#and to prevent a candy shortage

[nu-kuya]

justice for edmond where the hell is he

[cocklessboy]

Conditional Male Privilege

Not long ago I wrote up a long post about my newfound male privilege when it comes to health care which uh. Kind of broke containment.

This past week I had an experience which reminded me that no matter how much progress I make, my male privilege is still extremely conditional.

There are the obvious points like, I'm gay, and soft, and gentle, and chubby, and short, so a lot of people see me as "not a real man" even if they don't realize I'm trans.

But even in the very situation I used as an example of my privilege before (health care), that privilege can be stripped away in an instant if you get the wrong doctor.

Last week I had to see my GP for an urgent problem: I had covid. (They insisted I had to come in person, though obviously I wore a mask.) I have a lot of chronic health issues, and I wanted to try antivirals to reduce my odds of getting long covid (even though my symptoms weren't too severe). Because it was urgent, I didn't get a choice of which doctor at my clinic I would get to see. And the one they sent me to was a woman with a history of dismissing my chronic health problems and pain as "just anxiety."

I had not seen this doctor since my transition. But as I wrote in my previous post, any female-presenting readers will know what I mean when I say she "talked to me like a girl."

First off, she called me in by my deadname. She is the only doctor at this clinic who does this. Everyone else knows to call me by my real name even though it's not officially changed yet. There's a big obvious note on my file. But she called me in by my deadname (in front of the entire waiting room) and when she saw me, she didn't quickly apologize or correct herself.

I explained the issue: I have covid (they tested me and confirmed it) and I want to try antivirals because my chronic health problems (still in the process of being formally diagnosed) put me at greater risk of long covid.

And suddenly I was a child again, facing a mean lady doctor who wanted to lecture me about how I was wasting her time. She didn't scold me, didn't get angry. She just laughed. She chuckled at every concern I brought up. She raised her eyebrow. She rolled her eyes several times.

She refused to check my file. She refused to take my temperature. She kept telling me to "stop worrying so much."

I explained, calmly, rationally, that I would like to try antivirals to reduce my risk of long covid. She explained, holding back laughter, that I "wasn't that sick" and "it's not like you're at risk." She specified, "It's not like you have an autoimmune disorder or something." I countered, calmly, rationally, that in fact I was at risk, or at least there was a strong chance of me being at risk. That I had a lot of chronic health problems that have been documented for years, that one of my doctors suspects and autoimmune disorder such as MCAS (given that I have bad allergic-seeming reactions to almost everything including most medications, even antihistamines, and severe acid reflux that prevents me from taking most meds that might help me), and that while the process of getting a diagnosis might take a very long time, my symptoms ought to make it clear that I am at a higher risk than a typical person. What's more, it's the middle of summer, in a heat wave, the infection rate being reported is extremely low, and there should be no shortage of antivirals for those who want them.

Refused to check my file. Rolled her eyes. Scoffed. Repeated that I'm not that sick. That I'm not at risk. Put on her "okay, sweetie" voice and insisted that I was fine, that I just needed to "stop worrying", that "covid is mild now," that I just needed "vitamin c and a bit of rest," and that she "wasn't worried."

If I found myself with a bad cough or a fever, I could come back to her (she specified) in a few days for a check-up. I told her I already had those symptoms. I'd been suppressing the cough with menthol candies to avoid frightening the other patients and spewing germs everywhere, but I'd been kept up all night hacking up phlegm.

She raised her eyebrow and told me to take some Robitussin.

I told her I already had a fever, which was going up and down, but at its highest was high enough that adults are advised to seek medical assistance. She rolled her eyes and refused to even check my temperature.

She gave me two prescriptions for the symptoms and sent me on my way. I grabbed them at the pharmacy and looked at them closely when I got home.

One was a nasal spray. I can't use nasal sprays because of sensitivity in my nose, so that one was out immediately.

The other was pseudoephedrine (good, that's good stuff and not available OTC in this country)... combined with Loratadine. A fucking. Antihistamine.

She prescribed this to me less than five minutes after I finished explaining to her that I can't take most antihistamines.

Despite my increased confidence now that I'm on HRT, I still freeze up when faced with a hostile doctor. I have too many years of trauma (and too many autism gremlins) to be able to stand up for myself the way I should. I've tried memorizing the scripts - please write down in my file that you refused to give me this treatment and your reason why, and I would like a printed copy of that when I leave - I feel like you are treating me differently because I am transgender or because you perceive me as female and I would like that reflected in the notes for this visit - etc. But in the moment, all I can think of to say is "but... but.... but....... but I really am sick....."

And I've been masking my autistic traits and hiding my pain and illness for so long that a doctor who has already decided I'm a hypochondriac will always reply, simply: you don't look sick to me.

I wrote to the clinic asking for a written explanation for her refusal to give me antivirals, as well as a request for a different prescription because, "As I mentioned during my visit today," I couldn't take the antihistamine.

She replied by apologizing for the medication error and sending me a new prescription (pseudoephedrine + ibuprofen - you can't get pseudoephedrine on its own in this country). She did not respond to the part about refusing me antivirals.

I have booked an appointment later this week with the good doctor at this clinic, the one who takes me seriously and actually wants to help me. The one who gave me a referral for a pain doctor (something I'm still trying to get an appointment for - there's a shortage of specialists in this country). This time I'm going in prepared. I will follow up with him on my current state, and I will bring notes. I will tell him what happened with his colleague, how it made me feel, and how frustrated I am. I will ask him if there is any avenue for me to lodge a formal complaint. I may not have been able to stand up for myself in the moment, but I will not simply let this slide. It's too late for antivirals, but I will ask him to at least make sure the visit I had last week is recorded accurately in my file.

Fortunately my covid symptoms are mostly gone already and it seems I was lucky. Still, it will be some time before I am 100% sure I haven't gotten any long covid symptoms. And the fact that there was a medication readily available that could have increased my odds and I was refused it for no reason other than misogyny (doubly frustrating when directed at a trans man!) is utterly infuriating to me.

I am still better off than I once was. Most doctors DO take me more seriously now.

But my doctors will always know I'm trans, even when I get my paperwork updated.

And there will always be doctors who treat me like a woman.

And there will always be doctors who treat women like shit.

They shouldn't have talked to me that way. They should never talk to anyone that way.

[steak-n-popotoes]

FFxivWrite '23 - 20

Goat's milk - chilled Oatmeal - milled to rough consistency Tallow - leftover from kitchens Lye - from hardwood ash that fueled the same kitchen Peppermint oil - fresh-pressed

For those who don't condone the use of animal products, substitute milk and tallow for coconut milk, or in case of shortage, oat milk.

With a little assistance and course-correction, Beef had been able to read a few handwritten recipes from around the V&C building in his idle time. Empowered by his basic level reading skills, he then began hungrily studying every note and scrap of text he could get his hands on. This resulted in a flood new dishes at the break room table and a list of daily specials longer than the eatery's standard menu of offerings, and acclaim for each one.

However, success with the aforementioned recipe eluded Beef for some time. Though unlabeled, the preparation process and measurements for each ingredient were all present, so it wasn't difficult to follow. Indeed it was rather simple - perhaps a recipe for a candy of some sort - and the wonderful, rich scent seemed to support that theory. This assumption was tragically shattered the moment one placed the result of their efforts on the tongue. Doing so punishes the taste tester with a bitter, metallic tang that lingers on the palate long after it it is no longer welcome, despite visiting for a mere instant.

Not one to be cowed from a new culinary experience, Beef set the hard loaf aside, certain that something must have gone awry during the curing process. To that end, he endeavored to cure a new batch in a more controlled environment to prevent contamination from the other preserved products V&C had on offer.

Unfortunately, after another five or so weeks had passed, the result was much the same. What's more, when Beef looked for the original loaf he had cooked in order to compare with his new batch, he found only that the original had disappeared. Had someone really eaten the unpleasant thing? The entire unpleasant thing? Surely that could not be the case.

As Beef pondered the subjective nature of flavor and preference, Dimi walked past and spotted him from the corner of his eye. He had been heading out the side door to the river, a hamper of clothing and bedsheets under his arm. Laundry day.

The quiet Hrothgar man studied Beef's doings to ensure he wasn't getting into some kind of trouble. "Making something?" he asked.

Beef nodded.

"Smells nice." He paused, nose twitching. "Peppermint something. ...You the one who made this?"

Gale hovered over and examined the pale puck held out in Dimi's paw, but what she saw so surprised Beef that he turned around to confirm it with his own eyes. It was the failed first dish, chopped off the loaf into the shape of a single serving bar. Beef's face curled into a sour look at Dimi. How he could eat the stuff, Beef had no idea.

Dimi's expression remained as stoic as ever. "Was I not supposed to take it?" he asked. "We nearly ran out of soap, but nobody could find the recipe for the proper measurements."

Beef found himself on the receiving end of a head pat and a bit of a crisis. He'd been trying to eat soap for the better part of two moons?

"Good work, little alchemist."

[dollycas]

The Sunday Salon is a Facebook group that has become an informal week-in-review gathering place for bloggers. It is also a place to share our thoughts about things of a bookish nature. You can also link up weekly on Readerbuzz. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE! On Tuesday I had a 6-month follow-up appointment with my oncologist. Everything checked out great and I was in a fantastic mood. Then, like many, I felt like I was punched in the gut and run over by a bus when the election results came in. Funny everyone said it would take days to get results, but our fate was sealed within a few hours. I have studied Project 2025 and as someone on Medicare and Social Security, I am very concerned. Also, after losing an adult child to suicide I receive emails from different prevention groups, and the number of gay and trans people taking their lives is increasing every day. People are updating the visas, and so many people who have lived here for years working to obtain citizenship are scared about being rounded up, put into camps, and deported. Women are being treated as property with the "Your Body, My Choice" movement, let alone fearing a nationwide abortion ban, a birth control ban, and IVF being challenged. Black people are receiving racist text messages about working on a plantation picking cotton. Add to that worry over how the new administration will handle the wars in Ukraine and Israel. No candidate is perfect but I never imagined I would see "Christians" cheering for very unlike Jesus behavior and a convicted rapist and con man who has shared confidential information with our enemies and other crimes sitting behind the resolute desk. I know inflation is still a problem, the border needs more control, there is a housing shortage, and there are other things to figure out but weighing what we are going to live with or die with now did our country make the right decision? We will see. We traveled about 3 hours away Friday night for the Cardinals Regional playoff game. The boys gave it everything they had and more but ended their season with a heartbreaking 29-28 loss. It was a fantastic season with 11 wins and just this one tough loss. There were tears shed but they have some wonderful memories from this year as do all the people who showed up every week to see them play and cheer them on. For Juniors like Kaden, the Varsity team has only lost 3 games in their high school careers and they should be just as strong next year. Kaden doesn't play a Winter sport so he will be hitting the weight room and getting ready for Track & Field in the Spring. As you know, I am beyond proud of my Kaden. How was your week? Weekly Rewind- November 4 - 9, 2024 Monday - My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #45 – 2024 Tuesday - Death Scene (A Witch City Mystery) by Carol J. Perry #Spotlight / #Giveaway @KensingtonBooks #caroljperryauthor Wednesday - Cozy Wednesday featuring Gingerbread Danger (An Amish Candy Shop Mystery) by Amanda Flower #Review / #Giveaway @KensingtonBooks @aflowerwriter Thursday - Special Guest Jane Ellyson – Author of Alone with a Tasman Tiger (Chic Charlie) #GuestPost / #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @JaneEllysonAuthor Friday - #FlashbackFriday – Murder at the Library: A North Dakota Library Mystery by Ellen Jacobson #Review / #Giveaway Saturday - Saturday Giveaway – Murder in Berkeley Square (The Lady Worthing Mysteries) by Vanessa Riley #Spotlight / #ARCGiveaway @KensingtonBooks @VanessaRileyAuthor Find a fun book to escape into this week! Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[starlightangel2001]

Celestial World AU

The World

Origins

The World of Celestia is an ancient world with a long history founded by the fortellers after catching wind of their former master’s plan they made plans to ensure that another keyblade war would never happen by haveing all the conteries on the new land fall under their governance.

While all governments would be allowed to act separately from the main government, the fortellers would step in should a government begin to fall into darkness. Their own power would be regulated by a strict regiment of checks and balances. They would also restore their unions, but this time, they would work together instead of competing against one another as they did in the past.

Like before, each of the fortellers would have their own role. Though they would each regain their roles, though slightly modified to suit the needs of the new era. While most would remain similar to their old role, a few would undergo a major change in their role.

The leader, Ira the reliable, would act as the new master of masters due to their former master teachings now being doubted by the fortellers. His union would be known as the union of unicornis. The members of this union would consist of those who could lead others.

Invi the virtuous would be who was assigned to watch over the others with fair eye would take on her role as a mediator while leading her union of the anguis. Where her members would learn to mediate between parties with a fair eye.

Ira's right hand man, Aced the fearless would lead the union of ursus which would be home to those who supported the leaders of verious teams of keyblade wielders. He would continue to support Ira has second in command of the fortellers.

Ava the prudent would lead the union of the vulpes would resume her task of training exceptional keyblade wielders in order in ensure that there would never be a shortage of masters to fight should darkness attempt to take hold once more.

Finally, there was Gula the tranquil his role in the past was to uncover the mysteries of the book of prophecies. Now, his role was to investigate matter pretaining to conflicts between keyblade wielders. His union would be known as the union of the leopardus.

in conjunction with the reformation of the elder unions, two new unions would be made in order to fully adapt to the new era's challenges.

The union of the strix would be founded by Lanos, the inquisitive. His union would be responsible would be responsible for watching over the world and reporting the actions of the conteries to the other unions. Like the anguis they were to do so only with the fairest of eyes.

The final of these twin unions would be known as the union of candis. They were in charge of ensuring that history wouldn't repeat itself. Specifically, the events that led to the Keyblade war. They would be led by Sanla the perceptive.

While everything had gone to plan before the war, the disrupture had realized that the fortellers had planned something to avoid an imbalance. Thankfully, the fortellers would manage to seal the imbalance away at the cost of their bodies and heart falling into a deep slumber that they would not wake from for a millenia.

In the time that they would sleep, a few wars would come but were always resolved before it spread across the world until the end of their slumber. During the second keyblade war, the original fortellers would awaken and retake control of their unions from the fallen leadership and end the war with the aid of many heroes keyblade wielders and non keyblade wielders alike.

The imbalance would this time be sealed away in fragments, allowing the fortellers to continue to live their lives and lead their unions. They and their many allies would settle down to begin families. Now, a group of unknown people seeks to reform the imbalance, and it will be up to the children of the previous generation to prevent them from successfully doing so, least Celestia be destroyed.

[girlactionfigure]

“I give my child in your care, raise my child as if it were yours.”

These words were written by the mother of a six year old Jewish girl Rami, who was smuggled out of the Jewish ghetto in Nazi occupied Warsaw, Poland, during the Second World War. Little Rami was placed into foster care with her mother’s Polish friends on the Aryan side of the city and, unlike her mother, ultimately survived the war. The person who was instrumental in making Rami’s survival possible was a woman named Irena Sendler, a social worker and Polish resistance operative who helped save 2,500 Jewish children like Rami during the Holocaust.

Beginnings

Irena was born in 1910 in Warsaw into a Roman Catholic family. Her father, Stanislaw Krzyzanowski was a physician and a researcher in infectious diseases. He was a humanitarian and an idealist, who helped found the Polish Socialist Party. He believed in democracy, equal rights, universal health care, and an end to child labor, and was even expelled from university in Poland for leading strikes and protests advocating for those goals.

When Irena was two, the family moved outside of Warsaw, to the village of Otwock, where Stanislaw set up his practice for the treatment of tuberculosis. The village was fifty percent Jewish, and that percentage included the poorest of residents. Unlike other doctors in the area, Stanislaw treated everyone, the rich and poor alike, despite the poor not being able to pay. “If someone else is drowning, you have to give a hand,” he would often say.

Irena grew up in close contact with the Jewish villagers. She played with their children, and by age six even spoke fluent Yiddish. At home Irena’s family life was warm and nurturing. Stanislaw loved his little girl very much and hugged and kissed her so often that Irena’s aunts would warn him not to spoil her. “We don’t know what her life will be like,” he’d reply. “Maybe my hugs will be her best memory.”

In 1916 an epidemic of typhoid fever swept through the village and Stanislaw chose to be on the front lines. Typhoid, a bacterial disease spread through food, water, and close contact with infected persons, was especially prevalent in poor communities with bad sanitation. Unlike other well off villagers who isolated themselves to avoid contact with the sick, Stanislaw continued caring for patients and later that year succumbed to the disease himself. He died shortly after.

But Stanislaw’s spirit lived on in his daughter, and as Irena matured she resembled her father more and more in her beliefs and actions. She majored in social welfare at the University of Warsaw, and interned in charitable welfare clinics where the poor could get a free education and legal assistance. She also started becoming more politically involved, joining the Polish Socialist Party that her father helped start and beginning to engage in protests and activism herself.

In 1935 anti-Semitic sentiment was on the rise in Poland, and at Polish universities an informal rule nicknamed the “bench ghetto” was introduced. “A rule was established at the University segregating the Catholics from the Jewish students,” Irena recalled. “The Catholics were to sit on the chairs to the right and Jews on the chairs to the left. I always sat with Jews and, therefore, I was beaten by anti-Semites together with Jewish students.”

Later, like her father, Irena was suspended from university for boycotting the labeling of campus identity cards with the word “Aryan” to differentiate non-Jewish students from Jewish ones. “I was taught since my earliest years that people are either good or bad. Their race, nationality, and religion do not matter — what matters is the person.”

The War

On September 1, 1939, after the signing of a non-aggression pact between themselves, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union invaded Poland. The country was split in half, with the eastern side going to Soviet Union and the western to the Nazis. Warsaw fell to the Nazis.

Overnight Jews became second class citizens in Warsaw. They couldn’t hold state or government positions, couldn’t own businesses, they had to register ownership of property, and lost access to their bank accounts.

Barred from offering social services to the Jewish population officially, Irena with a few friends began to circumvent the rules by faking paperwork in order to do so. This was the beginning of Irena’s resistance operations. Soon Irena and her resistance cell were providing money, food, and clothing to thousands of Jews in Warsaw.

A year after the invasion, moving forward with their ultimate goal of Jewish genocide, the Nazis established a ghetto for Warsaw’s Jews. 350,000 Jews, nearly 30% of the city’s entire population, were imprisoned in a 1.3 square mile ghetto. The ghetto was surrounded by a ten foot tall brick wall crowned with ribbons of barbed wire.

Irena sprang into action looking for blank documents that could give Aryan identities to Jewish friends destined for the ghetto. And once the ghettoization of Jews was complete, she continued helping in any way she could.

Life in the ghetto was miserable. The Nazis rationed roughly 200 calories of food per person per day. Death by starvation was common. Sanitation was terrible with refuse and human corpses littering the streets. There was a shortage of soap, clothing, and the means to heat living spaces. Many people froze to death. Disease was everywhere, including tuberculosis, dysentery, spotted fever, and typhoid fever, the same disease that claimed Irena’s father’s life.

But Irena was undaunted. Because of her work with Warsaw’s Department of Health and Social Services, she received a pass from the Epidemic Control Department that allowed her official passage in and out of the ghetto. She immediately began making daily visits, sometimes multiple per day, to smuggle food, money, and doses of typhus vaccine into the ghetto. She would hide items in the false bottom of her bag, or in small pockets sewn into a padded bra. Many women had their bras altered with padding and pockets. “It was a joke in wartime Warsaw that women’s breasts had grown dramatically everywhere in the city since the arrival of the Germans.”

Children

Sometimes Irena would smuggle candy or dolls for the ghetto’s children. Children were particularly vulnerable in the ghetto, succumbing faster to malnutrition, freezing, and to more varied diseases than adults. Some families facing starvation relied on their children to obtain food by smuggling it from the Aryan side of the city. Other families sent children across the wall hoping they would fare better as orphans on the Aryan side than inside the ghetto. In the beginning of 1942, about 4,000 children lived on the streets of the Aryan side. 2,000 of them were Jewish.

That year, fearing Nazi soldiers’ contamination with typhus and other diseases from children living on the street, the chief of the Nazi police ordered for Warsaw’s social services to get all homeless children on the Aryan side of the city off the streets and into orphanages and other local institutions. The roundups yielded a number of Jewish children, many of whom Irena and her network helped disappear into private homes and orphanages under false Polish identities. But there were thirty two Jewish kids that could not be placed, and so, in order to save them from execution, Irena had to smuggle them back into the ghetto. Knowing what was awaiting them there, Irena was devastated at not having an alternative solution. She vowed to never again return a single child to the ghetto, and started, along with her associates, an operation to smuggle Jewish children out of the ghetto and to provide them with false Polish identities and caring homes on the Aryan side of the city.

The price for helping a Jewish child in wartime Warsaw was execution, and Irena and her core group of twenty to twenty five mostly women operatives, risked their lives daily to save each and every child. Children were smuggled out of the ghetto in a variety of ways. There were secret routes to the Aryan side of the city via sewers and underground corridors. Children were able to get across by sneaking through an old courthouse and a Catholic church that stood on the border of the ghetto. Irena’s epidemic control pass allowed her to officially bring a child out of the ghetto for treatment if they were ill with tuberculosis. Children with or without the disease were brought out this way. Some kids were hidden in ambulances, under floorboards or dirty rags, or in coffins along with dead bodies. The Nazis were terrified of disease and performed only cursory checks before waving ambulances through. The youngest, including babies, had to be sedated with tranquilizers and hidden in trucks in toolboxes, in sacks masquerading as laundry or potatoes, or under vegetable boxes. Some were left in briefcases on early morning streetcars that ran in and out of the ghetto and later picked up by a friend.

Once out of the ghetto, children had to take on new identities in order to integrate into Polish society. Sometimes documents were faked, other times legitimate blanks could be found. If children looked too Jewish, they had makeovers to make them look more Polish. Sometimes it was as easy as dying a child’s hair, other times Jewish boys had to become girls in order to prevent the Nazi authorities from checking for circumcisions.

Escaped children went on to live in homes of friends, in convents, in group homes, orphanages, or religious institutions, and Irena kept a list of each and every child placed with the hope of reuniting them with families after the war. She encoded and recorded only the most essential information such as names, addresses, and an account of any money that parents gave to help with caretaking on cigarette paper that nightly she prepared to throw out of her kitchen window in case the Gestapo, the Nazi secret police, ever came looking for her. Eventually, when it became too dangerous to keep the list at home, she buried it in glass bottles under an apple tree in a friend’s garden.

By this time Irena was already having nightmares on a regular basis. Not only did she worry about the children who would certainly be killed if they were ever discovered, she also worried about the families that were risking their lives to hide them. On top of everything, Irena was the sole person who knew the detailed histories of all the smuggled children. If anything were to happen to her, that information would be irretrievable.

Capture

In the fall of 1943, the Gestapo found and arrested a woman who ran a laundrette that the resistance used as a drop-off point for messages and packages. Charged with conspiring with the resistance, the woman was tortured and ultimately broke, giving up names of resistance operatives. One of those names was Irena Sendler’s. Days after, the Gestapo pounded on Irena’s door in the middle of the night. She was arrested, beaten, interrogated, and sent to Pawiak, a secret prison for intelligentsia and those politically involved. Most prisoners interned at Pawiak never left alive.

The Gestapo repeatedly tortured Irena for information, breaking her legs and feet, and permanently scarring her body. Despite the agony, Irena never said a word. She knew what divulging information would mean, a death sentence for thousands of children, friends and families. As luck would have it, the Gestapo thought they had captured only a fringe resistance operative, not the head of children’s division of the resistance movement, which meant Irena received no special treatment. Certainly if they realized who they were dealing with, they would have taken extra measures.

Irena lived at the prison for four months until her execution date was set for January 20, 1944. During the days, when she was not being tortured for information, Irena worked as a washerwoman cleaning soiled Nazi underwear. One day, when the Nazis found the laundry work not to their satisfaction, they lined up all the washerwomen against a wall and shot in the head every other one. Irena was one of the ones who survived.

On the morning of January 20th, a Nazi officer came to take Irena to the courtyard where she was to be shot. She was led down a corridor, but instead of being taken into the waiting room where she was to await her execution, the officer led her out of the prison and into the street. He released her and told her to run. As Irena later found out her friends in the resistance had bribed the Nazi with what today amounts to $100,000 to secure her escape.

End of the war and legacy

Once free, Irena went into hiding, and soon resumed her operations with the resistance. She continued rising in ranks until she was running meetings and setting agendas. In the summer of 1944, with the Soviets advancing, and the Nazis retreating, the Polish resistance army attempted to liberate Warsaw. They fought for two months, but were ultimately defeated by the Nazis. In response to the uprising, Heinrich Himmler, a most high ranking SS officer and the person responsible for forming and operating Nazi death camps, gave the order to kill all Polish residents of Warsaw and to level the entire city. “The city must completely disappear from the surface of the earth…,” he ordered. “No stone can remain standing. Every building must be razed to its foundation.” Ultimately more than 400,000 people were killed and eighty percent of Warsaw was destroyed by the retreating Nazi army. Irena miraculously survived the destruction.

After the Nazis were driven out of Warsaw, Irena and a friend went to dig up the list of children they had hidden in bottles. They searched and searched for the tree under which the list was buried, but found only rubble. Irena then set out, along with her friends, to recreate the list from memory. She continued working for decades helping reunite children with their families, and even adopted two orphaned Jewish girls herself.

Irena lived until 98, and passed away in Warsaw in 2008. Until the very end of her life she felt that she did not do enough to help children during the war.

Five years before her death Irena received Poland’s highest honour, the Order of the White Eagle, but she never enjoyed being called a hero.

“Let me stress most emphatically that we who were rescuing children are not some kind of heroes… Indeed, that term irritates me greatly.” 

“Heroes do extraordinary things. What I did was not an extraordinary thing. It was normal.”

The children Irena saved during the war continued to call and visit her until the end of her life.

Historical Snapshots

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Feeling pretty good today all in all. I'm managing a little longer each day off the oxygen to do simple tasks around the house. I still need it (unfortunately) but the hospital doctors told me I could be dependent on it for at least three months. Praying its far less time than that and I can shut it off by the end of this month.   I have a weird painful rash that burns and itches and it keeps coming back. I was told it was possibly connected to Covid but it seems more like eczema. I also woke up with my left leg hurting. The ankle and knee are tender. Maybe I slept wrong? The knee has almost given on me twice today and it doesn't help that my rescue kitty is the most clingy critter I've ever had. Constantly under my feet. I've had to walk extra carefully.   It's a little frustrating that at various points during my day I'll get a burst of energy and I want to just get out there and do something, anything, but five minutes later I'm blown up and huffing and puffing for air. Prayfully the little bursts of energy are a sign my body is healing.   I wanted to share a bunch of photos I took at the hospital on my phone but they were so blurry that it would be pointless. The room I was placed in at Community Regional Medical Center (Fresno) - 4th floor, room 453, Bed A - looked like a supply closet. The air conditioner didn't work so they had a portable unit attached to the window through a big foil tube. It sounded like a jet engine and didn't cool the room a bit. They also stacked chairs, spare IV posts, boxes full of idk what and other things in the room beside my bed (which also did not work properly to adjust height and angle). They kept the privacy curtain pulled around my bed 24 hours a day so that I couldn't see out into the corridor, just through the windows outside to a rear area of the hospital which was mostly weedy lots, an old road and two parking structures.   My stomach and arms are still black and blue and green from the barrage of daily injections (they were giving me a steroid for the pnumonia which raised my blood glucose levels dangerously - around 350 before a meal, which necessitated several insulin injections each day). They were also giving me injections to prevent blood clots and every morning between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. they drew several vials of blood. I remember them telling me to get plenty of rest but how could I when they were waking me up every hour or so to take cups full of pills (explaining to me what each was but so fast I really had no idea) and injecting me?     Probably the most humiliating thing I faced was bathroom breaks. I couldn't reach the room's toilet because of being hooked up to oxygen and so whenever I had to go I had to go beside my bed and guess whose windows had no curtains? One afternoon they gave me a plastic urinal to pee in and it had a hole in the bottom which promptly deposited my full bladder all over the floor. I rang for the nurse and about 20 minutes later (yes, 20 minutes at least) a nurse finally arrived and helped me clean up. But at least a nurse arrived, unlike the night my heart monitor's leds accidentally detached and signaled the nurse's station that I was in cardiac distress. Nobody showed up. I just shut the alarm off myself and reattached my disconnected leds after about half an hour.   Despite talk of the hospital being "swamped" with COVID cases I saw no evidence of that. The emergency room wasn't nearly half full and the floors I was taken through were similarly not full. There didn't seem to be a staff shortage either.   The covid tents set up outside the hospital buildings themselves were mostly empty and the care and attention lacking. I had one doctor ask to listen to my lungs when I first arrived and after two breaths he pulls the stethoscope away and says, "Yeah that sounds junky." And I never saw him again. My care was taken over by nurse's after that. One of which had blue cotton candy colored hair, big diamond earrings in his ears and pink crocs on. Whenever he got a call he'd say, "Happy Halloween, this is Blane I have all your goodies! What do you need my lovelies?" And I sat there wondering what kind of unprofessional asylum had I been taken to?     I'm really beginning to understand how my sister died in that hospital in 2010. The nurse's didn't exactly rush to your room for any emergency alarms or calls from your bed to the nurse's station. My brother also died at that hospital in 2007. I would have preferred St. Agnes Hospital but I was hypoxic and so out of my right mind when being transported aboard the ambulance that when the EMT suggested CRMC I just nodded okay. I wouldn't recommend Fresno Community Regional Med Center to anybody unless its a dire emergency.

[wherearemyglassesbro]

A lil somethin I’ve been thinking about idk enjoy

In a world where every child need a guardian angel...There just happens to be a shortage on angels

A set of twins in the Jones-Williams household is what tips the scales. One twin gets a guardian angel and the other gets a guardian demon

Arthurs been a guardian angel for about 200 years, his children growing up to be fantastic people with strong blood lines. He still checks in on their great great great great grand children and grants them an occasional ‘heavenly miracle’. One of those great great great great grandchildren has a 20 year old cat thanks to Arthur’s soft spot for animals. He was excited to be assigned to Matthew! The boy was born a bit weak but Art knows he’ll be a strong young lad once he gets moving around!

Francis has been a demon for 500 years and is 100% not qualified to be watching over a child like this but out of alllllllll of the demons the angel council could have picked, his sins weren’t as extreme. Lust and stealing arent exactly comparable to murdering. He still had to interview for the position! Which was easy to get since every other demon who was contacted for the position didn’t bother to show up

In exchange for watching out for Alfred, he would have the opportunity to be reincarnated or, after watching over multiple children, brought up to Heaven! Wow! How great is that! Naturally he took the offer and rubbed it in his friends faces

When he showed up to meet his coworker Arthur...it didn’t go over very well “Are you joking? I have to work with a demon?” “Excuse you, I’m not just any demon! I have quite the high status!”

As the boys grow up they have to protect them and make ‘suggestions’ which will alter their morals and personality. Matthew is well behaved but Alfred is not. I wonder why. On a trip to the grocery store, Arthur subtly nudges Matthew away from the candy display so he isn’t tempted to steal. Francis, on the other hand, makes a suggestion ‘You can take a piece you know. No one will notice’ and Alfred does uh oh

Arthur swoops in and suggests louder that he put it back....so he does. Francis is beyond peeved “What do you think you’re doing?” “Preventing a child from committing a crime!” “Taking a gumball isn’t that bad, I do it all the time!” “That’s why you’re a demon, you dolt!”

They’re not supposed to show themselves to the boys but again Fran breaks that rule. His true non-human shaped form is a tall, black silllouette with a terrifying grin and long horns. He forgets to glamor himself before walking into the boys bedroom and scares the everloving shit out of them oh lord STOP-

Arthur takes over for the night, quickly knocking the boys out and giving them sweet dreams while glaring over his shoulder at his demon coworker...who stole a bagel from the pantry

Imagining them working together as some weird parental influences on the boys is just funny to me idk Art is like ‘wow Matthew that’s a beautiful drawing of a polar bear!!’ And Francis is looming over Alfred’s shoulder “Oooo! That’s creative, an ambulance running someone over! THATS funny! True comedy!”

“Hey Sister Arthur, want me to heat you up some pizza?” “First of all, stop calling me that. Secondly, we are not supposed to be stealing their food! That pizza is Alfred’s lunch for tomorrow-“ “He’s my kid! He won’t care if I eat it!”

Matthew is a clumsy child which makes Art a very busy guardian angel. He’s watching for cracks in the sidewalk, choking hazards, surfaces he could get scraped on. This boy is just a danger magnet. And his twin is danger personified!! Alfred runs around constantly doing parkour on the furniture in the house or jumping down the stairs. Arthur is just tense all day long as he watches these two. Francis encoruages the dangerous behavior “Alfred! Wouldn’t it be fun to roller skate in the kitchen?” “Francis! Stop suggesting those things!”

That’s all I got for now lmao

[abybweisse]

Ch177 (2), Southern comfort food

It is a common Southern US thing to cook sweet potatoes (true yams are not as common here) in a fashion like this. Despite not being true yams, we do typically call this dish “candied yams”. 🍠 If you want to know more about the technical differences between sweet potatoes and yams, I would suggest Wikipedia. The main thing to know is that true yams are way more common in parts of Africa, and many of our American sweet potato dishes were created by slaves brought from Africa; sweet potatoes are the closest non-yam thing to yams we have around here. However, sweet potatoes have been brought from the Americas and cultivated all over the world for centuries. (They were introduced into Japan in the early 1600’s, and it became a staple there to prevent famine during rice shortages.) Early European settlers in the Americas made recipes with them… and even sometimes ate them raw.

If we want to be as historically accurate as possible, Terry and his younger brother likely came from a poor southern family. If they had been from a plantation (had been slave owners), then their mother probably wouldn’t have been preparing the meals. By then, sweet potatoes were enjoyed by all classes, not just the poor, but the lady of the house wouldn’t likely be doing the cooking unless she couldn’t afford slaves or servants. (At the time, there wasn’t really a middle class to speak of.)

It’s sad that Terry had a younger brother die in the same battle! Him saying he had to return home because of this fact reminds me a lot of the Phantomhive twins….

(Note: the description of “candied yams” has a slight typo in the chapter, but it really is quite minor.)

I love sweet potatoes… but I prefer them roasted with spices and without extra sweetness. 🍠 😋

[1-mini-1]

Soraru x Tonari no Sakata x SaizeP- Even if We’re at Home Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! (Gozaitaku demo Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! / ご在宅でも Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!) English Lyrics

Sorry for doing something out of my translation schedule, but I thought Soraru and Sakata’s new song was really cute and wanted to translate it ;w; I also translated all the banter in between verses and stuff. Things aren’t fun right now, but I hope this song can help cheer up those that are going through a hard time because of the pandemic!

Yay! Yay! Yay! At home

Even if I wear sweats all day, no one will know

Home! Home! Home!

RAKUEN1 the Paradise

I can probably complete my life

Just by spending it at home

But I want to eat out!!!

Sakata: Hello, I’m Sakata!

Soraru: I’m Soraru!

Sakata: Together we’re~

Sakata and Soraru: Sorasaka!

Sakata: I was thinking about how I haven’t gone outside a lot lately!

Soraru:  Well, these are troubling times

Sakata: That’s why everyone’s stockpiling at the same time…Huh!? There’s a toilet paper shortage!? I need to go buy some too!!!

Soraru: Hey, don’t let them fool you! …Yeah, there are more rumors like this now.

Sakata: And there’s a mask shortage too!!?

Soraru: Like I said, don’t let them fool you!

Sakata: Hey! Stay farther than 6 feet from me!!!!

Soraru: No, the importance of social distancing…! (Pexxpa)2 Oh yeah, the three “Mitsus”3

Sakata: If I remember right, it was honeycomb, white honey, and clover honey

Soraru: Are you Winnie the Pooh!? That’s not it

Sakata: Hi Eeyore

Soraru: Who are you calling Eeyore!?

Hooray for home!

I’ll watch the anime I’m behind on

Hooray for home!

I’ll play some games too

Indulging in depravity!

My living radius is 5 meters

Wait, this is kinda bad!

Props to me for doing 4 sit-ups today!

The familiar ceiling

Even if there’s no change, tempura rice bowls are delicious every day

But obviously what makes me feel like I’m living

Is when I’m in front of my mic like normal

Hooray for home!

I always knew music was fantastic!

Hooray for home!

I’m ready to cry when my internet is bad

 A new strain4 of utopia

Ah

Don’t they remember my face

At the convenience store that’s nearby?

I’m praying in this song

That they at least nicknamed me something other than “Potato Chips”

Yay! Yay! Yay! At home

When you get home wash your hands like a raccoon5

Home! Home! Home!

I’ve already sanitized my whole body

Is it just my imagination that I’ve somehow

Become shinier than I would be during a normal year?

Yay! Yay! Yay! At home

Part of the enjoying telework crowd

Home! Home! Home!

I’m bare face under my mask

I can probably get 100% completion on my life

Just by spending it at home

But

There’s just something missing…

Soraru: Oh yeah, let’s have a virtual drinking party

Sakata: Ok!

Soraru: Huh, Sakata, you… what snacks are you eating?

Sakata: Huh? Amanatto6

Soraru: Are you an old man!?!?

Sakata: And puffed cereal

Soraru: Like I said, are you an old man!?!?

Sakata: I guess I should finish up soon!

Soraru: …What are you eating?

Sakata: Imo yokan7

Soraru: ARE YOU AN OLD MAN!?!?

Sakata: Well what are you eating?

Soraru: Huh? Tamago Boro8

Sakata: Are you a little kid!?

Soraru: And a lollipop

Sakata: No you are a little kid!!

Soraru: And my drink is orange juice, of course.

Sakata: You’re a little kid!!!

Soraru: You’re a little kid!!!

Sakata: Hey, don’t make fun of me!!! That’s also what a little kid would do!!!

Soraru: …Oh, it’s 5 o’clock. I have to go home soon ☆

Sakata: Ah, a curfew!!! Haven’t had that in a while. Wait, you’re at home right now aren’t you!?

This is super bad

After 4 sit-ups, my whole body is completely sore

But I want to feel like I’m living

For some reason, I’m shaking in front of my mic

Hooray for home!

Actually, I can’t do this so I’m gonna sleep

Hooray for home!

Tomorrow I’ll make my chocolate do sit-ups

A new strain of dystopia

Ah

Don’t they spread rumors about me

At the convenience store that’s nearby?

I’m praying in this song

That they’ve already nicknamed me “Chicken Salad”

Yay! Yay! Yay! At home

Even if I stay up late, no one will know

Home home home!

It’s midnight now and I’ve been up for a day and a half

My internal clock has already become

Aｎ antique clock running mainly on radio waves

Yay! Yay! Yay! At home

Sometimes I remember

No, no, no

Actually, I remember it everyday

That stage, the scene I could see from it

That distance that tied us together

Is a little far now but

I’m sure that we’ll meet again!!!

Yay! Yay! Yay!

Until this voice reaches you

Say it! Say it! Say it!

I’ll sing today too so

For the times we’re living in,

We want you to work with us and stay here!

Yay! Yay! Yay! At home

For the day we can meet again

Home! Home! Home!

To you, waiting in your room

It’s a waste to finish your life

By spending it only in your house so

Until the day we can meet again

Sakata: But it’s true that just cooping up at home all the time effects your mental health…

Soraru: That’s true… staying home is fun, but sometimes I want to go see my friends. By staying inside all the time, I learned how precious my peaceful, ordinary life was.

Sakata: Right!

Soraru: I’m sure that if we all endure this together, those peaceful, ordinary days will come back, so let’s all try our best until then!

Sakata: Of course! You can’t just think, “I’ll be fine,” you also have to do it to protect the people important to you!!!

Soraru: Yeah. Also…

Sakata: Also?

Soraru: If you feel yourself getting sad, come listen to this song again.

Sakata: Yeah, maybe you’ll feel a little better?

Soraru: Ok, let’s end this how we always do!

Sakata: Ok!

Soraru: 1, 2, 3…

Sakata and Soraru: Thank you for listening to us! Bye bye!

Translator’s Notes:

1.      Rakuen means “paradise” in Japanese so I just left it because redundant line is redundant

2.      This refers to the manzai (Japanese comedy) duo Pekopa. I’m assuming they had a social distancing sketch or something that’s being referenced but I couldn’t find it so soz (also is it just me or does it look like I bleeped out Peppa the Pig or something XD)

3.      Forgive me for my inability to translate puns and putting so many footnotes lol. If there wasn’t a joke made with the word “mitsu” in the next line, I’d translate it like the “Three closes” or something. It refers to a Coronavirus prevention measure in Japan that warns people to avoid rooms with closed ventilation, close crowds, and close contact. This “mitsu” sounds the same as the word for “honey” in Japanese. Also, the types of honey in the following line aren’t exactly direct translations (shiromitsu is probably closer to being translated as “simple syrup”)

4.      Covid-19 is referred to as “the new strain of coronavirus” in the news in Japan

5.      For those who didn’t know this was a thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umbap4pDl0M

6.      Basically candied beans. In my head the closest American equivalent for an old man candy might be Boston baked beans…?

7.      Basically jellied sweet potato

8.      Mini egg Biscuits

[fly-pow-bye]

What’s Airing On Cartoon Network? (July 2021)

While we’re in a rather empty spot for the network, Cartoon Network decided to add another show that was made for HBO Max to its television lineup: Looney Tunes Cartoons! Also, The Fungies continue their airing on television, and there’s new episodes of Total Dramarama and DC Super Hero Girls. More after the break.

Craig of the Creek

For completion’s sake, I’ll list the Craig of the Creek episodes here too.

June 28th:

Capture the Flag Part 1: The Candy - When mysterious circumstances cause issues at the Trading Tree, Craig tries to save the day! (10:00 AM)

June 29th:

Capture the Flag Part 2: The King - The Creek gets help from an unlikely friend. (10:00 AM)

June 30th:

Capture the Flag Part 3: The Legend - Craig goes in search of answers, and finds a legend. (10:00 AM)

July 1st:

Capture the Flag Part 4: The Plan - Craig puts a plan into motion to save the Creek. (10:00 AM)

July 2nd:

Capture the Flag Part 5: The Game - It all comes down to this, the fate of the Creek is at stake! (10:00 AM)

DC Super Hero Girls

July 4th:

#AngerManagement - When Jess coerces Kara into addressing her anger management issues, Supergirl's superhero abilities become seriously compromised! (8:00 AM)

#HappyBirthdayZee - Zatanna makes a birthday wish that forces her to confront the dark side of her magic. (8:15 AM)

July 11th:

#TheGreenRoom - When Jessica is faced with a Green Lantern Corps disciplinary hearing, Hal appoints himself to be her Peer Advocate. (8:00 AM)

#EnterNightSting - Karen is given a mission to prevent the apocalypse by DeathSting, a super-cool future version of herself. (8:15 AM)

July 18th:

#WorldsFinest - When PR whiz Max Lord tells Batgirl and Supergirl he can improve their image by doing publicity stunts, the two friends forget what being a hero is really about. (8:00 AM)

#WorkingStiff - After Babs hooks Karen up with a job at the Burrito Bucket, the two heroes encounter a new villain, the scourge of the fast-food underworld, the Condiment King! (8:15 AM)

July 25th:

#MultipliciZee - Zee magically duplicates herself so she can shirk work and watch TV. Things get out of hand when her copies start to make copies of themselves! (8:00 AM)

#TheMinus - Diana receives her first ever A-minus and becomes convinced that she needs to work harder, however, in order to do so, she resorts to rather drastic measures. (8:15 AM)

The Fungies

July 9th:

Sir Tree's Boy - Seth agrees to take care of Sir Tree's wooden boy, Boy Joy, but quickly pawns him off on Mertha. When Seth discovers that Sir Tree needs his boy back in order to survive, he must stage a heist to steal Boy Joy back before it's too late! (8:00 AM)

Commander Beefy - Seth, eager to explore the stars and find a fellow explorer, sends a signal to space. But the explorer who receives the message, Commander Beefy, has his own shady plans for Earth... (8:15 AM)

July 16th:

The Fanciest Fungie - Seth, frustrated that the Fancies are too caught up in the Fanciest Fancy pageant to listen to his warning about a fungus-eating bacteria, enters the pageant to get his message out. But when he gets sucked into the pageant, he'll have to face the consequences of getting distracted. (8:00 AM)

Snake It to the Limit - When Seth agrees to let an athletic snake replace his arm so he can finally be good at volleyball, he learns he doesn't need a fancy snake arm to make his teammates happy; he just needs to try. (8:15 AM)

July 23th:

Nevin's Cocoon - After a beautiful statue makes Nevin self-conscious about his own looks, Seth helps seal Nevin in a cocoon so that he may turn into a beautiful butterfly. (8:00 AM)

Cool Kids - When Pascal becomes obsessed with a group of cool kids, Seth promises to use his science skills to help Pascal become cool. But is coolness as cool as it seems? (8:15 AM)

July 30th:

Mermove Out - Seth is having a hard time sharing a room with messy Pascal and needs a change. But instead of being honest about the situation, Seth makes Pascal a mermaid tail so that his brother can finally move out-into the ocean! (8:00 AM)

Happy Birthday Nancy - Seth wants his mom to have the best birthday ever, so he creates his own currency in order to buy her an expensive gift. But he learns a little too late that counterfeiting is a crime, putting Nancy's birthday at risk of being ruined. (8:15 AM)

Looney Tunes Cartoons

July 5th:

Curse of the Monkeybird/Marvin Flag Gag: Deflating Planet/Harm Wrestling - Daffy Duck and Porky Pig search for hidden treasure. No one messes with arm-wrestling champ Yosemite Sam - until Bugs Bunny comes along. (9:00 AM)

Big League Beast/Hole Gag: Mini Elmer/Firehouse Frenzy -When Bugs overstays his welcome, an evil scientist unleashes Gossamer to get rid of him. Daffy Duck and Porky Pig make lousy firefighters. (9:15 AM)

July 6th:

Boo! Appetweet/Hole Gag: Plunger/Bubble Dum - Sweet victory turns into a nightmare when Sylvester fears he's haunted by Tweety's ghost. Daffy Duck faces off with a pesky piece of gum. (9:00 AM)

Pain in the Ice/Tunnel Vision/Pool Bunny - A hungry Sylvester sets his sights on Tweety, the ice skater. On a scorching hot day, Bugs Bunny makes himself at home in Elmer Fudd's pool. (9:15 AM)

July 7th:

Pest Coaster/Rhino Ya Don't - Bugs tries to ride a roller coaster, but Yosemite Sam is determined to stop him. At the zoo, Sylvester's lunch plans are foiled by a rhino. (9:00 AM)

Buzzard School/Marvin Flag Gag: Giant Alien Mouth/Wet Cement - Bugs Bunny enrolls Beaky Buzzard in Rabbit Hunting 101. Daffy wreaks havoc on Porky's wet cement. (9:15 AM)

July 8th:

Siberian Sam/Hole Gag: Fishing Pole/Fleece and Desist/Marvin Flag Gag: Mirror/Split Screen Marvin - In need of a new hat, Siberian Sam feasts his eyes on Bugs Bunny. Sam Sheepdog protects his herd from a hungry Ralph Wolf. (9:00 AM)

Grilled Rabbit/Cactus if You Can/Shower Shuffle - Elmer Fudd interrogates Bugs about a theft. Wile E. Coyote's plan to catch the Road Runner gets prickly. Daffy and Porky have shower troubles. (9:15 AM)

July 9th:

Overdue Duck/Hole Gag: Bees/Vincent Van Fudd - At the library, Porky Pig tries to silence a troublemaking Daffy Duck. Bugs Bunny interrupts Elmer Fudd's attempt to be a great artist. (9:00 AM)

Hare Restoration/TNT Trouble/Plumbers Quack - A self-interested Bugs gives Elmer Fudd dating advice. Wile E. Coyote runs into some dynamite problems. Elmer's leaky sink is no match for Daffy. (9:15 AM)

July 12th:

Daffuccino/Hole Gag: Moving Hole/Kitty Livin - Before his new coffee shop goes from grand opening to grand closing, Porky must impress an influential customer. Sylvester may have swallowed more than he can chew when he manages to trap Tweety... inside his stomach! (9:00 AM)

Chain Gangster/Telephone Pole Gag: Sylvester Car Jack Lift/Falling for It - Two bank robbers need Bugs' help to break out of jail. Daffy convinces Porky to go skydiving but forgets one important little thing... (9:15 AM)

July 13th:

Taziator/Marvin Flag Gag: Little Martian/Climate Control - Bugs faces off against Taz in a Roman coliseum. Wile E. Coyote orders a weather control kit, but his chances of catching the Road Runner remain cloudy. (9:00 AM)

Lepre-conned/Flag Won't Stay Straight/Brave New Home - Bugs is looking for Hawaii but finds Ireland and an angry leprechaun instead. Porky's new home has all the modern amenities anyone could hope for, including a computerized assistant - but the voice recognition software could use an update. (9:15 AM)

July 14th:

The Case of Porky's Pants/Fully Vetted - Detective Daffy takes on the case of Porky's missing pants. Tweety's trip to the veterinarian's office gives Sylvester the perfect opportunity for a lunchtime treat. (9:00 AM)

E-Rabbitcator/ Planet Split in 2/The Sales Duck - Bugs must outsmart a new technological foe. Elmer is ready for bed, but persistent salesman Daffy stands in the way of a good night's rest. (9:15 AM)

July 15th:

Pitcher Porky/Cherry Picker/Duck Duck Boom - Benchwarmer Porky finally gets his chance to shine on the pitching mound. With the game on the line, he needs all the help he can get - even if it's from Daffy. Elmer sets his sights on Daffy, but who's hunting whom? (9:00 AM)

Postal Geist/Anvil/Fudds Bunny - Porky and Daffy deliver packages to a haunted manor. Elmer's plan to disguise himself as a bunny to lure Bugs out of his hole doesn't quite go as planned. (9:15 AM)

July 16th:

Shoe Shine-nanigans/Multiply and Conquer/Parky Pig - Elmer visits Daffy for a quick shoeshine. Porky is running late for movie night but finding a parking spot is easier said than done. (9:00 AM)

Shell Shocked/Daffy Dentist - Bugs races against Cecil Turtle for the "fastest thing in New York City" title. The only thing more painful than Porky's sore tooth is a visit to dentist Daffy. (9:15 AM)

Total Dramarama

July 5th:

Breaking Bite - Beth becomes the big dog on campus after she bites Duncan, but being the big dog is a dangerous thing, especially when you didn't actually bite anybody! (5:00 PM)

July 6th:

I Dream of Meanie - When Cody keeps screaming in his sleep Gwen and Duncan take a trip into Cody's dreams to see what is scaring him. (5:00 PM)

July 7th:

Squirrels Squirrels Squirrels - Courtney's attempt to make Chef a better teacher fails when a squirrel gets his hands on her mind-control device. (5:00 PM)

July 8th:

Say Hello to my Little Friends - After telling the kids he will not miss them over the long weekend Chef locks himself into the school and finds out he was very, very wrong. (5:00 PM)

July 12th:

WaterHose-Five - The hottest day of the year and a broke air conditioner leads to a water battle of epic proportions to determine who controls the garden hose. (5:00 PM)

July 13th:

Cody the Barbarian - Cody is set to inherit a video game empire from his long-lost uncle, but only if he and his friends have what it takes to conquer a fantastical live-action video game. (5:00 PM)

July 14th:

TP2: Judgement Bidet - When the city experiences a toilet paper shortage Beth and Harold investigate and discover it's their old rival Sewer Mike who is the mastermind behind it all. (5:00 PM)

July 15th:

Dial B for Birder - Harold uncovers a secret plot that Chef's new parrot is hatching and tries to save his teacher only to discover that Sugar figured it out before him. Or did she? (5:00 PM)

July 19th:

A Hole Lot of Trouble - When rain derails an outside game of catch someone suggests they play it inside. This prompts Izzy to lead the group through her wildly imaginative worst-case scenario. It's an adventure so scary that the kids many never play again. (5:00 PM)

July 20th:

A Tell Tale - After Owen's BBF, Noah, goes through a growth spurt, Owen fears losing his friend and takes drastic action. (5:00 PM)

July 21st:

Chews Wisely - When the floor ends up covered in gum on the day of a big bubble blowing contest, Sugar decides she might help herself win by helping her friends get stuck to the floor. (5:00 PM)

July 22nd:

A Dingo Ate My Duncan - When all their classmates are replaced with well-behaved Australian doppelgangers in a school exchange program, Lightning and Cody start getting suspicious. (5:00 PM)

[raziakhatunblr]

Maplestory private server illegal, Tricks to avoid penalty

Maplestory private server

 Is it safe? Let us understand the background and distinctive contents of private servers.

 More Information

Maplestory private host

It helps MapleStory fans better enjoy the hard work involved with constructing successful MapleStory servers. However, what about punishment?

 Personal Servers are somewhat illegal because they breach the TOS or Copyright claims or something. If Nexon has captured a private host, they'll send a notification to you or sue you enjoy they did to and which no longer exist.

 The reason behind most personal servers is either from people who talk about the leaked info. The manufacturer of OdinMS created his personal host, or they're rebels such as The Resistance vs. The Blend in Half-Life 2.

 But, there's absolutely no possible way for Nexon to prevent all private servers. They are continuing to be advanced from moving v55, v63, v72, and so on.

 How Is a Private Server like Maplestory Made?

After all the years of unsuccessful leveling, upgrading, and recruitment of guild members, together with a destroyed Ghost Boat Exorcist badge onto a three-year-old Mechanic, I chose to retire into a MapleStory Private Server.

 Additionally, $600CAD to find nx and buy stuff (for example, meso sacs and store permits) to get items across and find things out in M.S. the challenging way. Yes, I sacrificed $600CAD in substantial school lunch money to get things like hair coupons in M.S. once I might have used that money to receive a supercomputer.

 Nexon is observing everything

The ruined GSE badge within my 3-year-old 210 mechanics. (through celebrity improvement window) and Nexon's shortage of gear reimbursement finally led me to do the one thing nobody would ever encourage me to do: I gave up on GMS. With no GSE badge, I can not continue on GMS.

Furthermore, I wasted a lot of real cash to sell items to acquire more Mesos. Instead, I've more insults than Mesos from players. Such as"Shoo."

 [caption id="attachment_1282" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Maplestory Private waiter [/caption]

My big problem here is how do you create a MapleStory Private Server (whether it is a v83 or the most recent version)? Like, do they divide into Nexon's H.Q. and extract all of the sprites, maps, sound effects, etc., off their computers and then rebuild it like a jigsaw puzzle?

 If they did, then I will need to pack my bags and fly to California to do this. Like, the M.S. files will need to come from someplace. Also, it's the sole way to acquire the Wizet Invincible Hat. Besides, you'll find guidelines on other Personal Server sites.

 Mesos

That says things like"no hacking, injecting of tools/unauthorized equips/packets, no wz document editing, etc.". I feel like I deserve a holiday from this game, but don't wanna devote another 1-2-3 years recollecting all the Mesos and equipping myself.

 I would like to compensate for the 3 years of the wasted moment on M.S. and get my movie/animation jobs finished at precisely the same moment.

 In addition to the hat, the G.M. class itself is making me envious. Yes, they're a class referred to as"SuperGM." So with a Personal Server (a Private Server intended for my personal use ), I will see exactly what it is like to be a G.M.

And bypass all other personal server site rules. Plus, there's a skill known as"Super Dragon Roar" that really does %1000 damage to all animals on screen.

 While we are on this subject of hacking, why are robots poor? I never uttered before, but as a fantastic player from GMS, I find the only fair use for them would be to let me farm Mesos while doing home chores. I could call in my friend to play M.S. while I create breakfast/lunch/dinner, do laundry, etc. Why are robots taboo to MMORPG moderators like MapleStory private servers? That and having my friend drama M.S. for me personally will make no difference (at least that's what I presume ).

 A side question: why or how are Personal Servers bad? Besides the fact that they permit one to play the sport and get stuff free, I really don't see how Private Servers are poor. Additionally, when you produce a Personal Server, do you, as the admin, get a Wizet Invincible Hat?

 Also, how do I protect my P.S. from Nexon so they don't locate it? ExtaliaMS got closed down when Nexon found their I.P. address. But I want to take additional precautions to avoid going to court to face Nexon.)

 So for this, I will have to place my MMD project on hold for now. I have to wait until the introduction of MS2 so that I can port its models to MMD.

 (this is where Time is Money. Much like E.G., construction of a condo in a boom-town; the employees need to build it quickly to allow more residents to proceed.)

 Additionally, you're only allowed to perform a daily event once a character. That's like more kids than Octomom should feed.

 And that I consumed almost an entire day to do daily quests on all of them because of how many negative aspects in the match slowed me down since the days passed! When it's terrible hackers, DCs (that is an online game term for"disconnections") (no matter whether I have a great or poor internet connection). Unscheduled server maintenances, or other things along those lines!

 Can not you compare with a v83 Personal Server right into a quit game console like the Gamecube or even the PlayStation 1?

How can we play an old game from several decades back without a machine that's capable of doing this? So yeah, how can we try the previous skills and senior classes of the elderly servers if we can't even play with the older servers of Tonight Now? Please refer to this link for additional info about discontinued games and game consoles: A significant Note about Emulators for Game Developers.

  More Information

Also, can't you compare with an MMORPG Private Server into a Jailbreak (like IAP Cracker and Installous) for iPod Touches/iPhones/iPads? For games such as Tiny Tower, Subway Surfers, Candy Crush, and so Forth, even with no Jailbreak/with the official server. I am able to go the distance and find those games completed 100 percent without having to spend a single cent.

 The programmer (s) that created these match (s) plans to place them up to download free of cost. But I can't waste any more time on these types of server-sided matches because I have other important things to do.

 Besides internet service, how does a Private Server need funds to operate? Since most P.S. sites say in their community guidelines. "If possible, please contribute as Personal Servers need funds to operate...

 How to Create a MapleStory Private Server [v83]

First, go to C:\

 As soon as you find three folders, call all you want, but I will name them'ZenthosDev,'''Downloads,' and'MapleStoryV83' with this tutorial.

Download these programs/files.

 (64bit)

MySQL Query Browser

 JCE Unlimited Power Records

WampServer

LocalHost v83

ZenthosDev v83

MapleStory v83

W.Z. Files

Make certain you selected the appropriate variant matching your Operating System (O.S.) to avoid any difficulties.

 Installations:

Before we start, make sure to extract everything if it's in a .rar format.

 Installing MapleStory v83:

 Install MapleStory with the download provided. It is a really straight forward installation. Follow the instructions.

 Delete the following files/folders in the C:/MapleStoryV83 folder should they exist.

 MapleStory.exe

Patcher.exe

GameLauncher.exe

shield (folder)

Installing WampServer:

Follow the directions and install it.

 C:\Wamp

 Don't be concerned about putting your email and these at the end. Just press finish.

 Left-click it and click put Online'.

 Then left-click it again and click on begin All Services.'

 The Wamp icon must look totally green (if it is red or reddish, you have a problem).

 Installing the MySQL Query Browser:

It is straightforward, runs the installation record, agrees to the conditions, and follow the instructions.

 According to which system kind your computer as you may install 32bit or 64bit.

So set up the corresponding file.

For another simple installation, follow the directions.

Documents placement:

Paste them into these areas, overwrite when prompted.

(The (jdk1)/(jre7) folder version could differ. It is fine ). C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_01\jre\lib

3. C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_01\jre\lib\safety

Copy each of the folders and files within the ZenthosDev folder that we made before. So it seems in this way.

 Now replicate the W.Z. folder within the ZenthosDev folder.

 So it must look like this.

 SQL setup:

Username: root

 Then click on the document' button in the menu bar, and select open Directory...'.

 Proceed to C:\enthosDev\SQL and open the document called'ZenthosDev.SQL.'

 Following its opening, apply the file.

 Preference installation:

(This component is optional if running the server to Receive your computer only)

 You might also make any alterations to have the server to function how you need it.

 Wait 10 minutes, and then your bat file must look similar to this.

 Code:

 ZenthosDev has started:

 World Launched

 Login Launched

 Channel Launched

 Is Maplestory’s personal server really safe?

I ask this question as somebody who has been part of the Maplestory personal server" community."

(unsure whether the neighborhood is the best term to describe it, but oh well) to get many of years now. I would not call myself a"host hopper" per se, but I have tried out a decent variety of servers to see what they provide. Most servers market towards Maplers, who prefer the old-school/pre-BB encounter.

 The sole thing that differentiates them will be the attributes they supply. Some have higher or lower EXP/Meso/Drop prices to make things more or harder. Some make H.P. Washing"Optional." Some provide custom content...you get the notion.

 Anyway, this question popped into my mind when I tried out a host known as"AvalonMS." I recall having a few conversations using a streamer there. He was currently looking for a server to repay. This man had hoped that Avalon would perform well. Eventually, he left because he could not see the server becoming successful and remaining alive for more than a few months.

 I really don't remember his precise words. However, I believe he said something along the lines of"Private Servers need to be run with at least a small bit of professionalism, like a business nearly."

Along with the proprietors of this host, since he put it, were not too professional. Among the substantial issues was that they weren't transparent enough with the area concerning what sort of content/updates they'd do with their game. I tried looking around for their host just a minute before. And they appeared to have vanished off the face of the internet. No big surprise there.

 A personal server such as Maplestory has been around. So what is the issue?

I got me wondering how many private servers have been around for a while to stay successful. When I say successful, I usually indicate they could maintain a decently-sized busy player base for an extended period. That, if you consider it, is already hard enough as it is. In any kind, Maplestory, whether it be the official game or the personal servers, isn't a super popular MMO.

 The official sport is nowhere near as popular as it was during its prime. And therefore, you would think the subset of all gamers/Maplers that prefer old-school private servers inside the official game is most likely a pretty little demographic.

 We've got SOME powerful servers such as Royals, Legends, Saga, etc., which have existed for a couple of decades. And these"powerful" servers hold a reasonably large percentage of personal server gamers.

 I mean hell, even as soon as you go past the 6th or even 7th rated server on gtop100, you begin getting into the servers that have less than 100 active players. And needless to say, the personal server community is most likely dwindling.

 There are just so many men and women who have played pre-BB Maple.

And they would prefer it on the modern versions. Finally, those folks will likely proceed with their own lives and stop playing with Maplestory entirely because nostalgia can maintain a player round for such a long time. I must wonder how many more years we have before Maplestory Private Servers die off completely. I hope we have a little bit more.  More Information

[yourlifefun]

35 Things to Do Today for a Flat Belly

There's no shortage of flat belly advice lately, and it is often downright paralyzing. If you manage to motivate yourself to reduce, it's hard to know what to undertake to first to understand your goal—until now. To assist you begin on a path toward flat abs and quick weight loss, our research team tracked down the sole recommendations on the world and prioritized everything into the step-by-step weight loss guide. The primary two steps are to form over your home and kitchen, starting with replacing unhealthy foods with Zero Belly-approved eats. Then, read up the sole fitness hacks for turning your beer belly into a solid six-pack. Follow the decision to avoid feeling overwhelmed and see the sole possible results. And to truly make a change

Make Over Your Home

"Whether you've ten pounds to lose or 100, the primary thing you'd wish to aim to do is to create an environment for the fulfillment," says Chris Powell, Extreme Weight Loss trainer. These are the ten belongings you purchased to undertake to up your odds of weight loss success.

  35 Sleep during a cold Room

Simply blasting the air conditioning or turning down the warmth within the winter may help attack belly fat while we sleep, consistent with a study within the journal Diabetes. Because it seems, colder temps can subtly enhance the effectiveness of your brown fat stores, which keep you warm by helping your burn through belly fat. Participants spent a couple of weeks sleeping in bedrooms with varying temperatures: a neutral 75 degrees, a cool 66 degrees, and a balmy 81 degrees. After four weeks of sleeping at 66 degrees, the participants had almost doubled their volumes of brown fat.

  34 Increase Your Load

If you'll do quite five reps of an exercise, devour a heavier weight. As you build muscles and your body gets stronger, you'll increase your load to challenge your body. It's particularly important to figure larger muscle groups, like your glutes, with a heavier weight. "This will burn fat, within the belly and other areas, quicker than any ab exercise."

33 Ditch Your Night Light

Exposure to Inner Light the dark doesn't just interrupt your chances of a powerful night's sleep, it's going to end in weight gain, consistent with a study within the American Journal of Epidemiology. Study subjects who slept within the darkest rooms were 21 percent less likely to be obese than those sleeping within the lightest rooms.

  32 Stock abreast of Healthy Foods

Brian Wansink, director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab, found that you simply can estimate what proportion someone weighs by taking a photograph of their kitchen counter. After analyzing photos of 200 kitchens, he found that girls who have soda sitting on their countertops weigh a mean 26 pounds more while folks that have cookies weigh about eight pounds more. The foremost important surprise: Keeping cereal on your counter results in an extra 20 pounds of weight. The lesson here is to wash empty calories off your countertops to start out losing weight.

  31 Make Fruits and Veggies Accessible

Replace your candy and cookie jars on the kitchen counter with a bowl of fresh fruits and containers of nuts. Stock your fridge with chopped veggies and hummus for a fast and healthy snack. This manner they're more readily available, and you've got no excuses to grab a bag of chips, right? Katie Cavuto, MS, RD, the dietitian to the Philadelphia Phillies and Flyers, like having washed and ready cucumbers, peppers, sugar snap peas, and carrots within the front of the fridge so as that they're not overlooked. Bananas, apples, pears, and oranges fare well as sweet snacks and will be kept on the counter where you'll see them.

  30 Keep Electronics Out of the Bedroom

Is scrolling through an Instagram region costing you zzz's? It would be the rationale you cannot shake those love handles. During a recent study, researchers analyzed quite 500 participants' weekday sleep diaries and located that losing a mere half-hour of shut-eye increased their risk of obesity by 17 percent!

  29 Read Ingredient Lists

Reading the nutrition label of packaged foods is critical, but you furthermore might want to carefully review the ingredients list. While the nutrition label will tell you ways many calories and grams of fat and sugar are within the food, the ingredients list will tell you what is exactly in it. Ask yourself: Does it have processed oils? What’s the source of the sugar content? Are there food additives?

  28 Throw Out Jelly & Jam

Your breakfast toast won't miss these sugar-laden spreads once you start to shed pounds and see a flatter belly. One tablespoon of jam easily carries slightly below 10 grams of sugar. And let's be honest, who just has one? Top spread sandwiches with fresh pieces of fruit, like banana and strawberry slices to infuse it with some natural sweetness. This tactic will help bar blood-sugar fluctuations which may cause insulin spikes and put hunger into overdrive.

  27 Skip Sugary Cereal

There's no sugar-coating it: Sugar wreaks havoc on the body. Consuming an excessive amount of white stuff can cause obesity, which regularly causes other health problems, like diabetes and heart condition. Many unhealthy breakfast bowls of cereal pack more sugar into one bowl than you will find during a Boston Kreme donut! To form matters worse, many popular varieties like Frosted Flakes and Fruity Pebbles are laced with Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) or BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole). These ingredients are banned within the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and far from Europe because they're thought to be carcinogenic.

  26 Sayonara Soda

"Soda, both diet and regular, have absolutely no nutritional benefits and should even have serious health implications," says Gina Consalvo, MA, RD, LDN, a Pennsylvania-based registered dietitian. "Not only are they loaded with empty calories, harmful preservatives, sugar or artificial sweeteners, they even have dangerous artificial coloring derived from coal sources," explains Consalvo. But that's not even the worst part. "To prevent mold growth within the cans and bottles, makers add the preservative potassium benzoate (a known carcinogen linked to thyroid damage, leukemia, and other cancers) into the cans," Consalvo suggests eliminating soda and beverage, seltzer or detox tea instead.

  25 Forgo White Carbs

Many folks grew up eating light bread and bagels, so we understand why they'll hold a special place in your heart. But these starchy grains (and things like polished rice and pretzels) are anything but healthy. Made with enriched flour rather than healthy whole grains, they're barren of the belly-filling fiber that reinforces satiety and keeps blood glucose stable. What's worse, refined white-flour foods like these are linked to a heart condition and sort 2 diabetes. Plus, they cause weight gain and make it harder to reduce, too.

  24 Kick Processed Snacks to the Curb

Processed snacks full of saturated fats, sugar, refined grains, and harmful chemicals. It's no wonder they appear to be kind of the foremost important weight-loss saboteurs!

  23 Ditch the Margarine

Do you know that light yellow color that creates margarine looks almost indistinguishable from butter when laid side by side? Well, it's from natural. In fact, without all the additives, margarine is an appetite-crushing shade of grey—yuck! As if that weren't bad enough, many brands add propanediol, a man-made compound, to their recipe to feature grease without adding calories. Research has shown that the spread may expand your waistline, increase dangerous cholesterol levels, and up your heart condition risk.

  22 Limit Chewing Gum

Chewing gum when you're hungry fills your tummy with extra air, causing bloat. Many gums also contain sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners, like sorbitol and xylitol, which may cause bloating. Skip the gum altogether or choose an organic variety like Glee gum or just gum instead. They're still low-cal, but they're doing not use sweeteners that'll cause you to brag.

  21 refill Your Kitchen

After you've gotten obviate the load loss saboteurs, it is time to restock your shelves with Zero Belly-approved eats. All of the foods below will reduce bloat, heal your gut, and turbocharge your metabolism. These three mechanisms add tandem to means off your fat genes—resetting your body to "slender."

  20 Stock abreast of Smoothie Ingredients

Zero Belly Smoothies are supercharged with belly-flattening nutrients. The key: Each drink is filled with protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Here's the Mango Muscle-Up: Mix 1 scoop vegetarian protein powder, 2/3 cup frozen mango chunks, 1/2 tablespoon almond butter, and ½ cup unsweetened almond, coconut or hemp milk. You will get 29 grams of protein for just 224 calories!

  19 buy Eggs

Eggs are the quantity one source of choline, a fat-burning nutrient. They stir up your metabolism and help close up the genes for belly fat storage. During a study of 21 men within the journal Nutrition Research, half the lads were fed a breakfast of bagels while the opposite half ate eggs. The egg group had a lower response to ghrelin and were less hungry three hours later.

  18 Favor Red Fruits

More and more research has begun to means some fruits are better at fighting belly fat than others. And thus the upper fruits all have one thing in common: They're red, or a minimum of reddish. Grapefruit, tart cherries, cocktail apples, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, and peaches all fit the bill and may help flatten your belly.

  17 Pack in Prebiotics

You have 80 trillion microbes in your belly, and most of them are angry. Healthy fiber is what we call "prebiotic," meaning it feeds the healthy bacteria and helps them fight inflammation and fat gain. Fiber-rich sources of carbs are BPA-free canned black and garbanzo beans, peas, peanuts, spread, old-fashioned oats, quinoa, and rice.

  16 choose Plant Protein

Plant-based protein powders are a low-sugar, high-fiber alternative to popular dairy-based supplements, which may cause bloating. Hemp, rice, and pea proteins are all good options; however, you'll be wanting to confirm you're getting complete proteins with a full aminoalkanoic acid profile, so aim to hunt out a protein powder blend that mixes all three. We like Vega One All-in-One Nutritional Shake and Sunwarrior Warrior Blend. Whip up any of those best protein shake recipes to reap the advantages.

  15 choose Lean Meat & Fish

Protein is kryptonite to belly fat. Once you eat protein, your body possesses to expend many calories indigestion—about 25 calories for every 100 calories you eat (compared with only 10 to fifteen calories for fats and carbs). Thereupon said, stock your kitchen with boneless skinless pigeon breast, lean ground turkey, lean beef, lamb, wild salmon, shrimp, scallops, cod, tuna, and halibut.

  14 Glorify Your Greens

Leafy greens provide you with folate, which blocks the genes that trigger fat-cell formation. Romaine lettuce, spinach, and collards are quite the foremost potent sources of the flat-belly nutrient.

  13 enjoys bittersweet chocolate

It's every chocoholic's dream: Research now shows that eating moderate amounts of bittersweet chocolate can reduce overall body fat and shrink the waist. A study among women with normal weight obesity (skinny fat syndrome) who enjoyed two servings of bittersweet chocolate daily showed a huge reduction in waist size than when on a cocoa-free hotel plan.

  Researchers say it's to undertake to with the flavonoids, the heart-healthy compounds in chocolate, which have important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Just confirm you're reaching for a bar with a minimum of 70 percent cacao, and stand back from the "alkalized" stuff, which features a significantly reduced flavonoid content. We like Nibmor Extreme bittersweet chocolate with Cacao Nibs.

  12 Sip Some Tea

You know all that soda we told you to throw out? Use all that cash saved to re-stock your kitchen with tea. Tea is that the closest thing we currently need to magic weight-loss elixir. Rich in health-promoting compounds called catechins, tea can help fry stubborn belly fat and even repel disease.

All the healthy food within the planet won't do I any good if your mind isn't within the right place. Once you've got won't to eating the Zero Belly foods, decide to shift your perspective slightly to best align in conjunction alongside your new healthy eating plan. Here are our top suggestions:

  11 Adopt Healthy Eating Rituals

There are not any wrong ways to eat a Reese's. Feasting rituals, research suggests, are a sort of "mindful eating," which has the facility to form food more pleasurable, and should help prevent overeating. Pleasure, consistent with research in Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, catalyzes the relief response, promoting parasympathetic and digestive activities. In other words, you'll metabolize dessert faster if you enjoy eating it. In one study, participants who were assigned to eat chocolate following a specific breaking and unwrapping ritual found the candy far more enjoyable—and even more flavorful—than a gaggle who ate the bar informally.

  10 Change Your Perception Of "Full"

  Hara Hachi bu could even be a Japanese practice to "Eat until 80% full." If you follow Hara Hachi bu, you'll save nearly 300 calories per day. It can take up to a half-hour for the body to register satiety signals, consistent with research, so believe using chopsticks to slow your pace and feel your fullness. Consistent with a study within the American Journal of medicine, healthy-weight customers were nearly 3 times more likely to use chopsticks than obese customers.

  9 jot Your Thoughts

A recent study revealed that when women who were unhappy with their weight completed a one-time, 15-minute writing exercise a couple of crucial personal issues, they went on to lose a minimum of three pounds over three months. On the opposite hand, their counterparts who wrote about an unimportant topic gained three pounds, consistent with Cheryl Forberg, RD, author of a little Guide to Losing.

  "Researchers believe that reflecting on values can function a buffer to the strain and uncertainty that results in emotional eating and help in maintaining self-control in difficult situations," she explains. To reap the advantages reception, Forberg suggests coitus interruptus a journal, setting the timer and free-flowing about what's important to you. "Write as if nobody else will read it. Come clean with what's bugging you. It’s going to surprise and enlighten you," adds Forberg.

  8 Treat Yourself

Beating yourself up over food could even be a knowledge-behavior gap many unsuccessful dieters fall under. Calling yourself "greedy" or a "fat pig" or "weak-willed" only causes you to feel bad about yourself, which regularly results in eating more to provide yourself a lift. it is vital to undertake to prevent the negative self-talk, says Freida B. Herron, M.S.S.W., L.C.S.W. "I often suggest imagining that your desire to overeat could even be a lovable 5-year-old child," she says. "You don't need to berate or shame your appetite—that only results in more dysfunctional eating." Instead, treat yourself with respect, understanding, and affection, as you'd that child.

  And when that seems near impossible to undertake to, try chanting a mantra that features a person going to you, suggests Jen Comas Keck, a private trainer, and owner of Beauty Lies In Strength. If you've got been performing on your fitness, as an example, something like "I feel stronger and healthier each day that passes" could even be effective.

  7 Identify the thought of Your Emotional Eating

If you are the sort of 1 that drowns your sorrows during a pint of dessert, you'd possibly be what experts ask as an "emotional eater"—and it's likely the first reason you've trouble staying trim. To reduce, you'd wish to first learn the difference between emotional hunger, which comes on suddenly, and physical hunger, which comes on gradually and is usually amid physical cues quite growling stomach, explains Forberg. The sole because of overcoming the urge to eat? Realize that although a nasty feeling will eventually escape, the calories you consumed while you were feeling down, won't. And thus the subsequent time you are feeling emotional, don't decide to mask your emotions or distract yourself. Experts say that experiencing your emotions will teach you that it's possible to tolerate them head-on. Once you've done this exercise, it is time to hunt out a replacement, healthy coping strategy. Hitting the gym or calling a lover to vent are both solid options.

  6 Celebrate Your Non-Scale Victories

Losing weight are often whilst hard emotionally and physically. Remembering why you started your weight-loss journey can help lift your spirits once you’re down and motivate you to stay with it once you'd wish to contribute the towel. "Take a flash each morning to recollect what you're working for—whether it's improved energy so you'll play in conjunction along with side your children or extended happier life," says Dyan Tsiumis, who dropped quite 70 pounds before becoming a private trainer. "When you think about all the great which may come from all of your diligence, it's easier to remain on target," she adds.

  Times suggests setting an alarm on your telephone as a "motivation reminder." "I have an alarm that pops 3 times per day to job my memory what I'm working for—and I lost my weight over ten years ago! It keeps my mind focused on being my best," explains Tsiumis.

To chisel your newly trim stomach into the rippled abs you've always wanted, you've to amp up the intensity of your workout. Here are quite our go-to tips:

  5 Lift Before Cardio

By running, biking, or rowing after you've hit the weights, you will have a greater effect on your fat and calorie burn than had you done it beforehand.

  4 Sprint it Out

Sprinting is best for weight loss than running at a light-weight pace, says Dan Roberts, one among the UK's top trainers. "Sprinting builds muscle which helps burn fat quickly. Also, the action of driving the legs initiates the abs and core" explains Roberts. "The faster you go and thus the shorter your recovery, the more your abs will develop." rather than your typical 30-minute trot, do 20 sets of 30-second sprints with a 30-second recovery between each. Here are the thanks to doing it:

  Step 1: Keeping your feet on either side of the belt, set your treadmill to a one-tenth incline. Then, set the machine to a challenging speed. This is often typically a minimum of two miles per hour faster than your distance running speed. So, as an example, if you sometimes jog at 6.5 mph, you're full-on sprint speed is becoming to be a minimum of 8.5 mph.

  Step 2: Hit the lowest running for a solid 30-seconds. Then, slow the belt to a comfortable stroll and step your feet off to either side once you are feeling comfortable. Recover for a whole of 30 seconds before repeating this pattern 19 more times. These circuits should take you exactly 20 minutes to finish.

  3 mount a Rower

Rowing burns many calories and works the foremost muscles, including your back muscles. To bump it up a notch, take your workout outdoors. During a Brazilian study, outdoor rowers burned 26 percent more calories during a race than those on an inside rowing ergometers.

  2 consider Pushups

Although push-ups will emphasize the upper body, including the shoulders and arms, they're full-body exercises. "When done properly, they work your entire body and are one among absolutely the sole ways to consider your external obliques," says Annie Mulgrew, director of programming at City Row.

  1 Sculpt Love Handles with Side Planks

If you'd wish to urge obviate those stubborn love handles, side planks are the right exercise for toning your obliques. By challenging your balance, side planks force you to recruit other muscles to stabilize your body.

[wisdomrays]

TAFAKKUR: Part 84

Eating Habits and Time

“The things that I fear most for my people are being overweight, sleeping too much, laziness and a lack of deep faith.” Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)

Effective time management occurs only when we force ourselves to perform important activities within a plan so that we can reach our goals. Goal setting and planning our activities are important steps in this. But if we fail to engage in these activities and to finish them, then we end up with an unfulfilled plan on our hands. Our mind-body is the only vehicle through which we can accomplish our goals in life. Our eating habits, including the type and amount of food we eat, affect our mind-body in many ways, such as our energy and stress level and our sleep patterns. Hence, it is crucial to examine the impact of eating habits on our mind-body. It is notable that time-management literature’s vast majority pays little or no attention to this aspect of mind-body control. In this article we will consider three factors in this respect: The impact of the amount of food we eat, the timing of meals, and the nature of our food.

“Limit eating, limit sleeping, limit talking. This is the path to the spiritual life.” – Sufi proverb

The Impact of How Much We Eat and Drink

There is little mention of eating habits in time-management literature. However, our eating habits affect our management of time in many different ways. Let us first consider the times of our day that are immediately affected by our eating and drinking habits:

1. Food preparation or waiting time,

2. Eating/drinking time,

3. Digestion and mental recovery time after the meal,

4. The time spent in the lavatory, and finally

5. The extra sleep we may need after a heavy meal.

It is easy to see that the impact of each of these factors is proportional to the size of the meal. The more food we prepare or ask for, the longer the preparation/waiting time will be. More food also takes longer to eat. The next stage, which is very important, is the time needed for digestion and mental recovery after the meal. Depending on the type and amount of food we intake, the digestion time can range from one hour up to three or four hours. When the amount of food is great, our digestive system competes with our brain for the limited amount of sugar in our body. This may prevent our brain from functioning at its peak. Consequently, we may experience a lack of focus, a lack of energy, or we may feel sleepy. Most people try to compensate for such feelings by drinking caffeinated beverages, which have their own disadvantages.

The time we spend in the lavatory is also proportional to the amount of food we eat. When we eat more, our visits are more frequent and more time is spent there. Eating foods that are rich in fiber is also another cause of frequent visits to the lavatory. But a diet deficient in fiber is not healthy, so the way to cut back on time spent there is not to cut back on fiber-rich foods, but rather to cut back on the amount of food we eat.

Finally, the type and the amount of food we eat affect our sleep patterns. First, when we eat more, we need to sleep longer. It is no coincidence that people who overeat also tend to oversleep. But the impact is not limited to sleeping time alone. Stimulating foods or drinks near bedtime disturb our sleep patterns and cause us to benefit less from our sleep. This, in turn, results in our efficiency being affected the following morning.

When we consider all these factors, we begin to realize how overeating makes self-management difficult and we can understand the wisdom behind the prophetic saying “No human being has ever filled a container that is worse than his stomach. . .”

The Impact of What We Eat and Drink

In addition to the amount of food, the type of food we eat is also important. Certain types of food may energize our brain, while certain others make it sluggish. In order to increase one’s energy levels, nutritionists recommend a balanced diet that is devoid of harmful substances. An important property of the food we eat is what is known as the “glycemic index.”

The Glycemic Index of Foods

Since sugar is the substance that gives us energy, many people are under the false assumption that the more sugar we consume, the more energetic we feel. This view, however, fails to account for the compensatory balance in our body. When we consume large amounts of sugar, either in the form of pure sugar, or via foods that are rich in sugar, the amount of sugar in our blood stream increases. Our body responds to this situation by secreting insulin into the blood stream, reducing the amount of sugar. If the increase in the sugar level is very steep, than the body reacts strongly to reduce it and causes the sugar level to fall to a very low level. This is why we feel sluggish for some time after consuming sugar-rich foods.

In order to avoid the down-time of insulin compensation, nutritionists recommend that we avoid foods that are high in simple sugars and which have a high glycemic index in carbohydrates. The “glycemic index” measures how much the levels of circulating blood sugar increase within a few hours after eating a particular food. Examples of foods and drinks with lots of simple sugars include cookies, cakes and other baked goods, candy bars, sodas, and fruit juices. These foods and drinks include large amounts of simple sugars, such as glucose or fructose. Initially, they give us a quick energy boost. In the longer term, however, the body’s monitoring system increases the levels of insulin in the blood and hence we experience a quick decline shortly after this boost. The brain can only use glucose for energy. When the glucose level drops in the blood, the brain cannot perform at its peak. We may end up feeling even more drained than before we ate or drank. In order to maximize brainpower and mental focus, we need to minimize fluctuations of blood sugar by selecting foods with lower glycemic index numbers. These will break down more slowly and release glucose gradually into your bloodstream. The insulin response will also be more gradual and we will not suffer a mental down time. The following table shows the glycemic indices of certain foods:

The Interaction of Food with Hormones

Our food intake also influences the release of important hormones, such as serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine. Serotonin gives us feelings of well-being, personal security, and relaxation. A shortage of serotonin may leave us feeling very tired, needing excessive sleep, with feelings of low self-esteem, causing negative thinking, and maybe even difficulty in concentrating. However, excessive levels of serotonin are also harmful.

Melatonin is a hormone that is believed to be involved in the regulation of sleep. Melatonin secretion is significantly higher at night, although some is produced during the day. The pineal gland, where melatonin is produced, functions as a biological clock by increasing its output of melatonin at night by more than ten times. This increase in secretion begins around sunset and reaches a peak at around 2 a.m. After this peak, it falls to a low level by the time of sunrise. High levels of melatonin can induce drowsiness.

Dopamine stimulates alertness and awareness. However, excess levels can cause an increased heart rate, muscular tension, and disrupt sleep patterns, as well as resulting in shortened attention span and excessive self-confidence. Excess levels of dopamine have been associated with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and risk-taking behavior.

Serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine are constantly being produced in our bodies. But we can increase or decrease their levels by changing our habits. Our eating habits, spiritual well-being, and activity all affect the hormone chemistry in our bloodstream and in our brain. These in turn affect our moods and tendencies.5 This is one reason why we can feel differently about the same task at different times of the day. Carbohydrates, for instance, can alter the level of serotonin in our brains and bring on feelings of calm and relaxation. While these effects can be desirable at night, they are certainly not what we want when we need to increase our energy level. Certain proteins can help increase levels of dopamine. Thus, we may prefer a menu rich in proteins rather than carbohydrates before a mentally demanding task. In the evening, some hours before we go to bed, we may want to avoid stimulating foods as they may interfere with our sleep. If our sleep is affected, we may wake up drowsy and drained.

The Impact of Caffeinated Drinks

Although caffeine can induce a short-term stimulation to our body and mind, it will also cause a negative rebound effect. Furthermore, in the long run the brain adapts to caffeine intake and may not be able to function at its peak when we do not supply it with the accustomed levels of caffeine. This is an unhealthy dependency. If you are already used to taking caffeine regularly to boost your energy, work on slowly eliminating it from your diet. Decaffeinated coffee and tea may help get rid of the addiction while maintaining a placebo effect. One advice for a quick lunch that will not deplete your energy, but rather increase it, is to eat pure protein. Tyrosine, one of the amino acids in protein, is well known for its ability to increase levels of alertness and energy levels. Foods such as broiled fish, sliced poultry, boiled eggs, or tuna are good sources of tyrosine.

Additional advice from nutritionists to prevent fatigue includes getting enough iron, taking advantage of herbs, and preferring natural foods over artificial ones.

Conclusion

In this article we have addressed a commonly overlooked aspect of time management: The impact of our eating habits on self-control and productivity. In addition to its negative consequences on our health, eating too much also affects how we make use of our time. Overeating is one of the primary causes for excessive sleep, fatigue, and loss of mental energy. Foods rich in simple sugars in particular are responsible for dips in performance shortly after consumption. The type of food we eat and the timing of our meals also impact our mind-body. Various hormones that affect our performance are affected by our nutrition pattern. In the prophetic saying we quoted above, Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, links excessive sleep, laziness, and a lack of reflection with overeating. It is remarkable that such sound medical advice came from a person who lived in the 7th century. The recommendation in this prophetic tradition is fully applicable today: Moderate eating is the key to self-control and effective time management.

[jarmes]

Notes on my Randomized Platinum Quarantinelocke

A few weeks back, I decided to do a new type of Nuzlocke called a Quarantinelocke based around the Covid-19 Pandemic and take notes so I could see how it went. For recap, the rules were:

1: Social Distancing - Only three pokemon may be in your party at once. If a fouth enters your party, it may not be used, and must be deposited as soon as possible.

2: Nonessential Activities - You are only allowed to talk with essential NPCs (NPCs talking with is required, healers, and shopkeepers).

3: Medicinal Shortages - You may not use items that heal status ailments.

4: Infection - If one of your Pokemon dies, the other two Pokemon in your party are considered infected and must be quarantined. They can not be deposited in the box, box Pokemon can not be added to the team, and wild Pokemon are automatically sent to the box. This infection can be cured by beating a major boss (Rival, Gym Leader, Elite Four Member, Legendary, or Evil Team Admin).

So, how did it go? Badly. Really badly. I accidentally made one of the most difficult challenge runs I’ve ever done. Let’s start at the beginning of my Pokemon Platinum QuarantineLocke run…

I started out in a randomized version of Pokemon Platinum and was given a choice between Dratini, Todadile, and Chimchar. I chose Dratini and named him Argo. Unfortunately, Dratini starts out with Wrap and Thunderwave. The first few routes were slow; I could win battles, but it took forever. After beating my rival I caught Bobo the Spinarak, Crash Bandi the Bidoof, and my early game godsend: Dumbelle the Makuhita. Makuhita’s access to powerful physical moves like Arm Thrust, Fake Out, and Vital Throw allowed me to easily sweep my way to Roark. Along the way I caught Enzo the Ekanz, Fran the Nincada, Galvan the Mareep, Horrid the Stunky, Ignis the Chimchar, and Janice the Swinub.

Two things I learned quickly on this run: there are a lot of useful items unavailable because of rule 2, including the Quick Claw; and it is a godsend that they removed poison killing you out of battle in this Gen, because I got poisoned on Route 201 and would have lost the run before getting the Pokedex.

I went into Roark with Makuhitta at level 16, Dratini at level 14, and Chimchar at level 5, thinking I would have an easy time. Makuhitta killed Roark’s Geodude with ease, but died to a critical Headbutt from his Cranidos. Dratini barely managed to beat Cranidos with Wrap and Thunder Wave, giving him enough exp to grow to Level 15 and learn Twister. Through gratuitous use of Potions and Twister, Dratini took Onyx out. This was an insanely intense battle and probably the best part of the run.

After beating Roark I replaced Makuhitta with Mareep and grinded the whole team up, evolving Mareep into Flaaffy, evolving Chimchar into Monferno, and teaching Dragon Rage to Dratini. Dragon Rage made Dratini go from near useless to an unstoppable killing machine.

After catching and boxing Kold the Snorunt, I stormed Valley Windworks and took on Mars. Her Purugly gave me some trouble, but I was able to take it out with a few Mach Punches from Monferno. I caught Leonardo the Squirtle and Moof the Drifbloom as I headed into Eterna Forest, where some crazy lady ran up to me and stuck to me like glue, in spite of pandemic guidelines. She actually said that “There is safety in numbers”. Idiot.

Upon arriving in Eternia City, I received devastating news: you have to talk to Dawn’s father to get the EXP Share. Meaning I would have to switch-train for the rest of the run, something far slower and far more dangerous than using the EXP Share. Damnit.

I caught Nip the Corphish on Route 211 and accidentally killed an Electrike in Mt Cornet before Flame Wheeling all of Gardenia’s Pokemon to death. Galactic Admin Jupiter was a hard fought battle, pushing my team to its limit, but I managed to win through a combination of Thunderwave, Potions, and Dragon Rage. I caught Nordbert the Graveler, Ohm the Shix, Poach the Eggsecute, and Rosa the Bellsprout on my way to Fantina. I also got a VS Seeker, which I decided I can use because reasons.

Tragedy struck while grinding for Fantina when a Machop with Revenge killed Monferno, forcing me to take on Fantina with only Dratini and Faaffy before being able to add in a new team member. Worse, a Haunter took out Dratini as I was making my way through the gym. I grinded up Flaaffy, delaying evolution until it learned Discharge, and Proton Packed Fantina’s French ass.

I added Eggsecute and Drifbloom into the team and easily beat Barry, using Ampharos for everything but Roselia, which Eggsecute took out with Confusion. I hatched Cynthia’s egg into Quizno the Scissor, caught Silky the Silcoon, Terrance the Carvanah, Uggghhh the Gloom, and Volt the Voltorb. I also searched Solaceon Ruins for the Leaf Stone I thought was there, but apparently there’re only Fire, Water, and Thunder Stones.

I almost killed Eggsecute in a double battle against a Ponyta and Rapidash by using Discharge, caught Whistle the Jigglypuff, Xerxes the Bonsly, and Yella the Loundred before arriving in Veilstone. I discovered that the Game Corner is off limits and easily beat Maylene with Eggsecute and Ampharos. I replaced Drifloon with Loudred, who immeadietly died when I forgot using Uproar prevents you from switching out. I caught Zoro the Murkrow, Amelie the Wobufet, Boxer the Wooper, and beat Barry again. I added evolved Wooper to the team and evolved him. I also found a hidden leaf stone in the Great Marsh and finally got an Exeggutor.

Before fighting Wake, I decided to grind. I caught Carumba the Lombre and Diamond the Eevee. Unfortunately, I ran into a wild Wobufet who killed Execcutor. To add salt to the wound, a trainer with a Leafeon killed Boxer during a double battle. I strolled into wake with a single Pokemon, a level 41 Ampharos. The battle, especially against his Quagsire, was tough, but I pulled through by using Hyper Beam and potions.

I added Graveler and Snowrunt to the team and evolved Snowrunt into Froslass. Both of them died before I made it to Celestic Town. I beat Cyrus, caught Ember the Torchic, Fancy/Fang the Clamperl, Gaaaryyy the Slakoff, Horny the Lickitung, Ird the Natu, and Juice the Kabuto. I grinded Torchic and Squirtle up until they fully evolved and beat Barry in Canalave. I Caught Klynt the Shuckle and Lard the Hariyama. Blaziken took out Byron’s Bastiodon and Magneton while Blastoise handled his Steelix. I beat Saturn easily, but Mars’s lake battle was guarded by a double battle against two Murkrow, one of which killed Blaziken with a critical Wing Attack. I took down Mars despite her Hypnosis and Slash spam and promoted Hariyama to the team.

I grinded Hariyama up at Iron Island and went north, catching Mo the Tentacool, Naivue the Smeargle, Olympia the Vibrava, and Phish the Goldeen. Candice went down easy and I went to Veilstone HQ, where Aaron’s egg hatched into Quentin the Phanpy. A grunt’s Golbat with Mean Look, Confuse Ray, and Poison Fang took out Blastoise; after beating Cyrus and Saturn I added Vibrava to the team. She died while grinding. This is why the EXP Share is important.

I climbed Spear Pillar, took out Cyrus, and took on the beast of the Distortion World. What monster did the randomizer replace Ghiratina with? Giratina, because the randomizer can’t change Giratina for some reason. I named it Randumb and boxed it.

I caught Seed the Jumpluff, Seed the Nidorino, and Upside Don the Hitmontop. I added Nidorino to the team and started grinding it up, hoping to use a Nidoking to take out Volkner. It died while I was grinding, so I taught Hariyama Earthquake and took out Volkner that way. I added Carbanah to the team, caught Verylame the Parasect, killed a Delibird for the sin of existing, and went into Victory Road.

Hariyama was killed by a trainer’s Tortera in Victory Road, but I made it through without losing anyone else. I barely beat Barry’s Snorlax, added Hitmontop to the team, and began grinding for the Elite Four. Carvanah was killed by an Afterburn Drilblim, forcing me to take on the Elite Four with only Ampharos and Hitmontop.

I said fuck it, bought as many healing and battle items as I could carry, used all my rare candied on Ampharos, and ran on in. The victory of this run rested solely on whether or not a level 68 Ampharos with Thunderbolt, Signal Beam, Power Gem, and Double Team was enough to beat five tough trainers in a row.

Ampharos managed to take out Aaron and even Bertha, but was burned and critted by Flint’s Houndoom. Hitmontop fell shortly after. Game Over.

So, thoughts on the run? Not my cup of tea. It’s hard, but it isn’t fun hard. Not talking to people, no changing team until you beat a boss, and only three Pokemon are good rules on their own, but putting them together is just frustrating. I’m gonna leave this run in the trash for now.