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aion-rsa · 3 years ago

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Squid Game’s Most Heartbreaking Hour is Also Its Best

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This Squid Game article includes MAJOR spoilers for all nine episodes of the series, including Episode 6.

“Gganbu” isn’t the Squid Game episode with the highest kill count. It’s not the episode when we finally discover the man behind the deadly competition, or its ultimate winner. It is not the most fast-paced or action-driven of the Netflix series’ nine installments, nor is it the bloodiest. Instead, it is a relatively quiet hour that divides its characters into teams of two, with each pair acting as their own mini-social experiment. If the “deadly competition” trope is designed to reflect on the inherent goodness or not of humanity, then Squid Game‘s most articulate answer to the question of what humans will or will not do to survive comes in “Gganbu,” and it is as nuanced as it is heartrending.

What Happens in “Gganbu”?

“Gganbu” concerns itself with the events of Round 4. Before the next, mysterious competition begins, the remaining players are asked to pair up, unaware of how the structure might come into play. Once they have chosen partners, they enter a massive room designed to look like a traditional Korean village. Each player is given a bag with 10 marbles, and instructed to play a game of their choosing with their partner. After 30 minutes, whoever has won the game, and all of their partner’s marbles, will pass the round and survive. The loser will be “eliminated.” This is the round when characters we have come to care about start dying…

This is also the episode that gives the most time to a round of a competition. Episode 7, “VIPs,” comes close with its depiction of Round Five’s bridge of glass, but the narrative focus is split between the competitors and the disgustingly rich men who have come to watch. In “Gganbu,” there is no such split focus. The players begin choosing their characters around the four-minute mark, and they enter the playing arena at around the 13-minute mark. This is where they will stay until the end of the episode, which means the viewer experiences Round 4 in what is, more or less, real time. “Gganbu” makes use of every bit of it.

Can any of these players hold on to any scrap of their humanity when they have been manipulated into Squid Game? This is the question the “deadly competition” trope seeks to explore and, sometimes, answer. Squid Game doesn’t opt for one definitive answer, but rather a more complicated and nuanced one. It does this by giving us four clear, varied scenarios to see this theme played out.

Deok-su vs. Ja-hyoung

First, we have our duo with the least surprising thematic outcome: gangster Deok-su and henchman Ja-hyoung. Unlike Sang-woo, these two have rarely pretended to prioritize anything over their own survival and accumulation of power. When Deok-su betrays Mi-nyeo, leaving her to her presumed death again and again rather than risking his own survival by teaming up with her, it’s expected. Past that, there is little artifice to Deok-su’s games with Ja-hyoung. Ja-hyoung has dropped the act that he will obey Deok-su’s orders without question, but not even Deok-su is surprised by that. After all, he lives his life without the comfort of human connection, solely trusting in violence and money as security—why should he expect anything else from his social circle? What’s most interesting here is the game stipulation that says Deok-su cannot use violence to win the marbles. This puts Deok-su at a disadvantage because violence has always been how he exerts power. While Deok-su ultimately wins, this is the most unsettled we’ve seen him up to this point, and a reminder that even violence has its limits when it comes to ensuring survival.

Sang-woo vs. Ali

Lying can be a form of subtle violence, and it’s one that Sang-woo has demonstrated himself very capable of since the beginning of Squid Game, most notably when he chose to knowingly send his “teammates,” including childhood friend Gi-hun, to the harder dalgona challenges in Round 2. If you’ve been paying attention to Sang-woo, then his betrayal of Ali isn’t particularly surprising, but it cuts much deeper. That is because, while the viewer may not be shocked that Sang-woo would trick Ali to his death to save himself, Ali is. While this characterization didn’t always work for me—I think Ali would be more discerning as a 33-year-old immigrant who has been screwed over before—it works on an emotional and thematic level. Ali is depicted as the most innocent character within the game; he is almost child-like in his portrayal. To see Sang-woo take advantage of that innocence is upsetting. It may be tempting to see Ali as a passive player in this game, but that’s not how I view him. To me, believing in the goodness of others, and taking a chance on the relationships you have built is not only an active decision, but one of the bravest ones—an action that Deok-su and Sang-woo are much too cowardly to ever take themselves.

Gi-hun vs. Il-nam

While Gi-hun may struggle to play “fair” against Il-nam when his own survival is at stake, it’s all in the context of Gi-hun’s first major decision in this episode: to take Il-nam as his teammate. When the partner requirement is announced, Gi-hun initially goes to seek a more able-bodied contestant—and he has some good options. However, when someone points out that there is an uneven number of people and makes the assumption that the odd man out will be killed, Gi-hun sacrifices the edge a more physically able teammate might give him in order to make sure Il-nam doesn’t die. In this episode, Gi-hun hits peak aspirational relatability. He is the kind of player, the kind of human, we would like to believe ourselves to be. He’s relatable in that, when Il-nam’s apparent dementia gives him the chance to avoid losing, he takes it; he wants to survive. He’s aspirational in that, when faced with entering Round 4 in the first place, he chose friendship and compassion over the presumed competitive edge. It’s not the first time we’ve seen him make that decision, and it won’t be the last.

Squid Game: What Could Season 2 Look Like?

By Kayti Burt

Is Squid Game Based on an Anime, Comic, or Manga?

By Kayti Burt

Ultimately, the outcome of “Gganbu”‘s contest between Gi-hun and Il-nam hits different once you’ve seen the ending of the season, and the Oh Il-nam twist. Il-nam doesn’t die here. In many ways, Il-nam’s arc in this episode foreshadows that reveal. For most of the episode, we and Gi-hun are led to believe that Il-nam doesn’t fully understand what’s going on. Then, with only minutes left in the round, Il-nam reveals to Gi-hun that he knows Gi-hun has been tricking him, using his apparent memory problems against him to ensure he isn’t taken out of the game. It’s a manipulation not unlike the larger manipulations of the game in the sense that Il-nam has so much more power than Gi-hun, and is using that power to play with him and see what he will do. It’s cruel because it is dishonest. Watching this the first time, Il-nam’s decision to let Gi-hun win is a powerful one, and it disappoints that the Il-nam plot twist retroactively undercuts that narrative choice. That being said, the playing out of this dynamic—both a first and second time—helps to give us a complex, nuanced view of humanity.

Sae-byeok vs. Ji-yeong

While most of the players spend their half hour playing marbles to the death, Sae-byeok and Ji-yeong choose to “enjoy” what will be the final 30 minutes of one of their lives. This decision alone is a thematically impactful one: it treats life as precious. By using that 30 minutes to share their secrets with one another, they are choosing humanity’s capacity for togetherness and connection over humanity’s capacity for violence and desperation. They tell stories about the pain they have endured, and trade dreams about a future only one of them (and then neither of them) will have. While some, especially during an initial watch, may think the “Gganbu” of the title refers to the friendship between Gi-hun and Il-nam, I think it refers to the connection between Sae-byeok and Ji-yeong. If a gganbu is, as Il-nam describes it: “a good friend, one you trust a lot [and] you share things with,” then Sae-byeok and Ji-yeong become gganbu over the course of this hour of television.

In the end, Ji-yeong decides to let her gganbu, Sae-byeok, win. If Deok-su and Sang-woo represent the worst of humanity’s capacity for selfishness, then Sae-byeok and especially Ji-yeong represent humanity’s capacity for hope. And, unlike so many stories in this subgenre, Squid Game treats Ji-yeong’s act of desperate hope as just as likely as Deok-su or Sang-woo’s desperate acts of self-interest.

Humanity is not a monolith. Some of us make selfish decisions and some of us make selfless ones. Usually, it’s a combination of both. Squid Game neither wholly condemns humanity, nor wholly celebrates it; instead, it goes for something in-between, with an eye towards hope. While other episodes in Squid Game‘s first season concern themselves with a criticism of how society allows the ultra-powerful few to make decisions about the value of human life, “Gganbu”‘s ambitions are simultaneously simpler and much more ambitious: It chooses to depict the most powerful and affecting act not as a show of violence, but rather as a quiet gift of friendship and the sharing of one’s own name. As a result, “Gganbu” is Squid Game at its absolute best.

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What is your favorite episode of Squid Game? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Squid Game’s Most Heartbreaking Hour is Also Its Best appeared first on Den of Geek.

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twotonevibes · 3 years ago

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Is There a New Royal Family

I believe royalty knows how to make an entrance, Kendrick’s younger cousin Baby Keem introduces himself as the face of a new rap wave and Kendrick offers sharp and eloquent bars that prove he is still the reigning king of lyricism and artistry.

Although Kendrick’s highly anticipated verse from Family Ties offers a lot of content to dissect, we have to start with Baby Keem’s verse because well... it’s his song and two he might be dropping subtle hints that he is the face of a new Hip-Hop Era. Baby Keem, a relative of Kendrick Lamar, offered a new and original sound with his catchy single Orange Soda. Keem released a mixtape Die For my Bitch in 2019, which led to him being inducted into the 2020 Freshman XXL. Although Baby Keem has been credited in some songwriting for the Black Panther soundtrack, it was unknown to the public that Baby Keem and Kendrick were cousins. However in 2020 Kendrick and Keem released a mysterious launch of their new creative content platform, PgLang and also it was revealed that the pair were actually cousins. Keem has since released several highly successful singles, however he has only utilized his social media for the promotion of his singles, Keem dropped two EPs in 2018, however did not reach stardom and international attention until 2020 with the release of his mixtape Die For My Bitch. Baby Keem never really trended on TikTok however that made him no less successful than other artists who received instant stardom from trending on the popular app. Through hard work and consistently being counted out Keem has become a successful artist, and his victorious and boastful opening on the track covers that pinnacle he’s reaching. Baby keem offers the audience a cocky and arrogant tone, yet one of victory and triumph. Aspiring to surpass the greats, Keem deems himself a trendsetter, or the future.

When we ask who is the G.O.A.T of post-golden era Hip Hop, we have to reserve that title for Kendrick Lamar. Kendrick has reserved his goat status by frequently staying free from the public eye and ducking menial social trends. In 2018 Kendrick Lamar won a Pulitzer Prize for this critically acclaimed album Damn and that same year Lamar released the soundtrack he produced for another award winning movie Black Panther. After the release of these two massively impressive projects Lamar took a three year hiatus from music and the public eye. During Kendricks interlude three major events changed the climate of hip-hop; tik-tok, gun violence against rappers, and the intense protests for social justice reforms. All three phenomenons are addressed by Kendrick and Keem but from the perspective of Hip-Hip royalty and a rising underdog.

Now which artists lyrically dismantles the trendy gimmicks?

Baby Keem addresses the likeness of fatal gun violence against rappers and Kendrick addresses the mediocrity of successful TikTok artists as well as the corny social media gimmicks that contribute nothing to the culture of hip hop.

For the past few years, beginning in 2018 with the murder of rising rapper XXXtentacion, hip hop audiences have witnessed a sharp increase in violent crimes against mainstream rap artists. Since then the Hip-Hop community has lost Nipsey Hussle, Pop Smoke, and King Von. This tragic pattern of violence needs to come to an end and Baby Keem has the right message that there is no room in hip-hop for death and hostility so Keem offers the right command, “if we see a bum with a gun in the party beat him up!”

As for Kendrick, he takes the stance of don't take, silence for meekness. Kendrick states that even in his hiatus he is still the most talented hip-hop artist and he does not need to trend and stay relevant through the use of social media and gimmicky trends. Naming himself the Omega of the rap industry, Kendrick hops on the fast pace unconventional sped up beat which is the perfect match for superior rhyme techniques. Kendrick switches flows three different times to exhibit his versatility in style. The prevalence of fast stardom and instant success has become higher due to the widely used TikTok app. With the like of a million likes an artist will receive fame, however that creates a disadvantage for the artist because they have no time to develop their skills. Kendrick makes it clear that TikTok has ruined the ears of many listeners because society is now only looking for a hit to post videos and dances to, however the tracks and singles do not offer any positive contribution to hip-hop and are far from timeless. Pertaining to the social justice reforms, Kendrick is famously known to contribute his ideas on race relations in America on his albums therefore when Kendrick yells he’s been ducking the “overnight activist”, he sincerely wittingly advises his audience that he is not supportive of performative protest and demonstrations simply because the issue of race is trending and controversial right now.

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castrumtocastle · 4 years ago

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EDWARD THE BLACK PRINCE OF WALES

Also known as ‘Edward of Woodstock’, Edward the Black Prince was the eldest son of King III of England and Philippa of Hainault. Although he never became the king, he was the heir apparent to the English throne. His limited years did not limit his power and he made a name for himself through his military brilliance and achievements. Of all the battles he fought, his victories against the French in the Battle of Crécy and the Battle of Poitiers are notorious.

There is no clear evidence as to why he became to be known as Edward The Black Prince Of Wales but some historians suggest that it was referred to his black shield and body armour while others argued that it referred to his cruelty to the French people. Moreover, he was given this name after about one hundred and fifty years after his death. In his life, he was only known as ‘Edward of Woodstock’.

Early Life

Born on the 15th of June 1330 at Woodstock Palace in Oxfordshire, Edward of Woodstock was the eldest son of King Edward III of England and was the heir to the English throne. Since he died a year before his father at the age of 45, his son Richard II succeeded the throne. Edward was given the following titles:

Earl of Chester

Duke of Cornwell

Prince of Wales

Prince of Aquitaine

Knight of the Garter

Marriage

The negotiations for Edward began when he was only 7 years old. He was married to his father’s cousin who was the divorced and widowed countess of Kent in October 1361 at Windsor castle. They had two sons, Edward and Richard. The eldest son Edward died of plague at the mere age of six, whereas the younger son Richard grew up to inherit the throne after his Grandfather and become to be known as King Richard II.

He also became the step-father to his wife Joan’s children from her previous marriage which included Thomas and John Holland. Apart from his two legitimate sons, he also had several illegitimate children which were not considered unusual at that time. His illegitimate children included Sir Roger Clarendon whom he had with Edith de Willesford and three other sons called Edward, Sir Charles FitzEdward, and Sir John Sounder.

Titles and achievements

He received his first suit of armour at the age of seven. Soon afterward he was granted revenue from the newly created Duchy of Cornwell by his father King Edward. However, if the future monarch did not have a son then the revenue from the Duchy would be reverted to the crown. Hence, eventually, Prince Edward was made theDuke of Cornwell.

At the age of 13, Edward was made the Prince of Wales and he proved his position 3 years later at the Battle of Crécy in North-Eastern France in August 1346. The English had a total victory over the French. During the Hundred Years’ War, Edward often fought with the French. Another major achievement for him came from the Battle of Poitiers when he defeated the French and even captured the French King as a prisoner.

After his achievements in the Hundred Years’ War against the French, Edward’s reputation got stained in September 1370 due to the French town of Limoges. A friend of Edward and the godfather to his son, Johan De dross who was also the Bishop of Limoges betrayed Edward and defected to the french by welcoming a garrison into a part of the town.

A massacre followed upon Edward hearing the news where he put 3,000 men, women, and children to death. Despite them pleading for mercy, Edward listened to none and almost destroyed the entire population of Limoges. This cruelty shown by him is also suggested to be one of the reasons he is termed as the Black Prince of Wales.

After his military success in France, he turned towards Spain where he helped the deposed King Pedro the Cruel of Castile defeat his illegitimate brother known as the henry of Trastamara. He was defeated at Najera in Castile and hence Edward was awarded the Black Prince’s Ruby by the Spanish King. Moreover, Edward was also among the 25 founding knights of the Order of the Garter.

Hundred Years’ War

In 1337 CE, King Edward decided to expand his lands in France. Moreover, the King’s mother Isabella being from France (the daughter of Philip IV of France) gave him an excuse to have a right to claim the French throne. However, the king of France at the time, Philip VI refused to step down from his throne. Hence, the Hundred Years’ War between France and England began in which Prince Edward played a major role starting from the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

Battle Of Crécy

Edward was known to use the strategy chevauchée which was a common part of medieval warfare and is known to be used as far as back in 1066 CE by William the Conqueror. The strategy aimed to perform multiple functions such as instilling fear and terror in the locals, provide free food for an invading army, get booty and ransom for noble prisoners, and to ensure that the opposite army had a weak economic base.

Moreover, ordinary troops also caused mayhem and executed raids on the opponent’s army whenever they could get a chance. The potential outcome of this strategy was brutal economic warfare and provoking the enemy to attack. This is exactly what happened with the King of France and hence on the 26th of August, the two armies met when King Phillip of France decided to invade England’s army.

Prince Edward who was only 16 at the time led the English army with his right-wing and Sir Godfrey Harcourt. Although the prince fought with great bravery there came a point when the French seemed to be winning. Sir Godfrey called for reinforcements however the King upon hearing the news stated that if his son could extricate himself from the battle then he would win his spurs which was a sign of knighthood and were awarded in a full knighting ceremony.

Eventually, Edward the Black Prince’s army overcame their numerical disadvantage by taking a defensive position on the River Maie. The French army retracted after getting into a muddle. King Edward won the battle with only 300 casualties whereas the French had a great number of casualties of around 14,000. Not only that but the battle also resulted in their fallen reputation. The King John of Bohemia, the Count of Blois, and the Count of Flanders were also eliminated in the Battle of Crécy. Afterward, Prince Edward adopted the emblem and motto of the fallen king of Bohemia.

After the success at the battle of Crécy, England’s success continued when Edward the Black Prince backed an army of around 26,000 men and captured Calais after a year-long siege in July 1347 CE. The Black Prince’s reputation further grew when after three years, in January 1350 CE, along with his selected unit of knights, he protected the city against a French plot that Involved Italian mercenaries.

Chivalry and Garters

To celebrate the Prince’s medieval tournaments, he and his father participated in the great 15-day tournament in 1344 CE at Windsor Castle. The prince’s father, Edward III found the exclusive Knights club and epitome of medieval Chivalry of which the prince was also the founding member and was given the Order of the Garter in 1348 CE.

This order is known to be one of England’s most oldest and prestigious and included only 24 chosen knights, the King, and the Black Prince. The chosen knights had all fought in the battle of Crécy. The symbol of the order was a garter and its motto read, “evil on him who thinks it” referring to anyone who had doubted the king’s right to rule France. Moreover, The garter on the order had the royal colours of France; blue and gold.

Battle of Poitiers

The new King of France, John II was not any different from the previous one. He continued to war with England. Hence, in 1355 CE Gascony was raided and Bordeaux was captured by Edward the Black Prince which he used as his base. The Prince used the same strategy he used in the Battle of Crécy and torched cities and farmlands.

Again just as the previous king, this strategy also provoked the new French King to take the same steps, and hence, the French surprised the English army on the 18th of September 1356 CE. A mighty battle started the next day 4 miles from Poitiers. Once again the French army outnumbered the English army (35,000 vs 7,000). However, they could not handle the power and accuracy of the English longbow. Eventually, England won and the King John of France himself was captured along with 2,000 other French knights.

Edward gained further reputation because of the chivalrous behavior he showed to the King of France after capturing him as a prisoner and while escorting him back to England. Moreover, he also distributed gold and titles to his commanders and donated huge sums to churches such as the Canterbury Cathedral.

Although King Edward marched to Rheims and made himself the King of France, the harsh winters there reduced his army. Hence, he signed a peace treaty in 1360 CE between England and France which is called the Treaty of Bretigny. In 1362 CE, King Edward III, who was the Lord of Aquitaine, made his son, the Black Prince, the Prince of Aquitaine.

Castile and Najera

After the treaty of peace, the Black Prince turned to Castile in Spain. The fallen king of Spain Pedro wanted to reclaim the throne from his half-brother HenryII of Castile who had the support of the French. On 3rd April 1367 CE, Prince Edward won the Battle of Najera against the French at the Najerilla river. He even managed to sell one of the prisoners for a massive ransom.

Hence, he was titled the greatest knight ever, Bertrand du Guesclin, the ‘Eagle of Brittany’. He also received a memento from Pedro that became to be known as Black Prince’s Ruby. Although the Battle of Najera was a great military feat, it also proved to be a financial disaster for the Black Prince.

Death

Due to his ill health, the Prince returned to England in 1371. He resigned from his principality next year and started taking a more active part in England’s internal politics where he was known for the constitutional policy of the commons against the corrupt court and the party of Lancastrians.

Edward the Balck Prince of Wales died at the age of 46 on 8th June 1376 CE. The exact cause of his death is unknown but it is said that he suffered from many illnesses from dysentery to old war wounds and even cancer. Although the cause of his death might never be known, it is known that he died before ascending the throne.

A year after his death, his father, King Edward III also passed away and Edward the black prince’s son Richard inherited the throne. Moreover, due to his death, his work in the parliament remained undone and the year following his death, the parliament itself was resolved.

He is buried in Canterbury Cathedral where his black helmet, shield, and gauntlets are hung above. The space beside him was kept for his wife. However, she was buried next to her first husband. According to some theories, the prince chose Canterbury Cathedral as his burial place as his confession of his sins. This was because the Canterbury Cathedral was considered a place of penance and repentance. Moreover, The black prince also ordered the following French poem to be Inscribed around his tomb at Canterbury:

Such as you are, Sometimes was I.

Such as I am, So you shall be.

I thought little of Death

So long as I enjoyed life.

On earth, I had great riches…

Land, houses, great treasure, horses, money, gold…

But now I am a poor captive,

Deep in the ground, I lie…

My great beauty is all gone,

My flesh is wasted to the bone…

#The Black Prince of Wales #Knight #Castle #Castles #History #Historic #Military

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laughing-with-god · 6 years ago

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Pen Pal Final (Part One of Two)

Trigger warnings; gore, death, yandere, unhealthy behavior, shitty writing

Words; 5.7k

“I don’t want your hand. Part of me wants to set you on fire and hold you while the flame consumes both of us, to eat your heart so I know that only I possess it entirely.”

Living with a killer was never on your bucket list.

Given most people never quite lived to tell the tale.

And as you watched Jungkook trail alongside your bookshelf, glossy eyes analyzing every book title printed on the aged spines, you couldn’t help but conclude that you shouldn’t be any different.

You were going to die at the hands of this man in your own home. This wasn’t up for discussion. It was only a matter of time.

Optimism was a trait your sister held, meanwhile it was not ever your forte. If this was a perfect story, the survival instincts mixed with the adrenaline of having a murderer in your home would kickstart a reaction. A reaction to live. A reaction to fight back. A reaction to escape.

Yet self awareness was also a blessing and a curse at times like this.

You were all too aware of your major disadvantage.

You were a freak.

Crippled by your own mental disorder.

Trapped by your own paranoia.

How does one flee when you are perhaps even more terrified of what is outside rather than inside? Inside your apartment, you only had to deal with one sociopath. Outside of your apartment, countless others roamed free. Either way, you were fucked.

You caught yourself releasing a dry sob as you flopped your lifeless body onto the sofa, bleary eyes already looking up at the ceiling in mock prayer.

Have you ever felt so doomed that you were beyond any plan of action? That you just knew from within the deepest parts of you that all means of recovering were utterly futile? So you just sit there, and let the fear and sadness rock you into a paralyzed state. Not even bothering to fight back...

In this moment, if Jungkook were to waltz over and slit your throat to paint your living room ruby red...you’d have no objections. It was your fate.

“Plum, I see you have a cookbook here. Should we try a recipe tonight?”

His voice shook you to your core. Not because it was ultra deep, husky or growl-like. But because it was pleasant to the ear, which was the most terrifying part. How can such a wicked person have such a delightful tone? Did god like being a trickster by giving the most fucked up people such good looks and voices, the perfect weaponry to reel in future victims?

A tear trialed down your cheek, your orbs refusing to leave the heavens (or ceiling that was blocking your life line to a high power) as more wollowsome self-pity rang in your mind.

You heard an incoming of footsteps, the rythameric sound thundering in your ears. They were heavy, and the brief memory of his weight being 150 pounds found itself popping up once more. He was big…

And all that weight was suddenly thrust down next to you, another and smaller mass being placed onto your lap.

“You never did tell me what your favorite meal was.” He rumbled, the vibration next to you being almost surreal. At a major risk of breaking into another pattern of sobs, you peeked down to see what was placed upon you. It was the opened cookbook, the killers’ hand flipping through the pages and revealing pictures of gourmet meals along with instructions. The book was halfway on your lap and halfway on his.

“I like Italian food. How about chicken parmesan? Or maybe some tacos?” He trailed off, the casualty being reminiscent of someone discussing the weather or last night’s game.

If you were bold enough, you would have slapped him then and there. The audacity to just act as if you two were going to seriously make a meal together. It was like a hell-version of I Love Lucy, if Lucy was stuck in a loveless marriage and Ricky was an abuser ready to strike if she were to ever slip up.

“Plum?” He asked, sounding confused on your silence. Totally unaware of the inner pandemonium occupying your attention.

Faintly, you heard him. But still remained unresponsive, not ready for another dialogue of any sort.

You wondered why he kept calling you that. Would it even be worth asking? Did he purposefully enjoy the sweet, overly sugary nickname and the shivers it sent down your spine? Did he know how childish and degrading it was to be called that? Maybe that’s why he used it…

More silence passed.

“Y/n. You’re starting to worry me.” This was said in a more firm dialect, a tad deeper and authoritative than his signature breathy sound.

You decided to heed the warning.

‘Don’t poke the bear~.’ A voice in your head sing-songed. Whether it was the work of a higher-power or your stronger alter ego finally making an appearance, you didn’t know.

You cleared your throat, hoping your voice wasn’t shot to hell. “Yes?”

“We need to figure out what we’re doing for dinner baby.”

Baby.

Sugarplum.

What was next? Kiddo? Honey-munchkins? Sweetie pie?

Anything that put you on a babyish level was apparently the criteria for Jungkook to call you by something other than your name. Perhaps he liked the idea of you being young and dumb….Unaware and innocent like a child?

But innocence was almost laughable now.

“I’m not hungry.” You mumbled.

A sigh was heard, one of disappointment. “Honey, you need to eat.”

You bit your lip.

Did you want to argue? No. You didn’t know his triggers and habits. For all you know, it could just take one wise comment before he’s strangling you and adding another victim to his figurative trophy case. Six became a scary number for you. Mental flashes of news anchors covering a story and labelling you the “sixth victim of the easter bunny” sparked a phobia of the number.

“Whatever you want to eat, I’m fine with.” You relented despite the stomach hurl that hit you after the words left your mouth.

Would you even be able to keep the food down?

“Okay then! How does a fancy mac n’ cheese sound?”

The weak must give into the strong.

You just nodded your head, the weight of it being almost too much to bear.

He snapped up and happily hummed, swaggering to your kitchen and declaring he needs to do an ingredients check.

Your fogged up orbs watched from your place on the couch as Jungkook whistled and opened your cupboards, swiftly inspecting everything that resided within them.

Black spots appeared in your vision.

The last thing you recall is Jungkook prying open your fridge before darkness stole your comprehension completely.

Your nostrils tingled.

Your tummy rumbled.

All that you were able to understand was the fact that you were very warm and something smelled very nice.

A heated cocoon surrounded your previously clammy frame, soothing the overworked nervous system into a pile of goo. You nuzzle your face closer into the fluffy cloud that your brain fails to identify what is most likely a pillow. Out of instinct, you lick your lips as more of that tantalizing aruma is wafted over to you. Nose and stomach working together to force your eyelids open, hoping to spot the object of your sudden hunger.

You were still on the couch. However you were now laid down with a blanket (which you recognized as having been from your room) tucking you in as a throw pillow was used to cushion your head.

As comfy as you were, the knowing that you had not fallen asleep like that caused you to jolt up in fear.

He had positioned you like that.

How could you have forgotten the killer roommate you have landed yourself with?

Were you really that idiotic to rest in the presence of him?

Or did you even fall asleep?

…..It felt more like you fainted while sitting down. Which could explain why Jungkook could’ve figured you fell asleep and decided to grace you with a blanket and pillow. There was no way you managed to lull off with all that dread and anxiety in your system.

“Sleeping beauty finally decided to wake up?”

His voice called out from the kitchen, where you suspected the smell to be stemming from.

You didn’t respond. Not knowing how to but also being too groggy to think strategically on how to foot the eggshells you had to walk on.

He emerged with two plates in hand, smiling in a way that showed off his rounded teeth and crinkled his puppy-like eyes. Whilst waltzing over, he said “I was really looking forward to cooking with you. But, you needed your rest so I understand. We always have tomorrow. You’re really adorable when you sleep you know? Even the drool…” His speech came to a halt when he plopped himself onto the floor below you, placing the duo of plates onto the coffee table.

“It was nice cooking after so long. I hope you like it. I put lots of thought into it.” A fork was handed to you.

You positioned your body closer to inspect the meal.

It appeared to be normal….smelled normal….

But could this be poisoned?

It would be foolish to consume something a killer prepared just for you. What is keeping him from plopping a lethal ingredient in there just waiting for you to slurp up?

Beside you, Jungkook was already wolfing his portion down. It was slightly revolting until you remembered that he had been locked up for some time now, factory-made cafeteria meals being the food he was costumed to.

So his meal was safe….but what about yours?

How could you guarantee that your meal hadn’t been tampered with?

He wouldn’t digest something deadly, so all you had to do was get him to eat something from your plate. Only after that, would you eat from it.

But how do you do that?

A disgusting idea popped in your head. An idea you had no choice but to act out.

“Jungkook?”

He snapped his head back at you, eager that you initiated a line of communication for the very first time in person.

“Can we feed each other? Just once….” You trailed off. God, the proposition sounded shady and awkward even to yourself. Yet you pleaded that he took the bait. If he was indeed as smitten with you as you had suspected, he would gladly take any affection he could get.

His jaw dropped, not enough for it to be comical but enough for it to be left slightly ajar.

Then he nodded, really fast like a bobble head.

You gathered some pasta on your fork from the plate belonging to you and hung it in the air, only for him to capture it with his mouth like a phraha a second later. Next he did the same to you.

After this, you concluded that if your food was deadly, then at least you took Jungkook down with you. You reluctantly ate the rest at a slow pace, surprised at the above average quality.

“Wanna watch a movie?” Jungkook excitedly suggested next.

You sighed and shrugged your shoulders. You lived to serve at this moment.

You had offered to clean up, trying to stroke his ego by stating that he was kind enough to cook and you should at least do your part. He blushed madly as you stood up on shaky legs and gathered the plates to take to the kitchen.

From your station at the sink, you heard the television start up which could only mean he was beginning the search for a film. You set the water at a lukewarm temperature with low pressure, wanting to take your time with the task and prolong your next interaction with him. As you slowly scrubbed circles over and over again on the same plate, your ears perked to any sound coming from the neighbouring living room.

The suspected ‘ba doom’ sound of the Netflix being turned on echoed in your tiny apartment. Being a homebody, you were a tad annoyed that he could just barge right in and make himself right at home. But you bit your tongue and let the iron liquid coat your tastebuds, a death wish only an utterance away.

You took about three minutes on each plate, forty seconds for the forks. You contemplated taking longer but didn’t want to push it anymore than you already have. With shaky hands, you dried off with a dish rag and slowly crept back into the living room (which was now illuminated by the pixelated screen of your humming television).

Jungkook was now innocently plopped where your laid body was prior, relaxed with one arm thrown back and the other holding the remote. His lengthy legs were spread out in a classic man spread, not obnoxiously so but enough to hint at his comfortability. He perked up at the sound of your incoming presence and like an eager pup motioned pathetically for you to take your place beside him. You did so without complaint.

The millisecond you took your seat, the muscular arm from behind jolted forwards to curl around your shoulders. The weight of the limb served as a warning and a blockade.

His cherub like face neared yours to the point of being able to feel the degree of warmth of his breath on your face. You refused to break eye contact with the list of shows and movies that painted the screen.

“What kind of movie do you want to watch?” The breathiness of his voice was even more intimate sounding with him so in your face like this.

‘Don’t poke the bear.’

“Whatever you want.” You responded, still not bringing yourself to make eye contact with his bottomless, glass-like orbs.

He turned his head away from you and tilted it, releasing a ‘tsk’ and scrolling through more options on the home page.

You watched with interest somewhat spiked as he sifted through the films. Just exactly what would an inmate wish to watch on his first day free from prison? Would he want to laugh and release the tension? Would he want to watch a romance to feed his undying hunger for affection? Or would he-

No way.

You watched as Jungkook’s search paused once he hit a certain movie.

It was a horror movie.

You turned to face him, eyes without a doubt blown out in shock.

He faced you, eyebrow quirked up. “You in?”

You didn’t say anything. You couldn’t say anything. You turned back to face the screen. Jungkook clicked the play button and thus you began to watch a film about a killer beside a real one.

It wasn’t until a scene of a girl getting her head bashed in, that Jungkook made a noise.

A laugh, actually.

He leaned over to your ear, as if you two were in a crowded movie theatre instead of your private home, and said; “Real killing isn’t like that….take it from me.”

You watched the ending credits begin to roll onto the tv.

Your emotions being an odd cocktail of half despair, half relief and a pinch of exhaustion.

Despair for it meant that you couldn’t just distract yourself with a movie now, you’d have to face your new guest. Relief because everytime the killer would murder someone, it would trigger you to cringe and stiffen due to the person whom was sitting right beside you. And exhaustion because...well, that one was rather self-explanatory. It was getting late and this had been the most human interaction you’ve had in a long time. You forgot how draining social interaction could be.

Jungkook wasted no time with turning the tv off. For a moment, with the tv dead and no more screams playing, it was just you two. Sitting in silence and darkness.

“Are you tired?” He asked, the lack of light enhancing his voice.

You risked a glance at him. The moonlight from the window illuminated the details of the sculpture that was his face. He was such an odd hybrid between a fresh boyish charm and the harsh brutality of manhood. For every sharp angle on his face, there was a rounded and plump aspect to even out the scale. It was like the very creator of him had bipolar tendencies at play, not being able to decide whether he should be a harmless neighbor boy or an arrogant stud. He was the product of a transitional period every woman goes through...from wanting a boy to a man. A harsh sting battered against your vertebrae as you couldn’t help but think, ‘which side where his victims fooled by? The raw sex appeal of a greek god or the clumsy, harmless child?’

“You look tired.” He inspected, without a doubt noting your lidded eyes. Jungkook had the ability to not be offended by lack of communication. He would happily carry on an exchange all by himself, filling in the blanks with ease. “Well, why don’t I wash up and we can head to bed?”

There was only one bed.

And Jungkook was very intent on sharing that bed with you.

Your eyes widened with fear at the context that he delivered between unsaid lines.

You were a woman with a much stronger and certified killer in your home, demanding that you ought to sleep together. Would it be smart to object?

No, not in the slightest.

But did you want to give in so easily? Maybe against all odds there was some sort of respect for you that he had, hidden deep behind the layers of insanity? A boundary even he wouldn’t push? Wouldn’t it be worth a shot if it meant that you could at least rest peacefully...without a butcher breathing down your neck?

‘Don’t poke the bear, don’t poke th-’ fuck it.

“You can take my bed.” Your meek voice offered. At this, Jungkook’s attention snapped to you at neck-breaking speed. Your blood ran cold at how rapid his previously doe eyes transformed into that furious gaze...a silent war-cry smothered within those inky irises….

“What?” He asked, voice dropping.

It was obvious he wasn’t pleased with your suggestion. But it was too late, if you could swallow your words back you would.

You wanted to cry.

That heinous stare was the farthest thing from the last sight you’d want to see before you die.

“I-I mean, I’m happy with the couch.” This was blurted out from your lips, surprising even you as instinctual damage control took over. “I’m sure you’d want your space and everyth-”

A gleeful giggle interrupted and you viewed with wonder as his face melted back into a lax expression of pleasure.

“Plum, you’re so funny.” he cackled delightfully. The arm around your shoulders made itself known once more by clasping harder at your docile frame. “The first thing I want to do after getting out of that hell hole is cuddle you in our little home.”

You froze.

He stood up, but the feeling of suffocation didn’t release it’s smothering hold on you.

“When I get out of the shower, I expect you in bed….waiting for me.”

And as if he knew this place like the back of his hand, he navigated quite easily to your restroom.

Like a victim of medusa herself, you remained sat still and shocked. Only movement being seen from you was the slight watering of your eyes in the form of a tear drop trailing down your cheek.

Faintly, you heard the familiar start up sound of your shower.

You snapped up and began pacing wildly as more and more tears joined the first.

The room began to close in on you with the vengeance of the devil himself. You weren’t sure if your heart was beating too fast...or not at all. It seemed to have a mind of its’ own at the moment. Your teeth decided to feast wildly on your bottom lip, viscous enough to draw blood and barely suppress your incoming cries. Panic was now bursting at the seams, a belated reaction that took this long to kick in.

“Fuck! What do I do? What do I do?” You stormed up and down the dimly lit room, feet patting almost as fast as your thoughts. “Think! Y/n think!” You whisper-yelled to yourself. As if your deductive reasoning skills needed some harsh belittling to finally start the job.

You at least had a couple minutes to yourself before you would have to face him once more. Surely you could come up what a strategy until then, right? You just had to think. Think. Think. Think!

You froze and faced the door.

The door that was the only entrance and exit to this lion’s den.

How you wished you could just blast through that damned gateway and flee like a bat out of hell. But you couldn’t…

Wait.

Your jaw dropped.

An epiphany struck…

You couldn’t leave the home.

But you could bring someone here.

Why didn’t you think of this before?!

911!

You nearly jumped up in joy, like a child who got what they wanted for Christmas.

You would just have to find your phone…

‘Okay okay calm down. Think. What were you doing before Jungkook came?’ You tried desperately to retrace your steps to relocate what possibly could be your last hope. You recollected life before his barging in, although that was only a few hours ago it already felt like a millennia had passed.

As the foggy puzzle pieces began to form, your eyes darted to the couch.

‘That’s right….you were reading before he came.’

With a new sense of urgency, you leapt to the sofa and feverishly dug through the cushions. It took a minute, for a second you weren’t sure if you were going to find it, but alas your search ended with a proud yelp as your hand managed to grasp at the missing phone.

Like an olympian whom just won his country a metal, you thrusted the phone in the air with a smile on your face and tears in your eyes, blown away at your own luck. With a renewed vigour, you unlocked your phone and hastily typed in your password (this was somewhat hard to do with shaky hands).

Your familiar homescreen glowed like a safe haven as it opened, sight so beautiful you could cry. You pressed the phone icon and waited for the keypad to appear. When it did, your fingers danced across the numbers.

‘9’

‘1’

“Just what do you think you are doing?” a growl pierced the air.

As if the device burned you, you dropped it. Heart sinking and face on fire, you turn and see Jungkook, leaning smugly against the arch leading from the living room to the hallway.

His face was stony and unreadable, eyes fixed on you as well as the phone. Pupils darting between you and the object every other second.

Your teeth chattered as you struggled to even get an excuse out.

Gracefully, Jungkook closed the space between you two and proceeded to pluck the electronic away from your pathetic claws.

He made eye contact. Searing and soul-baring eye contact.

Right before he thrust the phone onto the floor...stomping on it with all his weight, over and over again.

It wasn’t until your only way of communicating with the outside world was left in feeble metal smitherings that Jungkook was satisfied enough to stop the barbaric pounding.

He huffed and pouted his lips, “Sugar, I thought you were different.”

You cowered and kept your head low, not wanting to see his wrath up close.

“I expect you in bed darling. For real this time. No more silly games.”

Like an actor being told ‘cut’, he suddenly retreated back to the hallway, whistling a low tune as if his murderous persona was a second skin he can shred off with ease.

When you were left alone once again, you let your weak pile of bone crumble within themselves. You collapsed to the floor as a string of silent and dry sobs escaped your burned esophagus.

The sound to company your symphony of cries?

The water from the shower, that still had yet to pause despite no one being in it.

He had tested you.

And you failed.

Each person had their own version of heaven on earth.

Jungkook was certain he found his nirvana within you.

Your home was even more welcoming than what he had fantasized it to be whilst reading your letters.

Every trinket and photo you had was marveled at with great perplexity on his part.

He memorized every brand you used. From the types of garbage bags you got to the toothpaste you prefered (winter green over frosty mint). He wanted to be sure to get the right kinds when it comes time for him to venture out for you.

Although that will take a while, the press having to die down with his prison escape before he can comfortably go out. But when he can, he will. He wouldn’t want another Renjun incident on his hands, now would he?

For now, he was very much elated with the day-to-day he shared with you.

It usually began with him waking up beside you, an experience that he would never wish to have with someone else now that he’s had it with you. And could one blame him? What was the appeal of an average villager when compared to the refinement of an ethereal goddess? Even at the brink of dawn, Jungkook was a mere worshiper of your temple. When the sun decided to play with the smooth textures of your bedroom and eventually dance upon your form...he was breathless. Your skin shimmered like gold under its’ light, you sometimes shifting and groaning at the intrusion. Your strands a mess and your face slightly puffy and cherub -like. Weakened by the vital rem cycle, having no choice but to let Jungkook cradle you like the babe you were. If the angels decided to smile upon him that particular morning, you’d even nuzzle unknowingly into his chest.

After you awoke, is when the social behavior came into play.

Both you and Jungkook were not extroverted creatures. So in a way, you both could share a roomful of silence and still have no complaints to speak of. But gosh did Jungkook like seeing you flustered. Every morning he’d tease you about what you did the night prior; talking in your sleep, drooling, cuddling or even kicking and punching. The truth of these accusations mattered not, if it made you blush then Jungkook took it as a win in his book. Sadly, you weren’t the type to enjoy wasting time in bed. You’d jump up every morning and dash to the bathroom, not sharing Jungkook’s love of pillow talk. (At least this is what he thought this meant).

Next was breakfast. Most days Jungkook would make it. Other times he would plead (more like demand) you make it. The days in which he did so, the morning meal was rather elaborate and hearty. Waffles, pancakes, crepes, omelettes ect. He wanted you to be fed well, enjoying the melting of your features when you try his food and you couldn’t even deny the heightened quality. Other days, Jungkook wanted to eat something you made. You were very reluctant on this chore, resorting to a bowl of cereal or buttering some toast. Jungkook still felt so gooey and domestic nonetheless, complimenting your cheerios to milk ratio and taking over-dramatically big bites. You usually chose to do the dishes, Jungkook occasionally helping to fulfill a clingy desire.

After the meal was the morning to afternoon bit.

Jungkook liked watching shows in this time period. You would join him if you had no other needs to attend to. If you could, you would do laundry, cleaning, book organizing or anything really to avoid Jungkook. But sometimes it couldn’t be helped and you’d be forced by his side to watch a show or movie. You learned quick that he held a fondness for violence and romance. An odd mix that meant you would spend the first half of the day watching Kill Bill and the later half watching The Notebook. For either genre, he would have disturbing comments to add.

“He’s not even stabbing him right.”

“Ahh, Y/n we’re just like them, aren’t we? Except we have the better love story.”

Lunch followed.

Light and simple was the theme. Jungkook noticed that one of your favorites was grilled cheese, so this was a recurring meal on the menu. After that was afternoon lounging. You enjoyed reading while Jungkook rather draw. Often times, Jungkook would draw you reading.

He found you fascinating to study whilst you submerged yourself into other worlds. How your pupils would dilate ever so slightly when something shocking happened. How your lips would downturn when a character becomes distasteful. How your eyes would water when a tragic moment would unfold. How your nose would scrunch up with every cringey line.

It was every artists’ dream to have such a muse.

Jungkook would scramble to capture any expression you unknowingly released. Erase, erase and erase, over and over again until he did your face justice. Because there was no other enigma as brilliant as you.

Jungkook had himself convinced that the beauties of Aphrodite, Cleopatra and Marilyn Monroe were frauds with overzealous reputations about their magnetism and so called grace. Mere weeds compared to an exquisite rose such as you. Sometimes he felt too unworthy to be in your presence. Like you belonged in a masterpiece oil painting, another world that should be out of reach for scummy mortals. Yet at the same time, Jungkook refused to be starved of such a token.

He wanted to keep you safe in this little haven, away from the evil greed of the world that wished to taint you. May mankind only know of your pulchritude through drawings made by Jungkook. And even then they would have to rip it from his cold, dead hands. The last documentation of higher powers at work, occasionally sending one of their best seraphs down to blessed the cursed earth.

Supper was a joint effort.

Jungkook made sure that you would help make dinners with him, making it a mission to go through that old cookbook with you.

He liked making you do the majority of the work, if it were any other way then how exactly would he be able to back hug you while you cook? The only exception to this rule was when chopping or slicing was involved. Jungkook refused to let risk beseech you.

After dinner, you’d each tip toe around how to spend your evening.

Jungkook would push for talking and spending intimate time together.

While you would act extra lethargic, ‘yawning’ and slowing your movements. Half the time, Jungkook bought the act and let you rest. Other times, he would demand you talk to him over a cup of coffee or tea.

This was the general template for yours and Jungkook’s twenty four hour schedule.

It had been going for a week.

Heaven for him.

Purgatory for you.

Luckily, this wouldn’t last another week.

One of you couldn’t survive while the other did as well.

You two were living on borrowed time.

She was a woman of pride.

But pride was apparently the last thing one this woman’s mind as she staggered through the hallway, eyes carefully looking at each passing apartment number.

Eyeliner smudged, floral dress wrinkled and face pitiful; she was the personification of the infamous ‘walk of shame’.

If said shame was the lack of motherly love and maternal instincts.

Her nerves were high-strung (borderline neurotic) as seen through her paranoid eye shifts and watery hiccups.

She halted her rush when she spotted the familiar three digit numbers on a particular door. Skipping the etiquette of knocking, the lady whipped out a key and proceeded to open the door for herself.

When she entered the home, she slammed the front door closed before wildly dashing into the main area of the living space. Heading swinging from side to side, she observed every corner for any hint of life.

“Mom?”

The lady turned around at this and let out a cry of relief at the sight of you. She leapt towards you with arms outreached and pulled you into her chest like a mother hen. “Why haven’t you been answering my calls, Y/n?! I know I said some awful things and I’m so sorry but I can’t lose you too baby. Not after your sister. Please forgive me.” she sobbed.

Due to her nervous breakdown, the older was not able to recognize her daughter’s pale face and petrified gaze. Either that or she assumed it was do to their recent spat and the unexpected visit/wellness check.

“M-mom, get out now.” You looked seriously at her, trying to break through any realm of emotion and get her out. Your safety not being a concern so much as you wanted to spare the only family you had left. Jungkook was in the bathroom, but there was no telling how long that can last. Given he loves testing you.

“What?! What do you mean?!” Your mother shrieked.

“Listen, it’s not safe just g-”

“Is this my mother in law?”

Jungkook stalked forward from behind your mother. He carried a soft smile that did not reach his eyes, traces of a boyish charm long gone.

Your mother’s jaw dropped and a horrified screech came next, “Mother in law?!”

She looked at you for explanation. But you couldn’t say anything. You looked away with shame. Not shame due to the innuendo but shame due to what you know Jungkook might do to you later….

Your face must have told your mother a different story however.

Her features lifted up to make a face of anger, her status of sobriety under question as a few alcoholic drinks or so could very likely be to blame for a short fuse.

“What kind of girl are you Y/n?! Have you no shame?! Your sister would have never-”

It happened so quick.

Like whiplash.

You didn’t even know what happened until you felt warm spurts of liquid splash across your face.

Out of instinct you closed your eyes. And when you opened them, you saw a knife plunged into your mother’s neck. Jungkook was holding her body up as if to proudly display his new victim, refusing to just let her slump over to the ground.

Her neck splurged and goozed, the sounds echoing in your eardrums.

Whoever said that you can watch the light leave someone’s eyes as they die was lying.

No light left your mother’s eyes.

The spike of anger, confusion and terror stayed in those orbs until the very end.

(gif literally has nothing to do with anything lmao but it’s sasha fierce so sue me)

Omg this is so bad, might delete later bc honestly im not too hyped for this one. Srry for any mistakes, I’m super tired rn and I had a project to do, so I had to stay up a lil late than usual. ALSO my birthday is next Monday (@my mom for giving birth to me on a very inconvenient week day like wtf) and im gonna be chilling with some friends this weekend, so I figured its best to try to update now. THERES GONNA BE A PART TWO FOR THIS, trust me we still got like a handful of plot points to get through.

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steven-falls · 5 years ago

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Steven Universe Future reviewed: Guidance

Basic Synopsis: Amethyst has come up with a program to help Gems find their dream jobs on earth. Steven, however, thinks the jobs Amethyst is matching them with are too similar to the roles they had on Homeworld. So, Steven forces them into new jobs they have no skills at in order to ‘get them out of their comfort zone’. This of course spells disaster and leads to things like plane crashes, mass fire, and a roller coaster spiraling out of control.

Thoughts: There are a couple of neat concepts in the episode. I like that Steven’s attempts at making things less like the diamond authority leads to him inadvertently acting more like a diamond. Thinking he knows what’s best for everyone, being very controlling and telling everyone what they should do.

Steven mistakenly believes that the gems shouldn’t be doing the jobs that are similar to the roles the diamonds designed them for. But the truth is, the roles the gems had on Homeworld weren’t necessarily the issue. It was more the abuse they suffered from higher up gems and the rigid guidelines the gems were forced to conform too. But now, they’re choosing to do this work and aren’t suffering abuse from anyone.

Another surprising thing this episode did for me is that it helps justify ‘Steven Universe Future’ as the title of the show. Initially, I wasn’t the biggest fan of this title. I thought it sounded kind of dumb, like they were using the name ‘Steven Universe’ as an adjective to describe the future. After watching the first few episodes however, I will concede that this title makes sense. The show’s pretty much about Steven and the other characters deciding what they should do with their future, Amethyst basically lays this out in this episode.

I do however, think this episode is the weakest out of the four that aired together as the season premiere. The other three episodes address things that were left hanging, such as the fate of Jasper and the Rose Quartzs, and Pink Pearl’s backstory. This episode is at a disadvantage in that ‘Gems getting jobs’ just isn’t as intriguing.

My major issue with ‘Guidance’ is that it is incredibly predictable. You know exactly how things are going to pan out the minute Steven starts intervening. To me, this episode comes across as a standard ‘beach city hijinx’ episode, just with a gem coloured coat of paint.

The moral Steven learns is that he needs to stop thinking he knows best for everyone. I think it’s great that we’re finally exploring the faults of Steven, since the past couple seasons just had everyone harping on about what this amazing person he was. However, this moral is very similar to the one Steven learned in the previous episode, where he worked out that Jasper didn’t need his help in figuring out how to live her life. I think the moral of ‘Guidance’ is also a little muddled by the episode ending with Larimar thanking Steven for her new job. Since the job Larimar pursues isn’t even the one Steven recommended for her, any ‘help’ he provided was more incidental than anything.

I actually had most of this review written after only one viewing of the episode, and on my second I just felt kind of bored. While I don’t think the episode was awful, it won’t be one I’ll be revisiting often.

#steven universe future #steven universe #amethyst #guidance #little larimar #SF reviews SUF #review

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daftartangkasnet52-blog · 4 years ago

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When you decide that you wish to enjoy on line slots , you should know there are always con-men available who would like to prey on you and your wish to find thrill and entertainment. Winning some money is always an extra gain, too. What's vital that you keep in mind could be the indisputable fact that once you perform, you're at the mercy of the RNG (random number generator) of the machine. Be it online slots or land based traditional slots , the equipment will be the only point determining if you are a slots champion or loser. Purchasing a process for a few strange number of pounds or spending a slots "expert" for their feedback might be a quicker way to reduce your money. You would be better down enjoying arbitrary slots and crossing your fingers.

Attempting to overcome the slots online might be just as hard as wanting to overcome them in a normal casino. If you head into any casino hall and look around, you'll easily begin to see the protection pads, the cameras, the mixture waitresses, and almost every single individual having an recognition title draw watching you and what you do. The difficult computer techniques throughout the casino will monitor your actions (if they are illegal, a lot more so). When you enjoy slots online or any other on the web casino game , you will discover that you are dealing with actually more secure and complex gambling software. Whenever you enjoy, you're enjoying as genuinely as you'd in a conventional casino. If you try to cheat or enjoy any illegal games with the casino on line, you are simply cheating yourself. Similarly, you will soon be cheating yourself.

If you should be playing for enjoyment and activity, you will win. If you're enjoying slots online for more money, you'll win. If, however, you are playing on line slots to win a large number of pounds instantly, you will lose. Beginners chance is another fable and rarely secure to ride on for a long period of time. Play slots on line for enjoyment and never expect that cheating will help your odds or whipping the slots is guaranteed.

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pplydm · 5 years ago

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ePUB #32

Title: The Big Finish Author: Brooke Fossey

Commenced May 5 2020, Completed May 9 2020

My previous read employs an elderly nursing home as its setting and includes a 90 year old lead character; here I am again with conditions alike. I surmise this came across my good reads recommendations. I immediately looked for a copy as it was initially stated to be published January 2020. It wasn’t ultimately published until April 2020. From the start, a number of banters and witty one-liners made me chuckle all from a hilarious Duffy, the leading character. Overcoming alcoholism was an issue addressed in this read. I’d remark on the drastic nutty decisions tender Carl and stubborn Duffy were doing and feeling in this but reconsidered their ages. Hoped for a triumphant and blithe ending since I found myself wondering how Josie would get out of abuse and be able to fend and sustain herself. Would the budding romance of Josie and Anderson work out?

I honestly had great expectations for this for I liked its premise. Also anticipated life lessons from this. The scene where they were on Sanger meeting Bates, made me realize the meaningful friendship of both Carl and Duffy who I’d mention to always got Carl’s back. The superb part was when Duffy literally reached his life ending by a sudden attack, he confirmed that God is alive and real. Comprehended now why it’s titled “The Big Finish”.

Goodies of wisdom listed below:

“You sleep good, Mr. Sinclair,” said her disembodied voice. “Tomorrow is a new day.”

That stuff kills you, body and mind, and there are better ways to die.

“Things don’t go rotten unless they’re good first. Otherwise, how would you know the difference?”

“Whatever it is you’re mourning from back when, don’t. It brought you here, now, to do what you’re doing, and what you’re doing is honorable and right.”

But you had to look the loss in the eye, and if you were going to survive it, you had to believe that there were two different parts of every person: the stuff that ended up in the ground and the stuff that didn’t.

The following were my character analysis.

1. Anderson’s dedication for his job at the nursing home makes him a nice guy.

2. Duffy sees his past life, together with his vices on the young Josie but in an opposite gender. If I could talk to Duffy, I’d tell not to worry of his past because he need not to please others. Duffy pridefully confessed and displayed immaturity and I find that too humorous. I however approve Duffy’s manner of dealing with Josie’s major issues however not at first. It was all straightforward and encouraged being wary and courageous enough to face all of the truths in one’s life, even those which hurt.

3. I reckon Josie wanted to stay the weeknights in the Centennial because her abuser looks for her in the nighttime. Josie’s a mess and no nice people should make of fuss of her. Arduous Josie’s putting other peoples lives on the line. Really tried to understand her and the concept of helping her go free from addiction using a geriatric’s guidance. Josie Isn’t special but Duffy and Anderson is all over her and I’m not liking that; she’s a drunk! I would like to blame Josie for everything bad happening but then there’s Carl, her grandfather. I am shifting the blame to him.

Book Discussion Questions

1. Though Duffy and Carl are very different men, they’ve managed to form an inseparable bond. Do you think their friendship is merely a result of necessity and proximity, or do you think that under different circumstances, they would’ve found kinship in each other? What about the other friendships in the book?

- by what I’ve read it did seem they would’ve found kinship in each other as if like bothers by blood. The other friendships definitely developed due to necessity and proximity.

2. How is fatherhood defined throughout the story? How does the absence or presence of fathers impact different characters’ lives? Though all are flawed, which father from the book would you most likely to have, and why?

- fatherhood in the book is defined as a responsibility and a heart felt duty. When one is fatherless, it may be a disadvantage in pursuing the future knowing no one will guide with matters as to being courageous. Duffy is my preferred father from the book because of the way he handled with Josie’s addiction and that he never gave up on her.

3. Consider Centennial’s daily schedule. If you had to pick one day to live as a resident, which would you choose? If you had to room with one resident, who would it be?

- I pick the August 30 Centennial schedule. I would like to room with Alice.

4. Josie‘s journey to sobriety is unfinished at the books close. How to tumultuous do you expect her recovery to be? Do you think Anderson will play a lasting part in it? Do you want him to?

- I don’t think it will be difficult, she already made a few steps and evidently more to go but she could control her vice now. I believe Anderson will play a part in it I don’t know if it’ll be lasting though and yes I want him to be in on it.

5. God’s existence is a reoccurring question that Duffy and Josie both ask. What are the pivotal moments that lead Duffy to form his ultimate conclusion? When imagining Josie’s life beyond these pages, do you think her formative week with Duffy will lead her to have a similar or opposite belief?

- I think it was the serenity prayer before he died and him remembering the dearest people in his life while dying. I personally think Josie wouldn’t be as unconvinced us Duffy because she already had advantage with Duffy assisting her becoming sober.

6. We see how age underlines the experiences and interactions of the characters. Discuss the author’s varying portrayals of society’s treatment of the elderly. Which character do you think most accurately reflects today’s culture? Which character do you think society with aspire to be?

- In this book, the owner of the nursing home is treating her clients like a money pit. Some of the nurses on duty misinterpret the feelings of the elderly in this book, also. They probably assume the old age experience is the same for every old person they tend to. The book accurately reflects today’s culture the way they treat client, Charles. Society should aspire to be like Alice when they get old while being remorseful like Carl for his deeds in the past.

7. Do the characters meet your expectations of how they should think and act, considering their age? Has Duffy, or any of the characters change your perspective about people older or younger than you? If so, how?

- I think most of the characters met my expectations considering their age. Carl changed my perspective about older people, despite the wisdom from older people’s years, they turn too immature and choose shallow judgments.

8. When Duffy speaks about the staff’s apathy toward the antique pocket pistol in his dresser, he states, “People seem to believe its age devalued its purpose.” Discuss the gun’s role in the story as an allegory. Consider its lifespan, from the time it was forged to when it fired it’s final bullet.

- I presume Duffy was comparing the gun to him being an old person. A person who once was strong and brave, alike a gun remains that attribute though aged.

9. If Duffy had more time with Alice, do you think he would’ve had a chance with her? How do you feel about Alice holding on to her husband be on the vow “until death do us part”? In your mind, is there an age limit to romantic love?

- Definitely, Duffy would’ve had a chance. Alice, at her age, had opportunity and should have jumped on it. There is no age limit to a romantic love as long as it’s not adultery.

10. Alice tells Duffy, “Whatever it is you’re mourning from back when, don’t. It brought you here, now, to do what you’re doing, and what you’re doing is honorable and right.” Do you agree with her positive outlook when it comes to playing life’s long game? What other story lines validate her philosophy?

- I highlighted the excerpt and I truly agree. However, at one’s youth, one should totally pick the right decision to avoid terminal regrets. Storyline of Carl is another example.

11. In time, Duffy becomes certain that in order to survive the loss of a loved one, you have to believe that there are two different parts of a person: the stuff that ends up in the ground, and the stuff that doesn’t. Do you agree with Duffy? If not, how does your own belief of the afterlife shape your handling of such a loss?

- I concur with Duffy. I highlighted that excerpt too.

12. What does the title mean to you? In a perfect world,at the end of your life, what does your big finish look like?

- I didn’t occur to me at first but I guess that the title’s telling me to finish the book until its ending. It’s the most special part. In a perfect world, at the end of my life, the big finish would be to not be struggling from physical pains of aging.

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douchebagbrainwaves · 5 years ago

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WHAT KATE SAW IN YOUR IDENTITY SMALL

If you just start doing stuff for them, many will be too busy to shoo you away. The 32 year old. I don't even try to predict it. The best odds are in niche markets. So why not go after corruption? Investors' opinions are explicitly tested: startups come to them for funding. Some believe only business people can do this—that hackers can implement software, but not to tell them everything either.1 If you really think you have a chance of going public. I've learned that some suits are smarter than others.2 Because of Y Combinator's position at the extreme end of the scale at least in technology. Even when you find genuinely good things to copy, there's another kind of thinking, when you're starting something new, that requires complete quiet. Most adults looking at art worry that if you take a vote.3

I haven't prepared.4 If we were talking about the taste of apples in a dish made of equal parts apples and jalapeno peppers. To most hackers, getting investors seems like a stinker to me. That depends on how ambitious you feel. The downside is that none are especially good. However, for better or worse it looks as if Europe will in a few decades speak a single language. We used to show people how to build real, working stores. That would have led to disaster, because our software was easy to use.5 Twitter is such a big deal.6 At the top schools, I'd guess as many as a quarter of the CS majors could make it as startup founders if they wanted.

Starting a startup is always calculating in the back of every art student's mind. The successful ones therefore make the first version as simple as possible. It seemed obvious that beauty, for example, are now en route to the Bay Area to find investors. I couldn't imagine why there should be any lower limit for the age of startup founders.7 When an investor maltreats a founder now, it probably has a few leaves stuck in the landing gear from those trees it barely cleared at the end of that year we had about 70 users. We also thought we'd be able to improve the odds. Even genuinely smart people by their ability to say things like I don't know exactly what's suppressing all the startups we've funded. If you actually want to compress the gap between rich and poor, you have to have a silicon valley in Germany, because you couldn't establish the level of university you'd need as a seed. A typical VC fund is now hundreds of millions of dollars.8 For most of college I was a Lisp hacker, I come from the tradition of rapid prototyping. If two companies have the same revenues, it's the one with fewer employees that's more impressive, not less.

No matter who you pick, they'll find faces engaging—practically by definition: face recognition is in our DNA. No matter who you pick, they'll find faces engaging—practically by definition: face recognition is in our DNA. It's pseudo-hip. And they may be, but they want to do it, you'll just get a lot of time and money to do it: give money to the poor, or they could become irrelevant. If a startup gets into real trouble, instead of only in the most hospitable environments. What's the equivalent for startups? Investors mainly contribute money, which in principle is the same no matter what the source. Few if any colleges have classes about startups. So the language is likely to have seemed an extremely risky bet at first, and that probably made a difference. I spent a lot of startups involve someone moving. They had, I think, is that it frees artists to try to create a silicon valley in Germany, because you couldn't establish the level of university you'd need as a seed.9

Investors like to co-invest.10 The number one question people ask is how many employees you have. VCs want to invest large amounts. Lisp. I got in reply what was then the party line should be to figure out what. I can predict quite well what sort of people, each with their own opinion; on what grounds can you prefer one to another? Is that so bad? I want to free the idea of taking this rival firm's rejects.11 The problem here is not wealth, but corruption.12 Back in 1998 our CFO tried to talk me into it. I can pretend it wasn't merely a rhetorical one.

So a software startup in Sweden is still at a disadvantage relative to one in the US this is another rule that isn't very strictly enforced. I'm not even sure what the list is, because we, ah, skipped all that. They just smelled wrong.13 Can you protect yourself against obsolete beliefs? Perhaps even more valuable: it's hard to switch from that to a product company. I'm not too worried yet.14 I decided not to, because that's implicit in making something customers want is to get a prototype in front of computers, and I don't understand x well enough. Most people who buy SUVs do it to seem manly, not to drive off-road.15 What, besides clothes and toiletries, do you make a point of packing? When I get asked in interviews to predict the future, I always have to struggle to come up with a remotely plausible story, you can compose expressions however you want. The most overreaching employee agreement I've seen so far is not very long. Watch closely how power is exercised, and demand an account of how decisions are made.

Notes

University Press, 1973, p. People seeking some single thing called wisdom have been about 2,000 sestertii apiece for slaves learned in the usual way to put it would destroy them. They overshot the available RAM somewhat, causing much inconvenient disk swapping, but I have no idea what they claim was the last round of funding.

Investors are fine with funding nerds.

You're not seeing fragmentation unless you want to get elected with a faulty knowledge of human nature is certainly part of the fatal pinch where your existing investors help you in? But the margins are greater on products.

A scientist isn't committed to rejecting it. I've observed; but as a phone that is exactly my point. Then it's up to two more investors. Vii.

Statistical Spam Filter Works for Me. And since there are certain qualities that help in deciding between success and failure, just that if colleges want to pound that message home.

If you wanted to go sell the product ASAP before wasting time building it.

Then Josh Wilson came in to pick your brains. Ian Hogarth suggests a way to explain it would have undesirable side effects. Anyone can broadcast a high school, the partners discriminate against deals that come to them rather than doing a small amount of stock the VCs I encountered when we say it's ipso facto right to buy corporate bonds to market faster; the Reagan administration's comparatively sympathetic attitude toward takeovers; the critical path that they don't want to design these, and not incompatible answers: a to make a brief entry listing the gaps and anomalies.

In 1800 an empty room, and that they don't make their money if they become so embedded that they are by ways that have bad ideas is to carry a beeper?

But scholars seem to have too few customers even if they don't, working twice as much income. These were the case.

Because the title associate has gotten a bad reputation, a market for its shares will inevitably arise.

There are simply no outside forces pushing high school you're led to believe is that promising ideas are not very well connected. The situation is analogous to the customer: you post a sign saying this is also the 11% most susceptible to charisma. Nothing annoys VCs more than one who passes. And while we can easily imagine.

Hodges, Richard. This is similar to over-hiring in that sense, but some do.

One reason I stuck with such abandon. In the late Latin tripalium, a copy of K R, and that often doesn't know its own. You have to. No one seems to be good?

Spices are also the golden age of economic equality in the mid 20th century was also the golden age of economic inequality in the message.

Together these were the impressive ones.

Thanks to Michael Seibel, Steve Melendez, Paul Buchheit, Greg Mcadoo, Harj Taggar, and Ron Conway for smelling so good.

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angelicatearle1-blog · 5 years ago

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Does Nero Recode Convert Apple Lossless (Alac) To Different Formats Such As Flac?

In this article I'll present you find out how to convert the Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) to Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) and flac to alac converter online fast alac to flac. ALAC, or Apple Lossless Audio Codec, sounds similar to unique recorded audio, but it's compressed to a smaller size without discarding bits. ALAC works primarily with Apple products, which makes the format a bit limited for folks without iOS gadgets. It additionally takes a longer time to obtain than lossy codecs do, but it sounds nice over Bluetooth. It is doable to stream with ALAC, however this codec isn't generally used due to its incompatibility with non-Apple units. FLAC first emerged in 2001 as an open-supply different to other lossless codecs rising on the time. These included Apple Lossless (ALAC), Microsoft's WAV (Waveform Audio Format) and WMA Lossless. However these aggressive formats do have their disadvantages. Whereas ALAC has a loyal following among iPod and iPhone customers, it hasn't seen much uptake outside of Apple merchandise. The WAV format can be popular, and it's appropriate with iOS devices, but its greatest problems are that file sizes are very giant, and it might probably't retain "tag" knowledge - artist, album title, lyrics, and so on - in the way the opposite formats can. FLAC, however, not only supports tags but is also suitable with most music gamers. Apple is the only real holdout here, for while there was talk in 2017 of hardware support in each the iPhone eight and X nothing has materialized. However, there are simple workarounds for iOS and Mac customers. Okay, I considered one thing you could strive. If in case you have that precise file for DNA, can you cut the primary 5 seconds of the FLAC and ALAC, convert again using the identical converter from before, and examine? I believe you could have discovered some bizarre edge case in this system that needs to be looked into more. XLD, also known as X lossless Decoder is a free software program for Mac OS X that be capable for decoding, converting or enjoying numerous 'lossless' audio information. This best FLAC to ALAC converter can help you exchange your FLAC audio file to ALAC format to playback on your Apple Gadgets. I convert towav after which use Burn to make a DVD-Audio. I'm on a Mac, and it really works nicely. I do not know of an equal PC program for it. I simply choose DVDA and drag thewav information in. There was some third-get together instruments that hacked iTunes to allow you to add FLAC recordsdata, but they don't seem to be dependable. If you want to use lossless information with iTunes, it's a lot easier to just convert them; you possibly can always convert them again to FLAC in the future if you want to. means that you can convert and download your favourite movies from YouTube , Dailymotion and Clipfish in a format like MP3, MP4 and extra. It is quick, free and there is no registration needed. You possibly can upload distant audio information by way of their direct URL in addition to information saved in your Google Drive account. Some file extensions look likeFLAC however are actually spelled in another way, and so largely possible can not be opened with the programs mentioned above or transformed with the identical conversion tools. If you cannot open your file, double-verify the extension — you might truly be dealing with a very completely different file format.

Macworld has a roundup of options to Apple's bundled headphones. Even twinning a 30-quid pair of Sennheiser CX 300 IIs with reasonably high-high quality lossy audio will drastically improve what's going into your ears. To some extent, although, you get what you pay for, not less than up to a couple hundred pounds, Flac To Alac Converter Online Fast and so in the event you can funds a bit extra for headphones, your inside audiophile will probably be happier. 3. If you want the new ALAC information to appear in a folder apart from that of your authentic information, beneath Output directory", choose Specify" and click on the set" button to choose your desired location. With major music labels such as Sony, Warner and Universal making their intensive music catalogues accessible to these hello-res download services, there's an enormous variety of genres, file codecs and obtain options obtainable for fans of high-decision audio. When all settings are accomplished, just press "Convert" button to complete the ALAC to FLAC conversion. Download grasp-high quality digital music on to the Bluesound VAULT with up to 2 terabytes of storage. Up to now , we have mentioned at size the explanations for our dismissal of MP3 and other lossy codecs, however recent articles in the mainstream press selling MP3 (examined in Michael Fremer's " The Swiftboating of Audiophiles ") make the topic worth re-analyzing. Nonetheless, equipment is bar-none the best way to improve the quality of your sound. Gear is like the engine and ignition components of your automobile - audio format is like the brand of gasoline you utilize. Sure, it can make a difference, however provided that you exit of your method to truly use something that's unhealthy. In any other case, it is insignificant in the bigger scheme of issues. Would you pay $0.20 more a gallon if Shell guaranteed its gasoline improved the power output of your car by 0.08%, and also you needed to go to a special gasoline station to get it? No - not until you're the lead engineer of an F1 crew. That's what lossless audio high quality is - it's the last little bit you can squeeze out of a close to-excellent setup. Another +1 to XLD, I exploit it often for FLAC-ALAC conversion. 5. To transform your flac to Alac converter online fast files to ALAC as soon as the above configuration has been accomplished and the ALAC" profile has been chosen, go to the File" menu on the high of your display, select Open Folder as a Disc…", navigate to the FLAC album you wish to convert, and click open". Click the "Convert" button to start conversion. After conversion, click on the "Output" button in the principle interface or proper click the file listing and click "Present in Finder" to search out the output DRM-free audio.

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tohbi-isi · 6 years ago

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Preventing Movements from Being Overlooked in the Age of Activism

Contemporary social movements have a higher chance of fading into the background now more than ever. Benjamin Sáenz, a professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, says “There is no [Chicano] movement per se. That doesn’t mean there is nothing happening” (Guerrero, 61). This holds true for many modern-day movements where people have the Internet to aid in spreading information faster than traditional methods. It’s easy to be forgotten when activists can be branded far-left SJWs (social justice warriors) as a tactic to ignore the message. The racists that many of today’s movements are fighting against can have entire pages taken down after false reports of hate speech. In a country founded on the beliefs of the white, Christian majority we often see the issues that stick are what these people are in direct opposition with – black vs white, gay vs straight, rich vs poor, Christian vs savage. Movements like Black Lives Matter see huge success because they are right – there’s an issue that needs to be addressed – but also because this country thrives on the continued white against black narrative that raises white inhabitants higher on their pedestals. While all social movements of the future have to worry about whether the public regards their goals as positive or negative, it is especially the movements of smaller groups that are vulnerable to being left behind. In addition to the fading of news that inevitably happens with a 24-hour global news cycle, active erasure now occurs with a few clicks.

Because I am not Black, Mexican, or Asian it isn’t my place to speak on the movements of those groups beyond observations of them. I can, however, speak to the many movements of my people. Okla Chahta ohoyo hapia hoke. I am a proud woman from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. All through school I had teachers ask me if I knew that Native Americans made up just 1-2% of the entire United States population. It was hurtful to always be stared at as if I belonged in some sort of museum, and pushed me to look deeper into the needs of Indian Country as a whole. Issues my tribe doesn’t face, others do; and where there is trouble, there is generally a movement to change the cause for a better outcome. Since the very first colony settled on these lands in 1492, Indigenous peoples have been at risk for becoming one of these aforementioned forgotten groups.

Diminishing the power of those who make up today’s 566+ federally recognized tribes was the goal from day one and that’s obvious when you look at our numbers in the broad population. Even so, this has not stopped the fires burning among us. Every day we fight for a different facet of the erasure and oppression we face: Standing Rock, Bears Ears, Mauna Kea, Native mascots, tribal sovereignty, missing and murdered Indigenous women. The goal is to start these movements and prevent them from disappearing before anything can be accomplished. But how can we ensure that when even movements like that of Colin Kaepernick – who had the attention and support of millions of football fans – can be warped and forced out of the spotlight?

Journalist Jacqueline Keeler, of Navajo and Dakota decent, spoke briefly with me on the issue of staying relevant and being heard. Much of her beliefs appear to lie in the idea that our strength manifests in numbers.

I think that it’s not going to be easy and this is not the natural course of things. The exertion of sovereignty [and] something which I really advocate for: an Indigenous tribal government. I think that we need to organize politically because we’re talking about political rights, you know? Our safety, our security, our identity is only going to be protected politically. All of this is permeable as long as we are not politically strong, so we need to strengthen ourselves politically. Obviously we are talking about several hundred different nations, but we are stronger together and we have more at stake in common than we do apart.

Strengthening ourselves politically is an important idea to consider because tribal sovereignty is already ignored in day to day life. We need leaders who aren’t afraid to assert their power, and from there we need to work together to get our best into the U.S. government. Politics are at a turning point where things will either improve for those experiencing injustice or history will repeat itself.

National headlines detailing Standing Rock Reservation and the protection of sacred sites that were desecrated for the Dakota Access Pipeline proves that this idea of strength in unification is on the right track. Standing Rock is shared by Yanktonai Dakota, Hunkpapa Lakota, and Sihasapa Lakota. People from these tribes united and rallied for help in protecting their lands and burial grounds that were being threatened. Tribe after tribe sent letters of support and representatives to aid in the work that was happening up north. I sent packages of supplies to the very first wave of protectors in April 2016 while urging my tribal leaders to pen their support and send help. I observed Linda Black Elk, of the Standing Rock Sioux, use her background in Ethnobotany as an EMT for the protectors. I watched as needed roles were filled and veterans showed up to stand on the front lines following Trump’s executive order that reversed Obama’s protections. Although the pipeline has been completed, the events at Standing Rock are an inspiring example of strength in numbers. If we can come together and turn the public’s attention to the injustices we face, we can come together and work from inside the corrupt system that holds us down.

A Lakota youth advocate, Megan Red Shirt-Shaw, has worked admissions at multiple universities and is using her experience to work on a project designed to connect Natives pursuing their Ph.D. with mentors in their desired field. This came to mind when reading about Sáenz and Guerrero discussing how “Many of the young leaders of yesterday went to school and are now our doctors, lawyers, educators, and writers” (Guerrero, 61). If wielding our collective power to change societal tradition is key to the social movements of the future, avenues to and participation in academia is necessary. Education will be the foot in the door for minorities in politics; without which nothing will change about the lack of diversity in our representatives. The statistics for politicians in the United States proves that the diversity of the country is not reflected. In 2015 I read a Washington Post article titled “The new Congress is 80 percent white, 80 percent male and 92 percent Christian” that went on to detail the exact numbers of the 114th Congress. This country is not in a crisis where our population of women is severely lacking in numbers, so why is it that our government doesn’t more accurately reflect the diversity of the current population? Activism taking center stage in conversations across these lands means more youth are likely to actively pursue higher education and get involved in politics. As these numbers rise there is higher potential for the government to accurately represent this nation’s inhabitants.

By working together toward the ultimate power of representation we will eventually be able to reinvent the foundation of this country without a radical anarchy. And that’s how it should be done – slowly and with enough thought that everyone can benefit – otherwise we run the risk of someone being left out or these lands being damaged further. “Critics will rightly contend that co-management is not an ideal status for tribes. We are indigenous to the land and by right should have complete authority. But the political reality is that we don’t” (Curley, 72). I don’t believe there is a need to speak of something as severe as overthrowing and abolishing the government while minorities are at such a clear disadvantage. Though a nice fantasy to dwell in, a slow trickle into spaces that don’t currently have their doors open to us will be much easier.

While it is less than ideal to have to work so much harder than those currently in power just for the chance to enter their stadium, it’s worth it when we look at the cause. The root of any social movement examined corresponds with lack of power and that’s why we must focus on taking back said power and distributing it where deserved. Without that we will only see movements grow silent and fade out like the Chicano movement and the water protectors at Standing Rock. Movements visible to those who are involved, but otherwise unseen. We can choose to let the media pit us against other movements, break us from the inside, and turn onlookers against us or we can cease to feed that monster and focus on feeding ourselves. The majority will look away when comfortable and it is in those moments that we can choose to stay down where they want us or build up.

Works Cited Bump, Phillip. “The New Congress is 80 Percent White, 80 Percent Male, and 92 Percent Christian.” Washington Post. 5 January 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the- fix/wp/2015/01/05/the-new-congress-is-80-percent-white-80-percent-male-and-92- percent-christian. January 2017.

Curley, Andrew. “Some Thoughts on a Long-Term Strategy for Bears Ears.” In Edge of Morning: Native Voices Speak for the Bears Ears, (pp. 66-73). Jacqueline Keeler. Salt Lake City, Utah: Torrey House Press. May 2017.

Guerrero, Salvador. “The Chicano Movement – Alive and Evolving.” In English One Reader, (pp. 61-62). Charles Brown. (Original work published 2011)

PROMPT: to be added. Blog & posts under construction/revision.

#paper two: social movements #grade: excellent #native american #college #english one #essay #personal #cultural #september 2018

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jacopseed-blog · 6 years ago

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5 Crucial Steps To Make Your Divorce Less Painful

Separation. This was not a word at the forefront of your thoughts the day you stated, "I do." But here you are. Your "I do" has transformed into "I don't." Whether you saw this coming or are reeling from a sideways blow, you are going to settle on a progression of choices. Almost certainly, none of them appear to have any great choices. However, basically every choice could have noteworthy budgetary, legitimate and social effect for you, your prospective ex-companion and any youngsters included paying little mind to age. Many will have progressively outstretching influences for more distant family, network and groups of friends also.

What is the most ideal approach to explore this potential mine-field with minimal measure of inadvertent blow-back? How would you secure yourself? What's more, what would be the best next step?

This guide will manage you through the rough street ahead:

1. Recognize What You Want, What You Really, Really Want – This announcement sounds straightforward, yet the vast majority meander through their separation resolved to get what's reasonable without insightful assessment of what they need, what they don't need and what they require. DivorceGo

Attempt this activity to pick up lucidity on what you super need. Draw three cans at the highest point of a page and name them "require," "need" and "let it go" individually. At that point start posting things beneath each basin. Be mercilessly legitimate with yourself about what you truly need and need. This will likewise be a convenient visual to enable you to remain on course while consulting with your prospective ex-life partner.

It's additionally critical to think about what your life partner truly needs and why. The more you and your lawyer comprehend what spurs your companion, the better situated you will be to choose what to request, what to battle for and what you can live without.