#black hypnotherapist

[king-craftsman]

Finding Your Purpose

"Is this really supposed to work?"

The last thing Brandon wanted was to go to therapy, let alone some weird hypnotherapy thing. But the hypnotherapist, Dr. Carson, told him that he should see it as a way to improve his behaviour and stop smoking. He forced a laugh when he heard that but really he didn't think it would work and even if it did, so what?

It wasn't like it was gonna fix everything in his life. Brandon was in his thirties. He barely had any highschool friends left over and his college buddies moved on to bigger and better things while he was languishing away in his hometown, stuck in a dead-end job working for his uncle's construction company.

Right now he felt useless, like he wanted to find some sort of purpose and that's where the therapist came in.

"It is...just relax now and think of...your purpose. What do you really want to do with your purpose?"

"My purpose...?" Brandon blinked as he realised that he kept focusing on the watch. Watching the watch, as the hypnotherapist kept repeating as he kept focusing on it. There was no way this would work. He kept telling himself that, but Brandon wasn't sure he was believing it as the watch went...

Back and forth...

Back and forth...

Back and forth...

He couldn't help but watch the watch as he tried his best to focus, but all he could do was watch the watch and the more he watched the watch the more harder he got and the harder he got, the more he could just watch the watch.

"Yeah your purpose, you see my last client found himself suited for his purpose. Maybe you need a purpose..."

"Purpose..." Brandon didn't realise it but he was starting to drool. He thought he could tear his eyes away from the watch but now he couldn't as he was growing harder. "S-Stop..."

"What's there to stop? You see Brandon I think you want a purpose...whether it be a shoe shiner...or something else..." The hypnotist began to move backwards with the watch. Like a dog Brandon followed it, as if it were a ball or treat being waved in front of him before the hypnotist moved to his desk.

Suddenly Brandon blinked, almost breaking out the trance as he saw the hypnotist place two large feet on the desk. He may have been able to break out the trance, if it wasn't for the pungent scent of musk wafting over.

"Wha..." "Relax Brandon, like I said you want a purpose...whether a shoe shiner...or something more...personal."

Brandon felt numb as the words drilled into his mind, shoe, personal, relax, watch the watch, harder, all of it reverberated around his head.

Watch the watch...

Watch the foot...

The stinking...massive...meaty foot...

And suddenly Brandon felt that he was getting closer. He was never into guys. Never into feet. Everything in his mind was telling him not to but he just couldn't resist it, the more he watched the man. He didn't know if he was saying anything else but he dove forward and suddenly his nose was all up in the feet, taking deep breaths as he smiled and moaned, beginning to lick and worship.

Only the more he did, the more he began to feel himself wish to get closer to the feet, wanting to have his hands wrap around them as he continued to make the man moan and bite his lips from the way he serviced them. It was like his every touch, every kiss, every lick was an echo of pleasure travelling through the feet and getting closer and closer each time he did so.

"That's it...you're finding your purpose...shoe shiner...foot worshipper...shoe..."

Shoe...

As that was echoed around his mind Brandon could feel himself starting to grow weaker. It was harder to pull away from the feet as the last dregs of resistance were leaking out of his cock. The last sum of his effort was to try and pull away but his hands had already began changing, fingers thickening, darkening all morphing together like one viscous black puddle of leather.

All he could smell was musk and leather as he continued to find his body flattening itself against his feet. His cock was growing flatter as he imagined how good it would feel for the foot to push against it as his hands continued to wrap around the feet.

Both hands had their own foot, each one forming the thick leather that would was shining as if it had just been polished.

"P-Pleammmmph-" Brandon begged, unsure if he was begging for this to stop or if he was secretly begging for more. His hypnotist laughed like it was the latter, pushing more against him as Brandon felt his body continue to compress. Each part of him was alight with sensitivity like every stretch of skin, every stitch of leather he was becoming, every iota was an erogenous zone as sensitive as his cock, his nipples, his ass.

It felt like that as his body twisted and warped, starting to somehow split apart into two.

F-Fuck what's happening to me?!

Brandon could still think, could still comprehend everything happening to him as his body had somehow turned into nothing more than leather, thick shiny, well-crafted leather that felt good to the touch and suddenly started to feel filled with something. It was as if there was something, like a cock filling his ass, as the feet were practically sucked into the leathery material he was shrinking into.

The toes wriggled in the shoes making Brandon moan with pleasure as he felt an orgasm rush through his newfound body.

P-please stop this!

But then Brandon felt the next part of the transformation. The feet on his cock and his face, the sensation of them pressing down gently upon them both, soles rubbing his length, that hypnotically pleasurable musk forever wafting in front of his nose. His face and cock had become the very insoles of the new designer dress shoes that he had become as the last of his body shrank around the feet and wrapped around them like they were giving the feet of the hypnotherapist a massage.

"Stop? Oh no no, you see Brandon you wanted a purpose and I gave you one...as my shoes."

No! No I never signed up for this! No turn me back right noohhhhhhhhh-

"Shhh shh, there there Brandon..." The hypnotherapist said as he began to lace the shiny shoes up. "You'll be a nice pair of shiny shoes and just perfect...hypnotically shiny enough for me to wave in front of my next client. Isn't that right Brandon?" But all Brandon could do was moan as he was laced up, tighter as the world felt like he was coming again and again and again. All because he had his purpose and he was sure the hypnotherapist would help anyone, including you, find theirs too.

For a whole library of hot stories like this, be sure to check out The Craftsman on Patreon.

[vaguely-greenish]

Continuing on from that Robin Only AU because it will not get out of my head.

So, Starro attacks and attempts to conquer earth, enthralling many of it’s most powerful heroes but overlooking the young heroes who work alongside those heroes. This group, later known as The Titans defeat the conqueror, free their mentors and the world, and banish the would be ruler to the Phantom Zone thanks to Supergirl.

During this crisis, when all seemed lost Supergirl told the tale of the Kryptonian heroes Flamebird and Nightwing to inspire the group and this story stuck with Dick in particular. After this battle Dick sheds the title of Robin, moving on from his quest for vengeance, and dons the name Nightwing.

After a fight with disgraced former hypnotherapist Harleen Quinzel, better known as the villainous Yo-Yo, Nightwing finds his ‘Nightcycle’ missing it’s wheels and after some digging finds them in the possession of an orphan not much younger than himself, Jason Todd.

Seeing a glimmer of himself and what he could have become, Dick let’s Jason go with the wheels but quickly finds that Jason is just one of many Orphan’s manipulated by Black Mask and his Falseface Gang.

With Oracle’s help he tracks down the heart of Black Mask’s criminal empire and foolishly rushes in, angered by the manipulation of these kids. After a drawn out fight, Dick finds himself on the back foot and one wrong move away from losing it all, until the thunk of a crowbar against the crime lord’s mask gives him the opening he needs to strike and leave the villain unconscious.

Jason Todd looks down at the criminal and then back at the crowbar in his hands and then to the hero he’d stolen from. An anonymous tip comes through to the Wayne Foundation about a group of orphaned youths in need of help.

Within the hour many of the teens are being taken to the Leslie Thompkins home for forsaken children, except for Jason who finds himself at Nightwing’s hidden hideout, The Aviary, ready to don the mantle of Robin. While elsewhere The Court of Owls fumes over the loss of their puppet’s criminal ring and plots against Nightwing.

[oliversrarebooks]

Augusnippets Day 28: Mind Control (Part One)

Augusnippets Masterlist

tw: mind control, hypnosis, alien abduction, medical examination, drugging, memory erasure, sketchy therapist

Dr. Palmer looked over her schedule for the day. It was mostly filled with her usual sorts of appointments -- anxiety, stop smoking, get over her ex, anxiety again -- a bit dull, but it would pay the bills. Some days, though, she would have an appointment like her 2pm. This client had seemed very nervous on the phone, saying that she wanted hypnotherapy to uncover a distressing, buried memory, but refused to say what it was until she arrived.

She had requests like this on a semi-frequent basis, people who wanted to be regressed to past lives or uncover hidden memories, things like that. Those were some of her favorites. She could hypnotize the client, make up whatever outlandish story she wanted, get their brain to fill in the blanks, and they'd leave happy, thinking that she'd helped them remember some important truth. Dr. Palmer didn't actually believe in past lives or any of that -- but she did believe in the human mind's ability to make things up under hypnosis. The client heard what they wanted to hear, she got a paycheck -- a good day's work, as far as she was concerned.

Usually, when she got a request like this, the client was the sort that wore healing crystals and magnetic bracelets and essential oils from an MLM scheme. She was a bit surprised at how put-together her 2pm was. Zhihao Han wore a deep purple blouse and a smart black skirt, hair and makeup both flawless, dressed the part for a high stress office career. The only crack in her facade was the stress in her eyes, a subtle sign that Dr. Palmer had learned to recognize.

"Welcome," said Dr. Palmer, leading her over to her excessively comfortable reclining chair, a necessary component of putting her clients at ease and helping them relax. "Is this your first time with a hypnotherapist?"

"Yes, it is." She seemed stiff and nervous even in the chair, sitting on the edge instead of relaxing back into it. "As I mentioned over the phone, it's a problem that I'm somewhat embarrassed about. I was hoping that maybe you could help me with it."

Dr. Palmer put on her best disarming smile. "Of course. I'm happy to help with whatever problem you need. And you don't need to be embarrassed with me. I've heard it all. There's no judgement in this office."

"You say that, but you're going to think I'm losing my mind." She took a deep breath. "Do you believe in aliens?"

"Aliens?" Oh, this was getting interesting.

"Yes, aliens. Extraterrestrials. Beings from beyond the stars."

"Well, it's a big universe. I certainly think it's possible we're not alone out there."

"That's how I thought about it too. Well, I didn't think about aliens much at all. I've never been all that interested in science fiction or any of that…. until I started having these dreams."

"What are the dreams about?"

"In the dreams, I'm being abducted by aliens," she says. "At first I thought it was just a random dream like any other… but then I started having them on a routine basis, every couple of months or so. And they seemed so vivid and real when I was having them, but after I woke up, I would find them so hard to remember clearly."

"I see. And this is what you'd like to explore today?"

"I know it must sound crazy, but every time I wake up from one of these dreams, I feel absolutely convinced that it's real. I've never had an experience like this with dreams before." She looked significantly more agitated now than when she came in. "I keep thinking strange thoughts…"

"Like…?" Dr. Palmer prodded gently.

"Like I'm just waiting for the aliens to return and abduct me again. Like I want it to happen. But I don't! I have a career that I've worked hard to maintain, and I'm trying to get a promotion, and I really don't have time to sit around in a daze, daydreaming about aliens. I keep trying so hard to remember what exactly is in the dream, but I can't."

"So you want me to help you remember?"

"Yes. I hope if I can remember the dream and talk about it with someone, I can finally convince my subconscious that it isn't real," she said. "I feel like I can't talk about this with my normal therapist, or anyone else."

"I understand," said Dr. Palmer. "Can I ask you a bit about your job? It sounds very stressful."

"Yes, it is. I can't talk much about the details, but I have an important deadline coming up in a month, on top of my normal duties and endless meetings. That's another reason why I can't afford to be distracted by something like this. Honestly, I don't even have the time for this appointment, but I felt like I had no choice but to do something."

Dr. Palmer starting to get a very obvious working theory about what's going on with Zhihao. The only real trouble would be putting her under. She was clearly skeptical and had difficulty relaxing, so it might be tough. "I think I can help you," she said, "but it might take more than one session."

"Whatever you need to do, the sooner the better."

"Have you ever been hypnotized?"

"No, I haven't. I have no idea if I even can be."

Yes, this might take more than one session. She'd be lucky to get Zhihao even somewhat hypnotized in the hour they had. "I think anyone can be hypnotized, but sometimes it takes several tries. For today, I'm just going to have you follow along with my instructions, and we'll see if we can get you to relax, at least."

"I guess relaxing would do me some good," said Zhihao, who didn't seem aware of what an understatement that was.

"Can you lean back in the chair for me?"

"All right." She finally stopped perching on the very edge of the chair and sank into the comfortable leather cushions.

"Good! Now there's no pressure here. I just want you to sit back and listen, and soon you might feel yourself growing more relaxed. It will happen naturally -- you don't need to worry about it. First of all, I'd like you to think about the tension you're holding in your jaw…"

Dr. Palmer began leading Zhihao through a standard relaxation induction, and was surprised at how much she was responding to it. After just a few minutes, she was noticeably more relaxed, with a slightly distant expression on her face. Dr. Palmer figured she'd judged wrong -- instead of being unable to relax, she might have been so desperate for rest that she couldn't help but follow along with everything the doctor was saying.

"Now I want you to take a nice deep breath. Take a deep breath in… hold it… and out. That's good. Another deep breath in… hold it… and out." Dr. Palmer was now hopeful of actually getting a working trance in this session. "I want you to keep taking deep breaths, slowly and evenly. And as you breathe in, I want you to allow your eyelids to fall shut… and when you breathe out, you can open them again. Breathe in, closing those eyes down… and breathe out, opening your eyes."

Zhihao followed along easily, her eyes fluttering shut on every deep breath as Dr. Palmer coaxed her further into trance.

"And as you take those big deep breaths, and your eyes open and close, you may feel yourself starting to get a little drowsy. Your eyelids may start to feel heavy from having to open and close them, and that's okay. Just keep on taking nice deep breaths in, allowing those heavy eyes to close, and out, opening them again. It's okay if you struggle a little to open your eyes. They're probably feeling very heavy now, like they'd just want to stay shut. And you might be feeling more and more sleepy…"

Again, Dr. Palmer was surprised by how quickly she responded. It didn't take long at all before Zhihao was practically falling asleep.

"…and you can just keep your drowsy, sleepy, heavy eyelids closed," said Dr. Palmer. "How are you feeling?"

Her voice sounded dreamy and far away. "…Obedient."

Now that was interesting, because Dr. Palmer hadn't even mentioned obedience. Clearly this client had some ideas about hypnosis that were influencing her -- probably related to her alien abduction fantasy. Well, she could certainly work with that.

"That's right, obedient. And the sleepier you get, the more you're going to drop down into a deep state of obedience…"

Zhihao was absolute putty in Dr. Palmer's hands as soon as she brought up obedience, almost like she'd been hypnotized before and this was some sort of trigger.

"You're certain you've never been hypnotized before?"

"The aliens hypnotize me each time they take me. They need me to be docile and obedient."

Ah, so this really was just part of her alien fantasy. Convenient. "Let's talk about that more, now that you're in such a deep and peaceful hypnotic trance," she said. "Can you tell me when and where the aliens usually abduct you?"

"In my bedroom, just as I'm about to go to sleep," she said. "I can feel it about to happen before it does. They use their psychic powers to make me too tired to struggle and force me to be quiet, so that when they show up, I won't resist."

"All right. Can you imagine that now? Imagine that you're in your bedroom, safe in your bed, getting ready to go to sleep, when you feel the presence of the aliens."

"They're in my head." She sounded like a different person, small and almost childlike. "Their powers make me so, so sleepy, and I can't get up. I can't call for help, because they want me to be quiet. They make me be quiet. I see some bright lights, and then they're standing by my bed, ready to take me."

"What do they look like?"

"Taller than normal humans and very thin. They have gray skin and enormous dark eyes like the night sky."

So, standard alien "grays", the kind you'd see on any cheesy conspiracy show. "Can you tell me what happens next?"

"They don't speak. They beam their commands directly into my head, and I'm helpless to resist. I feel so drowsy, like I've been drugged. One of them will beckon for me to follow them, and I can't stop myself from getting out of bed and following, like a sleepwalker. They do something to make me want to obey them, more than anything. I always let them take me without any fight at all."

I'm starting to get the picture. My client is severely stressed and overworked, almost certainly neglecting her needs, and she has to constantly wear a facade of being perfect and put together. It's too much for anyone, and her mind is begging for some sort of release. So she imagines a scenario where she's half-asleep and completely powerless, an escape valve of sorts.

"So do you remember what happens after you're taken?"

"I think they must put me to sleep. It gets hard to remember…" She sounded frustrated.

"It's okay, just relax. You can relax and sink deeper into trance. You don't need to pressure yourself to remember," Dr. Palmer encouraged. "If there's anything that stands out to you, any images or feelings, talking about it might help you remember more."

"There is another thing."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She hesitated briefly. "I have this strong image in my head of waking up on a kind of metal table. There are aliens looking down at me, and bright lights overhead. The room is filled with strange machines. And… I'm usually naked, on this table."

Dr. Palmer nodded and noted down a possible sexual frustration component to the client's fantasy.

"The aliens want me awake, but they're still using their psychic powers to make me very, very sleepy and docile. I'm not restrained in any way, but the aliens make me be completely still. And I remember how much I want to obey them. They have strange instruments they use to measure my body and perform tests on me. I remember some sort of eye test with a screen, I think. And they put commands in my head. Commands I'm not allowed to remember."

"Not allowed to remember?"

"Yes," she said, with some distress. "It's very important to obey. It's very important to forget." She sounds like she's reciting some mantra from her dream.

"Is that what they told you?"

"I… remember," she said. "I think I can I remember something I'm not supposed to. Something I've been trying to remember."

"You're very safe here. You can tell me."

"I remember a mask. A scary-looking kind of gas mask. They always bring it out when they're finished with the tests." Zhihao, still deep in trance, seems so agitated about this. "They seal it over my mouth and nose, and I can't resist, because I'm too tired and I have to stay still. Then they tell me that I need to sleep and forget."

"Is that why you can't remember what happens?"

"I don't want to forget. I know that the strange dreams are driving me out of my mind, because I can't remember them. I need to remember. But the gas is so strong, and I can't fight it for long, especially with the aliens using their psychic powers. I get so sleepy that I can't stay awake, and I can feel myself starting to forget, no matter how hard I try to hold on. They make me sleep and forget." A tear rolls down her cheek, her eyes still shut tight.

"It's all right. You're safe here."

"I'm not safe. I'm not safe anywhere," she said. "They can take me any time they please, and I'll be powerless to resist. They can do whatever they want to my mind. They can make me dazed and forgetful. It's ruining my life! And no one would ever believe me."

"I believe you."

"You do?"

Dr. Palmer was at least a little bit tempted to tell her that the aliens were real and that she'd have to do many more sessions to strengthen her mind against them, or some bull like that. After all, judging by this patient's clothing and her description of her job, she had plenty of money for it. But her conscience got the better of her. She felt bad for this woman who had stressed out so hard she was starting to hallucinate. Besides, if she actually helped with the stress, Zhihao might shell out for legitimate hypnotherapy.

"I believe that you've been having these strange, vivid dreams that seems so real you're convinced they must have happened," said Dr. Palmer. "And I believe that these dreams are causing you to become dazed and forgetful at work. But that doesn't mean the aliens themselves are real, no matter how real they seem."

"I knew you would think I was crazy."

"That's not what I'm saying at all. I definitely don't think you're crazy. This sort of situation is way more common than you think."

Zhihao's face scrunched, trying to process, so Dr. Palmer continued on.

"You're obviously very stressed, and I'm going to guess that you haven't been getting enough sleep."

"I try to get four hours a night."

Oh lord. "That's not nearly enough sleep, you know. And I'm guessing you're neglecting other needs, like food and hydration."

Even still under trance, Zhihao looked miserable thinking about it. "With so many meetings, there's no time in the day to eat lunch…"

"Stress, lack of sleep, and neglecting of your basic needs can definitely cause vivid nightmares."

She nodded slowly. "But why are they so vivid and specific?"

"Well, you're incredibly stressed, so your dreams are also stressful. Your body needs more sleep, but you're always denying it, so you're imagining a situation where you're forced to sleep. And having so many responsibilities and needing to make hard decisions all day is exhausting, so you imagine a situation where you're powerless and not in control, no decisions possible."

"That makes sense…"

"I think what would help you is some self-hypnosis techniques to help you relax and sleep better," said Dr. Palmer, putting on her best therapist voice. "May I teach you a few?"

"If you think it will help."

Half an hour later, Zhihao was blinking her eyes awake from heavy trance, yawning and stretching and already looking better. "That was amazing!" she said. "I feel so relieved, and I think I really did need to relax for a while."

"I'm glad I could help," said Dr. Palmer. "I think getting even a little more sleep and trying out some of the stress-relieving techniques I taught you will help reduce the amount and intensity of those nightmares."

"It can't hurt. I'm willing to try anything."

"Would you be interested in a followup appointment in a month?"

"That's really close to my deadline -- could it be a month and a half?"

As Zhihao waved goodbye and headed out the door, Dr. Palmer felt satisfied with how it'd all turned out. She'd hopefully helped this woman avoid a premature heart attack and she'd possibly made a loyal customer, a win-win situation. Besides that, this patient's stories about aliens were far more interesting than a lot of the problems her patients had.

For once, Dr. Palmer was certain that she'd done well.

That is, until she saw the bright lights outside her window that night.

Augusnippets Masterlist

@augusnippets

There is a part two to this story once I finish it!

[horriblegoosefest]

Fragile Development

by: @amethystheart2421 Pairing(s): Regulus Black/Remus Lupin Rating: Mature Word Count: 28,845 Warnings/Content: No archive warnings apply  Goose: @midnightstargazer

Tags:

Alternate Universe - Modern Setting; Alternate Universe - Muggle; Office; Inspired by Office Space (1999); Romantic Comedy; Minor Regulus Black/Emmeline Vance; Minor Sirius Black/Remus Lupin; Infidelity(not between the main pairing); Minor Character Death; Layoffs; Hypnotism; Alcohol; Discussion of Abortion; Friends With Benefits; Mutual Pining; Jealousy; Break Up; Getting Back Together; Aromantic Sirius Black; Trans Remus Lupin; Sirius Black is a Good Brother; Regulus Black Needs a Hug; AU - American; Los Angeles; AU - Everyone lives; alternating pov; Mention of Domestic Violence; brief misgendering

Summary:

Regulus Black is a software developer for Gringotts, and he's miserable. Rumors of coming layoffs are making his coworkers paranoid. His girlfriend takes him to an occupational hypnotherapist who puts him into a relaxed state. He finally asks out the cute server at the Three Broomsticks, and starts to focus on his own happiness. Until layoffs at the company spur him and his friends to exact revenge - and things go terribly wrong. Inspired by the 1999 film Office Space by Mike Judge

A honk of appreciation from goose MidnightStargazer:

Fragile Development is a really clever melding of HP characters and the plot of the movie Office Space. It was a privilege to help make this fic happen, and I'm so excited for it to be posted. Great job, Nicole!

[darkrpfinders]

Hey there! Name’s Evelyn :) I’m 20, trans masc. (he/him, they/them)

I’m looking for new roleplay partners! Been craving to go back to writing consistently, and since this account is up again (blessed be thee, darkrpfinder 🔥🙌🔥) I thought I could shoot my shot.

So! I’m looking for someone with few triggers, 19+, who can jump over to discord and can write semi-lit to lit. The pairing would be OcxOc and MxM; the roleplay itself would be very dead dove and NSFW. I have a few dynamics in mind, but when it comes to plot, I prefer both our hands at work!!

Here’s a few dynamics! 🖤Black heart goes for perpetrator; Red heart goes for victim❤️

Immortal entity🖤/❤️Mortal who summoned it

Vampire royalty🖤/❤️His newest Thrall

Hypnotherapist🖤/❤️Mentally ill client

Siren🖤/❤️Lost sailor

•••

Up for sale❤️/🖤Buyer

Witch❤️/🖤Priest

Murderer❤️/🖤Cop

Fallen Angel❤️/🖤Demon

If any interests you and you tick all boxes? You might just be the one person I was looking for! Like this ask if you want me to message you :)

💕

[bambirosedoll]

@bambi-disciple wrote a really good post on BS and if it really works (which ill link to at the bottom of this post), and while i have been on a sort BS hiatus for a little while, i wanted to write a little about some of what i have noticed for me?

At the time when id first run across it, the bimbo and hypno scene were still very cis, het, and essentialist. Most bimbofication material out there was heavily cishet. some the point of being actively transphobic. Hell, tbh a lot of it still feel pretty antitrans... but anyway...

I started listening to BS in April of 2021. I had heard of it before, and might have even listen to the initial release once or twice a few years before but had been a little reluctant to really dive into it. Id played with hypno before (ok, like lots), but BS seemed like it might want to be more extreme than i was ready for and very cis woman centric.

Skip forward a few years, and it wasnt until i started seeing some of the bimbofication and stepfordization creators making more gender inclusive content that instarted feeling a little more comfortable dipping my toe back in.

I am a trans woman. I went on hormones and socially transitioned almost two decades ago and in the kink scene for over three. I knew how to do my makeup and be cute and all those things, but like, i wasnt keeping up with them.

I was needing that internal drive and encouragement to be prettier. To push myself further. So for me it was less about self acceptance as a girl or submissive and more about wanting to be a better good girl. And i figured i might want to check out if BS could help.

Im one of those folks who would check all three of the boxes described by @bambi-disciple - wanting it to happen, beleiving it could happen, ans being aroused by the idea. Even with those they doesnt always mean automatic success. My mind often "stays awake" in trance, i am very reluctant to give up control (even when i think i want to and even to myself), and just a host of other issues which keep me from.being consistent or internal resistance to asepcts to the file. There have been some changes ive noticed tho:

* im much more open with my partners. Im still reclutant or shy to talk about my stuff, because i dont want them to be uncomfortable. But that might be more me projecting on them.

* wearing making up much more constantly again. Almost every day or at least when going out.

* pink. A lot more pink. And much more comfortable wearing pink. Previously it was all mostly black.

* eating healther. I now eat a lot more healthier. Salad are much more common for me. As well dried fruits and the like.

* much more casual in my writing. More willing to make typos and let them slide. More willing to just use txt speak and abbrevations and such.

* more comfort with posting myself on the interent, including a brief stint of doing porn sadly the latest stunt feom my stalker (hi stalker) wrecked the relationship with the studeo i was working with + i simply dont have the time with having to go into work and taking care of the family and home. Still it was super fun.

Those are the biggest changes ive noticed over the past couple years. I havent listen to BS for a few months rn. Im not really sure what my future plans are with it. I will prob stsrt up again at some point, but like i have a lot of upcoming things whjch require a lot of focus. It's like i have this desire to relapse but im holding back? Idk.

As promised, the post link. I didnt repost because it is really long and not under a cut and i wanted to be nice to my followers feeds. Sry. And if u have read this far you should check it out

[cinnamonnangel]

ASTRO 101 - ZODIAC SIGNS (PART II)

LIBRA (21 SEPTEMBER - 21 OCTOBER)

PLANET: Venus

ELEMENT: Air

QUALITIES: Cardinal

HOUSE: 7th House

POLARITY: Masculine, Yang (+)

BODY PARTS: Lower Back, Skin, External Sexual Organs, Bladder, Ovaries, Blood

COLOR: Pastels, Pink

GEMSTONES: Malachite, Green Jade, Pearl, Lepidolite

JOBS: Lawyer, Cultural Critic, Diplomat, Negotiator, Supervisor, Model, Makeup Artist, Designer, Textile Supplier, Dancer, Art Historian, Relationship Manager, Tattoo Artist, Graphic Designer, Advisor, Tutor

KEYWORDS: refined, fair, sociable, unstable, diplomatist, mediator, artistic, polite, artist, advisor, friendly, pacifist, balanced, sympathetic, affectionate, equal, pleasant, harmony, elegant, creativity, refined, tactful, congenial, diplomatic, adaptable, charming, aesthetic, indecisive, impartial, judgement, reasonable, communicative, attractive, superficial, good taste, sensitive to beate, welcoming, idealistic, frivolous, considerate, compromise, objective, clever, charismatic, indecisive, perfectionist

SCORPIO (21 OCTOBER - 21 NOVEMBER)

PLANET: Mars, Pluto

ELEMENT: Water

QUALITIES: Fixed

HOUSE: 8th House

POLARITY: Feminine, Yin (-)

BODY PARTS: Genitals, Groin Area, Colon, Sex Organs, Gall Bladder, Rectum, Urogenital System

COLOR: Dark Red, Black

GEMSTONES: Hematite, Black Tourmaline, Obsidian, Kyanite

JOBS: Detective, Lawyer, Scientist, Surgeon, Physicist, Fortuneteller, Gambler, Miner, Sewage Worker, Prerogative Officer, Tarot/ Card Reader, Private Affairs, Aesthetician, Stock Trader, Hypnotherapist, Psychologist, Mountaineer, Casino Cashier

KEYWORDS: magician, shamanist, detective, psychologist, manipulative, jealous, secretive, uncommunicative, appropriative, mysterious, secret keeper, pessimist, intense, ambitious, death, depth, obsessive, proud, compulsive, charismatic, brooding, observant, covert, controlling, reforming, determined, emotion, driven, desire, mastery, depressive, extremes, emphatic, trauma, sexuality, sensitive, transformation, vengeful, devoted, powerful, cruel, possessive, spiritual, strong, suspicious, turbulent, unshakable, penetrating

SAGITTARIUS (21 NOVEMBER - 21 DECEMBER)

PLANET: Jupiter

ELEMENT: Fire

QUALITES: Mutable

HOUSE: 9th House

POLARITY: Masculine, Yang (+)

BODY PARTS: Hips, Thighs, Sciatic Nerves, Lower Spine, Liver, Autonomic Nervous System

COLOR: Purple

GEMSTONES: Amethyst, Sodalite, Aventurine, Lapis Lazuli

JOBS: Minister, Animal Trainer, Coach, Public Relations, Pilot, Air Hostess, Academician, Teacher, Thinker, Priest, Astrologer, Philosopher, Dean, Foreign Business, Diplomat, Traveller, Thelog

KEYWORDS: exalted, priest, missionary, traveler, student, philosopher, willing, warm, adventurer, prejudiced, rude, judgy, dynamic, tactless, enthusiastic, philosophical, jovial, intelligent, careless, arrogant, outspoken, optimistic, moralistic, chatty, broadminded, blunt, quest, frank, seeker, searching, changeable, expansive, restless, boisterous, tolerant, honest, sporty, versatile, talkative, spontaneous, extravagant, gullible, reckless, explorer, practical joker, quick tempered, questioning, outdoorsy, knowledgeable, beliefs

CAPRICORN (21 DECEMBER - 21 JANUARY)

PLANET: Saturn

ELEMENT: Earth

QUALITIES: Cardinal

HOUSE: 10th House

POLARITY: Feminine, Yin (-)

BODY PARTS: Skin, Hair, Knees, Teeth, Bones. Joints, Skeletal System

COLOR: Dark Brown / Black

GEMSTONES: Obsidian, Smokey Quartz, Black Tourmaline

JOBS: Manager, Administrator, Banker, Editor, Boss, CEO, Director, IT, Rummage Seller, Politician, Company Owner, Bookseller, Newsreader, Contractor

KEYWORDS: elderly, father, authoritative, strategist, prime minister, responsible, trustworthy, administrator, boss, mature, organized, unfavorable, respectable, orderly, punctual, cool, reliable, career, business, patient, cynical, prudent, practical, duty, security, shy, humorous, hard working, determined, serious, disciplined, single minded, traditional, conventional, limiting, scapegoat, provider, productive, callous, depressive, pessimism, narrow minded, consistent, consolidation, stern, miserly, utilitarian

AQUARIUS (21 JANUARY - 21 FEBRUARY)

PLANET: Saturn, Uranus

ELEMENT: Air

QUALITIES: Fixed

HOUSE: 11th House

POLARITY: Masculine, Yang (+)

BODY PARTS: Lower Leg, Calves, Ankles, Electrical Impulses of the Nerves, Circulatory System, Elimination

COLOR: Blue/ Navy Blue

GEMSTONES: Lapis Lazuli, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Moldavite

JOBS: Scientist, Inventor, Organic Farmer, Designer, DJ, Aviator, Air Hostess, Musician, Astrologer, Astronaut, Technological Innovator, Gamer, You-tuber, Computer Engineer, Electrician, Aircraft Engineer, Social Media Expert, President of Foundation, Pollster, Pilot

KEYWORDS: genius, revolutionist, scientist, inventor, objective, unusual, contrarian, humanist, independent, individual, clever, aloof, cranky, objective, outgoing, erratic, fairness, detached, conceptual, original, friendly, rationality, equality, sincere, humanitarian, opinionated, inflexible, idealistic, tactless, sociable, reforming, unpredictable, innovative, impersonal, rebellious, paradoxical, alien, malcontent, intuitive, eccentric, outspoken, fanatical, technological, solidarity, revolutionary, extremist, future oriented, unemotional

PISCES (21 FEBRUARY - 21 MARCH)

PLANET: Jupiter

ELEMENT: Water

QUALITIES: Mutable

HOUSE: 12th House

POLARITY: Feminine, Yin (-)

BODY PARTS: Feet, All Bodily Fluids, The Lymphatic System

COLOR: Sea- Green/ Light Green

GEMSTONES: Jade, Kyanite, Sodalite, Angelite

JOBS: Philanthropist, Psychologist, Artist, Veterinarian, Nurse, Physical Therapist, Author, Poet, Musician, Songwriter, Fortuneteller, Painter, Prison Officer, Sailor, Captain, Tattoo Artist, Tobacconist, Anaesthetist

KEYWORDS: mystical, dreamy, romantic, beneficent, victim, psychic, compassionate, unfaithful, impostured, understanding, sensitive, emotional, impressionable, adaptable, creative, emphatic, moody, confused, elusive, merging, osmosis, receptive, multiplicity, changeable, deception, shy, gentle, healing, soulful, tender, immoral, reflective, oneness, slippery, vague, imaginative, illusion, fluidity, evasive, escapist, transcendent, impressionable, inspiration, vacillation, universality, kind, vulnerability, addicted, nebulous, dreamer, malleable

[leogichidaa]

Psychoanalysis Sunday #48

Non-magical AU where Regulus is put in therapy with a psychoanalyst

Part 1 | Previous | Next

"I have done a bit of research since we last met," Dr. Robertson tells Regulus as he settles in to the office. "I've spoken to your parents about this sorting business. I have been informed that the process is meant to be a bit of a surprise to new students."

Regulus nods. "I have heard stories. Of course, I do not believe a word of what Sirius says about it, and at any rate, he is the last person that I would want to consult on the subject, since his sorting was such a disaster."

"Yes," Dr. Robertson says, his face suddenly looking a bit weary. "I certainly do want to talk about that. But before I do, I wanted to ask: would you like to know exactly what the sorting ceremony entails?"

Regulus gives the analyst an astonished look. "What?"

"Well, we could explore your anxiety about the unknown and the root of your fear of failure further, certainly. However, I think in this instance it might be a greater benefit to simply make the unknown known."

"But you can't do that!"

Dr. Robertson grins and winks at Regulus. "Actually, I can. Would you like me to?"

"Really?"

"Really."

"It - this is not some sort of trick is it?"

"Why would you think it is a trick?" the analyst asks, scribbling something on his notepad.

"You never just tell me things. Everything is always riddles and questions with you." Regulus shrugs. "It seems too good to be true."

The analyst nods and examines Regulus, tapping his pen against his chin before responding.

"No trick," he says finally. "I had a...long conversation with your parents last week, and I explained to them in my professional opinion, it is in your best interest to know the details of the sorting beforehand. I think foregoing the tradition of secrecy will help put you at ease as you approach this transition. It is ultimately up to you, though. Would you like to know?"

Regulus stares at the analyst, a bit stunned. On one hand, he finds it incredibly thrilling to be offered secret information and it would of course be quite grand to go off to Hogwarts knowing something that most, if not all, of his classmates were ignorant about. He could enter the sorting ceremony confident and calm, whilst his less privileged classmates worried themselves sick.

On the other hand, well...surely it is kept a secret for a reason. Traditions are traditions because they have stood the test of time, after all. Traditions ought to be respected. It also seems quite clear to Regulus that the analyst had bullied his parents (although he struggles to imagine anyone successfully bullying his mother, let alone the combined force of Walburga and Orion Black) into agreeing with his "professional opinion". He is certain that his parents would think it foolish that he would require such accommodation, further evidence of his defects as a son.

Learning forbidden secret knowledge also strikes Regulus as a very Sirius thing to do.

Really, though, there is no question.

"I want to know," Regulus declares. "Tell me."

Dr. Robertson looks quite pleased by this, which grates at Regulus' nerves slightly, but his mind is made up. Now that the knowledge has been offered to him, he feels he must know.

"Well," Dr. Robertson says. "Apparently there is an interview with a specialist whose family has been doing this sorting for generations. Actually, I happen to know the fellow."

Regulus' brow furrows. "A psychiatrist?"

Dr. Robertson shakes his head. "A hypnotherapist."

"A what?' Regulus asks, alarmed. "He - do you mean to tell me he is going to hypnotize me?"

"Yes," the analyst says. "It is nothing to worry about really. Hypnosis can be a powerful tool, an excellent method of tapping into the unconscious mind."

Regulus' face pales and he looks at the analyst in horror. "I do not want anyone tapping into my mind. It is bad enough I have to come here without having someone actually look in my mind."

Dr. Robertson writes something else down in his notepad, but Regulus is hardly aware of it. He feels as though he is going to be sick. Somehow, this is worse than all the ridiculous stories Sirius told him about sorting. All this time, Sirius was going on about nonsense like wrestling alligators when he could have kept Regulus awake in terror every night by simply telling the truth.

"I can walk you through the process," Dr. Robertson says in a soothing tone. "I can even arrange to have you meet with the gentleman before term starts, if you think that would help. And I spoke with him myself about the sorting process. He told me that if a student feels very strongly about joining a particular house, he allows them that choice."

Regulus stares at the analyst. "We...can choose?" he asks slowly, processing this new piece of information.

"Most children don't, apparently. But yes, you can choose. And when there is a strong family legacy, that is taken into consideration as well."

"So...So Sirius...he could have gone to Slytherin if he wanted? He chose not to."

"Ah," Dr. Robertson says. "Yes, I suppose so." After a brief pause he asks, "How do you feel about that?"

Regulus sets his jaw. "Furious."

[akihabara-division03]

The day was slowly coming to an end and the anniversary for one of the Akihabara teams, Pixel Syndicate. But that didn't necessarily mean it was the end of delivering gifts. And fortunately, three gifts arrived for all three women, who were currently spending the day together at the penthouse apartment of Shian.

As the doorbell rang, the matriarch of the house went to the entrance and returned, carrying three packages, one for each member of the team. Not wanting to delay the inevitable, the three women opened each of their gifts and peered inside.

- Anika

Opening up her box, which was rather small, the hypnotherapist looked as what was inside was a small self-heating mug warmer. The division leader smiled as she knew this would help on days when she had to rush to get some caffeine or something in her body. Underneath the warmer was a letter, which read:

'Happy Anniversary to you and your team, Anika-san. Sorry if this mug warmer isn't a good gift. I've been backlogged cause of work and I had to rush to buy something. Still, I hope it helps and that you like it. Happy Anniversary again, and I look forward to seeing you in the city sometime!'

Sincerely,

Keiko Yumi

- Shian

Opening up her box, which also was somewhat small like her leader's, the bail enforcement agent opened it up and cocked an eyebrow as she pulled out something that was folded up. It was obviously a t-shirt; a black t-shirt to be precise. But it was what was written on the front of the shirt that made Shian laugh.

"That's true," she thought. On the back of the shirt, a note was attached that read:

'Happy Anniversary, Shian-san! 😁 Keiko told me it was you and Pixel Syndicate's anniversary, so I bought this for you! I thought it suited you since you said that you're like a bounty hunter, which is awesome! I hope we can meet again when we're out exploring! Happy anniversary again!' 😁

Love,

Criss Hiromi, Paranormal Investigator

- Makina

While the other two women were obviously happy with their gifts, Makina cocked an eyebrow at hers, as she had already opened it. Inside of her box was just a pair of... eyeglasses.

"Why in the world would someone send me these?" Makina thought. "I don't even use glasses. And even if I did, these are far too big."

Looking inside the box, the streamer noticed a letter inside. Pulling it out, she quickly read it and her face fell with a frown. Why? Because the note read,

'You're probably wondering why these glasses were sent to you. Well, it's because I noticed that your video game scores have been dwindling as of late, and that's been affecting your follower count. Plus, you are always the first one to get out whenever we play MOBA games as a team. I figure it may be because of your bad vision. How else would you explain how you foolishly walked into that obvious ambush on LoL a few nights ago? Hopefully, these will help you see better. Then you won't make such obvious mistakes. ...Oh, and Happy Anniversary, I guess.'

P.S. 'Git Gud.'

“I will murder you…”

Anika snorted, accidentally spilling the second cup of coffee from her newer mug and bursting into laughter.

“For how much you spend on your computer, I’m surprised this is the comment you get for your skills,” Shian said, dangling the notecard in front of Makina’s face.

Makina snatched the card from Shian, crumpling it up and chucking it across the room. She stormed out of the kitchen, mumbling incoherently to herself. Something among the lines of, “this is why I don’t play MOBA…”

“Hey, Makina, come back!” Anika exclaimed, holding back her laughter. “Oh god, that’s too good…”

As her laughter died down, she caught Shian folding up her new shirt.

“That little girl’s really taken a liking to you,” Anika teased.

“I’m never in a mood to babysit,” Shian said. “But that kid’s always getting into some sort of trouble.”

“Maybe you should join her in her adventures?”

“Hell no.”

“You say that now, but just watch. You’ll be tailing after her.”

[oletus-carousel]

[[ EVENT START ]] :: "Patrilineal Puppetry"

💡 HOMURA ASTOR HAS ARRIVED AT THE MANOR! 💡

[[ Tag asks with💡to talk to Homura! ]]

~

"after a fall from grace, he'll rebuild his troupe by any means necessary."

"fear is the hand that pulls your strings / useless toy, pitiful plaything."

~

ALIAS :: "The Ringmaster" [formerly The Hypnotist] AGE :: ??? [Believed to be in mid-to-late forties. Refuses to disclose.] IMPORTANT RELATIONS :: "Carrie Astor" - Daughter // Haruhi Astor - Ex-Wife // Bernard [of Hullabaloo Circus] - Childhood Friend, Rival // Ada Mesmer - Former Colleague SKILLS :: Hypnotism, Puppeteering, Deal-Making

FACTION :: Hunter

APPEARANCE :: The Ringmaster stands tall and proud in direct contrast to his daughter, and is around 6''6. His black hair is usually short and well-kept, but he's neglected it for long enough that it reaches the nape of his neck and the fringe almost covers his eyes.

His right eye is covered from view by a simple medical patch, secured with bands. It seems too big to just be covering said eye, as if the concealed damage spread, and is otherwise affixed firmly to his face to prevent any light getting beneath it. His left is normal, hazel coloured, but it tends to stare directly forwards instead of having any sense of direction.

Around his neck, he wears a watch on a chain. This is engraved with the Muse Mark, boasting both a small clock and a photograph in opposing sides. The latter depicts a young man and woman who appear to be at a showground, dressed in appropriate performance attire with a tent in the background. Nobody except the three in the Astor family have witnessed this photo, as it was taken when Homura and Haruhi were young lovers.

He wears a black button-down shirt and pants, the only embellishments being red curlicues sewn on the collar. Above this, he's regularly seen with a black waistcoat adorned with shining red buttons. His shoes are always polished black dress shoes, no matter how casual the occasion.

The oddity in his design, however, lies in the control bar strapped to his back: the black cross of wood, often seen manipulating a marionette, but crafted as an oversized mimic. Its strings wrap around his arms and legs in an unruly spiral, slicing through fabric and skin indiscriminately. Though the man’s own blood dries upon these strings, it is the very control bar that he brandishes as a blunt-force weapon in-game.

PAST :: Homura was a childhood friend to Bernard, the ringmaster of Hullabaloo, and was compliant in helping the troupe form - doing tricks diligently, even as the group rose into popularity and he was cast aside for newer, more interesting acts. So he broke away, attempting to form his own - Sparkslide. This he ran alongside his wife with his daughter as his pawn, for a time that she no longer remembers. After all, he'd spent many years honing his acts, particularly hypnotism. He has unspecified ties to Ada, as she's a hypnotherapist, but declines having worked at the White Sands Street asylum.

He was summoned to Oletus Manor with the promise of everyone there [the survivors] brimming with potential for the troupe, and a possibility of revenge by taking in some of the past Hullabaloo members to that number: even Carrie when she'd run away to join that rival troupe.

All he had to do was use his hypnotism to the Baron's benefit, helping muddle the memories and recall of the participants' lives beyond the games, hollowing them out and making everything easier for the Baron to manipulate. He had no clue that he'd be included in a game himself, eventually, but it'd likely be Carrie's. She's his closest connection in the manor, and he fears that she'll crush his chance of dominion.

[dailydeclassified]

Project BLUEBIRD/ARTICHOKE: A Dive into CIA's Mind Control Experiments

In the early 1950s, the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) initiated a top-secret program called Project BLUEBIRD/ARTICHOKE.

The program was designed to develop techniques that would enable the agency to control the minds of individuals, primarily for intelligence gathering purposes.

Although the program was largely unknown at the time, it was a precursor to the better-known CIA mind control program, MKULTRA, which lasted from 1953 to 1964.

Under Project BLUEBIRD/ARTICHOKE, techniques were developed that were controversial and raised ethical concerns.

This article will delve into the origins of Project BLUEBIRD/ARTICHOKE, the objectives of the program, the techniques developed, and the ethical implications that arose from the program's existence.

Origins of Project BLUEBIRD/ARTICHOKE

During World War II, the Germans conducted experiments on prisoners of war using drugs and other methods to obtain information, which prompted the United States and its allies to investigate these techniques for intelligence gathering purposes after the war. In 1947, the National Security Act established the CIA, and one of its primary objectives was to collect intelligence on Soviet activities. As part of this effort, the CIA began exploring the use of drugs and other methods to extract information from Soviet prisoners and agents.

In 1950, the CIA launched Project BLUEBIRD, which was subsequently renamed ARTICHOKE. The Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI), responsible for examining foreign activities related to drug and psychochemical use in interrogations, initially oversaw the program. Later on, it was managed by the Security Officer, CIA, the Chief, Medical Services, Chief, TSS, and the AD/OSI.

Objectives of Project BLUEBIRD/ARTICHOKE

The primary objectives of Project BLUEBIRD/ARTICHOKE were to develop techniques that would enable the CIA to control the minds of individuals for intelligence gathering purposes. The program had three basic aims, as stated in a 1953 paper from the Security Officer, CIA to ARTICHOKE representatives:

To perfect techniques utilizing existing drugs, hypnosis, and other elements for the extraction of information from individuals, whether willing or not.

To provide field teams for testing, experimenting, and refining techniques for the extraction of information from indigenous personnel under field conditions.

To arrange for research and experimentation for the development of means for the control of the activities and mental capacities of individuals, whether willing or not.

Techniques Developed

Project BLUEBIRD/ARTICHOKE, through their extensive research, developed numerous techniques that were diverse in nature. Some of the more noteworthy methods they investigated included:

The administration of drugs: The program conducted trials on various substances such as LSD, mescaline, and other mind-altering drugs to determine their efficacy in controlling individuals' thought processes. The program also examined amphetamines and other stimulants to enhance interrogation tactics.

Hypnotism: The program delved into the use of hypnotism to manipulate the minds of individuals. They employed trained hypnotherapists and provided their agents with training in hypnotic techniques.

Sensory deprivation: The program experimented with the use of sensory deprivation as a means to weaken individuals' minds. They devised a "black box" which could be used to block out all sensory input, isolating the individual from external stimuli.

Torture: The program examined the use of torture as a means to break down an individual's resistance. They developed various torture techniques such as electric shocks, waterboarding, and prolonged solitary confinement.

Ethical Concerns

The addendum to the basic memorandum on Project BLUEBIRD/ARTICHOKE reveals the involvement of other offices in the program and the evolution of its aims and objectives. The bulk of the material in OSI files involves the analysis of foreign activities related to the use of drugs and psychochemicals in interrogations. However, there are indications that other offices were also involved in R&D efforts related to mind control and behavior modification.

The addendum raises ethical and moral questions about the program due to the experimentation on unwitting subjects and the potential for abuse of the developed techniques. References to Frank R. Olson's suicide hint at the possibility of unintended and tragic consequences for those involved.

Researchers and scholars continue to debate the history of Project BLUEBIRD/ARTICHOKE and its successor programs like MKULTRA. Although officially terminated in the 1970s, the program's legacy lives on in the ongoing controversies over government secrecy, human experimentation, and the limits of scientific research.

Conclusion

In the end, the story of Project BLUEBIRD/ARTICHOKE serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked government power and the need for transparency and accountability in scientific research. As we continue to grapple with the complex ethical and moral issues surrounding mind control and behavior modification, we would do well to remember the lessons of history and to approach these questions with the utmost caution and care.

[dxsole]

Have you been keeping an eye on me? Busy

👨‍💼 MEN IN BLACK TYPE SHIT | Not Accepting

"No." Comes the solemn reply. Opaline is like that, if you have the misfortune of meeting her more than once in a professional capacity. She's got that honeyed warmth in her voice, like a better version of your mother, but the bluntness of a sledgehammer to the face.

Righteous truth in therapist riddles. It's a frightening combination.

"Government agents follow your sister." It's an odd thing to reveal. Logistically speaking it only sort of makes sense, but she's saying it with enough conviction that it has to be true. "In fact, they tend to track and watch most people who survive such horrific traumas." Her leg crosses over the other. "There are many theories surrounding why people commit murders of such magnitude. Nature versus nurture. Genetics. Former history of parental abuse or mental illness. Each has its merits."

One has been popping up lately, seeing as the world becomes more informed about such killers, more start popping up; copy cats, influencers, clout hungry— manufactured serial killers.

She'll be kind and not explain all this to Busy, but the growing concern has been getting her out of her office lately, which she is not pleased with. Especially as Kitsey didn't fit the profile no matter what those damn suits kept telling her.

"I am a hypnotherapist. Not a criminal profiler, but even I can see their interest is misplaced." And the only reason she wasn't saying this directly to Kitsey was the fact even with government clearance she cannot gain access to a celebrity, apparently. It's almost ironic.

"So I am telling you." Opaline smiles, pleasant, serene. "You may notice black vans outside of a security detail following her around in the near future. I suggest you prep her for any eventual confrontation."

[skelby]

The hypnotherapist said it was probably not worth worrying about by Mars Black

[andy-uwm]

Get Out: Subversive Colorblindness In Liberal America

Get Out is a 2017 horror film directed by Jordan Peele about Chris Washington going to visit his girlfriend's, Rose Armitage, family in upstate New York only to find out an incredibly dark twist of fate for Chris. The twist is that Rose and her family, who are white, plan to harvest Chris's body (and to dispose of his brain and mind), a black man, for his supposed "physical attributes" for a blind winner of an auction for Chris's body to be able to see again while maintaining his brain and consciousness.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.publicbooks.org%2Fvirtual-roundtable-on-get-out%2F&psig=AOvVaw2QFEoIw_eenW0e-V20j5ka&ust=1702249922764000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCKCV1aS9g4MDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoodblacknews.org%2F2017%2F04%2F11%2Freview-jordan-peele-provokes-thought-in-his-comedy-horror-masterpiece-get-out%2F&psig=AOvVaw0gWALWd3GHItlBMVA_HRF6&ust=1702250417589000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCIC6lZC_g4MDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

There is a lot to unpack within many of Get Out's smaller moments, like Rose's dad Dean making strange comments to Chris about how he, if he could, he would vote for Barack Obama a third time, but I will be exploring the larger themes and how they connect to smaller moments like those kinds of comments.

Rose's family represents, pretty plainly through storytelling, the overwhelmingly established power of white privilege and whiteness. Rose's parents live on a massive plot of land in a huge house where her father Dean is a neurosurgeon and her mother Missy is a hypnotherapist. They also employ Georgina and Walter, a black housekeeper and black groundskeeper, respectively. Through this setup alone, there is an obvious parallel to plantation homes and slaves and subsequently to the power that white people hold over black people.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefilmexperience.net%2Fblog%2F2017%2F5%2F29%2Fthe-furniture-get-outs-beige-house-of-colonial-horrors.html&psig=AOvVaw2m-eYeudRFZ2CJKcNYOe1X&ust=1702250016558000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCOjdsc-9g4MDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FAntebellum_architecture&psig=AOvVaw0OJkf8wZUnE6DT2rInWKlz&ust=1702250056112000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCJi1quK9g4MDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

Gregory Jay asks about the invention of race and therefore the invention of white and black people as racial categories, and outlines that it was people who would now be identified as white that invented race. Dean Armitage represents the idea of original racism, that is, "scientific racism", wherein the principal originators of racism claiming that "Biological races were...to predict and determine the cultural traits of people, so that cultural differences could be 'explained' on a 'scientific' basis." (Jay 98). These "explanations" are then used as justification by Dean to inflict permanent mental torture and essentially death on Chris for his stereotypically stronger body and greater physical shape. In the Armitage family's longstanding quest to achieve racial perfection through bizarre and horrifying brain transplantation, they "...have become entangled so deeply in pursuing its nature that they self-destruct in the process.", (99) eliminating their own bodies for immortality.

Another striking example that is found in Get Out is the dual meaning of the photographs that Rose has in the bedroom of her family's house. Chris ends up rifling through some of her older belongings and finds images of past partners, both men and women but all black people, including Georgina and Walter. This striking imagery later reinterprets the photographs almost as a hunter posing with their dead prey, a power relationship that treats the tortured black partners of Rose as trophies. The history and original role of photography in America, as Nicholas Mirzoeff points out, was to index slaves as objects and things to be visualized and then sold. Mirzoeff mentions that "Both arose from the world created by Atlantic slavery, the violent interplay of cultures and peoples from...the Americas." (112), signifying that "violent interplay" became the power dynamic between white and black people where the former enslaved the latter. This origin story in Get Out signifies that Rose herself signifies that violence, shown through forced surgery but captured in-film as photographs, as an ongoing affect of the past.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Finteractive%2F2020%2F02%2F12%2Fmagazine%2F1619-project-slave-auction-sites.html&psig=AOvVaw2wWInQNVxP7j7WwY-1DQw3&ust=1702250130233000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCNCjnIe-g4MDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

Get Out's subversion of ostensibly tolerant liberalism in America is both horrifying as it is portrayed but exact and precise in its messaging. The success that it brought to Jordan Peele solidified him as a masterful satirist of race dynamics, but the film still speaks volumes years after its release. So long as white people, especially liberals who claim acceptance but still practice strongly skewed power dynamics, claim that they don't see race, really mean that they will either ignore or continue to rule with it behind closed doors ("White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack").

Citations:

Jay, Gregory S. “'Who Invented White People?'.” The Thompson Reader: Conversations in Context. Ed. Yagelski, Robert. Thomson/Heinle Publishers, (2007): 96-102.

McIntosh, Peggy. “White privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” Peace and Freedom Magazine, July 1989, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351133791-4.

Mirzoeff, Nicholas. "The Shadow and the Substance: Race, Photography, and the Index." In Only Skin Deep: Changing Visions of the American Self, edited by Marion Kocot. Harry N. Abrams Inc, 2003, pp 111-127.

[art150mcakb]

Get Out

I chose to use the Jordan Peele film Get Out for my second Tumblr project. At face value Get Out appears to be about a white woman (Rose) taking her black boyfriend (Chris) to meet her upper class progressive white family. His girlfriend reassures him that his parents are not prejudice and that her father even voted for Barack Obama in both presidential elections. Chris notices strange behavior from the black residents at the Armitage household and this is foreshadowing for what is later revealed. Rose's father is a brain surgeon, and he performs operations in their family home. He takes the brain out of young healthy black bodies and puts the brain of the elderly white person into the young black body. This gives the white people a new vessel to live the rest of their lives doing things that they wouldn't have been able to do before.

Chris's body was auctioned off at the party after he was hypnotized by the matriarch of the Armitage family who works as a hypnotherapist. Once Chris is hypnotized, he falls asleep and later wakes up in the basement of the house strapped to a chair. He is shown a video that explains what is going to happen to him. He is also shown a video that was made by the person who he is supposed to be donating his body to. The person he is donating his body too is interested in having his eyes because he is blind. He not only wants his eyes so that he can physically see, but also to have his "eye" for art. I think that this is representation for white people wanting to have black culture as their own, without the other things that go along with the being a person of color in America.

Another small detail and example of irony in the film took place in the basement when Chris was strapped down. After he is shown the video explaining what is happening, he is shown a video that hypnotizes him. Chris is able to collect cotton out of a hole in the chair that he is strapped to and puts it in his ears to prevent him from being able to hear they hypnotic video. Him being able to plug his ears ultimately is what saves him and allows his escape. The irony is that the same thing that played a huge role in slavery in America and the oppression of black people is what saved Chris from this situation.

The photo above is of a previous successful brain transplant that this family performed. The person whose brain was used is Rose's grandfather. Her Grandfather raced in the Olympics against Jesse Owens and lost. He was able to put his elderly brain into a superior young and capable black body in order to improve his speed. This is why he is seen sprinting through the yard at night.

What I learned about my own culture from Get Out was that sometimes even when we as white people think that we are supporting black people and other cultures, we can say things that are unintentionally insensitive. An example of this is when the father is talking to Chris early in the film and he comes off as ignorant, even though he is trying to tell Chris that he has no problem with his daughter dating a black man. I also appreciate how the movie shows racism in a different way. Usually racism is portrayed blatantly, in Get Out they show the subtle racism that unintentionally occurs in everyday life that white people are generally unaware of.

Get Out is a horror film about benevolent racism. It's spine-chilling. - Vox

Get Out - Wikipedia

A White Hypnotherapist Watches "Get Out" �� MetaMotivation Hypnosis

Get Out Easter Eggs & Clues You Might Have Missed (people.com)

Get Out | Afterlives of Slavery (wordpress.com)

[ear-worthy]

Notes On Loving Podcast: The Ethics Of Loving & The Choice To Be Loved

There's a lot to love about a new British podcast called Notes On Loving.

This podcast "looks at perspectives of implementing love into your everyday life for Black people in Britain." I love that intention. So many podcasts are afraid to define their audience for fear that it will limit their audience. I think this podcast is fearless. It is what it is.

The podcast is hosted by self-proclaimed "lover gyal, (her words, not mine)," curator, and director Aliyah Hasinah. I'm not entirely sure what that description means, but it doesn't matter because Hasinah's audience gets it.

About the podcast, Hasinah says, "Following the Black radical feminist tradition of looking to embody and practice an ethic of loving, as an active choice and lifestyle, over this season we’ll talk about all the types of love and how we can embody this as babes based in the belly of the beast aka Babylon Britain."

I've listened to the trailer and the first episode, and it's obvious to me that Hasinah knows her audience. From the soft, pleasing organ background music that made me feel like I was at a spa to Hasinah's supple, pliable, and creamy voice, Notes On Loving works hard -- and succeeds --to create a vibe for its listeners.

Her interviewing skills are sharp without being sharp-edged. She's an excellent listener, and it shows with her adept follow-up questions.

I am from a different generation (older if you must know), a different nation, and a different race than Hasinah, yet I found myself connecting with her concepts, her vibe, her insights, and those of her guests.

Hasinah describes herself this way: "My name is Aliyah. I’m a curator, writer and filmmaker whose work focuses on decolonial approaches to history and the present day. I curate exhibitions, produce events, festivals, creative strategies, consult on campaigns/projects as well as making films and writing poetry, scripts, and shit captions. I also facilitate and public speak, basically if I enjoy it, I do it."

Now, that's a self-description you don't hear often. But, I love it. Hasinah isn't giving you a summary of her LinkedIn profile like most podcast hosts. She's offering her listeners a wide-open, unfiltered view of her as a person and a host. When talking about love and the central topic of the podcast, Hasinah observes, "It’s important to me that love and care are at the center of my practice, so we can envision and awake new possibilities for ourselves and others, I believe that’s where the true innovation lives. This sometimes means hard conversations are had, but having them enriches the work and understanding further. I will always speak my mind, as I have no business speaking everyone else’s minds."

Notes On Loving is an exploration about love, relationships, and choices. It is definitely not one of those relationship shows where the host and guests discuss such routine activities as, "My boyfriend doesn't pair his socks" or "My girlfriend won't let me watch football."

No, there's more going on here. For example, in the trailer, a guest observes,"When we just seek pleasure, we just find pain."

That's cutting through the morass of loving with penetrating simplicity.

Here are some notes on upcoming episodes:

October 2 -- Guest Alex Holmes - Clinical hypnotherapist, and author of “Time to Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection” "Alex is a master at getting people to the core of themselves, he works supporting men through fatherhood, boyhood and the transitional moments we need to learn to love."

October 10 - Guest Melz Owuzu - Hasinah explores their love within academia, and as a form of spirituality and interpersonal relationships. Founder of the Free Black University, Melz’s practice is informed by their lived experience as a Black queer transgender neurodiverse working-class individual deeply connected to community.

October 30 -- Guests Tania & Haja - Aliyah chats to Tania and Haja about growing through love and surviving London. Tania is an actor, director, poet and co-founder of Black in the Day; a submission based photo archive documenting the lives and experiences of Black people in the UK, hosting events, talks and exhibitions.

November 11 Guest IGGY LDN - Exploring the process and portrayal of love in his work, Hasinah speaks with award-winning filmmaker, artist and writer IGGYLDN. Emerging at the height of the post-Moonlight cultural zeitgeist, IGGYLDN’s films are emotionally dense and touch on themes of identity, community and coming of age.

Notes On Loving is produced by Transmission Roundhouse podcasts, which announces that it is "powered by young people for curious minds."

Here's what great about podcasting. You don't have to be Black, British, or young to enjoy Notes on Loving. Hey, relationships and love are concepts that transcend national and racial boundaries. Host Aliyah Hasinah has a specific audience in mind for her show, but I'm sure she welcomes listeners from all backgrounds and locations.

After all, writer Henry Miller once said of loving: "The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love."