Is absolute fire. I wish I could afford one of his jackets like- it’s totally a dream wishlist kinda thing” she took some gum out of her purse. 

“When do you uh…go back?” He asked. 

“Tomorrow. Headed to Chicago on Wednesday” she said and he nods. 

“Oh- yeah okay..It was uh…it was nice t’meet you” he said awkwardly “I should probably um..” he trailed off, clearing his throat nervously.

“Totally- yeah great to um…great to meet you too chef.” She nodded 

“Could I um…” he rubs the back of his neck anxiously “could I maybe get y’r…” he trails off, cheeks pink with embarrassment. 

“My number?” She asked, grabbing her phone out of her purse. 

He nodded, cheeks bright red with embarrassment “yeah sorry-“ he mumbled

“Yeah- if I can get yours” she teased, clicking open the blank contact screen

[foodsies4me]

February Malec fic rec!

Thanking @kalalab for this month's theme which is enemies to lovers! The same rules still apply, about one fic per author, but all of these authors have other brilliant fics you should be reading and if you want to add your own recs in the comments, tags, or reblogs please feel free to do so! 😊

Also, I have tagged the authors whose Tumblr account I know, but if you'd prefer I not tag you, please tell me so! I don't want these to be annoying for the authors.

One-shots:

Rumor Has It by Lecrit: A human AU which is not something I'm generally a fan of, but Lecrit just writes so well that I gobble this up anyway.

Summary:

Magnus widens his eyes at him, silently asking him to just give him this one. Alec simply curves one of his stupidly perfect eyebrows in response, a simple gesture that carries the weight of a call for challenge. “Looks like you’re gonna have to postpone your wedding for now,” Maia giggles next to him. Magnus huffs, flexing his jaw. “Oh, it’s on, Lightwood,” he mouths at him.

Also, because I suck at keeping to my own rules, I'm adding a second fic rec that I maybe love just as much by Lecrit aka the way to a chef's heart. But, in my defense, both fics are great and one is about cooking and baking. I am weak when it comes to food, okay?

Anyway, summary:

After a scorching review on his restaurant in one of the world's most famous food magazines, world class chef Magnus Bane is set on finding the food critic who dared to slander his art and make him change his mind. He doesn't expect someone as stubborn or infuriating as Alec Lightwood

you're the light that i won't let go by oh-la-fraise: Another human AU as well as an Enemies to Lovers with a twist.

Summary:

There were three unspoken rules to the Manhattan Institute of Higher Learning, New York’s premier private K-12 school: 1) Respect that the space under the football bleachers was for sex, and only for sex. 2) Don’t eat the cafeteria meatloaf. 3) Never mention Mr. Bane to Mr. Lightwood or vice versa, unless you wanted the whole class to get extra homework.

careless curses by @alexanderlightweight: I don't know what to say that isn't already stated in the summary except I love it when alexanderlightweight writes dark themes. (Or just writes in general).

Summary:

The Lightwood family has been cursed by death for generations and now, Alec lives with death hovering over him. Sometimes life is the curse and death the reward.

Ten Not-Dates That Magnus Bane Spends Falling In Love with Alec Lightwood by Aria_Lerendeair: Magnus is hilariously done at the start of this fic.

Summary:

Magnus was going to have words with the Clave. They would be decidedly unpleasant words, and they might be accompanied by a few very pointed magic blasts and maybe even curses.  They deserved it. Another Lightwood in charge of the New York Institute?

Multi-chapter fics or series:

All the Costs are Even by tsujiharu: A fic that deserves more love imo, is this Pride and Prejudice retelling. Also, I'm just now realizing that most of these are Human AU's despite me being notorious for generally not liking them, lol.

Summary:

A modern day Pride and Prejudice AU, in which a disgruntled lawyer and an aloof entrepreneur can't seem to get over their pride (and prejudices?) and admit their very obvious attraction to each other.

love is a four-letter word by @la-muerta: Do la-muerta fics need to be recced? Probably not because I suspect most people have read them. Am I still going to to rec them because I love them? Yes! So here is another lovely human AU fic where first impressions maybe aren't what they seem.

Summary:

Magnus knows he's one of the best editors in the business. So when the bigoted director of the publishing house he works for gives their grandson's best friend the promotion Magnus deserved to get, he decides that it's the last straw. Magnus intends to go out with a bang and take his new boss down with him — but he didn't mean for it to happen quite so literally.

Crush On You by @gospi: A FTH fic of 2023 that had me laughing at how salty Alec is about crushing on Magnus. A lot of fun.

Summary:

An ancient, unsuccessful recipe for starting new relationshipsalliances: A dash of rumors. A sprinkle of heritage. A smidgen of jealousy. A dollop of chaotic disasters. A shitload of assumptions. Let it simmer. Enjoy!

My True Love Gave To Me by AlxSteele: Christmas repeats itself endlessly for Magnus and while it's annoying he does end up learning a new side from the awful baked Alec Lightwood. Surprise, he isn't all that awful.

Summary:

Magnus Bane had a plan, a perfect Christmas Eve just like always. Hang out with his friends, bask in the Christmas Spirit. Then everything went wrong. Now he's stuck reliving the same day again and again and again. The bright side? Maybe Alec Lightwood isn't as terrible as Magnus always thought.

A fic that I am sure most people have already read because it is wonderful (which is the reason why I didn't add it last month even though it's a wing fic) is Fall Without Wings by @notcrypticbutcoy. It's a brilliant fic that's all.

Summary:

Or: In which the Nephilim have wings, are taught to loathe Downworlders, and Alec is presented with a conundrum when Magnus Bane saves his life.

[transmutationisms]

(https://www.theatlantic. c o m/ideas/archive/2023/12/humanities-university-conservative-critics/676890/) wondering if you have read this article and your thoughts, if you do not mind? there are some things i resonate with as a gig research assistant in these 'activist-interdisciplinary' departments maybe (aka truly atrocious labor practices with nontenured/contract workers in the name of preserving a disciplinary legitimacy they will never receive), but imho even the discussion of funding/hire infrastructures concedes too much to the culture wars? :/ struggling to name precisely where the obfuscation is coming from though. would welcome your thoughts if it is not a trouble! tysm!

yea i don't think this is a good essay. there are a lot of things i could nitpick (like this description of current hiring practices is ?maybe? truer of some SLACs but does not resonate w/ any of my experience at a quasi-public R1) or just really disingenuous framing (in what world is 'diversity hiring' even a significant force... the academy is quite literally still extremely incredibly overwhelmingly white... there are more jobs for historians of paris alone than of haiti....)

but i think the central issues here are 1) that the essay's entire thesis hinges on the idea that someone studying racism or misogyny or colonialism is producing work that is 'political' whereas someone studying a 'western canon' white male poet in a decontextualist framework like new criticism is producing work that is 'apolitical'. this is wildly asymmetrical; producing work that doesn't name its politics is not the same as producing work that has no politics; 2) despite starting with an enjoinder to analyse the academy materially and not ideally, this essay barely gestures toward any awareness of the material function and effects of the university as an institution. so it's still mired in presumptions like that the purpose of the university is to disseminate knowledge rather than to benefit from its restriction, that the university is necessarily the best or only site for personal and social 'enlightenment' to occur, and, critically, that the designation of prestige and social / economic value to certain forms of knowledge and knowledge certification occurs after some kind of rational process of evaluation of knowledge gained, and has nothing to do with the production of class hierarchy and the illusion of meritocratic upward mobility lol

[ekebolou]

Okay, so what do you think of this (it's a schedule):

So, it's a lunisolar calendar, right? And there's not really a reason for it to have seven-day weeks. So, ten-day weeks (except for the months with 29 days - I guess that means there's one nine-day week? More detail pending greater understanding)

So, ollamh get a day off every five days, cadets every 10 days (there are yearly/seasonal holidays that will affect this, i.e. Founder's Day, solstices, etc.). That means, in a given week, cadets have one day off, and one day of large-scale exercises organized by petty officers or groundskeeping quartermaster-led duties.

The courses are divided across two days and generally into two hour classes (there are two one and half hour sections, which is what gives you things like 'long tactics' vs. a regular tactics class). Classes vary across Years, with the First and Second much more focused on highly structured and highly physical activities. Things like Ancient Languages drop out of schedules after the Second Year, unless there's some kind of special dispensation - generally after the Second Year, cadets start to specialize (not every cadet who leaves really 'leaves' - sometimes they're shunted off into a branch of the military they have shown more aptitude for than strictly as a field officer in a leadership role - this includes, of course, the secret development of artillery).

But a typical First Year schedule might look something like this:

Schedule 1, Day 1: 5am - 6:30: Exercises Breakfast 8-10: Swordplay 10-12pm: Ancient Languages Lunch 1:30 - 3: Tactics 3-5: Groups 5-6:30: Foundations 8pm: Dinner

Day 2 5am - 6:30: Exercises Breakfast 8-10: Weaponry 10-12: Tactics Lunch 1:30-3: History 3-5: Grappling 5-6:30: Groups 8pm: Dinner

These appear to be fairly luxurious meal time allowances, but it's also the only 'free' time cadets are given to practice or complete reading or writing assignments between 5am and 8pm. Swords are special and get their own class. Weaponry is literally practice with everything else, starting with pikes. 'Grappling' isn't just two hours of Brazillian Jujitsu kinda stuff, it's all close hand-to-hand (that isn't knives - that's weaponry). 'Foundations' is also a catch-all - think of it like a kind of 'natural philosophy', but in the First Year, they're literally having to teach a certain number of cadets basic literacy and numeracy, arithmetic, etc. There is no public education in Ainjir.

Groups are also vaguely defined - it can be like study hall, but it can also be organized group exercises. They become more loosely organized as you get higher in the years. While your overall 'group' - the half or quarter of the class assigned to same periods for 'Groups' remains the same, the individual small groups cadets are supposed to work in aren't kept consistent, unless the ollamh leading Groups is lazy, which many of them are.

Various sets of these blocks will be interrupted for things like The Cogadh, Equitation (Forever <3 @dharmagun), bivouac, full corps exercises, etc, usually on a kind of predictable, year-to-year basis (not quite seasonal, but kinda). Not all of these are in the schedule, but maybe it helps explain why when Nika does get his schedule it's so huge and so goddamn confusing.

One of the problems with creating an institution that feels realistically fucked up is that it has to feel realistically fucked up. This is not a culture that has developed either factory precision or full-on Prussian drill (though they do have both drills and marches - they practice these during 'exercises', when they're also enforcing a stretching regimen because they have at least figured out that part of 'wellness culture' [a joke - they give only a minimal fuck about your wellness at the Academy]).

They've had a kind of mini-Scientific Revolution because divine explanations went out the window, but that doesn't mean they're a fully empirical Vulcan logic culture. They also keep a very careful control of their best metallurgists, engineers, and mathematicians, because they can't publicly endorse any research, experimentation, or education that might look like it would violate the Black Powder Ban without risking A) the other five nations ramping up their public efforts to the same degree; or B) inviting war. So there's a kind of Cold War, race to the A-bomb going on there.

The Academy is essentially the only significant 'higher' education in Ainjir, but it very patently doesn't do everything. Adineh, for contrast, has a whole bunch of institutions essentially recognizable as university-style education. Ainjir's great setbacks on this front have come from the fact that it's very hard to keep hold of a significant library when you're getting invaded as many times as they were, pre-Keadar-Ainjir. Without libraries, it's harder to maintain a significant 'world of letters' kind of culture - plenty of nobles did, but when they hit the wall in Ainjir it was easier to just go to Adineh, or Wulsh, or even the little sorta-Republic that Ainjir doesn't want to acknowledge in the southwest marshes.

So, Nika's father is right, it is, in fact, a very good school - the best in the nation - that he's going to, and if all he was good at was the intellectual half of things, he would do great to go there, but either way he would have to survive the other half.

[todaysdocument]

Telegram to Bureau of Indian Affairs Officials

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Series: Subject Correspondence Files File Unit: Contagious Epidemics

This telegram was sent to Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school officials to alert them to the danger of the 1918 influenza epidemic. It advised that specific precautions be taken to ensure the best care for students.

[stamped in upper right corner] TELEPHONED [illegible] _____ Haskell _____ BY _____ Nell _____ TIME _____ 533 p _____ ?SP'N _____ Male _____ [/stamped in upper right corner] WESTERN UNION Form 1512 [logo of Western Union] SPECIAL NEWCOMB CARLTON, PRESIDENT GEORGE W. E. ATKINS, FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NUMBER SHEET LETTER 129KSS 153 GOVT NITE 1/76 1 Dated TO WA WASHINGTON DC OCT 11 PEAIRS SUPT LAWRENCE KS SPANISH INFLUENZA OF VIRULENT TYPE SPREADING OVER COUNTRY WITH ALARMING RAPIDITY MANY SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT SERIOUS CONDITIONS INDIAN PUPILS AT OUR SCHOOLS AND INDIANS OLD AND YOUNG ON RESERVATIONS MUST BE GIVEN BEST CARE AND PROTECTION POSSIBLE IMPORTANT THAT INHABITED SCHOOL BUILDINGS BE KEPT AT UNIFORM TEMPERATURE FROM SIXTY EIGHT TO SEVENTY DEGREES GOOD VENTILATION MAINTAINED AND ALL FORMS OF DETRIMENTAL EXPOSURE OF PUPILS VERY CAREFULLY AVOIDED PARTICULARLY DURING ILLNESS AND CONVALESCENT PERIOD DISCONTINUE CLASS ROOM AND OTHER ASSEMBLAGE WHEN CONDITIONS WARRANT ALLOWING NO INTERMINGLING OF PUPILS OR EMPLOYEES UNDER CONDITIONS OF OVERCROWDING AND TO [struck through] BE [/struck through] [handwritten] THE [/handwritten] EXTENT YOU FIND IT DESIREABLE ENFORCE ISOLATION QUARANTINE FOR PREMISES CONSULT AND COOPERATE WITH LOCAL HEALTH OFFICERS AND SERVICE PHYSICIAN WHEN CONDITIONS JUSITFY YOU ARE AUTHORIZED TO CEASE ALL ACTIVITIES NOT URGENTLY REQUIRED SO EMPLOYEES MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR NURS [struck through] UR [/struck through]ING AND OTHER INFLUENZA WORK EMPLOYING EXTRA HELP WHEN STRICTLY NECESSARY KEEP OFFICE ADVISED SELLS COMMISSIONER 530PM [handwritten] 12 [/handwritten] [stamped in lower right corner] RECEIVED OCT 14 1918 Haskell Institute, LAWRENCE KANSAS [/stamped in lower right corner]

[jpitha]

Just a Little Further 26

Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

*six months later*

It's been half a year, but I can't believe we're already on our third ship! High Line took two months instead of the one that Omar first promised, but that was because he and his crew were getting use to the process and how best to refurbish the ships. Then after that I made the decision to refurbish the food tugs, but those were (relatively) easy. New thrusters, some strengthening of the cargo containers and a few brand new ones and that was it. Once that was finished the food deliveries increased over 30%!

You would not believe how much cheaper, more abundant food improves one's legitimacy. As soon as that was finished and the food rolled in, almost all of the last grumblings about me coming in and "declaring" myself Empress died down.

I couldn't wait, and we took High Line out for a quick spin around the system after it was completed. Omar asked to be in control for the trip and since he refurbished it, I let him. While Omar was looking through the Builder archives, he found plans for a starship's control chair. It was kind of line a small version of my Throne, or the Builder chairs back on the Reach. From the chair, a Builder can interface with the ship and control it, almost like how AIs are ships back home.

I asked Starlight, River and Ocean if they wanted to come along and see what we did to their ship. The whole time they looked around in wonder and surprise at the work we did. Starlight said it felt like a new ship and River marveled that we were able to add so many features to it.

I didn't tell them about the wormhole generator. I don't know why. Maybe I still think we need some kind of secret surprise.

Really though, I couldn't do what I'm doing now if it wasn't for my fellow Builders and our staff. Ava is my second in command and handles most of the interactions between us and the institutions here at the Reach. Bank, Security Team, and Maintenance Crew; she works with them to bring their needs to my attention, and then we work out a solution together. She still tends to be a little more... aggressive than I prefer, but she knows who is Empress. She makes me more assertive and I'm able to cool her down. I think we work well together.

Um'reli has dug deep into the Builder systems here on the Reach. She's working out how much work the old Builders did day to day to make the Reach run so smoothly. When I told her that the Nanites say that it was a full time crew of 10 she believed me. It's a lot of work. There's still only the 4 of us, so we still can't run at full capacity, but she's got the fire suppression systems up and running, the environmental systems are much more efficient and even the gravity works better. We're operating with a power surplus now! I asked Omar build another reactor for the Reach and soon we will have power to spare.

Omar, he has taken over as my shipbuilder and is really growing into the role. When we were on FarReach, printing was just a hobby and his main role was ship's battery, but here he's become a master printer. Between the database we got from FarReach and the existing Database on the Reach, we have more than enough plans to make anything we need. He even worked out that Reach of the Might of Vzzx used to have defensive batteries! He found the hardpoints and has been using downtime on the printers to make new laser batteries. We don't know where the original weapons went, so we're just going to add Starjumper class laser batteries to the existing hardpoints. We're so large and will soon have such a power surplus that he says running the huge laser batteries should be no problem. That should help hold off anyone who comes to pay us a visit.

Speaking of visiting, I haven't told anyone, but I unlocked the Gate last month. With two ships and the laser batteries almost done, I figured it was safe to unlock the Gate.

I'm anxious to go back out and visit the Wilds and see if we can figure out what happened. I don't think I'm ready to admit to the others yet, but I'm also excited to visit other Starbases and planets as Empress and see just how much of this side of the Galaxy is happy to see me. Waves and smiles for everyone happy to see me, Starjumper laser batteries for those who aren't.

I'm kidding about the Starjumper laser batteries if people aren't happy to see me. I don't think I want to restart a war of conquest, do I?

These days, I spend a lot of my time on the Throne, just watching things. I find it soothing to sit here and just... feel the world go by. Things are running so smoothly, and the people legitimately seem pleased that we're here and working, I like to, I don't know, absorb the vibes?

It's just after breakfast and I'm settling down for a day of reports and presiding over a few small disagreements when a chirrup interrupts my reverie. I glance over and... It's a signal from outside the Reach? I extend my senses into the local space and I feel...

Activity from the Gate. Someone is coming through.

"Ava, Um'reli, Omar! We've got a ping from the Gate. Someone is coming though!" I'm excited to tell everyone.

Omar is less excited. "What? Okay, Reactors to 200%, defensive batteries online, sound general alert.." I can hear hooting in the background. Omar insisted on activating the old alert tones and we have been sending out messages reminding everyone to listen to them.

"Omar, Omar! It's just someone coming through. Do we really need to get ready to shoot them?"

"Uh, yes Melody? We have no idea who it is. I didn't even know the Gate was unlocked. Did you do that?"

"Yes, I did it a month ago. I figured we were ready for visitors then. I'm so excited to see who is coming to visit us!"

Over the mental connection, I can feel Ava, Omar and Um'reli staring at me.

Uh oh.

Um'reli sounds exasperated. "Melody, we are at least a year away from unlocking the Gate. We have some defensive lasers sure, but we don't even have the new reactor online and we have two small ships now. Two. If that's a human dreadnought, we'd be utterly outmatched. What were you thinking?"

"Um'reli be nice, I'm sure Melody was just so happy about our progress she wanted people to come and see it and see her." Ava jumps to my defense.

"It's still something she should have run by us first. We could have given her more insight to our actual readiness..."

"She is the empress Um'reli, and besides, what's done is done. Now we have to get ready for our new visitors. Melody, have they come though yet, do we have a visual on them?"

I'm looking out into the system and I see the ship. It's... huge. It's way larger than anything we know about on this side of the Galaxy. It doesn't look like a Starjumper though, it's the wrong shape.

"It's through. Here, I'll send you what I see through the long range scopes. I toss the visual feed over to them. Um'reli is as confused as I am, but Omar has a sharp intake of breath and Ava swears.

"What is it Omar? Do you recognize the ship Ava?"

"I do, but I wish I didn't. That's the Vengeance of Lavinia. It's the flag carrier for Venus." Omar sound disgusted.

Ava sounds downright angry. What the hell are they doing out here?"

Um'reli zooms in on the image and tries to enhance to get more detail. "It Looks like FarReach didn't succeed in keeping us quiet like she wanted though. Clearly someone told them we were out here and they're coming to say hello."

I don't know much about Imperial Venus, I grew up on Meíhuā. From what I understand and what Omar explains while Ava makes a face, they took over governance of the Sol system about a decade ago. They mostly control the inner planets. The High Mars Cities are the borderlands, and from then out is the OPA, the Outer Planet Alliance. They're a bunch of small starbase city-states that pool their resources together to hold off Venus. It's been a back and forth for the entire time that Venus has claimed sovereignty.

Venus came out into the colonies to throw their weight around a few years back, but they got massacred at Parvati, and they caused trouble over at Sarbase Picaresque. This was all years before we left. A group of residents and a faction of AIs kicked them out. I think a colony ship was involved too? I wasn't living there then, I've heard all this information second and third hand. But, since then, they've stayed in the Sol system and dialed down the anti-AI rhetoric. Nobody is pleased to see them when they come visiting.

Still, it was visitors. Guess we should see what they want.

"Maybe they have people who want to come join us?" I try to sound hopeful. I don't think it worked.

"More like spy on us." Omar said darkly. "Melody, I'm going to go against my usual stance on you using your Voice on people. These folks need to be told how we do stuff here."

I can feel Um'reli nodding. "I agree. We don't want them to start anything, but like don't lead with Voicing them. If you did that, they'd probably try and run and we'd lose any advantage we have. Play it cool. Be nice, be welcoming. It's not like we couldn't use more Builders. If folks are coming out because they want to come out, we should welcome them."

"But they're from Venus, Um'reli. Don't forget how they treat AIs." Ava is unusually firm. Venus has a strict policy of not recognizing AI sapience. It's stupid really. AIs have been recognized as alive and sapient for nearly two thousand years in Human space, for them to come out of nowhere and say that they're not is ludicrous and treated that way in Colonial space. It's almost a joke.

Almost.

We can't turn them away, we simply don't have the firepower. "Omar, let them know we're not defenseless. Free the defensive lasers but don't target the ship. The are probably scanning the heck out of us, they should see them come online."

When Omar releases the lasers, I can feel it. 6 different batteries energize and tell us their readiness. Wow, I don't know if this is something new Omar added, or something he tied into old systems, but it's so... intuitive to use them. With a thought, I can swing them around, aim and point them, and... yes, if I were to pull there, they'd fire. Neat. After moving them around a little, I swing them off to the side and set them to follow our commands. If Venus wants to start something, we can bring them to bear relatively quickly, but Um'reli is right, we do need more builders. If they're just shuttling volunteers because FarReach told all the AIs and none of them will have anything to do with me, then we should be nice.

Radio contact. We're being signaled. "Uh, Reach of the Might of Vzzx? This is Vengeance of Lavinia. We'd like to speak to... Empress... Melody?"

They're reading from notes. Their comms officer sounds so unsure. I decide to answer myself and lay it on thick.

"Good morning Vengeance of Lavinia. This is Empress Melody Mullen the First, Empress of the Holy Imperial Systems. I hear your call and am replying. How may I assist?"

"We are requesting docking permission and to be able to come aboard for a goodwill exchange as well as to deliver some volunteers from our side of the Galaxy who wish to sign on with your work over here."

Interesting. They say they have volunteers. It's not like we don't need more Builder help.

"Be careful, Melody." Ava is right.

"But, don't turn them away just yet." Um'reli is right too. Ugh do they want to do the talking here? I feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions. I check on the docking ring. High Line and Sun Dancer, the two ships we were able to refit are next to the dock the FarReach used, I'll put them there.

"Vengeance of Lavinia you are cleared to dock at umbilical X45, I shall note it on this image I am sending your way. Additionally it shall be lit as you pass by. After you dock a welcome party will meet you at the umbilical."

"Umbilical X45 confirmed. See you soon, Reach of the Might of Vzzx. Vengeance of Lavinia out."

Well then. Guess we had better go meet them.

"Okay everyone, we're on. Let's go gather some folks and go see them."

Ava, Um'reli and Omar disconnect from their chairs and come out. "I swear to you we're not ready for someone like Venus coming, but here they are so I guess we're going to have to be ready." Um'reli looks around. "Where is City?"

Sound of the City bounds up the stairs. "Here, Builder, what do you need of me?"

Um'reli smiles. "Hello, Sound of the City. Please gather Starlight, Ocean, River, Vaaqo, and yourself. Dispatch a runner to Sep and ask them to bring a few security guards too. Make sure you have your Builder uniforms on and they're clean and neat. We have visitors."

City bows nervously. "Of course Builder. I shall fetch them at once." There is a pause while they try to figure out what they can get away with. "Who is visiting?"

"It's a group of people from our side of the Galaxy. They're a different... faction than we were and we always haven't been... friendly? We're willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now, but make sure everyone knows to keep watch on them."

Another bow "Builder. I go!" and Sound of the City bounds away. I'm so happy we are able to give them a job. They're still young so it's only part time, but they bring me happiness every time I see them. They really are becoming a vital part of our retinue. They're just so energetic! I hope they stay with us.

I pick up my rifle from next to the Throne and examine it. I do get a chance to go to Sep's Security office and get some range time in now, but it's never enough. Omar has programmed the Security Office's printers to make rounds for me, so I don't have to conserve, it's just that there are only so many hours in a day. But, I feel good that I can still do the things that Melody likes to do. It helps ground me and reminds me that I'm more than an Empress.

I sigh to myself, check the rifle to make sure it's loaded and safe, and then click it to my back. It's weight is reassuring. While we walk down the steps, I get myself ready. The crown and wings come out, but I keep them subtle for now. I make my heels a little taller but keep my working outfit on - no gown today. It's still royal blue and still sharply cut, but I just look like the head Builder I am instead of all full Empress.

As we reach the docs, Starlight, Ocean and River are there already. They were probably over in the drydock working on the third ship so were close by. At our approach, they all bow low.

"Empress, Builders. It is always a pleasure to see you."

I incline my head. "Starlight, Ocean, River. We have guests coming."

They look at me and blink. This was unexpected.

"O-of course Empress. We shall welcome them warmly. Who is coming?"

"People from our side of the Galaxy. They represent a different faction than us, so we're wary about their visit. Still, we shall receive them. Just, be on your guard."

They bow again. "Always Empress. We have learned that about Builders."

Huh. Cheeky. But not wrong. I decide to let it slide.

City bounds up out of breath. "I have alerted Vaaqo and Sep, they shall arrive shortly."

"City, take a moment and catch your breath, they're not here yet." Ava looks concerned. Sound of the City is so eager to help that sometimes they run themselves ragged. I think we all fuss over City just a bit because they're still a kid, but I remember being a teen and so eager to prove myself.

After a short time, Vaaqo arrives with Sep and they bow. Behind Sep is about a dozen security guards, all with clubs and energy weapons. Vaaqo speaks first. "Builders. What is it you need of us? Your runner mentioned visitors?"

I smile warmly and nod. "Yes. people from our side of the Galaxy have come through the Gate and wish to visit. They are from a different faction than us originally, so be wary, but let us welcome them. Sep, have your people set up around us, visible, but not part of the welcome party. Clubs can be seen, but let's keep the firearms behind their backs for now."

Another bow, and Sep gestures to the guards and they set up like I asked. We have a semicircle of guards a bit away, and the rest of us are a few meters from the umbilical.

As we finish setting up, I hear the whir and hum of the umbilical coming out to meet the ship.

After a few tense moments, there is a hiss as the pressures equalize and the umbilical opens. Immediately, silently, 6 troopers walk out. They're wearing glossy maroon armored pressure suits polished to a mirror sheen They're so glossy the coloring of the pressure suits looks like it has depth. I can see all of us distorted in the reflection of their faceless helmets. They're holding battle rifles, but they're aimed down and I can see they're safe and they have little decorative tips on the end - that's a nice touch. Shows everyone that they can't shoot them without extra effort. Looking closer at the rifles I'm shocked.

It's the same model I use.

That's not standard issue. My rifle was a special order. I can feel it's weight on my back, reminding me.

The troopers line up, three to a side of the umbilical and stand there at attention for a moment, and then a woman walks confidently out.

She's not wearing a pressure suit, but she has a very elaborate uniform on. It doesn't look like our Builder uniforms, but it's of a similar ilk. Professional, Military, it's short sleeves and form fitting, with pockets and folds and places for medals and ribbons. Her uniform has plenty of both. It's the same maroon as the troopers, but there's a pure white sash from her left shoulder to her right waist. On her waist is a sidearm - hmm, that looks like a custom version of a very fiddly - but accurate - pistol and is very well taken care of. She's wearing maroon pants tucked into highly polished black riding boots that click on the floor of the dock. On both of her shoulders are a gold fringe. She's wearing a cap at a rakish angle and peeking underneath I can see that she has very close cropped blond hair.

Is that a tattoo I see around her collar?

She is standing there with a smirk all casually professional and extremely cool. She looks like she is in charge through sheer charisma. She looks as if nobody would dare question whether she was in charge.

Swallowing and hoping I don't look too awkward, I turn up the crown and wings and take one step forward. "Welcome to Reach of the Might of Vzzx. I am Empress Melody Mullen of the Holy Imperial Systems." I gesture to my side. "This is Ava Williams, Omar Adel, and Um'reli Desmen, my Builders." I turn to the other side. "This is Starlight on a Moonless Evening, The Smell Of The Ocean, Rapid River Roaring, Sound of the City, Sep and Vaaco. They are part of my retinue and assist with day to day operation here. We welcome you."

She inclines her head slightly then stands up straight and salutes sharply. "I am Archduke Helen Raaden of Imperial Venus, second to the crown prince of Venus and third in line for the Venusian throne. I come with a contingent of Venusian soldiers and citizens as well as a small group of volunteers from throughout Human space.

We come as friends on a goodwill tour, and wish to extend our most sincere greetings to her Imperial Highness and make a personal offer from the Emperor to give assistance in any way we can." When she finishes her pronouncement she winks at me.

Oh no, she's so hot. What am I going to do?

Part 27

[r-ene]

day 12/366

spent... 3-4 hours at uni for my subject registration, and in order for me to be able to take all the classes i want and need for this semester so i could end all of my undergraduate classes by november and be able to get my diploma, i still have to wait for awhile for the office of the registrar's feedback on the process my department wants to do to help me with that. it's alright, i've learned to wait patiently during the first semester anyways. what's important is i'm nearing to my end-goal (graduate) !!

while waiting tho, i was able to talk to my clinical instructor and prof for both semesters for 4th yr classes (department head) and i'm really glad and grateful to have such good mentors

my CI gave me tips and cautions for when i start my internship (e.g., if you don't know something, just ask, because it's better to be demerited for being cautious (bc different institutions/hospitals = different standards & protocols) instead of compromising your patient's health and care)

^^ she was also quick to inform me of the first institute i'll be doing my rotation on (bc our rotations consists of adult care, neonatal/pediatrics, mothership and community)

my professor for lectures and research also was quick to say he's very flexible with whatever, because my clinical research 1 would be considered as a "special class" for the sem since what's offered for 2nd semester is clinical research 2

dean, as usual, very helpful. he was the one to settle the discussion on my subjects for the sem and is very willing to talk to office of the registrar's to be able to make things work out for me ♡

overall, it was a productive day despite waiting most of the day:

walked (picked up some fallen flowers while she smelled everything) + fed luna and cleaned her place before i got myself brunch and ready to leave

left together with one of my best friends bc she has her job interview near my first stop

levelled up on my solitaire app while waiting

was able to make it home in time for prayer and worship day 4/7 (traffic was insane, left uni at 430pm and arrived home 710pm)

got stuff printed to aid my review

planned out ideal rough schedule for when i start internship bc i also have solo research and the lectures + luna to take care of, among others

already looked up how to travel from home to my first hospital rotation (there are 2 ways !!)

and so, since i was not able to get coffee within the day, by 9pm i was asleep. woke up at 1130 to eat dinner tho bc havent eaten anything aside from brunch, 2 chocolate bars and a loooooottttt of water (too stubborn to take allergy meds)

also thinking about trying to vlog my process before internship and during and after ?? i kind of want to go through this part of my life where i muscled through but at the same time i feel it would be really hectic

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[beardedmrbean]

Texas authorities say a 12-year-old Houston girl who disappeared for over a week, allegedly with a 27-year-old kidnapping suspect, was using a dating app called Tagged.

The girl was reported missing Feb. 22, when she was seen getting into a vehicle in the 7700 block of Waterchase Drive in Missouri City, Texas, around 1:40 a.m.

On March 1, Columbus Police were informed the suspect may be in their city limits and ultimately found and "attempted to detain" Sirterryon Preston "in reference to having possession of the missing juvenile," Columbus Police said in a press release.

"Preston attempted to flee police custody but was captured and arrested," police said. The suspect is charged with evading arrest and was taken to the Colorado County Detention Facility. Authorities are eyeing more charges pending an FBI investigation into the girl's disappearance.

Tagged, a dating app for people 17 years or older, is owned by the Meet Group, the dating app network company behind MeetMe, hi5, LOVOO, Growlr and Skout.

"We were deeply saddened to learn the news of [the girl's] disappearance and are relieved by her safe return," the Meet Group told Fox News Digital in a statement. "Nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of the community on our platforms every day. As such, we proactively reached out to Houston law enforcement to offer any assistance we could as soon as we became aware of the situation."

The Meet Group noted that Tagged's policies "prohibit minors" from using its dating apps, and the company utilizes "both technology and manual analysis to help check for minors who may have registered for our platform using a false age.

"Should we be made aware of any attempts to circumvent our process, we thoroughly investigate any report involving a possible minor user or child exploitation," the company added. "We invest significantly in these efforts, and while we know that, sadly, there is no way to make this process completely infallible, we are continuously evolving to stay at the forefront of best-in-class safety practices."

Dr. John DeGarmo, founder and director of the Foster Care Institute, told Fox News Digital children will often turn to dating apps and other platforms to get attention when they are not receiving enough love or attention at home. 

"I think all dating sites present a risk to children," DeGarmo said. "I know Tagged has some type of policy where they don't allow kids under the age of 17, but how many children, like this girl here, are on it? I imagine there are thousands of children on these sites."

Sexual predators are also on dating sites looking to groom minors, DeGarmo added.

The child safety advocate said parents should have regular conversations with their children about the dangers of dating apps and social media platforms in general, where predators may be seeking to connect with minors. Parents should also monitor their children's activity online, he said.

"Parents have to be vigilant with their children in a number of matters. … Parents have to form strong, healthy relationships with their children so their children are not looking for these relationships elsewhere," DeGarmo said, adding that children coming from broken homes or who don't have "loving parental figures" will look for "what they are lacking in their life" on social media and dating websites.

Kris Perry, executive director of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, told Fox News Digital "there is limited existing research into how many teens are using dating apps, much less the risks or outcomes of this use."

"There is evidence that predators target minors through social media apps, knowledge that has guided some of the recommended protections we see in legislation such as the Kids Online Safety Act," Perry said. 

"We can reasonably expect that dating apps are no different, except that for many of these apps, users are supposed to be at least 18. Without knowing many details, this case (and many like it) are examples of why we need a stronger understanding of how youth may be using these apps, what risks may exist and what changes can be made to create safer online experiences."

[stiltonbasket]

Do you have a guide to all your OCs anywhere?

No, but there is one now. :) Brief note that these characters are from the TMAAF verse; minor, non-recurring OCs like Xiao Liuzi from travelers through the empty gate will not show up here. Also keep in mind that some characters, like Nie Yunhua and Nie Yunhai, have more significant roles in my modern verses and Tumblr AUs than in TMAAF.

Gusu Lan sect

1. Lan Xiaohui (Xiao-Yu). Wangxian's second child, born to a courtesan called Yang Xin in Yunmeng in 731.

2. Wei Shuilan, born in 736. Her parentage is completely unknown.

3. Wei Chunyang, Wangxian's only biological child, born to Wei Wuxian in 740. She is the reincarnated spirit of Jiang Yanli.

4. Lan Jueying, born in 735 to a pair of villagers who were killed by a yaoguai. After their deaths, she was adopted by Lan Xichen.

5. Lan Minghui, born in 731. He has one younger brother, and his mother is a nurse in the Baoshi. He and Xiao-Yu are best friends.

6. Lan Danhui, born in 730. A close friend of Xiao-Yu and Minghui.

7. Lan Fang, born in 736. He marries Wei Shuilan in 765, and they have four daughters and one son together.

Yunmeng Jiang sect

1. Yu Zhenhong. He is a couple of years younger than Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian, and the son of Yu Ziyuan's older half-brother. He currently serves as Jiang Cheng's deputy and possesses a highly dangerous weapon called Shuaixing, which takes the form of a spear that causes explosions when thrown.

2. Li Shuai. She is Lotus Pier's second deputy and Yu Zhenhong's wife. Her core was melted when Wen Chao attached Lotus Pier, so she carries a dagger instead of a sword and practices non-cultivating martial arts instead of the jiandao.

3. Yu Mei, born in 727 to Li Shuai and Yu Zhenhong.

4. Yu Jin, born in 729 to Li Shuai and Yu Zhenhong.

5. Yu Min, born in 731 to Li Shuai and Yu Zhenhong.

6. Yu Xihan, born in 714. Lotus Pier's current head disciple, and a first cousin once removed to Yu Zhenhong (though not to Jiang Cheng).

7. Zhao Suyin, born in 715. Lotus Pier's first ranking female disciple, and a lost descendant from the Xinjiang Zhao clan. She later marries Yu Xihan.

8. Xiao Yan. One of the younger disciples in the senior class. She later marries Jin Chan and becomes the mother of Jin Yun.

9. Luo Ming, Liu Feng, Dai Hualing, and Li Jiangshun. Other disciples in the senior class.

10. Pan Gaolin. The head physician at the Lufeng infirmary, who first earned notoriety when she destroyed an infant Jiang Yanli's cultivation root as part of a (successful) experimental procedure intended to make her lungs and stomach develop faster. As a young girl, she studied healing at the medical institute in Xinjiang Zhao with Yun Guimeng.

11. Lang Xiyan. She was originally a kitchen maid at Mo Manor, but she was expelled from Mo Village and came into Pan Gaolin's care in Yunmeng, where she became a healer. She is Lang Lihua's birth mother.

12. Lang Lihua, born in 732. Lang Xiyan's daughter and Jiang Cheng's stepdaughter.

13. Jiang Lianhua, born in 740 to Jiang Cheng and Jiang-furen.

14. Jiang Bohai, born in 743 to Jiang Cheng and Jiang-furen.

Qinghe Nie sect

1. Nie Shiyong. She is a tiger-shifter born in 715, and captured in 717 by Jin Guangyao after he invited her parents to the Jinlintai. Her parents were murdered, and Nie Shiyong was imprisoned for the next four years. Nie Huaisang rescued and adopted her in 721, though her existence was not publicly known until 733. She married Jin Ling in 739, and is the mother of several children with him.

2. Nie Zhuxi, born in 713. He is Nie Zonghui’s younger cousin and Nie Huaisang’s presumptive heir.

3. Nie Zhuyan, born in 729. Nie Zhuxi’s younger brother and Xiao-Yu’s husband.

4. Nie Yunhua and Nie Yunhai, minor wind and water gods born to Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue in 770, two years after Lan Xichen’s ascension to the heavenly court. They received the Nie name but are not part of the Nie sect, since they were born as gods and were never human.

5. Yun Guimeng (Healer Yun). She is the head physician at the Unclean Realm.

Lanling Jin sect

1. Jin Hong, born in 740. First son of Jin Ling and Nie Shiyong, and Wei Chunyang’s husband. He is the reincarnated spirit of Jin Zixuan. Note: He has many younger siblings, and only the first few have been named.

2. Jin Yun, born in 741 to Jin Chan and Xiao Yan. He is the reincarnated spirit of Jin Guangyao, and the head priest at the Lord Mercy temple in Yiling.

3. Jin Xiu, born in 742. First daughter of Jin Ling and Nie Shiyong, and Jin Ling’s heir.

4. Jin An, born in 743 to Jin Ling and Nie Shiyong.

5. Cao Nian, born in 739 to Luo Qingyang and her husband, Cao Tian. Younger brother to Little Mianmian.

Baling Ouyang sect

1. Ouyang Xingchen, born in 742 to Ouyang Zizhen and A-Qing. He has three unnamed younger sisters and one younger brother.

2. Yao Lan, born in 741. He was an orphan raised at a monastery near Baling, where he met Ouyang Xingchen in 760. The two married later that year.

[bubblegum-blackwood]

13 Books Tag Game

Tagged by @mothmage 🖤

1) The last book I read:

Ghost Of by Diana Khoi Nguyen. This is a book of poetry I read for my Intro to Poetry class - it deals heavily with grief, having been written in the aftermath of the death of the author's brother, and if you like free verse, concrete poems, or stream-of-consciousness-like verse, this would definitely be something to check out. Also Othello by William Shakespeare :3

2) A book I recommend:

If We Were Villains by ML Rio! It's about a bunch of theatre kids going to an arts conservatory to study Shakespeare. People fuck, people do drugs, people get murdered, and like half the cast is gay and repressed about it. The prose is really vivid, and overall, I'm just super impressed with the story and the characters Rio created!

3) A book that I couldn’t put down:

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. I know this is a Vampire Chronicles blog so that seems rather obvious but I truly was captivated by this book. Checking it out from the library was one of the best decisions I ever made.

4) A book I’ve read twice (or more):

I'm going to cheat for this one and do a play instead: Hamlet by William Shakespeare. I first read it in school in junior high, then again on my own my sophomore year of high school, and I've flipped through it several times since then. As much as I love other Shakespeare plays like Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night and Romeo and Juliet, I never seem to run out of things to say about Hamlet. It's just so rich.

5) A book on my TBR:

Ohhhh soooo many sdljkfklfjasklfsjlkjfskl. But my friend gifted me Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M Danforth for my birthday and I figure I should get around to it at some point 😅

6) A book I’ve put down:

A year or two ago, my mother came home from Target with Ramses the Damned: The Reign of Osiris by Anne and Christopher Rice, because she saw our goth mom's name and figured I'd appreciate it since I like the Vampire Chronicles. It's not the first in the series, and I was having a hard time connecting to these random new characters, so I closed the book after a few pages and it's been sitting untouched on my bookshelf ever since 😅

7) A book on my wish list:

Every year for my birthday and Christmas I ask for one or two Shakespeare plays because I want to collect the full set (of all the ones I'm interested in LOL). Next on the list is The Comedy of Errors.

8) A favorite book from childhood:

Ummmm I'm trying to think. I have an abridged version of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott that I read several times in fifth and sixth grade, so I'll go with that. (hilariously, I remember almost nothing about the plot of the book now)

9) A book you would give to a friend:

I'll go with Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen because that is currently the book that I have been badgering my bestie to read lol

10) A book of poetry or lyrics that you own

The aforementioned Ghost Of but also Girl's Guide to Leaving by Laura Villareal, also something I read for my poetry class, and also something I would totally recommend!

11) A nonfiction book you own:

So many, mostly for school. Gender: Ideas, Interactions, Institutions by Lisa Wade and Myra Marx Feree (3rd edition) is something I bought for my sociology of gender class a few semesters ago, and I would highly recommend! It is very enlightening and full of interesting facts.

12) What are you currently reading:

Blood Canticle by Anne Rice! It's wacky as fuck but you know what, I'm actually enjoying myself. I just haven't gotten very far because I'm super busy with school this semester so I haven't had as much time to read for pleasure sadtoad.jpg

13) What are you planning on reading next?

The next play my Shakespeare class is reading is The Taming of the Shrew, so I guess technically that sfdasffasdf. For VC, I'll move on to Prince Lestat after finishing BCan.

tagging: @fofoqueirah @hekateinhell @covenofthearticulate @dorianslayyy and @leslutdepointedulac

[attitudetallyacademy]

A Roadmap to a Successful Career in Graphic Designing

Embarking on a career in graphic design can be an exciting and creative journey. In this blog, we'll provide you with a comprehensive roadmap to become a successful graphic designer. We'll cover the role of a graphic designer, the essential skills you need to develop, salary expectations, growth prospects, and also introduce you to graphic designing course in Yamuna Vihar, offering courses and classes to kick start your career.

Role of a Graphic Designer: Graphic designers play a crucial role in creating visual content for various mediums. They use their artistic skills and design principles to communicate messages effectively. Graphic designers work on projects such as branding, marketing materials, websites, and more. Their work helps organizations establish a strong visual identity and connect with their target audience.

Skills Required for Graphic Designing:

Creativity: Graphic design is all about thinking outside the box and creating visually appealing content.

Software Proficiency: Familiarity with design tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential.

Typography: Understanding fonts, spacing, and text layout is crucial for effective design.

Color Theory: Knowing how to use colors effectively to convey emotions and messages.

Communication: Graphic designers often collaborate with clients and team members, so good communication skills are vital.

Attention to Detail: Precision is key in graphic design to ensure high-quality output.

Time Management: Meeting deadlines is essential in the fast-paced world of graphic design.

Salary in Graphic Designing: Graphic design salaries can vary based on factors like experience, location, and the size of the company. On average, the salary for a graphic designer can range from $40,000 to $60,000 per year. Experienced designers and those with specialized skills can earn even more.

Growth & Scope: The graphic design industry continues to evolve with the growth of digital media and the internet. With businesses seeking to establish a strong online presence, there is a growing demand for skilled graphic designers. Additionally, the freelance market offers opportunities for independent designers to work on diverse projects. The scope for growth is vast, and as you gain experience and build a strong portfolio, you can explore roles such as art director, creative director, or even start your own design agency.

Complete Schedule: Here is a simplified roadmap to help you kickstart your career in graphic design:

Foundation (Months 1-3): Start by learning the basics of design principles, typography, and color theory. Explore design software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Online Courses (Months 4-6): Enroll in online courses or tutorials to deepen your knowledge and skills. There are many free and paid resources available.

Projects & Portfolio (Months 7-12): Begin working on small design projects. Create a portfolio showcasing your best work.

Networking (Months 13-18): Attend design-related events, webinars, and join online design communities to connect with professionals in the field.

Internship or Freelancing (Months 19-24): Gain practical experience through internships or by freelancing for clients. This will help you build your resume and portfolio.

Specialization (Months 25-30): Consider specializing in a specific area of graphic design, such as web design, UI/UX design, or branding.

Job Search (Months 31-36): Start applying for graphic design positions. Tailor your portfolio and resume to match the job requirements.

Continuous Learning (Ongoing): Stay updated with the latest design trends and software updates. Consider advanced courses or certifications.

If you're looking for graphic designing training institute in Yamuna Vihar, you can consider enrolling in courses at [Attitude Academy]. They offer comprehensive graphic design courses taught by experienced professionals, providing you with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in graphic design. Becoming a successful graphic designer requires dedication, continuous learning, and a passion for creativity. By following this roadmap, you can hone your skills, build a strong portfolio, and pursue a rewarding career in the dynamic world of graphic design. Start your journey today and unlock your potential as a graphic designer.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

The search for intermediate-sized black holes close to home Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have come up with what they say is some of their best evidence yet for the presence of a rare class of "intermediate-sized" black hole that may be lurking in the heart of the closest globular star cluster to Earth, located 6,000 light-years away. Like intense gravitational potholes in the fabric of space, virtually all black holes seem to come in two sizes: small and humongous. It's estimated that our galaxy is littered with 100 million small black holes (several times the mass of our Sun) created from exploded stars. The universe at large is flooded with supermassive black holes, weighing millions or billions of times our Sun’s mass and found in the centers of galaxies. A long-sought missing link is an intermediate-mass black hole, weighing in somewhere between 100 and 100,000 solar masses. How would they form, where would they hang out, and why do they seem to be so rare? Astronomers have identified other possible intermediate-mass black holes through a variety of observational techniques. Two of the best candidates — 3XMM J215022.4−055108, which Hubble helped discover in 2020, and HLX-1, identified in 2009 — reside in dense star clusters in the outskirts of other galaxies. Each of these possible black holes has the mass of tens of thousands of suns, and may have once been at the centers of dwarf galaxies. NASA’s Chandra X-ray observatory has also helped make many possible intermediate black hole discoveries, including a large sample in 2018. Looking much closer to home, there have been a number of suspected intermediate-mass black holes detected in dense globular star clusters orbiting our Milky Way galaxy. For example, in 2008, Hubble astronomers announced the suspected presence of an intermediate-mass black hole in the globular cluster Omega Centauri. For a number of reasons, including the need for more data, these and other intermediate-mass black hole findings still remain inconclusive and do not rule out alternative theories. Hubble's unique capabilities have now been used to zero in on the core of the globular star cluster Messier 4 (M4) to go black-hole hunting with higher precision than in previous searches. "You can't do this kind of science without Hubble," said Eduardo Vitral of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, lead author on a paper to be published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vitral’s team has detected a possible intermediate-mass black hole of roughly 800 solar masses. The suspected object can't be seen, but its mass is calculated by studying the motion of stars caught in its gravitational field, like bees swarming around a hive. Measuring their motion takes time, and a lot of precision. This is where Hubble accomplishes what no other present-day telescope can do. Astronomers looked at 12 years' worth of M4 observations from Hubble and resolved pinpoint stars. His team estimates that the black hole in M4 could be as much as 800 times our Sun's mass. Hubble's data tend to rule out alternative theories for this object, such as a compact central cluster of unresolved stellar remnants like neutron stars, or smaller black holes swirling around each other. "We have good confidence that we have a very tiny region with a lot of concentrated mass. It's about three times smaller than the densest dark mass that we had found before in other globular clusters," said Vitral. "The region is more compact than what we can reproduce with numerical simulations when we take into account a collection of black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs segregated at the cluster's center. They are not able to form such a compact concentration of mass." A grouping of close-knit objects would be dynamically unstable. If the object isn't a single intermediate-mass black hole, it would require an estimated 40 smaller black holes crammed into a space only one-tenth of a light-year across to produce the observed stellar motions. The consequences are that they would merge and/or be ejected in a game of interstellar pinball. "We measure the motions of stars and their positions, and we apply physical models that try to reproduce these motions. We end up with a measurement of a dark mass extension in the cluster's center," said Vitral. "The closer to the central mass, more randomly the stars are moving. And, the greater the central mass, the faster these stellar velocities." Because intermediate-mass black holes in globular clusters have been so elusive, Vitral cautions, "While we cannot completely affirm that it is a central point of gravity, we can show that it is very small. It's too tiny for us to be able to explain other than it being a single black hole. Alternatively, there might be a stellar mechanism we simply don't know about, at least within current physics." The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, conducts Hubble and Webb science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, in Washington, D.C.