#thank you mark and david for your service

[thatswhatsushesaid]

i'm actually low key so mad about the netflix dorian gray adaptation i could spit fire about it. of all the iconic works in the queer literary canon to do this to. fuck.

anyway, if you want to listen to an audiodrama version of dorian gray that amps up the gay power level to well over 9000, shadows at the door is here for you

an adaptation by and for queer horror junkies, they did their homework.

enjoy!!

[felassan]

Some snippets (compilation) from the comments section of [this recent video] by Mark Darrah on YouTube titled ’How 2017 Changed BioWare 1000 Ways’.

rest of post under cut due to length.

Mark Darrah: "BioWare seems to be rebuilding now. I guess we'll have to keep watching"

Mark Darrah: "BioWare and EA seem to be fully behind the next Mass Effect"

User: "I hope the next Mass Effect brings the studio back on track, I doubt they will have many chances left if that game fails. Judging by the people that are involved, they are definitely trying." Mark Darrah: "Seems like"

Mark Darrah: "I don’t know what is next for DA"

Mark Darrah: "A super rushed Joplin likely would have been deeply flawed"

User: "I often learn more about what was going on at Bioware from this channel than I did in 10 years working at Bioware 🙃" Mark Darrah: "oof" Aaryn Flynn: "I learned some things too!" Mark Darrah: "@ blind men touching an elephant"

Bryan Johnson: "Very interesting to hear your perspective since I definitely was not a high level person. Crazy how much they kept the Casey return, as a few of us knew about it a bit earlier because we wrote something to scrape the employee staff data as we were getting tired of not hearing about people leaving the company." Mark Darrah: "wow"

User: "The shenanigans you just described, combined with David Gaider's recent posts about his own treatment at this company solves the mystery as to why DA has ended up in the state it's in. Thank you for clarifying." Mark Darrah: "I wouldn’t put it all on 2017"

User: "As someone who adores Dragon Age, it seems EA doesn't understand RPG fantasy games and doesn't understand what they have with Dragon Age and probably never will." Mark Darrah: "Likely"

User: "I can tell you as strictly a fan that I FELT the 'pivot' as you called it, in 2017. Andromeda felt half old BioWare and half something I didn't recognize as the same language. Anthem was a completely different dialect. SOMETHING was obviously changing at BioWare..." Mark Darrah: "That said, Anthem had been in development a WHILE by 2017"

User: "The level of organizational disfunction at such a big company is astounding." Mark Darrah: "Very common"

User: "I truly wish EA cared more for fsntasy, because it definitely seems like sci-fi and sports is what the higher-ups drool over." Mark Darrah: "We'll see what the future has to bring but..."

User: "And in all that time, Star Wars the Old Republic was keeping up Bioware's slack. Now they don't have that option anymore." Mark Darrah: "It was. Though I'm not sure EA saw it that way"

User: "The infuriating part of all this is that nobody even got what they wanted. Especially EA. The behaviour of these execs would at least be explicable if it had led to commercial success, but it didn't. Why are business execs so uniquely bad at doing business? It's their only job." Mark Darrah: "Successful Live services make so much that the risk was seen as worth it"

Mark Darrah: "Montreal didn't work on Anthem, they were moved to a different EA studio"

Mark Darrah: "Quarter based isn’t great planning for gamedev"

User: "It was a big surprise that BioWare didn't crumble immediately like so many before (Westwood, Origin, Bullfrog, Mythic). It's fascinating to learn that it was because BioWare was put under EA Sports management who were in no position to meddle with the development of RPGs." Mark Darrah: "The EA sports thing happened a bit later... I want to say 2013 or something."

User: "I am still hopeful, despite everything that's happened, that we'll still see more Dragon Age at some point" Mark Darrah: "You never know. EA owns a LOT of IPs"

Mark Darrah: "It’s the nature of most corporations to focus on costs longer term than revenue. Which is an issue for things that take many years to do"

Mark Darrah: "Every game that ships is a miracle"

User: "I am an optimistic. I hope that DA will be back and that EA and Bioware ups realise what a gem Dragon age truly is." Mark Darrah: "Hopefully"

Mark Darrah: "There was a story about Andromeda threading the needle between colonialism and a refugee story and telling neither story fully but that never got discussed"

Mark Darrah: "I do think MEA could have repaired its rep if given more post launch time"

User: "This is so sad. I really hope these videos bring some kinda change, whether it be with EA or teach other developers/publishers about what not to do." Mark Darrah: "..."

User: "Veigulard is like a product of this turbulent development process and continuos change of scope without respect to the development team." Mark Darrah: "Veilguard is a story for another day... hopefully"

Mark Darrah: "SWTOR was always a mystery to me too. It seemed like they had a pretty clear "If we sped 1$ we get more than 1$ back" repeatable model but it wasn't valued."

User: "I guess my only question is, did Casey Hudson ever actually fought for the Joplin vision/to keep DA Singleplayer at all? It seems odd to me that EA allowed DA to go back to Singleplayer in early 2021, shortly after Hudson left. I mean, Anthem was his idea and it flopped. The Jason Schreier articles stated devs were calling the live service Morrison "Anthem with dragons", so I wonder if Hudson was actually in support of turning DA into an MMO. Not trying to find someone to blame for everything, but I'll just forever wonder if things would've been different with someone else at the top." Mark Darrah: "I don’t think he was. Simply living in the same environment we all were"

User: "What was your relationship with the higher-ups and your team like for the remainder of your time at Bioware?" Mark Darrah: ""Doing a job" probably describes my last 2-3 years"

User: "I hope there is smooth sailing for ME5 and the story will knock our socks off." Mark Darrah: "I am following Mass Effect for sure"

Mark Darrah: "Origin [Systems] was actually under the BioWare umbrella at one point if you can believe it"

Mark Darrah: "Ray [one of the BioWare co-founders] spent a lot of his capital resisting EA until he left."

User: "If Joplin and the DA team had gotten the manpower from the Montreal team and resources they required do you think Joplin could have avoided EA’s push toward live service? (Sorry for the double comment, issue with my connection for a second there)" Mark Darrah: "... Its hard to say. Those 2 things are honestly pretty tightly coupled"

User: "Did you talk to Casey about the Anthem situation? It seems like he just pushed Anthem without discussing it internally which is so strange to do" Mark Darrah: "There were conversations. Casey can be very convincing"

User: "I think they damaged the relationship with their consumers as well" Mark Darrah: "In 2017? Definitely stopping the MEA dlc didn’t help"

User: "Have you considered writing an unauthorized history of Bioware, Mark?" Mark Darrah: "I’ve thought about a book. Not sure if there is one in there…"

User: "my trust in Nexteffect is very low just like it's for Bioware overall nowadays, but I won't judge before the game is out." Mark Darrah: "Keep following the game. Hopefully it will be great"

Mark Darrah: "EA doesn't sell IP"

User: "It's always so weird to hear the two teams at BW were kinda against each other" Mark Darrah: "Its weird how much the teams saw the differences as opposed to the similarities"

Mark Darrah: "I’m not sure that a large corporation can NOT assimilate an acquisition. Even if it tries"

User: "I have zero expectations for the next Mass Effect game" Mark Darrah: "There is still blood left in that stone"

Mark Darrah: "DA2’s budget is pretty small"

Mark Darrah: "We are starting to see a pivot back but basically the math is: 1. A successful live service makes WAY more than a successful SP game. 2. So much more that even if only 30% of our bets work we are still better off. BUT. 30% of their bets have NOT worked. Its way lower than that"

User: "The year BioWare started being finally digested by EA." Mark Darrah: "Finished I'd say"

User: "Do you feel like the "little to gain, little to lose" attitude from EA happened with The Veilguard as well?" Mark Darrah: "It isn't the same situation I don't think"

User: "How close were we to just getting any Dragon Age release, ever? Do you think the 10 year wait between releases damaged marketability?" Mark Darrah: "Do you mean how close was Joplin to happening? Not very close. It never even entered true pre-production" User: "regarding Anthem’s live service status… were people moved from Austin (The Old Republic) to help with that? Because it would greatly explain the content drought in the game at the time." Mark Darrah: "A ton of Austin people were on Anthem and Anthem Live. Not sure if they were pulled off of SWTOR though"

User: "I don't think EA understand video game development..." Mark Darrah: "They understand very specific kinds of development"

User: "if I were at BioWare, I would have had no trust in EA to keep their word after they agreed to let Dragon Age become single player again in 2021." Mark Darrah: "different people in different chairs but yeah"

Mark Darrah: "Yeah I don’t think anyone was malicious"

User: "do I understand correctly then that actual work on what eventually became The Veilguard started in 2019, after Anthem?" Mark Darrah: "There are very thin threads that trail all the way back to 2015 but most work happened after 2019. REALLY most happened after 2021 when it went back to SP."

User: "It seems like the Dragon Age team and Mass Effect teams have resentment towards each other, but I rarely hear from Hudson discussing this. It’s mostly the Dragon Age team." Mark Darrah: "I think we all have different stances for sure"

User: "I'm sure they don't appreciate you telling the full truth." Mark Darrah: "There’s much more to it then this"

Mark Darrah: "That Anthem pitch was so good it lasted 7 years of Casey being gone"

User: "Execs lying to you numerous times, then lying to the Dragon Age staff about the nature of their relocation, only to have them crunch on Anthem, is horrendous." Mark Darrah: "I don’t think they were lying to me at the time. It just became untrue"

[source]

[ivalice-tifalucis]

So you've just discovered Robbie Williams through Better Man and then got into Take That as well...

That means you're like me hahaha, but I got through this from watching his performance in World Cup 2018 opening ceremony and got curious afterwards.

Anyway, I haven't be able to see the movie yet but I heard the spoilers and I know all the stories like god knows how many videos and documentaries I've watched about them. I almost see when I was in Singapore for New Year's Eve because they got the early screening but I didn't know it was only after January 1st and I was busy going around and my family didn't let me and ok maybe I can watch the next day on the 2nd and...the movie was no longer there. I still regret it now because there was no sign of it about to release in my country. I guess I have to wait for that in streaming service.

You heard some of Robbie's songs in the movie. You saw how his music reflects his feelings and thoughts. He basically writes everything about his life and all his favorite people and enemy. Each get their own songs. Angels isn't really written for his Nan and instead it's this song called Nan's Song, his father is essentially his whole Swing When You're Winning album, Eternity for Geri Halliwell/Ginger Spice, and then for his wife IMO it's Bodies (she's also in the MV, at that time very new to the public and very unknown). And then his children, in general he made Love My Life, his eldest Teddy got Go Gentle, Charlie got M*therfucker, Coco got Coco's Christmas Lullaby, and for Beau I don't know if he made a song yet. And many more there was cover of Me and My Shadow which explains his buddyship with his best friend Jonny Wilkes (who also sings this with him and they never interact these days none of us know exactly why), there's David's Song dedicated to his manager David Enthoven one of the notable person who essentially saved his life, really. He died over 15 years ago.

Take That, is a subject of many of his songs. In return, Take That, especially Gary Barlow and Mark Owen, made a lot of songs for and about Robbie.

This is their songs for each other in timeline order:

How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees cover) (1996)

Their last single before they disbanded in 1996 and at that time it was final, none of them know they will return again 10 years later. They announced this single in a very close time they announced their separation lol. At that time there was only four of them because Robbie had already left few months prior. I will never not tell anyone that suspiciously they announced their disband in 13 February 1996 which is Robbie's birthday. It's like a bitter birthday gift, you could say. "Hey, we're done now, no thanks to you." And us fans have been talking whether this song is chosen for their last single because of the interesting lyrics.

2. No Regrets (1998)

At that time, both Robbie and Gary both reaching for their post-boyband solo success. The UK public is like boxing ring to them. In 1998, it was a rather equal ground. Robbie was just starting and he started poorly, Gary had got everything he needed to succeed but lack the charm. After Angels, Robbie got rocket trajectory and famous even beyond Take That teenage girls audiences. He started spewing more bad stories behind the scenes with Take That and Gary in retaliation also spewed bad things about Robbie. He then released this song which he often even explicitly said is about Take That but especially for Gary Barlow (honestly I think this song is just for Gary but he doesn't admit it blatantly). After they mend their relationship, the last lyrics in the song "I guess the love we once had is officially—Dead!" sometimes changed in live performance to "I guess the love we once had is officially Alive!"

3. Believe in the Boogie (2005)

Take That was reunited in 2005 because of the documentary called Take That: For the Record. At that time, the other four's condition was Gary became a reclusive songwriter living in his mansion with his wife and two children, Howard became a DJ living half his life in Germany for his daughter who was raised by his ex and ofc England for his other daughter raised by his other ex and also in addition was slightly depressed and unsure about his life, Jason became a traveling nomad living in his jeep, while Mark...was trying for his solo career. After he won Celebrity Big Brother in 2002, he got a recording deal to make his second album and even got him to be able to reach out to Robbie but the album didn't work out so he had to collect money to finally released his third album in 2004. At that time, Robbie Williams was in and out of rehab. This single was released after the Take That documentary was released and take a look at the lyrics.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh There's a friend of mine Who's wasting all his money Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Think he's had his time Think he's lost his mind Still a friend of mine

Oh, oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Could have had it all From the Albert Hall To the uni-ball How the mighty fall

4. Shine (2006)

After the documentary, which actually got big attention in the UK, they had a tour, the beginning of their "Take Two" phase. The tour was very successful that Take That, just four of them, got a record deal to make their fourth that nobody could ever expect, Beautiful World. The second single from this album, is this song, Shine. Sings by Mark Owen and judging by the quirkiness, it is written mostly by Mark (able to detect which song majorly written by who is a skill that a Thatter must have). The song over the years is revealed to be written for Robbie Williams (you should click this link really) who at this point in time, was still in and out of rehab but now also very depressed and reclusive. He even said he was retiring from performing and became agoraphobic. Robbie had held his panic attack on stage for years and it finally got him.

5. Said It All (2008)

In 2008, after the success of Beautiful World, Take That didn't waste any moment and immediately returned to the studio for their next album, The Circus. IMO, this album in almost its entirety are written for Robbie. Fight me if you disagree. And why? Because they recorded this song in LA where Robbie lived, hence that quote from Gary's biography about that movie-like moment where it turned out they tried to look at each other from the windows and balcony they were in. I should've known the moment Robbie started uproot his family back to London and Switzerland, he's planning to try for success in the US. For decades before, he lived peacefully in Beverly Hills because he knows no one there would recognize him. Like, he tried once for US success and he gave up entirely for that reason. Back to 2008, Take That were writing this album and they managed to have someone to contact someone who got to make 4 of them meet Robbie in his home, where they started talking again for the first time since the 90s. It was a start which is why, for many fans, this song is about that moment.

All of the miles of words we've spoken All of the lines that got away Didn't we take the time to say them all?

6. You Know Me (2009)

Not long after, Robbie Williams released his album. He didn't do any promo at all. Just one or two live tv performance and that's even. Not even a tour. He was too afraid and too unsure for that. But, in this album, Reality Killed the Video Star, there is this song that actually his reply to Shine. He never confirm this but the rabbit living in his own fairytale world is referred in his tour with Take That, Progress Live where after Shine is performed, the transition to his setlist is done with a guy dressed up as bunny, entered a screen and become Robbie Williams who jumped out to perform.

7. Shame (2010)

After the success of The Circus, and its gigantic live shows, Gary Barlow returned to LA with his family of four (they just had another baby at that time :3) for a holiday in 2009. This was the time when he, the one in Take That who must've felt the hardest to forgive Robbie, really like really had quality talk together. Gary and his wife visited Robbie's house, and they started writing songs together. The writing sessions resulted in two sings: this one and Heart and I. Robbie then put these two songs to his Greatest Hits album, called In and Out of Consciousness and had Shame as the single of this album. A public statement that Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow had mended their relationship and enemies no more. Robbie even dragged Gary around for the press junkett and small tour in small venues he did for this album...and also the previous one that never got its own tour. Oh, I love return back to those clips, they were so bare, no flashy stage costumes, got nothing to lose. Dude, they looked emotionally charged, you can't fake this maan. Oh yea, there's also that Children in Need before that, it's a lot, you gotta see the documentary or the videos on your own. This was also around the time they just released Progress album and announced the tour next year which led to...

8. The Flood (2010)

The first song that they wrote for this album, mostly by Robbie. Look at the lyrics, this song is a statement. Solid song, who unfortunately never gonna sound the same as long as Robbie not in Take That and Howard sings this in live shows. Robbie sings this sometimes in his shows though, but with the rest of Take That, it doesn't sound the same. Anyway, the whole Progress and its deluxe version Progressed is by far the furthest Take That album ever. Half of the songs in this album is about themselves and their rekindled relationship and half of them is Mark Owen high on alcohol influenced his friends into writing songs about dystopian sci-fi that is terrifyingly relatable today. You should all listen to Progress/Progressed at least once in your life. Another song from this is their B-side, called Rocket Ship and another is never even released by them but Robbie had shown this in his live streaming called Blue World.

9. Different (2012)

After Progress, Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow returned back to their studio and have more quality time together, continue tightened their relationship while also make an album out of it. They eventually cancelled the album and each took the songs they made to their respective albums. To this album that became his comeback after reunited with Take That, called Take the Crown, Robbie had Candy and Different, both were used as the singles. But there is also the song in this album called Into the Silence which from the lyrics you can tell this is a song for Gary. This song in particular, is very close to him, he rarely performed this, by the way. I think the last time he did was when he was touring this album. Even the music video that I shared is the one re uploaded because somehow the original is deleted. I don't know why.

This time I'll be different, I promise you, This time I'll be special, you know I will, Just don't leave with me in your eyes. This time I'll be better, I want you to know, This time I'll be special, oh God, make it so, Just don't leave with me in your eyes, your eyes, your eyes

Gary in his album also had Requiem from his sessions with Robbie. The song is dedicated for his father who died in 2009, if I'm not mistaken. But, there is a song in the deluxe version, called Mr Everything who suspiciously probably was written inspired by Robbie.

10. Into the Wild (2014)

After Progress, they had a break. Robbie returned to his solo, Gary to his solo as well his first album since his badly badly failed second one in the early 00s, and Mark also to his fourth album. And when it's time to return, Robbie preferred to go his own way, he got projects he wanted to do lining up. Jason suddenly quit the band. That left only three of them. The three determined to continue and make their next album, the first since they became just three. One of this song, performed by Mark, Into the Wild, seemed to dedicate to Robbie. Just look at the lyrics.

Up tight, tied up again Tied up again with my one and only friend Your voice is all I can hear All I can hear it's the music to my ears

Staying out of trouble staying in and out of touch In and out of touch I can never get enough Up tight, tied up again Some things will never change

It's almost like we go Dance with desire then we go playing with fire Then we go into the wild again

Tumblr only lets you attach 10 videos in one post so I guess I'll have to stop here for now. There are still many songs to explore. It got less in recent time but doesn't mean there's nothing more. There are. He's not lying when he said "Gary Barlow, I think about you a lot." Even if Mark is constantly thinking about Rob 😂

[queerprayers]

do you have any tips for protestant christians who want to practice advent in a more ritualistic way?

Happy Advent, beloved! I love this question!

Hopefully this isn't too obvious but just in case: Advent wreaths were originally a Lutheran tradition and they're my favorite holiday ritual! I'm in the minority in that my church's Advent color is blue, but many people's are purple and pink. The Wikipedia page lists some different traditions—some people give a meaning to each candle. Generally people will have five and light one for each week of Advent and then one for Christmas. Advent is cut short this year (Advent 4 and Christmas Eve are the same day) but it's still never too late to start participating in a season! One day of mindful Advent is more precious than weeks of half-hearted Advent.

I have blue and gold candle holders, but many places sell Advent-specific candles and holders, or you can just get four or five candles (real or fake) from around the house and arrange them! I haven't gotten around to it yet this year but I like gathering evergreen branches from outside and arranging them in more of a proper wreath, but a fake wreath would work too, or just candles on a cloth or table.

I also saw this 20-minute Advent candle set, where you can light a candle each day and let it burn down while praying/meditating/writing. You could set a timer and do something similar with any type of candle. Candles are a staple of winter holidays for a reason—light and warmth, obviously, and there's something about having a natural source of those things existing in your house when so much of the rest of your life may be artificial. I thank God my house has heating, but I also seek out the ways this earth provides what we need, if we only know where to look.

Some form of counting down to Christmas is a main theme of Advent traditions, and I don't think this is a bad thing at all, although I do see my Advent wreath as more of a fulfillment than a countdown. I always encourage people to take at least a moment for just Advent. We could look at Lent as a countdown to Easter, but we might miss the journey. And after all, Holy Week and Easter is the culmination of our calendar, not Christmas. We are still in the beginning.

My family doesn't usually put up a Christmas tree until around the 23rd, and I don't listen to Christmas carols until Christmas Eve. I don't refuse to participate in secular/cultural Christmas events/traditions before then, but Christmas as religious practice is twelve days for us, starting the 25th. I have time to make room, to prepare. I'm listening to Advent music now, to ground myself in time. I don't say this because I think everyone should necessarily do this (by all means, find room for joy wherever you can), but because an Advent value that I find meaning in is patience. Christmas exists, joy exists, salvation exists—but what happens in the time before those things? What happens if we're not there yet, if we perhaps have to wait our whole lives? We do not know the future, but there are things we can see, and even more things we can trust in. How can we practice hoping for it all?

This year I'm reading Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas (the last gift my grandfather gave me), and it's marking my days in a similar way candles do—connecting me with the world, setting aside time, bringing me back to why I exist the way that I do. There are countless devotional/topical books out there—as well as Watch for the Light, I would recommend Preparing for Christmas by Richard Rohr and Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation by Luci Shaw (which can double as a Lenten/Easter book as well). I'm also looking forward to reading in future years Celtic Advent by David Cole and WinterSong by Madeleine L'Engle & Luci Shaw.

If you don't usually attend worship services, Advent is a lovely time to start—it's the new year, after all! My city has a caroling night downtown, and you could look for similar events in your community. You could also start new worship traditions—my uncle hosts a Christmas carol singing circle every year, and his apartment is squished full of happy people, some Christian and some not, singing until the neighbors complain.

Speaking of the new year, that's what this is for many of us, and one way we can acknowledge that is by thinking about the past year and/or the year to come. What was last Advent like for you? Where are you now? Why are you seeking out more ritual this year? Are there future seasons in the church year that you want to further observe? What joy and grief and community do you see on the road ahead of you? What can you not even begin to imagine? Advent can be a beginning for all of it, if you let it. And Advent is the ultimate time to contemplate the past and the future—as we remember Jesus coming two thousand years ago, as we experience him every day, and as we look to a second coming that none of us understand but can occasionally stand to ponder.

There are the little things, too—writing Christmas cards is very ritualistic for me, as well as making gifts, and preparing for Christmas in a material way, especially if it's for others, can be a lovely ritual! Volunteering, preparing a home, creating, writing, taking a walk--anything, really, can be a ritual if we do it purposely. We don't always have to add something to our life—we can live something we already live in a new way.

And then there's the other kind of practice: emptying. We talk about this most when we encounter Lent, but I think there's a place for it here, too (and always). I don't mean abandon our responsibilities/hobbies/relationships, but most of us have too much. It is a blessing to have, but it can also be a blessing to let go. Many of us overwork ourselves during December, at work, at school, financially, socially, around the house. I've learned to look at busy-ness as a gift, but I also work to not fill up my life until there's no room for the season. There are people who fast during Advent, but there are other ways to make space in our lives to fill up with God, and Advent encourages us to spend time in that space. God is coming, a thief in the night, a late guest, an overlooked baby. Do you have room? Do you still have the attention span and energy? Will you even notice?

Christmas is many things to many people, and preparing for it is similarly diverse. I'm carrying a lot of grief with me this year, from both family and world tragedy. I know a lot of people who feel pressured to be happy during the holidays, and that breaks my heart—and it also makes me wonder how much having a ritualistic Advent since I was a kid has helped me avoid that. Happiness was never a value my family held—it was beautiful, but not inherently holy. Emotions come and go. Love exists infinitely, and patience and hope can be practiced and lived out regardless.

There are so many traditions, especially in the US, that leave people hungering for ritual and material practice—I've found a lot of physicality in Lutheranism, similar to my Catholic family, but I know there are those who have never really had that. When we seek ritual, it's often because there's something (or many things) in our practice either growing up or currently that we don't have and seek—whether that's the sensory experiences of incense and stained glass, the daily habits of rosary or novena, the liturgical practice of seasons and services, choral and hymn-singing, contemporary music, contemplation, academia, casualness, relatability, mystery, social justice, huge gatherings, tiny meetings, or any of the other Christian experiences that usually traditions don't or can't have all at once. When we seek ritual, we seek what we don't have, but often find what we already have as well. So many things are rituals that we take for granted because we've always had them or gotten used them. Seek new rituals, and seek what is already in your life that you can decide to do. Take your traditions, and find the traditions you didn't receive but hunger for, and make a life. You have time—Advent happens every year, and as far as we know and can hope, we will have many more Advents.

Ultimately, ritual is doing it all on purpose. It's finding rhythm. So much of our lives are accidental, and this can be beautiful and holy, but you have come seeking the things we invite. And yet even things that happen to us can become purposeful, as Mary teaches us: "Let it be with me according to your word." Whether she had a choice is sometimes discussed, but to me often the more relevant question is how she dealt with what came her way. Ritual is taking what we are given and doing it on purpose, and Advent gives us a long tradition, passed down through generations, of active waiting. We have no choice but to wait for the future, but today we will do it with our eyes open. Act as if the world is going to turn upside down—and you will notice it is, all the time.

In Watch for the Light, Henri Nouwen writes, "A waiting person is a patient person. The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us. Impatient people are always expecting the real thing to happen somewhere else and therefore want to go elsewhere. The moment is empty. But patient people dare to stay where they are. Patient living means to live actively in the present and wait there. Waiting, then, is not passive. It involves nurturing the moment, as a mother nurtures the child that is growing in her."

Whatever rituals you invite in or find that you already have, however you nurture the moments that make up this season, I pray they make room in your heart for what God can bring. As Rilke tells us (in teaching how to approach art, but what else are the mysteries of this season?), "Everything is gestation and then bringing forth. To let each impression and each germ of a feeling come to completion wholly in itself, in the dark, in the inexpressible, the unconscious, beyond the reach of one's own intelligence, and await with deep humility and patience the birth-hour of a new clarity."

<3 Johanna

[ambientwitch]

Now imagine you are watching bbc sherlock anywhere from 2009 to 2017. The experience is the exact same complete with David Arnold (has anyone checked up on Michael Price) score and Mark Gatiss being a pervert. Gay jokes. Little girls calling British men faggots figuratively. Are you two a couple. He would never be anyone’s side piece or whatever the fuck. Mirrors. The skull. Sweaters. And so on. And then you get banished to the torture labyrinth. And then six years later Mark Gatiss is doing his community service and you get to watch it and Jon Hamm is there for some reason. And David Tennant has nonbinary swag. And they do EVERY and then Aziraphale gets sent to gay superheaven and you get to watch their faces side by side as you cackle and slap your knees. And it’s all thanks to tumblr users bullying Neil Gaiman and wearing him down day after day. A win for Amanda Palmer and a win for us all. Hey bitch do you really really really wanna go hard. We did it Joe

[aceship-sconesterprise]

In Our Favor

Part 509

McCoy

“Our Andre?” McCoy asked in surprise.

“Yes sir,” Chief Kober confirmed.

David sat back in his chair, and a stunned look crossed his face. Briefly his eyes met McCoy’s before turning to Sarek.

“Pull all we have—”

“Already on it sir,” Sarek replied, quickly typing away on a PADD.

“Do we know if this Peter Klingman was working alone?” David asked the chief.

“That is uncertain, however we are working on it as quickly as we can,” Kober replied.

“If this is about Andre, why did he target Robbie and Leah too?” Scotty asked. McCoy reached over and took hold of his husband’s hand. Scotty’s voice held the anger the prince was feeling.

“We don’t know yet,” Kober said. “We’re working as fast as we can, but it’s only been a few hours,” he spoke quickly, seeing the look on McCoy’s face.

“If Andre killed this man’s partner, perhaps he wanted to harm Andre where it would hurt him most,” Dr. Boyce began. “And as Andre doesn’t have a partner—” He looked at Anthony and Averie who both shook their heads. “—he struck the next best thing, the princess, who Andre was in charge of keeping safe.”

“That may be an angle, yes,” Kober agreed.

“We will give you any help we can,” David told Kober. “Any resources you need from Georgiares, Sarek or Phil can arrange for you.” The king nodded at his security chief, and closest advisor. “Averie and Anthony, as well, are at your service. They are part of Andre’s team and have worked closely with him.”

“I appreciate that,” Kober said.

McCoy pushed back from the table. “Do we have security on Andre? If they don’t know if this guy worked alone—”

“The rooms Leah, Robbie and Andre are in are all together. We’ve had someone stationed there since they left the ORs,” Dr. Boyce told him.

McCoy nodded slowly. “I haven’t been there yet. There wasn’t room last night- this morning I mean.”

“Len,” Scotty said softly.

“Go lad,” Alasdair said. “We can fill ye in from here after.”

Slowly McCoy stood up. “If you’ll excuse me,” he said politely to Chief Kober before nodding at the king.

“To the right,” Dr. Boyce told him as he reached the door.

“I’ll show ye love,” Scotty said from behind him. McCoy hadn’t realized his husband had followed him.

McCoy stood next to Andre’s bedside and looked down at the man. Scotty had shown him the way, then had gone on to see Robbie.

Andre lay still under a thin blanket, machines beeping quietly around him. McCoy wished he knew more so that he could understand what all the readings on the machines meant.

“Hey,” he said quietly. “They found out who did all this. You must have figured it out too, that’s why you pushed everyone out of the car.” McCoy nodded to himself. “I’m glad you did. You saved Leah and Robbie and yourself. And you all may be really hurt, but you’re alive. Father’s going to have lots of questions for you when they wake you up, but so do I. Probably all the same ones.” McCoy gave a quiet huff of a laugh. “I hope you heal fast. And I’m sorry if I’ve ever been a pain to watch over. Thank you Andre.”

McCoy laid his hand on Andre’s for a moment.

“I’m going to go see Leah now, but I’ll visit again.”

Leah looked similar, lying under her own blanket. Her face was clean, but McCoy could see the faint marks where she would still need more healing.

“I hope you wake up soon.”

There was a chair by the bedside so McCoy sat.

“This is all a big mess. It wasn’t the rebels this time. It was someone trying to get Andre. He killed someone close to them before he began working for us. Father’s mad at me for sticking up for Averie and Anthony.”

“He’s not mad at you.”

McCoy startled and turned to see the queen had joined him.

“Mother—”

“Leonard, he’s under incredible stress. I know you want to defend Averie and Anthony, but he must do what’s right until he knows for certain how and why this happened.” Eleanor moved close and rested a hand on his shoulder. “You’re both trying to do the right thing, but you can stand up for them without making it harder on your father.”

McCoy stood up and let Eleanor embrace him. A sob worked its way out of his chest.

“It’s all going to be alright,” Eleanor said, her own voice cracking.

Part 510

Scotty

"Oh Robbie, it's all just so crazy," Scotty muttered to himself, shaking his head.

He held his brother's hand tightly in his and kept his head down. For a long time, he had just sat in the room and listened to the sounds of the machines, but now he had to say what was bothering him.

"The attack wasn't about Leah. It was about Andre. Someone wanted revenge on him."

Scotty swallowed hard at the thought. Why? Why had this human done this? If he wanted revenge on Andre, why had he also harmed Robbie and Leah? There would have been so many ways to get Andre alone!

Scotty stopped his train of thought. No. He shouldn't think like that. Even if only Andre had been hurt, it would all have been terrible. But the fact that Robbie had been so badly injured – almost killed – blinded the Scotsman with anger and grief.

"I don't ken what's going to happen now, a bhràthair. The police and David's people are investigating and trying to find out if there are more people. But even without more perpetrators, it will still be hard enough for all of us. Ye all have to get well and then get back to yer everyday lives. But... how is that supposed to work?" Scotty's voice broke and he let the tears flow freely.

He heard the door to the room open tentatively and he expected to see his mother, but it was someone else who stepped behind him and hugged him from behind.

It was Leonard.

Scotty sobbed heavily at the touch. His husband was going through the same thing as him and yet he seemed so much stronger.

Leonard didn't say anything. He just held Scotty and rocked him gently back and forth.

Scotty heard that his loved one was crying too. For the first time since the accident, they both cried together, giving each other the comfort they so desperately needed.

"When will it end? When will this life finally stop torturing us like this?" Scotty finally whispered when their sobs had subsided a little.

"I don't know. I really don't know," replied Leonard quietly and Scotty slowly got up to stand next to him.

"All I know is that I'm going to do everything I can to find out if there are any more people who pose a threat." Leonard's voice became firmer.

Scotty nodded slowly. His eyes reflected determination.

"A-aye. And I'll help ye."

They had already accomplished so much on their own. But this time, they would team up with David's people and the proper authorities.

When the two returned to the conference room, they were surprised to see several familiar faces.

"Hey, Scottish boy. Prince. How you doing?"

Aporal, Jaylah and Keenser stood close to Granddad and Francine. Sarek and David had been joined by Jim and Spock.

"And, most importantly, how are the others?" asked Jim.

"According to... the circumstances," said Scotty. "What... what are ye doing here?"

Jaylah stepped over to him and hugged both him and Leonard.

"We're here to help. Tell us what we can do."

[theculturedmarxist]

This interview was conducted with a public health employee of the Hawaii State Department of Health (HIDOH), as part of the WSWS Global Workers’ Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic. The worker chose to use the pseudonym Robert to protect their identity.

Evan Blake (EB): Thank you for participating in the Global Workers’ Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic, it’s a pleasure to interview you. Can you describe your background and training in public health before the pandemic?

Robert (R): My training in public health began more than 25 years ago, initially centered on women’s reproductive health. I earned a degree in Public Health. My focus soon broadened from just women’s health to everyone’s due to the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis.

Throughout my career, I collaborated with various organizations, including academic institutions and community health centers, to develop programs targeting most of the populations in the Bay Area. These initiatives encompassed health education, addiction support, and promoting healthy relationships, as well as offering HIV/AIDS and HCV [hepatitis C]testing, counseling, contact tracing, case management and patient navigation services. When I moved to Hawaii, I continued doing health education and working with those experiencing developmental disabilities, aging and chronic illnesses.

EB: What were your initial experiences when the pandemic began in early 2020? How would you characterize the initial pandemic response of DOH [Department of Health] and state officials more generally in Hawaii?

R: I noticed in December 2019, when there was talk of unusual illness in China’s news and social media. Seeing how it was being handled there made me concerned. There seemed to be more effort in hiding it than in handling it.

I waited for our government to mention it, especially on a more local level. I really thought that since, historically, the Hawaiian Kingdom has had effective quarantine and mitigation practices, that the current leadership would follow suit. My thinking was that we don’t have rabies in Hawaii, so obviously we know how to keep viruses out.

By February, I started contacting the DOH to hire me to help out any way possible. This looked like something that could easily be squashed if they rounded up all the HIV experts and put them to work. In early March, I put my disabled clients on quarantine. I bought a bunch of fabric and a serger and my family and I made hundreds of masks. Airborne transmission has always been known.

On March 4, 2020, Hawaii’s Democratic Governor David Ige declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19, granting the state greater flexibility in responding to the crisis. This is officially when the problems with disappearing COVID funds began. On March 26, Ige issued a stay-at-home order, closing nonessential businesses and implementing strict travel restrictions.

I participated in the statewide Lt. Governor’s COVID town halls. Stay-at-home orders in March and May helped keep the numbers low. I waited for the health department to do something and cranked out masks. Schools had gone online at this point. It went pretty well for us. My kid’s school was really proactive about making sure the kids had access to what or who they needed, including computers.

My partner was labeled an essential worker because he was in construction. His boss took full advantage of this allowance and I wrote several of our state’s representatives who seemed actively concerned about COVID, about what to do in this situation.

By the end of May 2020, Dr. Mark Mugiishi, the chief executive of HMSA, brokered a deal with the UH Manoa nursing school to provide students to be trained as contact tracers. They were supposed to have seven different cohorts, but they stopped at three or four. Most of the trainees were never hired to do any work in the DOH and a majority of the graduates got letters stating thanks, but no thanks. The DOH only ever brought on a couple hundred contact tracers. That was after they got in trouble for not having enough and refusing help.

All the tracers and investigators started out being hired by agencies other than the DOH. This meant that we had no rights, but we had the same responsibilities as any other employee would have. We didn’t get hazard pay, union, or PTO, couldn’t participate in any of the benefits or mental health support and other programs they regularly provided and encouraged all employees to participate in. Most of us worked from 7 a.m. to late in the evening most nights. Most tracers and investigators were not from the locally COVID-trained cohorts.

A majority of the COVID hires weren’t brought in until much later in 2020 or in 2021. More were needed and available and instead of hiring tracers or case management, a call center was contracted to bottleneck the high volume of calls and cases.

State officials are notoriously reactive to any problem, emergency-related or not. The officials in charge of HIDOH when the pandemic was officially recognized were ill-fitted for their positions. Their responses were lackluster at best, with Sarah Park (state epidemiologist, COVID response leader) coming in to the UH Manoa COVID trainings to tell us that contact tracing was ineffective, as well as other disease mitigation techniques that we were being trained on, like routine screening.

When the contact tracing program started at the DOH, the National Guard was tasked with training us and facilitating most of the COVID mitigation efforts. This was after they had only received one day of training themselves. I met not one of them who had any health background whatsoever.

It’s been a performative disaster from the very start. Our DOH and state leadership were instrumental in encouraging the spread of COVID-19. State officials were slow to respond and, when they did, it was never an appropriate response. Hawaii usually sees at least 30,000 visitors per day from all over the world. They did everything in their power to keep that going.

EB: You mentioned that DOH employees were split up into different groups, including groups working with prisoners, homeless people, sports personnel, the wealthy, etc. Can you describe this in more detail and the class divide in the pandemic response in Hawaii?

R: DOH employees as a whole are siloed and do not collaborate or even have the slightest clue what the others are doing ever. It was difficult trying to get resources or info from within when trying to access data or connect people with other services. It was deeply embarrassing to me sometimes how incompetent everyone was.

For the pandemic efforts, the entire venture was militarized and we were beholden to chain of command operations as civilians. We were not allowed to speak to our higher-ups. Many were discouraged from speaking to anyone.

The contact tracing and case investigation were separated into several different focus groups headed by epidemiologists. These epidemiologists already had a disease focus and their loads were not lightened. They were added to. Most of them are not in fact actual trained epidemiologists. They have fallen into the position often through nepotistic means and meet bare minimum educational requirements. They had a lot of weird toxic drama that affected program function overall.

For example, if your team’s epidemiologist didn’t get along with a different team’s epidemiologist and you needed a file or lab result or info about an individual in their category, they may delay the info or just never give it to you. It was the worst addition to an already extreme high-stress situation.

The main group management often fell to the inexperienced National Guard, who were under the epidemiologists. Each group’s numbers fluctuated and usually had about 7–15 people, half National Guard, half civilian. The focuses were separated into schools, food service, military, healthcare and LT facilities, travel/VIP, Pacific Islander, severe/death, correctional facilities and homeless.

We had to wait for the daily cases to be handed to the epidemiologists. They would post new cases as they were processed into the system usually via an external call center, who received the cases mostly via the department’s only fax machine.

HIDOH hired an external call center to handle what was called first contact calls. This was actually one of the biggest obstructions to actual contact tracing or any real handling of infected patients in a timely manner.

First contact call center got the first reporting of the case. The report would come in via fax (another massive problem). That person’s name and number would be taken down and someone from the call center or the National Guard would call and ask screening questions about their health and symptoms, often with not much health training. They had three days for the individual to answer before they stopped calling and threw it out.

By the time investigators or tracers got the case, it was often 5–10 days old. We never did real contact tracing in the department. Real contact tracing would involve calling the case immediately to help them trace and notify anyone who may have been exposed. It would also involve timely and actual distribution of resources, including testing, food and money. This is not what happened.

I saw hundreds of people who were overqualified for resources denied or provided the offered resources too late. Some tracers did what could be considered “guerrilla tracing” because they had their contact info passed around for those who needed help and couldn’t get through to the health department when they needed to, or they just needed resources or their results.

A majority of people who were infected did not receive a call from the DOH or any help. They also didn’t receive guidance on quarantine or health at all. Internally, there was never training or updating on variants, pathology or how to ask sensitive questions and talk to the general public. There was a lot of secrecy and internal guidance that wasn’t health-oriented or generally useful. It was often self-congratulatory and bloviated.

This all increased the class divide as those in the service industry couldn’t afford to heal or get better and many lost and are losing their jobs. Those who were able to sealed themselves away. Admin stayed in their offices and told no one to enter, and there was an increase in work-from-home jobs for those with privilege or education, like myself.

EB: Hawaii has the highest per capita number of active US military personnel of any US state and is the state’s largest income producer, yet tourism is often claimed to be the state’s dominant industry. What were the roles of the military and the tourism industry in relation to the pandemic?

R: The military has largely handled their own COVID cases, navigation, and often not sharing when they have clusters that directly impact civilians.

The tourism industry has a finger in everything. They have been extremely instrumental in helping COVID spread. Tourism interests are largely against the people of Hawaii, who are more often harmed than helped by their existence. Tourism and business degrees are what steers most of the boards of every institution in this state. You will find significantly more business degrees than Kanaka (Hawaiian person) representing leadership in the islands. Tourism is why most of those whose birthright is the islands are homeless or not in the islands.

Both industries had large roles in facilitating spread. They pushed to keep everything open and often refused to cooperate with the HIDOH in COVID mitigation efforts.

EB: How have the federal pandemic funds approved under Trump and Biden been dispersed within Hawaii? Can you describe any corruption or negligence that you’ve seen in this regard?

R: I can pretty much only describe corruption and negligence regarding the usage of funds. The HIDOH let over 30 million dollars’ worth of badly needed COVID tests go to waste and then spent over $60,000 to destroy them. The schools never saw much of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds put to use in the schools for mitigation efforts. Countless non-profits denied resources to the community. A robot dog was purchased to test homeless people for COVID, over $1 million were spent on Thanksgiving turkeys in Maui. Oahu’s police department got a bunch of new toys.

The HIDOH never upgraded their information transmission capabilities. They depended on two fax machines for the entirety of the COVID efforts, meaning that all data and case info was transmitted through these machines, slowing down any work or real efforts.

The machines ran over the weekend and whoever was on the following Monday had literal piles of data to enter into the system for reported cases, hospital data, etc. The whole venture has been performative negligence. The funding was better and more resources were distributed while Trump was president. Biden is an absolute disgrace, considering he campaigned on getting rid of COVID.

Most of the funds that could have been used to improve the community and help mitigate COVID were used irresponsibly and have been absorbed by the state. Governor Ige went out of his way to pass legislation that approved shady usage of funds and halt transparency. Governor Green is even worse. The COVID response was just a preview for how Green is handling the Lahaina fires.

EB: Schools reopened with less and less mitigation measures each year, causing repeated waves of mass viral transmission. Can you describe this process and the public health measures you advocated for them to implement? What was the response of various officials to your efforts? How are you seeing the impacts on children, including with Long COVID?

R: The 2020 school response was much better than the following years. Students were provided Chromebooks and instruction from their teachers. It wasn’t implemented in a way that made it easy for many instructors and families, but it was the safest option that was provided.

The following year, the district (the state has only 1) offered something completely different.

In-person instruction or a program for those staying home, that required the parent or caregiver to spend 4–6 hours per day implementing. With no live teachers or real support offered from the school or Department of Education (DOE). The schools who offered it didn’t even know what it was or how it functioned. They just referred parents to the program’s website or phone number if they needed any assistance.

Often parents who required more support or Special Education (SPED) services for their children were ignored, punished, had CPS called on them, or were harassed by some school’s staff and admin.

In many of the poorest areas, where much of our service industry workforce resides, the schools didn’t even offer an alternative to in-person classes. I’m in one of these areas and I removed my child from her school after they refused to provide any support or programming besides that awful program they were offering which forced the parent to provide instruction without support. I already had a job. They called CPS on me. They would send staff to my door every week to sign unnecessary paperwork. They did this for two years. Officials didn’t care. The School’s Superintendent and the super for my area was never even available and never returned calls. I called weekly. I was working on so many cases connected to our schools the whole time, it was no question about removing my kid.

None of the public schools had their air systems improved or HEPA filters added. Some were using hand sanitizer on children’s desks in between classes when they were supposed to sanitize them properly. There wasn’t any solid guidance provided to the schools. Every time I got through to a school nurse or principal about a case, they begged for info on what to do and how to handle mitigations with all the sickness.

Sickness in children and school staff wasn’t being reported accurately because contact tracers were instructed not to connect cases in the classroom with each other. This kept the cluster report low. Many teachers were punished for mentioning their own infections and they were not allowed to notify students’ parents either. This devastated our community, since it has one of the highest counts of multigenerational households in the nation.

Josh Green, who is now Hawaii’s governor, was the head of the COVID Task Force. His main messaging has only ever been regarding vaccines. He spent a significant amount of time pointing the finger at many of our Pasifika communities in regard to their vaccine hesitancy instead of working with them to mitigate COVID in other ways.

When the 2021–22 school year started, the district was ill-prepared and kids weren’t approved for vaccines yet. The school’s superintendent, Christina Kishimoto, was completely useless at getting any mitigations in the schools at all. She ignored the entire community, including so many teachers and parents who tried to keep or make the schools, or at least education, safe and accessible to all.

Senator Brian Schatz and others who had been previously notified about in-school spread and the actual numbers present instead of the falsely low reported ones, maintained the script that children needed to learn in-person. Even after in-person learning saw children being shoved together in cafeterias all day without proper instruction due to sick staff, those in charge maintained that the children needed to be in schools. This was supposedly for their mental health and education, which had never been prioritized previously.

Hawaii has had a major deficit in adequate and accessible education, as well as mental health care providers and services, for a very long time. Additionally, we don’t have school nurses in each school like many contiguous states offer. Many of our schools share a nurse and may not have an area for children to be sick or wait for someone to get them from school.

In-school cases often fell to vice principals and other staff. By the 2022–23 school year, schools had removed any guidance that was useful. They never upgraded or improved the air systems. Many of our schools have had problems with lack of proper air conditioning for a long time before the pandemic. The pandemic just made it worse.

There was a program created at the start of the 2022–23 school year to make the DOH, DOE and CDCF work together to improve the conditions in the schools. The HIDOE refused to meet or participate in any improvements to their school’s systems, provide resources such as testing, PPE or pandemic guidance.

Our state leadership has met with many COVID experts, DOH employees and medical staff who have told them what is happening in their districts, classrooms, hospitals and the community throughout the official pandemic and even now. They all have given lip-service and often have reacted appropriately in those meetings but nothing ever comes of it.

At first, children were just getting cold-like symptoms like everyone else. Those who had existing health issues usually suffered more. Not many children’s cases were followed past the initial call. Over time, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) became a focus as the children’s symptoms didn’t always go away.

Since Omicron emerged in November 2021, kids have had an increase in seizures and a lot of problems with focus and memory. My child has had several friends die from COVID. Long COVID in kids is terrifying, and the impact is already noticeable. Mine just stated that what everyone needs to know is that it’s harder for kids to learn now. She notices so much brain damage in her peers already. Before she got COVID, it was easier for her to process information. Things take much longer now.

To be honest, I’ve rarely seen an actual full recovery. People move benchmarks and brain damage is extremely hard to self-identify. COVID is long and lasting. Nearly every infection shows damage whether it’s noticed or not. For those who don’t have immediate consequences, it’s playing the long game.

EB: How else are you seeing the ongoing impacts of the pandemic associated with COVID-19 infection, including Long COVID?

R: I noticed very early on that regardless of how mild the cases were, there were often residual issues with the person’s ability to handle and process information. The one symptom that should be tracked more than temperature is cognitive ability—confusion, disorientation, odd and unusual thoughts and behaviors. The ongoing impact of any COVID infection is a significant amount of unchecked and untracked brain damage. It’s very difficult to self-diagnose and most of our medical providers are still unaware of COVID and how it presents.

Getting infected with COVID can reduce the immune system’s ability to function. Each reinfection can reduce immune function even more, inviting opportunistic infections to eventually kill us. This is how HIV functions, but at least there is treatment for that. There’s no treatment for Long COVID and there’s even less treatment or care for those under 12 years old. The impact I see right now is immense. Children and young adults are exhibiting Alzheimer’s and dementia-like symptoms, and there are huge increases of cancer, diabetes and heart problems at the population level.

EB: What have been your experiences advocating for Long COVID patients, and what are some of your greatest concerns with the “mass disabling event” of Long COVID associated with the pandemic? What do doctors know or not know, and what do you think needs to be done to address this?

R: While documenting cases in 2020, some had symptoms that just wouldn’t resolve. A few threatened to commit suicide and were in constant and severe pain. Many of their doctors didn’t believe them. I would contact their doctors and explain what Long COVID was. I would send them studies if they requested and would tell them what labs or referrals to order for their patients.

Many doctors were receptive at first. Some would gaslight the patients, saying that they were experiencing anxiety and not their actual ongoing COVID symptoms. I made an extra effort to contact those ones because they were making the patients worse and confused. I spent hundreds of hours on social media spaces giving talks about COVID, Long COVID and what I was seeing. Other Long COVID sufferers and advocates would join.

None of this data was being collected or distributed by our DOH, regardless of how the variants mutated or the community was being impacted. Any attempts to send information up the chain of command to the top were ignored and sometimes punished.

Over time, the doctors I was working with were getting Long COVID themselves. It led to a significant reduction in care for their patients. Some would brush the issue off because they had it and they were working, which they thought meant they were fine.

Doctors need to have proper information and guidance. Without it, many people are being told COVID isn’t really a problem. They trust their doctors to know about COVID. Their doctors are unknowingly feeding them to the fire. Vaccines are only one layer of a many-layered solution, and at this point vaccines aren’t very effective at preventing infection as the virus continues to rapidly mutate and new variants continue to evolve.

In terms of public health as a whole, the CDC is looked at as the main guidance for all these institutions. They need to be putting out clear messaging about COVID being airborne, the fact that an infection commonly lasts anywhere from 14–20 days, each reinfection can reduce immune function, and COVID is a vascular disaster that can wreck any and all organs of the body. These are things that scientists have known since 2020. There is absolutely no reason Drs. Rochelle Walensky and Anthony Fauci didn’t know the correct protocols for handling this pandemic. They both have HIV backgrounds.

My greatest concern about this mass disabling event is that I live in Hawaii. Disabled people were hidden, ignored and underserved here before the pandemic. It was nearly impossible to find mental and behavioral health services and they were often insufficient at best.

When everyone keeps getting reinfected, they will not be able to function. There’s low availability for services now and it’s already getting pretty noticeable. My friends working in the hospital are reporting incredibly low staff numbers and extreme burnout. We only had nine ambulances in circulation a couple weeks ago due to callouts.

Suicides, mental hospital stays and inability to function are becoming increasingly common and we’re just getting started. Since the pandemic began, there’s been an increase in car and plane accidents, heart attacks, diabetes, cancers, previously rare disorders and sudden deaths. Currently, COVID is listed as the third leading cause for death in the US, but if data were properly collected, COVID would be number one.

I took someone to the doctor for a head wound to be stitched and the doctor didn’t even mention concussion protocol. He said strange things that hadn’t been relevant regarding COVID since 2021. He behaved odd and childlike.

This mass disabling event is largely invisible. Many cannot self-diagnose the brain damage that a significant percentage of infections cause to some degree. It changes moods, thoughts, function, and can make people confused or angry.

My biggest concern is that with mass infection and reinfection, everyone is getting their brains melted. Who will take care of anyone when no one is left healthy and functional? Who will grow our food, participate in society, or even be able to get out of bed after we’ve all had multiple infections? Who will be left?

EB: Those are critical points, and concerns that should be more widely shared. The propaganda of the corporate media and political establishment has had a real impact, and prevented masses of people from understanding the dangers of COVID-19 and Long COVID.

Changing topics somewhat, when we spoke before you said that “Lahaina is an active crime scene, just like the COVID situation here is also an active crime scene.” Can you elaborate more on this and the criminal negligence that you believe caused this catastrophic fire? What other connections do you see between this fire and the COVID-19 pandemic?

R: Just the fact that there’s such a focus from those in charge on reopening and getting back to work tells me everything I need to know. The community just experienced a life-altering trauma and instead of really taking care of them and helping them get situated and time and resources to heal, it’s full-steam ahead. Open up, get back to work, go to school. Don’t worry about how you’re going to pay that mortgage on the burn pile where you used to live.

Just like with the COVID pandemic, the Emergency Management Agency lead didn’t have experience. They didn’t sound any alarm, and clearly weren’t well versed on emergency response protocols, otherwise they would have correctly used the emergency alarm system. Instead, Herman Andaya reasoned with everyone about why he didn’t think they were necessary.

For COVID, Josh Green facilitated thousands of tourists freely and consistently infecting our community with almost no guidance other than to get vaccinated. He gaslit us for years from his whiteboard and scrubs. He got even worse after he got COVID. The brain damage is real.

Why didn’t Maui sound the emergency system that is used for emergencies including wildfires? Why didn’t HIDOH enact their public health police powers to protect the community from COVID? Why do they both consistently report false numbers? Why do they both tell the community about resources that exist, but in reality are not actually available? Why is the community being forced to bear the brunt of the outcome of both disasters alone? Why does our leadership refuse to work with the community to solve either issue?

I know how greedy and careless this government is first-hand. Especially when local people are involved. Both disasters have resulted in very high losses to our Filipino and Pasifika communities.

How are we the only state without a fire marshal? Why is there never anyone held accountable? How do all these incredibly incompetent folks keep getting replaced by more incompetence? Nepotism. It has led to incredible incompetence and I have to assume it’s why there’s no accountability or oversight anywhere or for anything.

EB: Since the beginning of the pandemic, the WSWS has advocated for the full deployment of all available public health measures to eliminate SARS-CoV-2 throughout the world. Multiple countries proved that such a Zero-COVID strategy was possible, and we now know even more about viral transmission.

We have stressed that the fundamental reason this global elimination strategy has not been implemented is due to the division of the world into rival nation-states and the refusal of the capitalist ruling elites to accept any impingement on their ability to exploit workers and generate profits. What are your thoughts on this, and do you agree that we need to fight for a global elimination strategy?

R: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has exposed the challenges associated with the division of the world into nation-states, each pursuing its own approach to pandemic management. It’s been an absolute disaster.

When the virus first hit and people began seeing consequences and acting accordingly, I thought we had a chance at stopping the virus. Then the countries with more behaved greedily. They hoarded and wasted resources in the face of the countries who couldn’t get access to resources from the global market.

We are all in this together and no one is getting off this rock alive. Working together is the only way to get rid of this virus and all the others that have been popping up in the past few years.

Unfortunately, such an approach seeks to prioritize the well-being of individuals and communities over economic interests as Cuba has done. They developed their own COVID-19 vaccines. They consistently have the lowest reported COVID cases and deaths globally. Often close to zero. Their vaccines work much better than ours have been.

This reflects true commitment to public health and an ability to leverage existing medical and scientific infrastructure to respond to the pandemic independently.

EB: Thank you for this invaluable interview and contribution to the Global Workers’ Inquest.

R: Thank you.

[e-adlirez]

Heyyo! Soo thanks to your thea sisters posts, I decided to try reading them again :D! I manage to read two of the treasure seekers series on the internet archive (because im poor lol :'))and is really good as you said and I also have fun reading the comics again despite the changes. I read some of the new ones from the mains series as well and so I wonder, from the newer ones, which one do you think is the best? ( for me is the venice masquerade. I end up liking it waaay more than I thought)

Hiiii, nice to see you got into the series again haha :D glad to be doing my service as a fan of this underrated series

Glad to know that Treasure Seekers lived up to your expectations! When I read it, it was such a wave of nostalgia for the action and thrill of the older books. Nice to see you're able to enjoy the comics despite the changes, too! If I remember correctly, the only reason I completed my comic collection of the series was for the novelty and the knowledge that I will forever be irritated by the possibility of missing a book that isn't available, I never got over the downgrade in narrative and visual quality haha :'D

Now for the main series books. Well, I would say that the books up until Venice Masquerade were bangers with a few meh outliers like uh Frozen Fiasco (sorry bestie you were basically a Professor Layton-Thea Stilton crossover without the good storytelling to carry). The books after that are kinda eeehhhhhh.... while Roman Holiday and Fiesta in Mexico were bangers, everything else after Venice Masquerade are kinda meh. Good for fluff and light shenanigans I guess, but meh in A plot, that is the mystery. Venice Masquerade is really cool, as a fan of Now You See Me the book tickled me in one of the best ways out there-- it's like watching the movie but in the perspective of Mark Ruffalo the entire time except progress is being made :D What would the Polizia di Stato do without the girls' braincells? Nothing but blunder the crap outa catching the mask thief like David Warshofsky, that's what. (Tho uh I'm smelling a hint of Scholastic's editing in the scene where Marco and Nicky trash up the magician's glider. Seriously Marco, mi caro, a magician never telegraphs their magic tricks vocally, and in the span of time you're whispering to Nicky about trashing up the glider, the magician would've already snapped out of it and wiped away all that soggy sweaty bits of confetti you picked from the floor with your sweaty-ass palms--)

I would say that Venice Masquerade is the best of the newer series, but Roman Holiday is also good in terms of shaking things up with the usual formula. Please for the love of everything holy do not touch Rainforest Rescue. If you're Southeast-Asian, do not let the Malaysian setting of the book deceive you into SEA pride, that book is one of the most mid books out there and it irritates me as a Southeast Asian. It's like Prince's Emerald without everything that made Prince's Emerald cool. Like Riddle of the Ruins without any of the nerdy archaeological stuff that appealed to all the nerds out there. Rainforest Rescue? More like MIDFOREST RE--

[wweassets]

Costume Contest anon here… HAPPY HALLOWEEN! It’s time for the first annual Halloween costume party organized by HBK at the Performance Center. Only the men were invited, so their costumes are allowed to include nudity. It’s an opportunity for the guys to hang out, show off the hard work they’ve been doing on their bodies. and have a relaxing night off at a private party. The PC is decorated for Halloween, similar to the Halloween Havoc setup. This year, HBK is judging the costumes with PC coaches J*son Jordan and On*y Lorcan. The guys are being judged by 3 criteria: Creativity, Physique, and Overall Presentation.

Let’s recap some of the highlights!

C*AMPA is Kratos from “God War,” body painted in white and sporting red stripes on his face and torso. He’s wearing a brown half-harness across his chest and a brown leather jockstrap.

TR*CK WILLIAMS is a Chippendale, shirtless and wearing the signature white collar, black bowtie, and white cufflinks. He’s wearing low-rise black tights; so low that they show the top half of his ass and the base of his penis.

R*COCHET has his face painted orange like a Jack-O-Lantern with yellow contact lenses. He’s wearing an orange jockstrap with his fat ass painted to be a giant orange pumpkin.

PR*TTY DEADLY are Adam and Eve, fully nude except for giant green leaves covering their penises and attached to their huge ass cheeks. Elton has a fake snake wrapped around his shoulders and Kit has an apple on his crotch.

CH*D GABLE is an Olympic swimmer, wearing medals around his neck and a tiny speedo, with his huge hamstrings and his fat cheeks hanging out.

NATHAN FRAZER is dressed as his mentor Seth R*llins from WrestleMania 2022. Wearing a long aqua blue fur coat, and tights that are fully black lace, showing off his dick. The guys are egging him on to lose the jacket and show off his ass, and he eventually caves in to take it off and reveal his wagon.

BR*N BREAKER is recreating Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous nude rooftop scene from “The Terminator.” He’s walking around completely naked, with half of his face painted silver like a cyborg and wearing one black and red contact lens. He’s strutting around proud of his physique and not caring he’s missing an actual costume.

B*BBY LASHLEY is Jax Briggs from Mortal Kombat. He has his huge arms covered in silver sleeves, and he’s wearing purple tights that end at his quads, leaving his huge muscular ass hanging out. He’s covering his penis with a silver sleeve with the same material on his arms.

AUST*N THEORY is paying homage to John Cena’s nude scene in “Trainwreck.” He’s wearing nothing but a white towel around his penis. The guys can’t help but smack a handful of his fat ass as they pass by him.

L*GAN PAUL is dressed as the urban Ken from the “Barbie” movie, with a black bandana headband and a fur coat. The coat is cropped halfway down his torso. He’s wearing nothing below except for a black bandana wrapped around his thigh, covering his penis but leaving his fat ass completely exposed.

LA KN*GHT is doing a tribute to his catchphrase “YEAH!” He’s arrived naked with a different letter painted on the front and back of both legs and ass cheeks. Right quad has “Y,” left ass cheek has “E,” right ass cheek has “A” and left quad has “H.” He’s wearing a white sleeve over his penis that has a giant exclamation mark “!” on it.

S*TH ROLLINS finally arrives and is wheeled in on a platform. He’s come as Michaelangelo’s David statue, completely nude with his body painted in light gray. He has his curly hair pinned up, and while he’s normally very animated, he takes several moments throughout the party to stand and pose completely still like a statue.

So who are your 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners?

oh my god you fucking you ate this as always. slays slays SLAYS all over 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨thank you for your service!!!!

now onto the results…

honourable mentions go to: Pretty Deadly, Nathan Fraser, LA KNIGHT and Ricochet

🥉

in 3rd place we have…

AUSTIN THEORY

i mean he’s literally naked. with just a towel. just that fat ass completely exposed. it takes nerve and it paid off

🥈

in 2nd place is…

LOGAN PAUL

little bit biased but that Ken look turns me on BAD and imagining Logan in it… yeah:/

🥇

and our winner…

SETH ROLLINS

i mean who else? the camp.. the theatrics.. the dedication.. the sheer sexiness. it’s always gonna be our fag icon and we are so grateful

how about everyone else?

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

31st January >> Mass Readings (USA)

Saint John Bosco, Priest 

on

Wednesday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time.

Wednesday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))

(Readings for the feria (Wednesday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Wednesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17 It is I who have sinned; but these are sheep; what have they done?

King David said to Joab and the leaders of the army who were with him, “Tour all the tribes in Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba and register the people, that I may know their number.” Joab then reported to the king the number of people registered: in Israel, eight hundred thousand men fit for military service; in Judah, five hundred thousand.

Afterward, however, David regretted having numbered the people, and said to the LORD: “I have sinned grievously in what I have done. But now, LORD, forgive the guilt of your servant, for I have been very foolish.” When David rose in the morning, the LORD had spoken to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying: “Go and say to David, ‘This is what the LORD says: I offer you three alternatives; choose one of them, and I will inflict it on you.’” Gad then went to David to inform him. He asked: “Do you want a three years’ famine to come upon your land, or to flee from your enemy three months while he pursues you, or to have a three days’ pestilence in your land? Now consider and decide what I must reply to him who sent me.” David answered Gad: “I am in very serious difficulty. Let us fall by the hand of God, for he is most merciful; but let me not fall by the hand of man.” Thus David chose the pestilence. Now it was the time of the wheat harvest when the plague broke out among the people. The LORD then sent a pestilence over Israel from morning until the time appointed, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beer-sheba died. But when the angel stretched forth his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD regretted the calamity and said to the angel causing the destruction among the people, “Enough now! Stay your hand.” The angel of the LORD was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the LORD: “It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these are sheep; what have they done? Punish me and my kindred.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7

R/ Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile.

R/ Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,” and you took away the guilt of my sin.

R/ Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

For this shall every faithful man pray to you in time of stress. Though deep waters overflow, they shall not reach him.

R/ Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.

R/ Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

Gospel Acclamation John 10:27

Alleluia, alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mark 6:1-6 A prophet is not without honor except in his native place.

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

------------------------------

Saint John Bosco, Priest 

(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Wednesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Philippians 4:4-9 Think about whatever is worthy of praise.

Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 103:1bc-2, 3-4, 8-9, 13-14, 17-18

R/ O, bless the Lord, my soul!

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

R/ O, bless the Lord, my soul!

He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills, He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion.

R/ O, bless the Lord, my soul!

Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever.

R/ O, bless the Lord, my soul!

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him, For he knows how we are formed; he remembers that we are dust.

R/ O, bless the Lord, my soul!

But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity to eternity toward those who fear him, And his justice toward his children’s children among those who keep his covenant.

R/ O, bless the Lord, my soul!

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 23:11, 12b

Alleluia, alleluia. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 18:1-5 Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[singeratlarge]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to José Areas, Roy Acuff, Jr., Benny Benjamin, David Bowie’s 1975 single “Fame,” Manny Charlton (Nazareth), my friend Mark Clarke (Colosseum, Ian Hunter, Monkees, Tempest), Tom Dawes (Cyrkle), Donovan’s 1970 OPEN ROAD album, Ileanna Douglas, Don Ellis, Lynne Frederick, Sarah Geronimo, Steve Goodman, gospel singer Henrietta Hadley, Johnny Hodges, Iman, Gibson Kente, Henry Knox, Rita Marley, Martin & Lewis (1946), producer/musician/composer Scott Mathews, Thurston Moore, Maxfield Parrish, Public Image Ltd. (1979), Nirmal Purja, Annie Ross, the 1969 Seattle Pop Festival, The Supreme’s 1966 single “You Can’t Hurry Love,” Emmett Till, Verdine White (Earth Wind & Fire), Bruce Woodley, D.B. Woodside, and drummer/band leader Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds, the legendary British Invasion rock band credited for birthing “psychedelic rock” and was the launch pad for Led Zeppelin, Renaissance, and other notables. In 2007 I wrote a paper about The Yardbirds song “Over Under Sideways Down,” which I point to as an ultimate meme for the 1960s. Jim was kind enough to correspond and provide background information for my paper. 

HB and thank you Jim for your years of service and for keeping The Yardbirds going. On that note, here’s a cover of “Shapes of Things” that I did with singer peter chauncey. 

#yardbirds #jimmcarty #peterchauncey #birthday #johnnyjblair

[janebon]

Why Jane Bond BBQ is a Must-Try Restaurant Near Chinook Mall

If you're searching for restaurants near Chinook Mall that offer mouthwatering barbecue with a unique twist, look no further than Jane Bond BBQ. This hidden gem has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike, thanks to its bold flavors, inviting ambiance, and exceptional service. Whether you're craving slow-smoked meats, creative sides, or handcrafted cocktails, Jane Bond BBQ delivers an unforgettable dining experience.

In this article, we’ll explore what makes Jane Bond BBQ stand out, from its signature dishes to its stylish atmosphere. Plus, we’ll highlight why this spot should be at the top of your list the next time you're near Chinook Mall.

A Unique Twist on Classic BBQ

Jane Bond BBQ isn’t your typical smokehouse. While it stays true to traditional barbecue techniques, it infuses global flavors and modern culinary creativity into every dish. The menu is a delicious fusion of Southern-style smoking methods with unexpected ingredients, making each bite a delightful surprise.

Signature Dishes You Can’t Miss

The Bond Burger – A juicy, smoked beef patty topped with melted cheese, crispy bacon, and Jane Bond’s signature BBQ sauce, all nestled in a toasted brioche bun. Served with a side of their famous smoked fries, this burger is a crowd-pleaser.

Smoked Brisket – Tender, slow-smoked for hours, and bursting with flavor, their brisket is a must-try. Served with house-made pickles and fresh bread, it’s a perfect example of barbecue done right.

Pulled Pork Sandwich – Pulled pork smoked to perfection, piled high on a soft bun, and drizzled with tangy BBQ sauce. This sandwich is a hearty, satisfying choice for any barbecue lover.

Vegan Jackfruit BBQ – Proving that great BBQ isn’t just about meat, Jane Bond BBQ offers a delicious vegan alternative. Smoky jackfruit mimics the texture of pulled pork, tossed in their signature sauce for a plant-based delight.

Mac & Cheese with Smoked Gouda – Creamy, cheesy, and with a hint of smokiness, this side dish is so good it could be a meal on its own.

Bourbon Peach BBQ Wings – A sweet and smoky twist on classic wings, glazed with a bourbon-infused peach BBQ sauce that keeps customers coming back for more.

Cocktails & Drinks

No great meal is complete without the perfect drink, and Jane Bond BBQ delivers with a selection of handcrafted cocktails, local beers, and fine whiskeys. Some standout options include:

Smoked Old Fashioned – A rich, smoky take on the classic cocktail.

Bond Mule – A refreshing mix of ginger beer, vodka, and lime.

Local Craft Beers – Featuring selections from Calgary’s best breweries.

Ambiance: Stylish, Relaxed, and Inviting

Walking into Jane Bond BBQ, you’re greeted by a chic yet cozy atmosphere. The industrial-chic decor, complete with exposed brick, warm lighting, and rustic wooden accents, creates a trendy but comfortable vibe. Whether you're stopping by for a casual lunch, a dinner date, or drinks with friends, the ambiance strikes the perfect balance between upscale and laid-back.

Outdoor Patio – Perfect for sunny Calgary days, their patio offers a great spot to enjoy smoked meats and cocktails al fresco.

Private Events – The restaurant also accommodates group bookings and private events, making it a great choice for celebrations.

What Customers Are Saying

Jane Bond BBQ has earned rave reviews for its food, service, and overall experience. Here’s what diners are saying:

“The brisket melts in your mouth—some of the best BBQ I’ve had outside of Texas!” – Mark T.

“Love the vegan jackfruit BBQ! Even as a meat-eater, I order it every time.” – Sarah L.

“Great vibe, amazing cocktails, and the staff is super friendly. A must-visit near Chinook Mall.” – David K.

Why Jane Bond BBQ Stands Out Among Restaurants Near Chinook Mall

With so many dining options around Chinook Mall, what makes Jane Bond BBQ special?

✅ Unique Flavor Profiles – Blending traditional BBQ with global influences. ✅ High-Quality Ingredients – Locally sourced meats and fresh produce. ✅ Vegan & Gluten-Free Options – Catering to all dietary preferences. ✅ Great Atmosphere – Perfect for any occasion, from casual meals to special events. ✅ Excellent Service – Friendly staff who enhance the dining experience.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss Out!

If you're near Chinook Mall and craving exceptional barbecue with a creative twist, Jane Bond BBQ is the place to go. From their smoky brisket to their inventive cocktails, every detail is crafted to impress.

Ready to explore the full menu? Visit Jane Bond BBQ’s website to see what’s cooking and plan your visit today!

[davidbrianhoward]

David Howard: Frisco’s Small Business Mentor Leading a New Generation of Entrepreneurs

In a city where growth is the norm and opportunity is abundant, David Howard has emerged as a trusted mentor and advisor for aspiring business owners. Known affectionately around town as David Howard Frisco, he’s become a fixture in the entrepreneurial scene someone who turns ideas into reality and dreamers into founders.

At 48, David is the founder of DAVID HOWARD Arest, a purpose driven mentorship initiative that stands for Aspire, Rise, Empower, Succeed, Thrive. Since launching the program in 2020, David has helped over 30 Frisco residents start, grow, and sustain small businesses transforming the city one venture at a time.

A Turning Point in Frisco’s Entrepreneurial Story

David Howard arrived in Frisco in January 2016, a move now colloquially dubbed “David Howard January” by local entrepreneurs familiar with his impact. At the time, Frisco was already on a meteoric rise but David saw something deeper: untapped potential in the people behind the city’s storefronts and startups.

“Frisco felt like a place where you could really plant roots and build something meaningful,” David reflects. “It wasn’t just about business it was about community.”

Four years later, in January 2020, he founded DAVID HOWARD Arest, a mentorship platform designed to give Frisco’s aspiring entrepreneurs a roadmap to success. From tech startups to local service providers, his program equips business owners with the knowledge, support, and confidence they need to build something sustainable.

Real-World Coaching. Real Results.

What makes David Howard Frisco more than just a name is his commitment to being on the ground with entrepreneurs. He meets founders where they are often literally. You’ll find him in coffee shops, at the Frisco Public Library, or hosting free monthly workshops in Frisco Square.

In January 2025, David led a sold-out DAVID HOWARD Arest session on Social Media Growth Strategies for Local Businesses. Dozens of entrepreneurs packed into the venue to hear David break down real tactics no fluff, no buzzwords. One attendee, who now owns a thriving bakery, credits David��s mentorship with doubling her revenue in just six months.

Topics he regularly covers in his sessions include:

Writing a fundable business plan

Launching with limited capital

Local marketing strategies that work

Building loyal customer communities

Smart hiring and delegation for lean teams

Each workshop is designed to deliver immediate, practical value no theory, just action.

More Than Mentorship: A Movement for Inclusion and Equity

David’s mission goes beyond education he’s building economic access. Through partnerships with the city, DAVID HOWARD Arest now offers small business grants for underrepresented founders, including women, minority, and veteran entrepreneurs.

“Frisco only wins when everyone has a chance to contribute,” David says. “That means creating pathways, not just advice.”

In January 2024, David was honored with the Frisco Community Impact Award, recognizing his leadership and commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship. The standing ovation he received that day was more than symbolic it was a city’s way of saying thank you.

Going Digital: What’s Next for DAVID HOWARD Arest

David isn’t slowing down. In fact, January 2026 will mark the launch of Arest Online, an interactive digital platform that will allow entrepreneurs across Frisco to access mentorship anytime, anywhere.

The new platform will feature:

On-demand video lessons

One-on-one mentor matchmaking

Business plan templates, grant directories, and startup tools

A peer-led community forum for idea exchange and accountability

“I want to meet people where they are even if they’re not ready to walk into a room yet,” David explains. “Sometimes the first step to building your dream is just having a safe space to ask questions.”

Why “David Howard Frisco” Has Become a Brand

In Frisco, David Howard has become more than a mentor he’s a symbol of what's possible when community and entrepreneurship collide. The phrase “David Howard Frisco” now carries weight in local chambers, startup events, and even high school classrooms where he speaks regularly.

It represents:

Grounded leadership

A strategic mindset

Accessibility and inclusion

Measurable impact

His origin story from “David Howard January” to local legend is a case study in what purpose-driven mentorship can do for a fast-growing city

Upcoming Event: Join the January 2025 Workshop

If you’re a Frisco-area entrepreneur or simply someone ready to launch your idea into the world, don’t miss the next DAVID HOWARD Arest session.

📅 Date: Late January 2025 📍 Location: Frisco Public Library 💡 Topic: Financial Planning for Startups 💬 RSVP: Visit DavidHowardFriscoMentor.com 📱 Follow on X (Twitter): @FriscoMentor

Whether you’re building your first business or reviving a stalled dream, this is your opportunity to learn from the best.

Final Word: Building the Future, One Founder at a Time

Frisco is a city on the rise. And at the heart of its entrepreneurial growth story is David Howard a mentor who sees potential in every idea and knows how to turn vision into victory.

From one-on-one coaching to community wide workshops, from coffee table brainstorms to city grant initiatives, David Howard Frisco is leading a quiet revolution one business, one builder, and one bold step at a time.

[legendarytidalwavebarbarian]

Discover the World with TravelExplore: Your Gateway to Unforgettable Adventures

In a world full of breathtaking destinations and rich cultural experiences, having the right travel partner makes all the difference. Enter TravelExplore, a premier travel agency dedicated to turning your dream vacations into reality. Whether you seek a relaxing beach getaway, a thrilling adventure, or a culturally immersive experience, TravelExplore offers tailor-made travel solutions to suit every type of traveler.

About TravelExplore

Founded with a passion for exploration and a commitment to exceptional customer service, TravelExplore has grown into a trusted name in the travel industry. With years of experience and a global network of partners, the agency specializes in crafting personalized itineraries that deliver unforgettable memories. From solo travelers to family vacations, honeymoon packages to corporate retreats, TravelExplore handles every detail to ensure a seamless journey.

Customized Travel Experiences

At TravelExplore, no two trips are the same. Their team of experienced travel consultants takes the time to understand your preferences, interests, and budget. Whether you wish to wander through the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, embark on a luxury cruise across the Mediterranean, or explore the bustling streets of Tokyo, TravelExplore designs personalized itineraries that reflect your unique travel style.

Popular Services Offered by TravelExplore:

Tailor-Made Itineraries: Customized travel plans that cater to your desires and schedule.

Group Travel Packages: Special deals for families, friends, and corporate teams.

Luxury Escapes: Premium experiences with top-tier accommodations and exclusive activities.

Adventure Tours: Thrilling excursions for adrenaline seekers.

Cultural Journeys: Deep dives into the history, art, and traditions of global destinations.

Flight and Accommodation Bookings: Hassle-free arrangements for a smooth travel experience.

Why Choose TravelExplore?

Expert Guidance: Their seasoned travel experts provide insights and recommendations to enhance your trip.

Personalized Service: Each journey is crafted with care and attention to detail.

Exclusive Deals: Access to exclusive offers and discounts through their extensive network.

24/7 Support: Dedicated customer assistance before, during, and after your trip.

Sustainability Commitment: TravelExplore advocates for responsible tourism and partners with eco-friendly organizations.

Client Testimonials

Travelers who choose TravelExplore rave about their exceptional experiences:

"Our honeymoon to Bali was absolutely magical! TravelExplore curated a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Every detail was flawless." – Jessica & Mark T.

"Thanks to TravelExplore, our corporate retreat was a huge success. From logistics to team-building activities, they handled everything seamlessly." – David L., CEO

Plan Your Next Adventure

Whether you're dreaming of a serene beach escape, an epic road trip, or an exotic cultural tour, TravelExplore is here to make it happen. Their commitment to personalized service, expert planning, and unforgettable experiences makes them the ideal partner for your next journey.

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[tscnews]

(The Sports Courier - TSC News)  MLB historian James Griffin on Baseball HOF class! Read his book Yankees All-Time All-Stars: https://amzn.to/3anUrF4 ✅James' blog: https://jimmysezblog.blogspot.com/ ✅Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/TheSportsCourier?sub_confirmation=1 ✅Buy TSC Merch: https://www.prowrestlingtees.com/tscnews ✅Check out our baseball interviews: https://buff.ly/34ENxL7 ✅Greatest Yankees of All Time Ranked: https://youtu.be/SBmUSzdvuF4 ✅TSC Gaming/Film Channel: https://www.youtube.com/tscgaming Follow TSC News: ✅Website: http://tscnews.com/ ✅Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSportsCourier ✅Twitter/X: http://www.twitter.com/SportsCourier ✅IG: http://www.instagram/TSCNews ✅TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@tscnews Subscribe to The Sports Courier Podcast hosted by Fred Richani: ✅SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/TSCNews ✅Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23AqVUL954rFc3oJaiY6LS ✅Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sports-courier-tsc-news/id1782399896 ✅Podbean: http://fredrichani.podbean.com/ ✅Visit our Humble Bundle Store for great game deals! https://www.humblebundle.com/store?partner=tscgaming ✅As seen on Manhattan Neighborhood Network Cable TV - MNN Lifestyle Channel:  https://www.mnn.org/ About This Sports Courier Baseball Interview: TSC News TV host Fred Richani welcomes back baseball historian and author James Griffin to discuss the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class of Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Dave Parker, Billy Wagner, and Dick Allen! Plus: Were Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran snubbed? And a 2025 MLB season preview and the New York fans' reactions to Juan Soto jumping ship from the Yankees to the Mets! You can find Jim Griffin's book "The New York Yankees All-Time All-Stars: The Best Players at Each Position for the Bronx Bombers" wherever books are sold! Author James Griffin Interview Time Stamps: 00:00 Introducing author James Griffin 00:35 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class 06:30 Dick Allen finally inducted in Baseball Hall of Fame 07:58 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame snubs, Andruw Jones, Carlos Beltran 10:21 Steroid Era players kept out of Hall of Fame, Manny Ramirez 11:25 Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte not in Hall of Fame 12:43 Should Steroid Era players be in Baseball Hall of Fame? 14:18 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame class preview 15:58 Evaluating Hall of Fame baseball players by their era 16:34 How Juan Soto shocked the Yankees and Mets 23:36 2025 MLB Season Preview - Dodgers repeating? 28:28 New York Yankees All-Time All-Stars book on sale! 2024 BBWAA Results Fourteen former players are returning to the 2025 BBWAA ballot after receiving at least five percent of the overall vote in 2024: Billy Wagner | 73.8% | Enters 10th-and-final year on ballot Andruw Jones | 61.6% | 8th year Carlos Beltrán | 57.1% | 3rd year Álex Rodríguez | 34.8% | 4th year Manny Ramírez | 32.5% | 9th year Chase Utley | 28.8% | 2nd year Omar Vizquel | 17.7% | 8th year Bobby Abreu | 14.8% | 6th year Jimmy Rollins | 14.8% | 4th year Andy Pettitte | 13.5% | 7th year Mark Buehrle | 8.3% | 5th year Francisco Rodríguez | 7.8% | 3rd year Torii Hunter | 7.3% | 5th year David Wright | 6.2% | 2nd year Full Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links, which provide us a small commission in order to support our YouTube channel, allowing us to continue to create content for all of you. Thanks so much for your support! Disclaimer: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. #baseballhalloffame #JamesGriffin #TSCNews #FredRichani #TheSportsCourier #SportsCourier #TSC #Richani #TSCGamingEnt #FredRichaniMedia #SportsNews #AthleteNews #dickallen #juansoto #yankeesnews #metsnews #metsnation #yanks #jimgriffin #baseballnews #mlbnews #billywagner #ccsabathia #ichirosuzuki #andruwjones #daveparker #chicagowhitesox

[theprayerfulword]

February 16

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

2 Samuel 5:17-19 When the Philistines heard that David had been crowned king of Israel, they tried to capture him; but David was told that they were coming and went into the stronghold. The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. Then David asked the Lord, 'shall I go out and fight against them? Will you defeat them for me?'

Psalm 33:4 The word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.

Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

John 9:25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.

May you know that Christ Jesus, through His love for us, gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and acceptable sacrifice to God, once for all, shedding His blood in atonement for our sin, that we might be received into the fellowship of the family of God, requiring no further blood sacrifice for sin on our part. Leviticus 1

May you present yourself as a living and holy sacrifice to God, on account of His mercies and compassions, to provide your reasonable offering of spiritual service. Leviticus 2, Romans 12

May you bring to God daily the sacrifice of thankfulness from a spirit and heart broken of pride and emptied of ego, with oil giving the wisdom of the Spirit to soften your service, frankincense giving the humility to sweeten your fellowship, and salt giving the endurance of trust to your relationship with God and man. Leviticus 3

May you daily find that solitary place where you can pray, giving yourself to God in fellowship, and listening for His direction, that you may receive the wisdom, compassion, understanding, and power that will enable you to minister to the needs of those around you through the Word of God. Mark 1

May you not be fooled into believing you are whole and complete, without need and having no short-comings apart from Christ, but be blessed with spiritual understanding to see the terminal and desperate need of your heart which only the Lord can meet, for if you can maintain that constant sense of need and remain ever aware of your desperation, God's blessings can flow through you without hindrance. Mark 2

Know that in Me, My child, you have life, not merely breath and consciousness, but true vibrant awareness of My majesty and glory, ever-increasing understanding of, and gratitude for, My work in your heart and soul and mind, relief from the burdening lies of the enemy of your soul and freedom from the imprisoning appetites of the flesh. This is the life of the Spirit which gives you feet like deer to jump from rock to crag on the high mountains, exuberance where formerly there was fear, confidence where formerly there was doubt, joy where formerly there was anxiety. Even as the path I lead you on takes you from the mountain top to the valleys, you will find along the path continued abundance of the life I give, so that you have light when the shadows grow deep and safety when your path takes you near the lair of the predator, for I am always with you, and will never forsake or abandon you. My eye is always upon you and I am never distracted from, or disinterested in, you. Walk with Me in My joy and discover new depths of My love for you. Work with Me in My harvest and learn of My compassion for others. Pray with Me in the silent hours and learn of My sorrows for those who are blind and deaf to My pleadings. Rejoice with Me over each one who heeds the call in their heart and, looking up, turns to Me and starts learning and receiving the true life which I have come to give to all.

May the Lord rescue your life from the ravages of the enemy who goes about like a lion, seeking whom he may devour. Psalm 35

May you give thanks to the Lord in the great assembly and praise Him among throngs of people for the marvelous things He has done for you. Psalm 35

May the Lord, Who knows the enemy's lies and accusations against you, not be silent or asleep, but arise to your defense and contend for you, vindicating you in His righteousness. Psalm 35

May those who plot against innocent men minding their own business and accusing others of the wrong-doing they engage in be denied the victory they seek by the Lord. Psalm 35

May all who gloat over your distress be put to shame and confusion. Psalm 35

May all who exalt themselves over you be clothed with shame and disgrace. Psalm 35

May those who delight in your vindication shout for joy and gladness and always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of His servant.” Psalm 35

May your tongue speak of the Lord's righteousness and of His praises all day long. Psalm 35