#if she has all sons it won’t super be an issue but we’d prefer to keep a daughter

[deathsmallcaps]

For the record, goat milk can totally taste like cow milk if you have spoiled goats. My old job’s goats used to eat more scrubby stuff, and as we improved their nutrition AND they were offered more choice plants and less rough feeds, their milk was *chef’s kiss* perfection. I would’ve drank it anyway, but even the boss lady, who was not that into it, started enjoying it in the end.

found goat milk and wheat ale at the store. theres no way im NOT making a white gilgamesh tonite

[winterisfinallyhere]

What if all the pregnancy talk last season was because...

I got this random kinda weird theory!

In season 7 there was a lot of talk of how Dany can’t have a baby which makes everyone sure she will. But that’s honestly gotta be a plotline only the most hardcore JonxDany stans want. 

(note that Jon is actually looking at Sansa in this shot, but let’s not think about that. Adorable Targ!baby! Happily Ever After - the Targ Incest edition! YAY! Sunshine! Puppies!)

This seems to have been largely forgotten this season. But what if those multiple mentions of Dany not being able to conceive was foreshadowing for a reason Dany & Jon can’t actually marry and why a lot of people might prefer Jon as King of the Seven Kingdoms.  

I know it sounds a little out there. 

But think. 

Whoever rules needs to be able to produce heirs for Westeros to hope to be stable (as long as it’s a feudal society which sees likely even if there is some voting or choice in who ends up the king). This is achieved by plenty of sons (and daughters) that can inherit the crown, be battle commanders, make marriage alliances and so forth.  

This, like the food + dragon issue, is something that has been glossed over but is a real problem. 

Dany can’t have children, or so she says (and despite having Dario for a lover for a long time she has not conceived a child). 

Westeros already spent several years at war because of trouble with succession. That was what the War of the 5 Kings was all about (sure the north wanted independence but that was because of Joffrey, who was a bastard killed Ned. If Joffrey had been legitimate Ned never would have been killed, the north wouldn’t have rebelled. In fact, they’d never have left Winterfell at all, but that’s a different story.). 

Anyhow, this is not something anyone would want to risk again. 

With Jon or Dany as the only real candidates for ruling after the war, there are a few scenarios. None of them look good for Jonerys. 

First one

Everything goes perfect, the north begins to love Dany (she doesn't burn anyone and her dragons play nice) and Jon get past fucking his aunt (it’s possible I guess.)... it’s GoT the Disney version!

Well, they CANNOT marry and rule together if there is a risk Dany is infertile. 

Not in Westeros. Not unless we’re suddenly going to make the whole thing a democracy and only give people the Iron Throne for 4 years at a time, (which I think you’d have a hard time convincing Dany of.)

So, yeah, this should be brought up as soon as a marriage is proposed. In fact, Tyrion could have brought it up when Davos suggested marriage in episode 1, since the marriage would not have produced children it would be a poor way to secure the north long term. In fact, any marriage Dany would enter into would have this problem.

But if there is talk of a Jon X Dany wedding (and unless we get Dance of Dragons right away, this feels like a possibility) this needs to be pointed out. 

Especially since with Jon as a possible candidate for the throne, this means they now have options. Tyrion already mentioned the whole “who will rule after you” in season 7 and it’s more important than who loves who at this point.

So let’s say everyone learns Jon Snow is not Jon Snow but Aegon. He is a candidate for the throne that isn’t Dany (and he has a better claim in fact) and this must be a taken into consideration. Even if everything is happy-happy, and Dany makes Jon her heir, that means he must marry someone to make sure there is someone next in line after him. And that person can’t be Dany. Because she can’t give him the heirs need to keep the Targ line alive (which would be such a big shame...lol).

This could even be part of what sparks the Dance of Dragons 0.2. 

A Jon x Sansa marriage (or really him marrying anyone but Dany) would be a big deal for Dany. Especially since she’s admitted she loves Jon. Since we’re not all that clear on what Jon feels, can’t really tell you if he’d be upset but anyways. 

Even worse and maybe even more amazing would be if Jon does marry Sansa and Dany does turn out to be pregnant but Jon chooses to stay with (a possibly also knocked up) Sansa anyway. This could be an amazing angsty moment for Sansa when she’s all “I want you to choose love over duty this time” and he’ll tell her “I have” and gives her a big epic kiss. 

But even without that Jonsa-fan-fic worth scene, this would make sense. This would be Drama. Super interesting intriguing drama.

We’d have Dany, suddenly with an heir - she wants on the throne, scorned by Jon and Jon with someone to protect from her because suddenly Sansa/ the woman he marries is as big a threat as Jon (since she is the one that will give birth to his heirs). It’s a perfect set up for DoD 2.

Oh how jucy it would be! Doubtful we’ll get it, but it would be so interesting if we did!

Scenario number two

Everything goes less than perfect and we get more immediate Targ bowl or even immediate Northen rebellion once the battle for the Dawn is won.

People will have to pick sides. 

A male heir that can marry and produce children would be preferable. Because Westeros is a patriarchal society no matter if Brienne got knighted and Dany is a self-proclaimed Queen. And kids are important, even if just as a future possibility. This will be even truer if Dany has one dragon and Jon has the other and the playing field is even. Backing up the horse who has the biggest chance of securing future stability make sense.

So even without Jon marrying anyone, he’d be the preferred candidate for most Westerosi people. This is depressing from a feminist POV but it cannot be ignored in the context of the world our story is set in. Adding Jonsa ups the stakes for everyone and adds personal/emotional dimensions to it all, but even without it, Dany’s infertility is a big problem that has to be dealt with if she  actually wants to rule.

I honestly don’t know what boat!baby would add to the show if there was not something else already in play (like another possible heir). Because right now Dany x Jon seems to be kind of on the same side, even with the reveal. We’ll see how long that lasts. But if Jon x Dany are for reals, a baby is too perfect of a solution. If it was Disney, I’d totally buy it.

But it’s not.

It’s Game of Thrones. The show that is famous for this

So a child that perfectly solves the whole “who inherits the throne” is just way too neat. I’m not 100% sure Got will end with us all in total despair, but it sure won’t be that nicely wrapped up. Because that’s not real politics. And if it’s something Game of Thrones have always tried for, even with dragons and ice monsters, is believability.

So, maybe the “I can’t have children” will come back this season. But not in the form of a magical baby (the way that many think) but as yet another spoke in the wheel against jonerys.

[werevulvi]

I really do love butches, soft butches, really hard/stone butches and anything in between. But what my actual preference is I'm not sure. It's possible I don't really have a preference for either butches or other femmes. However I do feel very drawn to the butch/femme dynamic and I seem to dream a bit more about meeting a butch and falling hard for her, and in my mind I think me and a butch would complement each other really well as a couple.

And that's also not at all because I've previously been in relationships with men, despite being a lesbian. I don't connect butch women to men, and I'm not seeking a man in butch women. I think that might be important to clarify. I was never impressed by masculinity in men. It kinda scared me or at best came across as them trying too hard. The only kinds of men I really envied when I thought I was a trans man, was gnc men. But masculinity in women is just something else entirely, and yes that does impress me. Masculinity in women feels safe, invigorating, empowering, sexy. While in men it's intimidating.

However I used to take a distance from butches in my past, not that I had anything against them, but they used to make me a little uncomfortable. That was only because I've often tried to force myself to be masculine (and others trying to force me to it as well) and that didn't work out well. So I was really just uncomfortable with myself as masculine. But now that I've found my true self, my femme self and my lesbian self, I've let go of that discomfort cause I'm no longer forcing myself to try to be something I am not, and that makes me see butches in a different, much more positive light. I noticed I do have a love for them, I'm just not one myself.

I guess I'm being silly, but the thought of this makes me feel a little awkward... That my mom who's a straight woman, is very masculine and has actively rejected femininity her whole life. And like... if I'd have a butch girlfriend at some point in the future I just get that awkward mental picture of her and my mom like... staring at each other and seeing a lot of resemblence.

I'm trying to say it could look a lot like I'm trying to find a girlfriend who looks and is like my mom. And that feels a little awkward.

But then I wonder... just how many femme lesbians have a masculine mom? Of course I was influenced by her, when I grew up, and how she influenced me could absolutely have affected my preferences for other women. No matter how creepy that might seem. But that is a thing for straight people, meaning daughters ending up with men who are like their fathers, and sons ending up with women who are like their mothers. So I think it can totally be a thing for gay people too, at least theoretically (but just the other parent), perhaps especially for those of us who had the luck to have supportive parents. So, although I don’t connect butches to men, I do probably very likely connect them to my mom and how she’s always taken well care of me (in traditionally masculine ways) and been my rock, at least on some subconscious level. In a sense, I’ve always felt she’s been both my mother and my father figure, and I think that might play a role here. Don’t worry though, I’m working through my “mommy issues” too..... cause I know I cling to her more than I should or need to. But my reason for that is I’m kinda mentally disabled and my mom is kind of my “caretaker” in a sense, but I am more dependent on her than I need to be and that’s where it gets difficult. That’s a kind of a different topic, however, it does mean I have to be careful to not try to make a future girlfriend into my mom. (Wow, that coin of awkwardness rolls both ways, huh?)

I dunno what I'm saying with this. My mom's similarities with butches won't ever stop me from dating a butch if I'd hit off well with her. Then my mom would (hopefully) be the last thing on my mind. (My mind is a traumatised wreckage though, so I can't be too sure what would be on it in that sort of moment.) But it's just something I've thought about. Also this might be super common and maybe I'm feeling awkward about something that half of all lesbians experience... I dunno, I'm new here!

Also I don't consider my mom butch because she's not a lesbian, but the thing is the more I learn about butches/butchness, the more I understand my mom in how/why she rejects femininity and disconnects from womanhood because of it. So that says something. But I do and will only refer to her as simply "masculine" or possibly gnc. She doesn't use any labels to refer to herself, but I just can't language like that, so yeah.

I'm just ranting, this isn't really a deep worry or anything I'm particularly anxious about, aside from my “mommy issues” perhaps (I don’t know if that’s what I should call it). Those might be a little worrysome. But I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind me dating women that are similar to her. It would likely only be "awkward" in the sense we'd probably all three laugh and blush about it, if anything. Nothing bad. So please don't take it too seriously. I mean do take my love for butches seriously, though.

[caramelomachiato-blog]

The Shadowhunter chronicles faves (spoilers for lord of shadows)

Okay but I'd protect: Kieran, Mark, Christina, Ty, Kit, Livvy (;-;), Dru, Tavvy, Helen, Aline, Diana, Jem, Tessa, Will (;-;), Alec, Magnus, Max and Rafe, Raphael (;-;), Simon, Izzy, Maia, Max (;-;), Jules, Alec, Kieran, Ty, Livvy, Alec, Magnus, Kieran, Raphael, Ty, Livvy, Dru, Diana, *repeat* with my life I love them so much I love Kit and relate to him on a spiritual level. I love his relationship with the twins (especially Ty if ya know what I mean ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ) and his frustration with Shadowhunters (he's expressing the viewers words tbh). I love his understanding and need to protect Ty. It's great to see someone doing the right thing for my baby bee boy. I love Dru so much being a middle child is hard, especially when you're 'too young' for literally everything and people forced your younger sibling on you. Also she's beautiful and her talks of insecurities about shape and weight really hit it home for me and I'm sure lots of other. I literally cried when Jules said "You're our heart baby girl. You're the heart of the family." Tavvy is the cutest bean and needs protecting. That's all that needs to be said. Also if anyone hurts him I'll find you. I loved Diana a lot from the beginning. My attachment to the Blackthorns meant that anyone who was nice to them by association caught my interest and deserved attention. But I liked her character, especially when she essentially told Zara to shut the fuck up ngl. Her coming out story was a cherry on the cake tbh I wasn't expecting it and I cried over her story (also her sister ;-;). I love Diana's design too. She's overall a great Character. I love Helen and Aline so much. Their relationship, dedication, meeting, everything about them alone and in a pair is just so great. Also I'm high-key gay for both of them. But Aline dedication to her wife made me cry I'm-- I'm just in love with them ok? Okay but Tessa Jem Will Tho yass I love them I haven't even finished their series (I've read lord of shadows but I'm only on clockwork angel aka the first one ;-;). I live their dynamic. Tessa's just beautiful and great and smart and badass af. Jem is precious I love him. Will is so great I actually prefer his herondaleness to Jace's. I love their interaction. And their Camille and Magnus interaction were the goodest of good shits™ 👌. Do I really need an explanation for Max and Rafe tbh. Like Tavvy they're both adorable and amazing. Also Max is blue (I love the fact he's blue). If anyone ever hurts or bullies them I'm coming for that person. Simon and Izzy. Well what can i say, Izzy is hot and Simon is chill (mah man). He's honestly such a geek ("tell me a bedtime story" "k *plot of starwars*"). He should meet Kit tbh. I love Izzy in book and the TV show (and not just because Emeraude Toubia is impossibly attractive). I live her character. I love Simon's character. 'Nough said. Max, well, uh we don't talk about that. F U C K Y O U S E B A S T I A N M O R G E N S T E R N ! ! ! I loved Max so much, though, I wish I could have protected him personally. He was so cute and loved reading and felt like no one noticed or listened to him or borderline ignored. (That sounds familiar call out post to my toxic friends and family). He's a 13 year old boy you should be ashamed! Tbh I loved Maia since I first read about her in the books. She was so strong and badass and pretty and great. Also that one time where izzy says if she was attracted to girls she'd tap that ass. Also when she killed that asshole I was like yasssss queen slay!!! Rip Kyle tho I miss him. She pretty great in the TV series too, W E A RE N O T T A L K IN G A B O U T T H E C L O S E T S C E N E I R E P E AT N O T!! Jules, Jules, Jules... he's a fucking amazing brother lets start with that. He's had to essentially, apart from Emma and Diana look after his siblings, the institute and everything else singlehandedly. He's always there for them. He's also an artist ! That's great I love artist characters idk. Can we also talk about his way with words dang dang diggity dang dang dang he can talk anyone into seeing to his POV or believing his words. He a great boi. He just needs (some milk, sorry it's 2 am) a permanent vacation with Emma in an AU where parabatai bonds won't make you crazy if you be fucking yo parabatai. So he can fuck Emma, essentially is what I'm, ever so subtly, getting at it. Christina Rosales is beautiful and deserves the world and to stab Zara Fucking Dearborn through the heart. Ok I love her but I love Kieran more so she better not hurt my boi Kier. Also I'm down for some KierArkTina anytime as long as they spend some (a great amount) time to sort out their issues and love each other properly. Mark is great tbh (but again I love Kieran more so don't hurt him mah boi). Like I love his personality and character and appearance and speech patterns they're like the perfect blend between nephilim and faerie and I love that. I love him, that coat scene tho and the kitchen scene and the many scenes where he talks to inanimate objects. Also the make out scenes got diggity damn kierark. Also talking about kierark ppl be like Kieran was so bad to mark yeah but mark was bad to Kieran too. I'm not excusing mah boi here or mark but yeah they both not angels (hahaha). Tbh I loved Raphael so much (also saphael). He was so great I loved this lil asshole so much I cried when he died so much. S E BA S T I A N F U C K IN G M O R G E R N S T E RN !! ! Also ! Ace! representation ! Is ! Important ! I'm! Happy! But yeah Rip this babe. I loved Ty and Livvy ever since I first read them in the books, I was super excited for an autistic character and related to Livvy as my little brother is also autistic. (Livvy deserved better tbh). They're just so great and cute, I love them. We don't deserve them tbh. I love ty, I'm sorry, Sherlock so much and his twin sister (Euros lol don't shoot me) is an inspiration. Livvy is so protective and I love her. Ty is just so protective and I love him. I love them both so much. Kieran, mah boi, my sass ball, my salty bitch, my faerie boi, my king's son, my slayer, my great handsome beautiful amazing boi. Okay I don't even know why I love him so much I just do. He's misunderstood and before yall bitch at me like oh that poor special snowflake he Hurting he misunderstood poor bean do he need a tiny violin to play sad music for him where's thE P R O O F OF T H I S BI T C H ! !! Yall can read up on this subject on other post about it I've reblogged. O K A Y he did some bad things he regrets and wished he could rewind and stop. Um. So has almost every other fricking character in this book series apart from really young kids don't just blame my baby gods guys. Magnus is just the best, if you hate him you're wrong doesn't matter who you are or what ever. You're wrong. He's a great great bf, fiancée, future husband, father, future uncle, babysitter, cat sitter, lover, friend, Warlock, person and soul. I love him I'd give up all my soul and body for him. I worship him, I love his design, speech patterns, personality, methods, over all character and just everything. If I wasn't attracted to female only I'd high-key be crushing on Magnus Bane. Bi the way (see what I did there) he great don't ever hurt. Also he slays. And Harry Shum Jr. does a great job portraying him in the series, he great. Drop everything because you've come to the last of the superior squad (Ty, Livvy, Kieran, Magnus and Alec) Buckle the fuck up guys it's time to go for a spin in the Mystery mobile (or w/e the fuck it's called). Ah Alec, my biggest fave rivalled only by Ty my other biggest fave, he's so handsome brave and amazing. Malec is like supreme OTP (with Kitty and Kierark of course) I live for their dynamic both in the book and on the screen in the TV show. I love Alec as he's incredibly relatable, beautiful, great with kids, a great leader, a great bf/financée/lover/husband, a great person. I love him. If i could if adopt him as my son. I'm screaming he's just so good. Also he hecka attractive for a guy if i was a guy 10/10 would bed and we'd this handsome boi. Also the way he roasted Zara Dearborn, she was more like deadborn back then. (Also when Kieran joined in I cried tears of joy). When are we gonna talk about his alleged bondage kink btw? Hmu with fic and Fanart with this if you have it. In conclusion I love them all very much! Special mentions to: Gwyn, Arthur, Malcolm (idk why), Annabel (kinda i guess), Jaime (Un petit peu), Nene, Nerissa and Aodaon (?) (he cute).

[dragon-moms]

Entry 136 - Merry

Dear Diary,

Tonight was a good night!

Everyone seemed to sleep well with more food on their stomachs, you know? With the supplies that Juliet and Caroline got for us, I have more options! I figured I could cook one serious meal before I turned to stretching again, right? Everyone seemed to appreciate it!

I’m glad I can make everyone smile, even when we’re like this. Out here, I mean. You know what I mean, Diary. I hope.

I just feel like I’m trying to get comfortable, you know? In a routine? But eventually everything is going to have to change.

“We’ll be moving as soon as it’s safe,” Gloria said to everyone over breakfast. She’d called a meeting, but like most of her meetings, Nobody refused to join us. I don’t know why, Diary. She always sits far away and just watches.

“About time…” Dagger’s voice said. “We’re just wasting time here…”

“We didn’t waste time!” Flare said. “We found, like, this big chamber, and a lot of places and stuff!”

“I was getting to that, terror,” Gloria said. “But Flare is right. We found it.”

“Ah, excellent!” Myrmidon said, smiling. “Did you find the White dragon we are looking for, then?”

“We just found their territory. We haven’t explored it yet,” Gloria said. “And there were a lot of traps to get there. Miss Nobody, Flare, and I are going to clear an area we know is safe, and then we’ll move in. We’ll be out of Caroline and Juliet’s way and safer, regardless.”

“There’s lots of places down there, like I said!” Flare said, grinning. “So we shouldn’t have to be in the tents either!”

“That sounds great!” I said, smiling. “It’ll be a lot better for Philly, too. She’ll have a lot more freedom to move around when we know where she’ll be.”

“Should we not preserve the ruins for research?” Baroness asked. “I am not a historian but one would imagine this place to be vitally important to such studies.”

“Ah, yes, that is a good point,” Myrmidon said.

“I don’t know if we have a choice,” Philly said. “We need to figure out how to make a White dragon rise... “

“We’ll just have to be careful, right?” I said.

Gloria nodded. “Yes, we’ll have to.” She looked over to where Nobody was sitting. “We’ll try not to take anything we don’t need.”

“My dear sibling, perhaps you could create records of the place unblemished,” Myrmidon said.

Dagger materialized above them, looking down at them, body a bit jagged. “I’m not a historian. I’m just… a big floating bit of nothing…”

“From the texts I have read during study into construction and upkeep it seemed that historians would often create detailed drawings of ruins and other locations before potentially disturbing them with investigation,” Myrmidon said. “It seems like a task you would be suited to.”

“...maybe,” Dagger said, looking away.

“It looks real cool and stuff!” Flare said. “Like a bunch of nifty dragon-sized human places!”

Gloria frowned. “First I’ve heard of this. Is that true?”

“Well, from what I saw flying around,” Flare said. “It reminded me of Forward. Uh, that’s the human city I was living in before I came back for all this.”

“Oh, was it, Gloria?” I asked. “Like Cyrill with their little wall and everything?”

“Can’t say I know enough to tell you,” Gloria said. “I was mostly busy being overwhelmed by the size of the place. But you can see it soon.”

“It would be wonderful if it is!” I said. “It would be interesting to walk through a human settlement, you know?”

“As someone who has, they’re not much to write home about,” Philly said. “Then again, I can’t say they were very welcoming to me…”

“Ah, well, this shall be different, Philly,” Myrmidon said, smiling at her. “You are with family and friends.”

Philly nodded, looking embarrassed.

“Anyway, that’s all I have to say,” Gloria said after taking a big drink from her bowl. “We’ll be going back down tonight, I’m sure. Just try to be ready to move on short notice. Thanks.”

We all finished eating. But I felt like Baroness was staring at me? Maybe she was staring at Philly? “Is everything okay, Baroness?” I asked.

She looked to me, the little lightning things in her eye sockets looking kind of surprised, or shocked, or something? “...yes,” she said. She looked down at her claw coverings and adjusted them nervously. “I simply… need to speak with your daughter…”

“In private?” Philly asked. “Everything okay?”

“...I have… made you both concerned… that was not my intention…”

“Well, let’s go talk about it, you know? If you want to talk about it?” I said.

“I did not…” Baroness started, and then stopped, as if she were rethinking the situation. “Yes. Let us discuss the situation in my tent.”

I followed Baroness to her tent. She went inside, and went to the far corner, to give me plenty of room. I sat down and smiled at her. She adjusted her shawl.

“I… have taken on a task,” Baroness said.

“Oh, and you want help?” I said, smiling. “We’d be glad to help!”

“...thank you,” Baroness said.

“What’s the problem?” Philly asked.

“There is… displeasure around the Green called Nobody. I wish to remedy this issue.”

“Displeasure?” I said, thinking. “What does that mean?”

“I think she’s referring to Nobody’s attitude, Mom,” Philly said.

“Oh!” I said. “Well, she isn’t always pleasant, I guess…”

“She is… upsetting the farmers… and the Paladin is having trouble with her as well.” Baroness said.

“Are you having problems with her?” I asked.

“...no,” Baroness said. “While we often disagree in approach we have been collaborating without much issue. But I have been asked for assistance regarding her several times…”

“Perhaps they see you getting along well, and think you can talk to her easier,” Philly said.

“...I cannot talk to anyone easily,” Baroness said.

“That’s not true!” I said. “You’re great to talk to!” She’s super nice, Diary! And so good with Philly! And she tries very hard! Those are all good things, right?

Baroness looked at me, but said nothing.

“I think what Mom means is that she likes talking to you,” Philly said.

“...I see,” Baroness said.

“This is, like, for sure something you can do!” I said, smiling. “And we can come with you! We can go right now, maybe!”

Baroness looked away. “I… would prefer to have a plan of action in place… and go alone…”

“Alone?” I asked. “But we can help!”

“I… this is… my task…” Baroness said.

“It doesn’t have to be,” Philly said. “We can help.”

Baroness thought about this. “Is that the correct course of action?” she asked. “Engaging in conversation with you two present?”

Philly thought about it. “I don’t know, I guess. She does seem to tolerate you in a way she doesn’t seem to with anyone else. She was very defensive talking to Mom and I.”

“Nobody and I have conversed for long periods without argument…” Baroness said. “But it was mostly about magical theory and testing…”

“Which you don’t have a problem talking about,” Philly said, finishing Baroness’ thought.

Baroness nodded.

“Maybe you could ask Gloria for help, then?” I said, thinking out loud. “Like, they at least have some sort of history or something, right?”

“I was specifically asked not to involve her… Myrmidon believes she might be biased in some way,” Baroness said.

“Biased?” I asked. “Like how?”

“She does seem to make excuses for her a lot…” Philly said. “Hm.”

“I would appreciate your assistance in forming a plan of action…” Baroness said.

“Okay! Let’s think of one, then!” I said.

We sat there for a while, thinking.

“Can’t you just, like… ask her to be nicer?” I finally said.

“I don’t know about that, Mom. You asked her nicely to watch her language, but she didn’t…” Philly said. “Not that curse words make you nice or not, but… well, you know.”

“That is right, she didn’t listen…” I said, frowning. “Oh, but you shouldn’t use curse words, Philly, you know? I mean, you’re right, sometimes nice people use them, but…”

“I won’t, Mom,” Philly said, chuckling a little.

“If a straightforward approach were feasible, this would not be an issue needing to be deal with,” Baroness said. “Though it is useful to gather examples like this, since I am to understand it would be rude to run tests of different approaches…”

“Yeah, let’s not do that,” Philly said.

“It can’t hurt to ask, though,” I said.

“It can’t,” Philly said, “but there might be a better way.”

We thought for a while longer. There was a lot to think about, Diary! I tried to think about what I knew about Nobody. Like, she wore that weird mask, and she could unlock locks… she was working for the Queen for some reason… she was always far away from us when we had meetings…

“Oh!” I said. “Oh, maybe that’s the problem!”

“Have you discovered a solution?” Baroness asked.

“Well like… she’s always staying far away, right?” I said. “Maybe she doesn’t feel like she’s part of the group yet.”

“Part of the group…” Baroness said, thinking about this.

“Yeah! Like, we were all friends, mostly, before this. Well, I mean, we’ve gotten to know Flare, but he was Gloria’s son, so he got like a free pass? So she’s the odd one out! Maybe we just need to make her feel welcome!”

“I’ll agree she’s keeping her distance, but I think she’s doing that on purpose, Mom,” Philly said. “I think she wants that.”

“Everyone wants friends, though,” I said. “And I’m not saying, like, force her, but make her feel like she could, if she wanted, you know?”

“How would I go about this?” Baroness asked.

“Um…” I thought about it. “Well, like, when someone new gets a stall at the Plains, I normally bring them a treat, you know? To say ‘Hi! I’m glad you’re here!’”

“I see,” Baroness said. “I am unable to produce food, but perhaps a gift of another sort,” she said.

“I don’t think that’s a bad idea,” Philly said. “I just worry she’ll see that as buying her cooperation…”

“...a trade, then,” Baroness said. “I see.”

“No, that would be bad,” Philly said, frowning. “That doesn’t make someone feel good.”

“That’s true…” I said. “But you don’t have to put it that way, you know? You could say, like, ‘Here! I know we haven’t had time to give you a good welcome, so I made you this!” Or something. And then maybe talk about the problem a little later?”

“I see,” Baroness said. “I believe I am capable of this.”

“Well, that’s good…” Philly said. “I’m not sure if it’d work, but it would be a positive start, if you want to be better friends with her.”

Baroness considered this for a moment. “I would like to be capable of making friends myself. I have been attempting to do so.”

“Well, we’re your friends already, and we’re with you, if you need us!” I said, smiling.

“...thank you,” Baroness said.

We left her to prepare, since she said she needed time to do that. And then I figured out dinner and everything I do every night, Diary! It’s important to get chores and stuff done.

I think things are going well. That was a pretty good day, I think! It’s good to help a friend. Let’s say… a 7.9.

Good day, Diary!

[accuhunt]

11 Tips to Ease Your Transition Into a Vegan Lifestyle.

Veganism had been on my radar for a few months when I arrived in Jordan. The idea was daunting, scary even. But the things I had learnt about the food on my plate tugged at my heart. So I decided to set myself a deadline. After leaving the country (September 2015), I’d completely cut out animal products from my diet and lifestyle. No matter the challenges, I’d figure out how to turn vegan.

Since then, I’ve made plenty of vegan friends and everyone’s journey has been different. Some turned vegan overnight. Some took months, even a year, to fully embrace the change.

If you’re curious about how to transition into veganism, this post is for you. Based on my experience and that of some friends, I’ve tried to address some pressing questions: How do you stay motivated, mentally prepare to deal with family and friends, eat healthy, travel and connect with other vegans?

Here are my 10 practical tips on how to turn vegan:

In this post:

Figure out your motivation

Do your research

Transition into veganism at your own pace

Ensure you eat healthy as a vegan

Monitor your nutrition, especially Vitamin B12 and D3

Mentally prepare yourself to break the news to your family and friends

Connect with other vegans

Look up vegan-friendly cafes / restaurants in your location

Learn to read the labels and figure out alternatives

Subscribe to inspiring vegan bloggers, Youtubers and Instagrammers

Share your journey and spread the awareness

*Bonus* When the going gets tough, remember your reason for turning vegan

Have you ever wondered how to transition into veganism? What are your major challenges?

Figure out your motivation

Veganism is a choice that stares you in the face every single day. Every meal, every visit to the supermarket, every time you buy something, wherever you travel. People often ask me how I stay vegan, especially since I’m always on the road and often reliant on others to feed me.

Over the years, I’ve realised that the only way to stay committed is to figure out your strongest motivation.

For me, the primary motivation is animal suffering. The moment I visualise the pain inflicted on animals so I can consume that little bit of meat, milk, cheese or ghee, I know I don’t want to contribute to it.

You might feel the same way for animals. Or about the environment (the global carbon emissions of raising livestock for food is 14.5%, more than the entire transport sector). Or your own health.

Among my friends, Bhavna Kapoor turned vegan when it helped her deal with some debilitating health issues. Aakash Ranison turned vegan when he learnt about the environmental impact of consuming meat and dairy. Vinita Contractor turned vegan while pregnant, upon realizing how a whole foods plant based diet could ease her pregnancy.

In Iran, I met three generations of a vegan family. The grandmother embraced veganism after it helped reverse her diabetic condition. Her son and his wife turned vegan motivated by their spiritual guru. And their daughter turned vegan after learning about the plight of animals.

Think long and hard about what YOUR motivation is. What tugs at your heartstrings? What drives you? Because when the going gets tough, you’ll need to remind yourself of all the reasons you transitioned in the first place.

Also read: [BBC] Confessions of a Slaughterhouse Worker

Do your research

Whatever your motivation(s), it’s important to learn about the hard truths.

Watch documentaries and read credible articles about the horrors of meat, dairy and other animal products, their impact on the environment and how they affect our bodies. Earthlings, Cowspiracy and Game Changers – though America focused – are a good place to start. Better still, find ways to practically verify what you see and read online.

I’ve lived with small-scale cattle farmers in the Himalayas and visited free-range dairy farms in India and Europe, sheep rearing facilities in Lesotho, animal rescue sanctuaries and horse riding estates. I’ve learnt to ask tough questions and gathered some shocking answers.

When I think of cheese, I immediately remember that it comes by forcefully impregnating a cow and snatching the kid away from its mother – unfortunately even in so called “free range” farms. When you feel like riding a horse again, remember the male horse is often castrated and its spirit broken just for you to be able do that.

If you ask me, in-depth research is the best way to deal with any cravings. They’ll go away once you associate them with animal suffering, environmental degradation and the adverse impact on our personal health.

Also read: How a Chicken Bus in Nicaragua Transformed the Way I Travel

Transition into veganism at your own pace

There is no right or wrong way on how to transition into veganism. For me, it was both a slow and overnight transition. I gave up meat and seafood overnight as a teenager. After many years of living under a rock, I finally learnt what happens behind the scenes to produce eggs and milk products. It took me a while to digest those facts, then I gave up eggs and dairy overnight.

Your journey could be very different from mine or anyone else’s. Here are some things to consider:

How to turn vegan slowly: If you prefer to make changes in small doses, by all means start slow. Maybe it means eating vegan every Sunday. Or for one week every month. Maybe it means first cutting out all animal products except that one thing you really can’t get yourself to give up (chai or curd in many cases). Or allowing yourself one cheat day a month. Maybe it means setting out a timeline for yourself and slowly eliminating animal products from your diet. Maybe it begins with the commitment to never buy cosmetics tested on animals again. Or silk or leather or wool products.

How to turn vegan overnight: If you believe in all or nothing, by all means turn vegan overnight. But do your research, especially on how to stay healthy through the transition. Which brings me to my next point.

Also read: The Ultimate Vegan (and Vegetarian) Survival Guide for Japan

Ensure you eat healthy as a vegan

Many people think that just by virtue of eating vegan, they’re eating healthy. But things like potato chips, coke, maggi and refined sugar are vegan too. Whether to eat junk food or not is your call, but especially as a newbie vegan, try to incorporate major foods groups into your diet. Lentils, chickpeas, beans, leafy greens, veggies, fruits, millets, grains, nuts, seeds. There are tons of incredible vegan recipes online, of which smoothies are my favourite. They’re easy to make, delicious and pack in a ton of nutrition!

While it’s possible and often easy to get enough protein, calcium and other nutrients on a vegan diet, we do need to eat more consciously. This guide by the NHS is a good starting point to work out what to include in your food.

Also read: [NHS Report] Might a Vegan Diet be Healthy, or Even Healthier

Monitor your nutrition, especially Vitamin B12 and D3

Many people ask if eating vegan is natural since most vegans need to opt for Vitamin B12 and D3 supplementation. So allow me to bust some myths.

First, many non-vegans (vegetarians and meat eaters) are also deficient in these essential vitamins. In my family for instance, I’m vegan, my dad is vegetarian and my mom eats meat and seafood. We all take B12 and D3 supplements. Irrespective of your diet, you must monitor their levels.

Second, the natural source of Vitamin B12 is bacteria in the soil and spring water. Unfortunately much of our soil and spring water is contaminated now. These days even poultry animals are given B12 supplements!

The natural source of Vitamin D3 is sunlight, but not all human bodies are able to process D3 directly from the sun.

As you consider how to transition into veganism, it’s a good idea to do a blood test to monitor your nutrition, including calcium, iron, Vitamin B12 and D3. If you can compare your diet now and 3-6 months after you transition, you’ll discover what food sources to include in your diet.

Also note that it’s important to balance two major amino acids – lysine and arginine – on a vegan diet. While most vegan sources have a higher arginine:lysine ratio, only a few like beans, avocados and lentils offer the reverse. Make sure to incorporate plenty of those into your food.

Also read: What No One Tells You About Writing and Publishing a Book in India

Mentally prepare yourself to break the news to your family and friends

I won’t lie. When you think about how to turn vegan, you should know that this big transition will likely affect some of your relationships. When people close to me heard that I no longer consume animal products, they either made fun of me or went on the defensive. My food choices were scrutinized way too often – so much that I often wished for a meal where we’d talk about anything else.

Over the past 4 years though, I’ve learnt to pick my battles. I try to make things easier by catching up with friends over tea rather than a meal, or doing my research and suggesting a vegan-friendly place if they’re up for it. When I visit family, I’m super grateful that they go out of their way to ensure that I’m well fed.

Perhaps it was easier for me to adapt my lifestyle because I don’t live with family. But if you live at home, know that after my friend Monica Chopra turned vegan, she convinced most of her family to go vegan over time too! She says what really worked for her was making her family try things they love (vegan variations of cheese, curd, meat etc). She also enrolled in a nutrition course and was able to answer all their questions about calcium and protein scientifically. Her mom ended up reversing her thyroid problems, and that was reason enough to embrace a plant-based lifestyle.

Also read: An Open Letter to Indian Parents: Let Your “Kids” Travel

Connect with other vegans

Remember that everything you’re going through – from wondering how to transition into veganism to the challenges and deep anger / sadness / guilt that might follow – someone has already been through it. Being a vegan in a non-vegan world can feel pretty lonely. Join vegan groups in your area on Facebook, follow vegan hashtags on Instagram, participate in a vegan event in your area (or initiate it), go for vegan potlucks, attend vegan festivals and conferences, and meet fellow vegans in person as much as you can. Friendships built on strong common grounds are some of the strongest.

Also read: Inspiring Indians Using Social Media to Drive Positive Change

Look up vegan-friendly cafes / restaurants in your location

At first, I was sad to figure out that many cafes / restaurants I frequented in my pre-vegan life could no longer offer me satisfying food. But believe me when I tell you that in the months and years since, I’ve had some of the best food of my entire life! I’m thinking of forest mushroom sandwiches, vegan cheese pizzas, homemade smoothies, chocolate desserts and much much more. It’s not always easy to find such food, but as the vegan movement grows, cities around the world are becoming increasingly vegan-friendly.

As you figure out how to turn vegan, make sure you download the HappyCow App that maps vegan-friendly places near you, wherever in the world you are. Look for cafes and restaurants with vegan options on Tripadvisor / Zomato. Ask for recommendations in your location’s vegan Facebook group. Scout Instagram hashtags for delicious finds.

Also read: How to Travel as a Vegan and Find Delicious Food Anywhere in the World

Learn to read the labels and figure out alternatives

I’m sure most vegans will identify when I say how tired my eyes felt from squinting, trying to read every label of every product in a supermarket! Besides looking for the obvious suspects, I’ve learnt to look for ingredients like whey powder (made from milk), gelatin (obtained from boiling the skin and bones of animals), isinglass (obtained from fish bladder) and casein (milk byproducts).

The good news is that after the first few times, you’ll figure out what is accidentally vegan and what is not. In India for instance, Uncle Chips contain milk solids while Hide and Seek biscuits are accidentally vegan!

Vegan alternatives are pretty contentious in the vegan world. Some feel that we don’t need alternatives for cheese, milk and meat at all. Some are wary of their environmental consequences (almond milk for instance, can be a huge drain on water resources).

Personally, I think it’s important to use local and sustainably sourced products as much as possible. Other than that, it’s upto each individual to decide whether or not to opt for alternatives. If consuming peanut curd and adding some oat milk to your chai makes it easier for you to stay off animal products, go for it.

Also read: 8 Easily Available Alternatives for Cow’s Milk in India

Subscribe to inspiring vegan bloggers, Youtubers and Instagrammers

Social media can be a treasure trove of inspiration if you follow the right people. And luckily, there are many who’ll inspire you to stay vegan. I love Bite Size Vegan‘s extremely informative Youtube videos and SimpleVeganBlog‘s seriously easy vegan recipes. I follow several vegan hashtags on Instagram. And have started my own #TSSVeganSundays series to answer popular questions on veganism.

Also read: Amazing Vegan Travel Bloggers to Follow in 2020

Share your journey and spread the awareness

Once you’ve worked out how to transition into veganism and embarked on your journey, chances are, you’ll want to spread the word. Like I said, being vegan is a choice that stares you in the face every single day. If your motivation is strong enough to stay vegan, you’ll likely want to do something more than being vegan on a personal level.

Most vegans I know have also transitioned into work that enables them to spread the word about veganism. Many of my vegan friends are now animal rights activists, health consultants, chefs, vegan business owners, yoga teachers, climate activists and more. Others have weaved in elements of a vegan lifestyle into their existing professions.

Personally, it has been an internal battle to figure out that my strength is writing, even when it comes to spreading the animal cruelty message. I’ve written about my vegan travel adventures for National Geographic Traveller, Travel+Leisure and Condé Nast Traveller. I’ve reported on India’s vegan movement for FirstPost, started #TSSVeganSundays to discuss hard hitting perspectives on Instagram and have many more stories in the pipeline.

Also read: 15 Responsible Travel Tips for Authentic, Meaningful Experiences on the Road

*Bonus* When the going gets tough, remember your reason for turning vegan

You know you’re serious about making the transition if you’ve made it so far in this post. So here’s a bonus tip for you. A few days, weeks or months into your vegan journey, the going will likely get tough. You might crave something you loved (or didn’t care for) in your pre-vegan life. You might feel exhausted from all the jokes thrown at you by friends, family and random acquaintances. You might find yourself walking the familiar aisles of your favorite store, realizing there’s nothing there you can eat anymore.

Having survived those phases, I want to tell you that this too shall pass. Don’t be hard on yourself. If you must give into a craving, do it. If you must explode from anger or sadness or guilt, do it. If you must escape it all and seek refuge in a vegan potluck or vegan group or vegan cafe or vegan friend, do it (my Instagram DMs are always open for you, btw).

Most of all, remember why you quit animal products in the first place. Reach within you to find that conviction, strength and compassion again. Remember, if you think that being vegan is difficult, imagine how difficult it is for the animals that you’re not vegan.

Have you ever wondered how to transition into veganism? What are your major challenges?

The post 11 Tips to Ease Your Transition Into a Vegan Lifestyle. appeared first on The Shooting Star.

11 Tips to Ease Your Transition Into a Vegan Lifestyle. published first on https://airriflelab.tumblr.com

[wishingfornever]

12/14/17 – No Contact:  NationState Anniversary

It would appear that a year ago, MN was created.  Hrm…  Interesting. I thought I made it sooner.  I was in Texas at this time.  I thought I was in California when I created MN.  Or when Castro died.  Well, he died in November… yeah, I was in Texas.  Weird.  My memory is turning to crap.

Hrm… I coughed up some mucus mixed with blood.  That’s a really bad sore throat.

244. I’m almost at 240.  That’s great.  Then 40 more pounds and I reach my goal.  Which should be in about April.  April is going to be the month for me.  2018 will be the year for me.  I’m optimistic. :D

Watching Moana on Netflix.  Charming movie thus far, of course it just began. I have one quip.  This wisewoman is sharing the history of the tribe with these toddlers and they’re all scared except for the titular character.  Two things that I take issue with:

Firstly, there are more male toddlers than female toddlers.  That would be a truly rare occurrence to see in a culture such as theirs.  Women have always outnumbered men historically.

Second, this old bat is talking about how everyone is going to die and Moana is smiling like a maniac.  All the other children are afraid.  So, I guess this has two points within it’s own point.  Moana shouldn’t be smiling and it’s alright to be afraid.  She is young, she has a lot of reasons to be afraid because if she’s not then she won’t grow up and will be carried off by predatory animals in the middle of the night.  That said, why not tell the story when they’re old so that they won’t break down in tears and will remember their own history better?  Just saying.

Also, why doesn’t Moana have any siblings?  Especially since her father’s father’s father’s father’s father was chief that continued to son onto son onto son?  Idk, I don’t understand how their government works.  I like the poetic meaning with the rocks on the tallest part of the island, though.

Fuck, how old is this fucking chicken?  Where are they getting their fabric from?

Moana isn’t a super narrow princess that we’ve grown accustomed to in Disney movies.  She’s kinda buff.  :o

Oh, shit.  Moana’s grandma killed Steve Irwin.  :o

Ugh… Just finished Moana.  I feel like crying.

I ended up crying.  Watched Lava by Disney/Pixar.  Cute song.  Very touching.  I’m very emotional right now, I guess.  Anyways, it’s time to walk Max.

Back. Watching the Jungle Book.  The one with CGI animals.  One of the wolves refers to a boar as wild.  Like, really?  You’re fucking wild!  >:C

I noticed how there were hand drawn animations in this one (at the beginning) and in Moana.  I guess Disney is still watching out for their old cartoonists.  That’s nice of them.

Just like the old Jungle Book, they cheat.  They’re recycling CGI animals from OTHER Disney movies and using them in slightly edited scenes!  GAWD!!!  Kidding, kidding.

Oh, Sher Khan sounds powerful.  Good voice actor.

Fucking hell, Bill Murray is ruining the movie for me.  Like, GOD DAMMIT. Everyone refers to Mowgli as the “Man Cub!” and speak very properly and in a distinguished manner.  Then Bill Murray comes in speaking his fucking slang and just being… well, himself.  Says, “Kid.”  Like, really?  I wish they got someone else to be Baloo.

Something I do like about the movie is how the animals have their own customs, traditions, cultures, languages, governance, and even religion.  It’s crazy.  So much lore.  :o

Eh… the bear-necessities song seems out of place.  Guess I was hoping it’d be more of a drama rather than a comedy/family movie.  I mean, Bill Murray isn’t a bad actor but I don’t find him very… well, dramatic.  He’s more comedy which is probably why I prefer someone more fluid with the other voice actors.

Mowgli forgot his rope.

Christ, Christopher Walken is King Louie.  “I want… to… be like… YOU… I want… to… TALK… like you… in coherent sentences.”

I take back everything I said about Bill Murray.  Christopher Walken, however…  And yet again, the song feels out of place.  Want more drama.  Then again King “Louie” doesn’t sound like it belongs to begin with.  All the other names are SUPER Indian.  King Louie, however?  Sounds French.  I’ll look into it sometime.

Gigantopithecus? Is that what King Louie was in the original?  I thought he was an orangutan.  Ah, well.  It’s kinda cool they’re using an extinct creature.  It makes it extra creepy, like he were some sort of old god.  I was wondering why he was so big.  I feel like they changed the song since then.

HE SAYS “FIRE” IN THE FUCKING SONG!!!  WHAT THE FUCK!?!  THE LORE!!! YOU’RE BREAKING THE LORE!!!

Wait, Mowgli did a monkey crawl thing up the steps.  Now that he’s running in terror, he knows how to run up them like a normal person? Consistency…

This is a weird thing to note, but Christopher Walken has a lot of screen time.  Kaa’s voice actor has such a pretty voice, I was hoping we’d get to hear more of her.  Maybe she’ll show up again.  I’ll look up the cast when the movie is over.

I like how the monkeys swarm but can’t really do much damage.  Like, lol, they the zerg.

Oh, fuck.  Zerg is a perfect comparison.  They have a hivemind.  The temple collapses and they immediately coordinate a rescue effort. All in unison.  In sync.

Mowgli is sneaking into the Human Village.  I bet you he’s going to steal the fire and then leave.  Obviously not trying to join them.  Also, wasn’t it daylight a minute ago?

Now, I’m pretty civilized.  But is it common to have a bonfire in the middle of the village every night?  I feel like that’s a waste of resources.  Also, how did he reach that torch?  It’s like twice his height up.  Also, how would they know fire is red?  When it’s more orange?  Not the point.  Red flower.  Aren’t most animals colorblind?

Fuck, that was a quick run.  I thought it took him days to get to that village.  It took him far less time to get back.

Ah, fuck!  Mowgli just proved Sher Khan’s point!  Whaaaaaat?!  Moral complexity in a Disney movie?!

Sher Khan killed Baloo?  Oh, shit.  That was brutal.  I wonder who would win.  A tiger or a bear.  Doubt they’d interact very often, tbh. Bears would win on strength but tigers are strong AND agile.  Like, oof.  They’re a feline.  And Sher Khan is like… vicious.  Baloo is lazy.  Guess that settles that.

Drat. Sher Khan fell to his death.  Though, admittedly, the fall probably didn’t kill him because tigers are just oversized cats.  Rather, I’m fairly certain the fire did.  Disney likes having falls into fire.  Hrm…

Fuck! Baloo lived!

Elephants don’t strike me as the sort to alter the environment but I’m not an elephant specialist.

Alright, it’s over.  I wonder what will happen when Mowgli gets older. Like, will one of the female wolves be offered to him as a “bride” or whatever?  Will he fuck a wolf?  Is he a furry?  And what of King Louie?  Will he come back for him?  And also, his diaper.  Why does he never take it off?  I’m aware that it’s indecent and I don’t want to see an underaged penis.  However, how would he know what decency is?  And does he ever poop?  Where does he poop?  Does he eat meat raw?  It seems like he must have.  Can you actually eat meat raw?  I think humans used to be able to but the organ responsible is no longer functional.  There are so many questions.  Really, he should have been brought back to the human village at the end to avoid, “When his balls drop, will he fuck animals?” question.  I might be the only one asking it, but I’m asking it.

Oh, the outro is fucking awesome.  Christopher Walken/King Louie crawling out of rubble and then singing in these temple ruins inside a book. Pretty cool, not sure if it’s canon.  If it is, then that means he lived and Mowgli better beware.

Shere Khan?  I’ve spelled it wrong this entire time.  :o

HOLY FUCK!!!  KAA WAS SCARLETT JOHANSSON!!!  ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!? Like, that’s a name I’m familiar with and I’m not that great with names.  Jesus Christ, you fucking got her to play Kaa for a SINGLE scene?  Less than that?  Like, so little.  I feel like she should have had more screen time.  Like, really.  She must have been EXPENSIVE to bring in.  Geez.  :o

Just googled Akela’s character.  It’s Gus from Breaking Bad.  Or the Dentist from Payday.  That dude is usually a villain.  They’ve got a great cast.  He was a very powerful pack leader, I thought. Surprised his character died.

Then again, these actors are pretty expensive.  Maybe that’s why they’re only in it for a little bit?  Or because plot.

Alright, so that was it for the big names.  I heard that in the original story of the Jungle Book, Mowgli had elephants destroy his village at the very end and killed everyone.  Not sure how true that is.  If it’s very true, then the book is immediately better.

Eh… looking for something else on Netflix.  Recommended for me… all anime.  I don’t watch anime.  Esther does.  Her spectre is back. :/

Going through critically acclaimed.  That means they received high reviews. They’re considered good movies.  One of these movies:  Antz.

I’ve seen Antz.  I remember it from when I was very young.  Allow me to assure you, it wasn’t very good.  It had Christopher Walken in it. That’s not really relevant to the quality, just thought it’d be interesting to point out since the Jungle Book also had him.

Holy shit, Antz is a children’s movie?  There was an attempted rape scene in it.  Christ.  :o

Anastasia… that was a decent movie.  It’s not a Disney movie.  I know this because I cracked a joke involving Disney.  I think it was the supposed hatred for Jews?  I don’t remember the joke.  Anyways, everyone quickly YELLED at me, calling me VERY mean things and informed me in a not so polite manner that Anastasia is made by Fox.

Whoops! Anyways, I remember that a lot because it was in my World of Warcraft days.  Dark times, even then. Late high school, early… no school?  Idk, but you get it.  I basically had this guild I rolled with called the Bloodfury Clan. Orc-Only RP guild on an RPPvP (Role Play Player versus Player) Server.  It’s where my writing talents sort of… came to me. These folks were very professional in a very brutish way.  It was great.  We never referred to our guild as a guild.  It was a Clan. Because ORC!!! The head of the Clan was this Puerto Rican woman.  A lovely person.  Kil’Gora.  Or Kilgora because the game wouldn’t allow punctuation in your name, but lorewise!  It was Kil’gora.  Real name was Miri.  I looked up to her.  She was very influential.  Helped me through… a lot of dark times.  Mostly caused by my dad.

I don’t remember if it was before or after my comment… I think after.  But over Ventrilo, she sung to me.  Out of the blue.  Just… randomly sung.  She knew I was going through a particularly rough day, so she sang to me.  She sang a song from Anastasia.  I cried. It may seem like I cry a lot, but I assure you, crying for me used to be rare.  I hated crying.  I didn’t want to seem weak.  She was there for me.  And she was the first person to hear me cry.

Esther, however, was the first person to see me cry.  Weird how that works.

Anyways, a nickname of hers was Ariel because of her Disney singing voice.  I pointed out to her that Anastasia isn’t by Disney but by Fox.  It surprised her too.  I also told her that the internet thought I was a fucking retard for not knowing.  That didn’t surprise her.  Tough love.

Decided to send her a message.  Just something reassuring.  Life hasn’t been easy for her.  And considering how Puerto Rico has been this year, I’d say she’s probably worried about home.  She doesn’t live there anymore… but it’s still her home.  Weird to say.

You know, I never really considered California home until I left it.  I was alone in Texas with plains.  I felt like I was in the middle of a golden ocean.  Why was it golden?  Because it was piss.  I missed the mountains.  They were always so reassuring.  Then I come back and realize that I never wanted to come back.  And I couldn’t return to Texas because my dad fucked my credit.  Well… I have now.  I don’t really look outside.  I don’t really pay attention to the atmosphere.  A lot has changed.  But, I keep my troubles to myself. To many, they see me and think, “Wow… he hasn’t changed one bit after all these years.”

The reality is, I’m always changing.  I find new horrors, new regrets, new kinks in my personality.  Every day, I feel more unhinged.  What they see is what I rehearse.  I plan conversations ahead of schedule, I alleviate thought and avoid improvisation.  Should they deviate from the path… chaos.  Panic.  Fear behind a shy smile.  I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to say.

Thus, many will see that I say the same thing over and over.  This is intentional.  This is the conversational package that will get me through my life.  How long will that last?

Years ago, I predicted that I would die at the age of 27.  This was during the Bloodfury Clan.  So, perhaps I will die next year.  Maybe I shouldn’t enlist afterall.  Regardless, it’d be more convenient if I do perish.  Simpler, rather.  Not that I seek my own death but I will not seek to prevent it, either.  If I die, then I will die.  If I live, then I will live until I die.  The age at which I die is irrelevant.

However, I will be disappointed to die at 28.  That might actually piss me off.

Anyways, backtracking.  Fun fact about Orc RP:  It’s basically descriptive grunting.  Like, it’s comical at times.  You have to be fierce. Not necessarily sub-human but definitely animalistic.  I was THE BEST recruiter Bloodfury ever had.  At least… I think?  Not sure.  Might have changed since then.  I’d post my advertisement in General Chat and Trade Chat.  People would often comment with how well written it was.  I had longer adverts, too, but Blizz prevented me from using them because spam filter.

Drat.

My best advertisement was actually a ripoff from the Napoleon: Total War intro cinematic.  The thing is, I didn’t even own Napoleon: Total War until I was in Texas.  I had already stopped playing WoW by then.

Not the point.  The point is, people would send me a “Tell” or “Whisper” which is a direct and personal message directly to me.  Tell me if I need to slow down.  Anyways, we’d set up an interview to see if they can RP.  Turns out, not many people can.  It’s easy.  Write a coherent sentence, right? You’d think.

Most people are illiterate.  And though my advert was well-written, it appealed to EVERYONE.  So, a lot of Non-Orcs and Non-RPers would have to be turned away.  It was a shame, but purity.  You know how that goes.  #fascism

When the interview began, I started with a single statement.  “The Prey approaches.”  Nothing more primal than referring to someone who is your lesser as prey, something for you to sink your fangs into and tear their flesh out.  It also establishes dominance.  Not sure how, though.  Miri said she LOVED that line because it was just… perfect.  Orcs don’t HAVE to be stupid.  They can be, but that’s not their purpose.

Big, dumb orcs?  No.  Orcs are brutes, but that doesn’t mean they’re stupid.  Orcs should be Laconic, forceful, direct, perhaps impatient. Orcs can be really smart but they should still be prone to their instinct.

I mentioned a story here, I’m fairly certain.  Of my orc in a forest? I might not have, but if I have then consider this a recap.  The orc ended up looting a dwarven doll and then it broke and he angrily threw it at a tree so hard it shattered.  He was basically an angry gorilla, pounding the floor and screaming over something so trivial. My Orc wasn’t dumb.  He had my intellect, which has been praised by many.  It’s also been denounced by far more, but fuck them; me am smart Orc!

PvP was my thing.  It was my character’s lore.  I basically leveled from 57 to 60 using NOTHING but Alterac Valley, one of the PvP modes. PvP, btw, stands for Player vs Player.  So, I would attack other players.  Miri got me turned on to WORLD PvP where you gank people. Gank means you ambush them while they’re questing.  I was REALLY good at it.  Like, I set up AMAZING ambushes.

Back in the day, you had to walk to dungeons.  Now, you just magically appear there for… reasons.  But back then?  No.  You had to be there in person and then you could summon people to join you.  What I did was I waited at one of these dungeons.  It’s entrance was an opened top box.  On the top parts, were pillars and debris to depict the dungeon being ruins or whatever.  What I’d do was have my cat, who was named “Mittens” because I’m a badass Orc Warrior but lol.  I RP’d with Mittens.  She was canon.  It was… the best.

Mittens would break to be on one side.  I’d use a bunch of potions to make my character small and turn him into a skeleton.  I’d wait on the other side of the box.  When someone entered, I’d pop out behind cover, throw my axe at them, pop back in, and wait.  They’d look around, see the cat, and look at it.  Then, when Mittens had their attention, I’d pop out from cover again and charge into their backs and just BEAT the everliving shit out of them.

Other times, I’d stalk people.  Wait to strike.  Like this one Paladin who I was following.  She jumped down and bubbled (meaning she cast a spell making her immune to damage for a limited time).  When the bubble faded, I charged her.  She took so much damage she tried to heal.  I spellblocked her in the middle, meaning that spell and any spells like it were unable to be cast for a limited time.  Her defeat was SO absolute, her only response was to /cry.

I felt a little bad, so I apologized for it on my Alliance character almost immediately after.  She was really nice it seemed.

Anyways, another time there was another Paladin.  He was doing daily quests. He was pulling all these monsters all at once so he can kill them all at once and complete the quest faster.  I saw this and ambushed him. Me plus ALL these monsters meant he had no chance.  I won.

When you die, you have to find your body as a ghost and then you come back to life.  He does this and immediately heals.  He finds me.  I wave. He changes his armor to PvP specific armor.  He changes his specialization from Player versus Environment (PvE) Paladin to PvP Paladin.  I get worried.  I message Jer that I might need help.  Then I realize he has no mana.  I tell Jer, “Nevermind” and charge him again.

A Paladin is worthless without Mana.  He loses again.  I laugh and I laugh.

I use player’s instincts and strengths against them while feeding on their weaknesses.  When you get attacked, you find where they attack from.  You see a fortified position or a sign of previous occupation (like say a cat that follows a player anywhere they go) and you prepare for an assault from that position.  Then you get attacked from what you thought was barren and had no sign of life because you didn’t expect a 6’5” Orc to actually be a 2’ skeleton hiding behind the least cover possible.  The most powerful spells in someone’s arsenal will be used carelessly when they’re not threatened.  So, if you wait long enough, they’ll expend what they think they won’t need and will be vulnerable for attack far sooner. Preparing for confrontation means you’ll have to reallocate resources.  Failure to account for the resources lost means you’ll be targeted before you can replenish.

I could have written a world PvP book.  Like, I suggested to clan members who were getting into PvP to get the Helmet and Shoulder armors last when it comes to PvP gear because it’s the easiest to recognize because they actually have unique models.  If you have ALL the armor besides the helmet and shoulder armor, you’d be VERY well-geared, but you won’t look like it.  Thus, you’d be underestimated and that’d give you an advantage in the initial engagement.

I miss PvP.

Anyways… watching Anastasia.  If you ever read this and think, “Maybe Orc RP is kinda cool?” it is.  At a time, I knew plenty of Orcish words that I’d just throw into conversation to make it sound so much more authentic.  My axe was named “Lok’tra” which is an Orcish song about great battles or whatever.  I LOVE naming weapons.  ^^

Hrm, I’m not sure how historically accurate those uniforms are.

300 years?  Um, not in 1916…  1913 would be 300 years.  Though, I guess it was just rounding down at that point...  But traveling to Paris?  During WWI?  Not with that German Uboat threat.  And this bitch, with Rasputin?  The Tsarina LOVED Rasputin because he saved their son.  And then he said when he dies, their entire family would die.

This is something petty to point out, especially since it’s accepted regardless… but “Tsar” is better than “Czar.”  I’m sure “Tsar” looks less pleasing, but the Russian character they use is basically a “Ts.”  Pronounce the T and then the s.  Czar is still correct, of course, but Tsar is perhaps more correct.

Rasputin did die from drowning.  But it wasn’t an accident.  He was assassinated by Russian nobles (not the Romanov family) who didn’t like how much power he had with the Tsar and the Tsarina.  Or he was assassinated by the British.  Long story there.  The fun story is that he was poisoned.  Excessively.  And then he was shot. Excessively.  Then he was tied up.  Excessively.  And then he was tossed in a river.  His body was discovered and he had freed himself of the rope.  He had drowned, though.  He was a pain in the ass to kill.

Also, a fortnight?  Really?  The Romanovs were killed in 1918.  Not 1916. Or 1917.

Wait, this bitch is taking a train to Paris?  A train?  Bullshit.  Not with WWI.  Like, no way.  She could be taking it to a sea port, but still. Not very likely.

Saint Petersburg?  Still?  1917, we’ll say, so in 7 years.  She’d be 23 when it switches to Leningrad.  So, I wonder how old she is.  If it’s not too long, then she’d be stuck in a Russian civil war.

Oh, that’s dumb.  They have a newspaper saying, “Anastasia Lives” and the “A” is the Russian character for “D.”  That’s the only Cyrillic letter there.  The rest are western letters. Commissar wouldn’t have a tie at this time.  At least he shouldn’t, fairly certain they had only collars.

How come the main characters are the only people without Russian accents? More importantly, why would they have Russian accents?  They’d be speaking Russian, not English.  Thus they wouldn’t have much accent to themselves.  Thus, it’d be more natural to have them use anglophone accents instead of Russian accents speaking English. Like, if they speak French?  They can speak French in English but should have a Russian accent because French isn’t Russian so they would have an accent.  It’s just… trivial, I guess.

TEN YEARS?!?  FUCKING CHRIST!!!  Anastasia was born in 1901!  Assuming it all happened in 1916, that means she’d be leaving that orphanage at the age of 25.  There is no Russian Civil War at this point, and it’d DEFINITELY be Leningrad.

Backing up to the Russian accents thing… something that I’d think would be cool would be Russian slang equivalents or idioms.  I say that because there are a lot of American slang and idioms in movies like this.  Like saying, “Pal” or “Guys” or whatever.  When making someone sound foreign, you don’t need to give them an accent.  Just alter the way they speak.  It’ll still sound foreign when clearly spoken in English.  A good example is Jade Empire.  I think the character’s name was Smiling Mountain and he introduced you to the in-game language and then spoke regular English again.  Mind you, Jade Empire is based in Fantasy China so they wouldn’t be speaking English.  Thus, they reflected the foreign language through clear, concise, and proper wording and very poetic touches like Spear-Catches-Leaf.  Of course, that’s a name.  They’re are a lot of names like that, obviously… but the point of those names is that you understand the language so you know what the names mean.  Very pleasant.  :D I already hate the fucking dog.  Fuck the dog.  I hate the fucking dog.  Die.  Dog.

Also, I want to see this movie in Russian.  I feel like it’d be better.

The squirrels should be hibernating.

The animation is weird.  Like, multiple layers… the footprints in the snow move at a different pace than the snow does when the camera is moving.  Peculiar.

No exit visa!  No ticket!  Glory Arstotzka!  I love how he actually has a hammer and sickle.  Red uniform was a thing for at least one unit during the civil war, not sure if he’d have one though.

Fairly certain the palace wasn’t abandoned.  It was probably re-purposed. Might be wrong though since the governance did move to Moscow.

Singing the song Miri sang to me… It was touching, almost brought me to tears.  Then I realized that all the dancers look the same.  I realized Anastasia is a schizophrenic.  Maybe not the real Anastasia. Just Anya. Tsar Nicky looks good for a 50 year old man. Or at least a ghost.  Then again, he was always an attractive man I thought.  That is unusually rare for royalty.  I’m not sure why that is.  Look at the queen of England.  Who will inherit looks like he was kicked in the face by the ugliest horse in the stable.  Who won’t inherit actually is a decent looker.

Of course, the uglier son… I heard he is supposed to be a very kind man.  Could be wrong.  But he is honorable.

She said she was 8 when the revolutions happened… um… no?  She was born in 1901 not 1908-1909.

I’m fairly certain Tsar Nicholas II’s mother died before Anastasia did. The entire movie is her going to find her grandmother, who clearly played favorites.  What a bitch.

I like how Rasputin actually expresses joy when he sees his old bat friend.  It’s touching.  :D

They get a period correct map but they couldn’t get the rest correct? Actually, how am I sure this map is correct?

It’s not!  Estonia isn’t on there!  Or rather, it doesn’t have any borders, really… implying it’s a part of Russia!  Come on!  >:C

It bothers me that Vladimir is the only one with a Russian accent. Either everyone does it or no one does.

Where did they get horses?  Did they steal them?

The fuck is Tasha?  The boat is in Germany?  Why is Tasha everywhere?

Ugh… I always found France pretentious and overrated.  Like, at a point France dictated what was considered art and what wasn’t considered art.  Rembrandt is an example of what wasn’t considered art. However, more people recognize Rembrandt than any of the French artists of the same period.  

Holy crap, someone’s actually speaking Russian.  Really?

Where did they get the palace?  In France?  The French Republic?  They leasing out Versailles now?  Who are the nobles?

Dmitri gets hit in the head with debris.  Then the dick.  Then Anya says, “THIS IS FOR DMITRI!!!”  Like, make sure he’s dead first. Otherwise, he might already have one.  Won’t need two.

They eloped?  Oof.  Where are they going?  Leaving Paris, it seems.  Can’t go back to Russia because… well, they’ll kill her there. Curious.  Probably a dumb idea.  The monarchy could establish a government in exile, of course.  That’s if she didn’t elope.  She doesn’t think about Russia.  Self-absorbed brat.  This is why the Romanovs were shot.

Huh. The voice actors are up there.  Kelsey Grammer.  His last name bothers me.  Christopher Lloyd was the Doc from Back to the Future. John Cusak.  Kirsten Dunst.  That’s all I recognize.

Oh, fuck.  It’s 1 in the morning.  Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.  Um…