#i see posts from 2014 like haha i recognize that :) wait .

[dykemom]

realizing I was 15-16 years old ten years ago and some of the most vital and nostalgic moments of my life will be a decade old soon: 🙂

[harperhug]

In case the article gets paywalled:

What Good Is 'Raising Awareness?'

Just being educated about diseases isn't enough to make people healthier.

In 2010, a strange meme spread across Facebook. People’s feeds were suddenly filled with one-word statuses saying the name of a color, nothing more. And most of these posts were from women.

The women had received messages from their Facebook friends that were some variation on this, according to The Washington Post: "Some fun is going on ... just write the color of your bra in your status. Just the color, nothing else. It will be neat to see if this will spread the wings of breast cancer awareness. It will be fun to see how long it takes before people wonder why all the girls have a color in their status. Haha."

Oh, okay. It was for breast cancer awareness. Except, no, wait—how? The Susan G. Komen Foundation had nothing to do with it, though it did get them some Facebook fans, according to the Post story. It wasn’t clear at all who started it. There was no fundraising component to the campaign. And the posts weren’t informative at all. In fact, their whole point was to be mysterious. Maybe people asked their friends what they meant by just posting “beige” or “green lace” and then they had a meaningful conversation about breast-cancer screenings and risk factors, but I’d guess that happened rarely, if at all.

This incident is just one example of the nebulous phenomenon of “raising awareness” for diseases. Days, weeks, months are dedicated to the awareness of different health conditions, often without a clear definition of what “awareness” means, or what, exactly, is supposed to come of it.

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According to a commentary published this month in the American Journal of Public Health, the United States has almost 200 official “health awareness days.” (The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists all national health observances on its website.) And that’s not counting all the unofficial ones, sponsored by organizations.

The paper was an attempt to begin to investigate whether awareness days actually improve people’s health. Jonathan Purtle, an assistant professor at Drexel University’s School of Public Health, teamed up with Leah Roman, a public-health consultant, to see whether awareness could even be quantified.

“We both kind of anecdotally observed that there seem to be more [awareness days] than ever,” Purtle says. “In public health, and in medicine, we’re putting more and more emphasis on evidence-based practices. Everything should be informed by science in some way. We asked ourselves, has anybody ever evaluated these things, do we know if they’re effective at all?”

The answer: Not many people have, and we really don’t.

Awareness days do seem to be on the rise, by at least a couple measures—the researchers found that more than 145 bills including the words “awareness day” have been introduced in U.S. Congress since 2005, a huge leap compared with previous years. Articles that reference "awareness day"  in the PubMed database have followed a similar, but less extreme, upward trajectory.

Trends in Attention to Awareness Days in U.S. Congress and Health Science Literature

But most of the articles Purtle and Roman found in their search (which was just preliminary, not a systematic metareview) were editorials or commentaries announcing or discussing awareness days. Only five studies empirically evaluated the effects of an awareness day, “but the designs weren’t that rigorous,” Purtle says. The best one, according to Purtle, found that on “No Smoking Day” in the U.K., five times more people called a quit smoking hotline than the daily average. “But that was about it,” Purtle says.

So evidence really is lacking on what good these awareness days do.

Liz Feld, president of the nonprofit advocacy organization Autism Speaks, says she has seen results from World Autism Awareness Day, which was April 2, and Autism Awareness Month, which goes on for all of April. The organization has raised more than $10 million so far in April, more than 50,000 people registered on Autism Speaks’ website, and more than 18,000 buildings around the world illuminated with blue lights on April 2 as part of the “Light it Up Blue” campaign. A spokesperson also told me that “Light it Up Blue” was a trending topic on Facebook and Twitter on April 2.

The money is something concrete that came out of the awareness month, but what about the rest?

“One-third of people who live with autism are nonverbal,” Feld says. “The power of a global blue-light movement is very strong. On that day, that is the collective voice of the autism community. That’s a show of power. The blue lights are really a voice.”

Here, "awareness" seems to mean sending a message, getting attention, and getting people to talk about the issue, at the very least on social media. During the week of the most recent World AIDS Day, December 1, 2014, AIDS.gov got the most engagement and new followers of the entire year, Miguel Gomez, the director of AIDS.gov, told me in an email. Perhaps not coincidentally, the organization’s HIV Testing and Care Service Locator got nearly triple its average traffic on December 1.

Social-media activism gets a lot of criticism, some of it deserved, some of it less so. (There's even a somewhat pejorative term for it: slacktivism.) On one hand, it’s an easy way to reach a lot of people, and it often amplifies the voices of the marginalized. On the other hand, changing your profile picture for an awareness day (something Autism Speaks asked people to do for Light It Up Blue) might just be the smallest possible unit of support for a cause. If not backed up by money or deed, it’s little more than lip service. But lip service is not nothing—if enough people do it, it could help shift cultural norms, as Melanie Tannenbaum wrote in Scientific American, about people supporting marriage equality by making equals signs their profile pictures.

“Based on everything that we know about our brains and their bafflingly strong desires to fit in with the crowd, the best way to convince people that they should care about an issue and get involved in its advocacy isn’t to tell people what they should do—it’s to tell them what other people actually do,” Tannenbaum writes. “And you know what will accomplish that? That’s right. Everyone on Facebook making their opinions on the issue immediately, graphically, demonstrably obvious.”

With a controversial issue like marriage equality, enough equals signs on Facebook pages could send the message that this is a common cause to support, and just maybe, gather more support, in a snowball-rolling-down-a-hill sort of way. The thing is, though, that with diseases, everybody’s pretty much already on the same side. There aren’t pro-cancer people who need convincing to come around.

“The question I would ask Autism Speaks or someone who's doing some sort of initiative like ‘Make your picture blue,’ is how they think that will trickle down into some sort of positive outcome for people with autism,” Purtle says.

So I asked.

“First of all, anyone who takes the time to change their picture, they feel invested, like they’re part of something,” Feld says. “That’s the culture we live in now. It’s a way for them to participate. It creates a sense of a community, it really goes back to that. People like to be part of something, look at the ALS ice-bucket challenge. They wanted to be part of something that was bigger than themselves. It’s free, it makes you happy, it makes you feel like you're doing something.”

But Feld recognizes that this isn’t enough.

“You’ve got to follow it up with something else,” she says. “What comes with raising awareness is a responsibility to do something about what you’re aware of. I always say to people, ‘April 2nd is great but what happens April 3rd?’”

When so much is vying for people’s attention, especially online, including the couple hundred other awareness days, even if you get people to listen, how do you get them to do more than just post a status?

There is a sociological theory called narcotizing dysfunction, which proposes that the more people learn about an issue from the media, the less likely they are to do something about it. Purtle and Roman posit that this might be an unintended effect of awareness days, that people might “conflate being knowledgeable about a health issue with taking action to address it.” It’s not enough to just say “this is a problem, and we need to do something about it.” There are a lot of problems in the world that need doing something about.

So in addition to awareness-raising, to try to get people to do something, Autism Speaks fundraises and asks people to sign petitions. “[When we try] to get corporate sponsors, I always tell people here, you can’t just go pitch this as a moral imperative,” Feld says. “There are a lot of moral imperatives. An effective awareness day has got to give people a window into what a real person who's living with autism is going through. My goal is for people to see the face of someone with autism on Autism Awareness Day, so that they carry that with them on April 3rd, April 4th, April 5th.”

Awareness days wouldn’t be so popular if there weren’t an appetite to address health problems. “People want to do something, which is good,” Purtle says. What he worries is that awareness campaigns’ focus on the individual—what you need to know, what you can do—could reinforce existing troublesome ideas about the origins of health, especially with conditions like obesity and heart disease, where lifestyle is a big risk factor.

A lot of people believe, he says, that “it’s really people’s choices that determine their health outcomes and if they’re unhealthy it's either: 1. They made bad choices, or 2. They’re just unlucky and have some genetic thing. These awareness [days] seem to be reinforcing that if you’re aware of the health issue, it’s a good step, and it might be even sufficient to address the health issue. That really flies in the face of the complexity of the various forces that influence a person’s health and a population’s health.”

Those forces include environmental, societal, and economic factors—things that can’t be fixed with knowledge alone. “I think if more people understood that, perhaps we’d see awareness days looking a little bit different,” Purtle says. A better awareness day, he thinks, would spread information about the prevalence of a condition and its risk factors, as well as policy changes that could lessen disparities or help people living with the condition.

“Neither Leah nor I think awareness days are necessarily a bad thing, nor is awareness a bad thing,” Purtle says. “Awareness can be a first step toward changing behavior, but in my opinion, more importantly it would be a first step to positively address the policies that impact a population's health.”

[grannygerd]

I’m Lynn from PVRIS! AMA

I’m Lynn from PVRIS. We just put out our new album Use Me which you can listen to HERE. This Saturday, we’re going to be playing our first album White Noise front to back in its entirety for the first time ever. You can get tickets for the live stream HERE.

Proof: https://imgur.com/9K4IgJf

DieDunkleFritte: Hey Lynn, would you rather have really small hands or really small feet? Best regards from germany :D pvrisofficial: Feet!!! Need normal sized hands to play instruments! haha

Nikkiestables: Lynn!!! I was in the US for my exchange and was going to FINALLY see you in person but I couldn’t:( do you think in the future you would tour Asia? Which parts would you like to explore? (Please say Hong Kong) pvrisofficial: We'd love to tour Asia more! We've loved the places we've been in Japan, Singapore, & South Korea so far! Would love to add Hong Kong!

ShadeOfNothing: Hey Lynn! I’ve been a PVRIS fan Since White Noise and I’ve loved seeing the band’s sound evolve through the years. I know you’re a huge believer in astrology, past lives, and the paranormal, so I was wondering if there were any crazy experiences you had witnessed or drew inspiration from while writing/producing Use Me. Thanks so much! pvrisofficial: yessssssss I am a nut. I didnt make Use Me in a haunted church this time but i DO think I stayed at a haunted airbnb. Food kept disappearing and then one night a giant ghostly handprint was left on my guitar case and my hand was way too small to have created it.

hinterscape: Hi Lynn! I've been following you guys since ~2014, you're awesome and I look up to you. Do you see yourself making music forever or how long do you see it if not? pvrisofficial: FOR-E-VER! It might take different forms and go through different stages but i think i will always be creating music!

imaliveunfortunately: Hi Lynn! First of all I love you and the style of music you've put out recently. I saw you at Reading last year, and in Manchester in 2017 so I'm really happy to seeing PVRIS get the exposure it deserves :) So it's gotta be asked, I understand there's issues with the label, but what are the chances of Mvdonna and Blood On My Hands being released? Whether it be as singles, on a new EP, the next album, etc? They're just damn good tracks pvrisofficial: I want them to come out SO BAD too haha. I want to make sure the production is perfect so its now a matter of finding the right collaborator for them.

CookThePasta: Do you believe in life after love? pvrisofficial: yes

OldManMalekith: Hi Lynn! How did working with JT on Use Me differ from your previous experiences with producers? Everyone that I've seen or heard work with him puts it as a really positive experience, and he helps make great stuff! pvrisofficial: He is the BEST. He was very similar to Blake in the sense that he was incredibly nurturing and encouraging, dedicated to making sure it was 100% everything I wanted and always stood up for me if the label ever tried to change it. His production style is definitely different but its extremely diverse. It's a lot punchier and crisper and a bit more minimal than in the past but i think it almost makes things more impactful that way!

villanelleinsuits: Hi Lynn! You’re a creative genius, thanks for existing. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?? pvrisofficial: I would love to live in the UK countryside!!! Maybe Bath or something.

Queenio01: How are you feeling today? pvrisofficial: Sleepy but EXCITED to rehearse!

dancorcoran: How often do you get recognised by fans in day to day life? pvrisofficial: Not too often! I usually get recognized at coffee shops and starbucks though? and Lush hahaha

jessica_pasta: Hi Lynn!!! Was wondering how do you make your synth patches? What synth sounds are your favorites? Thanks so much! Love PVRIS and all that you do ❤️❤️❤️❤️ pvrisofficial: I use Zebra a lot and also use a Prophet Rev2. One of my favorite things is to throw synths through different effects to get an entirely new sound!

ImadaPC: Hi Lynn, I got a question. What inspires you to make music and why? pvrisofficial: What inspires me is wanting to hear something I havent heard! I want to hear all my favorite artists and influences into one thing so that's usually how PVRIS stuff is inspired haha.

staceelogreen: What are your stand out albums of this year!:) pvrisofficial: Great Q! 070 Shake - Modus Vivendi Tinashe - Songs For You (technically 2019 but I've been jamming it all year) They. - The Amanda Tape KAYTRANADA - Bubba (2019 but it came out late 2019 so it counts as 2020 for me!) Howling - Colure

DH00338: What are you most excited about in terms of this new era of PVRIS? pvrisofficial: More writing!! and more collaborations!

creewitch: Hiya Lynn! I hope your morning is going well. When have you felt the proudest of yourself and why? ☺️ pvrisofficial: Oooo good Q! I always think there's room for improvement so it's hard to feel pride, but I am definitely grateful for my resilience through the crazy shit haha.

liky_gecko: Because you’re from the Boston area, what are your favorite spots to eat/hang out there? I may be going to school there pvrisofficial: Do itttt! My fav spots are a little outside of the city.... the Crane Estate, Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Portsmouth NH, Shedd Park Cemetery in Lowell.

goszkv: Hi Lynn! Was wondering if you'll ever consider coming to Poland :( ofc post corona pvrisofficial: yes!

cecy_db_11: Hi Lynn! Can't wait to see you guys this Saturday. How do you feel once the songs you write (your personal feelings and thoughts) are available for the world to listen? Do you get used to that over time? pvrisofficial: Still getting used to that to be honest. Once songs are out, I weirdly stop listening to them. Prior to that I listen in the car a lot and drive around testing songs out haha.

musicfan1976: Do you think the spring 2020 shows will still happen or be rescheduled again due to Covid? Stay healthy and take care. pvrisofficial: I truly have no idea.... :( you take care too! <3

yikesmiles: Hey Lynn! I hope you’re well! I’ve always been curious, what was it that inspired you to make music? pvrisofficial: Good Q! WHen I write, I try to write music that I want to hear that hasn't crossed my path yet.

LeahLNurse: Is there any unreleased songs you wish made it onto White Noise? pvrisofficial: Nope!

JRuiz1775: Hey Lynn! I remember the first time I saw and heard you guys was when you opened for Pierce the Veil and Sleeping with Sirens. I was hooked and have tried to see you guys anytime you are in my area. My question for you is what is your favourite tour experience? What is your dream tour to be on? pvrisofficial: There's SO many favorite tour experiences. I love touring the UK and Europe a lot, exploring before shows is my favorite thing and has some of my favorite memories. Our UK/EU tour with BMTH was one of my favorites.

ac-36: hi lynn! i love your music so much, it means a lot to me. if you were to remake your past music now, how do you think it would be different, and what do you think the future direction of the band will be? pvrisofficial: I would definitely approach the drum production a bit different but keep it pretty similar with the other textures/instruments! Future direction can go anywhere! Definitely want to keep taking risks and trying new things, but still keeping it dark!

staceelogreen: If you could go back in time to give yourself advice, what would you say to your past self? pvrisofficial: Take it easy on yourself.

NouveauJacques: Hi Lynn, huge fan and I love the power behind your music. Do you ever write songs that are too emotional and feel conflicted about putting into an album? pvrisofficial: usually if they feel too emotional or heavy, I know they need to be released haha

Defiant-Strawberry37: Hi Lynn, hope everything's okay with you and the band. I'd like to ask you what PVRIS' era you think is the best and why? Hope I can see you guys someday soon acting in Portugal. Love you all! PS: why so Lynnda? *portuguese pun intended, beautiful = linda in portuguese* ly! pvrisofficial: Thanks! I love every era tbh but I'm definitely always the most excited on the present moment!

pvrisbae: youre the cutest little soul ily. whats ur fav song at the moment? pvrisofficial: Brian showed it to me! It's "Too Late" by Washed Out.

agnespvris: Hi Lynn!! Have you had any good laughter when you've been looking through the #pvrismemes ?? pvrisofficial: oh you betcha.

whothefuckisrvmi: ok so im not understanding shit about this app but im here for you pvrisofficial: thank u

vioIentbounce: hi lynn! what do you think will be your favorite song from use me to play live? pvrisofficial: I think.... Good To Be Alive or Gimme A Min

jaydenc30: hi lynn I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you and everything you do! I hope you are doing well, what was the first song you wrote for use me? What’s does PVRIS’s future look like to you? pvrisofficial: First song for Use Me was Old Wounds! I wrote it before the second album even came out haha

IrlandaBDelao: Hi lynn, would you be down to open commisions for tattoos? If so, how much would you charge for a drawing? pvrisofficial: I wish! I do not have time to at the moment :( but if I have time in the future, you will be first to know so you can get first dibs!

CookThePasta: are you really looking at all of our memes?? pvrisofficial: trying OUR BEST!!

nonoplznowhy: why did your parents name you Lynn? pvrisofficial: Lyndsey* but they always call me Lynn or Lynds. I was named after my mom's childhood bestfriend named Lynn, she passed away when my mom was pretty young :(

golrip: What is your favourite song on awknohawnoh and why? That album literally changed my life and shaped me into the person I am today so I would really love knowing your opinion. also: what's your favourite the weeknd song/album? pvrisofficial: NOLA 1! It was my favorite to write and the memory around that time is magical. We wrote it in New Orleans and it's my favorite city.

bnizz95: Hey Lynn!! I saw you guys perform for the first time live in Cambridge last September and im so excited about the stream. I was wondering what your favorite song/songs off this album are? Also, do you still steal rosemary from your neighbors? Hahaha pvrisofficial: hahaha I have a little rosemary plant that I use now :)

vioIentbounce: are you still making collages? if not, have you taken up any new artistic hobbies lately?❤️ pvrisofficial: Little collaging here and there :) I've been researching a lot of interior design and fashion design lately!

fee-lixdawkins: Hey Lynn! Excited for the livestream! I know you’re an AFI fan. What is your favorite album and song(s) by them? Would you ever want to tour with them? I’d kill to see that happen! Take care! pvrisofficial: Brian is the bigger AFI fan! I cant pick a fave Im scared

ivykrvft: How does it feel to (kinda) be performing again as an entire band after all these months? pvrisofficial: Really good!! Definitely going to be weird without you guys in front of us!!

Ariana_0918: hi lynn <3 i wanted to know when you saw florence in concert what was your favorite song she performed live? pvrisofficial: Cosmic Love. She played it first and it was acoustic, I instantly cried hahahaha

TheSinger_Z: Hey Lynn! How old were you when you first started writing songs? What is the most memorable prank/joke that you have pulled or has been pulled on you while on tour? How many instruments do you play and what’s your favourite? I just want to say thank you, you’re my biggest inspiration when it comes to music (I sing and I’m learning to play guitar and hope to do it professionally when I’m older as I’m only 14 😬), and I’m really thankful for you guys. I got meet and greet tickets for November 30th for the White Noise stream, so see you then! pvrisofficial: i was in the 3rd grade. the songs were horrible. Its not really a prank but we love having our in ear monitor tech do the worm on stage sometimes. Extra points when he does it in costume. I can play 7 instruments! Looking to add more to the arsenal over time. I love piano a lot and drums. Keep it up, can't wait to see you be a star!!! ALso the livestream is the 21st! DOnt want you to miss it :)

CheezeGrenade: I missed out on a lot of concerts growing up and I couldn't make it to a concert out of state that I bought tickets to about a year ago. Will you guys play through Awkohawnoh again in anyway? Such as Half/Winter/No Mercy/Walk Alone. Litterally that album and the one before got me through alot of depressive phases in my life and Awk has really inspired alot of my writing for a series I want to create someday. pvrisofficial: I cant wait for you to start writing it! You got this! We will be playing through AWKOHAWNOH but the date is not announced yet :)

srankie: Are y'all Pats fans? Red Sox? Bruins? Cause if not the Eagles family will accept you with open arms pvrisofficial: NEW ENGLAND/BOSTON ALL DAY BABY!

macauley7: Could u please ask harry styles if u could tour with him? I need a pvris x harry watermelon sugar vibes thanks pvrisofficial: I'll call him right now.

brisbubbles: Hey, Lynn! Can’t wait for Saturday! I was wondering, how do you feel about singing old tracks from WN since you relearned how to sing? What has that experience been like? Wishing you and Brian the best! xzlinx: I am wondering about this as well. Maybe I am just nosey but I wonder about the process of retraining your voice and what exactlt happened. It must have been insanely difficult on her mental health but goddamn what a trooper bc Use Me is unbelievable! pvrisofficial: Great questions!!! Singing WN is definitely a little challenging to begin with because I'm older and my tone isn't the tone of 19 year old me anymore haha. A big thing was anxiety which caused me to choke up a lot and tense my chords. Then when i was being coached, out of fear of damaging something we had to rebuild and start small and light which we think caused the chords/muscles to atrophy, which set it back further haha. I eventually went to another coach who then was able to take my "retrained" voice and then strengthen it up and rebuild it back to where it was before!

ImOnlyHalfAlive: Hey Lynn! First, I can't express just how much PVRIS has meant to me over the last couple of years. Your music has helped me through so much, and I will forever be grateful. My question is: What's a life mantra you've always lived by? pvrisofficial: Life mantra (theres a lot but this one I always connect to when it comes to career): Patience and persistence is key.

Okosano: Hi Lynn and greeting from Germany! The one and only important question here : Whats your favorite comfort food? pvrisofficial: Favorite comfort food...... Indian food! My absolute favorite.

Ok-Personality1480: What’s your favorite tea pls 🤠 pvrisofficial: Throat coat for singing, housemade chai for joy.

CookThePasta: Do you know the muffin man? pvrisofficial: yes

LynnGvnnFvn: What were the creative differences between writing an album like White Noise or AWKOHAWNOH and Use Me? pvrisofficial: Age, time, locations, different producers and collaborators!

unit525: How are the submissions for the meme competition looking? Any front runners emerging? pvrisofficial: It's a CLOSE call for a lot of them...

LynXiger: Which song from your discography is your least favourite and why? pvrisofficial: I wont say incase it is anyone's favorite!! hahaha

lgbtiffany: do you have a tendency to incorporate spirituality into your creative processes? love the album and can’t wait for the stream ✨❤️ pvrisofficial: I think creating is spiritual in itself! You're channeling sound and melody and MAGICCC! So yes!

vessed1: hiii. I’d love to know who found the White Noise mirror ☺️ pvrisofficial: Me too

LynXiger: What is your favourite genre to listen to? And how has this changed over time? pvrisofficial: I'm a big sucker for hip hop and pop... really anything that's catchy and hits hard and has cool production!

nicthehic: Hey Lynn! Been a huge fan for a long long time and took up doing music professionally because I was inspired by you and the rest of Pvris’ rise and work ethic. I was wondering if there was anything you would do differently while recording your first album and any advice to new ish band working on their first professional project (in the midst of covid no less) and any tips to make our first album just as great and timeless as white noise Thank you! pvrisofficial: Awww this is awesome! I'm sure you're gonna crush it! I definitely would have wanted to make the production a little different but keep a lot of the same fundamental aspects/textures. Do what YOU feel you want to create and dont feel any outside pressures. Crush it! Cant wait for you to record!

minidudette106: Hey Lynn, Do you ever think its crazy that people get tattoos of your lyrics & ones inspired by your music? also wondering what your thoughts are on pineapple on pizza? lol pvrisofficial: I used to get freaked out bc I didnt think my lyrics were great but now I think its so cool! haha.

Hot-Lime3627: Hi Lynn, how is Opal and the other cat whom you took care of during quarantaine doing ? pvrisofficial: They are back with their owner! I truly miss them every single day... they were my little fluffy pals.

kelcea244: How do you keep your creative muscle flexed so you’re ready to create? And do you create every day? EDIT: Also really sad you guys weren’t able to make it over to the UK this month! We’ll be so psyched for you when you do come! pvrisofficial: We are sad too!!! We can't wait to get back whenever it is safe to play shows there. I miss it every day! I try to create every day even if it's just 5-10 minutes, always good to keep those muscles flexed!

socksgrowonbushes: first of all i just want to say how much i admire you, you’re amazing :) my question is what is your favourite song you have ever written? is it one that’s on an album? one that hasn’t even been released? i’m curious pvrisofficial: Use Me!

LadyEpicenter25: What the significance of playing in Arizona?! pvrisofficial: Resources to make the stream happen and rehearsals happen :)

bitchesonthephone: I have one question and one question only: When will we get Let’s Go Vertigo? pvrisofficial: NEVERRRRRR

Antique_Performer_45: Hi Lynn! I’ve been a big fan of PVRIS for a few years now. Which song from Use Me was your favorite to write? I love you guys! pvrisofficial: Use Me! or Good To Be Alive!

JadeAdelaideee: Hello!!! You’ve been a huge help with me realising I was gay, is there anyone who you would look up to when you were younger who sort of helped ease that journey? 💕✨ pvrisofficial: tbh i didnt have many. It was the scattered bits of magical gay representation on teen tv shows like Degrassi/Skins etc. haha

brandonjback: what song are you most proud of from AWKOHAWNOH? pvrisofficial: Anyone Else and NOLA 1!

DixieF: A question I've been waiting ages to ask. Why are you guys so awesome? pvrisofficial: We got awesome parents!!!

Emmahumphrees: Out of all yours songs what is your favourite lyric?? pvrisofficial: "On the porch the ceiling's painted baby blue dressed to the nines just like the sky in early afternoon 'cause it's midnight and the ghosts might be coming soon" Its a reference to a New Orleans superstition that the baby blue porch ceiling would ward off spirits in the night to trick them that it was the daytime sky.

lgbtiffany: what was the most difficult part of trying to regain your voice when you were having troubles with it? pvrisofficial: Definitely just getting on stage every night knowing it wasn't working and having to pretend it was... haha. Super embarrassing.

cnnrtower: Hi Lynn! MA fan here who first saw PVRIS open for A Skylit Drive at the Palladium in 2013. Super incredible to watch the journey for the band / yourself as an artist! What was the first gig/experience that made you stop and realize that PVRIS was going places? pvrisofficial: one of our first headline shows in CT back in 2015. Show was crazy!!

KimLC24: I was just wondering how you get your inspiration to do your art and music? because it can sometimes be hard to even get motivated let alone create pvrisofficial: Totally relate and understand! I won’t lie, the older I get, the more I need to hype myself up and set a tone to create, especially when there’s so much music swirling around us at all times (the internet/streaming/etc). I almost always have a moody or dreamy movie/show playing on my ipad next to me while I work so that way there’s an inspiring visual going.

deadweighttttt: Hi Lynn!!! What’s your all time favourite lyric from the album?! pvrisofficial: HII!! "Do you even notice how easy you've got this? Taking wings off a goddess if I'm being honest"

Pvffreis: Hi Lynn, I have no idea how to use this/reddit but great to see you here! Hope you're doing good? <3 Update: I figured out how to edit comments ayyy I just signed up to ask you this very important question: Red or green apples? pvrisofficial: Idk how either but I think I got it!! Red apples! W PB

dancingonslowsand: Hi Lynn!! Been following PVRIS for a while and I’ve loved seeing how your sound has evolved over the years. Do you have any idea of what direction you want the band to go in the future? Or are you just riding the wave and seeing what happens? Also what’s your fav bird pvrisofficial: Thanks so much! I definitely plan to just keep riding the wave… I feel like every album leaves some room for the direction to go anywhere so the next chapter never feels too restricted. I have been feeling pretty hyped and high energy lately so I feel like it may reflect that a bit! Fav bird is… PENGUINS (even though people debate that they are mammals.)

pvrisofficial: Okay my friends, I gotta head out and get to rehearsals! This was so much fun, sorry I couldn't get to every Q. Love yall! See you guys so soon! <3

November 18th, 2020

[abdicatedarchive]

Letters to Chanel || Wren

Wren and Chanel’s agreed upon penpalship of letters that were never sent. See Chanel’s letters here (X)

January 2014

To Chanel,

Hey, I know the letter writing thing I suggested was a little weird, but I haven’t heard from you yet so I guess I can write first! I hope you’ve gone over to see Nana, she calls ALL THE TIME!! You should call sometime, even though we’re doing the pen pal thing. The kids at my new school are kinda mean just like at White Lake, but I think that I made my first friend! I also have to walk to school everyday, so I’m thinking about pulling out the roller blades and making my walk shorter, made me think of you! I miss my roller skating buddy. :( Tell me when you can come out here, did your mom say yes? 

Miss You THIS MUCH, Your Laurie

June 2014

Dear Chanel,

Sorry I wasn’t able to come, I got into this debate camp thing, and I get to wear suits and stuff. I think I’m going to see about running for school secretary this year on student council. Only problem is that my knees hurt like crazy because I keep growing so fast. I keep growing out of my suits! I might even be taller than you. Enough about me though, tell me all about you. I can’t wait till Rory gets back and gives me the full update. Maybe we should skype? We could both hit play on snowdogs at the same time and it could be fun! Are you still skating? You should come out here and we could go surfing or something? I have friends! Like a group, it’s crazy. We go to movies and eat snacks and hangout all the time. I wish you were here though, because they would love you. I talk about you all the time. 

I’ll come home soon, I promise. Your Laurie :)

December 2016

To Chanel,

Hey, I keep writing these letters and not sending them because I never get any mail from you. I’m going to be in White Lake for Christmas but only for like a day and Nana has me all booked up, but I think we can make some time to watch snow dogs? It’ll be too icy for roller skates. I just want to see you, you won’t even recognize me I should tower over you!!! How weird is that??? I cannot wait to see you, even if it’s only for a few minutes. I miss my best friend. 

Yours, Lawrence

November 2018

To Chanel Hampton,

I know we didn’t end up doing this letter writing thing, but I looked you up the other day on instagram and almost sent you a DM about starting it up. I felt like a total creep though. Puberty hit us both with a sledgehammer haha.  I promise I’m not. You look really good. I made Varsity on basketball for this winter which is crazy for a freshman. I’m also doing swimming and lacrosse now. I’m kind of an athlete? Who would have thought your Laurie would be an athlete??? Not me, that’s for sure. I’ve been working out like a lot, you are not going to recognize me when I get to town. Remember when I had a huge crush on you and acted like a total dweeb? I might even bring my girlfriend. You’d really like her. She reminds me of you sometimes.

Yours.

June 2018

Dear Chanel,

I know I was supposed to come home again, but I’m actually writing you from my ED rehab. We’re supposed to write letters to ourselves here. To tell ourselves that we love ourselves. To write to future us when we feel like we’re getting worse again. But when I write letters they always go to you, so I’m just going to do that instead. I know you were expecting me this summer more than any other summer ... if you still care. I don’t think I need to be at this clinic, I was coming home to you. I look great, I feel great. They’re making me eat so much here. I just don’t think this is all necessary, Nana cried when she found out I wasn’t coming home. She says she checks on you. I check on you online like a lot. Like all the time. I feel like a total creep writing this out but I already know I’m not sending this letter. I wanted to come home this summer to White Lake and take you on a date. I know this sounds awful coming from a guy stuck in an ED rehab, but I promise you I’m not supposed to be here. People are just upset because I passed out one time at practice. I don’t get what they’re talking about. Anyways, I’m kind of easily distracted right now. But I had been working out so hard because I was excited about going to White Lake and seeing you. I have a lot of nervous energy about it. I think that you’re like, the girl. I know we were best friends when we were little, but I can’t get you off my mind. I wanted to come and see you so bad. I know guys probably talk to you like this all the time, but you’re like the only girl I think about it. The girls here aren’t like you. They aren’t funny and smart as well as beautiful. You are so beautiful. I like when you post videos on your story of you laughing with friends. Do you have nice friends? Do you have a boyfriend? I need to stop writing because one of the nurses is staring at me because I’m smiling because I’m thinking of you and it’s supposed to be a sad reflection activity. But I have this dream where I get to walk around White Lake holding your hand and it just makes me want to get out of here. I promise I’ll be home next summer, I owe you a date. 

Yours again, Laurie. 

[wildlyhardphilosopher-blog]

puppy protection training | 4 Things to Teach your NEW PUPPY Right Now!

New Post has been published on https://dogtraining.dknol.com/english/puppy-protection-training-4-things-to-teach-your-new-puppy-right-now/?utm_source=Tumblr&utm_medium=Tumblr+%230+Freda+K+Pless&utm_campaign=SNAP%2Bfrom%2BBest+Dog+Training

puppy protection training | 4 Things to Teach your NEW PUPPY Right Now!

You will learn a new, remarkable system of lifelong communication with dogs, gain a deeper understanding of dog behavior, understand the science behind marker-based (clicker) training and acquire the skills needed to apply it all effectively. I have a boxer who is 8 weeks old. We are crate training her. She is fine in the crate eats her meals in there goes in by herself when she’s tired at night however it’s totally different. The first 2 nights were fine but night 3 and 4 she just keeps whining. If I leave her there she doesn’t settle an pushes hard against the bottom of the door bending it. We have tried having someone sleep next to the crate but it did help. What do I do? I’m very tired This type of training does not rely on making dogs worried or frightened, so there is less danger of causing problem behaviours. This approach also means that dogs have better welfare, enjoy their training and form a better bond with owners or carers – so why would we do anything else? Despite our best endeavors, dogs don’t understand our words—they guess. Learn how to overcome your dog’s attempt to guess what you want in order to get treats by recognizing and leveraging aggregate or cumulative reinforcement, recency, the order of events, or his own preferred behaviors. x Chinook Pros: Unique enzymatic action, powerful against all stains and odors, can be used on any surface, discourages puppy from reusing the same area, safe for pets and children Shop Dog This comparison is just so that you can understand that puppies are capable of learning even though they are young (if training is introduced properly, of course). A recall—coming when called—allows owners to prevent trouble even from a distance. Grain Free Food Black Panther Co-Founder Elbert “Big Man” Howard Dies at 80 Remedies & Care Veterinary Behavior Solutions Drop-off and Pick-up Information Special Offers Alexandra Bassett Manage Your Medications Brittany Boykin Housetraining ground rule No. 1: Never leave your un-housetrained dog unattended. Not even for a minute. If you aren’t actively engaged with your dog, having her in the same room with you doesn’t count. It’s very important not to give her opportunities to fail at housetraining. If you can’t engage with your dog, which of course isn’t possible every minute of every day, she should be in her crate. Yes, I said crate! Housetraining Puppies & Dogs Tips for Responsible Dog Owners © 2018 Sit Means Sit. All Rights Reserved. Keep on testing until he succeeds. Follow the rule of the 3 Ps – patience, persistence, praise. Establish a routine Jump up ^ Jane S. Orihel. “Management and Rehabilitation of Inter-Dog Aggression in Animal Shelters” (PDF). Retrieved 15 December 2011. Sign Up Voted Best Training in Denver 2014-2018. Daily Newsletter The latest Across Washington news delivered to your inbox every morning. HEALTHY PETS DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. Dr. Karen Becker cannot answer specific questions about your pet’s medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Your pet’s medical protocol should be given by your holistic veterinarian. R&R Litter Box Accessories Jul 21, 2018 at 7:51 am Find a Puppy Virtual Tour Housetraining your dog or puppy requires patience, commitment and lots of consistency. Accidents are part of the process, but if you follow these basic housetraining guidelines, you can get the newest member of your family on the right track in a few weeks’ time. Thank you for your feedback! They don’t seem to be afraid of the place I would like them to eliminate, they’ll go there on their own $15.96 Hide Menu AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Reference Regardless of the method of house training you choose, some form of confinement is almost always necessary, for the times when you really cannot watch your puppy. Cornerstone Society Definition[edit] Enroll a Canine Partner The ideal time to start house training your puppy is between 12 and 16 weeks old. By that age, your dog will have enough control over his bladder and bowel movements to be able to “hold it” as needed. Training Philosophy San Rafael Puppy Kindergarden 9.86 i am a bit confused about this because—- Among the step to housetraining success is being able to foretell when your dog needs to eliminate. Your puppy is likely to need to relieve himself: Dog poop bags and a pooper scooper By the time that the puppy is capable of waiting until someone comes to let him out – you’ll be able to move the pads outside. Top Dogs: When They Finally Get It Right Humane Animal Welfare Society – HAWS of Waukesha Tip #6: Socialize Your Social Animal Parent-Teacher Tips Subscription ARF needs your help to save more lives! Together we can make a difference. I met Gigi 8 years ago shortly after I adopted Scout, my 6-month old Border Collie/Cattledog rescue from the Humane Society. Unfortunately Scout had poor socialization skills because of timidity and fear. My goal was to provide Scout with a healthy physical and emotional life so that she could learn to trust, and find an expert trainer to teach us the skills. Gigi’s approach of positive reinforcement training was exactly what we needed. I continue to use these methods with Scout daily and the training tools Gigi provided are now second nature. Because Gigi has decades of experience, compassion and commitment her training techniques work. Scout and I are proof. We remain avid attendees of Gigi’s Good Dog Club in order to practice “good dog” skills while enjoying a safe venue with a variety of dogs. If you’re looking for a great way to deal with puppy mouthing and biting in a controlled setting, consider letting your dog attend supervised puppy “preschool” play times.

dog training

puppy training

how to train a puppy

training a puppy

how to potty train a dog

fbq('track', 'ViewContent', content_ids: 'dogtraining.dknol', ); So I recommend using an exercise pen if you’re going to leave your puppy alone often and there’s any chance of a room being damaged. For example, if you don’t want your puppy on the furniture, say ‘No’ loudly and guide him off every time he climbs up. Then praise him every time he gets on the floor. our heritage Sanitation Forming a good relationship Message Boards Cat Litter WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING Puppy Level 2 Remember that a dog that is indifferent to his owner’s commands has learned not to respect his owner. This means the owner has lost control. Turn this around. Be consistent with your commands and always reward good behavior. Remember too that puppies can smell the tiniest trace of urine and that they think it is important to pee where they have peed before. 10 Dog Breeds for Children POPULAR POSTS Thousands of See search results for this author Our Pack By tuning into your dog’s signals, you’ll be able to bring him outside before any accidents happen, and you’ll also be able to avoid unnecessary trips outside when he doesn’t need to do his business. Some signs that your puppy needs to “go” include: whining, barking, circling, sniffing, or—if he is unconfined—even scratching at the door. Norwich Terrier PRIVATE LESSONS Your puppy’s smile Haha, I know your frustrations Ace! Hang in there, it’s all about consistency and not “giving in” before your dog learns. You made it! After a full week of consistent house training, your puppy should be doing his business outside and offering signals when he needs to eliminate. Continue your pup on a regular feeding schedule as well as regular trips outside to the same location to reinforce his training and decrease the chance of a setback. Thinking Skills Create an Elimination Area: If your dog is not a designated indoor dog, place the elimination area near the door to the outside. This is because you want your puppy to get out every time it needs to go, but should you fail, you want your dog to seek the door to give you a heads up. To start with just walk around the house with the leash in hand, and your puppy trotting along side you. When he is walking along on a loose leash give him plenty of praise, petting and even some treats. When he strains on the leash, stop immediately. Don’t yank him back over to you with the leash, just call him back over to you and praise him when he comes. Never ever keep walking when your puppy is pulling on the leash, this only rewards his behavior and reinforces the habit. available on iOS, Android, Mac & PC. How To Choose A Plan Limit the amount of time that the dog spends in the crate to less than four hours at any one time. This should be much less for younger puppies. Young puppies, under 12 weeks of age, have small bladders. They usually haven’t developed the ability to control urination.[15] How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond Copyright © 2017 Cesar’s Way Inc. All rights reserved. Hill’s® Science Diet® Youthful Vitality Adult 7+ Small & Toy Breed Chicken & Rice Recipe Dog Food You take the dog out, but nothing happens. More from Across Washington Patch $12.47 Slideshows & Images We teach you how to communicate with your dog so he actually listens when you speak … When you remember these basic instructions, it will enable you to set the right course from the get-go. This way, you’ll be sure always to stay on track on how to potty train your puppy, even when there are accidents and setbacks. George Vondriska Why Are Dogs Scared Of Thunder? How Can You Help Thunderphobia? Liz London is a certified dog trainer through the Certifying Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA) & the Karen Pryor Academy (Dog Trainer Foundations Certification) with regular continuing education courses from the top animal trainers from all over the world, including Michele Pouliot, director of training for the Guide Dogs for the Blind. She has trained zoo animals, search & rescue canines, gundogs, and helped people raise happy, healthy, and well-behaved canine companions for over ten years. Chuckit! 2 days ago Puppy Prep Cheat Sheet More on Training Tips National Geographic Find a Store Dogs» Common Feline Health Conditions Rent or hire a carpet cleaner with special pet-urine enzymatic cleaner or use an enzymatic cleaner, such as Nature’s Miracle or Simple Solution, found in most pet supply stores or online. Glen of Imaal Terrier Substrate & Bedding Recipient Name Adoption Guidelines With an eGift, you can instantly send a Great Course to a friend or loved one via email. It’s simple: Practice in a calm environment. When you enter the room, ignore your jumping puppy and give the “sit” cue. Is your puppy older than 2-3 months? The crate is an invaluable training tool for all puppy owners. It’s a great way to establish good habits in your puppy and prevent undesirable and destructive ones. The crate is never a tool for punishment! TRAINING VIDEOS Mount Prospect Ice Arena Jump up ^ Wogan, Lisa (November 2010). “The Mirror Method”. The Bark. Retrieved 3 December 2012. Uploaded 2 weeks ago 4.6 Dominance-based training Dog Behavior Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC Training Mistakes Why Use a Dog Crate – and Is It Cruel to Crate a Dog? Give me a call! Biscuits & Bakery Bones & Rawhide Chewy Treats Dental Treats Jerky Training Treats Afghan Hound Loans If you’re not 100% satisfied, we’ll work to make it right—even retaking the class for free! Some trainers suggest playing tug-of-war with your puppy. The puppy learns that the game is fun, but is also controlled by you, the human at the other end of the toy. The fun will stop if the rules of the game aren’t honored, keeping everyone safe.[6][7] crate training puppies | how to train a puppy not to bark crate training puppies | barking puppies crate training puppies | stop puppy barking Legal | Sitemap

[cryptobrief]

Hey what’s up Crypto Daily fans, I’m Brian Wilson and today, I sit down

With Dominic Frisby. Dominic holds the unusual distinction of being the world’s only financial writer and comedian. His book, bitcoin: the future of money published in 2014, was the first book on bitcoin from a recognized publisher. He co-wrote and narrated four horsemen, the “internet sensation” film about the global financial crisis, he writes a weekly investment column for moneyweek magazine, and is a regular contributor to the guardian and independent. He is director of recently launched privacy-tech investment vehicle, cypherpunk holdings (cse:hodl).

You might have seen his viral video, debt bomb, which was a hilarious and informative sort of music video set in a congressional setting… watch it! Dominic is also one of the speakers of the upcoming event cryptopulco, which is part of anarchapulco in Acapulco Mexico 14 to 17 February 2019 next month. It is an incredible event with a superstar lineup of speakers and attendees. I will be attending and covering that event for crypto daily and I will be doing interviews with the speakers from that event in the coming days and weeks to give you some insight into what will be going on there, sort of a prequel to the cryptopulco/anarchapulco event.

Today is the first of those interviews and I’m ecstatic it is with Dominic Frisby, Dominic, i love your work. Thank you so much for being with us today. So I’d like to just open the floor to you and let you tell our listeners, viewers and readers a bit about you and what you have going on. Can you give us some insight into what you will be covering at cryptopulco next month in Mexico?

Fascinating, I can’t wait to hear the full thing and to meet you in person. Privacy is so important, and it seems the world is starting to wake up to that fact in some regards, which is good thing. But we are still not quite there yet. Cypherpunk holdings is an investment firm that invests in privacy focused cryptocurrencies and technologies. Dominic, what would you say is important to you and society as a whole about cypherpunk holdings now and in the future?

So, how and why did you take on the role of director of cypherpunk

Holdings? That’s awesome! A little off topic here, but do you have any crypto related material for your stand up that you do and if so, can you share some of that with us? Oh man, haha. Well I think that gives everyone some good insight.... I appreciate your time today. Is there anything else you would like to let our audience know before we finish? That is awesome. Thanks, so much Dominic. A real pleasure, I look forward to meeting you next month in Mexico.

Alright guys, be sure to check out dominicfrisby.com to learn more about this incredible man and what he has going on and check out www.cypherpunkholdings.com

to learn more about that as well. I’ll post those links and all of Dominic’s social links below this video. Also, we have created an upcoming events page on the top nav bar of Cryptodaily.co.uk so be sure to check out our website for more information and to follow our other interviews and stories.

Also, if you want to attend cryptopulco/anarchapulco next month, there are still a few tickets available and I have worked it out with them to give you a 10% discount off of your tickets. I’ll include a link to that below as well and if you purchase via that link, you will get 10% off of the ticket price. As always, if you liked this episode, give it a like, subscribe and share it with others and hit that notification bell to get notified of future videos and interviews. Thanks for watching and see you on the next one.

https://anarchapulco.com/buy-your-tickets/?ref=brianwilson&coupon-code=tenpercent&campaign=CryptoDailyDiscount

[fesahaawit]

The 10 Most Popular Posts of 2017

Heyo! Thanks for all my birthday wishes yesterday – still time to get me a gift if you’d like! ;)

Time for our yearly round up of the most popular articles from the year… A great way to speed read if you’re new to the site and/or have forgotten all about it :)

And boy did we cover a lot! From pensions to prison to poop, escorts, milkmaids, fidget spinners, mayonnaise jars,  bill comas, tooth fairies, magic thread, cults, crack, donuts, graveyards, the Titanic, and – wait for it – STDs (Sexually Transmitted Debt)!

When I say we get around, we really get around, haha…

And it may or may not be the reason* our stats took a hit for the first time in a decade ;)

But here are the numbers in all its non-scandalous glory:

Total posts published: 155 (2,369 total!)

Total page views for the year: 3,727,921 (21,634,547 total)

Total visitors for the year: 2,908,453 (16,068,193 total)

Total number of sites sold: one

Total new additions to the family: .5 (and growing!)

*The drop probably has more to do with me spending less attention to the blog this year, as well as bringing on way too many writers and confusing the crap out of people, haha… But I’m back now, and 100% focused on my one and only online baby! Thanks for not kicking me out of your lives altogether just yet – we got a lot more $$$ chatting to do!

The Top 10 Most Popular Articles From The Blog

Alright, so here’s the “top” articles published on BudgetsAreSexy solely based on *stats* from 2017…  I’ll probably follow it up with my all-time *favorite* posts on Friday to make sure you saw all the gems I personally loved (they never get as much play as you hope!), but for today we stick with the clicks.

Here are the most viewed articles, starting with the highest first:

#1) 10 Things I Didn’t Expect in Early Retirement — This is a post from John of ESIMoney.com that ended up going viral on the site, and rightfully so. Some great takeaways in this one, especially #1 and #10 on the list! (And love that none of my *own* articles ever get the most traffic here, haha… another reason to showcase my personal favorites later ;))

#2) 6 of My Favorite Money Hacks — Another guest post, this time from our Summer columnist, Carl from 1500Days.com who shared some of his tips on how he was able to amass $1.8 Million and retire early at 43. He beat John above by 9 years, but he also ended with half the $$$ he did ;) Not that anyone’s counting…

#3) Will New Financial App, Clarity Money, Kill Mint.com? — Woo! A post I wrote! And interestingly, one around an app review at that… Did Clarity end up actually killing Mint.com like it had prognosticated earlier in the year?? Have you even heard of Clarity Money?? You’ll have to check out the post to learn more about them, but I think we all know the answer to the debate here ;)

#4) How I Became A 401(k) Millionaire — One of my FAVORITE guest posts of the year! If only because it shows how simple becoming a millionaire is if you allow time – and a few other factors – to just do their thing…  As told by Fritz from TheRetirementManifesto.com.

#5) Ten Moves That Will Skyrocket Your Net Worth — Another guest post from ESI Money! Going in for the kill with another “10” item’d post, kinda similar to Carl’s up above… And as you can see, anything around net worth and early retirement is popular around here, haha…  But apparently only from those who have already done it vs those of us still working at it like me ;)

#6) 9 Things I No Longer Do With My Money — Here’s a whole bunch of stuff I’ve learned about money since starting this blog over 9 years ago :) Focusing on all the stuff I *don’t do* vs always on the stuff I *do* (which is the easier parts to recognize).

#7) Side Hustle #71: Trash Picker-Upper ($30-$50/hr!) — One of my all-time favorite HUSTLES we’ve featured on the site! Brian Winch stops by to talk about “America’s simplest business” that he’s been doing for over 30 years now, after turning his $200 investment into a $650,000+ per year business (!!!). Pretty wild read whether you’re a fan of manual labor or not.

#8) My Top 7 Disagreements With Personal Finance Experts — Another guest article we’ve featured here, this time around by Ern of EarlyRetirementNow.com. He takes on a handful of widely accepted nuggets in the personal finance world and explains why he passionately disagrees. Including two of the “biggies” – the 4% safe withdrawal rate, and the power of emergency funds (*gasp*).

#9) Are You Financially Average? — One of our more recent posts when we compared ourselves to others, even though we always say not to ;) But you gotta have some fun every now and then, right?

#10) Use This Chart to Save $1,000 This Year! — And lastly, a kick-ass chart that I can’t take credit for, other than realizing how awesome it was and making sure to broadcast it to the entire world ;) Here it is below if you want to take it and run… (Well done again, Jamie!!)

And there you have it! The most viewed articles on our site this year! Here’s the lists from prior years too if you want to continue binge-reading today… Should be more fun than doing any “real” work if you’re one of the only ones in the office this week ;)

Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2016

Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2015

Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2014

Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2009

(What happened to 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013? I have no idea…)

Back on Friday with my *favorite* posts from the year!! Hope everyone’s having a great week!

Which of these above did you like the most?

The 10 Most Popular Posts of 2017 posted first on http://ift.tt/2lnwIdQ

[hopelesslylovesick]

definitely back

03/07/17 || 10:50 pm

Currently crossfaded off kush and liquor, kush starting to wear off a bit already. Going to do lines now. Hit about 3-4 bowls of kush, and 3 swigs of whiskey. Have 8 decent sized lines set up. Let’s go.

Did one line, already have dripping throat and a bit of numbness/pain in nostril. It was a shorter line, but fairly thick.

10:57 pm

Going to do half of a short line/bump, want to be a bit high and go do something.

11:05 pm

Back, I was listening to pmj covers before I left but now I feel like going on a kanye binge, starting off old school. Going to do other half of line.

Accidentally did  like a third of another line. Oh well.

11:09 pm

Going to do the rest of the line I took a third of earlier.

Can’t decide if I want to continue and listen to heartless or listen to pumped up kicks.

Nevermind, heartless for the throwback.

Definitely going to cry me a river after this.

Fuckin hell, timbland was and still is a genius producer, they’re literally one of the best combos in term of artist + producer.

Ended up at rehab, think I’m going to listen to a bunch of rihanna now.

At beyonce halo now, think I’ll probably do another line soon.

11:22 pm

Going to do half of a line.

Also, just told her I’m 3 way crossfaded, time to see what she says I guess. I have a pretty good guess though....

Also think I’m going to listen to beyonce now.

11:27 pm

Just giving a time update that I probably should have earlier. Listening to bruno mars now, think I’ll do the other half of the line soon.

Time for someone like you, going to the other half now too, seems appropriate. This is 2 minutes later.

She is definitely not amused.

All I ask has always been one of my favorite songs, but it’s never held as much meaning as it does now, the lyrics are just very real then they ever seemed before haha.

11:37 pm

This is going along faster then expected. Going to do one whole line right now.

Damn haven’t done that in a while, holy headrush. Also, listening to the studio version of all i ask now rather then the live one. Probably listen to save myself after this. 

Also, I think she was serious when she said we’re not talking until I “sober the fuck up”....shit.

11:40 pm

Fuck...I actually think she’s really mad at me. Fuck, I don’t want to listen to slower, sad songs right now. Going to listen to travis or something, that seems to pass time faster anyways.

11:49 pm

I’m just going to watch the pick up the phone music video on loop for a bit. Also probably do another line/a half in like 10 minutes or depending on how I feel.

It’s 3 minutes later, I’m going to do half a line. Also, I think I’m going to try not respond to her for a bit, just cause. Also, this video is actually so chill.

11:59 pm

Just did the other half of the line. Still haven’t responded.

12:12 am

Doing half a line now.

12:21 am

Doing the other half.

12:35 am

I sort of want to do the line, but I know I’ll want more so I’m trying to delay it as much as I can. So I just took a swig of the liquor. Have the rolling stone music video playing right now.

Side note, my tolerance really is fucked. I told a friend about how I picked up again and started, and when I said I did a lot my first time back, they guessed 6...when the truth is I did over double...lol.....

I’ll do the last line at 12:40, also I just responded. Also valerie (acoustic) is playing now, I don’t know where I want to go with the music, maybe weeknd binge now?

I really want to do a bit more lines...fucking hell my tolerance is stupid high now. The fact that it’s not a good thing on top of that...fuck.

12:40 am

I did the line, saved the longest for last. Damn that was one of the longer lines I’ve ever done, maybe even the longest. Longer is definitely better.

Messaging her again (I think?), I sort of want more, but I know it’s better for both the craving and my health that it’s better if I don’t. I’ll see if I give in tonight eventually.

1:03 am

I’m done for tonight. A part of me wants to do more of course, but I’m tired, and I promised her I was done anyways. Didn’t think too much this session about anything that wasn’t somehow coke-related. 

I don’t think I lover her like that. Part of me still thinks I do. But I know I probably don’t. It’s something I’ve accepted long ago as fact, and it’s going to stay that way. 

I don’t know how to help her, she won’t open up to me anymore. She says she can handle it but...I still want to be there for her just in case. It can’t hurt, if anything it helps, and that’s not me just foolishly being hopeful, it’s the truth.

Now I really wan’t to do a bit more, now that I’m starting to really sober up. Not very fun to return to reality after having escaped it, even if it was just a short while and temporary.

What am I even running from? I don’t think I use it as a distraction anymore really, if anything I need distractions from it realistically speaking. But if anything I do it for recreational purposes, the same way someone might enjoy a glass of whiskey after a long day of work. Or a joint just to relax and feel good. But obviously cocaine isn’t the same as either of those. It’s high risk, very dangerous, and mercilessly lethal. But holy fuck the euphoria.... I’ve realized this before and I’ll say it again, if I have a problem, it’s substance abuse. More specifically just coke, other things I don’t really ever crave or have a strong urge for. 

But....I really don’t have a will to stop using it. She was saying when I saw her the other day, that if I had any intention of getting better, of stopping, that I would stop. That I don’t ever listen to her. That she feels powerless because of me... That’s not what I wanted. I initially used it so that at least whenever I see her I’ll be able to seem like a strong and steady person to lean on, while I secretly cope at night... But I guess it backfired. Did the opposite, made her close up and not open up to me anymore. 

It’s such a peculiar thing, a catch-22 really. I don’t want to do anymore because I don’t want to disappoint her, but on the other hand because I know I disappointed her and made her feel unhappy I want to use more to cope.... The irony is too fucking unreal.

I should stop. After I use up everything I got, I should stop for real. Because it’s hurting those two more then I ever thought it would. I’m using it up dangerously fast too... at least 3-4 times faster then before I think. Holy shit I want to do more right now. It’s too late to continue the high from whatever I had before, but man do I want to do more.

She’s being super dry...either something’s wrong or she’s mad at me. 

Fuck at this rate, I’m going to end up giving in, with each passing moment my body is letting me know I should stop, but the urge to do more is twice as stronger. This is what cravings is. What borderline addiction is.

Yeah she’s definitely not happy with me haha...

Man I want to do some more so bad...might do like 3 more lines....fuck

1:22 am

I’m about to read my post on my main about why people hesitate to admit love. Also waiting on her to respond.

If she doesn’t respond by 1:30 or just is really passive aggressive still by then, I think I might just use that as an excuse and do a bit more.

1:30 am

I’m seriously debating whether or not to do more.

I think she might be asleep. I’m going to wait a bit more and if she stays offline/doesn't respond I’m just going to do 3 more lines.

1:45 am

Man I would so do more but I’m not sure if my body can take it. It’s the withdrawal/sobering up that’s making me feel like this for sure, but it doesn’t make it any less pleasant. I almost feel like doing more would just numb it out though...

Also i got my straw out of my trash can about 5 minutes ago...no matter what way an outsider would look at it they would know where this is going as do I...

1:51 am

I’ve been doing more research on coke for the past couple minutes, anything and everything about it. Rather know everything then be ignorantly dumb. The concept of ignorance is bliss doesn’t work here.

2:00 am

I just set up 3 more lines, these are for sure the last. I’m not doing anymore tonight after this. Fucking hell what am I doing.....

1 minute later, going to do one right now. 

Fucking hell that felt so wrong but so right at the same time.

Also this is the first time I resumed after having a decent amount of time since I last did it, I don’t know if it was enough to sober up a significant amount, but I was definitely sobering up right up until just now.

2:14 am

Probably going to do another line soon. The high feels a bit different then normal coke high...I don’t know if it’s a good or bad difference, but for sure it’s interesting.

I just put on she’s mine, pt.1. Just it felt like I should be listening to it. Going to do the line now I guess.

I don’t know why I ever did bumps. Definitely more nerve-wracking, but it feels way better to just do a line rather then split it up (Did line at 2:16-17).

Going to listen to apparently once the song ends, I don’t know if I want to listen to straight j cole now. Interesting how it reminds me of him because of what he said when we chilled, he recognized the song by the title immediately...he never listens to rap, doesn’t enjoy it. I wonder if he only listened to the entire album the way he did because of his ex....

I feel strangely sober yet....I don’t really mind it. I don’t know why, but I guess that’s a good thing right? It’s better then me wanting to do more to try and get higher, which a part of me does, but it’s not really that strong a urge. Also listening to intro off of 2014 forest hills drive right now. Felt like apparently was a bit too upbeat for what I’m in the mood for right now. I think I’ll go to korean osts next maybe.

2:25 am

I think 2:30-35 I’ll do the last line. Maybe even later or earlier, all depends on what I feel like.

2:36 am

Just did the last line. I’ve been reading my old posts. Like actually reading them, not just skimming over them. Of course I skimmed over the more “log” like parts, mainly just jumped to whatever was at the end. I had all my answers, or at least most of them right here. I didn’t need therapy to know them, but I think for sure it helped me find them, it’s like being told about a secret easter egg in a movie and you only notice it in a movie after watching it once you’re told.

2:44 am

Just read it all along with her old posts as well....I don’t know how I feel. I ended off by reading the letter I wrote to myself in the case that I ever find myself in that dark place again. But...I feel like I don’t really have any urge, any will to get better. Hell, I have the urge to want to do more as I type this, what the fuck is happening. This is the rewiring of the brain. It rewires your brain so that it makes you want coke more, at least that’s what it does according to an article I read earlier. I think she’s asleep....I sort of wanted to send her the letter, maybe it’ll make her think I’m okay, that I’m better. But fuck...I’m starting to doubt myself too. This is probably the coke talking but...throughout tonight, I feel like that feeling of not minding death has been slowly but surely getting stronger and stronger... The fucked up part is that I don’t mind though....I almost want it. I don’t understand why, there’s no logic to it, do I think I’ll get more attention if I am or some bs? What am I doing. I’m honestly one small bs excuse away from doing more lines right now. Fucking hell. I wish she was awake. I want to talk to her, distract myself, have someone to be common sense and guidance for me. But I don’t think that’ll happen as easily or as often as before, she’s definitely disappointed and tired of me, she’ll never admit it but I can tell. Whatever, it was to be expected, anyone would be after all the shit I pull.

I hate to repeat myself but...man am I really pathetic LOL. I’ve been constantly checking to see if she is/was online. What am I doing. I refuse to believe I’m doing it for any reason other then that talking to her helps. No other reason. Also, the more I think about it, the more lines I want to do. Man 3 more just sounds so good right now.... I’d call her if the situation were different, ask her to just distract me, but I don’t know her schedule so. Oh wait, she has an early class or something tomorrow I think, I think she might’ve mentioned it earlier.

I should just go to sleep. Call it a night. But I want to stay up. I want to be coked up. I want to stay in this state, this environment that feels so comfortable to me. Maybe it’s a trigger like the therapist suggested, but being in my room like this, with the lamps on and listening to music while not sober just so comforting, feels like a place, a moment that I should always try to be in, because it lets me think and relax with complete peace.

2:56 am

I’m fairly confident I’m telling the honest truth when I say I don’t do coke anymore with the intention of dying or escaping reality. I really do feel like I do it for recreational purposes, as well as to be in my sort of “zen state” I guess, the mindset in which I can freely flow my thoughts and analyze them in a way I would never be able to sober. Of course, that’s never going to fly with either one of them, to them bottom line I shouldn’t do it no matter what because of it’s harmful implications on my health. As much as I know they’re right and it’s something I’ve known myself since I first tried it, I’d almost rather take that risk, because the reward is something I can’t ever get through any other method. There’s nothing else, at least that I know of, that helps me write and express my thoughts and feelings in their pure and unadulterated form the way coke does. It helps me express myself as a human being. It helps me enjoy music the way the artist who made it does. It helps me feel invincible, invulnerable from anything and everything. Let’s me feel safe and confident in myself so that I can properly express myself and act the way I want too. It essentially makes me extroverted I guess. 

3:06 am

I’m debating whether or not I should do more haha dkm. Last time my ass. I had a feeling I’d be tempted/do more afterwards. Not as strong as an urge as the first time, but a urge nonetheless. 

3:21 am

I’m going through all the photos I have on my phone, remembering what I was thinking, what I felt at that time, trying to figure out if I know exactly when something changed that led me to this path. Still might do more blow, not sure, sort of getting late but not that big a deal.

Fuck, I’m in one of the mind states I hate most, the one where I don’t know what to think. It’s so hard to describe what exactly it’s like, but it’s like you have a million things to do, but you can’t figure out which one to start on first because you don’t even know what should be your priority, and you don’t know what you have to do in the first place. Just a lot of not knowing is what it is really.

I sort of want to write a letter to her but I don’t know what I would even write in the first place, for sure I want to tell her my pure unfiltered thoughts, but I don’t know how to, or what else to write even. I know there’s something else I should write about to her, just have a feeling that I do. As usual though, I don’t know what.

3:29 am

Wtf I just took a selfie with the dog filter and sent it to her. Why did I do that LOL

3:32 am

I feel like I should get high one last time tonight. I have a good feeling that I might realize something, or at least some sort of epiphany. I’m not going to do much, maybe just 1 or 2.

3:37 am

I set up 2 shorter lines, but decently thick. Guess I’ll do one now, I think I’ll start of with the smaller one, even though it’s probably smarter to start with the bigger haha...

Alright, time to relax and see if anything comes to me, not going to try force it.

3:46 am

Time felt like it was going fast until I focused/thought about it and then it immediately felt slow. I haven’t had that kind of feeling/sensation(?) since the first time I did it on halloween. Interesting....

It’s only been a bit under 10 minutes since I did the line but how does it simutaneously feel like it’s been longer and shorter at the same time. Yet I feel as sober as can be, just a slight headace is all, but that’s normal, have it most of the time once I sober up, even though I shouldn’t be/feel sober at all right now logically speaking, since it normally lasts about 15-20 min on average. I realized I’m definitely not sober because I wouldn’t rant this long and still continue to like some sort of bumbling idiot if I were sober.

It’s 3 minutes later since the last time stamp. I think I might do this last line soon rather then wait like I originally planned, I feel strangely sober, also I want to end off on a high note (haha pun.).

3:53 am

Just did the last line, prob get whatever residue then clean up, I’m actually done for tonight. Anymore and there’s actually a sever health risk, I think.

I don’t know why, but I feel like I did that line at the most optimal time possible, where I was still able to build on the previous high/keep it going, but not do it so early as to cut off the high from the line previously short.

4:00 am

I find that whenever I have these nights, I have the urge to cry. To just start bawling. In a way, I feel like it’s because it reminds me that there are still things I care about enough that I would cry and bawl over them. Too bad coke just numbs you out. 

I want to cry. I want to have tears uncontrollably fall from my face. I want to release all the pain and stress that I’ve hidden and suppressed so much that I don’t even know if it’s there anymore. I don’t even know if I’m capable of feeling emotions to the extent I did anymore. Whether it be the drugs or whatever else, I feel like I’ve lost the ability to freely feel, to have emotions that are genuine.

4:06 am

Wow, the fact that even after all I did tonight I still haven’t quite figured out that one that I don’t know but is constantly on my mind just goes to show how compicated it must be.

4:10 am

I was reading old conversations I had with her, I’m at the one where I sent her the tumblr post where I talked about how I felt lost. And I read something that sort of made me double take. I guess I forgot about it or something, or surpressed it along with all my emotions, but I guess at the time part of the reason why I decided to start coke was because I thought that maybe if I ruin myself/my life to the point where I’m better off dead, I can then properly justify killing myself....

I sort of don’t want to admit it but I think I’ve always had that idea, that thought in the back of my head, just never realized it.

4:18 am

I’m about to read the conversation where I told her I knew. From the beginning. It almost feels like it was so long ago, which I guess it was since it was on november 6.

4:26 am

Finished reading it all....I think I’m going to read other convos too.

4:33 am

I’m reading the advice she gave me when I first told her about the whole suicidal thoughts thing.

I perfectly worded what I felt then and feel even now:

“My mentality when it comes to ppl, dennis included, is too just look happy and satisfied with life always haha, cause people always have their own problems, and I'd rather be the guy that helps them with problems instead of the one telling them “

4:50 am

It’s pretty late, and my brain is fried from the back and forth of going from a huge flow of information to a seemingly dead end. Also, reading all those old conversations was a lot. I don’t really want to use my brain for the rest of tonight. I will say this tho, while I don’t have any passive suicidal urges or whatever it’s called, the idea of it sort of seems appealing to me for some fucked up reason that I don’t know.

[fesahaawit]

Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2017

Heyo! Thanks for all my birthday wishes yesterday – still time to get me a gift if you’d like! ;)

Time for our yearly round up of the most popular articles from the year… A great way to speed read if you’re new to the site and/or have forgotten all about it :)

And boy did we cover a lot! From pensions to prison to poop, escorts, milkmaids, fidget spinners, mayonnaise jars,  bill comas, tooth fairies, magic thread, cults, crack, donuts, graveyards, the Titanic, and – wait for it – STDs (Sexually Transmitted Debt)!

When I say we get around, we really get around, haha…

And it may or may not be the reason* our stats took a hit for the first time in a decade ;)

But here are the numbers in all its non-scandalous glory:

Total posts published: 155 (2,369 total!)

Total page views for the year: 3,727,921 (21,634,547 total)

Total visitors for the year: 2,908,453 (16,068,193 total)

Total number of sites sold: one

Total new additions to the family: .5 (and growing!)

*The drop probably has more to do with me spending less attention to the blog this year, as well as bringing on way too many writers and confusing the crap out of people, haha… But I’m back now, and 100% focused on my one and only online baby! Thanks for not kicking me out of your lives altogether just yet – we got a lot more $$$ chatting to do!

The Top 10 Most Popular Articles From The Blog

Alright, so here’s the “top” articles published on BudgetsAreSexy solely based on *stats* from 2017…  I’ll probably follow it up with my all-time *favorite* posts on Friday to make sure you saw all the gems I personally loved (they never get as much play as you hope!), but for today we stick with the clicks.

Here are the most viewed articles, starting with the highest first:

#1) 10 Things I Didn’t Expect in Early Retirement — This is a post from John of ESIMoney.com that ended up going viral on the site, and rightfully so. Some great takeaways in this one, especially #1 and #10 on the list! (And love that none of my *own* articles ever get the most traffic here, haha… another reason to showcase my personal favorites later ;))

#2) 6 of My Favorite Money Hacks — Another guest post, this time from our Summer columnist, Carl from 1500Days.com who shared some of his tips on how he was able to amass $1.8 Million and retire early at 43. He beat John above by 9 years, but he also ended with half the $$$ he did ;) Not that anyone’s counting…

#3) Will New Financial App, Clarity Money, Kill Mint.com? — Woo! A post I wrote! And interestingly, one around an app review at that… Did Clarity end up actually killing Mint.com like it had prognosticated earlier in the year?? Have you even heard of Clarity Money?? You’ll have to check out the post to learn more about them, but I think we all know the answer to the debate here ;)

#4) How I Became A 401(k) Millionaire — One of my FAVORITE guest posts of the year! If only because it shows how simple becoming a millionaire is if you allow time – and a few other factors – to just do their thing…  As told by Fritz from TheRetirementManifesto.com.

#5) Ten Moves That Will Skyrocket Your Net Worth — Another guest post from ESI Money! Going in for the kill with another “10” item’d post, kinda similar to Carl’s up above… And as you can see, anything around net worth and early retirement is popular around here, haha…  But apparently only from those who have already done it vs those of us still working at it like me ;)

#6) 9 Things I No Longer Do With My Money — Here’s a whole bunch of stuff I’ve learned about money since starting this blog over 9 years ago :) Focusing on all the stuff I *don’t do* vs always on the stuff I *do* (which is the easier parts to recognize).

#7) Side Hustle #71: Trash Picker-Upper ($30-$50/hr!) — One of my all-time favorite HUSTLES we’ve featured on the site! Brian Winch stops by to talk about “America’s simplest business” that he’s been doing for over 30 years now, after turning his $200 investment into a $650,000+ per year business (!!!). Pretty wild read whether you’re a fan of manual labor or not.

#8) My Top 7 Disagreements With Personal Finance Experts — Another guest article we’ve featured here, this time around by Ern of EarlyRetirementNow.com. He takes on a handful of widely accepted nuggets in the personal finance world and explains why he passionately disagrees. Including two of the “biggies” – the 4% safe withdrawal rate, and the power of emergency funds (*gasp*).

#9) Are You Financially Average? — One of our more recent posts when we compared ourselves to others, even though we always say not to ;) But you gotta have some fun every now and then, right?

#10) Use This Chart to Save $1,000 This Year! — And lastly, a kick-ass chart that I can’t take credit for, other than realizing how awesome it was and making sure to broadcast it to the entire world ;) Here it is below if you want to take it and run… (Well done again, Jamie!!)

And there you have it! The most viewed articles on our site this year! Here’s the lists from prior years too if you want to continue binge-reading today… Should be more fun than doing any “real” work if you’re one of the only ones in the office this week ;)

Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2016

Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2015

Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2014

Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2009

(What happened to 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013? I have no idea…)

Back on Friday with my *favorite* posts from the year!! Hope everyone’s having a great week!

Which of these above did you like the most?

Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2017 posted first on http://ift.tt/2lnwIdQ