#akot ask

[akingdomofthree]

hii! just wanted to say how much I loveeee a kingdom of three! the last chapter was such a thrill and I'm so worried about where snufkin is?? And the plot is just so amazingly well done, I'm really looking forward to some things being explained more (especially about Mym!!) I'm really looking forward to the next chapter and if joxter will ever come <333

Thank you so much!! :D We spent a majority of the pandemic plotting out every last story beat (and admittedly, maybe bit off more than we could chew lol) so it's always greatly appreciated when it catches someone's attention~

I have a particular fondness for this chapter and the next to be released! This turning point in the fic was my little darling, and I'm so happy it's finally coming out in the open!

Thank you for the ask!! uwu

- Mumrikpaws

[scribe-of-hael]

Tumblr from a Twitter user perspective

as someone who had Tumblr as a major site they used for a long time and then went over to Twitter. I can say Tumblr as it is fine. Perfectly fine with it reblog chains. Its how its always been and makes it unquie.

Why did i move to Twitter? Cause when Tumblr decided to not do nsfw my original blog was restricted (still is despite my appeals) and I lost motivation to continue my blog because of it.

I regret joining Twitter. I really do. It has its moments but it is just a hot garbage pool of toxic vomit everywhere. I see it 24/7 on my tl and it's so hard to escape. Not to mention that it is IMPOSSIBLE to find art on twt or anything really at all.

Tumblr is a place where I look up what I want and I fucking find it. I love reblog chains that's like the whole way we communicate? Where the best memes come from, other ppl building ontop of another. Its a sense of community and connection i missed from this place.

Twitter is so- fucking hollow and it feels like despite having akot of followers no one is there. I'm sure other Twitter users who are cretaors could agree. Hell major artists that were in Twitter said they felt better coming back ot to Tumblr.

Yes it takes a minute to get adjusted to the site but it doesn't take that long at all. It doesn't make sense to bow to new comers cause I can assure you, if Tumblr is in the red. Twt users are not gonna save you. Absolutely not. The reason twt users are even coming here is BECAUSE of the stupid bulkshit Elon Musk keeps making over there. Making changes of the core functions of the site (take fucking notes Tumblr), breaking it and making just so anti user friendly.

Tumblr doesn't need go conform. It need to lean into it's strengths that make it different and BETTER than the other sites. It hasn't survived this long for no reason. If its struggling you need to ask your USERBASE what they think you could improve. Cause right now. This ain't it.

I'm honestly surprised there isn't talk of a strike or tag of some sort to voice our discontent for this rn. It is Tumblr.

[chuckakot]

Tips on writing

Hi anon. I don't have anything with me to share that is a standard rule for writing yet, I always hold on to the rising thoughts as an impulse, and I let my stream of consciousness probe all the words.

[oogaboogaspookyman]

Alex (Adam's brother): You tall akot about liking dick on tumblr

Adam: i mean. They're mainly shitposts but I do also like dudes

Adam: I'm bisetnsual

Adam: Bidecual

Alex: Take your time

Adam: Busrxual

Adam: Holes

HOO BOY

✨Random Quotes From The Fam✨

Mary: This text conversation is related to a DoorDash order.

Hey they all out of lesayna

lasanya

Laysanya

The shit Garfield eat

.

*pic attached to the dm*

Adam: this is halaraois

Halous

Houlus

Big laugh

.

Mewtwo: bro i have depresi

Depresia

Depressuon

Sepresson

Deprresiom

The Big Sad

.

Teen Aliza, still learning things: I'm a lesbiab

Lesbiam

Less Bien

Girls

.

Mew: Can i ask what's it like being transgender?

I'm legit couiours and I mean no harm in asking questions

Couiours

Courious

The thing gorge the monkey was

.

Teen Aliza: During teaching today I was petting my cat and my co-teacher announced it and asked to see the cat. Then no fewer than 60% of the students reached down and pulled THEIR cats up into view of the cameras and suddenly my Zoom squares were all cats and everything was perfect.

.

Celeste, thinking that a joke will defeat MEMORY: hey MEMORY, do you know Candice-?

MEMORY: I CARE NOT FOR YOUR GEN Z SLANG, FOR THE TREE BRANCH IS WHERE YOUR MOTHER HANGS!

*CUE THE VINE BOOM, CELESTE'S MOM CANONICALLY HUNG HERSELF*

*...*

*Too Slow D-sides instrumental*

MEMORY: HA-

.

(@pikafaawork thank you for that comic XD)

Adam: so tell me bro, tits or ass?

Mewtwo: arms! I need a hug!

*they hug, wholesome moment*

*…*

*wait-*

Adam: so you're grabbing my ass now.

Mewtwo: yeah-

Adam: does it make you feel better?

Mewtwo: yeah.

Adam, patting mewtwo on the back: glad it does, bro, glad it does...

.

Mary: KSJDHDSDJK

Mewtwo: what was that?

Mary: it's a keysmash.

Mewtwo: ... How do i do that?

Mary: just press anything lol.

Mewtwo: ...

Mewtwo: 7

.

[Celeste asked mewtwo to go to an abandoned building to have a little happy time in peace and quiet, mewtwo's response is obvious~]

MEMORY: BOI IT'S ME BOI, IT'S THE PS5 SPEAKING TO YOU INSIDE YOUR BRAIN.

MEMORY LISTEN TO ME, BOI, LEAVE THE GIRL, WE DON'T NEED HER.

MEMORY: WE'LL HAVE COWBOY TIMES, SPACE, FREE WILL IS AN ILLUSIO-

(wheeze-)

.

CL4RA: welcome to Mcdonald's, do you want a fucking- beeschurger?

Crypt: please... I just want to see my friends...

CL4RA: chinken nunget.

.

MEMORY: 🎶 heeeeeeyyyyy, it's meeeeeeeeeeee!🎶

Adam: *wheezing*

Mewtwo: STOP!

(source: Snapcube Dub of a Sonic game, Youtube)

.

[when you and your new friend refuse to sleep]

Adam: yo

Mew: -~-?

Adam: snrk- peepee la poop- wheeze-

Mew: *dial-up sound*

Mew: * O M E G A L U L *

Mewtwo: HEY SHUT UP, YOU'RE GONNA WAKE UP MOM-

Mew: HAHAHA- *PILLOW HEADSHOT*

Celeste: *bout to GET SOMEONE*

Mewtwo: *sleepin'*

Adam: o^o *sleep..?*

Celeste: *she here now, you're dead*

Adam: WAIT I'M ASLEEP-

*gottem*

.

Mewtwo, after quote number 11: we're getting a new member today!

Adam: is it legal?

Mary: adopted?

Mew: new or used?

Mewtwo: wonderful responses, all of you.

Celeste: -^-💢

.

Adam: are you the big spoon or the little spoon?

Mewtwo: a spoon? Please, i'm a knife.

Mew: he's the big spoon.

.

(here we go!)

Mary: can we get the next guest please?

Mary: uhhh hello sir, welcome to Starbucks, what can i get for you?

MEMORY: UH YEAH CAN I HAVE A- FUCKIN-

Adam: pff-

MEMORY: UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHMMMM

MEMORY: BÖRGER?

*the entire staff just lose their shit*

Mary: sir we don't sell burgers here.

MEMORY: WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T SELLKRKFJH-

Mewtwo: wheeze-

Mary: we don't sell burgers here, we have pan1nis and other-

Mewtwo: OH MY CARDIAC ARREST-

*wut*

MEMORY: DO YOU THINK I KNOW WHAT A PANINI IS.

Mewtwo: W H E E Z E

*unintelligible*

MEMORY: JUST GIMME THE BURGER, EXTRA CHEESE.

Mary: no- sir we don't sell burgers, extra cheese, we only have paninis-

MEMORY: YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND I NEED THIS-

Mary: no- sir i'm gonna have to ask you to leave and i know you don't want me to.

MEMORY: WHY ARE YOU SUPPRESSING FOOD FROM THE PUBLICCCCCCCC

*unhinged laughter*

Crypt: what the hell did i walk into?

[illfoandillfie]

okay its been a little while so i figured i should do a little update post lmao

1. work technically starts back next week but because of the whole covid sitch here theres some question about it all so idk i might be working from home? i might not? hopefully we'll find out sometime today. I will also be working 4 days a week this year.

2. im kind of thinking of doing a bit of a sleepover event over this weekend! probs not blurbs but all the other usual stuff - ask games and small tarot readings and that sort of thing, idk.

3. i've got a few more AKOT cards to share over at @akindoftarot and i'll reblog them here as well so i'm hoping to do that today

4. I've also spent a few days over these holidays updating my Ao3 account so now allll my blurbs and things are available over there. I still have the kinktober posts to go but that's what i'll be working on today.

5. I am working on the next ADKoE so that should be my first fic of the year and hopefully I can make a big dent in it tonight. I'd love to have it up by next week but we'll see, depends how much research i end up needing to do.

6. If anyone's interested I have revamped my book side blog over at @readingoals . I know a few of you were into bookish stuff when I did the readathon last year and idk i might be tempted to set up another readathon later this year and host it over there.

[hanafubukki]

Yooo~ Pls, gush about something you've been loving lately! Or mayhaps a favorite character and why you love the? Something you're looking forward to?

Anything! Take this ask to freely fan about whatever you want!

Don't feel pressured to answer though, I know life can be tough at times and happiness hard to find But it will pass, my dear. Keep fighting! I send a hug your way ╰(*´︶`*)╯

Remember to be kind to yourself, rest well, eat, and stay hydrated 💗✨

Hello Zack Dear 💝💝🌸🌸🌸🌸

It always so wonderful to hear from you 💕💕💕💕

Thank you so much for this message, it brightened up my day. 🥰🥰🥰

--response under the cut, I rambled a lot 🥰🥰🥰--

I have been really into the twisted wonderland fandom and its been bringing me akot of joy and happiness. I have also played other games, but mostly tome games. recent game have been ikemen prince, obey me, and bustafellows.

I recently realized I like cat themed characters: it was actually funny. Kiyo, Miya, kurama, Yurio, aktugawa, kenma, and im probably missing some.

my favorite characters has to be: Malleus, Lilia, Riddle, deuce, and Vil from the top of my head. I feel a connection to malleus a lot because like him, I always wanted to belong and have friends and I know what its like to be left out and the pain of it all. also I love dragons so there's that bonus too

Lilia I have such an inner connection to, I think its because of his love for family? or something that pulls me to him. I just love him.

riddle: I love him so much. he's another character that is precious to me because I know how it feels to have so many expectations, to follow the rules all the time, and bring to meet family pressure.

Vil: I love because his version of beauty is all inclusive and he's such a family person you can tell. as someone who struggle with the concept of beauty, it is honestly wonderful when you have a character basically say everyone is beautiful you know?

Deuce: is baby and I love his character development and how it makes him so relatable. must be protected at all times. he would make such a good husband

I have recently gotten in many anime, such as haikyuu, bingo stray dogs, SK8, and many more. It funs because then you get to join the fandom and get more x reader content lol

I'm actually looking forward to the future, more specifically after September is finished. I will finally will be done with school and I can finally relax and start the job hunt.

I had actually been in a pretty sad and bummed out mood because of recent bad news I have heard about my school. it really left me unmotivated and I cried many times. But I am picking myself up and pushing forward.

I have been wanting to join new fandom lately, and would love any reccommedations you have.

Reading stories has always been what brought me comfort. I have been into fanfics for almost two decades and it holds a special place in my heart. It brought be comfort in times of stress and it still does. honestly, I have been able to meet wonderful people like you because of it and I cant tell you enough how much joy it brings.

I have gotten into the habit of writing again, I haven't written fanfic in years but I learned recently its a nice way to deal with my stress and a great outlet. it is also a nice way to express my thoughts and not keep them constantly in my mind.

I have also become interested in crafting and its like is relaxing. honestly with all these new changes, im becoming this new person bit by bit and it is kind of scary but exciting you know?

I just realized I have been rambling so much, but as you can tell, this brings me joy. being in fandoms and connecting to others brings me joy. that's why its like im constantly on here because I can truly be myself here.

thank you for the hug, and know I return it X1000 🌸🌸🌸💝💝💝 (っ*´∀｀*)っ (●'◡'●)ﾉ♥

I cant express how much your message to keep fighting and that it hardship will pass brought be calm. I really needed it.

I hope you have been well as well Zack. Make sure you eat and drink water. I hope you have been finding joy and happiness.

It is always fun and exciting to see you in my timeline and in my inbox. you're always welcome to message me anytime if you want to chat. ☺️☺️☺️☺️

[patxhwrk]

HLOO SEAM AHA, IM BACK AGAIN. *cough* anw how are you these day:D i hope you're doing well and not overworking yourself plus dont forget to take a rest and drink enough watta <3.

And i'm growing bored of genshin, i just couldn't bring myself to play and do the daily commis even if i wanted to. So im thinking to switch on honkai (my old acc is abandoned sigh) i miss senti and kiana too.. i mean hot women duh.

Hello again! Im doing very well, thanks for asking ^^ just alot of writing unmotivation, art sprees, chores and fuckin school god i hate school

And yeah that happened to me before, too. I took a long break in genshin, missed a bunch of stuff, but it helped my mental health!

After the break, ive been playing genshin akot again, so dont be afraid to take breaks whenever you need ^^

I havent played honkai and i dont think ill be playing it anytime soon, but i hope you enjoy it! (And maybe the women). Take as long as you need, for your mental health, mate!

Havent been online alot considering school is a bitch but ill be back on track once this annoying ass project is done

Until then, take care of urself, king! ^^

[africafreedomnet]

South Sudan: Armed Opposition Asking to Govern

South Sudan: Armed Opposition Asking to Govern

JUBA, 22 March 2021 – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, says it is the only political alternative for the change South Sudanese need. The declarations comes after members of the ruling SPLM faction last week admitted their failure to deliver for the people. South Sudan Kuol Manyang Juuk on Facebook The country’s former presidential advisor for military affairs, Daniel Awet Akot,…

[akingdomofthree]

I'm absolutely in love with your fanfic, it's such an interesting concept and the narration is sooo good, the two chapters I you have posted so far were amazing! The funny scenes made me laugh out loud, kudos kudos. My question is: How did you came up with the idea?

thank you so much!!! it's so wonderful to hear you're having a ball with it uwu

the idea actually came from a mishmash of concepts - i watched the witcher on netflix in early 2020 and got super fired up for fantasy/magic settings in general, and both of us have played d&d so we were interested in worldbuilding something moomin related (we were ALMOST gonna do a moomin d&d homebrew but the thought of filling out character sheets for every single one of these fluffy idiots nearly killed me)

so yeah! we essentially plucked what we enjoy about fantasy and applied it in a way that we found could properly reflect the overall mood of the moomin universe, and hopefully we've succeeded in that haha

thank you for your ask!!! your support means a lot!

- blossombell

[chuckakot]

your writing is gorgeous! you mention poetry collections, where could one find them? I love reading your work so much

Oh, many thanks. My second book will be released this October. But I'll be posting some fragments from time to time.

[junker-town]

2017-18 college basketball top 25: An updated look at next season's top teams

Plenty of changes have taken place over the past eight weeks, including the team that sits atop our early rankings.

Now that we know who’s heading to the NBA Draft and who’s returning to the college game for at least one more year, it’s time to re-evaluate our super early top 25 from the moments immediately following the 2017 national title game.

We’ll start with the new king of the offseason.

1. Arizona Wildcats

2016-17 Record: 32-5

2016-17 Finish: Sweet 16

Arizona already had a claim for this spot a month ago, but the returns of Allonzo Trier and Rawle Alkins as well as the unexpected addition of Emmanuel Akot have the Wildcats as the team most likely to begin 2017-18 at No. 1. Has Sean Miller ever been to a Final Four before? We should probably discuss that at some point in the next nine months.

2. Kansas Jayhawks

2016-17 Record: 31-5

2016-17 Finish: Elite Eight

Bill Self is losing the National Player of the Year in Frank Mason as well as freshman star Josh Jackson, but there are also a lot of smaller pieces from the 2016-17 Big 12 champions that are coming back. Mississippi State transfer Malik Newman, a former five-star recruit, should help cushion the blow of Mason’s departure. It’s also easy to see Devonte' Graham taking the Mason’s spotlight role and becoming a national POY candidate himself.

3. Duke Blue Devils

2016-17 Record: 28-9

2016-17 Finish: Second Round

The Blue Devils won’t be as star-studded this season as they were in 2016-17, but that doesn’t mean they won’t wind up being more successful. For the first time in three years, Coach K will have a legitimate point guard in five-star freshman Trevon Duval. The presence of Duval should also allow Grayson Allen to move back to his more natural spot off the ball. If he can avoid all of the distractions that have plagued him for the past year and a half, perhaps Allen can wind up having the All-American season as a senior that everyone thought he’d have in 2016-17.

4. Michigan State Spartans

2016-17 Record: 20-15

2016-17 Finish: Second Round

There is no single player whose return to college basketball matters more than Miles Bridges’ to East Lansing. The rising sophomore figured to be a lottery pick in next month’s NBA Draft. Instead, he’s a near lock to be a preseason first team All-American in 2017-18 and has Michigan State back to being a national championship-caliber team.

5. Wichita State Shockers

2016-17 Record: 31-5

2016-17 Finish: Second Round

Don’t be surprised at all if in 2017-18 Wichita State winds up stepping into the role that Gonzaga inhabited throughout last season. The Shockers return every key player from a team that won 31 games and got them into the top 10 of the national rankings. The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee’s likely consideration of metrics outside of just the RPI would also help Wichita avoid being massively under-seeded for a fourth straight year. The Shockers’ move to the American Athletic Conference — where they’ll likely be preseason favorites in their first year — should help with that as well.

6. Kentucky Wildcats

2016-17 Record: 32-6

2016-17 Finish: Elite Eight

The annual mass exodus at Kentucky was even more extreme than usual this year, as the Wildcats lost pair of senior contributors and a sophomore starter in addition to their star freshmen. In all, UK lost its top seven scorers and eight of its top nine from a team that nearly knocked off eventual national champion North Carolina in the Elite Eight. As he always does, John Calipari will reload with another top two recruiting class. He also received huge news in the 11th hour of deadline day when the ridiculously athletic Hamidou Diallo announced that he would be returning to Lexington ... for his freshman season.

7. Villanova Wildcats

2016-17 Record: 32-4

2016-17 Finish: Second Round

Because of their early exit in March, too many people are overlooking the fact that Villanova followed up its national title in 2016 by earning the NCAA tournament’s overall No. 1 seed. Josh Hart was the biggest reason that happened, and he’s gone, but the cupboard isn’t completely bare for Jay Wright. Jalen Brunson has all the potential necessary to be ‘Nova’s next superstar, and Mikal Bridges, Phil Booth and Donte DiVincenzo are all back to form a solid nucleus around him. Also don’t forget about Omari Spellman, a top 20 player from the class of 2016 who was forced to sit out all of last season because of an academic issue.

8. Florida Gators

2016-17 Record: 27-9

2016-17 Finish: Elite Eight

Last season’s regional final run could be just the beginning for the Mike White era in Gainesville. The Gators lost starting point guard Kasey Hill and grad transfer Canyon Barry, but return the other most important pieces from their surprisingly successful 2016-17 campaign. Having a healthy John Egbunu back will only make them more formidable.

9. North Carolina Tar Heels

2016-17 Record: 33-7

2016-17 Finish: National Champions

The Heels occupied the top spot in our first set of rankings right after the national title game, but the surprise departure of talented freshman big man Tony Bradley changes things. With Kennedy Meeks and Justin Jackson also gone, Final Four MOP Joel Berry will now be asked to do a ton for a UNC team that won’t be able to dominate the offensive glass the way they have the past two years.

10. West Virginia Mountaineers

2016-17 Record: 28-9

2016-17 Finish: Sweet 16

Four key players including two senior starters from last season’s team are gone, but Daxter Miles and Jevon Carter are back to form one of the best backcourts in the country. The biggest key for West Virginia, however, is that there’s more than enough carryover for Bob Huggins’ “Press Virginia” style to terrorize all Mountaineer opponents for yet another year.

11. USC Trojans

2016-17 Record: 26-10

2016-17 Finish: Second Round

Andy Enfield quietly did one of the best coaching jobs in all of college basketball last season. After an overachieving 2015-16, his team appeared to be all set to have “the year” before a wave of unexpected departures left the program in a state of disarray. While the Trojans weren’t on the same level as UCLA, Oregon, and Arizona in the Pac-12, they were competitive enough to earn a second straight trip to the Big Dance and win two games after getting there. Now, he has every key member from that team back for another run. USC also tosses five-star forward Charles O'Bannon Jr. and Duke transfer Derryck Thornton into the mix.

12. Louisville Cardinals

2016-17 Record: 25-9

2016-17 Finish: Second Round

With Donovan Mitchell, Louisville had a legitimate claim to the top spot on this list. Without both Mitchell and surprise departure Jaylen Johnson, the Cardinals are going to need both some returnees to step up and its freshman class to help out significantly if they want to be in the mix for a Final Four trip. Deng Adel needs to assume Mitchell’s role as a First Team All-ACC level performer, and former McDonald’s All-American V.J. King needs to morph into one of the country’s top breakout sophomores.

13. Miami Hurricanes

2016-17 Record: 21-12

2016-17 Finish: First Round

The Hurricanes were trounced by Michigan State in the first round of the 2017 tournament, but should be able to put themselves in a position to avoid a similar letdown in 2018. Miami loses Davon Reed and Kamari Murphy, but returns stars Ja’Quan Newton and Bruce Brown. They also add the best recruiting class ever put together by Jim Larranaga.

14. Seton Hall Pirates

2016-17 Record: 21-12

2016-17 Finish: First Round

With Andel Delgado opting to pull his name out of the draft, Kevin Willard returns a team with four players who have been starters on back-to-back NCAA tournament squads.

15. Cincinnati Bearcats

2016-17 Record: 30-6

2016-17 Finish: Second Round

Troy Caupain leaves big shoes to fill, but fellow stars Jacob Evans and Gary Clark are back from Mick Cronin’s strongest Cincinnati team to date. Sacred Heart transfer Cane Broome should add even more offensive firepower to a roster that should provide the best competition for Wichita State in the AAC.

16. Gonzaga Bulldogs

2016-17 Record: 37-2

2016-17 Finish: National Runners-Up

Yes, they lost All-American Nigel Williams-Goss and yes, potential lottery lottery pick Zach Collins became the first one-and-done program history, but doubt the Zags at your own peril. Mark Few has plenty of talent on his roster that the nation didn’t get to see much of this year, because he didn’t need to show much of it this year. Don’t be surprised if the country writes off Gonzaga once again and they’re right back in the thick of the national discussion come February.

17. Minnesota Golden Gophers

2016-17 Record: 24-10

2016-17 Finish: First Round

The Golden Gophers were one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2016-17 season, but expectations will be higher for Richard Pitino and company now. Thankfully, Pitino returns every player outside of senior Akeem Springs from the team that did enough damage in the Big Ten to earn a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament.

18. Xavier Musketeers

2016-17 Record: 24-14

2016-17 Finish: Elite Eight

For a second straight year, Trevon Bluiett flirted significantly with the NBA before ultimately opting to come back to school. His return should put the Musketeers in a position to enjoy more March magic, but with a more fitting seed this time.

19. Alabama Crimson Tide

2016-17 Record: 19-15

2016-17 Finish: NIT First Round

Avery Johnson’s program is about to be a problem in the SEC. He returns sophomore standouts Braxton Key and Dazon Ingram from a team that took down eventual national semifinalist South Carolina twice. But the biggest reason for this jump is the addition of a top five recruiting class headlined by one of the class of 2017’s top pure scorers, Collin Sexton.

20. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

2016-17 Record: 26-10

2016-17 Finish: Second Round

Mike Brey simply does not let the Irish fall too far. Point guard Matt Farrell and Third Team All-American Bonzie Colson are back to lead yet another Notre Dame team that will be right there in the top third of the ACC.

21. Butler Bulldogs

2016-17 Record: 25-9

2016-17 Finish: Sweet 16

Butler put a nice cap on a somewhat enigmatic season by playing true to their seed and advancing to the Sweet 16 where they fell to eventual national champion North Carolina. Leading scorer Kelan Martin is back and should be one of the top contenders for Big East Player of the Year, and Chris Holtmann is also bringing in a wave of new talent with three four-star freshmen.

22. Virginia Tech Hokies

2016-17 Record: 22-11

2016-17 Finish: First Round

It certainly feels like Buzz Williams is just getting started. The 2017-18 team already owns the odd status of returning all five starters, but losing its top two scorers in Seth Allen and Zach LeDay. Nobody said Buzz was conventional.

23. Northwestern Wildcats

2016-17 Record: 24-12

2016-17 Finish: Second Round

Chris Collins returns nearly every key contributor from the Northwestern team that made history by finally getting the program into the NCAA tournament and eventually winning a game there.

24. Saint Mary’s Gaels

2016-17 Record: 29-5

2016-17 Finish: Second Round

It wasn’t just Gonzaga which held it down for the West Coast Conference in the NCAA tournament. Saint Mary’s handled VCU in round one of the Big Dance before pushing second-seeded Arizona to the brink two days later. Jock Landale is back for his senior season and ready to earn the title of the most-efficient big man in college basketball.

25. UCLA Bruins

2016-17 Record: 31-5

2016-17 Finish: Sweet 16

With Thomas Welsh and Aaron Holiday back and another loaded recruiting class joining the fold, it looks on the surface like UCLA shouldn’t slip too far in the post-Lonzo Ball world. Then again, this is a program where weird things happen sometimes.

The Next 10:

26. Texas

27. Michigan

28. Baylor

29. TCU

30. Rhode Island

31. Missouri

32. Purdue

33. Nevada

34. Wisconsin

35. Creighton

[thespearnews-blog]

Is War In South Sudan Inter-Tribal Intended To Hold Country Hostage?

New Post has been published on https://thespearnews.com/2017/05/18/war-south-sudan-inter-tribal-intended-hold-country-hostage/

Is War In South Sudan Inter-Tribal Intended To Hold Country Hostage?

South Sudan, President Kiir is using his intelligent Chief, Akol Koor Kuch to manufacture and mastermind conflict among communities in the country. He is arming communities against each other using state resources. The basic example, is using Murle to destabilize neighboring states and even in Ethiopia, so as to shift attention from local politics

On several occasions, arms intended for Murle youth have been confiscated in Juba following a deal by David Yau Yau, Akol Koor, Akot Lual and Tor Deng Mawein, Presidential Adviser on Decentralization.

Other similar projects of locking communities against each other include; Luo vs Dinka (Western Bahr-el-Ghazal state), Chollo Community vs Dinka Ngok (Upper Nile State), Aguok vs Apuk (Warrap state), Athoi vs Nyang (Lakes State), Madi vs Acholi (Eastern Equatorial state), Bari vs Mundari (Central Equatoria state), Mundari vs Dinka Bor (Jonglei state) and Dinka Aliab (Lakes state) among others.

Secondly, Kiir recruits illiterate personnel into National Security service to intimidate, harass, detain, torture or even kill members of the public on unfounded grounds. He marginalizes the educated/professional members of the National Security service. For example, in order to get rid of Gen. Riny Tueny Mabior in the National Security system, they blindfolded him by appointing him as the Eastern Lakes state governor only to be relieved few months later. This is to advance dictatorial principles on the public using the unprofessional ones.

 The reasons for locking communities against each other are the following;

President Kiir has no strategy/strategies in place to fix the economy. As a result, he is using violence as a scapegoat for failing to fix the economy.

President Kiir has increasingly become unpopular. So without violence, peace would reign and elections would be organized. And because he is unpopular, he would lose elections if he intimidates the SPLM hierarchy to contest as the flag bearer. Therefore, he is engaging communities against themselves violently so that there is no peace and violence reigns – a good excuse for not conducting elections.

The accusations that Former Chief of General Staff, Paul Malong was against Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) are not true. In fact, President Kiir Security Chief, Akol Koor is against the agreement itself. He recently plotted for the assassination of the First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai using National Security men to ambush his convoy while on a peace mission to Jonglei State. More than twenty of his guards were killed and the attackers were disguised as Mundari armed youth. The intention was to kill the vice President so that what happened in J1 in July 2016 between President Kiir guards and Riek Machar guards could repeat itself so that public attention is shifted towards new crisis instead of deteriorating economy.

The recent release of the former Chief of Staff, Gen. Paul Malong is to manufacture violence in peaceful areas of greater Bahr-el-Ghazal. The appointed Chief of staff, James Ajongo Mawut hails from the same Northern Bar-el-Ghazal state as Malong. So he would counter Malong using divide and rule policy and bring instability to the peaceful state. Secondly, in case Malong loyalists, Mathiang Anyoor resist the change, Ajongo would use state resources to demolish them and kill Malong influence in Northern Barh-el-Ghazal and the country as a whole because Kiir sees him as a threat to his throne. Thirdly, the reinstatement of the former SPLA-IO General, Dau Aturjong who rebelled because of Malong, into active SPLA list is to reinforce Kiir influence alongside unpopular Ajongo in Northern Barh-el-Ghazal. Dau Aturjong is expected to replace Gen. Santino Deng Wuol of Division 1 located in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal who is Malong loyalist.

The on-going peace initiative by a committee headed by vice president, Taban Deng Gai, between Dinka Bor and Murle is a waste of time. The reality is that, Taban is honest himself in bringing about lasting peace among these communities. The plan of Akol Koor is however different from the current peace processes. He influenced president Kiir to Dismiss Malong and Appoint Ajongo so that they would arm Murle youth and Mundari youth to destabilise Jonglei state. Akol Koor doesn’t want Taban Deng to be credited for bringing peace to this troubled region. They are only using Taban to pause the ongoing skirmishing between Bor youth and Murle youth so that it gives time to mobilize, organize and arm both Murle and Mundari youth by the New Chief of Staff, Ajongo Mawut. Alternatively, David Yau Yau would even be asked to rebel in order to command the youth and destabilize the region in the name of a New rebellion to engage the SPLA once again. For the meantime, phase 1 of the project is targeting Dinka Bor using two fronts of Mundari and Murle, Phase 2 is Dinka Aliab (using Mundari) and phase 3 is Lou Nuer (using Murle). It’s designed in a way that phase 1 would take about a year and phase 2 and 3 would commence simultaneously after a year.

The closure of all highways leading into and out of the state capital, Juba is not SPLA-IO tactic. In fact, it’s a tactical plan by Akol Koor using National Security agents to create insecurity on the highways. Following the weakening of the rebels in major fronts in greater Equatoria and greater Upper Nile, President Kiir has no any other excuse for instability in most parts of the country which his forces control, so Akol Koor manufacture these highway butchering, including the recent one along Bor-Juba road in which more than 40 innocent civilians were killed as a cover for all the mischiefs. It’s also a deterrent to those refugees/asylum seekers who would want to come back home.

In the midst of these crises, there are joint illegal projects booming between president Kiir and Akol Koor. There is illegal gold mining in Kapoeta, Eastern Equatoria state in which Governor Luis Lobong is the managing director of the project in the State. He recently recruited a militia to serve two purposes; (a) destabilize Eastern Equatoria and (b) reinforce Kiir and Akol in Juba to live-long the project in case their other projects don’t succeed. The same deal of illegal gold mining is taking place in Boma State, This is why there is a close relationship between David Yau Yau, Akol Koor, Akot Lual and Tor Deng Mawein. All the two rebellions of David Yau Yau were orchestrated in Juba to undermine the leadership of former Governor and Current Defense Minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk so that they could mine gold illegally in Boma. The short reign of the former Boma state Governor, Baba Medan was sabotaged by Akol Koor, David Yau Yau, Ismail Konyi because he was on a front foot in bringing about long-lasting peace in the region. This was against the interest of this click. So they frustrated him by arming Murle youth to attack neighbours. They would later replace him with Konyi, an active member of the same project.

Currently, President Kiir has no loyalty of the Army. He uses his close relatives, like Akol Koor and Tor Deng Mawein to protect him and engage the army in useless wars – some of them his own projects. That is, using the army to fight his own project war. For example, he recently ordered for the confrontation of Bor youth by the state army, when in fact, child abduction is president Kiir’s sponsored project.

South Sudan is being held hostage by two men, President Kiir and his relative who serves as a security chief, Akol Koor Kuch. They manufacture violence to maintain power, acquire wealth by diverting State resources into their own coffers and sabotage any local or regional initiatives for peace and stability

The story was originally published

How South Sudan Is Held Hostage By Two Men

[akingdomofthree]

Hello! I just finished third chapter and it was great!! Overall story seems really awesome and I can't wait for more! Especially that it's inspired by "The witcher" and, oh my, I love this series so much (though I prefer book series but Netflix did quite a good job). Anyway! I wanted to ask - is it okay if I make some fanarts for your story?

GOSH OMG YES you don't even have to ask!! Your art style is so unique - I'm a huge fan! We would be absolutely honoured. Just @ us so we don't miss it!

Thank you so much for sticking by the fic, even this early on! We're only three chapters in but we promise there's a bunch of good high fantasy nonsense coming up...

- Mums

[akingdomofthree]

HIHIHI i just wanted to say this fic is probably my favorite fic of all time, im so excited for the next chapter and i cant wait to see what you do next!! love chapter 10!! <3

AWWW, thank you thank you thank you! <3 We're so glad you enjoyed it, this one took a while to get out but we did it as always X3

We're approaching the halfway point of the fic, so we have some Big Picture work to do to make sure everything ties together nicely. It's gonna be a long ride but thanks for sticking around! It means so much to us~

[chuckakot]

And have you not known now, how is it like to love someone, and maybe how much you can pour your heart into, and maybe to recognise this kind of appetite, may the hunger and thirst for a love you want continues to be present as you go on, and for a love that is true and honest, cordial and loyal, may you find it not difficult to feel what you deserve, may you be valued more than you asked for and not taken for granted, may your worth be justified, always, that what you have given much of your soul and blood will be much resonating, that you are not simply an identity but a human of desire, that there is a sense of willingness always, that if ever someone can love you, must show you how it feels to be loved in the world, that there is no shame, but a pure sense of dignity, which does not condescend you, but saves you even if it is against to everyone. I hope you can find that love, a love that is proud and willing to take its turn, its sympathy, in the open face of the sun.

— Chuck Akot

[chuckakot]

To love and to be loved, as simple and yet so intricate, so stubborn and yet so kind and soothing , but that is the act maybe, for as long as you can fill your heart with sense of wonder and enthusiasm, as much as you discern to yourself to give and be giving, to be just as who you are, where the gift of your presence solely a grace to those who ask for you in prayer, just as you can imagine the imaginable, to trust your personal truth, and so, there is always a reason to believe, that one thing or another, you are opening your sense of worth, you are what you wanted to be as long as you are a light to somebody, as long as you can feel the comfortable sensation of breath, you are just enough and gentle, to greet life in happiness or sadness, as long as you can find the reason to continue, there is nothing wrong, no, just be still.

— Chuck Akot, Basta stare fermi