#30 day writing challenge volume 2

[rj-anderson]

It's quite a thing to adjust to being back on eldercare duty 9-12 hours a day, every day [1], which is pretty close to how my life was five years ago right before my dad's needs became so overwhelming that we had to transfer him to a nursing home. [2]

Except my dad's weaknesses were mostly physical — mentally he was quite sharp for a nearly 95-year-old — and back then my mom was well enough to keep him company, do the cleaning and laundry, and make meals for him so I could focus on managing his home care (and all the phone calls and paperwork that involved), helping him in and out of bed for naps, and wheeling him to and from the washroom as needed. Even if it was a lot of work, I wasn't doing ALL the work, and I could go for a walk in the woods or run a few errands without worrying (much) that Bad Things would happen in my absence. My mom, though, is physically in decent shape for 92, apart from her Meniere's Disease (aka chronic vertigo). But over the past year she's been increasingly losing her executive function and ability to retain recent memories. She's starting to leave her essential items like hearing aids and glasses in odd places around the house, and getting distressed when she can't find them.

Most tasks that used to be routine for Mom are beyond her now, and even writing down the steps for her doesn't help. She either forgets to look at the instructions, or she's too confused to follow them. Even answering the phone is a challenge these days, because if she can't hear the caller right away (which she usually can't, despite the volume enhancement) she starts pressing buttons at random and hangs up on them more often than not.

So for the past three months I've been running downstairs every hour or two all day to give my mom her medications, make her lunch and dinner, do her laundry, take her for her daily walk, answer her phone, turn on the TV for her, shepherd her through her nightly bedtime routine, and reassure her when she's worried about something she can't remember. It takes up a big chunk of every day in addition to my own family and church responsibilities (neither of which I want to give up or think I should). And that's assuming Mom doesn't have one of her out-of-the-blue excruciating nerve pain attacks, a fairly new development which involves a whole other level of care and leave us both exhausted for a day or more afterward. [3]

But the hardest part is that I can't leave the house now, even for a short time, without hiring a professional caregiver or recruiting a family member to take my place. My mom no longer remembers how to phone me in a crisis, and is unable to take any of her needed vertigo or pain medications on her own. If someone isn't right there to help, Bad Things will most definitely happen at some point, and more likely sooner than later.

Worse, I have no sisters, only brothers, all of whom live hours away. And as my Mom's need for care becomes increasingly specialized and personal, they're less and less equipped -- or suitable, from a woman's point of view -- to help her for more than a few hours at a time. And if Mom has one of her out-of-the-blue pain attacks, they aren't trained to give her the injection she needs. [4] So they'd have to give her oral meds and watch her suffer for 30-45 minutes before the pills kick in — and having gone through that myself several times now, I wouldn't wish the experience on my worst enemy. Or put my Mom through that much pain again, if I can help it.

But she's not in pain, or sick with vertigo, all the time. In fact, she can go for days or weeks without an attack. She's able to move about freely with her walker, chat with visiting helpers and family, stroke our two cats and enjoy looking out the back window at our yard. She looks forward to the meals I make for her and exclaims over how tasty and nourishing they are. She's lived in my basement for 20 years now, so everything is familiar and comforting. And right now, she's as safe here as she could be anywhere. The idea of transferring her to a care home even if there was a bed available (which there isn't — the waiting list in this area is 3-5 years for 24-hour nursing care and 10 years for assisted living) just doesn't seem to make sense, or be anything but cruel to her. And while there are some places that offer overnight respite care for up to a week, they only do that for clients enrolled in their adult day programs — which my mom can't attend because of her complex and unpredictable symptoms.

So I don't know when I'll ever get another vacation. I certainly can't take any overnight trips, or even day trips, right now. Unless I hire a registered nurse to stay with Mom the whole time I'm gone, and pay her hundreds of dollars to do it.

I don't really know why I'm writing this, except to get it off my chest. I love my Mom and I want to do my best for her. I'm thankful that despite her physical and mental health issues she is a loving, grateful and overall very obliging person to care for. She thanks and praises me for everything I do to help her, and apologizes for taking up so much of my time. I know she never wanted to put me in this position any more than I want to be in it.

But it's hard. It's really, really hard. And I wish I knew how long this is going to go on.

-- [1] Not counting the occasional calls in the middle of the night, which I hope will be fewer now that I've moved the call bell to keep my mom from knocking it by accident.

[2] Dad passed in early 2020, just before the pandemic. I'm still thanking God daily for that timing because I can't even imagine what it would have been like trying to visit him in lockdown.

[3] We've been to the hospital and our family doctor multiple times about this. Nobody can figure out why it's happening or how to stop it. We're supposed to get a CT scan at some point, which I hope will give us some more answers, but that could be weeks or months away.

[4] I myself was only trained a few days ago, and without any medical background or experience, I'm far from confident about it. Not even sure how well it's going to work, but something has to.

[shiuefha]

Spy x Family 30 Day Challenge

Day 4: Favorite Opening?

Simply, my favorite opening is the second one, Souvenir by Bump of Chicken.

I guess for now, this clip is the most beautiful opening clip from the series. The colors are just wonderful, and the song itself is really heartwarming. This opening is also the calmest opening song from the series, as the other two songs sound too... hectic, perhaps?

In short, this one is the most enjoyable opening for me.

Day 5: Favorite Ending?

Well, it's harder for me to decide my favorite ending from the series because all of them are great. However, I guess there's one of them which slightly become my favorite, and it's Todome no Ichigeki by Vaundy.

I can feel how deep the emotion of the song. It's really that meaningful, and not to mention that the MV referenced Yor's designer chair from the cover of the third volume of the manga.

Speaking of the ending, I guess I have one honorable mention, which is the ending of the movie, Hikari no Ato by Gen Hoshino.

Well, if we included this song, I definitely would choose this one as my favorite, because it just feels heartwarming with such a soothing music. The lyrics are also the easiest to memorize for me.

Day 6: Favorite Soundtrack?

(By the way, can I just write all of these here? I just feel like I can write these entries in one post though...)

For this one, it's between all of the BGM and the insert songs, right?

Well, I listened to all of them anyway, and there's one insert song which I really like, and I guess we can say that it's my favorite soundtrack...

It's the insert song from season 2 episode 2 (episode 27), Little Steps by (K)NoW_NAME.

The lyrics of the full song are really describing Damian's situation and his relationship with both Emile and Ewen perfectly. It's also such a motivating song.

Well, the other insert songs are also good though, but this one is my favorite one.

[doodle-pops]

Hi! I'm new to your blog and I really like it. Question for you, tho: I noticed that you have a queue of works you're working on. How long does it usually take to complete one of these requests? I know each unique prompt requires unique attention, but on average how much time do you spend on each one? Asking because i'm considering starting a requests blog of my own (for a different fandom, don't have the skill to write for this one) and I'm curious to how much time I should expect to put in.

Hello, welcome, and thank you very much 🤗

Now onto your question. I still can't give an estimated time I spend on each request because apart from each prompt being different, it also depends on the writer's mood and capability to create rapidly. Sometimes I take 2 hours, 2 weeks or months. Everyone has a different rate at which they can push out content, some are slow, while others are faster.

When I take in requests, I look at my schedule to know how free I'll be, life outside Tumblr, my mood, writing pace, and comfort level. It will differ for everyone else.

I normally take in 30-40 requests per requesting period, then I proceed to have a two-week head start. During those 2 weeks, I would sort out my requests based on what's easy, challenging, headcanons, fics, and genre. Then I would schedule the order of posting—I post twice a week, so it equates to 7-9 posts a month.

Once all that is completed, I spend the rest of the two weeks (attempting to) writing the first month's request in order. Once finished, take my break and proceed to the 2nd month and so forth. And that's how I organise myself when I'm writing requests. I try to have a month's work in the queue before the month starts so I don't have to rush last minute.

A few things to note:

Everyone writes differently. My method may not work for you, it may appear overwhelming. You must determine what rate is best for you. As a first-timer, start simple and graduate as time goes on should you wish to produce on a larger scale.

Know the volume of work you can focus on writing. Some people can only write small amounts of work while others do large. Stay within your regulated volume of requests unless you are ready to increase the amount.

There is no specified time frame to complete requests. If someone takes 1 day to write a headcanon, you might take 2 days, and that's alright. Find a comfortable pace to write. You may write slower than others and it's fine. If time management is an issue, create a schedule you can work with that would not create burnout or stress.

Work within your comfort zone of content, meaning write what you are comfortable with. Whether it be headcanons only, fics, or fluff, short or long fics, write to your comfort.

Remember your life outside of Tumblr influences how often you write and the rate you can complete pieces. Don't force yourself if you can't meet the deadline you created. Real-life situations are inevitable, they happen out of the blue.

Always remember to have time for yourself!! Don't devote all your time to fulfilling requests. Your readers WILL understand. Set aside intervals for leisure.

[blackwolfstabs]

30 Day Writing Challenge: Day 9

ANGEL

Tara is done with studying for the night and requires Chad's undivided attention.

“It’s maybe embarrassing how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

“Yeah, you should’ve done that a lot sooner.”

“I know.”

“But you could also do it a lot more times.”

It was the subtle gestures that led up to that moment. Neither of them realized it, until they both lost the ones that kept them from each other. Liv and Amber had them leashed and microchipped, grooming them to be their one and only. But a lot had happened since that night. September 23, 2022: the night that everything started to fall apart. However, once everything was said and done, things started to change. The grieving process came and went, and eventually, Tara and Chad had to move on. Sometimes, the memories hung around, but most of the time, their focus was moving forward and not looking back.

Many people would sit back and say that Chad saw Tara as ‘second-rate’ or that she was ‘the only option because survivors had to stick together’. But that wasn’t true. He had always been fond of her, he just never had the chance to act on it among Wes’s and Amber’s quarrel for her heart. It had pushed him out of sight, and therefore, he accepted it and searched for someone else. But he never fully lost his feelings for her, even if they had become small. 

In fact, it wasn’t just him that knew it. His mother knew it too, and she told him so. He had liked Tara from the start. She had been the one to go get help when he got hurt during recess in 1st grade and stopped by the nurse’s office to check on him before she went home. Martha said he had come home from school that day and told her: 

“I’ve met my angel, Mom.”

She never forgot that. And now, whenever she’d remind him, he knew that it was true. Tara was nothing he had ever known, and as much as they bickered with and teased each other, he didn’t know what he would do without her. Since the Ghostface murders of 2022, they had become close, and after the ones in 2023, they were officially an item.

She looked so much like a lady, but she was so much like a child. A devil when she held him close, an angel when she smiled. Tara was Chad’s angel. Even on her worst days, she healed him. Even on her worst nights, she was beautiful. It just took him a while to find her… to truly find her.

Now, it was October of 2024, almost marking a year after their 2nd death-cheat. However, it had been 2 years since they reserved their feelings for each other. 

They fell in love in October. 

October of 2023. Except, now in 2024, this 3rd time proved to be the charm, for there had been no return of Ghostface. Finally, there was rest for the reckless who’d run into love…

It was raining, the visual outside the drenched windows holding a silver film from the current downpour. Apartment 315 of Hortense Tower was quiet, much more quiet than usual, the only noise coming from the rain and soft volume of the television, where Chad was glued to some sort of endless duel on the Xbox. Every now and then, he’d make a hushed comment that was most commonly a curse word or two from not moving quick enough or taking a serious blow. Behind him, Tara sat at the table, leaning her head against her hand as she stared at the same law textbook she’d been studying for 3 hours.

Her head hurt, she was exhausted, and she was finally on her last page of the reading she was assigned, which made the pounding and weariness come off a little less strong.

And within the next couple of minutes, she was done. Sure, she may have simply read the last few paragraphs, instead of understanding them, but at least she could say she got through every page. She picked up her phone that was placed face-down beside her to check the time.

9:39 PM.

Yeah, she should’ve quit homework for the night a long time ago. Night time was Tara Time, according to herself. It was the only time where she couldn’t be bothered by anything or anyone, because well… duh, it was night time. And tonight, she wanted to spend it in the company of someone else—the only other person in the apartment right now.

Tara shut her text book and left the table, making her way to the couch to sit down next to Chad, who didn’t notice her until she did so.

He barely glanced over, before he paused his game and made an effort to look at her. “You done?” 

She nodded, “Yep.” Before he could say anything else, she invited herself into his lap, facing him while her knees straddled him in place. “Now, give me attention,” she demanded as she draped her arms over his shoulders.

He chuckled, “Uh, how about a ‘please’?” He moved his arms around her small waist, crossing his wrists to keep hold on his controller. Her eyes, though tired, held the same warm glow that made them unique. One of the many things he loved about her.

“Oh, come on, are you really gonna make me beg?” she replied, tilting her head in that infamous way.

“Mm-hmm.”

Tara huffed. “Turn off the Xbox first,” she nodded backwards to the television, “‘cause I’m only gonna say it once.” He obliged and tossed the controller on the seat cushion next to him, before meeting her gaze. And she gave what he wanted, “Please. I require attention,” with her own twist, of course. “Preferably yours. Preferably undivided. Preferably now.” 

The smirk that she was pulling never failed to get to Chad. There was something about its mischievous hint and attractive aura that complimented her big, brown eyes so well, it made her a work of art. Not to mention the dimple he always caught on her right cheek made her shine even brighter. “My undivided attention…” He played like he had to give the idea some thought, glancing around with a musing brow, “Hmm…” Then, he nodded. “I think I can manage that.”

She giggled and pulled him into a well-needed kiss. She had him so close that her chest met his, when he leaned into her lead. Her elbows bent to hold him in place, while his hands slid up her back to keep her as well.

When they parted, they stayed close, their foreheads touching as their eyes met.

“Is this the kind of attention you’re looking for?” Chad whispered. Tara blinked at him as he retreated his hands to hold her sides.

“I just want you,” she answered in the same tone.

He hummed in response and gave her lips a quick peck. “Like that?”

Her face flushed pink. “More.”

He kissed her left cheek. “How about now?”

She shook her head, “More than that.” Her smirk grew into a beautiful smile.

This led him to give her another peck on the lips, then stick an exceptionally admirable one on her dimple, which didn’t go away after they locked eyes again. If anything, it deepened as her pearlized teeth began to show through her grin. “Still not enough for you?” he quizzed with a light chuckle

She shook her head again, her playing-hard-to-get nature making her chuckle as well, “No.”

“Are you saying you’re needy?” Chad then teased, wrapping his arms around her back to pull her in a little closer. “Hmm?”

Tara didn’t falter, just raised her chin to challenge him. “Am I?” She raised an eyebrow in temptation, but was taken off-guard when he held her close to sprinkle quick, delicate kisses over her face, before trailing down her neck and even reaching her collar bone. She didn’t mind it at first, taking them as the attention she craved, but when his lips nipped at the soft skin shielding her left carotid artery, she started to cringe with a pitched noise. “Oka-hay, that tickles!” she openly shared, mindless to what other antics he may pull from his sleeve.

And of course, he had an overrun of what she bargained for. If she wanted to be such a dictator, she should be open to any and all kinds of attention. Her boyfriend halted his kissing but kept his lips close to her skin as he tested her. “Oh, really?” He locked her in place with his crossed arms around her small torso to mischievously handle her sides with his fingers. “Then this should fulfill your need for attention, right?”

Carpenter yelped as she released his neck to try and clamp her elbows in between his itching fingertips, already crumbling into laughter. “No-ho!” she protested, beginning to squirm a little from her failed attempt to block. “That’s not fa-ha-hair!”

“Yes, it is,” he retorted, his strength outdoing hers by far to leave her helpless in his embrace. “You wanted my attention!” He didn’t waste another moment to nuzzle his way into her neck to continue his obsessive kissing, earning a squeal from her. 

His girlfriend cringed, the elevation of her shoulders mixed with her hands making an effort to push him away leaving the majority of her torso open to his mercy. And she felt him take advantage of it as one of his hands migrated up to tickle her underarm, while the other stretched to target the frontal surface of her stomach. “Nooo-ho-ho-aha-ha-ha! Chad, sta-ha-hap!” She was notorious for biting off more than she could chew, and she was the only one to blame, having invited herself into his hold for sensual captivation.

The sound of her laughter was the best sound he’d ever heard. It was healing, even amongst her spontaneous wriggling. She didn’t laugh very hard too often because of her asthma, but when she did, it was priceless. It was a reminder of every single thing that made him weak for her. She was an angel that had her wings clipped a million times before, but they always mended. She was a fighter, a survivor, an angel on earth. Beautiful, powerful, young, and a blessing.

Chad melted into Tara’s sweet scent as he continued to tease her, not intending to but happening to find the bare skin of her midriff beneath the loose fit of her pajama top. He heard her nearly shriek as her head went back to expose more of her throat, but he figured enough was enough for tonight. He knew she was tired, and this had probably taken up all the energy she had left. Plus, she had class tomorrow morning.

“Chad, plea-hease!” she begged around her guffaws, “You’re gonna ma-hake me pee!”

He obediently backed down, pulling away from her neck and repositioning his arms back to where they were initially supporting her. When he found her face, her skin was flushed red with tears formed at the corners of her eyes from the intensity of her laughter. “Has justice been served?” he teased, playing around with her studying to become a lawyer.

She was still panting, fading giggles coming through every now and then as she settled. She nodded, “Yeah… sure. Court is adjourned.” 

He smiled at her, before delivering one last, loving kiss on her cheek. And right before he pulled away, she returned a kiss of her own to his jawline, then heaved a final recovery sigh. 

When she felt his arms loosen around her back, she took it upon herself to shift positions, moving both of her legs to be on one side of him while she turned herself 90° to lower herself in a slouch and lean against his chest with her head on his clavicle. She reached behind her to grab the abandoned Xbox controller and turned the console on. “You can keep playing now,” she allowed, turning the controller over to him.

Chad took it in one hand and felt her nestle against him to make herself comfortable. “You don’t mind?”

“Mm-mm,” she answered, while shaking her head. “But I’m sitting here whether you like it or not.”

He reloaded his game and hooked his other arm around her to handle the controls. “Anything for you, Tara.”

And it was true. Anything for her…

His love. His life. His perfect.

His angel.

reeeeeeee literally wrote this as it came to me so pls don't judge me.

lowkey really pissed off with the fact that i can't post as consistently as i'd hoped for. #flop

special thanks to Luke Combs's "Beautiful Crazy", George Strait's "Baby Blue", RaeLynn's "Say", and Bryan Adams's "Nothing I've Ever Known" - these 4 songs had me during this prompt.

All my best! ♡ - parker

[maziijapanese]

THE FASTEST WAY TO LEARN JAPANESE

1.Golden Study Hours (note that these are for reference, and you should adjust them according to your own preferences):

4:30 AM - 6:00 AM: Vocabulary memorization. This is when your brain is most relaxed and suitable for memorizing subjects.

7:15 AM - 10:00 AM: Study topics that require more reasoning, such as reading and grammar.

2:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Listening practice. This is a focused time for logical thinking.

7:45 PM - 11:00 PM: Light study or reviewing what you've learned. Take a 30-minute break as needed. Application to Japanese:

- Kanji:

Analyze complex characters when you encounter them.

Use storytelling and imagination when you find kanji challenging.

Learn kanji quickly as it allows you to read Japanese books.

- Grammar:

Discover similar rules within grammar and focus on them.

Learn the meaning first, and then tackle conjugation and usage last.

Rapidly learn the meanings, and take your time with the rest.

- Vocabulary:

Know how to transcribe words; this reduces learning time by 70%.

Apply mnemonic techniques for difficult-to-remember words.

Review nine times a day, spread throughout morning, afternoon, and evening sessions.

Focus on skill-building through more exercises and tests. You can find many vocabulary exercises and tests online or in Mazii dictionary app.

- Listening:

A larger vocabulary supports better listening comprehension.

Listen diligently every day.

Save audio clips on your phone to listen while commuting.

2.Watch Japanese Films and Listen to Japanese Music:

Imitate the pronunciation of actors and singers.

Learn practical phrases that aren't in textbooks.

Make learning Japanese more enjoyable.

3.Avoid Sleepiness During Study:

Consume a moderate amount of coffee or tea to stay awake.

Stretch and walk around the room.

Listen to energetic, inspiring music to stimulate your brain.

Keep motivational quotes or goals visible on your study desk or computer.

4.Memorization Tips:

Use keywords for memorization.

Record your voice reading the material and listen to it before sleep, or during free moments.

Take pictures of information and store them on your device for easy access.

Write key information on sticky notes and place them in your study area.

5.Memory Techniques:

For rapid memory:

First repetition: Right after learning.

Second repetition: 15-20 minutes later.

Third repetition: After 6-8 hours.

Fourth repetition: After 24 hours.

For long-term memory:

First repetition: Right after learning.

Second repetition: After 20-30 minutes.

Third repetition: After one day.

Fourth repetition: After 2-3 weeks.

Fifth repetition: After 2-3 months.

6.Memorizing Numbers and Events:

Associate numbers or events with special dates (e.g., your crush's birthday).

Regular practice, with multiple repetitions, helps you remember for a long time.

7.Alarm Clock:

Place your alarm clock away from your bed to avoid hitting the snooze button.

Set your alarm volume to the highest level.

Get up, brush your teeth, wash your face, do some light exercises to wake up, and then start studying.

8.Organized Study Space:

Focus on one subject at a time; avoid studying multiple subjects at once to reduce stress.

Ensure your study environment is comfortable and suits your preferences.

Avoid pulling all-nighters; they harm your health, decrease efficiency, and impair memory.

9.Creating Motivation:

Consider the worst-case scenario if you're lazy: ridicule from friends, disappointment from parents, embarrassment…

Ask yourself: which feels worse, the effort or the regret?

Reward yourself for achieving your goals.

Remember to adjust these recommendations to your own preferences and needs. Learning a new language is a journey, and consistency and personalization are key. 🇯🇵📚🗾

[kokiafans]

KOKIA updates: May-June 2024

Below, I have summarized KOKIA’s announcements and messages for May and (most of) June 2024. As explained here, this will remain the style of updates for now. Unfortunately, I have gotten behind a bit, hence this update spanning almost 2 full months instead of the usual 1. My sincere apologies, I promise I'm doing the best I can under the circumstances. Thank you for your continuing patience.

Once-in-a-lifetime meetings tour

KOKIA mentions in her blog entry for May 24 that all of the performances still left in KOKIA's ongoing Once-in-a-lifetime meeting are sold out, which has given her motivation for more concerts next year as well.

May 25 marked the special Tokyo performance of the tour. In her blog entry of May 14, KOKIA announces the venue will be open a little earlier for merchandise sales, as they're expecting crowds. In addition to the T-shirts and blousons already for sale, there will also be portable electric fans for purchase. An autograph session in Tokyo would not be possible, and so she has opted for commemorative postcards instead.

KOKIA looks back on her Tokyo performance in her blog entry for May 26. It was a wonderful experience, truly living up to the title of once-in-a-lifetime, and she announces this performance has been recorded and will be made available, further news to come once the tour has wrapped.

Now that the Tokyo performance has ended, the tour T-shirts and blousons are also available again on the official web shop. She does note the T-shirts are a loose fit, so S-size will be as loose or looser than a regular M-size. Also, this is the last batch, so once they're gone, they're gone forever.

New performance announcements

In her news entry for May 14 as well as her blog entry for that day, KOKIA announces the 2024 sonorium concert Himawari wa akogare ('The sunflowers yearning'), her customary summer concert where the music will rain down on you like a sudden summer shower to offer some relief. The concert will be held on August 3 and 4. (Due to my tardiness in reporting, the concerts have currently sold out and tickets can no longer be purchased via the links provided in her news entry.)

KOKIA has also announced a new concert on November 11, a strings trio concert titled SHI-NA-RU, to be held at Suntory Hall Blue Rose in Tokyo. There will be a performance at 15:30 and one at 19:00. Members of the fan club, club ancoro, can pre-order tickets from June 14-28. Information can be found via the mail magazine or the MEMBERS page on her official website. (via News on June 14)

Finally, in her blog entry for May 24, KOKIA also teases for a once-in-a-lifetime songs tour for 2025, after the success her current tour turns out to be, planning to visit more cities next year.

Other appearances

May marked a couple of radio appearances for KOKIA. She appeared on Afternoon Paradise with Chikako Sawada on May 22, which was in an open studio with a lovely view, as she shared on Instagram (via News on May 18).

On May 26, she appeared on Yasuhiro Kawabe's MUSIC HOT FLAVOR radio show, where she promoted her 25th anniversary best album The Lighthouse (via News on May 16).

KOKIA also held her piano performances on June 8 and 9 at 01073 house, mentioning rehearsing for it in her blog entry of June 3. It's been a while since she last sang while accompanying herself on piano, so rehearsals made her remember older performances at live houses. She also teases a new song she presumably performed that weekend, as she finally found the sounds to go along with the phrases.

Releases

As previously announced, KOKIA has released all of her Animal albums digitally now: on May 11, volume 3 and volume 4 of the newly titled Animal Kingdom albums are available for streaming through various services (linked above). The news entry on May 12 does note that physical copies are still available via the official web shop (although volume 3 is sold out as of writing this).

Frekul JOYSOUND challenge

On May 13 on both her news and blog pages, KOKIA announced her participation in the Frekul JOYSOUND distribution challenge. Karaoke JOYSOUND is a karaoke service and karaoke chain in Japan. Since their service was missing plenty of her songs, KOKIA selected 30 songs currently not included for Frekul, a karaoke distribution service, to get these included at JOYSOUND. Fans were able to buy 'power' units on the event website to get the licensing fee paid for, with one new song added for every 10 power units purchase by May 27. KOKIA fans have rallied together and made sure all 30 songs have now been added! These songs use the master karaoke track, meaning they're the same quality as on CD with no quality loss. The full list of songs is on the event page. I'll include the translated list at the end of this entry. For people who donated 5 power units or more, KOKIA promised to go into karaoke herself and perform her songs and record them, a whole new kind of event for her.

These 30 songs were added to JOYSOUND karaoke thanks to the Frekul challenge:

Fukurou ('Owl')

Yume no tochuu ('on my way to my dream')

Hontou no oto ('Real sound')

Kisetsu hazure no sakura ('Late-blooming cherry blossoms')

Gin no kitsune to kin no koucha o ('Golden tea with a silver fox')

Kotou ('Isolated island')

Ai to heiwa to ongaku to ('Love and peace and music')

The Lighthouse

Kuma ('Bear')

Obake ga kowai nante ('What is it with ghosts being scary')

Watashi no naka no kemono ('The beast inside me')

Family Tree

Otona no ookami ('Adult wolf')

Dear Armstrong

Hoshi ni natta inu ('The dog that became a star')

Tanuki ('Raccoon dog')

Kirin ('Giraffe')

The Cell

Makenai you ni ('So as not to lose')

Oishii oto yum yum music ('delicious sounds')

Oto no arubamu ('Album of sounds')

Doragon ('Dragon')

Hoshi no uta ('The song of stars')

Shoudou ('Impulse')

Kurage ('Jellyfish')

Buta ('Pig')

Hoshi no keiji ('Star revelation')

Miiakyatto ('Meerkat')

Ushi ('Cow')

Tabiressha life train ('travel train')

[athemarina]

recap: june

it's been a long long time since i did one of these! right now, with a thunderstorm raging outside, it seems like a good time to reflect on what went down this last month.

uni & work & whyyyy am i always so stressed

another semester done! i didn't do as much as i would have liked to, but then again, i never do. it was a peaceful semester, the coursework was not too challenging, and i re-discovered my passion for learning and teaching. still, i felt and still feel weirdly stressed, and lately this has taken quite a toll on me mentally and physically. a pattern has emerged, of me somehow finding a burst of energy and using it to get all the shit done that really needs doing, only to feel burned out and exhausted once those obligations calm down. but well. work-life-balance? in this economy?

plans & preparations

june was a quiet month for my social life, and the days passed by, one like the other, quite unexciting. a lot of plans were made for the coming months, though, and i'm looking forward to a summer that will hopefully bring change and peace in equal measure.

writing & reading

i'm still nowhere near having a consistent writing schedule, but i'm slowly getting back to it. the last few months, most of the words i wrote where dedicated to trying to fix what happened with a former friend of mine. june brought the final clarity that it will not be fixed, no matter what i do or say. june brought writing out my farewells; i'm excited to spend the rest of the summer with words not quite as heavy.

books i read this month (excluding books for uni): grandmaster of demonic cultivation volume 2 and the ballad of songbirds of snakes, both of which i enjoyed a lot!

on my mind (aka other things i was obsessed with this month)

unknown / nth by hozier. you really took a look into my mind and wrote my heart, didn't you andrew

hannibal (season 1) started my re-watch during exam season as stress relief (as one does??) and my god. it's really the show isn't it. like no notes, it's flawless, absolutely perfect... um, execution, for lack of a better word

critical role i think i probably have the world's most unconventional story of how i got into it.; basically i think voice acting is cool and i liked watching matt mercer do it. and suddenly here i am, 30 episodes into campaign 3. i have seen none of the other campaigns. i've never even played dnd. but well, we can't choose our hyperfixations, and truth be told, i'm really grateful for this one - it really, really got me excited about worldbuilding and inspired me to work on my wip a lot more creatively. it's also the perfect companion for when i'm working from home and simply working on an excel sheet quietly would eat my brain.

well - that was june! a mixed bag of difficult moments and slow summer evenings. let's see what july will bring.

[sdubbsblog]

Today's blog is about having our own 'secret place' for prayer and reflection. I hope you enjoy and I'd love any opinions/tips on how I could make my writings better. Have a blessed day!! 😊🙏

Creating a Spiritual Garden: Tips for Crafting Your Space for Prayer and Reflection

Between toggling our work life and personal life it's a challenge to take time for prayer and reflection. This shouldn't be the case. Creating a dedicated spiritual garden can provide a peaceful retreat to connect with God and nurture our souls. It's also our duty to give Him our first fruits, by the way. Just as God planted the Garden of Eden, we can cultivate our own sanctuary where we can grow in our faith and draw closer to Him (Genesis 2:8). Here are some tips for crafting your spiritual garden, accompanied by Scripture that inspires this endeavor.

1. Choose the Right Location

Select a space that's peaceful and inviting. It could be the botanical gardens nearest to you. Or, it could be as simple as a section of your backyard, a balcony or even a cozy indoor corner. Have some fun with it. I give mine a name. I call it, "Coffee and Jesus". I love to play some worship music and always invite the Holy Spirit to join me as I sit in the driveway and pray, giving thanks for all of His provisions and blessings as I spend time alone with Him. Isaiah 58:11 encourages, "You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Your chosen location should allow you to receive God's nourishing presence.

2. Incorporate Nature

Nature itself speaks volumes of God's creativity and care. Consider including flowers, herbs, or even a small vegetable patch to symbolize growth in your spiritual life. It serves as a reminder of God's provision, just as Jesus illustrated in Matthew 6:28-30, where He points out the beauty of flowers and assures us of God's care for our needs. Surround yourself with the vivid colors and scents of His creation to inspire reflection.

3. Create a Comfortable Atmosphere

Add elements that make the space inviting and personal. Comfortable seating, soft cushions, or a hammock can encourage you to spend time in prayer and meditation. Maybe you could include a small fountain or wind chimes, which can enhance tranquility. Whatever the case, as you establish your space, remember the goal is to have a heart that is "like a tree planted by streams of water" (Psalm 1:2-3), where you can yield spiritual fruit through constant reflection and prayer.

4. Designate Spaces for Spiritual Practices

Consider segmenting your garden for specific spiritual practices. You can have a place for quiet reflection, another for Scripture reading, and a space for worship through music. Luke 8:15 teaches us about "good soil," where the word is received and produced. Spend time in each area to cultivate different aspects of your spiritual life.

5. Establish a Routine

Just as gardens require regular care, so does our spiritual life. Make it a practice to spend time daily in your spiritual garden. Colossians 2:6-7 reminds us to be "rooted and built up" in Christ. Consistent prayer and reflection will help you grow in your faith, nurturing the relationship you seek with God.

6. Reflect on Your Growth

As you cultivate this garden, take note of how it transforms you. Consider journaling your thoughts, prayers, and insights. You may find that, like a well-tended garden, the fruits of the Spirit blossom in your heart and life (Galatians 5:22-23).

In creating your spiritual garden, you're intentionally carving out a space to deepen your relationship with God. Remember, just as He faithfully tends to His creation, He desires to nurture your spirit. Allow your spiritual garden to be a sanctuary where you can blossom in faith and reflect His love to the world. May this endeavor bring you closer to the Creator and enhance your journey.

[md-asif-94]

Best Ai tools for SEO

AI Writing ToolsKey FeaturesPricing

Jasper✓ Long-form content assistance ✓ Brand voice support for a consistent tone ✓ Jasper templates & Document editorCreator: $49/month Team: $125/month

Rytr✓ Multilingual – Supports 30+ languages ✓ AI editing tools for best results ✓ Generates content in different tonesFree plan: $0/mo Saver plan: $9/month Unlimited plan: $29/month

Surfer✓ Surfer AI for optimized content ✓ Keyword research for content strategy ✓ Content editing & Outline generatorEssential: $89/month Advanced: $179/month Max: $299/month

Quillbot✓ Summarizer for short summaries ✓ Grammar & Plagiarism checker ✓ Paraphrasing tool for rewritingFree plan: $0/mo Premium: $9.95/month

Writesonic✓ AI-driven article ideas generator ✓ Sonic editor & AI writer ✓ Article summarizer for summariesFree trial: $0/month Unlimited: $20/month Business: $19/month

ChatGPT✓ Self-improvement abilities ✓ Multilingual support ✓ AI text generation & Prompt examplesFree plan: $0/mo ChatGPT Plus: $20/month

Producing high-quality blog posts, articles, or copy consistently and on time can be challenging for content creators. 

Some days, coming up with new fresh ideas can be easy. But for others, completing even a single paragraph can feel like trying to move a mountain—It’s a creative rollercoaster. And while you can only push yourself it’s a matter of time before needing a break.

That’s where AI content writing tools come in handy to help you brainstorm, convey your ideas clearly, and get work done faster so you can move on to other tasks.

But with so many options, how do you choose the right one? In this guide I’ll reveal the best AI writing tools and show you how they stack up when it comes to:

Quality of the output content

Ease of use

Customization to match your tone, style, and niche

Pricing

Third-party integrations to streamline your workflow

What Are the Best AI Writing Tools?

Many AI writing tools offer great value for money, with high-quality output and advanced features to improve your content. Here’s our recommended list of 7 best AI writing tools: 

Jasper: Best for Power Users

Rytr: Best for Beginners

Surfer: Best for SEO Writing

Quillbot: Best for Paraphrasing

Writesonic: Budget-Friendly SEO Writer

ChatGPT: Best for Creative Writing

1. Jasper: Best for Power Users

Save

Originally known as Jarvis, Jasper is one of the best AI writing generators for articles, blogs, books, scripts, and other types of content. It gives you 100% original and SEO-friendly content, optimized and ready for your marketing campaigns.

The best part is that it works for both short and long-form content. So, if you’ve got writer’s block, Jasper AI can help you generate ideas and content with your brand’s voice and talking points. 

Features

Long-form content assistance for blogs, articles, and books

Brand voice support to generate content consistent with your style and tone

Integration with WordPress, Google Docs, and HubSpot to improve your workflow

Document editor to assist you in processing your work and improving the formatting

Jasper templates for content formats like emails, social media posts, landing pages, and ad copy

Pros:

Saves time on research and writing

Improves content quality with premium suggestions

Pre-written content to jumpstart your marketing efforts

Improves brand consistency with your brand voice and style

Scales content production by producing more volume of high-quality content

Cons:

Difficult to use for beginners

Content limits, even with the premium plan

Expensive for small businesses and freelancers

Pricing

Creator: $49/month

Team: $125/month

Business: Custom pricing

Try Jasper Free

2. Rytr: Best for Beginners

Save

Rytr is easy to use and affordable, making it a great stepping stone if you’re new to AI copywriting tools. 

It lets you craft and refine your content quickly with deep-learning algorithms that simplify the process for both experienced and novice writers. Whether it’s articles, blog posts, emails, ads, or social media posts, Rytr has many templates to get you started. 

Features

Supports 30+ languages to help you reach a global audience

AI editing tools to correct grammar errors and improve content structure and quality

Generates content in different tones, including formal, informal, conversational, and persuasive

AI editing tools to correct grammar errors and improve content structure and quality

Access to different SEO tools like a SERP analyzer   and keyword generator for content optimization

Multiple use cases for blog outlines, business idea pitches, emails, social media posts, ads, landing pages, and text editing

Pros:

Good live chat support for technical issues

Built-in plagiarism checker for your content

Easy-to-use interface suitable for beginners

SEMrush integration helps streamline your workflow

Affordable pricing plans for businesses and freelancers alike

Cons:

Output is a bit repetitive

Has fewer features than other tools

Long-form content requires manual editing

Pricing

Free plan: $0/mo

Saver plan: $9/month

Unlimited plan: $29/month

Start Ryting For Free

3. Surfer: Best for SEO Writing

Save

Surfer is one of the most efficient AI writing tools that optimize your content for search engines. It analyzes top-ranking web pages for your main keywords to improve your content, making it more competitive. 

And if you need help with keyword clustering for your blogs and articles, Surfer will give you practical suggestions. It’ll also ensure your content achieves the proper keyword density and provide real-time analytics on its optimized performance. 

Features

Surfer AI generates optimized content that ranks high

Keyword research for creating SEO-ready content strategies

Real-time feedback and analytics on your content as you write

Content editing with guidelines and suggestions to improve your writing

Outline generator to ensure your article covers all essential topics and subtopics

Pros:

Easily export content to WordPress

Excellent customer support for problems

User-friendly interface suitable for amateurs

Saves time with keyword research and outline generator

Integration with Google Search Console and SEMrush to streamline workflow

Cons:

No free trial

Minor bugs in the software

Costs may be steep for individuals and small businesses

Pricing

Essential: $89/month

Advanced: $179/month

Max: $299/month

Enterprise: Custom pricing

Start Now (7-Day Money-Back)

4. Quillbot: Best for Paraphrasing

Save

Quilbot is famous for its AI-powered paraphrasing and summarizing features that help writers improve their content and find new phrases to avoid plagiarism. 

The tool analyzes text and suggests different formats for paraphrasing without losing your content’s original meaning. It works best for students and academics writing papers or creating annotated bibliographies due to its text editor, research functionality, and citation capabilities.

Features

Summarizer condenses long-form text into short summaries

Co-writer helps you create high-quality articles, blogs, and academic papers

Grammar checker corrects grammatical errors, spelling, and punctuation in different English dialects

Plagiarism checker analyzes your text in over 100 languages for plagiarism or lack of proper attribution

Paraphrasing tool rewrites text in different modes, including standard, formal, academic, creative, and simple

Pros:

100% money-back guarantee within 72 hours

A generous free account gives you unlimited paraphrasing

Has Chrome and Word extensions for the grammar checker

Easy-to-use paraphrasing tool with several different modes to suit your needs

Paraphrasing, summarizing, and citation generation help improve content quality

Cons:

May be slow to process large amounts of text

Output doesn’t always pass AI detection tools

Offers only 2 writing modes for free accounts: Standard and fluency

Pricing

Free plan: $0/mo

Premium: $9.95/month

Use QuillBot For Free

5. Writesonic: Budget-Friendly SEO Writer

Save

Writersonic is one of the most popular automated blog writing tools for short- and long-form content. You can generate blog posts, emails, ad copy, Instagram captions, and product descriptions, among other marketing material, in an instant.

The tool can also paraphrase entire articles and handle different content types with simple templates and prompts. But what sets Writersonic apart from its competitors like Jasper and Copy.AI is that it’s over 10x cheaper and offers the same outstanding features.

Features

AI article ideas generate topic suggestions and outlines for your content

Surfer integration helps you rank high on Google with SEO-optimized content

Sonic editor improves content quality with similar editing features to Google Docs

Article summarizer condenses long-from text with the main points without losing meaning

AI writer creates articles, blog posts, landing pages, meta descriptions, social media posts, and more.

Pros:

Easy to use for beginners

Great value for money compared to other platforms

Surfer integration ensures you generate optimized content

Many AI templates and tools generate any type of content

A flexible pricing system makes it scalable for small businesses

Cons:

Long wait times for generating content

Lacks a built-in plagiarism and style checker

Can’t rephrase specific parts of an entire article or blog individually

Pricing

Free trial: $0/month

Unlimited: $20/month

Business: $19/month

Enterprise: Custom pricing

Start Creating For Free

6. ChatGPT: Best for Creative Writing and Brainstorming

Save

ChaTGPT is a natural language processing tool and powerful conversational companion with incredible writing skills. 

The tool can answer questions and assist you with various tasks, from blogs, articles, and academic papers to ad copies and social media posts. Its ability to generate human-like responses is by far the best feature, as it can understand the context of a conversation and answer with relevant, engaging words. 

Features

Prompt examples show you how to start a conversation

Self-improvement abilities allow it to learn and improve over time

Contextual understanding allows it to provide more accurate responses to conversations

AI text generation creates different content like emails, blogs, articles, and academic papers.

Multilingual features can translate text from one language to another and technical jargon into English

Pros:

Can refine information in real-time

Can respond to multiple languages 

The free version works just as well as the paid one

Can learn and improve over time, making it more accurate

Versatile applications like customer service, creative writing, and personal assistance

Cons:

Source data only goes up to 2021

May generate false answers and half-truths

Doesn’t provide citations, making it unsuitable for academic research

Pricing

Free plan: $0/mo

ChatGPT Plus: $20/month

Use ChatGPT For Free

[ia-acc-yeah]

12.12.2023

I created this blog today! It was an impulsive decision followed by more impulsive decisions, but it's all good now. I think at least. I just feel better. Maybe for example I will regret deleting my old Tumblr account, but I can't change it now so it's not worth thinking about it.

Today wasn't my day but I promised to myself that I will focus on positives. Thinking about bad stuff overwhelmes me, so at least I want to keep writing only about good things.

I had a very pleasant encounter at schools library today. I was turning back one of the books and was talking to the schools librarian lady about it. This book was a first volume of a 30 volume series and we were wondering if other libraries in the city have the rest of the books, because my school library don't have them. And than a girl that was also turning a book told us that she has all of the book series at home. That was so random. She told me that she can always lend me the rest of the volumes if I want to, that was so nice of her.

Other nice thing of the day is the fact that my dad got back home from work. And it may be a silly thing, but he comes back from work every 2 weeks. He also told me yesterday that he will have a delay and will come back on wednesday, but hey, he's back already. So that made me happy.

Also my brother wanted to fall asleep next to me, which never happened before. I felt important to that little guy today. Which is a nice feeling, I love my brother, he is also very important to me.

And that would be it. Yeah. I will have a challenging day tommorow (or today as i'm writing it at 1am) but I will try to get through it somehow.

[ailtrahq]

Solana experienced a significant surge of approximately 20% during the last few days of September and into the first week of October. This sudden price increase has piqued the interest of investors and enthusiasts alike, sparking discussions about its underlying causes. One prominent question on people’s minds is whether this uptick in SOL’s value is directly correlated with Bitcoin’s performance during the same period or if there are distinct factors driving SOL’s price rise independently of Bitcoin’s movements. Before this increase, SOL had a tough time because a U.S. court allowed the sale of $1.3 billion worth of SOL from the bankrupt exchange FTX. So, there’s curiosity about whether SOL’s recent price jump is connected to Bitcoin or if there are other factors behind it. Solana: Challenges And Market Allure The Solana (SOL) blockchain network has seen recent difficulties, however it has garnered significant attention and demand in the market. Despite the lackluster price performance of its native token, the proof-of-stake (PoS) network has utilised the bear market to improve its technological capabilities and forge important alliances with prominent entities in the realm of traditional banking. Source: Coingecko The bankruptcy court has implemented mechanisms to mitigate the potential adverse impact of FTX asset liquidation on the cryptocurrency market. These measures involve mandating the sale of assets through a financial advisor in weekly installments, adhering to predetermined regulations. At the time of writing, SOL was trading at $23.43, down a measly 0.3% in the last 24 hours, but gained sustained an 18% rally in the last seven days, data from crypto market tracker Coingecko shows. SOL Liquidity Soars With Network Stability Nansen, an on-chain analytics firm, recently published a report on Solana, highlighting its key strengths and potential. Solana is known for its cost-efficiency and high-speed transactions, earning it the nickname “The Ethereum Killer.” It boasts a transaction processing speed of over 3,000 transactions per second, which is nearly 30 times faster than Ethereum. The chain’s liquidity improved as a result of the dramatic increase in network stability. At press time, the TVL in terms of SOL was $27.12 million, more than double what it was at the start of the year. SOL market cap currently at $9.7 billion. Chart: TradingView.com Solana’s Rise Fueled by DApps And NFTs, Targets 5th-Largest Crypto Spot The surge of SOL was further bolstered by the expansion in the adoption of decentralized applications (DApps) and the rise in nonfungible token (NFT) volumes on the Solana blockchain. The current price of SOL is now making efforts to establish a support level at $23, aiming to solidify its position as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency (excluding stablecoins) in terms of market capitalization. In the recent Epoch 512, 19.637 million SOL were unstaked, with a net unstake of 16.516 million SOL (about $372 million). Most belonged to a16z and the previous Alameda (now or ftx estate). a16z: BZpEFk…oPPBm7 unstaked 5.006 million SOL, a16z-2: GCmFQL…ozXMwY unstaked 2.033… — Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) October 6, 2023 Meanwhile, recent updates to Solana Compass have revealed details about recent activities on the Solana network, particularly during the 512 epoch. The website that keeps tabs on SOL staking activity suggests that there were around 19.637 million SOL coins that were unstaked during this time. (This site’s content should not be construed as investment advice. Investing involves risk. When you invest, your capital is subject to risk). Featured image from iStock

[vermilionhealth]

8 Ways to Keep Your Mind Healthy and in Shape!

A lot of us are concerned with the size of our biceps or the girth of our waist.

Having a fit body is important. However, keeping your mind in shape is critical to enjoying your life at the highest level. 

Give your brain the attention it deserves!

Read more: 10 Greatest Tips to Stick to Your Diet and Lose Weight Fast!

Keep your mind healthy, active, and in shape with these strategies:

1. Exercise regularly. Roughly 30% of your brain’s volume is composed of blood vessels. It’s important to keep your blood moving! Exercise will get your blood flowing and help to control your blood sugar. High blood sugar is harmful to blood vessels. That’s why so many diabetics die of heart disease or stroke at a relatively young age.

2. Read each day. Reading requires a lot of your brain. It’s not easy to transform symbols into words and meaning. Spend some time each day with a book that makes you think. You might learn something useful, too.

Avoid reading the same types of books on a regular basis. Read well-written articles. Read the classics. Try a new science fiction novel. How about a book on theoretical physics? Reading the sports page every day doesn’t count. The same goes for romance novels by your favorite author. Mix it up.

3. Eat well. A healthy diet will help preserve your brain function. Do a little research on the best diet for longevity and attempt to make a few changes to your eating habits. A few, small changes each month will go a long way toward keeping your brain healthy.

4. Meditate. Meditation is powerful for several reasons. You’ll learn to focus like a Tibetan monk. You’ll also learn how to relax. Both are wonderful for your brain. Meditation is hard work. It’s like a decathlon for your mind.

Find a good teacher in your area and meditate in a group. You’ll make some new friends, too.

5. Challenge yourself. Learn something new. Learning to paint, speak a new language, or dance are a few great examples. Learning something new forces your brain to create new neural pathways. Your brain’s ability to change is referred to as its “elasticity.”

This can be very challenging at first. If you’ve been living the same day repeatedly for several years, learning something new is similar to going jogging for the first time. It’s painful, and you don’t get too far. Be patient and give your brain a chance to wake up.

6. Do something that requires a lot of brainpower. It might be solving cryptograms or writing a computer program. Take a multivariate calculus class. Study chess. Push your brain to the maximum.

7. Remember the past. As we grow older, it’s more challenging to remember facts from the past. When you can’t remember something, avoid giving up. Take all the time you need to remember. You might finally remember the name of your high-school English teacher while you’re mowing the grass. Keep at it.

8. Get out and socialize. Spending too much time alone has been shown to increase the likelihood of developing dementia. Have an active social life and spend more time with others. You’ll enjoy your life more, too.

There are many benefits to keeping your mind in tip-top condition. You’ll enjoy better mental health and preserve your mental faculties longer. Keeping your mind healthy requires attention. Challenge yourself to learn new information and skills. Your brain is highly elastic. Give it a chance to use that ability.

Combat mental stress and physical fatigue with a healthy does of our Health and Vitality Jelly, which boast a dose of 900mg of the 6 year old red ginseng extract per serve! This will bulletproof both your body and mind be it at the workplace, gym or in the classroom. Click here to read the reviews and check out the Health and Vitality Jelly on offer today!

Want to improve Eyesight naturally? Then TAKE ACTION NOW and be prepared to surprise yourself and everybody else, check out this health jelly for eyes health! Have you tried education, doctors and everything else but nothing has worked? Feel that your life for years now has been turned upside down by poor eyesight? Now is the time to take action. This healthy jelly can help to slow down macular degeneration, cataract formation and helps to relief dry and tired eyes.

[thebaepatricia]

YouTube Finds | Vol. 2 💪🏼🍵📙✏️

I didn't think I'd continue to find a bunch of YouTube videos (weekly), but here we are. Sometimes I rarely watch YouTube. Some days, I binge-watch and find a lot of gems just like this volume. I watched everything in one sitting without really planning it. So without further ado, here's this week's YouTube finds.

👉🏼 How to Lose Fat AND Gain Muscle at the Same Time

I already watched this before but it doesn't hurt to refresh one's memory. I'm finally realizing that I'm not being as closely mindful of my eating as possible. In other words, I could do better.

This is a good reminder for me to increase my protein intake, move more, and calm down on the fats.

👉🏼 how i finally started journaling *and actually enjoying it*

Since this month, I've been having the urge to journal again, but I'm not sure of what. I already have my digital planner and I'm happy keeping at it. I do miss the sensation of writing on paper and feeling the pen write across the pages, but I have yet to narrow down what I want to write about long-term that I'm not yet doing on my planner. I'll just have to trust my creative instinct on this one!

👉🏼 OBESE TO MARATHON | Weightloss Documentary

This is hands-down very inspiring! 🙌🏼 When my self-esteem is down, it's easy for me to look down on myself and belittle my achievements and progress. Watching transformation vlogs like this inspires me to be better and to work against my internal challenges. It takes a lot of mental prowess to surpass and conquer self-limiting beliefs, but the journey in itself is the win more than the end results.

🤏🏼 YouTube Shorts

This is it.

This 👏🏼 Is 👏🏼 The 👏🏼 Goal 👏🏼

[weaversweek]

#NowPop40

Over on my mastodon feed, there’s a daily pop music challenge.

This month is #Popiversary2, for which I’m posting chilled-out songs for a hot summer. (check weather) Never mind.

Last month was #NowPop40, forty songs taken from the .gb Now! That’s What I Call Music series - from 1983 to the present day.

The whole thing is organised by Arron, a lovely chap; for historic reasons, it’s still done through far-right blitheration Twitter.

And because their siteowner Elon Muskrat is a cis pervert who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing, the #NowPop40 winning thread is hidden behind a login wall so that nobody can see it.

... except it's not, because someone's slapped it up on my Tumblr.

@nonoxcol@twitter.com writes...

#NOWPOP40

Hello, and thanks to all 32 of you who posted tracks every day.

1,523 picks altogether, with the median finishing on NOW 47 (2000 Q4).

And these are THE RESULTS.

Ties were settled by avoiding repeat artists and giving credit to artists with other tracks that were chosen but didn't win.

Also, by length, as I wanted to make each volume no longer than 4min per track average.

My casting vote was a last resort. So here goes...

Winners (x = votes by winning song, C = Clear, T - Tied, * = I picked it, y = votes by comp )

NOW 1: The Safety Dance 3C/17 NOW 2: Modern Love 2T/14 (shortest tied track) NOW 3: Time After Time 3C/19 NOW 4: Together In Electric Dreams 3C/11 NOW 5: Walking On Sunshine 3T/23 (shortest, and neat segue into...) NOW 6: Running Up That Hill 5C/19 NOW 7: I Can't Wait 3C/24 (highest-voted comp; shortest tied track) NOW 8: Breakout 3T/18 (shortest, avoided repeating Kate Bush) NOW 9: Land of Confusion 3C/16 NOW 10: Alone 2T/15 (replaced M/A/R/R/S to come in at 160 minutes) NOW 11: Mandinka 3T/18 NOW 12: Push It 3C/16 NOW 13: A Little Respect 4C/15 NOW 14: Buffalo Stance 6C/17 NOW 15: Back To Life 3C/16 NOW 16 (as you know): SOWING THE SEEDS OF LOVE 8C/18 (top voted track) NOW 17: Enjoy The Silence 4T/20 (tied with Loaded, I didn't give Loaded the casting vote as I have a lot of winning picks on Vol 2 and I much prefer the 7-min version) NOW 18: There She Goes 4C/19 NOW 19: 3AM Eternal 4C/16 NOW 20: Set Adrift On Memory Bliss 5C/18 21 Weather With You 3C/14 22 Something Good 3T/19 (shorter) 23 Sleeping Satellite 4C/15 24 Constant Craving 3T/17 (preferred to a cover) 25 Sunflower 5C/16 26 Laid 2T/20 - A 7-WAY TIE on 2 here, I replaced Play Dead with this to come in at 160 minutes. 27 Disarm 3T/17 28 Girls And Boys 4C/13 29 Stay (I Missed You) 2T/16 (tied artists have other winning songs) 30 Glory Box 4C/17 31 Common People 6C/14 (not edited, I have my limits😁) 32 Missing - Todd Terry remix 4C/18 33 He's On The Phone 3C/13 34 Born Slippy 3C/16 35 Pearl's Girl was 3C/14 winner but is too long and didn't want consecutive tracks by same artist so it went to runner-up The Riverboat Song. 36 Virtual Insanity 3T/19 (tied artists have winners on Vol 2) 37 Bitter Sweet Symphony 3C/16 38 Karma Police 3C/14 39 Torn 5C/16 40 Teardrop 5C/15 - the absence of an edit is what forced me to make the two changes on NOWs 10 & 26

And here is #NOWPOP40 VOLUME 1! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68FKsOVUNfmMNlXsHevldz

41 Music Sounds Better With You 6C/16 42 National Express 3C/14 43 You Get What You Give 4C/12 44 Sing It Back 4C/12 45 Caught Out There 4C*/14 46 Groovejet 4C*/19 47 Pure Shores 4C*/15 48 Clint Eastwood 5C*/13 49 Ms Jackson 4C*/18 50 Can't Get You Out Of My Head 5C*/19 51 Murder On The Dancefloor 3C/12 52 Freak Like Me 4C*/15 53 Dy-Na-Mi-Tee 2T/12 54 Move Your Feet 4C*/15 55 Cry Me A River 3C*/12 56 Crazy In Love 6C*/14 57 Take Me Out 3C/16 58 Hey Ya! 7C*/13 59 Love Machine 2T*/9 60 Galvanize 4C/15 61 Feel Good Inc 4C/14 62 1 Thing 2T*/13 (you'll never guess what it was tied with😄) 63 Ride A White Horse 3T*/13 64 Crazy 3C/9 65 Rehab 3C/8 66 Standing In The Way Of Control 5C/10 67 Umbrella 5C*/9 68 With Every Heartbeat 3C*/14 69 Fascination 2T/12 70 Closer 2T*/12 71 The World Should Revolve Around Me 3T/13 (tie with repeat artist) 72 The Fear 6C*/13 73 Warrior's Dance 3C/14 74 Uprising 3C/11 75 Bad Romance 3T/11 76 Dancing On My Own 7C*/10 77 Forget You 3C/12 78 Rolling In The Deep 4C*/10 79 Louder 2T/12 80 Video Games 6C*/11

And here is #NOWPOP40 VOLUME 2 (unsurprisingly my favourite of the three)! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4O1Zb7GhowFSOfM9G6fDuc

81 Titanium 3C/12 82 Call Me Maybe 5C/10 83 We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together 5C/12 84 Just Give Me A Reason 2T/13 (Bruno and Sam are on other winners, Pink isn't but has more votes for other tracks) 85 Get Lucky 3C*/15 86 Do I Wanna Know? 2T/11 (tied artists i.e. Lorde & Lana have other winners) 87 Thank You 2T/9 (hip-hop posse cuts sorely lacking before now!) 88 Chandelier 2T*/9 89 Boom Clap 3T*/10 90 Uptown Funk 8C*/9 (LOL, tied with STSOL just a few hours ago) 91 Black Magic 3C*/8 92 Can't Feel My Face 4C*/10 93 Lush Life 2T/8 94 Into You 3C*/9 95 Tilted 5C*/8 96 Green Light 3T*/10 97 Bad Liar 2C*/9 (the only '2C' I think) 98 New Rules 3C/11 99 Blinded By Your Grace Pt 2 2T*/8 (tie with Dua = win!) 100 2002 2T/8 (Ariana has 94, so loses☹️) 101 Sucker Punch 3C/8 102 Nothing Breaks Like A Heart 3C*/9 103 bad guy 5C*/10 104 Summer Girl 3T/9 (Lizzo has another winner) 105 Blinding Lights 4C/11 106 weird! 3C/11 107 Levitating 3C*/10 108 Midnight Sky 3T/10 (tied with Olivia, didn't want consecutive tracks) 109 good 4 u 6C*/13 110 Cold Heart (Pnau remix) 3T/13 Irreconcilable criteria here: a tie between two artists who already have two clear wins each, and no other song on 110 has > 1 vote. I gave it to Elton :) 111 House On Fire 2T/9 (shorter, flowed better) It's (112) About Damn Time (5C*/10)

this (113) Unholy (2C/10...ah, there was another '2C')

challenge was (114) Over (3C/12)

Here is #NOWPOP40 VOLUME 3: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1potbrZmKSB8sUmGTwKghf

[supercaliwhat]

WallyGallery Archives Volume 3: Posts 2/1/Intro

It's the final countdown...

1

Post 2: Is June a Polyglot??? 04 08 2023

Dear Someone Reading this (Who might not speak more than 3 languages):

Hello hello hello! Today, I feel jolly and accomplished, as I started, or experienced something new. Or is it new? I, I mean my mom decided to start Latin. However, I was deeply concerned for two reasons. The first and most obvious reason is because I learned too many languages before. A small bit of Spanish, modest Chinese, and obviously Korean and English. This would make me sort of a polygot, a person who knows 5 languages! Another concern was that I had less motivation to learn Latin, ultimately because it was a dead language. To begin with, I learned all the languages I 'speak' because they are and would be useful in real-life, as in reading texts and making important conversations. However, no one uses Latin and therefore had no merit. I also felt concerned because I had to learn through Zoom, not the best way to learn anything but Zoom. Nonetheless, my concerns disappeared, only after a cup of suspicion and a class learning random Latin words. I bravely (or foolishly) asked the teahcer, "Why should I learn Latin?", and he was thankfully waiting for that question. For ten minutes, I heard the teacher saying about English words with Latin roots, and many questions related to it. To my surprise, he wasn't a liar! As I read through the vocabs, I saw many familiar words: fugit for fugitive, portat for prepare, via for via, and in for in! I also learned that these Latin words influenced other languages, such as Spanish. The word mortem (Death) sounds like the Spanish word muerte (Death), and its pronunciation was overall similar. But the best part was fun. Reading classical Roman text with obscure words truly made it a fresh and unique experience, and made me feel like a kid reading a picture book. However, don't be fooled! The dead langauge offers only old literature for practice, and that had some historical information and philosophical ideas, all of them which I liked. Overall, my first Latin lecture felt a bit overwhelming. Despite me thinking that Latin would be boring and useless, I realized its links to other languages (as an Indo-European and former-dominant language) and its use in classical text. As the Romans were the most powerful people for a not-so-brief period of time, it is genuinely worth it to be able to learn all these old text by learning its language. I now wonder: would English be dead? Would the future consider English just like Latin today? What if Latin and English were to co-exist or not exist? Despite my endless questioning, I think it's best for me to stop asking questions, and do my weekly homework. Now I have two: This diary, and my Latin homework!

From. A person who isn't an expert in Latin but knows better than 99.9875 percent of the world, since only 1 million in 8 billion of us even remotely knows Latin.

2

Post 1: Python Test Day! 04 03 2023

"Another test day?", I might ask myself. However, this test was far more important and exciting than most others, a test where I had to show my full pontentials and creativity. I was totally wrong on both claims. After a tough 10 weeks of practice, I may have assumed the title 'Best Pythoner', but I needed to take on a real challenge, So I can truly become a coding master. And here I was (or were), right now (or a few hours ago), I sat on the same rusty desk and opened the digital test. First glance, the test was odd. Instead of me writing a program that would show my inner beast, the test was composed of 30 MCQs, and were very dull. I might have to add, that my friend's frightened face showed how learning 2000 SAT words a week didn't help this. But I was kind of ready, and solved most of the questions. However, I was obviously uncertain of a few (30 percent of the questions), especially because this was a one-time-only exam. By the time I was finished, I was still thinking. The time limit was over, and the 30 percent of uncertain questions were gone. I had two things on my mind: I would get at least 70 percent, and what if I get under 70 and fail this test? Thankfully, or shockingly, the results came seconds later. I got a very low score, but I could barely pass. I got 70 out of 100, with a passing score of 70! I doubted the test, and thought I would get disqualified becuase the score was probably a rounded number. Despite my cynical expectations, I got my certificate, and people congratulated me. I got my official certificate, and it was because my score was rounded. And I realized one thing: People like to be lazy (e.g. oversimplify numbers), and they all benefit me. Nonetheless, I happily took the digital certificate and remembered that my coding teacher (who managed to see this whole thing) REQUIRED a score of at least 80 percent would get me to take the higher class. That was his (little early) April Fool's day joke thing. Overall though, I felt never this overwhlmed, surprised, and grateful to my life than this moment.

Simple Version: Another test? Really? Yes. This time, it was for my python (coding) certificate. I have seen the previous "doomed expressions" of my friends, and now it was time for me. I took my laptop, and ready, set, sit down! 30 questions, 70 out of 100 to pass, the test seemed simple. However, the questions were the complete opposite of the ones I've expected. Instead of creativity and wit, it was about MCQ and guessing. I took the enitre 30 minutes and I couldn't finish my test. I had two things on my mind now: "70's a piece of cake, like listening to ABBA music", and "I'm not gonna get 70, just like how Billie Jean's not my lover". To my surprise, (I think) I got a 69.6666.... However, the test gratefully rounded my grade, and I got a 70! I was so shocked, overwhemled, and glad at the same time, and the same was to my new certificate, digitally. I could now stand up and relax at the same time!

3

Introduction: Who is June? (By Peter McGuire, definitely not the pen name of June, I mean it is...)

Unless you were living under a pineapple house (or not from BCC), you'd probably be familiar with June. He seems to show everything he has, wants, and hates, but he might be more mysterious than that. In fact, I have finally managed to collect 10 facts about June that get HARDER to collect and know gradually.

1. June has 2 siblings, both are twins. And by the way,

2. June seems to like everything, and that results in shorter passion-spans.

3. June has a seemingly endless passion for old music, games, and socializing, a nicer way of saying talking endlessly.

4. June takes some words seriously, too seriously sometimes! He subscribed to a newspaper just because of a recommendation, without even thinking about it!

5. June has an expertise in various places, but CODING? He made this website using it!!!

6. June actually is grateful and happy about a lot of stuff: family, money, health, and that golden yacht he owns in his game.

7. June is loyal to all (excluding close friends at times) but is pretty ambitious. Like, he goes to all of these competitions for fun!

8. Contrary to popular belief, June surprisingly has a thick resume, including multiple certificates, volunteering, and I might have to cross this one out.

9. Contrary to popular belief, June is not a Communist, Socialist, Robber (okay it only counts if you rob and don't return it after 10 seconds), nor is a crook.

10. Although June never touched Non-Asian soil, he is still interested too much in American stuff, such as Politics, Music, TV, and everything. Except for guns. He needs more than that.

11. Despite his younger age, June regularly listens to: ABBA, The Beatles, The Bangles, The Monkees, Bonnie Tyler, Culture Club, Rick Astley, Bon Jovi, Cyndie Lauper, Tears for Fears, Toto, Laura Branigan, Berlin, F.R. Davids, Phil Collins, Louis Armstrong, Madonna, Gloria Gaynor, Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton, Air Supply, Lionel Richie, Tina Turner, Chicago, Aqua, Juice Newton, Olivia Newton-John, John Denvers, Neil Diamond, Blondie, Frank Sinatra, Bee Gees, George Michael, Wham!, Roxette, The Carpenters, Elton John, Sandra, A-Ha, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson. Sorry Elvis Prestley, I'm not that old!

The End.

[burningvelvet]

Source: 1) Shelley, M. W. "Frankenstein, Volume II", in The Shelley-Godwin Archive, MS. Abinger c. 57, 9r. Retrieved from http://shelleygodwinarchive.org/sc/oxford/frankenstein/volume/ii/#/p17 2) Shelley, M. W. "Frankenstein, Volume II", in The Shelley-Godwin Archive, MS. Abinger c. 57, 48v. Retrieved from http://shelleygodwinarchive.org/sc/oxford/frankenstein/volume/ii/#/p101

“One of the more challenging aspects of the encoding project which I encountered in my own sections were sketches and flirtatious comments added to the text by Percy and Mary Shelley. For example, in 0013.xml a small bundle of flowers was sketched into the margin of the text. While not directly pertinent to the text–though entertaining and delightful–the sketches deserved to be properly encoded.” — “[..] I encountered an interesting comment by Percy on page 00017.xml of the manuscript. At the end of a passage he added “O you pretty Pecksie!” Clearly not meant to be part of the Frankenstein text [..], it seemed more a flirtatious remark meant for Mary when she read the corrections he had made to the page.” — Clifford Hichar. Source: https://archive.mith.umd.edu/eng738T/team-markup-encoding-frankenstein-for-the-shelley-godwin-archive-2/trackback/index.html

“Pecksie” was one of the many pet names that Mary and Percy had for each other.

“Some critics (and even the presenter in a recent BBC4 documentary) have deemed this ‘patronising’. However, as Nora Crook writes, ‘Whether, however, a young woman who at nineteen could read Tacitus in the original would have felt intimidated by this may be doubted, especially one who called her spouse her ‘Sweet Elf’’.” Source: https://percyandmaryshelley.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/international-womens-day-2017-my-talk-on-mary-shelley/ Nora Crook’s article: Crook, Nora. "Pecksie and the Elf: Did the Shelleys Couple Romantically?" Romanticism on the Net, number 18, may 2000, p. 0–0. https://doi.org/10.7202/005911ar

Percy Shelley doodling while helping his wife edit the draft of her first novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818):

The idea for the story was devised in mid-June 1816. The draft shown here was written between August and December 1816, and it was revised until April 1817. The book was published January 1st 1818 when Mary was 20-years-old. She was only 18 when she conceived the story, as her 19th birthday was on August 30th 1816.

Source: The Shelley-Godwin Archive online