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icharchivist · 4 years ago

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so. I see why events are such a drain on sp now. yukis design for this event tho slaps whenever he showed up in practice it put a smile on my face! also I feel like I’ve been super super lucky w/ gacha? like I’ve gotten at least 1 ssr everytime I’ve like done a pull for cards... the event is fun though! definitely adds a lot more incentive to keep up with doing the practices and stuff now that I have classes again lol

Welcome to the events’s... hecticness :’D

I joined a3 when the english server just started so it took about one? two months? for the first event to happen (and then they didn’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming and they do-) and i remember how, before that, i felt like the SP weren’t especially to use a lot, aside from doing your dailies and getting the first clear missions, you don’t need them THAT much, and then the events came around and proved me that alas, SP are useful and you’ll cry for them.

Yuki’s design is so so good!! he looks so amazing it’s so good aaah

and ooh :O i do wonder if there’s an ssr rate up for new players tbh, my luck has pretty much ran out in EN server lol but i recently joined the JPN server (which is faaar ahead of us) and i do get goodies much more easily... Still i hope this luck will carry through!! SSR SSR SSR.......

(do tell me what SSR you got tho i’m curious :3c)

oh right i forgot to say! you can add me as friends if you want (or i can add you)! that’ll get us to help each other eheh. I just need to know if you do that so that i can accept you bc i have, more friends requests that i have place in my friendlist for so i gotta find you there my code is 1122335871

Glad you’re enjoying the events though!! it does make you more interreacting with the game than you do normally and ahah that sure helps keeping up with the practices! hope you’ll get toons of xp from it ;O (and tbh doing mindless A3 while working on class works pretty well for me dLFKDJ since it’s rather low focus-energy for the events it can turn in the back while i’m studying)

for now it might be too early because you need lots of cards and leveling up materials, but the thing with events is that if you probably would rather limit your SP use per representation.

I’ll put some tips between the cut but also i am talking about more gameplay stuff that often requires having a certain amount of characters or leveling up material: so you don’t have to worry too hard about it, but it’s a guideline for the future.

Take care and good luck ;O

You will want:

IF You have Event Cards:

-Event Cards, hopefully fully leveled up or trained.Even the R brings some boost during event though check if the boost is worth it. SR and SSR are definitly worth it

-if you have event cards, put them as the leader of your team (according to the type of the card, for exemple current SSR Omi is Drama so you need to set him as lead in your Drama team), as it is the card that ends up showing up in the “support” screen.

-If you have a R as leader (with no SR/SSR cards that could take their place) you’ll be better off setting a team in the “Team 4/5″ slot that is the team you intend to use for full power. R as leader tends to bring your power down, so this is the way to both keep your R as leader to help others while also keeping your own fire power.

-Note that Event cards from Gacha are more powerful for the events that are the cards you can get in rankin up.

-Birthday cards’s stats seem lower than event cards when you see them in the list but they can also have a little more impact on your result, so they’re still very good to have. or check out.

-You’re not obligated at all to have event cards to do well in an event, but the SP use will be drastically different. I remember an event where i had every gacha cards bloomed once and even when it was at its worst, i never had to spend more than 2 SP for an Encore. Meanwhile while lacking event cards it can easily go up to 5 SP or more for an Encore. So it depends on which events you want to invest. on the long term you’ll want to check the event lists and see which are the cards/characters you want (keeping in mind all of them come with a backstage story you can’t read otherwise), and ranking up can deserve at least one attempt at pulling the event gacha.

IN GENERAL:

-On the long term you will want to fully level up all of your SR and SSR cards, bloom them when you can, and eventually train them (this later takes a lot of materials so it’s not your priority). The best bet to do that are Yuzo cards bc manual leveling up is hell. (note that event cards have higher raw stats than the base cards too)

-To try to maximize your points, once you have enough cards (i’d say at least one SR or SSR of each character) your life savior would be to use Link Skills. those are specific combos that multiply your total points by a certain percentage. They’re different for each categories, but it helps. At the bottom of the page, you’ll see an optimal link option for each character.

-When you are playing an event and you don’t have any event cards, you will want to build your team around which is the main support card you’ll find, in the best case scenario with the Optimal Link Option. For exemple: Drama Omi.

if you can combo all of them you will have an optimal %. The wiki show you in the “Optimal” screen what is the best team when you’re looking for combos around only one specific card.

-If you have an event card, especially if you have more than one/a different one than the support one, you will want to build your team manually by looking at both event characters you have (or more) and see how you can build your team to maximize their combo while keeping the event boost

-I’m already talking about more high level stuff but if you already want to start using links, if you have enough cards for that, focus on leveling up cards that you can use for the Links in priority. (note that it’s always a priority to level up your event cards tho bc other people will use them)

-On the long term when you will have multiple cards for each character, do take the time to check which card is best. For exemple if you want a link with say, Citron in Drama, but you have a comedy Citron and an Action Citron, compare their drama’s stats to see which is the highest and the one you’d rather use.

About the Shows themselves:

-The least time you have for a show, the more points you will gain for doing them. if you need to discard some shows, it’s best to discard those which will take the longest time

-Ideally you’d want to keep your kamebuns for the Encore, since they cost a lot of SP and they always happen after you already used some before that.

-Note that if you use your SP on a play that will fail, you will be able to continue this specific show and spend more SP on it. FOR EXEMPLE: if, especially for an Encore, it still says you will “fail” the play after using 5 SP, you can use 5 SP, look at the “failed” screen, and then go back to the preparing show screen and use more SP to try to get the points missing for you. Obviously this is really SP consumming so you don’t have to do that, but it’s good to know it’s a possibility. (on the JPN server, when i just arrived i tried participating to events with very low cards. I had to use 11 SP for one Encore. Never again.)

OUTSIDE OF THE SHOWs:

-You can pause the Practice Lesson anytime you want. if you go on Menu>Pause, it’ll bring you back to your homescreen. It means that the lesson will not trigger more event show, ultimately sparing your SP while waiting for them to refill.

-However during the pauses you cannot access any others lessons.

-BUT!! you can also just QUIT the lesson room from the same menu. If you still haven’t maxed the flairs and the crowns, you will lose any progress made during the lesson, but if they’re both maxed, you should be okay? i THINK the progress made on the rank XP doesn’t get lost. Though any progress in leveling up the affections of some cards will be.

NOW IN GENERAL:

-If you want to rank up you will have to use diamonds.Honestly it’s best preparing yourself in advance if you think you’ll rank up for an event. But for now that’s really too early for you, unless you aim for the SR.

-especially early on what you will want is just clearing the flairs and crowns (free diamonds and the dialogues, that are all saved in the Mini Chat tab in the story mode), and especially unlocking the event story. (in this event, it will take reaching 700 points to unlock all of the story, take it easy, you will get it cleared with no problem, since it’s generally the “lowest investment” reward. Note tho that the point system is different from Seasonal events (like the Valentine day event is) and the Play Events)

-All i said are more long term things, see if you can/want to apply them early on.

-Right and there’s the bentos: you will want to aim for them, as you can only use them during the limit of the events. You will do best to use them outside of the events to rank up to unlock chapters. Note tho that, especially at low level, it means you’ll level up quite fast, which will refill your LP and SP, so once you level up you can go back to events to clear your SP and then come back to grinding.

-if i’m not mistaken, i was about level 56 when i unlocked all of the chapters from the first act (ie, up to the end of chap 4 : Once more with feelings). For reference’s sake, when i started playing the JPN vers recently and used that trick of using the bentos to unlock stuff, i leveled up a lot pretty quickly. I think it took me 2 weeks to get to level 56 without events on the EN server but it took me far less in JPN server while using the event’s bentos to my advantage

i hope it’s not too confusing? it’s not something you have to think too hard about just now, but it may help you out on the long term.

Either way, good luck and good grinding ;O i’ll be ranking up to get Hisoka’s SSR so o7 see you on the other side eheh

#ichafantalks a3 #sonnets-of-beauty #ichareply

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popculturebuffet · 5 years ago

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Analysis of X: Maurader’s #1 “I’m on a Boat”

Ahoy Muties! I’m Jacob Mattingly and in moving to Tumblr and print, this is my first text review. As for this segment, welcome to Analysis of X, where I cover the dawn of x and onward as it happens. I will get to X-Men #1 as I wasn’t sure wether to review it late or not soon enough, but for now I felt it best to start with Dawn of X’s first non-hickman stab at greatness, Gerry Duggan and Matteo Lolli’s pirate themed Mauraders. Come aboard after the break.

So Mauraders begins a few months back, with our book’s headliner Kitty Pryde, and her future teammates, close friend and surrogate mom Storm and ex-boyfriend and her best buddy, my faviorite X-Man and organizer for orgies on Krakoa: Nightcrawler, ready to head to Krakoa. For those two of you who didn’t read house of x or couldn’t afford it and powers, understandable the current status quo is simple: Mutantkind has formed it’s own nation on their former enemy Krakoa, the island that walks like a man but currently dosen’t because several people would fall off, and have planted gates globally so mutants can come to their new eden, finally done with all the racist genocidal bullshit mankind has put them through. Kitty tries to come along But welll....

Instead of letting her in for some reason Krakoa instead says come on and SLAM and your not welcome to the JAM. Kitty takes it well.

We get our character page, which is apparently NOT limited to Hickman’s work, but I find it a nice touch, and unlike the avengers books from other writers under his tenure not doing the same thing, unify’s things a bit. I also like this opening mystery a ton. Is it her powers? Or is it something else? And how will Doug Ramsey aka Cypher, her former best friend who had a crush on her in the mutant equivalent in high school and Krakoa’s translator factor into this. I hope he does because most Kitty Pryde centric stories kinda forgot he existed entirely, as did New Mutants and All-New X-Factor on the Doug side. Seriously it bugs me as they were incredibly close yet because him being single might get in the way of her and other ships the writers had planned, this was just ignored and hopefully with Doug being a bigger player Duggan won’t ignore him this time, and given how strong this book is I expect this to come up.

Moving Right along after the intro page, with the wonderful welcome of ahoy muties and a cast page, showing this isn’t exclusive to Hickman’s book and something I like we get a captain’s log of sorts, with the reveal that, with no way to portal there, Kitty just stole a boat, said i’m the captain now (Because you can’t escape that refrence and why would you) and then .. muses a bit about how left behind she feels as seen above. And it’s an intresting dilema: without the portals, how can she ever REALLY feel at home on Krakoa when she’d basically be trapped there, alone amongst everyone else.. and not for the first time.

Longtime fans or those who’ve binged Claremont’s run will recall this little scene: after taking the bullet for Rouge during Mutant Massacre Kitty was left basically a ghost. No tangeblity, no way to interact, just trapped in a world she could see. While it DID get better from here it was only marginally: she could speak, she could talk.. but for the early part of her days with Excalibur, basically the british X-Men and something i’ll save more for next week, her powers of phasing through objects had reversed. She had to concentrate to stay SOLID and it was hell for her. It eventually righted itself, somehow I haven’t read far enough into Excalibur to know, but it had to leave some scars. The fact it happened AGAIN after that time she made a bullet meant to destroy earth intangiable and was only saved about a year or so later in story, or month given the weird timescale for marvel but moving on, by Magneto.. and left like this AGAIN until right before Schism. So to me, wether intentional or not, and it feels intentional, Kitty’s been isolated and trapped, alone amongst those around her before.. and she probably dosen’t want that again but worse. So she sails to Krakoa unsure with logan’s grocery list in tow. Which gloriously, we get to see.

And this also explains where the hell the beer used in the big party at the end of HOX and POX came from, though it’s equally likely Logan had magneto steal a beer truck for them and then spent a full day with him carting it all through the gate. But before this gloriousneess Kitty arrives and tries going through the other way.

So before Kitty, or Kate as she prefers to be known now, gets down to a rousing round of killing a child, Bobby shows up. Kitty assures him her problem is be handled by top men, which your saved from the indiana jones refrence because I can’t find a picture for that, logan goes diving for booze.

Because let’s face it Logan without enough Booze to murder Bojack Horseman just isn’t Logan. Bobby heads into a gate to find out why it has no traffic, while Kitty.. gets a phone call from her good old buddy Emma Frost, white queen. As a refresher the two went from sniping at each other constantly to mutaual respect with still a good deal of pot shots during Joss Whedon’s run on the book. That has not really changed. For those of you just joining us Emma was, and now is again, the white queen of a hellfire club and the first evil mutant kitty ever met, so naturally, shit’s complicated. But the important takeaway is that Emma trusts kitty. And has a job opprotunity for her. Those who read HOX and POX probably know that the ruling council of krakoa has an open chair.. and Emma wants her to . See these days Emma’s old running buddies in the hellfire club, which she’s now in charge of, are the Hellfire Trading company, a vital economic partner and thus were naturally courted by Xavier as a vital part of Krakoa and shipping the life giving plants Krakoa gives worldwide. Where Kitty Kitty Bang Bang comes in is that not everyone is happy about Krakoa or welcoming of their gates: HOX and POX outright showed some countries refused to partner with them, and even some that have agreed to soverignty have taken to some drastic measures to keep mutants from leaving.

Yeah, and it makes sense. The Marvel universe was prejudiced against mutants on a GOOD day, and now they’ve outright declared superiority, strong armed their way into acceptance, and want to take all of the rest away to their eden. While they had every right to after multiple, and i’m not exagerating, attempted and two sucessful GENOCIDES, of course they have to play hard ball to get this and of course extremist anti-mutant groups wouldn’t stand for it. But it works because it makes sense: the portals are a big target and several assholes aren’t going to let mutantkind escape their service, or alive, without a fight. So that’s the mission Emma is offering: a seat at the table as Red Queen of Hellfire and a misson saving muties, getting drunk and fightin round the world. And she also, cleverly, juxtoposes her being a pirate with what pirates in the past did: the pirates and traders of old were slavers. Kitty and her crew would be liberators, saving mutants from Humankind, bringing the live saving drugs in even to countries who refused and the mutants out. Speaking of mutants who are out let’s check on Iceman. But first lockheed with a crab.

Awww. So bobby heads to mother russia.. and finds a nice warm reception.

Yeah naturally this dosen’t go well. Russia is , unsuprisingly, being a dick about the whole thing and it turns out the asshole’s armor can temporarily depower mutants, so bobby books it back and tells kitty.. who’s Mr. Lahey levels of plastered and gets Storm to tag along on her boat, with Storm likely doing so Kitty dosen’t start declaring that she is the liquor or something.

We cut to china where a woman is claiming her husband disappeared.. but Bishop shows up looking into it, and claiming he never showed up. She refuses to talk to him and Bishop calls it a night, but like the audience can tell something’s not right, and given he’s on the cover but doesn't join the team this issue, we’ll likely find out soon enough. Meanwhile ON A BOAT. The future Mauraders are filled in that the people surrounding the portal aren’t with the goverment but an extremist group, and find they have a stowaway aboard.

Yup it’s everyone’s faviorite aussie aronist Pyro, back from the dead after years of being dead, a quick ressurection that reset his character development, and then disappearing and being replaced by one of the very few intresting parts of X-Men gold. I wasn’t even aware he’d been ressurected which shows just how much they gave a shit. Duggan wisely gives him amnesia and reveals the tragic truth of how he came back.

Yup, true to Xavier’s new regime being one part hope and compassion and another part cold detached dickery, which really isn’t that far from the old regime he’s just open about the last part now, Pyro was only brought back first so the “Important mutants” would be sure to be safe. Even with his actions post ressurection, going back to petty crimin.. even though his death, despite never having read the issue, is still a great moment in X-History. Pyro, having failed several desperate attempts to cheat death at the hands of the Legacy Virus, uses his last moments to save someone who fears and hates him: Senator Kelly.. and in the process until the man’s own death changed the man from Mutantkind’s greatest enemy to a great supporter. And after that great selfless sacrifice... all Xavier and Magneto think of him is a lab rat, an unimportant mutant to use first to make sure their plan works. A throwaway slab of mutant meat. Understandably he was about to slide right back into crime but is instead drafted by storm and likely thinks “Eh, what else am I gonna do. “ So with our roster complete for now, our heroes dive into battle with kitty suggesting they swarm the power suit asshole so she can take him out and it works, but leaves her with just herself, pyro and lockheed to fight back.. and we get one of the best marvel fight scenes in recent history as a result. I’m only showing what’s necessary, but I can’t resisit a few choice shots

The fight as you can see is fast paced, fun, and uses kitty’s powers in creative ways we haven’t seen in some time. It’s been a LONG time since her powers weren’t boiled down to “I can’t be hurt” and “I can disrupt tech by phasing through it” and it is GLORIOUS, with Lolli’s art utterly shining and promising more tasty action and creative fights to come. Also i’d be remiss if I left this out

KItty using lockheed to give pyro a boost and blow away the Calvary. Our heroes win the day, save the grateful mutants the group had been holding from the gulag, and send them home, with all three deciding to stick with her: Pyro because it’s fun and because as established he’s pissed at Xavier and Mags for using him as a lab animal, and Iceman out of loyalty. With that Kitty has one of the mutants presence pull out her phone and gives one hell of a series, and team, tagline...

The issue closes out with a nice little scene where Kitty asks storm to join her. And while storm, understandably given the last mutant group of maurders caused aforementioned massacre, not crazy about the name, she affirms her loyalty to her old friend’s new cause.. and to her in this beautiful line of dialogue.

And with that, Kate takes Emma up on her offer and we get a great group shot to close us out.

Well okay not entirely. Like in powers of x we get some plot revant gossip from bar sinsiter. Mostly just foreshadowing for the future.. that emma may of asked someone before storm, a clan of racists in hoods, and some “red tides” at hellfire bay. nothing to dig into much. Final Thoughts: An excellent start that I hope keeps going like this. Marauders is one of my faviorite kinds of comics: a quirky team, loads of laughs and great likeable characters. Pyro is an easy faviorite and the book took Kitty from creators pet for Benids and Guggenhiem into new territory while building on what Claremont, Ellis and Whedon started. It’s also a welcome breath of fresh air after the more plot based house and powers to have more character focused stories and reactions to Krakoa and see the world build as we see how the globe is taking the Mutants new status. An excellent addition to what hickman has built. If you liked this follow me for more as i’ll be reviewing X-Men #1 sometime soon, Excalibur #1 next week, and more fun stuff and if there’s something you’d like me to review you can slip me a fiver to commission me for it. Until we meet again my fair muties.

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thecorteztwins · 5 years ago

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Well, these are some headcanons that I have for some of my favorite minor Marvel characters that I don’t have a blog for-- Aireo, Aqueduct, Catsye, Darkstar, Fantasma, and Skein. Under the cut in alphabetical order!

AIREO AKA SKYBREAKER - Aireo was originally imprisoned in Attilan for rebelling against Black Bolt’s rule. And after he had been exiled into the human world and became a criminal there, he was imprisoned in a superhuman jail, where he said that it was even more regressive than his fellow Inhumans. Based on this, I think he probably had a lot of problems with the shittier aspects of how Attilan was run, like the arranged/forced marriages and control of who could reproduce with who. He clearly thinks Inhumans are still superior though, as evident by remarks he makes to Firestar. - He’s frequently sick due to the pollution of the human world. This is also why he has to only eat organic. - He’s a vegetarian, since Attilan doesn’t have animals that’s what he’s used to. He finds the idea of eating meat to be barbaric. - His skinniness might be unhealthy on someone else, but it’s how he’s SUPPOSED to be, to facilitate flight easier on the winds he summons. - His brother is HELIO, another villainous minor Inhuman with long hair and wind powers. - He connects with his teammate Terraformer over their respective lack of humanity (in the sense of literally not being human), with Firewall over their mutual anger at regressive systems, and yet it’s Aqueduct, who has the LEAST in common with, that he’s ended up being best buds with...even though he won’t ADMIT that he’s FRIENDS with a HUMAN. - After being exiled from Attilan, I think he just kind of fell into human crime because it was all he could do? He has no human identity, citizenship, or documentation, he has no job skills or degrees, he wouldn't even understand human culture or money when he first started. I imagine he was probably manipulated and exploited a lot for his powers at first, which didn’t help his opinion of humanity. - It pisses him off EXTREMELY how his former boss Maximus gets all the second chances just because he’s Black Bolt’s brother. AQUEDUCT aka Peter Van Zante! - There are SO MANY Peters in Marvel already that I always refer to him by his codename, so I would write him as strictly going by Aqueduct, Aque, Van Zante, Van, or Zante because calling him Peter just makes even ME think of other characters...and after typing that I nearly called him Peter instead of Aque during every point of this list. - He fought in Vietnam so of course he’d be much older if he aged in real-time, but this being comics he gets to eternally be 30 to 40. I picture him as like....33. Maybe 36 max. - He just seems to be a real loser in canon no matter what he’s doing and who he’s fighting, and I like that. Being an aquekinetic should theoretically be an INCREDIBLE power, especially when he gained the ability to instantly dehydrate someone to death, but the poor guy has just never managed to be anything above a D-list threat. He doesn’t seem very smart or imaginative in how to use his powers, and he also just has terrible luck in terms of the heroes he winds up going against (who often end up being immune to water powers in some way) All of this makes him super endearing to me because of course it does. - Heterosexual. He’s had three steady girlfriends in his life, none of which worked out, and he’s not great with women. He’s visited strip clubs and even paid for sex before but he’s not proud of this, he’s just lonely. -His self-esteem seems very easily influenced by external events. For instance, when he's suffered a setback or defeat, he becomes insecure, pessimistic, and dumps on himself terribly. All the insecurity vanishes, however, the moment he has the upper hand. He becomes a gloating megalomanic, drunk on his own sudden rush of self-esteem, certain of his unbeatable supremacy. - I think he feels much better when he's working with a group; he hasn’t left Force of Nature since he joined up. I think it’s because he can enjoy the mental high of success, but escape the lows of defeat by deferring the responsibility for it on to whoever is in charge. But I also think he genuinely enjoys having friends and comrades. -We never see or hear anything about his family so I headcanon they’re estranged from him due to his being a loser, like he probably has borrowed a lot of money from his parents over and over that he never paid back, that kind of thing.

- He's moody, and not very bright. He's not bad socially, definitely the sort you could have a beer with, but he's also not the most sensitive or astute. He’s probably the nicest person on the Force of Nature squad, though of course he’s shown to hesitate to kill at all during his job as a merc for exco-terrorists. - While I see the rest of Force of Nature as genuinely having some degree of personal investment in Project Earth (the eco-terrorists who hired them) I don’t think Aque does. He doesn’t hate nature or anything, just the usual limit of his “environmentalism” is that he’ll put his beer can in the recycling bin if one is around. - He’s listed as rather overweight for his height. That’s probably meant to be muscle mass, especially given how he’s drawn...but his teammate Aireo/Skybreaker is listed as drastically underweight and drawn the same way, suggesting more to me that the artists just can only draw one body type for men. Because muscles or not, there’s a 100 pound difference between these dudes, they should NOT look this close in size. So my headcanon instead is that AIreo is super skinny and Aqueduct is kinda hefty, and I draw them that way. While there can be many reasons a person is fat or chubby, I admit I do go the common cliche route with Aque---he just doesn’t have a great diet, I picture him as mostly eating at greasy cheap diners and fast food and probably having one too many beers at times. - He’s pretty much trapped in villainy at this point, he can’t really get any kind of legitimate job anymore, so he’s just go to keep doing what he’s doing. He’s not opposed to it, he doesn’t have a moral issue or anything, but he doesn’t like not having a CHOICE, or the knowledge that he put himself here. - He doesn’t seem to have any issues from being in Vietnam, but his encounter with the Ghost Rider and the effects of his whole hellfire-stare thing messed him up so badly he had a mental breakdown and spent time in an asylum, and loses his shit whenever the Ghost Rider is near or even mentioned. So I don’t think it’s even a headcanon to say he’s traumatized by that, it’s just canon. All of Force of Nature also gets a little unhinged from the weeks they’re trapped fighting in a Trans-Sabal war zone, and I imagine there were effects of that afterwards for Aqueduct too. - He’s introduced with SHORT HAIR when he’s the solo Water Wizard, but gets a LONG HAIRSTYLE when he joins Force of Nature that later changes to a MOHAWK STYLE...I draw him with the original short hair, I like it best on him and I think it suits the personality that I read into him. - We never see him in civilian-wear, but I picture him as in just like...very basic working-class guy stuff? Like flannels over t-shirts with jeans and work boots, that kind of thing. Probably leans towards blues and greens with brown neutrals. CATSEYE aka Sharon Smith! - Fanart often depicts her with collar-style necklaces and chokers, but I headcanon her as hating these, since a lot of real cats actually can’t stand them. - She had to be taught to wear clothes, of course, and that was a battle for Emma, but now that she does, she picks her own out. She has a preference for things that are comfy and allow for a lot of movement, without being too restrictive or too loose. A lot of her stuff is therefore athletic-wear, and she always has a swimsuit-like garment underneath that is made of unstable molecules so she can transform without being naked when she resumes her human state. She’s developed a surprisingly good eye for what colors look best on her, such as yellow, orange, pink, and teal. She even knows to limit the purple she wears, and to not wear it close to her face lest it clash with her purple hair, despite purple being her FAVORITE color because that’s what color she is! - According to Emma’s files, Catseye could detect lies and hated them, but it’s never explained HOW she knew that someone was lying. My headcanon is she could smell them, or more specifically, smell the subtle physiological changes that accompany someone lying. So if someone is lying and THEY KNOW IT, she’d smell it. If someone thinks they are telling the truth, these changes wouldn’t take place, and thus she’d believe them. Likewise, these scents won’t accompany things like billboards or commercials, so she would believe those, hence one issue where Jetstream explains to her that television is a bunch of lies. - Emma’s theory is that she was abandoned at birth for her mutation and adopted in a feral cat colony, but my theory is she was actually abandoned at an older age, around five, at which point she’d have already learned how to speak English. She just forgot it, along with her formal life, after years with the cats as a cat herself. So it’s not that she LEARNED English after never having known it, she REGAINED it. This is much more realistic for a feral child; if a child isn’t exposed to language by a certain age, it is pretty much impossible for them to learn to talk at a later age like Catseye did. I looked up a bunch of real feral child cases, and age five is the youngest at which they could be abandoned and still regain speech later. Obviously, telepathy from Emma would help too, along with Sharon’s own ferocious intelligence, which is probably how she managed to do it so quickly instead of it taking years and years! - Catseye was a lesbian. She only ever remarks on the appearance of girls (Amara, Angelica, Rahne) and if she finds them pretty or not. I just think it would take a long time for her to come around to it, not because they are girls (she doesn't care about THAT, she never absorbed any homophobia to internalize from CATS) but because they're HUMAN, which she does not see herself as being, so feeling attraction to humans is super weird for her. - I think that Jetstream really looked out for Catseye. He does things in canon like stopping her from jumping on Magma when she's in flame mode, or explaining to her that she can't trust what the television tells her. I think they were total bros and he was always making sure she didn't hurt herself or get in trouble as best he could. And while Catseye didn’t think she needed the help, I think she was affectionate to him right back, there’s a panel where she rubs against his hand in feline form, which we never saw her do with anyone else to my memory. - Sharon same allergies and dietary limits as a cat (such as lilies making her very sick), and is vulnerable to feline diseases along with human ones. But she also has the feline resistance needed to do things like eat raw meat without fear of illness or parasites. - We know animals have their own languages in Marvel (see: Squirrel Girl talking to squirrels) so I headcanon she can communicate with cats, they just don’t give a shit what she says because they’re CATS, they’re not going to do what she says the way dogs or squirrels do. So what if she’s another cat? People don’t do what another person tells them just because they’re both human! - She’s not afraid of water, nor does catnip make her go crazy, but the laser pointer does! She also has a big collection of things like milk bottle rings, hair bands, and other things pet cats love to play with. DARKSTAR aka Laynia Petrovna! - At the board I write her at, I write her as a lesbian. There is admittedly NO canon evidence for this, but there’s also very little against it? She’s only had ONE boyfriend, when she first showed up, and none since. There could be a LOT of other reasons for this, of course, but I also think it’s totally beieviable that a teenage lesbian (I estimate she was like 19 at that point) who was in the employ of the SOVIET UNION (which was not nice to gays) to have a beard (and probably believe herself she was straight) and to stay closeted as an adult since because Russia is still...not great, to the say the least. I think she’d be cute with Monet, so based on that I’m going to say her type is good-but-dangerous women with shoulder-length-or-longer hair who have toned arms/biceps and are moderately-to-high femme like her. - I estimate her age as around 33 now? Like probably close in age to the O5 X-Men. - Based on a remark she made to Iron Man in one issue, I see her as viewing anyone she fights beside as automatically being her friend, even if they don’t feel the same way. - We rarely see her in civilian clothes, I think only once, so my fashion headcanons are all based mostly on her costumes. I think she bases her outfits around a dark, cool color scheme, like black or blue, then adds bright accents/accessories. Due to coming from cold Russia, short bottoms aren’t in her wardrobe and most of her sleeves are long. She favors high-necked blousy belted tops with sleek pants and functional but pretty boots. Her long blonde is eternally pushed back. by some sort of headband. Cloth, plastic, wood, plain, pearls, bejeweled, patterned, she has them in near every variety possible and they are her most common accessory. She also owns a large assortment of stylish winter coats, scarves, gloves, and hats. Because, again, Russian. She's not much one for bracelets, preferring brooches and pendants more, typically in oval or starburst shapes. She has a love for black velvet, and it will show up for dressy events in forms such as a rhinestone-dotted envelope handbag or round-toed pumps with ankle straps. - Laynia collects small antique music boxes and crystal glass figurines of pretty things like ballerinas and swans. She likes black velvet jewel pillows, gemstones (clear, black, or yellow) all sorts of museums (but especially art, astronomy, and natural history) and the sight of pure white snow under the street lamps at night before people can ruin it into dirty slush the next day. Laynia likes sweet delicate desserts like rock candy, powder candy, jujubes, marzipan, and bliny or oladyi with varenya style fruit preserves. She likes classical, romantic, disco, pop, and synth music. Her favorite animals are white weasels/minks (because they're so pretty and cute) and wolves (because they're beautiful too, but also such social animals with strong family dynamics) Laynia likes “slice of life” fictional media, such as domestic drama novels or family-centered sitcom shows. These are fantasies for her, these are escapes from what’s “normal” in her life. For the same reason, she avoids spy thrillers and similar genres, no matter how unrealistic they are in their depictions. She delights in mundane tasks. Likes working in small groups, dislikes working alone or large groups. Black flowers and butterflies

- Dislikes: Being asked about Putin or the Romanovs or things like that, just because she’s Russian. People not knowing the difference between Russian and Belarusian, zhurek and tukmachi (too fatty), any kind of preserved fish dish (fish should only be served fresh or not at all!) Getting her eyelashes in her eyeball when they fall out . - In one comic, she anthropomorphizes the Darkforce, calling it "she" and believing it has feelings or at the very least is capable of pain. My headcanon for what she actually feels when she feels the Darkforce in "pain" is due to simply her mental connection to her own Darkforce constructs that allows her to create, maintain, and manipulate them. When they are attacked, dissipated, or changed against her will, she feels that as pain, and interprets it as the Darkforce being in pain "herself" - Based on a comment she makes at one point, I think that though not religious aside from a vague conception of Heaven and its goodness/judgement, Laynia is a strong believer in the supernatural, in particular of ghosts. She is not, however, a fan of them, and would prefer to stay away from anywhere that is rumored to be haunted, had a tragedy occur there, or simply feels creepy to her (based on another comment she makes in another instance) - Because Laynia was brought up not to complain, she often won’t express that something is bothering her or that someone has offended her. She thinks she’s doing the right thing, but many people would in fact far prefer that she speak up if she’s got a problem. -Laynia lacks a lot of basic life skills because they simply weren’t taught to her in the “school” she was raised in. For instance, what outfits are appropriate where, car maintenance, budgeting, cleaning, and cooking. She was taught how to find and prepare food in the Siberian wilderness should she ever be stranded or stationed there, but not how to go to the supermarket and make a normal meal in a normal kitchen. She knows to turn to Google for most of this stuff, she's not stupid, but it can be surprising to some people what she doesn't know, and she often doesn't even know it's something she needs to know until it comes up. - Laynia is automatically inclined to trust and obey doctors, professors, and similar people, as well as military personnel. It doesn’t mean she’ll do or believe absolutely anything they say, that depends what it is, but she gives their opinion and approval more weight than she does other people. Laynia also takes criticism from her superiors very personally, but doesn't show it. Crying every time you get reprimanded of course wasn't something you're allowed to do when being trained by the State, so of course she'd never show it, but she would FEEL it because she was taught that her entire purpose was to serve said State, thus her self-worth hinges on it, and a failure hurts that self-worth. This need for approval from authorities means she’ll try to evade blame when something goes awry, and is loath to step out of line. This can make her a snitch, a suck up, and disliked by her peers for it. Laynia does her best to put up a kind and cordial demeanor to all, and retain a polite decorum even when it’s not returned. This is more to avoid making waves in the team than anything else. If there is discord in the ranks, she refuses to ever be the one to blame for it. It’s not that Laynia doesn’t question orders ever. She does. And she does sometimes find her moral conscience at odds with them. The problem is that she seldom acts on these thoughts, instead proceeding with her missions despite her misgivings. FANTASMA sometimes called Fantasia (all for her PRIOR to finding out she’s a Dire Wraith and resuming the evil ways of her kind) - Given the name Faina Neizvestny (Neizvestny meaning "unknown" rather than the usual patronymic Russian surname) and the codename Fantasma. She thought this was a reference to how she was essentially a ghost, someone with no past and no paper trail. In fact it was someone's idea of a joke---a phantasm is a ghost, and another word for ghost is wraith. She didn't know the implication, but she felt far more connected to her codename than her civilian name, perhaps because it wasn’t a human name at all. She quickly grew to only introduce herself as Fantasma whenever possible, and to only answer to such. What’s more, she leaned towards preferring codenames for her teammates well, finding it somehow infantile that they kept their human names when they had earned something grander. Nicknames: Fanny, Fanty, Fan, Tas (all disliked) - Likes elegant perfume bottles that are as much decoration as container, beluga caviar and raw squid, The Conet Project recordings (it's basically music to her) as well as Imogen Heap/Frou Frou, ethereal darkwave, and some trance music, the cold Dislikes confined spaces (we see this in canon) When one first meets Fantasma, she gives the impression of being cool and aloof. Despite her unfailing and prim politeness even in dire circumstances, her manner is cold, brusque, and impersonal, even among those she counts as allies and friends. The best way to describe Fantasma might be a sociopath who is trying not to be a sociopath. In fact, that’s exactly what she thinks she is. Fantasma does not have an internal sense of empathy or morals. She wants to, and she does her best to compensate for this lack, but it's not something she naturally has. Her bio-fields allow her to recognize the pain of others, to share in it, but she doesn't actually feel anything when she sees people hurt or danger. Not without the aid of tapping into her bio-field. And while she will do her best to save innocent people from being hurt, that's because she knows as an intellectual fact that it's what a "good person" would do, and she desires to act as a good person would. All her good actions are exactly that, an intellectual choice to be what she deduces from the norms of society is "good"; she has no internal guiding sense of goodness whatsoever. She wants one. But it's not there. So she just does her best, trying to learn what's "good" from outside sources---books, television, the actions and reactions of other people--and act accordingly. But her heart isn't in it; she knows logically that murder is worthy of greater punishment than jaywalking, but she doesn't feel greater ire at one or the other. She simply understands both are wrong by the standards of law and society, and one is considered more wrong, and should thus be treated as such by a "good" person. Fantasma often feels disconnected from the rest of humanity, like she's a monster or at least not normal. Partly, it's because of her aforementioned lack of "human" mental traits. But it's more than that. She has a constant, distinct sense of simply not belonging, like she's perpetually a stranger in a strange land no matter where she goes, no matter how long she's been there. She doesn't even feel comfortable in her own body, no matter which form she takes. When she's in her true form, she feels like a hideous monster, because that's what it is. But when she's in the beautiful human form that she's so painstakingly crafted to be perfect, she feels what almost might be called dysphoria. She hates both states, and also craves them equally, wanting to be herself and wanting to be a beautiful normal woman. It's torment. It's this feeling of alienation that drives her to try to be as "good" as she can. She feels that she can "fake it til she makes it" in terms of being a normal person, that if she just ACTS like a person with normal empathy and morals enough, she can eventually be one, or at least indistinguishable from one. She'll be like everyone else. And then she won't have the horrible feeling of NOT being like anyone else. Her feeling of not belonging has also made her desire acceptance, and she's learned that her natural personality doesn't win her any favors from most folks, she feels that she can instead be loved and accepted for heroic actions. This has the added bonus of letting her be loved and accepted from a DISTANCE, by society as a whole, rather than having to develop an actual relationship with another person. One can imagine how someone like her might have trouble with that. And she doesn't really want it anyway. She doesn't want to be close with anyone, not anyone she's ever met anyway. She just wants to feel she's one of them. She wants to feel comfortable in the world she lives in, like she belongs in it. Maybe once she does, she'll feel comfortable in her own skin too, or at least one of them. And...she really does want to be good, to be a person. She's aware she's missing something, she's aware she's probably little different than many of the evil individuals she's encountered. But she can be different in her deeds, at least if not her soul. And doesn't the DESIRE the be better than what she is, in itself make her better? While she has an intellectual understanding of how to be deceitful, and will do so in the service of the greater good (ex: lying to an enemy), she cannot understand how to be truly manipulative, as that requires understanding of the normal human thought process and emotions that she does not have, and Fantasma’s feelings are mainly loneliness, irritation, and resilient acceptance. She doesn’t feel affection and love but knows when she should and based her relationships on that. Her sense of pleasure is mainly physical, though she’s never found any food or drinks she actually LIKES, nor is she sexually attracted to humans. Might seem odd that someone essentially asexual dresses as she does, does so for approval, desire, to show off her body and be wanted and seen as beautiful. She's proud of what she's made, and wants it to be admired. She also of course perceives the negative emotions that her attire elicits---the scorn, the the scoffing, the catty comments, the raw animal lust and sexual presumption--but she has decided it's an acceptable cost for the right to display herself as her own living work of art. Her feelings seldom run hot even in the height of battle, and when she's angry, it's an icy cold anger. When not merely coldly polite and cordially distant, she'll often use her bio-field abilities to simply tap into the other person's mood and reflect it back at them. Fantasma prefers cold climates She innately respects female authorities more than male. She’ll obey a male commander because she’s supposed to follow who’s in charge, but dominant “alpha” females in positions of power give her an actual URGE to obey them and seek their favor (based on Dire Wraiths being matriarchal and serving a Queen Moher) Fantasma can be loyal if she chooses to be. And she does choose it. It's a deliberate choice, not a feeling. She selects what organization she will be loyal to (she has an easier time with these than with individual people) based on how ethical it is and the opportunity it will allow her to use her powers for the good of others. She knows that she herself may not be able to find these opportunities on her own, nor always make the right ethical decision on her own, and thus prefers being able to look to an official authority, such as the state, for instructions. She's savvy enough, of course, to realize that a government-sanctioned team will be given instructions with the government's benefit in mind, but so long as that also involves protecting and serving the people, she's willing to do as she's told either way. Thus, she chooses to be loyal by simply acting as a loyal person would, taking orders and carrying them out, and taking a bullet for her teammates even if she feels nothing for them personally. Fantasma knows when others dislike her, but never feels hurt or angry about it. She's the definition of not taking it personally, even when it's very personal. Because of this, she is never one to fuel a feud or participate in petty squabbles. She does feel vindictive when slighted, but since she believes good people don't seek vengeance over personal slights, only justice against real evil and wrongdoing, she does not act on these feelings. Not many things give her joy. But she sometimes feels an urge, something deeper and far more primal than a daydream, of pieces of herself spreading far and wide, taking over everything, overtaking all life like a fungus covering a forest. And that...feels so right. Overall, Fantasma is basically a humanitarian robot, going through all the motions of goodness and compassion as dictated by the norms of society, without any of the internal drive normally behind such actions. She essentially encapsulates the philosophical question---does one's motives for doing good matter, so long as one does it anyway? SKEIN aka Sybil Dvorak - Her backstory is that she was always a loner who kept to herself by choice, til she fell in love with an American movie star who took her back to Los Angeles with him. Because she was an illegal immigrant (and he wouldn’t marry her to make her legal) she ended up confined to the house, and she suspected he was having affairs. After she got her citizenship and he mysteriously died, leaving everything to her, she started a “cult” in which she provided drugs to junkies in exchange for them worshipping her and bringing her soft things. Now, the thing is, drugs are going to cost more than fabrics, feathers, and even some furs. If she JUST wanted soft stuff, she could have bought it directly herself. I think what she really wanted was the people. Despite how much she came to hate her late lover, she was lonely after his death, something she had never experienced before, having always previously been a loner by her own choice. She wanted people around for the first time. But this time, she wanted the control. Hence, the use of drugs to keep them wrapped around her finger as their provider. - She has a cold, haughty, almost emotionless affect when she first appears, and for awhile after, as well as speaking very formal English and wearing a very modest costume. In the 90s, when she takes the new codename “Skein” as opposed to G****y Moth, she also takes on a new thrill-seeking and hypersexual persona, a revealing costume, and a much more casual way of speaking. My theory is that as she became more exposed to wild and criminal lifestyles through the junkies and through the other supervillains she worked with later, she began to find that thrillseeking hedonism made her feel “alive” in a way she hadn’t previously been, hence her change from a cold personality to a very hot one. I feel like engaging in lots of sensual pleasures is all an extension of her sensory fascination with soft things. As she spent more time in America, her English also just naturally got more casual since that’s how most people around her would be speaking it. - Problematic representation though she is, I do indeed agree with the fanon opinion she’s hinted as bisexual. - She’s from Romania, but her surname (Dvorak) is Czech. As it happens, Czech Romanians are an ethnic minority there numbering about four thousand, so my headcanon is that’s what she is. - Her canon backstory is that she was “raised by Roma” (except of course Marvel uses the g-slur) which...implies she’s NOT Roma, and that they just raised her, which begs the question of what happened to her family? It reminds me of antiziganist myths about Roma stealing children, not to mention that given how Roma are stereotyped as thieves (and the women as hypersexual) I decided to minimize her connection to anything Romani in my headcanon, and say instead that she came from a Czech Romanian family and she just TOLD other kids she was “raised by Roma” because they seemed cool to her, being the little loner she was. - I headcanon that her love for softness extends to people, that she’s most attracted to people who are “soft” in some way, be in physically or in their personality. Case in point, I headcanon her with a crush on Haven, because like...curvy body, soft hair, soft clothes, soft-looking eyes, soft voice, gentle personality. Total package right there as far as Skein sees it...aside from not being sexual at all or at all into women. Drat! (I feel like Aqueduct is kinda sweet on Haven too, though I feel weird about making TWO characters attracted to her but I mean...shit, I would be, and she’s not even my typical type!) - I think being overtly flirtatious might be the only way she knows how to connect with people. I don’t mean to pathologize her sexuality, like women can just BE sexy and flirty without there being some deep reason, and I think that’s partly it here too, but also in the context of her larger personality I think this is partly it as well.

#marvel #marvel comics #marvel villains #marvel headcanons

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tiffgeorgina · 5 years ago

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about the bastard babey!

hey y’all im getting kinda close to 100 followers so im just gonna make a quick abt so yall can like. know me and shit. adding a cut bc this is kinda long

-y’all can call me indigo or tiff idc lol. i do not kin tiff georgina, let me just put that out there. i just liked the url. any pronouns please. im lesbian and i reclaim dyke but not queer. call me queer and i will block you. nonlesbians don’t call me dyke or expect the same treatment.

-im 18 so keep that in mind if you’re like. 15 and want to message me. or if you’re +30 and want to msg me. just let me know how old you are if you’re drastically older/younger than me so i know how to interact with you appropriately yk?

-im the resident bootleg lady! yes im @indigo-boots and my list of bootlegs can be found here: https://encora.one/indigo +1000 recordings and counting! im currently closed to gifts and sales, but im open to trades so feel free to msg me to talk about boots or trade! respect NFT dates or die.

-i’ve been running this blog for a few months now, probably since the tail end of season 1 of black monday. i originally just wanted to claim the canon url, then i actually started posting my hot takes here and the rest is history. i will probably always be posting about black monday, the book of mormon, and falsettos here. yes i stan andrew what of it.

-im @tiffgeorgina on twitter and @socialjusticemage_ on reddit in case you see me over there. i literally just andrew post on my twitter so if you stan feel free to follow me uwu

-i think im like. the resident black monday stan. like if you go through that tag it’s all me babey! i track #black monday.

-i have a lot of black monday-specific tags. #open mic night is for asks, #men get pegged is blair, #women be shopping is tiff, #biggest set of nuts on ball street is dawn, #black moses is mo, #more flaming than fire island is keith, i had tags for the agent mills and agent fox but i forgot it :| #a million queue lawyers a million queue years to queue out is my queue tag duh, #slander is my tag for things i say outside the tags (it’s from episode 5 if you’re curious), #otp: partners. is my mo x dawn tag, and there’s probs more i don’t care to mention lmao

-my asks are always open, so feel free to yell about literally anything to me. black monday, fic prompts (since im starting to actually write), discourse, etc. anon is always on so idc what yall say uwu feel free to say things. on that note my msgs are also always open so if y’all need somebody to talk to about anything andrew-adjacent (especially black monday) feel free to msg me. also if you want to watch black monday msg me and i can get you a link (it’s SD but it’s better than nothing)

-this user does not tolerate: racism, homophobia, lesbophobia, biphobia, transphobia, transmisogyny, or other forms of bigotry or freakazoidism. be normal and also do not ask me about ace discourse or i’ll lose all my followers lmfao

-this user is also of the opinion that blair’s last name is spelled phaff, blair is gay, dawn’s last name is towner but it should’ve been darcy, and nobody at showtime PR knows how to do fuckin anything.

-i listen to a shitton of musicals, including but not limited to: the great comet, falsettos, the book of mormon, mean girls, heathers, hamilton, six, we are the tigers, hairspray, cabaret, moulin rouge!, &juliet, beetlejuice, the prom, legally blonde, 13, be more chill, hadestown, and next to normal. i’ll probably post about all of these over here from time to time.

-i listen to a bit of kpop too, so you might see some idol gifsets here too (probably just my wife heo solji from exid let’s be real)

-im half ashkenazi jewish, so if i use the k slur don’t decapitate me bc if i ever use it it’s reclaimed uwu

-im from northern california, but i live in southern california for school. i’ll almost always be on PST unless i specify otherwise.

-porn blogs DNI. switch to your fucking sideblog and put your fucking dick away. put your fucking dick away.

-if y’all have any questions about falsettos/black monday/the book of mormon feel free to ask or msg me! there are no dumb questions and i will jump at any chance to launch into a giant analysis post lmao

-i try to rb everything im tagged in and interact with y’all as much as possible bc ily so feel free to annoy me at like all hours

-my main is @ninetyfivepercentstress as seen in my desc. that’s where i send asks, replies, likes, and follow backs.

-i might update this some more later if i feel like it lol thanks for reading y’all and welcome to this shithole of a blog!

#about the bastard #abt.#slander

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enniewritesathing · 5 years ago

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Stuff where I talk about things

or the spoiler post, or some clarifications because there’s no dialogue/text with this with a dash of behind the scenes

under a cut because... well, I like to talk

Were!John leaping into the air like that?? funniest thing I’ve done, hands down. I was struggling thinking ‘okay, so how is this guy gonna die’ and the gremlin was like ‘well... maybe off the top rope shit?’

that’s what i named that whole sequence

I didn’t show that guy’s head being caved in or even the aftermath of it. I did pose it but it looked... weird. Granted, his head got smashed in but stll.

There was a good second of silence after the guy handling the anesthesia asked a series of questions.

“Hey, if a werewolf dies, it’s said they turn back human. So, why hasn’t [John] turned back yet?” [Famous last words]

You may ask how come no one figured that out? Would have the monitor picked up on any heartbeat? Or the screen at the head of the surgical table for any motion? The lead was too far away from the screen and also the bracelets that were on John’s wrists were taken off.

that and were!John did play dead. Like his cover should have been blown when his eyes were closed.

I had to go find and get screens from various ECG readings and I gotta tell ya, I have learned a lot! I wanted to find some that had more readings (BP/Respiratory Rate/etc) but nothing I could use, low quality... and I couldn’t make them myself. Oh well. That would’ve been neat, I think.

That was the first ‘meeting’ between John and were!John.

Also, I have to say, I didn’t think the difference between them would be that stark? John looks really young when he doesn’t have any body hair on him??

The shot of were!John daring the cop to shoot him is another good shot that I love. You know he called this man a “p*ssy”.

Were!John knew that the gun wasn’t going to shoot on the basis that he counted the bullets that were fired. It sounded different when lead researcher shot and killed the cop.

I really did feel bad when some parts called for John to be crying. No less than, what 4 times? I’m terrible! My boy D:

Posing 5 rigs and then setting them up? What a fucking nightmare. 0/10 what was I THINKING

The sequence that ended with were!John holding the heart of a seriously dead man... the beginning of it, he tried shifting the blame to the lead researcher, but were!John smelled the medicine used on him. That he was told to. Sure, but the counterpoint is that he could have refused to. The fact that he did it twice and then have the audacity to get all high and mighty about it when it was thought that were!John died. Just as complicit as everyone else in the room.

I’m glad this heart cc was made because the other one would have looked goofy looking.

I had the idea of him taking a bite of it and looking very deranged and, y’know be Like That... but then I thought, he wouldn’t waste food much less a heart as they are extremely tasty when fresh.

The pic of him in the dark? Probably the scariest shot of anything.

Would have he tried and killed the remaining person? Nah. For one, they weren’t a threat (despite the fact that Actual Security was with them, pointing shotguns in his face no less). Two, were!John was asked if he was done. And he was. He was exhausted. All of his anger was gone. And three, he sensed that he didn’t want to bring any more harm to were!John, treating him with actual kindness.

“You’ve made quite the mess. You must be tired, Johnathan. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

okay, back to the first ‘meeting’. were!John is mostly “hey, what the fuck is going on, why are we dying here??” and John... explains the situation and were!John is upset because he knows what’s up.

They argue in how to stop the situation, or rather John is arguing with were!John to not kill whoever’s behind them dying.

“If I don’t put a stop to this, then you will die. We will die.�� The point is driven by the fact that John dies about twice during their meeting, and the last part of it he’s really weakened. This is when he cries because of the sheer pain that he’s going through. He doesn’t want to kill, but if it makes the pain stop, then...

This is the part that were!John tells John: “It won’t be you doing it.” It’s a very important distinction. “This isn’t your burden to carry.”

I would also say that this story tells it from were!John’s perspective and give his side of it. He is far more complex than what was said about him in the first place. He is... what’s the word I’m looking for, gentle? towards his human side.

The plan was essentially, “the next time you die, let me jump in and handle business, but whatever you do, just stay put, don’t listen to any voices, don’t follow no one, etc.”

When were!John took over, the room turned black. When he gave John back control, the half he stood on was black, and John’s side was white. When were!John left, the room was back to white. I thought it would be a cool idea for ~subtle symbolism~.

Meanwhile, back at the surgery, it’s obvious that when John wasn’t turning back (forcibly), there were some arguments.

Basically, “eh, if he dies, we can bring him back and try again nbd, we’ve got ALL night and he’s been shown to be alright after. We’re going to reverse this.”

Funny how that worked out.

for real though, posing 5 rigs? setting them up? keeping track of who’s who?? 0/10.

And on another note, this story would not have been possible without all of the CC involved. It is a grocery list of things that I’ve been waiting on for a while, no matter how niche it was, but I’m glad someone made it and decided to share it.

The time for were!John to do his business? ‘bout 10 minutes.

Oh!! I forgot about!! Using TOOL!! It’s a pain in the ass! I don’t know my angles! And I didn’t know what axis was what! That probably took me longer than I needed to! But stuff got flipped like I wanted it to or else the environment would’ve looked real goofy.

I think that’s it... for now...

My favorite shots?!

the mentioned were!John jumping off the top rope

The smile

The look of pure terror when the guy with the undercut realized that John wasn’t dead after all

Actually just all the looks of terror. I put extra thought into that.

that single shot of were!John crying before vindication.

John on the floor looking shocked at seeing were!John.

were!John holding John as he (essentially) died and the taking over!!

how exhausted and done were!John looked as he stood up

what’s ya’lls favorite shot/sequence? :>

I’m not gonna lie, when I made the pose of John arching his back and popped in-game, I thought... okay that’s a little extra, but we’ll keep it.

when I was making poses for that part, I had an outfit that had tears (apartment!John is the other John and... what I’m saying is, it’s hard to keep track of two in one spot) and I left it in as a goof but then I was like “YO THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING”

i mentioned in a earlier post that John is an angry crier. and guess what??

he cries because he is angry. he is wrathful.

And also the person who survived here was Brian’s contact in the story. Brian threatened to kill him/finish what were!John started if he came near John in any capacity. I mean... look at him. Dude’s a shrimp.

TIL there’s a photo upload limit and I busted it twice so, I guess if I have something as big as this, I better update as I go along.

This story and making it is probably the most ambitious thing I’ve done so far on this blog and I am glad I am done.

I may be missing something here but that’s what I’ve got on my mind.

EDIT: Okay, few more things.

Were!John knowing that John will most not likely remember any of this because of some amnesia side effects from the medicines and all of that.

But not really. John gets nightmares/night terrors from all of this. He tells what he remembers to Brian in the main story. It’s incomplete but he still knows. Hearing this prompts Brian to tell John to talk to his were self. They gloss over it in the story, but I would say that were!John tells him what exactly at some point.

And another thing, in the majority of this story, were!John’s sclera is black. What does this mean?

I didn’t know this CC existed but had I known about it, it would’ve been in the main story where were!John charges towards the bear that was gonna kill/eat Brian.

On that note, his sclera was white when he chased and cornered Brian before he figured out whoops, that’s his mate.

And I probably made that part a plot hole because given how were!John behaves in this story and then go buck wild when he first gets out in this story... I mean, it had been two years. maybe he was that excited and temporarily lost his goddamn mind?? Would he have done something to Brian if he wasn’t his mate? I don’t think so. If Brian wasn’t so scared, he’d do something as drastic and slap him hard enough to knock him out of it.

I guess?? well, plot hole I guess! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

#a text post #non sims #spoilers #a LONG post #and there's probably something that I'm missing

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palmettofoxden · 7 years ago

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It’s time for a continuation of the post where Andrew keeps giving reporters different conflicting answers to their questions about why he and his ex-teammate turned rival Neil wear matching armbands.

So, get ready for Neil’s responses to reporters reading Andrew’s latest responses plus Andrew and Neil getting asked about them together after their teams play each other.

Andrew gives a different answer every interview and interviewers hope that Neil will give them a more helpful answer but instead, Neil just enthusiastically agrees with and adds details to Andrew’s story of the week.

A reporter quotes Andrew’s “Kevin’s marking his new exclusive court team with the armbands. So far we’re the only ones picked.”

Neil responds “That’s true. We’ve all been planning on playing court together since my first year with the Foxes.”

A reporter quotes “It only took a few months of knowing him to know he was going to be my mortal enemy, so I marked him with the armbands so everyone would know.”

Neil responds “He already knew I was his enemy before the armbands, but they marked the point when I became his absolute worst enemy. I have been ever since.”

A reporter quotes “Neil Josten is a copycat piece of shit with no sense of personal style.”

Neil responds “Anyone who was on the Fox team my first year can confirm this. They kept aggressively insisting that they needed to take me clothes shopping and then they’d never let me pick clothes out at the store. They kept giving me outfits to wear when they had to be seen in public with me and now I don’t know how to dress myself anymore, so I just copy Andrew.”

A reporter quotes “We’ve been together since university. We secretly live together. We own cats. It’s disgusting.”

Neil responds “We rescued them. Their full names are Sir Fat Cat McCatterson and King Fluffkins, but we usually just call them Sir and King. Andrew still hates the names, but Nicky was pretty insistent on that being Sir’s name.”

A reporter quotes “The armbands are how Wymack marked the worst troublemakers on his team. Neil was so awful no one managed to rank after him.”

Neil responds “I can’t believe Wymack didn’t just retire mid-season from how much trouble I caused that first year. I think I aged Kevin five years from things I said in interviews alone. No one seemed worthy of ranking for armbands in comparison afterwards.”

A reporter quotes “Neil lost a bet and has to wear those armbands for ten years.”

Neil responds “I didn’t think he’d actually hold me to the ten years, but Andrew takes his word very seriously. I haven’t seen my own forearms in years.”

A reporter quotes “They’re to hide our matching sleeve tattoos from a drunken night his freshman year.”

Neil responds “We don’t want matching sleeve tattoos, but we both like how ours look so we’ve been waiting years to see who will budge and get theirs removed first. I’m not budging any time soon.”

A reporter quotes “I forgot about his birthday and had an extra pair lying around so I used them as a shitty present. He’s been wearing them for years. Pathetic.”

Neil responds “Weeks after my birthday he shoved them into my chest and stormed off. He didn’t even wrap them.”

A reporter quotes “What armbands? I have never seen him wear armbands.”

Neil responds “He wears armbands. I wear long-sleeved shirts under the rest of my clothing. It’s totally different. I don’t know why people keep saying we’re wearing matching armbands.”

A report quotes “Wymack marked his best players with them. What a shame his own son didn’t earn any. Kevin cried the day Neil got his.”

Neil responds “Kevin trained and he trained and he pushed himself past his limits and no one ever gave him any armbands. I’m pretty sure he’s still jealous of mine. Maybe, he’s still trying to earn some.”

A reporter quotes “Which one’s Neil again? Is he that really tall dealer? No? Then who am I thinking of?”

Neil responds “No, I think he’s right. Isn’t there a dealer named Neil on one of the other teams? No? What’s his name then? I know the one he means. He’s really tall. Taller than Matt. Are you sure his name isn’t Neil? It’s something that starts with an N.”

A reporter quotes “Nicky gave us the same gifts every year because apparently ‘we are impossible to shop for’.”

Neil responds “Nicky spent hours shopping and still had no idea what to get either of us the first Christmas I knew him, so he got us matching jackets. He’s been using it as an excuse to get us matching presents every year since.”

A reporter quotes “Wymack marked the players that smoke with armbands ‘as black as our lungs are going to turn’ to try to shame us into quitting.”

Neil responds “Clearly, his strategy didn’t work. Did you know these are actually great for carrying cigarettes in?”

A reporter quotes “They used to be friendship bracelets, but now they mark my burning hatred for him.”

Neil responds “He invited me into his group my freshmen year and then realized how much he hates me. He’s been telling me for years all about his hatred for me. He hates every inch of me every second of every day. Sometimes he wakes me up in the middle of the night just to tell me how much he hates me.”

A reporter quotes “Neil Josten changes his appearance so suddenly and extremely, we had to mark him so we would recognize him when he showed up to practice. I guess he got used to wearing them.”

Neil responds “My appearance drastically changed every few weeks that first year. Kevin hated how distracted the team got. After a while, he got an extra pair of armbands from Andrew and made me wear them so everyone could tell who I was when I came to practice so I would be less distracting. I’d been wearing them for years already by the time I graduated, so I got used to them.”

A reporter quotes “Neil’s so pale if his arms see direct sunlight, he gets third degree burns. No one knows why. It’s just his arms. Doctors are stumped.”

Neil responds “Doctors have never seen anything like it. I have to be super careful. If I expose my forearms to direct sunlight, I could end up with burns so bad I have to sit out games.”

A reporter quotes “He stole them from me years ago and wears them at all times to taunt me. And so that I can’t steal them back.”

Neil responds “He broke into my dorm room and went through all my stuff, so I broke into his and took his armbands. He’s been pissed about it for years.”

A reporter quotes “He hides knives in them. He’s a real danger to himself and everyone around him. I can’t believe no one’s stopped him yet.”

Neil responds “It truly is astounding that anyone can get away with carrying knives onto the court, no matter how hidden they are. Although, with the gear overtop the knives are more dangerous against my skin than they are for anyone else. Can you believe I’m stupid enough to play with knives strapped to my skin?”

There is still no clear answer and the fans are still questioning if Andrew and Neil are friends or hate each other when their teams play each other. After the game, they both take press duty and an interviewer takes the chance to ask them both about the armbands. They continue to answer in the same fashion and the reporter can’t get a word in as they just go back and forth listing off more origins for Neil’s armbands.

Neil answers first with "I have cold arms."

Andrew corrects "He's had bad rashes on both arms for years. It’s disgusting."

Neil says "I just wear them because I like them."

Andrew says "It's so we can tell him apart from his secret twin."

Neil says "One time I tried on a shirt that was too small and I couldn't get it back off, so I had to be cut out of it. The sleeves are still stuck."

Andrew says "He's a stubborn piece of shit, so we've had a bet going for years on who will take theirs off first."

Neil says "Allison bet twenty bucks I wouldn't wear them and it was about time she lost a bet. I wear them as a reminder that it is possible to win against her."

Andrew says "Neil has the memory of a goldfish. He writes everything he needs to remember on his wrists and covers the lists with armbands."

Neil says "Andrew superglued them to my arms and, at this point, I'm too embarrassed to try to figure out how to get them off."

Andrew says “They’re compression sleeves. Our wrists are fucked. Neil fucked his up from the way he landed after he tripped over his own shoelace and fell down the stairs.”

Neil says "I decided when I grow up, I want to be just like Andrew. I’ve been wearing them since and trying to become just like him."

Andrew says "He only wears them because he knows I hate it and hate him."

Neil says "Andrew begged me to wear them. He's trying to start a new trend."

Andrew says "I'm sponsored by the company that makes them. Every time I trick Neil into wearing them, I make extra money."

Neil says "He got them buy one, get one free, gave me a pair as a gift, and then made me pay half the regular price."

Andrew says "He has a skin condition where his wrists are rotting. It's why he smells so bad."

Neil gets distracted and argues “Fuck off. I do not smell.”

Andrew says “You reek. I'm getting sick standing next to you.”

Neil insists “That's because we just played a game. You stink too.”

Andrew shrugs and then looks into the camera as he says “At least I don't always smell like this. Neil Josten doesn't know how to use deodorant. Sitting in a car with him is torture.”

Neil says “Shut up. I use deodorant. I do not stink.”

Andrew says “Liar. You smell worse than King right now.”

There is still no clear fan and media consensus on whether Andrew and Neil actually live together and own cats or if that was just them lying even more. Fans are still arguing over which answers about the armbands might be true or if they are all lies.

#All For the Game #The Foxhole Court #Andrew Minyard #Neil Josten #Andreil #Personal #I love my idiot sons #Queue #Neil's armbands

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privateplates4u · 5 years ago

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2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Coupe First Test: Ooooh, Look at That!

Did you look at the taillights? No, really, how closely did you check out the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe’s lit up taillights? The superficially satisfying taillight design is said to have a crystal look, which is fitting from the same automaker that brought us the S-Class coupe’s Swarovski-crystal-filled headlights. When it comes to details that make coupe buyers feel special, the 2018 E-Class coupe knocks it out of the park with a B-pillarless smash. ‪Probably not a good idea to want a car for its crystal-look taillights, but check out how this @mbusa E400 coupe design detail sparkles!‬ #mercedesbenz #mercedeseclass #eclass #coupe #lights #crystal #details A post shared by Zach Gale (@zachgale) on Jul 26, 2017 at 7:00am PDT Of course, our 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic coupe tester wasn’t perfect, but over the course of track testing as well as driving in traffic, on empty highways, and through winding canyon roads, the car mostly presented itself well. Because luxury coupes carry a “pretty” premium over similar sedans and are made to be seen, we’ll start with design. As with the S-Class coupe, the E-Class coupe continues a Mercedes tradition that’s been around for decades: a B-pillarless design on two-doors. The design detail actually improves visibility, but it is mostly cool because no one else in this price class does it. If the C-Class coupe’s exterior styling is “bar-of-soap boring,” as we called it during 2017 Car of the Year testing, the E-Class coupe is one attractive, half-melted bar of soap. Decide for yourself what you think of the exterior (and Mercedes’ diamond-block grille) by opening this review’s extensive gallery of photos. The only pimple on the 2018 E400 coupe’s design—one shared with the last-generation model—is that the rear side windows aren’t a one-piece unit such as those of the S-Class coupe, so a sliver of the rear side glass stays in place even when you lower all the windows. Compared to the last-generation model, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe’s wheelbase has been stretched by 4.4 inches. The new two-door is longer (4.8 inches), wider (2.9 inches), and slightly taller (1.5 inches).Step inside, and you’re greeted by air vents inspired by turbine blades. It’s a rich touch for an interior that lives up to our tester’s $86,685 as-tested MSRP. Before you start adding options, know that for now, every E-Class coupe is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 producing 329 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. That engine is mated to a responsive nine-speed automatic that behaves well except in the car’s sport mode, where its very aggressive tuning can cause the car to lunge forward a little more than you’d like. Our car was equipped with a $1,900 air suspension that provided a smooth, if a little floaty, ride in comfort mode, but that changes drastically if you switch the car all the way to Sport+. When you’re in a sporty mood, I’d maybe stick with Sport because the suspension doesn’t feel as rough. No matter the driving mode, the 329-hp engine is well matched to a car such as the E-Class coupe, and for the 2018 model year, it is now available on the sedan, too. On the track, the all-wheel-drive 2018 E400 coupe accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds (Mercedes expects rear-drive variants to be 0.3 second slower). Road test editor Chris Walton remarked on the car’s “surprisingly linear, nonturbo power delivery,” and said that in hard acceleration, the nine-speed auto turned in smooth and quick shifts. We’ve tested an all-wheel-drive E400 wagon reaching 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, and an all-wheel-drive E300 sedan (with a 241-hp turbo-four) hit 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. Driven quickly around a street corner or on winding roads, the E400 4Matic coupe’s steering is surprisingly reactive, and the car exhibits little body roll. Braking from 60 to 0 mph takes a respectable 112 feet, and the coupe completed our figure-eight course in 25.7 seconds at 0.72 average g. Our tester had AMG Line visual upgrades that don’t translate to better at-the-limit performance. Testing director Kim Reynolds commented on the car’s “slow response to throttle” and said it was “hard to control the understeer.” This is the type of behavior you’ll find close to the car’s limits, and if you’re really seeking out the limits of your luxury coupe, smaller and sportier entries including the Mercedes-AMG C43 and Audi S5 might be more your style. As we noted in our 2018 E-Class Coupe First Drive review, this Mercedes shines as a boulevard cruiser. If you take some friends out to dinner, they’ll access the back seat by pulling a lever on the edge of the front seat that folds the backrest forward, at which point the seat automatically powers forward and up a little bit. In the rear seat, there’s actually a decent amount of legroom, plus some extra space for feet under the front seats. Those rear bucket seats are comfortable enough, though there’s no central armrest, and rear headroom is limited by the way the roof slopes downward toward the car’s rear. What might really keep the rear seat from being used for more than 30 minutes at a time—especially for passengers who get claustrophobic—is the small size of those rear-side windows. You wouldn’t sacrifice the coupe’s styling for a practical concern like that, though, right? If you really want a two-door, four-seat Mercedes without that issue, wait for the E-Class Cabriolet to roll into your local dealership. Both two-door E-Class models are pricier than the sedan, and our E400 coupe was loaded down with more than $25,000 of luxurious options. All-wheel drive is a $2,500 option that doesn’t actually come at the cost of lower fuel economy; the E400 4Matic coupe has the same 20/26 mpg city/highway rating as the rear-drive E400 coupe (in Real MPG testing, the car was good for 18.8/29.7 mpg). Standard equipment includes multimode drive settings that can adjust throttle sensitivity, the transmission, and the weight of the steering. A collision braking mitigation system, LED headlights and taillights, and the large 12.3-inch infotainment display with navigation as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are also included. An awesome ambient lighting system is wonderfully integrated into the car’s interior and offers five intensity levels and 64 colors. The all-wheel-drive E400 throws in a feature called Magic Vision Control that might be worth getting on the rear-drive model (for $350) just for its eye-roll-worthy name alone. The E400 coupe’s slim windshield wiper blades have laser-cut holes out of which the washer fluid is released, reducing the chance that fluid will spray over the windshield entirely or run off toward the A-pillars. Other features on our $86,685 E400 4Matic coupe included a $2,500 AMG styling package that adds sportier design accents on the outside, different 18-inch wheels (19s are available), a black headliner, and a flat-bottom steering wheel that feels great. The adaptive air suspension is $1,900, and although the system can appreciably change the car’s dynamic performance from one mode to another, we’ve not yet driven a nonair-suspension E-Class coupe. Inflating our car’s as-tested price was a $5,400, 1,450-watt Burmester 3-D sound system with 23 speakers (including ceiling-mounted speakers) and a few listening modes. The system sounds great and those ceiling speakers even get some ambient lighting, but we’re guessing most will be satisfied with the available 590-watt Burmester option that has 13 speakers and attractive aluminum speaker grilles. Mercedes’ multi-camera parking aid is a well-executed version of the tech offered by many automakers, but that feature and a head-up display are bundled in the car’s most expensive package. If you actually have a limited budget, consider stopping at the second of three “Premium” packages. You’ll miss out on Mercedes-Benz’s most advanced active safety tech—though I found the adaptive cruise control left too much following distance on its closest setting—but you’ll still get the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, headlights that help you see around corners, and a few other features. If repair costs on some of the E400 coupe’s cool options don’t scare you, there is another feature I hope a future E-Class coupe will offer—a power-door closer. Just like most luxury coupes, the E400’s doors are long, heavy, and require an awkward reach to close if you get inside and realize you forgot to hold onto the inside of the door to close it as you sit down. So you can either remember to close the door as you get inside or, perhaps on a next-gen E-Class coupe, have the car do it for you. The E-Class coupe’s extensive options list, interior color combinations, and wood trim choices might be overwhelming to some buyers, but they’re a part of the car’s appeal. As with similar BMWs, most E-Class coupe customers will probably pick a car that most closely matches the options they want from dealer stock, but knowing you have so many ways of customizing your car is a luxury in itself. The E400 4Matic coupe doesn’t have any direct competitors of a similar size now that the BMW 6 Series is offered in convertible and four-door forms but not as a coupe. That leaves consumers interested in an E-Class coupe to also consider the smaller Audi S5, Lexus RC 350, BMW 440i, Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400, or Cadillac ATS 3.6 coupe. The more expensive E-Class is not really designed to compete against them, but in a segment as ME-oriented as luxury coupes, start your search with designs that speak to you (and view them in person, if possible). The E400 coupe is a solid entry with few competitors, and especially if you’ve got many thousands of dollars to spend on extra-cost colors and interior options, it could be just the car for when the larger S-Class coupe is too ostentatious. 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Coupe BASE PRICE $62,395 PRICE AS TESTED $86,685 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, 4-pass, 2-door coupe ENGINE 3.0L/329-hp/354-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 9-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,305 lb (55/45%) WHEELBASE 113.1 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 190.0 x 73.2 x 56.3 in 0-60 MPH 5.2 sec QUARTER MILE 13.7 sec @ 102.2 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 112 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.90 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.7 sec @ 0.72 g (avg) REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB 18.8/29.7/22.6 mpg EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 20/26/22 mpg ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 169/130 kW-hrs/100 miles CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.87 lb/mile The post 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Coupe First Test: Ooooh, Look at That! appeared first on Motor Trend.

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/mercedes-benz/e-class/2018/2018-mercedes-benz-e400-4matic-coupe-first-test-review/

#First Tests #Real MPG

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ericacheeks-blog1 · 8 years ago

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Mind the Gap

This weekend was one for the girls. Nicole, Jackie, and I decided to explore London and Munich all in three and a half days. Our flight to London was in Terminal 1 this time since we were flying to a country outside of the Schengen Area. The terminal was set up a little differently than Terminal 2 and really every other airport I’ve been to; instead of one big security check in which all passengers, no matter what gate they’re assigned, go through, there were mini security checks located in front of each gate. We weren’t a fan of this system, because we had to empty out our water bottles from dinner in the airport before getting to our gate.

Like always, I knocked out for the entire flight. Once there we felt like we had things under control with transportation to the hostel, but our train got cancelled last minute. The strange part was that nothing was announced in the station so we were extremely confused and had to ask around. It felt nice being able to ask the locals for help in English. On our way to the hostel, Nicole spotted a Five Guys and was jumping up and down from excitement. As you can imagine, we were all feeling a little homesick for “American” food. We decided to figure out dinner after dropping our bags off, but once at the hostel there was no one at the reception for a good 20 minutes. A pretty bad first impression of Clink261. We made our way back to the Five Guys that was only a three minute walk away. Once there, Nicole tugged on the door and it wouldn’t open… It was closed. I still can’t imagine the disappointment Nicole must’ve felt. We were starving at that point and decided to find something nearby. We walked across the street and found a little Mexican grill called Burrito Café. Its concept was very similar to Chipotle’s. Jackie got nachos and I ended up with a burrito bowl that was a bit spicier than I expected. Back at the hostel, the lights were out and everyone in our room was asleep. Jackie, Nicole, and I struggled to make our beds and get ready for bed in the dark, but we all fell asleep pretty quickly. We made a “brunch” reservation at Sketch, which was recommended by my friend back from UT, Nadia. She visited London just the weekend before and gave us some good recommendations. Anyway, I put brunch in quotes because the only available time was at 8 in the morning. Unfortunately we got ready by 8 AM and the trip to Sketch would’ve taken another 15-20 minutes. As a group we decided to leisurely enjoy the complimentary breakfast at the hostel instead. To start off the jam-packed day, we went to King’s Cross station on the hunt for Platform 9 ¾. I think we spent a good half hour taking pictures and browsing the gift shop.

Next on our itinerary was Buckingham Palace, but on the way there we diverged into a London souvenir shop. I bought some great postcards; my favorites being cutouts of Queen Elizabeth’s face and a plate of fish ‘n chips. Jackie forgot to pack underwear so being the good friends we are, Nicole and I pressured her into getting a set of three thongs with the British flag printed on them.

We finally got to Buckingham Palace and the area was extremely crowded because of the changing of the guards. We decided it wasn’t worth the time to stick around for the ceremony and wandered around the area, taking pictures instead. On our way past the main gates, we spotted an Erasmus friend back from Prague, Big Mike. We weren’t absolutely sure it was him, but decided to shout his name, hoping for the best. He turned around and gave all of us hugs. What a small, small world!

Luck was on our side that morning. As we were crossing the street, getting further away from the Palace, a set of guards on horses walked right by us. It was as if we got front row seats! We continued our stroll to Westminster Abbey, where William and Kate got married. The gothic church was absolutely stunning. Soon enough we spotted both Big Ben and the London Eye.

After taking our solo shots, selfies, and group pictures, we all got hungry and took the tube to get some fish ‘n chips (veggie burger ‘n chips for Jackie) at The Laughing Halibut. They had an assortment of sauces to pair with the meal – ketchup, mayo, tartar sauce, and two different brown sauces. One tasted similar to A1 sauce and the other was vinegary. Right outside the restaurant there was a street filled with mini food venders. The delicious smells wafted towards us and we were tempted to get a second or third meal. Before falling into the trap, we routed the GPS to Camden Market. I’m glad we made time to visit the market. The area was filled with colorful shops and stalls, selling clothes, accessories, paintings, candles, etc.

Nicole found a crepe stand and we couldn’t resist. The crepe was a little more pancakey than we were expecting, but it was a great pick-me-up to get us excited for Abbey Road. Once there though, I remember feeling a bit underwhelmed. It was just a typical two-way street, but with tourists (like ourselves) posing for pictures and almost getting run over by the angry drivers.

Next on our to-do list was Tower Bridge. However, when asking for directions, we ended up asking for London Bridge, which was a big mistake. The difference between the bridges is pretty drastic. Luckily, the older gentleman helping us out told us that we’d be disappointed and bored with the London Bridge within 20 seconds and directed us to the Tower Bridge instead. The teal detailing was a sight to see, but by this point in the day I was losing steam.

We went back to the hostel and sat around the lobby for an hour or so since we already checked out. We were all drained and so were our phone batteries. Eventually we changed into more suitable clothes for the pub-crawl and headed out for dinner. We wanted to give Five Guys another try, but realized there was a Nando’s nearby. Even Nicole was swayed and we all got our fix of chicken and creamy mash. We were on a time crunch for the initial meet up at Piccadilly Circus for the pub-crawl and had to take our dinner to-go. We ate at the train station and of course, I didn’t finish my meal until we were actually on the tube.

Although we were cutting it close on time, we finally spotted a telephone booth that wasn’t 1) actually being used or 2) obstructed by gates, and we had to snap a few pictures. After all, did you actually go to London if you didn’t take a picture in the red, iconic booths?

The pub-crawl we booked was called the Banana Pub Crawl. They instructed us to look for the guys in banana suits and once we found them, we got our wristbands and welcome drink coupons and headed into the first pub. We met up with our friend from back home, Brittany Thum, and her friends who are all studying in Bath. Nicole, Jackie, and I left the pub-crawl pretty early in order to sneak back into the hostel and get one last shower before heading off to the airport. Our flight to Munich was at 6 in the morning so we decided to sleep in the airport that night. When planning the trip, Nicole and I thought that was such a great idea – you get to skip out on paying for a hostel and you don’t have to travel to the airport super early in the morning! Let me just say that we’re never doing that again… We ended up sleeping on the floor because the airport we were at was really small and all the chairs/benches were taken. There was a chilly draft that kept hitting us, making it even harder to fall asleep. I think we ended up getting a total of 2-3 hours between the three of us… Do not recommend.

To summarize London, I think the team did a fantastic job with the limited time we had, but I’ll have to go back to get the real experience (if anything, for the London Transport Museum haha). Hostel wasn’t the best, but we definitely got our money’s worth by sneaking in that last shower. The food surprised me since I had such low expectations. We are now huge fans of the tube (probably my favorite thing the city has to offer). We hate the Luton airport.

#travels

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resultnorth1-blog · 6 years ago

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Kichadi: The Realistic Reset

Happy 2018 dear friends! I hope that you all had a restful and relaxing holiday, and that you’re ready to take on the new year.

As most of you know, the past few months have been all-over-the-place (literally) for my family and I, so I’ve been giving myself plenty of freedom when it comes to what I’m eating and how often I’m exercising. With my regular routines out the window, I’ve felt an immense sense of liberation – it’s great to let go once in a while! – but now it’s gotten to the point where my body is really craving some stability and grounding, especially after the holidays. Sometimes I like to go drastic and embark on a 10-day juice fast or something like it, but my body and my mind aren’t feeling a hard-core anything at the moment, so I’m turning to kichadi to gently ease my way back into eating with more balance.

Kichadi, sometimes called and spelled khichdi, kitchari, kitcheree or khichri, is the famous one-pot wonder Indian dish that combines rice and lentils or quick-cooking pulses or legumes, such as mung beans. Its best known in Ayurvedic tradition as a cleansing and complete protein meal, very easy to digest, and a cinch to make! It is delicious, super comfort food, and even if you’re not down with eating the exact same thing for every meal for several days in a row, you’ll be thrilled to learn it’s also the perfect thing to tuck into on a cold winter night.

Because of its simplicity and ease, many people find that doing a kichadi “mono-diet” is very pleasant and far less of an ordeal than a juice fast for example (although I need to be clear that a juice fast is far deeper and more effective). Taking three to seven days to eat this dish exclusively gives the digestive organs a serious break since kichadi is very easy to break down and assimilate. And because digestion is at the core of human health, putting a practice in place that supports this essential process makes room for the miracle of self-healing: something the body is constantly striving for, but often distracted from by poor dietary and lifestyle choices. When we forgo processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, and common allergens for a few days, we give our bodies the space it needs to do what it naturally does anyway: clean itself up!

I like to eat a kichadi diet in the colder months when the weather is unfriendly and I need some reassuring, grounding, warm food – and juicing sounds about as fun as a hole in the head. It’s also a wonderful way to glide yourself into the process of cleansing if you’ve never tried it before. Since it doesn’t involve abstaining from food, most first-timers find it totally do-able, and dare I say it, enjoyable! I’ve just completed three days of eating kichadi for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I’m feeling sooo much more balanced, clear-headed, and energized – the ways I would like to feel at the beginning of a brand new year! I hope that this simple and realistic reset is up your alley, and that you give it a go.

First things first, you’re going to need to do a bit of planning for the kichadi diet. Set a realistic goal for yourself – ideally you’ll be eating this dish for at least three days, up to seven, but if one is all you can handle, that is okay too. Since you’re eating throughout this practice, going about your regular life is usually fine, but if you want to go the extra mile and give yourself a real treat, do the kichadi diet over a long weekend or break from work so that you can focus on some other cleanse-enriching experiences, such as a massage, a sauna visit, daytime napping, reading an actual book, and maybe even going offline completely. Gasp! I started my kichadi diet on a Monday and carried out my normal routine with work and family life, and just made sure to give myself lots of juicy personal time in the evenings (essential oil bath, yin yoga sesh, early lights out etc.). Aside from a cleanse-classic mood swing on the last day, no one around me even noticed what I was doing. Since they were too busy eating pizza.

Before you begin you’ll want to start by cutting back on alcohol, caffeine, sugar, meat, dairy, processed foods, and anything else you know is throwing you off balance. If you abstain from these things for at least a couple of days before you begin, your experience will be much smoother, as you won’t be distracted by gnarly withdrawal symptoms while you’re trying to chill. You can also add any bad habits you have to your hit list, and reduce or eliminate the daily practices that aren’t making your life extra groovy.

Whatever day you are starting the kichadi on, soak the rice and pulses / legumes together the night before. This step is important for improving the digestive qualities of kichadi, but if you are really pressed for time or you forgot, get them in water as soon as you can. Remember that even soaking for an hour is better than nothing! Cook the kichadi daily if possible, since the fresher the food is, the more energy, or “prana” it contains. My recipe makes about six servings for my appetite (eight for people who eat less) and I can easily stretch one batch over two days if no one else in my family wants it. Regardless, you’ll have to make at least two batches if you’re going for three days, and I would not recommend keeping kichadi around for longer than that. Freezing is an option, but freeze it in the portion size you’d want to eat so that you’re not heating more than you need at one sitting.

Daily routine The night before: soak the rice and pulses together in plenty of filtered water overnight.

Morning: upon rising, drink a large glass of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon juice, followed by another glass of pure water. Make your first batch of kichadi, and enjoy it for breakfast. Store leftovers in the fridge.

Midday: Drink a couple large glasses of water at least 30 minutes before eating. Heat your desired amount of kichadi and enjoy it for lunch.

Evening: Drink a couple large glasses of water at least 30 minutes before eating. Heat your desired amount of kichadi and enjoy it for dinner.

Night time: Drink a cup of herbal detox tea if desired, enjoy something that nourishes you (bath, meditation, stretching) and go to bed early.

Repeat for three to seven days.

Kichadi Reset tips 1. Eat when you’re hungry. This may seem like an obvious one, but many people eat according to the clock, instead of listening to their bodies. Take these days to really tune in and see when your body actually desires food, and how much you need to eat to feel satisfied. When you feel real hunger, your body is giving you the signal that it is actually ready to receive.

2. Cook mindfully. Remember that cooking is something to be grateful for. If you normally approach cooking from a “let’s get this over with” standpoint, use this opportunity to make your meal prep a ceremony, and see it as a gift to yourself. Take your time washing and cutting vegetables, delight in the sound of the spices popping, the scent that wafts up while you’re peeling ginger. The attention and intention you put into your food will come back to you, and nourish you in ways that you never thought possible.

3. Keep things interesting, by adding a squeeze of lime instead of lemon to your kichadi. You can use parsley instead of cilantro, and adjust the spices to suit your personal taste. If you really need some variety, top the kichadi with some of your favourite sprouts, grated raw carrot, or fold in some spinach while it’s still hot.

4. Cravings are normal, especially when you’re knowingly depriving yourself! If you feel a craving coming on, first identify what the craving is. Be curious…maybe it has nothing to do with the food, but more your emotional or mental state. If you really can’t shake the feeling, drink water first, then try a piece of fruit, or some raw veggie sticks.

5. Drink a lot of water. The body functions optimally when properly hydrated. It is especially important when we’re resetting, since we’re letting go of things that need to be flushed out. Water is essential to this process, but it will also prevent cravings, combat fatigue and brain fog, and keep the bowels moving. Remember to drink water away from mealtimes for optimal digestion (30 minutes before eating, 2-3 hours after unless you’re very thirsty). Other beverages, even if they are “mostly water” like coffee and tea, are not water. Only water is water.

After the Kichadi diet Although it is extremely tempting to celebrate and indulge after denying oneself certain things, this is not the best time to do so. Even though this process keeps your digestive system humming along, your body is still in a sensitive place. Introduce new foods slowly, and keep combinations small and uncomplicated (i.e. don’t have a meal with 20 different foods together). Limit meat, dairy, sugar, and processed foods for as long as possible. That congratulatory slice of cake should wait until you’re pretty much back to “normal”, or maybe even find an alternative ; )

Print recipe

Simple and Cleansing Kichadi Serves 6-8

Ingredients: 1 Tbsp. coconut oil or ghee ½ Tbsp. cumin seeds ½ Tbsp. mustard seeds ½ Tbsp. coriander seeds ½ tsp. ground turmeric 1 cinnamon stick 1-2 Tbsp. minced ginger (to taste) 1 large tomato, chopped (optional) 2 medium yellow onion, diced 2 medium carrots, chopped 1 small / 250g sweet potato (or other seasonal root veggie), chopped 1 cup / 200g brown rice ½ cup / 110g mung beans or brown lentils 1 tsp. fine grain sea salt 1 cup / 140g green peas, frozen or fresh 4 cups / 1L water (or more, as needed) a couple handfuls finely chopped cilantro lemon to garnish

Directions: 1. If possible, soak the rice and pulses together overnight, or for 8-12 hours. Drain and rinse very well.

2. Melt the oil in a large stockpot. Add the cumin and mustard seed and fry just until the mustard seeds start to pop. Add the remaining spices, stir and then add the tomato and ginger (if you’re opting out of the tomato, simply use a few splashes of water). Fry for a couple minutes until fragrant.

3. Add the onion, carrots, sweet potato, brown rice, mung beans, salt, and water. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook for about 45 minutes, until the rice and beans are soft. About five minutes before serving, add the peas whether fresh or frozen, and cook until they are warm. Add more water for a stew-y consistency, or if the pot becomes dry while cooking.

4. Serve kichadi hot, garnished with cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Give thanks and enjoy.

I hope that many of you try the kichadi diet out, and rejoice in the fact that there is no need to do something radical and overly deprivational during the winter. This is a time for closing in, for being quiet and gentle, and nourishing oneself in a tender way. And remember, you can enjoy this delicious kichadi even for a day, and any season of the year when you need to find your equilibrium once again. It’s a tasty way to come back to center, every time, anytime.

In health, vibrancy, and abundance for the year ahead, Sarah B.

Show me your kichadi on Instagram: #mnrkichadi

Source: https://www.mynewroots.org/site/2018/01/kichadi-realistic-reset/

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marcusssanderson · 6 years ago

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How to Change Your Life: 10 Ways To Live Your Best Life

Searching for how to change your life? Change is inevitable and we all face life-changing decisions at some point.

“Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.” – Jim Rohn

Change is so many things. It’s scary, exciting, and unpredictable, but most of all its necessary. Think back on your life and your routine 20 years ago.

What was the most important thing in your world then? Who did you hang out with? What was your favorite restaurant? Are any of those things the same as they are today? I doubt it!

You’re a different person now, and in 10 years you’ll have different answers than you would today. But as we get older, we tend to be more resistant to change. We get set in our ways, our routines, and unintentionally close ourselves off from new experiences that can improve our lives.

Below are 10 ideas on how to change your life for the better. Discover how to bring positive change into your life.

How to change your life in 10 Ways

Shift to a Positive and Plentiful Mindset

Your mindset filters how you view your world, what you see and how you interpret every situation. If you have a negative, closed mindset you’re instantly cutting yourself off from opportunities on the horizon because you can’t see past the negative.

You attract what you put out there, and to welcome positive change into your life, you first need to believe it’s possible. You may have heard the quote, “whether you believe you can or can’t, you’re right.”

First, start recognizing where your current mindset is leading you. For example, when you’re presented with a new project at work, do you dwell on the myriad of things that could go wrong? Are you caught up in how hard this project could be?

Do you lack self-confidence? Instead, try thinking of just one way this could positively impact your life. You could learn a new skill set, make a new contact, or be trusted with larger projects.

Changing your mindset won’t happen instantly, but tuning in to how you interpret your surroundings and working towards seeing bigger and better outcomes will pave the way for positive changes in your life!

Here are 10 Signs It’s Time To Change Your Mindset.

Find a Mentor

When I changed careers, I reached out to a female coach who worked with women clients just like I aimed to do. She was nice enough to meet me for coffee and let me ask her questions about getting into the wellness business and has become a mentor to me ever since.

Whether you work with a mentor for your career, relationships, wellness or just life in general, your life is guaranteed to change for the better.

A mentor has been in your shoes and is empathetic to what you’re going through. They can shed light on things you’ve closed off – consciously or subconsciously – and guide you through changes you may not know how to navigate.

Here are a few sites to get you started:

Business Mentoring: Score.org (FREE small business mentoring) Life Coaching: Beautiful You Coaching Academy Career Coaching: TheMuse.com If you’re looking for health coaching, I would love to work with you! Sjkfitness.com

Cut Out Toxic Friends

We all have those friends who we’ve been friends with “for-ev-er”. Often, these are wonderfully fulfilling relationships, but have you ever wondered if you met them for the first time today if you’d be compatible?

Old or new, toxic friendships can bring you down and limit your potential for positive change. It can be hard to cut ties, but here are a few ways to create room in your life for healthier friendships:

If you’re feeling assertive: Let your pal know what’s bothering you. Her response—and actions—will tell you if it’s time to move along.

If you’re feeling passive: Pull back, make fewer plans, be polite but not overly friendly. (In other words, don’t be dishonest.)

Either way: Cultivate new friends who make you feel enriched, enlivened and embraced, because that is what good friendships do.

Learn Something New

As children, basically everything we do is new. We are constantly learning new skills, and aren’t surprised when we encounter something we do not know. When you’re an adult, you tend to stick with what you know. Unless required, it’s just easier to go along with what you’re good at because the risk of failure is low.

However, when we open ourselves to learning something new, we’re presented with aspects of ourselves we either didn’t know or forgot as we grew up. This creates space for change by laying out possibilities for our life we didn’t know existed!

I took tap classes as a kid and recently found a studio in my neighborhood that offered beginner adult tap. It was strange learning as a beginner, something I used to be very proficient at, but I am loving it! It reopened this area of my life I forgot I enjoyed, I have a new hobby and am meeting neighbors I wouldn’t have before.

Starting as a beginner can be intimidating. Click here for tips on how to approach it with love.

Create a “Bucket List”…of Sorts

Many people have things on their “bucket list” of what they’d like to do in their lifetime. This is great in theory, but in reality, these dreams are often so big and their timeline unknown, that it’s easy to never actually do them.

By creating more realistic and time-sensitive lists, you’re much more likely to accomplish these new things you’d like to do, and will inevitably bring change to your life.

An example I see often is a list tied to a birthday; “40 things to do before I’m 40”, or “30 things I will try in my 30th year”. These can be small, “host a dinner party”, or big, “travel out of the country”, it’s up to you!

My list is in the making, but the idea is to get my husband and I out of our usual haunts. We live in Chicago which is known for its plethora of unique neighborhoods, yet we head to the same areas and establishments nearly every weekend.

I’m currently making a list of different neighborhoods we haven’t been to, and picking a specific thing to do – check out a certain bar, order a “famous” dish at a restaurant, see a show, etc. – so we have a plan.

It’s summer so we can bike which lets us see more of the city we have called home for over 8 years! My hope is to have a whole new list of “go-to” streets and restaurants.

Make a New Friend

When you’re young, it’s easy and natural to make new friends. Even in high school and college, it doesn’t take much effort as everyone around you is generally the same age and living in the same environment. As an adult, things are different. It takes more effort and can be a little awkward at first!

Making new friends is essential for growth and change as you’ll be connected to new groups of people who could change your perspective on anything and everything. Not sure how to navigate the world of adult friendships? Check out these 5 methods and become a pro!

Change Your Routine

I am admittedly a creature of habit. I love my routines and even after a wonderful vacation, have a sense of longing to “get back to normal”.

In many ways this works well; it lessens the number of decisions to make which has been shown to reduce stress, and it helps me plan my day with ease. But routine often leads to a rut, and that is no way to foster change!

The good news for those who are comforted by routine is that you don’t have to drastically alter everything to welcome change in your life.

Trying a new place for your morning coffee, taking a different route home from work, or switching up what you do for a workout are all small changes that can give you a fresh perspective on your day.

For a few morning ritual ideas you can use to shake things up, check out this post!

Find Your Passion

Before becoming a health coach, Sunday nights were rough. I didn’t look forward to my job and it finally got to where I couldn’t ignore my feeling of guilt for staying in a job my heart wasn’t fully in.

I couldn’t stomach spending my life doing something I wasn’t excited about. This discord was affecting my mood and, in turn, my life. But, what could I do? I needed a change but had no idea where to turn.

So, I started reexamining what brought joy to my life and when I felt my truest self. Finding your passion isn’t as easy as it seems it should be, but once you find something that you not only enjoy, but have a knack for, your world opens up with different paths you didn’t see before.

Even if you don’t feel the need to change careers, finding your passion through hobbies and volunteer work will indeed change your life. Need help discovering your inner light?

Here is a list of 7 podcasts to get the creative ball rolling! Think you’re on to something? Check out these 3 ways to determine if you’ve hit the passion jackpot.

Go With The (Creative) Flow

Have you ever been so into a project – cooking, reading, writing, puzzling, etc. – that an hour slips by without notice? That is known as a state of flow. Getting into a creative flow has similar effects on the brain as meditation in that it reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and produces dopamine – a natural antidepressant.

“That’s great!”, you’re thinking, “but how does this change my life?” When you flex your creativity muscles, you expose yourself to new experiences and this openness allows your mind to wander and seek out more new avenues to explore.

Think you aren’t the creative type? Check out these secret ways of highly creative people and get your creative juices flowing!

Argue For Change

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein.

If you wish to welcome change into your life, you’re going to need to do something different. This sounds obvious, but knowing what to change is where many of us get stuck, hoping that if we keep chugging along, things will improve on their own.

We also fear the work that goes into change, and with unknown challenges on the horizon, it can seem more comfortable to stay where we are. What helps many of my clients is making a pro and con list. For example, if you’re unhappy with how often your family orders in during the week, but haven’t been able to get yourself to cook more often, your list could look like this:

Changing behavior: Pro’s – eat healthier, save money, learn a new skill, could be a family activity, less guilt Con’s – need to learn more cooking skills, more planning

By forcing yourself to think of how staying the same or how to change your life will impact you, you’re likely to discover what you thought was scary, is really going to be worth it in the end.

The more often you change behaviors and routines, the more readily you jump at change. Start small and learn how you approach and accept changes in your life. Here are 8 small lifestyle changes to consider!

The post How to Change Your Life: 10 Ways To Live Your Best Life appeared first on Everyday Power.

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swordarkeereon · 6 years ago

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2019 Affirmations - Goals

I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions. As a matter of fact, the last resolution I ever made (many years ago) was to never make another New Year’s Resolution, and it was the only resolution I’ve ever been able to keep.

Resolutions tend to set some folks up for failure, and admittedly, I’m one of those people.

Instead, I set goals and I make affirmations.

2019 is going to be my year of JOY.

Somewhere along the way, in the past few years, I became perpetually busy and forgot to enjoy myself along the way. I found myself living from event to event, not looking forward to anything, just anticipating everything being over with. That’s no way to live. It’s exhausting and frustrating and it results in… you guessed it — BURNOUT.

I literally said YES to so many opportunities and volunteer jobs that I became exhausted and burnt out. It was mid-2018 when I realized I finally needed to do something about it because I couldn’t keep moving forward feeling like everything in life, even the fun stuff, was an obligation where I just needed to “get it over with.” Mind you I’d been in this place for over a year before I finally figured it out.

My key problems were:

I was taking on way more than I could handle, thinking I could handle it. And while I was able to handle it all, I dreaded every minute of it and was an anxious, stressed out mess. Everything had to be PERFECT and when something went wrong, I would obssess on what went wrong and not all the things that went well.

I forgot to enjoy myself. A lot of what I was doing were things I’ve enjoyed emmensely for years, but suddenly they became these lifeless, painstaking tasks.

I no longer looked forward to anything.

I was spending so much time volunteering my time to helping others and organizations, that my writing productivity just wasn’t there. I wasn’t working on MY GREAT WORK, I was too busy doing other things and socializing with my tribe. While socializing with the tribe is fun, educational, and a wonderful experience overall – when all you’re doing is socializing, guess what isn’t getting done? Yep. That’s right. Very little writing.

I needed to make some serious changes. Here is my rather extensive list of do’s and don’ts for 2019.

I WILL BE SETTING TEACHING LIMITS TO 2 Major Classes (Potentially only 1)1 Minor Class for Temple Only

I WILL NOT BE DOING ANY 30 DAY CHALLENGES OR WORKSHOPS (minus existing commitments) IN 2019 – While these are highly educational for readers, they add an extra layer of stress to an already tight schedule.

I WILL BE LIMITING MY INVOLVEMENT IN GROUPS, just because I find myself minding other people’s business more than my own when I get overly involved. I really need to mind my own business this year, quite literally.

I WILL BE LIMITING MY VOLUNTEER TIME to specific events and prior commitments. For example, I can commit to Novelrama and specific events for my temple. I cannot commit to all the things. Just a select few.

I WILL BE LIMITING BOOKSELLING AND WRITING EVENTS. I have been going gangbusters on writing events the past three to four years. So beyond the writing retreat in March and the Comic-Con, I am taking this year off from Colorado Gold, and other bookish events. This also means I won’t be accepting any nominations for recognition or accolades if it requires me to attend additional events. I need some rest and recovery and I need to give myself that. Not to mention the events take away from my writing time, which I sorely need.

I HAVE HIRED OUT MY SOCIAL MEDIA AND RETAINED MY PA. That means my PA will start answering PMs and Email for me (unless it’s a close friend or business related) and my Social Media will be dealt with as scheduled, freeing up more time. I want to concentrate on writing, editing for friends, family, and my home this year. I have a sick cat that needs daily meds, I need my daily yoga practice, and this could finally be the year THE GREAT OFFICE PURGE is finally complete. Remember I got sidetracked on that back in 2016 and never really got back to it.

I AM RECOMMITTING TO MY OFFICE HOURS and going to work hard to stick to them. Email that only I can answer will be answered in the afternoons between 3-4PM. My PA answers email once a week, and will be scheduling readings.

I AM COMMITTING TO MORE FAMILY AND RECREATION TIME

I AM COMMITTING TO NURTURING MY INNER ARTIST

I AM COMMITTING TO GET MORE SLEEP. I’ve spent a lot of years running on 6 hours of sleep a night, but I have some sleep goals – 8 hours a night at least 4 days a week. Ultimately I’d like to get 8 full hours nightly. We’ll see.

MAGICKAL PRACTICE GOALS – I am currently quite pleased with my existing daily magickal and spiritual practices and will be retaining those as well. Some modifications will happen, like adding some qigong and breathing exercises to my meditation, but nothing drastic. If anything, I’d like to increase my dedicated temple time by 4 hours a week (from the current 8 hours to 12 hours)

THE PUBLISHING SCHEDULE IS FLUID – While I have goals of what I’d LIKE to get done, I am NOT going to beat myself up if it doesn’t get done. I want my creative process to be a joyful experience, not something I don’t look forward to every day (due to too many distractions and administrative to-dos).

MY FIRST PRIORITY WITH MY WRITING IS WRITING and I will write something EVERY DAY. Even if it’s just a paragraph. I started this in December to kind of get myself into the habit. So far it’s working well. I don’t always succeed, but then I don’t always need to. Some days are still more productive than others, and that’s okay.

IT’S OKAY TO TAKE A DAY OFF AND DO NOTHING. This is the one thing I need to remind myself of. Being a workaholic means feeling guilty if you’re not constantly doing something. I’m tired of being a workaholic. I’m tired of being constantly busy.

IT’S OKAY TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE WAIT (ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU’RE NOT GETTING PAID). I have a bad habit of being a people pleaser and putting others ahead of myself and even my family. That is not a healthy habit at all! My family puts up with it only because they love me. 🙂 I realize this is a problem and have decided to do something about it.

I AM GOING LIGHT ON INTERVIEWS/PODCASTS/WEBCAST invitations from others. I’ll do a few, but they will be sporadic.

I AM LIMITING PUBLISHING COMMITMENTS ON PROJECTS FOR OTHER PUBLISHERS.

I AM CUTTING DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF DARKERWOOD PUBLISHING AUTHORS by eliminating the existing anthologies. I just don’t have the manpower or time to manage the administrative paperwork the anthologies generated. Cutting things I’m no longer passionate about gives me more time to make time for the things that bring me joy.

Yes – it’s a pretty big list and I’m sure I’ll modify or add to it as I go. I’m sure I’ll slip up and do stupid things. I’m still learning how to best cultivate my joy and get my head back in the game. I’m proud of my plan, my goals, and my quest to reignite my joy.

What is your keyword for the year and how do you plan on making it come true for you?

#Joy #Overinvolvement #overwork

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spookyenemyperson-blog · 6 years ago

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Whats a cheap car to insure for a 21 year old female with 2 children ?

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Hello, I have a quick question about insurance. I am 18 years old, living in Orange, CA and currently driving a 2003 nissan altima that I am going to trade for a 2002 ford mustang gt. Now i know that contacting an agent will be the best way to find out more realistic rates, but right now I want to hear from past mustang owners. I was also wondering if having good credit will give me a discount on my insurance? I know insurance will be high, so don't waste my time explaining it to me, If it helps, I always obey the speed limit, never gotten into any crashes nor have I gotten any tickets. All Help is appreciated, thanks.""

Need insurance for mercedes car - which insurer will use mercedes repair centre?

I'm buying a Mercedes B class. Swinton have given me some good insurance quotes but during the long conversation (with Aviva) to get 7 day drive-away insurance I was told to be careful of the small print: to keep the Mobilo service I must always use Merc-approved garages for servicing and repairs; unfortunately Swinton's insurers say they will choose where the car goes and this is very unlikely to be a Merc garage. So my question is: what do Merc owners do? From whom do you get your car insurance to make sure any repairs are carried out by a Merc-approved repair centre?

Car insurance for 18/19 yr old?

im 18/19 yr old and just passed my test. how much will it cost for insurance to drive a 1.6 and im a girl? and how much will it cost if i did a passplus?

How much is car insurance for a 20 yr old?

20k car paying monthly, want estimated numbers dont give me no depends on your state and what car your driving""

How much would the insurance cost on a 2002 Lamborghini Murcielago VT ?

full coverage

What is the best insurance for a teen?

i need car insurance and health insurance but still not sure which is better. If this helps i just graduated and live in arizona and have a yukon

Looking for good car for insurance?

Im looking to get a new car but i was wondering if there was a website that listed how much insurance might run me. dont really need exact priceing just looking for ballpark figuer.

Homeower CAR INSURANCE.?

Thank you ahead for answer my question. I live in MA, I'm a homeowner of a 3 units property in Boston. When I bought that house, my insurance agent for my AUTO said that I have to ...show more""

Car Insurance Price..........?

I have a question on Car Insurance price.. In the state of Virginia If I get my license at 16, and not drive till I'm 18, meaning I let my license sit, is my insurance going to be cheaper when I turn 18? So basically, is my insurance going to be cheaper if I get my license at 16, than 18?""

Motorbike Insurance Help!!! Please!!?

Im 16 and live in Ireland and have a provisional A1 license and im getting a road legal motorbike soon. I rang up quinn direct yesterday and got an insurance price for a 1999 Honda Rebel 125, Fully Comp. Bikes worth 1500. they quoted me 1685.70 and got the same quote from AON and there quote was 2575.. could anybody please tell me how much dearer it would be to get insured on lets say a honda cbr125 or aprilia rs125?? or maybe a honda nsr 125? i know the insurance will go up quite dramatically but would anyone have a rough estimate??""

How much does a root canal cost with insurance?

I do not have insurance right now. I went to the dentist's office recently and was informed that I have two wisdom teeth grown in. I have a job that offers dental insurance but I have to wait 3 more months to receive this benefit. I don't know if I should wait a few more months and pay less to get my wisdom teeth removed or if I should get it treated now and pay over $2,000 for 2 root canals and make a monthly payment of $200 for 12 months. How much would I save and pay if I were to get 2 root canals with dental insurance?""

How can I find out what auto insurance a company has?

OK. So I use to work for this repossession company and I was hit by an idiot that ran a red light. Anyway after the accident I got a lawyer. I quit there shortly after. Well the insurance card in the tow truck was expired and not the right company . When the company switch insurance they forgot to put the new card in.. well since the drive that hit me did not have insurance the personal injury will be covered by the companies insurance. But the owner will not tell my lawyer the name of the insurance company or anything. And said your gonna have to take me to court. He is a real jerk btw. So does anyone know how I could find out online or something what company they were with at the time of the accident??

What should i expect in a auto accident and insurance settlement?

I was hit from behind on Wednesday evening heading to work. The driver was ticketed by the police and their insurance company has admitted full liability. Injury wise, I have whiplash which thankfully, is going away now. My car, according to their adjuster, is going to be claimed as totaled. So, my car is valued at 7400, and repairs just from visual inspection, are 7015. So they are going the totaled route as its cheaper for them. After they buy the car from me, they will sell it to salvage, expect to get 2k from it, and only be out 5400 instead of a full cost of repairs. So I've had the car for a year and half, taken out on a 5yr car loan. I still owe 12k on it. After they cut a check to the lean holder, I'm still responsible for 5k on that loan. The bank and my insurance at the time didn't offer gap insurance. Stupid of me, I let my current policy expire to search around for a more affordable policy. I kept procrastinating, and the accident happened with me having no insurance. Lucky he hit me and is at fault. I'm trying to see what my options are. I've gone to the liable company's website and see their basic plan for my state, law requires 25k in property liability for at fault accidents, plus medical etc. So I'm wondering what should I expect from the lady handling this claim. I'm not fooled when she called me yesterday and said that she is here to work with and for me. Saying that there is probably a lot of talk about lawyers, just know they will take 30-40% of you settlement. Know that I'm here to work for you, try to work with me I'm thinking my head total bull crap. 1, she works for her insurance company first, and will have their interest first, 2, she works for their client and to protect them from me in a suit. In the end, I'm not stuck with a car that they will not fully pay to have repaired, and will still owe 5k after they pay the loan holder the value of the car. My credit is damaged and getting a new loan is probably not going to happen easily. I really don't want to get a lawyer but I now have a car sitting in my driveway that I can't use plus a balance in the end. Anyone got some suggestions as to what I should realistically expect. The lady mentioned a liability settlement, repair settlement, medical expenses settlement, and personal injury settlement. I'm not out to make money on this as that just will not happen. But I have no car and will owe 5k still. I'm just like...f**k""

Easy ways to save extra money on car insurance?

i am looking at buying a evo ix (for those who don't know, it is the quickest car under 50K) and i am just wondering how to save some money on car insurance. should i be listed as a part-time driver with a parent, as i am only 20 yrs old. ????""

First time Car Owner Getting Insurance?

I'm a college student, not living with my parents, which means I will need to start my own parents. and I'm looking to buy my first car, which might be an out-of-state title. Say I eventually, locked on a deal. The question is: Do I have to buy insurance before paying for the car. But then how does the insurance company assess the quote since I haven't had a car yet. Do I just tell them the make and year of the car I'm Going to buy for sure or how does it work? What if I bought the insurance, but the deal didn't work out, and I have to choose other car/ make/ year? Or, can I get it insured soon After I make the purchase? If so, what happens between I picked up it from the seller and driving it to get it insured. Do I get screw if I had an accident during this time. I probably sound pretty stupid by now.. but dude help me out here.""

If driver not on my insurance totals my car does his insurance pay for a new car?

my buddy just wrecked my car i still have a payment of 4,000, but i've payed 3,000 how much will insurance cover? will they pay for a new car or just pay what left of the payments i owe? in the state of FL""

How much does Mercury insurance cost for new teenage drivers?

my family already is on mercury (4 people)...how much more is it with mine included? (im going to have to pay for it)

What is the average cost per mile to operate a car including depreciation maintenance gasoline insurance etc?

How much is insurance for mopeds?

i dont want specifics but what is the range? More that car insurance,same less?Is it really worth it?""

I recently got a dui and crashed my car how much will my insurance go up?

right now im paying 45$ a month on car insurance

Is AETNA a good health insurance to get?

my benefits package came from work, it offers medical from Aetna is that a good health insurance provider? What about Guardian Plan ppo for Dental??""

How much do vision insurance cost per month?

I'm looking into vision insurance and I don't know how much it cost each month. Does anyone have any experience here that can tell me?

CAN I GET CLASSIC CAR INSURANCE AT 17?

im turning 17 and love old cars i was just wondering were i could get classic car insurance

Whats a cheap car to insure for a 21 year old female with 2 children ?

Is insurance expensive on an '01 Hyundai Tiburon?

""Wrecked best friends car, no license, I'm uninsured, 18 and terrified! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!!!!?""

So, I am 18, and yesterday my cousin was planned to come in from the UK at the Sky Harbor Airport in, Arizona. On my way there I was driving at a close speed limit of 50, speed limit was 45, approaching a red light, I was slowing down, when something abruptly ran across the road, close to the car, causing me to slam on the breaks, losing control of the wheel, and I tumbled 4 times over the street, busting the side window, scraping some paint, and cracking the windshield. Thankfully, I was not hurt, no neck, back, leg, or any body injuries for that matter. The police was near by, so helped me out, firefighters took care of me, to make sure I was okay. And then the report happened. I told them the honest truth, they said that I won't be arrested, or given a ticket, but I do have to go to court to prove I had no insurance. I don't know what to do, I know it was completely idiotic driving without a license, and no permit, with no insurance, but my friend has insurance on the car. I have the police report, and I don't know what I have to do, but I will help him with anything as this is my best friend, and I am not straying away from this situation. Will his insurance cover this? Do I look okay is this situation? PLEASEEEE! Someone help me! I'm desperate for advice, I've definitely learned my lesson, and I have no family here in Arizona as they are all in Georgia, I am here for school at ASU, please tell me his insurance will cover this!""

Can you switch car insurance with a pending accident case?

I had an accident about 4 years ago, it was my fault, but the case is still ongoing for that between the two insurance companies. I would like to switch from State Farm to Geico auto insurance to save some money. Would it be a problem to switch with a pending case?""

Where can i get the best and affordable health insurance?

company does not provide it anymore. where can i get the best and affordable health insurance that i pay for myself. thanks

Help with car insurance.?

I'm 18 and I've had my licence for less than a week and I'm trying to get insurance on my car but I can't find a company that will even quote me. My car is a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. Does anyone know of any company that will insure me? I live in the UK. Thanks in advance.

Do I need a motorcycle VIN number to get insurance in NC?

I live in North Carolina and I'm trying to get a license to purchase and operate a 150cc motorcycle. In North Carolina you must have a license for an automobile before you can get an endorsement for a motorcycle. Right now I'm learning how to drive a van so I can get a motorcycle endorsement. Before you can get a license for an automobile you must have proof of liability insurance (DMV form DL-123). Do I actually need a vehicle with a VIN number to get liability insurance? Or do I have to purchase non-owners insurance first and then switch it over to motorcycle insurance after I get an automobile license with motorcycle endorsement?

50cc Yamaha Neo wont come up on insurance comparison sites :(?

Im looking at one tommrow but after selecting 'Yamaha' , Neo isnt there to select fro the drop down bar. Is there another name for this bike?""

Will my auto insurance rates go up if I get a red light camera ticket?

This is my first red light camera ticket but my second ticket this year. The first one was a speeding ticket. Will my auto insurance rates go up for a red light ticket?

Insurance and driving records?

After complete the traffic school, somehow the DMV-California did not dismiss my ticket. Until my insurance renewal coming up, they notified me of this ticket, I immediately sent the correction form to DMV to correct this and also sent a clarification to my insurance to explain this matter. My question is does my insurance can take this misshape by DMV to raise my premiums?""

Am I covered under my parents' car insurance?

I am sixteen years old and I will be added to their insurance soon, but in the meantime, am I covered if anything happens? The car is insured under liberty mutual and I do no not often drive their car, but I need to use it to get to school tomorrow. What will happen if I get into an accident with an insured car under my mom's name and not mine?""

Im looking for a car thats as fast as any normal 1.6 but is cheap on insurance?

Im 20 years old and i am looking for a car with the same acceleration or bhp as a normal 1.6 normal but i would like one that's cheaper on insurance

What can i do if my fmla and insurance is terminated?

Today is my last day for fmla and my insurance benefits, but I can't afford any insurance. Its almost 4 months I've been out of work due to diabetes, high blood pressure, fractured c1, infections on my skull and spine, and excessive migraines. I am unable to bend over, lift heavy objects, push or pull objects, stand, sit, or walk for long periods of time and was recently denied disability benefits. I need other operations done, but I cannot afford health insurance to continue my treatments.""

Is my son even covered under our car insurance?

My 21 year old son not only is no longer in college he also got married 3 months ago. I have not canceled him from our multi-car policy, I guess just so he will have car insurance (liability, required in our state), but I know he was supposed to be removed when he got married, as he is no longer in our household. I also would like to remove him so I can benefit from a lower premium. He keeps saying he can't afford it, so I keep paying the bill each month, that includes his car on it. I guess I am asking if he got into an accident would the insurance even be good, as he isn't even living in our house and he's married. I may have wasted my money these last 3 months anyway, but don't want him to get caught with what appears to be uninsured, without a valid insurance card in the glove box.""

""Can I get auto insurance coverage with my sister's auto insurance? (Boston, MA)?""

I will be visiting my sister who lives in Boston, Massachusetts. I will have to drive her car but I do not have my own auto insurance. My sister, of course, have her auto insurance (through Commerce Insurance) which has full coverage. The question is, will I be able to receive coverage (with my sister's insurance) in case I get into an accident?""

How much would insurace cost monthly?

Im 16 and im gettin a 2003 cadillac CTS when i get my licences and i have a few questions. The car is $10,932 how much would the down payment be also how much monthly plus insurance?""

How do I get Cheap Car Insurance?

I am looking at buying a car for the first time in 8 years. So the problem is that I do not have any No Claims Discount for my insurance. Even though I am 40 years old, clean driving license, no convictions etc, I am being quoted over 400 TPF&T for a 1.4L Astra of Golf even with my retired Mum added as a named driver. I am an office worker, single, won't use it for commuting and will do less than 8000 miles a year. It will sit parked on the street for 4 or 5 days of the week. Does anyone have any top tips for reducing car insurance? It seems daft to be paying over 400 to insure a car that costs under 2000 Thanks Paul""

What questions will car insurance co. ask?

I am preparing to get car insurance for the first time, and I want to know what kind of questions the insurance company will be asking me.""

Looking for a good insurance company to represent in California?

I'm a licensed insurance agent in California. I've been through 3 firms in 3 years and did not make much money at all. Now I'm working retail waiting to get back in the game while my license is just wasting away. Please, no AFLAC or World Financial Group referrals. Training is non-existent at AFLAC and the WFG people were absent of integrity. Could anyone recommend a good company to work for that is structured and has a good training program. Thank you.""

""Adding driver car insurance, average cost?""

if you add another driver to your insurance like your brother, or sister or son, who is a new driver, and your insurance costs $350 for six months. how much do you think would be additional cost to this insurance? if you can share ur experience it would be nice. i know it all depends on the history of the other driver, but say the other driver did not have any accidents or anything. i need to get a general impression... Thanks in advance.""

Best medical insurance for gastric bypass?

I have struggled with being overweight my whole life and I have decided I want gastric bypass. I currently do not have insurance and I want to buy insurance to cover the surgery. I'm not really sure how to go about purchasing insurance and which ones deny weight loss surgeries. I am 22 and in perfect other then being overweight, so I figure getting health insurance shouldn't be too hard to get approved for. Like I said just wondering which insurance is best for the surgery and any suggestions you have for purchasing health insurance would be great. Thanks!""

""Totaled my car, What will insurance do?""

Yesterday I totaled my 2000 ZX3 and almost died, luckily my roof didn't completely cave in as i slid in the ditch after i flipped over, SO my engine and transmission isn't damaged. I wanna save some movie and just buy a car like mine with a blown engine and then switch engines and get the keep the rest of the insurance payout. I already found the possible car BUT i'm not sure if the insurance company will let me keep my car after its declared totaled? The car i found is for only 500 dollars and my dad is a mechanic, so i really need 2 know quick""

Health Insurance for new born after job loss....?

Situation... We had a new born almost three months ago. She was on my wifes insurance while she was on maternity leave. Now she (my wife) will only be going back to work part time ...show more

Renewal of car insurance after accident?

I was in a car accident in Oct 2006, I was injured in the accident and still under medical treatment but insurance is now refusing to pay any medical bills and my 6 month renewal is up and I am wondering if I need to renew this because of being in a accident or not. If anyone has been through anything similar like this could you please advise. I was not at fault in this accident and I am waiting to hear from a lawyer. Any Advice? Serious answers only PLEASE!!""

HELP!!! Car insurance - 10 month bonus accelerators and cheapest insurance companies?

Hi has anyone had any problems with a bonus 10 month accelerator policy when renewing??? also any ideas for the cheapest insurance companies especially when paying monthly and being a young driver (only 20)? thank you xxxxxxx

How long do I have to report an accident to an insurance company in California?

If I was in an accident in California how long do i have to report it to the insurance company so that they will cover it?

Whats a cheap car to insure for a 21 year old female with 2 children ?

How much should I expect from the insurance company for these damages to my car?

I have a 99 oldsmobile intrigue, my car was hit on the drivers side between the front and back doors. The front door is really damaged and the rear door has some""

HOW MUCH can my insurance rate rise up after hitting another car? backing up i hit the front right bumper/ligh

I live in California and I have full coverage on my vehicle currently I am 26yrs old and have about 6 yrs with my Dirvers license and NO accidents or tickets on my record. BUT a lot of people mention that my insurance rates will go really high whn an accident happens. I hit the car behind me it donsnt seem to me a a major accident, but a small one. I need help just an advise to know what to expect, please!! maybe in an expert can advise.or other personal experience by someone?""

Car insurance problem!!! Please help!!!?

My problem is that I had a car accident last monday, and I just picked the police report. I called the other person insurance (Which is responsible for the accident), and they told me that his policy is suspended because he didn't pay. Basically he was driving without insure. ***My question is what I need to do now??? I have a repair estimate, which is $1,400.""

""Car insurance, they didn't take payment, was I insured?""

I have a classic car insurance policy with two cars on it, the policy started on one car but I later added a second. I have just taken the second car off the policy but it turns out ...show more""

Dental insurance ? Or medical insurance payment plans ?

Hi I'm a 20 year old and I currently am looking for a dental insurance an in California but I don't know what good company is good and not as expensive since I do live on my owns and stuff. I really need to go get my teeth checked up but I can't afford to go in a visit with no dental insurance. Someone please help. What are good entail company's that get get me approved on a good payment plan or something pease ans thank you for your time?

Cheap Family Insurance?

I am looking for an affordable insurance for my whole family. We dont qualify for medi-cal or healthy families. In our family its my husband and I and 2 young children. If you have any suggestions, thanks!""

Where can i get the cheapest car insurance?

i currently use the general

How does car insurance work?

I'm looking at getting car insurance but I'm confused how it works i want to pay monthly but u cannot afford to pay the deposit and a month in advance PLEASE HELP! xD

Will a Red Light Ticket affect my insurance?

I ran a red light today (i wasn't even thinking and just ran it) there are cameras there so I'm pretty sure ill get a ticket , any who i live in McKinney, Texas and the fine they send in mail is 75 $ and since I'm 16 have to go with my parents to court so will this one ticket make my insurance go up ? is there a possibility it won't go on my record?? I have all state and am a male i make A's and B's (education discount)""

Liability insurance for massage therapist?

I will be getting my massage therapy license in about two weeks...if I work for a spa, will I need liability insurance? Or will my employer cover me?""

What kinds of cars are expensive to insure?

im 18 and looking to buy my first car under my parents' insurance. what cars should i stay away from? i am most likely going to buy an mustang gt coupe (1960-1990). what factors make cars more expensive to insure? ive heard things like, type of car, how easy it is to steal, and even color color affect how much i will pay for insurance. i dont just want to know the categories, i want to know what to avoid, ei, stay away from red cars. stuff like that.""

NY resident sport bike motorcycle insurance cost?

i am 18 years old going to be 19 at the end of march, clean driving record and have a motorcycle permit. live in CNY oswego area and i am wondering how much roughly it would cost for me to insure a 600cc crotch rocket. thank you""

What do i do if I have breast cancer and no insurance?

I am 42 and won't go to the doctor because I have no insurance, I can't pay the $250 for a check up, plus lab fees, just to find out, not to mention the other tests and the referrals I'd get if there was an issue...I'm scared to go to the doctor, and scared not to go. any advice?""

How much is a low rate car insurance cost? how much would it be ??? ?

How much would insurance be on these cars ( average ) 1st time driver ?

saxo vtr vw golf mk2 anybody help need a rough estimate of the insurance as these are my dream cars and wanting to kno the average insurance price, if to high i dont want to get my hopes up""

Motorcycle Insurance cost in Ontario?

I know it depends on a lot so I'll give you as much info as possible: age: 18 bike: honda cbr125r driving(car) record: spotless -the bike will be kept in my house overnight, and I'll only be using inner city (for work, school, social..) So guys I just need a rough estimate, doesn't have to be exact. how much would it cost be per year? Also, is insurance less if you're female like with car insurance? thanks for any help!""

Question about car insurance for a Honda Civic Si?

Ok so I'm 16, I just got a job and I have my permit and as soon as I get my license I'm going to be buying a car. I have already chosen my car. A 2006-2010 Honda Civic Si. The question is should I get the Honda Civic Si Coupe or the Sedan? Will the insurance be any different between the two or will it be very close if not the same? Thanks for all information.""

Car Insurance: Which is cheapest in America?

Just purchased brand new vehicle and wanted some feedback on which companies offer inexpensive rates and superior service when needed.

What is the average insurance for motorcycles vs cars in the US?

I need an average insurance price for a cheap bike and the average insurance for a cheap car.

Will home owners insurance or the drivers insurance pay for my dogs med. bills?

my dog was hit by car and we were yelling and screaming for her to slow down but she was not paying attention and my dog who was standing on the side of the road bc there was another dog across the street was hit. this woman was not paying attention and bc of that my dog is now in surgery. it is very expensive, is there anyway my home owners insurance or the womans car insurance will pay for the bills?""

Does 15 mins save you 15% or more on car insurance?

Pay as you go mobile insurance?

hi i am about to buy the new nokia 5800 for 250 any sugestions for insurance and how much will it cost?

Would car insurance be less if i got an older car/truck?

like from the 1980 to 2000? and would a pickup truck cost less to insure than a small car? im 18 if that helps any.

Is a salvage title more expensive to insure?

I live in Oregon by the way. I am looking at buying a used car with a salvage title.

Health insurance for my wife at a low rate?

I work but unable to carry my wife do to the rates. Is there any insurance that we can get on at a better than the one offered at my job. So far I have found one with Blue Cross Blue Shield for $70 a month where my job is like $95 a week or so. I do know it was high on a weekly basis.

Whats a cheap car to insure for a 21 year old female with 2 children ?

""How much would it be if got allstate insurance for a new 2009 nissan altima. im 20yrs old, live with my parets?

my parents have allstate. this is my first car under my name.

What is the average collision deductible on insurance for a 2005 leased vehicle?

i'm trying to determine whether i need a big deductible or not, this determines whether i stick with geico or move to the cheaper esurance""

How much would private insurance cost for two adults and 1 baby?

My fianc and I would like to get married. About how much would it cost for the two of us and our 14 week old?

Do I have to transfer my car to get an insurance discount?.?

I'm moving back home for the school year because my parents live in the city I'm attending University at. I have my own car and my dad was telling me I should probably transfer the car into his name for ease, as I would get the house hold discount rate. To me this doesn't make any sense, and I know how controlling my parents are, is this another way for him to have some control on me?.. Or is this legit?.. I've never had any special rate or whatnot, I've been paying my own insurance since my first car. I just want to know. Does he need to OWN my car before I can be put on the household discount? * Both of our insurance plans are state farm if that helps* - Thanks in advance.""

Is Bristol West Insurance a good company?

I am looking to change my insurance company and got a really good quote on insurance, but it's seems a bit too good. Does anyone have any information regarding this company? I found them through Farmers Insurance Group.""

How online auto insurance works?

Registering a new car,not a transfer of insurance. I am planning on purchasing GEICO insurance but am not sure how process works. After reviewing registration steps it states the local agent has to sign and stamp RMV-1 form. How will that work if my insurance provider is online? Do they send an agent or do I drive out to closest office? Is the process longer with an online insurance?""

Can i have a car without insurance and not drive it ?

hey im gonna get a car soon, so my q is this can i get a car without insurance and keep it outside my house till i get insurance? wont drive it till i get insurance and i havent got a driveway or anythiing so it will beon the road thanks""

Performance car insurance?

is there an insurance company which can provide me with a quote for a performance car? (at a reasonable price) im 19 got a pass plus and had my license for 1 and a half years... ive been driving as a named driver for that time with no claims etc etc ..... i know theres not alot of company's out there which probably wont insure me but its worth a try ey?.

Any body employed at Walmart have their health insurance?

My son just got Walmarts health insurance policy after I told him to get some insurance. He says he signed up, but their health insurance is a bad one. I just wanted him to be insured because a trip to the ER for any kind of accident or illness could financially ruin him. Wages at Walmart aren't exactly great. He is so inexperienced, I don't know whether he knows a good insurance from a bad one. Any one know anything about Walmarts health care insurance?""

Canceling car insurance?

i got some car insurance for a car i was purchasing today as i did not want to drive it home over 100 miles with out none , i only took it out yesterday but when i went to pick up the car it had obtained some problems that it did not have before so i have not brought it. i was told when i got the insurance that i would have 14 days to cancel it but when i rung them up today to cancel it they have said i can not and i will have to pay all of the premium in full, i explained to them why i was needing to cancel it and was told it is not their fault and i still have to pay all outstanding monies , is this right . this is with swinton if it matters.""

I need a good answer for insurance on this car for a year?

im 16 a guy and i want a 2000 audi tt how much would you say insurance costs on this car for 1 year also i have never been in a wreck never gotten a ticket and never killed someone in a car so help ou please

Jeep Wrangler Sahara insurance?

I am a 16 year old female... I want a 2004 Jeep Wrangler 4x4 Sahara as my first car. My mom seems to think the insurance is too high. Can anyone tell me whether the insurance on it would be super high or give me an average number for insurance? Would it be cheaper on a smaller car? thanks .xx

How much would car insurance cost for a 16 year old?

I'm 15, and I am thinking about paying for my own car insurance next year to help my parents out. I was wondering how much it would cost per month given the facts that I am a guy, and I was thinking about buying a used 2005 or 2007 Mustang for my first car. How much would is cost per month for my circumstances?""

What happens if you switch car insurance?

Had a policy with my mother and due to conflict between the family I got my own policy and she moved out of town and has her own. However, she was behind on the payments (I had no idea, I just gave her the money every month in the form of a check) and after splitting the insurance I'm stuck with a $400 dollar bill just to continue my insurance that wasn't paid by my mother. I would like to somehow get around this and I was wondering what the consequences were if I were to not pay this payment and get car insurance elsewhere.""

""I have a 11 month daughter, and i want to buy affordable health insurance for her.?""

I have a 11 month daughter, and i want to buy affordable health insurance for her.?""

Teenagers and car insurance again?

so i just posted a question asking if insurance costs more for a 18 year old. i loved all the answers they were really helpful. so the story is my friend thinks she's gonna insure a car and pay only 60 a month in arkansas but my moms insurance company says me being 18 i would pay over 100 dollars because im so young. ive had everyone tell me that thats right so it sounds pretty impossible for a new driver 18 years old to pay such a cheap price right? please give me some insight!!!

Low cost insurance?

Low cost insurance for life policies at the 150,000 20yr rate.""

Can u get insurance on a different address to your licence?

Say i live in leeds but my friend lives in bradford and my insurance works out cheaper on their address. Can i ge insurance to her address even though i do not live there?

Do you need to pay insurance on a 50cc scooter in utah?

I just bought a 50cc scooter and i was wondering if in Utah you have to pay insurance on it? also about how much is it to register it?

How much is car insurance for a 16 year old girl ?

Im about to get my license and i was wondering how much insurance would be. For a 16 year old girl 2011 camry or corolla. Anyone wanna guesstimate ?

Is AARP a good health insurance plan?

I'm in my 20s, any suggetions of a good health insurance coverage plan? hospital, perscription, the whole nine!?!?""

How much is car insurance?

i'm a 16 year old girl, i'm not on the honor roll, but as a guess how much would it be a month for me? i haven't gotten my license yet but i'm sure i will in a few weeks. is it a more than 100 dollars a month? thanks!""

Will going to Driver's Ed make our insurance rates go up?

My mom tells me she doesn't want me to go to Driver's Ed because once insurance sees there's another driver on our plan, they will make the rate go up, or something like that... Is this true? Btw, sorry if I misused the apostrophe s in Drivers""

Why do people spend so much on insurance?

I mean other than general health and drug insurance.

What insurance plan would be best for a young family that has a 5 month old?

In my Advanced Functions class, we're doing a project about insurance plans mostly which plan, basic or premium, would be better for a certain situation like a single parent or something like that. My partner and I decided to use a young family (around the ages of 24 or 25) who has a 5 month baby girl. I was wondering would a basic plan or a premium plan be better suited for them?""

Whats a cheap car to insure for a 21 year old female with 2 children ?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-need-find-new-insurance-march-next-year-gary-crawford/"

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robertkstone · 7 years ago

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2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Coupe First Test: Ooooh, Look at That!

‪Probably not a good idea to want a car for its crystal-look taillights, but check out how this @mbusa E400 coupe design detail sparkles!‬ #mercedesbenz #mercedeseclass #eclass #coupe #lights #crystal #details

A post shared by Zach Gale (@zachgale) on Jul 26, 2017 at 7:00am PDT

Of course, our 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic coupe tester wasn’t perfect, but over the course of track testing as well as driving in traffic, on empty highways, and through winding canyon roads, the car mostly presented itself well. Because luxury coupes carry a “pretty” premium over similar sedans and are made to be seen, we’ll start with design. As with the S-Class coupe, the E-Class coupe continues a Mercedes tradition that’s been around for decades: a B-pillarless design on two-doors. The design detail actually improves visibility, but it is mostly cool because no one else in this price class does it.

If the C-Class coupe’s exterior styling is “bar-of-soap boring,” as we called it during 2017 Car of the Year testing, the E-Class coupe is one attractive, half-melted bar of soap. Decide for yourself what you think of the exterior (and Mercedes’ diamond-block grille) by opening this review’s extensive gallery of photos. The only pimple on the 2018 E400 coupe’s design—one shared with the last-generation model—is that the rear side windows aren’t a one-piece unit such as those of the S-Class coupe, so a sliver of the rear side glass stays in place even when you lower all the windows.

Compared to the last-generation model, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe’s wheelbase has been stretched by 4.4 inches. The new two-door is longer (4.8 inches), wider (2.9 inches), and slightly taller (1.5 inches).

Step inside, and you’re greeted by air vents inspired by turbine blades. It’s a rich touch for an interior that lives up to our tester’s $86,685 as-tested MSRP. Before you start adding options, know that for now, every E-Class coupe is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 producing 329 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. That engine is mated to a responsive nine-speed automatic that behaves well except in the car’s sport mode, where its very aggressive tuning can cause the car to lunge forward a little more than you’d like. Our car was equipped with a $1,900 air suspension that provided a smooth, if a little floaty, ride in comfort mode, but that changes drastically if you switch the car all the way to Sport+. When you’re in a sporty mood, I’d maybe stick with Sport because the suspension doesn’t feel as rough. No matter the driving mode, the 329-hp engine is well matched to a car such as the E-Class coupe, and for the 2018 model year, it is now available on the sedan, too.

On the track, the all-wheel-drive 2018 E400 coupe accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds (Mercedes expects rear-drive variants to be 0.3 second slower). Road test editor Chris Walton remarked on the car’s “surprisingly linear, nonturbo power delivery,” and said that in hard acceleration, the nine-speed auto turned in smooth and quick shifts. We’ve tested an all-wheel-drive E400 wagon reaching 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, and an all-wheel-drive E300 sedan (with a 241-hp turbo-four) hit 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. Driven quickly around a street corner or on winding roads, the E400 4Matic coupe’s steering is surprisingly reactive, and the car exhibits little body roll. Braking from 60 to 0 mph takes a respectable 112 feet, and the coupe completed our figure-eight course in 25.7 seconds at 0.72 average g.

Our tester had AMG Line visual upgrades that don’t translate to better at-the-limit performance. Testing director Kim Reynolds commented on the car’s “slow response to throttle” and said it was “hard to control the understeer.” This is the type of behavior you’ll find close to the car’s limits, and if you’re really seeking out the limits of your luxury coupe, smaller and sportier entries including the Mercedes-AMG C43 and Audi S5 might be more your style.

As we noted in our 2018 E-Class Coupe First Drive review, this Mercedes shines as a boulevard cruiser. If you take some friends out to dinner, they’ll access the back seat by pulling a lever on the edge of the front seat that folds the backrest forward, at which point the seat automatically powers forward and up a little bit. In the rear seat, there’s actually a decent amount of legroom, plus some extra space for feet under the front seats. Those rear bucket seats are comfortable enough, though there’s no central armrest, and rear headroom is limited by the way the roof slopes downward toward the car’s rear. What might really keep the rear seat from being used for more than 30 minutes at a time—especially for passengers who get claustrophobic—is the small size of those rear-side windows. You wouldn’t sacrifice the coupe’s styling for a practical concern like that, though, right? If you really want a two-door, four-seat Mercedes without that issue, wait for the E-Class Cabriolet to roll into your local dealership.

Both two-door E-Class models are pricier than the sedan, and our E400 coupe was loaded down with more than $25,000 of luxurious options. All-wheel drive is a $2,500 option that doesn’t actually come at the cost of lower fuel economy; the E400 4Matic coupe has the same 20/26 mpg city/highway rating as the rear-drive E400 coupe (in Real MPG testing, the car was good for 18.8/29.7 mpg). Standard equipment includes multimode drive settings that can adjust throttle sensitivity, the transmission, and the weight of the steering. A collision braking mitigation system, LED headlights and taillights, and the large 12.3-inch infotainment display with navigation as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are also included. An awesome ambient lighting system is wonderfully integrated into the car’s interior and offers five intensity levels and 64 colors. The all-wheel-drive E400 throws in a feature called Magic Vision Control that might be worth getting on the rear-drive model (for $350) just for its eye-roll-worthy name alone. The E400 coupe’s slim windshield wiper blades have laser-cut holes out of which the washer fluid is released, reducing the chance that fluid will spray over the windshield entirely or run off toward the A-pillars.

Other features on our $86,685 E400 4Matic coupe included a $2,500 AMG styling package that adds sportier design accents on the outside, different 18-inch wheels (19s are available), a black headliner, and a flat-bottom steering wheel that feels great. The adaptive air suspension is $1,900, and although the system can appreciably change the car’s dynamic performance from one mode to another, we’ve not yet driven a nonair-suspension E-Class coupe. Inflating our car’s as-tested price was a $5,400, 1,450-watt Burmester 3-D sound system with 23 speakers (including ceiling-mounted speakers) and a few listening modes. The system sounds great and those ceiling speakers even get some ambient lighting, but we’re guessing most will be satisfied with the available 590-watt Burmester option that has 13 speakers and attractive aluminum speaker grilles. Mercedes’ multi-camera parking aid is a well-executed version of the tech offered by many automakers, but that feature and a head-up display are bundled in the car’s most expensive package. If you actually have a limited budget, consider stopping at the second of three “Premium” packages. You’ll miss out on Mercedes-Benz’s most advanced active safety tech—though I found the adaptive cruise control left too much following distance on its closest setting—but you’ll still get the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, headlights that help you see around corners, and a few other features.

If repair costs on some of the E400 coupe’s cool options don’t scare you, there is another feature I hope a future E-Class coupe will offer—a power-door closer. Just like most luxury coupes, the E400’s doors are long, heavy, and require an awkward reach to close if you get inside and realize you forgot to hold onto the inside of the door to close it as you sit down. So you can either remember to close the door as you get inside or, perhaps on a next-gen E-Class coupe, have the car do it for you.

The E-Class coupe’s extensive options list, interior color combinations, and wood trim choices might be overwhelming to some buyers, but they’re a part of the car’s appeal. As with similar BMWs, most E-Class coupe customers will probably pick a car that most closely matches the options they want from dealer stock, but knowing you have so many ways of customizing your car is a luxury in itself.

The E400 4Matic coupe doesn’t have any direct competitors of a similar size now that the BMW 6 Series is offered in convertible and four-door forms but not as a coupe. That leaves consumers interested in an E-Class coupe to also consider the smaller Audi S5, Lexus RC 350, BMW 440i, Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400, or Cadillac ATS 3.6 coupe. The more expensive E-Class is not really designed to compete against them, but in a segment as ME-oriented as luxury coupes, start your search with designs that speak to you (and view them in person, if possible). The E400 coupe is a solid entry with few competitors, and especially if you’ve got many thousands of dollars to spend on extra-cost colors and interior options, it could be just the car for when the larger S-Class coupe is too ostentatious.

2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Coupe BASE PRICE $62,395 PRICE AS TESTED $86,685 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, 4-pass, 2-door coupe ENGINE 3.0L/329-hp/354-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 9-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,305 lb (55/45%) WHEELBASE 113.1 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 190.0 x 73.2 x 56.3 in 0-60 MPH 5.2 sec QUARTER MILE 13.7 sec @ 102.2 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 112 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.90 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.7 sec @ 0.72 g (avg) REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB 18.8/29.7/22.6 mpg EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 20/26/22 mpg ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 169/130 kW-hrs/100 miles CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.87 lb/mile

#IFTTT #PerformanceJunk WP Feed 3

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the-scot-blog1 · 8 years ago

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Today, my social media accounts are filled with memories.

Collages, text posts, pictures; all full of bittersweet tokens from former classmates as we said our final goodbyes to our school years. There were tears, embraces, and an emotional serenade from our Head Teacher. I never thought I would be swaying with my phone torch flying in the air to a balding man’s rendition of Oasis’ ‘Don’t look back in anger’.

For me, it was one of the most challenging days of my life.

The year group had turned out in full, clad in spandex and red capes to tie in with the superhero theme of the day. A super send-off, if you will.

I saw this as an opportunity to execute a pun that I had waited six years to make. For the entirety of my school life, I had been hit with an onslaught of nicknames: Smelly Ellie, Elfnr, Smeleanor, Duffenshmirtz (that was a particularly odd one, I have to admit). But the name I loved most, or rather the one that I could tolerate more than being compared to pungent stenches or evil cartoon masterminds, was Duffman.

And so that is exactly who I portrayed as my superhero alter-ego. A beer-drinking, hip-thrusting, muscley cartoon character with a proclivity for shades and the colour blue – in all honesty, it sounds a lot like regular ol’ me.

Anyway.

Thinking back to that day, I was in a strange place. I was wearing shiny Doc Martens – a gift from my then-boyfriend who was never too far away from my side the entire day. I was surrounded by a group of friends who I had known for around three years, and surrounded by a year group that I had gone through almost all my life with. But underneath the laughter, high-pitched signing and really awful dancing, I was sad.

I had firmed my choice for university but was suddenly in mid-crisis about my excitement to go. I was feeling a nervousness about the future that I had never felt before – I had always been completely sure about what I wanted to do with my life, but now my ambition was faltering, and I had no idea why.

So when we raced down the corridors to reach the crowds gathered in anticipation of the final countdown, I didn’t mind that I almost missed it. I didn’t mind that I was too out of breath to shout the final numbers along with the rest of the school. But I did mind the crippling sensation that gripped my stomach when I exited the revolving doors for the final time, and the watery smile when I said goodbye to the friends I would more than likely see in days to come.

Although it was our final day, we still had exams to sit in the coming month. But they were over just as quickly as they began, and I found myself drifting from people I once called my best friends. I was falling out of love in the most horrible way, and distancing myself from a boy I had spent three years with.

Graduation came, and amongst the shakiness I felt walking up on stage to shake hands with the Head Teacher and accept the shield for leadership, it was a weirdly triumphant day.

Prom was next, and with it came some sloppy steak pie and blistered feet. It was the last full day I spent in a proper relationship.

School was officially over after that, and I had hardly even recovered from my teeny hangover before I was plunged head first into the adult world.

So I did what any normal person would do – I packed my bags and ditched Scotland for a month of travelling in Australia. It was terrific; I met up with my brother who I hadn’t seen in around a year and we spent a month laying on beaches, touring the Gold Coast and passing out after nights spent giggling at bars and trying (and failing) to talk about the meaning of life.

Sydney. June 2016

Although I returned without a tan, I came back to Scotland as an entirely new person. I had finally felt what it was like to be independent – with nothing to tie me down to any specific place, I came out of my shell in Australia, spontaneously planning day trips and not caring what time I would come home. And so I knew what I had to do the minute my plane touched down.

It was the next day, and I had tears streaming down my face when I closed his front door behind me. After three years, it was time to call my relationship quits. My time spent abroad had taught me not to let anything – or anyone – hold me back. I wanted to completely reinvent myself – I had an entirely clear slate, and I wanted to begin writing my story alone.

I decided it was best to distance myself from my friends, who I was now sharing with the guy I had just left. It seemed to be the best move – I had friends in other circles, but it seemed as though his options were limited to our immediate friend group.

I lost a great friend in that same week, stemming from a drunken mistake and a showing of true colours come morning. But I found that I didn’t have anybody to talk to about how low I felt.

Conflict had arisen between myself and former friends, and although some made me feel welcome, it was time to move on. Bitchiness began on both sides, with Twitter being used as a catalyst to express feelings rather than confrontation and talking in person. But soon the time for reconciliation had passed – we had reached the point of next to no return, and I found myself well and truly alone.

I began working behind the counter in the nearby McDonald’s, where I met some pretty great people. There was the guy who always asked why I read on my breaks and the girl who said my butt didn’t look as big in my trousers as hers did. I still don’t know whether that was a compliment or not. I worked there for two months, earning a semi-decent wage and using it to fund my obsession with food and books.

I gained a whole load of weight in those two months, what with the free meals on my McDonald’s shifts and the murderous hours spent sitting in my bedroom doing absolutely nothing. I felt myself slowly slipping into a depressive state, with a sense of sadness I hadn’t felt since my earlier years at school. But the worst of it was I couldn’t open up to anybody about it.

I was hung-over as hell when I applied for a job at a Scottish television firm. It was a spontaneous decision – a decision that took around six hours to complete.

I’m not ashamed to say that I completely forgot about my application after it was sent. I had only found out about my dream job on its deadline, and I had accepted the fact that I was probably already at the bottom of the pile, ready to be chucked into the bin when another applicant was chosen in my stead.

I focused all my energy onto university; I was starting in less than two weeks time and had only bought half of the syllabus and didn’t nearly have enough books or sticky notes. I was browsing for the third text on my list when I got the call inviting me for an interview at the job I had almost forgotten about.

It was as if I was woken up from a month-long sleep. My stomach was filled with an excitement and anticipation that I hadn’t felt since my godson was born. Nothing had gone right in my life for several months and yet there I was, sitting on my blue spinny chair with the biggest grin on my face.

The interview came and went three days after the phone call. I had spent three hours deciding on an outfit from a choice of a few black tees and black skinny jeans before I realised I needed more clothes. My depressive state had affected the way I dressed, acted, felt – I hadn’t taken more than five minutes of my time to work on my hair in months.

After the interview, there was another waiting spell. There were other applicants to be interviewed, they had said. My lack of confidence came back in full force, and my elation was soon replaced with resignation at not being good enough to act on my dreams.

But this was not to last. The day my phone broke was the day that HR was trying to call me to confirm my acceptance of the position. When they eventually got hold of me, I cried. I cried for a solid day, and it was as though each tear that fell was taking with it every depressing thought, every ounce of anxiety and every bit of self-hatred I had for myself.

So here I am now.

I’m sitting on my lunch break in the middle of April, sipping on a kale, apple and lime smoothie and laughing when I remember how I used to be.

Since September, I’ve worked in my dream position for over eight months. I’ve made friends with people I had only ever seen on television or who I only knew from the tiny Twitter icons on my computer screen. I am eating healthier, and have managed to lose a drastic amount of weight from constantly walking and doing the occasional gym session. My skin has cleared, and I cut my hair in a way that everybody always said would never suit me, but I’ve never been more in love.

I’m more expressive, and I’ve taken to initiating conversation instead of shying away from even the slightest hint of social interaction. I laugh louder and no longer cover my mouth to hide my wonky teeth and tiny lips.

I reconciled with my best friend, who I hadn’t spoken to for around half a year after a particularly nasty falling out the year before.

I paid for my entire family to go to Disneyland and I didn’t have one ounce of buyer’s regret. We spent a fantastic week there, even though I forgot to bring a pair of shoes.

I was there for my family when we found out my brother has cancer, and I managed to put a family feud behind me to help support them.

I haven’t been in a relationship for almost a year now, and I’ve never felt more committed in my life. I’ve thrown myself into work, photography and writing, and I can’t help but feel completely and utterly proud of myself.

Ever since I left school, it’s been quite a journey. But after the heartache, loneliness and depression, I came out in a new form; a form I had only ever dreamed of achieving. And I can’t wait to look back like this again next year, and see where on Earth I’ve ended up.

I left school a year ago today. What’s happened? was originally published on Ellan

#Ellan blog #Elle Duffy #Scottish bloggers #Scottish blog #Travel blog #Lifestyle blog #Scottish travel #Personal blog #Scottish girl

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