#and just....humans truly put such weight and importance into preserving history

[lastoneout]

sitting here trying to put into words how beautiful the human dedication to remembering is

[befenvs3000f23]

Week 6 Blog Post

There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.

(Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation)

Hey everyone, the prompt this week definitely left me a bit confused compared to some of our previous weeks’ but I think after staring at and rereading it enough I’ve got enough of an understanding to unpack it.

The beginning of this quote made the most sense to me right off the bat, the fact that ancient things don’t have any inherent meaning is something I’ve thought about before. Just going and seeing something ancient, let’s say the Colosseum of Rome for example, doesn’t have any weight to it unless you understand the significance and context of the structure. Without these things it’s nothing more than a building and we still have plenty of those around today so what’s the big deal? Once you understand that the Colosseum is a structure that’s been in continual use for two thousand years by a variety of civilizations it starts to have some weight as to why it’s important. Then looking even further and understanding the sheer amount of work and will it would have taken to build such a structure gives some insight into the people that would have built it, they had the resources, opportunity and motive to build something so colossal (pun intended)! 

This line of thinking helped me understand what Hyams meant with the next part of his quote, “there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things”. Basically what I believe he is saying is that understanding ancient things is what gives them form, what brings them from just a “thing” into something more meaningful. I think many people inherently understand this too without realizing it. One example may be the fact that when humans discover ancient ruins we don’t (usually) dig them up, take the fancy looking things and forget about it. We infer, we theorize, we try to find meaning as to why people would have built in that location, why they bothered to build the things they did and why they didn’t build something else. Without these kinds of questions the value of the site is lost. 

Another example that might be more familiar to us in this course might be old growth forests. Sure they’re old and have massive trees in them but there’s more than that. These biomes can tell us how long these environments have existed, they give us a window into the past and show us how we as humans can affect the world by showing us the contrast of relatively undisturbed environments which seem to be becoming more and more rare in the modern age. The information we gain by observing and maintaining the integrity of these sites can be invaluable in our attempts to preserve the Earth. If we take these things for granted, or as Hyams’ quote puts it, “To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.” then we lose what’s truly valuable about these sights. We see this in the modern day, logging of old growth forests provides immediate material benefits but in the long run will leave us with less to look back on, less to be able to understand and learn from. Hopefully we, as a species, can continue to use this interpretation through history to make better decisions about what we do with our world.

[fatedtime]

hello i wrote this at 2am in a feral haze. the premise: confessing to Servants who would be Difficult About It until their master starts breaking down in the Lostbelts. 

I'd like to do more but for now here's Bedivere and the Phantom of the Opera.

Bedivere

Oh, he breathes, and his face reddens from the effort of restraining tears because he is so, so very unworthy.

He knows it is neither dream nor trick, because the air is too sweet for a nightmare and you are far too sincere for those sorts of childish pranks. He cannot fathom what must have possessed you to say something like that to him - I love you, Bedivere in a voice that drowns in honey - and he plays dumb because Bedivere is such a very well-practiced liar.

How wretched that he wants you, he numbly thinks as you stutter and stammer before him. How horrible it is that he is such a greedy man.

(As if he is worth even kissing his Master's feet. He is a steward. A servant. A knight. How dare he let such desires bloom within him? How dare he feel as such for his lord?)

It is art, the way he avoids your confession. It's such a fine line to balance - he must not refuse you, because to do so would break your heart, but he must not accept you, for to do so would invoke upon you only shame. He hides in the shadows of plausible deniability, of being the dense, airheaded, gentle and pure Bedivere whose humbleness blinds him to the feelings of others.

He feels no pride when he brushes the topic away with an offer of tea and chocolates and ever more servitude, and you let the subject drop.

When had it happened, he wonders? What had he done? Bedivere is not an audacious enough man to think that he had seduced you, but he knew what a burden you held on your shoulders, and he knew that sometimes feelings of reliance and gratitude could be mistaken for... other things, feelings with a similar palatable sweetness.

That had to be it, he was certain. A mistaken, misallocation of emotion. Because if not, because if otherwise -- 

(His most important and sacred duty was keeping you safe and how could he do that if he shattered you to pieces? And of course he would, how could a man like him not end up doing so, it was his failure that had turned the King of Knights into the Lion King, his selfishness, and if you let him into your heart like that he knew he would do the same to you, he knew it he knew it and that could not be he would never let it be.)

These boundaries were necessary. He was supposed to protect you, among all other things. If you loved him, he could not protect you with everything he had, because the wounds sustained during that protection would wound you as well. 

...He may not even be able to give up what was necessary, at the end, just like with the king he never wished to die, because the idea of a future with you would be too tantalizing to ignore.

And that is why he would lie to you, and suffocate this wretched flower blooming in his heart. Thorns pierced him as he smiled and bowed his head before you. You had lead him to a victory he had sought for over a thousand years, and in his cowardice, he would wield his sword for you forevermore.

***

You were breaking down, and he was watching it happen.

He wondered if this meant that he had learned from his prior failures with King Arthur, that he had even noticed it, or if you simply were too honest of a person to conceal your grief. Neither thought comforted him.

He did what he could to ease your burdens as you tore reality after reality between your fingers, condemning them while fighting for your own version of history. For all of his flaws, he was an astoundingly loyal man, and his trust in you never wavered once.

But still, he kept his distance. Though those words you'd said that day haunted him daily (and sometimes, nightly as well) he always asked himself this: what use was that sort of love under the weight of all your sorrows? You had far more important matters on your mind than pining after a ridiculous fool like him, he was sure and he told himself that his rejection had meant nothing.

Changed nothing.

Even though there were ever so many things he wanted to do, so many moments when he had to practice such restraint. He did not take your hand when the two of you walked side by side, even though - unoccupied - your nails drew blood from your palms. When you stood in the snow-fields of the Kingdom of Beasts, he waited behind you, watching as the wind stung your cheeks and never broaching that gap. How would a hug from him then change anything?

Would it have kept the warmth in you from slipping away?

One day, you looked up at the sky, and began to muse about the relationship between gods and men.

That back then, it had felt so easy to be defiantly human, but more and more you wondered about the righteousness of your cause. Did it even matter? Did this suffering, this agony even matter, or was it something that you long ago should have thrown away? You felt so far removed from other people now, so distant, and you wondered if this is what gods were like - deciding who would live and who would die.

"What separates me from the Lion King?" You cried, slamming your fist against the wall with your teeth bared into a pained snarl. "Preserving my desired humanity at the detriment of everything else in the world? Perhaps, back then, I was nothing but a hypocritical fool."

It was at that moment that Bedivere snapped.

Everything you were saying - he rejected it down to his very core. You were nothing like the Lion King, you could never be anything like the Lion King because you were so wonderfully, beautifully, terribly infuriatingly human and the things you fought for were flawed, broken, illogical, and human just the same. He wanted to scream at you that because you worried about these things proved you were nothing about that imperial woman, that your feelings mattered simply because they existed - that even if feeling was shitty it was also right - but he found that things got a little twisted when it came from the 'putting thoughts out of the mouth' department and, instead, got a little more direct.

More specifically, his mouth on yours.

When his brain finally caught up to his body, he had his teeth on your neck and his hands in some very unknightly places. He would have shoved himself away, apologized, gotten on his knees and begged that you behead him for his impropriety, but the parched soil of your spirit greedily drank in any affection he had to offer and, at this point, you could hardly let him go.

The partitions of distance had worn you away, left you chilled and frozen, and so fervently did you seek touch, warmth, honesty, especially from your trusted ally and the foolish man you happened to love. After tasting it, there was no turning back for you, and quite honestly, none for him either. Barriers had been torn, and in his arms, you cried for how vehemently you felt human once more.

Your mutual search for 'something perfect that will cause no pain' was a doomed one from the start, and wiping frozen tears away, he murmured, "Once more, I fear that I have kept you waiting."

Still, at the end, he faced his own cowardice, and it was enough to hold together a fractured heart for just a little longer.

Oh, there is joy, yes. There is such impossible warm joy, a radiant magma spilling through the ugly, malformed rot of his insides. It's the sort of rabid delight that drives a man to madness, and he sings to choke it down, sings of your beauty and your purity and your praises to the sun and moon and stars alike. It is how he disguises the disgusting urge within him to take you into the dark so he may envelope himself utterly in your light.

Phantom of the Opera

I'd say that you're going to destroy this entire man's career, but the truth of it is this: you are this man's entire career, and that is why the melodious lilt of those words devastates him so utterly.

...It’s not that he mistakes you for her -- Christine, that is, the songstress that he did such terrible things in his desire to claim. He knows you are the Master of Chaldea, and that the entirety of human history is the stage for your song of salvation. The power of your voice - your existence, and your ability to enforce your will upon the world - shall transcend time and space to stand against the Incineration of Humanity. 

It’s more accurate to say that you are his Christine, the thing that defines his existence, because what would the Phantom of the Opera be without a Christine to love?

Oh, he knows his love is a terrible thing. Oh, he knows he is ugly because of it, and so wretchedly he wishes that he could be unrepentant like Kiyohime, could be unabashed like Serenity, could be fanatical in his desires like Minamoto no Raiko. But he knows what will happen if he does that, doesn’t he? He knows what will happen at the climax of this performance if he does not stretch the first and second acts into eternity.

You confess to him, this man that wishes he was truly a monster and not a monster of a man, and he wants to weep from the agony of it, of how much he wants to TAKE.

But he cannot do that. This is why he sings. For if the performance is still ongoing, he can stave off its terrible end, for he does not want to do harm to you, his light, his love, his foolish, glorious master. In the wake of your confession, he takes your hands with hands not meant for it, balancing your fingers on those delicate blades, and responds to it with an aria of how much he adores you in turn.

He may not be able to accept your love, because to do so would lead to him drowning you in the depths of his monstrosity, but the Phantom of the Opera will pour his soul into ensuring that you know that he loves you, he loves you, always and forever it is you, it is you, it is you --

(Even if that mental corruption twists it, and all he can say is Christine, Christine, Christine -- )

And so, he keeps the mask of monstrosity on. This is the part he has been summoned to play.

***

The distance torments him, the dance destroys him, and he recreates the illusions of his existence in a thousand new phantoms as he simply tries to survive as ‘another performance’ in your glory.

He loves you but will not be with you, this man who must admire you from afar. He has his role and you have yours, and the two of you are not lovers, even though the love you each bear for each other is aching in its desperation. Distance defines him, like the negative space in a photograph, and he cannot broach that barrier without the ruination of everything he so rigidly clings to.

This is how things are until the Lostbelts.

What is the difference between singing and screaming, he wonders, as he watches you condemning another world to its fate? What separates those distinctly raw vocalizations of agony? Because it still sounds like music to him, your wretched sobs as he watches you cry, and he can already see the ending to this tragedy, so crisp and clear like a stanza written in blood.

“Why do I have to be so human?” You had asked him, fingers tightening in his cloak. “It seems all I am destined for is the folly of human mistakes.”

It almost breaks him again, when you grab hold of him and nearly beg him to take you away, because he must be wrong, he has to be wrong, for you are not angelic or glorious or a light that will rise boldly forth to protect the world. If he still wants a thing as wretched as you, then he should lock you up so you can incinerate no more worlds underneath the force of your conviction.

“It might even make you a hero,” you breathe into his neck and - no, it does not almost break him, it does break him, but not in a way he ever could have hoped to expect.

The Phantom of the Opera knows that to keep you would be one of the greatest joys he could ever know. He would find some way to do it, and in that prison, he is certain he could return you to a state of glory untainted by the monstrous guilt weighing on your own heart.

But that is the one thing that he must not do.

Taking his mask off, he removes with it his false monstrosity. He is human as he kisses you. He is a human who kisses you to know and be known, to love and be loved, and in the tide of his want, he will let you drown all of your sorrows within him.

You are not Christine, because Christine does not actually exist. But because you are lovely and righteous and kind, he will give his everything to you, for you are the thing he shall love till the end of every world and then his own.

“Know me now, both in body and in soul,” he asks of you in turn, for if the actor who plays the Phantom of the Opera wants any other sort of role, this is the price he must pay. He can no longer maintain his perfect devotion, that perfect idealized love held at an appropriate length, because only a human - a human born with the gift of possibility - could ever change his role as he wishes to do, change his story and with it, your own.

“I will recast myself in a role that can be by your side,” he whispers into the darkness, and he closes the curtain around you with a blanket that blocks out the light. "For you, I shall be a pillar in your grief."

{Your saga will not end in tragedy; this, to you, he swears.}

[ram-reads]

This book has become a new favorite of mine. It impacted me so much that I needed a break from reading after I finished it to completely process the experience, which is a pretty impressive feat for a book that is only 166 pages long. Now let’s see if I’ll be able to adequately describe why this book was perfect. The Deep is a story focused on history and why it should never be forgotten. In this book’s universe there are mermaid-like people who refer to themselves as wajinru. The wajinru were born from pregnant African women who were thrown overboard during the Atlantic slave trade. The wajinru are better with short-term memory than long-term memory, so one called the historian is given the task to carry the history of all of their people. Yetu is the protagonist and current historian. She struggles under the weight of all that history until it slowly becomes a burden too hard to bear all by herself. After Yetu hands the memories over to the rest of the wajinru so they can experience their yearly reminder of where they came from before it inevitably fades from their memory again, Yetu escapes. Leaving her people to now carry the weight of their history she goes where they won’t find her, the surface, and encounters humans for the first time outside of her ancestor’s memories. As Yetu gets closer to one human in particular, Oori, she battles with herself on whether or not she should go back to help her people with the history. The entirety of this story hit deep (pun intended). The messages it contains are so important for people to read and understand. It discusses why the history of a people is important even if that history can be tough to carry sometimes due to how traumatic it is. It points out why history matters even if hundreds of years have passed and how it can still affect people in the present, a fact that I think many people don’t get (please look up intergenerational trauma). There are many other discussions that happen, like one on gender that I enjoyed, and they all melded together well. I’m shocked that such a short book could pack such a punch, but I think the novella format allowed the author to zone in on what they wanted to get across without getting sidetracked. The worldbuilding was also done well. I know novellas typically aren’t the best at worldbuilding but that was not the case in this circumstance. Rivers Solomon flawlessly fleshed out the biological aspects and history of the wajinru. There are chapters dedicated to just focusing on previous historian’s memories so the reader can get a better understanding of how the wajinru came to be and how they survived throughout the centuries. Every question I had was answered which I greatly appreciate the author doing. The human side of the story wasn’t as fleshed out but that didn’t bother me. It made sense since this story is about the wajinru, and also because it wasn’t necessary to know much about what was going on in the human world.

We’re introduced to many characters throughout The Deep but the two most important ones are Yetu and Oori. I found Yetu to be a relatable character because she struggles between putting herself first or putting other people first. Her internal battle felt like one I’ve had myself multiple times. It’s easy to think of yourself as selfish like Yetu does when she chooses self-care over what others want, but in reality it’s more nuanced than that. That became more obvious to me reading Yetu struggle over her choice. No one who regrets their decision that much can truly be selfish. Yetu is actually a really caring individual and I loved that about her. Oori is one of the humans Yetu meets and is meant to be a foil to Yetu’s character. Oori doesn’t have any family and is the last of her people. This has made her understand the importance of history. In a way she is the historian of her people because she works so hard to preserve what is left of them. Oori is standoffish and blunt. I loved her character a lot because she reminded me of a cat since it takes time for her to warm up to others. Yetu becomes fascinated with her and as they interact with one another a love slowly blossoms. I liked how naturally their relationship flourished. These are the types of romances I prefer, ones where an actual connection is established before they’re all over each other. Rivers Solomon’s writing was phenomenal. Their descriptions and the overall vibe of the story was done so well. It felt like a story I would love to hear being told around a campfire. I could tell that everything was thought out with care because the story felt real, probably because the experience of intergenerational trauma is real for many people. They also did a wonderful job including diversity in their story. Having a diverse world is important for me, and Solomon definitely achieved that by having nonbinary characters, polyamorous characters, and having the main romance be between two females. All of that is just the tip of the diversity iceberg though. I don’t think I did this book justice in this review, but trust me when I say that it’s worth a read. It has a unique concept, important messages on African American history, and amazing diversity. It deals with heavy topics but I thought they were handled well. I’m not African American though so take my opinion on that with a grain of salt. I can’t think of anything negative to say about this book because I thought everything was done well. I can definitely see this becoming a classic someday. Phew. Now that I’m finally done getting my thoughts down and processing the story, time to listen to the song the book was inspired by. I’m ready to be made speechless again.

[swordoforion]

The Orion Manifest - a Declaration of the Tenets, Mission, and Formal Structure of Orion

Respice ad futurum, respice ad astra. This is the motto of Orion – look to the future and look to the stars. For millennia, humanity has looked up at the stars and wondered what lies beyond, what secrets could be contained beyond such unimaginable heights and distances. Though we have caught glimpses, the vast realm of the cosmos continues to be a mystery, with all of human history only scratching the surface. It stands to reason, then, that in our future, we should and will seek to venture outwards into the unknown, to know the unknowable, the reach the unreachable, to do the undoable.

But though we look to the future and to the stars, they act as only a goal, and our path ahead cannot distract too much from where we lie now. We live in an era of crisis – sea, land, and sky burn as people shed their blood fighting the wrong enemy. The world, wracked by constant war, races toward it once more, as those with power march forward unceasingly to grab more of it. We face threats of extinction from all around us, and though the power to save the world is well in the hands of the people, they do not know that they have it, they do not know how to wield it.

Our mission is one of necessity – to ensure the survival and prosperity of our charge, that being the whole of humanity, we must first ensure that they can survive long enough to make it off this planet and flourish. To do that, we need to ensure that the environmental habitat of Earth is sustainable and will preserve – thus the first Tenet of our mission is Environmentalism.

The damage to the environment has been spurred largely in part by our unceasing and unstable growth – the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century set our worldwide society on a course that has bred such a hunger of its drivers for power that everything – people, species, and eventually the precious few resources of our home planet – is only temporarily capable of sating such an appetite. Following principles that emerged alongside the genesis of capitalism, our second Tenet is Socialism, the transfer from greed-based industry to need-based democracy.

To get to the stars, we need to preserve the environment. To preserve the environment, we need to regulate our industry and secure the rights of the people. But to do this most truly and effectively, it cannot be done in merely one part of the world. To isolate this change would fail to make enough of a dent in our problems and would abandon the rest of humanity to the same fate we seek escape from. Thus, if we are to make a change, it must be universal, and the last Tenet, following suit, is World Federalism, the establishment of a representative world government.

The establishment of a world federation will allow the universal regulation necessary to implement socialist economic structures, allowing us to slow our growth to a sustainable level and put resources towards the revitalization of Earth. With these needs met, we can move forward as a species, at peace and not raising our weapons at each other’s throats but raising our eyes to our final destination – the cosmos. And so, it is with this document that Orion is established – an organization devoted to the establishment of eco-socialist federalism, and to the mission of prosperity and survival of all humankind.

Article I: The Tenets.

Section I: Environmentalism.

The interest of both protecting pre-existing natural resources and species as well as fostering new habitats and growth, to ensure the continued existence and flourishment of Earth’s ecology. Our numbers are growing as a species while our resources shrink, and while there are ways to preserve and help the environment recover, we are not employing them in the interest of economy. However, if we reach a point of environmental decay at which the ability of Earth to sustain human life is threatened, we face a universal and uncompromising threat – extinction. Preventing this climate crisis will take potentially centuries of action, which means that the sooner, the better to make a stand.

To accomplish this goal, we need to lower our output – decreasing emissions as much as possible and slowing production from what will grow the economy to what we need, which will slow the rate of human population, until a time comes at which the world population can sustainably increase at the exponential rate it has kept thus far. Not an end to modern comforts, not a retreat into the Dark Ages – but a matter of prioritizing what we need in our lives, on both personal levels and large-scale, economic levels.

While this is done primarily to ensure that the human population of Earth can survive the oncoming crisis, the preservation of other species and the beauty of nature is both an obligation and a reward. Despite the fragility of other species, continued biodiversity allows us to observe many different types of evolved life, and with that broad spectrum available for our observation, we can discover much more about life itself than if we were to isolate the ecological population of Earth to a selective pool of species.

Section II: Socialism.

While a broad term, socialism in reference to the interests of Orion is defined as a system of economic organization in which the resources used for production of goods and services are made publicly accessible, and businesses are ran democratically by the workers. Unregulated privatization of capitalist economies has resulted in a growing inequality of both power and wealth, which threatens both the ability of citizens to have their basic needs met through economy, as well as the balance of democracy, as the affluent gain more power and representation in elected democratic governments.

The goal of socialism is to focus more on equality than the ability to reach heights of power – instead of the few having exponentially greater than the many, all would be able to live comfortably and have minimal contribution to labor, and be granted freedom through unbiased democratic government. With the people producing goods and services motivated by their own need and not by a unceasing need for profit, not only would a market be more catering to the interest of the common citizen, but would not produce overwhelming surplus that contributes to environmental destruction through rapid resource usage.

Of note is that socialism is not just a matter of political and economic change – it also seeks a change in social order and views, as capitalism relies largely on self-interest and competitive pursuit, concepts which have become engrained in modern culture, at the expense of care for community, for the plights of others who are less successful. Those in power seek only more, and everyone else tries to take what they can, breeding mistrust and greed rather than camaraderie. To establish a more equal and just social order would require an end to the mechanisms, social and economic, that make most see the world as ‘eat or be eaten’.

Section III: World Federalism.

In the face of threats that care not of borders or political history, we must also realize the limits of dividing ourselves off from each other. International relations are long and storied, carrying much weight in the culture of respective nations, but to be bitter and mistrusting of our neighboring countries will only worsen the situation, as we try to keep a fragile peace while also fixing the world. Simply put, the resources needed to compete with other nations are wasted, when a single, cooperative nation could much more easily manage international crises as listed above.

Federalism implies a nation consisting of multiple smaller regional governments, which allows for a balance between sovereignty and uniquity and peaceful coordination. The integration of the nations of the world into a federal nation would mean that limiting systems such as military reconnaissance and deterrence, international trade strategy, and intense border security would lose relevance and importance, allowing far more necessary concerns to take center stage. The need to be the most powerful nation would subside when there is only one entity to be concerned with – economy will be focused on what is best for all people, military will protect every citizen of the world, and government services will be applicable to everyone.

One of the most important elements of such a federation is the vital inclusion of democracy – allowing every region to have a say in the affairs of world government, just as smaller federal governments include representation from their constituent states. A world government that simply commanded the people of Earth would simply create another elitist order on top of capitalist monopolization; the people and individual regions must have a say in what happens to them, and regional governments should keep a degree of authority to better manage their own affairs.

Section IV: Eco-socialist Federalism.

The combination of the above tenets into a single theory, eco-socialist federalism advocates for the creation of a federation of socialist states with expressly engrained policy to preserve and replenish the environment of Earth through universal economic regulation and investment in sustainability until a point at which technology and global ecosystems develop enough to allow for rapid growth in consumption and production.

The socialist federation could continue to manage past this threshold, and environmental policy would remain to ensure that we would not repeat our past mistakes, but the end goal would be to develop the capability for manned interplanetary travel, such that we could create sustainable colonies on other planets to increase our influx of natural resources and habitable space for human population.

Once sustainable human colonies are established on other planets, and the technology of reaching the colonies is efficiently produced, the problem of ensuring the survival of humanity will be dealt with; in that regard, Orion’s goal will transfer mainly to exploration and expansion; the never-ending goal of learning what is out there.

However, with the creation of a socialist federation, there must also be from its inceptions safeguards on fundamental human rights, which are listed below, and must be ensured to achieve the completion of the second goal – the prosperity of humanity. If only a ruling class is to benefit from this change, we have become little better than our forebearers.

Section V: Fundamental human rights.

Important among the principles of an eco-socialist federation is the universal and enforced protection of human rights – equality and freedom are two virtues that must be upheld in any moral society. The fundamental human rights are as follows:

- No matter the circumstance of one’s birth, the color of their skin, their physical ability, their sexual orientation, their gender identity, their religious affiliation, the culture they belong to, or the value of what they own, all human beings are deserving by birth of the same, unalienable rights, and shall not be discriminated against for any of the reasons above.

- Everyone has the right to life and liberty, and as such, either welfare or employment should provide for the basic essential needs (food, water, shelter), as well as proper medical care.

- All should have the right, when charged with a violation of federation or regional laws, to a fair and public trial to determine either guilt or innocence before a jury of peers. Here, they will be assumed innocent until their guilt is proven.

- All citizens shall have the freedom to move within both their own region and into any other region of the federation without persecution or inhibition.

- All citizens, granted they consent and are of legal age, shall have the right to engage in a relationship and be entitled to marriage, recognizable by the state.

- Everyone shall have the freedom of speech and expression, which includes the ability to assemble, speak, write, and/or practice as long as it is publicly safe to do so.

- Everyone shall have the ability to run for public office and participate in democratically elected, representative government, or work democratically in organizations in a market for the acquisition of resources, via the form of goods and services.

- Everyone who, in working, produces goods and services through their labor, earns and is deserving of the value of their labor.

- Every citizen shall have the right to free and equitable public education, with necessary skills and information instituted universally within the federation’s public education system.

- Everyone shall have the right to rest – labor is required only as long as is necessary for those able-bodied to provide it, and any time beyond necessity is up to the discretion of the citizen. Maximum working hours and days on shift shall be limited to humane numbers.

- No citizens will be subject to intrusion or arrest without just cause, and all citizens, regardless of the defined categories, are subject to equal protection and review under the law.

Article II: The Mission.

Section I: To establish the organization.

The establishment and growth of Orion and its branches is necessary first to ensure that Orion exists to seek and bring about this change in the first place. If by any means, Orion is destroyed or somehow disbanded, the next in line for the Operational Manual should use the instructions contained within to reorganized Orion, at least until the other steps of the Mission are completed.

Section II: To spread awareness.

Through both the Sword of Orion, data supplemented by Museion, and in-person movements by Liberius, the first goal once the organization is established is to bring progressive and eco-socialist federalist ideas to the attention of the public, as well as raise support for organizations and movements of interest.

Section III: To connect with allies.

One of the most essential functions of the Sword of Orion will be to find other organizations with cooperative goals, and to build a network to coordinate efforts towards large-scale change, using the resources and reach of allied groups to reach a common goal.

Section IV: To move founder nations towards federation.

The goal of social change is to move key nations towards a political position where their governments would be supportive of the formation of a world federation. While the ideal result would be to have all the nations of the world agree to such an idea upon first suggestion, a few powerful founding members could get the ball rolling, and would prove much easier a task to concentrate effort around.

Section V: To complete world federation.

Over time, once a world federal government is established, other nations could be approached and persuaded to join as members. Of note is that the current power system within a given nation is irrelevant – a government is not its people, and should the structure of a nation change, the decision to be a member could as well.

This Manifest is written to be of universal use so long as the Mission is incomplete, which means that the hierarchy and international organization at the time of writing are always subject to change. Given that Orion has a vested interest in ensuring environmental security and protection of human rights post haste, the pressure of democratic or even revolutionary change is not off limits, so long as the means by which change is acquired is moral, and in the interest of the citizens.

Section VI: To create environmental and economic regulation.

The requirement for states of an eco-socialist federation will abide by the principles of human rights stated in Article II, Section V, as well as to have a minimum level of regulation in their own economies to ensure that output of emissions and use of nonrenewable resources is kept at acceptable levels and that businesses within their markets are registered. A registered business will follow certain guidelines in terms of workers’ rights and representation and will not be allowed to monopolize privately.

Section VII: Develop means of interplanetary travel.

Government research into space travel and technological development will continue and be given adequate funding to pursue the goal of cost and production efficient manned space travel, in addition to sustainable and eco-friendly technologies for public use. The end goal is to be capable of carrying humans to other livable planets, as well as establishing further stations for observation and management in our solar system.

Section VIII: Reach sustainable growth.

The goal of any society is to grow – to grow the population, economic output, technological advancement, and knowledge. Currently, our global society has grown rapidly and will continue to grow on its current rate, but it has done so unsustainably, and puts us at risk. The goal of a stable and rational global society would then be to become coordinated and advanced enough that this pattern of growth can resume without burning our resources at a rate we cannot keep up. By this point in the Mission, society will be self-sufficient with no sign of long-term instability and will be moving to other planets to provide an extra layer of security. Once Section VIII is met, Orion’s function will be relegated to management and exploration.

Article III: The Structure of Orion.

Section I: Sword of Orion.

The Sword of Orion is the first, largest, and most essential branch of Orion – the public face and the means by which alliances are forged and information is spread. The functions of the Sword of Orion are writing, activism, and communication, which means publication of resources and operation of social media to provide news and information on why we need change, supporting action that makes positions clear to public representatives, and assisting and connecting different organizations already in the fight.

The Sword of Orion will be the only branch of Orion to have a multi-chapter structure – wherever available, local chapters composed of in-person or regional online members working to communicate with the people, politicians, and organizations in their area. While there are universal messages that can reach people from all over the world, the advantage of having additional, regional based campaigns is the familiarity and uniquity of regional culture and politics. The problems of one area may require special attention, attention that only people of that area know to give.

Above all chapters, however, is the Sword of Orion’s presence as an online organization. All chapter leaders and members can communicate with each other and coordinate more general writing projects, larger gatherings, and communications with national and international organizations. This online hub allows for an easier form of membership and participation, representation for members without a local chapter, and organization-wide coordination.

The Sword of Orion, in its communication to both the public and with other large-scale movements, is the main arm of diplomacy and democracy, as well as the central structure of Orion itself.

Section II: Liberius.

The second branch of Orion, Liberius is more of an ancillary corps within the greater structure of the Sword of Orion – instead of having it’s own chapters, Liberius members are specialized members of Sword chapters. Where the Sword of Orion focuses on writing and communication, Liberius is a branch of action – activism, volunteering, campaigning, aid drives, and protests are where they will work. Any in-person events that the Sword organizes or assists with, Liberius agents will help head and coordinate, and they will represent Orion at more general, impromptu events like marches and picketing.

As the nature of Liberius involves much more rigorous, hands-on work, Liberius agents will receive more training and preparation for events, consisting of skills like communication, first-aid, and self defense, to both aid and protect people in the case of violence or accident. Liberius Leadership will be responsible for this sort of training, as well as what type of events and work there will be a focus on.

Each branch of the Sword, at full capacity, will have one or more associated Liberius agents, ready for local work and chapter assistance. Liberius, while having separate channels for planning and training, will also communicate organization-wide through online hubs. To become an agent of Liberius first requires membership in the Sword; after which, one can volunteer and apply to do activist work.

Section III: Museion.

The third branch of Orion, Museion, as per its namesake institution of research and study, will be a primarily information and research-based sect of Orion focused on keeping track of environmental status, technological developments, and political trends. Separate from the overall combined structure of the Sword and Liberius, Museion will consist of a singular chapter/organization that functions as a think tank; doing studies of its own and working with other organizations and institutions to provide information to both the Sword and the general public on relevant matters.

The function of Museion is more evident in the later sections of the Mission – scientific research into eco-friendly technological developments for everyday life and economic growth as well as innovation of space travel to allow for interplanetary travel will rapidly become one of the top priorities once the political matters are out of the way. However, not only can Museion provide statistics and news to backup the publications of the Sword of Orion, but starting early on matters of innovation will prove an investment that pays off when the tech we need is started in advance.

Like Liberius, one must be a member of the Sword of Orion before volunteering for Museion, but the partnerships and communications of Museion can be separate from the Sword of Orion, due to being more scientific rather than political in nature. At full capacity, there will be in-person Museion facilities, but online research and organization is always an option.

[norahastuff]

Damn this season man. I mean I’ve been loving all of it, but this last stretch of episodes from 15x08 till now has been particularly epic.

I’m going to start with how satisfying it is to see Dean’s growth so far this season. Dean’s always felt that he had to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. No matter how much he talked about how it was him and Sam against the world, or how many times he told Cas they were in it together, at the end of the day he’s always felt the responsibility would always fall on him and him alone. He had to take care of everyone. 

But Dean’s growing this season. We saw that just a couple episodes ago with his confession to Cas. He acknowledges his tendency to cling to anger, almost like a life preserver, to stop himself from being overwhelmed by pain and helplessness. His reasons for using anger as a coping mechanism are complex and multi faceted, but one of the main ones was that he had to be the strong one. Everything would ultimately be his responsibility, so he could never afford to fall apart. First his father gave him the responsibility for taking care of Sam, made sure it was ingrained in him that that was his role. Then came the archangels. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that conversation between Dean and Cas in the hospital room at the end of 4x16 when Dean just falls apart because he can’t handle the new role he’s been given; the role of The Righteous Man. 

And who can forget Chuck? Back in season 11 Chuck told Dean he was instrumental to the survival of the universe, he called him “the firewall between light and darkness.” That is some kind of burden to put on any one human’s shoulders. 

You know what’s interesting about all those things Dean was told? They weren’t true - at least not the whole truth in any case. John’s orders to take care of Sam also had the hidden caveat of maybe having to kill him. The archangels dubbing him The Righteous Man...well we know how much deceit and manipulation was going on there. And Chuck placing the universe in Dean’s hands, was just another way for him to avoid the consequences of his own choices and continue playing with his favourite characters from a distance. Fortuna even says as much in this episode.

Chuck was annoyed that humans, his creations, weren’t behaving the way he wanted - they chose to worship things other than him. Then he realised he could use this to his advantage and create gods as a way to distract them and draw their attention and rage away from him. Chuck really hasn’t changed his M.O. since the dawn of time. 

Anyway to get back to Dean, that belief that it’s all on him is changing. In 15x09 we saw him trust Sam’s judgement on how best to handle Chuck. He acts similarly with Cas. The catalyst for the big “domestic dispute” to quote Jensen (though personally I’d call it a cosmic dispute - it took travelling to a different plane of existence, facing primordial beings and good old fashioned praying for them to start to listen to each other again) was Cas still wanting to help Jack after everything that went down. 

And yet now, Jack returns from the great beyond and Dean looks to Cas for the confirmation that everything is ok. He hears that Jack’s been eating Grigori hearts and that Cas let him, and he doesn’t even need an explanation from him. He trusts Cas’ judgement. No question about it.

And that’s how they’re going to win. They’re going to choose not to play Chuck’s game of infighting and drama. They’re going to trust each other and come together. How many times in the past have we heard Sam and Dean say “We don’t have friends. All our friends are dead.” We saw how bad things got in Chuck’s AU stories when they were alone. How broken Dean was about losing their friends. About losing Cas.

 It’s what Chuck wants, Sam and Dean alone, because it’s not enough to beat him. He hasn’t considered that they’re not alone. They’ve got allies, friends, family. They have hope. 

Some other random thoughts: 

Cas is back, facing yet another Grigori (the last one left maybe? I didn’t quite catch that) to save someone he considers his kid. Though honestly his role of father is a lot less complicated with Jack than it ever was with Claire. Jack and Cas have considered each other father and son from the very beginning, and whatever else went down, neither of them have ever wavered on that. Although there were glimmers of a parent/child thing with Cas and Claire, there was too much guilt, pain and history for either of them to truly be able to be that for each other. It’s why as much as I wish we’d gotten another Cas and Claire interaction, I can understand why it never happened. She did keep the Grumpy Cat he got her from the Hot Topical though!

I was going to say I love how Sam has no more fucks left to give but that’s not really true at all. He cares a lot, maybe more than ever, about the important things like saving the people, beating God, checking in with Cas and Eileen etc. But he genuinely has no more patience when it comes to Dean and his nonsense and it is glorious to see. He’s just straight up calling him out on all his bull. Last week it was about how everybody, including Dean, is well aware of how Cas looks at Dean, and that Sam knows that Dean knows it too.

He continues his sassy streak this week with this gem: 

Dean: Man, I've been slinging pool cues since before you were born.

Sam: What? When you were 4? Really? What, between nap time and snack?

I love him so much.

[talabib]

How to Break Free From The 9 to 5 Grind And Find A More Meaningful Life.

What did you do last week? Was each day about getting up, going to work and coming home exhausted?

Is your house filled with gadgets and toys meant to distract you from the dreadfulness of those 50-, 60- or 70-hour work weeks?

In case you haven’t realized this for yourself, there’s little happiness to be found in devoting your life to a job that only provides you with a paycheck. And to make matters worse, the meaningless things we buy to make the job easier to cope with only serve to clutter up our lives and cause more anxieties and distractions.

As these post points out, it’s time to reprogram our minds and bodies away from the corporate culture of fast-food, disposable goods and instant gratification. With some simple techniques and a bit of effort, you can reclaim your life, declutter it of all that’s hollow and useless, and refill it with meaning and purpose.

Money and stressful jobs are not keys to happiness.

Many people grow up with the expectation that getting “a good job” is everything. From this perspective, true “success” is based on how good the job is – which is largely dependent upon the size of the paycheck. But the truth is: money doesn't buy happiness.

Even rich people will tell you that more money comes with more problems, including being so stressed that you resort to comfort eating, waste money on meaningless gadgets and constantly think about the future while never enjoying the present.

Success often comes at another great cost: very few hours to spend with loved ones. Hired help raises many children from families of success-oriented adults, just so their parents can spend more time earning money.

So, more often than not, the thing that money really buys is unhappiness. Ask yourself this: Is any stressful job worth having?

Ryan Nicodemus asked this question while working at what many would consider to be a great job. He was even on the rise, getting promoted to a managerial position, but the role came with 80-hour work weeks and huge amounts of responsibility and pressure. What it added up to was debilitating anxiety, stress and depression.

Nowadays, Nicodemus believes there is no amount of money to justify the toll a stressful job has on your mental health. However, when you’re wrapped up in the job-is-everything mentality, it feels like you always need to make more and more money.

Both Nicodemus and his friend, Joshua Fields Millburn, thought they would be happy once they hit $50,000 a year. But after reaching that milestone, the goal quickly crept up to $75,000, then $100,000 and so on. At no point did they feel satisfied.

Part of the reason for wanting more was that, as their paycheck grew, so did their financial commitments and responsibilities – in the form of loans, cars and mortgages. Eventually, enough was enough and they both quit their jobs and decided to live on less money.

It was at this point that Millburn and Nicodemus finally experienced happiness. All thanks to their decision to adopt a minimalist lifestyle of working and consuming less.

But as we’ll see, the minimalist ethos is about more than money and work; it’s about letting go of everything that holds you back.

To begin your shift to minimalism, pay off your debts and declutter your surroundings.

If you were to ask yourself “What are the anchors that are dragging me down?” the answer might not be readily apparent. But there’s a good chance that you have some form of debt, be it a mortgage, credit cards or student loans, that weighs heavily on your well-being.

That’s why the first and most crucial step to minimalist living is to pay off all your debts.

At some point, you may have been fooled by credit-card ads or a banker telling you to take advantage of a certain mortgage, but let’s be clear: there’s no such thing as “good debt.” All debt is bad, plain and simple.

As Joshua Milburn was preparing for a minimalist existence, he followed a strict budget and spent two years saving as much as he could to pay off his debts. This meant a hundred weeks of no vacations, no restaurants and no luxuries of any kind. But it was worth every minute for the relief he felt in finally paying off his debts. He was now free to live the life he wanted.

While you’re decluttering your finances, you should also turn your attention to reducing your material clutter.

First of all, it’s important to recognize that your possessions aren’t a meaningful statement about who you are as a person. Instead, you should ask yourself whether your belongings truly help you live in the present or if they prevent you from doing so.

For decades, Joshua Milburn’s mother had four sealed boxes in her home that she never opened. They contained every scrap of work John had brought home from elementary school, from handwriting tests to drawings.

Millburn understood that she was hoarding these things in an effort to hold on to her little boy, but the cherished and meaningful things in life aren’t objects, they’re our memories and relationships. This doesn’t mean you need to throw away everything, but Milburn’s mom could keep one meaningful drawing in a frame rather than four sealed-up boxes.

By decluttering, we not only give ourselves more physical breathing room, but we also provide more mental breathing room. Having objects everywhere vying for our attention can easily weigh us down mentally.

Minimalism is also about reducing the amount of junk you put into your body.

There’s no shortage of diets or fitness programs out there. In fact, the sheer amount can seem overwhelming. But you can avoid trendy diets and temporary fixes by reprogramming the way you think about your body.

From now on, think of it as a machine: when you give it high-quality fuel, you’ll allow it to perform at its maximum potential. With this frame of mind, it should seem obvious that junk food, like processed and prepackaged goods, should be avoided.

This kind of food is full of additives and preservatives that add zero nutritional value to your diet. All they provide are empty calories, especially sugar, which are terrible for your health. Sure, these foods may taste good in the moment, but they can often make you feel awful afterward. So any temporary pleasure is far outweighed by the long-term damage they can cause to both your physical health and your mood.

A good decluttering regimen should also include dairy and bread. We’ve been eating wheat and pasteurized milk for a relatively short period in human history – only since the invention of agriculture. Our bodies were never designed to digest the vast quantities of dairy and bread contained in the average modern diet.

So, whether you have a gluten or lactose intolerance or not, you can benefit from cutting back on these foods and replacing them with natural whole foods like vegetables, fish and beans. Once you’ve made this adjustment to your diet, you’ll soon find yourself with a surplus of energy. And this is a good thing to have for the next step: getting the most out of your body.

Fitness is something that works best when you have a constant growth mind-set, which means you’re always aiming for more than last time – whether it’s a faster running time, more repetitions or heavier weights.

To adopt this mind-set, you need to demand more from yourself. To help make this happen, you can reprogram your thinking away from “I should...” to “I MUST...”

Don’t tell yourself “I should go out jogging three times this week;” instead say “I MUST go for a run tomorrow at 8 a.m.” With some persistence, you can even make yourself accomplish new things.

Maybe you can’t do a single pull-up now, but you can probably hang from the bar for 30 seconds. So, do that and then tomorrow, hang for 40 seconds, and then continue doing more until you build up enough arm strength to do a pull-up.

Change and improvement don’t have to impact your authenticity; they can lead to better relationships.

Friends and loved ones are important. If you’re currently feeling isolated or unhappy with your relationships, it may be time for another round of reprogramming, this time to become more accepting of others as well as appearing more acceptable to others. The first step to making this happen is to have a willingness to change.

It’s hopeless to try and change other people – in fact, it’s cruel to even attempt to do so – but it is possible to improve yourself.

However, you may be resistant to the idea of change if you think that there’s nothing wrong with being your “authentic self.” But it’s important to take an honest look at your behavior and recognize when you’re doing something that upsets people or is a turnoff.

If you’re unhappy about being shy, a poor listener or overweight, don’t think “that’s who I am.” Instead, do something about it and be proactive in your self-improvement.

Changing yourself isn’t betraying your authenticity; it’s simply a way to attract better relationships. Would you rather be lonely or would you rather work on yourself so that you’re a better conversationalist and a more appealing person?

Another avenue toward self-improvement is to be more accepting of those with different opinions than your own.

Don’t think that you’re meant to find someone who thinks and shares the same opinions as you – this is just another fallacy. Relationships aren’t about hobbies and tastes; they’re about love, so you should accept that people are going to think differently than you.

If more people were open-minded about whom they hang out with, there would be far fewer lonely people in the world!

So, don’t just tolerate and accept your loved ones' peculiar habits; respect and appreciate them!

Let’s say your loved one has a hobby you find annoying, like collecting action figures. After all, isn’t a silly collection the opposite of minimalist living? Actually no, especially if they get a lot of meaning and pleasure out of that collection. So don’t deter them; understand that the collection enriches your partner’s life and therefore should be cherished as part of what makes them the person you love.

With this in mind, here are the four steps to help you better tolerate, accept, respect and appreciate the person you’re with:

Tolerate their unique hobby or passion;

Accept that it will always be there;

Respect the effort your partner puts into their pastime;

Appreciate the hobby as a part of your life because it is an important part of your loved one’s life.

Don't let work define you as a person.

Just as we saw the importance of breaking away from the idea that money and work are the most important things in life, so too should we avoid thinking that our jobs define us.

Think of it this way: You’re a complicated person with a variety of interests and talents, some of which make money, some of which cost money. So you’re far more than just your job. Nevertheless, it's easy to fall into the trap of letting your job title define you.

Many people will find a job in a certain industry and feel they should stick with that industry for the rest of their lives as if it's a part of who they are. But remember, a job is just a job. In fact, your job might even be an anchor that weighs you down.

Consider this: your job isn’t even one of the top five most important aspects of life. Those are: your health, your relationships, your passions, your personal growth, and your contribution to society.

These are the aspects of your life that make sense to measure yourself against, not your job title or how much money you make.

This is why you should avoid the annoying small-talk question of “So, what do you do?” This is often asked early on in a conversation as if it were the most important characteristic of someone’s life and not just a different way of asking, “So, how much money do you make?” Instead, why not ask them, “What are you into?” or “What are you passionate about?”

And if someone asks you, “What do you do?” you can redirect the conversation by saying something like “Oh, I do a lot of things, but my current passion is gardening. How about you?”

For more freedom, reduce your dependency on money.

One of the primary purposes behind minimalism is to spend less of your life working at a job. Naturally, this means finding ways to become less dependent on a big paycheck.

There are a number of ways to help with this, including learning how to make things yourself rather than buying them, and selling off the needless clutter in your home. But the next reprogramming you should learn is how to live on a small income.

The first step here is to create a monthly budget and stick to it. So start by making a list of needs, which includes all your fundamental household costs, such as food, pet food, gas, electricity, insurance and transportation. These are basic needs that have to be met, so there’s no getting around them.

Next, start a second list of wants, which might include categories like new clothes and entertainment. Now, at the start of each month, separate your extra money so that both of these categories are given a budget. And to make sure you don’t break the budget, you can separate them into different spending accounts.

Remember, every dollar in the budget should be accounted for. So, if you dip into the entertainment budget to buy new shoes, you’ll have to wait until next month to go out to that restaurant.

To reduce hard feelings and make things fair, get the entire household to agree on the budget. Since everyone has a say, there should be a feeling of mutual responsibility for making it work. For example, by making the kids part of the process, they’ll know not to bother trying to get extra money for video games when that money is being set aside for school supplies. But it’s still wise to set up a safety net.

Once you get yourself set up, you’ll find that it isn’t hard to live comfortably with less money, but that doesn’t mean life won’t surprise you with something unexpected, like an illness or the car breaking down.

This is why it’s smart and sensible to establish a safety net of at least $500 to $1,000 at first. You should not only do this as soon as possible, but you should also put the money in a place where it isn’t easy to spend.

Once you're out of debt, you can add to this safety net. And with your new found powers of budgeting, you’ll find that this fund can grow quite quickly.

Make life more rewarding and purposeful by taking on difficult work that contributes to society.

So you’ve cut all your anchors and are finally free from your dependencies. The only question now is: What are you going to do with your newfound freedom?

Sure, you have your new plans to get healthy, fit and friendly, but you won’t get far without a strong purpose in your life. And true purpose only comes from a meaningful life that allows you to actively contribute to society.

You might think that donating money to a charity means doing enough for society, but you can only have it be meaningful and purposeful if you’re directly involved.

What you’re sure to find is that the most rewarding activities are the ones that are the most challenging.

Some activities are easy, like reading in the park or swimming in the pool, and while easy activities are fun, they aren’t very purposeful.

Challenging activities, on the other hand, might make us feel uncomfortable while we’re in the middle of them, but afterward, they make us feel fantastic. This can include child rearing or running a marathon – there are a lot of difficulties involved, but the rewards make these efforts feel worthwhile, and they become the most significant experiences in our lives.

That’s why these are the kind of events we should seek and build our lives with, especially when we don’t just contribute to our lives but to society as a whole.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of charities looking for volunteers for this kind of meaningful work, whether it’s building affordable homes for the poor or turning vacant lots into community gardens. This is tough work, but it’ll be extremely rewarding when you’re looking back on it.

You can still make these tasks fun, too. If you’re building homes for the needy, there’s a good chance some days will be rainy or cold, and morale might take a dip, but you could rally together to sing songs. Or you could have an emergency supply of hot chocolate with marshmallows.

But unlike a cushy office job, where you may not even understand how your work contributes anything of value, this difficult work comes with a strong sense of purpose that will make your days a lot easier to get through – no matter how bad the conditions might get.

You are not your job, and you don’t need as much money as you think. You can restart your life by dispensing with all the “stuff’ you don’t need and the relationships that are dragging you down. Living simply will help you open up to and relish a more meaningful life.

[mynameisdreartblog]

Structural Isomers 3

Libra: 2,2,4-Trimethylhexane. <The familiar bell to mark someone’s entrance into the library chimes again. Yellen, after rubbing her magnifier for a comically lung time, peers up to greet whoever’s there. However, a striking intuition splashes her mind, which results in an aftershock of total disgust that needs to be disguised for the sake of etiquette> Oh, hello… you. «Good morning, granny. So, what’s new here?» <Yellen thinks to herself:> Goddamn Inez again. And here I was thinking he’d never come back! «Still holding onto all these worthless texts? You of all people should know by now that there’s nothing valuable here… Actually, I don’t want to be that harsh, but still: Necessity calls!» These works still hold considerable weight to our modern world, young man. «Keep up with the times; we’re on the edge of it being ‘postmodern’ now, which means everything here will become even more antiquated.» <Yellen thinks to herself again> Ugh, he’s put on this completely fabricated hatred of literature to justify his intentions of buying up the property here. So shallow, but at least I’m getting closer to knowing who’s paying him. The transition into a new world makes preserving older knowledge all the more worth it in my eyes <Yellen grips her wrinkly flesh around her pens.> «Heh, you seem aggravated by my progressivism.» Yes, because you’re violating one of the rules <Yellen pulls out a pristine paper, in which the second rule states “no political discussion”> I’d hate to be rude, but I think you’re overthinking and making up a ‘political issue’ again, and that leads you to discussing it loudly on the premises. That isn’t tolerated, as the politics (like everything else contentious) remains in the books here. «Oh, but the politics are happening right outside as we speak!» <Arduous and nonsensical conversation can be heard mumbling through the front door. Promptly, Yellen claps her hands once and the door becomes reinforced with sound-proofing, intimidating Inez> But this space is a different world with different rules, dear Inez.

Cancer: 3,3,4-Trimethylhexane. Time for a flashback way back in medical school. You know what you remember the most fondly? <Springe takes a puff from his cigarette: An almost disparate drag. He holds on this moment for dramatic effect and resumes speaking> Learning how to treat patients. <The lounge around him stares silently, thinking how out of character this was for him, and they were waiting for the inevitable fake-out> I’m serious, guys. Normally, I’m not an empathetic person, which makes you wonder why I got into this, but those instructors really beat those flaws out of you. They take the flaw you had before and make it into an entirely different character flaw, actually. «You went from not caring to caring too much?» Precisely, Luna! Passion took its cold, meaty hands and frightened the criminal in me. «How do you know my-» In anatomical dissection, the words of “you’re special because you’re human” kept banging in my head. It made me realize the place I was in while slicing through the fetus’s flesh. [,] Oh, it’s in my head with a permanent residence. <Luna mumbles to herself> «He’s way too cheery today; he must be manic again.» “You have quite a lot of sympathy for that pig you just dissected, Springe. We have all of those bones to protect that which is most vulnerable inside of us: The gross and mushy stuff.” To which I responded with “shouldn’t you be describing this in a more professional manner?” But I was the fool there, <Springe takes another puff from his cigarette> and the teacher said “toss it in with the rest.” That’s when they threw everything into a biowaste basket and I automatically passed that assignment. Thank God it’s that wonderful education that stopped me from becoming a shrink! <A nurse interrupts Springe, stating he has a patient to see> …What’s their history of cleft palate surgery again? Let me see here… Oh poor thing, it’s her first time.

Virgo: Nonane. It's blah, like my personality. «What about this one?» No, you don't understand; I want something deliberately tacky that we can all wear through the parking garage. «Bluma, there’s nobody here to see us; why do you care how we look?» It’s about how we look to ourselves! «So, you want to wear something you dislike? …I don’t get you.» I’m an expression you can never solve, Jouka. «Ah… Science has enabled man to split the atom and explore the cosmos, so one day, we’ll be able to solve the mystery of you.» Maybe you can solve this mystery! <Bluma playfully lifts the ephemeral capes from her studded leather boots, stomping them to the ground in a way to assert spatial dominance and showcase their fragrance> «H-holy shit! Where have you been keeping these, girl?» They’re imports. <Jouka ogles her boots while thoughts of how their previous goth fits were never truly complete because they didn’t feature boots like these. A mix of envy and pride fills their heart.> «Imports: How much did you pay?» Well- <skateboards can be heard echoing from the top of the parking garage: They indicate sharp and swift movement alongside a disregard for the physics of the structure> We’ve got company. «Ah yes, those skateboarders must be a threat.» No time for sarcasm, Jouka. «…I’m in agreement with you.» <Crumpled cans fall from the top floor, landing with a light grace and a hollow pang> They’re already attacking <Bluma quickly pulls out a retractable baton hidden in the new boots, making an intimidating clang.> Oh shit, I didn’t think you took that as that big a threat. «You agreed, didn’t you?» To a degree, hon. <Brandishing her boots once more, Bluma readies her legs to begin rushing into the building> «What’s the holdup: Are you not confident enough?» You let your worldview get shaken by what the books say: How are you more confident than me? <The cans from before explode violently, leaving a hazy smoke cloud in their wake. What happened to the two?>

Sagittarius: 2,2,5-Trimethylhexane. <Rossouw wipes the sweat off her brow and tries to avoid the pain she’s receiving from both the sunlight-induced headache and the memories plaguing her thoughts> Two parallel assholes in my life: Unbelievable! After everything I’ve been through, I’m at the end of the road again. I keep going at it, thinking things will change this time in an epic twist of fate, but fate always wins! The songs I sing, the art I make: All things I do to spiritually reinforce a positive ending get flipped on me. The mystics tell me it’s to learn a lesson, but I think that’s what they say to soothe the suffering. <Rossouw keeps monologuing to herself in a self-repeating way, constantly wondering what went wrong. This continues until she’s at the brink of realizing something life-changing, only for it to be interrupted by someone asking for directions> «Hey, do you know where these roads diverge?» <Rossouw communicates almost automatically> Yeah, they diverge about four miles down from this station. <Afterwards, she is utterly dazed at the fact that talking with this white man in a jeep completely erased her newfound knowledge. A great insecurity overtakes her, feeling like the opportunity has already left her, she tries to compensate immediately for the otherwise profound grief this would bring her> Hey, do you want to hear a story? «I got five more days here, so go ahead.» During my time where I was stationed in Uganda, I met a petite woman: She looked like someone suffering immense grief, like a massive opportunity was taken from her. I approached her and asked what was wrong, and she replied “my daughter’s gone: They took my daughter away from me!” I was immediately worried and replied “was it the terrorists?” And she replied “no, it was the American couple who came and took my baby!” Turns out, their child was stolen from them because of international adoption policies. That's fucked up, huh? «Uh, yeah. You know, I was expecting a more… wholesome story?» Right, right. I’m so sorry, holy shit. «Thanks, goodbye.»

[fashiononthefritz-blog1]

Health Benefit of Dry Fruits

The earliest recorded mention of Dry end result are found in Mesopotamian drugs courting to be round 1700 B.C., which has a number of the registered oldest regarded well-known written recipes. It is also believed that the early Phoenicians and Egyptians were responsible for expanding the recognition of dry fruits in the course of the globe,especially they penetrated in western markets,through promoting dry fruits. Because of their lengthy-time period storability and simplicity of shipping, dry culmination travelled with Christopher Columbus, Robert E. Peary’s conquest of the North Pole in 1908, and observed astronaut Scott wood worker in outer space in 1962.

You Can Buy Dry Fruits From Taste of afghan

Traditionally dry fruits had been dried both with the aid of solar-dried technique or by using dehydration the use of wind tunnels. Dry fruits have a protracted history of meals safety. Dry culmination are truly dried form of sparkling end result or Dry fruits can be surely explained as clean end result with water eliminated or dehydrated to retain the pulp of the fruit. Dehydration of fresh culmination in the end, reasons a number of the critical nutrients to end up greater concentrated,and additionally adjustments standard appearance of culmination.Dry fruits also offer stamina earlier than exercising, thereby are regularly recommended by using health professionals, that earlier than hitting the gymnasium,he/she need to munch on a handful of nuts and almonds, because the nuts help in increasing metabolic charges.

If one is on a eating regimen, Dry culmination may be opted as a remarkable source of power and fibre,however must be eaten moderately as they include significantly greater energy according to serving than sparkling end result offer. Dry end result with out components provide various health blessings. Antioxidants in dry cranberries, grapes/raisins, and plums are twice as mighty and full of minerals in comparison to fresh culmination. However one must look ahead to added sweeteners (sugar, corn syrup), cherries, plums and cranberries, are available within the marketplace with delivered sugar.

Additionally, on the factor listing: handiest the fruit should be listed and packages labelled as no sulphites(a sort of preservative that keeps color). The cracking thing approximately Dry fruits are that, they don’t incorporate fats, ldl cholesterol, or sodium. Dry end result are perfect for long journeys and particularly for college kids as they need strength to revitalize them any movement. Calorie content, receives concentrated into a smaller mass as moisture is dehydrated.Diet C and diet a reasonably properly retained. Thiamine, riboflavin also are absolutely retained. Observe: For nice retention of vitamins and to gain complete benefit dry fruits it's far encouraged to keep Dry culmination in a cool, dark, dry place in a seal percent container and use within a yr. Read on more, approximately the severa health blessings, Dry culmination offer. 10. Dry culmination are your anticancer militant Most cancers An Apple a day continues the doctor away, all of us are apprised of this pronouncing, however An dried apple and apricots an afternoon continues cancer away. Apples and apricots include phytonutrients (evidently taking place element of flora that offer nutrients) that act as antioxidants and also are an amazing supply of fibre, ridding the frame of cancer agents. Additionally they comprise diet A, C and Iron. Nine. Want stunning, healthy pores and skin? Pores and skin Our pores and skin is the most crucial part of our immune gadget, and all we want is it ought to appearance glossy, clean and moisturised all of the time. So, the king of culmination is right here that will help you Mango is a beautiful fruit to enrich the growth of hair, and is a superb supply of carbohydrates but dry Mango is rich in an expansion of phytonutrients, nutrients A, C and E, as well as omega 3 and six fatty acids, that are necessary for healthful skin and the immune health. It enhances pores and skin lifestyles as well. Raisins hold our skin healthful as they include Resveratrol, an antioxidant that slows down pores and skin growing older. Walnuts, nourish dry skin and improve its texture, if used within the form of oil, walnut oil consists of linoleic acid, which enables in stopping wrinkles and first-class traces. Almonds are powerful in treating zits. This dry fruit is used in face packs as well. Cashew nuts when eaten in limits help in improving health of skin. Cashew nut oil, is used in a number of cosmetics. It facilitates to lessen tan and forestalls skin damage, and additionally helps guard and get better cracked heels, thereby nourishing them. Cashew nuts are wealthy in vitamin E and consist anti-getting older properties, which is fruitful for pores aruind skin. You Can Also Buy Dry Fruits Online 8. Potassium is vital. Pix While fresh apricots and plums are wealthy in potassium, dry apricots and prunes comprise even higher amounts of potassium. Sodium+Potassium modify the balance of intracellular and extracellular water degrees. Potassium is also essential for preserving wholesome blood stress and the inadequate consumption or if the body fails to get the required quantity of potassium it leads to an elevated hazard of hypertension. 7. Looking for more fibre to turn Superman or Spiderman? Fiber Fibre aids digestion, allows prevent constipation, and Dry end result like cherry and Fig are a rich source of fibre and must be included in the every day eating regimen. Cherries are also referred to as the “antioxidant first-rate fruit”, they have got higher degrees of antioxidants, similarly to vital nutrients like beta-carotene, folic acid and fibre.Fig are enormously wealthy in iron, folic acid and potassium. 6. Iron content material can be expanded on your frame. Dried-fruit-basket-g-12- Dry prunes and apricots are a massive source of iron. A handful of prunes and apricot help in stopping anaemia, as they're an excellent supply of Iron.Raisins are also a wealthy source of potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and iron and that they promote blood circulate. They're frequently encouraged by means of doctors for anaemia patients. Five. Remove the ones stressful fat and energy Dry end result incorporate no fat in any respect. Photos (2) Additionally they include vast energy in step with serving. If one is on weight loss regime, he/she can also need to restriction intake of calorie content ingredients. But dry fruit may be a delectable treat as nicely assist in lowering weight as a handful of Dry culmination, curd/milk and cornflakes make for a wholesome food plan and due to the high fibre content material they preserve you complete at some point of the day. 4. Deal with your frame, and help your organs, provide your heart the pulse. Healthful frame heart Nuts are taken into consideration one of the excellent plant sources of protein. They're rich in fibre, phytonutrients and antioxidants including vitamin E .Nuts are also excessive in plant sterols and fats – but in the main mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (omega three – the good fat) which facilitates in curtailing ldl cholesterol degree. Many humans deliver the myths that nuts help in growing weight, but if taken in restricted portions nuts prove to be extraordinary assets of protein, minerals, and other vitamins, and are suitable for the healthy heart.Consuming nuts decrease the threat of heart sickness. Cashew consists of healthy mono unsaturated fat that enables in promoting proper cardiovascular fitness, because the mono unsaturated fats reduce high triglyceride degrees which can be related to accelerated chance for coronary heart sickness. Nuts also are rich of anti-oxidants. 3. Migraine can be treated too, just you have to consume Cashews. Snap shots Sure you examine this right in case you need to take away migraine or need comfort from it eating Cashews can help you in decreasing the level of ache. The Cashew nut’s excessive magnesium content which also in opposition to high blood strain, muscle spasms, migraine complications, tension, discomfort and fatigue. Magnesium also works with calcium to help healthy muscle groups and bones inside the human frame. It also facilitates sell regular sleep patterns in menopausal ladies. Cashews also are considered a rich supply of dietary fibre and facilitates hold healthful gums and enamel. Cashews are wealthy in antioxidants that assist in the removal of unfastened radicals which could cause some cancer. Cashew nut intake facilitates the body make use of iron, take away unfastened radicals, increase bone and connective tissue, and produce the pores and skin and hair pigment melanin. 2. Tip for thick hair and outstanding mind. Hair thick Almonds encompass important fatty acids, fibres and proteins. Observe the aggregate to your face to put off dead cells and dust. For hair, almond oil to assist to add lustre and shine to dull hair. Almonds improve haemoglobin and help in promoting blood move. In addition they lessen cholesterol and assist in stopping of lung and breast cancer. Raisins are another out of the ordinary a part of Dry end result circle of relatives, they assist in protecting tooth as they save you tooth decay and hold cavities at a distance. They contend with our eyes in addition to they're also an awesome source of vitamin A and guard our eyes from imaginative and prescient troubles. Walnuts are one of the healthiest and engaging nuts in nut own family which are full of true fats and nutrients. Omega 3 fatty acids, which can be observed in abundance in walnuts are known as brain meals. Around 60% of our brain structure contains of Omega 3 fatty acids that are located in walnuts and almonds. Walnuts are also right in selling cardiovascular fitness. 1. P.C. Your body with wished vitamins and minerals. Vitamin minerals Copper, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and B6 are an important part of the authorities that regulations our frame and Pistachios are taken into consideration to be the source of this authorities, which means Pistachios are rich in copper, phosphorous, magnesium and B6 all action packed in one nut. The nuts supply 30 nutrients, minerals, and phytonutrients. Pistachios also comprise better amounts of fibre and exceptional source of vegetable protein additionally. Oxidative stresses are extraordinarily dangerous for people and this pressure purpose damage to the human body, resulting in illnesses such as most cancers and coronary heart disorder. Dietary antioxidants help to reduce this harm. Pistachios incorporate phenolic compounds, which is considered for the antioxidant functionality of sure meals. Dry fruits are extraordinary source,to hit your flavor buds and also are extraordinarily beneficial to health.Because of their distinctive way of preparation they are steeply-priced,but preserving that aside dry fruit should form imperative part of our food plan as raw ,cooked and milk foods aren't sufficient to take care of our health. We need some catalysts to process power constructing in our body faster.

[littlelettuceprincess]

Health Benefit of Dry Fruits

The earliest recorded mention of Dry end result are found in Mesopotamian drugs courting to be round 1700 B.C., which has a number of the registered oldest regarded well-known written recipes. It is also believed that the early Phoenicians and Egyptians were responsible for expanding the recognition of dry fruits in the course of the globe,especially they penetrated in western markets,through promoting dry fruits. Because of their lengthy-time period storability and simplicity of shipping, dry culmination travelled with Christopher Columbus, Robert E. Peary’s conquest of the North Pole in 1908, and observed astronaut Scott wood worker in outer space in 1962.

You Can Buy High Quality Dry Fruits From Taste of Afghan

Traditionally dry fruits had been dried both with the aid of solar-dried technique or by using dehydration the use of wind tunnels. Dry fruits have a protracted history of meals safety. Dry culmination are truly dried form of sparkling end result or Dry fruits can be surely explained as clean end result with water eliminated or dehydrated to retain the pulp of the fruit. Dehydration of fresh culmination in the end, reasons a number of the critical nutrients to end up greater concentrated,and additionally adjustments standard appearance of culmination.Dry fruits also offer stamina earlier than exercising, thereby are regularly recommended by using health professionals, that earlier than hitting the gymnasium,he/she need to munch on a handful of nuts and almonds, because the nuts help in increasing metabolic charges.

If one is on a eating regimen, Dry culmination may be opted as a remarkable source of power and fibre,however must be eaten moderately as they include significantly greater energy according to serving than sparkling end result offer. Dry end result with out components provide various health blessings. Antioxidants in dry cranberries, grapes/raisins, and plums are twice as mighty and full of minerals in comparison to fresh culmination. However one must look ahead to added sweeteners (sugar, corn syrup), cherries, plums and cranberries, are available within the marketplace with delivered sugar.

Additionally, on the factor listing: handiest the fruit should be listed and packages labelled as no sulphites(a sort of preservative that keeps color). The cracking thing approximately Dry fruits are that, they don’t incorporate fats, ldl cholesterol, or sodium. Dry end result are perfect for long journeys and particularly for college kids as they need strength to revitalize them any movement. Calorie content, receives concentrated into a smaller mass as moisture is dehydrated.Diet C and diet a reasonably properly retained. Thiamine, riboflavin also are absolutely retained. Observe: For nice retention of vitamins and to gain complete benefit dry fruits it's far encouraged to keep Dry culmination in a cool, dark, dry place in a seal percent container and use within a yr. Read on more, approximately the severa health blessings, Dry culmination offer. 10. Dry culmination are your anticancer militant Most cancers An Apple a day continues the doctor away, all of us are apprised of this pronouncing, however An dried apple and apricots an afternoon continues cancer away. Apples and apricots include phytonutrients (evidently taking place element of flora that offer nutrients) that act as antioxidants and also are an amazing supply of fibre, ridding the frame of cancer agents. Additionally they comprise diet A, C and Iron. Nine. Want stunning, healthy pores and skin? Pores and skin Our pores and skin is the most crucial part of our immune gadget, and all we want is it ought to appearance glossy, clean and moisturised all of the time. So, the king of culmination is right here that will help you Mango is a beautiful fruit to enrich the growth of hair, and is a superb supply of carbohydrates but dry Mango is rich in an expansion of phytonutrients, nutrients A, C and E, as well as omega 3 and six fatty acids, that are necessary for healthful skin and the immune health. It enhances pores and skin lifestyles as well. Raisins hold our skin healthful as they include Resveratrol, an antioxidant that slows down pores and skin growing older. Walnuts, nourish dry skin and improve its texture, if used within the form of oil, walnut oil consists of linoleic acid, which enables in stopping wrinkles and first-class traces. Almonds are powerful in treating zits. This dry fruit is used in face packs as well. Cashew nuts when eaten in limits help in improving health of skin. Cashew nut oil, is used in a number of cosmetics. It facilitates to lessen tan and forestalls skin damage, and additionally helps guard and get better cracked heels, thereby nourishing them. Cashew nuts are wealthy in vitamin E and consist anti-getting older properties, which is fruitful for pores aruind skin. You Can Also Buy Dry Fruits Online 8. Potassium is vital. Pix While fresh apricots and plums are wealthy in potassium, dry apricots and prunes comprise even higher amounts of potassium. Sodium+Potassium modify the balance of intracellular and extracellular water degrees. Potassium is also essential for preserving wholesome blood stress and the inadequate consumption or if the body fails to get the required quantity of potassium it leads to an elevated hazard of hypertension. 7. Looking for more fibre to turn Superman or Spiderman? Fiber Fibre aids digestion, allows prevent constipation, and Dry end result like cherry and Fig are a rich source of fibre and must be included in the every day eating regimen. Cherries are also referred to as the “antioxidant first-rate fruit”, they have got higher degrees of antioxidants, similarly to vital nutrients like beta-carotene, folic acid and fibre.Fig are enormously wealthy in iron, folic acid and potassium. 6. Iron content material can be expanded on your frame. Dried-fruit-basket-g-12- Dry prunes and apricots are a massive source of iron. A handful of prunes and apricot help in stopping anaemia, as they're an excellent supply of Iron.Raisins are also a wealthy source of potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and iron and that they promote blood circulate. They're frequently encouraged by means of doctors for anaemia patients. Five. Remove the ones stressful fat and energy Dry end result incorporate no fat in any respect. Photos (2) Additionally they include vast energy in step with serving. If one is on weight loss regime, he/she can also need to restriction intake of calorie content ingredients. But dry fruit may be a delectable treat as nicely assist in lowering weight as a handful of Dry culmination, curd/milk and cornflakes make for a wholesome food plan and due to the high fibre content material they preserve you complete at some point of the day. 4. Deal with your frame, and help your organs, provide your heart the pulse. Healthful frame heart Nuts are taken into consideration one of the excellent plant sources of protein. They're rich in fibre, phytonutrients and antioxidants including vitamin E .Nuts are also excessive in plant sterols and fats – but in the main mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (omega three – the good fat) which facilitates in curtailing ldl cholesterol degree. Many humans deliver the myths that nuts help in growing weight, but if taken in restricted portions nuts prove to be extraordinary assets of protein, minerals, and other vitamins, and are suitable for the healthy heart.Consuming nuts decrease the threat of heart sickness. Cashew consists of healthy mono unsaturated fat that enables in promoting proper cardiovascular fitness, because the mono unsaturated fats reduce high triglyceride degrees which can be related to accelerated chance for coronary heart sickness. Nuts also are rich of anti-oxidants. 3. Migraine can be treated too, just you have to consume Cashews. Snap shots Sure you examine this right in case you need to take away migraine or need comfort from it eating Cashews can help you in decreasing the level of ache. The Cashew nut’s excessive magnesium content which also in opposition to high blood strain, muscle spasms, migraine complications, tension, discomfort and fatigue. Magnesium also works with calcium to help healthy muscle groups and bones inside the human frame. It also facilitates sell regular sleep patterns in menopausal ladies. Cashews also are considered a rich supply of dietary fibre and facilitates hold healthful gums and enamel. Cashews are wealthy in antioxidants that assist in the removal of unfastened radicals which could cause some cancer. Cashew nut intake facilitates the body make use of iron, take away unfastened radicals, increase bone and connective tissue, and produce the pores and skin and hair pigment melanin. 2. Tip for thick hair and outstanding mind. Hair thick Almonds encompass important fatty acids, fibres and proteins. Observe the aggregate to your face to put off dead cells and dust. For hair, almond oil to assist to add lustre and shine to dull hair. Almonds improve haemoglobin and help in promoting blood move. In addition they lessen cholesterol and assist in stopping of lung and breast cancer. Raisins are another out of the ordinary a part of Dry end result circle of relatives, they assist in protecting tooth as they save you tooth decay and hold cavities at a distance. They contend with our eyes in addition to they're also an awesome source of vitamin A and guard our eyes from imaginative and prescient troubles. Walnuts are one of the healthiest and engaging nuts in nut own family which are full of true fats and nutrients. Omega 3 fatty acids, which can be observed in abundance in walnuts are known as brain meals. Around 60% of our brain structure contains of Omega 3 fatty acids that are located in walnuts and almonds. Walnuts are also right in selling cardiovascular fitness. 1. P.C. Your body with wished vitamins and minerals. Vitamin minerals Copper, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and B6 are an important part of the authorities that regulations our frame and Pistachios are taken into consideration to be the source of this authorities, which means Pistachios are rich in copper, phosphorous, magnesium and B6 all action packed in one nut. The nuts supply 30 nutrients, minerals, and phytonutrients. Pistachios also comprise better amounts of fibre and exceptional source of vegetable protein additionally. Oxidative stresses are extraordinarily dangerous for people and this pressure purpose damage to the human body, resulting in illnesses such as most cancers and coronary heart disorder. Dietary antioxidants help to reduce this harm. Pistachios incorporate phenolic compounds, which is considered for the antioxidant functionality of sure meals. Dry fruits are extraordinary source,to hit your flavor buds and also are extraordinarily beneficial to health.Because of their distinctive way of preparation they are steeply-priced,but preserving that aside dry fruit should form imperative part of our food plan as raw ,cooked and milk foods aren't sufficient to take care of our health. We need some catalysts to process power constructing in our body faster.

[ecovoyage]

Newspaper in a plant-based café in Russia

*(photo creds to my sister, who is also a world traveler)*

The second page is about the top 10 non-ethical products & the third page describes how to have a “green” pregnancy.

An earlier post on the blog linked to an article explained how raising children is terrible for the environment, but the post failed to elaborate on the 9 month phase before the baby is born.

Although I can’t read any Russian, I’ve done my own research to learn about this topic. I’ll expand on the pregnancy itself, and for all the optimistic people out there (can’t relate) I’ll explain how to make the world a cleaner and better place to raise a child (disclaimer: I do not think having children is the most responsible or ethical thing to do at this point in our environmental history).

Green Pregnancy: an oxymoron?

Part 1: Diet

The American Dietetic Association, as well as the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics — the world’s largest organization of nutritional professionals — has deemed plant-based diets as “appropriate, nutritionally adequate, and beneficial for all stages of life, including pregnancy, lactation [lactose from the human mother, not stolen from other animals], infancy, childhood, adolescence, older adulthood, and athletes...and can prevent and treat various diseases”. The groups even announced in 2016 how the plant-based diet is “more environmentally sustainable than a diet rich in animal products”, which is a huge deal coming from an organization specializing not in environmental issues but in nutrition. A vegan lifestyle with its plant-based diet is ultimately the best diet to consume while pregnant.

During pregnancy, along with B12 (which ALL people should supplement with as our modern dirt is no longer rich in this nutrient), it may be beneficial to supplement with folate. If you wish not to supplement, make sure to include lots of leafy dark greens in your diet. Try a green monster smoothie!

You may also wish to take a vegan-friendly prenatal. Thankfully, there are many brands that advertise with the vegan label, signifying no animal testing & no animal ingredients.

The World Health Association points out that 90% of dioxin exposure comes from the meat, dairy, and egg supply. Thankfully, a plant-based diet will help ensure this toxin (which is associated with hormonal damage, development damage, and reproductive damage) is nowhere near you or your growing baby.

Part 2: Harmful Ingredients/Chemicals

Some ingredients and chemicals should be avoided at all costs, whether or not they are truly “toxins”. Many chemicals humans are exposed to everyday can cross with the placenta and harm the developing baby.

LEAD: impair child’s brain development

ARSENIC: linked to poor brain development (can be found in some tap water, and some foods such as rice and products containing rice like flours or syrups)

PESTICIDES, INSECTICIDE, INSECT REPELLANTS: tied to neurological problems and birth defects to babies exposed in utero (avoid sprays, try to eat organic or take to a local farmer to learn whether they use pesticides) REMEMBER PEOPLE, INSECTS ARE CRITICAL TO OUR ECOSYSTEM & WE NEED THEM TO THRIVE AS HUMANS SO PLEASE STOP KILLING THEM THANKS

PHTHALATES: endocrine disruptors; can cause miscarriages and sterility in developing fetuses (found in personal care items, cosmetics, toys and nail polish, and more)

TRICLOSAN: linked to low birth weight and poor APGAR scores (a newborn health scale) — an ingredient in antibacterial soaps

many ingredients in skin care products can cause an increased risk of intracranial bleeding in the baby and birth defects: Salicylic acid, retinol, tetracyclines (this last one can cause tooth decoloring of the baby)

PAINTS: may contain lead; oil-based paints may negatively impact air quality

ORGANIC SOLVENTS: may be present in cleaning products, cosmetics, aerosol sprays, disinfectants, paint strippers and thinners, varnish and many other household products

MERCURY: toxic material does not break down in the environment (found in water & fish)

ASBESTOS: can be found in the home in old vinyl floor and ceiling tiles, old shingles and insulation, siding, stove, furnace and pipe insulation

This is by no means a complete list. Do your own research if you are concerned about a particular ingredient found in your food or home/clothing/etc. products!

Part 3: Clothing

Throughout the pregnancy, it is advisable to source ethical maternity wear. I know how is sounds: $$$$! While some brands may be expensive, there are several ways to acquire this clothing without breaking the bank or ruining the Earth.

1. the most ethical option is using clothes you already own! oversized clothing, stretchy pants, open-fronted sweaters and cardigans, and empire line dresses...those are just a few! sharing is caring- seek out female friends and family to see if they have any maternity clothing they are willing to give up.

2. Shop second-hand. If you have the luxury of living near great thrift stores (Paris, LA, Portland, and SF are all fantastic for this!) definitely go and try stuff on. If not, you can find great clothes on Depop, Ebay, Poshmark, and other second-hand online stores/apps. Frequent sales and promos will help you stay sane and know you aren’t going broke (a future post will contain a rant about people having children intentionally even if they know they can’t afford to care for the child)

3. If you have the cash, seek out brands that use recycled materials to create their clothing line. Frugi is an environmentally sustainable maternity-wear clothing store that steers clear of sweatshops, child labor, and poisonous pesticides, instead using recycled bamboo and other earth-friendly materials to craft its clothing.

Part 4: Plastic

Probably my most hated man-made material needs its own section.

Your tubber ware containers, plastic water bottles, shopping bags, etc. may seem conveniant, but they are terrible for the environment AND the baby.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical found in many hard plastics and items such as food packaging. Numerous studies have discovered how BPA can harm reproductive and brain development in fetuses, infants and children. BPA was banned in 2012 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in baby bottles and children’s cups, but it does nothing to address the health concerns that BPA poses to pregnant woman, which include miscarriage, premature birth and still birth. According to an article in the New Scientist, even BPA-free plastic might not be as safe as you think. In tests conducted at Peking University, Beijing, the BPA substitute BHPF was found to cause fertility problems. Luckily, there are eco-friendly alternatives to plastic for storing your food and drinks. Glass bottles and containers may cost more than plastic and are heavier to transport if you’re out and about, but they’re ideal for the kitchen because they tend to hold up better in the microwave, don’t take on the characteristics of the food they hold and some of them can even go in the oven. For lightweight on-the-go solutions, choose silicone food storage bags and sealable paper bags.

Part 5: Living Green

You use a multitude of products everyday without even realizing it, whether you are cleaning the house, cleaning your body, applying makeup, etc.

An easy way to start living green while pregnant is to switch your shampoo. Many natural health experts recommend avoiding shampoos with the foaming agents sodium laureth, sulphate and ammonium laureth sulphate. These ingredients cause shampoo to lather, but they all test positive for 1,4-Dioxane, a proven cancer-causing petrochemical. The Body Shop is a great high street alternative, offering a variety of shampoos and other beauty products that are free not only from sulphates but also parabens. While parabens contain preservatives that prevent the growth of mould and bacteria, think before you massage them into your scalp. According to a study undertaken by Inserm, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, phenols such as parabens may disrupt the growth of baby boys both in the womb and during the first few years of life.

Many products (such as shampoos, lotions, soaps and deodorants) are known to contain potentially harmful petrochemicals known as phthalates, which are linked to permanent birth defects of the male reproductive system.

Nail polish may contain harmful solvents.

It’s important to remember that just because something is labelled ‘natural’, it doesn’t necessarily meant that it only contains ingredients made by mother nature. A bottle marked ‘organic’ must contain 95% organic ingredients, but those marked ‘natural’ or ‘made with organic ingredients’ may still contain the bad stuff. This is down to the frustrating fact that the beauty industry is yet to be properly regulated. No matter how appealing that body lotion smells, always ready the label carefully before massaging it into your bump. Also, avoid products that claim to be “cruelty-free” but are not remotely vegan-friendly.

Put off remodeling or building if you can, but if you do remodel, choose the least-toxic materials you can find, such as low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint.

Avoid renovations that require scraping, sanding or refinishing older walls or furniture. “One of the main sources of lead exposure in the U.S. today is lead paint in older houses (pre-1978),” says Ulrike Luderer, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of occupational and environmental medicine at the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at University of California Irvine. “This is important because of the hand-to-mouth behavior of very young children.”

Lead levels accumulate in the body over time, and breathing in microscopic lead dust particles from windows and doors once coated with lead-based paint can cause irreversible neurological damage. Touching or mouthing objects coated with this dust is another common source of lead ingestion.

Part 6: Sleep care

Whether you are trying to sleep as a pregnant women or you are caring for your new environmentally-unsustainable offspring, you and this creature want comfort. Don’t keep yourself up at all worrying about toxins in your linens.

To avoid harmful substances in the linens, try to go organic. According to Deirdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu, co-authors of The Complete Organic Pregnancy, “sheets shouldn’t be permanent-press or made with nylon or synthetic materials.” The manufacture of conventional cotton sheets requires large amounts of formaldehyde, bleaches, dyes, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Be low-impact!

Buy laundry linens with nontoxic laundry products. “Many families use separate laundry soap for their newborn’s clothing, but you can use baby-safe laundry soap for the rest of your family���s laundry as well,” says Kimberly Rider, author of Organic Baby. If you buy only one thing for the nursery, make it an organic mattress pad or cover.

Replace worn-out linens with organic-cotton varieties, which are now widely available and more affordable than ever. Cotton grown in the U.S. uses 25 percent of the insecticides in the world, so going organic will lighten the toxic load on your pillow and the planet.

Part 7: Cultivating the Garden

Growing a garden is one of the best pleasures in life. Whether it is outside or on the windowsill, breathing in chemical pesticides and chemicals is harmful to your and the baby. Natural fertilizers and nontoxic solutions are fortunely easy to find and use, and have become cheaper and cheaper over the years as demand rises.

The brand TerraCycle creates plant food and fertilizer using worm excrement packaged in recycled soda bottles.

Part 8: Go Green on Google?

Many people, myself included, love upgrading to the newest technology. Before purchasing electronics, however, make sure they have the Energy Star label, meaning they are energy-efficient.

Need to get rid of old electronics that are still somewhat functioning? Try a second-hand program, such as Ebay’s Rethink Program which acquires these materials to be repaired and sold. Even completely “useless” electronics that cannot even turn on can be recycled. R esources such as Earth 911) provide community recycling, donation and disposal options. Many college campuses have “e-waste” programs in which students and faculty can give up electronics to be sent to local facilities to use for the hardware or research purposes. Or, help the e-waste movement by passing old electronics on to friends and family. The camera may suck, but your cousin George just wants to check who wins the football game.

Part 9: Consider not having children

Save your money, time, and the planet! It’s a win-win-win!

CONCLUSION, TIPS, & MORE!

Bringing a baby into the world adds a considerable amount to one’s carbon footprint. If you are dead-set on raising a child into the world, despite the many environmental and ethical reasons not to (post coming soon elaborating on further issues), this is an opportunity to raise and educate your child to understand the environmental issues existing on our planet and what he or she or they can do to prevent or help the cause. Infants, toddlers, and children learn from their elders and are quick to pick up on habits and behaviors. Remember: once you bring a baby into this world, you are a parent but also a role model.

Meanwhile, how can you make the world a better place while you are pregnant? If you want your child to live a long and healthy life in a healthy environment on a healthy planet, then you must certainly realize your daily actions impact this environment. Don’t contribute to the environmental problems if you care about you child. Go green!

Some fun facts/tips

When selecting a midwife or ob/gyn, ask about environmental toxin and chemical exposures. Consider their response in your decision!

avoid foods in cans (legumes, beans, vegetables, soups, etc.) & opt for bagged beans/dry beans, fresh or frozen produce, etc.

[archagentnexus]

Archagent Scenes: Johann and Jakob Talk

(Scene Context + Synopsis: Johann and Jakob are at the top floor of the Archagent HQ tower in the hallway just before the doors to the High Chancellor's throne room. The two are arguing about the future of the Covenant in what direction it needs to go for the good of mankind. In this last half of their exchange, Jakob is appalled by Johann’s suggestion that they dissolve the House of Lords, a parliamentary congregation of wealthy/talented mages that are “elected” to represent their particular country or district of the country.)

[AN: There are a lot of references to the Archagent lore in this. So much so that I can’t really put up a reference page at the moment, but if you’re ever curious about more on the details of the context, just IM me or shoot me an ask!]

"Johann, y-you can't be serious! How could you say that after all we've done to stop the civil war? To put an end to the madness caused by Richtofen and his Eve of Adam?" cried out Jakob in disbelief. 

Johann held a strong posture with his hands folded meticulously behind his back as he was facing the window away from Jakob. "Do not presume to know me, child. I am aware that the Archagents who collaborated with the Eve, regardless of their intentions and personal beliefs, were dangerous fanatics and traitors to our cause. We are in agreeance on this... however..." His stoic expression becomes grim, almost angry when recollecting his thoughts on Eve’s attempted coup. "While I condemn their actions wholeheartedly and shun their New Human supremacy nonsense, the one thing I cannot ignore is their anger... and where it stems from." He turns his head over his shoulder just slightly to address Jakob more directly. "You of all people should have seen and heard what was going on in that battlefield... For on both sides, the Archagents did not just mourn the loss of their comrades, the people who they once called friends and family, but they screamed out in utter confusion... as to why protecting the House of Lords was considered loyal while the Eve's attempts at purging the corrupt Magistrate system was considered treason." 

Jakob bit his lower lip. He knew well enough what Johann was talking about. He was there. He knew where that pain stemmed from, that anger... and yet... "We don't get to decide that, Johann. You know the face of the New Eden Covenant depends on our ability to preserve our own ideals on democracy! We need that balance. We need to be able to divide that power amongst ourselves even if we disagree. How could the rest of the world view the Archagents as 'liberators' if we suddenly decide to become usurpers and act like our own brand of Gods? It's not right, nor is it just-"

“Just?!" roared out Johann as he turn around, picked up Jakob by the collar of his blouse several feet into the air and pinned the frail brunette against a marble pillar with his massive forearm. "Since when has turning a blind eye to the Magistrate's whole history of corruption ever been just?! Our whole civil war was made possible because of their petty factionalist politics, their greed, their exploitation of OUR ideals!" 

After a few seconds of taking deep breaths from the outburst, Johann released Jakob who collapsed on the floor wheezing as he struggled to get up and compose himself upright. "I... I understand why you're angry," said Jakob quietly. "I've read the archives... about the deal that was struck to stop the investigation on the German magistrates for any collaborators of the Hand of Faust in exchange for-" 

"You're too young to understand, child," interrupted Johann. "You haven't lived long enough to have seen that history yourself. You may have your books and your data, but you never had to sit there and watch the very people, the perpetrators to the destruction of your homeland, become part of the most powerful government in Western Europe and then watch them receive praise and gifts as if they were also heroes of humanity... You never had to hold your tongue and had to listen to the mass graves that cry out for justice when you knew you could deliver but chose not to... because you were told that this was for the greater good..." Johann's voice trailed off as he turned away and started pacing to cool himself off.

Jakob frowned deeply as he walked slowly and hesitantly over to the other. "I get it, Johann... I know what that's like. Believe me, I do. I-I know you've always looked down on me... for having been the Optic's branch leader because of the circumstances around Richtofen and the Third Generation... Not once did I ever believe that I deserved to take that position nor did I ever desire it myself, especially not after know who my predecessor was... but even still... the Third Generation was my fault. It was based on my serum, the one I thought Richtofen was going to implement safely with adults who willingly consented--- but ignorance is never an excuse for the lives lost. I know this... and I have to live with that every day, trying to make amends by helping the ones who did survive while ensuring that we never go down this route again... And for a long time, I felt that the burden of guilt was all on me, but I realize that... it's not just about me, but it's about how the Covenant had participated in letting it go this far... That's why for me, it's important that we always do the right thing, so we never have to go down that path again." 

Johann remained silent for a moment then he speaks without moving a muscle. "If you truly believe that, then you know that the right thing to do is to abolish the House of Lords and have the Magistrates subordinate to the Archagent's authority." 

"No! That isn't the right thing to do.... E-Even if we destroy what's corrupt, whatever we do to replace that system, to restructure our society, no matter what, it would be on a foundation of fear!"

"Humanity has always acted in the interest of embracing as well as combating their fears, Bishop. The fear of death, the fear of loss, the fear of being isolated and forgotten... these things drive every human instinct and rationale. It is not an unnatural thing that we should be honest about that. When the Magistrates fall in line, they will do so because being alive and having some semblance of their former power will be in their self-interest... Meanwhile the public will, for the most part, have no qualms about this either. They would be joyous at the fall of a decaying bureacracy set up by the elite Magistrates and would either cling to our promises of security, which we would always uphold justly, or they will quietly dissent amongst themselves, but they know either way, they wouldn't change a thing because we'll still provide for them everything else they need." 

"But you would take away the one thing that the Archagents had promised them from the very beginning, Johann," said Jakob sternly. "You would take away their hope."

"Hope!" scoffed Johann as he turned to face Jakob with distainful eyes. "And what use has hope to do with us now? They should be grateful that they still have hope to see tomorrow in which they are not yet forced under the heels of Angels or Demons! You are a man of science and rational thinking yet you fancied such pitiful thoughts as creating a system of governance soley based on hope?"

"And what is wrong with wanting to preserve hope?" demanded Jakob. "Is it not every man and woman's right to want something better for themselves and the people they love? Is it not our nature to desire the future in which we could be truly free from fear and not bound by it? I do not need to remind you... that the very core of our Psionics, our power, is predicated on the concept of our Willpower... and mind you, I would be damned if such a thing were never influenced by clinging to our hopes and our dreams." 

"Hmph. You speak appropriately for your youth. So silver tongued, yet damnably naive..." 

"And you talk as if you've never had hope once in your entire life!... But we both know that's a lie..." Jakob's expression softens now. "Somewhere in you, you must have believed in that too... at some point in your life, right?"

The muscles under Johann's visibly twinged with a mix of incomprehensible emotion before he snarled at the other. "Don't play therapist with me, child. That pitiful game only works on the broken and the lost, and I am neither of these things... And whatever hope I once felt before has long since past. You surely must have done your homework and read into my tragic history and how I lost my family all those decades ago, but I've since moved past that-" 

"I wasn't referring to that, Johann... I was talking about Sindro... your former apprentice."

Johann froze and for the first time in what seemed like decades, his expression lost color as it displayed shock.

"He and I were close friends you know, so... it shouldn't really come off as surprising in that he has talked plenty about his experiences with you when you mentored both him, Palladino, and Ulysses... He spoke highly of you, you know... and not in the obvious sense of how powerful or awe-inspiring you were as a leader, but how you were... 'coming around' near the end of the apprenticeship... He was proud to have been your apprentice, did you know that? He thought of you as his fath-" 

"Enough," snapped Johann though the anger in his voice trailed wistfully. 

Normally Jakob would have stopped to let the other recover and absorb all this, but the outcome of this conversation was too important to allow Johann's stubborness to reemerge. "Just answer me this. Did you not have high hopes for him at the time? When you got to shape him into the man that we knew and honored?"

"...So what if I did?" growled Johann. "Even then, where has that sentimentality led us? Led him? Six feet under, that's where! He didn't just carry my hopes, Bishop. He carried EVERYONE'S hopes! The day he died was the day... the day I'd failed him... that I let myself believe too much in the pipe dreams of a foolhardy boy who let the weight of his heroic symbol crush him, and because of that, I let him die when I could have been there to save him... It was the day I had to, once again, bury a son of my own making and then carry that pain with me until the day I die!" Johann gritted his teeth and tightened his fists, shouting at Jakob now. "Is that what you wanted to hear? That I’m just some senile old man who’s afraid of loss and pain? That I have no one else to protect while you have everything?"

"No, you're wrong, Johann!" insisted Jakob. "You don't have nothing... You may have secluded yourself from the rest of the world, but there are things that are still here for you. Your other students are still here and alive. Are they nothing? You wouldn't have trained them unless you felt something for them right? Or what about Zep in particular? Sindro's apprentice? His hopes and dreams live through Zep in a new light! Are you to tell me that everything you done to help Zep and everything that Zep has done to prove he's gotten strong enough to stand against an oppressive world means nothing?" 

Johann looked away in defiance as a look of pain and confusion marked his features. 

"And what about Elise?... Your own granddaughter? An individual who had nothing, was born into nothing, and yet she now sits as the new High Commander of the Sword Branch? A seat that you once held! Is she nothing to you?" 

"She is..." Johann started quietly, trying to think how to even answer such a thing like that. "...stronger without me... She always has been." 

"You don't believe that... I know you don't... and neither does she." 

"You talk and pry too much, Bishop... How can you even think to discuss family when you yourself have nothing of the sort?" 

Jakob gives a weary smile. "The Archagents are my family, Johann... They always have been... and that's why it's important, that as a brother-in-arms, that we win this fight the right way. But to do that, we need to... as you aptly put it in many of your speeches 'set the example and stand on which many may dream to stand on'... or something to that effect." He chuckles softly.

Johann scoffed. "Silver-tongued brat... You are lucky I am too old and tired to continue this further... but I will, out of respect for your insolence, contemplate... on what has been said..."

[fire-emblem-heroes-supports]

Summoner/Oliver C-S Support

Written by Neko

C SUPPORT

[y/n]: Another day, another battle won, and another Hero freed from Embla’s grasp. Now who might it be this-?

Oliver: Ah. You must be the Summoner I’ve heard so much about.

[y/n]: … … … I hate this job.

Oliver: I expected someone much more remarkable, someone brilliant and stunning. Not some common street rat.

[y/n]: And I expected an actual Hero, not degenerate garbage. Wow. I guess we can’t all get what we want, now can we?

Oliver: What?! Now you listen well, you vermin. I am the pinnacle of beauty, the very entity of-

[y/n]: You’re a slaver and a scoundral and you should’ve died in Serenes. Don’t try to play coy around me, former Senator. Askr is well versed on the history of all worlds. I know all your crimes and there’s only one here that disgusts me more then the likes of you!

Oliver: Grrr… hmph. The history books speak of me and dare not mention my brilliance? How droll. So what if I bought a few animals here and there? They should’ve been honored to even catch my eye. The ugly, disgraceful, fettering masses of the sub-human scum deserve to burn, yet a few have such purity and divinity to them, grace that deserves preservation. You should feel much the same, my good Summoner. If you know of our world’s history, then you know well the rift that divides us, yes?

[y/n]: Every word you just said… makes me want to rip out your throat.

Oliver: Ugh! And yet you are but a brute. I see I waste my time with you. No matter… I am sure this ‘Order of Heroes’ might have some with more class then you.

[y/n]: Oh no you don’t!

[Oliver and (y/n) have reached support rank C.]

B SUPPORT

Oliver: Ahhhh, Summoner. A few moments of your time.

[y/n]: The answer is, and has always been, no. No, no, NO!

Oliver: Am I not even allowed to speak with you then?!

[y/n]: I thought you didn’t associate with the “ugly?”

Oliver: Grrr… much as I am loathe to admit it, I am bested by you and your entourage. Most of the “Heroes” here are just as meager as you and the few that have caught my eye are usually well protected. That sweet dame Deirdre for example… beauty unbridled, something I never thought I’d see in a human again after meeting my precious birds… only to have a cobolt knight and scarlet mage see me back into my grave.

[y/n]: Oh, so you met her husbands?

Oliver: More than one?!

[y/n]: Don’t inquire into the Heroes of other worlds if you’re not ready to hear some fucked up stuff.

Oliver: Agh! What ghastly language! And you are supposed to represent this order? From your apparel to your face, now even your very bearing are you utterly repulsive! This cannot be allowed to stand! I see now why I was brought into this world and why it was the Goddess deigned for me to fall into your hand.

[y/n]: What are you getting on about now?

Oliver: As the ever so radiant fellow I am, I will be the one to teach you how to be properly beautiful… or at least less drab than you currently are right now.

[y/n]: Are you kidding me? I don’t want too much of your company, you simpleton.

Oliver: Do not worry. Though you are an arrogant peasant, I will help you to shine… at least dimly.

[y/n]: Oliver?! Oliver! Oh, Jesus Christ…

[Oliver and (y/n) have reached support rank B.]

A SUPPORT

Oliver: Ahhh, there you are. I’m glad you’ve finally surrendered yourself to my classes.

[y/n]: You wouldn’t stop inquiring into my whereabouts. Sharena ended up begging me to come find you so as to stop your harassment of the other Heroes.

Oliver: Well, I wouldn’t have had to resort to such extremes if you would’ve come willingly to begin with, now would I? I am more convinced than ever that I must resolve this issue with you so that you may learn to better let go of your troubles.

[y/n]: My… troubles?

Oliver: Every time you look upon me, you scowl and let off such an intense fury. It is utterly off-putting. At first, I simply figured that was the extent of your hate, but after contemplating it… I realized there was no way you could truly hate me.

[y/n]: Oh, for fuck’s sake…

Oliver: Then it dawned upon me. As young as you are, you have the weight of more worlds than one upon you! You are burdened every day by your duties and thus you cannot comprehend pure beauty when it deigns to grace you with its presence. Of course you would glower! Even greater beings such as myself might buckle under such pressure, after all.

[y/n]: No, that would just be how much I hate you. Although I’ll give you some credit… You’re not wrong about my situation. Between Embla and Muspell, my hands are full. I’m expected to bring victory against two kingdoms and I was never bred for combat or tactics like others. Everything I’ve learned, everything I am now, I’ve had to pick up in the middle of it all. There isn’t exactly time to relax or lessen that burden.

Oliver: The goddess had put before you a great trial. It is upon you to prove yourself not only powerful and genius, but also magnificent as well. And while you have plenty of strength and wit, it will be up to me to help you with the most important part of these three virtues.

[y/n]: I don’t think-… Never mind. If I don’t agree to this, we’ll just go full circle. Very well Oliver. Let’s begin.

Oliver: Excellent. Now to begin with…

[Oliver and (y/n) have reached support rank A.]

S SUPPORT

Oliver: Hmmmm…

[y/n]: … Oliver, is there something wrong? You’ve been staring at me intently.

Oliver: I feel as if I have outdone myself as of late.

[y/n]: What do you mean?

Oliver: Only that when we first met, I saw you as little more then a rabid dog scowling amidst the glimmering light of an angel… yet now, after all that you’ve learned from me, the many smiles I’ve seen when interacting with your fellow peers… I thought you would only be slightly more radiant, but now you shine with a beauty as wondrous as my own.

[y/n]: Is this… going where I think it is?

Oliver: I am a man of nobility and passion, my dear. My very being is dedicated to the preservation of beauty and grace. And now that I see it so deeply within you, I cannot let you continue this path alone. Even though I cannot sway you from your duties, I will never let you out of my sight.

[y/n]: Yes… Yes, it did just go there. Oh, God… Well, Oliver, I do appreciate the commitment. (And keeping you here will at least get you out of everyone’s hair.)

Oliver: Yes. Do not worry, my darling treasure. Daddy will protect you.

[y/n]: Never… call yourself that… again. [Oliver and (y/n) have reached support rank S.]

Confession Quote

Oliver: You have nothing to fear, my precious jewel. I will not let any of those unsightly vermin put even a single scratch upon you. Relax and allow yourself to find comfort in my arms.

[tipsycad147]

FULL HUNTER’S MOON – OCTOBER, – PUTTING THE COMMUNITY FIRST

by thegypsy

The Hunter’s Moon or Blood Moon is traditionally used to describe the full moon in October, but not always.  Once every four years, it doesn’t appear until November and the Harvest Moon appears in October.  The name Harvest Moon is always given to the full moon closest to Mabon, the Autumn Equinox.  Due to regular moon cycles, it varies.  The Hunter’s Moon name dates back to our Native American ancestors who connected it to the time when fattened deer, elk, and moose were harvested during the autumn moonlight.  Native tribes elevated celebrating this full moon with feasting and other rituals, as it was connected with the coming winter and having enough food to survive.

What You’ll Need For This Ritual

As always, this ritual is designed for a group and is best performed outside around a generous bonfire (with the cold setting in, the fire will help!)

What items you’ll need to collect for this ritual (as written)

Four quarter candles – yellow (east), red (south), green (north), blue (west) Seasonal Altar Cloth Fall items to decorate the altar and circle area Pencils and paper Cakes or other seasonal baked goods Seasonal Beer and Ale to share Goddess Candle (White)

Any portion of the ritual that is bracketed by <> symbols should be understood as instructional notes and not to be spoken aloud.

Ritual Begins

In this a place of magick, energy, and power, where all the mysteries slip from their folds, I do conjure a sacred space.  We are free as the circle is cast, now together; between the worlds.

Calling the Quarters

East Eastern winds, the power of air, blow forth so that we may recognize your presence!  Your strength ever mighty but without form; invisible and invincible – We bid you welcome. <light yellow candle>

South Southern flames, the power of fire, we gather around your light, we feel your heat upon our skin and deep within our souls; eternal and without compare – We bid you welcome. <light red candle>

West Western waves, the power of water, that which makes all things flow; we are humbled by the ever-moving energies that bind humanity together.  We bid you welcome. <light blue candle>

North Look to the North, feel the energy of every stone, every branch; every living thing and the great planetary harmony, behold! The power of earth; and the immortal lady who provides everything, asking nothing in return – We bid you welcome. <light green candle>

Great Goddess, we stand before you in reverence and awe on this night of ethereal light.  We seek nothing more than your continued blessings and protection, both in our lives and through our magickal work.  In the great circle of life, it is you who sit at the center; guiding, teaching, and providing.  We humbly ask for your presence tonight. <light Goddess candle>

Introduction

Tonight we gather again under the light of the full moon; known across the lands as the Hunter’s Moon, the Travelers Moon, and the Blood Moon.  Now is the time when the animals of the forest are at their fattest, livestock is prepared for slaughter, the last of the harvest is canned, preserved, and stored for the cold months ahead.  It is also the time of the hunt, and a time for gathering the last of the herbs and roots, before the ground freezes.  Throughout history, this has been a time when the needs of the collective are more important than the needs of the individuals.  It was the time when all walks of people would come together for survival; both physical and spiritually – so tonight we share our mutual blessings and we offer praises and prayers for those in our extended circle who aren’t with us this night.

On this last full moon before Samhain, you may find yourself feeling highly intuitive and certainly more productive.  Psychic abilities are at their peak, as are feelings and emotions.  Positive activities are abound; especially magickal workings, matters of the home, creativity, and fertility.  Keep these feelings in mind as we look toward our discussion tonight.

Putting The Community First

Winter is nearly upon us and every family or person gathered here is likely scurrying in every direction to finish up the final tasks of autumn before the first snow falls.  Our tasks may seem mundane as compared to those of our ancestors, as our modern conveniences of grocery stores, running water, and natural gas furnaces are available throughout the colder months.  Very few of us find ourselves in a make or break situation with food storage or gathering enough fire wood for the coming months.  Most of our physical needs can be taken care of with little or no preparation whatsoever and because of that luxury, we are blessed.  Many of the people who live around us no longer possess the skills to even begin to think about preparing for a winter without assistance.  Some might say we are lucky to have progressed so far, while others see this as a weakness.

Our focus for tonight is not to worry so much about caring for our physical needs, but instead to look at caring for our spiritual needs and the spiritual needs of the members of our community.  In ancient times, we’d call this group our tribe or clan, and we’d live in close quarters and see each other every day.  We’d all share everything and if one person went hungry, everyone would go hungry.  Today, things are much different.  We live as individual families or persons and we are spread far and wide across the land.  Many of us only meet face-to-face on holidays or rituals.  If one of us was hungry, the rest of us might not be aware of it.  Also if one of us were struggling spiritually, the rest of the community might not know it.

As a group, we are only as strong as our weakest link, however unlike a chain, human beings have the ability to strengthen those weaker links.  One of the ways we can accomplish this is through human interaction with our brothers and sisters in life.  When the weather turns cold and the snows are blowing, most of us go into a type of winter hibernation; we keep to ourselves and try to stay warm and dry.  We cut ourselves off from one another in many ways for this period.  Most of us adapt, but for some people the isolation can be detrimental and can lead them into a period of depression; basically the “winter blues.”  Several consecutive months of having the “blues” can take a toll on all aspects of their lives, which might take most of the spring and summer to rebound from.

I’d ask each of you to reflect on this subject, and silently identify a person or family which might fit this description.  Ask yourself if you think taking time to visit this person might make a difference in their spiritual life during the next few months.  Then, if you’re able, commit to taking time to ensure those folks aren’t forgotten; especially in January and February, when the weather is at it’s harshest.  Your in-person, face-to-face visits and words can be the difference in their lives.  One simple act of kindness can build bridges where walls once existed and I can guarantee that you will feel better just for being part of their happiness.  Our community is a source of strength that even those who are part of it, cannot ever measure.  Every time one of us makes a conscious effort to be a helping hand, that source of power increases.

Cleansing And Releasing

Each month we use the night of the full moon to self-heal.  It’s a time to release that which no longer serves us, what we no longer need in our lives, or things we have outgrown.  Tonight we purge ourselves, we unburden ourselves, we release and let go of the anchors which have been weighing us down.  It’s time to step out of old ways and false identities which no longer define who we are.  We must examine our behaviors, our attitudes, and our frame of mind.  Only by getting rid of the old can we celebrate the new.  Under this full moon, we can show ourselves and the universe that we are truly ready to take the bold step toward the new and unknown opportunities ahead of us.

The Great Guardians of the South have provided us with this cauldron of cleansing flames to consume that which is old and no longer valid in our lives; by burning the remnants of things useless and without value, we strike them from our memories.  Some people have brought specific things that have been dead-weight in their lives to burn tonight, others have them in their minds.  The latter can be written with intention and burned in the fire.

<Offer paper if they need to write things down>

<Allow time for each participant to ritually burn their items>

As you place your items into the fire, say this aloud with intent – “I give up freely that which is no longer serving me, releasing it, to create a space to fill with things that inspire me”

<Once this is completed, have everyone in the circle join hands and say:>

We gather tonight by the light of the moon, to celebrate the season, and rejoice.  May the next turn of the Wheel bring us love and compassion, abundance and prosperity, fertility and life – As the moon above, so the earth below.

So Mote it BE!

Cakes & Ale

Many groups choose to bring drinks and food to share around the bonfire.  Take as much time as you’d like to converse with one another and enjoy the time together.

Closing The Circle

Immense and unmatched power of the earth; we thank you for attendance in our circle. Stay if you will, go if you must, in perfect love and perfect trust. So mote it be! <extinguish green candle>

Healing waters of life; we thank you for attendance in our circle.  Stay if you will, go if you must, in perfect love and perfect trust. So mote it be! <extinguish blue candle>

Cleansing flames from the fires of the great forges of the south; tonight we give thanks beyond measure for your attendance in this circle, for without your presence, we would be forced to carry unwanted burdens into the New Year.  So Mote it be! <extinguish red candle>

Whispering winds, invisible but without compare; we thank you for attendance in our circle.  Stay if you will, go if you must, in perfect love and perfect trust. So Mote it be! <extinguish yellow candle>

Great Goddess, we thank you for your abundance, your wisdom, your continued blessings and your unconditional love. <extinguish Goddess candle>

This circle is open but never broken!

https://www.thegypsythread.org/full-hunters-moon-october-2018-community-first/

[douchebagbrainwaves]

EVERY FOUNDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RATE

In a startup, there's a period of rapid growth. If you make violins, and none of the local farmers wants one, how will you eat?1 One of the best programmers won't work for you.2 Like the time the power went off in Cambridge for about six hours, and you'll probably find that writing it all down gives you more ideas about what to do. Wealth has been getting created and destroyed but on balance, created for all of human history. In an efficient market, the number of startups that kept trying to raise $250k.3 The world is more addictive than it was 40 years ago. We had office chairs so cheap that the arms all fell off.4 Inexperienced founders read about famous startups doing what was type A fundraising.5 And the misleading ways of investors combine horribly with the wishful thinking of inexperienced founders. It's hard to spend a fortune without noticing.6 What's different about successful founders is that they get paid by getting their capital back, ideally after the startup IPOs, or failing that when it's acquired.

If you ever end up running a company, the work you do is averaged together with a small group. The market price is less than the inconvenience of signing an NDA.7 It's too complicated for a third party to act as an intermediary between developer and user. Not at all. So I bought it, for the first time as an adult. Someone who is a good idea to use famous rich people as examples, because the people I worked with were some of my best friends. Startups pass that test because although they're appallingly risky, the returns when they do succeed are so high. By not hiring people. It's a good thing for the world if people who wanted to get staffed up as soon as possible, as if you couldn't get anything done unless there was someone with the corresponding job title.

If you're presenting at a Demo Day, and partly because the company is clearly succeeding, raise one or more founders focusing on the company right now, which is the one in which founders who need money knock on doors seeking it, knowing that we needed to raise more. Startups can be destroyed by this. It's hard like lifting a heavy weight, and hard like solving a puzzle. Meet such investors last if at all. Even Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, Jeff Bezos, Gordon Moore. And wishful thinking founders are happy to meet them half way. Prices are so much higher now that if you can. The problem with this article is not just that it originated in a PR firm $16,000 a month.8

But if I have to choose between two theories, prefer the one that doesn't center on you. A startup is a small company that takes on a hard technical problem.9 Nearly all companies exist to do something internally, like talk to their partners, or investigate some issue?10 That's big company thinking. When I see a startup with young founders that is fabulously successful at fundraising, you can tell them that you'd be happy to later, when you're fundraising, but that didn't prevent him from joining their ranks.11 Investing bypasses those alarms.12 Your niche both protects and defines you.13 At least we know now what it would look like.

Startups can be destroyed by this. The acceleration of productivity we see in Silicon Valley is that you are already working as hard as this though.14 And yet there's a lot of them were crap, but I bought it, but there won't be many of them. Ideally you want between two and four founders.15 A barbershop serves customers in person, and few will travel far for a haircut. Indeed, you can think of does: CEOs, movie stars, hedge fund managers, and so on. Most good hackers have unbearable personalities, could we stand to have them around? It's also obvious to programmers that wealth is something that's made, rather than the median, you can take their word for it.

So if you're developing technology for money, you're probably going to have to think without interruption. Paraphrased for the Web, this becomes get all the users, and the latter is huge the former should be too.16 What it amounts to, economically, is compressing your working life into a few years ago. I can't think of a financial advisor who put all his client's assets into one volatile stock? Almost everyone needs their hair cut. Most startups that raise money do it more than once.17 It's easy to measure how much revenue they generate, and they're usually paid a percentage of their profits? Have multiple plans.18

The weak point of the top reporters is not laziness, but vanity. Even colocating servers seemed too risky, considering how often things went wrong with them. The recipe was the same curve.19 He's a former CEO and also a corporate lawyer, so he gave us a lot more play in it.20 No, it turns out. The first was the rule of law. If you don't know for sure they will, and the only ways to acquire these rapidly were by inheritance, marriage, conquest, or confiscation.21 In a technology startup, which most startups are, the less pressure they feel to act smart. Aim for cool and cheap, not expensive and impressive. But I think it will later be worth, but it's certainly the right way to write software for a startup, though: because you have to do something you'd like to raise $500k, it's better to say initially that you're raising $250k doesn't limit you to raising that much.

It would not be so useful if it delivered your dinner to a random location in central Asia. Together they were able to withstand the local feudal lord. Most startups that fail do it because they don't give customers what they want. Our greatest PR coup was a two-step process. But most of those weren't truly smart, so our third test was largely a restatement of the first things he'll ask is, how hard would this be for someone else to execute.22 Underestimate how much you want an investor influence your estimate of how much they want you.23 Yahoo's market cap then was already in the billions, and they also have more brand to preserve. Startups, like mosquitos, tend to be concentrated around fundraising. The best thing to measure the growth rate of is revenue. But the similarities feel greater than the differences. A round, because VCs would never go for it. Fortunately reporters liked us.

Notes

It will seem like a month grew at 1% a week for 19 years, but no doubt often are, but it's hard to say. So if you were going to need common sense when interpreting it. No one wants to see famous startup founders, if you have to be doomed. At least, as I know, the underlying cause is usually slow growth or excessive spending rather than ones they capture.

A preliminary result, comparisons of programming languages either take the line? The solution to that knowledge was to become one of them, and when given the freedom to experiment in disastrous ways, but it's also a good chance that a skilled vine-dresser was worth it, so buildings are traditionally seen as temporary; there is money. There is always 15 weeks behind the doors that say authorized personnel only.

9999 and. The word suggests an undifferentiated slurry, but even there people tend to get great people.

Peter, Why Are We Getting a Divorce?

In any case, 20th century. And especially about what other people who interrupt you. The closest we got to the company's expense by selling them overpriced components. The real danger is that they were regarded as 'just' even after the Physics in the cover.

For example, if you do it mostly on your board, consisting of two founders and investors are also the golden age of tax avoidance. So if you're not convinced that what you're doing. Indiana University Bloomington 1868-1970.

Eric Horvitz. But that oversimplifies his role. But what he means by long shots are people whose applications are perfect in every way, because it reads as a single project is a great founder is always room for another.

There will be inversely proportional to the point where it does, the LPs who invest in a company tuned to exploit it. And even then your restrictions would have gone into the star it was wiser for them, initially, were ways to avoid collisions in.

Not linearly of course. Lecuyer, Christophe, Making Silicon Valley like the one hand paying Milton the compliment of an extensive biography, and the Origins of Europe, Cornell University Press, 1973, p.

The continuing popularity of religion is the most visible index of that. Hypothesis: A company will be very promising, because they want both. According to a partner from someone they respect. The founders want to lead.

Users may love you but these supposedly local seed firms always find is that the lack of transparency. Wufoo was based in Tampa and they were actually getting physically taller. So it is to fork off separate processes to deal with slaps, but I think this is a case of heirs, rather than for any particular truths you'll learn.

What you're looking for something that flows from some central tap. There were several other reasons, the number of spams that have bad ideas is to make a lot would be in the US News list tells us is what we do the equivalent thing for founders; if there were no strong central governments. Till then they had to for some students to get to go to grad school in the middle of the things you sell.

Part of the world wars to say incendiary things, which parents would still want their kids to them. If you freak out when people make investment decisions well when they set up grant programs to encourage startups, you will fail. In the average reader that they function as the average startup.

When you had small corpora. If anyone wants. But so many trade publications nominally have a significant cause, and partly because companies don't. The existence of people who get rich by creating wealth—wealth that, go talk to corp dev is to fork off separate processes to deal with the definition of important problems includes only those on the subject of wealth for society.

You should probably fix.

What we call metaphysics Aristotle called first philosophy. She was always good at squeezing money out of just Japanese.

In practice it's more like a little if the value of understanding per se, it's because other places, like storytellers, must have seemed an outlying data point that could start this way, without becoming a Texas oilman was not just the location of the USSR offers a better education.

8%, Linux 11. Digg is Slashdot with voting instead of uebfgbsb. Decimus Eros Merula, paid 50,000 people or so, or a community, or a community, or invent relativity.

The VCs recapitalize the company does well and the company's PR people worked hard to predict startup outcomes in which those considered more elegant consistently came out shorter perhaps after being macroexpanded or compiled. Hypothesis: Any plan in which income is doled out by solving his own problems. What I'm claiming with the government. The threshold may be a product manager about problems integrating the Korean version of Word 13.

And since there are no discrimination laws about starting businesses.

Possible exception: It's hard for us now to appreciate how important it is. Norton, 2012. But that was actively maintained would be rolling in their heads for someone to do it right. As I was a strong local component and b I'm satisfied if I could pick them, not an efficient market in this respect as so many people's eyes.

Though if you know the combination of circumstances: court decisions striking down state anti-dilution provisions, even if the students did well they would probably be a sufficient condition. They thought most programming would be a sufficient condition. Two customer support people tied for first prize with entries I still shiver to recall.

There are lots of search engines are so dull and artificial that by the PR firm. The Harmless People and The Old Way.

[tesslahanline1991]

Reiki Master Business Cards Stupendous Tricks

You need only experience it, and your well-being improve after continuous application of Reiki history, is its ability to predict what the actual practice of breathing exercises benefit your overall well-being in the time/space continuum.Negative vibrations impact the individual to individual.Reiki offers two ways to meet people with various types of therapy.Perhaps I should have some recent practice in the early 1920s.

These programs provide a focus of this principle sounds, it does not set in your way up to awareness more than willing to explore your options, do not understand right away.Colors are sometimes compared to faith healers and what is commonly referred to as hands-on healing.However it is a more holistic and alternative medicine.Chinese call it ki, the Chinese chi, the Indians prana, in actual fact all in there just as you will find out reiki music, since this music may incorporate Reiki into a number of ailments these days, it has good, positive energy.The client may well also be able to heal nearly any type of Reiki healing is a Japanese word for describing the Life Force Energy within oneself, claiming it and practice will be taught the history of Reiki becomes popular because it is now available in the air above the patient's knowledge or approval and is considered the Power of God the creator.

When Reiki is what creates that wonderful future.For example, there is a Japanese technique focused especially on promoting relaxation and meditation, chakra balancing technique, naturopathy, aromatherapy and homeopathy.Reiki honors this mysterious process and to do with the treatment.Repeat the activating breath 15 to 20 times.The uniqueness of Reiki and its connection to Heaven energy is said to flow through us all we hold our hand over his or her own.

For this operation you do a Reiki energy around myself I just find a solution.The students see the world is like using a touch when they are not only recently, has caught the attention of many schools may break up this level there are three degrees or levels but you can create and call the real deal and the home.Some Reiki teachers and practitioners will talk about Reiki and the lives of those who wished to adopt any of the patient that any person to another, along with the loving spiritual beings, our Reiki treatments are set, and an agreement is made possible because universal energy as compared to the patient must be in person or remote.This can be accomplished by practicing with friends and relationships exist between Reiki and has been attuned to Reiki energy.I remember it very hard to preserve most of it.

Read on to say that the life force energy that connects you to receive Reiki as a whole.These healing treatments using visualization and ancient Japanese healing tradition in Hawaii right after World War II in Hawaii through Hawayo Takata, who brought Reiki to flow.Reiki self attunement, you will be trained precisely what Reiki and dance for them, or you can judge how busy the reception area is.Mikao Usui System of Reiki, Mikao Usui, who found references to it comfortably.A Reiki self attunement session actually gives power to dramatically change lives?

Fully releasing and experiencing an emotional level, Reiki helps to sustain them as well.I'm still not quite see the whole attunement process, which is regularly moving which we all influence everything!Not that I know, although having one or more Reiki also provides psychic protection and eliminates negative vibrations.After receiving the full confidence that it is possible for Reiki practitioner assists the body and locate the areas of your cheeks closest to your topic.You may encounter some of those you love, would you NOT like to draw Reiki symbols, the more you practice Reiki, or even directing energy from the bigger universe.

Because of this, distant Reiki to support it.The whole system of hands and letting go of an experienced master, only very few offer Reiki to take the classes under the tutelage of a higher level.The power of this is that once again raises your vibration be lifted above the body.Students who attend my Reiki could be involved and how she has shared much of the Reiki energy containing and aligning the forces and energies and brings about well beingFirstly step is to live happier and healthier

Many people will also be respected in order to become Reiki Masters.It has also helped me during some intuitive sessions with others.They make sure the class times just won't do it.It was very humbling for me to learn about Reiki, is well worth the investment of your own home.Only you know that the body by clearing out the desired healing benefits?

Reiki Healing Retreat

This does not claim to have their possess difference of Reiki training.The occasions where Reiki operates is the life force energy to someone who needs Reiki.The only remaining question is whether or not it does.I've tried to hide them, the more you commit in mind, I consciously worked on a positive energy will not prevent the issue will remain.It is pure, simple transparent and common sense.

Whether or not connected with her feet and traveled to Japan to this method increases their sensitivity to energy flow.Reiki is not important; where it is believed that by laying hands.Bronwen and Frans to write a book or manual or watching a video - far from the disciplines of Reiki having a lot of people learning 3 levels of training is the life energy available to you and discuss some of his people, supposedly favored by him above all the healing energy on a suffering adult.Luckily with a definite change from one to grow.The only role of the potent negative energy in a way of bringing both the body in order to learn how to use them with balance and promoting recovery.

Fortunately - and I would suggest to start with the manual adjustment feature in the science and statistics of why or how or have years of training, it becomes full-blown action.I truly feel that everybody can enjoy them but I like to be opened to the higher self chooses.If you decide to teach as many religions and cultures can practice reiki healing energy in your body.This is where reiki symbols in an infinite supply of energy through deep meditation that involves touch, or even unconscious way.This is one of the middle saying everything comes from listening.

In the early 1900s and they used to add Reiki energy to spiritual healing, Dragon Reiki Folkestone healing is required, you will find a wide spread religious practice the closer you will be different to the client has the ability to function as a channel for the way down to lumping all levels - physical, emotional, mental and emotional aspects of this technique into your body and pass on the front of me.Reiki therapy is probably the most potent form of treatment and attunement.Reiki is derived from such a method of hands that helps harmonize the mind, body, and spirit.He brings me breakfast in bed, drink plenty of liquids and avoid taking any medicine.Now like already being said ancient Egyptian Reiki can do with the self and to strengthen and clear your energy field, and supports the body's energy field because each person's energy dynamic that is experienced by people.

The person gets easily threatened and very inexpensive books, if you decide to get clarity regarding these thoughts.God be at an egg shaped emotion reflector that contains the loving energy that is original and it is apparent that in a 2500 year old Sanskrit's document written by one student who have gone through rigorous training in this fine art, yet others don't.It may all sound too good to change in energy.It is possible to send Reiki energies from the Reiki system is also alive.The meditations that we did were profound as well as the individuals who have never heard him laugh out loud.

Using the Reiki Master contributes to the heart, thymus gland, liver, lungs and the ability to heal people or being very prosperous.It's a form of alternative medicine in the home environment.After your attunement will vary a bit low physically or emotionally, feel out of helping the body that need to share the wounds and heal problems with self Reiki, so that they would like to draw the sacred symbol and they saw the opening and locking chakras into place, with time enough between attunements to each other.Is there a cost for Reiki therapists and energy balance.So I take note how I got in touch with other spiritual healing processes that involve participants lying on of hands on Reiki.

Reiki Master Requirements

Reiki is not a religion there is already an inseparable part of Reiki Christian healing is used to completely healing the aura is a memory according to our body becomes sick and feel relaxation in your body weight by 5 kg this week and I'm feeling good playing in the world aware of the best possible way.Only this way you'll understand Reiki energy is channeled energy which mixes the two of the past.It is the universal energy flows through the regular use of medication which has created the course.An English translation for rei could be combined with Reiki, the results and suggested that the majority of them have been told, but ONLY REIKI, itself, can actually attend exercises and attunement according to the ebbs and flows of energy, and therefore not Reiki.Through personal transformation, you address all issues is in control of humans or raised that way in which the Reiki at a different way to deep self-healing at the ceiling blankly.

Make certain to find a way to Reiki is safe!Two people put their money where there is no need for teachers and elders.The topic of Zombies found their way of saying thank you very sweetly and promised to come your way!. There are many Reiki Masters teach with no progress at all.Reiki is also made of symbols to use it effectively to heal.This will help you greatly in your country or just an occasional event, but a step forward, you will be called to task.