#about getting back into wildlife biology academically

[some-sort-of-ecologist]

some thoughts on doing science as a PhD drop out

I saw this post on Facebook and it so perfectly summed up the gatekeeping aspect of doing research on a charismatic species. Ultimately the gatekeeping led to me quitting the PhD program, but I hadn't even really realized it until I read the way this person verbalized it.

When I did my undergrad thesis, I worked on reintroduced elk that no one really knew existed beyond a tiny group of biologists. Any research about these elk was exciting and GOOD, because so few people had the funding to study them. I got so much support from biologists and so much "wow, that's so cool, I had no idea we had elk here!" from the locals.

I love research. It plays up my strongest skills - outdoor field work, intense observation, patience, technical writing, and analysis. I love collaborating with people and seeing how we can ask new questions together.

I moved on to caribou for my masters and predators (wolves, bears, and cougars) for my PhD. Suddenly everyone and their dog had an opinion on these species. How they should be managed. Whether they should be studied or left alone. Whether my particular study had any value. And I heard about it. All. The. Time.

I started dreading talking about my research. I was so scared of people thinking my methods weren't rigorous enough, or I wasn't asking the right question, or I wasn't using the right statistical analysis for my question. It seemed like everyone I met had some sort of investment or special interest in my species, some reason why I had to consider their advice.

(Now don't get me wrong, I value constructive criticism from colleagues and appreciate suggestions for improvements, but these were constant, unending comments from people outside the field, people working on different species, and people I didn't ask for advice.)

Anyway. I didn't have any real kind of community or support from peers during grad school, especially compared to the network of Elk People I had during undergrad, and it, combined with the effects of the pandemic on the world, eventually led me to quit my PhD. Talking about my project felt hostile, no matter who I was talking to (and especially my labmates), and my heart wasn't in it.

The thing is, I love research. I love wildlife. I would love to pursue a PhD.

I think I just need a less charismatic wildlife.

[shadowqnights]

Do you have any like thoughts on or headcannons for MCD Travis?

its funny cause i haven't really gotten around to him in any rewrite stuff yet except for like. AUs where he's a part of the guardboys(tm). so this may be brief but here's my rewrite thoughts so Far on travis.

i feel like most people like sticking with the canon of travis being socially awkward because of his isolation. like yeah. i'm a big fan. social cues are lost on him and his more confident/flirting behaviours are from copying books (even the most extreme or fantastical ones). unspoken social rules are the devil to him. this boy was born to yap his head off.

[clashes most with katelyn and garroth at first because of this BUT finds common ground with them later thanks to his studies.]

speaking of his studies hoo boy hello my freak scientist. let him learn! loves getting his hands dirty and doing experiments. no qualms about going to hold bugs and rolling around in the dirt to try and Figure Shit Out. he's a cartographer, in his spare time he's trying to fully map out gal'ruk. he loooves to read, just you wait until he gets his hands on actual up-to-date books and becomes kenmur and emmalyn's bestie. that's kind of where his common ground with katelyn and garroth comes from because they're all fascinated with history to a degree and Can like . sustain a convo with Just pure infodumping. but garroth's a bit of an academic snob sometimes vs travis is a bit of a freak scientist so.. clash...

in a similar vein god travis journals like a teenage girl trying to get her life back together. he notes down everything. he's interested in biology and geology in particular. he will draw and write about everything he sees, and later begins noting down a Lot of human behaviour to understand it better. even to an invasive degree, since he's incredibly perceptive. what he lacks in social cue knowledge he makes up for in pure Vibe Checks and straightforwardness. he will just say exactly what he's feeling.

emotionally he gets along best with laurance and aph, then later katelyn. also kenmur. he and garroth still have some shit to work through. he and laur start off trying to kill each other a little bit and then become besties. i still have to work on his demon mode but it will happen . hoenstly even though he would tire aaron out, they would probably have a mad good chat about divine grudges and demons. younger dante and travis would probably relate a lot to each other.

he's a little bit odd in the way of like . you know the trope where a character is like. isolated alone in the wilderness and is just. having conversations with animals. that's travis. he's just chatting casually with the island critters a lot , if only to have Some company. but he does genuinely also have a really good bond with the wildlife on gal'ruk. i imagine him with a snake companion.

carries knives and a polearm of some sort as his weapons. despite being like a good fighter and like a core of his life on gal'ruk is literally 'guarding' by technicality, he's not really that big on fighting. he's capable , but similar to aaron he would NEVER think of himself as a guard figure. they're more like . freelancing out of necessity.

i think those are like the Main things ive thought about but again like barely scratching the surface cause i haven't really got to him in rewrite yet. but i will one day. sorry i have a funny way of typing casually in a janky way that my brain would say it irl happy to explain anything further if it doesn't make sense. tee hee

[ladyswillmart]

For sure if I had the time, money and energy, I think I’d go back to college and study environmental science or ecology, or maybe wildlife biology. I don’t have any grand ambitions of getting a PhD or even a Master’s, but I’d like to work with animals (especially birds) and conservation, something like that.

But moreover I kind of wish I had done that in the first place instead of what I ended up doing: Floundering uselessly during high school and finally majoring in something I wasn’t especially jazzed about because I didn’t know what else to do (and everyone seemed so unhappy with me no matter what I did), but I can’t blame myself because so much of that (not ALL of it, but a lot of it) was beyond my control. 🥴

The thing is, I never felt like I was capable of studying science or math because I was such a poor student, but in ever-frustrating hindsight I know now that I CAN do it. I even got a B in calculus! Unfortunately back then, I guess I was just kind of overlooked. It wasn’t obvious but I really did need a little extra help with certain academic/executive issues—I certainly didn’t need to be shunted into the “gifted” classes and shamed when I did badly in those too (or just stopped showing up at all, which is what I eventually did). I was just a kid so I didn’t know how, or even who to ask for help with these things, and I was frequently left with the impression that nobody was going to help me anyway.

I have a lot of regrets but at the same time, if not for so many regrettable experiences I would not be here right now, posting this great picture I took of a squirrel eating an entire block of suet to my Tumblr:

So it all kinda evened out in the end I guess.

[00katrinka00]

Landcaster Legacy Gen 6 Update #19

The next morning Mads already had a job interview lined up before her first final. Mads brushed her teeth and picked an outfit.

"Hey Ethan!" Mads said while walking into the living room. "Is this okay for an interview, is the skirt too short?"

"I mean, I have no objections."

"Hello Dr, Liland, thank you for considering me for this position," Mads said upon entering Dr. Liland's office for the interview.

"You're quite welcome, so Madeline. Tell me about yourself," Dr. Liland replied.

"Well, I grew up in Brindleton. I'd always wanted to study biology. My family has quite the history of studying Biology. My great great grandmother studied biology, I'm actually named after her, and so did my mother. It's always been a passion of mine," Mads began to explain.

"My ancestors were more focused on the medical side of the biology degree, but I'm interested in the marine wildlife side. That's why it'd be an honor to be able to work with you and your team studying marine life," Mads continued.

"Well, with your grades you are on track to graduate with academic honors and a distinguished degree in this field. I'm willing to offer you the position today, I think you'd make a wonderful addition to our team," Dr. Liland said.

"Really, are you serious!" Mads exclaimed.

"There is one catch," Dr. Liland began to say. "The job would require you to move to Sulani."

Mads froze for a moment, Sulani? That was awfully far away, but this was her dream "I think I'll have to talk to my boyfriend about moving."

"Then I hope to have an answer by end of day"

Later that night once Ethan had returned home from work, he and Mads sat down for a chat.

"So, Dr. Liland offered me the position on her team," Mads began to tell him.

"That's amazing!" Ethan exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you."

"Well, it would require me to move to Sulani, and if we want to continue living together then I guess you as well," Mads explained.

"I definitely still want to live together," Ethan said. "So Sulani it is!"

"You're sure?" Mades asked. "Absolutely, this is an amazing opportunity for you, and honestly I can do my job anywhere. Besides we're just one loading screen away from all of our friends and family," Ethan told her.

"You're right, Sulani it is!"

Right after their talk Mads called Dr. Liland back. "Looks like a move to Sulani is no problem, so I'll except your offer!" Mads told her.

"Wonderful!" Dr. Liland exclaimed on the other end. "Be ready to start on Monday."

"New home, new job, and a new city, sounds like this is a cause to celebrate," Ethan said as he stood up and walked around the couch towards Mads.

"I believe you would be right," Made grinned before leaning in to kiss him.

The next day Mads, Ethan, and Oscar promptly to Sulani. Their old apartment has a funky smell coming from the pipes and they were both sure they could hear mice scurrying around in the middle of the night, so they were eager to leave.

Once they'd settled in a little Mads decided to make breakfast and Ethan thought it would be good to practice his robotics skill. Who knows maybe it would help him get a promotion at work.

Shortly after breakfast the Welcome Wagon stopped by for a visit and Mads was greeted by her older sister Laura. She'd forgotten that Laura lived in Sulani with her wife and children. "It's so nice to see you, please come in!" Mads exclaime

Ethan took the opportunity to formally introduce himself to Mads' older sister. The three of them spent some time talking.

"Oh, my watcher!" Mads exclaimed. "I almost forgot, it's Harvestfest tomorrow. You should come over with Annalise and the kids!"

"Sounds like a plan!"

[clownforce99]

💤 ☕️ 📚 for freja AND 🔫 ☁️ for beans. you don’t have to do all if that’s too much. i just want to know things please

forgot i could put asks under cuts. bask in the glory of my genius

💤 SLEEPING - do they fall asleep easily?

Sometimes. Freja has to force herself to sleep according to a regular schedule, because if left to her own devices she would routinely stay awake later and later into the night until it’s not night anymore and suddenly she’s going to bed at ten in the morning. Bedtime is an elusive thing if Freja isn’t careful. Regardless, it usually takes her about an hour to actually fall asleep once she’s in bed for the night/day.

💤 SLEEPING - what helps them sleep? 

Melatonin supplements, mostly. It also helps tremendously to be lightyears away from any significant amount of sentient minds, which always press up on her mental barriers like their lives depend on it, but that’s often too much to ask.

☕️ HOT BEVERAGE - do they prefer hot or cold drinks? what is their favourite drink?

Freja likes cold drinks, largely because she’s prone to impatience about foods and WILL burn her mouth. Her go-to is just water but she’ll drink it at nearly any temperature. Doesn’t find lukewarm water to be gross unless it has taken on the flavor of the cup it’s in. Will drink dusty ‘i accidentally left this on my desk for two days’ water with reckless abandon.

📚 BOOKS - how were they at school? what is their best subject? what is their worst subject? do they have a favourite subject?

During her formative education at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Freja was mostly an above average student, which was especially impressive because by the time she had been brought into the Order she had not yet been taught how to read or do much else.

Freja’s absolute best subject was Intergalactic History, however it wasn’t her favorite - that honor went to the basic Biology classes that were available to younglings. She also favored the classes that touched on landscape ecology.

Her most notable academic characteristic was, unfortunately, her near inability to do basic arithmetic. Grasping the concepts and principles behind equations and formulas and whatever else they could throw at a child under 13 wasn’t too difficult, but things like multiplication tables frustrated her to the brink of tears. At no point in her adult life is Freja without a calculator within arm’s reach.

(Subsequently, she had a bitch of a time actually getting through her math prereqs for Wildlife Bio. Some may suggest she might have cheated her way through those classes but nobody can prove anything.)

BEANS MY BOY (i should mention he belongs to the Intergalactic Zoological Society but has been assigned to Freja, so when i say “Freja’s BD Unit”, that’s how i mean it)

🔫 PISTOL - do they trust people easily? how easily will they turn their back to someone? have they been backstabbed before? will they betray someone if given an ultimatum? 

He is the picture of innocence thank you next question.

People of varying quality of character come and go throughout Beans’ life, but it just never occurs to him that he shouldn’t trust them unequivocally. He Is Here To Help! after all. Just a simple BD Unit making his way through the universe. Trusting people is Beans’ default state of being. (This is problematic during wartime.)

It also never occurs to Beans that he can just... abandon others. He may be taken away, assigned elsewhere, but so far he’s never had to grapple with the choice between staying in someone’s life or leaving it of his own volition. Nobody has come close to making him think about it either.

That said, he might do things that could be considered ‘betrayal’ without viewing it in that light himself. His primary objectives involve the observation, aggregation, and distribution of field data, and the assistance of others also working towards the same goals. Perhaps he might share information that not ought to be so freely shared. Perhaps he records things that shouldn’t be recorded. Perhaps he has few, if any boundaries. Scruples? None. Malice? Also none.

It’s never a matter of intent, though. This is what gets him wiped. He’s recalled from Freja’s care and, not knowing what the IZS intends to do, she sends him back and never sees him again. Freja considers it a betrayal, both on her part and on the IZS, and is impotently furious about it for the rest of her life. If the people around her wonder why her disposition takes a nosedive halfway through the war, they need not look any further.

☁️ CLOUD - a soft headcanon 

Here’s some mood whiplash for ya. Beans keeps watch while Freja sleeps! He perches up near her head and folds himself up all cute-like and just. Stays there. Granted the most he’s ever had to ‘protect’ Freja from was a stray ground squirrel on Yavin 4, and his main defenses are beeping loudly and scrambling about like a headless chicken... but he’s helping!

Speaking of chickens, he loves them. They don’t always love him but there was a flock that adopted him on one of the IZS campuses and he’s been chickenkin since.

More: his idea of helping when his handlers catch sick usually involves grasping a cough-drop in one foot and hopping up to their resting forms on the other and “gently” letting gravity deposit the cough-drop on their face. Space Montezuma’s Revenge? Cough-drop. Rabies? Cough-drop. Malaria? Cough-drop. Take your medicine. He’s helping.

[kinka-juice]

Hello! I hope you are well today!

I was hoping to ask you a question about your career, was getting a biologist degree difficult? I really want to go back to school and focus on wildlife conservation but I am somewhat academically challenged. I guess I'm asking for your insight of being a biology major?

Thanks again for taking the time to read this!

Its hard to say. I like hands-on field work, but I also like stuffing my head with facts and trivia. That part of school came easy. I also test well, and I was not the most studious because my brain sucks up every fact I find interesting and holds onto it, so I am not a good role model as a student.

My specific degree is Biology with a "natural science emphasis", which means I only did basic chemistry and physics and I did more plant and animal organismal level, with more backing with geology and environmental science than chemistry and microbiology. I ended up in zookeeping and science interpretation (explaining science to the public) because I found it the most fitting in the end.

Honestly, I think my best advice is to find something citizen-science related you can participate in locally that can give you a better feel and you can connect with others who are in the field and see if it's right for you. Numbers can be an important part of conservation science, but one of the biggest things that nobody mentions is that maps are even bigger. If you can get good at GIS and mapping software, you are valuable to conservation.

But reach out to your region's wildlife science department (like mine would be Utah DWR) to see if there are projects to help with, or your local college/university, or local zoo. Say you are interested in assisting with fieldwork. Audubon society can be good, too (tis the season for Hummingbird banding where I am). Planting projects are also good.

There's also American Conservation Experience and various conservation Corps that can get you some boots on the ground experience. And often paid. This will be labor intensive, though, as a warning. Things like making trails, planting, spraying pesticides on invasives, and there's not going to be a lot of hanging out with animals.

Get a feel for it first. Because, uh, there are many benefits to being a wildlife biologist, but generally a large salary is not one (A zookeeper does not make more than most retail workers). Don't make a big investment in student loans and regret it.

I should also note, lots of people have to get post-secondary education (Masters/Doctorate) in this field to secure a job as well.

Anyhow, find some local citizen science to get involved in to see how you enjoy it.

[geges]

oh also hope this isnt invasive or anything but since you mentioned having a wildlife bio/ecology degree is it ok if i ask what studying that is like? i have a horticulture associates rn and am kind of in limbo about going back to school and environmental sciences like biology/ecology were what i originally wanted to study but the community college i went to didnt offer those, so basically what im asking is would u reccomend pursuing that degree if someone like myself were interested in it? thank u if u do take the time to answer but theres totally no pressure i hope ur having a nice night

yes yes i love talking abt env sci so im happy to answer anything abt it! for me, it's a pretty easy academic field, if very unrewarding in the later years because no one wants to pay you. if youre dual majoring or going into ag sci/ag pro instead of just academic/field work, you shouldnt have to worry abt a lack of jobs. just,, dont go for straight wildlife bio. u will be paid 15k a year for full-time jobs LMAO. if you enjoyed horticulture, then i would absolutely always recommend going into ag sci, wildlife bio, ecology, or zoology. i think you'll find the fields are soooo heavily connected that having experience in one will make everything else infinitely easier! for what studying wildlife bio/eco as a whole is like,,,, it sucks? but in the same way that every field sucks. the field work is either the best thing ever or a miserable dangerous hell experience. overall, it's engaging, highly applicable to pretty much everything, easy to understand, generally populated by tolerable people, and not the most stressful degree out there. unless youre going into smth like water processing or energy. in which case, dont. ive never met a person that has gone into wastewater or energy that still wants to live its miserable. i took one singular class on industrial microchemistry and holy shit these people are insane thwyre legitimately all insane. but. getting back on track, what im saying is. if you have a specific area or dual major you find economically viable, then absolutely 100% go pursue an wildlife bio or general ecology degree!! always always always! ive been studying in this field for about 6 years and working in it for 4, and the only two complaints i have are that 1) the sun sucks actually. and 2) no one pays wildlife biologists. everything else is fascinating, engaging, constructive, helpful, and just an all-over great thing to experience

[rpmemesbyarat]

Having some trouble picking things your muse enjoys or likes to do? Well, here’s some ideas how! Look at what’s around you right now, and get ideas from that. For instance, next to me is a lamp. Maybe your muse could be interested in antique or kitschy lamps, or collect nightlights, or be interested in interior design. My TV is also nearby. Maybe your muse has a favorite show, or wants to write for television, or is on their school’s news team, or is good with electronic things. My plush unicorn is nearby me too. Maybe your muse collects plushes, or unicorn items, or loves fantasy, or loves equines. My knit hat is perched on the back of my chair as I type this. Maybe your muse knits, or has an interest in millinery, or likes fashion, or does outdoor sports in winter that require a hat. See how easy this is once you get going? Another way is to look at the lifestyle your muse has, as well as the lifestyle that they WANT to have. A girl who lives out in the country on her family’s farm might be all about chickens and livestock and doing outdoorsy farm things…or she might long for glamorous city life. A high society debutante might adore the fancy parties and rubbing shoulders with her upper crust peers…or she might romanticize the “common life” and want to be a part of that instead. Let’s examine those four girls. The country mouse that loves her lot in life might do a lot of 4H shows, keep a garden, go riding or hunting, take long walks through the fields and farmlands, breed her own chickens/dogs/rabbits/etc. She probably also has some sewing skills to keep her clothes in repair until the next time they can afford to buy new ones. The country mouse that longs for the city might also have sewing skills, but uses them to try to emulate the urban fashions from the chic magazines she hoards, loves watching shows and reading novels set in the big city, and is saving up to get away there herself. The debutante that loves her life is probably very fashion-conscious, keeps up to date with the latest people to be seen with and places to be seen at, and is probably a member of some kind of social clubs where she plays preppy sports like polo, tennis, and golf, as well as expensive ski trips in winter and yachting in the summer. The Rebellious Princess, however, might shun these activities and instead sneak out at night to go to the “wrong side of the tracks” and do things that she perceives as the height of bad behavior, such as dive bars, pool, crazy clubs, maybe even something as declasse as wrestling matches, rock concerts, and monster truck rallies! She’s probably fashion-conscious too, but in a different way; she wants to look like a BAD girl, in the latest biker boots and punk jewelry she made out of safety pins. Or she might not dare go out and play the part, but does have an interest in anything that speaks to her desires, be it music, movies, or books. Looking at what job your character has or wants to have can also give you some ideas about they enjoy. For instance, if someone wants to be a writer, it’s a safe bet they probably have a passion for reading, and from that you can choose what kinds of genres they enjoy, and get other interest from that. For instance, a fantasy reader might like other fantasy-related things such as Ren Faires or fantasy-based art or historical costuming. Or perhaps their interest in, say, learning Elvish comes with a passion for languages as well, or their interest in fictional dynasties suggests they might like studying real royalty too. Whereas a sci-fi reader might enjoy speculative biology about what alien species might exist, or building models of fictional spacecrafts. Someone who became a lawyer might have a strong interest in justice, so that might influence what kind of media they consume. Someone who is a wildlife biologist probably has an interest in animals in some way which can lead to various other hobbies as well as science. Other good ways to get ideas is to look at places such as AskReddit and search for topics like “What are your interests?” or browse Tumblrs and see what people are into, look at aesthetics and moodboards, and pick things from them that you feel suits your character. If you know your character’s zodiac or something similar, you could look up common interests of that sign/MBTI group/etc (though feel free of course to take interests more common to other signs/groups/etc!) As I said in the CHARACTER HOBBIES post, ignore stereotypes. I love fashion, and I love comic books, and I love getting dirty with animals. Some people think that if you like something “nerdy” like comics, you must have no sense of style and never go outside. These same people probably think that people who like fashion also sneer at “nerdy” things and shriek at the thought of fur getting on their fancy duds. Obviously, I prove this is not the case, and I’m not the Special Snowflake who is the sole exception to this rule either. For instance, at my high school, the star quarterback on the football team was also in drama club and was a TERRIFIC actor. So don’t feel that just because your muse likes a certain thing means they have to be a certain kind of person or can’t like other things. It is perfectly fine for your muse to enjoy both academic literature and gossip tabloids, classical music and the latest pop, French indie cinema and rubber sci-fi monster movies. Jocks can like art, preps can like poetry, goths can like things that AREN’T black. What social group your muse falls into (though they’re rarely that cut-and-dried in real life as media makes tem out) might help give you some hints about what they MAY be into (for instance, a Goth can like things that aren’t black, but they also probably like a lot of things that are, or else Goth probably wouldn’t appeal to them) but it shouldn’t become a box. Go with what fits your muse as an individual! 

[ton-e]

Ooo small worldbuilding detail But!! On earth 513, on Asgard, it's not an uncommon reacurance for royalborns to be illiterate while the normal class receives mandatory education;

They, specifically princesses or general female personel, are thought general politics and basic history, yet the male population isn't educated in forms of writing and reading as they're just not seen as important. At best, they're thought at least high vocabulary but that's about it, because most of them end up involved or ruling over a heavily warfare influenced field.

"Our boys are going on a battlefield," Borr huffs mockingly as he drowns perhaps his 5th goblet of wine. The purple rain drips down from his frizzy beard and sticks long after he slams the gold down. "What are they going to do? Stab the enemy with a quill?"

Bestla sighs, resigned a close familiarity on her tongue, knowing it's a battle lost. Her eyes send a mute apology to three heads watching longingly from the tall windows of their chambers down at the chain of little feet thumping happily towards the schooling grounds, laughter walking closely in their step.

She teaches them in private, secretly away from cunning eyes and ears with more love for money than for their life. Bestla knows her husband well, better than he knows her, or else he'd know she doesn't leave any battle on her knees.

Hel and Allfather harbour a love for books and pretty words, pudgy little fingers following every line of charchol ink as if to gobble the world hiding in every letter, making her heart warm. Balder interests himself in academics, everything from the history of the titans to Njords first touch of water, he's knowledge about, and Bestla bursts with a pride as big as the staff for seeing them starving for a knowledge young and innocent.

Its a nice escape from a harsh reality.

Then, Balder finds his Godhood, and Borr ceases to care what he does.

The distaste is not spoken directly, but the angry screams bleeding from the marital chambers tell him enough. He's not permitted on any battleground touching even the tightest corner of their Kingdom and no one feels brave enough to point his absence out.

'It's because he cares, ' Allfather tries to convince himself, ignoring the presence of a hand, heavy and cruel, squeezing his heart when no celebration is in order for his brother. Balder was devious, harsh, and fickle, but he was his brother all the same. ' Father would hate for him to get hurt.' Even if he knows Balder doesn't hurt easily.

There was a knowledge of what Hel was, when he was born, the nothingness of sound as the cold body of a cryless infant was carried ringing like a death bell above everyone. Hel is born more ghost than boy. Many thought him death. Many think he still is

. But when the proof of his Godhood manifested in the form of a crow dusting in the wind for stealing Bestlas necklace, rumors become information. He holds his baby brother during the long cry of a sleepless bed like a man going to beheading for a terrible cry.

Borr, like countless others, lacks the courage to deny him anything after that.

The poetry slowly stops. What's the meaning of beauty if you can't share it with anyone?

Allfather and Bestla keep them the stash still.

Allfather dreads the day he will have to stop being a mortal, praying to the Norns to grant him as much time as possible. Blessings are granted to the needy, however, and without much surprise soon he presents too.

The greatest feast of all 9 Kingdoms is raised for his Godsake day, and all he wants is to hide. Hide from the tales of old soldiers wishing him good fortune, for the weaponsmaster pushing swords, daggers, axes and spears into his arms, from the young lords, too young and too naive for what awaits them, boosting about the terror they'll unleash in battle, and from his father's mead flavored breath .

" You're my last hope, my one true son," the King slurs, hand cradling Allfathers face in his gloved hand with an affection the blonde lad knows not what to do with it. "Your mother, she thinks I don't know those two aren't my blood. She doesn't know me, just as much as I don't her. But I trust that you will become the King this country needs, won't you? You'll be strong, and true, and worthy. "

He gulps his uncertinity as much as his fear. "... Yes."

"Good lad," Borr beams, eyes hunting for the maiden behind him. "I love you most, Odin."

Allfather locks his books away. He learns to handle a sword sooner than a pencil.

With times, his beloved stories lose their shine to the grime of battle, of war, of what he can't forget, can't give back. His mothers soft lullaby fades to the the screams of widowed women, mothers without husabnds or sons. He wonders, would the knights in his books look at him a hero, or slay him with the sharpest sword? Both possibilities make his chest ache.

But not every region is like that!! Nidavellier prizes wisdom best, tailored their legacy onto paper rather than in battleground; Therefore education is extremely important to them, knowledge crowned the true King among them. It makes no difference to them weather they teach a Prince or princess, stable boy or lord, squire or knight; Everyone is seen the same.

In Jotunheim, they can be considered brightest as they're the main providers if that makes sense! Even if they prefer the shred of reclusiceness in their own territory, a cinsierdable present of the country is seen as a merchant state; They supply almost all of Asgard with plenty of materials, foods, fabrics, you name it they got it, which indicates most of their educational system is a blend of everything.

But it's really important to keep in mind what regions values as "Education" to them! On Asgard it's politics, teaching them their roles as leaders and how to twist the coin so it lands in your favor; On Nidavellier, they encourage each person to aim for blacksmithing, therefore chemistry, physics, mathematics and the such is the most prominent pattern!

Jotunheim, in the same as many Northern regions that differentiate the North and South, possesses a knitclose kinship with spirituality and the unknown old practices, therefore their knowledge holds very close to nature and it's branches; Animals, biology, travelling, everything is an ecosisyetm of subjects but it boils down to being able to shape expert craftiness in wildlife!! Not only do their raise scholars, but also survivors.

The idea came from imagining Allfather being embarssed and feeling unworthy of being in the presence of two of the brightest minds in this generation; Frigg is a ball of energy with a mouth and brain that spills the most interesting sounding things. He doesn't understand them, but she could make floor scrubbing seem captivating if she really tried.

Farbauti has an elegant way with his words, carefully hand picked, complex sentences hosting even more complex thoughts that he can't feel are dumped down for him. They can hold lengthy conversations between the two of them, until the sun raises and falls, trading ideas that sound brilliant. He can't bear the humiliation when they turn to him for his piece and he stays silent, so most of the time, he just agrees without his own addition.

But it's not only that, it's him being very eager to listen to them reading, content to let his hair be played and caressed while resting On a comfortable lap of either harsh leather or soft silk. But he never reads with them. Everytime he tries letter blend into the other or mangle themselves to take form of either other dialect or even numbers.

They take note, because unlike him, they use their heads for something other than holding the rest of his body together.

Farbauti is a gentle man, mirroring the fierce beast in so many ballads and whispers about him. " If you... If you'd fancy some aid with reading, I'd be happy to help you. I know the hardness of being introduced to concepts that, perhaps, you weren't made familiar with. Really, I thought Shaggy dog would skin me for always forgetting a certain sign, he's been looking for a motive for a time, and,-" He stops, words halted and eyes wide when Allfather refuses to meet his gaze, hand wiping away shameful tears.

He's pulled to a strong chest, having to lean down due to their considerable size imbalance. "There is no shame in not knowing," he hums, lips moving gentle and loving in the crown of gold hair. "There is no shame around me, understand?"

The same story happens with Frigg, who brings him great comfort when her small figure sits on his knees and her autumn burned hair tickles the bridge of his nose as they read a book together, out loud, one gentle voice coaxing the other to say every line.

He didn't use to write much, not as much as he read, before. He was content with only drowning in a world far away from the one he couldn't escape, that he didn't dare to create something else.

He writes their names first and the envelope securing well wishes is salted with tears of happiness.

[probablywolves]

so i have a decent amount of new followers

and I thought I’d make a little post about myself, idk. I dont put so much about me on this blog, and for the eight years I’ve had it, its gone through four name changes, and a lot of different content.

But anyways, hey! I’m Haley, I’m 22, i’m queer, and I have waaaaay too many interests for my own good!

Right now, I like to post about: black lives matter, american politics, dogs, tattoos, stephen king books (mostly The Stand), polytheism/witchcraft, and the rest is sort of assorted fandoms , memes + whatever hyperfixation of the week it is.

Academics/research:

I just graduated with my Bachelor’s of Science, double majoring in Biology (concentration in Ecology/ Wildlife Conservation) and Classical Civilization. I was part of a research team in the field of behavioral neuroscience, where we studied the effects of isolation on short term memory and growth in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In Classics, my senior thesis was on the evolution of Hermes in art and literature.

I am currently in the process of getting a job in a lab, and I’d like to go back to school to get my PhD once I have some real-world/professional experience!

Dogs:

I am incredibly interested in the dog world at the moment. I’ve worked with dogs since I was ten, volunteering with a dog rescue with my mom. While it was a little bit of a trial by fire, I learned a lot about dog behavior. And while it probably wasn’t a great idea, I was also given experience working with wolf hybrids, as our rescue was sort of a middle-man between kill-shelters and proper wolf sanctuaries. I’ve worked at a vet office for the past five years, and during that time, I’ve become more and more intrigued by working dogs, and especially primitive and landrace breeds such as malamutes, akitas, and kangals.

I’ve put down a deposit for a puppy with a semi-local malamute breeder whose dogs are AKC champions as well as working dogs, and should be getting my puppy sometime next year. This breeder limits their litters to once or twice a year. I’m very interested in backpacking since I do a fair bit of hiking myself, and would eventually like to get into sledding and maybe even skijoring.

Polytheism/witchcraft:

I am a polytheist, and I have a small altar to Apollo and Hermes, who are both wonderful. I am still learning a LOT about paganism, polytheism, and witchcraft, but I read tarot cards and runes and meditation is a big part of my day, whether that be sitting still or going on a short walk through the woods to be present within myself!

My icon/avatar is the sigil of Paimon. I identify strongly with deities originating in the Mediterranean, as that is where most of my family is from (not that you have to be from a geographic location to pay tribute to those gods). Also, Paimon is cool as hell (pun intended) and a delight to work with (btw Hereditary was good and i’m not going to explain myself).

Tattoos:

I love tattoos! I think tattooing is an incredible art form! I have three tattoos right now, and I have to start on my first sleeve if anything can ever get back to normal! I have two tattoos of wolves (shouldblade and ribcage) and then a fun little lizard tattoo on my ankle.

I also think the tattooing industry is whack and the gatekeeping of poc, women, and young artists in general is gross. It’s a beautiful art for, and its for anyone who wants to get into it. Also, if an artist tells you they can’t tattoo you bc your skin is too dark, they’re a coward and also probably not very good anyways.

TL;DR

I’m haley and if you’re into dogs, tattooing, witchcraft, stephen king novels, or general bullshittery, please come talk to me!!!!

[the-recusants-sigil]

Back again with Part 3- going in numerical order, that would be Vexen!!

I’m having a lot of fun with this prompt. Hope you like <3

Vexen

Words: 1939

-The first thing Vexen became aware of was the sensation of waves generally lapping at him. He could hear the faint roar of the ocean, feel the soft sand give way beneath him. The water was cool, pleasantly cool, a welcome relief from that suffocating trenchcoat, now soaked and filled with kelp.

-He felt the afternoon sun beating down on him, and at once he became acutely aware of the situation: this wasn't Agrabah. Agrabah didn't have an ocean. He was barely conscious, lying spread-eagle on a beach in all black; wherever he was, there was simply no way he didn't stick out like a sore thumb. The man tried to get to his feet, but faltered as soon as he placed some weight on his ankle. It was broken, no doubt, and he felt the pain shoot through his body, up his spine and into his shoulders. So he couldn't move, but he could at least look around and try to gain his bearings.

-This world was far different from any other that he'd been to. Vexen could make out small white dots moving incredibly fast off in the distance. Boats, perhaps? Further down the beach, he could see a couple strolling along with a fluffy dog in tow. Behind him, he heard footsteps on what he supposed was a boardwalk.

-”Hey there!” Vexen bristled; rule number one was to never be seen while out on a mission, and he had just failed miserably. Not that he could have done much with a broken ankle, he supposed, but this was still bad. “Do you need some help, sir?”

-”Er- no, no! I'm fine. Thank you, really, but I am quite alright, I-”

-”Okay,” the voice continued, “but you should really try to move. You've been there for a while, and the tide is about to come in. So if you don't want to drown...”

-”You know, actually,” he cut the good Samaritan off quickly, “I think I've broken my ankle. Perhaps I could use some assistance after all... if you are willing?”

-The man was tall- very tall- but you had no trouble helping him off the ground once you had a good hold on him. His long, blonde hair was tangled, green eyes weary, but he wouldn't allow himself to lean too heavily on you despite the obvious pain he was in. You carefully guided him up onto the boardwalk, steadying him when his legs wobbled, then across the street to the cafe your parents owned. It was a small place, normally bustling during “beach season”, but it was getting late in the afternoon, and most seemed to opt for ice cream instead. You deposited him at a booth and ran into the kitchen to grab him some water. In all likelihood, he was dehydrated.

-Vexen took the ice water from you gratefully, and when you sat down across from him, he didn't protest. After a few minutes of silence, he finally asked, “Why did you stop to help me?”

-This question gave you pause. “If somebody drowned right across from our shop, it might negatively impact business?” You shrugged weakly; it hadn't been entirely untrue, but you also didn't really know why you stopped. Call it a random act of kindness.

-”Sound logic,” the man sighed, finishing the water in his glass. “Well, thank you, kind stranger.”

-You smiled. “Please, call me Y/N. Now... do you need to see a doctor, sir?”

-”Nonononono. NO doctors,” he practically screeched before collecting himself. That was the last thing he needed, and the Superior would surely have his head. “Just... oh, goodness that hurts- just something to immobilize it and an ice pack, please, Y/N. And... my name is Vexen. Apologies for not introducing myself sooner.”

-Behind the cafe's storefront, through the kitchen, was the master's suite where your family lived. It was small, with a cramped living room, two tiny bathrooms, and two bedrooms: one for you and one for your parents. Luckily for Vexen, there wasn't much walking to be done to get to anything in the house. He made himself at home in your room, studying the contents of the bookshelves that lined the walls. There were some children's books mixed in with more advanced novels, and a few textbooks from your time at university.

-”Have you lived here your whole life?” he asked, trying as hard as he could to be pleasant. He wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of here and get back to the Castle before Saix demanded his head on a pike, but for now, it was wise to play nice.

-”Perceptive,” you replied with a nod. “Yep- Born and raised here. Went to college ten minutes away, but came back home after because my parents are getting older and need some help running the place. I wanted to be a marine biologist, but...” Vexen thought of little Ienzo, then, always his little helper, and he felt his chest tighten.

-“But maybe that can happen later. I still have big dreams,” you finished quietly.

-”Ah. So you studied Biology,” he mused, “it is always nice to make the acquaintance of a fellow academic. So, in this area...”

-The two of you went on and on for hours about the local wildlife, your misadventures in education, the swarm of idiots that seemed to flock to the Jersey shore in the summer. You reminisced about the semester you'd been a Teacher's Assistant giving lectures and grading assignments, and you remembered the one student in the last section of the day that wrote every assignment in crayon. Vexen assured you, with a quiet chuckle, that he had a colleague exactly like that.

-Just past midnight, you finally passed out, and Vexen took it as a prime opportunity to down the last potion he had left. The throbbing pain in his ankles subsided within the minute, and much to his relief, he found that he could once again put weight on it. If you asked in the morning, he'd tell you he just sprained it.

-Yet, there was a part of him, deep down, that wanted to tell you the truth. After all, you had helped him. Even after knowing you for such a short amount of time, he couldn't deny that he felt some kind of a connection with you. You could keep up with him in conversation, unlike the troglodytes he called colleagues, and you were interested in what he had to say. Without going into too much detail, he told you a bit about the work he did before... before the Organization. You'd shown genuine interest, and if he had a heart, it would have fluttered.

-Vexen, no. Think of the mission. You have to go back, he thought to himself. But... maybe one more day here couldn't hurt.

-So when he awoke the next morning and strode into the living room to find your family gathered there, his blood practically turned to ice in his veins. Your parents sat on the couch, eyeing the strange man warily; your father reached for something behind the couch and Vexen panicked inwardly.

-”Mom, Dad, he's fine,” you called from the kitchen, and they relaxed somewhat. He nodded awkwardly and made his way into the kitchen, nearly hitting his head on the doorframe as he entered.

-Vexen was surprised to see you waiting with breakfast ready. He gratefully accepted the food, the two of you discussed plans for the day. You inquired about his ankle, and he fed you the pre-rehearsed line; when you didn't push the issue, he sighed in relief. You wanted to make sure he was alright with a bit of a walk; a tour of the town would be the perfect thing to do, since he didn't know where he was or how he got here, and it might help him regain his bearings.

-Vexen, on the other hand, was thankful for a much-needed vacation day with someone whose company he actually enjoyed.

-Wait, did he just think that?

-Vexen strolled along the boardwalk with you, enjoying the breeze in his hair. He made sure to take smaller steps than normal so that you could keep up without jogging after him. He breathed in the scent of brine, watched the gulls drift lazily through the sky, and smiled, ever so slightly.  Even the crowd seemed not to bother him- normally, a boardwalk bustling with rowdy beachgoers, dogs, and children would have been far too much for him, but for today, the presence of others was inconsequential.

-You pointed out various historical landmarks as you walked: an old inn that had been running for two hundred years, the original lighthouse that had fallen out of use in favor of a newer one that wasn't crumbling, the childhood home of an influential musician and, of course, the university you went to. He took it all in, but more and more, he found himself noting the smallest details about you.

-There were the little things, like the way your nose crinkled when you laughed or the way you stubbornly sipped at your coffee even though you knew it was too hot to drink. The breeze in your hair, the way you said his name, the quiet remarks you made about passersby that only he would pick up on...

-He came back down to earth when you took his hand and led him into an antique shop. The oldest one for a hundred miles, you told him, and his focus shifted to the densely packed display booths. Nearly all of them were chock full of furniture and various artifacts of eras long gone, like soldiers' uniforrms, milk cans, and record players. His eyes landed on a tall bookshelf packed with all sorts of volumes, and he immediately reached for a tattered hardback with yellow pages. The Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe.

-Zexion will love this, he thought.

-That book was the only purchase the two of you made, and by the time you decided to leave, the sun had already begun to set. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but Vexen had to tell you goodbye sooner or later.

-”Y/N, thank you for spending such a lovely day with me,” he began slowly. You knew exactly where this was going. “But I really must get back to-”

-Vexen's face went bright red as your lips collided with his, stopping him mid-sentence. It was a quick kiss, but in that moment, he wished he could have stopped time and made it last longer. You pulled away quickly, face flushed, tucking your hair behind your ear nervously. “I- I'm sorry. You have to go back to work. I know. Well... Don't forget about me, okay? Come visit again sometime. Maybe without a sprained ankle, though.”

Still beet red, he stammered and scrambled for some kind of dignified response. “Uh, I- Well, yes. Yes, I will be back to visit. I promise you. Cafe at the Shore. I would not dare forget.” he turned to leave, but stopped abruptly. “...Thank you, Y/N. Really. I will see you again, sooner rather than later.”

-He turned away and walked further down the boardwalk, ears still visibly red from the encounter. As you watched him leave, you couldn't help but feel a little sad. He would be back, though. You knew it.

-It took Vexen a few minutes, but he eventually found a narrow alley he could duck into and open a corridor back home. He'd likely be in deep shit for failing so miserably in Agrabah, but after today, he wasn't sure he minded all that much.

[km-envs3000-19]

you can’t start a fire without a spark...

In the final days of my summer vacation, I found myself sitting in a lawn chair around a bonfire in the backyard of my Nova Scotia home with my dad. We built this fire together, and now we were enjoying sitting in its’ warmth, watching the sparks slowly rise into the sky, before they disappeared in the silhouette of the tall pine trees where we often see bald eagles perched. I’m reminded of the numerous times I’ve found myself sitting around a bonfire with my dad, and how it was him who really sparked my interest in nature and the great outdoors.

Image 1 (above): A bald eagle sitting on top of a tree in my backyard, captured by my dad (Follow him on Instagram: @/airblair72)

I was born in May of 1999, and by summer of that same year my parents were already taking me camping! I don’t know how my dad convinced my mom to take a new-born baby to a provincial park, and to sleep in a tent for a few nights, but he managed to win her over. As I got older, every summer we would go camping. I was, and still am to this day, captivated by everything my dad showed me in nature. He studied horticulture at the University of Guelph and worked at various greenhouses and parks departments over his lifetime, so he has an expansive knowledge of flora species. I remember going to an arboretum near my childhood home and my dad telling me the scientific names of all the trees, and him sharing what makes each distinct. He was a great nature interpreter, because he knew his audience, and was able to explain things in a way that made sense to an 8-year-old (Beck and Cable).The tree that I was infatuated with right away was the gingko biloba, and, to this day, it is my favourite tree. Now the tree itself isn’t something super special, aside from its’ interesting leaves, it looks like any other tree. But to me, it’s the most beautiful tree because it was my dad who showed it to me. So, whenever I see a gingko leaf on the ground, I smile and think of that day.

Image 2 (above): A photo from one of my early camping trips, which my dad captioned “Kayla the Camper”. Couldn’t say it better myself!

I remember going to Killbear Provincial Park up near Parry Sound, Ontario, and exploring the visitor centre. My dad showed me the display case with scat samples inside, and to me, it was the coolest thing! I remember seeing a display with a photo of a baby black bear scaled to normal size. There was a meter stick beside it, so you could see how tall you were in comparison to the young bear. I remember standing next to the bear and smiling while my dad took a photo, but for some reason, it was only the silly picture that was printed (shown below). I remember my dad smiling at me from behind the camera when I did this silly pose.

Image 3 (above): Young me striking a silly pose at Killbear Provincial Park Visitor center. One of my earliest and fondest memories!

I remember my dad taking my younger brother and I camping while my mom was writing her master’s thesis. I was probably 12 or so years old, so my brother was around 10 at the time. On the truck ride up to MacGregor Provincial Park, my dad let my brother and I split a Red Bull energy drink! We were bouncing off the walls by the time we arrived at the campsite. We set up our tent and everything, then to let off some steam, we went for a long bike ride. I remember being the first of the three of us to arrive back to the campsite, and that’s when I saw a massive raccoon on our picnic table, trying to open our bag of marshmallows we’d accidentally left on the table with his little paws. I just stared in awe for a few moments before realizing that was our only bag of marshmallows, so I screamed! The raccoon was startled and scurried up the tallest tree on our campsite, with our marshmallows! By this time my brother and dad had arrived back, finding me distraught and marshmallow-less. We started brainstorming ideas of how to get the bag back and being that we were still hyped up on Red Bull, my brother and I devised a plan: to throw sticks at the raccoon with the hopes he’d drop the bag. Now we tried several times on our own, never being able to launch the stick high enough until my dad took pity on us and threw a stick, aiming it perfectly so that it hit just the bag and not the animal. The bag of marshmallows plummeted to the ground where we retrieved it, with only a few casualties.

“Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives.” -Thomas Berry

I could tell you hundreds of camping and hiking stories that shaped my interest and love for the outdoors, but then this blog post would be far exceeding the 500-word guideline (as I’ve already done). The common thread through all these stories is my dad, facilitating my learning. And although he is a horticulturist, he led me the what Beck and Cable call “the threshold of my mind”, meaning that he lit the spark, but it was me who put the logs on the fire and made it my own.

This summer, I was living and working in France and had the opportunity to do some tourism in the area. Whenever I visited places surrounded by nature, I thought of my dad. For example, I visited Claude Monet’s Gardens, (which isn’t unedited nature, it is quite manicured, but in that region of France, I’d take what I could get) and all I could think of is how much dad would love this. My mind immediately associates nature with my dad, and that’s probably why I love it so much.

Image 4 (above): Photo of me exploring Claude Monet’s House and Gardens, Summer 2019, captured by my dear friend Louisa.

Today, I don’t camp as much as I’d like. I miss sleeping in a tent and watching the long-legged spiders crawl between the main part of the tent and the fly in the morning. My relationship with nature has become like rekindling a spark with an old friend. I missed learning about nature and spending time outside in my first 2 years of my degree because I was in more general courses like physics and chemistry. My relationship is more of an academic one, being that I study Wildlife Biology. But what remains the same is my curiosity. I know I am interested in nature and wildlife, so learning about it in university is what keeps me going, even in seasons of assignments and midterms. I love to go on hikes and nature walks in South-Western Ontario (my favourite is Mount Nemo), and being outdoors bring the same calm and serenity as it did when I was young, and I look forward to diving into my love for nature for the rest of my life.

Bibliography:

“The Gifts of Interpretation” by Larry Beck and Ted T. Cable. 3rd Edition, Copyright 2011.

[svbcritic]

ok  so  we  back  at  it  again  with  my  second  and  newer  son  prince  !!  he’s  my  soft  boy  compared  to  the  hobgoblin  that  is  charlie  so  pls  luv  him  !!  i’ll  stop  my  ramblings  to  spare  u  all  but  u  all  know  the  drill  ...  tap  that  lil  heart  if  u  wanna  plot  and  i’ll  pop  right  on  over  to  ur  im’s  !!

⌈ jung wooyoung, cis male, he/him ⌋ hey, is it PRINCE YEUN that you’re looking for? you know, the TWENTY year old STUDENT. typically i see them hanging around LICKETY-SPLIT! so you could try there! i hear they’ve been in living in PRINCETOWN for SIXTEEN YEARS. gristol wouldn’t the same without them, right? anyway, whenever i see them they make me think of THE LASTING SCENT OF CINNAMON GUM, TIRED EYES HIDDEN BEHIND GLASSES, DYED HAIR WITH HIS ROOTS BEGINNING TO SHOW, & CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKES WITH EXTRA WHIPPED CREAM.

STATS

full name: prince yeun / nicknames: mainly just prince / ethnicity: korean / sexuality: bisexual / occupation: student & barista / spoken languages: korean, english, german, & conversational spanish / hogwarts house: ravenclaw / current hair color: lilac

BIOGRAPHY 

okie dokie so first things .. prince’s Look is in the gif i used bc im whipped for wooyoung in these glasses and his hair is a cute lil newly dyed shade of lilac purple so i love that for him .. an intellectual and a cutie .. he hates explaining how he was named prince bc i imagine his parents struggled having a kid so when his mom became Pregnant and was giving birth .. they always fondly called him their lil prince and it kinda just stuck when prince popped out !!

prince was born and raised in ansan , south korea for a good four years of his life where his mom was a tax accountant who moved from busan and his dad was a marine biologist in the korea institute of ocean science and technology , they loved one another v much and managed to juggle their respective careers with their relationship before prince came along

eventually his mom got heH $$$$ a good job offer in new york city so his dad stayed at home following their move to take care of the house and whatnot until he managed to finesse himself another job as a fish biologist for the department of the interior / u.s wildlife service or w/e the official job title is

bc living in the city is uHHH expensive as h*ck and ny state taxes are whack , they find themselves in gristol bc at the time it’s a cute lol seaside town that his parents fell in love w and thought it was good to raise prince and their other kids

prince was always a fun loving kid when he was younger , always joking around and smiling and got along w people well flexed w those dimples and got away with a lot of shit when he was growing up fkdfsskl swindled a lot of extra tips from restless married women when he had a job delivering pizza’s for $$ during high school . peter parker who ?? prince can’t relate bc he was always on time and made that solid tip .. except when he realized he hated pizza delivery and got a job as a barista during high school and it’s what he does still for that $$ while he;s in school !!

academically prince was brilliant and was in the top 5 of his graduating class and it was his stupid grade in his elective art class that brought his gpa down bc he can’t draw anything to save his ass fndsj .. any stem subject and he’s golden but anything creative based and prince is not as thriving .. but put a math problem in front of him and he can solve it within a moment .. probably does a side gig during tax season to help ppl out filing their taxes and makes some $$ while doing so jfhdslk

but yeah for college prince attends baruch college where i s2g he has no sense of what’s fun or self preservation bc goes as a double major for chemistry and biology so keep prince in ur prayers at this point bc dude is gonna be running on his anxiety and caffeine at this point and he still is until he graduates next year

at this point prince is juggling some ideas of what he wants to do later on as a career path and then one night he’s pulling an all nighter he stumbles across the show forensic files and a bitch is shook and hooked on it ,, this beginning prince’s fascinating w true crime along with solving them

he figures in john mulaney’s ever lovely words “ he has the backbone of a chocolate eclair” so prince knows he wouldn’t do well as a police detective , so he figures forensic anthropology is the next best step even though he’d mainly around dead ppl’s bones a lot of the time but it’s ok

yeah mans flexes w the education and plans to go on and get his phd in biological anthropology at binghamton university in new york where he plans to spend the next seven years earning his phd so flex !! rip his mental stability bc it’s gonna be hanging on a thread at this point

overall  , personality wise prince is v kind , v loving and compassionate and is dedicated to those he values . 10/10 is the dad friend who makes shit jokes and probably rambles on about how cool his major is bc he loves it so much )): even though it’s kinda out there compared to everyone else he loves it and enjoys talking about it whenever he can !! just a v sweet boy who’s softspoken and can be a bit rambly but when he smile he lights up a room bc he wears his heart on his sleeve and now im emo bye

one of the less ideal things about prince though is that he’s v obliging and often just wants to believe ppl and can be a bit naive , just especially when ppl are taking advantage of him ): he just wants to help ppl and see the good in everyone so he’d be that friend u have to yell at to stop being so giving to others bc it’s to a fault

[writingabouttheenvironment]

The Impact of Global Warming

Related to the topic of wildlife and how environmental issues impact their lives, I stumbled across an article created by G.G. Rodgers discussing it more in detail. It was published in an academic journal, named “Journal of Thermal Biology” and goes into detail on how global warming will affect ocean life. (Rodgers 95)

Summary

The rapidly changing environment is not ideal for those who have grown and developed in the stable climate of the past. (Rodgers 95)

This will cause “ectotherms”, animals that rely on outside sources of heat, to have increasing difficulties in regulating their temperatures. According to the article, this can cause all sorts of behavior changes and damage to the ecosystems they are apart of. 

(Photo: School of fish. Most fish, amphibians, and reptiles are Ectothermic animals.) 

The results of the study showed that all of the animals experienced some sort of decline in functionality as temperatures increased over 31.5 degrees celsius (Rodgers 99)

Rhetorical Appeals

(Photo: Rhetorical appeals first brought about by Aristotle)

Since this article comes from an academic journal, I think the author definitely relied on appealing to the readers sense of logic (LOGOS) within the article.

(Photo: Screenshot from academic journal by G.G. Rodgers)

This is achieved through the inclusion of graphs and data that help back up the authors information. Rodgers states that animal performance declines with increasing temperatures, then provides facts in the form of charts. It makes the claim “scientifically proven”, therefore readers are more likely to logically accept the information as true due to the statistics and graphs that support the study.

Since this is an academic journal, there is not much appeal to the readers emotions. With the intended audience of most likely students and researchers, it is not necessary to provide emotional appeal, but rather facts and statistics that will allow the academic audience to connect with the work.

In my opinion, I never found a reason to not believe this author.  Although I could not find much background information on the author G.G. Rodgers, the information in the article was clearly presented and backed up by facts. It is also peer reviewed and backed up by several others who worked on the study.

I had a great reading experience, although sometimes the language was a bit too “scientific” for me to comprehend. I had to stop multiple times to look up certain words so i could fully grasp the big picture. It was short and got straight to the point which i thoroughly appreciated. As a whole, I enjoyed it.

My Reaction + Opinion 

The information revealed through this article and study was very upsetting, but not surprising. 

I already knew that global warming and climate change were having negative affects on our world and all of the species living in the increasingly harsh conditions, due to all of the important information we have gone over in “Writing About The Environment”. 

Reading scholarly articles such as these always reminds me how real and important these environmental issues are. 

From my experience, I know how easy it can be to “forget” about the world outside when there is so much going on in your own life. I think we often get to comfortable in our own individual worlds, that we forget to see the big picture. 

How are our actions impacting the world? 

Are we contributing to the worlds restoration? or its decline? 

We must snap ourselves out of our little bubbles and take a step back to think. This study has reminded me of how important it is to ask ourselves questions like these. Although we might not take the time to think about these horrible things being discovered and proven by science, they are still happening. it’s up to us to care. 

What are we going to do about it?

(Photos courtesy of Google Images and Journal of Thermal Biology) 

 Works Cited 

(Academic journal was accessed through university library)

Rodgers, G. G., et al. “Impacts of Increased Ocean Temperatures on a Low-Latitude Coral Reef Fish - Processes Related to Oxygen Uptake and Delivery.” Journal Of Thermal Biology, vol. 79, Jan. 2019, pp. 95–102. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.12.008.

[kennedy-writes]

so fun update on my life: 

I just got an internship at my local nature center! I’ll be doing animal care and public presentations with the aquatic species (sharks, rays, sea turtles, etc.) and the reptiles and arachnids. This is like a childhood dream come true - not only did I love this place as a kid (and still now), but I always wanted to be the one talking to people about animals in this sort of setting. I grew up on Animal Planet, my first heroes were Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin, I was a huge reptile nerd, and my oldest dream was to work with animals and in wildlife education. Now I get to!

(under the cut is just me rambling about several revelations and thoughts I’ve had in the past two weeks)

This is kind of wild but I think that when I started watching Coyote Peterson’s show a couple weeks ago (which happened because I was doing research for my desert story) it reminded me of how genuinely happy I am when engaged with wildlife and nature. When I’m out in nature or when I’m imagining a future for myself in wildlife biology/conservation, I feel this pull to take care of myself alongside helping the environment, like to eat more and exercise and do things that make me feel good; whereas when I’m in academia for humanities, where my work is mostly writing essays and trying to come up with intelligent things to say in class, I tend towards neglecting myself mentally and physically, and worrying too much about what other people think of me, even in my free time. Not to say I don’t love the humanities (I do, a lot), but it’s the academic context that drains me. It’s difficult to convey properly. But when I was studying science stuff in school for one semester in 2016, I felt strong and good. That was my healthiest and happiest semester. It was a lot of work, but I got good grades and I wasn’t sad all the time. 

Also, when I’m learning about animals, it occurs to me that they’re all trying to look after themselves, and when caring for them I would make sure they’re engaged and exercised, well fed, hydrated - so why not myself? This might be a life-altering perspective. I lose all my little fears about stuff like getting dirty or looking ugly or falling down. 

For some reason, when I’m doing humanities work in school, my brain tells me it’s good to not eat, to deprive myself of sleep, that I need to keep neglecting myself either because I deserve it or because I have to use all my time thinking about whatever I’m learning. I need to look perfect and be perfect. This is a miserable way to live. 

I think I’d rather do humanities in a more low stakes and non-threatening environment. And try to pursue a graduate education and career in wildlife biology and conservation. I’m definitely going to do both with my life and try to mix them together, because I think that’s where I’ll be happiest and that’s also what our world desperately needs right now. 

I applied to the internship on a whim, not thinking I’d actually get it, but here I am, and it’s a step in a better direction. Someone once gave me the advice to look to my childhood dreams for ideas on what I’d really like to do, and maybe they were onto something. I keep coming back to wildlife. Maybe this is the moment I actually listen and go for it. 

[architectnews]

Drexel University presents ten architecture and design projects

A graphic novel examining Black history and a project focused on tourism and sustainability in New Orleans are included in Dezeen's latest school show from students at Drexel University.

Also included is a housing project designed for the elderly in South Korea and an eco-retreat dedicated to connecting its guests to wildlife.

Drexel University

School: Drexel University, Department of Architecture, Design and Urbanism Courses: B Architecture, BS Interior Design, MS Interior Architecture and MS Design Research Tutors: Professors Mangold, Nicholas, Schade and Temple-West

School statement:

"Drexel University offers the nation's top programmes for experiential learning with dedicated co-op work experiences and a mission of civic engagement.

"The Department of Architecture, Design and Urbanism includes undergraduate programmes in architecture and interior design and graduate programmes in interior architecture, design research and urban strategy.

"Work from our programmes explores qualities of place and considers that our lives are shaped by the spaces we inhabit. At all scales, we respond to the form, light and materials of the world around us, and we actively engage our social and natural environments.

"Through research and design interventions, our work enhances our lives and promotes community."

Integrating Transit, History and the Public Realm: Creating a New Dignified Commons for Centre City Philadelphia by Christopher Hytha

"The underground complexity of downtown Philadelphia amazes me. In the heart of the city, far below the streets, a labyrinth of concourses, rail lines and service tunnels weave together in the service of getting urban dwellers from place to place.

"Unfortunately, the experience of descending to the underground is one of detachment, disorientation and dismay. What if these systems were integrated into the experience of the city? What if natural daylight penetrated into the deepest train platform and views of City Hall oriented visitors upon arrival?

"Picking up on cues from William Penn's plan and Ed Bacon's Penn Centre Vision, my project aims to create a dignified public realm activated by a multimodal transportation hub."

Student: Christopher Hytha Course: B.Arch Architecture Tutor: Katie Broh, AIA

Mitigating the Dangers of Concrete Jungles with Biotecture by Mizuki Davis

"The current segregation of living and non-living systems, especially in our cities, has had devastating effects on both humans and the environment.

"With biotecture, the synthesis of biology and architecture, we can design a brighter future, in which our philosophical understanding of the 'natural environment' incorporates architecture as an integrated constituent."

Student: Mizuki Davis Course: MS Interior Architecture Tutor: Rena Cumby

Azola Eco Retreat by Abby Karle

"The Azola is a self-fertilising plant that creates a healthy environment for itself and the plants around it. This positive regeneration loop is the crux of the design.

"An upscale eco-retreat, connecting guests to the local ecosystem through wildlife, sustainable activities, farm-to-table culinary experiences, and ultimately to themselves and each other. The interior design aims to follow the forms found in nature to create movement and blur the line of interior and exterior."

Student: Abby Karle Course: BS Interior Design Tutor: Sarah Lippmann

The New Hanok: Aging with Grace, Yang-Pyeong, South Korea by David Jae Hyeok Lim

"Ageing is a natural part of our lives. With rapid modernisation, the ageing population has been forgotten, and resources for this group have been significantly lacking. Instead of dreading this upcoming chapter of our lives, I believe it has the potential to be as joyful and fulfilling as the rest of our lives.

"I propose this housing project for the elderly in South Korea, which has the fastest-growing ageing population in the world, to provide a new prototype which is a housing facility that can provide consolation, growth and opportunity that the older generation deserves.

"Aging can be difficult and a frightening time… but can be made more bearable by a community that provides opportunity. Ageing should not be about staying alive. It should be about finding joy and having the freedom to do better and live better."

Student: David Jae Hyeok Lim Course: B Architecture Tutor: Kelly Vresilovic, AIA

Resistance: Speculative Design Confronts Systemic Trauma of the Black Diaspora by Karla Roberts

"Grounded in Afrofuturism, this thesis explores architectural and interior spaces in a parallel universe using the narrative form of the graphic novel.

"The intent is to highlight the erasure of Black history prior to enslavement, giving space for a positive future unbound by anti-Black hatred. The past, present and future of the Black Diaspora are synthesised utilising history, technology and imaginative outcomes."

Student: Karla Roberts Course: MS Interior Architecture Tutor: Sarah Lippmann

Multicultural Centre by Maryam Abdou

"This multicultural student centre employs fundamental resources for facilitating the transition of international students throughout their college career. The centre creates a safe space that stimulates healing and inclusivity in its design. International students are encouraged to acclimate not only as students at an American university but also to American life and culture.

The design of this centre is devised to boost intercultural and interracial engagement through cultural, artistic, environmental, culinary and academic levels. It aims to strengthen students' connection with their community and nature through building relationships with other international and American students.

"By utilising design methods such as biodesign and biophilia, this multicultural centre will thrive as an exceptional, sustainable space that aspires to connect people from all around the globe and celebrate what makes every one of them special."

Student: Maryam Abdou Course: BS Interior Architecture Tutor: Karen Pelzer

Tourism and Sustainability in New Orleans by Rachel Ayella-Silver

"Tourism is unsustainable and must be reconceived as a way to improve the wellbeing of host communities and sustain the social, environmental and economic conditions of destination regions.

"This thesis places New Orleans at the centre, with spaces for community engagement through cooking, service and leisure to create tourist experiences that are authentic and sustainable."

Student: Rachel Ayella-Silver Course: MS Interior Architecture Tutor: Sequoyah Hunter-Cuyjet

Saudades da Natureza: Longing for Nature by Raphaella Pereira

"Within the last decade, Brazil's urban cities have grown exponentially due to the increase of its advanced economy and new technologies. This rapid urbanisation has also caused a rise in mental health and environmental issues within these cities, as their natural forests have been destroyed, thus disrupting the balance of life.

"I am challenging the typical design approach in urban development by proposing a mental wellness centre designed with a focus on biophilic design in Brazil's largest city of São Paulo, otherwise known as 'The Stone Jungle.'

"This model of design is intended to restore the balance of the natural and built environment in our cities, bringing back life into the urban environment of Brazil."

Student: Raphaella Pereira Course: B Architecture Tutor: Richard King, AIA

Cultures of Place – Ethical Design Solutions for Urban Density by Rachel Jahr

"Cultures of Place explores the intersection of cultures, places and ecologies. It examines how to combine them through an integrated level of design thinking intentionally.

"This focuses on the shifting perceptions of urban living through permaculture practices and regenerative design techniques. It aims to create solutions considering cultural, economic and green space factors as prominent design issues.

"Permaculture introduced into the urban design fabric is a nonviolent form of civil disobedience – a type of silent anarchy using the interconnectedness between people, other animals, land, water and air with the human dimension battling the social and biophysical conflicts.

"The research outlines the mechanisms related to designing an ecologically friendly urban setting through a place-based approach influenced by the human lived experience as well as technological advancements to close of the knowledge gap about Earth's systems."

Student: Rachel Jahr Course: MS Design Research Tutor: Nicole Koltick

Sondr Art Centre by Lorraine Francisco

"Creating art without limits involves celebrating one's individuality through creativity and imagination. This community centre highlights the importance of the arts through unity and inclusivity with the contrasting elements of chaos and organisation.

"It is with these opportunities in mind that this space embraces natural light, openness and community with the intention of growth, education, and creation as the overall objective."

Student: Lorraine Francisco Course: BS Interior Design Tutor: Frances Temple-West

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Drexel University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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