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kun-summacumlaude · 3 months ago

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SUMMA CUM LAUDE? #23

It's time to talk about how the semester ended. I wanted to do this before any result was released but I've already seen one. I'll just talk mainly about the exams, the outlook, and then the reflection after everything.

Wisdom Tooth and Bloating

I forgot to mention this in the last post. I woke up one day and my gum hurt so bad, speaking and swallowing became difficult, I tried waiting it out, but three days went by, and it did not get any better. So I had to go to Unilag Medical Centre to see the Doctor. There's no Dentist there so the goal was to get a referral to the Dental Clinic at LUTH. I also got some drugs to help with the pain. One of those drugs was Diclofenac. I woke up another day and realised I could feel the water just hanging in there in my stomach, super weird and uncomfortable. Basically, everything I swallowed was just lingering in my stomach and I could feel it. There was extremely little pain but very significant discomfort. For that week, my studying was disturbed, and this was the week before the decision to run in the elections. One problem to another.

Academic Status

The famous academic status that shows my progress just around exams:

So I was commenting with time. I'm sure we can all see the disaster together. Let's find out what happened. So this video was taken on the 20th of July. I had just woken up and was thinking, my roommate recorded a video and added a snapchat sound to it. It was actually funny. What was I thinking about? How I would cover EEG326 before the exam. At that point, there was just no time left and I hadn't really done a lot. It was really bad and I saw no escape.

Just see how much I was thinking, I was really in a special kind of soup I had never encountered before.

Examinations

So my first paper was GEG322, I had attended the classes and done the assignments. But I didn't do a lot of solving for this course. Even less than GEG311 in which I got a painful B. But the exam went well. Thank God. We had been using some of the concepts in other courses as well so that was some form of practice. And I solved very hard just before the exam. Hopefully all goes well with this one. And the test went well for me as well. Next two papers were EEG328 & EEG329, both exams were good. but my 328 test, I lost 17 marks on a particular question because I didn't read that part of the material. Not that I did not have time but because when I looked at it, I was like nah it won't show up. It showed up and slapped me. This is part of why I said leaving things to chance does not work, just cover everything to be safe. Hm.

EEG326, guys, this exam was more than a disaster. I've had some bad assessments before, but this was one something else. I tried really hard to cover as much as I could before the exam, but the course was a lot, and I did not have time. I don't know how I managed to neglect the course at some point during the semester because I started it pretty well. We didn't study BJT's last semester and this time around we needed to apply BJT's to a lot of the course so in the process of catching up on the prerequisite, I just never completed it and relaxed on the course. Why would I even do that knowing this was my most difficult course for the semester. Was I on drugs??? Yes, I was unprepared for this exam but in addition to my unpreparedness, I was also unfortunate on the day of the exam. Towards the end of the semester, we had about 8 classes in the same amount of time we were meant to have just 3 of them and these classes covered 6 different slides. In my preparation for the exam, I only studied the topics before and two out of six of these slides. So many exam questions came from those four that I did not even open at all. It was horrible. I spent most the exam flipping the question paper trying to see if I could figure anything out. After the exam, I reviewed in my head and saw that I only correctly answered 9 marks out of 60. Later on I realised I might have made a mistake somewhere reducing that to 7/60. Is this not worse than disastrous?!?!? I wrote EEG346 same day right after and it was alright Thank God. When I got to my hostel after the exam, I was in disbelief. It was just too crazy and from this moment reflections began. I cannot give a proper explanation as to how this actually happened, but the fact is that I just did not give this course due attention which is so foolish when you think about it. Now to do the project well and hope for a miracle. The self-disappointment with this one was just too much.

Moving on, EEG323. This exam was funny but alright. Funny because the questions were just funny. I had never seen such before but okay. Our lecturer had too much fun setting the questions.

Week 2 of the examinations. 5 papers to go. Every day was a different palaver. EEG324 I needed to do really well in this exam but because both test scores were not it at all. Unfortunately for me, because we have little time to solve the questions, I chose one over another since it would be quicker, but I got stuck and couldn't attempt 20/60 marks. It really did look like A was gone but I'm waiting on another miracle here. EEG325 was supposed to be the bane of the semester. I did not cover most of this course because the lecturer had a history of just ensuring you didn't get an A or B but for our set, he repeated past questions which was what I studied just before the exams since I did not know what else to do and on the day, I answered about 80% of the questions. Waiting for another miracle here, a B at least. EEG322. I lost 23 marks in the test. Guess why? ... Of course the same reason as always, I was doing election matter that week and I failed to cover everything. I fell into a trap in one of the questions and failed to attempt another one because I did not cover everything there was to cover. The same thing over and over again. I really feel stupid but it is well. This exam had to be a 60/60 in my head. And on the day, the questions were much more involved than the past questions we had seen. I had to do serious work that day, it was the only exam that gave me a literal headache. Unfortunately, I made a computational error which he might overlook because he's nice like that. But once again, I am waiting on another miracle because it feels like a case of getting a 68/69 and I badly need that A. O God, have mercy on me.

10 Days Protest

You have to be kidding me!!! You just have to. Two more papers left and then they boy get postponed because of a nationwide protest due to the economic hardships, thanks Tinubu. The only thing that upset me was that I needed this protest a week earlier, a day before EEG326, I would have had a different story but nope. It came when I did not need it. How wonderful. Both exams were postponed by a week, alright. I used that time to work on getting the project started. God bless Ebuka once again. How I wan do project if this guy no dey my group??? Omo.

Guess whose back? My Laptop. So this bad boy crashed again. At this point, I knew I had to get another laptop for the remaining exams. I got from a friend, Ebube (my VP!!!). You know when you're comfortable with something and you don't want to change it, yeah that was me with my laptop. I still wanted to take the risk of using it for my final papers because I was used to it. So I prayed to God the day before the first, "God, if I shouldn't use this laptop for my exams then let it crash again". Behold and Lo, it crashed again, the night before the first paper. I just closed it and focused on the borrowed laptop which wasn't even that much work to get used to.

CPE321. Dr Ogboi seemed to be on a roll this exam period, changing his ways and making us laugh in the hall. First EEG323, now CPE321. Another funny exam that I only escaped because I already knew C++, I would have been in soup because I did not really understand those questions. This course all semester had been funny because I really did not know what we were doing asides the one assignment he gave us. I don't know what to expect buy I pray for an A. CPE322. After writing CPE321, I knew this exam going to be trouble as well and he did not disappoint. This one was even worse. It was just weird from start to finish. I did a lot of freestyling for this paper. I hope I freestyled my way to an A though. I'll reflect on these CPEs because they were just weird to take.

So that was the end of my examinations, all that was left for the semester was the EEG326 Project which we were about 65% done with at this point thanks to Chef Ebuka. I couldn't even be so present this time because I still had two more papers after he finished his. But I continued my Project Manager role. I thank God for taking good decisions so we could meet the deadline of August 30. I mentioned that one result was out. God is good, EEG340 (Electric Drives Laboratory) - A. The one that didn't have an exam, I got an A. Good start to the White Paper Season.

End of Semester Reflections

The summary of what you are about to see is that I am not pleased with my performance this semester. And I am already gearing up to absolutely do all it takes to get the As in first semester of 400 Level. But let's go on.

My Laptop & Dr Ogboi: I got my HDD swapped out for an SSD that is still giving me headaches because we were promised a lot of programming, with some heavy-duty applications by the way and at the end of everything we got a template. I can confirm I am upset by this. These courses were just about downloading software and one assignment each and a presentation and a template. That was it. The note didn't even count for much in the exams. E pain me sha.

Failure to Cover is Plan to Fail: One bad test after another and in hindsight, no reason or excuse to have lost those test marks I lost to be honest. It's just really disappointing. To talk less, if you're reading this just make sure you study all the material you have to study. Leave the rest to God is not inside the Bible. Cover everything and still trust God to help. Don't leave anything at all. One mess after another. Let's see what happens next semester.

Time Wasted Attending Lectures: Funny right? I believe strongly that my exams would have gone better if I did not attend a lot of lectures that I attended. Out of the 10 non-lab courses I did this semester. I can say that only 3 of those classes helped me in the grand scheme of things. For the other 7, I could have just remained in my hostel studying and I would have done really well as well. But for some of the 7 I had to sign the attendance and so I just went. Some of these 7 were a bigger waste of time than others but I won't say which is which. Honestly, if you can stab a class and there are no consequences at all, then just don't go but use that time to study. You'll be glad you did.

The plus side: Yeah, I have a lot to complain about because my main thing in school which is the academics didn't feel great this semester but generally it was a good one which nice and not so nice lessons and activities so I am certain that by the Grace of God next session will be much better.

That'll be all for #23. I will either add my results to this or create a mini one and call it #23.5 or something when I see all of my results. I'll also talk about the EEG331 Project from first semester and the EEG326 Project after the defence.

God is good. And bye-bye.

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maxismatchccworld · 4 years ago

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Sul sul! I’m Patina Wainscot*, and I’m thrilled you could join me today for what I’m calling Dream Home Decorator 101. We’re diving deep into the ins and outs of designing for clients because that’s the main thing to remember: it’s all about making your clients happy!

youtube

All About Clients

Take it from me: the best designs start with the Sims you’re creating for. I never go into a project without getting to know my clients first—at least, not if I plan to be successful. Back in my early days, I made that mistake a lot. Once, I planned a whole space around the gnome statue in the middle of my client’s living room—come to find out, that Sim was terrified of the gnome and wanted it gone!

Everyone has Preferences, you know? Likes and Dislikes matter when it comes to decorating. So ask questions! Find out their favorite color and music genre and decor style. Ask about the things that inspire them, if they have any hobbies, what their favorite pieces are. Walk them through color swatches and maybe some of the work in your portfolio. Take a few Before pictures for the client, too. After all, the more you know about someone, the easier it is to imagine a space that will truly bring them joy.

Remember to keep it professional, though! (Shower before you arrive. Trust me.) Every interaction impacts your reputation, and if you want to move up to bigger gigs, that matters.

All About Renovations

Once you’ve gotten a feel for what your client wants, nudge them out the door and turn your attention to the space around you. Sometimes clients want to redo the nursery, or add an in-law unit. I even had a Sim ask for a gym in the basement once. Whatever the task, I’m sure you’re up for it. Simply follow the budget, the client’s preferences, the available tile count, and the client’s actual ask.

(Sidebar: okay, yes, sometimes the requests get a little… weird. It’s your job to do what you can, though. I could share some wild stories, but client-designer confidentiality is a professional courtesy.)

Start with an empty space by selling off the items you can’t use (it’s a good budget tip, too!). Then, it’s all up to you to make your client’s dreams come true.

I personally love this phase of a project. Maybe Sims tend to be a little messy, so why not play around with modular shelving units for innovative storage solutions? Open concept is very in right now, and sectional sofas divide living spaces from the kitchen perfectly while keeping a roomy, airy atmosphere. And speaking of the kitchen, built-in appliances like ovens and stovetops save space too. For kids’ rooms, bunk beds are my go-to. As children grow, it’s easy to change the configuration and add a desk for homework!

My point is, don’t be afraid to play around. Sometimes the unexpected works best, and sometimes you’ll have a tried-and-true solution in mind.

All About Reveals

Once you finish the work, there’s just one thing left: the reveal! Once you’ve perfected the space, invite the client back to see the results. Personally, this is the moment I live for. That first reaction means the world to me. Whether Sims cry, throw their arms around me, or immediately start daydreaming, I always know when I’ve done a good job, and it’s amazingly fun to show off the Before and After photos.

So many factors go into whether or not a gig is successful. Did you stay within the budget? Build around your client’s preferences? Complete your objective? Were you respectful and fun? Hopefully, the answer to all of these questions is “YES!” Not only does it make your client happy and make you feel good, but it improves your reputation as a decorator. After all, people love to talk about things they love. So make them love their space!

A Few Extra Tips

Speaking of reputation, the more you get your name out there, the more gigs open up to you. Start with something small like a room remodel; by the time you’ve reached my level, you’ll be redesigning the neighborhood bar! Client referrals make a real difference, but I used to blog and promote myself on social media, too. Now, you can watch me on the home decorator channel!

Every Sim is different. I know, I know, I’ve said that a few times now, but I really mean it! In households with more than one occupant, sometimes it gets tough to balance what they want. Maybe two Sims have different color preferences; if you can’t make both work together, find some common ground to focus on instead. And never assume you know what a client will ask for! I had an adult client ask for a kids’ tent once—turns out, it was for their nephew!

And last but not least, the most important advice I have: just have fun with it. Remember why you chose this path. You’re a dream home maker, after all.

Thank you for coming to my Sims Talk. I’ll catch you on the home decorating channel soon! And don’t forget to follow The Sims Instagram—I have a new series called Spaces With Patina that I’m super excited to share!

The Sims™ 4 Dream Home Decorator Game Pack** arrives on June 1, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. PT in your region on Origin (for Mac and PC), Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4, and PlayStation®5!

#s4 news

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allisas · 4 years ago

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[ Original Blog Post ]

THE SIMS 4 DREAM HOME DECORATOR GAME PACK

ALL ABOUT CLIENTS

Remember to keep it professional, though! (Shower before you arrive. Trust me.) Every interaction impacts your reputation, and if you want to move up to bigger gigs, that matters.

ALL ABOUT RENOVATIONS

Start with an empty space by selling off the items you can’t use (it’s a good budget tip, too!). Then, it’s all up to you to make your client’s dreams come true.

My point is, don’t be afraid to play around. Sometimes the unexpected works best, and sometimes you’ll have a tried-and-true solution in mind.

ALL ABOUT REVEALS

A FEW EXTRA TIPS

And last but not least, the most important advice I have: just have fun with it. Remember why you chose this path. You’re a dream home maker, after all.

We have a lot planned in the next few weeks as the Summer of Sims kicks into high gear! The launch of Dream Home Decorator is just one bright spot to look forward to, so make sure you’ve got your sunglasses—we’ve absolutely packed the next few weeks!

*Patina is a decorator extraordinaire, but she’s also a Sim, so this has been translated from Simlish. 😉

**REQUIRES THE SIMS 4 (SOLD SEPARATELY) AND ALL GAME UPDATES. FOR PC, SEE MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PACK.

#the sims 4 #sims 4 news #sims 4 dream home decorator

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thesims4blogger · 4 years ago

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OFFICIAL BLOG: Dreams Come True in The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator

Maxis has released the official blog for The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator Game Pack!

All About Clients

Remember to keep it professional, though! (Shower before you arrive. Trust me.) Every interaction impacts your reputation, and if you want to move up to bigger gigs, that matters.

All About Renovations

Start with an empty space by selling off the items you can’t use (it’s a good budget tip, too!). Then, it’s all up to you to make your client’s dreams come true.

My point is, don’t be afraid to play around. Sometimes the unexpected works best, and sometimes you’ll have a tried-and-true solution in mind.

All About Reveals

A Few Extra Tips

And last but not least, the most important advice I have: just have fun with it. Remember why you chose this path. You’re a dream home maker, after all.

Start planning your designs with your fellow players on The Sims Forums; catch up with us on Twitter and Instagram; like us on Facebook; and subscribe to our YouTube channel. You can also sign up for The Sims 4 newsletter to get all the news as soon as it’s announced.

*Patina is a decorator extraordinaire, but she’s also a Sim, so this has been translated from Simlish.

#news #the sims 4 #sims 4 #ts4 #sims 4 dream home decorator #game pack

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alwaysachorusgirl · 3 years ago

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When Mike Met Gracie

Word Count: 848

TW: none, just a fluffy, little drabble about Mike Dodds adopting a dog

A/N: This is for @witches-unruly-heart, who wrote the headcannon that inspired this drabble. You can click here to check that out! Also, it's my personal headcannon that Mike Dodds turns into a total softee around dogs.

Tags: @madamsnape921; @itsjustmyfantasyroom; @prurientpuddlejumper; @thatesqcrush; @welcometothemxdhouse; @raulesparza4eva; @teamsladsandgents; @milkshqke

Mike Dodds refreshed the ASPCA website for the umpteenth time. If anyone asked, he would say that he was doing research for a case, when in actuality, he was checking to see if any new dogs had been added since the last time he had checked it ten minutes ago. He sighed, not seeing any new entries. Why was trying to adopt a German Shephard in New York City suddenly so difficult? He had all the supplies, the healthiest dog food on the market, 10 veterinary referrals, and now all he needed was the dog.

He heard his phone start to buzz and glanced over at it, surprised upon seeing the name on the caller id.

“Jimmy! Long time, no see! How are things over there in Brooklyn?”

“Can’t complain, Mike, can’t complain. So, I hear you’re looking for a canine companion, preferably of the German Shephard variety?”

Mike sighed. “I take it my dad called you?”

“Something like that, “replied Jimmy, “but I think I can help you out. Why don’t you come down to the training ground? I’ve got someone who I think you’ll want to meet.”

***************************

Mike strolled into the Brooklyn Army Terminal, home of the NYPD’s elite emergency service K-9 unit. It had been ages since he had last set foot in the place. He could see dogs and their handlers running around the yard, reviewing their training drills. Some of them looked like they were barely out of puppyhood, even though he knew that they had to be at least a year old in order to train.

“Hey! Mikey!”

Mike turned and smiled when saw his old friend.

“Jimmy! Good to see you, old buddy!”

“It’s been too long, Mike,” Jimmy shook Mike’s hand and pulled him in for a bro-hug. “How they treating you up there at SVU?”

“You know how it is, man, long hours, tough cases, but it’s worth it. How are things out here at the K-9 unit?”

“Best job ever,” said Jimmy, “but as you know not every dog makes it through the training program.”

“Yeah, some dogs just aren’t cut out to be police dogs. It happens.”

“It does indeed, “Jimmy nodded. “Come with me, let me introduce you to someone.”

Jimmy led Mike to an office. Waiting inside was a beautiful German Shepherd who started wagging her tail the minute she set eyes on Mike.

“Mike, this is Gracie.”

Without being told, Gracie walked over to Mike, sat down, and offered him her paw to shake. Mike knelt down and shook her extended paw.

“Hiya Gracie, nice to meet you.” He turned his head slightly to Jimmy. “Okay, Jimmy, what’s up?”

“Gracie here is kind of flunking out of the program. It’s nothing she did wrong, she’s more cut out for a nice loving home, rather than the K-9 unit. You’re looking for a dog, she needs a good home, and you’d be doing me a huge solid if you take her.”

“What about your kids?”

“Oh, they’d love to have her, but we already adopted the last two that flunked out, and they are more than enough. And my wife made it very clear that it’ll be my ass in the doghouse if I bring home another dog.”

“Well, we can’t have that, now can we?”

Mike looked back at Gracie, who was looking at him hopefully. He gave her a scratch between the ears with both hands. Gracie licked his face in response.

“Aww… you’re a sweet girl, aren’t you?”

Gracie licked his nose in response.

“Yeah, you just want to love on everyone don’t you?”

A wet nose nuzzled his cheek.

“Tell you what, how about we go for a walk around the yard? That sound good?”

“Woof!” answered Gracie, tail wagging ecstatically.

Jimmy chuckled. “Let me go get her leash.”

***************************

Mike and Gracie made several laps of the training yard. Gracie seemed to have boundless energy and eager to play. At one point, Mike stopped and pulled a tennis ball out of his coat pocket, and unclipped Gracie’s leash.

“Hey, girl, want to play fetch?”

Gracie’s eyes went wide at the sight of the ball. “Woof! Woof!”

“Okay girl, go get it!”

Mike tossed the ball, and Gracie went after it. She swiftly caught it and brought it back to Mike. This went on for a while until the moment that Gracie brought the ball and Mike didn’t notice because he was so lost in thought. He came back to reality when Gracie whined and waved her paw at him.

“Sorry, girl, “he said, kneeling to pet her, “I was just thinking, how’d you like to come home with me? My apartment’s not as big as this place, but I’m close to Central Park and we can go there every day, and you’ll have all the snuggles and belly rubs you want. Sound good?”

Gracie responded by covering his face in kisses and nuzzling him with her nose.

“I’m going to take that as a “yes””, said Mike, kissing the top of her head. “Come on, girl, let’s go home.”

#mike dodds #law and order svu #svu fanfiction #mike dodds and a dog #my writing #mike dodds fluff

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neo-culture-mafia · 5 years ago

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NCT 127 Mafia Dad Reaction to Their Daughter Getting in a Fight

Yes yes yes, here I am. Back with a very long...and long awaited return. Idk I hope someone wanted me back atleast lol.

I have been gone alot recently because I am getting ready for college and May 15 marks the last day for online class for my Senior Year! So I'll be graduating and needed to get some stuff sorted out. I don't want to be away so much but there's not a day I don't go on here just to read everyone's lovely comments and asks that they don't ask me to post. I love you all and will hopefully give you more stuff to read soon.

As I have stated in most of my nct mafia dad reaction (s) I will only be doing the older members because of reality and making it seem believable (??) So '94-'98 line. Sicheng, Kun, and Ten Will not be in this because...idk...maybe...WayV version...coming soon...??...possibly...

Love always,

But here we go~~

Taeyong

To say that he was pissed was an understatement. He had gotten the call that you were in the school office; a girl being hauled off to the infirmary while you sulked in anger.

"Please don't call my dad. Please." You had pleaded the principal as her phone was already next to her ear. Her finger hovered over the 'dial' button. "Then who am I supposed to call?" Her eyes squinted menacingly. "My...my uncle...Jaemin." You ran over all the memorized numbers in your mind.

"As in Na Jaemin." Her words carried his name so poisonous. Your nod had her scoffing. "He's caused more trouble in this school than you have." Her finger dropped onto the dreaded button and it sent you reeling into your office chair.

"Hello, Mr. Lee. This is headmaster Ms. Kwan at your daughter, y/n's school. How are you today?" She had this sinister smile as you stared her down across the dark wood desk.

"Well I'm afraid to inform you that I am not calling you on good terms. It seems as if y/n was involved in a fight today during the school assembly."

The principal nodded as you could tell that your dad was asking questions. "Well we can all talk about that when you come to retrieve her. Unless you send one of her family member's to pick her up." She nodded and smiled. "Thank you and I will relay the message." She said and hung up the phone.

Once the phone was down, her smile fell. "Your father is coming to retrieve you." She said and motioned towards the door.

You waited in the hall in the uncomfortable wooden chair and decided to get some shut eye. You dozed off for the best and quickest nap ever.

Flick

Flick flick

Your eyes opened to your dad infront of you. "What's with you?" He asked and grabbed your arm. You looked back to see the principal waving him off nicely.

You groaned as he dragged you out of the school. "I was in the middle of a meeting, y/n. There was no reason for you to fight." He ranted, eyebrows furrowed.

The black SUV had an empty seat next to the drivers that made you want to puke.

"Then people should learn how to keep their mouths shut." You said and he only picked up speed towards the car.

It was a long car ride home as he lectured you on fighting and the effects it could have on the mind; his position and job totally slipping his own.

(stern dad! Tae?? UGH a fan fav...also i like this gif. Concentrated boi)

Taeil

He was more shocked than anything. Not his precious daughter. No way that it was actually you. As well as he knew, you were the person usually getting picked on and slow to anger. The headmaster just got your name confused...right???

wrong

He hurried to your school to see you sitting in the office with bruised knuckles and tears threatening to spill. He opened the door and didn't even ask questions, just taking you and wrapping you in his arms.

"What happened?" He whispered as he felt you shake with cries. "I want to leave." You whispered. "Mr. Moon. Thank you for coming so quickly." The headmaster approached slowly behind him. "According to multiple witnesses, your daughter was the one who initiated. So if you take a step into my office we can discuss disciplinary mea-" "yeah. Witnesses. Yet when she's come to you on teacher referrals for class bullying, there was 'no witnesses'...right?"

Taeil's mind was racing with anger. The phrase being looped in his head when he had enough of you coming home upset from the constant teasing. He had taken it into his own hands to call the school and the phrase 'no witnesses' now seemed mocking for the situations that had taken place earlier.

"Mr. Moon. We can discuss this as civilized adults in my of-" "No what's going to happen is you are going to get withdrawal papers from your office and bring them to me." His voice commanding and as if the headmaster was programmed; walking into her office and grabbing a stack of papers and returning moments later.

Your dad gripped the stack of papers with one hand, yanking it towards his own figure and turning you both around. You both walked out in silence as his hand rested on your shoulder lovingly.

"Did you eat lunch?" His words trying to distract you from the situation. You shook your head no and he smiled sweetly.

"Let's go get some food and then go to that new dessert cafe that Jungwoo was talking about." He pinched your cheek softly, seeing your usual smile like through a little bit.

You would be okay. You were with him. No one could hurt you when he was around.

(soft taeil is also a fan fav)

Johnny

Jaehyun had popped his head in to the training room, his ear to his phone. "Y/n is about to get jumped." He was so nonchalant that it threw him for a loop.

"She's calling you in a sec- yes. honey, I told him. No. You're not gonna DRAG anyone. NO YOUR NOT GONNA DO AN EVIL DROP BY ON ANYONE'S KNEE CAPS. YOUR MOTHER WOULD KILL US BOTH ARE YOU INSA-." The boys could hear Jae as he walked off down the hall.

Your phone call already had Johnny heading in from training.

"Dad."

"What's up, pumpkin?"

"I'm about to get my ass beat."

Your cold tone died down his smile. "Why?"

"I don't know. The girl. Her boyfriend. Whatever." Your tone seemed flat and like you couldn't be bothered by it.

"What are you doing now? I can be up there in 15 minutes." He said which got the attention of Mark and Taeyong who were training with him.

"I'm eating ice cream at lunch. Just waiting with Jaehyun's daughter." He could basically hear you shrug your shoulders. "Why aren't you in the office or something?!" He asked grabbing his keys and waving the concerned boys off.

"There's no point. If I run away today then the same threat will be there tomorrow." He was already halfway to his car.

"Stop trying to be a hero. Go-"

"Don't touch her, bitch." Then a bunch of muffled and girly screams from the other side...they weren't yours.

He groaned as his engine roared and he was off towards your school.

"You have my temper and your moms attitude." He sighed to himself.

He heard the fight being broken up by what he presumed to be staff of the school.

"Someone call an ambulance!" He heard someone shout and be automatically knew it wouldn't be for you.

~~~~~

You sat in the passengers seat unscathed except for a busted knuckle.

"...that bitch ruined my ice cream..."

"That's all you can think about?!"

"That's all I care about right now!"

"You sent her to the hospital!"

"She started it! She touched my friend and expected me to just be a pushover about it?! I stick to my own and protect who I want to." you mumbled, looking out the window.

"its not my fault she couldn't finish it."

"Can you stop acting like me for 10 seconds?! You don't have 'your own' yet. You're in highschool." He spat and anger etched into your face.

"I'm your kid. I'm going to be like you, Dad. And my own is whoever I want them to be. We've been conjoined at the hip since birth. If I want to stick up for her then I-" "You'd what, y/n?!" His voice now raised.

"I'd do it again." You truthfully spoke and he could only huff through his nose, car becoming deathly silent.

"Her aim was terrible-" "ENOUGH." Your dad rarely shouted but when he did, you knew you were in deep shit.

"Why are you so angry with me?! Jaehyun's daughter was there too. She laid some hits in too. He was smiling when he picked her up!" You said looking at how his knuckles turned white against the steering wheel.

"Because he's not me. I care about you and what you put yourself in to." He said firmly.

"I gave you a heads up, though." You rolled your eyes, sinking into the seat as he pulled into the base. "She did. Not you. You should've called me or atleast told me before it happened." He was now eerily calm. You bit your tongue for any further argument.

"Well it's all over with me now. You have to answer to Mark." You turned towards him with a dropped jaw.

"No Mark."

"Yes. Mark." He smiled and got out. You turned to leave and was met with Mark waiting for you to open your door. He did not look friendly. Your beginning position in the Junior Forces was now going to be exercised.

"I would've rather just gotten jumped."

(angry dad Johnny??? No cap I think he'd be scary when angry)

Yuta

He was just overall confused about the whole situation you had told him about.

"You're doing what?"

"Run...running, dad." He looked to his advisors as if they could hear your out of breath voice in their own ears. "Okay. But, why?" He asked for more clarification.

"Boys. Alot. Jumping. Punched. Running, now." He could hear you wheeze. "Okay well I'll be there but you have to tell me where you are.

"Down street. Open gates. Please." Your voice was calm but draining. He got up and started walking with his advisors close to him. "I'll meet you out there." He had sighed when you ended the call.

"Open the gates. She's in trouble...or started it." He finished off and one of the advisors broke away to carry out orders.

"She's a handful." His advisor had said as they made it out the door and we're walking towards the opening gates. "What do you expect? She's my daughter." He smirked as they now waited.

As if on cue, your slowing form came around the corner of the alley that housed the entrance to the large house; the high and old gates giving the façade of an abandoned or old house.

Behind you was a large group of boys and some men who trailed along loosely. Yuta could tell you were tired and giving up fight with help looking so close.

"Backup at main gate, many people, possibly armed." Yuta's advisor had murmured into his earpiece. Doors opened as more armed guards came to protect their boss and his loving daughter.

While your legs had slowed, some of the group had gained. But once you crossed the path of the gate, your feet were skidding for a stop into your dad's body. He caught you and you practically fell onto your knees for a feel of relief. Your bloody cheek and bruised arms caught his attention as he could examine and treat them later.

The boys skidded behind you and stopped infront of the like of armed guards. Your wheezing didn't quit quickly as you were still facing down danger.

"Are you okay?" Yuta's hands patted your hair in a comforting manner. You nodded, holding onto his suit jacket just to be grounded to reality for a little while longer.

"What's the problem?" He asked the group. "She has our money." One of the representing boys accused. "Money for what?" Yuta has his questions laid out from the moment he had seen you running. "Yakuza fine." He huffed. "I didn't take anything. That wasn't me." You started marching towards the boys but Yuta pulled you back.

"What do you have anything to do with that group?" Yuta asked, his arm around your shoulder so you wouldn't attack.

"Pay-off. We pay them. We get to run our small organized crime unit in Kyoto." Yuta was now pissed at the group. "Why do you think she took-" "She has the tattoo of the enemy." They pointed towards your wrist, a small tattoo of neo cultures symbol on your wrist bone, in sight.

"Do you boys know who I am?" Yuta asked quickly. "And the land I own?" The group had fallen silent. "I am apart of something way larger than the group you ARE scared of." Yuta had let go of you and began walking towards the group himself. "So big infact that I only run our operation in Japan. But I own so much land here," he stood face to face with the representing boy. "I own you." Yuta stated.

The group could see their 'leader' crack. "We got bills to pa-" "Kyoto is my land. You're practically giving donations," Yuta's voice stern, "getting robbed."

Yuta turned around to start walking towards you again. "Her problems are my problems. Stay away from what's mine and don't start trouble~" he sang as he turned you around with him and began to walk towards the door. "Leave and we'll get in contact when we need to. You're on my land," Yuta continued his ramble as he opened the door, poking his head back out once more to look at the group with a fake smile,

"and you have bills to pay." the next order came towards the guards. "Get them off my land."

He shut the door and put both hands on your shoulders, examining your face intently for bad injuries. "Are you okay?" He asked and he was met with a reassuring nod.

"Good. Now let's go eat some food. You need to eat more. You're looking so thin lately-"

(I literally g i g g l e d. this man scary)

Doyoung

He knew your anger popped and sizzled at random moments. You had learned to take care of it but there were always slip-ups and...accidents.

"She did WHAT?!" The whole practice building shook with his scream of disbelief. Everyone jumped as his voice shook the walls.

Taeyong coming in quickly to check on him and was met with a red-in-the-face Doyoung. His hand was gripped onto a knife he was working on before he got the call. The knife now halfway through his work table.

"Tell her I will be there in 30 minutes. No more. No less." He slammed his cell phone down, surprisingly going crack-free.

"What happened?" Tae asked quietly from infront of his friend's desk.

"Y/n. Got in a big fight. Took. Hostages. Weapon? Hairbrush." Doyoung's voice was flat and held no emotion.

"I can go get her if you want. Give you time to cool down." Taeyong offered fearlessly. "No. Its gonna be a long drive home with lots of yelling." He sighed, rubbing his temples.

"There's a bigger issue here that we need to address though." Taeyong said and Doyoung was about to pop himself.

"What. Now." His hands gripped his chair's arms roughly.

"She's been out of her medication for the past 2 weeks. She's honestly, probably going through withdrawal." He broke the news that had been slipping over Doyoung's head.

"I just got her medication-" "2 months ago." Taeyong was firm with this matter. "I only know this because Kun called me this morning. He still has her medication for this month in China. No one wrote off the approval to send it." Taeyong sighed and Doyoung now just felt guilty.

"That explains so much." He rubbed his eyes. "Mood swings. Appetite loss. Fatigue. Rage and violent outbursts. Sweating. Throwing-up. Depressive state. " He started listing off everything he had noticed for the past 2 weeks or so that had been getting progressively worse.

"Please write it off. I'll be back with her in a little bit." Doyoung said getting up and grabbing his keys and phone. "Should I make something for her to eat?" Tae called down the hall. "Please." He sang.

You were unusually calm when he arrived. The rest of the families were there. Doyoung had to apologize profusely and try to explain on why you acted the way you did. One of the students even piped in to say that you were usually so calm and most students knew something was going on but no one knew how to help.

Now with parents and students calmed, you were next.

He walked into the hall again and saw you staring at the floor.

"Come on, sweetie. Let's go home." He held his hand out and you looked up with tears in your eyes. "We're not going to yell are we?" You asked and his heart broke into a million more pieces. "My head hurts so much."

"Of course not. I know what's going on. We're just going to go home and relax. Taeyong has some food waiting for you at home." He pulled you up and walked down the hall with you stuck onto his side.

He was in as much fault with the situation as you were. He wasn't angry at you because he knew you couldn't control it and you didn't know what you were doing. He was mad at himself for not protecting you from something he could have easily fixed if he caught it in time.

Jaehyun [longer - continuation / other half of Johnny's]

He didn't want to train today. He had a long fight with his wife the night before. No one in his house had good sleep last night.

He had woken up early to take you to school and make his wife breakfast before high-tailing it out of there before the aftershocks came.

You both sang songs the whole way to school and laughed at eachother's jokes. "Can we go pick up Uncle Johnny's daughter since it's early?" He looked at the time and shrugged. "Nothing else better to do." He revved and was off down the street of the school to Johnny's place.

You had let both of you in as it was basically a second home.

"John!" You dad shouted and you laughed as you opened your best friend's door. She was still asleep in the muted sheets, sun cascading through the window like in magazines.

"Yah. Wake up already." You nudged her sleeping form and with a groan she was up. "Morning, already?" She asked as you threw her uniform onto her bed. "Yes. Now let's go." You laughed at her expression.

"I just have this off feeling about today." She confessed groggily, wrapping the thick blanket around her shoulders.

You sat down across from her, "well I promise you. We won't face it alone. Whatever it is." You stuck out your finger and she hooked hers around yours with an amused sigh.

"Can you guys not be us for like 10 seconds?" Johnny's sleepy voice said from the door where him and your dad were having a cup of coffee.

You and she laughed for a moment before you actually helped her get ready. "Remember you both are training tonight!" Jaehyun called down the hall from the kitchen. You helped your best friend pack her training bag and get her hair done for school.

"Can you believe her? Acts like I tried to break them up." She shook her head, an anger set into her eyes. "Well I'll break her if she does anything today." You said from her bed. She became cold and gave you a hard look from infront of her vanity.

"You're not going to do anything. You'll get hurt and I'm not going to let that happen." She put her necklace on and grabbed her bags. "Besides, you're supposed to be the nice one out of the two of us." She smiled softly at you. "Your family all acts the same." You huffed and she laughed quickly. "We're caring people. Now let's go." She grabbed your hand and pulled you up.

"Breakfast." Johnny called and held out a plate towards his daughter. "Not hungry. Running late. Love you, dad." She said and ran with your hand in hers.

"Love you too. Eat something!"

"Bye dad, call you at lunch!" You called qyickly.

The front door slammed.

~~~~~

You walked with your friend to lunch. Word around your class is that she's gonna get jumped during lunch. "Please don't fight." You said taking her hand and tugging on it softly.

She only looked at you quickly. "I won't start anything. But I'll finish what I need to." She pulled yours and her seat out and both of you sat down. "I'll go get our lunch. Yell if you need me." Like that she was off into the line.

You grabbed your phone once you saw the group of agitated girls stalking on your friend like she was prey.

"What's new?" Your dad picked up his phone like usual. "She's going to get jumped." You spoke quickly. "Who? You?" "No. ..." "Oh. Well what happened?" He asked. "These girl are mad at her I guess. Go tell Johnny. She's going to hurt people if she fights." You could only hear a sigh and shuffling.

You saw your friend get approached and automatically got a rush of confidence. Your dad's voice was low. "She's calling you in a sec-" "Did you tell him?" "Yes,honey, I told him-" "Dad I'm going to drag them by their hair if they star-" No. You're not gonna DRAG anyone." "-i'm just gonna go pow right on their knees." "NO YOUR NOT GONNA DO AN EVIL DROP BY ON ANYONE'S KNEE CAPS. YOUR MOTHER WOULD KILL US BOTH ARE YOU INSANE?!" "probably." and with that you hung up.

A try was set infront of you as she sat down next to you with her phone to her ear. You ate slowly as you tried to pick up on the conversation. Her ice cream was quickly being eaten as you leaned closer to her ear. You saw her smile as she smeared the cool substance on your cheek.

You gasped and wiped it off quickly. Next thing you knew, your ass was lying cold on the ground with a welt on your cheek. You sat there stunned for a moment. "Don't touch her, bitch." And you watched in slow motion as your best friend lunged at the girl who had been at bark and no bite up until this moment.

You scrambled but were pushed back by eager eyes. You fought your way through to the front so you could pull her off of the unprepared girl who was currently getting her ass beat.

"Get off of her. Please." You were pulling but she didn't let up. Someone grabbed you and knew you had to fight for yourself first though. Your fists were leading as the girl that latched onto you was now on the ground too. But you knew you had to stop.

"Someone call an ambulance!"

~~~~~~

Your legs were jittery as you waited to be picked up. "Its okay." You kept repeating to your still worked up and angry friend. "Don't touch me right now. I love you and I'm sorry but I just don't want to pop on you too."

She stated flatly and you nodded, tears pricking your eyes as you played with your hands. Dried blood making them feel like paper.

"Are you okay though?" She asked and you nodded, wiping the beginning to fall tears with the back of your hand.

"Yo." You both looked up to see Johnny. "Let's go." He pointed to his own daughter.

"I'm not leaving till she gets picked up." She was being hard and uncooperative since she was carried down her by staff.

"No, you need to go." You sniffled and nudged her off the wooden bench.

"I'll be fine." You smiled and you could see your best friend fight against her better judgement and personal morals.

"Your dad is just in the office signing some stuff." Johnny looked at you, rubbing your head in a comforting manner. "I'll see you at training." She pinched your cheek softly and returned to a cold persona.

She got up annoyed and lead the way down the hall. Your own dad rounding the corner at the same time with a smile on his face.

The dam behind your eyes broke as your dad motioned for you to walk closer. "Don't cry." He put his arm around you and brought you in for a hug.

"Nobody is mad at you." He said but that didn't help your situation.

"You were defending yourself." He reassured you as he began leading you both out of the school. "The principal saw everything over the cameras. You're not in trouble at all." He said and you nodded, wiping the remaining tears.

"Are you okay though?" He asked and you nodded once again.

"Let's go relax before training. Knowing Mark he'll probably do team punishment today." He sighed but you didn't really care. You just wanted everyone to be okay in this situation.

Jae was super scared when he got the call from your principal saying you were involved. Yet as he watched the clips of you defending yourself and trying to break it up; proudness swelled into his chest and it was threatening to pop.

It showed how you were growing up right before his eyes and were gaining your own morals. You knew when something was too much and when to stop. He could never be happier than when you were smart, but most importantly safe.

("yo who messed with my daughter?" -mark)

Jungwoo

You got your attitude from him and your firecracker-like anger from your environment. It shaped you but it was also helpful in certain situations.

He wasn't expecting to get a call on a lunch date with his wife to hear that you had been in a fight during school.

"We'll be right there." He said and hung up, his wife looking with curious eyes. "Y/n was in a fight." Then she sighed. "Oh thank God. I thought she was going to be a pushover." She said and Jungwoo could only stare in shock. He looked to his phone to his wife and just have this shocked look on his face.

"We'll take everything to go and just. Go and see...what...our daughter...got in a fight about." Jungwoo and she didn't know what to do. They didn't teach them what you do in the situation in their parenting books.

"Do we scold her? I can't scold her. She's too cute-" "I don't know." She cut him off. "We should see what happened first." She said and he nodded in agreement. "Yes. Good plan." She laughed at his blown-away state.

~~~~~

"Are you mad at me?" Your voice spoke from the back seat.

"Well." Your mom spoke with uncertainty. "Candy?" Jungwoo asked for what felt like the millionth time. "You punched a boy in...his parts...over candy?!" He asked and you had to stifle a laugh.

"You and mom always said to make sure boys understood when I said, 'no'." You shrugged. "He kept reaching and grabbing." "No. That's for another- oh whatever." She didn't fight it anymore.

"Uncle Mark always told me to stand up for what is mine." At the red light, Jungwoo banged his head lightly against his steering wheel.

"The candy was Mine." You kept going.

I don't think Jungwoo would know exactly what to do once you all got home. Or how to explain to Mark what he indirectly caused.

Both Jungwoo and his wife would need to go to one of their parent-y friends to figure out what to do yet would have a hard time enforcing any punishment.

They both knew you didn't mean trouble. You were just a very literal kid that...quite literally did what you were told and taught.

(domestic jungwoo = best jungwoo)

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gstqaobc · 4 years ago

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THE ROYAL FASCINATOR

Friday, March 12/2021

Hello, royal watchers and all those intrigued by what’s going on inside the House of Windsor. This is another special edition of your dose of royal news and analysis.

Reading this online? Sign up here to get this delivered to your inbox.

Janet Davison Royal Expert

The Harry and Meghan interview: Beyond the turmoil

While sifting through everything Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, had to say to Oprah Winfrey Sunday night, many saw parallels to other troubled times for the Royal Family.

The interview raised concerns particularly around race and mental health, and many found in it reminders of what Harry’s mother, Diana, experienced, as she laid bare the lack of support she felt after her ill-fated marriage to Prince Charles.

But the Diana period, which came as the clock wound down on the 20th century, was hardly the first time of family turmoil.

And in those earlier experiences going back decades — and centuries — there could lie hints of the House of Windsor’s fate after this latest crisis.

“I don’t think the history of this Royal Family, which has been written off so many times, tells you anything other than they know how to survive,” said John Fraser, author of The Secret of the Crown: Canada's Affair with Royalty, and founding president of the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada.

“Going back, back, back, there has never been a reign that hasn’t had some domestic problems.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly for an institution that emphasizes keeping calm and carrying on, there have been only the slimmest of hints this week of what will come next.

In a 61-word statement issued by Buckingham Palace Tuesday, the Queen said she and her family were saddened to learn of Harry and Meghan’s experiences, and that issues raised, particularly of race, would be addressed privately by the family.

In response to a question from a reporter while at an engagement at a school in east London on Thursday, Prince William said, ”We're very much not a racist family.”

BBC royal correspondent Sarah Campbell said William could have ignored the question.

“Despite the Queen's statement saying the race issue would be dealt with privately, the prince clearly felt he had to push back on what has become a very public and damaging allegation," Campbell wrote on the BBC website. “Remaining silent, he felt, was not the best option.”

In the interview with Winfrey, Meghan and Harry said there was a conversation — or conversations — with an unnamed family member in which concerns were raised about the colour of the skin of their first child before he was born.

It was perhaps the most damaging moment of the interview for the family, and one that is still surrounded in murkiness.

While Harry told Winfrey later that neither of his grandparents — Queen Elizabeth or Prince Philip — was part of that particular conversation, he refused to say during the interview who was.

“The fact that [Harry’s] on the outs with his father leads everyone to believe it must have been Charles, or possibly William, and until that’s dealt with, it’s this huge problem if they’re going to be future sovereigns,” said Fraser.

He said he finds it “unbelievable” that Charles, the man who walked Meghan halfway down the aisle at her wedding, would be worried about the colour of his grandson’s skin.

“Nothing in his life suggests that he is that callous or stupid,” Fraser said.

Still, it’s not clear who might have said it.

“It’s been left like a timebomb,” said Fraser. “How can [Charles] be the head of the Commonwealth, which has so many Black nations, until this is resolved? It’s a real dilemma.”

Fraser expects we will eventually learn who was involved in the conversation in question. “It’s just the nature of the way things go.”

But Fraser hopes it will be a given a context, and that it will be worked out within the family, “at some point down the road when they’ve got some distance from the immediate hurt that everyone must be feeling at the moment.”

Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a lawyer and human rights activist in London, says the family’s circumstances are not beyond repair.

“But the point is Buckingham Palace better take this seriously, not come out with any stiff-upper-lip nonsense,” she told Adrienne Arsenault, senior correspondent and co-host of CBC’s The National, this week, before the statement from the palace.

“Nobody’s going to stand for it. Not for the racist comment, not for their lack of support for Meghan’s mental health, suicidal thoughts, not that fact that Prince Charles apparently failed to even speak to his son….

“All of those things should be answered and they should be answered humanely, like the Royal Family is in touch with what the public expects from it.”

Maybe there is at least one more signal of efforts within the family to work things out. While the relationship between William and Harry has been deeply strained, William said Thursday he will be speaking with his brother.

Who can be a prince or princess

Amid the many issues Meghan raised during the interview, one that seemed particularly troubling for her concerned conversations before Archie’s birth.

“They were saying they didn’t want him to be a prince or a princess — not knowing what the gender would be — which would be different from protocol, and that he wasn’t going to receive security,” she said.

That got a lot of people wondering about just what provisions there are for determining who becomes a prince or princess.

Under provisions of a letter patent issued by King George V in 1917, Archie would not at this point in his life be eligible to be a prince.

But his cousin — Prince William’s eldest son, seven-year-old George, who is in direct line to the throne — is a prince. George’s siblings can be a prince or princess, too, under provisions of a letter patent issued in 2012 by Queen Elizabeth, before George was born.

But that’s where it ends for that generation of royal great-grandchildren of the monarch, as things stand now.

“None of Harry’s children automatically get to be a prince except if there’s some reason that the Queen would bestow it on them,” said Fraser.

Grandchildren of a monarch can be princes or princesses, however, and things could change for Archie when his grandfather, Charles, becomes the monarch.

Whether Meghan’s comments might refer to what might happen then isn’t clear.

There is a broad understanding that Charles is looking toward a more streamlined monarchy, with fewer working members.

"I saw that Meghan mentioned that there were plans to narrow eligibility and I imagine that this is a reference to the Prince of Wales's stated view that the size of the Royal Family needs to be reduced," Bob Morris from the constitution unit at University College London told the BBC.

"However, he has not so far as I know given details of how it should be accomplished."

Fascinator readers write

Readers of the Royal Fascinator shared their views in droves after the Winfrey interview. Here’s a sampling of emails and excerpts from longer messages that reflect the wide range of thoughts offered on Harry, Meghan and what they said on Sunday.

From Linda: “I was saddened by the interview. It could have been a great opportunity for the royals to move forward and acknowledge mental health issues, but The Firm refused to take that route. Shocked to hear how the men in grey suits direct so much of the agenda.”

From Susan: “Unsubstantiated accusations are very damaging. It’s easy to allege things were said and then refuse to say who said them. Then it’s just a case of he said, she said. But the damage is done.”

From Charlie: “I feel for Harry and Meghan and I don't blame them one bit for the decision they made for leaving the U.K. and the Royal Family, in search for a more peaceful, sane and healthy lifestyle and mental health. I have never been a royal watcher or a fan of all the pomp that goes into it. I personally think Canada should abolish all that nonsense as it relates to a Governor General as the representative of the Queen in Canada (who is still our head of state). Canada should maintain close ties with the U.K., for sure, as partners, allies and friends, but this monarchy BS is a waste of taxpayer dollars.”

From Margaret: “I am still grappling with the intent of the interview and tell-all. And what is to be gained by the couple? Probably more paparazzi and Hollywood-like behaviours…. The constant referral back to Diana gives one pause for thought as well. Yes, Harry was totally traumatized by his mother’s death…. That said, although there are some similarities in press and media reporting, Diana was very young and naive when she joined ‘The Firm,’ whereas Harry and Meagan were well into their 30s when they married and should have known full well what could happen…. I do not mean to downplay or negate the comments on race/skin colour. Hopefully there will be some conversations around that at the palace level.”

From Tina: “I felt so much of this interview resonated with the Diana era. It left me with many questions, but mostly: How on earth can a parent stop taking calls from their child? How on earth can a parent not want to keep their family safe? How on earth can a parent allow the words of racism to be spoken amongst anyone, never mind their own? How on earth can a parent knowingly watch your child go through such pain and not reach out?... I applaud the two of them for coming out to the world and letting people be reminded, once again, of a dated monarchy who cares more about how they are perceived to the world than that of their own. One can only hope for Meghan and Harry to have a life of joy with their little family and always be safe .... and perhaps maybe Harry's wish that 'time heals all' comes true and his family come to their senses.”

From Paul: “Unless I misheard Meghan, she mentioned that she was not informed/prepared with the protocols of ‘The Firm.’ I find this difficult to believe. She is an intelligent, successful woman with a mind of her own.... I am not naive enough to not know there would be some racial problems. But I do believe too much emphasis was placed on the racial issue. As for protection being dropped for Harry, why not? He is in a foreign country, by choice…. With all Harry and Meghan's money, they should be paying for their own protection. Remember, they optioned out of the U.K. Nevertheless, I wish them the best in their endeavours.”

From Anna: “I do not feel this interview will damage the Royal Family. There are differences of opinion in all families. I do not feel the whole Royal Family should be painted with the same brush. This interview will be so hard on the Queen. My heart goes out to her.”

We’ll continue to include comments from readers in future editions of the Royal Fascinator

Royal reads

1. Harry and Meghan’s interview might have some thinking it’s time for Canada to retire the Queen and its connection to the monarchy, but it wouldn’t be that simple to do, writes CBC’s Aaron Wherry.

2. Harry talked of an “invisible contract” between the media and the Royal Family. The BBC took a closer look at what it is.

3. Journalist and TV presenter Piers Morgan left British broadcaster ITV after long-running criticism of Meghan that reached a crescendo after the interview with Winfrey. [CBC

Cheers

I’m always happy to hear from you. Send your ideas, comments, feedback and notes to [email protected]. Problems with the newsletter? Please let me know about any typos, errors or glitches.

GSTQAOBC🇨🇦🇬🇧🇦🇺🇳🇿

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of-another-broken-heart · 4 years ago

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I’m just going to copy/paste this because it took me hours and I’m drained.

I guess I have to format it again if I want it to show up at all...

I couldn't even make it back home before breaking down crying again.

Driving while chronically sleep deprived, exhausted, fatigued, and dissociating is bad enough. Doing it with all that AND without being able to see? How special.

I barely had time to sit down, my phone rang. I answered it, begging for someone to hear me. For thirty straight seconds. "Hello? Hello? Hello???" Finally someone spoke, but they couldn't hear me. I'm sobbing. They hung up. I scrambled to call back, from my computer, because at least then I'm not fighting a lack of reception as well as my anxiety. They called again. I didn't answer. I waited for my computer to ring through instead. I'm put on hold. I'm sobbing. It was just to ask what my pharmacy is. Which I already answered on my paperwork. Which I answered, again, at check-out. And I was forced into a third confirmation via a pointless, needless, anxiety-attack inducing phone call hazing. For something I already answered.

It's not fucking fun. People don't choose this. I didn't choose this. But does it matter? "Call," the command comes. "Just call." "Call to confirm." "Call to ask." "Call." "Call." "Call."

I want you to think of something that takes physical hold of your body and brings to you to tears. I want you to hold that and sit with it until it does those things. I want you to choose to reduce yourself to a sobbing mess, struggling to breathe, alone. And I want you to picture a world where you are commanded, demanded, required to do this. For virtually everything. Imagine needing help - but you must first re-traumatize yourself with your most painful memories until your nose is running and your eyes burn from crying. And you're exhausted for the rest of the day, too. Maybe multiple days. Absolutely exhausted. So fucking depleted that taking yourself to the bathroom is almost impossible. Feeding yourself - even eating something out of a can, or microwaved - is a herculean effort. Does that sound fun? Of course not.

As for the appointment itself: It's the same. Much better bedside manner. But it's the same underlying capitalism-serving "care" system. It's my fault. I'm not trying hard enough. I'm not blacking out alone on the side of the road enough. I haven't dissociated hard enough and/or blacked out while driving yet, so it can't be that bad, right? Not until I'm maimed or dead, right? Why address the root of a problem when we can just plaster on endless band-aids instead? When we can blame you for hurting, instead of the environment that's poisoning you? I'm not medically sedating myself into an obedient little wage slave, and that's the real problem. I should aspire to produce capital for someone with most of the remaining hours of my life. That's the purpose of living, that's the reason for "health"care - not to care about health, no, just to keep the wheels of capitalism well-oiled with wasted human life. Inherent human value? Quality of life? Nah.

They refused my medical history. I brought the 72-page pdf on a flash drive. Because that's how I was given it. Because I can't afford to buy and operate a personal fax machine and/or print out a chapter book's worth of pages of medical records. I went through the trouble of getting the files, and it took over a month - only to be told "we can't take anything but paper or fax." I filled out a file release form as best I could. But I didn't have the phone number or address memorized. Not even before that place became synonymous with medical neglect and trauma for me. So now they're going to go through the ancient months-long ritual of requesting the self-fucking-same documents from LISH, either by mail or fax, because they "can't" access a flash drive or a pdf or use email. Welcome to 2021. We're back to "normal" and teleheath never existed and the internet is fake and technology is a myth and why do anything efficiently when you can waste time and do damage to people instead? My Aunt called to check in on me during her lunch break. (Thank you again) She offered to get the file printed and try to hand it in for me. I'm too tired to hope. I'm too exhausted to think they'll accept it without fuss. Anything and everything to make things harder.

Top priority order of business is the whole "diseased for life" thing. Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Hypothyroidism. Daily hormones for every day of the rest of forever, gatekept behind eternal doctor visits and prescriptions and pharmacies and copays and and and and did I mention this is forever? I've got a referral to have a thyroid sonogram done. Haven't ever had one of those before. Need to make that appointment. I was able to have my blood drawn for the thyroid testing without needing an additional appointment, which was a nice change of pace. Normally you're supposed to fast for that, but I wasn't expecting that could be done during the visit. Three years of having to make additional trips to the lab for blood work. I ate immediately before getting there, so hopefully nothing had a chance to metabolize and skew the results. Even though it was great not to have to juggle yet another appointment for health shit, it was stressful. The nurse took three tries before she had all the supplies she needed in the room. I already have anxiety spikes (which also raise my blood pressure and heart rate) for all doctor visits now. (White Coat Syndrome, I learned, it's called) I didn't need to have a rubber cable tied around my arm, popped off, tied again, popped off, and tied a third and final time to make it worse. A pro to that con: she was incredibly accurate and gentle. I normally have sub-dermal bleeding and some bruising after having blood drawn, and keep the bandage on for a day or two. The bandage didn't last even an hour after I got home - but there wasn't a single spot of trapped blood, and I almost couldn't even tell where she stuck me.

I have another new diagnosis to add to my growing collection. Hypertension. High blood pressure. I used to have slightly low blood pressure. It stunned the first doctor I ever saw (you know, because I'm fat, so that sort of thing is supposed to be ~impossible~) and it frustrated my last doctor at first, too. But now, with years of building stress and anxiety? It's almost like living with your most basic human needs barely provided (food, shelter, healthcare - let's not bring up social needs LMAO those don't count anyway, right?), and at constant risk of being taken away, for months (years, in some cases) on end, is some form of stress. It's almost like being constantly dismissed and told "you're just not trying hard enough" (WHILE TRYING YOUR BEST JUST TO SURVIVE EACH DAY) is some form of stress!It's almost like perpetual, ongoing, worsening stress has a negative impact on your heart! It's almost like there are decades of data that spell this out, plain as day!It's almost like I noticed my elevated heart rate back in NOVEMBER and mentioned it out of concern to my last doctor - who dismissed it outright because my reading in-office wasn't *that* bad, and also shouldn't I be on 5487 psych meds instead? If I was sedated out of my mind, I wouldn't be physically capable of feeling stress in my body despite the presence of real-world stress factors. That's healthy, right? Don't bother to solve the stressors, just neuter the body's response to them. Super healthy response. (Not) My GYN took note of my concern in December, when my vitals DID show as high in-office. Not that my GYN had the jurisdiction to do anything about it. I'm being put on another medication to try to mitigate this, and potentially also address some anxiety. I haven't picked it up yet. I don't know the name. I don't know if I'll be able to afford it. "Your copay is only a dollar!" Yes well, when you don't have a dollar, you can't afford a dollar, can you?

I was given a list of psychiatrists. To "Call!!"Precisely none of them are a reasonable distance away. Nearly half aren't even in my insurance network. Some explicitly exclude Medicaid. Others are exclusively for children. I was suggested a medication for depression and anxiety. I can't remember which one. Either Abilify or Lexapro? I declined it for now, either way. I wanted to be able to research it. Lexapro is just another SSRI and I already know those don't work for me. Adding a chemical bouncer to my brain to make sure the happy chemicals stay out to play doesn't help when there are no happy chemicals in the first place. A quick search for Abilify doesn't address anxiety at all so it was probably Lexapro. In which case, I am not interested in repeating a different-flavor-Prozac experience. It was not good. I didn't get any notes with that medication, regardless. I got a sticky note with "Valerian Root Extract (tea or tincture)" and "Magnesium Glycinate 2 capsules" scribbled on it, instead. Out-of-pocket home rem-maybes. I can't afford to experiment with snake oils, so mostly I'll probably just spend a bunch of time looking for data and research and studies for those substances, and that's it. If I get around to psychiatric care, I will have to start from scratch in my insurance's shoddy search tool, again. And, frankly, it's not a priority. My mental health struggles are the result of a lot of physical factors and external/social factors, and no amount of artificial chemicals bullying my brain is going to solve any of it. When your car starts leaking oil, you don't just commit to buying more oil forever and dribbling it all over, wherever you go. You fix the fucking leak. If your house has a gas leak, you don't invest in gas masks. You fix the fucking leak. If you end up with a burst pipe, you don't commit to wasting water and money and damaging your environment. You fix. The fucking. Leak. But in these comparisons, I'm getting prescribed oil and gas masks and infinite water damage/waste/bills as long-term care.

I mentioned my fatigue. It was the final straw that made me give up with the last doctor. It just keeps getting worse. It's been getting worse for over 3 years. And I'm so, so fucking tired of it getting pinned fully on the fact that I'm not on psych meds. I WAS on psych meds during part of those 3 years with my last doctor. And it didn't fucking make any difference! A daily chemical lobotomy does not address or restore my lack of physical energy. My decades-old medication-resistant insomnia has never vanished with psych meds before, and it's not likely to do it now. Especially not with yet another of the same family of chemicals that I already know don't work. I want my concern to be taken seriously. I don't want it just brushed into the mental health corner, again. Being too tired to even do the things you used to enjoy - no one fucking wants this! I don't want this! I miss being able to go for walks. I miss going to the gym. I miss seeing how much I could do, and feeling good, and feeling strong. And I can't do any of that now. Not without risking harming myself in the process.

No one wants this. I keep talking, but it feels like no one listens. At the earliest opportunity, we're back to repeating the same tired old shit that doesn't work. I try to come prepared, and the stress and time and system make sure I fail to stand up for myself anyway. I didn't get to document my disordered eating history. The relapse this year. Restricting, sometimes to the point of not eating at all. I declined to be weighed, because I want my care to be based on relevant data, vitals, blood results - not the shape and size of my body. But I was too tired to realize I needed to dodge a verbal ask for the same information. Which, it turns out, is nearly as bad a trigger as having the scale spit it out for me. Being your own advocate for equal care, when you're already tapped out? I'm not winning that challenge.

I'm frustrated. I'm not giving up, but I am frustrated and beyond tired. I don't really expect anyone to read this mess. But it's here.

#personal

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suitofvibraniumarmor · 4 years ago

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Boston Boys [Part Seven]

Summary: Aurelie opens up to John; Elsa is unsure about Chris; Chris tries to put his foot down with Robert. Pairing: Chris Evans x OFC, John Krasinski x OFC Word Count: 1469 Chapter Warnings: Crime discussion. Square Filled: The entire series (well, bits and pieces of it) will fill my Crossover square for @marvelfluffbingo. A/N: This story contains a character who lost her hearing as she got older. I do work closely and regularly with the D/deaf community (I’m a sign language interpreter), but my own hearing problems do not involve significant hearing loss. It is not my intention to offend anyone, only to bring in a character with a quality I don’t see often in other fics. If you have questions about her, feel free to ask :)

Boston Boys Masterlist

A couple of days later, John and Aurelie were scheduled to have their first official date. A day or two of thinking about everything she had told her brother had convinced her that she needed to tell John the truth before they went any further. For her own safety and to potentially avoid a bigger scene than she wanted, Aurelie asked him to meet her in the park.

“We could have met at the restaurant,” John said, joining her on the bench. He draped his arm over the back of the bench and took a deep breath. “Do you want to go from here?”

Aurelie took a deep breath. “Before we go, Johnny, I want to tell you something -- I have to tell you something, actually. I wasn’t going to. I was going to wait it out, but then I told Chris he needed to be honest with this girl he’s been seeing and I realized if I didn’t do that same, I’d be a hypocrite.”

John’s arm pulled away from the back of the bench. He leaned forward on his knees and closed his eyes. “Chris. Please, kid, tell me you don’t mean the Chris I think you mean.”

She licked her lips. “Chris Evans is my stepbrother. My father died when I was younger, and my mother married Chris’s father. I’ve known about a lot of things from way younger than I maybe should have, and I didn’t want to be associated with any of it. So, I kept my last name, I went to medical school. I see Chris sometimes, but I don’t see the rest of the family. They don’t have any interest in seeing me. As soon as you told me your name in the hospital, I knew who you were, and I knew that there could be trouble if certain people found out I had treated you.”

“Which is why you asked me not to tell anyone you were my doctor that night.”

Aurelie nodded. “I’m sorry I let it go even this far without telling you.”

John sat up. “Wait -- so you know who I am, too. You know what kind of life I have, and you still wanted to see me? Is this about your brother?”

“It’s not about my brother. I like you, genuinely. But I don’t want you to not have a choice here. We would have to keep this very secret if it continues and --”

Her sentence was cut off by John’s lips on hers. Aurelie reacted immediately, cupping her hand over the back of his neck when John’s hands carded into her hair.

“Sorry,” John said when he pulled away, “kissing you in the middle of the park isn’t very secret. I don’t give a shit who your brother is, and I get needing to keep it on the down low. But you’re going to have to show me I can trust you.”

“Likewise,” Aurelie agreed. “This can’t be about my brother for you, either.”

John nodded and kissed her once more. “Fair enough. Can we go to dinner now?”

Aurelie giggled. “Yes, we can go to dinner now.”

Elsa dropped her books on the passenger seat of her car and bit her lip as she pulled out her phone to dial Chris’s number. They had gone on a few dates by now, and already she couldn’t get enough of him. He was funny and caring, always knew the right thing to say. She hoped that things were going in a serious direction, but she wasn’t going to rush him, either.

“Hey, beautiful,” he greeted as soon as the line connected. “How was class?”

“It was good,” Elsa answered. “Film History, which is my favorite class. Do you have time for lunch soon?”

Chris hesitated. “Uh, I wish I did, but the shop is pretty busy.”

“I’ll come by and see you,” Elsa offered, hopefully.

“It’s really busy,” he repeated, “but I’ll call you tonight, okay?”

Elsa felt her heart crumble a little. “Yeah, okay. Sounds good. Talk soon.”

“Talk soon.”

She waited for him to disconnect the call, something he did after a few seconds. She thought about that phone call the entire way home. Chris sounded stressed, but maybe he was really busy. Maybe he felt bad about telling her he couldn’t see her. They hadn’t made plans.

“You’re overthinking, Elsa,” she told herself. “Call Brie, get it off your chest, and move on with your life.”

So, that’s what she did. She put in a call to her best friend and unloaded the entire, over-analyzed situation.

“I mean, based on what you told me before, I really do think he likes you. Maybe it’s moving too fast for him. Maybe he’s not sure how he feels -- how strong he feels. You know how long it took Ben to ask me out. Guys are weird about feelings.”

“You’re right. I’m panicking. I’m still on edge sometimes from the robbery, that’s why I’m so sensitive.”

Brie nodded. “You’re absolutely right. Everything is going to work out, Els. You’ll see. Hey, maybe bring him with you next time you visit New York.”

Elsa paused. “Oh, well, see -- the thing is -- Chris, he runs his family’s barber shop and -- well, I don’t even know when I’m going to be in New York again. So, yeah. I don’t know. Maybe.”

“What is it you’re so worried about?”

“I don’t know. Maybe let me get through this one emotional crisis at a time, huh?”

“Yeah, okay, whatever,” Brie laughed. “I’ve got to go, but we’ll talk again soon.”

Elsa nodded. “Yeah, sounds good. Thanks, Brie.”

“Anytime, gorgeous.”

The call disconnected. Elsa decided that even though it was mid-day, she didn’t have anywhere else to be, so a bath and a glass of wine were exactly what she needed.

Chris turned his phone off and shoved the device in his pocket. He hated being here. Robert Downey Jr.’s office in downtown Boston was so pristine and glass and white. Chris was out of his league here, and a call from Elsa -- a girl who was also out of his league, for too many different reasons— didn’t help him to feel any more relaxed. Anxiety was gripping every fiber of him, and on top of feeling so out of place, he couldn’t show that anxiety one bit.

“Mr. Downey will see you now.”

He snapped out of his thoughts and cleared his throat. He couldn’t think about Elsa or anxiety, or how out of place he felt in the only life he had known. He pushed the door open to Robert’s office and took a seat.

“How are things?” Robert asked, pulling a briefcase out from under the desk and sliding it toward Chris. “The money has all been exchanged. You cut is here, and for the rest of them, too. This was a good referral, I’m proud of all you.”

“Thank you,” Chris replied, setting the briefcase on the floor next to him. “Listen, Robert --”

“There was a hostage.”

Chris’s breath caught in his throat. He paused a moment before nodding in the affirmative. “Scar spooked. She thought this teller pulled the alarm -- I don’t think it was her, but our bases are covered there. The cops told her there were too many bigger problems in the area.”

“How do you know that?”

Shit. How did he get out of this without giving Robert any leverage? “We followed up -- I did. Personally. Tailed her for a few days, she hasn’t talked to the police in a while.”

Robert looked suspicious, but seemed to drop the subject for the next thing on his agenda -- an agenda from which Chris never knew what to expect.

“So the next referral --”

“No.”

Robert frowned. “No? I’m sorry, but your job is not to tell me no. Your job is to take the referrals I give you and follow up on them.”

Now was not the time for anxiety or heightened emotions, but that was all Chris felt. Leaning forward onto the desk, he tried his best to reason with Robert.

“This last one was big, like you said. The hostage thing turned out all right, but maybe it’s time to lay low -- before the cops start making connections. We’re set up for right now, we have time. The money isn’t going to stop flowing anytime soon.”

“Then why put a dam up?” Robert opened the drawer of his desk and took out an envelope. He handed it to Chris, who hesitated before taking it. “Good choice. You and Seb scout it out and get back to me.”

Chris shoved the envelope in his back pocket and picked up the briefcase. He made way for the door, anxious to get out of that office and far away from the life he never asked to have.

AlloftheThings: @captain-s-rogers @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan@letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked @hurricanerin@horsesandbandsforlife @im-not-an-armrest-im-short @captain-rogers-beard @shynara51 @sea040561 @pinknerdpanda @xtina2191 @jackryanplz @beakami @heartsaved@fullprunerebelstatesman @blackwidowismyhomegirl

Boston Boys: @the-murder-strut-murdered-me @becs-bunker @shield-agent78 @patzammit @crazyandanonymous4u@ntlmundy @jennmurawski13 @okay-maybe-i-like-marvel-too

#marvelfluffbingo #chris evans #john krasinski #crossover #fanfiction #criminal!au #queue and i remember budapest very differently

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lullabieswrappedinlies · 4 years ago

Text

Boston Boys [Part Seven]

Summary: Aurelie opens up to John; Elsa is unsure about Chris; Chris tries to put his foot down with Robert. Pairing: Chris Evans x OFC, John Krasinski x OFC Word Count: 1469 Chapter Warnings: Crime discussion. A/N: This story contains a character who lost her hearing as she got older. I do work closely and regularly with the D/deaf community (I’m a sign language interpreter), but my own hearing problems do not involve significant hearing loss. It is not my intention to offend anyone, only to bring in a character with a quality I don’t see often in other fics. If you have questions about her, feel free to ask :)