captocie

[captocie]

love how we’ve all made our points so now it’s just like ‘as per my post 3 years ago…..’

[captocie]

I think people sometimes go REALLY deep into like, either symbolism or "what does it mean that this character always wears the same color, what does it all mean" in actual play and on the one hand I get it's not visual or limited by budget, so in theory characters could wear any outfit of any color at any time, but it's still very convenient in terms of painting a verbal picture, and serves as a shortcut for your players. Like, take the following two examples:

(from 2x80)

(from 3x45 and 3x57)

Now, there could be a reason why Matt initially picked blue for these two characters (though my hunch is that mage=blue is a very common trope, especially in gaming) but once they are established as "blue" characters, there is a vested interest in keeping them blue because it allows him to (as you can see) successfully hint at who they are to the players or permit an explanation for how they're able to connect the dots. Especially because neither of them have particularly unique descriptions physically (elves and humans with light-colored hair are not uncommon) it's an easy way to say across years and campaigns "yes, this is Allura; yes, this is Ludinus, and based on the looks of it this seems like his tower." (Worth noting for the tower that Matt doesn't even repeat the color, just says it matches his aesthetic). If Yussa were to show up in C3 or a future one-shot, I bet he'll be wearing gold. It's not a bad thing! But it doesn't mean that they only wear one color all the time or that it's necessarily very important; it's a quick code. It's not unlike the TAZ Barry Bluejeans reappearance; the bluejeans don't actually mean anything other than "Griffin didn't feel like saying Sildar Hallwinter, and came up with a joke name" but by describing the character, instead of just going "oh it's Barry" the GM makes it a much more special moment by letting the players figure it out, especially in cases where they can't introduce a character by name because the current party doesn't know them.

[captocie]

The point of fiction is actually to put that guy in a situation™️, and he might try to tell you the point is to then get him out of the situation, WRONG, second situation

[captocie]

It's the home stretch for supporting Science Education

Oh hi. It's me again, the squid biologist on a mission to make it easier for people to connect with science. I run a small nonprofit called Skype a Scientist! We match scientists with classrooms, scout troops, robotics clubs, libraries, and more for virtual Q&As about science. We serve 4000-5000 classrooms every year! We offer this FOR FREE. We also run the tumblr-coded Squid Facts Hotline.

To support our program in 2025, we're selling FROG FACTS advent calendars. Every day you can scratch-off the sparkles to reveal facts about frogs! Please buy one! They're cute and fun and help me give science education away for free.

I unfortunately haven't gotten any grants to support our program for 2025, BUT!! these advent calendars are helping us keep the lights on! If you already bought one, THANK YOU! If you have shared a post about these calendars, that has been INCREDIBLY helpful. If you can't help us financially, reposting is so so helpful!

If you want to support our program, you can donate directly here. We're a 501.c.3 so if you live in the US, donations are tax deductible!

You can also read about our work in detail in our 2023 annual report here!

Thank you all for your support 💕🦑💕

[captocie]

Peek-a-boo! Have you ever seen the granulate shellback crab (Hypoconcha arcuata)? Growing about 0.6 in (1.4 cm) long, this unusual-looking crustacean inhabits coastlines along parts of the western Atlantic, with a range that includes parts of the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. Unlike hermit crabs—which hide inside their chosen shells—this critter uses its posterior legs to secure shells onto its back, often shouldering pieces larger than its own body, as a defense against foes.

Photo: Austin Smith, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist

[captocie]

there needs to be a cultural shift in america like im not talking about culture war bullshit i mean the average american needs to learn to care about their community and the rest of the world and not be a self-absorbed asshole with a "fuck you i got mine" attitude.

[captocie]

reddit is having a glitch where it puts the wrong captions over photos and it’s the only thing i care about right now

[captocie]

[captocie]

It's the home stretch for supporting Science Education

Oh hi. It's me again, the squid biologist on a mission to make it easier for people to connect with science. I run a small nonprofit called Skype a Scientist! We match scientists with classrooms, scout troops, robotics clubs, libraries, and more for virtual Q&As about science. We serve 4000-5000 classrooms every year! We offer this FOR FREE. We also run the tumblr-coded Squid Facts Hotline.

To support our program in 2025, we're selling FROG FACTS advent calendars. Every day you can scratch-off the sparkles to reveal facts about frogs! Please buy one! They're cute and fun and help me give science education away for free.

I unfortunately haven't gotten any grants to support our program for 2025, BUT!! these advent calendars are helping us keep the lights on! If you already bought one, THANK YOU! If you have shared a post about these calendars, that has been INCREDIBLY helpful. If you can't help us financially, reposting is so so helpful!

If you want to support our program, you can donate directly here. We're a 501.c.3 so if you live in the US, donations are tax deductible!

You can also read about our work in detail in our 2023 annual report here!

Thank you all for your support 💕🦑💕

[captocie]

Hello, I would like to ask you a question that has been interesting to me for a long time, but I am afraid that it may somehow offend you, so I apologize. I understand if you do not want to discuss such things.

May you please tell me a little about the side effects of the transition?

So, the downsides of medical transition? Sure, I can name a few things. But a lot of "side effects" people warn you about are really just "be sure you're prepared to be more physiologically like a cis man -- you can't pick and choose what effects you get, but you can predict some of them based on genetics."

(Transphobes like to make this sound scary, like you're damaging your body. But it's like... OK, a receding hairline? Yeah, no shit that's gonna happen. Happens to most dudes. Jokes on you, a lot of people are into that. And I can take some finesteride to slow it down, so stop using visual shorthand for masculinity to scare me away from masculinity.)

That said, be sure you're prepared for changes to:

How you gain muscle & fat

Your libido

Your hair growth patterns

How you express (and possibly even feel) emotions

Your voice

Your genitals

Your risk factors for certain health conditions. Some will improve, some will get worse. Me, I have to keep an eye on my congenital heart issue.

That said, the only real "side effects" that I feel are unique to being trans and/or me are:

Vaginal dryness. There's creams for that, so, completely manageable.

You of course need to be aware of your liver health, since you're on a major medication. But it's your doc's job to check your levels and adjust accordingly. I have had no issues.

My ADHD and memory maybe got a bit worse? But they are both stable now.

If I miss a shot, I get irritable (T makes me a much calmer person)

That's really it for me.

I've had top surgery and the only side effect there was that I rejected some sutures (first time that has happened) and thus got a gnarly scar, but that can happen with any surgery.

Other folks are welcome to chime in. Again, I think it's important to distinguish between "side effect" and "this is a new-to-you thing to deal with that is common for cis men."

[captocie]

I don’t know if I’ve spelled it out on tumblr yet, but I want to talk about The Mammal List. 

The Mammal List is something I came up with when I was in a mental health intensive outpatient program four(!!) years ago. The premise is that we are at our core animals, and if I consider myself the way I’d consider a pet cat, I’m much more likely to practice good self-care:

1. Mammals need food. Eat something! If the Hellbeast doesn’t pass judgment on a piece of cheese, neither should you. (She also eats anything small enough to fit in her mouth, so be judicious in that respect. Food is good. Lint is not.)

2. Mammals need hydration. Drink something! It doesn’t have to be water. It could be delicious tuna juice. You’re a discerning creature. I trust you. 

3. Mammals need sleep. Make a soft nest and let yourself enjoy it. Knead it until it’s comfortable. Let yourself rest as long as you need. Just existing is hard. You’ve earned a break. 

4. Mammals need movement. Take your precious body and do something. Don’t hurt yourself. Be kind.

5. Mammals need stimulation. Treat yourself to a new jingle ball or mousie toy. Get a bird feeder and stare at it. Let yourself really enjoy it. Play is in your nature.

6. Mammals need socialization. I know this one is particularly difficult these days, but if you don’t keep reaching out, you’re going to forget yourself and start biting people. 

7. Mammals need cleanliness. Nobody likes scooping the litterbox, but it has to be done. Don’t forget your own body. Make your fur shine. Treat yourself as the luminous creature you are. 

And most important of all: don’t feel guilty. This isn’t about deserving (although you do deserve it). You’re an animal and you need these things to survive, and I very much want you to survive. 

[captocie]

you guys literally are all so brave. even through the screen i can tell. keep going

[captocie]

[captocie]

The Black Monarch’s Ghost - Created by Ben Turner

Here is the original box cover, for nostalgia’s sake.

[captocie]

In the club saying shit like "frankly" and "in all honesty"

[captocie]

Alison Bechdel, self portrait for The New Yorker, April 16, 2012.

[captocie]

Dovekie aka Little Auk (Alle alle), family Alcidae, order Charadriiformes, Iceland

Photograph by Christophe Moning