#i should be studying or something but the people need to know about aminals

[darklight-owl]

can i get more birds

Wheee people like my animalposting!!! Ok these are gonna look more or less the same but bear with me:

Turcas (got the image from wikipedia lol) are easy to hear but impossible to spot, since they live in mountains and climb cliffs faster than humans. I've never seen one but they are EVERYWHERE in my usual birdwatching place I know this because they never shut up. Some of my friends can imitate their calls and they answer, their call is pretty easy to identify.

Another bird that is easier to hear!! This one's a peuco (image source), one of the rarer birds of prey here (it's not really rare it's just rarer than a tiuque. There's so many tiuques here get me out of here-) and not easy to see since they like to hide out in trees. Usually you'll see them away from urban areas but I have seen a couple in the city!! Identifiable because they're bigger and more speckled than the normal hawks you see around. Also they sound like this.

Speaking of birds of prey here (image source) is a chuncho!!! I don't have a lot to say on it its a tiny owl!!! Admittedly I have. Never seen one. I've seen burrowing owls and horned owls but chunchos elude me. Unfortunate because they're my favorite out of the chilean owls. They look like plushies......

Here (image source) is a chercan, they're pretty common everywhere but I don't think you understand how tiny these guys are. They're like the size of ping-pong balls. Microscopic. Anyway I like them because when roosting they never stray 8 meters (i think it was 8 meters) from their nests, so if you see a pair of them you know they have their nest nearby!!

Finally this (image source) is a loica!! One of the most popular birds around here because of the vibrant red chest the males have and the beautiful contrast with their black and grey feathers. These birds can be spotted from really far away because of just how eye-catching their chest feathers are, and they're almost never alone, usually in groups or in pairs. (In case you're curious, the females are brown and orange instead of black and red)

Ty for asking about birds yay 💖 its so fun to go look for them 💖

[cxmetery-gates]

SURREPTITIOUS - DRACO MALFOY

CHAPTER TWO: ON THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS

SUMMARY: Leslie catches up with friends on the Hogwarts Express, however a simple reminder ruins everything. WORD COUNT: 2.9k NOTES: I should be studying for midterms, yet here we are. Thank you for reading, lovelies! WARNINGS: mentions of death, panic attack

MASTERLIST

"YOU HEAR ABOUT OLLIVANDER?" AHEAD of Leslie, a boy who still has not grown through his teenage hormones asks, holding a potted plant against his hip. "It's mad. If Gran and I had waited one more day to get a new wand, who knows if I'd still be here."

Neville Longbottom met Leslie last year when Hogwarts fell under the rule of the ghastly Dolores Umbridge, the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic. When rumors that Lord Voldemort was back began stirring, the Minister of Magic sent her to "monitor" the school's Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. It was bollocks, really, as the old wizard was hardly around at all, which ultimately led to the formation of Dumbledore's Army, a group of students who would meet up in secret to learn real defenses against dark magic. Through lessons and teamwork, Leslie and Neville eventually became friends, the two becoming close over the course of the summer.

While secret teenage rebellion is a fun activity to bring people close, death, on the other hand, brings people close in a different way.

Leslie shifts uncomfortably as they continue to search for a compartment. At the mention of a lost soul, the girl quickly looks through what Neville was thinking, not necessarily needing to but the compelling need was always there. "Yeah. It's terrible. I couldn't stomach going to Diagon Alley. Luckily, my father was already paranoid, decided he would take care of my school materials." Pausing, the girl remembers how scared her father had been for the safety of Leslie, even paying Madam Malkin to come to their home to size Leslie for new school robes. "It's mad out there."

The boy's head slightly shakes, eyes now peeking around behind Leslie to a blonde girl with almost white hair and odd spectacles resting on her nose. "The Quibbler had a good piece, you know."

The blonde looks over the edge of her newspaper, blue eyes meeting two other pairs. Despite being a year younger, Luna Lovegood's quirky and flat-out weird mannerisms paved a way for friendship between two other oddballs. "I'll tell Dad," she responds, her voice is airy and soft, reminding Leslie of a cloud. "Did you see what he wrote about Vidya?" Luna asks Leslie, her voice quieter.

From ahead, Leslie nearly jumps from Neville's thoughts, pictures of him spinning and telling Luna to "shut up about it" flowing through her mind. Of course, Neville would never be the aggressive type so there was no fear of a scene, but the reminder of a friend tagged to the concept that no one should talk to Leslie about "it" created a pit in the witch's stomach.

"Y-Yeah, I did." Leslie remembers when her father mentioned Xenophilius Lovegood wrote a heartfelt piece on the death of Vidya Amin, the awkwardness of the conversation still fresh in Leslie's mind. She ended up reading the column and meant to write to both Lovegoods, but unfortunately never had the effort. "I meant to write, but I was a bit busy this summer. It was great, really. I think she would have liked it."

A silence fell upon the trio, something Leslie was thankful for.

After passing several compartments full of obnoxious boys and hyperactive girls, Neville, Luna, and Leslie are close to giving up on finding an empty one, such being surprising now that the train is beginning to leave the city.

Luckily, Leslie decided to only carry around her knapsack, the small pack only containing her wand, a couple candies, and her robe that would simply be slipped on upon the end of the train ride, the green color standing out against the blue of Luna's and the maroon of Neville's.

The green once meant something foul in the minds of her friends.

At Hogwarts, students are sorted into four separate houses upon their very first arrival: Gryffindor, the house of the brave and chivalrous; Hufflepuff, the house with students who value loyalty and honesty; Ravenclaw, a house full of wizards who admire intelligence and individuality; and finally Slytherin, those who value the arts of cunningness and ambition. Luna was sorted into Ravenclaw and a year before her, Neville was placed in Gryffindor and Leslie in Slytherin. Despite the Houses being pieces of a whole, rivalries exist among students, particularly those in opposing Houses.

Based on stereotypes, the Gryffindor lions and Slytherin serpents always had it bad, their nagging and lack of understanding on both parts feeding into a strong disdain for the other. They are vastly different on basic levels, but they are very alike in other ways. Therefore, Leslie never had friends in the house of lions until her third year, the next batch rolling in two years later, after joining Dumbledore's Army.

"Do you know if D.A. will be back this year?" Neville asks while plucking a Bertie's jellybean from a box in his front pocket. He offers one to Leslie before his face contorts into pure disgust. Giggling, Leslie takes a few. The first one was soap flavored.

With her nose scrunched up, she replies, "I don't think so. Harry wrote me that with Dumbledore back, classes would return to normal. And—"

"Hi, Harry!"

Leslie looks over Neville's shoulder to find a lanky boy. The boy of sixteen with messy midnight black hair, bright green eyes, and a lightning-bolt-shaped scar on his forehead looked terribly uncomfortable while standing in the corridor, his circle-rimmed glasses crooked and held together with adhesive tape. "Neville!" Fortunately, the sight of his friends eases his tension, becoming relaxed.

Harry Potter is waved to by his friends and he takes a few steps to meet them in the train car corridor. Leslie senses Harry would rather be with his two best friends but is happy nonetheless with the group he has stumbled upon. Luckily, Leslie was able to cut her mind-reading before it began to dig deeper into Harry's thoughts: she did not want to intrude on the important information he had for Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.

"Hello, Harry," Both Luna and Leslie spoke, only Leslie offering a kind wave.

"Les, Luna! It's good to see you. How are you, and your summers?" Harry asks. Leslie could tell he was trying to refrain from mentioning the parted. He, too, understands Leslie's pain.

Leslie nods her head. "It was alright."

Clutching the magazines to her chest, Luna also mentioning her nice summer off. "Very well, thank you. The Quibbler is doing well, too. Circulation's well up." The soft-spoken blonde smiles to herself.

"Let's find seats, yeah?"

Neville, Luna, and Leslie unanimously nod. As they moved through the train, Leslie could not help but notice the stares they were getting. Each compartment they passed meant more pairs of eyes watching their every move. No one spoke to the group, it was simply admiration, but not for her.

Last year, when Harry and his friends realized where Voldemort was keeping his defenseless godfather, they escaped Hogwarts and made it to the Ministry of Magic. Leslie, however, stayed behind to keep a group of mean, terrible students from leaving and ensuring they stayed asleep with the magic treats given to them. Thankfully, the group was fine with this, not realizing that Leslie intended to stay far away from Voldemort and Death Eaters alike. She wouldn't willingly put herself in immediate danger, danger which includes going off to fight dark wizards. Preserving herself was an act she had grown to adapt, the art second nature next to saying "please" and "thank you."

Sliding inside an empty compartment that Harry had mentioned seeing, Leslie watches as he tucks something into the shelves above the seat. He sits on one side while Luna and Neville perch themselves next to each other, resorting Leslie to plant herself next to The Chosen One.

"Leslie said you weren't thinking about starting D.A. up again this year— oi, Trevor!" Neville says, placing his plant beside him before diving under the compartment booths where his toad plots another escape. Luna, now wearing odd multicolor spectacles, opens a copy of The Quibbler and begins to read.

"No point now that we've got rid of Umbridge, is there?" Harry remarks.

Neville looks disappointed when he comes out from under the seat. "But still! I liked D.A.! I learned so much from you. You agree with me, right, Leslie?"

Her shoulders awkwardly move upwards. On one hand, she didn't want to stress Harry out more than he already was, no doubt. After all, he has to worry about Voldemort coming for him at all times. But on the other, she didn't want to upset Neville, worried that she may unintentionally imply she did not want to be around them, which could not be farther from the truth. "I mean, Harry's got a point, Neville: with Umbridge gone, there isn't an immediate need. I'm sure Defense Against the Dark Arts will be like D.A. this year."

"I liked the meetings," Luna says, piping into the conversation. "It was like having friends."

Harry, Neville, and Leslie all share a similar look, suddenly remembering how awkward and pitiful some of things Luna says can be. Leslie might have been somewhat awkward herself and a bit of a loner up until last year, but she never had the sense of freedom that Luna has when it comes to speaking what is on her mind. It was sometimes uncomfortable being with Luna, even with other friends present.

Before anyone could respond to the odd statement, there was a rustle and disturbance from outside the door. Craning her neck, Leslie spotted a few girls, all fourth years, whispering and giggling among each other. Leslie turned back to Harry who shared the same look of confusion.

"You ask him!"

"No, you!"

Leslie could have easily chosen to read what these girls were wanting to ask— if she was even given the option— but seeing how it could have been funny in some way, the mind-reader chose to let her gift go dormant. Legilimency is great and all, but sometimes a surprise is welcomed.

A girl with large dark eyes and long black hair began pushing her way through the posse, her prominent chin pointed high in confidence. "I'll do it," she says.

"This ought to be good," Harry murmurs, causing Leslie to hide a smile. She reaches over and takes a copy of the Quibbler, seeing how Luna has nearly twenty in a stack.

Pushing her hair from her face, the girl begins to speak. "Hi, Harry, I'm Romilda, Romilda Vane," she said loudly. "Why don't you join us in our compartment? You don't have to sit with them," she adds in a whisper.

There was no surprise here. Everyone knows how much of an oddball all three students are, no doubt the first years are already aware. Unlike Neville and Luna, Leslie had been fortunate to have never felt the brunt end of bullying. She managed to dodge those who might have had her in their sights, and she is painfully aware of who to aim her thanks towards, whether she liked it or not. While everyone would occasionally think of Leslie, no one in years had the nerve to bombarded her in insults, threats, anything.

So, the bluntness of Vane's words hit Leslie hard, her throat clenching. Is she offended? No, not particularly. The absolute reason why her jaw grew slack and eyes wide was shock due to the pure audacity Romilda Vane had.

"They're friends of mine," Harry replies coldly.

The large eyes of Romilda Vane widen more. "Oh," she mutters. "Oh, okay." And like that, she withdrew, closing the door behind her.

The compartment is engulfed in a silence, before Luna took it upon herself to end it. "People expect you to have cooler friends than us." Leslie stifles a giggle, while partly believing her.

"You are cool," Harry retorts quickly. "None of them was at the Ministry. They didn't fight with me or hold down the fort at Hogwarts."

Leslie would not give herself as much credit as Harry gives her, but the compliment is genuine. She appreciates his kind words, despite her head stinging with the memory of how, when, and why her Legilimency began showing signs of going amok. A solemn look plasters itself on her face momentarily.

"PETRIFICUS TO—"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

A single scream, a single thought, and millions only to follow.

The nightmares were quick to follow. Every night, Leslie would stay up as late as she could just to avoid sleep, forcing herself to the brink of insanity. Terrors crossed her dreams more often than not, so much so that she would rather never give up dreaming entirely than face the piercing cries and screams of agony from Vidya Mehar Nisha Amin.

Would they ever stop? They must, she tells herself, but that thought dwindles more and more with each morning she wakes. There had to be a reason for the haunting. At first, Leslie was convinced the terrors were the offspring of mourning and how she knew Vidya was gone. But months have passed, and nothing was changing. It was torture, a pain so unimaginable that it must be some kind of revenge. What if her friend was not meant to die, rather taking Leslie's place due to an unpredictable change in the universe? As astronomical and unknowing as it may be, Leslie cannot help but question the unknown, begging for a rational reason as to why her friend has terrorized her.

Why her dead best friend won't leave.

A hand touches her shoulder. At first, the feeling is both as hot as coals and chill as frost, her fears running wild. Leslie, half expecting Vidya to appear to haunt her in the real world, is relieved to find Harry. She does not miss the sorrow in his bright emerald eyes, nor does she miss the tear escaping down her pallid cheeks and on to her shirt.

"Les..." he says, a hand still on her shoulder.

The Slytherin girl quickly rubs away at the tears, sniffling back a sad exhale. Luna and Neville both watch as Harry attempts to comfort Leslie, their thoughts penetrating her deteriorating defense. They burst through all at once and Leslie finds herself overwhelmed with not only her intense emotions but the others as well.

Her father might have had the better idea.

Leslie stands, three pairs of eyes following her face. "I-I-I," she stutters. "I was just..."

Luna holds out her hand, her thumb rubbing the back of Leslie's. "You don't have to suffer alone. We're here."

The blonde is right. Leslie doesn't have to suffer alone. She has her friends, three of them together at a moment she needs them most. But she had been alone for so long, until a Ravenclaw befriended her in the library at age eleven. Her first real friend, her best friend, the person she needs above the rest, is gone.

"I need some air," Leslie gasps, lurching herself out of the compartment and down the aisle before anyone could make a comment.

Her head is cast down, not wanting to draw any attention to herself but also to keep her mind from inadvertently reading anyone around her, despite all the voices echoing in her mind already. Leslie has to choke back a sob of discomfort with each carriage she passes, the thoughts of students filtering through her crumbling wall.

Everything is heavy around Leslie. Her heart swells in a panicked pain, air entering her lungs as quickly as it leaves. Her blood pounds through her head. Leslie needs to get away, desperately. But where can she go on a crammed train? The bathroom, perhaps, but how long would she have to wait before the occupant exits? Exposure is the last thing she wants, especially to those who she accidentally headed towards.

Forget it.

There was no option but to keep moving, to keep pushing her feet straight ahead, regardless of the degradation she may face because of her vulnerability. At least it would not matter now, not while her mind is focused so intently on the past. Leslie's hands grow clammy, her forehead now bearing a thin sheer sheet of perspiration, and nausea was un-welcomed in its entrance. And the thoughts did not stop. They never do, and Leslie internally curses and screams as the thoughts, memories, and stories of strangers seep into her skull, the variant echoes reverberating off the walls of her head, the noise only growing louder and louder, drawing close to ear-piercing screams—

Leslie bumps into someone.

And the voices stop entirely.

There is no blood rushing to her head, no laughter from compartments, no steel on tracks. There is nothing.

Peaceful nothingness.

It takes Leslie a good moment to come back down from her enervated state, the dumbfound feeling of the world going quiet putting her in a stunned state of mind. The brown-eyed girl blinks, the remnants of her tears melting away into the void that took her thoughts away.

"Watch where you're going, Greyscale," a voice sneers.

The cold voice is one she has known for far longer than she will care to admit. Despite their long and complicated history, Leslie attempts to glare at the platinum blonde boy, but only a frown meets her request. Her eyes are still soft, fresh with evidence of tears. The boy's attention is grabbed, whether or not he intended to care.

A comment is not uttered, but Leslie pushes by Draco Malfoy, dodging insults from students like him, and not realizing his grey eyes follow her figure until she is out of sight.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

TAGLIST:

@isabellamur​

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED, LET ME KNOW!

[ko-chan-the-blueberry-donut]

Fate’s Divergence Chapter 4

@the-bagel-queen

@astraskylark

@theanxiety-tm

@terra-mations

@deyinger

Thank you all for so much support for this story! I’m glad people are enjoying it so far!

Disclaimer: I don’t own Dragon Prince

-------------------

Callum tossed and turned, restless, in his bed. His eyes drifted to the moon, its glow reminding him of the elf girl’s white hair. He wondered what she was doing right now. Was she sleeping soundly? Was she restless just like him?

He hoped she was comfortable. He remembered his first night as a prince in the palace. He was super jumpy—constantly startling at any shadows in his new room. Everything was so foreign to him…

He sat up, a realization dawning on him. He had at least his mother when he first came here to help him settle into sleep while she didn’t appear to have anyone. His mother and the king didn’t mention she had any family. Was she an orphan?

Callum rose out of bed, his mind trying to uncover the mystery of the elf girl. He remembered how his family said Xadia couldn’t help her—was she upset Xadia kicked her out because she helped humans with the Titan’s heart?

“She must be lonely…” Callum whispered to himself, grabbing some stuffed animals to take with him to give her. “I’ll give her some of my toys to make her feel more at home!” He concluded quietly, smiling at his great idea.

He surveyed each toy critically, making sure to grab the dragon stuffed animal as well as tons of other animals. He hoped these made her happy. They were gifts from his mother and auntie. Hopefully, she didn’t think him too babyish for having them.

“It should be fine. Girls usually like stuffed animals…” Callum tried to reassure himself, remembering Claudia proudly showing off to him her own collection of stuffed toys. With that assertion, Callum crept out of his room, struggling with all his stuffed animals in his arms, and snuck down the hallways to where he remembered was the elf’s room. Luckily there were no guards patrolling down his hallway yet or else they definitely would notice a small boy almost drowned in stuffed animals. Arms overflowing with the plushies, he felt he dropped some before finally getting to his destination.

Arriving at her door, Callum silently opened it, sneaking inside. As soon as he opened the door, however, he could hear crying. Alarmed, Callum hurried inside the elf’s room, closing the door behind him so no one would catch him.

There she was on the bed, curling into a ball and sobbing her heart out. Callum’s heart squeezed uncomfortably at the scene. The moonlight washed over her like a pretty glow, highlighting her snow-white hair, horns, and pink pale skin. Seeing her, Callum was reminded of the beautiful princess with long hair trapped in her tower waiting for someone to come see her.

Dropping the toys, he scurried over to her side and laid a hand on her shoulder, not reserved at all in touching her.

The elf seemed to have finally realized she wasn’t alone for as soon as he touched her, she jolted and gazed up at him. Callum retracted his hand hurriedly, not wanting to scare her, and held up his hands in surrender.

“Hi!” he said, nervous and waving awkwardly. What should he say? He knew she didn’t speak Common and he didn’t speak Elvish. “Um! Don’t cry! I’m not gonna hurt you!”

Her eyes lit up in recognition, and she backed away a bit from him, scared.

“Hurt?” her eyes were alarmed and Callum rushed to reassure her.

“No! No hurt! I come in peace!” he tried to convey. He hoped she knew some more words.

“No… hurt?” this time, the elf furrowed her brow in confusion, trying to grasp what he was saying. He detected her voice had a strange accent.

“Right! No hurt! Just here to help!” Callum smiled reassuring her. He hurried to where the toys were discarded and brought them to her. “Here! I brought these to help you feel better!” Callum excitedly showed her his toys.

---------------------

Rayla blinked, not expecting the human child to show her what she presumed to be his toys. Her hand reached out tentatively, the boy watching her with an encouraging smile. She paused.

“No hurt?” Rayla checked again, her suspicious eyes finding his, ready to detect any sort of lie. The boy nodded.

“No hurt.” He assured her again. He climbed onto the bed, getting closer to her, before showing her his toys again. “No hurt.” He repeated.

Rayla studied him, and found he was not lying. The boy was not there to hurt her. She traced his features with her violet eyes, remembering him with her kidnappers. It seemed he was their offspring.

What did this mean? Was he not aware she was going to be executed? And yet, his presence here, the fact that her door wasn’t locked like she thought, her kidnappers being gentle with her… all signs were pointing to possibly another reason she was here.

But… the titan’s heart! She saw it. Why else would these humans keep an elf if it wasn’t for Dark Magic? She remembered Runaan’s stories. How humans only wanted power and nothing else. They were heartless and cruel.

So why was a human child sharing his toys with her?

Rayla reached out a hand again, hesitantly petting the soft fabric. The boy’s smile grew in happiness, and he handed her the dragon plush.

“I know you can’t go home to Xadia, but this guy will always protect you! He’s like your Dragon King, right?” the boy asked. Rayla furrowed her brow, trying to pinpoint words she recognized, and found he was referring to her king. She gazed down at the stuffed toy, and sure enough, he did resemble her king.

“Amin aran…” Rayla mumbled in mourning, touching the stuffed toy. Tears shined in her eyes, and the boy began to panic.

“Oh no! He wasn’t supposed to make you cry! Do you want another toy?” the boy asked, but Rayla couldn’t understand him. She clutched the dragon toy tight to her chest, shaking her head. She wished someone knew Elvish so she could talk to someone. She appreciated the boy’s efforts, but it wasn’t the same as Runaan or Ethari or her parents.

However, the boy surprised her again when he crawled over and hugged her to his small frame.

“No hurt!” the boy repeated. He gestured to the stuffed toy and himself. “No hurt. You’re safe here.”

Rayla sniffled. It seemed he was trying to comfort her. She didn’t understand why. She didn’t understand humans at all. She was tired and scared. The boy held her close as she cried, clutching the stuffed dragon between them.

Somehow, his embrace made her feel less alone.

--------------------

Sarai had risen early. She was accustomed to this since having Ezran, for he needed feeding in the early hours. Harrow was dressing for the day, preparing for today’s event of Viren’s spell. Both he and Sarai were solemn, knowing what the kingdom of Duran lost in order for them all to be saved.

“We will meet the delegates of Duran first before performing the spell.” Harrow told her. He gazed down at the memento the queens have given him to deliver to their daughter. “We need to pay respects.”

“I agree. If it wasn’t for them buying us some time, we wouldn’t have made it.” Sarai was also thinking about little Aanya. She couldn’t imagine how Aanya would grow up now, without the love of her mothers.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the doors.

“King Harrow! Queen Sarai!” the guard called. Harrow went to open the doors. The guard was huffing, as if he had run all the way to their chambers.

“What is it?” Harrow asked. The guard gave them a frantic look.

“Prince Callum is not in his bed, Your Highnesses!” the guard informed them. Sarai and Harrow immediately went to follow the guard.

“Where could he be? He usually doesn’t wake this soon after sunrise.” Sarai carried Ezran with her, clutching him close, as if afraid some unseen force would take him as well.

“Don’t worry, Sarai. We’ll find him.” Harrow reassured her. He gave a determined look at the guard. “Search everywhere! If he was taken, they couldn’t have gone far.”

Soon Amaya was called to join in the search, as well as some other soldiers. The more time passed, the more they worried something could’ve happened to Callum. It isn’t like him to leave his room and not come to the royal bedchambers if he had woken early.

Passing through a hallway, Amaya noticed some stuffed animals on the floor. She recognized them as Callum’s immediately. Curious, she followed the trail of more stuffed toys before she arrived at a bedroom door.

Amaya gently opened the door, peaking inside, her eyes critically taking in the surroundings before landing on the large bed in the middle of the room, the gentle glow of the morning sun shining on the occupants in the bed. The sight that greeted her made her eyes soften. She waved to a guard passing by to get the king and queen. Soon, her sister and her husband were rushing down the hall.

“Is he hurt?” Sarai fretted. Amaya smirked.

It seems your boy is getting his flirting started early. Amaya said. She held open the door. Look inside.

Sarai, Harrow, and a few guards peaked in, and sure enough, Callum was safe and sound, and he was cuddling the elf girl to him in his slumber. The elf girl allowed Callum to snuggle her, clutching his stuffed dragon Sarai had given him close. Everyone felt their hearts warm at the scene.

“We were so concerned with giving the elf privacy we didn’t think to check here at all.” Harrow whispered. Sarai gave him a smile.

“We certainly are silly.” Sarai agreed. She, Harrow, and Amaya made their way into the room, dismissing the guards. Sarai went towards Callum, caressing his cheek. “Callum, sweetheart, it’s time to wake up.”

“’m comfy…” Callum groggily protested, bringing the elf girl closer. Harrow, Sarai, and Amaya had to contain their giggles. However, it was Ezran who decided there was enough quiet.

Baby Ezran gave a loud shout, wanting to join his brother on the bed, and Callum and the elf girl sprung up, disoriented and startled. Callum wouldn’t let go of the elf girl, trying to protect her, before he realized it was just his family. Sighing in relief, he eased his grip off of the elf girl and smiled sleepily.

“Hi mom!” Callum yawned. He then became more aware and gave them a quizzical look. “Did something happen? Why is everyone here?”

Ezran, seeing his big brother awake, held out his arms from Sarai’s hold to indicate he wanted to be with him. Sarai gave both her boys a fond smile.

“Nothing’s wrong, sweetie. We just didn’t know where you were.” Sarai reassured him.

“Oh, I was with Moonlily!” Callum simply said, standing on the bed and going to give Ezran a kiss. The three adults were confused.

“Moonlily?” Harrow parroted.

“Yeah! We don’t know her name yet and she reminds me of those pretty flowers I saw in a book about Xadia once, so I am going to call her my Moonlily!” Callum told them happily, gesturing to the elf who was watching them warily from the bed. He turned back to the elf, grasping her hands, pulling her to stand on the bed too. “Moonlily! Come here!”

“Boy works fast.” Harrow teased Sarai, who rolled her eyes, but she was also smiling.

As for the elf, she eyed them with distrust, which Callum noticed, and he rushed to soothe her.

“No hurt you!” Callum told the elf. The elf girl gave him a skeptical look.

“No… hurt.” She said, doubtful. Callum turned to the adults.

“I think she thinks we’re going to hurt her. I found her crying last night and she seemed really sad.” Callum frowned at them. “We’re not going to, right?” he began to panic, thinking he put his Moonlily in danger.

“No, sweetheart! Of course not.” Sarai immediately reassured Callum.

“She’s our guest here, Callum. No harm will come to her as long as I am king.” Harrow promised. Callum sighed in relief.

“That’s good. I don’t know how to tell her she’s safe.” Callum appeared sad. “It hurts when she cries.”

Harrow, Amaya, and Saria exchanged looks before glancing towards the elf who was watching them with suspicion. Sarai put Ezran down on the bed, and the elf watched fascinated at the baby human boy crawling to her. She knelt down on the covers, reaching out a hand shyly.

Ezran didn’t waste time and clutched some of her small fingers with his even smaller ones. He giggled happily at the feel of her skin, and the elf couldn’t help but smile nervously.

“Vedui' ai Edan” the elf said. Sarai couldn’t help but give a smile at the wonderful scene.

“Little one,” Sarai called, making the elf glance at her. “We won’t hurt you. Please don’t be afraid.” She reached a hand out and ruffled Ezran’s hair, who gave a shout of delight.

The elf examined her critically, and the three adults made sure to appear non-threatening as possible. The elf chanced a look at Callum and Ezran again, appearing pensive about whether or not to trust them.

-----------------

Rayla observed the adults in the room, weighing their words—or the ones she did know—in her head. It appeared they too, were not trying to hurt her.

If they meant her no harm, then why did they take her from Xadia? Rayla was frustrated. She wanted answers, but it was clear with the language barrier she wasn’t going to get them.

It was clear to her they were in Xadia now to get a magma titan’s heart, but for what? And why? If she knew these things, she could find it easier to determine motives, to judge for herself if she was truly out of harm’s way or not.

Rayla couldn’t help but chance a look at the human boy and his baby brother. They gave her happy smiles in return. The boy really didn’t think his family was going to hurt her.

For now, she would have to believe in him.

She turned to the three adults watching her curiously, and got up, picking up the baby human and handing him to her kidnapper.

“No hurt?” Rayla checked again, looking for any deception.

“No, little one.” The woman said, smiling gently, taking the baby into her arms. “No hurt.”

Rayla sighed in relief, nearly collapsing on the bed. It wasn’t all the answers or everything she needed to know, but it was knowledge that was comforting all the same.

For Rayla, that was all that mattered for now.  

---------------------

There’s chapter 4! I hope people enjoyed the Callum and Rayla interactions!

Translations:

Amin aran = My king

Vedui' ai Edan = greetings small human

[jcmorrigan]

im curious (again XD); do you have any favorite mozenrath headcanons/or headcanons in general ? :D

I mean, I see him as a very anti-social person most of the time - his ideal fun day is just reading in his library all day - but I do think if you met him up with people who shared his lack of moral compass and ambitious fervor, his walls would come down a bit. (I mean, I have a whole crossover fic about this, and then I got into a Disney villain RP where I wrote as him and the exact same thing ended up happening with a different group of characters entirely)

I think it’s pretty canon at this point that his favorite color is blue, but in case it isn’t - he loves blue. Everything must be blue. It’s an AESTHETIC.

I’ve modified my backstory for him a few times, but it usually boils down to: he was one of Cassim’s children (I used to have him as Aladdin’s twin but now he’s a half-brother who peaced out of that house when Aladdin was a babey), he felt his father was an absolute jerk who didn’t understand his intellectual pursuits (and really, his instincts were kinda right, since Cassim ran off), he set out to find the most feared man in the Seven Deserts on purpose, Destane was impressed that a kiddo had managed to make it all the way to the Black Sands without dying, too bad Destane was more in the mood for a personal servant and test subject than an actual apprentice, but don’t get me wrong, as horrible as he was to Mozenrath, Mozenrath had actually fantasized about world domination BEFORE turning up on his door - and then, finally, Mozenrath got a lucky shot and managed to suck the life out of Destane.

Also, Destane at least kept the people of the Black Sands human while he subjected them to his iron-fisted rule. Mozenrath was the one who decided they should all be shambling undead

He doesn’t want to talk about the actual two weeks he spent inside Dagger Rock. I’m thinking Mirage let him out for a lark because she knew the playing field was just that more evil with him on it

Mozenrath can literally necromance - the Mamluks aren’t just drained of life force; they were killed and brought back intentionally half-souled. He’s a one-in-a-million case for having this ability; however, necromancy =/= healing and therefore he cannot extend his own life force with his own magic, nor can he resurrect himself once his own soul hits the afterlife

He isn’t a Muslim but actually closer to a Zoroastrian/Mithraist. This ties in to how I am pretty sure the Black Sands is Persia/Iran (but this is a more common larger headcanon). He may have been born into a Muslim family, but the moment he turned his back on Destane, he decided to adopt a practice that made more sense to him. However, in Mithraism, the belief is that Mithras, the good god, will defeat Ahriman, lord of evil. Mozenrath wants this to be the other way around. I actually like subbing in “Ahriman” for him for expressions where we might casually use “God” - “Oh, goddammit” for us = “Oh, Ahriman curse it” for him.

He also has a thorough knowledge of the other gods of the world. Just in case.

It’s canon that he knows about at least one other world, as he pulled the Thirdac from it. If you like thinking about Mozenrath in the Kingdom Heartsverse, nobody needs to explain to him what a Keyblade is; if Sora drew one in front of him, he’d just be “Oh. One of THOSE. All right, you’re a world-hopper.” He might’ve even toured a few.

This is more of a general Agrabah headcanon - ever notice how in the series, there ALWAYS seems to be a new sorcerer whose time has passed but left a MacGuffin lying around? Wizard Khufu, the Witches of the Sand, Khartoum, Shamash, Destane...I have it that before the generation Aladdin is set in fully took hold, there was an “Age of Sorcery” where these sorcerers controlled all. Jafar was basically the end of it; Mozenrath is a one-man revival who takes his cues from the sorcerers from old and studies their legacies. (Well, okay, Ayam Aghoul is another example in his own way)

Mozenrath and Ayam Aghoul are the two most compatible Agrabah rogues; we were robbed when they never had a team-up episode. Most of the folks at the Guild of Thieves, such as Amin Damoola, Abis Mal, or Mechanicles, Mozenrath could not STAND. Aghoul GETS him, though. They both have morbid fascinations with death and ample collections of magic. Total bros.

Mozenrath isn’t afraid of death. Well, mostly not. What happens is that when the gauntlet starts to burn him too fast, he panics and realizes this might not be exactly what he wanted. But usually, he doesn’t mind spending a lot of his life force at a time because he feels it’s worth it, and sometimes, when faced with a near-death experience, he’s just...ready, only to be glad when he finds himself alive. His actual greatest fear is of dying sick/old/weak in bed. He wants to die going out with a bang: using up his last life force on some amazing spell that lets him get the last word.

The gauntlet has his affected body in constant pain - wherever the edge of his flesh is. (I used to think that around the time of the series, it was only his arm; then I saw an AMAZING fanart of him with his skin stripped from half his upper body so you could see through to his beating heart and I LOVE THAT so that’s where I place him.) However, it’s comparatively mild; just incessant. His pain tolerance is slightly better than most, but not completely (the Mukhtar’s ropes backfiring on him were significantly a different beast than the eating away of the gauntlet).

Gay, but during the time of the series, has never really cared enough about finding a partner to even wonder what his sexuality is. When your company is countless rotting undead, you don’t really have much room to find your type (though Ayam Aghoul would disagree and say that’s the BEST place to find your type - incidentally, to follow up, I don’t ship Mozenrath and Aghoul. They’re just bros. Aghoul is pretty straight and also incredibly not Mozenrath’s romantic type - though I did once read an amusing AU fanfiction that suggested Mozenrath was the person who Aghoul tried to “marry” with the enchanted pendant and also the one who turned it to backfire on him).

Don’t give him coffee. Just...don’t. He doesn’t handle coffee well. He gets incredibly hyperactive (read: destructive) and then just crashes unconscious.

I think that’s all I can think of for now. As soon as I hit “Post” I’m going to realize something super important I forgot, I KNOW it

Well, okay, this one is not really relevant to canon-compliant works but his drag name would be Brandisia Black it’s a long story

[rdesai19]

How I got my first job

It was 2 months into the summer of ‘88. I had still not found a permanent job. Here I was, squeezing time from my summer teaching job at the college for a 3-day trip to St Louis for a couple of interviews. I will do a car trip in the Midwest. It will be a bit hectic since I have to be in three cities hundreds of miles apart in three days. 

The first evening, I went from Sr Louis to St Joseph. I remember a beautiful moment of Americana -  I am driving West, into my future, the sun is low in the large blue sky and the prairie is swaying all around me. I promised myself that I will take my time the next time.

I checked into a motel at St. Joseph, late at night. Next morning, I do the whole day interview for adjunct CS professor. I got to see the town on my way in, during lunch and on my way out. The town must have been quite a celebrity in its time - it is where the pony train started. To my untrained eye, It looked like the kind of place where one lived in America, Cute, pretty, prosperous, open, happy. And, to put the cherry on the cake, I would be close to my closest cousins. The winters would suck, the pay would be lower than I expected. But, at least - I won’t be forced into the minimum wage that was PhD.

The interviews went well. I liked the people. They seemed to like me. I could see myself in the role. I could be good. Teach fundamentals to fresh minds. Maybe being an adjunct will inspire me to stay in academia and apply for a PhD, like Vic. Not sure if I can invent something new, But, it would be fun if I really did.

I had not done well in the hiring season. I had been rejected a few times already. A friend had got an awesome package from DEC - one of the best computer companies in the world. Me, I did not even get an interview call from DEC.This interview, even if it was for much less money - was a welcome chance to hope in my luck. Of course, this hope could also turn out to be a mirage.

After the interview, I got on the  road again. I had a long haul - it will be well past 1, by the time I get into chicago, for the interview next morning. But, like many well laid out plans, this plan unraveled. Dilipbhai and bhabhi were supposed to let me in. But, they were so exhausted with new baby - they slept right through the phone and the bell. I spent the night in the car - cold and hungry. Chicago nights get very cold, even in the middle of the night. I tossed and turned. Finally, bhabhi came and poked curiously at the car in the driveway. 

I took a short nap since the interview place was nearby. But soon, I had to get ready and leave.  The interview was a disaster. I was not well versed enough in hardware for their company. And, the lack of sleep did not help either, I am sure.

After the interview - I head to St. Louis. But, being so young and brash, I decide to take a detour to drop by on a girl who went to school at Notre Dame - a 4 hour detour. By the time I hit the road to St. Louis - it is late at night and I have to do an all night drive. I cant even stay over since Tushar needs his car the next morning.

I am so sleepy. I doze in the car. I pull off at a truck stop and slept for a few hours. I remember driving into St. Louis during morning commute. I could barely keep myself awake and drove really poorly. Totally like a DUI. Cars swerved around me. Horns honked around me. But somehow, I managed to avoid an accident and I reached home safe and sound. Tushar rushed off to work, I crashed out.

I had lunch with the kids. Parents were in India or somewhere else. Looking back on it - that was pretty rash behavior. I could have damaged their car, created huge liability, may have even killed someone or injured myself. But, even they did not dwell on these finer details. We had a good lunch and then they dropped me off to the airport.

While waiting at the airport, I get a phone call from St. Joseph’s - offering me $24,000 for a 9-month position. My first job offer. I was thrilled, even though I knew this was much less than what my buddies were getting in industry. I had not done as well as expected. But, hey, it was a job offer :-) Finally after 4 rejects.

I called my parents from the airport, early morning in India. My family was jubilant. Thankfully, they kept the disappointment unspoken. We all hoped something better shows up but no one wanted to say it - at least that’s what I felt. But, it was 5 times more money than graduate school. And I could keep looking for a job. At least, this is not a reject.

Thar summer, I sent my resume to hundreds of positions I found in the classifieds. I managed to get called for 5 job interviews. First one was in Ithaca. A research place. Very academic. Quite prestigious and well-paid. I had technical interviews and gave a well attended talk. I was feeling confident. Over lunch, we talked about our technical passions and I, feeling a bit too much camradarie - went a bit over-board with the truth about my attitude towards programming. They cited that as a reason why I was not a match for their company. I felt quite sheepish.

The second interview was at a real-estate software startup in some small town on the outskirts of Boston. They were two young men looking for a computer guy to build the PC package for them. They knew just enough CS to ask me what a pointer was. But, they could see that I was not going to cut it. 

St Joseph’s was my 3rd interview and it had yielded my one and only job offer so far. The job at St Joseph started in 2 weeks. So, it looked like - those were my two options - St. Joseph or grad school at RI. And then, out of nowhere, I got a call from one of my IIT CS class mates, who was working at HP in California . We talked, he passed my resume and had a word with the hiring manager - Beth about my time constraints.

I got a a phone screen the very next day.I passed and they wanted an on-site interview next week. I said - can we do it this week instead? I will buy the tickets and take care of my hotel. They can reimburse later, if they hire me. They were gracious enough to accommodate my unorthodox request. I had my interview scheduled for that Friday. 

The interviews at HP were the best technical interviews of my life. I remember a long design conversation about showing large outputs with Jeff Vance. Chris Mayo also interviewed me. He was just like the old men in Woonsocket, but younger. He seemed so happy and deeply technical.The hiring manager took me out for dinner after the interviews. Anil had got the offer during dinner. I was hoping for the same. Halfway through the dinner - Beth set my expectations straight. HP would get back to me soon. No offer tonight.

That night, I was dejected. My string of rejects continues, I thought. But, we decided to put it away and make a night of it anyway in Santa Clara downtown. The next day we went to the city. Anil and Narinder gave me the tour of SF. Golden Gate bridge had a special connection for me because of my brother’s pictures from when he lived in SF in 1970. Next day, I flew back to RI.

Over the next few days, I lined up a car and the auto loan. All the paperwork was ready. The plan was ready to be set into motion at the last possible moment. I had till Wed. morning. If I do not hear from HP by then - I have to start spending money. I had the details worked out - sign the papers at the bank, drive to the dealer with Deepak, pick up the car, come back home - pack up the car and start driving West. I would reach St. Joseph by Friday - and start my job on Monday.

I had not heard from HP till Tue afternoon. Only 18 hours left. And, then Beth calls. She congratulates me and makes me an offer. I remember considering negotiating the pay, before realizing my straits and blurting my acceptance.

The long ordeal of job hunting had come to a happy ending. I had met the expectations..I had landed the job I “deserved”. I was on the road to Green Card. I will not have to be a poor graduate student for another year. Now, I can cancel my plans for being on the road. Instead, I can plan a vacation. Oh, happy times.

My starting date was a month away - two weeks after the start of school. I had a bunch of money saved up for the move. Money I did not need now, since HP will move me and put me up. I decided against going to India and instead stayed at home. Ganesh and Ramesh were around and soon enough the new year will start and everyone will be around. There are too many anecdotes about that month. There was a reunion with my high school friends. There were all night teen-patti nights. Ganesh and I got thrown out of a bar. I will write another story around that. 

The good times were here finally All that studying and watching planes fly and dreaming had completed. The final chapter of the dream had become real. I had everything I had been planning all my life for. 

I was lucky to have these connections. People who made if affordable to go job hunting. People who lent me their car; people who put me up at their homes; People who put me in touch with other people; people who intervened on my behalf. It took a village. And, of course - the Asian Immigration Act.and the civil rights movement. 

[your-dietician]

These Everyday Activities Proven to Cause Cancer, Say Experts

New Post has been published on https://tattlepress.com/health/these-everyday-activities-proven-to-cause-cancer-say-experts/

These Everyday Activities Proven to Cause Cancer, Say Experts

Cancer can leave you feeling helpless, the very concept an anxiety-inducing thing to read about. But we’re glad you clicked on this story, because the Big C is a health condition in which knowledge truly is power.

New research is constantly emerging about how to prevent cancer and catch it early, when it’s most curable. And that extends to risk factors. In recent years, scientists have learned a lot about what raises your risk of developing cancer, in addition to well-known factors like smoking and diet. Eat This, Not That! Health asked experts to reveal the surprising things that affect whether you might get cancer. Here’s what they told us. Read on, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You Have “Long” COVID and May Not Even Know It.

1

Drinking Hot Beverages

Cup of hot coffee

“There may be an increased risk of throat cancer with people eating very hot foods and beverages due to the irritants and heat that can stimulate cell damage,” says Thomas Horowitz, MD, of CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles. Some studies, including one published in the March 2019 International Journal of Cancer, have linked drinking very hot beverages like coffee or tea with an increased risk of esophageal or throat cancer.

The Rx: Rich in antioxidants, coffee and tea can benefit your overall health, support weight loss and help prevent cancer. Just don’t drink them piping-hot.

2

Menstrual History

woman with stomach ache sitting on sofa

“Early menstruation—periods before age 12—and starting menopause after age 55 expose women to hormones longer, raising their risk of getting breast cancer,” says Nancy Elliott, MD, of the Montclair Breast Center in Montclair, New Jersey.

The Rx: Talk with your doctor about what your menstrual history means for your risk of getting breast cancer, and keep all regular appointments for screening. If you have a child and notice signs of puberty before 12, talk to your pediatrician.

Story continues

3

Dense Breasts

Female Does Cancer Preventive Mammography

“Breast density is determined via mammography, so it’s important to get your annual screening to know your personal composition,” says Elliott. “Abnormalities are harder to find in patients with dense breasts, because both dense tissue and cancer are white. It’s like looking for a snowball in a snowstorm. Additionally, density is a risk factor for cancer — so it’s a double whammy.”

The Rx: In addition to regular mammograms, “we recommend women with dense breasts get supplementary screening, either an ultrasound or (even better) an MRI,” says Elliott.

4

Drinking Alcohol

woman drinking red wine

“An analysis of 53 studies reported that the relative risk of breast cancer increased by 32% for those with who drink 3 servings per day,” says Elliott. “Compared to women who don’t drink at all, women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer.”

Alcohol also raises the risk of several other cancers. “Drinking an excess of alcohol can increase your risk of developing cancer of the mouth, throat, bowel, and most commonly, the liver,” says Janette Nesheiwat, MD, a family and emergency medicine doctor in New York City. “Alcohol damages cells and is toxic to the organs, increasing the chance of cancerous cells forming.”

The Rx: Alcohol may not be a surprising carcinogen, but the amount that constitutes risky drinking might. To reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease, experts recommend moderate alcohol consumption: No more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

5

Working Near Microwave Dishes

Microwave Communications Dish’s

No, your kitchen microwave doesn’t cause cancer. But microwave transmitters—an entirely different, industrial-strength thing—can raise cancer risk. “One potential cancer risk is working on roofs of buildings where microwave dishes are mounted as transmission devices. One can get exposed to radiation inadvertently when working in front of these, which has been linked to cancer,” says Horowitz.

The Rx: If your work puts you in the vicinity of microwave transmitters, talk with your doctor about limiting health risks.

6

Spending Too Much Time Sitting

businessman working on his laptop. Handsome young man at his desk

“Long stints of time on the couch, in the chair at work, or sitting in your car can increase the risks of some types of cancer,” says Cara Pensabene, MD, of EHE Health. “In one study, people who spent more than two hours sitting and watching TV had a 70 percent increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.”

The Rx: Experts, including the American Heart Association, recommend that adults get at least 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity (such as running or swimming) or 120 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) each week. If you work a desk job, find ways to be more active during the day, if just standing and walking around more.

7

Ordering Meat Well Done

well done cooked steak on cutting board

Eating charred meats—whether they’re burgers, steak or chicken—is a cancer risk. “When certain types of meat are cooked to high temperatures, they develop these chemical compounds known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),” says Pensabene. “These chemicals are mutagenic, according to the National Cancer Institute, which means that they affect DNA and may make you more susceptible to certain types of cancer.”

The Rx: When grilling meat, say “when” before it’s blackened. You can also take steps to reduce the formation of cancer-causing compounds while you’re prepping: Before putting meat on the grill, marinate it for half an hour, or zap it in the microwave for a few minutes. And speaking of red meat, read on to discover how much is healthy to eat.

8

Pregnancy

pregnant african american woman drinking green vegetable juice or smoothie at home

“Many women don’t realize pregnancy, or lack thereof, also affects their risk of breast cancer. If your first pregnancy is after age 30, you never breastfed, or you never have a full-term pregnancy, your risk increases,” says Elliott. “As women have children later in life, this is something to keep in mind.”

The Rx: Talk with your doctor about what your childbearing history means for your breast-cancer risk. Follow their recommendations about screening.

9

Sleeping With the TV On

Young woman sleeping passed out on couch after watching tv with a food coma

“According to a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, men who are exposed to more light at night have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer,” says Pensabene. “More research is needed, but it’s suspected that exposure to artificial light during sleep interferes with melatonin production and the natural sleep cycle, which can have affect antioxidant levels in the body.”

The Rx: Try to sleep in darkness, undisturbed by the TV or bright night lights.

10

Always Skipping Salad

mixed green salad in glass bowl no dressing

Consuming dietary fiber isn’t just about staying regular—it’s also a potent cancer fighter. “Eating a diet that is not sufficient in fiber, fruits and green leafy vegetables can possibly lead to colon cancer,” says Nesheiwat. “Vitamins and minerals in plant-based foods act as antioxidants to help fight free radicals, or atoms that cause damage to cells. Lack of this healthy protective fiber can increase your risk of free radicals and can ultimately cause cancer.”

The Rx: Experts say women should aim to consume 28 grams of fiber per day, and men 35.

11

Getting Even Occasional Sunburns

elderly women Wearing blue sunglasses Walking around the sea

“Even getting a sunburn just once every two years can increase your risk of skin cancer nearly threefold, including melanoma skin cancer,” says Christopher Zoumalan, MD, a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California.

The Rx: “Be your own health advocate by conducting regular self-exams, and if you find anything suspicious, see a board-certified dermatologist,” says Zoumalan. “Avoid sunburns, tanning and UV tanning beds. Cover up with clothing when you go outside, including a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen to your entire body, with an SPF of 30 or higher.”

12

Using Toothpaste With This Ingredient

Toothpaste on toothbrush

“Toothpaste or oral products that contain triclosan have been recalled by the FDA for its link to cancer as well as endocrine diseases,” says Dr. Rhonda Kalasho of Glo Modern Dentistry in Los Angeles. “I recommend discontinuing the use of any such products that contain that triclosan. It is used to kill bad breath odor and is even found in some facial antibacterial soaps, as well as hand soaps.”

The Rx: “In 2016 the FDA restricted consumer products that contain the dangerous chemical, and by 2017 they also restricted the chemical in health care settings,” says Kalasho. “However, some of the products could still be out there, so you should remain vigilant.”

13

Eating Oats Sprayed With This Chemical

Pouring oats into bowl to measure portion on scale

“Glyphosate is a pesticide sprayed on many crops, including wheat and corn, which we eat as part of a ‘healthy’ diet,” says Terhune. “A study in 2019 measured glyphosate exposure in breakfast cereals and found that every cereal they tested went above the safety limits for children. Glyphosate disrupts our beneficial gut microbiome and impacts our immune system defenses. Glyphosate has now been legally linked in many lawsuits of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients.”

The Rx: Opt for organic oats, grains and vegetables whenever possible.

14

Not Getting Enough Sleep

Woman having trouble sleeping

Why do we feel so rested after a good sleep? That’s because the body repairs itself — fixing cellular damage, sweeping toxins out of the brain and ensuring our metabolism stays on track. When you don’t get enough shut-eye, all kinds of bodily processes suffer. Poor sleep has been connected to an increased risk of heart disease and cancer.

The Rx: Experts, including the National Sleep Foundation, say that adults of every age need seven to nine hours of sleep a night—no more, no less.

15

Working the Night Shift

Businessman working overtime in office.

Researchers believe that sleeping at night replenishes our stores of melatonin, a hormone that regulates the body’s circadian rhythms and seems to have a role in preventing cancer. Studies have found that people who work at night and sleep during the day have an increased risk of cancer. In 2007 the World Health Organization classified night shift work as a probable carcinogen because of that circadian disruption.

The Rx: If you work nights, talk with your doctor about how it may affect your cancer risk.

16

Processed Meat

bacon strips on grill

Bacon, ham, hot dogs, sausages, salami—all those staples of a All-American diet we all grew up with—are now considered as big a cancer risk as cigarettes. Literally. The World Health Organization has named processed meat a Group 1 carcinogen, the same as tobacco, because there’s evidence that consuming them regularly can lead to colorectal cancer. How? Researchers believe that nitrites, used as a preservative for processed meat, interact with natural compounds in the food to create a cancer-causing chemical.

The Rx: The American Institute for Cancer Research says you should not regularly consume processed meat including ham, bacon, salami, hot dogs and sausages, as any amount raises cancer risk. “AICR recommends avoiding bacon and other processed meats, saving them for special occasions,” says the organization.

17

Red Meat

ribeye steak dinner with potatoes on wood board

Even eating red meat that isn’t processed—including steak, burgers, lamb and pork���has been associated with an increased cancer risk.

The Rx: The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends limiting red meat consumption to no more than 18 ounces per week.

18

Having CT Scans While Young

CT (Computed tomography) scanner in hospital laboratory.

A CT scan is like a chest Xray on steroids: CTs use radiation to create 3D images of the body, and they’re useful in detecting issues that were previously only discoverable with exploratory surgery. But a 2013 Australian study, which looked at the medical histories of 11 million people, found having one CT scan before the age of 20 raised a person’s lifetime risk for cancer by 24 percent. The higher the radiation exposure and the younger the person, the greater the risk.

The Rx: Experts urge caution about those findings. CT technology has improved over time, and most doctors prescribe them only when absolutely necessary. But if you’re being asked to undergo multiple CTs, it’s reasonable to ask if low- or no-radiation scans like ultrasound or MRI can be used instead.

19

Ejaculation Frequency

Sperms viewed from the microscope

In a study published in the journal European Urology, researchers looked at the self-reported ejaculation frequency of 1,000 men. They found that men who reported more than 21 ejaculations per month had a 31 percent lower risk of prostate cancer than men who ejaculated four to seven times a month.

The Rx: First, remember that correlation is not causation. Science hasn’t conclusively proven that infrequent ejaculation is a prostate cancer risk, although researchers theorize that ejaculating may clear the prostate of toxins and irritants. And most men would argue that upping that frequency definitely wouldn’t hurt.

20

A Common STD

Doctor and patient

The sexually transmitted infection trichomoniasis is very common. About 3.7 million Americans have the infection, caused by the protozoan T. vaginalis, and only 30 percent will develop symptoms. More concerning: A 2014 study found that T. vaginalis secretes a protein that promotes inflammation in the prostate and stokes the growth of both benign and cancerous prostate cells. In a 2009 study, 25 percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer tested positive for T. vaginalis infection and were more likely to have an aggressive form of the disease.

The Rx: Although the science hasn’t found a conclusive link, if you’re sexually active and may have been exposed to trichomoniasis, talk to your doctor about your risk factors and the benefits of regular STI testing.

21

Acid Reflux

woman having or symptomatic reflux acids,Gastroesophageal reflux disease, drinking water

Heartburn, or acid reflux—in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing burning or pain in the chest or throat—is often considered a simple nuisance. But over time, stomach acid can damage sensitive tissue, leading to a precancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus. That could develop into esophageal cancer.

The Rx: If you suffer from regular heartburn, talk to your doctor. They might recommend a prescription, lifestyle changes or further testing.

22

Coffee

male creative sits by window having coffee

Coffee may be an underrated cancer fighter, thanks to its high antioxidant content. In a meta-analysis of studies published in the journal BMC Cancer, regular coffee consumption was linked to a reduction in risk of at least 11 types of cancer, including breast, colon, pancreatic, esophageal and prostate. And a November 2015 study in Circulation found that coffee consumption was associated with an 8% to 15% reduction in the risk of death overall, with larger reductions among those who drank more.

The Rx: Drink up. Just try not to drink caffeinated beverages after noon, as it’ll affect your sleep.

23

Sugary Beverages

Woman hand giving one glass of Soft drinks with ice. and one Glass with ice in glass ready to refresh you

You may know that drinking too many sugary beverages, like soda, increases your risk for obesity and diabetes. But a March 2019 study published in the journal Circulation found an association between sugary drink consumption and cancer. Each 12-ounce serving of sugary drinks consumed was associated with a 7 percent increased risk of death from any cause, and a 5 percent increased risk for death from cancer.

The Rx: Skip sugary beverages, and shun those with artificial sweeteners as well—they come with health risks of their own. Hydrate with tap water, seltzers, or homemade fruit-infused H2O.

24

Sleeping Pills

Man sitting on bed about to take sleeping pill or night medicine. Suffering from insomnia

Some studies have linked the use of hypnotic (a.k.a. sleep-inducing) drugs with an increased risk of cancer and death. Researchers haven’t found the exact connection, but why risk it?

The Rx: There are several sleep-hygiene strategies you can follow before requesting a prescription for sleeping pills. They include meditation, relaxation techniques, and avoiding screens for the hour before bed. If you’re having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about them.

RELATED: Sure Signs You May Have Dementia, According to the CDC

25

Ignoring Your Family History

Fill out the family history section in the medical questionnaire

If your parents had a particular illness, there’s no guarantee you’ll get it too. But there is a genetic component to certain conditions like heart disease, diabetes and particular cancers.

The Rx: Make sure your doctor knows about your family history of serious illness, and ask if any screening tests are warranted.

26

Not Getting Colon Cancer Screening

Probe colonoscope. Doctor gastroenterologist with probe to perform gastroscopy and colonoscopy

What’s the primary risk factor for colon cancer? Age: Your risk of the disease rises significantly after age 50. When detected early (as localized polyps), colon cancer is one of the easiest forms of cancer to cure.

The Rx: The American Cancer Society recommends that you get your first colonoscopy at age 45, and repeat it every 10 years. Your doctor may have different recommendations based on your family background and personal medical history.

27

HPV

Doctor vaccinating women in hospital

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 79 million American men and women are infected with HPV (human papillomavirus), the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV can lead to genital warts and cancer in both men and women—including cancers of the cervix, penis, anus and throat.

The Rx: HPV is so common that most adults are exposed by the time they’re in their 20s. But because six different strains of HPV cause most HPV-related cancers—and the FDA has recently cleared the HPV vaccine up to age 45—getting vaccinated might be beneficial if you’re sexually active. If you’re concerned about HPV-related cancer, talk with your doctor.

RELATED: The #1 Cause of Diabetes, According to Science

28

Uncircumcised Sexual Partners

couple in live holding hads while lying in bed together

“Partners of uncircumcised men have a higher risk of cervical cancer,” says Horowitz. Why? According to a 2017 review of studies published in the Lancet, researchers found that circumcised men were less likely to contract HPV (human papillomavirus), which causes most cases of cervical cancer.

The Rx: HPV is so common that most adults contract it by their early 20s. But some forms can cause cancer, so it’s important to talk with your doctor about your risk factors and regular testing.

29

The Epstein-Barr Virus

Blood sample positive with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)

“One really lesser-known thing that can contribute specifically to Hodgkin’s Disease is the Epstein-Barr (or mono) virus,” says Kylene Terhune, FDNP, CPT, a nutritionist and certified personal trainer who herself had Hodgkin’s. “This is a virus that in most people lays dormant and inactive after experiencing an acute bout of mono, but in some it can become reactivated under stress, such as food sensitivities or emotional or physical stress.”

The Rx: If you’ve had mono or EBV, talk with your doctor about how to stay healthy. “Someone with chronic EBV should become aware of how to manage it and support their body, since it’s been associated with up to 40% of Hodgkin’s cases,” says Terhune.

RELATED: The #1 Cause of Heart Attack, According to Science

30

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone Replacement Therapy

For decades it was prescribed regularly to older women to ease symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and decreased sexual desire. Today, experts say hormone replacement therapy is associated with a higher risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer.

The Rx: “Well-conducted studies have led many doctors to conclude that the risks of MHT often outweigh the benefits,” says the American Cancer Society. But it has issued no guidelines about menopausal hormone therapy, stating that the decision should be up to a woman and her doctor after discussing the risks and benefits. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.

Source link

[a-wayofthinking]

Assalamu alaikum, how do we take care of our friendship? (Sisters in islam), like how often should we meet, what to do together from an islamic perspective?

wa'alaykum salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh! may Allah bless you and increase you in beneficial knowledge, and may He reward you with goodness for everything me or someone else learns by your question ukhtii ☀️

People are known by their companions, and the ones you keep company with will more or less change you; either for better or worse. so we should first try make sure we’re friends with muslims that are truly good and righteous; ie. those who are salafi and have good manners. this is especially important in order to protect our faith and character in shaa Allah. a sister like that will not lead you to wrong paths nor will she betray you; and if you do something that is harmful, she will correct you for Allah’s sake and vice versa. so we dont immediately cut a salafi off if he/she sins, rather we advice them and help them do right; we’re all humans and every single one of us has flaws - may Allah make us better. [link]“None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” Saheeh al-Bukhaaree [13/1] this is one of my favourite hadiths ever, and something all of us should in shaa Allah remember when we’re interacting with our brothers and sisters. below is a part of a khutbah thats also really great and not long, i’d definitely recommend listening to it if you can. From Abu ‘Abdullaah Hasan as-Sumaalee’s khutba “We are Brothers!” on the Importance of brotherhood in Islam are as follows:  1- Loving one another for the sake of Allaah   2- Gentleness, and kindness, compassion and mercy   3- Not allowing shaytan to split the ranks [avoid differing]   4- Defending the honor of a Muslim   5- Advising   6- Exchange gifts   7- Making du'aa for your brother in his absence   [link 1] [link 2]

Theres plenty of things you can do together. you can just stay  in your or your friends home for example and talk about Islam or other things in life, or you can study something together, listen to a lecture, pray and other things that are halal. for example excercising is allowed, we just need to hide our awrah (from other sisters too, a lot of women i know tend to forget this sadly), so you could work out together. me and some other muslim women for example play basketball in a secluded place indoors, which has been great. so you can have fun, just make sure youre not transgressing and harming yourselves.

as to how often we should see our friends, i dont know if theres a certain limit here Islamically. I know of some hadiths from this topic, but i dont know if theres an explanation to them so im afraid to say anything. perhaps if someone else knows about this, they’ll clarify it for the both of us in shaa Allah. I’m sorry i cant help with this part of the question.

but alhamdulillaah, speaking to one another is easy nowadays via whatsapp or facetime etc., even if its just for a few minutes. all (or most) relationships  need some level of constantness and stability, so i dont think theres any harm in talking to your sister in Islam if it isnt excessive and interferes with your other obligations (and of course so long as theres nothing sinful like sending each other music etc). But like i said earlier, i cant give you a definitive answer here as i dont know. Dont hold grudges or get angry with them, and make excuses for your brothers and sisters. nourish your relationship with another muslim by being kind and gentle with her, thinking well of her and being a loyal and trustworthy friend who wants only good for others. dont envy one another, and dont help each other in sin. It is reported that Abī Qilābah (rahimahullāh) said:“If some information reaches you about your brother which you dislike, then search for an excuse for him. And if you do not find an excuse for him, then say: “Maybe he has an excuse which I have no knowledge of.”Rawdatul Uqalā page 184 [link]Be careful of gossip and of speaking without knowledge - whether these come from you or from your companion. if someone gossips, explain to them that its haram and ask them to stop. if they persist, dont stay with them while they slander others. help each other practice Islam correctly, as this will increase the love and harmony between you in shaa Allah. may Allah grant you the best companions who will be a comfort for you, amin. theres also a really good reply of shaykh albani in this link about loving someone for the sake of Allah. By Al-‘Asr (the time). Verily! Man is in loss; Except those who believe [in Islamic Monotheism] and do righteous good deeds and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds which Allaah has ordained and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience [for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allaah’s Cause].[103:1]If anyone notices anything thats even remotely wrong, please correct me.

[timespakistan]

What is in a sculpture? | Art & Culture | thenews.com.pk Public monuments and sculptures are a tough job for artists. The recent installation of a sculpture of Allama Muhammad Iqbal at Lahore’s Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park, sparked a debate among the art fraternity and rattled many social media users. Many artists have also raised their voice against the eventual removal of the sculpture. Salima Hashmi, an art critic, art educator and artist, has called it a heinous act that left her in a shock. “The same city put Manto on trial. It is the same [kind of] people who bashed and removed the sculpture. To me, they are pseudo experts; people who like a particular kind of public art. There was an outcry in the media. Is there only one kind of portrayal? Who gets to decide what is good or bad art?” She says the sculpture was apparently made by untrained people. “They must have been told by someone to make it and they did it. It was a charming piece of work and looked folk urban. They made it from a photograph. I was quite moved. There are various philosophies in the arts but you can’t debate with these so-called experts because they have never studied it. They are self-styled experts. The whole Egyptian art is based on similar depiction. There was affection and it came out very strong.” “People who decided to remove the sculpture did not bother to consult an expert. Apologies, but there are no good public sculptures in Pakistan any way. We have not produced [great] sculptors… only people who can copy. This sculpture looked authentic and people should have appreciated it. I’m willing to stand for it and will raise my voice at an academic level. Shakir Ali would have made the same kind of sculpture I bet… They would have destroyed it anyway, [after] criticising the proportions. People raised similar objection on Shakir Ali’s art.” Amin Gulgee, the sculptor and painter, sees the matter in a different light. “How did the sculpture get there [in the park] in the first place? If it was allowed to be there, then they should not have removed it. There must be a procedure to follow before installing anything in a public park. I would like to know how this happened. We are not debating whether the piece was good or bad. The point is how did it materialise? You cannot just go and put anything in a public space. Somebody has to approve it. There is a procedure. You cannot do whatever you want.” “As a piece, it was wonderful. However, you cannot advertise anything anywhere in this way. This has to be addressed in our country which has not been happening. It takes a lot of money and effort to complete such a huge sculpture. Who told the gardeners to make this sculpture? If they were asked to make it, then it should not have been removed.” Artist Abbas Kamangar says: “The administrators should be held accountable. The resemblance is missing. That is why it became the talk of the town and a joke. There is a possibility that it was created by someone else and the gardeners were only asked to take the blame. It would have alright to place it in Karachi biennale, because it would then have been done by somebody holding a degree in fine arts. They would have been able to justify it. You can’t expect a gardener to do that. Even if it was motivated by an affection for a public hero you, you can’t just put anything anywhere. I think there is another side to the story that which we don’t know about.” Ajab Khan, who has made many portraits of Allama Iqbal, is critical of the sculpture. “I strongly condemn this mockery of Allama Iqbal. If we had no sculptors around, then it would have been another matter. However, we do have a long list of sculptors who could have done a great job. I am sure there’s been corruption… I am highly against this sculpture as it makes no sense. Some people, when they fail at something, call it modern or contemporary art. This is highly unfair to the arts.” Nilofur Farrukh, art critic, trustee and CEO of KBT, says that art presented in any form should be acceptable. “The KBT offers an opportunity to all artists… Let us broaden the art umbrella further… We might have not produced many sculptors, but we do have some who are amazingly talented and true to their work. This incident gives us an opportunity… We should start making sculptures of our national heroes that the county has never thought about. As it is, we probably know only half of the story and the truth appears to have been brushed under the carpet. As an art piece, it looks interesting… We need to know complete details… One cannot just remove anything from a public space without reaching a conclusion about what caused a frenzy.” Fawzia Naqvi, editor-in-chief of Art Now Pakistan, says: “Any art piece should be appreciated. If it was installed in the first place after receiving the permissions and meeting the regulations, then it should have stayed there. Public art makes a difference. The fact is that it has become a talking point and attention has been drawn to it. I strongly believe that the statue should have been allowed to remain there.” Qudsia Rahim, the executive director of the Lahore Biennale Foundation says: “I think this incident has raised some important questions: what is good art and according to whom? The biggest damage that I saw was censoring of innocent imagination by a mob mentality. Most of the people had not seen the artwork. As a community we should take social media justice more seriously. As for art and artists, it was a perfect example of urban folk or naïve art. Since most scholars and academics are not on social media, it took us some time to respond. The damage had already been done. This kind of art cannot be remade or re-commissioned. Bravo to the gardeners.” Nausheen Saeed, a sculptor and assistant professor at the National College of Arts, says: “Why have they removed it? I can’t understand. What was it portraying? What was the vision behind it? We blindly follow an imposed perception of beauty and proportion. I fail to understand why it is important that the hand should make a logical connection with the body in a sculpture that is just an expression. That expression is an epitome of poetry and philosophy.” Maheen Aziz is an art,   culture and entertainment journalist from Karachi, she can be reached at [email protected] https://timespakistan.com/what-is-in-a-sculpture-art-culture-thenews-com-pk/11302/

[mikecalderwood]

The SUPERPOWER Of GRATITUDE

Gratitude seems to be a platitudinal buzz word these days.  I usually see more people talking about it than actually practicing it.

There is no shortage of social media posts about gratitude and its benefits.  I wonder how many people are actually making gratitude a habit.  Something that they practice and improve every day to really master it and gain the full benefits.

I personally put a lot of my time and energy into practicing gratitude daily because of it’s numerous health, social, and spiritual benefits.

There are a plethora of studies proving that simply journal for 2 to 5 minutes a day about what you are grateful for has a drastic positive impact on your overall health and happiness.

Just 2 to 5 minutes… Imaging the benefits if someone were to make gratitude an ongoing focus and habit.

I see gratitude as a real superpower for those who want to live a better life — healthier,  happier,  anabolic relationships,  stronger emotional intelligence and a high spiritual connection.

Below I am gonna share 11 of the benefits I’ve either experienced personally or learned about through my studies — before I do,  I want to remind you that gratitude is not just for the events and things you label as “good” in your life.  Gratitude for the struggle.  Gratitude for the closed door.  Gratitude for all things whether you label them “good or bad”.

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ​~Ralph Waldo Emerson

PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS

Let’s Start With The Physical Health Benefits Of Gratitude First:

There's a lot of scientific evidence that proves gratitude has a direct and positive impact on your physical health and wellness.  (Google it)

1) Reduced Depressive Symptoms

A study on gratitude showed that participants experienced a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms for several weeks.  Also reported, those who kept the practice of gratitude journaling experienced a similar reduction in depressive symptoms for as long as the journaling continued (Seligman et al., 2005).

2) Reduced Blood Pressure

Another study showed people with hypertension who practiced gratitude at least once a week experienced a significant decrease in blood pressure, resulting in better overall health (Shipon, 1977).  Imagine the benefits of a more regular practice.  

Want a healthy heart? Gratitude is the answer!

3) Improved Sleep

A  gratitude intervention for two weeks increased the participants quality of sleep as well as reduced their blood pressure, leading to enhanced well-being (Jackowska, Brown, Ronaldson, & Steptoe, 2016). Want to rest better consider gratitude journaling just before bedtime.

4) Increased Exercise Frequency

Could being grateful actually help you get fit?  Study participants who practiced gratitude regularly for 11 weeks were more likely to exercise.  (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).

5) Improved Overall Physical Health

Evidence shows that the more grateful a person -- the more likely he or she is to experience better physical and psychological health (Hill, Allemand, & Roberts, 2013).​

In short, grateful people are generally healthier people!

EMOTIONAL HEALTH BENEFITS

Gratitude also holds several emotional benefits — Lets take a look.

Practicing an “attitude of gratitude” has been know to have a positive impact on our emotion well being.

6) Happiness

Gratitude journaling as little as five minutes a day can enhance our long term happiness by over 10% (Emmons & McCullough, 2003; Seligman, Steen, Park, & Peterson, 2005)!

Turns out giving grateful attention to what we already have in our lives helps shift our focus from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance.

7) Increased Positive Emotion

Research shows that gratitude reduces envy, facilitates positive emotions, and makes us more resilient (Amin, 2014). After all, if we are grateful for what we have, what room is there for envy.  Furthermore, everyone would benefit from strengthening their resilience.

8) Higher Levels Self-Esteem

In a  four-week gratitude contemplation program participants reported greater life satisfaction and self-esteem than control group participants (Rash, Matsuba, & Prkachin, 2011). Gratitude helps you feel better about your life’s circumstances and ultimately better  about yourself.

9) Reduced Thoughts Of Suicide

A study on the effects of gratitude coping, and suicide showed that gratitude is a protective factor when it comes to suicidal ideation in stressed and depressed individuals (Krysinska, Lester, Lyke, & Corveleyn, 2015).

OTHER BENEFITS ARE SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL

10) Improved Social Life

Turns out people like to be around happy,  healthy and grateful people.  Who knew?

Friends,  associates and romantic partners love it when you show gratitude for all they do and gratitude for the relationship in general.  This gratitude strengthens bonds,  builds trust, and has an over all positive impact on relationships.  This also leads to gaining a higher level of social support.

11) Increased Spiritualism

Gratitude makes us more open to giving to those in need.

Gratitude makes us less apt to fall into the social trap of materialism.

Gratitude raises our level of compassion and understanding for others.

And finally, gratitude helps us to keep our focus more on Source than on resources.

YOU CAN NOW SEE WHY I SAY PRACTICING AND MASTERING GRATITUDE REALLY IS A SUPERPOWER.

​My hope for you is that you’ll make gratitude a priority in your life.  If you are struggling with gratitude and need help getting started, use the link below to schedule your free coaching call immediately — its a great place to start. 

Text 832-384-5587 for your complimentary coaching session.

[kindlecomparedinfo]

Mobalytics raises $11M and adds eye tracking metrics to its automated gaming coach

Back in 2016, Mobalytics wowed the judges at Disrupt SF with its data-based coach for the exploding competitive gaming world, winning the Startup Battlefield. The company is building on the success of the past few years with a new funding round and a compelling new collaboration with Tobii that uses eye-tracking to provide powerful insights into gamers’ skills.

Mobalytics began with the idea that, by leveraging the in-game data of a competitive e-sport like League of Legends (LoL), they could provide objective feedback to players along the lines of how fast or effective they are in different situations. Quantifying things like survivability or teamplay provides an analogue to similar measures in physical sports.

“On an athlete you have all these measurements, like pulse oximeters, ECGs, the 40-yard dash,” said Amine Issa, co-founder and “Warchief of Science.” Not so much with PC games. Their challenge at that time was to take the LoL API provided by Riot and transform it into actionable feedback, which the company’s success in the years since suggests they managed to do.

But Issa had always wanted to use another, more direct and objective measurement of a gamer’s mental processes: eye tracking. And last year they began an internal project to evaluate doing just that, in partnership with eye-tracking hardware maker Tobii.

“If you know where someone is looking, it’s the closest thing to knowing what they’re thinking,” Issa said. “When you combine that with the larger picture you can put together something to help them along. So we spent six months conducting research, taking players of different levels and roles and studying their eye tracking data to find some metrics we could organize the platform around.”

Not surprisingly, there are characteristics of the highly skilled (and practiced) that set them apart, and the team was able to collect them into a set of characteristics that any player can relate to.

Well, the gif compression isn’t so hot, but you get the idea – the purple square indicates attention. Image Credits: Mobalytics

“We had to think about how to build a product that people want to use. One thing we learned after TechCrunch is that even a simple score from 0-100 doesn’t work for everyone. You need to provide the context for that. So with something like eye tracking, you’re getting 30 data points per second — how do you break that down in a way that players understand it?”

Talking to professional gamers and coaches during the study helped them form the main categories that Mobalytics now tracks with the aid of a Tobii device, like information processing, map awareness, and tunnel vision.

“It’s important to be able to tell a narrative to people. Say you get ganked a lot,” said Issa, referring to the unfortunate occurrence of being picked off by enemy players while alone. “Why are you getting ganked? If your vision score is high but map awareness is low, that’s one thing. Did you know all the information and go in arrogantly, or were you not aware? League is a very complicated game, so players want to know, in this specific fight, what did I do wrong, and what should I have done instead?”

That second question is a tougher one (though perhaps AI MOBA players may have something to say about it), but the metrics are powerful in and of themselves. “Pros are fascinated by this technology,” Issa said. “There’s a lot of ‘I had no idea’ moments. Coaches have said, these are my fastest players but it’s cool to see that as a quantifiable variable.”

A post-game dashboard lets you know your strengths and weaknesses.

Tobii’s head of gaming, Martin Lindgren, echoed this feeling: “Pro teams aren’t interested in being told what to do. They want the data so they can draw their own conclusions.”

Tobii now has a gaming-focused eye-tracker and integrates with a number of AAA games, like Rise of the Tomb Raider, where it can be used in place of fiddly aiming using the analog sticks. As someone who’s bad at specifically that part of games, this is attractive to me, and Lindgren said opportunities like that are only increasing as gaming companies embrace both accessibility and try to stand out in a crowded market.

The companies have worked together to improve the eye-tracking coaching, for instance lowering the number of games a user must play before the system can accurately track their in-game actions; Lindgren said the collaboration with Mobalytics is ongoing — “definitely a long-term partnership” — in fact Tobii’s relationship with the founders predates their startup.

Image Credits: Tobii

The ultimate goal of the Mobalytics is to have a gaming assistant that adapts itself to your playing and preferences, making intelligent suggestions to improve your skills. That’s a ways off, but the company is getting the hang of it. Its first product the LoL assistant, took a year to build, Issa said. A more recent one, for Legends of Runeterra, took three months. Teamfight Tactics took three weeks.

Admittedly it was more difficult to design one for Valorant, which being a first-person shooter is wildly different from the other games — but now that it’s done, a lot of that work could be applied to an assistant for Counter-Strike or Overwatch.

Expansion to other games and genres is the reason for raising an $11M series A, led by Almaz Capital and Cabra VC, with HP Tech Ventures, General Catalyst, GGV Capital, RRE Ventures, Axiomatic and T1 Esports participating.

“It was a very different experience from the post-TechCrunch one, where you’re in the spotlight and everyone’s throwing money your way,” said Issa. “But we’ve built a successful product on LoL, expanded to four games, today we have more than seven million monthly active users… Our plan is to double down on what’s worked for us and create the ultimate gaming companion.”

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8176395 https://techcrunch.com/2020/07/22/mobalytics-raises-11m-and-adds-eye-tracking-metrics-to-its-automated-gaming-coach/ via http://www.kindlecompared.com/kindle-comparison/

[un-enfant-immature]

Mobalytics raises $11M and adds eye tracking metrics to its automated gaming coach

Back in 2016, Mobalytics wowed the judges at Disrupt SF with its data-based coach for the exploding competitive gaming world, winning the Startup Battlefield. The company is building on the success of the past few years with a new funding round and a compelling new collaboration with Tobii that uses eye-tracking to provide powerful insights into gamers’ skills.

Mobalytics began with the idea that, by leveraging the in-game data of a competitive e-sport like League of Legends (LoL), they could provide objective feedback to players along the lines of how fast or effective they are in different situations. Quantifying things like survivability or teamplay provides an analogue to similar measures in physical sports.

“On an athlete you have all these measurements, like pulse oximeters, ECGs, the 40-yard dash,” said Amine Issa, co-founder and “Warchief of Science.” Not so much with PC games. Their challenge at that time was to take the LoL API provided by Riot and transform it into actionable feedback, which the company’s success in the years since suggests they managed to do.

But Issa had always wanted to use another, more direct and objective measurement of a gamer’s mental processes: eye tracking. And last year they began an internal project to evaluate doing just that, in partnership with eye-tracking hardware maker Tobii.

“If you know where someone is looking, it’s the closest thing to knowing what they’re thinking,” Issa said. “When you combine that with the larger picture you can put together something to help them along. So we spent six months conducting research, taking players of different levels and roles and studying their eye tracking data to find some metrics we could organize the platform around.”

Not surprisingly, there are characteristics of the highly skilled (and practiced) that set them apart, and the team was able to collect them into a set of characteristics that any player can relate to.

Well, the gif compression isn’t so hot, but you get the idea – the purple square indicates attention. Image Credits: Mobalytics

“We had to think about how to build a product that people want to use. One thing we learned after TechCrunch is that even a simple score from 0-100 doesn’t work for everyone. You need to provide the context for that. So with something like eye tracking, you’re getting 30 data points per second — how do you break that down in a way that players understand it?”

Talking to professional gamers and coaches during the study helped them form the main categories that Mobalytics now tracks with the aid of a Tobii device, like information processing, map awareness, and tunnel vision.

“It’s important to be able to tell a narrative to people. Say you get ganked a lot,” said Issa, referring to the unfortunate occurrence of being picked off by enemy players while alone. “Why are you getting ganked? If your vision score is high but map awareness is low, that’s one thing. Did you know all the information and go in arrogantly, or were you not aware? League is a very complicated game, so players want to know, in this specific fight, what did I do wrong, and what should I have done instead?”

That second question is a tougher one (though perhaps AI MOBA players may have something to say about it), but the metrics are powerful in and of themselves. “Pros are fascinated by this technology,” Issa said. “There’s a lot of ‘I had no idea’ moments. Coaches have said, these are my fastest players but it’s cool to see that as a quantifiable variable.”

A post-game dashboard lets you know your strengths and weaknesses.

Tobii’s head of gaming, Martin Lindgren, echoed this feeling: “Pro teams aren’t interested in being told what to do. They want the data so they can draw their own conclusions.”

Tobii now has a gaming-focused eye-tracker and integrates with a number of AAA games, like Rise of the Tomb Raider, where it can be used in place of fiddly aiming using the analog sticks. As someone who’s bad at specifically that part of games, this is attractive to me, and Lindgren said opportunities like that are only increasing as gaming companies embrace both accessibility and try to stand out in a crowded market.

The companies have worked together to improve the eye-tracking coaching, for instance lowering the number of games a user must play before the system can accurately track their in-game actions; Lindgren said the collaboration with Mobalytics is ongoing — “definitely a long-term partnership” — in fact Tobii’s relationship with the founders predates their startup.

Image Credits: Tobii

The ultimate goal of the Mobalytics is to have a gaming assistant that adapts itself to your playing and preferences, making intelligent suggestions to improve your skills. That’s a ways off, but the company is getting the hang of it. Its first product the LoL assistant, took a year to build, Issa said. A more recent one, for Legends of Runeterra, took three months. Teamfight Tactics took three weeks.

Admittedly it was more difficult to design one for Valorant, which being a first-person shooter is wildly different from the other games — but now that it’s done, a lot of that work could be applied to an assistant for Counter-Strike or Overwatch.

Expansion to other games and genres is the reason for raising an $11M series A, led by Almaz Capital and Cabra VC, with HP Tech Ventures, General Catalyst, GGV Capital, RRE Ventures, Axiomatic and T1 Esports participating.

“It was a very different experience from the post-TechCrunch one, where you’re in the spotlight and everyone’s throwing money your way,” said Issa. “But we’ve built a successful product on LoL, expanded to four games, today we have more than seven million monthly active users… Our plan is to double down on what’s worked for us and create the ultimate gaming companion.”

[angeltriestoblog]

The state of the world has once again taken a turn for the worse, and like all other similar instances, I turn to the comfort of the written word. With that being said, I wanted to put it out there that I have no intention of speaking over the narratives of those who need to be heard the most during this time. (I guess it pays that I don’t really have much of an audience here.) It’s just that I’ve always said that writing helps me compartmentalize my feelings and figure out my next course of action, and I guess this time is no different. I need to get my thoughts down somewhere I can see them instead of having them flit around aimlessly in the deep recesses of my brain.

—

These past few days, I have been made more and more aware of my smallness. Following the (first degree) murder of George Floyd, I’ve had access to all the information surrounding his death: who did it, how they did it and why, the implications of the act, and the several ways black people of color and their allies are standing in solidarity to counteract this brutal display of injustice. I’ve come across several petitions that hope to hold certain individuals accountable or raise issues to the national level, funding sites that aim to provide financial assistance to those most in need, and resources with the intent to educate that demand to be circulated on a wide scale. While these have technically showed me how I’m not entirely powerless, that I do in fact have the ability to enact some sort of change, it’s still difficult to stomach that the change I am capable of making is not as substantial as I want it to be.

I understand that what I’m feeling is a hassle, at worst—nothing compared to those on the streets, to the black people of color who have to fight for rights that are supposedly inherent to all human beings, who demand justice for all those who have fallen because of police brutality only to have these cries fall on deaf ears. I do not have to face various forms of oppression and microaggressions not just when this topic is trending, but throughout the course of my entire life. I do not carry this lingering fear that every step I take outside of my front door could be my last. What happens to their community is absolutely sickening but the thing is, we haven’t even seen all of it. Keeping tabs on social media, checking up with actual victims of structural racism often deludes us into thinking we know exactly what’s going on and how hard it must be, but access to all of this information doesn’t erase the fact that I am watching everything from afar.

So instead of sulking so much that my reaction could be misconstrued as an attempt to make the conversation about me, I tried to channel all this frustration in a more productive manner. I’ve reduced my Twitter time because my timeline has magically morphed into a raging cesspool spewing hatred and anger and is thus getting in the way of my journey towards being an effective ally and concerned citizen. I’m definitely not saying this because the people I follow only ever tweet about the resurfacing of the #BlackLivesMatter movement—hopefully, at this point of the post, I’ve already made it clear that I am far from apolitical. It’s just that my following can easily be classified into two groups: those who wear their ignorance on their sleeve and actively resist any form of education, and those who are so ruthlessly divisive that they scare away anyone who wishes to be educated. The world is already unforgiving enough as it is and I refuse to take part in that kind of culture. I have been trying to ease my way back in though by looking at tweets almost exclusively in the likes of some of my most politically aware friends (hi Pat, Ryen, and Alyanna—I hope you never have to see this) and checking the trends sporadically for any live updates.

Not only have I realized just how many hours in a day going on that stupid bird app actually eats up, but I’ve also had a lot of time to educate myself and reflect on my previous actions. I figured that if I’m so upset about how my impact on a global scale is terribly lacking, I can always start on a more personal level, which is probably just as revolutionary. I’ve watched movies, gone through articles, and even started on this book called White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo, which debunks why exactly it’s so hard to talk about racism with white people. In this process, I’ve learned that everything I knew about the concept was surprisingly shallow and surface-level. Having first claimed my badge of wokeness when I was 15 (and engaged in some pretty performative activism at the time, if I do say so myself), I was shocked to find out that everything I collected from viral hot takes and recommended YouTube videos that claim to be an extensive guide to fundamental social movements possessed an unforgivable degree of inaccuracy.

For instance, all this time, I was under the impression that I could only be a racist if I called someone ugly because of their dark skin or curly hair, or said the n-word whenever I sang along to Caroline by Amine. As long as I didn’t do those things, or any other form of discrimination towards a marginalized group, I was in the clear and had nothing to worry about—I could get a star on the Good Noodle board. In reality, to quote Scott Woods, racism is “a complex system of social and political levers and pulleys set up generations ago to continue working on the behalf of whites at other people’s expense, whether whites know/like it or not”. It is not something we actively choose to participate in, but something that we are born into—literally who would have thought!

Because racism has been demonized by everyone with working mental faculties (as it should be), it’s hard to own up to the fact that at some point, we have subconsciously picked up racist behaviors or exhibited racist tendencies at some point in our lives. Every time someone tries to point out where we went wrong in the hopes of giving constructive criticism, we have our defenses up, a list of receipts of all the times we tweeted the #BLM hashtag prepared to show that we are, in fact, not the villain that we were made out to be. This is a counterproductive exercise that helps nobody. If we truly want to step up and show our support for the movement and those working to make it happen, we must first be open to the possibility that we have done wrong and we have so much more to learn.

As a kid, my beauty standards were very Eurocentric, like most Filipinos: according to a study conducted by me based on years of personal observations and experience, we are the country most obsessed with whitening soap and hair rebonding treatments. I called my friends the n-word as a term of endearment and previously used AAVE (African American Vernacular English) in my tweets to give them a little bit of personality. I chose not to watch chick flicks that revolved around interracial couples because I felt that the difference in their skin color got in the way of their chemistry. One time, when my mom and I were walking to WalMart during a vacation to the States, we came across a stocky black man and my initial reaction was to hold my purse closer to my body. I remain deeply ashamed of these beliefs I held, which were admittedly born out of ignorance, and I acknowledge my responsibility to continue to eradicate any traces of these I may still have.

I am also doing my best to extend the same compassion I have for black people of color during these trying times towards my own countrymen. We’ve struggled enough during this pandemic thanks to the sorry state of our healthcare system, and now the government seems hell-bent on speeding up the passage of the anti-terrorism bill. This threatens to impede our freedom of speech and help government officials get away with incompetence and even abuse of authority. If anyone gets a hold of this blog post and chooses to interpret this paragraph as an open threat to the President, this could be the last time you could ever hear from me, and this frightens me beyond words.

I know this isn’t a new contribution to the discussion but here are some links to helpful masterposts containing a variety of resources should you wish to donate, learn, or sign. This goes for both issues in our motherland and what is supposedly the land of the free. Let’s stay vigilant, let’s stay compassionate. Wishing you all the love and light the world still has left to offer.

[rumpikerzzzworld]

April, You Will Be Remembered

It’s the 1st of May!! I want to post about some unforgettable April 2019 moments because I want to keep the memories that someday I want to remember again. So many things happened in the month. There were some heart-breaking incidents and of course there were some enjoyable moments as well. I’m just gonna highlight the things I want to remember the most. Here they are!!

BLACK HOLE

It is announced that on 10th April 2019 a group of scientist from the international Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) releasing the image of a black hole to public. This project was began in 2006. It took supercomputers, eight telescopes stationed on five continents, hundreds of researchers, and vast amounts of data to accomplish (source: the verge).  

(cr: Event Horizon Telescope)

I was not someone who understands much about space life, even though I studied the basic knowledge when I was in secondary and high school. However, I appreciated a lot this not easy job. I used to have a dream to be an astronomer when I was a kid, but i have to come to realization that I’m not smart enough to pursue the dream, lol. I’m currently into astronauts’ life though. I watch documentaries, read articles and other sources about astronaut’s and space’s life. So that, it made me happy to read this news. Moreover, one of the computer scientists in the team who led the development program to get the first-image of black hole is a woman named Katie Bouman. She is just 29-year-old when she did that. She is amazing!! I always wonder what kind of method those people use when they are studying. I mean, how could they be so smart? I feel like I’m such a useless and stupid human being. I’m nothing huhu. Anyway, I’m happy to witness the history of the first image of black hole.

GAME OF THRONES

FINALLY, WINTER IS COMING. I might not be the fan of the show since day 1. I just started watching game of thrones in 2017. Ever since I watched the first season, I started becoming a fan and addicted to the show then finished all of the 7 seasons in a few weeks. The show is that addictive, it made me threw any dramas/movies for about 6 months because I felt that the show was too well executed and any other movies/dramas in that time period I was watching the show felt bland. I’m sorry, I didn’t intend to belittle other shows. It’s just the thing I felt that moment. I was so mesmerized by the storyline which literally beyond my expectation. It was so good. I know there are a lot of people who don’t like the show, and it’s okay as everyone has their own preference. But to me, this show is so far my very favourite one.

It took me 2 years to wait for the last season which is season 8 to be aired. I cant contain my feelings as I was so excited about this. AAAANNDDDDD IT’S FINALLY HERE. GAME OF THRONES SEASON 8 IS HAPPENING. 14th April 2019 should be put as a history date as the show was aired on that day. Actually, I’m pretty sad that there will be just 6 episodes. I wish they make it to 10, but who am I to complain?

Okay, back to the show. The most talked episode is episode 3, the Battle of Winterfell, which was shown in that very episode. The episode lasts for about 80 minutes long. The thing that has been waited since season 1 was the war between the alive and the dead. There are so much reactions and opinions regarding the episode, fans are splitted into two groups, the one who enjoyed the episode and the one who disliked the episode as it didn’t reach their expectation. I’m the one who included to the first one, I pretty enjoyed the show although I think it wasn’t the greatest battle in Game of Thrones. My favourite battle was Battle of Bastards as it was really tensed. But, I still like the Battle of Winterfell though. As of now, I want to put aside the negativity and just enjoy the rest of episodes. I’m planning on reading the books after the show is over.

One thing that I really like about episode 3 is the hyped from the people who watched together in cafes, restaurants, and other place. Their reactions were priceless. See these videos that went viral on twitter!!

1    2

ELECTION

One of the most tiring to bear ever since social media era existed is election. The countries that pursue democracy usually conduct election to choose their own leader, including my country. In the past, there weren’t much sources to search about election information other than from tv and newspaper, so that the backlash could be reduced. But it’s different now. In this digital age, people can share everything including the positive and negative contents. Social media as one of the tools for people to do campaign and spread either good thing or black-campaign for the election candidates. ISTG, this is so tiring to witness people bashing each other and most of them have crossed the line. I’m so done!

In Indonesia, for 2019’s election, there were some changes compare to the previous election. They were included the period of time of campaign which was so long (about 7 months) and also adding the other 3 elections of legislative to be held in the same very day. It used to be held in different months, but due to the lack of participation in legislative election so that they were all conducted together.

Indonesian Presidential Election Candidates (Left: Jokowi-Amin, Right: Prabowo-Sandi) 

(cr: Media Indonesia)

I was eager for this to end soon. It finally happened on 17th April 2019. But, something bad happened again. The incident which happened in 2014 was re-enacted as both candidates claimed they win. Even though the quick count results from about 12 institutions showed that Jokowi-Amin led the vote by gaining about 54% votes while Prabowo-Sandi gained around 44% votes. I’m so done with this. I will just wait for the official results to be announced and I wish on that day there will be no chaos happen.

Aside of that, something that breaks my heart is there were a lot of election officers died and fell sick due to exhaustion from working way too hard as most of them working until very late night and some even worked until the next morning because there were so many jobs to do, including counting the vote for legislative elections (DPR, DPRD, DPD). Although there were no major incident happened during the election process itself, but still this thing supposed to not happen. There is definitely something wrong with the system and it should be fixed so that there will be no victims anymore.

MOURNING IN SRI LANKA

21st April 2019 is Easter Day. Things supposed to be calm and sacred on that day. But disgusting act ruined it all. Multiple bombing attacks happened in several places in Sri Lanka, including at churches and hotels. Hundred of people died and many people got injured. Some extremists claimed they are responsible for the attacks, SMH. I wish the ones who dead are resting in peace, while the ones who got injured will get well soon and receive some strength to continue life. and for the terrorists, I wish you die in suffer and go to hell!!

I don’t get why in 2019, hatred ideology is still growing fast in this world. Sadly, in some developed-countries which the citizen are more educated, this ideology also exist. People should learn that the differences that make this world beautiful. Why some people feel like they want to hurt each other just because they have differences in term of race, skin colour, religion, countries, ideology, etc. We need to respect each other differences as long as it doesn’t violate the rule of law.

I think there should be a formal lesson in school to teach students to respect the differences. Parents should teach their children right too. Sadly, I found a lot of parents who taught their children to hate people who are different from them. This needs to be stopped. Everyone deserves to get equal treatment. We all want a better future. We cant reach this as long as we still fight each other because of the differences. Just put aside it and look the bigger picture, the same goal we want to pursue. As of now, i’m kinda sceptical if we can reach peace in the near future. However, someday in the future, I wish the world will be a better place to live in. Amen

(cr: wisdom quotes)

AVENGERS ENDGAME

Marvel fans have anticipated the final movie from Avengers United. They are excited as well as sad as the avengers series come to end. Avengers Endgame was screened since 26th April 2019 in my country. There were so much fans who purchased pre-order ticket in a few days prior to the movie screening. It’s kinda cray because the cinemas are full packed with the audiences. Most cinemas even dedicated all of their studios for this movie as the demands are very high then putting aside the other movies. I feel bad for the other movies as they didn’t get time slot for their movies in cinema because of Avengers movie. I wish this wont last long as other movies deserve to get screened as well.

Okay, back to Avengers Endgame movie. Just in March 2019, I watched Captain Marvel movie and in April, I got to watch the last movie of Avengers. I’m actually not a big fan of Superheroes movies, I’m just a casual viewer who enjoyed the movies and i enjoyed watching this one as well. Avengers Endgame runs for 181 minutes, it’s pretty long. I came to bathroom in the middle of movie though, lol.

Overall, I like this movie as I think everything was executed very well. The cinematography, the sound, the edit, the effect are totally top-class work as well as the casts and their act. It really gives everyone goosebumps during the war between Avengers United and Thanos and his soldiers. I couldn’t blink my eye any second because I didn’t want to miss anything. Even though, I felt like I wanted to go to number 1 again in the middle of war scene, but I held it until the movie was over, lol. The movie is worth the hyped though. It’s indeed a masterpiece. I think I’m gonna rewatch it later. But, first I need to watch several marvel movies that I haven’t watched yet so everything will connect and make sense as I still didn’t understand some part. Anyway, thanks marvel for presenting a very well done job!! Goodbye or See you (?) Avengers!!

(cr: marvel)

Bye April 2019. Welcome my month, May!!

xoxo

mels

[jeramymobley]

11 Tips for Creating Your Brand vs. Observing Competitors

What’s your best advice for deciding how much time to spend on creating your own brand vs. monitoring the competition?

Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) is an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most successful young entrepreneurs. YEC members represent nearly every industry, generate billions of dollars in revenue each year and have created tens of thousands of jobs. Learn more at yec.co.

1. Focus on What’s Best for Your Brand

The most important thing about building a personal brand is to build the right one for you and your business. I wouldn’t worry about competitors or even other entrepreneurs as every person and company is different. If you see someone do something really smart or see them continually collecting speaking engagements, etc., perhaps then look at mirroring success, but overall, focus on you. – Carlo Cisco, SELECT

2. Lead — Don’t Follow

If you spend too much time investigating what others are doing, you’ll end up following their lead. People with great personal brands didn’t build them by spending all day watching other people’s social media. They observed the world, thought and then created content from an authentic position. Spend your time creating worthwhile content that justifies its own existence. – Justin Blanchard, ServerMania Inc.

3. Create a Comparison List

Create a comparison list with your top few competitors so you know your strengths and weaknesses. Be thorough and include every feature, big and small. Once you have your list, there’s no need to spend more time comparing, because you can now focus on your strengths to continue widening the gap and fill in any holes you’ve found. – Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

4. Make a List of Questions

Monitoring your competition will eat up less of your time if you can streamline exactly what information is pertinent to you and what you’re seeking to gain from said information. Making a list of questions to ask yourself as a standardized guideline should provide you with a model that allows you to predict and plan how much time you need and want to dedicate to your competitive research.  – Matthew Podolsky, Florida Law Advisers, P.A.

5. Focus on What Motivates You

Does monitoring your competition inspire you and give you great ideas? Great! Do it more often. Does it make you feel discouraged? Limit it, and focus on your own brand instead. It’s really that simple for me. Your motivation, passion and drive are the most important elements of your success, so focus on activities that feed them, and limit activities that drain them. – Amine Rahal, Little Dragon Media

6. Create an 80/20 Rule

It can be tough to balance the time you spend working on your own projects and studying the competition since both are extremely important. My rule is simple: spend 80% of my time actually working and making progress and spend 20% of my time researching competitors. This way, I’m not out of the loop, but I’m also not lagging behind. – Bryce Welker, CPA Exam Guy

7. Learn From Others

Evaluate your personal brand based on a cursory look at the competition. If you think yours is up to snuff, then monitoring the competition shouldn’t take up that much of your time. If you feel that a lot of work is in order, pay more attention, and see what you can learn from those around you. – Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers Personal Finance

8. Use Analysis Tools, and Check Them Monthly

I usually check my competition on a monthly basis to see what new campaigns they’ve launched, what market shifts may have occurred or how they’re complying with certain regulations. Checking on your competition on a daily basis is usually counterproductive because you want to be creating your own unique business. – Shu Saito, Godai Soaps

9. Create Google Alerts

Creating Google Alerts for your competition is a good way to monitor their activity without spending too much time searching the web and browsing profiles. You’ll get a Google Alert anytime they post something or are mentioned on the web, and you can quickly check it out instead of taking up too much time doing the digging yourself. – John Turner, SeedProd LLC

10. Pick a Top Five

To avoid spending too much time monitoring the competition, pick a top five. Choose only five of your biggest competitors or your biggest inspirations, and just check in on what they’re doing. This way, you’ll only be watching five relevant personal brands instead of surfing the web and checking out everybody. – Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights

11. Don’t Bother Monitoring Your Competition

When it comes to personal branding, the vast majority of people who spend time on it are doing it wrong, so why would you waste time monitoring them? Ask yourself: Is the competition experiencing significant growth/success as a direct result of their branding? Usually, the answer is no. Assuming it’s no, budget your time exclusively on creating content and finding distribution for it. – Brandon Harris, NuMedia

The post 11 Tips for Creating Your Brand vs. Observing Competitors appeared first on Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career.

[euphylliagarden]

Wolf!Tsuzuku

▪ Botany student ▪ Pretty distant ▪ Not many friends ▪ Generally known as two things ▪ Freak ▪ Nerd ▪ There is no in between ▪ Everyone only ever sees one side ▪ He doesn’t mind ▪ Well, that’s what he says out loud ▪ Constantly questions himself ▪ Often wonders if he’s done something wrong ▪ Hurt easier than people think ▪ Just doesn’t let it show until he’s alone ▪ Likes to read ▪ Generally in the bathtub when he does ▪ Literally has no idea what he’s doing sometimes ▪ ‘You’re the Alpha- you lead, we follow. So lead!’ - MiA ▪ Internal panic ▪ Doesn’t last too long ▪ When he’s in the right mind, he’s a good leader ▪ A bit aggressive in wolf form ▪ His animalistic side comes out a bit more than in should

▪ He doesn’t eat much in his human form ▪ Doesn’t stop eating in his wolf form ▪ Likes when his ears are touched ▪ Not to much his tail ▪ His paws are the way to go ▪ Somewhat sensitive to touch ▪ Likes to run ▪ Be free, in short ▪ The largest of the pack ▪ Likes to groom the others ▪ Despite him not being the ‘mother’ of them ▪ Has a strong sense of protecting people ▪ When it comes to patrol, he’s harsh, and strict ▪ When it comes to simply lounging around ▪ He’s more of a lap dog than a big bad wolf

▪ He met you in the library ▪ You were another student dedicating your time to the study of plants, and flowers ▪ ‘Did you know that oregano can can reduce the formation of heterocyclic amines?’ - you, beaming at him ▪ Until you realized he wasn’t the friend previously by your side ▪ ‘Shit, I am so sorry- I thought you were my fr--’ ▪ ‘It’s fine.. You can continue if you want, always happy to learn about plants, and all.’ - him, smiling faintly ▪ ‘Oregano isn’t considered just a ‘plant’, mainly because a lot of people separate flowers, plants, and herbs- I’m not sure why, really. All of it either comes from a bush, tree, or in general out of the ground..which means it’s all the same..’ you, as you continued to ramble on ▪ He simply watches you with eyes filled with admiration ▪ It was safe to say he’d basically fallen for you the second he saw you ▪ It wasn’t hard for him to make you his ▪ A lot of flowers ▪ Food ▪ He’s a hopeless romantic ▪ You literally are his world ▪ You come before absolutely anything ▪ Very protective ▪ Possessive ▪ Actually very insecure about losing you ▪ Despite the fact you’re literally his soulmate ▪ Likes to bite on you ▪ Marks are something he adores ▪ Giving, and receiving ▪ Kisses ▪ All day ▪ Everyday ▪ Matching tattoos

▪ In general, Tsu is a pretty soft person with his own insecurities, and troubles. He needs a lot of care, attention, and affection- he needs someone with an open mind, that can manage to only look at him. He’ll treat his lover like royalty- whether he’s in human form, or wolf form, you’ll still be the first priority.