#i should do this more often as a de-stress activity

[foldingfittedsheets]

Here’s a story about the time I almost lost my virginity. This is of course a social construct and by a broader understanding had already been lost years earlier at a sleepover with my best friend. But I digress.

I was dating a boy in high school. I shall call him Drama Boy. DB was big into theater, he made home movies and did stage performances at his high school.

Now. I must make this notation here, because the ending to this story will be savage otherwise, but DB put entirely too much of his mental well-being on my shoulders. He was often depressed and it was my job to constantly be helping him to regulate that.

The night our story took place we had been dating for eight months. During those months had been a ludicrous amount of making out and groping, even one lusty fumble that almost ended in penetration I vetoed on the grounds of not having a condom. It’s worth noting the first time we made out I felt physically sick to my stomach but I assumed that was normal.

But our parents didn’t give us much opportunity to really do anything like we imagined real sex to be. Until he came over for a movie night and my parents left on a date.

Scandalous, some might say, of my parents to leave us unchaperoned. But my parents were very blasé about sexual topics. They knew I was well educated and careful. Their leaving was possibly a gift of privacy rather than carelessness.

So when DB arrived for our movie night, we both knew This Was The Night. The night we’d lose our virginity.

We were both nervous and excited. The weight of societal pressure blanketed both of us, convincing us that this was the most momentous night of sex either of us could ever have.

DB chose a wretched movie. We sat through the first part dutifully before we started making out sloppy style. As I’d said previously, we’d done plenty of making out and hand stuff. Which is why I noticed that DB did not seem to be as… rigid as he had on other occasions.

A kinder more mature lens has softened my perspective. He was so nervous. But at the time I was a bit offended that I wasn’t arousing enough to have him standing at full mast. Still, we forged ahead.

I sat patiently while he tried to unhook my bra, boredly watching the terrible movie in the background as he soldiered manfully toward defeating the two clasps containing the bounty of my bosom while insisting he didn’t need my help. It took about five minutes.

That out of the way we made out some more. Then DB pulled out his pièce de résistance. A condom. This was a big get for him. His family, unlike mine, were horribly conservative and of the opinion that marriage was worth waiting for. So his opportunity to secure this vital piece of equipment had been slim.

In fact, it had been so slim, that what he pulled out was an:

Unlubricated

Glow in the dark

Novelty condom

From a vending machine

At the bowling alley.

I wasn’t terribly enthused about any of those qualifiers, but I held my tongue.

Then came the worst part. DB couldn’t admit that the stress of performance had unmanned him. He continued to pretend his wobbly erection could facilitate the rigorous activity of putting on a condom. He attempted to force the dry clinging rubber down his dick as it softened like pudding under his fumbling hands.

I butted in and made with more kissing, certain that seeing me naked had been such a let down that he was going limp because of me. Surely the sight of my boobies should have been enough! Because they weren’t, I was convinced he wasn’t really into this deflowering at all.

It didn’t help that my enthusiasm for this activity was fueled purely by teen hormones rather than actual sexual attraction. Perhaps he felt the same. It was one thing to watch his penis with clinical curiosity but another to think that my young boobs didn’t excite the same lust I felt toward boobs.

Nevertheless. The condom was more or less on. With momentous energy he tried to jam our anatomy together and rolled a critical failure. His penis lost all rigidity and oozed away from insertion.

Panicking and embarrassed he exclaimed, “I think I put this on wrong!”

To my horror he began trying to remove the condom and put it back on the other way. Health instructors of ages past screamed in my head that the condom had now been stretched and unrolled.

Trying to jam it back on was certainly not safe, especially given the slackness of the anatomy in question. It would certainly tear- if he could even get it back on.

I broke out in a sweat watching him attempt the magic trick of convincing a flaccid penis that it really wanted to get better acquainted with a desiccated rubber tube prison.

“I just remembered!” I exclaimed.

He looked up at me, wretched with despair.

“I promised my parents I wouldn’t have sex tonight. I just remembered! Sorry!”

This could go down in history as one of the most bold faced and terrible lies ever told, a blatant falsehood on par with declaring the sky was green. But his face broke out in a terrible relief.

He disposed of the abused condom and I resecured my bra and we resumed watching the horrible movie, both of us relieved in our own way to set down the burden of Losing Virginity.

The next day I broke up with him.

This remains to this day one of the most savage things I’ve ever done, breaking up with someone the night after impotence.

But remember, dear reader! It wasn’t just the sex! His depression had already worn away my patience and our communication. The foibles of the night before had just illuminated the gaps where we couldn’t talk to each other properly. I was constantly comforting him over something, shoring up his brain chemistry with my relentless positivity.

I’d like to say that’s all it was, and look more charitably on my young self. But truthfully my tender pride had also been badly stung that I wasn’t worth rising to the occasion for. Comforting him over this latest mishap when my feelings were hurt was more than I could swallow.

DB took the breakup very poorly. About two weeks later he lost his virginity with the new girl he was dating. He called me to brag, sniffing through the airwaves for hints that he’d hurt me back.

When I congratulated him with utter sincerity and not a whiff of jealousy he was furious.

We stopped speaking for years, except on our mutual birthday when we’d wish each other a cordial “Happy birthday.”

He messaged me out of the blue one day years later to catch up. He was working in food service now. Was it true I was a lesbian? Yes, I assured him, that was true. He thought that was pretty cool.

Then he told me about this bisexual girl he worked with who was interested in a threesome. Did I want to have a threesome with him and his bisexual coworker?

The audacity. I couldn’t believe it. My mind filled with savage retorts like, if you understand I’m a lesbian why do you think I’d want you to be part of that? Why wouldn’t I just sleep with her without you?

But I remembered the utterly ruthless way I’d dumped him and as penance I swallowed all of the things I wanted to say and instead politely told him I was seeing someone, but thanks for the offer.

And that was it. He’d managed to shoot his shot not once, not twice, but three times, and never managed a home run. He struck out that last time, and we never spoke again.

[writingquestionsanswered]

"Probably one of my biggest writing-related takeaways of 2023 was the brain science behind being overwhelmed by writing. So often, we put so much pressure on ourselves to meet goals, and get so frustrated with ourselves when we fail, that we end up making writing time something that fills us with anxiety. So our brains perceive that activity as a threat, which makes us want to avoid it."

I'd love to learn more about this cause it's my biggest problem when it comes to writing. The avoidance of the task, but it also manifests also as feeling overwhelmed by writing a long story/novel.

Some Brain Science Behind Avoidance

I encountered this idea of fear-based avoidance in a few workshops and summits over the past year, but I have to give a shout out to author/coach Monica Hay whose "Overcome Writer's Resistance Bootcamp" explained it the best. I can't find my notes so I'm going from memory here, but the gist of it was that our brains are hard-wired to avoid things that make us feel fearful or uneasy. This is an evolutionary throwback to when those instinctual feelings helped us steer clear from danger. As I remember Monica putting it, "Don't go that way, there are cheetahs there that will eat us."

So... how does this apply to avoidance of writing?

When we heap unreasonable goals and deadlines on ourselves, and berate ourselves for falling short of them, we inadvertently turn writing into a stressful activity. So, when we sit down to write, our brain picks up on that stress and says, "Don't go that way, cheetahs will eat us," and your gut instinct tells you to avoid this stressful activity at all cost. And then it becomes kind of a vicious cycle because you feel even worse because you're avoiding writing, and that makes you feel more overwhelmed and makes writing more stressful, and well... you can see the problem.

The solution? De-stress the writing process for yourself as much as you can. Start by de-stressing yourself when you sit down to write... take a relaxing walk first, do some yoga or a meditation exercise, or try some grounding techniques. See if you can do some things to make your writing environment more relaxing and inviting. Put on some soft lighting and relaxing music, use your favorite method to lightly scent the air, grab your favorite drink and snack. Then, just try to move the needle forward in any way you can.

My suggestions: try editing a sentence. Maybe see if you can add a paragraph or two. Don't think about deadlines or word count or what others are doing. Just focus on adding something to the page, even if it's changing a word or adding a sentence. Don't push yourself. Congratulate yourself on whatever progress you made. Ultimately, if you do this every day, the stress should start to melt away and writing becomes an activity that your brain no longer tells you to avoid.

Another suggestion: try to avoid setting arbitrary deadlines, or if you have to set a deadline, take a look at your schedule/calendar and be really honest about how much time you actually have to write. Because so often what happens is we say, "I want to finish this 80k word draft in eight weeks..." but the reality is we're not going to write all 56 of those days. In fact, when we take an honest look...

-3 days per week for days with both class and work = 32 days -5 days for a cruise next month = 27 days -1 day for bestie's birthday celebration = 26 days -Sundays because that's hiking day = 18 days Suddenly, that eight weeks is actually only 18 days... and that's not even taking account things that come up unexpectedly. But, let's say you do get to write all 18 days, and let's say you know you can commit three hours a day to writing but you'll probably take two ten-minute brakes... so 48 hours worth of writing. But here's the problem: you know on a good hour, you're probably only going to write 1200 words. And guess what: 1200 words per hour over 48 hours is only 57,600 words... far short of your 80k goal... and that's assuming you get to write all 18 days and hit 1200 words every hour you write. In other words... you've set yourself an impossible deadline, and when you fall short of it without understanding why, you're going to be disappointed in yourself. And that's why it's so, so important to be honest about the time you have and how much you can reasonably accomplish within that time. Also: just don't be hard on yourself. It will never make you write faster, more, or better.

I hope you can use this to overcome your own resistance to writing! ♥

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I’ve been writing seriously for over 30 years and love to share what I’ve learned. Have a writing question? My inbox is always open!

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[teecupangel]

As someone who very recently came into possession of a labradoodle who is more poodle than lab, how about that for dog!des? Specifically the fact that their fur is a fucking nightmare to deal with if not brushed regularly. Like twice a day regularly.

(We’ve been making fun of Malik for a while now so let’s change things up)

Shaun was an awful owner.

Truly.

He should never be in charge of any pet at all.

Desmond felt like his second life as a labradoodle is his own personal hell than a chance for a second life.

Forget about his plans to become the most awesome Assassin dog once he grew bigger.

He wasn’t going to survive his life as a puppy because the new mentor (some dude named Elijah) ordered Shaun and Rebecca to take care of him.

Okay.

Rebecca was awesome.

She never forgot his meal time. She walk him around the little suburban compound they were staying at the moment every morning and every afternoon. She let him run around the house and threw balls for him to chase (look, Desmond learned early on that he cannot fight certain canine urge, it was part of the whole “I got reincarnated into a dog” deal).

But she was, and Desmond could not stress this enough, nine months pregnant since last week.

Desmond couldn’t even wrap his head around the whole “yeah, Shaun and Rebecca are now married and soon will have their first kid” thing.

So…

Rebecca was ordered by a doctor named Chewy to rest and to not do any stressful and/or strenuous activities.

And, according to Shaun, Desmond was a stressful and strenuous activity.

First of all, fuck Shaun.

Second of all, Chewy also told Rebecca to try and move around the house and Desmond accompanied her whenever she did and, not once, did Rebecca call him a stress fur ball (like Shaun).

Third of all, Desmond knew that Shaun was actually the most stressed among the three of them. He was worried about Rebecca and he was still doing work for the Brotherhood.

But still…

“What happened to you? Why is your fur like this?”

He was so awful at taking care of Desmond.

He didn’t forget meal time (thank god) but that was because they timed his meal time at the same time as their meal time. Rebecca reminded Shaun to eat with her each time and Shaun automatically prepares Desmond’s food during that time (according to Rebecca, the mentor told them that Desmond cannot eat dog food so Desmond’s food is usually rice, some kind of meat and a bit of vegetables that are okay for him to eat, all… not seasoned at all but Desmond can deal with that)

Walk though… Desmond had to bark at Shaun just to remind him to walk him. One time, Shaun was in the middle of a debate (via messenger) with one of Erudito’s hackers and Desmond just gave up and peed on his leg.

No.

Desmond was not embarrassed. He lost all semblance of human embarrassment when he first had to shit on the grass while Rebecca was watching.

Now, all he felt was smugness whenever Shaun would sigh but grab his jacket so they could take a walk.

But Shaun’s worst offense was his inability to remember Rebecca telling him that Desmond needs to be brushed often.

Like…

At least twice a day.

Thrice would be better.

Rebecca usually brushed him after every meal and after their walk.

Because she knew how much of a nightmare his fur would become if it wasn’t properly cared.

But Shaun.

Shaun kept forgetting it and Desmond had to sit still while Shaun grumbled as he brushed his fur.

Seriously…

Desmond was honestly worried that Shaun would have this much trouble caring for their future baby.

Desmond would probably have to step up as the dog nanny.

Yippee.

[dipperdesperado]

I'm writing a plan for a solarpunk social revolution

I think at this point we all have an understanding that things in the world aren't good. That's useful information, but that's also only step one.

Next, is broadly to figure out, "what the heck do we do?"

I've been doing a lot of listening and reading about that, and I'm trying to formulate my thoughts, to create a guide of sorts. I'm gonna sketch out my framing for it, with the areas of focus and basic tenants. This is going to be an iterative process, so let me know what you think about this! If u have the stuff to add or change, I'm cool with that!

Basic Needs (Pillars for Life)

These are the things that people deserve to be provided in order to live a comfortable life. The brave new world should be able to provide these things.

Shelter: A safe and secure place to live is essential for a comfortable life. This could be a house, apartment, or another type of dwelling.

Food and water: Adequate nutrition and hydration are essential for maintaining good health and well-being.

Clothing and personal items: Clothing and personal items such as toiletries help people feel clean and presentable, and can also provide protection from the elements.

Health care: Access to quality health care is important for maintaining physical and mental well-being

Transportation: Having access to reliable transportation can make it easier to get to work, run errands, and participate in activities.

Communication: Being able to communicate with others, whether through phone, email, or other means, can help people stay connected and feel less isolated.

Education: Access to education can help people gain knowledge, skills, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Technology, electricity, and internet access: Access to technology and the internet can facilitate communication, education, and access to information and resources.

Art, Media, Entertainment, and Play: People often need activities or hobbies that provide enjoyment and help them relax and de-stress.

Social connections: Strong social connections and a sense of community can provide support, companionship, and a sense of belonging.

Financial stability: Having access to sufficient financial resources can help people meet their basic needs and feel more secure.

Personal safety and Defense: Feeling safe and secure in one's environment is essential for a comfortable life.

Levels/Spheres of Liberation

These are the levels at which liberation needs to occur. There's an interplay between each level: for example, you have to a reach certain standard of self-love before you can make meaningful connections with others. The more connected with yourself you are, the more connected with others you can be.

Internalized Liberation: Internalized Liberation is a state of radical self-love.

Interpersonal Liberation: Interpersonal Liberation is a state in which love is fully and freely given to all others. 

Institutional Liberation: Institutional Liberation is a state of radical inclusion, where all organizations see equity as their responsibility and use an equitable process framework in perpetuity.

Systemic Liberation: Systemic Liberation is a state in which we have reconfigured societal relationships to resources to allow for ingenuity and social protections to coexist, creating the interconnected circumstances under which all people have the resources, access, and opportunity to thrive.

Environmental Liberation: Environmental Liberation is a state of harmony with the environment. Reconnecting with nature and understanding our place in it.

Ideological Liberation: Ideological Liberation is a state in which we have fully transcended and have no need for social constructs such as race; a reality where we are unbound by identity defined in contrast to others; individuals are unconflicted and feel a full and authentic sense of belonging in all spaces.

Guiding Principles

These guiding principles are the values which underpin the revolution; these are the unarguable, foundational ideas that make up the basic requirements for the movement.

Grassroots/Direct democracy: people should manage their own affairs. If something only affects you, then you do what you want. Things that affect others should involve them in the process. The goal is to find the balance between individual and collective autonomy, where the combination of each is greater than the sum of its parts.

Social Ecology: Our foundational understanding of nature is based on hegemonic values that separate us from it. This thinking coincided with the domination of people by other people around the beginning of civilization. By trying to reconnect with nature and see ourselves as part of it, while also upholding the values of liberty, solidarity, and equality, we can work towards mending our environmental and social relations.

Decentralization: civilization is an extremely complex system, and the most successful complex systems balance order and chaos thru decentralized forms. Highly centralized systems like the prevailing ones simplify things and standardize things to make them easier to manage. Having unique communities that federate based on need and shared projects leads to more resilient, creative, and emergent societies.

Anti-hierarchy, domination, and coercion: revolutions have to be led by the people, for the people. Forcing a mode of operation onto others is a non-starter. Freedom with subjugation is no freedom at all.

Liberty: people should be free to live how they want, so long as those desires don’t harm others. Matters should be decided with a maximal preference for that balance.

Free Association: all relations should be voluntary. No one should have the power to force a relationship, whether it’s for work, play, or community.

Solidarity Economies: programs, organizations, and projects that prioritize the well-being of the community over other concerns.

Diversity as Power: intersectional understanding of different identities people hold and how that informs their experiences being alive. Along with this, a recognition that the diversity of experiences heightens the chance for emergent solutions to problems.

Levels of Organization

Organizing at different scales.

Affinity Groups: a small group that’s tightly knit and focused on very specific alignment. Similar thoughts on issues, and similar interests in projects and actions.

Communes/Neighborhood Pods: connecting with people in your geographical vicinity, uniting on shared issues to be solved, moreso than shared ideology.

Organizations (platform orgs, ideological orgs, social orgs): Groups trying to change the world for the better. There would be platform orgs that contribute to ideological orgs and social orgs to provide cohesion between different projects and strengthen community resilience through federation within the community and its disparate projects.

Prisons: writing letters to prisoners and creating specific programs to abolish the modern-day slave complex that is the prison system.

Schools and Educational Bodies: creating revolutionary unions for students, staff, and faculty, and making efforts to gain direct democratic control of education.

Workplaces (Unions and Cooperatives): starting revolutionary syndicates for traditional workplaces, and starting directly democratic, horizontally run businesses.

Cities/Counties: tying all of the above things together through assemblies to have citizens directly decide on things that affect the whole city/county geographical area.

Regions: tying multiple cities/counties together, making decisions on projects that affect the region (big infrastructure and the like). This will still be directly democratic. The people who are affected by the decision will be the ones to come to the decision.

"Nations": tying multiple regions together to make very large decisions that affect the whole landmass.

Those're pretty much the areas that I'm thinking about. Am I missing anything?

[your-local-ghoul]

How To Remember Your Dreams

Whether prophetic or not, we tend to underestimate just how much we dream. The majority of our dreams occur during the REM stage of our sleep when our brain is highly active. This provides insight into the often less significant but psychologically meaningful dreams we experience.

I believe that the human mind accesses something beyond our subconscious when we sleep. This explains how individuals can have visions of their scheduled flights crashing days before it occurs, or seeing family members from distant lands with vivid recollections of their surroundings and clothing. If interpreted correctly, our dreams can provide us with forbidden knowledge and remarkable insight into our past, present, and future. However, what good are these dreams if we cannot recall them? To help you improve your dream recall, here are some tips:

Record your dreams I know, I know. Recording dreams that you can't even remember does sound ridiculous, but the goal here is to increase your awareness of your dreams before and after you have them. By setting the intention to record your dreams before bed, your subconscious mind will start paying more attention to your dreams, allowing you to remember more details upon waking. You can start a dream journal or simply take notes on your phone with as much detail as possible. With practice, you should be able to start remembering your dreams within a week or two, or even sooner if you have a natural talent for it. At first, you may only remember the basic outlines of your dream, but with continued effort, you will be able to recall the themes, symbolism, and messages within your dreams, which will be useful when interpreting them.

Have a proper sleep schedule You cannot expect to have dreams(unless you are a modern-age prophet having some kind of divine revelation though I suspect we get any more of those) when you are running on 2 hours of sleep and copious amounts of caffeine. You should be getting at least seven hours of sleep on a fixed sleep schedule. Make sure you are taking proper care of your body and physical well-being. Always. You cannot expect your body to work with you when you are not doing it justice.

Drink water before bed Dreams and the subconscious are domains of Neptune. Lord of Seas and Freshwaters, he is the ruler of Pisces in the zodiac. So when you are dealing with a topic so deeply linked with water energy, it is best to try and embody that same energy as best as you can. Drinking water 30-60 minutes before bed is perhaps the easiest and most efficient way to achieve this. I have seen people recommend drinking apple juice before bed to ensure a more vivid-and sometimes lucid- dream experience though I think it doesn't have any significant results. Try a glass of plain water- you will see how you can remember even the more intricate parts of your dreams upon waking up.

De-stress before sleep Sleep is an excellent tool for you to de-charge and heal. Whatever might have taken place during your day should not be of concern to you while you are about to sleep. Yes, I know it is easier said than done and there is only so much I can say to consolidate your stress. So perhaps limit your screen time before bed and partake in activities you find calming. Taking a hot shower, aromatherapy and a cup of warm tea might help. I would personally recommend linden, sage, fennel or chamomile tea for their soothing effects.

Meditate You don't need any fancy tools for this. You just have to be alone, in a comfortable and quiet place. Before sleep, situate yourself comfortably in your bed and meditate to clear your mind and relax. If you want to silence your thoughts, I would recommend doing breathing exercises and overall being aware of your breathing pattern.

Oneiromancy is a highly intuitive field. With enough practice, not only will you get better at remembering your dreams but realize that you have also strengthened your intuition. It will especially be of use if you are interested in scrying or fortune telling.

[gold3nberry]

Headcanon: Cussing

Dedicated to the very kind Anon who requested it!

I hope you (and all of you, nice folks!) like it. It was wonderful way to get reacquainted with my own Tumblr. 

As always, reblogs, comments, likes, are all treasured and appreciated!

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Cassandra: when she was a child, she used to do it a lot. A. Lot. Mostly for the chance to see her relatives shocked and appalled. She heard the guards in her uncle’s estate cussing here and there, when they were sure nobody was nearby. Therefore, if they were doing that, to be a warrior partly involved cussing, right? Growing up, she tones it down a great deal, realizing that cussing can actually weaken your voice during an argument or make you look undignified. This is something the Right Hand of the Divine simply can’t allow. She is not shocked to hear it, mind you, but she keeps the few ones she needs to bark out mostly for when she is not doing anything official near someone important. 

Blackwall: he has lived among soldiers. Cussing is part of a normal day as it is training in the sparring ring. Curiously, though, he doesn't like cussing unless it just escapes his mouth out of exasperation. He blames having been in contact with Orlesians too much, but he prefers a well thrown insult to an actual curse. When he acted as a Grey Warden, he tried even harder to refrain himself, wanted to appear a dignified and rightful guidance. When he lets one slip, though, it is a big one!

Dorian: he has a potty mouth, simply put. Oh, sure he tries to correct it a lot, and generally he succeeds in selecting a more refined language. Surely, he doesn’t cuss near Madame de Fer - no way in the Void he is letting anyone Orlesian think they are more refined than he is. However, he cusses in the bedroom. In the heat of passion or during a role-playing he lets go of everything that blocks him, and just... curses. When he is angry, the best curses to spit out at his enemies are in Tevene, and he switched to it almost unconsciously. 

Varric: he is a writer. A master of words. Simply put, cursing is boring. Cussing can be fun during a heated moment, but it lacks the mastery of language he so much loves. Cussing is too easy. A quick, sly, possibly brutal reply is a true testament to a writer’s ability, or so he likes to think. He laughs if someone cusses out of frustration (and Hawke used to do it with every breath) and shrugs nonchalantly if someone tries to offend him with it. If Bartand’s insults didn’t bother him, nothing can. 

Solas: cussing is debasing, full stop. He will not lower himself engaging in such peasant activity. There are so many other methods you can pick to make your displeasure clear, that he simply cannot understand why someone should choose such trivial words. Even when he is angry, he can’t see the point of it. Especially when he’s angry, actually. Cursing while annoyed means not being able to make his point clear enough. An insult can't substitute an explanation, can it? 

Sera: cussing is one of the very few joys the Maker dropped on Thedas and by Andraste’s tits, she is going to take full advantage of it! She cusses as often as she breathes. Nobody can say if it’s because she is just so used to it that she can’t distinguish those words as curses anymore or because she simply doesn’t care. Probably a bit of both. She is particularly extravagant in the words she selects, so much that Varric actually starts to admire her efforts. 

The Iron Bull: the Qun disapproves of swearing because it means you have lost control over yourself. Secretly, though, he has always had a thing for swearing. It sounds fun and it actually is a good way to release stress! He likes to swear freely, but not around children.  He uses the curses both as an insult or as a compliment, depending on the audience. To his companions’ amusement, the happiest he is, the more he cusses. He wouldn’t curse while fighting a dragon, though. It would be too disrespectful! 

Cole: he tries it once for fun and makes Varric and The Iron Bull laugh. He does not do it again, though, because the words are heavy on his tongue, and they cut if told too often. He can see little bruises left on the souls and skin of the people being cussed at. Someone thinks to use it in a friendly way, but it’s dangerous. The outcome too uncertain. No, no, he doesn’t want to take the chance to hurt somebody. Better not saying it. 

Vivianne: she would choke on her own tongue than put on such a display of vulgarity. It’s not all snobbery, as most of the people around her think. Sure, cussing is actually something that servants and ... less noble people tend to indulge in. Even the Templars in her Circle frowned hearing their comrades’ curse, let alone Mages. Her true reason, though, is that in the Orlesian Court a few things are as much disapproved as cursing is. You curse and nobody asks you to go to their party, or accept a gift, or meet the people you need to meet. You are even slightly vulgar, and the Court dismisses you as quickly as a lighting running through the sky. Cursing is what can kill you in Orlais. And Vivienne is too clever not to know it. 

Advisors

Josephine: she is a proper lady, so she knows cussing is bad. She is also Antivan, with passionate Antivan blood in her veins, so she is not shocked when she hears it. Her good manners however are too ingrained on who she is to let her curse, even if she is distressed or angry. Only Leliana has heard her cursing once, through gritted teeth and pressing her knuckles to her lips. Josephine has made her sworn she won’t ever tell anyone, and she has sweetened the deal with the most exquisite pair of Antivan slippers the Spymaster has ever seen. 

Cullen: he curses. He tries not to curse at other people, but he does use some chosen words when he is upset and possibly alone. Or when he is happy and doesn’t know how to articulate his feelings. Fereldan Templars are way different than their Orlesian counterparts. Cursing is not a scandalous thing, it’s part of a normal day in a heavy armour. Now, he doesn’t want to curse too much, especially in front of ladies or children, and he does a wonderful job in restraining himself. During a battle, though? He literally curses his way through the enemies.

Leliana: she curses only thinking about her enemies - so, a lot, but only when she is alone. The Divine Justinia found that exhilarating, when she caught her Left Hand doing so, one day. Leliana doesn’t have any particular belief about cursing, outside the Orlesian court. It’s just another way for people to express themselves.

[ithinkwehitametaphor]

For the question game:

13, 14, 22.

I need to know. <3

How do you de-stress?

I don't. 😂 I mean, I should, I try. But I often fail. The most de-stressing activities for me are baking, and nalbinding while I watch documentaries. For baking I gotta be in the mood, though. Nalbinding is always an option because it doesn't mean I need to clean the kitchen afterwards. XD And you can always use another pair of socks. Sometimes writing de-stresses me, too. But that depends. It can be a relief, it can also be stressful.

What are your favorite apps besides tumblr?

Ha. I'm boring. I don't use many (social media) apps. I'm literally always on tumblr. It's where I live online. But I also like to use Instagram. I mainly use it for more personal photos / photo sharing with my friends. My account is private but friends and tumblr mutuals can get access. ^___^

And of course I have some messengers to talk to friends. I mostly use discord, signal and threema. No whatsapp for me.

What is your most prized possession?

This is a hard one because I just love all sorts of stuff. I love to buy things and just "have" them. I know that's frowned upon but I'm a collector. Lol. I'll give you the top three:

My collection of handmade glass beads from the Scandinavian early middle ages (mostly reconstructions of existing archaeological finds). I collected them on many medieval markets from all sorts of artisans. There are so many good memories treasured in there. :3

Next is, THEM:

And then there is my complete volumes of Neil Gaiman's The Absolute Sandman which I love so dearly. <3

[kirarinlovesidols]

Mornings with genshin men as fathers part 2.

Liyue

Zhongli

‌Has to wake up early to work but before that he enjoys being the one making breakfast and taking care of usual morning chores.

‌Can you tell he loves you so much he refuses to let you do anything.

‌Wakes his daughter up in the unfortunately meanest way possible...he gently lowers her blankets and waits for a few seconds before she gets up all confused missing the warmth. Dragons are sensitive to temperatures it seems.

‌You and your baby kiss his cheeks goodbye and wave at him by the door wishing another good day at work.

Xiao

‌We already stablished he's the distant type of dad and with his duty of protecting Liyue to also take care of he isn't home often.

‌However the Yaksha makes an effort to at least go home every night to check up on you and your daughter.

‌In very very rare occasions where the nation seems to be having a peaceful streak Xiao feels more at ease to be with you, after all he can't really do much since it's the era of humans now, he respects their wishes of not depending on adepti.

‌He loves saying he doesn't need sleep but we all know that's bullshit, right? As an adeptus he doesn't need to sleep as often as humans do but his body can still very much crash since it needs "shut down" periods every now and then. If there's nothing going on Xiao will rest, cuddling with you in his sleep.

‌You are aware of his nightmares and so is your baby. Bless her heart, she seems to be very understanding of why Xiao isn't very present. She doesn't understand it completely but she's determined to spend more time with him when he's here.

"The voices, the memories...oh how he despises them and how much he blames himself as well, letting guilt eat him alive for the rest of his days."

"He WOULD atone for his sins, it doesn't matter how long it takes, how much demon blood he has to spill."

The Yaksha wakes up in cold sweat. His lungs gasping for air.

It seems like Xiao slept without meaning to, again. This night was a fairly ok one, no traces of demonic activity could be felt so he decided to come back home. What he didn't expect was to end up cuddling you to sleep, he couldn't really bring himself to say no and felt guilty about not spending enough time with his family as he wanted or felt like he should.

Cold sweat seemed to have formed on his forehead. It was hard to breathe and everything reminded himself of his bloodhound era.

He could feel his sanity slipping through the cracks of his mind, bit by bit. Until a little presence made itself known.

"Hmmm...? Papa are you ok? Your face looks...weird...did you have a nightmare?"

He could feel himself wheeze, he needed to calm down, he was panicking. It's ok, his beloved was here and so were his daughter, he was going to be fine.

His brain repeated these words like a mantra but to no avail.

Suddenly everything came to a halt as something soft and warm touched his forehead.

Oh.

"Do you feel better now? Mama does this to me when I have nightmares so...."

Right.

This wasn't the past, it's the present. He's safe now, he's with people who love him.

"Thank you...."

Xiao says as he engulfs his daughter into a hug and lies down again. His hand caressing her hair smoothing any stray locks.

Archons, he was so grateful to have you two.

In the morning you wonder if you missed something. Xiao and your daughter seem to be very "clingy" with each other today.

You weren't complaining though, it was good to know there were moments he stopped worrying about hurting her or not.

A smile graced your lips as you watched the little green haired girl feed her father almond tofu.

A light pink seemed to dust his cheeks but you could see in his eyes this moment meant a lot to him.

Xingqiu

‌Good luck trying to get his twink ass out of bed every morning.

‌He still reads until late as that is his way of "de-stressing" from all the work he has to do for his family.

‌You feel bad for him though...you really wish you didn't have to wake him up, you wish you could let him sleep since he probably needs it but it's either you, your son or a servant does it.

‌luckily your child is a bit too smart for his own good already as he inherited a lot of his father's teasing tendencies. Things such as:

"Father if you don't wake up I'm afraid i won't be able to share this new book i got with you..."

‌Mans is literally jolting out of bed immediately.

‌Listen, he appreciates the time he spends with his baby a LOT since they don't get to do much together usually.

‌You just roll your eyes and shake your head as a smile forms in your lips, watching their antics.

‌His handwriting still sucks major ass and you can be sure that's a reason for his own fucking son to tease him.

Chongyun

‌Wakes and goes to sleep early, he can't really stay up late at all. It's a childhood habit he was never able to change and doesn't really think he has to.

‌As stated before Chongyun is a very awkward dad and your son is very shy. So as much as they see each other everyday they have trouble interacting properly.

‌The exorcist still has no idea how to handle children but it's desperately trying to learn, he loves his son so much!!

‌Your little boy knows that, it's easy to know as his father kinda wears his emotions on his sleeves. However he thinks his dad is really cool and gets overwhelmed before he actually utters any words.

‌You kinda have to pitch in so both will feel comfortable and realize they were just overthinking.

‌Everyday before training starts Chongyun shares one of his special popsicles with the kid. They kinda sit there in comfortable silence before the older one rests his hand on the little one's head. Very cute ♥.

‌Shenhe visits you every now and then, she loves playing with your son and he loves her just as much!

[therhythmafterthesummer]

it's been a while rhythm!! how is everyhting??

i have yet to read some of your latest works, but life has been a little bit hard lately and i found myself missing our dearest pack 🥺 unfortunately i don't have time rn to re read my fav one shots, but this week it's being kind of a parenthesis and i can breathe a little 一some needed rest before i dive in university life again.

i've seen what other anons said about the girls gang (wereroomies, i mean) hanging out together and supporting each other. even with their hobbies, and i keep finding confort on pretty because i feel like i have so much in common with her. those asks helped me a lot because university is a lonely period, at least at the beginning and in my experience, so reading about how they enjoy their time together made me realise i have to appreciate those little moments i have with my friends (who aren't studying the same degree as me, unfortunately i don't see them as much as i would like to).

these months have made me more mature, but in a good way. i have been carrying a very heavy load for years and little by little i'm noticing how it weighs me less and less, so i'm very happy rn. i'm in that kind of mood when i want to spread that happiness with everyone (so if you're reading this, known that you're amazing and loved and you deserve so much more that you think you do ♡).

oh, i also remember one time you mentioned that one hobby that pretty has is crochet!! i started this summer haha i crochet when i'm stressed, with a nice playlist 一which reminds me of skz's comeback!! what are your fav songs?? (mine comflex and cover me 🤭).

what i wanted to ask (this is a very chaotic ask i'm sorry) is how did pack members cope with loneliness and stressful seasons in university?? especially when they felt like there was no one they could tell how they felt, if that was the case...

i know i don't interact a lot, but i missed talking to you. have a nice day/night rhythm!! ily (❤️‍🩹)

things are doing fine! i'm tired but soon i'll be on holidays so i'll be able to rest lots hopefully~

don't worry, baby. my works will be there for when you have time💜💜💜 no need to stress about that, you've got enough of that in your life.

makes me happy that you can find some comfort in the silly conversations we've got going on in this blog. i'm glad people are kind enough to send in their thoughts and we can just have some fun with them together!

good friends should really be appreciated, and it's always worth it to nurture and maintain friendships, even if it's in a sort of cactus way (as in, maybe you don't meet often, but you know you can rely on them when you need them, you know what i mean?). that's really especial, so i hope you get to enjoy it to its fullest!

yes! i like to think pretty does crochet as a hobby, she just seems like she would, for some reason??? so yes hahah. i want to include it on an actual instalment at some point. it's cool that you picked it up too, though! it's really fun imo. putting a nice playlist or some video essay on youtube while you crochet is a good way to de-stress mewhehe.

i think my fave songs from the album so far are megaverse and social path (kor ver). all of them are good, but those two have me in a chokehold for sure.

as for your question...... here's the thing. werewolves live in packs for a reason, right? so, their pack was probably the biggest support they had in moments like those. i suppose they would've tried to lean on their friends, or to try and step back for a moment to put things into perspective. engaging in activities outside of school was probably a good outlet as well (like going on wolf runs, or going for a walk), just things they could do to remind themselves that there was life outside uni, and that ultimately it wasn't a race, they were there to learn, so as long as they learnt a bit, they could take their time.

i feel like Chris particularly would've struggled a lot, considering he was living alone alone during his first and second year. i can see him making the extra effort to meet with changbin and jisung weekly (or every two weeks) to avoid lone wolf syndrome.

thank you for dropping by and leaving this message! i hope that weight you're carrying continues getting smaller and smaller💜

[gillianthecat]

Annual Tag Game for 2022 aka Tag 9 people you want to get to know better

(it's still 2022 in a few time zones!)

Thanks for the tag @amos-reviews, @petrichoraline, @chimerasinourskyline and @catwalkninja ❤

• three ships •

I don’t know how to pick favorites, but these are three that I loved that jumped out when I looked through my spreadsheet.

Yai and Mangkorn, Big Dragon

Gao Shi De and Zhou Shu Yi, We Best Love

Seo Joon and Ji Woo, To My Star (1 & 2)

• first ships •

I puzzled over this for a while, because I only thought in terms of “shipping” in the past few years. But I think the first fictional romantic relationship that I remember actively thinking about was Talia and Kris from Mercedes Lackey’s Arrows of the Queen. Which is an interesting place to start because (spoiler alert, of a sort) they didn’t have a romantic relationship, they were very good friends who became fuckbuddies (although I didn’t yet know that word at age 11 or 12) even though her soulmate was someone else. In retrospect, I think that set me up very well for thinking of relationships both in fiction and real life–that sex could be something fun and free and didn’t needed to be saved for one person, that sex and romance didn’t always have to go together. And although I wasn’t that interested in Talia’s relationship with Dirk, her soulmate, I didn’t want her to end up with Kris instead, I enjoyed their friendship as it was. So does that count as shipping? I don’t know. In terms of characters who weren't together in the story that I thought should be together? I have no idea who the first were.

• last song •

We were listening to Barbara Streisand Christmas album earlier this evening. It seemed appropriate somehow to listen to Christmas songs sung by a famously Jewish woman on New Year’s Eve.

Although technically, I suppose the last song I heard was whatever Billie Eilish’s brother Phineas was singing on ABC’s New Year’s Eve show in LA. I don’t know what the song was; we were too busy trying to figure out if he was Billy Eilish’s brother to pay attention to that.

• last movie •

Glass Onion

• currently reading •

ehhh. nothing. I didn’t even get any books for Christmas. I really haven’t been reading much of anything lately, which is odd for me, someone whose identity has often been “reader.”  I guess I’ve been keeping up with Taylor Fitzpatrick’s hockey stories as I’m emailed updates, but that’s about it. I think my most recent book was Naomi Novak’s The Golden Enclaves.

• currently watching •

To Sir With Love

GAP the series

Between Us

My School President

Never Let Me Go

Till the End of The World

Candy Color Paradox

True Beauty (Korean het romcom)

The New Employee

Although many of these I’m several weeks behind on.

• currently eating •

We had lasagna for dinner, which turned out quite well, I’m pleased with it, along with asparagus, salad and garlic bread, and for desert we had chocolate fondue with all sorts of fruit and marshmallows and pretzels, because my parents are very into fun little things and have all these little individual sized fondue pots with tealights they wanted to use.

• craving •

In terms of food, absolutely nothing, I am so full right now. In terms of other things, I guess a few days completely to myself? This visit has actually been pretty low key and I’ve had plenty of down time, it’s more that the week and a half I thought I would have to myself when I get back is not to be since I’m helping my brother move then and it turns out my parents will be coming with me to help as well. So I’m feeling a little stressed about getting overwhelmed by people, and thus craving alone time more because it feels like it’s been stolen from me unexpectedly.

I'm going to tag the last (taggable) 9 people who followed me, although I have no idea if any of you are interested in doing this: @0persimmon @kdramaandbts2022 @sweetsorrow059518 @gabriel-the-angel @rainbowstan @puppydeul-blog @bri-with-luv @angelsindeepconversation @99pacificpassions. Hi new friends!

[livelovelifeagain]

Stress Relief Tips from Coaches in Oman: A Calmer Mind

With such an even tempo and pace of life in today's world, no one can imagine themselves without stress. Despite the hardships that people try to avoid it, stress and anxiety might still be felt because of too long stress relief tips coach in oman hours spent at work or family matters, and many other personal stressors. The professional coaches in Oman share invaluable knowledge and techniques to make these transitions bearable. Here are some of the benefits that they can offer you in dealing with stress as recommended by certified coaches that will help you find a much-needed balance in life.

1. Mindful Breathing: One of the simple but most effective de-stressing activities is mindful breathing. Coaches stress that slowing your breath down has direct, immediate results toward calming your mind and body. Simple exercises like taking deep breathing into the nostrils, holding it for a few seconds, and exhaling slowly reduce anxiety and provide mental clarity. I feel it can be a matter of just a few minutes a day to make an immense difference in the way you feel and to manage stress in this present life we are living.

2. Introduce Physical Activity

Physical movement helps your body and mind. Coaches in Oman recommended people have at least 30 minutes of physical activity, whether brisk walk, yoga, or light stretching. The endorphin hormones have released, which naturally lighten up the mood. It might help someone reduce some stress or even stress relief tips coach in oman better focus, giving the mind a break from daily grind but recharging it.

3. Maintain a healthy work-life balance

To some, work could be the cause of a serious stress, especially when one fails to separate professional life from personal time. Coaches tell a lot about having schedules that allow for breaks and personal time. One needs to set his boundaries, such as not checking on work emails during his off-hours or what times constitute relaxation. This balance prevents burnout and creates time to unwind and work on personal activities that would cheer you up.

4. Positive Self-Talk

If you have a chronic inner dialogue flashing a lot of negative thoughts that could increase your level of stress, then managers in Oman stress relief tips coach in oman advise practicing positive self-talk to overcome those negative thoughts. Then, instead of what-ifs or worst possible scenarios, challenge the difficult situation by trying to look at how one can learn from the situation. Positive affirmations such as "I can handle this," or "I am capable and strong," can help one's mindset and promote resilience in the face of stress.

5. Practice Gratitude

Positive thinking causes individuals to not be as stressed. For example, trainers sometimes instruct their clients to maintain a gratitude journal. There you should record three things you're thankful for each day. That stress relief tips coach in oman tends to shift your focus more to what is working and less to what is not working, thus giving off a sense of well-being. The more often you practice the good in life, the easier it becomes not to lose your cool in tough situations.

6. Time Management

Time management is one of the most crucial skills that reduce the impact of stress. Many people may be anxious simply because they will not manage their time well; thus, sometimes, people feel overwhelmed by many things yet to be completed. Trainers train on realistic goals, prioritized tasks, and later breaking large projects into minute steps. With such tools like calendars, to-do lists or apps that track time, you can remain free from unnecessary pressure of deadlines.

7. Sleep Enough

Sleep reduces stress. Low-quality sleep irritates you and readily provokes irritation, as well as takes away your concentration and confuses the ability to cope with stressful situations. Coaches often recommend a st ress relief tips coach in omanstrict sleep routine, as much as 7-8 hours of rest at night. Try avoiding screens an hour before bed and create a sleep-conducive environment in your bedroom so that you don't sleep poorly.

8. Connect with Others

Another aspect the trainers emphasize is human interaction. The trainers bring you back in line by reminding you to talk to friends or family members if otherwise stressed or seek professional help when totally stressed. It assists in unloading emotional burdens as well as enhancing support. Indeed, having a robust support system makes a difference in the way you respond to challenges in life.

9. Explore Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation therapists in Oman would normally advise their clients to try a range of relaxation techniques that can decrease the impact of stress. Methods like meditation, deep muscle relaxation, or even a guided stress relief tips coach in oman imagery can calm the mind and be soothing to the body. These might promote reflective thinking and give one some relief from this constant flow of thought to be able to feel in control of the response to stress once again.

10. Drink Ample, Healthy Eat

The things you eat also determine your stress levels. Coaches tell you to be hydrated and eat foods full of vitamins and minerals to help your brain flow really well and give you enough energy. Do not indulge too much in caffeine, sugar, and those processed foods that make stress worse. Instead, stick to whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to keep your body and mind in its best form.

Conclusion

Stress is life, but then, it is what the thing is-all of it does not have to rule your life. With these simple yet practical stress relief tips from coaches in Oman, you can begin building a more balanced, resilient, peaceful stress relief tips coach in oman mindset. Whether practicing mindful breathing, staying physically active, developing a strong support system, or some other strategy, they can help get you through stressful situations better and improve your well-being as a whole.

[aethernightmare]

With streaming sites de-listing a whole lot of super beloved and popular media (like Full Metal Alchemist), and Amazon, Sony, and Ubisoft outright deleting digital media you've fully purchased and downloaded, I really can't stress enough that if you genuinely love something and want to re-experience it in the future, you should own it physically in some form.

Streaming services are still great for trying out a wide variety of media. But never forget that the current nature of the capitalistic beast is that corporations will try to take it away from you at any time, or censor various aspects to conform to the modern political climate (whatever that may be). So do your part to preserve your favorites to the best of your ability.

It's not a flawless plan. Machines break and physical mediums decay. But it's a better long-term plan than ever assuming corrupt publishers or politicians will always uphold art preservation. And obtaining a new DVD player (or getting it repaired) is still often time cheaper and easier than assuming your favorites will get re-makes, or being forced to pay scalped hundred-dollar prices.

And don't expect to rely on 🏴‍☠️ forever either, because that shit gets harder to maintain each day. Be it from avoiding takedown requests, or just server costs of hosting so many files.

Heck, the most popular romhacking website for patches and fan translations just got destroyed the other day, because one person on the team had a mental breakdown (unrelated to legal issues), and the whole internet got to suffer the consequences. It was thankfully backed up on an archive by a few other team members (albeit as an unsorted all-or-nothing massive cluster), but said archive is also hosted on a sinking ship which is being actively being targeted by the government for takedown.

So while not flawless, having your own copies (physical or seeds) helps everyone in the long run. Be it for personal access/preservation, or sharing with others.

As a bonus, your favorite studios actually get way more money from physical purchases than they do from streaming revenue. Often times a lot more. I'm talking one $20 DVD or one $10 manga is the equivalent to the revenue of at least 100 people watching via official streaming. Which helps them stay in business, create more new projects, or continue your favorites.

And trust me, I totally understand the frustration of getting into something "late", and missing out on affordable physical prices. That's definitely an issue I'm no stranger too, especially as someone who's favorite classic video games frequently sell for between $500-$2,000. And I don't expect anybody to feasibly pay that.

I'm just saying that if you have the opportunity to preserve something you love, that you probably should. And likewise, if you have the knowledge to do so, creating digital backups of your physical media is a good idea as well (though with each generation that gets harder and harder to actually do).

[katescapstone]

DES 302 - Week 6

I can’t believe how quickly these first 6 weeks of the semester have gone! I am feeling so scared but also excited because I’m finally getting into one of the best stages of the assignment. The actual making of this assignment. The main activities I started this week were storyboarding and doing some journey mapping. 

I initially tried to start storyboarding but was really struggling with where to start. Then Sofia told me I should give Journey Mapping a go. I hadn’t done too much journey mapping, so to start with, I was a bit confused. But it turned out to be such a great activity to get started on visualising my assignment. To explain my journey mapping process, I will use the "What? So What? Now What?" Reflection Toolkit. What? I tried to begin visualising my publication with storyboard sketches but was struggling actually to get started. I then decided to give journey mapping a go. So What? Despite my initial uncertainty, journey mapping turned out to be a useful tool for deconstructing the effects I want my publication to have. This technique provided a holistic view of the user's experience and allowed me to identify crucial touchpoints. Journey mapping reminded me that adding new tools to my process often leads to unexpected new ideas and revelations. Now What? I now feel more prepared to take on the challenge of storyboarding because of the insights I gained from journey mapping. The representation of the user's journey has provided a clear framework of something I may use to structure my publication's story.  I'm confident I'll overcome the challenges by using a more comprehensive approach to storyboarding and producing a more compelling and well-rounded outcome. 

Figure one: Journey Mapping from my Miro Board. My own work.

From this, I feel I have become much more confident going into and beginning storyboarding. I begin I creating a storyboard with images of how I most likely want my publication to look. I am finding it hard to imagine at the moment, but I think this storyboard I have made has made it a lot clearer. Right now it is looking a bit like a mess but basically to explain it I say I want to create a publication that shows what struggles people with dyslexia face, side by side with strategies workplaces can use to make it easier for dyslexic individuals. This publication goal is to create empathy and understanding for what dyslexia actually is.

Figure two: Storyboard 1 from my Miro Board. My own work.

Going into the break, I will keep working towards finishing my storyboarding. My main goal for the break is to come back with a solid first prototype so I can gather feedback and work there. Doing this into the next week, I will begin my explorations for fonts, colours and everything to go into my publication. I am excited to have a break from classes, but I don’t feel the amount of uni I will do will slow down. I hope to stick to my goals, so I don’t come back from break feeling stressed and behind. 

[masakiastrology]

signs as christmas stuff 💭

So, it is officially July. And I am sure you know what July means? No, not July 4th. CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

So, I'm doing the honors of telling you what Christmas presents you should get each zodiac sign.

Aries

A jacket from their favorite band or artist. Aries almost always have an artist or band they love more than another. And they're not afraid to show off what they like. They don't care what others think, it's their likes, not others.

A planner. Believe it or not, Aries enjoy making plans and doing new projects. With a planner, they can write down important information and make sure they set appointments, parties, and hang outs on free days.

Some new sneakers. Aries love being active, whether it's hiking, playing sports, or going to the gym. So, with the amount of activeness they do, their sneakers are bound to get worn out soon.

A gym or pool membership. As said before, Aries like to be active. If the Aries doesn't like a gym, get a membership to your local pool. If your Aries friend isn't an active Aries, then get them a membership to their favorite game or a gift card.

Taurus

A plant. Taurus are big nature lovers, need I say more? They know how to care for a plant, just like they know how to care for animals and people!

A nature-scented perfume. A scented nature perfume may appeal to your Taurus friends or family, and even remind them of the nature they enjoy.

A plush robe. Taurus love comfort and being cozy. So, what better way to be cozy on Christmas then cuddling up in a plush robe by the fireplace, drinking hot cocoa and watching a Christmas movie?

A candle: And if they don't have a fireplace, get them a scented candle instead! :)

Gemini

A planner or journal: Geminis are very logical. So, their minds are often cluttered with important info, and they tend to forget useful information a lot. So, get them a planner or a journal to write down important info, dates, or assignments.

A set of colored pens: Geminis are very creative, so they probably like to write in different colors. So, get them a set of colorful pens to go with the planner!

A duffel or tote bag. Geminis are probably going to be traveling somewhere after Christmas as they love to travel and go on a vacations. So, why not buy them a duffel or tote bag so they can put their clothes, accessories, and extra items in their?

A book: Geminis are often bookworms. Whether it be something simple, like a magazine or non-fiction book, or something major, like the entire Harry Potter series, all Geminis have some type of story that interests them.

Cancer

New cooking supply(ies): Cancers are very creative. And, almost all Cancers I know love to cook and bake. So, why not get them a new frying pan, oven mitts, baking sheet, or even just some utensils?

A new hoodie: Similar to Taurus, Cancers strive for comfort. They usually like to cuddle up in a hoodie when they get cold.

Art supplies: Cancers love to draw and paint, and art is a huge hobby of theirs.

Movies: Cancers once again like to cuddle up and relax. So, get them a new movie they've never seen before.

Leo

A scarf: Leos love to go Christmas shopping, usually for themselves with Christmas money they get. Why not get them a warm scarf to wear for comfort and style while they go?

Jewelry: Most Leos accessorize their outfits with jewelry, usually earrings or necklaces.

A new video game: Believe it or not, most Leos like to game.

New clothes: Leos love to make new outfits, some give them some new clothes to make new outfits with!

Virgo

Activity books: Virgos have a lot on their mind, and often need to just de-stress. So, get them one of those 'variety puzzles' books and watch them go to town solving them.

Something electronic: Virgos are very high-tech and modern, so they love receiving the latest technology. So, get them something technological. It can be something somewhat cheap, like a camera or watch, or something expensive like a macbook or VR system.

Stuffed animal: Virgos are huge animal lovers and love to cuddle up with a stuffed animal.

A gift card or money: Now, Virgos are often really picky, so make sure to slide some cash or a gift card in their Christmas card so they can buy something they want.

Libra

Makeup: Some Libras love making new makeup looks and practicing tutorials they see.

Earrings: A Libra you know have their ears pierced? They did it for a reason. They did it for the earrings.

A painting to put in their room: Libras are fans of design and high-art.

Headphones: Do Libras like music, TikTok, and podcasts? Yes. Do they like playing it out loud? Not really.

Scorpio

A jacket. We Scorpios tend to go out a lot with friends and family, and since Christmas is in Winter, get us a cozy jacket to wear out. <3

A purse or bag: Based on experience, and me being a Scorpio, we usually carry a lot of stuff with us. Like, just for an hour long road trip, I have my phone, money, eyeliner, lip gloss, my airpods, and a book. And nowhere to put it.

A blanket: Us Scorpios love comfort and warmth. And I love to hide under a blanket and watch Netflix, please.

A customized gift: I love when people give me customized gift because it makes me think 'omg, you really did think of me!'

Sagittarius

A vacation: If you're going on vacation, please take your Sagittarius friend. They're stressed out and really need a break.

A purse or wallet: Sagittarius' cannot live with a purse or wallet to put all their supplies in.

Movies: Sagittarius like to sit back and take it easy most of the time, so what better way than with a new movie?

Exercise equipment: Based on my own experiences with Sagittarius, most of them love working out at home. Not at the gym.

Capricorn

A gift card: Do Capricorns love money? Yes!

A journal: Capricorns have a lot to say, and a lot of feelings. So, get them a journal for them to write in.

Hair accessories: Capricorns love their hair, and they love to style it.

A magazine or a book: Capricorns like to read.

Aquarius

New shoes: Based on my own experience, some Aquarius have a shoe obsession.

A watch: They're busy people who need to keep up with the time.

Earrings: They like jewelry.

A book: They're logical and smart like Virgos, and one way to keep up that logic and intelligence is by reading.

Pisces

A stuffed animal: Pisces love animals and they also love cuddling with stuffed animals.

Bed sheets/a new comforter: Pisces love comfort and style, and they also enjoy a chance every now and then.

Slippers: Comfort!

A poetry book: They get bored easily with novels, but they enjoy short books with poems or various stories.

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How Proper Garden Maintenance Enhances Your Outdoor Sanctuary?

Do you enjoy spending time in your garden? Have you ever thought about how much time and effort goes into best garden maintenance Christchurch your outdoor sanctuary? You might have even considered hiring someone else to take care of it for you.

 But if you're like me, then the idea of not being able to tend to my own garden makes me feel anxious...and let's face it: There's nothing worse than an overgrown yard! That's why I've compiled this list of reasons why proper maintenance is so important when it comes to making sure your garden stays beautiful all year round:

The garden is an extension of the home

The garden is an extension of the home. It's a place where you can relax and de-stress, spend time with family and friends, or grow your own food. The garden can be used for many different purposes depending on its size and shape. For example:

If you have a small area of land then it might be best suited as a vegetable patch; this will allow you to grow some fresh produce that could be used in recipes or eaten raw as part of a healthy diet

Alternatively if you have more space available then perhaps consider planting some fruit trees so that they can produce an abundance of delicious fruits year after year

A garden can improve your mood

Gardening is a great way to de-stress, relax and unwind. The act of gardening itself can be therapeutic, especially when you're working with your hands and focusing on something other than the problems of the day. 

It's also an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities--from children who want to plant their own seeds or watch them grow into plants, to adults who want to create their own little piece of paradise in their backyard gardens.

Regular maintenance will keep your garden looking its best

Maintaining your garden is an important part of having a good relationship with it. Regular maintenance will keep the garden looking its best, and allow you to enjoy it for years to come. There are many things you can do to maintain your garden:

Remove dead leaves from plants on a regular basis (once or twice per week). This will help keep them healthy and looking good, as well as prevent mold from forming in damp spots where leaves collect on the ground.

Water plants when necessary--but don't overdo it! Plants need water, but too much can cause root rot or promote disease in other parts of their bodies such as stems or flowers/fruits. If you're unsure whether or not your plants need watering, check out these tips on how often should I water my plant?

Conclusion

We hope that this article has inspired you to take better care of your garden. It's a wonderful space, and it deserves to be treated as such. If you want to learn more about how proper garden maintenance Christchurch can enhance your outdoor sanctuary, contact an expert now.

Source:https://landscaperservice.blogspot.com/2023/05/how-proper-garden-maintenance-enhances.html

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Pokemon Charizard Coloring Pages: A Fun Way to Bring Your Favorite Pokemon to Life

Pokemon Charizard is one of the most iconic characters in the Pokemon universe.

This dragon-type Pokemon is known for its fiery breath and powerful attacks, making it a popular choice among fans.

One fun way to bring Charizard to life is by coloring Charizard coloring pages.

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about Charizard coloring pages, including where to find them, how to colour them, and some frequently asked questions.

If you want to get all the Pokemon Coloring Pages, please click on the link.

What are Pokemon Charizard Coloring Pages?

Pokemon Charizard coloring pages are black-and-white illustrations of Charizard that you can colour in yourself.

These pages are often used by children and adults alike as a fun activity or as a way to de-stress.

Charizard coloring pages can be found online or in coloring books, and they range in complexity from simple designs to more detailed and intricate illustrations.

Where to Find Pokemon Charizard Coloring Pages?

Pokemon Charizard coloring pages can be found in a variety of places. Here are some of the most common places to find them:

Online Coloring Pages Websites:- There are many websites that offer free printable Charizard coloring pages, such as Coloring Home, Coloring Pages, and Super Coloring.

Social Media Platforms:- You can also find Charizard coloring pages on social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram.

Coloring Books:- If you prefer physical coloring books, you can find Charizard coloring books at your local bookstore or online retailers like Amazon.

How to Color Pokemon Charizard Coloring Pages?

Coloring Charizard coloring pages is a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age or skill level. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Choose Your Coloring Materials:- You can use crayons, coloured pencils, markers, or even watercolours to colour your Charizard coloring pages.

Start with the Lightest Colours:- Begin coloring with the lightest colours first and gradually work your way up to the darker shades. This will help you avoid mistakes and ensure that your colours blend well.

Experiment with Shading:- To give your Charizard coloring pages more depth and dimension, try shading with different colours and intensities. This will make your artwork look more realistic.

Have Fun:- The most important thing when coloring Charizard coloring pages is to have fun! Don't worry about making mistakes or staying within the lines. Just let your creativity flow and enjoy the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coloring Charizard Coloring Pages Just for Kids?

No, coloring Charizard coloring pages is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by anyone of any age.

What Materials Should I Use to Colour Charizard Coloring Pages?

You can use any coloring materials you prefer, such as crayons, coloured pencils, markers, or watercolours.

Do I Have to Stay Within the Lines When Coloring Charizard Coloring Pages?

No, you don't have to stay within the lines. The most important thing is to have fun and be creative.

Conclusion

Coloring Pokemon Charizard coloring pages is a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by anyone.

Whether you're a child or an adult, coloring Charizard coloring pages can be a great way to de-stress and let your creativity flow.

With the tips and resources provided in this article, you'll be well on your way to creating your own unique and beautiful Charizard artwork.