#sweden blogposts

[mjalti]

My father called me while he was on vacation visiting his home country (Bosnia), to tell me that he got Sharia married. It was to the woman my mother caught him texting to before they got a divorce 3 years ago. My Mother and brother still don't know yet but my mother told me if she ever found out about it she'd be extremely furious. Worst of all is that my father lied to my face when I saw the text messages and said that they were just friends. I'm playing pretend nice to him since I'm with my mom and brother visiting family overseas (Sweden), and I don't want to taint their vacation with the bad news. He still hasn't married her legally and told me that it will happen "later down the line" after he tells my mom and brother a few months later. I'm currently looking for a job in my field of study since I recently graduated and had multiple interviews so far but no offers. As of now we rely on him financially until I can get a job laid out for me. Reason why I'm stating this is I can't cut contacts with him because I don't want him to get drastic and stop supporting my younger brother. It's been over a week since he told me and it's ruined my vacation and I can't hold this in much longer.

I truly apologize for this blogpost and if it's too overwhelming for you. Take care and best of luck to any of your endeavors.

I do think this is an interesting topic because technically your father is single and he cannot be held accountable for the relationships that he pursues after he’s divorced. But it does sound like he did emotionally cheat on your mom with this person. Although I can understand your mother’s potential anger, I do not think that it would be fruitful for her to invest any time in her ex-husband‘s new connection. at the time that you saw the text messages, they probably could have been just friends, but you’re also not stupid and you can read context so maybe they were dating to you, but your father’s eyes they were just friends. This is a very difficult situation to navigate emotionally and you have my sympathy. Keep your focus on yourself and your life and build up a future where you are not reliant on anyone else financially. then i would recommend individual therapy as there are a ton of emotions swirling in you about this.

[oinker-33]

A Little Bit Of History: Old Country Humans!

(Heads up - I cannot find the tag for this, so I'm gonna say, trigger warning for Nazi symbols - don't worry, this blog post is just for educational purposes! I have done my best to blur them, however I'm not a very attuned seeker.)

Hey guys, this would usually be a Twitter thread but Elongated Muskrat wants me to pay and I ain’t doing that! So we’re making a Tumblr blogpost!

I don’t know how alive the countryhumans fandom is on here, but I thought I might make a post about something I find cool: this idea is actually pretty old!

See, back in the olden days, after World War 1, political cartoons changed - people began to experiment with new ways of expressing themselves and how they felt, beyond just redrawing what was happening.

This era, which I like to call the experimental era, was from ~1930-1980. Nowadays, political cartoonists are back to being unoriginal little shits, which gives them their grotesque impression in people's minds. But no, there's more to this art form!

There used to be characters used to represent countries. The most popular example is Uncle Sam, we know him, we love him, you even see him in countryhumans art today. And wow, is he old! Look at him in this cartoon from 1947! (Image credi: KB2 - that's all we know about this artist, other than they were from France)

Here, the characters, from left to right are Marianne for France, Gretchen/Germania for Germany, Uncle Sam for the United States, and John Bull for the United Kingdom.

There are two characters for Germany, one is Gretchen/Germania, which is a cruel old woman and I personally dislike because of her misogynistic under tones - German women were disliked for their assertiveness and stereotyped as mean or bitchy. Not their fault particularly - after World War 2 Germany began to shift over to more matriarchal society over a patriarchy, which had been their structure on and off over the years. (Image credit: Pol Ferjac - once again, that's all we know about the artist except their French nationality)

The other one is Michel, who is a chubby, sweet, short, and submissive little man who wears pajamas constantly, keeps having kids with uncooperative mothers (does he birth them himself?), and is a bit lazy. (Image credit to the Saar section of the European movement - most likely multiple artists worked on this)

He was every definition of a wife guy for Marianne, worshipping his lovely woman even if she rejected him. He rarely fought with her, except on the matter of his children, which he would get very defensive about.

Their gender roles were entirely reversed - Marianne took on the role of a man at the time, and Michel, a woman. Why this was collectively decided is not clear to me - perhaps it was what was appropriate to their geopolitics at the time, or a reflection of German societal expectations. Either way, they're the couple (I drew this one on a card for my French teacher)

They fell out of usage after the De Gaulle and Adenauer days as they were thought to be their couple, their children, not appropriate for Giscard d'Estaing and Schmidt, though in the 80s they would be used again with Kohl and Mitterrand because of their relationship making people nostalgic.

Admittedly, there aren't a lot of other countries that I have seen. Some rarer ones include Meisje, who represents the Netherlands (Image credit: Ernst Maria)

Or, this interesting cartoon by Hanns Erich Köhler where he designs people for Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.

So, why did they exist?

Well, some people didn't have access to the information we do. It wasn't easy to find out who ran what, and what they looked like for that manner. They were especially useful during the 50s because governments were in chaos, and having someone just be the entire country saved the headache of figuring out who was ruler at the time. They were often adapted from children's characters as well, bringing nostalgia and kinship.

But then pictures of people became much more wildly available as news networks got back on their feet. After De Gaulle and Adenauer, Marianne and Michel, who were the most utilized outside of Uncle Sam, were laid to rest with their real life equivalents, never brought up again except for nostalgia purposes. Even the Greeks, who lagged behind their German idol, found Kohl and Mitterrand to be much more engaging.

I made my own, by the way. I will probably make another blog explaining each one, since this one is getting much too long.

Thanks for reading!

[healthmatters520]

Exploring the Nordic Diet: A Scandinavian Approach to Health and Wellness

Welcome to our blogpost, where we delve into the Nordic diet, a unique dietary pattern rooted in the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Finland. In this article, we will explore the key characteristics of the Nordic diet, its potential health benefits, and how it differs from other popular diets. So, let's embark on a journey to discover the secrets of the Nordic diet and its contribution to a healthier lifestyle.

What is the Nordic Diet?

The Nordic diet is a dietary pattern that focuses on the consumption of locally sourced, seasonal, and traditional foods commonly found in the Nordic countries, such as Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Finland. This diet promotes the use of regional-specific ingredients and highlights the cultural heritage of the Nordic region.

One key characteristic of the Nordic diet is the inclusion of a variety of whole grains, including rye, barley, and oats. These whole grains provide important nutrients and fiber, contributing to overall health and well-being. They are often consumed in the form of bread and cereals.

Another prominent aspect of the Nordic diet is the emphasis on fruits and vegetables, with a particular focus on berries. Berries, such as lingonberries, cloudberries, and bilberries, are rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that support good health. Additionally, a wide variety of other fruits and vegetables are consumed, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

DASH Diet food vegetables alvacado tomato Fish is a staple in the Nordic diet, with a high intake of fatty fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel. These fish are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The Nordic diet also emphasizes the consumption of low-fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Root vegetables and cruciferous vegetables are also prominent in the Nordic diet. These include vegetables like potatoes, carrots, turnips, cabbage, and broccoli. These vegetables are rich in essential nutrients and provide a good source of dietary fiber. Vegetable fats, such as rapeseed oil, are commonly used in the Nordic diet as a substitute for other types of oils. Rapeseed oil is rich in beneficial fatty acids, including oleic acid, linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid. Overall, the Nordic diet promotes a balanced and varied intake of nutritious foods, with an emphasis on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, low-fat dairy products, root vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, and vegetable fats. By incorporating these traditional Nordic foods, individuals can benefit from the unique nutritional composition and cultural heritage of the region.

Health Benefits of the Nordic Diet

The Nordic diet, although having limited research on its long-term effects, has shown promising health benefits. Adherence to the Nordic dietary pattern has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. While more studies are needed to fully understand its long-term effects, small-scale clinical trials have demonstrated positive outcomes. One of the significant health benefits of the Nordic diet is its association with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Research suggests that following the Nordic dietary pattern can contribute to a lower risk of developing CVD. This is encouraging news, as CVD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. By incorporating the Nordic diet into one's lifestyle, individuals may potentially improve their heart health and reduce the risk of heart-related complications. Another noteworthy benefit of the Nordic diet is its potential to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Research has indicated that adhering to the Nordic dietary pattern may lead to a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is particularly significant considering the rising prevalence of diabetes globally. By adopting the Nordic diet, individuals may improve their metabolic health and reduce the risk of developing this chronic condition. Additionally, small-scale clinical trials have provided further evidence of the positive effects of the Nordic diet. These studies have shown improvements in various health markers such as LDL-cholesterol levels, body weight, insulin levels, and systolic blood pressure. Lower LDL-cholesterol levels are associated with a decreased risk of heart disease, while maintaining a healthy body weight, insulin levels, and blood pressure are essential for overall well-being. It is essential to note that the research on the Nordic diet's health benefits is still limited, and more extensive studies are necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of its long-term effects. However, the existing evidence suggests that the Nordic diet may offer advantages in terms of cardiovascular health, diabetes prevention, and improvements in various health markers. As with any dietary pattern, it is recommended to consult with healthcare professionals or nutritionists for personalized guidance and to ensure that the Nordic diet aligns with individual health needs and preferences.

Comparison with Other Diets

When comparing the Nordic diet to other diets such as the Mediterranean diet and the Paleolithic diet, it is evident that each diet has its unique characteristics and health benefits. One key difference between the Nordic diet and the Mediterranean diet lies in the type of oil used. While the Mediterranean diet predominantly utilizes extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), the Nordic diet incorporates rapeseed oil, which is rich in beneficial fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid. Both oils have their advantages, with olive oil being high in oleic acid and rapeseed oil offering a different spectrum of fatty acids. This variation in oil usage distinguishes the two diets in terms of their composition and potential health benefits. The Mediterranean diet has been extensively studied and associated with lower mortality rates. It is well-known for its cardiovascular benefits and its potential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, the Nordic diet, although less researched, offers a distinct set of health benefits. Adherence to the Nordic dietary pattern has shown promising results in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It has also been associated with improvements in LDL-cholesterol levels, body weight, insulin levels, and systolic blood pressure. While the Mediterranean diet has a more established body of evidence supporting its health benefits, the Nordic diet shows promise in terms of its impact on various health markers. In contrast to the Paleolithic diet, which restricts grains and cereals, the Nordic diet embraces whole grains as an important component of its dietary pattern. The Mediterranean diet also includes grains, but it emphasizes the potential health benefits that may result from increased fiber intake, while the Paleolithic diet recommends avoiding grains due to concerns about added sugar in modern diets. This divergence in grain consumption sets the Nordic diet apart from the Paleolithic diet, making it more inclusive of whole grains. In conclusion, the Nordic diet, Mediterranean diet, and Paleolithic diet each have their own unique characteristics and health benefits. While the Mediterranean diet has been extensively studied and associated with lower mortality rates, the Nordic diet offers a distinct set of health benefits, particularly in terms of cardiovascular health and diabetes prevention. Additionally, the Nordic diet differs from the Paleolithic diet by embracing whole grains as an essential part of its dietary pattern. It is important to note that further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and potential health benefits of the Nordic diet. Individuals should consult with healthcare professionals or nutritionists to determine which dietary pattern best suits their specific health needs and preferences.

Practical Tips for Adopting the Nordic Diet

- Incorporate whole grains like rye bread and oats into your daily meals: The Nordic diet emphasizes the consumption of whole grains such as rye, barley, and oats. Start by replacing refined grains with whole grain alternatives like rye bread or oatmeal for breakfast. You can also incorporate whole grain crackers or whole wheat pasta into your meals. - Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, especially berries: Fruits and vegetables play a significant role in the Nordic diet, with berries being prominently featured. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your meals and snacks. Enjoy fresh berries as a topping for yogurt or cereal, or as a standalone snack. Incorporate vegetables like root vegetables (e.g., carrots, beets, parsnips) and cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) into your meals, either as a side dish or in soups and stews. - Choose lean protein sources, particularly fish: The Nordic diet encourages the consumption of fish as a lean protein source. Include fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, or herring in your diet at least twice a week. These fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which provide numerous health benefits. You can also incorporate other lean protein sources like skinless poultry, eggs, and legumes. - Use rapeseed oil or other vegetable fats in your cooking: Rapeseed oil is commonly used in the Nordic diet and is a good alternative to other cooking oils. Use rapeseed oil for sautéing, roasting, or dressing salads. Other vegetable fats such as olive oil or canola oil can also be used as substitutes. - Enjoy root vegetables and cruciferous vegetables: Root vegetables and cruciferous vegetables are staples in the Nordic diet. Incorporate root vegetables like carrots, turnips, and sweet potatoes into your meals. They can be roasted, steamed, or mashed. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can be included in stir-fries, soups, or salads. These vegetables provide a range of essential nutrients and fiber. Remember, adopting a new diet is a gradual process. Start by incorporating these tips into your meals one step at a time. It's also important to listen to your body and make adjustments based on your individual needs and preferences. Consulting with a healthcare professional or nutritionist can provide personalized guidance and support as you transition to the Nordic diet.

Conclusion

The Nordic diet offers a unique approach to health and wellness, drawing inspiration from the traditional foods of Scandinavia. With its focus on whole grains, berries, fish, and vegetable fats, this dietary pattern has shown potential benefits for cardiovascular health and diabetes prevention. By incorporating the principles of the Nordic diet into your lifestyle, you can embrace a diverse array of nutrient-rich foods while promoting overall well-being. Read the full article

[ditisanne]

Did you read already my blogpost about great things to do in Swedish Lapland? I posted 10 amazing activities to do in this beautiful part of Sweden so have a look. Even if you don't understand Dutch, you can probably use the Translate option in your browser.

[glistering-melon]

If Rythian was raised in the End, do all endermen (or at least the Dragon) have a swedish accent?

[all-the-faintlights]

sweden in february 

[throughnatslens]

BRING OUT THE BULGOGI!!!

[jdgut]

My Next Adventure!

So before I start my bike trip in spring, I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to go and work on a husky ‘farm’ in Västerbotten, in the northeast of Sweden.

As with the other place in Denmark, this again is an offer that I found on the website Workaway, which is kind of like an online fairground, where you can make your own profile and list all your skills or interests and volunteer for all these places where someone might need help with something. I describe it so vaguely because these projects range from someone needing help with renovating an old barn, to another person who needs an extra pair of helping hands around the house, to someone wanting their child to learn a new language by talking with a native speaking nanny, so as you can see the offers are very versatile.

I stumbled across Martina and Andreas’ profile because I knew I wanted to do something with animals and I knew I absolutely wanted to go somewhere, where I might have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights, since they are not that uncommon around that time of the year if you are close enough to the pole. So by simply sifting through all the other hosts I eventually came across their page and wrote them the first e-mail, in which I introduced myself, talked about my undying love for the Scandinavian people and cultures and basically attempted to make me look as good as possible.

After a day or two I got a reply from them containing a phone number that I should call so we could have a chat and they could get a feel for what kind of guy I am. The next morning I called and tried to keep it cool and not be awkward, even though one of my least favourite things in the world is to talk to people over the phone. Fortunately Martina is a super nice and friendly person and in the first few seconds of the conversation it turned out she’s also from Switzerland so I could calm down not having  to worry about a language barrier or anything. She told me about how it all goes down, up at the ‘farm’ (I keep putting the word farm in air quotes because I really don’t know a better word for the place, it’s not like they breed the dogs for consumption or anything, they train them for racing sleds and stuff, but it’s also not a kennel… Anyways farm is the word I settled for so I’ll stick with it). Martina talked about all the hard work that has to be done and that it’s no winter wonderland vacation or just playtime with some fluffy dogs (although that is also a part of it). Apparently the temperatures in Västerbotten can drop to around minus 40°C during winter which is just absolutely insane but at the same time super amazing to me.

Helping with their customers, sweeping out the doghouses, feeding the huskies, repairing things on the sled and much more would all be tasks I would have to help with and take care of. While she told  me about my responsibilities, all I could think of was; “Yep if that is what it takes for me to come to you guys’ place and be around 18 dogs 24/7 for a month and have a chance to see the Northern lights, then I’ll do it”. Before the call ended Martina ensures me that she’ll get back to me after she talked to Andreas. Initially I was a bit nervous because I really wanted this thing to work out since it just sounds like such a great opportunity to learn new skills, experience an extraordinary part of nature and get a hold on some pretty nice stories. A few days later I got a second phone call where I get confirmation that they think they can use my help and I could actually go to Sweden. Naturally I was super excited and immediately went onto the internet and booked my flight. So stay put and look forward to some adventures from the cold north.  

It looks like my year is about to start off with a bang and this is absolutely something I needed right now. 

(Original Blog Post: jd.guet.li)

[felisglacialis-stuff]

Norway: the country that hates Nature.

Do you associate Scandinavia with vast wilderness? Do you think that in Scandinavia, wild animals thrive on the these immense Northern lands? Then you’re very wrong.

This blog post from 2016 describes the truth about Scandinavia and particularly the worst of the countries, Norway, very well. Well worth reading:

http://doendsjo.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-country-that-hates-its-own-nature.html

Now in 2022, every line in the blogpost, is still true. If not worse.

You would expect that in such a big country as Norway, but also Sweden, that there is room for a balanced ecosystem in which a variety of top predators have enough space to sustain a healthy population. No. This is more the situation elsewhere in Europe, where predators such as wolves, are slowly returning. It's not the case in Scandinavia and particularly not in Norway.

The wolf population in big, big Norway is about 60 wolves (individuals who don’t have part of their territory in Sweden). Now, 25 can be murdered. Last January, Nature conservation organizations tried to stop this murderous course of the government through a trial. They won the case: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/31/norway-wolves-saved-for-this-year-as-animal-rights-groups-fight-cull

Yet somehow, surprise surprise, the government got their will through, thereby violating the Bern Convention and international agreements to protect the already dwindling biodiversity.  The Norwegian government fought hard to murder. Very hard. For what? To "dampen the conflict". Right. Between …who? This only worsened the conflict. In this process they even violated their own d*mn law by now allowing "protected" wolves to get murdered in special zone in which they said to prioritize wolf protection. What a bullsh*t Yet they found some tiny loophole in the law so that animal welfare and protection does not count for predators. Only for sheep or the animals that they *like*.

Only hours after the government got what they wanted; the first young male wolf paid with his life (see photo). And more families are going to get torn apart.

https://www.nrk.no/innlandet/den-forste-ulven-ble-skutt-fa-timer-etter-at-den-omstridte-lisensjakta-ble-gjenopptatt-1.15852963

In Norway, there is the strange (not even old) tradition that sheep farmers throw about 2 million sheep out in the wild, completely unsupervised. About 85.000 die just because they cannot adapt. Only only 18% is attributed to *potential* predator attacks. In about all other European countries, sheep are either guarded by dogs and/or a shepherd or are kept behind (electric) fences to…prevent conflict. But the Norwegian sheep farmers can apparently not afford it. But they can afford a to drive a Tesla.

Then there are the hunters who complain about competition with predators over prey and about predators killing their hunting dogs. No shit, you’re intruding their territory and harassing them with your loose dog, smartass. Oh, and every year Norwegian hunters kill between 30-40.000 moose - mostly for sport and a bit of meat that humans don’t even need. Wasn’t it a growing and environmentally necessary trend to reduce meat consumption? Humans are not obligatory carnivores and can go perfectly fine with less or no meat at all. So, one wolfpack kills on average 120 moose a year. Yet, the argument that wolves kill too many moose is flung around in order to justify the extermination of wolves and other predators by these hideous people.  

How sick and greedy can this attitude be? And now I’m only speaking about large predators, wolves in particular. Another example is the sick wolverine hunt where they GPS-collar females, to find their den and then shoot mothers with pups in the head. Let's not speak about the totally unnecessary seal pup murder and the whale hunt, or the complete depletion of herring and thereby pretty much emptying the fjords of fish. Or the convenient forgetting that certain areas are protected against building more water-driven powerplants that have a tremendous negative effect on ecosystems. Because...everything and everybody (read: non-human beings) has to yield for human greed and uncontrolled growth (sounds like a particular disease, does it?).

I moved to Norway 10 years ago because I couldn’t stand the high human density in the Netherlands (where I was born). But sometimes I wonder I should leave this f*cking country that hates Nature. But where else can we still find Wilderness? That’s getting increasingly rare on this human infested planet.

So whoever has the idealized image of Norway as a wild country: here is the UGLY TRUTH. Please spread this and find another country to admire wilderness, but not Norway. Better go to Romania or something. I want this scandal to become internationally known. Please openly speak about it and make this known: SHAME ON NORWAY.

The Guardian already noticed this wolf slaughter - hopefully more news channels write about it: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/15/finland-sweden-norway-cull-wolf-population-eu

[fancybelieverdinosaur]

😂 Omg I can't breath! Magda literally commented on Zecira's post "Yet another blogpost. Now the family become happy! 😝" I'm pretty sure Magda refers to Swewnt/Team Sweden or Zecira's family. But still, what if Magda somehow got wind of the Hardersson family jokes? 😅

Jdjzjbandnndkkdkdkkfks.. 😅🤙

[strangertheory]

I’ll admit I’ve been very skeptical about the DID theory, but your most recent post discussing the “layers” was mind blowing to me. I’m still standing back to see how things play out, since it is a theory, but reading the first “layer”, I 100% can see that being part of the plot. The rest is a little more abstract and I’m curious to see how they would write it in if this theory is true. Thanks to you and Kaypeace for your posts on this theory, they’re interesting!

[This is a follow-up Ask referring to this earlier post.]

Thanks for Asking! I have a lot of thoughts on the possible “layers” going on in the story, but I find it challenging to put into words what my ideas are sometimes because I don’t consider myself a very good writer. I can’t promise that anything I write in this reply will make a lot of sense, but I will do my best! I’ve avoided trying to explain certain thoughts I have on the layers of the scenes because they’re complicated and I hadn’t been sure how many fans would have an interest in them since there’s already such a small number of fans interested in the interpretation that the story is about a DID System in the first place. This is yet a sub-theory of that theory! But I’m really excited that you asked. I will try to explain as best I can.

Please keep in mind that although kaypeace21 and I both theorize that Stranger Things is about a DID System (her blogpost about which characters are alters is excellent and I highly recommend it if you haven’t read it yet), we each have our own interpretations of the DID theory that are sometimes very different from each other’s. Her analyses are based on the theory that the alters, internal worlds, and traumas in Will’s mind have escaped his subconsciousness through supernatural means and have become real. I see her interpretation as one possible explanation for the events in the series and I do like that interpretation a lot. I think it’s a very compelling theory and interpretation of the events so far. But what I’m going to describe in the rest of this blogpost is not currently representative of what kaypeace21 theorizes is going on in the series. This “second layer” interpretation that I’ve considered is based on the idea that there are no real superpowers in the story at all and that they exist strictly within internal worlds or in the imagination of the storyteller.

▪️ ▫️ ▪️ ▫️ ▪️ ▫️ ▪️ ▫️

To explain my “second layer” theory which I also like referring to as my “story within a story” theory: I believe that some scenes (but not all scenes) that we see in Stranger Things might be metaphorical and not meant to be taken literally as they are shown, but rather seen as an artistic interpretation of certain concepts and scenarios.

Let’s look back at season 1. Imagine that a character (I’m going to say Mike because I do suspect he’s the one writing the story) is explaining the story of “what happened in 1983″ in a journal, and then a film crew had found what Mike had written down and adapted it into a series but the film crew did not know the original context of Mike’s story, and so the film crew was unaware that it was a story about Mike’s friend who has DID and that many of the characters in the story are actually alters.

“One day Will went missing and then a girl who said her name was Eleven showed up. She was scared and said that she knew Will but that he was ‘hiding’ and that she could help us find him in the ‘Upside Down.’ She told us that we absolutely couldn’t go tell any adults because it wasn’t safe and that ‘bad men’ were after her. I hid El in my closet upstairs when my mom came home unexpectedly. Mom told me that she wants me to feel like I can talk to her. (“All this that’s been going on with Will. I want you to feel like you can talk to me. I’m here for you!”) Later, Dustin and Lucas and I helped find clothes and a blonde wig for El. We made sure that my mom didn’t see El while she was at my house. We snuck into the school with El and tried to get to the radio in the AV Club Room, but Mr. Clarke found us and reminded us that we should be attending Will’s memorial assembly. Oops. (Thankfully Mr. Clarke didn’t ask too many questions about El and he believed our story that she’s a cousin from Sweden!) Attending Will’s funeral was a funny experience since we knew that he was actually alive after El channeled him on the walkie talkie (”Like Professor X!”) Eventually Nancy found out about El (”Is that my dress?”) and so did Joyce and Hopper and we worked together to put together a sensory deprivation tank because El remembered that she could enhance her ability to reach into the ‘Upside Down’ that way. We set up a sensory deprivation pool in the school gym. Joyce thanked El for everything that she was doing for Will and told her that if she ever got scared that she should let her know and that she’d be with her the whole time. El was able to reach out with her mind and find Will in the Upside Down. She found him in the Upside Down in Castle Byers, barely conscious. She told Will that his mom was coming to get him, and Will whispered back ‘hurry.’ Then El became upset as Will faded away into the darkness and her connection to him weakened. She took her goggles off and sat up in the water, panicking. Joyce held her close and told her that everything was ok. Joyce and Hopper went into the Upside Down to find Will and Hopper gave Will CPR until he regained consciousness. Then the Party got to visit Will at the hospital once he was feeling a bit better, and we told him all about the adventures that we’d had and that we’d “made a new friend” named “Eleven.” (”Like the number?”) Dustin said that El was “basically a wizard” but I insisted that she’s much more like a Yoda.”

So. I recognize that I skipped many scenes in the above example summary of how author Mike Wheeler might retell the story of “what happened in 1983,” but I skipped scenes because I want to primarily focus on the connection between El and Will that is represented in season 1 and set aside what is going on with the other characters for a moment. But if you re-read the summary that I wrote above you might realize that the way in which I described season 1 could be interpreted (at its core) as the non-fiction story of a bunch of kids finding their friend who went missing in the woods, realizing that the person they’re interacting with is no longer Will but a new individual (an alter, a distinctly separate state of consciousness and separate self), and then going on an adventure as they try to sort out the best way to “find Will” and bring him back while also becoming friends with El and protecting her from the “bad men” that she says are after her. The ‘Upside Down’ is a space in the DID System’s subconsciousness that is an internal world. The innocent creativity of Mike, Dustin, and Lucas as they try to find an outfit and a wig for El to wear to school is very sweet. The scene in which they accidentally run into Mr. Clarke when they are trying to break into the AV Club room becomes even more charming when you realize that Mr. Clarke does not appear to recognize El (but Mike, Dustin, and Lucas appear very nervous that he might realize something strange is going on!) Attending Will’s memorial service with El at their side gains an amusing layer of narrative irony, and Joyce’s protective parental affection for El gains new layers of significance. Every moment in the story changes if we imagine that the story we are seeing on screen is like a creative theater performance telling the story of “what happened” and each alter in the series is represented by their own individual actor on screen.

Are there moments in season 1 that break this “second layer” theory that I’ve considered? Arguably there are. I consider this a theory-in-progress. But the key concept of this “second layer” theory is that the story is perhaps not meant literally but is meant as a story that is artistically representative of the experiences that alters in a DID System might have. Many films and tv shows that portray fictional characters with DID approach telling their stories as an outside observer might and without taking into account the individuality of each alter, alters’ experiences in internal worlds, or the way that alters might have different understandings of our reality when they’re very new to the outside world and are fronting (controlling the body) for the first time. Perhaps Stranger Things is taking a new approach.

You’re probably wondering how I carry this “second layer” theory into season 2 and especially season 3 in which we finally see Will and El in more scenes together. I might write a longer blogpost about it at some point. But I believe that, if I were to assume that my “second layer” theory is correct (it’s just one of a few very different theories I’ve considered), that it is possible that significant portions of season 3 take place in an internal world or a dream in which characters that exist in Will’s life are now NPCs or alters. This would make Will’s statement “What if we locked him out here with us?” incorrect. What if Will should have technically said “What if we locked him in here with us?” What if “the Gate” is specifically the doorway through which alters need to pass in order to front in the body in the external world? As I’ve mentioned in a few other posts: I theorize that El is a gatekeeper alter. I suspect that Hopper is also a gatekeeper and that he has been mentoring El. In summary: I often wonder if Will is not always entirely “awake” and if many scenes are taking place in a liminal space between his conscious and subconscious, between reality and his dreamlike experiences in an internal world.

You might be interested in reading a summary of my observations regarding how Will and El do not interact with each other in any scenes in season 1 or season 2 directly in this older blogpost that I made about the parallels between El and Will. I think it might interest you a lot and provide more context to my “second layer” theory if you haven’t read this older post before. I am infinitely fascinated by how Will and El parallel each other so closely and yet rarely interact. I think that this is an intentional consequence of whatever secrets the writers have in store for us in future seasons and I cannot wait to find out what those secrets are. I hope that the connection between El and Will is going to be explored more in season 4.

How might we expect the layers to be peeled back in the series itself if the writers decided to reveal this “second layer” existed beneath the current story? I think that they could reveal things to us a few ways if this “second layer” does exist. Perhaps we could see a character meeting with a therapist and a medical professional would openly name the condition and describe what the characters have been dealing with in a way that provides very new “second layer” context to earlier events in the series. (Sidenote: Back in the 80s it was called “multiple personality disorder” and we might have characters in the series refer to it that way since it takes place in the 1980s, but that term is outdated and it should be referred to as “dissociative identity disorder” or “DID” today.) Perhaps we might see them artistically or literally represent concepts like co-consciousness (two alters being conscious and aware in the body at the same time) or have characters transform back and forth into each other while sitting in a chair in order to represent them taking turns fronting in the same body.

Or perhaps this “second layer” theory that I’ve described is insisting on too much artistry and metaphor and the real “second layer” is that the vast majority of the story so far has taken place in internal worlds and Hawkins itself is an internal world. (I have wondered if this might be why Hawkins doesn’t exist in the real world even though other locations referenced in Stranger Things do exist: Chicago, Indianapolis, etc.) If that were the case maybe we’ll see the shared body of the DID System for the first time in a future season which may (or may not) resemble any of the actors we’ve seen portray characters so far. But from everything that we have seen so far I theorize that the host is most often known by the name Will in the external world. (We've had both Will Byers and William "Billy" Hargrove canonically referred to as hosts. And we have "Will the Wise" who I suspect is also an alter.)

Thank you for your Ask! I hope that I was able to explain some my thoughts in a vaguely coherent way. I really should do a larger post breaking down every single scene between seasons 1 and 3 and how this “second layer” interpretation of the story could apply, but I haven’t had the time and I’ve been wary of doing it since I’m not sure how it would be received. But maybe I’ll do that sometime soon if enough people have an interest in it.

[mrsgrono]

Hope you haven’t missed my #blogpost from yesterday’s treat 🍴🍷 If you have, you need to see it 👉🏻 www.mrsgrono.com (link in bio) #fridays #jönköping #småland #sweden #foodporn #bruschetta #livetsliv #ciro (på/i Ciro) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtYpThDHd9i/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cv0dpl1dp839

[fistfullofboomstick]

I got a new blogpost at BjjJudo.com on how a higher belt can help a lower belt. But also my training relationship with Moa and how it have helped us both progress on our jiujitsu-journey. The link to the blog can be found in my profile. . . #bjj #bjjaddict #bjjpartner #brownbelt #purplebelt #johlor80 #jiujitsujourney #shuva #graciebarra #graciebarrafamily #bjjeurope #blog #blogger #martialartstraining #jiujitsuforeveryone #bjjblog (på/i Umeå, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPdq-lZpff2/?utm_medium=tumblr

[inamargret]

The first week after the one week school break is already almost over. Again the time flies by and it feels like so much is happening at once. My friend Michelle (@daughter_of_the_woods) published a video about our time together and I also wrote a blogpost yesterday evening about my little roadtrip last week (link in bio). My friend @l.m.cunha is still staying with me and I enjoy the time we get together, even though I am working during the days and often really tired in the evenings. At the moment the light really gets more and more intense with each day and I feel so happy, light and free most of the time. I don't know how to handle this energy! Now it is not long until spring arrives and I am starting to say goodbye to winter. #advancedselfie #dynamicportraits #findmeoutside #gowildlyandslow #sheisthewild #kvinnligafotografer #iamnordic #swedengirl #nordicwildling #nordicnature #quietinthewild #mynordicworld #quietportrait #thequietfolk #thedreaminglens #natures_moods #heart_imprint #forestfolk #folk_portraits #portraitworld #portraitmoods #woodlandfairy #myquietbeauty #countrysideliving #mysondeflor #sondeflorclassicdress #chasingthelight (på/i Östergraninge, Västernorrlands Län, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pEsjWnCuU/?igshid=gtd0mvmh9t1q

[septemberedit]

During my stay in Stockholm I visited a few stores - @nordiskagalleriet was one of them. It is one of those stores that just keep on growing once you enter the door. They had a huge selection of designer furniture covered on 3 floors and I wanted to buy it all.⠀ If you want to see more of the places that I visited, there is a blogpost on the blog right now. (link in bio)⠀ . . . . . . . . #SeptembereditinStockholm #septemberedit #Nordiskagalleriet #Stockholm #interior #elevatetheeveryday #myeverydaymagic #slowdownwithstills #theartofslowliving #seeksimplicity #petitjoys #myhyggehome #hyggemoments #hyggehome #aquietstyle #aquietstyle_cosy #aquietstyle_simplicity #simpleauthenticbeautiful #theslowdowncollective #simplethingsmadebeautiful #howdoyouhome #everydaymoments #simpleandstill #thesimpleeveryday #theperfectsimple (at Stockholm, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt0SYr8HOCD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=94kkxxkow8mj

[johnsbookshelf]

📚 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗚 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 📚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗔𝗡 by Lars Kepler I am thrilled to share my thoughts on The Mirror Man, as part of the blog tour hosted by @randomthingstours. Thank you for my spot on the tour and for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. 𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 The Mirror Man was published in Sweden in 2020 and translated to English by Alice Menzies. When I joined the blog tour for The Mirror Man I didn’t know there had already been seven books in the Joona Linna series. Obviously the characters are well established, each with their own well developed personalities, but the authors had filled in the gaps and provided enough background that this worked perfectly well as a standalone novel. The story was thrilling, often gruesome, and utterly compelling. It is the sort of book that makes you pause once in a while to fully assimilate what you’ve just read. Perhaps the book should come with a few trigger warnings as some of the content was pretty dark and violent. I will not go into further detail about the story, to avoid ruining anyone’s enjoyment. Overall, I found this to be a very well written, imaginative, and original book, which I am happy to recommend to any reader of Nordic Noir, and suspenseful psychological thrillers. I gave The Mirror Man, by Lars Kepler, four stars, and look forward to reading the whole series. My blog tour review with additional author and book info is live note. 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗼 #ad #gifted #themirrorman #larskepler #zaffre #randomthingstours #nordicnoir #psychologicalthriller #booklover #bookstagrammers #johnsbookshelf #bookstabloggers #bookreader #blogtour #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookshelf #bookaddict #igreads #bookblog #readabook #johnsbookshelfblogs #bookaholic #fortheloveofbooks #goodreadschallenge2022 #bookpost #blogpost #johnsbookshelfreviews (at Southampton, England, U.K.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeYFHTngQ_9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=