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supersupersuperdespair · 4 years ago

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Fluff Alphabet - Mondo Oowada 💕 💕

Woah, Mod Mahiru’s First Post!!! Im literally in love wih this fucking butter boy lol.

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Warnings: Mentions of breakup, mentions of body shaming,tooth-rotting fluff 💕💕

A = Affection: (How affectionate are they?)

- Despite what most people may think, Mondo is super into any kind of affection,

-He’s prone to jealousy so simple things like holding his hand will totally make him melt inside.

- Will not hesitate to throw hands with anyone who’ll tease you guys (he just wants to take care of you lol)

B = Best friend: (What would they be like as a best friend?)

-Mondo would 100% be a mix between a dad friend and the crackhead friend.

- Breaks all the rules but makes sure you don’t get in trouble lmao.

- Expect tons of offers to ride you home on after wherever you two end up.

- He just wants to help, while semi-flexing on you as well lmao.

C = Cuddles: (Do they like to cuddle?)

-He’s a biker gang leader, do you think he likes to cuddle?

-Hell yes he does.

-101% a big spoon ( again he just wants to take care of you )

- LOVES chest to chest cuddling, it’s one of the many things that make him blush sksks.

D = Domestic: (Do they want to settle down?)

- He isn’t the best at cooking, but if you come home late one night expect a full-course meal awaiting you lol.

- He does think about life after the gang a lot actually, so cooking and cleaning are comfort things for him, even if he’s not the best at either of them.

E = Ending: (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

-Awkward silence, you can feel the tension surrounding the room.

-Definitely pulls the whole “ It’s not you, it’s me”.

-Even if he doesn’t love you anymore, he still doesn’t want to hurt you.

-You’ll most likely stay friends though, depending on how bad it goes.

-Will still check up on you regularly, he cares way too much lol.

F = Fiance(e): (How quick would they want to get married?)

-A year, that’s all it takes for this guy.

-He just wants to stay with you forever (wow so cute lmao)

-If you say yes, prepare for lots of hugging and cheering from Mondo, he’s so super excited. Ten times more than you might expect.

-If you say no, prepare for a slight stutter and defeated tone as he says how he’s sorry about how soon he asked and he should’ve thought about it better and all that.

-It’ll take him about a week to recover, then he’s back to being all over you.

G = Gentle: (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

- Surprisingly super gentle, with you at least.

-ALWAYS make sure you're okay and you feel alright.

-Spams you with messages about if you've drank enough water, if you’ve eaten, if anyone has treated you like shit. Basic things like that.

-If he doesn’t believe you, he’ll totally rush over to wherever you are with a bottle of water, a fresh meal and 100% ready to pound the asshole who called you ‘overweight.’

H = Hugs: (Do they like hugs?)

-Fuck yes he does.

-He just fucking *yawns and casually puts arm around your shoulder*

-Hug him first, he’ll literally die.

I = I love you: (How fast do they say the L-word?)

-Day fucking one.

- He has no shame telling you exactly how he feels, in the most insecure way.

-He wants you to know exactly how he feels, even though he really can’t.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get?)

-It’s Mondo, he’s never jealous.

-Except for when he is, which is all the time

-This dude could see you look at someone else and will literally have a full on meltdown lmao.

-Be careful.

K = Kisses: (What are their kisses like?)

-Super intense, in a good way.

-He totally wants to french kiss, at least once.

-Please do it, put this poor man out of his misery.

L = Little ones: (How are they around children?)

-Children. Love. To. Bully. This. Poor. Soul.

-He definitely gets super pissed after the 5th time a kid ran away from him laughing their fucking ass off.

-Get this man some therapy.

M = Morning: (How are mornings spent with them?)

-This mf sounds like corpse when he wakes up lmao.

-if you’re really into morning voices then good for you.

-if not, feel free to make fun of him for it.

-he really doesn’t mind.

-does that whole ‘puts hand in your pocket while you're doing shit’ thing.

-lowkey kinda cute.

N = Night: (How are nights spent with them?)

-LATE. NIGHT. CUDDLING. OMG.

-will brush his fingers through your hair.

-doing a whole late night asmr about how his day was.

-the best person to spend the night with honestly.

O = Open: (When would they start revealing things about themselves?)

-About half-way through the relationship probably.

-depends on how good you guys can communicate.

-he probably just wants someone to listen *cries cutely*

-he still doesn’t know exactly how to tell you about his brother.

-will probably let it slip during an argument or something. (rip)

P = Patience: (How easily angered are they?)

-Mondo never, ever, ever, EVER, gets mad.

-at you at least.

-he will throw hands in the kfc parking lot.

-will totally stick up for you though.

Q = Quizzes: (How much would they remember about you?)

-he will remember everything.

-EVERYTHING

-this man is fucking dedicated.

-will recite every conversation you two have.

-he would totally write all these things down if he could spell. (rip)

R = Remember: (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

-this guy is so fucking cheesy.

-if you ask him he will say “the moment I first fucking saw you”

-but if he’s being honest, it’s the first date you guys had.

-he loves the excitement, the thrill of first stating something HOPEful, passionate and sweet, due to how different that is from his regular lifestyle.

S = Security: (How protective are they?)

-very protective.

-even though he won't admit it.

-he just wants to protect you, from everything lol

-if someone looks at you strange, he will put his arm around your shoulder and casually give them a death stare.

-it works tho

T = Try: (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

-please this man doesn't just try.

-he will go out of his way to make it as perfect as he can

-while blushing the entire time

-the look on your face is all he really cares about

-he loves to make you smile, it can change his entire fucking day.

U = Ugly: (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

-honestly his anger issues.

-it honestly gets tiring listening to him talk about how much he hates the “bastard who ran into me at the store”.

-you know he’s trying his best tho

-and that’s enough for you ( unless it isn't then rip)

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

-he knows he looks pretty….bizarre

-but he likes how he looks

-and that's all he really cares about.

X = Xtra: (A random headcanon for them.)

-before you two were together he totally showed up at your door holding a bunch of roses

-he just fucking yells “HERE YOU GO GODDAMMIT” and runs away fucking blushing

-he couldn’t look at you for weeks without blushing and yelling.

Y = Yuck: (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

-honestly, anyone that annoys the shit out of him.

-people who think their way better than others

-or worse than others

-he can’t stand being around people like that

Z = Zzz (What are their sleep habits?)

-will not let go of you

-he’ll hold onto you the entire night, lightly breathing into your neck.

-if you don't like it, he’ll try his best to stop

-but he really can’t help it.

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Hope you enjoyed < 3

-Mod Mahiru

#mondo #reader x mondo #mondo headcanons #hcs #headcannons #mondo owada #mondo owada headcannons #fluff #fluff alphabet #mondo owada fluff #danganronpa #danganronpa hcs #danganronpa headannons #danganronpa trigger happy havoc #danganronpa x reader

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trashcankitty12 · 5 years ago

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Flora Headcanons:

Guys, meet the Sugar and Sweet part of the Winx Club.

Or, as you already know her: Flora La Rosa of Linphea.

Under the cut are the headcanons because again, these get long. (Also some I’ve mentioned before, I think, but whatever. And again, these are mostly for my main verse ‘Balance/The New Company of Light’ and for ‘Left’.)

-Flora has a rather large family, one that stems partially from cousins adopted after the Great War of Magic ended. (So many were displaced or orphaned, and her family was just one of many who took in the children left behind.)

-Honestly though, she really just sees her immediate family often, the rest of them coming around only for major Linphean holidays. (Though they all stay in touch through letters, phone calls, and social media. Especially the cousins.)

-Flora tends to be closer to her father as they share a similar sense of humor and have similar hobbies (like leaf surfing and giant ladybug racing). But her magic took after her mother’s and her mother was her first magic teacher.

-(She was a bit late getting her magic and a bit late getting her wings. She was eight when her magic came in and already 13 by the time her wings sprouted. Though she wasn’t surprised, as her mother had been a late ‘winger’ too.)

-Flora’s mother is the Guardian Fairy of Linphea and helps run the Main GreenHouse alongside the Nymph of Linphea and the royal family. Thanks to Alyssa’s job, Flora got to meet and assist all sorts of people from her realm. (Including the witch triplets who went to Cloud Tower; Euphorbia, Ververine, and Gerbera. And Princess Krystal.)

-Rhodos works with a faction of conservationists in Linphea to keep endangered animals (and plants) alive. He mainly works with the magiwolves of Linphea and tries to keep their numbers where they’re supposed to be. And because of his job, he ended up adopting a young magiwolf pup they named Amarok.

- (They weren’t going to keep him… They weren’t. But because he was born a different pigment than his littermates, his mother had abandoned him and… Rhodos couldn’t very well leave him to die. Besides, Amarok is nothing more than an overgrown lapdog. Usually.)

-Miele was born when Flora was about six or seven, give or take a few months. And yes, there was a touch of jealousy when Miele first came home because Flora didn’t understand why her parents weren’t spending as much time with her.

-Her parents were quick to pick up on her anxieties about the new baby and started incorporating Flora into assisting with Miele’s care. (Like reading and playing with her while Alyssa made dinner and helping her toddle around the family’s garden while naming off the plants.)

-Honestly, they grew up close and Flora became like a second mom to Miele. (Which would later turn into a minor annoyance as Miele got older, but that’s fine. They’re working through that.)

-Sibling shenanigans still occurred however, like Miele taking and reading Flora’s diary or Flora planting frogs or bugs into her sister’s room. (Or the Great Baking War that Alyssa refuses to let them live down.)

-Flora’s paternal grandmother, Nana Rose, is close to her family and has been living with them since her husband, Poppop Miden passed away.

-She’s a witch who works at the local clinic, her focus is on potions. (Which she passed on to Flora and has tried to teach her everything she knows about them… And everything she knows on poisons too because sometimes a poison is necessary.)

-And yes, Nana Rose did have hope that at least one of her granddaughters would be a witch, but she’s still proud of them. Wings and all.

-Flora has a hidden angry side. It doesn’t come out much and she does her best not to show it often, but she has a major temper when she does slip and let it out. She will unleash her will into the plant life around her and have it come for whoever pissed her off. Or if she’s really feeling it, she may just go in for a physical attack. The girl can pack a punch. (Granted, this only happens in situations where loved ones are in danger.)

-Flora is the only one from her elementary and middle school friend group that went to a Magix School. Most of her friends went to the Linphean Academy.

-She’s the tallest in her main friend group, standing at 5’7.

-She’s one of the Mom friends in the group, the other being Tecna. (She’s the more empathetic and emotional mom friend. Tecna’s the ‘well you fucked around and found out the hard way’ mom friend.)

-Flora wasn’t too sure about Chatta being her pixie at first, but is beyond grateful for the pixie helping her come out of her shell more.

-They now attempt to have weekly (though it’s sometimes monthly) tea parties to catch up on everything.

-Flora doesn’t really ‘do’ competitive sports often, but leaf surfing is the best thing ever and it’s one of the few sports she’s better at than Layla. (Though she does have the advantage of being Linphean and getting to leaf surf regularly…)

-Flora is a romantic and enjoys the ‘rom-com’ things; walks on the beach, silly moments around the town, dancing in the rain. But that shouldn’t mean she’s not careful with her heart. She’s empathic (as many Linpheans are) and is good at reading people when meeting them. So unless you’ve got a ‘beautiful’ soul, she’s not going to be interested.

-Flora loves that her friends are from such vastly different places because it means she can learn more about the realms from people who actually live there. (And teach her their languages, though she’s only really fluent in Solarian and conversational in the others.)

-She’s a spiritual person, as many from Linphea are. Flora believes that just like plant life, all life is connected by an invisible root system and that life is precious and should be treated with respect. (However, she also recognizes that there are those who have ‘tainted spirits’ and need to be dealt with so they don’t harm others.)

-Flora’s not exactly shy. She’s just shy around new people. But once she gets to know you and considers you a friend, you’ll find she has no problem speaking her mind. (And sending random things to you over the phone because they made her think of you.)

-There’s a misconception that she, and other Linpheans, are vegetarian. That’s not entirely true. Linpheans do eat meat: fish. They don’t have it often, only for certain occasions, but they do eat it.

-Flora also doesn't mind dirt or getting dirty. (But there is a difference in natural dirt and gunk. Okay? And gunk sucks.)

-Flora doesn't swear often, but she has let a few slip out from time to time. Usually in heated or emotional or upsetting moments.

-Her favorite parts of an Linphean holiday are getting to spend time with her family. She loves it when they all get together and enjoy each other.

-Like most Linpheans, Flora is immune to most poisons. She’ll likely feel a touch of nausea or a minor headache when poisoned, but due to her immune system, she’ll be perfectly fine within a few hours.

-Despite the fact she’s usually the one trying to talk the others out of dangerous situations, doesn’t mean she’s actually afraid of them. Sneaking into another school, fighting through a realm of shadow creatures, going toe-to-toe with magical terrorists; those don’t phase her.

-No, her real fear is something a bit more… Relatable. She’s scared of losing her loved ones. The thought of having her magic and being able to do such incredible things, but not being able to save her family or her friends just absolutely shakes her to core. (Especially in her nightmares when she’s forced to watch them die and she can’t do a thing to save them.)

-(Freshman year really fucked her up when they were fighting the Army of Darkness/Decay. There was a moment she thought she’d lost Musa and Tecna and she nearly broke down. Thankfully, the other two fairies managed to recover with a few of Palladium and Ofelia’s healing salves, but it was touch and go.)

-Flora can’t stand bullies. Granted, not many people like bullies or tolerate them, but Flora just can’t stand for someone to pick on anything that can’t fight back. It’s why she’s managed to enchant a few endangered plant species to being able to speak up and fight back against those who want to pick them apart and why she’s always ready to take on the Trix.

-Flora was the one who helped catch Bloom up on some of the most important aspects of the Magical Dimension (or at least the parts that Stella glossed over or that Tecna overexplained to the point of making it sound alien even to Flora). In return, she learned so much about Earth culture… She was stunned.

-(And fell in love with Earth’s versions of disaster movies. She likes to show other Linpheans and be like “see, if we don’t start really helping the other realms with the ecological problems, this will happen here too.”)

-(Bloom may have also gotten Flora hooked on those ‘hidden camera’ shows... It’s a guilty pleasure.)

-Flora’s got a major sweet tooth. Major. Which is fine because the girl is great at baking. (The other girls are always excited to taste test.)

-Flora’s not quite as delicate as others make her out to be. Yes, her hands are soft despite being in dirt and soil 80% of the time (Linphean lotions are awesome), and yes she’s good a giving that gentle touch to her plants, but she’s physically stronger than she appears. She can lift 50 pound bags of fertilizer with little issue. She’s pretty handy with a shovel (and not just for digging, which her poor cousin Marlow found out when a prank went wrong). And she’s not ‘razer thin’. She has decent muscle mass and is a bit on the broad side. Doesn’t make her any less graceful in the air or on the ground.

-In a fight, she tries to be more defensive than offensive because she doesn’t want to get in Bloom, Layla, or Stella’s way. And she finds her spells work better as traps than as an offensive maneuver. That said, if she feels her friends are in extreme danger, she will not hesitate to call on the Plant Life around them for help. (And she’s known for getting physical too, so watch out for that.)

-Aside from Layla, Flora feels a connection to Roxy. The younger girl’s passion about animals makes her think of her father and she does her best to encourage Roxy to use her passion in her magic.

-Bloom introduced Flora to the game Minecraft. For the first time, Flora understands why Tecna gets so involved in her videogames. (Please send help, she may be addicted. But her farm is looking amazing.)

-Flora doesn’t really worry about fashion, preferring to go by what she feels is comfortable, but she has a hard time saying ‘no’ to Stella when the other fairy has ideas. (Which usually turn out to be beautiful and comfortable and really, Flora just has the best friends.)

-Flora enjoys the nights when all six Winx Club girls can just hang out and be normal for a few hours. Sleepovers, Truth or Dare, movies and junk food. She loves it.

-She got close to Mirta while the other girl was a pumpkin, even finding a way to communicate despite the spell. After the spell was broken and during their sophomore year, Flora was one of the students who helped show Mirta around and made sure she was comfortable. They often talk and catch up. (And yes, Flora did have a hand in helping push Mirta and Lucy together. She regrets nothing.)

-Flora has thought about a tattoo. Many people on her realm get them, though it’s not a requirement nor does it give any extra magical benefits. She just doesn’t know what to get and she wants it be special. (All she knows is where she’d put it, over her burn scar from the Wizards.)

-At her time at Alfea (and in her middle school), Flora was part of the Student Council and Eco Club. She did her best to help make her schools a little more ‘green’ and energy proficient. (Tecna was a big help in coming up with a design for more efficient electrical equipment.)

-Out of all the girls, Flora has the hardest time connecting to Musa with convergence. Their personalities and magical abilities tend to clash from time to time, so they need to really strike a feeling of harmony before trying.

-Bloom is the easiest to converge with. They shared a room and often had so many late-night chats that their auras and feelings just naturally come together when needed.

-Out of all the girls, she’s the most likely to continue living on Earth. She finds the realm so fascinating. (It was a magically dead planet that kept on living... Just.... how?)

-Flora’s current goal in life is to start the revival process of other dead realms in the Magical Dimension. She feels that if she and her friends can resurrect Domino, bring ShadowHaunt back to its former glory, and bring magic back to Earth, they should be able to handle bringing others back to life too.

#winx club headcanons #winx club #winx flora #winx club flora #flora la rosa #sweet and pure #spring flower

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szopenhauer · 5 years ago

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Think of a movie and now give me that movie title: random Elvira: Mistress of the Dark

Quote a line from that movie:

Name a song: random MARUV & Boosin — I Want You

What’s a line from that song? Baby turn me, turn me on All night long What’s the last word spelled backwords of that line? GNOL XD Whats the relationship between you and the last person you texted? my fiancee What would your name be if you replaced T’s with S’s & A’s with E’s? Zuzenne Would you ever legally change you name to that? nah Your boyfriend/girlfriend say they can’t hang out & it’s been two weeks. You? ok How often do you think about death? all the time Where were you when you had your first sleepover? Your house or a friends’? friend’s - P.W.

Are you hungry?: thirsty

What did you buy last time you went to the store?: food? bread not food? trinkets - for example - two books and a tiny stuffed dog

Do you think stained glass windows are pretty?: I don’t know tbh

Are you a chocoholic?: not at all

Have you ever been carded when buying something? : not even when I was buying cigarettes

Do you have a favorite highlighter color?: yellow

Do you have a flashlight?: I do

Do you like watermelon?: nah

Has anyone ever walked in on you while you were on the toilet?: obvi, many times but usually just family members

Do you like a lot of ice in your drinks?: noooo

Have you ever painted a room?: bathroom Have you ever petted a donkey? from what I remember

Out of all 24 hours, which one is your favourite? hmm... Have you ever been in a lighthouse? nope

What time are you planning on going to bed tonight? no idea Have you ever been bit by an animal? yeah Did it rain today? kinda What was the name of the last dog you pet? it was my dog - Łasuch Do you find that you have a certain meal you eat every time you go to certain restaurants? sure Are you constantly judging people? could say so Have you ever had anything stolen from you? sorta Which would you rather, a snowy day, sunny day, rainy day or cloudy day?: cloudy or sunny maybe rainy but definitely not snowy How long have you ever spent away from home? month? Has your luggage ever been lost at the airport? Did you get it back? - About how many times during the night do you wake up from your sleep? few Are there any air fresheners in your house? What kinds? no What scent of candle do you burn the most? we don’t For what reason did you last cry? ugh... What kind of surveys do you wish there were more of? deep

Last time you were attacked by an animal? this summer? Are you paranoid all the time or just during the night? more often during the day actually Have you ever dated someone without knowing their name? last name, not first, I was a stupid kid and was dating a guy online once and several boys at camp just to show off somebody likes me that way even tho I wasn’t really interested nor knew anything about those matters

If you go to an all-you-can-eat buffet, how much do you really eat? a tiny bit If you need to ask a question in class do you raise your hand? of course How many times have you been engaged (if any at all)? once, currently Do you have to see something to really believe it? jak niewierny Tomasz - często Have you ever gotten so dehydrated that you passed out? I’m surprised that I didn’t :x If your friend was being cheated on, would you tell them? absolutely Do you always assume the worst? that me indeed Are you sick and tired of life? sadly Have you ever been busted for under age drinking? I wasn’t drinking underage, I still don’t drink Do you have a picture of you and your lover kissing? 1 and a tik tok Have you witnessed a fight at school? bunch

What is your favorite time of day to run? when I’m late for the bus lmfao

When was the last time you talked to your mom? recently Do your parents crush your dreams? sometimes Did you sleep in today? I didn’t Do you hate sleeping in? I love sleeping in How late do you consider too late to sleep in? noon, 11am is already late How long have you had a smartphone? less than 5 years Do you keep lists of names that you like? even tho I don’t want kids :P Have you ever butt-dialed someone? it happened

First letter of the names of everyone you have kissed, like *that*; M.

Do you like going to school sports games? eww, boring Have you ever worn your boyfriend’s clothes? guy from camp gave me his cap for a day Have you ever stolen your sibling’s clothes? I had to wear them when she was growing up, gross Have you ever loved someone and HATED it? later? Do you like Starbucks or would you rather just have water or something? just water lol Have you ever walked into a door before? po maturze zapomniałam, że woźny zamknął drzwi, które się same otwierały i walnęłam w nie, raz przytrzepałam sie w futrynę bo za szybko skręciłam w nocy do pokoju, mama uderzyła mnie drzwiami jak byłam mała i stałam za blisko wejścia dzwoniąc do domu więc spadłam ze schodów, a ojciec stuknął mnie tymi dworcowymi przy wiadukcie i wylałam na siebie sok - to chyba wszystkie przypadki Do you know anyone who’s like, psycho-religious? fanatic? my uncle is one of those Have you ever been stuck on a ski lift? luckily never been there to begin with Do you know who Nancy Sinatra is? ain’t this the gal who sings “those boots were made for walking” or smth like that? Have you ever bought anything from an airport? I wasn’t there so... If I asked you who you were gonna marry a year ago, you would say; omg Do you snore, talk, sleepwalk, or drool? drool at times, sorry also roll/kick around and fart ^^” When you woke up this morning, what was your first thought? I was wondering why Nat fronted If you could start completely over knowing what you do now, would you? possibly

If you drink coffee, do you have a favorite flavor & brand? If so, what? not applicable Have you ever personally known a pair of Conjoined twins? woah What is your first thought when you see people kissing in public? "get a room” Would you ever consider being a professional stunt-person? I have no abilities/skills/health etc for that kind of job and it’s really sad actors get prizes for stunt-ppl’s work

How about a Mailman? my father was and that ruined his body so I doubt it (Besides Hello kitty) Do you have a favorite Sanrio character? If so, Who? Hello Kitty is evil Do you flinch when strangers touch you? don’t touch me! Can you remember the first time you went to a movie theater? I believe Is there something in particular you like to look at photos of? What is it? I have strange interests... Do you actually like the taste of Diet Soda? didn’t try and don’t plan to What brand of toliet paper do you normally use? I don’t give a shit ;) Do the Charmin bears make you feel uncomfortable? xD fact that they’re red makes me uneasy On average, how many cans of soda would you say you drink daily? zero Did/do you ever stick your chewed -up gum under tables? I spat it on grass when I was younger and had stuck it in my hair years before as well but every other gum I trashed properly Can you remember the last thing you watched on the news that upset you? that’s why I avoid news How do you feel about red lipstick, is it whorish? it’s my fav but I no longer use makeup What is your definition of feminism? fighting for equal rights between women and men like pay in workplaces Are you comfortable in shorts? am not So, have you watched that Bob’s Burgers show? Do you like it? fragments

Do you ever get the feeling you dont belong? always Do you believe actions speak louder than words? good actors will use both ways to lie

If your friend tried to commit suicide infront of you how would you react? how, why, who, when etc. Ever had a rumour spread about you? plenty Have you ever tried to impress someone before? majority of my life and I hate myself for that If someone jumped on your back what would you do? die? If you had a child and they turned out just like you would you be happy? poor kid... If you could choose the gender of your child what gender would you choose? not that I want kids but girl

Name three people you want to meet in Heaven. from those who died or are alive rn?

What could be the theme song of your life? I was taking a quiz today and they gave me Kero Kero Bonito - I'd Rather Sleep

Do you have any embarrassing health issues? :( Who do you wish you could talk to? grandma and/or brother Do you lose or misplace things a lot? very rarely lose, misplace more often but still usually same item like my scissors What was the name of the street you grew up on (if you don’t live there now) I live here! Does it still feel like summer where you live? it’s too cold for that Do you have a Paypal account? I wish Have you ever had a brand or company reach out to you on Instagram? polyvore What is the last thing you purchased from Etsy? I have no bank account to be able to buy stuff there Do you sell on Etsy? I’d like to someday Do you have a favorite aunt, and if so, who is it? aunt Alice Who is your favorite cousin? no one Have you bought next year’s calendar yet? yup What year did/will you turn 30? 2022 What’s a food that you like, but it makes you feel sick? no comment Do you like the name Addison? sounds like a shoe Is there anything that you regret getting rid of? ... Have you ever stood up to a bully? couple of times Do you own striped tights? nude and transparent Have you ever made your own Halloween costume out of clothes from ur closet? yep When was the last time you received a hug? this day Do you have anyone who hugs you regularly? dad? Would you rather have the bottom bunk or top bunk? bottom Window seat or aisle seat? window, aisle if in church Have you ever thrown up on an airplane? that’s one of the reasons I won’t fly Have you ever seen anyone else throw up on an airplane? that’s another... Have you ever gotten sick in the car? almost Do you still wear clothes from the children’s section? whoops you got me What color is your watch? I need to buy watch for Nat... What color was the last pair of flip-flops you wore? last time I was wearing flip flops was before middle school and they were pink I suppose Were you born in your favorite season? in the worst! Have you eaten oatmeal lately? regularly... Do you enjoy editing photos? if not a snapchat filter selfie then I prefer them “natural” What is your favorite app on your phone? Choices forever! lately I begun playing The arcana and it’s pretty good, Lisa downloaded Addams family mystery mansion or smth but it’s not that cool and I used to play the detective story which was awesome <3 Do you answer your phone every time it rings? hell no Do you like to decoupage things? scrapbooks/collages are way better How many tabs are open on your browser right now? 9 with this one but I forgot to close the background music

How many times have you had sex within the past two years? Guesstimate? personal How many times in a month do you go to the movies? How much do you spend? not at all

When was the last time you heard thunder? Where were you at anyway? this month? home When was the last time you were in trouble with your parents? If so. it’s complicated Do you know anyone who claims to have the ability to see the future? I have dreams that come true and my parents do, also my gf When you go to the movies, do you actually watch the movies or not? ... what else would I do in the cinema? oh, you mean kiss and such? waste of money Do you love or loathe the Eurovision? I don’t mind it Have you ever wielded a sword? wanna try :D If you were famous would you want a statue or a building names after you? what for Can you erect a tent? hope I didn’t forgot How tall is the tallest person you know? didn’t ask Have you ever ridden a camel? might try What’s your opinion on rats? cute

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spideystark-2021archive · 5 years ago

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In January of 2000 some good friends from the scientific community rather than the normal billionaire one of Tony Stark, the Parker’s, approached him about being a donor in order for them to become parents due to some fertility issues that had been discovered in regards to Richard. Tony agreed with little convincing and in August of 2001 Peter Parker was born. Tony was made the boys godfather and when his parents died when he was about 7 months old, he took him in and legally claimed him as his own son. There was a lot of shadow and mystery to the rumors of Tony Stark having a child, no one knew who the Mother was and for years they didn’t even know his gender. As he grew his identify was kept a secret, his Aunt May and Uncle Ben’s address being used for school and occasionally staying with them when his Father was away for longer periods and a nanny was a less practical option. Legally Peter’s name has been changed to “Peter Benjamin Stark” he still goes by Parker in school.

Ned found out that Tony Stark was Peter’s dad when he was half asleep one day after a late night stopping some street thugs when he first got his powers, because in that state when Ned said how cool Tony Stark was in reference to an article he was reading Peter said “you think that but” and told him the lame Dad joke he’d said at breakfast that morning.

Peter steals his Dad’s credit card and used it to send 1 or 2 food trucks to known poor/homeless heavy areas to give out food for free. After Tony get’s back to Earth after The Snap he starts doing this in Peter’s place.

Karen was an AI created much sooner in this AU, and a watch with her programing in it was given to him when he was 9.

Peter was 5 when Pepper became Tony’s assistant and 7 when he accidently called her “Mom” for the first time, he was super embarrassed and Pepper blushed slightly but took it in stride, her and Tony using that to get Peter to do things like clean his room ect by telling him “Listen to you Mother” and it started as a joke but now he just calls her Mom in everyday conversation and it confuses new people but they don’t even bother explaining and usually it’s just accepted.

Peter was 8 when Tony was kidnapped and just has no idea what is going on, all he knew was that Miss. Potts was scared, he was pulled out of school for a few months, Happy wouldn’t leave him alone and his Uncle Rodey had told him that a couple hulking marines were going to be staying close to him until his Dad came home. All he really knew was that he hadn’t see his Dad in what seemed like forever and no one would tell him why, which was weird because Tony tended to make sure to find at least 5 minutes in a day to call him even when he was super busy.

Peter was 11 when Loki attacked the City, he’d just happened to be there visiting his Aunt May and when it happened he had run out of the house and made his way to Stark Tower, the Karen helping lead the way there despite telling him what a horrible idea it was. He barely made it there, ducking behind things and even inside of a dumpster or two. Tony see’s him right before Loki shows up and doesn’t have enough time to get mad, just enough time to force him into a safe room hidden in the wall behind where he was standing when Loki entered. Peter is smart like his Dad though, he managed to get out and sees his Dad fly through the wormhole. He nearly jumped off the edge when he saw him. Erik had been coming to check on him though after Natasha told him to, and grabbed him right before he jumped after his Father.

By 2014 Peter has been bitten and grained powers, try as he might Tony can’t stop his son from fighting bad guys when he can literally just scale headfirst down the Tower. And that’s just before he creates his web fluid and web shooters. This is part of what drives him into wanting to create Ultron. Everything goes wrong though and shit hits the fan, and when it does they can’t find Peter and Tony fears the worst. Then they get to Clints home though and there he is playing with and entertaining the younger kids and the grip of panic that had been holding him dissipated a little.

When the Avengers go to fight Ultron there is a huge argument between him and Tony, he wants to come and help. He has powers and the suit he made, he can help. In the end Tony wins and Peter stays behind at the Farm House, he spends most of the time in Teen Angst Mode and makes Laura dread her own children becoming teenagers.

In Civil War he’s ecstatic when Tony let’s him join the fight and help, though he in all honesty only does it because of the fact he knows none of the others would really hurt him. When he ends up with a black eye though he regrets it, telling him “Go or I’m calling your Mother!”

After Civil War when his Dad got on board with him being a small time neighborhood hero? Peter was very excited, and was more than happy to give both Tony and Happy updates regularly. Though he knew that Pepper wasn’t entirely happy about it? He knew that at least she was glad he was doing it with his Dad behind him rather than behind their backs.

After Peter’s screw up that ended in Tony taking the suit away and telling him he was done with crime fighting until he could grow up and think before he acted? Peter wasn’t all that surprised that Happy shut Ned down when he called him, but he hoped that his Dad would get there to help him sooner rather than later. Instead? He’d had to fight Vulture on his own, and had hidden off to the side when Happy and the other’s got there. He got the other’s attention by hitting him behind the ear with a tiny bit of web fluid and Happy expressed that he was glad Peter was okay but then shooed him off before anyone could notice him since his mask was gone.

After this happened Tony offered to Peter both officially introducing him to the world as Spiderman, and his son. He turned this down however, telling his Dad that he wanted to stay lowkey a while longer. In reality? He hadn’t exactly told his Dad everything that he went through in the battle with Vulture, and he both didn’t want to leave his friends behind as well as wanting more time to process what he’d been through. He already had a therapist he saw once a month, but now he bumped it up to twice a month and when needed weekly with no explanation to Tony.

Eventually at some point between his fight with Vulture and the space ship showing up on earth he asks Tony to come with him to one of his sessions, and finally tells him about everything that happened during that first big super hero battle of his.

When the space ship shows up on earth and Peter joins in on the fight, he nearly listens when Tony tells him to go home. But then he realizes that he didn’t know if he could handle it if his Dad died and he could have done something to stop it, and so instead? He clings onto the space ship and makes his way inside.

This drabble I wrote is 100% tied into my Peter’s story

After The Snap the world finds out who Peter is in regards to him being Tony’s son unless otherwise plotted, a memorial for him being held for him where the truth comes out about his identity like it was for many of those who disappeared. Ned had already known and MJ had her suspicions. But other than that a lot of people started treating him differently, he brushed most of them off but he was also secretly kind of glad that Flash still treated him exactly the same. Being bullied sucked and the guy was an ass, but at least he wasn’t trying to pretend he wanted to be his friend like so many people who had ignored him and/or his being bullied in the past. Because of this, its theorize by a lot of people before the end of his junior year that he is Spiderman because of the fact that Iron Man was his Father and seemed to have taken the younger hero under his wing. By the start of his Senior year the truth about who Spiderman is has been completely accepted, even if not confirmed by anyone who would know for sure.

Within a year of coming back from The Blip, Peter has changed his hero name to Iron Spider in order to honor his Father (or in the case of Tony still being alive, to signify him taking his place in the Avengers)

#;;Muse Info

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rkxric · 5 years ago

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➜ EVENT: star bright casting ➜ LOCATION: park hyatt hotel - interview room ➜ DATE: sunday 28th 2020

this is dumb. completely and utterly stupid. why did he have to go and let songhee convince him to go to this thing? he’s not cut out for being an idol, he can barely handle people online acting like ‘fans’ of his just because he does tiktoks. he had no performing talents, so he’s just going to make a fool out of himself. at least it’s only an interview, he thinks. he likely won’t make it through to the next round, since he’s got no performing experience like he’s sure a lot of the other people auditioning have.

do it for the free lunch, eric, he tell himself as he fills out the form, then waits for his name to be called, regularly wiping his clammy palms on his thighs. he’s sitting hunched over his seat, unconsciously trying to make himself as small as possible. he feels like everyone around him can tell just by looking at him that he doesn’t belong here. he’s no singer, no dancer, no rapper - he’s just funny! funny doesn’t make you an idol.

but, it’s too late to back out when they call his name and he hesitantly makes his way into the interview room, handing over his form and positioning himself opposite the person he assumes is the interviewer standing beside a camera. he’s used to cameras at least, though usually he’s being filmed on his own phone, and not an intimidating looking camera and microphone setup.

he’s told to introduce himself, and after a moments hesitation, he looks at the camera and smiles. “i’m sohn youngjae, but everyone calls me eric. i was born in la, in america, i’m 19, and i’m currently a composition student at korea national university of arts. i’m also... a barista, a pizza delivery guy and a 7 eleven employee. busy bee, that’s me!” at least he manages to relax while talking, though he’s still worried they’re going to ask him to sing or something.

“alright eric, nice to meet you. i’m going to ask you a few questions now.” eric nods, his smile though forced and slightly nervous, remains on his lips.

“okay eric, firstly, why do you want to be an idol?”

dammit. how is he meant to answer this question when he doesn’t want to be an idol? sure, it sounds amazing, singing and dancing on a stage and wearing fun outfits and meeting people who love you for doing something as enjoyable as singing and dancing, but could eric do that? he’s pretty sure that’s an absolutely not. “uh...” his brains whirring, trying to think of an answer that isn’t too much of a lie. “i... i really like dancing. i’ve always liked dancing, and singing - actually when i was a kid my dad got me a toy karaoke machine for christmas once and i did holiday shows for my mum at every little holiday there was, just because it was fun. i suppose being an idol would be way more difficult than singing livin’ la vida loca on a toy karaoke machine in your living room for your mum, but i think it would be worth the hard work.” he pauses, realising he’s sort of strayed from the initial question, and clears his throat with an embarrassed half-smile. “i do dance cover videos on tiktok, actually, and a lot of people seem to like those, and whenever someone tells me they really enjoy my dance videos, it feels... well it feels better than... anything else i think. it’d probably be one hundred times better to hear thousands of people say it about a proper performance, like on a stage.” his answer seems, to him, to suck, but how is he meant to tell someone why he wants to be an idol, when he doesn’t want to be an idol?

“so, singing and dancing are your best skills, are they? do you have any other talents?”

“oh boy, i wouldn’t say singing is a talent of mine. those karaoke shows weren’t at all worth the cookie my mum would pay me for attending them!” he jokes, laughing and relaxing a little, getting used to the situation a little more. “i’d say i’m best at dancing. my tiktok followers seem to like my dancing, so i mustn’t be that bad, right?” again, he laughs, rubbing the back of his neck a little awkwardly this time, realising that this poor woman probably had no idea what tiktok is. “as for other talents, i can actually sing the elements song my tom lehrer and the nations of the world song, both in full without a single mistake!” he exclaims proudly, only to realise the interviewer probably doesn’t know those songs either. “well, i can sew, knit and crochet! those are some fun skills! and juggling!”

“on your form you put that your biggest influences are mostly girl groups. isn’t that a little strange for a boy?”

“oh, i don’t think so at all!” he responds quickly. “i think girl groups are more marketed towards guys anyway. but music is for everyone, no matter who’s singing it! i like the style of girl group songs more, and i think it’s fun to challenge expectations. so if someone expects me to do a boy group dance, and i do a girl group dance, and i do it well, it’s fun to see the surprise on their face. i do know a few boy group dances, and there’s a lot more power in them than girl group dances, but i like how much emotion goes into girl group songs, which is why i like them a lot more and like to learn the choreo to them.”

“what would you say is the biggest obstacle you’ve have to overcome?”

eric’s lips purse as he thinks over the question. “i... grew up very poor. a lot of the time there wasn’t a whole lot of food, or a very healthy variety of food in my house. i also never wore new clothes, only second hand clothes from goodwill, and, well, children can be mean when you’re different. not only was i an asian boy growing up in a predominantly white area, but i was also far worse off money wise than many of my classmates. i suffered a bit of bullying, but i suppose it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. other than that, moving to a new country as a young teen and having to learn a new language and make new friends was hard.”

“could you tell us a little bit about your family? has your home situation much improved since then?”

the questions about home life and family life aren’t eric’s favourite - it isn’t a topic he’s too open about, thanks to his mum’s problems. but he can sugar coat it, he’s got a lot of practise doing that. “my family was mainly just me and my mum growing up. she didn’t have a very well paying job, but she’s doing better now. my dad wasn’t around a lot as he worked in korea when i was young and growing up in la. things were definitely better when he lived in la as well for a while, but he and my mum weren’t married, so they didn’t like together so i sort of... have a split life. time spent with him i never really had to worry about how much anything cost, but with my mum i really did. i got my first job at thirteen because of it. my family’s not very close, i have a couple cousins, but i didn’t meet them until i moved to seoul, and i don’t see a lot of them often.”

“you said you have three jobs, all while being a student as well. how do you think this impacts your everyday life and overall ambitions?”

“i started working very young. i was a paperboy, so a simple job really, but it helped a little. then i was a milk delivery boy when i moved to seoul, a similarly simple job, and they never took up much of my time. now i have three jobs and as you can imagine they take up a lot of my time, but i have them scheduled around my school hours, so it isn’t too bad. i don’t think much about how they impact my ambitions really, since i don’t have a choice in doing them - if i want to pay rent i have to work. i have some free time here and there though, so i use that time to learn new things and do the things i enjoy, and hopefully when i graduate i can find a better paying job and have more time for the things i enjoy.” he realises too late that ambitions probably meant ‘dream to be an idol’. oh well.

“so, if you weren’t trying to be an idol, what do you think you’d be doing?”

“probably exactly what i’m doing now.” he’s probably the only person who’s putting absolutely no free time into this ‘endeavour into being an idol’, since he never even thought about it as a career. he’d love to be an idol, but he simply doesn’t have the skills needed, and he isn’t delusional enough to think he does. with more practise and dance or vocal lessons maybe he’d have potential, but he doesn’t have the time nor money for those. “focusing on school, and trying hard to pay my way through it.”

“thank you, eric, that’s all. do you have any questions before we finish up?”

“uh... no, i don’t think i do.” he says, sounding unsure. he’s ready to leave and go and get that free lunch songhee owes him for this awful ordeal. he just hopes she gets something out of this.

“alright, well, have a nice day.”

“you too!” he replies, then leaves the interview room, head past the other people waiting, and makes his way out of the building, intending to go and find a cafe nearby to wait for songhee in. as much as that felt like a big waste of time, at least i gave him some insight into what actually trying to be an idol might be like.

#;solo #starbright20audition #solo;starbright20 #( 06 . 20 )#wc:1707

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dazlinn909 · 6 years ago

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Goth head cannons

Just because I adore the goth babies here's some head cannons.

HENRIETTA: loves to mother anyone who let's her.

She has a tiny crush on Pete due to how nice he was about her emo phase.

She'll never admit it out loud but she does have body image insecurities.

She likes to sew, whether fixing her own or Pete or Firkles since neither of their mothers are gonna.

Loves doing nails, lucky black polish is goth on guys too.

MICHAEL: actually enjoys reading.

Knows a few foreign languages.

Enjoys classic music. But only listens to the "goth" kind of the group is around.

Had a crush on Henrietta. Gets over it as they age. But he does like to go after anything with long legs in fishnets.

Has a great brotherly bond with Pete, due to them being only children.

PETE: is actually sensitive but only if you're close.

Dated Mike and gets crap from the gang about it even though they broke up like "forever ago" (Pete also isn't entirely over him)

Has a crush on Stan and regularly stays in touch. For when Stans drunk and wants to forget about Wendy for a while. Even though that part aggravates Pete.

Plays his base to make some extra money usually in the park or downtown.

Had some issues with his father which put the poor thing out on his own. But he learned early to stand on his own and make his way quickly.

FIRKLE/GORGIE: finds his original name very bland, nor does he like having much attachment to his home life.

Is a super bitch and very to the point if he doesn't like you.

Enjoys wearing girls clothes. Even though he does get bullied for it. He surely doesn't stand for it, and gets detention a hell of a lot for fights.

Had issues with his mother. But living in the same trailer park Pete was nice enough to take him in. And Firkle is truly great ful to his friend, even if he doesn't show it.

He actually playa video games with Ike online even though the two have no idea it's themselves. Even though the user names are obvious.

#south park #south park goths #south park au #south park rp #south park firkle #south park henrietta #south park pete #south park michael #south park headcanons

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writingonjorvik · 7 years ago

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Can We Discuss How To Have a Better Multiplayer Experience?

Perhaps this is a little difficult for me because I do tend to prefer soloing games, and also I tend to avoid SSO’s community because at large, across all platforms, it tends to be fairly toxic. However, I do think that SSO’s multiplayer experience is rather lackluster, and could stand to be improved for players who actually want to participate in a Massive Multiple experience that MMOs are supposed to provide.

It’s not that SSO doesn’t have any multiplayer experience, it just doesn’t have a lot. Most of it is competitive, which needs to be rebalanced (another discussion), and the rest is player generated. That in it of itself isn’t a bad thing. I’m glad that SSO has a game world that encourages players to design their own content and embrace community. The problem is, like I said before, SSO’s community is by and large a fairly toxic one. Further, that kind of content only lasts to long. So, the dev team has two problems it needs to address; community issues and more multiplayer content.

Let’s address the first. In the past, devs have done little to make players feel like toxicity is being addressed. Personally, I think they’ve done more to combat critical commentary, but they certainly have done very little to combat the hostility in the community. Sure, we have the report system, as clunky as that system is with having to load a browser to report an issue, and there is the moderator team. But there is very little on the dev’s part to push those and make them visible options. There was a brief period when it seemed like SSO was going to address more community issues, like when they released a video on their channel saying not to share accounts. However, that seems more of a response to the “Potato” families who were popping up at the time and stealing accounts on reflection. Not to mention that there was only ever one announcement saying anything about moderators, and it was only ever released in Swedish. This culminates is some beginnings of attempts to fix the issues, but no real follow through.

There are a number of things the devs can do to improve this. For one, the devs should continue with their SSO School series into community behavior. What kind of role-plays are and aren’t ok. This kind of behavior makes loads of games news, particularly kids’ games. Wolfquest just had one a few months ago about mating/romance role-plays in their own communities. The devs should address this behavior, as well as things like spamming, bullying, boy/girl friend hunting, and other abuses to the chat. Also, I doubt they’ll do it, but the devs should lay off the girl game marketing. It makes players of other genders, particularly guys, targeted for harassment and “Will you be my boyfriend?” questions. But at the very least, the devs should take a public stance on their most used platform, YouTube, on what behavior is and isn’t ok for their game to start targeting the problem.

Next, they could reimplement the reporting system in game as well as through their website. You should be able to right click on a user and be able to report a comment they made. That’s basic programming now, and it’s practically a staple in the industry. Particularly for children’s games. Why wouldn’t a game company targeting for a younger audience try to promote a safer environment and make their report tool readily available? It also would make it easier long term for the support staff who have to sift through chat logs to find comments. It’s easier on players, and it’s easier on the team to address. And if there are abuses of the system in over reporting, then the dev can equally put a penalty on the player for false reporting. That’s also a staple for most MMOs.

Finally, the moderator team and its code of operation needs to be revised and released, in all languages SSO is published in. Players need to know what the rules moderators are being told to follow. While there is no such thing as a cop having to disclose their identity, it does feel very secret police and dystopian to play a game where the “police force” has no clear rules to the players. It would be like asking someone to follow the laws without know what the laws are. Also, there needs to be some ability for the players to hold moderators responsible for poor decision making, if it were to happen. Moderators are also human after all. If we don’t know the codes they’re being held to, how do we hold them to it? Not to mention that a set of rules makes being a moderator more obtainable, and would encourage more players to want to be on the moderation team.

A lot of this first half it amending the rules and how they’re publicized, and generally, I feel that addresses a large number of the issues. Most people will follow the rules, and a lot of people are simply ignorant of what those rules are. How many of you have actually read SSO’s terms and conditions? It’s a lot of text, I don’t blame you for skimming or just agreeing to what it says. But there are a lot of rules in there that are regularly ignored, and the devs could make it all readily accessible and more easily enforceable if they did at least one of these suggestions. And if those major glaring issues were addressed, the larger issues with SSO’s toxicity goes down. What’s left is teenage pettiness to deal with, but a few divas are easier to ignore than the current state of constant Global spamming, particularly on higher population servers.

The second issue though is that the devs need to make the game more enjoyable to play with other people, in that there needs to be more content. Yes, there is plenty of racing, though I plan to address my opinions on SSO’s barebones RPG system in another week. There’s also very little else unless you’ve planned a personal get together yourself. But that’s not content SSO is giving you, it’s content you’re making. And while it may last for some people, it won’t for everyone.

Like I said, I think the idea of SSO encouraging players to find content and stories in a world that has a focus on exploration is commendable. Picnics and BBQs and club rides are fun, but they’re eventually shallow experiences and prone to becoming repetitive. There was clearly some intention to add more varied content with things like the group races and flag collecting competitions, or the four player star in Forgotten Fields. But this is extremely minimal for an MMO. Hell, you can’t even really quest together. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think you should have to have friends to beat a quest. That’s not what SSO is about. But it would be nice if while you were collecting apples in the Apple Grove, your friend could also help you collect apples, and it would go towards your progress in the quest. Or you could see the most recent quest a friend had started so you could help them. Or if you could share progress on daily quests you both had picked up.

Supposing this is too backwards compatible though, the devs should look into creating more multiplayer experiences. What about a whole series of collectibles like the one that requires four friends? It’s not required for anything, but if you have friends, you have something to hunt down together and puzzle solve as a team. Or a new type of team competition that records four players together as a team on the scoreboard rather than just one, encouraging co-op play? How about actual content for riding clubs, like unique races only available when in a riding club or more clubhouses to choose from? Things to encourage players that want to join riding clubs and make them feel more like an actual club that just an extra chat, or a hideaway from club invites. Preferably not behind paywalls though or it would just be a popularity contest. Or, if they do have club paywalls besides the founding fee, how about a club bank? Everyone pitches in Star Coins, not just the owner, and when there’s enough, they can buy new halls, races, club outfits, so on. The Star Coins are destroyed if the club is disbanded, to prevent anyone from just creating clubs and getting the returns on spare Coins in the banks after they kick everyone else out.

SSO definitely isn’t its predecessors, the single player CD-ROM experiences that they were. But it’s also not really a multiplayer experience in many ways. There are loads of ways the devs can go about improving that, and they should. But they should also address the problems in their community to make it more welcoming and friendly, so finding friends to enjoy that new content with will actually be a meaningful experience.

#sso #star stable #star stable online #woj analysis

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ganglylimbs · 8 years ago

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Sharp Teeth and Bared Throats

Pairing: Trevor/Ryan/Gavin

Summary: The King has a lot of fine things. Glittery jewels, silk pillows, and golden crowns. But the two things the King holds most dear are the pretty Courtesan and Advisor that warm his bed regularly. There are always whispers surrounding the three of them, but the King doesn't worry. His pretty boys have sharp teeth.

Notes: The boys are not good people, but at least they love each other. This is a King au with casual murder and violence. It’s completely self-indulgent and I have no regrets.

If you would like to buy me a coffee, I would really appreciate it.

The market was busy, crowds of people pushing each other to get the supplies they need. Gavin easily blended in with the commoners in his sandy brown cloak and loose fitting clothes. He made sure to keep his head low as he moved with the crowd. Around him, he could hear people selling their wares, calling out their prices and trying to entice someone over to them.

“Warm furs! Skinned from the finest animals found outside the Kingdom! Warmest pelts you’ll ever find.”

“Fresh bread! Fresh bread!”

“Get your meat here! Bear meat, wolf meat, fox meat, beaver meat. All kind of exotic meats. Don’t like exotic? We have cow, pork, and chicken too.”

Gavin mumbled a low “Excuse me” as he pushed past a group gathered around someone selling fruit from the South and stopped in front of the stall where a young boy was shouting about meat. Gavin’s nose wrinkled at the bloody mess and idly wondered if he should buy anything.

“We need more.” A gruff voice said, somewhere to the right of him where two men were leaning in to talk to each other.

Michael would love a nice big piece. Gavin thought. He bent down to expect the example slices. He’s been saying he hasn’t had anything as good as the bear meat he got when scouting around the Tillian Kingdom.

“The King will not let us have anymore. We’ve already exhausted the supplies he had allowed us.” The other man added, this one calmer than the first.

And Jeremy too. He deserves a reward for winning in that tournament.

“We’ll just tell him that the supplies never made it to us. That they got lost along the way. Obviously stolen by thieves. Or…we ask him if he even sent the supplies in the first place.” The first guy answered, sounding pleased with himself. Gavin could imagine the grin on his face, so sure of his clever plan.

“Are you mad? The King will have our heads the second those words leave your lips.”

“The King wouldn’t bother. Why would he, we are just some lowly builders.” The words were sneered. “I’m sure he will listen to my what I have to say. I have a golden tongue after all.”

Gavin smiled, something sharp about it, before looking up at the butcher. “Two large bear flanks, please.” He handed over the money and got a grunt in return as the man went to fulfill his order.

“This is a stupid plan and you are going to get us killed.” The second voice sounded resigned.

“Everything will be fine. The King doesn’t keep records, he has people for that. It should be easy to convince him that there was some mistake on his part.” The voices were fading, getting distant as they walked away. Gavin didn’t bother following. Instead, he hummed a soft tune, something he remembered his mother singing to him in his youth as he waited for his meat.

“Thank you.” Gavin said, grabbing his packages. He whistled as he continued to stroll through the market. He only stopped at one other place to pick up a trinket, something silly that he knew Trevor would laugh at, before heading towards the Palace.

King Haywood sat high in his throne, hands resting lightly on the stone arms. Around him, candlelight flickered, creating shadows on the walls. It looked much darker in here, though he knew the sun was high in the sky. Red and gold decorated the walls, as well as Ryan’s coat of arms. Haywood could hear the soft mummers of his Court as they mulled around his throne room, already bored with today’s proceedings.

Haywood hid his smirk at the thought.

Below him, two of the builders from the 4th Quadrant kneeled before him, talking about how they were out of supplies and that the ones Haywood had granted before had not arrived. Well, one talked. The other would glance up at the King from time to time before remembering himself and looking back down. They were dressed in brown long sleeve tunics. The large red band wrapped around their arm displayed their title, the small one beneath that told the King that the black haired man was the leader of the project. He thinks the leader’s name is Reggie. Haywood watched them, face blank as he took everything in. As soon as Reggie fell silent, the King spoke.

“So you believe that your supplies were stolen?” Haywood spoke slowly, each syllable pronounced. He wanted to make sure there was no confusion about what he was asking.

“Yes, My King.”

“You are sure?”

“Yes, My King.”

Haywood hummed. He turned to the servant that stood by the base of his throne. “Kerry, get Advisor Pattillo. This issue needs to be fixed.” His eyes did not miss the way that two looked at each other, Reggie smiling. “I’m glad that you brought this to my attention. Stealing from me is a serious crime, one that needs to be punished.”

“Of course, My King.”

Before the servant could reach it, the side door that leads deeper into his castle opened. Casually strolling through was a young man, with shaggy brown hair and the beginning of a beard. He was decked out in the royal colors, red clothes clinging to his body and gold hanging off of him. He gave the servant a cheery wave, green eyes bright as he told him. “I do not believe that will be necessary, My King.”

Kerry instantly skittered to the side and the rest of the Court suddenly took an interest. Haywood tilted his head. “Gavin. What has brought you here?” The two builders seemed agitated by the intrusion, shifting around and frowning at each other, though they did not say anything.

Gavin took no notice of them. Instead, he headed straight towards the King. “Oh, Ryan. Can’t I visit you every now and then? I get so bored, sitting around in my room all day.” Gavin lightly threw himself over the King’s lap, hands wrapped around broad shoulders.

Haywood did not move, face still blank. “But you did not stay in your room.”

“Noooo. I didn’t.” Gavin sighed, moving around so he was fully sitting up. He laid his head against Ryan’s chest. “I decided to entertain myself by going to the market today. Bought some meat, bought some jewelry. You know how I love my jewelry, really it’s been a month since you’ve bought me anything. I’m starting to think you’ve lost interest.” Ryan’s mouth twitched. “Oh, and I heard an interesting conversation.”

“My King, I believe we were in the middle of something.” Reggie spoke up.

He was silenced by the cold look the King gave him.

Gavin grinned at the man, wide and full of teeth. “I think you will find this story interesting too. See, while I was buying my meat, I overheard two men talking. Something about….oh what was it….”

He tilted his head, eyes meeting theirs. “Something about trying to trick the King out of building material?”

The room fell still. Like everyone was holding their breath. Waiting. Gavin had the builder’s attention now. The King’s face was still blank. All he said was “Oh?”

“Yeahhhh.” Gavin drew out the word, let it fall around them. “I thought I must have misheard them. Because who would try to trick the King, right?” Gavin’s laugh was carefree. It echoed off the room. “But then I find out that lovely Ryan here is meeting with a couple of builders who claim they lost their supplies. And I couldn’t help thinking to myself, where have I heard that before?” He paused, letting them draw their own conclusions. “Now isn’t that a coincidence.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Reggie said, after a moment. His partner was starting to look nervous.

“Hear that Ryan. Doesn’t know what I’m talking about. Well, maybe this will help you remember.” Gavin stood up. Ryan let him, hand slowly falling from Gavin’s hip. The courtesan slowly started walking towards them. “You work for Forman, who has been trusted with building the shops around here. Your name is Reggie Barlons, who has been denied entry into the Knights and couldn’t even become a simple Guard. You floated around for a bit, from job to job, until your brother recommended a job as a builder. From there you’ve bullied and blackmailed your way to your position now.”

“That’s not-No.” Reggie denied. His partner was trying to slowly move away from him.

Gavin hummed, still walking oh so slowly around the still two kneeling builders. “You also have a bad habit of thievery, huh Reggie. Halving payment for those beneath you so that you can fill your pocket more. You sell whatever you can and claim that they had mysteriously disappeared. So is that what happened? You take one too many things and don’t know how to explain to your boss where they went? So now you’ve come, begging to the King? Are you hoping to make some extra supplies from those you don’t need?”

Reggie seemed stunned, mouth opening and closing. Haywood leaned forward in his seat, watching the entire spectacle with a small smirk. “Well, Reggie?” He drawled. “Was that what you were hoping for?”

“No! No, My King, I would never.” Reggie started to sputter. He looked around wildly before landing on his partner. “I-It was his idea! George was the one to suggest the selling. I was just going along with it because he threatened my family. My poor wife and children. Please.”

“Me!” George exclaimed. “I was the one trying to talk you out of it. But no, Mr. Golden Tongue. You had to go with this.” George turned towards the King. “Please, sire. He’s the mastermind behind this. Nothing I could say would deter him.”

The two dissolved into bickering, both trying to put the blame on the other. Ryan made eye contact with Gavin, smirk widening as Gavin rolled his eyes. The King let the fighting go on for a few more minutes before he stood up.

“Silence.” His command echoed around the room. Instantly, the room went quiet. With loud, thumping steps, he began walking down from his throne. “Enough with this. George Gallining. I know about your side business, the gambling without one of my permits or paying the required tax.” George winced. “But your offenses are nowhere near the level that Reggie has.”

“But sire-“ Reggie started to speak.

Haywood glared at him. “You have insulted both my intelligence and my kindness. I was warned that you would do this to me, which is why I had my spy check you out.” He reached out to place a hand on Gavin’s shoulder. Gavin fluttered his eyelashes at Reggie before reaching down to pull out the knife that Ryan kept at his side. “And what he found, I did not like. This…This was the last straw.”

“No! No, no, no.” Reggie began to beg. He threw himself at Ryan’s feet. “Please, Your Majesty. I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking, I’ll never do it again. My family they-“

He was silenced by Gavin’s knife across his throat.

Everyone watched, passively, as Reggie began to choke on his own blood. Except for George, whose face was frozen, horrified. He jerked at Gavin’s touch to his shoulder. “Let this be a warning to you, Georgie. Best be getting those permits of yours.”

George quickly nodded. With a flick of Haywood’s wrist, George was dismissed. He fled, pale and shaky.

As soon as the throne room door was closed, Gavin let out a high pitched laugh. “Did he see his face?” He asked, turning sparkling eyes towards Ryan.

Ryan nodded. He lightly kicked the body, nose scrunching up. “Get this trash away from here.” He called. A couple of guards stepped forward, dragging the body away. Ryan and Gavin walked back towards Ryan’s throne, hand in hand before sitting down, Gavin in Ryan’s lap.

“You looked like you were enjoying yourself.” Ryan commented.

“I was. He was pretty interesting. No one seemed to like him and were eager to give me any dirt they could. He was a sorry person.” Gavin hummed. “The conversation this morning was amusing. You should have heard the way he talked.”

Ryan chuckled, one hand coming up to wrap around Gavin’s waist. He listened to Gavin talk as the Court went back to normal.

Trevor walked carefully along the edge of the house. The night had fully settled, the moon hidden by clouds. Below him, he could hear an owl hoot. Some crickets were chirping but stopped as Trevor’s shadow passed over them. Trevor grinned as he leaned closer to the building. A party was going on inside. Music floated out and he could hear people murmuring.

Perfect.

Trevor climbed higher, jumping from place to place. He lightly knocked on a window, waiting for a few heartbeats, before pushing at it. It opened. The servant girl fulfilled her promise then. He crawled inside and looked around. He knew from earlier scouting that this was an empty guest room, used more for show than as an actual bedroom.

With quick feet, he crossed the room and peeked out the door, noting that the hallway appeared empty. According to his information, what Trevor was looking for was a few floors below him and to the right. Taking a deep breath, he began to sneak his way there.

At the second set of stairs, he heard a creek and the sound of voices trying to be quiet. Trevor’s heart jumped before he was running back up, choosing a random room to hide in. He heard a gasp behind him and turned to see two sets of eyes looking at him with confusion. The way they were clutching the covers to their chest and the smell of sex told Trevor exactly what they were doing. Before they could scream, Trevor ran forward, a knife appearing in his hand. “Make a sound and I won’t hesitate to slit your throat. You forget you ever saw me, got it.”

They mutely nodded at him. Giving them a grin, his knife slid back into his sleeve. He walked back to the door, listening closely. Everything seemed to be clear. He looked back and gave them a wink before slipping out the door.

He made his way down the stairs without any further incident. The hallway he stopped at was not empty. There were many rooms on this floor but the one Trevor wanted had guards stationed by it. There were two guards stationed to either side of it, looking bored. Another guard was walking back and forth, hand at the ready of his sword. Trevor ducked back behind the corner. He took another deep breath. Then he stumbled out. "Heeyyyy, boys. Hoowww you doing?" He slurred, leaning heavily on the wall.

The two guards by the door started giving each other looks and nudges. The one walking rolled his eyes at them before turning back towards Trevor. "This area is off limits."

"I-I-I was just...just walking. These, hic, these stairs are amazing! Have you walked these stairs?" Trevor kept walking forward, making sure that he stumbled every now and then.

"Sir, I must ask you to turn around now."

"Oh come on, Commander. He's harmless."

"And cute." The other piped up, eyeing Trevor. "Hey cutie, what's your name."

"Hic, st-stairs." Trevor said, before dissolving into giggles.

"Yeah, real funny." The commander said, sighing. "But seriously, you cannot be up here."

Trevor had just reached the commander. He stumbled into him and the commander caught him. "I'm real sorry." Trevor slurred.

The commander smiled. "It's ok. You're just drunk."

"Oh, I'm not sorry for that." Suddenly, Trevor stood up, flashing his knife. He plunged his knife into the commander’s head, before turning to throwing another knife at the guard closest to him. The other guard gave a shout as his friends fell and tried to draw his sword but Trevor was already there, slicing across his throat. He caught the body and slowly set it down on the floor. He wiped the blood from his face and smiled down at them. "Sorry boys, just part of the business."

Trevor walked back to the commander, grabbing the keys off him. He waited for a second, listening to see if anyone had heard the commotion. When no one came, he then opened the door to his prize.

Jewels and coins twinkled in the candlelight. Red and green and, of course, gold. Trevor picked a few up pieces, noting that Gavin would love them. But what he was really after was the large necklace that was hidden behind a few crowns and other large jewels.

Trevor didn't consider himself vindictive. Really, he didn't. But then again this wasn't an everyday kind of robbery. Matt and Jeremy had come to him, talking about how some Nobel had been rubbing it in Ryan's face about the many things he had been able to buy recently. It would be funny (someone trying to compete with the King for the most lavish things bought) if Ryan didn’t find it so annoying. But this was a fancy business man who Ryan couldn’t afford to offend, though both Trevor and Gavin had both volunteered to do something about it. But just because Ryan said they couldn't cause physical harm didn't mean that Trevor couldn't cause a little embarrassment. He got Gavin to use his connections, find out what he had bought recently before Trevor began doing a little digging himself. Turns out the Nobleman was going to present a very special, very expensive necklace to his wife tonight and later probably to his mistress. Trevor figured that it will be punishment enough if the necklace would suddenly go missing. Trevor grinned and picked the jewelry up. It would look really good on him or on Gavin or on Ryan. Especially if one or all three were naked. Trevor’s smile turned lecherous. Yeah, he couldn't wait for that.

There are rules when living in the Haywood Kingdom. Strict rules to bid by with harsh punishments. King Haywood was a fan of the thought that by dueling out horrible punishments, it would show the people what not to do.

He would cut off the hands of thieves, have murders tortured in public, and the heads of his enemies on spikes around his territories. You do not cross the King. You do not anger him.

But most importantly, you do not slander the names of those he protects.

Geoff and Jack laugh off the King’s attempts to protect them. Ramsey because he’s been doing this long enough to know that no one can touch him anyways and Pattillo because he’s the most forgiving of the King’s Advisors.

With Michael, Ryan didn’t have to protect him. All he had to do was give the younger man a name and let him go. By nightfall, who ever had wronged the Jones’ was dealt with. Jeremy was beginning to follow in Michael’s footsteps, but he still accepted the King’s protection. Ryan knows how nice it must feel to the Knight to have someone looking out for him.

But no one, absolutely no one, could talk bad about the King’s lovers.

Gavin might be a courtesan, but no one could deny the possessive way Ryan’s hands would glide over him whenever Gavin made an appearance in Court. For those too blind to see it, Ryan made it very clear when he had one offender (who thought of Gavin as a cheap trick, a dirty hole who wouldn’t mind) publicly poisoned at one of his balls. It took killing a few more people for everyone to get the message through. But it did eventually.

Then there was Trevor, the King’s youngest Advisor. While he didn’t need protecting from people trying to sleep with him (though there was no shortage of people who would and who tried- a perfectly placed bite mark on his throat by the King mostly stopped that) but there were those who liked to whisper about how Trevor became an Advisor. They told stories about how Trevor seduced the King, spread his legs to get where he was at. They would laugh about how it won’t be long, that soon the King will grow tired and Trevor will be out of a job.

The last Advisor who said that was burned alive. The King had a pig cooked over him.

Trevor and Gavin didn’t mind their King’s protectiveness, though they knew they didn’t need it. They had been killers for a long time, since they were little boys, and had learned how to hide their teeth until the throat was presented for them. Not many knew of their nighttime activities- what would the Court say, the King sleeping with such dangers- and so were used to others underestimating them. But they found the possessiveness and protectiveness sweet.

There were other whispers they let go, that they told the King to not bother with. Whispers about how one day, the Advisor and the Courtesan will kill each other in a bid to be the only one allowed in the King’s bed. They let those ones live, calming Ryan’s anger. Because it was all so funny to them.

None of these people were there for when the two were alone, wrapping their fingers around each other, leaving their prints on the other. No one was present for when the two would bend their heads close together, planning and laughing. Nor was anyone there to see when Trevor would take Gavin to the roof to point out stars or when Gavin would take Trevor to see the new born kittens Lady Lindsay was keeping. They stole stuff for each other, made a game of it. They kissed and laid together and would maim anyone who tried to take that away.

“Lord Edgar.” Gavin caught the Advisor’s attention, giving the other a small smile. “I was hoping to catch you.”

Lord Edgar was a tall, intimidating figure dressed up in red and gold robes. He had a pinched looking face and his salt and pepper hair had started to recede. The man raised one eyebrow, the rest of his face staying as static as ever. Gavin kept grinning at him until the man was forced to respond. “Yes?”

Lord Edgar was a conniving strategist. Everyone knew he strived to be King but no one could pin any evidence of sabotage to him. Ryan was wary of him but he couldn’t get rid of him as Edgar was their go-between the Severath Kingdom. Without him, the possibility of war was high. Ryan knew that. Edgar knew that. Everyone else knew that too. And Edgar took every opportunity to use that to his advantage.

Gavin kept his smile light and body relaxed. He knew Edgar was looking him over. While the Advisor would never do anything so crass as to make a move, he also knew Edgar desired him. And Trevor. But Gavin was used to being desired by disgusting people, so he didn’t let it get to him.

“I was hoping to talk to you about something I heard recently.” Gavin let a little worry in his voice, tilting his head as he frowned. Edgar didn’t say anything so Gavin added. “It’s about the King.”

That sparked Edgar’s attention. He nodded. “Go on.”

“See, I heard the King mumbling to himself lately. Something about…seeing demons to the North?”

Edgar did not move or show any outward emotions but Gavin could see the way he suddenly went rigid. “Has he?”

“Oh yes,” Gavin said, letting his concern show. “I know that you have spies in that area and I was hoping you could tell me if there are? Just so I could put my King’s mind to ease?”

“Come now. You don’t really believe in such things do you?”

Gavin chuckled. “Of course not. But it is my duty to relieve the King in all things. Having his Advisor assure him that no such things exist would surely do that, would it not?”

“Well, I assure you. There are no such things as demons.” Edgar said, smiling a little.

“What now?” Added a new voice.

Both Edgar and Gavin turned to see that Trevor had joined them. He was dressed in the same robes as Edgar was but Gavin thought they looked better on him. “What’s this about demons?” Trevor repeated. Gavin told him his worries and Trevor frowned.

“Just our dear King being silly.” Edgar paused, tilting his head a little. “I hope this isn’t the first sign of madness?”

Gavin worried his bottom lip a bit. “I hope not.”

“Well, maybe we should have a doctor look at him? Make sure everything is alright with him?” Edgar pressed.

Gavin frowned, thinking about it. Trevor spoke up. “Maybe we should send a small party up North? Have the King check it out?”

“Why?” Edgar asked at the same time Gavin brightened. “That would great. He’s been wanting to go up North for awhile, talk to the people there. We could make a trip of it.”

“I don’t think-“ Edgar began but was interrupted by Trevor again.

“It would be a great way to get their morale up.” Trevor grinned at him.

“Really.” Edgar tried again. “That is most unnecessary.”

“Oh come on, Edgar.” Gavin grinned at him. “What’s the harm? It’ll be a fun little trip, the people get to see their King, and the King gets to see that his worries are for nothing.”

Both Gavin and Trevor could see that Edgar was silently fuming. “I suppose.” He gritted out before turning around and leaving.

They waited till he was out of sight before smiling at each other. “You know that will only stop his spies from stirring up shit for a few weeks at most.” Trevor observed.

“Not if we keep pushing the trip off.” Gavin replied.

Trevor shook his head. “You’re horrible. You’re using this as an excuse to take a trip to the North.”

“They do have the best chocolate. And as if you’re any better.” Gavin lightly pushed him. “What’d you take from him this time.”

Trevor shrugged, holding up a small pouch. “I think it’s his wallet? Or emergency spell supplies? Who knows with that guy.”

Gavin considered it for a moment. “Want to throw it down a well and then plan our getaway with the King?”

“Absolutely.”

Ryan sighed as he soaked in his large tub, letting the warm watch sooth each ache. The rose-scented water worked to calm his mind. To each side of him were his boys, telling him about their day and running sponges down his body. Ryan closed his eyes and let their words run over him.

Being the King was a dangerous thing. One mistake, one foot set in the wrong direction, and it all could come crashing down on his head.

Times like this, when he was with his boys seemed to like the only times when he could fully relax.

There had been a time, long ago, when his Advisors would have refused to let his boys be alone with him. Ryan never worried. He saw them for what they were. Wild animals that were ready to rip and tear into anyone if it meant they could live one more day. They were weapons that needed a little sharpening and a gentle hand to point them in the right direction. Ryan gladly took them under his wing, let them blossom into their full protentional.

With time, their bond grew. The boys went from being wary of him, creeping around as if afraid at any moment they would be thrown back to the streets, to gladly dropping to their knees for him. Ryan savored the way they let him keep his power over them.

Ryan was roused from his thoughts as Gavin poked at his shoulder. “Don’t fall asleep on us.” He teased.

Ryan sent him a lazy smile. “I cannot help that your fingers are made of magic.” He captured one of Gavin’s hands bringing them up so he could press a kiss to the inside of Gavin’s wrist.

Trevor snorted. “Such flattery.”

Ryan turned his smile to him. “Is it flattery if it’s true?”

Trevor shrugged, but he was smiling back. “Pretty words are just that. Pretty.”

“Ah, but when laced with truth than they turn to poetry.” Ryan countered, sitting up.

Trevor rolled his eyes but allowed Ryan to pull him down into a kiss. It was a chaste one, both too tired for more tonight, but sweet in the way Trevor was never used to.

They pulled away, Ryan making sure to keep contact with both of them. “Now. You were saying something about having caught the Count Bavon with a mistress?”

Trevor grinned and Gavin nodded, both going back to explaining their day of stirring up Court drama. Ryan let his eyes roam over them, listening attentively.

Another peaceful night spent with his boys. These were the moments that made being King all worth it.

#collivinwood #is what i'm calling the ship #king au

46 notes · View notes

mollyhooperxxx · 8 years ago

Note

For the "ask me questions" post: all of them. I ask all 100 of them!

oh my goodness haha! here we go then!

1. What have you eaten today? scrambled eggs for breakfast, soup for lunch and pizza for dinner!2. Who was your last kiss with? Was it pleasant? Sherlock <3 it was very pleasant ;)3. What color shoes did you last wear? light blue sandals!4. Who has made you laugh the hardest in the last week? Oh definitely Sherlock and Rosie! She’s so much like her mother because it’s like she can sense when he’s being irritable and ends up throwing things at him lol!5. What is your favorite scent? how can I possible choose just one!? cherry blossom, vanilla and roses.6. What is your favorite season? Why? Autumn. It’s so lovely with the leaves changing colors and the crisp air.7. Can you do a handstand or cartwheel? Not a handstand but a cartwheel? yes!8. What color are your nails? They were pink but it’s mostly chipped off.9. If you had to get a tattoo on your face to save your life, what would it be? haha no idea! a butterfly maybe 10. What is something you find romantic? when someone chooses to remember the little details about me. Sherlock says he has a room in his mind palace especially for me. It’s very sweet. I also find his handwritten love letters romantic <3 we like to write to each other for fun.11. Are you happy? Very.12. Is there anything in particular making you happy or sad? A bit of both. For the most part, I am happy with the Baker Street family as I like to call us lol and the fact Sherlock and I will be married in September. As for sad, I still miss Mary of course, her absence is felt everyday.13. Dogs or Cats? I’m more of a cat person, though dogs are lovely as well :)15. Which do you prefer:a museum, a night club, the forest or a library? Gotta say either library or museum.15. What is your style? Not sure how to describe it lol. Practical and casual for the most part, though I do love to dress up for special occasions.16. If you could be doing anything you like right now, what would it be? Hmm, that’s a tough one! I’m not really sure!17. Are you in a relationship or single? Engaged to @thesherlockholmes221b <318. What makes you attracted to the person you like right now? His good heart, brilliance and sense of humor. I love his eyes especially.19. If you could replace your partner/best friend with a celebrity of your choice, would you? Who with? Oh no, I would never replace Sherlock. He’s a bit of a celebrity himself anyways :p20. Are you holding on to something you need to let go of? If so then what? I am. Sometimes I have this fear in the back of my mind that I know is silly to have but it manages to just stick.21. How did you celebrate last Halloween? I went to Meena’s Halloween party! I dressed up as Alice from Alice In Wonderland.22. Have you recently made any big decisions? Yes! Sherlock and I have discussed starting a family of our own. Ever since becoming Rosie’s godfather, he has really warmed up to the idea of having children of his own. He said and I quote, “Molly, there is nobody else I’d want to be the mother of my children.” <323. Were you ever in a school play? A few in Uni. There was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sense and Sensibility and Phantom of the Opera!24. What movie would you use to describe your life? Oh gosh, ummm…Pride and Prejudice probably lol25. Is there something you have dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it? Yes but I am on the road to achieving it :)

26. Complete this sentence, “I wish I had someone with whom I could share…” If you had asked me this last year, I would’ve said ‘someone with whom I could share my life with.’ I have that now though. <327. What are two things that irritate you about the same sex? though it’s not all women, cattiness and backhanded compliments. 28. What are two things that irritate you about the opposite sex? once again, this doesn’t apply to all men but sexism towards women and catcalling ugh.29. What is the best thing that has happened to you this week? Spending the day with Rosie and beating Sherlock at Cluedo…again haha30. What is something that makes you sad when you think about it? the fact that Rosie won’t ever get the chance to know her mother.31. How long was your longest relationship? about a year with Tom but then I ended things.32. Have you ever been in love? Yes 33. Are you currently in love? Mhm, I am unconditionally in love with my fiance. 34. Why did your last relationship end? I ended things with Tom because 1.) it wasn’t fair to him and 2.) I could no longer deny that I was still in love with Sherlock.35. What jewelry are you wearing right now, and where did you get it? an anatomical heart locket that Sherlock gave me for my birthday last month.36. When was the last time you cried and why? Earlier this week because of a fight I had with Sherlock. Everything is okay now.37. Name someone pretty. Rosie. Mary. You.38. What did you receive last Valentines Day? a day of crime solving lol it was fun39. Do you get jealous easily? I used to but nowhere near as jealous as Sherlock used to get when it came to me dating other people.40. Have you ever been cheated on? Yes41. Do you trust your partner/best friend? Sherlock is both my partner and best friend. I trust him with my life and with my heart.42. Ever had detention? IT WAS ONE TIME lol43. Would you rather live in the countryside or the city? Both are lovely but the city is more practical for my career.44. What do people call you? Molly, Molls. Rosie calls me MoMo45. What was the last book you read? Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco…it’s soooo good! I read it in 3 days!46. How big of a nerd/dork are you? the biggest nerd you will ever meet. 47. What kind of music do you listen to? all different kinds. I like a bit of variety. Ed Sheeran is my favourite artist.48. How tall are you? 5′3″49. Do you like kids? of course!

50. Favorite fruits? strawberries and watermelon51. Do you wear jeans or sweats more? jeans52. What’s your earliest memory? um, goodness probably an Easter when I was 3. My dad drew out a treasure map (kinda like a pirate’s) to help me find the eggs that were hidden in the yard.53. Ever had a poem or song written about you or to you? Sherlock composed a violin piece for me titled ‘Molly.’ It was so romantic.54. Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it? either. I used to be more shy but I don’t mind having photos taken now.55. Do you have a collection of anything? aside from my book collection, there is a memory box beneath my bed containing mementos from various friendships and my relationship with Sherlock. It has photos, ticket stubs, takeaway menus, etc. 56. Do you save money or spend it? Save it. Sometimes I’ll treat myself but it’s very rarely.57. What would your dream house be like? I’ve always loved the idea of a pretty cottage.58. What top 5 things make you the angriest? liars, cheaters, abusers, bullies and of course anyone who dares to threaten my friends/family. 59. What top 5 things always brings a smile to your face? Rosie, Sherlock, chocolate, helping people and science puns!60. You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do? I couldn’t leave that poor dog. I’d get help to try and save it.61. You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid? I would tell my closest friends (John, Mrs. Hudson, Meena, Greg and Sherlock) but I wouldn’t want them to constantly fret over me. I’d just spend them with my loved ones. I think I would be at first but I’d get braver.62. Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart. Sherlock.63. You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go? hmm I think I’d enjoy Paris.64. Do you like the beach? sure!65. Ever sleep on the couch or a bed with someone special? of course. <366. Do you have a middle name? If so what is it! Elizabeth.67. Do you talk to yourself? yes haha!68. Describe your hair. um it’s long, straight and brown.69. What is the meaning of life. I’ve no idea but for me personally, just love. platonic, romantic, familial. Just caring and being compassionate and living life to the fullest because you only get one.70. What is your ideal partner like? tall, dark and brooding lol but also sweet and kindhearted.71. Do you want to get married? yes, I very much do.72. Do you want to have kids? definitely!73. Like or dislike your family? like though they are gone now. I love my little Baker Street family to pieces.74. Are you Chunky or Slim? average.

75. Would you consider yourself smart? yes.76. What would you change about your life? nothing.77. Religious or Not? a bit, yeah.78. You’re drunk and yelling at hot guys/girls out of your car window, you’re with? haha Meena but that was back in Uni lol! 79. You’re locked in a room with the last person you kissed, is that a problem? not a problem at all. Sherlock needs to solve that case so I can snog him ;p80. Does anyone regularly (other than family) tell you they love you? Sherlock.81. If the person you wish to be with were with you, what would you be doing right now? The person I did wish to be with is currently with me. If he wasn’t on a case, I’d go over to his flat and probably spend some quality time together. And lots of other things ;)82. So, the last person you kissed just happens to arrive at your door at 3AM; do you let them in? of course! I miss him.83. Do you like when people play with your hair? yes, it feels lovely.84. Do you like bubble baths? every now and then.85. Have you ever been pulled over by a cop? nope. unless Lestrade counts as a April Fool’s joke.86. Have you ever danced in the rain? I have not too long ago. It was a warm night and the rain came out of nowhere while Sherlock and I were walking through the park. He waltzed with me.87. Do you trust anyone with your life? Sherlock.88. What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? I need coffee.89. If money wasn’t an issue, what top 10 places would you travel to? (You get to stay at each place for a week) Paris, Rome, Venice, Barcelona, New York, Hawaii, Greece. I don’t have 10 places lol90. How was your day today? just fine.91. Play an instrument? Piano. I dabbled in guitar.92. Describe the what you think of the ocean. Calming.93. Do you believe in aliens or ghosts? I’m so getting made fun of for this but yes, both.94. Honestly, are things how you wanted them to be? aside from wishing Mary was still here with us, yes.95. Do you have a mean bitchy scary side? unfortunately but it rarely comes out.96. When are you vulnerable? when my friends and family are in danger.97. How much free time do you have? a good amount.98. Do you like to go hiking? I don’t mind it.99. Odd or Even Numbers? Even.100. Would you ever go sky diving, bungee jumping , cliff diving, wing suit gliding, parasailing, snorkeling, or other extreme activities? nothing with heights, oh gosh. the most extreme I get is helping Sherlock solve a crime.

#asks #robinv-ellacott

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waterworldcraze · 5 years ago

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Why Your Goldfish Is Just Sitting At The Bottom Of The Tank

Why are your goldfish just hanging out at the bottom? There could be several reasons for it, both good and bad. The most likely issue is the water conditions need to be changed.

The water conditions in your tank are vitally important to your fish. If the conditions are off, you’ll notice a change of behavior in your pets. If they are hanging out at the bottom of the tank, there may be several reasons why.

Why is my goldfish at the bottom of the tank?

The habitat of your goldfish will affect the way they behave. If they don’t like their home, they will be sad. If there are too many loud noises, they’ll want to hideaway. They don’t have hands to cover their ears.

Here are some reasons your fish is hanging out at the bottom of your tank:

Stress

Water Quality

Lack of Air

Poor Nutrition

Loud Noises

Sleep

1. Stress

Stress is a general term and it can be caused by a few different things. If your pet isn’t moving around much, you may need to look into some different areas:

Overcrowding

Are you sticking with the proper ratio for goldfish? Remember you need a 1:2 ratio of inches of fish to gallons of water. A small fishbowl may not be enough room for your little guy. He may want some space to stretch.

A common goldfish would like to have at least 40 gallons of water. Make sure you have the right size of the tank.

Aggressive Tankmates

Is there a bully in the tank? Your fish might be attempting to avoid an aggressive fish in the tank. Double-check that you don’t have a fish that doesn’t mix well with your goldfish. That will lead to many problems, including a stressed-out fish.

Handling

While goldfish can be just as cute as your kitty, it’s important that you try not to handle them too much. If they’re constantly being moved about they won’t feel great. Imagine what it feels like to have someone shuttle you about without offering any explanations. It’s not very fun.

Try to limit the amount of time that you interact with your pet. They need their me-time. And make sure that any children in the home aren’t trying to play with your little one too much. Children have been known to love pets to death.

Unfavorable Environments

Do you have mood lighting in the room that you have your fish? Are they right beside a window that keeps getting opened and closed?

If so, your goldfish might not be too happy with his home life. Temperature and lighting fluctuations can confuse your fish.

Remember, out in the wild the temperature and light helped them determine their day-to-day life. When you change it all the time, they’re bound to be upset and confused.

Also, make sure your tank isn’t too cluttered with decorations. If there isn’t much room for them to move around, your fish might just give up trying.

2. Water Quality

There are many different things to take into consideration with the water quality of your fish tank. If the water is off, your fish will likely act differently.

When there are bushfires in the area, people tend to stay indoors and limit their regular activity. All of the smoke in the air is bad for the lungs.

The water in your tank is much like the air humans breathe. So make sure that you have everything right.

There are several things you’ll want to look at:

The temperature of your tank – you’ll need a good thermometer. We recommend this one!

The pH of the water – pH strips are helpful but a pH tester is more accurate. Get a pH tester here!

The cleanliness of your water – double check that you have the right filter for your tank.

Are their possible contaminants in the water? – is it possible that you have a decoration in the tank that wasn’t meant for a fish aquarium?

All of these things can make your fish less active. Their water must be cleaned and monitored regularly. If it isn’t your fish may not be in the best health. When we’re not feeling good, we tend to just chill out, too.

3. Lack of Air

Our goldfish live in water and can’t survive out of it, so it might seem counterintuitive to say they need more air in their tank. But it’s true.

Their gills filter the water and bring in oxygen for the fish. Water can grow stagnant if there isn’t aeration or living plants. If they’re having a tough time breathing, they’re not going to move around too much. You can’t really blame them.

Double-check your air pump, you might need to replace it. We recommend getting this air pump!

Do you have enough plants? Are they the right ones? You’ll want to talk to your pet store about whether you need a pump or not. If your tank has plenty of live plants, you may be able to get away without the expense of a pump, but it’s important to make sure.

4. Poor Nutrition

Are your pets getting the nutrients they need? A lack of food might mean they’re conserving energy. Too much food may mean they’re too uncomfortable to move around much. Malnutrition can be a big deal, so make sure it’s not happening with your pets.

If you’re having trouble regulating the amount of food your goldfish are getting, it might be time to invest in an automatic fish feeder (have a look at this one! It is cheap and it does the job perfectly). This can help to ensure your fish are only receiving the amount of food they need.

It’s also a good idea to make sure they are getting a wide variety of nutrients. Basic fish flakes should cover all of your bases, but you may want to consider brine shrimp, mealworms or other high protein foods every now and again.

And don’t forget the greens! Algae wafers for your fish can help to balance any deficiencies in their diet.

5. Loud Noises

Perhaps the teenager with the stereo system shouldn’t have the fish in their room. Loud noises can be stressful for everyone. Fish are no different. Remember, water amplifies sound and your fish can also feel the vibrations of the sound waves.

Try to keep them in a quiet, peaceful area with consistent lighting and environments. If they’re in the living room, turn the TV down and don’t place them above or below a room that will have lots of loud noises.

6. Sleep

This is the only good reason that your fish is just chilling at the bottom of the tank. Fish don’t have eyelids, so it’s hard to tell if they’re asleep. However, they do need an astounding six hours of sleep a day.

Keep an eye on the time of day and conditions when your fish are at the bottom of the tank. If they are hovering about an inch above the water with their nose slightly downward, they could be sleeping.

It’s also possible that their colors may fade a little bit while they are sleeping. When they wake up they will be as bright as ever, though, so don’t worry.

To be safe, it’s always worth double-checking the rest of the conditions to make sure you have a healthy fish.

#Fish keeping #Aquariums #Pets #Aquarium Tips

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mcdouglecompany-blog · 6 years ago

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Stossel- Mental Hospitals, Venezuela IS Socialism, Enough Crony Capitalism! State Bullies, The Breakfast and Tax Myths and Funny Parody.

This ACU Show consists of 7 selections from ReasonTV. Subscribe to them today!

Stossel: Venezuela IS Socialism

Stossel: Enough Crony Capitalism!

Remy: Affluenflammation (Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication Parody)

Stossel: The Breakfast Myth

We Shut Down State Mental Hospitals. Some Want to Bring Them Back.

Why Do You Need a License To Blow Dry Hair? Arizona Gov. Ducey Fights the ‘Bullies’ in His State

Stossel: Tax Myths

Stossel: Venezuela IS Socialism.

Watch this video at- https://youtu.be/yZBq08unM1Y

ReasonTV

Published on Mar 26, 2019

Media personalities claim socialism didn't cause Venezuela's collapse, but it did. Here's how.

As Venezuela collapses, many people say, "don't blame socialism." "Blaming socialism for Venezuela's riches to rags story is grossly misleading," an Al Jazeera reporter claims. John Oliver claims: "If you follow conservative media at all you might have seen it frequently painted as the inevitable dire consequences of a socialist government." Oliver blames it instead on "epic mismanagement." But John Stossel says: "Mismanagement is what happens under socialist governments. It always happens, because no group of central planners is wise enough to manage an entire economy. Even if they have good intentions, the socialists eventually run out of other people's money." In Venezuela, when their socialist government ran out of money, they just printed more. When business owners raised prices to keep up with inflation, the government often took away their businesses. Yet celebrities praised Hugo Chavez, who started Venezuela's socialism. Model Naomi Campbell visited Chavez, calling him "a rebel angel." After Chavez's death in 2013, Oliver Stone tweeted, "Hugo Chavez will live forever in history. My friend, rest finally in a peace long earned." Sean Penn told The Hollywood Reporter that "poor people around the world lost a champion." Stossel says the good news is that, unlike American celebrities, "most Venezuelans who escaped their country's socialism do understand what went wrong." In Florida, reporter Gloria Alverez talked to Venezuelan immigrants, and most of them told her socialism doesn't work. One said, "It's never gonna work." Another man explained, "It's something that breeds and leads to other misery and destruction." Stossel warns that if we don't realize that socialism is to blame for Venezuela's destruction, "other tragedies like Venezuela will happen again and again." The views expressed in this video are solely those of John Stossel; his independent production company, Stossel Productions; and the people he interviews. The claims and opinions set forth in the video and accompanying text are not necessarily those of Reason.

--------- Subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/reasontv Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reason.Magaz... Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reason Subscribe to our podcast at iTunes: https://goo.gl/az3a7a Reason is the planet's leading source of news, politics, and culture from a libertarian perspective. Go to reason.com for a point of view you won't get from legacy media and old left-right opinion magazines. ---------

Stossel: Enough Crony Capitalism!

https://youtu.be/jPBNl7WGFmI

ReasonTV

Published on Apr 9, 2019

Established businesses, like Facebook, use government to limit competition.

Once, Microsoft had zero lobbyists. The company focused on innovating. "Microsoft in the early 1990s was the largest company in the world. Incredibly successful ... They had no presence in Washington, D.C. Not a single lawyer," Yaron Brook of the Ayn Rand Institute tells John Stossel. But things changed. Brook explains how Microsoft's CEO was "literally brought in front of Congress ... Orrin Hatch from Utah ... said, 'You guys need to get involved here in Washington, D.C. You need to build a building here. You need to hire lawyers here.'" Microsoft, courageously, didn't. Instead, Brook recounts, "Microsoft walked out of the meeting and said, 'You know what? You leave us alone, we will leave you alone ... We're busy. We're running the biggest company in the world. There's a lot to do.'" But soon after that, Attorney General Janet Reno announced that the Justice Department was charging Microsoft with "engaging in anti-competitive and exclusionary practices designed to maintain its monopoly." Brook says the government was essentially saying, "we're here to prosecute yo u because you're offering the American public ... a product for free. This is Internet Explorer, at a time when we were buying Netscape and paying money for it—they offered it for free, and that was deemed bad business practice." "For 10 years they had to fight that lawsuit," he adds. "They lost, they got regulated, they got controlled. Guess how much Microsoft spends today in Washington, D.C.? … Tens of millions of dollars." Stossel calls that "sad." Now, even worse, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg asks government for more regulation. He wants Congress to "require companies to build systems for keeping harmful content to a bare minimum". Wouldn't that violate the First Amendment? Stossel says it also, conveniently, would protect Facebook from competitors who don't restrict content. It also makes it harder for them to innovate in ways that might challenge Facebook. Stossel and Brook's solution? Smaller government: separation of economy and state. The views expressed in this video are solely those of John Stossel; his independent production company, Stossel Productions; and the people he interviews. The claims and opinions set forth in the video and accompanying text are not necessarily those of Reason.

Remy: Affluenflammation (Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication Parody)

Watch this great parody at-https://youtu.be/VVe8bPQX4Z0

ReasonTV

Published on Mar 20, 2019

When quality of life improved, doctors discover a new affliction. A parody of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Californication."

Watch the original video for Californication here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlUKc... Red Hot Chili Peppers YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEuO... Written by Remy. Music tracks, mastering, and background vocals by Ben Karlstrom. Video produced by Austin Bragg. LYRICS There’s a non-foregone phenomenon in any prosperous nation When primal fears all disappear the brain then gets a sensation The medical name we gave this pain is affluenflammation Ol’ Bill Tub is chugging a jug of cold bovine lactation When his eyes then realize that carton side’s got information And since his life contains no strife it’s affluenflammation For the better part of history diseases all were raging Measles, mumps up on your junk like they were Kevin Spacey Then came Jonas Salk Makes you wonder what all for… Cuz we’ve got affluenflammation We’ve got affluenflammation Ol’ Chip Black is cracking the back of twelve live-steamed crustaceans For the perks and glee of living free he starts to lose appreciation And if you probe his frontal lobe—yep—affluenflammation Through the course of human history each day we faced starvation Rats and pox and chamber pots, streets filled with defecation Free markets changed the norm Makes you wonder what all for… Cuz we’ve got affluenflammation We’ve got affluenflammation We’ve got affluenflammation We’ve got affluenflammation

---- Subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/reasontv Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reason.Magaz... Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reason Subscribe to our podcast at Apple Podcasts: https://goo.gl/az3a7a Reason is the planet's leading source of news, politics, and culture from a libertarian perspective. Go to reason.com for a point of view you won't get from legacy media and old left-right opinion magazines. -----

Stossel: The Breakfast Myth

https://youtu.be/4eDoCOzgnUg

ReasonTV

Published on Apr 2, 2019

People claim breakfast is the "most important meal of the day.” But it's not.

You've probably heard about how it's critical to eat breakfast—that it may have health benefits, and even help you lose weight. John Stossel looks at the evidence with nutritionist Ruth Kava, and finds that there's no proof of any of those things. For example, people push breakfast because, as one cereal maker's ad puts it, "a study from none other than Harvard University states that men who regularly skip breakfast have a 27% higher risk of suffering a heart attack." That's true—but that's largely because the type of people who skip breakfast are also the type of people who are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and eat unhealthy foods. After adjusting for those things, breakfast itself has no significant effect. As this study notes, "it remains unknown whether specific eating habits ... influence coronary heart disease." Another myth is that eating breakfast helps people lose weight. The US Health and Agriculture Departments claimed in 2010 that "consuming breakfast has been associated with weight loss." Wonderful! But no, a recent review of studies found that, if anything, the opposite is true. The government backed away from its claim. One possible reason for the myth is industry funding of scientific studies. "Of the 15 studies involving children mentioned by the government, five list funding from General Mills or Kellogg," Stossel says to Kava. She replies: "Yeah, well, they're the ones that are interested in having their products sold." Industry funding doesn't always mean bias. Dr. Andrew Brown, a health professor at Indiana University, told Stossel about a study that found that eating breakfast does not help lose weight. "The study was supported by Quaker Oats, and presented as abstracts by the authors, but not published as a paper for years," Brown said. "Quaker Oats actually followed up with the authors to make sure the authors published the study that conflicted with their interests." Kava says: "Good for Quaker Oats." Bottom line, says Stossel, don't worry about skipping breakfast. Instead, Kava says, just eat when it feels right to you, adding, "Eat breakfast if you're hungry." The views expressed in this video are solely those of John Stossel; his independent production company, Stossel Productions; and the people he interviews. The claims and opinions set forth in the video and accompanying text are not necessarily those of Reason.

We Shut Down State Mental Hospitals. Some Want to Bring Them Back.

https://youtu.be/J9aRo-aRRY0

ReasonTV

Published on Mar 8, 2019

Is "mental illness" a fraudulent concept for locking up social deviants? Or does forced treatment free the ill "from the Bastille of their psychosis?"

On January 3, 1999, Andrew Goldstein wandered onto a New York City subway platform and shoved a stranger named Kendra Webdale into the path of an oncoming train. As the story made national news, reporters dug into Goldstein's past and found that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had a history of violent episodes. He had been in and out of psychiatric facilities, but his caretakers had repeatedly released him back onto the streets against their better judgment because of a shortage of available beds. The murder of Kendra Webdale brought attention to Americans with severe mental health problems and inadequate treatment, a social problem that 20 years later is still ongoing. Prisons and jails are filled with inmates who exhibit symptoms of mental illness. So do many of the homeless people crowding the streets of cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. Violent episodes, like the Webdale murder and some recent mass shootings, have brought renewed calls to entrust the state with more authority to force psychiatric care on patients against their will. This story looks at the history of mental illness, institutionalization, and the role of coercion in psychiatry. It features an array of voices and viewpoints, including Linda Mayo, the mother of twin daughers with severe psychiatric diagnoses, who advocates for court-ordered psychiatric treatment; Richard Krzyzanowski, a patients' rights advocate who fights against coercive treatment laws; DJ Jaffe, the founder of Mental Illness Policy Org., who argues that the state should make it much easier to commit mental patients; the late Thomas Szasz, a controversial libertarian psychiatrist who fought compulsory treatment and questioned the very existence of mental illness; and Scott Zeller, a psychiatrist who's developed a new model that he hopes will reduce coercion in the system. (Disclosure: Zeller has in the past donated to Reason Foundation, the 501c3 that publishes Reason.) Produced by Zach Weissmueller. Camera by Weissmueller, Jim Epstein, Meredith Bragg, and Alexis Garcia.

Why Do You Need a License To Blow Dry Hair? Arizona Gov. Ducey Fights the ‘Bullies’ in His State.

https://youtu.be/2otD8mmZsyA

ReasonTV

Published on Mar 27, 2019

When "somebody packs up that moving van in Chicago, Illinois, they don't lose their skills on the way to the state of Arizona," says Gov. Doug Ducey.

Occupational licensing laws apply to nearly one in three U.S. jobs, but the most "most broadly and onerously licensed state" of all, according to the Institute for Justice, is Arizona. The Grand Canyon State required a license to work for 64 occupations, costing on average $455 in fees and almost 600 days of education and experience. Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican and the former CEO of Coldstone Creamery, has made reforming Arizona's occupational licensing regime a priority. "Our focus [has been] on improving that structure of government and really stopping the bullies that were part of the boards and commissions," he told Reason. He's now backing a bill that would allow Arizona to recognize occupational licenses granted by other states. "Just because somebody packs up that moving van in Chicago, Illinois, they don't lose their skills on the way to the state of Arizona," says Ducey. "Why should somebody have to have suffer the burden of thousands of dollars or weeks or months of recertification in a skill that they already have?" HB 2569, which was introduced by Rep. Warren Petersen (R–Gilbert), would allow anyone who has an occupational license from another state to be automatically eligible for the same license in Arizona as long as they are in good standing in their home state and don't have a disqualifying criminal history. It would extend an existing state law that recognizes out-of-state licenses for military families. New state residents would still have to pay a fee to the state licensing board and certain professions would have to pass a test on relevant Arizona laws. "My issue is that we don't really know what the standards are in these other states," says Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley (D–Tucson), who opposes the bill. "Why should we dumb down our standards? I see this as sort of deregulation for the sake of deregulation." Ducey, who predicts that the bill will pass and that other states will follow Arizona's lead, says he's confident that it has the necessary "guard rails." In 2017, he issued an executive order requiring that state licensing boards review and provide justification for every rules that the governor's office deemed excessive. The next day, he signed the Right to Earn a Living Act, which restricted state boards from issuing any new occupational licensing rules that can't be justified on health and safety grounds. "I think it's important that we remember who the voters are and who the citizens are and we're here to serve them," Ducey says. "Too many of these boards and commissions exist to stop competition, to stifle and protect the status quo. And we're changing that in Arizona." Produced by Alexis Garcia. Camera by Paul Detrick and Andrew Belcher.

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Stossel: Tax Myths

https://youtu.be/W9XMNV2B18c

ReasonTV

Published on Mar 12, 2019

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez thinks taxing the rich at 70 percent will bring in lots of tax money. It won't.

On 60 Minutes, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D–N.Y.) recently said "people are going to have to start paying their fair share in taxes." Anderson Cooper then asked her what a "fair share" would be. Ocasio-Cortez responded that in the past, "Sometimes you see tax rates as high as 60-70 percent." Soon, that became the progressive plan. But economic historian Phil Magness, of the American Institute for Economic Research, says that progressives miss an important fact: The high tax rates that America had in the past actually didn't bring in much revenue. When rates were at 70 percent, Magness tells John Stossel, "A millionaire on average would pay 41 percent." That's because rich people find loopholes. When America had its highest top tax rates, newspapers ran ads like "Cruise for free...$2,499 value." Magness explains: "Basically [you could] take a vacation around the Caribbean, but while you're onboard the ship, you attend, say, an investing seminar or a real estate seminar—then write off the [whole] trip." Stossel says that deductions became so complex that rich people, instead of investing in, say, a precursor to the iPhone, hired accountants and tax lawyers to study the tax code. Some also worked less. This led President Ronald Reagan, with bipartisan support from Democrats, to lower rates and remove deductions. That began the path to the 37 percent top rate that rates that we have today. Despite the lower rates, federal government revenue—as a percentage of the economy—is still about the same as it was when the top rate was 70 percent. It's even about the same as it was when the rate was 90 percent. Stossel asks Magness about the claim that "the government will collect more and do good things." "You're asking for an economic disaster," Magness replies. More money will be wasted in the hands of government. "Do we leave it in the private sector where the market decides? Or do we subject it to corrupt politicians?" Stossel says: Let the market decide, even though that means some get really rich, because economic growth benefits everyone. The views expressed in this video are solely those of John Stossel; his independent production company, Stossel Productions; and the people he interviews. The claims and opinions set forth in the video and accompanying text are not necessarily those of Reason.

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omfgtrump · 7 years ago

Text

Tiny Has Tourette’s

This piece is being published without the usual photos as my blog wizard is spending two weeks down under in Australia. When she returns, photos will be added.

In the show Tiny has Tourette’s, I turn to two quotes to set the frame.

The first is Stormy Daniels response to The Don’s blurt out of “horse face” to describe Daniels.

“In addition to his … umm … shortcomings, he has demonstrated his incompetence, hatred of women and lack of self control on Twitter AGAIN! And perhaps a penchant for bestiality. Game on, Tiny.”

In my text analysis of this tweet, I would lump “umm…shortcomings” and “Tiny” together (Notice the paradoxical nature of the use of capital T even though no cap is required!)

Now let’s turn to “lack of self control” and “incompetence.” Is Stormy creating a double entendre here? Is this about The Don’s inability to censor or inability to let’s say, sustain?

Then we have the “bestiality” thing, which confounds, as The Don dislikes animals probably because he is incapable of empathy and can’t understand what the fuss is all about when people talk about loving their cat or dog. But Stormy definitely creates a stay- tuned kind of cliffhanger on this one. Horses?

So what’s the take away from this tweet? Unlike the entire Republican Neutered Party, Stormy is a bad ass that won’t cow tow to the Predator and Bully-in Chief. Secondly, don’t insult a porn star you have done the nasty with who can attest to how “un-huge” you are. That’s one battle that will deflate you, Don.

Stormy, I wish you didn’t have to make us think about the size of the president’s penis, but here we are.

We have come full circle since little Marco Rubio’s “small hands” comment during the 2016 campaign-a woeful tale of two adult men running for president debating penis size on the national stage. Just this idiocy alone begs for women to take the reigns!

But Kudos for you Stormy for cutting The Don down to size, as size does matter- particularly for a man whose favorite words include “bigly” and “huge.”

And now we have our second quote to complete the frame of our show: Tiny has Tourette’s.

Here is Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana’s defense of The Don’s “horse face”comment: “We’ve all done something like that before.” And as if this wasn’t enough, Kennedy added that The Don “grows anxious when he has unexpressed thoughts.”

Let’s deconstruct this one from the man who has the reputation of being the most quotable person on the hill*.

So Kennedy is basically saying: Hey, what’s the big deal. Some women are dogs and sometime you just gotta call a dog, a dog. But I draw the line at pigs because I am a hog kind of guy. Some women you wouldn’t go near with a ten -foot pole. Why is everyone got to be so PC about everything? Look at the Kavanaugh thing? They made that poor man in to a monster. Even if it happened he didn’t go all the way. From where I come from in the south, that’s damn right gentlemanly.

Now let’s move on to Kennedy’s follow-up that the president “grows anxious when he has unexpressed thoughts.”

Now that’s an interesting defense. The Don just can’t help himself when he gets anxious so give the man a break when he makes racist and misogynistic statements. Really John, we expect children to learn to control and monitor what they say, but we should show compassion for The Don’s verbal trespasses because he has difficulty tolerating his anxiety? If a third grader, who was running for class president, said something demeaning to a female student, not only would they not win the election, but they would be sent to the principal’s office, unless they really couldn’t help themselves because they had Tourette’s syndrome.

Tourette’s is a neurological condition that causes children (and some adults) to make involuntary movements (like tics) and in some cases causes them to make involuntary utterances of obscenities, profanities and derogatory remarks. This element of Tourette’s is called Coprolalia.

When the compulsion overcomes them, sufferers of the condition cannot help yelling inappropriate or culturally taboo remarks or phrases. A Coprolalia sufferer might even blurt out ethnic slurs.

So am I saying “Tiny” has Tourette’s? Well, not in the classical neurological sense, but in what I will call the Malignant Narcissist’s sense.

Put simply: Underneath the grandiose bravado, The Don is a child who feels small, humiliated and easily threatened. His inner world is fragile and he has little, if any, capacity to tolerate criticism, admit a mistake and believes he knows everything. He exists solely in a transactional world because what sustains him is his moment to moment need to win something in every exchange, because victories (real or imagined in many cases) keep the fantasy of his greatness intact. When someone criticizes him or he feels maligned, his greatness is threatened and his Malignant Narcissistic Tic Disorder gets activated and his version of Coprolalia comes to the fore and he blurts out:

Dog!

Blood coming from her eyes!

Low-IQ.

No collusion, no collusion, no collusion.

Pocahontas!

And his most recent repugnancy: horse face!

For The Don, the blurting out of things serves the purpose of stabilizing him, restoring order in the imaginary world where he is perfect. For the moment the fragile internal balance is restored but the balance is fleeting as the next threat is just around the corner. So Tiny has Tourette’s will be breaking in to our world like the uncontrollable tic disorder it is. Stay tuned as your regularly scheduled programming is continually interrupted by “Tiny has Tourette’s.”

*“I don’t even know when they have time to make movies in Hollywood because it looks like they’re all busy molesting each other.

“But now we know it’s on Capitol Hill, we know it’s in the business community, we know it’s elsewhere. I guess I’m just naive, but I had no idea there were this many pigs in the world.”

“Love is the answer — but you ought to own a handgun just in case.”

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onbeingdivine-blog · 7 years ago

Text

Life Story - Written for a Course

I was born in a tiny place called Ardvary on the west coast of Ireland. My parents were total dreamers, and built a house with the ambition of living off the land. My earliest memories were quite idyllic. We were a vegetarian family (unheard of) whom lived within the company of animals, even chickens and goats. Both my parents were home in my early years, and I was incredibly close to them. My dad worked from a garden shed making children’s toys and I wouldn’t let him leave me in playgroup. I remember money being a constant issue though - dole queues, phone being constantly cut off etc. I also remember my mum crying, and suffering badly from asthma. The environment was isolated, damp, and sometimes the air was so thick with midges we couldn’t go out.

I remember talk of moving to England was in the most optimistic tone - I would have new school shoes in England, I would learn how to ride a horse in England etc. My mum was 6 months pregnant when we eventually moved over. My sister was two. We had two dogs and two puppies. My dad had to drown a litter our dog Tess had suddenly given birth to just before leaving.

We moved over when I was 5, and lived in a number of places over the course of a year; mostly my nan, two of my mum’s sisters, my dad’s best friend’s brother in law, and finally with my mum’s old work colleague. We weren’t wanted anywhere we stayed. I remember my aunt hostilely criticising my mum over how she organised our family’s stuff in the fridge just after my sister was born. My nan hated my dad, and wouldn’t allow him to nurse my baby sister. At my aunt’s I lived alongside a cousin, and at my mum’s old colleagues house a girl called Jane, both of whom were the same age as me. They hated our family staying in their home, and I took the flack through a rolling the tide of being befriended and ignored.

I started school while still living with Jane although she was in another class. In my class, I remember being instantly disliked. There were Irish, vegetarian references, the fact that I was poor etc. I think I was a kind of trampy looking kid. I was mortally ashamed of unpopularity, and felt Jane had been proved right. I managed to bribe my school bully into not harassing me, and we became a friendship in which bullying continued up until secondary school. I was terrified of everyone and everything at primary school, and couldn’t walk into a room without blushing.

In parallel with an unhappy school life, our family circumstances declined. We moved into a small flat locally. My sisters and I shared a room, and my parents slept on a sofa bed in the sitting room. My father became an incredibly angry man. Rows often involved us being cornered and screamed at. I would hear him harassing my mum at night for sex she was unwilling to give. My mum bottled everything up, but had routine outbursts that “once Ciara (my youngest) was 18”, she didn’t care if she was dead. They couldn’t communicate at all, and I would often run between them trying to make peace. There were routinely meetings in our sitting room with declarations that they were going to separate, but nothing ever came of it.

Secondary school was turbulent. I changed schools twice and never found that I fit in anywhere. I started in a bitchy all-girls school, then following an accident a rough catholic school where I was put in the lowest set. The kids were rough, and I was far from street wise. I befriended some girls in my class who insisted I could only hang around with them if I smoked. Following my parent’s intervention, I was moved up to a higher set. No one spoke to me in my new class, and the kids from the lower had disowned me for moving. I walked the playgrounds alone, and ate my lunch in toilet cubicles for about 6 months.

An old friend had started another secondary school in a ‘nice’ area surrounded by fields - it sounded like the refuge I needed. I begged my parents to let me move, believing that this was truly the new start I needed (again). Upon starting this new school, an exhausting commute of 8 miles away, I quickly found that I did not belong. Some girls in my year group took a massive disliking to me, and would hurl abuse at me across the corridor. My friend from before bailed on me completely, too scared to compromise herself I’m sure. I made a few friends in my class I clung onto for dear life, and endured cycles of being excluded.

I was solely responsible for looking after my sisters for the most part. We cooked (mostly alphabites - we were very sickly children) and mostly amused ourselves at home with board games and watching tele. Although I had this responsibility, I was fiercely overprotected. I was never allowed to meet friends outside, although later my sisters were granted much more freedom which I did greatly resented.

I also found in secondary school, kind of to my surprise, that I was extremely ugly. I had massive gums which invited comment wherever I went, by adults as well as children. I was greeted in class in the morning by lads who would gnash their teeth at me. I just tried to ignore them and pretend that nothing was happening. I was never defended by any of my ‘friends’. I remember the girls who hated me graffitiing on my leaving book to “go to hell you gummy bitch” etc. Intellectually, I was pretty disempowered. I was put in the lowest classes again (based on where I was from and my previous school I think), but was literally too exhausted by this point to ‘achieve’ anything. I just dragged myself through.

Following my GCSE’s, I went on my first holiday with my friends. We met a group of lads, and all hoped for romantic encounters. I had my first sexual grope, was ecstatic, and so excited for more when the ‘gummy’ chants came back to haunt me. My romance had been shamed into ever even talking to me again. I swallowed everything, and tried to pretend that nothing had happened. Upon returning home, for first time I really spelt things out. If I didn’t do something about this ‘gummy’ problem, I was going to die. I went to a dentist, and got a referral to a maxillofacial unit where I commenced a complex three year orthodontic process.

Determined to step out of my social anxiety, I went to a new college for A-levels hoping for a more mature environment. I made some friends, but again encountered people who just didn’t like me and ‘gummy’ taunts continued. I remember catching my main tormenter’s reflection in a window flashing her gums behind me when I was talking to a guy. I swallowed all of this humiliation, but felt hopeful that following my surgery, life would be fine.

My surgery was 4 weeks before I started university. I couldn’t wait to leave home and start my new life with a new face. The surgery was intense - it involved removing a 5mm layer of bone across my top teeth, and both jaws broken. Upon starting uni, I still looked like I had been knocked over by a bus, and had to wear rubber bands across my braces to keep my jaws together. I couldn’t eat, but still went out for freshers week to get wasted and attempted to make friends. Through the first term, I had to return to London regularly for appointments, and was ravaged with panic attacks.

In my second year at university, I went out and got wasted, and brought a boy home. I had to get the virginity thing over and done with as the pressure was becoming too much. His attempts at penetration were painful, and bloody. When I refused to carry on, I ran to the bathroom and had a massive panic attack. I returned to my room, and attempted to pretend that nothing had happened. He tried to force penetrating me anally, and I got off the bed and slept on the floor. I told everyone the next day how great the night was.

I studied Chinese as part of my degree in an attempt to be a more interesting person, a decision that impressed everyone I met. I daren’t have bailed on something so worthy of respect. I studied with some public-school types, one of whom was a girl known as ‘the hottest girl in Newcastle’. I found them all utterly terrifying. During my year in China, panic attacks returned. I moved into an apartment with two Chinese girls further adding to my alienation. During this period, many nights I went to sleep hoping that I would never wake up. I couldn’t bear the drama killing myself would create. I got through university by the skin of my teeth.

Following uni, I slept through a year in London in an office job, and going through the motions of after work drinking and drug fuelled weekends. My sister and I got a flat together as we both had nowhere to live. I had always been aware of being a dark cloud in my sister’s life. She enjoyed freedom, a healthy rebellion, solid friends and a strong sense of her sexuality. I resented her massively which culminated in a bust up that led us to not talking for over 6 months.

A lastminute.com holiday to India enlightened me that there was magic in the world, and I then saved up to go travelling. Although I found travelling alone a bit melancholic, I met interesting people and had some spiritual awakenings via vipassana meditation and a yoga ashram.

I found a vigour I had never experienced before upon completing my trip, and I decided to move to Beijing, a city I had really enjoyed as a tourist in an attempt to give China a second shot. The first six months were possibly the best of my life. I quickly made a lot of friends, partied a lot, and happened upon a number of fascinating jobs, one of which working on a film which I then went on to act in. It was so powerful a dream come true, I remember going back to my hotel one day and crying for hours. I met a boyfriend around this time. He was kind and gentle, but the vulnerability required to connect with him didn’t correspond in any way with the outgoing party girl persona I had newly adopted. He told me that sex with me was weird, and I found out shortly after that he has started seeing someone else. I felt relieved.

I got an ‘amazing’ job offer working for a film post production company in which inexperience was traded for training. I became quickly aware however that I was hired as a bit of a Chinese speaking gimmick which resulted in massive resentment among my Chinese colleagues and what I can only describe as work place harassment. One colleague whom I actually befriended and developed a very deep romantic attachment to manipulated my vulnerable position in the firm to elevate his status. Higher management took on ridiculous contracts that involved hiring large teams working crazy hours which I was responsible for. I felt like I was running a sweat shop. I finally quit after 2 years and felt somewhat shell shocked.

I returned to England a year later to do a masters I didn’t really want to do, and had the first encounter with what I can only describe as a breakdown. Whenever I cycled in front of an HGV, I thought about throwing myself under it. I remember my dad bringing me to the train station after Xmas, and crying as the train departed as I was sure I would never see him again. I commenced a course of psychotherapy with a pretty unqualified student psychotherapist. The organiser asked me why I hadn’t sought out support years before, like at university. I told him that the thought had never crossed my mind.

Over the past 5 years, I have really struggled to hold down a job, although am fairly resourceful and so always seem to keep my head above water. I don’t know anyone in my position - 35 and never had a relationship. I go to weddings, and am completely bewildered by how I got to this place. I just keep hoping that something is going to fall into place.

A year ago, I had my first pleasurable sexual experience. The guy wasn’t interested, but the experience did put me on the path to exploring my sexuality. I met a guy on the first night at a conscious sexuality festival (at Leela last November). He was handsome and gentle, and we closed the love lounge. The next morning, he really supported me when I freaked out upon seeing him - an experience I have never had with a man. I have just got back from visiting him, a massively intense experience. I felt cold and resistant the whole time, and still feel full of tears that I wasn’t able to bring down my fortress with him.

0 notes

pabluesman · 8 years ago

Link

The latest rant:

Let's talk about abortion, and a woman's right to choose. This is a subject that routinely generates passionate debate on all sides, yet nobody seems to hear what the other side is saying.I believe the disconnect here, folks, has less to do with the idea of abortion itself, but the role of government in this issue. At the risk of generalizing, let me address this as best I can.

The issue is not that liberals have a callous disregard for the unborn. Rather, they have an understanding that it is a difficult question, but ultimately come down on the side of allowing the woman and her physician, and whoever else she decides to have be a part of the decision, to make this choice on their own. The fundamental concept held by pro-choice activists is that anti-choice activists routinely prioritize the life of the fetus over the life of the mother.

Yes, most anti-choice legislation contains provisions for "except in the cases of rape or incest or to protect the life of the mother." However, what they do NOT address are the following issues:

1. The fact that a woman will be pregnant for nine months, and all that entails.

Not one of the anti-abortion bills I have seen contains any provisions for assistance with prenatal care. You'd think that if anti-choice activists were that concerned with the life of the fetus they would offer some assistance in maintaining prenatal health ... but the general tone seems to be "you are not allowed to abort, but fuck you if you need help taking care of the yourself before the child is born. You're on your own."

Basically, the line taken by many anti-choice groups seems to be that a human life is sacred until it is born. After that ... well, you're on your own, and you don't deserve any help because you're a moocher and a "taker," and your mother doesn't deserve any sort of assistance because she's a slut anyway.

The anti-choice movement has set its sights on Planned Parenthood as the Bringer Of All Evil. They want to cut off funding entirely to this organization, despite the fact that a) abortions only cover roughly 3% of the services provided, and 2) federal money is already prohibited for use to fund abortion. All federal dollars go to activities like prenatal screenings, cancer screenings, general health for low income women (and men as well), and so on. Which brings us to ...

2. Birth control and sex education

In 1992 Bill Clinton, at a campaign stop, said abortion should be "safe, legal, and rare." Putting aside Clinton's sketchy reputation and just taking these words at face value, you'd think anti-choice groups wold be all about this. After all, a woman can't get an abortion if she isn't pregnant.

However, since the anti-choice movement is so bound up with religion -- and not just any religion, but fundamentalist Christianity, which is about as tolerant of anything that doesn't hew strictly to dogma as a garden snail is of salt -- that they refuse to consider the benefits of serious sex education and birth control. Instead, they take the position that the only acceptable form of birth control is abstinence.

Note: I practiced this form of birth control all through high school, although to be fair it wasn't my idea. Just sayin'.

Granted, abstinence is 100% effective, unlike all other non-surgical forms of birth control. Despite the fairy tale about divine conception and a virgin birth, the plain and simpler fact is that women who don't have sex don't get pregnant. The pro-choice crowd absolutely does not dispute this.What is in dispute between the two sides is whether or not abstinence is a practical form of birth control.

Let's be honest, folks. The sex drive -- the drive to procreate and further the species -- is the strongest motivator in all humanity. It is the very reason for our existence. The anti-choice movement takes the position that they can somehow hammer this into submission simply by demanding that people don't do it. Easy on paper, virtually impossible in the long term in practice. Granted, there are some people who remain asexual throughout their entire lives, but they are the exception. Usually what happens when people try to deny this very basic impulse, one that is shared between all living things, is those desires become twisted and deflected. Occasionally in ways that are highly beneficial to society at large -- Issac Newton, for example, died a virgin, but fundamentally changed how we see ourselves in relation to the universe -- but usually the results aren't so felicitous.

People who are denied sex -- not who choose to abstain, but who seek it out and are regularly turned down -- are at higher risk for depression and suicide. Some of them act out in highly inappropriate ways. Priests who take a vow of celibacy who then go on to molest children, for example; no formal studies have been conducted but I would be willing to bet that a significant percentage entered the priesthood in the first place out of the shame they felt for their "deviant" sexual desires, whether it was something as vanilla as being with a woman or as twisted as wanting to fondle young boys.

In an extreme example, we have Elliot Rodger, the attacker in the 2014 Isla Vista shootings. Prior to going on his rampage, he uploaded a video to YouTube entitled "Elliot Rodger's Retribution," in which he railed against women who had rejected him and men who were sexually active. Yes, there were other psychological disturbances at play, obviously, but a fundamental motivator for the guy was that he wasn't getting laid.

Okay, so that is an oversimplification. I admit that. The point remains, though, that sexual frustration played a big role in his attack and the resulting death of six innocent people. And this is the basic point here: by forcing people to deny this very basic biological drive against their well, anti-choicers are inviting unintended consequences.

3. Anti-choice demographics

It is interesting that the vast majority of strong anti-choicers fall into two broad demographic groups: males, and post-menopausal women. Males, because despite the advances we have made over the past 100 years we still live in a patriarchal society, one that is dominated by white males in leadership roles at all levels of government. On the anti-choice side, these white males definitely view themselves, consciously or no, as the father figures for all those silly, empty-headed females who don't really know what's good for them, the poor dears. This is how they are able to rationalize publicly the countless pieces of legislation intended to cut off access to abortion as being in favor of women's health. It's not that they are lying, it simply because women are just too gosh darn simple to understand what's going on.

The other big group is post-menopausal women. You know, sweet little old ladies like your grandma, who are only looking out for the unborn baby and the soul of the woman. After all Jesus loves them all, and he wold hate to see anyone do anything stupid like aborting a fetus, because who knows what would happen then?

Not for nothing, but that sounds a lot like something you'd hear from Tony Soprano, not a tiny 75 year old woman. But there ya go. These grandmas are the ones who make the threats.

The one thing these two groups have in common? None of them every have to face the prospect of an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy, so they have no skin in the game.

4. Religion

The anti-choice movement regularly invokes Christianity to make their point, apparently ignoring the millions upon million of women who are Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, pagan, Druid, Wiccan, atheist ...

In a country that is supposed to be secular, with a strict dividing line between religion and government, it is a little puzzling that the anti-choice movement can get away with this. Yet get away with it they do. It is rare that one hears of an anti-choice measure wending its way through some state legislature somewhere (usually Oklahoma or Texas, for some reason) that doesn't have some middle-aged white guy piously opining about how abortion is an affront against God, or citing the bible at some point during floor debate.

Here's the thing: this is not a Christian country.

Let me say it again for those in the back: This is not a Christian nation. We are a secular nation. The Founding Fathers went to great lengths to ensure this, yet lawmakers routinely invoke their mythology in the public square. Religious conservatives shoehorned "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance. For some reason it is considered to be a major gaffe when a president doesn't close a speech with "God bless you, and God bless the United States of America."

News flash: even if God exists, it's a safe bet that he's not worried about the Texas state legislature considering there is a major part of the world in which the residents have taken up bombing the shit out of each other as a hobby.

And another thing: according to the Pew Research Center, roughly 70% of the population in the United States self-identifies as Christian, being broken down as 20.8% Catholic, 25.4% Evangelical Protestant, 14.7% mainline Protestant, and the rest being Mormon, Orthodox Christian, etc. This leaves just under 30% of the population that is not Christian, yet they are routinely forced to accommodate the evangelicals in daily life.

Which brings me to a sore spot with me. Evangelicals are religious bullies. These are the folks behind "religious freedom" laws ... which are about neither religion nor freedom, but are simply a license for people to discriminate against gays/blacks/atheists/Beatles fans under the guise of "religious conviction" -- as in, "I have a religious conviction that says you're scum and it's okay to hate you for a reason that does not actually impact my life in any way, shape, or form." And like most bullies, they aren't satisfied when they finally do get their way, and simply consider the victory as a vindication of their methods and move on to something else with which they can pound people over the head.

The anti-choice movement is no different. They bully legislatures into passing a piece of legislation that says no abortions can be performed after 26 weeks. Okay, fine. It's sorta based on science in that this is considered to be the cutoff for viability of the fetus outside the womb, so we let it slide. However, this only emboldened them, so they began moving the goal posts: 22 weeks based on a physician's estimate of fetal age, then 20 weeks, then 20 weeks from the woman's last menstrual cycle, then 16 weeks ...

The latest debacle is from Ohio, where the legislature introduced a bill in December 2016 that would ban abortion after a fetal heartbeat could be detected ... which is often before a woman is even aware that she's pregnant. As Planned Parenthood said in a statement, "This bill could take away a woman's right to make her own medical decisions before she would have known she had a decision to make."

So y'all have put up with my complaining and kvetching on this issue so far, and you are probably wondering (rightly so) "hey, what are ya gonna do about it?" Well, here's my idea:

1. Remove restrictions on abortion entirely.

Yes, this is controversial. Yes, the religious right is going to scream bloody murder (no pun intended). But stick with me; it's part of a larger picture.

2. Provide funding to have birth control for lower and middle income women covered at no cost to them by insurance.

Okay, this one is going to be hard to justify on the surface ... but again, part of the larger picture.

3. Mandatory sex education in public schools.

This doesn't mean we are teaching kids how to have sex. Trust me, they don't need to be taught, it's innate (see "biological drive" above). What we do need to teach them is how to have sex responsibly. That is, the proper use of birth control. What to do if birth control fails. The value of abstinence, including it's 100% effectiveness when employed properly. The ramifications -- physical, emotional, societal, economic -- of giving birth in your teens, including the psychological effects for a young mother of giving a baby up for adoption.

These three measures are intended to keep abortion safe, legal, and above all rare. The idea isn't to shame women by forcing them to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound, or to strongarm them into carrying an unwanted baby to term, but to give people the tools and information to make intelligent, informed choices ... and thus reduce the total number of unwanted pregnancies, which reduces the total number of abortions.

Look, in an ideal world every child would be wanted, and loved, and abortion would be entirely unnecessary. We do not live in an ideal world. We live in a world that is messy, and complicated, and has women getting pregnant after a one-night stand, or after a rape, or within the bounds of marriage only to discover that the child has developed a condition that will prevent live birth or any quality of life. In these situations, the only reasonable choice is to allow the woman to make one of the most painful, heart-rending decisions she will ever face without interference.

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