#i mean 17c is okay

[katyobsesses]

Everything is too bright I hate that it's getting warmer can it be cold again with the sun leaving at like 5:30pm I know I complained then but this is worse

[victorluvsalice]

Happy Birthday Squid!

@gaydragonwizards -- as per your previous request, here is a story about Romero teaching Melody how to shoot, back before some of the major nonsense in our RP stuff! I hope you enjoy!

---

“Okay, so – for our first lesson in shooting, I figured we’d start off with handguns.”

Romero snapped open the case in front of him, gesturing for Melody to take a look. “Got us a pair of basic Brokk 17cs here – they’re some of the easiest guns to get and carry around Los Angeles. I mean, pretty much every gang-banger and wanna-be crime lord on the street has got one of these in their back pocket or shoulder holster. Small, light, pretty easy to handle – downside is that they don’t have the greatest stopping power, but – well. You’re a Kindred – you’ve got other ways to stop people. And trust me, anything is better than that .38 your mother was using for fucking ages.” He rolled his eyes at the memory. “Seriously, I have no idea how she lasted until Hollywood with that damn thing. Like, she went down into the fucking Nosferatu sewers when that lizard asshole was filling them with shit with that and somehow managed to come out the other side.” He paused and considered this. “Then again, I guess she had Alice backing her up there. . .and let me tell you, that woman is terrifying with a knife.”

Melody made a grunt of agreement, then started reaching for one of the guns, clearly eager to begin. “Whoa – slow down there,” Romero said, putting his hand in front of theirs and earning himself a look. “Let’s get one thing straight right here, right now, okay? You don’t do anything until I tell you to. I’m the teacher here, and you’re gonna respect that.”

Melody’s eyes narrowed challengingly. “Don’t start – your mom’s asked me to teach you how to shoot a gun, and I’m happy to give you a few lessons,” Romero told them, frowning right back. “Knowing how to shoot, and shoot well, is a fucking lost art these days, and I wanna keep it around. But I know what you’re like, kid – that you’re into screwing around whenever you think you can get away with it. And normally I wouldn’t give a shit – but you cannot pull that while we’re having shooting lessons.” He wagged a finger at them. “I mean that – guns are dangerous. I mean, yeah, fine, not as dangerous to you guys as they are to humans and ghouls, but getting shot, especially in the right spot, still ain’t fun. You gotta respect your weapon – and more importantly, you gotta know how to handle it before you even think of pulling that trigger. I know you’re a smart kid, and you’ll pick up this shit fast, but you gotta listen to me. You start fuckin’ around, and I’ll end the lesson right here.” He leaned in for emphasis, meeting Melody’s gaze head-on. “And I’ll tell your mother exactly why.”

Melody’s expression went from “resting sullen” to “oh shit.” “Yeah, I figured that’d get your attention,” Romero said, allowing himself a tiny smirk. “I’m gonna try and keep it fun for you, I promise – we got loads of cans and bottles to shoot off the fence, for starters. But like I said, guns are dangerous, and I don’t want to be the one to explain to Ari why you’ve got a bullet wound or two in you – or in me. We do this, we’re doing it right. Good?”

Melody nodded, setting their face in “I’m ready and willing to learn” mode. “Great. So, before you even pick that thing up, a couple of safety tips to remember – always treat any gun as if it’s loaded. Even if you unloaded it yourself. Shit can happen, bullets can get chambered without you knowing, and it’s just not worth the risk. Second, always keep your finger off the trigger unless you intend to shoot. It’s too fucking easy to pull it without meaning to. And third, always be aware of not only your target, but what’s beyond it. Bullets go fast, and – depending on the caliber of the bullet and the gun – can punch through more stuff than you think. You don’t want to shoot a guy, only for the bullet to go right through him and hit your buddy on the other side.” He wagged his finger again. “What it comes down to is, well, don’t be an idiot. Think you can pull that off?”

Melody leveled another look at him. “Yeah, yeah, I know, lived under all our noses in that junkyard for who knows how long, you got brains and can take care of yourself. Just humor me and nod.”

That got a small smile, and the requested nod. “Fantastic. Okay – now you can pick up the gun, and I’ll show you how to check it and how to load it up. . .”

---

[forestryfae]

oh my fuckign god "did you wash clothes today" yes hi hello how are you how are you feeling are you doing well is the depression and general lack of enrichment kicking your ass are you stressed cus you have a house and two cats and you dont know what to do with them how was christmas vacation did you have fun did you live in a house where it was a constant 10c or less except for the maybe 17c you had in your bedroom? are you getting psychiatric care and medication to help you with your mental health problems?

no cus washing clothes and bugging me about it is more important. i tried to do some yesterday but we went for a walk and it was longer than expected cus they said it was short and never elaborated so i was exhausted and pissed for the rest of the day i am constantly exhausted and pissed. i have NO energy. i cant get people to talk to me when i want them to but everyone collectively has decided that when im upset and angry is the best time to reach out, when its literally too late and im already on edge and i can not fucking communicate properly how fucking hard is it for people to just. actually acknowledge that i have depression and ocd and probably other shit too and that that takes a huge toll on me, combined with just in general having a shit physical health that means i cant go for hour long walks with NO breaks in shit weather while im walking two times faster than my usual speed cus everyone with long legs or good physical health are unwilling to slow down at all or take breaks or WAIT for those of us who need them

jesus fucking christ its so infuriating how every time we go on longer walks and the people in front of us stop theyve had like a 5 minute break. and we get there and we dont even get a break. they start walking before we even reach them. so its fucking constant. my legs are fucking aching to the point where i will start crying if i dont get to take a break but thats not important. how fucking self centered and unempathic can someone be.

literally everything is OUR responsibility but we still get treated like kids and when we do our part we get their part shoved in our faces with a fun dash of "well why did you just do this why didnt you remind us" like FUCK OFF. the assholes cant even give me my penicillin without me reminding them i have recieved NO follow up after coming back from vacation i havent had anyone to talk to and my support contact, as much as i try to give her credit for the stuff she does and i try to be grateful that she atleast tries and she wants better for me than what i have, is missing most of the time and doesnt reach out to me and is completely incapable of understanding that i need them to actually d their jobs without blaming me when shit goes wrong.

holy fucking hsit how hard would it have been for them to ask "hey i know you hate going home and didnt want to, how was it at home, what happened at your house, are you doing okay after christmas vacation? hows your teeth didnt you have a medical emergency w your teeth? how do you wnat to restart your routines do you need help with that?" like its their fucking job to help me and i get fucking nada. can people just for once actually act like i have feelings and emotions and i need them to actually be validated and acknowledged without feeling like i need to justify them and defend them every time i have them?

[apex-academy]

Chapter 2: Inhale. Exhale. It’s Probably Not Going to Be Okay (#17c)

He’s nowhere near any of the exercise equipment, of course, but Aidan’s the only one I haven’t talked to lately, so I go ahead and hunt him down. Aki and Mahavir are accompanying him, but he and I can at least stand just inside the open lab door without breaking his rules. Whatever works. I don’t think we’ll be saying anything too sensitive for them to hear, anyway.

“Good morning, Miss Kogamino!! What are you up to?”

“Just trying to get through another day here.”

“There’s no need for such a lackluster attitude! It’s going to be a great day, so you should look forward to it!!”

“What makes it so great?”

“I don’t know yet, but you won’t find out if you’re not looking for it!”

“I guess.”

We waste some time poking around the lab room. Aidan seems happy with all the safety equipment available. Guess we’ve got it made if anyone starts up chemistry and physics classes in here.

...I say that sarcastically, but Aidan probably would.

“Hmm. I feel like I know you pretty well, but we really haven’t talked that much.”

“What's your family like?”

“Oh, pretty normal nuclear family. Mom supervises a wastewater treatment facility, Dad’s a data security programmer, and Connor—older brother, by four years—recently started his career in plumbing.”

I’m not actually sure what either of his parents’ jobs entail, but they sound nerdy enough. But...

“Plumbing?”

“Yes! Is that surprising?”

“It just sounds a lot less, uh, excessively scientific than the rest.”

“Smart people can be plumbers if they want to be!! It’s a vital job! Just because it doesn’t sound glamorous doesn’t mean it’s a lesser occupation!”

“In fact, with all of the automation taking place these days, I’ve heard handyman-type jobs are really a lot more stable than others, or at least that they’re predicted to be. And when not many people are attracted to the occupation in the first place, his prospects of not getting replaced by either man or machine are really pretty good. Seems like a smart decision to me!”

“Guess so.”

“I can see going from wastewater treatment to plumber, but air traffic controller seems really out of left field. I guess there’s a lot of data, though...?”

“That’s very true! But I owe my interest much more to my Uncle Abe than my father! My mom’s brother is an air traffic controller, I mean.”

Then that generation is a wastewater treatment supervisor and an air traffic controller. I... guess they both boss people around?

“Frankly, I’m not sure he’s all that fond of my company. I’ve shadowed him pretty relentlessly for most of my life, and I’d be a little surprised if he wasn’t sick of me by now if he wasn’t from the start.”

“But I couldn’t help it!! I was one of those kids that got really excited about airplanes, you know? When I found out my own uncle worked at an airport I just had to pester him until he’d let me come along!!”

“And you’ve been doing that since you were... seven?”

“Six, actually!!”

“They let six-year-olds into highly secured control towers...?”

“It’s fine!! I was a very well-behaved child!!”

“.........Actually I was an extremely poorly-behaved child, but I could at least keep it under control if it meant I could stay there! And I was supervised and all...”

“You were a real rule-breaker, huh?” No idea why that might be a little hard to believe.

“More than a little hyperactive, too. I’m really not sure how Uncle Abe put up for me for the first year, let alone all the rest.”

“I guess if you were pestering him about it all the time, it was the lesser of two evils.”

“Yeah, that sounds about right.”

I at least rattle off my own parents’ jobs—forensic accountant and middle school teacher—before deciding we’ve been standing around here long enough. 

To think he used to be more enthusiastic... His uncle must be a saint, because I sure couldn’t handle hanging out with him for hours on end for years.

[BACK]

[safereturndoubtful]

Day 23 - to Järnäsklubb

It was another tremendous camp location, they really aren’t hard to find here. These are warm days for late summer up here 65 degrees latitude, up to 24C today, and with being by the sea, warm nights also, dropping only to about 17C. The long daylight hours are for early summer though, by now it’s dark at 9 pm.

I redid much of yesterday’s route into the Nature Reserve this morning, but today the old back was playing tricks, so a fair bit slower, and more time on the rocky beaches, which the dog appreciated.

Walking this morning set me to thinking about the Dutch family who had arrived to my van last night at 8 pm dehydrated and worn out. For their teenage girls it can hardly have been an experience that will set them on a lifetime of hiking, more the reverse. The girls both had shorts on, whereas the parents had long trousers. Their legs were throughly bitten. They had walked from early morning for 20 kilometres with the idea, not having checked times, of getting a bus back. I know only too well that hiking for youngsters needs to be attractive, interspersed with a swim, a camp, cooking, orienteering, for example. I can remember right back to myself as a teenager, and my parents dragging us, as it must have seemed, around the Lake District. They got the balance of different activities right, and we have all developed a love for the outdoors, and indeed hiking. I fear that the two sweaty, dehydrated and insect-chewed girls will just be desperate to return home and to school..

I called in to Örnsköldsvik town for a supermarket stock-up at a very smart Co-Op. the towns up here are more functional than beautiful, as opposed to the more quaint old towns of the south. Örnsköldsvik is dominated by a brick works, and today at 25C it wasn’t especially welcoming.

I drove another hour or so north, then east away from the main E4 onto the edge of a peninsula aiming for another Nature Reserve, at Järnäsklubb. It is a group of smart holiday residences surrounding a marina, which no doubt once was made up of fishing boats, but these days they are very much in the minority to leisure vessels. This late in the summer though there are hardly any occupants in the holiday homes, the place is almost completely quiet. On a walk around I saw no one.

There’s a very smart cafe though, which opens only at weekends. The old building burned down in 2015 according to the picture frame on the new building’s wall. That does seem rather convenient, as it did look on its last legs anyway, and now they have a ‘state of the arts’ spanking new set up. It’s only a cafe though, and with Sweden’s strict alcohol laws, it means they can okay serve alcohol at less than 3%.

[illidanstr]

i replaced the turn signal flasher on my car, because one side was solid and not blinking.

like you troubleshoot it by checking to see if all the lights flash when you put the hazards on which means the bulbs are good

a lot of internet sources say that if one side is blinking successfully, it isn’t the flasher because there’s only one flasher.  I bet they were wrong and they WERE  

you just take three screws off a panel on the underside which, okay, you have to twist your body next to the pedals on the driver’s side and you can’t open the door because it’s 0f / -17c and that would be terrible, and the instructions were kind of confusing and contradictory and when I used the best ones to find the right thing I actually found the wrong part which was not the flasher relay first and I tried unsuccessfully to remove it a bit before turning the car on and verifying the clicking sound was not coming from it 

for some reason I continued to try to remove it because it still really seemed like the part.  it had a red thing on top that looked removable like it was supposed to!  it was the right-ish size!  then I got bored trying to remove it and looked for other things to take off and found the relay.  I had actually only taken two of the three screws out because I am lazy and I thought I could get at what I (incorrectly) believed was the relay without taking the third one of

the new flasher was only $8 and I replaced it in the parking lot of the auto parts store and now it works and I’m just really really proud of myself for ??? everyone in car maintenance agrees it is the simplest thing you can possibly do to a car.

[ajourneythroughtime]

The Last Analog Device in a Digital World

We’re told that humans come from the monkey Old English apa (fem. ape) "an ape, a monkey," from Proto-Germanic *apan "a fool" "go crazy" "deceptions, tricks." "to imitate," "ape-like behavior, simulation" https://www.etymonline.com/word/ape#etymonline_v_41341

https://www.etymonline.com/word/crazy#etymonline_v_29028 "diseased, sickly" (a sense now obsolete); 1580s, "broken, impaired, full of cracks or flaws," 

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Hey, Zeus!

Caught between Good & Evil, Duality, caught in the CrossFire in this ElectroMagnetic Masterpiece

A simulation must define and judge, that of which will always fall short of Completion.

The devil’s in the details. Every single thing that we define is ALWAYS partial, part, and true, depending upon the perspective with which one assumes. The Father of Lies.

Each individual color just blends into the next. Every route cums from source.

simulation (n.)mid-14c., "a false show, false profession,"

The Truth, is beyond explanation. Out of this World.

Be careful where the stars and light lead you. Don’t be afraid of the dark. Dark = Unknown

*ster- (2) "star" "hide, skin;" "to stare," stearc "stiff, strong, rigid," steorfan"to die," literally "become stiff," styrne "severe, strict."

HOME is back the way you came. It’s all in the code. Return to Source. It’s not our war. Unless you like the fight, then by all means. Enjoy the Fall.

Just remember, It’s okay to be broken. It’s okay to be wrong or partial. You are in these worlds, but not of them. Try not to get lost. Eventually, we all find our way back Home.

quantum (n.) "one's share or portion,"

This is why you have two parts to your polarized brain - holy cow!

https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=perspective&ref=searchbar_searchhint *spek- "to observe"

https://www.etymonline.com/word/cognition#etymonline_v_28278 cognition (n.)mid-15c., cognicioun, "ability to comprehend, mental act or process of knowing," from Latin cognitionem (nominative cognitio) "a getting to know, acquaintance, knowledge," noun of action from past participle stem of cognoscere "to get to know, recognize," from assimilated form of com "together" (see co-) + gnoscere "to know," from PIE root *gno- "to know." In 17c. the meaning was extended to include perception and sensation.

We are surrounded by the Truth. Separation is maya. Everything is connected. Look around. We’re all different versions of the Truth. Don’t forget to connect all of the pieces. We’ve come from nothing. That, my friends--Is a Miracle. LOVE is wide-open. Love is what holds this entire thing together.

https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=cradle "baby's bed," usually mounted on rockers or suspended for rocking or swinging, c. 1200, cradel, from Old English cradol "little bed, cot," from Proto-Germanic *kradulaz "basket" (source also of Old High German kratto, krezzo "basket," German Krätze "basket carried on the back").Figurative sense of "the place where any person or thing is nurtured in the early stages of existence" is from 1580s. The word also was used from late 14c. in reference to various mechanical devices for holding or hoisting. As "frame of wood with long, curved teeth and a scythe blade for cutting grain and laying it in a straight swath," 1570s. As "rest on a telephone for the receiver when not in use" is from 1903.The children's game of cat's-cradle is so called by 1768. Cradle-snatching "amorous pursuit of younger person" is from 1906.

Everything we know, first began in the abstract. Welcome Home, chaos.

chaos (n.) "to yawn, gape, be wide open."

There’s a core here that it all expands outward from. I call it the Quantum Core. Really does it zero justice though because it is that which cannot be named. Naming it would sell it short of all her great glory!

Do not be fooled. Control freaks want your soul food energy.

Order out of Chaos

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_theory

I sure hope we’re sowing wholeness before the black hole becomes holy. Come the cross, not everybody makes the cut.

The robots we’ve created will kill us with our own swords. Black Mirrors. Everything that they will “know” has been taught to them by man. Echo. echo.

Python’s divide and conquer algorithm.

Just a giant counting machine so it can define, divide, and tell us what’s wrong with us. Hey, it’s good business in the industry. Keeps the the mortals and immortals plenty busy in daddy daycare. Enjoy the sandbox.

https://www.etymonline.com/word/experiment#etymonline_v_14086 mid-14c., "action of observing or testing; an observation, test, or trial;" also "piece of evidence or empirical proof; feat of magic or sorcery," from Old French esperment "practical knowledge, cunning; enchantment, magic spell; trial, proof, example; lesson, sign, indication," from Latin experimentum "a trial, test, proof, experiment," noun of action from experiri "to try, test," from ex- "out of" (see ex-) + peritus "experienced, tested," from PIE *per-yo-, suffixed form of root *per- (3) "to try, risk."

Not everyone is coming to the future

“You will not surely die." If you’re born again then did you actually die??

I’d be very diligent with whom I’m imitating and stop monkeying around. Those that run this slavematrix know much, much more about the labyrinth than all of humanity combined, thousand-fold. These are the men of renown. It was built by them. Immortal Master Builders. You will die. Continue? How about some achievement rewards? Carrots? Mmm.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephilim_(disambiguation)

Leap year 2020 will begin onWednesday, January 1 Look out for that double vision. Read between the lines. Wednesday (n.)fourth day,  see Odin. *stars* Odin is associated with wisdom, healing, death, royalty, the gallows, knowledge, war, battle, victory, sorcery, poetry, frenzy, and the runic alphabet, and is the husband of the goddess Frigg.

Mars was the god of war

Jupiter (from Latin: Iūpiter [ˈjuːpɪtɛr] or Iuppiter [ˈjʊppɪtɛr][1], from Proto-Italic *djous "day, sky" + *patēr "father", thus "sky father"), also known as Jove (gen. Iovis [ˈjɔwɪs]), was the god of the sky and thunder and king of the gods in Ancient Roman religion and mythology.

Hey, Zeus!

Ping Pong Bing Bong To Infinity & Beyond!

It’s time to reap what we’ve sown, both individually and collectively.  Careful what you wish for. There’s magic in the air. You are what you eat. THINK

Call it magnetics. Call it Karma. Call it the Mirror of your very own judgments.

YOU are a quantum computer.

Hows that for some Mental Madness?

hat (n.) hæt "hat, head covering"

I Am That I Am. Which role did you play on the stage of the lab?

Did you find what you were looking for?

Remember.

Don’t sell yourself short, Love. You’re worth every drop.

The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction

It’s all in your Mind, you Maniac :)

Tis but a Dream. Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down. 

[apex-academy]

Chapter 1: Smite Evil and Other Murder Methods (#17c)

I slip back to the quill emblem study hall. If it isn’t Itsurou’s, it must be for calligraphy, right? Wonder if Otoya’s locked it yet.

I twist the handle without any trouble, but I can’t actually budge the door.

“Is it stuck on something?”

I give it another few tries, but this is going nowhere fast. I sigh and let my arm fall back to my side.

My pause is just long enough for me to hear a faint sound from inside the room. Then a much more recognizable sound.

“What the crap do you want?”

“...Otoya? Is that you in there?”

“No, clearly this voice belongs to Kokor—YES, it’s Otoya! What do you want?”

Oh, boy.

“Just thought I’d check in. Are you doing okay?”

“Yes. Bye.”

“.....”

It takes a good couple of minutes to get Otoya to actually listen to me, let alone convince him to open the door. Eventually I manage a decent argument: if he’s worried about someone coming in to kill him, then he should try to get along with us. If no one forms any personal connection with him, he’s more of a target, right?

I don’t think anyone is stupid enough to target him, but there’s no need to weaken my argument.

Finally the door opens, but only a crack.

“Fine! Just...” He lets out a short breath. “What do you want me to do?”

“Have a conversation?”

“Fine.”

“...”

“...”

...I’m gonna have to do all the work myself.

“So, what got you into calligraphy?”

“...What?”

“I mean... Was it something your parents did? Or did you join a school club, or?”

I hope it’s not the latter. Sports clubs would kill to recruit him, and I'd hate to be on their bad side.

“Uh, not really.”

“...”

“Look, I don’t freaking know! It just looked nice and I could do it!”

“You get decent practice writing letters, I guess.”

“You wrote letters?” That’s different. “Who to?”

“Um...”

It takes him a minute to decide he’ll continue.

“Had a friend in primary school. She moved away. Whatever.”

Riveting.

“Well, it must be nice to keep in touch. I don’t think I talk to anyone I knew from primary school.”

“That’s probably normal.”

“...”

“...”

“So... Do you play any sports?”

“What? No.”

“...”

“Why?”

Somehow this feels like a giant trick question. But I’m not sure if I’m avoiding the trap or walking right into it.

“Oh, I don’t know. A lot of my guy friends are into sports, is all.”

He sighs, and it takes a while for him to mumble something else.

“I guess I watch rugby with Pops sometimes.”

“Huh. Is there a team where you live?”

“No. We just watch it on TV.”

“Except watching TV gives me headaches, so I just take his word for it on the final score.”

“What do you need to know the final score for?”

“We bet on the games. Not money, just...” He lets out a short breath. “Something stupid.”

“There—are we connected yet?”

I guess I should leave the poor guy alone.

“Uh, yeah. It was nice talking to you.”

He grunts and slams the door shut. 

“Excellent manners, Otoya...”

I hear desk legs scraping on the floor in there. Was that what was blocking the door? An entire desk? Probably loaded up with paper and other supplies?

“How much can this guy even lift...?”

At least I know it is possible to have a conversation with him, however briefly. I’m sure I’ll have to fight for every one.

[BACK]