#Enlighten Cleanser

[v-0w0-v]

i had the most interesting cinematic experience today

[communistkenobi]

something I’ve been thinking about is like, the internet is this magical system of technologies, never before seen in human history, and one of its capabilities is to answer virtually any question you ask of it. Which is not even remotely a novel observation obviously lol. But I’m thinking about this in the context of a point that Adorno & Horkheimer made (in The Culture Industry I think?) about the radio: that to expedience the radio, to live in a social context where there is this vast incomprehensible system of technological infrastructure that you do not understand or control, and which allows you, a mere peasant, to listen to news broadcasts, music, and advertisements, is effectively like listening to the voice of god. Like the average person’s relationship to modern telecommunications is so mystifying, incomprehensible, and abstract that we experience technologies like the radio as an all-powerful, indestructible authority, and this (obviously) shapes our relationship to the information that is shared through it. People make jokes on here about how transmission towers are angels, but like tbh that is essentially how we experience them - vast, incomprehensible, highly dangerous objects whose impact on our lives are at once all-consuming and unknowable. We do not just turn on the radio and listen to the news, we tune into what the voice of god has to say today - right now he’s selling toilet cleanser!

and all that to say, I always find something a bit incomplete about discussions about wilful ignorance online - that we live in an age of mass information and yet people still seem as ignorant as feudal peasants, or whatever. Nobody googles things, nobody tries to branch out and experience new kinds of art, nobody educates themselves on important topics they don’t understand. and like this frustration is very real and well taken, I feel it frequently, but what I’m grappling with is whether this is the correct framing - that maybe “why don’t people just google things” is the wrong question to ask, because I tend to find the explanations offered unsatisfactory. Like specifically I’m thinking of discussions on here that are about like, “anti-intellectualism”, kids these days are so ignorant even though they grew up with the internet, reading comprehension is piss poor, and so on. Recently I’ve seen a lot of weirdly moral-panicky posts about children not knowing how to type on computers because back in my day we were forced to learn how to touch-type by age 8 even though we couldn’t look up any tutorials on YouTube to help us, etc etc. And like I just do not buy that people are individually choosing to be ignorant, that people are “getting dumber,” and that this state of getting dumber is inversely related to the amount of information we have access to (which makes “getting dumber” even more dumb). An unstated assumption that goes into a lot of these “anti-intellectualism” discussions is that “information” is this universal object that has a standardised enlightening effect on the people who interact with it - that the only reason to have an ignorant, sheltered, or ill-formed opinion on something is because you have individually chosen not to Look At Information that will cure you of your ignorance. And so going back to the god radio thing, having regular access to the google search bar is not just having access to an encyclopaedia or dictionary - it is like having a direct line of communication to god, this authority that can answer any question you ask of it. But it’s not just one answer, it’s many answers, more answers than you could ever possibly read through. Google reports the number of hits it returns for whatever you type in - you will regularly get millions of answers to your question. And these answers are embedded with advertisements, just as radio news broadcasts are. Like if god is selling you toilet cleanser while telling you the number for a suicide hotline or news about what’s happening in the world, how do you psychologically deal with that, how is your relationship to capital-I Information shaped by this relationship?

The corollary to “we live in an age of mass information” is “we live in an age of mass misinformation,” but they both show up as answers on google (again, not a novel observation). but in the face of that how do you not simply stop asking questions? & of course this decision to stop asking questions is given form and substance by social circumstance, it reinforces systemic privileges and violences, and so this decision is not one free from consequence, and in many cases it is not an innocent decision. a white person deciding not to read the news because it’s too hard to figure out what is happening/too frightening/etc has the consequence of reinforcing the white supremacist outlook that is foundational to the social context of white people because they’re not reading anything that challenges that outlook. ignorance has many social contexts and many of them are violent. etc. like the consequence of “why does nobody google anything” is just a continuation of the status quo, just with this supposedly glaring and easy fix to it (simply google it). but that just leads us back to a discourse of individual choice, of people individually choosing not to “google shit.” it is a deeply individual fix to a systematic social problem. and so maybe the question is not, why doesn’t anyone google shit, but rather, why is the primary delivery system of knowledge a god that sells you toilet cleanser 

[whorediaries-09]

oneshot in which reader is drunk and desperate for sex but james feels like she'd give her consent drunkenly so it wouldn't be proper consent, but she's begging, and he eats her out and she's babbling out thank you's

hi love, thank you for sending in the request. i quite literally am in love with it.

meddle about;

pairing- fdad!james potter x reader warning(s)- age gap (nothing borderline illegal), 18+ content, mention of alcohol. (let me know if i should add more) a/n- might make a part two if ya'll want to.

ps- okay so for better understanding, reader is harry's friend and is as the same age as oliver wood.

the slut club early winter event

'cause it's not just a figure of speech you got me down on my knees

you're warm. you don't know whether it's because of the alcohol stimulating every inch within you, or because you can feel your friend's dad's toned thighs underneath yours. either ways, it's a nice feeling that fills you up. to be on a motorbike, your shoulders clad in a sweater that isn't yours, riding under the stars under the lucent light of the streetlights. it's blinding you think, how your heart beats with how tightly pressed you are against his back.

it wasn't supposed to be him picking you up. you had called harry, and somehow his dad was there, a few moments later. you were drunk, and similarity of their features had fogged you for a few moments. you'd successfully stopped yourself from hugging him like he was your best friend. he'd smiled at your dumb found expression, before his eyes raked over your figure, the skimpy dress upon your body. mid november, you stood, your arms wrapped tightly around yourself. he took of his sweater and made you wear it.

you remember yourself asking what he was doing with sirius' motorbike. you remember his grin while he elaborated his explanations, slowly so you could catch up,

'i'm learning how to ride one. and besides my car is at the mechanics. the broom wouldn't exactly be okay if i just carried it to a muggle bar, and well disapparating is really complicated when one is drunk.'

so that's how you ended up here, on the warm couch of james potter, exhaustion dripping of your body.

'hi,' you blink, as he appears with a bunch of things on a tray. he offers you a subtle smile, setting the tray on the coffee table. his hands cup your cheeks, while he makes sure you're watching him, and your subconscious is with the moment.

'hey, dove. i'll wipe your makeup off okay?' he asks, the question tearing off softly from his lips. you stare at his lips longer than you intended to, longer than it was appropriate,

'yeah, yeah,' you nod. his hands work with the packet of wipes, slowly rubbing the cleanser soaked sheet over your face, wiping off your unsettled makeup.

your mind swirls south. his hot breath is fanning over your face, hand holding your face in place while his tongue prods out from between his lips. you inch closer to him, your knees touching with his. you feel the edge of his nose almost touch yours and you shudder. it's a weird feeling of warmth that pools in your stomach when you think how his lips would taste against yours. you wonder how his strong hands would grip you, while he'd rut his cock into you. you wonder how his voice would sound while he'd whisper sensual words in your ears.

with utmost adoration, you look into his hazel eyes. the moonlight beams through the window, enlightening the softness of his eyes. you feel his breath hitch as you move closer to his face, tilting your neck. he gulps, his heart beating against his throat.

'we shouldn't do this...' he whispers. but he doesn't let go of your face.

'but i want to. i need you mr. potter, so bad,'

your world collapses. his lips entangle with yours, as he pulls you closer to his body. he ravages your mouth with his tongue, exploring every bit there is left untouched. he sucks on your teeth, bits on your lip, and caresses your body as if he's got it memorized, as if he's got you written across his mind. he kisses you as if you'd flee if he left you. he devours with his passion, consuming you whole.

you think he might kiss you till you're lips are blue. he tastes of cinnamon and oranges. you're breathless by the time he leaves you, with a little shake. he grunts, trying to scoot away from you, but the beauty of your swollen lips and disgruntled sighs leaving your mouth leaves him mesmerized.

'fuck,' he says. you raise an eyebrow, moving towards him. he stands up.

'what's wrong?'

'no...i don't think we should do this-this is wrong-'

'i need you, please, please have me,' you beg. he's standing against the wall, your hands wrapped around him, pushing him towards the wall behind him.

'no no, you're drunk,' he says. you bite your lip,

'i maybe drunk, but i want you. i wanted you sober, i want you drunk,' you insist. he looks down upon you, contemplating your words. your fingers reek over his chest, trailing up to his neck. your finger entangle with his curls, and you bring his face down.

'feel my cunt, it's so wet, just for you,' you mumble against his lips. his breath shudders. he takes a deep breath, inhaling in you. his hands arm around your hips, wrapping your legs aground his hips. he dives into your mouth, pushing away things strewn across the hall, taking you to his bedroom. his hand fumbles with the door, as he locks it.

he pushes you on his bed, his hands not fast enough to get rid of the dress you're wearing.

*****

it's maddening, the pace his tongue works on your clit. you're over the edge of the bed, your legs spread apart, his face buried into your pussy. filthy moans leave your mouth, as his tongue dives into your cunt, devouring you better than your wildest dreams could ever. you'd dreamt about his face buried between your thighs, while he ate you out and made you scream till your throat was raw.

'ple-please,' you beg, rutting your hips into his mouth. you feel him smile against you, the frame of his metal glasses cold against your hot skin. his finger circles over your clit,

'you taste so good sweetheart,' he croons. you numbly nod your head, fondling with your breasts.

'thank you,'

he shoves his finger inside your sopping cunt, diving his mouth between your legs again. he licks a stripe up your slit, curling his finger inside you as he sucks upon your sensitive bud. he swirls his tongue, spitting on your cunt, rhythmically moving his fingers. your breathing rate increases, stomach rising and falling as you feel the coil of orgasm build within your guts. your hand reaches his head full of curls, pushing his face closer to your dripping cunt. your thighs wrap around his head, and you scream.

'fuc-fuck i'm so close,'

he hums, the vibration sending chills down your spine. he increases the pace of his fingers, feeling your walls clench around him.

'oh fuck, fuck, thank you, thank you-' you slur, as your toes curl, and eyes roll backwards. your hips rise, and he growls,

'god cum on my tongue,'

you vigorously nod your head, moving your cunt against his splayed out tongue, letting your orgasm grip you. you release your juices on his tongue, and he devours you, lapping up every inch of your juices on his tongue.

'thank you, thank you, fuck, thank you,' you babble, mindlessly.

he stands up, his cock erect and huge in all its glory. he holds you by your neck, making you sit on your knees, the fabric of the carpet digging into your skin.

'now you're gonna return the favor won't you, love?' he whispers.

[snackugaki]

.... i have been so normal about wanting to draw tactical!Venus and tactical!Jennika.

hey. HEY. y’all need to go check out @donathan ‘s artwork, and if you are the proper age, go throw some money into their patreon for some... some real, real good art. 👀👀👀 ...but do not if you are a minor, that shit ain’t for you.

some IDW TMNT comic spoilers... and.... I guess... Next Mutation ssspoilers? I know some of you kids haven’t turtled up and watched my beloved childhood iteration yet.

alright, so, y’know, completely normal expenditure of my energy and skillset, amirite? big big thanks to @/donathan for allowing me to play around in their AU’s aesthetic because I have severe, terminal VenusAndJennikaDeserveEverythingoccocal SoIWillManifestItMyselfitis.

and tbh, all y’all’s fics have been, mwah, chef’s kiss. but SOME of you put LORE. delicious, tasty, appetite-inducing lore.

and i am nothing but the littlest hoebag for lore.

okay so, quick rundown for those who both A) are immune to spoilers B) also do not know Venus or Jennika’s origins-- bulletpoint time~!

So Venus de Milo, the “girl turtle”, the “fifth turtle” (not counting April’s extremely brief stint as a white-bandana’d turtle in the Archie comics run) was introduced in 1997′s Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation

An episode of “The Toys That Made Us” touched upon Venus’ creation so idk it’ll cover what I won’t deign to acknowledge.

her backtory is interesting (just her show was a trashfire /affectionate)

Master Splinter’s frolicking around in the dreamscape where all the cool enlightened old people hang out away from teenagers, right?

but oh no! dragon lord, a bad dude with a widow’s peak to rival Vegeta Dragonball’s widow’s peak; is there too! stomping around, ruining shit!

Splinter’s dreamscape buddy Chung I warns Splinter to stay out of the dreamscape ‘cuz Dragon Lord’s around

And like in true old people fashion, just ignores his friend’s admonition and tries to investigate himself

bad choice, womp womp

Splinter gets trussed up and rendered “stuck” in the dreamscape

cue the catalyst for Venus to make the 10+ flight from China to the U.S

don’t worry about what the boys were doing, just literal surfing in sewer grey water, breaking their little turtle skulls on cinderblocks, and picking fights in warehouses with Foot clan goons

tl;dr Venus still has Sixth Ranger mode on, so naturally she whoops all of their asses in the dark, ties them up (like how some of y’all enjoy writing Leo does huhu nudgenudge winkwink)

venusistheoriginalshibarienthusiastandteadrinkerfightme

and then, y’know, it’s still the 90s and children’s television so blah blah the usual “oH My gOd a GiRL tURTle???/?? AWoooOOogaaa ga ga ga” 

it’s.... I mean, i’m 38 so it no longer strikes me as bad as just really fucking embarrassing... for them. to be written saying. fuck, at least they didn’t make her bandana color pink.

so fast forward to Venus teaching them to dreamwalk so they can go rescue Splinter from Dragon Lord’s clutches in the dreamscape.

unfortunately, Dragon Lord offscreen murders Chung I so Venus is narratively anchorless post-rescue, so she’s invited to stay with them. thus ensues wacky hijinks with their new pal, Venus Boom Boom de Milo.

I glossed over the urge to write a cumulative review of Next Mutation. Just, take my word as the target demographic of the show during the last gasps of 90s Turtlemania that TNM was a trashfire overall but... y’know... if you ever needed a palette cleanser after some grimdark or angsty TMNT content, give TNM a whirl. The slapstick was intentional and The Point in the show. Venus’ circumstances for coming was as serious as it would get.

... Also, yes, they made them not related in TNM, preteen snackugaki didn’t clock why because I watched a lot of wuxia as a kid so brotherhood is a term beyond blood ties to me (and if I’m being honest, martial brotherhood is fkkn metal) and later I heard tell that it was to lure more girls into the franchise with both a girl turtle and romance options. which idk whatevs man. 

I also have to clear that, actually no, Donatello and Venus did not fight EVERY episode. Donatello, despite sprinkling a little too much barely disguised snobbery, did defer to Venus’ expertise in “the supernatural” when the situation called for it, and Venus would commend Donnie on his scientific ingenuity. They even teamed up skillsets to create surveillance drones! She essentially casted Calm Emotions on him while he tried to hack the controls of the Astro Megaship back for the In Space Rangers. They breached the divide between STEM and Humanities! They only had one “real fight" near the end of the season-- because Donnie was playing his containment breach elevator mid trash copyright strike immune proto-EDM too loud while she was trying to meditate. and that’s just being bad roommates tbh.

...christ I know it’s gonna come up too, but also NO, there was not constant advances made toward Venus during the show. At most was Mikey pulling his ol’ “I work out every day~!” schtick for like 2 episodes of the 5 spent to introduce Venus. And then after? A shipper’s desert, you’d have to dig and peer behind like 8 curtains for any viable fodder. 

...OKAY NOW FOR JENNIKA’S ORIGINS: Jennika is an IDW character specifically so, naturally why she isn’t in (or would’ve been, AHEM) a lot of iterations yet (or at all, COUGH) (but to continue in honesty there’s a lot of legal tape to cut through since Jennika is IDW’s while TMNT overall is Nick’s) Introduced as a Foot Assassin, her place in the Foot Clan shifts when Splinter takes over from Shredder (Saki), eventually she forms actual bonds with both the turtles and Splinter to where it’s implied she also saw him as an important figure to her if not an outright surrogate father figure. And because TMNT is mess and drama the other 50% of the time, Karai takes over the Foot from Splinter and shenanigans compounded by Karai’s then-current machinations for the Foot-- results in Jennika getting shanked in the stomach by Karai during a clandestine meeting to resolve clan rivalry. She’s losing blood fast, Donnie works to save her and it’s Leo who volunteers for blood transfusion to keep her stable mid-transit. 

SURPRISE!

Leo’s blood mutates Jennika into a mutant turtle. And then Casey ghosts/dumps her. My poor daughter. She has a real rough time of it before fully integrating with the boys. Raph falls in with Old Hob, gets hoodwinked, and now they live in Mutant Town. Jennika slowly finds herself again, as a mutant turtle, a Splinter clan ninja, a girlfriend, a guitarist in a band she started, a sister in a found family, and a constable to a very little town.

okay! we’re all marginally informed about my two wonderfull daughters, Venus and Jennika~!

so if I can indulge further, I’m going to use my cognizance and make it everyone’s problem because I have beem quietly foaming with ideas for bg lore for tactical!J&V, more bullet points!

ok so, donathan mentioned a bit about their tac! Leo and Donnie being the snipers, Mikey and Raph spotting for them while also being demolitions and heavy ordinance specialists respectively

I would think, then for Vee and Jen, they’d be classified as close quarters combat specialists, complicated extraction? compromised area? call them to clean up and clear out~

give or take “magic” being a thing used in donathan’s AU, or anyone’s AU of this AU, Vee would probably be a close combat specialist along with Jen.

Vee, I feel, would, barring a ...”tactical fan”, (even though in TNM it was just her fists and her little wizard components but her toy came with a fan so.) probably use batons, Jen in lieu of her tekagi-shuko would... most likely use tactical karambit. not that large of a leap really.

for my personal lulz, Vee and Jen are... accurate, height-wise. Raph gets to be the biggest brother since alligator snapping turtles are, in fact, the largest motherfucking freshwater turtles on the north american continent. no getting around it.

my Vee in all Rise AUs is a softshell since the messy hanzi used to write her first given name, Mei Pieh Chi (美鱉气) has the hanzi that’s most commonly translated as softshell turtle (鱉). eh ‘di wow talaga

snacku what do you mean ‘accurate’???? tl;dr female turtles are usually the larger ones in most species.

and listen, I love and I mean LOVE, how some of y’all have written the tac!boys, mwah; but god I’m a professional turtle bully. I need to see them get dunked on. for nutritional value. and if it comes to it, I will provide that food for myself. brb laughing at eventually drawing Venus just offhandedly tossing Donnie into the air to skeet shoot his ass for fun brings me the greatest joy.

they absolutely dote on Mikey, as is the natural order of things. 

and even tho I stated TNM Donnie and Venus got along in the show, and depending on the existence of magic in this AU; I just really love dichotomous rivalries (in as much “science” and “magic” exist as a dichotomy, much less as “diametrically oppose” fields-- just, opposites man. i’m a simple girl with simple trope needs)

Vee’s arms (and legs) are absolutely covered in burns, scars, and missing flesh divots, just as close to swiss cheese limbs as you can be

Jen and Donnie debate tracks that go into their joint “On Our Way To Commit Murder” playlist

if Vee’s tactical look seem very familiar, and you’re wondering if-- yes, you’re correct. and you can “call her ms. de milo if ya nasty”

Vee was actually pretty calm and rational in TNM... but for this AU, she can be a little unhinged, as a well-deserved treat. (and ‘cuz that specific anime unhinged facial expression is fun as fuck to draw, which is my treat)

[henryspearl]

thank you @thesleepyskipper and @softboynick for the tag✨ i finally finished chapter 3 of my @aroyallybigbangrwrb fic, so here’s another snippet as a palette cleanser…

“And what about us?” Alex suddenly starts to feel nervous, vulnerable. He reaches down and plays aimlessly with Henry’s fingers, where his hand sits loosely on the side of his thigh as a mechanism to distract himself. “Are we a one time thing? It is just that you made future references when you…you know.”

Henry smiles, entangling his fingers with Alex’s. “We are not a one time thing. I very much would like to do this again and explore us behind closed doors if it is quite alright with you.”

Alex grins from ear to ear. For the first time during this social season, he feels like his heart has enlightened with something tantalising, divulging, exciting. “That is quite alright with me. But what about-”

“Bea,” Henry cuts in with a gracious smile. “You may speak with her yourself but please be rest assured that she already knows I had my eyes on you. My dear sister can see right through me at the most irritating of times. Bea will still be admirable to other suitors, that shall not change whether she is courting you or not. So we can continue this front, but behind closed doors,” Henry shifts his face closer to Alex’s, his lips hovering over his, “You’re mine.”

Henry lightly nips at Alex’s bottom lip, a shocked gasp escaping Alex’s lips before he finds himself kissing Henry, their lips sinking into each other’s for a few stolen moments before they pull away.

“I must say I am glad about that,” Alex says, running his hand through the back of Henry’s hair. “Especially given your performance between my legs, I think I would quite like to see you with a pearl necklace at some point.”

tagging: @theprinceandagcd @myheartalivewrites @iboatedhere @babygirlgalitzine @fullsunsets @jmagnabo92 @anincompletelist @lizzie-bennetdarcy + open tag

ps: if you want to be added to the tag list, let me know!

[sketching-shark]

Youve talked a lot about why you admire jttw's redemption arcs for acknowledging how fucked up everyone was beforehand but i just wanna show some appreciation for how everyone still retains parts of themselves that could be considered flaws in other narratives. like when SWK becomes a buddha, he's not a pacifist, he's the *fighting* buddha. and zbj celebrates gluttony and indulgence yet when he attains enlightenment his role still celebrates that as an altar-cleanser :>

Oh you are so genuinely big-brained for this anon.

YEAH YEAH YEAH when it comes to everyone's favorite ex-assholes' attainment of enlightenment and what this could mean for any potential Xiyouji sequels, there is just so many interesting possibilities and implications you can work with when it comes to the pilgrims' post-journey lives! I know they only get their new positions at the very end of Journey to the West--and given the assumedly "great"final" ending that is achieving enlightenment this is probably why a lot of jttw-related media taking place in the future either re-writes jttw in some major ways and/or has it that the pilgrims failed in their mission and/or became basically the complete opposite of who they once were--but as you say there's something really compelling in the idea that they were successful AND retained their core characteristics BUT with all the maturity and desire to do genuine good that they developed over the course of the journey and solidified with enlightenment. I think that's at least why a few people playing around with jttw sequels have the pilgrims' be more like boddhisatvas than buddhas, as from what I understand this means that they DID attain enlightement but have put off entering paradise in order to more actively help others achieve the same. I feel like that makes a lot of sense for the pilgrims too, as they all experienced the wide gamut of pain and desires that can drive a person down the paths of samsara, which could end up providing a strong foundation for compassion for others. Plus there is something very cool with the idea that the same traits--even ones like a willingness to violence, gluttony, etc--can be beneficial or detrimental depending on how they manifest. That really drives home the idea of just how much there's no such thing as a "naturally" wicked individual, but that so much of one's moral character depends on what one actually DOES.

So (just to put it down) with the pilgrims you have:

Sun Wukong as the Victorious Figthing Buddha/Buddha Victorious in Strife, whose role is now that of a great exorcist and a protector of children. Interestingly too this title also suggests his prowess in defeating the emotions that drive negative actions as well as his victory over cyclic existence, something that we definitely see him achieve for himself!

Tang Sanzang is the Buddha of Candana (Sandalwood) Merit, a figure that others call upon to help absolve them of sin and a title that seems to be attached to the idea that the fragrance of sandalwood can help cool the passions of sentient beings and help them settle their minds (i.e. the very reason Xuanzang wanted to undertake the journey in the first place & something that Tripitaka is seen as having a lot of practice with given who his tudi are!)

Zhu Bajie becomes Janitor of the Altars, which is a role indicating that he actually did NOT in the end achieve enlightenment because he is still beholden to his base desires, but that he will now be able to put his appetite to work in a beneficial way. Interestingly enough, it seems to have been partly because of his lowest rank among the pilgrims at the end that Zhu Bajie has recently been adopted as a patron deity for sex workers in Taiwan, as many of them feel that other more "legitimate" deities would but look down on them.

Sha Wujing becomes the Golden-Bodied Ahrat. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find much information on what exactly this role suggests besides that ahrats are perfected people who have freed themselves from the bonds of desire and therefore will not be reborn, so if anyone has more information please let me know!

Bai Longma is made one of the dragons belonging to the Eight Classes of Supernatural Beings, who from what I understand are an interesting mix of entities, from demons to nagas, who all work as Buddhist protectors. For me at least it's kind of neat to think of the possibilities of everyone's favorite dragon horse, after he seems to have been so thoroughly rejected by his own family, found a bigger one both in the pilgrims and then with these other supernaturals.

[sasquapossum]

I've discovered a lot of covers of Zombie, by The Cranberries, lately. Some of them have been around for a while but somehow I haven't seen them, while others are genuinely new. Here's the original, to get us started.

This is an extremely powerful song, and I have equally strong opinions about it. If you know anything about Dolores O'Riordan and The Cranberries, or have watched the video, you'll know it's about the Troubles in Ireland. I feel it's critically important for any cover to respect that, both for the sake of Dolores who is now gone and for the sake of Irish people generally. The vocals are meant to express both great sadness and great anger. For that reason I will not be linking to the Miley Cyrus or Halocene covers, because I feel that their performance in an emotionally bland style fails to show that respect.

One particular aspect of Dolores's singing is that at many points she's keening (from Gaelic caoineadh meaning to cry or weep). As the most amazing Elizabeth (Charismatic Voice on YouTube) explains in her reaction video, this involves deliberate crossing from upper CT-dominant to lower TA-dominant registers, over and over again. It's a powerful expression, as you'll see.

The best known cover, by a long shot AFAICT, is by Bad Wolves.

Tommy Vext has a rich, deep voice, so he doesn't do keening. In fact he kind of goes in the opposite direction with an impressively smooth delivery, but he expresses that intensity in many other ways. Again, Elizabeth enlightens with another reaction video. There's also a personal connection to Dolores here (mentioned in the video itself) and a few lyrics changes which I'm sure she must have approved. The first call-back to the original video (at about 1:30) broke me so badly I had to stop and compose myself for a full minute. Very powerful.

Next up is Dan Vasc. I love Dan. Unfortunately, I don't have much to say about his version, except that he delivers this with his customary excellence. Also, this is explicitly a cover of the Bad Wolves version, which makes it third generation and I think that's kind of cool.

Next up is another favorite: Colm McGuiness. This one hits hardest of all IMO. Of all the male singers, Colm comes closest to keening, and his intensity in other sections is something to behold. I hope he had a nice cup of lemon-ginger tea after doing that to his vocal chords. It's hard to believe anyone could go darker and heavier than Dan, or break me worse than the Bad Wolves version, but ... well, just listen.

Shifting gears just a little, but still on the rock/metal side, we have Rock Orchestra. IMO this is the best arrangement of a cover, using all the sounds of an orchestra to great effect. I love the woodwinds, I love the strings, I love the brass, I even love the xylophone. Julian Hinton did a masterful job on that. Erin Fox also does a great job, coming closest to Dolores's sound in the first two thirds and adding some of her own completely appropriate stylings in the last part.

Now for a complete change of pace - sort of a "palate cleanser" if you will. Systir is another one of my favorites. This is an acoustic version, with Lauren McGlynn delivering a shoegaze-y performance that leans much more into sadness than anger. That might seem at odds with the original's intent, but it really does work IMO. One of the things about a great cover is that it can go in its own direction while still remaining connected to the original. As an Irish group, I'm sure everyone involved here understood the importance of respecting the original song and its subject matter, and they thoroughly did those justice. This one might haunt me the most.

There are many more, some of them very good in their own ways. Unfortunately, I need to stop short of turning this into a whole dissertation and - as you can see - the competition for what to include is very intense. I hope you've all discovered some new artists, and maybe learned a little bit as well. Thanks to all of these wonderful artists (and one commentator) for honoring Dolores, and of course the people she was singing about as well.

[madcatacres]

wrote up a rambling thread on xitter and mastodon about a reread of marshall brain's story manna, and picked out several more highly specific reasons the thing never convinces me the second society type is a utopia or workable or not sheer horror. he's probably a decent bloke, maybe, but that's a weird one. i wonder if the cryptid factor fellas are into his ideas about dealing with ai displacement of human relevance and needs. i might still read some of his nonfiction but not if he's one of those singularatists. It does make me want to reread Stross's Glasshouse, Leiber's It Came from Cleveland Depths, and a few other things.

I am not taking a break from ofmd works today, in fact i read a couple of au updates (the end chapter of Matching Frequencies, which i have definitely very much enjoyed, and I'm still mid new chapter of something a bit weirder where they're Leviathan and a novice monk) when i got the emails and frankly needed the palate cleanser. I'll reread the update from last night of Fyre's A Little Restraint if I still feel uneasy later, it's so wholesome. Also some more Jason Pargin's* last Zoey installment (fka David Wong of John Dies At The End and sequels) and a few chapters of king's Salem's Lot before supper, maybe watch TCF 99 video on the patreon and then a not too scary Halloweenish movie after.

Should carve in some outside time (had the windows open for hours, it's nice) but i'm staying off my gimpy foot a bit today, although a doctor visit yesterday was enlightening and somewhat helpful and i'm going to schedule PT to try to get myself back to fully ambulatory on a daily basis. it has ranged from pinchy to downright agonizing (really) for months now so that may sound optimistic but enh. bodies are fucking weird but i am made out of meat etc. There are some deformities and things but with orthotics and exercise and pacing myself, hopefully just the general progress of arthritis to anticipate. Whee. :/ Definitely moving back somewhere with adequate buses or else getting the "turn me into an ATV centaur" mod. (joking.) One of the biggest hurdles, by the way, has been that having official authorities confirm I am dysfunctional convinced my psycho mother that I'm not Faking It.

[lingshanhermit]

Lingshan Hermit: Jumping Between the Absolute and the Relative

In 2014, I was at Dzongsar Monastery. One afternoon, the Rinpoche suddenly appeared in the hallway of the reception area without warning. At that time, the monastery was holding a month-long empowerment ceremony, and the reception area was full of people seeking teachings. When the Rinpoche appeared, some were practicing, some were reading, and others were sleeping. But upon seeing the Rinpoche's grand arrival, everyone hurried to get up and greet him. Oddly, one person remained lying in bed until the Rinpoche reached his doorway, with his feet pointing towards the Rinpoche. He wasn't asleep and unaware; he was playing with his phone, for which he was reprimanded by an attendant.

Later, when I mentioned this incident during a teaching, a new student said, "Isn't the Rinpoche a great accomplished master who shouldn't care about such things?" Of course, he doesn't care. He's a saint dwelling in the state of the Great Perfection of luminosity. Whether you stand up or not, his mind won't be affected at all. He won't get angry or upset if you don't stand up. Your not standing up doesn't harm him in any way. But this doesn't mean you shouldn't stand up. Nor does it mean that your lack of manners is correct. As a disciple, you should have the etiquette and decorum of a disciple. When the teacher appears, you should stand up and greet him. This is basic courtesy and protocol. The state of an enlightened being is the state of an enlightened being. Whether they care or not has nothing to do with what you should or shouldn't do. Their not caring doesn't mean you can forgo doing it. Moreover, even among enlightened saints, they pay great attention to various etiquette details between themselves. They don't omit various courtesies just because they think the other "probably doesn't care." If this argument held, then all protocols could be omitted. You wouldn't need to prostrate to him, send him holiday greetings, give him an Italian electric kettle, make offerings to him, or even use respectful language. For enlightened saints, sitting on the floor is no different from sitting on a gilded throne, so why not let him sit on the floor when he visits your home? If you've visited monasteries in Tibet, you'll know that the thrones in the main hall have different heights and positions. During ceremonies, different people sit in different positions based on their seniority and practice. No one stands up and says, "Aren't we all equal?"

I've seen many people who are keen on jumping between the absolute and the relative. When they hurt others, they advise others not to be attached. When others point out problems with their behavior, they express shock: "You actually care about such things? Can such things really make you unhappy?" At these times, they act like great accomplished masters, making you feel like you're overreacting, making you feel that getting angry is your fault, making you feel as inferior as ordinary people, making you feel that although they've taken advantage of you and hurt you, you shouldn't be petty—because as a practitioner, you shouldn't be petty or get worked up over small matters. But if your roles were reversed, if next time they were the ones being hurt, they would immediately switch to the relative mode. At this point, their absolute view and broad-mindedness would all disappear, and they would accuse you and nitpick like ordinary people. I'm really ashamed of such people. I hope none of us will be like this.

So, as a disciple, there are many things you should do. You should send holiday greetings to your teacher, buy him birthday cakes, give him nice phone cases and facial cleansers, and if he visits your home, you should prepare the best tea and snacks. Don't deceive yourself by saying he probably doesn't care about these worldly rules and courtesies, or that he has transcended concepts of good and bad, beautiful and ugly, more or less, and won't be excited by these things. That's just your self-deceptive excuse. Of course, you have the freedom to choose, and I absolutely don't mean to force you. Whether you do these things or not has no impact on him, but it will have a big impact on your future.

Written by Lingshan Hermit on October 13, 2024.

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灵山居士：在究竟和相对之间横跳

2014年的时候，我在宗萨寺。有一天午后，上师仁波切忽然无预兆地出现在接待处的楼道里，当时寺里正在举行为期一个月的灌顶法会，接待处住的全都是来求法的人。上师出现的时候，有的人在修法，有的人在看书，还有人在睡觉。但是看到上师大驾光临，每个人都赶忙爬起来问候上师，奇葩的是有个人一直到上师走到自己门口的时候还躺在床上，用脚对着上师，他并不是睡着了不知道，他是在玩手机，他因此而被侍者呵斥。

后来我在某次讲法时说到这件事，有个刚来的学生说上师是大成就者所以应该不会在乎这些吧？他当然不在乎，他是安住在光明大圆满境界的圣者，你起不起身他的心都不会有任何的波动，他不会因为你不起身就生气起嗔心。你不起身对他也没有任何伤害。但这不表示你就可以不起身。也不表示你没有礼貌是对的。你是弟子，那就应该有弟子的礼仪和规矩，当上师出现的时候你就应该起身问候。这是起码的礼节和规矩。证悟者的境界是证悟者的境界，他在乎不在乎和你该做什么不该做什么完全无关。他不在乎，不表示你可以不做。而且即便是证悟的圣者，他们互相之间也非常注重各种礼仪细节。他们没有因为觉得对方“应该不在乎吧”就省去各种礼节。如果这��说法成立的话，那么所有的规矩都可以被省略。你不用向他礼拜，不用给他发节日祝福，不用送他意大利电热水壶，不用供养他，你甚至连敬语都可以省下来。对证悟的圣者而言，坐在地板上和坐在鎏金的法座上并无差别，那他来你家做客的时候你何不让他坐在地板上呢？如果你参观过藏地的寺庙就知道，大殿里的法座是有高矮前后之分的，开法会的时候，不同的人根据不同的资历不同的修行坐的是不同的位置。没有人会站出来说：我们不是平等的吗？

我见过的很多人，他们热衷于在究竟和相对之间横跳。当他们伤害到别人的时候，他们会劝喻别人不要执著。当别人表示他做事情有问题的时候，他们会很震惊地表示：“你居然还在乎这样的事？这样的事情还能让你不高兴？”这个时候他们表现的像个大成就者一样，他们会让你觉得自己反应过度，会让你觉得生气是你的不是，会让你觉得自己像普通人一样差劲，会让你觉得虽然他占了你便宜伤害了你但是你也不应该斤斤计较——因为你是个修行人，所以不应该斤斤计较，不应该为了这点小事而大动肝火。但是假如你们的角色互相对调一下，假如下次受伤害的是他们，他们马上就会切换到相对的模式，这个时候他们究竟的见解和宽广的胸怀全都不见了，他们会指责你，会像凡夫一样锱铢必较。我实在是很为这样的人感到羞愧。希望我们都不要是这样的人。

所以呢，作为弟子，很多事情你都应该去做，你应该给上师发节日祝福，应该给他买生日蛋糕，应该送他好看的手机壳和洗面奶，如果他来你家做客，你应该给他准备最好的茶叶和点心。不要自己骗自己说他应该不在乎这些世俗的规矩和礼仪，或是他已经超越了好坏美丑多少的概念，不会因为这些事情而激动，那不过是你自欺的借口罢了。当然，你有选择的自由，我绝对没有强迫你的意思。你做这些或是不做这些对他而言都没有任何影响，但是对你的未来会有很大的影响。

灵山居士写于2024年10月13日。

[fytikahealthcareproduct]

The science of menstrual acne: Causes, treatments, and prevention methods

Ladies, let's talk about an all-too-familiar problem: menstrual acne. We've all experienced the frustration of a breakout right before our period or during that time of the month. In this blog post, we'll delve into the causes of menstrual acne, explore different treatment options, and learn how to prevent those pesky pimples from ruining our monthly flow. Get ready for some enlightening information on this common skincare concern!

Introduction to menstrual acne

Although acne is most commonly associated with puberty, many people continue to suffer from breakouts well into adulthood. For women, this can be a particular problem during menstruation, when hormonal changes can trigger an increase in sebum production and lead to clogged pores and blemishes.

Menstrual acne is a common but often misunderstood condition. In this article, we'll take a look at the causes of menstrual acne, as well as some effective treatments and prevention methods.

So what exactly is menstrual acne? Put simply, it's acne that occurs around the time of your period, due to the fluctuating hormones that are characteristic of this time in your cycle. These hormonal changes can increase sebum production, leading to clogged pores and blemishes.

It's important to note that not all women will experience menstrual acne; some may find that their skin clears up during this time of the month. However, for those who do suffer from breakouts around their periods, there are fortunately some effective treatments available.

One popular treatment option is oral contraceptives, which can help to regulate hormone levels and prevent excess sebum production. Topical retinoids are another effective option, although they may take a few weeks to start working. If you're looking for a more natural approach, consider using products containing tea tree oil or aloe vera, both of which have antimicrobial properties that can help to keep blemishes at bay.

There  are also a number of simple steps you can take to prevent menstrual acne. For starters, try using an oil-free moisturizer and makeup, as well as avoiding any skin-care products that contain harsh ingredients. Additionally, keeping your face clean and free from dirt and debris is key, so make sure you're washing at least twice a day with a gentle cleanser.

By following these prevention tips and making use of the treatments mentioned above, you should be able to keep menstrual acne under control. If your breakouts persist or worsen despite treatment efforts, it's best to speak to your doctor for further advice.

Different causes of period acne

There are many different possible causes of period acne. One common cause is hormonal fluctuations. During the menstrual cycle, levels of the hormone progesterone drop sharply. This can cause an increase in sebum production, which can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts.

Another possible cause of period acne is specific types of birth control. Some types of birth control pills contain high levels of the hormone progestin, which can mimic the effects of testosterone in the body and lead to increased sebum production and breakouts. In addition, IUDs (intrauterine devices) can also cause hormonal fluctuations that may trigger acne.

Dietary factors may also play a role in period acne outbreaks. Eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, which may trigger inflammation and lead to breakouts. In addition, dairy products have been linked to acne flare-ups, so limiting these foods may help reduce breakouts during your period.

At home treatments for period acne

Acne related to menstruation, often called "period acne," is a real thing. If you've ever noticed that you tend to break out around the time of your period, you're not alone. In fact, studies have shown that up to 70 percent of women experience some form of menstrual acne.

There are a few reasons why you might be more prone to breakouts during this time of the month. For one, hormone fluctuations can cause an overproduction of oil, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Another reason is that during your period, your body sheds the lining of your uterus. This process can cause inflammation, which can also lead to breakouts.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help clear up your skin before your period starts. Here are a few at-home treatments for period acne:

Wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Avoid using harsh cleansers or scrubs, as these can irritate the skin and make breakouts worse.

Apply an over-the-counter acne treatment gel or cream containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to help dry up excess oil and clear out clogged pores.

Use an astringent toner containing witch hazel or tea tree oil after cleansing to help further reduce oil production and kill bacteria that can cause breakouts.

Vitamins and supplements for fighting period acne

There are a few different vitamins and supplements that have been shown to be effective in fighting period acne. One of the most well-known is zinc, which can help reduce inflammation and bacteria growth. Another is chromium, which can help regulate hormone levels. And finally, omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to be helpful in reducing inflammation. You can also try Fytika Omega 1000 as a supplement. Fytika Omega 1000 is a supplement that provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, which cannot be produced by the body. These fatty acids, such as ALA, DHA, and EPA, are found in foods like fish, nuts, and seeds. Fytika Omega 1000 is recommended for those who do not consume enough of these foods in their diet.

Improving hormonal balance as a prevention method

If you’re struggling with menstrual acne, there are a few things you can do to improve your hormonal balance and help prevent breakouts. One method is to take a daily probiotic supplement. Probiotics help promote a healthy gut microbiome, which can play a role in hormone regulation. Another method is to add more fiber-rich foods to your diet, like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Fiber helps rid the body of excess hormones through binding and elimination. You can try using an over-the-counter topical retinoid cream or gel, which can help unclog pores and reduce inflammation."

Over the counter products to combat menstrual acne

There are a few different schools of thought when it comes to the best way to combat menstrual acne. Some people swear by over-the-counter products, while others prefer natural remedies.

If you’re in the over-the-counter camp, there are a few different products you can try. Benzoyl peroxide is a popular choice, as it can kill the bacteria that leads to acne. Salicylic acid is another option, as it helps to exfoliate the skin and prevent clogged pores.

If you prefer natural remedies, there are a few things you can do as well. Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties and can be applied topically to the skin. Apple cider vinegar is another option, as it can help to balance the pH levels of the skin.

Conclusion

Menstrual acne can be a significant issue for women, causing discomfort and affecting their daily lives. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimise its effects. It's crucial to understand the root causes of menstrual acne and take preventive measures to avoid its occurrence. If you do end up experiencing menstrual acne, there are various treatments available to alleviate its severity. Remember, you're not alone in dealing with menstrual acne, and there are ways to manage the symptoms and feel better.