#and soaring cost of living costs

[lyinginbedmon]

In the UK we have a system called Universal Credit, which can be thought of as unemployment benefit, though it’s meant to encompass a variety of different benefits all rolled into one (including for disabilities).

If you are single, the most you can expect to receive from it is £368.74 per month. That works out to roughly £92 per week.

If you are living with your partner, it’s much higher, at up to £578.82 each. That works out to roughly £144.70 per week.

In the UK we also have a thing called the National Living Wage, which is defined as the minimum salary necessary for an adult to live comfortably. Not bare bones, not lavishly, just comfortably. As of 2023 it is measured at £10.42 per hour.

Assuming you work a standard 40-hour work week, that comes out to £416.80 per week, or £1667.20 per month.

So assuming that you live with your partner and pool your UC together, you still make just under 70% of the money that is expected to allow one person to live comfortably each week.

[belliesandburps]

Interactive - Favorite Burp Scenario

I need something to take my mind off the fact that we are home to the dumbest, most bigoted fucking assholes on this planet, and I feel like a lot of you probably feel the same way right now. So, how about another interactive game? Send me character requests via my askbox here and I will respond with my favorite burp scenario to imagine for them. (Note, ideally, keep it to characters I know or that you think I may know)

[dailymore-news]

Hundreds protest across Nigeria over soaring cost of living, fuel prices

Nigerian troops and police have tightened security in Lagos and the capital, Abuja, as nationwide protests over the rising cost of living kicked off and are expected to continue for 10 days.

Nigerian troops and police have tightened security in Lagos and the capital, Abuja, as nationwide protests over the rising cost of living kicked off and are expected to continue for 10 days. Africa’s most populous country is struggling with soaring inflation and a sharply devalued naira currency after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu introduced reforms a year ago aimed at reviving the…

[rahabs]

I have given up entirely on my birthday this year after today.

[falesten-iw]

Survival in Gaza is a fight for everyone and everything, not just humans. Every living thing is caught up in this nightmare, from the smallest creatures to the strongest among us. Take this little cat, for instance. She’s from Jabalia refugee camp, Al-Tarens neighborhood, house number 96, sixth street. Yeah, I know her address. She’s one of us, a Palestinian too, sitting alone in the rubble, her fur matted and dusty, with a raw, swollen eye that speaks of all she’s been through. She’s lost her hearing; explosions shake her tiny frame, but she doesn’t even react anymore. And yet, her will to survive? Unbroken.

In so many ways, she’s Gaza in a nutshell. Life here is a brutal, endless test of endurance. The genocide, the bitter cold, the soaring prices that turn basic needs like food, shelter, medicine into unattainable luxuries. These are things my family and countless others can only dream of.

For families in Gaza, survival itself has become a privilege. Nonprofits that once helped have pulled out, forced away by the very forces that keep us oppressed. And the few who stayed? Acting as middlemen, diverting the aid that’s supposed to be for us. Some prioritize their own networks in distributing aid; others resell what little is sent. Some even claim that half of donations get eaten up by "logistics costs." And then there’s aid that supposedly just "never arrives." So, families like mine are left to fend for ourselves, stripped of even the basic dignity that comes with having our needs met.

I look at this little cat, and I’m struck by the fragility of life here. My family’s hanging by a thread, surviving day to day in a world that seems indifferent to everything we’re going through. And yet, like her, we just keep going. Not because we’re strong or resilient, but because, honestly, what other choice do we have?

If this hits home for you, if this little cat’s fight feels like something you understand, please consider helping. Every donation, no matter the amount, goes directly to where it’s needed most. It can mean a bit of warmth, a moment of safety, maybe even a sliver of hope in these times that feel darker than anything.

From a heart that’s been broken too many times, thank you for standing with us.

Vetted and shared by @90-ghost: Link.

Verified and shared by @el-shab-hussein: Link

Listed as number 282 in "The Vetted Gaza Evacuation Fundraiser Spreadsheet" compiled by @el-shab-hussein and @nabulsi : Link

Listed on the Butterfly Effect Project, number 957: Link

Additionally, Al Jazeera News has documented apart of my family's case: Link

If, for some reason, you couldn't donate via GoFundMe, you can donate via PayPal instead.

Please keep the conversion rates in mind when donating through GoFundMe. Every 250 SEK is equivalent to 25 dollars, and 506 SEK equals 50 dollars and so on.

Note: There’s even a raffle for a handmade Palestinian thob if you want to participate : Link

@thewrldlooksred @destinidestati @navysealt4t @staygoldpbj @hexishare

@infinite-ducks @bafflegab-z @axeylotl @dandydogboy @unprojection

@evengirlierballs @phoenixfire925 @frauggiethecreature @alkalineleak

@t4tpolypd @illululusion @fckingchile @gasgiant2 @not-enough-homestuck-upinthis

@mothcelestial @vidrissaponem @nyanperessofmankind @elizaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa @cr4bl0use

@megalofasz @joltstorm @void-echoing @ruffles05 @dynamicwinter-blog

[transmutationisms]

TIME SENSITIVE! 

HELP SAMAH TAKE CARE OF HER 6 MONTH OLD BABY

Hey everyone i want to draw your attention to @samah-h, a young palestinian mother who wants to raise funds to take care of her family, including her baby who is only 6 months old.

you might have seen Samah's story around, but recently she has had to create a new GFM campaign. so, please make sure to support her now, and donate at the new link below.

Born amidst the bombing and destruction, Samah's infant son does not have access to infant formula, diapers, and basic healthcare. As these products grow more and more scarce due to the israeli blockade, market prices for them have been soaring at alarming levels. Living in tents under the constant threat of eviction due to war and disease, the situation is dire. They need these funds as soon as possible.

Right now samah is looking to raise the first $5k so that she and her family can cover:

the high cost of living and basic survival needs in gaza 

Travel coordination and securing safe evacuation 

Essential healthcare for the baby 

Infant formula and diapers

 Warm clothes and supplies to protect him from the cold

In her own words: “Living in tents is exhausting and filled with daily challenges; we have no clean water, electricity, or proper medical care. Every day we struggle to survive amidst constant bombings and the dangers surrounding us. Your support gives us hope that we can provide a better life for our child.”

This gfm was vetted by @bilal-salah0 so please dont hesitate to lend a hand. Please share and donate any amount you can, this family needs to raise this amount ASAP so that their baby can be taken care of the way he needs.

$10 / $5,000

[northgazaupdates]

I want to share with you all a message from our friend Ola, who writes to us from the heart of besieged north Gaza.

Ola is a graduate student from the faculty of science at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. She is a dedicated and passionate student, striving to become a good researcher and teacher.

Before October 7th, her days were filled with attending lectures, working, and volunteering. She completed her bachelor's degree in Mathematics with a GPA 96.01% and a grade of distinction with first class honors.

Unexpectedly, her life took a drastic turn with the commencement of the cruel war on Gaza, transforming her from a passionate student to a person struggling for survival.

As you read this post, Ola, her mother, father, three sisters, and little brother are fighting death in northern Gaza. They are suffering under bombing, displacement, instability, starvation, thirst, and poverty. They are facing a harsh famine due to the IOF blockade of north Gaza, which has led to prices soaring. Ola herself was recently hospitalized for malnutrition due to the famine.

Yet through all of this, Ola is keeping her hope alive that she may go back to her career as an educator, and pursue her passion of teaching the next generation of Gazan children.

Ola is raising funds in order to be able to pay the rising cost of basic necessities in north Gaza. Her family is large and the cost of survival in north Gaza is astronomical, so she is going to need a lot of help with her campaign. If you have anything you can spare, I implore you to support Ola and her family. From where you are right now, you personally can help save lives in north Gaza.

Please reblog this post, follow Ola at @olagaza and boost her posts, and repost the link to her campaign across all your social media

Thank you❤️

Ola’s case has been verified by el-shab-hussein and nabulsi, she is #205 on their spreadsheet of vetted campaigns

[tiredguyswag]

It's my birthday today, and I am lucky to be able to celebrate it in the comfort of my home! Some, however are not so lucky.

It would mean the world to me if you could give at least a small donation of $5 to the fundraiser I've linked below. Please reblog as well after donating, or even if you can't donate, so that it may reach others who are capable of donating.

I can vouch for the legibility of this fundraiser! Here's a post by @gothhabiba explaining the same. He is the brother-in-law of @ma7moudgaza2, so you can rest assured that the money is going to a good cause.

Ahmed (@ilovelifetbh) has two small children. One is three years old while the other, Anas, is only one. He was born in the beginning of the days of the genocide and has known nothing but death and destruction his whole life! Can you imagine! Please put yourself in his shoes for a second, and be compassionate. As fellow human beings, help restore hope to him and his wife after the tragedy of the destruction of his house. The money will help him rebuild his house and provide for his children.

It is not an exaggeration to say your contribution could save lives! Ahmed currently only has $226 on his fundraiser! That's extremely low, it's not even enough to cover costs of the absolute basic necessities of life in Gaza, what with the soaring prices!

I am willing to make you a fully coloured drawing of anything you'd like for the first five people who make a donation of more than $50. Just reply to this post and I will reach out to you with details on what I can do (provided you have proof of donation).

The first ten donations of more than $10 will get smaller doodles depending on the amount donated (again, provided you have proof of donation)

Here are some examples of my art:

Apologies for the tag:

@victoriawhimsey @jewishdainix @timetravellingkitty @jackie-shitposts

 @oorevitcejda @yellowwperil @sandersgrey @ofide @rukafais

@officialpenisenvy @theonpilled @fleurrice @tetrafelino @think-queer

@timothylawrence @roakkaliha @lostacelonnie @huzni @laurajameskinney

@gamb0fficial @vincentspork @teabisexual @officialscud @evilponds

@dinodamage @yurischolar @lune-tic @lipid @newporters

@witticismz @dovv @capricornpropaganda @charlott2n @determinate-negation

@parsleyrosemarybotch @tadpoledyke @userpeggycarter @thedigitalbard @melon-colli

@demilypyro @lesbocrocker @kahin @chososhairbuns

@zamanassad @wayneradiotv @jihaad @evillesbianvillain 

@stuckinapril @goldenspirits @scarletlich @rongzhi @marxistcomedy

[ahmedsal-1qa]

The Rising Cost of Living in Gaza: A Struggle for Basic Necessities Amid War and Blockade

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, coupled with the harsh realities of an enduring blockade, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis marked by an unprecedented rise in the cost of living. This has made it nearly impossible for families to afford even the most basic necessities. The image provided vividly illustrates the plight of ordinary people, where the prices of everyday essentials have soared to alarming levels, further exacerbating the hardships of survival.

For instance, a single bottle of sunflower oil now costs an outrageous $14.72. A single kilogram of sugar is priced at $9.37, while a kilogram of bulgur wheat stands at $8.83. Shockingly, the price of one potato or one onion is $8.03 each, reflecting how even the most basic vegetables are becoming unaffordable. Other necessities such as tahini are marked at $13.38, a small bar of soap costs $5.89, and butter is priced at $4.01. These prices not only highlight the severity of inflation but also reveal the harsh impact of scarcity and restricted imports due to the blockade.

The economic devastation caused by years of war and isolation has crippled Gaza’s local industries, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty. Families are left struggling to meet their daily needs, while children, the elderly, and the sick bear the brunt of this humanitarian disaster. Healthcare, clothing, and adequate shelter are becoming distant dreams for many, particularly as winter approaches.

This situation demands urgent action from the global community. Efforts to lift the blockade, ensure the supply of essential goods, and provide financial aid must be prioritized to alleviate the suffering of those in Gaza.

I urge you to take a stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza. My family, like countless others, is struggling to survive these harsh conditions. You can help by donating to our campaign or simply sharing it with others to raise awareness. Together, we can bring hope and support to those in need.

✅️Vetted by @gazavetters, my number verified on the list is (#280)✅️

[jaberfamily]

The Rising Cost of Living in Gaza: A Struggle for Basic Necessities Amid War and Blockade

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, coupled with the harsh realities of an enduring blockade, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis marked by an unprecedented rise in the cost of living. This has made it nearly impossible for families to afford even the most basic necessities. The image provided vividly illustrates the plight of ordinary people, where the prices of everyday essentials have soared to alarming levels, further exacerbating the hardships of survival.

For instance, a single bottle of sunflower oil now costs an outrageous $14.72. A single kilogram of sugar is priced at $9.37, while a kilogram of bulgur wheat stands at $8.83. Shockingly, the price of one potato or one onion is $8.03 each, reflecting how even the most basic vegetables are becoming unaffordable. Other necessities such as tahini are marked at $13.38, a small bar of soap costs $5.89, and butter is priced at $4.01. These prices not only highlight the severity of inflation but also reveal the harsh impact of scarcity and restricted imports due to the blockade.

The economic devastation caused by years of war and isolation has crippled Gaza’s local industries, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty. Families are left struggling to meet their daily needs, while children, the elderly, and the sick bear the brunt of this humanitarian disaster. Healthcare, clothing, and adequate shelter are becoming distant dreams for many, particularly as winter approaches.

This situation demands urgent action from the global community. Efforts to lift the blockade, ensure the supply of essential goods, and provide financial aid must be prioritized to alleviate the suffering of those in Gaza.

I urge you to take a stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza. My family, like countless others, is struggling to survive these harsh conditions. You can help by donating to our campaign or simply sharing it with others to raise awareness. Together, we can bring hope and support to those in need.

✅ My Campaign �� 🔍Vetted by @90-ghost here 🔍Vetted by association in this post

Paypal Link

@ot3 @mangocheesecakes @good-old-gossip @dragon-master-kai @vakarians-babe @prinnay @neptunerings @paper-mario-wiki @newsfrom-theworld @a-scary-lack-of-common-sense @magnus-rhymes-with-swagness-blog @buttercuparry @westaysilly @sunflowersmoths@nieyaoevents @finalgirlabigailhobbs @normal-thoughts-official @flower-tea-fairies @mephal @mothfishing @theaethernetconnection @90-ghost @gaza-evacuation-funds @northgazaupdates2@treeen@keikuri@archivist-goldfish @loook-back-at-it @lookineedsleep@a-scary-lack-of-common-sense@ot3 @reminded @neechees @ankle-beez @paper-mario-wiki @khanger@treesbian @pigswithwings @mobiused @poss-um @possiblythebesteyesintheworld @noble-kale @a-shade-of-blue @chokulit @neptunerings @heydreamchild @dlxxv-vetted-donations @segamascott @autisticmudkip @shadowedskies178 @rowansugar @t-800terminator-blog @greggorylee @wellwaterhysteria @theleechyskrunkly @notlikingbestgirl @inkxplashes @ragtoons @blackcherri-stuff

[probablyasocialecologist]

Shoplifters who spoke to Novara Media said the cost of living crisis had pushed them to steal more of life’s essentials. “A couple of times I’ve been on the verge of crying when I go to buy Sainsbury’s Basics apple and blackcurrant squash and realise the price has doubled in the past three months,” said John.

Lara, a culture worker from London, has started shoplifting groceries more frequently; she said it has become more socially acceptable in her circles. “I know that other people do it, and I’ve seen how other people do it, and that really helped,” she said. Previously, she avoided stealing because her upbringing and wider moralism had convinced her it was “a shameful thing” to do.

“Before, I would have described stealing as this really anti-Islamic thing to do,” she said. Shoplifting is also especially frowned-upon by “parents who come from a working-class or lower middle-class background,” she said, because of how classist ‘scrounger’ stereotypes “trickle down to how we surveil and shame each other.”

Nowadays however, Lara sees shoplifting as “one of the few guerrilla tactics we have available to us.”

Alan, a construction worker from London, who, like John and Anna, has been shoplifting around half his groceries in recent months, has “no moral qualms” about stealing from supermarkets. “I just think that the stuff in the world is ours, all of ours,” he said, “and that we’ve invented a really stupid system for the distribution of resources which doesn’t treat them as ours, and treats them as things that can be used for capitalists to make profit.”

He wouldn’t steal things if it meant that “someone’s labour went unrewarded”, he said, but all shoplifting affects is “the profits of shareholders” he said. “[I have] no concerns about that at all.”

[...]

While, for many, shoplifting feels like a form of resistance to untenable living conditions, no one who spoke to Novara Media was sure how to build solidarity between shoplifters. Alan shoplifts food for rough sleepers, but wishes there were more organised approaches to shoplifting – like the mass stealing and redistribution of food that occurred in Greece following the 2008 financial crisis.

Lara believes shoplifting could be “revolutionary” if it could be “more of an organised operation” that involved “getting workers on side”.

“I think it would be really radical if there would be a widespread recognition and acceptance of stealing as a necessary mechanism for resistance,” she says. “If you can’t afford the things that you have to buy, then the logic should be that you just take them.”

[dynamitegun]

Can we acknowledge the fact that Commander Shepard memorized the names of the eight Alliance warships lost during the Battle of the Citadel?

Shepard: "The turians lost twenty cruisers, figure each had a crew of around 300. The Ascension, the asari dreadnought we saved, had a crew of nearly 10,000."

Khalisah: "But surely the human cost—"

Shepard: "The Alliance lost eight cruisers: Shen Yang, Emden, Jakarta, Cairo, Seoul, Cape Town, Warsaw, Madrid and yes, I remember them all. Everyone in the Fifth Fleet is a hero. The Alliance owes them all medals, the Council owes them a lot more than that. And so do you."

If you make the Paragon choice, ordering the Fifth Fleet in to save the Destiny Ascension it costs the Alliance dearly both in ships and lives, and Shepard never forgets this. They enshrine the names of the lost ships, the number of crew, as a reminder. That when called upon the System's Alliance was willing to go into harms way damn the costs.

A high cost it was.

...

O hear us when we seek thy grace

For those who soar through outer space

[hazem1948]

Hello everyone

First, I want to thank each and every one of you for your incredible support so far. Together, we’ve already reached €50,000, and I’m beyond grateful for your generosity.

As we continue this campaign, my hope is to reach €60,000 by the end of this week. The situation in North Gaza is becoming more dire every day. Prices for basic necessities like food, water, and shelter have soared to 300% above the normal cost. My family, along with so many others, is facing unimaginable hardship. With the Rafah border still closed and no clear date for when it will open, it’s becoming harder and harder to get them the help they desperately need.

The conditions in North Gaza are extremely difficult. My family is struggling to access even the most basic essentials. The ongoing conflict has caused widespread destruction, and every day is a fight for survival. The stress of trying to secure food, clean water, and shelter is overwhelming. With no income and limited resources, the burden is heavy.

This is why your support means so much. Reaching €60,000 would allow me to continue providing for their daily needs while we await a safe opportunity for them to leave Gaza. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to ensuring my family has the support they need during this crisis.

Thank you once again for your kindness and support. Let’s push forward and try to reach this new goal by the end of the week. Together, we can make a real difference in their lives.

€57,857 raised of €70,000 goal

[gaza-giving-tree]

Imagine preparing to welcome your first child into the world…and straight into the harsh reality of displacement, extreme poverty, and unsafe living conditions.

This is the heart-wrenching reality that Motaz and Huda, soon-to-be parents in Gaza, are living.

Image: Moraz and his wife, Huda, were married just three months before the war.

@gazacitizen

Story written by @visionsofaselfmademan

Motaz and his wife are expecting their first baby in less than a month. Huda, currently in her eighth month of pregnancy, faces the unimaginable stress of bringing new life into a world filled with destruction and uncertainty. The soaring costs of basic necessities, such as clothes, diapers, blankets, milk, and a cradle, are far beyond Motaz's reach. On top of this, he must attempt to shield his family from the everyday scourges of cold, insects, and the other unsafe conditions of their inhumane living environment.

Motaz has launched a GoFundMe campaign to gather the funds necessary to provide for his baby and wife. Even a small donation of $20 could make a significant difference in helping him secure essential items and help his family survive in their bleak environment.

Please consider supporting Motaz’s campaign. Your compassion can help this family find hope and dignity amidst their struggles. If you cannot donate, sharing his story could help reach others who may be able to assist financially.

You can donate to Motaz and Huda's GoFundMe [HERE].

This campaign has been vetted by @gazavetters and is (#325 ) on their list of vetted campaigns.

[llondonfog]

waltz right in

work really took it out of me this week. here’s some papa vanrouge. wc 1.3k who am i  you can waltz right in; i was made for you.

Lilia’s hearing was once legendary. 

Baul used to proudly remark to anyone hapless to the barrage of his booming voice how their own General Vanrouge had once determined the exact number of approaching troops, their accompanying horses, and the precise location of a squeaky cart wheel (rear, to the left) pulled by a three-legged donkey clinging to the foggy shroud of the Briar Valley forests blindfolded, tied to a tree trunk, and more than a little inebriated.

(That had been in the early days. The early days when Meleanor would roll her eyes with a smitten indulgence Lilia had not known she was capable of at Raverne’s earnest declarations of how to entreat the humans, how to enter into a new century of peace unlike any previously thought possible.

The early days, before any of them, with their brilliant youth and unlimited power, understood the true costs of war.)

His hearing is still quite keen, one of the few abilities left to him that has not begun to deteriorate so cruelly with time, only now he does not find himself attuned to the clanking of armor rattling the tranquil mountainside peace, the soft whisper of a sword unsheathing beneath the cover of darkness, or the curious and foreboding absence of animal chatter in the dense underbrush. 

Lilia wonders what the General would think, to know that his battle-hewed senses have so seamlessly shifted to listen for the quiet shuffle of socked feet over a wood floor and the stifled breaths haunted by the ghost of tears. 

He knows what, or rather who, he will find as he glances up from the half-finished letter he’d been writing to acknowledge the small figure lingering at the doorway to their living room, half-skulking in the shadows all the while gazing out at Lilia as if he might be the dawn itself.

“Another nightmare?”

Silver nods, eyes large and wet in the flickering light of the fire, and Lilia wonders again what the General might think, to hear how soft his voice has become, to know that the sight of a child, this one in particular, so in distress pains him worse than any iron-tipped spear driven deep into his heart. 

It startles him at odd times, frightens him even, how quickly he’s adjusted to this. 

The letter is easily forgotten, pen and parchment left aside on the table next to his current, lumpy armchair, as he wordlessly opens his arms to welcome the gangly bundle of tiny, sharp-edged limbs that wriggles its way into his lap, his own chin settling into a tufted cloud of hair that seems iridescent in the flame, catching the light as if Lilia held the sun itself in his embrace. 

(The sun or the moon, some days it is hard to decide which Silver takes after most. Either way, it’s blinding and Lilia has long made peace with the fact that he’s never cared much about his own health.)

Satisfied that the boy has made himself comfortable, Lilia coaxes a blanket from the sofa to float across the room and drape itself around them, swallowing a grin to himself at the rather adorable sight of only Silver’s eyes visible over his makeshift cloak. Their light and wonder has yet to return, and he nudges the boy gently until he can direct Silver’s gaze over to the shadows dancing together against the backdrop of the hearth. It’s easy magic, barely a drop in his dwindling reserves; a bunny hops carefree in a meadow of swaying flowers, a bird flutters its wings joyfully in an invisible breeze before soaring through the skies to return to its nest, a squirrel gaily scampering about the forest floor, collecting acorns— Lilia’s heart does an odd beat at that.

But it does the trick. Silver’s tense posture has begun to melt in his arms, and he’s even participating, calling out requests and giggling even when a shadowy butterfly breaks free of its scene to land on his nose, tickling his face with its intangible feelers before bursting into a soft shower of multi-colored sparkles. Lilia joins in his laughter, releasing the spell as they both sink back into the armchair, a tangled up bundle of smiles and limbs.

“It was so dark,” Silver whispers suddenly after their laughter has subsided and Lilia’s found himself absently stroking through that spider-silk hair with his claws, and the sheer ache of loneliness in his voice nearly takes Lilia’s breath away that he has to check to ensure he hasn’t accidentally pierced the boy’s arm. “And so quiet, Toto, there was— it was like I was the only person left in the whole world. I didn’t think anyone would ever find me again, I didn’t know how they even could.”

Lilia doesn’t know which is worse; the fact that Silver never dreams about that awful night when he was spelled into sleep for his own protection, or the fact that he dreams about the aftermath, about the long and lonely wait. 

But he knows a little something about darkness. And a little something about loneliness too.

“ . . . do you remember what you told me about the groundhog? What does he do each winter?” 

Silver scrunches up his face in confusion at the question, but instantly replies, hard-pressed to forget anything that involves his dear animal companions. “Hibernation?” His tongue trips over the word clumsily as he looks up for Lilia’s approving nod. 

“And as I recall, Malleus was out with you in the forest, so you asked him what that meant. Can you tell me what he said?”

Lilia watches with no small trace of fondness as the boy begins to parrot the words perfectly, amused by how completely Malleus’ words have been committed to memory.

“He said that groundhogs are a type of animal called a mammal, and that they burrow deep in the ground to keep themselves warm and safe during the winter,” Silver recites, a finger curling around a loose thread in the blanket while he thinks on the prince’s explanation. “They eat a lot of food before they do so that they can stay healthy, and then they sleep and sleep and sleep until the snow has all melted for good.”

Simplistic enough for his purposes. Lilia nods in confirmation as Silver settles back in his arms, the question remaining clear enough on his little face. “Don’t you think hibernation sounds a lot like your dream?” he murmurs, and the boy’s eyes widen now in wonder. “I imagine it’s pretty scary at first for your groundhog friend. He’s deep in a dark burrow, alone and away from all of his friends, and he knows it’ll be a long time before he wakes up.”

He lets Silver ruminate on that, and can see the awed appreciation in his gaze for the bravery of all the little creatures that know they must subject themselves to the order of nature for the chance to see a new spring.

“But there’s a difference you should be aware of,” he continues, and Silver’s head snaps up in confusion, mouth open— “You, my dear, are not a groundhog!” Lilia declares with a gentle tickle of his fingertips against the boy’s side and grins openly when full giggles erupt from the blanketed bundle in his lap, Silver squirming and laughing as he unsuccessfully tries to wriggle away from Lilia’s inescapable torment until the last of the worry pinched around his face vanishes for good.

“You are not a groundhog,” he repeats softly, and bends forward to press a kiss to the boy’s head. “And I will always find you when winter ends.”

“Always?” Silver asks him sleepily, fully spent from their conversation, and Lilia thinks about how much he used to hate the melting snow, the warmth of the sun in spring.

“Always.” 

[votevotevotevotevote]

Why young people need to vote

By request, here's the text from the screenshot I shared previously. Still a good thing to show to every young person you know!

Why things won't truly change until young people vote like old people:

The government is, to put in bluntly, anti-youth — the needs and desires of young people are given the lowest priority. Social security is considered an untouchable “third rail” for politicians, yet those same politicians pay little price for ignoring climate change or paying nothing but lip service to confronting it. The US does little to address soaring education and housing costs, which disproportionately affect young people, despite being willing to spend nearly a trillion dollars annually on its military. In a particularly egregious affront, the country runs huge budget deficits — thereby offloading part of the cost of running the government onto future generations — while subsidizing fossil fuels, which means that young people are being forced to pay for their own destruction.

The reason behind all of this is simple: Old people vote at much higher rates than young people, so elected officials are incentivized to fight for them. Politicians do more to address energy prices than the future of the planet because slightly higher gas prices cause them to be punished at the polls, and young people aren’t there to back them up with their own votes.

The good news, of course, is that this can change. The beauty of democracy is that we get to choose who’s in the government, and young people exist in large enough numbers to be the driving force behind that decision. Millennials and Generation Z combine for (depending on the specific definition of the millennial generation you use) about 45% of eligible voters, but low voting rates mean that we don’t get much of a seat at the table in determining public policy. Younger generations can make up 45% of the electorate by voting at the same rates as older generations, but that’s not all — if young people can get each other to vote at higher rates than old people, we can make up a majority of the electorate and thus gain a controlling stake in the government, forcing it to finally work for us.

Tired of being screwed over by your own government? Angry at being forced to pay for your own destruction? Register to vote, and get all of your friends to do so as well. Let’s beat the boomers at their own game.

Note that (if you live in a state other than North Dakota) you have to register to vote before actually voting, and most states have registration deadlines that fall before election day — some as soon as October 6 or 7. Check your state’s deadline here, and make sure to register in time!

(source: outvote-the-boomers.blogspot.com)