#they put it on their board to help with traction

[by-allison-kai]

I've seen a lot of people talk about not getting traction on tumblr lately, especially in Writeblr circles. And as someone who's been around long enough to watch the landscape change, and watch people come and go, I thought I'd offer some tips.

Interact with other writers

This seems like an obvious first step, but a lot of people don't really take it on board. Think about the sort of reaction you'd like to receive, and then do that for others. Did you share your writing and hope someone would like it, comment on it, or maybe share it? Do that for others. If you see someone's writing and you like it, consider reblogging it and adding tags/comments to express your thoughts.

If you want to participate in ask games, consider adding a note to your bio/intro post that you're open to tags. Then share a bit of your writing in a game, and tag other people. If you want asks, remember to send asks. Don't expect something for nothing.

Be a positive force

No one wants to interact with someone who's discouraging and negative all the time. Put your best face forward! Obviously this doesn't mean there isn't room for negative posts - we all vent from time to time - but don't make it your entire personality. Show some enthusiasm for being part of the writing community, and show excitement in your work. If you don't care about being here, why should anyone else care that you are? If you don't care about your writing, why should anyone else want to read it?

Actively seek improvement

We're all learning. No one is a perfect writer, and there's a whole world of information out there. Try new techniques, try a different genre if you're looking for a change. Look to improve. And don't be afraid to ask for constructive feedback if you're unsure about something or if you're struggling with your writing.

~

It also helps to remember that there's a wealth of different peoples on tumblr - if you haven't found your fit yet, keep looking. Not everyone will gel with you, and that's fine. It takes time to become part of a community.

[tinydefector]

The Rung transfluid headcanon 😵‍💫 I already drink those daily 🤭

Could I offer up Sunder as being the new Monster Ultra flavor: Fantasy Ruby Red?

Oh the amount of headcannons I have over the transfluid atm is insane. I'm working on a Swerve fic for it atm. I wasn't actually expecting ,y silly shit post to get so much traction over the bots XD

So where I am in Australia energy drinks are limited in what you can find and today I'm in one of the cities so gonna see what lovelies I can find.

I had to go look up that monster and kinda went down a rabbit hole for Sunder and Rung

--------

Firstly. Rung

The first time Rung gets oral from you, it's just to blow off steam after a day, which just didn't turn out well. Man gets put through the ringer a lot with watching everyone else's mental health that sometimes he forgets to look after himself.

He's lent back in his chair venting softly one servo on the back of your head optics half lidded as he just watches, after all you had offered to help with stress relief after hearing a rumour from another human on board.

Rung is extremely high strung, so when your lips and fingers rotate between teasing his spike and pressing your face into his valve, he begins to figure something up.

It's only once he overloads and he's there optics closed debating getting up to clean up that he can still feel you eagerly cleaning up the mess.

And he just gets fixated on watching as you lick up his spike, transfluid covering your tongue and lips

He thinks its a one time thing until two days later he has you back between his thighs working him up for another overload and when he pulls you away because he doesn't want to make a mess and the protest you put up. Begging to taste him again

It is eventually a subject he takes to not just the medics but also the scientist, quite worried about the effects of it since Transfluid is. A by product of Energon. He learns that.

___

-no it isn't harmful to humans the same way energon is.

- aslong as you can limit your human on how much they consume as it can eventually give them energy sickness if they have to much 5-6 litres in a 24 time stamp

-the human body needs time to flush it out. Because it works very much the same as energy drinks if you have to much it can stop your heart or give you cardiac problems

-it's quite additive and companionable to human caffeinated drinks, and when the bots realise that there us a full meeting about the effects.

- energon seems to get converted into a very similar thing to taurine which is an amino acid containing sulphur but alot of the minerals and nutrients that Cybertronians live off from their treats, food sources and energon what adds in all the other things.

-Perceptor and ratchet discovered that Transfluid is better for human consumption than energy drinks not by a lot but more the fact you can consume more of it with less problems.

- and each bot seemed to have different 'flavours' and it becomes a full thing of asking their partner what they taste like. And eventually the 'flavour mods'

________________

And on the Case of Sunder I present to you these monsters as an offering as well.

So we have

Sunder : rehab strawberry lemonade/Ultra ruby red

Overload : rehab recovery watermelon

Senator shockwave: rehab green tea

Elita one: rehab pink lemonade

Chromia: rehab protean

Wheejack: rehab tea + lemonade

Wings : rehab gojo tea

Let me know if you would like to be added to tag list (tagged for every fic)

[castillon02]

“Listen up, scrubs,” Tim said. He paced back and forth in front of his bed. His mother often practiced her war room speeches on him before she gave them to the board; his audience included a Robin toy from Bat-Burger, the venerable Mr. Bear, and a Wonder Woman standee cut out from the back of a cereal box. He would make it work. 

“You think that man is Batman?” He poked Mr. Bear’s chest. “Wrong! As of now, he’s a man who thinks he’s Batman but is really an uncontrollably violent delulu. Grief has taken away his reason, but he still thinks his behavior is rational. What kinds of behaviors are we talking about, Robin?” Mom always tried to involve her audience, and Tim nodded as if Robin had answered. “That’s right. Putting a man in traction for a purse snatching? ‘Rational.’ A shattered knee for breaking-and-entering? ‘Rational.’ A homeless pickpocket with six broken ribs? Again, totally ‘rational.’” 

Tim squared up to his audience, hands on his hips. “You can’t deal rationally with a traumatized man. What you can do is classically and operantly condition him until he’s meeting the behavioral expectations necessary for an active vigilante: Bat-Behaviors, for short. Yes,” he addressed Wonder Woman, “he’ll definitely figure out what we’re doing. We’re not going to be subtle. But the great thing about conditioning someone is that it works even when they know about it.” Who knew that Honors Psych class might actually be useful?

Tim had spent that evening jailbreaking his personal alarm, a safety device his parents had given him when they’d visited the UK. The personal alarm had an ear-shattering volume relative to its tiny size, and the idea, their British liaison had informed them, was that the noise would startle an attacker so you could run away. 

(“Backwards twits with their backwards laws,” Dad had grumbled, stashing all of their pepper spray keychains, tasers, and safety batons under the driver’s seat when they got to the airport. He had kept the family gas masks in his carry-on.) 

One thing Tim had learned from his years of stalking? Batman had sensitive hearing. 

Tim couldn’t exactly shake a No-No Can at him, but noise was a relatively harmless method of punishment and redirection. Rewarding good behavior would work better, of course, but Batman’s current idea of ‘rewards’ seemed to involve breaking people’s bones.   

“He’s going to tell us to stop,” Tim told his audience somberly. “The Batman Voice is like an ultra grown-up voice; it makes people not want to argue. Well, we’re not arguing. You can’t argue with, uh…” Craziness. Trauma. Rage. Grief. Probably a terrible kind of pleasure from making other people hurt. “...You can’t argue with big feelings,” Tim summarized. “But behavioral science says consistency will make this work. If we falter, we’ll fail. Are we going to falter?”  

Mr. Bear, Robin, and Wonder Woman stared up at him. 

“That’s right, team. We’re not. We’re Drakes, and that means we’re going to persist and we’re going to win.” 

When Mom finished a practice speech, Tim usually fist-bumped her and gave her a compliment sandwich. In this case, Mr. Bear would probably praise his determination and research skills, Wonder Woman would remark on his lack of physical tactics for handling a full-grown man’s rage, and Robin would encourage him to keep doing his best to help. 

Tim spent the rest of the night reviewing his photos. Not for their artistic merit or out of love for his heroes, but to remind himself of Gotham’s bolt-holes and escape routes. 

After interrupting Batman’s smashathon with the chorus of “Who Let the Dogs Out” or “Cotton Eye Joe,” Tim would probably have to do some running. 

[crippledwithrage]

I'm somewhere between a B and A cup, so I'm on the smaller side of chests. I've tried different methods of taping and all it did was make them not jiggle when I walked- like a tape bra.

This method, however focuses on the pec shape rather than flattening perfectly.

I came up with it after wasting half a roll of trans tape on other methods, but this one really helped me!

All bodies are different so don't be afraid to experiment with different styles!

Make sure ur musty ass is clean when you put the tape on or you'll be taping over dirt and sweat which is going to give yourself an infection.

Here's a tutorial I found on larger chests and bodies!>>> https://youtu.be/USNvHelRBoU

When making the anchor (the part that sticks to your skin before you pull the rest of it) make sure it's flat and attached well using heat and friction.

(Round the fucking corners of the tape! It gives more traction! )

The first strip is 3 segments and starts near the bottom of the breast where the skin folds over, and pulls up towards the armpit diagonally.

Be sure to pull up first. If you pull down, it may damage the tissue and make top surgery impossible.

The second piece pulls downwards diagonally from the top towards the bottom of the ribs at the back (near your floating ribs). Make sure it doesn't wrap all the way to your shoulder blades.

(That way you can reach It to take it off properly)

It's important not to do this backwards because you shouldn't pull down! It should look like pecs, but remember, cutting board flat is unrealistic and dangerous!

The skin will itch in the middle so feel free to use anti itch cream to alleviate.

Remember > the tissue may be more dense like mine which makes this using transtape frustrating.

Again, feel free to alter it if it doesn't work.

If you have sensory issues, be aware of your boundaries! You can feel the tape on you but don't be afraid to say that it doesn't feel right.

Adjust it or try a different binder. Fytist is the best for sensory friendly binding.

With tape, you'll be able to feel your shirt on your chest and back when using transtape too, so that's something to get used to.

Wear a heavy jacket or sit against something to make that odd sensation go away.

I'm disabled, and I have issues with my oxygen levels so breathing properly is a must. Binders can make it hard to breathe and cause joint pain which is a bitch of a time for me. In the summer, especially, since they get hot.

Binders work for me, luckily, but this method of tape allows for clear breathing.

No squeezing sensation and free range of movement.

It minimizes pain, and allows me to breathe freely as I would with nothing on. If you have breathing problems and can use tape, I highly suggest this.

You can sleep in this stuff and use it for 4 ish days. If it hurts or pulls, or even blisters, take it off! It's better to have a bad day than to live with a mistake forever. Bind safely!

This is for those of you who feel like they're not "flat enough ". Markipier is a cis man and I personally love that he never hides that his chest is somewhat fuller. He has pecs and wears tighter shirts, and this is literally the norm for men. This is the shape you should be going for, not cutting board flat. Most men aren't flat anyways.

When in dysphoria, remember markipier!

Lastly, if you can get cutting board flat, be sure to check if your method is safe and that you're not pulling down. If it's safe, congrats! But I will find you and I will delete your minecraft worlds if you bully others about their chest.

Stay safe out there, queers!

[kirarafelis]

Character biographies part 1.5 + art!

DUNCAN

Name: Duncan 

Likes: Wild events. 

Dislikes: His given daily schedule and responsibilities. 

Known for: Being the only one not interested in any sort of justice within his family.

Why TDI?: To get something new and different out of life.

Duncan comes from a long line of cops. His dad is a cop. His mom is a cop. His uncle, aunt, grandma, and cousins are cops. Unlike them, however, Duncan isn't that interested in that end of the spectrum; he'd rather get some enjoyment, and he's the type who probably shouldn't be trusted with any sort of authority anyways. So Duncan's parents decided to just throw random hobbies at him to keep him from doing anything too mischievous, such as but not limited to: fashion, knitting, and sewing. He's already gotten some warnings, which his mom had to talk out. He's also been put into boarding school after several school hops and pretty much well indulged by his dad to keep him from screwing up their family line reputation. Duncan doesn't necessarily care enough to get the full learning experience from boarding school, though, in his words, he'd rather do an "innovative, creative" break in to show his artistic skills than go through another art class. He also has street smarts and isn't afraid to use them. Despite his cocky nature, the therapists who have worked with Duncan will say he has potential and wants to do good for the world; it just isn't shown exactly through his exterior. When Duncan isn't being put through excessive work or lectures, he looks for ways to curb his boredom, like signing up for Total Drama Island. Duncan figured it couldn't be much worse than a day at boarding school. and, who knows, it could be fun to mess around there. It's not like he's doing anything else this summer.

GWEN

Name: Gwen

Likes: Hosting mold breaking parties from the norm with her little brother.

Dislikes: Following trends.

Known for: Putting beef bouillon cubes in the Community Pool

Why TDI?: To have a good time and the money would really help her mom.

The daughter of a single mom, Gwen was a latchkey kid who grew up taking care of her brother. That's cool with Gwen, because she likes helping out her mom and has tons of fun with her brother, too.

Like the time they put a bunch of beef bouillon cubes into the community pool. (At least the neighborhood dogs were happy!)

The only other thing that Gwen is REALLY passionate about is organizing parties. She believes they can be a substantial form of self-expression; she's been told plenty of her uniqueness for it, and she herself hopes to make the most norm-breaking party ever gain traction without having to go by a single trend for it. One day after all, the last thing she'd do is follow a trend. Maybe a Trent, but never a trend. (wink wink!) Although she's pretty popular for her parties, she is the loner at school. At the same time, she isn’t seen much with others; she spends most of her time instead watching and generating new ideas. But ask someone, and they will say that for a loner, she is a pretty rad one.

Gwen heard about total drama from her brother, and after looking into it, she decided it's just what she'd be looking for in an island retreat. Activities, fun, and relaxation.

Plus, if she wins the $100,000, it would sure make life easier for her mom. Gwen may seem tough as nails on the outside, but when it comes to her family, she's as soft as... well, a marshmallow.

GEOFF

Name: Geoff

Likes: Art, camping, and hanging out at the beach.

Dislikes: Parties that get too wild and shallow superficial people.

Known for: Always drawing in his free time at school.

Why TDI?: A experience different from the typical partying, if not that there’s camping.

Geoff grew up in a party town on the west coast. Spring break, long weekends, summertime—people came from all around to party in his town. So it's not a surprise due to the fact that Geoff isn’t exactly the biggest partygoer; he ended up coming across as an odd one out, or just quite literally an outcast. Now Geoff has seen, at a young age, how to really party. REALLY. He's the oldest of five brothers, but being the oldest also leads to the most responsibilities. Usually, when a party is over, he takes on the job of cleaning up the mess. (One time, almost the entire floor was flooded with fruit punch!) Now he doesn't hold any grudge against his brothers or parents for this, though; it is his duty as the eldest, but he isn't exactly happy about it either. And he thinks that at times the parties start to become too repetitive and similar. Even if Geoff says he hates the idea of doing parties entirely, thanks to his bohemian parents (who met, married, and conceived Geoff on a beach), Geoff still has chillaxin' party-hearty DNA in his blood, even if not apparent. He's the star quarterback on his high school football team, and they’ve scored plenty of wins, but the thing that truly highlights Geoff is his passion for art. A fair share of the cool kids are pretty interested in his art and hang out with him for it. He couldn’t care less about if they were “cool” or not, though; he’d hang out with anyone regardless of where they lie. Geoff's goal is to take a bit out of life and chew it until there's nothing left but seeds that he can scatter into the wind to start with a canvas all over again. His eventual plan is to become a professional artist who brings emotion and laughs with his works. He thinks that would be the most awesome career ever. He can't even imagine how great that would be, and he would definitely ace it, too. He wants to be able to make people feel together. Geoff also enjoys spending time at the beach or in the woods on weekends and sketching on his pad. Now, being real about it, Geoff wasn't exactly expecting to be on Total Drama Island this year; his brothers just thought he totally should give the show a try, so eventually he gave in and auditioned. He was surprised to actually be picked though he didn't actually expect to be spending his summer on a reality TV show. He doesn't mind too much, though; it might be fun.

BRIDGETTE

Name: Bridgette

Likes: Strummin’ on her ukulele

Dislikes: People who aren't kind to Mother Earth

Known For: Her sense of humor and creativity

Why TDI?: To spread the message of cosmic love through music.

Bridgette grew up in a small west coast town, and it shows. She’s always enjoyed the simple things, from the rhythm of a waterfall down to the melody of a bird. She’s an expert at riding bikes too; she first learned to ride one before she could even walk! When she’s just on a stroll, though, she's kind of klutzy. She's done her fair share of lead-outs. (And they were all on foot!) Luckily, she's also got a healing touch. Bridgette's strongest attributes are her sense of humor and her creativity. She's a pretty laid-back, go-with-the-flow girl, and her best friend is her mom. They both love flowers, crystals, and everything else that is part of Mother Nature's beautiful bounty. Bridgette's mom is proud of her not only because she's a giving person, but also because she's also on the honor roll at school. She’s also considered pretty cool for her ukulele-playing skills. People will say she can play it in a unique way you don’t see every day. Bridgette signed up for Total Drama Island because she always tries to open herself up to new opportunities. She's already biked off a hill in Peru, helped build houses in a third-world country, and spent a summer making rugs in a monastery in Nepal. Bridgette's goal is to keep the vibe flowing in a good way. That's why she always uses her ability to make soothing music to raise money for charities. She can be seen on social media or performing on the street, but no matter what, she makes sure she stores the money to be put to good use for good causes. Bridgette hopes that her time on Total Drama Island will spread the message of music to communicate nature and cosmic love to a larger audience.

TRENT

Name: Trent

Likes: Collecting seashells as well as everything else the shore has to offer… in pairs of nine.

Dislikes: His dad telling him to become an accountant.

Known For: Being a cool guy.

Why TDI?: It sounded like a good way to spend the summer

Trent is a guy who is very interested in the ocean and he believes it has spiritual secrets if you look deep enough. That’s why since he could barely walk he’s been exploring the shore. In fact He’s proud to call himself the most knowledgeable kid concerning the local beaches. Eventually, Trent's goal is to have his own full fledged rockin’ artifact collection. Trent is also peculiarly good at surfing in edition to that all. Trent has never gone out of his way to "get" people to like him. He'd just rather chill and get a good view of everything going on in the world. He's a straight shooter who tells it like it is. He would never say he's the "cool guy." Trent is the kind of guy who gets girls and has the other guys admiring him. He's just too likable to hate. His surfing and scavenging skills seal his status as one cool compadre. In his junior high graduating class he was voted as "Most Mysterious and Irresistible." (It was later discovered that the Voting Committee was comprised completely of girls, all of whom dated Trent.) Despite his good looks and easy going matter, Trent is smarter than he's given credit for. Though his grades don't reflect it, his IQ is well above anyone's expectations, including his own. His Dad wished he would follow in his footsteps and become an accountant, to which Trent has four words... NOT - IN - THIS - LIFETIME! Trent auditioned for Total Drama Island because it sounded like a cool way to spend the summer...and $100,000 would make a nice funding for that scuba gear and other

Footnote: Wow, this was harder than it should’ve been for me to make… if I had to say out of all of them here, Geoff took the longest to come up with. Even then though I feel like I could do better tried as hard as I could though for right now anyways, anddd I’m hoping to not take as long with future batches. Also I’ll definitely draw very cool shots for Tyler, Courtney, and Lindsay later on the future as well even if I already did their biographies.🤩

[greenlightbulbonawire]

Misfits (yeah like the Arcane song)

V.

___________________________________________________

Author's note: some people have already read this on ao3 and some here and on others platforms, so I'm happy that this gets at least some traction, genuinely more than I expected it to such a short span of time, so, I promise you, if you stick around, you'll get to meet the man himself, even if only for a little. :] xoxo

Fourth chapter

Masterlist

___________________________________________________

You grabbed a metalic chair, way too heavy for you to carry and started dragging it over to them. It was very awkward to watch but hey, what does a prison escapee care 'bout awkward. The chatter in the pub has died down and people were watching you, with various emotions playing on their faces. Even the young band was watching, they looked somehow more awkward than the whole situation felt, and that made you just a little more confident.

You slid the chair to their table with one, satisfying motion and sat on it.

"Mind if I join?"

You said, trying to make your confidence radiate from you. They exchanges looks before one of them, a boy with curly orange hair and bright blue eyes spoke up.

"Uhh, I mean, sure?"

You nodded and made yourself comfortable. They looked wary of you, but none of them said anything.

"Look I won't bother you, but I need help with something."

You began explaining, whilst you studied their expressions for the slightest hint of just about anything. You explained your situation and that you need someplace to stay. At first, they remained silent, but then the boy spoke again. He told you about a groups of rebels, Firelights he called them, but to your disappointment, he had no clue how to get to them.

But you had all the information you needed. They attack shimmer deliveries, and you knew how Silco transported them, if you could manage to sneak on board, then you'd have a chance. And if the Firelights didn't show up? Well, then you'd just take the delivery down by yourself. Or die trying. And you had to at least try. So, after you found an abandoned, broken and dirty little flat and made it your new home, you started preparing.

First: information. If you were to sneak onto one of Silco's deliveries, you, of course, needed to know when and where to do so. So you watched and observed your ass off. After some time, you knew each and every one of Silco's men and women and whatnot, how they behaved and how to stay out of their line of sight. You even had a few chats with some of them and some of them you never met. But you gathered the info you needed nonetheless.

Second: disguise. You knew it'd be impossible to just hide out of their view, you had to make them think you were one of them. So, you stole and pickpocketed everyone you deemed worth it. And you managed to make up a good disguise and in the end, you even liked it. And that made you even more cocky and cemented your belief in your abilities, simply put, you were very satisfied with yourself.

Third: execution. The hardest and most riskiest part of your plan, but the fact that you managed to befriend some of Silco's goons made it a little easier. So one night, you walked in the shadows, and marched right into one of the factories, where they were packing a delivery. You blended right into the crowd, everyone was busy enough with the glowing liquid to notice you, exactly like you knew they'd be.

[shochmonster]

Hi! I've been following your art for quite a while and i'm really impressed by all the incredible tarot decks you've made! I'm soon to make a tarot of my own and i'm very curious about how kickstarter works, what would be your advice when launching a campaign? Hope you have a nice day!

Hi! Thanks for your support and your question! I'll try and explain as best I can! This answer is probably more long-winded than you expected, but there's no point in answering it if I don't go into minute detail. Hopefully it's helpful to you and others looking to use Kickstarter!

Basically, when you launch a campaign on Kickstarter, you set a deadline between 30 and 60 days and a fundraising goal. You have to meet your goal in the time limit in order to receive funds. People need to pledge as much or more than your goal or more in the timeframe in order for you to receive any money. If you don't meet the goal, Kickstarter doesn't take money from any of your backers and you get nothing. So one of the most important things to figure out beforehand is how much money you NEED to make the project viable. You don't want to ask for too little and then end up scrounging for the extra money you need on your own. Conversely, you don't want to set too high a goal, because you run the risk of getting nothing, which can also affect your wallet if you're relying on the project as any sort of income. In the final 24 hours, Kickstarter will lock in any pledges to keep people from screwing you at the last minute by backing out, but it's anyone's game before that. As another note, though the deadline scheme seems intimidating, I think it's a better setup than something like Indigogo, where you get any money pledged to your project; you'll still be left holding the bag when the few people that DID pledge are expecting an item and you don't have enough to make it happen.

Okay, so aside from hustling your project, which I suggest you start doing right away, how do you set up a Kickstarter project? They're pretty user-friendly as far as walking you through the setup process, but don't sleep on the importance of having good rewards and a good story. You're going to want imagery and a video to make your page sing, or it risks falling into the background. The best tips I can give you for creating the story is to be very open about what you're doing, what you need the money for and how you're going to use it. If you can think of a question someone might ask you, put the answer in the story and be vigilant of anyone who asks you questions during the campaign. The more transparent you are, the more people will trust you (with their money). Once you have everything set up, Kickstarter will allow you to share a pre-launch page, which you should link to anything you post in the run-up. You'll also want to make sure you diversify when you post so you're catching people in various time zones. Also, a fun but weird fact is that projects that go live on a Tuesday get the best traction. Apparently it's when people faff around at work the most.

Having said all that, no matter what your goal is, I have noticed that if you don't meet your funding goal within 48 hours, it is very hard to keep traction. (See below for the traction of my first 48 hours versus the rounding out and then the almost flat line for post-project funds on my most recent project.) Kickstarter will promote your project via their algorithm when you start out and in your final days, but the big chunk of time in the middle is on you. It's really important to make sure you've been hustling your project before launch as well as during the project. That can be as simple as posting your artwork or creating mockups or whatever it is you think will get eyes on your project.

Kickstarter is really popular for board games and card decks, so you at least have that going for you. At the same time, since many people make these kinds of things on Kickstarter, you have to find a way to stand out from the crowd.

Kickstarter also doesn't like to be labeled as a preorder system, even if that's more or less what you're doing. Kickstarter now offers late pledging so people who find your project after it ends can pledge, but again, I don't recommend keeping that option live once you have your product in hand. No need to take preorders once you have the product in hand and can sell it via Etsy or GoImagine or whatever sales channel you have.

Let's talk turkey now. How much money do you really need? The first thing to keep in mind is that most factories will charge less per deck the more you order. In other words, if you order (let's pretend) 300 decks, it might cost you $X per deck, but ordering 500 will be a couple dollars cheaper per deck. You'll need to work out how many decks you need to meet your pledges at a minimum and then how much product you realistically need after that. (Are you only selling online or are you also selling in person at conventions? Where in your house are you going to keep your inventory?) To earn any sort of profit, you're going to want to examine how much it costs to not only manufacture the deck, but also to ship them, get shipping supplies and all those other overhead things you might not initially think about when you're outlining your costs. Other things that affect cost are details like foil stamping, foil edges, fancy boxes and insert booklets. Those are all things I set as stretch goals in my Kickstarter projects as it's not cost-effective to include those perks if you're only taking in the bare minimum.

Going back to stretch goals: they are not officially part of the Kickstarter system but people seem to like having these mini goals outlined in projects. You can "unlock" them by updating your project when certain funding goals are met. It helps people feel like they're a part of your project and can help with your hype. After stretch goals related to your actual deck, people love things like stickers and pins, but remember to factor in the cost of production when you set your promises!

Speaking of production, you will get all manner of people courting you for printing when you launch your project, but I strongly suggest working with a factory in China. There are places that have a great price in high quality products and I have had nothing but good experiences working with two different manufacturers over there. If you're not from the US, there's a chance you have something more local to you that is more cost effective, but I found that most companies here are either just middle men for Chinese factories anyway or they are like WAY WAY WAY more expensive. In any case, any factory worth working with will offer you a sample box so you can see what their products are like and what options work best for you. (Photos of my last sample box below.)

The final piece to all this is your part of production. It goes beyond simply creating the artwork. If you don't know how to use Adobe Illustrator, now is the time to learn. A factory will require either a PDF or AI file with your cards, card backs, booklet and box all mapped out on templates. Some factories will provide templates, but that won't help you much if you don't know how to set up your files! For instance, the first factory I worked with required a master file, plus a file containing only the foil stamping in conjunction with a file that allocated blank space for the stamping. The factory I'm currently using requires that each card be set up on its own layer and artboard. If you need an Illustrator primer, that can be another TED talk lol. No matter what, it's important you understand Safe, Trim and Bleed lines. Another thing to keep in mind is that tarot cards have a much more tall and narrow formatting (4.75 x 2.75), so make sure you aren't drawing things that will fit awkwardly in that frame! Also make sure you're working in CMYK!

Anyway, I hope there is some helpful information in there. Feel free to ask any other questions! I'll leave you with my final piece of advice and it's not to freak out too much while your project is live and stick to some sort of marketing plan and frequent updates. That little green line will fluctuate dip and flatten throughout the life of your Kickstarter and it's easy to take it personally when someone rescinds their pledge. Often, it has nothing to do with you as is just a personal realization on the backer's part about their ability to support you. I've seen some posts that say it can help to interact with backers with thanks and/or queries about why they've canceled a pledge, but I didn't notice much when I tried that tact. I think being as transparent and communicative as possible is the best recipe for success. Good luck!

[oldguardleatherdog]

How And Why We're Getting "Christian Reconstructed" Out Of Civil Society: An LGBTQ+ Activist's Guide To Action

This is based on my response to a recent Reddit post about the New Apostolic Reformation/Dominionist/Christian Reconstructionist political movement that's behind anti-trans, anti-drag, anti-LGBTQ+ laws, parental rights, systematic destruction of libraries, book bans, harassment of librarians and teachers, the "don't say gay" movement, the 303 Creative Supreme Court "right to discriminate" decision, school board takeovers, curriculum cleansing, the antics of Roger Stone and General Flynn, and every other damn thing that's making our lives hell in America. Here's how to understand the whole toxic mess so we can fight these jackals off, protect ourselves, claw back our rights, and put this movement down for good.

7 Mountains: Gotta Catch 'Em All! "There's no reasoning with these people and their cultish beliefs," many people are saying, and I think it helps to understand the source of those beliefs in order to fight effectively against the tide of hatred that is on the brink of destroying what's left of our rights and freedoms in this country.

I grew up Fundamentalist Evangelical in the 1960s and 70s. Looking back, the seeds of today's poison were being planted even then in ways that were subtly but unmistakably aligned with the New Apostolic Reformation ("NAR"), the movement based on Dominionist "7 Mountains" Christian nationalism that's the driving force behind Moms for Liberty, Gen. Flynn and Roger Stone, the Alliance Defending Freedom (the org that brought the anti-LGBTQ+ web designer to the Supreme Court), Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA, the GOP candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania last election cycle (Mastriano), and more. (Check out Jennifer Cohn, jennycohn1 on Twitter, a journalist whose coverage of Christian Nationalism is amazing and essential.)

Evangelical involvement in politics was minimal until the rise of Ronald Reagan, Jerry Falwell, and the "Moral Majority" in 1981. In the 42 years since, it's been a steady march to bring the seeds planted in us kids in the 1970s to today's hideous bloom.

I don't adhere to those beliefs, but I have a deep native knowledge of their intent and the ways believers are impelled by them to make these laws and file these lawsuits and elect slavering semi-sane madmen to power and stoke cultural panic.

These people aren't just getting started - they've got traction, scalps on their belt already, and they're gaining steam and hungry for more.

NAR Christians (such as Ginni and Clarence Thomas, Sen. Ted Cruz' father Rafael, former Rep. Michelle Bachmann, failed GOP candidate for governor of Pennsylvania Doug Mastriano, Jan. 6 co-conspirator Phil Waldron, General Mike Flynn, insurrectionist Roger Stone, and the Moms For Liberty) believe that it's their Divine Mission to prepare the nation and the world to become the Kingdom of God.

This is called "post-millennialism" - the term for the set of beliefs upon which the NAR is based and that drives its adherents. NAR believes that we are in the End Times as foretold in Scripture, and that today's Christians are commanded by the Lord to do everything humanly possible in pursuit of one singular goal: to bring God’s kingdom to pass on Earth and prepare the way for Christ's return. Viewed for decades as a far-out fringe heretical movement populated by apostates and quacks, these zealots will stop at nothing to bring this to pass.

See all the "cleansing" that's going on now? Roe v. Wade overturned, the abortion bans, the trans bans, the anti-drag laws, books being pulled from school shelves, public libraries being shuttered and defunded, anti-immigrant laws, the Twitter takeover and its right-wing reformation - the list goes on. This is ALL a direct result of the NAR/Christian Reconstructionist influence and the untold dark-money billions and shadowed billionaires that finance it.

We're in a very dark and deep hole, as a country, as a culture. But we're not helpless. We start by arming ourselves with knowledge, by reading and heeding the reporting of Jenny Cohn and Bruce Wilson and Kira Resistance on Twitter and in the Bucks County (PA) Record reporting from the epicenter of Dominionist/NAR politics, take action online and in the places where we live. In today's world, we can be activists and influencers for good without having to leave the house, and if you want to protest in person or march in support of the cause, you won't be alone.

There are movements and organizations gathering steam in our community that have been preparing for action and are ready to launch. Some are more visible than others, but all are made up of committed activists, funders, legal advisors, and LGBTQ+ citizens who are tired of being abused by these people and the violence (literal and legislative) against us. Old-line AIDS activists like me are disgusted at the sight of our life's work and our decades of progress being rolled back and obliterated seemingly overnight. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are just not having it and are rightly pissed off by what's shaping up to be a bleak future.

It's not going to be easy or quick, but I know there are enough good people among us to hold back the worst of the current moment, rebuke and reverse the legislative oppression and physical danger, restore full access to HRT and gender-affirming care, roll back the "abortion bounty" laws and support vulnerable individuals and families with assistance and relocation, claw back and secure the civil rights that have been stolen from us, and restore light to our country, our culture, our lives, and our future.

I'm engaged in this fight, and after nearly 40 years of activism I've never been more lit up with passion and determination than at this moment. This fight is winnable. You're needed now. Watch this space for opportunities where your presence, your effort, your voice is wanted and will be welcomed, and feel free to message me with your questions, ideas, activist resources needed or offered, organizations you know of that need support, general questions, strategic advice, and words of encouragement you wish to give or need to hear. Let's gooooooooo

[jaegersmoon]

i want to start writing fanfic but I have no idea where to start, do you have any recommendations for new writers? tysm and ily aims <3

write all your ideas down !!! small or big !!! and if you cut things , paste them to a doc or a place where you don’t lose them bc you might find place for it later down the line

pinterest is a great place to visualize your world and get inspiration, creating boards have helped me so much bc it feels like what i’m creating actually has the potential to be real

if you feel like your story is an au that is “overused” or your storyline isn’t unique enough , write it anyways bc the story hasn’t been told by YOU and no two writers are alike.

don’t worry about having everything planned out from start to finish before you begin. sometimes istg the story line and characters will just write themselves. when i started ob i only had a couple of key points figured out , everything else i was just winging it tbh. i didn’t start acc planning everything until chapter 14 but i also don’t recommend waiting too long either like i did lmfao 😭

don’t go into writing for numbers or traction or because you want your fanfic to be popular within your fandom. go in because you want to write and love to write, that’s the key to have the fuel to keep going. if you get too wrapped up in popularity, then comparison comes into play which can affect your jealousy and clarity of mind and writing should always be a place of escape not of pressure, especially when you’re doing it for free.

and please pleaseeee don’t worry about being perfect from day 1 the thing about writing is the only way to grow and learn with the skill is to put yourself out there and do it !!

wishing you the best of luck on your writing journey . love you always ! <33

[ask-everafteracademy]

Hey guys, can we chat?

I started this blog almost two full years ago (which is insane to me). Honestly it’s been so exhilarating being able to make content and speak about something so near and dear to my heart with people who share the same passion as me. I’ve met so many wonderful people in this fandom who have stuck with me (special shoutout to the one and only @arinlangdon) and this blog has been one of the greatest experiences I’ve had while being online. I feel like the way I’m wording this could make people nervous so I want to clear the air

The blog is not over, nor is it being taken down

This post is mainly to answer some questions I’ve been getting, and also to explain myself. If my co admin decides they want to make their own statement I’ll leave that up to them, but here is mine

Why haven’t you been posting?

The main reason this account hasn’t been very active is simply due to a lack of motivation. We have so many ideas for this blog (an email, Pinterest boards, Google docs, even Spotify playlists) but just not enough source material to run with them. On top of that, we feel like we aren’t getting that much traction on our posts, which really puts a dent in our moral. That’s not a ploy for pity, obviously people can’t help if they aren’t interested in a story from an app that’s been dead for two years. We can’t force people to still care, and we’re not expecting it from anyone, but it doesn’t change the fact that it sucks

What does this mean for the blog?

Honestly, I’m not sure. I feel like with all the effort we’ve been putting into our bigger ideas it’d be a shame for it all to go to waste. Plus I do enjoy interacting with whoever stops by and posting our silly headcanons or random thoughts. I think the best answer I can give is content will continue to be posted, just not constantly. I do have to take into account that I’m going to college next month and I need to prepare to take my next steps in life so I’m not sure how much I’ll be online at all, but I do want to try.

When are you going to [answer BLANK or post BLANK]?

EVERYTHING WILL BE ANSWERED/FINISHED IN TIME! This blog is run by two people with jobs and lives outside of tumblr so we’re not going to be online constantly. We’re running exclusively on our passion for the story and fandom and pure spite of V*ltage. For me personally it depends on what time I have and if I’m motivated to write (and more often then not I’m channeling that motivation into my book), but I can assure you that we are still here and we will give you the answers you’re craving… just not right now.

In conclusion, yes this blog will still be active, unlike some companies we care deeply about the story that has been given to us and we want to continue to honor it as best we can. We just need some time to collect ourselves.

Thank you for listening to my long rant and for supporting us through this whole crazy journey. I love you guys, keep dreaming <3

- Lightkeeper (Blaire)

[icarusthelunarguard]

This Week’s Horrible-Scopes

It’s time for this week’s Horrible-Scopes! So for those of you that know your Astrological Signs, cool! If not, just pick one, roll a D12, or just make it up as you go along. It really doesn’t matter. Better yet! Check out “Heart of the Game, Fredonia” - they can sell you those D12’s with the symbols on them! Get in contact with them on Facebook, shipping to the U.S. only, and tell them “Shujin Tribble” sentcha. “Hail, Hail, Fredonia!” Home of the Blue Devil!

For those of you unfamiliar with such things, in Rochester, New York there is the Strong’s National Toy Hall of Fame - and recently they inducted the next twelve toys they’ve deemed fit for special recognition for posterity. This isn;t a list of what’s recently come to market, but toys that have captured the hearts and minds of kids and those who are still kids at heart. So this week let’s see what you all get from the list! 

Aries 

What if we told you your toy was something you weren’t allowed to touch in order to play with it? Sounds all kinds of wrong, right? Well dig this, ‘cause your toy is the category of “Remote-Controlled Vehicles”! Known as “(R/C)”s it could be anything from an R2-D2 model to a VR-Vision Drone, but in all cases it’s just fun to enjoy. So This Week… If you’re thinking of trying your hand at Model Aircraft flying, please buy one of these Flight Trainer Programs first. They usually come with a replica controller so you can get used to what it looks like when you crash $1,400 worth of your hard-earned money into the ground like it was a Lawn Dart.

Taurus 

Your toy is one of the youngest here, having been created in 1974 in a dream. The game is called, “Sequence” and involves a deck of cards, a playfield with multiple card images on it, coloured chips to put on the board, and the plan to place a sequence of five of your chips in a row before your opponent does. So This Week… The game really started in the early 1980’s and took a bit to gain traction and popularity. Keep that in mind as we start the new year; you’re allowed to take time to come up to speed and hit your stride.

Gemini 

This can be arguably considered one of the most dangerous toys possible; and for the record it’s NOT the board game, “Monopoly”. As a youngster what did you learn about physics? If you said, “I didn't learn anything!”, well congratulations - you owe Virgo an apology for spoiling their toy. In reality you learned about Gravity and how to use it to play. Your toy is the Trampoline! All kinds of fun to have, so long as you keep your hands and feet inside the ride until the occupant comes to a complete and full stop. So This Week… There’s also the slight problem of built-up static electricity when using one. Be sure to purposefully zap yourself so you don’t fall getting out.

Cancer Moon-Child 

Your toy’s gotten a bit of a renaissance in the 21st century and goes by several names: cock horse, stick horse, or hobby horse. It’s, basically as the name suggests, a long stick with a stuffed plush horse’s head on the end, sometimes with reins, and the rider carries it along, dragging between their legs, and imitating various equine stepping gaits. So This Week… There are groups who use these toys instead of real horses in dressage events or polo. Go check them out and see just how in-shape you could be if you joined them!  

Leo 

Some aren’t going to think this category qualifies as a “toy”, but the Strong Museum would disagree. Imagine you’re reading a chapter in a book, and suddenly it ends on a cliffhanger, but YOU get to decide where the story goes next! Welcome to the world of, “Choose Your Own Adventure gamebooks”! You get to help the adventurer find their way through a maze, or track down a lead in a detective story. No matter what, you’ll get to have fun! So This Week… If you think you’re not a computer simulated consciousness, just remember that all these, “Turn to page X to continue the story” prompts are just “GOTO” programming commands!

Virgo 

We’re hoping Cancer didn’t totally spoil the reveal for you on this one. What’s more fun than a hobby horse and half the size? How about a “My Little Pony”? Originally called, “My Pretty Pony” it’s gone through a number of changes with each successive generation - some more successful than others. But the behemoth juggernaut that most folks are familiar with now would be 2010’s “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic”. Even though that generation’s run its course, being officially replaced in 2021 with “My Little Pony: A New Generation” aka Gen5, the fanbase it generated has been nothing short of miraculous. So This Week… Only you can write the finale to your book. Make it a good one.

Libra

For you we have another card game, though to be honest we’ve not heard of this one. The game is called, “Phase 10”, and its rules and objectives get super tough to follow very quickly. The only part we were able to understand was the fact that games will usually be shortened by half to help finish quicker. Not sure if that’s a selling point or not, but whatever. So This Week… Even if someone tries to cut you down, just remember that you are still as ferocious as ever. And a slow burn anger can sometimes get the point across better than yelling would. 

Scorpio 

Released for the Nintendo Game Boy in 1996, Pocket Monsters Red and Blue most definitely didn’t look it on green screen, but it was the beginning of a monstrous franchise. Your game isn’t the Game Boy cartridge, but the Pokémon Trading Card Game itself that spawned from it. Who knew kids could be convinced to spend lots of allowance money on card packages with only a slim chance of gaining something special for their future card battles. So This Week… In video games this practice is usually called “Loot Boxes”, and is highly frowned upon or outright banned if real world money is involved. You’re an adult now - make sure you can inspect what you’re buying before you pay for it.

Sagittarius 

You’re getting a classic, a master stroke of ingenuity, and a versatile toy, underrated in modern days because of its lack of lights or bells or batteries, or ANY power source, actually. Balloons! You don;t think that’s a worthwhile toy? Might we remind you of its versatility! It’s a target at almost every carnival with a dart board, it’s a jet engine for a milk-carton boat, it’s a floating sign when filled with helium, and when properly reinforced, semi-inflated, and sat on produces an imitation of a Barking Spider. So This Week… Let others underestimate you and your abilities. It’ll be their undoing.

Capricorn 

Depending on where and when you live, you might not have ever seen the next toy in person, or maybe you’d only ever heard about it as spoken-of legend, but trust it, they’re real! Hess Toy Trucks were that special sometimes Last Minute Gift for the kiddos if someone was running late into the Gift Giving Season. Sold at HESS Gas Stations from 1964 until their switchover to Speedway stations in 2015, every year had a different truck or car or jet or helicopter to entertain. So This Week… Even if you didn't get one growing up, you can still check “Hess Toy Truck Dot Com” to see all the old ones and the upcoming new ones. And use coupon code, “HORRIBLE” to save not a whit on any purchases you make there. 

Aquarius 

The fact that your toy made it out of its infancy is a testament to how good an idea it was when it started - considering it literally killed off its main character and traumatized generations of children! Your inductee is a marvel of marketing and engineering: Transformers! What was more impressive to you? Peter Cullen & Frank Welker performing the voices of Optimus Prime and Megatron live without  any audio aid of any kind, or designing a Triple Changers? So This Week… If you start to sound like Optimus in your own head, your vocal cords are covered in stuff because you’re sick. Put on a mask or stay home. 

Pisces  

We know how you are and how you operate, but for just one stellar moment, just TRY to be an All Audiences personality for a change, hmm? Imagine a card game where, literally, the dealer cannot win the game! Apples to Apples is, for lack of a nicer way to put it, the “General Audiences” version of “Cards Against Humanity” - and the fact that C.a.H. is a more popular game to you tells us all we needed to know today. So This Week… There’s something special that comes out of setting limits for yourself and working inside them. Ignore those cheat codes! Don’t use God Mode! Forget editing the Config files! Learn how to do what you need with fewer resources and you’ll be a more powerful thinker.

And THOSE are your Horrible-Scopes for this week! Remember if you liked what you got, we’re obviously not working hard enough at these. BUT! If you want a better or nastier one for your own sign or someone else’s, all you need to do to bribe me is just Let Me Know - or check out the Ko-Fi page ( https://ko-fi.com/icarusthelunarguard )! These will be posted online at the end of each week via Tumblr, Facebook, Discord, and BLUESKY.

[zavbees]

Imogen and Eugene

Eugene Ridgewell-Turner and Imogen Nightingale were always aware of each other. Their families both owned shops in Hamelin, and had a healthy friendly rivalry between them, leading to the two being around each other a decent amount in childhood despite being four years apart. When she needed a third party for a school research project to interview, he was there to give her not so helpful answers to lighten the mood of her paper. When he needed a "test subject" for his science projects, she was quick to volunteer. She and her family were at his graduation, cheering for him.

Eugene and Imogen had both helped out their respective families businesses since as soon as they were able to pick up a box. It came as no surprise that they were both involved in the businesses the older they got, or that they would inherit them in the future. What was a shock was when Imogens father told her when she was 17 that he was going to help out with the war. It had always been only Imogen, her brother, and her father - he had come from overseas and was a single father. This meant he was leaving the store and her brother in her hands. He promised he would come back. 

When the time came, she stepped up and took charge with little complaint. Eugene was aware of what had happened, as was the rest of the Ridgewell-Turners, so he did what he could to help. He made sure to prioritize her shop so that they would get as much traction as possible, whether it be putting up ads or recommending products. She was thankful for the assistance. He would stop by regularly to help with maintenance, or to help watch over her brother, or simply to make sure she had eaten that day. He'd frequently stop by their house to help her take care of her brother so she would have time to herself. During the next four years, they grew close. They weren't just family friends anymore, but actual genuine friends. 

Imogens brother had been born in '35, meaning he was on the logs to go to Germany in 1947 with the children under 13. She wanted to keep him, to not let him go - they could just keep him in the attic, tell him to stay quiet. Or he could stay in the back of the shop, away from people. Eugene was there to help comfort her, knowing there wasn't much they could do. He'd most likely have a safer chance going on the train than staying. So, when the time came, her brother went. Her, and Eugene, and the Ridgewell-Turners, all went to the station to see him off.

From that day Eugene moved in with her. She had lost the only biological family she had, he wasn't going to leave her alone to fester in the house she had shared with them. He knew that wouldn't be good for her. Over the next few years, the two watched as the sleepy town of Wellington Wells began eating itself from the inside. The news of the children not coming back sent ripples throughout the town, and their home. They both found themselves mourning the loss of her brother. 

He continued getting more and more deals around the village, helping to advertise the local brands, as usual. With the growth of the television, he changed his brand from just newspaper ads to televised ones. He continued to bolster the local shops as well as a new project when one Miss Victoria Byng approached him about it. 

He began to advertise the Happy Masks, and Joy while it was still in production. He had the peoples trust, at least a decent amount of the working class in Hamlyn, so having him try to get them on board was logical in Byngs head. And it worked like a charm. 

Throughout this time, Imogen began to slowly get more and more reclusive. It was nice having Eugene stay with her, but it didn't change that she no longer had any family. Her father never came back, neither did her brother - and her mother had always been out of the picture. Even with Eugene being there, she was still reminded of the empty space in the house. After a while, she was only seen going from her store, to her house - occasionally she was seen in the gardens, tending to them, but it was rare. 

With the invention of Joy, she was skeptical. As good as it sounded, she didn't trust it - no way was there a drug that would make her just... forget. That, as Eugene had reassured her, would make the house barrable again. That would make the emptying streets inviting again. She didn't trust it in the slightest. However, Eugene managed to convince her. He was open with her about the side effects, about it causing forgetfulness and the terrible withdrawals, about the potential for there to be hallucinations in a few cases - though they had been a fairly small amount at the time, since this was before strawberry. He told her the good too. She relented, mainly thanks to his openness, and that had been the freest she had felt in a long time.

She was all smiles, actively leaving the house to go to parties and enjoying herself. Eugene was glad to see his lifelong friend happy again. He hadn't seen it in a while. As more people went on holiday, they started getting more business at Imogens store, meaning they were focusing more and more on their personal endeavors. She started looking more into botany, something she had always had a small interest in - might as well, she was feeling motivated to do so. He gladly helped wherever he could. 

While she was opening up more, Eugene was shutting himself off slowly. He wasn't sure who he was outside of his business, since that had been a major part of his life since he was younger. Now that he was on television, he had appearances to keep - meaning the mask always stayed on. And, he couldn't help but feel responsible for Hamlyn having less business. Imogen saw it as a blessing, since they were getting more traction, but he knew the reasoning. He knew the other store owners weren't on holiday. He was friends with most of them, if they were leaving they would've told him. 

Eventually Eugene was given a deal he couldn't pass up - once again from Byng. There was a new program opening up, Joy Doctors as she called them. With Joy picking up steam, getting used more widely, and there being a new one on the way, there needed to be people to make sure everyone was on Joy, to make sure everyone was happy. And she wanted to offer him a spot. The people trusted him, and what better way to get people on board with this new program than someone trusted being a part of them, and one good with marketing, at that. He agreed, why wouldn't he? He had already helped this much. 

Despite not being a full doctor, he was trained how to tell if people were on Joy or not. And he personally began looking into psychology, figuring that could be a way to actually help. He had never been one for medicine, but he knew people. 

When Strawberry Joy came out, Imogen tried it. She liked it, though Vanilla was her flavor of choice. She had been a social butterfly now that Joy had given her the space to be free of everything. At a party, they had been passing out Joy as a party favor, and who was she to say no? It was normal to pass them out, and it was all anyone was talking about, so she took one. 

Almost immediately she felt terrible. Feelings she didn't have the words for since she hadn't had to name them in years came flooding through her. It felt like everyone was staring, watching her, judging her for her past actions, no matter how small. She held herself together and made it home. The next day she held herself in her room, Eugene coming to check on her several times. 

The eyes wouldn't go away, even with no eyes in the room. She couldn't escape the feeling of being watched. This went on for a few weeks before Eugene picked up on what was happening. He had been told by those higher than him that if someone has a negative response to Joy, they should spend some time in the Garden District, and when they are ready they go through the rehabilitation center to rejoin society. 

He, again, convinced her to go to the Garden District, saying there were people there who would help her. She agreed without much fuss. They together went to the District, and he returned home alone that day. The next several weeks the store was closed - the owner went away on holiday, after all - and after his rounds as Doctor Ridgewell-Turner he would wait on the bridge for her to come back. 

Imogen knew she should go through the center, rejoin society and her best friend. He was probably worried sick about her. The first day, she had tried, but she again had a bad reaction to the Joy. The next day, she didn't try. Or the next. Or the next. And for once, she actually allowed herself to think about stuff she shoved aside. The eyes never left her, but they were with her as she tried to process her brother and father not being there anymore.

After three months, he was tired of waiting. The guilt of it was eating at him as each day passed, and finally he was going to actually help. He went in one night to find her. She had found a house on the outskirts that no one seemed to have claimed. She was skeptical of him, now having been off Joy for a while and still having minor effects from the bad batch, but went with him. She didn't trust him the way she had for the past years, since he seemed to be going along with anything Byng and the Committee was saying without question in her eyes. But she wanted to go home.

He snuck her through the town that night, and she returned to her bed. But her reclusiveness came back, now not wanting to leave at all. She refused to go outside, since it would bring back her hallucinations. He would bring her whatever she needed whenever she wanted - it was the least he could do for her. He blamed himself for what happened to Imogen, for not being there for her. He was harsher on himself than she was about it.

They found themselves working on rebuilding their relationship. The store was open again, but he hired someone to run the storefront so that Imogen wouldn't have to be around people - she and Eugene could restock at night. She turned their backyard into a greenhouse, sending Eugene to find plants for her to populate it with, a lot of them from the Garden District. He continued his work as Doctor, and she continued staying out of the public and tending to her garden. They managed to fall into a routine they both enjoyed, sharing meals together and spending time together when he was home. 

Even if they weren't taking Joy, and they both had problems needing to be addressed, they were happy again.

[joabthegoat]

The worst customer ever..

An unsettling incident recently disrupted the peace of my home when my 17-year-old stepdaughter, visibly shaken, entered our room to play a voicemail. The message featured a man's eerie laughter, culminating in a drawn-out "Oooh Yeah." The bizarre nature of the voicemail left us perplexed and unsure of how to react.

Shortly after, my phone lit up with a "No caller ID" notification. Upon answering, the call abruptly ended without a word. A second call followed, which I allowed to go to voicemail, capturing the strange message:

Listening to the recording, a wave of recognition washed over me. The voice belonged to a former client from a year ago, someone who had unexpectedly contested a payment. After the bank resolved the dispute in my favor, it seemed to have sparked a vengeful streak in the caller.

This wasn't my first encounter with the caller's fury. Throughout the two months of our professional relationship, I had come to know him quite well. His name was Casey Conway, a 48-year-old man who had experienced a solitary upbringing and endured a challenging time at a 3HO cult boarding school in India. His recent diagnosis of borderline personality disorder was attributed to the trauma from those formative years.

During our time working together, it felt as though Casey was reliving his childhood, despite being well into adulthood. The years between his past and present seemed to have vanished, leaving him perpetually trapped in his early experiences.

When Casey realized he wouldn't be refunded for the services rendered, he lashed out with threats of violence, stating he would "put me in the hospital."

Further investigation revealed that this pattern of aggressive behavior wasn't isolated to our interactions. Casey had exhibited similar outbursts on LinkedIn and with a former landlord in New Mexico. It appeared that his defensive mechanisms were akin to a pufferfish's, inflating his presence to cope with perceived threats.

After leaving Albuquerque, Casey settled in Lake Tahoe, bolstered by a significant settlement from the 3HO cult. He launched a new venture, "Handy and Helpful," on Facebook, but it failed to gain traction. His subsequent project, "Tahoe Marketing," aimed to provide marketing support to gym owners and personal trainers, yet it too failed to attract clients.

Ultimately, Casey took a position as a "setter" for Loral Langemeier, who is embroiled in a recent SEC investigation, preparing potential customers for high-ticket sales—a role often found in questionable Nevada boiler room operations.

The saga continued with unexpected "gifts" arriving in the mail from Casey:

These bizarre tokens were sometimes accompanied by messages that unnervingly indicated his knowledge of my residence.

Life is unpredictable, and this experience is a stark reminder that it can take a turn for the bizarre. It's essential to remain vigilant and prepared for whatever may come our way, even when it ventures into the realm of the surreal. :)

[rabbitcruiser]

National Pink Day

Bullying is a growing problem in the world today and, every year, people hear of more and more incidents coming up regarding bullying in schools everywhere. And, although it is certainly a problem within schools, bullying doesn’t stop there. It extends to the world outside of school and even into the virtual world of the internet, where young people have created a bit of a world of their own.

Bullying is unpredictable and it doesn’t tend to follow any kind of rhyme or reason. It is merely the exertion of power over those who are weaker or who stand out as unusual. National Pink Day is a day dedicated to beating the bullies and breaking the cycle that creates and perpetuates this damaging behavior inside and outside of schools.

History of National Pink Day

National Pink Day (also sometimes called Pink Shirt Day) was established in 2007 in Nova Scotia, Canada. It happened after a pair of students, David Shepherd and Travis Price, saw one of their fellow students at Central Kings Rural High School being bullied for no other reason than that student was wearing a pink shirt on the first day of school. Because of the association of pink with feminine things, this 9th grade boy was harassed for choosing to wear the color. But his two classmates weren’t going to let the bullies win.

In a stroke of brilliance, these two got together and decided to show support for the student and take a stand against bullying by getting everyone at their school to wear a pink shirt the next day. In fact, the two boys were so committed that they went to a discount store and bought a bunch of pink shirts to pass out for anyone who didn’t already have one. Pink Shirt Day was created to stomp out all bullying and spread understanding, and it’s a concept spreading throughout the world.

What started in a small corner of Canada has become something of a world event. The day has also been associated with Anti-Bullying day, another day when the idea is to stand up for others and wear pink. While the United Nations has made a declaration that this should happen on May 4, people in many countries still celebrate in February. But, that just means that there can be two different opportunities to make a difference and stand against bullying!

National Pink Day Timeline

Early 20th Century Pink is used for baby boys more than girls

While in the future, boys might get teased for wearing pink, during the 1900s-1930s, it is considered completely appropriate for a baby boy to wear pink and for a girl to wear blue. It isn’t until later in the century that this will flip.

2007 First National Pink Day (Pink Shirt Day) begins

Two students take a stand against bullying against a student in 9th grade in Nova Scotia, Canada who was teased for wearing a pink shirt on the first day of school. They respond by buying dozens of pink shirts and handing them out for everyone to wear the next day.

2009 National Pink Day is celebrated in New Zealand

As word gets out, National Pink Day begins gaining traction and makes its way to the southern hemisphere. Other countries all over the world quickly follow suit.

2012 United Nations declares official Anti-Bullying Day

Although the date isn’t the same as the original Pink Day, the heart of the matter certainly aligns. Instead of February, the UN declares May 4th as an International Anti-Bullying Day.

2020 National Pink Day passes the $2.5 million mark in donations

Keeping in line with their origins of anti-bullying efforts, National Pink Day started raising money in 2008. It continues to support the efforts that have helped more than 59,000 youth and children, and will keep on going!

How to Celebrate National Pink Day

Getting on board and connected on this day is super easy and it all starts with wearing pink! Here are some other ideas for ways to celebrate this important day:

Wear Something Pink

Start the day by picking out a favorite pink garment and putting it on, especially for those who are male-bodied persons. Whether it’s just a pink t-shirt, a pink polo shirt, or an entire zoot suit made completely in pink–wear it! Get out there and take a stand against bigotry wherever it is found by making sure the offenders know that their calls will not go unanswered.

Teach Kids About Bullying

The more educated and informed kids (and parents!) are about bullying, the better equipped they will be to respond and to stand up, whether for themselves or someone else who is being picked on. Several organizations have been created that provide resources to help enlighten and educate families about bullying. Some of these organization include:

STOMP Out Bullying. Standing up against hate, racism and discrimination, this influential organziation has a help line for kids and teens, resources for parents and kids, options for donating, and ways to buy wearable merchandise to support the cause. stompoutbullying.org

National Association of People Against Bullying (NAPAB). This group provides personal advocacy and support for those who have experienced problems with bullying. They also offer education for students, parents and educators, as well as an anti-bullying club that meets across the nation (called Cool 2B Kind). www.napab.org

Kind Campaign. Bringing awareness and healing for those affected by girl-against-girl bullying, as well as working to stop bullying. It’s a global movement that has made a documentary as well as offering educational curriculums and in-school assemblies. Girls can also buy merch online and start their own Kind Club. kindcampaign.com

Stop Bullying. This is a combined effort between US government organizations including the education department, justice department and health and human services department. They offer resources and information as well as tools and guides for identification and prevention. They also offer an online bullying prevention training course. stopbullying.gov

Help Out in a Bullying Situation

This isn’t just for National Pink Day, but is a life lesson for every day. Those who happen to see or witness someone getting bullied or harassed should be sure to walk up to them and help them out. Don’t let them believe that they are alone in the world. National Pink Day is a day to stand up against the injustice of harassment and bullying, especially against minorities and those of the LGBTQ community.

Those who have ever been bullied in the past know how important it can be to have someone stand up and try to offer support. On National Pink Day, it’s possible to stand up for everyone with a simple wardrobe choice.

Spread the Word About National Pink Day

Since National Pink Day is still a fairly recent occurrence, and it affects kids who might not know about it yet, this is a great day to tell everyone about these anti-bullying efforts. Tell friends about National Pink Day in advance, and then make plans for what to wear and how to honor the day. Take a selfie or a photo of friends wearing pink and share it on various social media platforms to get the word out to everyone.

Throw a National Pink Day Party

School teachers and parents can show their support by allowing students to have a party in celebration of National Pink Day. This is an ideal day to get everyone involved in working toward eliminating the struggles faced by so many kids today. Have everyone wear a pink shirt in support of the day, decorate the party room in pink balloons and streamers, and even serve pink colored foods.

A great activity would be to watch a documentary or video put out by some of the anti-bullying resources listed above. Or have the kids create some unique artwork by using art supplies that are exclusively pink, then put them on display in a cool anti-bullying art show that everyone can enjoy.

Source

[a-moth-to-the-light]

Songs of the Summer, 2023: #10

[intro & rules]

Blister by Clara Cava & Kaeve (May 4, 2023)

this is an ode to having Our Table, at the coffee shop, (and to the drives I know so well, the ones I could—and do, perhaps inadvisably—make while crying, or while half-asleep at the wheel because the depression would like us to not exist anymore, please, the ones that take me home before I even stop to think about where I'm going) it’s nice to have favorite things, I think “Having a favorite person is overrated,” I say, lighthearted, and ask what kind of drink you’d like. “Instead, I have a favorite macaron.” (the thai iced tea ones, in the box of thirty-six from the big freezer at the grocery store by our old school)

--

Clara Cava keeps winning, which is good because it’s an absolute crime that I hadn’t done a proper review of any of the many songs I love from her on this blog yet—no “No Vaya a la Fiesta”, no “Cosa Suya”, no “Protagonista”, no “Te Pense un Monton” (or the 8-bit version, which is awesome, too!!).

So, I’m very happy about this addition, but I still kind of can’t believe a song that’s basically a Mario Kart OST—every time I hear its instrumental, I can’t help but think of that water park racetrack from the mushroom cup??—became one of my favorite songs of the summer, and of the year for good measure. Hell, this song technically came out a couple of weeks before my summer started, but I’ve loved it enough this summer to make an exception to my own rules and put this on the main list. I’m obsessed with “Blister”—even after four months of leaving this one on repeat, I still find myself craving it—and, by some miracle, Kaeve’s voice hasn’t even started irritating me yet.

The atmosphere of “Blister” just works. It’s yet another embarrassingly chill addition to this list, but it’s such an easy song to like—the Mario Kart nostalgia & my emotional attachment to Clara Cava’s voice (which you can thank “Cosa Suya” and “Protagonista” for) certainly help it out, but even without my personal reasons to love it, “Blister” has this sweet, genuine innocence to it that combines unexpectedly well with its produced-in-a-garage aesthetic. It’s just messy enough to balance out the sugar-sweetness of Clara Cava’s performance and the fluffiness of the instrumentals, so the whole song comes out irresistibly charming. I have no idea if this got any traction at all on TikTok, its my bedroom-pop TikTok hit of the year. I didn’t put Clara Cava Mario Kart lofi on my 2023 bingo board, but you’d better believe I’ll be putting it on next year’s in the hopes we can get something like this again!

[thedarkmistress16]

Hetalia G8 (+ Canada, Romano, and Prussia) as Teachers (3/3)

Part 1. Part 2.

~After-School Activities and Clubs~

Axis:

Italy: Art Club. The literal best time. Constant pizza days, only fun field trips to artsy museums and exhibitions, a completely relaxed vibe in the art studio, and constant joy and encouragement spouting from the instructor despite how objectively awful the artwork actually is? The students couldn’t ask for anything more. Unless they want criticism, which Italy is physically unable to do- he’ll cry before he’ll consciously and willingly put his students down like that. So most students who want to be sitting in a positive environment sign up to chat with the other members the whole time, doodle one crude stick person to pass the club participation rule check, and call it a successful day. Pasta Club. The only members are himself and his brother. It’s not going well.

Germany: Newspaper Club. Interested in keeping up with the world so much that he made a club out of it, to inspire students to do the same one day. Diligent but rewarding duties that will absolutely get hard-working and committed students into good journalism companies from Germany’s glowing references. The rest of the school warmed up to this club from the amount of respect Germany instills in his club members when scoping out stories, requesting interviews, and delivering the information accurately and objectively at the time of print.

Japan: Anime and Manga Club. Tries to keep his opinions to himself but will always cringe at really bad takes he finds as “unfortunately incorrect viewpoints” or “not properly representative of the source material.” He’s so respectable about opinions that there are no arguments or shipping wars in his club… most of the time, when Japan’s not in the room, that is. Apart from that, the club is very tranquil and pleasant but also bubbling with fascination and geekiness. Yearbook Club. His Digital Art course lead to the board assigning Japan this club. While he’s good at photography and digital mediums, he isn’t very passionate about the club as a whole, compared to the plethora of students who petitioned it in the first place.

Romano: Horticulture Club. Having a club solely dedicated to tomatoes wasn’t allowed nor wanted by the student body so this was the best he could get. He loathes his new love for flowers due to this club.

Prussia: Awesomeness Club. A part of him wants to have this club solely for himself, regardless of what the board says. But the rest of the students really like the idea of sitting in a club for getting positive reinforcement and participating in events focused on bringing their awesomeness to the rest of the world. He still has his own exclusive, awesome club he enjoys in his head- he just doesn’t tell anyone about it.

Allies:

America: Hero Club. This is the umbrella club for “volunteering because you can and why don’t you wanna help those in need, dude?” So all kinds of events are hosted by this club, on top of doing random acts of “heroism” around the school. Gaming Club. Because of his focus on appreciating both the classics and modern video and computer games, this club America hosts is very well-balanced every year. The routine travel to tourneys helps, too, and he always gets over-excited about them more than the students do. Baseball. Encourages just about everyone in the school to sign on, despite this club being purely seasonal. Always petitioning for a teacher’s baseball club and it never gains any real traction. Softball. Attempted to set up games with his students indoors. It did not go well. The activity got restricted to only open at the same time as Baseball, as per the board’s non-negotiable request. America surprised everyone with how well he balances them on top of his concurrent classes, and is solely left to be in charge of them without interference. Anything he asks, he usually gets for his sports-related expenditures. American Football. Refuses to call this after-school activity anything but “football.” No one knows if he does this on purpose or not, and it seems to be a joke only for him to know.

Britain: Book Club. While he struts like a peacock whenever the subject of reading brought up is from his country, he accepts any and all kinds of books for club discussions. Except the ones that don’t meet his list of “a proper book to enlighten and entertain intelligent individuals” requirements. Which is his very loose way of saying that he very much has standards for book discussions and tomfoolery will not be allowed nor tolerated. Many students just read what they want and never bring it up in front of Britain. Theatre Club. Really gets into making sure the actors’ performances are spot-on, and summarizes the intent of the scene quite well despite his annoyance at having to dumb it down for them when they consistently get it wrong. Regardless, there’s always something about the play for him to like on the initial showing and always gets pumped up to start working on presenting another classic to the public. Roleplay Club. Always involves an element of magic or fantasy, usually both with tabletop, board, and card games. Chess Club. Takes it way too seriously when his club gets invited to tournaments. Otherwise, his mood and the atmosphere during matches are pretty quiet and focused.

France: Cooking Club. Always jumps up to cater all events hosted by the school and further inspires creativity in making food as opposed to the corresponding course he instructs. He’ll cry and insult a dish that is completely inedible or is an insult to the art of cooking, but only in extreme cases of a student’s poor cooking. He’s pretty jovial the majority of the time.

Russia: Arts n' Crafts. Despite slipping his D.I.Y. curriculum into his Home Economics class, Russia was able to finagle the board into giving him a whole club dedicated to it. Many students enroll in this club as an extra study period for the very same class, even if they are frightened of spending more time in the same room as him. The club is surprisingly very serene and enjoyable, as Russia takes it less seriously and is less prone to becoming irritated by little things. This caused a bigger flow of student signups from word of mouth each year, and most enjoy exercising their creativity to make funky designs than just following the recommended designs.

China: Animal Awareness Club. Upset he was denied his request to start up an “I Love Pandas” club and will always be bitter that other, more ridiculous clubs got the go-ahead instead like “Mini-Heroes” and “Pasta Lovers.” Then he overheard Romano complaining to someone about his club’s members not liking tomatoes as much as he does and requesting other crops to talk about instead. China marched straight back to the board with a wealth of confidence and an impromptu outline for a club he thought of in the five minutes it took for him to get there. He now hosts a sanctuary for all animal enthusiasts in his club where they post flyers around the school and hold public discussions on environmental activism to support preserving animal livelihoods. And while he mainly puts pandas as the sole focus of his club’s efforts, he quite enjoys talking about other animals too, including species outside his culture, mainly pertaining to the endangered wild bears and big cats.

Canada: Maple Club. Pancakes are usually a staple of the topics this club has, on top of the history of tree sap. And while this is one of the more niche clubs, everyone had not anticipated just how popular it would get with the student body, and it takes up a lot of Canada’s time to manage as a result.