#print formule 1

[xhxhxhx]

It's December 4, 2024.

Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Skrmetti, a challenge to Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care. The specific question presented is whether Tennessee's ban violates the Equal Protection Clause.

The challenge is to Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-33-103(a)(1). That is, it's a challenge to a bit of Tennessee's Annotated Code. Title 68, Chapter 33, "Prohibited Medical Procedures for Minors."

I don't have anything to say about Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care. Nor do I have anything to say about how the Court will treat the case. Not yet, anyways.

But I have something to say about the Code.

I.

Tennessee's laws are compiled by its code commission.

Under state law, the commission is a five-member body, consisting of the state's chief justice, attorney general, and counsel for the legislature, along with another two members appointed by the chief justice. Tenn. Code Ann. § 1-1-101(a).

The code commission supervises the official publication of the state's statutes, codes and session laws. § 1-1-105(a). The commission is empowered to commission to contract with publishers to that end, § 1-1-106(a), and obliged to inspect and certify their work. § 1-1-110(a).

When its work finished, the commission puts its certificate of approval in each volume and pocket supplement. § 1-1-110(c). But their first certificate, the one they leave with the secretary of state, § 1-1-110(b), is what gives the code the force of law. § 1-1-111(a).

Beyond that, the commission's work is ministerial. It cuts and pastes. "[T]he commission shall not alter the sense, meaning or effect of any act of the general assembly, but shall copy the exact language of the text of the statutes, codes and session laws." § 1-1-108.

The commission may "rearrange, regroup and renumber" the laws; change their "section headings"; "correct manifest misspelling[s] and typographical errors"; and "omit enacting clauses, repealing clauses, severability clauses, conditional clauses, preambles, [and] captions", § 1-1-108—and not much more.

II.

Tennessee leaves the work to Lexis, a private publisher.

Lexis's product, the Tennessee Code Annotated, is not eligible for copyright. Public.Resource.Org v. Matthew Bender & Co., No. M2022-01260-COA-R3-CV, slip op. (Tenn. Ct. App. Nov. 9, 2023). But it is not subject to compulsory disclosure, either.

Under current law, according to the state's intermediate appellate court, the Tennessee Code Annotated in the hands of Lexis is in the hands of a private contractor, not the State.

If Lexis had been the functional equivalent of a government entity, contracted to "perform a governmental or public function," it would be subject to the State's public records law. *8. But it's not.

That's what the state's intermediate appellate court says, at least. But its reasoning is less than persuasive.

III.

Lexis is merely a contractor. The commission specifies the work, and Lexis does the work. The commission may be exacting, but it isn't controlling. *9.

That's the court's argument, at least. But that strikes me as a less than complete account of the commission's duties under State law, which must inform any characterization of its contracts.

Under State law, the commission is "authorized and directed to" control each dimension of the compilation, Tenn. Code Ann. § 1-1-105(a), and must

supervise the execution of plans for the compilation, arrangement, classification, annotation, editing, indexing, printing, binding, publication, sale, distribution and the performance of all other acts necessary for the publication of an official compilation of the statutes, codes and session laws of the state of Tennessee

The commission's contractual powers, set out in the subsequent section, § 1-1-106, are an incident to its primary authority and duty to "formulate and supervise" the compilation. § 1-1-105(a).

The commission's primary authority and duty to prepare the compilation is plain on the face of the law. Under State law, the compilation is the commission's work, down to the copying and pasting, § 1-1-108(a):

In preparing the manuscript of the revised compilation (including pocket supplements and replacement volumes) for publication and distribution, the commission shall not alter the sense, meaning or effect of any act of the general assembly, but shall copy the exact language of the text . . .

This is more than the relationship suggested by the court. It's more than control over the product. It's control over production, the work of "preparing the manuscript."

To the extent that Lexis is doing the work, "preparing the manuscript," and "copy[ing] the exact language of the text," it is performing the commission's functions.

The court says "Lexis is not a stand-in for government." But that's exactly what it is. The commission is a government body. And Lexis is doing the commission's work.

That seems like a governmental function to me.

[slack-wise]

Creative year in review 2024

1. I have a tradition of looking over the previous year from a creative bent. I tend to start with success/failure rates submitting to open calls. This year has been pretty kind. 15 submissions with 7 Yeses. That's a 47% success rate, which might be my best ever. Certainly compared to last year where I had a 100% failure rate! (which was unprecedented). Also in previous years I had ended up peppering these submissions, but in more recent times they have been paired back and slightly more targeted.

2. Of course submitting to open calls is only a small part of the whole spectrum. One of the biggest things I got out of the door in 2024 was XXto2, a (thick) zine I made with the super talented Tyrone Williams. We had been hatching the project for a while and were approaching publishers, despite a whiff of interest from a couple of small independent presses we ended up self-publishing the project. We launched at an event organised by the wonderful Photomafia studios (run by Joe Westley and Alex Macchiarelli). We put up a small, very haphazard exhibition and sold some zines. There are a handful left at: https://slackwise.org.uk/shop/xxto2/

3. What is quite notable this year is that I have hardly taken any photographs. I started working on a a huge project earlier in the year, but didn't make much headway. In fact I have only just sent off two rolls of film to be developed at the end of December. The only other photography I seemed to have engaged in are instant Fuji Instax images taken on the large format camera (with a Lomograflok back). I had been thinking though, when people ask and realise how expensive large format film is, I think even in my busiest periods I might only shoot 20 4x5 negatives in a single year and very often less.

4. In August our studio, studio MALARKEY hosted its first arts event since we set up shop. It was coordinated with NN Contemprary and called NNights. There were several venues around the town hosting arts events for one evening in early August. The footfall was very good and we had some curious visitors to our studio.

5. Probably the biggest thing I was involved in this year was the show we curated at studio MALARKEY called 'Apparition / Aberration / Your Mum'. This brought together 22 internaitonal artists presenting an array of work centered around themes of witchcraft, metaphysics, sacred geometry, the unknown and conjuring with a sprinkling of humour. I also showed a work in this exhibit. I was formulating the idea in June and gave myself a September deadline to take a single photograph. The image I made is a reworking of the Four of Cups Tarot card. But by far the biggest boon was contacting the artists, logistics, ordering prints, curating then mounting the show. Very proud of this one.

6. Another big thing for this year seemed to be purchasing (or gifted) artists books and zines. I don't think I have ever highlighted this in previous years, but 2024 seemed notable. I bought publications by Andreas Olesen, James Casebere, Lynn Cohen, Ariel C. Wilson, Al Palmer, Tyrone Williams (my collaborator from earlier this year), Billy & Hells (who included a lovely artists proof print), Lewis Baltz, Lauren Hubbard, Hikaru, Joe Westley and an extraordinary book called Made of concrete - 2011, from a trio of artists Sami Benhadj Djilali, Tarik Hayward and Guy Meldem (image pictured).

7. Odds and sods: I finally got a scanner (very affordably) that can cope with 8x10 negatives. I bought a 3m long pneumatic cable release (see next point). Very tangential: I got to see Melt-Banana perform live (this was on my bucket list). I mothballed my bot, Glyphbot. I built a new website for a very discerning customer, Jessica Harby. I backed a Kickstarter that is making a digital leaf shutter for large format cameras. Leaf shutters have not been manufactured since 2016.

8. What is next? I am working on a book (literally as we speak). Like most of my projects it has been delayed, was hoping to put it out this year, but it will roll into next. I have taken the final photographs for it, now comes the arduous task of layout. Hoping to publish it with a local artist friend who has a small press and is an all round mensch. In the summer as part of NNights I am hoping to open MALARKEY to use as a portrait studio. I have an old 5x7 camera (see above). Earlier this year I bought 4 film holders for it (these are quite hard to come by in the UK) plus the seller threw in 2 boxes of black and white film. I want to get sitters to take their own portraits using a very long 3m cable release I managed to pick up. I plan to take the portraits in a very narrow corner of the hoist room (a little annex to our studio). Think Irving Penn, German Expressionist cinema and this lovely old portrait by Cecil Beaton.

Err that's it!

You can peruse the 2023 review here (if you want).

[iguana-eyanna]

NCIS: Roy Pt. 1

You can't remember the last time you had a peaceful sleep.

Maybe since you've been sleeping in your lab all day, trying to find a cure for your friend, Roy.

Roy Sanders, the golden Navy Lieutenant. You often teased him about how he was like Superman with his righteous personality and piercing blue eyes. He just laughed it as he gave you his blinding smile.

He still smiled even when someone close to his work tried to poison him.

It started off small, thought he had a fever and just needed to rest. He had to stop jogging his route near the capital. But one night, he came to your door, eyes bloodshot as he lost his breath.

"I don't trust anyone but you."

He confided in you about the work he was investigating in and that someone in his agency is trying murder him as he got closer in his investigation. You told him he should go to NCIS himself to help him, and stop the person who's doing this to him.

"Let's go to my lab, I'll figure out what's going on with a blood sample and I'll find a cure."

"No don't, I'll go to NCIS tomorrow. They'll help me."

"Roy, you can barely keep your eyes open. What makes you think I'm going to stand idly and watch you die?"

"Because I don't want you blaming yourself that you couldn't save me in time!" He raised his voice.

It was the first time you ever see him so angry, but he was right. You would have blamed yourself every day that you're the one breathing and he wasn't.

"I have to at least try."

He pondered till he nodded his head, agreeing that you would help him. He knew you would go against the laws of science just so he could have a future.

Now you're at your lab, waiting for the test results if your serum could deteriorate the Thallium that was in his bloodstream. You consulted with Abby Sciuto, the forensic scientist at NCIS, and compared notes.

She saw how determined you were to save your friend, but she knew deep down there was more than what you were saying.

You loved Roy.

Ever since you moved to DC, Roy was the first friend you made when you met him at a conference. You loved how positive he was and made every effort to make a difference in the world.

Then suddenly, you heard a beeping noise from the machine that was formulating if the serum was working. You flutter your eyes in confusion till you rush over, looking at the paper that printed the results. You scanned over the stats, muttering what the results were telling you.

You look up from the paper and raced towards your phone, dialing Abby's phone number.

"Abby, I need your help."

+

Your heels clicked loudly in the hallway as you searched for Roy's room. Then, you see Ziva outside of a door, looking at everyone suspiciously.

"Hi, Ziva? I'm-"

"The doctor friend of Lieutenant Sanders. Yes, Abby informed me."

"Then you know that I have the antidote." You said, holding the protective case that held the vials.

"Has it been tested before?" she asks.

"Not exactly-"

"Doctor, I don't doubt your work but if it's not tested, I cannot allow you to worsen Lieutenant Sander's state." Ziva replied, trying for you to step aside.

"Ziva please! Wouldn't you do anything to save the person you love? I have to do this. Either I give him this serum without knowing whether he's going to live or see him slowly die without even trying." You said, your voice thinning.

Ziva looks at you, seeing how much you cared for Roy.

"Alright, I'll call his doctors to help administer the medicine."

She stepped aside as she went to look for them and you look through the window seeing Roy.

He looked paler and even tired and looked... looked like he was just waiting to die. You turn the knob and you walked quietly inside while he slept. You sat in the chair, feeling your palms clammy, trying to calm your nerves.

"You know, I think I have to buy you quieter shoes." Roy said.

You look up and see Roy awake.

"You knew that was me?"

"People could hear your heels in the hall from Canada." Roy joked, making you laugh.

You scoot closer as you hold his hand.

"How are you?"

He shrugs slightly as he gives you a small smile.

"Tired, but I feel I have a few good days in me."

"Don't say that, Roy. You're going to get better." You said.

"All the doctors have told me that I'm not going to live past this month. It's too late now. I've already accepted it, so should you."

You shake your head, feeling the tears go down your face.

"So me being confined in my lab to find a cure for you was for nothing, Roy? I'm not giving up on you like every goddamn doctor in this hospital. You prove them wrong. You're going to walk out of this hospital with a second chance of life. You're going to run your daily morning jogs you've desperately wanted me to join with you."

Roy chuckles, remebering that you'd refuse to wake up at 4 in the morning to run around D.C.

He then turns his head, his eyes growing with doubt and worry.

"I'm dead weight. You need- to move on. Settle down, get a dog, and have that white picket fence life. You should let me go." He said, saying this last part with a whisper.

"I can't do that, Roy."

"Why?"

"Because I- I love you goddamnit." You said, raising your voice.

He was silent, and you stood up, pacing in the small room.

"You know, it was hard to just keep my feelings by myself for the longest time. But I was scared that- that I was going to lose my best friend... whether if I told you how I felt or this-" You gestured around you.

"and I know you don't feel the same way-"

"Who said I didn't?" He asks.

You stop, looking at him by the foot of the bed.

"I'm sorry?"

He chuckles lightly, giving you a cheesy smirk.

"You know, for someone who brags about being the smartest person in the room, you really can't see the answer in front of you."

He tried sitting up, but his strength gave out, so you rushed to his side as you helped him.

"Guess I was scared too of saying something. I trust you with my life but I couldn't have the guts to ask you out."

For some reason, both of you began to laugh at yourselves.

"What is it with us?" You said, sitting on the side of his bed.

"I don't know, but we have impeccable timing." He said, placing his hand on his side. You reached out and intertwined his hand with yours.

Suddenly, Ziva came in with his doctors looking a bit grim.

"It's time for the trial"

After the doctors did the procedure, you cuddled with Roy before heading to sleep. Even if visitors should have left hours ago, Ziva pulled some strings. She was happy to see Roy more hopeful than ever.

Both of you were trying to stay awake, having so much to talk about, but your eyes kept fluttering.

"Promise me... you'll wake up with me in the morning." You whispered.

Roy wasn't so sure of making an empty promise, as the warnings for the antidote would either be a 50/50 chance. But he kissed your temple as he held you in his arms.

"I promise I'll be right here."

Both of you dozed off that night, and both of you were filled with uncertainty and fear.

But one thing is for sure.

Roy would fight for one more day if he could spend it with you.

[sunmontuewrites]

Anyone with a Masters degree in materials engineering (or potentially related field) background looking for a PhD scholarship in New Zealand? I'm about to post this on my work LinkedIn...

PhD scholarship – Large format 3D printing with biocomposites

Background: We have a fully-funded PhD scholarship as part of the MBIE Endeavour project “Āmiomio Aotearoa: A Circular Economy for the Wellbeing of New Zealand”. The project is a collaboration between universities, research institutes, industry, community groups and government ministries hosted by the School of Engineering at Waikato University. It aims to pave the way through materials science, engineering, energy, economics, kaupapa Māori, business, law and regulation, social science and public policy for a more sustainable New Zealand.

As a PhD student at the University of Waikato, you would be focused on advancing sustainable manufacturing practices through the development and application of biocomposites.

The successful candidate will explore the use of biopolymers, recycled thermoplastics, and natural fibres to formulate high-performance biocomposites suitable for large format 3D printing (furniture, small structures, interior design). The research will delve into multiple aspects of these materials, including their performance, printability, design optimisation, and life cycle assessment.

This interdisciplinary project provides a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of materials science, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing technologies. We invite passionate and driven individuals to join our team and contribute to this transformative research endeavour.

Your ideal background:

MSc/ME in a related Science/Engineering discipline

experience with natural materials

familiar with CAD design and 3D printing is a plus

experience in life cycle assessment is a plus

a willingness to learn, up-skill and work in multidisciplinary group

a professional attitude, good writing and time management skills

resilience to take on the challenge of the research experience

Value: a stipend of NZ$30,000 per year, domestic tuition fees and insurance, and support for research materials.

Application documents required

CV including contact details for 2-3 referees (including at least one academic reference)

Academic transcript from previous study undertaken (and thesis if available/applicable)

A personal statement (max 1 page) describing your motivation, interests and background related to the research project

English language Certificate where English is not the first language (IELTS/TOEFL)

LINKEDIN for contact details of the guy and you can see he's got the scholarship listed as well.

[bmv1]

DTF Transfer Printing for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide to Printing DTF Transfers at Home

As custom apparel and personalized items continue to gain popularity, creative enthusiasts are looking for efficient and affordable ways to produce high-quality prints from the comfort of their homes. Direct-to-Film (DTF) transfer printing has emerged as an accessible and versatile method for producing vibrant designs on various surfaces, especially textiles. DTF printing offers the advantage of application on a range of materials while maintaining exceptional color fidelity and detail. This article will introduce beginners to the DTF printers printing process, the equipment and materials needed, step-by-step instructions for printing transfers at home, tips for successful application, and the benefits of incorporating DTF printing into your crafting repertoire.

Understanding DTF Transfer Printing

DTF transfer printing is a relatively new technology that combines elements from both Direct-to-Garment (DTG) and traditional heat transfer methods. DTF printing involves printing designs onto a special film using specific inks that offer excellent adhesion and durability. The printed film is then coated with a layer of adhesive powder, which, when heated, bonds securely to the fabric. This process differentiates DTF from other transfer methods, providing vibrant prints, the ability to work with a wide variety of fabrics, and ease of application. For beginners, understanding the mechanics of DTF printing is essential for achieving high-quality results and exploring the potential of this versatile printing method.

Equipment and Materials Needed

To embark on your DTF printing journey, you'll need a collection of essential equipment and materials. The primary equipment required is a DTF printer, specifically an inkjet printer that can accommodate DTF transfer films. You’ll also need DTF inks, which are specifically formulated for this printing process, along with adhesive powder that helps form a strong bond between the transfer and fabric. Other necessary items include DTF transfer film, heat press, a weeding tool for removing excess film, and protective sheets to place between the fabric and heat press for safe application. While it may seem like a considerable investment upfront, many of these items can be purchased gradually as you become more comfortable with the process.

Step-by-Step Process for Printing DTF Transfers

Once you have gathered the necessary equipment and materials, the process of printing DTF transfers can begin. 

1. Design Creation: Start by creating your design using graphic design software (like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW) or purchasing premade designs. Ensure your design is in a compatible format and sized appropriately for your project.

2. Printing: Load the DTF transfer film into your printer. Print your design, ensuring to set it for "mirror" mode so that the image transfers correctly when applied to the fabric.

3. Adhesive Application: Once printed, sprinkle the adhesive powder evenly onto the wet ink immediately after printing. Gently shake off any excess powder.

4. Curing: Use a heat source, such as a heat press, to cure the transfer. This generally involves setting the heat press to a specific temperature (around 160-180°C) and applying even pressure for roughly 20-30 seconds. This step helps melt the adhesive powder into the print.

5. Weeding: Allow the transfer to cool, then weed out the unwanted areas of the film using a weeding tool, leaving you with your desired design.

6. Pressing on Fabric: Place your fabric on the heat press, position the transfer film (ink side down), apply the heat press again for another 10-15 seconds, and then let it cool before peeling off the film backing.

Tips for Successful DTF Transfers

To achieve the best results with DTF transfer printing, several tips can help ensure success. Begin by investing time in acclimating yourself to the equipment and practicing with various designs and fabrics. Experiment with different print settings, as printing at the right resolution and using suitable profiles for DTF printing can significantly influence the final output. It's also important to use high-quality DTF films and inks, as these will directly affect the vibrancy and durability of your prints. Lastly, always remember to conduct washing tests on fabric after the initial applications; this will provide insight into the longevity and durability of your DTF transfers and help you adjust your processes accordingly.

Benefits of DTF Printing for DIY Enthusiasts

For those interested in custom apparel, DTF transfer printing offers multiple benefits. One significant advantage is its versatility; DTF printing can be applied to a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends. This flexibility enables crafters to experiment with different materials and styles without being restricted to specific substrates. Additionally, DTF transfers deliver vibrant colors and intricate details, making them ideal for creating striking designs on clothing. The process is also relatively straightforward compared to other printing methods, often requiring less upfront investment and offering rapid turnaround times for small batch production. Overall, DTF printing not only encourages creativity but also offers an efficient way to produce high-quality custom items.

Final Thought

In summary, DTF transfer printing provides an exciting opportunity for beginners and craft enthusiasts to produce professional-quality prints from home. By understanding the mechanics behind the process, gathering the right equipment, and following the steps outlined, you can start your venture into the world of custom printing today. Embrace the versatility and ease of DTF printing to create personalized apparel and accessories that reflect your unique style. As you gain experience and confidence, your creative possibilities will expand, allowing you to explore the full potential of DTF transfer printing. So grab your supplies, start experimenting, and watch your designs come to life through this innovative medium!

[diccorporation]

The Role of Metal Decorative Inks in Modern Printing

Metal decorative inks have carved out a significant niche in modern printing due to their ability to add a distinctive, eye-catching aesthetic to various printed materials. These inks, which contain metallic particles, provide a unique finish that can enhance the visual appeal of products like brochures, packaging, labels, and high-end marketing materials. Here, we explore the role of metal decorative inks in modern printing, focusing on their applications, benefits, and how they are revolutionizing the printing industry.

What Are Metal Decorative Inks?

Metal decorative inks are inks that contain metal-based pigments, such as aluminum, bronze, or copper, which create a shiny, reflective finish. These inks are typically used in offset, flexographic, and screen-printing processes. Depending on the type of metallic pigment used, the ink can produce effects ranging from a subtle sheen to a bold, mirror-like finish.

Applications in Modern Printing

One of the key benefits of metal decorative inks is their versatility across a wide range of printing applications. They are commonly used in:

1. Packaging: In the packaging industry, metal inks are used to create high-quality finishes that help products stand out on the shelf. Metallic inks can be applied to a variety of materials, including paper, cardboard, and plastic, enhancing the appeal of food packaging, luxury goods, and cosmetics packaging.

2. Promotional Materials: Businesses often use metallic inks for promotional items like brochures, business cards, and flyers. The shiny finish helps to attract attention and can elevate the perceived value of the brand.

3. Labels and Tags: Metallic inks are a popular choice for labels on bottles, jars, and products in industries such as beverages, cosmetics, and high-end retail. The gleaming effect created by metal inks adds an extra layer of sophistication to product packaging.

4. Greeting Cards and Invitations: In the realm of stationery, metallic inks are often used for greeting cards, wedding invitations, and other special event stationery to convey elegance and luxury.

Benefits of Metal Decorative Inks

1. Enhanced Aesthetics: The most apparent benefit of using metal decorative inks is the visual impact. Metallic finishes can add depth, texture, and a premium feel to printed materials, making them highly desirable in competitive markets.

2. Brand Differentiation: In a world where brands are constantly seeking ways to differentiate themselves, the use of metallic inks can help products stand out. The shiny finish can evoke a sense of exclusivity, helping brands position their products as high-quality and luxurious.

3. Durability and Resistance: Metallic inks tend to be more durable than regular inks. They are often more resistant to fading, smudging, and scratching, which is particularly valuable for items like packaging that may undergo handling and transport.

4. Variety of Effects: Metal inks can produce a range of effects depending on the type of pigment and the printing technique used. From glossy to matte finishes, and from fine details to broad metallic coverage, the possibilities are vast.

Challenges in Using Metal Inks

While metal decorative inks offer several benefits, they are not without challenges. One issue is the higher cost compared to standard inks, which may limit their use in certain applications. Additionally, the printing process with metallic inks requires precision and specialized equipment, as these inks have different viscosity and drying characteristics compared to traditional inks.

Another consideration is the environmental impact. The use of metal-based pigments can raise concerns about sustainability, especially if the inks are not formulated with eco-friendly materials. In modern printing, metal decorative inks offer an exciting way to elevate the look of printed materials. From packaging to promotional items, these inks provide aesthetic advantages that can significantly enhance the perceived value of products. Despite challenges such as cost and environmental concerns, the impact metal inks have on design and marketing remains undeniable, making them a valuable tool in the world of printing.

[softpine]

Two things: (1) would love some behind the scenes thoughts on your most recent post, especially regarding the background convo Elaine is having (her reactions aren't shown and I just feel like she could be so helpful in piecing some things together/formulating theories) and (2) I'm especially curious about Finn's book selection. What was your thought process when you picked them? Which are his favorites and why? Do some of the themes of the stories, symbols, lessons, or characters line up with Frozen Pines or specifically Finn's arc in general? I love pretty much every single book in Finn's stack and my brain has been going wild all day analyzing them lmao!

thanks for asking!! so originally i did include elaine's dialogue too, but i found it really wasn't necessary and i was able to include more hints by cutting out all the transitions between each piece of information. the thing i found interesting is how lucy is reluctant to speak to them about who finn was as a person, because that's where the majority of her guilt lies. asa and elaine are certainly not the only people who've asked her to talk about her son, and she must know how bad it sounds that she can't name more than 1 thing about him. it clearly causes her a lot of distress. so when asa leaves the room, elaine doesn't bother asking her more questions about griffin -- she gets right down to business, talking about the case, not the person. and lucy opens up to her immediately, because this is easier to detach from. she feels secure in the knowledge that she did everything she could after finn went missing; she has no guilt over that. here's a full breakdown of everything she was saying:

(… why I called my sister first — ’cause that’s where he would’a gone! I never thought something bad happened to him, just thought he ran off …) the first question elaine asked is "why did you wait so long to call the police?". finn ran away from the camp site in the evening, and no one noticed until the next morning, when everyone sobered up. lucy & richard didn't call the police for many hours, instead choosing to look for him themselves. lucy called her sister first, because she thought that would be the first place finn would run away to. when her sister told her she didn't know anything about finn coming to stay with her, then lucy called the police. by then they'd already lost a whole day of potential evidence.

(... come to find out, the only thing they took prints off was the cigarettes. Now tell me how that makes any sense, that a killer would stop to smoke Griffin’s own damn cigarettes? They never found ...) finn didn't smoke, but he did carry a pack of cigarettes in his back pocket at all times; mostly to look older. when his body was found, the cigarettes were also found, alongside a bunch of broken glass from a beer bottle. the police never took fingerprints from the bottle shards, only the cigarettes. this is ridiculous to lucy, and elaine agrees. the killer never would've touched the cigarettes. they used the bottle as a weapon, so if ever a fingerprint was going to be found, it would've been found there. but now we'll never know.

(... cousin was never the same. She got herself institutionalized, you know. She said she could see Griffin, hear him talkin’ to … ) this one is a deep cut lol. lucy's sister has a daughter, liz, who finn was pretty close to despite them living so far away. after he died, he spent most of his time following liz around, trying to talk to her. she couldn't see/hear him at first, but slowly she began to recognize his presence. she was terrified. eventually she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, where she was prescribed heavy antipsychotics. at the same time, finn decided to leave her alone because he didn't want to scare her, so she falsely assumes she was hallucinating the whole time due to grief. this is when finn got so lonely & sad he basically hibernated for a few decades.

(... damn cruel, that’s what it was. They had no right to tell me that way. No right. Treatin’ me like a murderer ...) finn was missing for 2 weeks before his body was found. the police have long suspected finn's parents are the ones who killed him. as a way to get them to "crack" they decided to inform them finn was found dead while they were in the middle of a televised interview, so everyone would see their reactions. ever since, people have judged lucy & richard for how they went completely stone cold and "showed no emotion". elaine is angry on her behalf too, because there's no possible "good" way to react to that information. it was always meant to be a trap.

(... always getting himself into trouble. He used to be such a good kid, and then, well, I don’t know ...) elaine had to bite her tongue at this part. lucy is basically saying she doesn't understand why finn started getting in trouble at school, stealing things/money, fighting back against his parents (to some extent). she still doesn't understand the gravity of the abuse she played a part in. like no shit he started acting different after his most formative years were spent in survival mode 🙄

(... ’bout two months before our old friend Chris killed himself, cops brought him in again. Yellin’ at him. Telling him they had all this evidence they don’t got. He was …) she's talking about chris porter, steven's dad. the guy who jada saw a vision of and who asa sees in spirit form every night. steven also wondered if his dad might have killed finn. when steven himself was about to die and was briefly able to talk to finn, he said: "[Chris] came home late that night drunk out of his mind, and his shoes, his pants, everything was soaked. I know they were, 'cause he threw a shoe at me and I had to clean up the mud. And he was different after that. I never saw him smile, never again. When the cops finally came 'round, I lied and said he was home all night. He was my dad, what was I supposed to say?". but lucy clearly doesn't believe chris did it. elaine remembers hearing about chris' death (it's not every day someone decapitates themselves on the train tracks) so she was more curious about what evidence they claimed to have gathered on him. she's not sure she believes it was ALL a bluff on the police's part, but she doesn't say that to lucy.

sorry that was so long omfg but to answer your question about the books: i think the prevailing theme is mostly "books a 10, 11, 12 year old shouldn't be reading yet" -- not because i think pre-teens can't handle these types of themes, more so because i wish no kid could relate to them yet. these themes include forming concepts of morality and justice, feeling ostracized from society, lacking control over your own life, complicated family dynamics, loss of innocence, and of course, abuse. there are moments in finn's journal entries where he sounds exactly how old he's supposed to be, but mostly he just sounds so much older and more exhausted than he should be. he couldn't relate to most kids his own age, let alone books meant for his age range. instead, he took solace in horror and mystery novels because of these themes. stephen king is clearly his favorite; he has almost every book of his written before 1982. he also has a TON of books that were later turned into movies (some he was able to watch, some came out too late). i can't even list them, there's so many. he loved comparing film adaptations to the original work and he was a big fan of movies in general. the really sad thing is he writes about wanting to see blade runner and that he's going to read the book that inspired it first (do androids dream of electric sheep? is actually in his stack of books) but blade runner came out just a few months after finn died, so he never got to see it :(

oh and i also was going to scan my own copy of the outsiders and create some annotations that finn would've written (which is why lucy mentioned him writing in the margins in the last post). because the outsiders was my favorite book that i read when i was around finn's age and i can seriously quote it cover to cover, so i had plenty of ideas about how finn would've reacted to it. but i decided it just wasn't necessary after all those journal entries. maybe i'll still do it for fun someday lmao

[petronthermoplast]

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[kitwallace]

An aperiodic tiling discovery

Much excitement last week with the publication by David Smith, Joseph Myers, Craig Kaplan and Chaim Goodman-Strauss of their discovery of a single tile which tiles aperiodically. Not only that but it does not need any supplementary rules, as Penrose's dart/kite pair do, to ensure aperiodicity. Christian Lawson-Perfect wrote about the story in aPeriodical. Later: There is now an excellent online talk by Craig and Chaim on the discovery and its proof hosted by the National Museum of Mathematics in New York.

The shape was discovered by David Smith, a hobbyist geometer. There is a wealth of research in David's blog, which starts with the declaration "I am not a mathematician but I do like shapes, interesting symmetry, polyhedra, tessellations and geometric patterns. " Skimming though it, one can see the deep exporation of shapes which makes his discovery seem almost inevitable. I plan to read more of his blog for inspiration. Well done ye, David!

The mathematical work of proving that the tile is aperiodic is a masterful exercise, clearly explained. A truly inspiring collaboration between a tinkerer, acedemic mathematicians and computer scientists.

OpenSCAD

Naturally I had a look at this with my OpenSCAD tiling tools.

tl:dr: A customizer on Thingiverse.allows both kinds of tiles in normal or mirror forms and all intermediate tiles to be printed or laser-cut.

I began by defining the perimeter as a sequence of sides each defined by side length and interior angle taken from the diagram, where we see up of 16 right triangular segments ( 8 kites) of adjacent hexagons. In this formulation, r is the long side of the triangle, a and b the other sides.

function hat_peri(r) = // r is the radius of the base hexagon // returns perimeter as a sequence of [side length,internal angle]    let (a = r * sin(60), b = r*cos(60) )    [[b,180],[b,120],[b,270],[a,120],[a,90],[b,120],[b,270],[a,120],     [a,90],[b,240],[b,90],[a,240],[a,90],[b,120]];

The first two sides form a straight line but for the purposes of tiling are distinct edges.

The perimeter is converted to a sequence of points using turtle-like geometry:

function peri_to_points(peri,pos=[0,0],dir=0,i=0) =     i == len(peri)       ? [pos]       : let(side = peri[i])         let (distance = side[0])         let (newpos = pos + distance* [cos(dir), sin(dir)])         let (angle = side[1])         let (newdir = dir + (180 - angle))         concat([pos],peri_to_points(peri,newpos,newdir,i+1))      ;

Tiling with this shape requires the use of the mirror image of the base tile:

function reverse(l) = [for (i=[1:len(l)]) l[len(l)-i]];

function mirror_peri(q) = let(p=reverse(q)) [for (i=[0:len(p)-1]) [p[ (i - 1 + len(p) ) %len(p)].x,p[i].y] ];

[This is a bit of a pity. Penrose's tiles are symmetric so the question doesnt arise but the search continues for a monotiling which does not require the use of reflections.]

My library of OpenSCAD functions supports the creation of tilings by defining a sequence of edge-to-edge placements. ATM this list is created manually. Each line specifies the alignment of one of the base tiles and edge to a tile and edge in the assembly.

hat_assembly_6 = [ [[0,0]] ,[[0,0],[0,1]] ,[[0,5],[0,2]] ,[[0,3],[0,4]] ,[[0,13],[0,6]] ,[[1,1],[0,9]] ,[[0,7],[0,12]] ];

module hat_tile_6(d) { p = hat_peri (10,d); t=peri_to_points(p); m=peri_to_points(mirror(p)); unit=group_tiles([t,m],hat_assembly_6); fill_tiles(unit,["red","green","blue","yellow","pink","black","coral"]); }

Parametric tiles

More amazingly still, this tile turns out to be one of a family of aperiodic tiles, which in the limit are simple periodic tiles. They are beautifully animated here. The parametric perimeter description enables all members of this family to be constructed:

function hat_peri_family(r,d) = // r is the radius of the base hexagon

// d is the angle which varies from 0 to 90 // returns perimeter as a sequence of [side,internal angle] let (a = r * sin(d), b = r * cos(d) ) [[b,180],[b,120],[b,270],[a,120],[a,90],[b,120],[b,270],[a,120], [a,90],[b,240],[b,90],[a,240],[a,90],[b,120]]);

At the limits , the tiles tesselate:

d=0 (nicknamed the comet)

d=45

d=90 (nicknamed the chevron)

All the tiles inbetween are aperiodic:

The Turtle

David also discovered a second tile he called the turtle. Defined as a perimeter, this also has 14 sides and is a family of tiles:

function turtle_peri(r,d) = // r is the radius of the base hexagon // returns perimeter as a sequence of [side,internal angle] let (a = r * sin(d), b = r * cos(d) ) [[a,240],[a,90],[b,240],[b,90],[a,120],[a,180],[a,120],[a,270],[b,120],[b,90],[a,120],[a,270],[b,120],[b,90]];

d=60

The periodic endpoints d=0 and d=90 are the same as for the hat.

This is a small section of a tiling in David's blog:

No mirroed tiles in this example.

turtle_assembly_6 = [ [[0,0]] ,[[0,12],[0,13]] ,[[0,13],[0,2]] ,[[0,5],[0,6]] ,[[0,4],[0,7]] ,[[0,5],[0,10]] ,[[0,10],[0,11]] ];

To do

I'd like to add a couple of the suggested decorations.

A big task is to automate the tile placement to construct an assembly. Craig's software does this so I dont expect it to be easy! The approach I'd like to explore (perhaps it's the obvious appraoch?) is to start with the perimeter description of the base tile and extend this as each tile is added. The next tile can be placed by matching a subsequence of the tile perimeter to a subsequence of the expanding perimeter. Bit complicated to ensure that such a match will result in a fit especially with concave shapes.

Further

Veritasium has a nice youtube on the background to aperiodic tiling

Jaap Scherphuis created the PolyForm Puzzle software which was used by David in his explorations.

[gapaskat]

Addressing Response to Customer Difficulties: Starting Point

What are the common problems encountered by CMU students nowadays?

In this journal, you will learn about our journey of finding problems and how we were able to come up with this particular product in order to achieve a more efficient and productive academic life for college students.

The first thing we did during the first week was to create a plan on how we will conduct our interview and how many prospective people we need including the college they should be from. The team agreed on making interviews by pair; one person will do the asking while the other will do the documentation.

After some interviews, we gathered all the information and shared it together with other members.

After giving it some thought, we took notes of the problems raised and created possible solutions to each of them. The next day, we interviewed another group of people for further investigation. The following is the summarization of the data gathered from respondents.

Data Gathered:

• 2Males (From Agriculture) - Problem: Garbage’s on Agriculture Benches

• 1 male (From CAS) - Problem: Lack of trash bins & sometimes no water on Comfort Rooms

• 1 Female (From CFES) - Problem: CMU market is too far printings

• 1 Female (From CBM) - Problem: CMU market is too far school supplies

• 2 Females (Graduate Students) -Problem: Financial problem

• 1 Female (Veterinary Medicine) - Problem: CMU market is too far printing

• 1 Female (Education) -Problem: Slow internet

• 5 Females (CAS, Psychology) -Problem: Lack of benches

A total of 14 customers are interviewed. And then we all gathered together to brainstorm and discuss our possible plans.

In consideration of the data’s we have gathered while conducting interviews, we noticed that there was diverse array of problems from our customers' answers. The group decided to formulate possible solutions to the problems while also considering the opportunity to profit. The most significant one was financial problems, our chosen solution for this was to construct or create a platform for a marketplace where we will play the role of a broker. It aims to give opportunities for students to:

1. Dispose of their old possessions through selling second-hand items (books, print-outs, yoga mats, swimsuits, etc.) 2. Allows them to buy items at a lesser price. 3. Easy access for available boarding houses in the area.

However, it requires a lot of estimations and assumptions and we found out that CMU already has an online marketplace.

Another best alternative we are able to formulate was the solution to the distance of the CMU market in regards to printing services. We came up with the decision to choose the printing problems to be addressed. After considering other variables, the team has made an idea of providing a self-service, coin-generated, Vendo printing machine rather than using a regular printer which needs someone to operate and provide assistance for all the time. It is super convenient and can be less hassle since we only need to provide maintenance for it once in a while. For that cause, we did research if this product is available in the market or is yet to be created.

To find out that it is currently unavailable in the local market, we are advised to manufacture the product ourselves, because formulating it on our own and managing its service function would dampen the fixed cost, causing us to hardly match the value of the product in the value the customers can afford to give which can dampen the possibility of profitability. With that in plan, we established steps to properly manufacture the product and as to where we will market it.

The group formulated the following measures:

• Collaborate with people with expertise in the making of the product (IT technicians/ Engineers) • Interview experts as to the costs of manufacture, the processes and licenses needed to manufacture the product. • Have the estimation as to the possibility of profitability or determine the economic value of the product in a certain point of time. • Make a model or prototype of the product, as to the process of using it • Devise a clear plan on whom to sell the product.

To sum up, working with other institutions to create a clear plan for marketing your product might be a smart step to access new markets, make use of pooled resources, and ultimately succeed more in the education industry. Our teamwork leads to productivity, innovation, decision-making, communication and personla growth, while also fostering strong relationships among team members.

[pogoyarabelajane]

Addressing Response to Customer Difficulties: Starting Point

What are the common problems encountered by CMU students nowadays?

In this journal, you will learn about our journey of finding problems and how we were able to come up with this particular product in order to achieve a more efficient and productive academic life for college students.

The first thing we did during the first week was to create a plan on how we will conduct our interview and how many prospective people we need including the college they should be from. The team agreed on making interviews by pair; one person will do the asking while the other will do the documentation.

After some interviews, we gathered all the information and shared it together with other members.

After giving it some thought, we took notes of the problems raised and created possible solutions to each of them. The next day, we interviewed another group of people for further investigation. The following is the summarization of the data gathered from respondents.

Data Gathered:

2 males (Agriculture Students) — lack of trash bins in Agri benches.

1 male (from CAS) — lack of trash bins and CR (no water)

1 female (from CFES) — CMU market is too far for printing documents.

1 female (from CBM) — CMU market is too far for printing documents.

2 female (Graduate students) — Financial problem.

1 female (from CVM) — CMU market is too far.

1 female (from COEd) — Slow internet.

5 females (from CAS) — Lack of benches.

A total of 14 customers are interviewed.

And then we all gathered together to brainstorm and discuss our possible plans.

In consideration of the datas we have gathered while conducting interviews, we noticed that there was a diverse array of problems from our customers' answers. The group decided to formulate possible solutions to the problems while also considering the opportunity to profit. The most significant one was financial problems, our chosen solution for this was to construct or create a platform for a marketplace where we will play the role of a broker. It aims to give opportunities for students to:

Dispose of their old possessions through selling second-hand items(books, print-outs, yoga mats, swimsuits, etc.)

Allows them to buy items at a lesser price.

Easy access for available boarding houses in the area.

However, it requires a lot of estimations and assumptions and we found out that Central Mindanao University already has an online marketplace.

Another best alternative we are able to formulate was the solution to the distance of the University Market in regards to printing services. We came up with the decision to choose the printing problems to be addressed. After considering other variables, the team has made an idea of providing a self-service, coin-generated, vendo printing machine rather than using a regular printer which needs someone to operate and provide assistance for all the time. It is super convenient and can be less hassle since we only need to provide maintenance for it for once in a while. For that cause, we did research if this product is available in the market or is yet to be created.

To find out that it is currently unavailable in the local market, we are advised to manufacture the product ourselves, because formulating it on our own and managing its service function would dampen the fixed cost, causing us to hardly match the value of the product in the value the customers can afford to give which can dampen the possibility of profitability. With that in plan, we established steps to properly manufacture the product and as to where we will market it.

The group formulated the following measures:

Collaborate with people with expertise in the making of the product (IT technicians/ Engineers)

Interview experts as to the costs of manufacture, the processes and licenses needed to manufacture the product.

Have the estimation as to the possibility of profitability or determine the economic value of the product in a certain point of time.

Make a model or prototype of the product, as to the process of using it.

Devise a clear plan on whom to sell the product.

To conclude:

Team work and Cooperation with the team

Work with Unity, and Diverse Perspective

Adaptability

Constructive feedback

Having this kind of behavior and attitude makes the team create a unique and successful product and/or service, it also helps the students life easier in terms of printing their outputs. Moreover, the team should not waste time on thinking of innovative ideas that can be useful not only for students but also a product and/or services that we can still benefit in the future.

[greatskinandlife]

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid . Packaging: It has white box with red leaf packaging with English and Hangul. Packaging are printed in soy ink, made from recycle materials and by products of green tea leaves. Toner comes in white bottle . Ingredients talk: (New) Major Ingredients Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Castanea Crenata (Chestnut) Shell Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Allantoin Old formulation (someone from reddit gave me) Water, Lactic Acid(4.023%), Glycolic Acid(4.004%), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Asiaticoside, Dextrin, Panthenol, Madecassoside, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose Paraben free, sulfate free, alcohol free, Eu allergen free, silicone free and fungal-acne safe (malassezia). Texture: It is clear watery toner that absorbs well. There is no added fragrance but it very faint scent which I can't describe (steel) . Review: I use it with a cotton pad once per day without any other actives. If you are new to actives then not more than 3times per week. Also use a sunscreen. It does reduce acne breakouts, calm the skin, keep the skin clear, make skin smooth, clear blackheads and clear white heads. @isntree #isntree #skincare #kbeauty #skincarerecomended https://www.instagram.com/p/CnWsKnevBkX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[anvoo]

26.04.2023 - Interesting idea

I'm proud of myself today for trying out and using strategies to deal with my procrastination, overthinking, and anxiety. I'm happy that I'm learning a lot, as I go along with things, making mistakes sometimes, feeling and processing my thoughts, emotions, and feelings, and just in general living, instead of running away and hiding. It's definitely not always pleasant, and it's a whole process, but I'm happy that it's leading somewhere, and even more so because I know that it'll lead me somewhere I want to be. Writing is just organized thinking, printed onto paper (or online) for me. It's quickly, and solidly become a favorite activity of mine.(1) Interacting with people and socializing is also very nice. I find it so, refreshing, and fulfilling and quells my need and want for connection that I neglected for so long.(2) I want to draw more! I want to become good at drawing, I want to be able to create and put onto a medium, things that I can't quite express with words alone. Self-expression is my jam right now.(3)

Just now, a crazy, but also crazy-fun idea popped into my mind.

I happen to live right next to a pretty busy park, so that makes things even easier and more convenient. How about: I'll pick out 2-3 topics/words/opinions/questions every day (I'll pluck the ideas from somewhere, shouldn't be a shortage!), give myself 15 minutes-ish each to think and formulate thoughts in my head(1), head out to the park and find someone who's willing to have a small discussion with me about it (1+2), take a picture of them/us/an object that represents them, and then later (doesn't have to be the same day) writing AND drawing about it (the person, or the idea or talk / thought we had).

Could be a super cool project.

That sounds cool as fuck actually. Think more about it!

Thank you :> I'll give it a try. Have a debate club tomorrow evening at 7 I'm checking out, so that's going to be interesting.

See if it interests you :> Goodnight!

Goodnight!

[tidal123]

"Demons", Gods, and In-betweens in the Series: Love and Redemption (Part 3)

Part 1  Part 2

Today’s post will refer mostly to 山海经, the Classic of Mountains and Seas which is composed from between 4th and 5th century BC.

The Classic is supposedly collections of verbal descriptions of ancient drawing on bones, walls and bronze plates that had mostly been lost today. Those drawing accompanied the original versions of the Classic. Historical records show that at least one prominent Jin dynasty(265~420) poet enjoyed browsing those “mountains and seas pictures” as a pastime, and there were some effort to print and republish such drawings(unclear how close to original) in Tang dynasty(618~970), but those are also lost to today. The verbal descriptions were probably widely circulated during the warring states period(476~221 BC) and were sorted in categories we see today much later than its first circulation. So this book recounts the very early imaginations and worldviews of ancient Chinese before all those later more formulated cultural traditions took hold. And some of the most magnificent mythological tales of China are recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

1. 昆仑山 Mount Kunlun

Record in 山海经·大荒南经The Classic: The Great Wilderness South

Perhaps one of the most important mountain in Chinese mythology, Mount Kunlun is said to be the dwelling place of the gods and immortals. Its mythical origin dated back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BCE). Many new religious or mythical elements had been added to the concept of Kunlun continuously in the ages after, which I’m not gonna touch upon. There is a real-world Kunlun mountain but I don’t know how closely it relates to the mythological Kunlun mountain. I’ll simply include what’s described in the Classic, since it seemed to be a primary inspiration for LnD and that the Classics was written roughly at the same time the Kunlun mythology is said to start. 

Unlike the usual short entries, Mount Kunlun is actually described with quite a lot of details in the Classic. There are many mythical plants, beasts, locations, immortals and gods depicted in one long entry, which also includes the Immortal Tree mentioned in part 2. It is said “Within the surrounding seas, in the north-west resides the Mountain Kunlun, which is the mortal capital of the heavenly emperor. The Mountain Kunlun is around 800-Li wide, 1000-Ren high(extremely huge). There is a tree-like rice on the top of the mountain, around 5-Xun high and takes five people to hug it.”  “Many gods reside there. At the 8-edges rock, by bank of red river, only those who have the capability of (hero king) Yi can manage to climb those mountains and rocks.”   “To the north of Kaiming Beast there are…, immortal tree, …” 

The way Mount Kunlun is depicted in the show is pretty accurate to the words of the Classic, especially the fun mini-adventure Xuanji and Sifeng’s group of friends took on: they crossed a river, defeated the 6 Wu-shamans(see below), climbed the dangerous cliff, passed the Kaiming Beast(see below) and reached the place where the gods and the heavenly emperor reside.

2. 开明兽Kaimimg Beast

Record in 山海经·大荒南经(same as above)

“At each direction (of Mount Kunlun) there are 9 gates. The gates are guarded by Kaiming Beast.” “The Kaiming Beast’s body resembles tiger and it has 9 heads, all with human faces, standing on Mount Kunlun facing East.” Kaiming开明 means “open”(开), “light, bright”(明), which consists of the symbols for sun日 and moon月.

You can see the Kaiming Beast in the show looks exactly like the depiction in the Classic. The modern meaning of Kaimimg is ‘open to enlightenment and progress.’ It’s interesting how this Kaiming Beast that guards the Kaiming Gate, has a character that isn’t exactly the most noble or bright, but it’s exactly that it does allow the protagonists pass the gate to open rather easily, that led to their progress in their adventure, interestingly.

3. 巫x6, the 6 Wu-Shaman

Record in 山海经·大荒南经(same as above), Guoyu or Discourses of the States (4th century BC)

“To the east of the Kaiming Beast there are Wu Peng, Wu Di, Wu Yang, Wu Lv, Wu Fan Wu Xiang…” Those six Wu were surrounding a corpse and holding immortal drugs in their hand, but what exactly were they doing I’m unable to understand. Maybe they were trying to revive it?

The show has the six Wu-shamans appearing briefly just to be defeated by the group of friends, and they seem to be mostly men. There isn’t much to be said there so let’s take a look at what is Wu-shaman instead.

Wu-shamans were mostly ancient Chinese spirit-mediums and diviner that oversee proto-religious functions and might also be healers. It was said the character巫 represents dancing figure or figures. About the Wu-Shamans, here are some direct quotes from Wikipedia: “The glyph ancestral to modern 巫 is first recorded in bronze script, where it could refer to shamans or sorcerers of either sex. …By the late Zhou Dynasty (4th to 3rd centuries BCE), wu referred mostly to female shamans or "sorceresses", while male sorcerers were named xi 覡"male shaman; sorcerer", first attested in the Guoyu or Discourses of the States (4th century BCE).”

There is said to be a link between Confucius sexism and excluding women from spiritual rituals that was in high regard that took hold when Confucianism started to spread and be selected as the national ‘religion’ by the ruling classes of the time. This is not surprising as we can see women were often excluded from powers structures, especially starting from spiritual positions, in different cultures around the world. This often accompanied especially demonization of sexual desires and freedom. 

4. 不周山 Mount Buzhou

Record in 山海经·大荒西经The Classic: The Great Wilderness West, Various other sources in same period and later Han Dynasty(202 BC to 220 AD).

The Classics mentioned “out of the North-west sea, at a corner of the Great Wilderness is a mountain what’s not closed, the name is Buzhou…” The Chinese characters 不周 means ‘un-whole’ or ‘not-revolving.’ In other sources of the same period, Mount Buzhou was said to be a pillar of heaven that was hitted by some angry water god Gonggong, breaking the the mountain and causing the great flood. Whether the name 不周 resulted from that is unclear. According to other sources in Han dynasty Mount Buzhou is to the north-west of Mount Kunlun, and is very cold and always covered by snow. It is said to be the way from the mortal world to directly reach heaven, but normal people could not withstand its hash environment.

In our show Mount Buzhou is also located in a snowy landscape and mortals cannot enter it without help. The merman doc Tingnu created some special magical candles that allowed our protagonists to enter Mount Buzhou. Buzhou mountain seems to be in a difficult realm and its entrance was between two peaks, which is accurate to the text in the Classic, ‘mountain that was not closed.’ The actual mountain area is depicted as a sad devastated land the devils and demons kinds used to reside in. Tianxu Sect set up its main branch there. It also contains the door to the Burning City and holds the hidden opening to the devil’s realm.

[psdontgetdegrees]

Don’t Worry, I’m Still On My Learners… | Week 3: Tumblr Case Study

As a first time user of Tumblr, I would like to illustrate how easy this interface is to use! It’s actually pretty simple to start and get set-up. I found it really exciting to make an account on a social media site that I have never used before. It’s like a social media major’s christmas!

Hi, I’m “P’s Don’t Get Degrees”, and i’ll be explaining to you briefly what this is. I am enrolled in a Media and Communications Bachelor At Swinburne University, in Hawthorn, Melbourne. For one of my classes, as part of our assessment of knowledge, we have been tasked, as a class, to create a tumblr. And as part of the assessment, we must analyze and dissect each week's reading and display our knowledge in a short blog post on our page. Sounds pretty cool.

This is the first week, although the third? Confusing but it works out regardless. This is the beginning of a very cool story. I hope you enjoy it!

This weeks reading will be on Tumblr and a few case studies on

Required Readings: “Love the Skin You're In”

As a media industry, collectively, we still have a long way to go when it comes to broadening the concept of an ideal woman. We still “predominantly promote a narrow ideal”(Reif, A, Miller, I & Taddicken, M 2022 P1) of what it means to be a beautiful woman, often discounting those with “higher weight”(Reif, A, Miller, I & Taddicken, M 2022 P2). The idea however, that a few small creators could formulate a new trend through the use of social media, Tumblr to be exact, was exciting to a few women who didn’t fit the social norms of the western society. And thus the hashtag “#bodypositive”(Reif, A, Miller, I & Taddicken, M 2022 P2) was created to fight back against the dehumanization that was placed on them.

Brave men and women adopted the “#bodypositivity”(Reif, A, Miller, I & Taddicken, M 2022 P2) hashtag to “resist the fat stigma by promoting acceptance”(Reif, A, Miller, I & Taddicken, M 2022 P6), which would grow the normalization of different shaped bodies. The use however on tumblr was a crucial point to the story, as it allowed users to spread content throughout the website, with no repercussions; these people weren’t shut out, censored or ostracized. Instead, users who utilized #bodypositivity were met with “a diverse and empowering feminist community”(Reif, A, Miller, I & Taddicken, M 2022 P6). By being able to add blog-format written text, the posts with the empowering hashtag where seen not based on their follower count, but through siad hashtag, “allowing for a wider range of voices being heard”(Reif, A, Miller, I & Taddicken, M 2022 P7, Cited from Renninger, BJ 2015)

Here are some links I think are relevant:

How to use tumblr: https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-tumblr-tips-users/

Body Positivity: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-body-positivity-4773402

References

Reif, A, Miller, I & Taddicken, M 2022, ‘“Love the Skin You’re In”: An Analysis of Women’s Self-Presentation and User Reactions to Selfies Using the Tumblr Hashtag #bodypositive’, Mass communication & society, vol. ahead-of-print, no. ahead-of-print, Routledge, pp. 1–24.

Renninger, BJ 2015, ‘“Where I can be myself … where I can speak my mind” : Networked counterpublics in a polymedia environment’, New media & society, vol. 17, no. 9, SAGE Publications, London, England, pp. 1513–1529.

Thank you!

[eldritchmochi]

sum more tips!!

- for americans: learn how to read insurance coverage documents. its a huge hassle but it helps a LOT to know what is and is not covered, what the coverage is like, and what you need to do to get things covered. this can make transition of care a lot less stressful when you have to swap insurance for like, job reasons

- related, memorize your deductible and your oopm, as well as the copays for your common medical needs, that way if something is fucky, you can do something about it asap

- if you struggle with doctors taking you seriously, bring someone with you to your appointments whenever you can. i whole ass married my wife because theyre in a medical adjacent field and is thus *really good* at helping get my symptoms across, but someone who sees you regularly and can attest that xyz is Bad, or add to your descriptions of symptoms is phenomenal (cos if youre disabled you almost certainly have brain fog and you DEFINITELY have symptoms you dont realize are as bad as they are)

- tylenol works better if taken regularly and is generally less hard on the body when taken regularly than ibuprofen. 2 extra strength tylenol 3x a day every day does a LOT for my pain. PLEASE DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE

- otc ibuprofen is formulated slightly different than prescription ibuprofen, so taking otc at a higher dose is harder on your body than taking the same dose of prescription ibuprofen. its not a huge difference but it is something to be aware of if you take otc ibuprofen regularly

- when seeing a new doctor, especially when switching to a new pcp, having a print out you can physically give to a doctor with your med list, your relevant symptoms or concerns, and relevant timeline (if applicable), is a HUGE help for both you and the doctor. keep it breif and snappy tho, one page or less (meds notwithstanding)

- if you have any kind of mobility problem, see if you can have regular appointments with a physical therapist. a) itll give you tailored exercises to maintain and hopefully improve your mobility, even just for small qol things like toileting and getting dressed, and b) going regularly (1-2x a month if possible) will help keep you on track

- there are things medical institutions and especially insurance look at when deciding treatment, and they are unfortunately tied a lot to how "useful" you are. if your doctor isnt taking you seriously when you talk about your symptoms, try including how it impacts your daily life, focusing on things like sleep, showering/toileting, feeding yourself, ability to work/do chores, sitting in a chair (like at a desk) or standing (like queuing or cooking), ie "my hands hurt so bad i cant hold a spoon to feed myself without crying" or "i wake up every couple of hours to roll over because my hips hurt" or "i cant stand for more than 2 or 3 minutes without my knees locking"

- if you struggle with basic self maintenance or daily life tasks, like brushing your hair or folding laundry, see if you can talk to an occupational therapist. their whole bit is to devise alternative ways of doing daily tasks tailored to an individuals needs and abilities. includes problem solving stuff like: if you struggle to reach into upper cabinets, move your frequently used items to the lower cabinets, as well as finding adaptive equipment for things you struggle with that you may not even know exist

- if you can afford it, highly recommend splurging on a roomba. an older gen refurbished Roomba you can often find for 100-150 online and having a regularly vacuumed floor helps keep your environment feeling MUCH nicer and it can go a long way towards improving your mood, like, cannot recommend more

- also for americans: look into laws regarding FMLA/PFML. it is good to know how it works in case, heaven forbid, something happens to you, but also great to know when planning for things like non-urgent surgeries. also good to know if your main carer can use FMLA/PFML to take time off to care for you

- also for americans: if your job offers an fsa with a % match, max that thing out and use it. its SO HELPFUL to have in order to pay health costs like prescriptions and copays, especially if the total amount meet or exceeds your oopm, and theres a ton of stuff you can use it on thats ootc, from Tylenol to heating pads to bigger things like adaptive equipment and those 200$ specialty pillows

I've been disabled for almost 29 years. Here's what I've learned.

Tablets sink and capsules float. Separate out your tablets and capsules when you go to take them. Tip your head down when taking capsules and up when taking tablets. Liquigels don't matter, they kinda stay in the middle of whatever liquid is in your mouth.

If your pill tastes bad, coat it with a bit of butter or margarine. I learned this from my mom, who learned it from a pharmacist.

Being in pain every day isn't normal. Average people experience pain during exceptional moments, like when they stub their toe or jam their finger in a door, not when they sit cross-legged.

Make a medical binder. Make multiple medical binders. I have a small one that comes with me to appointments and two big ones that stay at home, one with old stuff and one with more recent stuff.

Find your icons. Some of mine include Daya Betty (drag queen with diabetes), Stef Sanjati (influencer with Waardenburg syndrome and ADHD), and Hank Green (guy with ulcerative colitis who... does a bunch of stuff). They don't have to be disabled in the same way as you. They don't even have to be real people. Put their pictures up somewhere if you want; I've been meaning to decorate my medical binders with pictures of my icons.

Take a bin, box, bag, basket, whatever and fill it with items to cope with. This can be stuff for mentally coping like colouring books or play clay or stuff for physically coping like pain medicine or physio tape.

Decorate your shit! My cane for at home has a plushie backpack clip hanging from the end of the handle and my cane for going places is covered in stickers. All of my medical binders have fun scrapbooking paper on the outside. Sometimes, I put stickers and washi tape on my inhalers and pill bottles. I used my Cricut to decorate my coping bin with quotes from my icons, like "I've seen enough of Ba Sing Se" and "I need you to be angrier with that bell".

If a flare-up is making you unable to eat or keep food down, consider going to the ER. A pharmacist once told me that since my eye flares can make me so nauseous that I cannot eat, then I need to go to the hospital when that happens.

Cola works wonders for nausea. I have mini cans of Diet Pepsi in my coping bin.

Shortbread is one of the only things I can eat when nauseous. Giant Tiger sells individually-wrapped servings of shortbread around Christmas or the British import store sells them year-round. I also keep these in my coping bin.

Unless it violates a pain contract or something, don't be afraid to go behind your doctor's back to get something they are refusing you. I got my cardiologist referral by getting in with a different NP at my primary care clinic than who I usually saw. I switched from Seroquel to Abilify by visiting a walk-in.

If you have a condition affecting your abdomen in some way (GI issues, reproductive problems, y'know) then invest in track pants that are too big. I bought some for my laparoscopy over a year ago and they've been handy for pelvic pain days, too. I've also heard loose pants are good for after colonoscopies.

Do whatever works, even if it's weird. I've sat on the floor of the Eaton Centre to take my pills. I've shoved heating pads down my front waistband to reach my uterus.

High-top Converse are good for weak ankles. I almost exclusively wear them.

You can reuse your pill bottles for stuff. I use my jumbo ones to store makeup sponges and my long skinny ones to hold a travel-size amount of Q-Tips.

Just because your diagnostics come back with nothing, it doesn't mean nothing is wrong. Maybe you were checking the wrong thing, or the diagnostic tool wasn't sensitive enough. I have bradycardia episodes even though multiple cardiac tests caught nothing. I probably have endometriosis even though my gynecologist didn't see anything.

You can bring your comfort item to appointments, and it's generally a green flag when someone talks to you about it. I brought a Squishmallow turkey (named Ulana) to my laparoscopy and they had her wearing my mask when I woke up. I brought a Build-A-Bear cat (named Blinx) to another procedure and a nurse told me that everyone in the hall on the way to the procedure room saw him and were talking about how cute he was. Both of those ended up being positive experiences and every person who talked to me about my plushies was nice to me. If you don't feel comfortable having it visible to your provider during the appointment, you can hide it in your bag and just know it's there, or if you're in a video appointment, you can hold it below frame in your lap.

Get a small bucket, fill it with stuff, and stick it in your bed (if you have room for it). I filled a bucket with Ensure, juice boxes, oatmeal bars, lotion, my rescue inhaler, etc. in October 2023 in anticipation of my laparoscopy and I still have it in my bed as of January 2025.

If your disability impacts your impulse control (e.g. ADHD, bipolar disorder), you should consider setting limits around your spending -- no more than X dollars at a time, nothing online unless it's absolutely necessary, and so on. Or, run these purchases by someone you trust before committing to them; I use my BFF groupchat to help talk sense into myself when I buy stuff.

Feel free to add on what you've learned about disability!