#this cycle is still has 45 minutes remaining 20 minutes into a 45 minute cycle

[stripesandblossoms]

Crumpleshirtskin is the name of the little man who lives in our washing machine and makes us guess how long it has to go

[newstfionline]

Monday, July 22, 2024

Wildfires in Canada’s Alberta, British Columbia prompt evacuation orders (Reuters) Wildfires raging through the northern part of Canada’s Alberta have forced evacuations of three communities, a provincial body said on Saturday, as the oil-rich province continues to fight five different ‘wildfires of note’ in separate areas. The evacuation orders have been issued across John D’Or, Fox Lake and Garden River communities in northern Albert, covering close to 62,000 hectares and comprising 5,000 inhabitants. Alberta is in the grip of 158 wildfire events of which 55 are out of control. Meanwhile in neighboring British Columbia, where up to 319 active wildfires are burning, evacuation orders have been issued on Saturday due to an uncontrolled wildfire blazing between two lakes, BC Wildfire Service said on social media platform X.

Biden drops out of presidential race, endorses Harris (NYT) President Biden abandoned his bid for re-election , succumbing to intense pressure from the Democratic Party in a dramatic attempt to stop Donald Trump from returning to the White House. No sitting president has dropped out of a race so late in an election cycle. “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden said in a letter posted on social media. “And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.” Biden said he planned to serve out his term, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee. Not long after, Harris announced that she was running. Biden, 81, announced his withdrawal after a disastrous debate performance against Trump intensified concerns about the president’s age and ability to win the election. Biden defied calls to drop out for weeks and told aides as recently as last night that the campaign was still full speed ahead. Most of his staff was informed of his decision at 1:45 p.m., one minute before Biden posted his announcement. Biden’s decision sets the stage for an intense, abbreviated scramble to build a new Democratic ticket, the first time in generations that a nominee will be chosen at a convention rather than through primaries.

Lack of motive in Trump attack frustrates public, but fits a pattern (Washington Post) In the week since the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, details have emerged about sniper positions and Secret Service agents, witnesses and warnings. But the answer to the biggest question remains elusive: Why? So far, investigators say, they have found little evidence of an ideology driving the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old nursing home aide who was killed at the scene. Barring a breakthrough in the investigation, Crooks appears poised to join a string of high-profile attackers with no discernible ideological driver, or with influences from a mixed bag of beliefs. That outcome is frustrating for a nation struggling to make sense of the event, analysts say, but it fits into a pattern of bloody episodes that defy categorization along a traditional left-right spectrum. “It’s very unsatisfying, psychologically, to say, ‘Stuff happens and we don’t know why,” one terrorism researcher said. “As a society, we’re kind of preprogrammed for a TV culture that there’s an event, then a resolution, and it has to make sense,” Andrew Rouse said. “People have to have patience and realize there’s not a grand cabal behind every event.” FBI officials who study mass shootings say that roughly 20% of the time, a gunman doesn’t want anyone to know their motive or reasons.

Airlines and others rush to get back on track after global tech disruption (AP) Transport providers, businesses and governments on Saturday are rushing to get all their systems back online after long disruptions following a widespread technology outage. The biggest continuing effect has been on air travel. Carriers canceled thousands of flights on Friday and now have many of their planes and crews in the wrong place, while airports facing continued problems with checking in and security. Microsoft says 8.5 million devices running its Windows operating system were affected by a faulty cybersecurity update Friday that led to worldwide disruptions. People seeking to enter the U.S. from both the north and the south found that the border crossings were delayed by the internet outage. The San Ysidro Port of Entry was gridlocked Friday morning with pedestrians waiting three hours to cross, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Meanwhile, at the U.S.-Canada border, Windsor Police reported long delays at the crossings at the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor tunnel.

Mexican president calls Donald Trump ‘a friend’ and says he’ll warn him against closing border (AP) Mexico’s president called Donald Trump “a friend” Friday and said he would write to the former U.S. president to warn him against pledging to close the border or blaming migrants for bringing drugs into the United States. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador called Trump, president from 2017 to 2021 and again the Republican nominee for this fall’s presidential election, “a man of intelligence and vision,” despite Trump’s repeated calls to close the two countries’ border. López Obrador also addressed a growing discomfort in the United States with the massive transfer of U.S. auto companies to lower-wage plants in Mexico. López Obrador claimed that moving auto production back to the United States “would mean that on average, each automobile sold would cost U.S. citizens between $15,000 and $20,000 more.”

With AI, jets and police squadrons, Paris is securing the Olympics (AP) A year ago, the head of the Paris Olympics boldly declared that France’s capital would be “ the safest place in the world “ when the Games open this Friday. Tony Estanguet’s confident forecast looks less far-fetched now with squadrons of police patrolling Paris’ streets, fighter jets and soldiers primed to scramble, and imposing metal-fence security barriers erected like an iron curtain on both sides of the River Seine that will star in the opening show. France’s vast police and military operation is in large part because the July 26-Aug. 11 Games face unprecedented security challenges. The city has repeatedly suffered deadly extremist attacks and international tensions are high because of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Olympic organizers also have cyberattack concerns, while rights campaigners and Games critics are worried about Paris’ use of AI-equipped surveillance technology and the broad scope and scale of Olympic security.

As Georgia presses on with ‘Russia-style’ laws, its citizens describe a country on the brink (AP) Eka Gigauri is used to harsh words from officials about the anti-corruption work she does in Georgia. But seeing her face on posters, accusing her of being an agent of foreign influence, a traitor and a spy, rattled her. Gigauri, who leads one of Georgia’s main anti-corruption campaign groups, says she and many others have been targeted in connection with a new law, pushed through parliament by the government. The “foreign influence” law requires media, civil society groups and nonprofit organizations to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. It also subjects them to intense state scrutiny and imposes steep fines for noncompliance. The government argues the law is needed to curb harmful foreign actors trying to destabilize the South Caucasus nation of 3.7 million. Many journalists and activists say its true goal is to stigmatize them and restrict debate before an election scheduled for October.

China braces for twin tropical cyclones after deadly flash floods (Reuters) Two tropical cyclones will bring gales and heavy rain to China’s eastern seaboard this week, with the first expected to make landfall on Sunday, after deadly flash floods struck the country’s interior over the weekend. Prapiroon, named after a Thai rain god, is expected to make landfall in China’s southernmost island province of Hainan on Sunday night as a strong tropical storm, the first tropical cyclone to hit China this year, national forecasters said. Later this week, Gaemi, which was about 530 km (330 miles) northeast of Philippine capital Manila on Sunday morning, is expected to brush past the northern tip of Taiwan, then make landfall in China as a typhoon, packing wind speeds of up to 50 metres per second (180 kph), according to Chinese forecasters.

South Korea boosts propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts at border after North Korea flies more balloons (AP) South Korea said Sunday it was bolstering its anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts across the tense border with rival North Korea, after the North launched more balloons likely carrying trash toward South Korea. The Cold War-style psychological battle between the two Koreas is adding to already-high tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with the rivals threatening stronger steps against each other and warning of devastating consequences.

Israel shoots down a missile fired from Yemen hours after an Israeli strike on Houthi rebels (AP) The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen early Sunday, hours after Israeli warplanes struck several Houthi targets in the Arabian peninsula country. The Israeli airstrikes—in response to a deadly Houthi drone strike on Tel Aviv—were the first time Israel is known to have responded to repeated Houthi attacks throughout its nine-month war against Hamas. The burst of violence between the distant enemies has threatened to open a new front for Israel.

Chinese companies offer to 'resurrect' deceased loved ones with AI avatars (NPR) Whenever stress at work builds, Chinese tech executive Sun Kai turns to his mother for support. Or rather, he talks with her digital avatar on a tablet device, rendered from the shoulders upby artificial intelligence to look and sound just like his flesh-and-blood mother, who died in 2018. “I do not treat [the avatar] as a kind of digital person. I truly regard it as a mother,” says Sun, 47,from his office in China’s eastern port city of Nanjing. He estimates he converses with her avatar at least once a week. The company that made the avatar of Sun’s mother is called Silicon Intelligence, where Sun is also an executive working on voice simulation. The Nanjing-based company is among a boom in technology startups in China and around the world that create AI chatbots using a person’s likeness and voice. The idea to digitally clone people who have died is not new but until recent years had been relegated to the realm of science fiction. Now, increasingly powerful chatbots and serious investment in computing power have enabled private companies to offer affordable digital “clones” of real people.

[itzabouthealth]

The Best Exercises To Control High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a serious health condition that can lead to serious cardiovascular problems if left untreated. Fortunately, there are several exercises that you can do to help naturally control your blood pressure and improve your cardiovascular health. From aerobic exercises to strength training, these exercises can help you stay healthy and reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. In this article, we will discuss the best exercises for naturally controlling high blood pressure and improving cardiovascular health.

1. Cycling

Cycling is the ideal solution if you’re searching for a convenient and entertaining workout. Cycling is a highly recommended form of exercise for people with high blood pressure, particularly because it helps reduce blood pressure stiffness and promotes smoother blood flow. According to some studies, riding regularly may even help lower blood pressure by as much as 10 mmHg, or roughly the same amount as certain prescription drugs.

For the best benefits, the American College of Cardiology suggests aiming for 40-minute sessions with moderate to strenuous exertion per week. Even if you don’t have a bike, you can still reach your goal by enrolling in a fun spin class.

2. Brisk walking

If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, the easiest exercise to begin with is walking. It is also one among the activities that is most frequently advised for lowering blood pressure, particularly for those who are between the ages of 50 and 60. A moderate-intensity aerobic activity called brisk walking uses more powerful muscle groups and expends enough energy to result in weight loss. The best amount of brisk walking for lowering blood pressure is 30 minutes each day. You might include jogging in your regimen a few times a week if you have gained a certain amount of stamina.

3. Isometric exercise

This is the closest thing to tricking your way to lower blood pressure that is possible. It has been found that isometric exercises, such as holding planks or squats, is a particularly effective method for lowering blood pressure. And why is it dishonest? You may do it while watching your favorite TV show because it is that simple. One kind of isometric exercise can be carried out by grasping a tennis ball or anything else that provides sufficient pushback resistance.

Isometric workouts can produce beneficial effects in as little as five weeks. You should squeeze for a maximum of two minutes at a time. Each hand should be squeezed four times, with a one to four minute pause in between each squeeze. To truly lower your blood pressure, combine isometric exercises with some of the advice listed below. Isometric exercises should only be a small component of your overall fitness regimen.

4. Bent-Over Row

With posture and hip flexion, this exercise helps to tone and develop the muscles in the upper and lower back. According to Kordecki, this exercise also works the pulling muscles, which are crucial for daily activities.

Start with a stance at shoulder width, holding a weight in each hand that, with some difficulty, you could lift for 15 to 20 repetitions, but not so much that you felt the strain. Your palms should be pointing in the same direction as you hold the weights at your sides. Your core should remain tight as you slightly flex your knees and lean forward at the waist. Pull the dumbbells up toward your chest while maintaining them close to your sides after your upper body is bent at a 45-degree angle.

5. Swimming

Swimming is another activity that works vast muscle groups and burns a decent quantity of calories. In addition, swimming is beneficial for unwinding and reducing stress if you have high blood pressure. It particularly helps senior people who complain of knee pain when engaging in other forms of exercise like walking or jogging. It not only enhances blood vessel performance but also maintains the body’s temperature, which can change during exercising.

[kathgilford13]

How Does One Transmit HIV? How Can One Prevent It?

WHAT IS HIV?

HIV is an infection that attacks the immune system, causing it to malfunction. If HIV is left untreated, it affects and kills CD4 cells, which are a form of immune cell known as T cells. As HIV destroys more CD4 cells, the body becomes more susceptible to innumerable diseases and cancers. 

HIV is spread from person to person by bodily fluids like:

sperm and blood 

fluids in the vaginal and rectal canals 

breast milk

The virus cannot be transmitted through air, water, or physical contact.

HIV TRANSMISSION: KNOW THE FACTS

HIV is transmitted from person to person in many ways,

transmission via vaginal or anal sex 

by exchanging needles, syringes, and other injection and other drug-related products

during pregnancy, labor, and delivery

during breastfeeding 

contact with HIV-positive people's blood, sperm, vaginal and rectal fluids, and breast milk.

HIV can theoretically be transmitted through a variety of routes, but this is relatively uncommon

oral sex (only if the person's gums are bleeding or there are open sores in the mouth)

being bitten by an HIV-positive person (only if the saliva is bloody or the person's mouth has open sores)

contact between open wounds, cuts, or mucous membranes and HIV-positive person's blood

HIV does NOT transfer through:

skin-to-skin contact

hugging, handshakes, and kisses

air or water

sharing food or drinks, including drinking fountains

Sweat, saliva, tears

sharing a toilet, towels, or bedding

mosquitoes or other insects

CAUSES OF HIV

HIV is similar to a virus that spread from African chimpanzees to humans. Scientists claim the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) spread from chimpanzees to humans when people ate virus-infected chimp meat. The virus transformed into what we now know as HIV until it entered the human population. This epidemic took place a long time back, in the 1920s.

TESTS USED TO DIAGNOSE HIV:

HIV can be diagnosed using several tests. Doctors and health providers determine the best test for each individual.

Antibody/Antigen tests:

he most popular tests are antibody/antigen tests. They can show positive results in as little as 18–45 days after a person contracts HIV. 

These tests scan for antibodies and antigens in the blood. Antibodies are proteins that the body generates in response to infection. The part of the virus that stimulates the immune system is called an antigen.

Antibody tests:

These tests do not require any preparation. These tests are conducted using blood tests or mouth swabs. Some tests may be conducted in a healthcare provider's office or clinic and provide results in 30 minutes or less.

Some antibody tests that can be performed at home include: 

OraQuick HIV Test is an HIV test that is quick and easy to use. In as little as 20 minutes, an oral swab gives us the results. 

Home Access HIV-1 Test System- A blood sample is sent to a licensed laboratory after the person pricks their finger. They have the option of remaining anonymous and receiving results on the next business day.

Nucleic acid test (NAT):

This costly test isn't used for routine screening. It's for people who show early signs of HIV infection or who have a recognized risk factor. This test searches for the virus itself rather than antibodies. 

HIV can be detected in the blood for anywhere between 5 and 21 days. An antibody test is typically performed in combination with or in confirmation of this test.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HIV?

HIV enters the clinical latency stage after about a month. This period can last anywhere from a few years to several decades. 

During this time, some people may have no symptoms, while others may have mild or nonspecific symptoms. A nonspecific symptom is not associated with a particular illness or disorder.

These nonspecific symptoms may include:

headaches and other aches and pains

swollen lymph nodes

recurrent fevers

night sweats

fatigue

nausea

vomiting

diarrhea

weight loss

skin rashes

recurrent oral or vaginal yeast infections

pneumonia

shingles

HIV SYMPTOMS IN MEN: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?

HIV symptoms vary from person to person, but men and women experience the same symptoms. 

If a person has been infected with HIV, they may have also been infected with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are some of them: 

gonorrhoeic

chlamydia

syphilis

trichomoniasis

STI symptoms such as sores on the genitals can be more noticeable in men and those with a penis than in women. Men, on the other hand, may not seek medical attention as often as women.

Gay men and other men who have sex with men (referred to as "men who have sex with men" or "MSM"  are 27 times more likely than the general population to contract HIV.

To find out more about The Status of HIV Among Men Who Have Sex with Men click on this link.

HIV SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?

STIs are more common in HIV-positive men and women. Women and others who have a vaginal canal, on the other hand, maybe less likely than men to find tiny patches or other changes in their genitals. 

Furthermore, HIV-positive women are at a higher risk of:

recurrent yeast infections in the vaginal region 

bacterial vaginosis 

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

changes in the menstrual cycle

HPV is a human papillomavirus that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer in women.

Another risk for HIV-positive women is that the virus may be transferred to an infant during childbirth, which is unrelated to the virus's symptoms. Antiretroviral therapy, on the other hand, is considered healthy during pregnancy. 

HIV MEDICATIONS

To treat HIV, several antiretroviral therapy drugs have been approved. They try to stop HIV from multiplying and killing CD4 cells, which assist the immune system in generating an infection response.

This helps to reduce the risk of HIV-related complications as well as the spread of the virus to others. 

These antiretroviral drugs are divided into six categories

nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)

protease inhibitors

fusion inhibitors

CCR5 antagonists, also known as entry inhibitors

integrase strand transfer inhibitors

Despite the efforts of many researchers, there is currently no vaccine available to prevent HIV transmission. Certain precautions, on the other hand, will assist in the prevention of HIV transmission.

Safer Sex

HIV is most commonly transmitted by anal or vaginal sex without the use of a condom or other barrier form. This risk cannot be completely removed unless sex is completely avoided, but it can be significantly reduced by taking a few precautions. 

If you're worried about your HIV risk, you should:

Get an HIV test done. 

Other sexually transmitted diseases should be screened for (STIs). They should get treated if they test positive for one because getting an STI raises the risk of contracting HIV.

Condoms must be used. They should learn how to use condoms and use them whenever they have sex, whether vaginal or anal intercourse. It's important to note that HIV can be present in pre-seminal fluids (the fluids that come out before male ejaculation). 

If they have HIV, they must take their drugs exactly as prescribed. This decreases the risk of the virus spreading to their sexual partner.

IS THERE AN HIV VACCINE AVAILABLE? 

There are currently no vaccines available to prevent or treat HIV. Experimental vaccines are still being studied and tested, but none are close to being accepted for widespread use. 

Although no vaccine exists to prevent HIV, people living with HIV may benefit from other vaccinations to prevent HIV-related illnesses. The CDC's guidelines are as follows: 

pneumonia for all children younger than two years and all adults who are above 65 years.

influenza

hepatitis A and B: Ask your doctor if you should get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, especially if you are staying in a high-risk population.

shingles for those ages 50 or older

[keysmashchronicles]

my history in phandom and fandom

I’ve always been an avid reader. If I’d have been born twenty years later than I was and grew up in a time when every kid has tablet or a phone, that need for stories might have been filled by TV or other formats instead, but in my childhood years it was all about books, and visiting the library as often as possible. I often daydreamed about the characters in books the books I read, mostly egocentric thoughts of what it would be like if I were to somehow find myself in the stories I was reading. What would it be like to have them as my friends, to be part of those adventures? Of course, in typical Mary-Sue fashion, it wasn’t the real me that I imagined in those daydreams, but some idealised version that was cleverer and funnier and prettier and of course, someone all the other characters either envied or adored.

As I got older, and we moved beyond the stage of just having one TV in the house, my obsessive nature shifted to include TV shows as well as books. The first show that really caught my imagination was Dawson’s Creek. I loved it, the over-articulate teens with all their angsty problems heightened by their hormones going haywire, going through mental health issues and struggles with sexuality and of course, the classic love triangle. I couldn’t wait to tune in every week and catch up on what was happening in Capeside.

I’m not sure how it happened, but one day I was online on our cranky old computer and stumbled across some Dawson’s Creek fanfiction. I was amazed, and fascinated, and also terrified that someone in my family was going to walk in and catch me reading it. But I read every story on that website, and then started looking for more. I couldn’t believe there were other people out there like me, people who didn’t just watch a TV programme and then forget it about it until the following week.  There were others who thought about the characters in a TV show so much, it was almost like they became real. People who wanted to analyse every aspect of the relationships the characters had on screen, and also take these characters off into plots and stories and worlds that were nothing like what actually happened in the show, imagine them in endless different scenarios and see them experience every kind of emotion and think about how they’d react. People who wanted to write or read over and over again about the same characters because they found more and more to discover about them every time they did.I had found my happy place!

Over the years, the obsession with fanfic remained, but the focus of it shifted.I’d go through a cycle – discover a new fandom, immerse myself in it for maybe a year or two, then slowly lose interest. There would be a period where I wouldn’t read fic for a while, maybe 6 months or a year, and then all of a sudden, a new show would capture my attention and I’d be off and running again.

After my interest in Dawson’s Creek had run it’s course, the show that took its place for me was Buffy. As I recall, I had only watched a few episodes here and there and then a writer I was already reading started to post Buffy fics. I read a couple and realised that there must be much more to this show than I’d thought if it was inspiring such good writing. I think that obsession must have lasted a good 3-4 years, one of the longest I’ve had.  There was just so much good stuff for writers to work with - a whole cast of interesting well-developed characters, the good vs evil narrative, the endless possibilities of spells and demons and alternate universes and origin stories and the threat that the world might end at any moment….the list goes on. And also, there was the smut  - I’d read a fair amount in my previous fandom, but Buffy fics took it to a whole other level (this by the way being a major cause of the confusion I had when trying to work out my own sexuality - how can I be asexual? Have you seen my AO3 history???)

After that came the West Wing, followed by House, followed by the other behemoth of my fandom life, Sherlock. With all of these, although I read a hell of a lot of fic, that was always as far as my involvement in fandom went. I didn’t feel the need to join any fandom communities, in fact I don’t really think I would have known much about where or how to get involved if I’d wanted to. In the early days, the fic I read was on fan-hosted sites, with the aid of webrings to help you discover other authors. Then for a long time it was fanfiction.net, livejournal and finally AO3 where I read most of my fic today.

So how did I get into phanfic? In the aftermath of Sherlock series 4, it felt like my engagement with fic in that fandom came to a bit of a stop – there wasn’t really anywhere much to take the story in terms of canon, and a lot of people felt that the whole Eurus plotline had been kind of a jumping the shark moment. For myself, I’d got to that stage where it felt like there was nothing new under the sun. I was feeling the fatigue that always eventually came when I’d overread a fandom, and no matter how hard I’d try to find something to interest me, nothing seemed to capture my imagination any more.

I left the fic alone for quite a while, turning mostly back to traditionally published media – I dipped a toe back into Sherlock fic on occasion, read a bit of MCU here and there but nothing significant.

Then one evening in June 2019, I was scrolling through Twitter when I decided to check what was trending and saw a name I didn’t recognise – Daniel Howell. I had no idea who he was, but lots of other people were clearly very excited by something he’d done, so I thought I’d have a look and find out why. Usually when this happens, it turns the person is either on a reality TV show or plays sports of some kind,  but on this occasion I saw the words ‘YouTuber’ and ‘coming out video’ and it piqued my interest. The only experience I really had of watching YouTubers was through my step niece, when she’d had an obsession with Miranda Sings and we’d watched a lot of her videos together, including collabs, so I knew a few names but not much beyond that.

I clicked on Dan’s video, fully expecting that like with most random clicks, I’d watch for a minute or two before getting bored and looking for something else to occupy my attention, but that didn’t happen. The video was incredible and I was absolutely transfixed for the whole 45 minutes. I thought it was brilliant - the deeply personal story that was being told, the humour, the well-thought out and confidently delivered arguments – I don’t think I’d ever seen anything like it. As someone who had come to identify as asexual and panromantic but not until they were in their late 30s, and who was (is?) still in a place of trying to understand what that meant in my life, it was also hugely resonant to me on a personal level, helping me to realise the unacknowledged but damaging internalised acephobia and homophobia that I was still carrying with me.

I went to Dan’s channel and watched some of his videos, then was curious about that guy named Phil that he’d mentioned, so I watched some of his videos too. I came across the first PINOF and was completely charmed by it, by their rapport and silly humour and how they clearly felt so comfortable just to muck about and be themselves.

For a while I was happy just going through all the content on their channels. It didn’t really occur to me to look for fic until it was referenced in one of their videos. Up until then, RPF had really not been my thing – I’d seen some fics written about the actors who played characters in my various fandoms and I’d avoided them because it had made me feel uncomfortable about what they’d think if they saw them. I’d also scrolled past a lot of 1D and BTS fic when browsing on AO3 tags and to be honest, had had a pretty snobby opinion about it.

But having heard Dan’s story, and then seen dnp’s obvious connection in their videos, I was curious to see what the fans’ take had been on their relationship, and also to see what was being written about them now that Dan had come out. I looked to see if there was anything about them on AO3 and bam! There it was, my next fic obsession had grabbed hold of me and there wasn’t anything much I could do about it!

Since then, I’ve not only read a ton of fics, but even had a go at writing a few. It’s painful because they never come anywhere near the standard of the fics and writers I really admire. I have the desire to want to write well, but also a complete lack of the patience and dedication it takes to develop the necessary skill. But for the first time I didn’t let that stop me from publishing a few fics as I realised I was really writing for myself, to have an outlet for thoughts and ideas that had been going around in my head, and if anyone happened to read it, that was just a bonus.

Then through reading the Seven Basic Plots, I realised that what I’m more interested in at the moment than learning to write fics myself is to come to a greater understanding of how they work, and what exactly has been fuelling my fic obsession for over 20 years (wow....that was weird to think about! Such a long time!)

So that’s my history in fandom, and in phandom, and explains why reading a book about the nature of stories and their purpose made me immediately think that I wanted to examine those ideas in relation to something I know and love – phanfiction.

the seven basic plots // 1st plot - overcoming the monster

[lionheartslowstart]

Getting To Know Me

I had a rough start during quarantine. My mental health was dipping pretty low, I felt isolated and bored, and I was alone with my thoughts so the body dysmorphia was turned up pretty high. I’m not sure what happened, but somehow, I was able to do a complete 180. I’m taking the time to change my lifestyle and find ways to make myself happier, because, what the fuck else am I going to do during quarantine?

First things first, I’ve changed my sleep cycle. Huzzah! I went from falling asleep at 3-5 am and waking up at 1-3 pm, to falling asleep at 10-11:30 pm and waking up at 7-8:30 am. Crazy right? Somewhere in there I hit a couple bumps in the road, so now it’s been more like falling asleep around midnight and waking up between 9 and 10. Still way better than how it was before, but I’m trying to work back down to at least 8 in the morning. This was incredibly challenging for me, and a huge victory. My energy levels have increased, and my mood has generally been better.

I’ve started doing yoga. Yes, you read that correctly. I’ve been doing yoga for almost three weeks now. It’s the first thing I do when I wake up. My best friend turned me on to this amazing app, Daily Yoga. Highly recommend. I do yoga for two days in a row then rest the third day, which is what the app suggests. I’ve been taking courses, beginner courses specifically since I’m new to this whole yoga thing. The sessions started at about 10-15 minutes, and they’ve increased to 20-30 minutes or so. Not very long, but I figure I’m doing it almost every day, which I’m told is better than long, intense workouts less frequently. I’m hoping to increase to 45-60 minute long sessions. Though, once society resumes and I start school, I may no longer be able to do it every day. But that’s why I’m trying to increase now. If I can only do yoga a few times a week instead of every day, I want to be stronger so I can participate in longer routines, and so I can challenge myself with more difficult poses.

In addition to my almost daily yoga, I have a short work out regimen I do every day, including on days I don’t do yoga. I do 100 squats, 50 crunches, 50 lower abdominal crunches, and 60 oblique crunches. Every. Single. Day. Some days I don’t want to, but I force myself, and I’m always glad I do. I also try to go on walks, especially on non-yoga days. There’s a lovely trail right by my apartment, so I try to get in at least 30 minutes. Like I said, I’ve only been doing this stuff for about three weeks, so it’s not like I’ve lost weight or anything. But I do feel stronger, and I think I look a little stronger. Also, my butt is poppin’ thanks to all the squats. I don’t know if it’s because I’m feeling stronger, or because the exercise is helping with my mental health, maybe a bit of both, but my body dysmorphia has seen a drastic decrease. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely still have bad days, but I would say that, overall, I’m obsessing about my body less, and shitting on my body less. There have even been several days where I see myself in the mirror and think, Damn, I look good.

Other than fitness, I have added a couple of other things to my day-to-day. I’ve been making sure to practice my Spanish on Duolingo every day for about ten minutes. Not only that, but I started taking French, too, which I also practice for ten minutes a day. Unlike Spanish, French is very difficult for me. I’ve studied Spanish since middle school, and while there was a large lapse in my speaking of it, it came back to me very quickly. I’ve always loved the language, and grasping it came easy to me. French, not so much. It’s way harder than Spanish. Just, generally. The grammar is less consistent, most of the differences in words are in how things are written out and NOT how they are actually spoken, so as a result, all of the words sound the fucking same, there are 80 fucking vowels to memorize, and, to top it all off, the pronunciation is super difficult already. I hate it. I love it. The challenge is the fun! My mom and I were supposed to go to France this summer (fat chance now, I know), which is why I chose French as my second language to learn. My mom speaks French, but I figure if I’m going to be spending time in a foreign country, I might as well at least try to understand what’s going on around me, as opposed to solely relying on my mother to get us around.

Another thing I’ve been working on is learning guitar. This is something I’d been doing before quarantine began, but being in quarantine has allowed me to practice a lot more. I’ve added guitar practice to my regimen, although there’s been a pause in that, as the handle for the case broke on the way to my mom’s house for a lesson, so the guitar will be remaining there until the new case arrives. But before that (and presumably after we get the new case), I’d been practicing every day. I would practice all the chords I know and play through the two songs I’ve been working on two or three times. At my most recent lesson with my mom, we downloaded a P!nk song online, and she taught me a new chord so I could play it. Now I know 10 chords: G, C, D, D7, Em, E, A, Am, A7sus, and Bb (aka, the hardest chord ever). Obviously, I still have a lot to learn, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. Guitar is hard, but I’m determined.

So, these 5 things (yoga, daily workout, Spanish, French, and guitar, in that order) are how I begin my day, every day. I usually finish anywhere from 10 to noon, depending on how early I wake up. This frees up the rest of my day for household chores, errands, cooking, calling my friends, video games, overall chillaxin’, and various creative endeavors like crafting or writing. But this has led to two different results, one positive and one negative.

The positive effect is that I have a schedule. My mornings are pretty set in stone, and I try to organize the rest of my day as best I can. I use a “To Do List” every day, and I include my leisurely activities on it as well so I can put everything in some kind of order. I try to accomplish any chores or errands I have in the middle of the day (with the exception of doing the dishes and cleaning the stove, which I do every night after dinner), and spend the rest of the day having fun and relaxing. I end every night by reading in bed for about thirty minutes, which has definitely helped with my sleep cycle. All of this has led me to the conclusion that I can be functional in a regular society.

The negative outcome is that I’m still bored. When I was living in Italy, I was constantly anxious because life is so slow-paced there. Other than my classes, I felt like I had nothing to do, which was a stark difference from life in the Big Apple. It just felt weird to have all this time on my hands, and as a result, I often felt unproductive. I also didn’t take as much advantage of the free time as I should have, but that largely had to do with the state of my mental health at the time, as well as just not being used to having buttloads of leisure time and therefore not knowing what to do with it. With everything going on, life right now feels really similar to how it did in Italy. Like I said, I finish my routine by the end of the morning, and then the rest of my day is just a big blank space that I try to fill with everything and anything else.

But even this has led to another positive realization! When I started this journey three weeks ago, I was afraid that when society reforms, my schedule will fall apart and I’ll become overwhelmed because I’ll suddenly have a lot of other things I need to do (namely school and medical appointments). I definitely still have anxiety about that, especially since school will be incredibly demanding, but that anxiety is beginning to lesson. Why? For the same reason I’m bored all the time! My morning routine only takes a couple hours. Even if I have to switch to the evening because of school, or split it up into half one day and half another, it will still be manageable. I know I will have space for the other demands in my life. As my mom has said to me, it’s a lot easier to go from having one schedule to having a different schedule, than to go from having no schedule at all to having a schedule. I’m sure there will be adjustments, maybe ones I haven’t thought of. But I’ll be able to figure it out, even if there are bumps in the road (which I’m sure there will be), because I’m building a skillset.

So, what does all of this have to do with the title of this entry, “Getting To Know Me?” I was on the phone with my therapist the other day, telling her about all the progress and positive changes I’ve made, and how I’ve been feeling as a result. She responded, “You’re getting to know yourself.” This took me by surprise, which I voiced to her. I told her that I’ve always prided myself on knowing exactly who I am, but I nevertheless thought she was right. That, yes, I do know Who I Am, but, as with everything else, I’m discovering even more. I keep peeling back layer after layer, I keep thinking I’ve reached the core, but then I tap a few times and realize, Oh fuck yeah! There’s even more! 

I’ve learned that I like waking up early in the morning. My goal is to be able to wake up at 7 or 7:30 every day. (This doesn’t change the fact that I love nighttime, which will no doubt cause me issues down the line, but I’ll figure it out.) I love learning languages. I want to be able to speak Spanish and French fluently. Maybe I’ll even try learning Italian after! I want to be able to speak as many languages as I can cram into my brain. I’ve learned that I can take this fitness journey, and I’m enjoying it. It’s okay that I’m still a beginner, and that doesn’t mean I’m not capable of being an expert if I keep going. And I can live without sweets. I still treat myself every now and then (and when I do, portion control is still an issue I’m trying to work on), but for the most part I don’t crave chocolate or sugar the way I used to. I’m currently attempting to go two weeks without dairy. Now that has been HARD. The exceptions being anything that comes with my Blue Apron meals, because I’m not going to waste food, and putting a little bit of milk in my coffee, because I can’t not have a little bit of milk in my coffee. But in terms of breakfast, lunch, and snacking, zero dairy. I’ve substituted Pringles and Pop Tarts for fruits, applesauce, and (non-dairy) yogurt. I’m only on day three, but I’m confident I can make it to day fourteen. I’ve learned that I have more energy than I thought I did, which is huge. I’d been so used to feeling sluggish and exhausted, I had no idea I have the capacity to feel this energized! The best part is that I know it’s because I’m doing all of these things that MAKE me feel energized. And they make me feel energized because they make me happy. Even sitting here writing this, I’ve just thought of more things I want to work on while I have this time. And I’m going to! I have the time, all I need to do is remember to add it to my To Do List.

I know it’s a scary time right now. I don’t want to pretend it isn’t, or that a lot of lives haven’t been lost, or that we shouldn’t take it seriously. But taking it seriously involves staying at home as much as possible, and if we’re stuck at home anyway, shouldn’t we make the most of it?

[bigbangarkha]

9 Vet Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes for a Thriving Pup

#1.  

Massachusetts' MSCPA-Angell Animal Medical Center Recipe

This recipe is versatile and scalable. You can use a wide variety of ingredients, as long as they're safe for canines. The following recipe is portioned for a 15-pound dog. You can easily modify the ingredient amounts to match your pup's weight.

Ingredients

3 Ounces of a cooked protein

1 and 1/3 cups of a cooked carbohydrate. - oatmeal, brown rice, sweet potato, or more.

1 Tablespoon of vegetables

1 to 2 Tablespoons of fat source, such as olive oil or vegetable oil

Directions

Simply combine the ingredients and you're done! Before you feed your dog, make sure the food is completely cool and safe to avoid burns. The next time you make this meal, you can try the recipe out with different ingredients. Stick with the same ratios and the meal should retain its nutritional value.

#2.  

Founder's Veterinary Clinic Recipe

Like the previous recipe, you can substitute a number of ingredients for things you have on hand. For example, you can swap out the main protein source for deboned fish and the carbohydrates for standard potatoes.

If you choose to feed your dog this food, it's recommended that you add calcium or bonemeal pattern to ensure that your dog's bones remain healthy.

Ingredients

1/4 of a pound of cooked skinless chicken

1 Cup of cooked brown rice

1 Cup of cooked brown rice

1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil

1/4 Teaspoon of potassium chloride

Directions

Once the cooked chicken and rice have cooled down, mix the various ingredients to form a mash. This recipe is portioned for a 20-pound dog. However, you can scale the ingredients amount accordingly.

#3.  

VE&CC Vets Healthy Dog Food Recipe

This recipe from VE&CC Vets is simple but balanced. Its main protein source is ground turkey. Your dog will reap the benefits of the carrots, zucchini, and spinach. Not only are they chock-full of essential vitamins and minerals, but they're also a great source of fiber.

Ingredients

1 and 1/2 cups of brown rice

1 tablespoon of olive oil

3 pounds of ground turkey

3 cups of chopped baby spinach

2 shredded carrots

1 shredded zucchini

1/2 a cup of peas

Directions

The first thing you'll need to do to make this dog food is to prepare the brown rice. Cook it in a rice cooker or on the stove according to the package instructions. Once it's finished, set it aside to cool.

Then, heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook it until it's browned. This should take between 3 and 5 minutes. As it cooks, break down the turkey into a crumble.

Stir the vegetable ingredients and rice into the ground turkey. Cook this mixture for another 3 to 5 minutes. After the leafy spinach has wilted, take the pot off the heat and let it cool down completely before you serve it to your dog.

#4.  

Zoey's Favorite Fully Balanced Gourmet Dinner

Want to spoil your pooch and give them a meal that they'll love? Try out this gourmet recipe. It features many different ingredients to ensure that it's balanced. The numerous ingredients also blend well to create a delicious taste your pup won't be able to get enough of.

Ingredients

3/4 of a cup of brown rice

1 and 1/4 cup of chopped raw chicken

1/4 Cup of chopped zucchini

1/4 Cup of steamed and chopped broccoli

1/4 Cup of steamed mashed sweet potato

1 and 1/2 Teaspoons of virgin olive oil

Vitamin and mineral supplement

Enzyme supplement

Directions

The first thing you'll need to do to make this dog food is to prepare the brown rice. Cook it in a rice cooker or on the stove according to the package instructions. Once it's finished, set it aside to cool.

Then, heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook it until it's browned. This should take between 3 and 5 minutes. As it cooks, break down the turkey into a crumble.

Stir the vegetable ingredients and rice into the ground turkey. Cook this mixture for another 3 to 5 minutes. After the leafy spinach has wilted, take the pot off the heat and let it cool down completely before you serve it to your dog.

#5.  

Whole Vet Pet Cooked Dog Food Recipe

This is a home-cooked meal your dog will enjoy. The following recipe is for a 20-pound dog. You can multiple or halve the ingredients to match your pup's current weight. You can also incorporate additional ingredients for nutritional supplements. These include cod oil, parsley, and mineral nut mix.

Ingredients

8 Ounces of organic ground turkey

1/4 Cup of finely grated organic vegetables

1/2 Teaspoon of organic coconut oil

1/2 Teaspoon of salmon oil

1 Teaspoon of ground raw sunflower seeds

500 Milligrams of calcium citrate

2 Tablespoons of ground turkey organs. This could be hearts, livers, or gizzards

Directions

Blanch the vegetables by lightly boiling them in water. After a few minutes in the water, remove them with a strainer and dunk them in an ice bath. This process softens the fibers while retaining a lot of the vegetable's nutritional value. Once they have cooled completely, toss them in a blender or food processor to grind them down further.

Cook the turkey and organ meat gently over medium-low heat. After the meat has turned white, allow it to cool. Then, mix together all the ingredients.

#6.  

VetCo Dog Christmas Meal

Treat your pup to a festive meal around the holidays with this recipe from VetCo. It utilizes a lot of leftover ingredients you'll find on your dining room table. The ingredients are safe for your dog. You can whip this meal up in only a few minutes and spoil your canine companion. The recipe makes a lot of food, so you'll need to portion it out based on your dog's size.

Ingredients

3 Pounds of skinless and boneless turkey meat (cooked)

1 Cup of cooked oatmeal

1 Pound of cubed sweet potatoes

2 Tablespoons of homemade cranberry sauce (with no alcohol)

4 Tablespoons of onion-free turkey gravy or olive oil

Directions

The first thing you should do is prepare the sweet potatoes. You can either boil them for 20 minutes or roast them for 45 minutes. As the potatoes are cooking, chop up the cooked turkey into small bite-sized pieces.

After the sweet potatoes are cooked and cooled, mix them with the oatmeal, cranberry sauce, and turkey meat. Then, add in your gravy or olive oil.

#7.  

DIY Slow Cooker Dog Food

Creating a balanced dog meal can be as simple as tossing some ingredients into a slow cooker. This recipe takes several hours to make, so it's best to do it overnight or when you're out for the day. You can split this meal up into several portions and pop them in the freezer for later.

Ingredients

2 and 1/2 to 3 pounds of boneless and skinless chicken (breasts and thighs)

1 Cubed sweet potato

2 sliced carrots

2 cups of frozen peas

1 large cubed apple (remove core and seeds)

1 can of drained and rinsed kidney beans

2 Tablespoons of olive oil

Directions

Place the pieces of chicken in your slow cooker and add enough water to cover them. You can add the pieces whole. They will fall apart as they cook. Add the potato, carrots, apple, and kidney beans. Set your slow cooker to the lowest setting and let the mixture cook for 8 or 9 hours.

At the end of the cooking cycle, add the frozen peas and let the mixture continue to cook for another 30 minutes. After that, drain the excess water out of the slow cooker pot.

Add the olive oil and stir it thoroughly. Then, pulverize the mixture in a food processor. Wait until the meal is completely cool to feed it to your dog.

#8.  

Homemade Beef Stew for Dogs

This beef stew recipe will produce a meal that's very similar to canned options you can get at the market. However, you'll have complete control of the ingredients. The recipe makes a meal for an 11-pound dog, but you can adjust accordingly.

Ingredients

1 Pound of ground beef (ground chicken or turkey is also acceptable)

1 Large sweet potato

1 Diced medium-sized carrot

1/2 a cup of frozen peas

Directions

Cook the beef in a large pot until it is no longer pink. Do not drain the excess fat. This a good source of fat for your dog, so you can leave it in without issues. Then, add the carrots and potatoes. Cover the vegetable and meat mixture with water and bring it up to a boil.

Once the water is boiling, turn down the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. After simmering, add the frozen peas and let the food cook for another 5 minutes or so. Wait until the food is cooled before putting it in your dog's dish.

#9.  

Walkerville Vet Dog Food Recipe

The safety and effectiveness of a raw food diet is still a point of contention among veterinary professionals. Walkerville Vet recommends the best of both worlds. This recipe is based on the raw food diet of wolves, your dog's natural ancestors. however, it also takes into account the dietary changes in domesticated dogs. It has raw meat as well as cooked carbohydrates and vegetables.

Ingredients

About 9 ounces (250 grams) of raw chopped beef or lamb

1 cup of chopped raw carrots

1 cup of chopped raw apples

1/4 cup of defrosted frozen peas

1 and 1/2 cup of chopped pumpkin or squash

2/3 cup of uncooked brown or basmati rice

4 Teaspoons of sunflower oil

4 Grams of fish oil

Nutritional supplements

Directions

First, cook the rice and pumpkin together. You should end up with approximately 3 cups of cooked rice mixed with softened pumpkin. Let these ingredients cool. Then, simply mix the rest of the ingredients with this mixture.

You can portion this food up and keep it in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

[thecreaturecodex]

Great Old One, Kthanid

Modified version of Cthulhu © Borja Pindado, accessed at MonsterWiki here

[Commissioned by @justicegundam82. I fully expect to get some flak for this one. Kthanid is the creation of Brian Lumley, who wrote several books in the Titus Crow series in the 1970s. They’re pretty much self-insert fanfiction set in a pulp adventure version of the Cthulhu Mythos. Kthanid is one of his OCs, who is literally Cthulhu-but-good. Also, the protagonist gets married to Kthanid’s beautiful (humanoid) daughter, “Tiania the Girl Goddess”. As you can imagine, these books do not hold a high reputation among most Mythos fans.

If the idea of Cthulhu-but-good seems too much for you, feel free to reskin Kthanid to look less like an octopus man. Just reflavor the natural weapons and describe him as any eldritch angel you choose.]

Great Old One, Kthanid CR 28 CG Aberration This immense being is something like a humanoid octopus crossed with a dragon, with great membranous wings stretching from its back. Its eyes glow golden, and despite its immensity, it has a calm aspect.

Kthanid Elderscribe, The Golden God Concerns dreams, magical wards, safety Domains Chaos, Good, Protection, Rune Subdomains Defense, Purity, Redemption, Wards Worshippers dreamers, good-aligned aberrations, redeemed cultists Minions azatas, eclipse giants, Elder Things Holy Symbol the Elder Sign (a pentagram or branched tree) Favored Weapon sap

Kthanid, the Elderscribe, is that rarest of entities, a Great Old One allied with the forces of good. He refers to himself as the brother of Cthulhu—whether he means literally or in a metaphorical sense is unclear—and indeed does closely resemble that feared monster. Kthanid is a peaceful creature, however, and represents and sponsors the redemption of even the most irredeemable. The Golden God understands that the universe is destined to fall apart, but works to make that process a very slow and peaceful one. He seeks to protect the planes and planets from the influence of the Outer Gods, the Dominion of the Black and other cosmic entities that spread evil and horror. Unlike other Great Old Ones, Kthanid encourages his own worship through subtle signs and symbols, and may council repentant cultists in their dreams to turn towards the light and revoke their wicked masters.

Kthanid is a master of signs and symbol magic, and he is believed to have created the mystical Elder Sign. Non-magical representations of this occult glyph serve as his holy symbol, and the artifacts that bear its true power are seen as relics of his faith. Kthanid can create new Elder Sign artifacts, but doing so not only tires him, but alerts other Great Old Ones to his presence. Even rival cults of Old Ones and Outer Gods will work together to subvert Kthanid’s works, and so he tends to be a subtle ally in the fight against the Mythos. It is rumored that Cthulhu himself knows how to kill Kthanid permanently, and is planning an assassination of his benevolent doppelganger.

Kthanid dislikes combat, and hopes to avert it whenever possible with his supernaturally soothing presence. If forced to fight, he prefers to disable and debilitate enemies rather than kill them, turning to lethal means only as a last resort. Kthanid believes in rehabilitation, and will assist his foes in healing and recovery if they are suitably chastened—someone who betrays this trust repeatedly will be put down, in the hopes that their quintessence will find redemption through the natural cycles of the planes. Although Kthanid is immortal, reforming once his physical body is slain is a time consuming process, so he prefers to flee from a losing battle.

Kthanid                CR 28 XP 4,915,200 CG Colossal aberration (chaotic, good, Great Old One) Init +15; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +50, true seeing Aura unspeakable presence (300 ft., DC 37) Defense AC 46, touch 27, flat-footed 41 (-8 size, +5 Dex, +10 insight, +10 deflection, +19 natural) hp 682 (35d8+525); fast healing 30 Fort +26, Ref +26, Will +30 Defensive Abilities freedom of movement, immortality, insanity (DC 37), non-euclidean; DR 20/epic and lawful; Immune ability damage, ability drain, aging, cold, death effects, disease, energy drain, mind-affecting effects, paralysis, and petrification; Resist acid 30, electricity 30, fire 30, sonic 30; SR 39 Offense Speed 60 ft., swim 60 ft., fly 200 ft. (average) Melee 2 claws +38 (4d6+20/19-20 plus grab), 4 tentacles +38 (2d10+20 plus grab) Space 40 ft.; Reach 40 ft. Special Attacks constrict (3d6+20), Elder Sign, mythic power (10/day, surge 1d12), nonlethal mastery, warding dreams Spell-like Abilities CL 28th, concentration +38 Constant—freedom of movement, true seeing At will— banishment (DC 28), dream council, greater dispel magic, greater scrying (DC 27), greater teleport, sending (M) 3/day—forbiddance (DC 26), quickened heal (M), symbol of fear (DC 26), symbol of persuasion (DC 26), symbol of stunning (DC 27) 1/day—gate, empowered holy aura (DC 28), holy word (DC 27, M), mage’s disjunction (DC 29), symbol of vulnerability (DC 29) Statistics Str 50, Dex 21, Con 41, Int 31, Wis 36, Cha 30 Base Atk +26; CMB +54 (+56 trip, +58 disarm, grapple, sunder); CMD 81 (83 vs. disarm, sunder, trip) Feats Ability Focus (banishment), Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Craft Wondrous Item, Dodge,  Empower SLA (holy aura), Flyby Attack, Greater Disarm, Greater Sunder, Improved Critical (claws), Improved Disarm, Improved Sunder, Improved Trip, Mobility, Power Attack, Quicken SLA (heal), Stand Still, Step Up Skills Diplomacy +45, Fly +35, Knowledge (arcana) +48, Knowledge (dungeoneering, engineering, geography, history, nature, religion, planes) +45, Perception +50, Sense Motive +50, Spellcraft +48, Swim +66 Languages Aklo, Celestial, telepathy 300 ft. SQ compression, greater starflight, otherworldly insight Ecology Environment any Organization unique Treasure triple standard Special Abilities Elder Sign (Su) Kthanid can use any of his symbol spell-like abilities as a standard action with a range of Close by creating a short-lived, luminous sign in the air or on the ground. When it does so, the symbol effects creatures in its area as appropriate, and then disappears. In addition, Kthanid’s banishment spell-like ability can affect any creature associated with the Elder Mythos—if the creature is not extraplanar, it is banished back to its home on the Material Plane. Greater Starflight (Su) Kthanid can survive in the void of outer space, and flies through outer space at incredible speeds. Although the exact travel time will vary from one trip to the next, a trip within a solar system normally takes Kthanid 2d6 hours, and a trip beyond normally takes 2d6 days (or more, at the GM's discretion). Immortality (Ex) If Kthanid is killed, his body collapses into a viscous slime that briefly takes the shape of an Elder Sign before disappearing completely. All creatures within 100 feet of Kthanid must succeed a DC 37 Will save or be banished as per its Elder Sign ability (see above). Kthanid then slowly reforms on a random planet over the course of a century. Non-Euclidean (Ex) Kthanid does not exist wholly in the physical world, and space and time strain against his presence. This grants Kthanid a deflection bonus to AC and a racial bonus on Reflex saves equal to his Charisma modifier (+10). His apparent and actual position are never quite the same, granting him a 50% miss chance against all attacks. True seeing can defeat this miss chance, but any creature that looks upon Kthanid while under the effects of true seeing must succeed at a DC 37 Will save or be confused for 1 minute. The save DC is Charisma-based. Nonlethal Mastery (Ex) Kthanid can choose to deal nonlethal damage with his natural attacks without penalty. Tentacles (Ex) Kthanid’s tentacles are primary natural attacks. Unspeakable Presence (Su) Failing a DC 39 Will save against Kthanid’s unspeakable presence causes a creature to fall into a blissful, peaceful state, as per the euphoric tranquility spell, for as long as it remains in the area of effect. Warding Dreams (Su) Kthanid can use his dream council spell-like ability on any creature that has failed a saving throw against the supernatural or spell-like abilities or spells of an Elder Mythos entity. When it does so, it grants that creature a +2 sacred bonus on all saving throws and Armor Class against the attacks of Elder Mythos entities. This bonus lasts for 1 week, or until Kthanid chooses to revoke it as an immediate action.

[mrlnsfrt]

Plot Twists and Surprise Endings

The story so far.

Joseph’s brothers had returned to their father, Jacob, bringing grain and bad news. Simeon had stayed as a prisoner in Egypt, and when they went back to buy more grain they would need to bring their youngest brother, Benjamin. Jacob told his sons that they had bereaved him. Genesis 42:36

The Famine Was Severe

As much as Jacob wanted to keep Benjamin from going to Egypt he did not have any option in the matter. Jacob could either let Benjamin go or starve along with his household. This was not only about him but about his sons and grandchildren, and servants, and animals who were all under his care. At this points the need to survive superseded Jacob’s preferences and his fears. Though in his heart wanted Benjamin to stay, in his mind he understood he must let Benjamin go down to Egypt.

Judah spoke up and offered himself as surety for his brother Benjamin. Genesis 43:9

Place yourself in Jacob’s shoes for a moment. His whole life he loved one woman, Rachel. He was tricked by his uncle and married Leah. But Jacob never loved Leah, though Leah gave him one daughter and six sons. Jacob loved Rachel, who was barren for many years. Finally, Rachel gives birth to a son, Joseph, who Jacob now believes to have been killed. Rachel also gave birth to another boy, Benjamin, and sadly she died (Genesis 35:16-20). How would you have felt if the love of your life had died, and then you lost your favorite son, her firstborn? Now all you have from her, her only living son, must leave for a dangerous trip to a foreign country with a ruler who seems to not like your family. If I was Jacob I would be having a very difficult time. I would be wondering where God was. It was God who called Jacob to return to the land of Canaan. Genesis 31:13 more details on my blog post “Mighty to Save”. Why would God allow all this to happen? Where was God? What about all of God’s promises to protect, provide and be with him? Was this not the land that God was giving him and to his descendants (Genesis 35:9-12)?

Do you ever find yourself facing severe famine and feeling like you are slowly losing all that you love and hold dear? Does your faith hold strong when you feel cursed and abandoned by God?

Facing Your Past

Broken relationships have a way of coming back to hurt you repeatedly. Joseph and his brothers were experiencing this. They suffered while apart and now continued to cause one another to suffer. The Bible tells us that Joseph’s heart yearned for his brother Benjamin (Genesis 43:30) yet he is not ready to allow himself to love and embrace. Joseph longs for reconciliation but he is not ready for it, not yet, he had been through too much. How should he deal with his brothers? I imagine Joseph had given this much thought. It is unclear how much time had elapsed since his brothers had last seen him. We don’t know how long Simeon had been in an Egyptian prison. The brothers meet again. Joseph has the power to punish, torture, enslave, imprison, or even kill his brothers for what they did to him. But would that undo the past? Is that what God was calling him to do? Was that God’s will for his life? What about God’s plans for the lives of his brothers?

Joseph had been extremely mistreated and abused in his lifetime. It would be understandable for him to be bitter, angry, to want revenge, for him to be scarred and have trust issues. But God had been with him. He was alive, he was successful, he had been blessed after all. Would Joseph use his blessings to bless those around him or would he hoard the blessings and use them to make himself more powerful?

With your permission, I would like to imagine a scenario and I invite you to join me in this exercise of our imagination. Imagine Joseph uses his current power and influence to destroy all who had hurt him. He could enslave his brothers. Joseph could throw Potiphar in prison, and have Potiphar’s wife executed. Joseph could send Pharaoh’s cupbearer to prison for a couple of years since he forgot about Joseph in prison for two years (Genesis 40:23-41:1,9-13). Since Joseph had interpreted the dreams and married the daughter of a priest, I imagine it would not have taken much for him to convince the people that God was on his side and that he should be Pharaoh. Joseph could have made a power play and even taken advantage of his food storage to wage economic warfare and essentially dominate the portion of the ancient world that was being affected by the famine.

I know we just imagined this scenario, but I believe this to have been a possible outcome, perhaps even a temptation for Joseph. When you have power and wealth, you can afford to be your true self. You don’t have to be nice, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. When you have all the power and wealth, you only have to forgive and be kind if you want to. At least temporarily speaking (disregarding eternal consequences). Do we continue to behave like Christians when we have the power to be selfish and get away with it? Do we forgive and seek to make peace with those who have wronged us when we could punish those who have hurt us?

Joseph longed for a mended, loving relationship with his brothers, at least with Benjamin for sure. But earlier in his life, his brothers had made that all but impossible. Now, would he give them a second chance?

Had Joseph’s brothers changed? Were they still selfish and jealous? The way Joseph treats them in Genesis 43-44 seems to indicate that he was testing them. Perhaps Joseph was still trying to decide what he would do to them, whether or not he would forgive them.

As the story unfolds we learn that Joseph’s brothers have changed, they honestly want to protect and care for Benjamin. In Genesis 44:16 Judah even confesses that God had found out their iniquity, which is odd since they had not stolen Joseph’s cup unless Judah is talking about their iniquity regarding something else, perhaps regarding the well-being of their missing brother.

Judah’s Speech

Judah then delivers a speech, but not just any speech.

This speech has appropriately been called one of the masterpieces of Hebrew literary composition, one of the finest specimens of natural eloquence in the world. - The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 1

—the speech of Judah in behalf of his young brother Benjamin has been fittingly characterised as “one of the masterpieces of Hebrew composition” (Kalisch), “one of the grandest and fairest to be found in the Old Testament” (Lange), “a more moving oration than ever orator pronounced” (Lawson), “one of the finest specimens of natural eloquence in the world” (Inglis). Without being distinguished by either brilliant imagination or highly poetic diction, “its inimitable charm and excellence consist in the power of psychological truth, easy simplicity, and affecting pathos” (Kalisch)— - The Pulpit Commentary: Genesis

​

The encounter between Joseph and his brothers has now reached its climactic moment. A personal appeal to the great man is Judah’s last desperate resort. He pours out his heart in what is the longest speech in the Book of Genesis, although it could not have lasted more than five minutes. - The JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis

Judah’s speech moves Joseph so deeply that Joseph could no longer hold back his emotions. Sending everyone else out of the room and reveals himself to his brothers. Joseph wept so loud the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it (Genesis 45:2).

The Final Outcome

Ultimately Joseph chooses to forgive his brothers and to mend their broken relationship. He chooses the path of reconciliation. He realizes his brothers had also been suffering, and he decides to put an end to that cycle. Joseph interprets all these events as being used by God in order to ultimately bring about the salvation of many. However, this does not mean that what his brothers did was acceptable in any way. I believe that God could have brought about the same outcome without the lies and betrayal. But God was able to use even the sinful actions of Joseph’s brothers to bring about salvation because Joseph was willing to remain faithful to God and to continue to trust Him even when suffering incredible abuse and unfairness.

There is so much in these last few chapters of Genesis that we could explore, but the year is coming to a close and we have been studying the Book of Genesis for almost 3 years so I will leave a deeper study of these passages for another time. I feel like we must stop and I would like to conclude with the words spoken by Joseph recorded in Genesis 50:20.

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. - The New King James Version

Takeaway

Joseph recognized that his own brothers wished to do him harm. You must also likewise recognize that people may wish to do you harm. They may persecute and abuse you. But God can take you and still use you to bless others. No one can keep you from being used by God except you. When you choose God, even your worst moments can become a source of strength and blessing for someone else. Your scars and your pain may be what God uses to touch a life that no one else could reach.

Reading Genesis we have learned that God loves plot twists and surprising endings. As I mentioned earlier, it is December, a time when we talk about the birth of Jesus. The earthly life and ministry of Jesus is the clearest and most extreme example of how all the wickedness of this planet and even supernatural beings are unable to thwart God’s plans. As the Apostle Paul put it in 1 Corinthians 1:27

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; The New King James Version

When you feel weak, when you feel beat down, when you feel betrayed, and alone, and abandoned, just remember that God can take you, if you are willing, and use you to save many people alive. People may mean evil against you, but God can turn it around and use it for good.

[mylifeinshowtunes]

To Call In Sick (A Rent fic by @mylifeinshowtunes)

Summary: "One month and four weeks since Roger had shut his lips shut for the last time."

(Set before the events of the show, one month after April's death.)

WARNINGS for implicit VIOLENCE, RELIGIOUS SLURS, HOMOPHOBIC LANGUAGE, implicit references to mental illnesses like DEPRESSION.

Don’t breathe too deep,

A beep floods the bare room.

An alarm set too late into the night, goes off too early in the morning. A gasp, followed by a groan, meets the incessant beeping in the poorly lit room. The thin covers move over a body too tired to switch the beeping off. A pale, freckled hand reaches out and pushes the black button. It blindly searches the bedside table looking for the thick framed glasses.

Mark opens his eyes.

Don’t think all day

It’s early in the morning, but he’s gotten used to it. The clock reads 5.30 AM, which means he has about 20 minutes to get ready before he has to head out in the freezing New York winter. His first shift starts at 6.30 AM, which means that he has just the time to cycle the 7 blocks that divide him from the luncheonette he works at.

Mark starts rising from his bed. Every muscle and bone in his body protesting the shift of position. His breath is caught in his throat and he has to fight against the buzzing in his head while dark spots float in his field of vision.

Dive into work

His shift at the cafe ends at 11.30 PM. He has a 45 minute long break, and at 12.15 he is back behind the counter. When he had first gotten the job he used the time to film, but his passion was quickly brought to an end after his first week and a half: he had been so worn out by his work that he had fallen into a deep slumber at the back of the cafe. Nobody told him anything so he just kept doing it: it wasn’t like he had any money to buy lunch with.

Drive the other way

When he is finally done with serving coffee he couldn’t afford to people he didn’t care about, he hops back on his bike to go to his second job. He is a clerk at a pub halfway across the city. His shift starts at 6.30 PM and ends at 12.30 AM.  Although his day job is somewhat bearable, working at the pub is something he wouldn’t wish upon his worst enemy: he had started considering his day at work a good one when he didn’t have to clean someone’s barf off the floor: otherwise he had gotten used to the constant abuse the rest of the staff reserved for him on a daily basis. They weren’t too far off, after all: he was a “broke-ass faggot kike”, and most of all, he was desperate enough to undergo their words and fists without a single complaint.

Mark exited his room. Light was lazily drowning the main room. The house was silent. But Mark had gotten used to silence.

It had been one month and three week since his voice had become the only one resonating through the walls of the loft.

One month and three weeks since Collins had left in order to work.

One month and four weeks since Roger had shut his lips shut for the last time.

The last sound Mark had heard him make were his sobs and shouts as they discovered April’s body.

Not a sound since then. Not a single fucking sound had pierced through Roger’s self imposed barrier.

He hadn’t cried at the funeral. He had stayed mute as the doctor gave them the results. He hadn’t complained the first time he took AZT. He didn’t say goodbye to Collins as he had left them. He didn’t oppose when Mark found himself a job because the money just wasn’t enough.

He just sat there and stared.

Sat there and stared for hours upon hours, holed up in his room.

He barely slept, sometimes he ate and every once in a while he drank a glass of water.

Mark wasn’t even sure if Roger had noticed his new working hours, but maybe it was better that way. The old Rog would have never approved of him bending to the world of capitalism.

He would have laughed at the mere thought of an occupation.

“Who needs money when you can have this, Marky?”

When you can have what? What they currently had was an empty fridge, some old ruined clothes, covers that were just too thin to keep out a weak wind, HIV and too many damn bills to pay. Everything seemed too expensive: Roger’s meds were expensive, food was expensive, the repairs for his bike were expensive, Roger’s check-ups were expensive.

Loving Roger was expensive, but he didn’t care as long as Roger was fine.

He grabbed a stale piece of bread and chewed on it slowly; his head had been bothering him lately, and he had started feeling weak and faint. There was really no point in worrying, it wasn’t like he could really do much about it: all the food they had, he left for Roger to munch on, all the hours of rest could use, were spent at work, all the medicines they had, he had decided to save up in case of an emergency. He was going to be fine, he wasn’t the one who had a possibly deadly virus roaming in his veins.

Before leaving he checked on Roger. He was happy to see that he was sound asleep under the couple of covers Mark had put on his bed at the beginning of winter. Seeing Roger snoring soundly was relieving: more often than not, Mark would find him with dark bruises under his eyes as he stared into the wall unmoving, but he was finally getting some sleep at last. He grabbed the remains of the the previous night’s dinner (which looked to be simply picked at) and left a clear glass of water next to the all so familiar blue pill, that awaited, in stead of Mark, for Roger’s awakening.

Mark left with a piercing headache, a grumbling stomach, droopy eyes, a dozen of dark bruises scattered on his trembling body, and a smile on his face. Roger was resting: this was going to be a good day.

His day at the cafe was no different than usual. The same weary-eyed clients asked for the same cheap drinks. A couple of students sat in a booth in the corner and he couldn’t help but think about Collins; life had been a little lighter when he was still home with them, but it had gotten to the point where they desperately needed money and Collins, the ever apprehensive father, had been the sacrificial lamb. He remembered his friend’s warm eyes, a small backpack resting by his feet, as they had said their goodbyes. Roger was in his room, and Collins had asked Mark if he was going to be alright. Of course he was going to be alright! He wasn’t the one who was leaving, he wasn’t the sick one. When Mark had told him that, a sad smile answered him and two warm arms enveloped him in a cocoon. He missed Collins, he hoped that he was at least enjoying MIT, and that he was keeping some of the money for himself.

He just hoped he was doing okay and that he was happy. What more was there to ask?

His break came around and his co-worker hurriedly asked him if everything was fine.

“You look pale.”

“Always been, I’m offended you never noticed.”

“Do you even sleep anymore?”

“I was just about to go rest.”

“So you don’t sleep.”

“Of course I do!”

“Listen, you look like you could fall down any second now, just eat this and go home.”

“That’s your lunch, and I can’t just go home.”

“That’s your lunch now, and yes you can, just say you’re sick.”

“I’m not sick.”

He gave him a stern look. Mark brushed him off. He wasn’t sick, Roger was. And Roger needed medicines, which required money to be bought, which made it necessary for him to work.

The second he closed his eyes and rested his head, it was time for him to go back behind the counter.

Three hours later he was back on his bike, with a headache worse than before thanks to two crying children and a white collar who had asked for a latte, “Not a fucking macchiato!”, and had decided that the best was to get the coffee that he had asked for was shouting and half throwing his boiling cup at Mark.

At 6.30 PM he crossed the entrance to the pub. It was half empty as usual: most of the clients started arriving right when he signed off. He put on his apron and went in the small storage room to start his chores. His evening job was menial to say the least: it didn’t get more interesting than restocking the shelfs, cleaning the floor and pointing the way to the bathroom to drunk strangers who could barely remember their own names. It was what most would define as “easy money”, but what Mark would better describe as a “soul sucking waste of time”. But, desperate times, called for desperate measures, and, with that in mind, Mark begun his shift.

After a couple of hours, he was asked to bring to the front a couple of bottles, as the vodka and gin upstairs had been emptied. His head was spinning from restocking: the continuous change of position from crunched down to get the products, to standing, was not helping his faintness. It seemed that the few steps, dividing him from the balcony were the final straw: everything started tilting and his world turned of an inviting black.

A slap was the warm welcome he got to the living world. He was on the ground and he was wet and smelled of the spilled booze on the ground. One of his coworkers was holding him by his collar and shouting something. Everything was buzzing and spots were dancing in his vision.

The second slap managed to bring sound back into his world.

“ - you can’t even fucking carry a couple of bottles, how are you so fuckin’ weak, uh fairy?”

“It’s not like you can pay back those bottles, right fag?”

“You’re just gonna become a whore, yeah? What else could you do to pay all those debts back. You’re probably one already, fucking disgusting.”

“Fucking kike is not even rich, what’s the point of your existence?”

“We’re gonna teach you a lesson about breaking stuff that doesn’t belong to you, you shithead!”

And just like that he couldn’t catch his breath anymore.

Kicks, punches, shoves, spit and names assaulted him from every angle.

There was no escape, no safe position, no nerve that didn’t feel the never ending pain.

He just closed his eyes and let it happen: he was too tired to fight back anyways.

When they were done with him, they unceremoniously threw him out of the backdoor.

The cold pavement and his bike where the only ones who greeted him.

He decided that nobody would mind if he just laid down for a bit.

A gasp, followed by a groan, filled the poorly lit hallway.

Mark woke up aching all over.

His nose was bleeding, his head was spinning, but he decided to head back to the loft.

He had to make sure that Roger was alright and that he had taken his AZT.

Nobody stopped to help him.

Many looked at him sideways and a few in fear.

He didn’t stop, he just carried on walking, ordering his feet to move, sure that if he stopped he would have passed out right there and then.

By some miracle, he found himself in front of their door. He retrieved his keys from his pocket with trembling, unstable, blue hands. He grabbed his bike with all the remaining strength he had and tried to bring it upstairs. Three steps later he had already given up and was clutching the hand rail like a lifeline. At this point it was the only thing keeping him upright.

Their front door was suddenly next to him and he threw his body against the handle to pry it open.

Roger’s green eyes greeted him. The rockstar was standing right outside his room. It looked like he had just come out of the bathroom, and was making his way back to the bed. Mark was happy to see him up. As the director’s smile widened on his lips, so did the singer’s eyes in pure fear.

Mark’s world came crashing down yet again that day, but as he plummeted to the ground he saw Roger’s mouth open.

What was it about that night

Connection, in an isolating age

For once the shadows gave way to light

For once I didn't disengage

He woke to light streaming directly into his face.

His alarm clock was silent, but it looked like it was late in the morning.

His body felt like lead and his head hurt like hell, but the piercing headache didn’t prevent him from hearing a voice from the other room.

It was rough, embarrassed, and uncertain.

“- yeah no, he won’t be coming today. He’s sick. Yeah, will do. Thank you for understanding. I’ll keep you updated. Thank you, bye.”

Notes: Welcome to the author's corner! I really hope you enjoyed my story. I know it's not canonically mentioned Roger's reaction to April's death, and I wanted to explore the possibility of the famous singer staying silent for a period of time. Another big focus of this story (as you may have noticed) is Mark; I wanted to show how he obsesses over things, to the point where he ignores his own health. This time he is obsessing over Roger, and the fact that he needs him to be alright, especially after April. ALSO, the fact that Roger notices Mark's condition, is completely casual, his depression isn't magically gone, he just happened to be in front of the door. This is all folks, if you have any questions ask away, or hit me up on tumblr @mylifeinshowtunes or on AO3  If you feel like it leave a kudo or a comment, they are greatly appreciated! Thank you for reading, Cece

[velteris]

Revue Starlight Song Analysis: ‘The Star Knows’, Ep 2

(For the optimal experience, have a copy of the song up and ready to play!)

The cool thing about the revue songs is that they have long stretches of instrument-only melodies built in to complement fight scenes where the dialogue may come in as the priority. That said, they’re crafted so that they maintain the flow of tension and “narrative” in the music even when they’re taking a background atmospheric role to the animation—so much so that even without the animation, they work as standalone music.

‘The Star Knows’ starts off with almost 2 minutes of instrumental that sets the tone for the revue to come. The percussion is light, soft cymbals that set up the time signature. 4/4 time is very orthodox, arguably one of the simplest and most common time signatures, fitting Junna’s classical nature. The piano and cello repeat the same phrase – four notes in rapid succession, an unwavering rhythm, with a melody of ti-do-la-mi that feels uneasy or incomplete because it doesn’t return to the tonic chord, creating a sense of urgency. Meanwhile, the violin and chimes provide a countermelody that soars but ultimately comes back down: Junna is reaching, but never quite reaches her goal.

At 0:25, the instruments’ roles change: the violin takes over the four-note phrase, softening it with a higher pitch, as the cello provides a smooth harmony for the piano’s fragile melody. This delicate approach accompanies Junna’s reflection on how she came to stand on the revue stage, how she worries this may be her last chance. The percussion falls even quieter; the driving force of the music is the piano’s chords.

As Junna’s resolve firms, the strings take the forefront at 0:48 with a sweeping, less subtle melody: she’s preparing for her performance, finding the classical music that will move her audience. The first brass instrument comes in at 1:11, soft, but quickly firming into a stronger introduction to the next passage at 1:20. The violins repeat the four-note phrase, more insistent now. Junna must act, and she must act now before she’s swept away by her doubts as the violins rise.

Tumbling piano notes at 1:41 precede Junna’s first verse. The structure of the revue she’d trusted in is falling apart, and so is she. But she powers through, determined to make herself heard.

‘The Star Knows’ is a sort of reprise or mirror of ‘The Reason We Are Here’, and accordingly, Junna does examine the reason why she is in the revue—and why she has not succeeded as she'd hoped to. But where Mahiru started with a soft, wistful tone, Junna’s singing is accusatory and defiant. “I don’t know the reason why,” she starts, staring Karen down; it almost seems as if she’s going to demand to know why Karen is here in the revue with her. But she goes on: “I am engulfed in flames”. Her melody seems to be in a major key, strong and projecting confidence, but the four-note phrase echoed over and over in the background piano belies her words. Karen has shaken her, and now that she sees her previous efforts haven’t been enough, her number one focus is on herself, justifying her own mentality, burning herself away for the stage. Anxious and growing more strident, the violins drive her on starting from 1:55. Her voice rises into a lament: “These flames will never go out.”

The fight begins properly; Junna’s first and second shot are deflected, and with them goes her hope of finishing the revue swiftly. The violins become frenetic, taking on their own melody, as she turns to trick shots and stage manipulation, ad-libbing anything she can think of to gain the upper hand. The percussion that’s been building becomes a steady dream beat that rolls through the second minute like the pulse of the fight. Junna is venting her loneliness, her frustration, her unmet desire for the stage; the repeated three-note step she sings at 2:25-2:28 is a cycle she cannot break out of, lest she fall out of time with the syncopated drum beats, which would break down her performance—until her desperation pushes her voice over the drum as she hits the second lamenting rise.

With a lull in the fight, the music eases as Junna gathers her thoughts and thinks of the stars she’s seen and wants to be. The frantic pace of the percussion washes away with the chimes at 2:32, letting the pure joy of the stage shine through for a moment. Insistent, the brass makes a reintroduction at 2:45, flaring through to 3:05 as she recalls the people she has yet to surpass.

But now Junna is losing her control of the scene. Even when she starts to sing again at 3:13, she is in constant danger of being overshadowed by the rampant strings and forceful percussion accompanying her. Her schemes grow wilder and wilder, yet somehow Karen thwarts each of them, until at last she does away with the subtle, hidden sniping and starts launching bright, confetti-filled shots. At 3:50, without the masking effect of the heavy instrumentals, she at last gives voice to her simplest fears.

I’ve seen a lot of different translations of the polyphonic duet part, but I’m trying out my own take on these lyrics. When Junna sings “Makerarenai koko de”—I can’t lose here—Karen’s line is “Make nanka nai”, which the subs I recall translated as “I won’t lose”. I’d like to offer a different interpretation. When Junna finally leaves all metaphor behind and sings in a high, clear tone her plain fear, that she will lose, it opens up an opportunity for Karen to respond: “It’s not a loss.” Junna goes on, “I cannot fail”; Karen sings back, “It’s not a failure.” Through this revue, Karen is trying to rewrite Junna’s very perception of the stage.

Frustrated, Junna accuses Karen, “You wouldn’t understand”—to which Karen refutes, “It’s because I don’t understand you” with a forceful emphasis on dakara koso that lets her seize control of the pace. The percussion returns, still a forceful beat but with (what sounds like) a tambourine or muted cymbal taps that reflect Karen’s more upbeat outlook. Junna’s protests become Karen’s harmony for that verse, taking the darker alto phrases that reflect her despairing mood, using the antonyms to Karen’s lines. There’s the beauty of polyphony—that each line enriches the other’s, that a monologue turns into a conversation.

At 4:13, for a moment, Junna’s enraged enough by Karen’s over-optimistic claims that she briefly seizes control of the conversation again, with a swell of agitated strings overcoming Karen’s percussion. Karen lets her have the phrase, then comes back stronger, cymbals coming through stronger now; her long held note that harmonises with Junna’s singing at 4:18 is both a demonstration of her own ability and a show of willingness to support Junna, even as Junna tries to push her away, saying “You can’t do anything”.

The fight hits a lull. Junna’s desperate enough to try for a frontal assault, even with her ranged weapon. As she gathers herself for the decisive blow, knowing it’s her last chance, the piano returns with the disquieted four-note phrase from the beginning of the song. A melancholic cello melody gives way to the brass and violins’ demand for theatrics at 4:45; even Junna’s private agony must be offered up to the stage as fuel for brilliance.

Karen’s victory works no immediate, mind-changing miracle. Even after her triumphant final verse ending at 5:34, the music remains distraught, unresolved, easing from the initial shock of defeat to a softer mourning cello and piano line. The revue is over, but Junna’s own struggle is not; there are things that can’t be said on the stage under the spotlight. She needs a bit more time to reconcile her loss. But for now, the song’s reached its end.

[delightful-pisces-art]

How Much Sex Do Women Need For Health?

In general, judging by the regularly appearing studies, this is their favorite pastime. Now these guys are armed with a stopwatch, then a calendar and draw some charts and diagrams. Visit here for more information about sex.

No, we, of course, believe that in sex there should be a place for spontaneity and romantic impulses. But still, men are very practical beings. It is always interesting how many centimeters, minutes and times are the norm, how many are “hoo”, and how many are “well”.

However, back to times. This time, American biologists decided to investigate how regular sex affects hormonal levels in women and men. Biologist Winnifred Cutler measured testosterone levels in men and estrogen in women who had a regular and spontaneous sex life and also completely abstained from sex.

As you probably know, testosterone is an essential hormone for men's health and well-being. Well, a woman feels happy, beautiful and healthy only with a normal level of estrogen.

As you might expect, sex directly affects hormone levels. After love exercises, the production of testosterone in men and estrogen in women increases, as well as the release of serotonin and dopamine, which creates the euphoria well known to all who practice this business.

The catch, however, is that those who only occasionally have sex with casual partners get the swing effect. After a night of love, their hormonal level rises sharply, but then, when the phase of loneliness comes, it drops sharply and remains at this very low level.

Researchers conclude that women, for example, find it more beneficial to give up sex than to have it rarely. Then their estrogen levels will be low, but not as catastrophic as after the swing. The healthiest strategy is having regular sex in a regular relationship.

Finally, we come to the most important question: how much is regular? Winnifred Cutler gives a clear answer: at least once a week. It is possible more, of course, but once a week is the minimum frequency at which women experience a normalization of the cycle, entry into the phase of maximum fertility and generally excellent health.

By the way, this is confirmed by the study “ How many times a week do the happiest people have sex? And what should the lonely do? After all, there are many of them. And everyone has their own reason for loneliness. What positive emotions here will affect sexuality in the 40+ period? How to support yourself during this period? "Sex for health"?

Recently, an article was published "One day you will understand that you are left alone!" Pauline Gaverdovsky, which says an authoritative author: "Romance, love and passion - that's fine. But if you confuse them with sex, you can stay for a long time without it And it is foolish and harmful.

There are no definite quantitative statistics. There is no such thing that there is a right and wrong number of times a week or month. And there was an orgasm or not, too, does not matter. What is important is the state of satisfaction, saturation and joy from intimacy - bodily and spiritual. There are clear criteria for regularity - this is more studied and related to male sexuality. Everyone knows that at 20 a man has one sexual rhythm of life, and at 40 - 45 it is completely different, although these are also individual things.

And for a woman, it is not mechanical quantity that is important, but harmony. This is number one. A state of being in love, a state of stability. By nature, a woman is the person who gives more, including in sexual life. It is important for her to get not only the pleasure itself, but also to please the partner, so that it will result in a harmonious relationship. Sometimes we women can even use this for the sake of achieving a harmonious relationship, as a certain manipulation of a partner.

[patriotsnet]

How Many Republicans Will Vote For Impeachment

New Post has been published on https://www.patriotsnet.com/how-many-republicans-will-vote-for-impeachment/

How Many Republicans Will Vote For Impeachment

Republicans Cant Impeach Joe Biden At Least Not Yet

Rep. Schiff: Only Question Is How Many In GOP Will Support Impeachment | Morning Joe | MSNBC

The ongoing chaos in Afghanistan has led many Republicans to, understandably, criticize President Joe Biden. But at the same time, some have decided to go a step further and call for his impeachment.

Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene filed three articles of impeachment last week against Mr Biden, while Sen Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, his former friend, has called for his impeachment as well.

But if the idea of impeaching Mr Biden sounds ludicrous and politically unfeasible, thats because it is. While Mr Graham, who went from being one of former president Donald Trumps biggest critics to his biggest apologist in the Senate, and Ms Greene, who has done nothing but promote absurd conspiracy theories and antagonize her fellow members, may want to take advantage of the crisis, there is little to no feasible way for it to begin, at least for now.

First and foremost, the major reason is that Republicans are in the minority in the House and the Senate. While some Democrats may not be happy with how Mr Biden managed Afghanistan, immigration or the eviction moratorium, all of which Ms Greene cited, they arent going to collaborate with Republicans to impeach him.

The remote chance of this passing the House aside, if it makes it to the Senate, Republicans would again have to contend with the fact they are in the minority and two-thirds of all Senators need to vote for a conviction. In the last impeachment earlier this year, only seven Republican Senators broke rank.

Read More

Pelosi On Impeachment Votes: ‘we Are Not Whipping This Legislation’

Rep. Anthony Brindisi, another Democrat from a red district in upstate New York, said hes not feeling pressure from Democratic leadership but is hearing from constituents.

The phone is ringing off the hook both people calling pro-impeachment and people calling against impeachment, he told NBC News. And so, we take all of that into consideration and I’m going to take some time this weekend and go back and look at all these transcripts and make sure all the evidence fits the articles of impeachment.

Two critical swing district Democrats have announced their support for impeachment articles. Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., told reporters Thursday that she is going to support both articles of impeachment regardless of the lasting political impacts.

I think it’s equally important today as it will be six months from now to say that I stood up against the President when he did something wrong, Luria said.

And Rep. Conor Lamb , D-Pa., told Pittsburgh affiliate WTAE that hell also vote for the articles.

For Democrats in districts Trump carried in 2016, the decision is fraught with political peril for next November’s elections, especially because the president’s supporters remain mostly united behind him.

A small group of moderate Democrats floated a last-minute proposal of censure instead of impeachment but abandoned the idea when it quickly became clear that such a move would not garner support among the broader Democratic caucus, according to an aide for one of those members.

Republicans Join Democrats In Vote To Push Trump Impeachment Trial Forward

WASHINGTON – Most Republicans in the U.S. Senate voted Tuesday against holding an impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump on whether he incited insurrection in the January 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, signaling that he likely has enough votes to secure an acquittal.

The vote was 55-45 in favor of proceeding with a trial, but only five Republicans joined all 50 Democrats. A two-thirds vote is required for conviction, which would require 17 Republicans to turn against Trump, assuming the Democrats vote as a bloc after hearing the case against him when the trial starts in earnest February 9.

A Trump supporter, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, forced the vote on whether to proceed with the trial, calling it an unconstitutional sham.

Paul contended that the Senate cannot hold a trial of a private citizen, which Trump now is after his term ended last Wednesday and Democrat Joe Biden was inaugurated as the countrys 46th president. The Senate, in fact, has held trials for private citizens in the past.

All 100 senators were sworn in as jurors for the upcoming trial.

The Republican lawmakers hold Trumps fate in their hands, even though the former presidents four-year term in the White House ended January 20 with Bidens inauguration.

Also Check: How Many Republicans Voted To Impeach

Numerous Gop Primary Challengers Could Split Anti

As they prepare to face primary challengers, the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump after his supporters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 raised significantly more money during the first quarter of 2021 than they did two years earlier.

The group, leveraging the power of incumbency, also swamped their GOP primary opponents in almost every instance during the first round of fundraising since angering Mr. Trump with their votes, new Federal Election Commission filings show.

While all the incumbents outraised challengers who filed campaign finance reports, it is still early in the two-year election cycle and money is just one factor in typically low-turnout primaries.

Mr. Trumps political-action committees could also weigh in financially on some of the contests, and his endorsements could carry significant weight with the partys base. The PACs arent required to report their latest totals until July, but one of them, Save America PAC, started the year with $31 million in the bank and has continued to raise money since then.

In a speech earlier this year at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he called out all 10 by name, Mr. Trump told his supporters to get rid of them all in next years elections.

House Impeachment Managers Request Trump To Testify Under Oath Next Week

Democrats requested that Trump testify in person, an offer his attorneys declined. Inside his orbit, there has been disagreement about whether to repeat his groundless claims that the election was stolen or whether to push the procedural argument that appeals to GOP senators.

His attorneys, David Schoen and Bruce Castor Jr., have indicated that they will do the latter, saying in their brief that the impeachment is “unconstitutional, and must be dismissed with prejudice.”

Don’t Miss: Did Any Republicans Vote To Impeach Trump

Republicans Who Voted To Acquit Trump Used Questions Of Constitutionality As A Cover

Following the vote, McConnell gave a scathing speech condemning Trumps lies about election fraud as well as his actions on January 6, only moments after he supported acquittal.

That speech was emblematic of how many Republican senators approached the impeachment vote: Although GOP lawmakers were critical of the attack on January 6, they used a process argument about constitutionality in order to evade confronting Trump on his actual actions.

Effectively, because Trump is no longer in office, Republicans say the Senate doesnt have jurisdiction to convict him of the article of impeachment. As Voxs Ian Millhiser explained, theres some debate over that, but most legal scholars maintain that it is constitutional for the Senate to try a former president.

If President Trump were still in office, I would have carefully considered whether the House managers proved their specific charge, McConnell said. McConnell, however, played an integral role in delaying the start of the trial until after Trump was no longer president.

His statement on Saturday was simply a continuation of how Republicans had previously approached Trumps presidency: Theres been an overwhelming hesitation to hold him accountable while he was in office, and that still appears to be the case for many lawmakers.

Articles Referred To Senate

Article I, charging Clinton with perjury, alleged in part that:

On August 17, 1998, William Jefferson Clinton swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth before a federal grand jury of the United States. Contrary to that oath, William Jefferson Clinton willfully provided perjurious, false and misleading testimony to the grand jury concerning one or more of the following:

the nature and details of his relationship with a subordinate government employee;

prior perjurious, false and misleading testimony he gave in a federal civil rights action brought against him;

prior false and misleading statements he allowed his attorney to make to a federal judge in that civil rights action; and

his corrupt efforts to influence the testimony of witnesses and to impede the discovery of evidence in that civil rights action.

Article II, charging Clinton with obstruction of justice alleged in part that:

Clinton was defended by Cheryl Mills. Clinton’s counsel staff included Charles Ruff, David E. Kendall, Dale Bumpers, Bruce Lindsey, Nicole Seligman, Lanny A. Breuer and Gregory B. Craig.

Don’t Miss: What Are The Basic Differences Between Democrats And Republicans

Michigan Rep Fred Upton

Upton, an 18-term lawmaker who previously held the gavel of the Energy and Commerce Committee, is something of an endangered species on Capitol Hill: a relatively moderate Republican who isnt afraid to cross the aisle to vote with Democrats. Fellow lawmakers and outsiders who lobby Upton say hes a pragmatist. Hes part of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group working to build consensus on legislation.

The former committee chairmans 6th District, nestled in the states touristy southwestern corner that includes Lake Michigan shoreline as well as Kalamazoo, voted 51 percent for Trump in 2020, according to Daily Kos Elections. Upton won reelection with 56 percent of the vote last year. Since 2017, the longtime congressman voted in line with Trumps position on legislation 78 percent of the time, according to CQ Vote Watch.

Bringing Trauma Back To Life

10 Republicans Cross Party Lines To Vote For Trump’s Second Impeachment

The terrifying invasion of the Capitol was illuminated through never before heard audio of police screaming that a riot had broken out, fresh security video of the armed, violent insurrectionists pouring in and then-Vice President Mike Pence and others fleeing, and parallel maps showing just how close Trump’s minions came to capturing and injuring or killing Pence, Sen. Mitt Romney and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The managers finished by hammering home the ex-president’s response once the rioting began: protracted inaction, repetition of the election lies that led to the violence,;and telling the insurrectionists he loved them. ; ; ; ; ; ;

The managers poured a surprising degree of emotion into their arguments. Whether it was Rep. Madeleine Dean choking up as she recalled her terror, or Rep. Eric Swalwell reading what he thought might be his farewell text to his family, it hit home.;Most powerful of all was lead manager Rep. Jamie Raskin’s closing;Tuesday. He brought the trauma back to life for the jurors, who were also present on that horrible day, in recounting;his and his family’s experiences.;His genuine tears flowed for them ;and for all;the tragedies that unfolded Jan. 6.

You May Like: What Cities Are Run By Republicans

Why Is Trump On Trial

Trumps second impeachment stems from his involvement in whipping up a mob on 6 January that went on to assault the Capitol building while a joint session of Congress was convened to certify Joe Bidenâs Electoral College win. The invasion of the Capitol led to five deaths and the temporary suspension of the vote certification until the assailants could be removed. The House voted to impeach him for a second time a week after the events and just a little over a week from him leaving office.

GOP Sen. Mitt Romney says his impeachment vote will be âbased upon the facts and the evidence as is presented.âRomney also says he believes âthat what is being alleged and what we saw, which is incitement to insurrection, is an impeachable offense. If not? what is?â

Illinois Rep Adam Kinzinger

Kinzinger, first elected to Congress in 2010 when voters swept House Republicans into power, has relied on his military background in crafting his legislative priorities, especially on foreign policy. The veteran of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan serves on the House Foreign Affairs panel, as well as Energy and Commerce. Kinzinger initially defended Trumps foreign policy and national security posture, but by 2018 he had become a critic of the commander in chief.;

He voted in line with the president on legislation 90 percent of the time during the Trump years, according to CQ Vote Watch. Kinzinger voted with Trump 85 percent of the time in 2019. Trump carried Kinzingers 16th District, which stretches from Illinois Wisconsin border north of Rockford to its line with Indiana, in 2020. Trump got 57 percent of the vote in the district, according to Daily Kos Elections, while Kinzinger got 65 percent.

He immediately condemned Trump in a video statement on Jan. 6. The storming of the Capitol was a coup attempt, with the purpose of overturning the election of a duly elected president, he said. The current president incited this coup, encouraged it, and did little to protect the Capitol and the Constitution.

Also Check: How Many Democratic Presidents Have Republicans Tried To Impeach

How The Impeachment Vote Could Benefit Trump Gop

Final votes on the articles are expected in the full House next week after they were passed in a party-line vote by the House Judiciary Committee Friday morning.

Slotkin said shes been lobbied by Republicans on the House floor.

I had a Republican colleague who Ive worked with before on a bunch of issues come up and give me a very detailed, thoughtful explanation of why I should vote against articles of impeachment, Slotkin told NBC News last week.

And the across-the-aisle personal lobbying in the Capitol is being reinforced with an aggressive, multi-million dollar political effort in their home districts.

Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics

For example, the American Action Network, an outside political group that works to elect Republicans to the House, has spent more than $1.5 million on campaign ads focused on impeachment since December 10 in those districts as well as the districts represented by Reps. Jared Golden of Maine, Susie Lee of Nevada and Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico. Those ads are slated to run through the votes in the full House of Representatives next week.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said impeachment is a vote of conscience and maintains that Democrats aren’t pressuring their members on which way to vote.

“We are not whipping this legislation,” Pelosi told reporters on Thursday. “People have to come to their own conclusions.”

Donald Trump: Impeached In 2019 And 2021

On October 9, 2019 in Washington, D.C., President Trump answers questions on a pending impeachment inquiry.

On September 24, 2019, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump regarding his alleged efforts to pressure the President of Ukraine to investigate possible wrongdoings by his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.

The decision to authorize the impeachment inquiry came after a leaked whistleblower complaint detailed a July phone conversation between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky in which Trump allegedly tied Ukrainian military aid to personal political favors. The White House later released a reconstructed of the phone call, which many Democrats argued demonstrated that Trump had violated the Constitution.

On December 18, 2019, President Trump became the third U.S. president in history to be impeached as the House of Representatives voted nearly along party lines to impeach him over abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. No Republicans voted in favor of either article of impeachment, while three Democrats voted against one or both.On February 5, 2020, the Senate largely along party lines to acquit Trump on both charges.

Read Also: Are There More Republicans Or Democrats In The House

What To Watch For

While Trumps impeachment in the House is a foregone conclusion, conviction in the Senate is a far murkier question. A handful of senators have advocated Trumps resignation or removal without explicitly voicing support for impeachment, but Democrats may struggle to muster the 17 GOP votes needed to get the necessary two-thirds majority. Additionally, McConnell has signaled a Senate impeachment trial likely wouldnt occur until after Trump has left office.

How Many Senators Will Vote To Convict Donald Trump

Reddit

Now that Donald Trump has been impeached for an historic second time, attention turns to the Senate where, according to the Constitution, a trial will begin. The big question isunlike last year when only one Republican Senator voted to convict Trump on charges resulting from his phone call with the President of Ukrainewill there be 17 Republican senators willing to vote to convict Trump?

Lets start with what we know. Senator Ben Sasse is the only senator who has said clearly that he is open to convicting Trump. Senator Mitt Romney voted to convict last year when Trump was impeached over his phone call with the Ukrainian president. The charges in this impeachment are equally if not more serious, so it seems likely that he too may vote to convict. Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Patrick Toomey have also made statements signaling that theyve had enough of Trump. Murkowski just wants him out, saying He has caused enough damage, and Toomey thinks he committed impeachable offenses but is unsure whether impeachment makes sense this close to the end of the Trump presidency.

Also Check: Do Republicans Want To Cut Social Security And Medicare

Trump Impeachment Odds: How Many Senators Will Vote To Convict

The Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump begins today, February 9, 2021. Accused of incitement of insurrection, the 100 senators will hear arguments from Democratic House Managers and a Republican Congessional defense, with a brand new team of lawyers to defend Trump. How many senators will vote to convict?

The trial itself is interesting in a way, because nearly everyone involved would have been in the Capitol when insurrectionists stormed the building on January 6; the crime that led to this impeachment. So the senators being asked to pass judgement are victims of the crime. But the popular debate has not so much been around whether Trump is guilty, but rather whether America should heal and move on.

To convince Republicans, Democrats are expected to show plenty of video evidence, reminding the senate of what it felt like on that tumultuous day. Trumps defense is expected to argue that, with Trump already out of office, the impeachment is unconstitutional. However, its been rumored that Trump fired his first legal team for refusing to push the 2020 election hoax angle he preferred.

In Trumps first impeachment trial, Utah Senator Mitt Romney was the sole Republican to vote to convict, and hes likely to do the same again, making the 50 or fewer betting option such a long shot. But who will join him?

How Many Senators Will Vote To Convict Donald Trump On Incitement By Apr. 29?

50 Or Fewer+1600

[statetalks]

How Many Republicans Will Vote For Impeachment

Republicans Cant Impeach Joe Biden At Least Not Yet

Rep. Schiff: Only Question Is How Many In GOP Will Support Impeachment | Morning Joe | MSNBC

The ongoing chaos in Afghanistan has led many Republicans to, understandably, criticize President Joe Biden. But at the same time, some have decided to go a step further and call for his impeachment.

Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene filed three articles of impeachment last week against Mr Biden, while Sen Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, his former friend, has called for his impeachment as well.

But if the idea of impeaching Mr Biden sounds ludicrous and politically unfeasible, thats because it is. While Mr Graham, who went from being one of former president Donald Trumps biggest critics to his biggest apologist in the Senate, and Ms Greene, who has done nothing but promote absurd conspiracy theories and antagonize her fellow members, may want to take advantage of the crisis, there is little to no feasible way for it to begin, at least for now.

First and foremost, the major reason is that Republicans are in the minority in the House and the Senate. While some Democrats may not be happy with how Mr Biden managed Afghanistan, immigration or the eviction moratorium, all of which Ms Greene cited, they arent going to collaborate with Republicans to impeach him.

The remote chance of this passing the House aside, if it makes it to the Senate, Republicans would again have to contend with the fact they are in the minority and two-thirds of all Senators need to vote for a conviction. In the last impeachment earlier this year, only seven Republican Senators broke rank.

Read More

Pelosi On Impeachment Votes: ‘we Are Not Whipping This Legislation’

Rep. Anthony Brindisi, another Democrat from a red district in upstate New York, said hes not feeling pressure from Democratic leadership but is hearing from constituents.

The phone is ringing off the hook both people calling pro-impeachment and people calling against impeachment, he told NBC News. And so, we take all of that into consideration and I’m going to take some time this weekend and go back and look at all these transcripts and make sure all the evidence fits the articles of impeachment.

Two critical swing district Democrats have announced their support for impeachment articles. Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., told reporters Thursday that she is going to support both articles of impeachment regardless of the lasting political impacts.

I think it’s equally important today as it will be six months from now to say that I stood up against the President when he did something wrong, Luria said.

And Rep. Conor Lamb , D-Pa., told Pittsburgh affiliate WTAE that hell also vote for the articles.

For Democrats in districts Trump carried in 2016, the decision is fraught with political peril for next November’s elections, especially because the president’s supporters remain mostly united behind him.

A small group of moderate Democrats floated a last-minute proposal of censure instead of impeachment but abandoned the idea when it quickly became clear that such a move would not garner support among the broader Democratic caucus, according to an aide for one of those members.

Republicans Join Democrats In Vote To Push Trump Impeachment Trial Forward

WASHINGTON – Most Republicans in the U.S. Senate voted Tuesday against holding an impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump on whether he incited insurrection in the January 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, signaling that he likely has enough votes to secure an acquittal.

The vote was 55-45 in favor of proceeding with a trial, but only five Republicans joined all 50 Democrats. A two-thirds vote is required for conviction, which would require 17 Republicans to turn against Trump, assuming the Democrats vote as a bloc after hearing the case against him when the trial starts in earnest February 9.

A Trump supporter, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, forced the vote on whether to proceed with the trial, calling it an unconstitutional sham.

Paul contended that the Senate cannot hold a trial of a private citizen, which Trump now is after his term ended last Wednesday and Democrat Joe Biden was inaugurated as the countrys 46th president. The Senate, in fact, has held trials for private citizens in the past.

All 100 senators were sworn in as jurors for the upcoming trial.

The Republican lawmakers hold Trumps fate in their hands, even though the former presidents four-year term in the White House ended January 20 with Bidens inauguration.

Also Check: How Many Republicans Voted To Impeach

Numerous Gop Primary Challengers Could Split Anti

As they prepare to face primary challengers, the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump after his supporters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 raised significantly more money during the first quarter of 2021 than they did two years earlier.

The group, leveraging the power of incumbency, also swamped their GOP primary opponents in almost every instance during the first round of fundraising since angering Mr. Trump with their votes, new Federal Election Commission filings show.

While all the incumbents outraised challengers who filed campaign finance reports, it is still early in the two-year election cycle and money is just one factor in typically low-turnout primaries.

Mr. Trumps political-action committees could also weigh in financially on some of the contests, and his endorsements could carry significant weight with the partys base. The PACs arent required to report their latest totals until July, but one of them, Save America PAC, started the year with $31 million in the bank and has continued to raise money since then.

In a speech earlier this year at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he called out all 10 by name, Mr. Trump told his supporters to get rid of them all in next years elections.

House Impeachment Managers Request Trump To Testify Under Oath Next Week

Democrats requested that Trump testify in person, an offer his attorneys declined. Inside his orbit, there has been disagreement about whether to repeat his groundless claims that the election was stolen or whether to push the procedural argument that appeals to GOP senators.

His attorneys, David Schoen and Bruce Castor Jr., have indicated that they will do the latter, saying in their brief that the impeachment is “unconstitutional, and must be dismissed with prejudice.”

Don’t Miss: Did Any Republicans Vote To Impeach Trump

Republicans Who Voted To Acquit Trump Used Questions Of Constitutionality As A Cover

Following the vote, McConnell gave a scathing speech condemning Trumps lies about election fraud as well as his actions on January 6, only moments after he supported acquittal.

That speech was emblematic of how many Republican senators approached the impeachment vote: Although GOP lawmakers were critical of the attack on January 6, they used a process argument about constitutionality in order to evade confronting Trump on his actual actions.

Effectively, because Trump is no longer in office, Republicans say the Senate doesnt have jurisdiction to convict him of the article of impeachment. As Voxs Ian Millhiser explained, theres some debate over that, but most legal scholars maintain that it is constitutional for the Senate to try a former president.

If President Trump were still in office, I would have carefully considered whether the House managers proved their specific charge, McConnell said. McConnell, however, played an integral role in delaying the start of the trial until after Trump was no longer president.

His statement on Saturday was simply a continuation of how Republicans had previously approached Trumps presidency: Theres been an overwhelming hesitation to hold him accountable while he was in office, and that still appears to be the case for many lawmakers.

Articles Referred To Senate

Article I, charging Clinton with perjury, alleged in part that:

On August 17, 1998, William Jefferson Clinton swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth before a federal grand jury of the United States. Contrary to that oath, William Jefferson Clinton willfully provided perjurious, false and misleading testimony to the grand jury concerning one or more of the following:

the nature and details of his relationship with a subordinate government employee; prior perjurious, false and misleading testimony he gave in a federal civil rights action brought against him; prior false and misleading statements he allowed his attorney to make to a federal judge in that civil rights action; and his corrupt efforts to influence the testimony of witnesses and to impede the discovery of evidence in that civil rights action.

Article II, charging Clinton with obstruction of justice alleged in part that:

Clinton was defended by Cheryl Mills. Clinton’s counsel staff included Charles Ruff, David E. Kendall, Dale Bumpers, Bruce Lindsey, Nicole Seligman, Lanny A. Breuer and Gregory B. Craig.

Don’t Miss: What Are The Basic Differences Between Democrats And Republicans

Michigan Rep Fred Upton

Upton, an 18-term lawmaker who previously held the gavel of the Energy and Commerce Committee, is something of an endangered species on Capitol Hill: a relatively moderate Republican who isnt afraid to cross the aisle to vote with Democrats. Fellow lawmakers and outsiders who lobby Upton say hes a pragmatist. Hes part of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group working to build consensus on legislation.

The former committee chairmans 6th District, nestled in the states touristy southwestern corner that includes Lake Michigan shoreline as well as Kalamazoo, voted 51 percent for Trump in 2020, according to Daily Kos Elections. Upton won reelection with 56 percent of the vote last year. Since 2017, the longtime congressman voted in line with Trumps position on legislation 78 percent of the time, according to CQ Vote Watch.

Bringing Trauma Back To Life

10 Republicans Cross Party Lines To Vote For Trump’s Second Impeachment

The terrifying invasion of the Capitol was illuminated through never before heard audio of police screaming that a riot had broken out, fresh security video of the armed, violent insurrectionists pouring in and then-Vice President Mike Pence and others fleeing, and parallel maps showing just how close Trump’s minions came to capturing and injuring or killing Pence, Sen. Mitt Romney and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The managers finished by hammering home the ex-president’s response once the rioting began: protracted inaction, repetition of the election lies that led to the violence,;and telling the insurrectionists he loved them. ; ; ; ; ; ;

The managers poured a surprising degree of emotion into their arguments. Whether it was Rep. Madeleine Dean choking up as she recalled her terror, or Rep. Eric Swalwell reading what he thought might be his farewell text to his family, it hit home.;Most powerful of all was lead manager Rep. Jamie Raskin’s closing;Tuesday. He brought the trauma back to life for the jurors, who were also present on that horrible day, in recounting;his and his family’s experiences.;His genuine tears flowed for them ;and for all;the tragedies that unfolded Jan. 6.

You May Like: What Cities Are Run By Republicans

Why Is Trump On Trial

Trumps second impeachment stems from his involvement in whipping up a mob on 6 January that went on to assault the Capitol building while a joint session of Congress was convened to certify Joe Bidenâs Electoral College win. The invasion of the Capitol led to five deaths and the temporary suspension of the vote certification until the assailants could be removed. The House voted to impeach him for a second time a week after the events and just a little over a week from him leaving office.

GOP Sen. Mitt Romney says his impeachment vote will be âbased upon the facts and the evidence as is presented.âRomney also says he believes âthat what is being alleged and what we saw, which is incitement to insurrection, is an impeachable offense. If not? what is?â

Illinois Rep Adam Kinzinger

Kinzinger, first elected to Congress in 2010 when voters swept House Republicans into power, has relied on his military background in crafting his legislative priorities, especially on foreign policy. The veteran of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan serves on the House Foreign Affairs panel, as well as Energy and Commerce. Kinzinger initially defended Trumps foreign policy and national security posture, but by 2018 he had become a critic of the commander in chief.;

He voted in line with the president on legislation 90 percent of the time during the Trump years, according to CQ Vote Watch. Kinzinger voted with Trump 85 percent of the time in 2019. Trump carried Kinzingers 16th District, which stretches from Illinois Wisconsin border north of Rockford to its line with Indiana, in 2020. Trump got 57 percent of the vote in the district, according to Daily Kos Elections, while Kinzinger got 65 percent.

He immediately condemned Trump in a video statement on Jan. 6. The storming of the Capitol was a coup attempt, with the purpose of overturning the election of a duly elected president, he said. The current president incited this coup, encouraged it, and did little to protect the Capitol and the Constitution.

Also Check: How Many Democratic Presidents Have Republicans Tried To Impeach

How The Impeachment Vote Could Benefit Trump Gop

Final votes on the articles are expected in the full House next week after they were passed in a party-line vote by the House Judiciary Committee Friday morning.

Slotkin said shes been lobbied by Republicans on the House floor.

I had a Republican colleague who Ive worked with before on a bunch of issues come up and give me a very detailed, thoughtful explanation of why I should vote against articles of impeachment, Slotkin told NBC News last week.

And the across-the-aisle personal lobbying in the Capitol is being reinforced with an aggressive, multi-million dollar political effort in their home districts.

Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics

For example, the American Action Network, an outside political group that works to elect Republicans to the House, has spent more than $1.5 million on campaign ads focused on impeachment since December 10 in those districts as well as the districts represented by Reps. Jared Golden of Maine, Susie Lee of Nevada and Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico. Those ads are slated to run through the votes in the full House of Representatives next week.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said impeachment is a vote of conscience and maintains that Democrats aren’t pressuring their members on which way to vote.

“We are not whipping this legislation,” Pelosi told reporters on Thursday. “People have to come to their own conclusions.”

Donald Trump: Impeached In 2019 And 2021

On October 9, 2019 in Washington, D.C., President Trump answers questions on a pending impeachment inquiry.

On September 24, 2019, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump regarding his alleged efforts to pressure the President of Ukraine to investigate possible wrongdoings by his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.

The decision to authorize the impeachment inquiry came after a leaked whistleblower complaint detailed a July phone conversation between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky in which Trump allegedly tied Ukrainian military aid to personal political favors. The White House later released a reconstructed of the phone call, which many Democrats argued demonstrated that Trump had violated the Constitution.

On December 18, 2019, President Trump became the third U.S. president in history to be impeached as the House of Representatives voted nearly along party lines to impeach him over abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. No Republicans voted in favor of either article of impeachment, while three Democrats voted against one or both.On February 5, 2020, the Senate largely along party lines to acquit Trump on both charges.

Read Also: Are There More Republicans Or Democrats In The House

What To Watch For

While Trumps impeachment in the House is a foregone conclusion, conviction in the Senate is a far murkier question. A handful of senators have advocated Trumps resignation or removal without explicitly voicing support for impeachment, but Democrats may struggle to muster the 17 GOP votes needed to get the necessary two-thirds majority. Additionally, McConnell has signaled a Senate impeachment trial likely wouldnt occur until after Trump has left office.

How Many Senators Will Vote To Convict Donald Trump

Reddit

Now that Donald Trump has been impeached for an historic second time, attention turns to the Senate where, according to the Constitution, a trial will begin. The big question isunlike last year when only one Republican Senator voted to convict Trump on charges resulting from his phone call with the President of Ukrainewill there be 17 Republican senators willing to vote to convict Trump?

Lets start with what we know. Senator Ben Sasse is the only senator who has said clearly that he is open to convicting Trump. Senator Mitt Romney voted to convict last year when Trump was impeached over his phone call with the Ukrainian president. The charges in this impeachment are equally if not more serious, so it seems likely that he too may vote to convict. Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Patrick Toomey have also made statements signaling that theyve had enough of Trump. Murkowski just wants him out, saying He has caused enough damage, and Toomey thinks he committed impeachable offenses but is unsure whether impeachment makes sense this close to the end of the Trump presidency.

Also Check: Do Republicans Want To Cut Social Security And Medicare

Trump Impeachment Odds: How Many Senators Will Vote To Convict

The Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump begins today, February 9, 2021. Accused of incitement of insurrection, the 100 senators will hear arguments from Democratic House Managers and a Republican Congessional defense, with a brand new team of lawyers to defend Trump. How many senators will vote to convict?

The trial itself is interesting in a way, because nearly everyone involved would have been in the Capitol when insurrectionists stormed the building on January 6; the crime that led to this impeachment. So the senators being asked to pass judgement are victims of the crime. But the popular debate has not so much been around whether Trump is guilty, but rather whether America should heal and move on.

To convince Republicans, Democrats are expected to show plenty of video evidence, reminding the senate of what it felt like on that tumultuous day. Trumps defense is expected to argue that, with Trump already out of office, the impeachment is unconstitutional. However, its been rumored that Trump fired his first legal team for refusing to push the 2020 election hoax angle he preferred.

In Trumps first impeachment trial, Utah Senator Mitt Romney was the sole Republican to vote to convict, and hes likely to do the same again, making the 50 or fewer betting option such a long shot. But who will join him?

How Many Senators Will Vote To Convict Donald Trump On Incitement By Apr. 29?

50 Or Fewer+1600

source https://www.patriotsnet.com/how-many-republicans-will-vote-for-impeachment/

[miki-agrawal]

16 Nifty Sanitization Things to Make Everything in Your Life Less Gross

Get your clean on with these sanitization products that will de-grossify everything from your phone to the air!

Originally Posted On eonline.com By Von Carly Milne, Emily Spain On Feb 07, 2021

We independently selected these products because we love them, and we hope you do too. Shop with E! has affiliate relationships, so we may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Items are sold by the retailer, not E!.

Guck. Grime. Germs. Ew! Even if you’re not phobic about such things, it helps to do a deep clean every once in a while and get your stuff (or your home) in spotless shape.

But sometimes you’re not sure where to start, or you’re not sure what else exists beyond bleach to help you get your life de-gunked. Fret not! We scoped out some interesting, fascinating and downright magical goodies that will help you sanitize your world and make it more livable. For example? You’ll definitely want something to sanitize your phone, which is a known germ farm. There’s some cool kitchen goodies that can clean and deodorize. And if you really want to go hardcore, you can purify the air and eliminate the germs floating around your home. (Again we say: ew!)

Our favorite? The TUSHY Spa 3.0 bidet attachment for your toilet that has over 7,500 5-star reviews!

So grab some of the goodies below and join us on a quest to rid the world of icky stuff. Because it’s never too early to start spring cleaning.

Cleanse My Sole Sanitizing Shoe Door Mat

Prevent the spread of dirt and germs before walking in the door! Just step on to the sponge mat, rub the soles of your shoes back and forth to clean and disinfect. Then the microfiber mat side will absorb any excess moisture on your shoes.

$40

Amazon

PhoneSoap Smartphone Sanitizer

Surely you know that your phone is a breeding ground for bacteria. Zap those germs before they infect your life, and charge your phone at the same time, with this awesome phone sanitizer. Just plunk it inside and plug it into the charger, close the lid, and let your peace of mind take over while ultra-violet light gets rid of all the ickies your phone picks up over the course of a day. And if you can’t wait for it to finish its decontamination process, the sanitizer features an amplifier so you can listen to music while it de-grossifies. Also? It made the cut on Shark Tank! Now you can buy one and get another for 50% off.

$80

PhoneSoap

Plink Garbage Disposer Cleaner and Deodorizer

It’s unsurprising garbage disposals are gross, given what we put them through. But what is surprising is how easy they are to clean when you use Plink. Just drop one of these magic pearls into your disposal, and its fizzy enzymatic formula will not only clean your drain, deodorize it and remove foul odors, but it’ll also make your kitchen smell yummy thanks to a tart lemon scent. Plus, it’s biodegradable and doesn’t contain phosphates.

$11

Amazon

Larq Self-Cleaning Water Bottle

Yes, you read that right: this water bottle cleans itself! How? The bottle activates every two hours to bask the water and inner surface of the bottle in purifying UV-C LED light, which eliminates up to 99.9999% of bio-contaminants. That means your water bottle remains stink-free, germ free, and odor-causing bacteria free. And you don’t need replacement filters or batteries to keep it that way! One charge via USB lasts from one to two months.

$95

Revolve

$95

Neiman Marcus

Vie Oli UV-C Sanitizing Toothbrush Holder

We’re all guilty of leaving our bathroom counters a mess which means our toothbrushes are often exposed to all kinds of stuff! However, this nifty toothbrush holder is designed to disinfect your toothbrush from 99.9% of bacteria.

$20

Anthropologie

Bottle Bright Natural Cleaning Tablets

But if you prefer the analog format of water bottle, or you’re just forgetful about cleaning ’em, then you’re definitely going to need these. In addition to being biodegradable, chlorine free and environmentally safe, they’ll remove stubborn stains and odors with ease. Just fill your bottle with hot water, drop in a tablet, let it fizz for 15 to 30 minutes, then pour it out. And voila! You have a spotless, non-grody drinking vessel for your favorite beverage.

$8

Amazon

Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner

Even if you’re not wearing your finest gems while you’re working up a sweat at the gym, just the usual daily wear infused them with the grit and grime of day to day life. Zap the junk off your jewelry, watches, and even your eyeglasses with this jewelry cleaner, which uses tap water and 42,000 Hz of ultrasonic sound waves to get rid of any gunk that may be living in or on your baubles and trinkets. There’s an internal basket that keeps your goodies safe, and five preset cleaning cycles with an auto shut off in case you forget about them.

$45

Amazon

Skonyon UV Lighter Sanitizer Mini Handheld Sanitizer Travel Wand UV Light

You can use this magical wand to kill 99.9% of bacteria in your home, car, workplace and more. Plus, it easily folds up and is travel-friendly!

$20

Walmart

Drill Brush Attachment Set

Get down to the nitty gritty with this brush set, which easily attaches to your power drill to give you the scrubbing power you never knew you wanted, but definitely needed. There’s an attachment that will work for everything, from scrubbing your bathroom floor, everything in the kitchen, even your car, carpet and upholstery. Scour large surfaces, hard to reach spots, and everything in between thanks to a variety of attachments that make it easy to scrub away pretty much anything that may be tipping off your inner clean freak. Your home will be hospital-level clean in no time.

$9

Amazon

Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Your bathroom might only be bested by your phone for being a germ factory, especially when it comes to the toilet. But what do you do when you want to get it ridiculously clean without harming the environment? This toilet bowl cleaner from Seventh Generation is the answer. Not only does it tackle stubborn stains, but it leaves your bowl (and surrounding area) spotless without using chlorine, synthetic fragrances, dyes or ammonia. You also might want to think about….

$27

$24

Amazon

Tushy Spa 3.0

Okay, hear us out on this one. We know that the concept of a bidet squicks a lot of people out, but you’ll be missing out on one of the great joys in life: a spotless tushy, no matter what kind of bathroom shenanigans you may have endured. And the good news is, you don’t have to buy an entirely new unit for your bathroom to experience this joy. The Tushy Spa easily attaches to your existing toilet system, dousing your butt in cool or warm water (you’ll need the unit to be close to your tap to get the warm). There’s pressure and targeting controls to ensure you get clean where you want, and the nozzle is self-cleaning. Trust us. You’ll thank us later.

$149

$119

Tushy

PetSafe ScoopFree Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

And while we’re on the subject, have you ever thought about your cat’s litter box situation? Let’s face it: it’s not pleasant for either of you, but this little gadget may change that. It’s a litter box that scoops away the dirty business your cat leaves behind, and stashes it into a disposable tray that helps eliminate odors. Once the tray is full, toss it, replace it, and then lather, rinse, repeat. You won’t have to scoop, your cat won’t have to dodge its own presents as it waits for you to scoop, your home will never smell of used litter, and all that adds up to a more sanitary experience for all.

$140

Amazon

Buncha Farmers Stain Remover Stick

Swipe a little of this on any stains you might be struggling with, and you’ll think there’s some kind of magic going on. Because how on earth could a biodegradable, environmentally-friendly product remove stains ranging from grass to grease, including red wine, ketchup, ink, blood and more… and do all that with minimal effort? You won’t know until you try it, so give it a shot and see the magic for yourself.

$5

Amazon

Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier

Yeah, dusting will do a little bit of good, but when you really want to wipe the junk out of your home, go for a solid air purifier. This one reduces harmful germs, dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other allergens as small as .3 microns from the air. Plus, it reduces 99.7% of harmful germs thanks to UV C light, which helps kill airborne viruses including influenza, staph and rhinovirus, and works with Titanium Dioxide to reduce volatile organic compounds. Yes please. Also? It was one of our Amazon best sellers from 2019.

$85

Amazon

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Peppermint Hand Sanitizer

Love hand sanitizers, but hate the way they feel like they’re stripping the skin off your hands? Then you want this spray from Dr. Bronner. It’s chemical-free but still insanely effective, thanks to the antiseptic properties of organic ethyl alcohol and glycerin. And though it comes in several scents, we love the peppermint for a little aromatherapy kick that will brighten your day. Just spray it on your hands, rub them together, and you’re good to go!

$4

Thrive Market

UV-Clean Portable Sanitizer Bag

Need something to sanitize on the go! This sanitizing bag eliminates 99.9% of bacteria from the surface of personal items in just one minute.

$100

Anthropologie

For more must-have items you didn’t know you needed in your life, check out 10 Things to Help Rest Your Eyes From Too Much Screen Time!

Tushy is a bidet startup which aims to replace toilet paper, Tushy was founded by Miki Agrawal.