#professional educator

[teacupsandcyanide]

Something I miss from earlier eras of the creative side of the internet was things just being unabashedly low-budget. Just all unashamedly amateur, unprofessional, ‘I don’t own a good camera but I have a story to tell you’, ‘I can’t afford a good mic but I have a song to sing for you,’ ‘I don’t have any kind of background in editing or lighting and I only just picked up this guitar last Tuesday but here’s an entire musical me and my friends wrote about our favourite book, we filmed it on a potato and put it up on YouTube in ten minute segments because we thought it was pretty funny.’

[otiksimr]

I hate The Nine Realms.

[handweavers]

Cab you elaborate a little on that post about artists of color not having a good understanding of materialism? Like, do you mean that they are unknowingly perpetuating capitalism by being materialistic or something else?????

( This is a genuine question because I misunderstand long posts easily, sorry if it sounds rude ).

when i say 'materialism' i'm referring to dialectical materialism, the marxist theory that political and historical events result from the conflict of social forces - people's access to material needs like shelter, food, healthcare, etc. and their relationship to the means of production. these events can be interpreted as a series of contradictions and their solutions. it is the scientific method for understanding politics/economics and history, and the basis of marxist analysis and of marxism leninism as a framework.

i'm saying that many artists of colour in the west speak a lot about capitalism, imperialism, colonialism, war, etc. from a vaguely 'leftist' but ultimately still liberal perspective, and thus they are not actually challenging anything with their work. they will talk about anything But class, and fall easily for bourgeois politics as long as it's concealed in social justice or "leftist" or antiracist sounding language

and it's because they won't engage directly with marxism leninism, they won't engage with learning materialist analysis, and having this understanding would prevent them from falling for these attempts and allow them to do work that actually has some kind of meaningful impact on these systems they claim to be against. so they are trying to talk and write and make art and organize about capitalism and colonialism without understanding how these things actually function in a literal, material sense...

simply existing as nonwhite people in the west doesn't inherently teach us these things, otherwise all people of colour in the west would be communists. we have to actually do the reading and be open to another framework of understanding the world, to having our worldviews shifted. but i think some people don't want to do that because of their relative class position. it makes them uncomfortable, or they don't want to admit that they benefit from imperialism in some ways. they can't - or won't - decouple an awareness of their class position from morality or their personal feelings.

without a marxist framework for understanding what capitalism is and how it functions, whatever work they claim to be trying to do to challenge capitalism or colonialism or whatever At Best doesn't do anything, and At Worst continues to serve bourgeois interests. the confusion between colonialism and imperialism in particular is easily exploited, so that with the language of anti racism and decolonization people end up agreeing with and promoting US/NATO foreign policy on imperialized nations - these buzzwords can sound pretty good if you don't know better. all this talk about decolonizing our minds and art practices and being anti capitalists but no one can actually explain what capitalism is or how colonialism works or the material role of racism under capitalism, nor do they want to talk about their own relationship to capital, so the talk is just empty lol. all these artists trying to figure out "alternative, embodied ways of thinking and being" and it's all just more liberalism

[thelunarsystemwrites]

Why I recommend age regression as a way to cope.

If you're stressed the F out, feel like you missed out or lost your childhood, or have terrible coping mechanisms? Then this is the post for you. (Maybe.)

Also before we jump in—Just wanna say that I'm not a psychologist, I'm just sharing tips and advice from my own positive and negative experiences. And that age regression may not work for you after you've tried it, but I say give it a shot! Especially if your current ways of dealing with life aren't.... great.

With all that our of the way—Post beneath cut!

So here's some resources for a TLDR version! But I'll be explaining age-regression, it's benefits to me, and why I encourage others to try!

Remember it is ALWAYS sfw! (Which means agere isn't a kink, never has been and never will be!)

So age-regression, or it's shortened name Agere (Takes Age, and the Re from Regression and combines them!) Is a form of dissociation in which someone mentally reverts back to a younger age! This can be anywhere from a few years younger, such as a 17 year old regressing to a 15 year old. Or it can be many years younger—Example being a 17 year old regressing to a 4 year old!

During this state: they are mentally younger, either fully or partially depending on the person. And do think like said age. And often their behaviors correspond with their regressed age, assuming they aren't masking it!

Sometimes you are aware you're regressed, and other times you're not—Both are completely fine!

It's a wonderful way to relive your childhood in a safe environment, feel young and cared for again like a child, or express your inner child!

Okay, but why would I use that to cope?

Don't worry, I hear your questions!

The reason it's a good coping mechanism, for me atleast, is regressing allows you to process your emotions at your own pace. Though they might still be overwhelming, I find it much easier to let my big emotions calm down when I feel small, because it's like they slowly burn off rather than going boom!

If you're stressed a lot, it's a good way to temporarily remove yourself from your burdens! Like you don't have any worries other than 'should I use the pink or blue crayon?' Vibes! Pressure slowly bleeding off rather than having an outburst.

And, for fun! It can be fun to connect with your inner child, do the things you liked as a kid and reunited with that mindset! You don't need to have missed out on your childhood to regress, it can be completely for fun!

Now now, age regression isn't always all fun and games. Because you do think like whatever age you've regressed to, you might have temper tantrums or get cranky or confused if something triggers it.

That's okay.

Yeah, it can feel icky—But me personally, i much prefer these occasionally than letting my emotions boil over and having a breakdown when I'm not regressed!

I've lost and wasted a lot of my childhood. This is my way of healing and re-experiencing childhood joy. Please, don't ever forget that type of wonder, it's so magical and so nice and cozy.

It's a way to cope because it can be an outlet, a comfort, a way to regulate emotions, a way to escape, a way to just relax. And, while not everyone turns out liking it, that's okay! But it works for me, and so so many others. I've had atleast 6 or so friends start regressing and they're still doing it to this day!

And the best part is it's temporary, so if there's more mature things you enjoy? You don't have to give those up, okay? You can find time to regress and relax, and come back to your normal routine later!

It's benefits can be:

Destressing.

Processing lots of emotions at once.

Enjoyment.

Getting to do things you were denied as a child.

Able to let out emotions via tantrums or fits in a much less destructive headspace.

Reliving a simpler mindset.

Helping with sleeping. (I find it much easier to nap/go to bed if I'm regressed!)

Getting a fresh feeling after you're done regressing.

Stimulating if understimulated.

Can help if you're also overstimulated.

Healing inner child.

Coping with trauma/stress in a healthy way.

Help with doing chores. (It's way easier to make chores fun if you're regressed in my experience, but some hate doing chores while regressed and that's cool too!)

And it can be different for each person!

It is absolutely okay to have a different experience, struggle regressing at first or even always, or not do it often!

I recommend if you want to start regressing—Find something that makes your inner child happy, indulge in the best things you liked or would've liked as the age you wanna regress to, find ways to incorporate your current interests into it!

Also things that you like, or positive things can help too!

It's honestly my best coping mechanism, it isn't 'weird' or 'wrong' especially if it helps you. And I can guarantee it's far better than plenty of unhealthy coping mechanisms!

Sooo... yeah! If you want, I recommend looking more into it! There's a whole community for you here on Tumblr, and other sites!

And this post mainly only covers the positives, but it's what I wanted to focus on!

Byee!! (Pssstt BTW agere doesn't have to be all pastels and cute and stuff!! Do what makes you happy! Use whatever colours and vibes you want!)

[icryyoumercy]

i kind of want to write a second part to a fic i wrote, but the story needs a lawyer, and also some understanding of. manumission, and the associated legal problems (in the context of murderbot diary secunits); and probably also labor laws, mostly about appropriate pay and work safety procedures; and theft vs. smuggling vs. liberation when it comes to living beings

which i could theoretically google, but i have absolutely no idea where to start apart from the us civil war, and possibly ancient rome, both of which are kind of difficult to find info on that i can understand as a layperson while also being (more or less) neutral and without judgement, and also neither seem very applicable for a science fiction story

so. uh. if there's anyone following me who knows about these things and is willing to explain things to me in small and simple words, pretty please?

[nobodysuspectsthebutterfly]

Summerhall by Fran Vegas

created for the 10th anniversary of The World of Ice & Fire

I’ve seen confusion about the “canon” nature of the artwork, despite our initial post indicating that this is a wholly unofficial series of commissions, for a wholly unofficial anniversary celebration. That said, of course, we direct the artists to the books, and in the cases of dragons we felt free to give them the colors that George had indicated to us for The Rise of the Dragon, which we couldn’t find a way to share in all cases. But this piece of art, by the terrific Fran Vegas, is different. The location is one that has been referenced, and glimpsed once in official art (in The World of Ice and Fire in fact): Summerhall. But the scene… well, we admit, that is what some fans call “headcanon”. We just love the idea of the image, and feeling free to see it rendered by a capable artist, we asked for it. —Elio Garcia

[fenrichaita]

Thinking about how like in so many discussions about how psychiatric diagnoses are understood by literal mental health professionals, you hear how so many of them are working from outdated ideas about "X'. And X is just, like, almost every mental health diagnosis.

Like. Do you think there may be a pattern here

[could-they-be-a-pro-wrestler]

How successful would Chris Kratt (animated version)…

Propaganda for the mic skills:

If he can rant about animals he can rant about how he's gonna beat the shit out of you

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Would you like to submit a character? Click this link if you do!

[adaginy]

The Big Guide to Humans: Mating — Reproduction, Sexuality, Genitalia, and Sexual Contact

In its basic unassisted sense, human reproduction requires one male and one female (see sex and gender; it is recommended to read that entry first). Each partner contributes half of the genetic material to create a new human, and that genetic material is roughly half of a copy of their own genes.

A male's internal genitalia produce millions of mobile packets of genetic material in a protein-rich nutrient gel, and the external portion serves as a tool to introduce it deeper into the female's internal genitalia. A female's internal genitalia produce a single packet of genetic material with a starting supply of cell building blocks, and offers a space for the male's mobile packets to meet and fuse with it, a process called fertilization. If this happens, the combined genetic information will latch into the female's circulatory system via the wall of this meeting place, and proceed to grow over the next 3/4 of a year into a human baby (see lifespan and development), enclosed within the female, who will become obviously distended. At the end of this time, her body pushes the completed baby out via the path between the internal and external genitalia. The female's external genitalia serve as a gate to this passage. There is a small window of time in which this fertilization is possible; only a few human sleep cycles. If this time is missed, the meeting place will cease preparations to contain a baby and remove its existing preparations, falling briefly fallow until preparing for a new fertilization window. This process takes approximately 28 human sleep cycles, depending on the female and how she has adapted to the local day/night cycle. The preparations-removal time can be uncomfortable for the female; do not be alarmed if you smell blood. In humans, both male and female external genitalia are also connected to the excretory system.

Humans categorize their within-species sexual attractions as being attracted to the same gender as themselves, a different gender (most common), or multiple genders. For some this may be an absolute barrier to an attraction outside of that category; others may consider themselves certain until they feel an unusual attraction to a particularly compelling potential partner. (It is also possible to have no attraction in this way at all.) This is usually, but not always, the same limitation applied to their romantic attractions; though the exceptions and sometimes-not-at-all applies to those as well. Whether a human requires/prefers romance to be involved with sexual contact varies by individual. See flirting for more on determining a human's romantic and/or sexual attraction. For humans whose attractions extend to other sapients, the "gender" barrier may be ignored, or they may (usually unconsciously) estimate how a non-human would map into the human gender chart and find their attractions limited by this assumption.

The rest of this chapter will assume you and a human have agreed to sexual contact. While this is not intended as a sexual manual, it is within this guide's mission to prevent surprises and ensure safe, successful interactions.

Process:

Human reproductive mating requires inserting the male's external genitalia (penis) through the female's external genitalia (vulva) and into the internal (vagina). However, nearly anything that can safely produce similar physical sensations can be enjoyable, and humans will also use their hands, mouths, and specially designed objects for the pleasure of non-reproductive mating.

The penis hangs relatively soft and small between a male's legs when not in sexual use; arousal will cause it to stiffen, enlarge, and stand approximately perpendicular to the body. It is sexually sensitive along its entire length, but particularly at the distal end, which is rounded and may be a different color. The internal genitalia are in a pouch underneath the penis. The pouch is also sexually sensitive, but delicate. The vulva is a series of skin-folds that reveal the entrance to the vagina when separated. The folds, particularly the inner ones, are sexually sensitive, as is the entrance. Arousal causes slight swelling of this area, and the skin here will produce lubricating fluid; do not attempt insertion of anything until adequately slippery. Slightly above the entrance to the vagina is a small, hooded protrusion called a clitoris; this is extremely sexually sensitive to the point that rough contact will cause it to retreat under the hood.

All of these sexual areas can be stroked or lightly pressured (squeezing for the penis, filling/outward pressure for the vagina) for sexual pleasure; the human may request more, less, firmer, faster, etc. In addition, humans also often enjoy stimulation of the nipples (the paired protrusions on their upper torso). Individual humans may also have other sexually-stimulating zones, such as the backs of the ears and neck. Human aggression may or may not extend to sexual contact, some enjoy pinching/being pinched, biting/being bitten, striking/being struck, etc, even to the point of injury. This is something to discuss beforehand and in the moment.

Continued sexual pleasure will eventually cause the human to "climax", which for the male produces that jet of nutrient gel and genetic material, and for the female involves involuntary clenching of muscles in and around the internal genitals. After this, the penis will become soft and possibly painfully sensitive, requiring recovery time before it can stiffen again; whether a female will want to continue (and whether she will climax again) varies.

Humans often enjoy "cuddling" after: a period of quietly resting together skin-to-skin.

Risks:

Hybridization and prevention: Either sex can take reproduction-preventing medication, but it is very rare for human females to produce human/non-human hybrids, owing to the scientific details of reproduction and the immune system. Hybridization is usually the result of a reproduction-capable non-human mating with a human male. If this would be a risk for your species, and the human male is not on preventive medication, he can wear a "condom," a penis-sheathe designed to prevent the dispersion of his genetic material.

Disease: Although inter-species disease risk is low, it is still important for the human to be screened for anything dangerous to you, given the sheer volume and aggressiveness of Terran-native microbes. Humans have a microbiome of bacteria, viruses and fungi on their skin — and, for females, within their internal genitalia — all of which are usually harmless to them. They also have a separate oral microbiome that is considerably more dangerous and should be avoided unless medical has screened and approved it specifically. (Humans can also spread pathogenic microbes to each other by sexual contact, but the non-human risk from those is not particularly more than from the others.)

Fluids: The human male's sexual fluids are usually slightly alkali and the human female's are usually slightly acidic. A condom or similar device can be used for protection from this risk as well. Their mouth fluid is acidic and corrosive regardless of microbiome, belonging to their digestive system.

!! Always, always talk with medical first. They can answer questions about your species-specific risks regarding hybridization, dangerous fluids, or Terran-native microbes. They can do this well in advance of sexual contact or even attraction to specific partners; only the disease screening is specific to individual humans. !!

There is considerable variation in human genitalia: In length and thickness, in curves and angles, in hair presence, in color, in sensitivity. There is also considerable variation in what a human may enjoy or be capable of sexually. And, as the universe has learned, humans are creative. If there is mutual interest but your body cannot do the things described, or if medical has given you dire restrictions, talk to the human about it. Humans live by the Terran saying, "where there is a will, there is a way." Do not assume that mutual enjoyment is impossible.

[justsumtransdude2000]

So tired of bitches with zero credentials trying to tell me if I'm trans or not. Like, my gender identity has been carefully observed and confirmed by multiple people with PHDs, and I'm not sure you passed middle school. Fuck off.

[simplyghosting]

Who needs drugs when you can just ask your siblings “Who does a better job? Me or the professional you paid $80 to do the job last time” and they say you

[starmocha]

Novel ▪︎ Partner Go Go

[saintartemis]

Musings of a Museum Professional.

Working with visitors means that you end up thinking of way better ways of answering a visitor's question, hours after the interaction.

[anaalnathrakhs]

love this part of my life where the things that are difficult but challenging and good for me are things i can stop and skip and halfass, but the things that are difficult and painful and pointless are the things i have to live with no matter what

[akonoadham]

[artinandwritin]

I've missed them,,, very much,,, gussiri my silly children,,,

College has started again and I'm. Exhausted. But here's a lil sketch i turned into a rendered piece and i kinda love it very much

And also a lil Siwi sketch of her in traditional viking clothes <333 the bby girl ever