#the storm cloud collective quote

[pluralquotebook]

Actually I don’t even want to rip him to shreds. Not rip to shreds-abble enough. Just a meany

-peach or chaos (both?)

-the storm cloud collective

(no idea if you got our last ask a while ago deciding on a very long name, but we take it back we can just be the storm cloud collective, sorry about that…

.

[queering-ecology]

Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ. Tapestry Institute. https://tapestryinstitute.org/mitakuye-oyasin/. Referencing Sicungu Lakota Elder Albert White Hat.

Their website defines itself thusly: Tapestry Institute weaves Indigenous Knowledge to life through activities and publications that use Indigenous ways of knowing, learning about, and responding to the natural world. The particular post I am referencing is about the Lakota phrase ‘Mitakuye Oyasin’ (also spelled as Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ, mitákuye oyásʾį). “The Lakota phrase Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ describes Reality by addressing it as “All My Relations.” All humans, all animals, all plants, all the waters, the soil, the stones, the mountains, the grasslands, the winds, the clouds and storms, the sun and moon, stars and planets are our relations and are relations to one another. We are connected to each other in multiple and vital ways. When one is in pain, all are harmed. When there is justice for one, there is more justice for all.” 

This quote is important as it confirms the idea that ‘Mitakyue Oyasin’ is more than merely a meaningful phrase, but is a way of describing Reality. It also helps describe the sheer scope of what the words mean. What is also important to recognize is the belief in pain and justice also being interconnected as this can be connected to feminist ideas expressed within much queer ecology. But, the post also emphasizes that even though ‘All our Relations’ is the most common translation of the words, “the phrase actually bears within it rich layers of additional meaning that cannot be easily translated into English. It’s important to point this out because words and ideas, stories and rituals, are bound together into a single reality that must be respected, not misappropriated”. 

Finally, the video interview with Albert White Hat adds even more complexity: the wisdom in these words are not “merely a collection of historical ideas or words” but “ a system of powerful knowledge applicable to the lives and struggles of people right now”. This ultimately supports my thesis; that indigenous worldviews (in this case, Mitakuye Oyasin) can be in symbiosis/symbiopoesis with queer ecology--the concept is a tool (a much more besides) that can be applied to the struggle we face in healing our planet.

-- Symbiosis is any type of a close and long-term biological interaction between two biological organisms of different species

-- ‘Symbiopoesis’ or “how organisms can be intimately involved in each other’s development” (squid and light emitting bacteria, bees and pollination, acacia trees and ants, wasps and figs). (Rahder)

[ourolite2]

　　　　　　　 　 ༅ 𝒥ihane 𐙚 ˙

♱ all sobriquets + pseudonyms. ࿓ ora, love, sinning star, haniel, love junior, shopkeeper ji, grandmother/grandma, trinketeer, the high priestess, doc, miss ji, satan, little love, sunshine, & ji.

ᰍ overall notables. this woman is known for having a smile that could make the cosmos bow their head in submission, and I’m not implying that it’s cunning. full pretty lips, the deepest dimples, and the sweetest titters that corresponds with her innately wholesome voice. has dimples quite literally everywhere — one forehead, four on her cheeks, two on her back, it’s crazy fr. once more, her voice is innately on the higher side, though far from annoying. it’s memorably saccharine, cloying, and sentimental, the personification of the most iridescent bubbles. a kind of voice that brings bundles of warmth and nostalgia; it’s a given that children are attracted to such due to its purity, so she’s often seen around the little kids of any presented au. has a subtle lisp. often refers to associates or recent friends as angel or cherub. ᰍ standard physical facts. blonde patch in the front near the left side of her hair in human form. hair and skin is impractically soft considering her djinn side represents the elemental plane of air and clouds. keeps her djinn bottle as an earring accessory (considering its gold accents that corresponds with her brown attires and insignificant size, no one suspects it, but when they do, it’s not like they’re capable of snatching it off, for she has a spell that binds it to her ear permanently). has a silver smiley piercing which she naturally shows off.

დ genshin au notables! n/a (temporarily). დ spider-verse au notables! n/a (temporarily). დ jujutsu kaisen au notables! n/a (temporarily).

ᰍ age appearance. nineteen (19). ᰍ birthday. may 25th. ᰍ nationality, race, + ethnicity. (varies depending on the au), african-american, + moroccan. ᰍ gender, prns, sexuality. agender, she/her (though doesn’t care much), + panromantic & ninsexual.

ᰍ sun sign. gemini. ᰍ MBTI. infj-t (the turbulent advocate).

ᰍ likes. heartstrings… but the word. the word is just so goddamn pretty to her. foamy soap dispensers. foamy facial cleansers. witchcraft. toy collecting. mango tea. tarot reading (giving & receiving). ghost hunting. black olives. artifact hunting/paranormal activity in general. palmistry. wind chimes omg. dream catchers omg. incense making. oh muh gud her friends!!! aerial silk (in genie form). moonwater. cake pops, so yummy!!!! piranhas. mochi. onesies. fucking berries… raspberries, black berries, blue berries, no matter. reading magazines. henna artistry. gold, gold, gold! cardigans. ACCESSORIES THAT JINGLE! tangia w/ fucking oxtails... favorite stew. loves stews and soups in general… or potato salad lol. puppies! very cute. philosophy, duh. listening to the ocean in seashells. cherubs. mud masks for face or hair, mud baths.. .the earth. LOVES the rain omg. thunder, lightning, strong wings- ok storms as well BUT primarily just rain. lingerie. igneous rocks. low-waisted pants. fossils. + aloe butter. ᰍ dislikes. unnecessary and unasked for criticism. bombarding/unnecessary questions. rude or mentally/physically destructive customers. trypophobia. sudden upcoming mental breakdowns. cream of wheat. oversleeping. too much dairy (is lactose intolerant). stubborn, cat-coded characters!!! (“mh… it’s more of a guilty pleasure! all of my doted darlings are little mittens that keep me warm… argh, during the summer, that is”…) lost jewelry. terrible hair days. terrible mental health days, which leads to her dressing like a grandma fr. unanswered questions. frequent migraines. yo-yos (she could never do it :(.) scorpions. giant hornets. + intense, negative, & suffocating auras.

･ﾟﾟ❥ quotes.

Receiving A Gift: II ୨୧ “Ambrosia at it’s finest…”

More About Jihane: III ୨୧ “Alright everyone, don’t scream… a legend has arrived… *a moment of awkward silence then mumbles* … O I sound like that damn crazy cat…”

About Us: Antiquity ୨୧ “Think of an antique as a book … Good stories aren’t discerned by worth, fame, or length, but by relatability or connectivity. Assess yourself as the narrator of this object if you’re drawn to it. As for me, Traveler, I’m very drawn to you. Do you mind if I give you a reading, maybe? I’d really like to test our relevance.”

Chat: Divinity ୨୧ “Oh Haniel, why must I be so fine? Ze’ma … Why must my wisdom be so divine? *giggles proudly* … Ze’maaa… Tis’ a sad, sad case for most…”

oc masterlist. extended details. visualizer.

⑅ neso productions. all rights fucking reserved, do not plagiarize.

[indyflanery]

Bold what the signs remind me of

REPOST DON'T REBLOG

ARIES: The smell of burnt matches, whiskey burning your throat, running at night, fiery gazes, freckles, laughs that expose their teeth, winning an arcade game, the thundering sounds of a crowded bowling alley, hearing music blaring from someone else’s headphones, cherry stained lips.

-

TAURUS: Thick hair, septum piercings/nose rings, earthy eyeshadow palettes, red wine, blasting Adele, standing on a cliff overlooking the ocean, leather bound journals, wearing expensive lingerie underneath casual outfits, MAC nudes, splurging at your local bakery, brownstone buildings, suede skirts, online shopping.

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GEMINI: Synth pop playlists, neon signs, blurry nightclub photos, high school cliques, collecting crystals, getting dressed up to go to concerts/festivals, fleeting but intense crushes, conversations composed of gibberish, sitting in diners late at night, body glitter, witty comebacks, complicated coffee orders.

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CANCER: Small tattoos, tasting teardrops on your lips, bed hair, swimming at night, high school English classes, the importance of platonic relationships, herbal tea, random quotes on post it notes, combing a friends hair out of their face, hermit crabs, swallowing the lump in your throat when you’re about to cry.

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LEO: Theatre/drama kids, loud drunks, enthusiastic bear hugs, gold jewellery, leading the pack, grins that are a mixture of mischievous and sinister, eye catching outfits, temporary tattoos, dancers/musicians/painters (artists in general), a flair for the dramatic, flirtatiously winking at strangers, sunflowers.

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VIRGO: New car smell, aesthetic highlighted notes, wire frame glasses, succulents, light denim, eyeliner and sass so sharp, wandering through antique stores, lace bralettes, Fleetwood Mac, flowers blooming, typewriter keys clicking, minty breath, dated polaroids, skepticism, organised bookshelves.

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LIBRA: Collecting teacups, bright coloured pool floats, orchids, soft lips, Valentine’s day memes, float like a butterfly sting like a bee, smearing cream blush onto cheeks, bubblegum, Marina’s Electra Heart era, classic romance novels, songs that reference Paris, hoop earrings, pink lemonade, fluffy blankets.

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SCORPIO: Menthol cigarettes, jealousy, original ChapStick, deep glares, tongue/lip piercings, crushed ice, cold hands, picking at your nails, storm clouds rolling in, maroon lipstick, band tees, suppressed emotions, Lorde aesthetic, an air of mystery, standing your ground, monochromatic themes, kept secrets.

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SAGITTARIUS: Roadtrips with the windows down, drunken debates, loose jeans, camping with friends, speeding tickets, kissing strangers, action flicks with surround sound, messy bedrooms, wind swept hair, sneaking out of windows, chasing sunsets, big sunglasses, Ride by Lana Del Rey, backroads, wildflowers.

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CAPRICORN: Black coffee, silver stationary, Arctic Monkeys, pencil sketches, cast iron gates, calligraphy, sleep deprivation, black skinny jeans, well written essays, deadly ambition, unboxing new shoes, absinthe, garter belts, tracing fingers over hardcover books, planning outfits in advance, expensive perfume.

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AQUARIUS: Street smarts, revolutions, racing cars at traffic lights, sci-fi aesthetic, pool parties, dyeing your hair bright colours, spontaneity, conspiracy theories, dream catcher collections, random pockets of knowledge, lava lamps, artistic graffiti, stoner movies, flashing carnival lights, seldom used emojis.

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PISCES: Giggly drunks, heart eyes, making playlists, seeing the good in people, aquariums, daydreaming in class, volunteering at animal shelters, watery eyes, acoustic guitar, anime, childhood teddy bears, shoeboxes full of things, talking to pets, wishing wells, clear umbrellas, flying a kite, philosophy.

[toribookworm22]

Happy STS! If your OCs had social media account, what would they have and what kind of things would they post?

Hey, Kraken! Thanks for the ask, love!

Using StormWatcher characters for this one:

Kib - has an Instagram account. It is just pictures of the weather. Storms and clouds and lightning strikes. Sometimes she'll post safety tips and warnings, but mostly it's just pictures of the weather.

Merieh - refuses to get anything other than Pinterest. She makes lots of moodboards and has collections specifically for her different hobbies and moods. She sometimes "gifts" her collections.

Daran - has a TikTok. He posts lots of videos he takes of Merieh, usually set to sweet music. He also likes to post quote collections dedicated to Merieh. One time, he posts something for Kib; it's a compilation of people flipping the bird.

[sakuramidnight15]

-DAC MC Information-

Character Bio

Name: Fursat Clodwal

(Japanese: フルサット・クロドワル)

Romaji: Furusatto Kurodowaru

Quote: “Apologies. I am busy for now, I'll be available for later."

V/A: Hisafumi Oda (Japanese)

Alejandro Saab (English)

Gender: Male

Age: 16

Birthday: February 24

Star Sign: Pisces

Eye Color: Sky Jean Blue (His Normal Eye Color)

Dark Lavender (Second Eye Color and Half-Myth power activation)

Hair Color: Dark Midnight Purple

Height: 169 cm

Race: Half Human, Half Myth/Hybrid

Species: Gas Phantom

Homeland: Crystalsle Village (The fifth country in the Island of Enchantment)

Family: Fredrick Gladstone (Father)

Rielle Clodwal (Mother)

Eminette Gladstone (Younger Sister)

_____________________________________

School Status and Fun Facts

Dorm: Resonnata (@deaths-academy-of-combat)

School Year: First

Class: 1-C

Student no. 29

Occupation: Student (A scouted student)

Heiress to the Clodwal Family (Currently in training)

Official Undercover Spy of SIDC (Meaning: Supernaturals Investigation Department Center)

Club: Forensics Club (Member), Gymnastics Team (Member)

Best Subject: Lethal Poison Handling, Magical Sciences, and Tact and Strategy 101

Dominant Hand: Ambidextrous

Favorite Color: Dark Purple, Black, Light Teal, and Grey

Favorite Food: Fried Sunny-side Ups, Dark Chocolate (A little bitter), Hawaiian Pizza, Salted Sardines, Spicy Tacos, Spicy Curry, Matcha Cupcakes (Not too sweet),

Least Favorite Food: Any Red Candies (Either Sour or Sweet, will not take any), Frog Legs, Tomato Stew, Lime Juice, Over-burnt Food, Onion Rings (Fried), Red Radishes, Ghost-Peppers Chips,

Likes: Peace and Quiet, Getting Thriller Novel Collection, Astrology Based-Ideas, Moonlight Sight-seeing, Cloud-sculpting (Any kind of cloud), Studying Side-effects from potions (Marleigh's drugs), Science Potion Making, Horror or Thriller Movies,

Dislikes: Dealing Bullshit (From Doremi's mostly), Chaos, Being Late, Losing Sleep, His Glasses getting dirty, His younger sister's whining, Thunder Storms, Quinn's cockiness, Getting Cancelled last minute,

Talents: Transforming into his half-myth form, Dark Third-eye, Ghost Abilities, Shadow Communication, Fog Creation, Levitation Skill, Dark Magic Skills, Firearms, Stealth Master, Voice Hallucinating,

Nicknames: Fur or Sato (From his family and friends)

Treyton-san (From Others)

Young Master (From the Butler)

Brother or Big Brother (From his younger sister)

Fur-Fur (From Doremi)

Mr. Clodwal (From the SIDC workers and trainers)

Other Nicknames:

Lord Fursay or Milord (From the servants)

_____________________________________

Appearance and Personality

Appearance: Fursat has a semi-tall yet average male body-build but he seems to have some muscles on his body but is never seen but is always covered by his clothing at a far distance, he has dark midnight purple colored long yet straighten hair that he ties it often into a single braid or other hair styles he can tie it up with during P.E. classes on a daily basis. He has sky jean blue colored eyes which they can turn into dark lavender whenever he uses his myth abilities. Fursat is mature and neutral with his mannerisms but he's mostly silent and quite a workaholic.

Personality: Born as the eldest child and first son within his family's household in one of Crystalsle's wealthiest houses and gardens spots to be own or to be sight-seen, Fursat was supposed to have a sheltered life after he was born till he told his parents that he wanted to explore the outside world and continue to be the heir to his family's lineage around age five as he parents had agreed around later, but soon after his younger sister was born, he now's gained his workaholic persona from his father which he mother tends to be worried about it whenever he's with his younger sister, and even compared it to his father who was also like him.

Though despite it being a bit of a not so serious problem. Fursat has managed his time schedule but still has his workaholic part but get things done within a minute that looks like that he finished it within a second than that, though he seems not to be bothered much by it.

The current Fursat we are now seeing is a well-mannered young man, who takes the explanation by using his actions and words to get things to have an answer then ranting it out. Though he isn't much of a talkative individual though he can speak though not loudly. Apparently around with his co-workers, he still has the same personality but a bit more stressed or annoyed visibly whenever chaos is stirred up into the scene.

Aside from his main personality that many would have seen, he is mostly calm yet quiet whenever on break various times on his busy schedule during the weekends, or distancing himself from crowded places he's in undetected, though Fursat prefers being alone in his own room or elsewhere outdoors in the forest so he can rest up for a whole then he can return to his schedule for now. If you were ever to see him there, he's just taking a silent break till when he wakes up and gets back to his workload.

Despite him as a young silent boy with only a few words of his own choice, his actions enough are to make an intimidating presence alongside his silent-like aura as a ghost-myth. Fursat knows when to act immediately if danger and threat filled his thoughts up as an interruption to his main work and schedule, however, he gets into action if so on.

He mostly doesn't like being disturbed or whatever reason is there, he has his senses to know what is right or wrong. The words wouldn't matter to him as long the issue is settled either through brute force or not.

He's a boy with a few things in mind, in fact, his friends know how to make him take a relaxing break of course! Without interrupting as well...

_____________________________________

Trivia

-The name Fursat means 'is Leisure, Freedom or Relief' and is also a Muslim Boy name. While his surname 'Clodwal' means in the English origin, means 'An icy cold, blue man'.

-He's based mixed based on 'Azusa Yumi' from Soul Reaper Series and 'Lady Odette' from the manwha: Bastian.

-He seems to have good guessing mind when it comes to any type of tea being served.

-Apparently, he is mostly neutral with his dorm mates and leader within the dormitory, though based on his personality, he isn't much social with them.

-Is a fond of astrology and night-time topics that he is familiar with, clearly he's much more talkative if that topic is mentioned for him to chat with.

-As any other ghost-myth, he can also walk through walls and additional for doors.

-Does not like any red based candies whether it be sweet or sour kind, apparently he didn't like it after trying it as a child. So he wouldn't take some if he sees one there.

-Is in a chaotic relationship with his younger sister in both the past and present timeline. Though many can consider it as normal sibling relationship.

-Is often seen with Eldoris or few of his co-workers on break time since they are scouted to the same school as freshmen students but in different classes.

-Is also in natural yet close terms with Lynette and Freya, during at free time and work duties at the SIDC agency.

-At SIDC work, he shares his respects with his rank captain Elijah. Though he can agree that he is also done with Doremi's stupidity and her antics with the rest of the group.

-Is also considered a cool team leader stated by Kaytlinn (@kurov3sochouse) in her opinion, though Fursat states that it was rather embarrassing to have it on him.

-Fast in agile and speed, despite his sleeping persona. Don't underestimate his speed for running that fast.

-Was a victim in a chandelier case, that a large chandelier was heavily dropped onto him at a banquet party with his mother that very same evening. He received a five week hospitalization.

-Has a bit of similarities between him and his father, according to his mother and younger sister.

-Has been pranked twice by Haru in the past before. Though Fursat has either spared him or not eventually.

-He's a huge grouch if he doesn't get enough sleep.

-A fan for thriller novels, you can find him reading some of it in the library.

-His voice sounds calm and collective the normal sound of the tone drops whenever his attitude changes. Which is why I chose Hisafumi Oda for his Japanese voice actor and Alejandro Saab for his English voice actor.

-He's actually good in baby-sitting thanks to watching his younger sister as a kid in the past.

-Hates Quinn's Bullshit and gets more annoyed if he gets cancelled at the last second. That tested his patience mich faster.

-Is okay with dealing with Clementine, but chats a lot more with Allison though.

-Is a cat person, has a pet Persian Cat named Join.

_____________________________________

[morriganaensland]

1. On Unity and Shared Humanity:

"We are not the roots nor the leaves,

but the soil from which all life grows.

Without care, the earth hardens,

and nothing flourishes."

2. On Compassion and Empathy:

"The sun does not choose who to warm,

nor the rain who to quench.

In nature’s abundance,

there is no greed—only balance."

3. On Justice and Fairness:

"What is a river,

if not a gathering of countless streams?

Alone, they vanish into dust,

but together, they carve cathere's?

4. On the Power of Collective Action:

"A single flame fights the wind,

trembling on the edge of silence.

A thousand flames

roar into the night, unyielding."

5. On Bridging Ideological Divides:

"Beneath the banners and walls,

the earth is the same:

open to seeds, soft for roots,

eager for life to bloom."

6. On the Purpose of Prosperity:

"What is gold

if it cannot mend the cracks of hunger,

or build bridges

to carry the weary home?"

7. On Responsibility and Leadership:

"The tallest tree stands

because the forest rises with it.

Alone, it would bend

to the mercy of the storm."

8. On the Balance of Idealism and Pragmatism:

"The stars do not fear

the stretch of the night;

they burn because they trust

the dawn will come."

9. On the Common Good:

"The feast is sweeter

when all hands bring bread,

and all hearts leave full."

10. On Hope and Change:

"There is no cage so strong,

no chain so heavy,

that a whisper of hope cannot rust away."

11. On the Nature of True Freedom:

"Freedom is the wind,

not a path to walk,

but the breath that moves all life forward."

12. On Economic Justice:

"A tree does not hoard its shade,

nor a bird its song.

The world is richest when it gives,

and poorest when it withholds."

13. On Collective Responsibility:

"What are we

if not threads in the same cloth,

bound together,

stronger as one?"

14. On Equality:

"The stars do not ask

who may shine the brightest;

they only light the sky

for all to see."

15. On Humanity’s Potential:

"There is fire in the heart of the earth,

waiting to rise.

Together, we are its spark."

Certainly! Here are more original quotes written in a poetic, imagery-rich style, continuing the themes of unity, fairness, and possibility:

---

1. On the Nature of Fairness:

"The mountain does not weigh its stones,

nor the ocean judge its waves.

Fairness is not in balance,

but in letting all rise together."

2. On Collective Strength:

"A single drop is lost in the sun,

but a cloud becomes rain,

a river becomes the sea,

and together, they shape the world."

3. On Shared Humanity:

"We are the same wind,

filling different sails.

When one is stranded,

none can journey far."

4. On Revolution:

"The forest does not whisper to the flame.

It burns,

and in the ashes,

the seeds awaken."

5. On Growth and Change:

"Every storm brings ruin,

but in its wake,

the soil is soft

for new roots to grow."

6. On the Vision of Equality:

"The moon does not shine for one eye alone,

nor does the dawn rise for a single soul.

The light belongs to all."

7. On the Power of Kindness:

"The smallest ember

can warm the coldest night;

the gentlest hand

can lift the heaviest heart."

8. On the Nature of Justice:

"The rain does not choose where to fall

Absolutely! Here are more original poetic reflections and inspirational lines, maintaining the same themes and imagery:

---

1. On Equality as a Shared Journey:

"No ladder reaches the stars alone;

it is the steady climb of many hands

building step by step into the unknown."

2. On Collective Dreams:

"A dream kept by one

fades like morning mist,

but a dream shared by many

becomes a sunrise."

3. On the Power of Compassion:

"Compassion is a river

cutting through stone—

gentle, relentless,

and always finding a way."

4. On Freedom and Responsibility:

"True freedom is not a gift,

but a torch passed hand to hand,

lighting the way for those still in shadow."

5. On Overcoming Division:

"The lines we draw in sand

are swept away by the tide.

What remains

is the shore we all stand upon."

6. On Justice as a Natural Force:

"The wind does not ask

which tree deserves its touch.

Justice, like nature,

moves where it is needed most."

7. On the Role of Struggle:

"It is in the fire that the blade is forged,

and in the storm

that the tree roots deepen.

Struggle is the soil of strength."

8. On Shared Humanity:

"We are all vessels of the same ocean,

carrying its weight and its song.

No ship sails alone."

9. On Building Together:

"The cathedral is not built

by one pair of hands.

It rises stone by stone,

held steady by the faith of many."

10. On the Hope for Change:

"Hope is a seed planted in darkness,

waiting patiently for the sun

to remember it is there."

11. On Strength in Numbers:

"A single grain of sand

is swept away by the wind,

but together,

they make a shore no tide can claim."

12. On Revolution as Renewal:

"Revolution is not the breaking of what is,

but the planting of what could be—

a garden where none are weeds."

13. On the Balance of Power and Humility:

"A leader stands tallest

when they kneel

to lift those who have fallen."

14. On Unity and Diversity:

"The forest is not made of one tree;

it is the many,

each different,

each essential."

15. On Building a Fairer World:

"The foundation of fairness

is not in the stone of one’s hands,

but in the mortar of many hearts."

16. On the Nature of Justice:

"Justice is not a blade

cutting clean;

it is a balm,

healing wounds unseen."

17. On Overcoming Adversity:

"The mountain does not yield easily,

but the path is made by those

who walk together,

carving steps into stone."

18. On Shared Prosperity:

"A loaf shared

[sophiabblog]

Final Assignment: Your Manifesto

Throughout all of my blog posts on Tumblr, I found a theme in several of my posts mainly about nature, landscape, and traveling around the world. Which led to my decision to name my manifesto, “A Voyager’s Manifesto,” to reflect the overall theme. I grew up and was raised overseas for most of my life; living in Australia, Japan, Germany, Thailand, and the United States. Therefore, after seeing so many breathtaking and astonishing sights all over the world it allowed me to have so much appreciation for nature’s beauty. My father also used to take me fishing all the time and on hikes which also helped develop my love for the aesthetic of the natural world and its environment. I value nature for its peacefulness and the way it relaxes me just by sitting outside and listening to the birds chirping, or the leaves rustling from the wind.

For my Representative work assignment (Module 2,) I wrote about an art piece I made from my AP Art high school class. This painting was of a few postcards I collected as souvenirs from different places I traveled to. The painting shows my appreciation and connection to nature,  and landscape in these countries. For example, the postcard on the bottom left displays the beautiful tulips and windmills in Holland. 

I would overall express most of my blogs to be imaginative. This can be seen in the Abstract images assignment (Module 3,) we had artistic freedom to pick whichever painting we liked. I chose a painting that reminded me of nature just by looking at the different fragmented shapes. In my blog I wrote “I could see trees shaped like water droplets with thin lines as the trunk of the tree…”. This shows what my visionary mind and love for nature could see just by looking at shapes. I also love going on nature trails or hikes with my dad so as soon as I saw a grey trail in the abstract painting it reminded me exactly of a trail.

 My creativity can also be seen in the most recent assignment, “Ekphrasis” (Module 14) I chose a painting by Vincent Van Gogh titled “Wheatberry Under Thunder Cloud”. I chose a Van Gogh painting because he is one of my favorite artists and what we both have in common is our love for nature. I have always loved painting since I was a little girl and it has always helped relieve my stress. When I paint nature or landscape I like to sit outside under a tree in the shade and it always makes me thankful for mother nature and what she created. For my ekphrasis on this painting, I spent a lot of time thinking not only what was happening in the painting, but also what potentially may be happening after that scene. Quoted below is my poem.

“A field of green, underneath the windy sky.

Rustling winds blowing by.

Strands of grass, blowing under the blue sky.

When the storm passes by, the sun will come up in the sky.

The dew on the grass will begin to pass.

The birds will begin to fly in the sky.

The bunnies will begin to play, and the foxes will come out to prey.”

As displayed from my poem, it is not only imaginative but also the words I used to describe the painting show my appreciation and connection to nature.

Another blog post I found that connects with my nature theme would be from the assignment “Not seen on TV” (Module 13). For this assignment we were to choose a video that interested us and create an analysis. I chose the video of crashing car windows with a flower because It caught my attention how half of the video was an urban area and the other half was of beautiful nature scenes. I wrote on my blog “I also think the video displayed human destruction of the Earth” Which overall made me think about how important the preservation of nature is to me. 

[senor-plume]

LSD (in a snow storm)

the comfort slides down the back of my neck smooth and slow entering my spinal cord and relaxing me to the point of nirvana

seeing visions of clouds dressed as flappers holding long cigarette holders and the skyscraper is breathing slowly in & out

my palms are smiling fruity and cheerful as I hold them up to my two spaced-out pupils

the snow is coming down heavily and there should be no school tomorrow so we take this acid trip …the three of us partially in my bedroom and then walking around town avoiding crowds

we walk carefully on the sidewalk but in quieter streets we stride towards nowhere in the middle of the road moving only for the massive snow plows that are keeping our city safe and I swore the driver of the first truck we saw was Lauren Bacall

with my mother sleeping in the back bedroom we have the front the house to ourselves and so we play the trippiest stuff in my record collection quietly and when I Am The Walrus comes on I take to the waterbed and slip into the headphones so I can hear the tune as closely as possible and of course it freaks me out…

freaks me out heavily

when one of the three finally falls asleep me and my best bud hightail it to the TV room where we will watch Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure and Yellow Submarine with large goofy smiles on our stolen faces

and soon we get word for sure that school is definitely cancelled so we celebrate with a fresh cigarette and a bit of marijuana

that speedy tripping feeling slowly subsides and I crash into sleep right there on the sofa while my pal remains awake …not frightened of having to converse with my waking mother

very brave very brave indeed

that was my third trip and I enjoyed many more afterwards but this one was my favorite

having both the snow and my two dearest friends along for the ride made it extraordinary

although I am glad that I will never do it again

well…maybe mushrooms if offered but certainly not LSD again

I know I scrambled my brains on it and I believe (although I have no proof) that it helped make me socially stunted

though I could be worse off

so, if you are out there guys I had a splendid time the night we tripped on my brothers birthday January 22, 1987 I wouldn’t change a thing about that evening and let me quote my good friend Rob who said that night while flipping through the pages of a colored atlas:

“I don’t know guys, I guess if I could be anywhere in the world I suppose I’d kinda like to be right here”

Amen

[merc-h-w]

Happiness

As I collected quotes, I realized those on happiness fell under three subcategories. A majority focused on happiness as a feeling, especially connected with sensory pleasure. Several connected to art or love. Others yet considered happiness as a goal. A few quotes were at an intersection between happiness and philosophy, which have been included here, as well.

Sensory Pleasure

Love, Art

[adventism-atheism-orthodoxy-me]

The Water Cycle and Sectarian Christianity

"... for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." -- Matthew 5:45

Since the beginning of recorded human history, people have been relying upon the water cycle of earth. The rains, the streams, the lakes and the oceans are all part of the earth's water cycle, as are the clouds, the groundwater, and glaciers. To quote NOAA, "The water cycle is often taught as a simple circular cycle of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Although this can be a useful model, the reality is much more complicated. The paths and influences of water through Earth’s ecosystems are extremely complex and not completely understood." Other cultures throughout history have personified aspects of this system - Zeus as the storm God, Poseidon as the Sea God, and a variety of Naiads personifying the lakes and streams of the land. Nobody to the best of my knowledge has tried to outright deny the existence of a water cycle, but if they did, my point is that the Water Cycle wouldn't care. It would just keep doing what it does.

The same people that personified aspects of the water cycle as deities never really suffered due to their mischaracterizations. They were happily able to take advantage of the flood cycles of the Nile to grow crops. Irrigation led to a greater ability to feed and clothe populations. People enjoyed swimming in lakes, playing in snow, and walking on beaches. All without a perfect knowledge of the water cycle. People made boats for exploration and for trade, and prayed to Poseidon - the God of the Sea - for safe passage. Their misunderstandings didn't make their safety any less important, or their missions any less valuable. As an aside, our knowledge about this vital system that gives life to this planet is unimportant to the flow of blood in our bodies - blood that is 60% water, and thus part of this system.

On the other hand, whether conceived of as a deity, a collection thereof, dismissed, or understood primarily as a scientific process; disruption of the water cycle, or failure to abide by certain principles are dealt with - not in a sense of "right" and "wrong", but rather in the sense of harmonious or discordant. Keep in mind, the water cycle will do what it does, so, if you build your house in a flood plain - while it might not be washed away this year or the next, sometime, sooner rather than later, your house will eventually be washed away. Introducing toxins into the system will circulate those toxins, some may be eventually filtered out, but there are places all over the earth that are uninhabitable because the groundwater has been contaminated, and the natural processes of filtration are taking time to restore the healthy equilibrium. Plastics will break down also, but until they do, the damage they are causing will continue.

So how does this characterization of the water cycle relate to sectarian Christianity?

God does what God does regardless of our opinion of him. Whether we mischaracterize him, or even deny him. His ontology, the sum total of his energies and essence, is unaffected. It doesn't matter if you believe in predestination, God will do what he does.

Mischaracterizing or denying him doesn't really matter as long as we are living in a harmonious equilibrium with his work. If you love him (however imperfectly) with your whole mind and spirit, and your neighbor as yourself, your opinions don't matter.

To the extent that you seek to circumvent, exploit, or otherwise damage God's natural plan, pain and suffering will result. Call it judgment if you want, actions have consequences, and a failure to love your neighbor, and to treat him as a cherished child of God are likely to produce uncomfortable results.

Now, I am not one of these people who believe that God is a refinement of some Mesopotamian storm deity; God is not the Water Cycle. But I do believe that God made that system among many others. God is everywhere present and filling all things, and the natural order reflects HIS order. That includes, but is not exclusive to this one system. Insofar as we live in this world, cooperating with the natural order of things, we participate with his energies.

One final point. A freak rainstorm in the desert need never have been precipitated by a divine committee meeting that decided such a thing should take place. Conversely, no minor djinn, naiad, or angel was probably ever punished for allowing such a thing to happen, when clearly it should not have done so. The water cycle, in it's strange and mysterious ways, just does what it does. That God can influence the weather is beyond doubt, I can look to the flood, or to the story of Elijah and the Priests of Baal to see that, but most of the time I think it is the providence of God to allow the systems he's put into place to do what they do, and it's up to us to care for one another while these grand weather events test our commitment and love for our neighbor.

Maybe a meditation for another time.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy upon me a sinner.

[pluralquotebook]

i'm a dog. why am i doing math?

idk..

capitalism?

f**ck math, math class is to eat granolla!

but our grade.

i dont care that i'm lossing a good grade, i need my gronolla :(

i dont like having existential crisises and mental breakdowns in math class, i just want to eat food :(

-the amazing digital storm cloud circus

(i made an ask i bit ago where we couldent figure out our sign of, but we've desided to combin the obtions, sorry about it being so long

.

[umichenginabroad]

Week 7: Adventures in Adulting

After a long trip to New Zealand, it was time to head back to our reality in Sydney. It was more real than we would’ve liked and left us wishing for just a few more hours in the carefree mountain ranges of the Fiordlands. 

Tuesday - The Big Reveal

We made our way back to Sydney making sure to load up at the duty free before security. Upon arriving at our house, we realized that none of us brought a key to the house with us. Tried every door we could, but nothing would budge… “guys, what about that second-floor window?”

After not so smoothly breaking and entering into our own house, the full scope of what needed to be done made itself painfully clear. The trash in the back had attracted a pack of rats who now had the backyard to themselves, if you know anything about me you likely know that I am terribly afraid of rats. Needless to say, it was a huge blow to give up such a big part of our place. All the trash removal companies quoted us figures that were hard to swallow, so we set our jaws and became determined to ride out the trash until the next Tuesday morning which, of course, was when trash was collected. 

The house has no central AC so the air felt very stagnant and unhealthy. The multitude of flies and maggots invading the cup of coffee left out didn’t soften the picture. The dishes left in the dishwasher were covered in black mold and the house we had pretty much had a day to move in still needed several necessities including groceries. To top it off, we all had no clean clothes and the house lacked a dryer. Oh, and there was no wifi. 

As we pushed the last cart of supplies and pest control products into the house that night, the respect we all had for our parents had probably never been so high. 

Wednesday - Settling in

Today we went to our Term 1 classes for the first time. It was one of the two classes I shared with Joe. The professor was passionate about his subject. After class, we met some Brits and followed their lead to an on-campus bar for a pint and a round of pool for lunch.

That night, the friends we traveled to New Zealand with came over and we threw our thongs on for a stroll to the beach and then enjoyed some late-night Mac’ers. (G’day)

Thursday

Joe and I went to surf at Bondi Beach today. We also got wind of this 5-day long party pass that caters to UNSW students and gets you into venues around the city each night. That night became yet another Ivy Thursday. A night I could’ve, maybe, sworn was better than before.

Friday - Storms and Shows

Joe has been harping on about this show for a while called Dark. It’s a German series on Netflix that sucked all of us in from the start. We ended up binging the show most of the day, baking cookies and long-winded wifi technical support calls being the only things to puncture our routine. 

Saturday - I Love beautiful Sunset Days

We took another trip to the Blue Mountains, this time we went to the town of Wentworth Falls and took the trail down to the base of the waterfalls. We spent most of the day dipping into the naturally eroded pools and basking in the sun on the nearby dry rocks. 

Then the sky shifted and we opened our eyes to massive raindrops picking up and falling with a quickening intensity, before we knew it we were in the valley of the blue mountains during a full-on thunderstorm. We quickly got to the other side and slowly made our way back up and out of the trail. Towards the top, we found shelter in a naturally protected inlet carved out of the side of the mountain while the storm passed. It also gave us an incredible view of the valley below. We got to see the full water cycle in action… when the rain stopped the clouds cleared and then clouds started to form right over the bottom of the valley and could be seen floating upwards to reform for a later storm. Mind blown. The storm’s departure left the sky clear for a spectacular sunset. 

Sunday - Running a house is hard

Today was the day of solutions (at last). We finally got the wifi up and online, the massive heaps of trash and its inhabitants were carted off by a trash collection agency we scheduled (caved into ordering), and the weekly rent-a-dryer service delivered a dryer. We also had a full-standing AC unit dropped off by a Facebook Marketplace seller. Our next problems were the fuses for the outlets constantly being blown by all of the devices connected to them, namely when the AC unit and dryer were plugged in and turned on. And there was the problem of next to no cleaning supplies, specifically those strong enough to clean the artificial turf of rat poo. 

But the battle had been won and so we celebrated our progress with a day on the beach. Except when a storm moved in, it left a long line for the busses… so we tried to bike.

That night my friend Sam and I went to see Dr. Andrew Huberman give his talk on the mind-body contract and then opened up the floor to a Q&A.

The takeaways that stuck with me were the instant stress relief nervous system mechanism we can all tap into and the Body Still, Mind Awake practice. The first happens when we take a deep breath into our nose and then take another inhale and then breathe out through our mouth. The second is a method he’s found that creatives across history have used to varying degrees, from Einstein stopping his walks abruptly, as he found his thinking would change based on the lack of incorporation of movement, to Rick Rubin taking a daily hour-long lie down where he keeps his mind active and thinking in full sentences while keeping his body completely still. 

Monday

Time to seriously catch up on school. I’m writing this blog in between 4 hour sessions of watching all the lectures I missed on two times speed. Something, anything to mix up all of this watching. 

Have a great week everyone, 

-Grant Touchette

[albertowagneru]

The Lightning Rod Protection You Require For Your Sensitive Electronics

In order to protect a structure against lightning, a protection system must be designed in accordance with lightning rod protection international and national standards.

Lightning protection is a system designed to mitigate the potential damage caused by lightning strikes on buildings. In a lightning protection system, lightning rods are placed at regular intervals on the highest portions of a structure. These rods are connected to high-voltage cables running down the outer walls, ultimately leading to a ground rod buried underneath the ground.

Lightning rod collects a strike and grounds it along with a preferred path, whereas CTS does not allow a strike to form in a protected area.’

Our patented Charge Transfer System (CTS) technology revolutionized the lightning rod protection industry by offering a proactive approach to lightning prevention. Unlike traditional lightning rods that attract lightning, CTS technology stops lightning from forming entirely by reducing the electrical field in the area being protected. Our lightning rod also called the ionizer, is the CTS (Charge Transfer System) that harnesses the induced current created by storm clouds to gather the charge from the protected area and transfer it to the surrounding air via the ionizer. The ionizer acts as a point discharge medium to reduce the risk of a lightning strike. Many traditional lightning protection products do not adequately address all the risks that lightning can present. LEC’s lightning rod Protection takes lightning protection to a whole new level. The entire protection system includes a wide range of external and internal lightning protection products and elements, all working together to achieve a single goal: protecting your facility. The importance of the lightning rod protection system lies in the protection of human lives, physical structures, and equipment,

It is designed to be integrated with any structure, including buildings, rigs, towers, tanks, tanks, stacks, etc. Since 1971, our lightning rod protection has been installed on thousands of sites and has maintained a success rate of more than 99%.

By installing our charge transfer system with surge protection devices, industrial plants can eliminate the risk of lightning strikes and ensure continuity of operations at all times. Connect with us to get a quote.

[elvandara]

Ailess Wirecheek - Themes and Aesthetics

Ailess Wirecheek (Who is Ailess Wirecheek?) is one of my favorite characters that I've ever created. This post is a collection of aesthetics, songs, and quotes that remind me of her. Some of them may even be used in future stories.

Soundtrack:

Soundtrack (Text Version):

Goodbye - Apparat, Soap&Skin Welcome Home, Son - Radical Face Compass - Zella Day Never Let Me Go - Florence + The Machine Downed and Drowned - The Longest Johns What The Water Gave Me - Florence + The Machine The Night We Met - Lord Huron

Aesthetics (Photos from Unsplash and WikiArt):

Ailess' aesthetics are storms, the scent of the ocean, the sound of crashing waves, spring rain while standing in a garden, the clouds after a gale, sunsets over the sea, freshly turned earth, a ship's rigging creaking in the wind, shipwrecks, and early dawn on the beach before anyone else is awake.

Quotes:

"The sea grieves all night long." - Ted Hughes

"Woman of water, of the sea, woman of the spring shower, woman with eyes full of tears," - Margarita Karapanou, tr. by Karen Emmerich

"Bride of water, bride of stars." - Velimir Khlebnikov

"...the sea offers death as well as immortality." - Guiseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa

"....She won. She drowned. To her heart’s content, she drowned. After all the struggle, she was in union with the sea and nothing felt better than salty taste of victory." - Arina Guha

"Death associated with water is more dream-like than death associated with earth: the pain of water is infinite." - Gaston Bachelard

[articale023]

How To Get The Most Out Of Solar Energy Sources

Solar energy is the answer to the world's energy problems. This is a constantly, completely renewable source of power that will continue to thrive for centuries to come. No other solution, even other renewable sources, our as capable, plentiful, and efficient. A few of the key benefits are discussed below.

If you are thinking about using solar power in your home, you must consider how much direct sunlight your home is actually exposed to. In order for solar energy to be worth it, your roof should have full sun exposure a minimum of 6 hours every day. You should also be wary of any areas of your roof covered by shade.

Having a pool is a luxury that is becoming unaffordable for many families. Have you watched the past couple summers pass by, without opening up the pool? Switching your system over to renewable solar energy can help make it possible to keep enjoying your pool, without the high energy bill each month.

Get quotes from several contractors before signing any solar energy installation company. Just as with any other construction product, it pays to shop around before you commit to a particular company. Check out their reviews online and their standing with the Better Business Bureau. A little research ahead of time can save you a big headache later.

One great way to take advantage of solar energy is by constructing a heat well just inside the south facing windows or patio doors of your home. This well collects heat from the sun during the day and releases it after dark. This form of solar energy is completely passive and requires no maintenance.

If you cannot afford to purchase a solar energy system for your entire house, consider using it in just one or two spaces. Solar energy is a great option for heating swimming pools for instance, or bringing additional warmth to a cooler bedroom. You can always start small and purchase more later, as your budget allows.

Think about the money that you send to your power companies each month. How would you like to keep that money in your pocket? Changing to solar power will do that for you. After you pay off the initial investment, the money you used to pay to the power company will stay in your wallet.

Look into the warranties of the solar panels you are considering. A quality solar panel should have a warranty for twenty years or more. If you don't get that with the panels you are considering, then move in a different direction. It may cost a little more, but it'll be worth it for the peace of mind.

Be sure mountings on solar energy panels are engineer certified for your area. For instance, if if you're in an area that gets frequent cyclones, the mountings need to be cyclone rated. High-quality systems will be wind certified to ensure they don't blow away in a huge wind storm. Mounting is an important part of the system and not all suppliers regard them that way. Stay alert when buying your system to make sure they have proper certifications.

The benefits of using solar power can extend into your tax bill. Many areas around the United States are pushing heavily for solar-energy use, and due to this, they are willing to give you a discount on your taxes if you install a system in your home or business.

Each season, you should adjust your panels' angles to optimize sun exposure. Sunlight amounts change based on where the sun is. Unless you reposition your solar panels, you are unlikely to reap the full benefits of a solar energy system.

You should not consider investing in green energies unless you are ready to spend at least fifteen years in your home. Paying off your solar energy system will take you years and the return on your investment will depend on how long you stay in the same home and keep using the solar energy system.

Do not fret if you live in an area where it is frequently overcast. Solar power does not necessarily require full sun all the time. The sun's radiation penetrates through the clouds and can energize the solar panels effectively. Before you give the idea, do your research and discuss your options with reputable solar energy companies.

It is crucial to speak with other homeowners who have invested in solar panels before you consider purchasing your own green energy system. Ask about price, performances and what kind of issues they ran into. You could also get some references for vendors, contractors or repairmen. Once you have your own system, do not hesitate to help other homeowners who are interested.

Decide whether you want to be on or off the power grid. Many people look forward to getting "off the grid" when they switch to solar power, however this may not be the best choice. Staying on your power grid means that when you have poor sunlight conditions you have the ability to purchase additional power when you need it. As a bonus, when you produce more power than you use, you can sell the excess back to the utilities.

Don't allow the first store you visit to convince you that their solar panels are the best. It may seem that solar cells are typically the same wherever you go, but there is actually a big difference across the market and it's easy to miss the important statistics. Pay attention to wattage, size, and cost on each option.

If you want to take advantage of government rebates, be sure to purchase the correct solar panels. Most rebate and incentive programs for solar energy have requirements for specific solar panel certifications. These certifications ensure the panels have been tested and proven to work efficiently. Make sure your panels meet the guidelines before you commit to a purchase.

This is only the beginning of a cleaner future operating on a cleaner, renewable source of power. It starts with the small changes made today by individuals everywhere. Of course, there is always some hesitation before such an important transition, but the topics covered earlier are enough to earn the idea a second thought.

Article Built by: Solar installer news