#instead of associating a certain lifestyle and personality to it

[happy10thousandyears]

Have to say I don't rly fw white ppls definitions of gayness

[pomefioredove]

Hiii! I adore your writings especially the vill fics thank you for blessing us vil fans 😭🙏💕

Can you please write soulmate au with vil and the perks of being soulmate with him? Thank youuu

thank you so much, that's so sweet!!! and OHHH soulmate.... so good

summary: soulmates type of post: fic characters: vil additional info: romantic, reader is gender neutral, reader is not specified to be yuu, FLUFFY, lovesick vil forever

Vil Schoenheit had always deemed the existence of "soulmates" to be a thing confined in the lines of a poem.

Ever the rationalist, Vil hadn't even entertained the fantasy of meeting his "perfect match", if such a person even existed. His life was not that of a cheesy movie script he'd turn down.

Finding someone who could cope with his strict lifestyle would be a miracle in and of itself.

...And if you had asked Vil Schoenheit what his image of the perfect partner would be, he would say exactly that.

Someone beautiful, intelligent, responsible, with the dedication and discipline to keep up with him.

Spoken with a sardonic smile and honeyed words, Vil knew that his chances of actually finding someone to meet his standards, to keep up with him, were slim.

He couldn't have possibly imagined having to keep up with you, instead.

You were like a shooting star; swift and bright, moving faster than he could fathom, cutting through the dark parts of his life like a hot blade.

Something for him to wish on.

Beautiful.

Like nothing he could have ever imagined.

There was a radiance in everything you did, one that made your skin glow with or without products, a certain warmth that so contrasted the refined and elegant image he'd grown to associate with beauty.

Vil would eagerly tend to your every need. It was a dream just to touch you, to have the honor of pushing your hair out of your face.

He would savor every second of grazing your skin, of tracing your features with delicate fingertips, if only just to cleanse your pores after a long day.

With you, every simple action is beautiful.

Vil enjoys pampering people he cares for, and thus your life is full of high-end products, the best groceries money can buy, and his personal advice from the very second he sets eyes on you.

He would gladly do your personalized skincare routine with you every night and every morning if time allowed it.

2. Intelligent.

In such a way that makes him eager to understand you.

Really, it's your insatiable curiosity that draws him in.

He could spend hours upon hours simply listening to you talk. Your interests begin excite him just as much as they excite you, your passion for learning and creating capture his attention with ease.

There's never a dull moment between the two of you.

What others might consider useless conversations about trivial matters, Vil holds to the highest regard.

It comes to the point where he begins asking you for opinions, even if he knows he'll disagree with your answer, just to hear your perfect voice, just to watch your expression change in the way it does when you're thinking.

He's infatuated with your thought process, with the way your mind works.

Understanding you is not a labor, but a privilege.

3. Responsible.

To where all he could ask for is you and your gentle touch.

You care. Whether you're aware of it or not, you care so deeply about the people in your life, it almost puts Vil to shame.

Paired with your determination and resilience, and your ceaseless sense of independence, it's absolutely irresistible to him.

Vil is so unfamiliar with the way you treat him. Tenderly, and softly, like he's something that needs to be taken care of. You don't put him on a high shelf like a trophy, but carry him at your side, like a beloved doll.

He's never been at the receiving end of such consideration.

On the days where it feels as if the world is coming undone around him, he has somewhere to go. A place to hide, where he can forget all that he's supposed to be, and just simply be instead.

You are a home to him.

Vil knows that the both of you are perfectly capable (exemplary, even) at minding yourselves, though that's exactly what makes this tenderness you share all the better.

Independence is a gift, though one that he'll gladly set aside for a time, to be alone and soft with you.

4. Keeping Up.

Some days, it feels as if he's hanging onto you for dear life.

Afraid that if he looks away for even a moment, you'd vanish, leaving him alone with all of his naive, shallow thoughts on what his soulmate should be.

You're a dream to him. Far better than anything he ever could have asked for, or even imagined. He would be a fool to let you get away, he knows as much.

And perhaps he doesn't have the words to express it yet, perhaps he does. Perhaps these thoughts of his are tucked away in a journal, imbued in the lines of a poem, or in the color choices of a floral arrangement. Perhaps he whispers them to you in the early hours of the morning, still caught in that dreamlike space between sleep and wake.

One thing has become clear to him, though: Vil could never adequately describe all that he wants in a soulmate.

You're far too complex to put in a single sentence.

[gandalfsbignaturals]

what is tme/tma? (sorry i’m cis)

they stand for transmisogyny exempt and transmisogyny affected. nominally they are supposed to label people who are targets of transmisogyny (tma) and people who are not targets of transmisogyny (tme), but in practice they are typically instead defined to mean "trans women, trans femmes, and (sometimes) gnc men" (tma) and "literally everyone else" (tme)

unfortunately, as i have tried to argue, this... isnt really how oppression works, especially considering the queer community necessarily resists hard categorization, and especially binaries

whats more, people who are supposedly tme are frequently the victims of transmisogynistic hatecrimes, something the proponents of the terms usually call "misdirected transmisogyny." i have gripes with this, though, because misdirected bigotry is... well, its still bigotry.

when sikhs (and whats more, any brown person who looked a certain way) were facing a monstrous amount of misdirected islamophobia in the wake of 911, the muslim community did not come out and say "well, they arent really muslim, so the islamophobic attacks on them dont count." nor did the sikhs and others use it as an excuse to attack islam! instead, they recognized that the bigots didnt actually care about the specific labels of the people they were attacking. all they cared was that someone was brown, and that they practiced a foreign religion, and that was enough.

likewise, when gentiles are attacked by antisemites for defending or associating with jewish people, those jewish people do not say, "you are not jewish, and therefore this doesnt count." instead, they acknowledge that, once again, the bigots in this instance dont actually care about the specifics of the lives led by those theyre attacking. i cannot imagine a jewish synagogue denying aid to a victim of an antisemitic attack, even if they are not jewish.

similarly, when a queer or gnc person is attacked by a transphobe for performing gender wrong, that transphobe doesnt actually care what particular label or lifestyle the person theyre attacking subscribes too. a trans man with some stubble in a dress is the same as a non-passing trans woman to them. a burly woman with higher than average testosterone going into the womens bathroom is the same as a non-passing trans woman to them. a masculine black woman in baggy clothes is the same as a non-passing trans woman to them. and they will attack accordingly, and no matter how the victim protests that they arent a trans woman, the bigot will not care.

this is all glossing over the fact that, by advocating that people disclose their tma/tme status in their blog description or carrd or whatever, you are effectively asking them to out themself. if you define tme as "not a trans woman," and someone has a trans flag and he/him pronouns on their profile, and you ask them to also include tme on their profile... well, then youre asking them to publicly state what their genitals are. while tma and tme are not defined exclusively based on genitals, it is undeniable that in combination with other readily available information, they can be easily used to determine what someones assigned gender at birth is.

when applied to trans people, tme/tma is just another false binary. it is a poor attempt to categorize a human experience that is simply not divisible into neat little categories, and especially not a binary.

[munsonsduchess]

Sugar Rush

summary: you’re chaperoning your little sisters graduation party but you only have eyes for eddie w/c: 18,221 warnings: 18+ MINORS DNI underage drinking (for my American friends anyway, where I’m from the legal drinking age is 18), alcohol, drugs (weed), swearing, heavy making out, grinding, eddie being kinda mean, oral (f receiving), mild exhibitionism a/n: so this was a wip from like last year but I redid parts of it and added the spicy stuff at the end and honestly I’m so happy with how this turned out. I really hope you guys like it too! Please reblog cause it really helps me out.

Dividers by @firefly-graphics and the moodboard is by @sweetpeapod who you should definitely check out bc her work is amazing.

People loved to say tha tx high school was the best time of a young person's life. Of course the people who said that rarely mentioned how high school loved to label people to better pigeonhole them into a certain box. Jock, prep, nerd, geek, freak. 

You’d loved Cheerleading since you could remember. The colourful uniforms, the energy, all of it and you’d been overjoyed when in your freshman year of highschool you’d been selected to join the team. It was a dream come true. 

Of course two years after graduating that dream had slowly faded away and been replaced by something much worse. You still loved the sport and your friends but the lifestyle you were expected to maintain was growing tiresome. 

You’d told your younger sister Chrissy as much when she’d joined the high school squad. Now in her senior year and having been on the High School squad long enough, she’d been sympathetic. You’d long suspected her relationship with Jason was the cause for the sympathetic ear and their relationship drama and eventual break up was not for the reasons most people thought. 

Then suddenly you saw him again. Eddie ‘the freak’ Munson as he was known had always been someone you’d been aware of, you’d been in elementary and middle school together and he had seemed nice enough. Though again not someone that you should associate with in your ‘position’ according to several teammates. Eddie was fine to buy drugs from and if you didn’t have the right amount in cash he was always so grateful for a favour instead. 

You’d met him at a party the first time. He’d been invited presumably just to sell his wares. You remembered your boyfriend at the time buying some weed from the curly haired boy and being grossly overcharged if what you heard was true. You knew Eddie didn’t like jocks and with how the basketball team treated him you didn’t blame him for overcharging rich assholes with more money than sense. 

You’d moved on after that. Graduated school, got into the local community college and set your sights on leaving Hawkins altogether. Well once Chrissy had graduated anyway, you weren’t about to leave her behind in the sort of environment your mother had curated. 

It seemed like fate to meet Eddie again at another party. Chrissy was having a little graduation get together for her friends, but like most events had been ‘crashed’ by the basketball team, the swim team, jock city. Apparently someone had told someone else who’d told someone else and word had just spread, Chrissy Cunningham was having a graduation party and so the house was overflowing with teens preening and boasting about what their parents had gotten them as graduation gifts and which college Daddy’s Money had bought them into. 

Again it seemed like someone had invited Eddie strictly to peddle his wares but things were different this time. People were much more wary after spring break. You’d invited your boyfriend Adam over to co chaperone with you but he seemed much more interested in reliving his glory days with the newly graduated boys milling about and throwing around off handed comments about how Eddie looked. 

The official story was that Henry Creel of Creel house fame had not in fact died at the hands of his father. Instead the budding child psychopath had killed his mother and sister and faked his own death to pin the whole thing on his father. 

He’d been at large ever since according to the federal agents who’d appeared on television and told all of Hawkins how he’d followed your sister back to Eddie’s trailer, Chrissy had told everyone that she was helping Eddie study since he really wanted to graduate this year, and attacked Chrissy again intending to pin the blame on someone else. 

Eddie had put himself between Chrissy and Creel but the madman had taken Eddie and left Chrissy for dead in the trailer. He then went on a rampage that week killing more Hawkins High students and eventually was caught by the authorities. Eddie had not been left unscathed as he’d tried to protect Chrissy and Creel had really done a number on him. Now Eddie had scars all over his body, and if the locker room rumours were to be believed he’d done it to himself in league with Creel, as a result of his injuries. 

Which meant that shallow people loved to take digs at his appearance and the scars, especially the ones on his face. Both you and Chrissy were quick to shut down those rumours usually, but tonight it just seemed that everyone wanted to poke the metaphorical bear. It was a combination off too much beer, too little sense and being provoked and encouraged at every angle that caused your idiot of a boyfriend to call out loudly for Eddie,

"Hey! Franken Freak!" several of the party goers laughed openly, you noticed a few who at least had the decency to look ashamed, 

"What can I do for you? Hasbeen?" Eddie called back, clearly unperturbed by being called out like that, your boyfriend however did not seem to take the rebuttal quite so genially,

"What did you call me?" 

"A Hasbeen, that's what you call someone who peaked in high school right? I hear you're working at the Gas N Sip on the edge of town these days. Thought Daddy was gonna get you into UCLA?" 

It was true. Adam had been boasting to everyone your senior year that his father was going to get him in the 'side door' at UCLA and that no one would ask any questions. Unfortunately someone in the company had already gone to the FBI with evidence of money laundering and fraud and the company went bankrupt months before graduation.

Adam and his family had all survived because of course they had. Came out of the whole situation smelling of roses while some poor guy got thrown under the bus and sent to prison for the rest of his life. It was still a sore spot. Which was evident by the vein pulsing in Adam's forehead and the look of sheer rage on his face. 

You decided to step in before you and Chrissy had to clean blood from your mom's rugs,

"Adam, baby, look why don't we leave the kids to it?" you tried to placate him by putting a hand on his arm and batting your eyelashes, hopefully if he thought he was going to get some he'd calm down. Not so. 

Instead he flung your hand from his arm and pushed you away, leaving you stumbling into the countertop,

"You think you're so fucking cool don't you freak?" Adam was up in Eddie's personal space now, challenging him. Thankfully Eddie seemed to be smarter than Adam and wasn't taking the bait,

"I think you need to chill man. Why not go with your girl? Have a little fun?" he laughed and offered Adam a pre roll from his little lunchbox, "on me" 

"I don't need your charity!" Adam snapped, 

"Wasn't charity dude, just trying to keep the peace" 

Honestly by now you were sick and tired of Adam, he'd been so nice in high school but then when you guys got a little older the niceties ended. He didn't want to go to the mall with you, he didn't want to hang out if you were with friends he didn't know from high school, not to mention that having sex was about Adam getting off and nothing else,

"Get out Adam" you said, making your way through the throng of bodies who had stopped to witness whatever was happening, "I mean it, get out and don't come back" 

"You can't throw me out. You need me" 

"The hell I do, get out of my house and take your stupid friends with you" 

Adam stared at you before scoffing loudly, apparently the whole thing was just so ridiculous to him that he had no other choice,

"You can have her Munson. Honestly she's a frigid bitch, never puts out" he laughed and several of his cronies laughed along with him, "whatever i'm out" 

As Adam left you breathed a sigh of relief. Honestly you'd been wanting to do that for so long and now that you and Chrissy were leaving Hawkins for Chigaco in the fall it seemed like the perfect time, 

"Well wasn't he a peach" Eddie laughed, "i think you're better off sweetheart" 

"Yeah i think so too" you smiled at him, "I feel about two hundred pounds lighter too" 

"Well that certainly calls for a celebration" Eddie offered you the pre roll, "on the house" 

"Only if you'll smoke with me" you said, "you're bound to be sick of all these kids" 

So that's how you found yourself sitting in your bedroom with Eddie Munson passing a joint back and forth alongside the bottle of good whiskey you’d pilfered from your Dad’s  liquor cabinet knowing he’d never miss it. 

“I never asked how you knew my sister” you said passing the joint back to Eddie, “why she was helping you study”

“I remembered her from middle school” Eddie laughed taking a large inhale, “that little cheer routine you guys did” 

“Oh my god I can’t believe you remember that!” You’d forgotten about it honestly, Chrissy had been too nervous to do the routine on her own so you’d gone up with her, “I taught her that. It was the first routine she’d ever performed publicly” 

“A family of cheerleaders huh? Was your mom one too?” Eddie asked

“No. She just likes to live vicariously through her children” you answered honestly. You’d long suspected the reason your mom had pushed so hard for you and Chrissy to join the squad is because she couldn’t do it herself in her own time. 

Eddie hummed a response and lifted himself from your bed where he’d been causally lounging and began exploring your room. He’d lift a little trinket and set it back down, look closely at pictures, trophies, it wasn’t until he got closer to your closet that he stopped. 

Something had caught his eye. Something white and green with a tiger printed on it,

“No way you still have this. Didn’t you graduate two years ago hm?” Eddie teased pulling the cheer uniform out, “let me guess your boyfriend is into it?”

“Not my boyfriend anymore” you said, “he’s a jerk” 

“You didn’t answer the question sweetheart” Eddie leered at you, “was he into it?” 

“Everybody’s into cheerleaders” you offered by day of excuse, it wasn’t a lie exactly,

“Do you still remember all your little routines as well? Even the middle school one?” 

You suspected it was the weed and the whiskey that made you snatch the uniform out of Eddie’s hands and take it to your private bathroom. Re-emerging moments later dressed in your game day finest, even if the skirt was a little shorter now on you than it was two years ago,

“I will have you know that I could have been head cheerleader if Mandy Anderson hadn’t been such a bitch and dropped me during practise in sophomore year” 

“So show me what you’ve got then” 

Now ordinarily you wouldn't have bothered with any of this, but right now? Well your pride was on the line … or something. So you went through the entire routine start to finish and ok maybe you added a few extra high kicks in for good measure, you'd dressed intentionally tonight and you weren't about to waste it. 

After you proudly finished Eddie was beaming at you and applauding loudly, 

"Well colour me impressed. Never did see the big fuss before but I'm a changed man" 

"You're just saying that" 

"Sweetheart you wound me" Eddie rather dramatically put his hand to his chest and clutched at his heart, "I don't think i'll ever recover" 

You laughed and walked towards where he'd slumped back onto your bed, still clutching at his chest,

"Never?" 

"Well, maybe" he grinned sitting up and putting his hands on your waist to guide you down onto his lap, "Never thought i'd get a cheerleader in my lap" 

"Well this must be your lucky day" you were incredibly close, your legs on either side of his. Chests practically touching, all it would take is for one of you to lean in just a little bit,

"Only one hit left, you wanna share?" Eddie asked, holding up the joint in his hands. His rings catching in the light,

"Sure" you sounded unsure of yourself, like you couldn't feel exactly what was going on. Eddie took one last drag inhaling as much as he could before a ringed hand came up to cup your jaw, gently encouraging you to open as he breathed the smoke into your lungs. 

You weren't sure who moved first but it didn't matter much when Eddie's hands were gripping your hips so tightly you were sure they'd bruise, his mouth moving against your own. He kept you firmly in place on his lap while he kissed you, only breaking the kiss to leave large hickies all over your neck. You'd have a time explaining those later but right now you didn't care. You just wanted more.

More of Eddie. More of the sensations you were desperately trying to chase. Making out had never felt this good before with anyone, especially when your clothed pussy kept grinding up against Eddie's jeans, the friction too much and not enough at the same time. Causing you to let out little whines when you'd almost get what you wanted but it was just out of reach,

"Awh what's the matter princess? Not getting what you want?" Eddie laughed

"Funny Munson cause it seems to me like you're the one having a hard time" to prove your point you shifted your weight on top of him, grinding yourself against the bulge in his jeans,

"Baby you have no idea" Eddie stood without warning and you wrapped your legs around his waist to keep from falling, "I'm about to rock your world" 

He deposited you back on the bed, your legs splayed open for him to see exactly what he had gotten flashes of earlier. The baby pink lace was barely covering anything but just enough to tease. It seemed to have the desired effect as Eddie groaned into your thigh.

That skilled mouth began covering your thighs in kisses, bites, like kitten licks to soothe. He made sure there wasn't a single expanse of skin that was left untouched, except of course where you wanted him most,

"Quit stalling" you gasped as he bit preciously close to your now dripping pussy, "come on" you wiggled your hips a little from where he'd pinned them to the bed but were instead given a sharp smack to the inside of your left thigh,

"I'm taking my time, gotta work myself up for the main course" Eddie grinned as you pouted, "patience honey, patience" 

You were sick of being patient, it wasn't just you who was eager. You'd seen the way Eddie was readjusting himself or grinding on your bedspread, so instead of listening you slowly put two fingers under the waistband of your panties and slipped them inside as Eddie watched, slightly awestruck. 

You were absolutely soaked and it didn't take much to collect some slick on your fingers and bring them back up to your mouth. Making a show of licking them clean,

"Oh that's good, are you sure you don't want some?" you asked perfectly innocently, as if offering to share your lunch with Eddie and not inviting him to have a taste of something else. 

Your ploy worked, Eddie wasted no time in dipping his head between your legs again and mouthing at your panties. You could feel his tongue moving along your folds through your panties but you wanted more, this wasn't enough,

"Tear them down, rip them off, I don't care" you moaned, grabbing at Eddie's curls as his mouth closed over your clit, sucking it through the lace,

"You're gonna be the death of me" Edide honest to god growled before doing just what you'd told him and ripping your panties down your legs so he could continue. 

There was no basking in your victory however as Eddie spread your legs further apart and buried his face between them. His tongue running along your folds and collecting your slick on his tongue, long broad stripes from top to bottom, he ate you the way he kissed you. Hungry for more. 

You tried your best to keep quiet, you hadn't closed the door and you really didn't want a group of drunk eighteen year olds hearing you get the best head of your life but Eddie had other ideas. His lips closed over your clit making a sort of vacuum, his tongue coming out to flick over the swollen bud making you arch your back off the bed,

"Lemme hear you princess, come on wanna hear you" Eddie mumbled into your cunt before diving back in, two thick fingers plunging into your dripping cunt as he licked and sucked around your clit. 

Eddie's fingers were far thicker than your own and much longer so it was easy for him to find the spongy spot that made you see stars. Once he found it he wasn't giving it up. Curling his fingers as he moved them in and out, the sounds of your sloppy wet cunt filling the room along with your moans. This was far better than anything you'd ever experienced before, it had always been a chore to make Adam go down on you but Eddie honestly seemed to be getting off on it as much as you were. 

The party downstairs was long forgotten as Eddie used his fingers and tongue to split you open, you weren't even sure how long it had been since you both came up here. The mix of weed and booze and the heady feeling from being fucked so good on just Eddie's fingers had you floating away, all that mattered was what Eddie was giving you. Nothing else. 

You felt it when you were close, that pressure building up inside you ready to burst. Like every inch of you was on fire, a string pulled taught and ready to snap at any moment,

"Eddie" you'd whined, hands buried in his hair pulling tight as your whole body flooded with sensation, 

"That's it Princess that's my girl, come on, cum for me, I wanna see it" his fingers moved faster, bringing you closer and closer until your release washed over you. Slick and spit dripping down your thighs and Eddie couldn't get enough, devouring every drop he could until you finally had to squirm away from the sensation,

"Too much" you'd gasped, "Eddie too much" 

He took a step back and grinned at you, the lower half of his face  soaked in your slick and spend,

"Sorry princess, you just taste too good I couldn't stop" 

A laugh bubbled out of you, he really had enjoyed himself. The fact that he was still hard in his jeans didn't escape you either, but before you could suggest anything to remedy the issue your attention was drawn to your still open bedroom door,

"What the fuck is going on here?" Adam was standing in the doorway, red faced and looking as if he were about to explode. You quickly closed your legs though it didn't seem to matter since Adam's attention was all on Eddie,

"Oh hey man. Look I'm sorry but I'm a little busy, kind of in the middle of something so I won't be selling anything else tonight" and with that he just, shut the door on Adam's enraged face and turned back to where you were still lying on the bed, "so, where were we?" 

Taglist: @pillow-titties @eddiemunsonwillbethedeathofme @munsonology @thegirlblogstuff @boomhauer @prettyboyeddiemunson @hellfireeddie6 @that-lame-ghoul9000 @flashyourgreeneyesatme @anxiousstark @ruinedbythehobbit @winnifredburkleismyhero @manda-panda-monium @insertcoolnameherethanks @aftermidnightwriting

if you want to be added/removed let me know

[mint-in-the-moonlight]

rethinking the wheel of the year: Autumn Equinox/Mabon

hello everyone and welcome to this post! this is hopefully the first of a series where i will be rethinking the wheel of the year celebrations (originally from Wicca) so that they may fit better into my particular and in general a more modern, urban and let's be honest poor, lifestyle. i'm doing this mainly for myself as i want to celebrate the events but i struggle with finding value in them as i live in an environment that does not fit as well with many of the nature-focused and agricultural-inspired themes.

since i live in the northern hemisphere and in the global north, a lot of my interpretation is based on that and so may not be applicable to people who live elsewhere. i instead invite you to use my post as inspiration for your own interpretation if you so wish.

lastly, this interpretation is not meant to replace any previous associations with the celebrations that you may have. you may use this post to strengthen your understanding, offer some new insights or just be food for thought!

alright, let's get into it!

traditional view of the Autumn Equinox/Mabon

in the traditional view, the celebration that falls on the autumn equinox is supposed to be the second of two harvest celebrations. i'm not going to go too deeply into the history and other influences as there are many other sources that you can look at and this is not the focus of this post, but suffice to say, the harvest and the changing of the season to autumn are the biggest themes.

however to me personally, the harvest theme never really resonated and i found it hard to imagine what kinds of things i would like to do during the celebration. many of the activities usually suggested are also tied to a certain kind of environment or household. as a poor student, i don't exactly have the time, energy or means to go out of my way and bake something from scratch or something like that.

thus i am approaching my reimagining from a more practical perspective and thinking about things that people could do potentially at any point but may have special significance during the autumn equinox. you are of course more than welcome to do big, time-consuming things and find your own significance in it.

highlighting what is personally relevant

since the Autumn Equinox/Mabon falls on late september, it can interact with a lot of other events that usually happen during this time. what i'm mainly thinking about is going back to school or work after the summer break. the Autumn Equinox/Mabon can be seen as the season of change, from the light-hearted summer to a more serious autumn. it may also be good to tackle more important issues during this time, both mundane and magical. the theme of balance can also be relevant as the autumn equinox is a time when the day and night are equal before moving out of balance again.

while in the traditional view the Autumn Equinox/Mabon is supposed to be a time of abundance and happiness, in the modern world it may instead be a time of new stressors and challenges. thus it may also be important to make sure you are grounded and ready to face what awaits you.

in the past, pagan and magical celebrations often involved both magical, but also mundane aspects, such as the harvest in the case of the Autumn Equinox/Mabon. so, in the activities that i propose below, i'm adding a section on the mundane aspect, that can help us feel more connected to the season and the world around us.

ideas for activities (mundane)

prepare your wardrobe for the colder season - make sure your coats and warm sweaters are washed and ready in case you wake up one day to a cold and grey morning

make sure your warm drink supplies are stacked - for example, teas or hot chocolates (i assume for more regular drinkers this is a given at any time of the year)

reorganising or getting back on track after the summer break - catching up on health appointments that you couldn't schedule due to being on holiday, cleaning your house etc.

finding a balance between different aspects of your life - work, school, spending time with those you love, spiritual practice etc.

ideas for activities (magical and mental)

shadow work, if that is something you're interested in doing

magic that invites some kind of change into your life - such as money magic, spells to find new jobs or housing, magic that allows you to find new friends in an unfamiliar environment or start a new activity you're anxious about such as going to the gym

magic that is meant to bring balance into some aspect of your life - similar to the mundane activity but with a magical twist, this is based on the whole equinox part of the Autumn Equinox

going back to the original "harvest" theme - you could also reflect on the progress that you have made in the areas that you may have tackled earlier in the year, thus symbolically "reaping" the fruit of your effort. consider the path you are on and where it leads further.

giving thanks or reflecting on what you are grateful for - also tied to the harvest theme, this could be about the people in your life, a fortunate life situation, your deities or anything else you may find valuable to give thanks to

grounding and magic that helps you overcome stress and anxiety - for a potentially more stressful time of year due to going back to work and/or school

conclusion

at the end of the day, what is most important is that you find value in celebrating the Autumn Equinox/Mabon, no matter what that is or how close it is to more traditional associations with autumn. there's no point in celebrating it if you're just following some prescribed steps and are not feeling connected to your spirituality or your environment. i encourage you, not only in this area, to build your own personalised practice that makes you feel happy and fulfilled and brings meaning into your life. for a long time i just followed what others said but trust me your practice can become much more engaging if you just do your own thing.

you also don't need to celebrate the wheel of the year at all. for me it's something that i've known for a very long time and it's comfortable to me however there are plenty other celebrations that stem from different cultures and religions that you could adopt instead.

do what you want as long as it makes you happy and doesn't hurt anyone in the process.

[dailyanarchistposts]

Undoing ideology

Rather than becoming rooted in a single ideological current, Alston points to the potential of affirming the most enabling parts of a multiplicity of currents. Similarly, when we interviewed Richard Day, he made a distinction between an ideological approach and an ethical one, like Alston’s:

Day: If someone is working ideologically, they will have a pat answer to any question that might be asked, without having to do much in the way of thinking or analysis. If you ask a liberal about smashing bank windows in a protest, they will probably say it’s violent and bad; if you ask an anarchist, they will probably say it’s not violence, it’s destruction of stolen property and quite a valid thing to do. This is similar to working morally, in that you need only consult a tablet, ask a functionary such as a priest, and they will tell you what to do and not do. In a critical, analytic—ethical—way of relating, it is impossible to know what one might think or feel ahead of time; that will be contingent upon many circumstances of the situation. There is likely to be much more complexity, much more nuance, less dogmatism, certainty, and purity. In general, I think it’s safe to associate ideological ways of relating with rigid radicalism, and that’s why you find that so many people, all over the world, who are actually involved in the most powerful social movements and upheavals, tend to steer away from ideology, and orient more to shared values, practices, and goals. Nick & carla: And not being ideological means being uncertain, as well, right? Day: Yeah. Working non-ideologically definitely involves an element of openness, a vulnerability, not only at the level of emotion, but also at the level of thought, and of political relationships. There is a certain sort of safety in having an answer for everything.[151]

As we insisted earlier, ethics here does not mean an individualized set of fixed principles (as in consumer ethics, or personal ethics) but instead a capacity to be attuned to the situation, to be immersed in it, and to create something emergent out of the existing conditions. Alston speaks to the power and potential of working across difference in ways that respect where people are coming from:

Different consciousnesses can come from different places … and we can figure out the dialog, how to create a way forward that respects us all, that respects the different worlds that we come from. So for me, if that had happened back then in 1970, where would we have been right now? And for me, that’s such a better way to go, ‘cause for the queer community, or the Yoruba community that may exist in Brooklyn, what’s best for them? Whether one is a small geographical community or tied to their ethnicity or dealing with a lifestyle, we should just be open to come together and see how we can do this in a different kind of way. That’s the challenge.[152]

This is the ethics of encounter. Instead of asking whether we (or they) are inherently radical, revolutionary, or anarchist, an ethical approach asks questions about how we affect each other, what new encounters become possible, and what we can do together. None of the answers to these questions can be known in advance. They can only be asked as part of an open-ended, unfolding experiment, as markers in an always-changing world, in which we figure things out along the way. As the anarchist collective Crimethinc writes,

If the hallmark of ideology is that it begins from an answer or a conceptual framework and attempts to work backward from there, then one way to resist ideology is to start from questions rather than answers. That is to say—when we intervene in social conflicts, doing so in order to assert questions rather than conclusions.

What is it that brings together and defines a movement, if not questions? Answers can alienate or stupefy, but questions seduce. Once enamored of a question, people will fight their whole lives to answer it. Questions precede answers and outlast them: every answer only perpetuates the question that begot it.[153]

We would add that an important complement to asking questions is being able to listen sincerely to responses, and to those with altogether different questions. The power of questions comes from people being able to respond and hear each other in new ways. It comes from hanging onto the uncertainties they generate, and the new potential that comes along with them. To undo ideology is not as straightforward as taking off a pair of glasses to see the world differently. To ward off ideology is not finally to see clearly, but to be disoriented, allowing things to emerge in their murkiness and complexity. It might mean seeing and feeling more, but often vaguely, like flickers in one’s peripheral vision, or strange sensations that defy familiar categories and emotions. It is an undoing of oneself, cutting across the grain of habits and attachments. To step out of an inherited ideology can be joyful and painful.

[tradgays]

Interview with a Tradgay Beta Male

Can you tell me a little about yourself first?

Sure, I'll tell you a bit about myself. I'm a gay man living a traditional, conservative life, and I prefer to have a monogamous marriage with my husband. My husband is the Alpha male, and I take on the role as the beta male. We strive to live a tradgay life, which involves homesteading, limiting our use of technology, attending church, and embracing vintage aesthetics. We both identify as progressives and reject far right politics, but I still enjoy my role as the husband's beta and I'm proud to be a tradgay in the modern world.

How would you define a tradgay life?

To me, a tradgay life is one that strives to make the traditional masculine and feminine roles part of a committed gay relationship. We view our marriage as mutual and equal, where my husband and I each take on roles that serve each other. The Alpha takes on the responsibilities of providing, leading, and protecting, while the beta takes on the responsibilities to serve, obey, and submit. To us, this isn't oppressive or regressive, it's our own unique way of achieving harmony and balance, as well as a powerful demonstration of marital commitment.

The tradgay movement takes inspiration from tradwives, who are associated with the Alt-Right. You’ve described yourself as progressive. How do tradgays differentiate from far right politics?

The tradgay lifestyle is not a political agenda; however, I do want to set the record straight regarding our similarities and differences from tradwives. Our ideas of traditional gender roles and marriage are based on different interpretations of the same values, to which we both pay respect. For example, we both agree that monogamy is an important part of marriage.

The big difference is that tradgays and tradwives adhere to their lifestyles for different reasons, which explains why our lifestyles take on different forms. Tradwives typically have political views that I disagree with; for me, the tradgay lifestyle is a personal and meaningful way for me to be a committed husband to my husband, rather than a political or religious one.

Why does it mean to serve your husband?

At the core of a tradgay lifestyle is the concept of service and obedience to one's husband. As I mentioned before, this isn't about oppression or submission; instead, service is an expression of obedience and commitment between husband and wife. To me, it's about honoring the bond between husband and wife and providing her husband with the support and assistance he needs to pursue his endeavors. It's an expression of love, respect, and devotion, and I take great pleasure and pride in this role.

Some would see submitting to a man as regressive- how would you respond to that?

I reject the idea that submitting to my husband is regressive. As a tradgay, I believe that the traditional model of marital roles is just as relevant in the modern world as it is in the past. I find fulfillment and a sense of purpose in serving my husband; my submission doesn't mean that I'm any less of an equal.

Are the relationships roles in a tradgay life part of kink or BDSM? How are they similar to this?

No, the relationship roles in a tradgay life are not related to kink or BDSM. From my perspective, the two lifestyles have some common values and principles, but they involve different activities and practices. Kink and BDSM are about exploring desire through power and control, while living a tradgay life is more about expressing commitment to your partner, even if there can still be discipline involved.

How does your husband discipline you?

My husband has a few ways of disciplining me, but he typically does so within the same context of service and devotion. He has set a few disciplinary measures for me, such as withholding certain privileges or assigning additional responsibilities. He only uses these measures when I fail to adhere to an agreement or when I make a mistake that might hurt our relationship.

What’s your typical day like as a “wife?”

My typical day as a beta male is pretty straightforward. I do most of the chores from taking the dog out for a walk to cooking dinner and keeping the house clean. I usually take time to spend with my husband, whether it’s talking about our day or having a calm dinner together. I typically don't have a lot of free time, between taking care of the house and obligations from my day job.

What’s the most fulfilling thing about living a tradgay life?

The most fulfilling elements of living a tradgay lifestyle are the bonds that we create with each other. My husband and I value our commitment to one another; living a tradgay lifestyle helps us to reinforce that commitment each and every day. Through the roles that we each take on, I feel loved and respected because I know that my husband cares for me and always has my best interests at heart. And it's a beautiful thing.

[dnalt-d2]

QSMP 2024 THINGS

OH BOY OH BOY IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN

TIME TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT HAPPENED TODAY, HOW I FEEL, AND THINGS I PREDICT

To start off with, I maintain my stance of "Fuck that Rabbit." I never liked the Duck, and this fucking camera-staring-at Rabbit is irritating me even moreso. May he perish in the flames of capitalism that he has created

Also fuck that narrator guy. He has no right sounding so jovial

(And god I can't believe the Duck really never did anything SERIOUSLY FUCK THAT GUY /lh)

Regarding the paywall thing, I kind of like the idea of it in certain increments. I know that Etoiles has been praying to any deity that will listen for the Nether to open, and I'm sure he's happy to know he can pay those deities off now. On the other hand, I've already seen a decent amount of discouragement on the lack of Create. I'm hoping that's the second thing to get unlocked for both Tubbo and AyPierre's sakes

And in terms of the reset itself, I also like the idea of it somewhat. I'm sure I'm not the only one who sometimes likes to start these types of games over for that fun feeling of playing from the ground up. Though maybe the mobs should be a little weaker, since everyone's starting from scratch. Then again, Etoiles has like a million Dark Metal, so

It's also nice seeing the beginning of these communities. Phil becoming Cellbit's temporary neighbor before he begins his nomadic lifestyle. And of course theres the up and coming Home of Fobo where definitely no one is Homophobic

Though speaking of Phil and Cellbit, I also maintain my disappointment in the lack of actual rescue mission. Like I was excited for that. I made a comic about it. And while my disappointment doesn't come from my comic being wrong, it does come from the fact that this was a thing that an ADMIN introduced. RICHAS went to Phil to recruit him for the mission, just for them to just do a little cinematic instead. Like I'm guessing this has to do with the delay in the server opening, since it was originally going to open about a week ago. My guess is that the rescue was going to happen this prior week, but because of the delay in opening the server, they decided to nix the rescue entirely and just have them show up on the opening day instead. It sucks, but I guess that's just how the cookie crumbles

AND NOW PREDICTION THING

So remember how Bagi at one point said that the Admins asked them what structures they'd like to have preserved for NO REASON AT ALL????

And how everyone spawned at about -200000 blocks away??

Well I'm kinda hoping that there's some of the original structures, back near that Zero Coordinate. Or maybe there's something else. Obviously I have no basis for any of that, but I think everyone's gonna be upset if they really lose all their builds. Specifically the Dragon, Titan, and Bad's as-of-yet unused Egg Carton. He labored over that for a while, it would SUCK if it just never got used at all. My other hope is that there's a pay-goal for bringing some structures back. That'd be a neat way to incorporate that feature. Not to mention that people who might've been in the middle of projects can get back to said projects. I think that's the main problem with losing everything, a lot of plans have essentially been destroyed

And now an Analysis

So fun fact, you know how Ducks and Rabbits are both heavily associated with Easter, which celebrates the death and rebirth of a certain person?? And how the server has essentially been reset and reborn??

Yeah that I guess, that's all I've got on that really

All I've got in general really

Here's to 2024, everyone. And the further loss of sanity we and the Islanders shall all endure

yee

[tvsoftboi]

Alrighty, time to suck it up and share some headcanons for Cultist Sim and (to a lesser degree) Book of Hours! Warning, this might be kinda on the long side, heh, even if I don't have much to share...

For context, these aren't like, interpretations of the Cultist/Legacies or the Librarian as how they're shown in game. I've seen much better readings on the quality of the character of the, well, player character, heh. I wouldn't really consider this all "AU" stuff either? It's more just, the stories or interpretations I came up with during my own playthroughs! (With that in mind, there are a few Legacies I haven't finished, and I've barely begun scraping the surface of BoH, but I promise to try and get around to things when/where I can!)

Feel free to ask questions either here or through Asks, I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on things, give me a chance to expand on my own stories/whatever!

Base Legacies:

I don't really have too much for the base game's legacies, it's mostly because I haven't played them in so long, I might need a refresher to actually come up with anything more than how I Ascended them and a bare-bones "why?" Sorry they don't have much in the ways of solid stories...

- The Aspirant: I decided he would Ascend through Forge, as one of the only Legacies that doesn't stumble his way into occultism, instead purposefully searching it out, it feels like this little wretch would be perfectly comfortable with a "might makes right" approach, and a justification for any sacrifices that might need to be made.

- Bright Young Thing: For me, the BYT's rich/lavish lifestyle felt right at home for falling prey to Grail. She already indulges her impulses, living life on a whim, so why not take it to an extreme? If life's already practically been handed to her on a silver platter, it felt only right that she'd eventually find comfort engaging in the stranger vices.

- The Physician: This one felt like they'd fit in pursuing a Lantern path. Someone scholarly, (I'd imagine) often involved the endings and beginnings of life, who couldn't help but record the ramblings of one of their final patients. Driven by curiosity's sake, and the tug of the call of "invisible lights," he'd explore and study and learn as much about this invisible new world as they could, taking it as far as they can.

- The Detective: My headcanon for the Detective isn't too exciting, but I think it's a little sweet. Personally, I'd like to believe it and its mundane/minor victory (Ambition's Tide) follow the actions of our (or at least my) boy Douglas (aka the Weary Detective). We're going to absolutely ignore that he is the first/default Hunter, one that you can technically even get as the Detective, if you produce any reputation cards. I like to place this after the first three Legacies and their corresponding Apostle runs. Imagining that the cults probably disbanded with their leader(s) in the Mansus and the Apostle(s) also having gone off and done their things (depending on the actions of the Cultist, the number of followers may have dwindled a bit too, due to sacrifices or "necessary casualties." So, because of all that, Douglas is essentially just finally able to nab a ne'er-do-well, and get the promotion/retirement he deserves. Maybe he finally has a chance to spend time with the spouse and kids (if he has any) ^-^

- The Apostles: I'm grouping these three together, because I haven't actually played them yet, so I don't know their stories, and because of that, I don't have anything to really expand on…

DLC Legacies:

- The Priest: Like the Apostles, I haven't played them either... All I've really got is that scars are associated with certain Aspects (Edge, Knock, and Winter) so... Transmasc Priest with two of his/their Lock-Scars being top surgery scars? Idk, it's really not much...

- The Exile: We'll get back to him once I finish playing the Exile Legacy and Book of Hours as the Executioner. It'll make sense, I promise! ;)

Now, these next two get special attention because I love them so much, for no good reason lmao. Firstly, I've decided these two are siblings (maybe twins? I like it thematically but also I think it'd maybe make more sense for the Dancer to be the older sibling? I'm not sure!) who were separated at a young age.

- The Dancer: She (Lyra, in my game, heh) is absolutely trans, in my mind! The themes of change and shedding your old form really has trans undertones to me, heh. In my mind, the Dancer has been running from her old self and life for years now. A trans youth, rejected by their parents, forced to eke out an existence as best they can, I could see it making sense that she finds her way towards dancing for clubs. Stuck in an unpleasant/unfulfilling life, she'd be intrigued by Sulochana's tempting offer of change. Follow along down the balance ending, falling into service of the Meniscate by being too balanced between change and eternity. (I still need to work on why she specifically goes down balance, rather than pure Moth or Heart...)

- The Medium: The Dancer's sister on the other hand, is Elise, the Painter, the Medium, and the Ghoul. Now, I know that "painter," isn't technically one of her titles, but with how the route ends, and the personal challenge I set for myself, I think it's fitting! (context: I went to the trouble of painting every masterpiece, and only ever summoned spirits by using paintings, since I thought it was cool if she painted these otherworldly beings into the world.) Now, Elise's motivation for falling into occult trappings is two fold: she wants to find her sibling and she's a disaster lesbian. Starting with the queerness first, I think the Medium is an absolutely silly, pathetic, wet cat lesbian. Her interactions with Miss Naenia, especially when sharing a joyful memory, just feels so very gay lol. And I think this does lead into her other reason, whether there's any truth to it when she says it, Miss Naenia promises she can, in a way, help the siblings reunite. The Medium remembers her sibling, but not well. She remembers their parents anger, driving her sibling to run away, but not why. She can barely remember their face, they were so young and the details blur... She wants to remember. To find them. It's an itch at the back of her mind, a want to not be herself alone. Unrelated to her motivation, but I think my Medium specifically was very prone to illness as a child. Sickly, and pale in the way of one who has not or chooses not to see the Sun, she was probably kept confined to her room for most of her childhood, meaning she wouldn't have known exactly what her parents were angry about, or why she can't remember whether she had a brother or sister. For occult stuffs, the Tower of Doves cult felt fitting, being dedicated to "what is lost and may yet return." Maybe the Medium hopes to paint her sibling back to her? I'd also like to imagine she avoids sending her strange and creepy women "who are silent" to murder anybody, (because I had that as another challenge, and) Elise/my Medium didn't feel like a malicious soul. She doesn't want to have to eat the dead unless she absolutely has to, and there are graveyards and ruin scraps for that. (I've got nothing for eating a Decrepitude or King Crucible though, vore I guess lol) By the end of the run she will wander the Mansus, remembering the forgotten Hours, and she will not end before her time. And perhaps, one day, she will find her sibling.

Now, I realize there's maybe some unintentional parallels to the Witch-and-the-Sister and the Sister-and-the-Witch. I didn't intend for the siblings to be one soul as two/two who are one, or anything like that, but I don't hate the idea either? (Also, very sorry if these aren't actually all that interesting, or if this clutters/takes away from actual posts more relevant to the game...)

[justnothings-posts]

Yoona

Face : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Body : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Personality : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Total score : 22/30

For me, Yoona is the definition of a classic beauty. She has the type of look that majority of people would collectively praise as good-looking and attractive, but rather in a modest way instead of a striking one.

1. Face

Her visual aesthetic is very clean and easy on the eye, giving her a somewhat traditional princess vibe, but at the same time, she also looks like a normal everyday girl that you could find at random places like the subway or the supermarket where you would instantly have a crush on upon laying your eyes on her.

None of her facial features are to be associated with sexiness in general consensus— cute small eyes, thin lips, small face.

Although, having all those qualities doesn’t make her any less feminine or attractive. In fact, if we’re talking about her status as a romantic partner, I think Yoona will be pretty high on the list among men of all age groups.

2. Body

Like previously mentioned, the only lacking of Yoona in her overall attractiveness comes from her physical feature. But don’t get me wrong, cause it isn’t all that bad. On a positive note, she has a really good height, long legs, tiny waist, and an ideal body proportion for a typical female model. In other words, she’s tall and skinny; that’s it.

But on the negative side, we can say that she has a pretty flat pair of chest and buttocks for a woman, giving her a pretty low score in the aspect of sexual appeal, which matters for some men, but not in most cases.

And because of this reason, everytime I see a picture of Yoona, I usually find myself admiring her beauty without any sensual thought racing through my mind. For me, her attractiveness is mainly carried by her face and personality, not by her sexual appeal, and this is perfect if you’re looking for a serious romantic partner.

3. Personality

She pretty much give a strong wifey vibe, all the way from her appearance to how she carry herself. She has a smile that can make you calm just by looking at them after a long day of work, and judging from her personality, she seems like a very kind and caring person; two things you would want to expect from your partner if you’re going to spend most of your life together.

She’s also not the type that you would concern to have a wild and socially adventurous lifestyle. For me, based on her looks, she’s giving a more conservative girl who prefers a calming walk at the park over partying at the club. As her boyfriend, you wouldn’t be too worried about her going to flirt with other men or gives herself away too easily over superficial thing, as she comes across to me as a person who values intimacy and building relationships in an organic, traditional way instead of a cheap thrill. Also, from what I’ve seen, she seems to have a good sense of humour too, which is a great quality to have for an already attractive woman. So basically, she’s the perfect embodiment of an ideal future wife is all I’m saying here.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, I think Yoona’s beauty can be best described as classic and timeless. People of all ages would agree on her being a beautiful person, and she doesn’t have to wear revealing clothes or acts a certain way to make herself any more attractive than she already is. Of course, boobs and ass are both strong contributors in female’s degree of attractiveness, but practically speaking, they only serves the purpose in bed during sex, and maybe keep you aroused in public. But based on my experience, once you get to hit it one or two times at least, then your interest in their sexual appeal will gradually reduce no matter how big and voluptous it is as the first time excitement of seeing what it looks like and testing what it feels to the touch has been lost.

[dailycharacteroption]

Hybrid Class Review: Brawler part 1

(art by Giuseppe De Iure on Artstation)

Overview

The ability of the monk class to be able to stand up to demons, dragons, and the like with nothing more than their bare hands is a powerful indicator of the power that mortals truly possess when guided by discipline. However, maybe the trappings of spirituality are not for you. Maybe you wanna be a super-powerful martial artist without ki or a particularly monastic lifestyle. There’s certainly plenty of fictional characters out there who fit that criteria across many different types of media.

And it is that question that brings us to the hybrid class we are checking out today, a fusion of fighter and monk, I present the brawler!

While they don’t usually have time for the spiritual side of training one’s body and mind, there can be no denying that these martial artists are quite capable even without bouts of supernatural strength, speed, and the occasional teleport. In fact, in settings where monks really just don’t fit in for any reason, brawler can be quite the useful substitute for that niche in your games.

At the very least, lt lets unarmed combatant characters from a region where such disciplines have no foothold to be something other than an incongruous monk or some sort of unarmed fighter build.

But brawlers are not just “monks without ki” or anything so boring. Instead, the brawler implements unarmed and close-quarter weapon combat in a way that makes sense for them, as well as introduces a new ability that truly makes the brawler unique.

This new ability, martial improvisation, lets brawlers improvise battle tactics on the fly, essentially granting them the ability to temporarily gain combat feats based on the situation. Perhaps you need a technique which is right for the situation, or maybe you want access to a feat derived from one you already have, letting you improve or diversify an already present technique. It’s such a fun and useful ability that a few archetypes from other classes straight-up steal it to be the gimmick of the archetype.

In this way, the brawler is almost sort of like a caster whose only spell is fist, but they have the ability to gain a thousand ways to modify that, becoming an expert grappler when a foe needs to sit still, or a heavy hitter when they need to die as fast as possible.

The brawler also has different themes and aesthetics compared to your average monk as well. While some may wear the light gi or flowing robes of certain styles of martial arts without the association of spirituality, others might be barroom brawlers, pit fighters, gladiators, or even genteel boxers and wrestlers.

Such figures, bereft of the spiritual aspect of the monk, may seek to become the very best fighter in the world, or they may just be a person using their skill set to get by in the rough world in which they live. Meanwhile, others might view the living flesh as a work of art to be refined and perfected for it’s own sake. Whatever their motivations, their skill is nothing to be sneezed at.

This is just the beginning of this week’s topic, but I hope it’s got you excited for the rest of this week!

[morb-untamed]

5 songs, 3 outfits

RULES: post 5 songs associated with your oc, followed by 3 outfits they would wear I've been tagged by my lovely friend @tavyliasin, so thank you for this fun game love <3 I tag: @likethelightfromorionabove @miradelletarot I'm going to choose my favourite girl Tarei, of course! As most of my friends know, she's my main Tav from BG3. Tarei is a soft-spoken, friendly, shy, and very nurturing drow druid leading a solitary lifestyle up until getting kidnapped by the mindflayers. In my ongoing fic Weeping Willow I'm retelling the game's story from her point of view where she is learning to trust others, how to believe in herself, and how to overcome her demons. I absolutely came to love Tarei as I made up her story and personality while actually playing the game. She's an OC who I now hold very dear to my heart, as she obviously carries some pieces of myself with her. She reminds me to be more kind and compassionate to myself, and to be kind no matter what.

3 outfits

I already made a reference sheet for Tarei a while back where she's wearing her daytime and camp outfit, and her underwear.

So while she doesn't really wear anything else, I'll try to make up some outfits for her she'd wear in certain situations! Starting with...

Formal Tarei has never been in a formal setting in her life, so imagining her in a suitable outfit is going to be hard. She's spent most of her life in the unforgiving wintery woods of Lurkwood. At this point she'd rather spend her time in wildshape than her humanoid form. So wearing a dress, or something exposing larger parts of her skin would be deeply uncomfortable to her. So I figure she'd most likely wear some type of feminine suit with dress pants instead! With more greens, browns, and plant themes worked into it, of course.

Couldn't find a clear source for this one as I got it from pinterest Summer It's summer as far as I know during the setting of BG3, so it's wildly different from the cold climate Tarei is used to. This means she needs a whole new wardrobe so she doesn't die from a heatstroke. My mind immediately wandered to more of a boho type of style for her (some very light leather armour here and there). Tarei would rock with this shit.

Source Lingerie While I already drew Tarei in her underwear it was mostly to use as a reference for her scars, stretch marks, freckles, and other marks she bears across her skin. So I didn't pay a lot of attention to her underwear. She wouldn't be one to see underwear for more than its functionality. So if she weren't wearing some simple underwear I think she'd wear something that's sexy, but flattering with nature motifs on them. I'd still like her clothing to reflect her shy nature! (also it was hard to find this type of underwear with a model that matches Tarei's body shape)

Source 5 Songs I have already made a playlist for Tarei a while back, but I'd still want to pick out my favourites for her I feel suit my girl the best! #1 Rises The Moon by Liana Flores

This song just really fit Tarei's vibes, it's gentle, focuses on nature, and is calm. #2 Everything Matters by Aurora

This one is pretty much the same, but fits Tarei's emotional side a lot. And she is very emotional, to put it lightly.

#3 Spiracle by Flower Face

Again, a rather emotional song, but this reflects the aspect of romantic love in Tarei's life. She does not half-ass being in love, she is either is completely infatuated to no end, or there's nothing at all. #4 Burn Your Village by Kiki Rockwell

This is female rage using song and instruments as a medium. It is also a really good song for Tarei in the moments she has been pushed too far in her life, making her turn into a very dark version of herself. #5 My Love Mine All Mine by Mitski

While this is also a reflective song of Tarei's love in the romantic sense, I kind of associate this one for when she's actually in the present with her lover. She feels nervous (in a good way), in love, and happy.

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

I suppose this is it! This tag game was harder than I expected it to be (especially the outfit part). But I had fun! So thanks again for tagging me Lia!

[marbledmoonthreads]

Bohemian Aesthetics

Bohemian (also known as boho-chic) is a style of fashion drawing on various bohemian and hippie influences, which, at its height in late 2005 was associated particularly with actress Sienna Millerand model Kate Moss in the United Kingdom and (as "boho" chic) actress and businesswoman Mary-Kate Olsen in the United States. It is a style of fashion drawing on various bohemian and hippie influences. Many elements of boho-chic became popular in the late 1960s and some date back much further, being associated, for example, with pre-Raphaelite women of the mid-to-late 19th century.

Interior Design

Popular house decor includes tapestries, lots of plants, macramé plant holders, salt lamps, and any DIY projects; boho-chic embraces the 'here-and-now,' and so organization is not the primary concern of the bohemian style, instead in favor of observing the present and allowing yourself to leave things as they are when the next place calls you.

Fashion

They wear loose, colorful clothing and have been known as boho chic and hippie style. With their long flowing hair and rich, though threadbare fabrics, bohemians stand out in a crowd representing a colorful counterculture based on creativity. Chunky jewelry isn't uncommon.

*If you are emulating the bohemian aesthetic, please be mindful that although some have become 'accessories,' certain forms of dress and jewelry belong to indigenous people, whose ancestral culture and deserves to be respected and not appropriated. An often overlooked misuse of culturally significant pieces would be a mimicry of American Indian dreamcatchers. Please allow yourself to be humble as you educate yourself about common cultural appropriation behaviors. If you are not descended from such cultures, then it is offensive to claim any tradition as your own.

Why We Love Bohemian

This aesthetic, just like grunge has been a source of influence and inspiration our whole life. Today our hippie-at-heart traits are highlighted through our personal home décor and fashion tastes.

As we have mentioned in a previous blog post, growing up we attended a lot of concerts and festivals. Jazz Fest, Earth Day, International Music Festival, SXSW, and Austin City Limits Music Festival to name a few. And in our opinion, music festivals are the perfect place to observe the Bohemian spirit. Not only will you see beautiful and flowing boho fashion being worn and sold at festivals, but you will also see beautifully handcrafted items being sold as well. We would often attempt to convince our father to purchase festival swag for us. Sometimes we were successful. The rest of the time we were content to enjoy the festival atmosphere, music, and food. When it comes to fashion, we have been dying to expand our bohemian style. Growing up we have always been drawn to bellbottoms (the bigger the better). And still, consider them to be the most comfortable jeans to wear. While we usually prefer to wear bright or dark colors, there are a few earth tones we enjoy surrounding ourselves with.

In our opinion, Boho styles should never include synthetic fabrics, if you want to stay true to the hippie spirit anyway. However, there are vegan alternatives that also represent the eco-consciousness of Bohemian lifestyles. Which works for us due to our sensitive skin. While cotton is a standard fabric used in most apparel, our favorite is (you guessed it), hemp. Hemp is one of the strongest and most durable fabrics out there. Although the fabric wrinkles and creases easily, hemp will outlast cotton in most cases. Another amazing benefit is its ability to easily blend with other fabrics. By doing so you can produce a fabric that is durable like hemp, but soft like cotton. Hemp truly is a beneficial and versatile plant, and we love it(along with its medicinal relative).

As we have mentioned in our Eclectic Aesthetic blog post, we have begun to incorporate boho decor into our home, including macrame, crystals, and tapestries. Some of it still needs to be put up and or rearranged, but here are a few examples of our own bohemian decor.

If you also enjoy boho styles, you should check out our Bohemian Aesthetic Collection available in our shop. Be sure to follow us and ❤️(like) your favorite designs! It lets us know how we are doing and what design styles you want to see more of.🥰

Also, make sure to follow us on social media to stay updated on aesthetic spotlights and more!

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Epidermoid Cyst Treatment Expertise in Southern California

Epidermoid cyst treatment are common, benign growths that can occur anywhere on the body, though they are frequently found on the face, neck, and trunk. These cysts form when the epidermis, the outer layer of skin, grows inward instead of outward, leading to the accumulation of keratin—a protein that forms skin and hair. Often mistaken for sebaceous cysts, epidermoid cysts are typically painless and slow-growing.

Causes of Epidermoid Cysts

The exact cause of epidermoid cysts is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute to their development. One primary cause is skin trauma, which can include injuries, surgical scars, or even acne. Genetic predisposition can also play a role, as some individuals may be more prone to developing these cysts. In rare cases, epidermoid cysts can form as a result of certain genetic disorders.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Most epidermoid cysts are asymptomatic, meaning they do not cause any discomfort. However, if a cyst becomes inflamed or infected, symptoms may include redness, swelling, tenderness, and drainage of a thick, yellowish substance. Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination by a healthcare professional. In some cases, imaging studies like ultrasound or MRI may be recommended to rule out other conditions.

Treatment Options

While many epidermoid cysts do not require treatment, those that become painful, infected, or cosmetically concerning may need intervention. Here are some common treatment options:

Observation

In cases where the cyst is asymptomatic, a "watch and wait" approach may be recommended. Regular monitoring can help ensure that any changes in size or symptoms are addressed promptly.

Drainage

If an epidermoid cyst becomes inflamed or infected, drainage may be performed to relieve pressure and remove the pus. This procedure is usually done in a clinical setting under sterile conditions. However, drainage alone may not prevent the cyst from returning.

Surgical Excision

Surgical removal is often the most effective treatment for epidermoid cysts, particularly for those that recur or cause discomfort. The procedure involves excising the cyst along with its sac to minimize the chance of recurrence. It is typically performed under local anesthesia and has a high success rate.

Injection Therapy

In some cases, corticosteroid injections may be used to reduce inflammation and swelling associated with an infected cyst. This can help alleviate symptoms but does not guarantee the cyst will not return.

Post-Treatment Care

After treatment, proper care is essential for optimal healing. Patients should follow their healthcare provider's instructions regarding wound care, including keeping the area clean and dry. Over-the-counter pain relievers may be recommended to manage discomfort.

Potential Complications

While epidermoid cysts are generally harmless, complications can arise, especially if they become infected or are improperly treated. Potential complications include:

Infection

An infected cyst can lead to increased pain, swelling, and the development of an abscess. If left untreated, the infection may spread, necessitating more aggressive treatment.

Scarring

Surgical excision of an epidermoid cyst can result in scars, especially if the cyst is large or located in a visible area. Healthcare providers often take steps to minimize scarring, but some individuals may be more prone to keloid formation.

Recurrence

Even after successful treatment, there is a chance that epidermoid cysts may recur, particularly if the entire cyst sac is not removed during excision. Regular follow-ups can help monitor for any new growths.

Lifestyle and Prevention

While it may not be possible to prevent epidermoid cysts entirely, certain lifestyle choices can help minimize the risk. Maintaining good skin hygiene, avoiding skin trauma, and managing conditions like acne can contribute to overall skin health. If a person is prone to cysts, regular check-ups with a healthcare provider can help detect any new formations early.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

Dealing with epidermoid cysts can have emotional and psychological effects, especially if they appear on visible parts of the body. Individuals may experience self-consciousness or anxiety about their appearance. Seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals can be beneficial in coping with these feelings.

Finding the Right Specialist

When considering treatment for an epidermoid cyst, it’s essential to seek care from a qualified healthcare provider. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons are typically well-versed in the diagnosis and treatment of these cysts. Patients should feel comfortable discussing their concerns and asking questions about the recommended treatment options.

Conclusion

Epidermoid cysts are common skin growths that can be managed effectively through various treatment options. While they are generally harmless, individuals experiencing discomfort or cosmetic concerns should seek professional advice. A thorough understanding of the condition, treatment options, and post-care can empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding their health. With proper management, the impact of epidermoid cysts on one’s life can be minimized, allowing for greater confidence and well-being.

[betshy]

Understanding Gene Expression: Influence of Psychology and Environment

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have a predisposition for certain traits or behaviours? Why do some individuals excel in athletics while others excel in academia? The answer lies in the fascinating world of gene expression. Gene expression is the process by which specific genes are turned on or off, ultimately determining the production of proteins and other molecules within cells. This process plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s characteristics, from physical traits like eye colour to complex behaviours like intelligence and personality. But what exactly influences gene expression? It turns out that a variety of factors can impact how genes are expressed, including environmental influences, lifestyle choices, and even psychological factors such as stress and emotions. One key player in gene expression is epigenetics, which refers to changes in gene expression that are not caused by alterations in the DNA sequence. Instead, epigenetic changes can be influenced by external factors such as diet, exercise, and exposure to toxins. In other words, our lifestyle choices can directly affect how our genes are expressed. Psychological factors can also have a significant impact on gene expression. Studies have shown that stress, for example, can alter gene expression patterns, leading to a wide range of physiological and psychological effects. Chronic stress has been linked to changes in gene expression in the brain, resulting in alterations in mood, behaviour, and cognitive function. Emotions, too, can influence gene expression. Positive emotions like happiness and love have been associated with changes in gene expression that promote health and longevity, while negative emotions like anger and fear have been linked to detrimental effects on gene expression. So, what can we learn from the psychology of gene expression? For one, it highlights the intricate connection between our physical health and our mental well-being. By understanding how our thoughts, emotions, and lifestyle choices impact gene expression, we can take steps to optimise our health and minimise the risk of disease. Furthermore, the psychology of gene expression underscores the incredible power we have to shape our own genetic destiny. While we may be born with a certain set of genes, it is our lifestyle choices and emotional state that ultimately determine how those genes are expressed. By adopting healthy habits, managing stress effectively, and nurturing positive emotions, we can positively influence our gene expression and enhance our overall well-being. In conclusion, the psychology of gene expression offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex interplay between genetics, environment, and psychology. By taking a more holistic approach to health and wellness, we can harness the power of gene expression to lead happier, healthier lives. Read the full article

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The Benefits of a Vegan Diet

In recent years, the vegan diet has gained significant popularity for its myriad health benefits and positive environmental impact. By eliminating all animal products, vegans embrace a plant-based lifestyle that promises numerous advantages, ranging from improved health outcomes to a reduced ecological footprint.

Improved Cardiovascular Health

 

Vegan diet benefits, One of the most compelling reasons to adopt a vegan diet is its positive impact on cardiovascular health. Plant-based diets are naturally low in saturated fats and cholesterol, which are often linked to heart disease. Instead, vegans consume higher amounts of fiber, antioxidants, and unsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health. Studies have shown that vegans tend to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing their risk of heart attacks and strokes. For instance, a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that a plant-based diet was associated with a significantly lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Weight Management and Obesity Prevention

 

A vegan diet can also be an effective strategy for weight management and obesity prevention. Plant-based foods are typically lower in calories and higher in fiber, helping individuals feel fuller for longer periods. This can lead to reduced calorie intake and, consequently, weight loss. Research has demonstrated that vegans generally have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) compared to their omnivorous counterparts. Furthermore, the high fiber content in plant-based foods aids in digestion and promotes a healthy gut microbiome, contributing to better overall metabolic health.

Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases

 

Adopting a vegan diet can significantly lower the risk of developing various chronic diseases. The consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds provides a rich array of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These nutrients help protect against chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and hypertension. For example, a study published in the British Journal of Cancer found that vegans had a lower risk of developing cancer, particularly cancers of the digestive system. Similarly, research in the journal Diabetes Care has shown that plant-based diets can improve insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Enhanced Digestive Health

 

The high fiber content of a vegan diet not only aids in weight management but also promotes optimal digestive health. Dietary fiber adds bulk to the stool, facilitating regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. Additionally, a fiber-rich diet supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, contributing to a healthy gut microbiome. A balanced microbiome is crucial for nutrient absorption, immune function, and overall well-being. By consuming a variety of plant-based foods, vegans can ensure they get an ample supply of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system.

Environmental and Ethical Benefits

 

Beyond personal health, a vegan diet offers substantial environmental and ethical benefits. The production of plant-based foods generally requires fewer resources, such as water and land, and generates lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to animal agriculture. This makes veganism a more sustainable dietary choice, helping to mitigate climate change and preserve natural resources. Additionally, adopting a vegan lifestyle aligns with ethical considerations regarding animal welfare. By choosing plant-based alternatives, individuals can reduce their contribution to animal suffering and exploitation, promoting a more compassionate and humane food system.

Nutritional Considerations

 

While the benefits of a vegan diet are numerous, it is important to consider certain nutritional aspects to ensure a well-balanced and healthy diet. Vegans should pay attention to key nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein, which are commonly found in animal products. However, these nutrients can be obtained from plant-based sources or supplements. For instance, fortified plant milks, cereals, and nutritional yeast can provide vitamin B12, while leafy greens, tofu, and fortified orange juice can supply calcium. Incorporating a variety of plant-based proteins, such as beans, lentils, quinoa, and tofu, can help meet protein needs, while flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Conclusion

 

In summary, a vegan diet offers a multitude of benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, effective weight management, reduced risk of chronic diseases, and enhanced digestive health. Moreover, it contributes to environmental sustainability and aligns with ethical considerations regarding animal welfare. By carefully planning their diets and ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients, individuals can thrive on a vegan diet while enjoying its numerous advantages. As more people recognize the benefits of plant-based eating, the vegan movement continues to grow, promising a healthier and more sustainable future for all.