#not to mention the communities 180 of each other

[cheese-water]

I know it’s been said before, but I don’t care. The best thing that has come out of purgatory so far is the mending of the relationship between Tubbo and BadBoyHalo. Cause I’ll tell you, I would have never expected this a month ago, not even two weeks ago.

What’s even funnier is that the past week has made me realize how similar they are. They both play on the server an unhealthy amount. They both adore the eggs and other npcs (in the same day, Tubbo named and was constantly a headcount of his little army, and Bad was treating two of them like they were his own kids). They love to cause problems for fun and have no problem being “immoral” to get what they want. In every conversation, the two of them instinctively avoid and dance around giving anyone answers effortlessly, like the weasels they are. They’re both renowned loophole exploiters. They’re both gigantic nerds and have way too much game knowledge. Literally, both of them own Minecraft servers lmao.

I think that because they have so much in common, particularly their slipperiness, Tubbo and Bad will be either completely in sync or at each other’s throats. Even back during Ron’s kidnapping, during 1 on 1 conversations with the two of them, Bad told Tubbo that he was “too smart for his own good,” which I personally translated as “so this is how Foolish feels when talking to me.”

They’re dynamic is like two sound waves. When two similar waves of sound in the same space move in opposition to each other (as one goes up and the other goes down, etc.), they will cancel each other out, resulting in no noise at all. It’s called destructive interference and is how I would describe Bad and Tubbo’s rivalry pre-purgatory, so at odds with one another that every conversation eventually turns into a debate. However, when two similar sound waves align, they become in phase, and the created sound doubles.

When Tubbo and Bad work as one, the construction interference created between them amplifies their strengths and allows them to do things that are unthinkable on their own. There’s a reason why the only time they were able to kill Étoiles was together.

[jarofstyles]

Strawberry Sunrise

Helloooo. Welcome to part one of a short series I’m doing. I’ve been dying to do a sporty/ personal trainer sort of thing so I’ve picked this back up after abandoning it for a bit! Please leave feedback if this is something you’d like to see more of on here!

Check out our Patreon for early access to parts 2-3 and 180+ exclusive writings

Warnings- mention of stalking, consent, gym culture, men being creeps, smitten H, anxiety

WC- 3.8k

Harry had always enjoyed the gym.

The burn in his muscles was his release of choice, choosing to express his innermost emotions with working up a sweat as he ran miles on the treadmill, muscles straining as he lifted and knuckles sore as he worked the bag. He’d spend hours working out purely for enjoyment and release in his time off, not only for the burn but from the community surrounding it. That being said, it made a lot of sense that when he got tired early on in the corporate world, he decided to become a personal trainer. A really successful one at that- thankfully, considering his father had been very skeptical at the profession change.

Working at a higher end gym, the facilities always remained spotless. There was a sauna and steam room, an in-ground heated pool and jacuzzi room, lush locker rooms with wooden locker cubbies and provided locks and fluffy white towels, and even held a boxing ring on the bottom floor which he loved to spar in in his free time. It was in a refashioned warehouse, lux looking in a rustic way.

He built his career and clientele over the span of a few years and had gotten into the groove of it fairly quickly. Working with positive reinforcement and meditative breathing before and after each session, people found his presence calming and many trusted him to help get them to their potential- which he proudly did. His routine varied but it always ended the day with a smoothie from the smoothie bar run inside the lobby. Choco PB, Mango Delight, or a Strawberry Sunrise with extra protein were his go tos.

One of his new favorite parts about his job, though, was the new receptionist at the front desk. Y/N.

A complete and utter sweetheart who, for a lack of better words, was a breath of fresh air in the usually gruff, testosterone filled setting. He loved watching her chat, even more watching her politely reject the many customers who tried to get her number. She didn’t seem to have a clue just how alluring she was. Her beaming smile and saccharine little giggle that made his toes curl, he was crushing on her big time. If he wasn’t afraid to risk her feeling comfortable at the work environment by potentially rejecting him, he’d have asked her out already but it was only 4 months in and she was a hit with everyone. He didn’t want to be the reason she left. Most of the other trainers were in relationships or married so she had been safe and had a good relationship with them all as colleagues, though Harry liked to flirt with her lightheartedly. He could tell she got her a little flustered and the arrogant son of a bit in him fucking loved it.

But what he didn’t love, though, was when she hesitantly found him with teary eyes after locking the front door with shaky hands as closing time finished and it was just employees of the gym. Her face was pale, spooked and Harry was not a fan of. Fear didn’t suit her.

“Harry?” Her shaky voice whispered. “I don’t mean to bother you at all, but if- could you wait for me before you leave? There’s… there’s that one guy, one of Liam’s clients? He kept asking me out and he got mad that I really said no and he’s been waiting outside at closing time and I’m just-‘I’m scared and….”’a quiver of her lip made his chest ache while also burning in rage.

Something he hated more than anything was someone who couldn’t take no for an answer, more specifically men who couldn’t let their bruised ego be healed in private, lick their wounds and accept that they’d not gotten what they wanted. Instead they harassed the other person as if the fucking answer would change. But to do it to Y/N? He felt enraged.

“He did what?” His mouth parted in surprise, brows pulling together as his shoulders squared up. Sure enough he could see a car parked right outside the door with the lights off, but someone visibly inside. Y/N parked close to the building and he must have known that. “Fuck, Sweets. M’sorry.” He groaned. “Absolutely not acceptable. M’gonna make sure Liam knows and that he’s dropped as a member here but of course I’ll walk you out. Are you almost done?” His hand reached for her shoulder to give an appreciative squeeze, bare skin meeting his palm. She wore a tank top with the gym’s logo and yoga pants, her name tag taken off already.

“Yeah- I just have to shut down the computers and sweep the front. Is that okay?” Her teeth chewed nervously on her bottom lip. “I’m so sorry to keep you. I know you’ve had a long day and you have one tomorrow too, I just, I have a bad feeling and I’m scared. I wouldn’t have asked if he didn’t give me the creeps even before.”

Harry was vaguely familiar with the dude, mostly because he had snickered at Y/N’s polite attempt to tell him no to a date previously- but now, that wasn’t so funny. “Hey.” His thumb brushed over her skin. “Don’t apologize. I won’t hear it. Of course I’d do this for you, I care. I’d never let anyone be in danger, least of all you. You’re the best receptionist we’ve ever had and I’d be crushed if something happened to you. Everyone would.” Mostly him, though. His crush was real. However now wasn’t the time to deal with that.

“Thank you so much.” She sighed in relief, reaching up to squeeze his wrist. “I’ll only be a minute, okay? Just stand right there.”

And he did. He watched as she shut down the computers and grabbed the little broom to sweep up the little bits around the front desk, thanking Harry when he brought the trash can out from the front desk for her to pour the dust pan into. Her thanks was gracious, grabbing her keys and nervously following behind him as he made his way out first.

It seemed that the man hadn’t expected Harry to still be there, as he had parked further back in the lot. The look of surprise made Harry irritated as he directly went to the car, knocking on the window. The man hesitantly rolled it down a little bit, Harry’s arm braced on the hood as he leaned down to speak to him.

“Absolutely unacceptable.” He said straight. “She said no. Dunno what or how that translates to ‘wait for her after work to crowd and stalk her like a creep’, but let me spell it out for you.” His voice dropped lower. “You’re going to stay away from her. She isn’t available, not for you. You’re going to listen when women tell you no, and leave it fucking be. Know she’s a pretty thing but that doesn’t give you the right to follow her around.”

“What are you? Her boyfriend?” The man sneered, making Harry’s jaw clench. Was he dense? Truly?

“S’not your business who I am to her. All you need to know is that she isn’t on the market, stalking is unattractive and if you don’t leave her the fuck alone, I swear to you that there will be consequences. I’d suggest finding another gym, mate.” He patted the top of his car before pulling back, finding Y/N standing by the glass doors, wringing her hands. The look of relief on her face as Harry approached and the guy’s car peeled out of the lot made his anger worth every bit.

“Told ‘em off.” Adjusting the bag on his shoulder, he walked with her to her car and made sure she got her bag in. “Hey- let me follow you home, yeah? I’ll give you my number and you can text me if he bugs you again but I’d feel better knowing you got in safe and he isn’t out there waiting for you somewhere else.” He wouldn’t put it past an idiot like that.

“Normally I’d try to tell you no, but I can’t tell you how much that would mean to me.” Her body sagged in relief as she took him by surprise, taking him in for a hug. “Thank you so much. I was so scared he’d try to take me or something, I watch too much Criminal Minds or something but.” She shrugged, pulling back far too soon. It had taken him by surprise and he hadn’t had nearly enough time to appreciate her sweet smelling, warm body against his own.

“Anytime, Y/N. Seriously. Your safety is important to me.” More than she’s known. “Let’s get going, yeah? Know you had an emotional day.”

—-

Harry had driven her home, smiling and beeping once she had gotten inside her apartment building but waiting to drive off before he had gotten her little text of ‘ inside!!! :-)’

He spent the rest of the night trying to work away his anger, cooking a quick meal before heading off to bed. Y/N was too good for shit like that. He’d shot a text to Liam letting him know he told his client to fuck off and he’d help find another but was assured that it was a good loss anyways, which only helped ease him. The girl wouldn’t have to deal with it again.

He just hoped she would be okay.

—-

The next morning he was greeted by her smiling face, melting off the apprehension he had felt all morning. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail with two loose tendrils around her face, looking as cute as ever as she waved at him.

“Hi, Harry!” She chirped. “I’ve got a smoothie with your name on it when you’re ready for it later. Thank you again for helping me last night.” His membership card was quickly scanned and handed back. Her smile was infectious, making his own rise on the corner of his lips.

“Yeah? I’m glad to have helped. I’m here for anything y’need, Sweets.” If only she knew how far that could go for her. Maybe it was better she didn’t. He was really into her but he was hyper aware of how it could come off now, so he would proceed with caution. “I’ll hold you to the smoothie when m’on my lunch.”

For the first time in quite a while, Harry had a hard time concentrating on his sessions. Of course he poured himself into it as much as he could, but he couldn’t stop thinking about last night. How shaken up Y/N had been and how she had been so appreciative. He couldn’t help it, because he’d already had a crush on her and the fact that she trusted him enough to come to him for help made him really happy. He was also still mad that the man had crossed such big boundary and genuinely scared the hell out of probably the sweetest girl anyone’s met.

Being in his own head also explained why said girl scared the shit out of him, making him jump as he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. Jumping from the stool, he turned to a wide eyed Y/N and tore the earbuds out of his ears with a very, very embarrassing yelp. “Shit! Y/N, you scared me.”

As if it wasn’t obvious.

“I’m so sorry!” She peeped, hand over her mouth. “I said your name and I didn’t see you had in your earbuds. I’m so sorry.” Her babbling was very cute, but he didn’t want her to feel bad.

“It’s okay- just made me jump.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Shit, it’s my fault for sitting here with them on at work. You did nothing wrong.” His palm squeezed, making her shoulders relax just a bit. Thank god. There was no effort to remove it as he continued on, and no effort to step away from him. “Y’said something about a smoothie, yeah?”

His grin was probably a bit too big in regards to a smoothie but he hoped like hell that she would join him at the little tables they had set up. They were in the reception area, a bit public for his taste but considering what had happened last night he figured that was a better option than the break room. It was a delicate thing and he needed to go about it carefully. He really, really didn’t want to muck it up because his dick got ahead of his brain.

Although, she did look spectacular today, if he could say that.

“Yes! I was going to grab one too. What kind would you like?” One of the duties of the front desk people was to man the smoothie bar when needed. It wasn’t super demanding and the recipes were written out in a binder-

Harry would know because he’s had to do it before too- but she seemed to enjoy making them the times she’s done his. “I’m going for the Strawberry Sunrise and some energy boost.” Her hand squeezed his wrist before it was removed and she glided behind the bar, ponytail swaying as she did so.

“S’a good choice. Simple and effective.” He nodded in approval. “Think M’gonna go for… the chocolate peanut butter, if that’s alright?” His fingers drummed on the surface of the counter, slightly nervous habits showing when she was around. It was difficult to think. Even if he was this charming, charismatic, outgoing guy- he still got a bit flustered when talking to a pretty girl who was suspiciously angelic in looks and in appearance.

“Of course it’s okay.” Her laugh echoed in his ears. “I told you, it’s my way of saying thank you. Now sit and look pretty while I finish these.”

Harry was glad her back was turned because his face was most definitely flushed. Did she call him pretty? It seemed so. The man definitely didn’t go to the gym looking like a slob, but he had much better days outside of it. He liked to play around in fashion and the gym left little to experiment with unless he was okay with a sweat stain or ruining it. That’s why he wore cuter bandanas around his neck, or his stack of fabric bracelets that were meant to fall off. They were made of string and easily replaceable but they added color to his otherwise bland outfits he wore to keep from ruining his good outfits.

Apparently the last thing she had said was enough to keep him on his head until she finished, the large orange and white striped cup placed in front of him. “They’ve got to get rid of the styrofoam cups and do paper.”

Y/N sighed, looking at her own with a little frown. “I’ve suggested it but manager said we got to go through these before he’s gonna reorder. It’s only a few cents cheaper too, I was snooping on the order form.” She grumbled, making Harry smile. Y/N was known for her environmentalist tendencies and it only added to why he liked her. “Or, do like… have a bottle washing station and let us sell reusable cups with the gym logo and people can use those! Anything but these.” Leaning in closer to him, he caught her perfume as she let him in on a ‘secret’. “Plus, I fucking hate the sound of styrofoam. It makes my skin crawl. ASMR gone wrong.”

Harry swore he fell in love w little bit when she pulled back, laughing along with him as he nodded. She was fucking adorable and his hands itched to grab hold of that ponytail and keep her head still so he could kiss all over her face. Could you get cuteness aggression over another human?

“S’a great idea, actually.” He nodded, taking a sip with a hum. Y/N did the best smoothies. Shakes? He never was sure what to call them. “And you’re right. Styrofoam is awful for the environment and ears. I usually bring my water bottles every day but the amount of plastics we see here… S’a shame.”

“Exactly!” She slapped her hand on the counter. “It would only cost a little more to be more efficient. Do more water fountains so they don’t have to bring those plastic water bottles. Those are also on my hit list, when people crinkle those bottles…” her nose wrinkled in distaste, grabbing her cup and going around the counter. “Where did you want to sit, by the way?”

Harry’s heart grew three sizes, he thinks, when she was the one to initiate their time together. He’s been mulling it around in his mind, how to ask her to sit with him but apparently they were on the same page. “F’you want to sit out here we can, or we can go to the employee lounge. It’s your choice.”

“Do you mind if we go to the lounge? I had to talk to you about something, if you don’t mind.” It was then he could see her shifting nervously on her feet, cluing him in to something else. Was the guy still bothering her?

“Course we can. Lead the way.” He extended his hand, letting her lead as he tried to figure it out. Y/N was a somewhat nervous person by nature and he knew from watching her pick at her nails or bounce her leg, twirling her hair or rearranging pens often, but he didn’t like the idea of her nervous around him.

So when they sat down at one of the smaller tables in the empty lounge, he let his concerns be known. “Are you okay? You seem a little nervous.” He bumped his knee with hers, bringing the smoothie up to his mouth for a sip as he studied her face.

“Yeah! Yeah I just…” there was a pause, her nails dragging down the cup to make a pattern. “I couldn’t sleep very well last night. I felt really safe with you and I’m really grateful for your help- you’ve no idea. I was scared if end up in a ditch by the time anyone came in this morning but….”’her teeth worried her bottom lip. “I don’t want to have to rely on anyone else. You’re not always going to be here. And I know- I know the people here are very strong and bigger than me, most of them anyways- but I need a way to protect myself.” She took a big breath before the words rushed out. “Do you think you could help me with self defense? Even just a little bit, I can pay you or clean your house or something I just really….” Her frazzled expression broke his heart. “I don’t want to feel helpless again.”

He wanted to tell her that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. That he would stay every night and walk her to his car, that he would take care of her but the truth remained that he couldn’t always guarantee that for her. Sometimes he had to leave early, sometimes he had to stay later than her and it was just not possible. What she asked was absolutely the right thing, but he hated that she felt helpless.

“Y/N.” He crooned. “Of course I will. It’s not even a question, I’d be more than willing to help you out.” She must really not know his crush on her if she couldn’t see how he was mentally tripping over himself at the idea of spending time with her. It would be a double win. She could help herself and he could spend time with her alone. “I want to say M’really fucking sorry that men are shit and that you even have to worry. If I’m here when you’re getting off of work, which I usually am, I’m more than happy to walk you to your car, but I understand.

I hate that you feel helpless. You’re a lot stronger than y’give yourself credit for.” His hand reached for the one laying on the table top, holding it a lot more confidently than he felt. She squeezed it back, though, so a win was a win! “We’ll have t’do it after hours, though, if that’s alright? Just stay a bit longer after work. My days are really full right now and I know you’re working most days here so it’ll have to be a weird schedule but you don’t need to pay me a cent. Let me do this for you for my own peace of mind, yeah?” His eyes searched her face, like he was trying to find an answer for a question he didn’t know. “Was worried out of my head last night about you.”’

Y/N seemed to visibly relax, a smile growing on her soft little lips and her entire energy moving to a warmer one. What he didn’t expect, though, was for her to throw herself into his lap for a big hug. Y/N had always been touchy, but he never thought he’d end up with a lap full of the prettiest girl he’d ever seen whispering her thanks as her face tucked into his neck.

God, he hoped he smelled decent.

His arm wrapped around her as he clumsily put his drink down in surprise, stroking her back as she squeezed him tight- and it was like a dream. Soft body against his own and engulfed in her scent? He was happy if she never moved from here. Unfortunately she did, peeling herself up and her beaming smile making him melt. “Thank you, thank you so fucking much. You can have anything you want in return. You don’t have to think of it kow but… I trust you the most here.” She admitted, clamoring back into her seat. “You’re the coolest, H. Thank you again. When can we start?”

Harry knew he was in trouble when he wanted to cancel the rest of his day and offer it to her. She’d sent him through a wind tunnel of wild thoughts and his body was still reeling from having her so close, but he had to try and hold it together.

“Why don’t we start tomorrow?” He offered. “But be prepared to work up a sweat.”

[dseval]

ArchiveVerse Cross

(sorry if the quality is butchered everyone Ibis paint is uncooperative today)

Finally, i'm able to work on ArchV content, with my favourite character, Cross. More under the cut.

Cross is the first one to get a 'reference sheet' or a character intro, since he's the first one to kickstart this AU too. Expect more ArchiveVerse charcaters to receive the treatment in the future.

(though for now Delta is next, because i absolutely hate his current archv design, and i'm redoing it. If you had anyone you're interested in seeing next, please tell me.)

I actually don't know how to format this post, though, so sorry if the information is all over the place (or if it's too much information). To understand most of the things I write here, please refer to my ArchiveVerse post.

★Info★

Cross, a student from the Omega Public School (OPS), used to be a normal student. That is, until he got caught in trouble along with Ink and a student from Juvie, Error. Ink was let off scot free, but Cross wasn't so lucky. Due to the troubles he caused, he was quickly arrested and thrown to the Juvenile Containment. Much to his own displeasure.

There, as much as he distances himself, he made friends with the other students contained there (Dust, Killer, Horror, and Nightmare). Though, it doesn't deter him from grinding hard for credits and speedrunning his community service to be released fast and quick from Juvie. He succeeded.

After graduating from the Juvenile Containment, Cross returned to OPS, and swore to just become a normal student, avoiding having himself thrown into Juvie again. He tries his best to steer clear from trouble, though the other Juvie students seem to bring that trouble to him, often dragging him along to their mischief.

Quick facts:

His height is 180 cm (probably he's the third tallest character in archv)

Cross's powers are Lightning, and on the side, he has small matter manipulation powers, able to break down molecules, though he hasn't explored his capabilities with this yet.

His powers are volatile, and he still had difficulties controlling it. Occasionally he'd accidentally zap someone when he touched them. Purple sparks of lightning also fizzle out of his fingertips when he's flustered or nervous.

He wears at least three layers of clothing.

Cross has been described as handsome, with long legs.

He rides his bicycle everywhere, often going for rides in the weekend too.

Cross always brings his school bag whereever he goes, in it are chocolate energy bars, and other utilities.

His eyelights are starry whenever he's overjoyed (this is his swap sans trait guys)

Every student in OPS has their own house, Cross makes sure to keep his living space tidy and neat.

Character relationships:

(These are only the ones i can mention off the top of my head)

Cross and Dream hangs out sometimes. To drink latter or get breakfast. Cross really admires him.

He often hangs out at the arcade with Delta, Epic, and Color. Delta seems somewhat hellbent on beating him at anything, Cross felt like he can't lose. Epic and Color plays a cooking game.

Dust, who was banned from entering most merch stores and malls, often sent Cross for fetch quests to get him any new Ice-e merch. Cross finds this annoying but obliges.

Killer and him often zap each other back in juvie, he still have black spots and bruises in several parts of his body. Nowadays, they still zap each other sometimes, Killer mostly for teasing— and Cross, on accident.

Horror and him often went to all-you-can-eat events together, they also exercise together occasionally.

Even out of Juvie, Cross still calls Nightmare by 'boss'. Nightmare finds it embarrassing of him.

Cross rarely met Ink, still somewhat wary that Ink will drag him into some sort of trouble. Though, he doesn't hate him.

Credits (please tell me if I missed anyone!):

Cross Sans by Jakei

Artstyle inspired/taken directly from Mx2j, one of the artists for Blue Archive. The character intro format itself follows Blue Archive.

Mentioned characters: Dream & Nightmare Sans (Joku), Dust Sans (Ask-Dusttale blog), Killer Sans (Rahafwabas), Horror Sans (SourAppleStudios), Ink Sans (Comyet/Mye bi), Error Sans (CrayonQueen/LoverofPiggies), Epic (yugogeer012), Delta (AnimatedZorox), Color (superyomna)

[gimme-a-man-after-midnight]

my royal roomie pt. 3 *sneak peek*

fandom: Aquaman

pairing: Orm Marius x Reader

part 1 part 2

summary: As time passes, Orm begins to see you as more than his surface dweller host. Much to his surprise, you’ve captured his attention, which in turn makes him notice just how physically affectionate you are with everyone except him.

Warnings: light cursing, touch starved!orm, light angst if you squint, comic lore inaccuracies, slow burn, divorced parents!reader, dead parent mention, mentions of being smaller in comparison to orm, flora inaccuracies??

The dynamic between you and Orm didn’t make a complete 180 after your late night talk - in fact, it was quite awkward for the first few days following. Orm, although now deciding to actually be in the same room as you for longer than five minutes, didn’t talk much when you were in each other’s presence. The Atlantean favored just observing you in your natural habitat - when you cooked, when you read, when you talked with people on the phone. You often extended invitations to him to join in your activities, but a silent shake of his platinum head was what you were regularly met with. You tried not to take offense, understanding that small steps forward was better than leaps backward, but you couldn’t help but feel a little unnerved by his probing gaze. 

Your expressions when meeting Orm’s eyes were always one of the three - confused, apprehensive, or downright shy. Orm liked playing a silent game with himself whenever he would wait in the communal areas of the house for you, guessing which one would take over your face that day. However, what the Atlantean liked most of all was when you would deviate from all three and bless him with a sheepish look that teetered between flushed and guilty. Although there would be no evident redness behind your cheeks, your flitting eyes and soft smile gave him a new type of satisfaction. Orm wasn’t blind - he could tell you were attracted to him. His heightened senses could pick up on your increase of breaths and the quickening of your heartbeat whenever his eyes would be fixed on you and it made pride swell in his chest. Even with how apparent your interest in him was, you never overstepped - you were always respectful of his space, never even entertaining the fine line between roommates and not just roommates. You had remained awfully friendly, though….

…friendly enough for Orm to realize that the way you interacted with him was vastly different to how you would with others. 

---

Orm had assumed humans were quite simple - easy to understand due to their lack of brain capacity and advancement in comparison to Atlanteans. However, watching how different you were in your shop - witnessing you change from the selectively quiet, sarcastic little thing you were at home to a vivacious, charming young woman here - it had confused him greatly. His father had told him many stories of the treacheries of humankind, but the one point he drilled relentlessly into his head was that humans were simple, dull creatures undeserving of their people’s knowledge. 

Other sea clans felt that when the time came to reveal themselves to the surface that it would only be to educate them - his father had other ideas. The infamous King Orvax wished to utilize the wrath of the seas in order to overpower the surface world, his son at his side as they rebuilt the world in their image. His teachings were the foundation of Orm’s belief system for the majority of his life, yet you had managed to topple those mind palaces within a matter of weeks. You, with your soft knits and quick wit, had the Atlantean prince questioning whether his father had simply been misinformed. His father couldn’t have possibly known how complex humans could truly be because he never met you.

(to be continued in the full part 3 coming soon!)

[cephalonserotonin]

Devstream 180 Notes

This is a long one, folks.

brought to you by creative lead Rebb Executive Producer Dick Wolf

New dojo contest to kick off a transition to cross-save dojo world… see forum post

Pride Campaign 2024

is active now until the end of June! a new glyph, display, and wings in lovely rainbows!

Jade Shadows update coming June 18!

features a new cinematic quest: Jade Shadows. It picks up after The New War (so it's got TNW as a prerequisite) where the storyline of the Stalker left off. Rebb and the crew request that folks not spoil the quest for others after playing it. Use spoiler tags if possible! Quest runtime ~ 25 min There's a teaser for the story quest, featuring the Stalker hanging upside down like a bat:

New Warframe: Jade!

Pablo describes her as a support frame. Her passive is two aura mod slots which is kind of crazy ngl

Her kit briefly summarized:

1: throws a little mote with an AOE effect of healing for allies and increasing damage taken to enemies

2: cycle through various squad buffs. The UI art for these is really gorgeous

3: a debuff: enemies in her sight are slowed and lose armor. You also revive any dead allies in your vision.

4: floating and a zappy exalted weapon. It's kind of like Hildryn's four but basically better in every way because you can actually set off large amounts of damage and fly higher and faster. The exalted weapon has synergy with her 1 and 2.

As Pablo mentioned, Jade's abilities provide a lot of combo potential, good for any "min maxers" in the audience.

Jade's three signature weapons: the Cantare throwing knives, the Harmony scythe, and the Evensong bow (a variant on the Dread).

The Ascension game mode: "what if Warframe but up?"

Non-endless There's a giant elevator you have to feed with energy. The team's video crashed so Rebb gave what I'd call an excited 12 year old's description of the game mode instead which I loved:

There's this giant elevator that needs energy to go up. So you have to keep feeding it ionic charges so you rise out of the depths. And as you're feeding, the Corpus are there! *excitable machine gun noises* And then you're like, oh god! And then you have to, like, jump around-- but if you fall out of the elevator, you better hope you're good at parkour, and that you can read the level to get back up! and back up! and back up! And then: you have to make it to the top. But that's not all. Once you get to the top of the elevator, you gotta escape. You gotta make a run for it before the Corpus hold you back! Aahhh! Aah! Ah! …and that's Ascension. :)

Once we finally watch the video preview of the game mode later I think it looks fun. The level looks really neat; I love the graphics of the inside of the elevator. There's a new Jade Light eximus enemy here but I can't really tell any details about it quite yet.

ORDIS IN LARUNDA RELAY!

He's hosting the clan operation Belly of the Beast (featuring above Ascension game mode). In his shop is the Asteria ephemera, which evolves with community participation. Also some arcanes… and a beautiful skin for the Hate.

"If you're a hater, this is for you." Hilariously the arcanes are capped at 42 each because apparently in Gargoyle's Cry certain players went crazy burning themselves out to stock up on arcanes, and the team is trying to prevent that (and players blaming them for their own bad choices, as always). Two full sets each is more than enough, frankly.

Status Rework!

Blast now does a secondary detonation, or if hitting 10 blast procs, creates an AOE explosion. This is exactly what I have been wanting for ages so I, personally, am thrilled.

Magnetic now scales with overguard and shields the same way, and also does a secondary punch of damage (and an electric proc!) once the shield is broken.

Cold should freeze enemies more often now… and came with a free Frost rework! Now Frost's abilities give proper cold procs, thus freezing enemies, which is now standardized across his abilities. His 1 has been buffed and his 3 snowglobe has been modified (to allow shooting from in to out but not out to in). He has a new passive: his armor scales with the number of cold procs enemies have (like the defensive version of Ember).

There's a lot of testing going on right now on the interaction between ragdolling and freezing enemies.

There's a change to damage vulnerability mechanics which I didn't quite follow; seems to be mostly a simplification of the system.

Armor damage attenuation scaling, as mentioned in the last devstream, now has a cap, meaning corrosive procs should be more effective.

Yareli Deluxe

...looks like eldritch coral?

Next round of TennoGen

…finally comes with a Lavos skin, which is plague doctor themed.

Some augments (Protea's is probably OP), decrees (list shown below is incomplete), and arcanes

UI improvements!

In the upgrade screen: duplicate mod config button, indicator for substats, increased mod polarity

Augment list viewer in the abilities screen

Community customization table where you can copy others' fashions. Great news for gamers too unoriginal to make their own fashions, I guess. Coming at first for just Excalibur, Mag, Volt, and Jade.

Quick Access (fast travel wheel) for more areas like the dormizone.

UI autoscaling with resolution (to prevent tiny UI bars for people with huge resolutions), also coming with ability to scale the UI back down.

"Donut numbers" for damage view that do not cover the enemy you are shooting (old way can still be switched back to, called "cloud.")

Awakening quest has a lil fashion preview now!

Loadout hot swaps conveniently directly from the starchart!

QOL!

Cap on adversaries (liches and sisters) at 150. For the sake of database health. The programmer in me is mildly concerned that there was no limit before this.

Semi auto becoming full auto (see last devstream for more detailed description).

Automatic selection of last relic during endless relic cracks.

Streamlining necramech acquisition.

Unifying melee finishers and mercy kills (both with mechanics and appearance).

The return of Heirloom skins: starting with community art this time

First major change (from last year's disastrous heirloom launch) is the heirloom collections will now be released one warframe at a time.

Ember Heirloom is also a purchased fanartist concept!

Two paths to acquire it: a temporary paid path (for money, comes with some plat) and a plat path that will be available until next heirloom launch (and you can purchase the cosmetics individually!)

This is much better than last year's Heirloom launch, which, as aforementioned, caused a lot of community strife.

molten booty

And finally, the TennoCon 2024 schedule:

[chance-lard]

Book!Lucy & Lockwood vs Show!Lucy & Lockwood: A VERY LONG Deep Dive

So I finished the Netflix adaptation of Lockwood & Co.

Overall, I think it was a respectful adaptation, which, despite some plot changes, kept largely to the spirit of the books. At minimum, Joe Cornish actually seems to like L&Co, which is way more than can be said about most adaptations these days. Hooray!

But I wanted to write a bit about one of the bigger changes they made: namely the dynamic between Lucy and Lockwood.

I’ve seen people saying that the Locklyle adaptation to screen was very true to the books, just without Lucy’s close personal voice, and sped up a little in the romance department (“Stroud doesn’t mention what Lucy was doing with her hands! They could have been on Lockwood’s face in the books!” etc).

Respectfully, I disagree quite a bit with this. While some argument could be made about it having shades of their relationship from THB/TCS onwards, I actually think Show!Lucy’s attitude towards Lockwood is a 180 from the way she views him in TSS and TWS.

IDK, this might be a bit of a controversial opinion judging by what I’ve been seeing in the L&Co tag and general ways people have interpreted TSS and TWS in the years since their publication, but I’m going to try to back my argument as best as I can, focusing only on those books.

I’m using the original paperback UK editions of both the Screaming Staircase (2013) and The Whispering Skull (2014).

Spoilers for the show and VERY mild spoilers for books 3+ (literally just the name of a new character/type of ghost + stuff already shown in the show that wasn’t shown until later in the books)

Another warning: this analysis is 5500(!!!) words long, and mostly quotes from the book. If you’d like to just read the main bits, look at the intro/conclusion to each section and read the TLDR; at the end.

PART 1: THE NETFLIX SHOW

Before diving into differences, there are things I do think stayed the same between the show and the books:

Lucy and Lockwood banter, swap one-liners and occasionally squabble.

Lucy remains unimpressed with some of Lockwood’s more slapdash schemes.

During missions, they work equally and trust each other with their lives and the job.

They care about each other’s wellbeing.

Basically, when things are going well between them, or when they are in high-stakes circumstances and need to cooperate, there isn’t too much of a difference between Show!Locklyle and Book!Locklyle.

But as Tolstoy (lmao) says, all happy families agents are alike, all unhappy families agents are unique in their own way. With that said, I think the differences between Show!Locklyle and Book!Locklyle are best explored through the way conflicts are handled.

In the show, there are 5 major arguments between Lucy and Lockwood:

Episode 2: Lucy feels upset and hurt because she thinks Lockwood only views her as an “asset”.

Episode 4: Lucy is upset that Lockwood doesn’t believe/doesn’t want to admit that she is talented enough to talk to the Skull

Episode 5: Lucy gets mad at Lockwood being self-sacrificing/death-seeking after they escape from the Winkmans.

Episode 7: Lucy calls Lockwood a boy with a “cold dead heart of stone”, and is upset that he won’t let her and George in on his past.

Episode 8: Lucy is furious at Lockwood using dangerous methods at the auction, that “every relic hunter in London is out to kill us”, and that Lockwood is acting self-sacrificially again.

There are also the following minor squabbles:*

Episode 1: Lucy rolls her eyes at Lockwood for forgetting the chains at Mrs Hope’s house.

Episode 1: Lucy mad at Lockwood and George for the toothbrush cup initiation test.

Episode 2: Lockwood gets annoyed and brusque with Lucy for keeping Annabel’s source and trying to communicate with her ghost. After Lucy is nearly possessed, he flintily tells her he will burn the source, and that they have more important bills to pay.

*Note there might be some more minor squabbles, but they weren’t significant enough to make their way into my notes

The most important takeaway here is that Lucy is the one who initiates most of the arguments! We can also note Lockwood’s response to Lucy’s anger: mostly he mutely self-reflects as she shouts and storms away, then later he comes to her to apologise and promises to do better. 

The one time Lockwood gets mad at Lucy (Ep 2) we are a) not shown the bulk of the argument (there’s a cutaway after the fight with the ghost to Lucy justifying herself), b) it’s anger born of worry, and c) Cameron’s delivery of the lines is quite measured and muted.

In essence, when it comes to conflict, Lucy is the one holding the cards in the relationship between the two of them.

We also know the show is set much earlier than the books (which take place over the span of a whole year). Show!Lucy isn’t acting this way out of concern for a Lockwood who she’s known and loved for ages. Rather, Lockwood is someone she is not impressed by at all from the outset. The show is setting up what makes Lucy special here: unlike the adults, the other agents, and maybe even George, she’s the only one who can see through his “prodigious entrepreneur” mythos to the hurting teenager beneath.

Within the logic of the show’s universe this makes sense. Unlike Book!Lucy who is a judgemental grump (and is why she has “no female friends”; TWS p80), Show!Lucy is a more confident girl coming right off the back of losing someone she loves dearly.

Having experienced an arguably greater loss than Book!Lucy at this stage in her life, Show!Lucy seems adamant to prevent anyone else she cares about going down the same path. For Book!Lucy, this is a realisation she only comes to near the end of THB.

So to summarise, in the show, Lucy is a hurting, no-nonsense girl, unimpressed with Lockwood’s antics and objective enough to act as his “chain to earth”. From the way Lockwood responds to Lucy’s upsets, we get the sense that he’s quite sincere and maybe more in touch with his emotions than he shows on the surface.

The show portrays two people gradually learning to trust each other and perhaps slowly, mutually discovering their feelings as they do.

PART 2: BOOK: ACTIONS

The show uses disagreements as watersheds for character development, but they don’t play as significant a role in the books. Still, I went through TSS and TWS and made notes of every time there’s conflict between Lucy and Lockwood because the differences are quite telling.

TSS:

Lucy is mildly irritated/snarky at Lockwood for the entirety of the Hope case in TSS, and is angry when he forgets to bring the chains.

Lucy is angry at Lockwood for talking about the Annabel case and getting her name in the papers (TSS, 231)

Lockwood gets angry and berates Lucy for keeping the Annabel source (TSS, 179-181)

Lockwood calls Lucy “too sensitive” and accuses her of getting too close to ghosts (TSS, 248-249)

Lockwood is furious at Lucy for trying to talk to Annabel again (TSS, 284)

TWS:

Lockwood angry at Lucy for talking about the door on the landing (TWS, 116)

Lucy angry at Lockwood (and George) for taking her Listening for granted (TWS, 258)

Lucy scolds Lockwood for brushing off/slapping down George (TWS, 398)

Purely by numbers, they get mad at each other fairly evenly (rather than it being one-sided from Lucy, a la the show).

But numbers themselves don’t tell a full story. In fact, after looking at the particulars, I was surprised to see just how unbalanced their relationship is in the first 2 books (TSS in particular), and how much Lucy sits under Lockwood’s thumb for the whole thing.

Let’s look:

THE SCREAMING STAIRCASE

The Hope House - Lockwood forgetting to bring the chains.

This is the argument that plays out most similarly to how it does in the books. Lockwood asserts that filings “will be fine” for a job like this. In both mediums Lucy lets him go, but in the show she rolls her eyes and tuts, while in the books she tells herself “now (isn’t) the time”, takes a deep breath and changes the subject. In my opinion, this difference is insignificant.

BUT: in the book, the chains get brought up again. On p39, Lockwood suggests they should leave the house because it’s too dangerous, it is Lucy disagrees and thinks they should stay (as an aside, compare this with Lockwood’s behaviour in the show, particularly when escaping Winkman at the auction!).

Lockwood “condescendingly” tells her that her head isn’t in the right place, and Lucy once again accuses him of making bad decisions by leaving the chains out. Lockwood in turn first blames George (as he does in the show), then goes on to blame Lucy!

How the argument resolves is also interesting. Lockwood smiles at Lucy, and ribs her:

‘How’s your anger management going, Luce?’ (p40).

This effectively defuses Lucy’s rage (she likens his smile to “the sun coming out”).

Only after she’s no longer at the peak of her anger does he admit fault:

“He clapped his gloved hands together briskly. ‘Alright, you win'” (about staying at the house). (p40).

Even in the very first pages, we see Lockwood comporting himself as Lucy’s superior. We get the sense he doesn’t take her anger very seriously. Lucy also doesn’t seem to be able to stay mad at him for long.

Now, I've seen readings of Lockwood smiling in this moment as him being simply unable to stay mad at Lucy. That's definitely one interpretation, but I personally don't agree with it. Lockwood has a patterned habit of using his smile to get out of trouble:

“Lockwood took a deep breath; perhaps he realized he had to explain himself to George and me, as well as to Barnes…(Explanation). He switched on his fullest, most radiant smile.

Barnes winced. ‘Put those teeth away’” (TSS, p426)

And:

“‘Papers that almost certainly don’t exist,’ I growled…I didn’t look at him; if I had, he would have given me the smile, and I wasn’t in the mood for that.” (TWS, p258)

Though as we can see, by TWS Lucy has definitely wised up haha

Lucy’s name in the article

On paper, this argument is similar to the one in the show. The major difference is at no point in the books does Lucy explicitly tell Lockwood to keep her name out of the papers.

In the show, this argument leads to one of its biggest disagreements (Ep 2):

Lucy: I told you to leave me out of it.

Lockwood: And I told you I'd handle it. What are you so worried about? It's all true.

Lucy: We haven't even solved the case yet. What if Hugo Blake sees that and comes after me?

Lockwood: Well, then, we'll look after you, Luce. You're our biggest asset.

Lucy: Asset? Is that all I am, then? Just something to make you money? You think that you do things so differently. But you're just like the rest of them. You're as bad as everyone back home.

In the books, Lucy does not get angry when the article comes out (p217). She only gets upset after she’s pulled in by DEPRAC to see Hugo Blake. When the argument erupts, George is also there and it plays out like this (p232):

Lucy: “Don’t touch me. Because of your article, I came face to face with a murderer tonight, and funnily enough, I didn’t enjoy the experience.” 

Lockwood: “Blake is not going to come after us”.

George: “Or if he does, it’ll be very, very slowly, hobbling on a stick. He’s over seventy years old.”

After Lockwood and George’s further justifications about why Blake is not going to “get them” (p232-233) Lucy thinks:

“What (Lockwood) said made sense, as usual. It was good to be out in the night again, with my sword and my colleagues at my side. The distress of my brief encounter at Scotland Yard was slowly fading. I felt a little better.”

We know from this that Lucy’s anger was one borne from worry and fear of Blake. By successfully alleviating that fear, Lucy’s anger at Lockwood dissipates. At no point is she mad at being treated as a showpony or asset by Lockwood. In fact, going back to when the article comes out (p 217), we’re presented with the following:

Lucy: “I still don’t know why you mentioned me but not the necklace.”

Lockwood: “It doesn’t hurt to emphasise what a star you are. We want other clients to come running, eager for your services.”

He doesn’t use the word “asset” here, but you can easily replace the word “star” with the word “asset" to get the original lines that triggered the argument in the show. To this statement, Book!Lucy has no reaction at all (the topic changes).

[As an aside, Lockwood also obliquely calls Lucy and George “inessential” on p214, which they also don’t comment on. Also, at various points he calls George and Lucy “fishwives” (p 272) and Lucy “sensitive” because she’s a girl (p 353) (lmaooo what an ass).]

Lockwood, Lucy and Annabel

I’m lumping these three arguments together because they follow the same pattern: Lucy tries to talk to Annabel, Lockwood gets upset that she keeps trying. What is absolutely fascinating is just how he treats Lucy when he is upset, and how Lucy responds to his anger in turn.

The first argument begins the morning after the fight. Lockwood says:

“Why, Lucy? I just don’t understand! You know an agent has to report any artefact she finds. Particularly one so intimately connected with a Visitor. They must be properly contained.” (p179)

He continues berating her like this (with a lot more anger than he ever displays on the show).

Lucy tries to apologise:

“Yes. I said I’m sorry! I’ve never done that sort of thing before.” (p180)

But Lockwood is still angry:

“So why did you do it now?”

Lucy spends the next page trying to explain why she took Annabel’s source, but even after her apologies and justifications, Lockwood is still furious:

“You forgot? That’s it? That’s your excuse?” (p 181)

The three of them talk a bit more about the mechanics of how Annabel ended up in the house, then when Lucy is in the middle of talking, Lockwood cuts her off again, and they have this whopper of an exchange:

“I hope you’re not trying to change the subject, Lucy,” Lockwood said in a cold voice. “I’m in the middle of ticking you off here.”

I set the case down. “I know.”

“I’m not finished, either. Not by a long chalk. I’ve got a whole heap more to say.” (Lockwood loses his train of thought here). “The point is: don’t do it again. I’m disappointed in you.”

Lucy meekly takes Lockwood’s lecture:

“I nodded. I stared at the tablecloth. My face felt cold and hot at the same time”

Lockwood’s one-sided lecture of Lucy lasts a whole five pages!!!

But he’s not done. It comes up again on p248 where Lockwood accuses Lucy of being 'too sensitive’ (in both the psychic and emotional way), and of getting “too close to (the ghosts)”. Then, in a 180 from the dynamics of power in the show (remember, Lucy threatens to quit several times), Lockwood threatens to fire her!

“You need to be careful, Lucy,” Lockwood said, and his voice was flat and cold. “Wicked ghosts aren’t things to trifle with. You’re keeping secrets again, and any agent who does that is endangering the rest of us. I’m not having anyone on my team who can’t be trusted. You understand what I’m saying?”

Again, Lucy takes this lecture meekly and submissively:

I did understand. I looked away.

In the final argument about the matter (p284) we learn that Lucy is actually a bit scared of Lockwood.

“You deliberately let her free?” Lockwood said. “That was a stupid thing to do.”

When I looked at his face, my heart quailed. “Not free,” I said desperately. “Just…freer.” (emphasis mine)

On p285 Lucy starts crying/tearing up because she thinks Lockwood:

 “...Would not forgive me…this was the end of my employment at the company”. 

Ordinarily, you might be able to argue that her fears are misplaced and subjective (because of her narrow perspective). This rings a little hollow given Lockwood’s threat on p248.

Does Lockwood ever apologise to Lucy during the Annabel affair? Once, when at his suggestion, Lucy tries to talk to Anabel, and things go awry:

“I’m so sorry. I should have never asked you to do that. What happened? Are you OK?” (p192)

It’s a sign that Lockwood does care about her wellbeing, despite his general distance from Lucy and the way he carries himself, which is as a figure of authority, and more importantly, as Lucy’s employer.

Seriously. We like to joke in this fandom that Lucy is too wrapped up in her own head thinking that Lockwood is out of her league to notice that he actually likes her. But reading the books again with detailed notes, I think Lucy’s impression is actually accurate.

In fact, writing this up sparked a memory of reading TSS for the first time (prior to the release of TWS), I remember thinking there wasn’t going to be a romance between Lucy and Lockwood. I couldn’t articulate it fully at the time, but I imagine it was because of how much older Lockwood seemed and how much control her asserts over her behaviour, combined with the way early book Lucy (to borrow Holly’s words from THB) “can’t say no” to Lockwood.

It is only by the end of TSS, does Lockwood finally say to her:

“I trust your Talent and your judgement and I’m very proud to have you on my team. OK? So stop worrying about the past!” (p436)

It’s still a tad condescending (think: praise from kindergarten teacher) but it’s a momentous occasion because as shown, prior to the Combe Carey Hall case, Lockwood seems to respect and trust her very little. This bookend leads nicely into their growing dynamic in TWS.

THE WHISPERING SKULL

Lucy, Lockwood and the skull in Bickerstaff’s manor:

By The Whispering Skull, Lucy and Lockwood’s relationship has evolved (which would make sense given the 6 months between books 1 and 2) and consequently the way they conflict has too. However, they still don’t ever reach the level of direct conflict they do in the show. Take what I consider to be Lucy’s biggest upset at Lockwood in the first 2 books:

On page 258, Lucy says:

 “Forget it! What happened to us treading carefully, Lockwood? I’ve a good mind to go back home!”

Lockwood begs her to reconsider. Lucy remains angry. She says:

“You’re taking me for granted. Me and this house.”

However, it should be noted that although she mentions Lockwood by name, she’s actually angry at both Lockwood and George (yup, he’s there too). She calls them “both mad” for expecting her to agree to their scheme. She then stalks away from them in a rage, leaving “the others” (not just Lockwood) to follow.

In short, her anger isn’t directed at any particular trait of Lockwood’s (such as recklessness or foolhardiness), but rather at having been duped by both George and him. Nevertheless, it shows that she’s become more comfortable at expressing her anger in general by this point.

Lockwood’s door on the landing

As in the show, after the skull tells Lucy about Lockwood’s door, she confronts him about it.

In the show, after Lucy brings it up, Lockwood responds by diverting the subject:

Lockwood: That is not just a nick. You need to get that looked at. Could be some toxins got into your blood.

Then:

Lockwood: You're not Marissa Fittes.

Lucy: Cause you can't handle being my Tom Rotwell? Second best?

(This response is OOFT and also VERY Show!Lucy imo)

Another difference: in the show, Lockwood clearly believes Lucy, but doesn’t want to admit that she might be talented, because he’s used to being the most powerful one.

In the books, Lockwood just flat-out doesn’t believe her:

Lockwood lowered his mug; he spoke flintily. “Yes, I know (the door). The one you can’t stop asking about.” (p116)

He also calls her a “prima donna” (lmao LOCKWOOD).

Here, again, Lucy responds a bit more huffily than she probably would have in TSS:

We stood there, glaring at each other. (p117)

Lucy defends George

I think this argument, from page 398, though minor, nicely summarises Lockwood’s general attitude in conflict.

“Lockwood, we’ve been so blind! He’s desperate to investigate it. He’s been obsessed with it all this time. And you just kept criticising him, slapping him down.”

Lockwood responds at first by doing what he typically does (justify, accuse):

“Yes of course I did! Because George is always like that!...It’s just how he is! We couldn’t possibly have known.”

But compared to the chains argument in TSS where he deflects until the end, moments later:

His shoulders slumped. “You really think he’s affected by the ghost?”

Perhaps it’s because of the imminent danger George is in, but this time he takes Lucy’s anger seriously. Unlike the chains argument from the beginning of TSS, he doesn’t put on airs or “give permission” to Lucy when he senses he’s in the wrong. This way, they work together to prepare to get George back.

PART 3: BOOKS: THOUGHTS

“Wait,” you say, “Doesn’t this just prove that the show is like the books? Sure, it might have skipped that weird employer/employee stage from TSS, but it at least follows their relationship in TWS well, right?”

To this I say, yes, but also no. We need to take into account the role the arguments play in both mediums.

In the books, since Lucy is a very personal narrator, the arguments are a good way of showing the Locklyle relationship unmarked by her own thoughts. Although Lucy is quite inaccurate at judging what people feel and think (see: Holly), she’s not the kind of unreliable narrator that makes up things people say or do.

In the show, since we don’t get to see Lucy’s internal monologue; the arguments are instead used to show how Lucy feels. To that end, I can understand why they made her more direct/in touch with her emotions during them – if she didn’t say anything, the audience probably wouldn’t know.

SO: to get a full picture of her relationship with Lockwood, we need to examine both her acts AND her internal feelings.

What does Lucy feel in the show?

In the show, although Lucy does like Lockwood, she hates (or at least is troubled by) the following: he’s reckless, he’s (over) confident, he’s arrogant and loves the spotlight. But her two primary issues with his character seem to be:

His death-seeking nature:

“What does any of it mean if we end up stabbed or dead at the bottom of the Thames with nobody left to care?“ / “To be honest, the bottom of the Thames used to be a far more appealing place to be.”(Ep 8)

His distance/mystery:

“You might be able to turn your feelings on and off like a tap, but I am drowning here, Lockwood.” (Ep 2)

“At the centre of you is just a…” “A what? A cold, dead heart of stone?” “Yeah, maybe. But who knows, though? 'Cause you don't actually show anyone.” (Ep 7)

Is this the case in the books?

Nope. Not at all. This is the absolute biggest difference between Show!Locklyle and Book!Locklyle.

Lucy has very little to say about Lockwood’s general recklessness because, well, she is reckless too (this is the case in the show as well – makes her look just a little bit like a hypocrite).

In regards to his death-seeking nature: Lucy doesn’t even pick up on it until the Skull of all people points it out, and that is definitely much further along than in TSS and TWS.

But why doesn’t she see these signs? It ties back to how Lucy feels about Lockwood’s distance/mystery in TSS and TWS which is, well: she loves it.

Show!Lucy can’t stand Lockwood hiding things from her and running off madly towards “any old mystery”, and that’s what makes her a good grounding force for Lockwood there. 

Book!Lucy fully drinks the Lockwood kool-aid and buys into his grand myth.

From the very outset, Lucy immediately likes Lockwood. Unlike Show!Lucy who compares him negatively with the people “back home”, Book!Lucy thinks:

“Lockwood, I already liked. He seemed a world away from the remote and treacherous Agent Jacobs; his zest and personal commitment were clear. Here was someone I felt I could follow, someone perhaps to trust.” (TSS, p 112)

We also get Lucy’s opinion of Lockwood “throwing himself” into missions the very first full day she joins:

“Vigorous and energetic, eager to throw himself into each new mystery; a boy who was clearly never happier than when walking into a haunted room, his hand resting lightly on his sword hilt…It already pleased me to think of walking into darkness with Lockwood at my side.” (TSS, p 127)

She starts buying the “Lockwood narrative” very quickly too. When Lockwood says:

‘This will be one of the three most successful agencies in London…And you can be a part of that, Lucy. I think you’re good, and I’m glad you’re here.’ (TSS 129)

Lucy thinks:

“You can bet my face was flushed right then – it was a special triple-combo of embarrassment at being found out, pleasure at his flattery and excitement at his spoken dreams.” (TSS 129)

We see her continued fall into Lockwood’s all-consuming orbit on the next page:

“For a moment, as he said this, it all made perfect sense…when he smiled like that it was hard not to agree with him.” (p 130)

Contrast this to the show, where instead she cooly responds, “Thank you,” then immediately asks: “How do I know you’re good enough for me?” (Ep 1)

Show!Lucy clearly isn’t buying it from the beginning, and continues to not buy it. We can see the difference after the Hope House case when Lucy is talking to George.

George: “Maybe if you'd been more interested before you went charging.”

Lucy: “That was Lockwood's decision. I've only just started. What am I supposed to say to him?” (Ep 2)

George: “You're meant to say no. You have to, or you'll make him worse.”

George is another character who works well to contextualise Lucy’s behaviour towards Lockwood. In the show, George sees Lucy as someone capable of reigning Lockwood in. Whereas in the books, he sees Lucy as equally at fault for being reckless.

“When is going to be the time? When you and Lockwood are both dead, maybe? When I open the door one night and see the two of you hovering beyond the iron line?...All you and Lockwood care about is going out and snuffing Sources, as quickly as you can! ” (TSS, p 139-140)

Rather than deflect blame onto Lockwood as she does in the show, she says:

“Because that’s what makes our money, George!...If you were less obsessed with it, we’d have done twice as many cases in the last few months…We waited all afternoon for you.” (TSS, p140)

The “makes our money” line sounds a lot like something that would come out of Lockwood’s mouth, and makes me wonder whether she’s parroting something he said at this stage. Conjecture aside, it shows the reader that Lucy is firmly on Lockwood’s side – as established, Lucy “never says no” to Lockwood, and everyone else knows it.

I suspect part of the reason this continues for so long is because Lockwood never is too approving of Lucy, which causes Lucy to scrabble for the rare moments of his approval.

“Moments before, he’d been promising to incinerate the locket. Now it was the key to all our troubles. Moments before, he’d been giving me a rollocking; now I was the apple of his eye. This was the way it was with Lockwood. His shifts were sometimes so sudden that they took your breath away, but his energy and enthusiasm were always impossible to resist.” (TSS, p 190)

“As usual, the full warmth of his approval made me feel a little flushed.“ (p TWS, 108)

Although by TWS Lucy is far more comfortable with Lockwood to his face, she can’t help but put him on a pedestal at the back of her mind, which marks the remaining difference between the show and the books.

“One full year after my arrival at the agency, the unrevealed details of my employer’s early life remained an important part of his mystery and fascination.” (TWS, p 40)

Even George calls her out on it:

“Oh, come on. You love all that mystery about him. Just like you love that pensive, far-off look he does sometimes.” (TWS, p 55)

Putting aside the “haha Lucy has an obvious crush on Lockwood” part, what’s interesting is that George specifically hones in on Lucy enjoying the “mystery” of Lockwood – although she does want to find out what’s behind the door, she also is drawn to, rather than repelled by (unlike Show!Lucy) the part of him that keeps things hidden. Her encounter with the Fetch in THB shows her precisely what is underneath that mysterious facade of Lockwood’s, and that (combined with Holly) is what, I think, finally scares her out of her idolatry.

As for Lockwood, we can only guess at his thoughts in the book, but we do know that he’s far less open than he is in the show. It is George who reveals to Lucy that Lockwood’s parents are probably dead (TSS, 114).

Lockwood only really brings up his parents (and quickly moves on to other matters) at the END of The Hollow Boy (p 391).

I think he makes a concerted effort to act as Lucy’s employer, to the extent that he hardly asks about or takes an interest in her personal life at all. Compare the line in the show where Lockwood says:

“Interesting outfit, Luce. Didn't have you down as a fan of unicorns. Or rainbows.”

To the book, where not only does Lockwood never comment on Lucy’s appearance, that line is a callback to a line said by George: 

“Ooh, Lucy – I’ve never seen you wearing that.” (TSS, p175)

In fact, I’d maybe even go so far to say that the show has snatched bits from George’s relationship with Lockwood and Lucy respectively and repurposed into Locklyle dynamics [see: George worrying about Lockwood’s recklessness, George upset at being treated as an asset (TWS, p107)].

This isn't to say that he doesn't care about them: he very clearly does and it is most clear in moments of crisis. But Lockwood is such a unique character, plus a known Stepford Smiler, and so "typical" signs of feelings of happiness (smiling at Lucy etc) shouldn't be taken at face value when trying to ascertain how he feels – and this is true until THB.

I don’t want people to think I’m cherry picking moments of tension between Lucy and Lockwood to make a point here. Once again, Lockwood does care about Lucy. When Lucy isn’t caught up in her Lockwood-filter, and when Lockwood isn’t preoccupied with his role as THE Anthony Lockwood, they share plenty of moments where they joke, laugh and generally act like teens, which the show captured just fine.

But those moments of cheeriness belie a narrative backbone that is very different. Lucy in the books is just 14 years old, and she’s looking for a (metaphorical!!!) “grown up” mentor after losing her father and being betrayed by Jacobs. Meanwhile, Lockwood is trying his best to shut the door on his childhood and act wiser than his years.

Thus when they meet, Lockwood just happens to be playing that authority figure Lucy thinks she needs (but we know she doesn’t!), and is only happy to oblige by continuing to play that role until slowly Lucy (and George) start breaking down his guard.

TLDR;

Show!Locklyle has a far more balanced dynamic than Book!Locklyle, which is objectively pretty “boss and employee”. Perhaps controversially, I don’t think Lockwood felt anything other than general workplace fondness/friendship for Lucy for most of TSS (at least until Combe Carey Hall).

Most importantly: Lucy in the show hates and is hurt by Lockwood’s secrecy, but Book!Lucy fawns over the very shadow consuming his soul – that is, until her rather rude awakening at the end of THB.

The ramifications of these changes have also spilled onto the characters. Lucy in the show comes off as more strong-minded, practical and confident, whereas book Lucy seems tougher, more of a tsundere (ye) and more love-starved. Lockwood in the show is the same attention-hungry “politician”, but more sincere, troubled and subdued. Whereas Lockwood in the books is crueller (remember that time he threatened to shut a kid in a coffin?), flashier, more competent and a huge brat (affectionate).

Which Locklyle is better is a matter of personal taste. In the show there’s arguably more dramatic tension, and the relationship is more tender/romantic and caring overall. But I think there’s something to be said for how unique Lucy and Lockwood’s dynamic is in the books, and the very carefully written unfurling that takes them to the end of TEG.

Either way, I hope I’ve convinced any readers of this giant word vomit that the show and book dynamics are two very separate beasts.

Agree? Disagree? Found it interesting? Hate my guts? Let me know what you think!!!

Till next time!

[twyllodrus]

dead boy detectives + ride the cyclone AU

like, say, the agency gets a new case in north-eastern saskatchewan, ppl report hearing music & singing once every year, at an abandoned warehouse of a theme park, on a specific day in september. with little digging, they find out there was an accident a while back involving a high school choir

for some reason the cyclone gang never moves on, so the agency arrives & so here are some headcanons for their interactions and agency's reactions to some of the songs:

the uranium suite, everyone's really creeped out/confused, except for niko who's vibing throughout the whole thing; at first the two groups don't realize they can see/speak to each other, but soon the cyclone kids find out that holy shit there are new people here hi hello heyy

everyone's excited about newcomers, ocean especially so, who quickly takes the initiative & so edwin defers to her as the group's leader (to noel's annoyance), and they attempt to work on solving the case together, it's all v civil. but then the talking part's over & the singing part of loop begins, so ocean performs what the world needs which does a total 180 on their encounter thus far & now everyone's high-key judging ocean; edwin gives a lecture on evils of social darwinism

noel's lament, noel right away clocks edwin as a repressed edwardian twink & sets out to put him in a coma with the whole monique routine. strangely the moment lipstick & lingerie come out it doesn't seem to faze edwin as much. but then noel also sees the way edwin sometimes looks at charles & so instead of mischa he pulls charles in for the kiss part, who cheerfully goes along with it, which nearly short-circuits edwin's brain (later on constance and niko get to gush together about two boys kissing). by the end of it everyone's dancing & being dramatic like they're the cast of cabaret on acid, except for edwin who's still digesting what's just happened

every story's got a lesson, everyone's still pissed at ocean, edwin incredulously wonders what was the lesson in being sacrificed to a demon & sent to hell at age 16

at first everyone's kinda cringing during this song is awesome, edwin is convinced this "autotune" is a modern tool used to commune with otherworldly entities, but eventually everyone gets into it; they all get sunglasses on, crystal gets edwin to wear a baseball cap backwards, everyone's having general fun

talia, charles is relived to learn that "the angriest boy in town", who could've been easily chalked up to being the toxic masculinity type dudebro, isn't like that at all (just mischa's whole monologue "i lay my masculinity at the altar of your maidenhood" gods). everyone gets to wear vyshyvankas & flower crowns. it's gorgeous

ricky potts unintentionally answers the age-old question of "is it actually possible to give a ghost an aneurysm?" the answer is yes, and space age bachelor man almost succeeds where the noel's lament failed. the moment horny cat people are in the mix, edwin is bombarded with cat king flashbacks and, later on, crystal "casually" mentions that they have met the actual cat king. ricky is super hype & asks lots of questions, giggling, twirling hair etc and also he totally called it that cats can talk but just choose not to

the ballad of jane doe, crystal hardcore relates to the dead decapitated girl, who doesn't know her own name or her past, or who her parents were and whom no one can identify too ("oh no soul, and no name, and no story, what a shame" like c'mon!)

jawbreaker/sugar cloud, everyone's gets a tad teary-eyed, but charles is openly weeping when constance lists all the random things in her life which she grew to appreciate only after the accident

in the end, they figure out the reason they couldn't move on is bc of virgil the rat who for some reason kept shutting karnak off prematurely, before the voting could begin. after figuring that out the voting proceeds as intended, but instead of one of them returning to the living world, they all get to move on. niko adopts virgil the rat

[convolutings]

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again:

I LOVE THAT CHENFORD ARE TOGETHER! Since they’ve started their relationship their communication is peak romance and I will expect it from every other ship. They just care about each other so much and ughhhh last night I died at how much they were willing to sacrifice for each other to finally be together out in the open. We finally got to see Lucy talk about them to another person without any barriers.

but…

their getting together and the way they approached their relationship still doesn’t make any sense and it makes it difficult to appreciate their relationship as it is now.

There was no indication that they were ready to approach real feelings. Ashley and Chris were completely misused and did not bring any development to Tim and Lucy as individuals or as a couple. There has not even been a discussion about how they almost cheated on their SOs with each other. Where did Tim’s morals and Lucy’s trauma from having been cheated on before go?

As I said previously, Lucy has always been a talker to understand her emotions and we never even saw her process the feelings she had towards Tim let alone talk about them. Yet somehow the one person she talks to is a 20-year-old who she’s basically fostering and who she only opened up to because she got caught?

And Tim had so much to work through re: the power dynamics and Lucy wanting to be U.C. before asking her out that it feels rushed for the power balance to have been resolved in one episode and for U.C. to have not been mentioned at all. And also he suddenly goes from being her boss and thinking about seriously being with someone else, not even really thinking about the two of them at all beyond weird feelings about kissing her to being ready to jump head first into this serious relationship?

Their characters did a complete 180° in order to be together as solidly (and wonderfully) as they are now.

It feels lazy from the writers. As if they just wanted people to stop asking when they were going to get them together.

We’ve thought it was slow and we were ready bc we’ve been shipping it since TO/Rookie days and it’s been 5 seasons. But time progresses differently in the show and it wasn’t even until that dynamic changed that they could even think about it and it’s less than a year since then and they were both with other people for more than half of that time and Lucy was grieving (not that we saw that properly).

How could they go from all that miscommunication in 5A and two kisses undercover to talking so clearly with each other in 5B. Am I wrong in thinking that just bc it’s the right person doesnt mean it’s easy to change behavior? It’s not as realistic or genuine as people are saying it is. At least not to me.

Where was the development for Tim being willing to GIVE UP HIS JOB for her? (when he gave up being a Sergeant he was at least still a TO which he loved) When did Lucy become so confident in them? Where was her realizing she didnt have to be afraid of commitment with him? Even in 5x08 she was nervous about that. Where did wanting to take things slow just two episodes prior go? They development wasn’t there yet for the steps they’ve taken.

[showtoonzfan]

Season 1 and Season 2 of Helluva feel like they were written by different people. Like the circus felt out of place since there was no indication Blitzo and Stolas knew each other and it feels like pandering for Stolitz to justify the ship through bad writing. Not to mention Stolas apparently can't remember his daughter exists since he spent more time oogling at Blitzo to the point Loona basically did all the work.

All the tension from Ozzie's is gone. Not to mention that line about Stolas giving up his 'smoking hot wife and family for a thrust' is hollow af considering Stella was an abusive bitch since she was born apparently. It's like Viv realized at the last second if she made Stolas cheat on Stella whilst having her be somewhat decent would cause the fan base to turn on him so she flipped the script to justify her favorite characters's actions by removing accountability.

It went from, everyone is at fault to everyone but Stolas is at fault and the 180 is weird as hell and clearly last minute.

Ironically they WERE written by two different people. S1E7 was written by Viv entirely, (her first episode in the season that was all hers) and then S2E1 was written by Viv too, but with Brandon and Adam on the “Story” department as well. Then, S2E2 was written by Adam entirely, with Viv and Brandon on the “story” department. Still….this is like…3 people, who hang out and have clearly been around each other in real life, not separated from what I can tell. So how the hell did this happen? There’s clearly no lack of communication skills going on, and yet each episode feels entirely different from what we’ve seen before. I don’t understand how this story managed to feel retconned and messed up if only 3-4 damn people are writing this show. Honestly they’re just not good writers, that’s the only explanation for me personally. It is just…honestly a sight to see that most of the shit and tension in the first season has been completely erased or ignored in the second one. Again, I pray to god Hazbin doesn’t end up like this.

[twomindsbrokenheart]

New Sensations || Closed RP @80s-pizza-party

In the weeks following Christmas, Cassidy's behavior did a complete 180 from what it had been before the holiday. Instead of sulking and lashing out, she was enthusiastic about everything and trying to be everywhere at once. She explored the whole Pizzaplex on foot, from the lobby to the sewers, even though she more or less knew the layout from her time as a digital spirit. She tried every attraction at least once. She tasted every food, from simple cheese pizza to Masa Moondrop Curry -- she even took a sip of Sodaroni, just to say she'd done it. (Predictably, it was gross. She didn't know how Fazbear Entertainment expected to sell that stuff.) And at every turn, she spent time with the other characters who inhabited her home, especially Gregory. They'd always been friends, but now the two of them were thick as thieves.

Eventually, Freddy noticed the two of them getting...well, if not restless, then at least rowdy. Cold weather, including a few sprinklings of snow, kept them inside most of the time, meaning that they often spent the entire day riling each other up while tearing through the halls. He certainly didn't blame them for acting like the kids they were, but he also felt that an outing might be in order, something that would let them have fun and also burn off some excess energy by doing something new.

His solution to the issue came when Vanessa arrived home from a shopping trip and mentioned some flyers she'd seen about the Gray Marketplace hosting a winter carnival. There was no inclimate weather on the internet, after all, so the collective of game characters and algorithms who ran the Gray Market were having an event, as they did from time to time. There would be carnival rides, games, fair food, a specialty marketplace...the works. While Vanessa was most interested in the specialty marketplace, Freddy thought that the kids would have a fantastic time. In fact, it might make a good outing for all of them.

He ended up messaging Sun about it -- nowadays, the two of them were often in casual communication about anything that might pertain to either of the game's two children, and Freddy wanted the expert's opinion before setting a date with everyone else. If there was one thing he knew for sure, though, it was that Cassidy would love gathering one more novel experience that allowed her to be a kid again.

[anndramarama]

I was taking a break from all things Ted Lasso but someone who hadn't seen the finale wanted to watch it with me, so I watched it again and I think I've executed an almost 180° turn with my feelings since the first time I watched that scene in Rebecca's kitchen.

I'm still relieved that nobody in that kitchen actually slept with anybody else,* and on the surface I do still find the scene funny but I have to say that some things I've seen posted including this recent post by @cherish--these--times made me unpack my discomfort, and it wasn't what I thought it was at first. I do remember thinking how nasty when that initial scene did turn out to be a fake-out, because of course they had to know that so many fans were rooting for Ted and Rebecca to get together in the end rom-com style, but I put those feelings away and just glided through the rest of the episode. And I do think that their relationship subverted a lot of tropes in a positive and very refreshing way because we do expect a female and male lead to get together, and those expectations are often very problematic. I would also still argue that Ted and Rebecca are platonic soulmates who will always be there for each other regardless of distance and I am more than content with that outcome. However.

The second time I watched the kitchen scene I couldn't help but think that it was a cruel, cruel thing to do to the TedBeccas, and nothing more than that.

I know others have said this but I think it could stand to be repeated: that scene was unnecessary, there was no narrative reason for it to be there and it's never mentioned again. Ever. Ted, Beard, and Jane were there because of a gas leak? Hmm. Help me out here, in the larger world of TV and fandom isn't "gas leak" code for narrative mistakes, sloppy or uncharacteristic writing, or just plain batshit insanity?

Community used this literally as an ongoing joke to explain away a season when a new team of writers took the show/characters in a strange narrative direction, and I think Sherlock used this as well at some point. And speaking of Sherlock, which was a show where some of the more adamant shippers made me decidedly uncomfortable, I can't help but recall how that show did occasionally engage with its fans through the narrative in a way that was, again, unnecessarily cruel and on the nose. ("You. Repel. Me." Oof.) I don't think I've seen a show go to great lengths to flick a group of its fans on the nose so pointedly since Sherlock, but this certainly happened in the opening scene of the Ted Lasso finale.

All this to say: just like in Sherlock back in the day, some of the hardcore shipping forTed Lasso did give me an ick, but that's fandom. And I would never see the fact that I don't get or even oppose a ship as a reason to be vicious, cruel or, if I was a writer or producer with the power to make narrative decisions, decide to serve up a shit sandwich followed by a shiv to the heart to some of my creation's most passionate and vocal fans. I know that some fans take it too far and I'm sure there were a great many assholes on Twitter last week, but even if they had decided not to have Ted and Rebecca get together as a means of defying fans' expectations the figurative violence was unnecessary.

* not counting Jane and Beard of course. But do we think they actually slept together?

[commanderbuffy]

KRIS Kris (I know I already screamed at you about this but I'm not done processing) not only was that maybe the worst time (for Jade) for Kit to have called Canyon Maze but also IMAGINE Jade is literally just beginning to think maybe she can go after what she wants maybe there is something else in Kit's eyes aside from her own delusion talking MAYBE THEY COULD BE MORE THAN JUST OBLIVIOUS SILLY GOOOSES!!

You don't even have to imagine cause you KNOW all of this already but dang my heart. Jade sweety oh no self preservation is about to kick in ten fold. If this is what happens when she lets herself be free and ignore the rules and actually try and be with Kit how she wants though with zero communication still it's gonna be a complete 180 she's gonna stick to the fake dating rules so strictly, she's gonna feel so guilty the HORROR on her face she's not going to touch Kit unless she absolutely has to. She just wants to show she cares because Kit loves those small acts of love and caring and Jade's going to feel so horrible and probably angry with herself 😭😭😭

AND THEY HAVE THE WILDWOOD MEETING and didn't one of your ask answers mention Jade fucking up or doing something bad or something I'm spiralling over here. It's Kris' world we're all just living in it hands down all the applause to you I- I still just don't have all the words I need to express what a rollercoaster this has been.

Anyway I'm fine I'm calm totally not over here going totally insane about this since last night or anything nope.

JAY!!!

Jade quite literally was thinking they were going to coast into being real girlfriends without even necessarily talking about it (which, come on silly goose). You're 10000% spot on that her instinct is going to be self-preservation. in every sense of the word. that heart that she was opening up? closed for business. BYE.

And the first time they'll see each other again after canyon maze is in the waiting room as they wait to attend their meeting with the producers.

Can confirm: Jade will fuck up in one way or another

ahh yes, your messages today have TOTALLY been calm.

[myrefersofficial]

Top 10 Effective Ways to Use WhatsApp for Business in 2022

WhatsApp is popular. With more than 1.5 billion monthly users scattered over 180 countries, it is undoubtedly the most popular messaging service worldwide. It makes sense that businesses are making every effort to reach this sizable user base. Since WhatsApp doesn’t offer adverts and has an end-to-end encrypted communications system, targeting would be very constrained. Furthermore, WhatsApp Business users must pay a fee to send messages unless customers get in touch with them first.

But today, clever companies are using WhatsApp to connect with customers novelly, demonstrating the app’s value for marketing campaigns, one-on-one conversations, and customer support. Let’s explore the opportunities given by WhatsApp for Business. 

What Do You Understand About WhatsApp For Business?

With the small business owner in mind, WhatsApp for Business is a free app that one can download on Android and iPhone. WhatsApp Business offers capabilities to automate, sort, and swiftly respond to messages, which makes communicating with customers simple. 

Additionally, it’s designed to function and feel exactly like WhatsApp Messenger. Everything you’re used to doing, like messaging and sharing images, can be done with it. And its extraordinary features make it better than the normal messenger. 

What Makes Whatsapp Business Crucial?

WhatsApp has millions of users, making it difficult to ignore the service. WhatsApp will have 2 billion users in 2020, up from 1.5 billion in 2017. It is a remarkable accomplishment considering that by 2020, it will likely surpass Facebook’s user base of 2.7 billion.

Approximately 65 billion messages are sent daily on WhatsApp, or about 750,000 messages every second. Compared to traditional methods of communicating with clients via email, a significant portion of messages sent via WhatsApp is delivered and seen within minutes. 

In addition to the large user base, engagement is important. WhatsApp Business messages are viewed 98% of the time. Currently, WhatsApp for Business has approximately 5 million members, and more users are listed with an API account. 

Reasons For A Company Selecting A WhatsApp Business Account

As was already mentioned, there are two different kinds of WhatsApp Business accounts. Each has a unique set of advantages. Making sure small businesses thrive is the goal of the Business App account. A firm must choose a WhatsApp Business App account for various reasons. 

It supports WhatsApp payment and catalog,

It includes broadcasting to 256 contacts, and any content is allowed,

Business WhatsApp has no time restrictions on texting, allowing businesses to contact any contact at any time, and 

It offers an easy implementation process because one must buy a new SIM card and download the app.

Also Read: Don’t Know Where to Get Started With Online Business? This One’s For You!

Top 10 Effective Ways To Use WhatsApp for Business For Business Growth In 2022

1. Create A Business Profile

Installing the WhatsApp Business App on your smartphone is the first step in using WhatsApp to grow your business. Create your business profile and provide all relevant information, including your company’s name, address, website link, category, and small business description.

Visitors will see all of the information about your company when they view your profile. It makes it simple for potential customers to contact or engage with you to convert. Also, it will not require any website or other place to give your company details. 

2. Effectively Create Broadcasts & Groups

It might be helpful to create broadcasts and groups depending on criteria like interests, gender, etc. For instance, if you run an online clothing company, you might have broadcast lists for men and women. It is a time-saving method that enables contacting many clients simultaneously. 

The audience may find it appealing to use it to distribute product links according to the group. It also makes your work faster and easier. Hence, you can devote more time to promoting your products on the spot. 

3. Includes An Online Store

Utilizing WhatsApp is quite simple. Making it easier for customers to contact you via WhatsApp for questions or to share products with friends and family directly from your business can enhance the customer experience and increase traffic.

Visitors can be encouraged to WhatsApp things to their loved ones. As opposed to businesses, people are more likely to trust their friends and relatives. Utilize solutions like the Magento 2 WhatsApp Share extension to let customers quickly share products on WhatsApp!

4. Customer Service

The availability of a WhatsApp contact option for the store owner encourages client interaction. It allows the business owner to persuade customers to make purchases and promptly address their concerns on a user-friendly platform. 

To aid customers in making purchases, you can build a WhatsApp chatbot for your website. You can use a Magento 2 WhatsApp Chat extension that lets clients contact you directly if you are a business owner using Magento 2.

5. Try Attractive Giveaways

Increase consumer involvement by providing something free with a transaction. Your business can grow significantly by sending a giveaway message or publishing a story status. Companies also use WhatsApp Stories for marketing purposes.

Recall the Target-specific groups and Broadcast List from prior discussions. You can host giveaways about your goods or services and generate a tonne of contact with your current and potential consumers. 

6. Create Useful Content

A faithful consumer base can be facilitated by producing valuable, instructional, and informational content. WhatsApp may be a place to promote any relevant content and benefit your clients! Additionally, spread the word about the content to all e-commerce store owners! 

The increased use of WhatsApp and its incredibly simple user interface contribute to the increased consumption of content on WhatsApp. You can share any informative or recreational content to grab your users’ attention. 

7. Showcase Your Product On Stories

From 15 to 60 years old, practically everyone uses WhatsApp these days. WhatsApp stories are useful for showing off product demos. Additionally, creating a YouTube movie and sharing a link to it might be a better choice for providing a thorough demonstration.

8. Send A Welcome Message 

It is always excellent to provide a cordial welcome to customers. When a user sends you a message for the first time or after 14 days of inactivity, WhatsApp offers a function that sends a welcome message. It will keep your users feeling connected. 

9. Coupon Codes To Share

Share any news of new discounts based on coupon codes with all of your WhatsApp business connections. Customers are constantly interested in discounts, and when they learn about coupon codes, offers, and reductions, their purchase likelihood increases significantly.

10. Individual Touch

With WhatsApp, creating a relationship with clients is simple but effective. Small businesses should talk with clients about their needs and how their products might bring value. Use WhatsApp to establish long-lasting relationships with customers instead of phone calls.

Conclusion

The market has expanded thanks to WhatsApp. Thus, using it for business makes perfect sense. Depending on the app type, Businesses must now use WhatsApp to reach their clients in the countries where it is widely used. Use these strategies to expand your business quickly. 

It is a smart business move if you’re using WhatsApp as your platform. It would entice the users to try your goods or services at least once. It is a really wise course of action to follow. What do you think of these WhatsApp business advice tips? Please provide your feedback.

To Know More, https://myrefers.com/2022/11/08/whatsapp-business-messages-effective-ways-to-use/

[simplysims2]

180 Main Street, 190 Main Street, 60 Middle Lane and 70 Middle Lane, A.K.A. The Second set of converted condo apartments!

As with the original condos, I expanded the lot of 190 Main Street, modified it, rebuilt and modified 60 and 70 Middle Lane, added an adult orientated community area, and realised I had enough room for a small condo, so created 180 Main Street from scratch in the same style.

Rather than having blueprints to work off, as this was spur of the moment, I took screenshots of the two condos (seen above) I needed to first rebuild before modifying them, and then experimented with each of them until I was happy with the results.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the thinking is that these condos are owned by the same Landlord as the other condos, and I plan to build a community lot between the two lots, connecting the paths that lead off the lots to it so that it looks cohesive. I'm not sure what the community lot will be yet.

This post features closeups of 60 Middle Lane, the condo with the most spacious living room. A two bedroom, three bathroom home, that features a private balcony for the master bedroom, 2 or even three sims could comfortably live in this stylish condo.

[hissytapes]

Why 'Grabbing Hands' Vote Trump

I've been forever trying to get inside the MAGA- and/or Country Club GOP-mind when it comes voting for #Trump against all rational reason and self-interest. Well, moment of clarity, it begins and ends with greed (plus a dose of spite when they double-down after realizing cruelty is the real point).

Turns out, the No. 5 slot on the list of Seven Deadly Sins is ground-zero for most of the immoral, unethical and criminal behavior throughout human history. Just ask your angry-uncle Bible-thumper.

Greed is what enables MAGAs and so-called "moderate Republicans" to turn on their own family and friends, agree to take away the liberties and freedoms of others, endorse abuse of and violence against immigrants (legal or illegal), agree to imprison and/or execute fellow citizens for not aligning with Trump's fascist-dictatorship, and then ultimately give up their own freedoms and personal liberties because dictators always turn on those who put them in power — always.

(And yes, authoritarianism is what we're ultimately voting for — or against — in 2024.)

For these folks, money is their God and consumerism is their life. Whether the working-poor or gated-community dweller, their only mission is obtaining wealth at all costs. It's not about survival or paying the bills; they believe they are entitled to the riches of the world simply because they are white (and mostly male). Minimal work — maximum payout. (What they used to call "easy living.")

And what windfall does it take for someone to turn on their fellow citizens and subsequently give up their own freedoms? Surprisingly, just pennies. I'll never understand someone who’ll liquidate their soul for the goal of fattening their wallet.

But not only is greed a deadly sin, it also makes its practitioners consummate suckers and easy marks. The grabbing hands grab all they can — until someone grabs it from them.

This all reminds me of Trading Places: Randolph and Mortimer Duke socially engineer the downfall of Louis Winthorpe III and then the upward mobility of Billy Ray Valentine — all for a bet of one dollar … These $1-bets are Trump voters.

And I haven't even mentioned Project 2025 yet — the Heritage Foundation's guide for Trump's potential second-term of greed and grift. This 920-page "mandate" reads like Hitler's obsessive-compulsive playbook for 1930s-Germany.

I get the feeling most Trump voters don't even realize what they're signing up for, much less taken the time to read this step-by-step plan on how to convert our democracy to a fascist-theocracy. Nor do they seem to care as long they think it benefits them now (it doesn't and won't). Ignorance is piss.

(And why is it up to us libtards to bring this to their attention?)

If you're voting Trump, I challenge you to ask yourself … Why? Do you really understand the implications of Trump's plan to destroy our democracy?

Are you comfortable inflicting pain on loved ones and family? If so … Why? Are you cool with your family, neighbors and co-workers who don’t support Trump being imprisoned indefinitely and/or executed?

Are you OK with giving up your personal liberties just for a few extra pennies you don't need — nor will ever receive? Are you good with brutal violence just so your party "wins?" And last but certainly not least, do you want to be told what God to pray to by the government?

Don't believe me? Or think these prompts are hyperbole or subterfuge? Fine. Just download Project 2025's Mandate for Leadership. Then open to any random section and read for five minutes.

From the hiring of all positions within the federal government based on individual loyalty to Trump, "punishing" opposing officials at all levels of government and consolidating power to the executive branch alone — it's all there in disturbing detail, typeset in 10.5 pt. Chronicle Text.

But a final query. If you answered "yes" to any or all of those questions:

Why?

[transition-with-the-torah]

Title: Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life -- in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There)

Author: Sarah Hurwitz

Format / Cost: Ebook (free via Libby). As far as I'm aware, the 2019 version is the only edition available.

I've seen this book go around in some 'for conversion' tags/reblogs for a few years now; as far as I've heard, it's written by a lapsed born-Jew who rediscovered Judaism as an adult, so it's less about the nuts and bolts of conversion and more about life questions (and how Judaism tries to answer them). There are two parts. Part One covers chapters one through four, and Part Two covers five through nine. There's also an introduction and conclusion looking at "Why Bother With Judaism?" (Some quotes and notes about each chapter are below the read-more.)

Overall, I appreciated being able to peek into someone else's perspective. There's just enough basic explanation that Sarah Hurwitz didn't seem to have impenetrable jargon, yet I can't fault her for noting when she wasn't presenting absolutely everything (such as not covering every holiday in Ch 8). Personally, I like that type of warning because a certain part of my brain stops wondering why the author skipped a holiday or, more generally, trying to fill in gaps. It's possible that some people will connect with her opinions and experiences more than others – all of the bones to pick about God and liturgical language, the angels of Shabbat are creepy, her first reaction to seeing someone put on tefillin at the meditation retreat was to think it was silly that people were taking a metaphor literally, finding so many things boring. I'm aware that she had to start somewhere with the whole premise of re-examining Judaism and starting out bored isn't too unexpected, but there were a few places where it also felt like I – by not being bored, for example – was being a bit cringe. It's not like she bashed a hypothetical group of readers or anything, but I think at least part of the reason why I appreciated her perspective is that there were some 'if you're nodding along, check out X' moments (and the corollary, 'if I'm not nodding along, I may want to check out Z' self-realisation).

(This has been tagged as #reviews for personal organization on my blog and may not be considered a complete or satisfying review by others.)

Intro

The term "Jews by choice" is often used to refer to those who convert to Judaism. But these days, all American Jews are Jews by choice -- and many of us are choosing to opt out.

On the one hand, I can understand how this is working to segue from the author's personal experience with drifting away from Reform Judaism after her bat mitzvah to the statistics on Jews affiliating with a different movement as adults (mostly becoming less observant), but on the other hand, I definitely feel like I'm side-eyeing this. I'm going to have to pay $180 to the community mikvah as part of conversion, to say nothing of other costs, classes, and efforts to actually join the Jewish People. It just feels a little too much like writing all that off if 'all American Jews are Jews by choice' here, but I will admit that this might just be a personal thing.

Yet, even some of the most disaffected Jews will admit that something inside them feels unsettled. Even if they won't go anywhere near a synagogue, it still doesn't feel quite right to attend their partners' churches on Easter or have Christmas trees in their living rooms. And even if Judaism as they know it leaves them cold, there is something about it -- albeit faint and inexplicable -- that still tugs at them. There is a Yiddish phrase for this: "dos pintele yid," which literally means "that little point of a Jew" and refers to that spark of Jewishness in each of us that we can't quite manage to ignore, no matter how hard we try.

^ I just find the above to be a lovely image considering how often I've run into mentions of sparks (possibly due to Kabbalistic allusions in some Jewish resources or explanations).

I certainly don't want to downplay how important growing up within your community's religion can be, but I can understand where the author's coming from on how some of the deeper questions or more fulfilling answers might be easier to find and understand as an adult.

Ch 1 covers the Torah.

This text, I realized, is not meant to be read for the plot, it's meant to be interpreted for meaning.

While I have no doubt that this seems like a simple realisation for some, I do appreciate addressing the 'you need to read this as a literal, factual account' haunting of certain Xtian approaches to the text.

This belief that every single one of us is created in the image of God has been cited as the defining Jewish idea […] Drawing on an ancient Jewish teaching, Rabbi Yitz Greenberg argues that this idea is shorthand for three fundamental truths, which he deems the "three inalienable dignities": 1. We are each of infinite worth—no one is expendable, and we cannot quantify the value of any human life. 2. We are all fundamentally equal—no human being is any more important than any other human being. 3. We are each totally unique—there is no one else like us, and no one is interchangeable with anybody else.

I can understand how this is important from a historical perspective, but I also must admit that this quote jumps out because of how I've seen people react to an Air Force member killing himself publicly via setting himself on fire [current events, as of 6 March 2024]. He claimed that it was for Palestine, but really, I've mostly run into people being surprisingly pro-suicide and praising him. So indulge me in repeating for emphasis: no one is expendable, no human being is any more important than any other human being [no one is lesser than], and no one is interchangeable with anybody else.

God does not want people to be God's servants. Instead, God asks them to be God's partners. That's what God was doing at Mount Sinai: God was presenting the Israelites with a covenant—a mutual agreement between two parties under which each agrees to perform certain actions in exchange for something of value from the other.

There is another section addressing 'Jews being The Chosen', but I feel like this quote also counters the image of a People/Nation being randomly plucked from all the kingdoms of the time in some sort of Divine Lottery. I don't find myself struggling nearly as much with this covenant and 'Chosen' angle because, as far as I'm aware, that's actually not entirely unique to the Israelites. (My impression of ancient polytheistic societies is that they often had something similar with deities choosing them over their neighbours and having 'I do X, Deity does Y' agreements, and there have been times when I've wondered if people wouldn't be half as weird about Jews still using chosen language in their religious texts if we hadn't had over a millennium of reduced polytheistic interactions.)

A better name for us would be "the choosing people"—the people who chose to accept a particular covenant with the Divine, and who must continue choosing, in each new generation, to honor it.

Ch 2 covers interpretation.

We did not stick the Torah behind glass in a museum simply to be admired from afar. Instead, from the moment the Torah was canonized, we were already arguing about what it meant. And since then, we have interpreted and reinterpreted it, continually breathing new life into it—and allowing it to breathe new life into us—in each new era.

Due to covering some basic history in the first chapter, this chapter continues on, so there isn't too large of a jump from before the First Temple to the current day. In the course of that, there's a brief explanation of how different movements came to be and how there isn't one traditional form of Judaism per se.

This is something I love about Judaism: When Temples fall, we don't just stand around trying to make sacrifices at the ruins. We retranslate our tradition to create something more enduring.

Ch 3 covers God (aptly summed up in the title – Free God from "His" Human-Shaped Cage in the Sky).

Personally, I just didn't really click with the author's personal experience in this regard – "To be honest, I felt like I was too smart to believe in God—like God is fine for other people, who need that sort of thing to comfort themselves in times of distress, or to incentivize them to behave morally. But not me. I was above that." (Yes, the point is that this is where she started, and there's this whole thing with connecting to Something during meditation, but to me, it felt too close to edgy atheists claiming that anyone who believes in some sort of theistic thing is stupid.)

She offers options for approaching God as:

1) God as all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good (more or less) [there's certainly not one unified approach in this broad category, but this is where the author touches on God being seen as "loving and compassionate" in contrast to Xtian influenced ideas of God only being that way in the New Testament];

2) God as radically transcendent [so far removed from us and our physical existence that we can't really know God, though we can emulate attributes];

3) God as everything ["you, me, skyscrapers, grass—it's all God"];

4) God as an actualizing force ["a psychologist might call this 'self-actualization,' what happens when we cultivate our talents, strengths, and passions to become the truest, best version of ourselves"];

5) God as found in relationship ["We connect with God by connecting deeply to others—and not just humans, but animals and things in nature as well"];

6) God in search of man [quoting Heschel there; this God knows us as individuals and "reaches back, yearning for our partnership in the work of improving the world"];

7) God as all-good but not all-powerful [see also: "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" by Rabbi Harold Kushner];

8) God as found in the predicates of God [predicates are attributes like justice and mercy, so we can "express Godliness" by expressing these attributes to each other]; and

9) God as in process [God adapts to our decisions when offered a choice "so God changes and evolves as we do"].

Ch 4 covers action (since doing is much more relevant than belief in a specific idea of God).

Today, outside of traditionally observant circles, you'll be hard-pressed to find many Jews who believe literally in the concept of the Messiah. [...] Instead, many Jews now understand messianism metaphorically to mean that if we succeed in righting the world's wrongs—ending things like poverty, violence, and discrimination—then we can usher in a messianic era, a new, better time for humanity. All three of these concepts—covenantal partnership with God, tikkun olam, and messianism—emphasize that Jewish worship isn't just about contemplation or petition, it's about action.

There's an explanation of mitzvot, though I'm skipping over the "this may all seem primitive and weird" bit where, to me, it seems like the author is apologizing for the reader's assumed negative reaction to the reveal that Judaism involves following some amount of the mitzvot. (At least, the ethical ones of whatever isn't Temple or Israel based, since this is from an American Reform perspective.)

When I do a mitzvah like digging into my wallet to help someone in need or refraining from passing on a juicy piece of gossip about a colleague, Judaism sees that as a spiritual moment, one in which I'm bringing myself closer to the Divine and bringing the Divine down to earth.

Ch 5 covers some moral examples of mitzvot.

This isn't the big, obvious stuff like not killing someone else, but it's the relatively smaller stuff that adds up to: "Having now learned a little bit about Jewish ethics, I stand by my original belief that I don't need Judaism to teach me how to be a good person, or at least a good enough person. But I've come to realize that I do need it if I ever want to become a great person."

First, there's being mindful of speech and not shaming others, including not spreading gossip [lashon hara]. Then there's deceiving people via pretending to be generous with an example of sending a party invite to an annoying coworker only because you know they'll be unable to attend [g'neivat da'at]. There's an overview of a process to build desired character traits [middot] called Mussar, and two broad ethical categories for mitzvot – self-restraint or self-transcendence (thinking of others).

Self-restraint isn't about asceticism, like a monk or nun giving up all worldly desires, but it is about properly channeling "base, animalistic impulses" into something constructive that may involve some limits on the base desire. Self-transcendence is the "ethic of non-indifference" which Rabbi Donniel Hartman defines as the obligation "to see the seeds of others and to implicate oneself as part of the solution." The specific examples of this are tzedakah and ḥesed. Some mitzvot will overlap in self-restraint and self-transcendence with a specific example of animal welfare – there are rules about minimizing pain, but we can still use oxen to plow a field or kill animals to eat [with an asterisk for kashrut—not every creature is considered kosher, there are butchering rules, etc.].

Ch 6 covers spiritual practice.

This covers several areas of connection since the author starts out at a place of: "So I would show up for services twice a year, at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and while these holidays are supposed to be [...] powerful moments of self-reflection during which we come face-to-face with our own mortality and perform an unflinching examination of our souls—I was mainly bored."

On the one hand, I don't want to seem like pulling out this quote is judgmental when explaining the siddur and trying to connect to Hebrew are topics that conversion classes also cover, but on the other hand, I have this self-conscious disconnect from being bored in twice-a-year services. (I'm much more likely to be bored by meditation and unscripted personal prayer while scripted communal prayer at least provides guardrails for what to say and when.)

Areas of connection: Unscripted personal prayer, which can included hitbodedut (go where you won't be heard, though somewhere outside would be ideal, and speak out loud to God) [covered in more detail in the author's meditation retreat in Ch 1]. Scripted communal prayer, which the author doesn't often vibe with [see advice quote below]. Blessings, which are not limited to those included in the siddur such as witnessing the beauty of the natural world. Meditation, which the author vibes with more [this specifically talks about mindfulness meditation and Jewish meditation retreats]. Study, which can include a ḥavruta partnership [at least two students analyze and discuss text together].

First, you cannot read the siddur literally like a textbook designed to relay facts to you. [...] The siddur is also not meant to be read literally, but more like a poem. Some of the conceptions of God in the siddur—as a father, king, ruler of the universe—simply don't resonate for many of us anymore. So my second piece of advice is to avoid getting hung up on the concepts of God the liturgy suggests, and instead focus on the experience of God it evokes and the human experience it reflects. [...] it's not always feasible to real-time interpret and absorb the stream of verbiage to which one is subjected at many Jewish prayer services. [...] if you're particularly struck by a word, phrase, or line from a prayer, then just stay with it for a while. Turn it over in your mind, see how it feels when you hold it in your heart. [...] Prayer works best when it really goes through you. But for that to happen, you have to open yourself up to it. And that is my final piece of advice: to bring some vulnerability to your communal prayer experience.

I also want to pull out a quote from Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk because of the imagery involved:

He asks why the Shema prayer states that God's commandments to us should be "on your heart" rather than "in your heart." His answer: Often, our hearts simply aren't open, but if we place these words on our hearts, then the moment our hearts do open, the words can fall in.

Ch 7 covers Shabbat.

Some measure of observing Shabbat can: "help us stop being such control freaks and just let go for a change" since sunset determines start/end of Shabbat; "help us fight consumerism, materialism, and workaholism" by not being available to social media messaging or employer/employee demands 24/7; "be a mini-holiday that injects joy into our lives each week" even if the joy is more like comfort from being around friends and family in a non-joyous time; "can help us connect to ourselves" by silencing outside noise and distractions (in a way that sounds similar to earlier mentions of meditation); "help us connect with others"; and "offers a vision of the world as it should be, inspiring us to improve the world as it is" since everyone – as equals – rests on Shabbat, metaphorically doesn't light fires by not feeding anger and discord between each other, and tries to be in harmony with nature.

Personally the 'harmony with nature' bit seemed like a comment that I wanted to see some expansion on because it just sounds like general rest from work/electronic devices is the "cease from exploiting the earth's resources for our gain" which isn't necessarily true. How many Jews use lights, drive, and otherwise use electronics on Shabbat, you know? I'm not saying we needed a ton of pages on how environmentalism intersects with Judaism, but immediately going to resting as if all our work is finished doesn't seem to complete this thought.

Ch 8 covers holidays with a note that basic, how-to books will cover the actual details and all of the holidays. This more covers two chunks of holidays for thematic relevance.

Passover and Shavuot work together to tell Jews who they are: "Passover is about reinforcing part one of the logic (knowing how it feels to be a stranger) by ensuring we retain that visceral, bodily sense of being vulnerable. Shavuot is about part two (feeling obligated to care for strangers today), reminding us that our experience of oppression in Egypt is the lens through which we must see the world, and that the laws dictated at Mount Sinai are our instructions for how to act on what we see."

The other chunk of holidays is the season around the Days of Awe, which actually starts back on Tish B'Av and covers the reflection in the month of Elul as well as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Unsurprisingly, the author's not into some of the liturgical choices around Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – God is anthropomorphized as a King and "He" will reward or punish us. However, she does go through some interpretive examples from Ch 6 and offer up ways to not disconnect from ancient liturgical language even if you're more towards that agnostic-slash-atheist camp of God. For example, the list of ways to die if we're inscribed in the book of death aren't actual things we can individually control (as paraphrased as the medieval equivalent of drunk driving), and it's more a way of "describing the unavoidable reality that our fate is not entirely in our hands" than a literal threat of punishment from God.

Yom Kippur is Judaism's way of telling us: Do not wait for a nosediving airplane or your final days in hospice to take your life seriously. Have a near-death experience at least once a year (ideally much more frequently [endnote asterisk]) during which your life passes before your eyes, and you ask yourself, "Is this the life I want to have lived? If my life ended five minutes from now, what would I wish I had done differently?"

This is relying on a comparison of Yom Kippur to a near-death experience, so the endnote asterisk is actually about teshuvah: "One of the Rabbis in the Talmud urges people to do teshuvah one day before their death. But since none of us knows when we're going to die, this means we should do teshuvah every day, just to be safe." (Personally, I keep going back and forth from being ambivalent to feeling like a killjoy about the premise of this comparison, but as mentioned earlier, there's been a little more suicide praise happening than I like lately.)

But in addition to its temporal proximity to the Days of Awe, Sukkot seems to have a spiritual proximity to these holidays. We have just spent Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur acknowledging that we're all going to die and have little control over how and when that happens. On Sukkot, we ask ourselves: If this is true—if we're just fragile, mortal beings hurtling to our deaths—how are we supposed to live? [...] On Sukkot, we acknowledge that we all wander the earth in rickety booths, exposed to the elements, and the key to living a good life is finding peace, joy, and gratitude along the way.

Ch 9 covers life cycle rituals (though the author notes that she will mostly be focusing on death rituals due to lack of personal experience with others).

The secular world is not great at helping us cope with big life transitions like getting married, starting a family, or losing someone we love. Instead of supporting and comforting us, it often does the opposite, scaring the living daylights out of us and then selling us products it claims will alleviate our fears. [...] Jewish life cycle rituals, on the other hand, are not consumer experiences—at least they're not supposed to be.

The author touches briefly on most of the commonly discussed life cycle moments, but as someone who is also unmarried and not raising children, I don't particularly mind that she's not trying to cover everything. (There are whole books about weddings, pregnancy and parenting, and other resources for b'nei mitzvah planning.) So, this chapter mostly focuses on death and the afterlife. A shomer (pl. shomrim) guards the body until it can be buried, and the ḥevra kadisha [or chevra kadisha] washes the body and dresses it. This isn't intended to go into great detail (for example, I've encountered discussion of how to include trans and nonbinary Jews in the traditionally single gender groups), but it does clearly focus on how the ḥevra kadisha is supposed to be respectful.

There's a bit about the funeral itself (unembalmed burial is traditional), kriah (ripping some sort of cloth/clothing), sitting shiva (7 days after burial), shloshim (30 days after shiva), and explaining the Mourner's Kaddish. Those mourning the loss of a parent say the Mourner's Kaddish for 11 months instead of just 30 days after shiva, and there's a subsection for 'the rest of our lives' for mending the kriah [historically more important due to how hard replacing torn clothing was], yizkor services (Passover, Shavuot, Shemini Atzeret, and Yom Kippur), and yahrzeit rituals, such as lighting a 24 hour candle on the anniversary of your loved one's death. There's also a bit about placing a small stone or pebble in a cemetery visit instead of flowers.

The next part touches on the afterlife and how Judaism doesn't strictly speaking have one unifying idea about what happens. There's so much focus on living and what happens during your life that there's room for afterlife options:

1) There's no afterlife and there's not really a soul, which can be supported by the Torah - "Unlike a 'soul,' which gives a person their unique personality and consciousness, this Divine spark/breath is entirely impersonal. It is a generic life-giving energy—and when it leaves your body, you die."

2) Inspired by Greek persecution and probably Greek philosophy about souls, the Talmud introduces a soul that lives on after one's physical body dies (and the possibility of bodily resurrection). Your soul can go straight to Gan Eden or it can get purified in Gehenna for up to 12 months before heading to Gan Eden, and then you can wait for the whole Messiah/World to Come part.

3) Kabbalists in the 12th century tended more towards reincarnation, but some of the specifics of the various reincarnation options probably don't make sense outside of an understanding of Kabbalah.

4) In more modern times, the idea of living on from memories and good deeds that your living relatives do in your name may or may not be related to one's soul continuing after death. (The possibility of bodily resurrection came to be viewed as superstitious starting in the 19th century, but not everyone abandoned the general idea of a soul immediately.)

Quite frankly, this is one of those areas where you can ask N people and you'll get N+1 answers. Since certain prayers came to be used during the centuries of the Talmud being created, some people aren't – or at least I wasn't – nearly as surprised as this author was when she found out about Gehenna. I think my first encounter with the idea was someone explaining how it wasn't the same as Xtian Hell. (I think the comparison was to a soul washing machine with a finite 'end of the wash cycle' instead of an eternity of torturous punishment.)

The conclusion presents Rabbi Benay Lappe's 'crash theory' about adapting to changes and covers some crashes in Judaism. The transition from a Temple focused, priest important, and animal sacrifice based religion to Rabbinic Judaism was one big crash, but there have also been others – European Enlightenment (and the possibility of assimilation), the Holocaust, the modern nation-state of Israel (and the complexities and critiques of a nation-state existing over the decades), interfaith marriages, and adapting one's community to be welcoming to everyone (colorism/racism, singlism, and I would add on queerphobia, transphobia, and ableism among other areas).

There's some general advice about exploring Judaism like bringing a certain amount of openness and curiosity to this, persevering after one unpleasant experience (you wouldn't write off all Italian food if you didn't like one dish at a new Italian restaurant), finding a teacher instead of struggling alone, moving through emotional obstacles preventing you from asking for help or clarification, remembering that there's no one true Judaism to follow, and not restricting yourself to an arbitrary time period to figure this all out. This can be a lifelong process, and you're not behind everyone else. (The teacher note includes taking some sort of Judaism 101 class, if available, but you could also have non-literal teachers via workshops, retreats, synagogue buddies, etc.)

There's also an appendix of resources for getting started (with Sarah Hurwitz's commentary still included).

[...] I'd recommend starting with some of the items in the "Introductory Materials" section to give you a broad web of context. Once you have a handle on the basics, you'll be prepared to dive more deeply into whichever topic(s) most intrigue you. Introductory Materials Classes: Introduction to Judaism classes are often offered at synagogues and Jewish Community Centers, and taking one is a great way to find your first teacher and connect with others who are exploring Judaism. I also found the following books and websites to be helpful when I was just starting to learn: The "What" of Judaism ~ Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People, and Its History: This 750-page book is broken up into essays of about two to four pages, and its title is a good description of what it offers. ~ My Jewish Learning (MyJewishLearning.com): You can find basic information on just about any Jewish topic on this site, as well as plenty of resources for deeper learning. ~ Bimbam (Bimbam.com): This website is filled with (often hilarious) videos on Jewish holidays, values, and rituals, as well as videos on the weekly Torah portion, the Talmud, and more. It also has videos for kids. The "Why" of Judaism ~ Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, A Letter in the Scroll: Understanding Our Jewish Identity and Exploring the Legacy of the World's Oldest Religion; Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi with Joel Segel, Jewish with Feeling: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Practice; Harold S. Kushner, To Life!: A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking: These books offer answers to the "why be Jewish" question, and they've been influential in my own understanding of Judaism. ~ Rabbi Edward Feinstein, Tough Questions Jews Ask: A Young Adult's Guide to Building a Jewish Life: While technically for young people, Feinstein's explanations and observations are helpful for adults as well. The "How-To" of Judaism ~ Anita Diamant, Living a Jewish Life: Jewish Traditions, Customs and Values for Today's Families; Blu Greenberg, How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household: Both of these books offer concrete guidance for Jewish practice (and while I'm not the target audience for Greenberg's book, I found it to be quite insightful).

I do want to include the resources for other topics, but I need a visual break between the introductory section and the rest – Torah, Talmud, History, God, Ethics, Spiritual Practice, Shabbat, Holidays, and Death and Mourning.

Torah ~ Rabbi Reuven Hammer, The Torah Revolution: Fourteen Truths that Changed the World: This book provides an accessible account of some of the Torah's key ideas. ~ Robert Alter, The Five Books of Moses: I appreciate Alter's vivid translations, and find his notes to be quite helpful [...] ~ Rabbi Jonathan Sacks' Covenant and Conversation series of commentaries on the weekly Torah portion (online and in book form) and Rabbi Shai Held, The Heart of Torah: Essays on the Weekly Torah Portion, vols. 1 and 2: I recommend reading the Torah one weekly portion at a time and reading some of the corresponding essays from Rabbis Sacks and Held, which explore the Torah's spiritual and moral lessons. Talmud ~ Adin Steinsaltz, The Essential Talmud: Steinsaltz offers a clear overview of the history and content of the Talmud. ~ Ilana Kurshan, If All the Seas Were Ink; Jonathan Rosen, The Talmud and the Internet: A Journey Between Worlds: These books provide fresh takes on the Talmud from two people writing about their own experiences studying it. ~ Sefaria (sefaria.org): Sefaria is a free website and app that offers a massive library of Jewish texts—biblical, Talmudic, Kabbalistic, and more—many of them in English translation. History ~ Micah Goodman, A History of Judaism; Paul Johnson, A History of the Jews; Jonathan D. Sarna, American Judaism: A History: Each of these books is relatively concise and accessible given the scope of what they cover, and together, they provide a basic grounding in Jewish history. God Jewish Theology Overview ~ Rabbi Jamie S. Korngold, The God Upgrade: Finding Your 21st-Century Spirituality in Judaism's 5,000-Year-Old Tradition: This is a relatable journey through various Jewish God conceptions. ~ Rabbi Elliot J. Cosgrove, ed., Jewish Theology in Our Time: A New Generation Explores the Foundations and Future of Jewish Belief: This is a collection of provocative essays about the Divine. Specific Theologies/Thinkers ~ Harold S. Kushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People ~ Kenneth Seeskin, Maimonides: A Guide for Today's Perplexed ~ Jay Michaelson, Everything Is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism ~ Shai Held, Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence ~ Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, God of Becoming and Relationship: The Dynamic Nature of Process Theology Ethics ~ Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, A Code of Jewish Ethics, vols. 1 and 2, and Words That Hurt, Words That Heal: How to Choose Words Wisely and Well: Rabbi Telushkin distills a tremendous amount of Jewish law into clear prose peppered with anecdotes that make the material come alive. ~ Rabbi Donniel Hartman, Putting God Second: How to Save Religion from Itself: This book is an argument for how to resolve tensions between ritual and ethics (spoiler alert: ritual should serve ethics, not be in opposition to it). ~ Alan Morinis, Everday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar: A user-friendly introduction to Mussar with instructions on how to try it for yourself. Spiritual Practice ~ Lawrence A. Hoffman, The Way into Jewish Prayer: This is a solid introduction to, and overview of, traditional Jewish prayer. ~ Rabbi Mike Comins, Making Prayer Real: Leading Jewish Spiritual Voices on Why Prayer Is Difficult and What to Do About It: This book includes excerpts from dozens of thoughtful rabbis about their struggles and successes with prayer. ~ Rabbi Marcia Prager, The Path of Blessing: Experiencing the Energy and Abundance of the Divine: This book about the role and practice of blessings in Judaism also offers broader insights about Jewish spirituality.

There are several mediation resources: "What Now?: Meditation for Your Twenties and Beyond" by Yael Shy, "Be Still and Get Going: A Jewish Meditation Practice for Real Life" by Alan Lew, and two organization that the author has done retreats with – Or Halev, and Institute for Jewish Spirituality.

Shabbat ~ Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath: If you read just one book on Shabbat, this should be it. ~ OneTable (onetable.org): This website provides ritual resources, hosting tips, and access to Shabbat experts to help twenty- and thirty-somethings create meaningful Shabbat dinners. Holidays ~ Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Ceremony and Celebration: Introduction to the Holidays, and Rabbi Irving Greenberg, The Jewish Way: Living the Holidays: Each of these books provides an overview of the holidays, as well as an exploration of their moral and spiritual meanings. ~ Abigail Pogrebin, My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew: A personal account by a thoughtful, funny Jew who spent a year observing all of the Jewish holidays. ~ Alan Lew, This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation: This book is filled with profound insight about the High Holy Day season. I know people who read it every year. ~ Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, The Jonathan Sacks Haggadah: Collected Essays on Pesaḥ: This book includes both a Haggadah and a series of essays exploring the meaning of Passover. ~ Haggadot.com: This website helps you make your own Haggadah. Death and Mourning ~ Anita Diamant, Saying Kiddush: How to Comfort the Dying, Bury the Dead, and Mourn as a Jew, and Maurice Lamm, The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning: These books both explain the death and mourning rituals and are invaluable for mourners and anyone wishing to understand the Jewish approach to death. Lamm's is from a more traditional perspective and provides more detail. ~ Jack Riemer, ed., Jewish Reflections on Death and Jewish Insights on Death and Mourning: These books offer essays about death and mourning from Jews of all different backgrounds. ~ Neil Gillman, The Death of Death: Resurrection and Immortality in Jewish Thought: An account of how Jewish thinking about the afterlife has evolved over the centuries.

Posted: 16 March 2024.