#this blogger supports the right of ethereals

[iris-collects-magic]

*worth noting that it is only considered completely ethical to be involved Ethereal if they were not summoned against their will.

is dating a ghost necrophilia?

Please refer to the flowchart.

[esther-dot]

This ask is critical of the Jonsa fandom, so it’s going under the cut

—

I hesitated to even publish this ask lest someone be hurt by it, but I wanted to say that I hear you. 

I personally do understand the distinction between fiction and reality. Calling a ship awful things is different from calling the shippers pedophiles. I agree with you there. That’s like when antis tell us we all want to marry our cousins as if they can’t tell the difference between accepting the rules of the world/literary analysis and how we live life. Sometimes people in this fandom are so weird I feel like if I said, “I read Moby Dick” they’d accuse me of murdering whales. So, I understand what you’re saying, and I also understand why you would feel the need to say this on anon. I too have opinions that are not 100% orthodox and almost every Jonsa does because, depending on who is trending within the fandom, our opinions are swayed, the consensus changes, and whoever has the wind at their back feels free to act like they’re “right” and everyone else is “wrong.” I remember book shippers lecturing us show shippers pre s8 on how we ruined it all because we thought Jonsa was romantic, not a matter of political expediency. Now the active book shippers are all about the romance because it’s new people with different opinions. These things change, and you shouldn’t let what is momentarily the consensus keep you from expressing your opinion. Who knows, it might become the consensus! 

Most of what I have said has been about the ships, not the shippers, but I’m certain I’ve liked/reblogged inflammatory things, and I will think more carefully about what I “tacitly endorse” in the future. The fandom was so quiet for a while there, I got into the habit of reblogging everything in the tag/other jonsas wrote just because I wanted to encourage anyone who was still active, but I don’t want to contribute to a toxic fandom. 

As someone who doesn’t share the prevailing opinions most of the time (I like show Jonsa, I like show Sansa, I’m not convinced Jon wont be forced into a thing with Dany, I accept the show’s endpoints as Martin’s, to name a few), I do understand the anxiety that comes from daring to say something you already know our fandom doesn’t agree with. So, I have a lot of sympathy for you, anon, and I hope you’re willing to still put your thoughts out there all the same. I have. I’ve been doing this for years, and mostly, it’s been a lot of fun. Also, tone and expectations change depending on who is active/who you follow. If you’re frightened to share your opinion, maybe you need to filter some tags/unfollow some people, and restructure your little circle. I gain and lose followers all the time. Don’t be afraid of that. We can only make choices for ourselves which means, as I said in my previous post, take control of your fandom experience. Disengage with the bloggers who stress you out. Your obligation is to yourself. You need to feel good about your fandom experience, what you support and don’t, and you don’t owe anyone anything. 

All that being said, because of the nature of the ships Jonsas hate on, I’m not going to criticize Jonsas/Sansa fans for their righteous rage. As you allude to, they may be victims of abuse. Their anger or grief that other fans dismiss Sansa’s trauma, that may be such a personal thing, well, I will not fault them for decrying it. It might be wiser to rant in DMs, but not everyone has built those fandom relationships that give them that option, so all they have is sending out their feelings into the ether. As long as they aren’t going into the comments or inboxes of shippers or improperly tagging their posts, it’s their right to say what they want. 

And, not only might they have that personal connection, the fandom experience has been so awful for Sansa fans and Jonsas that the framework is totally different for someone joining now, than say, someone who has been active for years. Jonsas were horribly harassed. Not just the rude stuff like brats putting their anti takes in our tag which they still do, but Jonsas got rape and death threats in their inboxes, their accounts were hacked, and people with LOTS of followers on Twitter and YouTube were publicly declaring we should all be killed. The rest of the fandom are not people I respect, and I know they will never respect me. They hate me. 

Also, it isn’t just about the ship, it is about Sansa. People who now say they “like” Sansa regularly interact with those who have posted rants about Sansa deserving to die, mocking her rape, and insisting all sorts of terrible things about her. So, I can’t say they hate Sansa, but if you loved her the way they claim to, would you encourage people who write that stuff? We both know you wouldn’t. If they loved Sansa, why would they rather interact with people who want her to suffer, rather than people who celebrate her becoming queen and think she deserves love? It’s hard not to come to the obvious conclusion. So, with that context, if you see someone say they love her and then ship her with a character who married her against her will in order to steal her home, or someone who intended to rape her, or someone who sexually molests her, all the while talking about how gross jonsas are…well, coming to the conclusion that their interest isn’t the happiness and safety of Sansa is totally understandable. The tacit endorsement you think we give to the most extreme stances in our fandom (pedophilia is bad and people are gross for shipping it) has nothing on what the rest of the fandom said and did to Sansa fans and Jonsas for years and the kind of thing they tacitly endorse by interacting with content from truly gross people. Don’t let them gaslight you.

However, maybe you’ll be a new generation of Jonsa who can interact with nonjonsas and enjoy the rest of the fandom. That would be lovely! But, considering how many fan art and general ASOIAF blogs I had to unfollow last year/earlier this year (people I’d followed the whole time I was in the fandom) because of their inexplicable sudden urge say book Sansa and Dany were the same amount of morally grey or to decry jonsa at the same time they assured everyone the pedoships were fine (a morally incoherent stance if ever I heard one), I’m skeptical that you’ll find people who will tolerate a Sansa defender/Jonsa in their midst. I think your hope of mutual tolerance/respect is in vain. Of course, people are so desperate for ASOIAF content, I guess there could be more crossover going forward, so maybe! But, for me, I get nothing from this experience except the buzz from my fellow shippers, so I’m not aiming to be integrated into the fandom. They’re the ones who expelled me from it, and I’m very happily “excommunicated.”

If you would like, you are welcome to DM me, and we can talk about this more specifically, the tone of my posts, or your ideas you’re afraid to share publicly. It makes me sad that previous interactions have made you think Jonsas are “scary,” and I would love to change that impression. 

[kemvee]

May I please have some more Cullen blog recommendations? -🐉

Yes! And I'm so glad you've asked ☺ I love any chance to talk about the awesome content creators we have here.

This is just a list of fairly active blogs I enjoy but there are so many more out there so please do keep your eyes peeled in the Cullen tags. And for everyone who is tagged please feel free to add your own to the list!! x

Also it got long, so it's under a cut 😂

Cullen-centric blogs

@fontofnothing - Beautiful Screenshots for dayyyysssss

@charlatron - Committed Cullenmancer and sex-positive writer. Also comissons *the* spiciest artwork.

@princessvicky01 - Quite possibly the only person on this site who has a bigger Cullen crush than me 😂

@jacklyn-flynn - Her Headcanon du jours frequently feature Cullen and are constantly awesome. Also writing a spectacular Space-Trash AU

@cullen-in-command - Another blogger committed to spreading all the beautiful Cullen content.

@pookydraws - If you have been on the Cullen tag you will have seen her beautiful, ethereal and pastel artworks. Very prolific Cullen artist.

@clayton-comics - A new comic blog doing Cullen focused work right now. I'm excited to see what they do next.

@lavellanvibes - Another up and coming artist drawing Cullen and deserving of your support.

@cute-ellyna - go to her blog, check out her Cullen tag. Thank me later.

@cantkeepmyeyesoff - Cullen Screenshots and mods to make your heart sing.

@gugle1980 - Aaallllll the a Cullen art

OC's / Writers romancing Cullen

@wardenari - Queen of the rare pairs and currently writing an awesome Cullen/Cousland fic

@intothedragonverse - aka @elveny and @kunstpause amazing story spanning DA2 with a beautiful Cullen/Hawke romance as one of the pairings.

@pavusprince - Working on a child Inquisitor / dad!Cullen AU. Also an incredible artist

@winterwolfwitch - Cullen and Gwen are the most beautiful couple and I shan't be taking any questions.

@a-shakespearean-in-paris - one of the first writers I followed after loving her works on Ao3.

@ma-sulevin - Same as above she has a sex dream AU that is just *chefs kiss*

@queen-kass-the-writer - Did someone say slow burn Avaar AU??!

Not exclusively Cullen but equally spreading joy

@kittimau - writer/artist/supporter. Multi fandom and probably one of the best human beings I've ever interacted with.

@raflesia65 - passionate dragon age fan.

@schoute - Art goals yo

@eccentriccoffeebird - the depth of colour and detail in her works are staggering.

@herald-divine-hell - An absolutely gorgeous stable of OC's with pairs for everyone!

@jellysharkbat - the ultimate thirst enabler

@dafanresources - excellent new blog that provides well researched advice for content creators.

@boosarts - pretty pretty portraits (living in hope of them doing a Cullen piece soon)

@incorrectdragonage - 2020 is crap, find lols here!

@julesdigitalart - pretty arts often ambitious in scale

@kauriart - has painted just about everyone in the DA Universe and we thank her for it

@kourvo - Her style is expressive and really quite unique. I just adore her work.

@lethendralis-paints - traditional and digital and all sublime. Plus a whole heap of Fenris for the soul.

@vjatoch - So. Much. Beautiful. Art

@faelavellan - Her art is so exquisite I cry.

@zuendwinkel - wonderful human being with the most incredible art nouveau art style

[tilltheendwilliwrite]

Why?

Why is it that this site brings out the worst in people? The amount of drama I'm seeing today is off the charts.

The hatred, the aggression, the anger is so incredibly dense I feel as if I'm swimming through sludge wading through it.

It's quite clear someone got their butt hurt and is now doing everything in their power to take it out on another blogger. Did that person deserve it? I don't fucking know, and I honestly don't care, but when you can't be a grownup about things, have an actual discussion about the problem, and make an entirely new blog Just to call them out, that's childish and immature.

The discourse needs to stop.

Fandom should be a place where everyone is safe to explore their reality. Life, love, sexual preferences, writing style, artwork, ships, race, genders and non genders, those are things you as another blogger have 100% control over.

It's really very simple.

Don't like, don't read. Block the tags. Scroll down. Click on another link.

This is not rocket science.

@captain-rogers-beard I personally did not read 50 Shades of Bucky. I love your other works and have enjoyed many of them, but that one with the extent of the parody didn't sit well with me. I chose not to read as was my right.

However, what is currently happening is beyond abhorrent. You did all the right things, gave credit, made it very clear what you'd done and why and never once said, "This is MY work! Love me for my originality!"

I have blocked your troll. I hope you will also block your troll. I hope all those defending you will also block your troll.

Trolls like attention.

Please stop giving it to them. It's the only way to remain sain. It's the only way that it will end.

It matters little what they scream, shout, cry into the ether.

You are bigger than this. You are better than them. Those of us who know you and support you will stand by you.

Don't let one tiny troll ruin your day.

After all, they're just noise in the background.

T~

P.S. have a cute penguin.🥰

[ediblegardenspointloma]

In My San Diego Garden and Kitchen

It’s a wrap on nectaplum season, almost. There are still about ten pounds in the fridge. July 3 to July 30 yielded 115 pounds. That may be an underestimate since some of the fruit didn’t get weighed and recorded. A nectaplum almond cobbler just came out of the oven. A final neighborhood distribution of the best ones tomorrow will finish the crop.

Nectaplums are a hybrid cross of nectarine and plum and we think they most resemble a nectarine. They are freestone, white flesh and ever so juicy. I use recipes for peaches and nectarines with good success. Read more about Nectaplums in my previous post.

We have two trees planted as fruiting landscape trees. In the spring, pink blossoms remind us of the delights ahead. The early leaves are a gorgeous deep burgundy, fading more to green as the season progresses.. My husband just completed a post-harvest pruning which helps to control size. Some branches become very heavy with fruit, requiring support. We’ll thin the crop next year. If there’s a downside to nectaplums it might be that they go from ripe to rotten very quickly, adding urgency to the distribution and processing. They do hold well in the fridge, thankfully.

The bounty of this year’s harvest was unexpected. The first two seasons, the trees only produced about 35 pounds each year. Somewhere between 35 and 115 pounds would be about right.

Here’s how I’ve used the nectaplums this year.. With so much of the fruit, I’ve experimented with new ways to use and preserve them.

If asked for a favorite ways to eat nectaplums other than fresh or atop cereal, it would be nectaplum ice cream (from the Plum Ice Cream recipe in The Perfect Scoop) and Nectaplum Almond Cobbler. But then there’s Spiced Crostata, a riff on a Sunset pluot recipe which calls for a three-way tie. Oh, and here’s my description of nectaplum ice cream: “a delicate, fragrant pale pink cloud of sweetness and fruit.”

My nectaplum and peach recipe folder yielded this gem from Sunset, 2013. Nectaplums subbed well for peaches and I purchased frozen raspberries. Lavender from the garden added ethereal floral notes.

This season, with abundant fruit, I looked for new ways to preserve the nectaplums. We decided to try nectaplum sauce. My husband cut almost all the nectaplums. No sugar needed with such sweet fruit. We tried a pureed sauce option and eventually settled on puree with small chunks. We also brought out pureed apricots from the freezer and mixed with pureed nectarplum compote. Strawberry guava puree, also from the freezer, mixed with the pureed nectaplums was our favorite and made a rich, velvety sauce.

The small chest freezer is full at the end of apple, rhubarb, apricot and nectaplum seasons. Strawberry guavas arrive in September and a small second crop of apples in November. We hit the fruit pause in August.

‘Queen Lime Red’ zinnias are enchanting. The pollinators in the vegetable garden find them so as well.

Planting has slowed but you can see the updates in What I’m Planting Now. Then head over to see what other garden bloggers around the world harvested last week at Harvest Monday hosted by Dave at Happy Acres blog.

To leave a comment, click on “Leave a comment/Show comments,” enter the comment, then insert your name. Finally, click on “Comment as Guest” to post comment.

[feysandfeels]

3, 4, 16, 17 👩‍❤️‍👩🦄🌸

JAAAYYYYY thank you thank you for blessing my ask box hahahaha!

3. Dare: List all nine of your tumblr crushes, and describe each blog/blogger in one word.

I wish I was the kind of person that could choose just one word, but alas I am not! 

@wylanzeniks: ethereal and aesthetically pleasing. If I could have you be the creative director of my life and instagram I would!

@feysandsmut: Chic and supportive. Like you are so on point!

@cassianandfenrysaremyboyos: “a little bit of everything”. If you’re into something “geeky” chances are Lisa is part of the fandom

@readinglikewildfire: hot and romantic…and slowly getting me into Kpop.

@dorianthekinkymf: Classy and cute…and royalty, I always associate royalty with you girls hahah

@aelin-and-feyre: Entertaining and thoughtful. 

@catastrophicallyinlovewithbooks: Literature, coffee shops and traveling. 

… these are the ones I can think of right now, if I remember some more I’ll add them.

4. Dare: post your oldest selfie on your camera roll.

well since I recently deleted from my phone everything that wasn’t from 2017, this is the oldest selfie I have. Is from January when I had donated my hair.

16. Truth: What is your dream job?

Well I’ve always wanted to be an actress, it’s been my dream since I was three years old. This coming year I’ll be applying to some acting master’s degree in various countries, so hopefully I’ll get in and be able to attend and somewhat get closer to my goal. All prayer circles and good vibes are welcome. But also I would love to write part time for Vogue about gender issues, how fashion can change our perception of gender and well books. So yeah, in my mind I become a successful actress (not necessarily famous, but successful enough to make a decent living), and I’m able to write essays about gender and bring the “academic discussion” to a more accesible lever.

17. Truth: Where is the last place you went that took you over two hours to get to?

So funny story traffic in my city is the worst thing ever! So the other day I went to the movies and even thought the mall that I went to is 15min away on cab, it took two hours for me to get home. Just imagine how jammed my city was.. just let that sink in.

Or we could also got with “I traveled recently to the wonderful country of Australia and didn’t want to come back and it took like a day on plane to get there”

Lets play truth or dare

[goddessofphilosophy]

As much as Hyacinth loved to follow through on the Women Empowerment projects of the United Nations discussed during the General Assembly, there is no way in hell she would want to miss the Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show for the Milan Fashion Week. Twice every year, she'd reserve frontrow seats and get an upclose look at the items that will eventually grace her wardrobe upgrades for the season. She decided it would be best for Jane, her new secretary, to stay in Manhattan just in case there would be papers that needed to be signed. It's an excuse since she reasoned the trip would be a family affair. She and Annicka would eventually meet Amberleighn, Noelle, and their mother in Milan. They landed at the airport a few hours just before the women's fashion show. Oh how she missed Milan's exquisite atmosphere. "Have you seen them yet?" Annicka was getting disappointed that Amberleighn wouldn't pick up her phone. Hyacinth was looking around instead, "Oh there they are! Andiamo!" They both made their way among the crowd to join Amberleighn, Noelle, Druella & Astoria at the entrance of a nearby café. "Scusi, per favore. Grazie," she was almost mumbling. The airport was jampacked with tourists, photographers, media personalities, designers, graphics artists, and eager fashion bloggers for the upcoming event. However, a man in gray suit blocked their way and extended his hand unexpectedly. He was beaming, it would be impolite not to return the gesture of shaking his hand. "Hyacinth," he breathed. "You're even more beautiful than I remember." "Ciao, nice to see you around. We haven't seen each other for a long time." It was a lie. Why is she lying? She didn't expect him to follow her in Milan. He felt why she needed to lie and he understood. The awkwardness was unbearable that they have an audience. "Do you remember my sister Annicka?" His eyes darted to Annicka, finally. Hyacinth doesn't quite like the uneasiness she felt whenever he stares at her. "Sí, I do," he smiled at Annicka. "If you don't mind, I'd like to have a word with your sister, per favore?" Annicka looked at Hyacinth as if to ask if she'd be fine if she leaves them alone. Hyacinth nodded. "Alright," she replied and went to the café. His attention went back to Hyacinth and he led her towards a corner where there were less people, away from her family's sight. "We haven't seen each other for a long time? Did you have to miss me that much?" he smirked and laughed lightly. "Suit yourself," she rolled her eyes. He loved that about her. "Would you mind to be my date at the after party tonight? I didn't forget you are obsessed with Dolce & Gabbana," he smiled crookedly. "Just like old times." "You don't have to use that card on me." "We both know I don't lay down a card if it wouldn't be in my advantage," he whispered and kissed her cheek with a lingering kiss. "Ci vediamo dopo, beautiful." And just like that he was gone again. He knew he can't stay much longer. He knew his limits. He knew he blew his chance once. He knew she's already married. But there had been speculations about her fragile marriage when she left New York all those years ago. And that gave him hope. This year, Dolce & Gabbana's theme embraced Tropico Italiano showcasing its signature floral prints, pasta & pizza, religious symbols, classy little black dresses and crowns which are remarkably Italian. Coconut trees lined up the runway with LED lights also present in some of the models' shoes. She especially liked the 'I love Pizza' bag. And the piano skirt absolutely captured her heart. The festivity continued during the after party when the street was closed off for the banquet. The newly opened Monte Napoleone boutique was divinely prestigious with its gold accents truly fit for royalty. Indeed, Italians do it better. Hyacinth has always been proud of her Italian descent. When the Descartes-Houghton girl squad arrived at the gathering, Hyacinth was trailing behind them. They were all used to the cameras but Annicka so Amberleighn came in first. Her supermodel status always attracted attention. Dark-haired Noelle and Annicka spiced up the family's ethereal fashion-forward style. Nobody will ever know that Druella is their mother. They all looked like sisters, even with Astoria Houghton and her German lineage. "Ciao," Anthony whispered while joining her in front of the cameras. "Where is your escort?" Hyacinth smiled at him, "Nessuno." He replied in haste, faking a frown, "Ouch, qui sono." Then he took her hand, ushering her towards their seat, "Si guarda molto meraviglioso. Mi manchi." She looked at him and hoped she heard it all wrong. "Il gatto ti ha mangiato la lingua?" he asked, provoking her. She never imagined what it would be like to hear those words from him again. Does he possibly think those were the magic words? He felt her apprehension and he regretted what he said but what could he do when it was what he wanted to say to her simply because it was inevitable? Her silence spoke volumes and he understood it. He reminded himself to just enjoy the night and stop playing with their frienship that caught fire. Despite the darkest dawn, it was a night to remember. And it almost felt like it never ends when she joined her friends in the dancefloor. It was surreal that almost all of them married within their circle. Pietro married Alexandria and they got two kids, a girl and a boy. Marcello married Hannah and they were blessed with three beautiful ladies. Eduardo married Chiara and decided not to have kids. The others are happily and independently single. "Man, we never knew who broke the engagement. It all happened so fast. And then Hyacinth here got married three months later. Ti immagini?" a slightly tipsy Pietro spoke with his think Italian accent. He has always been tactless. Alexandria shook her head to say we shouldn't mind him. She was trying to soothe him by giving him a glass of water. Anthony looked at Hyacinth with tenderness, but it was meant to answer Pietro, "Ci siamo lasciati e morto un Papa se ne fa un altro. É così." "Ma dove é lui?" Clellin chimed in. "He never accompanied you during Milan Fashion Week." And all she could respond was the truth, "He's busy." She thought she heard him mumble, "Che peccato!" But Anthony was lost in thought, suddenly not paying attention at their group conversation. Among her peers, she trusted Hannah would always turn the atmosphere into something lighter, "Why don't we all hang out. It's been such a long time!" She also hated it when Anthony starts speaking in Italian. The accent confuses her. "My place. I have a villa in Tuscany," Anthony suggested, then sipped his champagne. You received an iMessage from Leah Hale. Leah: Ms. Chairperson, have you forgotten about the internship interviews? They are now late for their analysis of the first presidential debate, their supposedly first project especially those who will be assigned in the Political Science Department. Hyacinth: Can't come back until tomorrow. Leah: Where in the world are you? Can't contact you! Hyacinth: Tuscany. There's a storm. Leah: Why? The Editorial Board has released our support for Hillary Clinton, as per your request. The New York Times need more correspondents for the upcoming debates. And interns for the law firm's Journalism Department. How do you expext me to handle all these? You promised to do the interviews with the Human Resources Department! Hyacinth: I'm so sorry. Jane will come to your rescue. Leah: Jane? Hyacinth: Jane Sheppard, another secretary of mine. Leah: I feel so betrayed. Hyacinth: Never knew how to disagree with the husband. Leah laughed at "Never knew how to disagree with the husband." Leah: Okay, orient her please before sending her in our precious minefield! Hyacinth: The little girl's even willing to follow me in Syria! Be ashamed of yourself! Leah: Not risking my life for you! I don't love you that much! Leah: Little girl? How young is your new minion? Hyacinth: Not more than 25, for sure. Hyacinth: I don't even know! I have to ask her! Leah: You are such an awesome boss! You loved "You are such an awesome boss!" Leah: Why are you in Tuscany? Leah: What are you doing in Tuscany when you're not even divorced? Hyacinth: So funny! Leah: How are you in Tuscany alone? Hyacinth: Not alone. Leah questioned "Not alone." Leah: Thanks for all the juicy details! Hyacinth laughed at "Thanks for all the juicy details!" Leah: Spill the beans! You sent an image. Leah: OMG! Leah: He's still hot! Leah: Too bad you didn't marry the guy! Leah: Why are you with him? Leah: You almost married the guy, Cinth! Leah: Almost. Hyacinth: And I didn't. There is such a thing as platonic relationship, right? Leah: Who owns the place? Looks really good! Hyacinth: We are with some friends. Leah: I ALMOST thought you sounded defensive. Hyacinth: He bought the villa years ago. Leah: Friends who expected you guys end up together. Married friends with their partners and you are with him. Nice pairing! Leah: He bought a villa after you left him? Hyacinth: You're delusional. Leah loved "You're delusional." Leah: How is that a group picture and he's accidentally staring at you? You received an iMessage from Astoria Houghton. Astoria: The Ritz Paris is amazeballs! Just in case you changed your mind. xx Astoria sent an image. Hyacinth: Don't tempt me, temptress. Astoria loved "Don't tempt me, temptress." You received an iMessage from Noelle Xade Descartes. Noelle: You're such a party pooper! It's Paris Fashion Week! Mom always tells us that family always comes first and yet there you are with your friends. Hyacinth: We can all wait for another century and I will come to Paris without force. Noelle: You're missing out on all the fun! You sent an image. Noelle: And the country goddess award goes to you! You received an iMessage from Druella Rose Descartes. Druella: Bonjour from Paris! Il est toujours trop beau pour être vrai! Your Father would love it even more. Hyacinth Athena, family above all. Call me if you're ready to talk about it. Druella sent an image. Druella: Wish you were here! You received an iMessage from Annicka Paulette Descartes. Annicka: How did you let them drag me to Paris Fashion Week? Hyacinth: You said you didn't like hearing Italian all the time! Annicka: How is French any better? Hyacinth laughed at "How is French any better?" You received an iMessage from Leah Hale. Leah: How many tomorrows do I have to count until you're back? Don't you check your e-mails? The United Nations called twice today. Hyacinth: I'm so sorry. Let me personally handle that one. Leah: You always check your e-mails not unless you're in Syria again? But if they knew you're on a mission, why would they call here? Hyacinth: I'm not in Syria. Leah: It can't be always stormy in sunny Tuscany! Hyacinth: We're in Capri now. Marcello wanted us to meet his children. You sent an image. Leah: Wow. They all got their mother's looks! Australian beauties! Leah: Where are the other two? Those without kids. Hyacinth: Back in Venice. Leah: Did you ride the gondola with him in Venice? Hyacinth: Andréas and I did last year. Leah loved "Andréas and I did last year." Leah: Not talking about your husband, Cinth! Hyacinth: It's a no. Leah: Did you ride the gondola with him in Venice and kiss him under the Bridge of Sighs at sunset when you two were still dating? Back in the days? Hyacinth: Don't you have more important things to do, Atty. Hale? Leah: You did! You received an iMessage from Amberleighn Vernice Descartes. Amber: Get your sexy ass here! When will you ever stop letting the past haunt you, sister? Amber sent an image. Amber: Jacket envy! Amber sent an image. Amber: Wish we stayed in Paris. New Yorkers are so lame. I don't understand why Mom likes New York. Everything is better in Paris. Hyacinth: Because you work in New York. Amber: I can change that. Hyacinth: No, you stay with Mom! Amber: Why wouldn't Annicka stay with her? Hyacinth: She doesn't like New York. Amber: Do you think I like it? You laughed at "Do you think I like it?" Amber: Hey, are you back in Manhattan? Hyacinth: Not until tomorrow. Amber: Where are you? Hyacinth: Greece. You sent an image. Amber: You don't cliffdive! Hyacinth: I just did. "What did it feel like?" Leah's inquisitive side always gets the job done. Hyacinth was back in New York City to meet the new interns of the law firm. She had to set their expectations. It's a shame Jane had to do the interviews. This year is particularly important since the presidential elections only happen once every four years. They were sitting beside each other in Leah's office. It used to be Hyacinth's office too. The room was sound proof due to the confidentiality of their conversations. "Like I can conquer all my fears, even the fear of losing him one day." Leah laughed. "No, not cliffdiving. What does it felt like holding his hand while doing it?" "Normal. We're friends." "Are you having an affair with him?" "No!" Hyacinth glared at Leah. She couldn't understand how her mind works sometimes. "Are you planning to have an affair with him?" "No." "But do you want to have an affair with him?" she whispered, enunciating each word, then nudged her. Hyacinth studied her for a moment, "What's your point?" "Just in case you want to... how to get away with an affair, my friend," Leah winked at her.

[tylerbiard]

Ebb and Flow

“And this is the chance I never got to make a move. But we just talk about the people we've met in the last 5 years. And will remember them in ten more? I let you bum a smoke, you quit this winter past. I've tried twice before but like this, it just will not last.”

-- Death Cab for Cutie: Steadier Footing (2001)

Today, this sappy-ass song popped back into my head.  I hadn’t listened to it in awhile, as I’m no longer an avid listener of Death Cab, but I’m pretty sure I can pinpoint, on some ethereal level, what brought it forth.  I do like the song, short as it may be, and it’s one that has, over the years, remained redolent vis-a-vis my moods.

I was talking with a friend about synthesia recently, and although I don’t have that, it reminded me of how profound music can be for me -- it is often the soundtrack of my life, providing a means of transporting back to another time.  It’s that Cassie song bringing me back to being driven to grade school, bullies awaiting.  It’s that Arcade Fire song, reminding me of a romance that was never to be.  It’s that utter shite Gretchen Wilson song, reminding me of summers trapped at my mom’s.  I kinda laugh at that last one now.  It’s not always sad, though.  Like, there’s that Midnight Oil song, reminding me of a good road trip with a good friend.  Or listening to the Pixies’ Bossanova while out in the bitter cold in Griesbach.  Or that Bay City Rollers song my grandma would sing along to, but with the muffled 1970s recording, I couldn’t fully make out. 

That being said, I find that when music moves me in such a way, so as to resonate years later still, it’s generally in a more melancholic way.  Maybe it’s something to do with how negative things tend to stick better.  I’m not sure.

Right now, I’m thinking about a friendship once stronger, now a series of messages left sans response.  Perhaps it was always like that, and now I’m no longer willing to prop it up.  Or that one where I foolishly thought things would be different, and now I guess they are, but in a completely different way.  We’ll still be in each others lives, but not in the same capacity, and that’s kind of sad.  Those prospects, those hopes, all for naught.  What’s the point anyways?  Like that scene from Oslo, August 31st, eventually they’ll all “vanish into motherhood” (or fatherhood, or marriage, or whatever).  Perhaps I just am realizing I’m no longer the shiny new thing, or that they’re not.

It all makes me think about that Death Cab song.  Except, even if I made a move, it was pointless.  And with all the toxic relationships over the past several years, with all of the people I’ve met over that period, that have come, and gone, will I even remember them a decade from now?  Knowing me, probably, but that’s besides the point.  Life is so fleeting, and it’s kind of sad how much something so good can turn so rotten.  I know it’s not just them, I too am equally fleeting.  I am not static, I am constantly changing as I go through life.  That overlap I may have had with someone just won’t necessarily last.  Or, there’s those cases where I’ve wished that I’d met that person at a different point, when things would’ve ostensibly been better.

Innocuously enough, a friend mentioned PostSecret recently, and it led met to the All-American Rejects.  It transported me back to 2006, a time of John Tucker Must Die, SexyBack, Blogger, and Guyliner; a time that was shit even beyond the pop culture.  And yet, I get weirdly nostalgic about it.  Like, remember when Ashanti was still relevant?  And then I remember that was 11 years ago already, and I get hit in the gut by existentialism.  It’s so weird to think of that era having been that long ago, and that I’m really as old as I am.  I’m so used to that time being so much more recent.  And then I realize that relatively staid 2013 was 4-going-on-5 years ago.  I joined Tumblr 5 years ago already (late ‘12).  And then I realize how quickly it’s gone by, and soon it’ll be 2023, I’ll be 30, and it just keeps speeding up from there on out.  As you can see, it just spirals as the knots get bigger and bigger.  But I guess you’re not really living unless you’re also dying, right?

This is probably why I’ve moved away from the melancholic indie rock that I held so dear in the former half of this decade and towards more high energy, danceable music.  Grimes, even in more serious lyrics, because of the different tone, makes me happier to listen to than Pavement.  Music has a tendency to draw me in emotionally, and at this point in my life, I have enough things to bog me down, without music beating a dead horse.  Plus, it fits my newly minted absurdist personality, I suppose.

The funny thing with depression, I’ve found, is that support isn’t at all like Hollywood portrays it as.  In most cases, you’re not going to get that back-and-forth of the depressed pushing back while the friend or family member fights against it, with the intent of getting to the bottom of things.  Nope, usually if you push back once, people peace the fuck out.  Sometimes you don’t even need to push back.  Sometimes they’ll just get up and leave, citing the aforementioned domestic life that beckons.  Sometimes you’ll get tips for how to harm yourself better or you’ll be told to “grow up,” because, you know, bulimia is so ‘87.  And not by out of touch old people, by bona fide peers.  Granted, in my case, these people meant no harm, and to put it bluntly, they just fucked up with a lapse in judgement.  I don’t hate them.  I think my point is that, if there’s anyone out there in a rough patch, as awful as it sounds, you can’t rely on others to come to you, or to necessarily think pushing away will work like it does in the dramas.  Maybe it will, but I wouldn’t rely on it.  In my experience, you have to swallow your pride, and ask for help directly.

I really wanted to write more this year.  I have had ideas bouncing around my head for awhile, including one, funnily enough, around music!  There was just so much this year.  So much loss.  So much bullshit.  But it hasn’t been all bad.  This past summer I actually had some semblance of happiness for the first time in awhile.  It was, of course, fleeting, as happiness always is, and there was still grievances to deal with, but it wasn’t bad.  I attribute much of the good in 2017 (and a few headaches, to be honest) to two new people I befriended this year, at a very low point in my life.  They filled the vacuum left by loss in a very beautiful way and, even as life moves on, I’m very glad they’re there.  I also have surrounded myself with other good people this year, that overall are better than the roster I had a year or two ago.  So, I guess, silver linings.

Man, this post was quite the erratic rollercoaster.  I think this is enough for me, for now.

[abramsbooks]

Celebrate International Women’s Day with #IReadIndie!

We’re proud to be part of the independent publishing community, promoting titles that breed independent minds, break the mold, and dare to be different. In support of our fellow independents, we’d like to draw attention to big books from smaller publishers across the country. Today, we’re highlighting our best books that celebrate women!

What are your favorite independent books? Join in on the conversation by using #IReadIndie.

ABRAMS Books

The Career Code by Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power In The Career Code, fashion and digital entrepreneurs Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr bring you the Everygirl’s guide for creating your own professional success, on every level, flawlessly. The book is filled with insightful, pragmatic “career codes” to follow, as well as all of the practical, how-to advice they’ve learned while building their company from zero employees in 2006, to the thriving, multibrand, multiplatform, multi-million dollar company it is today.

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2mVClR1 Amazon: http://amzn.to/2mVNcus B&N: http://bit.ly/2mVPb1R ABRAMS Books: http://bit.ly/2mVD2Kg

A Mother is a Story: A Celebration of Motherhood by Samantha Hahn Capturing Brooklyn-based artist Samantha Hahn’s modern sensibility, A Mother Is a Story: A Celebration of Motherhood is a stunning collection of hand-lettered quotes and ethereal illustrations. With quotes that range from witty and irreverent to touching and thoughtful, each page presents sentiments and snippets of wisdom that celebrate the spirit of motherhood. Contributions come from literary icons, political activists, lifestyle bloggers, fashion designers, and more. Rendered in Hahn’s signature watercolors, the book portrays the shared experience of motherhood in all its glorious, messy, sublime beauty.

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2mVCHqY Amazon: http://amzn.to/2mVEkVP B&N: http://bit.ly/2mVvBD4 ABRAMS Books: http://bit.ly/2mVMqxy

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, Ada Twist, Scientist champions girl power and women scientists, and brings welcome diversity to picture books about girls in science. Like her classmates Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck, Ada has a boundless imagination and has always been curious. Touching on themes of never giving up and problem solving, Ada comes to learn that her questions might not always lead to answers, but rather to more questions. IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2l8BVuu Amazon: http://amzn.to/2l8xsrC B&N: http://bit.ly/2l8NUIf ABRAMS: http://bit.ly/2l8sr2a

Workman Publishing

Strong Is the New Pretty: A Celebration of Girls Being Themselves by Kate T. Parker Girls being fearless. Girls being silly. Girls being wild, stubborn, and proud. Girls whose faces are smeared with dirt and lit up with joy. So simple and yet so powerful, Strong Is the New Pretty celebrates, through more than 175 memorable photographs, the strength and spirit of girls being 100% themselves.

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/7Z3Pt2 Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/E5TdsW Amazon: http://amzn.to/2mP0722 Workman Publishing: https://goo.gl/8aQNyy

The Atomic Weight of Love: A Novel by Elizabeth J. Church Follow the journey of a driven young woman whose scientific ambitions are subverted by the expectations of her era in Elizabeth J. Church’s debut novel. Told through the eyes of Meridian Wallace, The Atomic Weight of Love takes us from the World War II years in Chicago through to the 1970s in Los Alamos, New Mexico, blending an intriguing piece of American history and science with feminism and a passionate love story.

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/sfqDM1 Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/jvEhBC Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lEr6vw Workman Publishing: https://goo.gl/zSTcqb

Radioactive!: How Irène Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World by Winifred Conkling Radioactive tells the fascinating, little-known story of how two brilliant female physicists working in a male-dominated field made groundbreaking discoveries that led to the creation of the atomic bomb. A nonfiction narrative that reads with the suspense of a thriller, Radioactive sheds light on Irene Curie and Lise Meitner, who are still largely ignored despite their crucial contributions to cutting-edge research.

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/pzikUV Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/TxodIB Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lnDiFC Workman Publishing: https://goo.gl/Weoxs2

The Overlook Press

Jane Welsh Carlyle and her Victorian World: A Story of Love, Work, Friendship, and Marriage By Kathy Chamberlain Available April 4, 2017 Hailed by Virginia Woolf as one of the all-time great letter writers, Jane Welsh Carlyle, wife of Victorian literary celebrity Thomas Carlyle, has been greatly overlooked. In Jane Welsh Carlyle and her Victorian World, she is finally brought out of her husband’s shadow and celebrated as a remarkable woman and writer in her own right. Through unparalleled access to Jane’s personal correspondences, Kathy Chamberlain presents an elegant portrait of an extraordinary, unsung female writer, and the dynamics of women in the Victorian era. Elizabeth Strout has already praised the book as  “a wonderful piece of work—compelling, readable, and utterly distinct in its approach . . . sparkles with the wit and intelligence of the subject herself.”

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2lTWg23 Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2lU2LSg Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lB0Pmr

Angela Merkel: Europe’s Most Influential Leader By Matthew Qvortrup German Chancellor Angela Merkel has cemented herself in history as one of the most influential women in world politics. Suggested as “the liberal west’s last defender” (The New York Times), Merkel has successfully held her own and negotiated with her male counterparts, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump. In this captivating and to-the-minute definitive biography, Matthew Qvortrup tells the captivating story of this political titan’s ascent from complete obscurity to become one of the most powerful women in the world, responsible for making Germany more liberal and prosperous than ever.

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2n2wA5c Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2mfKzVj Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lB942b

My First Hundred Years in Show Business By Mary Louise Wilson A truly remarkable woman, Mary Louise Wilson has been a luminary force in the theatre world for nearly five decades. The veteran actor’s performances have ranged from a Tony Award-winning portrayal of Edith Bouvier Beale in Grey Gardens to a Drama Desk Award-winning role as legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland in Full Gallop. More recently she has been featured in roles on Louis C.K.’s award-winning television show Louie, Amazon’s recent hit Mozart in the Jungle, and the Academy Award nominated film Nebraska. The biting wit and brutal honesty that Wilson brings to her many outstanding performances is once again illuminated in her frank and funny memoir.

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2n2u2Uz Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2mxSWO3 Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lAZ8W6

Milkweed Editions

Cracking India by Bapsi Sidhwa As the young daughter of an affluent Parsee family in Lahore, Lenny is keenly observant of the city’s astonishing diversity—Muslims and Hindus, Christians and Sikhs, coexisting together. But as Lahore descends into sectarian violence, Lenny’s innocence is lost, and with it the fragile unity of a nation.

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/Uo4PCc Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/fWKoNY Amazon: http://a.co/d1HEwcb Milkweed: https://goo.gl/TFkFn6

Adventures in the Anthropocene: A Journey to the Heart of the Planet We Made by Gaia Vince From the first solo female winner of the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books: Watching scientists declare the dawn of a new era—the Anthropocene, or Age of Man—from her seat as an editor at Nature, Gaia Vince couldn’t help but wonder if the greatest cause of this dramatic planetary change—humans’ singular ability to adapt and innovate—might also hold the key to our survival. And so she left her professional life in London and set out to travel the world in search of ordinary people making extraordinary changes. Part science journal, part travelogue, Adventures in the Anthropocene recounts Vince’s journey, and introduces an essential new perspective on the future of life on Earth.

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/sf57Ir Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/4TIm34 Amazon: http://a.co/iK5c1Ui Milkweed: https://goo.gl/g9hml7

Sea Summit by Yi Lu, translated by Fiona Sze-Lorrain The sea is an impossible force in this collection: it is both a majestic presence that predates man, and something to carry with us wherever we go. These brilliantly translated poems, presented in both Chinese and English, introduce an important contemporary Chinese poet to American readers.

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/iqq424 Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/qDqj5S Amazon: http://a.co/arwp1OX Milkweed: https://goo.gl/EqiIhN

Feminist Press

King Kong Theory by Virginie Despentes; Translated by Stephanie Benson

With humor, rage, and confessional detail, Virginie Despentes—in her own words “more King Kong than Kate Moss”—delivers a highly charged account of women’s lives today. She explodes common attitudes about sex and gender, and shows how modern beauty myths are ripe for rebelling against. Using her own experiences of rape, prostitution, and working in the porn industry as a jumping-off point, she makes the bold, stinging point that when it comes to sex today, everyone's getting screwed.

Feminist Press: goo.gl/uKdRSA Indiebound: goo.gl/D7GZRc Barnes & Noble: goo.gl/d8zubd Amazon: goo.gl/a1w11G

The Madame Curie Complex by Julie Des Jardins

Why are the fields of science and technology still considered to be predominantly male professions? The Madame Curie Complex moves beyond the most common explanations—limited access to professional training, lack of resources, exclusion from social networks of men—to give historical context and unexpected revelations about women's contributions to the sciences. Exploring the lives of Jane Goodall, Rosalind Franklin, Rosalyn Yalow, Barbara McClintock, Rachel Carson, and the women of the Manhattan Project, Julie Des Jardins considers their personal and professional stories in relation to their male counterparts—Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer, Enrico Fermi—to demonstrate how the gendered culture of science molds the methods, structure, and experience of the work.

Feminist Press: goo.gl/PVUwr3 Indiebound:goo.gl/A68MIH Barnes & Noble: goo.gl/XZ54Qp Amazon: goo.gl/KSBgRd

August by Romina Paula; Translated by Jennifer Croft Traveling home to rural Patagonia, a young woman grapples with herself as she makes the journey to scatter the ashes of her friend Andrea. Twenty-one-year-old Emilia might still be living, but she’s jaded by her studies and discontent with her boyfriend, and apathetic toward the idea of moving on. Despite the admiration she receives for having relocated to Buenos Aires, in reality, cosmopolitanism and a career seem like empty scams. Instead, she finds her life pathetic. Both a reverse coming-of-age story and a tangled homecoming tale, this frank confession to a deceased confidante. A keen portrait of a young generation stagnating in an increasingly globalized Argentina, August considers the banality of life against the sudden changes that accompany death.

Feminist Press: goo.gl/nur6D5 Indiebound: goo.gl/LMzLpX Barnes & Noble: goo.gl/jL6BZz Amazon: goo.gl/fYufY9

Sourcebooks

A Country Between: Making a Home Where Both Sides of Jerusalem Collide by Stephanie Saldaña “Beautifully written, ardent and wise.”—Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Secret Chord, People of the Book, and March. When American writer Stephanie Saldaña finds herself in an empty house at the beginning of Nablus Road, the dividing line between East and West Jerusalem, she is a new wife trying to navigate a fragile terrain, both within her marriage and throughout the country in which she has chosen to live. Pregnant with her first child, Stephanie struggles to protect her family, their faith, and herself from the cracks of Middle Eastern conflict that threaten to shatter the world around her. A Country Between captures the fragile ecosystem of the Middle East and the difficult first years of motherhood in the midst of a conflict-torn city.

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/9F0X6x Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/Q2xkuW Amazon: https://goo.gl/PlXXew

Brave New Girl: How to Be Fearless by Lou Hamilton Insightful, bold, and timeless, Brave New Girl shows women and girls that anything is possible, and motivates them to move past fear and into courage. Each page is an invitation to pause, reflect, and happily rise to the occasion. This inspirational gift book encourages girls and women to seize the day, be kind to themselves, and break down any imaginary barriers holding them hostage.

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/mt72VJ Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/lJvy84 Amazon: https://goo.gl/6A0Vm6

The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict “Fascinating and thoughtful.”—B.A. Shapiro, New York Times bestselling author of The Art Forger and The Muralist Albert Einstein’s first wife, Mileva “Mitza” Maric, was more than the devoted mother of their three children—she was also a brilliant physicist in her own right, and her contributions to the special theory of relativity have been hotly debated for more than a century. The Other Einstein offers a window into a brilliant, fascinating woman whose light was lost in Einstein's enormous shadow.

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/CyGnnd Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/ZOTZIW Amazon: https://goo.gl/KQSbph

Grove Atlantic

The White City by Karolina Ramqvist; Translated by Saskia Vogel A celebrated bestseller in Sweden, The White City is an arresting story of betrayal and empowerment. Karin is something of an anti-heroine, a woman who was once at the top of an organized crime ring and is now a grieving widow, a reluctant single mother, and insolvent. She likely never spent much time thinking of herself in feminist terms, but when her livelihood and the safety of her daughter are threatened, she fearlessly fights for her independence and to regain control of her life. On a day that celebrates women, their boldness for change, The White City is a beautiful, compelling story of an imperfect woman finding her stride in her own bold, perfect way.

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/TvdpXW Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/7gzLsB Amazon: https://goo.gl/74FUQL

Difficult Women by Roxane Gay The latest book from literary powerhouse Roxane Gay is a work of rare force and beauty—a collection of stories about hardscrabble lives, passionate loves, and quirky and vexed human connection. The women in these stories live lives of privilege and of poverty, and are in marriages both loving and haunted by past crimes or emotional blackmail. From a girls’ fight club to a wealthy subdivision in Florida where neighbors conform, compete, and spy on each other, Gay’s signature wit and piercing psychological depth make every story mesmerizingly unusual and unforgettable. "In a dark and modern way, this collection celebrates the post-traumatic enlightenment of women (Washington Post)."

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/v4m8sE Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/z0iD8o Amazon: https://goo.gl/FmmCzW

The Core of the Sun by Johanna Sinisalo; Translated by Lola Rogers

From the queen of “Finnish weird,” comes a captivating and witty speculative satire of a Handmaid’s Tale–esque welfare state where women are either breeders or outcasts. In the Eusistocratic Republic of Finland, an alternative historical present in which public health and social stability are held above all else, The Core of the Sun follows a young woman whose search for her sister and whose growing addiction to illegal chili peppers leads her on an adventure into a world where love, sex, and free will are all controlled by the state. Johanna Sinisalo’s tautly told story of fight and flight is also a feisty, between-the-lines social polemic—a smart, inventive, and fiendishly engaging read.

Indiebound: https://goo.gl/nDbmNr Barnes & Noble: https://goo.gl/0ZfIMx Amazon: https://goo.gl/3uuCGe

Stay tuned on our blog for another collection from your favorite independent publishers! And don’t forget to use #IReadIndie when you talk about your independent books!

[camitrikotova]

Infini by Krista & Becca Ritchie is live!!!! 

Amazon: http://a.co/dXelKUe

iBooks: http://apple.co/2jC5orP

Please, please, PLEASE do not download illegal copies, or upload your copy of their books on pirating sites!! By downloading and participating in pirating you are literally stealing money from them and your actions will cause them to have to give up writing full time, thus leading in less books being published, or no more books at all. The option of having more books in the Aerial Ethereal series is literally up in the air and it’s all depending on how well Infini sells so I’m begging you, IF YOU LOVE THESE AUTHORS, IF YOU RESPECT THEM AT ALL PLEASE DO NOT PIRATE OR DOWNLOAD ILLEGAL COPIES OF THEIR BOOKS. 

I completely understand wanting to read a book but not having the money to buy it right now. There are giveaways happening all over social media right now. There are giveaways happening on the Fizzle Force Facebook almost every day, especially with Infini’s new release. Also the people in the group are incredibly kind and if you ask, someone is always willing to help someone out to get a book. Additionally, there is a giveaway going on here on tumblr at ASD as well as multiple giveaways on Twitter. Just follow Krista & Becca’s twitter and they reblog about any giveaway’s other bloggers, reviewers, and readers have going on on Twitter and any other place. 

THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT LEGAL WAYS FOR YOU TO GET A COPY OF A BOOK, PLEASE DO NOT RESORT TO CHEATING THEM OUT OF MONEY. 

With that being said, this book is amazing and the best book I’ve read (and will  read) this year! You don’t want to miss out and it’s only $2.99 for the first week and then it will go up to $3.99. It’s only $3!!!! And then next week, only $4!!!!  It cost less to support them and buy their book than it would to buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Please. Just don’t steal. <3

And enjoy Infini :)

[clubsocial-india]

New on Sports Illustrated: Chelsea-Liverpool Preview

There will not be any fans present to mark the occasion, but the Premier League trophy will finally be at Anfield on Wednesday, when champions Liverpool will celebrate their title following their top-four showdown versus Chelsea.

A 30-year league title drought ended last month when Liverpool (30-3-3) stormed their way to the top of the table early and never relinquished that spot. The Reds have been spotty at times during Project Restart - forgivable considering they were champions-elect before COVID-19 shut down the world in March - and that form has cost them a shot at joining the 2017-18 Manchester City side as the only centurions in English football.

Still, there are may other things to celebrate, including some of the ghosts that will be binned when captain Jordan Henderson lifts the trophy after the final whistle. The clip of talisman Stevie Gerrard slipping in a pivotal match against Chelsea six years ago will be forgotten. A series of non-descript finishes - Liverpool have never finished worse than eighth in the Premier League era - will also slip into the ether.

"The boys worked so hard for it and everybody in this club worked so hard for it, so in the stadium it should be as good as anyhow possible," manager Jurgen Klopp told Liverpool's official website. "I will not disturb that, for sure not. I will be in best spirits. On a professional basis, it's 100 per cent one of the greatest days of my life, 100 per cent, to finally get our hands on this trophy, [which] everybody was waiting so long for.

"I think two or three years ago, nobody thought it would be possible for us, especially with all the challenges we faced and the challenges we have and the competitors we have. I will be proud, I think, of the boys and all what we did together in this club."

And the bitterness of finishing one point behind City in an epic title race - one Jurgen Klopp's side closed by winning their final nine matches and going unbeaten in 17 after their 2-1 loss to Manchester City in January 2019, can finally be released in catharsis. They will walk alone as champions while knowing they will truly never walk alone in Merseyside.

"The supporters, of course, are a huge factor. Without them this club isn't what it is," Henderson said for the pre-match programme notes for this contest. "Speak to anyone in the world about Liverpool Football Club and the conversation always comes back to the passion and emotion around the club - and that's entirely down to our fans. This is an emotional club and we shouldn't shy away from that fact. It brings pressures, yes, but it means everything we do together means more - in good times and bad.

"It's gutting for all of us that our fans are not with us in person, but we can still make this one of the most enjoyable shared experiences we've ever had if we want it to be."

This match will also serve as Henderson's last platform to sway Footballer of the Year voters, with the talisman's primary competition coming from City's Kevin De Bruyne. The two present a sharp contrast in terms of style of play, but both massively imprint their clubs on-field personas and make notable off-pitch contributions individually.

Chelsea (19-6-11), though, have plenty of motivation to throw a spanner in the celebrations while helping their own ends. The third-place Pensioners can secure Champions League play for next season with a victory as they enter this contest one point better than Leicester City - over whom they have a match in hand - and Manchester United - who also play Wednesday.

"We have to say it was the number one goal at the start of the season because it's the competition that's right in front of you at the start and the competition that you have to produce the most consistency in, which generally means the top teams come to the top," Chelsea boss Frank Lampard said about Champions League qualifying at his Tuesday press conference during which he also confirmed Chelsea will provide Liverpool the customary pre-match guard of honour as champions.

"It's a gauge of where you are as a club and it's about the prestige of wanting to stay in the Champions League. We've done it a lot over the last 10 or 15 years at Chelsea. This year was probably the most testing time to try and be in there so if we do, I'll be happy."

The Blues advanced to the FA Cup final on Sunday with a deserved 3-1 victory over United, setting up a London derby versus Arsenal on Aug. 1 at Wembley. Olivier Giroud scored deep into first-half stoppage time, and Mason Mount scored almost immediately after the restart. Chelsea added a third via own goal, making the late penalty conceded meaningless.

Lampard did have some injury concerns for this match as two-way midfielder N'Golo Kante is unavailable. There is, though, plenty of familiarity between the team as this will be the fourth meeting this season. The first was a Liverpool victory on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul last August, then a Liverpool victory at Stamford Bridge in September.

Chelsea gained a measure of revenge right before the league shut down for more than three months, eliminating the champions from the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory in the fifth round on goals by Willian and Ross Barkley.

"We have played them three times this season and we have definitely been competitive with them, and when you watch something like the trophy lift, it gives you that extra motivation going into next season," Mount said. "I am a winner so I don't like watching other people win, especially other teams. You want to win with your own team so it is definitely hard to watch someone else win but they have been brilliant this season and worthy winners."

Liverpool, who had a Premier League-record, 24-match home winning streak snapped with a 1-1 draw versus Burnley on July 11, are unbeaten in their last 58 in league play at Anfield (47-11-0) since a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in April 2017. The Reds are seeking their first league double over Chelsea since 2011-12.

July 22, 2020 at 01:48AM Chelsea-Liverpool Preview from Blogger https://ift.tt/2ZOVVoH

[fmm85]

It’s hard for most people to imagine their lives without the use of social media, and crypto enthusiasts are no different. Since the beginning, the crypto industry has thrived on social media platforms, as they allow people to connect and share ideas.

Furthermore, the emergence of the very idea of cryptocurrencies and the blockchain can be largely attributed to social networking platforms that facilitated the rise of activist groups such as the Cypherpunks.

Therefore, it is no surprise that there is a growing number of social networking platforms built on the blockchain for crypto enthusiasts. Emerging social media platforms such as Mamby and Honest reward their users with Bitcoin (BTC) for posting on the platform. Others such as the Bitfinex exchange are building revolutionary social trading platforms that go beyond copy trading to incorporate networking platforms for specific audiences. Apart from offering cryptocurrency as an incentive to users, others such as etoro have created a multiasset social trading platform with advanced features to the benefit of crypto traders.

So, here is a list of social media sites for crypto enthusiasts who love trading, discussing technology and ideas, or simply connecting with others.

Bitfinex 

On Monday, the cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex announced the launch of the Bitfinex Pulse social network. Designed as a social trading platform with a twist, the goal of Bitfinex Pulse is to give crypto traders a leg up in the market by allowing them to collaborate and exchange ideas.

Unlike most social media platforms that focus on the interest of the general public, this platform, according to a Bitfinex representative, will focus on the niche of Bitfinex’s users and produce high-quality content for a more technically proficient audience.

Bitfinex Pulse will host insightful scoops of data that will be exchanged among the members of the platform. Although users on this platform will be able to publish and share posts, only verified participants can post publicly. In regard to how social networking platforms such as Bitfinex Pulse can maintain freedom of speech, Paolo Ardoino, the chief technology officer of Bitfinex, told Cointelegraph that:

“Freedom of speech is maintained as users are just more careful in what they write as we only allow verified users to post public pulses.”

While Ardoino identified Twitter and Reddit as the most popular social media sites for crypto enthusiasts, he also mentioned in the announcement that Bitfinex Pulse builds “on the success of the public leaderboard — which has already created crypto icons on Twitter.”

Steemit

Avid Reddit users will find it pretty easy to transition to Steemit. Just like Reddit, the visibility of powers on Steemit is determined by the number of upvotes that a post receives. This blockchain-based social media platform is the brainchild of Ned Scott, a former financial analyst, and Daniel Larimer. 

Steemit was launched in July 2016, and the platform’s native cryptocurrency, Steem coin (STEEM), is currently ranked among the top 100 cryptocurrencies. Unlike most incentivized blockchain-based platforms, Steemit rewards its users for commenting on posts or even upvoting other posts.

The Steem blockchain was designed in such a way that 75% of mined tokens are used to reward users on the Steemit platform while 15% go to those who hold Steem Power, the platform’s proof-of-stake token. However, after Steemit’s parent company was acquired by Tron’s Justin Sun at the start of the year, the platform has entered uncertain times.

Hive

The controversial acquisition of Steemit by Justin Sun triggered the Steemit community to create Hive, which, at its core, is a hard fork of Steemit’s blockchain. 

This social media platform was born after a month-long power struggle with Sun in February. The controversy surrounding the platform aside, Hive is set to feature small alternations of the Steemit code to allow room for improvement in the future. 

Most importantly, however, is that Hive runs on a completely independent platform and seeks to develop a decentralized social networking hub built by a community of users.

Mamby

Mamby is a social network powered by artificial intelligence that represents the new age of social networks intending to eradicate inaccurate news. With the ubiquitous spread of false information on most social media platforms, Mamby rewards users who post high-quality content. Thanks to AI, consumers are only shown content they are interested in.

On top of the fact that the platform does not come with a token sale, as is common with most crypto-centric social network platforms, Mamby rewards its content producers with Bitcoin, which is more appealing to a larger audience of crypto enthusiasts.

Therefore, a user can get as much as 0.1 Bitcoin for the views generated by a piece of content. The platform also allows users to post videos, images and text-based messages. Despite its relatively small audience, at its core this social media platform is redefining the idea of earning Bitcoin.

etoro

etoro boasts to be the pioneer of social trading websites, with a focus on copy trading. The platform was founded in 2007, and it grew rapidly thanks to its offer of stocks, foreign exchanges, commodities, and contract for difference trading. Even though other brokerages have since incorporated copy trading, where novice traders can copy the strategies of an expert trader, etoro stands out because it adds a social media element to the mix.

Add this to the fact that its trading platform supports several top cryptocurrencies — including Bitcoin, Ether (ETH) and XRP — and crypto enthusiasts get access to a social networking platform. For crypto enthusiasts who would like to learn from expert traders while dabbling in the stocks and forex markets without sacrificing their appetite for cryptocurrencies, this platform offers a way.

Narrative

Another newly launched social media platform for crypto enthusiasts that claims to improve on the Steemit idea is Narrative. This social media platform was only launched in April 2019, yet it has become a go-to platform for crypto bloggers looking for a more centralized alternative.

While decentralized platforms such as Steemit might be praised for their advocacy of freedom of speech, Narrative’s creators seem to buck this trend with a centralized platform that is designed to be censorship-resistant.

On Narrative, communities are grouped into particular niches, or tags, that users create. Those who own the most active tags are rewarded by receiving the right to elect moderators. To settle disputes, the platform features a central tribunal that makes decisions and moderates discussions.

Tradelize

Tradelize is a decentralized social network built for the trader. The platform was created by traders with decades of experience. This one of a kind social network features advanced tools that use statistics from several crypto exchanges. Just like regular social media websites, a user on Tradelize can create a profile and use the platform to enjoy other social features.

As a form of social proof, users can demonstrate the profitability of their successful tactics as well as view the history of other traders. The platform supports a multi-exchange terminal that receives data from eight crypto exchanges, providing access to a majority of cryptocurrencies. Tradelize is mostly attractive to users who are looking to interact with professional traders.

ZuluTrade

ZuluTrade is another social trading platform that competes with the likes of etoro. The platform was founded in 2007, and it allows users to connect with multiple signal providers, copy their trading strategies and read their analyses in a risk-free environment.

With its integration of more than 50 brokers around the world, users get access to plenty of signal providers. However, as much as the platform is geared for professional trading, most of its users appear to be amateur traders and there are only a limited number of cryptocurrencies supported.

Appics

Appics is a blockchain-based social media application that rewards its users for the time spent on the site with the APX token. This application comes with an approach that turns the traditional social media business model on its head. The APX token rewards both brands and individual influencers for their contributions to the platform.

Although the platform is still in its beta stage, it holds promise as earnings are not just provided for content creators but also for other stakeholders on the platform.

So far, the social media platform has amassed an extensive network of influencers and celebrities in more than 20 countries. Users with the most APX tokens in their wallets are also given a right to vote and have influence over the assigned amount of rewards.

Honest

Another platform that allows content monetization is Honest. Built on top of the Bitcoin Cash blockchain, this social media platform is more like the blockchain version of Medium. It was launched in November 2018 with the goal of rewarding creatives and freethinkers for their written content; however, the site also allows for videos and photos. Honest is a great place for engaging in discussions about cryptocurrencies, art, the economy and different technologies.

Although it’s powered by the Bitcoin Cash blockchain, content creators on the site are paid with Bitcoin for the number of upvotes a piece of content receives. While the Honest platform is still in its nascent stage, the website has a steadily growing community of members backed by an active core team of creators and developers.

DTube

Built on the Steem blockchain, DTube is the decentralized equivalent of YouTube. The platform uses an InterPlanetary File System, which is a distributed peer-to-peer network for storing and sharing data. According to the DTube website, the combination of the decentralized nature of IPFS with that of the Steem blockchain makes DTube censorship-resistant.

Essentially, the power to censor or promote any videos is in the hands of the users through upvotes and downvotes. This social media platform has a keen focus on visual content and allows users to upload, comment, share and watch videos while earning cryptocurrencies.

The move toward uncensored social media

Despite the frustrations that emerge from centralized social media platforms, there is no shortage of decentralized and incentivized blockchain-based social media platforms. For crypto traders and enthusiasts alike, there are plenty of websites to socialize and exchange ideas with other like-minded individuals. However, as Ardoino puts it:

“A balance between privacy and freedom of speech is really one of the most complex issues to solve, not really from a technical point of view but from a social and human point of view.”

As blockchain technology grows, and as social media increasingly becomes part of our daily lives, innovation will follow suit, leading to the emergence of value-based social media platforms, not to mention the mass adoption of crypto. But for now, the move toward uncensored social networks has begun, and the crypto community is charging ahead of the pack.

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The post Social Media Platforms for Crypto Enthusiasts — Talk and Earn Bitcoin appeared first on Future Money Matters.

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Undergoing Acupuncture Treatments From Centers

By Edward Cook

Before modern medicine, people got their medicines via herbs and traditional procedures. It was the medical method in healing ailments and illnesses that were bothering them. Until now, people still continue to acknowledge and use this medicinal practice. Acupuncture Philadelphia has steadily grown to help heal the community. Acupuncture was known in Ancient China to balance the qi or inner energy of the person. It uses thin sharp needles that are inserted to nerve veins that directly affect the ailment. Here, the veins will help clear the pathway in the veins to let the qi flow. It boosts their body and its systems in order to heal the patient. Patients may go visit South Philadelphia Community Acupuncture for treatment. They have an approach that is both holistic and natural. They relieve the stress the patient currently feels and reduce their anxiety. Their service options for treatments are ether private or small group. The center intended this to let the patient choose which one fits in his or her budget. Mind Body Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine integrates an approach which combines ancient medicine with the modern one. They understand that health is the most important asset. So, they offer healing that aims to provide long term maintenance. They heal the physical ailments such as infertility, migraines, and fatigue. Also they help address mental and emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Beauty is what Rittenhouse Acupuncture found in this medical treatment. It heals many ailments in just one go. This effectively heals issues that are found in internal organs of the human body. They strive to alleviate issues concerning the respiratory system, sinus, breathing, and asthma. It also effectively treats functional disorders that are not detected by modern medicine. With Philadelphia Acupuncture Clinic, their approach in healing is the holistic one. Natural and effective techniques are used through the combination of various healing methods like cupping therapy, reiki, and hypnotherapy. Evaluation will be done first to patients through the guided principles present in traditional Chinese medicine. It has three diagnostics applied which are five elements, tongue, and pulse. Healing Arts Community Acupuncture likes patients to relax as they lay down on the cot. They use simply yet effective techniques to make body response without outside stressors. Their acupuncturists are professionals who are passionate in helping patients heal through this method. They help relieve pains and stresses, as well as improve the mentality and digestive tract. Empirical Point Acupuncture uses an effective yet old medical system. They also have treatments that are potent in healing many ailment conditions. They customize the treatment based on the needs of each patient. They help in healing issues regarding women reproductive health, cancer therapy side effects, poor circulation, and immunity support. Patient treatments are individualized at Barefoot Doctor Community. They do it by implementing a holistic approach to certain small groups. It is their belief that body functions are regulated and balanced through the help of qi. Through this, it will heal emotional disorders, blood circulation, respiratory issues, and injury related pains. Treatments are done and set in a group to bring patient the comfort they need, as well as collective energy support.

About the Author:

You can get a summary of the things to consider before choosing an acupuncture Philadelphia practitioner and more info about a knowledgeable acupuncturist at http://bit.ly/2FVEZ6f right now.

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[mikemortgage]

Panic attacks, isolation, loneliness and fear: January can be the cruelest month for farmers

I drove myself to the hospital exhibiting heart-attack symptoms and left with none. This has happened twice. And both times I left the urgent care with a clean bill of health.

The attending physician would sensitively sidestep toward what to him was the obvious conclusion: anxiety.

“Do you have a history of anxiety?” he would ask. “Have you ever experienced panic attacks?”

It never occurred to me that physical symptoms as real and specific as chest pain could stem from anxiety, a state of being that seems too nebulous and ethereal to have any physiological connection. Nor did I consider myself anxious.

Adapting to a schedule that has become increasingly busy and demanding has been a challenge. It requires that I pay special attention to my mental health, ensuring that I routinely balance the things that deplete me with activities that recharge.

Canadian farmers are by and large familiar with weathering storms. It’s an assumed clause in the job description. We do it all the time. In southern Manitoba, right now, it’s cold and windy and there’s enough snow built-up that I’m not sure you’d make it down my driveway with a two-wheel-drive vehicle. This is not uncommon for January.

Spotty cellphone coverage a dangerous fact of life on the farm

Between red tape and mounds of paperwork, government keeps proving it doesn’t understand the farm

The dark side of farming: Surface stoicism can mask struggles with mental illness

In whiteout blizzard conditions my wife and I feel alone on our farm. But that’s more of an observation than a fear. We have the tools and machinery to survive. And, if those all fail, we have neighbours who would ensure our safety.

Things change, however, when the things that need dealing with are in our heads. We don’t feel as confident calling a neighbour for help. The steps needed in order to survive the storm are not as clear.

Many farmers spend their days alone. They work alone. They troubleshoot alone. And they shoulder the farm’s problems alone. And, while any farmer would be able to tell you exactly where to purchase a new cultivator shovel, they may not know where to go for help dealing with the nagging and intrusive thought that their farm isn’t going to make it another year. Or, worse yet, that they aren’t going to make it another year.

Some farms are miles or hours from the nearest community. And some farms have poor or nonexistent cellphone coverage. Isolation and loneliness are physical realities that become exponentially more dangerous when they become mental realities, as well.

Strength. Endurance. Survival. Perseverance. These are the words through which many farmers judge themselves. To be known in connection to any of them is to have built a solid legacy. To have found the last growing season stressful, mentally, is tantamount to saying you’re a lesser farmer.

My wife and I own slightly less than 100 acres of land. It’s not much, by most Canadian farming metrics. But the payments are high. And the stress associated with our new and growing operation is tied to managing the cash-flow demands we have now with an eye for what those demands are going to look like as we purchase more acres.

The federal government is currently taking a deep look into the issue of mental health among farmers. They have opened themselves to receive personal anecdotes from producers across Canada. According to iPolitics, many farmers report being under extreme pressure and some have contemplated suicide due to stress and isolation.

The full report is expected to be released this year.

In November, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay acknowledged the mental-health concerns that are specifically plaguing the agriculture industry and announced a campaign that will see ag-lender Farm Credit Canada team up with 4-H Canada to provide a support network for youth.

On Jan. 7, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Ernie Hardeman, raised his voice on the matter, announcing a public awareness campaign aimed at shedding light on the mental-health challenges that face farmers.

“Farming can be a tough business, one that takes a toll on farmers and their families,” he said, in a press release.  “We want to address the stigma that still surround mental health and help people find the resources that can make a difference.”

The stigmas are not going away any time soon. Farmers are culturally known to be hearty and callous toward things as seemingly petty as insecurity and negative thoughts.

The next time you’re driving outside of the city and you see just one yard amid thousands of acres of unoccupied land, know that as lonely as that farm looks is as lonely as some farmers feel.

It’s January. Traditionally, this month is a dark one, mentally. Take extra care out there. I’m learning to deal with my anxiety. It’s not easy.

  from Financial Post http://bit.ly/2QJyYv7 via IFTTT Blogger Mortgage Tumblr Mortgage Evernote Mortgage Wordpress Mortgage href="https://www.diigo.com/user/gelsi11">Diigo Mortgage

[templified]

Best WordPress Fullscreen Themes, Wide Screen, Full Width Portfolios

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Best WordPress Fullscreen Themes, Wide Screen, Full Width Portfolios

Each and every one of the themes in this huge collection is designed to be a great looking WordPress fullscreen theme. Fullscreen WordPress themes are built to make your images look dazzling, utilizing the full width of the browser or to deliver a great impression to every visitor. If you want to maximize the impact that your images have on your readers, a full-width template is a great solution.

Each and every theme in this collection is built to be eye-catching, easy to use and easy to customize. For portfolios, blogs and even eCommerce websites, many website owners, artists and developers love the full-screen style because it is stylish, swanky and cool. These themes give you the ideal template to craft an amazing portfolio website, making your images or even videos look fantastic. Some of these themes have background images, While others have slideshows, including the Ken Burns style slideshow, While others are perfect for fullscreen video clips.

No matter what type of full screen templates beautiful the interest of. If you are prospecting for new clients, fullscreen. Hopefully, you can find at least one or two themes that are just what you’re looking for, but as always, we’ll keep searching for amazing new themes as they’re released, so this collection is worth coming back to again and again.

CoupShop, Fullscreen WordPress Theme with WooCommerce

This theme is called CoupShop and it’s a really nice choice for fullscreen eCommerce sites. This theme has a very clean and minimal style about it, but that hides a great secret. The secret, all of the amazing features that help to make it one of the better. Rainy Commerce teams out there. You really should take a few moments to explore what is possible with this template. CoupShop offers multiple layout options, anywhere from two to five columns can be set up with just a few clicks. That’s great if you’ve got quite a number of products to promote. The shopping cart is always just a Tap Away, prominently placed and easy to find for all users. This theme includes a Blog and portfolio, necessary components to building a successful business. The typography is handled by Google fonts and since it’s in this collection of full screen themes, the full screen layout is stunning and impressive to say the least.

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Elison, Clean, Modern Full Screen WordPress Theme

Elison is a retina ready multi-purpose fullscreen WordPress theme with tons of great features that really elevate it from an average theme to one of the best templates available. Elison support WooCommerce , there are great looking and smooth operating animations, this theme is great for artists and displaying artwork using the full width of your visitors browser. If you want to add background videos, this theme is a clean and creative way to harness the power of fullscreen design and since it’s a multi-purpose theme, it’s not just about portfolios. Elison offers Parallax scrolling options and this theme is completely responsive so that it looks amazing on every device. For those who want to create a sort of panoramic feeling to their website, Elison is a theme that delivers a lot of style and even more features.

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Scene One, Full Screen WordPress Portfolio Theme

This theme is called SceneOne, it’s a beautiful photography theme for using the full browser with to deliver Maximum Impact for all sorts of creative content. This digital agency theme is great for full-width image galleries, it offers Parallax scrolling and it can even double as an attractive personal blog. For photo bloggers or photographers, graphic designers or videographers, this template is a great option. You don’t need a ton of experience to use SceneOne, there are photo proofing and client management galleries built in, there is a fully stocked photo gallery to help get you started, this theme integrates perfectly with many popular plugins including WooCommerce, Yoast SEO and MailChimp. This template also includes Revolution slider and it is highly SEO optimized theme that really makes full screen images look great.

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Joker, Video and Photo Portfolio, Fullscreen

Joker is a photo and video portfolio WordPress theme that has fullscreen options for both photos and video clips. For personal blogs, photo albums, photography galleries, photography and video portfolios, this highly rated and professional WordPress theme presents a beautiful style, retina ready and responsive display as well as over a dozen fresh and Majestic home page layouts. They’ve created tons of different layouts, many of which utilize fullscreen style, though there are several grid portfolio options as well. Whole experience of this template is going to be delightful for every visitor to your website. If you have been looking for theme to help deliver an incredible impact, Joker could be a great choice for you.

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Flashlight, Flexible FullScreen WordPress Theme

Flashlight is a fullscreen background portfolio theme that is among the most popular fullscreen themes in the history of themeforest. With nearly 5,000 sales so far, this theme doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. This SEO friendly theme is going to blow you away with six different Gallery Styles, fullscreen of course, masonry Grid, in line slideshow, classic three-column, default WordPress style as well as inline attached galleries. You can add a slick-looking online shop with the power of woocommerce and on every page, you will have the ability to deliver a great user experience by dazzling your visitors with amazing fullscreen Images.

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ePix, Full-Screen WordPress Photography Portfolio

Are you a photographer or do you have a Showcase of amazing images that you want to promote on the internet? If so, ePix is a great option to create a perfect-looking WordPress photography portfolio website. This template is great for photographers or other sorts of creative professionals looking for the best way to Showcase their work using the full width of the visitors browser. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a fashion designer, wedding photographer or a creative agency or Studio, this feature packed WordPress theme is a splendid and helpful ways to make your images and projects look incredible. You will be showcasing your work in no time with the visual page builder, one click demo install and you can even sell products, thanks to perfect eCommerce integration. If you want to multiply your business quickly, a great-looking fullscreen theme like ePix is a tool that can really help achieve your goals, no matter what you’re doing.

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Altitude Pro

Altitude Pro is a cool looking, parallax scrolling fullscreen WordPress theme that’s going to knock your socks off.  With smooth scrolling parallax design, the impact of this site is incredible, it’s eye catching and memorable, it frames all your posts, images and products with style and graceful functionality.  Grab your reader’s attention and never let go with Altitude.  Great for showcasing images, products and more, this Genesis framework theme loads up fast and right every time.  Altitude Pro was built with precisely one purpose in mind, to show off your content in a very professional way that makes your content practically jump off the page.  Your online business will really benefit from this kind of parallax theme.  For those familiar with Genesis Framework child themes, you know that they make updates to WordPress incredibly pain-free, since there’s no chance of your site breaking when you update.  Genesis is also completely and utterly responsive, making for a great user experience on all kinds of devices, large and small.  Altitude Pro wouldn’t be complete without an online shop solution so the theme-makers have included a great looking shop powered by WooCommerce or the WordPress shopping cart of your choice.

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Photonic, WordPress Photography Portfolio with Fullscreen Layout

Photonic is another grateful screen photography theme that has a feature-rich environment for adapting this template for almost any sort of use. For visual artists, professional or amateur photographers, photo enthusiastic or anybody else who needs to create a website that is centered around photography. This theme creates a harmonious environment for photographers to create a start-up website, a complete and full-featured business Solution for freelance artists, it’s great for wedding photographers who want to show off their previous work and it’s even great for Creative companies who want to have a successful and dazzling business that lures in new clients all the time. There are 10 different fullscreen image layouts, for header pipes and this theme also offers photo proofing, which is always a great idea for any professional photographer.

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PhotoReactive, Full-Screen Photo Portfolio Theme

PhotoReactive is a great-looking WordPress theme for  fullscreen photography portfolios. This template offers woocommerce support, it’s wpml ready and that means it can be translated into any language on Earth.  With a very solid 4.62 rating on themeforest and well over a thousand sales, this has been one of the most popular creative agency themes that offers fullscreen  background images on every page. WordPress is always a great way to go when you’re creating a beautiful, ethereal and amusing looking website and this template can really help you achieve your goals. For Creative agencies, this lyrical Beauty can help you use the entire width of the page to give a beautiful and influential experience to all your viewers.

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Darkroom, WordPress Theme for Photographers

This theme is called dark room it’s a fullscreen photography studio that is minimal, responsive, offers fullscreen slide shows as well as fullscreen videos. Darkroom is woocommerce ready, so configuring a beautiful and gigantic online shop should be no problem at all. It’s a real Breeze, using I’m customizing this template. Visitors have the option of toggling full-screen mode to display background slideshows, images and video on each and every page. I think that’s a really cool feature and it’s part of what sets this great-looking agency and creative theme apart from others. There are Ken Burns slideshows, this minimalist portfolio theme is great for photography or graphic art logo design or wedding photography. I think this SEO optimized theme should be one that you consider if you’re looking for a fantastic full width WordPress theme.

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Twofold, Clean Fullscreen Portfolio Theme

Twofold is a clean and minimalist premium photography theme that is one of the highest rated themes on themeforest. With the full-screen slider, you can even put thumbnails off to the side to preview what’s coming next. There’s a Ken Burns style slideshow, Cube affect, you can showcase your images with two columns splits or even split one image into two columns. It’s a little different, you’ll have to take a look at the demo. There are vertical Parallax scrolling features, split titles and a beautiful looking fullscreen video option. Is theme can be used as a one-page template or a multi-page template. No matter what you choose, this creative fullscreen theme is great for personal blogs, photography blogs Golf tographer and it’s going to make all your images look incredible.

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Kinetika, Popular Fullscreen Studio Theme

Kinetika has all the options you could possibly want to create an amazing fullscreen photography portfolio. There’s a fullscreen slideshow, fullscreen photo wall and Carousel, slideshows with audio, you can  add YouTube or Vimeo fullscreen videos, there are page background slideshows as well as page background videos. This responsive and retina ready theme is a marvelous solution for photographers who want to add woocommerce support as well. There are photo proven galleries, tons of different portfolio showcase functions and what sets it all off, the gorgeous. Reen photography style. If you’ve been looking for one of the more popular full with themes, Kinetika is it. This template has  been sold over 4,000 times and it’s got us strong 4.62 rating on theme of forest.

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Fortun, Beautiful Full-Screen Photography Portfolio

If you want to wow your visitors with eye-popping images and graphics that practically jumped off the screen, this theme is a great place to begin. This Fortun photography theme is suited for creative agencies and professional photographers, it has a huge amount of layout possibilities, there are multiple different image galleries that you can choose from.  And the features don’t stop there, this theme is incredibly personable and versatile, it has 18 different modern and stylish, easy to use and powerful demo styles. Don’t see what you like? Well, Visual Composer is included so that you can create your own if you don’t see something that you love right away. The customer support is fantastic, the documentation is thorough and with a perfect five star rating on ThemeForest, this theme is certainly well worth considering for a full screen photography portfolio.

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Vignette WordPress Fullscreen Video Theme

Full screen themes aren’t just about images, they can be great for showcasing video as well. Vignette is one such theme, it has a brave and noteworthy design that helps place your video content front and center, utilizing the full width of your viewers browser. It’s impossible to look away from stunning and captivating experience like the one provided by this theme. I think that this theme is very simple to use, Easy to customize and it is generally well made. This is one of the most popular themes in our collection of video templates, so it shouldn’t be right at home here in our full screen theme collection.

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Aagen, Full-Screen Creative Digital Agency Theme

Modern and adventurous, visually appealing and highly detailed, this WordPress theme is a full screen template that is ideal for all sorts of businesses. Creative agencies and startups, digital agencies, consulting firms and marketing companies would love this well-made theme. It’s a great way to have a very productive website that helps your visitors to make the decision to do business with your company. This is a sparkling and attractive, delightful and well-crafted template. The features are not just an afterthought, this theme uses of visual composer to help you develop a breathtaking and attractive layout with all the features your website needs. This template comes with numerous different pre-made styles and an ocean of amazing features, each one simple use and simple to customize. There’s social media integration, this highly SEO optimized template offers fantastic support and it’s gotten rave reviews on ThemeForest.

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Eram

This is Eram, it’s creative, it’s unique, it’s a great solution for those of you looking for a well made, feature filled, user friendly grid layout for your WordPress portfolio.  You can set up a modern, artistic portfolio with just a few clicks and Eram makes that process effortless, which means you’ll make a great first impression fast.  Eram is well made, well built, incredibly easy to use, spectacular looking in it’s design and functionality, it’s filled with easy to use and creative features.  Eram is solidly coded, dynamic and flexible visually, perfectly responsive, ideal for wedding photographers, big and small advertising companies, boutique-shop design firms, online marketing companies (no matter the product) or any sort of designers. Everyone knows, to show off your portfolio well, you need a theme that’s superlative in design, has a graceful style and one that delivers a lot of helpful support and documentation.  Eram is all of that and more.  Eram is responsive so that the grid portfolio page looks amazing on virtually any device.

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