#Lii's Laments

[littlestarbeam]

In light of the tragic arc we're going to go through with Ruby, here's some Popo and Friends pics to cheer us up

Scary Popo

Frightened Popo

Kind Popo and Griffin

Angry Popo and Griffin

Happy Popo

Sad Popo

Baby Dragon

Bonus+

[mysdrymmumbles]

A Double Date

Forgive the title, I couldn’t think of something better >.> This is for a prompt that @myinventoryisfull​ sent like forever ago during an ask game, and I’ve just now finally gotten to finishing up.

...............................

Bastion’s golden grasses sway gently in the eternal breeze, stretching out around Mevix in every direction. He imagines the word that he would look for to say—if someone asks him what he thinks of it—would be ‘pretty’, but the truth is it’s kind of…bland. 

Give him the lumpy valleys of Maldraxxus any day over this. The mushrooms towering up above him, the odd, stiff grasses that occasionally puncture the fetid ground… Something homey.

But this… it’s nice. 

All of Bastion is nice.

It’s also all so gentle, serene. There is nothing here that stokes excitement. Nothing to get the adrenaline running, the blood pumping. 

Well, there is one thing that gets his blood pumping, so to speak.

Thales kneels in the grass near him with his soulbind, Liila Dragonlily, the infamous Maw Walker.

They fought alongside one another for a while when she first swept through the Shadowlands like the storm that she is, and she was a fearsome little creature, all writhing shadows and hard resolve. Until they’d gotten to the House of Constructs, that is. Then she had shifted to righteous anger.

And, oddly enough, the Light.

They had only fought alongside each other for a short time, but still, it was enough that she had earned Mevix’s respect. He had been mildly disappointed that she hadn’t come back to join the maldraxxi proper, but she did visit Thales often enough when he was still in Maldraxxus that they got to be a bit more than acquaintances. She’s a good sort, just like Thales. 

Liila and Thales are busily laying out a rather large blanket across the grasses, while Mevix stands there, dutifully holding down one of the corners with his feet. He awkwardly holds a basket full of breads and cheeses, as well. There is another basket with anima-wine and sweet juice holding down the corner far from Mevix, and Liila and Thales are slowly and carefully tugging the blanket out in the other directions, chattering away about some idle things that have happened in the Temple of Humility recently.

Of course, it has not been like this the whole time. On the way out here, Mevix regaled them with a tale or two from Maldraxxus, of how Grandmaster Vole is setting up another tournament and would love for both of them to come participate. That led to a few stories of Thales’ duels in Maldraxxus, of how he was able to hold his own against quite a few of their gladiators, on the occasion that anyone could coax him that far from the Seat of the Primus.

“They went easy on me,” Thales had assured, though Mevix simply scoffed.

The maldraxxi do not go easy on anyone.

And it had been a point of pride for him to listen in on the vanquished, as they lamented that not only had they lost to one of those pretty, do-gooder kyrian, but a blind one at that. Mevix has told more than a few that they should know better than to judge someone at a glance, or based on a disability. 

Thales, however, still doesn’t seem to fully grasp just how capable he is. 

Or just how good he looks when he’s showing off his capabilities.

Capable and strong and dedicated with toned muscles and…

Well. 

Mevix could go on, but he is missing a story about how the aspirants of Courage temporarily housed over at the Temple of Humility have set up a make-shift sparring arena. Apparently one of them was bold enough to challenge the Hand of Humility to a duel, and it ended very, very, very quickly. It did, however, open the way for some of the Courage disciples to duel some of the Humility disciples and proved to be a pretty good show and stress relief in one.

Thales laughs. “Liila held her own pretty well, too.” 

“I would have kicked his ass if I had been shadow,” Liila says, grinning.

Mevix eyes her. “You didn’t?” 

Thales gives him a look that perhaps he should be able to interpret on his own, but before he can, Liila replies. 

“The kyrian get a little stab-happy when they feel the presence of the void.” 

Thales offers that he supposes that’s true enough with a faint laugh. 

“I want to see this,” Mevix says, waiting until Liila secures her corner with a smallish rock and then comes over to set one on the corner he has been standing on. 

“Maybe after things have calmed down a little,” Liila replies. Thales has secured his own corner of the blanket and moves over to sit nearer to the middle. Liila retrieves the drink basket and joins him, as Thales motions for Mevix to come sit as well.

Mevix has not been on a picnic in…well.

He thinks he might have gone on one or two in life, but that was so long ago, it is hard to remember anything more than a vague sense of boredom as whoever he was with talked about…

It has really been too long to remember the details.

Perhaps he had been with parents? What little he can remember seems to be bigger than it should have been. Like he was but a little thing, watching the world around him.

Though, if he’s honest, the blanket they’ve set out now is rather…excessive in size for a party of four.

Regardless, he has to say that while he’s not sure he finds the contentment in sitting in the middle of a field to be quite his style, he does enjoy the company.

“Will Hipokos be joining us today?” Mevix asks, noting that even if the steward was running late, they would be able to see him coming from any direction. 

As Mevix considers that this isn’t a very defensible spot, Thales smiles and shakes his head. “No, he’s training under the forgelite prime today. Mikanikos has taken him on as an apprentice, and he’s been evaluating where Hipokos’ skills are for the last week or so. Hipokos loves it.” 

“Adrestes should be here soon,” Liila says. She’s setting the foods out around them as they talk. Mevix helps a little, though it feels so weirdly domestic. 

It’s not something maldraxxi typically do. 

Granted, they do have feasts from time to time to celebrate particularly glorious victories, and whenever their House wins a tournament, but this feels much more…intimate.

When Thales invited Mevix to this little gathering, he had called it a date in his letter, and yet Mevix hadn’t really thought of it as one until now.

He does his best to brush away the notion, ignoring the various tugs at his mind of his soulbinds’ amusement that he could get so distracted on his peacekeeping mission. Because that is how Mitchell, one of the maw walkers allied with Maldraxxus, phrased it when he got permission for Mevix to come ‘represent’ Maldraxxus in Bastion.

And then, upon reaching Bastion, Mitchell had chosen to ‘peace out’ and Mevix was handed off, so to speak, to Liila and Thales.

Mevix had been a bit surprised. The plan had always been to meet up with these two, but from the letter he’d received, he’d expected that there would be four of them and well…

"Who are we waiting on, then? You said…Adrestes?" He asks, trying to place the name.

"Paragon Adrestes," Thales says, smile radiant enough to give the light of Bastion a run for its money.

"Assuming he doesn't find a reason to cancel on us," Liila adds, pouting her lower lip for a second. 

Thales laughs. "I thought you had a plan to ensure he would come?"

"Kleia is supposed to harass him incessantly, but have you ever seen her harass anyone? I'm not sure she can be annoying enough…" Liila pauses and sighs, turning to Mevix. "He's working on the tenets and lessons that his temple will teach, and so he's always very busy. Too busy, in fact. He needs to rest his mind from time to time. Even if he is a paragon now."

"He'll find time, I'm sure," Thales says. 

Mevix cannot help but cook his head. "Should he? That sounds considerably more important than…" he glances around at their little picnic.

And then the word sinks in.

Paragon.

It reminds him of Xandria, when she came to Maldraxxus, of all her glorious fury. It reminds him of how she stood tall as a margrave.

Suddenly, the blanket’s size doesn't seem so excessive. 

Mevix shifts a little, glancing toward the sky. 

He knows that even margraves rest, but he has never been around for so casual an occurrence—except to interrupt with an important missive or announcement.

To imagine he has somehow been deemed worthy of such an audience with a paragon…

Neither Liila nor Thales seem overly concerned. 

Before he can ask for more details, a shadow passes over them. He instinctively reaches for his weapons, but before he can draw either, Liila is on her feet.

"You're late!"

The giant lands just shy of the blanket, the gust from his wings making the grasses bend and sway. He towers over the lot of them, power from their god herself curling through his mighty frame.

And then…

There is a shift. A shimmer in the air, a fog.

When the paragon meets Liila's embrace, wrapping her in one of his own, he is barely taller than Thales or Liila, and his wings are gone. His elegant armor is replaced with simple robes.

Truly, he looks little more—feels little more than an aspirant himself. Even as Mevix marvels at the disguise and considers how useful it would be for lulling enemies into a false sense of security, the paragon turns his attention to Thales and then Mevix, offering each of them a nod. His gaze lingers on Mevix as Liila laces their fingers and leads him over to sit with the rest of them. 

"Secutor Mevix, is it?" When he starts to stand to salute, the paragon waves him at ease. "I thank you for looking after my people while they were in your realm." 

"It was nothing. The necrolords are supposed to be the Shadowlands' protectors, after all." 

Paragon Adrestes nods.

The conversation is stilted at first. Mevix cannot help but feel the odd man out, the only necrolord surrounded by kyrian. He wishes Mitchell had stuck around.

However, he is not left fretting long. There is a change about ten minutes in. It happens when Paragon Adrestes mentions that he is not quite pleased with the location of their meeting, saying that it is not very defensible, if they were to be attacked.

Mevix cannot help but chime in with his own thoughts on fortifications and the like, and it is not until after he and the paragon have gone back and forth several times that he notices Thales seems elated, grinning from ear as he listens to them go. Liila seems equally pleased. 

Both he and the paragon seem to realize they've let their military minds run free, and there is an awkward silence before Paragon Adrestes finally says, "For eons, I was the polemarch, and the realm's security fell under my purview. It feels odd now to shift my focus to just one temple."

"Devotion is probably the most fortified spot in the realm," Liila teases.

"That will always be the Spires," Paragon Adrestes says. "Though I'll certainly do what I can."

Thales and Liila seem amused as the paragon starts walking it back a bit, pointing out that his temple shouldn't be the fortress that it was during the forsworn's hold on it, either, as of course it should be accessible to the denizens of the realm. 

Mevix suggests a few collapsible barricades, and they fall to discussing what would be too standoffish versus too open.

After all, the temples are a bit more fluid than the houses of Maldraxxus, as Mevix has already learned. In Maldraxxus, one pledges to a house and then that is one's eternity unless extenuating circumstances arise. And even then, when one shifts to a new house, there is a certain distance between the newcomer and old blood as they wait for the new face to prove themselves worthy. 

With a frown, Mevix considers that there is going to be a lot of shifting in the houses, as the Primus works to rebuild. 

More chaos for Maldraxxus. 

The paragon is surprisingly sympathetic.

Bastion is not like that, with aspirants visiting each temple and training to master all tenets of their Path. However, Paragon Adrestes admits that there have been occasions where disciples have switched temples and some have felt a bit of a sting at their departure. Such negative views are generally discouraged, of course, since they all work toward one goal in the end. 

It is fun to talk about the inner workings of Bastion with someone so intimately versed in it. It makes Mevix talk more about Maldraxxus and its own structure, of the little things outsiders might not notice right away. 

While they talk, they snack on cheeses and bread, make a few toasts to security measures and the eventual return to the Shadowlandss' true purpose. 

It is…nice.

And the word feels more sincere when Mevix tells them this when Paragon Adrestes departs. 

When it is time to go, the Paragon frets a bit over Liila, and she pulls him aside to speak quietly. 

Mevix notices as they talk, just out of earshot, that the Maw Walker looks tired, and perhaps a little pale. It is hard for him to tell, of course. 

Thales lets out a soft hum from where he sits beside Mevix. They are closer than when things started, though Mevix isn't sure when or how that happened. Perhaps when they were passing around the wine and making toasts? 

As it is, their knees touch, though it is interrupted—much to Mevix disappointment—when Thales shifts. However, instead of moving away just yet, Thales moves closer. His fingers brush against Mevix's, and Mevix turns his hand up without thinking to catch and hold Thales'.

Thales smirks for a second before turning his head towards Mevix, leaning in closer to whisper, "I'm glad you came today."

"Of course," Mevix replies. They have had so many little moments like these, most thanks to Mevix’s own machinations, but something has always happened to pull things apart too quickly. Now, with the world to themselves, it feels like it would be so easy to bridge the distance between them, to press his forehead to Thales, to pull him into his lap… Mevix is not certain how the paragon, nice as he is, would feel about a maldraxxi seeking to court one of his aspirants. Mevix wishes they were back in Maldraxxus, where he knew the field so to speak. Instad, he sighs and considers when next he might get the chance. "Not sure how easy it'll be to sneak off once the mortals return home, but at least for now, Mitchell says he's happy to drag me around, 'whenever'."

Before he can add that of course his own duties around Maldraxxus take precedent, but he's always happy to find some time, Thales leans his shoulder into Mevix's. 

The touch of his skin is more than a little distracting.It tempts him to let his hands wander a little, to see how far this familiarity might go. Mavix eyes the kyrian beside him, wondering idly if he’s aware of just what kind of power Thales has over him. 

Thales is smiling like a damned sun, dipping his head a little closer as he lowers his voice and whispers to Mevix that it will be a disappointment to see the mortals go. How he will miss them. How he hopes this does not have to go with them.

This really has been a pleasant outing, even if the location leaves much to be desired. 

Perhaps it could be a regular thing.

The mere thought makes Mevix’s stomach flip, though he can't say why.

After all, he likes Thales, and has attempted to be painfully blunt about that. So the idea of seeing more of him should feel like a victory, not something that makes him restless and nervous. 

Perhaps he worries because it is the idea of having to come here so much…

Mevix coughs and dares to lean in himself, their foreheads nearly touching—his helm rests on the blanket, always in reach should the unexpected happen. "The lot of you are welcome in Maldraxxus anytime, too, of course."

Despite the offer, it is one Mevix realizes rather quickly that he cannot give. Even as the technicalities of it dampen his mood, Thales’ grin widens. "You know, I don't imagine Adrestes will be leaving the realm anytime soon—save for an Ember Court or two, as apparently the Archon has already told him to keep going—but maybe… Liila might have a way to sneak me over, in the least. For now."

"Oh?" 

"Tell me, how do you feel about friend shaped devourers?"

[mpalkoblog]

My father, a patient Champion

When I originally wrote this, I didn’t know that Super Bowl LII (in 2018) would be my father’s last.  That game was also the last time he watched the Eagle play.

I credit my father for my love of sports.  Baseball and football broadcasts filled my childhood homes and most car rides.  One of my earliest childhood memories is listening to the 1969 World Series on a transistor radio as my mom and I waited for my sister to be dismissed from school.  My father took the time to play sports with me and watch me play. He threw me countless pitches, and we tossed a football for hours; a large one for outside, a smaller one for indoors while watching games on TV.  I was pretty good at grabbing his passes from the couch before they hit the carpet.  He taught me everything he knew about the games, too.  And he knew a lot.  A big grin always came across his face when he talked about his playing days, and I’m pretty sure he carried in his wallet the dog-eared newspaper clipping about the day he pitched a no-hitter.  He faced the minimum that Sunday afternoon, picking off the one batter he walked.

Living in Pottsville, a small town in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region, about 100 miles north of Philadelphia, he and I were, of course, fans of the Eagles and Phillies.  My team loyalties occasionally wavered.  I spent a few of my childhood years rooting for other clubs. During the mid ‘70s I traded my Eagle green for the purple and gold of the Minnesota Vikings and my Phillies’ red for the black and gold of the cross-state Pirates. In retrospect, I can see why: those teams had more success than my hometown teams. The Vikings went to 4 Super Bowls between 1969 and 1976 (they still haven’t won one), and I watched the Pirates win 2 titles before my 14th birthday.

At no time did my father’s devotion to the hometown teams waver, but I do remember him lamenting, “I guess we’re just not meant to win.” and “That stuff just doesn’t happen to us.”

You can imagine then, how we rejoiced when the Phillies won their first World Series in 1980.  I was lucky enough to be at the ballpark the night they clinched that title, and he and I talked about it for hours on end that winter.  But a Super Bowl championship always seemed to elude the Eagles and my father.  I can remember him cheering (and cursing) some really good (and some less than good) teams lead by the likes of Roman Gabriel, Bill Bergey, Tom Dempsey, Ron Jaworski, Willbert Montgomery, Harold Carmichael, Reggie White and Buddy Ryan’s Gang Green defenses.  The Eagles made it to Super Bowl XV only to be crushed (much like hearts and spirits of their fans) by the Oakland Raiders.

By the time the Eagles made it back to the Super Bowl in 2004 (XXIX), I had long left his house and PA. I was in North Carolina, freshly removed from almost 15 years living in and around Boston cheering for the New England Patriots. (Yes, I cheered for them when they wore the ugly red uniforms, lost more than they won and when many games were “blacked out” on local Boston TV stations because fans wouldn’t fill the stadium.)  The Patriots got their first Super Bowl title, and thus I got mine, in 2001, a feeling of elation that I will never forget.  And 3 years later, my adopted team was going head-to-head with my father’s team.  His Eagles fell short, again.

Fast forward to February 2018.  I’ve passed on my love of sports to my own son, and our Patriots are headed to their tenth Super Bowl. My son and I shared the joy of being associated with champions MANY times and now our football team seemed poised to win (and were favored to win) their sixth title.  The opponent this time? Again, the Philadelphia Eagles.  The week before the game I asked my father if he was betting on the game with his head or his heart.  Without hesitating he said “I’m betting with my head.  I’m taking the Eagles.”  Needless to say, I had a foot in both camps for Super Bowl LII.  I loved that feeling of victory, of punching the air and high-fiving my son.  Fifty-one Super Bowls had come and gone, one for each year of my life, and a part of me wanted my father, 82, to experience, for the first time, that mid-winter joy.

The game quickly becoming an instant classic.  At halftime, I called my father, joking that he should make sure that he’d turned off the notifications sent from his pacemaker to his doctor’s office.   I spent the last few minutes of the game on the phone with him, watching, talking, just he and I, like we had so many times before, critiquing, correcting, wishing.  Despite his age, he was still sharp.  He knew the players, statistics, formations and just what he was seeing.  When the final pass of the game fell to the ground in the end zone, the game clock showed all zeros.  His Eagles were ahead on the scoreboard, and I heard him leave out a sigh, as if he’d been holding his breath since the very first Super Bowl.  “You did it!” I said.  He was home alone, and I was happy to be the first to congratulate him.  All of those years watching “The Birds” with me, with his uncle, his father and mother, his brothers and sisters, his nieces and nephews, and, of course my mom, sister and I. Hundreds of games watched from the same chair he was sitting in that night.  Still others watched with his friends from his usual stool at the Eagles Nest, the seasonal name for the local American Legion Hall.  All of them leading him to that very moment.

I wished him good night because by then my phone was buzzing with post-game messages from New England fans, my PA family and Patriot haters.  One of the messages was from a former Boston coworker, fellow Patriot fan and someone who already knew most of this story.  Larry wrote “Game over. Give your dad a high five for me. Congrats daddy Palko.”

What happened the next day was something I could have never expected.  Larry told me that he’d told his son, Ryan, about my father’s wait for a Super Bowl victory and now Ryan wanted to give my father his Nick Foles jersey. Foles, the Eagles quarterback was voted the Super Bowl’s Most Valuable Player.  Having started the season as the team’s backup quarterback, Foles was thrust into the leading role when the starter suffered a season-ending injury prior to the playoffs.  When the Patriots won their first Super Bowl, I slept in my team jersey.  I was 36. But now this 17 year old wanted to give his team jersey to my father in celebration.  Ryan told his dad, “You’re not selling it are you?  You have to give it to him.”

Now I’ll be first to admit that professional sports are what they are:  kids’ games played by adults.  And I realize that unless you put on the pads and strap on the helmet, you have no influence over the outcome, but this one was more than a game to me.  It was a culmination of almost a lifetime of patience, preparation, perseverance and waiting.  I am so grateful that I got to be on that journey with my father and to know that he now knows joy associated with it.

To Larry and Ryan, a sincere thank you for helping to crown my father as a champion.  I’m humbled by your awareness and generosity.

To my father I say, “Pop, you ARE meant to win and that stuff DOES happen to us!”

[libidomechanica]

Untitled (“No thing in I would be dead”)

A Kelly lune sequence

               Stanza I

Have relive no long proud. No thing in I would be dead!

               Stanza II

Black, composed? But still for that blossoming Century.

               Stanza III

But he sighed upon me: my mother’s woe. In the guy.

               Stanza IV

Was taught by elements so sweetly! When I praise thee?

               Stanza V

Every word but mouthed erased. I can’t answer the sea.

               Stanza VI

Was it a silent deep-disguisèd plot to steal a taste.

               Stanza VII

I forgive ourselves away. Shallow still rubs his heart.

               Stanza VIII

Of worldly please, nor avarice, nor wish another.

               Stanza IX

The height of soür ale some sent from every vulgar thief.

               Stanza X

What woman but that necessary. Will send thee low.

               Stanza XI

Than anyone. I walked the bay where love makes my heart.

               Stanza XII

Or up the tide: and though Nature spake—The working hinge ….

               Stanza XIII

Upon sockets of will not to expecting the while.

               Stanza XIV

Unless to pray to Allah from them who did except.

               Stanza XV

One touch it knows nothing do’t? And now thy worth, despite.

               Stanza XVI

Have stilled with sullen cloud. One eye or ear of burning.

               Stanza XVII

Mark where a tree, whose beds of silence and pleasure, fie!

               Stanza XVIII

You love more, my death. Suppose me clever: this could be.

               Stanza XIX

Sounds of tears as pearl. Tell her, in youth’s lamented it.

               Stanza XX

The act of falling. I charge you, for constant leper.

               Stanza XXI

I am the Eske river. There vnseene, thou hast doves’ eyes.

               Stanza XXII

Fearing the fields of men do still blesse, though I have his.

               Stanza XXIII

Each changing you, while her mothers pay which here unfolds.

               Stanza XXIV

For that bring their gifts too little prized among women?

               Stanza XXV

Like the finger even. And from thee and heal’d the sleeves.

               Stanza XXVI

Along your pursuit. Mark where you must descending moon.

               Stanza XXVII

—The end—and close the poem. This caitife heart’s short tunes?

               Stanza XXVIII

Did he stand is, and darkness. Thou who wilt not loved you.

               Stanza XXIX

The blast—quick gather lilies. And nostril, dark as night.

               Stanza XXX

I saw the sweet Elizium, by the under our care.

               Stanza XXXI

But, trowth, I care’t na by. But ere her husbandry?

               Stanza XXXII

One in the mind that win, the World on us doth breed.

               Stanza XXXIII

We are betrayed by what I could be thou leave? But both.

               Stanza XXXIV

Not a whisper of thy louer? For that poor Ambition!

               Stanza XXXV

One Night like that can you turn away. If any stone?

               Stanza XXXVI

To muse in my sight in human love. Thine own self bring?

               Stanza XXXVII

Finding your sex. Even in Hells despaired,—been happy.

               Stanza XXXVIII

If in falling to your nocturnal skin. And her eyes?

               Stanza XXXIX

And Happiness there. Not one poor stone for the lattice.

               Stanza XL

That by this is my face. Death is a power depose.

               Stanza XLI

Cannot quench love, to a companions? I earned no more.

               Stanza XLII

Thus Nature me a man-at-armes did make. From thy locks.

               Stanza XLIII

Stiffened by thee. And the sawdust tavern at the stroke.

               Stanza XLIV

Sleep to costume. Each blessed Lady that poor Ambition!

               Stanza XLV

Watchmen that these thought it, a garden which circumstance.

               Stanza XLVI

Look in thy louer? Me to surrender, you still for them.

               Stanza XLVII

Out for hate, death squads passed by. Like a happened balloon.

               Stanza XLVIII

Die. With no special person. The upper crimson cloud.

               Stanza XLIX

Whom all wo can abide to the world would be. Of blood?

               Stanza L

Put on your offence. Like gold to aery thinness beat.

               Stanza LI

He said, except some, except. The Flame had followed me.

               Stanza LII

Her two hundred. Keep them who did except. Nature Mine?

               Stanza LIII

Is that able spirit fold, her breast. If of her days.

               Stanza LIV

Collections—these will soon reach the apex of its face?

               Stanza LV

Continue to flie. Set me and just maybe you love?

               Stanza LVI

Which I have happen. And THOU for being frame destroy’d.

               Stanza LVII

Me sooner starve than if he hae the night. Toward them noise.

               Stanza LVIII

Finding you too short. It’s today: all of them, to keep.

               Stanza LIX

Side of this island. Once i am here right betwixt.

[littlestarbeam]

We twinning

@gothamnighthawk @cupioriot @badgerqueen07 @crazyinspirationaldreams

Lets start a picrew chain

@octagon--lover @praetorialreject @littlestarbeam @w3ndytheraccoon @ebony-reine-vibes @thementallyillapollochild @ilikepjo24 @octaviantheloser @pjo-hoo-toa-freakazoid

@sticksthestickman @shotbycup1d @sugar-r-rush @drksanctuary @daonedaonlyskh @f0xgl0v3

@jg-ggw

[paramounticebound]

Christmas Positivity Meme!

If you see this post on your dash, you should do it! Spread a little bit of holiday cheer ya’ll, even if in a small bit from your own version of this post ♡

Christmas: tag someone who has become a personal friend to you. 

@imcsoldiergirl , @vuulpecula , @hellfireandhightops , @historianinhighheels , @veniials , @empathicstars and many more of you, even if we don’t always speak.

Hanukkah: tag someone who you see as a light in the rpc

@thedestrcyer Kwanzaa: tag someone who you see as a positive influence & who influences unity in the rpc 

@pcindre

New Years: tag someone who you’ve known/followed/written with/etc for a long time.

@xaedificare @empiricdoc @historianinhighheels @silfrfjodr @veniials

Boxing Day: tag someone whose writing style you love

@neverparted / @warringpeace , @culberr / @disciipled , @snowinabottle , @cagcdbird , @fasciinating , @timeovercome

Yule: tag someone who seems to always have a positive attitude

@summerxmelodies

Mistletoe: tag your shipping partners <3 or talk about a ship/ships you love

@intoxicatiing , @imcsoldiergirl , @historianinhighheels , @viickers , @daniels-b-captain , @vuulpecula , @ensigntanniskyosta , @multiplechoicepast (adrian and khan okay) , @silfrfjodr , @veniials , + more and some that I’m not entirely certain of the status of lmao

Candle: tag someone who has helped you on a dark day

 @cagcdbird , @intoxicatiing , @historianinhighheels , @hellfireandhightops @imcsoldiergirl 

Stocking: tag someone whose small gestures have meant a lot to you

 @summerxmelodies @hellfireandhightops @historianinhighheels @imcsoldiergirl

Snow: tag someone who is So Good, So Pure™

 @meekisnotweak @cosmosbeing @graylit @hellfireandhightops

Gingerbread: tag someone who is dedicated to their muse

Everyone I have threads with is. ((I’m going to keep this answer. c: ))

Menorah: tag someone who has looked out for you

@historianinhighheels

Sled: positivity for canon roles

@@historianinhighheels , @alayavedma , @daniels-b-captain / @mere-walter , @neverparted , @brxkencrown , @irascibledoctor , @fasciinating , @thedestrcyer , @terrifiesthem , @endersgcme , @manaborn , @xaedificare , @culberr / @disciipled , @bccpbeep / @skuldxggxry , @starliingisms , @starlightsulu , @xusriia , @starkillergeneral , @unlegacied , @centralflash / @lucasthespider (!!!!!!!) , @xkuja , @isperobera , @funginerd , @spacemarincr , @scavengerxjedi , @forcecreated , @graylit , @ltmcgivers , @hisgenius , @liies , @positronicminds , @fromgallowsandgraves , @flxbber , @joshosis , @timeovercome , @superiorvengeance , @bestdestined , @nocaeps / @reliquariism , @ghostsdontwalkhere , @zombiegig , @weightofmyshield , @influencedbyfear , @georgiov , @conquerorofcosmos , @strangestviking , @chariotsofthegodsman

Snowshoes: positivity for OC roles 

@gildedsparks , @vuulpecula , @imcsoldiergirl , @silfrfjodr , @shapeshiftiing , @makeshistory , @hellfireandhightops , @intoxicatiing / @arkhevia , @brazenlass , @spacestreetrat , @empathicstars (sometimes I forget aella isn’t canon wtf) / @skymade , @cagcdbird , @sanguisfulgur , @quietresistance , @silcnt-valor , @heathiins , @motherdroid , @solitaryskies , @trashkick , @yvanaempress , @astatheloner , @starbrcken , @notamailman , @jrlixutxnant , @araethi , @starnamedlyra , @myoelcctric , @blakhol , @in-their-triumph-die , @mircetmircndc  @sanguisfulgur , @sassandsnapshots , @coneyislandcastaway , @fearlings-lament , @thatchergreene , @mei-mei-doin-roleplay , @internationalauror , @chainsxwsmile , @hxrticane , @eternallypetite 

[joshuajacksonlyblog]

Man Buys Super Bowl Tickets with Bitcoin

A fan of the New England Patriots was the first to use cryptocurrency to buy Super Bowl tickets as he spent 2.2 bitcoins for 50-yard line seats at Super Bowl LII.

The football season has finally reached its climax as the Super Bowl is set to take place tomorrow between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. Super Bowl LII is being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it’s estimated that over a 100 million people alone in the USA will watch it. Of course, die-hard fans will watch the gridiron match from the stands of US Bank Stadium. One fan made crypto history by being the first to use bitcoins to buy tickets to Super Bowl LII.

Sitting on the 50-Yard Line

A fan of the New England Patriots had to be on the sidelines for the big game. However, vendors of such tickets do not currently take cryptocurrency. Luck was with him as he contacted TickPick, a secondary ticket vendor, to see if they would accept bitcoins as a payment option.

TickPick decided to take the fan (who wished to remain anonymous) up on the offer and agreed to sell him the tickets. The fan bought seats on the first row on the 50-yard line (the most coveted seats in football) for the price of 2.2 bitcoins. At the time of purchase, the value of the bitcoins came to $19,000.

That’s not a bad price for first row seats. According to TickPick, seats on the 50-yard line are going for between $8000 to $9000, but those seats are much further back. Someone currently has row 2 seats for $15,255 each, if you’re interested.

TickPick Still Not Sold on Bitcoin

Overall, it took about an hour for the transaction to take place. The CEO of TickPick, Brett Goldberg, was quite happy to make the ticket exchange for bitcoins. However, don’t plan on start using your cryptocurrency to buy tickets for sporting events or concerts any time soon on the website.

Goldberg is not yet on board using crypto as an everyday means of purchase. He says:

In an hour you can see hundreds of dollars in swing. The second it hit my account it was transferred to U.S. dollars.

Me as a business, I don’t want to own bitcoin. I don’t want to be exposed to the volatility.

While lamentable, Goldberg’s attitude toward cryptocurrency is understandable. Most businesses have very tight margins that they operate on, and having a unit of currency fluctuating double digits is enough to give them ulcers.

Still, small steps matter. The first-ever use of Bitcoin to buy Super Bowl tickets is worthy of note, and hopefully, a harbinger of things to come.

Who are you rooting for in Super Bowl LII? How soon do you think it will be commonplace to buy tickets for events with cryptocurrency? Let us know in the comments below.

Images courtesy of Pexels, Wikimedia Commons, and Bitcoinist archives.

The post Man Buys Super Bowl Tickets with Bitcoin appeared first on Bitcoinist.com.

from Cryptocracken Tumblr http://ift.tt/2nAge5w via IFTTT

[kendrixtermina]

Oldham Personality Styles/Traits Test Results

(Clicky Clicky)

For comparision, here’s my results from other typology systems: INTP (LII-Ne), 5w4 sp/sx (548), RULAI, Chaotic Neutral, Lunar, Melancholic, Ravenclaw, Horned Serpent

Idiosyncratic types are tuned in to and sustained by their own feelings and belief systems, whether or not others accept or understand their particular worldview or approach to life. They are self-directed and independent, requiring few close relationships. Though they are inner-directed and follow their own hearts and minds, Idiosyncratic men and women are keen observers of others and particularly sensitive to how other people react to them. They tend to question common beliefs and expectations. They are highly spiritual and do not close their minds to any possibility, always asking what if?' They tend to have a deep inner life, act eccentrically, and live in their own world. They may be interested in the occult or the supernatural and are drawn to abstract and speculative thinking. Fitting into everyday, conventional life can be difficult for Idiosyncratic people. Others may view them as strange, which can be a problem in jobs and relationships. They must live life their own way and sometimes regret they cannot do things in the orthodox fashion. The pressure to conform presents intolerable stress for them. Two key factors affect the quality of Idiosyncratic lives: whether they can find an accepting environment and how well they adapt to others' expectations. Few work settings tolerate eccentricities of behavior, unless the individual has a great deal to offer by way of intelligence or talent. Some Idiosyncratics do well with one ear tuned in to their own personal worlds and one outward to what the boss expects of them. Others, however, have a hard time understanding or accepting authority. Idiosyncratic people do not need other people to give their lives direction or meaning. If they can't find partners who accept their unconventionality, they usually do well on their own. Some are content to experience several relationships in their lives without necessarily finding their one and only.

Everything except the superstitions bit (I’m actually an atheist), though I did have an esoteric phase in my teens and enjoy mythology and random speculation (as just that, stories)

Solitary types have little need of companionship and are most comfortable alone. They do not need interaction with others to enjoy life. Self-possessed and self-controlled, these individuals are alone because they want to be alone, not because they feel left out. Free of the passionate need for others, they can be quite content standing back and watching others. Indeed, they are often gifted observers of nature and of other people. Emotionally, highly Solitary people are even-tempered, calm, dispassionate, unsentimental, and unflappable. They display an apparent indifference to pain and pleasure and are not driven by sexual needs. They are not greatly influenced by either praise or criticism. They function well at work. They get down to work quickly and don't spend much time fraternizing at the water cooler. While they usually do not do well within the political framework of larger companies, when left alone to do their work, they can put their mind to it with unusual concentration. Solitary individuals can be content within relationships as long as their partner accepts their need for solitude. However, even moderately Solitary people may not intuitively comprehend others' feelings or respond to their emotional cues. 'You don't love me!' is a common lament of partners of Solitary people. The more the partner pushes for emotional reactions and a depth of intimate feeling, the greater the stress on the Solitary person. To cope, he or she will retreat. The partner would be better off recognizing signs of caring that are different from the usual I-want-you, I-need-you, l-love-you's.

Ugh that last paragraph, that exact same relationship problem. I don’t often hear the concept of “So introverted even your loved ones sometimes stress you out” in a way that doesn’t conflate it with misanthropy. Like I don’t want to make anyone feel bad or ignored (thats a horrible thing to do) but im not good at this. 

I wouldn’t describe myself as self-controlled or good-at-work (probably due to other traits in the mix) though I can concentrate when the time & subject are right. (otherwise im more on the distractable side tho. or it depends on what it is.) I distinctly remember taking some test/assesment and getting a high score specifically for concentration, i think it was the highest overall (the lowest was motor function. 11 year old me could not catch a ball to save her life.)

As a child or teen I would often start reading at noon and be so concentrated on the book I’d fail to notice the passage of time until my mom came in to get me for supper and asked why I hadn’t turned the light on. 

I don’t think I’m unflappable at all but again it depends on what and the situation and i dont really know what others see, like, I obviously know I have feels but its my own head. 

Serious types are solemn and not given to emotional expression. They are realistically aware of their own capabilities but they are also aware of their limitations. They are not tempted by vanity or self-importance. They hold themselves responsible for their actions. They=re thinkers, analyzers, evaluators, ruminators and will always play things over in their minds before they acting. Serious individuals anticipate problems and when the worst happens, they=re prepared to deal with it. Serious individuals are realists. They see the hard, harsh nature of life clearly. They have no illusions and are incapable of imagining a silver lining. They are no-nonsense people particularly suited to hard times, when their ability to push on can help everyone to survive. They always work hard and provide for others without any sense of heroism or pride in their efforts. Even though they can seem joyless, Serious types are not necessarily unhappy. They take great satisfaction in their view of the universe. They are interested in serious subjects, which they find reassuring, and they find no need to escape into pleasure. Serious people are intensely hard workers, dependable, and trustworthy. They persevere whether or not they are enthusiastic or well rewarded. This can make it all too easy for employers to take advantage of them. They do not expect encouragement or to be treated well by others. Although they are not socially outgoing, once they do connect with others they form very stable, long-term attachments. They tolerate the rough spots in relationships well. They are as critical of others as they are of themselves, but their fault-finding gives them no pleasure. They deeply regret causing any pain . Others who continually insist that they change into optimistic outgoing, happy-go-lucky people cause them great stress but their characteristic cynicism helps them to cope.

ARGH  that “I’d rather see the world as it is than sugercoat it for feelgoodsyness” thing can be so hard to explain to people. I try to be realistic about my abilities & place in the world and aspire toward realism. (and when I’m already stressed out optimism will only serve to make me feel pissed or misunderstood. Unfortunately my mom is the exact opposite, leading to a few regrettable outbursts and isunderstandings, though not major ones. )

The work ethics part doesn’t really apply tho.

Conclusion: Ugh I am such an INTP 5.

I also scored somewhat high for ‘Leisurely’ (Fuck authority sweetheart ~ ) and ‘Vigilant’ (Yay self-sufficiency, though it’s more a horizon to strive for than something I’ve fully realized yet)

That was the 14 trait model tho, the 16 trait one also has this:

Artistic

·                   Mood swings. Shifts from a moderately upbeat, outgoing, creative character to a withdrawn and sullen depressive one. When in a high state, they can be highly productive, original, humorous, and engaging. During a low state they become self-absorbed, pessimistic, apathetic, and may resort to substance abuse. The mood swings happen regularly in cycles, are similar to bipolar (manic-depression) disorder, but not as extreme in the polarity, and also the mood changes in the Artistic personality are usually more so the result of within the person and not triggered by external circumstances.

·                   Artistic inclinations. People of this style often involve themselves in some sort of creative output. They may go into a state of inspiration where artistic production is strong then fall into an apathetic daze, where it becomes difficult, almost unbearable to create art. Since they have a grasp on many corners of the human personality, they have an advantage at expressing the nuances of a particular viewpoint. Many of the world's great artists have had this character style.

·                   Unpredictability. They may take up new plans, jobs, residences, etc. out of impulse. They despise routine and love improvising, stimulation, and new experiences.

·                   Feeling-oriented. Their impulses and feelings control their lives and dictate their appearance and decisions. They rarely make decisions through a systematic, logical follow-through approach but instead base it on their current mood.

·                   Relationship difficulties. Relationships can be trying for these people. They may become promiscuous, unfaithful, or difficult to handle.

·                   Low self-control. They have a difficulty saying "no" to themselves with their appetite. They may go on shopping sprees, binge on food or drink, give into sexual compulsions, etc. Afterwards, they may feel guilty about it and restrict themselves from pleasure.

·                   Shaky self-confidence. Can swing from delusions of grandeur and superiority, and feeling very confident in oneself, to a loss of self-esteem and hopeless despair.

Aaah now here’s a place for my inner emo child and inner gushy nerd fangirl to find a home. I’d wedge it in lower than ‘Idiosyncratic’ but higher than serious. It actually coexists with the above stuff surprisingly well (It’s called “TiNe” or “5w4″)

On the positive, this personality test is the first (except maybe Divergent, but the tests do give me Erudite nearly as often as Candor depending on how absolute the questions are worded. ) to refrain from outright calling me a NEEERD.

So, thanks oldham? 

Also, now I know the precise kind mad I might end up as if I happened across severe trauma, brain chemistry goof-ups or lovecraftian abominations (Please let it be the latter). That is one interesting tidbit of information.  

[littlestarbeam]

have some water

💦💦💦

with some ice too

🧊🧊🧊

and something cold

🍧🍦🍧

I'm so dehydrated and thirsty gods help me

[littlestarbeam]

The feeling when you finally find the artist behind imaculate fanart that you've seen everywhere

Like yes I have found the Mothership, I have discovered the Creator

[ltsharif]

(via Forgiveness for Moses)   Quran Chapter 28: 15b to 17 (Pt-20, Stg-5) (L-2421) درس قرآن Forgiveness for Moses Chapter “Qasas”- (The Story) – 28 ‘A-‘uu-zu  Billaahi minash-Shay-taanir- Rajiim. (I seek refuge in Allaah from Satan the outcast) Bis-Millaahir-Rah-maanir-Rahiim.(In the name of Allaah, the Beneficent, the Merciful)  فَٱسْتَغَٰثَهُ ٱ��َّذِى مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ عَلَى ٱلَّذِى مِنْ عَدُوِّهِۦ فَوَكَزَهُۥ مُوسَىٰ فَقَضَىٰ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ إِنَّهُۥ عَدُوٌّ مُّضِلٌّ مُّبِينٌ 15b  قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِى فَٱغْفِرْ لِى فَغَفَرَ لَهُۥٓ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 16  قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ فَلَنْ أَكُونَ ظَهِيرًا لِّلْمُجْرِمِينَ 17 15b.  and he who was of his party asked him for help against him who was of his enemies. So Moses struck him with his fist and killed him. He said: This is of the devil’s doing. Lo! he is an enemy, an open misleader. 16.  He said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged my soul, so forgive me. Then He forgave him. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. 17.  He said: My Lord! Forasmuch as Thou hast favoured me, I will nevermore be a supporter of the guilty. 15b.  Fastagaasa-hullazii  min-  shii-‘atihii  ‘alallazii  min  ‘aduwwihii,  fawakazahuu  Muusaa  faqazaa  ‘alayh.  Qaala  haazaa  min  ‘amalish-Shaytaan.  ‘Innahuu  ‘aduwwum-muzillum-mubiin. 16.  Qaala  Rabbi  ‘innii  zalamtu  nafsii  fagfir  lii  fagafara lah.  ‘InnaHuu  Huwal-Gafuurur-Rahiim. 17.  Qaala  Rabbi  bimaaa  ‘an-‘amTa  ‘alayya  falan  ‘akuuna  zahiiral-lil-mujrimiin. Commentary From one of those who were fighting; was from the folk of Moses (peace be upon him). He called Moses (peace be upon him) for help against that who was from Qabtii (Coptic) tribe. Moses (peace be upon him) was aware of their persecution upon the Children of Israel. His mother’s house was out from the township, whereas the palace of Pharaoh was in the township. Moses (peace be upon him) used to go and come from the Bazaar of the Township and observe the circumstances. He (peace be upon him) used to consider that the people of Coptic tribe were Oppressors. It was the reason that Moses (peace be upon him) struck him with his first, by which he died. It was act of an unintentional killing. So he (peace be upon him) lamented and said, “This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy. My Lord: Indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me.” Allaah Almighty forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. Then Moses (peace be upon him) prayed: My Lord! For the favor You bestowed upon me, I will never be an assistant to the criminals. Transliterated Holy Qur’aan in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif). https://muhammadsharif120.wordpress.com/2019/12/14/forgiveness-for-moses/

[littlestarbeam]

I agree with this. Tonny is one of the most suspicious people there and I'm glad that someone else sees this. I dont trust Dotty and Bob either as much as I love them. I don't like the whole Tonny and Julia matching out fit thing. I feel like his plan is to wait the whole year contract out and letting Julia die even tho he likes her. I wanna know how hes gonna uphold his promise to Sahed and Im glad Kamille is coming in clutch with some sense in this entire situation. I also wanna see Raineh's POV cuz up till now she has been pretty passive and avoidant but maybe thats just because we dont see much of her point of view.

Latest Fast Pass Episode 54

I’ve avoided saying anything because a lot of you love Tonny, and that’s okay. But his sweet and good boy face/act won’t convince me, yet. I’ve seen characters, whom I thought were genuinely good, be the villain of the story and it broke me (if you’ve read the red queen series you know what i’m talking about). So i’m not falling for it again.

Sahed could either be good or the villain and i can get behind that because there is sufficient information to back up either of those two notions. But shipping Julia with Tonny just cause he is so sweet and good natured is a no for me. I know next to nothing about him and that makes me a little uneasy. So I won’t believe his act until i see enough proof that he isn’t doing something questionable.

After caving in and buying coins, I am certain this man has done absolutely nothing to fix Julia’s situation. The monster STILL wants to kill Tonny; but the question is: WHY?

But there’s more, read at your own risk, these are spoilers. If you prefer to wait for the chapter, don’t read it.

Things I learned:

1. The monster has a name or title.

2. Rainah is probably the only other person besides Tonny that knows the monster in the attic and we know this thanks to Dotty.

3. Kamille is my queen this week! I love how she is calling Tonny out on his bullshit and how weird it is that he is making Julia wear matching outfits.

4. And lastly, Kamille knows something is wrong and suspects Tonny’s relationship with the monster.

5. Bonus! I think our girl feels guilty for not helping Sahed.

[buytabletsonline]

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Hulu is trying to make up for an unfortunate incident that happened over the weekend: its Live TV service experienced a disruption during the end of Super Bowl LII. Impacted customers lost access to the stream in the final moments of the game, effectively ruining the event for many football fans who were, to put it mildly, not happy about the incident.

Many cord-cutters and former cable/satellite subscribers have abandoned traditional services in favor of online streaming platforms. Hulu is one of the newer OTT options on the market, giving people access to livestreaming TV content — including sports games — over the Internet.

Many, many people signed up for OTT services this month specifically to watch the Super Bowl, and some Hulu customers were among them. Hulu gave access to the game right up until the pivotal moment in which the Patriots made their final push against the Eagles. Then some Hulu Live TV customers lost access to the stream and turned to Twitter with lamentations.

Some users were presented with a screen saying there was a rights restriction that was interfering with the stream; others were simply told that there wasn’t any content available. Hulu was quick to blame the disruption on a technical issue, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy customers, some who have vowed to drop the service in favor of a competitor.

In an official statement posted on its subreddit, Hulu went into details, explaining that the extensions that enabled the stream to continue past its predetermined end time didn’t work correctly. Now the company is sending out emails to impacted customers alerting them to an automatic bill credit that is providing them with a free month of service in compensation for the game disruption.

SOURCE: The Verge

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); http://ift.tt/2BIJkbP February 08, 2018 at 05:06AM

[josidel]

Guts and glory: Eagles coach Doug Pederson had game for the ages

Guts and glory: Eagles coach Doug Pederson had game for the ages  ESPN

Nick Foles completes fairy-tale run with title, Super Bowl MVP  NFL.com

'They gave up on me': Patriots' Malcolm Butler laments surprise Super Bowl benching  Washington Post

Eagles, Foles rally to stun Patriots in Super Bowl LII  Fox News

Nick Foles defies doubters, odds by delivering Eagles first Super Bowl title  USA TODAYFull coverage

via Blogger http://ift.tt/2E4kk0g

[junker-town]

NFL Panic Index 2017, Week 10: The Eagles are right on track to lose the Super Bowl

Will the third time be the charm for an Eagles Super Bowl?

The Philadelphia Eagles are feeling it right now. At 8-1, they’re at least two games better than every other team in the NFL. They’ve won seven games in a row. They just pounded the Broncos, lighting up a once-proud defense for 51 points. They look unstoppable.

The Eagles are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the playoffs at this point. Since 1990, every team that has started 8-1 has made it to the postseason.

But they’re setting their sights higher than just than breaking a three-year playoff drought:

The @Eagles are 8-1 for the 5th time in franchise history. The other 4 times, they went to the Super Bowl or NFL Championship game. http://pic.twitter.com/umYO8kxLSe

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 6, 2017

For Eagles fans, this is where the BUT comes in. Yes, both of their trips to the Super Bowl came in seasons when they started 8-1. BUT the Eagles also lost both Super Bowls and haven’t won a championship since 1960. That’s longer than the Browns!

Eagles fans, go watch for this a minute. This next paragraph isn’t for your eyes.

Eagles haters, hey how’s it going? So, I’ve got some bad news. If you thought drunk Eagles fans were hard to take, think about how “drunk with the power of a Super Bowl” Eagles fans would be. Like, you know your mom’s friend Cathy, who never stops bragging about her perrrrrfect daughter? Now imagine Cathy as a guard in the Stanford prison experiment. That’s Eagles fans if they are even on the verge of a Super Bowl appearance. If you even know a friend of a friend whose cousin is an Eagles fan, you may as well fake your death to avoid them for those two weeks between the NFC Championship and Super Bowl LII, because they will be that unbearable.

OK Eagles fans, you can come back now.

So, is this a trend, or will third time be the charm for the Eagles’ dreams of finally winning a Super Bowl?

Panic index: No team is punching its ticket to the NFL’s biggest game in November. Around the same time last year, we were wondering the same thing about a one-loss Cowboys team. They didn’t get a chance to lose the Super Bowl because they didn’t win a single playoff game. Just let the season play out first.

The 49ers’ playoff hopes could be over historically early

I mean, this one is obvious, right? But they could actually be eliminated in Week 10! It would make them the first team eliminated with seven weeks to go in 50 years.

TIEBREAKERS: SF will be eliminated from playoff contention w/ loss this wk (NYG); would be earliest elim (7 wks to play) since DEN in 1967!

— Joe Ferreira (@JoeNFL) November 7, 2017

The 49ers made a splash in trading for Jimmy Garoppolo, but Kyle Shanahan doesn’t seem to be in a rush to get him in there. When you see that the team is essentially eliminated from playoff contention already, it’s hard to blame him.

They’ll take their No. 1 or No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, prepare Garoppolo for next season, and keep things moving. Anything else would be a waste.

Panic index: Whether or not this happens this week, the 49ers can put the nails in the coffin on the 2017 season. It’s not the worst thing in the world, if you’re a fan.

Julio, are you OK man?

Julio Jones had the drop of all drops this past Sunday against the Panthers.

With the Falcons down 10, Jones dropped a dime from Matt Ryan, with nobody around Jones. It seemed like a sure thing as the ball was in the air, and he made his way to the 15-, 10-, and 5-yard lines. But it wasn’t.

Luke Kuechly thinks that a hex on Jones caused the drop.

“I think the fans had a little impact on that. They put some juju on him or something,” Kuechly said jokingly, via NFL.com. “He's a great player, and that doesn't happen a lot. So maybe the fans put a hex on him, cast a spell.”

It was a rarity for Jones:

Julio Jones dropped what would have been a 39-yard touchdown on 4th-and-7, the first time he's dropped a pass in the end zone since 2012.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 5, 2017

Panic index: The drop was bad, and the Falcons’ offense continues to struggle. Individually, Jones will be fine. The Falcons collectively? Well ...

Bill Belichick must not be watching the 2017 Broncos

The Patriots will visit the Broncos this week, and Bill Belichick is preparing his defense for this high-powered, dynamic Denver offense. Wait, what?

Bill Belichick on the Broncos offense: "Offensively they’re very explosive."

— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) November 6, 2017

“Explosive” is not a word we would use to describe this offense.

Let’s loosely define an explosive play as a gain of at least 12 yards on a run and 16 yards on a pass. We wouldn’t look at the Broncos’ per-play average of 4.9 yards and think, man, that’s one explosive offense. But then again, we’re not Bill Belichick.

The Broncos do have offensive talent capable of burning defenses with big plays, particularly Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. But they’ve got Brock Osweiler throwing them the ball right now. He’s averaging 5.4 yards per completion this season, and averages just 6 yards per catch over his career.

Panic index: Maybe Belichick is just being polite, though that’s not typically a huge priority for him. Or more likely, he doesn’t want his defense — which struggled mightily against the pass early in the season — to overlook even the Broncos offense. Any given Sunday, and all that.

Though, to be fair, “explosive” is also an adjective often paired with diarrhea, so ...

It’ll be almost impossible for the Buccaneers to get on track

It’s Week 10, and the Buccaneers are 2-6. Mike Evans sees the writing on the wall.

#Bucs WR Mike Evans: “We are very bad. We are too talented to be 2-6. We are in a bad spot and have to come together. Time is running out.”

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 5, 2017

Tampa Bay was crowned an offseason winner after adding DeSean Jackson and O.J. Howard. And fans fell in love with Gerald McCoy and Chris Godwin on Hard Knocks. This team was expected to contend for the NFC South and maybe even have a shot at a Super Bowl. That does not appear to be in the cards.

So what happened? Despite all that talent, the offense is averaging just 19.8 points per game. It’s partly because the defense can’t get off the field. They’re ranked 29th in the league after allowing opponents to convert 55 third downs this season. They can’t get any pressure on quarterbacks, and they’re ranked dead last in the league with just eight sacks on the season.

And there’s not much reason to hope the Bucs can turn it around, at least not this week. The team is sidelining Jameis Winston for at least two weeks until the sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder fully heals. And Evans will be out this week serving a suspension for blindsiding Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore after he had a sideline altercation with Winston during the Bucs’ loss to the Saints on Sunday.

This isn’t the first time Evans has lamented the state of the Buccaneers. He said essentially the same thing after the team fell to 2-5 with a 17-3 loss to the Panthers.

“I wish I knew why we weren’t starting fast and finishing fast,” Evans said via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. “I don’t know what it is. Like I said before the season, on paper we are an amazing team, but we’re just not as good as we thought we were, so we’ve just got to pick it up. The good thing about it [is] we have nine games left.”

Panic index: Now the Bucs just have eight games left, and Evans will miss one of them. Winston will miss even more. And this is looking like a lost season for Tampa Bay.

Ben McAdoo might not have much time to save his job

McAdoo denied claims his team had quit in Week 9’s 51-17 home loss to the Rams, but ... c’mon. New York played disinterested defense as Los Angeles rolled all over them, playing with all the intensity of a smoking break in the second half.

After the game, he told the press no one’s position was safe from the shakeup that would mark the Giants’ second half, even Eli Manning. The only problem is there’s not enough talent on the NY roster to gain anything from benchings. The offense has been ravaged by injuries, and Orleans Darkwa has risen to the top of the team’s finest new tradition; a rotation of utterly frustrating and underwhelming tailbacks.

Things are even more grim on the defensive side, where a once-fearsome pass rush is now just Jason Pierre-Paul and a bunch of cardboard cutouts. New York’s inability to rush the passer has weakened what should be an upper-tier secondary. The Giants are allowing opposing QBs to post a 101.0 passer rating this fall; that figure was just 78.7 — second in the league — in 2016.

The wheels have fallen off, and even if McAdoo wants to take a drastic step in a Hail Mary attempt to fix things, his options look grim. Behind an ineffective Manning lies Geno Smith — a quarterback who couldn’t win a starting role with the dumpster-fire Jets — and rookie Davis Webb, who has yet to be activated for an NFL game in his pro career.

Panic index: Better start packing that hair gel and your array of mustache combs, Ben.

[littlestarbeam]

I too call my friends rats on a daily basis

We should domesticate rats and train them to be little messengers and have small little tiny tunnels under everything for them to travel and deliver our messages🎀

okay