dreamlightyears

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New column is live, in which I demand that you read more Rick Remender, or the lives of your pets are forfeit.

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Original storyboard for the opening of Batman: The Animated series by Bruce Timm

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This is basically what the inside of my head looks like at any given moment.

#rocky #rocky horror picture show

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A new version of the film/show/comic you like doesn't change or diminish the one you're into. It's also fine to like both/some/all versions. My imagination has room for six Robins, four Flashes, two Thors, half a dozen Spider-men, three Caps, two lots of original X-men, and endless Batmen across time and space. I think you can cope with four extra Ghostbusters.

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. “But that’s the way I like it, baby I don’t wanna live forever” #RIPLemmy

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Reblogging myself because anarchy.

This page has helped me through more dark nights with my depression than I can count. It encapsulates everything I love about superhero comics, and also people. Every one of us has the potential to be amazing. Every one of us has the potential to be a hero.

‘The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive’ issue 13 - by Marc Guggenheim, Tony S. Daniel et al

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You must! Adventure awaits! Take care not to intrude though.

The Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church in San Francisco incorporates the music and lyrics of the legendary jazz saxophonist into their worship.

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What Halo 3 teaches us about Cameron's policy on ISIS in Syria

Anyone remember 'Territories' mode in Halo 3? Where you had to clear and secure areas of the map? And how some teams would use heavy Banshee fire and rockets to clear the territory they were targeting, but forget to have anyone available to secure it on the ground, thereby leaving an unsecured territory full of imaginary corpses in colourful red and blue armour, after expending valuable resources but utterly failing to secure the basic objective? That's David Cameron's approach to ISIS in Syria; bombing ISIS 'strongholds' (which are, lest we forget, occupied civilian towns and cities), with no reliable allied force available on the ground to eradicate/capture combatants from targeted areas, much less secure said areas so they aren't retaken. It's just like Territories mode in Halo 3, except the corpses won't be red and blue, just red, and many of them will be civilians; ordinary people and their children, and not one of them will respawn. Not one. Not ever.

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WATCH: Syrian Refugees: The Rumors vs. The Facts

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Note on Resurgent Depression and Anxiety

So, I haven't been doing all that well with my depression and anxiety these past few days. A cold that refuses to piss off has prevented me doing any cardio for a week, and I may have overdone it on the ale at the weekend, so I'm riding the depressive effects of that now. I've gotten so used to keeping those feelings of self hatred, anger, and shapeless, aimless fear at bay through exercise and good planning that this little bad patch has hit me harder than it should do. Thankfully, I've got family, friends, and workmates (those three groups are not mutually exclusive, btw), who are there to support me when I need it. I'm incredibly grateful for that. Thank you.

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World Mental Health Day

“Why is it that every organ in your body can get sick and you get sympathy except the brain?”

―Ruby Wax

Subtitle: It would be so much easier to disclose I have a blood disorder. Which I actually do. But unlike a bipolar disorder it’s not so much of a conversation stopper. Most people have never heard of it so a lengthy explanation on the blood disorder follows. They then become well-educated on what the it is and how it affects me.

Ah. If only explaining bipolar disorder were so simple. Both my blood disorder and bipolar disorder are genetic diseases of vital organs. Neither one is visible if you simply look at me. I wear no identification bracelet. But that’s where the comparison ends because of preconceived information, thoughts, or bias. Choose your reason. People believe they know all about mental illness–yet they are able to keep an open mind on learning about a fairly rare blood disorder but not bipolar. I can tell you the reason why, but first let me tell you how I view these people.

The Completely Ignorant These people have seen television stories about mass shooters who the (unlicensed as psychologists) media have deemed mentally ill, often bipolar. They accept everything they see on television as the absolute truth and question nothing. Rarely do they read newspapers, unless you count The National Enquirer in grocery checkout lines.

The Moderately Informed Unlike the Completely Ignorant, these people do read print media, and do not depend on Nancy Grace to tell them right from wrong. They have the ability, but not always the desire, to dig deeper if they hear information they do not understand. They are satisfied thinking that no one they know could possibly have a mental illness.

The Sympathetic Friends & Family These well-meaning people do know about bipolar disorder. Even if they don’t really understand it, they are sympathetic that you honestly have times where you are too depressed to leave the house. If your name comes up at family gatherings, they will defend your honor and behavior because they love you unconditionally.

The Empaths My trusted mental health team are empathetic to the fact that I have a brain disease, not by choice, and must manage it every day to stay in the zone of stability. My first-line Empaths are my fellow bipolars. They will always be my first go-tos because they get it. My other team members are my brothers, my former husband, a childhood best friend, and my psychiatrist and therapist. The criteria is demanding. They have gone out of their way to educate and understand bipolar disorder. They’ve learned my triggers and distress signs–sometimes before I do. I can call them at 3:00 am and ask for help without fear of judgment. They’ve seen me both at the top of my career and at the lowest in Pajama Hilton stays. And, oh God, they love me so much that sometimes it hurts because it’s a love so precious to me.

Now, earlier I told you that I know the reason why people react the way they do when I tell them I have bipolar disorder, as opposed to when I tell them I have a blood disorder. I can tell you why in one word and it’s the sum total of why I tell my stories. Because someday I want this word to go away. To be in a place where if it’s spoken out loud that no one has any idea what it means. You will no longer be able to find it in Dictionary.com. Because it will have ceased to exist and will no longer have meaning. Poof. Gone. Disappeared. Everyone will be in the Age of Enlightenment.

This word is stigma.

Oh, and just so you know. I have the genetic blood disorder hemochromatosis. Google it. I believe you likely will still want to invite me to parties and not be afraid of how I’ll behave.

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New column.

On Wednesdays We Wear Ink: tl;dr Ignore This, Go And Read Bitch Planet

On Wednesdays We Wear Ink: tl;dr Ignore This, Go And Read Bitch Planet

October 8, 2015 | by Andy Waterfield ‘I believe the earth is a woman muzzled, beaten, tied to the cold slinging tracks, I believe the muzzled have every right to rip off the Bible Belt and take it to the patriarchy’s ass, I know these words are going to get me in trouble, It is never polite to throw back the tear gas.’ Etiquette Leash (excerpt) by Andrea Gibson (more…)

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World Mental Health Day, mate!

It's World Mental Health Day. Here's some advice: If you're supporting someone dealing with a mental health issue, ask them what they need. Mental illness isn't a monolith, and folk have different needs and preferences when they're struggling. If you want to hang out, be prepared to tweak plans. They might not feel up to a big night out, but a couple of pints and a chat might be alright. Sometimes even a quiet evening out is too much, so it might be time for takeaway/movies/games. Do your research. The mental health charity Mind has a ton of free resources for loved ones of those who struggle. Don't help too much. Don't make someone feel more useless than they already do. Look after yourself. It can be physically and mentally taxing caring for someone in crisis. You're no help to anyone burnt out, or pushing yourself to the point where your own mental health suffers. Last point: you're awesome. Just acknowledging our issues and wanting to help is a huge deal, in a culture that often treats mental illness as an exaggeration of everyday stresses.

#world mental health day #wmdh #depression #anxiety #mental health #need help bring pizza

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#x men #inhumans #mutants #marvel #Disney #corporate politics

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Skateboards are like dildoes. Riding shitty plastic is bad for your health. Wood for boards. Silicone for toys. Fuck plastic.

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I Still Believe in The Lost Boys