#monache

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

“In the 43 years that I’ve spent in a small cell at San Quentin, I’ve felt grass under my feet only five times.

The first time was after I had spent seven years in the isolation unit because I refused to cut my hair. I’m Monache and Cherokee. They punished me despite the fact that it’s my tradition and spiritual belief as a Native American to grow my hair long.

But outside the isolation unit there was a row of grass that they really took care of. As the guards led me out of that building, I stepped off the concrete path so I could feel the grass and dirt under my feet. The smell and feel of grass is still part of me.

I'm sure most free people don’t even realize that they take something like that for granted, but it’s the little things that I cherish the most. I often think back to growing up at Big Sandy — the coyotes and foxes, the geese and deer and wild turkeys. There were 17 of us living together in three cabins, and it only cost about $80 a month to feed us. We ate venison, rabbit and turkey, and we had a garden. We always had homemade biscuits, tortillas, frybread and cornbread, and there were always beans cooking on the back of the potbellied stove. Those thoughts, along with the self-discipline I’ve developed in here, have helped sustain me.

I can say that conditions in the isolation unit have changed since 1980, when I was there for the first time. Back then, there was a hole in the floor for a toilet. The toilets were supposed to be flushed once every 24 hours, but they rarely were.

We were supposed to get 1,500 calories a day. But we got one meatball in the morning and one at night with half a slice of bread. Anytime people acted up, the guards would pepper spray them. Sometimes, guards would spray people just to see how they’d react.

Guards would also take our mattresses in the morning and give them back at night — presumably because they didn’t want inmates destroying them. But nine times out of 10 you wouldn’t get your mattress back. It would be someone else’s, and there might be feces on it or urine on it. After five times, I told them, “No, I don’t want a mattress anymore.” I haven’t had one since then. I just fold a blanket in half and sleep on it. I also haven’t had a pillow — I use a roll of toilet paper, and I’m comfortable with that.

In the death-row cells where I’ve spent most of my time, I’m still in isolation — it’s just not as bad. My current cell is roughly 4 1/2 feet by 10 feet. Along with my toilet, bed and sink, I’ve got a shelf, two lights and a typewriter. I have some CDs and a CD player with a radio. I also have some photos and eight posters of Harley Davidsons. My dad was a biker.

But I’m still locked up all the time, and I don’t come out unless I’m handcuffed. I go to the shower, I’m handcuffed. I go to medical or the yard, I’m handcuffed. A guard is always watching. It’s like I’m in a zoo.

We do have Native worship services at San Quentin, but our religious adviser doesn’t do it right. He has a sacred pipe that he allows everybody to touch, and that’s bad medicine. You’re not supposed to touch the pipe or anything sacred like that if you have blood on your hands. If you’ve killed someone in self-defense or to protect your family or your property, that’s one thing. But if you kill somebody just to kill, it’s called having blood on your hands. That’s why I go to other worship services, so I can absorb other teachings and learn about different religions.

We used to have four powwows a year. Tribes from the Bay Area and all the way up north would offer buffalo, elk, venison and fish. Now we’re lucky if we have one powwow per year. The reason is that the religious adviser would tell the tribes we were going to have a powwow on a certain date and after the tribes caught fish and deer for it, he’d say, “Well, now we’re going to have it next month.” You can’t do that.

When we did have a powwow, we’d get a two-ounce serving of salmon and everything else would be prison food. The prison wouldn’t allow people to bring in buffalo meat because they said bones were a security risk. They could just take the meat off the bone and then bring it in, but they won’t do that. You’ve got these brothers and sisters in the free world going out and getting it for us, and we can’t have it.

Meanwhile, my daily routine is the same as it has been for decades. I wash up, make sure my cell is clean, then I say my prayers and I meditate for 20 minutes to an hour. After that, I turn on the radio, exercise, maybe type a letter and get my breakfast. I work on my case for about three hours a day. We have a law library, but you have to get on a list, so you might go once a month. Every week, we can put in requests for a law book we need. You may be placed on a waiting list for the book, but it's better than nothing.

I go to the yard with other people twice a week for a total of six hours — unless it’s foggy or there’s been an incident and we’re in lockdown. I get to shower for 15 minutes every other day with a guard standing by. Otherwise, I’m in my cell.

Since my sentence was reduced to life without possibility of parole in 2019, I have the option of transferring to a cell in the general population. But I’d have to go to a Level 4 maximum security unit where there’s a lot of violence. Other inmates would want to test me because I’ve been on death row.

I also have the option of moving to a different prison, but my legal team is in this area. I might end up 500 miles away; that would make it harder for them to come and see me when they have to. 

And so, I await a court date. It could be in a month, it could be in six months. We don’t know. Meanwhile, I just try to be the best person I can be so that I’m content with myself and can go to sleep at night and say, “Well, I did a good day. I didn’t do anybody wrong, I didn’t lie to anybody.”

People have asked me, “How did you make it through 43 years in prison?” And I say, “By being Native.” Being Native gives me the strength to overcome all of this — not just for me, but for all our brothers and sisters. Society cannot break our spirit.”

- DOUGLAS RAY STANKEWITZ as told to RICHARD ARLIN WALKER, “California’s Longest Serving Death-Row Prisoner On Pain, Survival and Native Identity.” The Marshall Project. March 18, 2022.

[morelin]

Meteore

Siete mai stati in Grecia a visitare le spettacolari ed affascinanti Meteore, Patrimonio Unesco dal 1988? 

Il significato del nome “sospeso nell’aria” già rende l’idea del luogo: un paesaggio surreale (ancor di più se c’è la nebbia) fatto di vertiginose pareti di roccia immerse nella natura su cui sono appollaiati 24 antichi monasteri greco-ortodossi. 

Di questi solo 6 sono abitati da un numero davvero esiguo di monaci e monache e sono aperti al pubblico. 

Io ne ho visitati 2, il monastero di Varlaam (maschile) ed il monastero di Roussanou (femminile). Da entrambi si gode di una vista panoramica sui pinnacoli circostanti ed hanno al loro interno cappelle riccamente affrescate; il primo ospita anche un piccolo museo di storia monastica che consiglio di visitare per comprendere meglio la storia e la vita dei monaci locali.

[nicomarziali]

Punti di vista. #roma #moda #piazzadispagna #nicepictureproduzioni #monache #streetphotography #phonephotography #lifestyle #model #streetfashion #roma #rome #strangerthings (presso Piazza Di Spagna) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqL1GlpDrD0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[shamblingrevenant]

Idk, a shitpost

[washa]

I listened to The Summit audio (part 2) and here’s my favourite personal comments/thoughts! (I HAVE SO MANY QUESTION WHAT)

YEAH WHAT IS FUCKING GOING ON??

Tf do you mean Porter, THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN PORTER

William order you to WHAT NOW 

Oh my god it’s an alibi for both of them

Alexis please find some care in your heart.

I mean.. We could make it a game of Cluedo. It would add more to the plot. 

Can vampires even get wrinkles??

“I didn’t kill him, now relax, we have work to do.” That was the most human i’ve heard Alexis.

—--------------------

OH HEAVENS SWEETHEART IS ALIVE WHOOP WHOOP

Wait did they see what happened??? 

Oh no Asher sounds so stressed 😭

—--------------------

David needs a fucking break

Pushed magically away? Oh shit is closeknit here. 

It’s so interesting to see the characters discover plot we already know of, Imagine their reaction to Sunshine and Elliot or Blake and Bestie.

Sweetheart maybe take the memo and not do this

Goddammit Porter. Godfuckingdammit.

Confrontation part 2??? Let’s go

—--------------------

“Get in line.” Porter you snarky bitch

WOAH THERE ASHER?? I’m kinda woahie 🤞

My jaw is dropped. MY JAW IS DROPPED ASH. THE TEETH??

Are they on the floor, like Porter being pinned or?

Big word time 😇

I’m so lost right now. I'm so shitty abt politics, all I'm getting is a corrupt government. 

Kinda attracted to both of them rn… 💕

Porter and Asher both have great points tbh

Where’s Sam when you need him 😕

—--------------------

Are we really doing a trial right now??? RIGHT FUCKING NOW???

So the department ruling has only been formed for 50 years. Oh wait nvm that's not Alexis.

OH HI SAMMM

Monarch Baz is so self centered I loathe her, But damn she can be commanding when needed.

“Do we get a vote.?” “Do I look like a vampire, How the hell should I know?” Yes you two make some comedic relief, god knows we're gonna need it.

What are the mates/partners doing?? Is Lovely playing uno with Angel in a corner or??

I’m losing track of the whole houses thing, but that’s ok. 

Monarch Baz sounds so URGAJDDSAK.

“Zane, Ephraim-” , I heard Zac Efron and I was so confused. WAIT IS THAT HOW ERIK GOT THE NAMES??

I’ll be honest, I don’t think “The House of Shaw” and the Solaire Clan are gonna be allies after this 😭

The House of Shaw needs a break what about that 😇

“A piles of bones, obviously.” God it’s sass meeting sass.

ASH?? Are we breathing him in right now???

“Only the bones were left.” Aw yum?? Little chew toy for Darlin’ or something 🤷‍♀️

Beheaded Adam style, Lovely. (Pun intended)

“Considering his skull was halfway across the room, I’m assuming he was beheaded. That, or someone played an impromptu game of soccer with the good king’s skeleton after the fact.” Alexis put a muzzle on yourself please 😭

Yeah tbf Christoper isn’t really a saint here, Vincent can vouch for that. Also where is Vincent.

Calm conversation?? CALM CONVERSATION???

What’s with him and blaming Solaire Clan?

Christoper. Maybe look Lovely in their traumatic eyes and tell them that. STRAIGHT TO THEIR FACE. 

Adam hate club 🙌

Porter standing up for Vincent? Wow he really does keep his word on the whole Solaire’s stick together, also how many people have been killed now.  

“Well, I realized I left the stove on four years ago when I left, I needed to come check on it.” God the Solaire’s breathe sass don’t they. 

Nevermind. All vampires are sassy. 

What is the Shaw pack doing again, are they just in the corner.

Demon blood? Yeah David. POISON??

So hypothetically, If Gavin bled and sprinkler style sprayed his blood everywhere, he could kill a bunch of Vampires if it gets them in the mouth. 

“Shockingly we don't make a habit of broadcasting our weaknesses pup.” Is this an Imperium reference or?? (I've only seen like edits of Asher being called pup so idfk??)

How the fuck did someone get demon blood. A blood bank??

Why are they so sassy? WHY ARE THEY SO FUCKING SASSY??

CLOSEKNIT GETTING BLAMED WOO, I was so scared they were gonna blame Sweetheart or something. 

NO BC FR THAT CLOSEKNIT AD WAS SO FUCKING RUDE, AND IT WASN'T EVEN A GOOD AD. IT WAS LIKE A PERFUME AD.

If the Shaw Pack is gonna keep getting trampled can they just leave? Pup, Dog, A leash??

Christopher, Your fucking alibi is so shitty man, You’re so fucked 😭😭

Oh shit he’s found guilty. HOLY SHIT WAS THAT HIS NECK??

The Shaw Pack is losing their minds and rightfully so, what the fuck.

IS THIS NORMAL TO GET KILLED OR SOEMTHING???

Bye Alexis?

OH LOVELY WAS THERE?? Oh yes ma’am.

Yes we’ll speak with William. IF WE CAN GET IN CONTACT WITH HIM??

Well. At Least that’s good? Thanks Monarch.

No Vincent, baby. 

Porter, You confusing bastard. 

IS THAT THE END?? NO URGSHDH. NOT AT THE LORE DROP URIFEKDFDF

[the-meme-monarch]

How do you feel about other people using your UTDR character designs? Would it be okay if I used your toriel design for drawings of mine in the future, I'm in love with how you draw her ears, horns and eyes.

honestly i don't think I'd notice if someone used my same designs HDBSJSBDJ i'd just think it was coincidental. they're not my characters anyway so i think it's fine if you wanna co-opt how I draw them !

[heich0e]

i haven’t had a chance to read past part 1 of yakuza au yet (astounding as always!!! looking forward to the rest) but that ask where you talked about kita’s mafia wife being an equal partner… i literally blacked out PLEASE i need it i need it i need it i love that shit if the character is like dark and powerful and acclimated to violence and the reader can match them stride for stride

LIAAAAAA!! i mean i tend to think that even canonically shinsuke would need a wife who he sees as an equal, but ESPECIALLY in this particular circumstance. he would absolutely dote on/cherish his partner, but he would need to see them quite literally as his other half. something that completes a pair, not complements a whole, yknow?? i think he would need someone who he knows could step into his position if anything were to ever happen, and shoulder his responsibilities. that he TRUSTS to assume that role.

[dedsec-pony]

.... so last night was a trip.

[thescarsilivewith-if]

We merely match the dedication Naja has shown for us. You're hot, AND you show me extreme loyalty and dedication? Heck yeah I'm gonna be a simp!

Well Naja is absolutely dedicated to the monarch, so now you have a couple who would do absolutely anythung for the other one...

[larathefox]

More images of Rugh, my VBros sona

[moogleroom]

Where does the toy show find these kids, how the hell did they get a cavan child obessed with the titanic?

[artsolarsash]

Haruh’ta is the clan who can read the winds and hunt on largest flying creatures. They are good at buildings of jet airplanes and train of flying creatures as Flame Monachs and etc. They can hunt in the jungles, but they prefer to hunt big Creatures in the sky. Many yautja believed that Haruh’ta are children of vayuhta’ta paya (The Air God). Feathers on their dreadlocks, shows which rank yautja. 

Sorry that it took me a time to draw the member of Haruh’ta clan and I working with one character from this clan. If you want to know more about Haruh’ta clan, you can ask me.

[her-penetrating-soul]

"The butterfly signifies the power of transformation and the incredible feats we can achieve when we trust ourselves."

[youngster-monster]

i wish i could show you the erm the Category dedicated to my uh. 22 discord wips. but unfortunately i cant send images thru anon and also then you get to see what each individual channel is named and a. none of the titles make sense and b. the titles of some of them make them sound WAY WEIRDER than they actually are because no one save for me and one other person were ever supposed to see the working titles and i dont have any ideas on how to change them so ALAS

im like a zoo animal you get to read off all my facts and i get to stare straight into your soul while not a single thought passes through my brain. i need the world to know about my bad discord wip organization

writing is actually about the full year spent turning into a pile of dust,

all worldbuilding!!!! my oc who started as a kleptomaniac prettyboy is now a god with layers upon layers of lore and i dont know what i did but now hes really way worse than he started and i take great pleasure in describing his antics to friends who werent around to see it happen in actual rp. i shudder to think what would happen if i turned that world into a ttrpg he'd be a freak (TEMPTING THOUGH)

there are and i cannot stress this enough TWENTY-TWO INDIVIDUAL CHANNELS and one of them is the OLD snippets channel - yes, i have two, no i cant explain myself - and everytime i think about sifting through it for writing ideas in moments of desperation i feel as though it will grow hands with which to strangle me with and so i dont touch them. they will rot but its better them than me

i may have to pick up those niche ships again because i imagine it feels VERY rewarding and also then you and the other three (3) people who like that ship can sing kumbayah in a circle or whatever

glad the beastly noises comment was a hit! now if youll excuse me i need to sit down at my computer and listen to monkey noises 10 hours while doing bad animal impressions and brainstorming a wip i wont ever complete ,

Weird titles are one of the joys of writing. I wish I could be one of these writers that give wacky names to their wips but unfortunately in this I am terminally boring lmao if it's not descriptive I am Never finding it again

Grabbing you like Steve Irwin showing off a baby alligator to zoo goers. And here is where the Bad Organization Practice goes :) isn't it neat 😌

Give in to the siren's call of ttrpg-ization.....

With rarepairs you either create bonds of steel with the two other miserable fuckers writing with you or a rivalry that gets imprinted into your bloodline. "He would Not fucking say that" but it's the only interpretation you get that isn't your (obviously more correct) own

(statistically I am this for at least one other kaellidan fan. Probably more. I often joke that whoever dislikes my writing is gonna be really mad about how much of me there is in that tag lmao)

[lesbicastagna]

so many authors are unable to write actually erotic scenes because they're too obsessed with maintaining strict male/female role and dichotomies when not only they don't exist but are also just fundamentally boring as hell

[grogusmum]

Monach caterpillar update!!

This first photo is from last Thursday

This morning

I think it's getting ready for a big molt!