#The Hub of Yellow Journalism

[xtruss]

Leaked New (Jew) York Times, The Hub of Yellow Journalism, Gaza Memo Tells Journalists To Avoid Words “Genocide,” “Ethnic Cleansing,” And “Occupied Territoty”

Amid the Internal Battle over the New York Times’s Coverage of Terrorist, Fascist, Apartheid, Illegal Occupier and War Criminal Zionist 🐖 Isra-hell’s War, Top Editors Handed Down a Set of Directives.

— Jeremy Scahill, Ryan Grim | April 15 2024 | The Intercept

Pro-Palestine protesters flood the lobby of the New York Times offices and block the security entrances during a demonstration against the newspaper’s coverage of Israel's war on Gaza on March 14, 2024, in New York City. Photo: Michael Nigro/Sipa via AP Images

The New York Times OR The Jew York Times instructed journalists covering Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip to restrict the use of the terms “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing” and to “avoid” using the phrase “occupied territory” when describing Palestinian land, according to a copy of an internal memo obtained by The Intercept.

The memo also instructs reporters not to use the word Palestine “except in very rare cases” and to steer clear of the term “refugee camps” to describe areas of Gaza historically settled by displaced Palestinians expelled from other parts of Palestine during previous Israeli–Arab wars. The areas are recognized by the United Nations as refugee camps and house hundreds of thousands of registered refugees.

The memo — written by Times standards editor Susan Wessling, international editor Philip Pan, and their deputies — “offers guidance about some terms and other issues we have grappled with since the start of the conflict in October.”

While the document is presented as an outline for maintaining objective journalistic principles in reporting on the Gaza war, several Times staffers told The Intercept that some of its contents show evidence of the paper’s deference to Israeli narratives.

“It’s the kind of thing that looks professional and logical if you have no knowledge of the historical context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”

“I think it’s the kind of thing that looks professional and logical if you have no knowledge of the historical context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” said a Times newsroom source, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, of the Gaza memo. “But if you do know, it will be clear how apologetic it is to Israel.”

First distributed to Times journalists in November, the guidance — which collected and expanded on past style directives about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict — has been regularly updated over the ensuing months. It presents an internal window into the thinking of Times international editors as they have faced upheaval within the newsroom surrounding the paper’s Gaza war coverage.

“Issuing guidance like this to ensure accuracy, consistency and nuance in how we cover the news is standard practice,” said Charlie Stadtlander, a Times spokesperson. “Across all our reporting, including complex events like this, we take care to ensure our language choices are sensitive, current and clear to our audiences.”

Issues over style guidance have been among a bevy of internal rifts at the Times over its Gaza coverage. In January, The Intercept reported on disputes in the Times newsroom over issues with an investigative story on systematic sexual violence on October 7. The leak gave rise to a highly unusual internal probe. The company faced harsh criticism for allegedly targeting Times workers of Middle East and North African descent, which Times brass denied. On Monday, executive editor Joe Kahn told staff that the leak investigation had been concluded unsuccessfully.

WhatsApp Debates

Almost immediately after the October 7 attacks and the launch of Israel’s scorched-earth war against Gaza, tensions began to boil within the newsroom over the Times coverage. Some staffers said they believed the paper was going out of its way to defer to Israel’s narrative on the events and was not applying even standards in its coverage. Arguments began fomenting on internal Slack and other chat groups.

The debates between reporters on the Jerusalem bureau-led WhatsApp group, which at one point included 90 reporters and editors, became so intense that Pan, the international editor, interceded.

“We need to do a better job communicating with each other as we report the news, so our discussions are more productive and our disagreements less distracting,” Pan wrote in a November 28 WhatsApp message viewed by The Intercept and first reported by the Wall Street Journal. “At its best, this channel has been a quick, transparent and productive space to collaborate on a complex, fast-moving story. At its worst, it’s a tense forum where the questions and comments can feel accusatory and personal.”

Pan bluntly stated: “Do not use this channel for raising concerns about coverage.”

Among the topics of debate in the Jerusalem bureau WhatsApp group and exchanges on Slack, reviewed by The Intercept and verified with multiple newsroom sources, were Israeli attacks on Al-Shifa Hospital, statistics on Palestinian civilian deaths, the allegations of genocidal conduct by Israel, and President Joe Biden’s pattern of promoting unverified allegations from the Israeli government as fact. (Pan did not respond to a request for comment.)

“It’s not unusual for news companies to set style guidelines. But there are unique standards applied to violence perpetrated by Israel.”

Many of the same debates were addressed in the Times’s Gaza-specific style guidance and have been the subject of intense public scrutiny.

“It’s not unusual for news companies to set style guidelines,” said another Times newsroom source, who also asked for anonymity. “But there are unique standards applied to violence perpetrated by Israel. Readers have noticed and I understand their frustration.”

“Words Like ‘Slaughter’”

The Times memo outlines guidance on a range of phrases and terms. “The nature of the conflict has led to inflammatory language and incendiary accusations on all sides. We should be very cautious about using such language, even in quotations. Our goal is to provide clear, accurate information, and heated language can often obscure rather than clarify the fact,” the memo says.

“Words like ‘slaughter,’ ‘massacre’ and ‘carnage’ often convey more emotion than information. Think hard before using them in our own voice,” according to the memo. “Can we articulate why we are applying those words to one particular situation and not another? As always, we should focus on clarity and precision — describe what happened rather than using a label.”

Despite the memo’s framing as an effort to not employ incendiary language to describe killings “on all sides,” in the Times reporting on the Gaza war, such language has been used repeatedly to describe attacks against Israelis by Palestinians and almost never in the case of Israel’s large-scale killing of Palestinians.

In January, The Intercept published an analysis of New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times coverage of the war from October 7 through November 24 — a period mostly before the new Times guidance was issued. The Intercept analysis showed that the major newspapers reserved terms like “slaughter,” “massacre,” and “horrific” almost exclusively for Israeli civilians killed by Palestinians, rather than for Palestinian civilians killed in Israeli attacks.

The analysis found that, as of November 24, the New York Times had described Israeli deaths as a “massacre” on 53 occasions and those of Palestinians just once. The ratio for the use of “slaughter” was 22 to 1, even as the documented number of Palestinians killed climbed to around 15,000.

The latest Palestinian death toll estimate stands at more than 33,000, including at least 15,000 children — likely undercounts due to Gaza’s collapsed health infrastructure and missing persons, many of whom are believed to have died in the rubble left by Israel’s attacks over the past six months.

Touchy Debates

The Times memo touches on some of the most highly charged — and disputed — language around the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The guidance spells out, for instance, usage of the word “terrorist,” which The Intercept previously reported was at the center of a spirited newsroom debate.

“It is accurate to use ‘terrorism’ and ‘terrorist’ in describing the attacks of Oct. 7, which included the deliberate targeting of civilians in killings and kidnappings,” according to the leaked Times memo. “We should not shy away from that description of the events or the attackers, particularly when we provide context and explanation.”

The guidance also instructs journalists to “Avoid ‘fighters’ when referring to the Oct. 7 attack; the term suggests a conventional war rather than a deliberate attack on civilians. And be cautious in using ‘militants,’ which is interpreted in different ways and may be confusing to readers.”

In the memo, the editors tell Times journalists: “We do not need to assign a single label or to refer to the Oct. 7 assault as a ‘terrorist attack’ in every reference; the word is best used when specifically describing attacks on civilians. We should exercise restraint and can vary the language with other accurate terms and descriptions: an attack, an assault, an incursion, the deadliest attack on Israel in decades, etc. Similarly, in addition to ‘terrorists,’ we can vary the terms used to describe the Hamas members who carried out the assault: attackers, assailants, gunmen.”

The Times does not characterize Israel’s repeated attacks on Palestinian civilians as “terrorism,” even when civilians have been targeted. This is also true of Israel’s assaults on protected civilian sites, including hospitals.

In a section with the headline “‘Genocide’ and Other Incendiary Language,” the guidance says, “‘Genocide’ has a specific definition in international law. In our own voice, we should generally use it only in the context of those legal parameters. We should also set a high bar for allowing others to use it as an accusation, whether in quotations or not, unless they are making a substantive argument based on the legal definition.”

Regarding “ethnic cleansing,” the document calls it “another historically charged term,” instructing reporters: “If someone is making such an accusation, we should press for specifics or supply proper context.”

Bucking International Norms

In the cases of describing “occupied territory” and the status of refugees in Gaza, the Times style guidelines run counter to norms established by the United Nations and international humanitarian law.

On the term “Palestine” — a widely used name for both the territory and the U.N.-recognized state — the Times memo contains blunt instructions: “Do not use in datelines, routine text or headlines, except in very rare cases such as when the United Nations General Assembly elevated Palestine to a nonmember observer state, or references to historic Palestine.” The Times guidance resembles that of the Associated Press Stylebook.

The memo directs journalists not to use the phrase “refugee camps” to describe long-standing refugee settlements in Gaza. “While termed refugee camps, the refugee centers in Gaza are developed and densely populated neighborhoods dating to the 1948 war. Refer to them as neighborhoods, or areas, and if further context is necessary, explain how they have historically been called refugee camps.”

The United Nations recognizes eight refugee camps in the Gaza Strip. As of last year, before the war started, the areas were home to more than 600,000 registered refugees. Many are descendants of those who fled to Gaza after being forcibly expelled from their homes in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, which marked the founding of the Jewish state and mass dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

The Israeli government has long been hostile to the historical fact that Palestinians maintain refugee status, because it signifies that they were displaced from lands they have a right to return to.

“It’s like, ‘Oh let’s not say occupation because it might make it look like we’re justifying a terrorist attack.’”

Since October 7, Israel has repeatedly bombed refugee camps in Gaza, including Jabaliya, Al Shati, Al Maghazi, and Nuseirat.

The memo’s instructions on the use of “occupied territories” says, “When possible, avoid the term and be specific (e.g. Gaza, the West Bank, etc.) as each has a slightly different status.” The United Nations, along with much of the world, considers Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem to be occupied Palestinian territories, seized by Israel in the 1967 Arab–Israeli war.

The admonition against the use of the term “occupied territories,” said a Times staffer, obscures the reality of the conflict, feeding into the U.S. and Israeli insistence that the conflict began on October 7.

“You are basically taking the occupation out of the coverage, which is the actual core of the conflict,” said the newsroom source. “It’s like, ‘Oh let’s not say occupation because it might make it look like we’re justifying a terrorist attack.’”

[wellnesswisehealthcare]

Advanced Gallbladder Cancer Surgery in Dombivli: Expert Care Close to Home

Gallbladder Cancer: Expert Treatment and Advanced Surgical Care in Dombivli

Gallbladder cancer is a serious health condition that requires prompt and specialized treatment. If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed, it is crucial to seek the highest level of care. Dombivli is home to some of the most advanced facilities and experienced specialists for gallbladder cancer, offering comprehensive surgical options. In this article, we explore the key aspects of Gall Bladder Cancer Surgery in Dombivli, the importance of choosing the right specialist, and what to expect during treatment.

Meet Dr. Rahul Mahadar

Dr. Rahul Mahadar, a leading Senior Gastrointestinal Surgeon in Dombivli, has over 24 years of experience and has performed more than 15,000 complex laparoscopic surgeries. He is highly regarded for his expertise in Gall Bladder Cancer Surgery in Dombivli, including Gallbladder Cancer Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction. Dr. Mahadar is globally recognized and frequently leads workshops on advanced laparoscopic techniques. With an MS in Surgery and fellowships from top international institutions, he has pioneered Minimal Invasive Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Surgeryand has published extensively in global medical journals, making significant contributions to the field.

What is Gallbladder Cancer?

Gallbladder cancer is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that begins in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. Early detection is vital, as the cancer often remains undetected until it reaches advanced stages. Key risk factors include gallstones and chronic inflammation of the gallbladder. Understanding these risks is essential for early diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer

The symptoms of gallbladder cancer can often be mistaken for other, less serious conditions. Common symptoms include persistent abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), nausea, and unexplained weight loss. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a Gall Bladder Cancer Specialist in Dombivli for a thorough evaluation.

Importance of Early Detection

Detecting gallbladder cancer early greatly improves the chances of successful treatment. Regular medical check-ups and being aware of potential symptoms can lead to an earlier diagnosis. Specialists In Dombivli Specialists for Gall Bladder Cancer at its earliest stages, improving the likelihood of effective treatment.

Why Opt for Gallbladder Cancer Surgery in Dombivli?

Advanced Surgical Techniques

Dombivli is a hub for cutting-edge medical care, offering the latest surgical techniques for gallbladder cancer. Patients have access to minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic-assisted procedures, which ensure precise and effective treatment. Choosing a Gallbladder Cancer Specialist for Gall Bladder Cancer in Dombivli means you receive personalized care that incorporates the latest advancements in medical technology.

Highly Skilled Surgeons

The success of gallbladder cancer surgery depends largely on the skill of the surgeon. Best Gallbladder Cancer Surgeons in Dombivli, known for their extensive experience and high success rates. These specialists are proficient in managing complex cases, providing the best possible outcomes for patients.

State-of-the-Art Medical Facilities

Medical facilities in Dombivli are equipped with the latest technology, ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care. From advanced imaging tools to modern operating rooms, Dombivli’s healthcare infrastructure supports comprehensive treatment for gallbladder cancer.

The Gallbladder Cancer Surgery Process

Pre-Surgery Consultation

Before surgery, patients undergo a thorough consultation with a Gallbladder Cancer Specialist in Dombivli. This includes diagnostic tests, discussions about the available surgical options, and preparation for the procedure. The specialist will guide you through the process, ensuring you are informed and comfortable with the treatment plan.

The Surgical Procedure

Gallbladder cancer surgery typically involves the removal of the gallbladder, a procedure known as a cholecystectomy. In more advanced cases, surrounding tissues or organs may also need to be removed. The cost of gallbladder cancer surgery in Dombivli varies based on the complexity of the case and the patient’s specific needs. However, the primary focus is always on delivering high-quality care.

Post-Surgery Care and Recovery

Recovery after gallbladder cancer surgery involves regular follow-up appointments and careful monitoring. Your specialist will provide a detailed recovery plan that includes pain management, dietary recommendations, and regular check-ups to ensure a smooth recovery. Dombivli’s post-surgery care services are designed to support patients throughout their recovery journey and address any complications promptly.

Choosing the Right Gallbladder Cancer Specialist in Dombivli

Factors to Consider

When selecting a Gallbladder Cancer Specialist in Dombivli, it is important to consider factors such as the surgeon’s experience, success rates, and patient reviews. You should also look for a specialist who provides personalized care and is easily accessible for consultations.

Consultations and Second Opinions

Before undergoing major surgery, it is always a good idea to seek a second opinion. Consultations with different Gallbladder Cancer Specialists can give you a broader understanding of your treatment options. Dombivli is home to several highly qualified specialists who are available to offer in-depth consultations, helping you make the best decision for your care.

Conclusion

Gallbladder cancer is a challenging condition, but with the right care, the chances of successful treatment improve significantly. Jeevanshree Hospital in Dombivli offers advanced surgical techniques, experienced gallbladder cancer surgeons, and comprehensive post-operative care. If you or a loved one is facing a gallbladder cancer diagnosis, consult with a specialist in Dombivli to explore your treatment options and take the first step toward recovery.

FAQs

1. What is Gall Bladder Cancer, and how does it develop?

Gallbladder cancer is a rare but aggressive type of cancer that starts in the gall bladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. It often develops due to chronic inflammation, gallstones, or other risk factors. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment.

2. What are the common symptoms of Gall Bladder Cancer?

Common symptoms of gall bladder cancer include persistent abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), nausea, vomiting, and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms can be subtle and are often mistaken for other less severe conditions.

3. How is Gall Bladder Cancer diagnosed?

Gallbladder cancer is diagnosed through various tests, including ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and sometimes biopsy. Blood tests may also be conducted to check for liver function and cancer markers.

4. What are the treatment options for Gall Bladder Cancer in Dombivli?

Treatment options for gall bladder cancer in Dombivli include surgery (cholecystectomy), chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health.

5. Why should I choose Gall Bladder Cancer Surgery in Dombivli?

Dombivli offers advanced medical facilities and experienced surgeons specializing in gallbladder cancer surgery. The city is known for its state-of-the-art technology and personalized care, making it an excellent choice for treatment.

6. How do I choose the best Gall Bladder Cancer Specialist in Dombivli?

When choosing a gall bladder cancer specialist in Dombivli, consider factors such as the surgeon’s experience, success rates, patient reviews, and the quality of care offered. It’s also advisable to consult with multiple specialists to make an informed decision.

7. What is the cost of Gall Bladder Cancer Surgery in Dombivli?

The cost of gall bladder cancer surgery in Dombivli can vary depending on the complexity of the surgery, the type of facility, and the specific needs of the patient. It’s best to consult with a specialist to get an accurate estimate.

8. What is the recovery process like after Gall Bladder Cancer Surgery?

Recovery after gall bladder cancer surgery involves careful monitoring, pain management, and dietary modifications. Follow-up care is essential to ensure proper healing and to address any complications that may arise.

9. Is it necessary to get a second opinion before Gall Bladder Cancer Surgery?

Yes, it is advisable to seek a second opinion before undergoing major surgery. A second opinion can provide a broader perspective on your treatment options and help you make a more informed decision.

10. Can Gall Bladder Cancer be prevented?

While not all cases of gallbladder cancer can be prevented, reducing risk factors such as maintaining a healthy weight, managing gallstones, and avoiding chronic inflammation of the gallbladder can lower the chances of developing this cancer.

FAQs

1. What is Gall Bladder Cancer, and how does it develop?

Gallbladder cancer is a rare but aggressive type of cancer that starts in the gall bladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. It often develops due to chronic inflammation, gallstones, or other risk factors. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment.

2. What are the common symptoms of Gall Bladder Cancer?

Common symptoms of gall bladder cancer include persistent abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), nausea, vomiting, and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms can be subtle and are often mistaken for other less severe conditions.

3. How is Gall Bladder Cancer diagnosed?

Gallbladder cancer is diagnosed through various tests, including ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and sometimes biopsy. Blood tests may also be conducted to check for liver function and cancer markers.

4. What are the treatment options for Gall Bladder Cancer in Dombivli?

Treatment options for gall bladder cancer in Dombivli include surgery (cholecystectomy), chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health.

5. Why should I choose Gall Bladder Cancer Surgery in Dombivli?

Dombivli offers advanced medical facilities and experienced surgeons specializing in gallbladder cancer surgery. The city is known for its state-of-the-art technology and personalized care, making it an excellent choice for treatment.

6. How do I choose the best Gall Bladder Cancer Specialist in Dombivli?

When choosing a gall bladder cancer specialist in Dombivli, consider factors such as the surgeon’s experience, success rates, patient reviews, and the quality of care offered. It’s also advisable to consult with multiple specialists to make an informed decision.

7. What is the cost of Gall Bladder Cancer Surgery in Dombivli?

The cost of gall bladder cancer surgery in Dombivli can vary depending on the complexity of the surgery, the type of facility, and the specific needs of the patient. It’s best to consult with a specialist to get an accurate estimate.

8. What is the recovery process like after Gall Bladder Cancer Surgery?

Recovery after gall bladder cancer surgery involves careful monitoring, pain management, and dietary modifications. Follow-up care is essential to ensure proper healing and to address any complications that may arise.

9. Is it necessary to get a second opinion before Gall Bladder Cancer Surgery?

Yes, it is advisable to seek a second opinion before undergoing major surgery. A second opinion can provide a broader perspective on your treatment options and help you make a more informed decision.

10. Can Gall Bladder Cancer be prevented?

While not all cases of gallbladder cancer can be prevented, reducing risk factors such as maintaining a healthy weight, managing gallstones, and avoiding chronic inflammation of the gallbladder can lower the chances of developing this cancer.

Are you looking for Healthcare Marketing Agency ? Please feel free to contact Kaushal Pandey .

[lyanro]

~$5 and Under Gift Ideas (And Places To Find Them)

Since Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Yule and Christmas are coming up, here’s some inspo for small, cheap gifts that are still fun to receive for things like Secret Snowflake/Santa, stocking stuffers, little add-ons, etc. — Feel free to reblog and add your own ideas!!:)

(Some good places to *find* these kinds of things are also listed under the cut)

Storebought Gifts

- Lil pins or iron-on patches

- Scented candle(s)

- Pack o’ gum

- Their fav candy (if you don’t know their preferences/allergies maybe skip this one)

- Snacks (Their fav chips, a funky bottled drink, etc.)

- Cute stickers:•)

- Lil $5 gift card from their favorite cafe

- Jewelry

- Lip balm (normal, unique, 2-pack, fancy, whatever)

- Bath bomb

- Bath salts

- Bottle(s) of essential oil

- Scarf

- Cool book from a Little Free Library

- Nail polish in a unique color, a color you think would suit them, their favorite color, or a color you think would work well with their fashion sense

- Gloves

- A pretty mug

- Travel-size or mini versions of their favorite beauty/self-care products (Body wash, rollerball versions of their favorite perfume, hair products, etc.)

- Cheap(!!) T-shirt

- Fun socks

- Charging cable extensions or other cheap phone accessories

- Fun/cute USB drives

- Poster or print

- Little storage containers/organizational things

- Pretty soap

- Pretty tube of hand lotion

- Goofy lil prank/gag gift (yknow like the kind the sell in those little niche gift stores? that like always seem to have yellow cardboard pacakaging for some reason? yknow where its like. candy that tastes like soap or little fake gum packets that zap ya. you should probably be fairly close to someone if u wanna give them something like this tho) (mostly including this on here in honor of my dad’s family tradition of exchanging gag gifts during hannukah. ex: my goofy great grandfather giving my very prim and proper great grandmother a ‘gas-powered’ electric tooth brush) (...and ya ‘gas’ as in ‘gastrointestinal’) (............like it had like a vacuum tube coming out the bottom to ‘attach’ to the ‘power source’ and everything lmao)

- An affordable/cheap lipstick, highlighter, palette, gloss

- Cool temporary tattoos

- Cool old postcards to decorate their walls with (or actually send lol)

- Bandana, scrunchies, barrettes, headband, or other hair accessories

- Pretty, mini notebook or journal

- Stationery/Art supplies (Gel pens, rubber stamp/s, ink pad, stencils, a cute Japanese eraser, etc.)

- A box/tin of their favorite tea🍵

General Good Places To Find Some Nice Cheap Stuff

(I live in the Midwest of the US, so obviously this is by no means an exhaustive list, just what I have experience with. Again, feel free to add on!)

- Target: This time of year Target’s “Wonder Shop” brand usually has displays scattered around the store with items corresponding to the area they’re in, as well as a main hub in their seasonal section. Most of these items are designed to be cheap and stocking stuffer-like, which is just what we’re going for here: Depending on where you are in the store they feature things like cheap makeup, fuzzy slippers, candles, throw blankets, bath bombs, stationery, little kitchen gadgets or fancy seasoning sets, etc. The main hub usually has tons of regular candy as well as novelty treats like giant marshmallows, drinking straws made of candy cane, etc. They also have a (predictably) very small selection of Hannukah things:/ Year round, Target’s Dollar Section is awesome in general, lots of fun little decor things or craft supplies. Sometimes they also have cheap tech supplies there (extension cords, portable chargers, knock-off popsockets, headphones, even speakers) depending on the time of year. Their jewelry is relatively inexpensive for the most part, and their brand Wild Fable has a lot of really cute jewelry and hair accessories for pretty cheap ($5-15). In general, they are great for: Snacks, candy, candles, (some) craft supplies, jewelry, cosmetics, travel-size versions of beauty products, jewelry, socks, and even cheap DVDS (the ones they have at the front of checkout booths).

- T.J. Maxx/Marshall’s/Home Goods: Always have fun cheap stuff in the checkout aisle to try to lure you into last minute purchases (but again, that’s the kinda cheap stuff we’re going for here), especially snacks. Sometimes they have nice cheap stationery, depending on the store. Candles, super marked-down beauty products, home decor.

- The Container Store: A little more on the expensive side in general and can be harder to find but if you can get to one they often have tons of cool, relatively cheap gadgets (like cord sorters, little phone accessories like a USB minifan, etc.) and organizational supplies. A lot of their stationery is more regular-priced to expensive, but they can have some nice little things if you dig. One thing I really love is their Amac Boxes, these pretty little lucite boxes in a bunch of different sizes and colors that are great as little storage/organizational things and double as something you can actually put other gifts in. They only cost between ¢0.69-$1.09 each! (They also have tons of cheap cardboard ones as well as little tins too if you’d prefer not to buy plastic.) Again, the little checkout area is FULL of cool little gadgets and stationery supplies, and some of them are really cheap! (Side Note: They also sell a lot of those quirky Kikkerland-type novelty gifts if you like those kinds of things, although they’re typically on the more expensive side)

- Michael’s: GOD TIER. Mostly for crafty friends but you can get some non-crafty things there too (or just things that would appeal to pretty much anyone). They sell some candy in the front checkout area. Cheap things: Embroidery thread, yarn, stickers, candles, some home decor, some jewelry, washi tape, some little starter-kit type things, stationery.

- Jo-Ann Fabrics: ALSO GOD TIER. If you’ve never been, they actually sell a TON of crafty stuff besides fabric arts. They sell iron-on patches, candles, art supplies and stationery, some home decor, embroidery thread and yarn (obviously), some little cheap starter kit-type things, and some cool books and magazines. Stuff can be on the more regular-priced to expensive side on average, but you can absolutely find things for under 5-6 bucks.

- Half-Price Books: So good! Obviously reduced-price books, but often also other miscellaneous little things and some stationery. Definitely depends on the store, but would recommend.

- Goodwill: This one’s pretty obvious, but if you’ve genuinely never shopped there, besides clothes, often they have really good kitchen supplies and home decor for very cheap. Usually tends not to be super ~hip~ (although sometimes you luck out!), but often works great if you’re shopping for a friend with a kitsch or vintage ~aesthetic~. (I’ve gotten some of my favorite decor items there: An awesome antique-looking bookend with a spinning globe, a cool old Pierrot/Venetian clown doll, several antique books, and a pretty wire birdcage, all for super cheap!!) And then, obviously, you can also dig around for cheap cool shirts and dresses, and often can find rad things for as low as $5.

- Dollar Tree: I’ve noticed that Dollar Trees tend to differ vastly, but usually they tend to have some surprisingly awesome things. At various Dollar Trees, I have found: Candles, incense, lipgloss, nail polish, loose pigments (usually gold, silver, purple and pink), pretty vases, pretty or plain little notebooks, fun washi tape, various home decor things, pretty ribbon, small funky kitchen gadgets, hair accessories, wrapping paper, bubble mailers, gift tags and labels, stickers, flash tattoos, and snacks.

- CVS Pharmacy or Walgreens: Super useful. Cute little home decor things, candy, snacks, cheap (ish) makeup and nail polish.

- Papersource: A little more on the expensive side (think Kikkerland stuff again) but you can find some cheap stuff! Again, the small checkout booth items are often great. The Papersource near my house also sells various versions of these gorgeous posters by Cavallini for about $5. They sell lots of fun washi tape too, for relatively cheap. Their stationery tends to be a little more regularly-priced to expensive, though.

Best of luck! Happy Holidays<3

[emtheanxiousdragon]

Sanders Hospital AU

(Special thanks to @justisaisfine for some help developing this story!)

(This is the introduction to the AU. For full info, please see the AO3 story.)

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Located in sunny Miami, Florida, Sanders Hospital is one of the top-ranking public hospitals in the country. Famous for its charitable president Thomas Sanders (no relation to the name of the hospital, as he loves to joke), Sanders Hospital features an award-winning mental health department and pediatric center! Its connection to the local university has allowed for a wonderfully talented resident program and educational opportunities. In the hospital's long history, they have treated people from all walks of life- from homeless people to the President of the U.S! (He just spent a few days in the hospital with a broken leg, but still!)

As a public hospital, they naturally have less funding than private institutions. One of the biggest rivals to the hospital is St. Gemma's Hospital, a respectable private hospital that makes its home on the other side of Miami, closer to the rich beach houses and expensive hotels. They've been praised for possessing what some call the best burn ward in the Southern United States. Many of the doctors of the two hospitals share a respectful relationship and have aided one another when their personal expertise was needed. However, there's still tension between the two hospitals for government funding, alongside some personal tension between doctors.

Major Hospital Locations

The Main Lobby. The main entrance to Sanders Hospital is the first glimpse of the wonderful care that awaits you during your stay. The front doors are wheelchair accessible, with a long slope going down to the main floor. The smooth, curving metal reception desk sits below the hospital's logo- a rainbow-colored caduceus. Hubs of blue and grey lounge chairs and couches collect below warm circular lights. The lighting in the lobby changes depending on the time of day- on bright days, the lobby will use as much natural sunlight as possible. On dark days, or during dusk and dawn, the lights will shine a bright, but neutral color. During the night, the lights are turned to a warm yellow, as yellow light encourages rest far better than harsh blue or white. This part of the hospital lacks the stereotypical smells of rubbing alcohol and disinfectant. Instead, the smell of freshly baked pastries from the hospital coffee shop fills the lobby, accompanied by whatever Baths and Body Works scent the barista decided to use for the day. There's also a gift shop in the lobby where visitors can buy their ailing loved ones gifts to aid recovery!

The Pediatrics Ward. With beautiful swirls of color on the walls and cartoon characters, it doesn't take long to understand why the pediatrics department of Sanders Hospital has won so many rewards. Every step of the way, the doctors and nurses patrolling this side of the hospital are ready to comfort a child in pain. Patient rooms have a TV where families can put in DVDs they brought from home or from the hospital. Each room has a recliner and couch so parents and immediate family members don't have to leave their kids. This part of the hospital also contains the NICU, which can be a heart-breaking place at times. The doctors keep in close contact with the legal department's Child Protective Service officers. If the pediatricians suspect child abuse or a child loses their parents, they don't hesitate to call the CPS officers, cause guess what? These folks are the nice sort of CPS officers! The department has gone under fire at times by people claiming they have pushed the borders of a doctor/patient relationship (giving personal gifts to patients, favoritism, becoming too much of a friend to the patient and less of a doctor), but so far they've kept their heads above water

Entertainment Row. While not its official name, hospital staff call this part of the hospital Entertainment Row for its patient services. This part of the hospital has a library that patients can borrow from, including books and DVDs. There is a lounge room with TVs and gaming devices with windows looking over the city. Since its on the top floor of the hospital, it also opens up to the roof-top garden, where patients can walk around and enjoy some fresh air. There's even a gardening program at the hospital where patients can help grow and harvest fruits and veggies to use in the kitchens! It's a wonderful way to boost a patient's emotional health and give them a chance to relax between tests and treatments. Entertainment Row also hosts classrooms for long-term students so they don't fall behind on studies. Often these classrooms are used by patients booked long-term into the mental services department, but those struggling with cancer, tuberculosis, and other diseases that require long-term hospital care are still able to keep up their education.

The Emergency Department. While not as famed as other parts of the Sanders Hospital, the emergency department does host a no wait policy- patients are taken straight to beds without waiting, as those with serious conditions cannot spend half an hour waiting for someone to check them in. This makes the ED a pretty chaotic place. However, the policy has been credited to saving multiple lives and even for stopping an epidemic! (That's a story for another time). With a central hub of desks and computers, doctors can hop from one patient to another and quickly determine if they need to be checked into a room or if they can soon head home.

The ICU. The hospital tries its best to keep the ICU a naturally lit environment. It runs on a similar light system as the main lobby and they try to have windows in each room. However, with the nature of the ICU, there's still a sense of dread and worry that hangs over anyone who visits the area. Experienced doctors appreciate the less gloomy atmosphere, but with the smell of disinfectant trying to overpower the lingering stenches of those too far gone to save and withering gift shop flowers sitting on mantels, the gloom still remains.

The Psychiatric Department. The other most awarded department of Sanders Hospital, this part of the hospital has the most personalized rooms. As most patients who find themselves in these rooms are at the hospital for long-term care and observation, the staff allow them to add a few more personal touches to the rooms than long-term patients in other departments may be allowed to. As long as the items can't hurt them, they can have them. The offices of each doctor are also personal, designed for therapy, to relax patients when they come in. Each office also has the personal touch of the doctors, as it helps them bond with their patients in a way that makes them feel more open to share their issues.

Doctor's Lounges. With a few in different parts of the hospital shared by different departments, the lounges are places where doctors, nurses, and residents can settle down for a bit. There are beds against one wall for those on long shifts and kitchen space for doctors to store food and even do a bit of cooking if the chance comes. You can find many residents finishing papers and studies around the rectangular plastic tables in the center of the room while also chowing down a quick dinner. The staff like to keep most of their work troubles outside of the lounges, however.

The President's Office/The Board Rooms: Thomas Sanders' office is usually empty. Since this is a president who likes to be on the floor doing what he went to school to do whenever he can, its usually locked. When he's working on presidential business or other similar work, those entering are greeted by the usually open balcony behind his desk with a marvelous view of Miami. Sometimes he'll be on that balcony, drinking some coffee and watching the sunset. The shelves along one wall contain a mixture of personal items and work-related stuff- diplomas and awards, Steven Universe pop figurines, the latest medical journals, a few favorite knick-knacks. (Dr. Picani usually avoids the office so he's not tempted to steal his boss's figurines). Next door to the office are the hospital board rooms, where the hospital board members meet and discuss the goings-on of Sanders Hospital. A yellow-tan room with a long wooden table and a monitor at the end, the board rooms are very professional. If a staff member gets called up there during a board meeting, something's probably going to go down. While the hospital president may be an honorable man, the same can't be said for all of his board members. The rooms are more inviting when used for Thomas's meeting with his department chairs.

The Lock-Up. As a public hospital, Sanders is in charge of treating prisoners from some of the big prisons around Miami. All prisoners are kept in a special, separate ward away from the rest of the prison under heavy protection. Doctors and nurses must put all equipment through scanners and confirm items with security personnel before they can enter. Prisoners are to stay in their areas (curtained off sections with beds) unless given permission to leave. All types of prisoners are treated here, from juvie kids stuck for a few months for vandalism, to serial killers doing double-life sentences.

Staff Members

Thomas Sanders- Hospital President

Thomas Sanders started his career at Sanders Hospital when he was a teenager, volunteering in Entertainment Row. Living in the area, young Thomas snagged a summer job in the library and helped many young kids find books to entertain themselves during chemo and therapy. Thomas loved helping others, even back then. He went to med school specializing in art therapy and mental health services but later got some cardiovascular certification so he could better assist in surgeries. He got a job at the hospital that started it all, getting a residency in the psychiatric department. When he joined the department, the place was gloomy, with depressing rooms and depressing offices. As Thomas climbed the ranks, his positivity and infectious happiness spread around the department. Rooms became brighter, offices became more welcoming, and patients became happier. While the hospital board cared less about patient happiness, they did care that Thomas's effect on the department was bringing in more patients and making money. He became the head of the psychiatric department. When the former president retired, Thomas was offered the job. He accepted, hoping to improve even more of the hospital.

While he can struggle against the greed and ambition of his board members (whom he sadly cannot get rid of alone), Thomas has slowly but surely found his place as a respectable, kind, and intelligent hospital president. He helped turn the hospital into a major LGBTQ+ supporter in Florida. He's a hands-on sort of president, wanting to keep in touch with each part of his hospital. He tries hard to make real changes happen and affect the community in a positive way. His personality, which helped change the psychiatric department so much, has now changed the entire hospital for the better. People joke that he's done so much, they renamed the place after him, but he swears it was a coincidence. He justs tries to put some good into the world.

Joan Stokes- Medical Director

Joan Stokes is Thomas's right hand in the hospital. The two met in med school, when Joan helped Thomas work on this thesis on the health issues of Miami LGBTQ+ people. Joan kept in touch with Thomas after they graduated and the two were very close friends. Joan started their residency at St. Gemma's and got first-hand experience in their prized burn ward. They moved to Sanders a few years after completing their residency to take a job as a general surgeon. They met their partner, Talyn, while working on a case involving a kidney transplant on someone who recently lost an arm.

Joan has always been the more level-headed, more focused one in their friendship with Thomas. As medical director, they are able to take Thomas's swirls of imagination and inspiration and apply those ideas on a practical level, adding in their own ideas. The only real arguments you'll see Joan get into with Thomas are about the job. They are a private person, but when they are around people they're comfortable with, their outgoing and funny sides emerge. If kids spot them in the pediatric ward, they'll probably make a few jokes. Depending on the adults in the area, they may sneak in a few 'mature' jokes as well.

Roman Prince- Public Services Director

Where Joan is the right hand of Thomas, Roman is the left. He doesn't have the medical skill that Joan and Thomas have, but he does have a presence that few can argue with. He's in charge of Entertainment Row and manages fundraisers, public appearances, speeches, and special events. He puts a special effort into the entertainment that patrols the pediatric ward entertaining kids- balloon artists, hospital dogs, everything! Entertainment is the best way to cheer up kids! He's the face of Sanders Hospital, appearing on talk shows and representing the issues of the hospital and the medical community.

Of course, there's doubt in his role- a high school drop-out managing a hospital? What can he say about the medical community when he never even went to college? To his friends, it doesn't matter. But it does to him. When the stress of public services becomes too much, he'll take part in his passion- teaching kids how to act at the local YMCA. He loves acting, and tries to find any chance he can to do so.

Patton Foster- Head of Pediatrics

This bubbly man was simply made to handle kids! Patton is known as 'Doctor Sweetheart' by some of the nurses and lower-level staff, as he treats everyone with fatherly kindness and respect. He always takes time to ask people how they're doing and is always ready to give advice. He always gets a laugh out of the younger kids and connects to the teenagers in the department extremely well. (If we're being honest, he's the source of most of those accusations of pushing the doctor/patient relationship too far, and they're probably right, but is that a bad thing?) He's ready to share tears with parents in pain, who are definitely included in his advice-giving. When people questioned whether to hire Logan Berry as the head of the Emergency Department, their biggest concern was that Patton would lose focus working alongside his husband. So far they haven't had to worry. Much.

Despite his fatherly and loving nature, Patton can be extremely stubborn. He often refuses to resort to any treatments that would cause a conflict with his morals, always searching for different ways to go about things, therefore ignoring the treatment that would save his patient's life until it was truly the only answer. When it comes to his moral standards, he can be strict. However, he's always looking to improve himself and be kind to others, supporting self-care, self-love, and the expression of emotions (even when he tries to repress the ones he has).

Logan Berry- Head of the Emergency Department

When you think of a doctor, you're probably thinking of Logan Berry. A logic-driven man able to put aside his emotions to get the job done, he is a shining example of the knowledge and respect commanded by doctors. When asked why he doesn't pursue a more glamourous and financially rewarding position at St. Gemma's or a similar institution, his answer is always the same- "I'm needed here." Logan has spent his life seeking to spread knowledge. He got a teaching degree alongside his medical degree and had a very unique residence- as a teacher's assistant at a medical college in New York, spending half of his time teaching and the other half fulfilling his medical requirements at the nearest hospital. Only a few days after his residency ended, he quit his TA job and moved back to his home state of Florida.

Logan took a job at a small, poorly funded clinic in the slums of Miami. He tried to educate his patients to better care for themselves, but he couldn't reach many people. He worked himself into exhaustion. The end result is poorly recorded- all that remains are some buried medical records in the file rooms of Sanders Hospital, a few police reports, and a metal leg that clicked whenever Logan walked. It was during his physical therapy at Sanders Hospital that Logan met Patton, who was only a year into his job. The two became close, and in a few years of therapy, re-adjustment to work, and new friendships, Logan and Patton were married. Logan tied up the loose ends of his old clinic and applied for the position as the head of the Emergency Department at Sanders Hospital.

Virgil Lawson- Head of Nursing

Being at the top of the chain of nurses for Sanders Hospital is tough, but at least Virgil actually cares about what he's doing. Despite the fact that he lives off the hospital coffee shop and its vending machines, hasn't been back to his apartment in four days, deals with more work than one man should legally be allowed to, and deals with not only generalized/social anxiety but chronic panic attacks, Virgil Lawson is the happiest he's been in a long time. He protects and encourages both his nurses and his friends, acting as a source of calm in the constant storm of medical work. His no-nonsense attitude is perfect for nursing as he deals with crabby patients. He's rarely more in the zone than when he's running around the hospital to his next assignment, running through treatments in his head. Hospital security even consider him an honorary member of their team when the head of security caught him practicing kung fu in an empty doctor's lounge (he learned in high school, as a hobby and for self-defense)

He didn't start out working at Sanders Hospital. Virgil grew up in Atlanta and went to school at University of Florida. Once he was a registered nurse, he realized that he was actually alone in Florida. His single mother had died while he was in college, and he didn't have any other family. He started out working for a company that sent the rich private nurses, but he would have gone insane had he stayed. He decided to find a job somewhere that would pay well, and ended up in the employ of St. Gemma's Hospital. He doesn't talk about his time there. What most people know is that Virgil looked into the recently opened position for Head of Nursing at Sanders and a few months later, he was fired from St. Gemma's. A week after that, he became the new Head of Nursing. Few understand why he has such a deep hatred for the rival hospital.

Emile Picani- Head of the Psychiatric Department

Sanders Hospital has been known for a quirky staff, but Emile takes the cake. He did a tour with the Navy for a few years out of high school before resigning and beginning his path towards becoming a licensed therapist and psychiatrist. He found some fame in the medical field for his fascinating thesis paper on the use of cartoons as a therapeutic tool. That was what made Emile such a unique therapist- he was able to find cartoons and shows and movies to connect with his patients and help them understand themselves better. That was also what made it difficult to hold down a job. He got positions at a lot of places, but he could never stay long. It was always the same song- he was too loud, people found him too strange to connect to, he couldn't keep a stable patient quota, he didn't blend well with the other staff.

Emile bounced around the country, doing his best for people for as long as he could before he was eventually forced out. If it bothered him, he didn't let it show. Eventually, he stumbled into Miami on the coattails of DisneyWorld tourists and found a therapist position open at Sanders Hospital. He wasn't expecting to get the job. However, Thomas got a hand on his file and remembered reading his thesis- he loved that thesis! He hired Emile and, fully expecting to be fired within the month, started setting up his old cartoon routine. But something was different this time. This time, he stayed. He got a steady flow of patients who wanted to stay with him. Emile finally found his place.

Remy Dormir- Barista

Remy seemed to fit more with the club-hopping, coffee shop roaming, hipster crowd than anything found in a hospital. Still, there he was, running the Sanders Hospital coffee shop. And owning it. He's got the orders of his favorite and frequent customers memorized, Emile and Virgil among the top of that list in their respective categories. If you want news about Sanders, then honey, you've come to the right place. He knows every dirty secret floating through the hospital. He could destroy careers with a single word, but mostly he just uses that knowledge to tease friends and put a greedy doctor back in line once and a while.

Remy acts like the counselor for the hospital in a way. Despite his love of gossip, he's great at keeping secrets, so many find themselves venting to the barista as he pulls out the next batch of cinnamon rolls. He might spill a petty secret here or there, but he would never truly betray someone. He sometimes acts superior to everyone and like he doesn't care. Only one of those statements is true. Many ignore him, but the wise will drop a tip into his jar and get the latest scoop of Sanders Hospital drama. He's living in a medical drama and he knows it.

Nate Christopoulos (Crime-Fighter Guy)- Head of Security

Hospitals aren't safe anymore. Scoundrels lurk behind every heart monitor, ready to strike. Even doctors can be bought. But Sanders Hospital is safe under the protective watch of Man in Black, the Man of Two Worlds, the Man of Legend- Nate Christopoulos! A biracial, bisexual, former private investigator with a film noir obsession, Nate is in charge of the hospital security. He keeps a special eye on the lock-up so no prisoners cause any disturbances. He relishes when he's called to action to defend someone. He's a crime fighter at heart! He spends half of his time watching the live security feeds in his office and the rest patrolling the halls. When near the pediatrics ward, he pretends he's going in slow motion to make the kids laugh.

He spends quite a bit of time around Remy, fueling up on coffee and getting the latest in criminal goings-on. The two share a passion for sarcasm and sunglasses. The most excitement he sees on a regular basis is handling a violent patient in Dr. Picani's department. He works with the police whenever suspects and witnesses to crimes are treated in the hospital- he's not going to let a stereotypical hospital assassination take place under his watch!

Talyn- Physical Therapist

Never one for last names, Talyn deals in those recovering from limb loss, intense injury, certain surgeries, and those dealing with certain chronic illnesses. Their job is to strengthen their bodies so they can return to something resembling their old strength. They're quite the fashionista, coming in with new hair colors every other week (patients are extremely impressed when they dye their eyebrows). Their blunt attitude helps push their patients towards recovery and helps them not give up. They've heard their fair share of war stories from veterans returning from overseas. They just let their patients vent it all out.

When relaxing from their emotionally draining job, they'll often talk to their partner Joan or Virgil, both of whom had enough common sense to talk about things other than work sometimes. They love wearing fun clothes whenever they can, occasionally coming up with silly costume days for patients just to get an excuse to wear funner clothes. They are one of the two people Logan is comfortable discussing his injury with.

Dr. D.- Cardiovascular and General Surgeon of St. Gemma's, Sanders Hospital Consultant

For someone in the medical field, Dr. D. should really be clearer on what his name is. Some call him Deceit behind his back because of his secretive nature. Of course, official records and close friends know his full name, but he prefers to keep it hidden. His patients don't need to know his full name. He gets what he needs from his patients and tells them what they need, and then he leaves. The next time he sees them, it'll be under the knife. It would be a stretch to call Dr. D. a crooked doctor. He doesn't take bribes or kill anyone. He is, however, always ready to break hospital policy to get his job done, and has developed a special skill in covering up his lawbreaking. Usually, he tosses hospital security at whatever Remus is doing and that's that.

He specializes in surgery on burn victims, operating in St. Gemma's famed burn ward. When he was a child, Dr. D. was treated at that very burn ward after his father's smoking burned down their apartment, killing his mother and leaving him orphaned. He still has the scars from the experience- crumpled, burned skin that covers half of his face, surgical scars repairing his nerves, hands so scarred he never takes off his gloves. His injuries don't affect his surgeries, but he never bothered to get plastic surgery and fix his face. His scars were a reminder- he couldn't trust people, like he couldn't trust his dad to stop smoking or get a job.

Remus Prince- St. Gemma's(?) Janitor

Every hero needs an evil twin. Remus fulfills that role for Roman. The twins were both high school dropouts, but Remus wasn't quite as successful as his brother. Perhaps it was his violent tendencies that made it difficult to find a job in the creative arts. It could also be his OCD- those intrusive thoughts of his that forced him to do such strange rituals, Roman was the only one who ever understood why he did those things. Sometimes it was tough to tell what strange things Remus wanted to do, or what were truly intrusive thoughts. A relationship with his twin was always difficult to maintain. It was tough to tell whether either twin wanted to know the other sometimes. Sometimes they did, sometimes they didn't. Most people don't know he's related to Roman. Regardless of siblings, Remus works as a janitor, cleaning up hospital floors and messes with intense focus.

Sanders Hospital staff aren't sure where Remus works. They'll see him cleaning the halls of Sanders Hospital or changing bedsheets- one of the nurses once spotted him giving a patient a sponge bath! He's not listed in the staff, but he still cleans the hospital (someone apparently saw Remus get a check from the hospital, but that was never proven). It's the same thing at St. Gemma's, but there isn't a staff member there willing to confirm or deny Remus's employment. He most likely works there, but no one is completely sure. Nate and his security team have been ordered to escort Remus off hospital grounds when they catch him, but they don't do a good job at it. He is Nate's number one enemy.

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There you go! The start to a new AU! I’m ready to make a tag list for anyone who likes this AU! I’m also suggestings asks about this series directed to me or the characters! At the time of this post, all characters are open.

I also accept prompts for short stories about the characters! I can’t guarantee your suggestion would be written, or that it would be quick, but I will see what I can do!

[thescreamsleuths]

Recap 10: Vanishing Act

We last left off with the three ladies of the Scream Sleuths being ushered into the grandiose Barmitelli mansion and up to a sitting room on the third floor. There, they were asked to sit and recount what had happened at the festival.

The three refused to sit and were doing their best not to comply with Spyros Fig’s interrogation. Spyros was quickly shut down by both Faylen and Kathra. Faylen chose only to speak to Carric Holimion, the Elf that had healed the party and others only moments before arriving in the sitting room while Kathra directed all of her questions to Captain Scott. Information was shared by both the party and the authority figures. During conversation, the group learned that Carric was devouted to the deity Aureon and was the primary cleric at the Pinnacle of Crying Souls, Relttic’s main hub for religion and guidance. Faylen asked him what he thought of the feather test she’d witnessed in Avandra’s temple to which he admitted the day’s events felt like only the beginning. Faylen also told Carric of the strange gargoyle she’d seen atop Lady Avashira’s manor. Captain Scott immediately called for some of his guards to investigate the scene to see if they could find this mysterious figure.

In conversation, the Scream Sleuths also revealed that they’d investigated the brutal murder of the prisoner a few days back with Captain Scott. This produced a strong reaction from Spyros and Carric. The group quickly realized that Carric was not aware of the events.

After a terse back and forth between Carric and Spyros, the conversation died down. Using a spell Kathra was all too familiar with, Carric sent a message to an unknown source requesting their assistance with the identification of the battle scene. He then followed that message up with an inquiry to what seemed like an accountant asking about payment for the Scream Sleuths heroic deeds. It wasn’t until Carric mentioned there were three party members that the Scream Sleuths fully realized that Baelsar was not with them.

Immediately, Faylen exited the sitting room and entire estate in order to find their missing party member. Kathra and Brinne hung behind, correcting Carric’s math. They, too, were about to head out when Lady Evangelina quickly stopped them to ask about a war they’d mentioned they were going off to fight earlier. Kathra summarized the war occurring in the Stiffpeak Mountains: it was Orcs against Elves, something that had been going on for generations. Lady Evangelina seemed surprised by this. She asked Carric to confirm this news and then asked if he thought the war could somehow be tied into her family’s history. Curious, Kathra asked Lady Evangelina to elaborate, which she readily did.

The portrait of the Human the party had seen earlier that day was of a man named Chamberlain, one of Lady Evangelina’s ancestors. He was a brave and generous adventurer, one that fought off something truly horrendous with his adventuring party. Lady Evangelina pulled out a sketch then and showed the image to Kathra and Brinne. The parchment had yellowed over the years, but still kept a well drawn portrait of six individuals intact (whether by magical means or natural, Kathra and Brinne didn’t know) with initials below each party member. The image showcased a younger Chamberlain with the initials C.B., a male red Teifling with the initials E.T., a female copper Dragonborn with the initials R.S., a male Elf with the initials T.N., a female Halfing holding a holy symbol with the initials O.L., and a male green Dragonborn with the initials M.L. Lady Barmitelli had tried to identify Chamberlain’s party members but had a difficult time doing so. Most of what they knew about Chamberlain were stories his children and grandchildren wrote down after hearing his tales. Chamberlain himself wrote very little. From his notes, the Barmitelli family was able to uncover that the male Teifling, E.T., was killed during one of the group’s many quests. After they’d lost a party member, the group seemed to dissolve. Chamberlain and the Elf, T.N., banded together to hunt down some incredible beast, most likely to avenge their fallen friend. Intrigued, Kathra asked if any of the party members happened to be bards. Lady Evangelina thought for a moment before nodding —there had been three magic users in the party, the Elf, T.N., the copper Dragonborn, R.S., and the Halfling, O.L.. From what the Barmitelli’s gathered, the two women of the group both contained healing magics. However, in Chamberlain’s very limited notes, he had written about the Elf, T.N., keeping a daily journal detailing the group’s travels. The Barmitelli’s had been trying to locate the journal for years but were unable to find it.

Having asked all of the questions the two had at the moment, Kathra and Brinne began to head out to catch up with Faylen. Before they took their leave, Lady Evangelina told the two that if she could do anything to help the Scream Sleuths find a peaceful solution to this war, she would. She offered up her guest house for the party to stay in whenever they pleased. They thanked her before exiting the mansion.

While Kathra and Brinne were speaking with Lady Evangelina, Faylen was outside looking for any traces of Baelsar. It took her a few moments before she found a package, a letter, and a familiar shield leaning up against one of the wooden sides of their cart. Faylen quickly examined the strange parcel before opening up the note. As she began to read it, tears started to stream down her face. Her eyes grew red with anger and disappointment while her mind started to process what exactly the words on the note meant: Baelsar was heading back to Acrollu.

Clutching the note, Faylen cried to herself, stroking Ievos for support. This was how Brinne and Kathra found her, curled up in the cart sobbing into her wolf’s fur. The two immediately asked what was wrong which led to Faylen reading Baelsar’s letter aloud. Kathra and Brinne were stunned. More so Kathra, who was certain that Baelsar would return the next morning after having a dramatic exit. Brinne and Faylen weren’t so sure about that.

For a few moments, the three ladies went back and forth. They tossed blame and tried to surmise what specifically made Baelsar decide to leave. Eventually they decided that a letter was simply not enough. They were going to find him and get the answers they felt they deserved.

With Ievos taking the lead, the Scream Sleuths began to case for their missing member. They stumbled back onto the scene of the battle to note people cleaning up the mess as well as investigating the area. Within the shadows of Lord Edson’s ruined manor the group spotted a familiar figure overseeing the hunt for hints of the arcane. The three quickly approached Zolmer, only hesitating briefly as to why he was wearing such a heavy, over-sized cloak. They asked him if he was able to locate creatures, and if he was would he be willing to locate Baelsar. Zolmer agreed and after casting the spell pointed the Scream Sleuths in the right directions.

The Scream Sleuths hopes into their cart and were quickly off. It didn’t take too long before the group spotted a tall, red scaled figure walking alongside a young Human man on the side of the road. The Scream Sleuths quickly pulled the cart to a stop before Faylen launched herself at Baelsar. He’d turned around just in time for Faylen’s fist to connect with his jaw.

What followed next was a very meaningful and powerful conversation between Baelsar, Faylen, Kathra, and Brinne. Feelings and thoughts were shared, as were opinions about themselves and other party members. In the end, the ladies of the group were able to accept Baelsar’s decision to move on, whether they thought it was the right decision or not.

The full party embraced one last time, holding each other while crying, all the while knowing the moment would eventually end. Slowly, Baelsar retracted from the group hug and gathered his things. He rejoined his travel companion and let his feet take him in the opposite direction, all the while leaving his heart behind with his adventuring party. What remained of the Scream Sleuths watched their four member leave through red, blurry eyes. They sat in their smaller embrace while Baelsar’s figure grew smaller and smaller on the horizon until he was no longer visible.

Unsure what to do, the smaller party sat in silence for a bit. Eventually they decided to turn back to Relttic to clean the pungent cheese and hardening frosting off of their clothing and out of their hair.

Exhausted and overrun by their own emotions, the group returned to the city. They were planning to head back to Kathra’s guild but decided to stop quickly at the armory that Baelsar commissioned his shield at when they first arrived in Relttic. Faylen stayed by the cart outside the establishment while Kathra and Brinne entered the stop. Kathra wanted Baelsar’s shield to be turned into a breastplate for her to wear and wanted it executed quickly. The artisan working their was hesitant to take Kathra’s request —he wouldn’t be able to meet the deadline Kathra was requesting until something changed his mind.

A woman standing towards one of the shelves in the shop magically convinced the artisan to accept Kathra’s request. He did so, and accepted the three platinum pieces she also slapped down upon the counter. Kathra immediately took a liking to this woman. She’d had such a hard, emotional day. It was nice to see that there were people out there who were willing to help out someone in need without asking for anything in return. The woman introduced herself as Filiadel and immediately recognized Kathra and Brinne as the ones who took down the food monsters only an hour or two ago. Brinne found herself suspicious of Filiadel, but she couldn’t quite figure out why.

With the commission accepted and paid for, Kathra and Brinne headed back to the cart. They introduced Filiadel to Faylen who also was immediately suspicious of this new stranger. Faylen got the sense that Filiadel wanted something from them, and was curious to know what it was.

When the three Scream Sleuths decided it was time to return to Kathra’s guild and clean themselves up, Filiadel spoke up. She had a means of giving the ladies a private place to bath and relax after their stressful day. It took some convincing but eventually the Scream Sleuths agreed to follow Filiadel.

Filiadel led the group just outside of Relttic where she used an incantation on one of Kathra’s collected stones to conjure a three stories stone tower. The group was surprised by the sight and, after giving it a few good taps to make sure it was real, entered into the conjured building. Filiadel led Kathra up to the washroom and built in sauna before heading back down the ladder to where both Faylen and Brinne stood, awaiting her return. Both soldiers had their eyes on Filiadel, ready to ask their questions and, if needed, force their answers.

[alexsmitposts]

US and coronavirus: three awkward questions Let's ask the question: what in reality can stand behind the words of the us under Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Philip Ricker, who directly declared our country to be conducting a campaign to "spread disinformation" about the fact that the United States is involved in the emergence and spread of the 2019-nCoV infection in China? There is no doubt that this demarche is, first of all, an "anti-Russian throw-in", as it was quite rightly assessed by the Russian foreign Ministry. But, at the same time, in accordance with the well-known Russian proverb, what is happening is extremely similar to the situation with the spontaneous combustion of a headdress on someone who has just sincerely felt through other people's pockets. There was a lot of excitement in Washington about this. Why would that be? I'm not going to press any charges. As well as saying anything to try to convince you that the outbreak of the coronavirus that threatens the planet today is directly related to the deliberate and deliberate actions of certain organizations, structures or individuals from the United States of America. I just suggest that you look for answers to just three blocks of questions set out below. What conclusions you come to in the end is your own business. However, we all clearly have something to think about. 1. Why so many "coincidences"? I will make a reservation at once – in any story that affects the interests of more than a couple of individuals and assumes financial consequences for an amount exceeding a hundred or two rubles (or dollars), I consider it categorically unacceptable to operate with categories like "coincidence" and "accident". This doesn't happen. And when" at stake " are the lives of millions and economic interests, numbering in the tens and hundreds of billions-even more so. In a situation with a coronavirus, too many details are not what they say, but just a shout that there is no "coincidence" to talk about here. First of all, it is about the simplest parameters: place and time. The epidemic" for some reason " breaks out on the eve of the Chinese new year, which more than 100% guarantees the maximum defeat of people with the virus and its maximum spread due to the seasonal migration flows inherent in China. Usually, during this period (according to official Chinese data), rail transport transports a little less than half a billion passengers around the country, and about 100 thousand of its residents travel by plane. If Beijing had shown a little less speed, determination and concentration in imposing quarantine and restricting freedom of movement, the whole of China would have been covered by a severe epidemic today. And this leads us to the question of the place where everything, in fact, began. If we assume that someone chose the ideal point of attack, then it should have been Wuhan. At least due to the fact that there is a us diplomatic mission there, which allows American citizens who have immunity and, let's say, a certain official affiliation to be in the city. But it's not just that. The largest transport hub in China, which has an equal distance from Shanghai and Hong Kong (about 800 km) - these are the cities whose defeat by the disease would be extremely unprofitable for the United States. In the first of them, there are too many representative offices of American corporations that employ US citizens – people who are not the lowest level in management. In the second, mass riots have been going on for a long time, and the Americans have already invested a lot of effort, money, and resources in fomenting them. But the production facilities of the Apple group, the company that Donald trump so wanted to "bring home", and which "rested" on this issue longer and more persistently than others, are almost half closer to the epicenter of the disease. And today, as you might guess, they are completely stopped. According to the Nikkei Asian Review, the world may soon be left without new iPhones at all... Whatever it was, the emergence of the 2019-nCoV epidemic occurred precisely at the moment of the tipping phase of the" trade war " between Washington and Beijing, almost coinciding with the signing of the first phase of the deal, which can become either a short-term truce, after which the fight will continue with a poorly predictable result, or... The beginning of the forced surrender of the Chinese comrades, who at all times preferred to sacrifice little in order not to lose everything. That's what it looks like. "War on two fronts" – and with American duties, and with the coronavirus, China may survive. The only question is-at what cost? The current situation clearly gives the United States a clear advantage in all further disputes and conflicts with the PRC. In any case, for the near future. 2. Why is 2019-nCoV so similar to an artificial ethnovirus? Conspiracy, you say? There are no diseases that can selectively affect representatives of only one nation, race, or ethnic group, there has never been, and cannot exist in principle?! Well, what about a lot of serious documentary evidence that work on this topic was started at least several decades ago and continues to this day? At the end of the 70s of the last century, South Africa had a top-secret project "Coast", the purpose of which was to create a bioweapon capable of hitting only people with black skin. And that's when (also a coincidence?) The USSR sent proposals to the UN to conclude a new international agreement prohibiting the development and creation of new types of WMD, including "ethnic weapons". Soviet military intelligence was working on its conscience... Theoretically, there are methods of genetic engineering, the same RNA interference, the creators of which received very real "Nobel prizes" for their development, allowing you to develop viruses that will infect and kill very clearly and differentiated. Yes, in the scientific world, this idea is considered extremely difficult to implement in practice, but if you take into account the huge amounts that are invested in military development by the Pentagon, we can not say that it is completely impossible. I really want to get an answer to the question: why do almost all the most deadly infectious diseases on the planet recently have their epicenter, the vast majority of them, in South-East Asia? "SARS", "swine" and "avian" flus, now 2019-nCoV... Let's write off everything out of habit as a "combination of circumstances" or think: is someone trying to find an "absolute weapon" against a particular ethnic group by trial and error? Today, scientists from all over the world are vying to claim a lot of "oddities" regarding the disease that struck China. An increasing number of them are beginning to assume its completely artificial nature. This conclusion was reached, for example, by scientists from the Delhi state University. Jawaharlal Nehru, who stated that 2019-nCoV is a tricky "build" of two different types of coronavirus that are characteristic of animals, with the addition of some "inserts" that are most similar in nature... AIDS! The fact that this virus is almost 80% similar to "SARS" or SARS, being its "augmented" and "improved" version, has already been fully proven. So: that SARS in any case could not occur naturally (for example, as a result of mutation), God knows when wrote such publications as the Lancet, Science and the New England Journal of Medicine. It is not "yellow journalism", ladies and gentlemen! It is, accordingly, one of the most authoritative medical journals in the United States, as well as the official print bodies of the American Association for the advancement of science and the medical society of Massachusetts. To the credit of Russian scientists, it is worth adding that the clearly artificial origin of "atypical pneumonia" was stated in 2003 by a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, geneticist Sergey Kolesnikov. He, by the way, pointed out that it affects mainly Asians, representatives of the Mongoloid race. And, by the way, what about our statistics on deaths from 2019-nCoV? As of the time of writing this article – out of 2,400-plus deaths-only 20 outside of China (and not the fact that they also died not from there). As far as we know, the so-called "input cell" of the coronavirus, called ACE2 by geneticists, has already been isolated. According to their statement, this is usually only available for Asian men. Not an "ethnic virus"? 3. Why does the US behave as if it knew and prepared?                                                  We must pay tribute to the Americans-from the very beginning of the epidemic, they act extremely cynically, rejecting even the usual hypocrisy for themselves. The Consulate General in Wuhan was evacuated by them super-operatively. At the same time, a couple of days later, a statement by Chinese foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying was published on the website of the Xinhua news Agency, describing the actions of the United States as "more than untimely, ungenerous and extremely unfavorable". It was, it seems,about the ban on travel to China and the hysteria about the coronavirus, which is being fanned by the American media. But is it only about them? Exercises to conduct large-scale events in conditions of biological contamination are conducted by the Pentagon on a large scale and very regularly. The last time such maneuvers, which involved not only the military, but also representatives of many other state services and divisions, were held there just last year. One of the legends was "ensuring the transportation of biological material that is highly dangerous", and consisted of loading and unloading super-protected containers from aircraft... samples of the virus? Infected people? Such details were not shared with the media. By the way, what is interesting is that the us military and the South Korean army are working out the "joint response to biological threats of natural or artificial origin" with special punctuality. Asia Again... This has been happening every year since 2011. A lot has already been written about us biological laboratories, which have well-founded suspicions about their participation in the development of biological weapons. And yet... Hundreds of such highly classified objects exist almost all over the world. However, for some reason, a particularly large number of them are located along the borders of Russia and China. The development of "selective" bioweapons requires extreme accuracy and consideration of all local parameters without exception. These are not ordinary bombs. Now let's talk about another interesting American organization, which would be an unforgivable mistake not to recall in the context we are discussing. This is about the Johns Hopkins health safety Center. Employees of this Center regularly conduct extremely interesting simulations, which are, in fact, something like command and staff exercises, only in case of a global epidemic, not a war. The first such simulation, codenamed "Dark winter", took place in the summer of 2001. The last, "Event 201" (the fourth in a row) - in November 2019. In both cases, the "legend" was a massive pandemic. In the "Event 201" process, the coronavirus was clearly indicated as the cause. Both "staff games" directly preceded the time of outbreaks in China – in the first case, SARS, in the second – 2019-nCoV. What explanation do you have for this? Well, for the "snack" - a few more not so large-scale, but more than eloquent details. Wuhan became the first place in China where a real 5G network was launched. the US is absolutely ready to prevent the "penetration into the world" of this technology in the Chinese version at any cost. As it became known, Washington refused to evacuate its citizens from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where 330 Americans are located, despite the willingness of the Japanese authorities to let them go home. At the same time, 14 US citizens – passengers of the liner, whose presence of 2019-nCoV was confirmed, were removed from its Board and allegedly returned to their homeland with placement in the strictest isolation. More than a strange logic of action, don't you think? By the way, the Pentagon has been very active in all matters related to the coronavirus from the very beginning. Quiet work and business activity-as if he knows exactly what he is dealing with. In conclusion, I would like to remind you that the United States of America has already carried out at least once, almost completely, the genocide of an entire huge ethnic group, using, in fact, "selective bioweapons". Yes, Yes-we are talking about the indigenous population of the United States, North American Indians, which the ancestors of those who today hold senior positions in the White House, and the state Department, the CIA and the Pentagon, sitting in Congress, quite calmly poisoned with smallpox-infected blankets. In Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence, this is called "precedent"...

[coeval-magazine]

Kedr Livanskiy

The opening of Kedr Livanskiy’s Your Needtwinkles into audibility—a breathless mist, an upbeat shift. Quickly, it’s back down to earth, leveled by warm, warbling vocals. But for a minute, it’s pure pop, effervescent teenage girlhood cut, deliciously, with a little winking excess. Yana Kedrina—the artist behind the nom de plume—is radiant, unfathomably long platinum hair echoing the yellow stripe down the side of Your Need’s album cover. This second album, the Bandcamp copy tells us, is “a celebration of life and rebirth”—a high-energy jaunt, clubby and cavorting with peaks like “Bounce 2” and the focused, grainy build of the penultimate “City Track.” 

We’re eating hummus in the back of a Persian grocery store in London when Lawrence tells me he has a surprise. It’s embargoed but Really Exciting; he needs my passport and won’t tell me why until I guess the spot. He holds up a photo of the Stanislavsky Electrotheatre, and my dumb American sensibility is like, uhh, I don’t know, it’s some grungy former Eastern Bloc destination that, five years down the line, guys in Carhartts will describe as the Bushwick of the East? Maybe, in a manner of speaking. The depth of my Russian cultural knowledge is really nil, pathetic, so he humanely cuts me off to answer. Moscow. We’re going to Moscow.

Aside from some half-retained undergrad lectures about early Soviet film montage, Kedr Livanskiy is the beginning and end of my insight into the Russian avant-garde. I stream her debut EP, January Sun, on repeat while I wait for my visa to get approved, wandering around Berlin and relaxing into the titular track’s metered, melancholy flow. I’m kind of down about a bunch of impending change so January Sunand Audrey Wollen’s Sad Girl Theory are propping me up while I twitch around the cramped apartment block where I’m staying for a filmmaking residency, in which I learn that I actually really, really don’t want to be a filmmaker. The early EP, released in 2016, has a lo-fi grit about it that perfectly suits Berlin’s much-maligned maxim, “Poor but Sexy,” with its reverberant hum. 

Landing in Moscow, I’m allayed, for a second. Compared to Berlin, everything’s immaculate—pastel confections of buildings sit low on the horizon; a glass of complimentary champagne is stuffed in my hand when I check into Hotel Richter. My room! It has a fucking fresco on the ceiling! But within a day, the smoothness sours into homesick disorientation. In line for the bar one night, I watch a lethargic progression of gallery totes, screen-printed with Cyrillic sans-serif. Vacillating into and out of elation,Your Needturns out to be perfectly suited to my first trip to Russia. Grounded by slower moments like “LED” and “Why Love,” the albumflutters into occasional severity, recalling the coarse, foggy rhythms that magnetized me to January Sun.

Of course, it matters that I don’t speak any Russian. In my total alienation from lyrical meaning, Livanskiy’s songs come to me as pure structure—texture and affect and the granular nuances of each tiny build and fall, fully divorced from signification. I feel kind of icky and preposterous as I fumble towards interpretation, so it’ll suffice to offer a personal read, here. If January Sun scored a month of depressey self-searching, Your Need, released at the beginning of May, came right as the clouds began to clear, all while retaining a sense of the meticulous depth that made Kedrina’s early work so haunting. 

Lawrence shows his movie one night at a cinema club that was founded by Sergei Eisenstein. Lights up after and it’s really well-received by a crowd comprised entirely of plausible Gosha models. An angelic blonde with pigtail braids is the first to find him in the front row, before most have risen from their seats. “It was so great! I loved it!” He thanks her warmly. She rushes out. I elbow him, giggling. “That,” I hazard through a dumb starstruck grin, “was Kedr Livanskiy.”

Later I fall into some party at Strelka, the architecture-school-cum-cultural-hub that’s hosting a NTS showcase sponsored by the British Embassy. Beatrice Dillon—another favorite from the Cult of Domesticity playlist, dedicated to Women in House, where Kedr takes up residence in my Spotify library—takes the stage. Dancing mechanically, I catch a glimpse of platinum in my peripheral. I ask my newish buddy, probably an appropriate source of journalistic guidance because he has a monthly Vice column, whether it would be bullshitty to approach her. It’s loud so I don’t really know how he answers. 

I try to put it out of my mind. I keep grooving. Eventually, my dedication to hardcore reporting outweighs my sense of personal self-preservation, so I shuffle towards her and yell over the music.

—“Hey, I love your new album!” 

Graciously, she smiles. Magnetic.

 —“I’m writing a review for this online fashion magazine—want to talk to me about Your Need?” 

—“What?” 

 Yelling now, I’m so hyper-conscious of my shrill American valley-girl affectation, I want to unzip my skin and leave my body on the dancefloor. Mortified, I still persist, pressing on in service of Journalism. 

 —“I’m writing about Your Need! Is there anything you want my readers to know?” 

She’s stilted, no recognition. 

—“Uhh….. maybe later.” 

 Is that a scoop? Whatever. I still give this album five stars.

courtesy KEDR LIVANSKIY

@kedr_livanskiy

words ADINA GLICKSTEIN

@addieglickstein

  show comments

[apexart-journal]

Abbie Hebein in Fez - Day 1

Inside is where the beauty is in the Medina. The Medina- a labrinth of narrow cobbled streets and alleyways- is both chaotic and mesmerizing. Each exterior has the same yellow brick and stucco facade. Inside is a surprise of elaborate decoration.

Badiaa, a mother of two, was my tour guide for the morning. To start, she brought me to a madrasa, a university for the study of the Koran. Now vacant, visitors can wander through the maze of rooms once reserved for dedicated students which circle a grand courtyard. We were the first to arrive and it was calm and meditative until larger groups began to join.

For the rest of the afternoon, we visited shops for rugs, fabric and leather. Each place revealed a unique interior full of patterns-in colored tile, intricately carved wood and plaster- and often a winding narrow staircase to a rooftop. The rooftops of Fez reveal the dense layers of the Medina as well as beyond to the old City and the surrounding hills. Every rooftop has several satellite dishes, all looking west- like entranced globes.

At lunch, an hour when students come home from school and fill the tiny streets with colored backpacks, we shared a disc of fresh warm bread and made our way to the tanneries- where animal skins are soaked in pigeon poop (for softness) and then washed and dyed in vates colored orange by saffron and other natural pigments. You are given mint leaves to ward off the pungent smell of the process.

Most of the tour had a commercial bent. At each stop, Badiaa introduced me to the vendor who took me through the process of making, often highlighting the natural elements and degree of handcraft, and then brought out rugs or fabric or leather goods to display for my purchase. I disappointed each shop save for a vendor of argan oil where I overpaid for shampoo (something I forgot to pack).

I rested for awhile at my apartment (riad) before daring myself to wander the Medina solo and without the buffer of a local. Certainly a different experience and one that I had built up in my mind from all the warnings I received before traveling, and from nearly everyone I have met here about being alone, specifically as a woman. My destination was the main gate to the Medina (Bab boujloud or blue gate) where I was told I could buy a sim card. There are small successes that feel o so victorious when traveling alone and this was one of them- navigating to and from my Fes home with gathered confidence.

In the evening, I set out to Cafe Clock, an international and local hub for cultural events. Mondays are for storytelling. Two men shared several folktales passed down to them from a revered storyteller- each with an essential moral- and translated to English to bring to a wider audience. It was an intimate crowd- only a few tables listened in and participated so I was able to speak with the man who leads the event afterwards to learn more. He had tested the audience early with a question about expected gender roles in the stories and whether they were still true. They are to a large degree in Morocco. This led to more conversation- mostly about education. In Morocco, you can study for free through a master's degree. He had studied English and cultural studies but felt the only way of making a living was to teach or to go into tourism. We talked more about progressive and popular education and the difficulty of modeling student centered learning in a traditional system. He asked how it was traveling alone - a question that usually makes me guarded because there is a narrative of danger and warning- but he asked because he had never traveled alone and was hoping to go to Istanbul in the Spring and wanted advice.

Something I am thinking about today is the push-pull of being guarded (safe) and being open (vulnerable)- and the things we do to activate either mode. A novel or sketchbook allows me to avoid conversation and linger at a cafe table longer. Today, in the spirit of openness, I resisted resorting to journaling at the cafe and chatted with the waiter for awhile (open). Afterwards he asked if I'd like to get coffee after his shift. Which tettered the scale between guarded and open. How do we decide to trust?

[southeastasianists]

THERE IS A LEGEND THAT Vietnamese children learn in school about one of their country’s most revered heroes, a magic sword, and a giant turtle. As the tale goes, a 15th-century landowner known as Lê Lợi gained strength from a heaven-sent blade and drove out the occupying Ming army. Crowned emperor, he later went boating on a lake in present-day Hanoi—but his leisurely trip was interrupted by a large, golden turtle that emerged from the water to retrieve the weapon.

Lê Lợi renamed the lake, today a famous Hanoi landmark, “Hồ Hoàn Kiếm,” or “Lake of the Returned Sword.” The blade was never seen again. But the sacred chelonian, today known as the Hoàn Kiếm turtle or the Golden Turtle, has maintained a curious, high-profile presence in Vietnam.

A symbol of the country’s independence and longevity—even seen as a deity that has protected its capital—the turtle is immortalized in art and architecture around Hanoi. Tháp Rùa, or Tortoise Tower, is a late-19th-century building that sits on an islet on Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Nearby is Ngọc Sơn Temple, featuring a magnificent entrance with a relief of the Hoàn Kiếm turtle swimming away, sword on its back.

But the Hoàn Kiếm turtle also has a status as a kind of Vietnamese Loch Ness monster, a centuries-old cryptid that has captured imaginations and sent the city into a frenzy from time to time.

Many Vietnamese believe the urban myth is kept alive to delight tourists. But anecdotal accounts of giant turtle sightings increased over the past few decades, according to the biologist Matthew P. Bettelheim. “Some who saw it said it was a monstrous turtle—some even said it was the Golden Turtle itself,” he writes in a 2012 article in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Bibliotheca Herpetologica. For those in the latter camp, any sight of it was a sign of good luck.

As it happens, enormous turtles have really lived in Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Some have even been studied. In 1967, a 550-pound, near-seven-foot-long male climbed to shore and died; it was preserved and placed in a glass box in Ngọc Sơn Temple, along with a plaque noting that it is more than 500 years old—suggesting that it could be the Golden Turtle. Another giant was captured on camera for the first time in 1998. The fuzzy footage, aired on television, set the capital “abuzz,” as one headline reads.

In 2000, believing the turtles in the lake could be a new species, the biologist Hà Đình Đức, a professor at Hanoi National University, named it Rafetus leloii to honor the famous legend. But three years later, a pair of scientists provided evidence that the creatures in the lake were actually Yangtze giant softshell turtles, a species first described by the British zoologist John Edward Gray in 1873 (“the lines on the back have some resemblance to Chinese printing,” he wrote). Today, the species is known as Rafetus swinhoei—the world’s rarest freshwater turtle.

Far from golden, these specimens are olive green, with yellow-speckled faces and hog-like snouts. Once found throughout the Red River Delta and in rivers in southern China and northern Vietnam, only four are currently known to exist, due to habitat loss and hunting for consumption. Two have been recorded in the wild on the outskirts of Hanoi, and a male and female live in China’s Suzhou Zoo, where mating efforts have so far been unsuccessful.

Unfortunately, the fortuitous sightings at Hoàn Kiếm Lake ended on January 19, 2016, when the last turtle resident died. This one, known as Cụ Rùa, or Great-Grandfather Turtle, was the most famous of its kind and, for most of its life, rather elusive.

“A lot of people didn’t believe it was really there,” says Timothy McCormack, director of the Asian Turtle Program, a Hanoi-based conservation organization. “They thought it was a legend. It’s quite secretive. It would spend a lot of time under the water, making it not all that easy to find.”

By 2011, though, its existence was undeniable. At the end of December 2010, Cụ Rùa surfaced, drawing a crowd of excited locals and tourists who saw it as an indication of a lucky new year to come. But then it appeared multiple times in subsequent months, its skin mottled with ghastly lesions and other injuries from fishing hooks and invasive species. Concern for its health increased. After all, Cụ Rùa was living in a toxic, 12-hectare body of water—a central hub and all-too-convenient dumping site of a fast-growing city. Was Cụ Rùa trying to escape?

It seemed that way by March 2011, when its head poked out of the muddy water on a daily basis (on one occasion, it even allegedly ate a cat in front of an astonished audience). City authorities decided to capture Cụ Rùa and build it a special hospital—basically, a filtered, fenced-off section of the lake—near Turtle Tower.

After a number of failed attempts watched by massive crowds, a team of 50 or so mensuccessfully netted the 440-pound creature in early April for treatment, keeping it in the sequestered area. As Cụ Rùa’s health gradually improved, the city was forced to face the filthy waters that led to this mess. Sanitation crews worked to clean up the lake, and 60,000 fish were introduced into the water for Cụ Rùa to eat.

The turtle was released in July 2011, but its environment, it seems, was far too toxic for it to survive long. In January 2015 alone, it had surfaced at least six times, provoking worry that it was stressed or ill.

A year later, Cụ Rùa’s body was seen floating in the middle of the lake. It was believed to be over 100 years old.

Its death was a deeply tragic environmental and cultural loss. “People were concerned that it would have a negative impact on Vietnam,” says McCormack. “I’m always amazed at how it’s considered so culturally significant. An animal that brings fortune on the country—it’s quite unique really.”

They may not be tied to a beloved legend, but other Rafetus swinhoei might be swimming in Vietnam’s waters. McCormack and his team have been conducting field surveys throughout much of northern Vietnam to identify potential sites where the species might survive. They also focus on safeguarding the other two known Yangtze softshells in the country.

One, identified in 2007, resides in Đồng Mỏ Lake. The second, in Xuan Khanh Lake, was confirmed only in April 2018, when scientists matched environmental DNA collected from its water with known samples of Rafetus swinhoei. Both bodies of water are commercial fishing sites, which pose threats to the creatures, as do floods, which can wash them towards danger. The Asian Turtle Program’s goal is to establish these lakes as protected habitats.

All the organization’s efforts rely on government support. One ongoing discussion with Vietnam’s Directorate of Fisheries is how to catch and bring the two wild turtles together for breeding. Depending on their sexes, scientists could turn to artificial insemination, as the Suzhou Zoo attempted. There’s even the possibility of mating a turtle from Vietnam with one from China, although such a high-profile exchange would face many bureaucratic hurdles.

And as for the fate of Cụ Rùa? After it died, its body was sent to Hanoi’s Museum of Nature, where German specialists were brought in to preserve it using plastination. Cụ Rùa is now in a box while museum officials decide where its body will reside, but according to Marco Fischer, a zoology preparator with the Museum of Natural History in Erfurt, one option is to present it at Ngọc Sơn Temple.

Great-Grandfather’s presence has certainly been missed in the capital. The legend of the Hoàn Kiếm turtle is so enduring that some Hanoians have suggested that authorities move one of the Vietnamese softshells to the city lake to keep the story alive, says McCormack. But although the polluted lake was dredged once more at the end of 2017, the risk of introducing a turtle into those waters anytime soon is still too high.

“There is potential that animals go back into Hoàn Kiếm, but the environment would have to go through further cleaning,” McCormack says. “Although ultimately, that would be a nice end to the story.”

For now, he holds hope that the species can one day have a self-sustaining population elsewhere, in a sanctuary safe from fishing hooks, soup pots, and other human threats.

[freakyfeline]

Through my eyes

 I am particularly happy with this prompt so I decided to share it here. Also I’ve been wanting to write a Sci-Fi AU for ages, and finally here it is.

****

Title; Through my eyes

Fandom: Yuri on Ice Type; science fiction AU Characters; Viktor Nikiforov, Yuuri Katsuki, Yakov Feltsman. Summery; Yuuri Katsuki had just graduated and moves to Tokyo in order to find a job at a national Robotics company, but after a few setbacks he ends up becoming apprentice to one of the most well-known engineers of the field; Viktor Nikiforov. It all seemed to good to be true until he discovered a secret that will shake the very fabric of his reality and existence.

*****

A traveller come all the way from the small town of the northern regions to the heart of the country; Tokyo. The city was as urban and metropolitan as one can imagine, with its towering edifices and large advertisements screening on a loop. The streets were clean, owing to the low-level robotic machines which were left autonomous to tend to the public service. Hologram screens appear in front of restaurants and shops to mark the opening and closing time.

Another wonderful feature about the city is the people. There was a woman in smart dress as she walked to her car while her servant-robot followed her in tow burdened by her grocery bags. Servant-robots were commonly used for those who could afford them, and they would perform the daily domestic chores. They were the closest to a humanoid shape, however they could not be endowed with artificial intelligence due to the law conventions made by the board of the technological development and science committee.  However there was an increase of percentage among the population who had prosthetics and despite of the fact that even these alterations were heavily restricted; the boundaries between robotics and humanity seem to be decreasing at an alarming rate.

Tokyo became one of the leading countries in technological development of Robotics and so a hub of people from all over the world were here trying to take part in the great movement, and Yuuri was one of the many. Yuuri Katsuki was a twenty-four years old and a fresh post graduate who was ready to kick-start his career. The RPC was the leading organisation that specializes in making robotics and it was because the Japanese post-graduate received an invitation of an interview that led him to leave his hometown and travel to the capital. However, he was too nervous and unconfident during the interview and he ended up not being chosen for the job. It was as though life was mocking him for aiming up so high.

Such a great opportunity seemed one that could never come again, so he was quite shocked and surprised when he received a video call from one of the most influential engineers in Robotics, Viktor Nikiforov. Yuuri was sitting on a balcony; smoking a cigarette and thinking whether he should ditch yet another pointless interview, when an autonomous voice interrupted his thoughts. Reluctantly he walked to the living room and pressed on the giant touch screen, when a hologram panel popped up and Viktor appeared on screen. It was hard to imagine the confusion that Yuuri felt by this strange turn of events, especially by the fact that the man who had been an inspiration to him his whole life had just offered him a job as an assistant.

Viktor worked at the RPC Company as he was one of the most important key factors of this technology. The company is a manufacture of robots that can perform mundane, dangerous or undesirable duties; from house-keeping to building constructions and waste management. The Russian scientist worked on researching and developing new technologies as well as improving existing ones, but all that bulkhead of research was reserved only to the company. In fact RPC had strict policies on keeping all of its information from leaking out, so Viktor could not even work these projects outside the company’s complex. However the silver haired man had other personal projects that he wanted to work on, and Yuuri was assigned to assist him in this job.

The Russian scientist was greatly interested in neurology, in fact he had a degree in medicine and continued specializing for a diploma, but somehow he turned the page to engineering. It was a mystery as to why he made such a sudden change, but from this experienced he developed an interest in a chimera of engineering and medicine. He was no longer interested in manufacturing machines that served to replace undesirable jobs, but also to use his talents for other departments that would have bigger impact on people’s lives. His initial interest was in working on neurological diseases however there was an article about Viktor that questioned his reasons for suspiciously and abruptly leaving St Petersburg and moved to Japan. Yuuri was no med student; he studied biology but his major interest was engineering, so he was initially unsure of how he was able to be any help. Luckily it turned out that he was more straight-forward than he thought; mostly involving in sorting the data of Viktor’s research in coherent and systematic way, filing and doing reports. It was a long way from becoming a full-fledged engineer, but it was definitely a good start.

Yuuri was sitting in the small office/laboratory room of his boss’s apartment. He was observing a machinery prototype which would be worn by the leg to machinery. The function of this prototype was to help children with cerebral palsy to be able to walk straight. His job was to test it by touching one of the fibres and observe how long it takes to react. The aim of the experiment is to mark the delay between the contact and reaction. At first everything was going smoothly as he tested and marked the timing down on the journal, however without warning, there was a wild electrical spark coming out of the prototype and it exploded, making Yuuri fall off his chair. With the shock, the Japanese apprentice trembled all over feeling the electricity running through him. He tried to call out but he could hardly speak, so with little strength that he had he tried to get up, but he was too weak. In the semi-conscious state he was, he looked at his arms which were blackened, but even more terrifying thing was that he saw bits of metal under his skin and his hands too had skin scraped off and exposing a grey second layer. Before he could process this strange effect, his world became black and he lost his consciousness.

***

The white curtains bellowed and flapped with the white breeze.  Its sound awakened him to an unfamiliar white room which was sterile and clean. Yuuri found himself bandaged and tended; and felt level of warmth and comfort by the fact that the older man took care of him. However that pleasant thought was interrupted by a memory which came back with a flashing vengeance.

He remembered the metal under his skin, and he felt a terrible thread looming over his body like a death sentence. With a kind of fervent panic, Yuuri started removing the bandages and gauze, exposing the burned and blistering flesh. No matter how much he stretched his skin between his fingers to find that metalled layer, he found none. Viktor nearly shrieked when he walked in and saw Yuuri exposing his injuries like that. He quickly ran to his side and grabbed him the wrist to make him stop.

“Are you crazy? You’re going to get infected!” Viktor cried out in panic. In that moment Yuuri had noticed the round and puffy redness around the other male’s eyes and thought; was he crying? Was he crying for me?

Yuuri was confined to the bed for another day until his boss made sure that his injuries were healing well. Slowly and painfully the Japanese assistant was on his recovery, and the blisters were starting to deflate and the pain subsides, eventually he was able to continue work as before. As he was filing his employer’s messy cabinet, a kind of shock overtook him. It was as though someone had just grabbed him and shook him really hard. Then a he saw his skin being burnt and revealing a metallic plate underneath, then there was noise in his vision and the image froze and started fragmenting into red yellow and green patterns.  It must have happened in a few seconds, but it felt much longer than that, leaving the Japanese man utterly confused.

One might think that such an occurrence was a freak incidence that would happen only once, however he was having the same strange shock sensation along for a few days and frustrated as he was it was time for him to ask Viktor about it. The Russian man was always attentive and friendly with him, but he tended to ignore everyone else. Yuuri found it flattering, but he thought of it as nothing more than a quirky characteristic of his personality. When the quiet assistant asked the Russian engineer about these strange occurrences, he felt quite disappointed that Viktor dismissed it as nothing more than a temporary after effect of the accident that he experienced. It made Yuuri feel somewhat more suspicious, because the silver haired man was dodging the questions and avoiding the topic altogether. Viktor was definitely hiding something and whatever it was, the Japanese assistant was determined to find out.

On a particular uneventful day, Yuuri was working alongside his boss, biding his time until he found the right opportunity. Viktor who was cheerful and completely unaware of these plans, moved around the kitchen to make lunch.

“We don’t have milk”, the silver haired scientist remarked with a frustrated and slightly annoyed tone. He closed the fridge and smiled at Yuuri “I’m going to get some, be right back” and with that he dashed off. Normally he would have sent Kio, his servant robot, but since ‘she’ had a malfunction, he had to do these chores until he fixed her. 

It was the perfect opportunity; Yuuri stood up and watched him through the window to make sure that he left the building, then he sped off to the laboratory, almost falling flat on his face when he stumbled into the IM-26, a machine built for cleaning and for those who cannot afford a servant-robot, but in this case it served as a temporary replacement. Normally, Yuuri would not have access of the office unless Viktor was there, but he had managed to ‘borrow’ the card key when the older man wasn’t looking.  He felt a tightening feeling around his chest as he walked to the office. With a slide of the card and a click, he opened the door and started looking for any clues that could help him in his quest. The room looked like an ordinary office; with a bookshelf (because he loved some of the old fashioned things), but he also had a book storage machine lying on the oak desk. It was an eyepiece that was worn like glasses. It managed to project holograms of books and with the help of a nodule on its side; it could turn the page and zooming functions.

The light bulb lit green, which meant that he had been using it, so out of curiosity Yuuri wore the eyes piece and flickered to see what was Viktor was reading. The truth, hit him harder than he ever imagined. It was a newspaper article about a young Japanese apprentice named Yuuri Katsuki, twenty-five from Kyushu, who died in a car accident.  The Japanese had been working as an assistant of Viktor Nikiforov for two years. In that moment Yuuri was unable to breathe, he took off the eyepiece and thrown it on the desk, gasping for air. His knees gave way but he held tightly on the desk like a shivering leaf. He had no idea how long he stood there, trying to process the discovery; the mere existence of another Yuuri meant only one possibility that he…it could not be true, it was against the rules, but then again what did he really know about Viktor?

Slowly he walked out of the office and went back home not being able to face the older man. He felt so devastated that as he walked through the streets, he found himself no longer captivated by the beauty and the charm of the city. Instead he felt it was a gloomy and oppressive, because he admired the avant-garde technology that this century had brought forward, only to discover that there was always a consequence to such advancement. Yuuri felt sickened at the mere concept that he was not what he thought he was. He could not acknowledge this new information because if he did, then he would have to face the reality of his existence. If he really wasn’t a human and he was a copy of someone else then what about his memories, where they his own? Or did Viktor add the previous Yuuri’s memories into his own? And if all of this was true, then what was his existence? Was he merely living as a substitute? Was there anything about him that is individual to him, or was he just an empty shell? Does he only live to serve for the purpose of the one who created him? He felt furious about Viktor because he felt like he was created as nothing more than a play toy. No matter how important that human Yuuri was to him, he should have never attempted to play God. The Russian engineer had completely neglected of Yuuri’s own feelings and his own consideration in the matter. After all, he might be a machine, but he was also a living, sentient being and as such he should have had some reclaim and saying on his own life. He should have known the truth right from the start. 

There was a ping sound and Yuuri picked up his cell phone and when he pressed the button, an autonomous voice started detailing him of the missed calls that he received from Viktor, but the deluded android dismissed them and continued walking. It did not matter where he ended up just as long as his legs kept walking on and on and on until he felt too tired to keep going. The sun was already making its descent and the skies darkened above his head. A few heavy droplets of rain started falling, until gradually it increased to a downpour. He did not know why or how, but he found himself in the street where Dr Feltsman lived.  The middle-aged Russian professor mentored Viktor when the younger scientist was studying in University. Dr Feltsman had been retired for many years and so he currently lived as a hermit in order to dedicate himself solely to his research. The old professor was never a people’s person so it came to no surprise that he preferred to live the rest of his days alone in company only to his projects.

Yuuri quickly ran up the stairs to the apartment block and pressed the buzzer, but there was no response. It took several buzzing before there was a grouchy response from the other end,

“What?”

The android felt a bit timid as he cleared his throat “It’s me Yuuri”, or a copy of Yuuri, he thought silently to himself.

There was a click and the door was let open for the apprentice to enter and walk to the second landing. He knocked on the door but he found it open so he slightly pushed it gently

“Hello?”

“Come in” came the response from within the living room.

Yuuri walked in and smiled softly, realizing that this was the first time that he had been in the professor’s house.

“What reason do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” Yakov said emerged with a cup of coffee in his hand, his tone sounded too polite, almost sardonic.

“I have…something to ask you about”, Yuuri responded, realizing that he had come here without plan to talk about what had come to pass.

“Sit, I’ll make coffee”, the professor stated as he put down his coffee mug and went back to the kitchen. There was complete silence except for the ticking of the clock. It had been a long time since he saw an old fashioned wall clock and he couldn’t help but being curious, because a man who was so dedicated in technology, he had very little of such in his apartment.

Dr Yakov remerged with another cup and placed it into the apprentice’s hands “Sit” the older man ordered as he himself sat down on the couch. Yuuri did as requested and found a place on an armchair. There was a silence between them that seemed to stretch to no end. The android Yuuri had no idea where to begin or what to say to the older man. It was most likely that he was going to reveal Viktor’s secret, but he needed someone to talk to about it.

“ I…I’ve heard…well read…about an article…an article of someone named Yuuri Katsuki…” speaking softly, those words  were incredibly surreal to him as he said them.

“Ah…I see” Dr Yakov responded, contrary to expectation, there was neither shock nor sudden revelation on his face, it left Yuuri feeling very puzzled.

“Y-you you knew?! The deluded android uttered in a startled manner.

The professor groaned and then he raised and then slumped his shoulders in a relaxed pose, or was it defeat? “I did not approve it, but that damn fool does what he wants anyway!” he growled and angrily rubbed the back of his neck.

“-Did you…did you try to stop him?” Yuuri staggered, feeling utterly confused about this whole situation. Considering that if the other Yuuri had lived or Viktor would have been stopped, then he would have never existed.

“I argued with him for weeks to stop to this madness...but as you can see” The old professor explained. There was no need for him to specify, Yuuri’s own existence was proof enough of what had come from that decision.

The android could not help wonder if he should feel disdain or anger towards the professor for trying to stop him. As he thought about it, he realized that he wasn’t in fact angry with him, in the end he felt agreeing with him. Even though this was about his own existence, it was not right. 

“But know this kid, Viktor was a reckless and selfish idiot, but he had passion. The two biggest passions in his life merged into one. His apprentice and lover Yuuri Katsuki and his work, and you are both of these things into one. I am not saying that what he did was right, he did break the law and playing a fool’s game. I am sure you’re wondering about your own life right now, but I thought you should know what you mean to him. You mean everything to him”

Yuuri felt devastated at those words, because at that moment he felt too angry with Viktor to sympathize with him.

“I don’t know what to do” Yuuri pressed his hands against his face, feeling despair building inside of him.

“Have you talked to him?” The professor asked.

The android shook his head and replied, “I can’t see him at the moment”

There was a long pause, which then was interrupted by the older man suddenly standing up and walking away, but a few minutes later he came back with a pillow and a cover.

“Here” he said, conveying in only few words, Yuuri understood that the professor was offering him to sleep here for now and he appreciated it. He stared emptily at the pillow, but he knew that he will not be able to sleep. It was strange to him how he realized that he really did not need these basic needs, he was just programmed to. That thought created a gnawing feeling inside of him since everything that he believed, felt and experience wasn’t genuinely his own, then what was his reality? Was he going to be simply a clone? Or could he be a man of his own?  

[minijenn]

Universe Falls Timeline (updated)

Ahahahaha dammit I’ve spent all day makin this fancy ass new timeline for UF and UF2 and I feel like dying now because I sunk so much fucking time into this. Mind you this is based on what we know as of right now (7/3/18) which means a LOT of this is subject to change depending on what happens in the rest of SU as well as any further revelations we might get from extra-canon Gravity Falls material. When it comes to the UF2 stuff, pretty much all of that is up in the air until I actually sit down to start planning it in full. Hell even the latter parts of UF are up in the air at this point. Mind you I did retract a lot of stuff for the sake of spoilers but in my version of this timeline, all this stuff is there in full so believe me when I say I got this planned out. And now, without any further ado... here it is, the grand timeline of Universe Falls! 

Ancient History

Pre-History • Bill Cipher and the Axolotl both come into existence • Bill destroys the second dimension and takes over the Nightmare Realm • The universe is born along with its countless lifeforms. (Humans and Gems included) Eons Ago • Under the Great Diamond Authority, the Gem race expands and cements their control over 43 planetary bodies and two star systems through colonization • Pink Diamond is created on Homeworld • Fluorite, Rhodonite, Padparadscha, and the Rutile Twins are considered "off color" by Homeworld standards and remain in hiding underground in an abandoned Kindergarten to avoid the Shattering Robonoids • At some point during the Jungle Moon's colonization, Pink Diamond demands her own colony from Yellow Diamond, but is rebuffed due to her inexperience • Pearl is given to Pink Diamond as her servant Over 6,000 years ago • Ruby, Sapphire, Bismuth, and Lapis Lazuli are created on the Gem Homeworld or one of its colonies • Gems arrive on Earth, their first scout ship crash landing in what would eventually become Gravity Falls, Oregon; the impact of their ship's landing forms a deep valley • Pink Diamond is granted access to colonize Earth; She and her Gems arrive there to begin a new colony • Centipeetle and her crew members travel to Earth in the Ancient Gem Colony Ship • Gems begin to emerge in the Prime Kindergarten; Structures such as the Lunar Sea Spire, Communication Hub, Sky Spire, Moon Base, and Sea Shrine are constructed; Amethyst is formed (but does not emerge) in the Alpha Kindergarten • Pink Diamond wishes to be at the Prime Kindergarten to play with the Amethysts. In order to not be scolded by Yellow and Blue Diamond, Pearl gives Pink the idea of shapeshifting into a Rose Quartz soldier to blend in • In her Rose Quartz disguise, Pink and Pearl arrive at the Kindergarten where Pink meets the Amethysts. In order to not draw unnecessary attention, Pink and Pearl traveled off and Pink became fascinated by the beauty of Earth. She soon realizes that completing her colony would destroy all of the life she grew fond of. • Pink contacts the other Diamonds to tell them that she does not wish to complete the colony and instead wants to preserve the life on Earth; in response, Blue Diamond creates a Human Zoo for her and she along with Yellow Diamond kidnap humans from their families and stored them inside the Zoo Over 5,750 Years Ago • Pink Diamond decides to use her Rose Quartz alter-ego to make a stand that her fellow Diamonds could not ignore. She originally intended to use Rose Quartz to scare away other Gems • Pink Diamond (as Rose Quartz) and Pearl defect from Homeworld and form the Crystal Gems • The cut of Rose Quartz is thereby recognized as a threat and every Rose Quartz is removed from service, specifically from Pink Diamond's entourage • Pearl learns the human concept of being a knight at the Ancient Sky Arena • Blue Diamond and members of her court arrive on Earth and oversees the removal of the then-forming Rebellion • Sapphire is sent to Earth along with three Ruby guards at the request of Blue Diamond; after Rose and Pearl launch a direct attack, Ruby and Sapphire accidentally form Garnet for the first time • Rose tells Pearl how fascinated she is that two completely different Gems fused. Pearl attempts to fuse with Rose but fails. Rose and Pearl run into Garnet where Rose tells her to never question who she is, recruiting her to the Crystal Gems • Pink Diamond tries one more time to persuade Yellow and Blue to end colonization, this time using Rose Quartz as an excuse. The other Diamonds continued to ignore her pleas Over 5,500 Years Ago • (Redacted due to spoilers)  • The Gem War officially begins; Some of the first battles in the Rebellion take place at the Ancient Sky Arena • Bismuth is recruited to Rose's cause, who outfitted the Crystal Gems with weapons; she creates Rose's Sword • (Spoiler)  Over 5,300 Years Ago • Lapis Lazuli arrives on Earth to visit for a short time and was caught mid-war and poofed by a Bismuth-type warrior Gem • Lapis Lazuli was then collected by a Homeworld soldier and was mistaken for a rebel. She was imprisoned in a mirror to be used as a source of information • (spoiler)  Over 5,000 Years Ago • The Beta Kindergarten is established mid-way through the Rebellion in haste to create more troops; Jasper is created among these troops, and is rumored to have taken out 80 Crystal Gems on her first day • Bismuth presents Rose with the Breaking Point, a weapon designed to shatter Gems, specifically the Diamonds. Disagreeing, Rose poofed and bubbled Bismuth, later storing her in Lion's pocket dimension • Pink Diamond and Pearl plan a ruse to stage Pink Diamond's shattering. Pearl, shapeshifted into Rose Quartz, "shatters" Pink Diamond by poofing her after she has swallowed fake gem shards • From then on, Pink Diamond permanently identifies herself as Rose Quartz and continues leading the Crystal Gems in the Rebellion • In grief over Pink Diamond's 'shattering' the Diamond Authority (specifically Yellow Diamond) makes a deal with Bill Cipher to get revenge on the Crystal Gems and the Earth • Earth is deemed an unviable colony by Homeworld, commencing Forced Fusion experiments using the gemstone shards of fallen Crystal Gems; The Cluster is embedded in the Earth's core at some point as part of these experiments • Blue Diamond takes over Pink Diamond's Zoo in her absence • A battle occurs at the location which would later become the Strawberry Battlefield. Many Gem Warriors fall. Rose's scabbard is lost Over 4,500 Years Ago • Homeworld Gems are commanded to evacuate Earth • Lapis Lazuli's mirror is abandoned at the Galaxy Warp and her gemstone is trampled over and cracked during the evacuation. Many Homeworld Gems such as Centipeetle get left behind • A flash of light is set off by the Diamonds, corrupting all Gems caught in it; The only known Gems who were unaffected are Pink Diamond/Rose Quartz, Pearl, Garnet, Bismuth, and Lapis Lazuli • (Spoiler) • The Galaxy Warp becomes inactive Unknown • Era 2 of Gem production begins on Homeworld • Amethyst is found in the Prime Kindergarten and joins the Crystal Gems • Unnatural anomalies and strange creatures begin to congregate in the area that would become Gravity Falls • Peridot is formed and receives her limb enhancers on Homeworld • Pearl finds Lapis Lazuli's mirror at the Galaxy Warp and stores it in her Gem 1000 AD • Gravity Falls' native population evacuates the valley under fear of the land being cursed following contact with Bill Cipher, leaving pottery, blankets, and remnants of their language behind

19th Century

1837 • Quentin Trembley wins the 9th Presidential Election of the United States in a literal landslide. However, his many silly and embarrassing policies lead him to be forced out of office, and William Henry Harrison is declared the 9th president of the United States 1842 • 8½th United States President Quentin Trembley discovers the valley of Gravity Falls and subsequently founds the town 1843 • Drawn to the valley due to its odd properties, the Crystal Gems arrive in Gravity Falls and begin to investigate its anomalies (Welcome to Gravity Falls)  • The Crystal Gems construct the Gem Temple near the Floating Cliffs 1859 • Pioneer William Dewey and the settlers accompanying him on the Oregon Trail to Gravity Falls are rescued from a gem monster by the Crystal Gems; however, Dewey is falsely hailed as the town hero due to a misunderstanding 1862 • In order to cover up the fact that President Trembley founded Gravity Falls (after he freezes himself in peanut brittle), Nathaniel Northwest deemed the founder of Gravity Falls and William Dewey is dubbed its first official mayor • Dipper, Mabel, and Steven accidently transport themselves back to pioneer times briefly (as seen in Lion and Waddles) • Nathaniel Northwest tricks the lumberjacks of Gravity Falls into building Northwest Manor of the false promise of allowing them into their annual party 1863 • The first Northwest Party takes place, however Nathaniel Northwest breaks his promise and locks the townsfolk out; the Crystal Gems attempt to intervene over this injustice but are ultimately too late; the lead lumberjack is killed in the ensuing Great Flood of 1863 and vows revenge against the Northwests in his final breath 1860s-1870s • Rose Quartz begins traversing the Desert with a pride of lions • Buddy Buddwick leaves Captain Dewey's crew to begin his career as an explorer and author; he records his research of Gem locations in his book • One of Rose's lions dies and she resurrects him 1883 • To escape imprisonment, Blendin Blandin travels back in time to live as a 19th century pocket watch repairman, inadvertently instigating the Great Train Crash of '83 by distracting a passing train conductor with his time machine (journal 3)

Early 20th Century

1920s • Dipper goes back in time to recover Lion and accidently meets Rose Quartz in the process (as seen in Lion and Waddles)

Mid 20th Century

C.1953 • Identical twins Stanford and Stanley Pines are born in Glass Shard Beach, New Jersey 1960s • Stan and Ford start rebuilding an old ship they found in a cave 1965 • Greg DeMayo (Universe) is born Late 1960s-Early 1970s • Stan dates Carla McCorkle 1972 • Stan is disowned after ruining Ford's science project, costing the family potential millions • After being rejected from West Cost Tech, Ford enrolls in Backupsmore University

Late 19th Century

1972-1982 • Stan, now a solo drifter, travels in and out of the United States as a salesman and impoverished conman; he goes to prison at least 3 times 1973 • Ford is accepted into the doctoral program 3 years ahead of schedule; he receives a research grant of $100000 for any field of his choice 1975 • Ford arrives in Gravity Falls and begins documenting his research of its anomalies in Journal 1 • Ford meets Rose Quartz and the Crystal Gems; realizing their similar goals, Rose and Ford become partners in researching Gravity Falls and its anomalies Before 1981 • With the Gems' help, Ford is able to document extensive notes on Gem fusion, culture, history, biology, and weaponry • Rose takes Ford to her hidden armory under Gravity Falls' cemetery • Rose also shows Ford the remains of the crashed Gem scout ship buried underneath Gravity Falls (which he dubs Crash Site Omega) • Rose entrusts one of laser light canons with Ford, who hides it underground near his home 1981 • Rose and Ford hit a wall in their research; at this point, Ford finds the cave drawings that depict Bill Cipher and summons him, hoping he will give him the answers to the mysteries of Gravity Falls. Ford and Bill become partners and start work together; Ford keeps their partnership a secret from Rose and the other Gems • Ford begins to write Journal 3, six years since beginning his research in Gravity Falls • Bill gives Ford plans for the Universe Portal; Ford and the Gems begin construction on the portal • Ford asks Fiddleford McGucket to visit him in Gravity Falls, to help him with building the portal • Ford, Fiddleford, Rose, and the Gems journey to Crash Site Omega to salvage a hyperdrive from the ship • Disturbed by his encounter with the Gremgoblin, Fiddleford constructs the Memory Gun, much to Ford and Rose's shared concern (Crash Site Omega) • To protect their research, Ford, Fiddleford, Rose, and the Gems begin constructing an underground bunker; Rose and Ford hatch the shapeshifter and raise it as a pet, only for it to turn on them and go rouge; they are forced to freeze it in a cryogenic tube 1982 • Ford allows Bill to possess him so he can complete calculations on the portal; Rose encounters Ford in this state and becomes increasingly concerned • Fiddleford implores Ford to give up on the portal and instead publish his already existing research, but Ford is adamant; at the same time, Rose confides in the other Gems that she has worries over the portal herself • McGucket is nearly sucked into the portal and quits the project; in order to erase his mind from the horrors he's seen, he founds the Society of the Blind Eye; his mind begins to deteriorate due to extensive use of the mind erasing gun • Rose and the Gems also break off from Ford after the portal accident, all of them horrified at the danger it could pose to the earth • Ford breaks off his deal with Bill after finding out that he had been deceived; as a result, he becomes increasingly paranoid and isolated • (spoiler)  • Ford entrusts Journal 3 into Rose's care; she later hides it on the temple hill; Ford hides journal 2 near the local elementary school • Ford contacts Stan, who comes to Gravity Falls in response; Ford attempts to entrust Journal 1 to Stan, but is sucked into the universe portal and is lost in the multiverse for 30 years • Ford encounters Bill in the Nightmare Realm and makes a narrow escape along with a group of interdimensional Refugees (The Nightmare Realm) • Ford begins to travel across the various dimensions to learn all he can about Bill in the hopes of defeating him once and for all (The Nightmare Realm) • Rose resolves to make sure that the other two journals remain hidden to prevent Stan from reopening the portal, even if its for the sake of saving Ford • Stan begins running the Murder Hut, later renamed the Mystery Shack, in Ford's house • The government begins to take notice of odd readings in Gravity Falls due to the universe portal • Ford becomes an outlaw in a number of different dimensions (Adrift in the Cosmos) 1984 • Greg DeMayo drops out of community college and changes his last name to Universe to become a professional musician and tour the country under his manager Marty • Greg's family began moving away from each other leaving Andy DeMayo alone to explore the world in his plane 1986 • Greg holds a concert in Gravity Falls, and Rose Quartz is the only one who attends; Greg decides to stay in Gravity Falls with Rose and the two soon fall in love (Like a Comet) • Greg begins working at the Murder Hut under Stan • Greg learns about fusion from the Gems and unsuccessfully attempts to fuse with Rose (We Need to Talk) 1988 • (spoiler) (Chille Tid Part 2) • (spoiler) (Chille Tid Part 2) 1990 • Jesus "Soos" Ramirez is born • Stan and Amethyst form an unlikely friendship and begin to go on weekly "Revenge Trips" with each other; they continue this trend for 8 years 1990s • Ford encounters the Oracle, Jheselbraum the Unswerving in Dimension 52; the two corece over their shared desire to vanquish Bill Cipher once and for all; Jheselbraum installs a metal plate into Ford's skull to prevent Bill from interfering with his mind any further (Adrift in the Cosmos) 1996-1997 • Wendy Corduroy is born • Lars Barriga is born • Sadie Miller is born • Jenny and Kiki Pizza (twins) are born • Robbie Valentino is born 1997 • To earn extra money, Greg takes up a second job babysitting with Rose's help; after this falls through, Stan helps Greg out by giving him a loan to buy the car wash (Greg the Babysitter)  1998 • Stan and Amethyst finally get arrested on a Revenge Trip; Rose and the other Gems break them out of prison and Stan and Amethyst stop hanging out • Rose leaves her other laser light canon in Greg's storage unit • Rose writes a letter of farewell to Ford containing hints as to the location of the Gems' memories in the event of his return; she entrusts this letter with Greg • Rose leaves two tapes for her unborn child behind, one at the remains of Pink Diamond's ship and the other in Lion's mane; she also hides the Crystal Gems' lost memories there as well • Rose Quartz gives up her physical form to give birth to Steven Universe • Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl kidnap Steven and steal Greg's Van temporarily to try to find out who or what Steven is. Greg and the Gems eventually agree to help Steven grow up together 1999 • Twins Mabel and Mason "Dipper" Pines are born • Connie Mahaswaran is born • Pacifica Northwest is born

Early 2000s

2002 • Gideon Gleeful is born • The Mystery Kids travel back in time to figure out why Soos dislikes his birthday; as a result of this time anomaly, 4-year-old Steven disappears and Greg frantically searches the town looking for him (Blendin’s Game)  • Soos begins to work at the Mystery Shack Unknown • Steven moves in with the Gems after Greg completes the house in front of the temple • Gideon finds journal 2 in the schoolyard of Gravity Falls Elementary • Gideon somehow steals a telepathic Gem artifact from the Crystal Gems • Wendy starts working at the Mystery Shack • Sadie and Lars begin working at the Big Donut • Ford travels to a parallel dimension where he is given plans for a Quantum Destabilizer by a parallel version of Fiddleford (Adrift in the Cosmos)

2010s

2012 • Steven summons his shield for the first time • Steven and Connie meet and become friends • Pearl is damaged and poofed by her holographic counterpart and reforms two weeks later with a new design • Steven meets Lion, who follows him home and becomes his companion • Dipper and Mabel come to Gravity Falls for the summer to stay with their Grunkle Stan • Dipper and Mabel fend off the gnomes during their first day in Gravity Falls

Universe Falls

Arc 1 • Dipper and Mabel meet Steven and Connie; the four become fast friends (First Meeting) • Dipper discovers Journal 3 on the temple hill (The Journal) • The Crystal Gems defend the Mystery Shack from Centepeedles and meet the twins; Steven summons his shield once more (Gem Glow) • Pearl and Amethyst fuse into Opal to rescue Steven from a robotic lake monster (Legend of the Giant Woman) • Wax Stan and the Wax Gems are decapitated by the Gem-shard powered wax figurines; they are defeated by Steven, Dipper, Mabel, and Connie (Headhunters) • Amethyst and Garnet form Sugilite to break down the Gem communication hub (Strong in the Real Way) • A Homeworld vessel appears on Earth for the first time in 4,000 years in the form of the Red Eye (Magic and Mystery) • Steven, Dipper, and Mabel help the Crystal Gems defend Gravity Falls against the Red Eye by utilizing Rose's laser light canon (Magic and Mystery) • Bill Cipher and Yellow Diamond begin planning their final stages of their deal (Magic and Mystery) Arc 2 • Gideon develops a crush on Mabel and attempts to get rid of Dipper and Steven in order to be with her; he is subsequently defeated by Mabel; the kids return the Gem artifact Gideon stole to the Gems (Lil' Gideon) • Using a time device, Steven recruits copies of himself to form a band to preform at the Mystery Shack party; at the same time, Dipper uses a coping machine to make copies of himself in order to dance with Wendy; both of these plans backfire (Copies and Clones) • Mabel wins Waddles at the Mystery Fair (Lion and Waddles) • Steven, Connie, Dipper and Mabel encounter time traveler Blendin Blandin and use his time traveling device to accidentally cause several anomalies throughout time; Wendy and Robbie start dating (Lion and Waddles) • Steven discovers he has healing spit after Amethyst is nearly fatally cracked; he also accidentally cures Connie's eyesight (An Indirect Kiss) • Steven discovers he has the power to create sentient watermelon look alikes; Gideon nearly takes the Mystery Shack by shrinking Steven, Dipper, and Mabel, but he is ultimately thwarted; Steven sends the Watermelon Stevens off (Measure Up) • Steven uses his Gem to access Rose's Room for the first time; the Gems  discover Journal 3, and though they are bewildered by its contents and information concerning them, they allow Dipper to keep it (Gems and Journals) • Steven, Dipper, and Mabel free Lapis Lazuli from the mirror; she subsequently steals all of the water in Lake Gravity Falls in a desperate attempt to return to Homeworld (Mirror Gem) • Lapis's cracked Gem is healed by Steven and she returns to Homeworld; the lake is restored (Waterfall Gem) Arc 3 • Pioneer Day is Celebrated in Gravity Falls; Dipper, Mabel, Steven, and Connie unfreeze President Quintin Trembley from his frozen state; the Northwest coverup is revealed and the kids discover Rose's secret armory (Irrational Treasure) • Pearl, Steven, the twins, Stan, and Greg attempt to build a space ship (Space Race) • Mabel, with Dipper and Steven's aid, helps Mermando return to the ocean (The Deep End) • Garnet reveals her future vision ability and Dipper uses her intel to break Wendy and Robbie Up (Future Vision) • Amethyst takes Steven and Dipper to the Kindergarten she was made in (On the Run) • Steven befriends Centipeedle, who is ultimately poofed trying to save him; the Gems and the Pines discover a labyrinth of frozen dinosaurs beneath Gravity Falls (Land Before Swine) • Steven discovers the tape Rose left behind for him in Lion's mane (Straight to Video) • Stan and Amethyst go on a revenge trip to get even with Gideon, narrowly avoiding arrest (Revenge Trip) • Gideon summons Bill Cipher to invade Stan's mind to acquire the code to the Mystery Shack safe; Bill is defeated by Dipper, Mabel, Steven, and Soos (Dreamscapers) • Gideon takes over the Mystery Shack by force and the Pines temporarily move into the temple; the Crystal Gems fuse into Alexandrite to save Steven and the twins from Gideon's robot; Gideon exposed as a fraud by Stan and is subsequently jailed (Gideon Rises) • Ford ends up on Homeworld, where he is quickly captured by Yellow Diamond's forces (Home Away From Homeworld) Arc 4 • Government Agents Powers and Trigger come to Gravity Falls to investigate strange readings coming from the town; The Pines fend off zombies with the help of the Crystal Gems (Scary-Oke) • Peridot arrives at the Galaxy Warp on a scouting mission; the kids later confront Peridot at the Prime Kindergarten (Marble Madness) • Dipper, Mabel, Steven, Amethyst, Garnet, Soos, and Wendy investigate the author's underground bunker and refreeze the shape shifter and recover the laptop; Amethyst is poofed three times and regenerates into a new form (Into the Bunker) • Lapis arrives back on Homeworld but is soon apprehended and interrogated by Peridot; she is subsequently imprisoned and meets Ford; the two plan an escape, but they are ultimately thwarted; Lapis flees back to Earth while Ford remains a prisoner of Yellow Diamond (Home Away from Homeworld/Dipper and Lapis) • Steven and Connie fuse into Stevonnie for the first time (Alone Together) • Steven and Mabel fuse into Maven for the first time (Together Forever) • Steven and Dipper fuse into Stepper for the first time; he fends off Peridot's attack robinoids (Forever Alone) • Lion retrieves Rose's Scabbard from the Strawberry Battlefield (Rose's Scabbard) • Steven, Dipper, and Mabel attempt to throw Soos a surprise party but are apprehended by the Time Paradox Avoidance Enforcement Squardron and are defeat Blendin Blandin in Globnar (Blendin's Game) • Dipper discovers that Lapis has returned to Earth and is taking refuge in the waterfall cave; the two form a close friendship; Lapis warns the Crystal Gems that Peridot is returning with reinforcements (Dipper and Lapis) • Gravity Falls is evacuated; Stan stays behind and Dipper and Mabel return to help Steven and the Gems; Peridot and Jasper arrive on Earth and take Steven and the Crystal Gems captive; Dipper and Mabel stow away on their ship to rescue them (The Return) • Ruby and Sapphire refuse into Garnet; Garnet defeats Jasper; Peridot flees from the Crystal Gems; Lapis and Jasper fuse into Malachite; Malachite is trapped at the bottom of Lake Gravity Falls (Jailbreak) Arc 5 • The citizens of Gravity Falls begin repairing damage caused by the Gem Warship (Full Disclosure) • Steven, Dipper, Mabel, and the Cool Kids discover Peridot's escape pod, which is then apprehended by the Crystal Gems; Robbie and Tambry start dating (Joy Ride) • Mabel prepares for her sock puppet opera to impress Gabe Bensen with Steven's help; in trying to find out the password to the laptop to rescue Lapis, Dipper makes a deal with Bill Cipher and is possessed by him; Bill's plans to destroy Journal 3 are thwarted thanks to Mabel, Steven, and Connie (Sock Opera) • Dipper and Connie begin taking sword training lessons from Pearl (Do It For Them) • Ford escapes from Yellow Diamond and befriends the Off Colors; eventually, he manages to find a way off Homeworld altogether (Home Away from Homeworld) • Soos and Melody begin dating (Soos and the Real Girl) • Pearl entrusts Dipper with the Ancient Sea Blade; the Crystal Gems discover Peridot's location. After she escapes, the group happens upon a nest of forced fusions created from pieces of shattered gems (Keeping it Together) • The Mystery Kids, the Gems, Soos, and Wendy discover the Society of the Blind Eye and help McGucket recover his memories from them (Society of the Blind Eye) • The Northwests hold their annual party; Dipper and Pacifica work together to break the curse on the manor; Steven and Connie defeat a group of Gem mutants (Northwest Mansion Nightmare) • Ford goes to face Bill himself in the Nightmare Realm once more (Home Away From Homeworld) • Stan is arrested by the government agents; Dipper, Mabel, Steven, Soos and the Crystal Gems discover his shadowy past as well as the universe portal; The portal opens and Ford returns after 30 years, though he is unable to defeat Bill before he does (Not What He Seems) • Ford reunites with the Crystal Gems, who have no apparent recollection of him (A Tale of Two Stans) Arc 6 • Ford receives the letter Rose wrote to him; Steven discovers the memories that Rose took from the Crystal Gems and returns them (Lost and Found) • Garnet and Pearl fuse to form Sardonyx to destroy the Homeworld Communication Hub after Peridot rebuilds it. Amethyst and the kids learn that Pearl has been lying to Garnet about subsequent repairs to the Communication Hub, presumably done by Peridot, to keep fusing with her (Cry For Help) • Ford dismantles the universe portal, however doing so creates a rift in space and time, which Ford manages to contain   • Stan, Mabel, and Steven rescue Dipper, Ford, and Pearl from Probabilitor the Wizard; Pearl and Ford rekindle their former friendship; Ford creates the Sword of Seasons for Dipper and confides in him about the Rift (Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons) • Garnet unfuses into Ruby and Sapphire after a falling out between the two of them over Pearl's deception; the two eventually re-fuse (Evergreen Inn) • Stan runs for Mayor of Gravity Falls against Bud Gleeful and wins; however, due to Stan's extensive criminal record, Mayor Dewey ends up resuming his mayoral position (The Stanchurian Candidate) • Garnet and Pearl forgive each other and the Gems repair their friendship with Ford while trying to capture Peridot (Friend Ship) • Steven discovers his ability to venture into the dreams of others and uses this to communicate with Lapis; (spoilers); The kids and the Gems detail their respective histories with Bill to each other (Chille Tid) • Mabel, Candy, Grenda, Wendy, and Pearl collect unicorn hair to protect the shack and the temple from Bill Cipher; Dipper and Steven discover Ford's history with Bill (The Last Mabelcorn) • Peridot wanders the wilds of Gravity Falls where she (spoiler)  (Peridot in the Wild) • (spoiler) (Pyrite) • Steven and Mabel free Peridot, who escapes again and takes refuge in the shack's bathroom (Catch and Release) Arc 7 • Steven, Connie, Stan, Ford, Soos, and Wendy go camping; Garnet and the twins track down an escaped Peridot while also dealing with a substantial threat from an escaped Gideon (Camping Adventure) • Peridot reveals to the kids that a massive cluster composed of millions of shattered gems is incubating below the earth and is due to form and destroy the planet (To Con a Clod) • The Crystal Gems and the Pines use Greg's family barn as a base to build a machine that can stop the cluster; Ford and McGucket reunite and reconcile (Bot Battle) • Stepper is formed again to aid in Ford's research; Stepper fuses with Mabel to form Dipevebel for the first time; Steven discovers his floating abilities (Three's a Crowd) • Steven turns 14 (Steven's Birthday) • Pacifica assists Dipper and Peridot in collecting Titan's Ore for the construction of the drill; Peridot discovers her abilities to manipulate metal; Steven, Connie, and Mabel form Mabonnven for the first time (Peridot and Pacifica) • The Crystal Gems travel to a Homeworld base on the moon where Peridot reveals the Homeworld's original plans to colonize and drain the earth of its natural resources; Peridot confronts Yellow Diamond and defects from Homeworld, becoming an official member of the Crystal Gems; the Crystal Gems and the Pines learn of Yellow Diamond's alliance with Bill Cipher (Message Received) • Dipper tags along with the Gems to confront Malachite and Rescue Lapis Lazuli; the Sword of Seasons is lost (Out Too Far) • Steven, Mabel, Peridot, and Ford use the drill to travel to the cluster, where Steven is able to contain the geoweapon (In Too Deep) Arc 8 • Steven and Dipper help Lapis adjust to life on Earth. Lapis reluctantly moves into the Barn with Peridot, but eventually warms up to her (Same Old World) • A squad of Rubies arrive on Earth to retrieve Jasper, but are tricked into leaving following a baseball game with the Crystal Gems and the Pines (Hit the Diamond) • Dipper and Pacifica start dating (Mismatched Making) • Greg becomes a millionaire and finally settles his differences with Pearl over Rose (Mr. Greg) • Steven further develops his mental powers by accidentally taking over an unwitting Stan (The New Stan) • Stevonnie, Maven, and Stepper take Kevin and his friends on in a street race (Gravity Falls Drift) • (spoiler), causing its inhabitants to undergo monstrous transformations; Steven learns more about the Gem War and reunites Centipeedle with her own kind (Monster Falls) • Jasper returns and nearly forces Lapis to fuse with her once more before being thwarted (Alone on the Lake) • Small interdimensional gaps begin forming around Gravity Falls • Steven and Dipper end up getting trapped in the Nightmare Realm and form Stepper to take on Bill; (spoiler); (spoiler) (Rifts) • (spoiler); (spoiler); (spoiler); Ford tells the Gems about the Rift (Memories) • The Pines and the Gems face Bill in the Nightmare Realm; (spoiler); (spoiler); (spoiler) ends up tearing wider holes in the dimensional fabric that possibly lead to other parallel dimensions (Dimensions) Arc 9 • Ford details his grand unified theory of weirdness to Dipper; Steven, Mabel, and Connie discover that Jasper is amassing an army of corrupted Gems (Theories of Weirdness) • The Mystery Kids discover a dimension where Steven is Yellow Diamond's son and the twins have used magic to practically take over the town (Played in Reverse) • The Pines and the Gems travel to a dimension where the kids are adults and the adults are children (Its All Relativity) • Amethyst is poofed by Jasper, who is defeated when Steven, Dipper, and Connie fuse to form Convenper for the first time; Lapis and Peridot adopt a kitten, which they name Dippurr (Crack the Whip) • Stan and Amethyst recruit the kids and the other Gems in helping them with their most ambitious revenge scheme yet (Revenge Trap) • Steven accidentally releases Bismuth from her bubble inside Lion's mane. Bismuth reconnects with the surviving Crystal Gems and provides upgrades for their weapons. The kids learns the reason for Bismuth's imprisonment and is forced to bubble her again. Afterward, they explains her imprisonment to the Gems (Bismuth) • The kids happen into a dimension where their personality traits seem to be completely switched around and where Lapis, Peridot, and Jasper are the Crystal Gems (Opposites Attract) • Steven and Connie officially become a couple; Dipper and Pacifica nearly break up but reconcile their conflicting emotions (Double Date) • The kids, Stan, Amethyst, and Peridot track Jasper to the Beta Kindergarten. They discover Jasper's origins along with what has happened to the Corrupted Gems; Amethyst and Steven form Smoky Quartz for the first time while fighting Jasper. Jasper becomes corrupted after attempting to fuse with a Gem Monster and is subsequently defeated by Peridot (Earthlings) • The Rubies return to Earth. Amethyst (disguised as Jasper) convinces them to take herself and the other Crystal Gems and the Pines to the Moon Base. Upon arrival, Eyeball, as a firsthand witness, confirms that Rose Quartz shattered Pink Diamond. Eventually, Amethyst's deception is discovered and the Rubies attack. Sardonyx knocks the Rubies (and Steven and Mabel, by accident) into space (Back to the Moon) • Steven, Mabel, and the Rubies become stranded in deep space. Steven and Mabel fuse into Maven to survive; they find Eyeball and rescue her, eventually revealing Rose's gemstone. Believing Maven/Steven is Rose Quartz, Eyeball attempts to shatter them, forcing them to eject Eyeball back into space. After some time, Maven is saved by the Crystal Gems and the other Pines, having hijacked the Rubies' Roaming Eye ship. On the ride back to Earth, the Crystal Gems confirm and justify Rose's actions toward Pink Diamond (Bubbled) Arc 9 • Jheselbraum the Unswerving arrives in Gravity Falls and reveals to Ford an ancient prophecy that might contain the power needed to finally defeat Bill once and for all (Jheselbraum the Unswerving) • Steven, Dipper, Mabel, and Connie fuse to form Stonipbel for the first time (Mindful Education) • The kids find a largely peaceful dimension where they themselves are teenagers (The Mystery Teens) • Pearl meets Mystery Girl (Last One Out of Gravity Falls) • The Pines and the Gems find a dimension where Steven is a normal human and the twins are both half Gems (A Swap of Fate) • Steven creates Pumpkin as a pet for Lapis and Peridot; Andy DeMayo reconnects with his estranged cousin Greg over a family dinner with Steven, the Gems, and the Pines (Gem Harvest) • Steven and the twins accidentally travel both back in time and (spoiler) to an alternate dimension to right before Ford was sucked into the portal; Bill possesses Blendin Blandin (Time Tangled) • Steven attempts to "connect" with his mother inside of her room; meanwhile, Dipper and Mabel start to grow further and further apart (Storm in the Room) • Dipper, Ford, Steven, and Peridot investigate Crash Site Omega to find a sealant that can repair the cracked Rift; Mabel recruits the Gems in helping her plan for her and Dipper's upcoming birthday party (Vs. the Future Part 1) • Dipper and Mabel have an immense falling out after Dipper agrees to be Ford's apprentice and stay in Gravity Falls; Mabel unknowingly hands the rift over to a Bill-possessed Blendin; Bill breaks the Rift and Weirdmageddon commences (Vs. the Future Part 2) Arc 11 • Weirdmageddon begins as Bill easily takes over Gravity Falls; Yellow Diamond and her forces arrive to make good on the deal between the two; (spoiler) ; the journals are destroyed, Ford is turned to gold and captured by Bill; Mabel is captured by Bill and kept in a dream-inducing bubble; the Crystal Gems are scattered; (spoiler) ; (spoiler) ; (spoiler)  (Welcome to Weirdmageddon) • Dipper wanders the apocalyptic Gravity Falls alone for three days before being found by Lapis; (spoiler) ; Garnet and Connie team up to (spoiler)  (Alone At the End) • Amethyst and a group of other survivors take refuge in the bunker where they encounter both McGucket and the shapeshifter; Dipper and Lapis run into Wendy, Soos, and Pearl and face off against Gideon and his cronies in an attempt to rescue Mabel (Out of the Bunker) • Dipper convinces Mabel to leave her self-created fantasy world behind; (spoiler); Bill and Yellow Diamond realize that they are both confined to Gravity Falls thanks to a weirdness barrier/gem destabilizer trap (spoiler) ; Amethyst and her group make it to the Mystery Shack, where Stan has been hiding out on his own (Escape from Reality) • Dipper, Mabel, Pearl, Lapis, Soos, and Wendy reunite with Garnet, Connie, and Peridot, who have (spoiler); (spoiler); the collective group arrives at the Mystery Shack and takes up refuge there; (spoiler); (Love Like You) • The survivors at the shack rally themselves to face Bill and Yellow Diamond and save the town and begin constructing a massive robot out of the shack in order to do so; Bill attempts to coerce Ford into revealing the secret behind the weirdness barrier so he can take over the entire world, (spoiler)  (Rise of the Resistance) • The resistance takes both the Henchmaniacs and Yellow's forces head on in a massive assault; a small group manages to sneak into the Fearamid in order to rescue Ford; the statuefied townsfolk are freed and (spoiler)  (Take Back the Falls) • In an attempt to defeat Bill, the members of the prophesied zodiac wheel gather together; their attempt is ultimately discovered by Bill, who apprehends all of its members save for the Pines and the Gems; the Mystery Kids narrowly manage to escape however, but are eventually captured by Bill and handed over to Yellow Diamond (Wheel of Destiny) • (spoiler); the Gems and the Pines free their captured friends and allies, but are unable to reform the wheel as they are all separated once again (Of Diamonds and Demons) • (spoiler) ; Stan tricks Bill into entering his mind, where he is ultimately defeated when Ford erases his mind; Weirdmageddon ends and Yellow Diamonds' forces retreat (The Universe Falls) • The statued remains of Bill Cipher are lost in the forest of Gravity Falls; the town begins to recover from Weirdmageddon; (spoiler); The Mystery Shack gets reconstructed. Stan recovers his memories with the help of Mabel's scrapbook and old home movies of Ford and Stan's childhood. Soos finds the Journals in the woods unharmed; McGucket becomes wealthy and buys the now-ousted Northwest Mansion and (spoiler); (spoiler) ;en route back to Homeworld, Yellow Diamond begins planning a new bioweapon initiative involving humans (Everything Stays) • Dipper and Mabel celebrate their 13th birthday with all of the townsfolk at the Mystery Shack, Stan Pines retires and gives ownership of the Mystery Shack to Soos. The family decides to throw the journals into the Bottomless Pit; (spoiler); Dipper and Mabel leave Gravity Falls to return home to Piedmont; (spoiler); the Mystery Kids promise to meet up again in Gravity Falls the following year

Between Stories

• (spoiler)  • Stan and Ford set sail to hunt down anomalies all over the world together • Dipper and Mabel return to school but largely keep the details of their summer in Gravity Falls to themselves • Yellow Diamond's human-bioweapon initiative kicks off, with humans from Pink Diamond's zoo being utilized as subjects; all of these subjects end up failing however, due to the severity of the process • Yellow Diamond commissions the creation of an Amber to oversee the biological status of humans utilized in her project; she also appoints Hessonite to serve as the supervising commander • (spoiler) • Pacifica forms a friendship with Candy and Grenda while the twins are away; due to her family recently falling out of money, she takes up a job at Greasy's Diner to pick up the slack • Soos hires Melody on at the Mystery Shack; he eventually purposes to her and the two are engaged • Steven, Connie, and the Gems visit Dipper and Mabel in Piedmont around the holidays; the Mystery Kids spend their Christmas together • (spoiler) 

Universe Falls 2 (as far as I know right now)

Arc 1 • Dipper and Mabel return to Gravity Falls for the summer; (spoiler) and the Mystery Kids reunite; Stan and Ford are the last to return and a celebration is held to kick off the beginning of summer • (spoiler)  • (spoiler) Arc 2 (SU events) • Steven investigates a strange dream he is having, despite frequent warnings from Garnet. After Blue Diamond abducts Greg and Stan in Korea, Steven, the twins, Ford and the Crystal Gems travel to Pink Diamond's Zoo to rescue them. Lapis, Peridot, and Connie are charged with protecting Earth in their stead • Despite issues with the Roaming Eye's gravity drive, the group arrives at Pink Diamond's Zoo. While Holly Blue Agate gives Sapphire, Ruby, and Pearl a tour of the facility, Steven and the twins are inserted into the Human Zoo and reunites with Greg and Stan; meanwhile, Ford goes off on his own to attempt a solo rescue • Despite a comfortable existence inside the Zoo, Greg and Stan ultimately reject the "choosening" ceremony of the other humans. Steven, the twins, Greg, and Stan are subsequently captured by the intervening Amethyst guards • Brought to the guard quarters, the group is surprised that Amethyst has quickly befriended her sisters, both for their common heritage and mutual dislike of Holly Blue Agate; not long after Ford barges in and reunites with Stan • While Holly Blue browbeats the guards into preparing for Blue Diamond's surprise return, Steven, Greg, and the Pines take refuge in a large room full of bubbled Rose Quartzes, hiding when Blue Diamond arrives to pay her respects. Yellow Diamond enters immediately after, attempting to convince Blue to move on. • The Universes and the Pines sneak back out while Sapphire stalls Holly and the Diamonds for time. Upon entering the hangar, Holly catches the humans attempting to escape. She tries to stop them, but is thwarted by Garnet and the others. The group successfully escape the Zoo Arc 3 (SU events only (mostly) • While the Gems and the Pines are away, Connie, Lapis, and Peridot protect Gravity Falls with help from Pacifica, McGucket, Soos, and Wendy, only to lead to disastrous results • The Gems and the Pines return to Earth • Navy crash-lands on Earth. Posing as a defector, she eventually steals back the Roaming Eye and escapes into space • The Mystery Kids do a stakeout with Mr. Maheswaran, though the culprit is not who they suspect • The Mystery Kids and the Gems investigate several mysterious disappearances, including Stan and Ford's; the kids encounter Aquamarine and Topaz for the first time, and Connie and Mabel are captured in the process • Stepper and the Crystal Gems confront Aquamarine and Topaz, with the former explaining their reason for visiting Earth. In order to save his friends, Steven reveals his mother's gemstone and turns himself in (spoiler) and the other Mystery Kids reveal their role in defeating Yellow Diamond last summer; though Steven manages to push Connie off the ship, he is unable to do the same for Dipper and Mabel and the trio is whisked off to Homeworld • The kids discover that Lars is still on the ship. Nevertheless, Aquamarine and Topaz escort them to Homeworld. Topaz tries to help the kids and Lars escape, but to no avail • Put on trial for Rose Quartz's crime of shattering Pink Diamond, Steven (represented by a blue defending Zircon) goes up against the Diamonds (represented by a yellow prosecuting Zircon). Steven learns that his mother may not be responsible for the shattering. Both Zircons are poofed by Yellow Diamond • Steven, Mabel, and Lars escape the Diamonds using Blue's palanquin, but Dipper is seperated from them in his attempt to keep Yellow Diamond from catching them • Steven, Mabel, and Lars  meet a group of rogue "off color" Gems (Padparadscha, the Rutile Twins, Rhodonite, and Fluorite). Lars is killed by an explosion while protecting the group from a pack of Robonoids • Steven revives Lars with his tears, causing him to turn pink and gain powers similar to Lion. Steven and Mabel use Lars' pocket dimension to return to Earth, while Lars and the Off Colors stay behind to search for an alternate way home while also promising to try and find Dipper Arc 4 (SU events (partially) • Connie gets mad at Steven for not working together to save their friends and Steven giving himself up in the fight against Aquamarine and Topaz and leaves, upset; distraught over what happened to Dipper, the Pines frantically began planning out a way to rescue him; Lion goes missing; Mayor Dewey resigns from his post, allowing Tyler Cutebiker to take his place • Despite her promise to Blue to safely deposit him at the zoo, Yellow Diamond interrogates Dipper on his knowledge of Rose Quartz and has her Peridots cut his arm off, initiating him in the "process" • Dipper is placed in the care of Amber and is subjected to physical and mental torture over the course of several weeks in order to transform him into Yellow Diamond's personal assassin • To try and comfort Steven and Mabel, the Gems and the Pines take them on a brief vacation (while all the while stressing about Dipper's unknown fate) • Kevin returns and invites the Mystery Kids to his party; Mabel reunites with Gabe Bensen and harshly refutes his advances on her; Connie and Steven make amends and leave on Lion as their relationship is finally recovered • During this time, Lars and the Off Colors escape from Homeworld and become a rebel cell against the Homeworld Gems; despite searching as much of Homeworld as they could, they are ultimately unable to find and rescue Dipper • With Amber's assistance, Dipper records a farewell message for his friends and family back on Earth • Unable to resist any longer, Dipper succumbs to the brainwashing forced upon him by Yellow Diamond and becomes "Stonemason"; he is outfitted with a shapeshifting metallic arm and is sent to hunt down "Rose Quartz" and shatter her • Steven, Connie, and Mabel visit Lars and the Off Colors, only to be shot down by an Emerald while protecting Lars' new ship • The kids get stranded on an alien planet; Stevonnie learns more about Pink Diamond's past while Mabel encounters the mysterious Stonemason, who forces her to take him to "Rose Quartz"; after a brief skirmish with Stonemason, the Mystery Kids escape thanks to Lars • Stonemason arrives on earth and begins perusing Steven and the Crystal Gems • Mabonnven fights Stonemason and ends up unmasking him, revealing his true identity as Dipper; the Pines and the Gems begin plotting out how to free Dipper from Yellow Diamond's control Arc 5 (mostly original) • Yellow Diamond commands Stonemason to attack Gravity Falls in order to lure "Rose" out; he does so, damaging much of the town and harming several civilians • The Pines and the Gems receive Dipper's supposedly final message to them and are inspired to continue looking for a way to save him • Thanks to continued interactions with his friends and family, Dipper starts to break through his Stonemason conditioning and fight back against Yellow Diamond's control • After several skirmishes and fights, the Gems apprehend Stonemason; (spoiler) Dipper beats Stonemason's presence in his mind back, allowing him to resume control once more • As a result of Yellow's conditioning, however, Dipper is still left in a servantile state of quiet obedience until Pearl helps him break free of it; the other Mystery Kids assist Dipper in his mental recovery Arc 6 • Steven introduces Garnet and Dipper to the Off Colors; Garnet tells Lars and the Off Colors the origins of Rose Quartz and the Rebellion • Lapis Lazuli leaves Earth once again and takes the Barn, not wanting to get caught in the middle of another war with the Diamonds; (spoiler)  • Peridot, the twins, Steven, Amethyst, and Ford return to the Kindergarten to turn it into an actual garden in order to cheer Peridot up, but instead encounter a Flower Monster. Peridot gets over the fact that Lapis left her. • Garnet adopts a one-eyed stray kitten and names it "Cat Steven" • Dipper is met with resistance and anger when trying to reintegrate himself into Gravity Falls as a result of the destruction Stonemason caused; Pacifica intervenes and quells the townsfolks' anger • (spoiler) Arc 7 • The kids discover that Lapis has taken up refuge on the moon; they find her there and (continue when ideas are fully flashed out) • Steven goes inside Pearl to find her phone and discovers that Rose Quartz is Pink Diamond, which shocks Garnet and Amethyst, and the Pines • Garnet unfuses and Sapphire becomes mad at Ruby, saying that Rose Quartz lied to them and leaves, upset; Dipper also leaves, outraged that all of the torture he was put through was essentially for nothing; Steven, Pearl, Stan, and Ford check on Sapphire and Pearl tells Steven and Sapphire the story of how Pink Diamond became Rose Quartz; (spoiler) she also reveals the original deal Rose/Pink made with Bill, which outrages Ford; eventually, everyone returns home, only to find that Ruby and Amethyst are not here • Upset by the uselessness of their shared suffering, Dipper and Stonemason reach an agreement that they will work in conjunction with one another towards the eventual goal of shattering Yellow Diamond as revenge

[burkedecorshop]

Twos Company- Interior Design Ideas For The Living Room

The living room is the central socializing hub of the entire household and is where you relax, chill, host parties, and entertain all your guests. So, it is crucial to ensure that this room is not just functional but needs to be beautiful yet cozy. And to achieve this type of look, you must try out twos company that would make a stunning look in your living space.

Discover the fantastic interior design ideas that will make your living space look more appealing and functional. And by considering all the below-mentioned steps will create a fabulous space that you will surely love for years.

Select Tables With Versatility

When you are planning to bring cozy vibes into the space that will keep your place well organized, the right option is to go for tables that nowadays come with lots of versatility and flexibility. By adding this brilliant design piece, you can keep all your stuff in there and make your area look litter free and well organized. If you will add a more versatile piece, it is for sure you will enjoy the space.

Pick A Cozy Color Scheme

To make any of your spaces look beautiful yet attractive, choosing the color that complements the space and matches your personality is vital. For a warmer look, it is advised to opt for neutral colors like beige, white, pink, and light brown that will give a soothing effect to your place. If you want something bright and vibrant, you can opt for colors like yellow, orange, and red to make your place stand out loud.

Don't Forget Area Rugs

It is one of the easiest and simplest methods to make the place look practical and welcoming. So, while choosing the right rug, opting for rugs that suit your place and match the room interiors excellently is crucial. You can get different material rugs like woven, handcrafted, and other materials which you think will go perfect in your area. Placing it can easily define the area and give a well-defined look. Moreover, you can also pick out some large rugs and layer them with different materials and colors, which will make a nice inviting look.

Mix And Match Your Furniture

Your living room should complement the interiors of the space so that it should make a cohesive look into the space. To make it look more interesting, you can add different colors of chairs or use bright colors through pillows to make the place stand out loud. You can give your place a bohemian touch that will create a different vibe in the space. Please don't be scared to experiment with different colors and prints; if you put them right, it will help you to make your living space visually exciting and appealing.

Conclusion

So, these were the few interior design ideas on how you can make your living room look beautiful yet interesting by adding two company ideas. I hope this journal has helped you make your living space look visually exciting and aesthetically appealing. So, without delaying any longer, make your space look magical.

[vi-in-dc]

Hi everyone!!

First day of WJMC is over!! Started off with checking in at Residence Hall (Hampton Road), going to the Hub for the pink group's Faculty Advisor and Junior Faculty Advisor meeting, and finally meeting the group all together in professional attire for the first dinner and speaker of the week!!

Dinner was wonderful, dessert consisted of green and yellow cupcakes (Go Patriots!). Savannah Behrmann (National Journal), WJMC alum, covered topics like misinformation in media, the importance of connections/networking, being judged as a woman in the political science field, pressure of the industry, and more.

After she spoke and we asked our questions, the groups retreated to the new Horizon Hall for a Color Group Meeting. We played an ice breaker game of 'Trainwreck', discussed our personal and professional image, and created an elevator pitch!

After the meeting, we walked back to Residence Hall to settle down and get ready for the next day of WJMC.

[stephenmccull]

Riding Herd on Mental Health in Colorado Ranching Country

[Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. In Colorado, you can also contact Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255.]

KIOWA, Colo. — The yellow-and-green facade of Patty Ann’s Cafe stands out on the main street of this ranching community just 25 miles from the Denver suburbs. Before the pandemic, the cafe was a place for ranchers to gather for meals and to swap stories.

This story also ran on People.com. It can be republished for free.

“Some people would call it almost like a conference room,” said Lance Wheeler, a local rancher and regular at the cafe. “There are some guys that, if you drive by Patty Ann’s at a certain time of day, their car or truck will always be there on certain days.”

When covid-19 restrictions closed in-person dining across Colorado last year, Patty Ann’s opened a takeout window. Customers spread their food on the hoods of their trucks and ate there while sharing news and commiserating over the stresses of ranching during the pandemic.

Keeping that community hub operating has been vital for the ranchers around Kiowa as the pandemic takes its toll on mental health in agricultural communities where health providers are scarce and a “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” mentality is prevalent.

The pandemic over the past year has been a surprising boon for many farms and ranches as higher consumer demand amid food shortages has boosted business.

But coupled with everyday worries about weather and commodity prices, the pandemic also has led to mental health challenges, including serious stress, anxiety and depression among farmers and ranchers, health officials said. The American Farm Bureau Federation found that about 3 in 5 rural adults reported that the pandemic has affected mental health in their communities, while two-thirds of farmers and farmworkers said the pandemic has impacted their mental health.

Treatment for mental health problems caused or worsened by the stress and isolation of the pandemic has obstacles particular to ranching and farming country. The stigma of acknowledging the need for mental health care can prevent people from seeking it. For those who overcome that obstacle and look for help, they are likely to find underfunded, understaffed and underequipped health providers who often don’t have the bandwidth or expertise for sufficient mental health support.

“I guess my cows are my therapists,” joked Wheeler. The 54-year-old rancher said he has felt the stress of the added responsibility of providing meat to customers in a time of food shortages, particularly at the beginning of the pandemic. But he feels lucky to have a family that supports him.

Similar to other Rocky Mountain states, Colorado has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. The rates are often worse in the state’s rural communities, a factor consistent with rural Americans’ risks nationwide: A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report examining 2001-15 data found the suicide rate in rural counties was more than 17 per 100,000 people, compared with about 15 per 100,000 in small and medium-sized metro counties and about 12 per 100,000 in large metro counties.

Kiowa is in Elbert County, whose 1,850 square miles of mostly dusty, flat plains start where the affluent bedroom communities of Denver end. The county has no urgent care center or hospital like its suburban neighbors, just four clinics to serve a population of 27,000.

Dwayne Smith, Elbert County’s public health director, said that to help solve the problem residents need to talk with their health providers as candidly about their mental health challenges as about skin cancer or heart disease.

“In a more conservative community, where historically mental health issues may not have been talked about as openly and as comfortably as in the [Denver] area, you have to work diligently to increase people’s comfort level,” Smith said. “Even saying the words ‘anxiety,’ ‘depression,’ ‘mental health’ — all those things that in prior generations were very much a taboo subject.”

The public health crisis is just an added burden to the already high stress on people in the agricultural industry. “Farmers and ranchers are absorbing a lot of the shocks to the system for us: hailstorms, pest outbreaks, drought, markets — they’re adjusting for all that to keep food production moving,” said Colorado’s agriculture commissioner, Kate Greenberg.

Unpredictable weather, a volatile commodity market and a 700-acre grass fire cost Laura Negley, a rancher in the southeastern town of Eads, a lot of income around 2012. Negley’s and her husband’s families have been in agriculture since the late 1600s and early 1700s, and they are now the third generation on the same Colorado land.

But she was devastated after those losses, followed by her youngest child’s departure for college. “That’s kind of when the wheels fell off for me. And then I kind of spiraled down,” Negley said.

Negley, now 59, said she initially didn’t recognize she needed help even though she was deep into her “dark place” of depression and anxiety, but her brother encouraged her to see a counselor near him in Greeley. So, when the cattle were done grazing for the season, Negley spent six winter weeks getting counseling 200 miles north. Those visits eventually transitioned to phone counseling and an anti-anxiety medication.

“I do think you have to have a support group,” said Negley, who said her faith has helped her, too.

Over the years, slashed budgets to local health departments have cut to the bone. In Elbert County, Smith is one of just three full-time employees in his department. About 15 years ago, it had at least six nurses. It now has none. It is trying to hire one.

“We have a lack of health providers” in rural America, Negley said. “The ones we do have are doing their best — but they’re trying to wear multiple hats.”

Agencies in Colorado recognize the need to improve mental health services offered to rural residents. Colorado Crisis Services has a hotline and text-messaging number to refer people to free, confidential support. And the state is working on tailored messaging campaigns to help farmers and ranchers understand those numbers are free and confidential to contact. These services can help: According to the CDC, for every adult death by suicide, about 230 people think seriously about suicide.

A bill introduced in Colorado’s legislature would boost funding for rural rehabilitation specialists and help provide vouchers for rural Coloradans to get behavioral health services.

“We have to be flexible: What works in Denver does not work in La Junta” or the rest of rural Colorado, said Robert Werthwein, director of the state’s Office of Behavioral Health.

But in tightknit small towns, ranchers say, even if the resources are there the stigma remains.

“These are normal people with normal problems. We’re just trying to, perhaps first and foremost, destigmatize mental health needs and resources,” Smith said.

Stigmas are something 26-year-old Jacob Walter and his family want to help tackle. As Walter was growing up, a friend’s father and another friend’s mother died by suicide. Before Walter left the family’s ranch in southeastern Colorado to start his sophomore year in college, he lost his own father, Rusty, to suicide in 2016. Walter said there were few local resources at the time to help people like his dad, and the nearest town was 45 minutes away.

Rusty was involved in many community service organizations and gave a lot of his time to others, Walter said, but he suffered from depression.

“The day before he committed suicide, we had been talking at the kitchen table, and he was just talking about [his depression], and he said: ‘You know, you can always get help and stuff.’”

That’s the message agricultural leaders like Ray Atkinson, communications director at the American Farm Bureau Federation, say should be conveyed most: It’s OK to acknowledge when you need help.

“If your tractor needed maintenance … you would stop what you’re doing and you’d get it working right before you go try and go out in the field,” Atkinson said. “You are the most important piece of equipment on your farm.”

[Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. In Colorado, you can also contact Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255.]

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

USE OUR CONTENT

This story can be republished for free (details).

Riding Herd on Mental Health in Colorado Ranching Country published first on https://smartdrinkingweb.weebly.com/

[architectnews]

Royal Docks London Bench Designs

Royal Docks London Bench Designs 2020, Pews and Perches Design Contest Photos, News

Royal Docks London Bench Design Winner

17 December 2020

Royal Docks London Bench Design Competition News

Pews and Perches Design Contest news

London Festival of Architecture and Royal Docks Team unveil winning designs for 2020 ‘Pews and Perches’ competition

17th December 2020 – A series of five new benches designed by emerging architects – the winners of a competition organised the London Festival of Architecture and Royal Docks Team – have been unveiled across the Royal Docks.

The competition, now in its second year, invited architecture and design students, recent graduates and emerging practitioners to deliver a playful new take on street furniture that can celebrate the Royal Docks and the communities at home in the area – a series of conversation starters to re-connect everyone with nature and the docks’ built environment.

From a bench that makes use of the wind to perform as a riverside instrument to a design inspired by an unusual shipment of elephants over 70 years ago, the ‘Pews and Perches’ benches combine imaginative design approaches with creative, sustainable material choices to provide locals, visitors and Londoners with unique new spaces to sit and make the most of their surroundings.

All photos © Luke O’Donovan

ELE-Bench by RAB Studio Thames Barrier Park

Referencing an unusual delivery of 20 baby elephants to the George V Docks in 1947, the ELE-Bench helps bring to life this moment in the docks’ history for future visitors. Inspired by the gait and rhythm of the elephant’s stride pattern, this simple, colourful bench creates a striking elephant silhouette from afar. With a comfortable seat made from cork, the design offers shelter from the wind as well as space for both back-to-back seating and for multiple family members to sit together, encouraging visitors to pause in this location.

This bench is supported by Crafted By Design, Hanex UK and Wyliewood limited.

Water, water everywhere by Betty Owoo and Quincy Haynes Royal Victoria Gardens

With piles of rubbish such as plastic bottles and face masks still commonly thrown into the Thames, this design seeks to start a conversation about how we can inspire people to treat our waterways better and reuse these objects. Water, water everywhere uses these found objects and suspends them in resin where they seem to be floating in water, and jesmonite, where they are almost riverbed fossils waiting to be uncovered. Frozen in time, the result is a bench simple in form but complex in materiality, providing a sculptural seat for people to gather and connect with the water’s edge.

This bench is built in collaboration with Helen Caulfield of the Redundant Architects Recreation Association (R.A.R.A.) and supported by Sophie Percival and Priscilla Wong.

The Royal Resonance by CAST (Chutimon Suetragulwong, Austin Joseph, Sonam Dahya, Tyler Natdanai) Outside UTC College

The Royal Resonance tackles the topic of the pandemic and social distancing with playful urban furniture that allows people to be together while remaining safely apart. In a design inspired by nature, several aluminium poles vibrate in the wind, performing as a riverside instrument and an art form. The modular design promotes both isolation and relationships between people and nature, forging local interactions as well as social distancing as a community safely.

This bench is supported by Jian Jun Hayashi, Jeremy Tay and Karakusevic Carson Architects Workshop.

Afloat by Ben Child and Luca Luci Connaught Crossing North

Referencing the docks’ marine context, this design recycles rowing oars to create a crossed structure for the bench. Building on this, Afloatsees different oar lengths used to support the back rest and armrest, which also includes a small table. The back rest and seat itself are made from marine plywood, cut with a CNC machine. Finished in a bright teal colour and engraved with ‘Royal Docks’, the bench stands out from afar, creating a contrast with the wooden texture of the oars and highlighting its structure.

The Rocking Bench by Duncan Graham Thames Barrier Park

A call for playfulness and for a bit of fun in today’s less than fun world, the Rocking Bench stands out with its bright, yellow colour, and seeks to encourage interaction while keeping people safely apart. Inspired in part by the beam scales once used in the Royal Docks to weigh imported goods, the bench uses a simple rocking motion to provide a connection for friends, family, and neighbours, but also calls out for companions for those sat alone. The bench consists of CNC cut plywood fastened together with steel rods, and was manufactured entirely within the Lee Valley.

Once London’s gateway to world trade, the Royal Docks is one of the UK’s most important regeneration stories, as it re-emerges as a thriving and diverse commercial and cultural hub with a welcoming new waterfront. The winning teams and the Royal Docks Team have worked closely with local communities to develop their designs, ensuring that these are in keeping with the communities’ needs and aspirations for their public space.

This project also expands on the legacy of the first edition ‘Pews and Perches’ competition, which sees three benches remain installed across the Royal Docks waterfront, where they are still enjoyed by the public. Building on this success, these five new benches will continue to champion the Festival’s mission to support and showcase emerging talent. In response to the regulations put in place due to coronavirus, they will not only bring a fresh, new design perspective but also provide space to safely enjoy the Royal Docks.

The teams have each been awarded £2,000 including a design fee of £500 to develop, build and install their benches, which will be in place for the next year. The competition was judged by an expert panel including Dan Bridge (Programme Director in the Royal Docks), Tamsie Thomson (Managing Director, New London Architecture), Frances Williams, (Technical Editor, Architects’ Journal), Pedro Gil (Founder, Studio Gil), Rawnak Jassm (Community Engagement Officer, Royal Docks Team) and Kevin Twyford (Principal Landscape Architect, London Borough of Newham).

Tamsie Thomson, Managing Director of New London Architecture, said:

“This year’s Pews and Perches collection is a series of imaginative and thoughtful responses to the unique setting of the Royal Docks and the times we find ourselves in. Thanks to our brilliant design teams, these benches draw upon the Royal Docks’ rich history, offer commentary on our environmental impact, and reconcile our desire to be together while remaining socially distant. Every year I’m inspired by how the winning teams address the brief, and I hope that many people will enjoy these benches and experience the difference that great design can make to our everyday lives.”

Background

The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) is the world’s largest annual architecture festival and showcases London as a global architectural hub. The LFA’s mission is to support London’s architectural and design talent, enthuse and engage with the public, and find new ways to look at familiar places. In 2020 the LFA has explored the theme of power, and celebrated innovation and design through a digital events programme in June. The 2019 edition of the LFA inspired over 600 events across the capital, attracting over 800,000 visitors and a global audience of 138 million. A year-round programme of design competitions, design charrettes, campaigns and other activities also champions London as the best place in the world to practice and enjoy architecture.

Twitter: @LFArchitecture Instagram: @LondonFestivalofArchitecture https://ift.tt/18UHe3d

Royal Docks Enterprise Zone:The Royal Docks Enterprise Zone is a joint project between the Mayor of London, the London Borough of Newham, led by Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, and the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP). It has the potential to deliver 35,000 jobs, 4,000 new homes and more than £5 billion of inward investment by 2037/38. As London’s only Enterprise Zone, the Royal Docks has a special government designation that means new business rates in the Zone are reserved and reinvested into the area. This has enabled plans for £314 million of investment into the area over the next 5 years to revive the area as a distinctive location for business and culture.

www.royaldocks.london @YourRoyalDocks

Royal Docks London Design Competition information received 171220

Previously on e-architect:

Royal Docks London Design Competition News

Transforming London’s Royal Docks with water sensitive urban design – new open ideas design competition is announced.

Royal Docks London Contest Design: Heatherwick Studio image from London Development Agency Royal Docks London Design Competition – proposal by UK designers Heatherwick Studio

Albert Island, Royal Docks London Development – 2018

Silver Building in the Royal Docks, London – 2017

Royal Docks London Regeneration Proposals – 2016

Royal Docks Cable Car – 2013

Another Royal Docks London design on e-architect:

Royal Docks Business Park Design: KCAP with Maccreanor Lavington Architects image from architect Royal Docks Business Park

Location: Royal Albert Way, London, England, UK

London Buildings

Contemporary London Architecture Designs

London Building Designs – chronological list

London Architecture Tours by e-architect

London Architects Offices

London Architecture

Royal Docks London Regeneration Proposals

London Olympic Stadium HOK Sport – Peter Cook

London designs by Thomas Heatherwick – Selection:

Paperhouse, Kensington & Chelsea, west London Paperhouse : Newspaper Kiosk design

Rolling Bridge, west London Rolling Bridge

Key design by Thomas Heatherwick:

Shanghai Expo – UK Pavilion, China Shanghai Expo UK Pavilion

Another Royal Docks building on e-architect:

Silvertown Quays Farrells Silvertown Quays Royal Docks

The Shard Design: Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW)

Royal Academy of Arts London

Royal Courts of Justice London

Royal Danish Embassy

Comments / photos for the Royal Docks Redevelopment London page welcome

London

The post Royal Docks London Bench Designs appeared first on e-architect.

[xtruss]

“The Hub of the Yellow Journalism and the Sucker of the Incurable Cancerous Swelled Scrotums of the Zionist 🐖 🐷 🐗, The New York Times” Instructs Its Lowlife Dishonest Journalists to Avoid Using Certain Terms — Including "Genocide" and "Ethnic Cleansing" — in Their Coverage of “The Terrorist, Fascist, Apartheid, Occupier and The War Criminal 🐖 Isra-hell's” Onslaught on Palestine's Gaza, a Leaked Internal Memo Reveals. Here are the Terms the American Newspaper Does Not Want Printed: