#barbie is the last culturally significant thing i feel like

[snoopysfriendwoodstock]

since “easy a” have the 2010s-2020s made ANYTHING culturally significant in the teen movie/chick flick category? its so bizarre how we don’t have a culture anymore. we have a culture that’s desperately commenting on/trying to return to the culture of 15-20 years ago.

[fashionbyf]

Is there a difference between an icon and a trademark? What the Summer 2023 Barbie fashion party might tell us…

Well, summer is almost over, and, unless you’ve been on Mars (scratch that- you probably could have seen the sea of pink from space!), you’ve had or you've at least been living in the greater context of a Barbie-filled summer. You might have mixed feelings about this. As Vanessa Friedman put it, you might be “all pinked out” and never want to see another piece of Barbie-merch in your life. On the other hand, you might be like the countless other people celebrating the Barbie movie’s empowering message(s), its musical number for Ken, or just reveling in the fact that a film helmed by a woman director made over 1 billion at the box office. Whichever camp you fall into, there is one aspect of our Barbie-filled summer which has made all this celebrating, critique, and dress-up possible: intellectual property and, we might even say, its limits. 

A central part of Margot Robbie’s promotion of the Barbie film has centered on how lucrative and full of potential the Barbie-world IP was/is; on how Robbie knew this while negotiating with Mattel and during the production of the film. As VOGUE reported in its Summer 2023 issue, Robbie observed, “The word [Barbie] itself is more globally recognized than practically everything else other than Coca-Cola.” (p. 82). And this emphasis on leveraging global recognition through Barbie’s IP fit Mattel’s own conception of itself as a company. As Ynon Kreiz, Mattel’s CEO, told The New York Times Magazine, “We used to think of ourselves and present ourselves as a manufacturing company…The specialty was: We make items. Now we are an I.P. company that is managing franchises.” (p. 26) But there is something important buttressing Kreiz’s characterization of Mattel as a company focused not on tangible products or items for sale but on the IP that makes those products/items possible: the cultural meaning of Barbie. Central in management’s mind is “[t]hat Barbie is not a toy; she is a pop-culture icon. That she does not have customers; she has fans. If you take that seriously, it outlines how to proceed. An icon who wants to stay at the center of the culture can’t keep putting out the same old thing and suing anyone who riffs on it. She has to stay current.”

And this points to a tension- and a question- that has implicitly animated and informed each one of our reactions, interpretations, and emulation of Barbie this summer. What is the difference between an icon and perhaps the strongest part of Mattel’s Barbie IP arsenal, a trademark? Does managing a cultural icon automatically mean a strong trademark on the market, or does having a cultural icon in your arsenal require ceding some proverbial trademark ground to your consumers or even to the public at large?  

An icon is defined in a myriad of ways: it can be “a person or thing widely admired especially for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere”; an “emblem or symbol”, a sign, pictorial representation or image; or “a representation of sacred events or especially of a sacred individual (such as Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a saint) used as an object of veneration or a tool for instruction.” (For this last definition, I wouldn’t go so far as to compare Barbie to a saint, but the characterization of Barbie as a sacred individual is apt- haven’t we been venerating her since our childhoods? There may also be more to say about the woman/Virgin Mary/Barbie female triangle, but I digress…) The definition of “iconic” the adjective places even more emphasis on influence and significance and symbolism. Iconic is defined as “very famous or popular, especially being considered to represent particular opinions or a particular time”; “showing a relationship between the form of a sign, such as a word or a symbol, and its meaning”; and “of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an icon.”  Complicating our common understanding of icon and iconic, however, is its ubiquitous use in, to name just a few, 

the titles of creative works (looking forward to binge-watching what VOGUE deems “four iconic supers” in the Apple TV miniseries “The Supermodels” as I currently lose myself in PBS’ “Iconic America”) 

marketing campaigns (I’m looking at you Fendi and the “iconic shape” of the Baguette not to mention less luxury fair like JCrew’s “iconic Edie bag”)

and on TikTok (Sophia Richie Grainge dancing to “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous” sung by her brother-in-law was “iconic”), which we might even count as everyday conversation….

In some ways the definition of a trademark chooses a slice of the definition of an icon/iconic, protecting or extending a legal right to police the relationship between a sign and its meaning, which may include influence and fame. We might say that a trademark right effectively extends a legal right to the owner of a trademark to police the relationship between a word, name, symbol, or design and a specific message that it conveys to consumers- who produces the goods to which the mark is applied. And ideally this should not extend to who produces the ideas within the goods. As the holding in the Dastar case outlined “origin” in the phrase “origin of the goods” should not extend to “the person or entity that originated the ideas or communications that ‘goods’ embody or contain” but rather to “the producer of the tangible product sold in the marketplace” including “the actual producer, but also the trademark owner who commissioned or assumed responsibility for (“stood behind”) production of the physical product.” (p. 31- 32) Of course, trademark law also encompasses a number of other meanings and messages beyond who the producer of goods is, including who has sponsored or who is affiliated with the product. And with a claim like trademark dilution that goes beyond the concept of consumer confusion, trademark law (or, we might say trademark owner(s)) are arguably trying to claim a larger piece of the pie of meanings, messages, and symbolisms that exist between culture and commerce in their marks. And this should come as no surprise given the increasing role that managers of brands see themselves playing in culture. And as fashion, culture, and heritage continue to cross-pollinate (see the latest teasers and campaign for Fall/Winter 2023 Ferragamo fashion which showcase images of cultural properties and artwork in the Uffizi), we might more seriously consider reading fashion brands’ cease-and-desist letters and actions to police their trademarks in a wider cultural lens. 

Do brands have a responsibility to police their marks while allowing for remixing, uses beyond those that are fair under the law, and even, perhaps, creations that may be trademark uses but communicate messages with which the brand would disagree (I'm looking at you Hermès)? And, to challenge Justice Scalia’s assumption, do consumers “who bu[y] a branded product… [at times]...assume that the brand-name company is the same entity that came up with the idea for the product, or designed the product”, especially if there is a marketing campaign that equates the producer or designer with the creation and dissemination of ideas embedded in the product? (p. 32) And might we, as consumers, care about who came up with the idea for a product as part of the meanings we identify with a trademark? The fact that we in fact do care might be the very reason we are so obsessed with authenticity on the fashion market in the first place.   

The question of whether icon=trademark, or how these two terms overlap in a Venn diagram like space, is rife for more research and analysis (and is the topic of an academic paper I am currently finishing- full disclosure!). And there are some indications that “iconic” is doing potentially heavy lifting to convince judges and examiners that a brand has a strong mark, that a design has obtained secondary meaning, or is famous. In the VIP v. Jack Daniels opinion, iconic was used to describe the Jack Daniels mark at issue (“VIP sells products mimicking Jack Daniel's iconic marks and trade dress that mislead consumers….”) and Jack Daniels was described as only one of many “iconic brands” founded in the 19th century, among them Campbell’s Soup (pre-Warhol!), Quaker Oats, and Coca-Cola. (p. 3, 9-10). An early empirical observation that iconic is being imported into the application of trademark’s likelihood of confusion test and even into dilution actions raises questions about what legal weight we should give “iconic”, as a normative question (if we give it any weight at all). But there are some takeaways we might already observe about similarities and differences between icons and trademarks from our collective Summer 2023 Barbie fashion party. And central to those takeaways is the fact that we do seem to care about the ideas contained within the Barbie marks, whether registered or not. (For a deeper dive into Barbie's registered trademarks, and Barbie Pink as not yet registered in the United States see Rachael Dickson's great and informative videos and tweets).

First, “iconic” has been part of the Barbie marketing campaign, especially during Margot Robbie’s red carpet re-interpretations of Barbie’s celebrated looks and fashion magazine’s editorials commenting on these re-interpretations (we might even call them copies). As Glamour put it “There’s no way we will ever forget how iconic all of Margot Robbie’s Barbie looks have been…” Side by side comparisons between Robbie’s iconic looks and the “iconic Barbie dolls that inspired them” beg the question of what meaning iconic has here. Are Robbie’s outfits iconic because they point back to the iconic Barbie outfit, thereby making consumers think of Mattel even though Mattel did not make the outfit Robbie is wearing? While some of Robbie’s outfits approximate Barbie’s outfits very closely (see Day to Night Barbie, 1985 compared to Robbie in a Versace Day to Night replica) others repeat a pink and gingham pattern in more freely inspired looks designed by Prada and Chanel, among others (I’m thinking of you two, Quick Curl Barbie, 1973 and Barbie Movie Barbie, 2023). What exactly is the symbol here within the fashion that is “iconic” of Barbie? If it is the entire outfit or design, iconic-icity might run up against the doctrine of functionality in trademark law if we were to contemplate whether the outfit/design could function as a trademark. If it is a combination of colors or the pink and gingham pattern, how do we conceive of secondary meaning in this case, especially when fashion brands known for using those colors or the color pattern in question have helped to create the outfit beyond the category of toys and in clothing? And Robbie’s outfits naturally bring Barbie’s outfits into 2023, with all the contemporary style and timeliness that implies (crimped hair aside, in this Pucci look, the headband was a no go). If a contemporary fashion outfit worn by Robbie is iconic of Barbie and indicates Mattel as its origin, what is the icon and what type of origin are we talking about? Is the icon/sign the idea of Barbie and the origin the cultural meanings we have caught up in the particular Barbies Robbie is citing? Or, is the icon/sign to which Robbie’s outfit is referring the particular Barbie doll product in its tangible form and the origin Mattel as a producer?  With what would consumers say they most associate these contemporary fashion outfits? Is the answer Barbie the doll, Barbie the idea, or even, perhaps, Barbie the movie? 

Complicating the question of what is the icon in Robbie’s replications of Barbie’s outfits are the added IP layers that the fashion brand collaborators bring to the table. Mattel’s multiple collaborations with fashion brands have blurred the lines between brand icons and Barbie icons. A whole fashion editorial team at VOGUE seems dedicated to spotting how fashion and luxury brands have referenced their own archives while catering to the Barbie universe (consider Valentino’s 1993 polka dots). Collaborations with still other, more commercial fashion brands and companies- a Barbie rug!-  might seem to make Mattel’s trademarks more or just as recognizable as those of the fashion brand or other company with which it is partnering. Consider the Gap x Barbie collab described by Gap as “a new collaboration of modern icons.” Here, the word Barbie and Gap are prominent, and the color pink (whether in the Barbie Pink Pantone color or not) may only help to make these products particularly Barbie association prone. At the same time, however, collabs with brands that have historically used similar colors to Barbie Pink or that are now known on the market for their presence on a pink or Barbiecore aesthetic spectrum risk subsuming consumers’ identification of Mattel as the source of these products. Instyle may have said that “Greta Gerwig’s hot pink Valentino look at the Barbie premiere was MADE for this moment” but which comes first in consumers’ minds when they see Gerwig in this outfit at the Barbie premiere- Valentino the brand, Mattel the producer of Barbie, the idea of and the creative product generated by Barbie, or even more general emotional feelings linked to pink?  

Of course, informing the question of what exactly is the relationship between icon and trademark in the context of the cultural and commercial Barbie universe is the fact that the more we dress up as Barbie, think pink, and embrace Barbiecore, the more cultural power we give to Barbie and to its producer Mattel. The more we have the freedom to dress in Barbie Pink to attend the Barbie movie (whether or not we buy and wear a dress or accessory created through a licensing deal with Mattel) the more iconic – very famous or popular –  Barbie may become in our minds. We might think Barbie when we see any shade of pink, any pink polka dots, any pink and white gingham. But thinking Barbie does not necessarily mean thinking Mattel, and this is where Kreiz’s plan to manage Barbie as a pop-culture icon and not a toy comes full circle for the company's, but not necessarily the public’s, benefit. Expanding its presence from products on the market to ideas contained in films and music progressively expands Mattel’s IP portfolio and its presence in the minds of consumers whether the product they are selling benefits from IP rights or not. Even if the validity of a trademark right in a Barbie doll fashion design or Barbie Pink is questionable, it might not matter so much if everyone if wearing Barbie colors, watching Barbie the movie, and talking about the cultural meanings and gender roles contained in the idea of Barbie herself and the movie about her. In other words, icons might mean strong trademark rights on the market in certain circumstances, but having an icon and managing it “at the center of the culture” might lessen concerns about managing third party uses of marks in commerce at a more general level. And in this sense, culture might trump commerce or, at the very least, commercial might become cultural, and vice versa.  

Further Reading

Kate Spade LLC v. Wolv, Inc., Opposition No. 91241442, TTAB, April 25, 2022 

In re Max Mara Fashion Group S.r.l., Application Serial No. 87786944, TTAB, February 12, 2020 

Nike, Inc. v. Honest E Online LLC, Opposition No. 91254139, TTAB, April 20, 2021 

Cartier International A.G. v. Lance Coachman, Opposition No. 91209815, TTAB

Chanel, Inc. v. Camacho & Camacho, LLP, Opposition No. 91229126, TTAB, January 12, 2018 

Marc Fisher LLC v. Bottega Veneta, Opposition No. 9121425314 

In re Bottega Veneta International S.a.r.l., Serial No. 77219184, TTAB, September 30, 2013

TESS, Registration Number 4527371, Registration Date May 13, 2014

The Coca-Cola Company v. Robert Troy Hoff, Opposition No. 91244286, TTAB, May 14, 2021

“Hello Barbie” in VOGUE Summer 2023

Willa Paskin, “Plastic Fantastic” in The New York Times Magazine, July 16, 2023 

Dastar Corp. v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. et al., 539 U. S. 23, 31 (2003)

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-08-04/beyond-being-feminist-barbie-preaches-more-kenpathy

https://ruggable.com/collections/barbie-rugs-and-doormats?gclid=CjwKCAjw5_GmBhBIEiwA5QSMxCjYs2t9St9CvS8bYIWzBF8SPGbcONfjR_4rrZ-Aodu1FvyyG8gqmhoCJoMQAvD_BwE

Jeanne Fromer, "Against Secondary Meaning",  98 Notre Dame L. Rev. 211 (2022), https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/ndlr/vol98/iss1/4/#:~:text=The%20dangers%20of%20enshrining%20secondary,meaning%20creates%20which%20hurt%20smaller

Graeme Dinwoodie, "Trademark Law as a Normative Project" (forthcoming in the Singapore Journal of Legal Studies)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ®️achael Dickson (@tudorsandtms)

Images

From references above and screen shots from Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

[crymeariveronceagain]

Any Team Valiant headcanons?

oh for sure!

it's the cool kids club!!! Dex has never been more thrilled. He's never been in any sort of exclusive thing that this is just a whole new world for the kid and he loves it. He will even tolerate Stina, as long as he's part of a cool kids club. He's going to gloat about how he's a part of it and Keefe and Fitz weren't forever though. He's only a teenage boy.

Keefe is actually relieved to not be involved. He played it up so that people would think he cared, but honestly, the poor kid has so much on his plate that the last thing he needs is more to do. So this kid is so so so so so happy that he's got more freedom than anyone else in this group. He does feel kind of bad for Sophie, though. It's not her fault she's the moonlark and has to be involved with everything.

Biana is so thrilled to be somewhere on her own without her brother that she jumps, both feet first, into the mess of Team Valiant. She makes them cloaks, and they have excessive sequins, and they read "Screw you, we're the Best" on the back.

Wylie is the only one with a significant amount of brain cells. Thank you for coming to my ted talk. Stina also has a brain cell. But only one.

None of these other idiots have any brain power whatsoever. If you leave them alone with each other, yes. Everything will be on fire. The council made a mistake in who it appointed. They should not have made Sophie the leader. Sophie has no brain functionality at this point. She speaks only in vine references and the council has been fruitlessly taking notes every meeting. No one knows what she's saying. Dex nods along though, so clearly there is some sort of meaning. Probably.

Marella is pissed as hell that she ain't on this team. She's the one who wants to change everything about the government, she's the one who's got opinions. She's read every single text on politics, searched through every library in the lost cities, and some in the forbidden cities, reading everything she can about government and government reform. The council had once mentioned this idea and she'd turned in an essay about why she should be on this team. They said she "wasn't what they were looking for."

Somewhere, in her chest, she knows that they kept her out of it because she's a pyrokinetic. She knows for all the council's progress, they still don't give a darn about their people. This is for looks, she says to herself, curled up in a bundle of blankets. "They don't want to change, they don't want to fix things. Not really. Why aren't there talentless? Why isn't there a pyrokinetic? If they want change so badly, why won't they change?" Linh pats her back, softly. "I know," she whispers. "I see it, too."

There's a group hail. Every meeting, as Councilor Emery is saying his bland line about listening and adapting, Sophie, like clockwork, sends this meme:

Emery doesn't know why no one takes him seriously anymore.

Grady doesn't like it. He will not expand on why he doesn't like it, but his eyes always seem to catch on the way his daughter sags, her whole being exhausted, whenever she comes home from one of the meetings.

One meeting, however, was devoted solely to introducing the council to movies. Dex and Biana both agreed that Barbie movies would be the best place to start. Sophie's request for Harry potter was turned down because of the level at which they require background information. That was a fun meeting. Keefe would probably have been sad to miss Bronte crying over the ending of Barbie in The Nutcracker.

Contrary to popular belief, Sophie is a terrible strategist. Her ideas consist of, "I had a dream about talking rats, I think we should look into that a bit more." and then she goes down a researching hole and comes back from the council's library a day later knowing far too much about rats and underground cultures. She will then say that the best way to defeat the Neverseen is befriend the rats, and Stina will sigh and take her home for the day because this girl got no sleep last night and she's got bags the size of dinner plates under her eyes.

Wylie is actually the best strategist. The thing is, he does not and will not ever trust the council. Growing up with Tiergan, knowing that the council took his parents from him, ruined his biological father's life, and by extension his own, has hardened him. He almost doesn't want the council to succeed. He occasionally debates arson during meetings, and contemplates how easy it would be to simply burn things down.

The Team officially disbands after the Black Swan defeat the Neverseen. Because, you know the council really didn't do much. The council still has all the power in the government, but no one knows that they were saved by a group of "terrorists" who were granted official immunity in the eyes of the law. Forkle grinned. Legal immunity was a dangerous thing to give anyone, especially him.

They meet on Tuesdays, even after the war is over, and have dinner at the Ruewen's house. It's a fun time. Like, it's a mess, but it's fun. It's low key, calm, and Sophie can talk about the newest thing she's been researching without trying to fit it into a battle plan. Wylie talks about all the things that could have been fixed openly, trusting the people he's around. Stina and Dex bicker constantly, clearly trying to avoid the romantic tension between them. Biana hugs Sophie tight, and she shows off her latest projects, and wears her favorite dresses.

Grady smiles. This is what these kids should have had from the beginning. Carrying their entire generation never should have been on their shoulders.

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #190

“i haven’t slept since i woke up.”

Do you prefer your nails long or short? Why? Short. It's annoying how long ones tap when I type and such. Are you still in touch with your best friend from high school? No. Have you ever visited any celebrity gravesites? No. How do you feel about archaeology? Cool as shit. What are your thoughts on gun control? Don't outlaw them, but make them much harder to obtain. Have you ever had an exotic pet? Do snakes and lizards count? Have you ever had to block people online for harassing you? Yes. What kind of socks do you prefer to wear? (Crew, ankle, knee, etc) Idk, the normal ones. Are you friends with anybody you didn’t like at first? I'm dating her lmao. What is your favorite thing to do on The Sims? Don't play it. Have you dyed your hair more than once (and different colors)? Yup. Which hair color you’ve had has been your favorite? Red or purple. Your favorite place to be aside from your home? Sara's house. If you were stupid-rich, would you ever actually want a mansion? Omg no. Did you ever sit alone at lunch in school? I did that a lot. Did random people come sit with you to try to be nice? I don't believe so. Do you know anybody who puts ketchup on their mac n cheese? Probably, and they need to be arrested. What is your least favorite beverage? Out of everything I've ever tasted, some kind of white wine. Any old home remedies you use when you’re sick? The classic sipping on ginger ale. When was the last time you wore a full face of makeup? Forever ago for a picture. Do you own an iPad? No. What’s the most hours you’ve worked in a week? N/A Do you believe in karma? No. What’s an achievement you hope to see humanity accomplish in your lifetime? See great improvement in the health of the ozone and see the work put towards conservation beginning to show well. Do you have a difficult time relating to other’s emotions? NOPE. Have you ever bathed in a river or a lake? No. Have you ever had a dream in which you died? Yes. What was your favorite school subject when you were in middle school? Science. Do you wish vampires existed? um no the fuck At the moment what is your favorite song? I'm on a "Stressed Out" by TOP thing. Have you ever been pantsed? No. Do you keep up with pop culture? No. Did you ever like barbies? Do you currently like barbies? Not especially, but I played with them if my sis or friends wanted to. I've no interest in them now. What turns you off in the opposite sex? Everyone fancies the opposing sex??????????? That's news to me. But whatever, arrogance, for one. What kind of gum do you chew most often? Your favorite flavor? Probably uh... really idk. I don't buy it and will just take what someone offers. My fave flavor is watermelon or strawberry. What’s your favorite hit song right now? I have noooo clue what's hot rn. Well, I heard "High Hopes" by P!atD on the radio not too long ago, which I adore. Do you ever ask random questions to see people’s reactions? No. Do you like to people watch? Not particularly. Are you a very patient type of person? NO. NO. N-O. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. What’s your favorite element? (fire, water, air) Fireee. Do you have a Zwinky? IMVU? No. Have you ever had a Neopets? Yesssss, my computer addiction began there lmao. When you were younger didn’t you just love Pokemon? ADDICT. Do you currently love Pokemon? YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Have you ever been to a wild party? No. How many friends do you have on Myspace? Hell if I know. Are you one of those people who get car sick? No. Have you ever gotten sea sick? No, but I've never been out on the ocean for long. Do you put on a robe when it’s cold? Don't have one. Has anyone ever told you that you & your significant other could be siblings? Have they ever assumed you were siblings? Mom's called us twins like a million times. Idk if anyone's assumed that. Have you ever attempted origami? Are you good at it? Do you enjoy it? What’s your favorite origami to make? No. Are you more likely to like someone before you really know them, or do you feel you like them more after you know a lot about them? Hmmmm, I suppose this depends on what I learn about the person. Do you buy people cards on special occasions, or do you prefer to make your own? WELP I don't make my own money and tbh I'm too much of a lazy shit to make them. Don’t you hate when people say that you & them should get together, but they don’t even make the effort to? I can't speak here, I do it too. Social anxiety holds me back from trying to plan things. Where on your body was the last cramp you had? Why did you have this cramp? Uhhhh probably my lower abdomen because female with a sadly operating uterus. Do you get embarrassed when people hear you sing/compliment you on your singing ability? If so, why is that? YES. Idk why. Do you own one of those singing fish? Do you think they are silly or funny? No, but they make me chuckle now bc of that video of a broken one channeling Satan. Have you ever caught someone stealing from you? Did you confront them? No. When was the last time you prepared extensively for something? Did your preparation pay off? Ha, first trip to Sara's... I WAY overpacked. Have you ever had a crush on a teacher/professor? Did you act on your feelings? No. Have you ever experienced culture shock? Not seriously. Going to Illinois, Chicago in specific, was incredibly different for me, but I wouldn't classify it as "shock." How did you discover your greatest passion? Y'know I'm not even totally sure what my greatest one is. Do you believe that all art is political? No????? Have you ever had a conversation with a cab driver? Never even been in a cab. Do you have any shirts from vacation/tourist locations? Not anymore. Do you know anyone who has never read the HP books? Who? *cautiously raises hand* Do you ever visit your mall’s arcade (if it has one)? Doesn't have one. Our mall is literal shit. If you lost the use of your limbs, would you still want to live? NOPE please fucking kill me. Not even an exaggeration. What’s your absolute favorite topic to discuss? M-M-M-Mark. :') Though odds are I'd be shy talking about him because I am quite obviously not just a "yeah he's cool" fan okay I get self-conscious. What is your least favorite topic to discuss? Economics. What is your opinion on psychics? Real, or fake? Fake. How would you rank your “class participation” in school? Normal? I asked questions if I really needed help, I'd sometimes answer questions or help read aloud, stuff like that. Have you ever cut your own hair? How about anyone else’s? No to both. What is the last thing you asked your parents to purchase for you? Fast food lunch. What is your favorite kind of lunch meat? Ham. Have you ever been confined to a wheelchair? No, thankfully. If you have a job, who’s your closest friend at work? N/A Do you have any exercise equipment in your home? Very few things. Were your parents born in the same country they now live in? Yes. How many living grandparents do you still have? One. Have you ever heard people having sex in the next room? Yes, or at least pretty sure. Have you ever been on a strict diet and exercise regime? Diet, no, but I stuck to a serious exercise plan during one summer. Do you have a favorite author? No. How long do you usually take in the shower? Not even ten minutes. Get my shit done and get out. Have you ever worked in an office? No. What is your favorite way to eat rice? Fried. Have you ever been in serious trouble at work or school? No. Have you ever kissed anyone under the mistletoe? Yes. What’s one unusual little thing that you really enjoy? Uhhhh. What’s the biggest bruise you’ve ever had? Not sure. Is there anything that people always tell you that you should do? Become an artist or publish writings. Have you ever broken up with someone and then regretted it later? No. What’s the background picture on your phone? Do you change it a lot? Lock screen is meerkat pups cuddling, home screen is Sara kissing my cheek. :') Have you ever taken someone back, who ended up just hurting you again? Not in a romantic sense. How do you feel about shaved pubes? No opinion. Can young people fall in love? If not, why not? Absolutely, I did. What’s your opinion on masturbation? Do it if you so feel the need, but not at all for me. Those experiences are exclusive to me and my partner. What is your favorite Queen song? ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM obviously "Bohemian Rhapsody"??????????????? Have you ever “spoken” to any celebrities via Twitter? No. Do you eat cereal bars? No. Do you know any immigrants? Off the top of my head, only an illegal family. Have you ever lived in university or college accommodation before? No. If you haven’t already, are you scared of leaving home? If you have, do you like it? I'm both nervous but keen to. Do you know how to look after yourself away from home? (budget, pay bills, feed yourself, cook, clean, do laundry etc.) ^ this is why I'm nervous lmao. If you could only eat one vegetable for a year (not including potatoes) what would it be? Broccoli. Do you have a certain routine in the bath or shower? What is it? Shave, wash hair, use my facial scrub, and then body wash. Do you prefer chicken burgers or beef burgers? Beef. Would you ever eat kangaroo steak? No. What’s the weirdest meat you’ve ever eaten? Nothing too odd. Is there a chalkboard or whiteboard anywhere in your house? There's a whiteboard in the kitchen. Do you like dried fruit at all? What’s your favorite type? NO. Who lives across the street from you? Nobody; there's a field there. When you were in college, where was the coolest place to hang out? N/A Who did you go to prom with? Jason. What was your first vehicle’s name? Never had my own car, wouldn't name it either. What was the name of the first person you ever had a crush on? Why did you like them? Dylan. I thought he was cool and funny and at that age found him god-tier hot lmao. What do you think you cook or bake the best? Just scrambled eggs. Have you considered running for president? Definitely not. How old is the most expired item in your fridge? Idk??? If I was aware something in there was expired, I'd throw it out. What’s the saddest song you’ve ever heard? "Hurt." Johnny Cash's cover absolutely ramps up the emotional aura to it tenfold. How about the sweetest song? "Here For You" by Ozzy Osbourne. How many bones have you broken? None. Have you ever won anything? Big or small? Yeah. Small things, but I consider the SH:R things to be pretty damn big personally. If you could buy one material thing, and money was not an issue, what would it be? Front row tickets for Mom to Metallica. Concert is the end of this month, and after seeing her lose her fucking mind in ecstatic tears upon finding out they were coming, I'm legitimately depressed for her that we're missing it. What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Sashimi. What’s the best way to comfort you when you’re having a really terrible day? Watch some of my favorite Mark videos, listen to the SOTC or SH2 soundtracks, bring me my favorite Reese's bar, ha. Has anything/anyone ever saved your life before? Yes. Jason first, then the partial hospitalization program as a whole, Mom, and two of my medications. What is one thing you’re embarrassed to admit you want to try? Hm. I guess a vibrator lmao. What is the most important memory you have and why? Realizing I could live *happily* without Jason. Obvious why that's important. Which famous person would you like to be BFFs with? Shane Dawson is my Dad. Is there something you wish you had said sorry for but never did? To certain people. Are you embarrassed by your school yearbook photos? I literally only remember liking one lmao. Who taught you to tie your shoelaces? Mom and Dad both. Do you think dimples are cute? YEAH What’s something you used to collect when you were younger? Stickers, then to a less degree seashells. At one point of your life, have you been obsessed with dinosaurs or robots? I was craaaaaaaazy about dinosaurs as a kid. I still love them. What was the last thing you cooked on the stove? Scrambled eggs back when Sara was here in June... lmao. Have you ever not canceled plans and wished you had? Probably. What is something you were scared of as a kid? Animatronics. Still not a fan. Would you rather write a story or a poem? I'll actually finish a poem. But I mean our RP is a really just a big-ass story and I write for it way more than anything. Are you moving soon? No. Do you get nervous around the opposite gender? Always. This fear of men thing's gotta go. Did you ever have a ‘security blanket’ when you were younger? Yes, a stuffed bunny hugging a little polka-dot blanket. What is your lucky charm? Don't have one. What time does your dad usually wake up in the morning? Well, I don't live with him. But he's a mailman, and if his schedule's the same as it was when my parents were together, early. Name the craziest moment of your life: I guess it depends on your definition of "crazy." But I suppose the night of the breakup when I left the house in the dead of night to walk to his house to talk as Mom wouldn't take me. It's a seven minute drive so would've taken a long time to get there, but I didn't care. Mom eventually went after me and kept cutting my path off with the car until I just collapsed sobbing. That was a fucking ordeal. I wouldn't wish that night on anyone. Do you want to travel? YES. Do you plan on having children? No. Who did you last say I love you to? Sara. Do your parents actually knock on your door before entering your room? Mom, no. Dad did. What can’t you wait for? "Can't wait," idk, but I'm looking forward to my birthday. Do you have a bad temper? No. It's hard to make me mad. What brand of digital camera do you own? Nikon. Have you ever seen a Broadway show in New York? No. Are you listening to music right now? "Angel Eyes" by New Years Day ft. Chris Motionless. When was the last time you were told you were cute? I have no clue. Have you ever wished to be an Internet celebrity? How about a ‘real’ one? No. Have you ever been kayaking? No. Do you care overly about other people? Some. What is your favorite family tradition? We don't even have any anymore, it seems. Do you make friends easily? No; I'm way, way too reserved and shy. Do you make enemies easily? Or do you not have any enemies at all? I'd like to think I don't have any. Do you think its likely that humans will go extinct in the next 1000 years? No. Eh, maybe, if we do nothing about royally fucking up the environment. If you have tattoos, how long have you had them? Uhhhh I got my first for my 18th birthday, idr how old my second is, "ohana" is like, two years old or something, my fourth is a year old, Sara's tattoo is from last June, and my latest one was a good few months ago. How old are your next-door neighbors? All I know is elderly. I've never even seen the ones on the other side of us. What did your family usually do for Easter when you were a kid? Easter egg baskets, the egg hunt, and church. What’s the largest bug you’ve ever found in your house? Omg probably this long-ass centipede that was on my door at our old house. Have you ever bought a YouTuber’s merch? BITCH you bet I will be decked the fuck out when I have my own source of income. I never ask on Christmas or my birthday 'cuz it's embarrassing lmao. Pick a flavor: pumpkin or apple? Apple. Do you think oatmeal tastes better when made with water or milk? I only eat it with milk. It sucks with water. What is the best type of donut? Glazed or original. Have you ever left a note in a library book? No. What time of day do you prefer to wash your hair? Night. If you go to church, what is your favorite thing about it? N/A ^and what is your least favorite thing about it? Literally almost all preachers whose services I've been to like yell. Chill. You can be passionate without screaming and scaring me. Would you ever film a YouTube video with no make-up on and messy hair? Messy hair, no, but maybe no makeup. What’s your favorite movie that you remember seeing in the theater? Silent Hill: Revelation 'cuz it was the only movie I've ever watched it 3D. Have you ever had a pet rock? HAHA YES. Do you own a bobblehead? No. What is your favorite tattoo that you’ve seen? OH MAN DON'T ASK ME THIS. I absolutely adore those by Brando Chiesa, tho. Determined to have one by him one day aaaahhhh. What is something you have too many of? T-shirts. Do you have any disabilities? No. What are five of your favorite stores at the mall? Hot Topic, Spencer's, one would be Victoria's Secret if I actually FIT IN THEY CUTE-ASS SHIT, and uh. That's like it. When was the last time you went to Michael’s? Foreeeeeeeeever ago. Ours closed years ago. What is your least favorite chore? Washing dishes. Do you organize your clothes by color? No. What was the last thing you made with your own hands? Does a drawing count?? Have you ever been to a psychic/tarot reader? No. What is the kindest thing you have ever done? Maybe donate a shitload of my hair to charity. I really did almost become teary-eyed when I learned it was truly used. What holiday should exist but doesn’t? It'd be nice to have a day centered around learning about mental illnesses and celebrating survivors of them more than usual, I just don't really know how. What holiday shouldn’t exist but does? Idk. I have holidays where I'm bothered that the meaning was warped, but. If you had to choose would you live on the equator or at the North Pole? The North Pole. What do you think makes someone a hero? People looking up to you for doing genuine good. What cartoon would you like to be a character in? Pokemon. Are you a coupon clipper? Mom is for food. If you could pick one food that you could eat all you wanted but it would have no effect on how much you weigh, what food would it be? REESE'S HUNNY What are your parents interested in? Mom: Surgeries/medical operations and bodily stuff, art, helping people (children in particular), psychology, etc. Dad: Hockey, football, golf, fishing, that kinda stuff. Have you ever caught and tamed a wild animal? No. When do you feel your life energy the strongest? "Life energy?" Not too sure what that means. I guess I feel most "alive" when I'm out in nature witnessing natural beauties, like waterfalls or shooting stars, or driving through the mountains. You are spending the night alone in the woods and may bring only 3 items with you. What do you bring? My cell phone (but keep it off unless needed), a knife, and... I'm not sure. I would say camera or book, but seeing as I'm there at night... OH. DUH. A flashlight so I wouldn't drain my phone's battery using its.

[runstrong4aiy]

Toys for Tribes 2018: Spreading Toys and Joy Throughout Indian Country this Christmas

Throughout the year, Running Strong distributes the necessities of a healthy life – backpacks filled with school supplies to help kids excel in school, winter coats and boots to keep kids warm during the winter, and dental kits to improve oral health.

Several years ago, we decided expand on what we already do and help bring Christmas cheer to Native communities by distributing toys during the holidays.

Today, “Toys for Tribes” remains a vital part of our Inkind program – along with ensuring that hundreds of families have a turkey on the table and all the trimmings that go with a holiday meal.

And thanks to our supporters, these are just a few of the upcoming Christmas events that they are guaranteeing to put smiles on the faces of hundreds of Native children throughout Indian Country:

Brushy Cherokee Action Association

At the Brushy Cherokee Action Association in Sallisaw, Oklahoma preparations are being made for a festive holiday celebration for 150 families to include a big Christmas dinner, holiday music and a present for every child.

“The Brushy community is poverty-stricken and with this grant we hope to help families with a healthy meal, a gift and the memory of having special holidays,” says president Gary Bolin, adding that many of these children come from large families whose parents are simply not able to provide gifts for their children.

“This program helps preserve our Native children’s interest in family activities and encourages them to accept the best of the non-Native culture,” he explained.

And it goes much beyond the simple joy of receiving a present on Christmas as children who have attended previous holiday programs gain an understanding of the truism that it’s better to give than receive.

“It taught them to want to give back and help others,” said Gary, adding that the holiday event will help the children achieve their goal of giving back and becoming volunteers “and grow as the community grows.”

And the overarching accomplishment of a seemingly simple holiday party and a gift or two from Santa?

“To reach the goal of letting families in our community know that they are important and that they matter,” Gary told us. “That each child knows they are special to learn what being part of a community really feels like, and its true meaning.”

Through the generosity of our supporters, we are able to do that and more.

“We are so grateful for all the opportunities provided to us by Running Strong for American Indian Youth®. Your overwhelming assistance to our community has been so inspirational to all of us, and it has made us a much more significant influence within our community, and with the Cherokee Nation.”

Summit Youth Holiday Gift Project

In Summit, South Dakota, the Summit Youth Holiday Gift Project will provide nearly 200 Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate children on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation with a gift and will supply each classroom in the Summit School District with holiday goodies to enjoy together.

“Many of our families cannot afford to purchase gifts for their children around the holidays,” said Becky Hubsch, the school district’s business manager and a former Running Strong Dreamstarter mentor. “This leaves many children left out, and can set a negative tone in development for the upcoming year.”

But the supporters of Running Strong are making a big difference in the lives of Lake Traverse children, says Becky.

“The past three years with the help of Running Strong for American Indian Youth® we were able to provide a gift for every child!” she told us. “This continues to be an amazing thing to witness – all the children so happy and thankful for what they received.

“Our children in our community are our biggest assets that we should be investing in,” she continued. “Even though Running Strong for American Indian Youth is thousands of miles away, you still care whole-heartedly for our children back here in South Dakota.

“You help show love, acknowledgement, and provide joy for those who might not receive those basic needs. Thank you for being a great partner with our community and investing in our children!”

Indian Youth of America

In Sioux City, Iowa, Indian Youth of America will be hosting its 38th annual Christmas Party on Dec. 15 with a private showing of holiday movie “The Grinch” for more than 300 Santee Sioux, Yankton Sioux, Ponca, Winnebago, Omaha [children] plus Native children of other tribes residing in the Siouxland area of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.

In addition to the showing, the party held at a local movie theater will include a nice gift and “goodie” sack for each child, drawing for door prizes and, of course, a visit from Santa.

“Every year we have an excellent turnout and this year we are making plans to accommodate 350 Indian children and family members,” said executive director Patricia Trudell Gordon, who started the parties 37 years ago.

“For Indian families, particularly those with several children, the added expense of the holiday season becomes a stressful and difficult time,” she said. ”Parents struggling to make ends meet have to choose between buying Christmas gifts for their children or putting food on the table and a roof over their head.

“Indian Youth of America’s Christmas Party helps to alleviate some of this stress by making sure Indian children are not forgotten during the holiday season.”

And again, it is our supporters who help make this happen year after year.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting the important work we do for Indian children.

Every year I worry about where the support will come from for another Christmas Party, which the Indian children and families are looking forward to. The holiday season is a time for celebrating, sharing, reaching out to help others and making Christmas a happier time for Indian children.

“You help us to do this.”

Christmas Winter Wonderland

In the communities of Blue Gap, Burnt Corn, Cotton Wood, Low Mountain, Many Farms, Rough Rock, Pinon, Old Tree and Black Mesa on the Navajo Nation in Chinle, Arizona, Anita Begay, president of Today We Follow – Tomorrow We Lead, is busy planning for their Christmas Winter Wonderland for 400 children from 300 families.

“The program helps the children and families that are in need,” says Anita. “There are children and families that go without every year. Mothers and fathers who can’t give to their children a warm coat, warm winter shoes and a gift on Christmas Day. With the help of Running Strong for American Indian Youth®, we can deliver these needed items to children.”

The goal of the Christmas party is “to make a child happy and full of happiness knowing that someone cares – knowing that Running Strong cares for the youth,” she said.

“Christmas is when the children are looking forward to a gift left by Santa. With the help of Running Strong, the program is able to give the children a Christmas gift from Santa – the Running Strong Santa.”

Oyate Teca Project and Tipi Waste on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

And then of course, there’s the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation where hundreds of families will receive toys for their children either through our affiliate there, the Oyate Teca Project, or from our Oglala Lakota staff at our Tipi Waste field office.

Come Christmas morning, hundreds of children on the reservation will wake up bright and early with presents under the tree just for them.

Among them will be 7-year-old Yvonne who told Santa “I have been very good this year,” and adding, “I hope I don’t get on the naughty list.” She is hoping on getting what she asked for – My Little Ponies, a unicorn, Barbies, and, of course, “food for my Barbies.”

And Luke told Santa that “I’ve been very good,” but admitted, “but sometimes my sister and brother drive me crazy.” Luke is hoping for a remote-controlled car and “some Batman toys” for Christmas.

Oyate Teca executive director and Running Strong Field Coordinator Rose Fraser told us she received more than 180 letters to Santa from children who participate in programs at its community center, and that last year’s Christmas celebration was attended by more than 660 children and their parents.

To prepare for this year’s party, to be held on December 18, Rose and staff and volunteers spent Black Friday out in the stores to get hundreds of presents – not for their families and friends, of course – but for the hundreds of children who are counting on their “Running Strong Santa.”

And at Tipi Waste, field coordinator Dave Lone Elk is preparing for another truckload of toys to be delivered to the warehouse in early-December recalling last year’s distribution where “plenty of children received plenty of happiness from the Christmas toys, as well as stayed warm with our Running Strong winter coats and snow boots!”

“My children are really happy for the presents,” reported Morris following last year’s distribution. “And I for one am thankful that ‘Santa Claus’ didn’t forget my children this year!”

And as for Dave himself, unloading truckloads of toys for kids throughout the reservation never gets old.

“We just need to keep doing what we’re doing because it is greatly appreciated…and you can most definitely see it in the children’s faces.”

[maddysacademics]

Sociology Course Findings: Week 1

-  Society is similar to the parable of the elephant and the blind men, which originates in India; 4 blind men all examine an elephant, touching one separate part each. The man at the trunk suggests an elephant is a type of tree, whereas the man at the tail suggests it’s a type of rope, etc. Sociology is like being all of the blind men: it’s about utilising every perception available to us, and considering different perspectives of other observers to conclude what society is and is like. For example, a middle class white man’s perception of society may be different from a lower class Hispanic lady, or a young Asian child, etc.

- Sociology is different from philosophy because sociologists opt to use science, research, and theory to draw conclusions, rather than opinions, which simply gives different results. These scientific studies can be quantitative (statistics) or qualitative (interviews, opinions).

- Sociology looks at agency vs structures. Structures are things like race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality etc, but also includes things like the law. Agency is how free you are to act, so someone may have more agency than another person since the structures will effect them differently

- Here are some answers to questions intended to provoke thought: “How do you react to an idea you have never heard of before? Do you whole heartedly embrace it, resist it, or evaluate each side of an argument” I think I evaluate both sides of the argument, but I think that’s what everyone hopes. In reality, I probably have biases based on who has told me this new idea; if it’s someone who I’ve historically disagreed with, then I’ll be more likely to resist it immediately, but if it’s someone I have agreed with I’m very likely to simply adopt that ideology.

-  “How do you form views on particular issues? Does your view depend on where it came from – for instance, from the media, the government, your parents, or your favourite celebrities?” Definitely not my parents or celebrities. Also not the government. No one is immune to propaganda, so it’s very likely that the media does influence my views, but I think I do a fair bit of research initially. Sometimes, I may have already researched the needed knowledge to form ideas on a completely different thing, such as knowledge about the transition of slavery into the Jim Crow Era in order to form views on race

- “How flexible are you about changing your views? When was the last time you changed your opinion about a significant issue? What made you change your mind?” I had a big political awakening over lockdown which radicalised my beliefs. Since then, I’ve politically stayed on one side of the ‘compass’. However, as I learn new information I apply it to my ideologies and see them shift.

- Thoughts on an image of a group of people in shirts reading ‘be yourself’ telling a man with no shirt that he’s a non-conformist: I think that the idea of ‘being yourself’ is a ploy of capitalism to fool you into thinking that a sense of individuality is allowed or even rewarded. Actually, society benefits specific groups, so why should people desire to ‘be yourself’ if that ‘yourself’ will be punished for being. Additionally we don’t know why the ‘non-conformist’ isn’t wearing a shirt- it could be due to class, for example, he hasn’t got money for a shirt. In this case, why would the man want to be himself when it has caused him to be an outsider and punished?

- Erving Goffman spoke about dramaturgical performance, which is essentially how we put on a performance of ourselves in different situations. I think that I act fairly similarly to everyone I know, but there are definitely differences. For example, sometimes I scream when I find something my friend said funny, I would never do this is a classroom. This suggests that the norms for a classroom is silence and a lack of self, whereas a setting with friends is about relaxation and impulsivity.

- Dietary and food norms also different between cultures- what actually makes a lamb and a dog different? Why eat one and not the other? This is all down to cultural norms; but I’m a vegetarian so it doesn’t matter! :P

- Socialisation is the process through which people are taught their structures and experience their agency, for example: girls being given Barbies, boys being given hot wheels, gay people being told their sexuality is deviant, straight people being represented in the media, etc.

- I feel that the area I lived in did advantage me when it came to picking a good school, as I live in a walking distance from an excellent primary and secondary school, as well as a train station if I wanted to attend elsewhere. 

- The norms in my social group are that no one is to make a joke at the expense of others, whereas we constantly have to put up with other social groups putting marginalised groups, often groups we identify with, at the butt of every joke.

[rechief]

Queenie McMason [Carolina]: Character Development Questions (Hard Mode)

(Courtesy of @i-see-light.)

Does your character have siblings or family members in their age group? Which one are they closest with?

Queenie is an only child. This may have had a negative impact on her development.

What is/was your character’s relationship with their mother like?

Queenie’s mother could be described as a “stay at home mom”, but more accurately, she’s the majordomo of the McMason family’s large plantation house, so she’s busy for much of the day. Nevertheless, she’s a good mother, and she and Queenie get along quite well.

What is/was your character’s relationship with their father like?

Queenie is the stereotypical papa’s girl. Her father -- a white collar lawyer -- dotes on her constantly, and she loves it.

Has your character ever witnessed something that fundamentally changed them? If so, does anyone else know?

The American Tragedy at Hope’s Horizon -- and the ensuing culture of despair -- is what led Queenie from being a mere “mean girl” to something much more sinister.

On an average day, what can be found in your character’s pockets?

Queenie’s outfits, which often feature various kinds of dresses, don’t usually have pockets -- and yet she always seems to be able to produce exactly what you need from out of nowhere.

Does your character have recurring themes in their dreams?

Queenie’s nights are usually dreamless.

Does your character have recurring themes in their nightmares?

She doesn’t tend to have nightmares at all.

Has your character ever fired a gun? If so, what was their first target?

Queenie’s father was all too keen to encourage his daughter’s burgeoning interest in firearms. She has fired guns at both target dummies (the first time) and real people (though she prefers to conduct her mischief in a more intimate manner).

Is your character’s current socioeconomic status different than it was when they were growing up?

Queenie was born into privilege, and that really hasn’t changed.

Does your character feel more comfortable with more clothing, or with less clothing?

Queenie is fairly comfortable with her body, and can be seen wearing anything from a thick, fur-lined coat for hunting up in the Smoky Mountains; to a straw hat and sundress for serving refreshments at one of Papa’s BBQs; to a bikini for tubing. She does, however, have a rather nasty scar that she usually covers up somehow before showing too much skin.

In what situation was your character the most afraid they’ve ever been?

Moments before her Execution.

In what situation was your character the most calm they’ve ever been?

Queenie is at her calmest when she’s calculating a plan -- whether it’s for winning a particular competition or pageant, or for slitting the neck of one of her competitors.

Is your character bothered by the sight of blood? If so, in what way?

Nope!

Does your character remember names or faces easier?

Part of being a gracious, Southern host is remembering both names and faces after the first time you’ve met someone; as such, Queenie is excellent at both.

Is your character preoccupied with money or material possession? Why or why not?

Queenie enjoys the fact that she’s well-off, but it isn’t important to her besides as a means to an end.

Which does your character idealize most: happiness or success?

Success.

What was your character’s favorite toy as a child?

Queenie is the sort of person who had several Barbie dolls, every outfit and accessory for them that one could possibly imagine, the Dream House, the car -- all and sundry.

Is your character more likely to admire wisdom, or ambition in others?

Queenie admires ambition in others.

What is your character’s biggest relationship flaw? Has this flaw destroyed relationships for them before?

The whole murdering thing is a pretty big flaw. Queenie has literally murdered lovers and significant others.

In what ways does your character compare themselves to others? Do they do this for the sake of self-validation, or self-criticism?

A little of column ‘a’, a little of column ‘b’. Her self-critical comparisons tend to have a lot of jealousy invested in them.

If something tragic or negative happens to your character, do they believe they may have caused or deserved it, or are they quick to blame others?

Queenie definitely deflects blame more than she accepts responsibility, when it comes to the things that really matter.

What does your character like in other people?

Queenie prefers her ‘friends’ to be loyal, trusting, and easily-manipulated.

What does your character dislike in other people?

Queenie has a tendency to kill people who learn her secret.

How quick is your character to trust someone else?

Queenie often feigns trust, but rarely puts her genuine trust in others.

How quick is your character to suspect someone else? Does this change if they are close with that person?

Queenie has a very analytical mind, and is constantly studying others to see if they’ll attempt to take advantage of her in some way -- after all, it’s often the case that she’d do the same thing.

How does your character behave around children?

Queenie is wonderful around children, small animals, and all manner of innocents.

How does your character normally deal with confrontation?

Murder.

How quick or slow is your character to resort to physical violence in a confrontation?

Very, very fast.

What did your character dream of being or doing as a child? Did that dream come true?

Queenie has always wanted to be the ideal southern belle -- and she is, in a sense!

What does your character find repulsive or disgusting?

Queenie does not understand the appeal of a lot of foreign foods. If it ain’t fried, slow-baked, or grilled, what’s the point?

Describe a scenario in which your character feels most comfortable.

[Warning: gross.]

"Countin’ flowers on the wall,” sang Queenie, softly and flawlessly, as her bone saw finally sank into the joint connecting her victim’s arm to her shoulder with a sickening crunch. “That don’t bother me at all...” She kept sawing away until, finally, she felt the teeth of the saw break through entirely, rasping against the tile floor of her bathroom -- she made a mental note to buff the floor later.

“Playin’ solitaire ‘til dawn, with a deck of fifty-one,” she continued, now beginning to wrap the arm, the girl’s severed hand, and each of her fingers in plastic. “Smokin’ cigarettes and watchin’ Captain Kaaangaroo...” Done, she carefully placed the digits and limb into a large, metal barrel, into which she was strategically laying her victim’s slowly dismembered corpse as though she were packing a suitcase.

“Now don’t tell me,” she finished, picking the bone saw up again and turning once more toward the body, a grin on her face, “I’ve nothin’ to do...”

Describe a scenario in which your character feels most uncomfortable.

[Warning: bigoted language.]

”That,” breathed Queenie, grinning over at her most recent conquest from her side of the bed, “was incredible, darlin’.”

It looked, however, like the other girl was having reservations. “Oh, my God,” she gasped, as post-coital regret began to set in. “I can’t believe I did that.”

”What do you mean?” replied Queenie, cocking an eyebrow.

”I've never fooled around with another lady before,” her lover continued, sitting up and starting to look around for her clothes. “P-Pastor Dan always said it’s a sin! What was I thinkin’?”

”Honey,” said Queenie, trying to sound as soothing as possible, though internally she was beginning to panic, “don’t nobody have to know about this except you an’ me. It can be our little sec--”

”What day is it? Sunday?” The girl was frantic. “I gotta go confess to the parish!”

”Now, darlin’.” Queenie scooted to the edge of the bed and placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “You oughta stop and think before you go doin’ somethin’ like that. Think of what it could do to your reputat--”

”Get offa me, you queer!”

The girl had batted Queenie’s hand away and was now staring at her as though she were a monster.

Fine, she thought, reaching under her pillow for her knife. I’ll show you exactly what kinda monster I am.

In the face of criticism, is your character defensive, self-deprecating, or willing to improve?

Queenie laughs off criticism in the heat of the moment, often getting her revenge later -- but she still takes it to heart and tries to improve if it’s valid.

Is your character more likely to keep trying a solution/method that didn’t work the first time, or immediately move on to a different solution/method?

Queenie is sharp -- possibly the smartest of all my characters -- and is always trying to make her solutions and methods more efficient.

How does your character behave around people they like?

The more Queenie likes you, the more she takes care of you. This, of course, is something she does for just about everyone, but there’s a noticeable difference between serving you dinner and feeding you grapes while giving you a shoulder massage.

How does your character behave around people they dislike?

🔪 🔪 🔪

Is your character more concerned with defending their honor, or protecting their status?

For Queenie, it’s definitely a status thing.

Is your character more likely to remove a problem/threat, or remove themselves from a problem/threat?

Murder.

Has your character ever been bitten by an animal? How were they affected (or unaffected)?

While roughing it out in the Southern wilderness, Queenie has had more than a few scary encounters with animals, which have included bites. None of them have had a lasting effect on her, however.

How does your character treat people in service jobs?

As someone who does a lot of serving, herself, Queenie has nothing but respect for those who’ve made it their living.

Does your character feel that they deserve to have what they want, whether it be material or abstract, or do they feel they must earn it first?

Queenie strongly believes in earning what you want -- it’s just that her methods of “earning” are frowned upon by modern society.

Has your character ever had a parental figure who was not related to them?

Not really.

Has your character ever had a dependent figure who was not related to them?

Queenie has a cousin who she thinks of as the little sister she never had; even so, they only really see each other during Christmas and family reunions.

How easy or difficult is it for your character to say “I love you?” Can they say it without meaning it?

Queenie can very, very easily say ‘I love you’ without meaning it -- but a meaningful ‘I love you’ is rare and hard-earned.

What does your character believe will happen to them after they die? Does this belief scare them?

Queenie doesn’t spend a lot of time thinking about this, as she is an atheist.

[winterstormgoddess]

An open letter to myself as a college freshman

Sometimes I sit around and think about you. Such a blank slate, ready to paint a new picture with brighter colors. What you don't know yet is that in the next 4 years of college you are going to wash that palette clean and paint new pictures more times than you can count. Your life will take turns you weren't expecting. Colors won't mix the way you thought they would. sometimes you'll forget how to draw the simplest shapes and sometimes your hand will be as light as a feather and your drawings will be so phenomenal they will take your breath away. You have now reached one of the major milestones we have been told about since we were little. Starting high school, your first relationship, your first heartbreak, getting your first job, choosing what college to go to, moving away from home, graduating college, starting a career, when you get married, when you have kids, and on and on. We grow up thinking about our lives as defined by these milestones, our successes and our identities determined by the outcomes. The truth is that growth happens in the in between. It is not the first stroke or the finished project. 

You are 19 years old, be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to make mistakes, you're going to even if you try not to let it happen. Even things that don't seem like mistakes in the moment may feel like them later so accept that. Don't try to hide those mistakes. Pretending you are invincible and convincing yourself that you are always right doesn't make you cooler. Transparency and honesty are the keys to real relationships and true acceptance. Be real with others and with yourself. 

Going off of that, allow other people to make their own mistakes and learn their own way. LIFE HACK: if you do not like your friends boyfriend, be honest with them and tell them how you feel. If they chose not to listen SHUT UP and stand by their side while they figure it out themselves. Forcing your friend to chose between you and their significant other never ends well for anyone. It leaves them feeling isolated and alone (which newsflash drives them closer to shitty significant other). On the flip side of that, try not to put a significant other before your friends. You will learn that the hard way, but I am saying it anyway. Your friends will be your lifeline, your confidants, your support system, your source of joy, and most importantly if you find the good ones, they will be the people who whip you into shape when you need to be. Crush the ego and don't be defensive with the people who love you. Good friends call you out on your bullshit. It might sting, you might want to bite their heads off in the moment, but remind yourself that whatever they are saying is probably coming from a place of love, and is aimed to push you to be the best you and the best friend you can be. 

Speaking of friends, you are going to meet people that remind you how to breathe. What I mean by that is, find your soul friends, find the people who allow you to breathe at your own rhythm, who slow your breath when you're anxious, who make you laugh until you can't breathe, and who don’t suck up all the air in the room. There will be others who want you to take up less space to make more room for them, who feel that it is essential to make you feel small in order to feel big themselves. These people might seem cool on the outside, but your social standing is not essential to your survival, your breathing is. That might not make any sense to you right now but it will I promise.

Now, lets talk about relationships. You're scared, you've been in a relationship for 3 years that isn't right for you and you know it, you're scared to let go, you're scared to hold on and you are so conflicted. It is not over yet as much as you say it is and when it is over for real, you won't be so scared anymore. You are so young, and I don't mean that to undermine the importance of that relationship, it will define you and how you approach relationships in many ways even after it is long over, but you have so much more waiting for you beyond that person. Take it for what it is, allow yourself the space to go back if you need to, and trust yourself when you know it is done. Regret and resentment are absolutely useless. It is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. One thing I will say is that you were lucky, you experienced many firsts with someone who cared about you. You loved him in whatever way you were capable of at that age and you felt safe in those moments. Remember that feeling of safety, you don't need to be in a relationship to feel it, but don't give your body or yourself away in situations where you don't feel that safety. Your body is your temple and you my dear, are the gatekeeper. You decide who and what you let in. Feel free to have a good time, but check your intention. Who are you inviting to your party? someone who might be a good time but is absolutely going to trash the place? or someone who is fun AND respectful of you and your home. Also, I know you know this but I am going to say it anyway. Your value is not your sexuality. In the words of the beautiful Rupi Kaur “I am sorry I made it sound as though something as simple as what you’re born with is all you have to be proud of, when you have broken mountains with your wit.”(SHAMELESS PLUG: buy the book Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur). Your intelligence and your soul far surpasses the beauty that will ever be seen on the surface. So even when college hookup culture consumes your self worth, and makes you feel like you are defined by how many guys want to take you to their Vegas formal remember that you are going to change the world one day and the last thing that will matter to you will be the other girl that guy gave his attention to. 

At a certain point you're going to tell yourself that you don't like “nice guys” because they're too boring and can't handle your fiery spirit. That is you burying the fact that you have chosen assholes and have forgotten what you deserve. Don't give up on fairytales just yet. Don't lose hope that there is someone out there who is going to look at you and see the world in your eyes. That brown haired, blue eyed boy whose confidence doesn't equal cockiness, who is kind and respectful yet unafraid and assertive. Ya, he exists. When he comes into your life, let him in. 

You are a product of the people you surround yourself with, but your picker will be off if you don't know who you are. Do what makes you feel good. Exercise as much as you can and eat healthy, not because you want to look like OC Barbie, but because your body loves to move and you thrive off of things that are good for you. That being said, get froyo with your friends. Like I said, do what makes you feel good (sometimes that is chocolate & vegging out). Do what scares you. You will be so enmeshed with college life that stepping outside of that and doing something different might seem terrifying, but challenging yourself is the only way to grow. Travel, go on adventures, see the world, do a Yoga Teacher Training. Push yourself to step outside of your comfort zone because that is where happiness begins and remember the friends who push you past that comfort zone when you can't, keep them close. 

I know that you struggle with feeling intelligent, with feeling like your success holds up in comparison to others. Sometimes success and achievements aren't tangible. Sometimes the reading that you connect to in class will be more important in the long run than the grade on the midterm. Your emotional intelligence has always been your strong suit and you have constantly undermined your intellectual abilities, but listen to me closely. Your brain is capable of understanding as much as you allow it to. Your ability is completely dependent on your belief in yourself. Your emotional intelligence does not stand separate from your intellectual ability. Your compassion, your empathy, and your ability to listen to the stories of others will give you a greater understanding of the concepts you are studying and enhance your ability to use your voice to make a difference in the world that is beyond your wildest dreams. 

And because nothing will ever ring truer than this, be the buffalo. Buffalos run towards a storm, cows run away. Run towards the storm, face whatever comes your way head on, and even when you begin to run away have the courage to turn back around. The faster you face it, the faster it passes you. Its worth getting wet to dance in the rain. Buffalos stand with their herd without fail. Your tribe, your people, they are your world. Find the people who crawl, walk, run, and fly with you. You aren't asking for too much, you don't need to much, you don’t need to lower your expectations, there are people in this world who will love you with the same wholehearted love that you give. 

It doesn't get less scary, I am sitting here writing this to you with a whole lot of unknown lying ahead of me, but I know who I am, I have my tribe, I know what kind of love I deserve, and I know what lights my fire. Because of that, I am at peace, and you will be too.

Shine sweet girl, enjoy the ride, be loud, be fierce, be soft, be vulnerable, be you unapologetically. 

Yours truly,

You 3 months before your college graduation.