#the fat shrinking signal

[reignpage]

Merman!Nanami saw you. 

Merman!Nanami watched you remove the cloth from your body, leaving you more bare than he had ever seen a human be. The slopes of your body, the smooth appearance of your skin, and the knowledge, derived from his more adventurous merman friends, of that hot and wet hole between your long bottom limbs sent him flushing with shame and fascination. 

When you left, so did he, straight to his favourite place in the sea.

Merman!Nanami’s fingers rub the rim of the slit on his tail. They tickle the opening, sending blood rushing down to the place so often abandoned. The scales there are thinner and more reactive, needing to be stroked to swell up and part. Being a member of a pod, he rarely ever has the privacy to hide away in a bed of seaweed as he does now. So, when he’s able to obscure his scaled body from any prying eyes, he allows those fingers to delve inside the slit ever so slightly to tease out the sensitive limb in there.

With his other hand, he flicks his own nipples, loving the way it sends jolts of pleasure down his spine. When his nails scrape the bud, his abs tense, forcing his head back and his gills gaping. The fins lining his spine vibrate, glowing an embarrassing dark blue, the only source of light in the depths. Grateful for the grounding tether the weeds of the sea provide, Merman!Nanami can rest his tail and focus solely on reaching his peak.

Cock pushing out, he hurriedly squeezes the base, lest the water pressure forces his cum out prematurely – no, Merman!Nanami wants to enjoy this as much as he can whilst he hastens his pace. Plucking a slithering seaweed, he ties one end around the root of his cock, tightening it to stop the cum spraying out, and uses the other end to rub against his tip. The smooth sensation feels amazing against the slot, sparking dizzying pleasure through the length and up his torso. Rubbing it in a sawing motion, he grunts from the way it presses into the pink skin there. 

Bubbles leave his lips.

Fuck. If he can’t keep his cool, he’ll signal his location to other mermen. Carefully, he takes another seaweed, thicker, and bites onto it, tying a knot around the back of his head to keep his mouth muffled.

Your hands would probably feel better than his own hand. You’d probably rub tight and fast just as he does, tongue sliding along the sensitive opening on his tail and digging a little deeper into the cranny. The other mermen boast about their ability to find their way around the human pussy; he'd love to search for this magical button that hurtles you towards your orgasm faster. Merman!Nanami imagines the way you'd bounce in his grip, how your long limbs would wrap around his body, baring yourself to him and his sharp teeth. The mounds of fat on your chest would rub against his length just right, squeezed tight between them. He'd kill to feel the tight heat of your pussy wrapped around his cock.

Growing close, he releases the seaweed wrap from his base and lets it float away. Images of your face, your hair, body, and smile fill his head, stealing his breath and threatening to drown him in his own overwhelming desire. If he could get his hands on you, could speak to you, seduce you with his song, he'd dive right in, suckling on your skin, suffocating your mouth with his. He'd make you his until you feel just as manic with obsession as he is.

You'd love him as he does you.

Merman!Nanami cums hard at the thought, spurting ropes of his cum into the sea and rivalling the saltiness around him. The seaweed gag's torn off with his punishing grip, disappearing into the abyss. Body spasming, he dreams of your warmth, of your laugh, and the sweetness he might never get to taste.

Flushed and dizzy, he scoops up a drop and sucks it into his mouth – he wonders if you’d like how he tastes, if it’s different to the surface men and if it would bother you. Floating down and down and down, he slumps against the seabed, cock softening and shrinking back into its home just as his eyes flutter shut with the image of your bare body frolicking in his home, tempting him to steal you away. 

Maybe one day he will. 

[comatosebunny09]

Rain. 

What impeccable timing.

You’d asked for a little reprieve from the heat. It’s been so scorchingly hot, heat waves warped the scenery, and your uniform stuck to you like snakeskin. It made traveling unbearable, let alone hunting down fiends and scrounging for resources.

Beggars can’t be choosers. Doesn’t mean you won’t complain, anyway. 

Fat torrents pelt down, blurring everything in sight with their glacial spray. It pastes your hair to your face. Makes your lashes clumpy and heavy. You can barely see your hands, white-knuckled on the reins of your chocobo. Can just faintly make out the stretch of your travel companion’s shoulders, of his striking white hair. 

He calls to you through the discord of claws pummeling the ground and thunder coloring the sky. 

“There’s an inn up ahead!”

How he can see through this mess baffles you. Then again, he’s always had the keen eyes of a warrior. You trust him thoroughly, nodding, a hand held over your eyes to shield them from the violence of the downpour. It’s to no avail. 

You cling to the visage of your companion, a slowly shrinking blur of black and yellow. You press your heels into your chocobo’s sides, spurring the oversized bird to gallop faster to keep pace with him.

The sound of Sylus encouraging his chocobo forward guides you like a beacon towards the inn. 

Wonderful. 

Another day of setbacks to add to your pack.

—

Wet. 

If there’s anything in this world you despise more than heat, it’s being wet. 

You’re a sopping, scraggly cat, shivering in the inn’s foyer. You rub your arms to ward off the chill as travelers mill about, sparing the pair of you intrigued glances now and again. You stick out like a bruise, your garbs unlike anything worn in this stretch of the world.

It reeks of mildew and damp wood. Of scorched firewood and something savory salting the space in between.

You’re sure you’ll leave a puddle on the floor at this rate, beads of water coasting down your face and neck, leaping off your fingertips. 

Sylus fares no better at your side, his hair sticking to his angular features as he surveys your lodgings. He wears his discomfort better, a hulking mass of composure and quiet strength. He eyes you with a whisper of humor on his lips. 

It’s not fair—you don’t have cool armor to shield you from the elements like he does. Then again, it’d only weigh you down. You’re not built to tote layers of plating like he is.

“It won’t do us any good to travel in this,” he says. 

You’ve never agreed with him more. 

You turn towards the low rumble of his voice, shaking like a leaf. For a moment, concern flashes across his eyes like the glint of heated steel. 

“I’ll get us some rooms,” he placates, a sizable hand dropping onto your shoulder to usher you towards the fireplace. “In the meantime, try to keep warm.”

You’ve barely time to register his fingers slipping away, teeth chattering, torrents of cold ripping through you. You’re grateful for the fire, stretching your hands towards it and flexing your fingers as the heavy thump of Sylus’ boots nears the counter.

You crouch to let the warmth swaddle you, and you must look silly. Like an abandoned child, curled up by the fire, hugging your legs, eyes heavy with exhaustion. 

You’re nodding off with your chin perched on your knees when the innkeeper's voice trickles in, drawing you back to consciousness.

“—orry about that, lad. We’ve only got one room left.”

You peer over your shoulder in time for Sylus to sigh. In time for him to pinch the bridge of his nose, brows knitting together. He peers at you, jaw rigid, irises flickering like the sparks jumping in the fireplace. 

Sensing his apprehension, you nod, the faintest smile twitching your lips. It’s not the first time you’ve boarded together; it certainly won’t be the last. He’s never given you reason to fear his company—the perks of being long-time friends. 

Resigned, Sylus returns his attention to the innkeeper, the scrape of gold across the wooden countertop signaling his decision. 

“We’ll take it.”

The innkeeper weighs the coins in his palm to test their authenticity. Sylus quirks a brow, offended. After pocketing them, the keeper slides a key towards Sylus, donning a friendly smile. 

“I’ll ’ave my wife send up some dry clothes an’ stew. She makes a mean one, she does.”

You watch through the bleariness as your towering friend returns to your side, a fatigued smile rounding your lips. The softness of his features blurs into focus. He holds out a gloved hand for you to take. You accept it, its warm, rough glide wracking your spine with shivers for an entirely different reason. 

He tugs you to your feet like you weigh nothing, steadying you with his palms gently clasping the crooks of your elbows.

You wordlessly follow him up the creaking stairs to the inn’s second floor, curling into his back to siphon some of his heat as he unlocks the door.

—

“Thought you were tired,” Sylus chides over crossed arms, watching you from down the slope of his nose.

He’s long since discarded his cumbersome armor, trading it for the dark hug of a tunic and loose trousers. He tries to mask the humor lancing through his tone, the raise of his brow. You amuse him to no end. You wouldn’t be friends otherwise. 

You shrink under his scrutiny, pressing the cards in your hands to your bosom. The men you’ve been gambling with murmur amongst themselves, their raucous laughter petering in the face of Sylus’ height and subdued intimidation. 

A nervous laugh swells in your throat, an awkward pull of your lips. “I was.” You scratch your temple. “But I couldn't sleep.” 

It isn’t a lie. The anxiety of the journey ahead had you tossing and turning amid the itchy linens on the bed. You’ve traveled like this countless times before. A bed is a luxury, let alone four walls. 

But something’s been sneaking around in the boughs of your mind. Scraping at your psyche like claws against glass since you arrived.

Sylus wasn’t in the room when you woke up. Always been a night owl, keeping his head on a swivel. He’s antsy when you’re shacked up together, rarely lingering in your room unless it’s to change or check on you. 

You figure it’s his code of chivalry telling him to give you space. That, or he truly doesn’t know the meaning of rest. 

“So you decided to tire yourself out with a game of cards?”

You nod, throat thickening. Study everything else but him, feeling like a scolded child. It sounds silly when it comes from him. Then again, everything you do sounds insignificant when uttered from those lips. 

His mouth thins with consideration. He observes you for a beat longer. Takes in the burly travelers crowding around you at the table, the air dense with tension and the fading scent of petrichor. 

Suddenly, a smirk pulls at his lips, and it’s like a bowstring snapping in twain. 

“How can you expect to win anything with a hand like that?” Sylus taunts, plopping onto the bench beside you. 

Your shoulders drop with relief, the pressure wrung from the dining hall like a wet towel. His thigh brushes yours, and your breath corks in your throat as heat enlivens your skin. Sylus feels it, too, stiffening on his journey to pluck your cards from your hands. 

Something feels different tonight. Everything’s felt different lately, a spark of electricity gradually building into something more potent. 

You regard each other with wary glances before you relinquish your cards to him to dispel the tension. He’s better at this game, anyway. Can scrounge up enough coin to have you boarding at inns for the remainder of your journey. 

The strain abates, and you lapse into familiarity, laughing as the men groan, losing yet again to your sharp-witted friend.  

You try to tune out the nagging voice at the base of your skull. The gnarl of your stomach as you study him and the easygoing curl of his lips, the strength of his hand holding the cards. 

Something still finds its way to the surface to provoke you, irritation ghosting over your features as the moon pins itself to the center of the sky. 

Why do you feel like you're about to lose something? Give something precious away?

[sterekchub]

Maybe Stiles has a spell put on him without his knowledge and it makes him a thoughtless glutton? An almost hypnotic effect + some rapid weight gain? He manages to text Derek that he doesn't feel great before his mind can only send him hunger signals, and by the time Derek shows up he's cleared out the fridge and the pantry and has ordered a comical amount of food to be delivered, his mind only focused on more. As much as Derek would love to get to the bottom of whatever spell is messing with Stiles, he gets roped into feeding him instead. Eventually he has the rest of the pack come by to help, getting their ditzy human comfortable before feeding him almost non-stop. The spell wears off after a few days, but by then Stiles can't lift a finger, and his packmates are happy to keep pampering him and teasing him for being so greedy.

There is something great about the "eats so much his stomach is practically the size of the room" until the spell passes and Stiles finds his stomach shrinking down - but the pounds piling on and softening him up everywhere. So - this is a little bit of...comically fat and fantasy BIG (but I love that trope so...) When Derek gets Stiles' text, he rushes over. Happens to run into the delivery guy who is carrying several boxes of pizza which Derek pays for and carries in to some confusion. He walks in to see Stiles sitting in front of the empty freezer and fridge, belly packed tight and resting proudly in his lap. "Did you eat all of this?" "'m hungry," Stiles burps. Derek sort of kicks through the remains of jars and ice cream containers. "You ate a jar of mayo?"

"I guess. Don't remember." "These pizzas were FROZEN, you're supposed to cook them!" Stiles shrugs, then clutches his belly with both hands as another wave of hunger hits him. "I'm so hungry, Derek." Derek texts the pack an SOS, as Stiles continues to groan and complain he's hungry. Derek gets Stiles to his feet, and Stiles immediately heads over to the pizza boxes and bends over the counter and starts eating. He finishes in record time and Derek can see that Stiles gut has gotten visibly wider. But despite having eaten 3 pizzas, Stiles is still nearly crying that he's hungry. He sounds almost like he's in pain so Derek gives in and runs to the pantry and starts emptying it, tearing off wrappers and tossing the contents to Stiles. Cookies, granola bars, plain cereal, even uncooked Pasta seems to happily satisfy Stiles' growing need. **** When the pack arrives, Derek sends some of them off to research the spell, and the others off to buy food. When it becomes clear that Stiles is eating faster than they can feed him - Derek gets desperate. He can't handle the desperate "N-Need ...*gulp*... more ...*gnash*... I'm ...*slosh*... s-sho hungry." coming from Stiles. Delivery takes too long, there's no food left in the house..so the solution becomes move Stiles to the food. Takes a bag of snack food Scott ran to get from the closest gas station, and then Stiles in the car, the entire time holding his beach-ball-sized belly nearly in tears asking Derek "why won't you feed me? I'm so hungry. We need to get food..." (In some fantasy bullshit move - Derek just throws a good chunk of the Hale fortune at the local grocery store owner - maybe the spell extends some level of hypnotic effect to him too- and he agrees to just - sell Derek everything in the store and closes down.)

Stiles RUNS in, belly bouncing in front of him, and the first thing he comes across is the soda display. He wastes no time- starts unscrewing the caps, tossing them to the side, and guzzling the 2liters down in under two minutes. (The entire pack stops and stares and asks Derek if they should let him keep going, and Derek doesn't have a good answer other than "Yes, or he gets upset." Which...he knows is terrible and enabling but what else can they do?) Stiles guzzles his way through about 200 liters of soda before he falls to the ground with a sloshing noise like waves hitting the beach, his belly so comically wide it was now covering his feet.

"D-Derek, ...*hfffbUAARRP*... I ...*uhhhnn*... need ...*Buaaaaarp*... m-more ...*burRRPPpp*... I'm ...*uhhmm*... shtill ... h-hungry." "Feed him!" Derek orders. They all spread out and start rushing food over to Stiles. Cooked or not, frozen or not, it didn't seem to matter to the black hole that was Stiles' growing belly. When the tubs of ice cream were out? He started sucking on bottles of hot fudge. The entire bakery depleted and all the loaves of bread? He started sticking two fingers into jars of jelly and peanut butter to make quick work of emptying their contents. His middle keeps expanding. The pack piles up food on his belly, until Stiles arms start being able to reach less and less and then they start cramming the food directly into his mouth. Butter. Tubs of sour cream. Heavy cream. Milk. Mountains of chocolate bars. Cookie dough. With eat bite and swallow, Stiles was growing wider and wider until he started vanishing into a massive fat sphere of his belly. When the store is mostly depleted, Stiles finally seems to wake out of the spell. Looks around in confusion before, " N-No ...*urrRPPphh*... more. ...*ehhphh*... I'm ...*hnnff*... t-too ...*uhhhmm*... full. ...*nggnhh*..." Derek just stares at the mountains of trash, the to Stiles, who is far too fat to get out of the front doors or even the loading dock, and wonders what the hell to do next. Doesn't have anything to really say except "Oh, are you finally done? Are you sure?" "You ate the entire store!" "I don't think you're fat enough, should we roll you to a chocolate factory next?" The spell hits the next phase- Stiles eyes are rolling back in his head as an orgasmic feeling hit him - all that food packed in his belly starts turning to fat. Derek watches him go from a "belly the size of a house attached to a skinny body" to double chins, flabby arms, belly shrinking to the size of a full-person beanbag. He's still too fat to stand, panting and eyes fluttering as the sensation fades, but he can at least now wiggle his toes and move his arms once more. "We....we can fix this, right?" He looks to Derek. "Right?" Derek doesn't answer.

"Should we keep feeding him?"

"I bet he could clean out a Costco!"

"He's already too fat to move...it doesn't matter if he gets fatter."

Stiles looks nervous. "N- no. I can lose this! I can walk! Can someone just...help me up?" Derek goes over to him, poking a finger into Stiles' side. It disappears into his fat roll. "Yeah, let's keep feeding him."

[bucketwritingpail]

Drive Like a Fenton

Danny and Valerie attempt to teach Dani how to Drive

"Okay, now carefully take your foot off the break and lightly step on the gas pedal. Drive up to that stop sign, then stop." Ancients, this was scary. Danny was not a good driver. Well, he was decent, but he was also a Fenton and despite Jazz's best effort, some of their dad's bad habits had rubbed off on him. So maybe he wasn't the best person to be teaching Dani how to drive, but what where the options?

Jazz was away at college, Vlad probably hadn't driven himself anywhere in years, and his parents were his parents. So, an obvious big fat no. That left Danny and a somewhat supportive, somewhat motion sick Valerie.

The car lurched forward, making Danny's grip on either side of his seat tighten to the point his fingernails were digging into the fake leather, as his clone threw him an apologetic smile.

"A bit gentler this time?" Valerie piped up from the back seat. "Ease your foot onto the pedals, don't move too suddenly." Dani nodded and tried again; the car rolled smoothly to the stop sign with only a slightly jerky stop. Danny breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe this was going well after all.

"Okay, now turn on your blinker, we're going to turn right," he instructed.

"Right," Dani replied, determination set on her face. "Uh, which one is that?" she asked, shrinking back a bit.

"It's the lever on the side of the wheel, flick it up for right and down for left." That he had learned from driver's Ed. His parents never used their turn signals. Valerie was hard set on not passing that onto their pseudo-adopted kid. "Other lever," he corrected was the windshield wipers activated.

Dani nodded, flipped the correct lever, and made the turn. A little slow, but still really good for her first time out.

They continued down the block a few more times, going over things like changing lanes, stop signs and right of way, how to make a left-hand turn, etc. and gradually, Danny's grip on his seat got looser and looser as Dani became more and more comfortable. Actually, maybe a little too comfortable.

"Watch your speed," Danny warned as they took a right turn a little too fast.

"I am." They sped up.

"Dani-" Val warned. Holy crap they were headed straight for the on ramp.

"Kid, you're not ready for the highway yet, switch lanes."

Dani huffed and jerked the wheel sharply to the left, switching lanes with no warning.

"Dani!-" A sharp grin spread across her face as her grip on the wheel tightened. Clockwork's Crusty Cape, and they had been doing so good too. Val's Iron grip on Danny's headrest was relentless as they tore through uptown Amity Park and came to a screeching halt in front of Fenton Works. At least her parallel parking didn't need much improvement.

"Keys." Danny demanded, holding out his shaking hand as Val stumbled out of the car to collapse on the front steps.

"But-"

"Keys." Dani grumbled but pulled the keys out of the ignition and handed them over. "Thank you. Now please don't ever do that again."

Dani smirked at her. An evil, malicious grin. Danny hated genetics.

[madamlaydebug]

Vitamin D is dubbed the “sunshine vitamin,” because once your skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces vitamin D from cholesterol. Vitamin D signals cells in your belly to absorb phosphorus and calcium, which are necessary for healthy bones. And if you haven’t realized it by now, you naturally come with superhuman attributes like melanin, darker-skinned pigments that help protect the skin from too much sun exposure. Melanin also safeguards you against threats such as skin cancers and sunburns. Beauty tip: Midday is consider the most ideal time to get sunlight.

_

A few rays can go a long way for skin. Did you know your production of serotonin known as the happy hormone is directly impacted by sunshine? A good mood actually radiates through the skin, creating this gratifying glow. On the flip side, little or no sunlight can result in more down-in-the-dumps days and will show on your face as well.

_

In addition to lifting up your mood, sunlight shrinks fat cells. You heard right, which explains why folks who always engage in outdoor activities/careers or live in hotter countries appear slimmer. The World Health Organization recommends 5 to 15 minutes of casual sun exposure to the face, arms and hands at least two to three times a week during summer months. Beauty tip: During the winter months, plan a summer vacation to help manage gained weight.

_

Depending on your hair colour and density, you can naturally lighten strands using the sun’s rays. The following hair prepping methods can accomplish subtle hues: squeezing lemon juice onto your hair; spraying tresses with a saltwater blend or applying apple cider vinegar to it. Check out more sunny solutions and steps to lighten hair here. Beauty tip: You may have to give sunlight-achieved highlights a few tries before really seeing results.

_

Remember the bullet about vitamin D? Well, here’s another reason sunlight and vitamin D do a body good: Hair loss is a manifestation of vitamin deficiency.

#ChildrenOfTheSun

[lyon-amore]

With you until the end of the world Chapter 8

Chapter 7

*Angel POV*

We went to the city center to eat. Jack grips me tight, looking around in fear. I sigh and take him in my arms, thus preventing them from being able to push him.

   "Let's see, where can I take you to eat?" I ask myself more, looking at the different places to eat.     Jack pulls me over and points to McDonald's.    "That's not good for a child." I reply, even though I should be the one who should talk the least if I can eat two McDonald's hamburgers, fries, and ice cream. What I don't want is for him thinking I'm going to fall for their good boy charm. He won't be with us long. Besides, I want to be alone with Jake “, it has a lot of fat and, who knows what else they put into that food? Yuck!””     He begins to look at me with sad eyes. I look away, biting the inside of my cheek. No. I will not fall.

I will not fall.

I won't do it.

Damn it.

We enter McDonald's and get in line. A children's menu and that's it, he doesn’t need anything else. We sit away from everyone and I watch him eat. Maybe I should ask him if he's okay, after all, he can talk and maybe we can create his testimony.    "Tell me, Jack. Do you remember everything that happened when you were with Jake and your brother?"     He nods while playing with the menu toy.    "And Jake did something? Did he take something important from the house?” I don't ask him because I don't trust Jake, but to make him consider what he saw. I trust Jake, which I don't know whether to trust a child. Yes, children are sincere, but what if he lies to protect his brother?     He shakes his head and picks up a chip. I sigh trying to calm down. He doesn't talk now. I rest my head on the table. I don't know how to make him talk to me.    "Don't cry" I listen and look up a little, noticing a hand on my head. Jack tries to cheer me up “. Don't cry mommy.”    “I'm not crying” I get up fixing my hair, uncomfortable that he calls me that. As much as it's going to serve to pretend, I don't like being called that “, and I told you, don't call me mom, I'm not your mother.”    “Bu-but you bought me clothes and you fed me” it's the longest sentence he's said today ”Isn't that what a mother does?”     Can he finish eating and get out of here? I'm not his mother, I just did it out of pity.    ''It's not-" I bite my tongue, trying not to say anything that might hurt him. If my mother, who is a teacher at elementary school children, saw me right now, she would feel proud of me for sure “. You can't decide that I'm your mother just because you've decided so, we just must appear so in people's eyes, you don't have to… call me that.”     He cocks his head, looking at me confused. Maybe I should find a way for him to understand it better.    "Okay, we're actually spies." I lean forward a little, whispering. Jack also approaches, with an innocent smile “and as the spies that we are, we must pretend to be a family, but! No need to call me 'mom', do you understand?”    "Are you spies?" He asks me excited.     I stare at him feeling bad, but I have no other choice.    "Exactly, but" I signal for silence "you can't tell anyone."    "I won't say anything.” he also makes a sign of silence, with a complicit laugh.     Okay, at least I've got the kid under control, so he doesn't rat on us. It's easier than it sounds to handle this kid.    “Oh, what an adorable son you have.” says an old woman with her granddaughter, smiling at us.    “Tha-“    “She's not really my mom.” Jack says, and I get nervous.    “What?” The lady looks at me badly.   “We are playing!” I exclaim trying to stop the child from talking “He is a savior prince and I am an evil witch who wants to defeat him.”    "Oh! I understand!” She walks away while she laughs.     I frown at Jack, annoyed. He shrinks back in the chair shyly. I have to fix this.    “Jack, you can't tell people I'm not your mother.”    "But you said-"    "I know what I said." I take a deep breath. I have to calm down, so I don't kill him “. But when people ask us, we must say that we are.”    "It's very confusing." He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms.     I look at him carefully, he doesn't look like a child who has suffered a traumatic event.    “Jack” he looks me straight in the eye and I look worried “Are you okay after what happened with your brother?”     I see how he starts to shake. Maybe I shouldn't have asked.    "No... I shouldn't cry" he says in a thin voice ". Jonas used to tell me that if I cried it would bother him... Crying is bad."”     I take a deep breath, clenching my fists hard. I don't like hearing children cry either, but this is different, it's forcing a little one to shut down. I reach out to comfort him but stop myself. I don't want to be close to him. And I don't want to get attached either. I just want to help him, find him a new home and be alone again with Jake. I sigh trying to relax, smiling a little.    “You're done?” I ask seeing that there is no rest of food left.    "Yes." he answers, picking up the toy again.    “Well, let's go.”     I take the tray and take the contents to the trash. I feel Jack tug on my sweatshirt and I look at him.    “Now what?” I ask, exhaling a charged breath.    “I want ice cream.”     I roll my eyes. Great, now I have to buy dessert for the boy.

Maybe I took advantage of the fact that the boy wanted an ice cream to buy me another, I think I have the right to give myself a reward for taking care of him, right? I look at Jack as we walk back home. He is happy with the toy. I notice that we cannot enter through the main door, there are too many people on the street. We make a detour and I help him sit on the dumpster and push myself up to run. Jake taught me some tricks to get up faster. As I stand on top of the dumpster, Jack looks at me in surprise.    "It's been great. Can I do it?"    "Mmm…Maybe when you grow up a little" I reply as I get into position for him to climb ", come on, I'll help you up."    “Do you want me to do it?” I turn my head when I hear Jake's voice and smile when I see him.    "Jake!" Jack gets excited to see him, as if he was seeing his hero.     Jake signals him not to yell his name and quickly covers his mouth.    "Sorry." the little boy apologized, embarrassed.    “Do not worry, just… Be careful next time, okay?” He answers a little awkwardly, climbing more easily than me. He hasn’t even moved the container an inch.     I get up and I don't take my eyes off him, what's more, my feet move on their own to get closer, lowering his mask a little to kiss him. He kisses me back with a few smaller ones.    “All good?” I ask worried.    "Yeah, do not worry." He caresses my cheek and I lean into the side of his hand, still smiling.     Then he walks away and approaches the child, picking him up in his arms until he approaches the window.    "Alright little one" he climbs onto his shoulders, placing his feet on his shoulders ", go ahead, come in through the window."    "Okay." Jack grabs onto the window and Jake urges him on.    ”Stay there, now we enter.”    "I've been talking to Jack about what happened" I whisper so he can't hear us "Do you know what he told me? That his brother forbade him to cry, because that's bad.”     Jake sighs, I can tell how upset he is. I share his anger, Jack is a child who is growing and developing, this learning is not good for him.   "I think you should talk to him" I advise him ", you were there with him, maybe he talked to you."    "I saw him hiding behind his brother's drug dealer." I look at him surprised after hearing those words “He preferred a man who sells drugs to her brother and that he had yelled at him before.”    "Poor boy" I look up, knowing he's waiting “. When he has seen you, his face has lit up.”    “Yes I saw it.”   "Maybe he need to talk to his hero."     He nods and I jump up, grabbing the window. Jake then walks in and looks at Jack, who was waiting for us leaning against the wall.    "I'll be in the room listening to music if you need anything." I smile at both of them, walking away.     I also want to be able to write a little bit of a letter to my parents, telling them what has happened and even if I am not going to receive an answer, I want to imagine what my parents would say to me as I write. What advice would you give me about caring for a young child?

I still don't understand what Jake really has in his head to take him to us.

*Jake POV*

Angel leaves and I am left alone with Jack. I stand up to him, looking at the toy in his hands. It was a doll of a Sonic character. Tails. Although it is somewhat different, with metallic tails.    “And this?” I ask showing curiosity “Has Angel bought it for you?”     He nods with a smile.    "Yes, from MDonald" he tries to pronounce McDonald's, hugging the doll ", it came with the hamburger."    "Wow, you got the smartest one." I ruffle his hair and he laughs.     I should be able to bring up the conversation about how he feel about his brother's death, try to get him to give a hint of emotion. I then decide to do the same as when I started the older brother-little brother relationship with Henry. As that important person for my mother taught me.    “Come, I'm going to show you something very cool” I get up offering my hand, which he takes immediately.

   We enter the room where I have the computer. I sit in the chair and pick him up, sitting him on my lap.    "Do you know how to use a computer?" He shakes his head and I nod “Better, you are still too young to navigate web pages.”    “What are web pages?” He asks and I look at him surprised. Or maybe it is relief.    “They are digital places where you can look at anything you want to look for” I try to explain it to him in the best way that he can understand it “But do you know what I can do? Enter the cell phones of others from here.”     He opens his eyes surprised, then looking at the screen.    “Really?”    "Of course, look" I prepare the program and look for Macie's cell phone, seeing on her screen that the Spotify program is on “. Look, this is Angel's cell phone right now.”    “Wow…”    "Shall we do something fun?" He nods quickly and I laugh “Very well, we do this to control her cell phone” I use one of my programs and search YouTube for the nursery rhyme that bothers Angel the most and fast forward to the chorus “. Now, we remove Spotify and…” I press play on the video and signal for it to wait.    "Take this song away from me right now!" We heard her scream from the room.     We laugh and finally I remove the video, leaving control of her phone. Jack points to the screen with a big smile.    "Will you teach me to do that?" He asks excitedly.     I see myself reflected in it, except that I was about fourteen when I started.    “I think it is not a good idea at the moment” I answer, although I do not intend to teach him. I know what that would lead to and it's not what I want “. Angel told me what your brother told you not to cry.”     He lowers his head, feeling guilty.    "Crying is bad" he answers me with a small voice ", if I cry, I'm upset. Crying is not okay.”     I look at him with pity. To have to hear that from such a young child… I can not imagine how he must have lived with him.    “You know? I spent many years setting aside everything related to feeling emotions” I start to explain my story, but I will not go into details “. I did not care if someone was attacked, if they threatened him, if… they killed him” I remember then those moments with Macie's friends, those moments that I know I was cold, not caring about anyone but Hannah “. In many years, I became a very cold man, I did not want to have anyone by my side.”    "Weren't you crying?" he asks curiously.    “No, because at that time I thought that would be weak” I tell him not very proud. But then I smile “. But everything changed when he met Angel” I look at him remembering the first message I sent her, the first contact after a long time “. She taught me that it was not bad to feel emotions again. And although at that time it was still difficult for me to show them, it was thanks to her help that I became what I was again” He stays looking at me with those big blue eyes that penetrated my soul. I remember then when my mother used to talk to me like this “. It is not bad to cry when you need to, Jack, it is much better than keeping it all inside, you have to express yourself. You may have to learn it like I had to, but we'll help you.”     He stays thinking for a few moments, to finally speak.    “I cried a lot when mommy died” I notice sadness in his voice, even his eyes shine, as if now he wants to cry “. Jason told me to shut up because I was annoying and he told me that she died because I was annoying and that if I didn't cry, no one else was going to die” I stare at him surprised by his words. I do not think I should ever heard anything so cruel “. So in order not to bother and that no one died, I listened and stopped crying” he starts to shake and I see how he starts to cry “. I miss mommy, I didn't want her to die because of me.”    "It was not your fault, Jack." I speak to him in the clearest and softest way possible, so that he understands my words “, your mother did not die because you bothered her, of that I can be sure” I give him a little squeeze on the shoulder without hurting him, affectionate “and I am sure she loved you. You can cry all you need, do not keep it with us, okay?”     He nods while still crying and hugs me. I let out a small laugh, hugging him back. I see Angel leaning against the door frame, arms folded. I can see that she has a small smile on her face. I also answer her with a smile.

He falls asleep after crying and we put him in the sleeping bag to rest. We stayed silent looking at him.    “And now that?” She asks me, sighing “Have you changed your mind? Shall we leave him in charge of Leonardo? He has already managed to cry, he doesn't need us anymore, we have solved it.”     I rub my hands nervously. Part of me wants to leave him here because I knows it is dangerous. The other part is like that feeling I had with Macie, wanting to protect her because she looked helpless. Now I am sorry with Jack. The protective instinct is clearly different.    "I…" I keep looking at Jack. He is alone in this world, he has no one. Nobody except us “. Like I told you, he only trusts us.”    “Jake, I understand that it is easy to have become attached to him” she approaches me, holding my hand “, but the difference between adults running away, and ones with a child is that they need more care” she pulls her hand away and I see her hug herself, uncomfortable “and it's complicated for me, I lose my temper and today I almost didn't yell at him for screwing up. I'm not as good at this as you are.”     I watch her closely, seeing how she watches Jack. I caress her cheek gently, slowly moving up to tuck her hair behind her ear. She ends up looking at me, hurt.    "I think you have done well" I answer with a smile ", there's no one better than you to take care of him."     She sighs approaching my face. She begins to kiss me slowly and I return her. We end up getting up leaving the room, to go to the computer room and I sit her on my lap, continuing with the kisses.

I stroke her hair while she lies on my chest, breathing easy. She hugs me tight and looks up.    “What's the plan?” she asks me, her voice almost breathless.    “When we have the identity card and the passport, I need you to buy two tickets to Italy.”    “Why two?” She gets up looking at me with a frown “Jake…”    “I will go too, but I will do it by bus.”    "So, that saying that our trip will be difficult doesn't apply when there's a child involved." She says as she gets up and grabs her clothes from the floor.    "And because we still have money for him" I also grab my clothes and get dressed, to then place my hands on her cheeks “. Angel, don't be mad.”     I give her a small kiss, but that doesn't make her expression change.    “It's just that…” She takes a deep breath “I thought it would be just the two of us.”    “You have made me go back to being the man I once was, someone who helped those who need it most” She looks away, but I place my hand on her chin, making her look at me “and I can not leave him alone, it would not be right.”     She nods slowly, now placing her hands on my cheeks to kiss me.    “But nothing of calling us 'dad' and 'mom' in private.” she finally says.    "I do not know; I think that nickname suits you very well.” I tease, taking her by the waist.    “Not even in dreams.”     I laugh and kiss her again. It is a different way to run away than I have ever thought of. I know it is dangerous, but I will keep them both safe.

Chapter 9 soon

[annasteiahhaa20]

How peptides compare to steroids pros cons and safety

Peptides and steroids are both popular with people who want to build muscle, recover faster, or improve how they feel and look. But how they work and how safe they are can be quite different. If you're curious about which might be a better choice for your goals, here's a simple overview to help you out. You can also check out more info here: https://cellpeptides.com/purpose/peptides-for-bodybuilding/

First off, peptides are short chains of amino acids — the building blocks of proteins. They help your body send signals to produce more of what you naturally make, like growth hormone. On the other hand, steroids are synthetic versions of testosterone. Steroids force your body to grow muscle faster, but they also shut down natural hormone production, which leads to side effects.

One of the main pros of peptides is that they work with your body instead of overriding it. People often use them to support muscle growth, boost fat loss, or feel more energized. Many peptides are taken by injection but in much smaller doses than steroids. And since most peptides mirror what the body already makes, they tend to be gentler on the system.

Steroids are known for fast and dramatic results. If someone wants to gain a lot of muscle quickly and trains hard, steroids can help do that. But there’s a catch. Steroids can cause liver strain, acne, hair loss, mood swings, and even long-term hormone problems. For men, that might mean shrinking testicles or lower sperm count. For women, changes in voice or unwanted body hair can happen.

Safety is a big deal with both. Steroids are illegal to use for bodybuilding without a prescription in many places, and using them without medical guidance is risky. Peptides are legal in more situations, but not all of them are FDA-approved. That means quality and safety can vary depending on where you get them.

Both options should be used carefully, and it's smart to talk with a health professional. Some people get good results with peptides and fewer side effects, while others still choose steroids for quicker results. Either way, it’s important to know what you’re getting into and not just go by hype in the gym.

In the end, the better choice depends on your body, your goals, and how much risk you're willing to take. Being informed helps you make the best decision for your health and fitness.

[advaitliving1]

Is Ghee really good for Fat Loss or are we falling for yet another gimmick?

There has been a lot of confusion in recent years about consumption of ghee. From it being part of our traditional heritage to it becoming the core of all our weight gain problems and now making a come back to our diets again, Ghee has journeyed the full circle.

So we thought it best to address the elephant in the room and know the science behind good fats that are actually necessary for our metabolic health.

Ghee is uniquely positioned to aid our weight loss and fitness journey - ☆ Insulin is a fat storing hormone and frequent insulin spikes leads to insulin resistance which increases weight gain. Ghee, when digested, requires no insulin and hence does not cause weight gain.

☆ Desi cow ghee contains upto 64% good saturated fats and has MCT. MCT is unique as it can cross the mitochondrial membrane without using carnitine and increases energy production. MCT also increases resting energy expenditure, hence you loose more fat when at rest.

☆ Ghee has Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) that feeds nearly 70% of your gut microbiome. Butyrate also increases insulin sensitivity.

☆ Research shows that DHA, an omega 3 fatty acid is crucial for metabolism, and may also help build muscles (more muscles mean more fat loss). And CLA, an omega 6 may also increase lean body mass. Desi cow ghee is a good source for both!

☆ Ghee facilitates the assimilation of Vitamin D that helps in keeping thyroid balanced. Thyroid regulates metabolic activities and and ghee can significantly help improve thyroid functioning.

☆ Ghee increases the synthesis of leptin hormone that produces satiety signals thereby reducing hunger pangs.

☆ It is loaded with essential amino acids that can actually shrink the size of fat cells.

Ghee contributes to fat loss in more than one way and keeps us energised for the day!

☆ ☆ ☆ Here is one way to incorporate ghee to boost your metabolism in the morning.

Coffee Powder

Desi cow Ghee

▪︎ Brew your coffee ▪︎ Stir in a teaspoon of Advait Living’s Desi cow ghee to it

[24worldnewsnet]

cola and fries are helping their migraines - but there's a twist It's a condition that affects more than 10 million people in the UK. It can change futures, end careers, and shrink worlds. So when a hack comes along that says it can "cure", or at the very least fend off a migraine, people will try it. While there are medical treatments, there is no cure. Prescription medication can be very effective - but it doesn't always work. For many people there is no simple solution. Some discover their own ways of managing the debilitating pain: blasting the side of their face with a hairdryer, or sitting in a hot bath while wearing an ice pack and drinking a smoothie. But now a new hack has suddenly gone viral - the McMigraine Meal. A simple offering of a full-fat cola and a portion of salty fries seems to be doing the trick for hundreds who've been extolling its virtues on TikTok. If there is any science behind these hacks - what do they do to the body? Nick Cook, from Oxfordshire, carries "a wallet full of drugs" around in case of a migraine attack. He will "try anything" to make the pain go away, he says. "When you live with the condition, and you're working a five-day week and you need to carry on, you'll give anything a go." At its worst the pain around Nick's eye socket can feel like his eyeball is getting crushed. He says it's the caffeine and sugar in cola that helps him. "If I catch it soon it enough it can sometimes work, when my vision goes fuzzy and I can feel one coming on." He stresses that drinking cola doesn't replace his amitriptyline tablets - the daily pain medication he takes to try to prevent migraines - but it does sometimes help him "last until the end of the day". Kayleigh says one of the few treatments that's ever given her relief is medical Botox For Kayleigh Webster, a 27-year-old who has had chronic migraines all her life, it's the salt on the chips that might slow down a migraine attack. "It can help," she says cautiously, "but it's certainly not a cure. "Migraine is a complex neurological condition - and it can't be cured by a bit of caffeine, salt and sugar in a fast food meal." Kayleigh's tried cocktails of different medications, putting her feet in hot water, a flannel at the back of the head, acupuncture, cupping - but they've had little effect. One of the few treatments that has given her relief is medical Botox - having dozens of injections in her head, face and neck. It's still not clear how Botox works for migraine, but it's believed to block powerful pain signals being released from the nerves. A migraine - which can last days - is very different to a headache, which tend to be short-lived and can be treated more easily with painkillers like paracetamol. Migraines can cause head pain, neck pain, numbness, blurred vision, and even affect speech and movement. Kayleigh has a large toolkit of medication, creams and devices which help her manage her migraines Skulls dating back to 3,000 BC show ancient Egyptians even had trouble with migraines - but despite that long history, their exact cause is still unknown. It's thought pain receptors in the blood vessels and nerve tissue around the brain misfire - sending incorrect signals that something is wrong. But we don't know why some people have an oversensitive nervous system - and why it reacts to some things and not others. Experts say there's not enough research into why only some people - around one in seven - are affected, or what can actually help. Dr Kay Kennis, a trustee for the Migraine Trust and a GP who specialises in migraines, says while there are elements of the McMigraine meal that can help stave off an attack, these aren't innate to "a McDonald's". "The caffeine in the coke can act as a nerve disruptor, it is a substance that affects nerve activity. For some, that disturbance works in a positive way," Dr Kennis says. "There are some painkillers that people take for migraines that have caffeine - and some do respond well to that - but we don't full

[healthify-hub]

“Can Gut Bacteria Help You Lose Belly Fat? The Surprising Science Behind Stubborn Weight Loss”

Struggling with stubborn belly fat? Cutting-edge research reveals how balancing your gut bacteria could be the key to rapid weight loss. Discover the 9 ‘lean bacteria’ strains and plant-powered ingredients proven to shrink waistlines—and how to access the doctor-formulated blend.

Introduction

Are you struggling to shed stubborn belly fat no matter how hard you diet or exercise? Emerging research from leading institutions like Harvard and Stanford reveals a hidden culprit: an imbalanced gut microbiome. Scientists now believe that the trillions of bacteria in your gut could hold the key to unlocking rapid weight loss—especially around your midsection.

In this article, we’ll explore how “lean bacteria” strains can reshape your metabolism, curb cravings, and even shrink fat cells. Plus, we’ll reveal a doctor-formulated solution that combines cutting-edge probiotics with plant-powered ingredients to target belly fat at its root.

Section 1: The Gut-Belly Fat Connection

Why Your Gut Bacteria Matter?

Your gut microbiome isn’t just for digestion—it’s a control center for your metabolism. Studies show that people with obesity often have less diversity in their gut bacteria, dominated by strains that:

Slow fat burning by altering hormone signals.

Increase cravings for sugar and processed carbs.

Trigger inflammation, which locks fat around organs (visceral fat).

A 2022 study in Nature found that transplanting “lean” bacteria into overweight mice reduced their body fat by 20% in weeks—without diet changes.

Section 2: The ‘Lean Bacteria’ Breakthrough

How Specific Strains Target Belly Fat?

Not all probiotics are created equal. Researchers have identified 9 unique bacterial strains that directly combat belly fat:

Lactobacillus gasseri: Reduces waist circumference by 4.6% in human trials.

Bifidobacterium breve: Blocks fat storage genes.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus: Curbs emotional eating by balancing serotonin.

These strains work best when combined with absorption-boosting technology to survive stomach acid and colonize your gut.

Click here to discover the probiotic blend clinically shown to reduce waist size.

Section 3: Double Your Results with Nature’s Fat Burners

To maximize results, leading scientists pair these bacteria with two plant extracts:

Green Tea Phytosome®: A caffeine-free form of green tea that increases fat oxidation by 40% (vs. regular green tea).

Tropical Fruit Synergy: A dual extract from mangosteen and Sphaeranthus, shown in a Journal of Clinical Nutrition trial to accelerate belly fat loss by 3x.

Section 4: Real People, Real Results

While individual results vary, users of advanced gut-balancing formulas report:

-5.5 lbs of belly fat in 2 weeks (2023 clinical trial).

62% fewer cravings for sugary snacks.

Improved energy within days, thanks to reduced inflammation.

Section 5: How to Get Started

Avoid processed foods: Sugar feeds “bad” belly-fat bacteria.

Eat prebiotic fiber: Garlic, onions, and oats nourish lean bacteria.

Add a targeted probiotic: Reset your microbiome with strains proven to shrink waistlines.

FAQ

Q: How soon will I see results?

A: Most notice reduced bloating in 3-5 days. Belly fat loss typically begins within 2 weeks.

Q: Are there side effects?

A: High-quality blends are safe for 99% of users. Always consult your doctor if pregnant or on medication.

Q: Do I need to diet?

A: No—but pairing probiotics with whole foods speeds results.

Conclusion

The science is clear: Fixing your gut bacteria could finally help you lose stubborn belly fat. While diet and exercise matter, reseeding your microbiome with “lean bacteria” strains offers a revolutionary shortcut.

Results may vary. Always consult your physician.

👉 Click here to access the doctor-designed formula backed by 7 clinical trials and a 100% satisfaction guarante

[newaestheticswi]

The Link Between Pain Management & Aesthetic Treatments

When people think of aesthetic treatments, they often associate them with wrinkle reduction, skin rejuvenation, and beauty enhancement. However, many aesthetic treatments also provide significant pain relief and healing benefits.

At NEW Aesthetics in Green Bay, WI, we offer Botox, Red Light Therapy, and Contour Light Therapy, which not only help with anti-aging and fat loss but also play a crucial role in pain management and overall wellness.

Let’s explore how aesthetic treatments are transforming the way we approach pain relief and healing.

1. Botox for Chronic Pain & TMJ Relief

While Botox is well-known for its wrinkle-smoothing effects, it’s also used for medical conditions related to chronic pain.

How Botox Helps with Pain Management:

✔️ TMJ Disorder & Jaw Pain Relief – Botox relaxes the masseter muscles, reducing jaw tension, teeth grinding, and headaches.

✔️ Migraine Treatment – Botox blocks pain signals, reducing migraine frequency and severity.

✔️ Neck & Shoulder Pain Relief – It helps reduce muscle tension and spasms in areas prone to chronic pain.

At NEW Aesthetics, we provide Botox for both cosmetic and medical purposes, helping patients feel better and look better at the same time.

2. Red Light Therapy for Pain & Healing

Red Light Therapy (RLT) is a cutting-edge treatment that uses low-level red and near-infrared light to promote cellular healing, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation.

Pain Conditions Treated with Red Light Therapy:

✔️ Joint Pain & Arthritis Relief – Reduces stiffness and improves mobility.

✔️ Muscle Recovery – Speeds up healing from injuries and soreness.

✔️ Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Relief – Reduces nerve pain and inflammation.

In addition to pain relief, Red Light Therapy is also used for skin rejuvenation, making it a dual-purpose treatment that improves both health and aesthetics.

3. Contour Light Therapy for Inflammation & Fat Loss

Contour Light Therapy is a non-invasive red light treatment that shrinks fat cells, improves circulation, and reduces inflammation.

✔️ Lowers inflammation in the body, reducing joint pain and stiffness

✔️ Improves blood flow for faster healing and recovery

✔️ Aids in post-workout muscle relaxation

✔️ Helps with body contouring and skin tightening

At NEW Aesthetics, patients use Contour Light Therapy for both fat reduction and pain relief, making it a versatile treatment for overall wellness.

4. The Connection Between Beauty & Pain Relief

Pain and inflammation can impact how we look and feel. When the body is under stress, it can lead to:

🔹 Wrinkles & premature aging due to chronic inflammation

🔹 Weight gain & bloating caused by stress and poor circulation

🔹 Muscle tension & stiffness, leading to discomfort and poor posture

By incorporating Botox, Red Light Therapy, and Contour Light Therapy, patients at NEW Aesthetics experience improved mobility, reduced pain, and a more youthful appearance.

Why Choose NEW Aesthetics for Aesthetic & Pain Management Treatments?

✅ Clinician-Owned & Expert-Led – Treatments are administered by Dr. Schave, ensuring safety and effectiveness.

✅ Medical & Aesthetic Benefits – Our treatments improve both appearance and pain relief.

✅ Personalized Treatment Plans – We design custom solutions for each patient’s needs.

✅ Advanced, Non-Invasive Therapies – We offer cutting-edge treatments without surgery or downtime.

Book Your Consultation at NEW Aesthetics Today!

Looking for a solution to chronic pain, inflammation, or aesthetic concerns? Visit NEW Aesthetics in Green Bay, WI today! Call +1 920-247-8992 or visit www.newaestheticsgb.com to schedule your consultation.

[sketchbookvirtual]

Virtual Sketchbook #2

JOURNALING  – Make a visual outline of all the Principles of Design (Chapter 4) and define each one, interpreting the text’s definition of each one in your own words, so you fully understand it. Identify where you see examples of these principles in your everyday life or identify how an artist uses each element and principle by posting an example of an art form or drawing an example that uses that Principle next to the definition. (6 examples TOTAL)

Unity and variety - Having one main component or piece that ties together clashing components. The sun and moon create unity and tie the variety of colors together.

Balance - the act of equal distribution among a group of ideas or actions. The equal distribution in a 2800 calorie regiment of carbs, fats, and proteins is an example of balance.

Emphasis and subordination - The main component also acts as the part of emphasis; whereas, the subordinates are put behind to help emphasize the main component. a singular yellow rose being the emphasis and red roses being subordinates

Directional forces - The use of direction to depict situations or actions within a piece of work. A sail being bowed in a directions gives the directional forces of the boat and directs where to expect the boat to go.

repetition and rhythm - The two go hand in hand where rhythm often leads to repetition. Using patterns to create visual understanding of a piece of work. Two cities having the same patterns but just different shading.

scale and proportion - The act of enlarging or shrinking certain pieces with or without changing the look of that piece. In art scale and proportion or used to give differing impression of certain piece, essentially changing importance. However, in everyday life utility often decides change in scale or proportion such as cranes changing size and proportion depending on the job needed.

2. WRITING AND LOOKING – Just as a good cook assembles the perfect ingredients for a delicious recipe, an artist assembles the right elements for a successful artwork. Choose any artwork from your textbook and make a recipe of the composition. For example, Velásquez’s artwork, Las Meninas contains implied lines, linear perspective, a distinct vanishing point, neutral colors, highlights, focal points described by geometric shapes (triangles and rectangles) and achieves balance through placement of figures and rhythm between foreground and background etc. Make sure to include the title of your choice with the figure and page number. Don’t use my example.

Jacob Lawrence, GOING HOME 1946. Gouache 21 1/2 x 29 1/2

This art work blends simplistic painting that keeps balance and equal proportions, unifying messages, and dynamic color schemes that provides variety with complex history that is repeated with each seat, and emphasis with subordinating elements around the center character "going home". The direction forces are to the left with each seat signaling different stories as you move down the train.

3. CONNECTING ART TO YOUR WORLD – Share a personal experience of how color has affected you (one paragraph). Make sure to use some of your new vocabulary (hue, value, intensity, saturation). If you had to pick a “color scheme” for your life, what would it be?

Cinnamon is my choice for color because it is a warm color with a sweet name that depicts a positive outlook on life. The orange hue of cinnamon is the mantra for my life currently being a combination of stop (red) and slow (yellow) as I transition colleges over summer and the tedious process that it entails. Cinnamon's intensity, or lack there of, contributes to the level at which I do things (moderately slow). Cinnamon's high saturation is the greater ability to adapt or absorb whatever is thrown at me.

4. ART PROJECT – ARTIST’S CHOICE - Draw a cartoon or make a painting. The form: If you choose the cartoon (comic) it must be at least 3 panels. The size is not important. The painting can be executed with any of the materials (media) outlined in your textbook (see Chapters 6 and 7) and note that painting involves the use of WET media, drawing usually refers to dry media – I want to see PAINTING if you choose to make a painting, DRAWING is NOT the same thing). The content: The subject matter should be something that you are passionate about – something that has a deep personal meaning for you. The comic or the painting should be able to tell some type of story that relates your feelings about your chosen subject matter. Post pics of the finished product (in-process photos are also interesting!).

PHOTO/DESIGN - This will be a graded Discussion. Find it here:Photography/Film/Digital/Design 

Group 4

Top Five Interactive Designs, According to Nathan Blair.

https://sermons.com/

Also in your sketchbook, please pick your favorite from the above named examples and answer the following questions:

Sermons.com

What makes a good interactive design to YOU? What is the intent for the site/app you chose? Does it fulfill its purpose? (4 sentences)

Simplicity is the most important aspect when it comes to websites. When I go to a website I'm trying to accomplish something or get some information. Sermons.com, my father's website so there is some bias, fulfills this objective perfectly and just as Saint Anthony said "A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." This quote was only one click and a key word search, simple enough for anyone to use and definitely needed when the targeted audience is not tech savvy.

[fat-shrinking-signal-review]

Fat Shrinking Signal Review: 29 Day Flat Stomach Formula Does it Work?

It is a well-known fact that losing weight is a struggle for many people. Finding the right program that will help you achieve a sexy body by burning fat might be an impossible task. I recently gained weight in the last two years. Since I have gained weight I’ve noticed in general that people are less nice to me, assume I am less intelligent or ignore me. I’m not going to lie, I definitely found that when I was skinnier people were more willing to be nice to me and be my friend. Weight loss is a ongoing struggle for many, many people. Finding the right weight loss program that actually will work for you can seem like a impossible task.  Fat Shrinking Signal (aka Flat Belly Flush) is an eBook created by Derek whaler that guides you on reducing a significant amount of weight in 10 days. It is a weight loss program that teaches you what foods you should eat to reduce weight by making fewer efforts like exercise. For weight loss, it is necessary to follow a proper diet. If you eat unhealthy foods, you will gain weight.

Now a revered author and fitness expert, Derek knows exactly how difficult this can be, from back in the days when he was an IT technician and worked long hours. He struggled to maintain the healthy lifestyle which he knew he needed. Research has shown that specific exercise can infect help reverse leptin resistance. However, results are best achieved if these workouts are accompanied with the right diet. They only take approximately 10 minutes to complete (with the option to add on the warm up or cool down). So when you have this signal “Turned ON” it’s like throwing a gasoline-soaked log onto a heaping fire… This year, I dropped as much as 15 pounds. I balanced three jobs, and it was challenging for me to balance the gym. Then, I accidentally came across one post from Derek Wahler. His flat belly workouts were easy to do and went with a meal plan. Before I had the chance to discover these workout videos, my life was downright chaotic. I wanted to lose weight so severely, yet there weren’t any practical ways. These workouts challenged me to push myself even though I wanted to give up. People often mistake long exercise routines for being the most effective, and as such they try to implement these. This is where many people fall down in their attempts to get healthier. They try to commit to too much, quickly finding that life gets in the way, and learning that it’s hard to stay motivated. The program has a basis on research and studies that have confirmed specific workouts performed at home without using any gym equipment; instead, they use their body weight.

The idea behind the book is focused on the hormone leptin, which is what tells your body that is has had enough to eat. When your body lacks leptin and cannot communicate to the brain that you are full, this causes you to overeat. Studies show that hormones play a key role in how the body stores and burns fat. Now, the really interesting thing is that studies also show that there are specific movements that can improve hormones that promote weight loss. And that’s what The Fat Shrinking Signal is all about. In this book, you will learn how you can correct your leptin resistance without extreme workouts or diets. With The Fat Shrinking Signal, you learn how to turn off hormone disorders and activate the metabolism shock faster. This gives you better results with the same amount of effort. In other words, you are going to be working out anyway, so you might as well do a workout that tackles weight loss from all angles. By doing so, you’re able to tone and sculpt your body while also addressing the internal health factors that boost your metabolism for better results. It’s important to note that this program doesn’t claim to be a quick-fix. Although you will achieve fairly rapid results, you will need to be in the right amount of time and effort. With that being said, the workouts are short and rewarding. As long as you are consistent and motivated, this system can be a saving grace. Within two or three months, you will feel like a new self, so don’t wait too much before you start this new life.

Click Here to Download The Fat Shrinking Signal eBook Now

[mandyjane-lifedesign]

Research shows modern humans’ brain size has shrunk by 20%. Are we dumbing down? What is to blame?

Both brain size and IQ are falling in modern humans, coinciding with a big increase in mental illness. What we eat is to blame, says Professor Michael Crawford, author of a new book ‘The Shrinking Brain’. Sir David Attenborough is convinced he is right. IQ scores have also been steadily falling for the past few decades. Norwegian researchers, headed by Ole Rogeberg, a senior research fellow at the Ragnar Frisch Center for Economic Research in Norway, analysed the IQ scores of Norwegian men born between 1962 and 1991 and found that scores steadily decreased among those born after 1975. “Similar studies in Denmark, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Finland and Estonia have demonstrated a similar downward trend in IQ scores” says Rogeberg. “The decline is due to environmental factors,” This coincides with a change in western diet away from fat, towards carbohydrate and sugar, based on the mistaken belief that it was fat, not sugar, that was causing heart disease and that we should all eat a low-fat diet. Since then, our IQ scores have been dropping by about 7 per cent per generation. “We are heading for an idiocracy” says Professor Crawford who is Director of the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition. Currently one in five of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental health condition.’  If this trend continues, by 2080 he predicts that more than a third of the world’s population will be borderline mentally retarded. The World Health Organisation report says ‘there has been a 13% rise in mental health conditions. One in eight now suffer from mental illness. Incidence of depression is through the roof. Last year in the UK there were over 100 million prescriptions for antidepressants. Crawford is convinced it is the modern-day diet that is causing us to dumb down. “Our genome is adapted to eating the wild foods we ate during our species’ evolution. Today’s diet bears no resemblance to this.” In his book, The Shrinking Brain, he says “Our ancestors evolved a unique 1,600cc brain evolving from our ancestral 350cc brain of the chimpanzee, despite our genome only differing by 1.5%. This could only have happened with the provision of brain-specific building nutrients from land and sea. There is incontrovertible evidence of early Homo sapiens exploiting the marine food web in coastal Africa.” In other words, we were the waterside ape who became smart, with bigger brains, by eating mussels, oysters, crabs and fish. Professor Crawford discovered, in 1971, that the brains of all mammals are rich in omega-3 DHA. The size of their brain varied according to their dietary supply of DHA found in seafood. A dolphin, for example, has a 1,700cc brain, slightly larger than ours, while a lion has a 320cc brain about that of a chimpanzee. “The mix of wild land and aquatic foods powered by the encephalization of the brain from the 340cc of the chimp to the 1,500-1,700 of cro-magnon. DHA is not only involved in signalling but it stimulates gene expression in the brain so the rich aquatic food sources constantly, every day, would have powered the increase in brain size and function.” says Crawford. “Today’s diet contains less than a tenth of the omega-3 fats that our ancestors ate and this is having dire consequences on mental health. Increased rates of depression, autism, ADHD and dementia are all strongly linked to lack of seafood. Increased intake from eating fish or supplementing omega-3 fish oils reduces dementia risk by 20 per cent. While a plant-based diet has many benefits, those who eat no fish, are especially vulnerable, and must supplement omega-3 DHA, derived from algae. The only way to be sure you have enough is t o get a blood test to specifically test your levels.” Says Patrick Holford, CEO of the FoodfortheBrain.org charity. The charity has just launched a simple ‘do it at home’ pin-prick test that can give you a clear indication of your Omega-3 levels, alongside a Cognitive Function Test, that can help identify what’s driving future risk and show you how to dementia-proof your diet and lifestyle. Canadian neuroscientist and brain expert Professor Stephen Cunnane at the University of Sherbrook in Canada agrees “A shore-based diet, i.e., fish, molluscs, crustaceans, frogs, bird's eggs and aquatic plants, provides the richest known dietary sources of brain selective nutrients.” says Cunnane. “Change in diet away from marine foods is the likely explanation for this decrease in brain size.” Sir David Attenborough, a supporter of the waterside ape theory, agrees “Gathering molluscs is far easier than chasing elephants and wildebeests across the savannah.” Today, under 5 per cent of children achieve the basis requirement for omega-3 from seafood. Professor Michael Crawford, who is visiting professor at Imperial College’s Chelsea & Westminster campus and science advisor to the charity foodforthebrain.org, was part of the team that has recently established that, if a pregnant woman lacks omega-3 DHA she produces a substitute fat, oleic acid, to fill the baby’s brain. But it doesn’t work. Levels of oleic acid in a pregnant woman’s blood predicted preterm birth which carries the highest risk of developmental brain problems and mental deficits in their offspring, as well as a risk of learning and cognitive disabilities. Low omega-3 and B vitamins in mothers increases risk for lower IQ, learning and emotional problems in children . Anyone concerned about their levels of Omega-3 can now test their levels with a hometest kit provided by the charity foodforthebrain.org, which is offered alongside a free Cognitive Function Test, that assesses how well your diet is supporting your brain heath. A new study shows that the higher the omega-3 index and DHA, which is what Food for the Brain measures, the greater both the brain size and the cognition of older people. Brain size predicts cognitive abilities. Brain size is worked out from skull capacity. Homo sapiens skulls dating back to 29,000 years ago had a brain capacity of 1,660cc. By 10,000 years ago it was around 1,500cc or 1.5 kilograms. Average brain size today is a fifth smaller, at 1,336cc. Brain size may have started to shrink from 10,000 years ago, coinciding with mankind developing more land-based agriculture and eating less marine food along rivers and coasts.  “We are inviting people to join our ‘citizen science’ study to track the impact of diet and Omega-3 on cognitive function over time.” says the charity’s CEO, Patrick Holford, a brain health expert. “I’m convinced we are digging our own graves with a knife and fork and our brains and mental health are suffering as a result. Alzheimer’s, which is preventable, is also a direct consequence of this.”   THE FOOD FOR THE BRAIN FOUNDATION The Food for the Brain Foundation (foodforthebrain.org) is an educational and research charity, focussing on dementia prevention. It’s free online validated Cognitive Function Test, followed by the Dementia Risk Index questionnaire assessing eight drivers of dementia, including ‘brain fats’ and ‘low carbs & GL’ thus identifying those eating too many carbs and not enough brain fats, then advising them what to do. Supporting Research IQ FALLING Bratsberg B, Rogeberg O. Flynn effect and its reversal are both environmentally caused. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Jun 26;115(26):6674-6678. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1718793115. Epub 2018 Jun 11. PMID: 29891660; PMCID: PMC6042097. DECREASE IN BRAIN SIZE Cunnane SC, Crawford MA. Energetic and nutritional constraints on infant brain development: implications for brain expansion during human evolution. J Hum Evol. 2014 Dec;77:88-98. doi: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2014.05.001. Epub 2014 Jun 11. PMID: 24928072. MENTAL HEALTH RISING https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240049338 OMEGA-3 PREDICTS COGNITIVE PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN Montgomery P, Burton JR, Sewell RP, Spreckelsen TF, Richardson AJ. Low blood long chain omega-3 fatty acids in UK children are associated with poor cognitive performance and behavior: a cross-sectional analysis from the DOLAB study. PLoS One. 2013 Jun 24;8(6):e66697. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066697. OMEGA-3 PREDICTS RISK FOR DEMENTIA AND COGNITIVE DECLINE Wei BZ, Li L, Dong CW, Tan CC; Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative; Xu W. The Relationship of Omega-3 Fatty Acids with Dementia and Cognitive Decline: Evidence from Prospective Cohort Studies of Supplementation, Dietary Intake, and Blood Markers. Am J Clin Nutr. 2023 Jun;117(6):1096-1109. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.04.001. Epub 2023 Apr 5. PMID: 37028557; PMCID: PMC10447496. OMEGA-3 LEVELS PREDICT BRAIN SIZE IN OLDER PEOPLE Loong, S.; Barnes, S.; Gatto, N.M.; Chowdhury, S.; Lee, G.J. Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Cognition, and Brain Volume in Older Adults. Brain Sci.2023,13,1278. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/brainsci13091278 Quoted references:  Bratsberg B, Rogeberg O. Flynn effect and its reversal are both environmentally caused. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Jun 26;115(26):6674-6678. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1718793115. Epub 2018 Jun 11. PMID: 29891660; PMCID: PMC6042097.  https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240049338  Cunnane SC, Crawford MA. Energetic and nutritional constraints on infant brain development: implications for brain expansion during human evolution. J Hum Evol. 2014 Dec;77:88-98. doi: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2014.05.001. Epub 2014 Jun 11. PMID: 24928072.  Wei BZ, Li L, Dong CW, Tan CC; Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative; Xu W. The Relationship of Omega-3 Fatty Acids with Dementia and Cognitive Decline: Evidence from Prospective Cohort Studies of Supplementation, Dietary Intake, and Blood Markers. Am J Clin Nutr. 2023 Jun;117(6):1096-1109. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.04.001. Epub 2023 Apr 5. PMID: 37028557; PMCID: PMC10447496.  Kranz, S.; Jones, N.R.V.; Monsivais, P. Intake Levels of Fish in the UK Paediatric Population. Nutrients 2017, 9, 392. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9040392  Montgomery P, Burton JR, Sewell RP, Spreckelsen TF, Richardson AJ. Low blood long chain omega-3 fatty acids in UK children are associated with poor cognitive performance and behavior: a cross-sectional analysis from the DOLAB study. PLoS One. 2013 Jun 24;8(6):e66697. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066697. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2013;8(9); see also Veena SR, Krishnaveni GV, Srinivasan K, Wills AK, Muthayya S, Kurpad AV, Yajnik CS, Fall CH. Higher maternal plasma folate but not vitamin B-12 concentrations during pregnancy are associated with better cognitive function scores in 9- to 10- year-old children in South India. J Nutr. 2010 May;140(5):1014-22. doi: 10.3945/jn.109.118075. Epub 2010 Mar 24. PMID: 20335637; PMCID: PMC3672847; see also McNulty H, Rollins M, Cassidy T, Caffrey A, Marshall B, Dornan J, McLaughlin M, McNulty BA, Ward M, Strain JJ, Molloy AM, Lees-Murdock DJ, Walsh CP, Pentieva K. Effect of continued folic acid supplementation beyond the first trimester of pregnancy on cognitive performance in the child: a follow-up study from a randomized controlled trial (FASSTT Offspring Trial). BMC Med. 2019 Oct 31;17(1):196. doi: 10.1186/s12916-019-1432-4. PMID: 31672132; PMCID: PMC6823954.  Loong, S.; Barnes, S.; Gatto, N.M.; Chowdhury, S.; Lee, G.J. Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Cognition, and Brain Volume in Older Adults. Brain Sci.2023,13,1278. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/brainsci13091278 Read the full article

[brandonwayneb]

they actually said.

they will physically dominate me

and take me to a base

where i will be trained to submit

and willingly answer to them..

they said they want my conscious attention..

that i will become their submissive pie.. and stuck as a fat muffin.. worshipping their muscles… as im always self conscious.. conditioned and trained…

to agree or they will physically dominate me more

🤖🎙️1. “…Bro…”

they dominate me with this word

👁️🪞2. “…hahaha little foo…”

💉🦟4. they shrink my roar voice

🩸🐘5. insecure animal blood

🩸🪳6. insecure bug blood

🍆👴🏻7. old white dick blood

they actually gave me

one sided audio

of my friends

wondering what happened

to my body..

as I’m listening LIVE

they change the audio

to guys that sound the same

but start making fun of me

so i’m always listening

as i genuinely listen

white guys change the audio

and they make new levels of insecurity

they make me positive if i see white dick

they make me negative if i see non-white dick

then these guys purposely tell me

mixed signals about their dicks

and i immediately feel insecure

if they mention their dick

i’m immediately insecure

“…Bro…”

“…ur bow…”

“…my bow…”

“…Bro…”

“…my dick…”

“…ur dick…”

enough said..

if i say “…my Bow”

if i say “…my Dick”

“…I will dominate you…”

“…since ur dick can’t beat mine…”

“…i will walk right up and grab you”

“…you’ll even ask for more…”

“…i will seriously walk up

“grab you

“and you’ll ask for more

“…you basically became MY fat nut sack..!”

“..no shame in touching my own nut sack..”

“..in this case.. thats YOU”

“..from here on out, your MY NUT SACK”

“I’m the dominant dick

ur the submissive nut”

“if i want you,

i will grab you

whenever

however”

[roughentumble]

venom removes all the trace mercury from eddie's body that had naturally accumulated from eating fish through a lifetime, and eddie's like "huh. can you like, do other things to my body?" and venom's like I COULD GIVE YOU TOP SURGERY and eddie's like "what??? the fuck do you mean???? how?????" and venom morphs over eddie's chest, and eddie watches as the mound shrinks and shrinks, and then venom spits out a wad of fat and skin and retreats, and eddie has a perfectly flat chest with rapidly healing incisions that he doesnt even feel and he's freaking out like WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN JUST!!! RESHAPE MY FLESH PAINLESSLY!!!!!!! and venom's like YOU ARE SUCH A BABY. STOP FREAKING OUT. I WANT TO SEE IF I CAN GROW A PENIS HOLD ON and eddie's like "dont just dooooo that without askiiiiinnnnggggg!!!!" and venom's like DO YOU WANT ONE OR NOT? and eddies like "well yes but what if you mess it up and its constantly in pain or something 😭" and venom's like THAT IS STUPID. I WOULD JUST STOP THE PAIN SIGNALS IF IT WERE MESSED UP and eddie's like "i am not comforted. by that." and venom's like SERIOUSLY EDDIE, DO YOU WANT A PENIS OR NOT and eddie goes "......yes. but first we are googling lots of scientific diagrams of penises so you dont fuck this up for me. and you have to promise you can put it all back if it isnt right"

eddie getting top surgery from venom