#and then immediately cancelling it within a month of its release?????

[i-could-be-so-much-more]

I have done nothing but read Bastard Son and the Devil Himself fanfiction for like 3 straight days, and I’m big mad that Netflix cancelled it.

[yumeka-sxf]

I would have included this scan with my recent miscellaneous collab scans post, but I decided it deserves its own post, not just because it's one of the loveliest official Twiyor illustrations I've seen, but also because the story of how I got it is...interesting 😅

This image is from the chara fine graph (which is basically a framed picture) that was included as a preorder bonus for buying the complete season 2 blu-ray set from a shop called Rakuten Books (together with badge pins of the same designs). I briefly mentioned it back in October of last year when season 2 was airing, along with preoder bonuses from other shops like Animate and Amazon. I only wanted to get this one though, so as per my usual process of trying to secure rare SxF goods, I made a note to myself to keep an eye out for when it released. Rakuten, which I believe is the main company for Rakuten Books, has their own proxy buying service, and as the season 2 blu-rays were released, I saw them appearing there. But as noted on their main site, the condition for them to send you the chara fine graph is that you must preorder all of the three season 2 blu-ray discs from them. Once you buy the third one, if they know that you've already bought the others, then they'll send you the preorder bonuses along with it.

I was concerned that if I bought the discs via proxy, they wouldn't know that I bought all three and would cancel my order at the end! I would be devastated if that happened after waiting months and spending all that money on the complete set. I knew people would sell the chara fine graph second-hand as soon as it released, so I decided to wait until then and try to find it on Mercari.

So the months went by and eventually I found out that the final blu-ray volume of season 2 would release on April 17th, 2024. I made a mental note to check Mercari for it then, but unfortunately something else released around that same time...CODE: White in the US, which had its first screening on April 18th. Admittingly, I got distracted by the CODE: White release and had seen it twice by the following weekend. I did do some preliminary searching for the chara fine graph, but not with my usual refined search terms. It wasn't until the 21st that I finally sat down and really started searching for it. And while I did find a few listings, they had already been sold.

I was hopeful that more people would sell it, since it had only been less than a week since release. But I guess I underestimated how popular this chara fine graph was because, after the initial five listings I saw that were sold within the span of a few days, none appeared after. I had, like, ten Mercari tabs open on my browser with different search terms that I refreshed many times a day, but nothing was showing up. I would groan whenever I'd see the preorder bonuses for the other shops like Animate and Amazon pop up, but not Rakuten Books. I did finally see one new listing of someone selling just the badge pins, but that was sold within a few minutes, which made me even more nervous. I would also be nervous getting up in the morning since I didn't want to see that a new listing was posted and sold while I was sleeping! Thankfully I work from home so it wasn't too much of an inconvenience for me to refresh the Mercari tabs on my personal computer whenever I had a minute. But as the days went by and I didn't see any new listings, I started getting mad at myself that if I had only started seriously searching for it right on release day, I would have had at least five chances to get it and could have saved myself this hassle. I even sent a message to Rakuten Books via their online form, asking (in Japanese) if they could somehow sell it to me and ship internationally, etc. But their response was pretty much what I expected...a polite "no."

But then, on the evening of May 4th, I found a new listing and immediately bought it! What should have been a red flag though is that the person was selling it for $30 (with the badge pins included), while everyone else had been selling it from around $80-$100. The title they gave to the item was weird too; they simply called it "Spy Family" instead of "Spy Family Chara Fine Graph" or "Spy Family Rakuten Books Bonus" or something descriptive like that. But the seller had a decent rating so I didn't think there was a problem. After I got the email from Buyee (my proxy service) that they successfully bought the item, I thought I was all set. I closed out all my search tabs and went to bed feeling satisfied.

However, when I got up the next morning, my heart sank when I saw that about an hour after I had gone to bed, Buyee sent me another email saying that they refunded and cancelled my order! The reason they gave was "due to the convenience of the seller" 😫

But what was most frustrating about this is that, when I checked the searches again, I saw that the same seller had relisted the item, with a higher price and more descriptive title, and it had been sold already. What probably happened is that the seller realized they made a mistake with the title and price of the listing and wanted to change it, which Mercari apparently allows them to do even after it had already been sold and paid for!

I was furious with Mercari for allowing this. The least they could do in a situation like this is give the original buyer, like, one day to buy the item again with the increased price before the seller is allowed to relist it again. I wanted to write to the seller and/or Mercari, but I wasn't able to make a Mercari account since it's restricted to Japan. I was also internally yelling at myself that if I had just started searching for it within a day or two of release instead of procrastinating, I could have avoided all this. So it was back to square one, but I wasn't going to give up! I opened up more search tabs with even more refined search terms. I also expanded to other proxy-supported shops like Surugaya and Yahoo Japan Auction. I even got my mom to help me, since she's often up in the middle of the night and can check in case anything is listed during that time while I'm asleep. I downloaded the Buyee app too so I could check listings even if I was away from my computer. With all this, I was hopeful I'd be able to buy it again, though it was more of a question of "when" than "if." With second-hand collectibles, you never know when they could pop up...I could find a new listing the next day, or not for a year or two. But I just kept up the searching, and finally, after another month went by, on June 3rd (June 4th in Japan, so technically Twiyor day 😁) I finally found it again...on Yahoo Japan Auction of all places!

I had never bought via auction before so I was a bit nervous I'd get outbid or something. But I immediately clicked the "pay buyout price option" (which was only a few dollars more than the original price) and, thankfully, a short while later Buyee informed me that I successfully won the auction! But after what happened before, I was still paranoid that it could get canceled for whatever reason. But that didn't happen, and after waiting for shipping, it finally came~

I always like to add a "lessons learned" in these situations, so I'd say the lesson here is don't be blasé or procrastinate when it comes to something you really want. And of course, being persistent pays off more than not!

[anotherpapercut]

hi more drug question

I have been told many many times that using ecstasy will basically fry your seratonin receptors so that you will never be able to feel happy again unless you are using the drug. I am assuming now that this is false but I am curious now as to how false. Is it something that CAN happen if you take too much at once or too often, or is this just random Drug Scary misinformation

Also also since wellbutrin is not an SSRI does LSD work when you are on it or does it also cancel it out

lol that's kind of an extreme version of what I usually hear! you're right that basically the answer here is no. this comes from a couple different things. first is MDMA induced serotonin toxicity, and 2nd is something called "serotonin syndrome" which is a real thing that can happen, but it's really really hard to get like this. prepare for a very long answer lmfaooo

MDMA induced serotonin toxicity occurs when you take too high doses too frequently. MDMA IS slightly neurotoxic, but so are many prescription drugs so don't let that word freak you out too much! basically MDMA works by dumping large amounts of serotonin into your brain, hence why it's the happy/love drug lol. if you take too much too often, your brain will straight up run out of serotonin. obviously that's bad! it's not as simple as "never feeling happy again" but you will essentially have depression for a bit because of lack of serotonin (on its own, low serotonin levels following modest MDMA use is not damaging and resolves within a few days) but the real problem is that if you are on MDMA with depleted serotonin, your brain will continue releasing dopamine which will attach to the serotonin receptors and damage them. this is what can cause long term depression symptoms, the damaged serotonin receptors. ultimately your brain will heal this on its own unless for some reason I guess you keep taking it a lot (which would have no effect. when you take too much MDMA your brain just runs out of serotonin to dump so like. it just won't work lol)?? it can also be treated with the supplement NAC, which I would recommend taking any time you use MDMA because of this!

to sum up MDMA toxicity: it can happen but only if you're misusing it! it's generally recommended that you dont do much more than 1 dose every 3 months or so to make sure your brain has time to reset. research interactions with anything else you're using (prescription or not), take some NAC in the weeks following a dose, drink a lot of water, keep your body temperature regular because that can worsen it, and take some antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid and grape seed oil during/immediately after taking MDMA - it's when you come down that your brain is delicate and could use the protection. also this may sound counterintuitive but weed also has antioxidant properties, so smoking it as you come down helps a lot. also if you DO have MDMA toxicity taking more MDMA will not help u feel happy unfortunately it will just make it worse lol, your brain only has so much serotonin to give

now serotonin syndrome can happen with the misuse of any drug that works on serotonin including MAOIs, SSRIs, and SNRIs, usually by taking a VERY large dose (but some people are just extremely sensitive). it usually takes care of itself eventually, but the amount of time it takes and stuff is kinda hard to pin down bc it's REALLY misunderstood and tends to be overly self diagnosed. again this is like super super hard to do. you would have to take a MASSIVE dose or mix it with other serotonin affecting drugs (ESPECIALLY MAOIs. DO NOT MIX MDMA WITH MAOI ANTI DEPRESSANTS). like 5 times the normal dose at least probably (partner is currently trying to find some literature on it so he'll add that in the replies if he finds anything interesting). it will cause things like heightened anxiety and body temperature and can cause kidney problems or seizures if it's like really bad and untreated. but you'd feel REALLY bad before it got to that point, so in general like, if you take any type of drug and feel extremely bad after go to the doctor lol. mostly this will also just heal itself; your brain is pretty resilient! again usually if this does happen it's very minor. cases bad enough to require hospitalization are exceedingly rare

to give you an example of what these can look like, I have a friend who was given about 3-4 times a regular dose by a fucking piece of shit asshole she knows and, this part is crucial, it was mixed with a very large amount of alcohol AND acid (which can slightly increase the neurotoxicity. normally not a huge issue but becomes one in circumstances like this), AND coke; like she was blackout drunk and while not on a lot of acid or coke, this is just too many things to have in your body and brain at one time. the mixture of such a large amount different drugs caused her what I'm guessing was a mild case of both of these things at once. she experienced slightly worsened depression for about 6 months after, and actually had a mild stutter for almost a year. I made sure she took some NAC and other things that aid brain healing, and she didn't try molly again for a long time to be super sure she didn't overload her brain before it was ready. this is a pretty extreme case, and even with that she has fully recovered thankfully. do NOT EVER do drugs with someone you don't trust with your life. DO NOT EVER do drugs in doses you have not confirmed for yourself to be safe and DO NOT EVER mix drugs without finding out if it's safe!!! just as a small aside though: usually taking molly and acid at the same time is perfectly safe. in fact it's called a candy flip and I HIGHLY recommend it because it's fucking awesome. again, just make sure you are taking safe doses in a safe environment

OKAY now finally your specific question about Wellbutrin: I actually take Wellbutrin so I can answer this one from personal experience! Wellbutrin should not alter the effects of LSD in any way HOWEVER! both of these drugs lower your seizure threshold! I'm on the max dose of Wellbutrin (which is the max dose BECAUSE of seizure risk) so when I plan to drop acid I usually either skip my dose entirely that day or only take half depending on how much acid I'm planning to take. because of the way Wellbutrin works, this shouldn't cause you any problems as far as that goes. for me, not taking my Wellbutrin for a day mainly has the effect of making me more fatigued, and acid counteracts that really well by making me feel very awake/aware. if you don't want to skip or halve your dose though you can also take things that will RAISE your seizure threshold. so like I sometimes will smoke hemp because CBD actually will help with that. the risk here isn't huge either way especially if you have no history of seizures, but again if it's something you're concerned about you should be just fine skipping or lowering your dose for the day. acid usually lasts about 12 hours too so i personally don't even care about skipping the Wellbutrin that much because it basically does the same thing for me. I did take my full Wellbutrin dose the last couple times I've done acid though because I was taking a very small amount of acid (about half a tab)

in summation lol sort of TLDR I generally would recommend MDMA for recreational use because the risks of damage are low and it's safe if you are safe about it. and it's honestly just a really fun one! the only negative effect I've ever felt is some emotional and physical fatigue the following day, and this is largely because of how emotional and energetic you are on it. I just make sure to have the next day off to lay around and listen to music :)

taking it with a partner or loved one will give you an especially beautiful experience, as MDMA has been proven to facilitate extremely open emotional conversations. in fact, when MDMA was first synthesized it's primary use was in psychotherapy! research was shut down during the war on drugs, but in recent studies it's demonstrated amazing abilities to treat and even straight up CURE disorders like PTSD. for a personal anecdote, my partner actually completely fucking cured his alcoholism on a combo of MDMA and whippets (nitrous oxide) lmfao. like dude straight up went from getting black out drunk multiple nights a week to drinking nothing for the past year and a half without any other treatment program. LSD has been proven to have similar incredible results with treating and curing things like depression, anxiety, PTSD and addiction and is also a very fun and very safe one.

sorry to reiterate for the billionth time lol but it's important: these drugs are safe and fun if you make sure they're safe and fun! do your research and never use in an unfamiliar environment with people you wouldn't trust in an emergency! also I know this sounds like a lot, but remember I'm giving you like the absolute safest possible practices and emphasizing sort of over cautiousness because I think it's always better to be too safe. I've taken molly without nac and I've taken kinda big doses a little closer together than I should have without any problems. there's a bit of flexibility to these guidelines, but it's always better to think of them as being rigid so you don't end up too far in the other direction. like I've said it's really really hard to do actual damage that would last more than like a day or 2 max. most of the time you'll just be sleepy the next day from all the dancing so it's nice to do it on a day 1 of a weekend. also it only lasts like a couple of hours lol so it's not your whole day or anything!

[eretzyisrael]

by Shiryn Ghermezian

The Philly Palestine Coalition on Monday began a petition that demanded the cancellation of the film festival, which is co-sponsored by Israel Bonds, the Consulate General of Israel, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pennsylvania. The pro-Palestinian group falsely claimed that Israel Bonds “finances the Israeli government’s budget” and “directly contributes to the displacement of Palestinians, the expansion of unlawful settlements, and unchecked settler violence.” The petition also falsely accused the state of Israel of genocide, apartheid, and occupation in its treatment of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.

According to the Israel Bonds website, proceeds from the sale of bonds have contributed to Israel’s growth in high-tech, cleantech, and biotech. Capital from Israel bonds have also “helped strengthen every aspect of Israel’s economy, enabling national infrastructure development … [and] expanded transportation networks enabled by investments in Israel bonds help facilitate shipment of ‘Made in Israel’ technology around the world, enhancing national export growth.”

Soon after facing pressure from the Philly Palestine Coalition, the BMFI announced on Monday it pulled the screening of The Child Within Me — a day before the scheduled event.

“Bryn Mawr Film Institute is not a political organization. We don’t endorse or oppose any causes,” the BMFI said in a released statement. “In past years, we have not regarded hosting a screening from the Israeli Film Festival as a political partnership or taking a stance on any issues. This was our feeling when we arranged the 2024 screening many months ago. However, as the situation in Israel and Gaza has developed, it has become clear that our showing this movie is being widely taken among individuals and institutions in our community as an endorsement of Israel’s recent and ongoing actions. This is not a statement we intended or wish to make.”

“BMFI is a safe place for civil and nuanced conversations about diverse stories,” the film institute added. “For the well-being and safety of all patrons, BMFI will not be a location for anger and violence. For those who wish to partake in an IFF screening, there are upcoming screenings at other venues.”

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the Anti-Defamation League’s chapter in Philadelphia were outraged by the move. They urged the BMFI to immediately reverse its decision to cancel the screening.

“Although BMFI states that this decision was made in an attempt to avoid controversy, this action only serves to blacklist Israeli culture, playing into the hands of antisemites who try to deny the Jewish people their voice and existence,” the two Jewish organizations said in a joint statement on Tuesday. “The IFF intentionally offers a multifaceted view of Israeli society. Each season, carefully curated feature films and documentaries provide glimpses into the intricate tapestry of Israeli life, allowing audiences to form their own informed opinions … Let us celebrate cultural diversity, promote dialogue, and recognize the transformative power of film in connecting us all.”

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Inside Climate News:

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia this month allowed the sale of leases for oil and gas drilling on almost 120,000 acres of public land in Wyoming. The ruling comes three months after the same court determined that the Bureau of Land Management had failed to adequately tie the environmental impacts from proposed oil and gas drilling to its decision to hold a lease auction, placing the sale agreements on hold.

Before proceeding with the sale, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) had to explain more thoroughly how the emissions from the Wyoming oil and gas extracted with the leases, which “in its own telling, carry a hefty price tag in terms of social cost,” affected the agency’s decision-making, wrote Judge Christopher Cooper in his March decision. As part of the order released July 16, and to avoid any environmental damage, the agency must “pause approval of any new drilling permits or surface disturbing activities on the leased parcels,” until it has finished fleshing out its environmental assessment, the court said.

Despite the pause, Western Energy Alliance, an oil and gas industry trade group, celebrated the new ruling as “another significant victory” in a prepared statement. “Lease [cancellation] is not necessary,” said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Alliance. “The environmental analysis paperwork can be corrected within a reasonable time period.”

After President Biden’s executive order suspending new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands was overturned by a federal judge in 2021, the BLM held its initial lease auctions under the current administration in 2022. Wyoming’s sale, which contained 122 parcels of land and was over 40 times the area of the next largest auction in the West, immediately drew the ire of environmental groups, which, led by the Wilderness Society, sued to block the sales. 

[fabulous109]

My Light- Embry Call fanfic

Chapter 8- time passing 

As Emily and Embry settled into life and dating, Emily was working at the bakery/ coffee shop. She was promoted based on her ability to release the app she was designing with a developer, which in turn brought the shop profits up by 15% in the first three months due to online ordering and in person deliveries. Quite a win on her part, and surprisingly she was offered to do even more roles of management and design since baking is much like an art form. Wedding cakes or custom designs were her specialty. Between the bakery and Embry’s job working with the lumber company, both adults were quite busy.

 

As for the Cullen’s, it had been almost two years since they had seen Emily, much to Emmett’s dismay. She ended up having responsibilities at the bakery that caused her to stay in La Push during the winter holidays. He was having a hard time accepting his best friend next to Rose was an adult with adult responsibilities and her own life. Facetime was not enough and although plans were made, they were usually canceled due to work commitments or holidays spent with Embry. They were head over heels for each other, but more than that- Embry claimed that Emily was his angel and rock. He often calls her his reason to stay alive. If he ever wanted to leave La Push, all that was forgotten at 18 when their shared love was confessed. 

It was now late Spring almost Summer, Emily was 19 and would be 20 in a few months. Embry just turned 20. He spent his off days talking to Billy to gather advice on a proposal for forever with Emily since their relationship had lasted two years together. He was also working so hard to save every penny for a life together if she would marry him.  Everyone thought they were storybook perfect. But it wasn't known to Embry that Emily was sick, like something was seriously wrong, but she hid it from him thinking it would go away on its own. It started with a cough and lots of pain all through her body rocking her to the core. She felt as if her whole body was breaking down and her memory was off, not to mention the pain in her chest that grew worse almost everyday. Carlisle booked a flight immediately and a rental car making it to Forks in record time to check out what’s going on with his daughter, knowing by Alice’s visions that something was seriously wrong. 

-Cullen’s home in Forks- 

“Does that hurt?” Carlisle was pressing on each bone and joint. Everything felt like fire- but not the vampire turning fire, this was different. Lots and lots of tubes of blood being drawn, and body scans scheduled.  Everyone gathered around anytime the one human of the family was sick, but this was more than a sniffle or cold, this was serious. “Dad, just say it already. I need to know what you are thinking, okay?” Carlisle looked at his daughter with a frown, but conceded once seeing the fear in his little girl’s eyes. Even as an adult, Emily was the light to the family and the room she walked in. “I am sorry,” Carlisle looked as if he could cry he would be bawling. “I think you have Lupus, but we have to go through every test or scan to be sure. Until then, your heart is too weak not to try treatments or medication. With a hug he layed out the plan for the future with Emily and the family standing there listening. Except one person- Edward. Edward has actually been an ongoing presence in Forks on and off to look in on the home and Emily. Within that time frame he had met Bella and fell in love. But so did Jake- with Bella that is.  Emily tried not to be bothered but per Embry, once Jake and Edward met by accident, Jake started acting weird. Embry followed within a few days after.

Since Emily didn’t live with Billy any longer, she didn’t notice the changes in Jake, or even Quil. Quite honestly a lot of La Push boys her age were changing, even if it was kinda hot. Emily didn’t get to pay too much attention to anyone, even Embry, as she called out of work and told him that her family was in town. He was unable to meet them due to 14 hour work days. Emily understood with her schedule, but didn’t know that Embry was in possession of one sapphire and diamond engagement ring. They had a date night set for two weeks ago actually, but Embry canceled saying he was sick, which was odd since he literally never gets sick enough to cancel a date with his favorite person. Emily was glad she didn’t have to make any extra excuses to where she was and why. Telling Embry how dangerous her health was becoming was something that she hasn’t brought herself to do yet. This subject was better broached in person, but Emily couldn’t get a hold of her boyfriend. She tried Jake and Quil, even Billy, but all just said there was a bug or something going around some of the reservation. Billy encouraged her to stay with her parents, but also quietly said to keep him updated with her treatments and diagnosis. She was still like his little girl as well.

It turns out that a couple weeks ago Embry was in the grocery store at the same time as Jasper and Alice, who were hanging with Edward and Bella. They all were gathering supplies or food for Emily’s new diet/treatment, along with human items like toilet paper and dishwashing detergent. The group was discussing how many things they don’t realize a house needs to run with a human versus vampires, but let’s just say food is not as cheap as it used to be- per the vampire’s own experiences. Bella listened in awe to the hushed stories and comments. She didn’t notice her old friend Jake with Embry buying snacks for playstation sleepovers they still attended at Billys. Jake was going to say hello until he walked within hearing distance of Bella. Suddenly something about the Cullens ignited a fire in both Jake and Embry, although the effects of the contact were not explained until later that week when both boys changed into the shifters of the Quileute legends. That is when contact stopped, but Emily had no idea since Edward was never around anymore to mention it. Alice and Jasper were visiting friends and checking in on the Denali cabin. No one told Emily, therefore no one knew there was a problem at all. Both sides were in the dark about each other, until Sam and the tribal council was able to explain the truth of why these young adults were not only changing into an animal, but also why Emily was not someone who could be spoken to anymore. Not that they really wanted to once they found out her family were vampires and that she knew all along. The guys felt as if they were betrayed, and Billy tried to explain the hows and whys to her knowledge. Since Emily didn’t know about the wolves, she couldn’t be part of their group, or an adopted member of their pack. Embry mostly knew that he wouldn’t be able to live without his best friend, but deeper than that- the person he thought really was his soulmate.

“You need to tell him.” Esme looked at Emily with sympathy in her eyes, but Emily knew she was telling the truth. As it happened to be a better day with her pain, and the treatments gave her a few hours of good health today, she decided now is better than ever. First the pain of her undiagnosed medical issue was enough to make someone go insane, and second the radio silence from Embry was the final straw pushing her over the edge. She tried making one more round of calls to her guy friends and Billy. Nothing. Now she was scared, but more than that angry. Decency was deserved after all the history they shared. Holding back the tears that have been building for weeks started to fall...and they never stopped.

[xxxjarchiexxx]

Since the outset of Israel’s war on Gaza, the Israeli government has been severely ramping up its crackdown on domestic dissent. Activists, members of academia, and ordinary citizens are getting hit with doxxing, job terminations, threats and arrests — especially members of Israel’s Palestinian minority. Increasing repression is commonplace in wartime, but Israel’s already authoritarian government, led by far-right figures such as Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with the enormous grief that Israelis suffered in the wake of the October 7 attacks, have paved the way for especially harsh treatment of dissidents. Akin to some Western states’ attacks on Palestinian solidarity protests, the Israeli police are effectively forbidding anyone from expressing such ideas. Following the violent dispersal of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Haifa and Umm al-Fahm this month, the police commissioner declared that “those who identify with Gaza can be escorted there on buses.” Protesters who simply showed up to the events, among them minors and a journalist, were kept under arrest for days. The solidarity ban goes even further. An indoors conference for Jewish and Arab activists organized by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Affairs was forcibly canceled by police, who reportedly threatened the owner of the event venue that they would shut it down lest he nix it with the event organizers. “From the 7th of October, we have been in a clear and immediate democratic emergency,” former Knesset speaker Avraham Burg said in a speech following the quashing of the conference, which he was supposed to cochair. The police aren’t alone in their efforts to suppress Israeli solidarity with Palestinians. Hundreds of right-wing protesters showed up at anti-occupation, ultra-Orthodox journalist Israel Frey’s home in Bnei Brak on Saturday night in response to a prayer he held for Israeli and Palestinian child casualties the day prior. Rioters were recorded launching fireworks at his apartment. After escorting Frey and his family out of his apartment, police left Frey to fend for himself, with hordes of rioters still present. He fled to a hospital where the far-right mob continued to search for him, only managing to find safe refuge in the early morning. He remains in hiding at the moment of writing. Unlike the impunity the police have extended to far-right mobs, left-wing activists are facing detention and arrests for much less. In Jerusalem, two activists from the movement Omdim Beyachad (Standing Together) were detained while hanging posters that read: “We will get through this together,” in both Arabic and Hebrew. Police confiscated their posters and shirts. Police also arrested a young man, breaking into his home without a permit, and interrogated him for hours simply for putting up a sign over his balcony that said: “There is no holiness in an occupied city.” (He had the sign up long before the war began.) Two weeks after he participated in Haifa’s solidarity protest, police arrested Israeli activist and blogger Yoav Haifawi. They rampaged through his home, confiscating any purportedly political material they could find, from flags, posters, and photographs to his wife’s paintings. The police still haven’t returned these items to him since his release. Haifawi describes his arrest as purely political. “[The police] want to participate in the war effort,” he explained in an interview. “Haifa doesn’t have many worthy targets, so they found what they thought was the most worthy target to attack.” Ben-Gvir boasted about Haifawi’s arrest on social media and upon his release, accusing the presiding judge, who happens to be Arab, of being “an enemy from within.”

2 November 2023

[warriornunusa]

Netflix's Disregard for LGBTQ+ Storyline in Warrior Nun Uncovered During Pride Month

LOS ANGELES, June 4, 2023 - As Pride Month celebrations take hold globally, The Order, an independent consortium of Warrior Nun fans, is revealing a concerning pattern within Netflix - a seeming aversion towards promoting LGBTQ+ content. This information, disclosed during Pride Month, amplifies the significance of our campaign for equal representation in the entertainment industry.

Key Findings:

- Netflix's Opposition to LGBTQ+ Content: David Hayter, co-producer and writer for Warrior Nun, revealed at the OCS Conclave online Warrior Nun event that Netflix executives were significantly opposed to the evolving romantic relationship between lead characters Ava and Beatrice, dubbed 'Avatrice' by fans.

- Undue Neglect and Premature Cancellation: Despite substantial viewership and an audience score of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix canceled Warrior Nun merely 33 days after Season 2 premiered, raising questions about Netflix's motivations.

- Impressive Success Against the Odds: Warrior Nun Season 2 made it into Netflix's Top 10 shows for three weeks in November 2022, with an estimated viewership of 21 million worldwide for the series as a whole. This success, achieved despite zero promotional support, underscores the show's global appeal and its unjust cancellation.

- Systemic Cancellation of LGBTQ+ Shows: Netflix has canceled nine shows featuring sapphic storylines in the past five years, three of which occurred in 2022 alone, including Warrior Nun, highlighting a systemic issue with LGBTQ+ representation on the platform.

To learn more visit www.warriornun.com.

[tushar010297]

How Indians Can Secure US Visa Appointments Faster: Essential Tips and Strategies

For many Indians, obtaining a US visa can be a lengthy and time-consuming process, especially with extended wait times at consulates. Understanding how Indians can secure faster US visa appointments can make a significant difference, reducing months of waiting. According to recent data, some Indian applicants face over 300 days of delay before getting a visa appointment. However, there are proven strategies to expedite the process and secure a quicker slot.

As the demand for US visas continues to rise, especially for work, study, and travel purposes, knowing the right steps can help you bypass long queues. This article offers practical insights and helpful tricks to assist you in obtaining a faster US visa appointment.

Reasons for the Long Wait Times for US Visa Appointments

The backlog in visa appointments has increased due to post-pandemic processing challenges and a surge in applications. Reduced consular services during the pandemic have caused delays. By following certain tips and staying informed, applicants can successfully navigate the system to reduce waiting times.

Best Tips for Indians to Get Faster US Visa Appointments

1. Request for Emergency Visa Appointment

If you are facing urgent situations, such as medical emergencies, death of an immediate family member, or urgent business travel, you may be eligible for an emergency appointment. Submit your visa application with a formal request, backed by the necessary documents. If approved, you could get an appointment within a few days.

2. Check Regularly for Appointment Openings

Consular appointments are frequently rescheduled or canceled by applicants, creating opportunities for new slots. Regularly checking the US consulate’s website for any available or newly opened dates can help you secure an earlier appointment. Slots often become available on short notice, so persistence is key.

3. Use the Interview Waiver (Drop Box) Option

If you are renewing your visa or qualify for the Interview Waiver Program, you can submit your documents via the drop box facility. This eliminates the need for an in-person interview and speeds up the overall process. The drop box service is a great way to reduce waiting times.

Exploring Various US Consulate Locations in India

4. Try Multiple Consulates for Availability

India has several US consulates in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata. Each consulate has its own appointment scheduling, and wait times can vary by location. By selecting a consulate with fewer applicants, you may find an earlier appointment date. Smaller consulates often have shorter waiting periods compared to busier locations.

5. Consider Visa Agencies or Consultants

Visa consultants or agencies offer services that monitor appointment slots and alert you when new openings arise. These agencies can track available appointments on your behalf, helping you find an earlier time slot. Many such services provide real-time updates, allowing you to book faster without constantly checking manually.

Time Management and Early Application

6. Submit Your Application Early

The earlier you apply, the better your chances of securing an appointment at your preferred time. Visa slots are often booked months in advance, but new appointments are regularly released by the US consulate. Aim to apply well before your travel date, especially during off-peak seasons when demand is lower.

7. Stay Updated on Slot Openings

Appointment slots may be released at different intervals, and it's important to frequently check for new openings. The best time to check for available slots is in the evenings when the consulates often update their schedules. Consistent checking will increase your chances of securing an earlier date.

Ways to Speed Up Your Visa Appointment Process

8. Ensure All Documents Are Ready

Incomplete or incorrect documentation can delay your visa process. Before your appointment, double-check that all required documents, including financial statements, passport copies, and travel plans, are complete and accurate. Having all your paperwork in order reduces the risk of additional delays.

9. Stay in Communication with the Consulate

Following up with the consulate after submitting your application is important. You can contact them via phone or email to check the status of your application or to clarify any issues. Staying proactive in communication might help expedite the process or address any concerns the consulate might have with your case.

Conclusion: Enhancing Your Chances for a Faster US Visa Appointment

Although long waiting periods for US visa appointments have become common for Indians, you can overcome these delays with the right approach. Whether by leveraging emergency requests, monitoring appointment openings, or using drop box facilities, following these tips will greatly enhance your chances of securing a quicker visa slot. Additionally, booking early, staying informed, and preparing all documentation properly can further smoothen the visa process.

By adopting these strategies, you’ll be able to navigate the US visa system more efficiently, reducing waiting times and making your travel plans hassle-free.

[existentialmagazine]

Review: snakesnakewhale. share their new harsh pop-punk single ‘You’ll Get That On These Big Jobs’, an ode to appreciating the impermanence of life

Since their debut last year, the obscurely named pop-punk upcomers snakesnakewhale. have only kept building upon gargantuous momentum, performing ruckus live shows and littering new single offerings as the months go by for fans to eagerly feast upon. With more in the works and a smashing new single titled ‘You’ll Get That On These Big Jobs’, this bold act is one you won’t want to skip over.

With a long-winded title like all the best pop-punk releases, ‘You’ll Get That On These Big Jobs’ right away nostalgically calls back to older Fall Out Boy, Modern Baseball, Neck Deep and everything in-between with a raw and harsh sound you simply cannot tear yourself away from. With high-energy drums, gritty electric guitar strums and a cleaner, bright riff emphatically leading atop it, the track immediately parallels hefty emotions just in its sound alone, dancing with a euphoric air as darker tones set the stage for something more poignant. The verse dips further into this industrially stripped sound, clashing in thunderous drums; intensely deep but subdued guitar strums; amp feedback that leads into intermittent short riffs and their vocalist’s distinctly hoarse delivery that’s only enhanced by every ounce of strain and infused pain captured in each word. Tumbling into a chorus that bursts from the limitations of the track’s three minute duration, ‘You’ll Get That On These Big Jobs’ seems to continue to teeter between aching and gratitude, filled with passionate emphasis that can be heavy-hearted or appreciative from whatever perspective you choose to view it from. Wrapped in non-stop vigorous drums, excessive guitar strumming, distant backing vocals that add an emphasis to every word, and of course their vocalist’s raspy storytelling with an even further forced tensity, it’s without a doubt that snakesnakewhale. have nailed what makes a pop-punk song as powerful as they have the ability to be. Though it’s just a song to be heard and unpacked, we felt that every ounce of what ‘You’ll Get That On These Big Jobs’ had to offer felt like more of an experience to live and learn through, fusing your very being within the song’s twists and turns.

An equally important message weaves its way between the seemingly grief-stricken words of ‘You’ll Get That On These Big Jobs’ , candidly dealing with the impermanence of life and finding ways to process these unfathomable, answerless unknowns for comfort. Brought on by the death of loved ones, the message that snakesnakewhale. have to tell is one made even more personal and poignant, reminding you of your mortality for better or for worse. As the band unravel the ways we often look to the future to get through work and reach goals, lyrics like ‘beware of what you wish for, ‘cause those trees aren’t there anymore’ leave you thinking a little deeper about these day-to-day thoughts with a newfound realisation of their destructing impact. Nodding towards how we often lose small details in the process of passing time, like ‘trees’ that can never be recovered, these words remind that it’s important to appreciate what you have before it’s too late. Other lyrics like ‘I sat a moment on the stairs, with my head in my hands ready to cancel all my plans’ seem to push you to re-evaluate those days you can’t bring yourself to go out, urging you find the strength to make those memories with those you won’t always have while still acknowledging the difficulty that comes with putting yourself out there and living with such mindfulness. There’s a difficult, conscious balance needed to truly live life to the fullest and find joy in the smallest details, but snakesnakewhale. are here to remind you that it can be done and is more than worth it in the end: ‘it’s something we all need to work through.’

Check out ‘You’ll Get That On These Big Jobs’ here to not only rock along to the heavy-hitting sound, but also find yourself introspectively looking within.

Written by: Tatiana Whybrow

Photo Credits: Unknown

// This coverage was created via Musosoup, #SustainableCurator.

[mstexalicious1961]

DOTK

devotion by Kesha Trippett

Lord, help me not to sin with my lips.

“Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

I remember years ago when my husband shared with our family the word for the year. He called me and the kids into the living room and said the Lord had given him a word that it would be a year of abundance. I received that word in my heart with joy. However, some months later, situations were coming at us left and right that made it feel like everything but a year of abundance. In my anguish, I said out of my mouth, “This is a year of abundance alright; yeah, an abundance of stress!!!” As soon as those words left my mouth, things began to get worse instead of better. When Holy Spirit brought this to my attention, I immediately canceled those words and repented to God.

The Bible talks about how God allowed Job to lose his health, his wealth, and his children, but He pointed out how Job never once sinned with his lips. Even though he felt pain from the boils on his skin, unbearable grief from his loss, was deeply depressed because his friends were of no help at all, he never once released any words out of his mouth that attacked God’s character or made Him appear to be a liar.

My sister, I know the temptation is real to say some things out of hurt and anger. I know you don’t like the situation, but we are going to breathe and resolve within ourselves that we’re not going to sin with our lips. We know that death and life are in the power of the tongue. We are not handing over our victory because we can’t put a reign on our lips. We’re going to receive the help of Jesus today. We’re going to watch what we’re thinking and dwelling on today. We’re going to trust the Lord to be faithful to His Word today. We’re going to believe God to do what He’s promised us in His perfect timing and in His perfect way.

Prayer: Father God, forgive me for any words I have released from my mouth that displeased you and are contrary to your Word. I didn’t mean it. I cancel those words right now in the name of Jesus. Father, you are true, and you are faithful. You are good to me, and you are my strength. You watch over your words to perform them. Help me speak your words from my mouth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job 2:10

(Read Mark 4:18-20)

[xtruss]

'Blue Beetle': Latino Culture Reigns Supreme in Long-Needed Superhero Departure

'Black Panther' proved there was an immense audience for movies based on diverse comic book characters. Will DC's latest also deliver at the box office?

— Steve Appleford | August 11, 2023

As a young comic book writer and fan in 2006, Josh Trujillo was immediately captivated by a new take on an old second-tier superhero, the Blue Beetle. Less important than the character’s powers and ancient scarab technology was the name behind the mask: Jaime Reyes, a high school kid from a Latino home in El Paso, Texas, grappling with his new capabilities amid the usual teen angst.

Traditionally, most superheroes from DC and Marvel were dependably square-jawed and Caucasian, but this was something different. “The fact that his name was Jaime —that’s something you rarely saw in comics at the time, and even now, it’s relatively rare,” says Trujillo, a Los Angeles-based creator who now writes the character for DC Comics. “I kind of became obsessed with learning everything I could about him.”

Now, the character is the latest superhero to lead a live-action feature film, Blue Beetle, directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, with Xolo Maridueña (the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai) in the title role. The August 18 release from Warner Bros. Pictures will face a variety of constituencies, including fans outraged by last year’s cancellation of Batgirl, which had been anticipated as the first superhero film starring a Latina actor, Leslie Grace. Blue Beetle also lands after disappointing box office numbers in June for The Flash, which some blamed on allegations surrounding its star, Ezra Miller. Others suggest, not for the first time, that the superhero genre is simply running out of steam.

For many of those eagerly awaiting Blue Beetle, its arrival as a commodity could not be less relevant to its value as a cultural statement, regardless of fallout from The Flash. Superhero fans from Latino neighborhoods across the country are openly anticipating the film, which stars a mostly Latino cast, including George Lopez and Adriana Barraza, with Susan Sarandon as a ruthless villain named Victoria Kord.

Ángel Manuel Soto, George Lopez, Xolo Maridueña, and Harvey Guillén. Instagram.Com/George Lopez

“Everybody’s really excited about this in the community,” says Frederick Luis Aldama, author and professor of humanities at the University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches courses in comics studies and Latino pop culture. “The support is going to be because, for the first time, we have a Latino superhero who is the protagonist — he’s the one carrying the story. And we haven’t had that in the past.”

Aldama, who has adopted the nickname “Professor Latinx” (a takeoff on X-Men’s Professor X), noted his disappointment that the film relocates Jaime from the borderlands of El Paso for the fictional Palmera City. But he appreciates that in the comics, and in the movie trailer he saw a month ahead of the film’s release, Jaime “didn’t lose his Latino-ness” after being transformed into the Blue Beetle. “It was very much still a part of his identity and his struggle.”

Before Blue Beetle, the first major superhero film to feature a Latino lead character was 2018’s animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, winner of that year’s Oscar for animated feature, with a kid named Miles Morales in the Spidey mask. It was followed by this year’s sequel Across the Spider-Verse. Last year, Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness included a teenage Latina superhero named America Chavez. And in The Flash, the central role of Supergirl was played by Colombian American Sasha Calle.

Most likely, the castings aren’t so much about social justice as reading the room. In 2021, Latinos made up 24 percent of the U.S. moviegoing audience, according to a study by the Motion Picture Association. “Within the Latino community, there’s always been excitement for colorful characters and larger-than-life heroes,” says Trujillo, who also created an openly gay version of Captain America for Marvel. “You see that in luchador [wrestling], right? You see it in even telenovelas. There’s this larger-than-life element that people are really drawn to in our community.”

With the new DC Universe brand of superhero films, television, and video games still a full year away, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has declared that the movie’s incarnation of Blue Beetle is “the first DCU character” of the new regime. What exactly that portends for future films with Blue Beetle was left vague, but the film seems destined to rise and fall on its own, unconnected to any of the major DC heroes. It’s also arguable that Maridueña is much better known for Cobra Kai and better positioned to lead a film than The Flash’s Miller had been.

Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Comics

“He looks just like Jaime Reyes, and we all know he can act,” says Trujillo. “The special effects and the action, it feels very youthful. It feels very fresh. I think a lot of people who might be turned off by the heavier continuity of the superhero movies will be able to find something new and something they can really take ownership of in the Blue Beetle movie.”

The negativity emanating from Batgirl’s cancellation continues to resonate. The company line from the newly merged Warner Bros. Discovery was that the film was unreleasable, though the move was widely seen as a Machiavellian choice by CEO David Zaslav in order to take an easy $90 million write-off, turning the mogul instantly into DC’s least popular supervillain.

Zoe Saldana, a star of three popular movie franchises — Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, and Avatar — called the cancellation a “truly atrocious act from a studio.” And filmmaker Kevin Smith, normally a dependable booster for the comics properties he adores, noted that it was “an incredibly bad look to cancel the Latina Batgirl movie. I don’t give a shit if the movie was absolute fucking dogshit — I guarantee you that it wasn’t,” pointing to the sterling bona fides of the film’s codirectors, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, on the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel.

The Batgirl cancellation drew the attention of U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, who was already critical of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Castro was one of four members of Congress in April to urge the Department of Justice to investigate the merger. “I don’t see how it’s been beneficial to many people,” Castro says.

That said, Castro is already looking forward to Blue Beetle and has met with the director and star, with plans to rent a theater in his working-class “bread and butter” district to share the film with members of his community. “I and many others were concerned at the time of the Batgirl announcement that the same thing would happen with Blue Beetle. I’m glad that it didn’t,” he says. “It’s important for the Latino community because Latinos have been excluded from Hollywood, by and large, in front of and behind the camera.”

Castro has also been active in promoting Eva Longoria’s streaming comedy-drama Flamin’ Hot and attended a screening at the White House. He says these films follow generations of Hollywood stereotypes of Latinos and other communities, if they’re shown onscreen at all. “So Blue Beetle, where you have a Latino who

is a superhero, is a striking departure from the usual Hollywood fare of Latino as gangbanger, as ‘illegal,’ as criminal. And that means a lot.”

The movie was already in production when Trujillo began writing his recent comic book miniseries Blue Beetle: Graduation Day, which is set for rerelease in book form in time for the movie’s debut. He says it is the first American mainstream superhero comic to be created by an all-Latino team, including Spanish artist Adrian Gutierrez. He was given bits and pieces of information from the movie to incorporate into his storyline but hasn’t seen the film. He hopes to attend the premiere and bask on the “blue carpet.”

“I’ll be there day one, regardless,” he says of the Blue Beetle movie. “I do think there’s a bit of a rising tide, and DC in particular has done a really good job of embracing the Latino community. I’m really grateful that DC’s been on board for it from the very beginning.”

[melonnmiru]

finally finished ukiyo's rework!

Basics

Agent Name: Ukiyo

Codename: Specter

Age: 22

Real Name: Kazashi Sakakibara

Species: Radiant

Spoken Languages: Japanese, English

Personality

Ukiyo is a very loud and eccentric person who enjoys annoying both her allies and enemies. Is notorious for pranking people, things like summoning ghosts behind mirrors to scare whoever passes by them. She won't stop unless you sit her down and tell her to, which even then, would take a lot of persuasion on your end.

She tends to act overconfident with things like her radiance and gets defensive if someone tries to criticize her on it. She is fully aware of the fact she still barely understands her own powers but would prefer if other's wouldn't see her that way too. Along with comments on her radiance, she gets noticeably upset when her clothes get damaged during battles or when people comment about her choice of clothing.

Ukiyo is seen to be generous on occasion, buying agents stuffed animals that reminded her of them or giving her own albeit strange, words of advice to whoever asks. Though rather odd with her acts of kindness, Ukiyo really just wants the best for those she's closest to.

Backstory

Reiko Suzuki, Ukiyo's original body used to work as a shrine maiden in Tokyo. During this time she met Chiyo, after a while the two began dating. A few months go by and while Reiko was cleaning in the shrine, the first light occured. Reiko was the only one within the shrine affected by it and since it came so suddenly, she quickly lost control and her ghosts went rampant across the shrine. Almost if not all the shrine maidens, including herself and Chiyo were killed.

In the afterlife, Reiko chose to pass on in the form of Chiyo in her next life as a way to make her continue on with her life as if she had never died. However this made it so that Ukiyo was born into this world the same age Chiyo died. Current Ukiyo/Kazashi doesn't know her body is Chiyo and her memories match that of Reiko's with a few altercations. (Not knowing she died and such) She acts like how Chiyo did and is near the splitting image for her, except for the beauty mark on her right cheek. Oddly, (and for plot convenience) Ukiyo still has the same radiance she had from her past life and until now, has no clue how she got it.

Currently, Ukiyo lives in the abandoned shrine, taking care of it as well as scaring random people who pass by. Ever since she saw what she now knows was her past self in the mirror, she's been trying to figure out just what happened in her past life.

Skillset

Q —Latern Spook  ; One charge. 300 creds.

Summon a lantern spirit behind the wall of an entrance. When an enemy is detected, it will immediately pop up in front of the enemy and blind them. The lantern can be shot before being detected or blinded.

C — Condensed Spirit ; Two charges. 150 creds

Ukiyo places a sigil on the ground. Once activated, a ghost is released and pulls anyone within its radius to the center for 5 seconds. Afterwards, whoever was pulled into the spirit will be slowed for a few seconds.

Signature — Omamori ; One charge. Free.

Equip an omamori to give to another player. Once an omamori is given, the player receives an extra 35 shield. The omamori cannot be given to herself.

Ultimate — After Dark ; 7 Ult points.

Ukiyo summons the ghost equivalent of her shrine in a set area. Enemies who enter/are already in the shrine are immediately hit with paranoia. Effect lingers after leaving Ukiyo's ult for 3 seconds. Ult lasts for 45 seconds and cancels if Ukiyo dies.

Trivia

- Ukiyo is very fond of k-pop, especially groups like Twice and Red Velvet. A few of her voicelines mention her buying albums. (if i ever get around to finishing them lmao)

- Ukiyo has an irrational fear of birds simply because "they're always staring at me, ready to poke my eyes out!".

- When Ukiyo isn't trying to scare the agents, she can be seen playing random horror games or cooking.

- Ukiyo is an ESFP and 8w7. She is also a Scorpio and her birthday is on November 20 (aka day i created her #slay)

- Very careful about her appearance, takes hours to get ready in the morning even if she isn't really going anywhere.

- thats all i have rn check again later *shoos you away

Miscellaneous

(Old) Masterlist

Playlist

Upcoming:

Revamped Voicelines

Relationships with other Agents

Splash Art

Agent Contract

Valorant Backstory (How she was recruited etc)

[mssirey]

Kinktober 4: Choking

A follow-up to my hairpulling piece!

That night—the one that Kara could not force from her thoughts—slipped away without so much as a casual mention, joined the many game nights that bonded their group without standing apart. It left Kara torn—half of her glad that the events wouldn’t shape the jokes in the group chat for the next month, but also half of her was just lost. 

The offer to try it again, to have her hair pulled again, echoed in her ears, tirelessly twisting itself into her every waking thought, and worse still, her dreams. Kara couldn’t be certain if it was a genuine offer, or what was meant by it, or what she wanted from it. She had never felt that rush in her nerves, the way they sang so fully and set her heart dancing to the tune. 

Rationally, Kara understood that there was novelty in the sensation—something she could not find elsewhere and so had no experience with. She told herself it was just that, but the way Sam’s name was on her lips when she stirred from sleep and the phantom touch that lingered on her throat as she rolled out of bed could not be ignored; just as they couldn’t the morning before, and the one before that.

Kara tried to pretend she was unaffected, even accepted an invitation to an evening at Sam’s, without the pretense of a SuperFriends gathering. She debated cancelling right up until she was at Sam’s door with what was left of the Aldebaran rum in hand, her heart refusing to quiet, drowning out the soft knock of her knuckle against the door.

Kara—usually so aware of every little detail of her circumstances and surroundings—hardly noticed that Sam was immediately at the door, waving her in with an easy grin. If anything, it meant she didn’t have time to dwell on the mistake of showing up without Alex or anyone else as a deterrent against her mind circling back to the offer, the itch to take Sam up on it, or to ask for more. 

“Hey, hi!”

With her breath catching in her lungs, Kara practically tripped over the threshold, all too aware of Sam’s eyes on her, and increasingly distracted by how tall she was. It wasn’t that Kara had never noticed—certainly Reign had loved to leverage it against her—but it only served to keep her neck bent slightly, reminiscent of how Sam had pulled it back. A lot of things seemed to bring her back to that. 

The cadence of Sam’s greeting went largely unnoticed, lost in the brilliance of her smile, blinding Kara to anything else. “I brought,” and she lifted the remainder of the bottle of rum. “We really didn’t hold back the other night,” she noted how low it had gotten, after just the two of them drinking it, but the truth was it didn’t take much for her to feel it. 

Kara offered the bottle forward. 

“I held back,” Sam drawled, the lowest notes sinking into Kara’s belly, settling low and heavy within her. 

Kara wasn’t used to feeling slow, but her mind was sluggish and Sam seemed to glide easily, catching her wrist before it could fall back to her side. The brush of Sam’s thumb against her skin was mesmerizing, and it took all her will to not let her eyes drop, to not fall into rapture as she was held, in both hand and gaze. 

The touch was nothing overtly intimate, but perhaps that was the problem. It invited Kara to want without giving much hint of her intentions. Or perhaps it did—perhaps Sam wasn’t being subtle and Kara’s spinning thoughts prevented her from properly judging. 

“Let’s not cloud anything with alcohol.”

There was a gentle tug and Kara stepped without thought, followed without question, nodding in agreement with Sam’s suggestion, desperately trying to pry her thoughts away from Sam’s hand, succeeding only when graced with a warm smile. 

Kara was relieved of the bottle and watched it get set on the counter before they continued to the living room, where Sam pointed her towards the couch. When released, she sat gracelessly, her knees just giving out so she landed heavily. 

“You okay?” 

The air of confidence around Sam wavered, her hand faltering in its rise to brush the hair that had fallen in Kara’s face back behind her ear. The inner wish for that touch to continue around to the nape of her neck reared up above everything else, but all Kara’s throat produced was a strangled whine, shrill in her own ears. 

“Kara?” 

Sam’s hand had retreated, concern etched into the crease of her brow. She was still standing, close enough that Kara was forced to crane her neck, the thought of being even lower flooding her before she could brace for it. 

It was Kara who caught Sam then, fingers clutching. “Wait,” she breathed.

Kara’s cheeks were stained with the heat of her blush, her breath short and expectant, anticipation building before she could even admit to wanting anything. Her gaze could hardly keep on Sam’s face, on the heaviness of her stare, on the flare of her nostrils or the part of her lips, on the storm of fire behind darkened eyes. 

“Please,” was all Kara managed to say, her voice squeaking with a pitiful desperation. “Please.”

Sam’s throat bobbed as she swallowed, and Kara couldn’t help enjoying being drank in like that. “Please what?”

“T-touch me.” And then everything got messy, her hesitations abandoning her faster than her wits, her body loosening without understanding, becoming pliant beneath just the thought of Sam’s hand on her. “I want to feel— to… to feel you.”

They were locked together for a moment, sizing up each other’s desire, caught in the rising beat of their hearts. Kara’s grip slipped, allowed Sam to move—to choose the direction they took. Her eyes fell to watch, and still the measured climb of Sam’s fingers managed to scatter her mind, her thoughts racing and her heart jumping at every inch of progress. 

“You want your hair pulled?” 

Kara heard Sam, but the words jumbled and reordered themselves, taking the meaning of the question and twisting it away from Kara’s comprehension. “Yes— no! No,” she corrected as she finally managed to arrange thoughts properly, the struggle worsening as her body begged to melt into the couch. 

The halting of Sam’s hand and the bunch of her brow prompted clarification. “I already know I like that,” she squeaked, her thoughts flickering like a candle in a breeze, momentarily going dark. 

Kara wanted more. 

“Choke me.”

That set things in motion, brought Sam’s knees to sink into the cushion of the couch on either side of Kara’s thighs, straddling her lap. Her hand continued how it had, slipping up the back of Kara’s neck into her hair. 

Sam’s eyes were darker than she had recalled them—even the red glow of Reign holding a different tone—and as her vision blurred with the warm fog that filled her skull, she could just make out the gleam of amusement. 

“Show me your pretty throat,” but without waiting, Sam tugged. 

Kara’s head fell back sharply and at once her muscles became putty. Her moan was a bursting gasp that then strangled into a delirious slur of wet desire, echoed in the fluttering clench of her cunt.

The pull of her scalp had flared hot at first, but as Kara’s body slipped lower into the couch, it became a dull thud in her veins, drowning out the world. Her hands fumbled forward automatically, found Sam’s waist and held it without the delicate care she always had for humans. 

As Sam’s grip loosened, the sudden lack of sensation was disorienting, tingles raining down Kara’s body, leaving quiet in their wake. But the touch around her throat brought everything crashing into sharp focus, the responding throb settling low in her belly, drawing the heat downward until she felt it spill slick between her legs. 

Kara would meet resistance. When she pushed, there would be something that could stand against her. Fighting for breath wouldn’t be conceptual—something she tried to imagine, to project herself into. She would feel the squeeze, not just a tickle she humored. 

When she looked up, she met Sam’s eye—someone she trusted with more than just her life, but with her desires, and her vulnerability. She would be in Sam’s hands, and she would be safe to walk straight up to the ledge that overlooked ruin itself. 

Kara could stare down into the depths of oblivion and know that Sam was there, with her, for her. “Please,” she whispered, her eyes ready to roll up at the slightest twitch of Sam’s fingers. 

The pressure built gradually, encouraged by the slur of moans that swelled up within her, until her breath cut off. Kara shivered and her jaw hung loose in a muted cry. 

The first hitch of her chest—the reflexive effort to draw breath—lifted her spine away from the couch, her body jerking, but the well of panic was rapidly swallowed by a rushing flood of delirium, her mind swimming in quiet, plunging sharply into the warm numb. 

Dots sprinkled across her vision and Kara forgot everything outside of that room, the thunder of her pulse in her ears chasing everything else from her head. She melted, leaving her slack and pliant in Sam’s grip. 

“Good girl.” Sam’s voice filled the emptiness of her skull. 

The pressure lifted just as Kara was ready to drown, giddy at the idea, the haze slow to dissipate. She blinked slow and dopey up at Sam, fixated on her lips, not even feeling her own hand move to the collar of Sam’s sweater, fisting into it and pulling her down, tongue pushing into the damp heat of her mouth. 

Their moans spilled together, stirred Kara up until she was a roiling mess inside. 

“More,” she panted, and Sam’s kiss promised everything she could ask for.

Previous pieces: Self-cest, Size, and Kryptonian Furniture! 

[srbachchan]

DAY 4820

Jalsa, Mumbai                May 9/10,  2021                Sun/Mon 12:24 AM

When young suffer .. when the child suffers .. when the haunt of its bearing clouds the mind with nothing but that .. when time and again the repeat of its presence in some permanence in your life propels you to understand the environ is daunting and without consider .. then gripped in remorse and sadness you drop all else and sit with nothingness .. 

One can move mountains in belief and the weight of endless adversity, but if the insides are drenched in the assess that the paths are damaged and worn .. played out in the drama of a fine performance that seeks attention when attention is not the real cause .. then you sit up .. take stock .. work out the for and the against and come to conclude that the eventual set , should be to remove the cancerous pain , bear it for a while but live in the relief that it shall not be there in permanence once removed .. 

The ability to , despite unfavourable nature , shall ever be the halting block .. but the drama and the performance can ever be seen through, especially when you are surrounded by individuals similar in the despite .. 

Your complacency could be renowned .. as may be your penchant for harmony .. but for whom .. your own demeanour shall never be the object .. the other works arduously to be in the attention .. 

Point is .. they seek away from theirs .. we know the seek .. we see the transparent glass that you present each episode .. that glass gives it all away .. it is now no longer the gambit .. it is the humour of farce in the comedy of the bards errors .. 

Best then to ‘away away bright lite ..’ 

Give me room and space to breathe in my birth environ .. that is reason for departure from the fire tests to the charm of warmth ..

I speak in parables .. may be .. but there is a reality to the mind if nothing else .. a reality that brings and weighs you down .. puts the mountain over the head and drowns you with its booming energy of volume suppressing the tone of the need to air it ..

Air it then .. and end it ..

WORK on the conditions about, relentlessly continues .. campaigns for relief and the give .. at forums that cover the seas beyond .. one such the VaX Concert with dignitaries of the celebrity brand and more resolve to join the fight .. and WIN ..

The one immediately below 👇🏿 , be one such  ..

BUT more at home , the presence of the progeny develops into endeavours that stun you with their thinking and thought .. and our little Navya Naveli .. not so little anymore, speaks about the venture she has begun on her own, with her own and determined to build the initiative she believes in .. here be the link .. for one so young and mature in thought and word was truly a moment of great pride as a Nana as grand parents .. 👇🏿 

Link for Navya Spotify Link : https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DnVZj9kRFjrwm71r5ZVc9?si=0x5egAuDQWmXd1qYH2fkvA

... and there is more .. for some are disturbed in the Ef fraternity of the brevity in the Blog and wonder if the mind is disturbed , ill , concerned , indisposed .. 

No it is not .. 

The hesitancy comes from whether to SPEAK or not ..

But whether I show concern over it or not I find that surreptitiously some of them that are the privileged in the World of writing and inform, have through means sourced the matter that was kept under the hatter .. and now as with all matter within these modern times, nothing remains buried in silence .. it rises and volumes the announce elsewhere ..

SO .. my Nana, my grandfather , my Mother’s Father Sardar Khazan Singh Suri the affluent Bar at Law in pre partition Punjab, was married to Amar Kaur Sodhi, my Naani , my Mother’s mother .. and gave birth to my Mother Teji Kaur Suri .. 

The Sodhi’s are considered the descendents of the Guru’s of the Sikh religion .. the location of the birth of the religion being AnandPur Sahib, the  Gurudwara now in India Punjab and a most revered temple of the Sikhs .. 

The readings of the autobiography of my Father, detailing the history of his In Laws educated me .. I never had courage or the need to ask this of my Father or my Mother .. but having known ,it came to me that there has been no remembrance of Nana and Naani through the years .. so a remembrance needed to be done .. 

CovID occurred and in the months and time that has passed from the ‘20 to the ‘21 and one witnessed the hardships of those that suffered .. 

Yes I do charity , but have ever believed it to be done,  than spoken of .. it is embarrassing , in too great a self consciousness .. of one that has ever felt shy of public presence despite the profession - one that has to find its usp in public domains is relevant today for me .. 

The pressure though .. the every day abuse and the filth of distasteful comment has never been of attention to me or to the family .. we have seen it from time immemorial .. happens .. some are ridden with the wisdom that it shall happen .. so all the efforts continued in the quiet .. no divulge to the information agencies .. no talk of it either .. only the receiver knew and that was the end ..

Over 1500 farmers’ bank loans paid off by my personal fund and prevented them from suicide , as the suicides grew  .. from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, UP et al .. calling them over after identifying with respective banks and getting them all to Janak and in the presence of the bank representatives, paying them in person and getting them to strike off the loan , giving each farmer the document that they did not owe any more , that their loan was over and completed and paid back to the bank .. some 300 odd from UP could not all be present .. a bogie in the train booked for a limited number of 30 to 50 of them , from their respective cities in UP, received them in Mumbai , put them in buses , given a drive of the city of Mumbai, brought over to Janak, fed and given the loan cancellation certificate and put back on the train to their homes .. all at my expense ..

The brave soldiers at the border of the Country who had been martyred , their lists sought and their families , young wives and their children, some wives pregnant and expectant , given succour ..

The martyr’s at Pulwama after the terrible terrorist attack , their families spread all over the land contacted and brought to Janak and given succour .. at the hands of Abhishek and Shweta  .. 

Those that suffered during the CoViD last year .. providing food for over 400,000 - 4 lakh - daily wage earners in the country for a month .. feeding almost 5000 in the city each day lunch and dinner .. 

Provided masks , PPE units to front line warriors, Police Hospitals in the thousands .. through personal funds .. donating to the Sikh Committee that was helping the migrants to travel back home in the Inter State busses , where the drivers were mostly Sikhs ..

When the migrants were walking back home, some without the benefit or affordability of shoes .. provided hundreds of chappals and shoes to them .. due to lack of travel facility, booked 30 buses to locations in UP and Bihar and supplied them food and water for the overnight travel ..

Booked an entire train from Mumbai to UP to carry 2800 migrant passengers free of cost at my expense .. and when the destination State blocked the train from coming into their State and cancelled the train .. immediately chartered 3 Indigo Airline planes and flew almost 180 migrants in each flight to UP and Bihar and some to Rajasthan and J&K .. free of cost ..

And as the virus spread, donated an entire Diagnostic Centre  .. opened at Bangla Sahib Gurudwara in Delhi through the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee, set up in the premises of the Gurudwara for medical help for the poor and needy .. an MRI machine and other Sonographic and Scan equipments of expenses beyond my means, but set up inspite .. in the memory of my Nana , Naani and my Mother ..

A 250 to 450 bed care centre set up with further donation at the Rakabganj Sahib Gurudwara today in Delhi and soon to procure for them O2 ( Oxygen ) concentrators, not in stock or easily available , from overseas limited stock to be donated to Delhi where the need is immense and some to Mumbai .. coming in within the week .. 50 of them coming in from Poland by 15th and the rest around 150 from perhaps the US .. orders placed , some have arrived and given to the Hospital in need .. 

Ventilators of immediate need to the BMC and to the Municipal Hospitals ordered .. around 20 of them , of course within my limited means , to be in, in a few days .. some 10 have arrived today and on custom release shall be delivered ..

A 25-50 bed Hospital care centre setting up at Juhu Army location at a School Hall , the Ritambhara School, with all facilities and should be up by the 12th of May .. donated funds to set up ..

3 very important detection machines donated to Nanavati Hospital , last week to help in the detection of CoviD ..

Feeding about a 1000 in the slums and poor sections of the city .. 

Young children .. orphaned by the sudden death of the parents, left in oblivion .. have adopted 2  and shall be put in an orphanage in Hyderabad .. their study board and lodging free till they finish School .. from the 1st to the 10th .. and if they turn out bright to provide them with free upper education .. 

.. and more , as and when the means are affordable ..

AGRANDISEMENT .. !! NO .. let it be emulated .. if each were to put in not the above but even a small drop of assistance, the severity of the situation would begin to ease .. 

It is painful to see the misery around and the inability to be able to do something for them .. 

BUT we shall fight and more than that ..  shall .. WIN ! 

So help me God .. !!

Amitabh Bachchan

[caravelmp3]

FEAR AND LOATHING IN DOMESTICATION

pairing: josh kiszka x reader warning(s): mentions of alcohol, references to sex, depression, & anxiety  synopsis: in better terms, josh kiszka is a rolling stone, and when the pandemic causes the band to settle down for an undisclosed amount of time, reader helps josh come out of his slump note: title & reference to that one interview. you know the one. as someone with a fear of domestication as well, i related so hard to josh when he talked about settling down, and this came out of that. it’s just a lil something !! also posted on ao3 if you would like to check it out there instead. hope you all enjoy !! x 

Josh was a vagabond, a nomad, living a peripatetic lifestyle of hopping from city to city overnight by bus or jet, bouncing between venues and interviews as if he was born to do so. Staying in three-star motel rooms in the middle of nowhere became a part of his lifestyle, one that he became quite adjusted to after three years on the go. Even while visiting home he was between family and friend houses, checking in on old stomping grounds, visiting studios hours away, anything to stay busy. In the clearest sense of terms, he was a rolling stone.

So, as everyone imagined it would happen, he began to lose his sense of self in 2020. One second the band were planning the release of an album, preparing to hit the road and play stadiums in South America with Metallica in the spring, and then the next they were hit with the news of cancellations and push-backs to everything they had been working towards. With the rise of a pandemic they were forced into a hiatus and into the first real break any of them had received, if they didn’t count the few days visiting home last holiday season.

He and the rest of the band hunkered down in Nashville and Josh started to live in his worst fear - domesticity. He was waking up at the same time every day in the same city, he was living the same life day after day, and it became old very quickly. While catching up on rest and exploring a new city was fun at first, it started to look like every other city before long. The adventure he would wake up to with excitement was no longer around. He had been forced to settle down, and he felt like a trapped animal trying to gnaw its own leg off.

And like the rest of the band and the management team, you hated seeing him that way.

The relationship between you and Josh was short, but you knew Josh for years, and you noticed the differences in his personality immediately once you followed him to Nashville following the shut down of your own job.

You once swung by the studio with a surprise lunch for the boys and the team and he was struggling to write lyrics on a notepad in the other room, surrounded by crumpled and balled sheets of paper. He would stay up later at night scrolling through airline websites for flights out of Nashville to random cities (as long as he was traveling, he told himself), and he shifted through hobbies to find anything that stuck (which eventually was reading and painting) (there was a corner of the living room filled with stacks of books and canvas paintings).

And you tried your best, even when times were hard on you, too. In order to boost Josh’s spirits and get his mind off the persistent idea that he was stuck in time, you attempted baking new treats and made him try them after dinner, you dabbled in bartending and made new drinks with tequila, set up painting dates in the backyard after work, bought books from second-hand stores you thought he would enjoy, and bought new and random vinyl for the nights spent in during summer storms.

But the bright blue, cloudless summer skies and warm breezes rustling the trees of summer became the red of maples and the bronze of oaks of autumn. Everyone hoped things would be different, maybe even just slightly, but nothing had changed at all. The band was still in Nashville, making the best of their time off to expand the album and the universe it was set in, and you were back to working, but only remotely, so Josh insisted you stayed with them instead of traveling back home at seemingly the height of the worst so far.

When the long, hot days turned into cooler mornings and long nights with the sun setting at five p.m., the effect of the year had finally hit everyone. Everyone was tired, they felt defeated.

So in one last desperate attempt to boost spirits and morale, everyone set off on their own adventure and escaped Nashville in the early days of December. Danny was going to Los Angeles, Sam was going skiing in Montana, and you knew that Josh and Jake needed their own trip. So after a few phone calls and exchanged emails over a week, you booked a trip for the twins and their family in Key West. It was something small - a rented RV for the dreaded sixteen-hour drive south, but what awaited them was a week in a rented beach house and days on a boat in the Gulf.

You booked it for everyone, you wanted the boys and their family to let loose and spend some time together before work drove them away again, but you weren’t going to lie and say you didn’t book it with Josh in mind. He was a fan of the beach and islands, history, and the water and sun and sand, and after months hunched over a studio coffee table writing and working endlessly on the album design, he deserved time to himself, to recover, to recoup.

You told him before bed on Thanksgiving day. The Kiszka family had come down from Michigan to celebrate the holiday, and they did with dinner and a fire in the pit in the backyard with music and plaid blankets and smores under the stars. After staying up talking to his mom, Josh had come to bed last with the lingering scent of fire smoke in his hair and Corona on his breath, and he met you under the covers, nestling his face in the crook of your neck before pressing a soft kiss against your skin while wishing you goodnight.

Humming, you rolled over and rolled into him. He chuckled and wrapped an arm around you, and that’s when you, in a sleep-deprived state, began to rattle off all of your plans,

“Tell your parents to stay for another week.” You said, eyes still closed, half-asleep.

Josh paused. “Why?” It wasn’t something he was opposed to, but it caught him by surprise.

“I booked a trip for the rest of us. While Danny and Sam are gone.” You laid your head on his shoulder, pressing a gentle kiss to his chest. “We leave for Key West in four days.”

And the shot of adrenaline that ran through Josh was something he hadn’t felt in quite a long time. The last time he got excited about going anywhere was to a new record shop that opened up a few streets over from the house. He quickly sat up in the bed, looking down at you (now laying sideways) in the dark with a smile.

“You’re fucking joking,”

You laughed and reached out for his hand. “Not at all,” you said bringing his hand up to kiss the palm, “I’m going to pick up an RV in a couple of days, and we can surprise your parents and take them shopping for clothes and everything else we need.”

Out of what seemed like a rush of euphoria, Josh threw himself on top of you, peppering your face with kisses and you laughed at the show of affection and at the tickle of the growing mustache he managed to grow (and pull off). You turned your head, holding his cheeks, and kissed him.

“Now, come on, let’s get some sleep.”

“Well that’s unlikely - now I’m going to lay here and think about all the dumb shit we can do.” He said, sliding under the covers and sliding an arm around you.

You just laughed and nestled your cheek against his chest, listening in to the quiet shuffling in the hallway outside the door of everyone going to bed, to the ticking sound of the clock on the wall, and then to Josh’s voice,

“Do you think they have pirate themed dinner cruises?”

“If they do, I’m sure you’ll find out about it.”

And he did.

(There wasn’t one.)

But you found so much more than you two ever dreamed of. Trading dreary Nashville for a bright and warm island, you welcomed the hot breeze and sun-kissed skin.

And even though there wasn’t a pirate themed dinner cruise, you watched Josh come alive in a new environment. You strolled hand-in-hand with him through the butterfly and nature conservatory, letting him rave about the multicolored birds and point at flowers he thought you would like while capturing them on film. On Duval Street he pulled you to get caricature portraits done, he ordered shots for everyone in the bar after a night spent swimming. He roamed Dry Tortugas National Park with Jake, admiring the view and history within the brick fort walls, and first thing one morning he pulled you out of bed to get breakfast and visit the Ernest Hemingway Home, so you sat with him on a bench in the morning light and drank coffee and pet the roaming cats that passed by.

The last night on the island you woke up naked without Josh beside you, and you turned to see him sitting on the balcony with the white sheer curtains billowing around him, writing in the journal he always kept on his person. A smile tugged on the corners of your lips.

Josh was falling in love with life again.

And you were falling in love with life again, too, because Josh was so passionate about living it.