#mood area 52

[gesamkuns-twerk]

I think I found the quintessential “Bone Song”

This whole album is completely skeleton-core

[ms-m-astrologer]

The Week Ahead: July 8-14, 2024

Lunar Phases

Tuesday, July 9, 19:54 UT - Crescent Moon, 3°04’ Virgo

The key phrase for the Crescent lunar phase is “gather and mobilize resources needed for our intentions.” Make a list and check it twice.

Saturday, July 13, 22:49 UT - First Quarter Moon, 22°01’ Libra

The key phrases for the First Quarter lunar phase are “take action,” and “build new structures to support our intentions.” We’re probably trying to balance something out - if everything has been going one way, we go the other way.

Void of Course Moon

Tuesday, July 9, 06:04 UT (Leo) - 13:48 UT (Virgo)

Friday, July 12, 01:54 UT (Virgo) - 02:06 UT (Libra)

Saturday, July 13, 22:49 UT (Libra) - Sunday, July 14, 14:53 UT (Scorpio)

Retrograde/Direct/Etc.

Pre-retrograde shadow: nothing until July 15

Retrograde: Ceres/Capricorn, Pallas/Scorpio (until Wednesday the 10th), Saturn/Pisces, Neptune/Pisces, Pluto/Aquarius

Post-retrograde shadow: Pallas/Scorpio (starting Wednesday the 10th), Juno/Virgo (until Monday the 15th)

Pallas/Scorpio stations direct on Wednesday, July 10, 04:46 UT, at 19°46’ Scorpio.

Juno/Virgo exits her post-retrograde shadow on Monday, July 15, 03:26 UT, at 21°52’ Virgo.

Ingress

Thursday, July 11, 16:19 UT - transiting Venus enters Leo

Hot girl summer? We’re in the mood, all right, wanting to shine in all Venus’ areas.

Et Cetera

There is one Opportunity Period this week: from Friday, July 12, 02:06 UT to Saturday, July 12, 22:49 UT. “Long waxing Moon OP that requires an extra effort but will give good results for projects related to beauty, arts, networking, and more.”

If there seems to be an undertone to this week, it’s probably because transiting Mars is closing in on transiting Jupiter. Their conjunction matures on Monday, July 15 - the same day the US RepubliKKKan party starts its quadrennial convention. (¡Qué apropriado!) Next week also sees Jupiter and Mercury enter their retrograde zones, and ends with our second Capricorn Full Moon.

This week, then, is a good time to get as much of our lives in order, as we possibly can. What we can control, we should work hard on.

[sensualnoiree]

astro notes: daily transits 7/25

Thursday, 7/25, the astrological influences highlight a journey from heightened sensitivity and potential vulnerability to a more assertive and confident energy. The day begins with a delicate Mercury-Neptune quincunx and a Moon-Neptune conjunction, shifting quickly as the Moon enters independent Aries and the Sun sextiles Mars. Mercury's ingress into Virgo adds a pragmatic touch, helping to temper impulsiveness.

Key Influences

Mercury Quincunx Neptune (29°47' Leo–Pisces): Heightened Sensitivity: This aspect can make us overly sensitive to the moods and opinions of others, blurring boundaries and creating potential confusion. Intuition is strong, but clarity may be lacking.

Moon Conjunct Neptune (7:31 a.m.): Emotional Vulnerability: The monthly rendezvous between the Moon and Neptune can amplify emotional sensitivity and heighten our susceptibility to external influences. This can create a dreamy, intuitive, but also potentially confusing atmosphere.

Moon Enters Aries (7:52 a.m.): Independence and Assertiveness: The Moon's ingress into Aries shifts the emotional tone towards independence and assertiveness. There's a focus on taking action and pursuing personal desires with enthusiasm.

Sun Sextile Mars (3°36' Leo–Gemini): Confidence and Energy: This aspect brings a boost of self-confidence and energy, encouraging us to take initiative and assert ourselves in a bold, dynamic manner. It supports courageous actions and enhances vitality.

Moon Sextile Pluto (9:13 a.m.): Passionate Intensity: This aspect adds depth and intensity to emotions, encouraging transformative actions and powerful connections.

Moon Trine Sun (1:28 p.m.): Harmony and Enthusiasm: The harmonious trine between the Moon and Sun enhances our ability to express ourselves with confidence and enthusiasm. It's a supportive aspect for creative and personal endeavors.

Moon Sextile Mars (1:35 p.m.): Energizing Action: This aspect provides a boost of energy and motivation, making it easier to take decisive actions and pursue our goals with vigor.

Mercury Enters Virgo (3:41 p.m.): Pragmatic Mindset: Mercury's ingress into Virgo introduces a more cautious and practical approach to communication and decision-making. This influence will be felt for the next three weeks, promoting attention to detail and analytical thinking.

Integrating the Influences

Managing Sensitivity and Boundaries: Morning Sensitivity: Acknowledge the heightened sensitivity in the morning and be mindful of maintaining boundaries to avoid confusion or emotional overwhelm.

Independent Action: As the Moon enters Aries, shift focus towards personal goals and assertive actions, moving away from any feelings of vulnerability.

Harnessing Confidence and Energy: Boost of Confidence: Utilize the Sun-Mars sextile to boost your self-confidence and take initiative in areas requiring bold action.

Expressive Harmony: The Moon's trine to the Sun supports harmonious self-expression and creative endeavors, making it a good time to pursue personal projects.

Pragmatic Approach: Practical Communication: With Mercury entering Virgo, adopt a more analytical and detail-oriented approach to communication and decision-making, ensuring thoroughness and precision.

Practical Applications

Morning Routine: Set Boundaries: Start the day with practices that help maintain emotional boundaries, such as meditation or journaling, to navigate the sensitive Mercury-Neptune and Moon-Neptune influences.

Plan for Action: Prepare to shift into a more action-oriented mindset as the Moon enters Aries, setting clear intentions for the day.

Daytime Activities: Take Initiative: Use the confidence and energy from the Sun-Mars sextile to tackle tasks that require assertiveness and boldness.

Creative Pursuits: Engage in creative and personal projects during the harmonious Moon-Sun trine, channeling the supportive energy into productive outlets.

Afternoon Focus: Analytical Thinking: As Mercury enters Virgo, focus on tasks that require attention to detail and a pragmatic approach. This is a good time for organizing, planning, and analyzing information.

Evening Reflection: Evaluate Actions: Reflect on the day's actions and decisions, using the pragmatic mindset of Mercury in Virgo to assess progress and plan for the days ahead.

follow for more astro insights like this and head on over to @quenysefields or instagram sensualnoiree to book a session with me :)

[demi-shoggoth]

2023 Reading Log, pt. 11

51. The Book of Fun by Russ Frushtick. This is a collection of anecdotes about and descriptions of various ways that people have fun, such as toys, games, festivals and theme parks. Each page has a paragraph or two of text and a painting to accompany it, and the book covers everything from the history of Coney Island to the time World of Warcraft had a plague. It’s a fun little miscellany, a good bathroom reader type of book, but not very substantial.

52. Queer Ducks (And Other Animals) by Eliot Schrefer. This book is aimed at young adult audiences (think high school students) and is about animal sexuality. It summarizes quite a bit of research, including pretty new material, covering homosexual behavior in animals. The thesis, of course, is that animals have a wide range of sexual behaviors, so these existing in humans as well is perfectly natural. The book also has interviews with a number of queer biologists about their research and their experiences with representation, intersectionality and other topics. Plus, there’s cartoons! Honestly, the cartoons are probably my least favorite part; they’re cute and have a funny premise (a QSA meeting at a high school for animals), but the animals are all mean and judgy with each other. This feels like it misses the point, even if it might be more accurate to the high school experience. Still, the writing is good, and it covers some stuff I had never heard of, like velvet bucks and other mammals that have common intersex members.  

53. Sentient by Jackie Higgins. This book is about senses, using examples from the animal kingdom as a launching point to discuss how the sense works in humans. The book starts with vision, covering the many (tumblr famous) cones of the mantis shrimp, but how recent evidence suggests their color vision isn’t actually particularly good. I was familiar with most of the animal examples discussed, but a lot of the content on human health and senses was new to me. The material that wasn’t new to me, like the controversy over whether humans have pheromones are not, is told very well. And the coverage of the different kinds of touch, and how humans have touch receptors that seem to be linked to areas that are commonly groomed in other primates that are connected to things like mood and mental health… well, that helped put my touch starvation into context.

54. The Devil’s Atlas by Edward Brooke-Hitching. I usually quite like Edward Brooke-Hitching books, so this one was something of a surprise disappointment. The book talks about how different religions and cultures have conceptualized heavens, hells and other afterlives, with copious illustrations. My first complaint is the sorting into heavens and hells, when a lot of the afterlives discussed don’t really fit into the model of paradise or torment. The coverage of each is pretty superficial—there’s a post-script about utopias (including More’s Utopia) that I feel could have been cut in place of more thorough takes on the religions. My biggest complaint, though, is an editing one. No fewer than eight chapters are cut off, so that the last sentence (or even paragraph) is incomplete. It’s remarkably frustrating, and it took me right out of the book.

55. Snakes of the World by Mark O’Shea. Another in the X of the World series put out by Princeton University Press, this is pretty similar in content to the other books in the series. The first quarter or so of the pages are devoted to an overview of the biology of the group, and the rest of it is surveys of its biodiversity, organized by subfamilies and geographic regions. Mark O’Shea also wrote Lizards of the World, and this book seems in many ways to be a direct sequel to it. The main draw, of course, are the species accounts, which include gorgeous photography of a wide variety of species, including some very obscure taxa.

[horizon-series-details]

“A Steady Breath” is the track that plays when exploring near Legacy’s Landfall. It’s a rather soft track, and it’s not cluttered in the slightest. Of course, the other tracks being cluttered is far from a bad thing, there’s a lot going on, and it helps convey mood properly. However with this track, there isn’t much going on, as it’s an ambient track, and one for exploring a diffusely populated location at that.

We start off with some synth, which is admittedly the most intense part of this track. Around (0:11) we start to hear a little more of both percussion and some soft strings starting, though brief. At (0:28) we do have what I’m assuming is piano, accompanied by more synth (though it kinda sounds like wind chimes in a way). At (0:34) we start with woodwinds, though still incredibly quiet. They become more noticeable at (0:48), and by (1:02), it’s clear they’re a major part of the main melody for this piece.

Around (1:19) they’re the loudest part of the track. This is the most noticeable part of the melody until (1:38) when the synth comes back and temporarily overtakes them. We hear the woodwind come back in a higher octave starting at (1:43) though it fades out at (1:52). Of course, it comes back surprisingly quick at (1:57), with the strings now the main part of the melody. The woodwinds and the strings compliment each other quite well here.

At this point, while synth can be heard at some points, it really is primarily woodwinds and strings. It’s a calm track, meant to keep players at ease while exploring an unfamiliar area, so minimal synth makes a lot of sense. Despite that, while the track begins to fade out at (2:48), the last thing heard is a bit of synth at (2:57), before the track ends at (3:02).

[sleekervae]

Past Lives [1.4]

Masterlist

A/N: Two stories updated in one day? Something's in the air, clearly.

Warnings: messily messy messy smut, purely indulgent and whatever lol. Mentions of the W word, self conflicting emotions

--

It was mid evening when they finally left the restaurant. Christmas lights were twinkling in barren trees and flashy neon signs casted bright colours across the pavement. Austin had his hood pulled up and his jacket zipped despite the kinder temperature. Jade always found it funny how Californians called this weather their winter; 52 Fahrenheit was a lovely spring day in Toronto after all. Austin couldn't help but roll his eyes every time she teased him about it.

"What're you gonna do when you go to South Carolina and it might even grace thirty degrees?" she gaped at him, "Have to pack your parka!"

He shook his head, "Yeah, yeah. Meanwhile you're over here melting in mid-July," he shot back.

"We don't have it so easy up North. Toronto gets too muggy in summer," she replied.

"And you also get ten feet of snow in winter, there's no contest --" he stopped suddenly when he spotted a grey car across the street, a hunched figure was setting up his camera in the front seat, just waiting for them to walk by. He had gotten pretty good at spotting the pap cars in the past few months: neutral colour, tinted windows, always picking the spot with renewable paid parking, "Shit,"

"What is it?" Jade asked as he pulled her aside, just out of view from the car.

"We're being watched," he pointed out the car around the corner, "I told you; they've been following me all day,"

"Yeah, because they all want their piece of the King," she joked, peeking out at the idling car. She didn't have so much of a problem being papped, but after London she was especially conscious of being caught out with Austin. She wasn't in the mood to deal with the rumour mill.

She sighed, "Damn,"

"You okay to walk past?" he asked her, "Otherwise we can double back and go the long way?"

Jade looked around at their surroundings, they were only a fifteen minute ride from her house but she didn't want to wait around for an Uber so the camera man could get his snapshots. Luckily for her, Downtown Los Angeles was a winding maze of backstreets, any of which they could slip through to go unnoticed.

"We don't have to, come on," she took his hand in hers and pulled him back in the opposite direction. Austin was curious, choosing however to trust her process as she lead him down a back lane.

Downtown was a metropolitan business area full of fortune five hundred companies and affluent restaurants, as well as a seedy skid row. While they weren't in the rougher part of downtown, the lane still had a couple stragglers hanging around, sitting to avoid the sun or rummaging through dumpsters. And the smell was vile, steam and garbage with stewing together and irritating their noses.

Austin stayed close to Jade as she seemed to have a better idea of where she was going, winding in and out of grid-locked streets and alleys. There was a little zing of excitement, as ridiculous as it sounded he felt like he was in a high-stakes show evading the enemy. She continued to keep a tight grip on his hand, looking up at him now and again to make sure he was okay. From how quiet he was being it was clear he didn't come down this way often, but Jade had become more of a pro at traveling down nooks and crannies for quick escapes.

Soon enough they came to the edge of Little Tokyo, and they looked up and down the street to assure that they were safe from prying eyes.

"I think we're in the clear," she decided.

"I take it you've done this before?" he noted as she opened the ride share app on her phone.

"Spend enough time dodging the paparazzi, you pick up a few tricks," she replied.

He smiled, "And that's how you can go around without a big security team, right?"

"Exactly!" she beamed up at him, "I can give you all my escape routes, if you want,"

"I ever tell you how cool you are?" he asked.

"What other reason would you keep me around for?" she replied.

"... I've got a few reasons..."

Needless to say, Austin indeed had a myriad of reasons...

Jade was suddenly flat on her back on the bed, Austin heavy on top of her. His hands were on her neck and he was kissing her, and no one in the entire fucking world kissed her like he did.

“Clothes,” she mumbled between kisses.

A sharp flap – that was his shirt, nicely out of the way. Austin pulled at Jade’s tank top and off it flew across the room. No bra. Her skin was warm beneath his hands and he could feel her panting.

He fell back onto her, too eager to have any energy left to expend on pants. Jade tried to reach for Austin’s belt but he was too close, his stomach pressed against her's. She laughed, “Honey, we have all night. Slow down,”

“Fine, fine,” he said, his voice sounded a little strange and trembling and this was Austin: who never lost his cool, who’d had the self-control of a fucking monk and his voice was shaking and it was because of her. Jade pulled her hand from beneath his stomach and dragged him into another kiss.

Austin’s legs slid open, knees on either side of her thighs, and he pulled at her belt, “This – this would be a lot easier if we just got up for a second,” Jade huffed.

“I know,” Austin said, but he stayed exactly where he was and so did she, because no way in hell was she letting go of him right now, “Up,” he snapped, tugging at her waistband. Jade raised her hips from the bed and Austin tugged her jeans off. It was a good thing Jade could multitask, toeing her shoes off and unbuttoning his pants at the same time.

And then finally, fucking finally, they were both naked.

It was a week since they'd last done this. It might have seemed like an eternity but right now it was nothing. Nowhere long enough to erase the familiarity of his ribcage in her palms, the movement of her hips, the taste of his mouth. He felt like he hadn’t been away for more than a day, or like he never even left the bed. Everything that wasn’t Jade against him distant and unreal.

Would she be feeling it as well? This bone-deep, perfect fiery need?

She got on top of Austin and pinned his arms to the bed.  His legs fell open and she leaned down, pressed up against him. He arched up for a kiss and she pulled away at the very last moment, her lips hovering less than an inch from his.

“Tease,” Austin growled.

“Hypocrite,”  she smashed her lips against his and he made a surprised noise.  She let go of Austin’s arms and he put his hands on Jade’s neck, fingers digging in hard. Damn right she was feeling it too.

She crawled down, his eyes slipped shut. Nothing mattered much more than this -- Austin’s cock heavy against her tongue and the taste of his pre-come in her mouth. His hands weaved through her hair and he threw his head back, baring his throat, mouth open, needy. He never said Jade’s name, but then again he didn’t really need to; that open unguarded expression on his face said enough.

He was careful to not drive his hips into her mouth too hard as he savoured the warmth that’s wrapped around him. She teased his crown with swirling licks and preened as his jaw went slack.

“Fuck,”

His teeth clenched when Jade doubled her efforts, milking him with care, “I can’t-” his breath hitched, voice straining as he was just on the edge.

Her eyes fluttered shut when she felt him swell, staining her tongue with his musk. His sack was heavy and warm as she softly rolled his balls and felt him growl from the sensation.

And she stopped, Austin pushed at her shoulder, a silent plea for her to grant him mercy. As much as it pained him, he knew they had plenty of time. We have all night.

He got one elbow on the mattress and pushed up, rolling around. He ended up on top again but instead of going down he leaned sideways, making a dive for the bedside table.

He dropped back, lube in hand, “C'mere,” Austin latched onto Jade’s mouth and he pulled her thigh up, found her pussy.

He stroked two fingers around and around and Jade gritted her teeth, her face going tight in an attempt not to fight back. Austin stroked her side with his free hand, splaying his fingers over Jade’s too-visible ribs. Being this close meant he could feel each twitch and intake of breath and shudder going through her body and it was intoxicating.

Austin fingered her clit with his thumb and Jade moaned, loud and salacious. She hooked her free hand around his neck and pulled him down, and he could feel, taste every noise Jade made at every push of his fingers.

“That’s – ” Jade started, but Austin pushed her back down, kissed her and bit down on her lip. She moaned again, hands tightening in his hair. She had to push Austin off forcefully and he went for her neck, licking the first drops of sweat off.

“Stop teasing,” she gasped.

Austin pulled his fingers back. He grabbed Jade’s shoulder and pulled, rolling them over, ending up beneath her. Jade leaned down on her elbows and kissed him.

And then he sat up, holding her as she adjusted her sitting position and he had her in his lap. One arm was locked, holding him up as he caught his breath, the other wound around her neck, his thumb stroked at her chin. Her arms wound around his neck as his touch became gentle.

They were such a fucking sight to behold. If anybody had told them at the beginning of the year that this was where they would end up, both of them would've laughed in pure disbelief. And yet, everything about this felt so comfortable, so safe.

"You okay?" she panted.

Was he? The short answer was no, but he had needed her more than he was willing to admit, "I'm taking it all in," he answered, his voice heavy and smooth, sounding as if it was slathered in honey.

"And your shoulder?"

Still stiff, still sore, but the pain was eclipsed by the adrenaline, "I'm okay,"

She raked his back; he felt the scrape of brittle nails, and thought dimly that was good -- she trusted him. Her lips curled into a smile, reminiscent of the Cheshire grin as she brushed her nose against his.

"Good. Now fuck me,"

He pulled her down, knee slotted between her legs, lips painting across her chest and wrapping around her nipple. Biting, licking, sucking, elevating and soothing. His other hand reached up to play with her other nipple, getting it hard between his fingers, tugging and pulling at it lightly before switching sides and taking it into his mouth, sucking and leaving hickey's along her breast as he grabbed at the other one.

Jade's hips kept bumping into his, her nails scratching through his scalp and her breathing grew heavy as he slipped down, further and further. Her moans were just encouragement as his tongue dove between her legs.

Shivers raced down her spine as his hands kept her thighs open for him and he buried his face into her pussy. Her breath hitched when his lips wrapped around her clit, a sinful whine spilling from her mouth and she reached up for the headboard, pulling at the metal bars to keep her grounded.

It wasn't good enough. Austin's momentary pause was quickly relieved as he reached to grab her hand and her fingers found his hair without a second beat.

Jade wriggled and he threw his leg over hers, keeping her down. Her body was surrendering quickly -- she always had a thing for being held down --  and Austin caught her other hand, enlaced his fingers with hers and put them back on the mattress. His eyes flitted up, watching her writhe, warm and slightly sweaty and so unbelievably fucking real. He could see Jade’s face, eyes squeezed shut, teeth buried in her bottom lip. God, I want to devour you...

"So go ahead," she began to laugh, coaxing him, and Austin was surprised. Shit, had he said that out loud?

He chuckled, "Sorry,"

"Why?" she caught his eye, her Bambi stare rapacious, insatiable, and he grounded his erection into the bed, a weak form of relief.

Austin couldn't stop himself even if he wanted to, before he knew it he was barraging her clit again. He could never get enough of her, wondered how long he could bury himself between her legs and eat her out until they both burned out.

Jade's eyes clamped shut, her head falling back onto the pillow as her back arched, Austin lapped at her throbbing, pulsing clit with little mercy. Her moans echoed throughout her bedroom as his tongue manipulated her, all thoughts went blank and the only thing she could focus on was the carnal desire, being claimed, marked, needed.

“Fuck!” she moaned, his fingers pinched her clit and she was teetering. He knew, he always knew. Austin had grown to know her body better than anything, he knew night after night Jade could only take so much before her moans turned into pants and she was surrendering to the tension trying to regain her strength. He wanted that just as much she did, he loved to watch her going through the motions of her orgasm.

She tasted like a dream, pure ecstasy on the tip of his tongue, pushing so hard against her slit a small yelp tore itself from her throat. He growled in response, guttural and lecherous, so fucking hot.

And then he stopped.

Her frustrated sob was almost as entertaining as her pleasure, and Austin couldn't lie he revelled in the sadism of it. Jade smacked at his shoulder, much to his amusement.

"You're the worst," she huffed.

He crawled on top of her, silencing her protests with his lips, messy and blissful. Her hands went around his neck, she moaned helplessly as he rocked against her.

"Didn't you tell me to slow down?" he mocked, laughing when she thumped the back of his head.

"Yeah, but your horoscope also said you aim to please, so..." she reached down between them and took his length in her hand, squeezing and sliding over him. She couldn't bite back her smirk as he jolted, revelled as she dragged him across her slit.

'Relax sweetheart," he kissed her jaw, "I'll give you what you want," and he pushed slowly inside. Jade’s head dropped back and she tilted her hips back, taking him inside, biting hard on her tongue.

Austin pulled his hips back a little and pushed in, fucking her just like he knew she liked. Jade’s moans matched his. God, this felt – felt like more than just sex, like… he couldn’t even put it in words, how right it felt to have her this close. No fucking poetry could do this justice.

He laughed, softly.

“What?” Jade growled.

“Nothing. I'm just -- you feel amazing,”

She didn’t reply – which was an answer all of its own, of course.

Austin pushed in again, slowly. Slow meant he got to relish each and every one of Jade’s reactions, all those little noises she tried so hard to keep quiet, the shivers and jerks and her fingers curling against his skin.

And because they were so riled up, it didn’t take that much before his hard, calculated thrusts sped up. Touch, feel, pleasure, that was all that was important, Jade’s pussy squeezing around him, holding her down like he fucking owned her, consumed the air around her. Everything in her room was becoming infested with Austin.

His free hand came up to her jaw, pulling her in for a kiss, fingers digging into her cheeks. She clutched at his shoulders as his touch became rougher again, his teeth scraping briefly over her bottom lip. Her hips started rocking again, erratic, desperate, please, don’t let him stop, not now, not this time –

And he didn't.

The world felt like it skidded to a halt. Jade couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, could do nothing but arch forward, fingers clutching at the sheets and his shoulder, as her orgasm ripped through her. She was only vaguely aware of Austin's grunt when he came, too lost in her own body and the sheer intense pleasure of it all.

She fell back, exhausted, shivering.

Consciousness trickled back slowly. The first thing she was aware of was the sound of heavy breathing. She opened her eyes, blinked. He was still leaning above her, sweat sticking to his brow, eyes closed. His forearms were trembling.

The tension in him released as her hands slid up his arms, soothing him, luring him into her safety. He collapsed on top of her, panting heavily in the crook of her neck. He was still snug inside of her.

The interior of Jade's home was exactly what Austin had expected. Bright, sleek, pale yellow walls encompassed the living room in comfort. Mirrors on the walls opened the space and rustic wood finishings and mouldings. Above the gas fireplace sat a shadowbox holding the platinum edition of her most recent record, Words & Things. She had a large bookcase holding titles there were both notable and not so, knick knacks of cutesy ceramics and wax bust candles were peppered in.

Off in the corner of the living room was a baby grand piano, papers were sat and scattered across the top, fingerprints were smudged across the once polished black exterior. He hadn't played the piano since the Elvis set; he had spent hours a day, day after day rehearsing the ballads he'd perform on set, was so committed to bringing as much authenticity and emotion to the music as he could.

His gaze focused on the papers on the stand, Jade's chicken scratch evident in the notes she'd written, crossed out, re-written and crossed out again. Tiny words were penciled in underneath the chords, and from he could remember it was the same song she had played for him on their video call. A multitude of titles were etched and crossed out at the top of the page, nothing solid had been picked. It may have been so mundane to the naked eye, but this was Jade's process; messy and disorganized, fragments of her story that were sowed together to appeal to the greater masses. He had to commend her for that sort of bravery.

Austin couldn't help but run his fingers across the ivory keys, he pressed down and fidgeted at the sharp droll of the D note he'd hit on accident. It was then that Jade returned from the kitchen, a plate of chopped fruit in her hand. She leaned against the wall, biting back her smile as she watched him finger at the keys with timid curiosity.

He soon spotted her in the corner of his eye, drawing back from the piano and smiling sheepishly, "Oh, hey,"

"Hi," she walked toward him, glancing at her piano, "Don't be shy. You wanna' play something?"

"No, it's cool. I don't wanna' mess up what you got going on here," he gestured to her papers.

"Oh, don't worry. Believe it or not, this is way cleaner than what it was," she offered up the plate, sliced oranges and apples.

"Thanks," he took an apple slice, "That's the song you played for me, right?"

She nodded, "Yeah,"

"Is it finished?"

"Just about," she placed the plate down, staring quizzically at the piano, "I'm not even sure if I'm gonna' release it,"

"How come?"

Jade sat at the bench, sitting opposite to the keys, "I just -- it feels too personal. I'm talking about trauma and sex and I'm dissecting every little misery in my life," she tailed off in a chuckle.

He glowered, "You're scared?"

"Basically," she stared up at him, "I don't want to sound like I'm deflecting about what I did,"

Austin sat beside her, sitting in front of the keys however as he skimmed the words of her song. Even now, he could just grasp the memory of her voice filtering through his phone, picking off every hitching breath and octave change in the lyrics. He looked to Jade now, her teeth were biting into her inner lip, she was picking at the frayed threads of her shirt to keep her hands occupied.

"Can I hear it?" he asked tentatively. A bout of fret flashed through her eyes, her gaze switched from his own to the papers, "I don't mind it's not finished, if that helps or... hinders...?"

Jade shook her head, "No, no, it's cool," though on the inside she felt her stomach begin to flutter. It was ridiculous in hindsight: she had played to arenas filled with well over three thousand people, spilling her guts and bruising herself up for the show. But here, cloistered in a house that didn't quite feel like a home yet, being so close to Austin, it felt like a weight to perform had been dropped over her shoulders.

Nonetheless, she stroked the keys softly.

"Don't judge much, it's still a work in progress," she simpered meekly.

Austin smiled back, "No worries,"

The piano was a quiet delight, the melody soft but held a simmering promise, like wind whipping across fields with the promise of a violent storm ahead. Austin couldn't help but watch, listen, become hypnotized in her skillful playing, her fingers jumped from key to key so swiftly, her head bounced forward with every hard punch of a note.

"I haven't done a cartwheel since I was nine I haven't seen my mother in a long, long time I mean, look at me Look at the length of my hair, and my face, the shape of my body Do you really think I give a damn What I do after years of just hearing them talking?"

And her voice was incomparable, fluttering in resonant pitch, almost whispering as if she feared raising her voice would break the trance.

"I say I live in Rosemead, really, I'm at the Ramada It doesn't really matter, doesn't really, really matter"

She paused suddenly as she came to the next verse, biting her tongue in an internal debate. Jade glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Austin was none the wiser to her skepticism; his elbow sat on the music stand, his hand cradled his chin, seemingly hyper fixed on her music.

"... Lead him up, "Come into my bedroom" Ended up, we fuck on the hotel floor It's not about havin' someone to love me anymorе This is the experiеnce of bein' an American whore"

Her playing continued, seemingly the only thing keeping Jade grounded as she tried to read Austin's face. It clicked for him near-immediately as soon as he heard the chorus, mixed feelings churned in his gut as he realized she had put him into the song. Just that part alone was too visceral, too clear and precise to be about just anyone.

Nevertheless, he was blown away equally by this caliber of music she'd written, but he was also quite taken aback. He remembered her utter fear after their first night together; the shame in being photographed in such a position, how she was more scared for him than she was for herself. Jade had such a low opinion of her own self worth and it showed. In a way, she had accepted that she was always going to be the quote-on-quote 'whore'.

Austin placed his hand over hers, bringing the music to a still. His thumb stroked over her knuckle, filtering for the right words, never truly finding the phrase that encompassed just how incredible he thought she was. Jade meanwhile was shaking -- on the inside, anyway. She cursed herself for not putting her sheets away because now Austin knew that she had been writing about him. Embarrassing? Maybe not so much. But the dazed look on his face said it all.

Her eyes flitted to the wounds on his knuckles, red, swollen, pulsating thick and quick, ready to rip open with the right action.

"Wow..." he finally spoke. Jade wasn't sure whether to let the relief wash over her or stay on her fence, ready to concede if she needed to.

"Yeah, it's okay," she reached to switch the sheets out, "Anyway, it's not finished so --"

"Was that part... about me?" he felt sheepish asking, because of course it was.

Jade inhaled sharply, looking to the ceiling as though praying for some suitable answer to bonk her on the head. So instead she settled for her good old friend, denial, "No," she shook her head.

Austin thought he might feel a little relief, but instead her answer annoyed him. She was lying, it was clear enough, and why she felt she had to lie to him was a little insulting. He didn't want to upset her at the same time, though.

"Really?" he popped a brow.

"Yeah," Jade nodded then, her gaze locking just below his eyes.

He sighed, "So... you've been sleeping with someone else?"

"What? No --" she then looked to the ceiling. She had spent too long tangling herself into her own web of bullshit, just to make herself feel better. But Austin deserved better than that, and she was exhausted.

"Okay, yeah. Fine," she shook her head in defeat, "This part's about you. T-The rest isn't," she quickly assured.

Okay, so he got his answer, but he was still a little irritated, "Why'd you lie?"

She scoffed, "Because you don't need to be dragged into my personal bullshit. Don't worry, I'll rewrite it,"

"... But... why? You don't need to," he replied, "Besides, even if you decide to release it, there's no telling that this person is actually me,"

"C'mon, Austin. You know how savvy the internet is. Shit, everyone on TikTok is a private investigator now," she replied, "You've got so much going on, I don't want this to taint your reputation,"

Austin shook his head, "Jade, if we were both in committed relationships, I get it. You don't have to protect me from anything -- including yourself,"

Her elbow fell onto the keys, releasing a squealing cacophony of random notes clashing together in a sharp burst. She jumped back and put her face in her hands, not so bashfully this time. She wasn't sure why she was making this so difficult for herself, she wasn't even sure if she was going to release the song. Austin was so logical and so reassuring, but what he'd failed to realize was the way he saw her was different from how she saw herself. How she worded her songs would go a long way; lyrics would be picked apart by critics until they wanted to trample over that border, rip open more of herself than she was willing to give with this snippet. It was hard for Jade to have things just for herself, and having Austin in her life again was something she wanted to fiercely protect. It was so much more than just sex or a feeling of being wanted, he had become her safe space all over again and if she had to lose him again, she wasn't sure she could cope.

"But that's the point. We're not dating," she finally met his eyes, shrouded in grief and defeat, "And as progressive as society has become, there's still a stigma around what we're doing,"

"You mean about the fuck-buddy thing,"

"Yes. If I was writing about having coffee with you, that's one thing,"

He cracked a smile then, "Well, according to our horoscopes, maybe we should be dating? We take the air out of a room," his coy smirk was charming, he was joking with her; but even that could only get him so far. Nevertheless, Jade tried to relax. After all, they were supposed to be having a good time with each other, she wasn't supposed to be depressing him.

If only she knew he didn't see it that way.

She simpered back, "You couldn't handle me," he couldn't decipher whether it was a joke or an empty promise, but he felt if given the chance he would challenge her on that without hesitation.

"That's your opinion," he relented, "What's it called?"

"Compatibility readings,"

"No," he chuckled, "The song. What's it called?"

"Oh," she blushed, staring keenly at her paper, "It's -- I -- mm. American Whore," she looked to him again.

It broke his heart knowing that's how she thought of herself, though he was amused by the title nonetheless, "Well, you're definitely going to have to change the title for a radio release,"

"Ugh. So boring," she groaned.

"I like it, though," he told her, "You're not a... to answer before, I don't think you're deflecting, Jade. This is your truth, after all,"

"Thanks," she took the pages and threw them atop the piano, shaking her head of whatever deprecation was knocking away to creep in. She reached for an orange slice, "Anyway. You wanna' play something?"

He was taken aback, it had been a while since he'd last played anything on the piano. His curiosity was still peaked, "Like what?"

"Whatever you want," she shrugged, "You still play, right?"

"I do," Austin simpered as he thought it over. He pressed down on a C note, testing himself, the soft drone of the key fading quickly. Jade's own fingers were still resting just below the keys, her nails scratching at the vinyl coating. The perfect song then popped into his head.

He played the G note delicately, the build up was slow but once he got going he was on a role. Jade was no expert, but she knew enough discography to recognize Suspicious Minds when she heard it, be it radio or schmaltzy piano cover. She began to laugh.

"We need to get you help," she chuckled.

He shrugged back, "You said I could play whatever I want, so..." he continued to play.

"I'm not eating those words," she muttered, shifting over so he had more room.

Jade was surprised, thinking by now Austin would probably be sick of anything Elvis related. But he embodied him so well, his playing was immaculate, only pausing here and there to ensure that he got the right key. Anyone else would be melting, killing for this experience, seeing the spirit of the King flowing through him, but to Jade he was still Austin, movie roles and manifestdestiny by damned. He was always going to be that same sweet boy who -- for some reason -- put up with her.

"Oh, let our love survive I'll dry the tears from your eyes Let's don't let a good thing die When honey, you know I've never lied to you"

Austin was surprised that he wasn't the one to sing first. It sounded so strange at first to hear those molten words leave Jade's lips, her pitch was delicate, soft, relaxed in a sophisticated acoustic tone, and by God he would swear he could listen to her sing all day.

"We're caught in a trap I can't walk out Because I love you too much, baby"

Tentatively, he joined her.

"Why can't you see What you're doing to me When you don't believe a word I say?""

If her heart could leap out of her chest it would've, his voice was buttery smooth in conjunction with her higher tone, blending together beautifully. Hearing him sing was a one off -- she had always known how damn talented he was. However, Jade was giddy, her face flushing red and she covered her mouth with her hand, trying not to laugh.

Austin laughed anyway, "Keep going!" he encouraged.

"I'm good," she was bashful for an entirely different reason, now.

He stopped playing, picking off how her shoulders bounced, her hair swaying softly with every move she made, the dimples poking into her cheeks at her beaming grin. And those lips of hers were so damn kissable, they had the power to draw him in and bring him to his knees if she so desired. And yet the most beautiful voice he'd ever heard came from beyond those lips, he wanted to hear her stories and her corny jokes, listen to her whims and worries about the world. And he loved when he could make her laugh because he knew by the sound of her tinker bell giggle how happy she was. How happy he could make her.

Jade had caught him staring, averted her eyes back to the keys. Austin nudged her gently with his elbow.

"What's on your mind?" he asked.

If only she could put so eloquently, so simply his answer. She looked to her papers, then, "Can I put you in my song?"

He scoffed, "You already have,"

"But if I decide to release it?"

She had started switching subjects more frequently; the more he tried to pry in, the more she would clam up. It was her way of protecting herself, he supposed, and while Austin understood why she felt she had to, he wished she didn't feel that way about him.

"Yes..." he answered, "You can put me in your song. Are you sure about the title, though?"

She simpered, "You don't like it?"

"It's not that I don't like it, I just disagree with it," he replied, "You're not a..." he didn't like saying it, "You're not a whore, Jade,"

Jade gave a little smirk as she stood up, "Really? I kinda sounded like one thirty minutes ago," she teased back.

Austin rolled his eyes, "Oh, please,"

[head-post]

Crisis in Damascus: IDF continues to destroy Syria’s infrastructure

The Israeli Air Force again carried out a massive bombardment of Syrian territory on Monday. The targets were barracks, research centres and weapons depots in several provinces at once. Local media reported that the strikes were so powerful that they even caused a 3-magnitude earthquake.

In southern Syria, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) continues to push into Syrian territory. On Sunday, the Israelis reached Damascus province, captured Beit Jann farm and entered the town of Khan Arnba.

That night, Israeli F-15s and F-16s carried out several strikes on the outskirts of Damascus, Hama, Homs, as well as ammunition depots in Tartus. The mushroom from the explosion was so large that apparently the hit was on missile weapons.

The new Syrian authorities, led by the head of the HST, Abu Mohammed al-Joulani, have been skirting Israel’s activities, saying only that Syria’s sovereignty must be respected. Obviously, al-Joulani’s initial words that the Syrian authorities would return the Golan Heights were motivated by the victorious mood following the overthrow of Assad. Now, after the IDF air force has literally destroyed Syria’s combat capability, the country’s leadership has stopped mentioning it in the press.

️Now Israeli troops have already occupied 20 Syrian towns and villages. They have also advanced for the first time into the southern Quneitra province, cutting the road between al-Mallaqa and Saida in the Golan Heights.

️Druze from the village of Khader in southern Syria near the Israeli border called on the Jewish state to annex the territories, according to published videos.

Strengthening Golan Heights settlements

️The Israeli government has approved a plan to develop the Golan Heights on the border with Syria. According to the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the plan involves strengthening Golan Heights settlements and doubling the number of local residents.

In the north, US troops are stationed at the Karakozak Bridge to monitor the line of demarcation between pro-Turkish SNA and SDF formations. Meanwhile, Turkish planes and drones continue to bomb Kurdish-controlled population centres. SDF-affiliated forces showed an operation to clear the Tishrin Dam and its surroundings of the SNA terrorists.

️The Turkish Defence Ministry said it has conveyed to the US the goal of eliminating the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Syria. Bloomberg reports the words of Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler that Ankara is ready to provide the new Syrian government with military support in terms of disarming the Kurdish People’s Defence Units (YPG), which are the main component of the PKK.

Meanwhile, the banned terrorist ISIS, taking advantage of the powerlessness in Syria’s desert areas, continues to increase its activity. Over the past week, the terrorists carried out six attacks in the Syrian desert, resulting in the execution of 52 Syrian soldiers and 18 civilians.

In addition, there was information about the transfer of Russian soldiers in Syria. Representatives of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group claim that Russia, in coordination with the Syrian authorities, transferred at least 400 of its servicemen to Syria , who were stationed at the Hmeimim airbase.

Read more HERE

[ajepicbusrentals]

Unleashing Fun: Your Guide to Luxurious Party Bus Rentals in Dubai

Why Choose a Party Bus?

Comfort and Luxury: Party buses are designed for ultimate comfort, featuring plush seating, ambient lighting, and state-of-the-art sound systems. You and your guests can enjoy the luxury of a nightclub on wheels!

Spaciousness: Unlike traditional vehicles, a party bus provides ample space for dancing, mingling, and socializing. You won’t have to worry about fitting everyone in; a party bus can accommodate a large group comfortably.

Convenience: Renting a party bus means you don’t have to worry about parking, traffic, or designated drivers. The experienced driver will take care of navigation, allowing you to focus on having fun.

Unique Experience: Traveling in a party bus adds an element of excitement to your event. It sets the tone for an unforgettable night filled with laughter and joy.

What to Expect from a Party Bus Rental

When you rent a luxurious party bus in Dubai, you can expect various features and amenities to enhance your experience:

Entertainment Systems: Most party buses come equipped with high-quality audio and visual systems, including flat-screen TVs, LED lighting, and surround sound. Bring your favorite playlists or request a DJ for an extra special touch!

Bar Area: Many party buses include a bar area stocked with ice, glassware, and sometimes even complimentary beverages. Be sure to check with your rental company regarding their policies on alcohol.

Mood Lighting: The interior ambiance can be customized with mood lighting, creating the perfect atmosphere for your celebration.

Dance Floor: Some larger party buses even have a dedicated dance floor, complete with a pole for those who want to show off their moves!

Booking Your Luxurious Party Bus

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, keep these tips in mind when booking your party bus rental:

Plan Ahead: Book your party bus well in advance, especially if you’re planning an event during peak seasons like holidays or weekends. This will ensure you secure the best vehicle for your needs.

Check Reviews: Research different rental companies, read customer reviews, and compare prices. Look for a company known for providing excellent customer service and well-maintained vehicles.

Inspect the Bus: If possible, visit the rental company to inspect the party bus before making a reservation. Ensure it meets your expectations in terms of size, cleanliness, and amenities.

Know the Policies: Familiarize yourself with the rental policies, including cancellation fees, deposit requirements, and any restrictions on alcohol or decorations.

AJ EPIC: Your Party Bus Experts

At AJ EPIC, we specialize in providing luxurious party bus rentals tailored to your needs. Our modern fleet features spacious buses equipped with top-notch amenities, ensuring your celebration is memorable. We prioritize customer satisfaction, helping you plan the perfect event from start to finish.

For inquiries and bookings, Contact us or reach out via WhatsApp at +971 52 889 5684. Let us help you create unforgettable memories with our luxurious party bus rental service in Dubai!

Conclusion

A luxurious party bus rental in Dubai is the perfect way to elevate your celebrations and create lasting memories with friends and loved ones. With comfort, convenience, and entertainment at your fingertips, you’ll be ready to party in style. So gather your crew, book your party bus, and get ready for an adventure like no other!

[jainhospitalkhanna]

In our fast-paced modern world, stress is an almost constant companion. Whether it stems from work pressures, financial concerns, or personal relationships, stress can significantly impact both our mental and physical well-being. One critical area where stress can have a profound effect is on heart health. Understanding the connection between stress and heart health is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

How Stress Affects the Heart

When we encounter stressful situations, our bodies react with a "fight or flight" response. This involves the release of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, which equip the body to manage perceived threats by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy supplies. While this response is beneficial in short bursts, chronic stress can keep the body in a prolonged state of high alert, leading to various health issues.

Key Effects of Chronic Stress on the Heart:

Raised Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Persistent stress can cause long-term increases in heart rate and blood pressure. With time, this can impair blood vessels and promote the onset of hypertension.

Inflammation: Chronic stress is linked to increased levels of inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a key player in the development of atherosclerosis, where arteries become clogged with fatty deposits, potentially leading to heart disease.

Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices: Stress often drives people to adopt unhealthy behaviours such as smoking, overeating, and leading a sedentary lifestyle. These behaviours further elevate the risk of heart disease.

Abnormal Blood Clotting: Stress can influence the blood's clotting mechanism, increasing the risk of heart attacks.

The Psychological Dimension: Stress and Mental Health

Stress impacts not only the physical but also the mental aspects of heart health. Conditions such as anxiety and depression are common in individuals experiencing chronic stress, and these mental health issues are also associated with an increased risk of heart disease. For instance, depression can lead to poor lifestyle choices, neglect of medical care, and biological changes that heighten the risk of cardiovascular issues.

Research Evidence: Stress and Heart Disease

Several studies have confirmed the link between stress and heart disease. The INTERHEART study, which analysed data from over 27,000 participants across 52 countries, identified stress as a significant risk factor for heart attacks, comparable to traditional risks like high blood pressure and smoking.

Another study published in "Circulation" reported that individuals experiencing high levels of work-related stress had a 40% higher risk of developing heart disease compared to those with lower stress levels.

Strategies for Managing Stress and Protecting Heart Health

While it's impossible to completely eliminate stress, there are effective strategies to manage it and protect heart health:

Regular Physical Activity: Exercise serves as a potent solution for stress relief. It reduces stress hormones and triggers the release of endorphins, natural mood enhancers. Plan to do 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days throughout the week.

Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins support both heart health and stress management. Reducing the consumption of caffeine, sugar, and alcohol is advantageous.

Relaxation Techniques: Incorporating practices such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation into your routine can help calm the mind and reduce stress levels.

Adequate Sleep: Proper sleep is fundamental for managing stress effectively and maintaining a healthy heart. Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night.

Social Connections: Strong social support systems can provide emotional support and help reduce stress. Spend time with family and friends, and consider joining support groups.

Time Management: Prioritising tasks, delegating responsibilities, and setting realistic goals can help manage workloads and reduce stress.

Professional Support: If stress becomes overwhelming, seeking help from a mental health professional can be beneficial. Therapy and counselling can provide effective strategies for coping with stress.

Conclusion

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but its impact on heart health is profound and should not be underestimated. By understanding the relationship between stress and heart disease and adopting effective stress management strategies, we can significantly improve our heart health and overall well-being. Taking proactive steps to manage stress today can lead to a healthier heart and a happier life tomorrow.

At Jain Multispeciality Hospital, we prioritise your heart health and offer complete care to help you manage stress and its effects on your cardiovascular system. Our team of experts is here to support you on your journey to a healthier heart. Schedule a consultation with our specialists today and take the first step towards better stress management and heart health.

[kcenvs3000w24]

Blog 07: Nature Interpretation through Music

Hi everyone, and welcome back to another blog post! This week we are exploring the relationship between nature and music. As an enjoyer of both music and nature, I find this week’s topic to be quite interesting. 

Music has the unique ability to connect people around the world. It’s remarkable to me that every known human culture has their own form of music (Hooykaas, 2024). For example, the Sami Indigenous people of the northern Scandinavian Peninsula are able to sing yoiks, vocal songs of short repeated melodies (Gray et al., 2001). Along with music being present within human civilization, it can be found easily in nature as well. 

The gentle rustle of leaves in the wind, the melodic chirping of birds, and the crashing of waves on an ocean shore. All of these sounds are nature’s music. Some animals such as humpback whales have the ability to be composers, and use rhythmic repetition to communicate. Compared to some of us who live in industrialized cities, those who live in rural areas are fortunate enough to often experience the music of nature (Gray et al., 2001). 

As for where nature can be found in music, I would like to share some classical examples. Beethoven’s Symphony 6, or the Pastoral Symphony intertwines both nature and music. In this symphony, Beethoven drew inspiration from nature, specifically rolling hills of the countryside. One of Beethoven’s most popular works, Moonlight Sonata, transports me to a serene place surrounded by nature. It was composed in 1801 and its original name is Piano Sonata 14. It is said that the nickname Moonlight Sonata was given by the German poet Ludwig Rellstab. He stated that the sonata’s first movement reminded him of a boat floating across Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, under the shining moonlight. The melodic and dreamy feel of the sonata makes it my absolute favorite work by a classical composer. 

This is the imagery I imagine when listening to Moonlight Sonata.

As for more modern music, the use of nature can be found in songs such as “Good Days” by SZA and “Sunsetz” by Cigarettes after Sex. In “Good Days”, SZA incorporates the chirping of birds in the first few seconds. The song has a relaxing vibe, which reminds me of the peace that nature brings. In “Sunsetz” the artist longs for a past lover. Though the song is not necessarily about nature, they associate the beauty of sunlight and sunsets with someone they love. 

Both music and nature have the power to evoke emotion, and influence our mood. As interpreters, we should use elements of both nature and music in order to better engage and interact with our audience. 

References:

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science, 291(5501), 52–52. https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&issn=00368075&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA69270354&sid=googleScholar&linkaccess=abs

Hooykaas, A. (2024). ENVS*3000 Nature Interpretation Course Notes. Retrieved March 3, 2024, from https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/858004/viewContent/3640021/View

[ms-m-astrologer]

Transiting Vesta retrogrades back into Gemini

Timeline (current events in bold)

Friday, August 18, 2023, 02:04 UT - transiting Vesta enters pre-retrograde shadow, 21°45’ Gemini

Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 23:22 UT - transiting Vesta enters Cancer

Friday, November 3, 2023, 01:52 UT - transiting Vesta stations retrograde, 7°30’ Cancer

Wednesday, December 20, 2023, 10:08 UT - transiting Vesta retrogrades back into Gemini

Thursday, February 8, 2024, 09:44 UT - transiting Vesta stations direct, 21°45’ Gemini

Sunday, March 31, 2024, 10:56 UT - transiting Vesta re-enters Cancer

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 03:07 UT - transiting Vesta exits post-retrograde shadow, 7°30’ Cancer

-=-=-+++++-=-=-

Caveat: unless Vesta is prominent in your birth chart (closely in aspect to the Sun, the Moon, &/or an angle), this probably won’t have too much of an impact on you.

Let’s remind ourselves of Vesta’s four main areas:

Personal integration

Devotional/religious activities

Scholastic interests

One’s work or path of service

And we’ve been dealing mainly with issues of integrity and self-respect - as Martin Bulgerin put it, “Situations come up that force you to decide how much integrity really means to you and how much you’d rather ‘slide through life.’”

In Gemini, this is liable to play out as spending too much time inside your own head, and alienation from other people through an overemphasis on intellectualism and rationalization. We may not have completely wanted to completely commit to something, and that lack of 100% focused dedication hurts us - as the great soul artist Wilson Pickett sang, “Ninety nine and a half won’t do.”

Specifics, as seen via aspects:

Thursday, December 21 - Saturday, December 23:

Vesta Rx/Gemini opposite Sun/Sagittarius, 29°38’

Vesta Rx/Gemini opposite Mercury Rx/Sagittarius, 29°04’

This is likely to be a time when we’re made aware (opposition) of how exactly we messed up, late last summer (between August 18 and September 13), when Vesta originally went over this stretch of the Zodiac.

Wednesday, December 27 - Sunday, December 31:

Vesta Rx/Gemini inconjunct Venus/Scorpio, 27°57’

Vesta Rx/Gemini opposite Mars/Sagittarius, 27°04’

More opposition-awareness here, with a sulky inconjunct to sour our mood. Overcompensation.

Monday, January 8:

Vesta Rx/Gemini square Neptune/Pisces, 25°13’

Vesta Rx/Gemini opposite Mercury/Sagittarius, 25°08’

This can be highly visionary, except we lack the skills to articulate it (much less to do anything about it). Mercury is direct now and exits its Storm on this day; it’s another possibility for realizing exactly how and where we messed up.

Saturday, January 13 - Sunday, January 14

Vesta Rx/Gemini sextile Eris/Aries, 24°09’

Vesta Rx/Gemini inconjunct Sun/Capricorn, 24°00’

Alienation, dissociation - lacking in maturity and direction - and we’re pissed off about it. Hopefully we can get over our ego bruises and make plans to do better going forward.

Wednesday, January 17:

Vesta Rx/Gemini inconjunct Pallas Athene/Scorpio, 23°33’

Vesta Rx/Gemini opposite Venus/Sagittarius, 23°26’

Problems and adjustments dealing with creativity or intimacy; this is another place/time where the perils of commitment-phobia show up.

Friday, January 19 - Vesta Rx/Gemini opposite Ceres/Sagittarius, 23°07’. Can manifest as family-vs-job tension, or fertility issues.

Monday, January 29 - Friday, February 2:

Vesta Rx/Gemini (22°04’) semi-square Jupiter/Taurus (7°04’)

Vesta Rx/Gemini inconjunct Mercury/Capricorn, 22°01’

Vesta Rx/Gemini inconjunct Mars/Capricorn, 21°52’

A semi-square and a pair of inconjuncts to finish the retrograde portion of our program. We learn how important it is to have clarity of intention - and to follow through on our commitments.

[modern-san-diegoca]

Apartments in Downtown San Diego

Stanza Little Italy is a highly desirable residential area known for its unique floor plan options and top-notch amenities for a healthy lifestyle and comfortable living. This is an excellent apartment in downtown San Diego. Residents of Stanza experience unparalleled living, featuring modern elegance and upscale amenities. This pet-friendly community also offers spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with luxurious finishes, chef-inspired kitchens, premium appliances, and soft-close Italian cabinets. Additional amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, a pool deck with daybeds and panoramic skyline views, and a fully equipped entertaining kitchen with a social lounge. The location offers easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a comfortable and modern living space. Book a tour today to experience the luxury of Stanza Little Italy; just dial (855) 767-8695. 

San Diego, CA, boasts outstanding schools.

It's understandable that numerous families choose to raise their children in San Diego because it has gained a reputation for its outstanding educational system, which has drawn students from all corners of the world. The city's public schools are managed by independent school districts, with the majority falling under the San Diego Unified School District. This district is made up of 11 K–8 schools. There are a total of 107 elementary schools and 24 middle schools. In addition, there are 13 alternative schools and 28 high schools. Plus, 45 charter schools. The University of California boasts a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in numerous disciplines. 

Seaport Village 

This Seaport Village in San Diego is a picturesque waterfront destination that caters to various interests and moods. It provides over 70 unique shops as well as galleries, offering hand-crafted jewelry, whimsical souvenirs, locally-made art, and eclectic treasures from around the world. The local artisans can be found in charming boutiques filled with vibrant paintings and hand-carved wooden sculptures. Foodies can enjoy fresh seafood at bayside restaurants, culinary journeys at cafes serving Italian pasta, Vietnamese pho, or Mexican burritos, and the famous San Diego Fish Tacos. Experience the fun at Seaport Village!

San Diego County Crime Log

San Diego County has been experiencing a series of incidents, including a peeping Tom who was seen watching women shower through a backyard window, two deaths in separate train collisions, and a lawsuit filed on behalf of a woman who died in custody. Authorities are seeking public help in identifying a peeping Tom who was seen watching women shower through a backyard window last month. Richard "Joseph" Banks is accused of sexually assaulting and molesting students. Also, Alvin Ray Quarles, 61, was dubbed the "bolder-than-most rapist" for a series of sexual assaults committed in the 1980s. Two motorcyclists were injured when they were struck by a motorist who left the scene. Sean Devin McCarthy, 32, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and burglary charges, and then 26 drivers were cited at the DUI Checkpoint in Oceanside.

Link to maps

Seaport Village 849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, United States Head north on Kettner Blvd 0.2 mi Turn right onto W G St 0.3 mi Turn left onto 1st Ave. 0.4 mi Turn right onto A St 0.1 mi Turn left onto 3rd Ave Destination will be on the right 52 ft Stanza Little Italy 310 W A St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

[friendsafforestation]

(via Embrace Nature's Embrace: A Journey to Mental Wellness) In celebration of World Mental Health Day, we invite you to embark on a therapeutic journey amidst the embrace of nature. Step into the enchanting world of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and the George Genereux Urban Regional Park—hidden gems in Saskatoon that hold the key to mental health and wellness.

Nature’s Symphony for the Soul: As the leaves don their autumn hues, the afforestation area beckons with 132 hectares of meadows, forests, and wetlands. The George Genereux Park, with its expansive 60 hectares, provides a sanctuary of greenery within the urban landscape. These natural havens offer a melodic escape from the hustle and bustle, providing a soothing backdrop for relaxation

.Shinrin Yoku: The Forest Bathing Experience: Immerse yourself in the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, also known as forest bathing. Wander through the dense foliage, breathe in the crisp autumn air, and let the healing properties of the forest rejuvenate your spirit. Scientifically proven, this practice has been linked to reduced stress levels and improved mental well-being.

Hygge in Nature: Embrace the Danish concept of Hygge by finding comfort, coziness, and joy in the simple pleasures of nature. Picture yourself on a bench in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, surrounded by the sounds of rustling leaves and the sweet melody of birdsong. Hygge teaches us to appreciate these moments of serenity.The Twelve Gifts of Nature: Stress Relief: A natural remedy for the chaos of everyday life. Mindfulness: The perfect setting for calming the mind and being present. Improved Mood: Nature’s beauty has the power to uplift and inspire. Enhanced Creativity: A fertile ground for new ideas and perspectives. Better Sleep: A walk among the trees promotes restful slumber. Increased Energy: Nature provides a natural energy boost. Boosted Immune System: Fresh air and greenery contribute to overall health. Reduced Anxiety: The calming influence of nature eases anxious thoughts. Connection: A chance to connect with oneself and the natural world. Physical Health: Gentle exercise in a peaceful environment benefits the body. Positive Distraction: Nature provides a welcome break from daily stressors. Sense of Purpose: Caring for these green spaces fosters a sense of responsibility and community. Explore Saskatoon’s Hidden Treasures: These greenspaces, rich in biodiversity, offer not just respite but a plethora of mental health benefits. Whether you prefer a contemplative walk or a tranquil meditation on a bench, these areas invite you to discover the therapeutic power of nature.Join Us Today: Take a step towards mental wellness—visit the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park. Let the trees be your companions, the wind your counselor, and the earth your healing sanctuary. As the leaves fall, let your worries drift away.In the embrace of nature, find solace, balance, and a renewed sense of self. Happy World Mental Health Day!For more information: Blairmore Sector Plan Report; planning for the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, George Genereux Urban Regional Park and West Swale and areas around them inside of Saskatoon city limits NEW P4G District Official Community Plan Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada north of Cedar Villa Road, within city limits, in the furthest south west area of the city. 52° 06′ 106° 45′ Addresses: Part SE 23-36-6 – Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063 Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)?with map Pinterest richardstbarbeb Blogger: FriendsAfforestation Tumblr friendsafforestation.tumblr.comFacebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park Facebook: StBarbeBaker Afforestation Area Facebook for the non profit Charity Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. FriendsAreas Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Facebook: South West OLRA Reddit: FriendsAfforestation Twitter: St Barbe Baker Charity Twitter:FriendsAreas Mix: friendsareas YouTube Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail / e-transfers )Support the afforestation areas with your donation or membership ($20.00/year). Please donate by paypal or by using e-transfers Please and thank you! Your donation and membership is greatly appreciated. Members e-mail your contact information to be kept up to date! Donations can be made through Paypal, Canada Helps, Contact Donate A Car Canada, SARCAN Drop & Go 106100594 for the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Use the UN Decade’s Visual Identity Make it your own Spread the word about the UN Decade Let’s Bring Back Forests Let’s Green Our Cities “Be like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven..” Richard St. Barbe Baker

[montyterrible]

The Spirit of the Teens—or, Thoughts on Teen Titans, specifically A Kid’s Game [Preview]

In retrospect, it’s kind of a surprise to me that I didn’t write something substantial about Teen Titans before this. The animated series was my entry point for superhero comics in general. I was a big fan of the Teen Titans throughout my teens, and without the series I wouldn’t have found other comics I enjoyed a lot, like Gail Simone’s Secret Six. It’s not actually an overstatement to say that Teen Titans defined certain areas of my life for years until I finally fell out of love with them/it.

In this Big essay on the blog, I reflect on my Titans fan years. While I talk about Teen Titans in general somewhat, the specific focus is on the first collected volume of the Geoff Johns run, A Kid’s Game, which was how I first got into the then-modern comics after starting with scattered issues from earlier runs. I discuss the collection as a sort of quintessential representation of the spirit of the idea of “Teen Titans” and eventually do a little compare and contrast between it and “The New 52” reboot, which I did not like very much.

Here's the link. Below, past the reproduction of the spoiler/presentation note that starts off the essay proper, is a representative paragraph…

Note that this piece contains pretty heavy spoilers for the A Kid’s Game graphic novel/collection specifically and some for Teen Titans more broadly, though not to a truly “heavy” degree in that latter case, given the sheer amount of material out there.

In terms of the presentation below, when I quote from the comics, I have done my best to preserve much of the original look of the text, down to using both bolding and italics for emphasis to try to match the source material. I have used // to indicate a shift from one word balloon or caption box to another mid-quote, and I have adjusted the capitalization, which is essentially all caps in the original text, to be more conventional here for the sake of readability in this format.

Or consider the first night at the tower headquarters for the Geoff-Johns-written Titans, where Superboy finds Robin up super late and they have this great conversation that’s lent a lot of power by how well the previously mentioned “color” (the art in general, let’s say) captures that feeling of being suffused in shadow at a lonely hour, with just these dim or distant sources of light around. Superboy asks Robin why they came there, and Robin starts to answer but then cuts himself off, reassesses, and then says he’s trying to figure it out too. “We came here because we’re friends, right?” Superboy eventually says: “…You gotta give me a reason to stick around, Robin.” Robin does come back with a snarky retort about Superboy being smarter than he looks, but before that there’s a single panel of silence, with just the two of them standing there in the dark, letting the moment hold. The tone overall is one of something like emotional vulnerability, and it’s a mood that I think persists during this era of the series. After the scrap with the Justice League, the two boys have a similar moment on the roof of the tower that includes Robin saying, really straightforwardly, that Superboy’s Luthor genes will never make him evil: “Because I’m going to be here to make sure. All of the Titans will be. And one of these days, I’m probably going to have to deal with something too. Something I’ll need help with—And I know you’ll be there to help me.” In the years since reading this version of Teen Titans, I have seen some criticism of Geoff Johns and his writing, and I’ll fully admit that I don’t pay attention to this stuff enough as an adult to have what you might call a “fully-informed” opinion on the matter, but even just in isolation, just looking at this one issue (and one collection), I immediately see a lot to like, even as an adult. The writing is character-forward, plenty earnest when it needs to be, and it focuses on the friendships and the feelings, which are the things that make the Teen Titans special—the “teen” parts. The intention is clearly to try to create something that feels emotionally honest and meaningful.

[horizon-series-details]

The track “Shelter from the Storm” is a track that players will become rather used to hearing as they progress through the game, as it’s the main track that plays in The Base. Of course, players can’t get too used to one specific version of the track, as a little more gets added to it upon completion of main chapters. The addition in question changes depending on what chapter is completed, however it’s usually a motif of a track heard during that chapter. The only exception to this would be how after completing Cauldron: GEMINI, the track feels emptier than it did, even at the start. However, due to how many versions of this track there actually are, I’ll just be talking about the default version, or what plays when you’re first able to access The Base.

It starts off gentle, yet still somewhat harsh, especially for a track for a peaceful area. Starting at (0:14), you can start to hear a melody that will be a major part of the background for this track.

At (0:30), a soft guitar kicks in. It’s pretty noticeable compared to everything else in this track, but it helps to set the general mood for everything else. And at (0:32), you can hear the main melody begin to kick in. It’s a lovely part of the track really, the strings (which I believe could be a cello, if not something similar). It blends in rather nicely with everything else going on in the background as well.

At (1:22) we can hear some higher notes being added in as well. They’re incredibly subtle, but that’s good, as in a way, they’re just introducing the player to the general, warm atmosphere that The Base slowly gets over the course of the game. They’re certainly more noticeable by (1:55), and make it easy to notice the strings from the last paragraph slowly fading into the background.

By (2:50) most instruments in the track are being played at a higher octave now. This doesn’t include the strings, which come back in at (3:00) as part of the background.

At (3:54) the track seems to have gone back to how it was closer to the 1 minute mark, but with more elements from the start. It’s interesting but it sounds like it’s almost building on itself from previous parts of the track.

At (4:52) though, it begins to get almost strained, in a sense, and it starts to fade out by (4:57). We hear the last major note at (5:02), which is a surprisingly heavy note, before it fades, with nothing else playing by (5:15)

[becoration]

The Cleaning Habits of Spaniards: What Does the Kobold Study Reveal? - Interior Decoration

Post has been published on becoration

The Cleaning Habits of Spaniards: What Does the Kobold Study Reveal? - Interior Decoration

Cleaning is a fundamental aspect in homes, and its relationship with well-being is undeniable. A recent study conducted by Kobold, a company owned by Vorwerk – manufacturer of Thermomix® – and presented on World Cleaning Day, offers a detailed overview of cleaning habits in Spanish homes.

Revealing Data:

“Troublesome” Areas: Kitchens and bathrooms lead as the areas that demand the most cleaning effort. Surprisingly, ceilings (79%) and mattresses (68%) are the most neglected surfaces, often rarely or never cleaned.

Time Dedicated: 67% spend more than two hours weekly on cleaning, while 28% spend between one and two hours.

Task Distribution: In only 36% of Spanish households, cleaning is a responsibility shared equitably. In contrast, in 34% of homes, the responsibility falls on women, and only 6% on men.

Order, a Social Magnet: A significant 41% would open their doors to visitors more if their home was cleaner and tidier.

Despite valuing a clean and tidy home, over 50% of respondents feel that cleaning takes up too much time. 52% express a lack of time to clean, and 30% lack the energy or willingness to do it.

Inequality in Cleaning Tasks:

Although there have been advances in including all family members in household chores, there is still work to be done. Families with teenagers, for example, report that 30% of these young people do not contribute at all, while only 34% regularly take care of cleaning their assigned areas.

The “Forgotten” in Cleaning:

While cleaning the floor and doing laundry are common tasks, it is surprising that ceilings and mattresses are so neglected. However, in order to maintain a healthier environment, it is essential to tend to these corners at least a couple of times a year.

The Link between Cleaning and Well-being:

María González, from The Home Academy, points out that cluttered and dirty spaces can affect mood. However, with the right approach and tools, cleaning can become a source of well-being. Rita Cifuentes, the director of the same institution, adds that cleaning can improve self-esteem and enhance social life, two crucial indicators of modern well-being.

On the other hand, Carmen Picazo, from Vorwerk, highlights Kobold’s commitment to providing solutions that facilitate cleaning and promote well-being.

World Cleaning Day: A Global Reflection

Originated in Estonia in 2008, this day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of cleaning and proper waste disposal. Celebrated on the third Saturday of September, this global event urges collective action to keep our environments clean and healthy.

via: Opendeco, decoration news in Spanish