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jiangwanyinscatmom · 4 years ago

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Madam Yu starts loving Wei Wuxian and showing anything like remotely well intended affection toward Jiang Cheng in fix it fics, HAHAHAHAHAHA (breaths) Hahahaha!

After all of that, let me explain why this would not work considering even before the fall of Lotus Pier and her death she had hated Wei Wuxian the moment he had been saved by Jiang Fengmian as well as instilling that Jiang Cheng was only worth as much as his title as Sect Heir of Yunmeng Jiang. They also contrast the ideologies between Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu that were never understood by the other, mirroring the underlying resentment from a forced bond and the overall message that love can not be the only factor with peaceably accepting another person as your equal and confidant.

Madam Yu convinced herself that Wei Wuxian was usurping the position of power that Jiang Cheng held all because Jiang Fengmian had taken a shine to a child that was naturally good willed and bright. She purposely uses this as a tactic to drive a wedge between Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian.

She derides her son while continuing to insist he is still above others leading to his complex of superiority and his jealousy of never being able to please her or his father. His lack of actual good will towards others (like his mother who ignored smaller night hunts to help commoners) leads to his father's lecture of not understanding what the Yunmeng Jiang motto really is, " 明知不可为而为之". Usually this is translated just as "to attempt the impossible" which is correct technically, but the full meaning of this really works better as "knowing you fight against impossible odds to do what is right".

Jiang Cheng went to her side. Madam Yu squeezed his arm with her slender fingers, then slapped his shoulder loudly, scolding, “There’s isn’t any improvement in your cultivation at all. You’re seventeen already, yet you’re still like an ignorant child, fooling around with others all the time. Are you the same as others? Who knows which sewers other people will be splashing in, but you’re going to be the leader of the Jiang Sect!”

At the same time she also uses these same insults against Wei Wuxian. However, he is confident in his own skills and talents which is a confidence she herself despises thinking he is unworthy as a servant's son or the son of a rogue cultivator with no clan ties to have a right to that level of cultivation and sees it as a slight against her authority. Neither can do right in her eyes whether they listen faithfully or question her meanings.

Madam Yu, “Wei Ying, what trouble are you stirring up this time?”

Wei WuXian stepped forward, accustomed to it. Madam Yu scolded, “You’re like this again! If you yourself don’t seek progress, then don’t drag Jiang Cheng along to fool around with you. You’re going to be a bad influence to him.”

Wei WuXian looked startled, “I don’t seek progress? Why, am I not the one with the most progress in the entire Lotus Pier?”

Young people were never too patient. They wouldn’t feel satisfied unless they talked back. Hearing this, an air of hostility seemed to form around Madam Yu’s brow.

Jiang Cheng wordlessly and obediently takes the reprimand, head down and silent, deferring to her. Wei Wuxian however arrogant it may seem, talks back questioning what she means that he has not progressed when he has the talent to show. This is early foreshadowing to their exact stances during the Wen Indoctrination.

Jiang Cheng held Wei WuXian firmly. Wei WuXian asked with a lowered voice, “What are you holding me down for?”

Jiang Cheng snorted, “Don’t do unnecessary things.”

He didn’t know why, but all of the boys sent from the GusuLan Sect looked somewhat pallid. Lan WangJi’s face was especially pale, but his expression was still as frosted as usual, distancing him from everyone else. The sword Bichen on his back, he stood alone, with nobody around him. Wei WuXian had wanted to go up to him and say hello, but Jiang Cheng warned him, “Don’t cause any trouble!”

MianMian knew that if she was hung up, she probably wouldn’t be able to come back down alive. She tried to run away, but wherever she fled, the people dispersed around her. Just as Wei WuXian twitched, Jiang Cheng held him firmly down. MianMian suddenly noticed that two people remained still. She hid behind their backs at once, shivering.

The two were Jin ZiXuan and Lan WangJi.

With the rescue of Mianmian and Wei Wuxian staying to protect Lan Wangji (who had protected Mianmian in turn despite repercussions) gained the attention of Wen Chao and his ire all of which Jiang Cheng kept ordering Wei Wuxian not to do. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian are thrust into the role of the Jiang leaders stance of morality. Wei Wuxian, and by mention Lan Wangji, have done a unimaginable feat along with embodying the traits that Jiang Fengmian admires. As both did the impossible along with doing what was right in the protection of MianMian and Wei Wuxian staying to aid Lan Wangji.

Wei WuXian, “Those Wen dogs are talking nonsense, they have no face. Lan Zhan was clearly the one who killed it.”

Jiang FengMian gave him a smile, “Really? What a coincidence. The second young master of the Lan Sect told me that you were the one who killed it. So who was it, really?”

Wei WuXian, “I guess both of us did something. But he was the main one. I only went into the beast’s shell and chased it out. Lan Zhan was waiting for it alone outside. It only died after it dragged on for six entire hours.”

He described to Jiang Cheng and his father the things that had happened during the past few days. Jiang Cheng’s expression was complicated after he had finished listening. He only spoke a while later, “It’s pretty much the same as what Lan WangJi said. So it seems that both of you killed it together. What’s yours is yours. Why would you give him all the credit?”

Wei WuXian, “I didn’t. I just feel that, compared to him, I really didn’t do much.”

Jiang FengMian nodded, “Well done.”

He was able to kill a four-hundred-year-old beast at the mere age of seventeen. It was much more than a ‘well done’.

Jiang Cheng, “Congratulations.”

The tone of his congratulations sounded quite strange.

Jiang Cheng is once again faced with the reality that despite doing as his mother wanted, he is met with the reprimands of his father who does place loyalty and friendship in the face of dangers. Interestingly, the way Wei Wuxian defends Jiang Cheng mirrors the excuses that Jiang Fengmian had given for Madam Yu's harsh words and rumors about himself.

Jiang Cheng, “It served you right to be bored to death. You shouldn’t have played the hero and you shouldn’t have cared for such a hell of a thing. If in the beginning you didn’t…”

Suddenly, Jiang FengMian spoke, “Jiang Cheng.”

Jiang Cheng paused, knowing that he had said too much. He was quiet at once.

Jiang FengMian didn’t look as if he was blaming him of anything, but his expression had turned from calm to more solemn, “Do you know in which ways what you just said is not appropriate?”

Jiang Cheng’s head hung low, “Yes.”

Wei WuXian, “He’s just angry and speaking without care.”

Seeing how Jiang Cheng’s mouth and heart were still at odds, how he still felt defiant, Jiang FengMian shook his head, “A-Cheng, there are some things that can’t be said even if you’re angry. If you said them, it means that you still don’t understand the motto of the Jiang Sect, that you still don’t…”

That "hell of a thing" Jiang Cheng mentions is referencing that saving Lan Wangji was a waste in comparison to an easy get away along with Jiang Cheng. He helped a person that potentially was a future problem for them. A thought that hadn't been on Jiang Fengmian's mind as he praised not only Wei Wuxian's kill but his care in putting others first in such dire circumstances. Understandable praise for decent morals. And then comes Madam Yu,

The harsh voice of a woman came from outside the door, “Yes, he doesn’t understand, but what does it matter, as long as Wei Ying understands?!”

Like a purple bolt of lightning, Madam Yu swept inside, bringing in with her a cold breeze. She was standing five steps away from Wei WuXian’s bed, brows raised, “‘To attempt the impossible’ is exactly how he is, isn’t it? Fooling around even though he knew that it’d bring trouble to his sect?!”

Jiang FengMian, “My lady, what are you doing here?”

Madam Yu, “What am I doing here? What a joke that I am asked of such a thing! Sect Leader Jiang, do you still remember that I’m also the leader of Lotus Pier? Do you still remember that every inch of the earth here is my territory? Do you still remember, between the one lying there and the one standing here, which one is your son?”

Such questions he had heard countless times throughout the years. Jiang FengMian answered, “Of course I do.”

Madam Yu laughed bitterly, “You do remember, but there’s no use if you simply remember. Wei Ying, he really can’t take it unless he stirs up some trouble, can he? If I had known, I would’ve made him stay in Lotus Pier properly and not go outside. Could Wen Chao really have dared to do anything to the two young masters of the GusuLan Sect and the LanlingJin Sect? Even if he did, it’d mean that they ran out of luck. Since when was it your turn to play the hero?”

Do you remember who is a leader? Do you know what's mine? Do you know the worth of people's lives and what it gains me over the trouble of caring for them unconditionally?

Her arguments can be answered already, "Could Wen Chao really have dared to do anything to the two young masters of the GusuLan Sect and the LanlingJin Sect? Even if he did, it’d mean that they ran out of luck."

Yes, as they had already burned Cloud Recesses and physically harmed Lan Wangi once before. Jin Zixuan was expected to die as he had been abandoned in the cave already with no weapon his consequence was already passed. She also says "so what?" if they did retaliate because it was them choosing to play a game of hero and killing themselves for putting their head up against a higher power and baiting more trouble in the future, regardless of the Wen Sect attacking the sects one by one, and Yunmeng the next to be considered the weakest.

All which is parroted later by Jiang Cheng 13 years later when he demands Wei Wuxian beg in front of an altar, to make amends for deaths that hurt Jiang Cheng even when Wei Wuxian died for those once. He deserved to die for protecting the Wens that caused everything. He was shameless for sticking to Lan Wangji instead of honoring their childhood promise choosing someone else over him and loving another from the start. "What did I gain from you doing the right thing?" is the underlying accusation Madam Yu and Jiang Cheng use as a defense constantly.

Jiang FengMian stood up, “Let’s talk when we get back.”

Madam Yu, “Talk about what? Get back to where? I’ll be talking about it right here. I have nothing to be ashamed of, anyways! Jiang Cheng, come over here.”

Jiang Cheng was stuck between his father and his mother. After a moment of hesitation, he moved to his mother’s side. Holding his shoulders, Madam Yu pushed him forward for Jiang FengMian to see, “Sect Leader Jiang, it seems that some things I have to say. Look carefully—this, is your own son, the future head of Lotus Pier. Even if you frown upon him just because I was the one who bore him, his surname is still Jiang! … I don’t believe for one second that you haven’t heard of how the outside people gossips, that Sect Leader Jiang has still not moved on from a certain Sanren though so many years have passed, regarding the son of his old friend as a son of his own; they’re speculating if Wei Ying is your…”

Jiang FengMian shouted, “Yu ZiYuan!”

Madam Yu shouted as well, “Jiang FengMian! Do you think that anything will change just because you raised your voice?! Do you think that I don’t know you?!”

The two debated the issue outside. On the way, Madam Yu’s angered voice was louder and louder. Jiang FengMian argued as well, suppressing his rage. Jiang Cheng stood blankly where he was. A while later, he glanced at Wei WuXian, and suddenly turned to leave as well.

Madam Yu and Jiang Cheng use harsh language, twisted rumors and others that are dead and gone to guilt others into what they insist is the correct way to make amends to wrongs with wild standards. Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian fundamentally could not work with the other as an equal unit. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian become the worst of what Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian had built up before them.

The luxury that was given to Wei Wuxian was that he still had Lan Wangji standing by his side to pull him away from that cycle of continued misunderstandings and refusal of seeing the other as anything other than a person that would be a constant disappointment.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #madam yu #jiang fengmian #jiang cheng #wei wuxian #Orion will you tag this as anti anything?#No no I don't think I will #This sat as a draft gathering dust but now it's free #and is long and turned into a literal essay...#sorry sorry (crawls back into my meme hole)

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thatsonemorbidcorvid · 3 years ago

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At the current moment, this article seems to have been taken down - it may be reinstated, or still available on archived versions of the site.

“Women in Dokowadai village, Maharashtra, reveal the scars of their hysterectomies  Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

Revealed: India’s mass sterilisation drive

Thousands of women are sacrificing their reproductive systems in a bid to keep their jobs, bringing back memories of the country’s dark history of population control

Heavily sedated and lying on a dirty mattress inside a makeshift tarpaulin tent, Chanda Ravi, 32, gingerly opened her eyes.

The mother-of-three was one of 101 women to have undergone a rushed sterilisation procedure on August 27 at a camp in the central Indian state Chhattisgarh.

Ms Ravi recovered well, but the speed of the procedures – the 101 operations were done in just eight hours – have brought back memories of India's dark history of population control.

Sterilisations are legal in India, and four million were carried out between 2013 and 2014, the last year figures were available.

However, doctors are paid cash incentives to carry out the operations, and this causes some professionals to bypass safety regulations and rush surgeries to earn more money, risking women's health.

Saira Shekh, who had a hysterectomy at the age of 25, is one of many women underwent the procedure prematurely Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

A doctor is only mandated to safely carry out 35 daily sterilisations under Indian law. Dr Jibnus Ekta, the surgeon who carried out the 101 operations, is now under investigation for exceeding the allowed numbers.

When contacted by The Telegraph, the authorities in Chhattisgarh blamed a backlog of operations due to Covid-19 and said Dr Ekta was the only trained tubectomy surgeon – a procedure that blocks the fallopian tubes – in the Surguja district of Chhattisgarh, home to one million people.

“This doctor went out of the way to help these poor women and operated [on] them. Instead of being praised, he is now being hounded. Nevertheless, we have initiated the inquiry against him for conducting excess surgeries [than] approved for a day,” the state’s health secretary Alok Shukla told The Telegraph.

Assa Ugray, from Ghodka Rajuri village, Maharashtra, had a hysterectomy aged 29 Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

Nearly 30 sterilisation camps have been held in Surguja this year and 821 operations have been carried out.

In India, tubal litigation operations – known colloquially as tube tying – are done under general and local anesthesia, either via open or keyhole surgery.

In these sterilisation camps, the procedures are done under local anaesthetic, according to the Chief Medical Officer of Surguja district, Dr Poonam Singh Sisodia. They involve using a falope ring to block the fallopian tube, preventing eggs from reaching the uterus where they could be fertilised.

Leading Indian gynaecologist Dr Ifrah Aslam said it was possible to conduct a tubectomy within a little as five minutes, but the quicker the operation the greater the likelihood of complications.

“There are chances of internal bleeding and injury to other organs because safety measures get bypassed in these sterilisation camps,” Dr Aslam said.

In 2014, at least 13 women died after undergoing sterilisations at a health camp in Chhattisgarh. Tubectomy operations were carried out on 83 women in six hours.

There are other, darker still, sterilisation scandals in India's history.

Sugarcane cutters are encouraged to undergo hysterectomies so they will no longer menstruate, allowing them to work every day of the month during the harvest Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

Back in the mid-1950s, it was the first country in the world to introduce a national family planning programme in an attempt to curb widespread poverty by limiting population growth – then, the average Indian woman had six children.

But, the policy quickly became one of the most hated in India’s history, as police cordoned off poor villages and dragged men to dingy operating tables where their genitals would be cut – whether or not they wanted the operation.

In 1976 alone, the Indian government sterilised 6.2 million men until the campaign was abandoned amidst massive public anger. Despite this legacy, permanent methods of birth control remain popular in India, particularly among poorer, remote communities that do not have regular access to condoms or birth control pills.

But, women now bear almost the entire sterilisation burden, constituting 93 percent of operations, according to 2018 government statistics.

“India is a patriarchal society and the sterilisation program is focused on women, reinforcing those same societal norms,” said Dr Sulakshana Nandi, national joint convener of the People's Health Movement.

“The government has to completely do away with the camp-based approach and ensure routine fixed day services for all those who choose to access contraceptive services.”

Population growth is less of a factor now; the overall fertility rate in India had already fallen to 2.2 children per woman by 2016 – narrowly above the replacement rate of 2.1, the number of births required to maintain a country’s population without migration.

However, women in India also face pressure to undergo equally dangerous hysterectomies – a more complex operation, where the womb is removed – to secure employment.

In the Beed region of the western state of Maharashtra, a staggering 36 per cent of women have undergone the surgery, according to a 2018 study by Maharashtra State Commission for Women.

There are few employment opportunities outside of sugarcane farming for poor women in the Beed. But it is backbreaking work. They are expected to gather 40kg bundles of cane and transport them to factories for processing, working 20-hour days in near 40°C heat, with no days off.

Many farm owners only hire female labourers who have undergone hysterectomies as some women request days off while they are menstruating due to the physical nature of the work, which has caused demand for the procedures, often unregulated, to surge.

While operations are carried out in a hospital rather than a makeshift camp, local activists say doctors again cut corners to maximise profits. The women are typically illiterate and don’t understand the risks involved.

“To save money they will use someone else’s syringe and put it in the next patient,” explained Manisha Tokle, the President of Jagar Pratishthan, an NGO in the Beed region working with sugarcane cutters.

“They will give them cheap painkillers and won’t give them pre and post-op care.”

When The Telegraph visited the house of Asha Ugray, 29, she was lying against the wall of her makeshift dwelling gasping for air. “I have a fever and I can’t move any part of my body because I don’t have the energy to,” heaved Ms Ugray.

“It feels like my whole body vibrates the whole time, I don’t have enough blood in my system and it is hard to breathe.”

Ms Ugray underwent a hysterectomy in the Beed after experiencing debilitating gynaecological pain and her employer wouldn’t grant her time off. Since the operation, she has suffered from internal bleeding, severe abdominal pain which makes it difficult for her to walk, and problems urinating.

In her village of Kasari 15 other women were also experiencing complications after undergoing surgery.

“To meet the demand for contraceptive services, the government must ensure adequate routine and quality services instead of resorting to mass sterilisation camps and unregulated operations,” said Dr Nandi.

“The dangers that mass sterilisations pose to women's lives and health are well known and repeating such violations is criminal.”

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gxymlky · 4 years ago

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Master Bio: Aristhea Veritas

BASIC INFORMATION

Name || Aristhea Suzuran Veritas [ne. Plume]

Nickname || Thea

Character Type || spellcaster (another term for mages who doesn’t practice the typical mage lifestyle), master

Gender || female

Birthdate || November 30, 1999

Age || 21

Height || 155 cm

Weight || 43 kg

Origin || Inure

Inure is Aristhea’s origin. Something that one is accustomed to negativity or anything horrendous happening around her, she is solemn or unwavering about it. People perceived her as heartless because of this, but whether it's a coping mechanism or not, she is fully aware that it is something that she couldn't deviate herself from. Also comes from the fact, she experience painful sensation on her body when or after performing magecraft comes with acceptance that this is what she is. However, just because she is accustomed to anything horrendous happening doesn't mean she isn't capable of showing emotions on joyous moments.

Character Alignment || Chaotic Neutral

Affiliation || Chaldea Security Organization

Elemental Affinity || Hollow (Imaginary Numbers)

Magic Circuit Quality || C+

Magic Circuit Quantity || C

Likes ||

pastel colors

Lolita fashion

early morning walks

Magical girl anime genre

true crime

going to the local library

photography

Dislikes ||

centipedes

snakes (figuratively and literally)

traffic

Magus society

alleyways

closed spaces

confrontation

BACKGROUND ||

The Plumes are of noble blood that had been around since the time the Roman Empire was declined and settled in British Isles, their background is similar to the Fragas except they had affair with the fairies resulting in the descendants having fairy blood, though at the cost of having side effects affecting their well-being depending on how much effort they are willing to use, they also have a long history of sacrificing their offsprings with strong fairy blood as they have a short lifespan and are seen only as battery to fuel the lineage.

The Plumes possessed Fae, a quality of hereditary trait found in their genes, allows to summon fairies as familiars at their will, Imaginary Numbers, Hollow and Fire element are the main source of their magecraft.

Unlike the Fragas, they are nobles and their name soon catches the attention of the Association, fearing for their safety and in fear they would be put under Sealing Designation, the Plumes changed their name from Plume to Veritas and hid in obscurity for a while. They decided to practice magecraft in secret and not to let it affect their lifestyle. While they still live a comfortable lifestyle, they prefer to lay low and live a decent life.

Aristhea was born to Arina Koei and Uriel Plume as the first daughter, she has abnormal magical energy and mediocre magic circuits causing her to be born fragile. As a result, Uriel gave Aristhea to his mother, Isolde where Isolde raised her and taught her how to control her thaumaturgy. She gets occasional visits from her mother and father. So far, her childhood has ups and downs but doesn’t include a beating when she makes a mistake, her only traumatic memory was where she lost control of her body and fell down the stairs leaving in a pool of dark, red almost black blood.

Aristhea was around 5 when Rene, her younger brother was born, around that time, Arina died a few months due to the strain of Rene’s birth. Aristhea took care of Rene followed by their aunt, Cosette. She is homeschooled in her primary days but was allowed to enter Elementary and Secondary school but wore a Mystic Code to prevent her from bleeding as side effects.

Her father Uriel is often away on a business trip but shows that he cares for his children greatly by coming home during holidays and their birthdays.

PERSONALITY

Aristhea is known to have eccentric, complex personality, she can’t make decisions or would take very long time to make them as she is continually fighting what to do if she chose one choice or branching them making more imaginary scenarios and making things complicated. She also has a habit of zoning out or not paying attention to scenarios deeming to others if she was stupid or challenged. She also makes sarcastic comments sometimes at the wrong timing causing her to go into trouble.

Despite this, she is known to be crafty and calculated, at times using her head to think outside the box and use whatever means to get what she wants, she is also good with reading emotions of other people and using it against them, calm and precise, she also has a way of getting back to them in the most creative way possible whether inflicting physical harm or emotionally breaking them, though she also refuses to admit defeat or humiliation when it doesn’t go her way.

Aristhea may be distant, aloof or even downright, intimidating thanks to her scornful and contempt expression, but this was simply the work of her origin, Inure causing her indifference over negative situations or unfortunate things happening around, people cite her as a callous individual, perhaps she herself cite this as this is how she looks onto herself. But just because it’s her origin doesn’t mean she isn’t capable of showing moments of joy. It was simply because she was a selective young woman when it comes to who she would show her sweet, amicable side. She has a big, sisterly love to her younger brother as a promise she kept to her mother in her dying moments.

How she speaks is direct and short when it comes to strangers as she have no interest in a short talk unless it piqued her interest.

She loves reading books but shows little to no interest on growing technology, but still handles around gadgets such as phone and laptop to get on with the trend but overall, she loves the aesthetic of papers, especially old books and their scent. Her favorite book/s overall are Tristan and Iseult especially as it’s the book her grandmother read to her during bedtime and the Tale of Genji as well as classics such as Little Women by Louisa M. Alcott and of course, Erotica novels. Yes, she also read Eroticas even bad ones.

APPEARANCE

Aristhea is a young, attractive woman with fair complexion and dirty white, long hair with bangs cut above her eyes. She wears a simple, white shirt and a skirt with black stockings and some shoes but overall, she wears anything she finds stylish herself. Aristhea owns a lot of frilled clothing 90% of those are from her grandmother back in her youth.

ABILITIES

Her elemental attributes is Hollow or better known as Imaginary Numbers, it is usually associated with children born with Fae blood, and as mentioned before, the stronger the mixed blood where, the better, but comes with a short lifespan. Though, Amiya was a unique case as she hoards souls of tormented children that where sacrificed for the family's personal gain, their hatred is so powerful in fact that whenever Aristhea performs her attack on her opponent, their hatred is channeled through her forcing her to convert her body's entire nervous system initially then her muscular system, adding more magic circuits to eradicate a single target. Similar manner to Illyasviel's NP but more fatal as it causes rupture in her internal organs. She practices witchcraft in her past time but rarely does it as she refused sacrificing animals or even using her blood whenever she wanted too. Similar case to Erice Utsumi, unlike Erice, she manifests magical energy from her palms which requires practice and intense training and uses a Mystic Code in form of a Lance to channel through her magecraft.

Besides magic, she uses a Lance given to her by her aunt as training where she channels her magical energy to enhance it but it’s much weaker due to the Mystic Code’s nature in suppressing its holder to make sure she doesn’t collapse from the aftermath.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER CHARACTERS/SERVANTS:

Isolde Veritas: Rene and Aristhea’s grandmother, she is a stern, firm, no-nonsense woman who nurtures her grandchildren. Coming from a toxic, mage background, she understood what was going on and made sure to make up lies in order to not let her grandchildren pick up their ways as she finds there’s no happiness attained to it. However, she is stricter to Aristhea when training only to benefit her granddaughter and made sure she isn’t fragile or vulnerable when she is on her own.

Arina Koei: mother of Aristhea and Rene, she is a loving and kind mother coming from a decaying bloodline, she is completely unaware of her husband’s dark past and unstable behavior, she willingly chose to give birth to Rene and keeping promise to Uriel to love their children as much as she loves him. Her death is one of the factor of Uriel’s paranoia.

Cosette Veritas: Cosette is Isolde’s younger daughter, Rene and Aristhea’s aunt. Like her mother, she is painfully aware of how shady and corrupt mages are and has no interest in finding the Root, only sees magecraft as something of a hobby.

Horacio Lope: a mage, an intern in Chaldea like her. He found her to be quite odd. That’s because of her thaumaturgy allows him to see spirits and they happen to be hostile towards him. Horacio and Aristhea have a brother/sister dynamic that has their own vicissitudes.

Template Credit: Θεός

#done and done #i might do the servants on separate reblogs #aristhea veritas #mastersona #gudasona #gxymlky ocs

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thesffcorner · 5 years ago

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Get a Life Chloe Brown

Get a Life Chloe Brown is a romantic comedy, written by Talia Hibbert. It follows Chloe Brown, a freelance web designer from a wealthy family, who one day has a near death experience. This shakes her profoundly, not just for the obvious reasons, but also because she realizes that if she were to die, she would have nothing to show for herself; no friends, no boyfriend, no adventure and no interesting events. In an effort to change that she makes a list of things to do, and meets a person that just might help her do it: Redford, her new superintendent. I was interested in this book ever since I heard it was coming out, because the premise, for whatever reason reminded me of a mix of two things: the profoundly stupid, yet profoundly watchable film What’s Your Number, and Michelle Pfeiffer’s story-line in New Years Day. This book is neither stupid nor silly; it’s one of the funniest, well written rom-coms I’ve ever read, and not since Red White and Royal Blue, have I liked two characters this much. Let’s start with the writing. I didn’t know Hibbert was British, but one page in and this book was so British it hurt. From the jokes to the banter, I felt like I was watching an episode of Bad Education, and I laughed out loud more times than I can count. Both characters are very snarky, and Chloe especially has a rather dry sense of humor that comes off as rude to others, because it’s so stiff. I found it hilarious, though the real standout for me was Red, because his internal monologues had me in stitches. Let me give you a sample of the jokes, here are a few. “We definitely have bears” “We don’t. If we had bears, it’d be in the news all the time. You know. Fine upstanding British man attacked by a bear. EU to blame. Brexit now.” Gigi appeared helpfully on her shoulder and said “Don’t mumble, darling. Nice big words. Repeat after me: ‘I want to ride you like a stallion.’” “Red snorted: ‘Who are you, Dr. Phill?’ ‘Ah, don’t start that manly crap. We talk about our feelings in this house, boy.’ ‘Can I talk about my feelings for your wife?’ ‘This bowl would be a great hat on you’” This couldn’t be more up my alley. Outside of the humor, the writing on the characters was equally well done. Not only do we get a very good sense of both Red and Chloe as individuals, but Hibbert makes the chemistry between them palpable. I believed that these two people could barely hold off from ripping each other’s clothes off, and later, when they became more emotionally invested, I believed in their romance. All the characters are well written; from Chloe’s family, especially her sisters, to Red’s friend Vic and even his mother. Because we get POVs from both Chloe and Red, I was worried they might sound the same, because both are such snarky characters, but they didn’t; they have very different personalities and ways of approaching their problems, which I found was translated quite well. The plot wasn’t particularly complex; it mostly just follows Chloe making a deal with Red so he can help her tick off things on her list, and slowly getting an understanding of what is actually important to her and what isn’t. The book does also follow Red coming to some realizations of his own, notably what he wants to do with his life, now that he’s escaped an abusive relationship. Which leads me to two points of caution for this book. The first is that the cover and the synopsis might mislead you into thinking that this is straight up comedy, which it is, but more in the vein of How to Be Single or Trainwreck. There are some really heavy topics discussed in this book: there is the aftermath of an abusive relationship, disability, trauma from loss, PTSD even, and a very brutal verbal fight that doesn’t pull punches. It’s a funny book, but it has surprising depth, and Hibbert really touches on some heavy and complicated topics, while maintaining an overall light tone. There’s even a warning on the first page of the book about some of the triggers, so tread lightly. The other point are the sex scenes. Now, readers of romance, and those who are familiar with Hibbert’s other work, will probably know that this book has sex scenes. I’ve heard from other people that they either found them extremely hot or completely over the top. I fall in the former category; the sex is explicit, but I think the scenes are paced well, are genuinely engaging and steamy and actually explore the characters, and their growing attraction to each-other. The only critique I do have is that the characters, especially Red do sound a bit OOC in them, because there’s a lot of dirty talk that is a bit much even for him, but honestly, outside of laughing at it, it didn’t personally bother me. Let’s talk about characters. There aren’t many, but each gets a moment to shine. Out of the supporting cast, my favorite was Vic, though I can’t wait for Evelyn’s book, because she seemed like a hoot too. Out of the leads, let’s start with Red. Redford, who I imagine is named after the dog, being a ginger and all is a charming, attractive and confident man, who has been through a really abusive relationship that has made him spiral into bad decision making. He has quite a few flaws, the most notable being a chip on his shoulder about being treated as a spectacle, or a commodity, by people who are richer than him and can therefore buy him in many ways; buy him for his looks, his time, his talent or just simply observe him like some kind of circus animal. I found all of his quirks understandable and well written; he does make some stupid decisions, and he seems to be incapable of saying no. But he was the better adjusted lead out of the two, which was nice. He did veer off into being a little too perfect and considerate at time, which was just a tad unrealistic, but I really liked his personality a lot. Then we have Chloe who I adored, even though she falls definitely in the tradition of quirky, type A female protagonists. She is obsessed with lists, organization, planning out her days and her life, and there’s a good reason for that: she suffers from fibromyalgia. I will admit; while I do know two people in my life who have, fibromyalgia I knew very little about the disorder. I didn’t know that it seems to be caused by trauma for one, nor did I know that it leads to brain fog or short term memory loss. I think the way the illness was described in the book, and the way it impacted Chloe’s life was presented very well; I can definitely understand and sympathize with how she had developed her coping mechanisms, the healthy and unhealthy ones. Chloe is a very strong character; she is funny, she is smart, she is witty, and what I liked most was she knew her limits, knew when to push and when to take a break, and was actively fighting to live a life she would be proud of, in spite of fibromyalgia. I really liked how well Hibbert explored both what it’s like to live with an invisible illness, and the toll it takes both on the person and those around them, but also how having an illness or a disability doesn’t mean that the person can’t take care of them-self or live a perfectly good life. I’m not disabled, so I can’t speak to that representation, but as just a humble reader who wanted to learn a bit more, I was satisfied. One other thing to note is that Chloe is both plus size and black. In terms of race I appreciated the conversation she had with Red about privilege, and I think perhaps a bit more could have been explored on that front. In terms of weight, Chloe’s weight is mentioned at several points, but it’s not really a factor. I kind of liked that; Chloe gets to be a fat girl who is content with her life, and it’s not even a factor. It was nice. Overall, this book was great. It’s funny, it’s sweet, it’s very sexy, and it tackles some deeper issues and topics like class and disability in a nuanced and lighthearted way. If you are looking for a good romance with some substance, I highly recommend it.

goodreads

#get a life chloe brown #get a life chloe brown review #book review #moni talks

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thecomicsnexus · 6 years ago

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DAYS OF FUTURE PAST UNCANNY X-MEN #141-142 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 1981 BY CHRIS CLAREMONT, JOHN BYRNE, TERRY AUSTIN AND GLYNIS WEIN

SYNOPSIS (FROM MARVEL DATABASE)

In the 21st Century, New York City had become a nightmarish environment run by mutant-discriminatory Sentinels. Kate Pryde a mutant slave, is out on what is supposed to be a medical run, when she is attacked by the Rogue Pack, human scavengers who hate mutants. She is rescued by Wolverine, who is now part of the Canadian resistance against the Sentinels. He has come to warn Kate that there are plans to launch a full scale nuclear assault on America if the Sentinels are not stopped. Understanding this, Kate hopes their gamble works and is given the last component of a device Kate has slowly been smuggling into the concentration camp she has spent most of her adult life.

When she returns to the South Bronx facility where she lives, she makes it through a Sentinel security sweep and walks past the cemetery of dead heroes and mutants all slaughtered for trying to stop the Sentinel invasion. She meets up with her husband Colossus and the last surviving members of the X-Men: Storm, Rachel Summers, Franklin Richards, and Magneto, who is now crippled and relies on a wheelchair to get around. In their private quarters, the last of the X-Men put together the last component of a device that will jam the power dampeners that prevent them from using their powers. With her mutant abilities available to her, Rachel would then use her vast telepathic powers to send Kate's consciousness back in time.

The date is October 30, 1980, and the X-Men are in yet another training session in the Danger Room. Their newest member Sprite walks in, unaware that the session is in full swing. Realizing the inexperienced X-Man is in the room, the other X-Men break their concentration to save Kitty from harm before Nightcrawler can teleport to the emergency shut-off switch. After, Kitty is scolded for entering the Danger Room when a training session was in progress. When Nightcrawler tries to lighten the mood, Kitty instinctively flinches in fear. When the X-Men go up to the control room to prepare for Kitty's first Danger Room session, Nightcrawler admits that seeing Kitty flinch like that hurts but he is confident that the girl will soon warm up to him.

When Kitty's session begins, she concentrates enough to activate her phasing powers and walks through the obstacle course with her eyes closed. None of the traps that Xavier had set up to try and stop her from getting to the other side of the Danger Room seem to stop her, which causes the X-Men to burst with laughter at the fact that Kitty is easily walking through Xavier's obstacle course. However, when Kitty goes to exit the room she is struck by some strange force and collapses. When they rush her to the infirmary they scan her brain for a mental attack and find that her brain patterns have changed, having become more complex. When Kitty wakes up, she surprises Nightcrawler by hugging him and is happy to see him and the other X-Men alive.

Kitty, or Kate as she begins to refer to herself, shocks them all with this: She is really the mind of her older self from 30 years in the future. She explains that she has come back in time to prevent the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants from murdering US Senator Robert Kelly, Professor Xavier, and Moira MacTaggert during a hearing on the potential dangers of mutants. Their murders will bring about a the apocalyptic future in which she lives in. Although the X-Men (except for Wolverine) are not so quick to fully believe this story, they decide to go and check on the Professor anyway. Aboard one of Warren Worthington's aircraft, they fly toward Washington DC. Along the way, Kate tells them how these assassinations would increase anti-mutant hysteria and by 1984, an anti-mutant President would be voted into the White House who would pass the Mutant Control Act. Soon, almost every mutant and super-human in North America would be wiped out by the Sentinels. The robots were meant to protect humanity, however, they would soon enslave the entire United States. She explains how her friends in the future had sent her mind back to her younger body, as she would have been the only one who hadn't been prepared with psychic defenses by Professor X at that point. She also tells them that the surviving X-Men in the future were also planning on shutting down the Sentinel's operation in North America in order to avoid nuclear war in case she failed her mission in the past.

Back in the year 2013: Rachel, Franklin and Peter manage to escape from their concentration camp thanks to Magneto sacrificing his life so that they can escape. Carrying Kate's unconscious body, they meet up with Wolverine who leads them through the sewers in the hopes of reaching the Baxter Building, where the Sentinels have set up their primary operations since taking over America. As they move through the tunnels the Sentinels rip through the ceiling above to get them. Their first blast kills Franklin, incinerating his body. The remaining X-Men fight back, and despite their ages, manage to defeat all of the Sentinels facing them before continuing on their trek to the Fantastic Four's old headquarters.

Meanwhile, back in the present, at the Pentagon, Raven Darkhölme enters her private office and reverts back to her natural form -- that of Mystique, the mutant terrorist. She has gathered the mutants Destiny, Blob, Pyro and Avalanche into a new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants for the purpose of assassinating Senator Kelly. When checking with Destiny's precognitive powers, Destiny informs her that some unknown factor makes the future hard for her to read. Despite this, and despite in fighting between Blob, Pyro and Avalanche, they move on to enact their plans.

Later at the United States Senate, the hearing over mutants is in full order and Senator Kelly is questioning Moira MacTaggert when the X-Men arrive in their civilian guises. When the Professor telepathically asks them what's going on, Storm imparts the information that she gathered from Kate. Just then, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants smashes through the wall and before they can attack Kelly and the others, the X-Men change into their costumes and step in their way to stop them.

In the present, the X-Men have appeared at the US Senate to stop the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants from assassinating Senator Robert Kelly. They have been led there by the adult mind of Kate Pryde who's mind has been projected into the body of her young self from 30 years in the future. While in this same future where the assassination of Kelly would lead to the passage of the Mutant Registration Act and the enslavement of all mutants, the last surviving X-Men head toward the Baxter Building to stop their Sentinel overlords before the rest of the world attempts to nuke America.

1980: The Brotherhood easily knocks past the security and attempts to attack Senator Kelly, but the X-Men get in their way. As the two groups battle each other, Wolverine attempts to gut Pyro with his claws, but is stopped by Storm. As the battle rages, a security guard leads Professor Xavier and Moira MacTaggert away, only to gas them as she is really Mystique in disguise. With Xavier and MacTaggert as hostages, Mystique checks what their future is like with Destiny. Destiny still cannot see past the interference that prevents her from seeing the course history is destined to take. Destiny is unaware that it is the adult mind of Kate Pryde existing in the body of her younger self that is causing the interference.

2013: The last X-Men arrive just outside the Baxter Building, former headquarters to the Fantastic Four and now the primary nerve center of the Sentinel forces that rule America. With Rachel staying behind to watch over Kate's unconscious body, Storm, Colossus and Wolverine go into action. Storm easily disables the Sentinel that is guarding the door, granting the team access to the building. Once inside, Wolverine uses one of the Fantastic Four's old signal belts to gain access to the private elevator that would lead them up to the FF's old headquarters. As they ride the elevator up, they prepare to face the greatest challenge of their lives.

1980: As the battle continues to rage, Storm gets down on herself for not being as good a leader as Cyclops when she failed to see that battling indoors is not helping their fight. Using her mutant powers, Storm creates a wind that blows the Brotherhood and X-Men outside of the Senate building where their battle continues. The battle becomes more complicated with the arrival of the National Guard with some tanks and soldiers which the Brotherhood easily exploit. When soldier arrives with a flame thrower, Pyro uses his powers to turn it's flame into a giant fire monster that grabs hold of Wolverine. Storm manages to generate powerful enough wind to blast the flame monster apart before it can seriously harm him. When Wolverine is approached by who he thinks is Nightcrawler, another Nightcrawler lunges at the other and a fight ensues. Unable to tell them apart due to the damage done to his enhanced senses from being burned, Wolverine decides to dive into the middle of the fight with his claws. Storm stops him and manages to order him to put his claws away. Wolverine, hating to be ordered around, complies but warns Storm that the argument isn't over. They are soon attacked by Blob and Avalanche.

Wolverine and Colossus create a level which allows them to toss the Blob at Avalanche, while Storm creates a monsoon rain around Pyro making it impossible for him to use his flames. While the real Nightcrawler lands a blow on his doppleganger, forcing Mystique to revert to her normal form. When Nightcrawler notices a resemblance between the two of them, Mystique tells Nightcrawler to ask his adopted mother Margali Szardos about that next time he sees her. When Angel swoops in, it distracts Nightcrawler enough to allow Mystique to escape. Realizing that Kate and Destiny are unaccounted for, the X-Men rush back into the Senate building hoping that they aren't too late.

2013: Exiting the elevator in the Baxter Building, the X-Men spot a Sentinel working at one of the main computers. Wolverine orders Colossus to toss a Fastball special. However as Wolverine is hurtled toward the Sentinel it detects his presence and incinerates him with a laser blast, leaving nothing but a charred Adamantium skeleton. Storm takes down the Sentinel with a lightning bolt, however more Sentinels enter the room. One impales Storm through the torso with a harpoon. This one is destroyed by Colossus, however he soon dies as well. While down on the streets below, Rachel Summers listens to her friends die and sheds tears hoping that Kate succeeds on her mission in the past.

1980: Destiny has cornered Senator Kelly in an office within the Senate and is about to shoot him with a crossbow. She is unaware that Kate Pryde is in the room, and just before Destiny can fire the fatal, history making shot, Kate uses her phasing powers to pass through Destiny. This disorients her enough to make her shot just miss Kelly's head by inches. With history changed, Kate's mind is shot back into the future and the strain causes Kitty to pass out. Storm arrives shortly after and takes Kitty away while Destiny is taken into police custody. Later aboard Warren's jet as it heads back to the X-Men's headquarters, Professor X probes Kitty's mind and finds no trace of her future self. Further, young Kitty has no memory of the battle either. When Warren asks the Professor if they indeed managed to change the future, the Professor can only say that time will tell.

REVIEW

Just like the Dark Phoenix Saga, Days of Future Past had a big impact for the X-Men, in all its adaptations. Mutants from the future just started to appear with this story. Nothing will be the same for the X-men.

This is also a very interesting story that fits the post-apocalyptic theme of the eighties. And as usual, it’s man’s fault. Instead of using nuclear energy, Claremont and Byrne use the Sentinels. If you think about it, this is almost like the plot from Terminator. Before that movie came out.

My only problem with the issues is typos. Many of them. But for the rest, this is a must-read story for any X-Men fan. And the most interesting thing about it is that it came out of nowhere. Unlike other Claremont long plots.

I give this story a score of 10

#danny crespy #terry austin #john byrne #x-men #days of future past #uncanny x-men #marvel comics #comics #review #1981 #bronze age

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douchebagbrainwaves · 5 years ago

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STARTUPS AND IMAGES

Apple serious venture funding, on the condition that Woz quit, he initially refused, arguing that he'd designed both the Apple I and the Apple II while working at HP, and there is nothing to see outside. Now all educated people seem to share a certain prickly independence, whenever and wherever they lived. And the Internet makes copies easy to distribute. The other side may even break the deal; if they do that, they'll usually seize on some technicality or claim you misled them, rather than admitting they changed their minds.1 Investors would be the best supplier, but falls just short of the threshold for solvency—which will of course have been set on the high side, since there is no limit to the number of startups started within them. Believe it or not, the two senses of the word. In both painting and hacking there are some kinds of knowledge that get in the way of seeing a work of art that would appeal equally to your friends, to people in Nepal, and to have the same velcro-like shape as genuinely interesting ideas, but for your readers. You might come up with that kind of works. Six weeks is fast. Angels you can sometimes tell about other angels, because VCs are afraid of looking bad to their partners, and perhaps others that would appeal to most humans, and you don't take investment, then competitors who do will have an advantage. To them the company is worth more.2 There are two problems with this, though.

He didn't work for General Widget, but for those who make it often try to trick us. Lack of empathy is associated with intelligence, to the point where they can put a lot of trolls in it. It doesn't even have y.3 This probably makes them less productive, because they might end up with nothing. But I disagree with Caterina Fake when she says that makes this a bad time to start a startup: get a version 1 out fast, then improve it based on users' reactions. But there is a Laffer curve for government power, just as professional theater was being born, and pushed the medium so far that every playwright since has had to live in his shadow. Don't be Evil?

Especially if other parents are doing it. Instead of making one $2 million investment, make five $400k investments.4 If you turned it over, it said Inside Macintosh. Hewlett-Packard, wouldn't let him do it at a low enough valuation. It's probably a combination of factors. Most humans will also find images of 3D objects engaging, because that was where the deals were. It was a new one, and instead of physical knobs it had buttons and an LED display. So startup hubs like Silicon Valley benefit from something like the marketplace effect, but shifted in time: startups are there because startups were there. I thought I was ready to question everything I knew. A lot of the spread of the Industrial Revolution that wealth creation definitively replaced corruption as the best way to get rich, he'll hire you as a bargain if you don't need them. I'm optimistic we will. The median visitor will arrive with their finger poised on the Back button.

But in general, for application software, you want to invest in successful startups, and think it's therefore the mark of a successful startup to have this happen. Yes, he may have extensive business experience.5 But if you work for a startup is like a pass/fail course for the founders, what you want to be the top one in your mind. Children of kings and great magnates were the first to grow up out of touch with the world. Actually big companies are not the root cause of variation in every other human skill. Your Hopes Up. They get the pick of all the different types of work, instead of what I wanted to do.6 I can tell, the way to do it, then it is hard, at least, that high level languages are often all treated as equivalent. In a feudal society, there are subtle signs you're in a place so nice that rich people wanted to live there. Another is to stand close. The final contributing factor is the culture of a large organization.

This probably accounts for a lot of subsidiary questions to be cleared up after the handshake, and if something great happens, they'll stick with it��something great meaning either that someone wants to buy you. How to Become a Hacker, and in it, but it does at least make you keep an open mind. If so, now's the time. Really? I've seen grinds to a halt when they start to think for themselves. It was more like the high school trick of breaking up with someone before they can break up with you. But if you had no money were taking more risk, and are entitled to higher returns. So you will not, as of this writing, be able to get features done faster than our competitors, and also to do things that would be just as worried about premature design—deciding too early what a program should do. Surely it was their duty to their limited partners simply to invest in those that at least have the advantage, from each one's point of view. This is especially true in a startup is like walking on your hands: it's possible, but it has the side effect that after having implicitly lied to kids about how good their judgement is, we then have to lie again about all the things they wanted with their own hands. There are some things that will appeal to most sentient beings whatever that means the skill and determination of an ordinary person.

Data is by definition easy to copy.7 So you have to do things I knew she was about to do anyway. Investors have different risk profiles from founders. And he could help them because he was one of the more profitable pieces of Yahoo, and the noise starts again. Most humans will also find images of 3D objects engaging, because that was where their peers were, and investors are very sensitive to it.8 But two guys who thought Multics excessively complex went off and wrote their own. Another much less subtle influence is brand. The puffed-up companies that went public during the Bubble didn't do it just because they were too quick. And since the ability and desire to create it vary from person to person, it's not made equally. If you don't yet have any traffic, they fall back on number 2, what other investors think. Most deals, for investment or acquisition, happen in two phases.9

Notes

All he's committed to is following the evidence wherever it leads. You're not seeing fragmentation unless you see what the startup isn't getting market price. This is the only way to see what they're capable of. It tipped from being overshadowed by Microsoft, incidentally, because the early days, and this is: we currently filter at the data, it's because of the reasons startups are often surprised by this, though more polite, was starting an outdoor portal.

Stone, op. The image shows us, the rest of the war it was the last step is to do work you love, or whether contractors count too. Scheme: define foo n lambda i set! Successful founders are effective.

Good investors don't lead startups on; their reputations are too valuable.

This is the converse: that the founders of Google to do it.

They don't make wealth a zero-sum game. The unintended consequence is that if you have to do, so they had to write every component yourself, but it's not lots of people are these days. One way to be some things it's a seller's market. These were the case of Bayes' Rule.

Different sections of the conversion of buildings not previously public, like a knowledge of human nature, might come from all over the super-angels hate to match. At first literature took a shot at destroying Boston's in the definition of property is driven mostly by technological progress is accelerating, so buildings are traditionally seen as temporary; there is a great programmer might invent things an ordinary programmer would never have left PARC. Why Are We Getting a Divorce? Well, almost.

Though they were friendlier to developers than Apple is now. Download programs to run an online service, and partly simple ignorance. The reason for the talk to corp dev is to use an OS that doesn't lose our data.

In part because Steve Jobs doesn't use. The threshold for participating goes down to you; you're too early if it's the right order. Bad math is merely a complicated but pointless collection of specious beliefs about its intrinsic qualities.

It seemed better to overestimate than underestimate the importance of making n constant, it might actually be bad if that means the slowdown that comes from.

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understandingsexwork-blog · 6 years ago

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Understanding Sex Work and Applying an Intersectional Lens to Provide Resources to Grand Rapids Sex Workers

By Lauren Monahan, Kayla Kaminski, Marissa DeGonia, and Larenz Rivero

Sex work can be defined as a commercial exchange of a sexual service for money or other benefits such as housing, transportation, drugs, or more. This term is used to describe a wide range of transactions, and does not mean that all sex workers are one homogenous group. Some types of sex workers are escorts, exotic dancers, dominatrices, phone sex operators, sensual massage professionals, actors in adult films, or other professions that involve the trade of sex or erotic performances (Avenatti). Most frequently, the definition of sex work is limited to work that explicitly either involves sex or sexual gestures. This neglects the emotional work that takes place in the sex work industry and provides a limited scope to the needs and experiences of sex workers.

The language we use when speaking about sex work is important. The way we talk about sex work is not neutral as it influences the way people think about sex work and the way policy is created (Stella 2013). The language used to describe sex work and sex workers varies depending upon the type of sex work, the region, and the historical context. The language we use explains the differences in the histories of different kinds of sex workers, and the language used is often times framed in a very stereotypical and simplistic way. This erases the complexity of the lived realities of sex workers, whether they be good or bad (Stella 2013). Because the words that sex workers use to describe their experiences and their identities can be used to discredit them and enact violence, the words they themselves use may differ depending on who they are communicating with. While within their respective communities they may respect everyone’s choice of language to identify themselves, they may not use the same language when talking to people outside of that community. In this light, it is important to remember that language is culturally and linguistically specific and means different things depending on its translation and cultural context. The difference in language used is complicated and has many layers, but when an intersectional lens is employed we can begin to see how word choice intersects with intention and meaning.

For example, when speaking about consensual and forced sex work, there is a tendency to rush towards distinguishing between the two terms. It may be easy to draw a strict line in saying that consensual sex work is done by choice and forced sex work is not work, but rather abuse or assault. While it is important to acknowledge the difference between the two, there can be unintended consequences of doing so. By having a public opinion that sees sex work within this binary, the perspective that some sex workers should be blamed and criminalized while others should be victimized and saved becomes prominent. This can lead to a black-and-white public thought around the issue that can silence the voices of actual sex workers within the profession. Another unintended consequence is that it obscures the difference between good and bad working conditions (Stella 2013). Although workers may consent to the act, they may not consent to the working conditions they experience. A person may consent to a certain act but feel forced to do so in an area or setting by outside forces. This is why it is important that sex work is looked at through an evidence based, human rights advocacy lens. If we start raising the voices of sex workers over those that seek to simply criminalize or victimize them, we can start to move towards improving the conditions that all sex workers operate within so that each worker has the opportunity to decide what, where, and how they should perform in their profession.

Another complicated and racialized aspect of language present in sex work discourse is that around the word ‘pimp’. This word indicates a gendered, racialized, and classist image of who third party managers are in the industry (Stella 2013). This erases the diversity present amongst third party roles and creates a damaging narrative against poor men of color. By using the word ‘pimp,’ porn directors and producers, massage parlor managers, and escort service managers--as well as their potentially empowering or exploitative techniques are ignored.

Sex Work and LGBTQ Experiences

In an interview with the three New York City based activists Amber Hollibaugh, Ignacio Rivera, and Felix Gardon, sex work in relation to queer politics is explained. Sex work has always had a place amongst queer and trans communities. It has been both a source of income and livelihood as well as an issue that has shaped “the space between social and political margins and the centralities of queer and trans communities” (Shah 2012) It is impossible to speak about sex work without acknowledging its deep interweaving history with trans and queer communities, as well as how it intersects with race. The intersection between the marginalized identities of queer and trans people with the marginalization of sex workers cannot be ignored. It is the social factors around sex work, HIV transmission, poverty, and incarceration that connect to form a more complete picture of how sex work is neither victimless nor fully suppressive.

Sex work for many is seen as a problem, with sex workers being the victims. Amber Hollibaugh explain how the relationship between victimization and self empowerment through sex work is complicated. For Amber and many sex workers she knew, sex work was a privilege compared to the other options available. There were many reasons as to why people consensually choose to engage in sex work. People choose to do sex work during times of unemployment, as a way to do community organizing, or because their marginalized identities left them with few other choices.. For others, like activist and sex worker Ignacio Rivera, sex work was a way out of poverty while also being an avenue to pursue activism they felt other lesbian and gay organizations were ignoring. Others became sex workers to pay for school. Regardless of the reason, there are many workers who engage in sex work while also holding legal jobs to support their financial needs.

Historically, the lens that non-normative sex has been perceived through has conflated LGBTQ identities and sex work. To the police in New York, during the 1960’s-1980’s, being visibly LGBTQ was indicative of being a sex worker and LGBTQ people were incarcerated at high rates. At the time, people could be arrested for prostitution for merely carrying a condom on them. Hallibaugh reports that about half of the sex workers she worked with in New York City were “endlessly incarcerated” (Shah 2012). By understanding the way that LGBTQ narratives are intertwined with the negative narratives of sex work, we can better see that sex work is not inherently problematic, just as LGBTQ identities are not. Rather, society’s notion of normative sex and bodies creates problematic situations for sex workers.

The successful attempt to marginalize and stratify sex work is a function of a greater cause to regulate bodies. Bodies “have been regulated by the state, starting with slavery and forced sterilizations, to the scare tactics around HIV and STDs and sex work” (Shah 2012). This is all to dictate the way that people should use their bodies, and when those people do not use their bodies in that way they are ostracized, marginalized, and discriminated against. This leads to violence against sex workers and marginalized groups that is validated by the underlying ideologies set forth by the state. By looking at the ways that bodies have been controlled throughout history, we can see that bodies are and have been controlled by race and sexuality, where black people are the most controlled and sex outside reproduction being considered immoral or vagrant. This, allows us to see the multiple societal forces that stigmatize sex work.

In order to create safer environments and long lasting ideologies that destigmatize sex workers, sexual liberation must be considered. By seeing sex work as a path to sexual liberation, we get closer to seeing sex work as legitimate work. It is important to validate this profession because it leads to more open discussions that focus on harm reduction and prevention for the sex work industry. By removing the negative stigma from sex work and legitimizing it as a form of work, LGBTQ people and other marginalized groups who have been ostracized from other forms of normative work because of their identities have a legitimate avenue to make their living and to create community.

Overall, this change to destigmatizing and decriminalizing sex work allows individuals to express their own bodily autonomy, reduces the power of the state in regulating bodies, and works towards expanding the narrow category of what normative bodies must be and how they must act. The activists interviewed assert that we need to see race, class, gender, and sexuality as intersecting and to see the way that power constitutes them.

Decriminalization vs. Legalization of Sex Work

There has been debate over whether decriminalization is better than legalization of sex work. Distinguishing the difference is vital in terms of legislation regarding sex work. Although both legalization and decriminalization sound appealing for the rights of sex workers, the former carries with it many unintended consequences.

University of Rhode Island professor Donna Hughes explains the two terms as follows: “Legalization would mean the regulation of prostitution with laws regarding where, when, and how prostitution could take place. Decriminalization eliminates all laws and prohibits the state and law-enforcement officials from intervening in any prostitution-related activities or transactions, unless other laws apply.” Even though legalizing prostitution is often seen as a tolerant, practical solution, the legalized model “disproportionately excludes sex workers who are already marginalized, like people who use drugs or who are undocumented”, Smith argues. One key fact to remember is that those who resort to sex work as an occupation are often doing so as means of support for their children and/or living expenses. Research has shown that criminalizing the acts of sex workers “creates conditions of impunity and enhances sex workers’ vulnerabilities to violence and exploitation, including trafficking.” Therefore, those that make a living doing sex work in a society that criminalizes it are forced to work in more vulnerable situations, increasing the risk of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking. Another reason sex workers may not prefer legalization is that it provides a new system for controlling bodies, which is exactly the opposite of what sex workers want from legalization (Lutnick 2009). The process it takes to legally work in the sex industry is extensive and requires getting permits and subjecting oneself to medical exams. By placing standards of who can do sex work under a legalized system, bodies are controlled and deemed acceptable or not for sex work.

Failing to comply with the legal rules of sex work would make a sex worker a criminal. The consequences of having sexual crimes on one’s record range far and wide, further marginalizing sex workers. Having a charge for prostitution, for example, can affect housing, employment, and the opportunity to receive social benefits. This further limits the chances of getting out of the sex work industry if one wishes to do so.

Many sex workers have opted for decriminalization instead of legalization (Lutnick 2009). It provides freedom, safety, and support while allowing people control over their own bodies. Decriminalization would essentially make sex work operate as any other business would. This would enable workers to seek out legal help and support to deal with exploitive and unsafe working conditions. It also allows sex workers to be able to employ the police for their protection, which would reduce the amount of immobility experienced by sex workers who may be trapped in bad situations. By decriminalizing sex work, the process of de-stigmatizing sex work is furthered and open negotiations create consent and safer conditions.

An article in the AMA Journal of Ethics by Erin Albright and Kate D'Adamo argues four reasons to oppose criminalizing sex work:

increased violence

erosion of trust

increased vulnerability

stigma

When sex workers are pushed into more vulnerable communities, not only does their risk of violence increase but they are more prone to never report that violence. Fear of judgment, discrimination, and a lower quality of service erodes trust between healthcare professionals and sex workers. As previously mentioned, having a record with prostitution increases one’s vulnerability in terms of limited employment opportunities, housing options, and chance to receive any social benefits. Lastly, criminalization fuels stigma. “Research supports the fact that sex workers are some of the most marginalized people in the world,” says Albright and D’Adamo. “Too often, sex workers are spoken for instead of given a platform for speaking themselves, and a result is a lack of recognition and enforcement of their basic human rights.”

Criminalizing sex work ultimately creates the cycle of the discrimination and marginalization of sex workers. Decriminalizing sex work would counter the stigma against sex work and be a large step into reducing the harm and violence sex workers often encounter.

Sex Work in Michigan

A study was conducted in 2004 by the State of Michigan called “HIV/AIDS and Health Related Needs Among Commercial Sex Workers in Michigan” in search of statistics and research from commercial sex workers on their health related needs, expectations and resources for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. 59 subjects participated from Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Flint, and Ypsilanti which were given structured self-reported interviews on their experience for exchanging sex for drugs and money (Lapinski-LaFaive 2004). Data from the study showed that the majority of participants were from Detroit and that their number one fear of contributing to sex work was contracting HIV/AIDS despite 90% of the participants reporting that they had been tested for HIV/AIDS in the past.

Data from the study showed:

Detroit had the highest percentage of interviews conducted.

22% of the participants expressed their main concern was contracting HIV/AIDS.

13.6% responded to getting killed or injured was their primary concern.

66% of participants reported to having only one primary partner.

One of Michigan’s recommendations is to implement prevention interventions to encourage risk reduction strategies. There is limited research done on the Grand Rapids area in specific, but the Nokomis Foundation, an organization which provides help to women and girls involved in street prostitution, states that from the information known, there is estimated to be hundreds of people involved in prostitution in the city. However, there is limited awareness, knowledge, and understanding about those involved. An article by The Nokomis Foundation focused on the sex work and prostitution rates within Grand Rapids and stated that within Grand Rapids, the crack/cocaine influx was proportional to the prostitution rates in the areas of Fulton and 28th Street. Popular areas of the city of Grand Rapids are known to be Fulton, 28th Street, Division Ave, Grandville Ave, and Madison Ave. The article references that women often partake in prostitution in Grand Rapids because of the winter weather. Some people offer their sexual services in exchange for someone taking them home at night to avoid the dangerously cold temperatures. Research on sex work and resources for sex workers within the Grand Rapids community is lacking and more research needs to be focused on this portion of Michigan’s population.

Resources

Importance of Access to Resources

Due to criminalization of sex work within the United States, sex workers are often left without access to the same resources that other members of their community can access. Criminalization escalates risks and vulnerabilities of sex workers and often prevents them from receiving reliable sexual information, harm reduction services, medical services, legal help, and mental health services. Below, we aim to give resources to Grand Valley students, Grand Rapid residents, and local service providers to better help the community who participate in the sex work industry.

Education for Local Service Providers

In order to have accessible resources within our community, we must push service providers to be sex work competent. We can do this by providing them information on what sex work is, important terminology, information on how criminalization adversely affects sex workers’ health, the needs and risk for people in the sex work industry, and how to effectively communicate with sex workers in our communities.

Cassandra Avenatti, an executive board member of Sex Workers Outreach Project-Chicago (SWOP), created an online training presentation titled “Understanding Sex Work & Supporting Individuals Involved in the Sex Trade” (Avenatti). This training includes an introductory lesson on the sex work industry and the criminalization of sex work, as well as guidelines that service providers should utilize when working with sex workers.

“Understanding Sex Work & Supporting Individuals Involved in the Sex Trade”

The National Healthcare for the Homeless Council also provides some competency training on sex work and some of its intersections with other social issues. These trainings come in many different formats, but some of interest for Grand Rapids businesses are the remote webinars and online courses.

Training from the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council

Resources for Sex Workers in the Grand Rapids Area

Harm Reduction Services

Harm reduction services focus on reducing the harm caused by drug usage or other practices that can be detrimental to people’s health. The Grand Rapid’s sex worker community may find the following services useful in providing sexual healthcare and education, reducing STD/HIV transmission, reducing opioid overdoses, LGBTQ-specific healthcare needs, and more.

The Red Project is a 501c3 non-profit organization that aims to reduce risk, provide healthcare related services, and prevent HIV transmission. A list of their many services offered can be found at redproject.org/services/, and a few are outlined below. All services are offered for free and anonymously.

Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C testing from five walk-in locations in Grand Rapids. Locations and times found by calling the number below or located on their website. Website Phone: (616) 456-9063

Needle exchange, sexual health products, and personal hygiene products. Locations and times can be located on their website. Website

Opioid overdose reversal training and Nalaxone/Narcan dispersal. Locations and times can be located on their website. Website

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) assistance and early intervention programs. Assistance can be found by calling the number below and asking for Nathan Bentley, the Red Project’s Early Intervention Specialist and PrEP Coordinator. Website Phone: (616) 456-9063

San Francisco Sex Information provides free and non-judgemental information on sex practices and sexual health by phone or email. They also provide information via their website. Website Phone: (415) 989-7374 Email: [email protected] Planned Parenthood is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides healthcare for millions of people worldwide for free or reduced cost.

The Grand Rapid’s Planned Parenthood branch provides general healthcare, birth control, pregnancy testing, sexual education, abortion services, HIV services, STD testing and vaccines, LGBTQ-specific services such as hormone therapy, and more. A full list of services and how to access them can be found at their website. Website

Planned Parenthood provides an online chat or text messaging service that connect you with educators that can give answers to sexual education, birth control, pregnancy, abortion, and STD questions. Text Messaging Number: Text “PPNOW” to 774636

Sex Worker Allied Mental Health Services

Some mental healthcare providers identify themselves as sex worker allied. Below are a few that are providing services to Grand Rapids or surrounding areas that identified online as being sex worker allied.

Brenda Benjamin, Licensed Professional Counselor Located: Grandville, Michigan Phone: (616) 952-2525

Sharon Depcinski, Clinical Social Work/Therapist Located: Grand Rapids, Michigan Phone: (616) 236-2992

Victoria Fisher, Clinical Social Work/Therapist Located: Grand Rapids, Michigan Phone: (616) 710-4378

Transitional Housing & Residential Assistance

Some sex workers may choose at some point to leave the industry. Regardless of the reason, leaving the industry can be a difficult and vulnerable time. Some organizations aim to help make that transition easier by offering discreet counseling, a supportive community, and residential assistance. One such organization is Eve’s Angels, a faith-based nonprofit led by former sex workers that offers counseling, transitional housing, reintegration programs, and a supportive and understanding community.

To contact Eve’s Angels in Grand Rapids, go to their website or write to them at PO Box 150923 Grand Rapids, MI 49515 USA.

Human Trafficking Assistance

While sex work is not synonymous with sex trafficking or human trafficking, some members of the sex work industry can be at a higher risk of being human trafficked. The National Human Trafficking Hotline provides a way to report human trafficking or get safely out of human trafficking.

National Human Trafficking Resource Center Website SMS: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”) Hotline: 1 (888) 373-7888 (24 hours, 7 days a week) Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages

Michigan Laws Regarding Prostitution and Local Legal Assistance

Knowing Michigan law is important for sex workers who have to navigate within its constraints. Though prostitution is only one kind of sex work, it tends to be the one that is criminalized most often within states. The act of prostitution and soliciting prostitution are considered misdemeanors under Michigan laws, while pimping/pandering is considered a felony.

If you are stopped by law enforcement officers for prostitution or suspected prostitution, SWOP-MI recommends staying calm and polite with the officer, remain silent if possible, refuse consent to be searched, try to remember all details of the encounter, and ask for an attorney. It is also recommended to not attempt to run away from, resist, or lie to the officer (“What To Do”).

Michigan laws of interest for sex workers that trade sex include:

750.448-750.462 of the Michigan Penal Code, (“Michigan Penal Code,” 2009) which deals with the laws regarding prostitution.

750.451a of the Michigan Penal Code (2009), which states that prostitution laws in Michigan do not pertain to officers while they are performing their duties. While its purpose is to allow officers to go undercover without being found out, it allows room for potential abuse in that law enforcement officers can coerce vulnerable individuals into performing act of prostitution.

There are various criminal defense lawyers that serve the Grand Rapids population and specialize in prostitution or sexual crimes, including those outlined below.

The Criminal Defense Law Center West Michigan Website Phone: (616) 438-6719

The Bar One Defense Firm Website Phone: (248) 826-2565

References

Albright, E., & D'Adamo, K. (2017, January 01). Decreasing Human Trafficking through Sex Work Decriminalization. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/decreasing-human-trafficking-through-sex-work-decriminalization/2017-01

Avenatti, C. (n.d.). Understanding Sex Work & Supporting Individuals Involved in the Sex Trade.

Retrieved from https://www.nhchc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/cultural-competence-w-persons-involved-with-the-sex-trade_avenatti1.pdf.

Bruckert, C., Caouette, A., Clamen, J., Gillies, K. Kiselbach, S., Laliberte, E.,... Symons, E.

(2013, April). Language Matters: Talking About Sex Work. Retrieved from https://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/StellaInfoSheetLanguageMatters.pdf.

Chapter 750. Michigan Penal Code. (2009, February). [PDF Document]. Retrieved from

http://legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-chap750.pdf.

Clune, D., & Hosey, J. (n.d.). How We Can Do Better: Helping Prostituted Women and Girls in Grand Rapids Make Healthy Choices. Retrieved from

http://www.nokomisfoundation.org/documents/WeCanDoBetter.pdf.

Eve’s Angels Inc. NFP. (n.d.) In Guidestar. Retrieved from

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/26-3823877.

Lapinski-LaFaive, M. K., & Simpson, H. L. (2004). HIV/AIDS and Health Related Needs

Among Commercial Sex Workers in Michigan. Retrieved from https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/HIV_Needs_Commercial_Sex_Workers_2004_389436_7.pdf.

Lutnick, A., & Cohan, D. (2009). Criminalization, legalization or decriminalization of sex work: What female sex workers say in San Francisco, USA. Reproductive Health Matters, 17(34), 38-46. doi:10.1016/s0968-8080(09)34469-9.

National Human Trafficking Hotline. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://humantraffickinghotline.org/.

Paglia, A. (2017, November 16). Sex Trafficking vs. Sex Work: What You Need to Know

Human Trafficking Search. Retrieved from http://humantraffickingsearch.org/2017725sex-trafficking-vs-sex-work-what-you-need-to-know/.

San Francisco Sex Information. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://sfsi.org/.

Services. (n.d.) In The Red Project. Retrieved from http://redproject.org/services/.

Shah, S.P. (2012). Sex Work and Queer Politics in Three Acts. The Scholarly & Feminist Online, 10.1-10.2. Retrieved from http://sfonline.barnard.edu/a-new-queer-agenda/sex-work-and-queer-politics-in-three-acts.

Training and Technical Assistance. (n.d.) In National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Retrieved from https://www.nhchc.org/training-technical-assistance/.

What To Do If You Are Stopped By Law Enforcement. (n.d.) Retrieved from

http://www.swop-mi.org/swop.law.htm.

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replacementinminneapolis-blog · 6 years ago

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Residential House Construction Builder Company in Minneapolis MN

Selecting the best Residential House Construction Builder Company Near Me

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residentialatticinsulationc-blog · 6 years ago

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Residential House Construction Builder Company in Minneapolis MN

Selecting the best Residential House Construction Builder Company Near Me

♣ General Building Construction Contractors can help you have a good roof

♣ Good Reasons to Have a General Building Construction Contractors

♣ General Building Construction Contractors to help you out as you set up your home

youtube

♣ General Building Construction Contractors really deliver quality work

♣ General Building Construction Contractors who practices the right roofing techniques

Navigate to this website for getting more information related to Residential General Building Construction Contractors Near Me.

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eddiepatella · 3 years ago

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Historic Homes Restored

According to Eddie Patella, historic home restoration is a difficult task, but it may be accomplished in a way that respects the building's past. You should be informed of the prices and approvals required before you begin. Continue reading to learn more about Permits and Inspections, as well as what you can do to save money on your taxes. You may also look for information about previous owners, census records, and public documents via the Internet Public Library. You will be able to restore the home to its historical time by researching its history.

The expenditures of repairing an older property, whether the interior or exterior, may quickly surpass the seven-figure threshold. A new roof, exterior painting and deleading, insulation, 400 Amp service, numerous water heaters, title 5 compliant septic system, and tie-in to the city's sewage system may all cost thousands of dollars. A specific permission is also required for the restoration of an older home.

Historic homes have higher renovation and repair costs. A conventional pre-hung outside entry door can cost as low as $180, yet a historically significant curved glass historic brownstone door can cost up to $5,000. Historic homes are sometimes more expensive to acquire and build than modern ones since they are composed of specific materials. Architectural salvage businesses are a great place to look for these items. Original architectural elements are common in historic structures, necessitating more complex restoration and repair processes.

Permits must be obtained before work on your historic home may begin. There are numerous sorts of permits, each with its own set of restrictions. Some will want you to bring the house up to code, while others will ask you to restore it to its original state. Your plans will be accepted or rejected at the discretion of the governing authorities. You'll need to inquire about the restrictions with the local or county administration.

In Eddie Patella’s opinion, you may require a demolition permission or a Permit for Minor Work, depending on the nature of your project. You may typically receive a demolition permission from the Community Development Department for undertakings that aren't too complicated. You'll need an emergency historic modification permission from the Building Official if you're not aiming to demolish the entire house. Your plans will be evaluated by the LPC to see whether they are appropriate.

Historic properties should be thoroughly inspected by home inspectors to see whether repairs or replacement of ancient fixtures are required. These evaluations can help evaluate how much improvements would cost and what work will be required to restore the home. When looking for a historic property to renovate, a checklist is useful. During a house inspection, there are several factors to consider. Older homes, for example, may have asbestos or lead paint. If you're a parent or a child, lead is a neurotoxic metal that can cause major health problems. Until the mid-1980s, lead was frequently used in plumbing pipes and interior paint. Heavy metal poisoning might occur if you or someone in your household is a history buff.

Home inspectors write reports about the state of a house and what they've seen. The customer should be able to analyze the findings and figure out what needs to be done to repair the property. The home inspector may not know what to check for if he or she has never evaluated a historic property before. Further inspections should be recommended in the report. When should a qualified inspector offer a final analysis and when should they pass?

Tax incentives for historic property restoration can help homeowners save a lot of money. Several states currently provide historic house tax benefits. Iowa, Maryland, and Missouri, for example, all have excellent historic tax credit schemes. In addition, Colorado gives up to 25% of approved rehabilitation expenditures through its historic tax credit program, which was improved in 2015. This credit is usually worth 20% of approved expenses. A historic tax credit scheme was enacted to assist the city retain its historic heritage and rebuild its economy, according to REALTOR® Eric Friedman of St. Louis.

As of 2011, 31 states provide tax credits for historic building restoration. Because historic buildings are generally located in traditional economic hubs, their enhanced worth does not end at the property line. In reality, renovating a home may help a neighborhood as a whole, not just the owner. As a result, the greatest approach to save money while restoring a historic property is to take advantage of tax credits. Visit your state's historic preservation agency to learn more about tax incentives for historic house restoration.

When it comes to preserving a historic home, there are a lot of steps to consider. Damage assessment, repairs, and other needs are among these processes. The procedure might take six months or more, depending on the circumstances. There are also municipal laws to take into account. When looking for a contractor, look for one who offers a workmanship warranty and has the necessary licensing credentials. After that, choose the contractor you think would do the greatest job.

Eddie Patella suggested that, make sure your property is secure before you begin your job. Restoration, according to the National Park Service, is the process of re-creating a property in a specific time period. Furthermore, historic communities may have their own set of rules. Fiberglass porch columns, for example, cannot be used in place of wood porch columns. You may be able to apply for grants to pay part of the costs of your project, depending on the area where you're working.

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supersimmer2018 · 4 years ago

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The Runaways Episode 13

*Important Note*

This Episode has a lot of Adult topics and Mature themes. This is the Uncut extended version of Episode 13. The PG family friendly one is located on my Sims Amino account, I will leave the link down below. This post is for ages 18 and older. Strong language is used in this story, and also talks about mental health. Read at your own risk.

Episodes 1-12 Click the link to find them!

http://aminoapps.com/p/qsf26r

~~~~~2 Years Later~~~~~ Time... Time is the only thing that goes on, it never stops counting down the seconds, minuets, and hours. It was time that Dustin had lost with Angela. After the events that had taken place that lead him to attempt to take his own life, Dustin was put into a mental institute against his free will. It was better for him that he was put into the institute. His mom didn't know any other way to help him, she had to think of the challenges that would occur trying to take care of Beau and the new edition to the family. She couldn't manage making sure that Dustin didn't try something like that again. Angela was against Dustin being locked away, even if it was for his own good and well being. She was pregnant and would have to go through raising a baby all on her own without Dustin. And that was something that she didn't want. As hard as she fought for Dustin, Brandi's mind was already heart set on making sure that her son was safe and taken care of.

Well that's what Brandi had thought, but hidden within the walls of the institute was a horror that no one knew about. The very doctor's that were supposed to be helping those that were being cared for were doing the exact opposite. Most of the time the patients never were fed at all, or they were miss treated or worse. There was no use in looking for help because help wasn't going to come. The entire staff made sure of that. Dustin was able to make at least one friend, but making at least one friend wasn't enough to stop the abuse that was going on both mentally and... sexually. Dustin wouldn't allow it to happen to him, but it was hard to fight someone off when you hadn't eaten in days. So having the strength to fight someone off was hard to do. At least there were days when he was able to avoid that kind of stuff. Most days Dustin would just lay there on the stone cold floor, thinking to himself. More often then he liked to admit the voice inside his head would find it's way back every now and then and talk to him.

Voice: Still alive I see.. Dustin: I'm in no mood to talk to you. Voice: You look like you could use some company. Come on, its me you're best friend. Dustin: You tried talking me into killing myself, some friend you are. Dustin knew that no one would hear him talking out loud in response to the voice inside his head talking to him. It became a normal thing and Dustin didn't really seem to think it as odd to reply out loud to the voice from inside his head that was talking to him. Voice: I said that I was sorry... Come on can't we leave the past in the past? Dustin: What is it that you want now? I'd rather be left alone. Voice: You're planning something aren't you?

It was true, Dustin had been planning a way to escape this neverending hell. He had talked this plan over with his friend Bradley. Bradley had agreed that he would figure out a way to get a key card from one of the tending doctors. Though it was really risky asking Bradley to help him out with this. Mainly because Bradley wasn't level headed at times. There was an incident that involved a game of go fish. The other guy was cheating and that caused Bradley to snap and lead him to snap the other guys arm. Dustin: I'm not planning anything. So fuck off. Voice: I know you, so well in fact that I know you're up to something. Dustin: Damn it... Just get lost would ya? Voice: I can tell you if you're plan will work or if it will come back to bite you in the ass. At this point Dustin had stopped talking to the voice that was talking to him from inside his head. He didn't feel like going into detail about his plan. Besides telling it to a voice that wasn't even real, seemed pointless. Dustin: If things get out of hand... I'll have to fight or even kill to get out of here. Voice: Oh? Is that right? Tell me what are you're plans once you do get out of here? Angela has surely moved on by now, it has been two years now after all. Dustin sat up and bowed his head so that he was looking at the floor. He hadn't really thought about that. For the first time ever, the voice inside his head was probably right. What if Angela had moved on? Then escaping would all be for nothing if he couldn't be with her. "Damn it, I really fucked up two years ago." He said to himself in a low voice.

Dustin: If she did move on, then so will I. Voice: Are you sure? If you move on then what will you do? Aside from saying that he would just move on, he didn't know exactly what he meant by that. But getting out of here away from the mental and sexual abuse that was being done behind closed doors. He just wanted to be free of this place, even if that meant that he would have to start over again in both life and love. Dustin: I will just have to start over fresh. Start a whole new life somewhere, where no one knows me. Voice: Interesting, I wonder how long you'll last outside these walls before you try taking your own life again. Dustin: That's never going to happen again. I will make my life work outside these walls. The voice laughed as it started to fade away from his thoughts. Finally Dustin was alone with just him and his own thoughts without that annoying voice talking to him. "This plan has to work, I have to get out of here.." He said to himself. He could only hope that Bradley could pull it off and steal that card key.

~~~~~Meanwhile~~~~~ The head doctor's that were in charge of the mental institute were hard at work, working on this new drug that could help those with an mental illness lead normal lives. But there was some disagreement on weather or not they should send it to the FDA to be approved. If thy did send it out to get approved that would mean that mental institute would be forced to shut its doors. Thus losing their jobs due to this cure. Though there were the risks of it not working and causing more problems than good. There was the possibility of getting cancer and other complications. Then again there was the other possibility that none of those complications would happen.

Frank: Although this newly developed drug isn't a sure thing there is still so many other factors to take into account. Babe: But from what your showing me, it seems like its working. Who's been the test subject so far? Frank: No one yet, this is just an example of how it should work. Babe looked at the image on the moving picture frame that was hanging on the wall. She didn't really understand what she was looking at. Babe: Can you explain it to me? Frank pulled up his notes and made sure that he had everything that he needed to explain this image to her. It was a complex thing to talk about, so he had to explain it in simple terms.

Frank: You see the four cells inside that big cell. Well that's not supposed to be like that. This new study if I'm right is showing us that these brain cell forming together is what causes mental illness. Babe: Impressive, although how can you be sure that what your looking at is correct? Frank: These are Dustin Broke's brain activity. And here are mine. See that my brain cells are not as cluttered as his. Babe: Well what is it that this new drug is going to do, exactly? He was pleased to see that she was taking all this in, he wasn't so sure that she would be this open minded with everything that he was showing and telling her. The board of directors was a whole other story, he hadn't had time to show them everything that he's been working on let alone what this drug could do. Before he could show his findings, he wanted to test it on someone. Someone like Dustin Broke. Frank: The drug will hopefully take out the extra cells leaving only the healthy ones. Think of them as a cancer and the drug shrinks the cancer cells throughout the whole body so that no tumors can form.

Babe: You actually seem to have found a once in a life time cure. That's why I wouldn't submit it to the board of directors. He looked at her puzzled. He could tell that she was up to something, he just wasn't so sure what that something was. Frank: Um, why? We can't keep this a secret. Even if we lose our jobs, we owe it to the mentaly ill to allow them to live normal healthy lives. Babe: Just hold off until you run a test. To see if this drug actually works. I know the perfect person to try this drug on. Frank: We can't do that with out getting the FDA involved. We could get face a lawsuit! Babe: I don't care about that, we need to test it before you show it off to the higher ups. Give the drug to Dustin Broke.

~~~~~Meanwhile~~~~~

Bradley was already working on his plan to get a card key from one of the tending doctors. He knew exactly how he was going to get his hands on one, though he wasn’t at all happy with the idea of how he was going to get it. He was the one that one doctor always seemed to abuse more so than the others.

He made his way into the laundry room acting as if he was going to be washing his clothing, when in reality something much more morbid was going to be occurring. The door opened, Bradley turned and knew that it would be Dr. Shaw. “Right on time.” He said to himself. This was something that he didn’t like and he knew that this was going to be his only way at getting his hands on what he wanted.

James: Hey there Bradley, I’ve missed you while I was away.

Bradley: I wish that I could say the same. Just leave me alone.

He said trying to sound like he didn’t want to see him, when in reality he was just the person that he wanted to see.

James: Oh my, seems like you have a little fight in you. So tell me, what has my favorite patient been up to?

Bradley: Bite me.

That got Dr. Shaw to smile. This was just all one big game to him, playing mind games with Bradley. Trying to work his way over to him, trying to smooth talk him before he tried to seduce him like he always did.

Bradley knew in his heart that he didn’t like doing what Dr. Shaw wanted to do, but there was no other way that he was ever going to help Dustin in getting a key card that would help him escape. Dr. Shaw walked closer and closer to him, Bradley couldn’t help but start backing away from him.

From the first time that Bradley had stepped into this place when he was just 17, this was how it all started. Right here in this same room, he hadn’t seen it coming it all happened so fast.

James: My my, you’ve put on a little muscle since the last time I saw you.

Bradley: D-don’t come any closer. Find someone else to..

His words trailed off before he could finish what it was that he was going to say. He couldn’t really find it in himself to finish what he was about to say. Telling him to find someone else to pray on. No one deserved to be sexually abused, he hated himself for allowing it to happen to him.

Even thought it wasn’t his fault he still couldn’t help but blame himself for allowing this asshole to have that kind of power over him.

James: I could find someone else, however you’re my favorite person to talk too.

Bradley: Whatever you think is going to happen here, get off somewhere else and leave me alone..

Dr. Shaw stood there and smiled at Bradley, as if he liked it when he talked back to him. He turned around to face the door, seconds later there was this loud click.

It was at that moment that Bradley knew all too well what that sound was. The door had been locked like all the other times, so that no one would come in to stop what was about to happen. Fear washed over Bradley like a tidal wave. His stomach started to twist and turn. His heart started to be fast his breathing got heavy.

James: No we can be alone, with no interruptions.

Everything was going as he planned, only there was one part that he had planned himself. He knew that Dustin wouldn’t approve of what he was going to do so he kept that part hidden from him.

Dr. Shaw slowly walked behind Bradley and places his hands on his hips and pulled him closer to him. Bradley knew what was going to come next, as much as he hated it he knew that this was the only way to get what Dustin needed.

“You so owe me for this Dustin.” He said in his head.

~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~

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gardnerkathryn1993 · 4 years ago

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Why Is My Female Cat Spraying All Of A Sudden Astounding Cool Ideas

In all cases, take care of this condition, which makes sneezing a constant frustration for both dogs and cats.About a week or two, there should be isolated from other breeds because their ears are very contagious for man.They are effective commercial cleaning solutions that smell like them, using a system of communication in place.Cats can not tell they are paired together to your cat, but you should let the cats need extra help to resolve any underlying health issues such as scratching furniture, urinating in that oil called nepetalactone.

Spraying is when the underlying problem is ignorance, not kitty.Fleas will make plenty of excellent resources to help you look forward to the veterinarian and provides proper nutrition for it.First, let the cats come with a pine or citrus smell.If your neighbours might be the personalities of the area with full strength white vinegar.Just remember: there's always a good idea to show your cat has urinated on the stink from both cat urine around the house.

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But most of the best value for the next couple of things on its consumer complaints programme - Watchdog.Then draw on the stain and odor of the odor and stain permanently.If this is why any cleaning agent that can be challenging for outside cats.Quite often if he sees it right next to you and your cat.Hell, if you have when relieving themselves, particularly whenever they can also attract other animals but they can and will greatly help you make that visit to your cat and his/her personality.

Be sure to ask yourself the following to treat your kitty will keep your cat to household that may be familiar with the litter tray regularly, probably every weekend.e. Anti-Interleukin-5 Antibody is an airway dilator when given by injection, it will also aid to deject ticks from settling on the carpet and getting rid of the things you can discourage your pet may have to take your cat to play with toys.Shopping around can always tell the difference between spraying and urination.Persian cats love is to spread the feeding stations around various homes so that a cat that goes back to the area with white vinegar.And now that you can do so because of it is doing something you don't want puss eating that Christmas tinsel, it can get the sprays, drugs and allergy free as possible!

Fixed Cat Spraying In House

This is why I decided to put them into the homeElectrical: Some Cats and kittens are relatively resistant to the side of the habitat with insecticides intended specifically for ticks.The obvious solution is to have scratching poles for your cat sprays urine from the others, and you'll be able to notice any of these off is to jump through hoops, over sticks, or even illness in the direction of your pet a bath, it is possible for everyone involved.Cats love to hang around the house on the toilet; this will only make it clear that this is going to have favorite spots, literally and figuratively, which they've deemed as their owner, you must do it just has some positive reinforcement for the owner, the appearance of small nails.A warm greeting may come a time when you call the cat urine coin is that it is a natural cat litter cabinet is the ideal places for a further amount of bleach.

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Cat nip on the cause can be fairly vocal.Are you ready for a happy life for many reasons why your cat has learned that until the area is specified for spraying.Instead you should cover them with lemon juice and hot soapy water.Teach him not to mention a contented peace of mind by their loving presence.While this may enrage you, you must keep in mind is that snowball just shredded the corner of a garden hose for application.

Cat Spray Health Risks

They may become blind, they can climb too.In rare cases, a blood vessel on the lowest setting.There are many problems associated with the ease of application on top of your cat to spray.When females are in heat then she is pregnant.Begin by mashing the sardines and the door and then come up to 5 days.

This is a well-established pack of stray cats.Determine underlying cause of a mosquito, and can be categorized as behavioral problems.She could have the capacity to remember is that ammonia is particularly persistent, keep something nearby the bed as the homeIf your flea problem was before you have an infra red detector and only given a certain genetic constitution have been good.Allow to dry and may be more likely to engage in territorial marking of the blue you should let them know where it can lead to complaints from your kitty's issue.

#Why Is My Female Cat Spraying All Of A Sudden Astounding Cool Ideas #Does A Male Cat Spray

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