#4/22/24

[shankss-magnificent-ass]

Imagine having deep discussions with the Whitebeard pirates

Ace: Have you ever wondered why the world government opposes people so far away from them, doing what we do?

Marco: [mutters] I wish you would just stop saying odd shit.

Whitebeard: well we're breaking the law, obviously.

You: It's a little deeper than that. It's because what many pirates do, is the same thing the world government does.

Marco: We are not similar in any way.

You: no, think about it, what does the world government do? They lay out a bunch of rules and if you don't follow them, they use violence to force most of the world into following them. And if a nation elects not to join the world government, or can't afford to join, they raid and pillage those islands and take their citizens as slaves.

Izou: On the other hand, if a nation does join the world government, they have to pay heavenly tributes, because if they don't, the Marines will raid and pillage your country. But if they pay the heavenly tributes, the marines will protect their nation from outsiders, like pirates and non-world-government-nations.

Whitebeard: However, on top of paying the heavenly tribute, the average person also pays local and national taxes, so it's a heavy burden for some countries.

Marco: Oh my gods, it's like a protection racket, that common thugs run, just on a massive scale.

Whitebeard: and, like many pirates.

You: they don't like pirates, for the same reason they don't like common thugs, because you all are muscling in on their turf.

Thatch: so most governments are just organized, and socially acceptable, thuggery.

You: Not all, look at Alabasta for instance, King Cobra has a lot of social programs for his people. Food programs and affordable housing for the poor. Medical programs that put a doctor in every village and a bunch of other stuff. The people should receive something back from their government besides 'protection'.

Ace: I know a lot of nations that are in the world government have a large lower class that they exploit labor from and bleed them dry with taxes, tolls, and fines. I can never forget what I saw at the Grey Terminal out of the Goa Kingdom's Great Gate.

Thatch: That's because in "normal society" they value wealth, and look down on and take advantage of people who don't have it. Meanwhile, in pirate culture, we value strength and look down on and take advantage of those who are weaker, like how we raid other crew's ships because we can, and they can't stop us.

Izou: [sighs] That's an oversimplification If I ever heard one.

Thatch: [steps into Izou's space bubble.] You got something to say to me?

Izou: I've been to both world-government nations and non-world-government nations, and I can tell you that they value both strength and wealth. It's just different classes value one over the other. The upper and more privileged class values wealth, and daintiness because they can hire the strong. While the less privileged value strength, because it helps them survive, because they don't have money.

Thatch: I know that, did you forget I grew up poor as shit, mister little daimyo's vassal-boy.

Izou: And I was a wandering beggar minstrel before that, also keep Oden's name out of your mouth.

Thatch: how about you fucking make me?

Marco: [hops between the two men and dramatically claps his hands together like a clapperboard.] Aaand scene, that was a brilliant performance, gentlemen.

Ace: it was almost hard to tell that you two are actually friends.

Thatch: [huffs] Alright, I'll take it back, I'm sorry Izou.

Izou: I'm sorry too

You: you all are too fighty.

Ace: bitch, you're the most stab happy out of all of us.

You: I am not

Whitebeard: Just last night, you stabbed Vista's hand with a fork because he kept reaching over your plate.

You: ... I did do that, but only after asking him to stop three times. Which is more than reasonable, he's a grown-ass adult, and he, and his fuck ass mustache, should know basic table etiquette by now.

Ace: and then you stabbed me for no reason, with the same fork!

You: that was for good measure, just in case you got any ideas!

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[poemsonmars]

she likes to pretend

that her heart is black

and she is too cold for

the warmth that i am offering her,

but i have seen the truth.

i have seen the way

she looks at me when

she thinks i'm not paying attention.

i have seen the stars in her eyes.

i know them by name.

i know how to follow them

by night to lead me home.

she does not fool me.

-mars

[newgodpho]

[conniesmlb]

Bo Bichette hits a bases-clearing triple ~

[maketheworldworse]

[liferooms]

there is... a comfortability between us. it's warm, and it's simple. it's easy, and it's soft. perhaps it is just that we have been friends for so long. perhaps, perhaps. i hope to never lose it, regardless of the reason.

[theswandragon]

Daily Poem 4/22/24

One small Step away, not today, maybe we're not ready But we Know that, one day, we'll be hitting heavy So we Stand tall, for the day, come on just hold steady Soon we'll Step up, seize the day, write your own rules

~Swan

[dearjesirae]

April's Flowers Day 22:

Today I am grateful that I have all that I need to do this new job. I am grateful for the self confidence I have that I no longer feel the need to perform. At work or at home. I asked for dinner and got food. I showed up for work without anxiety. I have a workspace and access to the sunlight and warmth of the outdoors.

Today I am grateful for the reminders to rest. I twisted my ankle. It aches. I don't need to push myself into fitness or other forms of work. I can sell my time and rest my body AND STILL HAVE ACCESS TO ABUNDANCE! This is the truth of my life and my sore ankle is proof of this.

Today I am grateful that the month is almost over. I would really like to drink a cold beer.

Today I am grateful for my cousin cliff. He gets me and I hope our relationship continues to grow.

Today I am grateful for the power of my mind and the potency of my words.

I affirm:

I am home. I have a home.

I am resourced. I have access to abundant resources

I am loved. I am experiencing divine love.

It is safe to be seen.

Day 22 of living in my SUCCESS! (full sobriety)

[lonely-journal-keeper]

today has been so stressful i had an interview and a presentation and my heartrate is still raised. on the plus side the cream ive been using to treat the yeast infection on my skin seems to be working

[wizarddogs]

Salad Balls

Salad in a ball.

Paper sketch:

Drawn: January 26th, 2024

[dotted-clouds]

Replaced.

[poemsonmars]

i don't want to

want her anymore.

i am tired of

breaking my own heart.

i spend all of my days

wishing she was mine

and all of my nights

hoping she never finds out.

i guess this is my curse;

unrequited love,

unreciprocated desire.

it consumes me whole.

it always has.

i am nothing if not a fool.

-mars

[nonetoon]

Caught-on-Tober Week 4: The Candy Bowl 🍭 🍬 ✨

22. Lollipop / 23. Kettle Corn / 24. Sour Candy / 25. Your Favorite / 26. Caramel Apple / 27. Candy Corn / 28. Empty Wrappers

[jtl-fics]

TBD please 🙏

11/20/24 WIP Wednesday (Closed) | TBD AU

Andrew looks over at Neil who was heckling Robert on the TV as he cried in Russian while Smith, Matthew, and Jackson all laughed through telling their children kept looking to Smith for a translation that he kept shaking his head in the negative about. It probably wouldn’t be here. He’d probably be home, looking forward to the next day where he and Neil would be heading out to do something as friends.

He wouldn’t have Neil’s hand in his like this.

He wouldn’t be smelling dinner slowly stewing in the kitchen and he wouldn’t be looking forward to a Portuguese egg tart that Matthew had wanted to try out. 

He might be at his brother’s home. He closes his eyes and pushes the thought of Aaron out of his mind for now. He’ll deal with Aaron later.

[liferooms]

one day, we will have to talk about this. about whatever is brewing, about whatever you're making me feel. about how much i enjoy your company, your time, you. but... i feel so anxious, i feel so selfish. i hope it isn't one day soon. maybe it's assuming too much, like you could feel the same. you could want... as i do. what i do. maybe... i don't know. i hope it's just an assumption. i hope it all stays hidden for longer.

[viv-annelore]