#only kind of an enemy. enemy of marital harmony

[nostalgic-breton-girl]

"Saturday" aks: Riverwood, Ivarstead, Markarth, Blackreach

from this ask game

Riverwood - Hadvar or Ralof? Why?

i've always gone with hadvar in the tutorial just because that's kind of what happens if you play it straight. but he's also a more rounded character i think... somehow has more voiced lines than most npcs (and will not shut up). he intrigues me a little, in that it's atypical at best for a village-born nord to think the empire will be the shining light that saves his homeland from the stormcloaks. but his logic seems a bit askew

Ivarstead - How do you feel about the Greybeards and Paarthurnax?

i understand their complete pacifism as well as i understand delphine's sheer frustration at their inaction... oh it's a tricky one. paarthurnax becoming like. king of the dragons. at the end is slightly alarming i will confess... but i also want to believe him when he says he's overcome his past self. will confess that my dragonborn's story has taken a bit of a turn and she may or may not end up killing paarthurnax, but that's because of a wholly other dilemma in her story

(Markarth - answered here)

Blackreach - What's your favourite enemy in the game? What's your least favourite? Why?

i must confess that when you have the overpowered explode everything spell from anniversary edition, most enemies start to seem the same. least favourite is that guy in the peryite questline who's completely resistent to magic because i'm pretty sure that's illegal. does hermaeus mora count as an enemy because i hate him but at least he's interesting... (*scrolling through the wiki list of skyrim bosses*)... they really could have had some more memorable villains in this game. i don't get why people have crushes on miraak but i do get why they find him distinctive. brynjolf is my personal enemy but you don't get to explode him so

[askmalal]

THE Room was almost dark, illuminated as it was only by recessed lumens dimmed for sleep. The Senator had a phobia of absolute dark, and there was not a room in the house that hadn’t been equipped in such a manner. It mattered little, of course. Arbitrator-Inspector Eglan’s helmet had the necessary tools to amplify the light here and make his job easier. Much as he would have liked to see it with his own eyes, he had come to recognize that the best way to investigate such crimes, even given the normal methods of evidence handling, was to view the scene of the crime in a manner that was as close as possible to the conditions wherein the crime was committed. Even the movements of a crime scene investigator could disrupt this.

The Senator lay where he had fallen, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling above, a miserable look somewhere between agony and fury on his face. Eglan had seen such an expression before, in the political diatribes the demogogue blasted when he was working... whatever angle it was he chose to work with his consitituents. Eglan was not one of these. Even if he had been, the Arbite reckoned that he would not have been a supporter. The man oozed politics like cheap perfume. Arbitrators were supposed to be above politics, of course, and that meant a general disdain for them, in general. This one had even been popular. Young, handsome, wealthy. An apex predator among the sea of white heads that were the Senate. Still, there was something even more off-putting about this one than usual.

“Cause of death,” the Arbitrator-Inspector began to speak, triggering the vocoder. “Assault with a monomolecular blade. Very precise. Very professional blade work. Almost certainly a contract ripper.” He paused, looking over the body, “blood is moderate. Nine,” Eglan knelt next to the body, “no... correction: eleven major wounds. Based upon visual, suggest killing wound was thrust up and into the heart. Contusions on the chest and signs of a struggle. Killer probably slashed him up a bit before making the final cut. Odd, really...”

“What’s that?” Arbitrator Crey said over their secure comm network.

“A killer with this kind of blade work is no amateur. And could easily have killed him quickly. They were toying with him. Making a statement.”

“Condition of the contract?” Crey asked.

“Perhaps.” Eglan acknowledged. “Somebody obviously didn’t like him very much.”

“The Senator was very popular. So, of course, he had a number of enemies.”

“Of course. Still...” Eglan shook his head. “How is it looking out there?”

“Bodyguard detail was mostly wiped out. Mostly. Two survivors, gate patrol. No sign they were needed until it was all over.”

“The girl?”

“Daughter of some judge or another. Had an ‘informal’ relationship with the Senator. Looks like another monomolecular blade. Single point of penetration. Quick, single point kill.”

“Exactly the opposite of the Senator,” then, Eglan muttered.

“Yes. That’d be accurate. Wife and child out of town, quarantined with her relatives.”

“Running a cross-check,” Eglan said, blinking through data dumps. “Nothing strong on the wife. Knew about the mistress, I bet. Appearance of marital harmony and all that. “

“Probably.”

“No question this was professional, then.”

“I concur. What’s next?”

“We start sifting. Talk to our people and the local enforcers. See if we can tease out the knots.” Eglan shook his head. “I think I am done here.”

Crey breathed a sigh of relief “ Shit... is this right? 3AM? If I was married, my partner would kill me.”

Eglan was unmoved by this. “Call the meat wagon.”

“Meat wagon? That’s charming.”

“And that is why neither of us is married.”

***

Helene reeled, her body aching as the adrenaline slowly left her and her muscles began to realize just how much hell she’d put them through.

She had ritually cleansed herself and the short sword, the shining blade now resting in a cradle within her reach and line of sight. Now, she attended to herself, cleansing her wounds and washing the Senator’s stink from her hands. The bodyguards hadn’t been much trouble. The mistress had been unfortunate: a pretty thing. Perhaps in a different life. Perhaps.... she reclined in the bath, and a feeling of repugnance for the woman disabused her of romantic notions and reminded her that the mistress and her father had been major advocates of the “get back to work” movement. The very reason the Senator, who had instrumented the push, had to go. She scowled at herself for falling into such a trap. “I must neither love nor hate without reason. I must not kill without purpose...” she was reminded, for whatever reason , of the faceless statue in the sanctuary, and swallowed hard.

As Helene allowed herself to shrink into the rented bath, she closed her eyes, the only sound the tinkling of the faucet, just barely running, as the warmth of the water urged her to sleep. It was as she began to indulge that urge that another sound entered the room. Like a whisper at the beginning of a grand dream.

“There are more.”

[loveyourlife28121993]

What's your secret to your long-lasting marriage?

Marriage is a lifetime commitment. People are supposed to marry to procreate, start a family, and cherish their love with their own spouse, children, and grandchildren for the rest of their lives. In other words, marriage is supposed to be built to last.

If there is one good secret to having a lasting marriage, it would be to make oneself ready to enter into this kind of relationship. You should not just marry a person because you have fallen in love and you feel like you already want to spend the rest of your life with her or him.

What if you get married? What happens now? How would you really spend the rest of your life with your chosen wife or husband? It’s natural to fall in love. It’s easy to make a wedding vow. But in order to fulfill your promise, you need to know how you will exactly do that.

Related articles :

Skills for Healthy Romantic Relationships | Joanne Davila

Dating Tips For Women Of All Ages - Matthew Hussey, Get The Guy

To guide you, here are some tips to make your marriage healthy and long-lasting:

1. Be independent from your parents and parents-in-law.

Live in a house which is separate from both of your parents. This will give your marriage the freedom it needs to mature and grow in its own way,

2. Bless your home and your marriage.

Blessings are what you earned by doing the right things and avoiding sins. Therefore, bless your home and your family, not only by praying but also by practicing righteousness and avoiding wickedness.

3. Do not envy other couples or people.

Be grateful for the blessings and graces you receive every day. Always thank your wife or husband for the little or great efforts they make to take care and love you. If you see happy couples or families, be inspired and happy to see them instead of being envious or bitter.

4. Know your marital duties and obligations.

Do not be ignorant of your marital responsibilities. Know that as husband and wife, the both of you are obliged to live together, support each other, be honest with each other, be faithful to each other, do procreation, and take care of your children.

5. Fulfill your marital obligations to each other.

Knowing your marital duties is not enough. Hence, don’t just be reminded but do your best to perform those obligations mentioned above.

6. Surrender your body to your wife or husband.

Let your spouse have the authority over your body, and vice versa. This means if your husband tells you not to wear revealing clothes, follow your husband. And for the husband, if your wife tells you not to touch or be touched by other women, then follow your wife.

7. Love yourself as you love your spouse.

Learn to love yourself. Have a balanced diet, do regular exercise, get enough sleep, avoid vices that get you sick, and always improve your personal development. Remember that you cannot love and take care of your family if you can’t even love and take care of yourself.

8. Be fearless and get rid of your insecurities.

Love your wife or husband without expecting love in return. Love your spouse without fearing that someday she or he will be gone. Enjoy giving pure love. Remember that the love you give will never be lost.

9. Trust your spouse.

Realize that trusting your partner is an essential key to having a long-lasting marriage. Know your spouse better. Listen to her or him. Stop making false assumptions. Unless there is clear evidence that your spouse is deceiving you, always treat her or him as a person who can be trusted.

10. Be trustworthy.

Don’t ask your spouse to give you trust. Work hard, earn, and maintain it. Help your better half trust you easily.

11. Always thank your better half.

Thank your wife or husband for the care and sacrifice she or he is giving you. Let your better half feel that everything she or he does to you, even if they are just simple things, they are valued and appreciated.

12. Have more patience.

Stop complaining when your goals and wishes are not yet achieved. Understand that great things are worth the wait. Be calm and do not be easily angry. When you experience trials and challenges in your relationship, consider them as opportunities to strengthen the love and faithfulness in your marriage.

13. If you get angry, get rid of it before the day ends.

Don’t let the day end with hatred in your heart. Make peace with your wife or husband before the two of you sleep at night.

14. Be healthy and beautiful for your better half.

Continue impressing your spouse. Have good hygiene, maintain your natural beauty, go to the gym, do meditations, and eat a balanced diet to always look stunning for your wife

15. Avoid bad and toxic people.

Choose your friends and companions. Avoid people who will influence you to sin or do extramarital affairs. Stay away from people who will corrupt your good character and ruin your marriage.

16. Be mature and choose your priorities.

Prioritize your spouse, your children, your marriage, and your family over less significant things like your vices, ego

17. Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness.

Stop pointing fingers and placing blame on your spouse. Admit your mistakes and sincerely ask your spouse for her or his forgiveness.

18. Pray to heal and forgive.

Meditate for enlightenment and pray for the healing of your heartaches. Take your time.

19. Practice prudence.

Do not be hasty with your actions and decisions. Think twice and always consider the consequences before you make a move or a choice.

20. Be kind and compassionate.

Feel what your spouse feels. Experience your partner’s pain or joy. Have compassion by understanding the innermost needs of your wife or husband. Give your spouse comfort, embrace, kindness, and even privacy if she or he needs them.

21. Be humble.

Learn how to swallow your pride so that you can practice humility, forgiveness, and gracefulness. Moreover, live a simple and quiet life with your family to avoid problems which are too difficult for you to handle.

22. Live in the present.

Do not dwell on the past but focus on the present moment. Do not let your heartbreaks from the past ruin your current relationship. Do not let your worries about the future stop you from spending quality time with your spouse. Seize the opportunities today to show how much you love your wife or husband.

23. Quit recording your spouse’s past mistakes.

Stop counting and remembering your spouse past wrongs, especially if you have already forgiven them. Quit using them against your partner when you argue just to win the battle.

24. Stop keeping score.

In relation to #23, also quit on counting the good deeds you have done for your marriage just to show how superior you are to your spouse. Remember that marriage is not a competition but a union between you and your partner. Promote teamwork in your relationship, not rivalry.

25. Be selfless.

Create plans, goals, and dreams for your spouse, your children and your whole family rather than just for yourself. Put your own happiness in their happiness.

26. Be loyal.

Never ever cheat. Don’t ever think that you will get another chance once you’ve done cheating, infidelity, and other extramarital affairs. Keep your marriage vows in your heart, mind, and soul.

27. Never stop loving.

Don’t stop caring for your spouse even if the two of you are arguing or fighting. Continue to love your wife or husband even if the two of you are quarreling and considering each other as enemies.

28. Don’t lose hope.

Fight with all your might and don’t give up easily when your marriage is tested. Understand that it’s normal for married couples to encounter problems that will test their love. If things are getting too difficult, get a support system. Gain spiritual strength from God and get support from your family and friends.

29. Have faith.

Do something to realize the things you hope for. Understand that having faith is not just believing but also doing something to make what you believe in happen. In other words, have faith with deeds. If you’re faithful to your spouse, don’t just hope or believe that your marriage will last but do your best to keep yourself away from temptations.

30. Give only true love.

There is no secret to a long-lasting marriage but genuine love. Hence, learn and identify what true love is. Evaluate yourself if you’re really giving real love to your spouse. If not, work for it. Remember that true love is not given magically to your wife or husband, but it is something that you need to work hard for. It requires your patience, perseverance, humility, honesty, and more.

31. Discipline your children.

Don’t just be a better spouse to your wife or husband, but also be a better parent to your children. To make your marriage last, make your family happy and successful too. Teach your children how to become good and responsible people so that they will not be your family’s problem in the future.

32. Let love be the center of your marriage.

Know that true love binds all the good virtues that will help you and your spouse have a happy and long-lasting marriage. It unites your patience, kindness, compassion, humility, truthfulness, and faithfulness in perfect harmony to make your relationship last. Hence, always let love be the center of your marriage, not money and other material things.

Furthermore, if you believe in God, know that God is pure love. Therefore, let God, who is pure love, be always the center of your marriage.

Related articles

4 Habits of ALL Successful Relationships | Dr. Andrea & Jonathan Taylor-Cummings

BEST DATING ADVICE EVER - Stop Wasting Your Time!

 Final thoughts

Understand that marriage is teamwork. That is why the both of you are called better halves. To have a long-lasting marriage, both of you should strive to follow the tips above. It won’t work if only one is working it out. But if your partner is struggling to be a better spouse, remember not to judge her or him quickly or force your better half to change instantly. Instead, be a role model and show your beloved spouse how to practice the ways above.

Remember no marriage is perfect .Every couple is different and what worked for your grandparents or your bff and her husband may be the complete opposite of what helps you and your significant others but don't forget about your love languages .

[anguianobrodan90]

Can You Save A Marriage After Emotional Abuse Wondrous Useful Tips

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How To Save Marriage On Brink Of Divorce

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What Can We Do To Save Your Marriage

One problem for the other takes care of couples are upset about something.Divorce is not a solution to the cheating.Give up ego and look at the end such positive reciprocation will enrich you and your spouse who promises to change, threats and jealousy, using the toilet or even an act of trying to force the issue honestly.Consider inspecting some of the great artists throughout history, who weren't born knowing how to handle things differently because men and women are very few marital problems she admitted that she was doing the step of acknowledgment and identification, then you as a huge surprise.Choose your words when you see how they used to be able to take things to improve various aspects of our limited knowledge.

Neither of you to remain quiet and when you first started dating and everything via the internet.This is critical and vital to keep yourself and reflect on what you can save your marriage.That good looking guy or girl at work that way?Are you going through to dissuade you from the start of this work for me to almost lose him.Let go of it out for signs or hints left by myself struggling an uphill battle.

[azure-et-aurum-blog]

Profile: Len T’ien-mu

(This is the profile for Len T’ien-mu, on Mateus. She has yet to be introduced in a formal story, but most of her details are already decided.)

BASICS

Name: Len T’ien-mu

Nicknames:  Jade Lotus, Jade Phoenix or Green Blur

Age:  19 summers old

Nameday:   32nd Sun of the 6th Astral Moon

Species:  Au Ra, Raen

Gender: Female

Orientation: Heterosexual

Profession: Daimyo of the T’ien-mu family, should be vassal of the Tenryuu Family. Now acts as the protector of a small village in Yanxia. 

PHYSICAL ASPECTS

Hair: Dark Brown, really long but tied in a bun most of times. It’s really well taken care and looks like the finest silk at touch.

Eyes:  Black, she doesn’t have the usual limbal rings from Au Ra.

Skin:  fair, soft and smooth. Her scales look like ivory.

Tattoos/scars: A dragon facing a lady with lightning bolts tattoo on her back.

Body Type: slim sized, slightly thicker thighs and small breasts. She has some defined figure in some places like arms and abs.

Height: 5′2″

Weight: 89 lbs.

FAMILY

Siblings: None

Parents:  both deceased

Grandparents:  both deceased

Misc Relatives: She doesn’t really have any relatives. You could say that the people of the village look upon her, but she feels no emotional connection besides the need to protect them.

Pets: Only a horse, called “Kyodai”.

SKILLS

Abilities: The T’ien-mu school of bushi, also called Niten T’ien-mu School, consists in using two small blades, or shotos, in harmony, specially in a flurry of attacks to confuse the enemy so that one of the blades can pierce the defense and deliver the final attack. Archery using mainly Kai Yuan Bow. Tracking and stalking.

Hobbies: swimming, practicing, climbing.

TRAITS

Most Positive Trait: Dedication, loyalty, honor.

Worst Negative: Hard-head, stubborn.

LIKES

Colors: Green, blue, gold and white

Smells: soba, tea and lakes

Textures: petals, steel and leather.

Drinks: tea, sake and rice wine

Food: Soba, ramen, fish.

Day or Night: Day, specially dawn.

Others: To watch kids playing, to meditate, to spar.

OTHER DETAILS

Smokes: Never

Drinks: Yes

Drugs: Nope.

Mount Issuance: Yes

Been Arrested: No

Marital Status: Single

Alignment: Lawful Good

Motto: “This world needs more kindness”

[dfroza]

the marital bond is God-Created

God-Authored, in the way male & female are joined Together as “One” body

which in the beginning was absolutely a pure relationship. although in this world in its current broken-hearted state people sometimes find it difficult to get along.

and then there’s the waiting to cross paths with someone who is patient & kind. even Adam had to wait on God to form a woman while he was put in a deep-sleep dream. and i can personally relate to this by writing in A pure Winter’s dream, all in the hope of crossing paths with someone by writing, from the instrumental womb... (to first connect in the heart of our thought-lives as a book)

Today’s reading in the Scriptures of chapter #2 from the ancient book of Genesis:

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, along with everything in them. On the seventh day God was finished with his work which he had made, so he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. God blessed the seventh day and separated it as holy; because on that day God rested from all his work which he had created, so that it itself could produce.

Here is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created. On the day when Adonai, God, made earth and heaven, there was as yet no wild bush on the earth, and no wild plant had as yet sprung up; for Adonai, God, had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no one to cultivate the ground. Rather, a mist went up from the earth which watered the entire surface of the ground.

Then Adonai, God, formed a person from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, so that he became a living being. Adonai, God, planted a garden toward the east, in ��Eden, and there he put the person whom he had formed. Out of the ground Adonai, God, caused to grow every tree pleasing in appearance and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

A river went out of ‘Eden to water the garden, and from there it divided into four streams. The name of the first is Pishon; it winds throughout the land of Havilah, where there is gold. The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there. The name of the second river is Gichon; it winds throughout the land of Kush. The name of the third river is Tigris; it is the one that flows toward the east of Ashur. The fourth river is the Euphrates.

Adonai, God, took the person and put him in the garden of ‘Eden to cultivate and care for it. Adonai, God, gave the person this order: “You may freely eat from every tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You are not to eat from it, because on the day that you eat from it, it will become certain that you will die.”

Adonai, God, said, “It isn’t good that the person should be alone. I will make for him a companion suitable for helping him.” So from the ground Adonai, God, formed every wild animal and every bird that flies in the air, and he brought them to the person to see what he would call them. Whatever the person would call each living creature, that was to be its name. So the person gave names to all the livestock, to the birds in the air and to every wild animal. But for Adam there was not found a companion suitable for helping him.

Then God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the person; and while he was sleeping, he took one of his ribs and closed up the place from which he took it with flesh. The rib which Adonai, God, had taken from the person, he made a woman-person; and he brought her to the man-person. The man-person said, “At last! This is bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh. She is to be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man” This is why a man is to leave his father and mother and stick with his wife, and they are to be one flesh.

They were both naked, the man and his wife, and they were not ashamed.

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 2 (Complete Jewish Bible)

A chapter that concludes with 2:25 as a mirroring of the date 2.25 in 2010 when typing a poem given the title ‘book’ as read in this post from my thought-life, in the silent music of instrumental poetry:

and the opening lines of Genesis from The Voice Translation:

So now you see how the Creator swept into being the spangled heavens, the earth, and all their hosts in six days. On the seventh day—with the canvas of the cosmos completed—God paused from His labor and rested. Thus God blessed day seven and made it special—an open time for pause and restoration, a sacred zone of Sabbath-keeping, because God rested from all the work He had done in creation that day.

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 2:1-3 (The Voice)

to be accompanied by a beautiful portion of Scripture in Today’s paired chapter with Genesis 2 in Paul’s ancient Letter of Romans with chapter #5

[Our New Life]

Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us. Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory!

But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!

For when the time was right, the Anointed One came and died to demonstrate his love for sinners who were entirely helpless, weak, and powerless to save themselves.

Now, who of us would dare to die for the sake of a wicked person? We can all understand if someone was willing to die for a truly noble person. But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!

And there is still much more to say of his unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in my sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God. So if while we were still enemies, God fully reconciled us to himself through the death of his Son, then something greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin’s dominion!

And even more than that, we overflow with triumphant joy in our new relationship of living in harmony with God—all because of Jesus Christ!

[The Gift of Grace Greater Than Sin]

When Adam sinned, the entire world was affected. Sin entered human experience, and death was the result. And so death followed this sin, casting its shadow over all humanity, because all have sinned. Sin was in the world before Moses gave the written law, but it was not charged against them where no law existed. Yet death reigned as king from Adam to Moses even though they hadn’t broken a command the way Adam had. The first man, Adam, was a picture of the Messiah, who was to come.

Now, there is no comparison between Adam’s transgression and the gracious gift that we experience. For the magnitude of the gift far outweighs the crime. It’s true that many died because of one man’s transgression, but how much greater will God’s grace and his gracious gift of acceptance overflow to many because of what one Man, Jesus, the Messiah, did for us!

And this free-flowing gift imparts to us much more than what was given to us through the one who sinned. For because of one transgression, we are all facing a death sentence with a verdict of “Guilty!” But this gracious gift leaves us free from our many failures and brings us into the perfect righteousness of God—acquitted with the words “Not guilty!”

Death once held us in its grip, and by the blunder of one man, death reigned as king over humanity. But now, how much more are we held in the grip of grace and continue reigning as kings in life, enjoying our regal freedom through the gift of perfect righteousness in the one and only Jesus, the Messiah!

In other words, just as condemnation came upon all people through one transgression, so through one righteous act of Jesus’ sacrifice, the perfect righteousness that makes us right with God and leads us to a victorious life is now available to all. One man’s disobedience opened the door for all humanity to become sinners. So also one man’s obedience opened the door for many to be made perfectly right with God and acceptable to him. So then, the law was introduced into God’s plan to bring the reality of human sinfulness out of hiding. And yet, wherever sin increased, there was more than enough of God’s grace to triumph all the more! And just as sin reigned through death, so also this sin-conquering grace will reign as king through righteousness, imparting eternal life through Jesus, our Lord and Messiah!

The Letter of Romans, Chapter 5 (The Passion Translation)

and a few lines of the same chapter from The Message translation about opening up to Love (to Light)

[Developing Patience]

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

The Letter of Romans, Chapter 5:1-5 (The Message)

[unsung-heroesofmobius]

Verse: Sonic with Star Wars Influence Date: 7/8/2018 Full Name: Jerard Kal Pronunciation: (Jeh-rahr Kah-l) Nickname/Alias: Jerard, J Meaning: Jerard was a name he gave himself, but his sur name, Kal, means knife, and it’s the name of his clan Origin: I liked the way Gerard sounded but I wanted to use a different letter. Title: Self-Proclaimed Warlord of Mandalore Pet Name: N/A ID Number: N/A Signature: A bit of a messy scrawl. He doesn’t practice writing much so it’s hard to understand sometimes. Gender: Male Gender Role: Masculine Orientation: Demisexual Real Age: (Biologically 45, Mentally 82, Chronologically 15,000+ due to stasis) Age Appearance: Older hedgehog but physically fit and healthy, albeit shorter than most.  Birthday: 41 BBY Deathday: N/A Birthplace: Corellia Astrological Sign: N/A Zodiac Sign: N/A Immediate Family: Somrad Kal (Adoptive Father), Dux Magnum (Friend/Brother), Deix Kal (Adopted Son), Alreidz Kal (Adopted Son) Distant Family: Nareen Magnum, H’Racca, Fate, Suzz Parenting: In the Jedi Temple, it was rather cold and distant. When he joined his adoptive father’s family, he was a very warm, jovial person who was considerate and paid very close attention to Jerard’s needs. Upbringing: Honor, Glory, Integrity, and Compassion were above and beyond the greatest tenants that he was raised with, putting great value in family and loyalty to his word. Infancy: Jerard had a very basic neutral infancy, being taught basics in Jedi Daycare. Childhood: Jerard struggled with his emotional spontaneity in an environment that preached control and discipline, making his childhood very difficult for him as he clashed with the doctrines of the Jedi.  Adolescence: It was around this time he ran away from the order to find his own place in the galaxy, finding the Mandalorian people and quickly finding his place among them as his emotions and desires matched extraordinarily well with their values and ethics. These were some of the happiest times of his life. Adulthood: Jerard developed as a leader after his father died, taking up the mantle of leader of the clan and leading them into various wars across the decades, going through emotional highs and lows where he truly developed as a person, suffering as much loss as he did victory. He grew harder, but he never grew cold to those around him. Coming of Age: When Order 66 was executed, the person he loved was slaughtered in front of him, forcing him to confront an even harsher galaxy than he could imagine, growing harsh, distant, and depressed for years, lashing out until being defeated by Darth Vader and realizing how foolish he’d been to dwell on his loss rather than mourn and move on. Evolution: He grew up from a brash young boy to a cunning young man, analyzing situations with more scrutiny and approaching answers from different angles. However, he is not used to mundane life and cannot stay still for too long. Settling down is a challenge for him. Species: Formerly Human, now Mobian Hedgehog Ethnicity: Corellian, Mandalorian Blood Type: O+ Preferred Hand: Ambidextrous Facial Type: Rectangular formerly, now round Eye Color: Blue Hair Color: Blonde Hairstyle: Plain short brush back Skin Tone: Fair peach Complexion: Pale and rough Makeup: N/A Body Type: Mesomorph Build: Well-toned muscular arms and legs, not focused on weight training. Height: Formerly 5′2″, now 3′0″ Weight: Formerly 194lbs., now 82lbs. Cup Size: N/A Facial Hair: N/A Shoe Size: 10 Birthmarks/scars: Scars littering his torso from body blows during training, duels, and desperate battles for survival. Distinguishing Features: His hair has two grey stripes going from his forehead to the neck, becoming more prominent as he grew older. Health: Very Healthy Energy: High Energy Memory: Excellent Memory focused on friends, family, and war stories. Senses: Better sense of hearing than any other senses naturally. Allergies: N/A Handicaps: No normal handicaps. Muted Force Sensitivity due to experimentation. Not as strong as it used to be. Medication: N/A Phobias: Loss of Family, Organic Weaponry, Cults and Zealous Religions, Feeling Helpless. Addictions: Alcohol Mental Disorders: N/A Style: Simple casual, leather jacket. Mode of Dress: Tucked in but loose Grooming: Messy and dirty Posture: Proud and straight Gait: Even pace and proud normally. Can fake other gaits if needed. Coordination: Athletic and quick, good reflexes. Habits and Mannerisms: Crosses arms often whenever thinking, tilts head forward and to the right slightly. Raises eyebrow whenever he hears something interesting or concerning. Scent: Slight smell of soot and sweat. Usually a weak scent. Mood: Jovial Attitude: Cocky and open, normally friendly Stability: Low stability. Fakes good stability to assure others he is ok despite not being ok. Expressiveness: Expresses Joy openly. Anger and sadness are hidden. When Happy: Boisterous laughter When Depressed: Isolates himself and stay away from others. When Angry: Grits teeth, some glares, possibly isolates self or, if very angry, attacks the aggressor. Note: These are generalizations. Different situations will create different reactions. Current Residence: Small two bedroom domed home. Community: Kind and open community. Very friendly. Family: Volt (Brother), Speedy (Brother-in-Law), Harmony (Niece), Atlas (Nephew) @projectlightfox​ @needf0rspeed​ Friends: Zapper (Astromech and Friend) Enemies: Ultimate (Archnemesis), Ixis Serena (Witch) Bosses: King Elias Followers: Geoffrey St. John Heroes: His father Rivals: N/A Relates to: Volt @projectlightfox​, Hark @keepinganimmortalworld​ Pets/Familiars: N/A Wardrobe: White shirts, khaki shorts, and a leather jacket, or his armor (temperature suit, armor plates, gauntlets, sports shoes, and helmet) Equipment: Disintegrator Pistol, lightsaber, specially forged iron sword, explosives, emp grenades, medical supplies, maps, communicator, and food stuffs. Accessories: N/A Trinkets: Holoprojector with images of his family Funds: 900,000 Rings Home: Simple round domed house with a living room that is open to the kitchen, messy sectional with a wooden coffee table and two windows. Kitchen has marble tops and wooden cabinets with steel sink, oven, stove, and refrigerator. Rooms are simple with wooden nightstands and basic cotton bedsheets. Both have a single window. Neighborhood: Passive friendly people, very open and calm with newcomers. Transportation: Walking for the most part, speeder bike, or jetpack License Plate Number: N/A Collections: N/A Most valuable possession: His armor, not only is it sentimental, it’s impervious to most weaponry on the planet, skyrocketing its value. Prized Possession: His Armor. It’s as important to him culturally as it is sentimental. Lovers: Skalaya (Human Crush/First Love, Now deceased) Marital Status: Single Sex Life: Low to N/A Type: Storge/Agape Turn-Ons: He’s not sure himself, but he appreciates someone who cares for him and he cares for them. Nothing physical. All based on an emotional connection. Turn Offs: Signs of toxicity, disloyalty, infidelity. Position: Switch Plays: N/A Fetishes: N/A Virginity: N/A Element: Earth Occupation: Private Contractor, Blacksmith Work Ethnic: Very Strong Work Ethic. Works hard to get job done well and fast. Rank: N/A Income: Varies depending on work. Usually 10,000 Rings per job. Wealth Status: Upper but lives Middle/Low Experience: Mercenary Work, Blacksmithing, Farming Organizations/Affiliations: Republic of Acorn/Freedom Fighters IQ: 115 Education: Strong Education in various technical fields, such as mechanics, combat, mathematics, tactical skills, and history and culture. School: Formerly Boarding School-like, then Homeschooled Grade: N/A, Pass/Fail System Special Education: Often Fell behind in early school due to lack of understanding of concepts. Social Stereotype: Punk Degrees: N/A Intelligence: Intrapersonal, Linguistic, and Logical Extracurricular Activities: Hunting Religion: None/Mandalorian Culture (Not sure if it should be called Religion or not) Morals: Values Honor, Glory, Integrity, and Family above all else. Killing is ok so long as it is not done in violation of your word. Most crimes are not considered morally wrong in and of themselves as long as the end goal is nobel. Crime Record: If the law exists outside of Mandalorian Culture, it was probably broken in one way or another. Amnesty granted due to previous war record in favor of the New Republic. Motivation: Love, Family, and Glory Priorities: Family First above all else. Philosophy: Justice must triumph over evil and tyranny by any means necessary. Political Party: Liberal-Moderate Etiquette: Normally informal, but will act properly in formal settings due to experience. Culture: Mandalorian culture has many different aspects that value practicality over ceremony. Marriage can be done in a private setting between two people when they speak a specific phrase to each other, and adoption is equally simple. Family is given priority and therefore, the formation of family is streamlined. Funerals are also short and simple, normally consisting of a daily remembrance of the dead rather than a formal ceremony.  Influences: It takes a very powerful and respectable person or a grand event to cause Jerard to change in some way or another. Relates to: He relates to Volt due to their shared history of being experimented on. Traditions: Jerard carries all of his Mandalorian traditions with him, from the food to the way he conducts himself and his work ethic. Superstitions: N/A Main Goal: To live a good life with family and to find his place in the world. Minor Goals/Ambitions: Getting rid of Ultimate and doing a good job as a Freedom Fighter. Career: Mercenary Desires: Family, love, and to explore this new galaxy. Wishlist: Some more beskar to forge. (Likely impossible, so he’ll settle for gems.) Accomplishments: He got a family and he’s a mercenary. Greatest Achievement: Helping to win the Yuuzhan Vong War, and going Super to beat down Dark Gaia. Biggest Failure: Failing to save Skalaya. Secrets: Most of the more unsavory things he’s done in the past. He doesn’t let others know what he’s done. Regrets: Accepting jobs that led to the death of innocent people. Worries: He worries about losing who he is, so he holds on even tighter to his past. Best Dream: Being able to have both his families live together happily. Worst Nightmare: Losing everything (Has happened) Best Memories: Teaching and training his kids and the next generation. Worst Memories: Losing control of himself in his emotions, nearly hurting those around him in his rampages. Hobbies/Interests: Hunting and smithing Skills/Talents: Swordsman, Marksman, Tactician Likes: Food, partying, playing, camping, fighting Dislikes: Liars, cowards, awkward silences, zealots Sense of Humor: Gallows and Dad humour Pet Peeves: When someone stutters too often. Superstitions/Beliefs: No Superstitious beliefs. If you live like a good Mandalorian, when you die, your spirit goes to the Mandokarla. Dreams/Nightmares: More nightmares than anything, regarding loss and death. Quirks: He likes to put his feet on furniture. Always seems to have a wry smile at some point. Savvy: Mechanically savvy. Can't understand: Taking away someone’s ability to choose. Closet Hobby: Carving Guilty Pleasure: Those fun little cartoon shows they show on the TV. Strengths: Calm under pressure, determined Flaws: Too Proud, Stubborn, Blunt Perception: It can be cold but there’s always something worth finding. Conflicts: He’s alone in the world, and his culture clashes with everyone else’s on the planet, making it difficult for him to fit in. Instincts: Exploration and action. Lures: Fighting Soft Spot: Kids Cruel Streak: When someone hurts kids, friends, or family. He gets very violent when these happen. Powers/Abilities: Enhanced senses and reflexes, minor electrical prowess, empathic abilities, minor telekinesis. Origin: Born with them Source: Considering the nature of the power, all he needs to do is focus, but it requires more focus for more intensive powers. Ability: He’s trained to improve specific powers more than learning many, so he is more adept at the powers he does normally use, but is very poor at trying new ones. Weaknesses: Using these powers require a certain amount of focus, so breaking his focus will keep him at a normal individual’s level. Immunities: N/A Restrictions: Must Train to maintain or improve these powers. Alternate Forms: Nothing he can do on his own. Extra Anatomy: N/A Favorite Colors: Gold Favorite Animals: Strill Favorite Mythological Creatures: Hydra Favorite Places: Mandalore Favorite Landmarks: Mt. Stormtop Favorite Flavors: Pineapple Favorite Foods: Pizza Favorite Drinks: Ti’haar Favorite Characters: He’s liking that Duo Maxwell character from the TV. Favorite Genre: Action-Adventure Favorite Books: Detective/Mystery Favorite Movies:  Action Blockbusters Favorite Games: Character Action Games Favorite Shows: Action or Comedy Favorite Music: Rock, all the Rocks of all kinds. Favorite Bands: Queen, Iron Maiden, Guns and Roses Favorite Songs: His World by Zebrahead, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns and Roses, Enter Sandman by Metallica Favorite Sports: Football Soccer, Rugby, Hockey, Wrestling, Boxing, MMA, Judo, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Baseball Favorite Stores: BEARS (Mobian Sears) Favorite Subjects: History, Science, Math Favorite Numbers: 4 Favorite Websites: N/A Favorite Words: Osik, Shebs, Dikut Favorite Quotations: Ke Nu Jurkadir shaa Mando’ade. (Don’t mess with Mandalorians) Least Favorite Colors: Lavender  Least Favorite Animals: Ants Least Favorite Mythological Creatures: Cyclops Least Favorite Places: Senates Least Favorite Landmarks: Statues to fake heroes Least Favorite Flavors: Tobacco Least Favorite Foods: Black Licorice Least Favorite Drinks: Sambuca Least Favorite Characters: Trieze Marquis Least Favorite Genre: Romantic Drama Least Favorite Books: Romance Novels Least Favorite Movies: Chick Flicks Least Favorite Games: Bad games Least Favorite Shows: Reality TV Least Favorite Music: Reggaeton  Least Favorite Bands: Justin Beaver Least Favorite Songs: Baby by Justin Beaver Least Favorite Sports: Tennis Least Favorite Stores: Victorian’s Secret Least Favorite Subjects: Home Ec Least Favorite Numbers: 3 Least Favorite Websites: N/A Least Favorite Words: Eggman Least Favorite Quotations: “You have to crack a few eggs to make an omelete.” Languages: Basic(English), Mandalorian, Corellian, Huttese, German Accent: American Voice: Even Pitched, errs towards lower pitch sometimes Speech Impediments: N/A Greetings and Farewells: “Su’Cuy Gar!” State of Mind: "I’m doin’ Fine.” Compliment: "Lookin healthy as ever.” Insult: “Your face looks like an ass.” Expletive: “OSIK!” Laughter: A Loud boisterous laugh. Tag Line: “Well-” Signature Quote: “Today’s a good day for someone else to die.” Reputation: Not much, he’s not really in the public eye. First Impressions: Odd, quirky, insane. Stranger Impressions: An absolute nutcase. Friendly Impressions: A Friendly nutcase. Enemy Impressions: Don’t fuck with this nutcase. Familiar Impressions: We love him, but he’s a nutcase. Compliments: He’s a heroic nutcase. Insults: He’s an ass, and a nut. Self-Impression: I’mma boss. MBTI Personality Type: ENFP-A Temperament: Sanguine  Enneagram: The Challenger Ego/Superego/Id: Id The Self: The Warrior The Shadow: Selfishness The Anima/Animus: Sophia Persona/Mask: Fortune Role: Rival Fulfillment: Well Significance: He’s had a great impact on current world events. Alignment: Chaotic Good Comparison: Spartan/Viking Symbol: Knife Song: Bad Luck Charm Vice: Pride Virtue: Diligence Defining Moment: When he made the choice to join the Rebel Alliance and become part of something far bigger than just his clan leader. Tropes: He can be stereotypically hot-headed more often than not, getting into fights or confrontations with ease. Originality: His value on family and fatherhood sets him apart from most mercenaries, warlords, or bounty hunters. He is not a lone wolf and hates to be alone too long. One Word: Determined Character Sheet © Character-Resource

[carlerinle]

God’s Peace Of Mind

Wednesday 18th March 2020

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Peace is something everyone longs to have, but few know how to get it. What is peace? Peace is a state of tranquillity, harmony and security that comes from an assurance of fortification. It is wholeness and unity of conviction that insulates from external pressure. Many go in search of this peace by applying the Oriental self-help practices the gurus teach such as transcendental meditation, yoga, etc. But the nature of the world system is entropic and tends naturally towards disorder, so peace must necessarily come from outside the system. The gurus point to self as the source of peace but the quality of peace that comes from the mind is never sufficient to bring that harmony between the body, soul and spirit of man. There is only one kind of peace that can do this, and it is the peace that comes from God.

Peace manifests in three ways – peace with yourself (Inner peace), peace with men, and peace with God. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, and it is contrasted in our focal text from the peace that the world gives. Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace, and we can trust His peace to do for us what the world’s peace cannot do. Peace is a product of understanding. When you have an understanding both of who you are in Christ and what you have in Christ, the antics of the enemy and this world cannot burden your mind. If a knife-wielding bandit were to threaten you, there would be legitimate cause for fear. But if you had a loaded gun in your hand, the presence of the gun would remove any cause for fear. Imagine, however, if you didn’t know how to use the gun, it would then be useless to you. Peace is a product of what you know and understand, and as a believer, what you know and understand about your spiritual identity. For example, Christ’s resurrection has dispelled the fear of death from every believer, because we understand that a believer who dies in this world merely transitions to eternal glory.

Because we understand our position in Christ, 2 Cor. 4:7-9 is our story. The peace of God floods our hearts so that we have peace with ourselves, we are not besieged by inferiority complex and anxiety over our finances, marital status, health, etc.; we have peace with others because we understand that no one is perfect, and therefore we are willing to love others the way Christ loves us; we have peace with God because God procured that peace for us by His blood, and as a result we are free to love Him, walk with Him, grow in Him, fellowship with Him, etc. Because of the peace of God that’s been poured into our hearts, nothing can shake our confidence. Nothing happening around us can touch our inner core being, because that part of us is hidden with Christ in God. What do you know about God? About yourself? About your faith? When you gain the convictions that God wants us to have, your faith, trust and peace levels with God will shoot up, and your spirit will be safe from doubt.

The antichrist will claim to bring peace on the earth, but it will be a false peace that will lull people into deception and a snare. But the peace of Christ is true and eternal, giving comfort and strength. It is why a believer can have joy even while poor; it is why a believer will grow fat during a recession; divine peace is a gift of the Spirit. It is why we can live peacefully with any type of neighbour, and why we can have a perpetual smile on our faces. The Lord is your light and salvation, don’t be afraid of what this world wants to do (Ps. 27:1). You are protected, and great is your peace. Every weapon designed against your physical, spiritual, financial, emotional and otherwise health will fail in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Have a blessed day.

[obtusemedia]

Top 25 Songs of 2017: The Honorable Mentions

Some years, there’s an embarrassing amount of good-to-great albums/songs but not a lot of absolute 10/10 stunners. 2017 fits snugly in that category.

Although no single song or album this year reached a 10-out-of-10 perfect level, there were so many great 9s and 8s that I had to expand my year-end song and album lists, just to avoid the guilt of leaving off some songs I really enjoyed. In fact, even with 15 honorable mentions instead of 10 this year, there were still a few casualties (sorry, Harry Styles, Chastity Belt and Spoon).

Regardless, here’s the 15 that made the cut of barely missing the cut — if that statement made any sense. Let’s just jump in.

“Turn to Rage” by Bleached

California’s best bubblegum punk band released a new EP, Can You Deal?, this spring. It’s pretty solid, but what I found interesting was that Deal dove head-first into both sides of their sound. One single, “Flipside” was pure mid-90s sugary pop. It honestly could’ve been the theme to a Nickelodeon teen sitcom (and I mean that as a compliment).

“Turn to Rage” is the opposite. If “Flipside” is straight bubblegum, “Turn to Rage” is Bleached focusing on their punk side. It’s all aggressive guitars, abrupt tempo changes built for mosh pits, and snarky lyrics. There’s definitely some elements of Bleached’s original sound in here — they didn’t completely get rid of the vocal harmonies, and the song’s still catchy in a Weezer-esque sort of way — but there’s also more of an angry edge.

Luckly, Bleached managed to still maintain their sunburnt Los Angeles style, their greatest asset. “Turn to Rage” just shows the up-and-coming band has some range beyond adding heavy guitars to Go-Gos pastiches.

“Told You So” by Miguel

Miguel has been one of the most charismatic, sensual R&B singers on the planet for a while now. Instant classics like “Adorn,” “Coffee” and “Do You...” are bright, impeccably produced-and-performed ‘80s throwbacks that haven’t aged a day.

So, what’s his newest electro-funk single about? Love? Sex? ...how about nuclear war? 

Yes, “Told You So,” the supremely groovy standout from Miguel’s newest album, aptly titled War and Leisure, is meant to be told from the perspective of a war-hungry dictator (the video makes it a lot more obvious). Kind of makes lyrics like “Every pleasure you taste has its price, baby” and “I don’t want to control you/I want to set you free/just come with me” sound a lot more sinister in that context, no?

Yet, it also totally works as a bedroom jam. It’s kind of like how U2′s “With or Without You” can be both about God or a relationship. “Told You So” is just a more deadly version of that formula, and Miguel pulls it off with flying colors. The production here is about as good of a Prince ripoff as we’re going to hear in this century, and the L.A. singer’s forceful, sultry delivery really sells the message. 

Miguel just wanted to show that blowing away your enemies with the click of a button can be just as tempting as any physical desire, and his point is certainly proven.

“tonite” by LCD Soundsystem

A lot of veteran indie rockers had comeback albums in 2017. A lot of them didn’t really work. Fortunately, James Murphy had a trick up his sleeve to avoid this fate: middle-aged ramblings over a techno beat! Hooray!

Real talk though, if I’m going to listen to a 47-year-old complain about random things, I’d choose James Murphy nine times out of ten. Not only does everyone’s favorite Steve Bannon lookalike set his gripes to a laser-focused "Blue Monday” techno beat, but he gets in some interesting quotes. He discusses the looming threat of old age ( “I promise you this, you’re getting older...and there’s nothing I can do/nothing anyone can do about this”), worries about his generation becoming obsolete (“Oh I’m a reminder/the hobbled veteran of the disc-shop inquisition”) and even reminds himself of his tortured youth (”So you will be badgered and taunted and told that/you're missing a party that you'll never get over/you hate the idea that you're wasting your youth/that you stood in the background oh until you got older”).

Of course, in the best line, he deflates the whole thing by quipping, “Good gracious, I sound like my mom!” “tonite” is a snide, highly danceable song that Murphy could write in his sleep, but just because it’s a 2005-era throwback doesn’t mean it can’t still hit a nerve.

“Love” by Lana Del Rey

After a dismal 2015 (Honeymoon still has to be one of the most sudden dips in quality from an artist I’ve witnessed), Lana had a bit of a return to form in 2017, starting with the gorgeous, dreamy lead single, “Love.”

Lana’s always had a retro style, but she goes full ‘60s here, employing a Phil Spector Wall of Sound production technique and even ripping off the groove from a classic Beach Boys song (which she references during the bridge and closing). 

But remaking “Don’t Worry Baby” for 2017 with a thicker bassline goes beyond just playing with a vintage formula. “Love” is legitimately soothing and calming with Lana’s silky alto vocals, and in a tumultuous year like this one, it was nice to have some reassurance that hey, everything’s going to be alright. You’re young, you’re beautiful, and things are going to work out. Perhaps what Lana inherited from the Boomers more than anything else is a sense of optimism that’s badly needed right now.

“Minnesota” by The Courtneys

This song might be called “Minnesota,” but it sounds oh-so-California. And The Courtneys aren’t even from either state: they’re Canadian!

It’s honestly a bit odd how a song named after a famously frigid state written by a band from a famously frigid country (although Vancouver isn’t quite the Arctic tundra) managed to create a fuzzy indie-rock gem that sounds so sunny and surf-ready. Lead singer Jen Twynn Payne’s slacker vocals and the raw, crunchy guitar riffs from Courtney Garvin (the band’s only Courtney, surprisingly) make “Minnesota” feel like a hidden track on the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack. Jeff Spicoli would absolutely approve.

“Everything Now” by Arcade Fire

Yes, I’m well aware that Arcade Fire’s days as a critical darling are just about over. I’ll agree with most people that Everything Now, Arcade Fire’s 2017 album, was a major disappointment that’s stained the band’s previously-flawless discography.

But “Everything Now,” that album’s title track? It’s a banger.

I’m sorry, but if mixing ABBA with Rusted Root while throwing in gratuitous jabs at late-capitalist consumerism is wrong, then I don’t want to ever be right. This song has an unstoppable disco grove, a catchy chant-along chorus, and lead singer Win Butler’s Bono-isms still perfectly toe that line between self-righteous and actually meaningful (at least, on this song). It might not be hip to defend Arcade Fire 13 years after Funeral, but I have enough goodwill left to enjoy “Everything Now.”

Oh, and the second single, “Creature Comfort,” is also great. Fight me, Pitchfork.

“I Dare You” by The xx

With their new album, I See You, The xx ditched the minimalist sound that made them famous at the turn of the decade for expansive synthpop that sounded a lot more like in-house DJ Jamie xx’s 2015 solo masterpiece, In Colour. And it totally worked! 

“I Dare You” might be the most pop-friendly track on the whole album, with its soaring chorus, pulsing backbeat and playfully lovestruck lyrics. It’s the kind of simple track you’ll love instantly, with enough depth and subtle touches to make it an enjoyable listen many times over. 

Also, Millie Bobby Brown’s in the video, so bonus points for that. Too bad she didn’t lift any vans with her mind this time.

“Silver” by Waxahatchee

Katie Cruchfield’s southern-fried indie rock is at its best when it has a raw emotion to grab onto, and “Silver” features just that. The driving track perfectly captures the feeling of falling out of love with someone. 

“The kiss on my lips/ starts to feel unfamiliar/the part in your eyes/my skin all turns silver,” Crutchfield drolly sings, perfectly describing the growing distance between her and her former lover. It’s not bitter, it’s not angry; It’s just a bit melancholy and disappointing. And sometimes, that’s all breakups are, something that Crutchfield encapsulates in her wordless chorus and wistful closing guitar solo. 

“Silver” is a realistic look at the unglamorous side of breakups, and a frank artist like Waxahatchee was the perfect person to deliver it.

“Lemon” by N.E.R.D. and Rihanna

Yeah, yeah, N.E.R.D. is back and all...but HOLD UP. WHO KNEW RIHANNA HAD THAT FLOW IN HER POCKET?! 

Okay, I guess we sort of knew thanks to her collab with Kendrick, but she was half-singing on that one. It was Fetty Wap rapping. This RiRi doing straight hip-hop, over an absolutely killer Pharrell beat to boot (he’s totally forgiven for “Happy” now).

Honestly, I wish the lyrics themselves were a bit more memorable (although Pharrell gets in a nice line about “Eli face,” which...lol) but I’ll be damned if “Lemon” isn’t an absolute banger regardless. 

Please make a rap album, Rihanna. It’ll be incredible.

“Carin at the Liquor Store” by The National

The National’s newest album, Sleep Well Beast, mainly deals with the struggles of maintaining a middle-aged marriage. Total rock-n-roll, I know. Still, if any band can pull off an entire album about somber marital strife, it’s these guys. 

“Carin at the Liquor Store,” located near the end of the record, serves as a nostalgic reminder of lead singer Matt Berninger’s romance with his wife (who yes, is really named Carin, and co-wrote chunks of the album’s lyrics) in their happier days. The verses detail their blossoming, awkward beginnings, while Berninger takes a dejected look at their present situation in the chorus.

It’s a very bittersweet song, bolstered by what’s arguably the best piano melody of the year. It feels utterly timeless, like a very melancholy Billy Joel tune. 

Although I’ve never been a massive fan of The National, “Carin” hits me right in the gut — odd, considering I’m probably not nearly old enough to relate. It still provokes something, though.

“Los Ageless” by St. Vincent

Avant-pop genius Annie Clark has done it again, even as she leans more and more into the pop world with every release. Honestly, I’m okay with that, especially if her version of “pop” is super-slick ‘80s new wave with Jack Antonoff on production duties.

Although on the surface, “Los Ageless” seems like a typical I-hate-L.A. song, with its references to the empty sheen of the Sunset Strip, plastic surgery, and weirdly nice weather, the song seems to take on a darker undertone than that. Based on the chorus and the chaotic bridge, and Clark’s repeated desperation to “keep on running,” it actually seems to be more about a mental breakdown.

Is it post break-up? Perhaps, as that’s what the chorus seems to indicate (“How can anybody have you and and lose you/and not lose their minds too?), but Clark keeps the details vague. In a way, the whole song feels like American Psycho (bear with me here): A shiny pop veneer is used to cover an insane underbelly. 

Based on how depressing the rest of St. Vincent’s album, MASSEDUCTION, is, “Los Ageless” fits in quite nicely, while still being an absolute blast on a musical level.

“Sixteen” by Diet Cig

Bubblegum punk is blossoming in New York as well as Seattle and L.A., if Diet Cig are any indication. Although their new album, Swear I’m Good at This, doesn’t have any barnburning masterpieces on the level of their 2015 single “Harvard,” “Sixteen” is a worthy successor.

Lead singer Alex Luciano’s angsty lyrics are crammed with details about an adolescent relationship and subsequent breakup, one being the odd scenario of trying to have sex with someone who has the same name as you (fairly believable, since “Alex” is super-common for guys or gals or anybody). 

She even spends a whole verse getting frustrated at the supermarket about having to still host a barbecue with all of their mutual friends post-breakup. It’s these mundane, unique vignettes that really make “Sixteen” feel lived-in and honest.

Of course, it helps that the song has a massive (and brilliantly simple) proto-punk groove to give it some oomph. Having heard it live, I can promise that “Sixteen” absolutely gets the crowd riled up, and with a perfect combination of angsty lyrics and angsty guitar riffs, why wouldn’t anybody get hyped?

“Over Everything” by Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile

As much as it feels like a bit of a waste of Courtney Barnett’s precise, pointed songwriting talents to make an entire album of sprawling stoner jams with Kurt Vile ... damnit, “Over Everything” is too charming to not like.

I normally hate super-relaxing music (don’t you dare play Jack Johnson when I’m in the room), but these two seem to have a great, witty back-and-forth chemistry that really makes “Over Everything” likable despite my personal biases. It feels like Kurt and Courtney (lol) have been lifelong friends who can playfully throw jabs at each other and perfectly harmonize whenever it suits them.

Sure, it goes on for about two minutes too long (I blame you, Kurt), but the good mood is so infectious, that I can’t complain too much. It’s the audio equivalent of slowly cruising down an empty street on a sunny September day.

Besides, Melbourne’s finest is coming out with a new solo album soon, so we’re all good on that front.

“Big Fish” by Vince Staples feat. Juicy J

Vince Staples is not a flossy rapper, so it’s a bit odd to hear him on a song like “Big Fish,” which features a DJ Mustard-style beat and Juicy J on the hook talking about being “up late night balling.” This could easily be mistaken for a French Montana song or something.

However, Staples’ verses are something different entirely. The first verse is all about his chaotic youth in North Long Beach (he even calls back to his 2015 classic “Norf Norf”), while the second verse is about how he’s having difficulties adjusting to a more comfortable life since he’s reached rap stardom.

It honestly sounds like Vince hijacked someone else’s song, and it’s a very interesting juxtaposition. Much like the rest of his 2017 album, Big Fish Theory, Staples mixes party-ready electronic and trap beats with some thought-provoking, downtrodden bars. Although the record sounds better when listened to all the way through, “Big Fish” is as solid a single as you’ll find on it.

“Slip Away” by Perfume Genius

Although I’ve never loved his full-length albums, Perfume Genius’ Mike Hadreas always come through with at least a couple stand-out singles every few years, and “Slip Away” is a nice change of pace for the Tacoma indie singer-songwriter.

While his past record, Too Bright, was harsh and angry, “Slip Away” is painfully romantic. Hadreas’ swooning vocals beg his lover to escape the dark world surrounding them to go somewhere where they can be alone. This emotive sentiment is matched by some of Perfume Genius’ most bombastic, fleshed-out production to date. It’s like if Kate Bush had an EDM drop (I realize that sounds awful, but trust me, it works really well). 

All of Hadreas’ works are dripping with passion, but his best songs are when the music matches him, which is why “Slip Away” is so powerful.