Things Fundamentalism Robbed Me Of:

“Two Ladybugs? I’m in heaven!” -Cat Noir

I just love the looks on everyone’s faces here: priceless!

Cat is just so totally happy/overwhelmed that he’s now got double his love, while Ladybug...

Not really sure if they’re looking at Cat Noir or each other, but I love how their expressions are so different from each other.

Marinette #2 (the one on the left - the non time traveler), is giving off a look of “oh my gosh, seriously? What incredibly inappropriate thing he is thinking of now?”

While Marinette #1 (the one of the right - the one that traveled in time), has a sort of bored “Ah, there he is with the jokes again. But at least he’s alive, so I guess I can let it go this time.” Because she’s the one that witnessed him sacrifice his life for her. She’s bound to be less annoyed with him as #2 (who has no knowledge of what he did - or what he’s capable of doing).

Or at least those are my thoughts ;3

No, @noone-rey. Because I am comparing your silly little salt/pepper, droopy eyed boy to this:

And THIS, is just way sexier ;)

a pointless post in regards of appreciation towards Oscar Isaac's salt and pepper hair

I feel like Oscar needs appreciation for the salt and pepper in his hair because just dAMN

EVEN IN BLACK AND WHITE YOU CAN TELL IT’S THERE 

*BONUS* He’s wearing a tURTLE NECK

WHY ARE YOU SO DAMN PERFECT YOU HIPSTER PIECE OF SHIT

WHO I GOTTA FIGHT BECAUSE IT IS JUST UNFAIR

HE HAS SWEATER PAWS IM OUT GOODBYE WORLD

JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL (it’s barely there I know but he still fine and smug as hell)

HE JUST GETS HOTTER WITH AGE

@ -People Mag IF OSCAR ISAAC ISN’T 2018 SEXIEST MAN ALIVE YALL BE HEARING FROM MY LAYWERS

He’s just soon cute it makes me cry with joy aND DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON HIS SWEATER CMON SON

HE KNOWS EXACTly WHAT HES DOIN HE AIN’T SLICK

I just love this man soon much. Thank you Oscar Isaac for existing and thank you God for this beautiful gift to the world. (Yes I know this isn’t with salt and pepper hair get over it)

It's Official! I'm ASD!

And I couldn't be more happy! (which according to my family, is a strange reaction to have lol)

But all my life I've felt like an outsider looking in, and when I stumbled upon Autism, it gave me something I hadn't had before - a reason why I'm the way I am.

With each new fact I learned during my research, I grew more and more excited by how well I related to the ASD community. How their stories and tips made me feel more confident in myself to just be me, without having to constantly justify my 'strange' behavior.

And then I was finally able to get an official assessment done. I was so sure there would be no doubt that I was autistic.

But then the doctor went over her initial findings with me and it sounded like I was going to be misdiagnosed.

I was scared out of my mind.

Because I had been so sure of myself, for the first time in a long time. I had essentially laid my soul bare to someone and they were invalidating my feelings. And I wasn't sure what I was going to do if I was misdiagnosed.

Thankfully, that didn't turn out to be the case! (long story short, when sending the questionnaires out to other people, make sure you 1: give them to people you're sure know you. And 2: look over their responses, just to make sure they do know you well. Because it turns out, sometimes they don't).

I'm officially on the Autism Spectrum and thrilled to be zebra instead of a malfunctioning horse!

I have not cried happy tears of relief in soooooo long!

tapas.io

Comics Cats Cocoa :: Butterflies vs Moths | Tapas

Comics Cats Cocoa :: Butterflies vs Moths | Tapas

@a-lighthouse-a-man-a-city Saw this and thought of you :3

Leaving Fundamentalism...

...was hard for me. From birth, I was raised in a radically conservative family of Christians. But even at a young age, I didn’t feel connected to the beliefs I was spoon fed in every aspect of my life. 

I was made to feel guilty for not having blind faith. I was made to feel like I was a horrible person when doctrine was explained and it still didn’t make sense. I was made to feel shame for faking ‘my beliefs’. All for the sake of obeying my parents and being accepted by the only community I was allowed to be in.

But finally, after years of pressure and self doubt, I’m finally free.

There are still things I’m working on. I still am triggered and feel sick at the thought of entering a church or when I hear Christian music. I’m still trying to push aside the anti lgbtq+ thoughts I get automatically, even though I know the only reason I was against them was because I was told I was supposed to be - and without that harmful religion dictating my thoughts, there’s no reason why I should be against them.

And while I still have a ways to go towards a life where the trauma doesn’t affect me all the time, I can see the progress I’ve made already.

When I hear someone - like my family or random person - talk about Christianity, I now feel the same level of indifference towards it that I feel towards other religions with flawed beliefs/doctrine.

Yes, every now and then I still have that sense of dread that if I don’t believe in Christ that I’m going to suffer in hell for all eternity (such a wholesome thought that stems from a religion that says its based on universal love), but for the most part, now I can remember all those Bible stories and treat them the same as Greek myths. I can respect that someone’s Christian beliefs gives them comfort, but I don’t have to agree with them to be in a relationship with them. 

Finally, I’m free to be on the outside and look in with indifference.

This + Him

Results in this =

You cannot change my mind

Writer’s Block...

...and how to overcome it. Or at least, some of the methods I learned from a workshop I attended and now help me when I get stuck. Please note these are not my ideas, but I feel they really helped me get some longtime projects done so that’s why I felt the need to share it. (and to make sure there’s a place I can find these tips later in case something happens to my original notes)

Writer’s block isn’t a physical thing - one can always sit down to write. Writer’s block is more of a mindset than anything. You have to tell yourself that you can write. What it really actually boils down to is fear; fear that what you’re writing isn’t good enough - that you aren’t good enough. More accurately, writer’s block is writer’s doubt. It’s good to know what you write will never feel 100% perfect, because there will always be things that you felt you could have done better. But that’s okay; because that’s what art is about - improving one’s craft so the next piece is better than the last. Because perfection isn’t achievable. But finishing something is achievable, and it’s what your aim should be for the First Draft.

Writers are comprised of two jobs - drafters (the one responsible for getting ideas down and setting up where the project is going to go), and revisers (the one who goes back after the draft is done and fine tunes the completed project - adding lyrical sentences, fleshing out characters, etc.). You have to build the house before you can decorate it. Don’t try to do them both at once. Finishing a first draft is not the same as finishing a good draft.

Ways to help get over the problem of writer’s block:

Write a detailed letter to someone who has no familiarity with the project. Give them all the details and explain what the problem is and why you’re struggling with it. A lot of the time just defining the problem can help solve it.

Talk it out with someone. The human brain has different areas for writing and talking. So if you’re stuck writing, try talking it out to engage a different part of your brain.

Use bullet points to test out ideas - because your brain doesn’t see them as something that’s super complicated, or even final. They allow you to zoom out on the project and see the overall picture. You can do it with an entire section or even just a scene, or even move onto the next part to figure out how it is framed. And don’t feel like what you’ve written before has to stay that way. Also remember that outlining is still writing and counts.

Go to the backstory, behind the scenes - sometimes it’s a lack of knowledge that prevents you from writing. Take some time to go and figure out the motivations of the character or the things leading up to the story. Write it as if it were a prequel to the story. Write past or future scenes. Sometimes you need a break from where you are in the current plot. Write from a different character's point of view.

Try switching to writing things longhand instead of typing. The brain is more active and engaged in handwriting. Good for brain dumping - getting the creativity flowing. Handwriting eliminates distraction (from the internet) and the need to be perfect.

When you don’t feel like writing, just Write Five Words. And then you can walk away guilt free. More often than not, you’ll write more than five. But the point is not to encourage your doubt, guilt ridden mind (you have to get into the mindset that five words is enough for the day). It’s to help keep you on track to write everyday.

Look to the greats, the people you admire, when you get stuck. Immerse yourself in their great works and tell yourself they’ve been stuck as well. Let yourself be inspired by them. Take a look at what they’ve done and learn from them. Find something that is similar to your project to get inspired.

Sometimes it’s best to leave a scene for later. It’s better to move on and work on something else. Go ahead and write a candy bar scene (the ones you want to write).

You need to prioritize your writing. You need to shut out distractions. Writer’s block can also be writer’s distraction. Find ways to block out the distraction - remove everything that has notifications. Know that distractions can be addictive and there will be a withdrawal period. 

Meditation. Try to just sit down and calm your mind for five minutes before you write. Breathe and count your breaths while on a timer. 

Sometimes you get the best solutions from doing something else. Because your brain is working in the background. So get away from the writing space every now and then; get into the quiet space. Do mundane activities or draw, or just do something that makes your mind relax. Give your brain a break.

It’s possible to be plotting in circles when you are surrounded by the same scenery that you’ve been in during the struggle. Then it’s time for a literal change of scenery. Go somewhere else to write. New space physically to get a new space mentally. Because surroundings can contribute to your mental writing process. 

When you get super stuck, there are times when you just need to write something else. Find a prompt to work on. But don’t use this technique for too long. This is a mini break. Find something you can finish in one sitting. Don’t let it become a distraction to the main project. 

Inspiration is what gets you started, but discipline is what gets things done. Write anyway. Because inspiration can be fickle. So set up a consistent writing routine, because humans thrive on it. Have something you do that is unique to you that you do before you write, so that it helps set up your brain to get ready to write. Doing a physical movement is incredibly helpful to get your brain set up. Do it for 30 days (because habits take about 30 days).

Answer 21, Tag 21

Tagged by the wonderful @a-lighthouse-a-man-a-city

2. Zodiac Sign: Leo (Greek), Horse (Chinese)

1. Nicknames: Ana, Princess Leia (back in the day when I had hair long enough to do her cinnamon roll buns for real)

3. Height: 5′5 and 3/4

4. Hogwarts: Hufflepuff

5. The Last Thing I googled: Star Wars summer outfit (anyone ever notice no one in Star Wars wears shorts?)

6. Favorite Musicians: Within Temptation, Imagine Dragons, Lindsey Sterling, anything written by Joe Hisashi

7. Song Stuck in My Head: Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

8. Following Now: Depends on the site (I have a lot of art sites)

9. Followers: Same answer as before 

10. Do I Get Asks?:  Not recently T^T

11. Amount of sleep?: 8-9 hours

12. Lucky Number: 3 or 9

13. What I’m Wearing: My white Chinese flats with blue embroidery and ankle frog ties, dark forest green jeans, a white tank top with porcelain teapot pattern (delicate vintage florals), an electric blue cardigan/throw with matching lace decal down the back, and silver jewelry (dangling drop earrings, a white gold necklace depicting the Children of Leer from Ireland, a lotus and Ankh ring from the King Tut tour, and a ring that says ‘We’re All Mad Here’)

14. Dream Job: Writing YA novels full time

15. Dream Trip: A river cruise down the Nile in Egypt

16. Favorite Foods: Chocolate hazelnut anything, Chicago pizza, and Japanese Royal Milk tea

17. Instruments: Piano, voice (that so counts as an instrument - I had voice lessons)

18. Languages: English, Spanish, a little Japanese, working on Ancient Egyptian

19. Favorite Song: No Light, No Light by Florence + The Machine

20. Random Fact: I have petted a manatee in the wild (which is illegal, but I didn’t know that at the time!)

21. Aesthetic: Asian, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau inspired patterns and designs set on white backgrounds. English cottage decor with dark woods, butterflies/bees/dragonflies, roses, and skeleton keys. Vintage 1940-50s dresses paired with ballet flats in jewel tones or iced pastels.

(Sadly, I don’t have 21 people to tag, so I’m just going to skip that step ;P )

“You want me to spend money? Fine! Let’s go spend an insane amount of money!”

“Where are we going?” ^_^

“To a BOOKSTORE!”

“…” -_-

(A man gives me unlimited funds, I’m buying a library)

[This was originally for just Sylus, but I got caught up in the moment and now its kinda dramatic, so this could apply to Rafayel.]

He keeps trying to make us use his black card, but he doesn't understand why we aren't buying expensive jewelry, or fancy clothes.

Instead were using it for mundane shit like groceries.

Then he confronts us on why there are only a few small purchases when he literally has MILLIONS.

"You have an unlimited card, and refuse to use it..."

"No I'm using it."

"Not anything substantial."

"What, food isn't substantial to you? I'm using to pay for amenities so I can save up for the more taxing items."

"I gave it to you so you could use it for the more expensive items! In fact, you could even use it to pay for the 'amenities' and still have enough left over to buy a nice summer home!"

"I don't need a summer home!"

"My point is you could buy anything! Jewelry, name brand clothing, if you want food you could buy from somewhere nicer! Instead I have a purchase on my card for an 'Auntie Anne's Pretzels...?'"

"First off, their Pretzels are amazing. Second, I dont want anything fancy! I can't wear jewelry on the job and have no where else to wear such gaudy clothing, not to mention all of those NaMe BrAnD clothes are ugly!"

"Couldn't you at least try getting more expensive tastes?"

"My expensive tastes are junk food and plushies! I have no need for jewelry or bougie shit like you!"

"You could get a million plushies! Or even a custom cake!"

"I dun wannaaaaa!!! I don't need a million plushies! I don't even have the space for that many- and no I'm not buying a summer home- and why would I get a custom cake if it's not for something special?? What you want me to buy a cake with lattice work and marbling that just says 'Congrats! You got out of bed today!'"

"If that's what you wanted; YES! I have more than enough for you to buy a whole mall!"

"I don't need nor want an entire mall!! I just wanted to buy some beef for stew!!!"

"Not even a steak?"

"No!!"

"Then I'll just buy all of jewelry and clothes for you!"

"I have nothing expensive I want!! I just wanted to have stew!"

He's just pinching the bridge of his nose and trying to calm down. This is not only the first time he's given his card to someone and they not rack up a bill. But also the first time hes gotten THIS upset.

"At the very least, tell me you didn't look at the price."

"I did not-"

"Oh thank the gods!"

"Because I already knew it would less than $100."

He feels like he just got punched in the gut. He has to leave the room and cool off before he comes back, grabs us by the wrist and pulls us outside.

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere expensive."

"But I don't-"

"Sh! Just... Let me have this..."

This flag is not racist.

This flag represents the “Thin Blue Line”.  

The blue line represents law enforcement standing between the people and anarchy, criminals, and violence.

It does not stand for anything hateful, racist, discriminatory, homophobic, sexist, or anything other _ist, _ism, _phobia, or _ation you can think of.

Those who utilize this flag or symbol and derivatives of do so because they are expressing solidarity with law enforcement other first responders, respect, gratitude, and simply support to the men and women who come from all varieties of creeds, races, and beliefs. It is also not uncommon to use it to express mourning over the death or murder of someone in law enforcement. 

Before the flag, the symbol was simply this:

And it would later expand to include other aspects of law enforcement and first responders.  Red for Firefighters, Silver for Corrections Officers, Gold for Dispatchers/Communications Officers, White for EMS, and Orange for Search and Rescue.

There are versions which include many “Thin Lines” to show respect for multiple agencies.  I for one have this one on the back of my car.

Before all this PC nonsense, people used these symbols as a means of support, respect, and encouragement.  “We see you, we appreciate you, we are thankful to you.”  It never had anything to do with race, hate, power, control, or anything negative. 

 These symbols have existed long before the mobs called them racist or symbols of ‘white power’ and no matter how you attempt to make them represent something evil, it will not work or change what it stands for:

Family. Brotherhood. Sisterhood. Family.

If you ever work as a first responder or in that community, be it law enforcement, EMS, firefighting, SAR, dispatch..you see hell, sometimes daily. You see your own hell, the hell of others. You see blood, death, torture, cruelty and evil. Lives are risked. Lives are lost - sometimes it could be your own, or someone you were tasked with protecting. Someone you worked side by side with. It’s a calling, and it’s both heaven and hell for those involved.  All of us are a family, and this is how we reach out to each other to tell each other something simple:

“Brother or Sister, I have your back.”

If you choose to see that as racist, demeaning, hateful, or anything else negative, especially after being explained otherwise, then there is no helping you - unless it’s someone from our community.

Regardless of what you think of us, how you hate or love us, we will always come to help you even if it means getting hurt to do so, or even killed.

That’s our family, and this is our symbol. It will never mean hatred.

For those who still think otherwise and believe yourself good and honest people, I have a challenge for you.  The next time you see someone, be they IRL or online and they’re sporting the thin blue line, ask them calmly to tell you what it means to them.  Why it’s important to them. What they think of it.

I think you’ll live happier knowing that something you believed was hateful is actually out to do good.