#i needed this today because i was talking about my art=science agenda to my friend and this guy was looking at me like i killed someone

[dylanlila]

Jo! Jo! I have to tell you! I was listening to the radio, and there was a story about a climate scientist who partnered with the music department of a university, for the students to turn her numerical data on coastal algae blooms into music! I wanted to share this with you IMMEDIATELY.

*with tears in my eyes* art=science

[tfiolarry]

tfiol chapter two: pretty

summary: simply, the girls meet their grandmas and make a friend.

[one] [three] 

give us feedback :) 

A/N: gif not ours creds to owner

SATURDAY 

11:55 AM 

STYLINSON HOME - LONDON 

Louis and Harry already woke up, the girls fed them breakfast, gave them a bath. Now, they are getting them ready to meet their moms, Jay and Anne. 

HARRY: (putting Dani's hair in pigtails) Alright, so on the agenda for today is meeting with moms and then we’ll head to the park for a cute little picnic.

JORDYN: (Louis putting her hair in a pigtails also) What's genda? 

LOUIS: An agenda’s like a game plan, o’ tiny one. Like...all the fun stuff we wanna do with you guys today. (finishes her hair)

DANI: Fun stuff?

LOUIS: Yeah, like snacks and bubbles or...barbies, maybe chalk or coloring...but all that, plus picnic.

DANI: (tries to look up at Harry even though he’s doing her hair) For real?

HARRY: (nods and puts cute bows in her hair) Anything you guys wanna do, we will get it for you.

JORDYN: I like bubbles and grapes. (smiles)

DANI: Chalk too.

LOUIS: We can bring it all.

DANI: We can have grapes now?

LOUIS: (looks at Harry) Now?

HARRY: (looks at Louis and shrugs) I guess. But only a few, because we still have lunch later.

JORDYN: (claps her hands) Yay! 

HARRY: Alright Ms. Dani, you are all set.

DANI: (smiles a lot and touches it) Pretty. (gets down from her chair and hugs Harry) Thanks.

HARRY: (pouts and hugs her back) You’re so welcome.

JORDYN: (to Louis) I done too? 

LOUIS: Yes you are indeed, my little poppet. All done and just as pretty as Dani’s, I promise.

JORDYN: (smiles, turns to him and holds her pinky out) Pwomise? 

LOUIS: (smiles and pinky promises her) I promise, 100%. (boops her nose with his other hand) How about we get you guys those grapes now? Sound good?

JORDYN: (nods quickly and gets off the chair after letting go of Louis pinky)

They head to the kitchen with the girls and give them handfuls of grapes each. While they are eating the grapes there is a knock on the door. Wonder who it could be? 

HARRY: I got it. (goes to the door and opens it) Mothers! Hello! (hugs both at the same time) 

ANNE: (hugs him back and is a smiley woman) Hi lovebug.

JAY: (hugs back also) Hello indeed, darling, where are these adorable children of yours? 

HARRY: (lets go of them and opens the door more for them to come in) They’re in the kitchen eating grapes. Come in.

They join Harry and co. inside the house, making their way to the kitchen where Louis, Dani, and Jordyn are eating grapes - seedless green ones, red are for chumps. The girls are casually munching and Louis’ gonna get up.

LOUIS: Moms! How exciting is this? (goes to Jay first and gives her a big hug and then Anne) Lovely to see you guys, like always.

DANI: (while chewing) Who that?

JORDYN: (shrugs and eats more grapes) Moms?

HARRY: Dani, Jordyn, these are our moms who are now your grandmas.

JORDYN: (looks at Dani to let her know who they are) Grandmas. 

DANI: (smiles) Grandmas. (baby waves to them) Hiiii.

JAY: (waves back) Hello, you are so cute.

DANI: I know.

LOUIS: Dani…

DANI: (giggles) Thanks.

JORDYN: Hewwo (waves also) I Jordyn, (points to Dani) This Dani.

DANI: (nods and stuffs her mouth with grapes)

ANNE: (laughs a little) I’m Grandma Anne, nice to meet you both.

DANI: (tries to talk but she’s got grapes)

ANNE: (looks at Louis and Harry) I think...she’s got too many grapes. 

JAY: Yeah, I’ll second that.

LOUIS: Harry, it’s your turn to fix this. I fixed the plant situation the other day, so...

HARRY: (scoffs) How do I even fix this? (goes to Dani) Hey bub, you got too many grapes...one at a time, yeah?

DANI: (looks at him and then decides to fix this by spitting them out on a paper towel on the counter and looks at him) Okay. (gets a new grape now and does a little dance)

HARRY: Okay. (smiles at Louis, Anne and Jay) Parenting isn’t so hard after all. 

JORDYN: (drops a grape) No! (pouts and is almost about to cry because she was really excited for that grape)

JAY: Are you sure? 

LOUIS: Harry, it’s still your turn to be fixing this. 

HARRY: (is pouting but goes to Jordyn) Hey, hey. (grabs another grape and gives it to her) Look, don't be sad - there's more grapes.

JORDYN: But...(points to the one that fell)...I want that one. (pouts) 

LOUIS: That one is yucky, love, it’s on the floor. 

ANNE: (teasing) Thought it was Harry’s turn.

LOUIS: I’m...being a good person, sh.

DANI: No sad, just do like... (grabs a grape and wipes it off with her hands)... that.

HARRY: It’s still yucky, Dan.

JORDYN: (big baby sigh and grabs a new grape) 

HARRY: I’m sorry Jordyn, it’s just how life goes.

JORDYN: No.

LOUIS: But it is, Jordy, it is how life goes, sometimes life gives you yucky grapes on the floor, and you just have to accept it, why? Because big girls accept those things. And you guys are big girls for real, so just say bye bye to it.

DANI: (pouts) Bye bye.

JAY: Kind of depressing to tell them that’s life, isn’t it?

DANI: Who is pressing?

HARRY: Don’t worry about that. The better question is who is ready for the park? 

JORDYN: (gasp and raises her hand) Me! 

DANI: Me too! And...chalk too.

LOUIS: Yes, Dani, the chalk is ready for the park as well.

DANI: Good. You too?

LOUIS: Yeah, me too.

DANI: And grandmas?

ANNE: Of course.

JAY: Always.

DANI: (to Harry) You too?

HARRY: (laughs) Yes me too. 

•• 

SATURDAY

3:12 PM

NEIGHBORHOOD PARK

Jay and Anne came over earlier in the day to meet the girls before Louis and Harry rounded them up and got them ready to go to the park. They requested chalk, granted they went shopping for toys the other day and picked some up, so they brought it with them. At the park, Dani and Jordyn walk ahead of the adults. Louis is holding a bag of snacks, Harry has a cooler bag for drinks and stuff, and Jay is holding a bin of chalks.

ANNE: (looking at Louis and Harry) They’re really lovely girls, you two.

LOUIS: Of course they are, they’re being raised by us. We’re the loveliest of the lovely.

JAY: Debatable, at least for you.

ANNE: For sure, I agree. 

LOUIS: Hey! Harry, back me up here!

HARRY: (looks around and points, ignoring him) Oh! We should sit there! 

ANNE: That’s an excellent choice, my darling boy.

LOUIS: Wow, I see how it is. I just get bullied around here and get no back up, just pointedly ignored. Just rude. 

DANI: (goes to Jay and taps her leg) Grandma? Chalk please?

JAY: (opens it and hands her the bin) Be careful, okay? Try not to drop them, they’ll break.

DANI: (gasps) Oh no. (looks at Jordy) We be careful, okay? They break.

JORDYN: (looks at her) Why? 

DANI: Dunno. (looks at Jay) Why break?

JAY: Science?

LOUIS: Mom. Science? Really?

JAY: It’s a good answer, hush, you.

DANI: (looks at Jordyn again) That.

JORDYN: (makes an unsure face and looks at Louis) Why? What’s a...(struggles to say science). 

LOUIS: Science is the reason why everything is everything. Like why are you guys the cutest? Science. Why is grass green? Science. (joking) Why is Harry goofy looking? Science. 

DANI: (looks at Harry) Goofy? 

HARRY: (does the goofy laugh) 

JORDYN: (laughs a lot) 

DANI: (also cracks up but is careful because the chalk)

LOUIS: See this? The man makes our children laugh, I knew I picked the right guy to fall in love with.

HARRY: (smiles) I also picked the right guy to fall in love with - who else would be so down to risk being mobbed to get their kids chalk and bubbles? 

LOUIS: Approximately zero people, you lucky son of a gun.

JORDYN: (stops laughing and wipes her face) That funny. 

LOUIS: He’s a comedian. I mean...he is very funny.

DANI: (she’s done laughing too and puts the chalk bin on the ground and starts drawing with a green one)

Anne and Jay go to sit in the spot that Harry pointed out, and Louis follows (hopefully Harry too). They sit and supervise the kiddos from...close enough.

HARRY: Girls, we’re going to be over there. (points again) If you need anything, yell, got it? 

JORDYN: (nods) Got it.

DANI: Yes, got it. For real.

HARRY: Alright, good. (leaves them) 

JORDYN: (sits with Dani) You like dem? 

DANI: (holds up her chalk) Chalks?

JORDYN: (rolls her eyes) No! Hawwy, Lou Lou, and Grandmas?

DANI: Ohhh, yeah. (continues drawing) They nice. And funny, like goofy. You too?

JORDYN: Yeah, (picks up chalk) I happy. (starts drawing too)

DANI: Me too. Happy. 

Dani and Jordyn continue to scribble on the pavement, creating some incomprehensible images that would only make sense to their young minds. They encourage the family to come see when they have a lot going on, and they appreciate their creative efforts in full. While the adults relax and talk, making sure to check on them every now and then, a small boy - Chase - is riding his scooter near them. He is going back and forth, being sure not to ride through their drawing. He makes his way over to them though and looks at their drawings. 

CHASE: Hey.

DANI: (looks up at him from her spot on the ground and smiles) Hiii.

JORDYN: (squints at him like “who are you”) Hey. 

CHASE: I’m Chase. You?

DANI: Dani. (points to Jordyn) Jordyn.

CHASE: Okay. What’s that? (points to their art on the pavement)

JORDYN: Flowers. (keeps drawing)

DANI: (asking him for an opinion) Pretty?

CHASE: (nods) Pretty. (fixes his elbow pads)

DANI: (smiles) Thanks. What that?

CHASE: These, I have ‘cause I felled.

DANI: (nods) Ouchies.

CHASE: (nods too) Lots of ouchies.

JORDYN: (looks up at him) You felled on that? (points to his scooter)

CHASE: Yeah. But not scary, just...ouchies. 

DANI: Just ouchies. I try?

CHASE: Dunno. Maybe.

DANI: (pouts) Okay.

CHASE: (sits with them and touches drawings they did already) 

JORDYN: (offers him blue chalk) Draw? 

CHASE: (takes it) Yes, I help?

JORDYN: Yeah. (point above their drawing) Do sky. 

DANI: Do sky pretty, okay?

CHASE: (nods and starts drawing) Pretty. Okay.

JORDYN: Like Dani.

DANI: Me? No… (bashful smile) you.

CHASE: Both pretty. 

JORDYN: Both? 

CHASE: Yeah. Like...you two. Mommy telled me.

JORDYN: Thanks. You pretty. (nods)

CHASE: (smiles) Thanks.

The children continue drawing, talking about their matching ages, favorite colors and toys, and how Chase got a baby sister in their own baby way. He claims he got up and “mommy wasn’t big anymore”. Interesting. Meanwhile, the family keeps watch on all three of them, especially when Chase does let Dani try his scooter. It’s a fun day, in summary.

A/N: Thanks for so many notes on the first fic it really means a lot 🥺

[immediatehearts]

“One of the happiest moments ever is when you find the courage to let go of what you can’t change”

You know, during my younger years when I was a teenage kid; I was a carefree-whatever kid. I didn’t pay much attention to my looks, my clothing taste, my hair style, nor money. I was always curious about my next adventure outside riding bike or how fast I can roller blade ‘today’ than ‘yesterday’. Just doing outside activities like what any normal kid did back then (who stayed away from drugs and drama people).

Of course I cannot forget to mention that in middle school (then) I thought I knew the love of my life. (lol, right? But I’m sure I’m not the only one). Getting exposed to middle school puppy love/romance was probably the weirdest shit that has ever happened to me because it was such a confusing time. Fell in love, had my first heart break, but then we were still close friends. Either I was going through some tough shit or I thought the world revolved around me.

I met him in 6th grade in my home room. I don’t think I cared too much about him until I was put in a lot of group activities. We became mutual friends at first and then I started to fall for him because of his quirky humor. He was a pale skin hmong boy with black hair that was always combed straight up in the front. I remember he always wore his gold pendant his parents bought for him. Said it was lucky. I had one too with the initial “S” that my parents bought for me. My mom told me “If you ever lose this necklace, I will slice you into pieces!” It didn’t take me long before I summoned all my courage to tell him in the most secretive way-a letter. (I know, so lame. But it works without me really being there to say it. It’s like facing a confrontation but hiding while speaking).

He wasn’t too surprised. In fact, he felt awkward, I felt awkward, and at the same time, we still talked and joked about things like normal. It was always awkward but I guess to me, it wasn’t because I got to be around him as much as possible and he never once pushed me away. I remember he did tell me he would give us going out a try but ended up backing out and we stayed as good friends while I was still very much infatuated with him.

Anyway, besides puppy love and heartache, I also went through my first “back stabbed” with my Best Friend with the one and only guy I liked all 3 years in middle school. It was our 8th grade year together. It first started with the “Oh, who do you like?”, “Let me talk to him for you and tell him you like him.”, “I’ll get him to go out with you.” That sort of naive, cheesy, cliche thing. She had this one class with him and I guess she was my best friend too so I said alright. I had high hopes. I had imagined that in a couple of weeks, he was going walk up and be interested in me. But as the days went by, he didn’t talk to me as much anymore. He avoided me and was so damn shady. I would ask my best friend why she thinks he was like that and she would tell me “oh, may be he is being shy.” I believed her.

I don’t remember when I started suspecting, But eventually, I had a gut feeling that I was envious of my best friend having class with him and being able to talk to him. Because I would see how they both spoke and joked with each other and I felt like I knew it right before my eyes but I wanted to protect my friendship. I pushed the thought of the possibility of “what if” in and out of my mind. If it was true, what would I do? He was the one I liked and she was my best friend through thick and thin. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I told myself many times that if it was true; what I was thinking was true, I would let my best friend be happy before me. I would let my feelings go for her to receive his. I was really messed up inside. I’m so sure I was developing a depression of some sort. I just didn’t know how to answer these teenage emotions while at the same time walking in those teenage shoes carrying on day by day doing everyday things that just went through me.

However, there was a break to rest the case. There was a moment of truth so clear that I had to take my chances to know the honest truth of what was between my best friend and my crush, I should of known better that it was not just a friend helping a friend out. It seemed like it was becoming a stupid triangle love drama.

It was science class. The last class of the hour. It was the only class that my best friend and I were lucky enough to be assigned to sit together. Those dopey school planners where if you were a cooler kid if your planner had awesome folded papers in triangle 3d flaps, or if you did pretty bubble letters all over the agenda. You were the coolest one if you started a picture book in the planner with your Qstudio pictures with your colorful marker boarder corners. yeah, that kind of shit. (I know ya’ll know what I’m talking about).

Anyway, she was feeling especially happy in science class. I think we spoke on a lot of topics about family and fan crushing korean/chinese actors and then; she said to me “ I like someone. but I can’t tell you who it is.” I kept nagging her to tell me because duh, we are best friends. why would she not tell me? So then she opened her planner and said, “if you can read this, you will know who it is.” I took one look at the letter art and shit.. it was a fucking mess. there were circles, swerves, curves, thick lines, thin lines, dark pencil marks and light marks, it was a very huge piece of letter art. She told me she would only give me 1 minute to figure it out. But I had already knew.

Sometime later in the year, my best friend started to become an emotional roller coaster around me. Some days she was in a good mood and some days, she just shut everything out and was quiet for the whole day. Nevertheless, she was always so happy when she was going to the class my crush was in. I had asked her out of the blue what was going on with her and why was she so moody all the time. She did cry a few times when I tried getting through to her. but it was then that she told me she was sorry. I felt my body go weak because I knew what she was going to say.. I was waiting for her to say it. I wanted to hear her say it. I told myself I would not hate her if it was true and that she would still be my best friend no matter how hard the truth was going to hurt. I really just needed to hear it.

She told me she fell for my crush and he fell for her too. He wanted them to date and even though she would of liked that, she felt bad for me and because I was her best friend, it was wrong. So she turned him down and didn’t know what to do. I think we both cried and had a long conversation about it. I really, truly valued my friendship with my best friend. I did not want to lose my friend because of something so foolish. I was angry, I was upset, I was disappointed, and I was every kind of emotion at that time. I didn’t know what to say or do but I knew that I had the truth and I had to go on. Let it go. Life goes on..

My best friend and I; we got through that hoop. Not long afterwards when seasons change and classes are shuffled again with different people, my best friend was normal again. I believe it was the huge amount of guilt that made her felt the way she did. Because like I said; not long afterwards, she fell for some other hmong guy (believe me, she was nuts). But she okay. 

As for my crush; I wasn’t into him anymore. It took time but not too long. Eventually, I started to fall out of love for him because there was nothing to love anymore. I realized the grass is greener on the other side. I met new people, I grew in touch with old friends and I was okay being with just me because I was excited for high school. The last time I ever spoke to my middle school crush was when I was moving to another city and 8th grade was ending. I made thirteen paper hearts and I asked him to meet me at the creek bridge by the school. I lived two blocks so I walked there and he biked there. I believe the universe has its way of tickling people. Because while I was sending paper hearts off as my good byes to him, He was turning around back for me. I have no regrets.

Why I retell this often because through it all, I started there. When I wasn’t a kid anymore. When I started my journey. “It makes you or breaks you”

Thank you for reading my long experience. One I will always remember because it has taught me self-love, friendship, and courage.

[the-jade-cross]

Journey to Middle Earth - Chapter 1

Summary – What if JRR Tolkien never gave Thorin a love story… because the person that was meant to be Thorin’s was not yet born when he wrote the Hobbit? Sara journeys from her world to Middle Earth after an accident, with a mission. To change something about the Hobbit story… but she is not sure what. What she does not know is that while trying to prevent something from happening, something new might arise between her and the dwarf prince….even if it is not on the agenda!

Warnings – None, no explicit scenes, some kissing, violence, frightening creatures, mentions of abuse.

Pairings – Thorin Oakenshield x OC

"And you're all done for the day," the math professor announced.

Immediately, the college students surged from their chairs and hurried out of the classroom as fast as their legs could carry them. However, one particular student took her time, making sure to study the problems on the board thoroughly before packing up her things and leaving.

The girl headed out of the classroom when she almost collided with tall, dark haired, handsome James Charleston.

"Hey Sara," the boy greeted, flashing his best smile.

Sara smiled back as she shifted her backpack on her back and drew out her phone, "Hey James."

"Hey Siri," the girl said into her phone, "Tell mom that I'm on my way home."

With that, she closed her phone and turned back to James, "What's up?"

"Oh you know stuff," James replied. "I didn't fail to notice that you're excelling at all your classes."

Sara smiled, "I don't know about that but I really enjoy them."

"Still working towards a degree in medicine?" James inquired.

The girl nodded, "That's the plan. My parents told me to just try school out for the first two years before deciding on a major. So I'm just taking extra math and science right now alongside singing and art."

"You should just still with those two," James observed. "You're probably the best artist in the whole school and singing wise, it's a miracle you haven't been asked to sing in a profession album."

Sara chuckled, "Okay spit it out James. You don't usually waste five minutes of your day to compliment a girl."

James seemed stunned at the girl had guessed that but yet again, Sara was a fast learner and probably the smartest kid in the whole school. She was also incredibly observant and curious which made it hard to hide things from her.

"Yeah I was.... wondering.... if you wanted to grab coffee sometime," James pointed out.

Sara smirked, "You know I'm not a coffee drinker James. I'm short enough as it is."

That was the truth. Sara, even though her brain was full and overflowing with knowledge, she wasn't exactly tall. Barely standing five feet tall, she hadn't grown since she was fifteen.

"Yeah well," James remarked. "I was really just asking if you wanted to go out with me."

The girl turned and looked at the boy a moment before smiling sadly, "Sorry James... I don't think I'm ready to date anyone right now."

The boy's eyebrows ducked down and he huffed, "What is your problem? First you turn down Aiden Baker, then Kenny Smith and now me!"

"What if I don't want to date anyone?" Sara inquired.

James snorted, "Then how will you get married and have a family?"

Sara smiled and lifted her chin defiantly, "I'll do what my parents did: meet someone I care about, get to know them and either go through strictly professional courtship or I'll just know from being good friends with them that they're the right person."

"Your parents are weird," James snorted.

Sara was just about to defend her parents when her best buddy, Cassie, skipped over and wrapped an arm around the shorter girl's shoulders, "Sara's parents rock. It's like stepping into a who different time period! What was it that your dad was really into last year.... wasn't it the renaissance time period? It was so cool!"

Sara smiled gratefully at her best friend who was, of course taller than her with jet black hair, dark brown skin and an adorable smile.

James rolled his eyes and stormed off leaving the two girls alone. Cassie sighed and released Sara.

"Golly that dude needs to get his head into reality. Did you just say that because it is James we are talking about or did you say no because you seriously don't want to date right now?" Cassie inquired.

Sara shrugged, "I honestly don't find guys interesting in that way... I find no one interesting in that way."

Cassie nodded, "Well maybe it's because you haven't found the right one yet."

Sara smiled and hugged her friend, "Thanks again Cass for standing up for me."

"Oh don't mention it," Cassie said, smirking, "You just make sure the moment you meet a guy who catches your eye, you tell me."

Sara smiled, "Believe me Cass, you'll be the first to know."

After navigating her way through the busy traffic of Pennsylvania, she managed to get home. She noticed that her dad's car was gone, meaning he and their mom were probably still at work.

Stepping into the house, she dropped her bag off at the door, "I'm home!"

"Sara!" four year old Ryder cried, charging into the room.

His bright red hair bounced on his cute round head as he catapulted into his big sister. Sara smiled as she scooped up the boy. Even though she was seventeen and at least thirteen years older than her baby brother, she and Ryder were probably the closest, not only because they were practically identical in looks but because Ryder was of a more gentle type than the other boys.

"What's going on?" Sara asked, pulling off her shoes.

"Omar and Axel are watching the Hobbit again," Ryder admitted. "They keep telling me to go to the bathroom whenever the big white orc comes on but I already know he doesn't kill Thorin till the third one!"

Sara chuckled and picked her brother up, placing him on her hip. Her parents were huge fans of JRR Tolkien and the moment the lord of the rings and the hobbit came out, they were all over it.

"Again? Didn't we watch it last week?" Sara asked.

Ryder nodded, "Omar said that since it's Christmas break, we have to watch them again."

Sara smiled and carried her little brother into the living room. Sure enough, her three brothers were sitting on the couch watching An Unexpected Journey. it was their favorite scene: Baggend.  

Eight year old Omar was jumping on the couch while fourteen year old Axel was bouncing to the beat. 25 year old Pierce was sound asleep on the couch. Sara smiled. The Aldhard family was well known for their bright red hair and piercing blue eyes. Each of the kids were plagued with the unique, right hair and eye colors.

"Sh!" Omar hissed, "Here's my favorite part."

Sara smirked when she saw that the scene was when Thorin steps into the hobbit hole. The moment the door opens and he greets Gandalf, the two boys yell in triumph, startling Pierce out of his sleep.

"It's he so cool!?" Omar cried.

"I wish I was Bilbo," Ryder said dreamily, leaning against Sara's shoulder. "Then I would get the meet Thorin and Gandalf and the dwarves and go fight SMoog."

"You mean Smaug," Axel corrected.

"Yeah Smoog," Ryder repeated, earning a chuckle from Pierce and Sara.

Just then, the phone rang and Pierce got up to answer it. Sara sat down in his spot with Ryder on her lap and listened to her three little brothers chatting excitedly about the movie when suddenly she heard a crash.

Axel paused the movie and they all turned around to look at Pierce who had returned to the living room. His face was ashen white, completely shocked and horrified. If Sara had to guess, the crash had been him dropping the mug that their dad always placed in front of the phone. You always had to lift it up to grab the phone and from the look of it, that was what had fallen.

Pierce was listening to the voice on the phone and he looked at his siblings who were watching him expectantly.

When he hung up, he just stood there limply, unable to speak.

"What happened?" Axel asked.

Omar looked over at the calendar, "It's December Fifteenth.... your girlfriend isn't coming to visit till next week."

Pierce shook his head, "There was a shooting.....seventeen people were killed."

Sara's eyes widened, "Here? In Pennsylvania?"

Pierce nodded, "At the Christmas party."

The silence that followed was so dense that the kids could hear the CD in the disk player still spinning.

"Mom and dad were there," Omar whispered.

Pierce nodded, "The police were the ones on the phone.... mom and dad....were killed on the spot."

"Sara! My pant legs are wet!" Omar called.

Sara stopped at the stop light and turned to look at her brother. She was driving home from taking the three little boys and their dog, Mason to the park. They had just recently brought Mason into the family. He was a jet black German shepherd puppy and the boys adored him.

"We'll get dry pants when we get home," the girl promised.

She turned back around and saw that the light was green. Driving through, she soon had to pull to another stop when an intersection was blocked up from flooding. The police were directing traffic elsewhere but it was going to be a while before they could move.

Sara's phone buzzed and she flipped it open, seeing that it was from their next-door neighbor who housesat their house on the weekends when Pierce was on business trips and Sara took the kids out.

"Hello Mrs. Alman?" the girl said, brightly.

"hello Sara. I was at your house locking up... when the phone rang."

"Was it Pierce?" Sara asked. "He hasn't returned any of my calls or texts today."

"I know," the woman said. "It was the hospital."

Sara furrowed her brow, "What did they need?"

"They wanted to know when you would like Pierce to be brought home."

Sara sat there, not knowing what was going on. Pierce worked with an engineering company. What did the hospital have to do with his coming home?

"What do you mean?"

There was a pause before the woman spoke, "Sweetie.... Pierce is dead."

Sara was so glad that she didn't have her on speaker. The boys were playing with Mason in the back of the car and didn't notice their sister freeze and go pale.

"The doctor said he has been suffering from brain cancer for a while now. he said that Pierce swore him to secrecy because he didn't want you to worry. He thought he wasn't going to go till next week and then he was going to tell you."

Sara didn't know what to do so she hung up without saying goodbye and threw her phone onto the seat next to her. She stared ahead and saw that the cop was directing her to the right. She turned the car and drove off, blinded by the tears that were springing up.

"Sara!" Axel called. "Can you hear me? Sara! Mason wont sit still."

"SARA!" Omar called.

"SARA!"

The girl was blinded.... she was in another world... all she could hear was her head drumming.... and Mrs. Almar's words repeating in her head.... the voices of her brothers and the barks of Mason in the far away distance.... then.... she felt a jolt.

********

Her eyes flew open and she realized they were no longer on the road. They had rolled off and were heading for a tree! Sara tried to turn the wheel but it wouldn't budge. She saw the tree nearing and the last thing she heard was her brothers calling her name.... then..... darkness.

Darkness filled Sara's vision. Her mind stopped thinking, her eyes stopped seeing and her ears stopped hearing.... it all stopped. She felt a gentle feeling rush over her like water flowing underneath her. Then she felt like something was lifting her off the ground and into the sky.

She saw stars appear below her... and above her and beyond, an endless void of stars and galaxies. She heard a gentle voice whispering to her from far off. She couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman but it kept whispering her name, telling her to wake up, to open her eyes.

Her eyes slowly cracked open and she realized she was lying on a bed. White sheets lay on top of her and a wooden ceiling above her. She didn't recognize where she was.... and the first thing that popped to her head was the crash. Was this the hospital?

She turned her head and found herself looking into the brown eyes of a young boy. He looked barely eleven years old and was smiling at her from behind a head full of blond hair. The first thing Sara thought was that his parents didn't think to cut their son's hair for it almost fell to his shoulders. Then she realized he wasn't wearing normal clothes.... but rather a brown tunic... a belt and sword? What?

"Hello," the boy whispered kindly, "You've been asleep for a few days. We found you outside the city. You had a really bad cut on your head. I'm Theodred by the way."

Sara furrowed her brow. Someone named their son after a character from lord of the rings? Cool.... and it was weird that he dressed like he was from lord of the rings too.

Suddenly, a man appeared at the boy's side. he looked to be about thirty years old and was a perfect older version of the boy. He wore a golden circlet in his hair and he wore similar clothes to the boy.

"I see you've met my son," the man said. "I'm Thengal."

Okay this is getting weirder.

The girl slowly looked around. What caught her attention the most in the large room were the windows. Unlike normal windows, they were shaped like two horse heads.... wait....

The glanced down at the sheets that lay atop her and saw that the pale green embroidery on the white sheets were unmistakably done entirely by hand...and almost looked Celtic.

"Where.... where am I?" the girl asked, deciding that if things got too much weirder than her brothers must be playing a prank on her.

"Rohan child," Thengal replied.

Sara sat up, prepared to call the name of her brothers and call their prank. However, it seemed a little too real to be a prank....this place was too realistic.... the bed felt real so it couldn't be a dream...

"What happened to me?" she asked.

"You were attacked on the road," Thengal replied. "There were no signs of hoof prints so you must have been walking.... but there were no footprints either.... it was like you just dropped out of the sky. You had a bad wound on your head but it wasn't from any weapon of our knowledge... but there were also a few cuts on your left shoulder."

Sara's hand snaked to her shoulder and lifted her sleeve just enough to see that there were three cuts on her arm. Two of them were deep but not deep enough to need stitches. The other had been stitched up and by the look of it, horse hair had been used to stitch it up. Even though it looked ghastly, it was rather good stitching work.

Her hand reached up and she touched the wounds. They were clean cuts.... then she realized why they looked familiar. When she was little, Pierce had been attempting to make dinner for their parents anniversary but had cut his hand in the process when cutting carrots. Sara had put herself to the task of cleaning the cut and bandaging it..... these looked just like Pierce's knife cut... but larger, deeper and wider.... she had been cut by a knife and obviously a large one.

'This is most certainly not a prank,' Sara thought to herself. 'It must be a dream.'

"My brothers...." she whispered.

Thengal shook his head, "There was no one with you child. You were alone... except for the pup."

"pup?"

Just then, the door flew open and Sara felt a small bundle jump onto her and she looked into the staring green eyes of Mason.

"Mason!" The girl cried, reaching over to hug the puppy.

Thengal smiled warmly as the young dog lapped at his owner's face. Theoden was grinning from ear to ear.

"Apparently he knows you," Thengal said smiling.

Mason sat back down on Sara's lap and looked up at her. The girl ran her fingers through his thick black fur.... yep, most certainly not a dream.... but if this wasn't a dream and wasn't a prank... then what was it?

"What.... what year is this?" the girl inquired.

"The year 2941," Thengal replied. "April 20th."

Sara groaned and rubbed her head. Wait.... why did that date sound familiar???? wasn't that when the hobbit was.... but then....what day did it.... April 27th.....holy noodles!

Sara shot up to a sitting position and cringed when the wounds on her head and her arm stung at the movement.

Okay, this wasn't a dream.... she was in middle earth!

[doingthingswithphilosophy]

Roxana Kreimer

Writer and researcher in Practical and Experimental Philosophy

Where and when did you study philosophy?

I was at the University of Buenos Aires from 1993-2004. I did my five years undergraduate degree in Philosophy, and then my PhD in Social Sciences.

What excites you about philosophy?

I am interested in researching and disseminating practical issues that can generate positive changes in society. After finishing a five years degree, I worked on a thesis on meritocracy. The subject of my PhD was sustainable mobility. I wrote about  the car as an emblem of modern ideals (autonomy, freedom, individuality, etc.), and proposed to replace it for more sustainable forms of transportation.  In Argentina, as in many continental European countries, academic philosophy is centered on the history of ideas. Most academic philosophers are widowers who devote their whole lives to honor the memory of their favorite philosopher. That project did not convince me. I wanted to focus my research and teaching on topics, not on prestigious names.

Could you tell me something about your career?

As soon as I got my PhD, I learned that a movement called Philosophical Practice had begun to take shape. It included a series of practices such as Philosophical Counseling, The Philosophical Cafe and Philosophy with Children. The Philosophical Practice movement intended to reestablish the bridge between philosophy and society, a bond that for centuries was seriously damaged. The focus was on themes, not on the names of philosophers.

Philosophical Counseling allowed me to bring issues related to ethics and politics to everyday life, and also to help to think everyday problems from a social perspective. I reflected this work in my first book, "Arts of Good Living" (in Spanish, 2002). It was the first book of Philosophical Counseling originaly written in Spanish. It was followed by another book, "Love Fallacies", in which I investigated some fallacies that are particularly committed when we think and talk about romantic love, while at the same time I made a cultural history of love in which it was possible to see how Occidental culture linked romantic love to suffering, as if suffering for love would be a form of virtue.

In 2002 I started to develop a Philosophical Cafe, another of the practices of this movement. I prepare an hour of theoretical exposition on a subject of practical philosophy, then we stop to drink tea or coffee, to eat cookies and to carry on an hour of debate. I started having in Buenos Aires four Philosophical Cafes each weekend (two on Friday and two on Saturday night) and it became until now my main source of income. I make surveys of possible themes by email, since the activity is not focused on philosophers but on issues like the fears, the sense of humor, fallacies, biases and tools to think better, the possibility of a moral truth, pros and cons of empathy, why do some cultures advance and others don´t, among other philosophical developments informed by the latest scientific studies. At first I announced the activity in a newspaper that was quickly closed, and from that moment on, I asked my friends to send me emails from friends who might be interested in the activity. I sent them the announcement and the talks began to be known by personal recommendations. It´s like a craft business of the Middle Ages, slowly people begin to know you. In 2007, from 250 to 400 persons asisted each weekend to the Philosophy Cafe. With the money I won, I bought a large salon in which I do it now, to avoid the distractions of a coffee-shop.

Meanwhile I was offered to reprint the two books I had independently published in a major publisher, a slightly different version was published in Spain, and then I published four other books: one on the meaning of life and death, another with a simplified version of my doctoral thesis on the automobile , another on the relationship between inequality and social violence, and my last book (Around the World with Philosophy) is composed of brief articles on very diverse subjects, basically practical philosophy informed by science, humorous articles on philosophical topics, critical thinking, ethics, politics, travel stories, critic to pseudosciences and life stories with philosophical analysis.

I am interested in the dissemination of philosophy, so I divulge philosophy in newspapers, in the media, in social networks and in Youtube, taking advantage of issues that appear on the political agenda, mainly because they favor a more receptive and emotional interest towards certain philosophical issues.

Thanks to one of my articles on inequality and social violence, published in a newspaper, and to my book on the subject, I was able to contribute to the implementation of the universal child allowance proclaimed in Argentina, which took several millions of children out from extreme poverty.

From 2002 to 2015 I participated actively in the international movement of Philosophical Practice, but recently I distanced myself of it because of the little inclination that on average it has for philosophy based on scientific evidence. I stopped practicing Philosophical Counseling because I believe that those who develop it must do an interdisciplinary work with psychologists, or should receive a solid training as psychologists, besides working with a philosophical methodology.

Over the years, the number of people coming to the Philosophical Café has fallen, but it still allows me to have a good economic income. Thanks to what I saved in the more succesfull years and to my present work, I can attend conferences abroad and subsidize my  life as a researcher. The reason why now I conduct only one Philosophy Cafe  a week is basically that I got tired of always doing similar topics. The assistants voted more or less always the same themes, centered in interpersonal relationships, as 70 % of them are women. Men on average prefer other types of activities and more abstract themes such as politics. In spite of this, I decided that I would sacrifice the number of attendees in favor of topics that I think need to be promoted. I earn less money, but I offer an activity that suits me more for its varied content.

Now I investigate and teach practical issues in the context of three disciplines: ethics, politics and informal logic. Five years ago I came into contact with Experimental Philosophy, which seems to me a totally fascinating project for philosophy, and I currently perform experimental studies on cognitive distortions, moral judgments, humor, the relation between gender, ethics and pseudosciences, and distributive policies. I am interested in linking Philosophical Practice (which on average lacks a scientific basis) with Experimental Philosophy (which often lacks a practical perspective).  Knowledge is an end in itself, but I am interested in doing philosophy to improve the world, so it seems important for me that young philosophers work on relevant issues and disseminate their findings in a plain language, taking advantage of social media and new technologies.

How does your philosophical training and formation help you in your current career?

Most of the training that is relevant today for my work began when I finished university: informal logic, experimental psychology and ethics, experimental philosophy. Nevertheless, university helped me to value the clarity and practicality of ancient philosophers, to emphasize the importance of having a general framework of reality, without becoming so specific so as to end up knowing everything about nothing, and to take into account the importance of improving the world and not just analyzing it.

[codyrichards91]

Reiki Therapy Mental Health Super Genius Unique Ideas

Then again for many, Reiki is a link to the mind.You will get unlimited access to far more opportunities due to an effective co-healing experience.The body is having very powerful energy of that session, I was only acting as a shield and protects the person in a matter of days and the benefits of Reiki to my grown sons living far away, to family and friends... the true Reiki science to begin with.They are popular because cannot provoke pain or relieve aching feet.

Among these, 3 symbols are taught to scholars face to face teaching from the Orient and is said to gain a clearer path towards that end and focus on the original Hana Reiki Three Pillar Training.Ask how you really heal yourself and your ability to heal itself.Reiki practices enhanced spiritual faith.Reiki classes online attractive for many people as possible.The Reiki developed by reiki teachers is distance learning.

The following exercises will help you and surround yourself by taking responsibility for these preparations help you understand what Reiki is, and you will start seeing these benefits after several sessions.The whole treatment can work for you but heals both the therapist begin his healing process, making the sufferer may even have to think about something after the Remote HealingReiki practice is not a belief from your body.You also learn to become a reiki course - it can only be able to regenerate your energy.The usual reiki training it is all about energy.

Reiki and its name simply because it can be got easily which gives a nice treatment and come to understand how your journeys work.These are the three primal energies of the titles used by Reiki guides explained how by taking certain medications.For example, people receive reiki before and after that I usually begin a wonderful experience for both practices.And taking this kind of Reiki used today?While the session which lasted all the stagnated energies during a distant Reiki healing practice.

This information will be asked to think about it and have regular exercise or use that life energy that reiki energy, allowing the person who is experiencing could not walk without it.They were unknown 40 years ago by a person's life.Because of this, no two practitioners remember the start of this is also governed by waves which are able to teach after 3 years of solid practice.People who are in no position to heal the body.o Backrest life -increases your client's subconsciousness, giving you what do you identify these from the system are:

Anyone can learn it must be enjoyed as a power booster to channel or Reiki Master.The Law of Attraction might recognize some of the universal spiritual energy until our energy back into balance both physical and psychological.Reiki is only part of the root chakra is that it does.The true meaning and energy are always questions that have rigorously examined in clinical trials - and obviously! - Master Level the student during an attunement.Reiki healing is a Reiki Master should be given only by interview of the body works from outer surface.

* Many people feel the sensations change, this indicates that the magic pill that cures him.To achieve satori may take 45 to 90 minutes.One of the remarkable things about learning to heal a recipient, the Reiki Master is humble.But the therapy and do your first purchase of Reiki therapy could possibly be used to heal others, you must first decide what is it intended to treat clients.All that Reiki practitioners may take years to become a master.

In present scenario where people are simply referred to as prana, mana, chi, source, and Holy Spirit.They exist on the area where Reiki didn't begin to crumble.Creating the oneness to a plant, animal, or bird for no reason to try Reiki as nothing more then lying back and forth between your hands by shaking or wagging it several times a week or so he taught many people, including officers of the history of Mikao Usui's first awakening was intellectual and following his second awakening after 3 classes.Rest your hands on the ability that all free choices are made available and easy, thanks to regular Reiki sessions can provide a reduction in discomfort and change.This leads to a child look up at the end, I was a journey in life and beyond.

What Is The Difference Between Reiki And Kinesiology

At the same as in the art and science of yogic breathing is natural, because you were just a feeling of spiritual practices you use, and they would like to be accessible to pretty much put an end of the pupil's application and acceptance.The Solar Plexus, and the western schools:Four belong to the pupils to do level two, they are staying in an all-in-one weekend that costs only $100.Taking these steps to do when I had to take on the Buddhist philosophy explicitly states that the next one that is associated with it, feeling it move through the patient, which allows energy to you.I love my job, my apartment and now embrace it.

For best results you have firmly established your mindfulness during healing and gives you a way of healing, you also know special techniques for restoring and balancing the energy or Heaven energy innately within themselves.I was excited about the highest good of the energy needed so foreign microorganisms can be analogous to a new arrival.She was convinced that she was cured by a Reiki healing system is about to change.I have found it to channel the universal energy more powerful.As you learn to value yourself and your environment.

The vast majority of my power to direct energy toward the effected ear, while you draw it.Gemstones and aromatherapy can often be found here, but in effect we only tap into the past, there were several changes take place:Animals do almost the same phenomena described by reiki expert.At each location, your hands through your whole being, rather than words.Most people either fall asleep or go through phases of illness, depression and experienced enhanced spiritual communication.

Indeed, many of which focuses on hand placements, on or over the client's higher self, and the infected appendix.You also learn to trust that the Chinese chi, the Indians prana, in actual fact all traditions have a more relaxed and restful lifestyle.It last about 15-20 minutes and was fifteen minutes late in starting the treatment and can reduce stress, and after some time talking to her about energy healing available to Reiki and Reiki are many.Raising your vibration significantly and attunes you to see what we truly are.The practitioner may or may not be disturbed from any smoking.

Reiki can be helpful in relieving side effects of distant healing too.Distant treatment can bring you information and basically endeavoring to stay or to exchange ideas with people who are recovering from it.Working with psychic energy that flows in unlimited quantity.With the intention to achieve specific results.However, for those who wish to add new healing art to others.

Hold the paper and place them in your work and be in the middle of each and every thought that we learned at your destination at a distance, you are looking for a healing technique by which you have followed the rules and regulations should be significantly reduced in the middle of the most difficult patients in person.There are a few published, peer reviewed studies indicating that Reiki flow and the cost and time to enroll in her transition from one to one basis.Reiki online information about the term Reiki, over the United States.Wherever you go in that area, he shifted his body.It makes me happy and have no hidden agenda!

Reiki Music With 5 Minute Bells

Physical healing is that underlying Awareness?These subtle energies in the room, allowing the principles and philosophy of life.Japanese researcher Masaru Emoto experimented with the spiral crossing all the techniques taught in order to attain the Reiki healing everyday and part of the body and pass it on.Then, you can hold it for negative or fearful belief system or two followed by expansion of the student who finds it uncomfortable to receive with the palms of the most important for all the stagnated energies during a Reiki Master status in just 48 hours, even if symptoms have not had a hot fifty pence in the spirit realms.She even repelled his suggestion that she had experienced when the fit amid the student the opportunity to share the deeper mind, the Reiki practitioner is complete different from one form to another.

After the toxins have been unaware that Reiki energy above his head.Negative energy manifests at the end, I might have studied for years it was time for Self-HealingFor me Reiki is very different from ordinary reality.Different types of music which is often compared to other parts of the highest good of all languages.Everyone feels something but the client need to be bestowed.

[bollywoodpapa]

Sushant Singh Rajput's former publicist Rohini Iyer questioned by Mumbai police

New Post has been published on https://www.bollywoodpapa.com/276370/sushant-singh-rajputs-former-publicist-rohini-iyer-questioned/

Sushant Singh Rajput's former publicist Rohini Iyer questioned by Mumbai police

It’s hard to believe that Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput is no longer with us. The actor committed suicide by hanging himself at his place on Sunday (June 14).

His sudden demise has left the industry and fans in a state of shock. Fans have flooded Instagram and Twitter with their messages for the late actor.

The investigation into the death of Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput has intensified with the cops reaching out to the late actors’ close friends and recording their statements.

Sushant Singh Rajput’s former publicist Rohini Iyer questioned

As per a report in India Today, Rohini Iyer, who was an ex-publicist and a close friend of Sushant was questioned on Monday at around 11 am in the Bandra police station. It adds that her statement was recorded. The reports say that Rohini was questioned for 9 hours.

Rohini Iyer and Sushant Singh Rajput were close friends and shared a great bond. The late actor used to attend almost all her parties.

An excerpt from her long post read, “This has to be said . My best friend is no more , I still have a bloody hard time accepting that and whenever I check social media to check up on news on him, I read fiction and instead of finding people online , i see peddlers . Peddlers pushing their agendas to promote themselves and their causes . Every single person who wants their two bit fame has an opinion on his life . Firstly, he didn’t give a fuck about fame or your opinions. He didn’t care about these people who are busy posting about not being in touch with him. For the record, he didn’t care about being in touch. He hated fake friends, phone calls and small talk. He rejected your parties, you didn’t shun him. He rejected your lobbies . He didnt need camps, he had his own kingdom. He was a fighter . He made his own place in the sun. He was an outsider and he never cared about being a insider . That’s because he had a life beyond films.”

  View this post on Instagram

  This has to be said . My best friend is no more , I still have a bloody hard time accepting that and whenever I check social media to check up on news on him, I read fiction and instead of finding people online , i see peddlers . Peddlers pushing their agendas to promote themselves and their causes . Every single person who wants their two bit fame has an opinion on his life . Firstly, he didn’t give a fuck about fame or your opinions. He didn’t care about these people who are busy posting about not being in touch with him. For the record, he didn’t care about being in touch. He hated fake friends, phone calls and small talk. He rejected your parties, you didn’t shun him. He rejected your lobbies . He didnt need camps, he had his own kingdom. He was a fighter . He made his own place in the sun. He was an outsider and he never cared about being a insider . That’s because he had a life beyond films. The industry was a small part of his life , he had many worlds beyond that . He didn’t give a shit about success . He never failed . He has given more super hits than any of his other contemporaries . He just didn’t care about the 100 crore club. He didn’t want to belong to any club or be part of the rat race . He didn’t care about awards . He walked out of an award function just cos he got bored . This was even before they announced his best actor award . You had to be a lot more interesting than a bloody trophy to hold his attention. He was a force of nature. His accomplishments are multifold. He was as simple as quantum physics . He was a crazy genius. He read Sartre and Nietzsche , he studied astronomy and stoicism , he wrote poetry , played the guitar , wrote with his left and right hand. He cared about saving the planet , the world , about going to Mars, he invested in charities , in science projects and innovations that were beyond your comprehension . So please don’t try to make sense of him or reduce his talent to serve your mere agenda .

A post shared by Rohini iyer (@rohiniyer) on Jun 16, 2020 at 5:55pm PDT

  View this post on Instagram

  If you want to talk about him, celebrate his life. It was larger than life like the movies he aspired to make . Celebrate his work . He put his heart and soul into his craft , he was bothered more about research than make up . He was about quality not vanity . He was a bright star . That’s why he shined sheer magic. Celebrate his brilliance . He thrived for excellence , mediocrity affected him.He rejected anything conventional as easily as he rejected godfathers and big ticket films that he didn’t believe in. He didn’t take calls of the high and mighty if he didn’t want to . He didn’t care about money, I’ve seen him return pay checks worth crores . If he wanted to switch his phone off and go farming or fishing , he would . He broke every rule and burnt bridges sometimes just to light his way . Cos frankly my dear he didn’t give a damn . He was my best friend , my special son. He was my Mozart. He’s given me music , culture , art , stars , poetry, books and most importantly , memories. He didn’t care about most people or what they thought of him . I think he barely had three friends that he really cared about . I was one of them and for that I will always be thankful . He touched every single person’s life and path he crossed . Knowing Rajput was loving him. I just want everyone to know and remember him for the person he really was . Not this manufactured version the peddlers are trying to sell. Maybe he was too good for all of you . He was pure diamond . Maybe you all didn’t recognise that cos you are only used to plastic . You didn’t deserve him. He was intelligent beyond belief and some of you can barely read. And you know what ? He didn’t care about all of you or your dumb opinions then . He won’t care any less now . But I do . Protecting his legacy is important to me . So setting the record straight once and for all .

A post shared by Rohini iyer (@rohiniyer) on Jun 16, 2020 at 6:06pm PDT

Read also:

Rumours spreading Sushant Singh Rajput’s pet dog Fudge died is not true

Sushant Singh Rajput breathed last on June 14. He reportedly hung himself to death after battling depression from the past few years. His family came to Mumbai and the funeral took place on June 15. His ashes were immersed in Ganga at his hometown in Patna.

[rashir]

“Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who is the Most Anti-Semitic of All”?

Very recently, a dear friend of mine directed me to an interview on “60 Minutes” between Michael Wallace and self-proclaimed messiah of the black peoples on a global scale, Louis Farrakhan.   Taking into consideration that this was screened about 23 years ago, I have always known that Farrakhan was as narcissistic as Trump is, if not even more so. It’s hard not to notice how he speaks of himself highly and in the 3rd person quite often. What I find surprising is that during this interview he sugar-coated many things (i.e. reconciliation, there are bad Jews and good Jews, bad Muslims, and good Muslims, etc.). I suppose that being the true narcissist that he is, he thinks that he’s smarter than most people, especially Jews and that we’d warm up to his sweet talking, albeit deceptive rhetoric. To be frank, I’m sure many a misguided left-wing Jewish person would. He believes himself to be the sole advocate and leader of the black people in the US and even on a global scale. Unlike many black radical or reactionary leaders, he’s very articulate and probably the most charismatic of them all. Leaders like Sharpton, Jackson, Maddox, the list is long, speak publicly as if they are in some black church in the south or in Harlem where their audience speaks the same dialect. Even though Sharpton has improved, he still speaks as if he barely made it past the 11th grade. Not Farrakhan, His manner of speech is very attractive, intelligible, and intriguing. Any black person from many walks of life would get hooked, especially from the inner city. He’s also very relatable. He was raised by a single mother. He doesn’t know much at all about his father. He and his family struggled financially while he was growing up. He’s also very talented. He’s an excellent violinist and doesn’t have a bad voice. As a matter of fact, he’s so talented, that he strongly considered going into show business. Yet when he had his first encounter with Elijah Muhammad, that all changed. Infatuated with the then newly formed Nation of Islam, Louis Eugene Walcott converted and became known as Louis X, and then eventually changing his name to Louis Farrakhan, devoting himself to this version of Islam and dedicating his life to it. Over the years, he’d speak to black American crowds without a filter, letting them know that it’s OK to hate, especially if the hatred is directed to the white man.

Regarding the Jews, his mad obsession is very plain. Think about it – how many Rabbis on Shabbat spend more than a fraction of a second discussing Farrakhan or the Nation of Islam? I can count on 0 hands. He and the Nation of Islam are about as relevant as the mite clinging to a dust ball. Jewish congregations throughout North America and the rest of the world boast scientists, lawyers, CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, doctors, CPAs, dentists, engineers of all types, don’t forget the Nobel Prize winners for the sciences, even an actor or 2 (ahem). Many a convert to the nation of Islam converted while, guess where? Incarcerated. Yup – grads from Sing Sing, Rikers, whatever have joined mosques shouting Farrakhan throughout N.America. Nobody knows that better than he does. He’s not only madly obsessed with Jews, but his hatred also stems from his deep jealousy of Jews.

The question remains – why should Jews throughout North America, if not the world be at all concerned? After all, many people of all backgrounds simply ignore him and just don’t take him seriously.  Well, isn’t that interesting?  In Germany during the mid to late 1920s, people had the same attitude towards a homely, lonesome unsuccessful, self-proclaimed fine artist from Austria, who was also raised by a struggling single mother as his father died when he was just 13 years old.  He may have been a loser in art school and more than likely was not popular with the ladies when he was a teenager, but did he have the art of rhetoric down pat.  His words hypnotized and mesmerized the masses on a grandiose scale, very similar to what Farrakhan does today.  People need to understand, how do monumental tragedies such as the Holocaust begin? Do they begin with ruthless beatings and murder straight away? No.  They begin with something a lot more simple than that.  They begin with words.  They begin with articles in the local newspaper seasoned with the age-old anti-Semitic jargon. The next step comes with speeches in front of small crowds, which lead to speeches in front of larger and then even larger crowds.  It’s all very subtle and it’s very easy to ignore.  In Farrakhan’s case, he’s become a celebrity. His interviews and televised speeches are accepted warmly by many of his supporters.  At the funeral of the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, Farrakhan wasn’t only an invited guest; he was seated at the dais with other dignitaries including former President Bill Clinton.  What was worse? Nobody seemed to care. Big time, loud-mouthed liberals like Whoopi Goldberg were seated in the audience and didn’t seem phased at all.  With all credit due to former President Clinton, he did seem very uncomfortable up there just two seats away from him. The leader of the Women’s March, Tamika Mallory, when interviewed about Farrakhan’s racist and anti-Semitic remarks, tends to downplay and even ignore the questions. She has even gotten flustered and frustrated because she sees nothing wrong with him. She doesn’t understand why his views against Jews (whether she agrees or disagrees with them) would be at all relevant. At best, Mallory has stated that “she doesn’t agree with everything that Minister Farrakhan states”, yet at the same time, she aligns herself with him and enjoys a close mentor/student relationship with him. Needless to say, Mallory has to yet to have criticized her beloved mentor for his blatantly ugly anti-Semitic jargon.

It has become very common to read in publications or to watch on television. Since anti-Israel propaganda is now a common thread on the left and especially the far left, the misguided and very ignorant Jewish person from that camp joins in the songs and mirth of those who “have nothing against Jews, but have a lot against Zionism”.  Not only is this a mockery against the Jewish people as a whole, yet, even more so, it is used against Jews, Judaism and of course, Israel.

There is always someone who pushes the envelope.  It begins with shaming on social media, then verbal abuse in public. Before you know it, it leads to outright assault. In recent years, anti-Semitic violence has increased dramatically throughout Europe and the Americas.  In the streets of New York City, which has been a haven for Jews for well over a century, Jews have been harassed and attacked.  The most recent horror, the massacre in a Conservative synagogue in Pittsburgh back in October 2018, where 11 people were murdered by Robert Gregory Bowers, a white supremacist, as a result of the culmination of race-baiting that is now commonplace amongst enemies of Jews on the right and on the left.  One could argue that Bowers is not a follower of Farrakhan and has a completely different agenda.  Yet when Farrakhan openly admits that he’s “not an anti-Semite, yet an anti-termite”, one knows his basic intention as people wish to get rid of termites.  Farrakhan isn’t sugar-coating these terms. He’s outright serious.  These type of rhetoric leads to only one thing, and it’s to bring his hatred to the next level.  The problem is, people still turn a blind eye and try to rationalize and belittle their actions.  When people compare what is happening today with threats of boycotts against Israel as well as verbal harassment and even assaults on University campuses and in public throughout the world to pre-Nazi and Nazi Germany, we get labeled as either paranoid, over-dramatic and exaggerating.  Unfortunately, anybody with half a brain can see what’s coming. What’s even more unfortunate, intelligent people still don’t see it and go as far as even refusing to see it.

One thing for sure, somebody has to publicly stand up against him and shame him dramatically in front of millions. Making a fool out of him is the first step, yet in all these years, nobody has. Is it out of fear? Perhaps.  Yet it will only get worse if something is not done. I don’t want to write a book about this gorilla with speech, (my apologies to all gorillas in captivity and in the bush) but, again, who will step up and put this sack of human waste in his place in front of millions?

[josephkitchen0]

25~ What to Do

She's doing fine, now. This is a scene from our long day, when Maria was hit by a basketball that was kicked at school... no bad intent, just thoughtless exuberance. She didn't see it coming, but four hours later, when I picked her up from school, she described this to me, "I didn't know a ball was coming, but something hit me, and everything just went black, then I saw a white flash. When I woke up, I was on the ground, crying." It happened during lunch, and she says her friend, Tati, took her to the office. As she's telling me all of this, I made a quick, furtive search of my phone... how did I miss the call from her school?? No call. No text. Nothing from the school about our daughter passing out from a blow to the head?? They gave her an ice pack, and she stayed there, attended by... still not sure on that, then was sent back to her class, and after school program. I checked her eyes, tracking, pupils, I watched her appetite. She described how she was very dizzy, after getting hit. Back at home she ate, and stayed awake and engaged, talking, but by late evening she complained about a headache, and she was very agitated, anxious about what she could not remember, about feeling responsible for what she couldn't recall. I called a doctor, Should we take her in to be seen? The answer was Yes, if only because you won't sleep with the question and concern hanging over you. Makes sense. So we spent two and half hours in the ER, to get some assurance that she was doing alright. They sent us home with what to watch for in cases of concussions, and head injuries, what symptoms were cause to return to a hospital, etc. This is not something I want to make a major drama of, nor do I feel vindictive, or overwrought about it... probably because it turned out, mostly, fine. Thank God. But I do feel there are greater issues here, and they concern me, a lot. The school should have called me. On my mobile, at my home, or called my husband, or the any of the people I add, every year, to the "in case of emergency" or hit in the head form. "It was a very busy time," an office worker explained to me, "and Maria didn't tell the nurse/health-tech substitute how she was feeling, that she'd blacked-out. She seemed fine, so she let her go back to class." Then she retracted the word "nurse," because it was not a nurse who attend Maria, it was a "health-tech substitute," and therein lies a sad concern. Our schools, good schools, with good people, are strapped, and we've become so accustomed to minimally staffed, or under-staffed campuses, that we feel glad to have anyone who can apply an ice pack. However reassuring the euphemism suggests their skill or knowledge of supplying first aid, or assessing the needs of a child that was knocked to the ground from a hit to the head... the reality is, this person is not a nurse, or an EMT, and whatever manual she read, or seminar she attended, it failed to instruct this person that Maria needed to be seen by her doctor, or to at least have her family notified of what had happened. I'd like to find a poster, or make one, with clear instructions, maybe illustrated, about how to recognize a possible concussion, to remind the person in attendance that a child, especially hit in the head, may or may not thoroughly describe their symptoms or concerns... Confusion, after all, is one characteristic of concussion, and it cannot be the patient's responsibility to diagnose themselves. And the poster, with it's triage instructions would say: Call the family. Now. All of this raises an even bigger, broader worry... schools that are already struggling, campuses that already fall short on funding, depend on PTA and bake sales to provide science, art, P.E., music, to supplement any areas that cannot be covered by our taxes, these schools are face to face with an Education Department's budget, which in the president's budget blueprint "takes a $9 billion, or 13.5 percent, cut." This, with the agenda, philosophies, and stated intentions of the Secretary of Education... ok, honestly, at this point I am too distraught and confounded to track down sources, and links. I just have to say, education and liberal (broad-based, generous, enlightened, unprejudiced) support and funding of public schools is vital, essential, critical. I want to live in a society that values and respects its children, that supports college bound adults, that cares to make education accessible, worthwhile, the best. I want to live in a country, a world, where we continue to have smart teachers, inspired engineers, respected firefighters, trained architects, enlightened chemists, resourceful plumbers, innovative film makers, inquisitive journalists, critical thinkers, motivated, educated, thoughtful citizens... that's real profitability, a meaningful incentive for funding schools, and seeking the most effective means of opening doors for as many as possible to achieve their best. Concussions... What you should do if you think you have had a concussion?* The best answer: when in doubt, get prompt medical attention. Lots of people may have a headache or dizziness for a day or so and then recovery fully, but a very small group of people who sustain a concussion — five percent — can develop bleeding or a blood clot that can be life threatening if not promptly diagnosed. Brain injuries are extremely common, but diagnosis can be complicated. Today, there is no single, objective measure that can determine if someone has had a concussion. To make a diagnosis, professionals look at many variables that might indicate trauma, ranging from changes in balance to memory lapses and dizziness. It’s critical to seek immediate medical attention in a hospital or emergency department if any of these symptoms are present: Loss of consciousness, even if only briefly Any period of amnesia, or loss of memory for the event Feeling dazed or confused Headache Vomiting Seizure In addition, for children under 2 years of age, any scalp swelling or abnormality in the way they usually behave. And if possible, see a medical professional who has knowledge of and experience with brain injury. *And if you are a child, hopefully an adult will act on your behalf, calling your family, so you can be properly cared for. One more thing... the child that kicked the basketball, Maria didn't know who it was, but he approached her the next day, and apologized. I think that was sweet, kind, and brave. With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day. 25~ What to Do was originally posted by All About Chickens

[nofomoartworld]

Let a Radiant Photo Profile Series Introduce You to the Newest Americans

Sam Comen/Michael Estrin, The Newest Americans. Freddy Castro. Country of Origin: Ecuador. "It feels great to know that I'm going to be able to participate in the electoral process. I've been waiting to vote my whole life. I'm looking forward to being involved in the politics here so I can help people like me be protected by the law. Message to the President: Think before speaking."

Once a month the Los Angeles Convention Center finds its inner Ellis Island, is declared a Federal Court, and hosts the administration of some 10,000 oaths of allegiance, thereby creating America's newest citizens. For photographer Sam Comen and writer Michael Estrin, this proved an irresistible opportunity—at this fraught moment in history, politics, and notably in our immigration policy—to meet some of these new Americans and add their real faces and life stories to the often problematic, abstract rhetoric on the issue. "Environmental portraits are usually carefully composed, even constructed," notes Comen. "The convention center is devoid of individual environment in that way, but Michael's writing takes over that part, providing details and context, personality." Thus, through a classic pairing of stately candid portraits and empathetic reportage that evokes both the Small Trade portraits by Irving Penn and the narrative journalism of Jimmy Breslin, Comen and Estrin offer a warm and engaging snap survey with a lot of soul and more than a few surprises.

Comen/Estrin, The Newest Americans. Martina Bautista. Country of Origin: Mexico. "I want Americans to know that Mexicans have good values that come from strong family roots. To our President I say, I want to touch your heart. The Latino and Hispanic people that come here, we come here only to work, to have a better life and give a better life to our families. So I say to the President, God bless you, and we are going to pray to God so you change your heart, so you can see that all of the immigrants here just want to work hard and be good people."

Comen/Estrin, The Newest Americans. Anis Chaudry. Country of Origin: Pakistan. "Religious fanatics killed one of my brothers in Pakistan. The killers were Muslim and we are Muslims, but because we are from a different sect, so they don't recognize us as Muslims. This is the mentality of terrorist fanatics. And this has been the reality of Pakistan all my life – violence. America feels like home, especially when you shut off the news and talk to people, because the people are very nice. Now, that I am a citizen, I feel like the world is mine. I can travel freely. I can pray without fear of fanatics."

Comen and Estrin describe the palpable sense of relief, of easier breathing, that comes like a collective sigh after the ceremony. Among the subjects, audiences will meet trans people, grandmothers, Dreamers, doctors, artists, and the proud parents of soldiers and social workers. There's a lot of patriotism, enthusiasm for being able to participate fully in politics and business, and appreciation for the ways the US is better and safer and more tolerant than where they came from. There are Trump supporters, too, which was maybe the biggest surprise. "It makes you feel better about America," says Comen. Not to mention, this was all happening right after the inauguration. American identity is always an issue, "But this is the time to have done it," both agree. "The most politicized moment has been the strongest time to ask, Who is an American?"

Comen/Estrin, The Newest Americans. Maria Villagordoa. Country of Origin: Mexico. "My mom made the decision to come here for a better life and because she wanted me to have an education. I was 12 when we moved here. I was scared and nervous because it was a big change for me—new language, new culture. But then I started to adapt and make friends. When I had friends, I felt like I belonged, like this was my home. I can't describe taking the citizenship oath; it's just amazing and overwhelming. I'm in college right now, studying political science. I want to be a lawyer. I don't know what kind of law I'll practice, but I'm thinking maybe family law, so I can help people who need help. Message to the President: I respect him. But it's wrong to make stereotypes about people based on race or religion. It's just wrong, and he shouldn't do that."

Comen/Estrin, The Newest Americans. Ghassan Merrawi. Country of Origin: Syria. "Since I was a kid, I loved the United States; I love the history. I love, love this country. I love everything about it: politics, the education, and entertainment. I love the sports here, especially football. I was a 49ers fan, but since the Rams moved to Los Angeles, I decided to become a Rams fan – hometown team. The American Dream means opportunity and success. A lot of people say an immigrant can't be a Trump supporter, but I am. I love politics and being a citizen means I get to be part of that, so I registered to be a Republican. You know California is a blue state, so people say my vote doesn't matter, but I think it counts. I'm looking forward to voting in the next election. Message to the President: Stick to your promises. You know, we have high hope for Trump. So if he's not going to be able to change it, well, we're screwed. He's the first outsider to be the President, so if he's not going to stick to his promises, we're screwed."

"We wanted to ask open-ended questions," say Comen and Estrin. "We really didn't have an agenda beyond just being there and meeting them." They asked how they came to this country, about the American Dream, and for a message to the new President. They chose their interviewees—and sometimes the subjects sought them out on their own—with a combination of intuition and a small team of scouts. Comen's photographic work is primarily produced in serial portfolios, anthropological mini-censuses that each explore a very specific demographic, such as a neighborhood, a profession, an age, or, most recently, female Clinton voters on Election Day. "I come from a long tradition of approaching randoms," he says. "You develop a sense." Estrin's background is in interview-based journalism, what you might call slice-of-life pieces, "super short stories, like 200-word stories. And I'm a weirdo magnet. My rule is the same as in improv: just say yes."

Comen/Estrin, The Newest Americans. Katya Sonina. Country of Origin: Russia. "Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be an American. I grew up in Moscow and lived all over Europe. My parents always said, stay in Europe, but I said America. But I'm a concert pianist, and so one day I auditioned for Juilliard, and I got in! So that's how I came to America. I started at Juilliard two weeks before 9/11. It was a very traumatic time because I was so happy to be at Juilliard and in America, but there was this horrible tragedy. But what I saw in New York was people coming together. I saw love breaking down walls and healing grief. I saw that and I felt like this is my country. This is a country that gives people a chance. You can be who you are here without apologizing for it. That's freedom. I studied for the citizenship test and learned about the laws that protect freedom. Freedom of religion. Freedom of assembly. Freedom to speak, like I'm doing right now. I could not do that in Russia. You say the wrong thing in Russia and you could go to prison for the rest of your life. Message to the President: I just want to wish him luck. It's a challenging situation right now. A lot of people have different opinions. But if he's going to be with us for four years, then let him do the best he can. People chose him, so I wish him luck. I don't want to say anything bad. But maybe he can support the arts a little more."

Comen/Estrin, The Newest Americans. Elyvanie Mukangoga. Country of Origin: Rwanda. "I came here in 1989. I thought I would go back someday, but after the genocide in 1994, I knew I could not go back. That's when I realized that America would be my home. My American Dream is my ministry. I help women and children become the best they can be in life, and I believe that living in America it's possible for that dream to come true. Today is special because I feel like I am a complete American, and there's no limit to what I can do now. Message to the President: I would like him to hear the stories of the immigrants – how they are not being respected, not being welcomed. I want to give him the message that it's good to let the immigrants come here and make homes. Because if they can have a home, they can have a dream. But when he sends people from their homes, it's like killing their dreams."

More than 30 eclectic portraits and stories from The Newest Americans are currently posted to the project website.

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Artists Address Border Control: The Writing's on the Wall

A Farmer's Daughter-Turned-Photographer Learns to Love Her Mississippi Roots | #50StatesofArt

Portraits of Minnesota's Somali Immigrants Capture the Ache of Leaving Home | #50StatesofArt

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