#afm

[sullsun]

[buggywiththefolkmagic]

Hello!! I was wondering if you have any book recommendations for Appalachian folk magic? Especially for a beginner, I’m familiar with our local “old wive’s tales” but I’d love to learn more!!

Hello there! I have answered this question before but I have some new resources so I'll list them here!

It really depends on which part of Appalachia you are looking at! And if you want to dig deeper the ancestral roots of the family you are looking at. For example my family has a lot of Welsh and British influence because that was our family source so a lot of those beliefs lingered and changed throughout the years!

Someone from Pennsylvania would likely have a lot more German roots for their practice. But despite the root differences for the folklore these practices stem from they do still share a lot of connecting points!

But having babbled all of that here are my favorite books on AFM specifically. (Mind you Christianity takes a super huge part in the practice so a lot of bible and doing things in threes for the Trinity is involved!)

Authors to check out:

H. Byron Ballard- A pagan who also practices AFM, from the NC side of Appalachia, a lot of people hate her writing style which is a bit ramble-y. I also dislike the term she uses for her own practice but that is a super simple and small complaint honestly. I own all of her books on the subject, which should say something.

A NOTE ON H. BYRON BALLARD: I no longer support her work after discovering she is a TERF. I will no longer be suggesting her as an author to follow.

Jake Richards - From Eastern TN like me! A lot of what he talks about are things I have seen before, and he breaks down complex concepts like burn blowing into something relatively easily understood. HOWEVER HAVING SAID THAT the author is partially Melungeon, so he does have some Hoodoo mixed in from his grandmother's side iirc? He does label these things in his works and explains that they are not for everyone which I do appreciate.

Rebecca Beyer - While vaguely Wiccan toned, which I attribute to her publishers/raising, she's a transplant to Appalachia and if you're looking for herbal information on Appalachia and to wax poetic about how even with a ton of people settling there SO MUCH of the natural herbs and plantlife still survive, read her work! Her work on foraging safely and environmentally is so SOOOOO good.

Brandon Weston - For Ozark Mountain range/German/Dutch Appalachian work! He has written quite a few books on the subject and all of them are a treat!

Roger J. Horne - For how to dig into folklore and apply it to your own practice! This author is pagan and does blend in some traditional work with the Appalachian but I do enjoy his work and how he applies folklore. This author is also FROM Appalachia which is nice to see.

INDIVIDUAL BOOKS TO READ:

Appalachian Folk Healing by Jake Richards - A republication of a very old book on remedies and 'spells', while kitschy and stupidly worded, after all it was a popular book created just for sales reasons, some of these remedies are things I remember having done to me! Good for both a giggle and actual information. TW for mentions of animal parts, hunting, illnesses, the G slur, period specific phobias and racism.

Albertus Magnus - These books all supposedly written by an ancient guy, were actually mildly common on traveling salesmen's trucks and wagons. So as a result a lot of people in Appalachia had access. Like the book above it is very stupidly worded and definitely of their time. Same TW as above.

Pow-Wows or Long Lost Friend - Another Pennsylvania Dutch book! Very good and very clear.

Southern Folk Medicine - A book that breaks down a lot of common medicinal beliefs in the South which does include Appalachia! Sadly not just Appalachia but a very good book regardless. THIS BOOK MADE ME UNDERSTAND THE THEORY BEHIND BLOOD ISSUES MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE EVER HAS.

Moon Eyed People - A collection of Welsh folktales that brewed within Appalachia from Welsh immigrants. Very good book imo!

Granny Buck's Dibs and Dabs - This book is so worth the price tag! One of the more expensive books in my collection, but I'm fine with that. Granny Buck covers a lot of topics and I can feel the accent through the wording!

Signs, Cures, & Witchery - More German Appalachian stuff! This book and it's interviewees are from the Kentucky side of the mountains!

Witches, Ghost, and Signs - This book is based more in the Southern Appalachian area! Georgia, SC, NC, and TN specifically! Lots of folklore here, but does mention some not so great bits of the lore, but that is expected.

The Foxfire Books - What began as a school project exploded into a collection of true to life stories and idioms from Georgia elders within the mountains. SO SO GOOD OKAY? For everything. How to plant, hunt, make musical instruments, anything from the mountains? They cover.

[daniels-gillies]

arianna’s favourite movies ≡ tangled, dir. nathan greno (2010) “I’ve been looking out of a window for eighteen years, dreaming about what I might feel like when those lights rise in the sky.”

[donutdrawsthings]

That little dog from Moominvalley Ep:23, if you even care

[politemenacephd]

A Fortunate Mistake II has been updated, finally, thank y'all for your patience ily v much hehe please enjoy 💗 

[recentlyheardcom]

Adam Driver, Jeremy Strong, Anne Hathaway to Star in 'Paper Tiger'

James Gray has lined up an A-list cast for his next feature Paper Tiger. Adam Driver, Jeremy Strong and Anne Hathaway are set to star in the film package that is based on an original script from Gray. Vincent Maraval and Kim Fox’s banner Veterans will oversee international sales rights next week at the American Film Market, with CAA Media Finance representing domestic rights. Leone Film Group…

[iww-gnv]

The union representing Hollywood musicians begins bargaining on Monday with demands for streaming residuals and protections from artificial intelligence. The American Federation of Musicians kicked off the talks with a rain-soaked rally at the Sherman Oaks Galleria, home of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of the major studios. The musicians’ top issues are the same ones that forced Hollywood writers and actors to go on strike last year, paralyzing the industry for six months. Like the other unions, the AFM is not seeking to completely block artificial intelligence or “instrument replacement technology.” But the union wants to make sure that musicians can use it as a tool, and are not cast aside in the process. “We’re not Luddites,” said Tino Gagliardi, international president of the union. “In fact, a lot of our people are developing this stuff. We need consent. We need compensation. And we need credit.” The AFM represents about 70,000 members across the U.S. and Canada, including recording musicians as well as touring artists and orchestra and nightclub performers.

[miss-biophys]

New publication out!

We were curious what happens with the lipid membrane if proteins are inside. As a model of membrane proteins we use transmembrane peptides with neutral and positive charge. The charges turn out to be quite crucial in the peptides influence on the lipids.

publication link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.113765…

All transmembrane peptides hinder mobility of lipids around. The positive charges in the peptide make this hindering a long range influence.

The membrane with the positive peptides then has heterogeneities in the lipid mobility. This hampers free rearrangement of lipids and leads to lower ability to seal ruptures. You can see below how the membrane stays fragmented after indentations with AFM (atomic force microscope), which is basically a very tiny tip that scans the surface of the membrane for images and can also push through it to test mechanical stability.

For comparison this is how it looks like with a membrane without any peptides. The mebrane seals the ruptures induced by the AFM tip and recovers its round shape. The same happens if we have a neutral, non-charged, peptide.

With this work we highlight the importance of including charges of proteins and peptides in membrane model studies.

And last but not least...

This is the very first time I am the last corresponding author of a publication. I am immensely proud on myself!

[loserboyfriendrjl]

loserboyfriendrjl’s masterlist

FICS:

another pawn out of the game (completed, 1.9k words)

"you opened a door that a kid shouldn't walk through," dorcas said, glaring at the man in front of her, who could keep so calm even though the world was a storm around them, "but you managed to lure them in with the candy of promises you did, but knew that you couldn't keep."

The Sinners and The Saints (wip, 12.2k words, collaboration with enbysiriusblack)

A canon compliant fic, following the events between the graduation of The Marauders and Halloween 1981. Dark times lie ahead, but happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.

the girl gone cray (wip, 23.8k words)

Dorcas was going to avenge their lost lover, a woman with who they couldn't live. But now they had to.

And whoever killed Marlene forgot their wand. They took it into their hands and immediately recognized it.

Peter.

i’ll break your pretty face (wip, 14.6k words)

Dorcas Meadowes had never been one for hatred. They loved people openly, proudly, friends and family, showing them off, a necklace around their neck, keeping them safe, with them. It had always been like that, from the moments with their father, some a blur, some vivid, like a new painting on canvas, to the days spent with their mates, their friends, people they loved.

Dorcas Meadowes had never been one for hatred. Yet what they felt for Marlene McKinnon was exactly that. Marlene McKinnon, with her stupid blonde mullet, with her stupid brown eyes, with her stupid red lips, and with her stupid nose piercing. They resented each other. Loathed, hated, there were so many synonyms that could describe what Dorcas felt for Marlene, and what Marlene felt for Dorcas.

That was, until they'd fall in love.

your lips, my lips (apocalypse) (wip, 12.6k words)

“The apocalypse has… phsst… started. Please make yourselves a supply of… phsst… and stay in your homes. Try to look for… phsst… to defend yourselves from whatever may try to harm you and… phsst… not let anyone inside your home under… phstt… unless you trust them.”

The apocalypse had started. There are two sides. Love and impending doom loom over them, thick and dark, and the end is imminent. It is their choice whether they make their end bittersweet or go down with love in their hearts.

all the sinners (sin again) (wip, 5k words)

The North Sea was clashing against the tall cliffs, foaming at the edges, white and washed away blue and rocky grey all combined. Maybe picturesque, but a sight that could have been turned into a painting that could have made it to the museum. In the back of the art gallery, because something so lifeless would never be the center of attention, but it would be a secret of those who dared wonder further, who wanted to learn its secrets.

The sky was of a light, dull grey, riddled with clouds, and the distant rumble of thunder predicted a storm. It was already raining, a soft pitter-patter that could've slipped unnoticed. Everything was quiet. The Cave was empty.

The last person that had been known to have gone there was Regulus Black, the heir of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, who had disappeared and never came back in 1979, four years before. The funeral had been bodiless; the heir hadn't been found.

Regulus had been eighteen when he died.

as the world falls down (wip, 13.5k words)

This is a fic following The Marauders and their friends from their sixth year to 1981. The world shifts around them, from the believed safety of Hogwarts to the war raging outside their school's gates, and, after they will leave the safety they had been granted, they will need to learn how to protect themselves, and those that they love.

Dorlene, Jily, and Wolfstar slowburn, as they discover their feelings for each other and come to terms with them, and it follows the friendships and the dynamics that are built and then ruined between them, little by little, built and chipped away.

War looms over them, and they will need each other to get through it.

They will need each other's love and friendship as they grieve for the fallen soldiers, people that used to be their friends and that they had loved.

This fic has shifting POVs, to see the way everyone sees the world around them. Their motives, needs, and the way they see the world will be for the readers to see, the characters opened books for you to read.

(I will try to answer to all of the comments you leave on the fic! And I thank each one of my betas, readers, and everyone that encouraged and encourages me to write this fic! :* <3)

narcissa is longing for the sea, but is afraid of the water (and, maybe, the sea is inside her) (wip, 9k words)

Her face seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. She seemed like a distant childhood memory, someone she had used to know, years before, but had forgotten. Someone left in a book between a hundred others, gathering dust already, but someone that was still worth remembering. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been in Narcissa’s books.

Narcissa's life used to be perfect. She used to do what she liked to do, dancing, but an injury stops her from continuing. She is miserable, and seeking to find her worth again. She is brought, by memories, to the café in which she and her father used to spend their time, but it wasn't the same anymore. There was a new barista too, Alice, a charming woman with dark skin and intelligent, warm brown eyes, and Narcissa's heart thrums against her chest whenever she looks at her.

(Inspired by Coraline by Maneskin)

a familiar memory (of what i had once been) (wip, 5.9k words)

Mary MacDonald had thought that she lived at least a semi-decent life. She had a job in a London hospital, and she lived with her sister and five-year-old son, Dean. Her life was absolutely, perfectly normal, despite the fact she didn't remember most of her life. Tucked in the back of her mind, away, unable to reach.

One night, she meets Remus Lupin, the bartender from the club she goes to, and why does he seem familiar? She knows him from somewhere, but she can't quite place him anywhere. Remus tells her all sorts of things, and, in a way, she feels like the same memories dug deep within her start coming back, alive, burning her, a fire that won't stop, but she can't quite bring herself to put it out.

And so, she finds herself talking to strangers and dancing with drag queens in gay bars and finding herself once again, talking sweet nothings about a life she can't even remember, but she knows one thing about it; it had been hers, once.

(Set in the 1980s, this fic features period-typical issues, outdated language, as well as mentioning/dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This is a general warning for the whole fic, but I will notify you in which chapters this appears and the way it is mentioned/discussed.)

the city that you've torn (the love that we've built) (wip, 2.6k words)

Remus balled Sirius' shirt in his fist. "Take care, alright?"

"Of course I will, my sweet poet. Don't I always?"

"No, you don't. You never do." The words were bitter on Remus' tongue. He didn't want to admit it, didn't want to think of the possibility of living without Sirius. Didn't want to think of an universe where Sirius was not to be, the sky dimmer without him.

"I'll fight for my kingdom whatever it takes. Even if I am to die for it. I'll die for you, too. Now, goodbye, my love." He said, smiling, and he kissed his lover's cheek tenderly. "Write a sonnet for when I will come back, will you?"

Grabbing his sword, Sirius closed the door behind him. Remus stood in front of it, in awe and scared, quills and parchment scattered at his feet.

(Love. War. Secrets. Death. A tumult of rotten feelings and of something unplaceable, a hollow pit in one's stomach, an ache of their heart. The death of a lover.)

cherry lips (adolescent devotion) (wip, 4.3k)

They had earlier picked fruit from the tree in Lily’s garden. The bowl of cherries was empty, filled with only the seeds. The crimson red juice had wet the table, running down their fingers, staining Mary’s lips red. Lily felt the ardent desire to kiss her, to see what cherries felt like on Mary’s lips.

To see what it felt like to love Mary.

(Or, Mary visits Lily in Cokeworth during the summer between their sixth and seventh year, and they fall in love.)

ONE-SHOTS:

Happy Xmas (War’s Over) (1.3k words, gift made for the Wolfstar Server Secret Santa event)

Songfic based on John Lennon's song with the same name as the title

(Early Christmas fic that is dedicated and to my Secret Santa giftee)

one last goodbye and a heartfelt conversation of missing soulmates (0.8k words each, independent works, a part of the girl gone cray series)

there is something in the air (0.6k words, Wolfstar Bingo entry)

Prompt: Free Space. I have decided to turn it into Lie Low at Lupin's because I just love this period, of beginning again and of learning to love again <3

so, please hurry (leave me) (1.2k words)

“And when she was in the plane, and the engines started rumbling loudly, and the people around her were yawning and already falling asleep, seeing the given hour, she closed her eyes, resting her head against the cold porthole, and mouthing one last sorrowful goodbye before starting all over again.”

how a saint could love a flower (1.7k words)

"So, she’d cherish Mary and kiss her body, her lips feathering against soft flesh and dark skin, and her breath would shake against her lover’s skin, because she had been blessed, because Holy Mary herself had descended upon her, in the shape of her own, beautiful Mary, that she would love forever."

fake dating (real love) (3.7k words)

Remus sighed, letting his head hit the bedpost with a thud. The whole thing that Sirius was requesting was just absurd. He had been in love with his best friend ever since they were fifteen when Sirius had broken out of his shell, leather, and cigarettes and cold rings against his friend’s hands whenever they’d meet. Now, twenty-five years old, Remus felt the same way, his heart beating rapidly in his chest whenever Sirius’ name came up. He was in love, he had been in love; and he will be in love, because how could he not love Sirius?

(The one time when Remus dated Sirius, just for the holidays, and found out it wasn't going to be just for that period of time, after all.)

a star has dimmed (with one last flicker) (3.7k words)

Life is similar to a book. Every book has a start and an ending, and all are beautiful, in their way. Some mundane, some exciting, but all books have something, a spark, that makes them unique, that makes them worth reading, because no book deserves to be left on a shelf, dusty and old, its pages still crisp and its ink dried long ago. Each person writes their books, all neat pages and cursive handwriting, chapters and acts, and, at last, the book is finished.

To most, the thirty-first of December would be the chance to new chapters, leaving the one before behind. It would be a possible, granted something, the chance for one to redeem oneself,

For Regulus Black, the new year would be the end.

lately i’ve been dressing for revenge (2.6k words)

Andromeda Black had never been a woman of aggressive action.

She had always preferred a serpent-like attack; quiet, yet deadly, she lured in her prey with empty promises, and, when all was said and done, she would finish them as easily as that. Instead of shouting to the sky the secrets of the world, she would prefer to open Pandora’s box quietly, letting the dark slip out, seeping through the cracks, setting fire to the world and, when all was ash, she’d grin like the devil, warm brown eyes that could turn so dark, so cruel, and she’d set fire to them too, until there was nothing left.

She preferred quietness, of course. She preferred peace and the beauty of a simplistic lifestyle, one in which she would not bother anyone, and one in which she would not be bothered by anyone. Until someone would get in her way, until something would disrupt her peace.

he had a cigarette (with his number on it) (1.5k words)

That was a big, fat lie. He just wanted to call the number on it, really, but how was he supposed to tell Sirius that?

Oh, yeah, I just saw you, but I really fancy you and you’re really fit and I would like for you to call me because I feel the strong desire to talk to you and taste your lips that probably taste like tobacco and the alcohol I saw you drinking in the club, because I totally wasn’t looking at you

— ☆ —

Or, the one in which Remus and Sirius meet in front of a club, kiss, and Remus (or, at least him) falls in love head over heels.

[news-buzz]

Adam Driver, Jeremy Strong, Anne Hathaway to Star in 'Paper Tiger' News Buzz

James Gray has lined up an A-list cast for his next feature Paper Tiger. Adam Driver, Jeremy Strong and Anne Hathaway are set to star in the film package that is based on an original script from Gray. Vincent Maraval and Kim Fox’s banner Veterans will oversee international sales rights next week at the American Film Market, with CAA Media Finance representing domestic rights. Leone Film Group…

[inspectorspacetimerevisited]

The Inspector knew from the land mine he stepped on that the weapon was manufactured by HieroRelm

even before the Automated Field Medic appeared to Cleric Friday attempted to draw it away from the him.

[germancarssince1946]

1948 AFM Racecar

[buggywiththefolkmagic]

Hello Tumblr. Especially my little corner of Tumblr. I do unfortunately come with bad news. On this and every other platform I actively use I have been singing the praises of one H. Byron Ballard, thanks to a friend doing a very big deep dive a certain...aspect of her character has come to light which is in my opinion:

Unacceptable.

She holds TERF views and as an Appalachian, and a queer one at that? I cannot and will not support anyone like that. My copies of her work are being tossed, and all of my support of her on this blog will be edited with clarification that I no longer support said work.

And per usual for proof I do have screenshots from her Facebook, of which no apology or acknowledgement has been made that I can find. I imagine since this is roughly when she began working with a major publisher she might have been advised to dropping the topic online? There is apparently some mentions of this in her 'irl' interactions as well but I am digging for internet proof of such. If anyone finds anything further please let me know.

Proof from her own Facebook is below. And if asked I will provide direct links to ensure that they are not doctored in any way.

Appalachia is a welcoming place, TERF beliefs are not welcoming and therefore not Appalachian by extent.

My heart was already hurting for my home, now it also rages.

[meeep-merr]

Hadkheoxnsljflajfowjlfjwlj

Writing a new musical and i want to bombard my friends with details. I will simply rant to tumblr instead

TITLE: Angel of Fear

ELEVATOR PITCH: 4 dead men in toxic hetero relationships embody the four reactions of fear

THE CHARACTERS:

-Fawn: a 19yr old college man and his high school gf who really doesn't care for him, he hopes doing everything she wants will be enough for her to love him back

-Fight: a married man and his wife, he cannot bear to lose an argument because he fears that losing an argument will lose him his beloved wife

-Freeze: a young lad and his aunt

-Flight: a 50ish yr old man and his lovely neighbor who extends the overtures of friendship

[sjwallin]

Things I've Learned:

According to ZipRecruiter the average pay per hour for a union musician in the US is currently $24 an hour.

Granted, IRL the pay is more like $125-$150 for the first hour, then adds less and less as the hours pile on. So yes it tends to average $24 an hour across a year, across the board.

Also, I have colleagues who play unique or mainstream instruments who get better gigs--vs. a violinist who is typically hired as part of an orchestra and is one of maybe 50 bowed string players on the gig.

It costs over $200 a year in dues to the Los Angeles AFM (American Federation of Musicians) with no guarantees of getting called for music gigs.

I've personally experienced the aggressiveness (toward musicians and audiences) of union members when it comes to playing in concerts that don’t exclusively hire union musicians.

A little history...

Because of the five years of strikes the AFM (American Federation of Musicians) engineered in the 1940s, producers in the new mediums of radio, tv, and film had to find alternate means of supplying music (like recording with overseas musicians and studios, for example). A trend that continues to this day.

By 1957 (within about 30 years) the number of musicians with full-time employment in radio had fallen from roughly 2,500 to less than 500.

Within only the first two years of strikes in the 1940s, western music culture had shifted from viewing a singer as an occasional prop for a band, to celebrating the singer as the central part of a performance, effectively relegating instrumentalists to a culturally subordinate position they’d never experienced before--a position that continues to this day.

Anyway, long story short, I've found the AFM to be bull-headed and aggressive, ignoring the realities of changing music technologies in the industry, and just not worth paying the annual dues for what they claim to offer.

End of rant.

[sanjaysarafeducation]

🎉 CA Final AFM Hybrid Batch Starting 19th November 2024! 🎉| SSEI

Join Sanjay Saraf Sir for a flexible Hybrid Batch designed for CA Final AFM students! Enjoy the freedom of Live + Pre-Recorded classes to suit your study needs.