#i was blessed with two liberal parents

[totopopopo]

so i’m getting top surgery some time between the months of february and august of this year (would rather february obv but seems like summer might make more sense logistically). the thing is my extended family does not necessarily know that i have any kind of gender thing going on, not because they don’t have access to this information, but simply bc they don’t care enough about me to think about any aspect of my identity (because the world revolves around my cousin and i have always been peripheral). which means there is a very real possible future this year when i roll up to a week long extended family beach vacation like….. sans tits and with two new massive scars……… i don’t plan on explaining anything in advance bc i’m sure my cousin will be emailing everyone her own personal accommodations beforehand and i wouldn’t want to get in the way, but like…. surely at least one of them will notice? even if i don’t go shirtless and i wear a bikini despite not needing one, they will notice, surely? and from there, what happens? it’s a mystery, but also has the potential to be very fucking funny in my opinion

[matan4il]

Daily update post:

Rockets continued to be fired into Israel from both the south (Hamas) and the north (Hezbollah). As of yesterday, 7,114 rockets have been fired into Israel, and the number of civilians being evacuated keeps increasing. Whole cities are being evacuated (for example, Sderot in the south and Kiryat Shmona in the north).

The British Prime Minister is currently in Israel, just a day after the American president had come and gone. Rishi Sunak has been asked to act on the BBC's refusal to refer to Hamas' massacre as terrorism.

I wrote about why for me (as for a lot of other Jews), the massacre is reminiscent of the cruel antisemitic violence of the Holocaust. Here's a reminder that there were Jews who survived the Nazis, but who didn't survive Hamas:

Ruth Peretz, a 16 years old Cerebral Palsy patient and paraplegic, and her father Arik who took her to a music festival, because of her love for music, were considered missing. Yesterday, family and friends' hopes were extinguished. Today would have been Arik's bday.

Someone please explain to me how murdering Ruth would liberate any Palestinian. Or how anyone can think about abled men killing a paralyzed teenage girl, and call them "militant" rather than "terrorist."

This is Aline. Her parents and brother were murdered. Yesterday, she was pronounced dead, too. Another entire family, completely gone.

In kibbutz Be'eri, they managed to clear enough rubble to recover another two bodies. I won't share the picture of the one foot sticking out from the ruins, I'll just tell you that this was the body of a young woman, she was found without any clothes on and with a metal wire wrapped around her ankle. Most likely she was restrained, beaten and raped, before she died. This is another part of why the number of dead keeps rising, they keep finding more bodies. Yet another is that some of the mortally injured succumb to their wounds.

On a personal note, the massacre has been sipping into my dreams (more like nightmares), and 12 days later, it's actually getting worse.

May their memories be a blessing.

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

[thaliajoy-blog]

Excited to see how the "is there anything as undoing as a daughter" thing from season 1 is going to carry on with Jinx/Sevika and (god bless 🙌) Caitlyn/Ambessa. Last season this "undoing" led to the death (yes I still think Mel is dead unfortunately) of either child & parent. Are these relationships going to be strangely healthier than the precedent ? To a degree at least ? Jinx/Sevika seems like the best place to start since despite their previous antagonism they're rather alike, both troubled daughters with difficult relationships with their dads. And Sevika has played a bit of a "mom" role alongside Silco, advising him on how to act with Jinx. Now that they're going to be united for a common cause, who knows ?

Caitlyn/Ambessa is a different beast, while Jinx & Sevika will be united for the purpose of liberation & positive change, Caitlyn & Ambessa will unite for vengeance, so inherently a destructive purpose. Not a very healthy basis, but it's possible that Ambessa will learn one of two things about what she did wrong with Mel & how she can change through her new bond with Caitlyn, who is naturally kind & merciful like Mel (on the other hand thought Ambessa will most likely not be a positive influence on Cait, and will push her towards some nasty extremes, although this will be a change for Cait from her late mother's very protective attitude, which hindered her).

So, will the daughters also "undo" their mothers this time around ?

[lorspolairepeluche]

The Murder of Rooks

The six of them got their collective nickname all at the same time: as Varric was exiting a tavern into a rainy street, he saw his group of seconds-in-command tucked together, all with their dark cloaks pulled close and hoods up to protect from the weather. He laughed and said, "You all look like a group of disgruntled black birds."

(am no artist and don't got screenshots, so picrews and info beneath the cut!)

Sario "Rio" Laidir (they/them): Spellblade Lord of Fortune.

Rio was born to a human woman and a Dalish man in a pirate town on the coast of Rivain. The clan their father belongs to is one of the few mostly-stationary ones -- they protect an archive of knowledge in an ancient glassy tower in the town. Some of them still itch to move, however -- and those are the ones that become the town's pirates -- and defenders. Rio's mother was part of the crew the hahren captained, and they spent half their childhood on the sea. Captain ("Admiral") Isabela stopped at the port on her way north around 9:42 Dragon, and (with their parents' knowledge and reluctant but fond blessing) Sario hopped aboard her ship, joining her as one of the Lords of Fortune. The rest is infamy.

(Likes shiny things. Really likes shiny things. And despite everything, Rio thinks Lucanis shines like a sun.)

Candiano "Candy" de Riva (she/her): Duelist Antivan Crow.

Candy was the rare -- and extremely illegitimate -- result of a union between an elf and a dwarf. The Crows, as Crows do, bought her took her in when she was young, and she was trained raised from that young age to be a deadly operative. There's not much love lost between her and her former "family." When the Antaam invaded Treviso, Candy's partner (take whichever meaning you will; most of them apply) Allegria was killed. It made Candy more reckless, and it may have had a hand in her decision to liberate Antaam hostages at the expense of a larger Crow operation. She wasn't sad to leave.

(Still. She and Davrin learn together from Assan that in a world of darkness, one must look for the light. One must be the light and find the light in others.)

Korvinian "Korbl" Ingellvar (he/him); Slayer Mourn Watcher

An infant dwarf was decidedly low on whatever list of expectations Mourn Watcher Konstanze Ingellvar had when she went out to perform her routine rituals in the Necropolis, but there it was. She took the child in, taught the ways of the Watchers as she parented, and her adoptee grew up among graves, bones, and spirits. Stanze knew from almost the start that her child would grow up to be a patient, thoughtful, respectful, and strong man -- despite the fact that the shortsighted would perceive him as a woman, and despite his youthful dreams of becoming one of the famed Nevarran dragonslayers. Luckily for him, his adoptive mother can be aptly described as "juuust this side of mad scientist," so she was happy to help him present how he wished to.

(Patient and thoughtful were qualities mirrored in Neve Gallus, and before long, the two of them were gravitating toward each other for more than just that.)

Irhim "Irri" Aldwir (he/him), Veil Ranger

The Veil Jumpers found the new Tal-Vashoth after he escaped from his platoon just outside Arlathan Forest. Once he'd convinced them he was no threat -- and once he'd been given some water -- he explained himself. He was an Ashaad of the garrison of Antaam that were held in reserve to march on Tevinter cities, but the forest just to their east reawakened something in him -- a curiosity and fascination with magic that he'd had to tamp down even before he was assigned to the Antaam. The pull of it became irresistible, and he ran. The Veil Jumpers, always in need of skilled scouts and fighters, eventually accepted him into their cohort, and he adopted the name Irhim -- loosely translated as "I am become" -- for the new self he found among the trees and ancient magic.

(The fascination extends to most kinds of magic -- especially Emmrich's gentle form of necromancy. It helps that Irri finds himself charmed by the mage himself too.)

Whitaker “Whit” Thorne (they/them), Grey Warden Champion

A Free Marcher by birth, Whit remembers well the day their little sister’s magic manifested — too soon after the fall of the Kirkwall Circle, and too close to the city itself, for the people in their village to react with anything but fear. They wanted no mages there, and they wanted no templars coming to collect mages, either. The Thornes were run out of town, at the cost of Whit’s father’s life. Their mother died of illness as a refugee on Tevinter’s borders, and at all of seventeen years old, Whit was not strong enough to protect their sister from the squad of Templars who found them not long after. It was sheer luck — and a suspicion of templars — that meant a Grey Warden found them in time to call the right of conscription to save Whit’s life. He managed to make the templars back off, and he did his best to comfort Whit and help them bury their sister. Whit did end up going with him and undergoing the Joining, and life as a Warden was kinder to them, somehow. But they weren’t about to let anyone else die if they could help it.

(And maybe being semi-exiled turned out okay, since it led them to meet a certain Lord of Fortune whose fire breath had Whit sweating for more than one reason.)

Kyrie “Kyr” Mercar (she/her), Shadow Dragon Evoker

Kyr has no memory of parents beyond a vague, early notion. She remembers only running with her fellow orphans and urchins, including her older sister, through Minrathous streets. Her magic was used to create distractions, get away from angry shop owners from whom their cabal stole, and ward off civilians who got pissed at a group of dirty kids for daring to exist in public. It’s difficult to say whether Kyr found the Shadow Dragons or vice versa — but what’s certain is that they nurtured the righteous anger in her and shaped her into something more directed and powerful than a kid who spat sparks. (Kinda bit them in the ass when she fucked up an entire slaver ring on her own, but she was starting to get restless in the small-time stuff anyway.)

(Then it’s suddenly very extremely big-time stuff, and the cynicism Kyr developed on the streets is challenged and softened by a bright-eyed and brilliant Veil Jumper.)

(bonus fact: the tinted glasses are because i unfortunately gave her the Migraine Haver trait)

[bills-bible-basics]

Gay and Lesbian Agenda Graphic 54 #LGBTQ #GayRights #Transgender Last Updated: Sept. 14, 2024 Whether some of you realize it or not, our nation has been slip sliding away for literally decades. However, the slide has been so slow, so gradual, and so subtle, that it wasn't until about halfway through the decade of the 2010s that a lot of people really began to wake up to what has been going on. However, sadly, by that time, it was already too late. Serious damage had already been done, and the victory had already been won. What has been going on since then basically amounts to mopping up exercises and tying up the loose ends. And boy are they doing a good job of it! So exactly what am I talking about? Well, do you remember a few decades ago -- back in the 1970s, actually -- when the LGBTQ+ crowd began claiming that they just wanted to be left alone to live their lives as they please without harassment or discrimination? Fast-forward fifty years, and you will see one long history of continuous lies, as they aggressively advanced their radical, extreme agenda. Then came gender reassignment surgery. Then came renegade, liberal circuit court judges who repeatedly overturned the will of the people. Then came renegade, liberal state legislatures who likewise overturned the will of the people. Then came civil unions. Then on June 26, 2015 came nationwide legalization of same-sex "marriage" by mandate of the Supreme Court of the United States, despite the majority of the American people being opposed to it. Then came openly gay or lesbian bishops, pastors, priests, politicians, actors, sports figures, and everyone in between. Then came same-sex union blessings in some of the churches. Then came adoption of normal, healthy children by same-sex couples. Then came law suits against Christians and Conservatives who follow their hearts and their faith, and who oppose the LGBT lifestyle. Then came library books which openly promote the LGBT lifestyle. Then came gender-neutral bathrooms. Then came drag queens in our public schools during children's story hour. Then came teaching LGBT history in the classroom. Then came liberal parents who encourage their children to act and dress like the opposite sex. Then came hormone injections, puberty-blocking drugs in young children and double mastectomies on adolescent girls in order to alter their natural-born physiology so that they could appear outwardly the way that they were being made to feel inwardly by misguided adults and parents. Then came a gender-neutral option on birth certificates. Now they promote their ungodly lifestyle in every area of the entertainment and mass media industries where they possibly can, and constantly shove it in our faces. It is inescapable; unless one goes and lives in a cave. Now, in the latest news, according to an article in The Washington Times, some liberal-minded schools aren’t happy with just offering LGBTQ+ books in their school libraries. Now they want to FORCE young children with impressionable minds to read them, whether they like it or not. Yes, but of course, as they said, they just wanted to be left alone. Right? If you believe that nonsense, then you are seriously deceived! Thankfully, some parents are fighting back and taking it to the US Supreme Court. If the justices accept the case, let’s hope that the God-fearing justices on the bench will do what is right in the sight of God by giving these brave parents a victory. But concerning the LGBTQ+ agenda, well I say this: What about us? What about our right to live in a Bible-based, God-fearing society which honors and obeys God's natural order of things? How much longer will God endure this madness and rebellion against His holy Laws? When will His patience finally run out? When will His judgments begin to fall on the wicked who mock Him everyday, and who cast His Word to the ground? As the Apostle John wrote some two thousand years ago: "And‭ we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness." 1 John 5:19, KJV If John were alive today, oh how he would shudder! Article: "Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: A Warning to Modern Society": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/destruction-sodom-gomorrah-1.html Article: "Future of Same-Sex Marriage": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/future-of-same-sex-marriage-01.html Article: "The Gay and Lesbian Agenda: To the Point!": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/homosex1.html Article: "When Sin is No Longer a Sin": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/whensin1.html Article: "Queen James Bible: Blasphemous Abomination Exposed!": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/queen-james-bible-1.html "Homosexuality,Lesbianism, Bestiality, Transvestitism" KJV Bible Verse List: "https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse138.html Poetry regarding LGBTQ+ agenda: https://www.billkochman.com/Poetry/index.html#Gay-and-Lesbian-Agenda Graphics regarding LGBTQ+ agenda: https://www.billkochman.com/Graphics-Library/Gay-and-Lesbian-Agenda.html Non-BBB Article: The Gay Gene?": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles-Non-BBB/gaygene1.html Non-BBB Article: The Overhauling of Straight America": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles-Non-BBB/overhaul.html By the way, when we come to Jesus Christ and are reborn in the Spirit, the Scriptures make it very clear that we should undergo a spiritual and mental change in our lives, and that we should in fact become NEW CREATURES in Jesus Christ. We should NOT remain the same, living our same old life style, and living in our same old sins. That means that people who belong to the LGBTQ crowd should NOT continue practicing their sexual deviancy. Here is Scriptural proof: "God's Desire for Healing and Repentance" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse302.html "Old Man Versus New Man" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse165.html "Washed and Renewed Mind" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse071.html Article: "Don't Ever Underestimate Our Spiritual Enemy": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/DontUnderestimateOurEnemy1.html https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/gay-and-lesbian-agenda-graphic-54/?Gay%20and%20Lesbian%20Agenda%20Graphic%2054

[catofadifferentcolor]

Terrible Fic Ideas #36: Aegon Targaryen, but make it Reincarnation

According to the ASOIAF wiki disambiguation page, there are eleven Aegon Targaryens - thirteen if we count Jon Snow and Aegon, son of Daemon I Blackfyre. Five were kings, four died as infants, and all of them had eventful lives.

So I thought: what if every Aegon Targaryen was the same Aegon Targaryen? Or: what if, for whatever reason, each Blackfyre and Targaryen named Aegon was the same soul, reincarnated over and over again into new bodies?

Aka: The Aegon the Undying fic.

Just imagine it:

Jon Snow, the thirteenth of his name, loses the War for the Dawn. Maybe he's betrayed by one of Daenerys' advisors, who'd rather see her on the throne of whatever remains of Westeros; maybe he's betrayed by Sansa, who'd rather have an independent North under her control than a unified Seven Kingdoms under Targaryens; maybe he falls in battle as one of the last men standing.

Regardless of the details of his death, Jon is cursed - or perhaps blessed - by the fourteen gods of the Valyrian Freehold to reincarnate over and over again until he is able to stop The Long Night.

Rather than find himself reborn into his own infant body, Jon Snow finds himself in the infant body of Aegon, son of Gaemon the Glorious and Daenys the Dreamer - though find may be the wrong word. Jon's soul is reborn in the past, yes, but he doesn't recall being Jon Snow. Instead, he learns how to be a Dragonlord from parents born in the Freehold, living and dying a Lord of Dragonstone.

The next few rebirths follow the same pattern: he's reborn as Aegon I and Aegon V without remembering anything previous, then has a string of early deaths as Aegon, son of Jaehaerys I; Aegon, son of Aerys II; Aegon, son of Aenys I; and Aegon Blackfyre.

After these traumatic deaths, slivers of memories of his previous lives start making their way into his current incarnation's consciousness. He spends his time as Aegon II feeling as his entire life is a play which he doesn't understand and from which he can't escape, despite liberal self-medication with alcohol. He's tormented by memories in his short life as Aegon, son of Rhaegar. As Aegon III he's so heavily marked by both the Dance of Dragons and his foreknowledge of all the tragedies that were to come, something within him breaks.

And then he is born as Aegon, son of Baelon and Alyssa, a child fated to die before he turns a year old. Jon, now with full access to the memories of his eleven previous lives, plans to spend his entire short life planning 1) how not to be quite as unworthy as Aegon IV, the last Aegon left, and 2) how to stop the Long Night when he returns to his original life as Jon Snow after that, as the gods surely intend.

A year passes, but Aegon doesn't die.

And so Jon Snow finds himself living as Prince Aegon Targaryen, fifth of his name - a boy who never should have lived, with the memories of five lives that have already happened and five that might happen again.

It is... complicated living as the younger brother of Viserys I and the Rogue Prince when he has memories of being the son of each. He loves his brothers, but because of his memories knows their flaws better than anyone alive. Jon has been both a Green and a Black, and as a result is more than aware of the flaws on both sides. But his very existence in this time period again proves that the future can be changed.

Yet, for all it's clearly possible for things to change, not much does. The only significant historical deviation which occurs for the longest time is Jon's own marriage to the youngest sister of Benjen Stark, Lyarra, for which he's granted the title of Prince of Moat Cailin. Jon spends most of his time until Viserys' ascension rebuilding the Moat. He and his wife have an amiable enough relationship to have a son and two daughters - Daenys, Gaemon, and Alyssa - but are hardly a love match.

That, and he claims Grey Ghost at age 8.

Under Viserys I, Jon is named Master of Laws - a position which allows him to mitigate some of Otto's more self-serving activities and some of Daemon's worst impulses. But for every problem he fixes, another arrises, until it seems as if the Dance will be inevitable.

Rhaenyra's marriage to Laenor is avoided by the convenient death of Rhea Royce. Her first and only marriage is to her uncle Daemon, orchestrated largely behind the scenes by Jon, remembering how happy they had been together as Aegon III. (He'd tried to prevent Alicent's to Viserys, remembering how miserable she'd been as Aegon II, but lacked the power.)

A series of betrothals are arranged between the children of Viserys, Jon, and Daemon, which should strengthen the family - but instead make the dynamics and loyalties of the soon-to-be Blacks and Greens all the more complicated.

It all comes to a head in 129 with Viserys' death. Jon manages to have all parties in the Red Keep at the time. It very nearly turns into a bloodbath in the godswood until Jon steps forward and declares that anyone who wishes to become a Kinslayer must start with him. His ultimatum steals enough attention that Aegon II is able to escape his minders and rescind his claim to the throne in favor of his half-sister.

Things are still messy after that. Rhaenyra is crowned queen and Hightower blood will come onto the throne with Helaena's marriage to Rhaenyra's heir, but that's not enough for Otto. He tries to foment rebellion using young Daeron as a figurehead, but it works against his interests as House Targaryen unites as it rarely has against a common enemy.

Jon eventually dies - and is reborn into his original life for a brief epilogue as the son of Rhaegar (who has a much different ancestry, including all three of Baelon's sons) and his second wife, Lyanna Stark. Dragons survived the Dance and, though Westeros is not without problems, its strong enough to stand against the Long Night.

Bonuses include: 1) Jon having an impossibly good relationship with all dragons, especially the ones he rode in different lives. His dynastic name is very nearly The Dragonwhisperer; 2) The inherent difficulty of having ten different sets of memories in your head, half of whom are your current ancestors, the rest of which prophesize horrible futures; 3) The inherent difficulty of having for brothers men that were once your fathers; of being older than - and at one point considered a potential husband for - the women who were once your mothers; of looking your nephews in the eye and wondering if you are the one looking back; and 4) Jon always remembering Gaemon the Glorious as the best father he had in any of his incarnations. Alyssa Velaryon holds the position as best mother, and he holds a grudge against House Baratheon as much for her death as Ned Stark's.

And that's all I have. As always, feel free to adopt this bun, just link back if you do anything with it.

Other Jon Snow Headcanons: Aegon the Undying | Aegon the Unyielding | Aemon the Adventurous | Baelor the Brave | Lady Arryn | Lady Baratheon | Lady Lannister | Lady Stark | Prince Consort | Prince of Summerhall | Queen Mother

More Terrible Fic Ideas

[some-triangles]

It's Portland's annual new year blizzard/ice storm, which we are unprepared for every year, because this never used to happen. It barely snowed here when I was a kid! I was a kid 30 years ago, mind you, and this has been happening pretty consistently for the last 20, but institutions are slow to change. We have been spending our money on other things.

So here I am, sitting in my own living room (my own in the sense that I rent it), in my long johns and thermals and two pairs of socks, heat on, still gradually losing feeling in my toes. This seems like a good day to write the politics post.

I belong to the category of person who expresses political and moral beliefs mostly through jokes, and only then when my personal frustration has reached a point where I can no longer make myself be quiet. The jokes are there to make the pain less raw, but lately the jokes themselves are getting dark enough that it's upsetting people. So let's proceed without the jokes.

Where to begin? In the 90s, I guess. I was brought up liberal but cynical, which is already kind of a tense balance, and I was by inclination a person who wanted things to make sense and follow understandable rules. (The answer is as always neurodivergence.) I figured out that religion wasn't real by looking at a map and realizing that the world was too big for any one group of people to be right about things. Despite this, I still thought American democracy was the correct answer, the least bad option, and that the world as a whole was heading towards where I was, a kind of tolerant, reasonable middle class existence.

In my defense, this was a belief broadly shared by my parents' generation, and I hadn't been taught a lot of the stuff that argued against it. Francis Fukuyama got up in front of people and declared the world a solved problem and nobody important even laughed at him. I bought into this to the extent that I suffered from a kind of wistful sadness that all the important battles had already been fought. In short, I was a child, and not a particularly bright one, despite what people told me. I did, however, form a belief that stays with me to this day:

I AM NOT SPECIAL. I, personally, do not deserve any more or any less than any human being. And since I think I should be safe and well fed, every other human being should also be safe and well fed. The fact that I am better off than some others is an accident which should be rectified.

This came about because I was aware that a lot of the people in the world were poor and miserable and I wasn't, and I had to decide whether luck or virtue was responsible for my safety. I went with luck. I didn't realize it at the time, but this choice put me at odds with a lot of the logic underlying the society I live in - because if I'm not special, you better believe nobody else is either, and that means no elect, no chosen, none blessed by god, none elevated by blood. I was 10, I hadn't even had a chance to fuck up my life yet, and yet there were all these other 10-year-olds worse off than me. Did they deserve that? And what about those kids who had it better?

And so, decades later, we end up with the joke about how it's a good deal to trade your life away to take out a rich person. It's the same impulse, just with a lot of broken promises and bitterness stacked on top. I work full time at a job that's officially essential (no stoppage during the pandemic), strenuous, and physically dangerous - I get paid the 1993 equivalent of a little less than $30k a year - I will never be able to afford a home in the city I grew up in. This job has to be done. I am not special, I do not "deserve" a better job. I, as a working person, watch people who do jobs that do not need to be done or who don't work at all get paid more because they are members of an invisible elect. I conclude that they must believe they are worth more than me, that they are better than me, because how else could they justify their lives? And I think if I subscribed to that worldview, it would be a net win for me to blow both of us up. Thus, the joke.

I also watch the rest of the world. My belief in liberal democracy is a pretty aerated Jenga tower by this point. Learning about America's imperial history took out a bunch of pieces, but I could still believe all that was behind us. Then we went back to war, which I could initially write off as a traumatic reaction, but as years turned into decades it became obvious that peace had been the exception, and that even that peace hadn't been that peaceful, had it? At that point it was still possible to believe that at least all of our bombing and killing had been in the interest of some kind of moral good, if you really tried. I think Gaza killed the very last part of me that could believe that. There is no atrocity we will not enable to pursue our own ends. Does it matter that much what kind of system we use to choose our leaders if this is what our leaders do?

The last thing keeping my tower standing is the need to protect the outgroups I and my friends belong to, which doesn't really rise to the level of a moral imperative. It's a moment by moment strategic thing, where you support institutions if they protect you and oppose them if they attack you, like any interest group. Right now HR culture and capitalism are trending pro-trans, so we support Disney against Florida. We will do voter suppression if the alternative is Trump. It doesn't go well with rule number one up there, but neither does the fact that I care about my friends more than I care about people I don't know.

At the end of the day it's all a joke. Moral imperatives give way to political reality one hundred percent of the time. It doesn't matter what I call myself. I hate tech culture, so why not be a Luddite? I'll smash steam looms in my mind while continuing to pay for my groceries. Just let me have my jokes. Trashfuture did a great riff about Butlerian Jihad the other day where they imagined a butler named Ian Jihad. "I've oriented sir's slippers towards Mecca, sir." That's the kind of political commentary I want, and the kind I will refrain from posting here unless my toes are really, really cold.

[infogramika]

Kosuke Suzuki Interview Part 1

Attention young actor Kosuke Suzuki, the "bond" born from his first drama starring "I always admired Hibiki-kun, who is like the sun"

# Drama interview # Kosuke Suzuki INTERVIEW 2023.3.30

The BL drama "Jack Frost" depicts the heartrending "both unrequited love" of her lover, Ritsu, who lost his memory after saying goodbye, and Ikuya, who hides the fact that he was her lover and supports her. We asked Kosuke Suzuki, who played the role of Ikuya in this work, to talk about the filming episode of the drama and a private story with Kyoya Honda, who played the role of Ritsu, who became friends!

It was difficult to act out conflicting emotions alternately

――The drama “Jack Frost” in which you starred with Kyoya Honda is very popular. Are you getting that response?

Thankfully, I feel that everyone is happy. I was very surprised to receive voices not only from the fans of the "drama shower slot" where this drama is being broadcast, and from people who support me, but also from people in various countries such as South Korea and Indonesia. The number of followers on my own SNS has increased, and more than anything, I was very happy to hear comments from Koreans that "Japanese BL is evolving."

――I think Ikuya played by Mr. Suzuki was a difficult role to support Ritsu, a lover who lost his memory after saying goodbye. What was the hardest thing for him to play?

Ikuya has feelings of wanting to hide the fact that he is his lover from Ritsu, who has lost his memory, and a sense of guilt for hiding the truth. But I can't express it at the same time, so after making a face that I'm determined to hide, I have an expression that makes me feel guilty. It was difficult to act out the conflicting emotions alternately. However, I thought I shouldn't talk to Hibiki, who played the role of Ritsu, about my worries, so I consulted with the director and decided.

I've always admired Hibiki-kun, who is like the "sun"

――When I was watching the drama, I could really feel the world and warmth of the two of you.

We actually get along very well. We even stripped each other and did push-ups and had them pump up before filming (laughs). I made the work not only as an actor of the same generation, but also with the feeling that I was a friend working together, a comrade in arms.

――Did Mr. Honda and Mr. Suzuki have similar personalities?

I'm rather gloomy (laughs). But Hibiki-kun is really bright, he doesn't look shy, and he makes the scene lively. I'm the type to talk to someone in a corner, so I've always admired Hibiki-kun, who is like the sun. I thought he was really nice because the atmosphere changed suddenly just by coming to the scene.

――Do you keep in touch after shooting?

We often go out to eat together. After shooting, we became normal friends (laughs). A work is like changing classes. Even if you get along well, once you move to the next class, you don't see or contact each other much, but Hibiki-kun was different. I think it was a wonderful meeting.

Especially impressive was the shooting at Lake Yamanaka

--It's wonderful. What do you think is the appeal of the relationship between Ritsu and Ikuya?

There are moments when the two look like parent and child or brother. There's Ikuya, who likes to take care of others, and there's Ritsu, who leaves everything up to her (laughs). Ikuya explodes because of that, but the relationship is also heartwarming. I think it's because it's drawn so realistically that it became a drama that sticks with everyone.

――Are there any memorable episodes during filming?

The scene shot at Lake Yamanaka was a lot of fun. Actually, out of two days of shooting, the first day was sunny and the second day was a heavy snow. If it were the other way around, I wouldn't have been able to shoot the summer scene, so I'm really blessed. Because it was a play in a magnificent scenery, the play was also liberating, and there were many moments where you could see the real faces of the two, so I would be happy if you could pay attention to it.

――From the shocking episode 1, Ikuya and Ritsu's relationship was built up, which made me smile.

It's great, isn't it? I think Ikuya's honesty as he absorbs the opinions of his neighbor, Tomoko, and Ritsu's younger brother, Hiiragiji, is wonderful. I'm sure everyone who is watching will be able to support the figure of Ikuya and Ritsu working hard to rebuild their relationship.

――Then, please give a message to our readers.

I was a little worried that this would be my first lead role in the drama "Jack Frost." It is a wonderful work that you can enjoy. I would be happy if you could see the detailed production created by the cast and staff, so please enjoy it until the end!

Link to official interview page:

https://with.kodansha.co.jp/article/interview-kosukesuzuki

[boonesfarmsangria]

(Credits: Far Out / Kate Friend)

Orlando Weeks – ‘Loja’ album review: an artist stepping into the sunshine

THE SKINNY: For me, and likely many others my age, it’s very difficult not to see a bracket after reading Orlando Weeks‘ name that says “former Maccabees singer”. Weeks’ work with the indie darlings is impossibly connected to his life. Since then he has offered a string of superb, variated solo albums. However, with Loja, the songwriter must surely be seen most clearly in his own right.

During my teens, I had the pleasure of following The Maccabees for tens of gigs during their earliest moments. Trying to find the location of the venue that ended up looking like a disused school gym, travelling up and down motorways to see them support The Futureheads and travelling to the arse-end of middle England to scoot between their sets and that of Hot Club De Paris (ask your parents). However, even I can now happily attest that Orlando Weeks is far more than just the singer of that important band.

Loja is the sum of Weeks’ long and winding road. It captures not only the brilliance of The Gritterman, A Quickening and Hop Up, which each took massive strides forward for him as an artist, but also the journey Weeks has experienced as a man. No longer the shiny-faced young adult with a collar so tightened to the top one feared his head might pop off, Weeks is now creating records that act as maps to the landscape of his adult life.

Effortlessly blending electronic modernism with the rich organic crema that one can only find in the cafes of Lisbon, Weeks is clearly evolving beyond anything his audience may have imagined. There’s a dexterity to Loja that hasn’t been seen before, as he not only provides a sense of welcoming warmth but doesn’t ignore the chill of the shadows it can cast.

Similarly, it’s difficult not to see Loja – an ode to the new artist studio he resides in – as Week’s striding out of the shadow of his former work and enveloping himself in the blissful sunshine of a new chapter. It is a record that feels liberated enough to do what it pleases.

For fans of: The Maccabees, still, probably.

A concluding comment from my wife: “Why do you look so proud?”

Orlando Weeks – Loja track by track

‘Longing’: Opening with his enigmatic vocal is a smart way for Orlando Weeks to confirm his evolution away from “former Maccabees singer” into his own artistic presence. the fact that ‘Longing’ continues to sonically raise the listener’s spirit is a happy coincidence. [3.5/5]

‘Best Night’: There are two paths for an album to take. They can either undulate between genre and rhythm, delivering something that never stays still, or they can flow from river to sea with a simple grace. Weeks has brought out the latter, and ‘Best Night’ sees us floating down toward the ocean. [4/5]

‘Wake Up’: Weeks’ captivating lyrics and always cherishable vocals continue to provide solace in an otherwise lonesome soundscape on ‘Wake Up’. Ethereal as the morning dew dripping off a strange window before kicking into a chainsaw riff that provides a welcome dose of grit. [4/5]

‘Dig’: While the record is certainly blessed with a light touch and Weeks’ noted artistry, there is also a pulsing rhythm to the LP that many will overlook. ‘Dig’, complimented by Wet Leg’s Rhian Teasdale, is one of the album’s best visions of this, built out of the breathy tension of the two singers biting at one another. [4.5/5]

‘You & The Packhorse Blues’: It may feel easy to pick out this track as one of the lighter moments of the LP, but there’s a certain venom to the song that belies this idea. But the flow continues to take us through a new dusty landscape and towards the sea. [4/5]

‘Good To See You’: This is the first time Weeks moves away from the more organic sound that permeates the record and welcomes the electro wobble that has filtered into most of his post-Maccabees work. However, this time, it feels more easily placed than ever. A sense of warmth and welcoming overcomes the potentially cold introduction to produce smiles and swaying hips. [4.5/5]

‘My Love Is (Daylight Saving)’: Meanwhile, as electronic glitches become more prominent, balanced with a crunchy guitar, Weeks produces a slow-build beauty that has all the chops to completely captivate you. [4/5]

‘Please Hold’: As the river flows, there is always the chance of the odd rock and rapid capsizing you. ‘Please Hold’ is certainly the most heartbreaking track on the LP, as Weeks pleads to hold on: “It’s winter now, but the spring is coming,” he belts with a purpose. [4.5/5]

‘Sorry’: Weeks’ ability to blend electronic and organic sounds together has been a mainstay of his previous work, and ‘Sorry’ is so effortless it’s difficult to call the drum machine he uses anything other than an extension of his creativity. The duality allows every song to be both rich in pathos and gilded with a sense of hope. [4.5/5]

‘Tomorrow’: Almost home. The speed increases, and Weeks’ delivery takes heed, pushing the tempo and allowing the almost-choral breaks to be punctuated with a sense of purpose. It’s hard not to feel enlivened by such a moving track, add headphones to that concoction and you have something potentially life-changing. [5/5]

‘Beautiful Place’: The sweet embrace of the ocean. At the end of the 11-track journey, Weeks sees us out with something unstoppably tender and enveloping, pushing his prominent vocal to the fore and concluding a record worthy of his heavenly tone. [4/5]

[blogger360ncislarules]

It wouldn’t be Christmas at Woodstone Mansion without some spooky shenanigans courtesy of its resident ghosts.

Thursday night’s double-episode of CBS‘ Ghosts saw Sam (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) welcome Jay’s family for the holiday. It would be stressful enough under normal circumstances, since Sam is still trying to work her way into her mother-in-law’s good graces.

But, these are clearly not normal circumstances and, instead Sam and Jay also find themselves possessed by Nancy and Pete, respectively. So, instead of decorating the tree and cooking a nice meal, they have to welcome Jay’s parents while trying to expel the two ghosts, who are quite reluctant to leave now that they have some agency (and can eat guacamole!).

McIver spoke with Deadline about the double possession, learning from Betsy Sodaro to impersonate Nancy, and what’s the come for the rest of the season.

DEADLINE: How was it to do this double possession storyline with Utkarsh?

ROSE MCIVER: I mean, to be honest, it’s so liberating getting to play somebody like Nancy, who Betsy Sodaro has just done an unbelievable job in crafting over the past couple of years. She’s a total fan-favorite as a character, so it was kind of simultaneously a blessing and enormous shoes to fill. Betsy was incredibly helpful. She sent me videos in advance of her reading all her lines in the episode, and she said afterwards it was very strange. It felt like she was auditioning for herself, which makes sense. But she was great. She was so generous. Playing a character like Sam…who is incredibly mindful of others and concerned with how she comes across, there’s something so fun and freeing about just jumping into a character like Nancy, who just does not care what other people think of her,and is incredibly raw and present.

I had a great time. It was an absolute gift, and it was so fun for it to happen at the same time as Utkarsh getting to be possessed by Pete, who’s another iconic and distinct character. Then to have it all set against the backdrop of Jay’s family coming to stay, who are another host of brilliant performers.

DEADLINE: I was going to ask you about playing Nancy, and I love hearing she sent you videos of her reading the lines for you to study.

MCIVER: Betsy is not only one of the most talented, funny people I’ve ever worked with, but she’s such a generous and kind person, so although she had absolutely no obligation, she just took so much time to help me in finding some of the physicality in the voice. She’s got such an iconic voice. I found a gateway word to try to sound like her was ‘Stuart.’ The way she says ‘Stuart’ in the basement all the time. So every time I started to kind of lose a grip on my Nancy, I would come back to saying ‘Stuart’ repeatedly. I’m sure there’s gonna be pretty good blooper reel of that.

She also was on set and was calling ideas out to me occasionally, and she was incredibly collaborative in the experience. Richie Keen, our director, I can’t say enough good things about him. I mean, it was a huge technical feat this episode, between all of the VFX and the three versions of Jay. He and Utkarsh navigated that really, really well on these very busy days. We have a packed schedule, and we shoot things with and without the ghosts. So it was a well-oiled machine. We’re season four, and it was the right time for something like this to come along.

DEADLINE: I thought it was a such a creative way for Jay to see the ghosts without retconning the rules that have already been established about the universe they’re living in. How did you feel about it?

MCIVER: I think something that’s particularly exciting is it actually gives Jay an experience that Sam has never had, which is to be in physical contact with the ghosts. He’s able to hug them. He’s able to have this interaction with them that she has never had, and given that he has been on the back foot in communication for so long, I just think that’s a great gift that the writers gave Jay and Utkarsh. It just feels like a very pivotal episode in the whole series for us in that figures he has thought about for so long and conceptualized he actually has in front of him, and he has a physical reaction to them. So that was really awesome to see and fun for him to be able to actually look at direct eye lines and feel so much more integrated in the scenes. So I thought he did a great job with kind of bestowing that with the importance it deserves.

DEADLINE: That’s such a great point about Jay having physical contact with the ghosts. How will that impact everyone’s dynamic moving forward, having had this experience?

MCIVER: It’s empowering. I feel like it’s a nice balancing event for the whole show. For him to have something that she hasn’t experienced seems very important. So I think it can only lubricate his communication with the ghosts further and further and his understanding of who they are. We do see that in the episodes that follow, that I feel like there’s even more of a closeness between him and them. Although Jay was invested from day one, there’s kind of a weight to his investment now, which is really marked. It’s a big signifier in the show.

DEADLINE: What are some of the story threads you’ve really been enjoying this season outside of this episode?

MCIVER: I think the stuff that they’ve written for Sam this season has been so, so much fun. A lot of the time, he is a character who serves as a go between, between so many other characters. They’ve done a great job of servicing her, regardless, over the three years prior. But now I think we’ve stepped into a little bit more of her identity as her own person, seeing the stuff that she loves and is passionate about and watching her perform in like a local theater production. It just kind of feels like we’re fleshing out who she is and…understanding a little bit of maybe why she has such a need to belong. I’ve had a lot to sink my teeth into this year, and it’s been incredibly appreciated.

DEADLINE: You’re also directing later in the season. How has that experience been, and what made you want to get behind the camera?

MCIVER: I had the time in my life. I finished directing. I’ve turned in my director’s cut, and can’t wait for it to air. I’ve been wanting to direct for a very long time. I’ve done a couple of short films. I’ve done all sorts of workshops, and a Warner Bros. directing program, and I had intentions of directing back when I was on iZombie. So it’s been a really exciting journey to get here, and I feel like it’s come at the right time, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. I understandably felt pressure to do a good job for my colleagues, the cast and crew who I have loved and worked with now for a few years, but I also had all of their support. I can’t imagine having kicked it off with a different team. I just can’t wait to do more.

DEADLINE: What can we expect from the rest of the season?

MCIVER: Well, I think in the second half of the season, we go further into a couple of other characters back stories. It’s always some of my favorite [episodes] when we get into these incredible flashbacks, not just from a character standpoint, but production design and the costume and makeup and everybody really steps up. So we get to go on a few journeys, in terms of that, we get outside the house a little. There’s a couple of adventures that take us away from Woodstone Mansion, or that take the action away from Woodstone Mansion. We have some Pete-centric material coming up in the episode that I direct. So we get to learn a little bit about who he is and where he’s from.

DEADLINE: What can you say about finally bringing Alexander Hamilton on board?

MCIVER: It’s incredible. That episode is maybe one of the episodes I’ve been most excited for the whole show. Truly, when we read it on the page, it was so brilliant. With Brandon Scott Jones having so much of the the workload, we all know we’re in for a treat.

[nightly-sun]

Once, I was a follower of the light, if only ostensibly so. In my youth, I attended a church in my small suburban town. The congregation ranged from liberal to progressive, and many of them didn't even believe in Hell or demons. This contrasted with my own beliefs quite starkly, which, while not completely fanatical, still edged dangerously close to the realm of "fire and brimstone" Christianity. My fear of Hell was very real, and it came from a number of other sources: fictional portrayals of the infernal plane, a friend who was held closer to fundamentalist ideals than I, and a hatred for Satan, who I blamed for all the evil in the world. There were times where I would offer prayers of gratitude to God, for blessing me with people and things in my life, but now, I realize how shallow my "faith" truly was.

The fundaments of my "faith" boiled down to not much more than a fear of eternal damnation for myself, and for others. I couldn't bear to hear anyone say "god" or "Jesus Christ" as an expletive, as per the common misinterpretation of one of the ten commandments, and would often react violently, in one case, violently enough the person I hurt had to go to the hospital. Likewise, when someone I cared for would threaten to kill somebody, I would try and talk them out of it on the basis that they would go to Hell if they did.

Despite this, I enjoyed surrounding myself with things that were tenebrous in nature. Since an early age, these things have been a lifelong obsession, to the point that it scared even members of the largely open-minded community of my former church, especially as my fascination deepened. Corinthians says that one cannot have a seat at the Lord's table and at the table of demons, and I have come to realize that perhaps there is truth to this. My obsessive fear and hatred for all things demonic clashed with my inclination towards all things dark, and I remained in denial of the fact that many of these things were intertwined. And, perhaps this fear and this fascination were one and the same. My aggressive attempts to "save" other people from Hell were, perhaps, just my own inability to reconcile these two conflicting sides.

Additionally, my fear was not exclusive to Hell. Indeed, I remember finding the ideas of Heaven and of God to be terrifying in their own right. Early in my life, I had some understanding of what it was to die. I would imagine God dropping ladders of rope from the sky, one for myself, one for my brother, and one for each of my parents, if I recall correctly. The idea frightened me. Further frightening was, in that very same church, after every dinner, we would sing a hymn that was unsettling in part due to the lack of an organ to accompany it, because of the inflections used, and because of the lyrics:

Spirit of the living God

Fall afresh on me

Spirit of the living God

Meld me, mold me

Fill me, use me

Spirit of the living God

Fall afresh on me.

I couldn't quite place what was so unnerving about those lyrics as a child, but now, I can. "Meld me, mold me/Fill me, use me" has disturbing implications about the nature of free will. As much as I may like to emphasize how my ideals are different from those of many of my Satanist peers, I still hold firmly to the belief that the entity known as the god of Abraham — if he exists — is an unjust tyrant, and that his efforts to hold dominion over humankind runs contrary to the doctrine that he gave us free will.

Teenage angst eventually overtook any fear of Hell that I once had, especially once the friend I had obsessed over, who I had thanked God for granting to me, had admitted to me that she no longer believed in God. The path I would take in return ended up being just as shallow, and led to me reveling in "sin" for its own sake, telling lies because I felt I could, and becoming even more aggressive, no longer hiding behind the fear that I would be punished for my wickedness, although traces of that fear still remained. While I recognize that I was completely out of control, and I'm not proud of many of the truly harmful things I've done, some of these "sinful" acts, I recognize now, served their purpose of freeing me from those convictions that only chained me.

When it comes down to it, my Christian faith was just a neurosis. Christianity was never the right path for me, but I know that I followed it for all the wrong reasons. But despite realizing the shallowness of my former faith now, I have no desire to return to it. Today, I have no real fear for my soul. I hold steadfast to my convictions now, although there are brief moments of relapse, of course, where I question if I'm really on the right path, or if I’m on track to be devoured alive and excreted, a worthless shell of myself yet again. These anxieties are always present, even if I don’t always feel them strongly. But I am more capable of combating them now than I was before. I know there is danger in walking the path of the nightside, but to me, it is the only path worth pursuing, and all I can do is prepare my mind.

[eimearkuopio]

Maybe the key to fixing all the confusion over the definition of marriage is to declare that sacramental marriage is purely for the purposes of raising children in the love of a Christian family, for whatever that definition of Christian is, and that it can be blessed by the Church if the Church is willing to acknowledge the validity and good faith and even potential fallibility of a specific sacramental commitment, and to endorse that they can see no impediment to the parties seeking to engage in those activities as a family unit. Non-traditional families are unlikely ever to be the default, but we can see their good fruits and we should not impede the good works that non-traditional families do.

But maybe we can have a concept of concubinage. Any person, of any gender, will ideally be willing to accept that the ideal of romantic and/or sexual love is epitomised by parents caring for one another in a genuine and reciprocal fashion while also nurturing the development of the next generation to the best of their ability, allowing the children to flourish in a health environment and achieve their full potential as a result. The whole of humanity should have as their collective goal the elevation of the next generation, so that they can reach back down and help us to ascend to their level. We may be no better than our ancestors, but at least we can do our best to commit to pushing our descendants out of the bucket we are trapped in and trust that they will work with God to find a way to rescue us from our perdition in time. We can't see what's outside the bucket, but even if we can't trust God enough or find the strength within ourselves to climb out, maybe we can stop dragging the more elevated souls back down to our level.

So concubinage. I think we can all agree sex is not a sin a priori. There is not a single person on this planet at this time who would exist if sex was not a thing. But equally, weird attitudes towards sex have done A LOT of harm. Both being too conservative AND too liberal, as my demisexual ass can attest following a lifetime of extremely mixed messages from people who were trying to guide me as best they can when previous generations had insisted they could only work from a grubby atlas covered in stains and annotations that was already two millennia out of date. Some people were extremely proud that they had photocopied the atlas in various states of decay over the years, and then started adding their own "better" stains and annotations; and my own Church is very proud that it has the oldest extant copy of the atlas, but it's still... Not the best roadmap for the modern world, let's say.

So. Sex. Complicated topic. At least as dangerous as any illegal drug, and at least as vital to the long-term survival of humanity as food and water and air. It needs to be regulated. Agreed! It probably shouldn't involve children or animals, on account of they lack the mental capacity and/or spiritual experience/fortitude to truly comprehend the potential consequences of sex for them or for other people who are involved. Agreed! Masturbation is not the worst thing in the world, but also, it should be... Scratching an itch rather than an obsession or a compulsion, and it's important to just scratch the itch instead of gouging chunks out of your soul. Hopefully agreed! It's very difficult for adults to find a way to communicate effectively with children in a way that informs them sufficiently to permit them to become capable of giving genuine consent without crossing some really weird and potentially damaging barriers, and the extent of the damage done is likely to be a consequence of some combination of the method of education employed and the specific nature of the child being informed; but also, complete ignorance is a worse shield than a little knowledge, and if we know our children must eventually learn how to engage in healthy relationships which will have a sexual element, maybe we don't just... Condemn them for sparring with practice swords BEFORE they get to use ones with a real edge. Maybe we focus on teaching them not to put each other's eyes out. Maybe we train both parties, instead of giving one a sword and one a shield and then telling them it's the fault of the child with the shield if she gets stabbed. Maybe we tell them to fight to resolve instead of fighting to win.

So. Concubinage. Once they're past a legal minimum age of consent, anyone can choose to engage in a casual sexual relationship while acknowledging that it will have consequences in their lives, and in the lives of any future family they may have. But it's not mandatory for anyone, it's not "better" or "worse" than celibacy until marriage, it's just...a different style. And you might eventually marry someone whose "training" style is very different from your own, and that might lead to a new and interesting synergy, or you might find someone you dance with instead of sparring, and even if you stumble as you learn together, you each know the steps like you were born to it and you never dance with another partner your whole life. Both of these things are beautiful.

In terms of celibacy and priesthood... You don't need to ordain women as priests, but you need to stop insisting that you know better than us about EVERYTHING, and you need to stop telling the world that you're the head of the household and then failing to actually run the household properly. Women are coming to greater prominence, and there should be at least one woman in the Church who can overrule the Pope in extremis. There should be one person, appointed by her predecessor, for life or until she chooses retirement, who can act as the Holy Spirit and tell the Holy Father if a teaching is harmful. This person doesn't always need to be a woman, but they should always be someone who falls outside of what the Church sees as "established norms". Beyond that, huge fan of the whole synodality thing! Not claiming personal Infallibility here, do not want the job I have described above, happy to help with interviewing candidates for the post.

I'm autistic. I have an overdeveloped sense of justice. My instincts tell me to rend the flesh from those who hurt my Lord's children, and yet I soothe my wrath, because it is all too easy to forget that most of the ones doing the harming are children, too. But if I find any adults who are harming children, even my finite self just might get to show you what a flaming sword can really do; and if you are only children, desperately trying to stem the tide, let me know. I think I can find some babysitters to form a union.

ETA: Almost forgot the most important point! There's ideals and there's sin and there's the grey area in between, and in this case the biggest risk of sin is not clearly defining a relationship in advance. All parties need to know if they're sparring or dancing for it not to count as assault! And maybe check the handbook for the local standards of practice, and communicate with your partner to find out if they have any house rules they prefer to follow! Because sometimes dancing looks violent but it's all a show; and sometimes sparring is so graceful that it is more beautiful than any dance; but if one person thinks they're dancing and one person thinks they're sparring, I don't care how fucking graceful it is, you're not watching a performance, you're watching someone try to survive an unanticipated and vicious assault and you're applauding.

[theestervashti]

"The Foodbiz." From Esther 9: 5-10.

Before the Jewish people engage in the Empire Strikes Back, the book of Esther points out the enemy is always within first. The Talmud says if the Mashiach is to succeed, everything especially the interior of the Jewish people must be perfect. Including what to do about all the hate.

I do hate the Mormons, Scientologists Jehohah's Witlesses and every last member of the Republican Party for the evil they have done in the Eyes of the Lord and all the many laws they have broken, but hate is not a motivation nor is it a dividend of liberation.

The Torah says we are allowed to hate the things God hates in the way He hates them, which He explains "out of a thick blackness" the very same we are all so very eager to leave:

From Yisro: And God spoke all these words:

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before[f] me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” 21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

The violations of these are the enemies we confront within our enemies to avoid hating them and protecting the society we are all pledged to protect. This is the only way to wield the sword of vengeance properly according to the Torah:

5 The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them. 

6 In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.

 7 They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

The Values in Gematria are:

v. 5: They struck down their enemies. Every idenity in the Torah has an antigen, a negative polar opposite. Ruben is called the leader, he might aslo be called a loser, for example. During collision between the two, the leader must obviously observe unscathed as a Simeon, "a man about whom people are willing to speak with honor." If he is spoke about with dishonor, he shall not be a leader any longer. The entirety of the Torah must be viewed this way.

The Number is 10858, י‎חה‎‎ח, "And she will live."

The beginning of sentient life is called Adam. He has an evil dirty gay twin named Adamah, around whom Eve will not succeed.

"The root דמם (ddm) is all about beginnings — or rather the simplicity from whence complexity arises — from being still before the noise starts to being monochromatic before color vision starts. Verb דמם (damam) means to be still, noun דממה (demama) denotes calmness and דמה (dumma) denotes a silenced person. Noun דומה (duma) describes the silence of death, noun דומיה or דמיה (dumiya) the silence of waiting and noun דומם (dumam) the silence of inertia or inactivity.

Verb דמה (dama I) describes making a (still) image. Nouns דמות (demut) and דמין (dimyon) mean likeness. Verb דמה (dama II) means to stop, halt or arrest. Noun דמי (domi) means a halting. Whatever the unused verb דמן (dmn) might have meant, noun דמן (domen) denotes refuse and מדמנה (madmena) a manure pit.

Unused verb אדם ('dm) may have meant to produce or begin to produce. Noun אדם (adam) is one of a few words for man but means literally probably "product" or likeness-made-from-soil; man as corporeal unit of humanity. This word is never used in plural, and its feminine equivalent, namely אדמה (adama), denotes arable soil or clay-red earth."

So from the moment Adam is realized, during puberty, when the brain is able to begin the process of self-definition, the mind that is prone to the Shule will begin assessing how every word in the Torah pertains to the upkeep and well being of Eve.

v. 6: The Torah says the process of destroying evil Adam requires the death of five hundred men. Recall Hebrew numbers and letters are not values they are positions. The position of a letter is also its number and this is why translations require proper analysis using Gematria.

The Number is 4436, דדגו‎ ‎‎, dedgo, "a very personal encounter with the nation regarding its guilt."

"Noun דוד (dud), meaning pot or jar (1 Samuel 2:14, Jeremiah 2:2). Scholars assume that this word reflects the original meaning of the root, namely that of some kind of gentle movement, reminiscent of the idea of boiling. But this word is used as often for a cook pot as for a mere receptacle or carrier.

It's probably just as logical to assume that the act of loving was seen as "containing" something, or keeping something within oneself. And since general anger was equated with heat, perhaps arousal was seen kindred to that.

But our verb (go) could also describe the removal of guilt by removing (i.e. killing) the perp, which was done by a so-called redeemer-of-blood (Numbers 35:12). The participle גאל (go'el) means Redeemer. Job makes use of this word in his harrowing exclamation: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He will take His stand on the earth, at the last" (Job 19:25), and so do Psalm 19:14, 78:35, Proverbs 23:11, Isaiah more than a dozen times from Isaiah 41:14 to 60:16, and Jeremiah 50:34. With this the prophets emphasize not only that God pays humanity's price, but that he does it as a kinsman. From this verb derive:

The masculine noun גאולי (ge'ulay), meaning redemption (Isaiah 63:4 only).

The feminine noun גאלה (ge'ulla), which either describes the act of redemption (Leviticus 25:24), the price of it (25:26) or the right to redeem (25:29), in which case it may be used as synonym for kin or kindred (Ezekiel 11:15).

v. 7: They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

=

Parshandatha= the law expounder

The noun דת (dat) means (human) law or decree. It's a foreign loanword, which only occurs in the youngest parts of the Bible. An identical noun from other cognate language may mean well or fountain.

The roots פרס (paras) and פרש (paras) most basically speak of a sudden bursting forth in a wide spray of elements of something that was previously well concealed.

Verb פרס (paras) means to break and divide in equal shares (of bread, for instance). Noun פרס (peres) denotes a kind of unclean bird (perhaps a vulture, or perhaps a didactyl, i.e. a two-toed bird; an ostrich). Noun פרסה (parsa) means hoof (both cloven and solid ones) but may also refer to a whole animal as unit-of-the-herd (like our modern word "head"). Noun פרש (parash) means either horse or horseman as unit-of-the-army.

Verb פרש (paras) means to spread or spread out (of wings, hands, nets, and so on). Noun מפרש (mipras) refers to either a spreading out or a thing spread out.

Verb פרשׁ (parash) means to declare with precision, make wholly obvious or fully explain. Noun פרשה (parasha) refers to a precise statement. Noun פרש (peresh) means fecal matter or the exposed bowels of a sacrificial animal (and remember that to the ancients the emotional heart resided in the bowels).

Note that our modern word "science" shares a root with the word "schism," and literally describes the act of breaking and spreading out.

Dalphon=the weeper, the dripper

The verb דלף (dalap) means to drop or drip, and may refer to rain or even the weeping of eyes. Noun דלף (delep) means a dripping (and rain, tears, and so on).

Aspatha= the store room

The verb אסף ('asap), means to gather or collect, mostly in reference to harvests, and with a connotation of removal. The nouns אסף ('osep), אסיף ('asip), אסף ('asop), אספה ('asepa), אספה ('assupa) and אספסף ('asapsup) all express nuances of the act of gathering, things gathered, collections or storages. Also note the similarities in form with the ספף  סוף  ספה (spp swp sph) cluster of words, which all have to do with the extraction of one continuum from another.

Poratha= flourishes

Adalia= the door of Yah is a strong mind

Aridatha= "very free of homelessness."

Parmashta= pharmaceutics

Arisai=the iris of Eretz Israel

Aridai=a wild ass who is free enough

The verb ערד ('arad) doesn't exist in extant Biblical texts but in cognate languages it means to flee or be free. A derived noun, ערוד ('arod), refers to the wild ass, and does occur in the Bible.

The particle די (day) means sufficiently or enough and implies an abundance.

Vaizatha= son of the atmosphere

Haman= the illustrious loud crowd

Hammedatha=the dimension

"The law expounder who maintains a store room of the Words of Moses, who has opened the door of Yah and provisions a strong mind is very free of homelessness. His freedoms, founded by the atmosphere of the House of Israel secure the world, and subdue the lower dimensions of the populists."

The Number is 8427, ףדבז‎, "the foodbiz."

The Torah tells us to consume time, money, energy, and our natural resources in a way that is comfortable, at not too high an expense or level of effort. Our planet has traditionally been either under or overemployed but never just enough.

Our Jewish sages have long and long been arguing this is the proper way for us to live. This is the cornerstone of the observances of Shabbos and Shabbat. But first we must understand why we are incapable of doing it and this requires Sinai and the Seder.

[raaganilavu]

ശിവനും പാർവ്വതിയും സൃഷ്ടിയിലെ പുരുഷ-സ്ത്രീ ശക്തികളുടെ സമന്വയത്തിന്റെ പ്രതീകമാണ്. ത്രിമൂർത്തികളിൽ നാശത്തിന്റെ ദേവനായ ശിവനും, സ്‌നേഹത്തിൻറെ, സന്താനോല്പാദനത്തിൻറെ, ഭക്തിയുടേയും ദേവിയായ പാർവ്വതിയും ദൈവിക സ്‌നേഹത്തിൻറെ ശക്തിയുടെ പരമാവധി പ്രതീകങ്ങളായി കണക്കാക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. അവരുടെ ഐക്യം ഗണേശനും, കാർത്തികേയനും ആയ രണ്ട് ശക്തരായ ദേവന്മാരുടെ ജനനത്തിനിടയാക്കി. ഹെഡ് ആയ ഗണേശന്‍ വണ്ണം, ശുദ്ധിയുടെ ദൈവവും, വിജ്ഞാനത്തിന്റേയും സമൃദ്ധിയുടേയും ദൈവമായി ആരാധിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. അവന്റെ കളിയാട്ട സ്വഭാവവും കരുണയും കാരണം അദ്ദേഹം ഹിന്ദു മതത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട ദേവന്മാരിൽ ഒരാളാണ്. കാർത്തികേയൻ, മുരുകൻ എന്നും അറിയപ്പെടുന്ന, യുദ്ധത്തിന്റെയും വിജയം പിടിക്കുന്നതിന്റെയും ദൈവമാണ്. മയൂരത്തിനു മേൽ കയറിയുള്ള, ഒരു കുന്തം കൈയിൽ പിടിച്ച്‌ ദൈവമായി ചിത്രീകരിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. ധൈര്യത്തിന്റെയും ശക്തിയുടേയും പ്രതീകമായി അദ്ദേഹത്തെ കണക്കാക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. തന്റെ മാതാപിതാക്കളോടുള്ള ഭക്തിയും, ദൈവസൈന്യത്തിന്റെ സർവാധ്യക്ഷനെന്ന അവന്റെ സ്ഥാനവും ഹിന്ദു പുരാണത്തിലെ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ പ്രാധാന്യത്തെ ഉദ്ബോധിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. ശിവനും പാർവ്വതിയും ഭൗതിക ശക്തികളെ മാത്രമല്ല, സ്‌നേഹത്തിന്റെ, കര്‍ത്തവ്യത്തിന്റെ, ധര്‍മ്മത്തിന്റെ മൂല്യങ്ങളെയും പ്രതിനിധാനം ചെയ്യുന്നു. അവരുടെ കഥകൾ ലക്ഷക്കണക്കിന് ആളുകളെ പ്രചോദിപ്പിക്കുന്നു, ഇന്ത്യൻ ഫെസ്റ്റിവലുകളിലും ചടങ്ങുകളിലും ആഘോഷിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. Shiva and Parvathi, the ultimate divine couple, symbolize the perfect balance between the masculine and feminine energies in the universe. Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Holy Trinity, and Goddess Parvathi, the goddess of love, fertility, and devotion, are revered as the epitome of divine love and power. Their union gave birth to two powerful deities—Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, is worshipped as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity. His playful and compassionate nature makes him one of the most beloved gods in Hinduism. Lord Kartikeya, also known as Murugan, is the god of war and victory. He is often depicted riding a peacock, holding a spear, and symbolizes courage and strength. His devotion to his parents and his role as the commander of the celestial army highlight his importance in Hindu mythology. Shiva and Parvathi’s family is not just about their divine power but also about the values of love, duty, and righteousness. Their stories inspire millions and are celebrated through various festivals and rituals across India. Here are some popular chants dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati: 1. Om Namah Shivaya   ओम् नमः शिवाय     "I bow to Lord Shiva." This is one of the most powerful and popular mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva. 2. Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra   ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।     उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मा मृतात्॥     "Om, We worship the Three-eyed One (Lord Shiva) who is fragrant and who nourishes all beings; may He liberate us from the bondage of worldly attachments and death, granting us the nectar of immortality." 3. Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat   ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि।     तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात्॥     "We meditate on the great Purusha (Lord Shiva), who is the Supreme Being. May that Rudra inspire and guide us." Parvati Chants: 1. Om Hreem Shreem Parvatiyai Namaha   ओम् ह्रीं श्रीं पार्वत्यै नमः     "I bow to Goddess Parvati, who is the source of all beauty and power." 2. Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Shakti Roopena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah   या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।     नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥     "I bow repeatedly to the Goddess who resides in all beings in the form of power." 3. Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Glaum Gam Ganapataye Varavarada Sarvajanamme Vashamanaya Swaha   ओम् श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं ग्लौं गं गणपतये वरवरदा सर्वजनं मे वशमानय स्वाहा     This is a chant that invokes the blessings of Goddess Parvati through Lord Ganesha, her son, for removing obstacles and granting success. #ShivaParvathi #DivineFamily #LordGanesha #Kartikeya #Murugan #Mythology #HinduGods #Spirituality #raaganilaavu #രാഗനിലാവ് #RNM #rnmsocialmedia #MalayalamNews #MalayalamLive #sbtrendz #sbtrendzhealth #sbtrendzonline #newgadgets #MalayalamLive #bazznjazz #Bhakti #Devotion #DivineLove #Wisdom #Victory #IndianCulture #Festivals #ShivaStories #Parvathi #HinduMythology Shiva, Parvathi, Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya, Murugan, Hindu mythology, Shiva Parvathi, divine couple, Ganesha stories, Kartikeya stories, Hindu gods, spirituality, Indian culture, bhakti, devotion, Shiva stories, Parvathi stories, raaganilaavu, രാഗനിലാവ്, RNM, rnmsocialmedia, Malayalam news, MalayalamLive, sbtrendz, sbtrendzhealth, sbtrendzonline, new gadgets, Malayalamlive, bazznjazz

[bills-bible-basics]

Gay and Lesbian Agenda Graphic 19 #LGBTQ #GayRights #Transgender Last Updated: Sept. 14, 2024 Whether some of you realize it or not, our nation has been slip sliding away for literally decades. However, the slide has been so slow, so gradual, and so subtle, that it wasn't until about halfway through the decade of the 2010s that a lot of people really began to wake up to what has been going on. However, sadly, by that time, it was already too late. Serious damage had already been done, and the victory had already been won. What has been going on since then basically amounts to mopping up exercises and tying up the loose ends. And boy are they doing a good job of it! So exactly what am I talking about? Well, do you remember a few decades ago -- back in the 1970s, actually -- when the LGBTQ+ crowd began claiming that they just wanted to be left alone to live their lives as they please without harassment or discrimination? Fast-forward fifty years, and you will see one long history of continuous lies, as they aggressively advanced their radical, extreme agenda. Then came gender reassignment surgery. Then came renegade, liberal circuit court judges who repeatedly overturned the will of the people. Then came renegade, liberal state legislatures who likewise overturned the will of the people. Then came civil unions. Then on June 26, 2015 came nationwide legalization of same-sex "marriage" by mandate of the Supreme Court of the United States, despite the majority of the American people being opposed to it. Then came openly gay or lesbian bishops, pastors, priests, politicians, actors, sports figures, and everyone in between. Then came same-sex union blessings in some of the churches. Then came adoption of normal, healthy children by same-sex couples. Then came law suits against Christians and Conservatives who follow their hearts and their faith, and who oppose the LGBT lifestyle. Then came library books which openly promote the LGBT lifestyle. Then came gender-neutral bathrooms. Then came drag queens in our public schools during children's story hour. Then came teaching LGBT history in the classroom. Then came liberal parents who encourage their children to act and dress like the opposite sex. Then came hormone injections, puberty-blocking drugs in young children and double mastectomies on adolescent girls in order to alter their natural-born physiology so that they could appear outwardly the way that they were being made to feel inwardly by misguided adults and parents. Then came a gender-neutral option on birth certificates. Now they promote their ungodly lifestyle in every area of the entertainment and mass media industries where they possibly can, and constantly shove it in our faces. It is inescapable; unless one goes and lives in a cave. Now, in the latest news, according to an article in The Washington Times, some liberal-minded schools aren’t happy with just offering LGBTQ+ books in their school libraries. Now they want to FORCE young children with impressionable minds to read them, whether they like it or not. Yes, but of course, as they said, they just wanted to be left alone. Right? If you believe that nonsense, then you are seriously deceived! Thankfully, some parents are fighting back and taking it to the US Supreme Court. If the justices accept the case, let’s hope that the God-fearing justices on the bench will do what is right in the sight of God by giving these brave parents a victory. But concerning the LGBTQ+ agenda, well I say this: What about us? What about our right to live in a Bible-based, God-fearing society which honors and obeys God's natural order of things? How much longer will God endure this madness and rebellion against His holy Laws? When will His patience finally run out? When will His judgments begin to fall on the wicked who mock Him everyday, and who cast His Word to the ground? As the Apostle John wrote some two thousand years ago: "And‭ we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness." 1 John 5:19, KJV If John were alive today, oh how he would shudder! Article: "Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: A Warning to Modern Society": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/destruction-sodom-gomorrah-1.html Article: "Future of Same-Sex Marriage": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/future-of-same-sex-marriage-01.html Article: "The Gay and Lesbian Agenda: To the Point!": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/homosex1.html Article: "When Sin is No Longer a Sin": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/whensin1.html Article: "Queen James Bible: Blasphemous Abomination Exposed!": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/queen-james-bible-1.html "Homosexuality,Lesbianism, Bestiality, Transvestitism" KJV Bible Verse List: "https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse138.html Poetry regarding LGBTQ+ agenda: https://www.billkochman.com/Poetry/index.html#Gay-and-Lesbian-Agenda Graphics regarding LGBTQ+ agenda: https://www.billkochman.com/Graphics-Library/Gay-and-Lesbian-Agenda.html Non-BBB Article: The Gay Gene?": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles-Non-BBB/gaygene1.html Non-BBB Article: The Overhauling of Straight America": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles-Non-BBB/overhaul.html By the way, when we come to Jesus Christ and are reborn in the Spirit, the Scriptures make it very clear that we should undergo a spiritual and mental change in our lives, and that we should in fact become NEW CREATURES in Jesus Christ. We should NOT remain the same, living our same old life style, and living in our same old sins. That means that people who belong to the LGBTQ crowd should NOT continue practicing their sexual deviancy. Here is Scriptural proof: "God's Desire for Healing and Repentance" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse302.html "Old Man Versus New Man" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse165.html "Washed and Renewed Mind" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse071.html Article: "Don't Ever Underestimate Our Spiritual Enemy": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/DontUnderestimateOurEnemy1.html https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/gay-and-lesbian-agenda-graphic-19/?Gay%20and%20Lesbian%20Agenda%20Graphic%2019

[lovinglifewithlight]

King/Masculine/Rod returns and merges for union with feminine.

The child returns to its mature parenting being though higher self. Surgery required. Golden egg rebirth.

Old contracts ended, life review complete. Very difficult transition and dark attacks. (Related to: satanic, voodoo, genetic histories likely holocaust due to Isreal issues highlighted amd possible genetic targets, as well as the "cross roads" energies, etc.) Made it through 24 hours of the overhaul transition. Then two days of dramatic kundalini energies moving and light language type of intuition etheric surgery healings for myself and family, and local areas here that had dark, old, attchment/false "sentimental" attachments. Confusing of identities and the area locally has been greatly restored. This is not the first time a strong spirtual Awakening was followed but hugely disorienting attacks. However was "more prepared" this time around, although it was difficult to reclaim afterwards. Hoghly judged for it, mostly because my Christian family is very, very unaware of the higher concepts of Ascension, Reiki and let alone Shamanism from other ancestral cultures im integrating.

Thanks to energies that are getting me through

Kundalini (natural)

Sehkmet and Baset

The return of a blessed teacher of Reiki

Atantean and Lemurian energies

Merge of the tri-flame and liberation torch/rod

Eye of God

Removed yesterday, a lens from my head area using wombing. Took time to do Dragon Reiki I wing empowerment. As well as Munay Ki Shamanic Rite of the Seer, for the third eye. Woke up feeling way better. And more inclined than ever to continue on my own path, regardless of the false projections of others, and return to a more natural state of being: compassion for myself and others.

Internet secured. Website back up. Required papers to free financial blocks, submitted. And the communication with family opened back up today as a result.

The storm has nearly settled here. Now to continue at a stedy but patient pace... Blessings are still to come.

Ps: Lake went though a healing also, and husband is catching fish there like crazy now (not something thats happened in... well idk if its ever been like this in the 20 years I've been living in this area). Pretty cool!