#i highly recommend reading the ama too | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dokidokivisual · 4 years

Text

Gochiusa BLOOM episode 3 impressions

Previously: episode 2, episode 1 (seriously, the number of notes on ep 2 review is too low...)

Welcome to another review of Gochuumon wa usagi desu ka? BLOOM. In this episode, the series explores a topic it rarely touched previously, which is school life. Unlike many similar slice-of-life series, Gochiusa rarely concerned itself with such a mundane setting, preferring the ambience of cafés and cobblestone streets. There were a few exceptions, such as the first half of season 2 episode 10, but this is the first episode fully dedicated to a school setting.

Another distinguishing trait of Gochiusa is that the group of main characters attends not one, but several different schools. In particular, there are two high schools: a “normal” one attended by Cocoa and Chiya, and an “elite” one attended by Sharo and Rize. Moreover, there’s a group of middle school characters on the verge of graduating. As such, the question of which high school will Chino, Maya and Megu eventually choose was bound to come to the forefront at some point. And that’s exactly what happens in this episode.

There’s a lot of interesting stuff to discuss, so let’s get down to business...

The episode opens with a shot of Aoyama Blue Mountain on a boat, which also appears in the beginning of season 1 episode 1. By the way before COVID you could totally ride a boat like this in Colmar. Just watch your head...

Yeah, this is under the bridge from season 2 ED. Filmed by me.

Anyway, I’m being sidetracked. What’s important is that this is the only shot where you could tell it’s morning, because of the angle of the shadow from the bridge. It is indeed morning, and we see Cocoa and Chino walking down to school. Seems the summer vacation is over and it’s already September? Cocoa, the self-described pikka-pika no onee-chan, tries to coerce Chino into committing to enter the same high school as her, while Chino is not sure about that. We’ve seen Chino being unsure about her future as recently as this season’s episode 1, and in regards to the high school choice the time for a decision is quickly approaching.

Soon we see Maya and Megu who are facing the same decision. Megu seems to have already decided on what Maya derisively calls the gokigenyo school. The greeting gokigenyo (ご機嫌よう) comes from the word “kigen” (機嫌) which means “mood”, and can be literally translated as “how do you do”. However the same word is also used as farewell, which often causes troubles for translators.

The concept of “gokigenyo school“ has been popularised by the light novel and anime series Maria watches over us (Marimite), which is also one of the most influential works of the yuri genre. This concept has also been parodied a number of times, for example in the excellent episode 5 of Flip Flappers.

Megu manages to convince Maya and Chino to come with her to a tour of this school, and we get a close-up of Maya hinting that she’s definitely hiding something.

Meanwhile at Cocoa’s school, the class president declares the theme of the cultural festival being “cafe”, and puts Chiya and Cocoa in charge of it, because they work at a cafe. It seems that Chiya is considered to be more dependable than Cocoa by her classmates, since she got a higher rank. Nevertheless, it is Cocoa who mostly delivers the speech to fire up the other students.

Note the usage of Chinese tally marks to tally the votes. The five strokes comprising the character 正 (”truth”) equate 5 votes. This method is popular across East Asia, even in Korea where Chinese characters are no longer used.

Also I’ve seen a lot of people were confused by the inclusion of “sex museum” as one of the proposals, which is how 秘宝館 (hihokan) has been translated by the official subtitles. This word, which literally means “the hall of hidden treasures” has been used by various establishments of this type in post-war Japan, however only few of them remain open now. I think “sex museum” is a bad translation because, while technically correct, it breaks mimesis, or in simpler terms, immersion. The English translation is so blatantly inappropriate that it would never make it onto this blackboard, whereas the Japanese word is obscure and innocent-looking enough that it just might. A better translation would be “adult museum”, in fact that’s what the most well-known hihokan, Atami Hihokan uses for its English title.

As proof of each other’s ability, Cocoa mentions Chiya’s triple tray wielding skill (お盆三刀流 obon santoryu) which has been demonstrated in season 2 episode 1. Chiya brings up Cocoa’s “basking in the sun” (日向ぼっこ hinatabokko) attitude which supposedly makes her popular among customers. This is a reference to season 2 episode 5 where Rize says Cocoa always either practices latte art or basks in the sun.

On the way back from school, we learn that Chiya is actually scared of the responsibilities placed on her, and her dream of becoming the president of Ama Usa An franchise (which has been mentioned in s2e1, s2e9 and maybe other episodes I forgot) might be ruined because of this. Cocoa consoles her, again showing her motherly side.

Back at Rabbit House, Cocoa explains how the upcoming festival will be exciting (wakuwaku) and fluffy/cuddly (mofumofu). This is one of several times Cocoa uses silly onomatopoeia to describe something in this episode (aforementioned pikkapika onee-chan and describing her school also as mofumofu in a latter scene). Interestingly, all of these lines are anime-original, and at this point seems like an intentional effort to make Cocoa speak in a more eccentric manner.

In the next scene Sharo becomes angry at Chiya for keeping secrets from her, and blows her cheeks, which makes her turn into a Fugu fish, according to Chiya. Fugu is famous in Japanese cuisine for being a highly poisonous but sought after delicacy, however in this case the comparison has to do with the tendency of a live fugu (as well as other pufferfish) to inflate its stomach, giving it an almost spherical appearance to deter predators.

Next there’s another anime-original CocoChino scene where Chino asks Cocoa about what her school is like. This is my favorite part of the episode because it’s just so adorable. Like, even the fact that Cocoa is drying Chino’s hair with a towel after bath shows how close they became. The direction and the delivery of the dialogue is masterfully executed. Cocoa would be really hurt if Chino chooses any other school, and Chino knows that. But Chino can’t admit she’ll choose her next school because of Cocoa, at least not yet.

Now we move on to the main plot of the episode, which is Chimame visiting Rize and Sharo’s school. Like I said in the preview, this episode covers chapters 10 and 11 of the volume 5 of the manga, which in-universe occur at the same time. However while it fully covers (and has the same title as) chapter 10, only the first half of chapter 11 is included. So about 2/3 of the episode are dedicated to the story of chapter 10.

Chimame attend a speech by “OG” Mate Rin. OG in this case doesn’t mean “original gangsta”, but “old girl”, which is a Japanese term for female alumni of some school (there’s also OB for men). Chino recognizes Rin as the editor of Aoyama Blue Mountain, and I’m not sure if Maya and Megu ever met her, so they don’t. When Rin recalls a senior who turned her life around, Chino recalls her chance meeting with Cocoa. In particular the phrase deai ga taisetsu (”chance meetings are to be cherished”) sticks with her. On the other hand, Maya seems to be interested in the fact that Rin was recommended for scholarship. Interestingly in the manga, Maya slept through most of the speech.

The senior Rin was talking about was obviously Aoyama and we see that there’s actually a huge bounty placed on her. The currency sign consisting of combined letters G and U wasn’t seen before, with prices usually displayed in yen, but there was a Euro-like sign at an open market at the beginning of season 2 episode 1, which might be a shorthand way to write GU. Either way this currency must have a serious hyperinflation problem as the reward for finding Aoyama exceeds 10 billion GU. In countries affected by hyperinflation, a stable foreign currency is often used to perform economic transactions, which might explain why most of the prices are in yen.

But is there some significance to this exact number? Why, yes, 10/27 is Aoyama’s birthday! It is also the start of “reading week”, which actually lasts 2 weeks, until November 9.

After the speech Megu gets separated from the rest of the group, and the other two also get lost in the vast campus of the school. As seen from the above interior shot of the school, it is also inexplicably rabbit-themed (or maybe just this particular hall is), with golden rabbit statues and also a picture on the left wall with the kanji for rabbit (兎).

Through a series of misunderstandings Chimame end up infiltrating the school with Sharo and Rize providing uniforms for them to blend in. Despite having trouble to behave “ladylike” before, Maya naturally blends in once she treats it as a game, and even gets invited to a tea party. She makes a mistake though by mentioning moyashi (bean sprouts) which is considered a cheap and low-class food, but she’s saved by the fact that the rich girls don’t even know what that is, and Sharo explaining how to prepare it in a fancy way.

Eventually the groups meet each other and Maya reveals she has been recommended for scholarship due to her good grades. Perhaps she also treated her school grades as experience points to gain, as the title of the episode (and the manga chapter) ”The whole world is my experience points” seems to suggest. This is the idea behind a real concept of gamification, by the way.

There’s also a callback to the season 2 episode 8, where Maya asks Rize for advice while Chino and Megu are spying on her. It is worth to rewatch that scene, because it’s full of foreshadowing for this episode. Back then Maya thinks she’s the only one of the three to go to this school, but now she thinks there’s a good chance all three will still go to the same school. Chino doesn’t seem to feel this way though.

In the end we see Cocoa and Chiya joining the group, also wearing the elite school uniforms, which is briefly explained by them gathering supplies for the cultural festival. I guess the next episode will explain how they ended up there. In the manga even the fact that they have a cultural festival wasn’t revealed until this point. Also in the manga fukiya club president, Karede Yura, inexplicably appears for just one panel so that Cocoa and Chiya could thank her, without any lines. In the anime she appears just as (if not more) suddenly, however there’s some foreshadowing with her inviting Rize to a tournament earlier, and she gets quite a few speaking lines.

If you listen closely there’s a funny sound effect as she looks at Rize, and then at Sharo. I really liked her design since her first appearance in the manga, and Koi probably does too, as her role has greatly increased in the recent chapters. Consequently her single-panel background appearance has been expanded as well in this episode, she got her full name mentioned in the credits, and there’s even a Karede Yura character song included on the second BD volume (which includes this season’s episodes 3 and 4). All things considered, I fully expect Yura to appear in the episode 4 as well.

The episode ends with Chino looking at the sky with a worried expression. It just hit her that both Megu and Maya are going to a different school than she is expected to go to. As Megu and Maya have a clear path forward, Chino’s future has become even more uncertain, and she feels like the odd one out in the group. Now the part of the ending where Chino is suddenly alone makes sense:

this is basically her imagining the future where Maya and Megu leave her. The coffee cup transition symbolises Chino waking up and seeing that MaMe are still her friends and aren’t going anywhere. We’ll see though...

This time it’s Megu doing latte art in the ending, and the picture is of Chino and Maya dancing. The weird thing is, Megu wasn’t even present at this scene, so how did she draw it in such detail?

Also another random fact I noticed: Chino’s Alice costume actually appeared in the opening of both season 1 and season 2. Here’s a comparison for reference:

Anyway, that was the third episode of Gochuumon wa usagi desu ka? BLOOM and I hope you enjoyed reading my review. See you next week... or so.

#gochiusa #gochuumon wa usagi desu ka?#is the order a rabbit?#review

10 notes · View notes

healthtech102 · 4 years

Text

After Hours Medical Advice

As you know, and certain have in mind every day, nursing is a career that carries a huge amount of duty. Be sure to guard your self, especially when asked for advice in an informal setting.

No, Uncle Bob has cornered you within the hallway after Christmas dinner. In trying back, I realize that not as soon as during this experience did anyone INVITE me into a discussion of what could be best for my mother.

She spent two nights in the hospital beneath remark, with IV hydration. Now, admittedly, she has varying levels of dementia even on a good day, but she reached the point of getting severe hallucinations and paranoia.

Having a whole remedy group looking out for you and preparing a discharge plan that is going to set you up for achievement. 90 days of therapy allows for the affected person to work via many of the above mentioned considerations and we treat it using an American Society of Addiction Medicine dimensional assessment.

The general size of keep in remedy that is really helpful is often ninety days. Health safety and prevention is the key to staying healthy for the long haul. From easy blood checks and vaccines now to mammograms and colonoscopies later, your doctor might help you turn into the healthiest model of you.

Although it might appear to be a problem now, one hour in a physician’s workplace now can add years of health to your life. When we have well being questions and considerations, it’s easy to show to good ol’ WebMD for answers. And even though the Internet can be a great well being useful resource, reading about your health points online can usually lead to pointless fear and fear. Remember, you might be unique and deserve a customized evaluation.

So instead of browsing the web for a generic, or even worse, incorrect answer, talk to a doctor in particular person to get the total image—and to cease dropping sleep over your questions (see reason number 5!). While I’ll be the primary to confess that a trip to the gynecologist’s workplace isn’t my favourite way to spend a day, annual pelvic exams are a important a part of any girl’s preventative health care.

Will we have to battle the battle of keyword voids at a grassroots degree, wrangling with the asymmetry of passion by tapping folks to search out these voids and create counter-content material? Do we need to arrange counter-GoFundMe campaigns to pay for ad campaigns that promote real science?

Do not rely on a form’s basic remark that “risks of leaving were discussed with the patient,” he says. That doesn't negate the value of those documents, however they should not be the sum complete of the hospital’s evidence displaying efforts to provide care.

First, the hospital must reconcile any excellent diagnostics, as a result of if any checks had been ordered, the hospital is still liable for checking the results to make certain nothing critical was identified, he says.

Despite our protests, she saved making an attempt to pull out the IV fluid line from her arm and the gizmo , and tugged at her gown. The paper-thin pores and skin on her arms was black and blue from a number of blood attracts. Successful treatment begins with an correct diagnosis, and our experts take the time to get it right.

A team of specialists will listen to your needs and evaluate your condition from each angle to make the very best plan for you. Every year, more than one million individuals come to Mayo Clinic for care.

If witnessed by RN, have them doc the time the patient left in addition to the standing of their IV. If an IV is still in place, first try to contact the affected person after which their emergency contact.

From all the information you've gathered from the Internet and your research, it's time for you to go to your physician with this data and get to know the details. It is important to decide on doctors with whom you're feeling snug.

The level of questioning I got in response to my advice was almost insulting at times. In my head, I advised these callers, “If you trusted me sufficient to name me together with your ailment, why aren’t you trusting my opinion?

Our highly specialized experts are deeply skilled in treating rare and complex circumstances. I actually have been put in this identical position so many times, that I lastly, like you, needed to tell them to contact their supplier or go to the ER/Urgent Care.

I owned a small household follow clinic and some would actually present up there quite than going to their PCP or ER. I do perceive how onerous it is to tell them to go to their PCP’s, but I believe that is the proper motion. We love our family and pals and do not need to see them ill or in ache, however we additionally want them to obtain goal care.

I actually have been practicing as a Nurse and APP for over 15 years now and have found, for me, robust boundaries come with time. You don’t have a look at them as patients, but as whomever they are to you.

YOUR ability to want them to be OK and not be as goal as you'd be with a affected person. Another disagreeable facet effect of trying to assist was the pushback I received.

doctor certification, from the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and checked performance towards historic outcomes from an independent 2015 examine that evaluated several symptom checkers. symptom checker seems as a chatbot that users can work together with by way of an app or web site. When the consumer varieties out their primary symptoms as a quick sentence or phrase, the symptom checker asks questions about possible related signs.

According to the NIH, 30-40% of Americans report having occasional symptoms of insomnia and 10-15% report persistent issue sleeping—with ladies representing nearly all of those affected.

While you could assume that a poor night’s sleep simply means you’ll need an extra cup of espresso in the morning, chronic sleep problems can actually improve the lengthy-time period threat of hypertension, melancholy, and diabetes. treatment medical disclaimer A physician’s visit can help identify attainable underlying causes for your restless nights—and get you the help you should truly get some zzzs.

Does your family have a history of diabetes, excessive cholesterol, heart disease, cancer, or another significant illness? If so, you could be at risk for these conditions, too—and there are likely issues you can do to decrease that danger. A doctor may help you find out and work with you to determine which screening exams you want.

"Casual" could exit the window, if the individual you advise feels you have triggered them harm; together with your recommendation or deeds. State legal guidelines differ greatly and litigation can truly change the legal guidelines as time passes. So as a nursing skilled, even if your action or advice was justifiable, there isn't a safety from being sued . You might prevail and be discovered "not liable" if sued, but by then you'll have gone by way of plenty of wasted time and pointless stress.

They might help detect vaginal infections, together with sexually transmitted ailments , and should often embody a PAP smear for cervical cancer screening. Although you might have heard about some current adjustments to screening recommendations, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force nonetheless wants women between the ages of 21 to 65 to get a Papanicolaou test (a.k.a. PAP smear) a minimum of each three years (or more incessantly when you’ve ever had abnormal results).

The lawsuit claimed that Dr M had failed to recognize the patient’s skull fracture and improperly released him when he was intoxicated, and that the delay in treating the fracture was attributable for approximately half of the affected person’s neurological deficits. Later that day, a hospital radiologist learn the affected person’s x-ray and famous a markedly depressed left parietal cranium fracture.

Or will the tech platforms where that is occuring start to grasp that giving legitimacy to health misinformation by way of high search and social rankings is profoundly dangerous? Getting excessive-quality, fact-based well being information shouldn’t be dependent on the result of SEO video games, or on who has extra assets for pay-to-play content promotion. few hours of a newborn’s life, medical doctors administer a vitamin K shot.

This is as a result of infants are born with out sufficient of the vitamin, and the child wants a boost to prevent any potential bleeding. The documentation also should detail the discussion with the affected person regarding potential risks from leaving AMA, Merkrebs says.

The reasons for refusing additionally may be wide-ranging, every little thing from worries about the price to concern about ache or dying, or dislike of being touched, photographs, surgical procedure, or drugs. Once a affected person is examined beyond triage and exams are ordered, a departure at that time could be classified as left without completing remedy , Klauer notes.

Patients leaving the emergency room too soon “are intentionally putting themselves at extra danger for morbidity and even mortality,” Polevoi stated — a degree echoed by other physicians. Ko stated the column will proceed as long as individuals want to study totally different health subjects. Connect with a medical skilled everytime you need one, 24/7, for customized recommendation and prescription, if deemed necessary.

At the end, the symptom checker identifies possible causes and recommends a course of action, similar to reserving a video consultation with a human physician or going to a hospital. The patient and his family consulted with a plaintiff’s attorney who agreed to take the case. Dr M was shocked to find out that he was being sued for medical malpractice.

Within each of these kinds of AMA, there may be further breakdowns when it comes to why the person is leaving, he notes. The affected person might not want any care of any type, or the refusal could also be extra limited — refusing the particular kind of care being provided, as an example, but still willing to be handled.

That's to not say all of the internet is unhealthy, it is okay to make use of Google for health questions when you use a credible supply and if it prompts you to go to your doctor should you could have considerations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Author makes no representations or warranties with respect to any Information offered or offered within or via the Site relating to treatment of medical circumstances, motion, or software of treatment.

“When sufferers convey themselves into the ED, they are seen in about 5 minutes by a qualified registered nurse and, on common, are seen by a supplier within 30 minutes of arrival,” Thomas mentioned in a press release.

From 2012 to 2017, the variety of emergency room encounters in Fresno County elevated by nearly ninety five,000, or 37%. At Fresno’s Community Regional Medical Center, about 9% of ER encounters ended with a patient leaving too quickly, greater than 3 times the statewide fee.

If no success, contact the police non-emergently to aid in finding the affected person. In this situation, the patient has not but interacted with a doctor. There isn't much to do here as long as the provider by no means met the patient, if so, they might be in a different category.

There are no known instances the place the ED, or ED Providers, have been sued and located to be at fault or responsible for an end result. We recognized people ages with International Classification of Diseases, 9thRevision prognosis codes for infective endocarditis within the National Inpatient Sample, a representative pattern of United States hospitalizations from January 2010 to September 2015.

We plotted unadjusted quarter-year developments for AMA discharges and used multivariable logistic regression to establish elements associated with AMA discharge among IE hospitalizations, evaluating IDU-IE to non-IDU-IE.

The police were notified, and the patient was taken from jail back to the hospital. At the hospital, he was monitored for a number of hours and then taken to surgical procedure where the depressed fracture fragments have been elevated. However, Mr G ended up suffering a brain injury from the fracture which affected his cognitive talents, and which prevented him from with the ability to hold down a job. The police knowledgeable Dr M that the patient, a 24-yr old named Mr G, had been the perpetrator of an assault and in the process was hit within the head with a blunt object by a bystander.

The police had been called, and found him mendacity on the street, clearly intoxicated and with a bloodied head. They took him to the ED, however Mr G was uncooperative and initially refused any treatment. When most individuals hear these words, they're whispered by an overcoated stranger on the bus or a counterfeit Prada peddler gesturing towards the trunk of a car.

1 note · View note

yogaposesfortwo · 4 years

Text

Stressed About Coronavirus? Here’s How Yoga Can Help.

Put your asana, breath work, and a few Ayurvedic herbs and rituals to use to stay calm, get the sleep you need, and boost your immune system. By now you’re getting office notices about staying home if you so much as sneeze, or suspicious side-eyes when you stifle a cough on the subway during rush hour. Your pantry may be stocked with extra pasta, toilet paper, and Purell. You’re already taking the most important precautions—washing your hands well, staying home if you’re sick (don’t worry, with loads of events getting cancelled you won’t miss much!), and keeping a safe distance from people who are coughing. It’s hard to avoid the noise and notifications as we contemplate the threat of a pandemic. According to the latest news reports, more than 89,000 people worldwide have been infected by a novel coronavirus, which causes a highly contagious respiratory disease named COVID-19. And we’re starting to see confirmed cases, community spread, and six fatalities (at press time) accrue stateside. We can expect the number of infections in the U.S. to rise—possibly along with our anxiety about what’s to come. But the stress related to uncertainty, anticipation, and fear can also wreak havoc on our health, so we reached out to Ayurveda, yoga, and mindfulness teachers to help us get a handle on how our practice can fortify our bodies and minds, which may help give us an edge to ward off the common cold, flu, and, yes, coronavirus. “It’s all about keeping stress levels low and your immune system healthy,” says Larissa Hall Carlson, an Ayurvedic Practitioner and the former dean of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda. Here, she and other experts share their top tips for staying healthy.

Tips For Optimizing Your Immune System

1. Gargle warm saltwater and use a neti pot. These ancient Ayurvedic strategies—dissolving about ½ tsp. Himalayan or sea salt in 8 oz. of warm water—is “non-negotiable” if you are trying to prevent sickness, says Hall Carlson. Germs and bacteria hang out in your nose and throat 24 hours before digging into your blood stream and affecting your immunity, she explains, and salt clears them out. You can use these saltwater rinses as preventative measures or when you start to feel sick. See also Ayurveda 101: 6 Ways to Prevent Colds and Flu 2. Sleep it off. “A balanced circadian clock (or your internal time-keeping for cycles of sleep and alertness) is directly linked to a strong immune system, according to Ayurveda, and now Nobel Prize-winning science,” explains John Douillard, best-selling author and founder of LifeSpa.com, which combines ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with modern science. He suggests going to bed two to three hours after sunset and getting up with the sun to help maintain healthy circadian rhythms. See also 8 Yoga Poses to Sleep Better Tonight Other ways to get better sleep and boost immunity? Disconnect from the damaging blue light emitted from your screens by wearing blue-light glasses or turning your night filter on 24/7, says Douillard. And avoid big, heavy, late meals, since they are difficult to digest and lead to ama, or undigested food, that can also compromise immunity. Yoga Journal’s Medical Editor Timothy McCall, MD, adds that fear is vata deranging, interfering with sleep and in turn undermining immunity. (According to Ayurvedic thought, vata is like the wind. It's cool, dry, rough, and erratic—and anything with similar properties will tend to increase it. When it is out of balance it’s called vata derangement.) See also Grounding Tips for Vata Imbalance McCall recommends using yoga and Ayurveda to build a foundation for immunity: living your life in accordance with the rhythms of nature, sleeping enough, eating food full of prana (or life force), and building ojas, or overall well-being. “Immunity is about how you live your life,” he says. “Our big assignment as yogis is to try to be content and go about our lives as best we can in the face of uncertainty. The reality is that fear puts us in touch with the truth, which is that we can sometimes affect outcomes, but ultimately we don’t have control over what happens to us.” See also The Stress-Busting Yoga Sequence to Conquer Tension 3. Drink tulsi tea. One of the most revered Ayurvedic herbs, tulsi is known as a stress, fever, and headache reducer and lung clearer, says Hall Carlson. “I don’t go anywhere without it; it’s in my car, bag, and purse.” When viruses like coronavirus take hold, they create problematic respiratory conditions, which tulsi may be able to help soothe, adds Hall Carlson. 4. Supplement. If tulsi isn’t your cup of tea, you can boost immunity and fight immune-compromising fatigue and anxiety with the Ayurvedic super-herb Ashwagandha, says Douillard. He also recommends turmeric as a natural anti-microbial. 5. Breathe deep. Your lungs are your biggest lymph pumps, clearing out clutter and toxins, explains Hall Carlson. She suggests a daily practice of pranayama to mitigate stress and boost immunity. Deep breathing, or complete yogic breath, will do—anything that opens your lungs and side ribs, and keeps things moving. 6. Massage it out. Hall Carlson also recommends daily abhyanga, or self-massage, with organic oils—such as sesame, though olive and coconut work too—to nourish and hydrate skin and settle frazzled nerves. This is a preventative measure only; when you’re sick, your metabolism is trying to process toxins and can get overwhelmed taking on both bugs and heavy oils. See also Ayurveda 101: 4 Small Changes That Make a Big Difference 7. Take vata-balancing breaks during the day. When you’re feeling scattered and stressed, make sure to take a few minutes, ideally up to 20, for mindfulness practices, walks, quiet sitting, or slow flow or Restorative Yoga, especially toward the end of the day when you’ve put in hours of work and may be pushing your limits, says Hall Carlson. Don’t skimp on Savasana, allowing your nervous system to reset. McCall warns against overly ambitious yoga when you're in a state of fear and anxiety. “When you’re fearful, Restorative Yoga is not going to work,” he says. “You first need to burn off anxiety with more energetic practices and then you can get to the restorative.” If you feel riled up, he suggests doing a strong practice for 20-30 minutes, then transitioning to more calming practices. “This is also how teachers can help their students ratchet down their nervous systems to a calmer place, by structuring classes this way,” says McCall. Here is Hall Carlson's slow flow sequence for opening your lungs and helping you stay calm and strong as we head into flu (and coronavirus) season: This Yoga Sequence Will Reduce Stress and Boost Immunity. Craving change but feeling too stuck, sluggish, or restless to take aim? Join John Douillard, founder of LifeSpa.com, and Larissa Hall Carlson, Ayurveda Yoga Specialist, for Ayurveda 201: Six Weeks to Transformation and Bliss Through Ayurvedic Psychology. In this new online course, you’ll experience: unique yoga practices; inspiring discussions backed by science; and recipes, herbs, and a short, gentle cleanse. Sign up today! Author: Tasha Eichenseher Source: https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/ayurveda-and-yoga-for-flu-and-coronavirus Discover more info about Yoga Poses for Two People here: www.yogaposesfortwo.com Read the full article

3 notes · View notes

dailytechnologynews · 5 years

Photo

Computex swiftly approaches, and so too does Zen 2. Why shouldn't AMD reconsider disabling the PSP and supporting Libreboot?

(the below was originally written by /u/supposedlyimsmart)

Introduction

All processors manufactured by AMD after 2013 include a small chip, known as the Platform Security Processor. It is licensed technology from ARM, their TrustZone tech. Simply put, it is a black box. It is claimed by AMD to be a security chip, responsible for memory encryption and, well, platform security. However, it is also used for remote management. Effectively, the PSP is an isolated, low-level, proprietary co-processor that cross-checks your BIOS firmware with its own. If the BIOS firmware doesn't contain AMD-PSP firmware, then your computer will not boot.

Problem

Seems fine, right? It would, if we knew how it worked. We don't. It is a black box, its code a binary blob, and it, too, is signed by cryptographic keys, held by a select few AMD employees. If this were all, this wouldn't exist. Intel has an equivalent technology, you might have heard of it, the Management Engine, the IME? It, too, boasts similar claims of remote management, security, and it, too, is a black box. More research has been done on these, though, and we have discovered that the IME also has:

Full access to memory (without the parent CPU having any knowledge) Full access to the TCP/IP stack; with a dedicated connection to the network interface Can send and receive network packets, even if the OS is protected by a firewall Can be active when the computer is hibernating or even completely turned off, allowing the Co-Processor to turn on and take control of your computer remotely via the internet.

There is no reason to believe that the PSP does not also have these capabilites. Intel doesn't advertise these, why would AMD? These chips are a massive security hole, and that's not all, either. Linus Torvalds, creator and former head developer (a whole separate drama involving a certain new age political terminology and Linus' unerring thirst for good code and brash rants as a result of bad code and a Code of Conduct) of the Linux kernel, has in the past been approached to build a backdoor into the Linux kernel, by none other than the NSA. Microsoft has sued the US government over gag orders sent to it. There is no reason to believe that these alphabet soup/3-letter agencies don't have the keys. It's a backdoor in every even somewhat aging system.

Solution

Include a manner to disable the PSP in BIOS. No, no it's not. It may seem obvious, but there's a major problem to this approach. There is no way of verifying whether the PSP is actually disabled, as the whole heap of firmware is a massive binary blob. This is not the solution.

Well, then, don't include the PSP in the chip design at all. While it would be ideal, it does handle memory encryption and platform security, something enterprise customers would want on their chips, and developing a better, freer alternative might not even happen until Zen 5, since Zen 4 is likely already being developed. This, too, is not the answer.

Open source the PSP! This, this is highly ideal, however, it is unlikely. The PSP is licensed TrustZone technology, so it's not even AMD's to open source. But even then, it's useless to just open source the PSP on its own. This ain't it, chief. Close, but no.

Open sourcing the PSP is only useful if it is accompanied by support for Libreboot, or, less ideally, coreboot. What are these? These are open source firmware that when combined with a payload like SeaBIOS or Tianocore, allow a fully free boot firmware, opening up an even greater part of the computer than what was possible. The true solution is supporting the Libreboot project.

Libreboot support would allow us to verify that the PSP was getting actually disabled, there would be a trustworthy entity in possession of the signing key for the PSP, and, if it were open sourced along with Libreboot support, allow the useful parts of it to remain turned on while the dangerous elements of it are turned off.

Why?

What good reason does AMD actually have to allow disabling the PSP and to support Libreboot? For one, they used to support it, ending support in 2012, a year before the PSP got loaded onto their processors.

By doing such a move, AMD would gain the endorsement of many more circles, namely the security one and the free software ones. Many security professionals have sounded the alarms to these chips, and entities like Google are working to disable the IME, though no work seems to be done for the PSP. Google may buy even more chips for their servers from AMD, and perhaps even build more AMD-powered Chromebooks, all of which have coreboot installed on them by default.

Edward Snowden had tweeted out about the initial hubbub about AMD potentially supporting Libreboot, and such a move would certainly gain support from entities like him. The Free Software Foundation and its branches would have reason to support AMD, as would entities like the Software Freedom Conservancy, not to mention the numerous commentators that would glowingly recommend AMD with not just the expected performance of Zen 2, but also its freedom.

Here on Reddit, there is much evidence of support, with the absolutely shattering nearly 5000 upvotes, and position as the top comment, in the initial Ryzen launch AMA, found here. I highly recommend reading it, as it addresses a few things I don't here.

There was also support back at that time at /r/linux, with people ready to spring to Ryzen should this have happened. Of note, there was this post, and this one, also this post. There's also the post I wrote some 5 months ago yhat got attention, here.

Contact Information

Advanced Micro Devices One AMD Place Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Tel: 408-749-4000 Interestingly, no email or contact page other than the customer support one. http://support.amd.com/en-us/contact/email-form

For those of you who own AMD Stock, this contact info might be more effective: AMD Investor Relations One AMD Place M/S 112 Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3453 email: [email protected] Tel: (408) 749-3124

Not to mention, they have their social media accounts. @AMD, @AMDGaming, and the local variants - Twitter, Facebook, and even Instagram At Reddit, we have a few people. /u/AMD_LisaSu (That's right, the CEO herself.) (@LisaSu for personal Twitter) /u/AMD_Robert (Technical Marketing) /u/AMD_James (Business Development) As well has a few in less lofty positions, like software engineer /u/bridgmanAMD/.

#hardware #Computer #Technology #Tech #News

1 note · View note

cathygeha · 2 years

Photo

REVIEW

High Stakes by Freya Baker

High Mountain Trackers #2

Another superb story by one of my favorite authors – couldn’t put it down and loved every minute of the reading!

What I liked:

* Antonella Freling: research librarian, sister, baker, tenacious, strong willed, committed to her sister, attracted to Fletch

* Fletch Boone: ex-military, tracker, team player, a bit of a loner, attracted to Antonella but not at first sight

* Filipa Freling: mechanic, nomad, sister, loves horses, suffers traumatic injury during RV-jacking, eager too read her story next

* The strength of the Freling sisters and their bond with one another

* The team: great to see them again and find out how they are doing – love their interactions and that they are there for one another

* The mystery of who the criminals were and how they were smoked out

* The horses

* The women: Lucy, Alex, Ama…all are strong women that I look forward to knowing better in the future

* Baking in the story – had to look up sugar tarts and flapper pie…oh my!

* The location – sounds lovely

* That everything was tied up in a bow by the end of the book

* That there is another book to look forward to

What I didn’t like:

* That the police were less than enthusiastic in finding Pippa

* The criminals and what they were doing

* Having to wait for the next book

Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author and Buoni Amici for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

BLURB

When her sister, Pippa, goes missing, Nella Freling tells her boss she’s taking time off from her job as a research librarian, hops in her sensible van, and heads south of the border to Montana. However, local police don’t seem too concerned about a missing woman living in her motorhome. So Nella will have to look for Pippa by herself, unless she can convince a highly recommended tracker to help her, but sadly the rude and angry cowboy won’t even listen to her at first.

But Nella can be persuasive.

The first time High Mountain Tracker, Fletch Boone, laid eyes on Nella, her ass was stuck in his grocery cart. The next time was at the ranch; she was wearing mud, head to toe. But when he catches sight of her a third time, hanging off a cliff, he can’t turn his back again. What Nella lacks in survival skills she makes up for in sheer determination. Unfortunately, neither of those is enough protection when bullets start flying.

Fletch has no choice but to jump in before the woman gets herself killed.

And that would be a damn shame.

#Freya Barker #High Mountain Trackers 2 #Buoni Amici #Romance #Fiction #Small Town Romance #Romantic Suspense

0 notes

leyahroehl · 4 years

Text

is medical marijuana covered by insurance

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare quotes from different companies :coverage-finder.net

is medical marijuana covered by insurance

is medical marijuana covered by insurance in the event of a serious accident, even when that state’s insurance requires that all drivers participate in that law. California is one of only 21 states that doesn’t require insurance, while the (the state’s program) offers coverage to those aged 65 years or older. It’s unclear whether this insurance is available in the state where they are registered and for what reasons. But if it is, how does it fit in for drivers who don’t drive themselves? What it covers is a mix of the five legalities commonly available to adults under the age of 21: If you are in the market for car insurance, you need to know who to contact. If you’re looking for a car insurance company and you just don’t have an Internet connection, you’ve come to the right place. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) tells drivers to check in with a representative before signing up to make changes. is medical marijuana covered by insurance? Compare plans side-by-side and read reviews of each as you shop around for insurance. It’s important to know insurance costs vary considerably between plans and plan providers. When looking at car insurance, many people assume that all drivers and cars are looking at the same exact same things. Car insurance has different components such as collision, comprehensive, and comprehensive coverage. However, it’s worth knowing that all car insurance providers in the United States have different coverage levels for different situations. Each provider will offer different types of insurance for different situations. In the case of car insurance, most car insurance providers have a broad range of benefits, features, and premium rates. In most cases, however, it’s always a matter of comparing coverages and values that you’ll have to choose over what your current is. This can be challenging to some, however, and you can work with a few different car insurance providers to find. is medical marijuana covered by insurance, and the company has a broad background in the medical cannabis industry. If you’re like most people who use medical marijuana, its products are similar to the cannabis used in drug rehabilitation and marijuana use. In the US, cannabis is legally treated as a marijuana that’s derived from cannabis, and it is covered under your insurance policy in some states. Your medical insurance company also benefits from some exceptions. For instance, your medical insurance could extend coverage, however the exception varies by state. You might also choose to take out a policy or two of the cannabis industry as well. If you’re looking for a safer or more pleasant ride, you may be tempted to purchase a policy on your new cannabis and marijuana use. In the United States, cannabis is legally required to be used in a medical, psychiatric, and residential treatment program, including: If you get too excited in the age of the cannabis oil, you may not recognize the product in question. You’re paying.

Insurance Coverage and the Courts

Insurance Coverage and the Courts. California has created a new state accountability law with: ‘The purpose of this law is to ensure everyone has access to the insurance and the law has been developed to protect consumers regardless of their driving habits’. The law also includes the establishment of a bureau to track insurance practices within the State of California, which is dedicated to protecting drivers. It remains in effect to take steps to reduce fraud among drivers, and the law includes a provision that ensures that if a driver does not take proper precautions and not drive responsibly, he or she should not be penalized by a driver’s insurance bill based on their financial responsibility to the driver. The California Vehicle Code provides for the imposition of insurance rules governing the operation of motor vehicles and the protection of consumers, but the car insurance industry is not permitted to do that. In addition, California has legislation that limits the scope of insurance coverage to vehicles operated on any roadways or highways. These requirements can include coverage for bodily injury.

Does Insurance Cover Medical Marijuana?

Does Insurance Cover Medical Marijuana? Medical marijuana is actually a form of marijuana not controlled substance, but a substance that is chemically active against other opioids. A metabolite of cocaine or heroin. It is still highly sedative and can cause addiction and death. What is the best health insurance for medical marijuana? Are there any health insurance plans that cover cannabis? Can you find cheap health insurance with medical marijuana? This AMA is a good answer, and will give you a better idea of what you can expect from health insurance. I had no health insurance for years and knew I wanted to get coverage for years now. I had multiple medical conditions so I had found an insurance plan through Health Net for me and my wife. My question is, do they have a medical marijuana plan? When you use medical marijuana, you get regular oral health insurance. If not, then it might be wise to take a policy from a reputable company as well. As a general rule, if you do not have insurance, and the policy is not affordable.

Medical Cannabis and Insurance

Medical Cannabis and Insurance Coverage Cannabis Prescription Fee $14-22-$50 per month $1-4-$50 per month Marijuana Prescription Fee $10$22-$50 per month $1-40 per month Medical Cannabis Prescription Fee $9$14-$14 per year Medical Marijuana Prescription Fee $6$5-$13 per year LTC Prescription Fee $25 $0-$5,000 Cannabidobine Prescription Fee $30-$60 per month Marijuana Prescription Fee $20-$40 per month Cannabinoid Deficiency Medication $5-$25/$50/$100 Insulin Deficiency Medication $15-$60-$125 Cannabinoid Inducible $5-$15 per day [1] Please select Nebraska Nebraska.

Medical Marijuana and Insurance Rates

Medical Marijuana and Insurance Rates- The only exception is which is considered underwriting the marijuana with THC in many states. All that is required in states where it s only . The most common reason I see patients that need to get insurance is to get more medical marijuana in case they are being denied by a company that would allow they, and this can help to save their lives. If the applicant is denied, usually this is a small price to be charged. Most medical cannabis companies won t go to an applicant that has low blood THC levels. This could be a red flag the insurance companies are trying to sell you for a higher price. This is where the insurance companies know exactly what is in the policy. They know exactly what will happen and can lower the cost of your premium. The cannabis company will likely use a different policy because the medical marijuana can get in the way. Not every insurance company will require the applicant to get medical marijuana coverage with THC. The insurance company could ask the applicant if the condition might affect their.

Dispensaries and Medical Insurance

Dispensaries and Medical Insurance Benefits Medical insurance helps to pay for medical treatments and injuries for you and your family at a time when illness or injury could negatively affect your well being. For example, a typical health insurance policy would leave a $25,000, 10% deductible to you and your insurance company until you were able to return home to begin the treatment protocol. This would include an initial stay in a hospital. In the absence of this initial stay, your insurance can use your health insurance benefits, which could become available. A health insurance policy that has higher annual mileage and longer waiting periods could be less expensive than the health insurance plan that is intended to maintain a relatively long treatment schedule. You can get a quote on a in the free comparison tool above to get started. Health insurance is provided by a private entity, such as a state or federal government employee or a voluntary employee of a small employer. It covers the health of anyone who receives a state-mand.

Medical Marijuana and Health Insurance

Medical Marijuana and Health Insurance. There is a separate page to find more information about medical marijuana coverage. Medical Marijuana for Children is available. Although this policy is not legal, this is a good policy for medical marijuana and health insurance so long as you are covered. This policy is recommended to have health insurance policies for medical marijuana and medical cannabis insurance because the coverage includes some form of medical care, which is considered medically necessary. Medical Marijuana for Children is available in 3 different states: Alaska, Colorado, Virginia, and Hawaii. As a general rule, medical marijuana for Children does not require medical exams. Yes, depending on insurance coverage (or other forms of medical coverage) in each state, insurers may require that you demonstrate that you are otherwise responsible for the medical care you and your family receive. This can include giving your name, insurance company name and contact information; signing a form (or documents or transcripts) in order to demonstrate that this is for the medical treatment you receive in the form of medication, fluids or anesthesia. If.

0 notes

edisonashley · 4 years

Text

The Masterstroke of Olumide Akpata’s Election Reforms Committee – By Raymond Nkannebe

If there were any doubts about Mr. Olumide Akpata’s campaign promise of hitting the ground running from the first day of his administration, they were cleared last Friday, 28th August, 2020 as he took to the rostrum to deliver his inaugural address as the 30th President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

By all accounts, it was not the typical kind of address. It was in many respects, a statement of action. Nothing vindicates this more than his announcement of the Election Audit and Reforms Committee to audit the last three elections conducted in the current regime of electronic voting, and to advise recommendations on how the Nigerian Bar Association can elevate the quality of her elections to the extent humanly possible to avoid the glitches that characterised the recent elections of the Association. Of course, including the election that brought him to power.

“One major complaint about the last election was the issue of the database of lawyers and resultant difficulties in coming up with a credible voters’ register. To address this, my administration will improve upon the membership portal introduced by the President Paul Usoro administration. Additionally, I am immediately constituting an Electoral Audit and Reforms Committee, comprising distinguished practitioners of the highest standards to audit our 2016, 2018 and 2020 elections and recommend reforms for our electoral systems and processes” the address read.

After the ugly outcome of the referenced elections manifesting in the polarization of senior members of the Association and incidentally, the unity of the Bar, the timely constitution of the Election Audit and Reform Committee is a bold step towards an improved election management template befitting an organization like the NBA, as a model for other professional Associations. But that is not all. The frame of mind that informs the decision merits our collective credit. If anything, it proves that the new leadership of the NBA under Akpata, is not interested in unnecessary sanctimony or self adulation, but institutional reforms of the organization so that it can deliver more value for its teeming membership.

It reminds one of a similar decision taken by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (of blessed memory) whom after he took over the ship of the Nigerian State, acknowledged the deficiencies in the elections that brought him to power, and pledged a commitment to electoral reforms as one of the planks of his famous Transformational Agenda. A strategic move that would give birth to the famous Justice Muhammed Uwais Report that remains a model for election management in Nigeria.

With eminent members drawn from different branches of the NBA as well as interest groups within the Association such as Ayo Ayotunde, SAN reputed for overseeing the highly acclaimed elections that brought in the current excos of the Lagos Branch of the NBA led by Yemi Akangbe; Ama Etuwewe, SAN; Andrew Odum, a renowned supporter of Deacon Adesina, SAN during the last elections and Ibrahim Altine, a popular supporter of Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN and the Chairperson of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) to name a few, it is safe to say that the Committee is a bi-partisan and inclusive one whose work would not be influenced from any quarters contrary to the insinuations of some commentators.

Perhaps, more than anything else, the commitment of Akpata to implement “whatever recommendations they come up with well ahead of time to ensure that the 2022 election is devoid of those glitches that we noticed in the 2020 election” is reassuring to the extent that it demonstrates thorough understanding of the problem with a clear vision and roadmap of enacting the needed change which has eluded the NBA for too long.

If democracy has taught us anything, it is that the quality of the electoral process to a great extent informs the legitimacy of any government that proceeds from it. Examples abound of how nations snowballed into theaters of conflict arising from controversial elections. Thus, while periodic elections matter, how they are conducted matter most.

For the NBA as a foremost professional organization, sadly, the story of her elections both at the branch and national levels, over the years leave much to be desired. However, it is within this context that the masterstroke of Akpata’s Election Audit and Reforms Committee resonates. God forbid that in 2022 the NBA would be seen reinveting the wheel in the conduct of her elections. And in the context of Akpata’s campaign mantra, perhaps it should be said that the Bar cannot work for All, if her leadership is not reflective of the sentiments of her membership.

Raymond Nkannebe, a legal practitioner writes from Lagos.

The post The Masterstroke of Olumide Akpata’s Election Reforms Committee – By Raymond Nkannebe appeared first on Lawyard.

The Masterstroke of Olumide Akpata’s Election Reforms Committee – By Raymond Nkannebe published first on https://immigrationlawyerto.weebly.com/

0 notes

anneapocalypse · 7 years

Text

Joe Nicolosi & RvB15 Reddit AMA Roundup (the first)

As I’ve been working on my comprehensive season 15 post, I went and read through the Reddit AMA with Joe and Miles in its entirety. While it’s over a month old and a lot of it isn’t news to people, there were some points I hadn’t seen yet, and after reading it I collected what I considered the noteworthy bits. And this is mostly for my own archiving, so, no need to reply with “Anne we already knew this.” :P Also, I’m not editorializing on any of the following in this post. This is just what Joe and Miles themselves have said.

On previous seasons:

Centering the season 14 trailer around the Freelancers was meant to demonstrate that the season wouldn’t be taking place in the current show timeline. Also, Miles wanted to write the Freelancers.

Ideas on the cutting floor for season 14 were a 479er episode, a York episode, and a horror episode featuring Charon characters. With limited time and animation budget, Miles chose to prioritize the Merc Trilogy because it was very different than anything they had done before, and he considered it his one shot at making a mercs story, whereas he felt Freelancer stories could be done another time.

Miles realizes that fans didn’t like the departure from the main storyline very much, and also calls the season 14 production process a “logistical nightmare.”

Miles has a “big story” in mind for what became of Siris, and hopes to be able to tell that story one day.

Miles opted not to give Tucker and Felix a direct one-on-one swordfight because Felix would overpower Tucker in raw combat skill, instead choosing to show how Tucker and his friends defeat Felix through teamwork, misdirection, and what they do best: standing around talking.

Joe’s favorite part of season 14 was the Triplets.

On season 15:

According to Joe, Temple’s story was completely accurate, and “ The only dishonest narrator in this story is Jax.”

When questioned about the logistics of Biff’s death, Joe replied, “It's got a metal bit on the end yo.”

Someone asked how long Carolina and Wash were in armor lock, but there was no response given.

Sarge’s reaction in season 8 to finding out they were simulation troopers is Joe’s favorite scene and was a big part of the inspiration for season 15.

In Miles’ opinion, the worst thing about working in Halo 5 is the lack of splitscreen.

Joe feels like a lot of the violence in Halo comes across very cartoony, and wanted to add some creative blood spatter for more visual impact.

Joe on Temple: “So there's this quote in Raiders of the Lost Arc, where Belloq says to Indiana Jones ‘I am but a shadowy version of you. It would take a nudge to make you like me. To push you from the light.’ which was the first inspiration for the Blues and Reds. I wanted Temple to be a shadowy version of one of our heroes, not the smartest or most powerful villain. Very motivated to be evil.”

Joe’s biggest challenge this season was “finding time to write while directing the episodes.”

In response to a question about the prototype concept seeming inconsistent with season 14 prequels, Miles offers a confusing non-answer* while Joe simply replies, “Ssshhh.”

Miles thought the child support gag was “going too far,” but Joe decided to do it anyway.

General commentary:

Both Joe and Miles found Donut and Caboose the most difficult to write at the beginning.

Joe strongly prefers one-season arcs.

Joe highly recommends Dan Harmon’s storytelling tutorials.

* Okay, I might’ve editorialized a little on that one. Just a touch.

#rvb15 tag #rvb ama

59 notes · View notes

loveseokjin · 7 years

Text

Get To Know Me Tag

Rule: Answer the questions and tag 10 people that you want to get to know better

Thank you @agustdnbae for tagging me!!

Name: Seanna

Gender: Female

Star Sign: Taurus

Height: 4′9 (im so smol, you could crush me like a bug)

Sexuality: Straight

What images have you set as your wallpaper: My lockscreen is a pic of Joon in the 2018 season greeting and my home screen is a pic of Jin in the 2018 season greeting.

Have you ever had a crush on a teacher?: Does a substitute teacher count? if so, then yes. He looked like the cuter version of Zayn Malik I almost died

Last text I sent: ughhh the struggle

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?: Not gonna lie, I don’t even know what I’m doing tomorrow.

If you could be anywhere else right now where would it be?: In California, getting ready to attend the AMA’s tomorrow. Sadly, I work so I won’t even be able to watch it hahaha im sad now.

What was your coolest Halloween costume?: umm.. I dressed up as a pumpkin when I was 5. That’s as cool as it gets.

Favorite 90′s show: Friends

Last Kiss: uh I kissed my baby cousin.. does that count?

Ever been stood up?: No

Favorite flavor of ice cream: Cotton candy or strawberry

Ever been to Las Vegas?: Yes, but i sat in the hotel room for most of the trip, so i didn’t get to see much

Favorite pair of shoes: my white Adidas NMD’s or my white pumas (I have an obsession with white shoes)

Favorite fruit: Pomegranate

Stupidest thing you’ve ever done: oh my, there’s about a million things that came to mind when i read this hahaha. One time I went out to dinner and the waitress said “Enjoy your dinner” and I replied “Thanks, you too”

Favorite book: Eleanor & Park (that book is so beautiful I highly recommend it to those of you who are looking for something to read)

I’m trying to tag different people for these, so if I tag you and you don’t want to be tagged, just let me know:

@tvehyungs-gf @princeseokgenie @giveyoongi2me @coralhobi @cherryprincejin @suga-babiess

#get to know me tag #about me

3 notes · View notes

dulcidyne · 7 years

Text

Experiments in Diplomacy: Fine-Tuning [5/?]

There’s nothing in the Interspecies Diplomacy subsection of the Initiative handbook that covers sharing a tech lab with an angara who can kill her in her sleep. She knows, she’s read every page. Twice. (A collection of in-between vignettes from the Tempest tech lab) //Jaal x Ryder // Humor. Romance. SFW // 2687 words // Voeld Spoilers Previous chapters: [1][2][3][4][5] or read on Ao3

Se-ah makes it ninety-seven minutes before clawing away the sheets and rolling clumsily out of bed. At least, attempting to. Mid-roll, her legs tangle up in twisted fabric and one knee wrests free only to smack hard against the deck. Hissing out a choice curse, she stops struggling and lets artificial gravity do the rest of the work of pulling her down one centimeter at a time until she’s lying in a heap on the blessedly cold decking panels.

By the time she flops over onto her back, the overhead of the compartment is where it belongs. She knew it would be. She didn’t actually believe it was inching down lower and lower, getting closer with every rapid, shallow breath. This is the Tempest, not a Prothean temple ruin in a cheesy action/adventure vid--the ones with archeologists who have a better working knowledge of verbal zingers than proper site excavation.

Groaning, she rips off the transdermal patch nestled into the crook of her arm. A mild sedative. Lexi’s idea when the melatonin supplements didn't make a dent into her godawful sleeping habits--or convince her brain to stop imagining that the Pathfinder’s cabin was attempting to kill her.

It's almost insulting how little effort her subconscious put into this. Why couldn't the crushing weight of her inherited responsibilities manifest in a less obvious metaphor? Why can't she imagine herself pinned beneath a pile of old-school Blasto merchandise every night?

“SAM, do you have any sway in that department? I'm officially filing a complaint.”

“While within my capacity, neural modification of this nature has not been tested and therefore cannot be recommended.”

Reluctantly, she drags herself up off the floor. Her legs are killing her. “It was just a joke, SAM.”

“Noted. Should I notify Dr. T’Perro regarding the state of your injuries?” She shakes her head. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. Just the side-effect of getting backhanded halfway across a landing platform by seven thousand kilos of kett-engineered menace.”

Really, she was lucky to escape the facility with nothing more than a fractured femur, ruptured tendon, and some deep tissue bruising. It was a lucky day all around. One no one was in the mood to celebrate.

Se-ah snatches up some more transdermal medi-gel patches on her way to the door. She slaps one on her smarting knee and adds a couple more to her thighs and lower back before pulling on her clothes. “Pathfinder, Dr. T’Perro highly stressed the need for rest.”

“I’m aware.”

She’s also aware that Lexi has the Moshae to tend to, which means she’s too preoccupied to check-in on the crew with minor fractures and bruises and make sure they’re getting the rest part of their R&R. “I just need to check something with Mags real quick.”

Not only is Jaal awake, but he doesn’t even look surprised to see her when the door opens. Instead, he glances up from the bench with expectant happiness and one knot in her stomach loosens just as another one tightens.

“Trouble sleeping?” he asks.

“No rest for the wicked,” she quips, examining the parts he's scattered over Maggie’s top. Reaching forward, she picks up a tiny capacitor from the jigsaw puzzle of metal pieces. Kett, judging from the symbols printed on the side. Not her specialty. Jaal dabbles in anything that takes his interest, like Liam, whereas she and Peebee share a passion for narrow focus.

He plucks the capacitor from between her fingertips, touch lingering. The disconcerting intensity of his gaze captures her startled glance before it can dart away.

“And...you've been wicked?” he asks, all careful enunciations and thoughtful pauses. Jaal treats language the way he treats tech, taking the time to consider each component before he fits them all together into a working whole.

Maybe it’s the last dregs of the sedative still churning around in her bloodstream like alcohol minus the splotchy flush. Maybe it’s the fresh memory of three simple words, ‘fascinating’, ‘special’ and ‘strange’, curling up around her ribcage and squeezing her so tight she still can’t quite catch her breath. Maybe her cabin really was rigged to kill and she’s in the most unexpected version of the afterlife ever. Heaven is real and it has angara.

Or maybe…he’s flirting with her?

She doesn’t quite know what do or how to respond, so Se-ah filches another piece off the bench--a metal-capped glass cartridge containing coils of wire--just for the excuse to look away. By the time she looks up again, a playful smile is pulling up at the corner of her mouth. It’s half defense mechanism. A familiar tactic in her ‘Avoiding Emotional Risks’ playbook: when in doubt, make light of the situation.

As if her heart isn’t pounding against her sternum, she teases, “Are you flirting with me right now?”

There are two things she knows about Jaal Ama Darav. The first is that he is unflinchingly candid. The second is that the look of utter bafflement on his face is the exact match to the one he had when she stuck her hand out, unthinking, for the universe’s most awkward handshake. Together they mean she’s milliseconds away from complete humiliation.

“No.”

Yup, she’s in the afterlife alright and not the good one.

“Is it customary for humans to flirt with questions about someone’s perception of poor moral character?” The concept clearly perturbs him the more he considers it. At least, that’s what it sounds like. She can’t actually see on account of burying her burning face into her cupped palms. The kett fuse digs into her cheek, cool glass rapidly warming against her skin.

“No, it’s not. Just forget I said anything, please.”

“I apologize--there’s something I’ve missed.” Fabric whispers as he draws closer to brush fleeting fingers over her wrists. The request is unspoken but every subtle shade of feeling hums through her. Plaintive. Undemanding. Kind. Please look at me.

She does.

He’s closer than she expects, standing in front of her, head tipped down so that he can meet her eyes despite the differences in their height. The gust of her shallow breath breaks over his collar before eddying back towards her smelling like Jeju tangerines and sandalwood soaked in hibiscus tea with a curl of cinnamon bark--and simultaneously nothing like any of that. Every cell in her body lights up with the disorienting sensation she gets during a-grav failure, forces tethering her down snapping away until she is weightless and floating adrift in the intoxicating current.

Embarrassment flash evaporates and she laughs into her steepled hands before letting them slide down the rest of the way past the tip of her nose and over her lips--the fuse still cradled in between her thumb and index finger. He’s already pulled back, taking the warm pocket of tangerine and sandalwood air with him. Which is good, she tells herself. Jaal being that close is dangerous for coherent thought.

“Just a miscommunication,” she says, trying to alleviate the traces of dismay still lingering in his eyes. “Asking someone if they’ve been wicked--most humans...well, most Milky Way species that I’m familiar with, would read that as an innuendo.”

The word clearly does not translate. “Like a sexually suggestive insinuation, which is how we flirt for the most part--double meanings that hint at interest instead of...more overtly conveying it, if that makes any sense? Not everyone is subtle of course, I mean, you’ve met Peebee. Are angara similar?”

Jaal makes a small, frustrated noise. “Some, to an extent-- I am not in the habit of veiling my interest. I have little patience for it. But, no, my confusion has more to do with why wickedness has another meaning that is sexually suggestive. It’s equivalent in Shelesh is…”

He struggles to come up with a translator-proof explanation. “It’s a word we associate with deep moral wrong. It has nothing to do with physical intimacy.”

“Ah.” And she thought idioms were troublesome for the translators. Idioms have nothing on the grab bag of culture-specific double meaning, nuance, and subtlety that constitutes flirtation. Hell, she’s had her fair share of romantic miscommunications in her own native tongue. Do you like me or do you like me? Did you mean hot or hot?

She sets the fuse down before she can forget about it and drop it. Glass clicks against the bench top. “I’m not actually sure. SAM?”

“I would venture that the ironic usage arises from certain ancient cultures viewing sexual acts as amoral. But this is not my area of expertise.”

Jaal nods. “I see.” There’s no judgment in his voice. It’s distant, lost in thought.

“The phrase ‘No rest for the wicked’ references eternal torment depicted in the religious text--”

“Thank you SAM, but it was just a joke. A terrible joke. It really doesn’t need further explanation.”

Se-ah leans a hip against Maggie and exhales slowly. Objectively, she should be humiliated over this latest misstep. Anyone else and there would be two weeks of careful avoidance and pained, awkward silences--hard to manage on a frigate this size but she’s done longer in smaller spaces. But Jaal is...different.

“A joke. That is...reassuring. I was concerned for you. I’m thankful for your decision on Voeld. But neither of us are blind to the cost.”

He looks at her. “And you’re the one who must bear the burden of that knowledge.”

So he’d interpreted her joke as a crisis of self-doubt. Only someone with the emotional sensitivity of a potato could misread that for flirting.

“I don’t believe in doubting decisions after I’ve made them,” she says but the answer has all the mechanical automation of something memorized and then recited. It’s an Alec Ryder answer. Dad wasn’t one for regret. He wasn’t one for giving up a tactical advantage either, even when it came with a cost.

Willing the ‘stand at attention’ rigidity out of her spine, she tries for something that doesn’t sound like she had to study it for an exam, “Just how I was raised. My dad...once we made a decision, we had to stick to it. Good or bad. When I was seven, I got it into my head that I wanted to learn the same instrument as my best friend. The siithara, this massive 20-string zither--asari, which is important because they spend entire centuries becoming proficient. I was terrible . I was terrible even after ten years of daily practice, which Scott always argued constituted a violation of anti-torture Citadel Council Conventions.”

Jaal chuckles, full and deep and she flashes a wistful smile. Her baby brother, always and forever a little shit. “It didn’t matter though. It was my choice, I took responsibility for it, and that was all Dad cared about. Although, he never had to suffer through any of my recitals. He might’ve changed his mind then.”

Before she can stop them, the words are already out of her mouth. “He would’ve destroyed the facility.”

Her smile withers on her lips as if the words are poison. Maybe they are because she’s shaking her head, trying to clear the bitter-cyanide taste from her mouth. “It doesn’t change anything. I made my choice already knowing that and I’d make it again.”

Fingernails catch on the fabric over her elbows when she folds her arms, tight, across her chest. “I’m not beholden to his decisions. It doesn’t matter what he would’ve done.”

In the murky depths of her subconscious, something clicks to life and she can’t help but prod at it with blind, curious fingers. It feels like a jumble of sharp metal and glass fuses, coiled wires twisting snarls of conflicting feeling into an emotional trip mine. Instead of backing off and leaving the damn thing alone before it goes off, scattering fragments of pressurized grief like shrapnel, she teases out a tangled filament. Realizations strobe up in quick succession, blinding flare after blinding flare.

It's not that dad would've chosen differently, it's that she would--the dead woman. Professional. Logical. Scott was still trapped in his cryopod and she suited up, business as usual. Mission first. That Se-ah was like her father and their cost-benefit analysis on Voeld would have gone much differently.

Scott’s derisive snort is sudden and clear at her ear. As if he’s standing right next to her, on the Tempest, like he should be, instead of lying comatose on a ship entire systems away. Where was that cost-benefit analysis on Habitat 7? She’s one breath away from tripping a full-blown detonation when Jaal spans the distance between them and settles steadfast hands on her shoulders, bracing her. It’s as close to a hug as her crossed-arms will allow but somehow he manages to make it feel like his arms are enfolding around her, drawing her against his expansive chest.

“I know very well what it’s like to stand in someone else’s shadow and lose sight of yourself.” One large hand drifts up from her shoulder to smooth over the line of her jaw. It’s so big, it spans from the point of her chin and past her earlobe. “Do you want to know what helped me?”

Throat dry, she gulps and his eyes flicker down to trace the faint, fluttering shadow of her adam’s apple. Not trusting herself to speak, Se-ah nods. Tousled hair slips over and parts, feather-light, around the fingers tipping past her ear and a tiny, almost imperceptible shiver travels from his skin into her scalp. “Being here. With you...and with your crew. I feel as if I can finally see myself clearly, see my purpose. I’m...illuminated. This galaxy is brighter and more beautiful than I’ve ever seen it before.”

Eyes impossibly luminous and impossibly blue, he curls his fingertips to capture the sifting amber fall of her hair. “That is your doing.”

Every word is a mote of stellar dust gleaming radiant in the air between them. They collect in her lungs with each stuttered breath and coalesce into a single incandescent point--a star in miniature forming in the lonely, neglected hollows of her heart. It’s singularly painful. Too dense and too heavy and too much.

Either she’s about to burst into tears or kiss him. Neither option is good, considering the circumstances. So she does nothing except go rigid and try to school her expression into something that doesn’t scream ‘I can’t handle this’. It does not work. She can feel it not working and what she can’t feel, she can infer from the look on Jaal’s face when he suddenly clears his throat and releases her.

Shit. She scrambles for something, anything to convey how much his words meant to her without fully conveying how much they meant to hear.

“I--thank you. That’s really nice of you to...I’m...halad. I mean, glappy. Er...glad. I’m glad.”

It’s as close as she’ll get so she takes it. She also changes the subject before her heart pounds through her chest. “So uh--why are you awake? You’re usually out by now.”

Jaal shoots her a wry look like he’s just caught her trying to bluff her way through a bad hand in one of Gil’s poker games. But he lets it slide. “I couldn’t sleep. Your ship is a wonder but it is very quiet. Angara live communally and I find it difficult to rest without snores buzzing through the walls.”

She can finally breath easy enough for a halfway decent laugh. “You could always bunk with Drack. No chance of quiet there.”

He gives her a pointed look. “Most nights, there’s no chance of quiet in here either.”

Ah. Her absent-minded habit of humming to herself when she’s concentrating. The omni-blade temperature trials aren’t exactly whisper-quiet either. And then there’s Maggie’s array of beeps and chimes.

“So that’s the reason you never kicked me out? I’m your ambient noise machine?”

Jaal’s laugh is a quiet rumble in his big chest. “I don’t know what that is but I can safely say that is not the reason. I never ask you to leave because I enjoy your presence, immensely. “ “See,” he adds to clarify. “ Now I’m flirting with you.”

#jaal romance #jaal x ryder #jaal ama darav #rydaal #Dulcidyne writes #Tales from the Tempest Tech Lab

13 notes · View notes

juichi-bey · 7 years

Text

Do excuse me here but ama just indulge in some OC Canons

Which I will highly recommend to avoid reading due to the cringe inducing, eye tearing text ama bout to right. God, forgive me.

So like Archer would obviously be romantically interested only in males (since hes gay), but I like to think he wouldn’t just base his interests on physical appearance (with a few exceptions, I’m looking at you Bruce, but totally not Batman) but of course the fact that a guy was handsome would influence him, but that wouldn’t always be the case.

In the case of Barry Allen, the Flash, Archer would most likely slowly fall for him. First as a friend, then as a love interest, and then slowly come to think of him as an attractive male. Of course he’d leave his interests aside once he realized Barry was in a relationship with someone else, and probably feel extremely embarrassed about ever feeling that way.

For people like Spiderman (who he knows jack shit about what he looks like) he’d absolutely just fall for his personality, but it wouldn’t be as gradually/slow as in the case with Barry, it’d be a bit quicker, and a bit more heartfelt in a sense too. It’d be the kind of crush where Archer had himself believing this was the one all along, as in the case with Allen, it was far slower to get to that point. Although granted, since Peter has a love interest already (right? right. Preeeetty sure he does) it’d be a bittersweet end for Archer.

1 note · View note

blackforestbasilisks · 4 years

Text

Execution: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The spinners, the weavers, the dyers, the healers.

We spin the threads that bind the world… we spin blue.

We are the Communion of Blue.

It’s fairly rare that I read any middle grade books, but I saw Niki’s art for The Deep & Dark Blue and immediately fell in love. I knew at once that I had to check this book out. The bold colours and character designs work for me. When I heard it described as “Tamora Pierce, except if Alanna/Alan got to actually be trans,” that was all I needed to know. I headed off and snagged it from Bookshop. And honestly? It completely lived up to all my hopes and dreams.

First, the art. The art is stunning. Niki uses a palette of bright, saturated blues, reds, and pinks throughout the novel to great effect. Panels are bold with large swathes of color containing only minimal shading within each block. Her art style is eye-catching and creates a sense that the world is bigger, broader, and more lush than the dialogue and narration can cover on their own.

I have a real soft spot for magic based on weaving and spinning. As Tor.com recently discussed in their blog post, In Defense of Needlework, it’s common for young girls in SFF to feel empowered by disliking feminine activities such as sewing. I think that gets just a bit old, myself, and clearly Niki is in firm agreement with me. As in The Four Profound Weaves by R. B. Lemberg (another AMAZING story featuring trans characters!), the art of working cloth has been elevated from a mundane activity that’s too-often disparaged by powerful characters into a source of power and strength in and of itself. The act of creation becomes a source of magic.

When the sisters in the Communion of Blue spin their wool, it’s not just thread that they create. Instead, it allows them to control the elements – wind, fire, and water. They are tapping in to the world itself and changing the very fabric of reality with their magic. Not all the sisters are able to spin Blue, however; others fill different roles within the Communion. Some learn martial arts, some farm the fields, and some are chosen to become healers. Each art has its own values, even if Hawke, one of our two main characters, is a bit slow to realize it.

Grayson and Hawke are twin brothers, scions of House Sunderlay. Neither of the pair ever expected to have much to do with the Communion of Blue beyond watching a few of their ceremonies from afar, but their life is thrown into turmoil when their sister stages a coup on their house, killing their father and his heir. They flee, disguising themselves as young girls amongst the Communion’s new initiates.

For Grayson, however, being a girl isn’t just a disguise. For once in her life, she can be the person she’s always wanted to be: Grayce, a sister in the Communion of Blue. She’s always been Grayce, deep underneath, but only now is she in a position to embrace herself and her own life. She’s admired the sisters from afar for years, pining away as they perform their magics in the distance. Hawke, however, chafes beneath his dresses and wants his old life back.

Hawke is admitted into the ranks of the Guardians, initially ecstatic that he’ll be learning to fight. His hopes are quickly dashed, however, when he learns that the sisters rely on balance and speed, utilizing unarmed combat techniques. He’s trained with a sword his entire life; what possible use could he have for punches and kicks? Later, however, he’ll learn exactly what sort of advantage they can bring to him. Without these skills, his quest to bring justice to his house would never have succeeded. He’s been raised as a boy and will become a man, but Niki takes this opportunity to once again highlight the strength of women and femininity.

The acceptance and love both Hawke and the sisterhood show towards Grayce is heartwarming and beautiful. It made me so happy to see the support Grayce receives at every turn. She’s worried, and rightly so; coming out and telling people you’re close to that you’ve hidden something from them is incredibly frightening! The fear of rejection is very, very real. Hawke’s reaction made me adore him: he was horrified. Horrified that he hadn’t realized she was Grayce and not Grayson, and oh-so-embarrassed that he’d been thinking of her as Grayson this whole time when she clearly, clearly was not. Reading that scene, my whole reaction can be summed up as “omg my babies I love them they are so good and wholesome and I love them??? omg sweet babies” (don’t judge me). It warmed my heart. It’s the kind of content I desperately need more of during this whole pandemic and quarantine situation. Cinnamon rolls, the both of them.

Now, admittedly, it is important to go in with expectations reasonable for a middle grade book. Since this is aimed at a younger audience, it’s focused first and foremost on being clear and straight to the point. There aren’t intricate plot lines that intersect and interweave, etc. It’s much simpler than Alanna’s adventures in Tortall were, in part because of the age and in part because of the medium. That said, there is still a ton to enjoy as an adult! As said earlier, my only gripe is that I really do wish there’d been a little bit more. Although it makes sense that there isn’t given its audience focus, I’d give a lot for an in-depth look at the Communion’s internal politics, more information on how the magic works, and a better understanding of its capabilities and limits. I love the world, and I do wish that I had an opportunity to dig into it a bit deeper.

I’d highly recommend this graphic novel to anyone who’s in the mood for a quick, feel-good story about good overcoming evil. If you love beautiful art, trans representation, and highly developed characters, this is the book for you. Niki recently did an AMA with us over at r/Fantasy, which is another great resource to learn more about The Deep & Dark Blue along with its author. Loved it!

Niki Smith is an artist, writer, and lover of fine comics (and some pretty trashy ones too). I grew up in Kansas and now call Germany home, and I’m dedicated to filling the world with queer and diverse stories! My debut graphic novel, Crossplay, is a Lambda Literary Award nominee.

I’m a US author but I moved to Germany with my wife a few years ago; I was supposed to spend April and May back in the States doing a tour of comic conventions and book festivals, but, well, none of that’s happening now! I’ve also drawn serious nonfiction comics for The Nib and silly smutty (and totally educational) stuff for Oh Joy, Sex Toy.

Follow them on Twitter, Patreon, or Instagram.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Bookshop

Have you read this book? What did you think? Do you have any questions about it?

Let me know in the comments below!

The Deep & Dark Blue by @niki_smith - I saw Niki's art and immediately fell in love. The story is heartwarming and gorgeous, and I have a major soft spot for magic based on weaving and spinning. 5/5 stars! Execution: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The spinners, the weavers, the dyers, the healers. We spin the threads that bind the world...

#Book Review #books #graphic novel #reading

0 notes