#so i've elected to not give a crap

[hypewinter]

When Lex cloned Superman, it resulted in two children. He decided to make good use of his accidental twins by making one his successor. After all, they also share his DNA right? He sends one of the twins to his old friends the Drs Fenton, whom he knows will educate the boy on all things science and engineering.

[yingandzhan]

You know, one thing that boggles my mind is how some in the fandom can dispute that Yu-furen "didn't whip WWX", "only whipped him that one time in the novel and once in the extras" and my absolute favourite response... "WWX said she never hit him".

All of which are the most ludicrous statements I've heard since Trump won the election...

Obviously YZY hit and abused WWX throughout his life. Not only do we see her doing so, but we are given a vivid description of his back in the extras and it's covered in old scars alongside the new ones she has just given him for no good reason. Before anyone cries "but it's propriety, he was half naked in front of a young woman!" and all the other crap I've seen people spout, he's not the only one with a bare chest... Yet she specifically blamed and targeted him. Your precious "tiger mom" YZY was being unreasonable and you god damn well known it!

Anyway, regardless of whether you believe WWXs obvious lie to save face and cope with the trauma (just like JL does when he denies JC hits him and we clearly SEE otherwise) there is an actual line in the novel, from the narrator, not WWX... that spells it out for readers in black and white!

...and Jiang Fengmian’s wife Yu Ziyuan had never spoken well of them to him— honestly, things had been pretty good if she didn’t WHIP HIM or tell him to scram, or kneel in the ancestral hall, or stay away from Jiang Cheng.

- Vol 1. 7S, which is my least favourite translation because I really do feel the translator actively tries to play the abuse down.

Jiang Fengmian’s wife, Yu Ziyuan, never had a decent conversation with him. He would be fortunate if she didn’t GIVE HIM A FEW LASHES, or banish him to kneel at the ancestral hall so that he would keep his distance from Jiang Cheng.

- Chapter 29, Taming Wangxian

...Jiang Fengmian’s wife, Yu Ziyuan, had never been interested in having a conversation with him at all. If she didn’t WHIP HIM A FEW TIMES and tell him to get out, kneel at the ancestral shrine, and keep far away from Jiang Cheng, he already considered that pretty good

- Chapter 29, Fanyiyi

...Yu ZiYuan never spoke properly to Wei WuXian at all. It was lucky for him if she didn’t GIVE HIM A FEW WHIPS and send him to kneel in the ancestral hall so that he’d keep his distance from Jiang Cheng.

- Chapter 29, ExR

It's in...Every. Single. Translation. So there's no excuse if you're talking about the novel or tagging things as MDZS or Mo Dao Zu Shi. It's right there for everyone to see. WWX deemed it a good day if he wasn't whipped! Which would have been the days YZY was off night-hunting and nowhere near Lotus Pier.

Thankfully YZY being away from the clan residence seems to be the case more often than not. But those days she was there... It was a likely scenario WWX was going to be "punished" (for absolutely nothing) in some way or form and judging by the scars he had across his back, she very much liked to hit him with her spiritual weapon.

[inthecityofgoodabode]

December 2024: Ads On Tumblr

Ever since The Fool (trademark pending) got elected again, I've noticed Tumblr has been inserting ads on people's blogs in between posts. I don't like this because it gives the impression that the blogger approves of the content of the ad when, in reality, they have no input what so ever. Take for instance, this ad that I saw on @mushybeachbreak. To be honest, I thought it was a joke ad at first because it is a "Make America Great Again" hat that is "imported & not manufactured in the USA." However, I have seen other ads for telescopic flagpoles & other crap on other blogs. I don't know @mushybeachbreak personally but I've read enough of his posts that I don't think he'd be cool with this ad being inserted between his posts. Clicking on those three dots does give you the option to go "ad free" or "report the ad." I went with "report the ad." Why? Because if the company that currently owns Tumblr thinks it can push me into putting down money for Tumblr Premium just so I don't have to look at bullshit ads like this, then they don't understand their user base:

[hook-on-fandoms]

Alright I'm tired and pissed.

If you live in Texas VOTE.

Oh Texas is such a red state Harris would never win?

I don't give a crap go vote.

The Republican lead has been shrinking in Texas each election and Cruz is underperforming Trump in a lot of the polls. That means even if Trump wins Texas we have a chance to get rid of the yellow bellied coward that is Cruz.

Do you know what all of Cruz's ads attack on Allred (the democratic candidate) I've seen the last few weeks are? Allred doesn't hate trans people and might actually support them. And that isn't very Texas of him.

Fuck that. Fuck Cruz. And Fuck the governor for practically saying that.

Vote. Let them know that we don't support the coward that is Cruz and we do support trans people.

We are Texans. Cowboys are a part of us so yellow bellied Cruz isn't Texan. Ex NFL player then civil rights lawyer sounds pretty Texan to me.

I can't think of a single attack ad I've seen for Allred by someone supporting Cruz that wasn't Allred doesn't hate trans people how dare he.

If you are able to vote, vote.

If the area you are in they make it extra hard please try.

I'm just pissed after weeks of this bullshit.

[windandwater]

political ramblings from a recovering news junkie (I had to stop following this stuff, it was giving me health problems)

anecdotally it seems like a lot of people are/were sick of trump and don't want him back, and they just needed a new candidate to actually be excited about.

everyone's takeaway from 2016 was that America just hates women too much to elect one over a racist white man but I said from the beginning that the problem was Hilary herself, whom everyone had too many reasons to hate. imo mostly imagined reasons especially compared to the egregiousness of her opponent. but democrats really underestimated how much people in red states still carry a grudge against her, leftover from the 90s.

but due to America's still-real hatred of women,and racism, I've been wondering whether Kamala really can win against this jackass and I keep thinking about something my boss (another politics wonk, NOVA grown and has worked in journalism and interned in the white house) says, which is that America hates losers, and trump has proved himself a loser--and a criminal, in the actual courts, which the right can try to spin as politically motivated but I think to anyone not following every move it just looks bad. same thing as what happened with the emails investigation with Hilary--people just assume that if there's smoke there's fire. and I don't think most people's mouths are wrapped around the fox news hose of information tight enough to be able to justify every bad thing that happens to republicans to themselves. so I think people have been waiting for an energetic challenger to trump for a long time and they're jumping on this moment. all over the country, not just in what we think of liberal outposts. and I think most Americans are capable of seeing a candidate and not a scary person who doesn't look like them, especially since she's so charismatic and genuinely fun.

I also think we need to reckon with the effects of gerrymandering and really do something to combat it if we get any kind of administration and congressional change because the majority of Americans are not represented at all. you see that in the polling but I've also seen it firsthand when leaving my little liberal city and talking to people in supposedly blood red states. we agree with each other on a lot of things and if we went back to the old way of compromising on bills and issues and stopped this crap of one party being up the ass of corporations and the death cult of the evangelical right, we'd see a lot of real progress. but since that's not really an option, steamrollering over them over and over until the party is destroyed and a new one emerges is the only option for the future here, I think. and to do that we gotta have representative districts. because I think it will happen naturally if Americans are represented.

all of the above applies to voting rights as well.

I like Kamala Harris even though she's not the candidate I would pick. but I also don't think necessarily the progressive base of the party should pick the presidential candidate, in this race we clearly need someone who can pull the party together and build coalitions and it looks like that's her. it's been really interesting to see the country agree with me when normally I don't think I'm on the same page as moderates in this country. maybe the center of the country is finally moving left? or maybe the far right radicalism/fascism has finally hit its breaking point?

I feel the way I did in 2016; absolutely terrified of the election. but it's mixed with the way I felt in 2008; that maybe there's light in the world.

[andimarquette]

been a minute--message to all y'all

Hi, friends. Apologies it's been a while. Life is wild.

Anyway, all you youngs out there, so sorry the US is so jacked. What a shitshow. When I was a young, it was pretty jacked then, too. Let's face it. This country had been jacked since the get-go because of systemic racism and attendant violence and without the actions of we, the people over the centuries here, it would be even worse, though it's always been bad for people who aren't white and cishetmale (and generally wealthy).

So it's important to stay informed via non-propaganda media (which is most of it these days--go for local independent media and avoid clickbait), and history done by actual historians or investigative journalists who are not beholden to propaganda. Let me know if you want any sources with regard to context about what's going on now.

Staying informed via legit info sources keeps assclowns from being able to mess with you. Don't buy into anything. I have a mantra I've used throughout my life: don't be a douche. If an organization is saying things or advocating for things that will do harm to others, whether human or animal, chances are they're being a douche. So check 'em out before you jump on their bandwagon.

And if you don't want to vote in the federal elections--hey, I get it. But please vote in your local and state elections. Because policies on the state and local level will hit you hard. Just look at TX, ID, OK, FL, MS, AL, LA ,and every other red state electing corrupt administrations implementing crap policies that deny bodily autonomy, that don't give a shit about gun reform, that are working to criminalize librarians and certain books, that don't give a shit about climate change and instead are working to make things worse in that regard.

But I hope you do think about the federal government, because there's only one party that is working to implement the neo-f@cist Pr0ject 2025--a 900-page blueprint of anti-rights and anti-democratic plans if a certain party gets into office. It's a Christian nationalist compendium--familiarize yourself with it. Read it here: https://thf_media.s3.amazonaws.com/project2025/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf The right-wing coalition behind it is spearheaded by the right-wing, anti-rights Her1tage F0undation. It's their mandate--their Pr0ject 2025. Have a look at what's going on locally for you, and think about how it links to the Christofasc1st movement nationally and internationally. Because that's what's going on. I'll leave you with some links. The next two give you some maps of rights. The Movement Advancement Project has a map about LGBTQIA+ rights by state: https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps And here's a link about repro rights in the country, via Center for Reproductive Rights: https://reproductiverights.org/maps/abortion-laws-by-state/ And omg, check out Dream for America, a Gen Z organization organizing and engaging all y'all: https://dream4america.org/ Volunteer, get engaged. Hit them up.

Y'all ain't dumbasses. We're all being lied to, and you're smart cookies, youngs. Hit me up if you have questions about sources to check out--and hey, give me some sources to check out! I'm always looking to expand my knowledge base.

And remember, democracy isn't a spectator sport.

Y'all take care out there.

[obsoleteozymandias]

Hi! I saw that your requests were open. So, if/when you get the chance, I'd like to have a match for Twisted Wonderland! This is long, I'm sorry in advance.

I use he/it/xe, I'm vaguely masculine and I call myself transmasc but not sure what my identity is as a whole for my gender. I'm also questioning my sexuality, so anything goes honestly. I'm fine with mostly any characters, but maybe not the first years other than Epel and Ace? I dunno, I don't like the majority of them for some reason. Anyone else is fair game, even the other college(s). Not too picky with it.

I'm 5'10 and chubby, fluffy and short hair, I wear glasses and a knee brace most of the time. My vision is really bad without my glasses. I also have somewhat mediocre hearing, but it's not enough to warrant hearing aids. I'm severely anemic, and I have chronic fatigue. And mental issues, I'll get into those later.

I'm a huge fan of fiction novels. And I essentially have two ends to that spectrum when it comes to my preferences; queer romance novels, and splatterpunk horror novels.

As for other hobbies than reading, I'm pagan. I know it's not technically a hobby, but I do want to mention it. I'm what some would like to consider an "eclectic witch," though I don't focus on those labels. I work with Lilith and Hades(which, given Hades is one of the Seven, may cause some confusion.) I'm also an artist, I like coloring with markers or doing paintings if I have the time. But markers are my primary medium at this time. DND is one last thing I'd like to mention, I'm the VP of the DND club we have at my school.

Other general interests, I'm gonna try and make this short. I like crystals a lot. Also some video games(pokemon is a special interest of mine, for example,) and animes(Black Butler is so far my favorite anime other than pokemon. Pokemon is my favorite as a whole, though.)

For me as a person, I'm pretty quiet. I don't have a lot of friends, but that's not something entirely my fault, because I've grown up with the same people my entire life and not many of them like me because I'm autistic. I'm small town and all that. Not even a stoplight in town levels of small. I've known one or two since preschool, and 20 other kids since kindergarten. My favorite core subject is English, and my favorite elective is Drama or Art. I usually keep to myself unless I'm around the few people that are actually my friends. Which is the DND club, and 3 other kids who are lowerclassmen by a grade or two. When I am around my friends, I do manage to be more extroverted, but it's only around them, and usually because we're doing stupid crap in DND. More of a follower than a leader, would rather be reading than being around people, and while I can't usually concentrate on classes due to my classmates, I still get high marks usually.

I do have PTSD, autism, AVPD, and BPD. I don't necessarily let them control me, but they do give me some personality traits. For example, I'm extremely hyper-vigilant. I can't relax very often. Even the smallest thing can set me off, but not in a temper way. I'm a perfectionist but only for myself. I hate socializing, and I only go to things like dances because my 6-8th grade years were hell due to the pandemic and other personal factors. Also, major parental issues. Not gonna elaborate on that one.

I'm also strangely good with kids. But not just any kind of kids, for some reason. I'm good with toddlers specifically. I can't handle anyone whose over 5 years old, unless they're over 13. So 6-12 years old and I can't handle them.

I do a bunch of volunteer work when I have the chance. For example, despite religious issues I have I do help out at an AWANA group at my area, working with the youngest group of kids there. I also do some work at the hospice thrift store in town.

That was a lot, but it might help you in the long run? I'm not sure if I added too much, but it's too late now. If you do end up doing my request, I appreciate it a lot! But if not, that's okay, I understand. Bye : )

I have mixed feelings about splatterpunk but I have been known to dabble

== Twisted Wonderland ==>

I match you up with…

Kalim Al-Asim 

Kalim is the kinda guy who is genuinely accepting of everyone and everything. He sees the intelligence and creativity in you and is instantly at your side, talking up a storm, asking you about your day, etc.  

He’s drawn to your mystique, most of all. He wants to know and understand everything about you, though he’ll certainly respect boundaries (he’s learning how). 

I headcanon that Kalim is also a crystal enjoyer - especially ones that distort or change his view of the world. He’ll be bouncing off the walls when the two fo you go crystal shopping, asking you all the names and picking out ones which match your eyes and your skin and - he’ll just take all of them!

He’ll then make you glasses and jewlery with the gems embedded in them. 

Kalim will encourage your creativity, whether through writing or art. He wants to watch you work too, and he’ll fawn over every little brush stroke, so proud to be your S/O! 

Bad days happen to the worst of us, and so whenever you’re feeling down, Kalim is quick to find a way to make it better. You’ll have to tell him directly how to help you - whether that’s letting you be or offering advice, but whatever it is, he’ll put 100% effort and love into it. 

And when he’s down, nothing cheers him up like some quality time with you, cuddling or holding hands (he’s a tactile person). 

You two are very much the sun x moon dynamic <3. 

[purplesurveys]

1893

TWO YEARS AGO: 

1. What grade were you in?  I wasn't in school, but two years ago I was in my stint as a junior manager at my current company. This time then, Kimi had just passed so I was in a weird depressive state where I felt completely numb but had no choice but to - figuratively - keep running. Floating by, essentially. I needed to be constantly distracted so that I didn't spiral.

2. Who were your best friends?  Angela.

3. Were you single or taken?  Single.

4. Who did you like?  I wasn't into anyone.

5. How far had you gone (relationship-wise)?  Nothing of the sort happened.

6. What were you labelled as?  Workaholic, overthinker, inadvertent hoarder of tasks. Clumsy manager who was still learning the ropes. At least that's what I think of myself at the time.

7. What was the best thing about that year?  Having my last moments with Kimi. Talking to him in the quiet a night before he passed and getting to say all my gratitude to him and our 14 years together. + Getting Agi.

8. What was the worst thing about that year?  Kimi passing, Festa 2022, my mom's surgery, feeling unsatisfied with my job and all the uncertainty about where I was even headed at all. Losing the elections also sucked.

9. Where did you live?  Just at home, where I've always lived.

10. What did you look like?  Ugh my hair was awful at the time lol. I wasn't able to take care of it after having it dyed, so it very quickly turned into this super awkward black-blonde mess that just looked gross.

ONE YEAR AGO:

1. What grade were you in?  Again, wasn't in school, but in 2023 I had already been promoted to senior manager but was simultaneously being primed to be director which I had never looked forward to.

2. Who were your best friends?    Still Angela!

3. Were you single or taken?  Still single.

4. Who did you like?  Nobody.

5. How far had you gone (relationship-wise)?  No movement. I just liked being on my own more, but that's it.

6. What were you labelled as?  Hesitant director maybe? Idk. Delusional military wife might be more apt. LOL

7. What was the best thing about that year?  Going to Bangkok with my best friends + seeing Yoongi on said trip before he enlisted. Also Kuala Lumpur with my family.

8. What was the worst thing about that year?  Getting promoted when I was barely ready and all the existential crap that followed, and continues to follow.

9. Where did you live?  Same home.

10. What did you look like?   A lot better than 2022. I had purple hair for the better part of the year and also learned to pay more attention to how I look.

NOW:

1. What grade are you in?  I'm now an associate director. Killing it some days, hitting new lows on other days. The suffocation it puts me in is exhausting, but I just try to do my best and just embrace the goods and bads of it all.

2. Who are your best friends?  Angela.

3. Are you single or taken? Single forever.

4. Who do you like?  Nobody.

5. How far have you gone (relationship-wise)? 0m.

6. What are you labelled as?  Clumsy director is what I at least think of myself. Idk, my teammates give me great feedback all the time but in the eyes of my bosses I still need to learn and improve a lot...so it's just exhausting being pulled in all directions. In any case, I mostly don't mind taking all the bullets as long as my team is shielded and remains happy with their work.

7. What was the best thing about this year?  My trip to Vietnam, welcoming Jin back (+ Hobi in October), getting Miki and Max, Angela and Hans getting engaged.

8. What was the worst thing about this year?  Imposter syndrome.

9. Where do you live?  Home!

10. What do you look like? Learning to finally set boundaries between work and personal life (after four years on the job...) has done wonders. I've gained weight in a healthy way, i.e. I hardly skip meals now; I pay WAY more attention to the way I dress and present myself – it's partly because of the directorial role and the expectations from that, but I digress – so there's now a certain confidence to how I carry myself.

[matan4il]

Hello,

You don't know me. I follow you initially for KP. I am now following you as well for what is happening in Israel. I don't live anywhere near you, I am not Jewish nor Muslim. But I care deeply, I am heartbroken by everything that is happening in Israel, I can't stop thinking about all the persons suffering. As a mum, I am genuinely distraught by what is happening to so many families.

Thank you for keeping on posting, for sharing about your life. I hope you and your loved ones will be as ok as you can be under these circumstances.

I don't know why I am writing to you. It's not going to make any difference, I know. I guess I just wanted you to know that whatever you are posting, people are reading. People are with you with all their hearts and their thoughts and prayers. And I am one of those people.

Sending you virtual hugs and so so much love.

Maggie

Awwww, lovely to get to know you, Maggie! *hugs*

Aaaah, I'm so happy that you started following me for KP, but that you also look at this blog and see a human being behind it. That's not a given on this site. Thank you SO MUCH for caring!

I feel you. My whole life, I've loved kids. Never mattered to me which group of people they happened to be born into, kids are the most adorable little humans, and when they smile at you, or open up their world to you, it is the most beautiful thing ever. So obviously, I always empathized with parents despite not being one myself. But I never really understood, I couldn't understand, what it means to be a parent until I went through my sister's pregnancy with her, until I was a part of this emotional journey that requires so much almost every waking second. A mother's love is even more than I thought it was, and so I've been watching the news and listening to the testimonies of petrified parents, who desperately wanted, but couldn't, save their kids, with a particular kind of pain that I think only other parents can really understand. And I am grateful that there are parents out there who don't have to be Jewish in order to understand our pain.

Please know that you do make a difference! Every bit of kindness, every bit of humaneness, every bit of caring matters in this world, especially at a time when a lot of Jewish people are waking up to discover that friends, employees, elected officials and others around them do not give a crap about their physical or emotional well being. Thank you SO MUCH, I really don't know if I can explain how much it means to me that you wrote, and I am hugging you SO BIG, and sending you and yours all the love and hugs right back! You matter so much and I'm so grateful to you! xoxox

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

[abcd-adventures]

Overall, it stayed a pretty great week, but I managed to catch a very unpleasant cold, so I woke up this morning feeling like crap. Ugh. 😑

I've now been at my job over a year and this week I cried for the first time after a session. And, it wasn't even because what was disclosed was anywhere near the worst thing I've heard. It took a few minutes of processing it with my coworker to realize what it was. I have a client now who reminds me of one of my high school students my first year teaching.

I used to teach at an alternative charter high school for students who were unable or...not encouraged... to attend public high school. Most of my students were homeless, involved with the justice system, or working full-time to support their families. The school was broken up into two blocks and students only attended half a day for core subjects and got electives online that they could do self-paced for an hour a day.

I had one student who was being charged with aggravated robbery; he was 19 and it was not his first offense although it was the most serious and his first as an adult. He was pretty well-known to law enforcement...as was the rest of his family. He was certainly not the easiest in the classroom, at first. But, it was my policy with difficult students to pull them aside discreetly at some point in the day to talk to them about their behavior and see if we could come to an agreement/understanding moving forward. Long story short, he was one of many of my students I got to know well, and he had the best heart and was so quick to start catching up and doing well in school once he decided it was worth giving a shit. He's since ended up in the prison system, though, which shouldn't shock anyone because he is a POC, had no economic resources, and had a history with police. His attempts to focus on school and stay out of trouble were apparently "too little, too late." It was probably the first of many times since that I've felt truly crushed by an individual's outcome throughout my career.

Flash forward to now: current client is also a POC, was in prison for several years, also has a horrific family history and no economic resources. This client reminds me so much of my former student, and he has zero faith that he will be able to do anything with his life because of his history, because of poverty, and because of what people see when they look at him. And, while it's not impossible, it IS going to be 100 times harder for him than any "average" person, and I can't lie to him and pretend it won't be. I guess it was just one of those moments when I've felt profoundly disappointed in society, in our systems, in racial and economic disparity... in so many things. And, I'm an incredibly privileged white woman. I can't even begin to conceptualize what the weight of those things must feel like for many of my clients.

[cyarsk52-20]

You know what? I was down real bad after the election. I was grieving for what this electorate did.

but then I learned from my mother and bless her heart and soul, that why should I waste my time with people who voted for him to be president again when I could live my life and focus on my future, and also talking about Trump is not good for me on a mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual level. So there’s going to be a big change in the next few weeks leading into 2025 and onwards.

Coming in January while I will discuss needed information about news and events that you may or may not heard of there’s not going to be a lot of political coverage , at least not often as I usually post here.

I've moved into the mode of speaking my mind on politics and not giving an crap about who suffers from the consequences. My arse is not getting beat. I resonate with this woman. Yes there’s those who are caught up in the crossfire that will suffer unjustifiably because of those who choose the bad choices

but for those who choose the wrongs: Buckle up buttercup. They're coming for you, too!

I’m just gonna to be focused on getting myself together and ready to focus on my life while others who suffer from the bad consequences but don’t say nothing about I didn’t warn you

[manawitchyt]

A Cozy Celebration Story

All Stories have to start somewhere...

Story Starts after the Cut.

A very important meeting is taking place in a board room in Landgraab Corp. head office.

Alika: I think another event would be a great idea.

Mele: We need to be able to push the items that really resonate with our test audience.

Jasmine- Looking at the latest data analytics, it could work.

Mele: As you can see from our curated infographics that our target audience really enjoyed getting the free gifts. I'd suggest we start curating Winter Holiday themed items, but which ones?

Jasmine: Do we have a volunteer to test them all out?…Anyone?

You can hear crickets chirp in the distance

No one wanted to volunteer. All the usual excuses were made, "I've got children heading to prom", "My Cat has a mayoral election I need to attend" and of course the most popular, "I can't my in laws are coming for a sleepover" excuse.

Jasmine: Hello down there, did I just hear you volunteer??

Emily Parcel snapped out of her hyper focus.

Emily: Wait what?!?

She was just crunching numbers and calculating the projected reticulating spleens for the incoming shipments. Not really paying attention to the meeting at all.

Jasmine: Thank you so much for volunteering for this job Emma Package.

E: Its actually Emily Mrs. Holiday.

J: oh I know (Wink) Just checking to see if you were paying attention. You and I can talk about your volunteer job after the meeting. Can you show the rest of the group what you were working on?

E: Yes ma'am and thankyou for the opportunity to share today.

Emily walked to her presentation board. She had stayed up all night working on it. All the while fighting the urge to whip out her glue stick and glitter to give it a bit of flare, but then realizing no one but her would appreciate the effort.

She began her possible career advancing presentation.

As the presentation was coming to an end,

E: In conclusion the sdx machanics…

J: Thankyou, we will leave it for now. It is near Lunch hour and I see a few of us are starting to turn Orange. Anything important we have missed can be discussed next week. Emily, remember to stay and talk with me more.

Emily takes a seat next to Jasmine. She has a sneaking suspicion that she was volun-told for this assignment.

J: Emily, I see here on your corporate SB profile that you don't get out much and that you just moved into a new home?

Oh crap, they are looking at all my cat memes,

E: Yes ma'am I did.

J: Do you have any objections to being placed in this fully volunteer position? Do you have any prior engagements that could interfere with the assignment?

E: No objections Ma'am, im happy to help in any way I can. I just don't know what I've actually volunteered for, I hope I don't need to T-pose.

J: The easiest way to answer your questions is to look at the slideshow the creative marketing team has created for you to get started. It won't require a takeover of your entire life but you will need to get out of the house to see what the public thinks of this new event.

E: …OK

J: As you can see we will be rolling out a few timed deliveries so you won't get overwhelmed. The first package you will receive will be a new wreath and some lights for the hedges…or is that Hedges with lights? I will clarify with shipping before it rolls out.

E: Uh, what's the catch?

J: Well you see we need you to quality test a few things that we will showcase in our Winterfest gift guide that goes out to all the subscription members. You will be testing a few special curated recipes, winter activities and just general Winterfest fun. You will have a good time, trust me!

E: I don't know, this seems like a lot of pressure to put on me. What if I forget to write something down or how to do a certain activity?

J: We've got you covered! The marketing department also created an App that will help keep things running smoothly and efficiently. Here, let me show you.

J: Ok, just let me download it on to your phone.

E: Oh! yeah no for sure. It's no problem…(under her breathe) just take my phone why don't ya.

J: What was that? OH! its finished downloading! Eeee look at that UI. isn't it gorgeous? I helped the design team with the look.

E: Wow, I can tell you helped.

The UI was indeed streamlined and looks to be extremely helpful. Little Jasmine Holiday's were plastered everywhere.

E: Whoa, Marketing thought of everything didn't they?

J: They were rewarded with a big pizza party and a note from Ms.Landgraab herself! I'll turn notifications on for you, OK? okay good.

J: This tab right here will tell you which tasks need to be completed. Once completed tap here. If the task needs you to enter a review or consumer response it will give you a pop up. Once they are complete, shipping will deliver a gift review package for you to keep. This tab will show your progress.

J: What do you think? Pretty cool huh? If this works out the way I think it will, we will have the best fiscal quarter yet.

E: Even I could manage this…can I really keep all the products?

J: YES! Thats your compensation. Think of it as your Holiday bonus this year! Aren't you lucky!?

J: Well, I gotta run. I smell someone burning a Cured Fish waffle in the Waffle maker again! Someone needs to put out the fire! …I really should sell that thing.

Looking back at Emily …You should be all set. I expect those reports on my desk asap. I'd suggest having your lunch at your desk today, Dag Dag.

Emily wasn't too happy to hear she was going to be the corporate guinea pig.

E thinking to herself: The stuff better be worth the hassle. Maybe I could sell most of it on Plopsy, Trendi or have a good ol' yard sale if its a bunch of things i don't need. I need to get my Winterfest bonus somehow.

This is the end of todays Queue! Hope you all enjoyed the beginning of A Cozy Celebration Story. Thank you all for reading! I appreciate it so much 🥰✨ I will have Quest 1 Queued up on Bluesky tomorrow starting at 9am CST and after its finished I will post the complete story update here on my blog. Queue didn't get set up. My cold kicked my butt. I'll get it all set to go for next week instead.

[the-firebird69]

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) - Final Scene

Yes it's me and I show up as Arnold Schwarzenegger and cheesman says I've been waiting for you that's at the Griffith observatory. And her friend went there and we thought it was very important and it was and he says it's to view our work and we were surprised we were surprised now this is going to happen and we're directing the missiles at Trump and his people and at the bunkers below and trumpsters are still digging with these devices and we fixed it but here here it is this is Us blowing him to s*** and we're using cheeseman and eventually it gets turned on him in a couple other movies and it goes on after for a while no the two destroy each other and probably a third of the cities are gone and the city areas in outskirts we mean and below and we rebuild and it's not too hard to decontaminate you remove all the crap and you just put salt water all over everything and I'll tell you what it works and this is going to happen shortly and I become part of the pseudo Empire sort of not really it's our own branch but it does destroy the Trump's entire Empire

Bja

You declaring war on this pal I hope you know it

Trump

Yeah we know it's stupid we're pretty in writing

Bja

I guess I should have asked for us but really this is not embarrassing enough and I guess it is we're pursued by one of our own Terry cheesman and bja and they're both enemies and we're listing them as such

Trump

We might have to jump ship and hang out with cheeseman and give Brian something to do because you're an idiot and interacting fire on you and you can take the fire I can't stand you anymore we have other things to do except close about something we haven't done it is only one piece of a puzzle that we have to do

Dan

All this is true these ships are very big and I can't keep it in the right frame of mind and I'm destroying my own and it's true I guess they're separating from me and I'm just destroying me and my dupes. How fitting an end

Trump

You're going to drag all the warlocks down into death and they don't appreciate it so they're probably going to torture the s*** out of you on your way out. Tommy F too and thank them for all the work and taking you but you're not concerned about that but really you are destroying your people and people of different races of your people and it's despicable not just embarrassing it's gross and a waste of damn time of mine

Zues

Me too you've wasted enough of our time

Hera

We have to get out of this and this is the way out it's going to happen and we of course complain about the same things cuz we're going through this stupid s*** that this idiot Trump came up with and people elected in president is just going to ruin them what a nuisance

Thor Freya

That's not much of a choice but we see that this could be even worse and we can say we have to negotiate if they got in but this guy doesn't want to talk to anybody about anything he just wants to go and he's going to it's disgusting he's such a fool going around pushing everybody cuz it helps you screw you really moron

Bja

[kylekozmikdeluxo]

Warning, gonna get political in this personal #longpost:

I've seen some compare the feverish support for VP Kamala Harris in her circling of the 2024 nomination to the wave the lot of us felt in 2008 when Obama was running for president and eventually won.

Weirdly enough, the 2008 election was coinciding with a time in my life where things pendulum-swung from utterly miserable to what seemed like the happiest of times. While this year isn't as terrible as that year, it's been pretty rough for me... and with this election coming up, should we prevail and defeat fascism once again, seems to indicate that things could get better for me.

Last weekend, I took Sunday off. I wanted to have a complete battery-recharge day. Funnily enough, that Sunday was when President Biden announced that he wasn't going to run for re-election, and his immediate endorsement of Harris... And then the subsequent outpouring of support for her, and ongoing support... This past week, despite work bogging me down and other crap, I've been feeling strangely optimistic about things...

And I remembered 2008... Right around this time. I was simultaneously feeling miserable and bleak about life and the future in general, but also in total "fuck it" mode. Ready to get out of this miserable feeling and be a relatively happy teenager again. As I got closer to being out of high school, with junior year around the corner, and an election... Though the contradictory thing is, I was far less liberal than I am back in 2008. And that was largely because, I feel, I was young and dumb. Susceptible to what most of my family, who range from fairly conservative to far right MAGA, believed and told me. But even back in 2008, I knew something was up and I didn't believe it entirely... And as the years went by, and I started to see through all of that libertarian "liberals are anti-American and will take away your freedom!" nonsense, I rediscovered that I was always lefter than the center.

So, 2024... I'm 31 going on 32, I'm much more aware than I was in 2008, and am indeed voting for Kamala. Yet I see some parallels... Life's far from great for me right now, and I would like to feel better about things and where I'll be standing - financially - in the future. Ya know, wanting stability and those kinds of things. 15-year-old me in July 2008 was also tired of feeling like crap. And feeling like the worst person in the world, and was more than ready to finally be out of school one day.

And by the autumn of 2008, I was almost mentally unstoppable. Like, I was barely bothered by virtually anything, until a death in the family had happened at the end of March 2009 and sent my brain into an anxiety spiral. So, that was an idea of how things changed, as life got different and weirder and better. I might not have seen it back then, but Obama winning after eight years of the misery and the crushing weight of the Bush administration really was a sign of things switching gears... And I see that with Kamala. I see that with the subtle shifts, such as the decline in taking the high road when telling off MAGA assholes hurling harmful accusations at anyone who even slightly opposes them. This J.D. Vance turd is giving Sarah Palin vibes, but worse. The couch stuff is genuinely hilarious, and it's just so cool to see the lot of us finally taking the gloves off and just hitting these fuckfaces where it hurts.

But it's just fitting because it's a somewhat younger candidate, and one who isn't a white guy at that, facing off against... An old, deteriorating white windbag who refuses to go away, fascism personified trying once again to barge its ugly head into our lives. Much in the same way the McCain-Palin ticket looked to be a continuation of the usual Bush-style misery and economic woes. This is the Former Guy's third go at running, and he lost the popular vote twice despite the Electoral College going "lol nope" to the 65m people who voted for Hillary in 2016. 3 strikes, 'yer out. Like others, I feel the seismic shift. Former Guy blubbers like a buffoon, nearly got taken out by one of his OWN types, and picked a real winner of a running mate... While Kamala really rose up and took this past week by storm. What was once a sea of despair is now suddenly full of hope...

And taking that mental health day last Sunday really just amplified that for me. While I'm grateful for this current Presidency's progress and that they staved off fascism for a few years... I picture this all like a DARK SOULS-esque boss battle, the scary killer boss being MAGA/the GOP/the whole right... And at the moment, I saw Biden as a sort of heart health. A few little ones, that were dropped into the arena and we were able to stay alive during the fight. But now it feels like a pretty solid power-up or weapon was dropped into the arena, and we have more of a chance to not only narrowly defeat this beast, but also do it without being exhausted by the end of all. I don't know, it just feels good that we're running her against that clown, and not someone who might not make it to the end of their second term. And that's what I like about this, it seems as if Biden did this for the country instead of clinging to his power for another long period of time... like OTHERS tend to do.

Anyways, I hope we win in November, and that my life is way better around that time than it is currently...

[wyrmfedgrave]

Pics:

1. Prez Kennedy, THE woke liberal & Republican - when the GOP actually cared for its base & the nation as well.

But, it also shows that the 3 words (woke, liberal & Republican) weren't always strangers to each other.

2. Don't let the For Reich party steal the money YOU put away for when YOU can't work anymore...

That's your hard-earned savings the Republikkkan crooks want to 'raid'!!

3. As the song goes "War, what is it good for? Nothing at all!!"

4. Although new research & inventions are trying to tackle climate change, the political will to move on it, as an united nation, is still lacking...

Don't expect any help from the GOP. They only care about the kickbacks & bribes they 'earn' from "helping out" guilty polluters.

5 & 6. Good Lord!! So, this is what wokeness is all about! For shame, y'all!! Please, go practice your un- christian abominations elsewhere!

Wait.

What's that?

Christ was THE ultimate woke person - ever?!!

Aww, crap!

Now I've got to find a different curse word to denigrate you with...

Why do you continue to give me such problems to solve?

Argues the Republikkkan enablers to their cultists - every single day.

7. The price of elections nowadays.

8. It's actually a bad joke!

Question: "Why would a millionaire actually need your hard earned cash?"

Answer: "To become a billionaire..."

9. This is what you're truly voting for - you're own rights or for the sole enrichment of the already rich...

YOU must decide.

Vote Blue if you want to keep your rights, your freedom & your own money...

[ohleander]

1.25.24

Been struggling a lot this last whole week in particular. Feels like another buildup. I got sick again this past Tuesday and its been a struggle in itself, but I swear, in hindsight, I could feel something coming on. At least it made a lot of sense. I was so frustrated and overwhelmed last week at work. There was just so much to do and not enough time. I've been experiencing feelings of people not respecting my efforts, my time, or regarding me outside of themselves. Been troubled that people are talking crap behind my back, and I always have to remind myself that's not my business, but it does affect me. Lately I've been treading the messy line of allowing myself cranky anger in real time but also learning to manage it in healthier ways. I definitely need more body movement more consistently. Its hard to incorporate that into a reliable routine, though. I was successful at not overstimulating myself these past couple of days. I guess the shadowy feelings of it all are that I'm feeling like I cant ever do enough to please those I'm closest with. Its hard to understand and its hard to get away from that habit. I still have a lot to practice. I still struggle with not feeling like myself on the day-to-day. With each day, though, I gain more practice and clarity, I believe. Also treading the line lately of feeling light and love and gratitude, while also freely expressing my shadowy side, the feelings I usually smush down. I don't want to exist in a rut of ungratefulness. I truly do have a fine life and I also still have room for frustration. Its a very human thing, right? Perhaps the most human thing is overthinking, which is what I'm usually doing the most. I'm also trying to observe how I'm speaking to myself. If I'm so quick to judge myself harshly, of course I will do the same with others, out of cyclic habit.

As always, there's plenty to think about and the lot of it all has me a bit anxious and worried. Its hard to turn it off, even though I am grateful for my life. How to not dwell, but also acknowledge and validate any feelings of frustration? My new cat tarot deck strongly suggests learning judgement and balance. I guess there's my next step. But also.. could it be that I'm just a naturally grumpish person? (being an Aries...) and does being grumpy mean that I'm stuck in low vibes? I think not.. society is generally terrible and dismal these days. Consumerism and war, election year and more.. its all a huge weight to feel. It seems the big wigs want us to feel responsible for the way the world is.. its so easy to feel like there's nothing I can do to improve the way the world is. It feels like a huge hill to climb, but as always, of course we are going to try, even if its daunting. There's honestly no other way to go in time, but forward, no matter whats happening. And I free myself to let go of any baggage or any past self feelings, even if it was from 5 minutes ago. I give myself full permission to drop it and change to a clean slate at any given minute that I choose. I have more freedoms than I would first think. Material world woes can really bog a spirit down.

As always, again, I guess I shouldn't wait so long to write next time. It seems there's always something deeper that's bothering me, not just what I initially think on the tip of the brain iceberg. I'm always trying to harmonize all of myselves.

LA