#Essence Carson

[auricbound]

•☉• pt 2 of the new tag drop! •☉•

(didnt wanna reblog just to be safe)

[angstandhappiness]

Just this is neat too

Franz Kafka, Letters to Milena // Alain de Botton, Essays in Love // Eden Robinson, "Writing Prompts for the Broken-Hearted" // Chloe Liese, Always Only You // Anne Carson and Euripides, An Oresteia // Two—Sleeping At Last // Studio Bones, SK8 the Infinity // Trista Mateer, "is it okay to say this?" // @moodylilac // D. H. Lawrence, "The Rainbow"

[sinligh]

It’s early summer,

the hopeless romantic in me found her way to the surface when the heat melted couple of my overprotective layers.

so here i am, allowing her a moment of spotlight and myself some vulnerability.

it’s past midnight, I’m sitting in floor of my kitchen eating fruits with a knife

wondering, if it’s really safe to romanticize life?

I indulge myself anyway, and think about how fruits can be considered a love language if you’re starved enough to taste love that’s throughly stained with muted apologies. 

I trust, that when the sun rises tomorrow all my attempts to romanticize life will sublimate and create a thick fog of melancholy that I’ll have no other option but to get lost into.

even so, tonight I’m tired enough to let it be and so i write this, my own report of pathology

officially it’s untitled, but I’m thinking: the pathology of love.

i start by resecting pieces of all the habits that i define my existence based on along with some of the heartache that i held onto for too long

deep down, i know some of it belongs to my mother

At least its mature flavor says so, that, balanced with the sweet essence of an overly ripe fruit that never belonged

Young and brash and an acquired taste.

it’s a poorly fixed microscopic tissue, preserved in a high percentage of feminine rage

Low expectations stained with love and paranoia alike and the question that asks itself:

is it benign or malignant?

is it infiltrating my soul, taking away from my potential to grow ?

It stays unanswered, an unforced error

because i always carry those little versions of me that vary in the percentage of their belief in my own bone marrow

a core biopsy will always show that i still believe.

•••

•Quotes: Anaïs Nin/ Sylvia Plath/ Virgina Woolf/ Franz Kafka/Marcel Proust/ Simone de Beauvoir/Anne Carson/ Andrea Gibson/Anaïs Nin

•Original context:

•Art reference:

1. British School - Head of a girl, c. 1850. 2. Painting ( details) by Richard E. Miller. 3. Paintings by Jen Mazza. 4. Neil Carroll Original Oil Painting Realism Impressionism. 5. The Gross Clinic (details), by Thomas Eakins 6. Wounds of the Earth by xis.lanyx. 7.painting by Herbert James Draper.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Susan Meiselas. Roseann on the way to Manhattan Beach, New York, 1978 :: Source: theguardian.com

* * * *

“I wonder if there might not be another idea of human order than repression, another notion of human virtue than self-control, another kind of human self than one based on dissociation of inside and outside. Or indeed, another human essence than self.” ― Anne Carson, Glass, Irony and God

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Chris Geidner at Law Dork:

The Oklahoma Supreme Court and Oklahoma’s conservative attorney general agree that the state’s public charter school system should not be funding an explicitly religious school. The federal government’s charter school law and 46 other states’ charter school laws have been based on that premise as well. But on Wednesday, the right majority on the U.S. Supreme Court — with its religious supremacy project and its outside helpers — appeared likely to end that and OK the first religious charter school in the country. Justices Clarence Thomas, Sam Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh appeared eager to do so, and Justice Neil Gorsuch’s past writing in a related case signaled his alignment with the move, at least in principle. Chief Justice John Roberts — the key vote then since Justice Amy Coney Barrett has recused herself from the case — appeared to be open to the idea as well. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor put it, the conservatives on the U.S. Supreme Court are seeking to create a country where “the Free Exercise Clause trumps the essence of the Establishment Clause.“ A ruling for the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board and St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School would further increase the role of religion in public life — and change what it means to provide a public education in America. After nearly two-and-a-half hours of argument, that outcome was as likely as it appeared when the court reached out to take the case. There was no Republican appointee on the court who seemed committed to a ruling that would maintain the understanding that charter schools are public schools, meaning they are either governmental entities or at least engaged in state action.

As the case has come to the justices, the charter school board and St. Isidore have challenged the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision backing the view of Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a Republican, that the board’s decision to approve St. Isidore’s application to be a charter school is illegal under state law. The charter school board — represented on Wednesday by James Campbell from Alliance Defending Freedom, a far-right Christian legal advocacy organization — argued that past Supreme Court cases addressing whether churches and religious groups can be excluded from programs like the one at issue in Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer — providing recycled tire chips for playgrounds — dictate the outcome here.

[...] For his part, Roberts was focused the Trinity Lutheran line of cases, including 2022’s Carson v. Makin over a Maine tuition assistance program, as well as the recent case over Catholic Social Services’s foster placement policies refusing to license same-sex couples. Roberts wrote all three of these opinions. In the foster-care case, the Supreme Court held that Philadelphia could not force CSS to include same-sex couples in order to participate in the city’s foster-care program. To do so would violate their Free Exercise rights, Roberts wrote for the court in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia. “How is that different from what we have here?” Roberts asked. “You have an education program, and you want to not allow them to participate with a religious entity.“

Even with the recusal of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond case at SCOTUS is likely to be ruled in favor of eroding separation of church and state.

See Also:

The Guardian: US supreme court seems open to religious public charter schools

LGBTQ Nation: Supreme Court case could tear down wall between religion & schools

[sayingounprovoked]

Sometimes when I am reading a Greek text I force myself to look up all the words in the dictionary, even the ones I think I know. It is surprising what you learn that way. Some of the words turn out to sound quite different than you thought. Sometimes the way they sound can make you ask questions you wouldn't otherwise ask. Lately I have begun to question the Greek word sophrosyne. I wonder about this concept of self-control and whether it really is, as the Greeks believed, an answer to most questions of human goodness and dilemmas of civility. I wonder if there might not be another idea of human order than repression, another notion of human virtue than self-control, another kind of human self than one based on dissociation of inside and outside. Or indeed, another human essence than self.

from "The Gender of Sound" by Anne Carson

[rabbitcruiser]

National Red Rose Day

Stop and smell the roses—literally. Send someone a bouquet of red roses, try your hand at growing them yourself, or put some in a vase to brighten your home.

A well-known symbol of love in addition to being a beautiful and fragrant flower, it’s no wonder that National Red Rose Day is such a popular occasion. Celebrating the many facets of the rose, National Red Rose Day is a time for gardeners, florists, and romantics to come together and enjoy the rose in all its splendor. National Red Rose Day gives fans a chance to see roses at their best, blooming in glorious abundance at the height of the season.

When it comes to roses, the choices are plenty, but with all of this choice comes great responsibility. If you are thinking of treating a lady or gentleman that happens to have botanical interests, you need to be mindful of the roses you choose.

First and foremost, let us address the small elephant in the digital room. If you are from across the water, roses can also mean a small cheap box of chocolates, 20% of which nobody will ever eat, unless you are hoping for a divorce, you should probably steer well clear of these.

Of course, when it comes to shopping for actual roses, you still need to be mindful. Roses are one of the international symbols of passion and love, but there are some roses, such as the Rosa violet Carson, which is often associated with death and getting closer to heaven.

Now, while you may approach the situation with the best intent, should you pass one of these beautiful rose hybrids to somebody with a little botanical knowledge, this situation is tantamount to visiting your parents with retirement home catalogs.

All joking aside, when it comes to the one flower that can place you into the embrace of another, or in some cases save you from a lengthy divorce, the rose really is that flower. The question most people seem to have at this point is about how a flower can have so much power, so let’s find out.

Why is the rose so powerful

It seems that from all of the universal constants that have been discovered over many centuries, the one that seems to have lasted longest and been most prominent is that men are useless when it comes to conveying their emotions.

Roses seemed to become somewhat a communication device for men to say something wonderful without ever having to say a word. In essence, it seems that the rose is, in fact, the earliest form of Snapchat.

On a more serious note, though, roses really are an international symbol of love. It matters not where in the world you may be if you present a loved one with a rose, you are certain to be passing over a message of love.

Having something like Red Rose day in the modern world is magical; the world is full of trials and tribulations, and it’s nice to think that an emotion as deep and complicated as love can be expressed with the giving of a single flower.

The history of National Red Rose Day

When it comes to when Red Rose day began, well, that information is a little skewed, and in truth, we don’t even know who started the whole thing off; the one thing we do know though, is why it began.

Believe it or not, Red Rose day used to be a part of the celebrations of Valentine’s week, but for some unknown reason became separated at some point over the last ten years. The history behind the red rose, and why we give it though, well, that is far more rich and full.

The earliest records we can see in regards to the cultivation of roses dates back almost 5000 years, and like most things, it starts in the far east. Rose cultivation started in China but soon found its way to Rome and Greece.

It is thought that roses were seen as a luxury muse and distributed among the rich who would then give them to artists to inspire them. It seems that, like most botanical pickings of this time, roses also found their way in the medicine of the time, and this was all before a single person had used one as an apology.

If we fast forward a little, we soon see that roses went from symbols of hope, peace, and love to become a symbol of war. In England, during the 15th century, there was a well-known war that saw two parties, both using the symbol of a rose to represent their army.

While now the rose is something that represents love, still to this day, we know this great 15th century battle as the war of the roses.

So, as you can see, even something as perfect as a rose can come with some bad blood in its history, the joy is that it’s most notable trait has carried through time, and it seems that it will continue to do so for many more years to come.

It seems that while the world is becoming infatuated with automation, technology, and doing everything online, days that celebrate romance will always hold a special place in the hearts of all.

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or National Red Rose Day, you should try to make things as special and wonderful as you can for the person that you love. Nowadays, it can be hard to convey a message of love, especially with all the convenience of modern life that surrounds us.

How to celebrate National Red Rose Day

There are numerous ways to celebrate National Red Rose Day, so why not take some time to enjoy this special occasion? Some people visit a rose garden where exotic species are showcased wonderfully.

Others prefer to spend some time in their own garden, perhaps preparing a special meal to relish al fresco whilst enjoying the fragrance of their own red rose blossoms. National Red Rose Day is a great reason for a celebration.

On the other hand, you may even like to think outside the box and treat this as another day to show somebody just how much you care.

Whether it’s a special somebody or a family member, showing somebody that you care about them is never a bad thing. To help make the day special you could arrive home with a single red rose before giving your loved one a wonderful evening, or you could simply leave a rose before you head off to work, whatever you do, the gesture will go a long way.

When it comes to celebrations of passion and love, we can never have too many. So, if you haven’t celebrated National Red Rose Day before now, then perhaps this year should be the one where you start. After all, National Red Rose Day is becoming more and more popular with each passing year; you wouldn’t want to be the one in the dog house for not doing something special, would you?

Source

[beebooks]

which translation do i prefer though? hard to say still. to begin with, and i believe i've expressed this before, i didn't always see the point in including the originals alongside the translation in if not winter, but having read some more now, i kinda get it. the choice to leave in space where there is text missing i've also grown a bit more fond of. at times, yes, it felt like a pretentious annoyance, but without it i'm left wondering where the translator has added and shuffled things to make the poem read more coherent and to cover over what is gone

mary barnard's translation takes the path of making "completed" poems out of every fragment she includes, but when i know the fragments are rarely that complete it makes me wonder where the gaps that have been covered over are

josephine balmer strikes a bit of a middle ground by having the poems read more naturally and complete than a lot of anne carson's while putting her "additions" or conjectures in brackets so the reader knows what is actually present in the fragments and what is the author taking poetic liberties

alll comes down to what the various translators aim to do and what the readers want. anne carson has included all fragments, even if all you can make out is a single word, while the other two have chosen to include more complete fragments and quotes and then tried to capture the essence and intentions of sappho in how they format the poems

each to their own, and there's certainly a lot to gain from the different translations

[quidfree]

Hello!!! so I love your story Sober II… I was re-reading it back to back with TSH and the way you wrote them felt so true to Tartt’s characterization of them I was absolutely floored to how you captured the essence of the characters in your writing and your extension to their dynamic.

I have a question about your own personal head-canons between the two because I also read your spin off fic of sober II and found myself wondering who you think is the more physically affectionate of the two? I get the feeling that both your Francis and Richard kind of shy away from showing the other affection, or at least quite hesitant in doing so. From what you’ve written I feel like it’s Francis because of little moments like him placing his feet on Richards legs when they’re both on the couch… but in my re-read it’s Richard usually reaching for Francis, or Richard keeping Francis’ hands on him out of instinct. And that bit where they’re in their 40s and Richard suddenly becomes paranoid about how close they were in front of his students. Anyway, sorry for the tangent but I’m simply curious about who you think is the more affectionate of the two!

Also, don’t laugh at me but when you mentioned Anne Carson in your story I fell into a spiral of purchasing a few of her novels and translations and now I’m obsessed. She’s pretty popular but she’s never really be on my own personal radar, so thanks for that!

ahh thanks so much anon- and what, i’m delighted you discovered anne carson through me, not laughable at all!

that’s an interesting question and your analysis is good haha- made me sit and think about my subconscious choices in writing them. i think you’re right that i don’t necessarily see them as affectionate with each other from jump, due to all of richard’s sexuality hangups and francis’ weird relationship to physical affection.

in my head francis is definitely more touchy but it’s like, following a specific set of rules- he’s flirtatiously touchy (see: initiating all his hookups), and casual with the touches if you’re an unthreatening figure in his life (his mother, camilla, etc), but i feel like bc richard is a bit of a complicated situation as of post-canon he’s more withdrawn with him than he might otherwise be (and might have been back in early hampden when he gave less of a shit about richard and also was prodding at him to see if his gaydar was right). he has a lot of walls in place mixed in w his sexual traumas (childhood and otherwise). altho he does tend towards softer than richard, what with the blanket coverings and such.

richard’s thing is 1) he’s the outsider, so he’s more yearning for other people to bring him in than secure in reaching out 2) Men are not for Touching. hes so happy to be part of the pile of limbs in the backseat or get his hair ruffled or hand held or whatever but even in hampden i don’t recall him initiating that very often except when his emotions just overpower him (see the camilla kisses). that said, to your point, i think especially w the benefit of their history and also the traumatic losses they suffered, richard is very reachy- the whole sober ii thing is like. the kind of panicked / instinctive motion to keep what’s left of his hampden days with him. and how that melts into holding onto francis specifically.

anyway they both have that going on. richard is probably more classically touch-starved? but they’re both more comfortable with sex than other touch from what we see- like, it is kind of ironic that the day francis comes to hook up with richard seeking that connection to distract from murder hell is Literally on the heels of richard seeking out a random girl to do the same thing with. they are soo.

they grow into it tho. francis starts it off bc hes like oh right this is someone im hooking up w now so i can do x y and z. but richard’s probably first to go sort of, ah, romantic about it, which then sends francis skittering back a bit. i have a lot of Thoughts abt their physical scars & how those play in.

[livewiretribute]

d Rock Cafe and CE Presents welcome Live Wire - Motley Crue Tribute and Last Train to Ozz - Ozzy Osbourne Tribute on Friday, October 11, 2024! 🔥🔥

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Entry and seating for event attendees begin at 7:00 PM.

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Live Wire is Pittsburgh's premier Mötley Crüe tribute band, electrifying audiences with their authentic and high-energy performances. Formed by a group of dedicated musicians who share a deep passion for the legendary rock band, Live Wire meticulously recreates Mötley Crüe's iconic sound and stage presence. With a setlist packed with classics like "Dr. Feelgood," "Girls, Girls, Girls," and "Kickstart My Heart," they deliver a nostalgic experience that transports fans back to the heyday of 80s rock.

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Last Train to Ozz is a Pittsburgh-based tribute band dedicated to celebrating the music of Ozzy Osbourne. Known for their faithful renditions of Ozzy's greatest hits, they bring a touch of the Prince of Darkness to every performance. The band members, all seasoned musicians, share a mutual admiration for Ozzy's legendary career. They capture the essence of his music with accurate performances of songs like "Crazy Train" and "Bark at the Moon." Their straightforward and engaging shows appeal to fans of all ages, providing an authentic Ozzy experience. Last Train to Ozz has become a favorite in the local music scene, delivering solid performances that honor the legacy of the rock icon.

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This event is open to all ages.

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[kudzucataclysm]

how is the writing for se (and your other wips) going?

hi kimi!!! i hope yur new job is going well 🌞

its certainly…Going lol

over the past…i wanna say 5-6 months or so? ive been steadily overhauling/restructuring SE. rewriting lore, switching up the cast of (minor/background) characters, changed main character backstories and motivations, etc. its NOW that im finally approaching overhauling/rewriting the plot FOR REAL THIS TIME. im absolutely scaling back the story to be contained within the city of Necropolis itself yet expanding it at the same time. no globe trotting adventures. no Saving The WorldTM. we r no longer over the ruins of new york city but instead CHICAGO. im for sure starting to figure out the essences of New Plot but at the same time plan to tackle cultures and religions in the city as well as restructure how the hierarchy of power works. mars remains on top ofc

even now im reconsidering Dez’s dynamic with his family (cowriter and i are battling it out as we speak). Francis has been in prison for around a year before the start of the story and is now Out due to Unknown Circumstances…Maya is now just a DoctorTM, who has mysterious motives and her own clinic where Weird Stuff Happens. Carmine is still a crime boss but he has way more of an ego and im reconsidering his familial connection to Carson. Vincent’s backstory is now a bit different, shes no longer the child of a crime boss but the scion of a major corporation. Thursday and Friday are up next for lore reconsideration. FingersTM…etc etc, still figuring things out, and expanding upon secondary and minor characters roles as well :3

thats pretty much it…? ive been keeping a lot of this under wraps tbh cuz im scared of sharing/rambling abt things plus i dont rmm how to do so :/ whatre u gonna do…but ty for the ask!!

[etherealeden]

the spiritual and psychological way of processing negative emotions and regulating your nervous system

explore the other chapters on my blog

Part 3b: Reframing and Self-Compassion

Reframing is similar to using the emotional scale, but it often involves a more logical approach. It’s about adopting a new perspective on a mistake, issue, or event that occurred. Reframing helps us reinterpret situations in a way that can lead to a more positive or constructive understanding. Carson and Langer (2006) capture the essence of reframing well, stating, “[…] find the perspective that provides either new knowledge, motivation for change, and/or an opportunity to teach others a valuable lesson” (p. 34).

For me, this has a lot to do with self-compassion. 💖 According to Abraham Hicks, self-compassion means seeing yourself through the eyes of your true essence or "source." 🌟 It involves viewing yourself in a more positive light and reclaiming the feelings or beliefs you wish to hold about yourself.

Source or the universe created us all as perfect beings. Wherever you are right now is exactly where you’re meant to be. The mistakes you make and the pain you experience are essential for the lessons your soul is meant to learn in this lifetime. Sometimes it can be helpful to consider how you would treat a partner, parent, or friend if they were in the same situation you’re facing right now. It can also be beneficial to connect with your inner child. Many of our limiting beliefs originate from childhood, so often it’s not just you who is hurting, but your inner child as well. 🧸 I sometimes visualize hugging my inner child, speaking kindly to them, and reassuring myself that I am safe and everything will be okay. 💕

When I moved to a new, larger city, I felt lost. 🏙️ The sense of safety and peace I had worked so hard to cultivate suddenly disappeared. This situation was very triggering for me, especially because I have a deep fear of my mental health issues reappearing. To navigate this, I chose to reframe the situation. I reminded myself that it’s normal to feel unsafe and lost when moving to a new, big city. Building a sense of home takes time, but it’s entirely possible. As I delved deeper, I uncovered a belief that I didn’t belong in this city, that I was different and somehow wrong. I meditated on this belief and eventually realized that my soul chose this city for a reason: to expand me and bring me to the next level. I understood that the universe was testing whether I could cultivate these emotions in a new environment. Essentially, I was growing and affirming that this is my new self. No one and nothing could take these emotions away from me because I can cultivate them from scratch, regardless of the circumstances. See how reframing allowed me to find a sense of safety and belonging? 💖 It’s important to acknowledge that this process took time, but I truly believe it’s magical.

See you tomorrow on part 4:

insights that allow even more acceptance

With love, Nina

Literature

Carson, S. H., & Langer, E. J. (2006). Mindfulness and self-acceptance. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 24(1), 29–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-006-0022-5

[oceanstone]

“I wonder about this concept of self-control and whether it really is, as the Greeks believed, an answer to most questions of human goodness and dilemmas of civility. I wonder if there might not be another idea of human order than repression, another notion of human virtue than self-control, another kind of human self than one based on dissociation of inside and outside. Or indeed, another human essence than self.”

Anne Carson, Glass, Irony & God

The Gender of Sound

[lboogie1906]

Lisa Nicole Carson (born July 12, 1969) is an actress. She is known for her supporting roles as Carla in ER, and Renee Raddick in Ally McNeal. She has starred in films, most notably as Marti in Jason’s Lyric, Coretta in Devil in a Blue Dress, Josie in Love Jones, and Sylvia in Life.

She reprised her role as Renee Raddick in the final episode of Harry’s Law. She starred as Mae Bell in the miniseries The New Edition Story.

She was born in Brooklyn; her father is a journalism professor at the University of Florida, and her mother was a kindergarten teacher in New York. She spent her adolescence in Gainesville and attended F. W. Buchholz High School. Her parents separated when she was 14, and her mother moved back to New York alone. In 1986, she entered the Regional competition sponsored by the “America’s Junior Miss” talent show, taking second place in the region held in Gainesville. After graduating, she returned to New York and decided that she wanted to be an actor. She began her career by appearing in several after-school specials and short films.

She appeared in productions at the famed Negro Ensemble Company. Her first notable credit came in 1991 when she appeared in Law & Order and in 1992 she had a non-speaking, minor role in The Cosby Show. She was a regular on The Apollo Comedy Hour before appearing in the film Let’s Get Bizzee And Eve’s Bayou. She performed as an R&B singer in Divas.

In the July 2015 issue of Essence, she gave an interview in which she openly described her struggles with bipolar disorder and how the illness has affected her life and career. After having taken a 10-year hiatus from show business to live and receive treatment in New York. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[tunglo]

repost of an old blog post for my new Ken era...

Today [March 13th] is Ken Day! Kenneth Sean "Ken" Carson first hit store shelves in 1961 and, in a move that preceded reality TV by a decade or three, we all got to watch as Barbie met the man of her dreams.

Since then Ken has gone through almost as many incarnations as Barbie herself and had over 40 different careers. In celebration of all that fantastic plastic, here are just ten of the top Ken dolls produced over the years...

--

The 'fun' of shaving Ken has been a staple of his repertoire over the years; there are versions from 1996, 1999, 2010, and 2019.

But, as ever, it's the original that's best. Here is 1979's Sport & Shave Ken. Not only did he come with this spiffing tennis outfit, he also had a shaving mug, two 'razors', and a marker pen of your very own to draw on Ken's facial hair...

According to the brochure: "It's Ken with a whole new look for the 1980s. He's athletic. He's all man."

Indeed.

--

Cool Times Ken.

Never has a name been quite so misleading.

There's a reason Pixar went with this Ken era for the Toy Story movies, and it certainly wasn't because of Ken's close relationship with the concept of cool.

--

Sometimes your problem is not that Ken has too much facial hair. It's that he just doesn't have enough. Luckily 1972's Mod Hair Ken had you covered. The same idea was utilised again in 1975 for The Now Look Ken, except this time around his hair was longer to capture the true essence of mid 70s cool.

--

Ken has been a doctor many times - 1963, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2011, 2018 - but 1987's offering beats the rest hands down. Not only is Ken a doctor, but you can fold the lapels of his shiny nylon medical coat down and he's ready for a night of wining and dining!

What a doll.

--

What more can I say?

--

--

According to Keeping Ken, this shot with Wedding Day Alan was an official Mattel postcard

In 1993 Mattel redesigned Ken to fulfil little girls' requests that Barbie's beau be cooler. Ken was now so cool he was attracting interest from all quarters, including the US gay community who were sure Ken's cock ring necklace came straight - heh - from the club scene. As a result Earring Magic Ken sold out for Christmas '93, and remains the best selling Ken doll of all time in spite of Mattel discontinuing and recalling the doll once they realised Ken's secret was out of the closet...

--

In 2010 Mattel released Sugar Daddy Ken, so named - they say - because he owns a little dog called Sugar.

Hmmm.

--

Back in 2004, just in time for Valentine's Day, Barbie ditched Ken in favour of Australian surfer dude, Blaine. Blaine O'Hare - or at least his face sculpt - began life in 1998 when Totally Yo-Yo Skipper was initially set to gain a new friend called Zach. Though he never actually made it into production, his features were used for 1999's Generation Girl Dance Party Blaine.

The Generation Girl line followed Barbie's time at high school in NYC, introducing a variety of new friend dolls and spawning another Blaine in 2000. When he returned in 2004 Blaine had wisely dropped the 'curtains' hairstyle and traded in New York for California. In this continuity the pair met through Blaine's younger sister, Summer, who was good friends with Barbie.

In fact, voting was held through the Barbie.com website to determine who Cali Girl Barbie ought to go for - Ken, Blaine, long time pal Steven, another newcomer named Diego, or stay single. We all know how that went. Ken went away to lick his wounds for a couple of years, but in 2006 he was back with a new look. It wasn't enough for Barbie to take him back though and the pair remained 'just good friends' until another PR campaign saw them get back together in 2011.

--

The Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse webseries is awesome.

Launched in May 2012, it pokes fun at the entire Barbie mythos and did more to give Ken a personality than any other Mattel project. We learn that Ken loves inventing, is addicted to sherbet, and suffers from Hyper Cuteness Sensitivity Disorder...

--

This year Ken is finally taking control of his own destiny. Well. His own laundry, at any rate...

[caraniel13]

Across Dimensions : Chapter 29

AD1 AD2 AD3 AD4 AD5 AD6 AD7 AD8 AD9 AD10 AD11 AD12 AD13 AD14 AD15 AD16 AD17 AD18 AD19 AD20 AD21 AD22 AD23 AD24 AD25 AD26 AD27 AD28

Chapter 29: Quantum Preparations

The medical alert that changed everything came at 0347 hours Atlantis time. Carson's urgent voice over the comm system jolted both Dr. Weir and Colonel Sheppard from sleep: "We have a medical emergency. Both Dr. Mitchells are showing signs of rapid cellular degradation. I need them in the infirmary immediately."

By the time the senior staff assembled in the medical bay, Carson's scans had revealed the devastating truth—the prolonged quantum interference wasn't just creating system conflicts, it was literally breaking down both women's cellular structures at the molecular level.

"The quantum paradox pressure has reached a critical threshold," Carson explained, his usually steady hands trembling slightly as he displayed the medical readings. "Their cells are beginning to lose quantum coherence. In layman's terms, their bodies are forgetting how to exist in this reality."

Cheppy stared at the holographic display of her own cellular structure, watching areas of instability pulse like wounds in her very essence. Beside her, Marie underwent the same scans, both women finally united in facing a threat that transcended their personal conflicts.

"How long do we have?" Dr. Weir asked, though her expression suggested she feared the answer.

"Seventy-two hours, perhaps less, before the cellular breakdown becomes irreversible," Carson replied grimly. "After that point..." He didn't need to finish. Complete cellular collapse meant death for both versions.

"Then we accelerate everything," Weir decided immediately. "Dr. McKay, how quickly can we get back to the Ancient outpost and implement the dimensional portal solution?"

"Give me six hours to prep the equipment," McKay replied, already calculating logistics. "But Elizabeth, we're talking about adapting technology we barely understand, under extreme time pressure, to save two people whose quantum signatures are destabilizing by the hour."

"Then we'd better get started," Sheppard said simply.

Now, eighteen hours later, the Ancient communications outpost on M7X-194 hummed with frantic activity as teams from both Atlantis and the SGC worked around the clock to adapt the dimensional portal technology. What had once been a pristine, silent facility now resembled a high-tech construction site, with cables snaking between Ancient consoles and Earth-based equipment creating hybrid systems that would have seemed impossible just weeks ago.

"Power coupling stable at ninety-seven percent," McKay announced from his position at the primary control station, sweat beading on his forehead despite the outpost's controlled temperature. "But we're pushing these Ancient systems far beyond their intended parameters."

Dr. Keyes looked up from his calculations, exhaustion evident in his bloodshot eyes. "The dimensional coordinates are locked in. We've identified a reality where their Atlantis expedition suffered catastrophic losses—they're operating with less than thirty percent of their original personnel. They'd welcome someone with Marie's expertise."

"Assuming she survives the transfer," Zelenka added grimly, adjusting his glasses as he reviewed the medical data scrolling across his tablet. "The quantum degradation is accelerating faster than we anticipated."

From her position at a secondary console, Cheppy felt a wave of dizziness wash over her as she tried to focus on the Ancient interface. The symbols seemed to blur and shift, her photographic memory struggling to maintain coherence as her cellular structure continued to deteriorate. She pressed her hand to her forehead, trying to steady herself.

"Cheppy?" Lorne's voice came from directly behind her, concern evident despite his attempt to maintain professional composure in front of the mixed teams.

"I'm okay," she managed, though the tremor in her voice suggested otherwise. "Just need a moment."

Carson appeared at her side with practiced efficiency, scanner already in hand. "Your cellular degradation markers have increased by fifteen percent since yesterday," he reported quietly. "The quantum interference is accelerating the breakdown."

"How long do we have?" Lorne asked, his hand finding Cheppy's shoulder in a gesture of support that had become as natural as breathing.

"For both of them? Maybe fifty-four hours before the damage becomes irreversible," Carson replied, his Scottish accent thick with worry. "After that point, we're looking at complete cellular collapse."

Across the chamber, Marie worked at her own station with mechanically precise movements that couldn't quite hide her own physical decline. Her usually immaculate appearance showed signs of strain—her professional bob disheveled, her SGC uniform wrinkled from sleeping in the outpost's cramped quarters. When she reached for a data tablet, her hand shook slightly before she caught herself and forced it steady.

"Marie's readings are similar," Carson continued in a lower voice. "The quantum paradox is affecting both versions equally now. Whatever psychological barriers were protecting her as the 'original' have broken down completely."

Keyes approached their group, his tablet displaying complex dimensional calculations. "I've run the scenarios multiple times," he said, his voice carefully professional despite the obvious concern in his eyes as they lingered on Cheppy. "The portal activation requires precise quantum synchronization. If either of their signatures becomes too unstable..."

"The portal won't lock onto the target dimension," McKay finished, having overheard. "It could dump her anywhere in the multiverse. Or nowhere at all."

The implications hung heavily in the air. Marie's voluntary departure was meant to resolve the quantum interference, but their window for safe transfer was rapidly closing.

"Then we work faster," Dr. Weir declared, having just arrived with Colonel Sheppard and additional personnel from Atlantis. "Dr. McKay, what do you need to accelerate the timeline?"

"More hands, more power, and about three months to properly test the modifications," McKay replied tartly. "Since we don't have the luxury of time, I'll settle for every available scientist and engineer willing to work without sleep for the next three days."

Sheppard gestured to the military personnel he'd brought. "You've got full support. Whatever resources you need."

As the teams reorganized for maximum efficiency, Cheppy found herself assigned to work directly with the Ancient portal interface—her unique understanding of their linguistic patterns crucial for establishing stable dimensional coordinates. But the work that had once come naturally now required intense concentration just to maintain basic comprehension.

"The syntax protocols are shifting," she reported, her fingers moving slowly across the Ancient console. "It's like the system is adapting to our presence, but I can't tell if it's helping or hindering the process."

Marie, working at an adjacent station, looked up with effort. "I'm seeing similar patterns. The portal technology seems designed to... to learn from quantum signatures it encounters. Maybe it's trying to optimize for our specific situation."

It was the first time in days that Marie had spoken to her directly without hostility or calculation. The shared crisis and their mutual physical decline had stripped away the professional competition, leaving only two women fighting for survival.

"Can you stabilize the learning algorithms?" Cheppy asked, recognizing that despite everything, they needed each other's expertise to survive the next three days.

"I think so," Marie replied, then paused. "Cheppy... I want you to know that if this doesn't work, if something goes wrong with the transfer..."

"Nothing's going wrong," Lorne interrupted firmly, moving to stand between them. His protective instincts were clearly activated, but his concern seemed directed toward both women rather than viewing Marie as a threat.

"Major Lorne's right," Keyes added, bringing up holographic displays of their calculations. "We've run every scenario. The mathematics are sound. This will work."

But as Cheppy studied Keyes' equations, she noticed subtle variations in the quantum resonance patterns—fluctuations that suggested the deterioration was affecting their ability to maintain stable calculations. The brilliant theoretical physicist was making errors he would normally catch, his own judgment compromised by exhaustion and emotional stress.

"Julian," she said carefully, "these resonance frequencies in section seven... are you sure they're properly calibrated?"

Keyes looked where she was pointing, his face paling as he recognized the miscalculation. "Good catch. That could have been catastrophic." He immediately began recalibrating, but the fact that such an error had slipped through highlighted how precarious their situation had become.

Carson approached them with a medical update. "I've been monitoring both of your conditions continuously. The cellular degradation is following a predictable pattern, but there's something else—your quantum signatures are beginning to blur together."

"What does that mean?" Marie asked, setting down her tablet as another wave of disorientation hit her.

"It means the universe is trying to resolve the paradox by merging you back into a single entity," Carson explained grimly. "If that process completes before we can separate you dimensionally..."

"We become one person," Cheppy finished, understanding immediately. "Neither of us survives as individuals."

The revelation added new urgency to their work. Not only did they need to complete the portal before cellular collapse, but they had to do it before the quantum merging process reached completion.

"How long until merger?" Lorne asked, his military training taking over as he processed the new threat parameters.

"Unknown," Carson admitted. "It's not a process we've observed before. But based on the rate of signature convergence... hours, maybe a day at most."

McKay's voice cut through their discussion from across the chamber. "Portal framework is stable! We're ready to begin power integration tests."

The next twelve hours blurred together in a haze of technical modifications and increasingly desperate calculations. Both Mitchell women pushed themselves beyond safe limits, their combined expertise crucial for fine-tuning the dimensional portal while their bodies continued to break down at the cellular level.

During a brief rest period, Cheppy found herself alone with Marie in the outpost's small rest area. Both women were too exhausted to maintain their previous antagonism, the shared threat having created an unexpected truce.

"I keep thinking about the quantum visions," Marie said quietly, staring at her hands. "Experiencing your memories of building relationships here, finding your place through genuine connection rather than competitive achievement."

"And I keep thinking about your memories of always having to prove yourself," Cheppy replied. "The isolation that comes from viewing every interaction as a test to pass rather than a connection to build."

"Do you think I can learn?" Marie asked. "In this new reality, if the transfer works... do you think I can build what you have here?"

Cheppy studied her counterpart—this version of herself who had taken such a different path. Despite everything Marie had done, she found herself hoping for redemption rather than revenge.

"I think you can," she said finally. "But it requires vulnerability. It means letting people see your struggles, not just your strengths. It means valuing what you can contribute to others' lives, not just what they can contribute to yours."

"That terrifies me," Marie admitted with startling honesty.

"It should," Cheppy smiled slightly. "The best connections usually start with being scared enough to be real."

Their conversation was interrupted by alarms throughout the outpost. Both women struggled to their feet, heading back to the main chamber where red warning lights pulsed ominously.

"What's happening?" Sheppard demanded, striding to McKay's station.

"The quantum interference just spiked beyond anything we've recorded," McKay reported, his voice tight with concern. "Something's triggered a massive resonance cascade between the counterparts."

Carson was already scanning both women with his equipment. "Their quantum signatures are converging rapidly. The merger process has accelerated dramatically."

"How long?" Weir asked.

"Hours," Carson replied grimly. "Maybe less."

Keyes looked up from his calculations, his face pale with realization. "The portal isn't ready. We need at least eighteen more hours to complete the power integration safely."

"Then we make it ready," Lorne said with quiet determination. "Whatever it takes."

As alarms continued to sound and teams scrambled to accelerate their timeline, Cheppy felt Lorne's hand find hers in the chaos. Their eyes met across the chamber filled with frantically working scientists, and she saw her own determination reflected in his gaze.

They had built something worth fighting for together. Now it was time to fight for it.

The quantum preparations entered their final, desperate phase as two realities raced against time to save three lives—and preserve the connections that had made those lives worth living.