#the healthcare quality book

[rippleofchange]

The Secrets to Exceptional Healthcare Quality: A Must-Read Book for Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare quality is not just a goal—it’s a commitment to ensuring every patient receives the best care possible. Ripple of Change is a comprehensive guide that dives deep into what it takes to deliver truly exceptional healthcare. From strategies to reduce healthcare costs to calls for systemic reform, this healthcare quality book provides the tools and knowledge needed to make a real difference.

[nevermind-i-forgot-whats-that]

Sometimes, as much as I love internet communities and spaces, I really think a lot of people have spent so much time in sanitized, morally pure echo chambers that they lose sight of realism and life outside the internet.

I live in Alabama. My fiancée and I cannot hold hands down the street without fear of homophobic assholes. We have an abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest. We are one of the poorest states in the US with some of the lowest scores on metrics related to quality of life, including maternal mortality, healthcare, education, and violence. It’s not a coincidence that we are also one of the most red, one of the most Republican states in the Union. In 2017 the UN said the conditions in Alabama are similar to those in a third-world country.

Trump gave a voice to the most violently racist, sexist, xenophobic groups of people who, unfortunately for most of us in the Southern U.S., run our states and have only grown more powerful since his rise to power. The Deep South powers MAGA, and we all suffer for it.

We have no protections if they don’t come from the federal government.

I know people are suffering internationally and my heart is with them. However, this election is not just about foreign policy - we have millions of Americans right here at home living in danger, living in areas where they have been completely abandoned by their local leaders. We need this win.

No candidate is perfect, but for the first time in my voting lifetime I’m excited to vote. I’m excited for the Kamala Harris/Tim Walz ticket because they are addressing the issues close to home. They’re advocating for education as the ticket to a better life, but without the crippling student debt. They’re advocating for the right to love who you love without fear and with pride. Kamala has always been pro-LGBT+ and so has Tim. Again, if you’re queer in the South, we don’t have support unless it comes from the federal government, and we absolutely will not have support if the Republicans regain the White House.

Kamala speaks in length about re-entry programs to reduce recidivism and help people who have been arrested and imprisoned regain their lives. Tim Walz supported restoring voting rights to felons. In the South, you know who comprise the majority of felons? Members of minorities. It’s one of the major tools of systemic racism and mass disenfranchisement, and arguably the modern face of slavery (there are some fantastic documentaries and books that explain the connection between the post-Reconstruction South and the disproportionate rates of imprisonment for BIPOC). Having candidates who recognize this and want to restore the freedom and rights to people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system? And keep them from having to go to prison in the first place? That’s refreshing. That’s exciting.

I would *love* to live in a country where women’s rights are respected, where LGBT+ rights and protections are a given, where we treat former criminals and individuals experiencing mental health crises with respect and dignity. I would *love* to live in a country where education is free of religious interference and each and every citizen is entitled to a fair start and equal opportunities.

But I don’t live in that country. Millions and millions of Americans find their rights and freedoms up for debate and on the ballot.

Project 2025 poses the largest threat to the future of our democracy as we know it. We are being called to fight for the future of our country.

We have to put on our oxygen masks first before we can help others.

You don’t have moral purity when you wash your hands of the millions of us who are still fighting for own freedoms right here.

The reality is that a presidential candidate is a best fit, and not a perfect fit. But comparatively speaking? Kamala is pretty damn close.

[tenth-sentence]

The committee's report was hedged with cautions: the increase in the number of mental defectives did not necessarily result from proportionately more unfortunates being born; it no doubt expressed, among other things, that more were surviving into adulthood because of improved public-health services.

"In the Name of Eugenics: Genetics and the Uses of Human Heredity" - Daniel J. Kevles

[financeprincess]

Just know that the work you put into yourself will always compound and pay you back 100x. And there’s no rush to a finish line, everything is always a work in progress. I will never regret going to college, buying books, courses, classes, investing in hobbies, traveling, the gym and workout classes, high quality organic food, good healthcare, high quality clothing, taking care of my skin/hair/nails/teeth/brows/lashes/etc. because it all snowballs into the larger picture. No one can take your education from you. No one can take your fit body and healthy, glowing appearance from you. It takes real work day in and day out to have it all together. I’ve invested thousands of dollars and countless hours into myself and I would do it all again and then some. There is no easy fix and there is no get rich quick scheme. You know what you have to do, it just takes the courage to do it.

[ayeforscotland]

Review of Ted Kaczynski’s book, Industrial Society, by Luigi Mangione - alleged United Healthcare shooter.

———————————————————————

“Clearly written by a mathematics prodigy. Reads like a series of lemmas on the question of 21st century quality of life.

It's easy to quickly and thoughtless write this off as the manifesto of a lunatic, in order to avoid facing some of the uncomfortable problems it identifies. But it's simply impossible to ignore how prescient many of his predictions about modern society turned out.

He was a violent individual - rightfully imprisoned - who maimed innocent people. While these actions tend to be characterized as those of a crazy luddite, however, they are more accurately seen as those of an extreme political revolutionary.

A take I found online that I think is interesting:

"Had the balls to recognize that peaceful protest has gotten us absolutely nowhere and at the end of the day, he's probably right. Oil barons haven't listened to any environmentalists, but they feared him.

When all other forms of communication fail, violence is necessary to survive. You may not like his methods, but to see things from his perspective, it's not terrorism, it's war and revolution. Fossil fuel companies actively suppress anything that stands in their way and within a generation or two, it will begin costing human lives by greater and greater magnitudes until the earth is just a flaming ball orbiting third from the sun. Peaceful protest is outright ignored, economic protest isn't possible in the current system, so how long until we recognize that violence against those who lead us to such destruction is justified as self-defense.

These companies don't care about you, or your kids, or your grandkids. They have zero qualms about burning down the planet for a buck, so why should we have any qualms about burning them down to survive?

We're animals just like everything else on this planet, except we've forgotten the law of the jungle and bend over for our overlords when any other animal would recognize the threat and fight to the death for their survival. "Violence never solved anything" is a statement uttered by cowards and predators."

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

reading updates: april 2025

HI wow what a month! 2025 felt like it was going REAL FAST until about mid-March, and ever since then it's slowed to a sort of molasses. despite the seeming influx of extra time I read much less in April than I have in any of the previous months this year - this is the first month I haven't even cracked double digits! which is fine, of course, it's not a competition, but it is interesting to think about what slowed me down so drastically.

(just kidding, it's not a mystery. it's heaps and heaps of stress. oops!)

ANYWAY. fortunately April's book haul has largely been a case of quality of over quantity, introducing me to several books that I think are guaranteed to land on my year-end best-of list. without further ado:

what have I been reading?

Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation (Linda Villarosa, 2022) - I checked this book out last month alongside Dr. Uché Blackstock's memoir, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons With Racism in Medicine, as kind of a mini-series on racial bias in the American medical system. while I feel like I broadly learned more overall from Villarosa, thanks to her taking a journalistic approach that allows for a broader scope than Blackstock can achieve by primarily focusing on her personal experiences, I found that the two books complemented each other extremely well and each served to bolster and deepen the other. one major advantage of Villarosa's work is the geographic variability and the ability to meet healthcare workers and patients from a much wider range of places than Blackstock's New York hospitals, with particular focus on poor communities in southern states. Villarosa's writing has a strong, compassionate, deeply curious voice that makes her subjects incredibly vivid, rendering them with dignity even as their medical nightmares are laid bare. it was an incredible read and one that had been languishing on my TBR for a while, and I'm very glad I finally made the time.

Earthlings (Sayaka Murata, 2018, trans. Ginny Tapley Takemori, 2020) - while I didn't love this novel quite as much as Murata's briefer wonder, Convenience Store Woman, it did cement Murata as an author whose work absolutely fascinates me. her grasp of trauma and alienation is incredible, and she has a way of depicting unconventional desire in a way that's unlike anything I've ever seen. I'm supremely excited to read more of her work.

The Love Hypothesis (Ali Hazelwood, 2021) - in case you haven't already heard the news: I read the alleged Reylo laboratory AU romance novel expecting to be a big hater and I ended up loving it. joke's on me! you win this round, Ali Hazelwood.

Crying in H Mart (Michelle Zauner, 2021) - listen: you never want to be the guy saying that a woman's memoir about losing her mother to a painful and sudden cancer isn't that sad. to be clear, it is an extremely sad book! Zauner does an incredible job rendering the all-consuming pain of nursing her mother through her final days, a pain devastatingly unique to everyone who experiences it. in this case, the biracial Zauner also has the daunting sense of losing not only her mother but also a core part of her identity, struggling to figure out how to be a Korean American woman without the connection her mother provided. it's a tragedy! it's several tragedies all in one place, make no mistake! but I also feel like I've spent YEARS hearing this book hyped up as The Saddest Book Ever, and perhaps I've just read too many sad memoirs but it was like. it was fine. it's just fine. solid B+, not mad I read it, but I have read sadder. probably I am going to hell for this.

Liquid: A Love Story (Mariam Rahmani, 2025) - I was super excited for Rahmani's debut novel, which has a compelling premise: stuck in a stagnating academic career and with her parents nagging her to wed, an unnamed queer Iranian-American woman decides to go on 100 dates across Los Angeles to find a likely candidate for a marriage that can bring her financial security. her plans inevitably go awry when a family tragedy requires her to travel to Iran, where her goals are brought more sharply into focus - and she ultimately resolves her romantic quandary. it's a stylish book, almost painfully so; I can't say I'd recommend this to anyone who dislikes literary fiction because GOD is this Literary Fiction, our protagonist deeply preoccupied with her own witty malaise and caustic observations. she's a little awful and I liked her a lot, but I also think that the resolution Rahmani brings her protagonist to was devastatingly expected - and unfortunately, no amount of self-aware lampshading actually makes it less predictable. I'm conflicted! it felt like a lot of building up to not a lot of payoff, but I'm compelled all the same and I'm hoping to see more of Rahmani in the future.

Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender (Kit Heyam, 2022) - god, what a delight of a book. Heyam takes a gorgeously open approach to what constitutes "trans history", casting their net wide to recognize gender nonconformity far beyond contemporary understandings of what it means to be transgender. Heyam advocates for a wide recognition of experiences throughout history: people whose gender identities were shaped by non-Western religions and cultures, those whose identities blurred between same-gender attraction and a desire to be recognized as a different gender than the one expected of them, those whose transgressions of gendered boundaries can't be proven to be align strictly with 21st century ideas of transness. Heyam's approach is one of radical inclusiveness, seeking not to "prove" any particular understandings of transness in historical figures but simply to point at a long, global history of people living outside of a gender binary and weave all of these instances together in the understanding that all of these experiences support and bolster each other in affirming that across time, language, and culture, people bucking gender norms have always existed. reading this book felt like holding a mug of hot chocolate.

Afterparties (Anthony Veasna So, 2021) - genuinely impossible for me to talk about this short story collection without acknowledging that it was published posthumously by So's mother and partner after he died very young. I will freely admit that the first story did not grab me, and since I'm fussy about short stories I might well have set down the book after that if not for the strange sense that I was holding a small representation of a man's life in my hands. I guess that's always the case with a book, but somehow it felt extra sharp here. in any case, I'm glad I stuck it out; So's stories about Cambodian immigrant communities in California are messy and loving and sorrowful and silly, delving deep into the sadness that can cling to a family for generations. I'd be absolutely remiss not to pay particular attention to the final story, "Generational Differences," in which So writes from the point of view of his own mother, talking to his child self and recounting a tragedy. it's a brave and vulnerable approach that I've never encountered before, and it's really something special.

an obligatory update on my book bingo sheets: as usual, the sheet that I'm filling in opportunistically is thriving, with the addition of Liquid completing another bingo and getting me very close to two more

and the list of books that I specifically planned out is LANGUISHING

finger crossed for May, when I'm hoping to cross at least two more off the list...

[sallie-nathalies]

How Would the Bachelors and Bachelorettes Handle Being Millionaires?

I will assume that the farmer gives them a money allowance for... idk, breathing, I guess.

SHANE

He would do a lot of farm chores to earn his money and maintain a schedule (it helps him avoid relapsing). He would spend his money on finishing his college education (I headcanon that he is a dropout), watching more Gridball matches (probably with his children, if they’re into it), and buying gifts for Jas while also helping Marnie financially. I he asks the farmer for a huge amount of money, it would be to pay for Jas' education.

Would he say something?

He might comment on it, but without giving too many details—perhaps to his old Gridball teammates or during a high school reunion. If he notices some envy from them, especially from people who once saw him as a hopeless drunk, he would feel a little better about himself. At least not all his choices weren't wrong.

HARVEY

He came to Pelican Town to provide holistic healthcare to the people. You are the perfect partner for that mission since you can sell high-quality organic food, which improves the town’s overall health. Being generous and kind, he wouldn’t spend much on himself but would offer free medical care to those who can't afford it. If he ever asked the farmer for a large sum, it would be to invest in his clinic.

Would he say something?

No, he wouldn't like to. Fortunately, people would just assume he has money due to his medical degree.

ELLIOTT

Having financial security would allow him to focus entirely on writing without the stress of being a struggling artist. He would spend his money on self-publishing his first works and traveling to promote his books. However, once he becomes successful, he would ask you to invest your money elsewhere since he earns enough for himself. In fact, from that point on, he would start spending his money on you.

If he ever asked for a large sum, it would be to buy a small ship to keep at the docks.

Would he say something?

Not openly, but there would be signs of his wealth—like his Iridium-quality wine, preserved in a noble wood keg from a renowned farm of the Valley. If someone asked about the wine, he would proudly say it was made by his spouse. He would definitely brag about how incredible you are.

SAM

He would continue his music career, but mainly as a hobby and as a way to stay connected with Sebastian and Abigail. He would spend more time playing with his children and being a dedicated househusband (he’d even pay for cooking and cleaning lessons).

He wouldn’t spend much on himself, but he would for his family. If his allowance wasn’t enough, he would ask the farmer for extra money to support them (therapy for Kent, exotic vacations for Jodi, or Vincent’s education).

Would he say something?

One time, he got into a minor car accident and casually offered to pay for the damages. However, since he dresses like a punk, the other person didn't believe him, and things escalated quickly between them.

SEBASTIAN

Since his family is already financially stable (seriously, how much money do you gave to Robin?), he wouldn’t need to spend much on them. Instead, he would buy motorcycles and develop moderately successful indie games. Once he earned enough, he would invest his money in you and his family. You two would frequently visit Zuzu City to escape the stillness of Pelican Town.

Would he say something?

He’s too shy to talk about his personal life. However, during an interview about indie game developers, he once mentioned that his biggest sponsor was his spouse and that their financial stability allowed him to work harder.

ALEX

He would ask for a private gym. However, when his grandparents became too old to live independently or if one of them passed away (sniff), he would ask to bring them home and would give up the gym to make space for them. He would spend all his money on their well-being.

Would he say something?

He would write a social media post about how terrible his father was, thanking him for staying out of his life, and emphasizing how his "worthless" son succeeded in life. He would proudly declare that he is now a gridball star, millionaire, and a much better father than his own. This emotional outburst would be cathartic, and after venting, he would become more calm and reserved.

HAYLEY

She is genuinely trying to become a better person, so it would hurt her if someone called her a gold digger—especially since she truly loves you and is working hard to improve. To earn her own money, she would create a successful farming vlog and promote your products, significantly increasing demand for them.

She would enjoy luxury, decorating the house with stylish furniture and filling your closet with fashionable clothes. She would definitely be the biggest spender among the bachelorettes, but not with bad intentions—she genuinely wants to bring comfort and happiness to your home.

Would she say something?

Yes, she has a vlog, so she would naturally talk about it.

EMILY

She would remain the same person, with the only major difference being that she could now afford more spiritual retreat trips.

Would she brag?

No, but people paying attention might notice. She would casually mention her self-discovery during a trip in India, her friendship with a tribal chief’s wife in Cameroon, how she got a traditional Māori tattoo in New Zealand, or how she’s planning to revisit Mexico this year. Also, she would have so many exotic artifacts from around the world, that people will notice it.

ABIGAIL

She would spend her money on sword training and upgrading her weapons. She would love accompanying you to the mines, helping you collect valuable gems and jewelry. Some days, she would even go by herself while you are working on the farm, so you can help each other. If she asks for a large sum of money, it would be to help her parents. But she prefers to make them the official sellers of your products, so they can be financially stable by their own.

Would she say something?

She would brag about many things—how many monsters she’s defeated, how cool her sword is, how much treasure she’s found, how she outsmarted a dangerous skeleton, and how awesome her spouse is. But about money? Not really.

LEAH

She would barely spend money since she can get everything she needs from the farm. She would learn to cut trees for high-quality wood and help you produce expensive wine. When not working on the farm, she would focus entirely on her art, and traveling to promote herself.

Would she brag?

Like Elliott, she wouldn’t say anything outright, but it would be noticeable. The materials she uses for her artwork would be high-quality, and not many people have access to truffles covered in goat cheese paired with Iridium-quality wine. That would be her regular meal!

PENNY

She would maintain a "poverty mindset"—saving money, keeping a jar for coins she finds on the ground, setting aside emergency funds, and hunting for good deals. You might have to remind her that you’re millionaires, especially after she insists on eating JojaMart frozen food for a week to save money.

The only reason she would ask for money would be to help her mother, but her real dream would be to build a small school and further her education to become a certified teacher.

Would she say something?

No, she’s too timid and humble for that.

MARU

Delivery guys would know you by name. She would constantly order parts and materials to build her machines (and to prevent you from going into the mines). Since her family is financially stable, most of her investments would go into improving the farm.

She would invent all kinds of crazy gadgets to make your life easier, asking about your daily struggles so she could design solutions. She would also consult Demetrius about enriching the soil and designing eco-friendly farming methods, working with Clint to build everything.

Would she say something?

No, she would be too busy working on new projects. But at some point, you will support her to promote herself in different farm fairs, because her inventions can help a lot of people! Probably it's you who will brag more about her, than she about you!

[astrologydray]

🤩Virgo MC and how you can achieve fame🤩

A Virgo Midheaven (MC) achieves fame through expertise, precision, and service to others. Unlike flashier MCs like Leo or Aries, Virgo MC gains recognition through mastery, credibility, and attention to detail. Ruled by Mercury, your path to success involves communication, analysis, and problem-solving, making you a sought-after figure in your field.

⭐️ Becoming a Master of Your Craft – Virgo MCs achieve recognition by being the best at what they do. Whether in writing, science, health, technology, or the arts, people admire you for your dedication to excellence and skill refinement.

⭐️ Building a Reputation for Reliability – You gain fame by being dependable, intelligent, and highly skilled. People trust your expertise, and your name becomes synonymous with quality, accuracy, and knowledge.

⭐️ Success Through Communication & Information – Since Virgo is ruled by Mercury, careers involving writing, teaching, research, or media can bring fame. You might be recognized for your well-researched insights, critical thinking, or ability to explain complex topics in a practical way.

⭐️ Helping & Serving Others – Your fame often comes from improving people’s lives. Whether through healthcare, wellness, self-improvement, education, or activism, your public image is tied to making a meaningful impact.

⭐️ A Perfectionist Approach to Success – Virgo MCs don’t rush fame; they build it through steady effort and refinement. You might take longer to gain recognition, but once you do, your legacy lasts because of your consistent quality and credibility.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tips for Maximizing Fame:

‼️ Establish yourself as an expert – People respect Virgo MCs for their intelligence and precision.

‼️ Stay disciplined & detail-oriented – Your ability to analyze and refine will set you apart from competitors.

‼️ Use media & writing to share your insights – Blogging, social media, books, or journalism can increase your visibility.

‼️ Build a brand around expertise & self-improvement – Virgo MCs shine when they educate, heal, or guide others toward betterment.

‼️ Embrace a minimalist, refined image – Virgo fame is often subtle yet powerful. A clean, polished aesthetic helps reinforce your credibility.

[rippleofchange]

Healthcare Heroes: Inspiring Tales of Compassion and Courage

Discover inspirational stories for healthcare workers of healthcare professionals who go above and beyond to make a difference in their patients' lives. From selfless acts of kindness to extraordinary feats of bravery, these inspiring tales will uplift your spirits and remind you of the incredible work being done in the healthcare field.

[orcboxer]

listen 20 years ago i was happy and now i'm not so as far as i'm concerned yeah the world is getting worse

I grew up in a hyperreligious, hyperconservative family and church that was constantly convinced that we were living in The End Times and the future always looked bleak and every new problem was The Worst Things Have Ever Been and we were all miserable all the time. And when you believe without question that Things Are Always Getting Worse, that implies Things Were Better In The Past. And that's like, a cornerstone of right wing ideology. On the big picture, if you can't conceive of a better future, you won't bother trying to make one, and that makes you easier to control.

Now I can't speak to your personal life, of course, and I'll admit my life is better now than it was 20 years ago (I left the church, came out as gay, started treatment for my mental health, all that jazz). But I can tell you that the quality of life of the average human has improved, and things are, overall, largely improving on many different levels globally.

Over the past century, globally speaking, the average lifespan has increased, infant mortality has decreased, poverty has greatly decreased, education has become way more accessible, voter inequality has decreased, water quality has increased, food availability has greatly increased, access to healthcare has increased -- I could go on. You'd actually be really surprised how much better things have gotten. Every person I've "quizzed" on it has greatly underestimated the quantity of statistical improvement. It's like we're all conditioned to assume the worst.

It's easy to fixate on all the problems, and it doesn't help when that's all anyone ever talks about. But that's why it's so important to keep things in perspective. If a headline is like "525 billion tons of pollution is in the ocean" you just see a big number and assume it's bad, but you have no frame of reference for it so you're really just going on vibes. You gotta ask like. How much pollution was there last year? What is being counted as pollution? How did they arrive at this number? What initiatives are being taken to remove pollution? So on and so forth.

We are constantly flooded with hyperbolic doomerism and while there absolutely are very real problems that need urgent action (like climate change), it is also completely unhelpful to anyone for us to burn ourselves out trying to be The Correct Amount Of Upset about all the problems in the world all the time. You can't fix everything, you have limits, but there are things you can help with. Do those things and let yourself feel good about it. And let yourself actually appreciate the work that other people have done to make the world a better place. So many people whose names will never grace history books have paved the way for you to do your thing, and it's a damn shame all that work goes underappreciated by most folks.

Learn to question negative statements. If someone says "The world is getting worse" you should be asking, "By what metric?" And then you should be asking, "How can we improve those numbers?" I swear to god it makes a huge difference for your mental health.

[jazspice]

Tell me a random hc about House and Wilson (One for each)

I gotchu, mate.

Gregory House

Before House was expelled at Johns Hopkins, he would often find himself in a jazz club after classes and exams to unwind. He was the type of student to never study, just skim the books, skip classes, and he'd ace it with ease. He was also very competitive and passionate to the point he'd challenged his professors when they make a mistake and he's right. Quite stressful, right?

That's why he's always at the nearest jazz club. When he saw the hiring poster, he immediately got up and auditioned before absolutely smashing it. That's how he got a part time job from it while also relaxing during his breaks.

Oftentimes, he had a track record of being with women who swoon over him because of how he plays smoothly also because of his looks.

Bonus:

We all know House is obsessed with soap operas, but did you know that he's also utterly obsessed with watching medical shows and then roasts it nonstop. He'd sometimes drag Wilson in the middle of the night, calling him and ranting about an episode that bothered him for the wrong usage of equipment or even diagnostics, most especially diagnosis of the patient.

If he had a partner, they'd watch it together as quality time and his partner would then have to listen for hours about everything wrong about the episode (you have no choice in it) especially if their partner wasn't a medical healthcare worker.

James Wilson

(oh my god that smile, I'm weak in the knees!! I need him like I need air)

When Wilson started out as an attending physician, he was definitely everyone's favourite... with his cheerful and friendly demeanour and his charm, everyone loved him. As a people pleaser, he'd often give out gifts to his residents or even the nurses for being so helpful and hardworking. Sometimes it gets to the point where others would abuse him because of his people pleasing tendencies, and the problem is he is aware of all those things.

However whenever he tries changing his ways, there'll always be a point he'd go rock bottom and just revert to his old defence mechanism.

Bonus:

He'd prioritise his lover's comfort over his. I think it's already a given, but I'd like to emphasise that it's not necessarily for sexual needs only. He'd be the type to pamper and splurge just to meet the needs of his partner. When they go shopping and he wants something, but his lover wants another thing, he'd choose to buy his partner's want despite wanting to buy something for himself.

He would also needs reassurance as much as possible... the man's gone through three divorces, at that point he knew love wasn't for him, yet he still finds himself having those feelings. He'd go as far as do something stupid to impress you (especially on the first date) and he'd get all embarrassed when you laugh only to find his heart irregularly beating because of your assurance that he's all right and that you'd like to give him a chance.

Note: I think this is definitely ooc especially House's hc, but I just love that idea so much. I hope you enjoy this, thank you for the request!

[financeprincess]

I spent, at a minimum, at least $500-$1,000 a month exclusively on my self improvement. Here is most of what I spend on, in no particular order:

Education (classes, books, courses, certifications, college tuition, seminars, etc.)

Private lessons for languages, musical instruments, sports, etc.

Personal hobbies and passion projects

Crest whitening strips (great when in a pinch), Invisalign, professional whitening, preventative dental care, prescription whitening products from my dentist

Investments such as index funds, REITs, ETFs, CDs, individual stocks, commodities, appreciative luxury items, precious metals & gems, etc.

Organic food, vitamins, supplements, high quality healthcare, therapy, massages, prescriptions (Rx skincare, etc.)

New glasses & contacts (getting some bayonetta glasses from Burberry soon, very excited)

Sports, gym membership + sauna, hot yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, tennis, skiing, dance, etc.

Personal care such as bath/shower products, body care, haircare, skincare, makeup, brightening eye drops, perfume, etc.

Travel, events, concerts, festivals, etc.

Shopping (clothes, accessories, home goods, etc.)

Eating out at restaurants and going to coffee shops

Beauty treatments such as manicures, pedicures, waxes, brow tint & threading, salon blowouts, hair cuts & colors, facials, lash lift & tints, vitamin IVs, etc.

Regular visits to my dermatologist, dentist, psychiatrist, eye doctor, primary care physician, gynecologist, and any other specialists

Semi-regular appointments with a personal trainer, holistic nutritionist, and dietitian

I don't do all of these every single month, but most of these are recurring throughout the year and budgeted accordingly. Eventually I might add in more intense cosmetic work like medspa services, Botox, etc. If you can find a workplace with a great benefits package such as high quality healthcare, an HSA/FSA, health & wellness reimbursements for the gym, disability & life insurance, etc. I would highly recommend it and max out all the benefits you can.

[mandatory-blog-stop-asking]

it's frustrating to read One World Under Doom discourse because so many people are saying variations of "it's a good story about the world right now, because Doom is pretending to give people good things when he's just being his usual fascist self", and i'm like, no he's not, that's why it's so frustrating. He's actually doing it.

He's actually killing the nazis, building hospitals, destroying borders, giving people free schooling and healthcare. It's actually being done. He's doing the evil shit on the side, but the good shit is real. We've had several heroes, even Reed, say that they themselves saw it's fucking real. That it's making the world a better place.

like do you think people would be so mad at our dumb fascists if they actually did 100% of the things they pretend they care about? do you think that there are things they're doing for the sake of the people, but we're opposing them ideologically? No, fucking, Jesus Christ, they're making it worse for everyone and we're opposing them practically and ideologically. The whole "trains on time" thing was a myth! They're never more efficient! That's part of the problem! The trains are late!

Doom's actually doing it, and the heroes are acting like it's a bad thing! That's why it's so annoying to read, they're actively fighting against things that would make life better just because of the guy who's doing it! That breaks the analogy completely!

If Elon Musk actually put us in fucking Mars with free internet and electric cars that didn't explode, no one would care that he's a pathetic cuck! The fact he can't even drive down the street in a straight line is crucial for the problem we have with him!

The entire thing only works because we know it's a comic book and we know Doctor Doom cannot in fact be good, because he's a commercial character that has to always be evil. It's a preordained ending, not an earned one-- he has to be doing something that will inevitably destroy the world, and there's no story to be told where that's not the case in Marvel Comics. But like, if this was in Image Comics or something, this would probably just be how the world stays. Just go read Invincible, they literally did this exact same story and then let it rock.

And Invincible has extreme problems with how it portrays this type of thing! I have a lot of problems with it! But it was honest about how free, accessible, high-quality healthcare is good!

Sorry, this has really bothered me this week. I didn't write a review for the issue that came out because it would just be progressively more annoying versions of this. It's just comics, it doesn't matter, it doesn't make you a fucking fascist for saying "Oh yeah no Doom is a good leader", but that's not even my point-- my point is people are tricking themselves into going "well, libertarian fantasies are inherently flawed, except when the heroes do it" when talking about this story like it has a point.

yeah yeah he nuked the US, I know, it's really trying to make me aware that he's evil and bad and not worth keeping, and I understand he has to go, but man the idea they're also just going to put the evil politicians back in power worldwide has me genuinely upset reading it. No way out of eternal comics that can't change, huh. I might be getting a little too depressed for those.

[mr-laveau]

I told I would show up eventually and here I am (even tho i should be asleep)

for the design lab: Sweetheart oc

1. What's your listener's name and nickname?

Cassiel (chosen name), commonly referred to as Sneaks or Cass (still called Sweetheart by Milo)

2. What's their backstory?

Cassiel comes from a family of five, having one older and one younger brother (Jonah and Raphael respectively). He comes from a well-off family, high middle class, both parents work in healthcare. Their older brother is studying to become a surgeon, and their younger brother wants to become a sculptor but is being pressured to pursue a science instead. Typically Cass doesn’t get as much feedback about their carer from their parents. A few times it was suggested they should become a teacher or a lawyer, but Cass never liked the idea of those. He never considered going into medicine, since they knew how much it strained their family, and they wanted to do something outside of the beaten path. Make a name for themselves as *Cassiel* not as a Grandwood (family name). Because their parents worked such hectic hours, Cass was often the one to watch their little brother in the evenings/weekends, and did not have free time for themselves because of this. They were not a very social child either, obsessed with books—mystery books in particular—and pouring themselves into their studies so they don’t get chewed out for their grades. When they found out that they were empowered, being the only one in their family to be empowered, they were very freaked out. They were only 13, and had no one to turn to. One of his teachers, also empowered, alerts Mazeed al-Masih (goes by Maze generally) who is a department worker, and he teaches Cass everything they need to know. They find out the opportunities they now have because they are empowered, things he didn’t even dream about, and he sets off for DAMN university as soon as he’s graduated high school. DAMN is in a different state than Cass, despite being the closest, so this does separate them from their family, and they don’t make a habit of keeping in contact with anyone but their little brother. They make it their mission to become an Investigator, and the best one around at that.

3. What's the desired aesthetic of your listener character (punk, greaser, bimbo, scene kid, schoolgirl)?

Kinda thinking punk meets 1920’s investigator. If that makes sense. idk if it does.

4. What's your listener's gender presentation like?

Trans-masc, usually says that they’re non-binary. (they/he pronouns)

5. What's your listener's ethnicity?

Irish

6. What's your listener's age?

33

7. What's your listener's body type/build?

I’m not sure any official words for it, but like a volleyball/swimmer build (they played volleyball since middle school)

8. What's your listener's star sign?

Sagittarius

9. What are your listener's most important relationships and who are they connected to?

Familial (both found and blood): The pack, Mazeed, Raphael (little brother), their friends from DAMN, the rest of their family to an extent

10. What's your listener's hobbies/interests?

Reading, puzzles (both jigsaw and things like crosswords/sudoku/etc), walks/cafe visits to people watch, volleyball

11. If your listener was a deity from a known mythology, what deity would they be?

Athena

12. What Audio RP series are they from?

Redacted Audio (if you couldn’t tell)

13. What kind of lover are they to their partner/what kind of friend are they?

They’re pretty attentive to the ones they love. If there’s the tiniest thing that they notice they’re going to attempt to fix it. Very much a quality time/acts of service guy. Some would think that because of the effort they put into their work, they wouldn’t be a very good lover and those people are very very wrong. They will make time for everything (even if it nearly kills them)

14. What is something/are some things that your listener values?

Family, justice, quality time (if that counts??)

15. Pick a song that you think represents your listener.

Second Child, Restless Child by The Oh Hellos

16. What's the inspiration behind your listener's design?

Honestly a lot of Cass’ design/vibe is just a mash of a bunch of things I enjoy in a character, but the main thing i think of when i think of him is “tasks themselves with fixing the world” and a lot of 1920’s snuff films. Cass is definitely my most chaotic oc so far.

17. Could you give me a vague concept of what your listener's visual vibe is?

Fashionable when trying, very cozy when they’re not. They’re very intimidating when they dress up, usually has rings and the like on. If it’s for work, it’s very much business attire with a few personal touches that won’t get them in trouble (their rings, for example). If it’s a casual day in with Milo/the pack they let themselves dress cozier with over sized sweaters and such.

18. What are some extra tidbits you wanna tell me about your listener?

This kinda goes with the program but i kinda wanna stress how stubborn (maybe headstrong is a better word idk) they are. They will do something the hardest way because that’s how they started it and they don’t want to change plans now. They also have a necklace that their little brother gave them that they won’t take off. I think that’s all I wanna mention.

LaVeau-gue - design #004 - Sweetheart - Cassiel - Pluto

I haven't touched this series in a while but I'm back at it and starting it up slowly with Pluto's Sweetheart, Cassiel!

Design Notes

I would say this was difficult to design but that would be a lie. Instead I will say that it was fun to mess with this design.

First off, my major considerations were that this was a design for sweetheart, it was supposed to be inspired by Athena, it was noir punk and that you're a Percy Jackson fan (debatable since you like the movies but oookaaayyy/j).

So for this, I wanted to lean into different things; Cassiel should look put together but similalry uncooperative-you mention that growing up, they got good grades but did so for the sake of earning them to pass off as a good student rather than having a love for it. Additionally, the mention of their love of puzzles as well as their meticulous attention to detail concerning their loved ones gave me a good idea of what their shape language should be.

Cassiel reads someone who is somewhat athletic, attentive and keen to question things so while their hair might be slicked back, their posture upright and their attire somewhat kept, they do not concede to the complete idea of being wholely tidy by appearance. Following old british punk influence, I loosened Cassiel's tie, gave him a blue patch in their nice dress pants, added a blue studded belt and choker while also giving them a fishnet top which is more emo than punk but the addition of it feels it's anti-DUMP dresscode so I ran with that.

I did take note of Cassiel's penchant for dressing up and rings but elected that such a look would not be regular enough to make up for a complete design so I leaned away from that and into something that Cassiel would wear while in the field.

Finally, after those aspects, I then leaned into their athena inspiration and DUG for some inspiration from Epic The Musical-that led me to using blues and grays within the design BUT the majority of the influence came from the concept of barn owls. This shaped out with their hair being slicked back, their colour pallette mimicking the same distribution of colour across a barn owl's feathers as well as the framing of his face. As a smaller note, I gave them blonde hair and a grey streak as a callback to annabeth who sports that kind of hair in the PJO books if I'm not mistaken.

I hope I did you concept some justice with this design @agentplutonium!

[astroismypassion]

✨PART OF FORTUNE IN SIGNS AND HOUSES SERIES: 10TH HOUSE✨

Credit: Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

ARIES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aries and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via marketing or work in dynamic and fast-paced industries, via coaching, sports management, fitness entrepreneurship, coaching and mentoring services in connection with career development, leadership skills, personal empowerment, via work in innovation management, technology development, product development, especially emerging industries. You find abundance when you are bold, take risks, focus on ambitious goals, cultivate independence, build a strong public image and when you embrace leadership qualities.

TAURUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Taurus and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work in finance, banking, investment, wealth management. Or via working as a realtor, property manager, real estate developer, via curating, selling or managing art collections, working as a chef, restaurateur or food critic. You find abundance in work in hospitality (managing hotels, resorts, spas), via work in landscape architecture or gardening, interior design, or as a performer, producer or manager, through farming, agricultural management or sustainable food production or creating an eco-friendly business. You feel abundant when you are focused on stability, value quality, when you are patient and persistent.

GEMINI PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Gemini and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work as a journalist, writer, editor, public relations, marketing, working as PR specialist, brand manager, social media strategist, work as a teacher, lecturer, educational content creator, via writing content for blogs, websites or online platforms connected with technology, lifestyle, business. You find abundance when you write books (fiction or non-fiction), via work in technology sector, via technical writing, UX writing or product management, via event planning and work as a sales representative, account manager or business strategist. You feel abundant when you network actively, when you keep learning and embrace versatility.

CANCER PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Cancer and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work in healthcare as a nurse, doctor or therapist, work in interior design or home décor, helping others create comfortable and nurturing spaces, work as a chef, baker or food critic, via handmade furniture, textiles or pottery, engaging in childcare, daycare management or family support services, via work in real estate, helping families find their ideal home. You feel abundant when you use emotional intelligence, emphasize nurturing and care.

LEO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Leo and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via pursuing a career in acting on stage, in film or on television, working as a musician, singer or performer, via directing or producing theatrical productions, films or TV shows, work in television, radio or digital broadcasting, you could work as a host, anchor or presenter, designer, stylist, model, painter, sculptor or graphic designer.

VIRGO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Virgo and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via offering personalized health and wellness service. You can offer remote fitness coaching, such as offering personalized fitness plans and virtual training sessions. You could work in mental health professions, like counselling or psychology, work as a nutritionist, dietitian, work as a proofreader or editor, work with biology, chemistry, environmental science, mathematics or with language or having an IT role (system analysis, IT support or cybersecurity). You feel abundant when you develop organizational skills, use analytical skills and when you seek structured environments.

LIBRA PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Libra and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via offering dance classes, via work in art curation, gallery management or the fines arts, helping to showcase and promote artists and their work, via a career in human resources, focusing on employee relations, conflict resolution, via talent management, recruitment or career coaching. You feel abundant when you work in fashion design, graphic design, visual arts, brand management and marketing. You feel abundant when you aim for balance and harmony, emphasize fairness and justice.

SCORPIO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Scorpio and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via forensic accounting, crisis counselling or support services, via a career in scientific research, forensic science, medical research, psychology, surgery, oncology, energy healing, finance, technology or wellness, via art therapy and filmmaking. You feel abundant when you embrace transformation, healing, use psychological insight, when you pursue authority and expertise.

SAGITTARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Sagittarius and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via travel blogging, vlogging or becoming a travel consultant. You find abundance via academic research, publishing, by becoming a travel consultant, tour guide, work in the tourism industry, work connected with educational, human rights and cultural exchange, via career as a spiritual teacher, counsellor, life coach, via theological or philosophical work, writing or teaching. You feel abundant when you cultivate optimism or enthusiasm, seek global or cultural perspectives, pursue knowledge or education and embrace exploration and travel.

CAPRICORN PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Capricorn Sun people in your life. You find abundance via work as a financial advisor or analyst, accounting, as a property developer, manager or investor, via work in property management, overseeing rental properties, commercial spaces or large residential complexes, via civil engineering, work in educational administration (school or college management). You feel abundant when you focus on long-term goals and value pragmatism and responsibility.

AQUARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aquarius and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via buying and selling collectibles (stamps, coins, vintage items), creating eco-friendly products or services (zero-waste goods, sustainable fashion). You may also find abundance in esports coaching by offering coaching services for aspiring professional gamers. You feel abundant via work in scientific research, in fields like physics, astronomy, biotechnology and environmental science, work in roles focused on research and development, via digital marketing. You feel abundant when you are pursuing unconventional paths, via networking with like-minded individuals and align with social causes.

PISCES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Pisces and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work in music as a composer, musician or performer, via a career in painting, illustration, sculpture or other visual arts, via hospice work, via work in non-profit sector, focusing on causes related to humanitarian aid, environmental conservation or social justice, work in hospitality, such as hotel management or event planning, via cultural exchange, guided tours or spiritual retreats. You feel abundant when you embrace your creative talents, cultivate compassion and empathy, when you explore spiritual and esoteric interests and when you focus on meaningful impact.

Credit: Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

[statusquoofficial]

10 Fun Facts About My Book That Are Just *chefs kiss*

1) My main characters are autism coded, but aren’t 5 year old white boys! A black biologist boy and a South American forest girl with a hyper fixation on wildlife, what more could you want?

2) Due to living in an underground bunker for many generations, a lot of my characters have qualities that stem from a lack of genetic diversity. (Blindness, heterochromia, albinism, etc)

3) Every name is either from mythology, latin, biology words or the names of real scientists.

4) My forest girl isn’t from a primitive tribe that went feral after the apocalypse. Humanity wouldn’t just forget what democracy and healthcare are, so after a few years of anarchy, people slipped back into a functioning society. Though it's not a flawless system.

5) Catalyst (the substance that mutated everything and caused the apocalypse) is a water-soluble crystal. Each morning, the bark of the trees shimmers with a fine crystallised coating that crumbles away throughout the day.

6) Likewise, the morning fog is toxic and will crystallise your lungs!

7) Mutated animals and humans have no scars because their bodies can regenerate any lost cells (even whole limbs)

8) Even within one species, no two organisms evolve the same. Some humans adapt to live on the forest floor, or near the coast, while others are designed for mountains or desserts. Even within the same biomes, they adapt in a variety of ways.

9) Despite their animalistic traits, they have no relation to the animals they resemble. Canopy (female MC) resembles a monkey (as well as a cat and an African genet- an animal she’s never seen before) purely because she needed those traits to thrive in the treetops. She’s not part monkey. It’s all convergent and divergent evolution.

10) The capacity of the bunker is 500 people (the minimum the restart a species without genetic drift) but due to several incredibly corrupt place-holding practices, only 299 people made it in before the doors were finally sealed. This is the same survivor percentage as the titanic (59.9%).