#also trust me I am NOT happy about having to rely on The National Library of Israel for research

[in-pleasant-company]

June 1913 | September 1913

November 1913 | December 1913

January 10, 1914 | February 15, 1914

February 22, 1914 | March 15, 1914

Di Froyen-Velt (the Jewish Ladies' Home Journal) was a Yiddish women's magazine published in New York in the early 20th century.

The magazines I pulled these images from are available on the website of The National Library of Israel - and you can download them as pdfs. Not all the magazines listed are available and I didn't pull images from all the magazines available to download. Also the downloading is a little glitchy, you might have to click download a couple of times before the download actually starts.

I don't know if the patterns were produced under the label of the magazine, but the March 15, 1914 patterns are listed as being by May Manton (see more here and here).

[pub-lius]

hiiii :3

i just read your response to an ask about your reason for disliking ron chernow’s alexander hamilton book, and i wanted to ask if i can still use it as source for some info. i’ve done my fair share of research on various topics and my opinions/what i’ve read differentiated strongly sometimes from what he wrote, but some things are just hard to come by (as somebody not from the US who doesn’t have local resources and has to rely on stuff i can find online). what do you suggest i do if i want more accurate info? i know the founders archive but other than that i haven’t found a lot of trustworthy sources concerning the amrev that aren’t $300 textbooks?

idk- sorry this is really long :,) i’m not sure in im making any sense haha

Girl have you seen the length of my posts? This is not long at all, and you make perfect sense.

And if you have seen my posts, you may notice that Chernow is my most frequent citation because of how valuable his biographies are as sources. He does intensely thorough research and his index and bibliography are so extensive, I can’t even make a joke about getting them as a tramp stamp.

Chernow is a great source and I do recommend any starting Hamilton scholar to get a copy, if you have the means and patience. The downfalls of it are its a hard read and his personal interpretations are heavily skewed and biased in various directions, which is only different from other historians because he doesn’t give proper evidence and substantiation to these claims. All you need to have in order to recognize this is basic critical thinking skills. Tl;dr: Chernow is a great source, he’s just fucking annoying and I hate him.

One very good thing about Chernow is that his book is so (painfully) extensive, that it can serve as a source for more than just Hamilton, so there’s no shame in using him as a source for *checks notes* how the island of St. Kitts and Nevis was formed from a volcano, if you’re into that.

I see your inability to access US propaganda and I raise you youtube documentaries. That may sound crazy, but you can put it on in the background and cross reference between them (usually repeated details are closest to the truth). They can also be entertaining, especially if they’re from the 80s (i love the 80s). Additionally, if you’re looking for archives, @maip--macrothorax can tell you all the benefits of Internet Archive (if they aren’t too busy borrowing all of the books on there /lh). You can also find a lot of things on the Library of Congress’s website, and also my favorite governmental department:

THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE!!

Go to the national park service, it includes all the battlefields, important buildings, where important buildings used to be, the houses of historical figures, and really pretty parks (also like mount gaymore (rushmore) and shit but wtvr). They have tons of information and great archivists and librarians and i long for their jobs. Also, American Battlefield Trust, Mount Vernon, The Museum of the American Revolution, etc. also have great sources and tons of information- along with wonderful reenactments that they have on youtube!!

I also do my best to make these sources as accessible as possible, so if you do some perusing you might be able to find some of this stuff here, but I am always happy to answer asks with links or research though I am very slow (sorry). And of course, my dms are open and I probably wouldn’t be totally infuriated if you found me at my local library and asked for directions to the non-fiction section. I am the personal librarian of tumblr.com, so ask away and I’ll be there!!

[reveltica]

Gone Blind

part iii

a/n: hello! you can now read this in ao3. The title is "Her Faith: Chapter I (Mondstadt)". I'll be constantly posting the rest of the story there instead but you could always come back here to see artwork of some scenes from my story.

i hope you find this story fun~

trigger warning: Cursing and blood

'...miracle that she's alive..'

'...blind?'

The voices fade in and out of her mind. What happened? Where was she? The last thing she remembered was that she was supposed to go to work this afternoon.

Ah, that must've been a dream. Surely, there's no way she was in Teyvat. There's no way she was chased down by Hilichurls. And there is no way in hell she would make a deal with the Devil!

She internally sighed in relief. Sometimes, her dreams could feel so real. But her relief was short-lived when she felt pain all over her body, mostly on the front of her head.

She groaned, alerting the people in the room with her. A girl rushed to her side, hushing her with a soft voice and telling her to take it easy. Iris tried prying her eyes open, but she couldn't, sensing something wrapped around her head.

'Easy there Iris, your eyes are still healing.' A familiar deep voice rang through her ears. She flinched and grunted in recognition and realization.

Ugh, so it wasn't a dream. I'm really here.

'Dantalion' she started, letting herself be assisted to sit up by the girl. She gave a quiet thank you and she made herself comfortable. 'Don't move too much, you're still healing.' Dantalion stated.

Iris scoffed and her mind reeled back to the events earlier. She couldn't believe it, she was in Teyvat. Made a deal with the Devil and possibly had lost her vision!

And what did she tell him? She doesn't mind being stuck there for a bit? She mentally kicked herself for telling him that. Of course she minds! She obviously doesn't belong there, she had a life.

And look at where that had gotten her. Blind. Blind for an escape.

But "seeing" that the damage had been done, she might as well roll with it. 'Miss Barbara, thank you for your service, but can we have a little moment to ourselves?'

Did he say Barbara?

'Why of course. Please, if you need anything please don't hesitate to call upon me or the other sisters. And may the Anemo Archon protect you.' Barbara replied before closing the door.

Iris immediately chucked a pillow to where she thought Dantalion was. 'I can't fucking believe that you're a demon! Ugh!' she groaned in annoyance. Dantalion just looked at her amusingly, trying to muffle his laughter through his fingers. Because Iris just threw the pillow through the air, nowhere near him.

'Alright, calm down tiger−'

'Calm down?! Are you fucking kidding me right now? Not only have I possibly sold my soul to the Devil, I am also blind!' She retorted. She was frustrated from all the hasty decisions and words she said.

'You'll continue to be blind if you keep on thrashing. Now hold still, I have something to do.' Dantalion said. Iris huffed and felt his presence near her. She heard him chant something unfamiliar. She felt the air around flowed and breezed around her head. Tingling sensation erupted in her eyes. The sensation slowly turned to a stinging pain that lasted for a few seconds.

She felt so much better, on the front of her head at least. Dantalion then helped her remove the bloody bandage around her eyes. She slowly opened them and she felt her heart leap from her ribcage.

She could see again! She was ecstatic, she was happy, she was overjoyed that she immediately cried for the first time in that world. After calming down, she turned towards Dantalion who was now wearing a cheeky grin.

She frowned, turned her head away and grumbled a small thank you. 'Huh? What was that? I couldn't quite hear you my dear.' He teased, cupping his hand over his ear to mock her.

'I said thank you...' much more quiet this time.

'What? Could please repeat that−'

'Ugh, I'm not repeating myself! I know you heard that in the first time!' Dantalion just laughed heartily while she was disgruntled. A second later she asked 'Why'd you helped me?'

Dantalion looked at her incredulously, arching an eyebrow. 'If I didn't give you your vision back, then how could you draw for me?' he said a-matter-of-factly. 'Oh right, yeah sorry'

'So, we really are in Genshin, huh?'

'Yup, we are.'

'Would we affect the original storyline of the game back in my world?' finally, the real question.

'Hmm, not really. This universe is already fixed*. The Teyvat we are in is a separate universe from the game itself since that one is still updating. Therefore, we wouldn't be affecting anything on your world's version of Genshin.' He explained, making Iris curious on how much he knows. 'And where did you get this, from a book from your library?'

She felt the bed dipped a bit since Dantalion sat down in front of her. Iris scooted away from him a bit, knowing full well that he is, in fact, a Great Duke of Hell. She was wary of course. Dantalion took note of this and chuckled.

'Yes, I am a demon−as you have already figured out−but not the kind your beliefs tell you I am.' He reassured her. 'Well, no. See, I am demon who could travel to any world I wish and record them for a book in my library. This is a new physical world for me to record but I could tell that this is a separate physical universe form the game back in your world.'

Iris nodded a bit, she stopped and saw her reflection on a mirror on the other side of the room. Instead of hazel brown, she saw different colors. She was confused and intrigued at the same time. Dantalion turned to where Iris was looking.

'Why−'

'Oh that? It's fine I just gave you the gift of Omniscience.' He clarified. Iris turned her head swiftly and her face scrunched up. 'Omni-what? And can I have my brown eyes back?'

'It's Omniscience, slowpoke.' Dantalion groaned, flicking Iris' forehead. 'You can activate and deactivate it whenever you wish. I gave you that gift so that whenever we encountered a new character, you would see who they are from the past. What their intentions are and if they are worthy to trust. I can't have my master be involved with sketchy people.' He huffed and crossed his arms.

Sketchy people? Like yourself? she thought and mocked him by arching an eyebrow and crossing her arms as well. Dantalion took the hint and was flustered. 'B-but, I'm already exempted aren't I?! I already pledged my loyalty to you by giving you my sigil!'

Sigil. Iris looked down at her hand. The pact mark etched on her skin, glowing in angry red. 'That reminds me, is that why you got your powers back?'

'Not all of it, just a quarter. enough to shapeshift and give you that gift.' He uttered with a hum at the end. 'That's why I need you to fill that book. Journal every magical property and then I could get my magic back.'

Iris sighed and nodded. She was now determined to accept this demon as her companion and do everything in her power to get his magic and get her back home. It all works out in both of their favors.

'Just don't do any funny business and break my trust alright?' she threatened.

Dantalion chortled and shook his head. 'Of course not! My honor as a Great Duke, I wouldn't even dream about it. But when push comes to shove, you can always break off the contract. Just slash the pact mark and it'll become null and void.' He said confidently. She just looked at him seriously, noises from outside their room could be heard.

The singing of the choir, chatters of people praying for guidance and the gentle breeze of the night passed by these fateful two. 'Alright I'll take you on your word.' She agreed and smiled.

'Of course! I am a demon of my word. You can trust me.' He encouraged, before falling down on the soft bed. Iris snorted and fixed her sitting position, to let him get comfortable.

'Really? It's still hard to hear the word "trust" coming form a demon himself.' She mused. Dantalion just groaned, lifting his hand and lazily waved her statement off.

'Oh just give it some time. You won't regret it.' He grumbled with a smile on his face. For now, she will trust him since he is the only one she could rely on going back home.

Besides, he couldn't do anything to harm her. She's practically his master.

Right?

Just then, she heard and felt her purse vibrate. She was surprised! Her phone was working? She scrambled to get her phone from her purse on the bedside table. She looked at it and saw that her notifications from her socials were still updating. The only thing that occupied her mind for the time being was:

'This is ridiculous.'

this universe is already fixed*

- meaning that the other nations are already established and because they really are not in the game itself. if they were, they would be swimming in code for months waiting for the next update. but the plot would still follow the original story of Genshin. i just wanted to clear that out, ehe.

rest of the story is here~

you might not find it in search but just type in 'reveltica' and you'll find it!

[alastanor]

Thanks for tagging me @thalfox this took me a long time to finish, and I'm gonna be dog tired in the morning, but it was worth it. Lol. Hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing it.

1 • What is your MC’s name? What is their name origin? What does it mean (if it ever has a meaning).

❄ Eirlys is Welsh for "Snowdrop" and it is pronounced as either Eye-r-liss, or Aye-r-liss. Depending on which part of Wales you hear the name.

2 • When is their birthday? How old are they? What about their zodiac sign? (bonus point if you give their rising or even their birth/natal chart)

♋ She was born March 10th, and she is a Pisces.

As for her age, this one has more to do with RAD. RAD stands for Royal Academy of Diavolo. An academy, if you search the definition, is typically a school of higher learning or secondary education. Like a college, if you will. But Academy doesn't always refer to a sort of college. In some cases, it can also apply to a High School. My theory is that RAD is a mixture of both. A sort of college, but with hints of High School-esque scheduling and culture. Or perhaps it can function as both. I tend to lean toward the latter, in which case I make Eirlys somewhere between 20 and 23 years old.

3 • What is your MC’s gender? And what are their sexual/romantic preferences?

Eirlys identifies primarily as female with she/her pronouns. She is demisexual, and considers herself panromantic. However, she puts a heavy emphasis on romance.

(Me personally, I don't mind they/them pronouns though I typically identify with she/her. I am also demisexual but biromantic.)

4 • What is your MC’s race? (human, demon, angel, other). If human, what are their nationality and origins?

💁‍♀️Eirlys is human. As for nationality, origins, heritage, etc... Eirlys grew up in Japan, though she herself is not ethnically Japanese.

5 • Before coming to Devildom, what was their occupation? (job, studies…)

📖 Eirlys worked part time in her school's library while attending classes full time at a college overseas.

6 • Height? Weight? Describe their body type.

Eirlys is 5'3" (160 cm) and roughly 110 lbs (49.8 kgs). Her body type would best be described as a triangle/pear shape (slim chest, breasts on the smaller side, while body widens out into voluptuous hips).

7 • Who is/are your MC’s love interest(s) (if they ever have one). Summarise their dynamic.

💛 Eirlys found Mammon irritating when she first met him, and became increasingly frustrated at how he looked down on her for being a human. But over time, as she got to know him, she came to enjoy his conversation and his company. He made her laugh, and despite being a demon he was so full of energy and life that Eirlys found not just refreshing but endearing. Before long, she realized she had fallen in love with him despite the protests of his brothers regarding her taste in men.

🧡 Leviathan was another of the brothers Eirlys found infuriating, not just in how he also looked down on her for being human, but how often he whined and complained about seemingly everything when they first met. But like Mammon, the more she got to know him, the more she found she had in common with Leviathan. Falling asleep on his shoulder watching anime with him in his room, or enjoying his company while playing games, has made it increasingly difficult not to love him in some capacity even if she loves Mammon more. Because of this, she allows Leviathan to believe she would never be interested in him. As cruel as that might be for both of them.

💜 Belphegor, on the other hand, she is fully aware of how he feels about her. She keeps it platonic between them, because even though she has forgiven him for his deceit and his attempt to kill her not once- but twice, she cannot forget it. The memory sours any thoughts of being more than just friends. Somewhere deep in his heart, she is sure Belphie knows this. And deeply regrets it.

8 • Does your MC have any specific appearance features? (Scars, marks, anything else)

She has skin pale as fresh snow, fluffy light pink hair like sweet cotton candy, and clear pale celeste blue/aquamarine colored eyes.

Beyond this, there is nothing remotely remarkable or striking about her.

9 • Does your MC have any disabilities? (physical, mental health, etc). How do they deal with it?

Eirlys has suffered some trauma in the past which has led to some issues. Don't want to give too much away as I am in the process of writing a fic.

10 • How do you imagine your MC’s voice? Describe it.

Her voice is gentle and light. Silvery, dulcet tones might be a good way to describe it. Her voice will get rather harsh and stentorian if she is angry enough.

11 • Does your MC have any tattoos or piercings? Just tell us more about it!

She has pierced ears on her lobes, she was never brave enough to get any in the cartilage as much as she wanted them. Her skin reacts badly to many kinds of metals, a kind of skin allergy, so she can never keep piercings in for very long.

12 • Describe their clothing style (if they have a favorite style). Do they have specific accessories Bonus question: how do they wear RAD uniform?

To sum it up, Eirlys dresses in typically classic chic style with a touch of hipster or grunge here and there.

For her uniform, Eirlys keeps it looking crisp and sleek. These would be good examples. Of fashion types and how she wears her uniform.

The RAD uniform images, the not quite RAD uniform one on the right, I thought the skirt may be more in line with what the uniform used. Versus the pencil skirt-esque look on the left. The boots on the right would also be more akin to what Eirlys would wear.

Is your MC able to use magic? If so, are they skilled? How do they learn? Were they able to use it before coming to Devildom?

🔮 Eirlys is still learning about her abilities, abilities that have not fully awoken though they had been stirred when Solomon allowed her to use his powers. Using his powers was like the catalyst to tapping into a yet untapped wellspring. Though the water from that wellspring has yet to fully come forward.

Before that, Eirlys fully believed she was just another unremarkable human with nothing special about her, as Lucifer often said.

14 • Describe your MC’s parents (names, jobs, personalities). Do they have any siblings? What is their relationship with their family?

🎀 From what Eirlys knows of her parents through stories, her parents loved one another very much. Her mother had been her father's first love in college, and years later they had her. However, when she was still very young her family had been killed by a reckless drunk driver while visiting other family. Eirlys was taken in by her aunt, who worked as a fashion consultant in Tokyo.

15 • How many languages do they speak? Which ones?

🀄 English and Japanese, though she is wanting to learn how to read Devilish and Celestial.

16 • What is their relationship with each brother?

I already mentioned Mammon, Levi, and Belphie above. So I will leave them out here.

🖤 Lucifer - When Eirlys first met Lucifer, she didn't know what to make of him. All she knew was that he was intimidating and likely very dangerous. It took a lot of time for her to not only come to trust Lucifer and feel safe around him, but to like him and understand his motives behind his methods. But Lucifer was never her type, and instead she looks to him now like a younger sister to a reliable older brother. Even if that older brother can be mildly sadistic in his teasing.

💚 Satan - After being introduced to Satan, Eirlys did find him attractive and was excited to find another bookworm even here among all the demons. However, after she was introduced to Satan and came to find Satan smiled when he was angry, she found communicating with him equally as intimidating as Lucifer's threats. Trying to figure out when he was angry and when he was genuinely happy really did a number on her anxiety, and eventually kept her from really communicating with him overmuch for an extended length of time. It wasn't until later that she tried getting to know him better, and coming to find the source of all his anger. That information became the catalyst and foundation to their continuously building and growing friendship.

❤ Beelzebub - Beel has ever been the sweet one, even if he was a bit more distant when they first met. Beel was never outright cold or condescending to Eirlys, and the closer they became the sweeter he became. Before long, she found just how considerate and gentle Beel truly was. Despite this, Beel never appealed to her romantically. Instead, much like Lucifer, she looks to Beel as a gentle and reliable brother of sorts.

💗 Asmodeus - His penchant for lechery always threw Eirlys off balance, being the non-sexual type. When she first met him and found he was the Avatar of Lust, her first instinct was to keep ten yards between them at all times. Asmodeus was the wild card in the deck of seven for Eirlys, because though he has tendencies toward the egotistical side, she can never fully peg him. Even after getting to know him and forming a bond with him. Asmodeus, she found, has ever been able to tell when something he did was making her uncomfortable. He never pushed cuddling beyond what Eirlys wanted it to be or was comfortable with, even if he joked occasionally about doing it naked.

17 • What is their relationship with each side characters?

🐕 Luke: She was rather bemused upon meeting Luke, and seeing him standing in contrast to Simeon lit an amused glint within her eyes. Perhaps it was because he was an angel, but Eirlys bonded with Luke rather quickly. Though she cannot say she likes everything about the child-like angel, as his anti-demon sentiment has grated on her the more she has bonded with the boys (it has grown more half-hearted recently), but she counts Luke among the few within the three realms she can fully rely on.

🕊 Simeon: He was always rather mesmerizing for Eirlys, in ways the demons weren't. Perhaps it was the mystery that surrounded him despite being such a beautiful angel. His eyes, so striking against his features, were particularly what drew her in. Whenever she speaks with Simeon, she cannot help but smile. Despite all this, she has closed her heart off to anything beyond friendship with Simeon. Perhaps because she already has feelings for Mammon and more complicated ones for Leviathan, or perhaps because she feels a relationship with an angel would be too out of bounds for a human like her. Maybe both. Either way, she considers Simeon a very dear friend.

🦋 Solomon: He was one Eirlys didn't think much of when she first met him, though she was rather jealous of his abilities. She did slowly think of him in more friendly terms, however there was always something about him she didn't fully trust. Solomon has ever been the Cheshire Cat to her Alice.

🏵 Diavolo: Eirlys doesn't really have a very strong opinion one way or the other about him. Though the mere fractions of a moment she has spent getting to know him, the more she finds her opinion shifting to the positive. He has demonstrated himself to be incredibly thoughtful, compassionate (for a demon), and mature each time. Even if he hides it behind a constantly smiling face.

🐉 Barbatos: A mysterious and handsome face. This was the first thought that entered Eirlys's mind when she first met Barbatos. But after learning of his abilities and seeing them in action, Barbatos has bypassed all other demons in the intimidation department and landed himself firmly on the "never piss off under any circumstances" list.

Not exactly an accurate graph, but it's the best I can do restricted to mobile.

18 • What is your MC’s main hobbies and passions?

♥️ Her hobbies include: reading, music, dancing (hip hop and the like), anime, manga, video games, dramas, and movies (except horror, because she is a little chicken shit and will be the first to admit it).

♠️ She has a passion for dancing and singing, though she isn't good enough by any means to be considered professional, and typically her singing and dancing has been in rooms alone, in the shower, or driving alone in her car (in the human world).

She also has a big love for stories, especially fantasy and romance. Be they in books, movies, anime/manga, or dramas.

19 • Why did they end up in Devildom in the first place? What happened to them?

An email went out to all the students of high school and college age, explaining the exchange program with a world long thought to be a mere myth stemmed from religion, and nothing more. Those interested in participating could apply and send in their application for consideration. Anyone not interested could simply disregard the email. It explained a deadline, details and requirements for application, along with signing an agreement form explaining the rules of conduct within the Devildom. It was surprisingly thorough and organized for a simple email.

Eirlys was intrigued, but a part of her thought it was just an elaborate prank. Over the next few weeks, she heard more and more about people who had put in an application and eventually she too relented and sent in an application. Though her application was sent right at the last minute. Almost literally.

20 • What is your MC’s MBTI type?

ENFJ

21 • Do they have a pact with each bro? Do they often use their pacts? In which situations?

Yes, she has a pact with each brother. And each pact has left it's mark on her. However, she refuses to use her pacts unless she absolutely has to. Though there are times when she has used them out of anger (think "sit, boy!" from Inuyasha).

22 • What is their favorite place in Devildom?

Her room, the music room, and the Royal Library. Though there is an odd beauty to the old Colliseum when it is empty.

23 • Which sin fits them the most?

This one is difficult, but if I had to pick one I would say Pride or Envy.

24 • Describe their personality.

Eirlys is a rather compassionate and kind person with a passion for life and a fierce loyalty to her select group of friends. She is a genuine, honest, and caring individual and a passionate altruist. Sometimes even to a fault, and she is unlikely to be afraid to take the slings and arrows while standing up for the people and ideas she believes in.

Eirlys won't turn down an opportunity to spend time with those she cares about, even if that means going to social gatherings she would otherwise not attend on her own.

Despite all this, Eirlys can sometime be too idealistic or even selfless to a fault. She is prone to fluctuating self-esteem and may ask for praise or criticism out of insecurity, more than anything else. What's more, some criticisms can be easy for Eirlys to take to heart. Allowing it to further chip away at her self-confidence.

25 • What is their moral alignment?

Neutral good.

26 • Does your MC possess an object/something especially dear to their heart?

No, not really...

27 • Which character(s) do they consider as their best friend(s)?

If Mammon doesn't count considering he is the love interest, then I would have to say Levi and Beel.

28 • Choose a song that fits your MC.

Fight Song by Rachel Platten

29 • What are your MC’s religious beliefs?

Eirlys considered herself Agnostic, with some leaning toward Earthy religions. She had no beliefs in Heaven or Hell, so when she received her invitation that was rather eye opening.

30 • Describe what is inside your MC’s school bag.

Text books, notebooks, mechanical pencils, pens, highlighters, a zip bag for those things, reading books, calculator, and other generic school necessities.

31 • Describe their appearance (pic refs are ofc allowed).

♣️ Eirlys generally has fluffy waves of light pink hair that falls in cascades to the middle of her back, clear celeste blue / aquamarine eyes (haven't fully decided which), and snowy pale skin. She is not very tall, and has a triangle-shaped figure. Her fashion sense typically aligns with classic chic with a touch of hipster and grunge or street punk depending on her mood. And how she wears her uniform typically reflects this fashion sense as well, as her uniform typically looks rather crisp and pristine compared to the demon she loves.

Otherwise the other best examples I have are these images, one from a webcomic on Tappytoons.

The top image is probably as close as I can get, with the changes being thicker hair and eyes that are more blue like the girl in the images below. There is also the matter of her bangs being what curls inward as opposed to the tufts of hair beside her ears. The girl below, her hair is a bit too curly, though and her bangs aren't right. Plus the tufts on the side of her face down curl against her cheeks enough like the images above. But beyond all that, this is as close to an example of what my MC looks like. How she wears her uniform is portrayed above.

Tagging || @mammon-chan @mammoron @obeymesideblog @obeyme-lumos @beelzebubisbestwaifu @slavetothemocha @mammon-squad @mambeelz

And anyone else who wants to join in.

[ronnieinparaguay-blog]

My Birthday in Paraguay – Almost One Year In!

Hey there! It’s been a while huh?

Time has been moving faster than a teenage boy on his moto at 11:00pm – trust me, that’s fast. Incredibly, I will have been in Paraguay for a year on February 23rd! Ever since Christmas, I’ve been frequented by sentimental memories of where I was, who I was with, and what I was doing a year ago. In each of those memories, Ronnie from the past couldn’t possibly imagine where he would be (within Paraguay), who he would be with, or what he would be doing today. In fact, when I arrived in Paraguay, I was initially met with a constricting, heavy feeling of anticipation and fear… How was I going to spend 27 MONTHS here in this hot, humid, place filled with a variety of strange tropical diseases and parasites while living far from my family?!

Alas, as I begin my 24th year on this planet, I can confidently say that I have done more than survive the last year in Paraguay. While serving others, I have flourished in the most transformative sense of the word. This personal growth has by no means been the color of roses, just read my 55-page book of (mostly) complaints – I mean, personal journal – and you’ll understand that the last year has been a challenge. Such challenges however, if handled with care, serve as nutrients for prosperity:

Giving up Alcohol

Last year for lent, I chose to give up alcohol. Before joining Peace Corps, I drank with friends frequently as a source of fun, stress relief, celebration, sadness, and sometimes work. I even drank by myself at times while working on homework or applications to suck the unpleasantness out of the experience. In short, I drank too much and too frequently. My newfound preference to live alcohol-free has been sustained, and provided numerous life-improving benefits; I save money, I’ve lost weight, I can maintain a constant sleep routine, I can maintain a constant exercise routine, I don’t binge eat (more on this next), and I spend my time more intentionally.

Bye-bye Bulimia!

I was very reticent to talk about my struggles with eating up until recently… In perhaps May of 2016 I recognized that I had a real issue with food; my diet at the time was essentially paleo, restricting a vast range of grains and sugars (all foods that one craves even more when prohibited), which led me to “slip up”, and rationalize the opportunity to binge eat all the foods I normally wouldn’t allow myself. Mix this with alcohol, and I would binge an incredible amount, going to almost any lengths to acquire more “no-no food” to gorge upon. The following day I would be struck with an intense feeling of guilt, anger, frustration, and self-hatred. In a sense, I punished myself with 6 mile runs, even though I still felt terrible, in order to compensate for my behavior the previous night. This is one of the manifestations of bulimia; a cycle of binge eating, followed by a purging behavior (ex: throwing up, taking laxatives, or excessive exercise). At times, I would get stuck in a rut of anger and despair, taking advantage of every opportunity to feast upon whatever foods presented themselves. I remember one particularly dark week in which I constantly felt uncomfortably full and bloated from seeking out junk food at every opportunity… I had begun consulting with the university nutritionist and mental health team on a weekly basis throughout the summer and following semester, making slow progress. Nevertheless, this was one of my biggest preoccupations entering the Peace Corps; how was I going to deal with this challenge in a completely unknown environment without the support networks I had come to rely on? I came to Paraguay with a very intentional mindset, taking advantage of the drastic change in my environment to also drastically change my habits. This, combined with the wonderful choice to give up alcohol, significantly decreased the severity and frequency of binge eating. Living in a rural town (with no Walmart, McDonalds, Varsity Donuts, or other temptations) has also helped me be successful. While in Paraguay, I have become far more mindful of my eating and bodily sensations with food, and truly feel as though I have overcome this monstrous challenge, which, a little more than a year ago seemed as though it were impossible to escape from. I’m no professional, but I am more than happy to communicate personally with anyone who may be struggling through something similar if my experience may be of some utility.

Let’s go for a 10-mile stroll!

With my newfound ability to consistently get up early feeling good, I have been able to maintain a consistent exercise routine! I’m in the best shape of my life, run for the joy of the experience rather than to burn calories or compensate for unhealthy behavior, and have made clear progress in my physical and mental endurance. I’ve been able to increase my mileage to include a half-marathon distance run once a week, making 10 miles seem like an enjoyable trek. The freedom and peace I feel while on the trail, immersed in the beauty of the Paraguayan countryside, makes me feel alive at the core of my being. I think about all the amazing people in my life who love me, support me and believe in me. I pray the rosary for the incredible Women I am close to in the US, Kenya and Paraguay who are fighting against an unfair system to make the world a better place. I rest in the sights and sounds of the vibrant green vegetation, diversity of birds and animals, and clarity of the blue sky. I notice my body, my breath, my heartbeat, the wind against my skin, the change in temperature and humidity, and the sensation of traversing physical space leveraging my muscles and willpower. I send my love and positive intentions into the world, fortifying my confidence in my ability to spread justice and improved wellbeing. I feel strong and powerful… Because I am ;)

Hippie? Maaaaaybe, Vegetarian? Yup

Soooooo in Paraguay there is a lot of so’o…. I love that play on words! So’o = meat in Guaraní. But really, it’s definitely proven that 99.9929% of Paraguayans don’t consider their food a “meal” if it doesn’t have a nice helping of so’o. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of leather-tough steak, half of which consists of fat, nor do I enjoy greasy sausage or oily chicken with the skin still on. At least, I don’t enjoy these things when they are as ubiquitous as they are in Paraguay. In October, I became interested in trying out a vegetarian diet; I was sick of meat, was well aware of meat’s greater environmental impact than plant foods, read about the heart-benefits of consuming less saturated fat and cholesterol, and wanted to see how it made me feel in terms of running (see Eat & Run by the world’s best Ultra-marathoner, Scott Jurek). Upon asking my AMAZING host mom, Mercedes, to try it out with me for 2 weeks, we have continued, and never looked back! (Paraguayans going vegetarian is almost UNHEARD OF… I’m so grateful for Mercedes’s presence in my life here…) I don’t publish this with the intention of convincing you to go vegetarian, or to bash anyone’s diet, but personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed eating a variety of veggies, legumes, fruits and whole grains, and the way these foods make me feel. With time, I’ve also come to appreciate that my sustenance does not depend on the death of other beings – a realization that, surprisingly, fills me with peace. Unlike previous “diets”, I don’t crave the foods that I no longer eat, making vegetarianism a far more sustainable approach.  

Clarity

The lack of structure, the preponderance of free time, picking up the habit of meditation (ooook maybe I am a hippie) and me having read Walden by Henry David Thoreau, have all helped me become more intentional in how I spend my time. I have discerned that my top 3 values are Contribution, Health, and Learning. If I can fit activities into my day that pertain to each of these three areas, then I will have had an excellent day. Such activities include: running, meditation, eating healthy, engaging in community projects, teaching finance, helping with scouts, working towards establishing the public library, promoting the farmer’s market, restructuring Peace Corp Paraguay’s national youth development program, reading about poverty and development, studying for the GRE, working on grad school scholarship applications, and studying Guaraní. The lack of internet, advertisements, and consumerist activities which pacify rather than nourish, have helped me clarify what is truly important in my life – enabling me to create my own definition of “progress” and fortifying my ability to achieve it. 

Indeed, I have thrived in this country full of generous, friendly people, diverse wildlife, stunning sunsets, expansive skies, delicious fruit at arms-reach, and peaceful countryside living. 

[homeforsell-blog]

Real Estate Agent Reviews: What Are Clients Looking For?

Real Estate Agent Review. I talk to agents about them every day. Some love them, some fear them and some do not. Regardless of your personal feelings about the review, the simple fact is that customers are reading them. When choosing service providers, including real estate agents, many use review as part of their decision-making process.

According to Bright Local's 2003 Local Consumer Review surveys, 5% of consumers rely on online reviews rather than personal reviews.

Ninety-nine percent.

A similar survey found that 95% of customers used the Internet to find a local business in the last 12 months.

Fifty-nine percent.

These statistics clearly indicate the reviews online - consumers use them and trust them. As an agent, reviews provide a great opportunity to highlight your expertise from the customer's perspective

But what are customers looking for when they read online real estate agent reviews? What works and what doesn't work?

Asking for reviews

Reviews work because people are looking for a genuine, trustworthy, and active agent. When a client reviews you, they don't write in "marketing talk", they write in an authentic, natural voice. People can relate to this. No marketer (and as a real estate pro as you are a marketer in large part) is not going to express, "I'm a marginal real estate agent. Sometimes I communicate well, sometimes I don't."

You can't control when a client can use a specific language in a review, but you can guide them to include information that other consumers may find valuable. And, giving your client a few starting points about what to include should make it easier for them to write reviews.

Instead of telling a client, "If you review me about Zillow, I'd appreciate it":

"Reviews from clients like myself are an important part of my business. I appreciate an honest review of my services and as a recent client you are the perfect person to review. How responsive you are to my knowledge, calls, emails and questions about the local area. And you can talk about whether I am easy to work with T. I have experience working with are open and honest. I thank you for your time and consideration! "

Replying to reviews

Many review systems, including Zillow, also allow you to reply to a review. Many find it only useful in the event that you receive a neutral or bad review. Consider replying to each review you receive - this is an ideal opportunity to add more information that a potential client might want to know.

For example, let's assume Betty Buyer gives you this national review:

“Jay was an amazing agent! He always answered his phone and quickly replied to emails. He had a great idea about the local market and will use it again the next time we buy a house. Highly recommended! "

This is a terrific review. You can improve it with an answer like this:

"Betty loves working with you! First time home buyers are working with some of my favorite clients and you prove to be an exception. Enjoy your new home, call me if you have anything you need and stay in touch!"

You have highlighted that you enjoy working with first-time home buyers, something that is less likely to be read by reviews by first-time buyers. You also mentioned that you want to hear from many potential clients that you will continue to work with someone after closing.

Handling negative reviews

Perhaps the biggest thing that real estate agents know about online reviews is the consequence of getting negative reviews. The real estate agent is the focus of the transaction, it has many moving parts and many players. 

Things sometimes go wrong and, as a focal point, real estate agents are often at fault, even if not their fault. Near the lender to the client, the result says "uh, you have a mortgage"? So you get a review like, "Jay thought it did a good job, but the whole deal fell apart two weeks ago! Two stars for you."

Don't worry about it, things happen. Provide strategic feedback, such as "Unfortunately, things can happen outside my control in real estate transactions. Financing a large part of buying a home. Unfortunately, our discussions on what not to do before closing are not considered. If you can square things with your lender. I'll be happy to help you again. "

Many studies show that occasional neutral or even negative reviews lend credibility to all your other reviews. I'm not suggesting looking for a negative review, but I wouldn't even be overly concerned if I found it. Answer tactically and review readers will take this into consideration. For more information, see 7 Tips for Conducting Negative Reviews.

Think of reviews as personal online billboards written by your fans. You find a review helpful and gently guide your clients in that direction. Over time, you can build a library of powerful client reviews that will help others decide to use your services.

[robertmcangusgroup]

The Daily Thistle

The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland

Tuesday 11th April 2017

"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…. Similar weather to yesterday, so the tourists are happy, I saw them laying on the beach and dipping their toes into the cold Mediterranean… be a few more weeks before I dip myself into the briny…. Bella and I walked early this morning, why I haven’t a clue, but for the life of me, I couldn’t sleep, so I got up put the coffee on and read the internet papers.. drank a cup of coffee and hooked Bella up and out into the town we went.. The crew from the council was already watering the hanging baskets and the big potted scrubs, further on the street cleaning had also started, a few friendly waves were exchanged.. we walked down to the beach and watched as fishermen cast their lines into the waters of the Med and relaxed back into their beach chairs.. we walked on, round by the church at the top of the hill, the doors were wide open as people polished and cleaned the statues that were going to be carried around the town tonight, as penitence by the faithful.. After seeing all those people at work, I thought it high time to return to home… and a cup of coffee and some dog biscuits….  

SCOTS 'MOST LIKELY' TO USE PUBLIC LIBRARY…. Scotland has the highest level of public library use in the UK, new research has suggested. Exactly half of the 1,000 Scots asked by the Carnegie UK Trust and Ipsos Mori said they had visited a library within the past year. They found that families with young children, occasional readers and those who were "just about managing" financially were most likely to visit. However, Scotland also saw the sharpest drop in library use since 2011 at 11%. The five-year UK-wide study found that more than three-quarters (77%) of people said the facilities found at public libraries were important for their communities, while 37% said they were important for them personally. Almost three-quarters (71%) of families with children aged five to 11 visited libraries last year, up 3% on 2011.

WORLD'S LAST FERRY OF ITS KIND, SKYE'S GLENACHULISH, UPGRADED…. The world's last sea-going, manually-operated, turntable ferry has undergone a major restoration programme. Almost 50 years old, MV Glenachulish operates on the oldest crossing to Skye from the mainland. Between April and October, the boat makes a short crossing of the Kylerhea Straits between Glenelg and Kylerhea on Skye. The restoration work at Kishorn included replacing the original wheelhouse. Some of the cost of the restoration was paid for by donations. It has cost the boat's owner, Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company, more than £80,000 to have the work carried out. Glenachulish Preservation Trust provided £30,000 towards the cost and £5,500 was donated by supporters from all over the world in one week following a social media campaign. The MV Glenachulish was built in Troon by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company. A car ferry has crossed the Kylerhea Straits since 1934, with the service being run by the Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company since 2007. The community-owned company was set up after long-time ferryman Roddy MacLeod retired.

BREWDOG TOASTS £213M US PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENT…. BrewDog, the Aberdeenshire-based craft brewer, is now worth more than £1bn after selling a stake to a US private equity firm. The brewer has raised £213m from TSG Consumer Partners, for a 22.3% stake. The deal will see about £100m paid out to the brewer's co-founders, a further £100m go into the business and the rest used to buy shares from early investors. BrewDog earlier relied on crowdfunded cash and has 55,000 small investors. Founders James Watt and Martin Dickie had previously said they would never sell to a multinational beer maker, but Mr Watt told the BBC selling a minority stake to the US firm would "give us the fire power to compete globally". Close to £13m will be available to smaller investors who responded to BrewDog's earlier crowdfunding efforts. They will this week get the chance to sell shares, but can only sell up to 15% of their holdings, up to a maximum of 40 shares. Mr Watt rejected previous claims from the UK Crowdfunding Association that investment risks were not made clear to online investors. "Everyone who has invested in earlier rounds, at a much lower equity, will see massive returns. They will do better than any FTSE tracker fund."

COMMUNITY PAYBACK ORDER FOR DRIVER IN FATAL CRASH…. A man who admitted causing the death of his friend in a car crash, two days after passing his driving test, has been given a community payback order. Benjamin Waterfield, 17, died after Calvin McRobb, 20, lost control of his Citroen C2 on the A947 Dyce to Newmachar road in March last year. McRobb, of Cove, admitted causing his friend's death by driving carelessly. He was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for three years. McRobb must resit the driving test if he wants to drive again after the end of the ban. Sentencing him at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Sheriff Graeme Napier told McRobb that he had driven "without due care and attention and without reasonable consideration" for others. The sheriff said: "It is important to recognise that whilst the charge is not one of causing death through dangerous driving, nonetheless you have accepted that you drove at excessive speed for the road conditions."

BOOKIES COUNT COST OF SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL WIN…. Bookmakers across the UK are counting the cost of Saturday's Grand National after a 14-1 shot claimed victory. One for Arthur was the unexpected winner - only the second victory by a Scottish-trained horse, the last being in 1979. William Hill said it took about £25m on the race but added it would most likely have to "give it all back". A spokesman said: "It was a National to forget for us but a fairly grand one for punters in Scotland." Rupert Adams told the BBC Scotland news website that, for every year for the past five years, William Hill has made about £5m on the Grand National. 'Won't get money back' "We had expected this year's Grand National to be a bit of a money-spinner for us," he said. "We won't know exactly how much we will be paying out until everyone has brought their slips in and we have paid out their money, but it looks like we have just about broken even - although we have lost significantly in Scotland. "The problem is we won't get the money back because with the Grand National most people only make that one bet a year."

On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,

Our look at Scotland today is of the Winner of the Grand National “One for Arthur”….

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Tuesday 11th April 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in ….. Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus

[in-pleasant-company]

Ana's Green Dress as seen in Rebecca to the Rescue and Changes for Rebecca

Pattern 7860, Di Froyen-Velt June 1913, via The National Library of Israel

[mynameisgoliath]

#also trust me I am NOT happy about having to rely on the National Library of Israel for research

Why?

I could understand if you were researching something to do with Israel's history. You could say that the NLI probably would only have sources that agree with Israel's perspective. Which it doesn't, that's easy to search up. But I would understand the idea behind that.

But why are you unhappy about having to use a National Library for research that has nothing to do with the country's history, politics, etc.?

Ana's Green Dress as seen in Rebecca to the Rescue and Changes for Rebecca

Pattern 7860, Di Froyen-Velt June 1913, via The National Library of Israel