Tag: thinky thoughts

calime33:

celciusdiscourse:

augustdementhe:

funereal-disease:

Thesis: the rise of fanwank and anti culture correlates directly with diminished understanding of what “romantic”, in a literary sense, actually means.

It doesn’t mean “this is ideal or healthy or even realistic”. It means “this is beautiful, this is tragic, this is grotesque, this stirs emotion”, even if it’s not, as @starryroom puts it, something you would be comfortable seeing play out in front of you at Taco Bell. It’s about grandiosity and mythology and heroism writ large. It’s about playing with the id, as beautiful and terrible as it can be. 

LET LOVE AND LUST BE MONSTROUS.

i feel like Guillermo del Toro ghostwrote that

THIS.

Aftermath

elumish:

People like writing about war, but they rarely like writing
about the aftermath. And I think that’s a shame, because sometimes writing
about the aftermath can be at least as interesting. There’s a lot you can do
with what happens after the fighting is done, when people need to rebuild, when
they need to find who they are and where they fit in a world that is different
than it was when they began.

Write about interpersonal
relationships, and how they changed.

Write about how
people view themselves and the actions they needed to take.

Write about rebuilding—physically,
socially, mentally, emotionally.

Write about the choices
people made because they thought they were never going to need to face the
consequences.

Write about the emotional
toll that war takes, that constant violence takes, that never being able to
relax takes.

Write about the physical
toll that war takes, about the people who come back missing limbs or
neurons.

Write about the people
who lost everyone they knew and still have to live with themselves.

Write about the people
who lost everything, their homes, their land, the cities, about them
finding new places to call home, or not.

Write about the people who are tasked with creating a new world, and the decisions
they have to make.

Write about the people
who only knew war, who were born after the war started and grew up with
only that, who now need to figure out who they are in a world that has no place
for them anymore.

Write about the people
who were heroes, who know how to be heroes but don’t know how to be people.

Write about the people
who weren’t heroes, who were hated, who were disgraced.

Write about the people
who didn’t fight in the war because they couldn’t, because they weren’t
physically capable or because society said they weren’t suitable.

Write about the people
who fought on the losing side, who sacrificed everything and still lost and
now need to rebuild with nothing, who are painted as monsters when they need no
worse than the side that won.

Write about the trials,
for people who committed war crimes, for people who took advantage of what was
going on to do what they wanted.

Write about the weapons
that are finding their way into the hands of children, cheap and easy to use,
because they were left behind when the soldiers packed up and left.

Write about the landmines,
the unexploded ordinances, the things that governments forgot were there or
just didn’t care.

Write about ten years
later, or twenty, or thirty, or one, or six months, or the next day, about
what people do when the adrenaline of victory or defeat subsides and they’re
left with a world that they no longer understand, that they no longer know,
because they spent so long trying to destroy the old world that they forgot
that they would have to live in the new one.

Write about the next
generation, who grew up with parents who flinched at loud noises and cousins
who could remember air raid sirens, who grew up doing drills they didn’t
understand because the people who made the drills couldn’t forget that one day
they might have been necessary.

Write about the women
who stayed behind because they had no choice, about the women who stayed
behind because they wanted to, about the women who couldn’t stay behind because
there was no behind, because everywhere was a warzone and they were soldiers
because everyone was a soldier.

Write about the children
who trained for a war that ended before they were old enough to take up
arms, where all they know is violence, not peace, how to destroy a city but not
how to build one or how to run one.

Write about career
soldiers who no longer have a career because the war is over, there’s
peace, and so they find work for the highest bidder, for the person most
willing to give them a knife or a gun and throw them wherever a little muscle
and a lot of violence is needed.

Write about the people
who did research on things nobody should ever research, who discovered
things they could never speak about, who rationalized what they did as science
while knowing it wasn’t.

Write about everyday
people coping with everything that happened, with things they saw and
things they did and things they knew that they wouldn’t wish on their worst
enemy.

theotherguysride:

kaciart:

killian-whump:

la-vie-en-whump:

October approaches! 

In celebration of our cozy online community, I present to you WHUMPTOBER – 31 Days of deliciously painful prompts for your creative pleasure. Visual art, writing, editing – post whatever inspires you!

Treat (or rather, torture) your whumpees to some tantalizing tropes and tag your work with “whumptober“ so others can enjoy your stuff!

(The challenge kicks off on October 1st, feel free to participate as much or as little as you like. DM me if you have Qs. This post will circulate my blog a few times as we near the end of September. Good Luck and Happy Whumping!)

WHUMPTOBER COMETH

@asidian linked me this

What an enabler

Never before has an even *spoken to me* like this. I’m feeling simultaneously dragged and evil.

demoiselledefortune:

I think one of the most interesting thing about the way Xavier and Magneto  contrast is how you can root their difference of attitude from their background.

Like, Xavier comes from a very privileged background and is idealist and optimistic, and Erik is has lived through the Shoah and is cynical and pessimistic. But there’s much more to it than that.

Xavier lived in a dysfunctional family, in which he felt very out of place. He found respite in school – an institutional environment. He saw first hand in Cain how people can turn from victims into abusers because of that abuse. His concept of evil – and of how to fix it – is very personalised. It’s something individuals do, because they’re wrong headed. It’s also something that’s rooted in um-brindled force, and in lack of self-control; so Xavier tends to stress the importance of self-control a lot in the way he sets up the school, and he picked Scott – the one who absolutely needed to be in control of his power at all times – as leader.

Erik grew up in a very loving and functional family unit. He has a very solid sense of self and ego despite everything else he’s lived. The evil he’s suffered is institutionalised. It’s not something done by individuals, it’s done on large scale by society as a whole, fostered by indifference, and orchestrated by the use of excessive control. There’s no simple appeal or polite request that can stop it. Only violence was able to counter it. So he’s not interested in fixing it, only in uprooting it.

Symbolism

she-writes-love:

I thought I might not be the only writer out there who likes to put symbolism in their stories so I found some things and what they represent!!

Animals

  • Alligator – stealth, survival
  • Ant – diligence, industry, community, remarkable strength, hard working, success, patience
  • Antelope – action
  • Armadillo – boundaries, self protection
  • Badger – aggressiveness, passion and drive
  • Bat – rebirth, longevity, joy, good luck
  • Bear – gentle strength, dreaming, introspection, power, protection
  • Beaver – builder, accomplishing goals
  • Bee – divine messenger, love, service, gathering, community
  • Bird – enlightenment, perspective, swiftness, vision, prophetic knowledge
  • Boar – nature-based wealth, prosperity, success, protection, courage
  • Buffalo – prayer, abundance, survival needs met, good fortune, healing
  • Bulls’ horns – a good symbol in meditation for motivation
  • Butterfly – rebirth, the soul, transformation, the three phases of life
  • Cat – feminine energy, mystical power, used to keep the wearer safe in travel, wholeness
  • Chameleons – ever-changing future, inconsistency
  • Cheetah – speed, focus
  • Cougar – power, swiftness, balance
  • Cows – red cows are a symbol of hope, inspiring symbol for nurturing efforts
  • Coyote – trickster
  • Crane – longevity. A pair of cranes symbolizes “Long Marriage”
  • Cricket – good luck charm, singing, Spring, fertility
  • Crow – sacred law, gateway to supernatural, shape shifting, illusion
  • Deer – graceful gentleness, sensitivity, compassion, kindness
  • Dog – companionship, health, service, loyalty, protection, future prosperity
  • Dolphin – manna, joy, childlike play, helpfulness, breath of life, harmony, intelligence, self connection
  • Donkey – fertility, easy childbirth, efficiency, health, well-being, and luck
  • Dove – peace, innocence, fidelity, love, gentleness, kindnes
  • Dragonfly – good fortune, magic, vision, dreams, luck, and ancient knowledge, illusion
  • Dragon – wisdom due to long lives and potent magic, royalty, Emperor, eternity, courage, strength, rain, Spring
  • Eagle – courage, spirit, bravery, strength
  • Elephant – commitment, strength, astuteness
  • Elk – stamina, pride, power, majesty
  • Fish – miracles, providence, sea/water magic, good luck and prosperity, foresight, fortune, salmon in particular, are associated with knowledge
  • Fox – camouflage, adaptability, integration, tricksters, shape shifters, and possessors of great magic
  • Frog – healing, cleansing, messages, health, honesty, fluidity, purification
  • Gazelle – awareness
  • Giraffe – grounded vision
  • Goat – tenacity, diligence, can help to achieve goals, endure criticism, and stay safe. Goat’s fur or foot – an anti-evil talisman.
  • Goose – safe return, love of home
  • Grasshopper – nobility, prosperity
  • Hawk – nessenger, strength, foresight, truth
  • Hippopotamus – emotional depths
  • Horses – power, stamina, speed, transportation and communication – A black horse with a white marking on its forehead is lucky
  • Hummingbird – joy, pure love, celebration of life
  • Ladybug – delight, trust
  • Lamb – filial piety (dutiful respect or regard for parents).
  • Lion (baby) cubs – inspire mercy and gentleness.
  • Lion (grown) – inspire strength, courage
  • Lions – pride, nobility, cunning, courage, just laws, fairness, the sun, images can protect sacred ground.
  • Lizard – dreaming, foresight, ancient secrets
  • Lynx – secrets
  • Monkey – benevolence, drives away evil
  • Moose – self-esteem, assertiveness
  • Mountain Lion – wisdom, leadership
  • Mouse – frugality, rebirth, scrutiny
  • Opossum – strategy, diversion
  • Otter – medicine (woman), balanced feminine energy
  • Owl – deception, wisdom, clairvoyance, magic
  • Ox – evil spirits that disturb lakes, rivers, and seas
  • Peacock – wholeness, dignity, beauty, recognition, self assurance, pride
  • Pig – rebirth and rejuvenation
  • Porcupine – innocence
  • Rabbit – fear, fertility, moon magic, speed, swiftness, longevity, courage, strength
  • Raccoon – dexterity, disguise
  • Raven – magic
  • Robin – growth, renewal
  • Rooster – courageous, warlike disposition, warmth and life of the Universe
  • Scorpion – the “fire within” that often needs careful tending
  • Seal – inner voice
  • Sheep – sacrifice
  • Snake – cunning, evil, supernatural power
  • Spider – destiny, fate, weaving
  • Squirrel – gathering
  • Swan – grace
  • Tiger – courage, bravery, fierceness, strength, being in the now
  • Turtle – mother earth
  • Weasel – stealth
  • Whale – record keeper
  • Wolf – teacher, A Guide to the Sacred
  • Zebra – Individuality

PLANTS

  • Aloe- Healing, protection, affection
  • Amaryllis– Pride
  • Anemone– Forsaken
  • Angelica– Inspiration
  • Apple blossom– Preference
  • Arborvitae– Unchanging friendship
  • Aster– Symbol of Love, Daintiness
  • Basil– Good wishes
  • Bay– Glory
  • Begonia- Beware
  • Bittersweet- Truth
  • Black-eyed Susan- Justice
  • Bluebell- Humility, kindness
  • Candytuft- Indifference
  • Red carnation- My Heart Aches, admiration
  • – White carnation- Innocence, pure love, women’s good luck gift
  • – Pink carnation– I’ll never forget you
  • – Yellow carnation– Disdain, disappointment, rejection
  • Chamomile- Patience
  • Chives– Usefulness
  • Chrysanthemum– Cheerfulness
  • Clover, white– Think of me
  • Coreopsis– Always cheerful
  • Coriander– Hidden worth
  • Crocus– spring, Youthful gladness
  • Cumin– Fidelity
  • Cyclamen– Resignation and good-bye
  • Daffodil– Regard
  • Daisy– Innocence, hope
  • Dill– Powerful against evil
  • Edelweiss– Courage, devotion
  • Fennel– Flattery
  • Fern– Sincerity
  • Forget-me-not- True love memories
  • Gardenia– Secret love
  • Geranium– oak-leavedTrue friendship
  • Gladiolus– Remembrance
  • Goldenrod– Encouragement, good fortune
  • Heliotrope– Eternal love
  • Holly- Hope
  • Hollyhock– Ambition
  • Honeysuckle– Bonds of love
  • Horehound– Health
  • Hyacinth– Games and sport, playfulness, rashness
  • – Blue Hyacinth– Constancy of love
  • – Purple Hyacinth– Sorrow, forgiveness, regret
  • – Yellow Hyacinth– Jealousy
  • – White Hyacinth– Loveliness, prayers for someone
  • Hydrangea- Gratitude for being understood; frigidity and heartlessness
  • Hyssop– Sacrifice, cleanliness
  • Iris- A message
  • Ivy– Friendship, continuity
  • Jasmine– white- Sweet love
  • Lady’s-mantle– Comforting
  • Lavender- Devotion, virtue
  • Lemon balm– Sympathy
  • Lilac- Joy of youth
  • Lily, calla– Beauty
  • Lily, day– Chinese emblem for mother
  • Lily-of-the-valley– Sweetness, purity
  • Lotus Flower– Purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth
  • Magnolia– Love of nature
  • Marjoram- Joy and happiness
  • Mint– Virtue
  • Morning glory– Affection
  • Myrtle– Good luck and love in a marriage
  • Nasturtium– Patriotism
  • Oak– Strength
  • Oregano– Substance
  • Pansy- Thoughts
  • Parsley– Festivity
  • Peony- Bashful, happy life
  • Pine– Humility
  • Poppy, red– Consolation
  • Rhododendron– Danger, flee
  • Rose, red– Love, I love you.
  • Rose, dark crimson– Mourning
  • Rose, pink– Happiness
  • Rose, white– Purity, heavenly, I’m worthy of you
  • Rose, yellow- Jealousy, decrease of love
  • Rosemary- Remembrance
  • Rue– Grace, clear vision
  • Sage- Wisdom, immortality
  • Salvia, blue– I think of you
  • Salvia, red– Forever mine
  • Savory Spice–  interest
  • Sorrel– Affection
  • Southernwood- Constancy, jest
  • Sunflower– Adoration
  • Sweet pea- Pleasures
  • Sweet William- Gallantry
  • Sweet woodruff– Humility
  • Tansy– Hostile thoughts
  • Tarragon– Lasting interest
  • Thyme– Courage, strength
  • Tulip, red- Passion, declaration of love
  • Tulip, yellow- Sunshine in your smile
  • Valerian– Readiness
  • Violet- Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness, modesty
  • Wallflower– Faithfulness in adversity
  • Willow– Sadness
  • Yarrow– Everlasting love
  • Zinnia– Thoughts of absent friends

Color

  • Red: Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate, sincerity, happiness (Only in Japan)
  • Pink: love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance and calm.
  • Beige and ivory: symbolize unification. 
  • Ivory: symbolizes quiet and pleasantness. 
  • Beige: calm and simplicity.
  • Yellow: signifies joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship.
  • Dark Blue: Symbolizes integrity, knowledge, power, and seriousness.
  • Blue: Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.
  • Turquoise: calm. 
  • Teal: sophistication. 
  • Aquamarine: symbolizes water. 
  • Lighter turquoise: a feminine appeal.
  • Purple: Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, honor, arrogance, mourning, temperance.
  • Lavender: femininity, grace and elegance.
  • Orange: Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.
  • Green: Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, service, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.
  • Brown: Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.
  • Gray: Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm.
  • White: Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical.
  • Black: Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color, mourning, death (Western cultures), austerity, detachment.

pandavalkyrie:

You are good at something, stop lying to yourself. You’re good at breaking down comic book plots, cooking ramen perfectly, making your friends happy, knowing the time without looking at a clock, getting the perfect ending at RPG’s, or figuring out the twist ending to movies. Don’t let society tell you your talents are meaningless because they don’t serve an economical purpose. Your talents reflect your interests and passions, and what’s important to you is important.

chaoskyan:

I grew up hearing the phrase “you never stick with anything, what’s the point” a lot. I’ve always been attracted towards seemingly disconnected interests, and gone through phases of being really into something. But eventually my interest would fade and I would move onto something else. 

Or at least that’s always how it’s been phrased for me, by others. Now I realize that my interest for the old thing didn’t fade so much as my interest for something new outshined it, and that’s vastly different. 

I was always made to feel bad about it, with every abandoned endeavour I was told I needed to stop starting things if I wasn’t going to stick with them. I was told I was wasting time and money picking up these random interests and abandoning them after a year. 

So eventually, I stopped picking things up. I told myself “what’s the point, I’m going to give up in a year anyway”. Even worse, I started dismissing every new interest, because I had no way of knowing if my interest was “real” enough or just another passing phase. I stopped trying new things, I stopped looking up stuff that piqued my curiosity, and having chronic depression made it really easy to leave everything on the dirty floor of neglected ideas. The more they piled up, the more depressing it was. All these things that could be nice, but I just can’t take care of them. 

I realize now how bullshit that kind of thinking is. So what if I stopped doing karate after a year? That’s one more year of karate than most people I know. And in that year I learned discipline, I learned to listen to a teacher, something I had never done before in all my years of private education. I learned the true meaning of respect, that it’s something you do out of faith at first and maintain as it’s reciprocated, not something you do blindly and regardless of how you’re treated. 

It gave me the foundation for the determination and grounding I needed to practice yoga. Another year. Not enough to be good at it maybe, but again a year more than most people I know and a year that is not lost, but gained. I learned balance, I learned to listen to my body, I learned how to let go of emotional tightness through physical stretching. 

And then iaido, only a few weeks because I couldn’t afford to keep going. The year of yoga I had done a couple years previous had given me a better starting point than the other newcomers to the class. I already had balance, I had strength in my legs and I had better posture. In those months I learned the importance of precision, the true definition of efficacy, the zen state that is incessant repetition. 

Did I practice long enough to get good at iaido, and yoga, and karate? No. Of course not. It takes years to become proficient and decades to master any of those things, but I learned other skills and those skills were an invaluable part of my growth both spiritually and emotionally. Likewise for my forays into painting, sewing, graphic design, film. I’m a photography student now heading into my second year of school, and every single second of practice I have in those other disciplines has given me more experience in those areas and made learning easier. 

Skills carry over. They intersect and connect in ways that are sometimes unexpected. Nothing is ever lost, experience is never a waste of time or worthless or stupid. Allow your focus to wander, reflect on what you learn, and consider how you can keep using it in other aspects of your life. Stop telling people their interests aren’t worth their time.