#lots of bad things happened today not a SWAG day so a great time 2 just get out of here lmao

[otrtbs]

Y'ALL Y'ALL Y'ALL Y'ALL I BOOKED TICKETS TO GO TO THE NETHERLANDS SO SO SOOoooOOO GUESS WHAT I'M GOING TO SEE???

that's right,, THE goldfinch painting

THE ONE. THe OnE. from my favorite book of all time everrrr!!!!!

[wildbootsappeared]

Continental Divides Chapter Discussion #7: The Prince of DevCo

Continental Divides isn’t exactly a feel-good story. I’m here because I have something to say about our world, and pokemon presents a lot of fun tools for unpacking current events in new ways. One of my big goals for the story is to humanize Archie and Maxie. I’m not out to make them look right, but I do want to present them as less obviously, stupidly wrong. The other side of that coin requires presenting a more tarnished version of Steven Stone than what we get in canon. Chapter 7: Stainless Steel is the first time DevCo shows its human face, but that’s not all there is to Steven Stone. Today I’m going to talk a little more about why I’ve chosen to represent him the way I do (and then recommend some more wholesome renditions of him as a palette-cleanser).

For me, most of the darkness in pokemon comes not from Edgy Teenage Boys and their Ash Betrayal fics but from canon, both what it does say and what it avoids saying. 

It’s clear to me that something is already awry in Hoenn--no one tries to summon a god to remake the world because everything is fine. Even if the Stones aren’t responsible for the current state of affairs, I’ve got some questions for Steven about power, privilege, and responsibility. And ORAS makes things worse.

I’m no canon purist--

--but for once I’m actually going to talk about what IS in the canon first, just a few things for your consideration:

Despite the emphasis on protecting the sanctity of nature (especially in Hoenn) and on renewables (like the wind turbines in HGSS’s Newbark and the solar pannels in Sunnyshore), the pokemon world also definitely has combustion engine vehicles, factories, refineries, and coal mines. (Not to mention at least 3 different evolutionary lines based on pollution.) Devon is canonically an energy company with a history of mining and resource extraction.

With all of that in combination, it didn’t feel like much of a stretch for me to rebrand DevCo as a fossil fuel company (especially given their links to literal fossils). 

I chose fossil fuels not because they’re maximum corporate evil and therefore maximum drama (though that’s also true!) but because I’m interpreting the Kyogre/Groudon clash as a climate change parable. Can’t talk about climate change without fossil fuels.

So where does that leave Steven?

He’s definitely a very nice and helpful guy. He gives the player character and the anime protagonists lots of cool swag, free pokemon, and occasional advice. He also doesn’t seem especially keen on following in his dad’s footsteps. (His dad can’t even get a letter to him without help from a passing traveler because Steven is hiding in a cave, goodbye. And in Emerald, a cave basically becomes his permanent residence!)

That’s all ... fine, but he’s also inarguably got access to a lot of money, social capital, and other resources. (I also thought I was joking when I gave Steven a shiny meta, but it turns out that’s canon, too.) So I’ve got some pointed questions for him about power and responsibility. In Emerald, he does step up to fight Magma with the player character, so he’s not just sitting on his hands. But the status quo doesn’t change. Whatever issues inspired Aqua and Magma are still there.

Some fic definitely depicts him stepping up to make a difference, even at his own expense. So other interpretations are totally possible. It wouldn’t be hard to write him as a rich kid trying to rebel against daddy and struggling figure out how to use his wealth and influence for good. But I’m most interested in a version of him that fails to unpack his privilege or put his money where his mouth is, because ... that’s the world I live in.

Two of my biggest sources of inspiration for writing Divides!Steven: 

1) This podcast about Don Trump Jr and his (surprise!) bad relationship with his dad. 

One thing that really struck me was how Donjr’s disinterest in business pushed him into outdoor hobbies like hunting (which reminds me of Steven’s spelunking, rock-collecting, and training). Like Steven has built a name for himself through the Elite Four, Donjr. leveraged his new hobbies to build political capital with conservatives. And, of course, the daddy issues here are horrifying and fascinating. Worth a listen if you can stomach hearing about Trump.

2) Gansey from The Raven Boys.

Gansey is as charming and generous as he is rich. He bemoans being reduced to his status, yet he can’t help being blinded by his own privilege, spending money without thought and repeatedly failing to consider how his words and actions might affect the characters who do worry about money. He tries, but he doesn’t always succeed in keeping his foot out of his mouth. He’s also hunting a kind of treasure, the tomb of an ancient king who may be magically alive after thousands of years. Oh, and he loves cars.

Here are a few tasty Gansey quotes from the series that I’ve been saving since last January (probably not quite exact quotes because I typed them on my phone while I read):

The world turns out its pockets for you.

Dizzyingly important to him in a way that he couldn’t begin to understand its shape. It was something more, something bigger, something that mattered. Something without a price tag. Something earned.

I am my money--it’s all anyone ever sees.

His feelings for [her] were an oil spill. He’d let them overflow and now there wasn’t a damn place in the ocean that wouldn’t catch fire if he dropped a match.

Divides is interested in what happens when that treasure-hunting has a political context. 

--

Alllllllllll that said, one of the fun things about fic is seeing lots of different interpretations of the same characters. For Steven Stans, I highly recommend Wolfyn. She’s great at writing this boy into peril. He’s not an idiot, but he sure does make some stupid decisions and then pay the price. “The Long Road” is an achnronological origin story, showing his journey from a smol kiddo to the champion we all know. “Final Gambit” explores what happens in a world where there’s no player character to save the day. And in “Deal with the Devil” ... Steven has a bad time, but you’ll have a good time reading it.

Some Chapter 7 music (links to Spotify):

- Easy by Son Lux

- Risingson by Massiveattack

- Currency by the Black Angels

- The Orb by Emile Mosseri

[hemant3693sworld-blog]

Top 100 Whatsapp Attitude Status

In this blog, we are going to share with you the Top 100 Attitude status for Whatsapp and other social media sites. All the statuses are picked by us and only those statuses are published in this blog which according to us are top levels status.

Status is a great way to express one's Feelings, Emotions, Thoughts, and Personality. Nowadays, almost every social website offers the options to its users to share text, images, and videos in their stories which get disappeared automatically after 24 hours. 

So without any further delay, let's move to the main topic, which is Top 100 Attitude Status.

 Do I really look like a guy who gives a fuck about what people think ?

 Don't let her treat you Poorly, just because you Love her.

 When you cared, you were taken for granted but when you said fuck it, You became the bad guy.

 When I shut my mouth and walk away, It doesn't mean you won. It simply means you are not worth any more of my life.

Fuck every single person who ever doubted you.

 If I needed you and you were not there. I will never need you again.

 The longer the explanation, the bigger the lie.

 People are not permanent. Remember this and you will be fine.

 You couldn't handle me even if I came with instructions.

 When you are talking behind my back. Feel free to kiss my ass.

 You were made an original. Don't die a copy

 Be like a mirror, show people what they show you.

Think like a Millionaire, Hustle like you are broke.

Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable.

The word "lucky' is an insult, I worked hard to get it.

Confidence never goes out of style.

Let them party, One day they will be working for you.

Life gives you two choices, Give up or Man the fuck up.

The pain today will be the strength tomorrow.

Hustle because being Lazy is expensive.

If you want things to change, you have got to change.

Laugh with many, don't trust any.

You can't change the past, so focus on making great future

Dream big, there is nothing out of your reach.

Be a Man with a Plan, a Dude with an Attitude and a Gentleman with Class.

You were born to Stand out.

I am not afraid of losing, I am afraid of not trying.

I am mine before being anyone else's.

Don't blame distractions, blame your Focus.

I knew all the rules, but the rules did not know me.

Don't be afraid of being different, Be afraid of being same.

Focus on yourself. Don't get lost in other people.

Confidence is the key to do anything.

The goal is to live life on your own terms.

Swag is for boys, Class is for men.

They play the game, I change the game.

Passion is the fuel of success.

Don't be afraid to be alone. Goals are personal.

Always believe in yourself.

Make today so awesome that yesterday gets jealous.

If you want to go Big, stop thinking Small.

 This is my life, not yours, stop worrying about what I do.

Be crazy enough to believe. You can do anything in life.

Pain is temporary but pride is forever.

The best Revenge is Massive Success.

If you want to go big, stop thinking small.

Life is Better when You don't care.

A Dream becomes a goal when action is taken towards its Achievement.

A Happy soul is the best shield for this Cruel World.

Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will.

If hard work is your weapon then Success will be your Slave.

Don't let your Dreams just be your Dreams.

Life is about taking chances and making moves.

You will never understand until it happens to you.

Not everybody you want deserves you.

Unlock the best version of yourself.

Life is a Game, Money is how we keep score.

If you do not like what you are? Move. You are not a Tree.

Their opinions, Don't pay your bill.

I may be crazy but Crazy is better than Stupid.

No matter how many times I fall, I still rise.

They call me a dreamer, but I am the one who doesn't Sleep.

Start for nothing, Stop for nothing. 

I am glad you stopped talking to me. Its like trash took itself out.

Call me crazy but I like to see other people succeeding and happy. Life is a Journey, not a Competition.

I am something, you will regret losing.

No regrets in life, just lessons learned.

I have learned a lot of lessons from a few fucked up people.

I don't get lucky, I make my own luck.

Those who Fly solo, have the strongest wings.

Tell your past, it can go and fuck itself. You are busy.

I hate people who assume shit. Just ask me and I will tell you.

When the people you don't even know hate you. That's when you are the best.

In a world full of fakes, stay real

I don't have time for fake friends anymore, either be Real or be Gone.

Don't let small minds convince you that you have Big Dreams.

Choose your habits carefully. They decide on your future.

I believe in 4G's 1. GOD 2. GLOWING 3. GOAL 4. GROWING

Not every " sorry " deserves an "it's ok " in return.

Don't judge me. You can't handle even half of what I have survived.

Damaged people are strong because they know how to survive.

No one stays with you permanently, so learn to survive alone.

Everybody is broken here. Some with Love and some without Love.

Karma has everyone's address, even if you are homeless.

A great future doesn't require a great Past.

I try to be a nice person but sometimes my mouth doesn't co-operates.

Know your worth and stop giving people discounts.

Be a Game Changer, the world is full of players.

When you are Poor, they see your face. When you are rich, they start seeing your heart.

I am not heartless. I just learned how to use Heart less.

I am one of the rare people who don't know how to quit.

A person who is Rude in behavior is the one who cares the most.

Tough times never last. Tough people do.

I am sorry if you don't understand my level of thinking.

They don't miss you when you are gone. They miss you when you start doing better.

Whatever you hear about me , please believe it. I have no longer time to explain myself. You can also add some if you want.

Tell me "I can't" and I will embarrass you.

I prefer to smile in my Darkest hours, just to show the life that it messed with the wrong person.

Show no effort and I will show you No Interest.

I am not born Rich but I work twice hard to fix it instead of crying.

[shannrussell-blog1]

The word camping means very different things to different people. For some, it’s a hiking bag with the very basics for survival and a few days out in the bushwalking different trails. For others, it’s towing a giant 5th wheeler caravan behind their American dual cab with satellite TV, coffee machine, diesel heater and all of the rest of the camping luxuries many people have in their home.

Camping has changed a lot over the last couple of decades, and I firmly believe there is no reason why you should be roughing it. Yep, things might not be as easy and simple as when you are at home, but you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable or like you are missing out.

It’s funny when you mention camping to various people – some jump with enthusiasm and others look at you with a ‘are you mad’ look. Horses for courses I say, some people love camping and others don’t. The unfortunate thing though, is that often those who don’t enjoy it have had a bad experience or roughed it in the past and have been put off.

We’ve refined our campsite setup over time to be comfortable and easy to use. 

I’ll make a bold statement here – if you have good quality gear, and you use it correctly when camping, there’s no roughing it involved. I promise. Like everything, initially there’s an adjustment period where you learn what gear to get and how to use it, but take your time and you’ll have an enjoyable experience.

We live in a country where camping options are just about unlimited, and you can camp in some of the most incredible places in the world. There’s a reason why so many tourists flock here, and many of them choose to travel around and camp.

There are so many different things today that can make your camping super comfortable, but let’s break them down into the important factors.

The gear we use allows us to camp comfortably wherever we are. 

What do you need to camp comfortably?

1. A good night’s sleep

It doesn’t matter where you are, a good night’s sleep is a must for an enjoyable day. When camping, it’s especially important, as you are often in bed for longer. A lot of people will go to bed early and get up early following the sun.

In order to get a good night’s sleep, you need to be comfortable, warm and dry. That means a mattress and pillow that you enjoy laying on, the right bedding for the temperature and a tent, swag, camper trailer or caravan that is going to keep you dry. I’ve had some truly awful sleeps when camping in the past, and it all comes down to gear that just wasn’t up to scratch.

If you are looking at making your camping more enjoyable and don’t always get a good night’s sleep, one of the best upgrades you can do is upgrade your sleeping equipment.

The best upgrade I did was swapping out my camping mattress to a Blackwolf Mega Deluxe, followed closely by ditching the sleeping bag and moving into a camper trailer with a queen innerspring mattress, sheets and doona.

In our camper trailer, we sleep on a very comfy innerspring mattress. 

2. A comfortable place to sit

Camping chairs have come in leaps and bounds. While some of the old fold out chairs worked, they weren’t the most enjoyable things to use! Today though, you can get everything from recliners to moon chairs and even chairs that have inbuilt warmers.

Seriously, Explore Planet Earth are selling their USB powered Lava Heated Chair. You can laugh all you want, but on a cold night when there is a fire ban you won’t be laughing when you are the one with a heated chair!

It makes a huge difference to your comfort levels if you can sit on a quality chair. 

3. Physical comfort and entertainment

Throughout the day, you’ve got to be comfortable, and have something to do. Australia has a lot of places that get extremely cold, or extremely hot. Having the right clothing and activities planned to match the temperature is a smart move. I’ve been camping when it’s freezing and misjudged the clothing to bring, and it isn’t much fun.

Likewise, hot weather can be extremely unpleasant if you don’t have the ability to sit under some shade or cool off in a water source. Lucky for us, we have one of the biggest coastlines in the world and plenty of stunning freshwater bodies.

Before you head off, make sure you find out what is in the area that you can go and see, or do to stay entertained. A lazy day around camp is great from time to time, but you’ll probably get bored of it after that!

It’s great to camp near freshwater to cool off in – you’ll stay comfy and entertained. 

4. Ease of use

I mentioned earlier that camping can be a bit more awkward, and that’s just the nature of it – you are going back to basics. You can’t take everything with you that makes life easy at home.

Having

Make sure your setup is easy to use, so everyday tasks aren’t as difficult as they need to be. 

5. The right gear

With all the amazing camping gear on the market today, I have a lot of respect for those who did it tough in the years gone by. Fridges, 12V lighting, diesel heaters, electric blankets, inverters, super-fast gas burners and quick pitch tents make camping insanely easy today.

Whilst it can be expensive to set up, it practically guarantees an easy and amazing camping trip!

Quality 12V lighting is an investment, but very worthwhile. 

6. Great food

I’ll let you in on a little secret… food when camping always tastes better. If you make a meal that would be tasty at home, you’ll love it when away. Cooking on a fire is one of the best things you’ll ever do, with some truly delicious food.

Not only do you want it to taste good though, but it should have some nutritional value too. Packet Mee Goreng might taste okay every now and again, but it’s not the healthiest thing for you over and over, and you’ll soon get tired of it. Keep it simple, healthy (relatively!) quick to make and limit the number of dishes you need to cook it.

Who’s roughing it when you eat a meal of freshly caught Crayfish?

7. Good hygiene

Don’t go camping without ensuring you are going to be hygienic. This means a way to cook, wash your dishes, drink clean water and go to the toilet without spreading bugs around while you do it.

This is usually as simple as taking quality drinking water with you, having the ability to boil water, knowing how to go to the toilet in the bush and taking soap or hand disinfectant that’s easy to access.

You can get very ill from poor hygienic practices, and if this happens when camping it’s not the nicest place to be.

There are lots of campgrounds that have toilets now, which makes hygiene easier. 

8. Camper trailers and caravans – the most comfortable camping you’ll do

A lot of people new to the camping game start off with a tent or swag. Don’t get me wrong, you can be incredibly comfortable in both with the right setup, but there is a reason so many people are buying camper trailers and caravans. They have everything you need, all packed into one unit.

Obviously, these come with some compromises too, like size, weight and cost, but in terms of comfortable camping, it’s about as good as it gets.

Despite the extra weight and size, a caravan or camper trailer has everything you need. 

9. The right location and weather

It’s hugely important to pick the right camping destination and ensure it suits the weather. Australia’s coastline can be absolutely magnificent, or it can be blowing a gale, raining and miserable. Aim to be prepared for the weather you are going to, or pick a location that ensures the weather is going to be mild.

If there’s a way to make your camping trip unenjoyable, it’s staying somewhere unprepared for the weather that comes your way.

Choose your spot based on the weather conditions to ensure a comfy stay. 

10. Being able to relax

Camping is all about getting away from the hustle and bustle and taking some time to relax. There’s no better place to do it than the thousands of camping locations within Australia. Sit back with a drink, soak up the views and enjoy the company of your friends and family.

The fact that you aren’t busy running around trying to get things done at home is going to make your camping trip far more enjoyable right from day dot.

Take the time to relax and enjoy the experience. 

My comfortable camping setup

Like many people, I started off with a cheap swag and not much else, then slowly upgraded. I now head away with the family in a well setup 4WD and camper trailer.

Compared to many out there it’s a fairly simple setup, but it allows us to camp easily and in comfort, even with a 2-year-old boy. It’s taken many years to refine and set up this way, but I love it.

  Who’s got their camping setup nailed, so you can head away easily and comfortably?

The post Why Camping Shouldn’t Be Roughing It appeared first on Snowys Blog.

[netherreads]

Soulmated- Book Review ((ARC TOUR)))

Hiya Guys- Welcome to the Nether! I am SUPER EXCITED to tell you guys I got apart of my first Blog Tour. Today I am honored to be reviewing Soulmated by Shaila Patel. 

I just want to thank Month9Books ((@month9books)) and Shaila for letting be on this Blog Tour!

Before I get into my regularly scheduled review I am will be posting about the plot and a little bit about Shaila Patel herself. I will also put the links below where you can find the book and purchase it yourself!

Title: SOULMATED (Joining of Souls #1)

Author: Shaila Patel

Pub. Date: January 24, 2017

Publisher: Month9Books ((thanks for this opportunity)) 

Format ((hard copies and such)): Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages Count: 300

These are the links where you can find this book!: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | TBD 

This is the Summery said by the Publisher:

 Two souls. One Fate.

 Eighteen-year-old Liam Whelan, an Irish royal empath, has been searching for his elusive soulmate. The rare union will cement his family's standing in empath politics and afford the couple legendary powers, while also making them targets of those seeking to oust them.

  Laxshmi Kapadia, an Indian-American high school student from a traditional family, faces her mother's ultimatum: Graduate early and go to medical school, or commit to an arranged marriage.

When Liam moves next door to Laxshmi, he’s immediately and inexplicably drawn to her. In Liam, Laxshmi envisions a future with the freedom to follow her heart.

Liam's father isn't convinced Laxshmi is "The One" and Laxshmi's mother won't even let her talk to their handsome new neighbor. Will Liam and Laxshmi defy expectations and embrace a shared destiny? Or is the risk of choosing one's own fate too great a price for the soulmated?

Before I get into Shaila’s bio and links I would like to say she is a wonderful person. She talks to me almost everyday on Twitter and she has no problem befriending her fellow readers. She is a very positive person and a great role model. I enjoy talking to her on a regular basis and she always is not afraid to answers my questions when I was having a difficult time understanding the novel. I hope that you like this book as much as I liked it because Shaila deserves all the best.  

About Shaila Herself- she is a wonderful woman:

As an unabashed lover of all things happily-ever- after, Shaila’s younger self would finish reading Cinderella and fling her copy across the room because it didn’t mention what happened next. Now she writes from her home in the Carolinas and dreams up all sorts of stories with epilogues. A member of the Romance Writers of America, she’s a pharmacist by training, a medical office manager by day, and a writer by night. She enjoys traveling, craft beer, and teas, and loves reading books—especially in cozy window seats. You might find her sneaking in a few paragraphs at a red light or connecting with other readers online at: www.shailapatelauthor.com

Find Shaila:

Website Twitter Facebook Instagram Pinterest Goodreads

OKAY NOW THAT IS OUT OF THE WAY- Let’s get onto the actual Review shall we? 

Point 1: I always start with the romance of the novel- and since this book is mostly about the romance of the said characters this is going to be a easy point to talk out with you guys. I, to be honest, at first thought that the instant connection between the two main characters, Lucky and Liam, was kind of a instant connection. Granted you guys probably know that is one of my biggest turn offs when it comes to paranormal romances- but that does not mean that I can’t like it in some cases. Shaila took the time to explain to me the magical connection between the two characters- which is some type of force that makes them instantly connected to each other. Granted I don’t believe that this book reads more like a FANTASY it reads more like a CONTEMPORARY romance where the two characters meet and start developing a relationship. I personally liked that the two characters were so different from each other. As you can see in the summery I just gave you guys- Liam is a Prince from Ireland and Lucky is a Indian American. The two seem to click very early in the novel and they seem to joke a lot with one another. The book seems to establish the romance early on- and then proceeds to go into detail about why they like each other. I wish there was more cute-sy scenes within the novel- but what can you do. LADYBUGS IN CLEAVAGE ARE NICE THOUGH...Ladybugs in cleavage.

Point 2: This is where I am going to get into the actual plot of the story. This book is told by two points of view- Lucky and Liams. Liams is more on the magical political side- and Lucky’s is more realistic. I actually liked Lucky side of the story slightly better because I liked learning about the Indian culture a bit. Lucky talks about her mother and how she is so strict on what is in store for Lucky’s future. Her mother also seems to not like white people for some reason ((this is actually unexplained- but that is why she doesn’t want Lucky dating Liam)). This is normal in Indian Cultures- not the racist part but the cultural part. Usually, girls especially, would be subjected to what the parents desire of them. Usually this involves arrange marriages- which Lucky is does get constantly harped on about. Liam recognizes the strictness about Indian parents- but he does not know about the arrange marriage as of this book. Liam side of the story consists of his father harping on him about finding his empath before the Elders do- something about his aunt too trying to help them by going to a library where she is not suppose to go. I think it is pretty different for the most part. Granted I gotten confused about it until Shaila explained it to me better- but mostly Liam has to find his soulmate in order to be a part of this political circle of Elders back in Ireland. I guess with their soulmate it makes it easier for them to channel their powers. Being in a empath with someone only comes every several generations, and the only people who know about the empath are physics who have visions about them. ((this is what I got from reading the beginning)) Liam’s father, Patrick, is a physic- and he starts having visions about Liam having a empath. There the family ((his mom and dad- and Liam)) go to America ((where Patrick seems to be having these visions about)) to find a Indian girl who suppose to be Liam’s Soulmate. Liam has dated about four to six girls in the past ((all looking a like)) but finds out within a year non of them are his soulmate. When he meets Lucky all of his emotions start to change- and the connection is REAL. This makes it so he knows he found his soulmate- and most of this book is about him developing a relationship with Lucky and a little bit about the politics around the empath. There is also the Elders ((technically the bad guys of the story)), who are already in the circle - and are trying to find the empath as well. Some are trying to take Lucky for their own ((because they want to power)). Will Liam be able to protect Lucky from the Elders? APPARENTLY THAT IS IN BOOK 2! 

Point 3: The side characters- I wish there was a little more development within them, but in terms of this book they aren’t really the main event so I will let it pass. Shiney and Jack are cool additions- I think that they add some comic relief to the tale. I like that the Lucky’s mother,Moria ((I hope that’s how you spell her name)), is very strict and wanting only the best for her daughter. Lucky’s father is dead- but you can see the connection Lucky had with him even though he is gone. Liam’s Mother and Father probably have the most spotlight out of all the side characters in the tale- maybe because Liam has a better connection with his parents than Lucky has with her mother. I think Liam’s Mother is a sweetie I liked her. Would I call the Elders side characters? Probably not- I would call them main antagonists. They seem to always want to know what Liam is doing and when he is doing it. Liam wants to protect Lucky from them but with their powers he seems to ultimately fail at that. We will see what happens with that because Shaila doesn’t go into extreme detail about what they truly are and what are some of their intentions. 

Point 4: I would say the writing is very riviting- it seemed to flow nicely together in the story. Like I said I am treating this more like a contemporary with some fantasy elements so I would say the writing is well sorted for a love story about a girl and a boy with many issues surrounding them. I was slightly confused about what was hurting Lucky be the end of the novel- like they were being ‘soulmated’ together and all the sudden a magical force was like swinging her around and I was kind of confused on that part- but I would say it overall made sense that Liam wanted to stay away until he found out how to safely empath with her without hurting her. I thought that was a truly noble thing to do specially when his literal life was to find a girl to soulmate with for power. Good job Liam! 

In Conclusion I am going to give Soulmated a 4 star rating for being different and for actually teaching me about certain things in Indian culture. I liked that she danced a traditional dance I like that they fell in love on their own terms. It is a pretty different book overall and I would hope you guys would want to pick it up for your own enjoyment.

BEFORE I GO - Since I am the last stop on this book tour I want to tell you about a giveaway and the other review interview and expert links!

Giveaway Details- SO COOL!:

(1) winner will receive a Perfectly Posh, Posh To Meet You Set ($20 value), US Only.

(10) winners will receive a SOULMATED Swag Pack, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZTIzODliYTI4ZTEzMGVjODBhNzA2MmFmMTU3YWM3OjUzMg==/

Now here are the other bloggers - give them SOME LOVVVVEEE:

Week One:

1/23/2017- Dani Reviews Things- Excerpt

1/23/2017- I am not a bookworm!- Review

 1/24/2017- Two Chicks on Books- Interview

1/24/2017- Book-Keeping- Review

 1/25/2017- Black Cat Blog- Guest Post

1/25/2017- Omg Books and More Books - Review

 1/26/2017- Don't Judge, Read- Guest Post

1/26/2017- The Starving Bookworm- Review

 1/27/2017- Hidden Worlds Books- Guest Post

1/27/2017- Book Review Becca- Review

 Week Two:

1/30/2017- Jorie Loves A Story- Interview

1/30/2017- Drink Coffee and Read Books- Review

 1/31/2017- Read Coffee and Teen- Interview

1/31/2017- The Bookavid- Review

 2/1/2017- Lisa's Loves(Books of Course)- Excerpt

2/1/2017- NovelKnight- Review

 2/2/2017- YA Guy- Excerpt

2/2/2017- Rockin' Book Reviews- Review

 2/3/2017- So Few Books- Interview

IM GOING TO GO NOW! GO READ IT! BYE~

[josephborrello]

Magnitude and Direction, Issue #44 | 18 Oct 2019

Hardware, Prototyping, and Fabrication

I'm eagerly awaiting IKEA's mass-production of this flat-pack toaster. There are few websites that belong in this section more than This to That, a resource to help guide you in your journey to stick various materials to one another. Relatedly, there's also Can You Microwave? a running message board of people asking that very question about a variety of different substances and foodstuffs. Some of the scenarios that frame these questions are a bit tmi, imo. Maybe I was the only one hoping to come across this some day, but here's a great guide on how to fabricate your own, in-home air hockey table. (You know I'm making one of these.)

Software and Programming

It used to be that when an artist erased a painting it stayed erased. Thanks to neural networks, though, we can "paint" and restore these lost works, as shown with a famous Picasso painting from his Blue Period. I happen to know that at least a few readers of M&D are pretty bad at hangman, so I imagine they're going to get very frustrated when they try to play Cheatman, which is hangman against a computer that cheats. ➰ I'm sure you've heard that blobs are in when it comes to web design, so here's a nice little tool to make all kinds of them for your hip, modern, graphic design needs.

Science, Engineering, and Biomedicine

This might be the best article title I've ever read: How much are you polluting your office air just by existing? From one of the other newsletters I help run, The Lattice, here's Parts 1 & 2 of my series there on 3D printing and scanning in the clinic, based largely on my experiences in the Sinai BioDesign prototyping center.

Mapping, History, and Data Science

Forebears.io is a website working to aggregate all the disparate data around our last names to build a more comprehensive picture of who we are as individuals, families, and societies. (Relatedly, I wonder what that one person with the last name Borrello is doing over in Egypt ) When I was a kid, seeing a non-yellow "school bus" felt like finding some kind of mythical creature. Why is the "yellow school bus" such a fixture in our society, though? Smithsonian magazine gives the history. Most satellite imagery of the planet is from a top-down view, but a lot of our geography (both natural and man-made) is better appreciated from a more oblique angle. From longtime M&D reader Christina: What the big data of pizza in New York City can tell us about our society. (It turns out, if you're near a pizza joint, you're probably also near the subway.)

Events and Opportunities

Well, my busy weeks are behind me (mostly), but I'm not sure the community calendar is getting any lighter...

Saturday, 10/19 New Lab's annual open house birthday celebration is back, with a theme this year of Light+Motion. As always, you can expect pretty much everyone affiliated with technology, design, science, and/or entrepreneurship to turn up for what's one of the bigger bashes of the year.

Saturday & Sunday 10/19-20 The biggest bi-annual graduate career symposium in the country is back at NYU Med showcasing all the career trajectories you can pursue post-PhD. This is one of the best opportunities for graduate students and postdocs to learn about the breadth of career paths for doctorates and an amazing place to network with the next generation of scientists. More info on the two-day conference can be found here, and the registration link is here.

Sunday, 10/20 It's no secret that the Secret Science Club always puts on a great barroom lecture and this Sunday's talk promises to be no exception to the rule. They'll be featuring atmospheric scientist and climatologist Sonali McDermid down at the Bell House in Gowanus.

Monday 10/21 It's not always science and startup events here. One of my favorite organizations, the Society for the Advancement of Social Studies (aka SASS) is back with more barroom history, this time with a focus on the spooky, scary, and ghoulish.

Wednesday, 10/23 VR investors and practitioners in the healthcare space will gather at RLab in the Brooklyn Navy Yard for a showcase of the latest and greatest VR technologies and applications in the healthcare space.

Wednesday, 10/23 Scientists, artists and everything in between meet up once again at Peculier Pub for the October edition of SciArt's Synapse social mixer.

Wednesday, 10/23 Women Owning It, a "celebration of women in media and tech killin’ it in their fields and owning their space in the industry" is focusing their Fall 2019 panel event on the art of negotiating. Hear from women who are pros at closing deals and negotiating contracts, from female founders, to filmmakers, to a negotiation coach. Whether you’re in media or in tech, you're welcome to come and learn negotiation tips from both industries.

Thursday, 10/24 The NYC biotech/life science/entrepreneurial communities get together at JLABS once again for the October edition of their Innovators & Entrepreneurs mixer.

Saturday, 10/26 The Future of Care conference is back at Rockefeller University featuring some of the latest breakthroughs in clinical care and the innovators helping shepherd them from bench to bedside.

Tuesday, 10/29 Join Columbia Nano Labs for their annual Industry Day conference. Learn how you can use and leverage the Nano Labs facilities, hear from a panel of entrepreneurs who have done just that, and listen to faculty and technical experts discuss the way these sophisticated tools contribute to cutting-edge research. (Yes, this was rescheduled from the originally planed date of 9/5.)

Tuesday, 10/29 Taste of Science NYC invites you to a seasonally appropriate evening of phantasmagoric talks about perceiving things that may or may not be there! Learn about the neuroscience behind popular illusions and stage magic, and why paranormal investigators maintain a healthy sense of doubt in their work.

Tuesday, 10/29 Mark your calendars for Derek Brand's next ECHO bio-entrepreneurship mixer, a mainstay of the NYC biotech and startup ecosystems and something I recommend all M&D readers try to get to at least once.

Wednesday, 10/30 The Transit Techies are back to talk planes (maybe), trains (likely), and automobiles (possibly) at their next meetup held, as always at the Sidewalk Labs/Intersection offices in Hudson Yards.

Thursday, 10/31 Pitching your startup in front of investors doesn't have to be spooky. The Mid Atlantic Bio Angels 1st Pitch events offer NYC's biotech entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their innovations in front of a panel of real investors and receive critical feedback on their pitches and business plans. The 1st Pitch events are also a great place to learn about the latest innovations in the NYC biotech ecosystem and connect with some of its major players.

Friday-Sunday, 11/1-3 Join NIST and CCNY for a weekend-long hackathon focused on developing technologies to improve community safety and help the first responders who help keep us safe. All skill levels are welcome and $35,000 in cash prizes will be awarded at the end of the weekend.

Some other upcoming events to keep on your radar...

Thursday, 11/7 The LifeSci NYC meetup hosts their next event at BMCC with a focus on careers in the public health sector featuring a panel of NYC leaders in the field discussing what it means to work in public health, what it takes to get into the field and succeed, and what the public health ecosystem looks like in NYC.

Friday, 11/8 The Intrepid museum's Innovators series returns for another evening of showcasing startups powered by NASA technologies, plus networking and mingling between scientists, entrepreneurs, and technologists.

Friday-Sunday, 11/8-10 For 36 hours on November 8-10, HackPrinceton will bring together 600 developers and designers from across the country to create incredible software and hardware projects. They'll have swag, workshops, mentors, prizes, games, free food, and more.

Friday, 11/22 One of the year's most interesting conferences, SciViz NYC is back and once again bringing NYC-area visual science communicators, researchers, clinicians, journalists, artists, and enthusiasts together for an event focused on visualizing science for analysis, education, inspiration, and provocation. It's a day dedicated to exploring the parts of science we might forget about, but deserve just as much consideration.

Map of the Month

⚡ Here's a live map of carbon emissions being generated by electricity generation around the world.

Odds & Ends

Which medieval lion illustration are you today?

[thegirlthroughthelookingglass]

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Friday. May 24, 2019.

Before diving into this significant date, I think it’s good to give a little background on what happened a few days prior.

Spring 2019, my first semester in the nursing program. I obviously did not begin the semester on the strongest foot. I was still depressed from my previous relationship and was heart broken about M not liking me back (double heart break lol). But I thought this semester would be a new beginning, a fresh start for me. It truly was, and it was great but honestly, it was emotionally, mentally, spiritually and overall physical draining. I worked so hard to get a slot into the program but once you’re in, you have to work three times as hard. I knew the work would be hard but I did not know it would be this bad. It was emotionally draining and I doubted myself several times. I reached new levels of stress and cramming I never had experienced before. I was so stressed that I resorted to Tinder. It honestly wasn’t bad at first but I realized it wasn’t a great coping mechanism when I would still get heart broken and felt used after every Tinder encounter. I hated how I became de-sensitized to everything. Fast forward May 20-22, 2019. It’s final exams week. I was worried about passing Pharm. I usually had 3-4 hours of sleep every night just cramming 108 chapters total for my three final exams. It did not help that in the last three weeks, we had 11 exams total. It really tested my limit. At that point, I just wanted to pass. I knew it would be impossible to aim for A’s across the board. 

After my last final for pharm on Wednesday, my classmates and I decided to go out for sushi and snowberry. Great experience, loved the good times and vibes. But fast forward, literally 3 days into summer (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) I hit a new record of blowing 6 guys total. I didn’t like how I was becoming and I knew having more free time, I would fall slowly down the wrong path. The last guy I met was on Friday, 12:30pm to 2:30pm. He was the one that kept me going on this path and I was hooked. His parents were off island. The last time we fucked at his place was the first time we ever. When I came over, we talked and then went down to business. After finishing giving head, we took a break and talked more. We talked about how finals went, school, his post graduation plans etc. Then he opened up more about feeling guilty and expressed his “post nut clarity” theory. He said after talking, tbh he didn’t want to fuck anymore. I totally got it. He started venting about a girl he dated for two weeks and was so hung up on her. Me as usual went into psychologist mode and encouraged him to self reflect and at that point he had a huge revelation that brought clarity. After the whole conversation, he walked me out and gave me a long hug (he has never hugged me before) and thanked me for everything. When I left, I went to my car and I just broke down and cried.

That conversation was something I think we both needed to hear. It was such a great feeling to help him bring clarity and have him realize what he was doing was wrong. I helped him realize a lot of things about himself and his relationship. And tbh, after talking, I felt a complete closure. I felt like I didn’t need to mess around anymore. It’s funny how he was the one that kept open the box of me messing around but in the end, he closed it back for me. He gave me the indirect closure I needed and I never knew it would happen this way. I’m glad he realized it through reflection rather than him ditching me and moving on. I realized I was coping by using these guys as attention and emotional connection. I honestly was not in it for the sex, I just liked the attention and wanted to feel needed. Miraculously, I survived this semester. I finished this semester. I passed this semester. Now that it’s summer, I have no excuse to use these men or let them use me. It’s finally a fresh beginning. I really need this summer to build a new me. Going off island will help rejuvenate my entire being. 

I can’t change or fix the old me, but I can build a new me. I need to find what makes me happy. Working on myself is the best way possible. Wake up at a set time, work out at a set time. Create a routine and stick with it. I was afraid that I gave my all in the previous relationship and I would have nothing more to give in my next. Fred gave me insightful advice that the girl I was in the 4 year relationship gave everything but the girl today is completely different and has changed so much. She still has more to give. It’s true, I always say people always change every two years. I need to practice what I preach and figure out how to be happy alone instead of relying on my friends to boost me up. It was honestly an eye opening experiencing talking to X. I’d never thought it happened that way. I fucking cried hard. I’ve been holding all my emotions and it’s finally spilling out at the end of the semester. 

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11. 

This Bible verse hit me. With time, I will heal and build a new me. I want to find my happiness. In time, the Lord will help guide me. I really do feel like I’m at peace because of my conversation and realization with X. I hope he does too and he progresses forward. If I don’t progress forward and fall back into my old habits, then it proves that I haven’t learned anything from my mistakes. When he told me that, I realized how right he was. He kept venting about his ex and wanting to get back as he messes around with other girls but he has a great girlfriend who is head over heels x5 for him. She is such a good girl. When he was describing her, it made me feel bad because I used to be that good girl. Now I feel so dirty and desensitized that when a potential boyfriend does come along, I feel like I won’t have enough to offer him. I’m glad I found this out and my hoe phase is over. I know Korn and Mike have been looking out for me and know I just wanted the attention but I’ve finally found my path and feel at peace. Who would have ever thought the fuckboy that started it all helped bring me closure. It was a nice feeling when said we are friends. I can move on and be happy. I even deleted my Tinder account permanently. There’s even more detail but this is the basic outline. It was a meaningful experience talking to him in his room and just reflecting. I’d love to talk to him again. He is a great person to hang out with and it brings me joy to know I was able to help him by just talking. He even said I should just be a psychologist. It definitely wasn’t the first time someone told me that but I know psychiatric nursing is the field I would want to pursue. lol I’m terrible since I’m jumping around but it is what it is and I’m glad I’ve grown more from this experience.

God bless Korn for being the first person I balled my eyes too and God bless Fred for spending the whole day comforting me and being my rock during my emotional journey. 

Thank you so much X. You’re a great friend. Keep progressing forward. 

lol what a gr8 way to start summer 2019 swag

[recentnews18-blog]

New Post has been published on https://shovelnews.com/29-funniest-novelty-gifts-this-year/

29 funniest novelty gifts this year

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Nov. 21, 2018 / 6:59 PM GMT/ Source: TODAY

By Aline Peres Martins

Some people are hard to shop for. Some people have very specific tastes. And others simply prefer their gifts on the, um, humorous side. This novelty gift guide is for all those people.

From the only “Harry Potter” gift a Potterhead needs to the one gift to get people who are perpetually late (we all have that friend), this list has all the funny, witty and unique gifts we could think of.

The internet is a vast place, with many, many weird and wonderful gift ideas. So, while this guide is a great place to start, if you’re looking for something maybe a little less eccentric, browse through our sortable gift guides or our brand new gift finding tool too.

Happy gifting, everyone!

When we release our 2018 gift guides, we make sure all prices are current. But, prices change frequently (yay, deals!), so there’s a chance the prices are now different than they were the day of publication.

Funny Gifts

For the champion of sarcasm

1. I Love Shoplifting Tote, $28, Human

TODAY editors, writers and experts take care to recommend items we really like and hope you’ll enjoy! Just so you know, TODAY does have affiliate relationships. So, while every product is independently selected, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the revenue.

Not only should the person you get this for have a sarcastic sense of humor, they should also not mind getting stared (and maybe glared) at from time to time. This hilarious take on a tote bag is bound to get some laughs from any shopping-obsessed loved ones who don’t take themselves too seriously.

For the witty green thumb

2. The Golden Girls Chia Pet: Sophia, $20, Amazon

Everyone knows a Sophia. Her feisty, quick wit has withstood the test of time. Any true “Golden Girls” fan can recall a savage zinger or two from the matriarch of the clan … which Dorothy did not appreciate as much as we did.

If chia pets seem like a step in the right direction for the novelty gift you need, but “Golden Girls” isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, we found a few more great options:

Bob Ross, painter extraordinaire and the original ASMR king

Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States

Laughing Emoji, the indisputable queen of emojis

There’s apparently a chia pet for everyone!

For the one who is never on time

3. Whatever I’m Late Wall Clock, $16, Amazon

We all have a friend or family member who shows up an hour late to everything. In my friend group, that’s me. If your always-tardy friend happens to have a sense of humor, get this clock.

For the “cool” bookworm

4. I Put The Lit In Literature Mug, $14, Amazon

Your favorite bookworm probably already owns most of the books they plan on reading, or they just use a Kindle. Instead, get them the best mug ever to drink a tea or coffee by the fire as they curl up with their next epic novel.

For the influencer

5. “Read This If You Want To Be Instagram Famous” by Henry Carroll, $11, Amazon

Is it just me, or does it seem like every teenager nowadays wants to become an influencer? Though the title of this book is funny, it features some useful tips on how to build a personal brand for anyone looking to really become Instagram famous.

Gag Gifts

For the “Samantha” of your friend group

1. Grow a Boyfriend, $4 (usually $10), Amazon

Know someone who is tired of people asking, “So, when will you bring a boyfriend around for the holidays?” Get this. Some people, like Samantha from “Sex and the City” live the single life and have no problem with it. Samantha is known for saying, “I love you, but I love me more.” If your single friend can relate, they need this prop.

For the soccer mom

2. Big Head Cardboard Cutout, $20, Amazon

The perfect gift for parents who are completely obsessed with their little league stars, you can get a cardboard cutout of anyone’s face on Amazon. Putting one of these under the tree is guaranteed to draw out some laughs during holiday festivities.

For anyone who can’t live without Joe

My mom got my aunt these socks last Christmas because every morning, instead of making her own coffee, she asks if someone else is already on coffee duty. Sound familiar?

For the Star Warrior

4. “Star Wars” Waffle Maker, $40, Amazon

“Star Wars” fans probably already own the movies, light sabers and tons of fan gear. You know what they probably don’t have? A waffle maker.

Quirky Gifts

For the one who can’t seem to find their keys

I’m going to be completely honest with everyone reading this list: I am this person. I have locked myself out of my home on more than 10 occasions in my lifetime … and more than twice in the past month. While a welcome mat may seem like an unusual gift for most circumstances, this is the novelty gift I need to receive this year. Hey, Mom, are you reading this?

For the one who doesn’t actually appreciate novelty gifts

Always popular, these sentimental candles hit home for anyone who has transplanted from one state to another. This is an especially cute gift for folks from places like North Carolina, the land of the pines, or Vermont — known for maple syrup.

I’m from New Jersey, so I looked up what my state’s candle is meant to smell like. Surprisingly, it’s not highway congestion … it’s candy apples. I guess it’s true that we have lots of those, too.

For the entrepreneur

7. Ban.do I Am Very Busy Planner, $18, Amazon

There are people who always seem to be frazzled, running from one thing to the next. Some of them are actually busy and some of them just think they are. This planner works for both groups of people.

For the family man (or woman)

Say it with me: Most personalized mugs are tacky. These are not. Each little character reflects the personality of one family member with a slightly perplexed expression. The back of the mug has a little logo with the family’s last name. The mugs are unique, hip and cool. They’re like if the “world’s greatest dad” mugs got a facelift for 2018.

For “the city” dweller

Have you ever heard someone proudly proclaim they are from “the city” without specifying what city that actually is? They would love this.

For the brunch babe

10. Wake Me For Champagne Velvet Pillow, $50, Nordstrom

Some people abide by wine Wednesdays. Other people start their mornings with mimosas. Brunch, anyone?

For the “Rachel” of your group

11. “Friends” Central Perk Mug, $20, NBC Store

Help your favorite “Friends” fan embody their inner Rachel by serving coffee (to you) in one of these. Nothing says “I’ll be there for you,” like caffeine. Central Perk me up!

For the one who calls their dog their “child”

12. Customized Pet Pillow, $40, Etsy

Pet owners can never own enough homages to their little fur babies.

For the grown up Potterhead

13. Espresso Patronum Mug, $12, Amazon

Goodbye to faux wands, hello to punny mugs. For the uninitiated, “Expecto Patronum” is the spell Harry Potter uses to fight bad guys. “Espresso Patronum,” is the spell adult “Harry Potter” fans use to get through a work day.

Weird Gifts

For the long lost Kardashian

1. Kris Jenner 10% Unisex Sweatshirt, $22, Etsy

The Kardashians have become almost akin to American royalty, and pretty much everyone recognizes the last name. Needless to say, folks who have been following the family since 2007 are probably obsessed enough to wear a sweater featuring a caricature of Kris Jenner. I have not been following the Kardashians since 2007, and even I would wear it. Kris is a cultural icon.

For the millennial

Did you hear that millennials aren’t buying houses because they eat too much avocado toast? Whether or not that’s true, at least this avocado doubles as a heating pad.

For the Gaines’ of Thrones

3. “Game Of Thrones” Dragon Egg Candles, $25, Amazon

The subset of people who love both Joanna Gaines and “Game of Thrones” may be small … but those folks win my stamp of approval. Throners who also like to keep a well-decorated home need these candles.

For the Bey Hive

“I got hot sauce in my bag. Swag.” The iconic Beyonce line propelled hot sauce to a new level of pop culture appreciation. Now, any Beyonce fan can carry mini hot sauce on a keychain. So, they really will always have hot sauce in their bag. Swag.

Note: This also works for anyone who puts hot sauce on everything.

For the dog lover who is always cold

Know a dog lover who likes to keep their feet warm? These heated slippers look like adorable little corgis. Have you seen anything more perfect?

Unusual Gifts

For the one who’s always running on Dunkin’

1. Babycakes Mini Donut Maker, $14, Amazon

It’s cute, and it makes doughnuts. What more could anyone need?

For the vodka lover with a sweet tooth

2. Vodka Is Always A Good Idea Candy Bento Box, $28, Nordstrom

A nice bottle of vodka is always a good gift for the home bartender. But, a bento box full of vodka-infused candy is the perfect gift for those who believe in vodka-o-clock.

For the treasure hunter

The uncle who spends his weekends strolling down the beach looking for treasure, the teenager who is always asking Mom and Dad for money to go to the movies and the 6-year-old just starting a piggy bank to learn the basics of personal finance — they all have one thing in common. They could use this pocket metal detector.

For the pizza rat

Christmas pajamas are cute and all, but for pizza lovers, there’s nothing cuter than a comfy pair of joggers featuring cheesy goodness.

For the Christmas-loving cat person

5. Meowy Catmas Sweater, $18, Walmart

If you don’t know someone who is obsessed with their own cat, you probably know someone who is obsessed with cat memes or cat videos.

For the environmentalist “Office” fan

6. “The Office” Humans Are Terrible For the Environment Tote, $15, NBC Store

Dwight created a special place in most “The Office” fans’ hearts. This tote bag is perfect for wannabe Dunder Mifflin employees and environmentalists alike!

Finding the perfect present can be a challenge, but Shop TODAY’sup to the task. No matter who you’re looking for, we’ve got gift guides for everyone on your list, including:

To discover more deals, shopping tips and budget-friendly product recommendations, subscribe to our Stuff We Love newsletter!

Source: https://www.today.com/home/29-funniest-novelty-gifts-year-t142780