drew this to fight the urge to buy the Takara UFO Young Link plush I saw on ebay, but after a bit of research, I learned the one listed is missing Navi so my desire for it has dropped yay!!
Reference Image (and link for the others if anyone is interested)
You may have been linked this blog because you were looking for an explanation of the event that your friends keep talking about, or you may have stumbled upon us in the tags. Either way— welcome! We'd love to have you play battleship with us!
And what is Battleship? What does it look like to play?
Battleship is a team-based fan creation game that runs through Ao3, Google Sheets, and Discord, with five rounds. You can play as a fic writer, an artist, a web weaver, or a podficcer. In the first round teams are issued a bingo-style board of tags and they mark off their squares by posting fanwork gifts for people that use those tags. There are things hidden under each square, and that helps your team get closer to finishing the round!
The bingo board might look something like this! (Tags from last year.)
To participate in the game, you might post a gift that features the tags "Whump", "Beach Holiday", "Language of Flowers", and "AU - Hanahaki", scoring a hit on each. That would drop the number in each square one lower, closer to 0. When a square hits zero, your team gets to find out what your square contains! Is it just going to be bonus XP, or is it going to be one of the hidden goal squares you're looking for? In this round, people often do crazy tag mashups to hit as many tags as possible. Can you think of a story idea that uses "Poison", "AU - Dystopia", "Tattoos," "Winter", and "Wings", for example?
Once your team has finished round one, you go on to a word count boss!
In this round, it's all about word count and complexity of work. You post gifts and gain points for word count of fic or podfic, or complexity of work for art or web weaves. Those points come off your boss's hit points, and decreases your boss's health bar. Your team is between 30-60 people, so all of you working together can drop that health bar pretty fast. When you've entirely defeated your boss, you go to the next round!
This round is another tag board, but with different tags in play!
You're still trying to hit tags with your work, but this time there's a new mechanic for what is under your squares where you clear them. Your team works together to find all your hidden goal squares by posting enough gifts featuring the new tags. It's time to come up with new crazy tag combinations— how does "bad at feelings", "cannibalism", "miscommunication", "memory loss", and "corruption" sound for a work idea?
And then it's time for round four— another word count boss!
Often in gameplay some people find they're not as interested in the tag mashup idea of board rounds, so they save all their work for bosses. Letting your teammates clear the tags and just focusing on longer works that you unleash in boss rounds is an entirely valid way to play, and can really help your team crush those bosses.
And once the boss has been dropped to zero, it's time for the final round. In the third board, all the tags from previous boards come back!
If you have any works that you started earlier in any of the other rounds, you can finish them up here and they'll help your team. Sometimes we find there are people who spend the whole event writing a work so that they can unleash a 10k nuke that hits 100 tags and utterly decimate their boards. There's a new set of goal squares hidden on your board, and how fast can your team clear those tags and find all of them?
Once official gameplay ends (once at least one team has finished board three), there's a short editing period for people to polish up their works. Then we works are released and we enter the anon reading period, where everyone can appreciate and comment on everybody else's works! There are also bonus mechanics to help unfinished teams finish their boards, so that everybody gets to finish their team's story and game. Battleship takes about three weeks to play, and then we comment on each other's works for two weeks before authors are revealed!
And how do you know what tags to hit, or what is needed for a boss, or what the plan is? That is where discord comes in! You'll be coordinating in team-specific channels in the discord, with team captains to help guide strategy and answer questions. Whether you want to help plan out which squares to hit, or if you just want to be told "we need these 8 tags to be hit" and you open a document, or if you want to lock in on dropping knock-out punches on the boss with longer works, or if you know you're gonna be busy but you want to help by making one work that you're saving for the final round— there are many ways to help your team! Short triple drabbles, detailed comics, longer fics, bite-sized podfics, complicated web weaves— there's a place for all kinds of creation in the event.
As some of you know, this Saturday is Mabon, the celebration of the Autumn Equinox. Some also refer to it as the "Pagan Thanksgiving", as you celebrate the bountiful harvest and are thankful for the earth and its many gifts.
Mabon marks the time of equilibrium, where the days and nights are of equal length. During this time, it is good to set intentions that involve decrease, such as ending unhealthy habits, self-destructive behaviors, or bad relationships.
Decorating for Autumn
This a great time to decorate for the coming autumn and spooky seasons leading up to Samhain! I like to open the windows and then cleanse my space(usually a simmer pot and smoke cleanse) and after, i actually physically clean the house.I then close the windows and stir my simmer pot, while setting new intentions for the household until the spring equinox. I then collect the things I want to decorate with(the usual fall decor; pumpkins, pine cones, leaf garlands, gourds and an autumn wreath on the door) and then decorate to my hearts content!
Release and Move Forward
Another thing I usually spend time on is meditation, centering myself, letting go of past baggage from the year and setting new personal goals and intentions until spring.
Find a nice spot outside, where you feel connected to the world around you. Take a journal with you, and meditate. Write down what you want the next few months to bring into your life. Set those intentions in any way you choose.
Have a nice Hearty Meal
Who doesn't love a good meal with great people? You can make a roast, hold a potluck Mabon dinner ect, I usually host a bonfire night and everyone brings their own dishes to feel the group. During covid, I made a pot roast for my fiance and I! You could also do a picnic!
Fall Activities
Apple Picking, Corn Mazes, going to a Pumpkin Patch, all fall activities that are fun for the whole family, as a cute date, or great solo fun!
Honor Persephone and Demeter
If you are one to honor deities/spirits during the holidays, Persephone and Demeter are two that will definitely fall into Mabon.
According to the myth, Autumn is the time where Persephone must leave her beloved mother and travel to Hades, to fulfill her role as the Queen of the Underworld. Each year she lets go of the concerns of the upper world, and willingly descends to guide the souls of the dead over the threshold of Life and Death.
Creating an altar, and leaving offerings for them in honor of their sacrifice is an amazing way to celebrate.
Other
Other things you can do include cleansing ritual baths, Divination for the new few months, hiking, offerings for the local nature spirits, make a gratitude list for the last few months and thank the earth for her gifts
Mabon Symbols:
Cornucopia (horn of plenty), pinecones, seeds
Colors: Orange, red, yellow, brown, copper, dark yellow, dark green
As months passed, the sense of debt did nothing but grow. The more you care for her the more she wants to prove herself to you.
She has seen parents praise and flaunt their children, and their mediocre achievements, as if they were war heroes. She has also noticed how her father had been bringing you more and more to his meetings and war functions. Even her grandfather had sent you on a siege on one of the Earth kingdom’s territories(you of course came back victorious.)
The two have been shoving new titles and privileges onto you. And knowing full well they can’t simply hand it to you, they have been forcefully sending you out for war so you could earn them.
Every other week there seems to be a party for your success behind the palace walls. And since no self-respecting noble wears an outfit more than once, each month they have been ordering new and more complex designs. truly a golden age for tailors and designers.
It was wonderful to see you shine and have the recognition you deserve but the peaceful times where you would train her or cook for her have been sacrificed. Rather than every day, her training sessions with you have decreased to once every five days.
She missed spending time with you. She missed having you do her hair. She missed your flavourless cooking that was rich in vitamins and minerals. She missed your hands on her head.
Soon, the little time she would spend with you diminished when she was sent away to the Royal Fire Academy, you couldn’t even send her off(her grandfather had sent you away for yet another mission.)
She missed those moments more when her environment changed. Azula was born and grew up within the palace, with countless servants, large halls, and expensive decor that had years of history. All that was now replaced with cheap replicas and her room -may be the biggest in the student dorm- now thrice smaller. She couldn't even have her meals within her room and was required to be in the dining halls during meal time, surrounded by leeches who wanted to suck up to her.
Though it is fun watching them try but the ones that did approach her simply could not fully comprehend her greatness. All they knew was that she was the princess, nothing more and nothing less. They didn’t know the fact that she was a bending prodigy or that she had been receiving special training from one of the elite soldiers within the kingdom.
Once, prior to her attending the academy, she requested from her grandfather if she would be able to accompany you to one of your battles. Her grandfather didn’t allow it, stating that she is far too young and though the battle experience would aid her but the facts still remain, her bending skills leave much to be desired.
She knows that she isn’t at your level yet. But she also acknowledges that she is ahead of her peers. With just a bit more training, she knows that she will be qualified to attend the war meetings alongside you, gain more experience, and be more skilled than her brother could ever imagine. Someone who is strong enough so that even you would show no shame in relying on.
So with her goal set in mind, she did her own training. Every day for up to five hours, she trained, and for the remainder of the time she would study war tactics and history books.
Her everyday life had become a routine, and while being so far away from you was troubling, time seemed to fly by. And before she knew it, she was on her way back to the palace for break. She had no recollection of the events that took place during her school days. The days simply sped past her and there were no memorable moments to look back to.
She guessed the only lesson she received from the academy was that month-long falconry class.
Once her ship had docked, Azula was quick to hop off to be greeted by her home. Her servants and guards stood by in a neat formation, all with their heads down, bowing to her.
She paid them no mind, instead, she searched through the crowd. Her eyes looking for yours yet she couldn’t see you.
Walking to the nearest servant, she asked for your whereabouts. Were you perhaps on yet another mission? Why weren’t you here with everyone to greet her? To congratulate her for a successful full year at the academy?
The response she got was not to her liking.
Her jaw clenched as she marched to the training ground as her fists began to steam, releasing small puffs of fire with each swing. She was unaware of the maids that shared worried glances to one another after the burnt footprints that were left behind each of her steps.
“Y-your Highness before you go to the Major, you must go greet His Majesty-”
“Are you, a lowly commoner, telling me, the princess, what to do?” She turned to the now fearful maid. How dare she? Who does she think she is?
“N-no Your Highness! Please forgive me! It won’t happen again.”
“It better not. Why don’t you make yourself useful and take my luggage to my room?” Before she continued on her route, she spared the maid one final glance. She took a good look at her, “If I find anything missing, I'll hold you responsible.”
With that, she left.
When she made it to the ground, she made it in time to see you flip her brother. Zuko harshly landed on his back, clearly getting winded.
The display of her brother getting hurt would have brightened her mood if he didn’t smile up at you. She felt her eyebrow twitch.
Normally, when something as minuscule as a scraped knee would warrant the water works, he laughed when he got slammed onto the ground.
She watches you give him a hand, lecturing him about the attack that took place. The softness in your eyes stirred something in her.
She felt her face get hot, you were reserved for her and her alone, Zuko already has his mother, so why must he feel the need to step in between you? How greedy can he be?
Her brows furrowed and before she knew it, she had sent a blast of fire towards him.
Before he could get hit, before her aim could strike true, you pushed him back to the ground. The blast just grazing you before it hit the wall, scorching it black.
“Ack-Azula!” Zuko yelled out. “What’s wrong with you?! You could have hurt someone!”
“That’s the point.” She glared at him before sending another blast his way.
Her attack travelled halfway before being countered by another, the collision between the two sent dirt and small debris into the air. She covered her eyes before looking to the one that stopped her fire.
You took a step closer to her, your sleeve slightly burned from her first attack but otherwise, you were unharmed. “Azula, I don’t know what has upset you but you need to calm down.” Your stance was passive but your tone was stern.
Azula remained on the offensive, “Why are you protecting him?! Are you choosing him over me?! ME?!” This time she targets her attack on you.
“Azula calm down, that’s unbecoming!” You dodge to the side, putting distance between you and Zuko.
Seeing that there is no calming her down, you decided to let her blow some steam off. Ever since she was young, her reactions tend to be explosive and she seemed to be leaning a bit towards the trigger happy side. You were planning on coaching her to get more control over her emotions, a healthy outlet so to speak. Maybe this is the perfect time to work on it
“Zuko, you did well on your training today, why don’t you go take a bath and enjoy the rest of the day?” You suggested plainly all the while dodging and countering the angry attacks of Azula.
“B-but Azula—”
“I got her, you have nothing to worry about.” You tried to wave him off.
Your lack of attention drove her mad.
“Stop ignoring me!” She sent a bigger blast. Why are you still talking to him when she’s right here in front of you? Look at her! Talk to her!
Pay attention to me!
“… are you sure?” He got up on his feet, shielding his face from the heat and dust.
“You are kind, but rest assured I’ll be fine. We’ll be joining you for dinner later so please get your rest.” You reassured him before ducking down to avoid a blast to the face while making sure he did leave.
“Huh.” You noticed the slow increase in temperature and the duration of the stray blasts that were still ablaze before sending her an attack of your own. “Dodge it!”
She lets out a frustrated yell before rolling out of the way. Landing on her knees, she punches with two fists, sending two balls of fire at the same time.
This time, her fire came out lighter in color. Since that one, they became lighter and lighter. But she paid them no mind.
Her breathing became ragged, and after an hour or so of non stop onslaught of attacks, she fell to her knees. She heard you walk up to her though she was too busy trying to catch her breath. Her hands clutching at the dirt while she’s gasping.
“You did well, I can tell you’ve been doing your own training.” You praised, stopping just a few steps from her. “The only critique I can give you is that you forgot your breathing, take controlled slow breaths, this way you can fight longer and better. More oxygen to your brain, the better decisive you can be in battle.” You fold your arms over your chest. “Also, when you-”
“Shut up!”
She saw red, how humiliating for her to let you see her in such a state. Zuko must have planned this. Unbecoming. And yet here you are, still with her. She felt shame.
She didn’t deserve you.
If only she could show her gratitude to you in some way in some shape or form. Her father and grandfather already showering you with titles and riches, so what can she do? What is something that she has and that only she can do?
Whenever she gets wounded, you tend to her injuries. If only she could do the same. Maybe if she was stronger, maybe she could…
Taking a deep breath in, she shot her hand up towards you.
She expected red but out came blue.
Not even you expected such a brilliant color. The shock combined with the close proximity did not provide you time to evade the blast. It hit you in the chest. Your supposed high grade body suit that was rumoured to be fireproof melted. The molten fabric fusing with your now blistering skin as you were sent back to the ground.
You head hitting the ground hard before you were promptly knocked out.
Azula’s hand shook as her eyes focused on your unconscious form. You lied there in front of her, covered in sweat and dirt, with your chest open and roasted.
She wanted to run to you, to ask for forgiveness for hurting you.
But she didn’t.
She stayed rooted on all fours. Letting out ragged breaths as she lowered her hand to her face.
She attacked you. She hurt you. And now you, her strong and dependable guardian, looked so vulnerable. So… in need of care.
I don't fault you for the broad question because I'd ask too, but I need you to know that as a non-smoker I've never felt so strongly the need for a cigarette as I did just now thinking about answering this question. But I'll do my best.
In November of last year, the country elected Javier Milei as president. He would swear into office the next month. Javier Milei is a self-identified anarcho-capitalist and libertarian, although he states he is a minarchist in the short term (meaning he thinks the only functions the State should serve are those of law enforcement: no public education, social development, market regulations, etc etc). Some of his most controversial campaign statements included projects to legalise the free and unregulated sale of organs, and, along with his vice-president Victoria Villarruel (who in her youth organised visits to Jorge Rafael Videla in prison), apologia for the 1976 military dictatorship by revindicating the theory of the two demons (fair warning that from what I skimmed that article is biased in favour of the theory) and casting into doubt the estimated 30.000 victims of state terrorism (torture, disappearance followed by death) (also warning that that article uses the name the military junta gave this process) during its duration.
Since he took over six months ago, the population's purchasing power has dropped by 38%, plunging millions of people below the line of poverty. In stark contrast to this, Milei has been travelling around the world using public funds to visit his ultraright idols; most notably, Trump, who is not the political leader of any country at the moment (making his trip to see him a personal visit and not a diplomatic one, thus invalidating his arguments for using our money to go there).
On the subject of diplomacy, his government has been swinging quite a lot of bats at hornets' nests, accusing China and Brazil of communism and insulting the wife of the president of Spain. All of this is an international relations nightmare that will take endless apologies to undo.
Another interesting resolution deregulates the operations of foreign companies, SPVs, and offshore companies (article in Spanish), with the stated goal of attracting investments. Those types of companies have historically been used to conceal illicit activity, so resolutions in that vein pave the way to effectively turn Argentina into a fiscal paradise. This isn't the only problem they pose (offshore companies don't pay taxes, so there'd be a loss in the public sector, for example), but it is the most worrying to me because they also eliminated restrictions for Sociedades de Acciones Simplificadas (simplified stock companies), most of which have historically been used to commit crimes among which is the drug trade. Once you have narcos in your country, there's no taking it back--Argentina would be at real risk of ceasing to exist as we know it.
This administration is also slashing public spending, resulting in some universities suspending their activities temporarily. They also failed to deliver oncological medicine, depriving cancer patients of assistance the state is obligated to provide. As a result of this, several people have died already. In this climate of extreme poverty, soup kitchens have been shutting down en masse due to the withdrawal of state funding, and laws that protected tenants' rights and regulated rent prices have been severely modified to the detriment of the tenants.
The violent decrease in public spending also resulted in thousands of state workers being fired overnight. The attack is especially centred on state organisations that promote the arts or whose purpose is to fight discrimination. On this subject, 10% of the transgender and travesti workers who had their positions guaranteed by the law were fired illegally, and government members are outspoken about their opposition to this law--which isn't surprising. Diana Mondino, the current chancellor, has compared same-sex marriage to "the right to having lice" while she held a position in Congress. Ricardo Bussi, a current legislator, compared homosexuality to disability in October 2023. Coming to this year, Francisco Sánchez, the Secretary of Religion, said that the laws protecting the right to abortions, divorce, and same-sex marriage "seek to pervert our children and damage society". Milei is also on record describing abortion as "homicide aggravated by the bond".
Also recently, Milei's biographer, Nicolás Márquez, gave a one-hour interview in which he characterised homosexuality as a disease, claiming that when the State "promotes homosexuality" (as it allegedly did before Milei came to power), it is aiding a "self-destructive" conduct, supporting these claims with unfounded statistics about the correlation between STIs and homosexuality; he also denied the existence of homophobia and described lesbians and gays as being "against nature". For the sake of full disclosure, I will say he explicitly freed Milei and his government of responsibility for his declarations--but I think it's really important to point out the kind of people and rhetorics this government is giving a platform to; after all, nobody knew Nicolás Márquez before he started writing for Milei. In approximately the same time frame, and in response to a horrific hate crime that resulted in the death of three lesbians, Manuel Adorni, the presidential spokesman, said that he "doesn't like" to talk about a hate crime because men suffer violence too--and he said this in a press conference.
I'm probably forgetting something important--so much has happened in the past months--but I hope this is enough to give you an impression of the changes our society is undergoing. Please let me know if you have follow-up questions. <3
I haven't posted much about myself and my life here in a bit. So here goes an attempt.
I successfully graduated and finished my bachelors degree at the beginning of May (yay!). I didn't go to the ceremony, and I've vowed to get pro photos done with my diploma. It hasn't happened but it's still something I want.
My degree was interdisciplinary. I'd started pursuing a Social Work degree, but the more I learned about the profession the less I wanted to trap myself inside of it. Turns out: it was a great call.
My area of expertise is where social work and formal emergency management (think: FEMA, Red Cross, etc) intersect. Long story short: they don't intersect very well, and the slightest bit of effort would significantly improve things. But that effort would have to be carried by the emergency management side. And from what I've seen and experienced, it has no interest.
Looking for work has been stressful. Jobs are getting eliminated due to lost funding (thanks trump), and the competition has been high as those with experience AND education are also having to throw their hats in for whatever positions are allegedly available.
My hope was to do liaison work. Translate jargon between the two and hold some common ground. Obviously, that just not a possibility in the US at this point in time. Moving abroad for work is challenging because my husband is one of the lucky few who has yet to have his student loan repayment funding cut. With another couple hundred thousand to go, walking away from having 60% relieved is not an easy or simple decision.
I happened to stumble across a virtual community of folks who had previously been in the professional DEI space. Consultants, coaches, advocates. Many of whom lost their jobs or multiple contracts all of a sudden and at once. They've been supporting each other, and me, on many levels. It's honestly beautiful and I feel very lucky.
During the onset of COVID, I took an online life-coaching course. A few people I was close with at the time suggested that I try it out - completely unsolicited - so I got into it a bit. By the end, I'd already decided I wanted to use my education benefits from being in the army before they were taken away. At that point, I was already anticipating another trump term... and a worse one at that.
In a fucked up sort of serendipity, coaching is once again on the table. Which is a strange way to say that I'm launching a coaching service next week. I'm using what I've learned and experienced to inform my practice, and I'm sticking it to the man by baking in the aspect of building local social connections as an essential element.
I was very fortunate to have been able to learn from Indigenous Alaskan instructors, and instructors that were trained by Indigenous Alaskan and Hawaiian instructors and elders. Nearly every course I took required or encouraged me to learn about historically traditional ways of living and thinking from indigenous histories, as well as discover my own historical traditions from pre-colonial eras. Since graduating, I've had so much time on my hands that I just dove into whatever I could get my hands on along these lines.
And in the past three days, I've come up with an entire coaching concept that centers organic processes that don't commit to unrealistic and irresponsible timelines, expectations, or requirements. I've created a complete novel framework for goal setting and achievement. Like... trademarkable. (I don't know if I'd actually do that, but it's a very real option). I have programming that is designed to take as long as it takes while decreasing in cost over time. Because the reality is, if I'm coaching effectively? My clients will have less and less to gain from me because they are becoming more capable and confident the more time they spend with me.
I'm privileged in that I don't need to make more than $40K a year. My husband makes enough that a (relatively) small contribution from me will financially stabilize us enough to stabilize every other area of our lives. AND I'm privileged to be able to do EXACTLY what I've always wanted to.
I intend to do my very best at this. And I commit to making my work about all of us. Because we need each other.
Hello there! Welcome to another edition of ‘Feel Good Newsletter’. I'm so glad you're here. Every week, I scour the web for the most uplifting and heartwarming stories to bring you a little bit of joy and inspiration. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive in!
1. Minnesota House passes "universal" school meals, providing free breakfast, lunch to students
The Minnesota House of Representatives is considering a bill that would provide universal school meals to all students in the state, regardless of their families' ability to pay. The goal of the bill is to ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals and are better equipped to learn in the classroom.
If the bill is approved, Minnesota would become the second state in the country, after California, to offer universal school meals. The bill has the support of education and anti-hunger advocates, who argue that it would help to address food insecurity and improve student health and academic performance.
2. Ukraine succeeds in bringing back 128 children forcibly removed to Russia
Ukraine has succeeded in bringing back 128 children forcibly taken by the invaders to Russia.
Source: Yuliia Usenko, Head of the Department for the Protection of the Interests of Children and Combating Violence of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine, quoted by Ukrinform
Quote: "We have managed to bring 128 children back to Ukraine. More than 50 of them, together with their parents or guardians, are currently in EU countries.
3. Putting solar panels in grazing fields is good for sheep
A study found that installing solar panels in grazing fields is beneficial for sheep. The study was conducted in the UK and found that sheep were more likely to spend time in areas with solar panels than in areas without. This is because the panels provide shade and shelter from the sun, wind, and rain.
The researchers believe that this could help to improve the welfare of sheep, as they are more likely to seek out shade in hot weather, which can reduce the risk of heat stress. The study also found that the solar panels had little impact on the growth and health of the grass, which is important for the sheep's diet.
4. Dad takes toddler son for a manicure after teacher says it's 'only for girls'
The father and son were at a "Daddy and Me" event, where fathers were encouraged to spend time with their children doing various activities. The father chose to take his son to get a manicure, but was told by the teacher in charge of the activity that it was only for girls. The father was reportedly surprised and upset by the teacher's statement, as he felt that it was important for his son to be able to express himself however he wants, without gender stereotypes getting in the way.
The article notes that the incident highlights the ongoing issue of gender stereotypes and the importance of promoting gender equality and inclusivity, especially in children's activities.
4. More than half of new U.S. electric-generating capacity in 2023 will be solar, and only 14% will be using fossil fuels
Information Administration (EIA), energy production in the country increased for the fourth consecutive week. The EIA data showed that the output of oil, natural gas, and coal rose by 1.6%, 2.2%, and 3.2% respectively. The increase in energy production is due to a combination of factors, including improved drilling techniques, favorable weather conditions, and rising global demand for energy.
5. Deforestation in Brazil falls by 60% in first month under Lula
Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil fell for the first time this year, according to a report by Reuters. The decrease is attributed to increased enforcement of environmental regulations and increased monitoring of illegal logging activities. The Brazilian government has implemented several measures to reduce deforestation and preserve the Amazon rainforest, which is a critical component of the global ecosystem.
6. Cat returned to NJ shelter for being 'too affectionate' now happy in his new home
A cat named Bruno surrendered to a shelter in New Jersey and was eventually adopted by a new family. Bruno, who was described as a friendly and affectionate cat, is now happily settling into his new home. The story of Bruno's adoption serves as a reminder of the importance of animal shelters and the work they do to find loving homes for abandoned pets.
7. A doggy day care was on fire. Neighbors helped save all 115 dogs inside.
A fire broke out at a doggy daycare and resort in Seattle, causing significant damage to the building. No dogs or employees were injured in the fire, but several dogs had to be temporarily relocated to other facilities. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the resort is working to make repairs and get back to serving the community's four-legged friends as soon as possible.
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That's it for this week. If you liked this post you can support this newsletter with a small kofi donation:
Phew! Yesterday I finished another challenge. This was so much harder than that mental healthcare challenge I did last year. I’ll summarize my thoughts here, so this post will be longer than usual.
Well, first things first: Happy New Year! How did you spend your New Year's Eve? I had a pretty quiet day, with no major activities other than finishing watching The Way of the Househusband and going for a walk. I spent New Year's Eve at a Buddhist temple meditating and reciting mantras for world peace. I spent the first day of the year with my aunt and uncle at my parents' house. We had lunch together, watched TV and played dominoes. I taught them how to play Uno and they loved it, we had a lot of fun. When I got home, I watched the second season of Spy X Family (which finally arrived on Netflix in my country). It wasn't a very productive end to a productivity challenge, but I planned to finish it at the end of the year, so I'm happy to have accomplished my initial goal.
Here are my thoughts on this challenge: I chose a productivity challenge because I needed to grow my candle company quickly, but I learned the hard way that there's no way to be productive if you're mentally ill. I only started my psychiatric treatment for anxiety, OCD and depression in mid-November, so the previous months were quite challenging. Considering that I've also had some side effects after starting my meds, I can say that the following months were also challenging lol, and that I wasn't able to do everything I wanted. I feel like I'm always demanding more of myself than I'm capable of doing. Maybe if I had rested more last year I wouldn't be feeling like a total failure now. In fact, my mental exhaustion was so bad that I had to take a vacation in the last few days (in theory, I'm on vacation until this Sunday. Pray for me. It's very hard to rest) and, although I did work a little, I focused more on playing games, reading, and watching anime. Here I confirm what I've said in the past: productivity challenges are not for me (at least not now).
I'm starting this year feeling quite discouraged and without any major goals. A few days ago I started to notice a decrease in the effect of my antidepressant, so I've been feeling sadder and more depressed than usual (it could also be my luteal phase). I want to think about a next challenge that's gentler and more focused on the present. I'll post my ideas here soon! And if you've made it this far, thanks for reading!
🥀: day 27/27
💧: 1 L
🧠: New Year’s Eve meditation (30 min)
🧘🏻♀️: 🚫
🏃🏻♀️: running (2 km)
🕯️: sold and delivered candles + office work (4 h)
