#and therefore there is more suffering in our future

[petit-papillion]

Anyone who thinks Charles would be crazy to sign for 5 years with Ferrari, have you considered:

There are only 20 spots in Formula 1. Even some of the world's most incredibly talented drivers can't get a seat. And most drivers whose Dads don't own an F1 team are happy to get a 2-year contract. 5-year contracts are a rare occurrence. Ask Valtteri what it feels like to drive for years for a top team on 1-year contracts.

10 teams to pick from, with the top 5 claiming all but 2 podiums this past season. So if Charles were to leave Ferrari and not take a step backward in his career, he'd have to go to one of the remaining top 4 teams: RBR, Merc, AM, or McLaren. At Red Bull, he could get podiums and occasionally win races, but he'd never be number 1 while Max is there. Lewis could unexpectedly retire, but until he does, Merc is locked in with him. And while i think Toto would totally want to snap Charles up, if the opportunity arose, not sure I see this happening any time soon. McLaren have a pretty good lineup with both drivers having contracts past 2024. Finally, AM will only have a spot available if either Stroll Sr sells the team or Alonso is forced into retirement. Neither of which seem likely to happen before Charles's contract is up.

Charles lives and breathes Ferrari. He is a tifosi at heart. He loves driving for Ferrari for all its faults and shortcomings. He doesn't just say Forza Ferrari Sempre, he says it from the heart. He wears his Forza Ferrari bracelet until it breaks. He dedicates his end-of-season helmet to all the Ferrari team members. He points to the Prancing Horse on his suit with passion. He wears so many Ferrari clothes outside of work, we are shocked when he doesn't wear them for a while. He spends hours signing autographs for tifosi. And when they ask him if he will ever leave Ferrari, he immediately and confidently responds with, "Never."

Tying in with the previous point: the tifosi adore him. We have a priest praying for him. Grown men getting his name and/or number tattooed next to the Ferrari logo. Italian journalists waxing poetic about him. Fans singing for him under his hotel window. And a single hand gesture from Charles is enough to stop a crowd from booing Max. He gets showered with a 1,000 bracelets, and he accepts (and often immediately wears) them all with a grateful smile. This kind of adulation from the tifosi is not something he will automatically get elsewhere, and I am sure he would miss it dearly if he went to another team.

Charles has said over and over again that he wants to become WDC with Ferrari. Yes, he has mentioned that if he no longer believes in the project, he will look elsewhere. But Fred is only just starting. This year's car was inherited from Binotto. It takes a while to replace staff and to implement new procedures. Where it was possible to make quick changes, we have already seen improvements - most notably with the pit stops, but also with them bringing that meaningful floor upgrade in Suzuka. Fred has said some staff will not even work on next year's car, but on the 2025 car. Changes take time and we are not privy to as much information as Charles is. He has said he believes in Fred and what he is planning.

So to have job security for the next 5 years (btw equaling the number of years Michael Schumacher drove for Ferrari...) with a team he adores, whose fans worship the ground he walks on, working with a team principal with whom he not only has a fantastic working relationship with but who seems to share his vision for the future - it doesn't get much better than this. Yes, I can see that keeping your options open would be good, but I'm sure there will be clauses built into the contract to allow both parties a way out if things don't pan out the way they envision.

In the meantime, if the article in La Gazzetta Sportiva is true, Charles would be the definite N°1 driver for Ferrari. And with Fred also seeing him as the leader of the team, and the car being more developed to suit his driving style, without a doubt his confidence would grow, which in turn would help him become an even better driver and lead to more podiums and wins.

[buttercuparry]

I know I sound like a broken record by now: repeating the same things others have said before but I think banality of it all is the point of my post. The fact that I have nothing new to say– not about the genocide in Gaza, not about the dwindling attention of allies, is HORRIFYING. 

It has been 11 months of a genocide that the UN calls “war on children”. Malnutrition, diseases, lack of suitable medical care have caused Gazan children to lose their childhood; to lose their lives entirely!  

There is no hope left for a future unmarked of pain and my friend Siraj Abudayeh ( @siraj2024 ) , who is father to three sons describes it as a “feeling of oppression”.  He laments that his children have been forced away from their schools, hopes and dreams  by colonizers and where before there were ambitions to excel in either studies or sports, all they know now is helplessness, fear and anger. 

Siraj has told me how his children- Abed, Muhammad and Amir have confessed to their father about how they have begun to  feel guilty for surviving at all now ; after having lost so many of their friends to the genocide they are experiencing survivor's guilt and it breaks my heart to hear that. Abed, the eldest son, is ONLY ELEVEN!!  Can you imagine an eleven year old feeling guilty because he has managed to survive while his friends haven't ? And what kind of survival it is– Half starving, drinking unclean water, forced into tents where sand mites pester him throughout the day?

I am not sure what happened or why the engagement with fundraisers has dropped so drastically lately but there is nothing more atrocious, more horrible than apathy when children are suffering.  It is so strange that we can quote James Baldwin so easily and yet have failed to understand what he meant when he said,

"The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; ...whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality. ”

We have the power that is not afforded to Gazans and therefore it is on us to be attentive no matter how repetitive these posts feel. It is ridiculous and dehumanizing that during a genocide one has to worry about making a post original enough to maintain attention. And yes I know that we won't be able to stop the horrifying banality of Israel’s evil in a day but WE CAN help provide FIVE families that are dependent on this fundraiser with a lifeline during times such as these.  

Please we have managed to get this far after struggling for so long, it cannot be that we will fail Siraj when he is so close to the end goal of 82k !!

So DONATE AND BOOST. Find it in yourself to not just reblog but circulate the fundraiser among your colleagues, friends and family. Share it in your whatsapp chats and discord servers. Share it on every other platform that you may have a reach on.

Currently at $72,987 CAD of the short term goal of 75k. We have 2k left to raise by tomorrow. 

Vetting at 219

[maysaasalman]

Hello 👋

Hello, I am Maysa Al-Dahdouh from Gaza. My family and I face death, hunger, and diseases daily. We are a Palestinian family in need of help from anyone with a living conscience, a compassionate heart, and an understanding of humanity.

Help me overcome adversity

I am reaching out to you today, standing firm against incredible challenges. Life in our area has become increasingly difficult due to the ongoing and escalating conflict, and I struggle to secure the basic necessities for myself and my family.

About me and my family

I am married to Hussam Al-Dahdouh, and I am 38 years old. I have five children: Jamal, 16 years old; Muhammad, 14 years old, who suffers from a chronic illness known as Mediterranean fever and must take lifelong medication; Layan years old; Amir, 8 years old;

We have faced death dozens of times. Our home was completely damaged and burned down, making it uninhabitable. We have been displaced more than 20 times and have miraculously survived certain death. We have lost over 100 relatives, neighbors, and loved ones. The area I live in is subjected to rockets, shelling, and gunfire every day. We struggle to find healthy food, clean drinking water, and medication for my son Muhammad. My children can no longer return to school.

Therefore, my family and I have decided to leave Gaza to protect our children from death, hunger, and diseases due to the war, lack of

food and medicine, water pollution, and

How you can help us

• By making a financial donation, even if it's small.

• By sharing our story on social media.

• By offering words of support and encouragement.

The funds raised will be used for:

• Our departure from Gaza and seeking refuge in a country that respects human rights, such as Canada, Belgium, or Sweden. The cost of leaving is high, as each family member needs $5,000 to leave. Since we will be starting our lives anew outside Gaza, we will also need housing, appliances, cooking utensils, education expenses, medication, and health and psychological rehabilitation.

Every contribution, no matter how small, is important

No donation is too small; every contribution brings us one step closer to relief and a better future. Even if you cannot contribute financially, sharing this campaign with your generous network can make a significant difference.

You can donate through the page below

Thank you

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for your kind generosity. You can help us overcome these difficult times.

[reasonsforhope]

"Researchers at the National Cancer Research Centre in Spain (CNIO) have discovered a mechanism that is triggered just minutes after acute liver damage occurs—and it could lead to treatments for those with severe liver problems.

The avenues for future treatments of liver damage include a diet enriched with the amino acid glutamate.

“Glutamate supplementation can promote liver regeneration and benefit patients in recovery following hepatectomy or awaiting a transplant,” wrote the authors in a paper published in ‘Nature’.

The liver is a vital organ, crucial to digestion, metabolism, and the elimination of toxins. It has a unique ability to regenerate, which allows it to replace liver cells damaged by the very toxins that these cells eliminate.

However, the liver stops regenerating in cases of diseases that involve chronic liver damage–such as cirrhosis—and such diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent, associated with poor dietary habits or alcohol consumption. So activating liver regeneration is key to treating the disease.

Learning to activate liver regeneration is therefore a priority today, to benefit patients with liver damage and also those who’ve had part of their liver cut out to remove a tumor.

The research has discovered in animal models this previously unknown mechanism of liver regeneration. It is a process that is triggered very quickly, just a few minutes after acute liver damage occurs, with the amino acid glutamate playing a key role.

“Our results describe a fundamental and universal mechanism that allows the liver to regenerate after acute damage,” explained Nabil Djouder, head of the CNIO Growth Factors, Nutrients and Cancer Group and senior author of the study.

A “complex and ingenious” perspective on liver regeneration

Liver regeneration was known to occur through the proliferation of liver cells, known as hepatocytes. However, the molecular mechanisms involved were not fully understood. This current discovery is very novel, as it describes communication between two different organs, the liver and bone marrow, involving the immune system, according to a CINO news release.

The results show that liver and bone marrow are interconnected by glutamate. After acute liver damage, liver cells, called hepatocytes, produce glutamate and send it into the bloodstream; through the blood, glutamate reaches the bone marrow, inside the bones, where it activates monocytes, a type of immune system cell. Monocytes then travel to the liver and along the way become macrophages – also immune cells. The presence of glutamate reprograms the metabolism of macrophages, and these consequently begin to secrete a growth factor that leads to an increase in hepatocyte production.

In other words, a rapid chain of events allows glutamate to trigger liver regeneration in just minutes, through changes in the macrophage metabolism. It is, says Djouder, “a new, complex and ingenious perspective on how the liver stimulates its own regeneration.”

The research also clarifies a previously unanswered question: how the various areas of the liver are coordinated during regeneration. In the liver, there are different types of hepatocytes, organized in different areas; the hepatocytes in each area perform specific metabolic functions. The study reveals that hepatocytes producing a protein known as glutamine synthetase, which regulates glutamate levels, play a key role in regeneration.

According to the CNIO group, when glutamine synthetase is inhibited, there is more glutamate in circulation, which accelerates liver regeneration. This is what happens when the liver suffers acute damage: glutamine synthase activity decreases, blood glutamate increases, and from there, the connection with the bone marrow is established, reprogramming macrophages and stimulating hepatocyte proliferation.

Possible therapeutic applications

The experiments have been carried out in mice, but the results have been tested with bioinformatics tools, using databases of mouse and human hepatocytes.

According to Djouder, “dietary glutamate supplementation may simply be recommended in the future after liver extirpation, and also to reduce liver damage caused by cirrhosis.”

The first author of the paper, CNIO researcher María del Mar Rigual also wants future research to explore using glutamate supplements in humans who have undergone liver resection for tumor removal."

-via Good News Network, March 30, 2025

[msmysticfail]

Pluto in Aquarius

I'll give you a dose But it will never come close To the rage built up inside of me Fist in the air, in the land of hypocrisy

✶November 19, 2024 to January 19, 2044✶

Aquarius/Uranus rules: rebellion, innovation, thinking outside the box, youth, young adults, community, contribution to the community, groups, breaking conventions, dreams, ideas, surprises, accomplishments, social networks, social causes, social problems, dissatisfaction, uniqueness, agitation, fighting for ideals, fighting for ideas, new, future, future plans, technology, artificial intelligence, online groups, internet, unpredictability, rebellion, innovation, revolt, radicalism, chaos, revolution, turbulence, dissatisfaction, future, astrology, astronomy, gender equity, outer space, UFOs, programming, camaraderie, visionary, questioning, recycling, social responsibility.

Maybe we will feel like a new chapter is beginning because it is, however I would like to say that it is not yet the definitive end of an Era, that will only happen when Pluto enters Pisces and then begins its cycle again with Aries (2068–2098). Only then will we have the beginning of a new Era for humanity. That’s why it’s important for us to pay close attention to how we handle the pending social issues of this Era, such as: global warming, water resources, non-renewable energy sources (oil), gender inequality, humanitarian crises, hyperconnection, artificial intelligence, fake news, deep fakes.

I believe with all my being, with all my intuition, that if we do not take care of our planet now, when we are about to feel the force of Pluto in Aquarius acting on the collective (Earth), future generations—my children, your children, our grandchildren—will suffer greatly from the scenario that Pluto in Taurus (2097–2129) will bring. This generation will certainly pay for all the irreversible damage we have caused to the Earth. This is my intuition and my premonition, and I believe in it with my life. We must take care of this planet while there is still time.

Aquarius is also the opposite (opposition) of Leo, so leonine figures, as well as leonine themes, will go through certain challenges—this is a time of change.

When Pluto was last in Aquarius (1777–1798)

Lenormand was alive;

Yes, the creator of the Lenormand tarot was alive when Pluto was last in Aquarius, with the gift of vision running through her veins. Pluto in Aquarius guided this incredible seer through the paths of divination. Moreover, Marie Anne was part of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era.

French Revolution;

Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen by Olympe de Gouges;

Creation of the guillotine;

The “fall” of the monarchy;

The “fall” of absolutism;

Creation of the United States of America as an independent country;

The Enlightenment as the “predominant form” of thought.

Predictions

Return of Cicada 3301

This is a more personal prediction. I feel that with Uranus entering Gemini and Pluto in Aquarius, we will see a boom in all matters related to the internet. Pluto rules sects and secret groups, which is exactly what Cicada 3301 is.

More violent protests

Protests will become more violent due to Pluto’s influence, which acts as an “amplifier” (similar to Jupiter), but Pluto intensifies extreme emotions. Therefore, if the collective is very dissatisfied, this dissatisfaction will be tripled, and as a result, the protests will become more intense.

Advancement or colonization of Mars

Elon (Mars in Aquarius in the 8th house) and his team will certainly make great progress when it comes to advancing the colonization of Mars, as outer space is ruled by Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius. Thus, I believe that we, as humanity, will move forward toward space-related achievements.

Changes regarding misogyny in India (Parts of Asia)

There is still a dramatic scenario in 2024 occurring in parts of India and East Asia, where baby girls are abandoned or killed simply for being girls. Korean women still face a great deal of gender disparity in the workplace.

Behavioral shift in South Korea

South Korea still has a social landscape that does not favor gender equality.

New social network emerging

Yes, a new social network (or more) is on the horizon, as Uranus in Gemini (Air) and Pluto in Aquarius (Air) have joined forces to bring many innovations.

Social network ceasing to exist

Pluto speaks about death, and in this case, since it rules the internet, apps, and social networks, a certain social network has a high probability of ceasing to exist.

Change in beauty standards

Pluto in Aquarius will make a direct opposition to Leo, which, like Libra, dictates beauty standards and trends. The Aquarius-Leo axis deals with fashion, trends, individual tastes, and collective style.

Growth of astrology

Aquarius literally rules astrology, predictions, and our starry sky full of planets. With Pluto in Aquarius, the market is likely to see a boom in books, courses, and debates about astrology. Its importance will grow significantly.

Growth in the quality of electronic music

DJs, in particular, will be producing music and melodies that will “touch” the audience on a deeper level. As a result, we will have higher-quality music and new electronic hits emerging.

Hollywood will undergo a drastic transformation

Hollywood is literally one of the biggest symbols of Leo (with a strong influence from Neptune, as Neptune rules cinema and cinematic art). With Pluto in Aquarius making a direct opposition to this sign, we will see major transformations in aspects I can’t yet predict concerning Hollywood and its actors and actresses.

Aquarian figures gaining power and fame

Whether they have personal planets in Aquarius or simply embody this archetype.

Gigantic growth of AI

We will end Pluto in Aquarius with so many innovations and machines compared to what we have now. The question arises: could AI ever gain self-awareness? (...who knows?)

The masses will be more dissatisfied/questioning

We will be unconsciously reevaluating the rules imposed by society. As a result, feelings of dissatisfaction may arise at various times, leading to rebellion, strikes, and protests.

Greater contact with Space

Aquarius rules the starry sky, space, and everything strange to Earth. With Pluto in Aquarius, we will be more inclined to explore space, and we may even finally receive confirmations regarding extraterrestrial life.

Places most affected:

Argentina – Moon in Aquarius 27°03’

São Paulo – Sun in Aquarius 14°51’

China – Ascendant in Aquarius 5°56’

United States – Moon in Aquarius 26°58’

Brazil – Ascendant in Aquarius 28°10’

Cuba – Ascendant in Aquarius 17°30’

India – Midheaven in Aquarius 14°49’

South Korea – Sun in Leo 21°40’ (opposition to Pluto in Aquarius)

Los Angeles – Midheaven in Leo 1°26’ (opposition to Pluto in Aquarius)

Tokyo – Moon in Leo 6°06’ (opposition to Pluto in Aquarius)

India – Sun in Leo 21°07’ (opposition to Pluto in Aquarius)

Mexico City – Sun in Leo 3°11’ (opposition to Pluto in Aquarius)

To conclude, I want to make it very clear that I feel a significant event of large proportions will occur when Pluto in Aquarius, at its final degrees, opposes Uranus in Leo, starting around 2038 or 2039. This movement will greatly impact society.

“Ideas are bulletproof!”

— V for Vendetta

[landograndprix]

「Feel the magic ๛ l.n」

part vii

✧.* you've finally secured your well deserved p1 after months of suffering with red bull and while you celebrate it the right way, love is in the air and everybody sees it now.

✧.* when i think about my muppets i think about this song, should i make like a playlist of songs that remind me of this fic, give y'all the vibes ive been having? 👀 spelling mistakes add character, don't mind them 🥰 this is a psa for the people who wanted to be on my taglist but never got tagged, i didn't forget or ignore you, I simply am unable to tag you and therefore removed you from the list feel free to ask me again so I can take a look at it. Taglist is open Love ya ❤️

✧.* prev part - next part

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y/nusername

liked by landonorris, milouberger and 453,789 others

y/nusername I'd like to thank my parents— p1 baby!🏆

tagged: mclaren

view all 742 comments

y/nloveee yes baaaaabbyyyyy 🤩🤩

norrizz one big fat fuck you to red bull!

adam_norris_pure_electric amazing race, amazing driver!🥇

carlandooo oh my gosh, I'm dead, Adam out here supporting his future daughter in law 😭

norry4 stop it 😭

ricky78 bring it home y/n!

natewhite this girls good, she should try racing in f1..

carlossainz55 well deserved! 🔥

chilisainz wish I had a supportive ex boyfriend 💀

y/nlandooo we're so back with our 1-2!

yourmomsuser super proud of you! 🥰

milouberger back where you belong!

hamilt44n girl, shut up..as if you didn't try to push her off the track halfway..🤨

redbullgirl come back please, perez is a joke 😢

landonorris that's my girlfriend 😍

bott_ass we were aware 😂

landonorris you got any plans tonight? wanna celebrate?

landosmclaren HOWLING ABSOLUTELY UNHINGED

maxfewtrell mega race 🙌

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landonorris posted on their story

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cecilemoulin posted to their story

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y/nusername

liked by landonorris, riabish and 689,872 others

y/nusername ending an amazing weekend with my favorite lil' guy 🧡

tagged: landonorris

view all 878 comments

norrizz honestly such a power couple!!

sharl16 oh they in love love huh?

bott_ass not the after sex selfie 😭

bananaclerc I was looking for this comment 😭

y/nlando y/n's finally showing more of her and lando on here 🥺

mrsnorris 🤮 get someone your own age 🤮

cecilemoulin I just know y'all were late because you've been watching tiktok's in bed all morning..

y/nusername Cecile thirst trap edits go hard

carlandooo y'all think y/n finally realised she likes this man? Seemed pretty one sided to me for a hot minute 😂

ceciley/n I think Cecile said in an interview that THEY aren't used to dating younger dudes and that she felt out of place for the first few weeks..pretty sure she meant herself and y/n 😉

carlandooo CECILE IS DATING SOMEONE?

ceciley/n yeah..max fewtrell? Girl where have you been? 😂

carlandooo under a fucking rock apparently! Wow, these girls really said young, cute and british? Yes ma'am 🥰 so real of them

ceciley/n a couple of besties dating another couple of besties 😂

hamilt44n where are Carlos and Pierre now? You think they gave up? :')

landonorris favourite lil' muppet 🧡

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Everything taglist; @thomaslefteyebrow @hopefulinlove @smoothopz @softboystarkey @honethatty12 @cixrosie @parkersmjs @ireadthensuetheauthors @celestialams @be-your-coffee-pot @heli991113 @kodzuvk @reality-is-a-con @80sloverry @bibissparkles @myescapefromthislife @lanando4 @elliegrey2803 @ravisinghs-wife @glow-ish

Feel the magic taglist: @celesteblack08 @mrsmaybank13 @cha-hot @judesgfirl @roseseraj @kissesandmartinis @jpg3 @amulhermaisfelizdomundo @marialovesf1 @silkenthusiasts @luvrrish @laneyspaulding19 @emily-b @formula1bby @judespoisons @buckybarnessweetheart @strawberrychita @iifloweringnightsii @buendiabebeta @jjsprobablywrong @babyvinnie @mishaandthebrits @hockeyboysarehot

Lando taglist: @beatricemiruna @simp-for-fictional-people @landossainz @christianpulisic10

[theladybrownstarot]

SPIRITUAL-WISDOM

A WAY TO SELF & IMPROVEMENT

Introduction: Namaste People! I'm brown , this post is quite different from others because this post is about spiritual wisdom which is needed a lot in life and without it we are always steps behind achieving what we need . I'm making this post In order to help out and share my wisdom with others to help them improve in their life !

Topic : The state of non-thinking

Overview : The majority of our problems arises due to thinking - a cause of suffering. We have forgotten and undervalued the core importance of quitetiude that's intrisic to our nature and life which has now caused serious problems around and in world and us - disappointment, regret , fight , war, hate , and more. We make the world so let's silence ourself first so we can create a difference altogether with the state of non thinking .

✧ What is it ?

The state of non-thinking refers to where are living in the present without worrying and thinking about the future and past rather in content with what is in front of us totally. It's like an acceptance and way ahead to understand yourself deeply and so your life and take actions accordingly. It's not totally about to stop thinking but rather thinking less.

✧ Why do we need it ?

The majority of the problem arises from our thinking, we can feel negativity only when we think , so wouldn't it be better of without thinking ? For example - You are going to have an exam tomorrow and you haven't prepared yet left with time if used could help out only if you stop thinking about the time and exam continously. Well there it is that positive state which will come out from you and intutive whispers helping you out to do what needs to be done . Hence when you follow that state of non-thinking you allow intuition to work in and connect with your innate natural state . When you practicse the non-thinking consistently you will see connecting with the truth and find answers to all your questions and so you find peace in your life too .

✧ Do we need to completely stop thinking ?

Well , it depends on what kind of life you want to live or what purpose you hold and how you want to change your life accordingly. In terms of survival we do need negative thinking to make us aware and alert . Therefore we may go to less thinking than to non-thinking and with consistent practisce you shall be able to maintain lesser thinking and non thinking for same .

✧ Is thought and thinking the same ?

No , they are completely different . The thought is divine and thinking is the cause of suffering from your head .

✧ How do I come to the state of non-thinking ?

You can do certain things :

1. Realise that thinking is the cause of suffering.

2. Eliminate that makes you prone to think like actions and things which do not inspire and excite you at all .

3. Create an environment and in your day that would help you come back in the state again. So when you wake up early in the morning keep your device aside and mediate .

©️ @theladybrownstarot 2023 all rights reserved. Any stealing or copying of work will be a punishable offence.

[magics-neptunes-things]

Camping Love

Hi guys :)

This one is based on this request, I hope everyone will like it :) First time writing for Lia, but she's like the sweetest girl ever, so enjoy :)

Resume : Your girlfriend take you camping in Switzerland.

TW : None.

______________________________________________________________

You were not surprised when Lia proposed to you to go camping. You know how much she loves being outside. She can pass hours picking up leaves in her garden, walking tirelessly in the forest and simply enjoy the fresh air whenever she has the opportunity. It's therefore no surprise to anyone that her choice of home was a small house set back from the city, close to nature. Even if it lengthens her journey to work every day.

You’re not a footballer, it’s actually Leah Williamson who played matchmaker between you two. After Lia's break-up, the blonde made the decision to present her the one she imagined perfect for her, not wishing that her friend suffers again. It just so happens that one of her childhood friends was back in town, single after a recent breakup. You.

Things with Lia took a little time to set up, both suspicious to open her heart to another person again. You must admit that you have longly tested the sincerity of the Swiss girl, but her unfailing patience and honesty have finally convinced you. Apart from all the other qualities that qualify her, obviously. Leah has already proclaimed herself the First Lady of your possible future marriage, and that amuses you very much. You know you owe her a lot.

"Should we settle here?" Lia suggests, looking around.

You do the same before nodding. You’ve been wandering around the Bernese mountains all day and the place you’re in is pretty good. There is no one around, a small lake to refresh yourself and the view is especially breathtaking.

You were never one to camp before meeting Lia, but she showed you that it could be more than just sleeping on the ground in a tent that can’t hold the cold. So you watch her build the tent with expertise, proud and surprised to discover her talents as an architect. She turns around and catches you looking at her butt, smiling at you.

"I did nothing" you justify while raising both hands.

"Exactly" she laughs gently before pointing at her backpack with a nod. "Get our stuff out please."

You smile maliciously and obey, taking out what she asks you. You also say her that you will write to Leah to inform her that you are still alive, the captain being convinced that you will be eaten by a bear.

"She's so dramatic. There are no bears here, only wolves."

"Huh?"

Eyes wide open, you raise your head towards Lia who bursts with laughter. You can’t tell if she’s laughing or not, but you don’t know if you really want to know.

"I’ll tell Leah to come get me."

Lia laughs again, but she managed to set up your tent in the meantime. You take care of inflating the mattresses and let her manage the rest, realizing your uselessness. But the Swiss captain doesn't seem to be bothered by this in the least, a smile never leaving her lips.

"A little bath now?"

You accept with pleasure, changing quickly to put on the swimsuit that your girlfriend advised you to take. The water is icy, but after walking all day it does make your leg muscles feel good. You do sports, but in a much less advanced way than Lia and you are therefore less accustomed than her to intense muscle fatigue.

The next game is to see which of the two gets the most wet and you can happily announce that you are the winner.

And the rock you slipped on has absolutely nothing to do with it.

"Are you ok?" asks Lia, smiling when you return to the tent.

You nod, without being able to mask your teeth that snap in spite of you. You are frozen. You don’t fool the beautiful eyes of Lia, who takes you against her to lay a kiss on your forehead.

"Go change, I’ll light a fire."

You accept happily, quickly getting rid of your wet swimsuit to put on clean and dry clothes. The outfit you opt for is not the sexiest, you come out with sneakers, a pair of jogging pants with the Swiss national team crest that you clearly stole from Lia and a hoodie. You also folded the hood on head to protect you from the cold.

When you reach Lia, the fire cracks lazily, the noise immediately bringing a comforting side. The heat that emanates too. You sit next to it, letting your girlfriend go change too. Even if you grumble a little for form, you really appreciate the place in which you find yourself. And being able to have Lia just for you for a few days suits you very well. You went to her family before coming camping and there are other people to see after. Fortunately, each member of her family seems to accept with open arms.

"Hello you" you whisper softly when she comes back to you, passing your arm around her waist.

"Why do I feel like I know this pants?" Lia say with an amused smile, stroking the patch with her fingertips.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Lia laughs softly and it makes you smile. A look is exchanged between you two, who do not need to utter a word. You just hold her tight, let her put her head on your shoulder. You both get lost in your thoughts, watching the sun disappear behind the mountain in front of you.

"Are you still cold?" Lia gently asks after a few minutes.

Instead of answering, you slip your icy fingers under her clothes with an evil smile. The good news is that the cry that escapes from Lia’s lips has undoubtedly helped to scare away all the wildlife around you. The bad news is you were tortured to tickles for long minutes after that.

********

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lia.walti Happy life with Schatzi ♥ @Y/NInstagram

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alessiarusso I'm freezing just looking at this picture

Y/NInstagram Ich liebe dich 🤍🤍🤍

↳ lia.walti Glad to see my lessons begin to serve

↳ Y/Instagram I have a very persuasive teacher ;)

↳ ramona.bachmann Ew

leahwilliamsonn OMG are you both alive?

↳ Y/NInstagram Yes it's quite nice actually :) (Send help please Leah, she's trying to murder me)

↳ lia.walti Watch out.

[marianadecarlos]

The Birth of Charles II of Spain Fanart

Warning: This story contains some artistic license

The Queen's pregnancy was approaching its end and had become a matter of utmost importance. The future of the Monarchy depended on this event. On Sunday, November 6, everything seemed to be ready. The doctors and physicians were on alert; the Queen's confessor was near her, and the Chief Steward of her Household was carefully reviewing the arrangement of the items in the birth chamber. To guarantee the success of the event, all the holy relics that were in the Palace and others brought from El Escorial and other places had been arranged in order. There was the staff of Saint Dominic of Silos that the Order of Saint Dominic had brought, the ribbon of Saint John Ortega, from the Order of the Hieronymites; the incorrupt bodies of Saint Isidore and Saint Diego de Alcalá; the image of the Virgin of Solitude and the one so venerated by the royal family, Our Lady of Atocha. It is not easy to find a space so holy and sacred. Everything, then, was ready, the things of the earth arranged to implore God's pleasure. At noon, after a frugal lunch, Philip IV retired to his chambers. At the same time, While eating, Queen Mariana suddenly felt intense pain in her abdomen, realizing that she was about to give birth. She quickly left the table and hurried to the Tower Chamber.

King Philip went straight to his study while looking at Prospero’s portraits. He entered his study, sat down, and began to write to answer the last letter of Sor Maria de Agreda. He wrote with a deep sigh and tears in his eyes.

“ With the long illness of my son, and the continuous help I was giving in his room, I have not answered your letter of the last month...I assure you that what has most exhausted me, more than this loss, is to see clearly that I have vexed God and he sent this punishment to castigate my sins...

(The king reminisces his cherished memories with Felipe Prospero while writing this letter)

Help me as a friend with your prayers to placate God’s just anger and beg Our Lord that, as he took my son from me, He may make his light shine on the Queen, whose confinement we await hourly, and give her good health and guard what is to be born, if his will, for otherwise I do not wish it...

Back in the Tower Chamber, Queen Mariana cries in agony as she is delivering her baby. The royal midwife Ines Ayala told Queen Mariana to push harder. Five other doctors were present at this event in case of emergency. One of those doctors was Dr Bravo. While the Queen was giving birth, the courtiers and Infanta Margarita looked on. 

Ah, Sor Maria, If I had succeeded in following your teachings, perhaps I would not have found myself thus. Pray to our Lord that he may open his eyes, that I may perform his holy will in all things... There is nothing new in the English situation. I, thank God am in good health...

At this point, King Philip was interrupted by a courtier who delivered the news and told the events occurring in the Tower Chamber. King Philip was anxious about the future that lay within a few hours. He prayed heavily to God, asking him to deliver him a son. All could imagine the impatience of the Royal Court of Madrid and Europe, waiting for an outcome of this event. As hours passed, Queen Mariana was still in labor, and the doctors argued over natural forms of treatment. They were anxious as the Queen and the child’s life was at stake. 

Dr. Bravo proposed a theory: In the past, Queen Mariana had difficult experiences giving birth to her children. At the birth of Maria Ambrosia, Felipe Prospero, and Fernando Tomas, The Queen had terrible epileptic seizures, and the infants died or lived for a short time. On the other hand, at the birth of Infanta Margarita, the only child to survive, The Queen had been perfectly well. Now why was this? The reason is simple: Just before Infanta Margarita was born, Queen Mariana had suffered several violent nosebleeds. Therefore, what she requires now is to be bled. 

Some doctors disagreed, warning that the proposed action could endanger the Queen and her child. Concerned, Queen Mariana asked the doctors if there were any alternative procedures. The doctors offered different opinions, while Dr. Bravo defended his proposal. As the debate continued, Mariana went into labor with the assistance of Ines Ayala. The infant cries and is alive. The birth of the infant brought joy to all. King Philip became a father once again. When the courtier informed King Philip of the birth, he was overjoyed and immediately visited the tower chamber to see his newborn son. King Philip joyfully held his son and proudly showed him to the Queen and his daughter. When the courtier informed King Philip of the birth, he was delighted and immediately visited the tower chamber to see his newborn son. King Philip joyfully held his newborn son and showed him to the Queen and his daughter. 

Sources:

Carlos, A king who would not die by John Langdon Davis

Happy Birthday, Charles II of Spain!

[emanation-aura]

I was wondering if you had any thoughts on how little Genshin touches on the traveler & and the abyss sibling? As someone who absolutely adores those characters but who isn’t especially attached to Khanriah I have always found the lack of content about them confusing

mmmm Yeah Traveler and Abyss Twin is possibly my favourite plotline in the game, here are my thoughts:

Traveler is often constrained by the need to be a self-insert, which to some extent, is understandable; Genshin has clearly been set up as a story to be filled by a silent protagonist a la the Player, so trying to ask the devs to change the direction and make Traveler more independent of the player would go against the story they're trying to tell, and I understand this even if I find it a little cheap; it's a staple of the genre.

However, at the same time, Traveler isn't a total blank slate either. Their care and longing for the Abyss Twin has been repeatedly broadcast— first, majorly in We Will Be Reunited, then scattered throughout more story beats and plot points as Genshin has gone on. The most recent examples I can note are: Mualani's Tribal Chronicle (by exploring the meaning of 'the journey' in the context of not being able to find your sibling, which was your original goal):

Arlecchino's SQ (forgive the horrible editing, but I needed to make a point about why 'saying a proper goodbye' is so important to them):

Mizuki's SQ and Citlali's Tribal Chronicle also do similar things, although I won't dither here too long. Other notable examples were the 2.7 Dainsleif Chasm quest (if you recall, the 1% success vs 99% suffering and death regarding hilichurl purification), and Bedtime Story (on moving on from Teyvat, the Sea of Flowers, and about speaking true names). The longing, and the impact of their separation, has been demonstrated in quite a few ways.

(Following from Caribert, which makes the yearning explicitly clear:)

My point being, I think at this point the devs have made the divergence in their paths increasingly obvious through their worldviews and experiences, drip-fed and accumulated over a long period of time. Whatever went down in Khaenri'ah (implied to be some Abyss sorcery/leeching by twin in Wings of Fate's Course Intertwined) inevitably has to be important, because if what our Traveler has experienced in their Teyvat journey has shaped their worldview, then whatever horrible things the Abyss Twin suffered in Khaenri'ah clearly shaped their view enough to do what they are currently doing now. And right now, our journey is more than just finding the Twin; it's more about understanding them, just like we've understood this world.

So while Genshin can't certainly be said to contain a lot of direct content about Traveler and Abyss Twin, I don't think it necessarily... has to? Which is strange for a liker of this plotline, admittedly, because obviously I'd want more (and I do, from a purely personal perspective). But I also understand that the yearning for the sibling is no longer the point of the Traveler's journey; WWBR clearly set out new parameters for why we traverse Teyvat (to experience the world, its cultures, its people, and to love and despair aside them); the true epitome of 'the journey is more important than the destination'.

Most of this plotline is therefore subtextual rather than textual because the direct relationship with the Twin is not the foreground of the story; rather, the desire to Reunite With The Twin forms the background which serves to add narrative tension and tragedy to Teyvat as a whole, whose story is drawing them to an inevitable clash of ideals. It's there, lurking subtly in the background, quietly churning away to periodically remind you of your twin, setting up for higher stakes in the future.

I apologise if this wasn't the answer you were looking for— although I could make a joke about the Traveler's journey and that the answer they were looking for (reuniting) is not actually the true answer to their journey— personally, I'm fine with their current approach, as long as it ramps up towards the end-game (which, it may or may not, but would be useless to speculate on now; whether the stakes are being set up well can't be determined right now because we don't yet have the pay-off).

The fact there's no solid content addressing their relationship seems to also be done under the assumption that the audience automatically understands the bond between siblings (which, for those of you win good relationships to your siblings, yeah), which is fairly natural in my opinion, even if it could probably stand to be expanded more since we barely get any backstory... or if nothing else for the sake of the cynical I don't care about my sibling anymore folks, who are taking away a more extreme version of the "it's not about just the sibling anymore" idea that Genshin is broadcasting. But I digress.

[erisweekofficial]

To kick off our creator highlight series that will count down the days until Eris week, we have @iftheshoef1tz! You may know her from one of her amazing fics, our bodies, possessed by light or from co-organizing the AMAZING @azrisweek.

👀 You can check out her work on AO3 and follow her on instagram here.

🔥 Need a good place to start? Check out what hath night to do with sleep, her favorite Eris fic that she's written. (It's SO good).

📙 Read more below to learn about Fitz's view on Eris and some advice for writing his character.

How do you see Eris evolving as a character in future books?

Eris is set up as both a foil and an analogue to Rhys - harsh fathers, harsh upbringings, the presence of a mask in front of others while still loving deeply. I fear that Eris will go the same way as Rhys, too, which is merely long-suffering yet kind and therefore that justifies everything he’s done, and he will suddenly be kind and sweet in a way that I don’t think his character (currently) is set up to be. I also just don’t want that man to be straight lmfao.

How do you balance canon and your own interpretations in your work?

The good and bad thing about writing Eris is that there are really tantalizing details about him, set against a backdrop of mostly vague information/general knowledge about Autumn and the Vanserras. Eris in all the universes I’ve written him is prickly, a keen observer, manipulative, prone to a superiority complex, and wary of trust, and I think these traits bear out in canon, from what little we know of him. That makes him really fun to put in Situations.

What's your favorite piece you've created featuring Eris and why?

I think my absolute favorite is What Hath Night to Do With Sleep. There’s always a little bit of me in everything I write, and writing Eris as this twenty-something guy unhappy with, unimpressed by, and honestly kind of stifled by his life is a feeling I am a bit too familiar with. I was a little afraid to take on Eris (after spending so much time in Azriel's head), but exploring his earlier life and getting myself in his head made it rewarding. Also, I managed to make him quite funny, which is something I'm not always great at conveying in my writing!

Do you have any advice for other creators wanting to make eris content?

Two things: one, write Eris the same in a straight pairing as you would a queer one. Always be vigilant for heteronormativity (in fiction and in your own life!). Two, make him smart! Bitchy is fun, but bitches can be stupid, too. (Hi, it's me.)

[the-scientist-blog]

In the prior two posts, Mr. President-Elect, I summarized the facts pertaining to the cause of climate change, as well as its environmental destruction ingredients: excessive carbon dioxide, methane and plastic.

Now to explain why we shouldn’t have to be talking so much about severe weather in the first place…

I realize you don’t want to be reminded of this, and please don’t be upset with me as I go forward, but big oil and gas has formally acknowledged that as early as the mid 1950s to the 1960s, in-house scientists then warned its executive boards around the world about the environmental consequences brought on by burning oil, gas and coal. Long ago there was written documentation to prove the polluting damage caused by BOG’s products, not to mention plastic, was well known to those on the inside of its corporate hierarchy. And much like the tobacco industry, BOG unanimously agreed to remain silent about the unknown price a never ending consumer base would pay,both directly at the gas pump and climatewise. 

Beginning about 60-70 years ago, profit, not people, was all that mattered. BOG’s influential words (and your “climate hoax”) rang loud and clear until a few years ago when it became visibly obvious those two words no longer fooled enough people, thus forcing the energy sector to change its behavior regarding emissions coverup. No, its admission to the decades of hush-up pollution never made headlines. Rather, its climate denial simply came to an end. 

If The Right Thing To Do was ever discussed among BOG’s corporate leadership, the topic was soon extinguished in the black columns of smoke pouring out of the refineries.

Rather, BOG allowed its expanding customer base to relish getting from one place to another in the quickest most efficient manner possible, with no hint of what the chemicals were doing to the environment. Life was good and rich for BOG! No different than the other industries that spewed their pollutants to contaminate the world’s air, water and land. Thank God for the EPA which stood up to spank the polluters, and extinguished some of their greed. 

Otherwise, Sir, can you imagine the dirty chemical fix we’d all be in?

When The Right Thing To Do was intentionally omitted, humankind lost out to a  greenhouse gas by-product that caused an ecocide to the planet’s kingdom. 

Could this history of extreme polluting emissions never have happened?

Absolutely. Maybe some introductory emissions, but humans would have it under control by now. 

The damage caused by fossil fuel could have been made public early on, and then regulated in an orderly fashion as clean energy methods evolved. An example of what should have transpired long ago is given below.

Imagine if the following announcement actually occurred. It is 1964, and these words have just grabbed headlines around the globe:

A WARNING TO ALL FROM THE GLOBAL OIL, GAS AND COAL INDUSTRY

 While our production has created an unprecedented volume of energy to power up civilization and economies around our beloved planet, there will be consequences for the environment and therefore, all of humanity.

Unfortunately, our oil, gas and coal resources generate excessive carbon and methane emissions that form a level of pollution that will one day overwhelm the atmosphere and everything below it. The result will cause an increasing portion of the sun’s heat to remain trapped on Earth’s surface, thus warming the ice sheets, oceans, land and air forcing people to deal with far more frequent bouts of severe weather, aridity, and rising temperatures than we face today.

At the same time, we cannot stop production because world industrialization, transportation, homes and businesses would suffer without an energy source. Yet, it is up to us to lead the way out of a future livability predicament. There is still time for an irreversible change to our climate to be avoided...

www.thescientistblog.com

[aya-j-hashem]

I hope you will take a minute of your time to read our story. I am Aya, my husband is Ahmed, and my children are Kareem and Rital.

Have you ever experienced seeing your dream shattered before your eyes and felt powerless to prevent it? Have you ever thought of living in a tent, forced into a cold and unclean environment without any basic necessities of life? Have you ever felt helpless in meeting the basic needs of your children for food, drink, and clothing?

I am Ahmad Al-Sharif, married to Aya, and we have two beautiful children, Karim, 10, and Rital, 6. I have been working as a specialized nurse in the field of safety, infection control, and epidemics in Gaza for over 15 years. I hold a master's degree in environmental health and infection control, and my wife Aya works as a teacher.

We found ourselves trapped amidst the conflict, turmoil, and war that we have been experiencing in Gaza since October 7th. We were forced to leave our homes and move to the designated displacement areas. We now live in a small, inadequate tent. Despite the lack of security and safety, we still live this difficult life under constant bombardment. At any moment, I could lose my life and that of my family.

Months have passed, and we are still in this situation. During this period, my wife lost her job as a teacher due to school closures, while I continue to perform my duties in hospitals and medical points to serve my fellow citizens, even though I receive a salary of no more than $200 every two months, which is not enough to meet the basic needs of my children. The situation becomes more complicated due to the constant shelling we experience daily and hourly.

Do you understand what it means to find yourselves displaced from your homes simply because you were told that your area is no longer safe, losing your home, memories, loved ones, and job (as happened with my wife)?

Amidst these hardships, I see a glimmer of hope because I have not given up yet. I am still seeking an opportunity for a new beginning, an opportunity to pursue a PhD in my field, an opportunity for my wife to return to her job as a math teacher and continue her higher studies, an opportunity to leave Gaza and create a new, safe life for my children, paving the way for a bright future for my little ones.

Therefore, I ask you to extend your generous hands towards us, as every contribution from you will alleviate our suffering and create a beacon of hope for a new beginning away from wars and conflicts

My campaign has vetted by: @gaza-evacuation-funds

✅️Vetted by @gazavetters

, my number verified on the list is ( #231 )✅️

[girlactionfigure]

Dr. Einat Wilf (@EinatWilf) on X: What does our enemy want? Nothing we can accept. We are facing a totalizing ideology, known as Palestinianism, executed by Hamas and its enablers, that wants nothing less than ending the absolutely humiliating specter of sovereign Jews. We are facing an enemy dedicated by all means necessary to teaching a final lesson to those Jews who dared imagine themselves equal, sovereign, and masters of their fate in their own state on their ancestral land, so that they never attempt to do so ever again. We are facing an enemy that no only invaded our country, our homes, to gleefully murder and mutilated the most peace loving people in their beds, but went on to kidnap hundreds of them to serve as an insurance that they will pay no consequences for what they did on October 7th. The brutal executors of the ideology of Palestinianism, known as Hamas, did not kidnap people for the limited goal of releasing murderers from Israeli jails, but rather to ensure it pays no price for what it did and therefore could do it again, and again, and again. Make no mistake, as far as Hamas is concerned, it paid no price and suffered no consequences for October 7th. The devastation in Gaza, the people killed, are all meaningless to Hamas. Buoyed by the global pressure to provide it with ongoing supplies it even as it is conducting a total war, it remains in firm control of Gaza and its people. It secured a position as a legitimate negotiating partner while all the pressure is placed on Israel to yield to its demands to go back to October 6th with no consequences for its actions. Nothing is done against the backers of Hamas - Qatar, Egypt and Iran - pretending that the first two are somehow helpful (they're not), and the latter somehow uninvolved. Once Hamas exchanged the women and children it kidnapped, who were above all a liability for their total cause, for guaranteed ongoing supplies that secure its rule in Gaza, once it ensured that no-one touches the funnel of UNRWA, the only additional deal to which it would agree - as it made repeatedly clear, is one that goes back to October 6th: Hamas remains in charge of Gaza, of the border with Egypt that has been the site of endless supplies for its army and economy, Israel withdraws completely, and they can continue receiving billions from the world through UNRWA and other channels, so as to be even more effective executors of acts of mass murder in the future. Hamas executes hostages or attempts to do so when Israeli soldiers are close to releasing them, because the one thing they cannot accept is to have the lowly Jews rescue their own people. The kidnapped hostages are Hamas' insurance policy to continue to fight until there is no more Israel. In the face of a totalizing ideology that plays a long game with an annihilationist goal, there is only moral position for any government/international organization is to pursue (and should have been the policy from October 8th): Unconditional release of the hostages Unconditional surrender of Hamas That is the only thing that ends the immediate war (Ending Palestinianism as the ideology that negates a sovereign Jewish state in any borders is necessary to end the bigger century long war). And until then? It is war, and should be waged as such, with no illusions about the enemy we face.

[inklesspen]

Like many of you, I didn't think this outcome was truly possible. I believed that enough people would pay attention to what's been happening these past several months, and do the right thing. I was wrong.

This is not a story. We will not win by blowing up the Death Star or by dropping the Ring into the fires of Mount Doom. We will not win in one single moment, but through a long twilight struggle.

From now on, every day we wake up is a win. Every time we stand up and say we will not be silenced and we will not ignore the suffering of others; that's a win. Every life we save, every right-wing policy we delay or frustrate or block, these are wins. And these wins will often be small, and they will often be conditional. We will have to keep defending them for the rest of our lives; this is not pleasant to hear, but it is the truth, and we must not shy away from the truth.

Remember the airplane rule: secure your own mask first before helping others, but do help others. We have to stand together. We cannot break ranks if we want to survive. And part of this is to know your own limits; everyone can do something, but nobody can spend their every moment in the fight. Manage yourself so that you can work for a better future without burning yourself up in the process.

The playbook from the first Trump administration is mostly still relevant. Many things will be different but more will be the same as they were. The general patterns by which we resist the authoritarian machine are still valid:

Do not obey in advance. Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do. Make eye contact and small talk. This is not just polite. It is part of being a citizen and a responsible member of society. It is also a way to stay in touch with your surroundings, break down social barriers, and understand whom you should and should not trust. If we enter a culture of denunciation, you will want to know the psychological landscape of your daily life. Practice corporeal politics. Power wants your body softening in your chair and your emotions dissipating on the screen. Get outside. Put your body in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people. Make new friends and march with them.

Dehumanization and scapegoating are weapons which only ever serve the enemy. Learn how to recognize these weapons when you see them, and speak out whenever they are employed, even if by someone who is supposedly on your side.

There will be people in your communities who have fought these battles before. Learn from their experiences; these lessons were often paid for in blood.

Learn about alternative ways to connect and communicate. Opsec isn't just a meme. Security is a set of tradeoffs; if you keep things secret, you will be safer from the authorities, but it will be harder for like-minded folks to find and join you. There is no one right opsec protocol for all situations. (In particular, Discord is not end-to-end encrypted; you will want to know about and be familiar with messaging platforms which are.)

Hope is hard work, but despair will kill you. Let us therefore resolve to set aside fear for courage. I love you. Take care of yourselves and your communities.

[nyarlathesleeper]

Alien 3

Trigger Warnings throughout for topics surrounding SA, violence, and the death of a fictional child.

And spoilers for many Alien movies, obviously.

So anyone who knows me well knows that I adore the Alien franchise. They're some of the most inventive, exciting, and compelling sci-fi horror franchises of all time, and the first two are basically perfect films. It's unfortunate then, that I have to hate Alien 3 so severely. I have a lot of thoughts about the movie, and I felt like laying them out here. I'm going to be assessing some core themes of the franchise, as well as Alien 3 itself, to see what I think does and does not work. Unfortunately, not a lot I like, so my list of positives is going to be short.

So first off, Alien. What is? Alien is a dystopian sci-fi setting centered around the Weyland-Yutani corporation, its quest to harness the unstoppable killing machines that are the titular aliens, and Ellen Ripley, an unfortunate space trucker who just wants to go home and take a nap. The setting, at its core, oozes anti-capitalism like the aliens ooze... everywhere. The Company, as WY is usually called, cares nothing for its employees, colonists, or any human life so long as it can have the Xenomorph for its weapons division. The story therefore, has two monsters our characters need to overcome. The Xenomorphs, and the company. Both monsters equivalent in their inhuman disregard for life in order to satiate their most base instincts. Survival in the face of forces larger than any one person.

The Xenomorphs are a creation from the mind of H.R. Giger, whose psychosexual monsters are debatably perfected through these films. It's no secret to people who enjoy film analysis that the Xenomorphs are meant to embody the horror of sexual violence and motherhood. The forceful implantation by face-huggers, the adults kidnapping people for use as future incubators, and the birth of chest-bursters being only slightly more bloody and violent than a human birth. Sexual violence, then, is also a consistent theme in these films.

Motherhood isn't just a negative theme, though. Starting with Aliens, Ripley herself is fleshed out as a mother and mother figure. It's revealed that her daughter Amanda had died by the time she returned to Earth, and she's given the opportunity to become a mother figure for Newt, the only survivor of the space colony on LV-426 invaded by the Xenomorphs. Ripley, the only parent among the rough and tumble space marines she's with, is the only one capable of calming Newt down, getting Newt to trust her, to have hope of a life outside of the hell she's been trapped in for weeks. Ripley is somewhat distant at the start, but by the end of the movie is fully embracing her role as a protector of this young girl, alongside her new Space Marine flame, the three could start something resembling a normal life once it's all over.

And then we get to Alien 3. Sigh. An egg is shown to have made its way onto the Sulaco, the marine vessel Ripley, Newt, space marine Hicks, and synthetic Shepherd all escaped on. It's shown making its way into one of the cryo-pods the four are sleeping in, though which is not revealed. This causes a fire and all three pods being ejected, which make their way to a nearby prison planet. Ripley is (kinda) the only survivor.

So they killed off Hicks. Big deal. Good character, but not essential. Newt is a much harder sell. There's a scene early in the movie where Ripley, suspecting that Xenomorphs may have had something to do with the escape pods ejecting, demands for an autopsy to be performed on Newt. And something about this scene feels gross to me. You rip away one of our girl's primary motivations for carrying on, and now you have Charles Dance saw her child's ribs open on a cold, morgue table? There's something voyeuristic about the scene, about her suffering in that moment, that just really rubs me the wrong way.

Now don't misunderstand, I'm not mad that they killed Newt. I'd be fine with it if they did something with the idea. Used it to explore more of Ripley's character, but no. There's a scene where she and Hicks get cremated, and that's that. It never shows up again. Newt was, prior to that point, a key element in exploring one of the series' core themes. To erase her from the story prevents you from developing the theme in that direction, so you need to replace it. To call it a missed opportunity would be an understatement, in my opinion.

If you were worried that they'd botch the themes of sexual violence, don't worry, they did that too! Sexual violence in the Alien movies has, prior to this movie, purely been associated with the xenomorphs. Their assault and invasion of one's body is imo the most horrific element of the setting, death being preferred to being used as an incubator for basically everyone involved. It's graphic, painful, the idea alone is the cause of countless nightmares for Ripley. Abduction by the xenomorphs is therefore tantamount to the threat of SA.

Now, if you'll recall, the movie is set on a prison planet. An all men prison planet, at that. There aren't too many inmates, as technically the facility isn't in use anymore, but the last few residents have stayed in order to seek a relatively peaceful life away from the rest of the universe. This does not save them from being depicted as mostly violent thugs, giving Ripley lecherous gazes from the sidelines. At one point, as she's attempting to unravel the mystery surrounding the crash, she's accosted by multiple inmates, who threaten to rape her. She fights back, naturally, but has to be saved by the religious leader of the inmates. It should be no surprise that I hate all of this.

SA in horror is nothing new. It's a well established part of the genre, especially its shlocky, exploitationy side. But that's never been what Alien was. Alien depicts characters in their underwear, sure, but it's all casual. Some would read a sexual element into it, but I'm not one of them. I think it's about vulnerability. A calm before and after the storm, as it were. But to directly and explicitly sexually assault your main character? That's a bit beyond the pale. It's a threat meant to be relegated to the inhuman terror that is the xenomorphs. This could be part of the movie's themes surrounding the darker side of human nature, a theme I'm happy to explore, but this doesn't really contribute to that. Probably ought to briefly tackle that while I'm on it.

Being on a prison planet, most of the characters are explicitly criminals. Several are explicitly stated to be there for violent crimes against women specifically. You could make a statement about the way women are treated in men's prisons (any excuse to inject my transgender ideology into one of my favorite franchises), or just a way to address the ways women are preyed on by humans, but that's not really what Alien 3 is doing. The movie instead opts for a sort of redemptive angle. Charles Dance plays the prison's doctor, himself an inmate, and he's shown to be a smart, sensitive, kind man, despite his past crimes. The prison's priest, played by Charles Dutton, was a rapist who converted to space pentecostalism while in prison. He's shown to dislike Ripley, as he believes her to be an object of temptation that will lead his flock astray. He does eventually come around in the end, respecting Ripley as an equal, even dying for her. The movie is very interested in making you wonder whether these men who have committed terrible crimes are worthy of forgiveness. And though it isn't explicitly focused on the ones who assaulted Ripley, it feels like they're wanting you to ask that about them too. It is an interesting idea. Maybe a movie with some degree of competence could've done it well.

As I've said, I don't think it's done well. Not enough attention is given to the prisoners or the topic of redemption to actually sit with these ideas. Helping Ripley kill the xenomorph hunting them down in the prison can't fully be considered a selfless action, and too much time is spent on Ripley and her inner turmoil for it to get any development. Not even the super secret twist is that good at developing the theme of sexual violence, which I will be spoiling soon so if you're interested in finding out for yourself for some reason you have now been given ample opportunity to look away from, is that Ripley was the one implanted with a xenomorph in the beginning of the movie. There was a bit of a misdirect, with a dog/cow (depending on which version you're watching) being implanted at the very beginning, though clues to the reveal were still present. This is one of Ripley's worst nightmares come true. A violent, horrifying violation of her autonomy, somehow made all the more terrible given she wasn't even aware of it. And the movie does nothing with it. She asks to be killed, and resolves to kill herself after the xenomorph in the prison has been definitively killed. And that's it. She gets the occasional pain in her chest, and that's it. I feel like I've said this a lot, but so much more time should've been dedicated to building on that idea.

And that's kinda the biggest issue with Alien 3. It's a movie with lots of ideas that could be interesting to explore, but does little to nothing with them. Focusing on any one of them would've made the movie infinitely more worthwhile. I mean hell, look at Covenant! One of the weaker movies from a horror standpoint, but an incredibly interesting character exploration of our favorite robot eugenicist David. One solid theme would've saved this movie from being the worst in the franchise. But the exploitative sa scene, on top of the flagrant disregard for developing Ripley's character, on top of being a bad horror movie? I just can't forgive it for any of that.

There are certainly things to like about the movie. I think the idea of a dead, decaying prison colony is an interesting idea for a setting. And it's certainly visually striking. But ultimately, not too much is done with it? There aren't any weapons, and everything is malfunctioning, so that adds a decent amount of tension, but it feels less like a prison, and more like a factory. The vibe is good, just underutilized. I think the use of stop motion for the xenomorph is a good idea on paper, but it looked too janky and out of place for it to really work as a tangible threat most of the time. I do like some of the characters, I like Ripley's brief scene with the even more wrecked Bishop, and both Charles Dance and Charles Dutton are highlights of the movie. But other than that? It's just not a movie I want to come back to. A movie of disappointments and betrayals. Sigh. Alien 3.