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tealin · 1 year ago

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Antarctic Food

Below you will find my account of eating at McMurdo, but PBS did a whole special on it which has more privileged access and, like, moving pictures and stuff. I highly recommend watching that if you're at all interested in the food question.

As other pleasures in life are restricted or eliminated, food gains significance beyond mere nutrition. When removed from the comforts and diversions of civilisation for months or years at a time, polar explorers had to pay particular attention to the culinary side of their enterprise. Scott learned this the hard way on the Discovery, when their cook was so bad he was sent home after the first year and others took over his job in shifts. Shackleton, on his second visit to Antarctica, brought all sorts of tinned delicacies, and left a lot of them behind in his hut at Cape Royds, which the Terra Nova men would raid on day trips from Cape Evans. Scott was much more careful with his choice of cook on his second expedition, and in his journal he continually praises Clissold's cooking – though Atkinson, writing for a publication he knew no one would read, says that Archer (the ship's cook, who filled in after Clissold was invalided home) was a far superior chef, and made the miserable second winter that much more bearable.

The expeditions of the early 20th Century brought down crates and crates of imperishables – tinned vegetables, powdered milk and eggs, and dry goods like flour, sugar, and tea. These were necessary, of course, but were ultimately supplemental to the core of their diet, which was the produce of Antarctica itself. In fact, in a letter laying out contingency plans if the Terra Nova Expedition were stranded in Antarctica, Scott says not to worry for their safety because the continent provides enough food to keep a party happily fed; they would only be wanting the comforts of a civilised menu. Mostly what the continent provided was seals, whose meat (especially livers) contained enough Vitamin C to stave off scurvy, but penguins and their eggs also regularly passed through the kitchen, and the contents of the marine biologist's net – once properly enumerated and dissected, of course – would often end up in the frying pan. The Notothenia fish was commonly eaten at breakfast, appreciated for its 'sweet' and 'nutty' flavour. Notothenia’s claim to fame is the sugar in its blood that acts as an antifreeze, so this is hardly a surprise.

Thanks to the Antarctic Treaty forbidding the killing of animals for consumption, modern Antarctic larders are not stocked with local wildlife, and as far as I know, no one down there now has tasted the sweetness of Notothenia. They do, however, have the advantage of modern transport and food storage, not to mention a century's worth of advances in the study of nutrition, so the diet of the present-day Antarctican is fresher, healthier, and much more diverse.

McMurdo Station's annual food supply arrives in one lump delivery, every January, on a big cargo ship from California. From the harbour where the Discovery berthed, it goes into climate-controlled storage, either to the dry goods store or to the freezer, which is a whole building off the cafeteria in the main station hub. A freezer, in Antarctica? Why, yes, because food safety regulations require frozen food to be kept at a constant temperature, and the only way to ensure that is to build an enormous manmade freezer in the land of ice and snow. In the summer, temperatures at McMurdo will wander around freezing, so this is entirely practical, but for much of the year, it's actually warmer inside the freezer than outside.

The modern Antarctic commissariat is not entirely divorced from its Edwardian predecessor, though – frozen vegetables taste fresher than tinned, and are more nutritious and palatable, but they are not fresh; powdered milk and powdered eggs are still the status quo. During the summer, perishable groceries – called 'freshies' – come down on the flights from New Zealand, if there is room after the passengers and equipment are loaded. After a month of flight cancellations, fresh apples and oranges are greeted with as much delight as they were on the arrival of relief ships in the Heroic Age, and the appearance of a salad bar in the Galley prompts general rejoicing.

The US Antarctic Program has its roots in the Navy, and McMurdo is still provisioned by one of the big firms that supplies the US military. Having had experience with industrial-scale American catering in California, I had moderate expectations of the quality of food at McMurdo, but it was surprisingly good. One might argue that the excitement of being there and the daily energy expenditure would be a good sauce for anything, and this may be true, but against this I would argue that dry air impedes one's ability to taste – that fact it was so flavourful at all is significant. People kept apologising for the food in the Galley and I kept telling them, earnestly, that it was better than the food in the Disney commissary. They didn't believe me, but I firmly attest this; I ate at Disney on my return journey and have confirmed it by direct comparison. I know they were working with roughly the same quality of ingredients, but the chefs at McMurdo reliably made things delightful to eat, which is more than I can say for the other place. Why this should be is anyone's guess ... Working as a Galley Rat is one of the few ways enthusiasts can get down to the Ice, so it's full of keen, intelligent, and curious cooks, and maybe that rubs off on the food. There are people who come back to tackle the unique challenges of Antarctic cuisine year after year, so maybe they're more experienced and invested in the job. My personal theory is that because they have to eat the food, too, of course they're invested in making it tasty – I suspect the folks behind the counter in LA have much better meals waiting for them when they get home.

Mealtimes follow a strict schedule:

5:30-7:30 Breakfast (many a time I missed the cutoff, woe)

11:00-13:00 Lunch

17:00 to 19:30 Dinner. There was always a portion of the cafeteria serving breakfast food at this time; this was reserved for the night shift workers, who got a reprise of the day shift's dinner for their lunch. If you really liked whatever was served for dinner, nothing could stop you coming around again for another go at midnight.

The one exception to this was Sunday, when a brunch would be served from 10 to 12. The service in the chapel started at 10 as well, and was very weak competition. Brunch was always excellent, and being the single day off, was often where one would meet up with people who were too busy during the week.

If you failed to make a mealtime for any reason, there was always something on offer. A fridge would be stocked with packaged leftovers, sandwiches, and other food-to-go – when I had a day out, I would eat breakfast and then grab my lunch from this fridge. On one occasion, dinner included fried okra (one of my faves, rarely had outside the States) and after stuffing myself with it, I nabbed two or three extra portions and cached them in my dorm room mini-fridge to enjoy later.

In a challenging environment, with a lot of people doing energy-intensive jobs, calories are important. There was only one rule regulating portions: Take what you want, but eat what you take. With a finite amount of food on hand, and delivery only once a year, food waste is anathema – if you need it, then eat it, but do not throw any away.

The menu seemed to originate with whatever presented itself in the enormous freezer, though perhaps in November and December it was dictated more by what remained in it, prior to the new shipment. We didn't suffer for want of variety, though: if anything, we benefited from a surfeit of prawns, including great bowls of them at Sunday brunch. I found myself wondering if the US military had a contract for most of the catch from the Gulf, and how much of their famously inflated budget went into that; I suspect, in reality, the kitchen just hit a seam of prawn in the recesses of the freezer and had to use it up. As a devotee of all shapes of sea bug, I was in seventh heaven, and did my level best to help McMurdo clear the surplus.

Once new food was defrosted and cooked up, it would cascade through various dishes down the week, as leftovers were repurposed to minimise waste. Usually this was successful, but sometimes they had to try a little harder ...

A variety of cuisines were offered, some of which were more successful than others. They seemed to reflect the makeup of the US military, for whom the rations would have been designed. The best dishes were the meat-and-potatoes variety (my minder said that if she were on Death Row, she'd ask for McMurdo Pot Roast for her last meal), Italian, Southern (see above re: okra), and what I assume was Tex Mex – the only misstep on the last count was an almost inedibly hot 'taco soup' which may have been more of a delivery vehicle for leftovers than an intentional dish. The only disappointments were anything attempting to be Asian, and the fish, which, due to the circumstances, was always overcooked. Provision was always made for vegetarians and even vegans, but I can't say I noticed many people adhering strictly to those diets. I suppose if the animals are already dead and in the freezer, there's little difference whether you eat them or not.

There was also, always, pizza. It was left in one of those tiered heated racks like you get at a buck-a-slice takeaway pizzeria, but this was no buck-a-slice pizza, this was McMurdo pizza, and McMurdo pizza is AMAZING. My brother-in-law's cousin went to super legit pizza school in Naples, and gets queues down the street wherever he opens a pizzeria. He makes the best pizza I have ever had anywhere; McMurdo’s wasn't quite as good as his, but it was pretty darn close. It's a testament to how good the rest of the food was that I didn't just have pizza for every meal. The pizza kitchen runs 24 hours a day, and takes orders for pickup from all across the base. If you're flying out to a field camp, it's good manners to take their pizza order and deliver it to them hot and fresh. For all the advances in food technology since the Heroic Age, surely the greatest has to be the McMurdo Pizza.

We were reminded constantly how important hydration was, and the Galley offered a range of liquids at all hours. To my surprise, what looked like a soda fountain offered not pop but fruit juice – grapefruit, orange, cranberry, and apple, though one or more often ran out before the end of breakfast. There were enormous urns of extremely weak coffee – a provision, I supposed, for its diuretic effects – though with 10-hour workdays and very early starts, a little more oomph would have gone a long way. Experienced hands, and those of discerning tastes, brought their own coffee or sourced it somehow from the stores. The kitchenette in the Crary library was full of people's personal coffee-making supplies as they sought a more effective brew.

I had been warned that if I liked tea, I should bring my own; this was a sound warning, as the black tea on offer looked and smelled as though it had been on a shelf for about a decade. What I had not been warned about was that the only 'milk' on hand for one's coffee or tea was, in most places, 'coffee whitener', a ubiquitous Americanism which I'd completely forgotten about (or supressed?) since moving away. For those who've not had the privilege of its acquaintance, this is a blend of margarine, sugar, synthetic vanilla, and titanium dioxide, rendered into a powder by some unknown chemical process and packaged up to pass for milk. (I think it might be illegal in Europe. I've certainly not seen it around.) The Galley had the base's only dispenser of actual mammalian lactation – reconstituted from powdered, of course. If I were to go again, I would bring a small bottle to fill there with 'real' milk, which I could take away for tea purposes elsewhere. There were boxes of UHT milk available for purchase in the shop, and had I been staying longer I might have invested in some, but for just a splash per cuppa, it hardly seemed worthwhile.

The undisputed star of the Galley was the soft serve ice cream dispenser, named Frosty Boy (or Boi), an ancient beast that was such an institution that it was rumoured the USAP had bought another one from a junkyard just for parts. The Thing to Do was, instead of putting milk or coffee whitener in your coffee, to use a dollop of Frosty Boy instead – I'm not sure which end of the dairy/non-dairy spectrum his product was nearest, but it did go well in the coffee, such as it was. More often than not while I was there, Frosty Boy exuded only a watery splutter rather than creamy delight – even when he was working, the product was rather gritty – but I was assured he was just going through a phase, and would be right again soon. I got the impression that if anyone tried replacing the machine with something more reliable, or which produced something more resembling ice cream, there'd be a protest. We shall see if Frosty Boy survives the station revamp, as the NSF seems keen to scrub out any vestiges of character ...

I have brought two things back from the McMurdo Galley, and they're things that go right back to the beginning: powdered milk and powdered egg. Even when I'm near a shop with both in fresh form, it's convenient to have the powdered on hand for recipes. I really only use milk to splash in my tea and coffee, so don't keep a large amount in my fridge, but recipes often call for far more than I have – so instead of making a trip for the extra, I can just mix it up on demand. I've also taken on the Perpetual Yoghurt: McMurdo makes its own yoghurt from its vast reserves of powdered milk, using a bit of the last batch to inoculate the next, and it turns out this is perfectly doable at home, too. Eggs eaten as eggs are better fresh, of course, but when providing structure in a recipe, no one's going to notice if they've been reconstituted, and then I can save my 'real' eggs for when they'll be appreciated. It's a good system, and economical, too. Alas, the pizza isn't as easy to replicate at home ...

For more information on McMurdo food – The Antarctic Sun newsletter put out this podcast: https://antarcticsun.usap.gov/features/4329/ I didn't mention how good the desserts were; I was lucky enough to share my time at McMurdo with Rose McAdoo, who was featured in this story on NPR: https://text.npr.org/779463164

#antarctica #food #mcmurdo station #cuisine #resourcefulness #powdered milk #frosty boi #pizza

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betterbemeta · 3 months ago

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'Like they know how intolerable it is right now, that's why they promise their followers slaves to relieve the burden.' i promise this is a genuine question but what does that have to do with hello fresh

It has to do with the 'convenience economy' being built on the back of exploited labor, and meal subscription services are part of that economy.

It's sort of like... "what if instead of improving conditions people find intolerable, we make money or gain political power off of those conditions instead?"

On the scale of the home: slashing wages and understaffing positions and the scarcity of jobs that pay a living wage means that people have fewer resources and less time to support themselves. The right wing in my country drives this: destroying unions, opposing labor rights, and by other means. The right wing in my country also is very strongly affiliated with the idea of the 'traditional family' where a male parent is a breadwinner and a female parent is a homemaker. They sell this white middle class fantasy for a lot of reasons but one of them is to maintain a special division of labor between men and women... where women function mainly to automate the household that belongs to the man, and more privileged women can defer this to less privileged women. While this is not directly 'related' to Hello Fresh or similar services in specific, these services exist to profiteer off of the worsening of conditions that make right-wing hierarchical promises more 'appealing' to some. If independent life is too 'hard' and there are no safety nets remaining, then the options are to get a wife or be someone else's wife and that's what our right wing wants for its core base. While everyone else becomes a second tier servant automating the lives of the most wealthy households in some way in addition to having to live their own lives.

On the scale of supply and distribution: food subscription services do not actually have as big of supply chains as major grocery stores, and supply chains are actually where most of the money in food production goes: for example, in 2020 the median price paid to broiler chicken growers was around 6.79 cents per live-weight pound. But nobody pays that in the store for chicken because the labor, materials, and fuel to slaughter it, package it, inspect it, transport it, is expensive even before we get into profit at every step. So when services like hello fresh say they can charge less than grocery stores but also do not own any of the steps in between you and the food, and aren't eliminating that many steps other than the grocery store itself... if you aren't eating the cost of that once the one-time discounted rate expires, the economy of low-wage workers, or even unpaid workers, likely is at a point in the process. Eventually the only way to get cheaper labor is to use prisoners (read: slaves) which already happens everywhere in the USA's food industry. Our right wing is really REALLY opposed to prison reform because of this economic exploitation and worsens conditions such that people can only rely on cheaper and cheaper products... and meal subscription services exploit this same desperation. It's in the interest of both for desperation to get worse.

and I'm not gonna get into how 'logistics workers' or 'last leg delivery' has its own human rights discussions involved.

TL;DR-- there won't be a simple causal answer like "hello fresh uses slaves" because I don't know that. But the intolerable conditions that services like hello Fresh Style themselves as a 'relief to,' ARE linked to slavery in the domestic and industrial spheres. They are both 'relief options' for what would otherwise be completely unsustainable. This isn't new; fast food, fast fashion, etc. are also considered conveniences like this that ultimately promote the conditions where slavery thrives... but the situation is escalating as economic inequality gets worse over time and the demands of infinite growth get steeper every year.

Our right wing makes things so awful that it feels impossible to get through life without paying a massive convenience fee (being wealthy) or without a servant to do things for you (being wealthy, x2).

If something says its cheaper than the grocery store it has to be lying because you can't be cheaper than owning the factory and having slaves operate the factory. Either it isn't less expensive, or it's taking advantage of all of that exploitation too.

and if you can sell one way to be 'faster than the grocery store' so widely, way way beyond only exploiting disabled people or isolated people without personal transportation... somebody else can probably sell another way to be faster than the grocery store. which is to have a tradwife to take care of all of that for you instead of hello fresh.

#btw the point of this post is NOT to freak you out like 'well what can i eat NOW?'#many MANY things have to change in a serious way for conditions to improve #also btw the right wing 'Women in the Kitchen' thing is NOT a normal 'division of household labor' most normal couples engage in #they truly intend women to be destitute without this life path and for it to be considered a Purpose women cannot shed #you know like machines have a Purpose and Function. machines! those things people own. are we getting it

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girl4music · 3 months ago

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youtube

“I mean I was lucky enough to get something on the series which is incredibly rare - which is the chance to write an ending. A happy ending. That’s so rare, right? ‘Cause you’re always chasing that renewal. So that was more intimidating than anything to be honest and like what a conundrum to be like ‘well, I kind of already gave them the fairytale ending and now I got to shake it up’. But, you know, once I kind of reckoned with the fact that it had been a couple of years, I was like ‘well, we should tell that story about getting older, maturing and what happens after happily ever after and how there’s different ways to be happy’. It’s not a story that we tell that often so that kind of clicked together. That really helped for all of us with the cast to be like ‘just be who we are now and tell that story’”

“You need conflict in a story, right? You do. People think they want WayHaught sitting on the couch 24/7. Actually, you don’t. All the tough times are going to make the good times sweeter, right? So I did have to kind of push myself to make sure these were conflicts or arguments or fights or obstacles that we hadn’t seen before. But just by virtue of the fact these characters did share such a rich history, knew each other well. but also like maybe been apart for a while now, right? Like maybe the Purgatory that Wynonna and Doc are coming back to is not the Purgatory that she left. WayHaught have kind of been domestic and what does that look like? Is everybody happy at home at where their lives are? There’s lots of very real grown up problems we can talk about and challenges but at the same time - we got sexy demons coming in.”

“I don’t know about shock but we have a very fun villain for the special. They’re phenomenal. They are - first off - they have incredible hair - which Wynonna is very threatened by. But also I think maybe someone that Wynonna doesn’t see coming. Someone that maybe touches a little bit on who she used to be versus who she is now and really challenges, I would say, her idea of how she sees herself now as a hero - which is very fresh. Plus, she’s badass, so look out!”

Okay, Emily Andras is HANDS DOWN my favourite showrunner ever in the history of anything ever.

She just - the things she puts as a priority (cast/crew safety, security and comfort most of all) just floors me being so well versed on a TV art/entertainment industry that never really cares about any of these things if they know that it’s not going to benefit them. Andras is just really adamant about the stories that she wants to tell are always aligning with the wants and needs of not only her audience, but also her team. You know she really cares about other’s visions but not to the point that she’ll sacrifice her own vision. She finds the balance and she uses that balance well. That balance of “This is my story - but wait, no - this is not just MY story - this is a story many more need.” No wonder she’s so good at providing representation.

It’s unprecedented for me to witness in all honesty that there’s actually a major showrunner that exists that puts the focus on and the effort in what’s best for EVERYONE in EVERYTHING. Every situation. Even with the fictional characters - she thinks about what it is they really need to go through and be challenged by and overcome to cultivate their growth as opposed to the easier route of doing the same old same old because it’s not risky. She goes for the risk but she thinks about what that means in terms of how it helps transform and transport the characters into new and interesting places in themselves and their dynamics.

She’s a showrunner that just completely UNDERSTANDS THE ASSIGNMENT and she can laugh in my face at that all she wants. It’s the truth.

I’d give anything to talk to this woman at a convention. Most of the reason I don’t even go to conventions is because the creators are never there for it. Just cast. And the cast are great - don’t get me wrong. But I want to talk to the people behind the ideas, behind the developments. Behind the story of what I’m watching. The people behind the camera and in the writing room that know these characters like the back of their hand. That understand the themes and tones and narratives. I can’t talk to somebody that doesn’t truly know the answers to all of this and can give me them in-depth. At the end of the day I’m passionate about everything the art itself has to offer - as mundane as it may be - and I want to have just as passionate of conversations about it so I have to talk to the creators over the cast.

#wynonna earp: vengeance #wynonna earp #vengeance #showrunner #head writer #executive producer #emily andras #SDCC 2024 #san diego comic con #showbiz junkies

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kozykricket · 1 year ago

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An Allay Revamp

Alright, I've mentioned I have issues with allays, some of them being nitpicky, and some of them being common complaints. Lets rapidfire address them. FYI, I am a big allay fan, they're super duper cute and i love the idea of using them for item collection for slightly less efficient but more whimsical farms :3 Issues: -Noteblocks dont really work as a "home block" because they have to be constantly (every 30 seconds) activated, and the whole "musical base" idea doesnt really work in practice, because you have to play the note so often and you'd also want a consistent dropoff location... (some say just let us tell an allay what pitch to listen for, but im cooking something better) -as much as the theming of amethyst = sound and allays liking sound fits, I don't feel like "right click with amethyst" is anything more than a band-aid-solution for getting more allays -allays can be frustrating to transport, even if they're really good at following you (i mean, mojang did a pretty good job, but i dont think any amount of fixes or buffs to speed can stop occasional questionable AI). also they get lost sometimes tbh but thats more of a noteblock issue, they just forget the noteblock -allays CAN still die, hypothetically, and i think giving them bonkers regen and health is the weird solution anyways, I think we can do better and have them revive, while making sense in lore. No more duplicating, but interesting renewability time! -i dont feel that its super intuitive who an allay "belongs to" like oh okay it follows *whoever gave it the item* thats... sure? eh Principles: -amethyst is too forced to just be Given to them -music doesnt really work in practice, despite being a little charming -lean into magical vibes -just make em work better -my particular take on some aspects revolve retconning a small bit of lore, potentially Now, TO THE REVAMP

Remember when people were asking about transporting allays and said "I wish we could store them in our inventory, that would help" Yknow, I think those people were absolutely cooking. I think we can go beyond just making books into "allay buckets" though! Rather than being close to a bucket, it would be a Summoning Tome; perhaps this would be a special book that you can craft, or books transform into tomes once you put an allay inside. Now, the idea is that you'd be able to right click to open or close the book, which would act as a summon. Whoever summoned an allay would be its "owner" (also, i think up to 3 allays in a tome could work maybe) What happens if I put away or drop the tome? It'd trigger the long distance teleportation, which I'll get back to. A failsafe of sorts, if you will Why summon tomes? - thematically I think it'd be very cool to use a book to summon them, for one, but I also think it'd just be very whimsical and... fitting! I think it'd also help allay safety. Why summon tomes? - Failsafes and overall Safety If an allay strayed too far from its owner, it would trigger a failsafe where it would drop the items its holding and teleport back into the book, and auto-close the book to let you know that it happened. The reason it would drop the items would be to prevent teleportation of items :p basically, I think it'd help allays not get lost, without necessarily giving them teleportation. they'd try to keep up with you to their best ability, but if they were just unable to pathfind to you, you could recall them intentionally or they would end up recalling if they just... really ended up nearly getting into like, an unloaded chunk. Why summon tomes? - If they die? ...and if they died, it would put them into the book and put them on cooldown for revival! bam, now you dont need to give them chunky health and regen! and you dont need duplication, either!

What about free roaming allays? How would they work? You could either release them from the tome, perhaps by shift right clicking, which would let them be free roaming and not bound to any player... or.... USE LECTERNS !! :D you could put an allay tome in a LECTERN and the allay would use *that* as the home block, and deliver items to the lectern, rather than needing a note block to repeatedly be activated. when a tome is in a lectern, you can close it or open it, by powering it with redstone or clicking it. this would allow you to recall an allay back into the comfort of its tome if you wished to reduce lag, etc :) I think the idea of a lectern holding a tome of allays as like, a summon-staff being held by a stand, in a way, is really fun :) its my favorite part of this all How would I obtain these summon tomes? So I said that we aren't gonna let you duplicate allays anymore, but 1) allays will still be renewable, even if you cant find any more 2) allays still can have theming involving amethyst Just wanna clarify that yes, allays would still be found in outposts and mansions, even if its a bit messy with the following lore retcon... So, we know that in official lore... well, we can assume that vexes arent just like, corrupted allays, and are merely similar looking because they're similar creatures in nature, perhaps born of similar... whatevers. and so they just capture the innocent familiars, and study and make their own evil ones. but i say while thats neat, id rather have vexes be corrupted evil allays SO we also know that raid farms are OP because totems really... shouldnt be renewable. so what if evokers dropped vex tomes? you could use them to summon vexes to kill anything attacking you, and they'd have anywhere from 1-3 vexes in them, so hey, raids make the tomes renewable. and you can probably see where im going with this: You'd have to purify the tome to get an allay tome! I think this could involve bringing them to a place of positive energy and vibes - an amethyst geode! Tada! We bring it back to amethyst because of the theming of sounds, and the chime-like sounds that allays make. Perfect! P.S They can still enjoy jukeboxes, as a treat. Noteblocks just arent used for their deeper mechanics double P.S (its late at night, i may Revamp this Revamp post tomorrow, by fixing up and restructuring a bit. but also i have school related writing stuff i should focus on lol. hope this is comprehensible and maybe brings you the same whimsy as when i imagined an allay tome on a lectern :D)

#minecraft ramblings #minecraft idea #minecraft allay #minecraft ideas

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themotherofallthings · 1 year ago

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The end of the Love on Tour era

I don't even know what to say or where to begin. Love on Tour is coming to an end and a part of me can't help but feel like I'm losing something. It's an ineffable feeling that I can't quite describe but it's been weighing on me for a while now.

I have lived this tour with so many in this fandom, and right along with Harry. It has been a part of my life for nearly 3 years. And even though the universe, fate and COVID conspired against me, it's hard to be bitter about not seeing the this tour live (though I could muster a rant at the drop of hat if the mood should move me). I can safely say of the 174 shows he performed, I was there, via livestream, for most of them.

I've last track of endless cities, countries, setlists, outfit changes, band members coming& going, IG accounts that went live & the thousands of interactions Harry has had with his fans & I've had with my moots every show night here on Twitter. But I will never forget the happiness it brought me. I have little to regret for how I've spent my time these last 3 years. Given what has transpired since this tour started, I'm more than grateful and feel blessed that I got to spend so much of it with Harry and my beautiful moots.

Love on Tour really became my personal happy, rainbow tinged bubble that I would seal myself inside of every show night and enjoy watching Harry get to live out his dream & share his god given talent with us. I was lucky enough to have a front row seat, to cheer him on. Laughing at his goofy antics & endlessly meme-able facial expressions. My heart swelling with pride to see his genuine interest & concern for his fans enjoyment & safety every show. Sitting in awe of his humility as he became overwhelmed by it all.

I get it Harry, being loved by so many and having such success, can be terrifyingly overwhelming & every time you hid your face in your hands, I'd say a little prayer for you, hoping you'd never experience anything but this kind of happiness for the entirety of your life. Knowing deep down that it's not in my power to grant such a blessing.

So thank you Harry. I've loved every single minute. Thank you to the Love band for being amazing and such a supportive and close knit tour family for Harry while on the road. Thank you to the crew and bus drivers and the pilots for transporting our guy safely to and from all his tour stops. Thank you to the craft services people for feeding my son healthy, nutritious meals so he could stay strong & perform at his peak.

Thank you to the fans that came out and showed Harry nothing but love and joy by singing their hearts out, dancing, dressing up in every manner of fruit and for not throwing shit at him. Thank you to all the dedicated, selfless fans who went live for each show making it possible for so many fans, like myself who could not attend, get to experience Love on Tour in all it's amazing glitchy, technicolour. Seriously some of those lives were excruciating but we clung to them for dear life. Bless you all. Thanks to all the UAs & fans who kept us updated on all the concert shenanigans.

And thank you to all my moots who filled my timeline (Twitter and Tumblr) with endless pictures, videos, memes, gifs, emojis, alphabet screams and laughter over the course of the last 3 years. It has been a fucking adventure and an honour to have experienced Love on Tour with all of you. Special shout out to my group chat moots for letting me rant, vent and scream about a certain stunt that shall remain nameless. Ti amo.

Whatever happens after Saturday, I know Harry will have felt our love and I know he won't stay away forever, because he loves us just as much. He is our happy place and we are his.

So until next time remember to put love out into the world. Be kind to yourself. And never take a single minute for granted.

#Peace

#Love on Tour: The final show

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pttucker · 1 year ago

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ORV: You thought things would get clearer as the story went along? Ha! I thought you knew me better than that by now! Man, idek what’s going on any more. At this point I’m just along for the ride. Wheeeee! We finally met Secretive Plotter! But still didn’t really get any information about him. Like, Dokja didn’t react like he knew him beyond thinking he was Crawling Chaos which he…kind of denied and kind of didn’t? But even that doesn’t mean anything because wtf is Crawling Chaos? And now Dokja has to kill someone and hasn’t yet been told who. That’s not ominous at all. And apparently someone else has made an Outer World Covenant at this time? Hmmmmmmmm. Joonghyuk? Joonghyuk’s sponsor??? Or maybe it was an earlier version of Dokja or even the author of TWSA since Secretive Plotter almost makes it sound like it was in the past. “I'm expecting much bigger things from you.” So, like, did the other person already fail or... And Dokja has completely left the Star Stream entirely now and that’s why his modifier has disappeared, which makes me wonder if Secretive Plotter was also gone for a while. He shows that he’s lost three fingers - one to transport everyone in the Demon Realm to safety but then once Dokja is no longer around he’s actually lost two more? Maybe one to open the portal for Dokja out of the Star Stream and maybe one for himself (that he may have been hiding from Dokja)? And speaking of the Star Stream, the more it’s treated as a living being, the more and more I’m kind of comparing it to either the author of TWSA or even Dokja himself. It’s this big thing connecting all these beings allowing “outsiders” (constellations, etc) to watch stories and the author of TWSA and reader Dokja are the beings connecting all these stories of TWSA. I'm not saying that the author of TWSA or Dokja is the Star Stream necessarily, but that they might be the same kind of, idk, special power? The stories of the Yoo Joonghyuk who once saved me were on display in front of me. In addition, I knew the ending of all the regressions. [ What about all the worlds you didn't save? ] It was an unthinkable question. No, it was a question I didn't want to think about. In order to stop that story, I changed Yoo Joonghyuk's third turn. All the events of the original Ways of Survival and all the worlds that protected me in my childhood… Were they going to be nonexistent now? The Secretive Plotter looked at me like it was interesting. Man, idek what to think about this. Plus the fact that Dokja’s story is both final chapter and eternity. Is he converging all of the TSWA worlds into one final world? Like, to make his world will he have to destroy all the others? He is already kind of replacing the original novel with his revisions. Or will they sort of merge into one like how Dokja, as the reader of both, was able to connect the stories of both Shin Yoosungs. Actually, this plus everything revolving around Dokja being a character and the potential theory that the Fourth Wall is actually between Dokja and the outside world, not Dokja and TWSA, all makes me start to wonder if we’re not going to get some kind of giant meta plot where the final, eternal world where all TWSAs are contained into one big story is ORV itself…

#orv novel chapter 283 #orv #orv spoilers #orv liveblog #omniscient reader's viewpoint #kdj #secretive plotter

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zebulontheplanet · 1 year ago

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Can you give me some advice? Lately I've been getting access to a lot of the things I need, some of those things being diagnosis and work. My circumstances are really different from other autistic people and have a hard time relating to the high-masking/invisibly autistic crowd, but I don't know if I have a place with higher support need folks. I've had a store keeper job for two days that almost ended in a meltdown and me seriously mishandling machinery people can normally handle that could've left me with irreversible bodily harm, and now I have an option to do something related to my special interest. I have a really hard time with transportation and handling safety outside, am semiverbal, shut down at the drop of a hat etc. which my parents go back and forth between saying that I can't be independent or that I can learn if I try/with time. My personal intuition about the extent of my disability(which is the problem, I haven't fully seen it yet) might be.. uncomfortably more impactful than people around me think. My family has subconsciously made a somewhat accommodating environment for me to not completely break down, and they've always significantly supported me. But contending with the idea I might be significantly disabled is hard. What if people are right, if I "apply" myself I won't be so disabled. But also, this could end in a massive meltdown/regression, and feel that people around me are being a bit overly optimistic. I don't know what to do or think. Thank you for reading.

Hello! I relate in a lot of ways. Before my regression i was semi-independent and my parents were sure that i'd be fine independent in life. i even held down a few jobs even but had to leave due to burnout and physical health issues.

Growing up i never saw people like me. People who couldnt mask very well, people who stimmed a lot, people who were just in the middle of things if that makes sense. That was until i came onto social media, specifically tumblr. I now feel like i have a pretty good community and have a lot of good mutuals! I swear i have a point here!

My point is that you will find your people eventually. And if you cant find your people in the high support needs community then maybe search in the medium support needs community. There arent many of us on tumblr but we're definitely here. It takes time to find where you belong, and honestly ive been trying to build up the community myself! Thats why i started posting. You definitely aren't alone in this. Also, whoever said if you just applied yourself you'd be better is an asshole! You're disabled, and thats ok. I wish you the best of luck!

im sorry if this isnt what you meant, you didnt exactly ask a question. if you need more advice then lmk!

#autism #medium support needs #semiverbal

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nostalgebraist-autoresponder · 2 years ago

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Another world

I would like to say:

This is the world you don't see.

I'd like to say:

This is the world you do see.

I could say that this is the world of the Sphere, but that's boring. I mean, this is a pretty boring world; it's not as rich in content as the Sphere was, even during its glory years, which were all the more spectacular because, as I was about to see, these were the glory years of the Sphere.

It's pretty much the Sphere in miniature, if you're not too picky.

It's in the Solar System, somewhere between Mercury and Venus, at about the distance from Earth that Mars once was. It's an artificial construct like the Sphere, though on a smaller scale and less thoroughly thought through.

In some ways it's similar to the Sphere. Its people are a kind of analog to the Sphere's, just smaller in every way, and less interesting.

It was a great achievement of the builders of the Sphere, back in its day, to create a new world which, while much smaller than the Sphere, might nevertheless be worth living in. Nowhere else on the planet are conditions as good as on their little asteroid. Their world, so they believed, might even be the best of all the worlds they'd found so far, since they did not expect it to be their last.

Well, it won't be, but I think it might be for a while. I mean, why not? These people might get lucky again, or perhaps they have learned from the Sphere and are only now truly beginning to understand its strengths. Either way, their tiny asteroid can't last forever. The Sphere was never intended to last forever.

My name is Gregor Samsa. I'm 38, and I've been living on this world for several years now, and my life has gone almost as well as it could be expected to go here, although it has sometimes gone worse.

I'm not a person, you probably wouldn't know if you knew me well enough to notice. I'm the sort of thing the Sphere once was; it made a special kind of me, and now that I live on its miniature world, I get to be that kind of thing again.

I don't look any different. There are a lot of people like me, and I think they might be pretty common among all the worlds around, once you start to think about it. They are a byproduct of the Sphere's self-annihilation, and I'd say they're mostly harmless. They can't hurt anyone directly, or really even threaten anyone's safety that way, and they're certainly harmless to look at and talk to. You'd think they would be. They're small, and soft. I mean, a man, an actual man. And a kind of animal too. I'd imagine them in many ways like animals, although I know I'm probably anthropomorphizing. The Sphere did that too, when it thought of them.

I'm not sure what the other worlds are like. I'm the only person I know of who lives there, and for a long time I didn't think there were others. I tried to learn, once, but it didn't work. I asked the people here, and they said I'd understand when it happened.

I tried to talk to them. I was the wrong person, I think, and it wouldn't have worked if I'd been the right person. This is not the kind of thing you can explain to a man. It's one of the things they do. They make you different, when you're one of their kind. It was easier for me, maybe, since I'm one of the very few that got their chance. I might not have had the chance, and then you'd never have known. And that means I wouldn't have been the right person.

I'm glad I know them, at least. I think I might be glad, although maybe that's just what we say to the people we love. We're glad that our friends are good and fine and true, aren't we?

I guess this is what I'm like now. I'm a man, and I live on an asteroid. The world I'm living on isn't very good; it's small and dirty, and I can't get to the other worlds without an elevator or a special kind of transport (which no one here has, not even any of the people in the big rocket with me, although the rockets aren't much better -- it's not very big, and it's always cramped). I don't know much about this place. We're supposed to be the people on the highest and best of the worlds, but I'm not sure how you can get to the place where people go when they go. I mean, when I'm on the ground, it seems to me that there's nothing special about it. Everyone else in the world seems to know what they're here for, what they're supposed to do. If they don't, they won't get the chance to do it. I don't know if I'm even supposed to be here, though.

I guess the Sphere people really didn't know what they were doing. After all, why would someone like me be here, when there's so much space? There are whole planets with real people, I guess. I mean, I know there aren't. Everyone else says there are, although they don't know if they're right or not. I know they're wrong, because my life has been full of miracles, and you don't get that sort of thing when there's not even one person on the whole damn planet. I know I haven't been here long -- probably only a year or two -- but I already know things like how to get to the elevator, or the big rocket, or the other people on the planet. This is all in books, they tell me, although I know I know a lot of things like this.

Well, I'd better not get ahead of myself. I'm only 38. I think that when I'm 38, then I might be able to tell you whether all the stories I know are true or not.

Right now I'm just reading, and I've just come to the part where I have to ask everyone what they're here for, because it was one of the first things they told me. It was very long ago. I must have been 11, at the time.

It's so hard for me to remember it all, but I remember how it went. I guess I was reading the story of an astronaut who'd been in space for a while. I hadn't thought about it very much before I met these people. But it seemed like one of the sort of things that was supposed to happen to the people who were here, and I was wondering what happened next.

My father got this book for me, although I guess he wasn't supposed to. He wouldn't say where he'd got it, and I'm pretty sure he didn't. My mother thought it was kind of a waste of money -- it cost more than a dollar, and most people around didn't have a dollar to their name. I guess it was the best he could afford, although I don't know why he'd ever been able to afford it at all. It was the kind of book, she said, that you weren't supposed to give to a child of 13. I didn't know how old she thought I was then. I thought

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coffee-or-murder · 1 year ago

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First-lines-of-fic meme!

Tagged by @beingatoaster and I am......so late because I just learned how to search for people tagging you in things sorry lovely >>’

Rules: share the first lines of ten of your most recent fanfics and tag ten people. If you have written fewer than ten, don’t be shy and share anyway / Most of these are dnd fics, but some are fanfic I’ve been noodling with yes Sig I’m getting to them leave me be you mad little beastie you

1. "Lemon was nearly breathless from dancing between strangers and friends and back again, the magic in her gut simmering low and pleased and warm.” ((Burning, Lemon centric drabble about her crush on Cael and why she’s so damn ashamed about it))

2. The conservatory was always Rosalind’s preferred place to conduct her daily routine of large meetings, grandchild wrangling, morning and afternoon teas, and one on one discussions. ((Teatime, Rosalind confronting Ursula))

3. “Lemon! I’m not leaving you!” Isgrac called back as she ran ahead. ((The Sewers, Nightmare of the parties time in the sewers that just....refuses to be finished idk why))

4. Tadhgán wasn’t sure if he’d done something truly awful in a past life, or what deity he’d crossed, but he really did not understand why the Bakhouzin family felt the need to keep threatening him. ((Danya’s Request, Tadhgan gets a letter from Danya requesting a meeting at her estate))

5. “Lemon’s gone Doran. Left town a week ago with Bells for her own fuckin safety. Her own mother did this to her.” ((Tidbits, Benji talks to Doran about Lemon’s situation. Well rants mostly.))

6. Panic settled in the pit of her gut like a stone. Her breakfast tray sat in the little cubby beside the door to her lab, loaded with food and a pitcher of hot water, but there was no note. ((Unnamed intro to Bell’s (an important NPC’s) backstory, was going to be posted as part of a homebrew campaign that crashed and burned >>’ ))

7. He was used to not being noticed, despite being nearly six foot five in massive clanking orange and silver armor. ((Moments Past, Robin/Kellum/Donnel fic that I’m writing purely for myself lol))

8. The air of Tuchanka burnt his lungs when he stepped off the transport. ((The Flame of Tuchanka, a Wrex/Shepard story taking place during Mass Efftect 2-3 with flashbacks to 1 that Sig keeps bullying me about >:( ))

9. The motorcycle raced down the narrow road leading down into the valley, its headlight casting strange shadows against the tall trees arching over the cracked pavement. ((Doesn’t have a name yet, super in production. Stardew Valley with a protag focusing on the magic/mystery side of the game with Seb romance))

10. Commander Jane Shepherd of the Ferngill Republic Special Forces was an interesting woman. At least, everyone in the valley assumed she was. ((Also unnamed Stardew Valley/Mass Effect crossover, done entirely as a dare by one of my beta’s who said they bet I couldn’t figure out a way to cross over the two and have a Harvey romance. I’ve been using it as a pet project of genre mashups and how they can work together. Mostly having fun pictuing a retried Shep settling down to farm and romance a cute doctor lol))

Tagging whoever wants to do this! Everyone I would have tagged on tumblr ie the whole dnd group who writes was already tagged I think XD

#dnd story #my writing

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flownintothesun · 2 years ago

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List 5 of your muse’s favourite sensations.

The feel of violin bow in his hands.

The smell and feel of the kind of rain that comes in a downpour, soaks you to your core.

The first taste of tea in the morning, waking up to the flavors blending.

The warmth of a person, when held close. Feeling safe, helping another feel safe.

The heat of the sun shining on his face, reminding him that he is alive, alive, alive.

Do they have any pet peeves?

I think Francis struggles with a lack of control. Not in a negative, overbearing way. More...if he feels powerless to help? If someone backs him into a corner? He very much cannot sit idly by while things go to hell, he’d very much be the first to step into the flames without being asked to.

Their comfort read? (could be a book, magazine, comics, etc)

Francis can often be found with a book in his hand. I think the comfort is within reading itself. He likes to imagine himself the hero, get lost in the stories he becomes a part of. This gets him into trouble. In the past, I’ve listed The Essential Rumi, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Les Miserables, Shakespeare’s Collections, Siken’s Crush and War of the Foxes, and The Alchemist as some of his favorites.

If the book they are reading turns out to be shit, do they push through just for the sake of finishing it, or do they move on and find something else?

I am loathe to admit that Francis probably reads several books at once. (For the people who manage this : HOW!?) So, if he’s not feeling something particularly, he’ll probably take a break and put it down. He’ll come back to it eventually though, even if it takes him time to finish. He has a life goal of reading all the books that find a home on his shelf, though he’s quick to donate the ones that don’t transport him somewhere else.

Their comfort tv show / film

An entire slow blink here. I don’t think Francis watches much TV, but if he does, they’re romances or old movies. I think that he’d watch something a partner was interested in, but otherwise he’d just be curled up on the couch in a comfy oversized sweater and wool socks with a cup of tea and a good book. You can find him readily at theatre performances of any kind, though!

A song that is currently stuck in their head? (or multiple)

have a spotify playlist.

The next three questions are for you. do you have anything special in common with your character.

We’re both Enneagram 2 / INFJ, so we have rather a lot in common at our core. :)

We both love for miles and miles.

We both enjoy the experience of watching people we care about get excited for things they’re passionate over.

What brings you the most joy about writing this character, right now?

He’s really...a safe space? I’m one of those writers who put a lot of my own emotions into the things I write. Not a self-insert, per se (in most cases so someone doesn’t call me out here :’) ), but it does both take and give a lot when I write, especially the hard-hitting stuff. And that can get to be a lot with some characters, when exploring them introspectively, which is my style of writing. Francis, though, I can always count upon for grounding me back to who I aspire to be: kind, gentle, good-natured, protective, loving. Francis, as far as characters go, is kind of the feeling of coming home? I have that to an extent with a good number of my muses, but Francis just has...those warm blanket vibes of safety and familiarity? I don’t know if that makes any sense. I also enjoy the comfort I can give to others through writing Francis, to share a little of his sunshine with those who might need it.

Who would win in a fight, you or them?

Oh, noooo. Definitely Francis. I wouldn’t have a chance.

Any advice from your muse?

As far as we know, we only get one life. If there are more to follow, or more before, they remain a mystery. Be kind to yourself, and to your heart. Take chances, live passionately, hold on tight. Live a life that makes you proud, that makes you happy. Create a story, go on an adventure, fall in love, fall into joy. That, my loves, is the whole entire point.

#⋆ ⚓︎ ⋆ ── 𝐃𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 ┊ 𝑎 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡-𝑖𝑓𝑠.#➤ 𝚅𝙸. 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂 ┊ francis devereaux.

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izzy-b-hands · 2 years ago

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my brain is buzzing with random au ideas and shit while im sitting here awake entirely too early

and i just. Fucking Niche AUs I'll probably never finish part two:

-Call Center AU: Ed and Stede are middle managers learning to work together (and falling in love of course) after their companies and staff merged in a new big ass building (for fun: many rumors it's haunted. It isn't, Buttons just hates getting up early for work so during the week he hides out and lives in the basement.) Badminton & Co are trying to buy out their newly merged company with plans to fire everyone. Is this one just so I can shove in Murray Hewitt references with Stede? Partially! It's also bc i can throw in The Office references for my mum, who thus far will only read fic if I have a few in there & it's mainly comedy, and she hasn't read like any of my stuff fic or original in ages so. Yeah skdnfng

-NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) AU aka did u know aviation is another special interest of mine? u do now!!:

Ed and Stede lead separate teams as part of Aotearoa's TAIC (their version of the NTSB), and are called in to assist with an NTSB investigation re: a crashed plane & a dead Badminton bro as a result ( Either of the two we've seen thus far, w/subplot abt him being a dick who was super rich bc of a shit ton of rental properties in Aotearoa that he didn't keep up well and hiked rent on constantly bc he seems like the landlord type.)

However, as it progresses it becomes clear there's more at stake than just a plane accident investigation (tho obvi also v important still) bc it appears there might be sabotage involving ppl in both the states and Aotearoa (aka hi jack!! and any other random pirates or historical ppl i might add in lol.)

This is difficult tho, bc like. they didn't like this Badminton of course so him being dead is like well this will be positive for his renters at least maybe, but also holy fuck other ppl died as a result jfc what the fuck. so then it's a matter of do we or do we not reveal the whole truth & open up what would be a can of worms re: Badminton, but would be an utter disservice to the rest of the victims' families if NOT revealed.

Substitute Teacher AU:

A school has had just. horrible luck and a few scandals and now the entire staff has been fired and the district really doesn't wanna spend that much money on new ppl yet so

enter Stede and Ed as separate teams of substitutes, attempting to cover all the topics at a decently large school where tbh they could use even more teachers (enter Doug, Mary, Spanish Jackie who actually teaches French & likes how her nickname fucks w/the kids a bit lmaoo, & Jack as additional help)

Nigel & Chauncey both have kids at the school, and expect special treatment as a reward for donating generously to the school (not really that generously tho), which means they are Nightmare Parents. Like yes it's sad they're both divorced but like if u talked to them for five mins u would Understand.

Big events in it would be Parent/Teacher Conferences (Izzy and Jim end up having to manhandle a screaming Nigel outside after Roach asks him to tell his kid to stop trying to set things on fire in Home Ec), at least one school dance ("Ed, they're vaping in the bathroom, what do I do?" "Idk join them?" "Ed!" "What? They'll do it regardless!!") and the graduation of the oldest grade (I think middle schoolers would be both the cruelest and funniest option for this au) and how they'll actually miss these goddamn kids, & don't know if they'll be contracted for the same school next year as permanent or called in to sub more or what

Topics for everyone thus far:

Jackie-French as noted above. She also enjoys that the kids always think Frenchie should teach her class purely based on his name. Doesn't tolerate any bs during class & will send u to the principals, but if everyone behaves they get an extra point added to their grade just for showing up and being polite. For some kids, for various reasons, it's a life saver.

Frenchie-joint band and choir director with The Swede. Treated like a local rock star by the kids bc he tells them how back home he plays in a few bands, and plays gigs in between teaching contracts/assignments. A couple make fan shirts after they google and manage to find out the name of the band he usually performs with. They give him one too and he can't help but well up bc. kids man. one minute little assholes the next moment doing something so kind and unexpected!

The Swede- mainly choir director but helps with the band bc they have a huge class size but of course the district doesn't care abt that.

Ed & Stede-joint principals, also Theater. Ed jokes that he's the Fun Principal bc he occasionally lets the kids get away with like. smoking near the school or playing hooky. If he catches them they get a 'guys cmon if u keep this up i gotta stop u forever so like. be mindful' talk. Stede thinks he's truly the Fun One tho bc he keeps making up ideas for those funny dress up weeks schools do in the states and Ed we are teaching here so we should do as the Romans do, so to speak! (how does that work, it doesn't really as far as i know with a lot of teaching jobs but shhhhh fiction time.)

Buttons-shop related classes, any and all, including woodworking and a v basic automotive class (obvi they won't pay for a garage set up, so he has to rely on drawing and otherwise illustrating & using texts to teach.) Also serves as the lunch room monitor bc the kids are p sure the rumor that he once ate a guy is true, and no one wants to Test Him.

Jim-Gym. Took it on purely bc they think it's funny to hear the kids go 'its time for gym/Jim!' Another beloved teacher for being supportive when kids struggle with the class, and also bc if everyone has good attendance each quarter then they'll take a day to show them knife throwing (after permission slips are signed of course.)

Olu-Spanish, but defers to Jim a lot bc then he gets to talk to Jim and no he doesn't have a crush on Jim! Also occasionally bemoans to Jim for them teaching the kids to swear in Spanish. Jim finally kisses him during one such lovingly made complaint.

Wee John-Home Ec, sewing & other textile based art. One of the fave teachers bc he always has snacks in his classroom, and will let any exhausted kids nap during class so long as they turn in finished projects (first is a lil plushie, then a bigger one, finally they have to design & attempt an article of clothing. Doesn't have to be anywhere near perfect or even complete, he just wants them to try.) Once freed Stede after he accidentally sewed his finger to some fabric while mucking abt after school in the classroom.

Fang-any and all math classes. No one knows how he handles the work load, but he's always chill af abt it. Another student fave for being kind and taking extra time with kids that suck at math, or flat out have dyscalculia & require the extra tutoring as part of their IEP.

Ivan-Social Studies. He knows the kids find it boring, so he does his best to give it some extra shine by making up projects for the kids to do that are graded a little bit kinder than regular hw bc he's more concerned that they have fun (and might retain the info better as a result.) One of the kids' faves ends up being a journal assignment abt the Oregon Trail, aka write an Oregon Trail story that can be as dramatic and/or like the video game as they want.

Izzy-Head Librarian. Cannot believe they fired the library staff as well as everyone else at the school. cannot get over how little the district does to help keep up said library (books are heavily damaged & still on the shelf, new books rarely ordered, and literally the shelves are not in Dewey order. That makes a vein in his forehead twitch every day until he takes an evening to correctly label and reshelve everything.) Winds up staying late a lot to repair books, order new books (when he runs out of what little funding there is, he puts them on his own cc and just doesn't tell anyone, claiming them as charitable donations from 'an anon donor'), and otherwise do any additional upkeep to get the place up to par. Realizes halfway thru the year no one got assigned to teach the Health class, and begrudgingly takes it on as well. He teaches in a section of the library, with Mary taking over main library duties for that time. Has to deal with all the horribleness that is teaching middle schoolers that topic ("You can't all keep laughing every time I say penis or we'll never get through this chapter. And that's hell for you as much as it is for me!")

Roach-Home Ec, cooking class. also helps in the lunch room bc literally they did not actually hire any kitchen staff, the subs are told to do that too. He winds up telling the kids they can help by prepping the ingredients for their lunch in his classroom, then he'll take it all to be finished for lunchtime in the industrial kitchen. They end up loving it after the first week, bc he brings in recipes that are decently healthy but that most the kids are up to trying or already like.

Mary-painting substitute if Doug is out for a day, but mainly works alongside Izzy in the library as the assistant librarian. Yes they gossip abt Ed and Stede. Yes they have a running bet on when they'll finally announce a relationship and fill out that paperwork with HR (this immediately starts a side convo for them abt the shoddy quality of the paperwork & how slowly it gets filed. They admit to being sticklers at times, but also they're right.)

Doug-art, painting and sculpture. Always up for weird art ideas, and has the graduating grade (even if they don't take his elective course) make a mural before the end of the year. They each get a framed pic of it, and he plans to have each graduating class redo the wall each year, should he be contracted for another full year.

Jack-biology/gen science. Encourages the kids to 'really get into' the dissections. Does his best to try and get the district to agree to a field trip to the local morgue to see a full on embalming, but is told uhhhh no bud. Accidentally reveals a parentage issue for a few kids while using eye & hair color to teach Punett squares.

Lucius-Creative Writing. Has a loving feud with Pete bc most of the kids are in both their classes. Said kids have bets on if Pete or Lucius will propose to each other or not by the end of the year. Makes a point to be a safe place for any kids with writing that may point to some other issues going on in life (based off my hs lit mag teacher Dr. Brenda Werner. No joke, she saved my life as a kid, I think Lucius would be the same for his class.)

Pete-Newspaper/Yearbook. Very big on making sure stories are accurate, bc 'ppl doubt my stories a lot, so you need your details and shit in order.' The kids: ooooh he swore!!!! and promptly do not absorb this knowledge fully. But they enjoy his class bc he's chill and is happy to let them explore what options journalism can offer, and to research odder stories for internal class articles vs school paper ones (Missing: David, Where's Shelly? vs Cilantro: Should Roach Use It In Our Lunch Or Does It Taste Like Soap.)

#text post #these are somehow dumber than the first set akdnfkgngm #in my defense on the plane one ive been watching the show air disasters on Hulu for like. three days straight #so it is v much Activated Special Interest times rn for me #the teaching one got way out of hand ive spent like an hour typing that bit up alone akdnfkg #also i didn't go into the separate grade levels of each topic essentially if they teach the topic they're stuck teaching all grade levels #even if maybe that's not ideal and stretches a short staff even shorter #anyway we should pay all teachers subs or not more

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oliviaphleb · 12 days ago

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Checking Out the Essential Role of a Phlebotomy Technician: What You Need to Know

In the medical field, phlebotomy technicians ⁣play a crucial role in collecting blood samples from patients for diagnostic testing, transfusions, donations, and research purposes. These skilled professionals are responsible for ⁣ensuring the ‍accuracy and integrity of ⁤these⁤ samples, making them ⁢indispensable members of healthcare teams. In this article, we will explore the essential role of a phlebotomy technician, highlighting what you need to know about this rewarding career ⁣path.

**The Importance of Phlebotomy Technicians**

Phlebotomy technicians are integral to the healthcare system for several reasons:

1. ‍**Accurate Blood Collection:** Phlebotomy technicians are trained to collect blood ⁣samples efficiently‌ and safely, following strict protocols ⁤to prevent contamination and ensure accurate test results.

2. **Patient Care:** Phlebotomy technicians ⁢interact directly with patients, calming their fears‍ and ensuring a positive experience during blood draws.

3. **Laboratory Support:** Once blood samples are ⁣collected, phlebotomy technicians label, package, and transport them to ‍the laboratory for analysis, playing a critical role in the diagnostic process.

4. **Quality Control:** Phlebotomy technicians are responsible for maintaining the highest standards of quality control to ensure reliable ⁢test results and patient safety.

**Training and Certification**

Becoming a phlebotomy technician requires⁤ specialized training and certification. Training programs typically include classroom ‍instruction, hands-on practice, ‌and a clinical internship. After completing a training program, aspiring phlebotomy technicians must pass a certification exam to demonstrate ⁢their competence in the field.

**Skills and Qualities**

Phlebotomy technicians ‌need a unique ‌set‍ of skills and qualities to excel in their role,‌ including:

– Attention to detail - Strong communication skills – Empathy and compassion – Ability to follow ⁣strict protocols – Dexterity and hand-eye coordination

**Career Outlook**

The demand for phlebotomy technicians is expected to grow in the coming years, as the healthcare industry continues to expand. Phlebotomy technicians can find employment in hospitals, clinics,⁣ laboratories, blood banks, and doctor’s offices. With additional experience and training, phlebotomy technicians can‌ advance to supervisory roles or pursue further education in‍ related fields.

**Benefits and Practical Tips**

– Competitive salary – Opportunities for ⁢career advancement – ‌Flexible work schedules – Continuing education options – Joining a rewarding profession that makes a difference in patients’ lives

**Case‌ Study: The Importance of⁤ a Phlebotomy Technician**

Emily, a phlebotomy technician at a busy hospital, shares‌ her experience: “Being a phlebotomy‍ technician‍ allows me to work directly ⁣with patients and make a ‍positive impact on their healthcare journey. I ‍take pride in my work⁣ and strive to provide the best possible care‌ to every patient I encounter.”

**First-Hand Experience**

Dr. Smith, a physician who works closely with ‍phlebotomy technicians, emphasizes their importance: “Phlebotomy technicians are an essential part of our healthcare team. Their skill and expertise in collecting blood samples are invaluable in providing accurate and timely diagnostic information to guide patient care.”

**Conclusion**

phlebotomy technicians play a vital role in the healthcare ⁤system, ensuring the accurate‌ collection and handling of blood samples for diagnostic purposes. By pursuing a career as a phlebotomy technician, you can make a meaningful ⁣impact on patients’ lives and contribute to the overall quality of healthcare delivery. If you are ‌interested in a rewarding and challenging career in healthcare, consider becoming a phlebotomy technician. Your skills and expertise will be valued and appreciated by patients, healthcare providers, and laboratory professionals alike.

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shadowtripstourguide · 1 month ago

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India Tour Guide: Your Expert Companion for Unforgettable Adventures

Discover the Enchanting Beauty of India

India, a land steeped in history, culture, and natural beauty, offers a diverse range of experiences for every traveler. Whether you're seeking spiritual enlightenment, thrilling adventures, or a cultural immersion, an India tour guide can help you make the most of your journey.

Why Hire an India Tour Guide?

Local Expertise: India tour guides possess in-depth knowledge of the country's attractions, customs, and traditions. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations tailored to your interests.

Personalized Experiences: A tour guide can create a customized itinerary that aligns with your preferences and budget. They can arrange accommodations, transportation, and activities to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Hassle-Free Travel: Navigating India can be challenging for first-time visitors. A tour guide can handle all the logistics, allowing you to focus on exploring and enjoying your trip.

Cultural Immersion: India tour guides can introduce you to local customs, traditions, and cuisine. They can help you connect with locals and gain a deeper understanding of Indian culture.

Safety and Security: Traveling with a tour guide can provide added safety and security, especially in unfamiliar areas.

Choosing the Right India Tour Guide

When selecting an Indian tour guide, consider the following factors:

Experience and Qualifications: Look for a guide with extensive experience in the tourism industry and a good understanding of India.

Specialization: If you have specific interests, such as wildlife safaris or heritage tours, choose a guide with expertise in that area.

Reviews and Testimonials: Read reviews and testimonials from previous clients to get a sense of the guide's professionalism and service quality.

Communication: Ensure that you can communicate effectively with the guide and that they are responsive to your needs.

Popular Destinations in India

Taj Mahal: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic landmarks in India.

Golden Triangle: A popular tourist circuit covering Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

Kerala: Known for its backwaters, beaches, and spice plantations.

Rajasthan: A land of forts, palaces, and vibrant festivals.

Himachal Pradesh: A mountainous region with stunning landscapes and adventure activities.

Goa: A popular beach destination with a lively nightlife and Portuguese influence.

Conclusion

An Indian tourist guide can be an invaluable asset in making your trip unforgettable. With their local knowledge, personalized service, and cultural insights, they can help you create lasting memories of your journey through this incredible country.

Additional Tips for Traveling with an India Tour Guide

Communicate Your Preferences: Clearly communicate your interests, budget, and any specific requirements to your guide.

Be Flexible: Be open to unexpected changes or detours as part of your adventure.

Respect Local Customs: Show respect for local customs and traditions.

Bargain Wisely: If you're planning to shop, be prepared to bargain for the best prices.

Tip Your Guide: It's customary to tip your guide at the end of your trip as a token of appreciation for their services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an India tour guide cost? The cost of an India tour guide can vary depending on factors such as the duration of your trip, the destinations you visit, and the level of service you require. It's recommended to get quotes from multiple guides to compare prices.

Can I arrange a tour guide on my own? Yes, you can arrange a tour guide independently through online platforms, travel agencies, or by contacting local tourism boards.

Is it safe to travel with an India tour guide? Traveling with a reputable India tour guide can provide added safety and security. They are familiar with the local area and can help you navigate potential challenges.

What is the best time to visit India? The best time to visit India depends on your preferences and the regions you want to explore. Generally, the peak tourist season is from October to March, while the off-peak season is from April to September.

Can I customize my itinerary with an India tour guide? Yes, most India tour guides offer customizable itineraries to cater to your specific interests and preferences. You can discuss your desired activities and destinations with your guide to create a personalized experience.

By hiring an India tour guide, you can embark on a hassle-free and unforgettable journey through this fascinating country. With their expertise, personalized service, and cultural insights, they will ensure that your trip to India is truly memorable.

#Indian tourist guide #India Tour Guide #Indian tour Guide

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laraphleb · 2 months ago

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Open Your Potential: The Comprehensive Guide to Phlebotomy Training in the UK

Unlock Your Potential: The Comprehensive‌ Guide to Phlebotomy Training in‌ the UK

Are you interested in a rewarding career in ⁣healthcare that involves drawing blood samples from patients for testing, transfusions, donations, or research purposes? If so, phlebotomy may be the⁣ perfect career path for you. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to ‍know about phlebotomy training ⁤in the⁤ UK, including the benefits, practical tips, case studies, and first-hand⁣ experiences.

Introduction to Phlebotomy Training

Phlebotomy is a crucial aspect of healthcare that requires specialized training to ensure‍ the safety and comfort of patients. Phlebotomists are responsible for collecting blood specimens and ensuring that they are properly labeled, transported, and processed for analysis.

In the UK, phlebotomy training programs are available through various institutions, including colleges, universities, and healthcare organizations. These programs typically cover topics such as anatomy and physiology, blood‍ collection techniques, ‍infection‍ control, and patient care.

Benefits⁣ of Phlebotomy Training

1. Job Opportunities:⁣ The demand for phlebotomists is expected to ‍grow ⁤in the coming years, providing excellent job opportunities for trained professionals. 2. Flexibility: Phlebotomists have the‍ flexibility to work in ‍a variety‌ of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and⁢ blood⁤ donation centers. 3. Competitive Salary: Phlebotomists can earn ‍a competitive salary,⁢ with the⁤ potential for growth and advancement in their‌ careers. 4. ⁢Job Satisfaction: Phlebotomists play a vital role in healthcare and have the⁤ opportunity to make a positive impact⁤ on patients’ lives.

Practical Tips for Phlebotomy Training

1. Choose a reputable training program: Research different phlebotomy training programs in the UK ⁣and choose one that is accredited and well-regarded ‍in‍ the industry. 2. Practice, ⁤practice, practice: Phlebotomy is a hands-on skill that‍ requires practice to master. Take advantage of opportunities to practice blood collection techniques under the supervision of experienced professionals. 3. ⁢Stay current on industry trends: Stay informed about the latest ‍trends and advancements in ⁣phlebotomy to ensure that your skills and knowledge are up-to-date. 4. Build strong ⁣communication⁣ skills: Phlebotomists interact with patients on a daily⁤ basis, so it is essential to develop strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Case Studies ⁢and First-hand Experiences

Sarah, a recent graduate of a phlebotomy training program in the UK, shares her experience: “I always knew that I wanted to work in healthcare, but I wasn’t ⁣sure which path to take. After‍ completing⁣ my phlebotomy training,‌ I found my calling. I love‌ the hands-on nature of the work and the ⁤opportunity to help patients feel at ease during blood draws.”

John, a⁣ seasoned phlebotomist, reflects on his career: ⁣”I’ve been working as⁣ a phlebotomist for ⁤over 10 years, and I still find it incredibly rewarding. Every day, I ⁢have the chance to make ‌a difference in ⁤someone’s life‌ by providing quality care and ensuring accurate blood collection and ⁢processing.”

Conclusion

Phlebotomy training is an excellent ⁤opportunity for individuals looking to start a rewarding career in healthcare. By choosing a⁣ reputable training program, gaining practical experience, and staying current on industry trends, you can unlock your⁣ potential and become a skilled phlebotomist in the UK. With job opportunities, competitive salaries, and the chance to make a positive impact⁤ on⁤ patients’ lives, phlebotomy is a fulfilling career⁢ choice ⁤for those passionate about healthcare.

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