#and vote for the city controller or whatever the fuck

[alarici]

USA 2024 election salt

don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote HOW COULD I POSSIBLY FORGET I GET 5 CALLS A DAY 10 TEXTS 3 APPROACHES ON THE STREET don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote don’t forget to vote

[catboybiologist]

Voting post for Californians, but let's not talk about the president.

Alright. California people. I'd love to hear opinions and discussion about whatever else is on the ballot, other than just the presidency. I have some quick takes about each of them as I'm prepping my ballot, and I'd love to hear further discussion of each one. But here's me just casually rattling stuff off:

Prop 33: If you rent in California, passing prop 33 is fucking essential. It's one of those fairly confusing "repeal of a ban of a restriction" type laws, and landlords are using that to their advantage. But the tl;dr: passing this proposition is beneficial to renters or anyone else in need of housing. It allows local city governments to establish more rent control, allowing them to create more affordable rent opportunities. This would be a huge relief to the California housing crisis.

The ONLY possible logic that I've heard for it supporting renters is a bullshit "trickledown" adjacent one: that more restrictions on rent means that less wealthy people are "motivated" to build housing. Of course that's bullshit- we have enough empty housing now to get people homed, we just need to get people to afford them. And prop 33 does that.

Prop 3: a no-brainer yes, but honestly seems mostly for show. California still technically has a ban on gay marriage on the books, its just invalidated by Obergefell. This rectifies that discrepancy.

Prop 4: land protection and environmental bond proposition. Honestly kind of a no brainer. We get a lot of these on the ballot, and each of them is massively impactful. I've seen the effect of these measures within the course of my lifetime- bleak areas restored to amazing health, and oftentimes opened as gorgeous recreational third spaces.

There's an education bond initiative as well, seems fairly straightforward on both.

Prop 32: minimum wage increase. In California? Necessary.

Prop 36: ho boy, this one is a mess. It's a "tough on crime" prop that SEEMS straightforward to vote No on. But, this is a fucking classic "unseen interactions with past propositions in an intentionally confusing way" thing. It's an amendment to a past proposition that reduces sentencing.

So yeah. No from me. I'm comfortable being aligned with the ACLU on this kind of thing.

Prop 6: no brainer Yes. Ending slavery in our state should not be controversial.

5, 34, and 35 I haven't looked at aside from my initial read and don't really wanna comment on, but would love to hear any opinions in that regard.

[anexperimentallife]

A few things you should know about shitty US electoral politics (long post)

Neither party gives a fuck about you, and the leadership of BOTH parties support the genocide in Gaza, but you already knew that.

HOWEVER, various prominent GOP figures ALSO supported a right-wing domestic coup attempt, want to ban abortion nationwide (overturning Roe v Wade was a step along the way to that), want draconian restrictions on birth control, to ban same-sex marriage, ban sex education, ban any and all queer-positive literature, want to "phase out" social security and medicare, to completely rewrite US history textbooks nationwide with a nationalist agenda that erases US crimes against non-white peoples (already done in some states), allow US law enforcement to stop anyone darker than mayonnaise and demand to see their papers, start a nuclear war, abolish the minimum wage, outlaw their political rivals, weaponize the justice department, FBI, and other federal agencies against their political rivals, outlaw dissent of any kind, and remove restrictions against using US troops against US citizens (see Tuberville's blocking of top military appointees so that a future GOP president can appoint GOP/Trump loyalists to those positions, the way they blocked judicial/SCOTUS nominees in order to get Roe v Wade overturned).

The GOP openly states that they know the only way they win elections is by keeping non-right-wing voters away from the polls, and they invest heavily in, among other things, online psyops to convince people not to vote. And it works, because right wing voters ALWAYS show up to the polls.

Every time a right wing candidate wins, Dem leadership goes, "Huh, I guess we need to field more conservative candidates if we want to win elections." The idea being that if they can somehow "meet in the middle," they'll get the conservative vote. (Hint: They won't.)

So what convinces the Dems to run more progressive candidates? Overwhelming support at the ballot box for leftist candidates on the local and primary levels--school board elections, senators and representatives at the state and federal level, sheriffs, judges, mayoral and city council races, and various other local and regional elected positions. That's it. The only two things they understand are money and winning.

Whomever wins the presidency and gets enough congressional support gets to appoint federal and supreme court judges, top military officials, and various other decision-makers. THIS IS HOW THE GOP WAS ABLE TO OVERTURN ROE V WADE.

The US can't be fixed in a single election cycle. Every cycle in which the GOP wins, however, pushes the Dems further to the right AND allows the GOP more power to enact their vision.

Yes, we need viable third parties. Unfortunately, barring a miracle, third parties and independents are right now viable only in some local, and possibly a few congressional races.

In order for third parties to be viable for things like presidential elections, we're most likely going to need ranked choice voting--which, again, we may eventually get by pushing progressive candidates at the state and local level--publicly-funded elections, the abolition of the electoral college (both Bush and Trump lost the popular vote, and were only awarded victory because of the electoral college), and the repeal of Citizens United (which essentially legalized large-scale corporate bribery of candidates).

Look, we all hate Biden, and refusing to vote for him (or whatever other shitbag candidate the Dems run) might feel good, but it is also likely to result in a GOP win--which means MORE support for genocide the world over, and the GOP gaining more power to enact their wish list, which I partially enumerated above.

How many people do you think will die under a nationwide abortion ban? How do you think it's going to work out if a far-right president has the authority to unleash US troops on protesters? How many seniors and disabled folks do you think will suffer and die if Social Security and Medicare are abolished? How many will suffer and die if Trump gets his wet dream of a nuclear war?

I mean, the US has already bombed its own people for not toeing the capitalist/white supremacist line, sponsored coups against foreign leaders and replaced them with dictators, and invaded or threatened to invade foreign countries for not bowing to US corporate interests (look up the origins of the term "banana republic," "overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom," and "1953 Iran coup," for just a few examples), experimented on US citizens without their knowledge (look up "tuskegee syphilus study," among many other things) and so on, and so on.

And if the GOP gains control of all three branches of government, it's going to get even worse.

Today's GOP is more rabidly extremist than at any other time in my life. And as I said, I'm OLD, dude. I was born the year Kennedy was assassinated. Among my early memories are watching the first lunar landing, watching Nixon's "I am not a crook" speech, and seeing news footage of the US withdrawal from Vietnam. And I'm telling you, today's GOP makes the GOP of my youth look practically benign in comparison.

I used to roll my eyes at the refrain of, "this is the most important election of your life," and the "blue no matter who" folks, but man... The 2016 election really WAS the most important, but only SO FAR.

Because the GOP--due to the facts that GOP/Trump supporters voted, and many others didn't--will most likely control the Supreme Court for DECADES to come, and currently control the Senate. If they gain the presidency, retain control of the Senate, and take control of the House, all may be lost.

Again, the far right openly states that keeping non-conservatives from voting is how they win, and they invest a lot in gerrymandering, voter roll purges, and online psyops to make that happen. Doing exactly what the fash want "but for leftist/progressive reasons" isn't the own you think it is. Funny--I hear the same folks who mock far right voters for voting against their own best interests say they're "protesting" by refusing to vote--when that's exactly how the far right wins.

Look, I'm old. I was planning to live my final years outside the US, eventually immigrating to the Republic of Ireland or Uruguay or somewhere like that, but now that I have a child, I'm being forced to return to the US for at least a few years so I can use my medical benefits to live long enough to see her grow up. If she ever needs an abortion, or birth control, or to fight a discrimination or sexual harassment case, or simply to speak her mind without fear of being arrested or killed for it, or needs social security or Medicare because of a disability, I want her to have those things.

Another argument I've heard is that, "Voting doesn't change anything." Well, when I was a kid, mixed-race marriages were FINALLY legalized across the US, and schools became multiracial. More recently, same-sex marriage was made the law of the land. Conservatives fought all of those things, but voting made them happen.

On the flip side, thanks to the far right takeover of SCOTUS, Roe v Wade was overturned as an end result of the far right winning elections. (And again, this is just part one of their plan for a nationwide abortion ban.)

So don't look at it as voting FOR whatever shitbag the Dems run; look at it as voting AGAINST a full-on right-wing takeover of the US and buying time to make some fundamental changes. Voting doesn't mean you can't ALSO march, etc.

Or I mean, if you want a nationwide abortion ban, a nuclear war, MORE genocide, and all the other stuff of right-wing wet dreams, and want a far right takeover of the US while you tell yourself, "Yeah, but I maintained my moral purity," then by all means withhold your vote. Just don't delude yourself about the outcome.

[apatheticintrovert]

A rant for the void.

I'm definitely too apathetic because whoever wins, does it actually matter?? We never actually have any control when it comes to our government. No president cares about us even though they're "elected" to serve us, the people. No matter what happens, the world will keep on spinning. Palestinians will continue to be bombed. The world will continue to be unjust and unfair.

In Texas ted cruz has already won to stay senator until 2031. Everything feels hopeless all the time. Norhing about this election feels any difference from the last 2, except that I can't find it in me to care. I've been saying this but the only good politician is a dead one and no matter who our president is, our country is (and has been, since its conception really) an active participant in genocide, war, voter interference in other countries, etc. Etc.) We are more informed and aware of the propaganda than ever and our government still gets away with whatever it wants with little to no repercussions.

There are still so many people that can't be bothered to care about the state of the world they live in and that's by design, we are largely struggling to make it to each new day in this capitalist hellscape we live in, in the middle of a recession, with education, resources, literal human rights being not only on the chopping block every election cycle but actively being taken away.

Which I get it... I know why Kopmala is "better" but I'm so sick of the "lesser of two evils" being our only options every fucking election. (I voted 3rd party and socialist for the first time ever this year because I didn't have another "lesser of two very obviously bad and genocidal evils" left in me) Even Obama who was so well liked and praised had record breaking levels of deportation, and there was the drone strikes...

Every election cycles feels like a slap in the face. We need a fucking revolution, that's genuinely our only hope imo. And Americans will never organize well enough to execute it. Too many people are satisfied with the status quo and not bothered by things like the ongoing genocide in Palestine and Congo and Sudan because it's not directly impacting them (to their knowledge) A large amount of the average Americans will not be bothered to care until it's too late and policy is actually directly impacting them. Idk. I'm just word vomiting at this point and it's just to vent for my own benefit.

It's weird to me how little I truly care tonight, especially compared to other people in my life and others I see online. Looking back at memories of innocent little 19 year old me voting in my first presidential election in 2016, I was so confident the country wouldn't vote for that man (who is arguably worse now and looking like he might win again) I was so much more uninformed about Hillary and politics and the us government.... I was up all night anxious and watching live coverage and checking my phone constantly. Now 8 years later, it's just like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ everything is awful and it will stay that way no matter who wins. We saw that well enough during this biden presidency. Not to mention how many people only vote during the presidential election cycle. As if all the others that impact is locally don't matter when they are oftentimes the most important and impactful, setting up city mayors, us representatives, etc.

Even with so many people out here organizing and doing the work all the time, outside of just election season, being community driven and helping out community with volunteer work and mutual aid ... It still feels so cyclical and unending.

And even though I didn't vote for her I do still understand why kopmala would be a better winner than the fascist cheeto (I live in Texas which is always solidly red anyways it's not like it made a difference other than I had the privilege to vote with my conscious and hopefully do whatever small part possible to push and uplift 3rd party candidates)... It's still just so frustrating that in this "democracy" we are saddled with the illusion of choice with our "two party system" (two sides of the same coin).

"heavy sigh*

All this to say.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ a bunch of nothing really. Just voicing my apathy and discouragement to the VOID.

[unnounblr]

IDK if you're the right person to ask about this, but a big concern I have about Project 2025 (aside from all the others, obviously) is, based on what the GOP has been doing on the state and local level, that they don't actually need to put a Republican in the White House for it to go ahead. Is this a realistic concern or just doomerism?

I am absolutely not in any way the person to ask.

I think broadly though. Like, I'm pretty sure state governments and city governments can't force the federal government and federal agencies to enact policies? So, like, a state government can't force the military to not hire trans people, or the EPA, or department of energy, or FDA, whatever.

Congress. Might be able to enact parts of Project 2025 or things like it at the federal level, regardless of who the president is. They can pass bills, and with a supermajority in both houses could override a veto. Which is why, if there are any downballot races (which, there are, every seat in the House of Representatives is up for reelection, every two years, the problem is in a lot of places they run unopposed) those matter and need to be voted for.

The president is commander in chief and head of the executive branch, so, the parts of 2025 about different departments and government offices needing to have absolute loyalty to the President. Like, I think the Republicans would only push for that if it was. Their guy. And I at least hope a Democratic administration wouldn't be stupid enough to fire career bureacrats that have done their jobs well enough solely based on party affiliation.

Like, while I'm not a fan of the way the Harris campaign has cozied up to lifelong Republicans like fucking Cheney (I mean, Liz Cheney I could understand, given her many feuds with Trump, and she's more politically relevant because of it than Dick is right now, but) that would also make it. Odd. To suddenly about face and say "people employed by government for subject matter expertise or ability to perform bureaucratic and administrative tasks also have to always agree with the President and be part of the President's party, even if they are in positions which aren't elected or appointed".

Which. That part of 2025 always seems to me like it's because Trump and the GoP felt personally slighted by Fauci and other scientists, in any field, like when he didn't like their meteorological data and he drew his own weather maps.

Part of the idea of Project 2025 there is, potentially, to get rid of all the data and research on climate change, or get people in that are loyal but don't care about scientific accuracy, to claim that it isn't happening. And also to spread lies about disease and health and whatever else might be inconvenient at the time.

And. Even if a democratic administration comes in afterwards (and. Parts of 2025 are also about ending and controlling voting, and. I think that's. Probably where Local and State level governments. Might already be able to enact parts of it, partially) then I think the scientific legitimacy of the CDC and EPA would be basically gone, once the official standard is ever "who is most loyal to the president and the party, and willing to say whatever they want to hear" rather than "who actually knows what they're talking about and what they're doing".

[unleashthegoats]

DELETED SCENES: MOD NATCH'S PREQUEL FILM SUMMARIES (with emphasis and notes by mods Sugar and Angela)

So originally for Episode 2: The Jedi Were Always Right, Mod Natch was going to rewatch the Prequels and then summarize the entire trilogy as quickly as she could, but it turned out to be a little longer than anticipated and we wanted to get to the fun nitty gritty analysis stuff a little quicker and we decided not to include this section in the final draft of the episode. However, there are some really fun pieces in Natch's notes for the section, so we've decided to release them to the world of Tumblr for everyone to enjoy.

EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE

The Trade Federation (evil twins) have a blockade of Naboo. Qui Gon and Obi Wan show up to negotiate (they do not negotiate, they get attacked)

QG and OW sneak onto droid ships to get to the surface of Naboo and meet Jar Jar, who takes them to his city and force manipulates the Boss to give them transport so they can get to the city of Naboo. Also QG convinces the Boss to let Jar Jar join them 

The evil twins capture the “queen” and tell her to sign a treaty, she says nah bitches. The J crew (the Jedi and Jar Jar) show up at the palace and rescue her and her squad. They get onto ships with the goal of going to Coruscant 

Their ship is super damaged (but not destroyed, thanks R2D2) so they can’t make it to Coruscant, so they go to Tatooine, bc the Hutts control it and not the Trade Federation 

The twins tell Lord Sidious the queen escaped and he sends Maul to find her 

Jar Jar, Qui Gon, R2, and Padme go to the city in Tatooine and meet Watto and baby Anakin. Watto can’t be mind manipulated into selling them things for credits. They get caught in a sandstorm and meet Shmi 

Anakin offers to podrace for QG and crew so they can win the prize money and buy the parts for their ship 

QG takes a blood sample and has OW analyze it, they discover he has OFF THE CHARTS midichlorian counts

Jabba the Hutt is at the race with his little gay cousin or whatever from the clone wars (note from mod Sugar: it turned out to be Gardulla the Hutt, NOT Ziro the Hutt)

Anakin is very competent in this podrace and wins, which means bc of a bet QG made he gets to take Anakin 

Conveniently Maul does not catch up with them until they’re at the ship, but QG fights him off

Anakin gives Padme a carved kind of bead thingy 

They make it to coruscant, Palpatine becomes the new supreme chancellor 

Qui Gon tells the Jedi Council about the Sith Lord and also Anakin. They don’t want to test him, Qui Gon convinces them, they test him and they’re like he’s too old to be trained. Qui Gon says fuck it! I’ll train him! Obi Wan is ready and Obi Wan is like YES I SUPER AM READY FOR THE TRIALS

Jedi council say go to Naboo with Padme who refuses to stay put and draw out the Sith

When they get to Naboo, Jar Jar brings them to the Gungan’s sacred place and Padme (real Padme) begs them for help

They have the Gungans draw the droids away from the palace so they can go capture the viceroy, and they’ll send pilots to knock out the droid’s control ship 

Fights: Gungans vs droids, Anakin and R2 as pilots, Maul vs QG and OW. Gungans barely win. Anakin accidentally blows up a reactor (convenient), flies away as the ship explodes.

Maul kills QG but OW kills Maul. QG’s dying wish is for OW to train Anakin

Mace says that was for sure a sith and yoda says damn that means there are 2. There are always 2 

ABRUPT cut to huge Naboo celebrations where Padme gives the Gungan leader a plasma ball thingy 

EPISODE TWO: ATTACK OF THE CLONES 

Intro: several thousand systems under Count Dooku have said they’re leaving the republic (these are the separatists)

The Jedi are overwhelmed, so the Senate is voting on creating an army of the republic 

Padme gets to coruscant and her double gets blown up 

The Jedi Council meets with Palpatine and Padme and the Loyalists (Jar Jar and other people) enter. The Jedi don’t believe Padme’s theory that Dooku tried to kill her bc he was a Jedi once, so he CAN’T be a murderer. Palpatine says what if Jedi protect Padme, but specifically Obi Wan 

Enter Anakin and Obi Wan. Anakin is immediately weird around Padme

Enter bounty hunter Zam and her bottle of centipedes. Big chase after they get into Padme’s room, OW jumps out the fucking window, they have like a car chase, they catch up to her in a club, OW cuts off her hand but someone in a jetpack shoots her with a dart before she can name the person who hired her

The Jedi Council send OW to track down the bounty hunter who killed Zam, and send Anakin to protect Padme back in Naboo. 

Anakin throws a tantrum in front of Padme

Obi Wan’s journey: 

Obi Wan has a great scene at Dex’s diner and finds out his goal is Kamino

He does MAKE it to Kamino even though someone erased it from the Jedi archive. When he shows up they’re like the prime minister is expecting you! Your clone army is going great! 

We meet boba, who is a very cute young child, and jango, who is a very cute adult man. Jango says I was hired by Tyranus (it’s NOT subtle)

Obi Wan calls the council and is like I think Jango Fett is the bounty hunter we’re looking for! Also did we order a clone army? And they’re like ??? No? Pls grab Jango for us

Obi Wan vs Jango in the rain on Kamino, then pt 2: asteroid field 

OW finds the droid factory and the separatists talking about having a droid army 

Anakin’s journey:

Padme and Anakin arrive at the lake house and have an awkward bad kiss and some conversations where Anakin is jealous of her first crush or first kiss from model UN or whatever and also fundamentally disagree about how the world should work

Anakin and Padme have the weird fireplace scene 

Anakin has a nightmare about Shmi and says he has to leave, Padme goes with him 

On Tatooine Anakin finds Watto and finds out his mom has been freed and also married a farmer. We meet Anakin’s stepbrother and his girlfriend and Shmi’s husband, find out Shmi was kidnapped by Tusken raiders 

IMPORTANT NOTE: HE SAYS 26 PEOPLE DIED TRYING TO RESCUE HER ALREADY

Anakin goes to find Shmi, she dies, he does lots of murder

Anakin throws another tantrum with Padme

OW gets a message to Anakin which they forward to the council and he gets captured on film lol. Padme is like we are closer to Geonosis, we should go after him ourselves

Also meanwhile Jar Jar is manipulated into proposing the senate give the chancellor immediate emergency powers and they CHANT “palpatine” which is very culty 

palpatine says I’m gonna create an army. Yoda says I’ll go see the cloners. Mace says I’ll go rescue obi wan

Padme and Anakin go in the droid factory and get captured and also Padme admits her love for him that exists I guess

Big fight on Geonosis against the beasts and also the droids

Lots of jedi die. Clones show up. Also Jango dies and there’s that devastating shot of Boba with his dad’s head/helmet

We see the separatists freaking out about the jedi having an army and Dooku takes the plans for the death star to his master on coruscant 

Dooku vs OW and Anakin: anakin loses an arm. Yoda shows up, we see Dooku’s lightning powers, Dooku escapes while Yoda saves OW and Anakin from being crushed to death 

Clone wars begin. Anakin and Padme get married.

EPISODE THREE: REVENGE OF THE SITH 

We are at war, General Grievous the droid leader has kidnapped Palpatine 

Strong start with another space plane fight. Also Anakin has the scar now (note from mod Angela: he slipped in the shower)

They rescue Palpatine, Anakin kills Dooku, Grievous escapes pretty quickly. They crash land

They have the line about him being shorter than expected that made tcw so hard to write 

Anakin is in Coruscant? I guess? And Padme is pregnant. She wants to have her baby in Naboo

She’s wearing the charm baby Anakin made for her

Anakin has nightmares about her dying in childbirth. He goes to Yoda for help

Palpatine says you’re going to be my representative on the Council. The Council don’t like that but they say fine, but you’re not a Master yet 

Obi Wan asks Anakin on behalf of the council to spy on Palpatine for them

Palpatine says we found grievous and also plants this Sith legend of a sith lord who could keep people from dying

The Council sends Obi Wan after Grievous. It’s excellent. We meet Cody. He kills Grievous it’s great (note from mod Sugar: OBI-WAN kills Grievous, not Cody, although it should be noted that Cody absolutely COULD'VE killed Grievous if he'd had the opportunity)

Anakin reports back to Palpatine that OW found Grievous and the clones are attacking, and Palpatine reveals himself as the Sith Lord

Anakin tells Mace that he’s discovered that Palpatine is the Sith Lord, Mace goes after him, Anakin follows bc Palpatine promised that only he could teach him how to keep Padme from dying. Anakin arrives and assists Palpatine in killing Mace, and then becomes Palp’s apprentice. 

Anakin is crowned as Darth Vader and ordered to kill all the Jedi in the Jedi Temple, then go kill the Separatists on Mustafar (which is where he told them to go lmao)

Anakin and a bunch of clones kill everyone in the Jedi temple, including the Younglings 

Order 66 is executed, Obi Wan survives but we see a LOT of scenes of Jedi being killed by clones across the galaxy

Yoda on the Wookee planet is feeling the loss of all the Jedi, but he does eventually escape. Thanks Chewbacca for the assist!

Bail Organa sees thousands of clones attack the Jedi temple and goes to intercept/save some Jedi, so he gets together with Yoda and Obi Wan. 

Anakin tells Padme that he’s going to Mustafar and that the Jedi tried to overthrow the Republic 

Obi Wan and Yoda go back to the Jedi temple to change the signal that’s calling all the Jedi to fall back there. They kill a lot of clones. Obi Wan finds the security recordings of Anakin doing more murder

In the Senate, Palpatine reorganizes the republic into the Galactic Empire

Obi Wan tries to get Padme to tell him where Anakin is and she doesn’t. He guesses that Anakin is the father. She and C3P0 fly to Mustafar, and Obi Wan sneaks on board 

On Mustafar, Anakin killed all the Separatists - yellow eyes

Padme shows up and desperately wants Anakin to not have fallen to the dark side but he super has. He force chokes her because he thinks she intentionally brought Obi Wan to kill him. 

Obi Wan and Anakin battle on Mustafar while Yoda and Palpatine battle on the Senate floor

Yoda doesn’t succeed in killing Palpatine, but he safely escapes with Bail’s help 

Obi Wan cuts Anakin’s legs off and leaves him burning in the lava (note from mod Sugar: he also cuts off Anakin's remaining arm)

Padme gives birth to Luke and Leia and dies

Palpatine finds Anakin and they build him his Darth Vader suit. Palpatine tells Anakin that he was the one who killed Padme 

Bail takes Leia. Obi Wan says he’ll take Luke to Tatooine and watch over him. Yoda says he wants to teach him how to commune with Qui Gon’s force ghost. 

We see Padme’s funeral, it’s beautiful and so sad and she has the bead Anakin carved in her hand

Vader and Sidious are on a ship looking out at the beginnings of the Death Star being built

We end the movie with Luke’s new parents looking out at the Tatooine sunset (note from mod Sugar: it's technically Luke's aunt and uncle, but you know what, they're effectively acting as parents so it's not inaccurate)

[grayintogreen]

WIP WEDNESDAY

I'm gonna be alternating Wednesdays with Roseverse and LitMoR, so since last week was a Roseverse preview, here's a preview of the next chapter of YCDHN! Featuring the origins of a joke I have been dying to make for SO LONG.

-

Plans never survived first contact with the enemy, and that was equally true of victories. People who spent too long celebrating a win rarely lived to see a second one.

The Mighty Nein (ten plus an additional four) gathered in the dining hall of Kindunos Keep, where months ago nearly all of them had murdered an entire tribe worth of people who thought they were stronger than they were. Reminders of small victories were necessary as they prepared to face the biggest one yet- the one for all the marbles.

Lucien was the one who stood up to take point and leadership. This nightmare had been started at the time of his birth- for the purpose of this leg of the journey, they were all going to look to him now and no one complained about it. Not even Molly looked at him skeptically.

A far cry from where they began, but the world was moving on. “They work fast when they want to,” he explained, looking to Beau, hunched over her hand like if she dug her nails into the eye on the back of it, she would tear it from her flesh. “It starts with dreams and then one by one, they’ll start bringin’ you more gifts.” He looked to Tyffial, Otis, and Zoran with their amulets, to Molly with his- eyes downcast and on the table, the reality of being a thrall still too close to the surface for him. “And once you’ve got nine eyes, you’re theirs. There won’t be anything we can do ‘til they’re dead.”

They didn’t have time to get another amulet made. Those things didn’t come cheap and Waccoh had used up every bit of good will and resources she had to make the ones for the other Tombtakers. There was no scenario where they could buy time for a second and wait this out. If they didn’t leave tomorrow, there was going to be Hell to pay for Beau and for all of them.

“The Somnovem are still being fueled by the Chained Oblivion,” he went on. “And all of them are right pissed at us for bein’ a thorn in their drawers.” He folded his arms behind his back. “Always nice when the apocalypse has a personal touch, hm?”

A small, restrained laugh. It had been a long time since Lucien had to give a speech like this. Nice to know that he could still maneuver around the appropriate beats to keep the mood from souring into hopelessness. Yes, things were dire, but they were going to meet it head-on. Violently.

He went on, pacing. “I know it looks like we have plenty of numbers on our side, but it’s not just nine ancient, batty-as-shit wizards and the god they’re siphoning power off of. It’s the thousands upon thousands of people trapped in Cognouza as well.”

“You lot handle the Somnovem,” Tyffial shrugged. “The Tombtakers will handle whatever else there is.” She smiled at Essek with too many teeth. “That includes you.”

“Why I have no qualms about aiding you in the fight, I think calling me a Tombtaker is… inaccurate, to say the least,” Essek drawled.

Otis leaned over to stage whisper at him. “Nah, we already voted. Can’t back out now. You’re with us forever. Heh.”

While Essek had a crisis over that, Lucien flashed Tyffial a tight smile that she returned, the pair exchanging a heated series of silent messages with only the sharpness of their eyes. ”I don’t recall giving you control over the Tombtakers.” ”Oh really? Shouldn’t have fucked off and gotten yourself domesticated then.”

“That will not be enough to stand against an entire city,” Caleb spoke up. “We are going to need more allies.”

☽

“Hey, Yussa! It’s Jester. We’re just wondering if you’d come with us to Aeor? We’re gonna fight an evil city in the Astral Sea.” A beat. “Please?”

”Aeor is hostile to wizards and I regret that I would prefer not to accompany you there. I could perhaps do some investigating, however.”

“Okay, so I told everyone that and they all freaked out and Beau says you should really, really not do that, like, at all.”

”Ah. Well. I will speak to some of my acquaintance and see about gathering any useful tools you might need, then.”

☽

Beau crossed a line through Yussa’s name in her journal to join several other names that were considered dud leads. Couldn’t get the group in Vasselheim because somebody needed to be on stand-by if they failed; couldn’t recruit anyone from the Cobalt Soul because they were neck-deep in Assembly troubles…

Jester slapped her hands on the table. “What about Shakaste? We could have four clerics.”

☽

“Shakaste, this is Cree of the Mighty Nein. We could use your help with a problem in Aeor, if you would be amenable.”

“Hey, baby, I would love to, but I’m a bit tied up in business out in the Swavain Islands right now. You understand?”

☽

“I hate that guy, anyway,” Zoran muttered, watching Beau strike Shakaste’s name from the ledger.

“What about Cali and Reani?” Yasha offered.

☽

Seconds after receiving Jester’s Sending, a tree in the backyard of Kindunos Keep spat out an overly excitable aasimar druid and her nervous sorceress girlfriend, who looked as if she still couldn’t quite get a handle on tree travel. “Oh my gosh, this used to be the Jagentoth’s place, Cali! I can’t believe I wasn’t there to see them get wrecked.”

Caduceus, who had been waiting for them, grinned as he gestured to the bushes that had sprung up where the Jagentoths had been buried. “You didn’t miss the tea at least.”

The two girls tackled him for a hug.

☽

“This might be a long shot, but what about Keg? Think the Gentleman would give her up, Jes’?”

☽

In a fight club in Nicodranas, Beau stood next to Yasha, waiting patiently for Keg to finish the brawl that had interrupted their conversation. She stepped out of the ring, victorious, her opponent flat on his back and groaning.

“Yeah, what the hell?” She grinned. “I miss knockin’ heads with you assholes.”

☽

“Ooh. What about the crew of the Nein Heroez, Fjord?”

“I… don’t know if they’re going to jump at getting involved in this sort of danger willingly, Jester.”

Veth piped up, tapping her chin. “Twiggy might.”

☽

On the deck of the Nein Heroez, Caleb and Veth laid out the plan to a wide-eyed Twiggy.

“I’m in!” She said, without even pausing to think about it.

☽

“How many is that?”

“Eighteen. Anyone else?”

Eighteen seemed like so many to drag through the tundra, even with it being Molly’s favored terrain and therefore impossible for them to get lost. It seemed like too few to face the horrors of Cognouza and what was waiting for them there.

It also just didn’t feel like the right number, in general.

“I have an idea,” Cree spoke up during a lull between names being offered and dismissed in the same breaths.

[gayhenrycreel]

fuck it im blocking every fucking tag about palestine this is actually making me suicidal. i have no more empathy to give. no matter how much i want to i genuinely have stopped feeling empathy about whatever ridiculous things america is shooting itself in the foot over. its not just palestine ive lost the ability to feel empathy for. im losing empathy for people like me in america. my brain was never supposed to see my fellow humans being slaughtered in countries ive never been to. i just cant keep tormenting myself over something that i have literally no power over. this does not affect me. im not going to risk killing myself over americas bullshit again. back in october i got very suicidal about this. i am not risking my life anymore. i certainly cant single handedly destroy a country on the other side of the planet if im dead right?! im sick of people demanding i make a fucking statement about politics that WILL NEVER INFLUENCE MY INSIGNIFICANT LIFE EVER. im just one fucking person. im not a billionare. i am literally a peasant in one of the worlds smallest and least powerful nations. i can do more if i keep myself alive and healthy. my time is wasted on america. i can do so much more if i focus on the community im actually in, not obsessing over america like my useless father who everyone hates. i can actually help palestine if i focus on nz politics. the internet is a cesspool of pointlessness unless i had 233567889998654311246890 followers. i dont. im a small blog on a small site. im better off influencing my OWN FUCKING GOVERNMENT, not some fascist i will never met or know the name of. i have literally no power over some random american who thinks everyone else should care about which government got caught in possession of something dodgey. i get it. it affects you. but i have no ability to help you. i cant fix your government. i CAN do my best to fix my own government and can actually help people by doing so. this seems to be a uniquely american thing. no, my american mutuals, this is not targeted at you, this is about the general american tendency to imagine oneself as being the most important country in the world. i know more about american politics than my own government. why do i know the location of washington state? why should i care about what bullshit some guy ive never heard of is saying on twitter. wendys mcdonaldfuck is the grandson of joseph stalin is he? nothing to do with me. i refuse to be my father. he is awful and his worst trait is his pathological obsession with america. im sorry. i wish i had any more fucks to give. but cant do anything about some war i have no power over. i just want to go back to my hometown where i can make a difference. no cities. no flashing lights. just the forest, mutual aid, and a goddamn groundedness to reality. dont become obsessed over something out of your control. politicians will not see your tumblr post. donate to people in need. donate to those who actually can do something. if you cant stop thinking about genocide you are developing a pathological obsession. im not kidding. its bad for your health. i wont let it happen to me again. VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS FOR FUCKS SAKE. the mayors choose the governors, the governors choose the president. thats how you help palestine. giving yourself ocd over it helps no one, it just slowly kills you. focus on the things in your control. now excuse me while i use the power of community to tangibly help people.

[apocalypse-shuffle]

Researching candidates is so hard, and for what?

Like, I don’t care about your family or your forth husband or whatever the fuck. What’s your stance on over policing and overfunding the police? What scandals have you been in recently? How did you respond? What damage control protocols are you looking to implement? How’re you bringing my high ass rent down (or how’re you at least hoping to try to do that)? How’re you going to try making the city more accessible? And so on and so forth.

Anyway, vote in every election relevant to you, not just the presidential election.

[pwblogarchive]

June 2007

June 4, 2007

goodbye the longest year of my life.

sometimes i want to blow my head but not in a hottopic kind of way.

i am global warming.

i am toxic.

sometimes i am glad i saved everything for a rainy day.

i am a wish.

i am under your skin.

i love you and life:

separate but never equal.

fuck it.

its all okay.

"Too young to hold on and too old to just break free and run..."

posted by xo at 8:05 PM

June 6, 2007

“its easy to get older not so much wiser”

"pooh"

"yes, piglet"

"nothing, i just wanted to be sure of you"...

posted by xo at 8:40 AM

June 7, 2007

“fuck the palm readers, i love mirror breakers.”

i have an obsession with sitting inside a confessional in church and hearing someone else spill their guts for once.

id almost take an oath for it.

get me out of new york.

this city only gets me up to making bad decisions.

love, the last boy.

posted by xo at 10:40 PM

"the christian in christian dior, damn they dont make them like they used to anymore..."

if i bashed your head in how good would the secrets be that poured out.

posted by xo at 4:00 PM

June 9, 2007

“late night snack”

the light splashes in and out. its almost violent. everything rational inside of me tells me that its the dull white of a voicemail. but my eyes are playing tricks on me. i see it purple textured velvet. the tv is blaring whatever. i can see light is sneaking in the cracks everywhere of this suite. like vermin. take a vote, the eyes have it. there is too much space here. between me and everything else in this room. i wish i had a habit bad or not just to pass the time. just trying to fight the big black sadness.

June 9, 2007

“sic transit itum”

Theres an opposite to deja vu. They call it jamais vu. Its when you meet the same people or visit places, again and again, but each time is the first time. Everybody is s stranger. Nothing is ever familiar.

This isn't learning from my mistakes anymore so much as it is damage control. I might as well be trying to paint a house that's on fire.

Posted by xoat 11:33 PM

June 11, 2007

“counting sheep and you.”

tour life has got my fingers spitting from a pornographed philosophers mind. girls with bruises in designer patterns. too full off the diet pills to be hungry for iceburg lettuce and water lite when it shows up. i trapped you in my head a long time ago. i am a treasure chest filled with trash. two orders: one near tears and one beer tears. just put em on my tab.

dont you dare tell me about true fucking love. i spit and punched and blood for it. and now i want to sleep inside of it.

June 12, 2007

“cantsleepcantsleepcantsleep”

dont you feel bad for the suicidal cat thats stuck with 9 lives.

my head only goes from zero to rage.

like a domesticated animal giving into instinct.

carved our names into a tree

and i dont care that i saw it first in some movie.

i think ill always go back and see if it sticks.

i feel like the santa maria. like i got there just after the discovery.

heads like this are gonna go extinct.

posted by xo at 5:53 AM

June 14, 2007

“lullabye.”

everybody is dropping like flies.

the truth is i am a slave to my head and my thoughts, not the other way around.

i am the hand up the skirt of this moment. over underwear, under pants.

under medicated. underwhelmed.

me and you in a not so private corner.

duke it out with our lips and teeth.

ill find the love if its there between your cavities.

dust it off.

its a cold hard ride back from where ive been.

what ive seen.

and what ive done.

or how ive come undone.

apples that make your teeth bleed

love that makes my heart coma-

keep careful count of your tears in that corner-

the market is shit.

they arent going for what they used to.

keep em in a jar-

bury them in a wine cellar.

so you can remember when you felt like just a madman.

im a trust junkie.

i need a fix.

i have so much i want to say. none of it is eloquent or poetic- referencing change and belief- lies and betrayal. how sometimes this ride doesnt feel fun anymore, when the press is controlling it. i will post when i have formulated all of the thoughts. i am tired of constantly defending this, its enough to defend it to the world- but to defend it to believers has drained me. i am only human, a kind of lousy one at that. i am 1/4 of this thing that has felt magical to me for so long. i dont want to lose it. i hope this makes some sense.

i hope i am a boomerang on its way back not some stone sinking in the sea.

thank you to everyone who has stood beside this and me- in both the light and the dark. it means more than a handshake or hug or song,,,

on a good note. the video felt genuinely fun to make. so thank you for taking part in it. the smiles are real.

goodnight.

posted by xo at 11:49 PM

June 17, 2007

“i may be just a dime store prophet. but youre a dollar store whore.”

so i guess i am on the up. thunder on runways cant even kill the boredom. the tips of my fingers bruised from the letters on the typewriter. but if feels so much more final than this. and that is why i love it. and i said the last time i was put in handcuffs it was over a can of spraypaint. she said 'someday i want to spraypaint with you". and that is why i love her. in a backyard, lying on the couch on a sunday kind of way. one that is not explained or thought out. but runs up the back of your legs to the back of your head and crashes out of my mouth whenever you show up. what keeps your head together when you feel the tilt and spin of the world. what keeps those club jaws grinding in between the trips to the bathroom. the best week never. theyre taking stabs at me while im leaning and yawning, but sometimes YOU get through. pinpricks become blackholes and i feel my moods pulled into them. whats up with my obsession with your obsessions. been writing so much lately the paper is starting to add up. theres a part of me that wants to take a match to it sometimes late at night- the same part inside that cant walk next to balconies for fear that i am going to jump off of them.

i can make a mess of anything. but its strange to say when a stranger can bring you peace. you just swaying in the heat of the meet and greet. a face and a voice i dont know. just a tap on the shoulder and a "keep your chin up" from you. but there was a kindness there that brought me back. thank you.

June 19, 2007

so obvious but: i fucking hate this sugar free low carb diet world. i want the wild fucking west. i want love in handcuffs. i want more scars. i dont want this fucking future. meth bake sales to lower global warming. sweat shop work to burn calories. i hope this ship burns before it sinks. i hope this planes air goes bad before it crashes. i dont want this to be an affair anymore, i want to walk down the aisle with catastrophe. lets go to hell just for the weekend. your happiness is making me miserable. waste the time of my life. and if that mocking bird wont sing, im gonna buy you a diamond ring.

i only feel in love on the stage and on the side of a pillow. everything in between just makes me wish myself to pieces. please dont put me back together, keep me in a box under your bed.

June 20, 2007

i hate explaining my own interpretations to people. id rather you come up with your own- but this one seems to be pretty glaring....

there is a distinct difference between the idea "seasons change, but people dont" and the idea "everyone changes". this difference is simply the connotations of the two. in the former: the idea is brought forth that there are certain parts of you that are inherently there. forever. whether they are a part of your DNA or how you were raised- they are so deep and solidly rooted they cannot change. to me these are your ideals, your morality, your internal monologue. they remain constant though are defined differently as your mind and heart mature. to simplify, people who are kind have something switched on within them that will not change. on the other extreme malicious people will always be malicious. not to say there isnt gray area between the two- where someone who is kind can act maliciously and vice versa. obviously there are more rare examples where something can impact someone in such a tremendous way that it will cause a deep change in them. these remain constant through celebrity, through tragedy, through happiness, through loss. i can feel certain things in myself and ways that i know i will always feel- no matter what else changes around me. if you read my actual diary entries from when i was 14 to now, while the language and subject matter has changed- and hopefully has gotten a bit better. my subconscious impacting me and my decisions seems to remain faithful. however, what was meant by the latter "everyone changes, i used to be tiny", is the idea of growing up. honestly, i am not who i was a year ago or 5 years ago or 10 years ago. i think i would hate myself if i never changed. this is an experiment more than anything. if new cultures, people, and art didnt impact me and change me than this would be fraudulent. we expect any of our fans who have been with us from the beginning have grown and changed. i hope most of these changes are for the better, though i know i am human and make mistakes. sometimes i turn right when i should have turned left. but anything you loved or hated about me from the beginning have not changed- these are the things that make us each different from each other and either magnetize or polarize from others.

June 22, 2007

“the AMERICAN dayDREAMer - die-a-tribe”

when they rip the tickets i hope im on the ride with you. sleepless in seattle and pretty much everywhere else- wont bore you with the details, but actually i probably will. you dont have to be a train to come off track. dont have to have feathers to flee the coop. i dont gotta tell you about my adventures, i keep them in my head and forget them and remember them every once in awhile. i watch them on projector screens while you are talking about your magazine or countdown. were flypaper baby- but nothings sticks. molded from teflon and porcelain. doesnt take much shining around for you to want to get back under that rock you crawled out from. i found a point when i was searching for pointlessness. i found a love when i was looking for madness. gonna save your sweat for when we get to heaven. autocratic hearts and throats- tongues loving on the skin and words- listening too carefully and robbing them of their beauty. you only think im blooming when im wilting on the outside. dying to be dearly forgotten, not wrongly remembered. florescent yellow in the toilet bowl. i love holding strangers hands, pulses matching, beating just off the p.a. speakers. you dont have to sell me on how this isnt real, cause my guts are whats in deep not my head or my heart. sometimes i get the feeling when i walk into a room like im in some movie from the forties where ive been shipwrecked and marooned on a desert island, only to return to a life that is no longer mine. or maybe just a raft adrift, except i slept through the s.o.s. calls. the caveman frozen in ice analogy works as well, only i am too lazy to transcribe it. im projecting. im bobbing and weaving. im deflecting. only cos i want to mean more than all of this. i lost it at woodrow and nichols, brakes ground to my teeth. just a kid strung out on neon lights

June 26, 2007

dear man in the mirror: get over yourself.

i love it when people wonder how its gonna end.

my right hand is fucked.

boxers fracture im pretty sure and a cut down the front that we super glue every night.

if i shake you yr hand with my left thats why.

im clumsy-

with both actions and words.

what happens in vegas stay in vegas except for when brendon hit me with a bowling ball.

deaths just the other bookend on this thing, so who cares.

posted by xo at 12:28 AM

June 28, 2007

The world is your oyster, what does that mean? That I'm just grinding sand waiting to be sucked down by box dye blondes and chased with hynotik. .... dumb-luck, but there's no such thing as smart luck. Think It got us kicked out of vegas. Happy as a clam but how happy can clams be? Dreaming of being steamed or robbed of their only worldly possession, pearls, sounds like a total soccer mom fantasy- only with upscale spas and mugger fantasies. I am a starfish waiting to regenerate a point. Till then, I am kind of pointless. I got a bad rap for not caring but I still pay taxes and wear my seat-belt in back seats- though I'm considering changes. I am a fixer-upper. Feeling the buzz but too far off the hive for any of the other bees to get it. And man I gotta tell you, the years are like friends in your old hometown. They stop being so friendly. They only want to reminisce. And no matter what they keep moving and changing you whether you want them to or not. The doctor says I need to stop talking with my fist and do more talking with my mouth. I told him I was never too great at that either- that it was usually my mouths talking that had to get my fist involved in the conversation. He said well then I had better start throwing a good left or hope I can play bass one handed. Neither seems too reasonable right now. Thinking maybe I should just stop all together. I order every movie in hotel rooms just so I don't feel alone. Its a very home alone moment for me, you know without the holiday music and cute culkin looks, but I'm hoping you are catching my drift anyway. Yes, for those who wonder there are other journals online. Sometimes I kind of leave bread-crumbs to get home to them for you. Sometimes I just space out. I also have a pen and paper diary and some letters and what not that I have been typing on my typewriter. I've been working on other visual art too, nothing I like well enough to show anyone. Its more for my own piece of mind. Drive, fuck, and sleep safe. I'd like to know that you awaken in the morning with out a headache or blurry eyes. Love is in the air, just get ourselves the right equipment to grab it. Its like moths headed for the brightest light, which aint me. But I'm ready to sweat and run and get there. And just cause you got a scar on your wrist or a charcoal stomach, were supposed to get eachother? Cause I don't really even get me. I'm too busy calling everyone else crazy- in these late slurred debates on how everyone else is not exactly like us- to worry about you calling me crazy. Tho all the other rhymes for crazy work on me lazy, hazy, etc.

someone has some great pictures of this past week. if i find any, ill post some.

June 28, 2007

from pete's friends or enemies blog

June 28, 2007

“the pretend”

i never really appreciate the compliments people give me. i feel like people say them because they feel like they have to- "youre hot"- except in my head i dont see myself that way so it doesnt mean a thing. "you played great tonight"- except i probably didnt because its not really my thing. "i love your words"- except they only make sense to me out of patricks mouth. "i love you"- but you wouldnt if you knew me. and so on.

but the other day my friend told me: "you have an incredible sense of the pretend". and it made me shake. just in the way that its all i believe. i dont care too much for the ins and outs of the world we are inside. i like the one in my head far better. it is not chronological or pragmatic. but it meant alot to me.

as did this...

so i cant fully remember writing this entry. that is because my brain is scattered and resets all of the time. the only thing i save room for are faces and memories. maybe it is a collection of entries. but apparantly someone cared enough to remember or patch together an entry from a year ago... so thank you (i think they made little changes or additions here and there). its funny because i am in vancouver all over again, it rings so much more true now.

"and like florence nightingale and nurses through history. we fall in love with those were protecting and curing. we dream big and then wake up everyday and hunch over computer screens. and everytime we let our fingers go it amounts to a little more than the worlds smallest violin paying just for you. here i am half asleep between vancouver and salt lake city. can't remember the last time i had a conversation with you that wasn't from between the dotted lines of the highway. i don't want sheep or parrots. i feel like we have a vested interest in each other. it's love of sorts. you were there in the beginning, you've stuck around when everyone else climbed aboard, i hope you're there when it's gone. for all the times we've come off course, you have always served as a compass. steady. unforgiving. at times hard to find. but you were always there. this probablly isn't worth your time to read. but as long as you do we'll keep playing small, secret shows. we'll keep writing this. we'll keep ignoring what they say. this is we- everyone- the haters, the newbies, the so, the ckk, ock. a collective [[sigh of relief]]. everyone always asks what's the cure of growing up? this is it. it's you. the smiling faces screaming and 'doging' security in the front row. the kid that waits outside after the show until their hands are blue just to say hi. don't ever let me fucking forget it. we don't deserve this. but now that we got it. we will do our best to keep it like a kiss in the corner of our mouths. for our heads to your speakers, to your ears, to your mouths, to you, your fingers, to us, to our mistakes, to our heads and back. the new songs are coming. what if for one moment we became everyone we dreamed we could be? there is a buzzing from outside of this darkened room. as though if i walked down the hallway past their sleeping faces, red in the warmth of the afternoon. i would walk into the first day of my life. light gleaming off the windshield- like the wizard of oz after the color washes over everything. like i could start all over again- only with the same faces that are imprinted on my heart forever. and my same bed. and dogs. and ex- loves. and friends. save your troubles for another day, they wern't at the end of the hallway. baby boy, you're too busy writing tragedy to notice. we're shaping up to do big things. and you're nothing special. except.. what if you are? "

posted by xo at 8:01 PM

June 29, 2007

i never really appreciate the compliments people give me. i feel like people say them because they feel like they have to- "youre hot"- except in my head i dont see myself that way so it doesnt mean a thing. "you played great tonight"- except i probably didnt because its not really my thing. "i love your words"- except they only make sense to me out of patricks mouth. "i love you"- but you wouldnt if you knew me. and so on.

but the other day my friend told me: "you have an incredible sense of the pretend". and it made me shake. just in the way that its all i believe. i dont care too much for the ins and outs of the world we are inside. i like the one in my head far better. it is not chronological or pragmatic. but it meant alot to me.

as did this...

so i cant fully remember writing this entry. that is because my brain is scattered and resets all of the time. the only thing i save room for are faces and memories. maybe it is a collection of entries. but apparantly someone cared enough to remember or patch together an entry from a year ago... so thank you (i think they made little changes or additions here and there). its funny because i am in vancouver all over again, it rings so much more true now.

"and like florence nightingale and nurses through history. we fall in love with those were protecting and curing. we dream big and then wake up everyday and hunch over computer screens. and everytime we let our fingers go it amounts to a little more than the worlds smallest violin paying just for you. here i am half asleep between vancouver and salt lake city. can't remember the last time i had a conversation with you that wasn't from between the dotted lines of the highway. i don't want sheep or parrots. i feel like we have a vested interest in each other. it's love of sorts. you were there in the beginning, you've stuck around when everyone else climbed aboard, i hope you're there when it's gone. for all the times we've come off course, you have always served as a compass. steady. unforgiving. at times hard to find. but you were always there. this probablly isn't worth your time to read. but as long as you do we'll keep playing small, secret shows. we'll keep writing this. we'll keep ignoring what they say. this is we- everyone- the haters, the newbies, the so, the ckk, ock. a collective [[sigh of relief]]. everyone always asks what's the cure of growing up? this is it. it's you. the smiling faces screaming and 'doging' security in the front row. the kid that waits outside after the show until their hands are blue just to say hi. don't ever let me fucking forget it. we don't deserve this. but now that we got it. we will do our best to keep it like a kiss in the corner of our mouths. for our heads to your speakers, to your ears, to your mouths, to you, your fingers, to us, to our mistakes, to our heads and back. the new songs are coming. what if for one moment we became everyone we dreamed we could be? there is a buzzing from outside of this darkened room. as though if i walked down the hallway past their sleeping faces, red in the warmth of the afternoon. i would walk into the first day of my life. light gleaming off the windshield- like the wizard of oz after the color washes over everything. like i could start all over again- only with the same faces that are imprinted on my heart forever. and my same bed. and dogs. and ex- loves. and friends. save your troubles for another day, they wern't at the end of the hallway. baby boy, you're too busy writing tragedy to notice. we're shaping up to do big things. and you're nothing special. except.. what if you are? “

June 30, 2007

I have a new girlfriend

The iphone.

posted by xo at 4:46 PM

[thoughtsbeewild]

USA WILL BE DOOMED SLOWLY BUT SURELY, IF THEY CAN HAVE HIGHEST POWER TO SHUT THE ORANGE MAN UP, THINK OF WHAT YOUR EMPLOYERS, LEADERS WILL DO TO US PEASANTS

imagine your families, your younger kids who are stupid dont know nothing of whats going on in the political world of POWER AND AUTHORITY. see the increase in high prices, wages, the world of high crime, homicide, killing after killing, war after war. ya fuckers think this is good because they got orange man when your stupid sources are the WOKE MEDIA NEWS WELL THATS WHAT THEY SAID ON THE NEWS, I SAY GO FUCK YOURSELVES BECAUSE YOUR HATRED FOR ORANGE MAN WILL MAKE IT WORST FOR ALL OF US GOING THROUGH THE HELL, THE STORM, WHATEVER THE FUCK U WANT CALL IT, HAVING CELEBRITY ELITES INFLUENCERS WITH THIER TRILLION OF MILLION OF FOLLOWERS PREACH LIES, LIES IN ORDER FOR DEMONCRAT LIBERAL LEADERSHIP TO GAIN CONTROL POWER OF EARTH. HOW SCARY, FEELS LIKE MORTAL KOMAT, WE SILENT MAJORITY ARE TRYING ALERT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO STILL BELIEVE THAT TRUTH SHOULD WIN OVER LIES, GOOD OVER EVIL. THAT YOUR VOTE IN HOW YOUR COUNTRY CITIE YOUR COMMUNITY THE PEOPLE THE FAMILIES AROUND YOU WILL EFFECT A BIG CHANGE, DONT BE SELFISH LIKE A LIBERAL.

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME I HAVE ENDURE WORKING WITH A LIBERAL DEMONCRAT HATRED FOR TRUMP. MAN I WANT TO SNAP LIKE A FUCKIN LIBERAL LOUD BITCH, BUT THAN I THINK I AM BETTER THAN THIER LOUD MOUTHS, DUMBASS NO KNOWLEDGE LIKE BIDEN PERSONALITY HATRED FOR REVENGE. IMAGINE SHIT I GOT TO DEAL WITH EVERY FUCKING DAY TO SURVIVE, SHIT FUCKING INSANE. IF I HAD TO CHOOSE, IT WAS MORE PEACEFUL SAFE WITH ORANGE MAN,. GOD HELP EARTH

[umflowers]

don't just vote in the presidential election. laws have to get through the house (congresspeople) and the senate, so a majority in both is vitally important. each state only gets 2 senators, but congress members is based on population. you see how much chaos people like marjorie taylor greene and lauren boebert have caused? yeah, vote down the ballot. do you hate how your state handles its healthcare system or they raised taxes again but the roads still look like shit? governor, and also state-level senators and congresspeople. hate how your city/town ignores the needs of the local homeless population? mayor. wanna make sure no financial fraud is occurring? comptroller. is your local school board trying to ban books that teach kids about queer identities? guess what, bud. you should also vote for judges, district attorneys, sheriffs, and anyone and anything else you can. your state's .gov website should have information on what voting district you're in and what location you have to go to, to vote, and when it's open. it should also have information about absentee and mail-in ballots. look that shit up ahead of time!! you can even vote if you're not in the country, so long as you're a citizen! if there are people at the polling location trying to intimidate voters, trying to promote a candidate, or in whatever way harassing you or trying to impede your voting, that's called poll-watching and is against the law and you should absolutely report it. READ THE FUCKING REFERRENDUMS!! don't just vote for candidates! there are referrendums for everything and they shape changes in the law! there are referrendums for protecting trans healthcare, and for ratifying access to abortion in the state constitution, and for racial equity curriculum in schools, and so much more! and there are also referrendums for further relaxing gun control, and trying to introduce religion to public schools, and bad shit that you can vote against! voting isn't the same as boycotting, but in one regard it kind of is - you can deprive elected officials of re-election when they do a shit job, by voting. and believe me, they wanna keep their job and the power and recognition that comes with it. just like you can pressure corporations by refusing to give them money, you can pressure politicians to do their fucking job and listen to their fucking voters by threatening them with removal by casting your vote for someone else if they don't. VOTE. vote every goddamn time you're given the opportunity to do so, no matter what it's for. anyone who tells you not to is not your friend.

Because I remember disinformation being spread around the last few elections and I’m sure assholes will bring it back:

YOU CAN’T VOTE ONLINE.

YOU CAN’T VOTE FROM YOUR PHONE.

IN MANY STATES THERE ARE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES FOR PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR BALLOT.

DO NOT WEAR CAMPAIGN GEAR TO THE POLLS.

DO NOT TRY TO PERSUADE PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE AT THE POLLS.

DO NOT ENGAGE IN ANY KIND OF POLITICAL DISCOURSE AT THE POLLS.

NO ELECTION IS EVER A SURE THING, EVEN IF YOU’RE IN THE BLUEST OR REDDEST OF STATES.  IF SOMEONE TRIES TO TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN SIT THIS ONE OUT, THEY ARE EITHER IGNORANT OR MALICIOUS.

VOTE.

[odinsblog]

It’s funny to me whenever I see Democratic loyalists (blue MAGA sycophants) talking themselves right into oblivion. Republicans are walking them to the slaughterhouse, and they’re agreeably going along in a cloud of civility and rule-following. It’s like watching a village of brainwashed people willingly walking themselves into an active volcano, and desperately trying to talk them down off the ledge, because they don’t have to sacrifice their hopes.

“Of course Pelosi has to support the anti-abortionist over the pro-choice candidate, what else can she do?”

Why does the DNC and Pelosi constantly campaign for regressive conservative “Democrats” even in safe blue districts?? WTF is the point of supporting conservative, anti-abortion “Democrats” if they are literally just Republicans with the letter “D” behind their names, who more often than not, vote with Republicans and against any progressive agenda?

“But control of the House and Senate is at stake!”

And how the fuck is that working out? Has adding more conservative politicians helped protect Roe, or has it hurt Roe? Did adding more so-called “pro-life” Democrats help protect a woman’s choice, or did that foolhardy action hurt a woman’s reproductive rights? This is not rocket science—adding more of a bad thing into the mix gives us more bad outcomes, not fewer.

“But everywhere isn’t New York City, progressivism simply doesn’t work in the Midwest.”

This is standard, boilerplate DLC/Third Way rhetoric. “You have to be even more conservative than conservatives to win in rural America,” was the key strategy of Democratic Leadership Council. “We can only win by being moderate Republicans,” was their underlying strategy. But that strategy only helps conservatives… funny how that works, isn’t it? Look, I very strongly believe that when you consistently and materially improve people’s lives, the voters will absolutely positively follow. FDR did “socialist” things like put food in people’s belly, and he was on track for a fourth term. If you think there aren’t progressive people living in Red states who wouldn’t work for a much more progressive future, I got news for you. It’s all about how you sell that vision. But corporate Democrats gave up on real deal progressivism a while back, and they want everyone else to believe that right-leaning neoliberalism is the only acceptable way forward.

“There’s nothing Biden can do to advance his agenda, he doesn’t have a supermajority.”

Look, if the votes aren’t out there, then you fucking go get them. Biden actually has the world’s largest bully pulpit and the power of executive action. Let me ask you something: If Biden raised the federal minimum wage to $15/hour and eliminated all student loan debt, do you think that would engage and motivate voters to vote for Democratic candidates in the midterm elections?? Biden could energize tf outta his base, IF he was willing to do whatever it takes. And fuuuck getting Republicans voters. They’re always going to vote for (wait for it) Republican candidates!

And you can tell when these sycophants are retreating back into their alternate reality echo chamber, because instead of engaging with what you’re actually saying, they begin to regurgitate the familiar phrases they’ve been trained to say: “you’re a bot,” or, “you’re only helping Republicans,” or “Susan Sarandon,” or “you must be a Russian spy.” LOL. God forbid if you criticize their problematic faves, or (gasp) ask for our elected officials to do better.

Centrists are getting marched to the slaughterhouse, and all they’re doing is kicking up a cloud of politeness and agreeability. God forbid they actually put up a real fight, or think outside the box for two fucking minutes. And yes, standing up for some basic ass principals is going to lose you conservative voters. So fucking what? THEY already have a political party advocating for everything they want.

JFC. If Democrats fought Republicans even half as hard as they fight the left, they would have supermajorities in both houses of Congress.

It’s not too late. There’s still time left to save Congress from Mitch McConnell and the Republican Party. But Democrats need to be willing to actually fight for it. Not just send out fundraising email blasts, but actually fight—and not for capitalism, but for democratic ideals.

[caffeineandsociety]

I notice that a huge part of the reason for online leftist infighting is people fundamentally not understanding the difference between, and interplay of, fighting FOR progress, vs. fighting AGAINST regression.

Trying to build space for more ethical and sustainable business practices to survive and thrive while megacorporations try to crush them? Rebuilding your yard to suit your local climate and support the ecosystem? Trying to get more queer stories told outside of niches where they're already normalized? Trying to get more inclusive education available, whether through schools or not? That's action FOR progress - but these things don't necessarily halt regressive actions. Shop small all you want; it won't HURT Amazon or Walmart...but it will HELP that ethics- and sustainability-focused mom-and-pop shop that encouraged its employees to unionize, or that independent disabled POC Etsy seller, keep from having to close up shop and funnel all those people into an Amazon warehouse instead. You could plant trees 16 hours a day for the rest of your life and it won't offset the damage caused by oil companies, but lobbying for a community garden and filling your space with whatever local plants you can may help make YOUR COMMUNITY healthier and more livable and very likely inspire those around you to do the same.

On the other hand, voting, fighting propaganda, pushing back against the encroachment of bigotry into spaces that are meant to be a haven from it, showing up at your local city council meeting to tell them NOT to approve that new Walmart that WILL choke out local businesses that provide the same services? That's fighting AGAINST regression. That's saying "dude, the status quo is bad enough, don't make it fucking WORSE." JUST voting for the center-right candidate instead of the outright fascist (and let's not kid ourselves, the US political sphere doesn't have a major left-leaning party, we have outright fascists vs. the center-right) will ensure that progress happens at an inexcusably slow pace if it happens at all - but it DOES slow the backslide; it is marginally better for the ratchet to stop than for it to spin out of control. Stopping one new Walmart from being built won't IMPROVE your local community from where it was before, but it DOES send a message to Walmart that you will not tolerate their shit and wastes a lot of their time even IF they try again.

Neither of these approaches is complete, and neither is better than the other. BOTH need to happen.

And, yeah, there are some actions that do a bit of both at the same time - unionizing your workplace, petitioning for new nondiscrimination laws, etc. - but those aren't complete either. I mean, just look at how the passage of same-sex marriage got a lot of white middle class gays to rest on their laurels, and how a lot of young LGBT+ people are being radicalized against the members of their own community who don't want to - or can't - assimilate into the hot new Rainbow Capitalism Club; there's a purely anti-regression fight that NEEDS to be fought here.

In short, don't ignore the whole picture. Complicated problems require multifaceted solutions.

[venushasvixens]

Ch. 11 - Fightin’ Words - Life is but a Dream (Spike Spiegel x Reader)

[A/N] to clarify before I begin, I do NOT hate Faye. There will be a following chapter to explain how we got from point A to point B, since now that I see it, this chapter seems like a stretch. I apologize if the writing is a little shitty, I got too excited when writing it, and I was basically vomiting words onto my screen. Enjoy!

Previous chapter: Ch.10

⛔️ WARNING: this chapter contains implied sexual content, drinking, and strong language

-

There is a clear difference in kissing. One was for lust, meant to excite and give pleasure to the receiving, as a plus on to tie in all the ingridients for good sex. The other was for love, showing affection and those deep emotional feelings that both parties were in need of.

The lines were blurring.

Wanting this to be a strictly physical relationship, other elements started to incorporate their way into your escapades. And now Spike knows almost everything about you. Eating habits, what makes you laugh, and the type of people you hate. Talking for hours on end, both of life and it’s ridiculous nature, there was no off time between you both. It felt good.

The quiet moment after you left his room for your own, a faltering feeling of sadness and loneliness enters Spike. The urge to grab you and bring you back to his bed for the night was strong. He tried to get you to stay (always subtly), but to no avail. Well aware of your need for space, he always respected your decision.

The crank that was once rusty, was in Spike’s head as his mind ran endlessly of if you liked him or not. It was a thought, a discussion he wanted to put off for so long. The consequences of his doubt were going to hurt, especially when it was going to be that time to go. The reassurance that this was only a fling, a friends with benefits deal, was on its way to be tossed out of the trash chute into space.

“Trust me, Spiegel, I’ve had plenty of time as a child to know what I’m talking about.” You said as Spike passed you his cigarette.

“About what?” He asked, completely clueless.

“Rocks. Crystals, geodes. Have you not been listening?” You scolded, scoffing as Spike shook his head.

“The library in the city gave the orphanage books they didn't want anymore. My favorite book was the one about rocks on Mars, of course it was simplified for my small brain…”

Head in his hand, Spike listened as you rambled mindlessly of all the different rock formations on Mars. As much as he wanted to learn, he couldn’t help but be distracted by his acknowledgment of your presence. More specifically, the air you brought in the room. Spike began to think of it as his favorite perfume, sweet and sultry, with a hint of spice. It made him feel safe.

You were so attractive when you were educating him. He hated to hear it from Jet or anyone else, but you made it interesting.

“You’re pretty hot.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah thanks. Anyways, like I was saying…”You replied, flattered by his sudden proclamation.

“I’m serious. You’re talking all smart to me, and I can’t help but tell you that.” Spike smirked. “I think I learned more from you than in high school.”

You laughed softly. “I tell you because I know you’re dumber than a bag of hammers.”

“Is that so?” Spike raised his eyebrows. Why was your teasing making him feel even better? “You’re going to regret saying that.”

“I only have one, and not that.” You smiled slyly, the glint in Spike’s eye becoming more noticeable.

“I’m about to make it two.”

“I would love to see you try.”

You put your hands up to defend yourself, Spike’s smooth moves rendering you helpless. In a second, he had your arms pinned down by your sides, a deep throated chuckle emitting from him as he watched you struggle. There was no danger but that of falling to his charm and whim.

“I don’t regret this.” You panted.

“Sounds like the best decision I’ve made.” Spike mumbled, gaze traveling all over your face. He brushes the stray hairs from your face, fingers tracing your hairline and ears. He was so close, you could feel his breath on your neck, threatening to brush his lips on yours.

“Can I ask you something?” Spike broke the silence. You nodded eagerly.

“I-“ He began, cut off by the loud knocking on the door.

“Spike? Spike? Are you there?” Jet called out.

There is no answer, except you panicking over whether Jet sees you naked or sprawled out on Spike’s bed. The only sound that could’ve been heard was the thuds of you scrambling around the room, looking for your bra and panties. Spike watches in amusement, not caring at all at the dilemma you both were in.

“Yeah?” Spike called out, the clink of his lighter going off.

“I was going to ask if you wanted to come up to the bridge for a drink, got a few good bottles of gin from our last bounty.”

“I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Good.” Jet finished. Footsteps drew further away down the hallway and supposdely onto the stairs. You sighed in relief, getting dressed at a leisurely pace. Safe, once again.

“Y/n, you can come too if you would like.” The loud booming laughter of Jet filled the hallway, masking your dread.

This evening was going to be delightful.

-

“Where's the gin?” You said in confidence, like you weren’t just caught in Spike’s room. Hopefully he wouldn’t see the slight limp in your step either.

“I have it, but I knew it would be a good bait to get some help up here.” He replied.

“Then I want at least half the bottle as a down payment. And an apology.” You scowled, taking a peek on the holo computer, skimming over the briefing for the next bounty.

Jet chuckled. “Now young lady, I have something very important to ask you.”

“Huh, you and Spike. I’m not too scared of yours.” You glanced at him, sitting in his seat.

Jet rested himself against the table, nodding. “I was going to say that us boys and Ed really enjoy you here. These last few months have been the best one this ship has seen in a while, and you are welcome to stay however long you want, kid.”

You knew you were doing well, but now you caught the bag. Jackpot. “You’re just saying that because I feed you all.”

“That's part of it too.” Jet grinned. “But I’m serious, (y/n). I think all of us could vote in favor of a new crew member. What do you say?”

Thinking, you remembered your freedom, sought as a child. That’s all you ever wanted, was to be out and allowed to do whatever you could. But deep down, the thing you really needed was a home. A family.

You could find that here on the Bebop. Even if you got a rocky start, it was smooth sailing for now. You felt wanted. That’s what you needed.

“Doesn’t sound too bad. I’m down.” You beamed.

“Glad you agreed, or else it would’ve been real awkward if you said no.” Jet replied, giving you a soft pat on your back.

“Mmm, would you kick me out if I declined this most generous offer?” You teased.

“Kid, you have my respect, I would let you pack first then throw you out.”

You cracked up, the deal was done. As you sat in your new home, you couldn't help but feel eternally grateful. “I really owe you one, Jet. You really got me out of a tight spot.”

Jet nodded as he searched for something on the control board.

“Was..was that how Spike came around? Picked him up like a stray?” You asked, surprised at your brazen question.

Jet stops messing with the controls, paused as he tries to peace his words together. “To be honest, I can’t even remember when or how Spike joined me here. He just popped up one day, and I haven’t been able to shake him off.” Jet gave a small titter. “Ah, (y/n). The man’s been through it tough.”

“Can I ask?” You said meekly.

“All that time spent together, and he hasn’t told you?” Jet chaffed, a smirk starting to grow.

Shit. “We haven’t spent much time talking today.” Fuck it, no use in denying it now.

“That’s what I thought.” He snickered. “Well, let me put it this way. A heartbroken man is a lonely one. He roams the galaxy in search of finding a way to fill the void left in him, either desperate to find something new. Or leave the void empty, allowing himself to wither away peacefully.”

“Hmm.” You replied shortly. A lot wasn't said, but it made sense.

“I’m only saying this once, (Y/n). He’s changing, and for the better. I haven’t seen him smile so much sober. I have to thank you for that.”

You made a change, as small as it was. You hear footsteps approaching the bridge, the sliding door opening to reveal Spike. As he quietly passes you by, he shoots you a small wink, making you blush. Spike sits down with a sigh, his legs propped up on the control panel.

“Easy, I’m still working there.” Jet warns as he hands Spike a drink.

“Then how come you're not sitting here?” He smirks, side-eyeing you to watch him kick up dirt.

You smile back, letting their conversation fade away slowly. This moment, you had to screenshot it. It doesn’t look like a normal family, but it wasn't dysfunctional. You had a crazy red haired computer genius as a sibling, along with a dog that you think could do math better than you. It topped nicely with a protective mentor and teacher with one robotic arm, and a man who you didn't think you could even get near without getting your arm bitten off.

Someone was missing. She hasn’t been seen all day, but that’s typical. As an official member of the Bebop, there was no back burner now. You could turn off your predatory instinct on your prey. The hunt on Faye was over. You didn't have to be her best friend, just tolerate her attitude enough when she decides to stay on the ship for longer than a day. You really didn't want to fight her, but sometimes she made it so difficult. Besides, you were too tired anyways.

The little get together was carrying on joyfully, now joined by Ed and Ein. Ed wandered aimlessly in all directions on the bridge, babbling on about all the buttons and flashing lights. You sat next to Spike in your own chair, feeling the small soft padded pushes of Ein on your legs.

“What is it boy?” You asked sweetly, reaching down to rub the top of his ears. He jumps on his hind legs, trying his best to climb up onto your lap. You cooed at him, picking him up and placing him snuggly on your thighs. You swore you could’ve seen him smile as your pet his fluffy face, massaging his soft head.

Spike leaned over, whispering. “Do you think I can get a massage too?”

Before you could respond, Ein gave a small huff, one eye opening to watch out for his competition. “I’m sorry, but the baby said no.”

Jet laughed as Spike smiled. You looked down to see that Spike’s glass was still full, while Jets was drained of all gin. You were working on yours at a slower pace. “You don’t feel like drinking tonight?”

“Hmm?” Spike looked down at his drink, sloshing it against its glass walls. “ Oh, I’ll get to it.” He said before reaching out and touching your back gently, his fingers tracing circles on your spine.

What a win-win situation, Ein gets to be loved on and you get to be petted, you thought. Goosebumps rose on your arms as Spike continued. The sky turned to night, all the stars in the galaxy could be seen from the bridge’s giant front window. Ed was curled up in a ball in front of it, tuckering herself out. Ein provided some warmth to Ed, loafing on Ed’s stomach. Their snores mixed in together, obnoxiously loud, but incredibly cute.

Spike never got to his drink, so he offered it to you instead. Two was all you needed to finish off the night. You took over Ein’s spot on Spike’s lap, your arms wrapped around his neck as you conversated with the boys. His hands rubbed the side part of your stomach before interlocking, his heated palms providing comfort. You wouldn’t mind falling asleep here.

The flash of Faye’s Redtail blinded you as she clumsily parked out on the flight deck. You didn't care as long as she didnt destroy the hangar, then you all would be in huge trouble.

“She’s home early.” Jet stated, watching as she stumbled out of the ship.

“It’s not even midnight yet. Think she missed us?” Spike called out sarcastically.

“Doubt it.”

This was the last of peaceful silence for the night, you thought. You were hoping not to jinx it.

BAM!

Everybody around you whipped their heads to the source of the sound, except yours, because you knew exactly who it was and what was going to happen. Ein used Ed’s stomach as a launching pad, frightened at the loud noise. What could you say, you have a knack for sensing a challenge. The only thing was, you were not in a mood to seek it. It was brought to you, sucking all good energy out of the room and switching it to a fireball of jealousy.

In walked a staggering Faye, pleased with her grand entrance. She tipped to one side, before switching to the other slightly. Just one look was all it took before you gulped the rest of your drink down, flipping the glass on its head. You could see out of the corner of your eye Spike’s focus was on you. His brows furrowed, head tilting as if to ask what were you doing. Your reply was a swift head rub, his hair swooshing.

“Evening, Faye.” Jet chimed, pushing the bottle of gin closer to his side behind him on his control board. There was no way she was getting any more tonight.

Your gaze changed to Jet, who you thought could also sense the new air in the bridge. He sat at the edge of his seat, arm resting on his knee. What was he waiting for?

A small hiccup bounced off the metal walls, prompting Faye to trip and catch herself on the main control board in the middle of the room. Her eyes closed, she began to shake her head side to side, a small manic giggle escaping her mouth.

“You just-just can’t keep your fucking hands off of him, can’t you?”

You felt a shiver of shock rest on your shoulders as you turned your head to face Faye. Before you could speak, Spike opened his mouth to defend you.

“The hell is wrong with you?” Spike retorted, his hands now pressed firmly on your waist.

“Everything was just fine without her, you-“ Faye snarled as she pointed to Jet, “just had to have a heart.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” Jet replied cautiously.

Faye circled around the control table, using it as support or else she tumbled over. A mumbled slur of insults, consisting of calling you a slut and Spike an idiot. She was drunk, you thought. Let it run off like water. She will be fine once she’s in her bed, snoring her way into a killer hangover. You couldn’t shake that feeling that you needed to start gearing up. You wiggled out of Spike’s hold, planting your feet firmly down as you lean on the control table.

“I..I honestly don’t get it.” Faye said aloud.

“Get what, Faye?” You piped up, the slightest shake in your voice.

Oh! So it can talk!” She cackled out loud. “Let me tell you what, since you asked!”

“Please, I would love to know.”

Her pointer finger shoved right in your face, furiously wanting to make contact. “I-I find it hard to believe that you managed to get him to fuck you.”

“Jesus, Faye, in front of the kids?”

“Fuck that! She’s going to hear what I have to say, whether the slut likes it or not.”

As angry as you should’ve been, coolness was all you displayed. The voice in the back of your head reminded you of unforgettable advice you knew all too well. Alcohol could be a very good truth serum.

“What a f-fucking slut … you know how I think y-you managed to stay on this tin can of a ship?” She muttered. “You have to be f-fucking the captain.”

“That’s enough! Leave until you sober up.” Jet stood up, standing in the space between you and Faye. “Not having any of that on my ship.”

You looked at Spike, face frozen in a silent menacing fury. Leaning back on the console, you kept glancing to see Faye moving further and further away towards the door. That was it, the show's over. But someone had some kind parting words.

“Hey, how about this! I bet Spike has to cover your face while fucking your ugly ass, I would too, you stupid-“

Your knuckles had never stung so bad, but it felt so good to watch Faye’s head swing back. A flurry of raged-filled punches landed on either side of her face, so fast it didnt give her enough time to react. Waking up, Faye gave a heavy footed kick to your side, prompting you to scream out in pain.

Each swing of her high leg swings missed as you ducked, giving you a chance for an uppercut into her stomach. You could hear the sound of the wind knocking out of her with each punch. Faye’s hand pulled your hair back roughly, fists meeting across your face, swiping your nose. Intense pressure built up, the threat of blood leaking out of your nose becoming evident. She wanted to play dirty?

We can play dirty.

You used everything you had in you. Scratching, biting, kicking. You were not going to lose. You did not give two shits if she was vulnerable, this bitch was going down. It felt like forever until you felt the strong arms of Spike yanking you away from the fighting ground.

“Hey, hey, hey!” You heard Jet roar, becoming a flesh and metal cage around Faye’s upper arms, taking a small beating as she tried to claw her way back to you. Ed was yelping and screaming at the top of her lungs, while Ein barked and yowled at the commotion.

“Stop, (y/n), its me you’re hitting, damn it!” Spike yelped as you gave the last swings, realizing that the fight was just about over. You panted, the painful injection of adrenaline overcame your body. You watched on in pity as Jet tried to get Faye to calm down. As you trudged back to your seat, with the help of Spike, the last word was finally given out of the door.

“Get comfy bitch, I’m going nowhere!” You screamed.

“And I know who burned your ship, but there’s no way I’m telling you, you dumb cunt!”

Other insults flew in your direction, but were ignored. You stood in disbelief as you let the major bombshell play over and over. Feeling the soft tug of Spike pulling you back gently down to your seat, letting you wallow for a second. He knelt in front of you, examining your growing black eye and red welts on your face. “Damn, that's going to leave a mark.”

You looked away from him, tears welling in your eyes.

“Oh (y/n), I didn't mean it like that, it doesn’t look that bad.” Spike apologized as you sniffled.

“It’s not that. I-its that..'' sobs so quietly, but causes the greatest quivering, “she knows who did this to me, and won't even fess up because she hates me. What kind of shit is that?”

Tears fell freely onto your lap, pain induced by your loss fueling more hurt. It was so cold by yourself, a shell encasing you in. Through the mists of your tears, the shell was just Spike’s chest moving closer in. The heat of his body provided consolation without words, the tightness and slight rocking bringing you down to a clearer, more relaxed consciousness.

“I’ll catch them for you.” Spike mumbled into your ear, his hands massaging the back of your head. “It won't bring anything back, but if that will make you feel better, I'll do it.”

This wasn’t an empty promise. There was sincerity behind Spike’s words, wanting to help you. It was now confirmed just how much you meant to him. He was willing to assist for payback. His offer was sweet, but it didn't feel right. This wasnt his struggle, it was yours.

You were going to catch them, and only God knew the hell you were going to bring.

[cowboymalewife]

this is so fucking weird to say. not voting blue on the national level doesn’t mean you can’t make your local communities better by getting leftists in ptas, city councils, mayors offices, or as district or state representatives, ALL OF WHICH can do a LOT to help protect people on the ground, which the democrats are not doing at the national level.

i’m from texas, and we’ve had a viciously conservative republican as our governor for something like a decade now. notice how we haven’t had a border wall built, despite being the largest swath of the mexican border? because we have people working at the local level to stop it, to say it’s unconstitutional, and more. we stopped the drag bans in texas with only a few people, some of my own friends like brigitte bandit working with the aclu of texas to go to the capitol and work with local politicians to fight and point out why these things are unconstitutional.

before federal gay marriage legalization, there was state wide localization. the same is happening with marijuana legalization, and local activists are pushing for more than just legalization, but legal pardons of things like nonviolent possession.

you aren’t an activist in america, so you don’t know exactly how much we can do on the local level to push back. we have a LOT of power on the ground. revolution isn’t some big fight that just comes to you and fixes things. it’s every day, in everything you do. what have we gotten out of voting blue on the national level? roe v wade being codified? no. freeing kids in cages? no. police reform? no. material support being removed from israel? no. higher minimum wage? no. all of these are things that individual states have managed to accomplish, when people on the ground band together and fight. and quite frankly, neolibs don’t fight when there’s a democrat in office! you think all the work is done after you’ve gotten someone elected, and now it’s “back to brunch!!!” and “business as usual can resume”.

the thing about all of you doomsday soothsayers talking about the end of the world coming when we don’t vote blue is that actually, we are the only ones who can change anything. the reason they want you to go “through the right channels” is because the people in charge CONTROL THOSE CHANNELS. the higher up you go, the more bureaucracy and corruption you have to fight through, and those places are much more likely to change you than you are to change them. sure, it might make it a little easier to push if there’s a democrat as, idk, president or whatever, but it won’t make the work any less long or tedious. put in the fucking work, and watch change happen.

listen i am not american. i understand that even democrats fucking suck and its a genuinely shitty situation to be in. im so sorry. but hey, hey look at me. why are you guys bullying people for saying "you should still vote blue?" Like im curious about the alternatives youve got. voting red? firebombing walmart? tumblr user catboyssepticbutthole, i know you will not be firebombing walmart.