#no need to have two different versions circulating

[itskaist]

i literally had this post already drafted and was dragging my feet whether to send it or not; and then @reapersmarch tagged me for a wip so fuck it we ball

wouldst anybody perchance be interested in an fhr code chart like this? 👉👈

[satorugu]

In Every Era (Sukuna x f!reader)

She is the reincarnation of his love, and he plans to be with her in every era.

Warnings: Blood, violence, fighting, making out

Note: The readers technique relates to ice and being able to lower the temperatures around her enough to create it. Both Heian era and the version of Sukuna in Itadori's body is included.

"There are three victims we need to find, correct?" (Y/N) clarified as the group walked down a corridor.

It was oddly lit, the sound of their shoes echoing off of the walls as they made their way through the juvenile detention center. This was simply an investigation, much easier than other missions they had received. As sorcerers, finding dead bodies was considered casual, but there was a slight chance they could run into something else.

A rumor of a special grade being discovered inside was circulating, meaning it could spawn at any moment.

Although it was just a rumor.

It was rare for cursed wombs to produce them, which is what caused the massacre in the first place.

"Yes, and the dog remembers the scent of the entrance," Fushiguro said, referring to the white dog trotting in front of them.

"Simple enough," Itadori nodded.

The second set of eyes underneath his pre-existing ones were contradictory to his own, with red irises that never showed a hint of emotion. Itadori was the opposite, almost always seen smiling or at the least content. (Y/N) hadn't seen the second pair close, as they never seemed to take their gaze off of her.

Every time she looked at him, she saw them staring back at her.

She thought it was coincidental, that they followed anyone who shot Itadori a glance, perhaps an intimidation tactic of Sukuna's.

His reputation already surpassed a level of intimidation though.

(Y/N) feared ever being in Itadori's presence when Sukuna came out.

Everyone did.

"Look!"

Both she and Fushiguro turned to the sound of Itadori's voice, seeing a corpse sitting in the back of the room they entered. Fushiguro crossed his arms, standing next to the pink-haired boy and taking in the sight.

"That's one down," he commented. "It's odd there aren't any others here."

"Yeah, wouldn't there be some sort of trail?" Itadori added, considering the behavior of a cursed womb.

The body was cut clean, the upper half being all that was left.

(Y/N) crouched down on one knee in front of the two, running her hand across the floor.

The cleanliness wasn't purposeful, she noted, as she felt dirt pick up on the pad of her fingers. No one had tried to stage this, if they did, the floors would be cleaned due to having to wipe up the blood.

"A cursed womb didn't kill him."

Then it clicked, uneasiness sinking into the three sorcerers like an injection.

Sweat budded on both Fushiguro and Itadori's foreheads, the two now frozen in place.

It was eerily silent, as (Y/N) felt the temperature around her hand drop. She was trying to muster up the courage to swallow, as she stared forward in horror.

They were supposed to investigate a detention center haunted by a cursed womb.

Not fight a special grade curse.

And now it was right next to them, closing the gap between Itadori and Fushiguro. Their only security from it was beheaded and bleeding out, that security being one of Fushiguro's Divine Dogs.

The special grade was different from most curses, having a human-like body that was well in shape. It was tall as well, with pale white skin and eyes attached to a pair of arches on its head.

(Y/N) huffed out a cold breath, cursed energy being conjured in her arm.

They were going to die if they ran.

And there was a low chance that they could beat a special grade.

A heaping amount of ice shot out of her hand on command. It formed a barricade between the curse and the sorcerers, causing the two boys to back up and snap out of their fear-induced trance.

It was only for a moment though, as a wave of pure force shattered it in return and sent all three tumbling back. It was like acid, burning through the floor and causing smoke to emit into the air.

(Y/N)'s eyes widened.

"We can't fight it! We need to find an exit!" Fushiguro shouted.

Her ice was supposed to be impenetrable, nothing had ever broken it like that before.

She was airborne.

The second she spent reflecting on the attack sent her flying backward again, as the special grade sent out another wave. She hit the wall immediately, turning the surface in on itself as an indent now marked it. The wind was knocked out of her lungs, watching Itadori pick up speed, making an attempt at close combat before being sent back in a similar fashion.

Fushiguro went to summon his second Divine Dog, clasping his hands together and opening his mouth.

But the words never came out.

Rather than a wolf appearing out of a shadow, an abnormal black hole appeared underneath him.

He fell in, his scream being cut off as soon as it shut.

The special grade curse turned to the two sorcerers, having separated the other.

Itadori shouted out in pain, falling to the ground after he had been tossed aside. He held onto his head like it was the end of his life, mumbling a spiel of panicked words that (Y/N) couldn't understand. She didn't pay that close attention to him though, distracted by the curse now approaching her.

It was forming another kind of cursed energy surge in its hand, aiming at her as she tried to form a counterattack.

The back of her head was bleeding, and a pounding headache formed across her forehead.

She was destroyed.

(Y/N) let out uneven breaths, standing up wearily and attempting to make another offense. She thought of freezing it, barreling towards the curse, and using the slipperiness of the ice to help her move even quicker. It was like skating, as she shot out a wave of ice that wrapped around the special grade, and trapped it.

There was a micro-expression of a smile on her face, before the solid block of ice began to glow orange.

A crack began to form on the exterior.

Then the entirety of it burst.

The special grade took its large claw around (Y/N) neck and lifted her up, squeezing the air out of her lungs.

It opened it's mouth, a massive sum of cursed energy forming inside as it aimed for her face.

This was death.

She couldn't breath, yanking against it's grasp and trying to free herself. Either she would suffocate from lack of oxygen, or have her face burnt to ashes.

She was a fool not to run.

(Y/N) saw the cursed energy dart out towards her, feeling the heat right against her eyes as she closed them for the last time.

It sounded like a blade cut straight through something.

Arms from the side of her slid around her back and under her legs, holding her bridal style as she collapsed in it's hold. She felt whatever was holding her land in a crouched position, still keeping her to itself.

She felt her head rest on a beating chest, a hot breath landing on her nose.

Her eyes opened to meet a pair of red irises staring back at her.

The silence was pregnant.

Sukuna.

The great amount of fear was evident in her expression, as she swallowed back and dared to move.

He set her down, as the sound of the Special Grade crying out could be heard from behind. Sukuna had took off it's arm, but it seemed to have grown it back, turning to face the King of Curses. It summoned a massive amount of cursed energy in it's hands, forming a sphere that shot out towards him.

"Pathetic."

With one hand Sukuna shielded both himself and (Y/N) from it, standing almost casually.

"Allow me to show you real Jujutsu Sorcery."

The Special Grade was still, horror evident in the screech it let out. The King of Curses raised his hands, putting them together in a specific formation.

This was ten times worse than being choked or burnt to death.

"Domain Expansion, malevolent shrine."

Suddenly, everything around them vanished, as a pitch black abyss consumed (Y/N)'s vision. The small, unkempt detention center had been remade into an atmosphere that she couldn't describe. She was sitting on water, a lake to be in fact. The entire floor was water, except for a Shrine that sat in the middle of it. It was built off of a pile of skulls, Sukuna standing on top of it all.

He had a white Kimono on, looking directly at the curse that was frozen next to her.

One moment it was there.

The next, it was cut into ten different parts, burned alive by purple flames.

She thought she was next.

Sukuna walked off of the pile, making his way towards her in the dimly lit domain.

(Y/N) thought of running, her heart pounding faster by each step he took. She was frozen in place, unable to get up as she looked into the eyes she had seen a thousand times. Always the same, always red, always emotionless.

She was thinking of the worst death possible, wondering if he had saved her only to kill her himself as he towered over her helpless form.

The King of Curses knelt down, as she sat leaning back on her hands.

"Soon, you will understand," were the words that left his mouth, as he pressed a delicate kiss to her forehead.

(Y/N) couldn't register what had transpired, as she felt an overwhelming amount of exhaustion kick in and couldn't resist falling asleep.

It was the Heian era, the golden age of Jujutsu.

(Y/N) fiddled with the red dress she was wearing, as she stood by the fountain in the garden. It fit her body well, with thin straps that showed off her shoulders.

This is where she spent her free time, away from the servants and maids. It was peaceful, always well kept and bright. The flowers were watered properly, and the stone that marked the grounds were always cleaned of dirt. There was no war here, it was fitting of her personality.

A familiar pair of strong, big hands wrapped around her waist, along with another pair coming to hold her upper arms, stroking her skin lightly.

She felt his gaze on her, as she held onto one of his hands and looked up at him.

"You were right, it is quite peaceful out here," her husband, Ryomen Sukuna, said.

"It's very fitting of you," she teased.

"Is that so?" he leaned down, pressing a kiss to her neck.

He felt her shiver, letting out a breathy laugh and turning around to face him.

The look in his eyes was filled with affection, a soft smile in place of an emotionless and deadly stare.

It was clear he was in love.

And so was she, as he picked her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him passionately. Two of his arms held onto her upper thighs, while the other two rested on her head, one running their fingers through her hair, the other cupping the side of her face. If it wasn't for the fact that she was human, she might've not let go. Yet she broke away from him to catch her breath, resting her forehead against his.

Her hot breaths landed on his nose, as he held her up high enough to look down on him. She couldn't help but smile, as he refused to take his gaze off of her.

He leaned in, stopping just before their lips could meet, and whispered something.

"I will love you in every era."

For a moment she thought he was making an effort to be romantic, but it was clear in his tone that he was sure of it.

He would love her in every era, even if she didn't remember him.

(Y/N) shot up, and for a moment, she thought she was still in the detention center, stuck in the domain.

She was in her bed, the covers tucked in around her, arranged just how she liked. Her dorm was cleaner than she left it, an outfit sitting out for her by the desk. All of her wounds were fully healed, in fact, she hadn't felt this rested since she came here.

She reached for her phone, seeing that it was almost eleven in the morning. (Y/N) never slept in that late, nor slept that deep. The only reason she hadn't been woken up was because it was the weekend.

Then, she thought of her dream, and Sukuna's words from before.

Soon, you will understand.

(Y/N) threw off the covers hurriedly, putting on the outfit laid out without question and rushing towards the door.

She opened it to see both Fushiguro and Itadori standing outside in the hallway, talking amongst one another.

It was odd.

"Oh, hey (Y/N)!" Itadori exclaimed.

"Are you two okay?" she panicked, looking at Fushiguro specifically.

"Yeah, why?" he asked her.

"What happened?"

"I don't know, honestly, we both just woke up here."

"Yea, the Special Grade got taken care of, along with the three victims we were assigned to finding," Itadori added casually.

"By who..."

The boys both shot each other a look, shrugging almost comically. She didn't know what to say, as her eyes trailed down to the pair that were below Itadori's.

They were staring directly at her, once again.

She flushed and swallowed back, thinking of the dream she had. First, he kissed her, followed up by her somehow falling asleep and having a vision about the two of them. It wasn't the version of Sukuna that saved her though, it was his true form, the one that was most prominent during the golden age.

(Y/N) looked down at her outfit, eyeing the red top she had on.

It fit her body well, with thin straps that showed off her shoulders.

That wasn't a dream.

A/N: Part two?

[estrellami-1]

There’s something coming and I haven’t seen anyone else connect the dots yet.

Before I say anything, I need y’all to hear me out: I am NOT against Palestine/Palestinians. AT ALL.

What I am, is noticing patterns. I notice the way a lot (not all, don’t start with me) of pro-Palestine supporters treat Jews. I’m surprised I haven’t see “the only good Jew is a dead Jew” circulating, because that’s a lot of the rhetoric I hear on this topic.

A lot (again, not all) of pro-Palestine supporters haven’t looked up anything. They hop on the bandwagon of the more popular side. They think Zionist is the Jewish version of Hamas. It is not. At their cores, Zionists believe Jews should have their homeland of Israel back, for any Jews who would like to return. Hamas is an organization hellbent on wiping out Jews. These two groups are not the same. “Zionist” is not a dirty word. It’s not a slur. Stop treating it as such, or we’ll never leave this cycle. Misinformation is Ouroboros eating its tail: a self-fulfilling prophecy that only results in pain for everyone.

This difference in the way the two ethnic groups are treated is even exemplified in Tumblr tags. When I type Palestine:

When I type Israel:

This cannot be allowed to keep going the way it is.

It’s not a coincidence that American media is still reporting on this war.

Musk’s sieg heil is not a coincidence.

History repeats itself. I’m hoping, praying it doesn’t this time. But it’s going to take all of us to stop it, because we are headed towards the same cliff we were on the edge of in 1933 when Hitler came to power.

Pro-Palestinians: Jews are not your enemy. People who support Jews are not your enemy.

Pro-Jews: Palestinians are not your enemy. People who support Palestinians are not your enemy.

Your enemy is Trump. Your enemy is Musk. Your enemy is the American government and media.

Let us stand together and fight for what’s right. Because we don’t want to live to see the alternative.

[gallifreyinstituteforlearning]

⚕️ Gallifreyan Basic Life Support: CPR

Most Gallifreyans have two hearts, so they need a slightly different CPR approach than humans. Here's how to do effective CPR on a Gallifreyan in cardiac arrest.

BIGGER - Google Drive: PDF / Image JPG / Image PNG

This guide is for use on Gallifreyans and Time Lords only. Always seek your human advice from human health providers.

✨ What is Basic Life Support?

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Gallifreyans involves maintaining airway, breathing, and circulation in a patient experiencing cardiac arrest. Due to their unique physiology—including dual hearts with a natural delayed rhythm (thud-thud...thud-thud, not together)—Gallifreyans require a different approach than humans.

This guide focuses on techniques tailored to Gallifreyan physiology, including both standard and enhanced methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and how to adjust care depending on your resources.

🚩Why Are There Two Versions?

There are two established CPR strategies for Gallifreyans:

D-CPR (Dual CPR) is the original standard, widely accepted and effective.

SD-CPR (Sequential Dual CPR) is a proposed improvement that more accurately aligns with the natural delay in Gallifreyan cardiac rhythm, reducing the risk of arrhythmias and improving circulation.

Both methods are valid; SD-CPR offers a more refined, physiology-aligned approach, especially when two rescuers are available, but for those not confident or on their own, D-CPR is an effective alternative.

⚠️ Pre-CPR Checks

Before initiating CPR, complete the following:

Secure the Scene: Ensure safety from environmental hazards (e.g. Daleks, electrical risks).

Initial Response: Tap the shoulder and ask, "Can you hear me? How are you feeling?"

Check for Help: Recruit bystanders, preferably those with alien medical knowledge. Direct others to clear the area or contact specialist aid.

Assess for Cardiac Arrest: ⤷ Check both hearts: Place hands on either side of the chest. ⤷ Listen and feel for normal breathing. ⤷ If both hearts are still and the patient is not breathing, begin CPR immediately.

💓 Dual Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (D-CPR)

The standard method for Gallifreyan CPR.

Single Rescuer:

Perform 5 compressions over the right heart (patient's right side). Depth: 5–6 cm.

Switch to 5 compressions over the left heart.

Give 2 rescue breaths.

Repeat cycle: 5 right, 5 left, 2 breaths.

Continue until signs of life or help arrives.

Two Rescuers:

Rescuer 1: 5 compressions on right heart.

Rescuer 2: 5 compressions on left heart.

Administer 2 rescue breaths after the full cycle.

Continue rotating if fatigued.

⚖️ Sequential Dual CPR (SD-CPR)

A proposed improvement on D-CPR, aligning compressions with the natural delayed rhythm of Gallifreyan hearts.

Single Rescuer:

Straddle the chest or kneel beside.

Perform 2 compressions on the patient's right heart, immediately followed by 2 on the left, maintaining the natural delay.

Continue alternating compressions to a depth of 5–6 cm.

After 20 total compressions (10 each), give 2 rescue breaths.

Two Rescuers:

Rescuer 1: Compresses right heart 2 times.

Rescuer 2: Begins left-heart compressions half a second later, 2 times.

Continue this staggered rhythm for 10 compressions per heart.

Administer 2 rescue breaths.

Notes:

Timing matters more than force: use appropriate pressure and timing.

SD-CPR is best with two trained rescuers.

💥 Sequential Precordial Thump (SPT)

Use when only one heart has stopped.

Identify the functioning heart's rhythm.

Deliver a firm, sharp thump over the non-functioning heart, timed immediately after the beat of the working heart.

Follow with a back thump directly aligned with the heart from behind.

Use only up to five times to avoid injury.

👶 Paediatric Notes

Use 2 fingers for compressions on each heart in infants.

For bigger children, use one hand per heart.

Be aware Gallifreyan children may only have one heart.

🔍 Continuous Monitoring

During CPR:

Monitor for recovery signs in either heart.

If one heart restarts, but the other doesn't, apply a Sequential Precordial Thump.

Watch for synchronous rhythms.

Switch rescuers if fatigued.

📉 Post-Resuscitation Care

Once both hearts are functioning:

Perform a GASS assessment.

Consider ABCDE review.

Monitor for: ⤷ Neurological symptoms (e.g. confusion, psionic instability). ⤷ Cardiac irregularities. ⤷ Metabolic distress.

Arrange medical evaluation urgently.

📌 Key Takeaways

Gallifreyans require heart-specific CPR.

SD-CPR improves outcomes by matching the natural dual rhythm.

Always check for double cardiac arrest, not just breathing.

Use SPT only if one heart is affected.

Monitor both physical and psionic signs throughout.

Medical Guides These are all practical guides to assessing and treating a Gallifreyan in an emergency or medical setting.

⚕️💕Gallifreyan CPR

⚕️👽Gallifreyan Assessment Scoring System (GASS)

⚕️👽ABCDE Assessment

⚕️⚠️Sepsis Emergency Response (SER)

⚕️⚠️Severe Trauma Protocol

⚕️🌡️Gallifreyan Thermoregulation and Emergency Response

⚕️🔮Psionic Emergency Pathways

⚕️✨Post-Regeneration Management

⚕️🩸Interpreting Gallifreyan Bloodwork

⚕️👶Gallifreyan Paediatric Emergencies

Any orange text is educated guesswork or theoretical. More content ... →📫Got a question? | 📚Complete list of Q+A and factoids →📢Announcements |🩻Biology |🗨️Language |🕰️Throwbacks |🤓Facts → Features:⭐Guest Posts | 🍜Chomp Chomp with Myishu →🫀Gallifreyan Anatomy and Physiology Guide (pending) →⚕️Gallifreyan Emergency Medicine Guides →📝Source list (WIP) →📜Masterpost If you're finding your happy place in this part of the internet, feel free to buy a coffee to help keep our exhausted human conscious. She works full-time in medicine and is so very tired 😴

[lonelywretchjervistetch]

My DC Cinematic Universe - Creature Commandos: Part I - Introduction

In every comic book fanatic...there are two wolves.

There's the first wolf, the purist wolf, who has read all the canon, loves the comic book lore as it stands (no matter how ridiculous it is), and can tell you the unnecessarily complex backstory of that one character that no fully same person knows the backstory of (the Hawks for DC nerds, and any member of the Summers-Grey family for Marvel, for example). But the second wolf, the fan wolf, actively shares those characters and stories they love with other people, and thinks about those characters with its own headcanons and opinions.

Now, unlike the metaphorical inner wolves of normal people, these wolves are fed by external media. And when a comic book fan looks at a character or story they live, especially when its adapted, their wolves feast. The purist wolf feeds on accurately adapted characters, faithful to the page and to what they love to see. Meanwhile, the fan wolf just wants to see the adaptation, regardless of the changes, and loves to talk about it with other people who see it. Now, ideally, every comic book nerd has wolves that they feed in equal measure with books and media, especially if that media adapts comics well.

So, how are my wolves doing?

...Jesus Christ, when did the fan wolf learn how to walk on two legs? And use weaponry? And develop thumbs? And learn Spanish? And speak with the voice of acclaimed character actor Wagnar Moura? Well, shit, he's feeding pretty well as of late. Makes sense, there are a lot of adaptations nowadays, and comic books and associated media are considered mainstream! That means the purist wolf must be

Ah. It's dead.

Well, goddamn it, what the hell? Comic book purists have never really fed well, but it's not like they've been completely starved. As somebody who considers myself pretty flexible in my tolerance of character and story changes between media (different media means different narrative need and format), I often like the changes in adaptations. Plus, there have been plenty of changes that are at least faithful to the original spirit of the characters.

In Marvel, for example, every version of Spider-Man that we've seen in film has at least been faithful to the spirit of the character. Sure, Tobey's version wasn't very funny and created natural webbing, Garfield's version was arguably too cool for school and never said the whole responsibility thing, and Holland's version is way too reliant on other superheroes in his films, but ALL of them are still solid version of the webhead, in my opinion. Plus, hell, Into and Across the Spider-Verse are both more than enough fuel for a comic book purist, even with Shameik Moore's stupid-ass Tweets as of late.

And that's not even counting the Playstation Spider-Man, who's goddamn fantastic (BOTH of them in BOTH games), some of the animated Spider-Men (looking at you, *Spectacular Spider-Man*, unsurprisingly), and even fan-made versions of the character that have made the circulations as of late. Hell, adaptations have been doing better than the FUCKING COMIC BOOKS as of late when it comes to Spider-Man. But, OK, enough about Marvel. Not why I'm here. Just...bear with me, I'll get to the point.

DC has had plenty of faithful adaptations over the years, if not actual straight adaptations that also work all right. Young Justice, of course, is the most recently lauded animated adaptation, while older shows like Batman: The Brave and the Bold, the various shows of the DC Animated Universe (AKA the DCAU or Timmverse), and even more recent fare such as Harley Quinn shows at least an appreciation and familiarity with source material. That last one, admittedly, is a stretch, but Harley Quinn has genuinely surprised me with its attention to faithfulness, and its willingness to be more creative and funny with its alternate versions of classic characters. It was better in earlier seasons, though, just to be clear. But even then...passable.

There's also the animated film adaptations, which haven't been as good as they were in the late 200s and early 2010s, but still have some solid entries. The Crisis on Infinite Earths adaptations weren't perfect, but had their...sparse moments. The Long Halloween was actually quite a good adaptation of the difficult-to-adapt source material, as was Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (even if the TV series did it a little better, although much less accurate). Wonder Woman: Bloodlines is a recent adaptation that's actually VERY good, especially to those who love WW rogues. And if you haven't seen some of the older films, like Justice League: Doom, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, Justice League: The New Frontier, Batman: Under the Red Hood, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One, The Death of Superman and Reign of the Supermen, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, Superman vs. the Elite, All-Star Superman, and Superman: Red Son...uh, yeah, please do, they're all excellent.

But, OK, with all of those adaptations, some as recent as last year, why is the purist feeling so deprived? Well...because the bad FAR outweighs the good, especially as of late. Just talking about DC (because Marvel is a bag of angry, screaming Flerkens), the movies have only given us THREE decent adaptations in the last 5 years: the underrated Blue Beetle, which is a quite accurate iteration of the character; Matt Reeves' The Batman, and the associated The Penguin (which was so afraid of comic books that they changed the main character's name to be "more grounded"), and The Suicide Squad, which is...a fitting film to bring up. Oh, and Birds of Prey doesn't count because it fucked over A LOT of characters, especially Cassandra Cain. Just sayin'.

In terms of TV series, well...Young Justice returned, but kinda fell off in the process for a lot of fans. The CW series, with the exception of the excellent Superman and Lois, are...something for another post. And there is Peacemaker, which is...again, fitting to bring up, but also incredibly complicated, and not beholden to accuracy for various reasons. And anything else...doesn't really rate discussion. Yeah, it hasn't been amazing for DC fans, while Marvel fans were eating pretty well in the last decade-and-a-half. So, imagine our delight and joy upon hearing that the DC cinematic universe would be remade by a bonafide comic book fan who was unafraid of the source material: James Gunn.

With Guardians of the Galaxy, Gunn had already proven he was able to swing and swing BIG when it came to comic book characters, having successfully adapted the titular Guardians, and Ego the Living Planet, of all characters. Yes, he severely fucked up Ronan the Accuser and Adam Warlock (like...REALLY badly), and also kinda Drax, but he also adapted Mantis successfully. FUCKING MANTIS. At the very least, he showed that he was willing to go for it. And then, after the firing-and-rehiring from Disney and being brought onto DC as a result, he made The Suicide Squad.

Understand what a miracle this film is, OK? Gunn makes GotG, it's a massive success, and Warner Bros. and DC notices that. So, they make their own GotG with blackjack and hookers in the form of David Ayers' Suicide Squad, which is TERRIBLE, and seen for the rip-off it was. Then, Gunn's old tweets pop up and he gets fired by Disney, and JUST before he gets rehired, WB swoops in and snags Gunn to revitalize the film series that ripped off HIS film series IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND IT FUCKING WORKS. Not only does Gunn make a GOOD Suicide Squad movie that people actually LIKE, but he also adapts King Shark, Starro the Conqueror, and fucking POLKA-DOT MAN!!! And he gets Jon Cena to play Peacemaker, WHICH LAUNCHES ITS OWN FRANCHISE BY ITSELF!!! And with that, Gunn gets brought on to run the DC cinematic universe as their own Kevin Fiege. FUCKING POLKA DOT MAN??? It's incredible!

...Right?

Like I said, Gunn's The Suicide Squad seems like a miracle. Excellent performance, a lot of cool characters to introduce from the DC Universe, and a crazy-ass showdown that does DC Comics some justice. But, uh...hold on a second. The wolf is still starving over here. Because this film cleverly seems like a miracle. In reality, while Gunn made a fun film to watch, he also severely fucked over comic book nerds in a myriad of different ways with this film, because he set a dangerous precedent, while also continuing an irritating trend that he'd previously helped to promote. That trend? In-name only characters, AKA references for the sake of references.

...Fan-service. Gunn is a master of good-looking fan service.

Look, creative license is great, honestly. It's also incredibly necessary. But Gunn has found a way to put in superficial references that draw in comic book nerds, or the comic-book knowledgeable, while also not really even caring about the source material. Sometimes, it doesn't matter. Polka-Dot Man, AKA Abner Krill, is essentially a joke character that Gunn took and made into an actual character. No comic book nerd gives a SHIT that Polka-Dot Man was a Batman villain from the '60s who committed dot-based crimes, using various special devices and gadgets that he turned into dots that he wore. He's essentially a blank-slate of a character, and Gunn took that and changed it completely, but also made the character memorable and interesting (as did actor David Dastmalchian, of course).

In fact, Gunn did the exact same thing with a whole slew of bit characters in the beginning of the movie. Lemme give you a shortlist of the comic book characters that appear in The Suicide Squad, outside of the main cast of character.

Javelin*,Savant*, Blackguard*, Mongal*, Captain Boomerang*, Weasel**, Thinker*, Kaleidoscope**, Double Down**, Calendar Man**, Ratcatcher*, Starro the Conqueror**, and technically Arm-Fall-Off...Man*. Holy shit, that's a lot of characters! What's that you ask? What do the asterisks mean? Ah, right, sorry, I should explain. Characters with two asterisks have little more than a single brief appearance, just for a quick joke or a "hey look, they're here" appearance. And the single asterisks? Those characters die.

And yeah, OK, it's a "Suicide Squad" movie, death is part of the equation. But look at some of those characters again. Mongal? She's an extraterrestrial conqueror, and the daughter of a major Superman and Green Lantern villain. Definitely could be used better than dying LIKE A PUNK. And why is that character even in Task Force X? Starro the Conqueror? I mean, maybe they pull something off and bring him back for a later film, but that's a WORLD-ENDING THREAT, and a fucking JUSTICE LEAGUE villain! And...wait a second, did Gunn kill CAPTAIN FUCKING BOOMERANG???

One of the most iconic members of EVERY comic book iteration of the Suicide Squad (and therefore a survivor), one of the most iconic members of Flash's Rogues, and one of the only semi-decent things about Ayers' Suicide Squad? You gave Weasel, fucking Weasel, a post-credit scene where he survives the beach massacre, and Boomer is just fucking SHAFTED??? For what can only be assumed is a shitty SHOCK-DEATH? WHAT THE HELL KIND OF DECISION IS THAT???

Look...I actually like The Suicide Squad, I swear. It's a fun film, it is a Suicide Squad movie, and it does a good job with character development and the story of the team. Bloodsport and Peacemaker are great rivals and fun-as-hell characters, Margot Robbie gets a chance to actually shine as Harley Quinn, Ratcatcher and King Shark are great, and the fact that Flag and Polka-Dot Man die is actually genuinely affecting. Plus, shit, they made Starro the Conqueror FUCKING TERRIFYING, especially because he's a big dumpy STARFISH!!! I do like it! But...man, these are some controversial fucking choices, and I've never liked them.

And the big problem now? Gunn is running the DCU.

And again, I don't think that's inherently a bad thing, but...man, it has me worried. Hell, look at Peacemaker. While it was a great showcase for its eponymous character (and Jon Cena is stellar in the role), it introduces two characters that get kinda screwed, while also giving a kind of nothing-burger of a villain. I mean, I love Vigilante in the show, but Adrian was a fucking judge in the comics, not a complete sociopathic moron. Funny, yeah, but not the character. And Judomaster? Damn, did that character get completely shafted. Another in-name-only character, even though he's not a character I've ever been super-devoted to.

My problem is this: if Gunn approaches all of his projects, and the DCU at large, the same way he approached The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy, this isn't gonna work. And that's not just in terms of how the characters are written or treated, it's his practices of pumping characters into his films, only to dump them and ruining them for the future of the universe as a whole. I mean, hell, he even did it to Marvel. Ronan the Accuser, Ego, and the High Evolutionary are gone from the MCU, despite being characters of enormous potential. But hey, is this a rational fear, or am I worrying for no reason? Well...cue the trumpets.

Earlier today, I finished watching Gunn's Creature Commandos, having kept up with it throughout the season. And understand, when this film was announced, I was super excited about it! I love the Creature Commandos in concept, and they've had a few incarnations throughout the years. It's a fascinatingly fun idea, and I was looking forward to seeing how the characters were adapted. I had my questions and concerns, especially about the roster, but I was intrigued. And what we got was...well, second after I finished it, I wrote this post. And that has sponsored what you're currently reading. So, uh...I have some notes.

Yeah, this is one of those rare occasions where something has made me SO irrationally frustrated, so very and incredibly irritated, I had to write a goddamn essay series about it. And yeah, this is only the first one of these. Can't help it. I'm kinda pissed off. Because Gunn wasted this team, ruined a fair number of characters for the DCU going forward, eradicated a pile of possibilities, and STILL GOT A SEASON 2 APPROVED FOR THIS SHOW. God, I'm worried. And I gotta tell somebody about it.

So, to the...I dunno, 1 to 5 people who actually read this essay, including those whom I know personally (you know who you are, how ya doin'), thanks for reading and, if you're interested, stay tuned. A lot of unnecessary nerd-whining to come, believe you me. And more than a few headcanons, because I'm giving this the same treatment as my Superman essays. So, yeah, buckle in. It's gonna be a ride.

Part One: Introduction and Adaptation Part Two: The Original Creature Commandos Part Three: Amanda Waller and Rick Flag, Sr. Part Four: The Frankensteins Part Five: G.I. Robot Part Six: Weasel Part Seven: Doctor Phosphorus

[shopwitchvamp]

hello wonderful witch-vampire-being, tis me again with another question :) is every single one of the 'last chance' listings Absolutely Positively being retired, or are they just at high risk of it and if they get enough orders they might be kept in circulation? asking because a lot of the last chance joggers are ones I've been eyeing for a While but i'm unsure if budgeting will allow me to grab all of them since the universe has yet to pay out my '$10k for adhd bisexuality' stimulus check. hoping you get yours soon xoxo

Short answer: They're all at high risk of retiring, so these preorders are the last guaranteed chance to have access to those designs in all sizes. Long answer: There's like 4 different possible scenarios for any last chance design, so lemme break those down here.

Specific *only* to Jealous Flame Skaters and Midis: I want to redo the art on them so they match better with the other flame skirts (jealous flame was designed first and all the other ones came along later, so I feel like jealous flame could use some sprucing up at this point). Those two are last chance in the sense that if you like them how they look now, this is the last chance to order them that way. Afterwards they'll be gone for a while until I can finish & release the updated version.

Demand is high and the design lives to see another day: In the case that demand is actually still pretty high, I'll keep the design around rather than retire it. For example, I had Astrology Skaters and Ouija Skaters as last chance preorders before. Ouija had a strong resurgence in popularity so it survived. Astrology did not. It's not about hitting a specific number threshhold, but more about performance compared to other designs. Right now for this round, the top 3 that might survive are Red & White Spider Lily Midis, Agony Joggers, and Apathy Joggers. I need to cut designs to make room for new stuff, so I don't think I'll rescue more 2 or 3 last chance designs at most and I'm gonna be pretty ruthless in my decisions. To give an idea of how it's going so far- if preorders ended today I'd only consider saving Red & White Spider Lily Midis.

The design will retire after preorders, but I'll order extras to have one last ready-to-ship drop after fulfillment is done: For any designs that have enough preorders to be at or near the order minimum with my manu, I'll of course be ordering at least the minimum and possibly a few extras. Any I order beyond what I need for preorder fulfillment will be released ready-to-ship. BUT please know that if I don't get any preorders in a specific size (usually this effects D Size, but it could be any size) I won't order extras of them because it would mean having to order at least the order minimum with my manu and likely leave me stuck with a bunch of that size for quite a while. After extras sell, the design will retire.

The design will retire after preorders, and it also won't have a final ready-to-ship drop (or it will have one but of like 1 or 2 pieces only in certain sizes): Scenario A) Designs that haven't received any preorders will fall into this category (right now there's two of them: Checkerboard Joggers and Passion's Flame Joggers). If I don't have any preorders to fulfill I won't order any more of the design. I'll dig through all my storage and mix bins of random straggler clothes to see if there's any remaining somewhere and release those ready-to-ship. After those sell, if there were any to sell, the design will immediately retire. Scenario B) Designs that only get a few preorders, I can work with my manu to order them like "samples" to not need to order a bunch extra to hit the order minimums. I won't order more than what are needed to fulfill preorders so there won't be extras to release besides any random strays still around somewhere. The list of designs currently in this category is really long, so I'm just gonna insert a screenshot here (the negative numbers are how many preorders have come in for that design):

If at any point anyone has questions about a specific design/size, feel free to ask and I'll let you know if it's looking like it will have ready-to-ship extras later on or if these preorders are the Absolute Last Chance to get one.

[magical-menagerie-server]

Magical Menagerie Holiday Gift Fics!

We had an amazing 26 gift fics, artwork and podfics created by our server members this year. We are so so proud of every single one and thankful to have such talented and lovely friends.

Check them out below, or view the entire collection here!

The Descent, Chaos_Bear for AlenaBlack

Harry Potter/Voldemort, Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy Secrets, grief and blood magic collide in the depths of the Austrian Alps.

Emerald Green Eyes, BvinYa_Raama for Nobody02

Harry Potter/Severus Snape Severus is content to stand with his glass of eggnog and glare at the Christmas Eve festivities; at his best friend and her bastard of a husband getting cosy. Harry doesn't have to walk in and ruin his delusions. Confront him about his jealousy and his insecurities. Or shove Severus into his bedroom and get frisky. He does it all anyway.

Again, in that Garden, Chaos_Bear & tantan_tanpopo for MrsLucyGoosey

Harry Potter/Severus Snape Severus saw him at Ministry parties sometimes.

As Rust Eats Iron, BvinYa_Raama for Artemisia_Black_95

Orion Black/Walburga Black, Walburga Black/Tom Riddle Cygnus Black was impatient; he was growing old, and his granddaughter was his only chance of getting back into the main line. Not to mention the unsavoury rumours circulating about his granddaughter and her... affiliations... with a Mudblood boy. How lucky then, that it was tradition for the Blacks to marry at age thirteen.

Vexing Veela Progenitors, wretchedanddivine for JadedandConfused

Draco Malfoy/Tom Riddle | Voldemort When a ritual backfires and activates one of Tom's classmates creature inheritances, there are some unexpected side effects.

AITAH For Seducing My Co-Worker To Get Cadaver Parts?, JadedandConfused for QuerysQuandary

Harry Potter/Tom Riddle Someone in the Department of Mysteries Necromancy Department needs help from the internet to try and navigate the terms of his terrifying but rewarding new relationship. Chaos Ensues.

You Are In Love, Kits_Writing for Erisedwrites

Draco Malfoy/Neville Longbottom Accepting you are falling in love isn't easy, but after you've come to terms with it, it's almost a relief. That is, until you're locked in a room with the person you're in love with, dosed with truth serum, and really just don't want to embarrass yourself.

I'm not in love, Erisedwrites for Kits_Writing

Severus Snape/Voldemort Severus Snape gets dicked down by his suprise soulmate on Christmas.

The Exception, Chaos_bear for Shipsen

Harry Potter/Severus Snape An unexpected bond forged in the moments before death trails Harry and Severus throughout their post-war lives.

Truebloods prevail, Shipsen for aleysia snape

Cygnus Black III/Hermione Granger/Abraxas Malfoy After a botched potion accident Hermione Granger ends up in the past. Is there anything there that can keep her interest?

Bleeding Hearts (Bloody Hands), QuerysQuandary for Lytri

Harry Potter/Tom Riddle | Voldemort The Ministry is setting harsher regulations on dark creatures in the wake of the war. In an attempt to get Harry to join the Aurors the Ministry bombards him with letters. After a year and a half, Harry decides he is sick of it. Chaos ensues.

妙に見覚えがある(Artwork), tantan_tanpopo for wretchedanddivine

Harry Potter/Tom Riddle | Voldemort Time Travel, Fanart, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting

A Murder Most Grim, GwaineoftheDames for SquibNation10

Sirius Black/Severus Snape Severus does not know how to take this version of Sirius Black, especially since Black seems rather inclined to trust him.

The Sicilian Defence, Lytri for 330330

Harry Potter/Tom Riddle Harry, newly divorced, pulls out a book he shouldn't in Grimmauld Place and finds himself meeting a familiar foe.

where i have to go, desert_forest for marrythemonsters

Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter “So,” Ron murmured, “how was Malfoy last night? You two going to make it through the year without strangling each other?” Harry thought of Malfoy’s bloodless face in the moonlight, the way he’d shaken uncontrollably atop his bedsheets. “Yeah,” he said absently. “Don’t worry about it.” Or: assembly instructions for something new in an old place.

Face Unafraid, Kits_Writing for Anne_ONimauss

Bruce Banner/Hermione Granger, Thor Odinson/Viktor Krum Hermione and Viktor really need a vacation, but that doesn't mean Hermione has to completely stop working. Right? They meet some interestingly beautiful people along the way.

At First Flight, moss_and_flame for Ducky1783

Regulus Black/James Potter/Lily Evans Potter Regulus, James, and Lily wouldn't give up their little slice of chaos for the world.

Alone Together, marrythemonsters for DarthGabius

Pansy Parkinson/Harry Potter Halfway through his eighth year at Hogwarts, Harry is feeling aimless and alone. Everyone seems to be coupling up around him and he worries he'll be left behind. He's not sure how to stop pushing everyone away, until a late night accidental meeting in the eighth year common room (re)introduces him to someone who pushes right back.

King of Wrath, Queen of Souls, SquibNation10 for moss_and_flame

Fleamont Potter/Tom Riddle Tom Riddle burns with a fire that defies convention. Fleamont “Monty” Potter is a man whose life appears complete on the surface but is hollow beneath. Monty reaches out, unable to resist the raw, consuming allure that Tom embodies. What risks is he willing to take to seduce danger, to tempt a path he has never dared walk, to pry open the door of death...or the door to love?

A Matching Set, Chaos_Bear for GwaineoftheDames

Sirius Black/Harry Potter/James Potter Harry's gone back in time to save the world, as usual, but he didn't account for his father and godfather being the ultimate distractions.

The Gift of Life (Artwork), Nobody02 for Kits_Writing

Harry Potter/Severus Snape Harry and Severus are soulmates, so eventually they decide to form a family.

Powers Unknown, aleysiasnape for rianitida

Hermione Granger/Harry Potter/Ron Weasley Hermione has an awakened unknown power.

Salt and Snow, DarthGabius for FiendishFyre

Sirius Black/Severus Snape Every year, eager apprentices and their renowned masters gather at the Hogsmeade Yuletide Fair to showcase their advancements. Sirius Black takes this perfect opportunity to test his latest creation, and Severus Snape, by consequence, ends up having a terrible day. Or does he?

Plains of Oblivion (Podfic), MrsLucyGoosey for Hyalith

Harry Potter/Tom Riddle | Voldemort Trapped in the past with no way home, a disillusioned Harry executes a plan to make an ally of the rising Dark Lord and reshape history. A Podfic of milkandmoon’s amazing fic!

Tuesday, Chaos_Bear for desert_forest

Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy Harry is injured, and Draco helps him.

Sacrifice of the Father, Bears the sins of the Son, 330330 for BvinYa_Raama

Harry Potter & Tom Riddle | Voldemort When things don't go exactly according to plan in the Graveyard, and the consequences of a botched resurrection are a little too 'evident'. Both Harry and Voldemort have a startling confrontation where it's all laid bare.

[frameacloud]

September 2024

[Originally posted to Orion Scribner's Patreon blog on September 16, 2024.]

I've been thinking for a long time that I need to get back into posting regular updates to my Patreon about what I'm doing instead of assuming you all are following me on other sites where those things are happening. Here are some of those things, which are mostly writings from my original research about otherkin, therianthropes, and other alterhumans.

I have a store on itch.io now! My creations that I've put on it, available to read for free:

A Simple Introduction to Otherkin and Therianthropes, version 2.4.8. My two page long essay explains what we are, in a way that the average person can understand. Written in the limited vocabulary of Simple English, it doesn't use any special words. If you read this essay many years ago and found it sounded rather stilted, don't worry, I completely rewrote this version! It also cites primary sources for each idea. I'm working with volunteers to translate it into many languages. Thanks to them, it's in German, Dutch, Estonian, and Polish. Chinese, Croatian, and Spanish are in progress. On the page, I give links to the ko-fi accounts of the translators so you can tip them, if they chose to allow that.

The Otherkin Timeline. This is my community history book that helped make it possible for other researchers to write about us, so most academic papers on otherkin cite it. Version 2.1 is mostly the version that has been in circulation for more than a decade, plus a few small additions and corrections. The next update of the book will change and expand it considerably, because it will be a collaboration between my fellow community historian and partner system, the House of Chimeras.

I also curated and reviewed collections of other people's creations about alterhumans. Find out where you can play tabletop role-playing games where each of you are members of a plural system on a magical adventure; read 1990s-style punk zines about therianthropy; take your time with literature anthologies of otherkin; or play video games with animal protagonists.

Presentations that I've given in this past year:

While I was staff at this summer's OtherCon 2024, I presented the panel Phantom Limbs and Phantom Sensations, Human and Otherwise. (To watch the video, you need to be signed into Youtube so that you can say you're at least 18. It's an 18+ topic because of some health issues it talks about.) The first half of this is a review of the medical literature on phantom limb phenomena, plus some etiquette tips about how to be respectful of people who have limb differences. The second half summarizes my original research project, the results of my survey, with tons of help from my partner and statistical expert, Page Shepard. This inquired about people who feel sensations of nonhuman body parts, for example, of wings or tails. It was open to people whether or not they call themselves otherkin, therians, or some other sort of alterhuman. It received more than a thousand usable responses, making it the largest recorded survey focused on otherkin or therians. My presentation ended up being overambitious for the time slot, so sometime I want to re-record it with better pacing.

In March, I was staff at the first Centaurus Festival. Together with my partner systems Chimeras and Page, we did a presentation there: How to Run Surveys of the Alterhuman Communities.

Articles I've written for the Otherkin News blog:

I've been covering "anti-furry" bills in the US. These are laws that Republicans have been proposing against students who behave or identify as non-humans. The bills aren't based on based on anything that students are doing in real life. They're based on an urban legend that Republicans made up to satirize transgender students asking for gender-appropriate restrooms by claiming that children who identify as cats ask for litter boxes in classrooms.

Meanwhile, children in real life have been getting into a fad popularized on TikTok in which they exercise on all fours (quadrobics) and craft animal masks. Some of these self-described therians are familiar with therianthropy as a serious integral part of one's identity, whereas others of them only know it as a hobby. I collected a bunch of recent news articles about that from Finland: Therian quadrobics popular for children in Finland; two schools ban animal masks.

[warningsine]

A small new trial published in the journal Nature Medicine describes what would be two firsts for Parkinson's disease, if they pan out: a diagnostic test and a potential immune-based treatment that works similarly to a vaccine. The research is still early, but researchers are excited by the prospect of advances for a disease that lacks good diagnostics and treatments.

The target of both innovations is alpha synuclein, a protein that takes an abnormal form in Parkinson's patients—aggregating in their brains and destroying nerve cells involved in motor and some cognitive functions. While researchers have long known that these proteins are involved in the disease, finding ways to measure and target them has not been easy.

The (potential) Parkinson's vaccine

The Florida-based biotech company Vaxxinity developed a vaccine, or what it calls an active immune medicine, to train the immune system to attack only abnormal versions of the protein—which are improperly folded—and not the regular forms. This would essentially help people's bodies treat themselves.

“The idea is that patients should recognize their own misfolded proteins, and it is personalized because their own immune systems are doing the work,” says Dr. Mark Frasier, chief scientific officer at the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which funded the testing part of the study.

The Parkinson's test

The new diagnostic test for Parkinson’s, which was developed by researchers at University of Texas and Vaxxinity, uses samples of cerebrospinal fluid to measure a person's levels of abnormal alpha synuclein. If the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants it full approval, it will become the first test for diagnosing Parkinson's. (The FDA classified it as a breakthrough device in 2019, a status that expedites access to innovative technologies where there is unmet need.) “Without [such a test], you’re kind of shooting in the dark,” says Mei Mei Hu, CEO and co-founder of Vaxxinity.

Alpha synuclein has been tricky to measure in the body for several reasons, says Frasier. While everyone has the protein, abnormal forms of it occur in relatively small amounts, so they're harder to detect via imaging. This type of alpha synuclein also tends to clump inside cells rather than outside of them, making it even harder to see. If clumps are large enough to become detectable, they can look structurally similar to amyloid or tau—the proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s disease—so imaging tests might misdiagnose people with Alzheimer’s rather than Parkinson’s.

Read More: Michael J. Fox: Chasing Parkinson's Treatments

The test overcomes those hurdles by cleverly exploiting normal forms of the protein. Parkinson’s experts believe that tiny amounts of abnormal alpha synuclein circulate in the spinal fluid of patients, but are too small to be detected through imaging. To run the new test in the study, researchers take normal forms of the protein in the lab and add them to samples of spinal fluid from patients; that prompts any misfolded protein that might be present in the samples to pull the normal proteins into misfolded aggregates, amplifying the signal for the abnormal form. Scientists then use a fluorescent probe to detect how much antibody to the misfolded protein patients generated, resulting in a biomarker, or stand-in for the treatment effect.

This test would be a critical advance because it makes it possible to identify patients with abnormal alpha synuclein at the earliest stages of the disease, when treatments might be more effective.

With more data from patients, researchers hope to further refine what different levels mean, so that the test will be able to tell not just if a person has Parkinson's but whether someone might be at a greater risk of developing it. Currently the test is only used in research studies, but more results like these—as well as data on whether the same process can be applied to blood samples—could speed the test to getting approved for wider use.

What the study found

The trial—conducted by researchers at the University of Texas, the Mayo Clinic, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and Vaxxinity—included 20 people with Parkinson’s. It was just designed to test the safety of the approach, so the study only provided hints about the treatment's effectiveness. Everyone received three shots over nearly a year; some contained the treatment at different doses, and some contained a placebo.

Overall, people receiving the vaccine generated more antibodies against the abnormal alpha synuclein protein than those vaccinated with placebo, as measured by the Parkinson's test. Antibodies started to ramp up about four months after the vaccinations began.

“What is unique about our technology is that it can stimulate the immune system to produce very, very specific antibodies against toxic forms of alpha synuclein, and do it in a safe way, which is reassuring,” says Jean-Cosme Dodart, senior vice president of research at Vaxxinity and senior author of the paper.

According to the test results, about half of the patients in the trial showed high levels of antibodies against the misfolded alpha synuclein, and most of these patients received the highest dose of the vaccine. They also scored the highest on motor and cognitive tests. There were too few patients to adequately assess any changes of Parkinson’s symptoms, but the researchers believe that longer follow-up with those tests, and potentially more frequent or higher doses of the vaccine, could lead to improvements in those scores. “The results are very, very encouraging,” says Dodart.

“This paper demonstrates that in a small number of people, the vaccine is having an impact on misfolded alpha synuclein, which is really exciting,” says Frasier. “We are now in the biological era for Parkinson’s disease."

[pargolettasworld]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84Egp-x-EVc

As I write this it looks like everyone involved has agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, and some hostages will be returned.  I hope the deal holds -- it’s supposed to go into effect on Sunday the 19th of January, 2025, and these things are terribly fragile.  If the deal holds, and the firing stops, and the hostages go home, I will rejoice with whole heart.  That’s something worth celebrating.  And if it leads to the end of this iteration of The War, it will be even better.  No question about that.

Still, this song keeps going through my head.  It’s not in response to any of the futzing around between Hamas, Bibi, and the Backpfeifengesicht Boys (Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, who are both loathsome toads).  But I feel this in response to the way that the rest of the world has treated the Jews as a whole.  Make no mistake, it was about the Jews as a whole, no matter how loudly the chattering classes bleated “antizionism not antisemitism.”  They didn’t know the difference, and simply would not listen to the Jews trying to tell them.  

Like a lot of Jews, I’ve lost friendships over this.  I’ve seen my primary professional organization stand in fish-jawed silence when the Antisemitism Bomb dropped at the conference in October of 2023, two weeks after the Simchat Torah massacre, and then descend rather predictably into circulating petitions and making Official Statements about how best to punish the Genocidal State Of Israel™ from the knowledgeable position of being . . . an ethnomusicology organization.  I’ve seen security at synagogues ratchet up, with the FBI gloomily predicting that they don’t see the need for security easing off any time soon.

Of course, I’ve also seen stalwart, kind folks keep supporting the Jews they know, listening to us explain how we feel about hamatzav, being willing to learn things that they didn’t know (like, for instance, which river and which sea -- it’s surprising how many people don’t know that).  I am grateful for every single one of you in this group.

But, for all that, well . . . I know things now / Many valuable things / That I hadn’t known before.  Into The Woods is an underrated show, I think -- the movie version did it no favors -- and it has a lot of lessons to teach about wisdom and the price to pay for wisdom, and how innocence is lost, and what happens to people after they lose that innocence.  The Jews of Israel and the Jews of the Diaspora have learned things since October 7.

Isn’t it nice to know a lot! And . . . a little bit not.

[asherthehimbo]

Guardians

previous | ° creature lore | m. list | next: geology

Demons: {immortal} Demons are created when supernatural creatures die in battle while fighting for a loved one. Demon’s usually stay in the underworld and rarely interact with the human world. Demon’s only interact with Banshee’s, and hold quite a soft spot for them The connection Banshee’s have to death connect them to the underworld, which in turn connects them to demons. The demons view Banshee’s almost like a pet or a companion.

Guardians:{immortal} Every element (Water,Fire,Earth,Wind) has a guardian born for it. Only four guardians can be born in circulation at a time, when one dies another is born and so on. No one knows who the guardians are or where they hide, except for The elder council (the ancients) .

Banshee’s: {immortal} Creatures with pale skin and long white hair, you can identify a Banshee through it eye’s which does not have a pupil. Banshee’s have powerful screams and can sense death. The connection that Banshee’s have with death is a complicated one, they can sense when a person dies, when death is near, they can push death away for a short time period as well, they can also communicate with the dead, whether that be human, supernatural or animal.

Shifters: {Mortal} Shifters can appear human, but shift into whatever animal they are, when in their human form they still have some heightened senses retaining to their animal form. Examples; a dragon shifter would naturally be more warm than others, wolf shifters would have heightened sense of smell, snake shifters would be able to produce venom from their fangs, ect.

Vampires: {Immortal to a degree} Vampires can walk in sunlight without getting harmed, just not for a long period of time. The limit is usually around 10 hours depending on the vampire themselves. Although they dont die after these hours are up they do experience extreme pain and rashes on their skin.Vampires have heightened senses, and while they do need blood to survive, by taking certain Iron and Vitamin D supplements they don’t need too much of it. Vampire’s have the ability to create a soulmate like bon with their lover, if both party’s agree by biting each other's necks and injecting their venom into one another they become bound to each other. This bond can not be broken, not even if one side dies. We call this bond ‘venenum est amor’ which is ancient tongue ( Latin) for venom to love.

Elementals:{has a choice} When an elemental becomes of age (27) they can choose whether or not they want to be mortal or immortal, this choice can not be reversed later on. Elementals know the basic magic that is taught to witches but have an extra connection to a certain element that allows them to harness that element in any way they see fit.

Siren:{Mortal} There are two different types of sirens, freshwater sirens and salt water sirens. Freshwater sirens were children of the moon and salt water were children of the sun, although lately freshwater sirens have flocked to the sun, leaving the moon in her lonesome. A fresh water siren's voice is more hypnotizing. The person does not realize what's happening until it's over where a salt water sirens voice is more commanding, you can't control your body but your brain is still active.

Seer: {Mortal} Just as Banshees are seen like pets or companions to demons, seers are to banshees. Seers can not prophesize or get visions at will, seers are very close, because while they get visions they do not possess any actual magical power. Seers are very rare, they are usually marked with a Moon shaped birthmark on the back of their shoulder.

Werewolves: {Mortal} Werewolves, not to be confused with Wolf! shifters, are a product of a vengeful witch who tied a pack of Wolf shifters to the full moon, which means they can only transform then. Werewolves and Wolf! shifters do not have good relations, Wolf! shifters see werewolves as the weaker version of themselves, and werewolves resent Wolf! shifters because of how ‘animalistic’ they act. Werewolves have the ability to grow claws and fangs at will, but can not be in the half transformed state for more than 7 hours at a time, this is because they are tied to the full moon. Werewolves wolf form are also much smaller than that of Wolf! shifters because of werewolves breeding with humans, causing less and less of their original bloodline to be present.

Witches: {Mortal} Witches act as a border between the human and supernatural realm, while their powers are extraordinary they are so low on the list because they are simply not needed in the big battle. While a lot of people love witches, their power is simply lacking in terms with elementals. Witches are like level one in terms of magical spell power, whereas Elementals would be level 8 and demons level 10.

Humans: {Mortal} Most humans do not know of the supernatural world, and those who do despise it, Humans mostly reside in the inner states and refuse to acknowledge the fact that the supernatural could be good. While the supernatural may be strong, they do not easily reveal themselves to humans specifically for the fact that humans have much bigger numbers than them. The ratio of supernatural to human is 1 to 10, if a war was to be created between species the humans would win, solely because Witches, Elementals, seers and Banshees are by the law of nature required not to be prejudice against races, therefor not able to pick a side and demons simply don't care about what happens with those not in the underworld.

Taglist [11/30]: @foxilsdenn @zzstar @glitchyaiko @brrrkdslek @scarfac3 @xavi-in-kpopland @conwunder @wolfferno @venn-ie @dahbee8 @idkwhatto-namethis

if your name is in blue/bold it means tumblr wont let me tag you

[kennethhammond4183]

Double the Flavor, Half the Time: The Dual Air Fryer Experience

In the modern kitchen, efficiency and health are paramount. The Dual Air Fryer is a revolutionary appliance that promises to deliver both. With its ability to cook multiple dishes simultaneously, it has quickly become a favorite among cooking enthusiasts. But what exactly makes this appliance so special?

What is a Dual Air Fryer?

A Dual Air Fryer is an advanced version of the traditional air fryer. It features two separate cooking compartments, allowing you to prepare two different dishes at the same time. This means you can cook a main course and a side dish simultaneously, saving both time and energy.

Key Features of a Dual Air Fryer

"The Dual Air Fryer is designed to provide a healthier cooking option by using hot air to cook food, reducing the need for oil."

Two Cooking Compartments: Allows for simultaneous cooking of different dishes.

Adjustable Temperature and Time Settings: Provides precise control over cooking conditions.

Multiple Cooking Functions: Includes options for frying, baking, grilling, and roasting.

Healthier Cooking: Uses hot air circulation to cook food, reducing the need for oil.

Easy to Clean: Non-stick surfaces and removable parts make cleaning a breeze.

Advantages of Using a Dual Air Fryer

Why should you consider adding a Dual Air Fryer to your kitchen? Here are some compelling reasons:

Time-Saving: Cook multiple dishes at once, reducing overall cooking time.

Healthier Meals: Enjoy your favorite fried foods with less oil, making them healthier.

Versatility: From frying to baking, the Dual Air Fryer can handle a variety of cooking tasks.

Energy Efficient: Uses less energy compared to traditional ovens.

Convenience: Easy to use with preset functions and digital controls.

How to Use a Dual Air Fryer

Using a Dual Air Fryer is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Preheat the Air Fryer: Some models require preheating. Check the manual for instructions.

Prepare Your Ingredients: Season your food as desired.

Place Food in the Baskets: Ensure the food is evenly distributed in the cooking compartments.

Select the Cooking Function: Choose the appropriate function and set the temperature and time.

Start Cooking: Press the start button and let the air fryer do its magic.

Check and Shake: Some foods may require shaking halfway through the cooking process.

Serve and Enjoy: Once done, carefully remove the food and serve.

Top Dual Air Fryer Models

Here are some of the top-rated Dual Air Fryers available in the market:

Midea Dual Air Fryer - Check it out on Amazon

Instant Vortex Plus Dual Basket Air Fryer - Known for its versatility and large capacity.

Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer - Features two independent cooking zones.

Customer Reviews

"The Dual Air Fryer has transformed my cooking routine. I can now prepare a full meal in half the time!" - Jane Doe

"I love how easy it is to use and clean. The food comes out crispy and delicious every time." - John Smith

Conclusion

The Dual Air Fryer is a game-changer in the kitchen. Its ability to cook multiple dishes simultaneously, coupled with its health benefits and ease of use, makes it a must-have appliance. Whether you are a busy professional or a home chef, the Dual Air Fryer can help you prepare delicious and healthy meals in no time.

Related Products

If you’re interested in other versatile kitchen appliances, consider the Toshiba Small Rice Cooker. It features 8 cooking functions and Fuzzy Logic Technology for perfect results every time.

[mdhwrites]

Avatar's Bloodbending 'Problem'

TL:DR: It's not necromancy. It's not paralled to the real rise of a genuinely good service, or in its own universe something that is inherently, at worse, disrespectful. One can raise the dead and do no harm. To Bloodbend ANYTHING is to force it to your will and inflict pain. Period.

So what is this about? Well, some people are trying to be 'clever' by talking about how the only form of bending that is inherently demonized is bloodbending, the version of bending created by someone who was under brutal oppression and in solitary confinement. Here's the thing... Does a backstory excuse evil?

What is Bloodbending good for, especially versus other forms of evil magic? Mind Control can guarantee the truth out of people, helping with criminal investigations, or for that matter can help suppress fears, help people face or erase trauma, etc. like that. Necromancy can be used to help study the human body, be what leads the way to non-holy forms of revival magic and literally reflects how people had to fight in order to learn how to heal through medicine. What can Bloodbending do?

It can't force people to answer questions, it can't teach one about the human body beyond MAYBE how the circulation system works, and when used, it is inherently VERY painful. Its main uses are ONLY in physical control and death. The actual, good or even BENIGN uses for it are minimal, to put it extremely mildly. The main one I can think of would be a bloodbender who was given permission to help people who have lost the use of their limbs be able to use them again, or helping athletes be able to improve their training... Maybe.

And in return? Something that on pretty much all levels is wrong. From a moral perspective, you take the autonomy of a person. It is called Bloodbending but... What the fuck BENDS in this situation? With any other form of bending, you move with the elements. You convince them to join you in your desires and for the most part have them do things they would regardless, just in a different direction. Healing with water bending is the big question mark here but forms of firebending is just combusting the air and then letting it burn. Earthbending is creating different forms of rock, different shapes, and then pushing it. Airbending is just making air move fast, hard, etc. like that.

Blood bending does not convince the body to do what it normally wants to or suggests to it new actions. How Sokka and Aang contort is entirely unnatural. Not only that but what others bend is inert. It does not have a will you're stopping, minus two examples I'll get into, but bloodbending? It inherently is going against the will of the other person which goes against many of the show's own philosophies and morals. Like this person in captivity... Makes people their captives. Continuing the cycle of cruelty is not a good thing. Ever.

Fun element to this: This is why benders can't multi-bend as well and why even Avatars struggle with certain elements. The element cannot bend in a way it is unsuited for so the person themselves must be in harmony with the element they are using. Hence why Aang needs to fight his natural instincts to meet Earth on its own terms because the whole fucking point is HARMONY.

So about those two exceptions: Lightning and Plant bending. Lightning has a goal in its movements. It's not just flowing due to gravity like water or burning fuel like fire but instead chooses a specific point to strike, which even then could be argued as not a choice because of how it actually works in nature. How do you deal with that? Specifically by working with the lightning and convincing it to go in a new direction through the motions of your own body, like any other form of bending. And plant bending is only done by people who are at one with nature. Who work with it in their bending, not against it like with Bloodbending. It is in harmony, not conflict, with the material who's lifeblood it uses.

Bloodbending, by probably every metric possible, IS in fact an abberation. Something that is cruel, unnatural and goes against the spiritual ideals of the show. Why in the world WOULDN'T it be demonized?

The source of something does not dictate its morality. Its uses and purpose do. Otherwise, the church would be allowed to do quite literally anything it ever wanted because it is empowered by God to do good and fight 'evil'. I don't think any of us want that. See you next tale.

======+++++======

Final one that isn't actually directly a part of this conversation but I could see people could try to use it here is the obvious comparison to Blood Magic in fantasy. However, I would argue Blood Magic is much closer to nuclear energy in most fantasy settings, with how it is at its base level just an energy source but by not regulating it, the harm it can do is DEVASTATING. Good mages can use it as an energy source to cast more benign spells in times of emergency to help people but not through what blood magic uniquely allows one to do. It's like how uranium is a VERY good energy source but as an energy source, it's just extra potent. Its more specific uses however mostly include, you know, destroying large pockets of civilization. It needs to be made into something more generally useful to be good. Bloodbending... Isn't anything like that because it can't even be turned into something benign to then be used for better work so it has no real place in this conversation.

I have a public Discord for any and all who want to join!

I also have an Amazon page for all of my original works in various forms of character focused romances from cute, teenage romance to erotica series of my past. I have an Ao3 for my fanfiction projects as well if that catches your fancy instead. If you want to hang out with me, I stream from time to time and love to chat with chat.

A Twitter you can follow too

And a Kofi if you like what I do and want to help out with the fact that disability doesn’t pay much.

[livgr3]

Roundtable: Glee (2009-2015)

Oh dear. Where to even begin....

What we now know and love (or hate) as Glee began as a screenplay for a feature film of the same name by Ian Brennan. The screenplay then circulated to working TV writers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, and the three soon began writing a full television season based on Brennan's original screenplay. The series was very quickly picked up by FOX, following the success of another musical-themed program: American Idol.

So has been said about Glee in retrospect, from recent TikToks dissecting problematic moments in the show to a docuseries addressing speculations of dissent among castmates. While this has been interesting fodder to engage with online, I do feel that we have reached a collective memory of Glee that has strayed from the original tone and intention of the show. This is also thanks to the complete diversion the show took in its later seasons after new writers were hired and the show tried to keep up with its own rapidly growing popularity.

Glee’s initial charm was similar to the central appeal of American Idol: a glimmer of hope in a  time of economic hardship through an underdog story. Underneath its surface-level wackiness and off-kilter dialogue, Glee was intended to be a tongue-in-cheek satire;  a "postmodern musical" in the words of Ryan Murphy. Based in Ohio, its characters grapple with the ongoing economic recession and try to find hope and resilience in their downtrodden circumstances through the imaginative powers of the songs they sing. The show’s humor and central conflicts in its first season are largely derived from disputes from the “big guys” punching down on the “little guys.” In fact, the rivalry between optimistic Glee Club instructor Will Schuester and absolutely unhinged cheer coach Sue Sylvester can be read alongside the country’s broader economic battles. 

The mention of these two crucial characters brings me to an analysis of the show in conversation with the arguments of Robynn Stillwell in her work “Dual-Focus Strategy in a Serial Narrative: Smash, Nashville, and the Television Musical Series.” For this analysis I will refer to the first and last episodes of Glee’s first season, titled “Pilot” and “Jouney to Regionals,” respectively, pulling some contextual elements from episodes in-between if needed.

Dual-Focus Narrative

A defining stylistic feature of an episode of Glee is its introductory monologue, in which a character provides a voiceover of their unique, hilarious perspectives on the events of the episode to come. Throughout the episode, other characters might also provide a voiceover monologue with contradictory opinions, or introduce the episode’s B-plot. It is through these little snippets of each character’s perspective that the show manages its large ensemble cast and creates an advanced version of Stillwell’s described “dual-focus” narrative, with a different dual pairing each episode. This ability to navigate the complex relationships between many characters is something that is unique to Glee’s episodic format, and likely could not be achieved in its fullest in a film or stage musical. 

While the show’s “Pilot” sets up the central romances between Finn & Rachel and Will & Emma, these romantic pairings do not completely comprise the “dual-focus” of the episode. Instead, we are given voiceover sequences from Will Schuester, Rachel, and Finn such that the show is dually-focused on the lives of adults versus teenagers in a middle-American high school during the economic recession. In this way, Glee pokes fun at the triviality of high school popularity while also likening these struggles to the conflicts among the adult characters, such as budget cuts to faculty but an increased budget for athletics and Sue’s cheer team. In other words, the concept of an "underdog" is timeless and not age-specific. Through its strange satirical lens, Glee celebrates youth and is reliant on the notion of second-chances, evident though the name Will Schuester gives to his new Glee Club: New Directions.

Inevitable Couplings

In my opinion, the pilot of Glee has an absolutely top-tier set up for its romantic interests, the jock Finn Wolfhard and the geeky theater girl Rachel Berry. The show takes advantage of its musical framework, two characters are set up as opposites through their first ever songs before they even interact in the episode. 

To audition for Will’s New Directions, Rachel sings “On My Own,” a musical theater song from Lesa Miserables. She introduces her song with a chipper, contrived introduction and her audition is polished with a clear, classically trained voice. Moments later, Finn’s voice is heard in a much less formal manner, as Will hears him singing in the shower (not even gonna touch that one). His voice is free and imperfect, singing a classic rock song he adored as a child. Through these musical scenes, Rachel and Finn are contrasted in every way, from their personalities to their apparent levels of vocal training to their style of song. The show relies on our instincts to assume that opposites attract without any lines explicitly hinting at the romance with these two characters, so when the two sing together in “Don’t Stop Believing” at the end of the episode (which literally made me cry), their voices complement one another well and there is palpable chemistry as the characters dance together gleefully.

I would also be remiss if I did not mention “Klaine,” the iconic romance between Kurt and Blaine that begins in season two. The show sets this romance up in a very similar way, as Kurt admires Blaine’s suave confidence in an accepting environment which contrasts the homophobic environment Kurt experiences at McKinley High. They are, again, musically opposite, as Blaine often sings pop songs with an entire Glee club of boys while Kurt often sings musical theater ballads alone. Still, these opposites are not as apparent as Finn and Rachel’s, and the show now expects us to anticipate a romance based heavily on the fact that these are the only two gay male characters in the show thus far. While this romance was quite groundbreaking for its time, the show was still able to maintain its mainstream popularity by applying heteronormative frameworks onto queer characters, much like the Western musical frameworks we discussed last week.

Musical Fantasies

Music is the heart of Glee, adding texture to an otherwise dull environment. As the show progresses musical numbers take many adventurous forms, with numbers outside the diegesis that replicate famous music videos to conversations through song that blur the lines of diegesis.  

Even with all the flashiest numbers, I think nothing embodies the escapist quality of music in Glee more than its backstage numbers, where we watch the characters perform as their true selves. At the end of the Pilot, the original six Glee Club members perform “Don’t Stop Believin’” on their own after news of Mr. Schue’s departure from the position. Their singing and dancing is free and uninhibited as much of the secondary characters watch. Most importantly, the number inspires a lurking Mr. Schue to change his mind and continue instructing the club. Music functions within the narrative as a site of hope for characters in unfortunate situations.

Through this, the show also epitomizes its sense of neoliberal progressivism, ultimately suggesting that we can all come together and sing away our differences.

[kashishkhanna296]

 Best Pressure Cookers for Fast, Delicious Meals  

Introduction to Pressure Cooking

A Best pressure cooker is a kitchen appliance that uses steam and pressure to cook food quickly, locking in moisture, flavors, and nutrients. It works by sealing the food inside a tightly closed container, where steam builds up as the liquid inside heats. This increases the pressure within the cooker, which raises the boiling point of water, allowing the food to cook at higher temperatures than normal, significantly reducing cooking time. There are two main types of pressure cookers: stovetop and electric.

Stovetop pressure cookers are traditional models that rely on direct heat from your stove. They tend to cook faster because they can reach higher pressure, but require more attention since you need to monitor the heat level and timing manually.

Electric pressure cookers, like the popular Instant Pot, are more user-friendly and come with pre-programmed settings for different foods. They have built-in temperature and pressure control, allowing for a more hands-off cooking experience. Electric models also often include additional functions such as slow cooking, sautéing, and even yogurt-making, making them a versatile option for home cooks.

Both types offer significant time savings, but the electric version provides a more hands-off approach, making it a favorite for many modern kitchens.

Time-Saving Benefits

One of the primary reasons pressure cookers have become a must-have in modern kitchens is their ability to drastically reduce cooking time. Whether you're preparing a hearty stew, cooking grains, or braising meat, the best pressure cooker can cut cooking times by up to 70% compared to traditional methods. This is especially beneficial for busy individuals or families who want to prepare healthy, homemade meals without spending hours in the kitchen.

For instance, dishes that typically take hours, such as pot roast or risotto, can be done in under 30 minutes with a pressure cooker. The high-pressure environment speeds up the cooking process by forcing moisture and heat into the food, helping it cook faster without sacrificing flavor. This time-saving benefit makes pressure cookers a game-changer for anyone with a hectic schedule but still wants the satisfaction of a freshly prepared meal.

Flavor Enhancement

Pressure cooking is renowned for its ability to enhance the natural flavors of food, making dishes more delicious and aromatic. The best pressure cooker creates a sealed environment where steam and heat circulate, locking in the flavors and moisture that would otherwise escape during traditional cooking. This means that ingredients like meats, vegetables, and herbs release their full taste potential, intensifying the overall flavor profile of your meal.

The pressure also ensures that seasonings and spices are absorbed more deeply into the food, creating rich, robust flavors. Additionally, since pressure cooking requires less water than other methods, fewer nutrients are lost in the cooking process, allowing your meals to retain more of their natural vitamins and minerals. This results in meals that are not only more flavorful but also more nutritious, making pressure cooking an ideal choice for health-conscious individuals who don’t want to sacrifice taste.

Top Recipes for Beginners

If you're new to pressure cooking, starting with a few simple, beginner-friendly recipes can help you get comfortable with this powerful kitchen tool. Here are some easy recipes to get you started:

Rice Dishes – Whether you’re making plain white rice, fluffy jasmine rice, or a savory pilaf, a pressure cooker ensures perfectly cooked rice every time. It's much faster than using a stovetop or rice cooker and requires minimal attention.

Chili – A perfect dish to experiment with in your pressure cooker. Throw in ground meat, beans, tomatoes, and spices for a rich, flavorful chili that’s ready in under an hour.

Pasta with Sauce – You can even cook pasta in your pressure cooker! Simply combine pasta, sauce, and broth, and you’ll have a full meal with minimal effort.

These recipes are not only quick and easy but also showcase the versatility of the best pressure cooker, giving you a chance to explore different types of meals with ease.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Best Pressure Cooker

To make the most of your pressure cooker, here are a few essential tips that can enhance your cooking experience and results:

Check the Seal: Before each use, ensure that the rubber or silicone sealing ring is properly positioned and free of cracks or food particles. A well-sealed lid is crucial for maintaining the pressure needed for efficient cooking.

Add Enough Liquid: Pressure cookers need liquid to create steam, which generates the pressure for cooking. As a rule of thumb, add at least one cup of liquid (water, broth, or sauce) to prevent food from burning and to build pressure effectively.

Adjust Cooking Times by Ingredient: Softer vegetables like zucchini cook much faster than tougher ingredients like meat or potatoes. If you’re cooking a dish with mixed ingredients, consider adding softer ingredients later, or cutting denser ingredients into smaller pieces to help them cook evenly.

Don’t Overfill: To avoid issues with pressure buildup, only fill your pressure cooker up to the halfway mark when cooking ingredients that expand (like grains or beans) or up to two-thirds full for other foods. This prevents clogging of the pressure release valve and ensures the food cooks evenly.

Use Natural Pressure Release for Delicate Foods: For ingredients that can easily become overcooked, such as vegetables or pasta, use the "natural release" method, which allows pressure to drop gradually. This prevents rapid steam release, which can sometimes cause foods to break apart or lose texture.

Brown Your Ingredients First: If your recipe calls for meat, onions, or spices, consider browning them in the pot before sealing the lid. Many electric pressure cookers have a sauté function that allows you to do this without switching pans. Browning enhances flavor and brings a richer taste to your dishes.

By following these tips, you can maximize the flavor, texture, and overall results of your dishes, truly making the most out of the best pressure cooker in your kitchen.

Pressure Cooker Myths

Despite their popularity, there are still many misconceptions surrounding pressure cookers. Here are a few common myths—and the truth behind them:

Myth: Pressure Cookers Are DangerousTruth: Modern pressure cookers are designed with numerous safety features, including locking lids, pressure release valves, and automatic shut-offs. These advancements make them much safer than the pressure cookers of decades past. When used properly and maintained well, a pressure cooker is a safe, reliable kitchen tool.

Myth: Pressure Cooking Reduces Nutritional ValueTruth: Pressure cooking actually retains more nutrients compared to boiling or steaming for long periods. The shorter cooking time and closed environment help preserve vitamins and minerals, making meals prepared in a pressure cooker highly nutritious.

Myth: Pressure Cookers Can Only Be Used for Stews and SoupsTruth: Today’s best pressure cookers are incredibly versatile. They can cook everything from risotto to yogurt, steam vegetables, cook rice, braise meats, and even bake cakes. Electric models often come with multiple cooking functions, turning one appliance into a multi-functional kitchen helper.

Myth: Pressure Cookers Are Only for Large BatchesTruth: While pressure cookers are great for meal prepping, you don’t have to make large portions. Many models come in various sizes, and you can easily adapt recipes to cook smaller servings if needed.

Myth: Pressure Cookers Require Constant MonitoringTruth: One of the biggest advantages of pressure cookers—especially electric models—is their hands-off nature. You simply set the time and let the cooker handle the rest. Most electric models automatically adjust to maintain the right pressure, making them ideal for busy cooks.

These myth-busting facts help highlight the practicality and versatility of the pressure cooker, making it clear why it’s become a trusted tool in kitchens around the world.

Health Benefits

One of the greatest advantages of cooking with a Best pressure cooker is its ability to retain more vitamins and minerals compared to other cooking methods. Because pressure cooking uses higher temperatures and shorter cooking times, nutrients in the food are preserved, rather than being broken down or lost through prolonged exposure to heat. Studies have shown that pressure-cooked vegetables retain more vitamins, like vitamin C, and minerals, making meals healthier overall.

Additionally, pressure cooking requires less added fat and oils than frying or sautéing, making it a heart-healthy option for those looking to cut back on fats. The best pressure cooker also allows you to cook beans, whole grains, and lean proteins easily, encouraging a diet rich in fiber and plant-based nutrients. By preserving flavors and nutrients, pressure cooking offers a convenient way to prepare balanced, healthful meals for any diet.

Pressure Cooker Alternatives

While pressure cookers offer convenience and efficiency, it's worth comparing them to other popular kitchen appliances to see which one best fits your cooking style and needs. Here’s a look at how pressure cookers stack up against slow cookers and air fryers:

Pressure Cooker vs. Slow CookerA slow cooker is ideal for “set-it-and-forget-it” cooking, where ingredients are added early in the day and cooked at a low temperature over several hours. This method is great for enhancing flavor in dishes like stews and roasts, but it requires more planning due to the longer cooking time. A pressure cooker, on the other hand, achieves tender and flavorful results in a fraction of the time, making it a better choice for those who need meals prepared quickly.

Pressure Cooker vs. Air FryerAn air fryer is specifically designed to crisp and brown foods with little to no oil, making it ideal for achieving a “fried” texture in a healthier way. However, air fryers are less versatile for dishes with liquid, such as soups or stews, where a pressure cooker excels. While both appliances can offer healthy meal options, the best pressure cooker allows for a broader range of recipes, from grains and beans to braised meats and vegetables.

Multi-Cookers: The Best of Both WorldsFor those who want the benefits of both pressure and slow cooking, many electric pressure cookers now function as multi-cookers, with slow-cook and air-fry settings included. These versatile appliances give you the option to slow-cook, pressure-cook, or even air-fry in a single device, making them ideal for maximizing functionality in smaller kitchen spaces.

By understanding the strengths of each appliance, you can choose the best tool—or combination of tools—for your cooking needs. A pressure cooker’s speed and versatility make it a valuable addition to any kitchen, especially when paired with other appliances that complement its strengths.

Conclusion:

Best Pressure cookers have become an essential tool for modern kitchens, offering a unique combination of speed, flavor, and health benefits that few other appliances can match. They simplify meal preparation, allowing even the busiest individuals to enjoy home-cooked dishes in a fraction of the usual time. With the ability to retain nutrients and enhance flavors, the best pressure cooker provides both convenience and quality in every meal.

Whether you’re new to pressure cooking or an experienced cook, understanding its many advantages—from its time-saving capabilities to its versatility across different types of dishes—can transform the way you approach cooking. With helpful tips, beginner-friendly recipes, and debunked myths, anyone can get comfortable using a pressure cooker to create delicious, nutritious meals. Ultimately, this reliable appliance isn’t just about faster cooking; it’s about unlocking a world of flavors, health benefits, and cooking possibilities in your kitchen.

We are available on flipkart and amazon, you can visit our e-commerce platform and our website. omichef.

[kateshistoryspot]

Firebrand Part II: Was Jude Law's Henry VIII Accurate?

TW: DV, mention of executions

I recently got in trouble on a Facebook group for my thoughts on this, which was an interesting affair to say the least. But a lot of Tudor Enthusiasts are fighting right now about Jude Law's portrayal of Henry VIII. So, as an historian, what do I think on the matter?

Apparently my take was too hot for the group I put it on lmao

In Firebrand, Jude Law's Henry VIII is violent, narcissistic, and quick to harm. In one of the first scenes with his character, Kit questions him about the implications of the execution of her on-screen friend, Anne Askew, and Henry doesn't hesitate to grab her hair, force her to kneel, and snarl at her. Later in the film, a drunk Henry beats a pregnant Kit, having begun to think that her child isn't his. This version is much colder than JRM's portrayal, and much, much nastier than Keith Michell's. But, was it accurate?

Henry VIII did have a history of pretty crap behavior: this was the person who executed the Duke of Buckingham on flimsy evidence that they were planning a coup. He was also well known for beating his advisors, specifically Thomas Cromwell. Although he began as an affable prince who was kind to women and those in need, it didn't last long: he left Catherine of Aragon to die at Kimbolton when she had heart cancer, and refused to let her daughter see her before her death.

Henry is also well known as the king who executed two of his wives: Anne Boleyn in 1536 and Katherine Howard in 1542. Anne, his second wife whom he created the Anglican church for, had failed to give him a son by 1536, and had behaved inappropriately as Queen of England: conversations about the King's death had circulated, as well as bullying behaviors. Mind you, Anne was a knight's daughter: she had not been trained for this role in her youth, nor did she receive that training after her ascent to the throne. Henry used false charges, some of which surrounded her inappropriateness, to have her arrested and executed. Anne is widely believed to be innocent: a sentiment that I, too believe.

Katherine Howard was Henry's fifth wife. Historians hope that she was closer to 17 at the time of her marriage to him, but there's a chance she was closer to 15. Katherine's main offence was a tricky one: she retroactively violated a law that did not exist at the time of her marriage to Henry: that any woman who married the king must disclose her sexual history within 30 days of the marriage. Katherine had a history, thanks to her upbringing at her grandmother's estate.

The Dowager Duchess Agnes Howard owned Chesworth House in Horsham, where she took in aristocratic children who were down on their luck. Katherine was a member of the infamous Howard clan, thus securing her place in the house. Although Chesworth sounds like a lovely place on paper, it housed an open secret: there was neglect within the walls, and the girls' dormitory had no lock on it. It is alleged that Katherine Howard had two very inappropriate relationships during her tenure there: both with older men, and both while she was a pre-teenager. Today, we call what happened to her grooming, however that was not the case back in the 16th century: it was fornication, and retroactively a crime.

Katherine also had a friendship with one Thomas Culpeper: Culpeper had a history of sexual violence, and it seems he became much too close to the naive, young Queen. Their letters were used as evidence that they both committed adultery with one another: once against a statement that is being seen through different lenses in the history community today. Henry swore once he heard the news of her infidelity that he would strangle her himself, and often wept.

Both would lose their lives over this malarky.

On another note: what we call domestic violence in the 21st century was once legal, and it was so in the Tudor era. Within marriage vows, a woman promised to be "bonny and buxom in bed and in board," and if she failed, she could be expected to be beaten. Men were the head of the household: a woman was beneath him, and so were the children, and he was expected to discipline both. This often came in the form of hitting, boxing, or using a switch to get the job done. However, there were rules pertaining to how a husband could beat his wife: if the rod he used to beat her was too thick (thicker than his thumb), he could get in massive trouble with the church. If a man used violence too often in the household, or his discipline was life threatening, a woman could annul her marriage on the grounds of cruelty.

Henry, by the time he was married, was expected to discipline his wives: he was their leader and their head, and they were to obey. It was nearly expected that he would discipline them.

So, was Jude Law accurate to Henry VIII? Very much so. I think he captured the essence of the real man perfectly. Law really got into this role, even securing a perfume that smelled like stool to be more accurate to his character. I think it's high time that we stop fantasizing about Henry VIII as a cordial and romantic husband and recognize him for who he was: cruel, cold, and tyrannical.