#also if anyone is looking for resources on learning any of the skill i mentioned here PLEASE hmu:3

[lostinaclade]

reblogging bc i have very similar frustrations Often, but also to give some resources! op a lot of this is probably stuff you're already aware of just based on ur blog, but i figure it could be helpful to other people too.

[sewing tips]

- sewing machines are often not as scary as they seem! they will make your sewing faster and easier! Often you can borrow them from a library, or many people probably have an older relative with one who would be happy to bond with you over a learning experience!

- if you're hand sewing and want to avoid the needle holes in your cheaper or silkier fabrics, you want a finer needle with a smaller eye. Usually this will be labeled with either a higher number size, or for a specific purpose. the finest needles are usually quilting needles (sometimes called betweens, these are shorter) and beading needles (these are often very long, so might be better if you struggle with hand cramps/dexterity, but are also more likely to bend)

- when it comes to getting materials, keep an eye on local sources!! i have a craft store near me with a free scraps table, and sometimes people leave decently sized scraps of quilting cotton there, which can be good for a quick patch. i'm also constantly seeing people on Facebook marketplace trying to clear out their fabric stashes for relatively cheap.

- re: material, you can also cannibalize those old shitty clothes! use the fabrics to patch and reinforce other things! they might not be ideal, but they'll add an extra barrier

- a lot of upsizing and downsizing (especially for pants) is pretty simple and easy to find YouTube tutorials on! pay attention to where the garment doesn't fit well and search '[garment] too [tight/loose] in [area, ex: shoulders, waist, crotch, collar]' try to find videos that seem to be made by tailors or individual people, unfortunately you will often need to sort through life hack style junk as well.

[shopping tips]

- whenever possible, try to physically experience clothes before you buy them. sometimes your local thrift stores just won't have what you're looking for and you'll have to pray that thing you buy online fits and feels nice, but it's always safer to check it out in person first

- yes, absolutely seek out natural fibers, BUT!! figure out which ones YOU like! this might take some trial and error, but it should be pretty clear after a while, and you can get in the habit of checking tags before you buy something. i love cotton, i tolerate wool, linen is amazing but i personally do not fuck with it. buy things you will wear.

- i find i am more willing to buy myself something if i can justify it as, "if i don't wear it it can be scrap fabric" this is good because it means i end up trying new things and actually getting clothes, but it can be a slippery slope towards "i know i won't wear this but the fabric is cool!" in my experience you should only buy something like that if you already have a project started/planned!! otherwise your brain is trying to trick you into owning one million fabric!!

[mending/maintenance tips]

- read the care instructions on your clothes!! if the tag is gone/you can't find care instructions, try to go based on the fabric type, and always opt for gentler washing options

- you don't have to like visible mending. invisible mending also exists, and it's a skill you can learn just as much as visible mending is!

- even within visible mending, there are all sorts of styles. sashiko/sashiko-inspired styles get a lot of coverage, as does darning. there's also Swiss darning (for knit fabrics), plain old patching, and a plethora of other tactics! explore and find what you like!!

I try to speak against the whole "guilt about consumption" thing in environmentalism but god damn if it doesn't Get Me sometimes (all the time)

I've been putting off buying new clothes for like a year because I just feel bad buying stuff but it's getting to a very bad situation as I am running out of pants that are warm and have few enough holes to be decent to wear in public.

I'm trying to mend some of them by embroidery but that's very slow and they're so poor quality to begin with that running embroidery floss through them stretches new holes in them.

I bought my one and only decent pair of work pants when I was still recovering from The Situation a couple years ago and had lost a really unhealthy amount of weight, so now they're starting to feel too tight and hard to move around in.

I've read articles about sustainability where people talked about downsizing their wardrobe to just like 4 outfits, and I don't comprehend it! The fewer clothes you have the more you have to wear them. I bought a new carhartt hoodie at the beginning of this semester, from the mens section too since those tend to be a little better quality, and I have been wearing it as an outer layer for maybe a month and a half and I have washed it ONCE and it is pilling like crazy. Like there's pills all over it not just in high-friction areas, everywhere! It gives it this awful rough scraggy texture and it makes me very sad.

[sturionic]

Your post "Activism is Not Cold-Calling" came across my dash. The point about building community to persuade makes a lot of sense to me.

You mentioned several trainings you've taken and taught as a volunteer labor organizer that discusses the specific nuts and bolts of it. I am wondering if there are resources you'd recommend for someone wanting to add tools to the toolbox. I'm not organizing labor; I'm a parent interested in improving equity in the local schools. But I think at least some of the strategies should transfer well, and I'd like to learn more.

Thanks.

Hi there! Your instinct is very, very correct: a lot of the organizing principles used in union drives transfer well to different forms of organizing. Things like structured organizing conversations and workplace mapping are incredibly useful skills.

Personally, I think the best comprehensive top-down view of effective organizing for a beginner is Jane McAlevey's works. Jane passed away this past summer. We really lost a true titan, an absolute force of nature; but she's left behind a wealth of invaluable materials - books, articles & other writings, interviews, speeches. The first few pages of No Shortcuts: Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age rewired my brain and made me think about organizing in a whole new way, and I've read that book practically to death, it's barely hanging on lol. You can find McAlevey's works here: https://janemcalevey.com/

Of course, McAlevey's oeuvre is very union-focused and goes deep. If you're just looking for some quicker concepts, Labor Notes has tons of study guides, handouts, and other bite-sized materials that explain organizing concepts. You can buy them on the site (support them if you can!), but they're mostly also pretty easy to find online, or modified versions other people have made. Labor Notes also runs regular online trainings which are excellent.

Lastly, I know you said you're not specifically doing union stuff, but on the off chance anyone reading this is interested in unionizing their workplace: check out Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee. You can contact EWOC directly and they will help you organize your workplace, and they also have their own excellent resources and run regular trainings. You can also get involved by becoming a trained organizer (like me!) and volunteering for them. (EWOC is, of course, American; if any other Canadians are reading this and interested in organizing, feel free to DM me and I can put you in touch with people.) EDIT: I'm seeing people in the notes of my post recommending IWW's materials, and they are so right! Look up "IWW Organizing Manual" and "IWW Organizing Basics." They are great & digestible reads, and IWW has many more resources on their site and archives. (If anyone else has resources to recommend, have at 'er!)

[sweet-little-tank-top-number]

Ok so, logically I know that Stargate SG-1 is episodic television that has to return to some semblance of status quo at the end of each episode. Therefore, physical injuries are always resolved before the top of the next episode, with no lasting ramifications unless they are relevant to the plot. Hand waved because the show format demands it.

So… I’ve got a little personal headcanon about it: I think Sam regularly uses the goa’uld healing device.

The healing device belonged to Kendra on Cimmeria and SG-1 obtains it after her death (and after Sam’s possession by Jolinar) in early season 2. Furthermore, we don’t see Sam actively use it onscreen until she heals Cronus in early season 3. So my little theory doesn’t account for earlier injuries, like Jack’s busted leg in Antarctica.

In any case, it seems silly for them not to use a resource like this.

So I’ve got a few points to this headcanon:

They prioritize study of the hand device first, trying to figure out how it works and if they can replicate it or create a version anyone can use. They can’t. It’s the only one they have unless they find more later.

They might be worried that repeated use might cause a milder form of the madness induced by a sarcophagus.

They’re not sure about the power supply and how much juice the thing has in it, so they don’t know how long it will last.

Due to the Naquadah in her blood after Jolinar, Sam is the only one at the SGC who can use it for quite a while… until Vala comes along, I think.

Sam takes a while to learn how to use it, just like there was a learning curve with her using a kara kesh in season 2. The thing requires Sam to tap into strong emotion/desire to use it and she is someone who keeps a tight lock on her emotions.

According to the tie-in novel, Roswell, it takes quite a lot out of the user, so I imagine Janet would try to restrict usage so that Sam doesn’t do any harm to herself. A goa’uld using one can easily repair their host, but Sam doesn’t have that luxury.

The same novel also mentions that the device can create a mental link, much like the kara kesh did between Sha’re and Daniel in Forever in a Day. I can see Sam being uncomfortable with that aspect of it and reluctant to use it except in the most dire circumstances.

The device can only heal, not bring back the dead.

There also seems to be a limit to the extent of injury it can heal, as evidenced by the failure to heal Daniel after he got irradiated. Or maybe Sam just isn’t skilled enough to handle the catastrophic failure happening in Daniel’s body at the time compared to a bullet wound or staff blast.

All this to say that I think they keep the healing device around and Sam is brought into the infirmary to help from time to time. But they don’t rely on it, and only have her step in to help with injuries that are life-threatening or may result long-term, crippling damage. They just use good old Tau’ri medicine for everything else.

So while Sam does truly enjoy her scientific work in her lab, this headcanon adds another level to her workaholic tendencies. She has an incredible sense of personal responsibility and self-sacrifice, so I think she would feel compelled to stick around the SGC in case they need her. I don’t think she’d forgive herself if someone died in the infirmary when she could have made a difference.

No wonder Jack can never get her to go fishing…

(Wrote up this whole longpost just to justify the shippy scene in my head where Sam uses the healing device to fix the staff wound on Jack’s leg after Netu. Because of her rattled emotional state due to the deep dive into Jolinar’s memories, she sorta fumbles when trying to heal him and inadvertently creates a strong mental link. Both Sam and Jack get a deep look into each others’ vulnerable mental state.)

[theneighborhoodwatch]

Hi! Gonna start off and say that I love the work you're doing with the Welcome Home neocities website! It's perfectly stylized for the project/puppet show and I can see the work you're putting into it.

I'd love to learn how to make my own neocities website (for fun? For a personal project??), so I was wondering if you could provide some tips and/or pointers for a first-timer.

Thank you!

HAHA well first of all i'm flattered that someone would think i'm skilled enough to be giving pointers in the first place. i still consider myself a novice when it comes to web design (for example, if you're wondering why every page on welcome to welcome home has its own CSS, it's because CSS is Way harder for me to wrap my head around than HTML) so i can't give any Super advanced tips, but i can at least write about what's helped me so far:

GUIDES. neocities has its own tutorial and list of HTML/CSS resources, but user-made guides are your best friend when it comes to figuring out where to go from there. a.n. lucas and pauli kohberger both have really good guides for beginners, but for the more advanced stuff, i found myself referencing the resources on solaria's webspace and sadgrl.online the most. w3schools is also very helpful when it comes to answering more specific questions like "how do i use two different fonts on the same page?" (and probably more.) if all else fails, then usually just googling "how to (x) in HTML" or "how to (x) in CSS" will yield at least one useful result. for making your website more accessible, there's the accessible net directory and this masterpost by foxpunk on tumblr.

it sounds obvious, but it helps to have a solid idea of what kind of site you want to build before you actually dive in, and then snoop around on neocities to get an idea of how other users approach the same topic. for example, i got the idea to start a welcome home wiki on neocities after being reminded of the 8:11 wiki on the same site, and then i spent a couple days just looking up stuff like "wiki" or "fansite" on neocities and then clicking on any page that caught my attention to study it.

layouts! there's no shame in using a premade one, and you can even learn more about HTML/CSS in real time just by messing around with the base code before implementing any intentional changes. sadgrl.online's layout builder is a VERY popular choice, since you can already do a lot with the basic options it offers and it's easy to further customize once you have it set up on your page; it's what i used to make welcome to welcome home. sadgrl.online's webmaster links also feature a bunch of other options under the "layouts" tag, and if none of those work for you, then you can even find something just by looking up template/templates/layout/layouts/HTML/CSS on neocities itself.

side note: if you're reading this and you want to make a wiki then you can also use this wikitable code. it came out after i had already established the Look of welcome to welcome home, so i probably won't implement it any time soon, but i TOTALLY WOULD HAVE if it was around when i first set the site up.

you can scale images up or down using percentage, with 100% being the image's default size. i don't know how helpful or acceptable that is, but i use it a lot.

don't feel pressured to get everything done at once, even if you expect people to be visiting your site frequently. usually if you just slap on an "under construction" gif or even just write "hey this site is still under construction" then people will understand. i don't think i've ever seen anyone get super huffy about slow updates on neocities, anyway.

EDIT: OH. GRAPHICS. i mention all of these on welcome to welcome home's front page but i Also wanted to note them here: betty's graphics and websets by lynn both have HUGE collections of background tiles and other graphics that work especially well if you're going for that old web charm. i also like to use this mirror of patterncooler for backgrounds bc of the customization options. you can also make your own background tile and then use a seamless tile maker like this if all else fails.

EDIT 2: ALSO. obviously. do not be like me and use discord or any other chat client as a filehost, no matter how promising it looks, because one day you WILL get a very nasty surprise when the request signature on those urls expire and the images are no longer accessible on other sites. there are a myriad of other filehosts out there, but personally i recommend file garden (and also donating to file garden if you can, even if only for a couple months. i know i said that just yesterday, but if it gets more folks to subscribe then i'm gonna keep saying it.)

[congealedweapon]

I see a lot of artist complain about getting comments about how talented they are and how the commenter could never do art like that - which is understandable because the societal myth of innate talent especially with arts and other creative skills - and then say that anyone can get as skilled if they practice and work with enough time and effort. But this also just isn't true - not just under capitalism either.

There are so many different factors - internal and external - that all contribute to this. Most obviously, besides interest, not everyone has access to the time, energy and space to learn and practice. And, importantly, disabled people aren't a tiny fraction of the population even in the western world or whatever you call Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Iirc pre pandemic the official statistics estimated 1/5-1/4 of various populations - which can only be an underestimate when society so severely discourages people from identifying as disabled and doesn't acknowledge that some disabilities even exist. And given that Covid is a mass disabling event, it can only be higher now (and increasing). So any claim that "of course I didn't mean disabled people" "disability is a different conversation/off topic" isnt valid, disabled people are a part of "anyone" and "everyone" and not an exception. Assuming and/or categorising us as an exception to the rule that goes without saying is in and of itself ableist.

That aside, I believe - although don't have exact data or anything - that there must be a common range of various basic skills and abilities outside of what is considered disability - things like fine and gross motor skills (and each of those skills individually), ability to perceive and process finer visual, audio or other sensory details (which would impact visual art and music skill acquisition respectively), various forms of coordination, flexibility etc.

There are also, although research is in its infancy, differences in how people think - i.e. whether or not and to what extent there are images, words and inner monologue, other sounds, etc - as well as differences - which can be affected by how people think, such as a lack of images aka aphantasia - in memory formation and recall, as well as working memory and muscle memory (at least in disability terms, but I don't think there is an actual line between "not disabled" and "disabled" so much as there is a point at which various things become disabling (which is subjective) (and seperate to disability as a political identity and marginalisation)

I've heard in passing that so called "learning styles" are a myth and I haven't looked into it (and don't feel like it at 9:30pm just for a little rant) but there are differences - and the same person can have different pretences for different things and in different circumstances - in what format of tutorials people find most useful, if not a combination of formats, such as video or detailed written instructions, with or without diagrams or still images, learning in a small in person group versus on your own via the internet or a book or DVD, etc. And I don't think it's that anyone has 1 innate "style" but that there are a lot of factors involved, in general and contextually and that the more quality, accessible and affordable options for learning are available the more people are going to have success at acquiring the skill - not to mention that those tutorials and other resources need to be in a language you can understand enough of, or are able to translate enough of with online and other tools, don't assume access to tools or other resources you don't have (e.g. software) and are for/work with the method you use/are most able to use - for example, the way I hold my crochet hook is different to the most common way, so video tutorials have always been more confusing (especially before I figured out that I'd unconsciously adapted how I hold my hook) and clear diagrams that just show the top of the hook and the yarn are much much easier. But also are harder to find, especially without buying a lot of expensive books.

Basic physical attributes can also play a part in how easily a skill can be learned. This is most easily seen with sports - there are plenty of resources that talk about, and show, how different body types can be an advantage in different sports. It also applies to singing and learning various instruments - some are easier with longer, more but not too flexible fingers. Others are easier with a greater lung capacity and a straighter back.

There are also differences in parenting, schooling, safe home environments, parental income, etc that play a part as well, which I think most left leaning people are at least somewhat aware of - the more access and encouragement you had in regards to starting a skill early on and continuing with it is a clear advantage in becoming skilled at something.

All of this is important, because interest in a thing and motivation do not exist, unchanging, in a vacuum. If you find something more challenging to you than it is for your peers, or what is expected of you, or to the point where it's actively discouraging, that makes it much harder to maintain interest. Sometimes interests starts because you got the chance to try and thing that was maybe easier to learn for you than others, or than other things you tried, that you were applauded for and otherwise encouraged to continue, and it met a minimal level of fun, and the interest grew from there. Maybe you had what could have been a passing interest, had you not had access, but you did so you were able to get more into it and become passionate.

I also want to say, that it's very true that not everything is a privilege, and sometimes people will claim something is a privilege either mistakenly or untruthfully to make a point or argue.

BUT some things can be a *sign* of or a result of privilege or only accessible if you either get very lucky or have a certain level of privilege. One of those things is being able to get to the level of proficiency in a skill - especially one that has a financial barrier - in order to become even semi professional or make a name on social media for it, or even just create often enough to post your work regularly *especially* with enough skill to obtain an audience for it. I'm sure there are exceptions, like there is for everything, but most people don't have the money, free time, free energy, free focus, lack of conflicting or obstructing ability circumstance or disability, etc to get to that point. And those that do aren't going to get there after the same amount of time, energy, and practice.

(also if you say "you don't need expensive equipment/supplies to do [your hobby/skill]" and don't at least provide a link to resources on how to figure out which inexpensive options are the best and most appropriate ones, or at least acknowledge that being familiar enough with the different options, brands, etc to know where and how to efficiently and effectively save money is in itself a sub skill of the hobby/profession/etc then, you know 🖕 - also not everyone can just use the cheapest stuff due to accessibility and other needs)

I feel like, even in more nuanced conversations about how our societal understandings of intelligence, talent, etc are entirely made up and harmful nonsense, it would do everyone good to normalise that it's okay to be bad at things. Not everyone is able to get professional level proficient in things they want to do. No one can become proficient in everything if they want to do a bunch of things. And not everyone wants to do the work required - whether because they want to do multiple things and there just isn't enough time or energy in one life, because they have no interest in being professional, or because it would require greater sacrifice or risk than it would for other people or than it's worth.

I think education and society at large would benefit from better understanding that not everyone starts from the same base level of ability when starting out at learning different things, or in life. Both in regards to disability, not having the same first or at-home language as the one being taught in, and with failings in society like poverty, racism, etc and capitalism in general. And also that there is a variety in every possible human trait within the population - just like there are differences in height, body shape, eye hair and skin colour, voice pitch, native language and culture and other fairly obvious things, we can there is so much micro and invisible variety too. My sister can draw in more visual detail than I generally perceive just looking at the world as a short sighted since childhood, and ADHD person with significant aphantasia. I crochet but I can't knit - and while video tutorials are an added level of confusion because I can't hold my crochet hook the same way most tutorial makers do, I found learning how to read charts almost instinctual, but many crocheters struggle with that. I've done micro crochet, something considered generally quite difficult in the crochet community, but Tunisian crochet absolutely boggles my brain to the point where I'm fairly incapable of doing it, have minimal skill in making clothing, and could absolutely never finish a blanket - while Tunisian crochet is a little bit niche, making garments and blankets are incredibly common in the crochet community (although blankets are also incredibly fucking expensive to make).

Point is, while I understand the lack of understanding of the time, effort, and energy involved in becoming proficient, leading to the undervaluing of the skill and at the same time, increasing the perceived inaccessibility of learning it, is incredibly annoying, especially online with a large enough audience that you hear it frequently, it's just not true that anyone could do what you are doing, as well as you are, with as much success, because there are so many things that have to go right, as well as simply having the time, money and space to not only learn the skill, but become proficient and then make a name for yourself and create regularly (and do all the social media stuff) - which honestly just isn't a thing many people in this capitalist hellscape have

And also any discussion of how the education fails people, and how our western understandings of talent and intelligence are not only nonsense but harmful, should also be done with the understanding that it's okay to not be good at things at do them anyway, and that there are just so many different factors that influence how easily someone finds a certain area of learning is, whether and when they might become proficient in something, and that there is natural human variety to every part of being human (and also that disability is natural and not uncommon and that disabled people are in fact included when generalising about all people unless of course you don't consider disabled people to be people)

Also, an afterthought: creativity as a whole is kinda a talent and a skill, and being able to become proficient at a skill does not automatically mean you can use that skill in a creative, and personally unique way. And that's okay! You are allowed to just have fun, or make things that are just practical, or just like someone else (with credit where it's due) etc. But I think it's worth acknowledging that most people in creative (or potentially but not always creative) fields especially with an even moderate audience online are successful in that way not just because of technical proficiency but because they have cultivated their own personal style, their own artistic voice, or *something* that people enjoy or resonate with

There are very skilled people that do professional, quality work without much widespread notice - those who make music, visual art, etc for advertisements and other corporate purposes for example. I feel like most people are familiar with "generic" art - the kind you can find in offices, or where the prints are mass produced for retail etc - all that requires skill, and in its own way a form of creativity that any act of creation takes, but it's not the same kind of creativity that inspires itself (i.e. isn't based on an outline the artist is payed to fulfill outside of being commissioned because of their personal established artistic voice/style), it doesn't have the same personality and sense of connection to the creator, if that makes sense.

And that's something that improves with practice but isn't really something that can be taught. And that's okay! But saying that there is absolutely no talent or anything special just a lot of time and practice involved in becoming a successful artist in our own name and voice is missing part of the story

[marylynbirds]

My journey studying with Autism (higher education)

Not sure if this is going to help anyone, but I wanted to share some of my experiences studying with autism (in the Netherlands specifically). I guess I just want to show, even though I'm doing well academically now, there is more to that than just being smart, I had to grow a lot before getting where I am today. Buckle up; it's a long one. (disclaimer after writing: it doesn't focus a lot on autism explicitly, but it definitely had a lot of influence)

tl;dr: I had a number of struggles, made some decisions, and am doing better now! First, some context: in the Netherlands, there are several forms of higher education; the ones that are important in my story are Universities of Applied Sciences (or: Higher professional education. HBO in Dutch) and Research Universities (WO in Dutch). As the name implies, a WO focuses on research, thinking analytically and critically. It has higher entry requirements than HBO. It has a relatively high teaching speed and requires a lot of self-study; in general, it is considered a lot harder than HBO. Study programs at an HBO are more practical, and your future profession is a lot clearer from the start (the programs are more specific), and there is more supervision (and, in my experience, group work, though this may vary).

Without getting too much into the Dutch educational system: I followed the 6-year program that would allow me to go to a WO immediately after high school (at the age of 18). I chose to study history and then do a masters to become a high school history teacher. I also started a part-time job in September. I had to travel for a little over an hour to get to class. And... I had no idea I have autism.

year 1

I loved it. I loved the academic environment, learning all the new things, and going to classes. At first, things seemed great! Until exams came around. Even though I had been making my homework passionately, I didn't pass any of the three exams. (Do note that I had to pass 9 out of 12 courses to be allowed to stay in the program, so missing the first 3 already was a big deal). The student councillor wasn't too worried. He told me to follow a course on study skills (which helped a lot! I do recommend looking into the resources your school offers, I paid maybe 5 euros for 6 sessions of coaching). And he told me that if I was worried about the 9 out of 12 rule (BSA for those familiar with the system), I could unenroll before February and try again next year. Even though my study skills improved, I didn't have enough time to apply them in the second block, so I also failed those 3 exams (and the resits). I also felt like I needed a break, I was so tired and decided to do as the student councillor had advised: I unenrolled before the start of the 2nd semester.

year 2

I spent the next semester putting in a few more hours at that part-time job I mentioned earlier and even got more responsibilities over the summer. I also decided I wanted to move out and live in the city where I was also studying; it'd save me about 3-4 hours of travelling every day. I moved into a little studio that summer. I kept my job in the town I came from. The first semester went by pretty smoothly! I failed 2 classes but was probably able to pass them during resits. I was tired a lot and spent more time on the part-time job than I wanted, so I quit (maybe the semester didn't go by as smoothly as I remember, lol). The second semester started in February 2020, and a few weeks in, we went into lockdown. Tbh, the combination of having quit my job and having no obligations besides doing my homework and showing up for online classes was great. It allowed me to rest and focus on my studies (which I was still quite passionate about). (I know a lot of people had a terrible time during lockdowns and had very negative experiences due to covid. I count myself lucky that I didn't). I passed all my classes that year and moved on to the second year (out of three).

year 3

I was doing a lot better at this point. I felt capable and even became a student mentor for the upcoming first years (I had to show them around the campus once and just be available to answer basic questions. Because of covid, we had a weekly check-in online).

I also moved to a bigger studio during the first term, it was hectic, but I managed to write the two essays that needed to get done and passed both with a good grade. HOWEVER. My mother had gotten slightly concerned and started wondering if maybe I had autism (like my 2 brothers and both my parents...)(for context: my mother is a kind of social worker who specialised in autism, so she was making a VERY educated guess) because little things seemed to stress me out much more than is considered 'normal'. The second term was terrible. I had no idea how I was supposed to write my essay, and the teaching style did not at all match my study style. I spoke to the student councillor again and cut down on the workload. At the end of the first semester, I was put on a waitlist to get a diagnosis, and I also applied for additional financial help because I was not able to have a job while studying (because of the suspected autism). During the second semester, things went downhill quite quickly. I was tired and had lost motivation. In April, I decided I would switch study programs and go to an HBO after the summer and follow the English teacher program there.

Year 4

Things were very different at HBO. I actually felt like I was back in high school. My co-students seemed to have much less discipline than me, and most were a few years younger. I am fairly certain that people thought of me as a teacher's pet (which I am, tbh) and possibly a bit arrogant because I was not shy in letting people know I knew the answer. I quickly noticed I had a big advantage in multiple facets: study skills, self-discovery, English proficiency (my history courses were all in English) and history (specifically British and USA). This allowed me to focus my energy on other things: such as adjusting to the new social situation, my new relationship (I met him at the teaching program, lol) and getting a diagnosis. I passed all my courses in one try, except my speaking exam (pronunciation is my weak spot, I passed the resit). I didn't have time for a job or a lot of extracurriculars, but I managed to get through the year pretty well with good grades. I also was officially diagnosed at the start of the second semester. year 5

This was the past year. It was tough, but again, I managed to get through the year with good grades. Do I think I could keep up a full-time job as a teacher? Maybe not the best idea if I also want to have a social life. But I feel like I am getting the hang of things and am getting more aware of my needs (especially in relation to my autism). I did experience a lot of stress the past few weeks as I had to finish a few reports and am looking for ways to get help with reports I have difficulty with. Making the decision to go from WO to HBO was quite scary. It was not what I had in mind, and it'd mean adding a whole lot of years to my student debt (we actually have an okay system here). During this year, I was actually able to have part of my student debt erased, so that was a big relief. Idk how many of you will make it to this point of the post. And I don't know if any of you got any wiser from reading about my experiences. I hope it gave you some hope that not everything has to be perfect from the start. It took me some time to find out what was best for me; it's okay if you need more time. Anyway, I might make a post about what it is like to study with autism. If you have any questions about: - studying in the Netherlands (with or without autism) - picking between WO or HBO - what regulations I applied for to get additional funding and have part of my student debt erased (these are regulations for Dutch students with disabilities, not just autism) - or anything else you think I might be able to say something useful about feel free to leave a comment! (I am fluent in Dutch, so if that's easier for you, that's fine!)

[jolly-necromancer]

Lesson #2: Necromancy in the service of society

Now, that we know how to gather necessary resources in a socially acceptable manner, it is time to learn how to use our skills to aid our local communities.

First, I would like to acknowledge the obvious. Yes, we have our research and other projects that will be slowed down by devoting our time and resources to the practices described below. However, you will soon find that the favor of the common folk makes things run much smoother, usually making up for slower pace by preventing unnecessary interruptions and relocations. Not to mention, many of us lead a life of an adventurer. Those necromancers already know how to split their time and attention between study of the arcane and helping others. For them this lecture will be more of an opportunity to refine the skills they already possess.

With that issue properly addressed, let us begin.

First thing you can do to help out your neighbours is to rent them your thralls. For free or for very low fee. After all, it is supposed to be your service to the local community, not a business. Your undead will be most suitable for tasks that are simple, repetitive but physically taxing or dangerous. They will be also perfect for covering the night shifts. Let the mortals sleep and have the undead do the worst parts of their jobs.

You must remember, however, who to make this offer to. The answer is: to the commoners. To the peasants needing another pair of hands to harvest their crops but unable to afford another mouth to feed. This offer is not to directed to their feudal lords, lest they figure, they can exile the peasants from their farmlands and man them entirely with the undead. That would not be ethical and would defeat the purpose of this course. We aim to help those who need our help the most and to not disturb natural order of things too much. That is why you should, for example, be careful about offering artisans to have your thralls do simple chores, that would usually be a job for the new apprentices. Those chores are often important part of the learning process.

And if you really want to do something to appease the lords, you can always offer them some cannon fodder. If you live in area often under threat of bandit raids, that would be more than enough to make them look at you more favourably. And with them you do not have to be so shy about proper prices for your services. THEY can afford it.

On a side note, a few of you are capable of allowing the deceased to speak one last time. You can offer families a chance to say goodbye to their loved ones even in case of sudden death. This is something precious and will most certainly be appreciated. What is even more appreciated is a resurrection if you are prepared and in the right place and the right time to perform one.

As for finding the balance, here are some points to consider before you make any offer to anyone:

How many undead can you control at a time and how many do you need for your various projects to advance at satisfying pace or at least at any pace? If the difference between those two numbers is zero or less, you have to seriously reconsider your priorities and workload you think you can manage.

How much of your help can be provided at night? The more, the better. First, because it allows others to work during the day and sleep during the night. Second, because it allows you the same (assuming you are not nocturnal). Third, because it allows others to not spend too much time in presence of your thralls which is good for their psychological comfort.

Well done, everyone! Now you have an idea what kind of actions you can take to use your necromancy to help your neighbours. In our next lesson we will discuss how can we make presence of the undead less off-putting. If not morally then at least aesthetically.

Class dismissed.

[antinael]

I mentioned my Foundation OC before, but I've put together some info about her. Her name is Lana (as I was listening to Lana Del Rey when I fleshed her out), but it is subject to change. She is contemporary to the Mule and is lucky enough to interact with him. On a deep level.

She was born on a backyard planet known for its iridium ore. Iridium (maybe it is a silly name, but the name of the metal is unimportant) is very valuable for space ship construction, being the most resistant metal a space ship can be made of.

Being the technologically advanced society that it is, the Foundation can't keep its hands away from the precious metal. Iridium is found significantly in the asteroids belt revolving around the planet, hence its extraction is very difficult. Around the time Lana is 10, Terminus starts mining for iridium, which the planet's inhabitants highly despise. (see how the Foundation can also have natural enemies, whether founded by Seldon or not).

Back to Lana. At 14 she commits murder in self defense. But the judge doesn't care it is self defense so she is sent to juvenile prison. To get away from the bullying typical to such a delinquent environment, she spends her time in the juvenile prison workroom, repairing space ships and learning to fly them.

At 18 she must continue her punishment in an adult prison. But being a skilled pilot by this age, she is allowed to choose: go to adult jail or work as a pilot on one of the ships mining for iridium in the asteroids belt, for free, in exchange only for food and shelter. And work for Terminus, her enemy. Her choice is clear.

In the meantime… by the time she is around 20 - or 20 something, the Foundation falls and the Mule comes to power. Rumors spread that the Mule is the new owner of the iridium mines. A skilled pilot and also a fervent hater of anyone exploiting her planet's natural resources, she enrolls in a small squad to attack the Mule's space ships.

But her ship is captured and she is taken hostage ("Like hell I will surrender to you!"). The Mule notices her pilot skills and… converts her. By this time she has no idea that the weird guy who made her sign employment papers is the Mule ("Who are you, his jester or something?").

Pritcher asks the Mule why he didn't convert her from a distance, since direct contact isn't necessary. The Mule doesn't have any idea why. Pritcher gets a little worried remembering the Bayta incident.

Plot happens idk < insert plot here >

Somehow Lana realizes who the Mule is. She falls in love, but never admits it to anyone. This falling in love happens after the conversion and is somehow added to it. Not even the Mule sees it, because he wasn't even looking (at 27 he decided to give up on love and music forever and focus on his career).

The Mule realizes that the Second Foundation (or some of it) resides on Lana's home planet (not Trantor, or not all of it is on Trantor). An incident happens in which Lana must play an important role.

< insert plot here idk >

The Second Foundation undoes her conversion. But to their surprise, now she is a more fervent Mule supporter, because the conversion keeping her emotions at bay is broken. Now her heart is guided by pure love only.

The Mule also starts having feelings for Lana, but would never show anything. Knowing that the Second Foundation resides on Lana's home planet he has to make a decision: destroy her planet and have Lana hate him, or leave the planet alone and dare find true love once again.

Lana finds out about his plan and also realizes he feels the same for her. She confronts him ("I thought you were different!"). They calm down and make a plan to destroy the Second Foundation without destroying Lana's home planet.

And they get together.

"I am in love with you."

"It won't work..."

"So can you also see the future?"

This is my OC's story in a nutshell, with plot holes and inconsistencies.

I would love to develop it into a fanfic, but I need more plot material and can't think of anything. I want to bring Channis and the First Speaker into the story. Possibly Channis undoes her conversion and is like WTF when he realizes that she is even MORE loyal to the Mule in the aftermath. Of course, the Mule finds out and tortures Channis because no one touches his crush (ask prince Dagobert rip).

[techfygeeks]

Are WsCube Tech Web Development Course Good?

When it comes to choosing a web development course, there are many options available, and it can be challenging to find the right one. One name that frequently comes up is WsCube Tech. But are their web development courses really good? Based on my friend's experience, I would say yes. Let me share his story and provide some insights into what makes these courses worthwhile.

My Friend's Experience with WsCube Tech

Last year, my friend enrolled in a web development course at WsCube Tech. He had been looking to upskill and break into the field of web development, and after some research, he decided to give WsCube Tech a try. According to him, the course was absolutely worth it. Here's why:

1. Comprehensive Curriculum:

The course covered a wide range of topics that are crucial for any aspiring web developer. From HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to more advanced frameworks and tools, the curriculum was well-rounded and thorough. My friend felt that he was getting a solid foundation in web development, along with exposure to the latest trends and technologies in the industry.

2. Quality of Instruction:

The trainers at WsCube Tech were not only knowledgeable but also very supportive. My friend mentioned that the instructors had a deep understanding of the subject matter and were excellent at explaining complex concepts in a way that was easy to understand. They were patient, approachable, and always willing to help students with any questions or challenges they faced.

3. Practical Learning:

One of the standout features of the course was the emphasis on hands-on learning. Instead of just theoretical lessons, the course included numerous practical projects and real-world scenarios. This approach helped my friend to apply what he was learning and gain valuable experience. By the end of the course, he had a portfolio of projects that he could showcase to potential employers.

4. Supportive Staff:

The overall environment at WsCube Tech was very positive and encouraging. My friend appreciated the support he received not just from the instructors but also from the administrative staff. Whether it was about scheduling, accessing resources, or any other issue, the staff was always helpful and responsive.

5. Value for Money:

Given the quality of the course content, instruction, and support, my friend felt that the course offered excellent value for money. It was a worthwhile investment in his career development, and he believes it has significantly boosted his prospects in the job market.

Conclusion

In summary, my friend's experience with WsCube Tech's web development course was highly positive. The comprehensive curriculum, knowledgeable and supportive trainers, practical learning approach, and helpful staff all contributed to making the course valuable. For anyone considering a web development course, based on this experience, WsCube Tech seems like a solid choice.

While this is just one person's experience, it does provide a good indication of the quality you can expect from WsCube Tech. If you're looking to gain practical skills in web development and want a supportive learning environment, it might be worth giving their courses a try.

[ready-set-shenanigans]

Take two on sendin this request lmao ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ 15-25 for nolan and/or kris por favor -💚

If you had to choose a single object to act as a symbol for your oc, what would it be? Why?

Nolan: uhhhhh idk maybe a spade? ♠️

Kris: something nerdy or related to his job i guess? Maybe a screwdriver or like and ai data chip, idk

If your oc could only eat one thing for the rest of their life (while miraculously not suffering from malnutrition), what would it be? Does this match their favourite food?

Nolan: Really likes meaty stews (think like hearty beef stews, Irish stew, or Italian style)

Kris: Imma say prolly Pepper Steak (for my own sanity rn djdbjd)

How prepared is your oc? Ready for the worst no matter what, or completely lost in every situation? Would they have a medkit when it was needed? Would they have an umbrella if it rains?

Nolan: Maybe not prepped in the sense that he'd have things readily on hand, but he's at least always ready mentally and has pretty good knowledge of survival skills in the absence of like, medkits or devices.

Kris: Absolutely not, no. Dude rarely goes anywhere that's not home or work. I think at most he'd have an umbrella available in either location or his car tbh. Also OTC pain meds (like advil or tylenol). But any situation that isn't tech related, he's not really prepared for nor all that helpful.

How charitable is your oc? Or are they more stingy with their resources and money?

Nolan: He can be charitable, but usually will keep things to himself. Still gets in the mindset that he has to be careful with his resources from well before he got yoinked to a whole different universe.

Kris: Surprisingly very charitable despite his grumpy and anti-social disposition. Basically one of the few things he learned/picked up from his parents regarding resources/money. (Really only stingy when it comes to project work and doesn't really share work load or materials until he's done)

If someone was describing your oc to someone who had never met them, what distinguishing features would they mention? How would one identify your oc in a crowd?

Nolan: Uhhhhhh gruff/scruffy, littered in scars/has a burn scar on his right shoulder, looks extremely tired from stress.

Kris: Practically looks like a blond JD (Heathers), resting bitch face, often wears a lot of shirt layers, lab coat.

Does your oc have any pleasure that embarrasses them so they keep it secret? Or are they open about all the things they enjoy?

Nolan: He typically keeps any info of that kind to himself, lest it gets used against him honestly. But I guess maybe cross-stitching?

Kris: He also keeps what he enjoys to himself, more so out of "its not anyone else's business". He does like to watch those acne videos tho (but only the ones by actual professionals), he thinks theyre oddly fascinating, even if they can be gross. Or listens to reddit stories in the background while at home.

What is your oc’s stamina like? Would they be able to run a marathon, or not run at all? What about walking/another physical activity? How are they with exercise in general?

Nolan: He's got excellent stamina, often runs/jogs a few miles everyday/every other day along with some other exercise routines when he can.

Kris: His isn't all that great but it's not too terrible. The guy sits most the day, but he's got decent arm strength considering all the things he lifts and lugs around his office space during projects.

How long can your oc stay focused on one task before they get bored? Do they constantly have to switch things up or do they hyperfocus? What sort of things is it the opposite for?

Nolan: Can focus fairly well for short periods, but will typically have to switch things up for a couple minutes before returning (otherwise gets hit with s similar thing to highway hypnosis, idk, might just be zoning out tbh)

Kris: Dude could stay focused for hourrssss and gets rather upset upon being interrupted. (unless it has anything to do with events that his parents set up, then he'd rather do anything else, anywhere else)

What is the most annoying sound to your oc? What’s the most pleasant? Is there any reason?

Nolan: Sounds caused by things like tasers or exposed wires, or things that sound like they explode. Some of the punishments or experiments at Star Labs included tasers or exposure to relatively low volts of electricity. Anything that explodes or sounds like it has him going on high alert and ready to rush people to safety.

Kris: Certain types of pop music mostly (from childhood contests) and large amounts of people chatter really grates his nerves and tests his patience (very much not a people person)

What smells bring back specific memories to your oc? What are those memories like?

Nolan: Open fire smoked fish/cooked rabbit, reminds him of the time he was part of a rebellion and camped out in woods for long periods of time, eating what they could catch and staying up late to keep watch. While not a particularly good time frame, he looks back at those moments with fondness on the bonds he made with others.

Kris: Anything that has to do with beauty products, like hairspray or make-up. Brings back the memories of pageants he was forced to participate in as a kid and how his mom would spend hours fixing him up and nagging at him for not sitting still or complaining, some of the worst times in his life he would say.

How jumpy or easily spooked is your oc? Do they have a fight or flight reflex to being startled, or are they never startled at all?

Nolan: Not easily startled, but does have a huge fight response in the rare case. (attempt at own risk)

Kris: Sorta easy to startle?? Has a mix of both fight and flight, followed by angry yelling/swearing depending on the situation. (also attempt at own risk, usually holding/carrying something considered sharp or hot, like a pen, screwdriver or soldering iron)

[prostatemassagemanual]

Ronald M. Bazar The Prostate Massage Manual Review [PDF Download]

Prostatitis is one of these things that men can often experience. Look at our modern lifestyle. We sit for so many hours each day., which causes congestion in our prostate. We eat foods filled with harmful ingredients that we can't pronounce, and we use a myriad of toxic household and bodycare products most days.  Our prostate is one of our body's filters and it stores some of the above mentioned toxins.  We can find it anywhere between 11% and 16% of men globally and about 2 million visits a year in the United States alone for this problem. Prostate massage was commonly used to treat prostatitis or inflammation of the prostate as a medical therapy until the 20th century.

Most of us have not learned enough about our prostates and its importance for great health in general and sexual health for men in particular, let alone for ultimate sexual pleasure and sexual stamina. And only a relative few have learned about ways to massage the prostate for health and stimulation.  So before we get into prostate massage is important that you know exactly what the prostate is. The prostate is part of the male reproductive organs. It is a gland the size of a walnut (approximately 3 cm diameter) and is located in the pelvic area below the bladder and between the penis and the rectum.The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder and runs through the prostate gland. Fluid that is produced by the prostate is carried through the urethra and is mixed with semen, which can then be ejaculated. The prostate plays an important part in reproduction and fertility because the sperm need this prostate fluid to survive.

So how do you access the prostate? Well, it's actually through the anus and into the rectum. The tissue overlying the prostate is essentially the rectum, and that tissue is very delicate. For this matter, you want to be very gentle when you're performing any prosthetic massage. Typically when doctors do any sort of prosthetic exam, they have gloves to cover their fingers to make sure no bacteria from their hands get into the rectum. The Prostate Massage Manual has the basics you need to get started, including communication tips. Your Guidebook also comes with a DVD providing illustrations of various prostate massage techniques, as well as step-by-step instructions on learning the necessary techniques. You will receive precise instructions on safely and easily doing a prostate massage. This product is newbie-friendly, actionable, and does not require any technical skills to use. The Prostate Massage Manual has been a significant catalyst for positive change in my prostate wellness journey. Through its informative content, empowering perspective, and practical techniques, the ebook has become an invaluable resource in my life. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking to improve their prostate wellness and overall quality of life. It is a valuable resource that will undoubtedly make a positive difference in the lives of many.

Although I direct this book to men, it is also for women who want to further understand the prostate and to learn ways to support men in their quests for better prostate health. It may also be useful to women to increase mutual sexual pleasure and to give your man explosive longer lasting orgasms (No longer the exclusive domain of women!). And for the best in sexual orgasmic pleasures, your prostate is the switch that can take you on a new journey of discovery. Time to learn all about that male G-spot gland at any age, especially if you want to last longer and heal any erectile dysfunction problems you may have.  There's a lot of nerve endings on the prostate that can cause it to be satisfying for some people to undergo prosthetic massage.  One thing you need to be careful about is to make sure you do it gently and be clean. 

Click Here To Order The Prostate Massage Manual From The Official Website

[trainingatinnovittglobal]

A Comprehensive Guide To Finding The Best Python Training Courses For Beginners

I. Introduction

Python is a popular programming language used for a wide variety of applications, such as web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more.

Our experienced instructors have designed courses to help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Python programmer. With the right training, you can master the language and become well-versed in the fundamentals of Python programming. Choose from our range of courses to find the one that best suits your needs.

We offer comprehensive course packages that will give you the skills you need to write effective and efficient Python code. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced programmer, enrolling in our Python training courses will give you the knowledge and confidence to take on any Python project.

A. What Is Python?

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language that is popular among developers due to its simplicity, readability, and flexibility. It was created in the late 1980s by Guido van Rossum and has since become one of the most widely used programming languages in the world.

One of the key features of Python is its ease of use and readability. Python code is often described as being "easy on the eyes" due to its use of whitespace to denote code blocks, making it easier to read and understand than many other programming languages. Additionally, Python has a simple syntax that is easy to learn, even for beginners.

Python is also a versatile language that can be used for a wide variety of applications, including web development, data analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, scientific computing, and more. This versatility is due in part to the large number of third-party libraries and frameworks available for Python, which can greatly extend its functionality.

Some of the other key features of Python include its object-oriented design, dynamic typing, and automatic memory management. These features make it easy to write and maintain Python code, even for large-scale projects.

B. Why Should You Learn Python?

There are many reasons why someone might choose to learn Python, including:

Versatility: Python is a versatile programming language that can be used for a wide range of applications, from web development to scientific computing to machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Easy to learn: Python has a simple syntax that is easy to learn, even for beginners with no programming experience.

Large community: Python has a large and active community of developers who contribute to the language, create libraries and frameworks, and provide support and resources for learners.

High demand: Python is widely used in industry and is one of the most in-demand programming languages for many job roles, including software development, data analysis, and machine learning.

Job opportunities: As mentioned above, Python is in high demand in many industries, which means that learning Python can open up many job opportunities for you.

Open-source: Python is an open-source programming language, which means that it is freely available to anyone who wants to use it. This also means that there are many free resources available for learning Python, including online courses, tutorials, and documentation.

II. What To Look For In Python Training Courses

When selecting a Python training course, there are several factors to consider, including:

Course content: Look for a course that covers the topics you are interested in learning, whether it's the basics of Python programming, web development with Python, data analysis, or machine learning.

Instructor qualifications: Check the qualifications and experience of the instructor to ensure that they have the necessary expertise to teach the course effectively.

Delivery method: Consider the delivery method of the course, whether it's self-paced online learning, live online classes, or in-person classes. Choose a delivery method that works best for your schedule and learning style.

Prerequisites: Check if there are any prerequisites for the course, such as prior programming experience or knowledge of specific topics.

Student support: Look for courses that offer support for students, whether it's through a discussion forum, online chat support, or direct access to the instructor.

Course reviews: Read reviews from previous students to get an idea of the course's quality and effectiveness.

Certification: Determine if the course offers any certification upon completion and whether it is recognized in your industry or field.

A. Quality Of Instruction

The quality of instruction is one of the most critical factors to consider when selecting a Python Training in Lucknow. Here are some indicators of high-quality instruction:

Instructor qualifications: Look for courses taught by instructors who have experience and expertise in Python programming and the specific topic of the course. Check their qualifications, such as their education, certifications, and professional experience.

Teaching style: Look for courses taught by instructors who use a teaching style that matches your learning preferences. For example, some instructors may use visual aids, interactive activities, or project-based learning.

Relevance and practicality: Look for courses that provide practical examples and real-world applications of Python programming. This will help you see how the concepts you're learning can be applied in a professional setting.

Feedback and support: Look for courses that offer feedback and support from the instructor, whether through a discussion forum, email, or live chat.

Student engagement: High-quality instruction should engage students and encourage them to ask questions, participate in activities, and collaborate with their peers.

Industry recognition: Look for courses taught by instructors who are recognized by the industry or have a proven track record of success in their field.

III. Finding The Best Python Training Courses For Beginners

Finding the best Python training courses for beginners can be overwhelming with so many options available. Here are some tips to help you find the right course:

Check the course prerequisites: Make sure the course doesn't assume prior programming experience or knowledge of advanced math concepts. Ideally, the course should only require basic computer skills, such as using a web browser and text editor.

Choose a delivery method that suits you: Consider the delivery method of the course, such as self-paced online learning, live online classes, or in-person classes. Choose a delivery method that suits your learning style and schedule.

Check the course content: Look for courses that cover the essential concepts of Python programming, such as data types, loops, functions, and control structures. Additionally, choose a course that covers topics that interest you, such as web development, data analysis, or machine learning.

Check the instructor qualifications: Choose a course taught by an experienced instructor who has a proven track record of teaching beginners. Check their credentials and reviews from previous students.

Look for courses with student support: Look for courses that offer support to students, such as discussion forums, email, or live chat. It's important to have access to an instructor or teaching assistant if you need help or have questions.

A. Bootcamps

Python bootcamps are intensive, immersive training programs that aim to teach participants a comprehensive set of Python programming skills in a relatively short amount of time. Bootcamps typically focus on hands-on, project-based learning and provide students with real-world experience working on Python projects.

Here are some key features of Python bootcamps:

Immersive learning: Python bootcamps are typically full-time programs that last for several weeks or months. They require a significant time commitment from students, who are expected to dedicate themselves fully to the program.

Focus on practical skills: Python bootcamps aim to provide students with practical, job-ready skills that they can use in the workplace. They focus on project-based learning and provide students with real-world experience working on Python projects.

Expert instructors: Bootcamps are usually taught by experienced Python developers who have a deep understanding of the language and the industry. They provide students with personalized instruction and feedback throughout the program.

Collaborative learning: Bootcamps often involve group work and collaboration, allowing students to learn from each other and develop their teamwork and communication skills.

IV. Important Considerations Before Deciding On A Python Training Course

Before deciding on a Python training course, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. Here are some factors to consider:

Learning goals: Consider your learning goals and what you hope to achieve through the course. Do you want to learn Python for a specific industry or job function? Are you interested in building web applications or working with data analysis? Understanding your learning goals will help you choose a course that is relevant to your needs.

Skill level: Consider your current skill level in Python programming. Are you a beginner, intermediate, or advanced Python programmer? Choose a course that is appropriate for your skill level to ensure that you can follow along with the material and get the most out of the course.

Course format: Consider the course format that suits your learning style and schedule. Do you prefer self-paced online learning, live online classes, or in-person classes? Choose a course format that fits your needs and schedule.

Course content: Look for courses that cover topics that interest you and align with your learning goals. Consider the course content, syllabus, and learning materials to determine if the course covers the topics you want to learn.

V. Conclusion

In conclusion, learning Python is an excellent investment for anyone interested in programming and technology. Python is a versatile language that can be used for a wide range of applications, from web development to data science and artificial intelligence.

Choosing the right Python Training in Lucknow is essential for getting the most out of your learning experience. When looking for a Python training course, consider your learning goals, skill level, course format, course content, course duration, instructor qualifications, and course reviews and testimonials.

There are many options available, including online courses, in-person classes, bootcamps, and tutorials. It's essential to take the time to research and compare different courses to find the one that best suits your needs and learning style.

There are many options available, including online courses, in-person classes, bootcamps, and tutorials. It's essential to take the time to research and compare different courses to find the one that best suits your needs and learning style.

[cookiecrumbles52palace]

I wanted to hop on this little bandwagon because I've been working very hard on the lore of the Octonauts world for a while now. If you want to understand a bit more there is a link below to my Octonauts Au Sub Blog. The pinned post explains it in simpler and more poetic terms than the actual science behind it which I wanted to go over in this reblog.

(I apologize for how long this is, I've been working on these ideas since the beginning of last year so there's a lot I haven't been able to show through my art just yet. I also suggest looking at the extra info I gave for Prof. Inkling's lore. And I promise there's an actual answer to the villain thing, but I have to explain my reasonings first.)

The A.S.A.

To really answer the question, however . . .

In worlds like this, I never consider humans as possibilities, it's just like any other Anthropomorphic world like Kung Fu Panda, or Zootopia. The evolution of humans just never happened, so I treat it more as an alternate reality/dimension/etc., as in our worlds work exactly the same but evolution was changed so something else dominated the earth. The Butterfly Effect basically.

To add to that I've seen the "radiation" / "alien" jargon all before, and the only reason I don't implement it is because it makes me uncomfortable. My brain works in ways of fantasy and alternate worlds, science (yada yada). Where things can just be different and we don't need to complicate it with "Humanity offed itself cause lol we stupid."

For me that's just a lazy daisy answer, like "Hey Godzilla roams the earth only 'cause humans were too scared to be his roommates" (I promise I'm mostly joking with that one, that's a ref to Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters if anyone was wondering why the left field)

For me, in this world the creatures of the Earth made two different choices, either stay as they are and let nature take its course, or evolve themselves. And thus certain species did in fact evolve while some didn't.

I'm currently working on several villains that are prime examples of coevolution. Same species that have gone both ways. Some chose to stick with nature while others changed, but both working together to bring unity.

Example:

Black Tack, is one of my main antagonists. He's the leader of an extremely influential organization that is against all of the government's attempts to bring peace to the world. He's supposed to be this big scary guy so I decided to make him a walrus. A very powerful creature who, if they could stand, would be massive. I mean they're cool right? And for me as an artist it's great for character design.

But as the Octonauts world has already presented walruses, as we know them, aren't evolved in that way. So that's where I diverge in my AU.

Think of it in the way of tribes and families, everyone can take on education, skills, and talents, but they are the ones to choose which ones to actually learn and use (*Cough Cough* Prof. Inkling) in their own lives. Over time those families split apart and made their own colonies or groups and then civilizations began to form.

In the AU that I created, I decided to make a peace organization to help cultivate land and politics better. But some would rather lean into their more territorial/instinctual tendencies, or in better terms their hunting/tribal rituals. While most have been able to live off the land and come to certain agreements over the years, others feel that it is oppressing their true nature. That's where I bring poaching and black market trades into the story.

(Obviously I'm taking a darker turn with it but I don't go much into detail other than mentioning it within the story because its a big problem. It's also canon if you remember what Ranger Marsh said in the episode "The Great Swamp Search" about animals being taken on as pets)

That then brings up the issue of predators, I mean how do they eat? And for me I see it more as traditions, and culture. If they had the technology and resources I believe all of these animals would start using those "colonies" and put into effect certain policies and laws into place that benefit everyone. Of course, it's always complicated especially if you consider what they did for Zootopia in terms of building cities and all that.

A good example would be Penguins and Polar Bears (in Octonauts and IRL) going out and having hunting traditions. It's something akin to the Inuit people where they are the only ones who can hunt for seals up north, because that's how they survive and that's apart of their culture/traditions. And for some it really is that matter of finding other ways to find the protein if they are unable to hunt (or it makes them uncomfortable, as more of a personal thing) as their ancestors did.

In Conclusion:

I'll wrap this up by saying what I have put in place for this world to really make sense and give more of a scientific/storytelling background to it. ( Of course, this is my ✨Alternate Universe✨ so you are welcome to dismiss it or be INSPIRED by it in some way. )

To begin . . .

There is a big peace organization called the Animal Salvation Association AKA the "A.S.A." - In a sense, it's more like the UN, where they diverge into organized branches so they can individually put in the hundreds of hours of "man" power (if need be) to make sure that everyone can live together without constant war and pollution, and all that. (Don't get me started on the pollution and natural disasters or we'll be here all day)

Where we as the human race differ from this idea, humanity has already claimed that we aren't apart of nature anymore because we believe we're above that, it doesn't "affect" us. But in this world it does. Because all of these creatures are sentient life forms. So you can't just go around willy nilly and do whatever you want because it effects the entire eco system and then you have a whole colony of whales, or birds, or what have you, at your front door step asking why you dumped a truck load of garbage into their home.

If you want to add villains to a story like this you have to consider the biology and all that. Why would there be a need for an antagonist? Why would there be conflict? Is everyone happy living this way?

For me I only put mine in place to show how perfect systems can still have flaws even if they were created for a greater good. It's like any Dystopian story you've ever heard of. Even if the government is there to actually help and protect you, they can't do everything that would just be problematic!

If you want to make a villain for Octonauts, give them a cause. Give them a reason to start something. And if you do it right you've got a very good story on your hands.

Anywho, thanks for coming to my Ted Talk (If you have questions about my theories just tag me or pop by my Octonauts Sub Blog, I try to check it every day because I post weekly content and I wanna make sure I don't miss anything going on in the community. Also stayed tuned because EVENTUALLY I will get to actually drawing all of my villains so hopefully you won't want to miss that, because I already have everyone's bio's written down I just gotta commit to the characters already)

Thank you @cacartoon for this massive question because otherwise I wouldn't be up at 4:35am ranting about a silly hyperfixation 😉💙

To my Octonaut fans out there, genuine question.

We all know there isn’t really a villain in Octonauts. Like, there’s no one with evil motives or ulterior motives.

BUT

IF there was a villain or villains, what or who exactly would you imagine it’d be?

I think it’d be kinda fun to see everyone’s crack fiction of alternative realities.

[practicalsolarpunk]

I was raised by parents who never taught me the basics of anything. I’m trying to learn how to do the basics of taking care of myself and others in a solar punk way. Do you have any recommendations on where to start. All i know how to do is sew and i have a basic grip on how to garden

This is a really fantastic question, and I actually have a basics/getting started masterpost in progress that you'll probably find helpful once I get it finished. In the meantime, here are some thoughts.

When it comes to deciding where to start, many people want to jump into something big - start a community garden or organize a renter's union in their building or convert their whole apartment to solar power. But if you're starting from a place of "my parents taught me nothing useful," think smaller. Learn how to take care of yourself first, and then you can expand it to others. Like a garden, you have to plant the tiny seeds first and invest time and water in them before you get big plants that can feed others.

Since you didn't mention any specific basics or skills you want resources and thoughts on, I'm going to cover a lot of general ones here. If there are specific areas you want more information/resources on, please feel free to respond (or send in another ask)!

Gardening: I stand by the assertion that the best way to learn about gardening is throw some seeds at some dirt and see what happens. If you're an apartment-dweller with no balcony or patio, try a small pot or a bottle tower garden in a windowsill. Even one of those houseplants that survives in low light will give you experience in what a plant needs to live. This post has some resources for gardening without spending money.

Sewing: I don't know if your sewing skills extend to mending, but if not, it's definitely something to look into! I've made entire dresses and quilts and I still find most of my sewing is repairing and mending other stuff. We have a mending tag, but I also love YouTube for this. Searching "how to mend X" (e.g. "how to mend hole in crotch of jeans") gives you a bunch of awesome tutorials. (And if you want to learn more sewing techniques, I highly recommend historical sewers on YouTube - Bernadette Banner and Morgan Donner are my favorites.)

Cooking: This is one of those things that's great for you (easier to feed yourself), great for gardening (growing fresh veggies is even more useful if you can cook things out of them), and great for community (humans be bonding over food). I don't have any particular resources for this, as my general philosophy is "if you can read, you can cook" - a good recipe will tell you everything you need to know to make it. If you don't have a good cookbook to work from, Smitten Kitchen has very clear recipes, many of which aren't difficult or time-consuming at all.

Building Community: One of the foundations of solarpunk is that it's about community. Even if you start out doing it by yourself, eventually you need a community to do bigger things. My favorite way to start is by meeting the neighbors. Taking over some food (cookies are great) and introducing yourself is a great way to open a relationship. We also have a community building tag for more ideas.

Finances: Not the most solarpunk of topics, but we have to be able to financially survive the current capitalist hellscape if we want to be able to do anything useful for anyone. I highly recommend Bitches Get Riches for this (website here, tumblr here). They're not specifically solarpunk, but they do have the "anticapitalist punk big sister" thing going on.

Integrate the 7 R's: There are more R's to sustainable living than just "Reduce Reuse Recycle". See this post for a primer.

Explore permaculture as a design system: Permaculture is often understood as a method of gardening, which isn't really accurate. It's actually a design system that can be used for a bunch of different areas of your life to make them more eco-friendly/solarpunk. I highly recommend Heather Jo Flores's work for more about this concept - this article is a good place to start.

I'm sure there are more things that I'm not thinking of right now. If you have more specific questions or topics you want me to cover, please ask! I love tracking down resources for people, too, so if I don't already have something I'll do my very best to find it.

- Mod J

[demonboyhalo]

The Technoblade Conspiracy

Even before Dream claimed there was a traitor in Pogtopia, there's been a lot of...suspicious activities happening in Techno’s streams. Others on the SMP are already distrustful of him, and the fans are as well, but I believe that we’re focusing on the wrong thing here. This thread isn’t quite a traitor theory, but rather a dive into what Techno has been hiding at large. I can say with utter confidence that the extent of what Technoblade has accomplished on the Dream SMP is being greatly underestimated.

I recommend looking at the sus Techno moments thread by @piggytechnobarb on Twitter for some of the stream clips I'll be discussing.

This is going to be fairly in depth, so the rest is under the cut!

1. There is another room under what Techno calls his "secret base"

I won't talk too much on how strange his choice of "secret base" is for now, but please do keep in mind how out of character it is for man-who-tracked-down-Squid's-college to settle for a home base so unprotected and close to Pogtopia's very well known location.

So, for some reason, there is Polished Blackstone Brick under the floor of Techno’s wall. He accidentally reveals this when a donation asks him to mine the exposed redstone in his wall, acts a bit strange for a good 15 seconds, and then never mentions it again. Sight of the brick prompts him to silently zoom in, fill the hole with stone (not cobble), and say "Don't ask questions".

This is only so strange because there's no real reason for him to have stone at the ready, or any blackstone brick at all. Techno is NOT a builder, and if a creeper blew up down there, he'd fill it with cobble and not give a shit about aesthetics. He doesn't use smooth stone in his base, and has never built with blackstone on stream. Not only are they unusual items for him to have, it's unusual for him to make a point to not have the viewers question it. Yes, it could just be Techno being dramatic, but why did he go silent for a straight 5 seconds at the sight of the blackstone?

Considering who he is as a player, it is completely in character for Techno to build a second base. The lake he lives under is incredibly near Wilbur and Tommy, and he's well aware that all an enemy has to do is watch his stream to infiltrate his base. Techno goes to the extremes when they aren't even required (Ex. His insane skill in party games, beating Skeppy in as niche of a game as Grinch Simulator, etc.) So I don't think it's a stretch for him to go the extra mile, and hide a bunker/resources/extra armour and what have you from even his own viewers.

2. The overpowered illegal villager farm

For those of you who don't watch Ponk, he recently stumbled across an area that is supposedly banned on the Dream SMP - a villager farm. In the clip, his voice is astonished and his confusion is palpable, and he goes so far as to say "It's a full scale arms race" because of how many good trades there are. The location is laced with traps, though he doesn't mention what exactly he had to get past to find the farm. Ponk's reaction is far too genuine for the farm to be his, but then that begs the question, whose farm is it?

...Who is willing to risk Dream's wrath by breaking his rules? Or, alternatively, who is capable of making a secret pact with the server owner to allow such a farm? The answer could only be Technoblade.

Ponk says it himself in the video, he does not have the time to build this. Whoever made this had to have carved out a hidden cavern, lead at least 14 villagers down there, breed them until only the ones with the best trades were left - all off stream, and without another player catching them. Whoever made this had to spend hours of work with no content to show for it, and who do we know has been grinding for DAYS on the server? Technoblade. Not to mention, all the villagers are numbered, and all but one are fletchers.

The signs above each stall are so important, because going so far back as SMP Earth, Techno has a history of dispassionately breeding mobs to his benefit, and then killing any mob not performing well enough. For example, his horse farm: where the horses stay in numbered rooms rather than all being named. The villagers in the screenshot above are numbered rather than named.

Wanna hear a fun fact about Fletchers? They're well known for accepting sticks for emeralds, but will also take string for that trade as well! And guess who has been seen waiting at the spider spawner collecting string by Sapnap, Awesamdude, Quackity, and multiple other players? Technoblade.

Technoblade also has every reason to be breeding villagers for special arrows and crossbows, because he's said on stream that he wants to try spamming multi-shot crossbows in combat to take out huge groups of enemies. He said at a later point that he had run into trouble with getting multiple crossbows with the enchantment multi-shot, and implied it wasn't going to happen. But has he ever been the kind of person to be stopped by something being challenging? Absolutely not.

Think of literally anything Techno has done - his Bedwars win streak, beating MC with a steering wheel, the Potato Wars - what I believe is really happening, is that Techno is lying about how equipped he is so that no matter what side he ends up fighting for, his enemies will have no true way of knowing how powerful he is.

3. Dream might be his secret ally (AKA The Glowstone Incident)

This brings us to a...confusing moment in Techno's stream that sparked a lot of questions. It pointed me towards 2 different, but not necessarily exclusive, theories.

The Glowstone Incident precedes as follows: Techno needs glowstone but can't find any in his chests, so he puts on his BRB screen. He says that he is "hacking" and asking Dream to use game mode to give him the glowstone. Typing can be heard, and then multiple chests are opened. Techno takes off the BRB screen and he now has three stacks of glowstone dust. This was absolutely bewildering to watch live, and was one of the most blatantly suspicious things he has done in front of his viewers. (You can find the exact clip on the thread I mentioned, it is...so weird)

Theory A: Though unlikely, Techno could be Dream's secret ally, and Dream really did use creative to give him the stacks. Or, he potentially gave Techno OP permissions so that he could get the glow stone (and any other materials he’d want) himself.

We all remember their meet up on that ocean hill, where Dream gives Techno golden apples, diamonds, and other such materials for the battle against Schlatt. It seemed to be a one-off gift that was more for Wilbur's benefit than Techno's, but there's potentially the chance that Dream saw an alliance to Techno to be more beneficial than working only with Wilbur, and contacted him off screen to make deals.

Going back to the Village Farm - for a player to get the exact enchantment they want for a reasonable price, breeding them is the most logical option. It's the route Techno would take regardless of Dream's rules on the SMP too, as he tends to show little regard for what the creators want (Ex. Taking over SMP Earth, exploiting Hypixel Skyblock, etc.) However, it could also be possible that Dream gave Techno permission to do this, and so the reason Techno is keeping the farm secret is so that the viewers don't know of their alliance.

Theory B: Techno has hidden resources in his base that he doesn't want anyone to have even the chance to see. Whether it is to hide from enemies watching (or to hide from Dream in particular because Techno knows he's breaking the server's rules) there are secret chests that Techno has with extra resources that can be heard loud and clear in the video.

They could be simple ones hidden in the walls...or in the blackstone brick base hidden under his floors. Saying he’s “hacking” rather than the reality of him just checking all his chests again is on par for Techno’s usual dramatics - yet we can clearly see that there’s no glowstone in any of his chests. This is why I believe he got the glowstone from some unseen resource. With the BRB screen on, Techno prevents his viewers from actually seeing how he got the 3 stacks of powder, and it keeps the location of his hidden materials safe.

Personally, I feel theory B is more likely, but there have been moments where Dream has acted Sus so...be on the lookout y'all.

4. Techno not participating in MCC

For those of you who watched Techno during the Potato War, many will remember that MCC 6 had a stressful undertone. Because of how much effort and time Techno had been putting into farming on Skyblock, taking a break to compete in another event was distracting. It ultimately led to him losing time that, from his perspective, would have been better off spent farming.

Techno might not be as blatantly grinding on the Dream SMP as he did with the Potato War, but it's undeniable that other streamers have seen him online for stretches of 10 hours and more. When asked about why he wasn't participating in the next MCC, Techno didn't say he was taking a break - something that'd be entirely reasonable and honestly well earned - he said "I don't want to."

It could be awkward phrasing by virtue of Techno's personality, but what I think is more likely is that Techno has learned from his past mistakes. Rather than "waste" time competing in MCC, Techno might be planning to use the time everyone on the SMP is gone to his advantage. He could sneak into enemy territory, set traps in certain areas, or maybe even perform some illegal acts that Dream would never allow. Either way, I suspect Techno has something planned for the 14th.

Honorable Mentions:

Dream poking fun, or blatantly covering for Techno?

This clip of Techno's secret Something??? next to the spider spawner, undeniably suspicious

Techno had around 5 stacks of wool in his inventory at one point - he absolutely could be bed mining the nether not only so that he has multiple sets of OP netherite, but possibly because he's preparing the gear for another person (cough cough Philza) or people

Techno's collection of ghast tears. He's studied Crystal PvP and made plenty of 2b2t references in the past (Look up FitMC for more info on those things) So it could be possible that Techno is hiding stacks of end crystals so that he can decimate multiple players in an instant

All in all, I'm 100% convinced that Techno has some serious plans hidden behind the scenes that he's not going to share until it's time for him to unleash utter chaos. We know he's keeping secrets, we know he's had the time, and we know he's capable.

I hope you all enjoyed my research and feel terrified of what Techno could possibly have done off camera :D

If anyone else has different theories, corrections to what I wrote, or other moments where Pink was Sus, feel free to comment!

[bugmomwrites]

Adding onto this bc I found a bunch in our discord logs. I will probably add more as @bwabys-scenarios and I come up with them, but I do have something brewing that requires a lot of Kurta lore 👉👈

Not trying to hijack the post I promise I got permission y’all

Kurta headcanons 2: Electric Boogaloo

- I think their culture would have a heavy lean into artesianal skills as well. Lots of pottery, textiles, and the like. They were a peaceful people, and it wouldn’t make sense to pour all their resources into a militia when they’re usually nomadic and living in the woods

- Not a whole lot of gender roles tbh, most people know how to sew and create to some extent. Learning to make your own clothes is a milestone tantamount to how todays kids learn how to ride a bike for the first time.

- Adding onto the Green = Grief, the brown earthy tones work too because brown is generally a much more subdued shade of red. Wearing anything brightly colored to a funeral is a big no-no, but the exception to this rule is the deceased. They’re being sent to the afterlife where everything is peaceful and joyful, and they’re technically going to meet others who have died before them. Best to make a good first impression. It’s believed that bright colors also make it easier for them to be found by a guide who brings them to the afterlife.

- Speaking of death, it’s important for all parts of a person to be buried together. They’re a nomadic clan, having to always be on the move. To bury their dead is essentially a way of saying “we know you’re tired, so you can rest now”, and also stays consistent with their whole “returning to the earth” motif. Giving a whole other layer of meaning to Kurapika’s mission of tracking down the scarlet eyes, just in case we weren’t punched in the gut enough yet.

- The scarlet eyes are a recessive trait, and I have a whole separate post going into more detail coming soon because math is one of my special interests. But the TL:DR of it is there was 128 members of the clan at the time they were killed, and Kurapika mentions there being 36 pairs of eyes out there. There’s also him, which means that of that portion of people, only 29% had the trait. Trust me, you’re gonna want all my infodumping in a separate post. Not here. Not today.

- There is a sweet, peach-like fruit that grows on Lukso province that is really good when baked into desserts. It’s often used in potlucks, especially for summer holidays. The closest equivalent Kurapika has been able to find is peach cobbler, and while it’s not quite the same, it’s like that scene with the critic towards the end of Ratatouille where it tastes similar enough to childhood and longing for simpler times.

- There are certain features in every culture that are seen as “sought after”, and Kurtan is no exception. A few of them are actually a source of insecurity for the rest of the world, which does come as a bit of a culture shock to Kurapika at first. In their case, between all the running and living in the woods as mentioned above, they don’t necessarily have a lot of super buff guys unless they’re some sort of carpenter. While they’re not weak by any means, it does surprise him a little to find that lots of lanky, skinny guys outside the clan aren’t necessarily thrilled to be so.

- On the flip side, because they live nomadically and resources are hard to come by, many fertility statues of women are depicted to be on the heavier side. Wider hips were seen as a sign of one being able to bear healthy offspring, and soft figure = nurturing and comfortable. It also signifies being well off and comfortable- a good sign for anyone looking to settle down!

- There’s not really a set drinking age but most people have enough common sense to give the little ones some sort of fruit juice in lieu of home brewed wine or mead. But basically if you’re old enough to not need your parents to hang out downstairs on a play date, you can have a sip or two of the lighter stuff.

- While they do have some sort of currency, since it’s not a very big community much of their commerce is done via bartering and exchanging. If they’re getting stuff from the outside it’s a different story, but within the members of the group, there’s a lot of trading and favors. Your neighbor will watch the kids for you if you bring him a loaf of your wife’s homemade bread. You built me a table and chair set, the least I can do is forge your engagement rings. Thank you for the flowers, I will use some of them as textile dye and make you a new pair of trousers. And so on.

- Gift giving is a common love language, especially since they’re a very artesian-centric clan. It’s not uncommon for them to court like magpies, offering trinkets and items to whoever they hold affection for. Displaying them in their home where many can see it is a way to subtly convey “your affections are reciprocated.” A well decorated home is tantamount to “I want to settle into a place that is uniquely ours”.

Not entirely sure how coherent this is but I’m not about to lose yet another draft to a dead battery so here we go 👏

Heya! Just thinking about Kurapika cuase he my fav. Since Kurta culture is such a big deal to him, how would he try to teach his significant other about it? Would he try to teach them as they go along or would he try to distance himself from his past culture? Thanks for writing these Headcannons, they get me through my busy work week lollll

Kurapika and his culture, thoughts and HCs

!!REBLOGS APPRECIATED!!

A/N: This is less of an x reader and more of Kurta tradition HCs! Also, these are all made up and not inspired by anything specific, so any likeliness to actual cultural practices is not intended. The only tradition that is inspired by real culture is the last one, which is inspired by Dia De Los Muertos(which is obvious but I wanted to give credit where credit is due!!)

Thoughts

Absolutely! As the only Kurta left alive, he’s the only one that can keep his culture and traditions alive. It’s one of the reasons he wants children so badly, he wants to have his clan again!

I think Kurapika isn’t the type to force you to learn or expect you to participate in his culture, after all it’s not your own, but he’d very much appreciate it if you did. You’re his everything, all he has left in this world and the future mother of his children, and he’d be over the moon if you wore the traditional tabards on special holidays and practiced the traditional dance that the Kurta people would preform on their wedding nights.

He also won’t be overbearing with having his kids participate, but will be filled with joy when the little ones ask why daddy is wearing something different and praying on certain days.

Kurapika will bully his friends into celebrating with him, though. Gon and Killua have their own Kurta tabards that they have to wear when then come over during holidays. And no, Gon’s isn’t green. You’ll see why later on in this post.

HCs

-I think the Kurtas had many different traditions, which I will list here.

-One tradition I already mentioned, which is the bride and groom performing a specific dance on their wedding day. It’s a sign of devotion and love that lasts a lifetime, so it’s one of the only things Kurapika really wants you to do.

-Another is celebrating the coming of fall and harvests, alone with spring, summer, and winter. Each season has a different celebration and traditions, like dancing in the snow and leaving your favorite preserved fruit in the windowsill as an offering.

-You give that fruit during winter, a time where the fields are barren so when the fruit is ripe again, the gods give back tenfold.

-In spring, there are always flowers decorating doorframes, most families represented by a specific flower(marigolds for Kurapika’s family!), which is said to strengthen the spirits of each household.

-During summer, the children all made little dolls out of straw(or clay if their family works with it) and fill them with sweets, then leave them in the forest. This is an offering to the forest spirits so they can continue to coexists amongst each other. The Kurta people have a lot of respect for nature, always giving back what they take.

-The most important tradition takes place during late fall, right before winter. It’s a day to remember your loved ones who have passed, and obviously this holiday is especially rough for Kurapika. Before the massacre, it was a day that was spent celebrating the lives that once were, but now it is full of grief. He wears all green. Brown and earthy tones are used for grieving too, like for widows that are in states of mourning, but green is reserved for funerals. The earthy times symbolize the deceased giving their bodies back to the earth, and the inevitably of returning to dust.

-Because their scarlet eyes are treasured in the clan and green is opposite to red, red is seen as a color of mouthing. Fun fact, the first time Kurapika saw Gon, he assumed he was in a deep state of mourning because he was wearing an entirely green outfit. Of course he soon learned that the Kurta way of mourning was different than the rest of the world, but that didn’t stop him from being more gentle with Gon for a while.

-Kurapika prefers to pray alone when he’s in mourning. He gets choked up and cries sometimes, and needs time to collect himself and process the tremendous loss he feels.