#but I do know how to check it cause I also go on site visits with the actual commercial leasing people and our facilities maintenance peopl

[baronmagikcarp]

I just did that post about renting and repairs and records and I'll always remember going with a friend to look over a place she was considering renting. Like I said in the tags, I work in commercial real estate so I know what to look for on a site tour and I asked my friend how hard she wanted me to be. She gave me permission to go nuts. The poor rental agent for the place looked like she was about to freak out when I pointed out the hastily covered water damage in the ceiling, the screwed up flooring they'd tried to hide under the water leak, the damage to the light fixtures, and then topped it off by opening the inside HVAC unit and showing her how her maintenance people had put in the wrong sized filter and because of that the inside of the unit was covered in dust. This was in the first five minutes of me being in the unit. I had a ball.

I also told her that the HVAC unit was probably going to burn out soon because it hadn't been properly filtered and had probably been working too hard for who knows how long. She didn't believe me. The outside unit burned out on the first hot day the next month and the whole thing had to be replaced.

[froggibus]

Roadtrip - Overwatch Boys

Includes: Cassidy, Genji, Hanzo, Baptiste, Lucio & Mauga

Genre: fluff, some crack lol

Summary: take a summer roadtrip with your favorite OW man

CW: irresponsible/reckless driving, cops (Cassidy's), drinking (not while driving I promise), Genji slander, camping, very fun summer vibes w this one

This is part of my Summer Suntacular event, come check it out!

Cassidy:

definitely takes you through the midwest somewhere

insists on driving the whole way but its ok cause he has an insane sense of direction

like knows every road and shortcut like the back of his hand

tries to pretend like he doesn’t like your music but ends up singing along

loves stopping in old local diners

at least once the owner of a bar recognizes him and reminds him that he’s banned for life

and somehow he ends up talking the owner into letting you guys stay??

only drinks black coffee and pretends like he enjoys it

you forced him to try an overly sweet 6$ coffee one time and now he insists on stopping for one in every town

pretends to obey traffic laws but speeds whenever you’re on a backroad

a cop tries to pull him over and suddenly he turns into Max Verstappen and is offroading through a random field to lose them

“what the fuck is happening”

“I’m winnin’.”

you guys get takeout and eat it on the tailgate of his truck

stops at any bar that advertises live music 

will sing all the words all dorky to you and try to get you to dance with him

wants to stay on the road with you forever

Genji:

do not let this man drive he can’t drive for shit

wants to go somewhere neither of you have been before, but doesn’t really have a solid plan

matcha lattes at EVERY stop

you camp rather than stay in a hotel cause he never got to as a kid

like he’s never even tried a s’more or had a campfire before

chooses the most beautiful campsites ever with pretty beaches

neither of you can figure out how to set up the tent so you end up piling the blankets and pillows in your car and sleeping in the trunk

it’s surprisingly cozy though

also he totally winds up cuddling you for warmth

takes SO MANY pictures 

insists on using a paper map because he wants a more “authentic” feel 

results in you guys getting lost in the woods at least once

picks up handcrafted flavoured marshmallows at literally every gas station you stop at so he can make different kinds of s'mores

some of the flavours get wild too—like maple bacon or banana split

weirdly good at roadtrip games

brings his Switch or something so he can play Pokemon while you drive + names the ones he catches after the models of nearby cars

you end up staying on the trip way longer than intended because you guys have so much fun

Hanzo:

has a meticulously planned schedule of where you’ll visit and when

wants to take you through the Japanese countryside, maybe stop at a beach or two

very careful driver 

has a Nissan Versa that he babies and refuses to let you eat inside of (though if you bat your eyes at him enough, he’ll give in)

brings a polaroid camera so he can take pictures of all the beautiful sites

keeps the polaroids in a little folder tucked into the glovebox

refuses to get fast food and insists on stopping at cute local cafes

has packed for literally every possible occasion in only one tiny bag

you ask him to stop so you can buy something weird and obscure and he just so happens to have it

“I really wish I had Shrek 2 on DVD right now”

“check the glovebox”

???

has a soft spot for roadside fruit stands and had to stop at every single one to buy stuff 

the whole trunk is filled with fruit. there’s no escape

lets you play whatever music you like and will have your favourite songs memorized by the end of the trip

prefers experiences to souvenirs, but if you buy him a keychain or something he’ll treasure it forever

Baptiste:

annoyingly slow driver

everyone is passing you guys

has a pretty solid plan of where he wants to go but he’s open to feedback

has an immaculate sense for choosing the best local restaurants

always wants to try the most niche food combos he can find—like deep fried milk

needs to have his water bottle, an energy drink and a fun drink or else he can’t drive

wears sunscreen in the car and stops every few hours to reapply

cringes at your driving no matter how you drive and definitely gives you at least one (1) lecture about the dangers of speeding

loves tourist traps and wants to stop at every one you pass

insists on getting those dorky commemorative t-shirts from said tourist attractions so that the two of you can match

loves salt water taffy and looks for fun weird flavours wherever you find them

his entire centre console ends up being FULL of them by the end of the trip

he has the ac in the car on full blast to the point you’re shivering

not big on taking pictures but loves videos—he has about a thousand of the two of you trying new fun drinks and snacks

it’s been so long since he was able to be on the road without worrying about Talon—and he never wants to go back

Lucio:

nobody is more fun than him on a road trip

has a super fun car that he’s souped up and decorated to hell

the car has window tint so dark that you can’t see into it

does not obey traffic laws. you’re getting so many tickets, im sorry

buys those window markers so the two of you can draw on them when you’re bored

chooses the music and probably has a thirty hour long meticulously curated playlist

car singalongs all day

drinks so many energy drinks you’re surprised his heart still works

wants to stop in every single town to try their local specialties 

doesn’t really have a solid plan or anything, just wants to hit the road and see where you end up

wears increasingly goofy disguises when going out in public

“omg is that Lucio?”

“where?”

gets dragged into performing at least one impromptu concert somewhere

takes turns driving with you so the other can rest and reads out gossip articles about himself to entertain you

every hotel you stay in is a different gimmick and he goes crazy for it. the sillier the better

posts cute pictures of the two of you on his insta and is always taking candids

wants to make your roadtrip an annual thing

Mauga:

insists on taking his big ass Jeep that he refers to as “Little Betty” and refuses to let anyone else drive ‘her’ 

completely reckless driver too

drives with one hand on the wheel, music way too loud, the windows down even when you’re going like 110

he lets you pick the music as long as its upbeat 

constantly drinking some weird protein shake 

absolutely no plan of where he wants to go, just wants to hit up some nice beaches

has all of your stuff crammed in the back so high that you couldn’t possibly see out of the back window

drives in the sluttiest skimpiest tank top ever 

wants to try all the local cocktails and party in every town you stop in

gets drunk and becomes best friends with everyone he meets

needs to collect a Hawaiian print shirt in every place you stop in to commemorate the occasion

wants more than anything to teach you how to surf

he stops at every beach you pass and BEGS you to try it out

either wants to sleep in a five star hotel or on the beach with no shelter. there is no inbetween

takes one awkward blurry picture of the two of you throughout the entire trip and puts it in his wallet

Summer Suntacular | Masterlist | Overwatch Masterlist

(if you enjoy content like this, interactions go a long way! comments, likes & rbs are always greatly appreciated ^-^ !!)

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

02/20/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; Cast&CrewSightings;SambaSchutteBTS;RhysDarbyCameo; DavidJenkins/RuiboQian; SaveOFMDCrew IG; Articles; Analysis & Trends; LoveNotes;DailyDarby/Tonight'sTaika;

== Cast & Crew Sightings ==

= Samba Schute Feat Rhys Darby =

Srcs: Samba's Instagram

Videos on Tumblr:

Steard Video - @kiwistede

Merstede Video - @kiwistede

Videos on IG:

Steard Video

Merstede Video

And just to distract all of you again: gif courtesy of @bizarrelittlemew

== Rhys Darby ==

The Our Flag Means Death Fan Page on Facebook was kind enough to get a Cameo for the crew! This one features all things to visit if you're heading to Aotearoa! It's quite a large file so tumblr won't let me upload it so please visit: their site (where you can download the video) or on facebook!

The admin on the page was also kind enough to give us some links to the places he talks about in the video! Thanks friends!

Te Henga Walkway

Kemeu, New Zealand

Te Rimu Tahi Ponsonby

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

Fiordland National Park

Franz Josef Glacier

Lake Tekapo

Punakaiki

Piopiotahi

== David Jenkins / Ruibo Qian ==

Hey! We got some proof of life from Chaos Dad on Samba's BTS, and a bit of love from Ruibo!

＝＝ Fan Spotlight ＝＝

February Love Collage Fest! So I am very behind on these so I'm going to share a few a day to try and catch up on these awesome collages our dear crewmember WanderingNomad @wndrngnomad on Twitter made!

Today's: Feb 20: Ra Vincent!

Feb 1 : Samba Schutte

== Save OFMD Crew IG Calendar ==

Over on Instagram the SaveOFMD Crew is keeping engagement up with "Crossover Cruesday", suggesting lots of fun ofmd crossovers (including Jurassic Park!) Feel free to check them out on their stories!

Tomorrow's engagement is #WrongWednesday!

== Analysis & Trends ==

So much data regarding OFMD's rank on Max. Thank you @adoptourcrew for this awesome analysis!

FULL EPISODE: https://t.co/HFVLQgm1Um

＝Trends＝

Huh, I wonder why RHYS could be trending today?

Thanks to @iamadequate1 for catching that #OurFlagMeansDeath was trending! A lot higher than the last few days too.

==Articles==

All The Shows Canceled In 2024 On TV & Streaming (So Far)

13 TV Shows Have Been Canceled in 2024 (Including 2 Netflix Series, 4 HBO Shows & More)

== Love Notes ==

Can I just take a moment here to tell you how very proud I am of you lovelies? Like seriously, you are being so supportive and sweet towards each other. You've been sending out love and positivity and sexy things to make everyone feel better and gah I just, every time I flip through this site/cross platform I am so incredibly moved. You all are the absolute best, and I'm so very grateful to be a part of this wonderful group of misfits. I'm sure I've said this recently, but IM SAYING IT AGAIN BECAUSE I FUCKING MEAN IT. Okay sorry for the caps, but for real I love you guys (gn), you make me smile and laugh every single day and I just you make the world such a better place to be in. I hope you know just how much you matter and what an amazing job you're doing making this community great. And I just wanted to add some additional love notes from @bethdrawsthings on IG because she always has things I want to say too. Goodnight or Goodday lovelies, I can't wait to see what shenanigans and love we get up to tomorrow <3

= Daily Darby / Tonight's Taika =

ALRIGHT, alright. You might think I'm lazy in choosing the gif everyone has seen but I just can't let you leave this post without seeing it again. Plus it fits with a taika gif, I love.

Taika gif courtesy @meluli!

Rhys gif courtesy of @bizarrelittlemew right here on tumblr!

And bonus Taika cause it's #TaikaTuesday, and I feel like it follows the theme... after...whatever happens after the gifs above. @blakbonnet Ty once again for this lovely gifset <3<3<3 It's HD and Gorgeous and you rock my socks off.

[ga-yuu]

Yoshitsune Main Route Summary (10 to 14)

I have already finished translating up to half of chapter 10. If you haven't read it, go to this - link

So let's continue....

Yoshi baby was playing his flute in the garden and Yoshino heard him. Yoshitsune tells her that normally he would be surrounded by small animals from every corner of the mansion when he plays his flute and he doesn't know why? Yoshino giggles and she asks if he could play it once more because she wants to hear it. Yoshitsune nods and starts playing.

As Yoshino was carefully listening while siting under a tree, suddenly she sensed a presence. Even Yoshitsune too. They both looked to a certain direction and there was a demon. Yoshino was terrified because she was only used to seeing beautiful demons like Tamamo and Kurama (right now Ibuki is not in game) and this demon was creepy-looking. Yoshino started to tremble but Yoshitsune remained expressionless. He curiously asks if she is scared? And Yoshino nods saying that she doesn't have that much experience with demons.

Yoshitsune stands in front of her to protect her and raised his sword. He threatened to kill the demon if he comes any closer and the demon disappears without causing any trouble. Yoshino asks if Yoshitsune was scared seeing the demon? but Yoshitsune tells her that he is used to seeing creepy looking demons since childhood. Then he starts sharing his backstory about the time he lived in the monk temple when he was a kid. Because of his soul, he was outcasted by the humans living in the temple and he was also the favorite food for demons. Creepy looking demons were chasing him everyday to eat his soul. But luckily he was saved by Kurama and that's how their friendship began. Kurama told Yoshitsune that his soul is unique and that he will conquer it after its fully polished and shining. Yoshitsune also promised that he would give his soul to Kurama when he dies.

Yoshino, after hearing the sad story, started feeling bad for Yoshitsune. But she was at least happy that Yoshitsune was opening up to her. But to her surprise things starts to develop really quick! Next day, Yoshitsune comes to visit her and tells her that he will be going away for a war. He informed her that he will come back after a week or so and Yoshino also nodded promising that she will not try to escape.

After a week, Yoshitsune returns. Yoichi drags Yoshino out of her room to get her to welcome Yoshitsune. When they both see each other at the entrance, Yoshitsune looked surprised. Yoshino shyly welcomes him for coming home safely. Yoshitsune smiled and said 'I'm home' and started making his way to his room. But something felt off. Yoshino noticed that Yoshitsune was walking differently. She immediately stops him and asks if he is injured? Yoshitsune was silent.

Yoichi quickly interrupts them and checks Yoshitsune to make sure and yep! He had a deep battle scar on his arm. Yoshino doctor instincts kicks in and immediately she offered to treat his injury. Yoshitsune tries ignoring her but seeing both Yoichi and Yoshino's persistence, he gave in. They both go to Yoshitsune room and Yoshitsune removes his upper part of his kimono for fanservice *ahem* I-I mean...for treatment. Yoshino also didn't expect Yoshitsune to have abs because on the outside he is very slim. Anyways, she begins her treatment.

After the treatment was, Yoshino tells him that he must not go out and do rigorous training or swing his sword until the wound fully heals and Yoshitsune nods without meeting her eyes. Of course Yoshitsune is a good boy because the very next day, she sees Kurama and Yoshitsune playing avengers inside his room. Kurama was flying around the room and Yoshitsune was attacking him from the ground with his sword.

Yoshino immediately stops both of them and asked what they were doing. Kurama was pissed that she interrupted them and Yoshitsune tells her that, Kurama is demon who doesn't like boredom. So in order to get rid of it, he would come challenge him to a fight or attack him out of nowhere for pure fun. Even right now, when Yoshitsune was casually entering his room, Kurama attacked him from inside the room and that's how they started their 'training'.

Yoshino facepalms and reminded him that Yoshitsune wasn't suppose to fight or train or swing his sword. Yoshitsune tilted his head and asked her if he is not even allowed to have a light training session too? and Yoshino nods. Kurama glares at Yoshino but Yoshino told Kurama that Yoshitsune body needs rest in order to recover soon. Hearing that Kurama reluctantly agreed and left the room.

After that, both Yoshitsune and Yoshino were alone. Yoshitsune took this opportunity to thank Yoshino for her treatment. He proposed that they go out and he shows her around Hiraizumi. Yoshino tries to shake her head saying that it's okay but who can say no to those pure amethyst eyes? I dare you! Try it! You can never!

Yoshino was waiting outside the mansion for Yoshitsune to come. After few minutes, Yoshitsune shows up with his horse. Yoshino was surprised because she thought that they were just going to town by foot. Yoshitsune asks if she rode a horse before and Yoshino shakes her head. He gets on top of it and offered his hand to her. Yoshino grabs on it and Yoshitsune made her sit in front of her. In this position, Yoshino could slightly feel Yoshitsune's broad chest touching her and she starts to blush. Thinking that she is trembling, Yoshitsune curiously asks if she is scared and Yoshino grabbed onto this opportunity thinking that if she lied about being scared of horses then he would drop the idea of going to the town on a horse. But Yoshitsune like any male lead was one step ahead of her took that as a opportunity to hold her even closely. With a lovely smile, he puts his arm around her waist and pulled her even close. This time, Yoshino's body can literally absorb Yoshitsune's heat.

Yoshitsune smiled and promised her that, the horse is well trained and if anything happens, he will be there for her. Hearing that, Yoshino gave up resisting and Yoshitsune wins. They go to town and the townspeople were all smiling and greeting Yoshitsune. Seeing that Yoshino realised that Yoshitsune is really loved by his people.

After going around town, they stopped at a flower field to rest. While resting, Yoshino asked about his relationship with the townspeople and Hiraizumi as a whole. This time, he shared about how he came to Hiraizumi, which was under the Fujiwara Clan and after the head of Fujiwara clan died, he had to step in and take the position of the leader. Although not as good as Yoritomo, Yoshitsune , in his own way, tried his best to reconstruct Hiraizumi and bring peace to people. After sharing stories, Yoshino started feeling more closer with Yoshitsune...because...

After few days, Yoshino was checking his injury and it was healing but not fully healed yet. She once again reminded him not to train and Yoshitsune look away and promises her that he won't train. Sensing that he is lying, Yoshino playfully told him that she would report to Benkei if she finds him training and Yoshitsune immediately begs her not to do that. Yoshino left the room while giggling and suddenly crosses paths with Kurama in the hallway.

[remellu]

NEED OF SHELTER WITH HOMELESS (GOFUNDME AND ADDITIONAL INFO BELLOW)

DISCLAIMER: You can skip to the gofundme before scrolling to read everything, as I do update on there, but since I don't use tumblr much and this is very urgent, I have additional stuff to say in this post after providing the link. Link: https://gofund.me/952d122a

As you can tell, I'm currently homeless and cannot access resources for shelter, as the homeless epidemic has caused it to get much harder to find shelter and transitional housing. I'm also someone who needs special accommodations as a disabled person, such as my medication and my cat being an emotional support animal, so that alone will make me less likely to be accepted.

I've been seeking a way to get housing way before I became homeless, as I knew the lease wasn't going to be renewed, but I couldn't do it on time. Currently I paid for my 1st and 2nd stay at the hotel I'm currently at. That's been 10 days, and currently I need to renew again by the 13th of February. This is the information for my first booking, which was cheaper than the second check in. 403 was the total including tax, but the second check in is 403 WITHOUT the tax.

Here's the proof of the second stay in for 5 days being higher than the last.

This hotel is literally the cheapest I could find with basic accomidations such as having a microwave and being able to refrigerate food, so I have to deal with the prices fluctuating a bit. It's not going to be the same each time I renew my stay at the hotel. But I don't expect it to reach the 500 USD range, it's going to be bellow that. The better approximate I guess is to get 480 USD for every 5 days of staying if feasible.

This is the current amount I got for the 3rd stay 66.11 is what I have left and the other two are donations that are still processing This isnt enough for the third hotel stay. (Due on the 13th) I would need around 500 USD (in case I need other needs like food/ set up the p.o. box) I'll appreciate any help!

Gofundme does not finish sending transactions on weekends, in fact it postpones it, so that may cause complications for the 3rd and 4th stay if the money comes in too late. I do have a kofi and paypal in case anyone wants to ensure the money comes in faster, I'll put that link for Kofi here: https://ko-fi.com/remellu If you don't have gofundme, I'll provide my Paypal directly as well: paypal.me/yummeiko

Here's a diagram for the 3rd and 4th visit and how transactions work on Gofundme can affect me being able to renew the stay. Especially for the 4th one.

I do not know how long I'm going to stay here, my homeless status is indefinite, I'll I can do is continue to work on finding resources for housing that will fit my financial situation while I try to stay in the hotel as much as possible. 10K USD is the amount asked because I know it may take a while to get things sorted, I may not need that amount, but if I don't and I reach it, I could always use it for deposits and so on as well as furnishing my apartment whenever I can get there. I apologize how lengthy this is. I do not use Tumblr often so if you want to get more frequent updates about what is being donated and my current status is, there's a few places you can follow me at. Twitter (Main): https://twitter.com/Remellu Instagram (main): https://www.instagram.com/remeiu/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/remellu.bsky.social I also posted a video in regards to the gofundme on both tiktok and youtube (i may also put these on both my instagrams if the length is allowed. Twitter also has it) Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@remeiu/video/7333364564697894186 Youtube: https://youtu.be/YWokYi2gl0g Again, I'll appreciate any help I will get, and I will also try to come back on this site to update this stuff as well, I'm just not good at remembering I have a tumblr. The best you can do if you can't donate is reblog or share on your other social media we are both on. Thank you in advance!

[loremonster]

Btw ALL CRAFTS BENIFIT FROM INCREASING YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF MECHANICAL FORCES AND THE SHAPES OF ENGINEERING.

I grew up with my maternal grandparents visiting every summer with their trailer attatched ( heavy duty, biiig truck needed, deseil, associate the smell with their visits to this day, and the characteristic sound of the idiling engine ) and working with my Engineer ( Computer Science + UI Design, Electrical, HVAC, Boiler operation and troubleshooting, specialization in retrofitting old buildings with large multifloor airflow systems with minimal disturbance to the original structure, later trained to supervise new construction + oversee and assist in the labor of installation on site ) Dad to plan, construct, and install home and barnyard improvements / modifications / upgrades.

Not only were the blocks I played with from age 6 months to 14 years old made from scrap wood with the edges sanded off to make em kiddo safe, I was often Around as Dad and Grandpa were drawing on grid paper, discussing weight distribution, load bearing beams, when a box support is needed, how the square design of a box support is modified and how measurements on paper became the pieces that made a whole heckin chicken coop in one summer. As I got older I was trusted to read off those measurements so no one had to come down off a ladder to check things, and read the tape measure from the bottom and call out appropriate adjustments before a trim line is drawn. Dad goes down, Grandpa goes up, he checks the measurement again and makes his own mark. If they match, they cut. If they don't, they discuss how they made the measurement to troubleshoot why they got different results, and then we did it again to ensure understanding had been reached.

Measure until its consistant, accept human error, accept it happens All The Time, and check things until You Are Certain. THEN trim material.

A similar addage is learned in sewing; measure twice, cut once.

Mathamatics teaches guess and check, a handy principal in fibercrafts of all kinds.

Those scrap blocks I mentioned? Taught me about mechanical forces like gravity, friction, weight distribution across multiple shapes and which shapes built up best without falling over or bracing; all principals I applied later not only in crafting DIY stuff around the house but also within my artistic practice when imagining and arting locations, clothing, and people.

A lot of practical knowledge gets locked behind the barrier of Theoretical Physics ( i.e when its just numbers on paper Theorizing On How A Thing May Work In Real Space ) before an institution will let ya get your brain onto some real instruction. But there's a lotta things you can do to learn these things in your own home, and most are forms of play or creative hobbies.

Near everything you do with your body and brain together benifits both, in skill and theorizing on future intentions as they go from an idea to something others can SEE and sometimes even HOLD IN THEIR HANDS.

I still firmly beleive the ability to idiate upon something until one figures out How To Show It To Someone Else is truely the closest humans get to Actual Magic, and exists somewhere within everything people make or actuate with their physical person. And I think that undefinable Magic is what we call Art. The Arts. Crafting, creative, visual, audio, narrative, culinary, woodworks, masonry, smithing, fiberworks, fabrics, tailoring, and more than I even know to name because the catagory of Things People Imagine And Then Make Real is PRETTY FREAKIN WIDE.

These things are not sperate from the "hard" bodies of study and practice, math used to be considered magical and esoteric, and only became respectable when Accurate Measurement caused less people to die at the Apothocary, birthing the More Respectable Alchemist, and later into just Chemist-- all based on Math; an imagined system applied to the real world, bounded on proven precepts that are applied over and over and over to LITERALLY ANYTHING we can try it on to see If It Still Tracks Or We Missed Something-- thus why Gravity Is A Theory, and why Theory is one of the strongest words in scientific study, physics, and so on; it means It has Survived Years Of Genuine And Strenious Testing, Found Every Way It Was Wrong, And Continue Tweaking And Testing And CALIBRATING Our Imagined Incraments To Measure The World And Think More Accurately About Future Intentions.

Like the practice of all crafts and arts.

I guess this is Art Theory now? 🤷🏼

[transmalewife]

does anyone have any leftist reading on the subject of tourism to recommend? Specifically about how travel for fun, education, sport, friendship or whatever might work in a communist or anarchist or socialist society. Because like yeah, open borders or no borders whatever, cool. But that usually only gets discussed in the context of permanent immigration

Idk I guess I just find it hard to imagine how it could be organized since where I live the most obvious ways capitalism has made things worse over my lifetime have all happened because of and through the lens of tourism. Rents literally doubling over the last five years, while the standard of living falls because apartments are bought, split into tiny pieces and renovated to accomodate a couple days of living at most. The specific kind of gentrification that is NOT being pushed out by richer people moving in permanently, who might cause more expensive shops and services to replace the affordable ones, but do still need the basic necessities everyone does to live. Instead, all hairdressers, repair shops, clothing stores (especially thrift shops), pharmacies, post offices etc etc close and are replaced by luxury boutiques, clubs and stores whre you can only buy snacks, alcohol and microwave meals. Restaurants and bars hiking up prices because most of their clients come from places with stronger currencies etc etc.

At the same time though I believe travel is a crucial part of a fulfilling life for most if not all people. I believe people have the right to see and appreciate the culture and history of other places and also like... maybe go somewhere warmer and lay on the beach sometimes, even if they prefer to live and work somewhere colder. Or go skiing even if they chose to live somewhere warm and without mountains. Or even just like... vacation in a big city if they live in the countryside and vice versa. Or pop over to another continent to visit an online friend maybe. Although obviously intercontinental travel would have to be hugely limited until and unless we find ways to do it that don't destroy our planet.

At the same time some precautions do have to be taken to protect historical and especially sacred sites. Like, I don't think endless crowds should be allowed to trample through historical buildings and also open borders obviously doesn't mean white tourists get to go camping on Uluru. But on some level I do believe everyone who wants to should get to see Venice at least once in their life. But that's probably not feasible so like... who gets to decide? On what merit? Are historians, artists, journalists privileged? Or should it be a lottery?

Also I think there's a significant amount of tourism that would simply die out if going to that place wasn't a status symbol. Like you cannot convince me that if you spend 2 weeks by the pool in an enclosed luxury resort it makes a difference that it's on Hawaii rather than like... in florida. And then theres places like the Hamptons. What the fuck is the point of the Hamptons, other than bragging rights?

Obviously I know none of this is even remotely the main pressing issue to solve about a potential communist society, but then again, that's why I'm asking for reading materials, because it so rarely gets discussed. I mean I bet Marx wrote about it, which, great, point me to the relevant fragments please and I'll have a look but also this is an issue where a modern perspective would be really important. I don't think Marx, for all his wisdom, really has a solution to "what are the ethics of taking an 8 hour flight to visit a tumblr mutual".

Or maybe this whole thing is me being cynical and this is another place where things would sort of just regulate themselves. Anyway. Send me reading recs and let's very unscientifically try to check if it could work. Do try to be honest, like I've been several times as a kid and I would still go again in a heartbeat.

btw the goal of the poll is to get some kind of percentage that can be compared with the world population and how many tourists venice can support per year, though I obviously know tumblr skews mainly american and european

[spidey-bie]

The Beginning

–A Star Is Born

A/N: Grammar is for chumps.

Summary: These two songs represent Ansi's beginnings as a child star.

My Reasonings: I chose a popular song by Shirley Temple to mark the rise of Ansi's child stardom.

A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes is the first song that Cinderella sings in her movie. The main theme of the song is that despite the pain you're currently facing you can't give up the hope that things will change for the better. At this point of Ansi's life she feels the same as Cinderella because she believes this change in her life is only temporary. This song also illustrates Ansi's childhood naivety. She thinks that it won't be long before her life goes back to normal despite the obvious signs that it won't.

Lore: Ansi had always been a tech genius. By the time she learned how to count she was already typing out zeros and ones. Her programming abilities only improved as her father taught her more advanced skills. By the time she turned ten she was more versed in computer code than some senior programmers at Alchemax.

She was so good that her father started bringing her to his job at the Midwestern Alchemax branch. (That and the fact that she was driving her mother, who was attempting to homeschool her, insane.)

Nobody actually believed in her abilities. They thought that she was just a privileged brat that they were being forced to babysit. There were some who had more aggressive opinions that they didn't even try to hide. Ansi had become very familiar with the hushed whispers and dirty looks whenever she entered a room. (She also had to deal with racial prejudice since she was one of the few black people on site.) 

Most of the time they just ignored her. The few who pitied her gave her small and meaningless tasks (which only took her a couple of seconds to complete). She never complained to her father about it being surrounded by tech was enough for her. 

However, things changed the day a computer worm infected Alchemax's server. It started off slow. Desktops were running slower than usual. But many assumed it was due the precarious nature of the weather in the Midwest. It was impossible for their systems to be breached (Despite Ansi's constant warnings about the major weaknesses in their system). But it wasn't long before the slowness of the desktops went from a minor inconvenience to completely unusable. Panic began to spread across the facility. No one knew the cause of the worm or how it spread. The only thing they could do was stop it before it got to the super computer. Fortunately, Ansi's laptop was the only one unaffected since no one ever connected it to the mainframe. They all watched in awe as she effortlessly took down a computer worm that took the entire programming staff days to just slow it down. If Ansi didn't interfere they would've lost billions of dollars worth of tech. And yet in just a couple of hours Ansi was not only able to get rid of it but completely reverse the state of the infected computers. 

(It's quite easy to take down a worm that you created yourself.)

After such a miraculous feat people had to acknowledge her abilities. Soon she was put on bigger projects and given more difficult tasks. She was well known throughout the facility as their very own Coding Princess.

She was almost always at Alchemax. Even when her mother gave up and put her in public school she still went after classes. However, there was always one day in the year where her father refused to let her go with him to work. She knew why. It was the day of the annual progress report. 

The one day in the year where the head of Alchemax came to check out their tiny facilities. 

The one day in the year where her grandfather visited the area. 

(Somehow he always found time for work but could never find time to say hello to his own family.)

She didn't know why her father was so against her grandfather learning about her abilities, but she never pressed him about it. Sometimes she wonders what he would've said if she had asked. At the very least she would've been prepared for what was to come.

No one had expected the director's surprise visit. 

Somehow he'd gotten wind of the virus outbreak that had almost compromised the entire database and he was absolutely livid. 

Ansi knew of her grandfather's temper but she had never seen the man so red in the face. It wasn't long before he went from fuming to actively hostile, Ansi felt bad for the innocent workers who were standing near him. 

After leaving them bruised and bloodied he finally calmed down and said that everyone who worked that day would be fired unless Ansi went back to Seattle with him.

Ansi didn't care too much about the people working there but she still agreed. (It's one of the tech capitals of the US. Of course she was gonna say yes.)

Her mother was overjoyed to finally get recognition from her father while her father was absolutely terrified. He knew what the director was capable of but he was powerless. Assistant director was just an empty title given to him because he was the son-in-law of the director.

So begins Ansi's hellish life as the super genius child star, Niya.

[teecupangel]

I've been seeing Wesker fanart on my dash lately (Resident Evil) and, I don't have any direction I intend for this to go but, what if Wesker was Clay's older cousin? Who has always come off a little weird and creepy to Clay, but feeds into his need for *someone* to acknowledge how smart and capable he is. And then one day Wesker goes to check on the boy--bright, worthless father, keep an eye on for future potential--and he's just, vanished. Eye witnesses say an older gentleman began visiting him at his work site, and then he just disappeared, never to be seen again.

Well. Wesker can't very well let that stand, now can he.

It is time for me to dust off my knowledge of Resident Evil lore!

So…

The thing about Wesker is that he’s actually part of a project to genetically modify children into becoming ‘superhumans’, the next step to human evolution. Children were adopted (more or less) and given the surname Wesker and then they were experimented on.

Albert Wesker is simply one of the ‘successful’ ones.

And, and, and…

If we take in consideration that Albert Wesker’s birthdate is around 1960s, Clay being born in 1982 means, for this to work, Wesker isn’t Clay’s older cousin.

He’s Clay’s uncle.

And there’s really no information about Wesker’s life before he became a ‘Wesker’ so we can play around with it.

Let’s say he was Clay’s father’s younger brother, the brighter of the two, the apple of their parents’ eyes. He was taken from his family because he showed potential, told the parents that they would take care of him, make him live up to his potential, the whole propaganda.

So Clay’s father had to live in his younger brother’s shadow the entire time. Perhaps his family fell apart after Wesker’s ‘adoption’, maybe the cycle of abuse started when Clay’s father couldn’t be the child Wesker had been. It does not excuse what his father did to him. It does not excuse the pain that Clay had gone thru.

But it’s what drove Wesker to check up on him.

Call it lingering sentiment.

Call it a weakness.

Call it the possibility of another ‘child’ that Wesker wanted to check before he begins the final stage of Uroboros.

Either way, he introduces himself as Albert Kaczmarek and they start to talk. Clay thinks he wants to build bridges with his father but Albert had long thought of his older brother as a lost cause.

But Clay?

Clay had potential.

And Wesker always liked to have all the cards.

So when Clay disappeared?

Well…

The other projects Wesker had in hand could be pushed for now until he finds his dear… nephew.

Unorganized Notes:

RE and AC lore needs to be played around. The most ‘pressing one’ would be the timeline of events as Uroboros is meant to be finished in 2009 and Clay was approached by Bill in 2010. That’s easy to do. Just make Uroboros have a few more setbacks and delays because Wesker got ‘distracted’.

As usual, all the viruses are derived from failed Isu experiments.

Considering ‘superhuman’ is more or less connected to the Isus in AC lore, this means Spencer was trying to recreate Isus using children.

This also means that Wesker has higher than normal Isu genes (those glowing eyes? Yeah, definitely him having some form of Eagle Vision)

It would be so, so easy to make Umbrella = Abstergo but to change things up, let’s make Umbrella and Abstergo rivals, the two big pharmaceutical companies (it really says a lot about humanity that pharmaceutical companies are easy targets of “yeah, those guys! Definitely evil corps!”)

Umbrella knows about the Templars and the Assassins but they’re in the whole “I stay in my lane, you stay out of mine”.

This does mean that the world of AC would know about bioweapons and all of Umbrella’s dirty secrets but that’s fine. I mean, Wesker is more or less doing shit on his own anyway.

Ngl, I like the idea of Clay meeting Jake just for the sheer exhaustion and sass Clay would do as he becomes Jake’s minder I mean cousin.

Oh. This means Wesker is Ezio’s descendant………

[ihearasong]

Ok so i am planning on trying out the free trial of final Fantasy 14 in 2 months and i was wondering. Since you're really good at it may i have some tips? Some do's and don'ts?...also how 2 romance Urianger (And nooo! This is definetly NOT an excuse to hear you talk about Final Fantasy what are you talking about!)

Aaa, I'm glad you're thinking about trying out the free trial! The game is lots of fun, and the free trial includes the Stormblood expansion now! In two years...it will include Shadowbringers, one of the best expansions... e v e

Anyway, here's some advice:

Make sure to choose the right server. While world visit and data center travel are now a thing so you can play with friends who are on different servers and datacenters (though this is limited to logical datacenter [NA vs EU vs JP vs OC]), it's more fun and less stressful to be on the same server as your friends, and you can also be in the same free company (guild) together as long as you're on the same server, too! My advice if you don't know anyone playing the game that you want to play with is to choose a low population server (you can check server population on sites like this). You can see that some worlds are listed as "congested." Avoid those, because if a friend ever decides to join you, they're going to have a hell of a time getting onto the same server as you due to character creation and transfer services being disabled for congested worlds.

---

While FFXIV is an MMO, you can play completely solo if you wish thanks to the Trust system implemented in Shadowbringers. That being said, I still recommend choosing to run dungeons with other players, because they can help explain mechanics, give helpful tips on how to play your job, and you can even make friends! People in FF are generally friendly and forgiving if you make mistakes. That said, if you choose to play with people, you need to keep in mind DUNGEON ETIQUETTE.

If you're the tank (blue class icon), it's your job to turn on your tank stance, go first, grab enemies, keep them off your teammates, turn bosses away from your teammates, and interrupt certain enemy abilities that cause their castbar to flash red.

If you're the healer (green class icon), it's your job to stay behind the tank, DO NOT GRAB ENEMIES BEFORE THE TANK, keep the tank healed when they're fighting enemies since they should be taking most of the damage, heal yourself and the rest of your party when damage is taken, and try to dps in between healing.

If you're a DPS, your job is to stay behind the tank, DO NOT GRAB ENEMIES BEFORE THE TANK, attack the same enemy that the tank is attacking (when there are 2 enemies), use your AoE (area of effect/multitarget) abilities on 3+ enemies, and focus your attacks on enemies that need to be taken down first (helpful parties will mark a giant 1 over the head of enemies that need to die quickly).

Things that all three roles need to do are keep mindful of fight mechanics, try to take as little damage as possible, and in general just be polite.

---

When you're start the game, you'll be told to go to the same guild as whatever class you chose (Lancer, Archer, Pugilist, etc). Though the story doesn't require you to do anything aside from talk to the guild receptionist briefly, I STRONGLY recommend speaking to them a second time to actually join the guild, because many of your best abilities are locked behind guild quests.

Your guild will also assign you a Hunting Log, which marks enemies in the wild as hunting targets. When you kill however many it requests, you get a chunk of EXP, so Hunting Logs are very useful for gaining levels in the beginning of the game.

---

When you reach level 15 and unlock your first dungeon, there's a building to the right of the dungeon that an NPC recommends you check out. Inside that building you'll meet The Smith, who offers lessons on how proper fight and party etiquette in a dungeon. Even if you come from another MMO, know all there is to know about dungeon etiquette, or anything like that, I STRONGLY recommend you do these lessons regardless of any reasons. The reason for this is because completing these lessons not only gives you gear that's very good for its level, but at the end it also gives you a 30% exp boost ring.

---

Make sure to click on and attune to every single aetheryte/miniature aetheryte you see in a zone or a town. Attuning to large aetherytes give you the ability to teleport to them from anywhere, which not only comes in handy, but if you leave a zone without attuning and then the story wants you to go all the way back, you gotta walk, m'dude. Miniature aetherytes within towns allow you to click on them and teleport throughout the town's aethernet to other mini aetherytes (or the large one at the town center.) Attuning to every single mini aetheryte in a town unlocks the ability to teleport straight to the gates of the town and into whatever neighboring zone you need.

---

That's all I can think of at the moment (I have a migraine again, sorry), but I strongly recommend playing with a friend who already knows the game so that you can have real time help when you need it.

[travellers-log-lawrence]

I've been following your logs pretty much since you started broadcasting them. It's always nice to see a traveler find their footing in this expansive universe. Some are like you, full of wonder and optimism, others become disillusioned after having a particularly unfortunate series of events. But I don't think I've ever seen one do what you have done and share their progress publicly.

We Travelers seem to be a solitary kind. Or at least so I have observed. I don't know how many there are of us and with dozens upon dozens of galaxies each with billions of systems to explore, I think that's it's pretty much guaranteed that you will never run into another Traveler outside the Anomaly.

I hope I haven't overwhelmed you with the prospect of how incomprehensibly large the unknown is. The universe is vast and full of wonders, count yourself lucky for being one them.

Now, before I send out this transmission, I want to tell you a few things about myself, and also one of my biggest regrets:

Just like you, I'm not sure how I got here and I have no recollection who or if I was before I became a Traveler.

I've been a member of a few communities consisting of fellow Travelers, most of whom had decided to settle down on a planet. Wanderlust has always pulled me away from these found families. I don't regret saying goodbye, but I will forever regret the pain my leaving has caused, for them and for me.

One time I found the grave of a Traveler on a planet plagued by a constant ice storm. The grave was mere metres away from a crashed starship. I built a memorial in the area, to celebrate their life and all other lives similarly cut too short. Last checked, other Travelers had visited this site, sharing similar stories. There also seems to be an unspoken agreement to not lay claim to the crashed ship, lest we disturb the final resting place a friend we never got to meet.

Sometimes I like to put valuable items in the pockets of distracted Travelers while I'm aboard the Anomaly. I've been around for so long now that Units and Nanites mean little to me anymore and so I'd rather give them to someone who can make better use of them. And if they don't want the items? Well, they're always welcome to destroy them. I'm not going to miss that Stasis Device either way.

That ship you found not long after you awoke? I suggest you keep it, even if you no longer have a need for it. I made the mistake of salvaging it for parts not long after buying a ship from a Gek at an outpost we both landed at. I may own six different star ships and even my own freighter, but none of them feel like home just like my Radiant Pillar did. I miss it dearly.

I'm going to stop recording now, it's already a lot longer than I intended. For what it's worth, I do hope that you find Artemis. Nada has been worried sick ever since they went missing.

May we one day meet, I'd love to show you some of the things I've discovered.

I.. I don't know what to say.

[Archer sounds audibly choked up.]

I've listened to this on repeat a few times, and I just.. thank you. For sharing all of that. I can't tell you how much less alone I feel after listening to this--after listening to all the broadcasts I've been getting.

And thank you again. For the advice. I haven't even thought about getting another ship yet, but I'll hold even tighter to mine. It's small, it's cramped, but it's been my home since I woke up. Especially since I'm too broke to afford a new one yet.

I hope we meet someday, too. Maybe I'll have some discoveries to show you.. maybe take you to see Novil's moon.

Maybe I can take Artemis there, too.

[southeastasiadiary]

Day Twenty-Eight: All Good Things Must Come to an End; Final Thoughts

The itinerary for this last day was to include a visit to the Jim Thompson House and then my transfer to the airport for the flight home. But since I’d already visited the Jim Thompson House on the day I arrived in Bangkok, I had the entire day to myself.

So, I decided to divide it (like Caesar's Gaul) into three parts. First thing in the morning, while it was still cool (or more accurately, when it was only blazingly hot but not to the point where it would cause you to combust spontaneously), I decided to take a stroll around Bangkok’s Chinatown because my hotel was right in the middle of it.

Here is about one minute of a three-minute stroll through the morning market:

If you want to see the full three-minute clip, you’ll need to go to shared photo album. I’m delighted to bring you the sights and sounds out this market, but not (fortunately or not) the aromas.

Of course, what Chinatown would be complete without a Mister Hotdog directly across the street from a Texas Suki and a shop selling “Authentic Chinese Cuisine”?

And it’s always nice to be reminded that “We are a part of your delicious.”

In my walk, I chanced upon a small neighborhood shrine

that was complete with gifts, which had just been brought there by people on their way to work that morning.

Then, a bit later, I saw this lovely statue of Confucius

and a singularly elegant spirit house with a prang on top.

The non-random part of my walk was my one pre-determined destination: the Wat Traimit,

Temple of the Golden Buddha.

Now perhaps, if you’ve been keeping up with this blog, this must be a temple of a golden Buddha since you've already seem more than your fair share of golden Buddhas. Ah, but here’s the difference. All the other golden Buddhas were made of other materials and then covered with gold leaf. This particular Buddha is solid gold, 15’9” high and 12’5” wide, weighing 5.5 tons … of solid gold. In times of invasion, the statue was covered with plaster so that it would look less valuable than it was.

In time, since the statue looked as though it was merely made of plaster, people forgot what was inside. Only in 1955, when there were plans to move the statue from another site to here at the Wat Traimit, did some of the plaster fall off, and it became clear that underneath a shallow façade was a virtual mountain of gold.

And today, if you like, you can buy a pre-packaged bottle of holy water at the temple for only twenty baht.

After visiting the Golden Buddha, I returned to the hotel for breakfast, a shower, and a brief rest before checking out.

The second part of the day has not yet occurred, but I need to post this entry now while I have access to the Internet. Since I’ve yet to experience Thai massage or, for that matter, any massage in Southeast Asia, I've booked a few hours in a spa this afternoon between my check-out time and my departure for the airport. Thai massage is one of the things that people often talk about after visiting Bangkok, and I have a few empty hours on my hands, so …

When booking the appointment I told them that my spa visit would occur shortly before a thirty-hour flight back home, so I wanted to feel “clean and refreshed but also relaxed.” They assured me they have “just the thing.” (When do businesses not have “just the thing” when you make an inquiry?) I'll be in for a body cleanse and scrub, followed by a gentle aromatherapy massage.

We’ll see how that goes. If you truly want to know, ask me in person sometime.

Now, the third part of my day will be to engage in a bit of post-trip reflection. And I've already given that topic a lot of thought during my walkabout this morning. So, here goes.

This experience in Southeast Asia was one of my long-term goals. You might even say it was a life goal. At least, it was something I'd talked about for years and felt I absolutely needed to do. So, life goal accomplished!

But here's the funny thing about life goals. Once you achieve them, you have mixed feelings. On the one hand, there's a major sense of accomplishment. On the other, it feels as though a milestone in life has now past, and you wonder whether there will ever be other goals that you’ll long for quite that much. Not to exaggerate, but it feels as though a part of your life is now over and that you’ve passed one more signpost on the road toward mortality.

I remind myself that I’d had similar feelings before. When I was very young, my life goal had been to get a Ph.D. and become a college professor. (Seriously. I remember telling people this as early as fifth grade.) Then, when I was 26 and had achieved that goal, I thought, “Well, now what?”

Other goals came along, of course. There was a period when, if people asked whether I had a “bucket list,” I’d say, “I want to do three things. See the pyramids in Egypt, visit Kyoto, and attend the Wagner festival at Bayreuth.” Then, by a strange turn of fate, I did all three of those things within the same six-month period and again thought, “Now what?”

But there was always that Southeast Asia trip left for me to plan. So, now it's over. Okay, now what?

The honest answer is “I don’t know” but also “I’m sure I’ll think of something. I always have.”

As this trip comes to an end, I find myself reminded of that article I mentioned on Day Nine: “The Case Against Travel.” The author’s argument was that people always say they travel because travel changes them, but everyone returns from a trip no different from the person they were before setting out.

So, am I the same person I was before this trip?

Absolutely.

But I don’t really think that’s the point. Certainly, there can be zen-like, blinding flashes of insight during a trip, like a flash of gold appearing from beneath a thin façade of plaster. I already mentioned once being in Rome and realizing, “Oh! That’s what Horace meant in his poetry!” and never seeing his works in the same way again. But those experiences are rare.

More often, travel changes you slowly over time. You don’t see those changes in a single day, a single week, or even a single year. Rather it’s like the slow polishing of a stone into a statue. It takes time. It happens almost imperceptibly. And eventually you realize that you actually aren’t the same person you were before. You’ve broadened your perspective, left behind a few assumptions, and made connections between ideas you never would've made before.

That’s a good thing.

No. I'm wrong.

That’s a great thing.

In fact, as far as I’m concerned, it’s one of the best things a person can do.

And I wonder where I’ll go next and how that experience might change me.

I can't wait.

[asking-jude]

Hi, um first off, I hope you are having a good day. So, I have been having the worst panic attacks recently. Whenever something terrible happens and these are usually things that happen so far away, I feel awful and scared for the people that could be effected by it. However, I can’t really do anything about it because I don’t have the ability too. I then I feel terrible. I feel useless. Like, I’m not worth anything because I can’t help. There are certain things I can do. I just get the sensation that have to be a big hero and swoop in and help everyone. I’m no Superman though. I see so many people fighting against it because they have the power to do more than I can, that’s wonderful. Also, there’s so much news feeds nowadays that can’t tell what’s real or fake. It’s confusing and scary. I get so angry with myself

Do you want free, fast mental health help? Visit askingjude.org.

Hey there,

I hope you’re having a good day too!

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been experiencing anxiety recently. What you’re describing sounds like an intense feeling of helplessness, which is understandable considering how easily news can circulate on social media nowadays. Your feelings are completely valid, especially concerning events outside of your control. I can tell you have compassion for others and a desire to help, which is admirable. It’s important, however, to remember that you don’t have to be a superhero to make a difference in someone’s life. When things feel overwhelming and outside of your control, know that even small acts of kindness can have a positive impact on the world. Sometimes just listening to someone or making a small donation to a cause you care about can make a significant change. Depending on where you are in life, you could also consider going into a career field that involves activism and advocacy. Even volunteering can help you channel your frustration into positive action. As long as these activities feel manageable, there is potential for growth. I know it can be infuriating, but it’s important to recognize your limitations and focus on what you can do, no matter how insignificant it may feel.

These websites might help you find new ideas for some small activities that can ease the sense of powerlessness you’ve been feeling: https://shorturl.at/bLY12; https://shorturl.at/cmN26.  

It’s tough to navigate the constant barrage of news sites and channels, especially when it’s getting harder and harder to know what is real and what is biased. There are many news outlets that spread sensationalized information or even misinformation. Try to seek out news and information from reputable sources and fact-check claims that you come across. Being able to understand what’s actually happening rather than the narrative of certain outlets can help you better evaluate the situation. Having the full context of the story will likely help ease some of the anxiety or stress you are experiencing. Stay informed, but always be cautious and critical of what you read or watch.

Here are a few websites that you might find helpful. The first link provides a list of credible news sources. The second should help you better understand how to spot fake news when you see it: https://shorturl.at/dAMN6; https://shorturl.at/ghnM4. 

Taking breaks and limiting your exposure to social media and news can also help you manage your anxiety about these subjects. I know it may seem like you’ll be out of the loop or unable to help, but putting your mental and physical health first is essential. Paying too much attention to negativity can make it harder for you to direct your energy into positive actions. Focus on self-care and maintaining a healthy balance in your life. It can often seem impossible not to doom-scroll or continually consume negative news. This cycle can drain your emotional energy and increase stress. It's fantastic that you want to help, but remember that taking care of yourself is also important. You could try setting a time limit for how long you spend scrolling through social media or news websites. You can also engage in activities that help you relax and recharge, like meditation, exercise, journaling, or spending time with loved ones. This article might be helpful if the idea of doom-scrolling is relatable to you: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/doomscrolling/. 

Panic attacks are incredibly distressing, and it’s unfortunate that you’re currently struggling with them. Always remember that there are resources available that can help you navigate this situation. Try to practice self-compassion and be patient with yourself. If you are still struggling, it could be beneficial to reach out to trusted friends and family or a licensed counselor or therapist. This is an important step in managing your anxiety. You shouldn’t have to feel this way, and you certainly don’t have to deal with it on your own. If you ever feel overwhelmed enough to require immediate support, follow this link to find free, 24/7, confidential assistance: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

The following articles should help you learn more about dealing with news anxiety: https://shorturl.at/iAKZ4; https://shorturl.at/tyI17; https://shorturl.at/hwKP2; https://tinyurl.com/mtmwxp7a; https://shorturl.at/lBQUW. 

This article also provides a few things you can try when you feel hopeless: https://shorturl.at/iwIWZ. 

These articles offer information that can help guide you through your panic attacks: https://tinyurl.com/m8mfdsu7; https://tinyurl.com/3dyrmykw. 

Finally, if you require more assistance coping with this feeling of powerlessness, then these articles can help you set healthy boundaries and better understand your feelings: https://shorturl.at/uzW89; https://shorturl.at/eGIT9; https://shorturl.at/rwyIS. 

I hope that you found some of this information helpful. Please feel free to reach out to Asking Jude again if there is anything else you’d like to share. 

Be safe and be kind,

Mikayla

Ask a question here.

[themascarasnakeuniverse]

An introverts journey towards ghosts.

I was able to wake early the morning of the trip. I have not been an early riser since I discovered beer and being awake at such an hour felt like a minor triumph. I had stayed away from the pub the previous night for that reason. I wanted to be in a fit state mentally and physically. However I did not want to be on the road too early. Having a job with antisocial hours means I am often off when schools are open. The plan was to leave between nine thirty and ten in the morning. That way I would miss the initial rush hour and the later school traffic.

After a pretty healthy breakfast and a cup of coffee I checked my bag. I wanted to take my camera. My good camera. The spare phone charger and battery pack where also in place. I left my flat and went to my car. Whilst I do like to plan and have a routine to a certain extent I am happy to leave certain things to change. I fixed my phone to the holder on the dashboard and opened the map app. I typed in the town, not a specific postcode, just the destination town and selected the first route it offered me. I pulled out of my road with a smile on my face knowing I had a couple of hours to myself with just my podcasts for company.

Doubts crept into my mind as I travelled along the motorway. I had chosen to study in a shitty and backwards little town and that was one of the factors that caused me sadness now. I realised I was driving past more interesting cities to visit a backwater, a place with little to recommend it. If I was going to go on a one day road trip it might as well be to a city or at least a prettier town. I made a mental note. Visit these cities for a mini break. It would be possible to get good late deals on hotel rooms and this car would easily get me there. Something to look forward to.

When my family used to drive me to and from university I did not take much notice of the route. I either slept or read. I was not expecting my map app to take me over a particularly impressive bridge. “Another excuse to visit the nearby cities for a break” I thought. Come back with your camera. Get some good shots. Explore with a fresh state of mind. Today is for your ghosts.

When I was working my part time job as a student some colleagues where from a nearby smaller town. As I progressed I noticed the road signs and decided to make a detour. These people where not always nice to be around. I heard them talk about me behind my back. When things where going wrong, even if that was not my doing I’d be in the firing line for a bollocking. Also, as a student I was an outsider. They belonged in that county and I did not. Whilst it was not said explicitly it was hinted at. “What does their hometown look like?” I thought as I turned off the map app and followed the road signs.

The first thing I noticed was a massive industrial site that dominated the skyline. Judging by the architecture housing had been built to serve this behemoth. There did not seem to be much else in this town. It made my destination look like a metropolis, like the big smoke. As I continued, looking for a town centre of sorts I happened across a Tesco and small shopping arcade. After parking I looked at the other shops. Most of them where boarded up. The only ones active where a chemist, a charity shop and a branch of Subway. As I needed a toilet I went in and ordered a cup of tea. It was obvious that in this town Subway took the place of Costa or even a greasy spoon cafe in this town. The other customers where sat with drinks. Not a sandwich was in evidence. A rather looking rough woman was complaining to her friend how “the social” had stopped her benefits. I drank up and walked the length of the rather optimistically named “shopping arcade.” Was this the only thing in the town? As I came to the street entrance I realised that was the case. All I could see was houses. Grim post war characterless boxes. And there where many of them. A lot of fuck all. I made my way back to my car past boarded up retail units.

As I reset the map app to my original destination I thought “no wonder the people I worked with from this town were idiots.” This was the type of place I had gone to university to avoid. The type of bland, boring and uninspiring town that made me want to eat my own head. Doubtless there would be people here who would be proud of it. What horrible and unexamined lives they must lead.

[tarzantips]

Do These Tooth Extraction Aftercare Tips At Home

Have you recently undergone or going to undergo a teeth removal (teeth extraction)? Want to know what are all the tooth extraction aftercare things to remember to avoid pain or infection in the removed teeth region? Then you are landing in the correct place.

Take five minutes to know how elements are required in managing aftercarefor non-infectious healing.

Check this top 5 reasons that are responsible for tooth removal step,

Severely decayed teeth

Half-broken teeth

Decayed wisdom teeth

Root canal failure tooth

Shaking teeth

Tooth Extraction Aftercare at Home

Once your tooth removed, it is important to follow the basic steps to prevent any further infection or pain in the region related to the site,

1. Cold pack compression

After extraction, there are chances of swelling extra-orally in the site related to the extracted teeth. Cold compression ensures the swelling does not increase and helps in reducing pain. The extra-oral ice pack compression is advised only one day that is the day when the tooth has been removed.

Ingredients: Ice pack and cloth

How to Prepare: Cover the ice pack or ice cube in a cloth and apply this pack on the face where the swelling is visible.

How Often: Keep the ice pack for a minute and remove. Repeat this ten times. Follow this method three times a day and stop using the next day.

2. Avoid spitting and eating a dairy product

You need to make sure that, the tooth removal site does not get infected, it is important not to spit on the same day of the extraction. The reason behind this is that preventing dislodgment of the blood pooled in the site of the tooth socket. Also, milk can create bacteria when consumed. So, we need to avoid those refrains from any infection.

Tips: Avoid milk and citrus fruit. Eat only soft and easy breakdown food.

3. Gargling Solution

Follow and consider the saltwater after three days of extraction is important. This method will make sure that no bacterial infections come in the way of healing.

Ingredients: Salt two teaspoons, lukewarm water

How to Prepare: Mix salt in lukewarm glass of water

How Often: Gargle with this mixture for a good one minute. Do not rinse vigorously. Follow this method for two to three days.

Read: Naturally Soothe and Heal Swollen Gums - Effective Home Remedies That Work

4. Avoid Smoke and Alcohol

Smoking and drinking will cause hindrance in smooth healing. Smoking creates pressure in the tooth removed region; this in turn increases the probability of pain and discomfort. Alcohol hinders antibiotic activity; this will slow the healing process.

Rule: Quit smoking and alcohol for seven days after teeth extraction

Tips: Drink plain water or any juice instead.

5. Say ‘NO’ straw to drink

Using a straw to drink the juice right after tooth extraction causes dislodgment of the blood clot in relation to the removed tooth region. Any pressure applied to the oral cavity is directly to slow healing time.

Rule: Use a cup to drink juice

Tips: drinking normally instead of using the sucking method.

When should I consult a dentist again?

Did you undergo tooth removal a week ago and still suffering from pain and discomfort? The discomfort can be like an inability to open the mouth, chewing the food using the extracted side of the teeth region.  Then, please visit the Dentist immediately to reduce the discomfort.

continue >>>

[littleorangecutie]

I'm too frail

Going to be talking about some heavy stuff related to being autistic and being too interested in a fictional character/property/etc. CW for mentions of mental health, pr0ship and SH.

I've never been one to really read fan fiction. I don't really know why, that's just how it is. But something compelled me to visit AO3. Morbid curiosity I guess. And well, let's just say my visit ended in an episode and thoughts of SH. I had a problem with SH maybe 5 years ago or so? I rarely ever get thoughts of it in the present.

I didn't end up doing anything but by visiting that site I made myself extremely upset on purpose. Like, I need to be able to step back and just stay out of places where I know nothing good is going to come of them. Or like, there may be something good but it's buried under layers upon layers of things that can cause me to relapse. Like idk it's embarrassing to me how seeing other people get off on the idea of torturing/violating my comfort character who isn't even real can cause me to go back to my darkest place. I don't consider myself a prude or a puritan or anything. Fictional violence/gore almost never fazes me even though irl if I witness even so much as a street fight with a little bit of blood, I can't stop shaking for an hour. As far proship topics go, I must avoid them at all costs as they are a detriment to my real world health.

It can feel so nice to be passionate about something. To have something that inspires you to create and get excited about and want to see if others have felt the same way about it too. But it also really hurts. That's why I need to keep myself in check.

So uh, I'm going to step back for a bit. Peace ✌️