Hello all, below are a selection of letters sent from, to, and about J. R. R. Tolkien in the week of 13 to 19 May. (Links lead to our 'On This Day' page where you can search all dates and see other letters on any day.)
13 May
JRRT to C.A. Furth (at George Allen & Unwin) 13 May 1937 - Tolkien writes, offering his thoughts on a potential publication of The Hobbit in the US. He says that he can produce the illustrations requested or if they prefer, they can contract another artist for the work. He does however say that he would want to veto anything that is too alike to a Disney style.
JRRT to Rayner Unwin (at George Allen & Unwin) 13 May 1954 - Tolkien expresses his pleasure at the opinions of The Lord of the Rings. He is not pleased with the Houghton Mifflin edition for the USA market and offers some suggestions to improve it.
JRRT to Joy Hill (at George Allen & Unwin) - 13 May 1966 - Writing to his secretary, Tolkien thanks her for the packets sent to him. He would like a ticket for a Donald Swann concert and notes that he will not send anything to be used in the Tolkien Reader. He notes that The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth would be much more suited to a collected volume than anything connected to The Lord of the Rings, which had been suggested by Stanley Unwin.
14 May
G.B. Smith to JRRT ?14 May 1915 - Smith writes to Tolkien asking him to send his poem, 'Goblin Feet' to the editor of Oxford Poetry, 1915.
Christopher Wiseman to JRRT 19 May 1917 - Wiseman returns manuscripts of G.B. Smith's poetry to Tolkien.
JRRT to Christopher Tolkien 14 May 1944 - Writing to his son Christopher, Tolkien gives updates on The Lord of the Rings among other happenings. He has heard C.S. Lewis reading from some chapters of his work, The Great Divorce.
JRRT to Joy Hill (at George Allen & Unwin) 14 May 1962 - Tolkien sends corrected proofs for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.
JRRT to Jonathan Wordsworth 14 May 1972 - Tolkien writes to Wordsworth accepting an invitation to dine with 'The Society', an Oxford Dining club.
15 May
JRRT to Florence Williams (wife of Charles Williams) 15 May 1945 - Tolkien writes expresses his sympathy to Florence and her son on the death of Charles Williams.
George S. Gordon to Kenneth Sisam 15 May 1924 - Tolkien's co-editor on the Clarendon Chauver writes to Kenneth Sisam to say that Tolkien has agreed to retire from the project.
16 May
JRRT to Rayner Unwin (at George Allen & Unwin) 16 May 1958 - Tolkien gives Rayner Unwin an update on his health, namely after some dental issues. he notes that he has not been able to work on the matter of the Zimmerman Lord of the Rings movie but includes some commentary.
Edith Tolkien to Alan Rook 16 May 1939 - Edith writes to Alan Rook, a student from Oxford, inviting him to the Tolkien's home at the weekend.
17 May
JRRT to H.S. Bennet 17 May 1954 - Tolkien writes on C.S. Lewis' proposed move to Cambridge.
JRRT to David Best 17 May 1967 - Tolkien replies to a fan who had written to Tolkien, including a version of Tom Bombadil written in English runes.
18 May
JRRT to Robert Theodore Meyer 18 May 1972 - Tolkien writes, declining a request to be interviewed.
Henry Willink to JRRT 18 May 1949 - Willink gives Tolkien an update on his wifes ill-health. he also remarks on his admiration and appreciation for The Hobbit.
19 May
JRRT to Miss Turnbull 19 May 1955 - Tolkien thanks Miss Turnbull for a gift and says that he at last sent proofs for The Return of The King to his publisher.
JRRT to Dr. Zettersten 19 May 1959 - Tolkien writes, remarking that Ancrene Wisse is now at the press and publication will depend on hwo quickly he can return the proofs.
Tags on the letters above include The Hobbit, Illustrations, US publishing, The Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis, Fæder his suna, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, Oxford University, Poetry, World War I, Catholocism, Charles Williams, Clarendon Chaucer, George S. Gordon, The Lord of the Rings movie, Runes, The Return of the King, Ancrene Wisse, Health, A Spring Harvest.

(Note: This is not mine. This was a comment by u/cn3m_ on Islam_1 which has been taken over by Hadith rejectors. However, I believe that this comment of his is still valuable)
We have something called fitrah (فطرة), meaning natural disposition of mankind, or human nature. We all have that irregardless of belief but it's either distorted by one's parents or from the society.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Every child is born in a state of fitrah (natural disposition of man, i.e. Islam), then his parents make him into a Jew or a Christian or a Magian.”
The fitrah we have, knows only the generic good and evil but the revelation from Allah only conforms to both intellect and fitrah as Allah touches upon the details of good and evil in the Qur'an and through Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him).
For example, lying is an evil characteristic, which all religions and systems of ethics warn against and which man's innate common sense (fitrah) agrees that it is wrong. Those who possess chivalry and sound reason also say this.
Truthfulness is one of the pillars on which the moral survival of the world depends. It is the foundation of praiseworthy characteristics, the cornerstone of Prophethood, the result of God fearing (تقوى). Were it not for truthfulness, the rulings of all divinely-revealed laws would collapse. Acquiring the characteristic of lying is akin to shedding one's humanity, because speaking is an exclusively human trait.
Everything about Islam conforms to our natural disposition and intellect. No other religion but Islam answers important life questions such as "What is the purpose of life?", "Why do we live?" and "What's going to happen when we die?" That is the reason why I converted to Islam. All other religions, even philosophical systems or whatever you may call them, lack uniform answers to these questions. Instead, they present differing and contradicting interpretations. This is not the case in Islam. Other belief systems lack a solid foundation to refer back to, leading to inconsistencies. Everything you may believe in becomes subjective, dictated by whims and desires. The standards set by these belief systems lack a solid basis and offer no real foundation. One day, something is good; the next, it may be regarded as bad.
At the end of the day, the emphasis is on submitting oneself to the One who deserves to be worshipped, Allah, which is the essence of Islam and the definition of a Muslim. The goal is to live according to the purpose for which we were created: to worship Allah. The English term "worship" lacks the depth it has in Arabic. Many people understand worship as a ritual, similar to Christians attending the Church at Sunday, after which they've completed their act of worship. But here, worship encompasses every aspect of life: doing good deeds, smiling at others, helping the needy, and so on. We were not left in this life without purpose. Rectifying your heart and being sincere with Allah in your daily actions is a form of worship and a way of remembering Allah. Understanding this and learning the essentials of the religion will make your life more meaningful and joyful. Allah says in the Qur'an:
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ
"Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allâh: verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest." (13:28)
And Allah says:
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةًۭ طَيِّبَةًۭ ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
"Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do. " (16:97)
When it comes to other Ayat (Verses) of the Qur'an, Allah says:
إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَـٰطِلًا سُبْحَـٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire. (Aali 'Imraan 3:190-191)
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ مَآ أُرِيدُ مِنْهُم مِّن رِّزْقٍ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَن يُطْعِمُونِ
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me." (Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:56-57)
تَبَـٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ
"Blessed be He in Whose Hand is the dominion; and He is Able to do all things. Who has created death and life that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving;" (Al-Mulk 67:1-2)
On the contrary, as scholars have said that Allah had described the attitude of the disbelievers towards the wisdom of His creation:
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَـٰطِلًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ
"And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the consideration of those who disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve (in Islamic Monotheism) from the Fire!" (Saad 38:27)
Shaykh ‘Abdurrahman as-Sa’di (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
Allah tells us of His perfect wisdom in creating the heavens and the earth, and that He has not created them in vain, i.e., in play with no beneficial purpose.
“That is the consideration of those who disbelieve” in their Lord, because they think that which does not befit His Majesty.
“Then woe to those who disbelieve (in Islamic Monotheism) from the Fire!” Allah created the heavens and earth in truth for truth. He created them so that His slaves might understand the completeness of His Knowledge and Power and the extent of His Might, and that He Alone is the One to be worshipped, and not those who have not created even an atom in the heavens or on earth. And that they might know that the Resurrection is true and that Allah will judge between the people of good and evil. The one who is ignorant of the wisdom of Allah should not think that Allah will treat them equally when judging them. Hence Allah says:
أَمْ نَجْعَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ كَٱلْفُجَّارِ
“Shall We treat those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds as Mufsidoon (those who associate partners in worship with Allah and commit crimes) on earth? Or shall We treat the Muttaqoon (the pious) as the Fujjaar (criminals, disbelievers, the wicked)?” (Saad 38:28)
This does not befit Our wisdom and Our judgement. End quote.
Tafseer as-Sa’di, p. 712.
Relevant:
• ⁠Is there a True Religion? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZfpgKCHkOs&feature=youtu.be] • ⁠What is Islam? [https://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single/en_What_Islam.pdf]
Hence, I would like to invite you to Islam and implore you to conciser to embrace Islam. If you hesitate, what prevents you from embracing Islam? It's actually very easy to embrace Islam, it is as easy as uttering the testimony of faith:
Ash-hadu an-laa ilaaha ill'Allaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasoolullaah.
I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
That's it. If you say and believe in those words, then you have embraced Islam and are now a Muslim. It's not essential to have witnesses to embrace Islam. Don't hesitate to say the testimony of faith. Don't worry about secondary issues. If you are convinced that Islam is the truth, that's what's most important. We never know when death will come, so don't occupy yourself with pondering and worrying about secondary issues. Instead, concern yourself with whether you'll live to say the testimony of faith, because life after death is either Paradise or Hell.
It was authentically reported that Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By the One is Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, not one of this nation, Jew or Christian, will hear of me and will die without having believed in that with which I have been sent, but he will be one of the dwellers of Hell fire." (Narrated by Muslim, 153)

I had become emotionally abusive
I 37m have been showing signs of emotional abuse to my wife 36f together 15 years.
I don't and haven't done all of the signs of emotional abuse, but not doing them all doesn't make it okay. I had been accusing of infidelity, flirting with other men ect after she switched careers to a job where she works mostly with men.
Oddest thing about this is, I actively encouraged her and helped her to get this job, and it's not the first time I have helped her with a career change or helped fund education, I have never been against her success financially.
Anyways, through the accusations, and getting upset/jealous when she went out without me or wanted to go with friends and not invite me. Also getting upset with who she talks with and starting to monitor her location and social media/email. She snapped, and attempted to do something with someone I bad been accusing her of being unfaithful with. I followed her there and confronted them.
I did the typical blame her, say see this is why I had to follow you, this is why you can't be trusted, no accountability on my end for putting her in a fight or flight stance for her own autonomy.
I did some reading and thinking and found out people do these things in reaction to emotional abuse. I have a lot of those signs from my behavior. (I don't put down her appearance, beak things, use physical intimidation, so I assumed I wasn't being abusive) anyways, I was being abusive and it makes me sick to believe I could do that to someone I thought I was doing so much good for.
We were going to separate, we aren't for now anyway. We are doing both couples and individual therapy and I honestly already trust and understand her better than before the incident of attempted infidelity.
We have passion, love, children, and lately a lot of happiness although she is rightfully concerned that this is temporary. She obviously wants to find her own sense of self again and I am not going to stand in the way.
Long story short, I don't want to build her up to break her down again. A healthy relationship can help both partners have a safe place to find themselves and be themselves...
Has anyone out there recovered from being abusive this way and able to be a healthy partner? It's known childhood trauma has contributed to me developing an anxious attachment, and I am continuing counseling indefinitely, any tips or ideas or advice? I don't want to cause any more emotional pain to this person I care for so much.
Tl;dr : I began suspecting things and following my spouse, accusing her of things monitoring her email. Getting upset at friends she was seeing, eventually she did try to do something with someone I had accused her of after a night of particularly harsh accusations and guilt trips for seeing a different friend. I'm getting couples and individual counseling. Anything else I can do to make this a healthy relationship again, swallowing some pride and not being upset about the incident I can't lie is difficult.

Jacob Boehme (or as some say Behmen) was a German mystic and spiritualist who began to write in the 17th century. In his works he inserted a picture of an angel blowing a trumpet, from which issued these words: "To all Christians, Jews, Turks and Heathens, to all the nations of the earth this Trumpet sounds for the last time." In truth it was a curious emblem, but he, the author, was a mystic, and as all experience shows, the path of the mystic is a strange one. It is, as Job says, a path which the "vulture knoweth not." Even as a bird cleaves the eternal ether, so the mystic advances on a path nor ordinarily manifest, a way which must be followed with care, because like the Great Light, which flashes forth and leaves only traces when it returns again to its centre, only indications are left for those who come after seeking the same spiritual wisdom. Yet by these "traces," for such they are called in the Kabbala, the way can be discerned, and the truth discovered.
Boehme was poor, of common birth, and totally devoid of ordinary education. He was only a shoemaker. Yet from the mind and out of the mouth of this unlettered man came mighty truths.
It would be idle to inquire into the complications of Karma which condemned him to such a life as his appeared to be. It must have been extremely curious, because though he had grasped the truth and was able to appreciate it, yet at the same time he could not give it out in its perfect form. But he performed his work, and there can be no manner of doubt about his succeeding incarnation. As Krishna says in the Bhagavad-Gita, he has been already or will shortly be "born into a family of wise devotees"; and thence "he will attain the highest walk."
His life and writings furnish another proof that the great wisdom-religion―the Secret Doctrine―has never been left without a witness. Born a Christian, he nevertheless saw the esoteric truth lying under the moss and crust of centuries, and from the Christian Bible extracted for his purblind fellows those pearls which they refused to accept. But he did not get his knowledge from the Christian Scriptures only. Before his internal eye the panorama of real knowledge passed. His interior vision being open he could see the things he had learned in a former life, and at first not knowing what they were was stimulated by them to construe his only spiritual books in the esoteric fashion. His brain took cognizance of the Book before him, but his spirit aided by his past, and perchance by the living guardians of the shining lamp of truth, could not but read them aright.
His work was called "The Dawning of the Eternal Day." In this he endeavors to outline the great philosophy. He narrates the circumstances and reasons for the angelic creation, the fall of its chief three hierarchies, and the awful effects which thereupon fell upon Eternal Nature. Mark this, not upon man―for he was not yet―but upon the eternal Nature, that is BRAHM. Then he says that these effects came about by reason of the unbalancing of the seven equipoised powers of forces of the Eternal Nature or Brahm. That is to say, that so long as the seven principles of Brahm were in perfect poise, there was no corporeal or manifested universe. So in the Bhagavad-Gita we find that Krishna tells Arjuna that "after the lapse of a thousand ages (or Night of Brahm) all objects of developed matter come forth from the non-developed principle. At the approach of that day they emanate spontaneously." (Bhagavad-Gita, Chap. 8. ) Such is the teaching of the Secret Doctrine.
And again Boehme shows the duality of the Supreme Soul. For he says in his work "Psychologia Vera cum Supplemento" that these two eternal principles of positive and negative, the yea and the nay of the outspeaking Supreme One, together constitute eternal nature,―not the dark world alone; which is termed the "root of nature,―" the two being as it were combined in perfect indissoluble union.
This is nothing else but Purush and Prakriti, or taken together, what is referred to in the Bhagavad-Gita where it is said: "But there is another invisible, eternal existence, superior to this visible one, which does not perish when all things perish. It is called invisible and indivisible. This is my Supreme Abode."
Clearly the Supreme Abode could never be in Purush alone, nor in Prakriti alone, but in both when indissolubly united.
This scheme is adhered to all through this great philosopher's works, no matter whether he is speaking of the great Universe or macrocosm, or of its antitype in man or microcosm. In "De Tribus Principiis" he treats of the three principles or worlds of Nature, describing its eternal birth, its seven properties, and the two co-eternal principles; and furthermore in "De Triplici Vita Hominis" he gives the three-fold life of man from which the seven is again deduced.
In "De Electione Gratia" he goes into a subject that often proves a stumbling block to many, and that is the inevitableness of evil as well as of good. From this it is easy to pass to a contemplation of one of the difficult points in occultism as shown in the Secret Doctrine, that nothing is evil, and that even if we admit evil or wickedness in man, it is of the nature of the quality or guna, which in the Bhagavad-Gita is denominated raja―foulness or bad action. Even this is better than the indifferent action that only leads to death. Even from wickedness may and does come forth spiritual life, but from indifferent action comes only darkness, and finally death.
Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita, Chap. IV: "There are three kinds of action: first, that which is of the nature of Satyam, or true action; second, that which is of the nature of Raja, or bad action; third, that which is of the nature of Tamas, or indifferent action." He then says: "Although thou wert the greatest of all offenders, thou shalt be able to cross the gulf of sin in the bark of spiritual wisdom"; and a little farther on "The ignorant and man without faith, whose spirit is full of doubt, is lost and cannot enjoy either world." And in another chapter in describing Himself, he says that he is not only the Buddha, but also is the most evil of mankind or the Asura.
This is one of the most mystical parts of the whole secret doctrine. While Boehme has touched on it sufficiently to show that he had a memory of it, he did not go into the most occult details. It has to be remembered that the Bhagavad-Gita, and many other books treating on the Secret Doctrine, must be regarded from seven points of view; and that imperfect man is not able to look at it from the centre, which would give the whole seven points at once.
Boehme wrote about thirty different treatise, all of them devoted to great subjects, portions of the Secret Doctrine.
Curiously enough the first treated of the "Dawn of the Eternal Day," and the second was devoted to an elucidation of "The Three Principles of Man." In the latter is really to be found a sevenfold classification similar to that which Mr. Sinnett propounded in "Esoteric Buddhism."
He held that the greatest obstacle in the path of man is the astral or elementary power, which engenders and sustain this world.
Then he talks of "tinctures," which we may call principles. According to him there are two principles ones, the watery, and the igneous. These ought to be united in Man; and they ardently seek each other continually, in order to be identified with Sophia or Divine Wisdom. Many Theosophists will see in this a clue not only to the two principles―or tinctures―which ought to be united man, but also to a law which obtains in many of the phenomena of magic. But even if I were able, I should not speak on this more clearly.
For many inquirers the greatest interest in these works will be found in his hypothesis as to the birth of the material Universe. On the evolution of man from spirit into matter he has much more than I could hope to glance at. In nearly all of it he was outlining and illustrating the Secret Doctrine. The books indicated are well worthy of study not only by Western but also by Eastern metaphysicians.
Let us add a few sentences to support this hypothesis from Count Saint Martin, who was a devoted student of these works.
"Jacob Boehme took for granted the existence of an Universal Principle; he was persuaded that everything is connected in the immense chain of truths, and that the Eternal Nature reposed on seven principles or bases, which he sometimes calls powers, forms, spiritual wheels, sources, and fountains, and that those seven bases exist also in this disordered material nature, under constraint. His nomenclature, adopted for these fundamental relations, ran thus: The first astringency, the second gall or bitterness, the third anguish, the fourth fire, the fifth light, the sixth sound, and the seventh he called BEING or the thing itself."
The reader may have begun to think the author did not rightly comprehend the first six but his definition of the seventh shows he was right throughout, and we may conclude the real meanings are concealed under these names.
"The third principle, anguish, attenuates the astringent one, turns it into water, and allows a passage to fire, which was shut up in the astringent principle."
There are in this many suggestions and a pursuit of them will repay the student.
"Now the Divine Sophia caused a new order to take birth in the centre of our system, and there burned our sun; from that do come forth all kinds of qualities, forms and powers. This centre is the Separator." It is well known that from the sun was taken by the ancients all kinds of power; and if we mistake not, the Hindus claim that when the Fathers enter into Para-Nirvana, their accumulated goodness pours itself out on the world through the "Door of the Sun."
The Bhagavad-Gita says, that the Lord of all dwells in the region of the heart, and again that this Lord is also the Sun of the world.
"The earth is a condensation of the seven primordial principles, and by the withdrawal of eternal light this became a dark valley." It is taught in the East, that this world is a valley and that we are in it, our bodies reaching to the moon, being condensed to hardness at the point where we are on the earth thus becoming visible to the eye of man. There is a mystery in this statement, but not such an one as cannot be unravelled.
Boehme proceeds: "When the light mastered the fire at the place of the sun, the terrible shock of the battle engendered an igneous eruption by which there shot forth from the sun a stormy and frightful flash of fire―Mars. Taken captive by light it assumed a place, and there it struggles furiously, a pricking goad, whose office is to agitate all nature, producing reaction. It is the gall of nature. The gracious, amiable Light, having enchained unerupted Mars, proceeded by its own power to the bottom or end of the rigidity of Nature, when unable to proceed further it stopped, and became corporeal; remaining there it warms that place, and although a valet in Nature, it is the source of sweetness and the moderator of Mars.
"Saturn does not originate from the sun, but was produced from the severe astringent anguish of the whole body of this Universe. Above Jupiter the sun could not mitigate the horror, and out of that arose Saturn, who is the opposite of meekness, and who produces whatever of rigidity there is in creatures, including bones, and what in moral nature corresponds thereto." (This is all the highest astrology, from one who had no knowledge of it.) "As in the Sun is the heart of life, so by Saturn commenceth all corporeal nature. Thus in these two resides the power of the whole universal body, and without their power there could be no creation nor any corporification.
"Venus originates in effluvia from the Sun. She lights the unctuosity of the water of the Universe, penetrates hardness, and enkindles love."
"Mercury is the chief worker in the planetary wheel; he is sound, and wakes up the germs in everything. His origin, the triumph of Light over Astringency (in which sound was shut up silent), set free the sound by the attenuation of the astringent power."
It is certain that if this peculiar statement regarding Mercury is understood, the student will have gained a high point of knowledge. A seductive bait is here held out to those striving disciples who so earnestly desire to hold converse with the elemental world. But there is no danger, for all the avenues are very secret and only the pure can prevail in the preliminary steps.
Boehme says again: "The Mercury is impregnated and fed continually by the solar substance; that in it is found the knowledge of what was in the order above, before Light had penetrated to the solar centre."
As to the Moon, it is curious to note that he says, "she was produced from the sun itself, at the time of his becoming material, and that the moon is his spouse." Students of the story of Adam being made to sleep after his creation and before coats of skin were given, when Eve was produced from his side, will find in this a strong hint.
The above is not by any means a complete statement of Boehme's system. In order to do justice to it, a full analysis of all his works should be undertaken. However, it is sufficient if thoughtful minds who have not read Boehme, shall turn to him after reading this, or if but one earnest reader of his works, or seeker after wisdom, shall receive even a hint that may lead to a clearing up of doubts, or to the acquisition of one new idea. Count Saint Martin continually read him; and the merest glance at the "Theosophic Correspondence" or, "Man―His Nature, &.," of Saint Martin will show that from that study he learned much. How much more then will the Western mind be aided by the light shed on both by the lamp of Theosophical teachings.
"Let the desire of the pious be fulfilled."
WILLIAM Q. JUDGE
Theosophist, April, 1886.

List of documents required for Canada PR from India
Are you planning to settle in Canada permanently? Documentation plays a pivotal role in obtaining a Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada, particularly for applicants from India. As more and more people are applying for Canada PR, the significance of accurate and systematic documentation cannot be stressed enough. Proper documentation ensures that an applicant’s credentials, work experience, educational qualifications, and personal information are presented and verified, facilitating a smoother evaluation process by Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In this article, you will learn about the List of documents required for Canada PR from India.
Mentioned below are the List of documents required for Canada PR from India:
You will be required to upload copies of the papers you used to create your profile if IRCC extends an invitation to apply. The majority of applicants must upload the following files:

• A passport or travel document
• Language Proficiency test results
• Proof of Canadian education or an educational credential assessment report for immigration purposes if
• If an applicant is applying through the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), or
• Points for education an applicant gained outside Canada
• provincial nomination (if applicable)
• formal job offer from an employer in Canada (if applicable)
• documents showing proof of work experience
• proof of funds
• police clearance certificate
• birth certificate of a dependent child (if applicable)
• medical certificate
• Use of a Representative Form—if you are using the services of one
• If you have designated your marriage status as “common-law,” the common-law union form.
• a marriage certificate, if “married”
• A legal separation agreement and a divorce certificate, if divorced
• death certificate, if you are “widowed”
• an adoption certificate, which indicates that a dependent kid has been “adopted.”

Other additional documents
These only need to be submitted if the IRCC puts them on your customized document checklist. Failure to submit these documents could result in your application being accepted or denied. They are simply employed to verify that you are eligible for the program for which you are seeking.

• evidence of kinship with a Canadian relative;
• digital images to verify your identification;
• another name to verify aliases
• Permission to disclose personal data to a specified individual form
• any additional files you believe are necessary for your application

How will Aptech Visa help you with the documentation? Aptech Visa is considered one of the ace Canada PR Consultants who provide invaluable assistance to applicants in the documentation process for Canada Permanent Residency (PR) by offering expertise, guidance, and support tailored to the specific requirements as per the Canadian Immigration Authorities. Here are several ways in which Aptech Visa can be of help:

1. Aptech Visa Provides you with Expert Guidance: Our Immigration consultants are well-versed and experienced in the latest immigration laws, and policies. They provide applicants with precise information on the required documents, ensuring that nothing essential is overlooked.
   
2. Document Screening: Consultants review all documents for accuracy and completeness. They help in identifying and rectifying any discrepancies or missing information, which can prevent delays or rejections.
   
3. Personalized Checklists: Based on an applicant’s unique profile, Case processing officers create customized checklists of required documents, making the process more manageable and organized. You can understand this by looking at one of the feedback of our happy client: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kf6RC3UwKw
   
4. Form Filling Assistance: Many immigration forms can be complex and detailed. Consultants at Aptech Visa assist applicants in accurately filling out these forms, which reduces the risk of errors that could impact the application’s success.
   
5. Preparation of Supporting Documents: Aptech Visa’s case processing officers guide applicants on how to prepare and present supporting documents, such as proof of work experience, educational credentials, and financial stability, in a manner that meets Canadian immigration standards.
   
6. Updates and Follow-ups: Consultants keep applicants informed about the status of their application and any changes in immigration policies or requirements, ensuring they remain compliant throughout the process.
   

All things considered, an immigration consultant such as Aptech Visa eases the burdensome paperwork process, giving hopefuls comfort and raising their prospects of successfully gaining permanent residence in Canada to contact our consultants you can give us a call at 7503832132, 9289289006, 9131059075.
Want to know more about the List of documents required for Canada PR from India you can refer here https://www.aptechvisa.com/canada-pr you can also check our client’s feedback to understand us better https://youtu.be/S8s9zUOJLR0, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpPQQXe2q0w If

Well, my dear Baldurians, it appears that you just can’t keep a good cult down. It appears the cult of the “ass-ended” is back, albeit under new management.
If this particular flavour tickles your fancy, just approach one of their friendly cultists who can direct you to their new headquarters at evilascendedonlyfangs
You can usually find them frequenting, urgh, flophouses, but apparently some will give you an invitation for a party at the new Lord’s ball.
The previous Lord as we know, vanished under, what this author believes, mysterious circumstances. I have sent many an interview request for the new Lord but have been rejected! Me! An Upper City Fluffington! I have my suspicions this “new” Lord is new money, and don’t we just love that in the Upper City.
As always, get your next issue from your local urchin, the slap about the ears seems to have worked, talks about unionising are at a minimum again, although they keep mentioning this “strike” word…I thinks something poor children play, I’m not sure.
Authored by D.D Fluffington of the Upper City Fluffingtons for the Baldur’s Mouth Gazette

(I love Tim Robinson and though his Netflix comedy series is not relevant here, the title for it seems to fit.)
DEFENSE SECOND VERIFIED MOTION TO DISQUALIFY JUDGE and REQUEST FOR FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW UPON DENIAL OF THIS REQUEST. IF THIS COURT DENIES THIS REQUEST
This motion was riveting and on point. It felt almost cathartic. I love that the defense takes the time IN THE TITLE to remind the judge that she needs to give FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW UPON DENIAL OF THIS REQUEST.
This reminder isn't at the end of the motion, where it's been placed before, it's in the title! That is hilarious. A judge should not have to be reminded to give facts and conclusions of law. It's a bit of a diss, but she is deserving after 8 motions responded to with "denied without hearing".
(Come on lady, do your job!)
Here are a few short excerpts for those who may not have time to read it in its entirety. Reasons the Honorable Judge Gull should really leave now.
Gull has revealed a rational inference of bias towards the defense based on the following:

a. Judge Gull engaged in ex parte communications With the State of Indiana; b. Judge Gull interfered with a properly subpoenaed defense Witness; c. Judge Gull treats the prosecution more favorably than the defense; d. Judge Gull engaged in the act of prosecuting Richard Allen by inviting the prosecutor to file pre-trial motions seeking the limitation of evidence of third-party culpability and also forecasting the outcome of such a request by the State;
e. Judge Gull continues to make disparaging comments about defense counsel in open court and in orders issued by the Court;
f. Judge Gull's handling of defense pleadings verses her handling of prosecution pleadings. g. Judge Gull placed blame on defense counsel, and its staff, for
administrative failures in maintaining confidentiality of ex-parte defense filings whereas evidence revealed that failures were on the Court's side of the filings.
h. Judge Gull failed to conduct her own internal investigation into allegations of leaks coming from her own staff, while facilitating contempt proceedings against Richard Allen's chosen attorneys for leaking confidential information related to this case.
i. Judge Gull effectively denied Richard Allen his right to a speedy trial by not requiring the prosecution to follow the same time restrictions at trial as she was forcing the defense to follow, which forced the defense to seek a continuance of the May 13, 2024 speedy trial date.

The list above gets fleshed out in full in the motion. I'm only going to post a few of the fleshed out points here. But this motion is worth reading in its entirety. I promise you, you'll feel better after.

83.The prosecution's contempt motion is not relevant to the merits of the case, While the defense's various motions described above are relevant to the merits of the case. Yet Judge Gull acted on the prosecution's motion Within 3 days, While ignoring the defense motion for weeks. Judge Gull ignored other older defense pleadings sometimes for months before ruling.
84.Many defense motions have resulted in Judge Gull issuing an order these three words "denied Without hearing'. Since their reinstatement alone, Judge Gull has denied defense motions "without hearing" a total of 8 times, including denying motions to compel discovery which Mr. Allen needs to prepare his defense.

This next seems especially egregious:
Judge Gull Ignored the Defense's Request to Set Aside 2 Weeks to Present Mr. Allen's Defense While Refusing to Set Any Time Limits on the Prosecution

87. On or about October 4, 2023, Mr. Allen's counsel notified the Court that they would need approximately two (2) weeks to present his defense.
88. In the aforementioned April 28, 2024 Sunday morning email, Judge Gull sua sponte issued a stern message in the email indicating that the trial would end on May 31, 2024, "not more or less."
89. Before issuing her order on the days allotted for trial, Judge Gull failed to reach out to the parties in order to determine how many witnesses were expected to testify, the expected length of their testimony, how many videos were expected to be played and the length of those videos; and most importantly how long each side expected their case to last based upon the evidence that they expected to present.
90. Between all defense counsel, with a combined seventy (70) years of experience, not one time have they been told that a trial would absolutely end on a certain day and not go any longer.
91. Judge Gull's inflexibility only impacts the defense as the prosecution presents its case-in-chief first and therefore likely would have enough time to put on its case, leaving the defense with little or no time to put on its case-in'chief.
92. Richard Allen possesses constitutional rights to the compulsory process of having Witnesses testify on his behalf and to confront witnesses pursuant to the 6th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, as well as a right to present a complete defense pursuant to the 14th Amendment. 93.When the defense asked Judge Gull at the May 7, 2024, hearing if the State of Indiana would be forced to abide by the same time constraints as the defense, Judge Gull would not commit to such a requirement of the prosecution.
94. Out of fear that the prosecution would run out the clock and leave the defense With minimal time to present its case, Judge Gull forced the defense to accept her remedy a continuance of a speedy trial.

95. Because of Judge Gull's refusal to guarantee the defense the same amount of time for trial as the prosecution, Richard Allen was for all intents and purposes denied his right to a speedy trial.

(Buh bye baby, buh bye!)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect digital marketing course in Dubai? Look no further, as we’ve got you covered! In this blog, we’ve listed the top digital marketing courses in Dubai, including course details such as curriculum, faculty, course reviews, placements, and more.
Digital marketing in Dubai has become increasingly important as the city has transformed into a global hub for business and commerce. The city’s tech-savvy population and growing internet penetration have created a fertile ground for Digital Marketing strategies to thrive.
As a global business hub, Dubai offers numerous opportunities in digital marketing, reflected in the success of agencies like Omnia, Digital Arabia, and Nexa. With the city evolving into a major e-commerce hub, the demand for skilled digital marketers is on the rise.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Digital Marketing Course
To choose the right digital marketing courses in Dubai for you, it’s essential to answer the following questions:

• Does the course have module-specific professors with experience? And if so, which brands have they worked for?
• Are there any networking opportunities with them?
• What modules are covered in the course? Is the syllabus AI integrated?
• Are case studies included in the curriculum to equip you with analytical skills?
• Does the institute provide 1-on-1 mentoring?
• Are there any mandatory internships for practical learning?
• Does the institute offer placement assistance?

IIDE – The Digital School
IIDE, established in 2016, has been a leading force in promoting digital education across India, Nepal, and Dubai. They have imparted their expertise in various facets of digital marketing to over 2,35,000 students worldwide. Adopting a forward-thinking approach to education, IIDE ensures that their award-winning digital marketing courses cater to the needs of students, working professionals, and business owners alike

Courses Offered

IIDE offers the following online certifications in digital marketing:

• Advanced Certification in Digital Marketing (ACDM) Preferred by: College Students, Freshers, Small Business Owners, Influencers
• Professional Certification in Digital Marketing & Strategy (PCDMS) Preferred by: Working Professionals, Agency Owners, Freelancers

Here’s a brief comparison of both the online courses:

~Criteria~ ~ACDM~ ~PCDMS~
Duration 4 Months 6 Months
Live Projects & Assignments 4 7
Certifications Offered ✅ ✅
Placement Assistance ✅ ✅
Interpersonal & Corporate Skills ✅ ✅
Agency & Leadership Skills ❌ ✅
Project Management ❌ ✅
Case Studies from Harvard Business Review ❌ ✅
Simulation from Harvard Business Review ❌ ✅
Some of the brands where IIDE alumni have worked are:
· Tiffany & Co.
· Hilton
· Emirates
· Forbes
· Rivoli
· Amazon
· Publicis Media
· Jumeirah
· One & Only
· Dentsu
· Emaar
· HiDubai
~Course Highlights~
~Course Benefits Matrix~ ~IIDE – The Digital School~
Ai Integrated Syllabus ✅
Case Studies & Projects ✅
Placement Assurance ✅
1-on-1 Mentoring ✅
Module Specific Professors ✅
Mode of Learning Online
Internships Opportunities ✅
Marketing Tools You’ll Master
A digital marketer’s day includes strategizing & executing those strategies with the help of tools. Mastering tools, both digital marketing & artificial intelligence (AI), that will fasten your progress as a digital marketer, is included in IIDE’s online digital marketing course.
Some of the marketing tools IIDE learners will master are:
· Google Ads
· Facebook Ads
· Amazon
· Freshworks
· Yoast
· MOZ
· Google AdSense
· Keywords Everywhere
· Word Press
· Hootsuite
· Google Analytics
Course Reviews
IIDE boasts a remarkable rating of 4.8 on Google, backed by an impressive collection of over 1000+ reviews. The high rating is largely attributed to numerous reviews by the students that praise the mentors, placement assistance, and the course curriculum.
Additionally, from IIDE alumni who spoke highly of their experiences and the quality of courses. As of now, I couldn’t find anything negative about them. However, you can dig a little more and check for yourself.
Contact Details
Phone Number: +91 8450980848 Email ID: [admissions@iide.co](mailto:admissions@iide.co) Website: https://iide.co/digital-marketing-course-in-dubai/

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/health/watch-michelle-oneill-faces-ferocious-grilling-at-uk-covid-inquiry-first-minister-asked-why-she-wiped-phone-messages-despite-clear-legal-advice-4627731
Health WATCH: Michelle O'Neill faces ferocious grilling at UK Covid inquiry: First Minister asked why she wiped phone messages despite 'clear' legal advice By Adam Kula Published 14th May 2024, 12:31 BST Updated 14th May 2024, 17:03 BST
Michelle O’Neill is facing a ferocious grilling at the UK’s Covid inquiry, where she has been accused of simply blaming others – particularly the UK government – instead of reflecting on her own role. She was sworn in using a secular oath as opposed to The Bible.
The First Minister of Northern Ireland began her testimony by confirming that yes, she led the country’s government, that she was a leader of her party both north and south, and that she was responsible for not just leading the response to the pandemic but leading by example too.
Having established her senior position in these slow, solemn opening exchanges with Clair Dobbin KC (barrister for the inquiry), Ms O’Neill began with the frequently-cited Sinn Fein line about “public services being decimated with 10 years of austerity cuts”.
A selection Ms O’Neill’s own words were then put to her, taken from her witness statement to the inquiry.
“Blaming others – that’s something you’ve done throughout your witness statement, isn’t it?” said Ms Dobbin.
"The constant theme throughout it, do you agree, is that you blame the UK government for the slowness of this approach in the initial stages of the pandemic: do you agree?”
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"I don’t accept I blame others throughout the statement,” replied Ms O’Neill.
Michelle O'Neill at the hearing on May 14, 2024 Michelle O'Neill at the hearing on May 14, 2024 "I accept I point out where things are wrong. In particular, I do believe my position is vindicated in terms of the fact Boris Johnson and his government were too slow to act at the start of the pandemic.”
The following was also put to her by Ms Dobbin: “Ms O’Neill, there’s no reflection I think, nor any insight in your witness statement, about any of the hurt or any of the problems you caused by attending the funeral of Mr Storey [the IRA enforcer who died while receiving NHS care in England].”
"I think I have addressed that in my statement,” Ms O’Neill replied, then asked to “address the families” directly.
"You are here to give evidence, not to address people,” came the reply.
Clair Dobbin and Michelle O'Neill at the Covid inquiry, May 14, 2024 Ms O’Neill went on to say of the Storey funeral: “I am sorry for going – and I’m sorry for the hurt that has been caused.”
In 2020, she had said: “I will never apologise for attending the funeral of my friend.”
MINUTIAE OF THE MINUTES: The handwritten minutes of an Executive meeting just after the funeral were then shown to the inquiry.
These minutes recount that Ms O’Neill had told her colleagues she was “honoured” to be invited to funeral, that he was “a huge figure”, that she knew “thousands would want to attend”, that “people vote with feet,” that there was “no dilution in my mind of public message”, and there was “no offence intended”.
A section of the minutes was read out covering comments made by Conor Murphy (the former Sinn Fein finance minister, who is not attending the inquiry on grounds of ill-health).
That section of the minutes has him saying: “Rules relaxed – not same circumstances; breach of regs – technicalities; I attended, but not in cortege; chapel – soc dist – stewardship…
"People can say what they want to say – entitled to opinion, I’m entitled to be sceptical.”
Ms Dobbin turned to Mrs O’Neill and said the minutes showed her to be “entirely unapologetic on July 2, weren’t you?”
“It was immediately after the funeral itself. I think what I said there in terms of not diluting the public message, that was wrong, because clearly I did – and I have acknowledged that, and have worked every day ever since to regain public confidence and trust.”
She added, her voice appearing almost to break: "I would never, ever set out to hurt people.”
PARTYGATE ‘HYPOCRISY’: The chairwoman of the inquiry herself then quizzed her, putting it to her that “wasn’t it a bit hypocritical” to criticise Boris Johnson over ‘Partygate’ given her involvement in the funeral?
"I don’t think so because they’re two very different things in terms of the Boris Johnson approach of partying the whole way through the pandemic and blinking their way through it to be quite blunt…”
The chairwoman interjected: “We didn’t find out about the partying ‘til after the panedmic. What you did was to do something that the bereaved couldn’t do – the normal bereaved couldn’t do – because you wanted to go to a friends funeral.
"Isn’t that then saying what Boris Johnson’s government did was wrong was hypocritical?”
Ms O’Neill responded: "No, I don’t think so because what I did was under the understanding of the regulations at that time.
"I know we don’t want to open that up my lady but I have answered that.
"But I do accept wholeheartedly that I, in some way, damaged our executive relations with colleagues who had been working very hard with me the whole way through.
“I also accept wholeheartedly I damaged the public health messaging…
"I should have anticipated the outworking of what I did.”
Ms Dobbin then asked: “Was it really that difficult to anticipate the outworking of what you did Ms O’Neill?”
Ms O’Neill replied: “It was insofar as I was concerned on a personal invite attending a cortege of 30 people and I tried not to open this up but that’s the basis on which I attended.”
Ms Dobbin said: “One of the first questions I asked you was whether or not people from Northern Ireland got the leadership they deserved from you: how can you maintain that they did, in light of what you’ve just accepted?”
Ms O’Neill: “I didn’t say everything was perfect all of the time.
"I do believe that I did lead from the front the whole way through the pandemic, as did all of my executive colleagues.
"We’ve had difficulties, we’ve had challenging times, we’ve worked through very difficult times – which I’m sure you’ll want to speak about – but I do believe I led the whole way through; albeit I put my hands up in terms of the funeral itself and how I shouldn’t have done that, because that took away from all the work I’d put in to trying to lead us through the pandemic which was hard on everybody right across society…
"I worked day and night to get us through this pandemic, so apart from this one time I do believe my leadership was strong through the pandemic.”
Ms Dobbin said: “Well, let’s examine that...”
DELETED MESSAGES: Later in the session, Ms O’Neill was asked if she accepts that she “cleansed or wiped your devices when the powersharing arrangements came to an end”.
"That’s right,” she replied.
"Did you delete them in and around February 2022 or was it later than that?”
She responded: “I’m assuming whenever I left office, yes”.
Ms O’Neill went on to tell the inquiry she would periodically wipe and reset devices to delete personal information.
It was put to Ms O’Neill that, based on the phone records which the inquiry does possess, it was clear that she and Arlene Foster had used their phones to “discuss substantive matters about the response to the pandemic”.
Ms O’Neill said: "There may well have been the to-ing and fro-ing outside a meeting. All decisions were recorded on the official record in terms of what the civil service hold."
Ms Dobbin said: “It’s not just decisions that have to be recorded though is it? It’s discussions around them. there are rules aren’t there there’s guidance about what should be retained and committed to the official record.”
Ms O’Neill replied: “...I’m confident all those decisions were recorded. I’ve been a minister for health, I’ve been a minister for agriculture and rural affairs, and I noted other ministers – minister Long – had the same approach as I in terms of clearing your device because of sensitive information before you hand it back to the department because it’s going to be redistributed to another member of staff.”
Ms Dobbin then quoted from Ms O’Neill’s witness statement in which the Sinn Fein MLA had said: “I did not use WhatsApp, text messages, or iMessages to communicate about matters related to the response to the pandemic during the specified period other than logistical and administrative matters.’”
Ms Dobbin added that Ms O’Neill had been given “clear advice that you should be retaining WhatsApps” to which the Sinn Fein vice-president said: “Yes, but I believe I’ve misunderstood exactly what I should retain and thought I had retained everything that was relevant to the Covid decision-making process…
"Firstly I wiped the device, as minister Long explained, because we thought that was our custom and practice in terms of departmental phones being returned.
"Secondly that I believed the official record was recorded and populated.”
Thirdly, there was “a misunderstanding on my part” in terms of what constituted formal and informal communication.

He waited to call me, he literally thought about my sleep and that he’d called to wake me up a couple times already this past week so he thought no I’ll let her sleep and call at a more normal time. Is he not the most thoughtful thing? My baby. He woke me right out of a dream, it was an odd one which I cbf going into, but I was making a friend in it, I don’t know who but the dream was partly me trying to be friends with this other girl. Maybe it’s a sign I’ll find a new friend soon :) Anyway so he called and we chatted while he finished making up his keyboard. It sounds so good, like sooooo good. Like creamy marbley rain drop goodness. It’s funny because I thought his last keyboard sounded delicious, but in comparison to the new one the old one makes me envision large spiders tip tapping along a corrugated iron roof. Whereas the new one sounds like sitting by a fire with a hot chocolate with marshmallows and being read a story while the rain pitter patters outside. I wonder if this new one will sound like spiders whenever he makes a newer one? I’m truly such a fickle thing. They all sound good though, obviously. He said how when we live together he’ll make one for me! Or rather he’ll guide me through the process, because I need to pick the sounds and colours and feelings out. I’m not sure what I’d like it to be like, I’ll have to start thinking. I flip between wanting something cute, like a pink one with strawberries and hearts and glitter and then a sleek, profesh looking one. A light one? Or a dark one? And I have no idea about the sounds, but he’ll help me. And then we can make it up together! It sounds so fun, I really can’t wait. Anyway so he called and it’s still my favourite way to wake up.
Then we hung up and I was laying in bed debating whether I should get up or doze and I ended up having dirty lil thoughts about him… twice. I can be so boring with my lil fantasies now, I can’t entirely remember now what I thought about but it was just us two. I think he thinks I think about someone else involved more than I do, I definitely do but nowhere near as often as just him. I sound like a total creepy perve but I’ve even thought about just him… but I’ll be dead and buried before I ever tell him that. And that saying something because I think I’d like to be cremated… TBD on that. But so anyway, thinking about just me and him is always my favourite and works the fastest every single time. My honey baby handsome man.
I truly have a life full of first world problems, it makes me feel so guilty sometimes. I say sometimes because I only think about how lucky I am sometimes, which makes me feel even more guilty. There are SO many horrible awful things happening in the world to people who absolutely do not deserve a hair on their heads touched.. and here I am lambasting my cuticles for being in good condition after I bought some products to tidy them up. I just caught myself out before, I was looking at my cuticles and was negatively thinking about how clean they look lately - I’m not surprised I found a way to be negative about something good. They definitely need some nourishment and cuticle oil and things, but they’re so clean and neat? Why? I haven’t done anything? Anyway I caught myself looking at them thinking ffs why do they look nice I need to fix them - firstly that makes no sense and secondly it hit me a second later how terrible it was. And then the guilt washed over me and there are children dying across the world for no reason and here I am critiquing my cuticles. I truly don’t think I deserve the air I breathe sometimes. More than sometimes. I know I’m not a person that adds anything to this world, if anything I just take from it by worsening the health of the planet with the plastic, travel etc etc I do. I do my best to save bees who look sickly? That’s about it. I don’t bring joy to anyone else - I mean I make Andy miserable, I probably stress and worry my parents… I think the only one I bring any semblance of joy to is pups because I play with him and take him for walks and cuddle him and I won’t move an inch if he’s comfy and I’m not. Other than that… I offer nothing. So like I said, I am drenched in guilt. I wonder how I can change it? Or how I can offer more? I just feel like I have nothing to actually offer, even if I gave everything up. I guess physical labour…? But even then, I’m not strong and my hand skin is so sensitive so I can only really do so much before it hurts and gets bad. But I guess if I wasn’t being selfish I would ignore my skin, wouldn’t I? I would really like to volunteer. I used to a bit here and there, before I really got bad with my mental health. Not a lot but sometimes. I’d like to make it more of a regular thing - it’s something I’ve talked about in therapy about it being a part of the life I’m working towards. I’m thinking once every three weeks or so, so still nothing impactful but it’s something? I think I’d like to volunteer at an animal shelter, I wouldn’t mind even cleaning up their little areas and things, idk why but I don’t find animal stuff gross whereas I do people stuff. Then again I’ve only had to clean up after an animal I love with my whole heart so maybe it would be different for other ones, I could do it though. Or I’d like to volunteer at a retirement home, or visiting elderly people at their own homes. Just spend time with them, it makes my heart hurt to think of how lonely some of them can be and coming from someone who feels extremely lonely I would want to lessen that - especially in their final years. They’re the main places I’d like to volunteer. I’ve done time in “soup kitchens” here and in the UK, which I enjoyed, I only worked in the kitchen though helping prepare things and cleaning up - every time I wasn’t allowed out the front to serve, which is weird because I have LOTS of experience with that sort of thing? The way they implied it was that I was a young woman, but still? I guess 99% of those visiting there would be fine but maybe 1% wouldn’t be? Still though. Anyway I’d like to volunteer more. I need to learn to be comfy leaving the house first, maybe get my social anxiety under control a little more but I don’t need to be perfect because doing these things will help my issues. What else could I do? I donate to charities and have for years, sometimes I’ve had monthly deductions, sometimes I just donate on a whim. Like that fresh water one, I can’t remember the name off the top of my head but every few months I impulsively donate $100 or so. It’s not enough though, I should be better. I just get suss of the charities themselves and I don’t know how much actually goes to the cause, like I know they need to fund admin costs which makes sense but anyway. I just don’t have any skills, so other than vague stuff there’s not any real impact I can offer. Andy for example, he’s so talented and clever and creative, I bet he would have ways to make an impact. Like if he was to visit elderly people it would be SUCH a success as he’s so chatty and personable and kind and lovely and everything that’s good, so he would keep them entertained and ask the right questions. Whereas I’m not a talker so I would be awkward and quiet and they would have to lead the conversation and they likely don’t want that, unless I asked to be paired with chatty kathys of course. My nana was like that, you ask one question and she won’t stop talking for an hour. At least from memory, I don’t remember so well as I was littler. Hm. Anyway. I just feel like I’m a big time detractor of the world. That’s kind of a good villain name, The Detractor. Another way I can offer more is to be better, for example if I’m better then I don’t make Andy miserable which means he would feel more encouraged to live his life happily which would therefore positively affect everyone who comes into contact with him, which I know happens now anyway but maybe if he has a supportive loving girlfriend it will be even more so? Like I can be a lil battery for him, because I don’t really like interacting with others too much, or I do but I don’t like to be an active member, I like to listen and observe and chime in every now and then. None of this makes sense. But if I’m better then that has a positive effect on people around me. That’s what I’m trying to say. I’m always polite though, like if I take the bus I always say thank you when I hop off, I always say thank you when a waiter refills my drink or puts down my cutlery or whatever else. Even when I don’t want to talk at all and an Uber driver clearly does I will chat away even though my social battery is running on fumes because I don’t want them to feel rejected and maybe they need to chat, even if it’s about nothing. I always put supermarket trollies back into their homes. I never litter. I hold doors open for people, but only when it means they won’t have to do an awkward run for it because that’s not polite that’s annoying. So I think I’m polite, but a polite person does not make a good person - and I am not a good person. Or a worthwhile one.
So far this morning I have chatted to Andy, got up and made a strawbs smoothie, did a lil kitchen clean/tidy up, went back to lay on my bed but not IN bed and I read for a little bit, I journaled the bit up there and now I’m watching some YT. I’m really trying to stretch out my read time of this book, I’m excited to get into HP after this one but I also don’t want to let go of this world and these characters yet, even though it’s a reread. I’d like to have a productive day but I’m also going to let myself do whatever I fancy… I hope I fancy being productive.
I wound up reading/watching about those body and face types again, because a YT video came up as suggested. Anyway, so apparently you can be more yin or yang and I’m a definite yin. Yang is more angular, sharp and blunt whereas yin is soft, rounded and curved. I also feel like I’m a yin person, I was reading about that recently, I think I need to actively work to have more yang in my life in order to be more balanced? I mean these descriptors? Negative, passive, feminine, dark, cool, soft, reflective, still, calm, nurture, quiet, introspective, prefers solitude, cautious etc. Hellllllllllllo. Whereas yang is more embodied by words like active, light, warm, outgoing/sociable, masculine, direct, expressive, loud, restless, productive, growth, passion etc. Things that don’t really describe me. So I think maybe in that sense I’m imbalanced. It seems I’m imbalanced in everything, so that’s great. Excellent, even. I feel like Andy is 100% the yang to my yin. Maybe that’s a factor in why we work well? We balance each other? I think he has a mix of both though, he’s much more balanced. I was about to write “he’s perfect” but I am also a biased, love sick girl soooo… but I think we balance each other well, no? Anyway I’m reading more about yin vs yang and I definitely need more Yang in me because these are all yin:
Signs of “excess” in yin: * Oversleeping * Overthinking * Slow thinking * Sluggishness * Laziness * Compulsive behaviour * Lack of motivation * Apathy * Overeating :(
Versus yang that lists things like anger, restlessness, violence, frustration, inability to relax & let go, insomnia, addictions, need for constant stimulation, regular headaches etc.
And “personality traits” in yin: * imagination * peacefulness * wisdom (not for meee) * relaxation * satisfaction (?) * persistence (only with some things) * introversion
Versus yang that lists things like action, ambition, courage, adventurousness, extroversion, getting things done etc.
And “activities” for yin: * yoga * tai chi * slow walking * golf * qi gong * weight lifting * stretching
Versus yang that lists things like cardio, running, fast dancing, wrestling, hiking, swimming, biking etc.
Anyway I know this is all just one of those things, but also it makes total sense. But this reminds me of the therapy lesson where I learned I like these sorts of things, similar to the Myers Briggs thing etc, because I don’t really know who I am and so I find being grouped into a category really affirming and makes me feel less… outsidey. Which is a thing for me as I don’t easily click with people, I can get along fine with more or less anyone but I don’t genuinely enjoy the company of just anyone and I find it very difficult to be myself with just anyone, I have some form of a wall up with everyone bar a couple of people like my parents, Andy, M and K to an extent. But it also depends, if I don’t spend time with someone for awhile my walls go back up. It’s a huge reason why I don’t really enjoy social things, if it’s a one on one thing I can but in a group? Even with the girls from work who I know well, but I can’t relax and I don’t enjoy myself at all. I try to but I just feel like I’m outside of the bubble. But so anyway all that is why I gravitate towards these groupings of personality, even looks like the fact I was watching a video about face/body types which is why I started this paragraph. I like being able to see examples and do a quiz and find out I’m whatever and then seeing similarities in others who are in the group. It makes me feel included and less alone. It basically all comes down to the fact I always feel like I’m on the outside, of everything. I don’t feel included in anything really. Which comes back to my self esteem/self worth… or lack thereof. I’m wondering when I’m meant to be getting more of that btw, like WHEN? It’s the root of all my issues. Mostly.
I’ve been wondering if I should consider lightening my eyebrows… that sounds kinda crazy, well crazy in the land of eyebrow stuff, but idk. I have warm brown hair… but basically black eyebrows? It’s weird and I’ve always hated it. I know eyebrows always lean cooler than the hair on your head, so that’s natural, but idk, it’s just my hair is so warm and my brows so cool - it’s always irked me. I’ve never quite realised it was that though, I just always thought something was off, but I’m now starting to wonder if my brows should be ever so lightened. I never even thought of it as a potential solution til I saw some girl doing it and it gave her a much softer look. I know they also need to be darker by a shade or two, well they don’t NEED to be but that’s generally the natural look and I only want a natural result. So a deep brown? Because right now they’re damn near black. And I find the black jarring against my fair skin too, I like having dark brows - I would hate to have light/fair brows, and dark brows are supposedly wanted because they make the person with them appear younger, or rather fair brows can age a face. So I like that mine are dark… I just want them MAYBE a fraction lighter. But the idea scares me! Because if you bleach them then anything you add on top will likely lean super warm and idk. So idk how I’d even go about it. The woman I watched doing it on YT just used an at home bleach kit or something and she used it several times so I guess it won’t do much but still… I’m scared :(
I set up my new monitor!!!!!!!!!!! By myself!!!!!!! I know how tiny it is but I’m still so pleased with myself. I felt so embarrassed telling Andy, or less embarrassed and more silly/stupid I guess. Like it’s such a nothing thing but idk, I was nervous and I wrote out a step by step list to work through so I wouldn’t get overwhelmed and things while doing it. And when I say step by step I literally mean:

1. Unwrap the boxes and take each item out
2. Make sure to keep them in their own little areas and don’t mix them up
3. Clear my desk of everything
4. Clean my desk
5. Set up the new monitor with the stand
6. Place both monitors on the desk
7. Plug both monitors into power source
8. Put laptop on the desk
9. Put the HDMI connector usb into the laptop
10. Put one monitor HDMI cable into the laptop, as normal
11. Put the other monitor HDMI cable into the connecter
12. Connector should be connected to laptop with only one external HDMI a cable inside
13. Turn on my laptop and see if they all connect up - don’t stress if they don’t
14. Play around/google/ask Andy if any issues
15. Arrange my new desk! Try use the cable tidy things and make it nice.

So I mean, an absolute step by step. It didn’t cover all the steps as I forgot about the mouse parts and things. But anyway I did itttttt. I need to move the stuff around though because they’re too far apart but I’ll do that tomorrow. I also need to work out how to add an extra plug so I can charge my laptop too as there’s not enough plugs.
I asked him if he wanted to watch Bridg erton and I wish I hadn’t because he feels weird about it. I only asked because idk, wishful thinking? I want to watch it with him :( From season one, obviously. Idk I know he doesn’t want to so I won’t push it, but I want to show him shows I love too. I just like regency era stuff like this and idk. I shouldn’t have asked, now he thinks I want to watch with someone else? Like… who? I guess mum or M. But why get suss about that. Anyway. I guess I’ll watch it by myself, like I expected. I can’t wait for the music. And the costumes!!!!!!!! My favourite. Anyway idk. I just want to share things I love with him the way he does with me.. but maybe I just don’t like anything he’ll like?
I want the Laura Mercier strawberry blush a lot :( But I’m really trying to not buy makeup I don’t need and I already have 30-odd blushes which I don’t get enough use out of, including LM ones. But it’s such a pretty colour!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I had a trillion dollars so I could have all the colours and formulas my little heart desired. But also in saying that I love the idea of being one of those women who have one makeup bag and everything fits inside, and they have maybe one or two shades or blush/lip colour and the rest is just one. It seems so easy and simple and I would really like to be like that but I am definitely not like that at all. I’m slowly learning to be more like that with skincare because that’s how it should be, but makeup…? Even though I don’t wear a lot I just love having it and looking at it. Like I just swiped some highlighter on my hand the other day to look at how shimmery it was, I didn’t apply it to my face, I just had a tiny swipe on my hand and I’d just look at it now and then. I only do that with highlighter though obviously and I love shimmery glittery sparkly things. Mum has always called me a magpie for a reason.
He’s asleep. I miss him. I can’t wait til we live together and when he’s asleep and I’m not and I miss him I can just go snuggle in next to him for a while. But not too close, as he gets too hot. I also don’t want to wake him. The idea of him doing the same with me makes me feel like floating on a cloud. And the time he said he’d still cuddle me to sleep even when he was on a different sleep cycle to me??????? Still obsessed. I wonder if that was a turning point in when my feelings were developing? I know I already fancied the hell out of him, I did from the beginning and I fell so hard and so fast for him. But I wonder if when he said that it was one of those moments that cemented him as the kind of man he is? Or rather the kind of partner he’d be? Because I’ve always wanted someone that cares about what makes me happy and I mean let’s not beat around the bush, I’ve not had a relationship where that’s been a priority to them. So the fact he knows I love being held and cuddled and I would sometimes miss it when he slept differently but if I wanted it he’d come to bed and stay with me til I fell asleep or close enough. And the fact he didn’t see it as anything special, it was just a normal thought to him?! It’s such a minor thing in comparison to everything else he has done for me and everything he has been to me and everything he’s helped me through, but it’s just a little thing that means everything. Anyway.
I watched wish with M tonight, it wasn’t good. I just can’t get on board with the latest movies of theirs lately, they’re just so bleh. The music isn’t right - there’s nothing magical about it and I wonder if it’s because they seem to hire pop music people not composers and things now? And the animation is never 2D anymore, which tbh I understand and that’s purely nostalgia of mine than anything bad but the animation doesn’t feel magical either anymore. Apart from some of the scenes were beautiful. Anyway.
I think I’ll stop now. It’s 9:30 so it’s too late for to start BT so I think I’ll read for a lil bit then go to sleep soon. Night night

Do you ever go to the website and realize something is missing? One of the models you were using in the past, one popular suddenly disappeared and became perhaps paid on another website, or anything else.
Anyone remembrs incredible models such as Illum.. etc
You see a very good image with great prompt, yet you cannot reproduce it because the model and loras are no longer there.
You had bookmarked a whole discussion, lot of comments, and lot of images related to a model, and.. it is no longer there.
Worse, you still have the model, but have no info how to use it, there is no more model description, info about the trigger words etc..
------------------ // --------------------------- // ------------------ // --------------------------- //
For example:
- Keeping track of nuked LoRA/embedding/models from civitai : StableDiffusion (reddit.com)
- Did a lot of embeddings have been removed on Civitai? Like hundreds. : StableDiffusion (reddit.com)
- What are the cool the models that are no longer available on Civitai that you know of? : StableDiffusion (reddit.com)
- Illuminati diffusion model has dissapeared, Does anyone have the list of the good models that have dissapeared from civitai? : StableDiffusion (reddit.com)
- Does anyone know why xPuct deleted all his models from Civitai, Deliberate, etc? : StableDiffusion (reddit.com)
- useful to know: Civitai is not removing models : StableDiffusion (reddit.com)
- Duplicate: What happened to Deliberate and Reliberate on Civitai? : StableDiffusion (reddit.com)
- Discussion about alternatives (there are not really): Is Civitai really all there is? : StableDiffusion (reddit.com)
- LowRA disappeared on CivitAI? : StableDiffusion (reddit.com)
------------------ // --------------------------- // ------------------ // --------------------------- //
I tried to adress this issue with users related to civitai, but I was ignored.
The idea would be to have a "record" or a "monument for the dead..models", somewhere where you can go and you can learn about what are the things you missing or things you might be missing on and that you can never learn about because there is no longer any trace of it on civitai,
Perhaps a subreddit called: EternalCatalogue, DigitalGraveyard, LostButNotForgotten, TheDiscontinuedDepot, ArchiveOfTheAbyss, GoneButNotErased, RetiredRealms, SilentShowcase, EchoesOfExistence, VaultOfVanished (Thanks AI)
It's simple, anyone noticing that someone has dissapeared from the website, we have to report it on that subreddit or perhaps a website I don't know, anything that can work out
Wonder if anyone interested in such idea
Edit: Let's go with: CivitaiArchives

I just found this YouTuber….and now I’ve wasted hours of my life watching all of his videos and finding so many contradictions. (Btw he tells people they are “SELF-CONTRADICTING THEIR-selves” 😬….major grammar issues that make him sound VERY uneducated).
I’m shocked because he appears to need mental health help. I love transparency and definitely believe cities/counties need to be held accountable…but he is off the rails…his work isn’t making any change! Just making things worse. And his “representation” of the people makes us look insane. Please don’t stand up for me Mr. Pickron…we have plenty of crazy-town politicians that already do that.
I had to come here to discuss him because I’m traumatized (jk, not really, but kinda) by his behavior! Our cities’ inability to stop some of his shenanigans is way worse than any of his claims against them.
I’m grateful and humbled by his military service. Unfortunately, I truly think his time overseas has affected him tremendously and people in his life should care enough to get him help
Most importantly, HE IS HIGHLY AGGRESSIVE W FEMALES and comes across as violent at times. This is my greatest concern with him. The fact that a county or city allows him to treat women in a disgusting manner is reprehensible! PTSD or not, there is no excuse for that. He’s an over 6 foot, imposing, heavy built man who intimidates through aggression. He also seems to relish filming women and will just focus his camera on a female for long periods of time! Then insists on getting their personnel files. Terrifying! He doesn’t understand or care that he insights his followers to harass these women! Some appear to be very young!
Here are just a few other things I’ve gleaned from the lost hours of my life watching these videos…
Claims to be press but stutters to come up with REAL questions (seems he just off the cuff comes up with something to ask to keep employees from working) Lingers a ridiculous amount of time hoping someone will confront him and when they don’t he starts asking questions that elementary students would ask, over and over and over to illicit a response Has no concept of his unhinged behavior or of putting himself in dangerous situations Expects every level of employee to have an answer to questions that have nothing to do with their job Edits out his harassment and continued questioning even after answer obtained Lies about employees playing on the internet or fooling around Refuses to take responsibility when wrong or lying Thinks he is EDUCATING people and speaks demeaningly to others while he teaches nothing and seems to have “just enough” knowledge of the constitution to sound like he knows what he is doing Lies or refuses to answer questions of any kind especially when filming women Often makes no sense and speaks in circles Wastes tax payers money by harassing employees who are trying to get work done Wastes Police time bc employees have to call bc they are concerned with his behavior (not the camera as he claims) DOES NOT DO ENOUGH RESEARCH and posts incorrect or unsubstantiated information JUST TO GET YOUTUBE FOLLOWERS Doesn’t seem to understand when someone answers his question bc he doesn’t really listen to their answer Expects government employees to just accept when he says “the law says…” or “It’s all good”, and gets angry when they say “I just want to check with my supervisor” when they could lose their jobs for just taking him at his word Threatens to sue everyone for everything Hair disheveled Food stained clothing Flip-flops (but wants to be taken seriously) Burps very loudly while filming or narrating. Voice changes from “normal” to slow and almost drunk-like bc he is attempting to disguise it??? Needs to feel superior to others and is very disrespectful all while claiming he is “polite and professional”
Someone help him…and if you are an employee of a municipality or the government, try to ignore him please. Ignoring him makes him go nuts or at least will make him leave more quickly.

Amazon RoyalRoad Audible Cover by Chin Fong
A Blade Through Time (Desolada Book 1) by Louis Kalman
Blurb:

For millennia the demon lords known as the Goetia enslaved the human race, until a group of mortals known as the Archons received divine blessings of power and overthrew them. Under their dominion mankind flourished, though the war in the shadows never ended. A thousand years later, sixteen-year-old Leones' family is executed for the crime of heresy. Burned to death for questioning whether the Archon of Flames is a divine being, and whether any of the Archons truly are.
After manifesting the power to control time, Leones survives and embarks on an uncertain journey for power and revenge. But if he is to overcome a god, he may need some help. Along the way he will discover the truth behind the demon lords, time, and reality itself, as he walks along the razor path.

It's always difficult, whether recommending or being recommended a book, to judge the alignment of your tastes with those of the other person. I'm including excerpts in the hope that they will help bridge the gap between my words and your expectations. They're chosen based on what they reveal about the book's content, writing style, dialogue, and tone while being as minimally spoilery as possible.
A Blade Through Time (ABTT) is a dense, quickly paced first entry in first-person with an accessible 300-page length. Despite starting on RR, it doesn't read like it was serialized and it doesn't end abruptly or on a cliffhanger. It seems to begin as a time loop story, but implements unique weaknesses for the main character Leones that set it apart, such as the ability to die, hard limits on time reversal, etc (truthfully it's not exactly a time loop story, given that Leones' power encompasses control over time in general).
The setting leads to discussion of philosophy, demonology, religious control, and the relationship of humanity with the wider realm of existence. As with other stories in the genre, understanding can lead to greater power, though in this first book it's only really hinted at. Even though Leones is sixteen or so, he's self-aware enough that his internal monologue never feels too sophomoric. In general Kalman does a good job exploring the characters he chooses to focus on, namely Leones and one other. The world doesn't revolve around them, but they exist within it and influence and are influenced by it.
As mentioned, the magic progression aspects of the story haven't begun in earnest by the end of ABTT. Leones makes improvements to himself in various ways, but they are mostly horizontal rather than vertical, and in skill rather than power (he gets physically stronger, as do most characters in the genre). That said, there is enough steady progression across the book that it worked for me.
There is not much humor, and the overall tone leans dark, which I think is appropriate given the setting. However, it's not excessively dark or gory or graphic. There are only brief descriptions of gore, both monster and human, though they increase in frequency later on. The burning scene in the first chapter is partially graphic.
I'll let the writing speak for itself. Some words are removed for spoiler reasons, even though you won't have context if you've never read it.
Dialogue ex. 1

The colors around us seemed to brighten when [removed] laughed. “You act as if I am obliged to shackle myself with your human ethics. The tribunes of your world decree that I must be charged with foul misdeeds. I whisper lies, but against what truth? Others serve me and are rewarded so. For these sins you may imprison me, but I warn you: not even the Increate has devised a dungeon so worthy, lest the cosmos itself is my prison."

Dialogue ex. 2

"Far be it from me to dissuade a generous tipper," said [removed], "but are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Did your parents think it was a good idea for their daughter to become a half-dressed den girl?"
Her smile was like a wolf baring its teeth. "Another bottle of the Moravy for the young sir."
I sighed after she departed. "Do you feel like a big man now?”
He pointed the empty bottle at me. "Don't fuck with me, Leones."

Dialogue ex. 3

"Thank you."
"You heard none of my warning, only my agreement," he said. "The power of mankind comes from our delusions. To survive in this harsh world, we developed a sense of self. To thrive in it, we created the lie of civilization. The [removed] teaches us that society is only a dream we share. Even deeper, the self is a fabrication."
During my time with the [removed], I had been drowned in various grand claims about the nature of reality. Feeling I should say something, I grunted in agreement. It must not have been very convincing.

Narration ex. 1

At winter solstice the rest of mankind would paint runes of health and fortune on their walls. All would gather in the streets to dance for the souls of the departed. The rich would leave carafes of wine at their doorstep; the poor would leave bowls of water; and those with nothing would leave a thimble of blood. They would feast late into the night, on suckling pig, or boiled pheasant, or on warm memories.
In Arostara they went to sleep early.
The city was near the Frontier, ever besieged by the minions of the Goetia and mankind's countless other enemies. To light a candle for the dead would draw their attention. To wish for joy and peace would open your heart to their influence. There was no worship in Arostara, no one to be more revered than [removed] the Iconoclast.
Then, on the winter solstice of the three hundredth year of his reign, when the moon reached its zenith and cast its foul light all throughout the world, every citizen woke in unison.

Narration ex. 2

What is it that separates a man from a beast? A man from a god? How had the Archons convinced the world they were not simply powerful mortals blessed with longevity? They had the spark of the divine, ineffable, displayed with such pride that just doubting them invited retribution. They were not good in the way society tells us that we should be good: kind, lawful, humble. Yet our society deified them in a way no good man would ever experience. No one questioned them because they allowed no questions. Most of all, they never questioned themselves.

Narration ex. 3

To my surprise he dropped his spear and tried grappling. I struck his chin with the pommel of my sword once, twice, but we had never agreed to any rules for ending the match. The blows did nothing but enrage him. Between his bulk and the look on his face, it felt like wrestling with a bear. He tore the weapon from my hands and pawed at me. No technique, but damn, he was strong.

Hopefully you have a good idea now of the way the book is written and whether you'd want to read it. I tried to cover as much "ground" as possible without using passages where things actually happen.
The only drawback I see to reading ABTT is that you'll be like me and want to know but not know when book 2 is coming, but I believe it's already gone through multiple drafts; some of the chapters are on RR (I haven't read them because I want to wait for the whole thing, but yeah).
Mods please let me know if I should change anything.

Cristian Carmona stands as a towering figure in the legal landscape of Peru, particularly in the realm of environmental justice. From his roots in Arequipa to his esteemed career as a lawyer, Carmona's journey has been marked by a steadfast commitment to upholding the rights of marginalized communities and ensuring corporate accountability for environmental degradation. Born and raised in Arequipa, Cristian Carmona was immersed in a family environment where respect for the law and social justice were paramount values. His early exposure to legal discussions, especially through his father, a respected retired judge, planted the seeds of his passion for the law. It was within this familial context that Cristian Carmona began to envision his future as a champion for civil, corporate, and environmental rights in Peru.
The role of education proved pivotal in shaping Cristian Carmona's trajectory as a lawyer. His time at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) not only provided him with a solid foundation in legal principles but also urged him to delve deeper into the intricacies of Peruvian and international law. Here, young Carmona distinguished himself not only through academic excellence but also through his articulate debating skills and his dedication to understanding the legal complexities facing his country.
Upon graduating with honors, Cristian Carmona embarked on his legal career with determination and ambition. He commenced his journey in a prestigious law firm in Lima, where he swiftly earned a reputation as a tenacious and strategic litigator. It was in this environment that Cristian Carmona began to make his mark, defending the rights of local communities against powerful corporate interests. It was within this context that his focus on civil rights, corporate law, and environmental issues began to crystallize, laying the groundwork for his future specialization.
However, Cristian Carmona refused to be confined by the boundaries of his initial experience. Recognizing the need for a deeper understanding of environmental and corporate law, he sought opportunities to broaden his horizons. Thus, he embarked on further studies abroad, obtaining a Master's in Environmental Law from the University of California, Berkeley. This enriching experience not only expanded his knowledge but also equipped him with the tools necessary to navigate the complex legal and regulatory frameworks, particularly concerning natural resource management and corporate responsibility in Peru.
Throughout his career, Cristian Carmona has been involved in a series of notable cases that have left an indelible mark on Peru's legal landscape. One of the most prominent involved representing a group of indigenous communities in the Amazon against an international oil company. The lawsuit alleged severe environmental degradation and health impacts due to the company's drilling operations. Carmona's tireless pursuit of justice in this case led to a landmark judgment that not only compensated the affected communities but also established stricter environmental regulations for future corporate operations in the region.
But Cristian Carmona's career extends beyond the courtroom walls. He is a committed advocate for policies impacting corporate governance, environmental protection, and human rights in Peru. His voice has become an invaluable resource in shaping more inclusive and enforceable laws that seek to balance economic development with environmental sustainability and social equity.
In addition to his work in the courts and the political sphere, Cristian Carmona also dedicates himself to legal education. As an adjunct professor at the PUCP, he shares his experience and knowledge with the next generation of lawyers, guiding them toward a future where justice and ethics take center stage in legal practice. Through workshops and seminars across the country, Carmona strives to increase public awareness of key legal issues, preparing citizens and future legal professionals to confront the challenges of tomorrow.
Cristian Carmona's contributions to legal reform in Peru are undeniable. He has played a fundamental role in drafting and defending various key legislative changes, particularly in areas related to corporate transparency, environmental impact assessments, and public participation in the legislative process. His efforts have resulted in stronger laws that require companies to demonstrate environmental and social responsibility in their operations, thus promoting a fairer and more equitable legal environment for all Peruvians.
For his tireless work and dedication to justice, Cristian Carmona has been recognized both nationally and internationally. He has received numerous awards for his legal excellence, commitment to environmental conservation, and proactive defense of human rights. His reputation as a skilled and principled lawyer continues to grow, attracting clients and cases that have the potential to effect significant change in Peruvian society.
Outside of his legal practice, Cristian Carmona is a committed family man and an active member of his community. He participates in local governance initiatives and supports various non-profit organizations working towards community development and environmental conservation. His commitment to the welfare of others extends beyond the courtroom, demonstrating that true justice goes hand in hand with social responsibility and community engagement.
Looking to the future, Cristian Carmona has grand aspirations. His goal is to continue expanding his influence in the legal field, with the hope of one day serving on the Supreme Court of Peru. Additionally, he is working on establishing a non-profit foundation focused on education. Cristian Carmona's legacy is one of unwavering dedication to justice and a tireless pursuit of a better, more equitable world for all.
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