#school of affluence

[luxuryandlilacs]

The Power of Personal Branding: Mindful Communication

In a world where first impressions matter, personal branding is important for us elegant ladies to shape our identity and make a lasting impact. Creating a refined and elegant image is not about trying to be someone you're not, but rather, it's about authentically showcasing the best version of yourself. One way to to refine our image is to be mindful on how we communicate with others.

Communication is a cornerstone of personal branding. We want to create an eloquent and graceful way of expressing ourselves, both in spoken and written communication.

We should use proper language, be mindful of our tone, and be an active listener during conversations. Embrace the power of storytelling. Limit slang usage. Limit vulgar language.

We don’t have to be perfect, but we do want to leave a lasting, positive impression on anyone who has the pleasure interacting with us!

Here are some videos that may inspire you:

#femininity #high value woman #leveling up #elegance #hypergamy #affluence #luxury #goals #level up #divine feminine #glow up #glow up diaries #woman of elegance #anna bey #school of affluence #YouTube #level up journey #communication #networking #posh life #personal branding

[theresa-of-liechtenstein]

nothing like leaving your bubble and going to a place where the median household income exceeds that of your hometown on the order of thousands to make you realize that you. are very much out of place

#it was a young musicians orchestra performance on a college campus #my god was that campus beautiful. what the hell #i felt so out of place in it #give me back the don giovanni set arts building any day #but it was striking to me through that whole performance like #the affluence was so obvious it was almost uncomfortable #and i mean my thoughts prob aren’t the clearest bc 11pm but whatever #and i know it’s like come on em you picked the Historically Inaccessible Interest. you picked the Stereotypically Affluent Interest #like why should this be striking #and i know why. because i have always felt so keenly that there was a place for me in western classical music #because people who easily fit into that world welcomed me with open arms and gave me a space #but sitting there today made me think. we are not so very different. except i could never imagine this being my after school activity #(i’m not even counting my first group. it was never this well oiled and organized.) #anyway. yeah idk what i was going for here. i feel odd

[selarina]

This is Part 2 because you guys asked

This florist guy is a peculiar lanky character, who later revealed himself as Gojo Satoru, who is apparently the son of a rich guy, the grandson a rich guy. He descended from a whole lineage of rich men and women, and so, it seemed particularly odd that this scion of affluence was was cooped up in a barely running florist shop.

So, you didn’t end up texting the guy after he cheekily slipped his number on the card but you did get rather… intrigued?

There’s something so strange and unreal about him. Apart from the oddity, the lankiness, the outright boldness that could only be a result of a privileged upbringing, he’s also interested in you — and boldly so. It’s never truly happened to you before, even your current boyfriend took about 6 whole months of weighing out the pros and cons before asking you out. It feels nice, you do suppose.

You’re lounging on your bed, the red roses from the shop lying beside you on your bed table almost dead from the rejection of the apology you gave. And honestly, you thought not to put waste to such pretty flower. You intended to put it into a vase or an empty bottle but you never ended up doing it. It’s funny how you’ve managed to neglect them over the past few days. It seems like a cruelly fitting metaphor of your relationship.

you: remember that florist guy

yue: sighh

yue: yeah you haven’t shut up about him all week if you haven’t noticed

you: shut up i only mentioned him like twice

you: anyway

you: i’m pretty sure he told me he wished my boyfriend died

yue: WHAT

yue: he’s just like me fr <3

You sighed. He is just like her. She’s never liked your boyfriend and saw right through him to be the facade of a temporary high school relationship based on nothing but superficial optics that would hurt at least one of you on the way.

But now, at the very least, she felt safe knowing it won’t be you, regardless of how cruel and selfish that may be. She always prioritised only the people around her. It’s something you admire about her, you wish you could care about the people around you as much as she did.

You mulled over the prospect of texting the florist, Gojo Satoru. For starters, he’s clearly interested in you, and you’re clearly in an odd limbo of a relationship and the ethics of that are well… pretty grey. And also, he came off strong, bold and you’re just meh. The first taste of your bitter sweetness and he’ll run.

A week passes, the withering roses sit comfortably at the bottom of your trash bin, amid ruffled paper, tissues and other junk alike. You stil find yourself thinking about Gojo Satoru, pondering whether you should send him a message.

If he's going to run away, you reasoned, you don't see the harm. Well, you do see the harm for your current relationship but again, he's going to run. So, it doesn't truly matter. So, you text him.

---

A week elapsed, and you received no text back, it started to eat you alive just a bit. The single checkmark next to your message mocked you every time you opened the chat. Did he give you a dead phone number? Was he just being nice?

It's all too odd, and the memory of you meeting the guy starts to feel like something you made up. You try not to dwell on it much, focusing on school, chores, sports, friends. Yet, after exhausting these distractions, you found yourself lying in bed, bones growing drowsy, thinking and dreaming about the man.

So, several days later, you do something slightly insane. Some might argue it was the most sane course of action, namely... Yue. But who cares? You're the only one here to judge.

You really, truly do not have interest in him but you do find yourself slowly taking the long route back home, walking past the flower shop every chance you get this week. But you always made sure to maintain a distance, choosing to walk on the other side of road, because like you said before — you aren't interested, just curious really.

And it would truly insane if this meant anything because he's just some guy you met while buying roses for your boyfriend.

You start to notice the little things about the shop itself — how it seems perpetually quiet, how the flowers displayed outside changing is the only sign of it being active, and then you eventually manage to catch a glimpse of Satoru inside, tending to the blooms like he's a practiced still from a movie.

You started to wonder if he was purposefully ignoring you. His quaint and unpopular shop always seemed devoid of customers. What did he do with all his time? From all the times you have crossed past the shop, not a single one of these instances has had any customers in them.

And one day, you decide to finally go back into the shop. No excuses prepared, you decide to make it all up as you go.

"Thought you'd never come in," he greeted you with a grin, leaning casually against the counter as if posing for a photograph.

You turned to scan every corner of the shop, checking to see if anyone else was present, reluctant to divulge your teenage romantic conundrum to an audience.

But to your relief, the shop was empty, save for the two of you.

You turned back to Satoru, noticing how his signature black sunglasses lay perched on the bridge of his nose. That's another one of those unusual things you've noticed about him, how he's always wearing his glasses.

One day you got late at school, having stayed back to hang some posters, so when you walked back you noticed the man still donning his glasses, even though the night had already set itself in the sky. You didn't understand why he would wear them. Perhaps, he has an eye condition.

"So, you didn't reply to my text," you say, striving for a casual tone as you pocketed your hands and approached the counter. You try to ignore the implications of him knowing you were walking past here all week.

He doesn't say anything, tilting his head, before he startles you by taking off into the backroom.

You wait there, confused, staring at the silent flowers beside you, as you wait and you wait.

He reemerged with a bag, rummaging through it for something? His phone, maybe?

Yes, his phone. "Right! Sorry! Sorry, I had my phone off," he explained, his eyes focused on his loading phone.

"You have one... right here," you remarked, removing your hand from your pocket and pointing at another phone resting on the counter.

He chuckles, "Huh, yeah. I do have another phone, but that's more for business stuff. My personal phone is the one you texted," he clarified, nodding toward the device in his hands.

"I see," you replied plainly, slipping your hand back into your pocket.

"I'm sorry for not responding. How about I make it up to you over some Mochi?" he grins. "Today? Right now?"

"Whoa, hold on. I didn't agree to go on a date with you. Remember, I have a boyfriend," you reminded him.

"Right," he grits with restrained chuckle. "Well, I didn't ask you out on a date. Just Mochi."

You can't help but raise an eyebrow at his response, amused by his persistence.

"Just Mochi, huh? Are you always this forward with all your customers?" you tease, finding yourself intrigued by him and all his boldness and audacity.

"Well, you're not really a customer today. Unless, you want to buy me flowers before our date?" he grins, abandoning his apron, as he comes from behind the counter.

"Hey! I said this wasn't a date," you find yourself yelling back at him, leaving only a slew of chortles as a response from him.

#gojo satoru x reader #gojo x reader #gojo satoru fluff #jujutsu kaisen fluff #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jujutsu kaisen x you #gojo satoru x you #gojo satoru x y/n #jjk x reader #gojo satoru x gender neutral reader #jjk fluff #jjk x y/n #jjk x you #jjk x gender neutral reader #jjk x reader fluff #gojo satoru

[styleswithaseaview]

So happy to see another Harry Potter lover out there! 👓⚡️❤️ Whenever it’s convenient for you, what would you think of a Jily Lives AU fic where Harry introduces the reader to his parents and they approve of her? Good luck with everything else!

yay oh my goodness i'm so happy to get a request for him! i know i said i'd write for poly!marauders next but no one sent anything in so here this is. haven't written in forever so apologies for sloppiness | h.p. x fem!reader, 1.5k words

You’re trying to ignore the discomfort of apparating, but it’s a nearly impossible task as your body transports from one location to the next. Your being seems to push and pull simultaneously against itself, and it feels awful. 

You make it through, however, despite your mother’s persistent cries of worry that you’d arrive somewhere other than Godric’s Hollow, or, God forbid, splinch en route. Despite her concern, you arrive safely, landing on the well-kept grass outside the Potter residence. You unlock the gate just as Harry told you to and enter.

The house is beautiful. It’s modest, considering their affluence, but showcases their taste and money in the most elegant of ways; wisteria creeps up the half-timber walls, and delicately pruned flowerboxes decorate each window. It’s clearly well-loved, with warm lighting bleeding out from the inside, brooms placed haphazardly in the yard, and three pairs of muddy wellies near the front door. It’s the house of a true family. You can feel the love from the outside.

You take a deep breath and walk up to the door, adjusting your skirt and the wrapping of Harry’s birthday present, which sits in your arms alongside the bouquet of flowers you brought for his parents. Harry speaks nothing but praise of James and Lily, and you feel you need to impress them. You’ve been dating for enough months now that you both decided the time was right to meet his parents, and the perfect time arose when he suggested you stay with him for his birthday and onwards until you go back to school. 

The lion-shaped knocker daunts you, but you courageously lift your hand to rap it against the door. Inside, you hear a shuffle of feet and laughter before the door opens to reveal your boyfriend. 

He immediately grins and greets you with a tentative hug (given the gifts in your arms) and a kiss on the cheek. He then pulls back and says your name, all at once tender and absconding, hand still on your waist as he speaks. 

“You didn’t have to,” he says, looking into your eyes adoringly. “You really didn’t need to bring anything. You looking this stunning is a present in itself.”

“I wanted to, Harry,” you reassure him, cheeks rouging. You smile shyly and use your free hand to run through his soft, dark curls. “Hair’s gotten long.”

“Been meaning to have my mum cut it. Keeps getting in my eyes when I play quidditch,” he says, pushing it back himself. 

“I like it. I can show you how to pin it back, if you want, or lend you a headband in the meantime.” He nods back, a wide smile on his face. You feel slightly awkward, just looking at him, admiring him, but he’s told you before it’s in your rights as his girlfriend. He’s so pretty that you almost forget about the precarious presents nestled in your arms. 

“Let me take those, at least,” he says, gently grabbing the flowers and gift from you. You thank him quietly, slipping your shoes off and placing them next to his familiar Converse by the door. He walks into the living area, adjacent to the kitchen, and you trail behind. His parents are sitting on the couch with their backs facing you, and they stand when they hear you come in. 

Lily is gorgeous. Her vibrant red hair is shorter, now, but equally as lustrous as the photos of her in her youth - when Harry was just a baby - that he keeps on his nightstand. Her eyes are a radiant blue-green, and in person, they match Harry’s own even more than you thought. They hold the same kindness and complexity, and her smile lights them up with joy. James is similarly handsome, almost a perfect picture of Harry other than the eyes. His hair has small, barely visible streaks of silver, and his stubble showcases his maturity and elegance as he grows older. They’re both dressed casually, comfortably, and you feel slightly silly in your skirt and tights. Harry’s earlier comment reassures you, and you straighten up. 

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Potter,” you say as Harry puts your flowers on the dining room table. 

“Y/N brought flowers!” Harry says happily, returning to his spot by your side. 

“Isn’t that just the sweetest?” Lily says, grinning. “You can call us James and Lily, dear, no need for the formality,” she adds on. James nods in accord. 

Harry moves you by the small of your back towards the center of the living room, where his parents stand. 

“Mum, Dad, this is Y/N,” Harry introduces you, and Lily leans in to give you a hug. She smells wonderfully comforting, floral and sweet, and you happily reciprocate. 

“Believe us, we know,” James jokes under his breath, “Harry here never shuts up about you.” 

You blush, even though you know it’s true. Harry never shuts up about you when you’re sitting right in front of him, no matter how much you sheepishly push him away or reject his compliments. 

You make idle conversation, school and the summer, before Lily announces that dinner is ready. She’s made Harry’s favorite roast and copious dessert, treacle tart upon treacle tart. Harry’s face lights up when he sees it all laid out, and you have to admit that the smell has you practically drooling. 

During dinner, James and Lily ask little questions about your relationship. One would think they’d be interrogating you, prodding to discern whether you’re good enough for their son, but that seems to be the last thing on their minds; they’ve turned all their questioning onto Harry himself. 

“Did you at least get her flowers on your first date? You better have walked her back to her dormitory like a gentleman, Harry,” James admonishes. 

“He did, he did,” you assure. “He’s a complete gentleman. Spoils me, truly.” Harry smiles beside you, nudging your leg with his. 

“Good,” James replies, smiling at his son’s small displays of affection. 

The rest of the evening is spent with lively, happy conversation and bouts of laughter. His parents ask you about your studies, your hobbies, your background, but never prod. You feel perfectly comfortable and familiar; it’s like being around family, despite only meeting them today.

Harry is thrilled when you get to dessert, as always, but you’re slightly somber as the meal comes to a close. It’s Harry’s birthday, and you’re excited to give him his present, but you don’t want to leave Godric’s Hollow and return home. 

Once you finish your meal, you get up to do your dishes, but James and Lily quickly shoot you down and tell you to stay in the living room with Harry.

“You two lovebirds can have some alone time before we do presents, how about that?” Lily says sweetly, clearing the rest of the plates and disappearing to the kitchen. 

You sit on the couch with Harry, head nestled into his shoulder as he draws small circles into your hip. Somehow, he can sense your barely showing melancholy, and of course asks about it.

“What’s on your mind, hm?” He asks, running a finger softly across your cheek. The tenderness in his eyes wills you to tell the truth, even if it seems silly. 

“Just don’t want to go home. It’s so lovely here, and your parents are just the sweetest,” you say honestly.

“They really love you. I can tell,” he replies. “You don’t have to go, you know. They’d be happy for you to stay here. When I told them you were only here for the evening they said it was a bummer, actually.”

“Really?” you ask, smiling. “I suppose my mom wouldn’t mind. I don’t have any of my stuff, though.”

“We probably have whatever you need. Could borrow my clothes, and my mom keeps extra of pretty much everything,” Harry says, pressing a small kiss to your forehead. 

“Alright, I… I mean I would love to, if it’s not too much trouble. I can stay on the couch or in another room or something if your parents don’t want me sleeping with you.”

“They’d be fine, I’m sure,” he says, smiling at you fondly. He gives you a proper kiss, now, as you sit up closer to him. Just as you pull away his parents come back in, Lily holding a multitude of presents for Harry’s birthday. 

“Mum, Y/N is going to stay the night, if that’s alright?” Harry asks, and both his parents nod cheerily. 

“Oh, yes! I hope your room is in good shape, he’s not the neatest of boys as I’m sure you know,” Lily says, winking at you. 

“She can stay in my room, then?” 

“Of course. We’re not stupid, Harry, we were young and in love once too,” James says, sitting down in an armchair opposite you two. 

You smile happily to yourself. Nothing feels so perfect, you think, as you give Harry his presents and wind down for the night. Godric’s Hollow, well, the Potter’s, feels like home. 

#harry potter x reader #harry james potter x reader #harry potter fluff #harry james potter fluff #harry potter x you #harry james potter x you

[vladdyissues]

Soulmate AU Danny Phantom, and Vlad and Danny found out that they are soulmate for each other from the very-very first meeting, like they don't even know the character of another, all they got is sh*** of a big age gap, and as for Vlad also: you've been having a crush on your soulmate's mom for 20 years. Idk, it may be skin's glowing where soulmates are touching each other? How much in shock do halfas be? Which parent accept it first?

They were called soul sigils. Temporary signs that appeared on the skin of people whose lives were destined to entwine.

Sigils presented twice, sometimes three times, during a person’s life: at birth, indicating that their partner was already alive and waiting for them; at the first meeting; and at the final separation.

Vlad Masters was not born with a sigil. His left hand went unmarked through his childhood. He lied to his peers in high school, saying he’d already gotten his a long time ago. 

By the time he enrolled in his first semester at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he was beginning to worry. How much of his life was going to pass before his special someone was born?

At twenty-four, on the verge of completing his Master’s degree, he began to believe that perhaps he was destined to be alone. It wasn’t unheard of. Nearly twenty percent of the population never presented soul sigils. They were free to live however they pleased. It wouldn’t have been a bad fate, but Vlad yearned for partnership. His parents were dead, his family estranged. And Madeline, the girl he’d hoped would be The One, had her sigil appear when she met his best friend, Jack.

Vlad slept in the lab that night. He couldn’t bear to go back to his dorm room and listen to Jack’s lovesick exultations. 

Then the portal accident happened, and he stopped caring about sigils and love for the next few years. He was too busy recovering from the effects of radiation poisoning to concern himself with the silly banalities taking place outside his hospital ward.

Maybe he would die alone. That was always a possibility.

He didn’t. He was discharged in 1983 and walked out the hospital doors a new man.

Half of one, anyway.

By the late 1980s he was learning how to use his newfound powers, robbing his way toward a life of affluence. He began construction on his own portal, using the blueprints stolen from Jack—who, he discovered, had married Maddie while he was rotting in a hospital bed and had moved to a podunk town called Amity Park. They were expecting their first child, a girl. 

Vlad threw himself into his work and ignored the Fentons and their happy, growing family. His loneliness gnawed at him. 

Late one evening, just a few months before his thirty-first birthday, he pulled his work glove off his itching hand and blinked, staring.

His sigil. But he felt no joy. How could he? His soulmate was young enough to be his child. 

Within twenty-four hours the mark had faded, and Vlad pretended he’d never seen it. He had no interest in getting involved with someone so young.

Fourteen years later, the Fenton family climbed the front steps of Vlad’s home with their teenage son, Danny, who was absently scratching his hand.

Vlad felt the tingling. He didn’t have to look. The evidence was staring back at him: a pair of stunned blue eyes that flashed ecto-green.

#asks #danny phantom #vlad masters #danny fenton #pompous pep #soulmate au #soulmates #soulmarks #ficlet #hjbwrites #anon this just spewed out in 1 sitting thank you i didn't know i had it in me #it was fun :) #i'll probably rework this into something longer and post it on ao3

[villetteulogy]

‘[…] had I really loved, could I have sacrificed my feelings to vanity, to avarice? — or, what is more, could I have sacrificed hers? — But I have done it. To avoid a comparative poverty, which her affection and society would have deprived of all its horrors, I have, by raising myself to affluence, lost every thing that could make it a blessing.’ Sense and Sensibility, Chapter 9, Vol. III.

I can’t believe Jane Austen predicted snowbaird 210 years ago!!

‘[…] she loved him. She’d said so last night in the song. Even more, she trusted him. Although, if he ditched her in the woods to claw out an existence alone, no doubt she would consider that a breach of faith. He had to think of just the right way to break the news. But what would that be? “I love you deeply, but I love officers’ school more?” That wasn’t going to go over well. And he did love her! He did! It was just that, only a few hours into his new life in the wilderness, he knew he hated it.’ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 30

#yes ofc this is from willoughby’s confession #he really loved marianne and vice versa #but his sense of self preservation won in the end #he chose the cowardly way out and will spend the rest of his life suffering for it #snowbaird #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #tbosas #jane austen #sense and sensibility #thg #the hunger games #coriolanus x lucy gray #coriolanus snow #lucy gray baird #rereading sense and sensibility for the first time in a decade has been an experienceTM #i feel much more pity towards willoughly than i ever did at 15 #i also immediately saw the snowbaird parallels bc ofc

[fafnir19]

He who doesn’t love Naples, has yet to learn how to love life!

Giles and Antonio sat in their lavish apartment in Naples, the soft afternoon light filtering through the windows. Giles, a straight and striking blond man exuding an air of affluence, reclined on the plush couch,

while Antonio, an earnest brown-haired gay man, stood by the window.

"Did you see who I invited for dinner tonight, Antonio?" Giles asked, his voice tinged with excitement. Antonio turned to face him, feeling a pang of insecurity as he thought about Giles' sophisticated friends. "I bet they'll be as snobbish as always," he muttered under his breath. Giles didn't seem to notice Antonio's discomfort as he continued, "I believe this evening will be quite extraordinary with their esteemed company." Antonio forced a smile, trying to mask his uneasiness. Deep down, he yearned for Giles to see him as his boyfriend rather than just a friend from less affluent origins. As evening descended, the guests arrived, elegant and self-assured, adding to Antonio's discomfort.

Weeks later, Antonio, feeling dejected, made his way to a flea market, a place where he felt a sense of belonging. Here, he stumbled upon an ancient mirror, its frame intricately carved with unfathomable designs. He purchased the mirror and hung it in his room, unaware of its mystical capabilities. Days went by, and one evening, as Antonio gazed at his reflection, the mirror suddenly emitted an ethereal glow. Startled, Antonio watched in amazement as the mirror spoke, its voice resonating through the room. "I am a mirror that grants wishes," it declared in a gentle, yet mysterious tone. In a burst of emotion, Antonio blurted, "I wish for Giles to fall in love with me." The mirror shimmered, its luminosity fading. "I cannot change the heart of others, only you," it replied. "Then, make me the man of his dreams," Antonio pleaded. "Very well, but be warned," the mirror warned. "The change will take time."

Days passed, and Antonio noticed his once brown hair transitioning into a lustrous shade of blonde. He ran his hand through his hair in shock, "This can't be real." Giles, noticing the change, nodded approvingly. "Blonde suits you better, Antonio. Maybe I'm starting to prefer blondes after all."

Grinning, Antonio attributed the change to fate and the promise of Giles' favor. His physique then underwent a transformation, becoming more toned and athletic. Antonio flexed his newfound muscles, hoping Giles would take notice and appreciate the change. He admired his reflection, convinced that Giles would be delighted with his new appearance.

As the days went by, Antonio's features appeared younger, his skin smoother and more vibrant. He couldn't help but wonder if Giles preferred younger men.

Giles, on the other hand, seemed to be increasingly drawn to him, touching him more frequently and acting possessive. Giles returned home, and as he glanced at Antonio, a sly grin played on his lips. "Antonio, come here. I have something to show you," he said, his hand lingering on Antonio's shoulder. Antonio blinked in surprise at the sudden closeness of Giles, his heart racing with hope. "Yes, Giles? What is it?" he asked eagerly. "I've noticed your newfound physique. I think it's time you start training with me. Come on, I'll show you the ropes," Giles said, a dominant gleam in his eye. Antonio felt a rush of mingled excitement and confusion but followed Giles obediently.

Days turned to weeks, and strange thoughts began to invade Antonio's mind. Memories and desires that were not his own haunted him. Unfamiliar memories and urges flooded Antonio's mind, belonging to someone named Lawrence. These memories were foreign, yet compelling. Lawrence had been a carefree rich kid at an elite school, living off his parents' money, charming and fickle, never committing to anyone or anything.

In the midst of his turmoil and concerns, Antonio sought out the mirror once more, demanding answers. "What is happening to me?" he implored. The mirror shimmered softly, and an eerie hush filled the room before it spoke, "You are becoming the embodiment of Giles’ dreams, the personification of his ideal man." Realization dawned on Antonio's countenance. "But what does that mean? Who is his ideal man?" "His dream is to have a younger brother, one who shares his love for sports and the thrill of chasing women," the mirror revealed, its voice a haunting whisper. Consumed by frustration and despair, Antonio pleaded with the mirror to reverse the wish, but it steadfastly insisted that the wish had to be fulfilled before granting any other.

As Lawrence's memories and desires grew stronger, Antonio struggled against this invasive force with every fiber of his being. He felt like a mere passenger in his own body, helplessly watching as Lawrence took the reins, pulling him into a life he never sought.

"This can't be happening," Antonio groaned, grappling with the intrusion of Lawrence's thoughts. "I need to fight this. I am Antonio, not Lawrence." "You cannot fight what has already been set in motion," Lawrence's voice echoed within his mind, his velvety tone laced with arrogance. "Embrace it, Antonio. Embrace becoming his perfect brother." Struggling against the relentless tide of Lawrence's influence, Antonio found himself losing grip on his own existence. With each passing day, Lawrence's hold tightened, an unyielding force that threatened to consume Antonio whole. Inside the recesses of his mind, Antonio resisted, thrashing against the invasive presence that sought to overtake him. "Please, I beg you, stop this!" Antonio cried out within the confines of his own consciousness, the struggle wearing him down. "Do not resist," Lawrence's voice implored, persuasive and coaxing. "I'll restore order in your fractured mind. Let me guide you, for I am what Giles desires." The world around Antonio began to blur, his once familiar existence dwindling into a nebulous abyss as Lawrence's influence continued to burgeon. "I can't lose myself," Antonio gasped between labored breaths, his consciousness slipping further into obscurity. Lawrence's laughter echoed through Antonio's mind, a cruel and resounding symphony that seared through his dwindling sense of self.

One evening, Giles and Lawrence strolled home after a night of revelry, their laughter echoing through the nighttime streets of Naples.

Giles slung his arm around Lawrence's shoulder, exclaiming, "You were a hit with the ladies tonight, Lawrence! You truly are the life of the party." Deep within, Antonio cried out, pleading for his voice to be heard, but his words faded into silent despair. Every step Lawrence took felt like another piece of Antonio's identity slipping away, melding into the persona of the carefree, charming Lawrence. As they entered the apartment, a feeling of desolation washed over Antonio, harbouring a deep sense of powerlessness as Lawrence embraced Giles' idealized image of his younger brother. The following day brought undeniable changes in their dynamics. Giles and Lawrence delved deeper into their shared exploits, engaging in sports, relishing in the thrill of their conquests, and reveling in a life of extravagance.

During these activities, Antonio's consciousness flickered, but he remained buried beneath the overpowering presence of Lawrence. Distorted memories haunted him, fragments of a life once led, now seemingly erased from existence. One evening, Lawrence confronted the mirror, staring into its ancient depths with an unsettling resolve. "I wish for no one to remember Antonio. Let them only recall Lawrence, the vibrant and charismatic brother of Giles," he declared, a smug grin etched upon his features.

As Lawrence's wish echoed through the room, a profound silence enveloped the space, and Antonio's existence as he knew it began to fade, dissipating like shadows at daybreak. The mirror, cloaked in enigma, watched impassively, knowing that its plan  had come to fruition. Time passed, and with each passing day, Lawrence's presence in the world solidified, entwining with Giles' life as seamlessly as the thread weaves through fabric. Giles, once composed and refined, now embraced a carefree and indulgent existence. His affluence and sophistication gave way to a life of frivolity and pleasure, mirroring the essence of Lawrence's being. In the city of Naples, Lawrence and Giles became the embodiment of dandyism, their allure captivating those who crossed their path. As the days melted into a seemingly endless reel of revelry, the mirror observed silently, content in the knowledge that its design to turn the two men into dandies had come to fruition.

The once demure apartment transformed into a haven of opulence and indolence, steeped in a heady cocktail of decadence and mirth. In the heart of Naples, the whispers of Lawrence and Giles—charismatic, alluring, and carefree—became the melody that danced through the city's streets, an irresistible siren call to those who sought indulgence and amusement. And in the midst of it all, Antonio's essence, his very existence, melted into the tapestry of a world that remembered him no more, his being vanishing into the annals of time, leaving behind only the vivacious spirit of Lawrence, the charming brother of Giles.

#male tf #male transformation #personality change #musclegrowth #gay to straight #tf by object #magic mirror #dandy

[zergula]

Welcome To Sims3City!

They say if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere! Celebrities can be found wandering the shops and giving impromptu performances all over Sims3City. There's live show venues everywhere and it's easy to see why they say this city runs on dreams yet never sleeps!

I found this absolutely gorgeous map: Waterfall Beauty and just had to use it to make my own city world save! This map did come with lots already designated so I filled it up with the best townhouses, apartments, and city life buildings I could find or make to make my own version of a mashup of Starlight Shores and Bridgeport.

INTERESTING CHARACTERS

Every sim comes to Sims3City to make it big! With a performance venue on nearly every corner, you're sure to see:

The Warflowers - These twins started a band and pulled some of their reluctant friends into it. They know once they got here to The City, they would make it!

Chloe and Bob Katt - always on the hustle to make people believe in magic again!

The Myth family is here, of course, living in the spookiest house!

Mirage Sable always seems able to make everyone else's wishes come true, hoping one day her only one will, too!

Candice and Arthur finally made it to The City when Candice got her book deal. Arthur is hoping to make it into the celebrity chef business...with a little help from his friend and now roommate, Derek. This new relationship has a lot of challenges being thrown its way, but this couple is determined to make it here and everywhere!

The Vireowing Fairy Sisters not only have beautiful voices, they love to bestow inner and outer beauty on all of those around them. That's perfect in a city that values beauty!

As with anywhere, crime can be overwhelming in the city but H & H Private detective family, Harmony and Henry, are on the case!

Lots of sims from Starlight Shores and Bridgeport are here: The Drama On TV household, the Crash Pad household, the Atkins Household, the Elson Family, the Sagar Family, the Platt Family, the Hemlock, Schlick and Slayer families, the Belle family, the Art Central household, and the Whitfield family.

AROUND TOWN

38 Community lots

74 Residential lots

This city is ALIVE! Along with all EA rabbitholes, you will find:

CHIPS Casino - a big show venue where you can see the greatest performers and play all games

Across the street, you will find another live show venue - The Locker -

where you can see more live performances. After that, dance the night away at Bubbleworks -

and keep the party going with the late night crew over at The Afterlife Vampire Lounge!

Don't worry about ghosts, though. A recreation of the firestation from the movie, Ghostbusters, is right next door so we ain't afraid of no ghosts! Next to that firestation and hospital emergency center, you will find the Anachronistic Art Gallery and City Hall rabbithole, with some mysterious things to explore in the basement!

In the more affluent area of the city is where you will find the Affluence Golf Club rec park and Tee Off! Sports Bar and Grill -

and some sweet treats at The Big Cheese bakery and shops!

In the center of town, you will find lots of fun for the kids at The Wise Owl Library next to the Aquarium Science Center and the Bright Beginnings Daycare and School center -

Stop by and get some sweet treats at The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

and then get rid of all of that excess energy at the Big Rock Climbing Centre Gym or The Pac Man Public Pool next to the stadium rabbithole!

Don't forget to visit the Surf's Up Wave Garden at the beach right across the street or the seasonal festival grounds!

Downtown, you can get those extra strings at the DownTown Music Store, play some games at the Laserberry Arcade, and then head over to the Stardust Diner for some drinks and good times!

If you go at certain times of the day to catch a movie at Serena's Community Cinema, you might be able to see some of today's biggest stars working on set! You can pick up whatever you need at the big Sims 3 Market nearby and marvel at all of the old historical residential buildings before you head over to the Double Rainbow Disco Club for more dancing!

For those sims with a more exclusive taste, Club 112 in the historical section is the perfect lounge!

There's The Remaude Coffee Emporium Coffeehouse and Elixir Of Life Coffeehouse and shops for more live venues and fun in Sims3City!

After all of that excitement, the city folks like to visit the Stone Troll Mill Fishing Pond to unwind and maybe catch some dinner if they're lucky!

MORE INFO

This is a world save file. You will need to have the world installed in order to play the save file. In this download, you will find 3 save files and the world file:

Sims3CityCommunityLots - this version of the save is only the community lots

Sims3CityUnpopulated - this is the final version of the save without households

Sims3CityPopulated - this is the final version on the save with all households

I have all expansions, stuff packs, and store content so most of it is probably used in this save. If you do not have the item, the game should generate a similar item. The only expansion not used is PETS so I do not know how this save will run with pets, my apologies. THERE IS ZERO CUSTOM CONTENT IN THIS SAVE. All lots are set as regular lots (not apartments) so if you want to change them for roommates, etc feel free! I hope you enjoy this save as much as I am! Please tag me @zergula or #Sims3City if you share any photos, I would love to see them!

Please check out my other world saves here:

River Falls

Simarellen

Kaodina

Lunestia

Happy simming and green plumbobs for all <3

SIMSFILESHAREDOWNLOAD

#ts3cc #s3cc #the sims 3 #sims 3 world #sims 3 world save #world save file #sims3city

[septembriseur]

“Desmond himself describes a “bifurcated” country divided by ever more impenetrable barriers that keep the poor in their place: out of expensive neighborhoods, in low-wage jobs, at schools and day-care centers that children from wealthier families don’t attend. A society in which the poor and nonpoor so rarely brush shoulders is, as he’s shown, a society designed to allow the affluent to not see how they benefit from others’ hardships. (In cities like New York and Los Angeles, where homeless people are more visible, it’s also notable that many of the proposed solutions are to get the poor out of sight rather than to direct resources toward them.) …What is “maddening,” Desmond writes, is “how utterly easy it is to find enough money to defeat poverty by closing nonsensical tax loopholes,” or by doing 20 or 30 smaller things to curtail just some of the subsidies of affluence. Yet his book makes it all too clear why the loopholes don’t get closed. The real reason the well-off sustain the status quo isn’t that they believe the poor are shiftless. It’s because meaningful change would require giving up their own advantages—or, to put it bluntly, because “we like it,” as Desmond writes. This is, he notes, the “rudest explanation” for our current state of affairs. Getting affluent people to engage in rhetorical hand-wringing over inequality is easy enough. Persuading them to yield some of their entitlements is a lot harder.”

#convinced me to read this guy’s book

[1533-secrets-from-history]

10 most Influential women in the Ottoman Empire (plus five non- sultans)

I must say in advance, this is purely my opinion and it doesn't include legal power,but general influence. For example if one woman had more legal power but still was limited to some actions, that another woman could get away with, I will rank her higher. Let's start with non sultans.

Part I: Non-Sultans

Number 5: Çevri kalfa

Çevri kalfa was a woman of Georgian origin and previously loyal servant to Nakşidili Sultan (also Georgian). She became mistress head treasurer( Baş hazindar usta) after accession of Mahmud II, who she saved from executioners by throwing them hot coals and sneaking the prince out. After becoming Head treasurer, she attained so much wealth that she could afford expensive clothes not even sultans wore. A girls school, built in her name, is one of the first schools for girls and the biggest primary school in Istanbul. She remained in her office until her death and was Sultan's trusted and favoured advisor.

Number 4: Meleki Kalfa

Meleki kalfa was a servant of Kösem and Ibrahim, however following the deposition of the sultan, she secretly switched sides as an agent of Turhan. Meleki played an important role in Turhan's rebellion by giving her information about Kösem's plan to dethrone Mehmed. After Kösem's death and Turhan's accession, she became an important person in Valide Sultan's court, was freed and married to Şaban Khalife. The couple built a residence in Istanbul, where Meleki not only conditioned her line of information to Turhan, but also acted as a negotiator in the palace on behalf of people. The political influence of her and her husband grew so much and they were murdered in 1656 for abuse of power.

Number 3: Gulfem Hatun

I have spoken about her in my previous posts

Number 2: Mahidevran Hatun

I have thought a lot about where to put her. People would expect her to be Number 1,mostly because they are used to her being sultan. That is what I first thought,for other reasons,but here we are. She has several significant influences that not many other women had:

1. She was popular with janissaries and people

2. Had a spy network, allowing her to hear major events happening in the capital.

3. She had strong allies. Ibrahim Paşa supported her and Mustafa later in his life, Hatice and her husband were supporting her openly or indirectly.

4. She was a considerable rival to the first and one of the most powerful women in the ottoman empire.

5. She had powerful characteristics: Was an intelligent, educated woman. Could mask her resentment towards Hürrem and act calmly around him.

6. She was a trusted advisor to her son. Actually, she supported the idea of Mustafa revolting against Suleiman,but only after she received information about his imminent execution, through her spy network.

Number 1: Çanfeda Kalfa

Çanfeda was the woman of Circassian origin, who served as second in command of Nurbanu for 18 years and the ruler of harem for another 11, so we can say she was de-facto Valide sultan.

In her almost three decades of service, she acquired wealth, so great that it attracted negative attention of Janissaries and even the grand Vizier. Although she collected such affluence through her salary(that was extraordinarily high consisting of 200 akches a day, it was the average salary of an imperial princess) and bribery, she used it for selfless purposes. She built three mosques, fountains, hamams, two schools, irrigation systems and fixed the roads, costing her several million akches, still she remained as one of the wealthiest people in the empire. In 1595, when Safiye exiled her, she needed dozens of carriages to carry her holdings, which apparently did not consist of much of the furniture, because she bought it from Venice the next year. It's also considerable that as an exiled person, she had to give up some of her wealth to imperial treasury.

Apart from her vital involvements in harem management in which she dominated Safiye, she had considerable influence over state matters as well. Çanfeda used her connections to install her not so bright brothers as paşas and after the series of mistakes,they were imprisoned, Çanfeda not only defied Grand viziers orders and had them set free,but restored them to their offices as well. Her power, wealth and influence came to the attention of Janissaries, who demanded her dead, but she got away with this as well. Another indication of her power, was her attempt to free the second son of sultan Murad. Even though she was caught red handed, the power it would take to infiltrate the prison is still considerable.

P.S. I did not list Halime and Handan,because after becoming Valide Sultans and regents they reached a whole different level, leagues above almost every single woman in ottoman history, however their power and influence was immense even when they were Hatuns.

As there is only 10 images/Gif limit. I will speak about 10 most powerful women in second posts.

#history #historical drama #16th century #magnificent century #magnificent century kosem #mc: kosem #medieval women #ottoman empire #ottomanladies #historical events #canfeda hatun #gulfem hatun #mahidevran hatun #mahidevran sultan #ottoman sultanas #ottoman history #ottoman #women in politics #sultanate of women #women in history #historical figures #historical #historyedit

[saturnsoups]

he alone the honored one : gojo satoru

a vedic astrology perspective

keep in mind that every system of knowledge serves some purpose so lets be respectful towards different schools of astrology. keep in mind I'm using

Vedic depictions ( with Hindu deities of nakshatras (constellations) with Vimshottri planetary rulers for each )

Sidereal measurements for planetary placements in the sky

Whole house system

previous post on his sun sign

let's begin

To understand our sorcerer’s natal moon placement and immense significance of this placement one must understand what I intend to bring forth and what I consider these planetary placements to represent.

The moon

The moon in vedic astrology is the key significator of a person, his intimate sense of emotion, his visceral body and nervous system, his emotional self, his mother, early childhood, body, eyes and to certain extent his aura. Other than this, the moon rules over women, children, magic, witchcraft, the subconscious mind, emotional body, the masses, psychology and other things.

In today’s topic of concern, we are brought forth to Gojo Satoru, a very famous, fan favorite, sorcerer, arguably the strongest in his field. Canonically according to this birth date, he has a uttarapradrabada moon in pisces. While his moon is squaring his mercury and trining his mars, today we will look into his moon placement and it’s significance only.

Pisces moon

According to vedic astrology, pisces is the last of the 12 zodiac signs, the end of the zodiacal wheel and the sign of spiritual actualization. Co- ruled by Jupiter and ketu, the pisces sign is the sign of moksha and giving – being an ultimate sign of spiritual abundance so much so that it fills up the cup of others with it’s knowledge because of its naturally fulfilled and whole state. Jupiter here signifies the guru, the teacher who is the overflowing goblet of spiritual knowledge and wisdom that it bestows upon his shishyas or disciples. Guru is generous and benefic in nature, never the miser and always giving the best and bringing the best to its true disciples. The ways of the guru are moral, ethics and devotion to what it learns. One who embodies the guru is charitable so much so that it is default to its nature as the person is spiritually abundant and thus energetically seeks to give and do charity. Materialistically this also signifies that the person might be of affluence in whatever manner it manifests; be it emotionally charitable, kindness, rich or being a very knowledgeable person.

The co-ruler ketu is the descending node of the moon, the body of the dragon, the spiritual residual of the past life and the karma and knowledge of it. Ketu is detached, ashen, very very dry in nature, and while it can make a person very detached and turn them lack luster towards the worldly pleasures, it often happens because it has no more desires or desires that can be fulfilled. Monks. Ascetics, healers, hospice nurses, cremation grounds, spirituality, wills, litigations, ancestors, etc.

Personally speaking when ketu transited over my personal placements I had a very big change self image, and I let go of what used to identity my own person to myself as. The nodes are extremely karmic and one should actually look into them to understand themselves better.

Pisces is the end sign, the conclusion if you believe in the illusion or maya of a single end and beginning of things. Reverting back to the snake imagery, the never ending snake to be exact we must remember that the thing that looks like the end of everything, the conclusion ( pisces ) is also the beginning of it all. To see what the beginning brings, as in the zodiacal wheel Aries, you have to see what is being gestated in the pisces realm, in the realm of the past, last birth, ethers,  spirit.

This brings us back to the two things we know till now – moon in pisces

The native embodies abundance of spiritual essence, a self fulfilling, nurturing, innate knowledge that brews on in itself. It is essentially a nurturing energy because even if it is the end of the cycle, it recreates and continues the cycle.

As I said before moon signifies magic and sorcery is the study, the academia you may say of magic, Gojo being a teacher in magic to put it plainly is easily seen through this. It’s his calling, his choice and something he saw coming (  ketu giving that “ I gotta be this” vibe to it ). Sharing his knowledge, his abundance of cursed energy and his knowledge of harnessing it to his students serves him emotionally as well, is his way of catering to his own personal emotional needs too. Ketu does bring that self sacrificial “ one day they ( students ) will be stronger than me” and that one pep talk he had with megumi reminding him that one big fight between their ancestors who shared their respective techniques.

Venus exalts in pisces, so that sense of being gifted is always subconsciously present in natives. The blessing of this venus comes from surrender to the trials of the karma and the hard tests of guru.

All of this, albeit vague, I hope provided some clarity to his personal nature and emotional makeup as a person. Now coming to the main part that shows not only his technique but his path leading to it with some other references too.

Uttarabhadrapada moon

Uttara Bhadra (Pada 1)

Gojo Satoru has his moon in Pisces, exact degree unknown because of non availability of real birth time well because Gege lol. But either way moon is predominantly in the uttarabhadrapada nakshatra throughout that day.

Nakshatra ruler – Saturn

Nakshatra deity – ahirbudhyana

Symbol – the hind legs of a cot, signifies both birth and death.

The trip I went through researching this nakshatra damn truly Saturn nakshatra indeed. But the bountiful knowledge and complexity. For real the fandom needs to stop putting Satoru’s personality in a box ( lol)  because if this doesn’t prove it I am not aware what will make them understand.

Uttarabhadrapada is the second last nakshatra in the 27 nakshatra cycle, and the last Saturn nakshatra. Every Saturn nakshatra is considered blessed and benefic in vedic astrology because in these Saturn nakshatras the native reaps the spiritual fruits of the trials and lessons it went through in its previous nakshatra ( Jupiter nakshatras). Pushya , anuradha and uttarabhadrapada are the Saturn nakshatras and are considered auspicious and blessed. It is also seen that these nakshatras are often linked with goddesses and are actually feminine in nature, giving it nurturing, enterprising, fertility and healing abilities, albeit creating energy. This abundance of creating force, accompanied with the culmination of spiritual fruits through the cosmic cycle deposits in this final Saturn nakshatra giving immense spiritual prowess and vast expansive energetic capacities to old and nurture to its natives. This ability is also supported by the fact that this nakshatra is in Pisces which is ruled by Jupiter, therefore there is abundance of knowledge and natives if not born with material blessings often accumulate material and knowledge wealth through out there lives. As Claire Nakti said, natives already possess the said capacity to attract and uphold abundance, it is just the matter of finding the said treasure.

But to correlate this with Satoru’s technique, the picture is incomplete. Abundance this, blessing that, we have already established the fact that he is very very strong quite early in the story. His sun in Jyestha already signifies that and now does his moon, but where is that click to it? The massive plot twists, the climaxes, the ascension to divinity, where is it and why is it news when he was blessed with it already since birth? And coming to think of it, his technique is generational. Satoru is born into luck. Why is yours  truly dragging this post? Well because yours truly has something.

To understand the true essence of Uttarabhadrapada you have to know its previous counterpart – purvabhadrapada.

Purvabhadrapada is the last Jupiter nakshatra, the last and ultimate trial of the guru, the hardest of the test, the fire that will either purify you and get rid of your sins and pollution or become your pyre. With the promise of finding the ultimate treasure in this world, the biggest strength and the divine fruit of the this long spiritual cycle, people jump into this fire, your sanctify themselves, to become the hero, you become the self. But the fire never existed, it was never ignited. It was never something to step into. The fire is not for the native, the native is the fire. This test is the ultimate test, the Dark Night of the soul.

When confronted with ones own short comings, devils and monsters, it is up to the native what he’ll do, stand in it or escape it. This internal battle is something the native must go through to break and open up their own world, sacrifice their ego and let go of their self that they thought were them. This very close call either burns you or births you anew.

Satoru’s purvabhadrapada stage is visible in various ways, firstly him killing one who was embodying it -  Toji Fushiguro. It was conquering that ordeal did he unlock his complete technique. Toji’s lack of will to embody his own prowess because of trauma reflects the dark night of soul that gojo had to physically get over.

Geto was his most personal counterpart that went into this dark night of soul very consciously and overcame it actually- by accepting this stand and lack of chances of winning his cause. Though ending later, the deflection of geto is actually a slow death, preceded by the initial death of Gojo’s ego with his first murder of non sorcerers.

Geto’s version of dark night is completed when under Gojo’s conscious guidance (  true actualized self projecting) another student fights against Geto – Yuuta. And while Gojo was already the strongest after physically ending this first dark night with Toji, this process births another powerhouse in the Jujutsu world – Yuuta Okkotsu who is a Purvabhadrapada Sun himself ( his introduction is his back story while Gojo’s was his strength ).

Through these emerges the strongest – uttarabhadrapada, the one with self restraint from his previous trials, innate ability to harness and channel the immense spiritual energy that one gets as the final fruits of this long trial.

Ahirbudhyana

The deity of this nakshatra is Ahirbudhyana, which has both connections to Shiva and Vishnu. Meaning the serpent of the deep it refers to the snake that is coiled in the depths of the earth and is a great devotee of Vishnu, the hindu god that to put it very simply because I don’t have words enough to describe him at all, the one supreme that nurtures this world. Ahir, therefore it refers to the thousand headed snake upon whom the deity rests with no stress. Ahir budhayna is  also the name of an avatara of Ruddra who is a great devotee of Vishnu and simply put signifies divinity in an immensely devotional form. Ahir budhayana therefore through symbolism itself represents the vast ocean of consciousness held by Vishnu himself that connects him through heaven and the mortal realms, as he alone nurtures life between the realms of Bhramha ( heaven ) and Shiva ( pretloka or realm of the spirits ).

Ahirbudhyana, through its manifestation represents the Limitless, expansive divinity, as expansive as the eternal etheric ocean from which is it said to have originated. Being a snake, its actions and true nature is said to be mysterious in nature. No one knows who an uttarabhadrapada native truly is.

Awakening and the Eye correlation

Ahir budhayan is therefore also sheeshnaga, the God of nagas also bring correlations to the kundalini which are the 7 energy chakras present within our bodies. The kundalini actuvation process is one the rarest spiritual instances, often either accidentally activated or through intense sadhana. The Kundalini activation is the activation of the pineal gland, physically coinciding with the etheric Third Eye chakra, the all seeing eye that leads to actualization. One with an activated 3rd eye is very spiritually aware, can see the unseen and is an enlightened person. Rings a bell?

It takes 1000s of incarnations and immense hardships for a soul to physically harness the kundalini, become a direct conduit of high vibrational perhaps higher dimensional energies so much so that they are spiritually less human more divine.

Said physical awakening of the Eye lets Gojo become an active conduit of limitless divine energy, making him almost always borderline between life and death, given also that Ahirbudhyana does traverse through the realms, with his tail in the nethers and head with the gods.

It is Saturn’s prowess of Piscean lordship of Jupiter, Gojo is an adept master of control over this knowledge that is born with -  this limitless that is constantly generates himself through his chakras, Eyes. Coupled with the fact that sheesh nag does actually is said to hold the world it’s head, Gojo is actually the one that is upholding the Jujutsu world. But again due to his jupiterian nature he still  hasn’t usurped the elders and taken control. But how long is the question.

Through all that use of my limited brain juice and it’s 1 am where I live, I think we can say Gojo Satoru really, even though I truly stand by the fact that he does not have a god complex but is regal like that truly

Through heaven and earth is the honored one

But though all of his trials and tribulations,

Bye for today muah.

#astrology #gojo satoru #jjk #vedic astrology #astro observations #vedic astro notes #vedic astro observations #geto suguru #gojo #astro notes #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu gojo #toji fushiguro #jjk gojo #pisces #jupiter #saturn #gojo x reader #stsg #kfc breakup

[porterdavis]

Poverty is a policy choice

The Atlantic has an unflinching look at how the US is such a bad actor when it comes to poverty, especially child poverty, compared to the rest of the developed world. President Biden's Extended Child Tax Credit passed in his first year in office lifted 40% of the families living in poverty out of poverty, a stunning result achieved at a relatively small cost. The Republicans killed it.

There are tremendous knock-on benefits to lifting people out of poverty - healthcare costs go down, crime goes down, tax bases are widened, welfare rolls are reduced, productivity goes up. All these are well known. So why does America fall so short? Here are a few points from the article to consider:

Housing is typically the largest expense for a household. “Municipal zoning ordinances, enacted through referenda pushed by citizens’ groups and homeowners’ associations, and which prohibit the construction of multifamily apartment complexes in upscale neighborhoods, is a case in point. These benign-sounding rules foster segregation, effectively preventing the poor ... from moving in. Such policies are one of the few issues that Americans in red and blue states seem to agree on."

So yes, the NIMBY effect of the 'rich' forces the poor to live out of sight, unable to benefit from the schools, parks, and appreciation in property values enjoyed by the wealthy.

The financial structure favours the wealthy in a variety of ways. "When the wealthy patronize shops and restaurants that offer low prices and fast service, their satisfaction comes at the expense of cashiers and dishwashers paid poverty wages. When we open free checking accounts that require maintaining a minimum balance, we benefit from the fact that banks can collect billions of dollars in overdraft fees from poor customers who struggle to meet these requirements—and who often end up gouged by check-cashing outlets and payday lenders."

The notion that the government subsidizes the poor while taxing the rich does not take into consideration the massive tax benefits homeowners have with the mortgage interest deduction and state and local tax write-offs. Indeed, "the average household in the top 20 percent income bracket receives $35,363 in annual tax breaks and other government benefits—40 percent more than the average household in the bottom 20 percent."

"What is “maddening,” Desmond writes, is “how utterly easy it is to find enough money to defeat poverty by closing nonsensical tax loopholes,” or by doing 20 or 30 smaller things to curtail just some of the subsidies of affluence."

His bleak conclusion:

"Getting affluent people to engage in rhetorical hand-wringing over inequality is easy enough. Persuading them to yield some of their entitlements is a lot harder."

#poverty is a policy choice #the atlantic #nimby

[ae-neon]

The House of Mirrors

Chapter 10

The Rainbow Gala was divided into two, the first portion consisted of opening speeches, initial presentations – including the debut of student artwork selected specifically for the night – and a serving of appetizers. 

During the intermission preceding the second half, which consisted mostly of bootlicking and ass-kissing the city’s benevolent benefactors; Nesta followed along as Feyre descended to the second floor to survey the pieces that would be auctioned off before the main course was served. 

All around them people chattered, champagne glasses in hand, either too used to fine art to care, or too obviously intent on proving they could identify the style, artist and intent of every piece they came across. 

Nesta paused as Feyre did, in a quieter corner, before a glass display table. The artwork inside too precious to be exposed to the elements but still not protected from the reach of affluence. 

“Did you know? Before the war, Ressina had woven about two dozen tapestries - about only half of which survived - but after the war, after losing her husband, she only ever wove one. The chemicals used to create it eventually blinded her but she insisted she didn't regret it.” Feyre paused before a tapestry woven with thread so dark, Nesta felt like she could reach into it.

It’s plaque read: Void. 

The corner of Feyre's mouth lifted in a cynical smile, "Is it bad I can't imagine loving someone that much? Like, does that mean I'll never make anything this impactful?"

Nesta lifted her grey eyes to the cloth. Black. A consumption. An inescapable pull. The colour of death. And after tonight, no longer something that marked her.

She wasn’t what made her speak but she couldn't seem to hold back any longer, “You don't have to. You don't have to live or die for anyone. And…you don't have to get married.” 

Feyre turned to her, tall and beautiful, dressed in a suit painted with her own design, blue eyes searching, “...what?”

“You have a future, Fey, and so much talent. You don't have to go through with any of this.” it felt like the words were clogging her throat, "You should leave, spend a year in some commune on the Continent, travel, paint, whatever you it is you want."

Feyre stepped closer, already a little taller despite Nesta’s impressive height, blue eyes meeting grey, “You know how much this means to Mom.”

How much had she already done for her mother’s sake? How much more would it take? Only to be undone by a surprise visit and a fucking scarf. Nesta wanted to scream but she was frozen, trapped in a shell built to withstand. Her fingers twitched. But her silence only seemed to agitate her sister.

“You were the one who convinced me to try.” Feyre’s brows bunched and the muscle in her jaw flexed, “And Papa? What about his business? You know he’s been killing himself to keep it running when it was supposed to-” 

They both flinched at the attention they drew but Feyre only lowered her voice, slipped into Scythian, “Is that why you left? Dropped out of school and ran off? You abandoned Papa even when he left his dreams to you. And El? You broke her heart.”

"So it wasn't enough to live for Mama? I have to live for everyone else too? I did my best with the business but it was never my dream." A dull ache began at Nesta's temples, "Don't make the same mistakes as me…even if you stay, don't live your life for them, they'll never know what you've been through."

Feyre sighed, a flicker of regret passing her face, “Look, I knew how bad you had it with Mama. But it wasn’t easy for us either. We were terrified for you. And after...I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t know what to think. That you hadn’t done it and you’d be next...or that you had, and you were gonna be locked up.

So when all this started, when you came back, I thought that meant this was important. So I broke up with Isaac - and yea, maybe I wasn't the friendliest but now, when I finally feel like I’m getting somewhere? Now you’re telling me to abandon everything?” 

“You’re right. It isn’t fair of me to say this when I was the one who-” Nesta exhaled, remembering that night after the first dinner, the way Feyre had cried in her arms, “But it was a mistake, I just wanted Mama off my back, I didn’t realise...”

“Is that what this is about? He goes over your head, ruins your chance at getting back into Mom’s good books, and that’s it? I need to throw it all away?"

“You don’t owe her anything-”

“If this is about Mom – you should know how she is. It's not easy for her to talk about these things but it’s not like she wasn’t worried about you. We were all worried about you… Why didn’t you just come home?”

Because I deserved it. Deserved everything that had happened and worse. The words came from some deep well within but couldn't make it past the lump in her throat.

Again agitated by her silence, Feyre swore under her breath and reached for Nesta’s hand, squeezing it in a familiar gesture the two had passed back and forth all their lives,

“I get it. You’re worried, it’s probably terrifying, thinking something might happen to me, but I’m not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself. Mom too. So if you can’t...if you need to take a break... that’s okay. 

But that day he came over? When I finally got to speak to Rhys without everyone watching and waiting, like we were animals in a zoo…it was the first time I felt like any of this was actually about me and not just about what everyone else wanted.” 

Nesta felt more than saw Feyre brush past her. Frustration, guilt and fear welled in her, burning her throat and stinging her eyes. 

Because I deserved it.

The words rang in her head, reverberated off her bones, made the floor tilt. 

Tonight, she closed the chapter on Tomas, a chapter than had begun almost a decade ago when she had stolen Clare’s future. But the end of one thing meant the beginning of another, and this time it was something she had no control over. 

She turned and headed for the door. 

~

They had been distant throughout the event. Though, Rhys thought, distant implied they had been close prior. He remembered her in her blue dress, sunglasses perched on her head, rolling her eyes but not fighting the smile that tugged at her lips. Brunch and cheesecake. 

Tonight, Nesta had opted to sit furthest from him at the half circle table they'd been assigned and faced the stage instead of monitoring his conversations with Feyre. 

He didn’t assume it was because of him and the loss of what alliance they might have had - for the little time he had known her, she'd always been half in and out of some haze of memories - but it was difficult to ignore, either way. 

At some point she’d even paused to stare at a statue of a pregnant Bharati goddess for almost 10 minutes. Until a mousy man in a tweed suit had come up and offered his condolences, a cushioning before he remarked that he had first heard of her from a professor at the Calla Velaria School of Law and that it was a shame she had not continued her studies. 

She’d smiled, too sharp, then asked the man if he were enquiring about the legality of paying his mistress to abort their child, and that if he were, he should look elsewhere as - as he had pointed out - she had not finished her degree and was not licensed to advise him, or required to keep his confidentiality.

At that glimpse of the predator, he’d almost let himself hope she might still become an ally. Had almost regretted his urgency in bringing Feyre into the sphere of his influence.  

But then Nesta had wandered off with Feyre, who had returned to the table alone and said nothing as she slid into the chair next to him, still a little stiff but far less standoffish since his visit. 

Eventually, the guests were herded to their places as the second half of the night began. And Mor, as quick to seize an opportunity as he was, took Nesta's seat to chat with Elain, leaving the seat next to Rhys open.

But Nesta never returned. 

Elain, frowning with worry, relaxed a little after her phone buzzed and she answered, ducked down and quiet to avoid attention. She leaned over and had a small exchange with Feyre, her whispered Scythian too quick for Rhys to pick up even as he eavesdropped. 

"Has something happened?" Mor asked. 

"I think she might have been sick," Elain frowned again, almost childish in her expressions, though it was surprisingly endearing, "Or bumped into someone she knows, it seemed like there was someone with her but I'm not sure, she was…"

"Will you be needing a ride home?" Rhys asked, somehow certain Nesta had been the one to drive them there. 

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that, I can have Greysen pick us-"

"Nonsense, it's still so early." Mor interjected, "You should come over. I've been dying to meet you but they've been so stiff with all this tradition stuff. We have wine, I can ask Cassian to cook and we can pick up something sweet from Rita's - it's Thursday so they'll have some fresh cake and fruit pie."

He played his part, as Mor played hers, "Mor…" 

But it was Feyre, not Elain - the victim of the web they had been spinning - that spoke. "Sure, it's not like we won't be seeing each other more often, and you're right, all this tradition stuff is so stiff." 

She turned slightly, her blue eyes meeting his, "If it's not a bother…" 

Rhys met her gaze with a blooming interest and an edge of self satisfaction, "Of course not… if that's okay with your sister."

Elain blinked in surprise, blush creeping onto her face, seeming torn for a moment until Feyre reached out to squeeze her hand, "I still think I should go home and at least change into something a little more comfortable first."

"No? That dress is stunning. But, if it's really bothering you, I'm sure you'd fit into something of mine and oh, my god, I have this cute little dress, I never wear it, but it would look perfect on you." Mor took Elain's other hand as Rhys relaxed in his chair, draping his arm over the back of Feyre’s.

#the house of mirrors #nesta archeron #rhysta #my writing #acotar fic

[jacquesthepigeon]

I love Alya and Alya-salt fics are slightly below covid on my list of enjoyable things, but I gotta push back a little on working class.

None of the Miraclass are very 'working class' with the possible exception of maybe Mylène?

Alya's mom is head chef at one of the most prestigious hotels in Paris. Her dad runs the Paris Zoo. She's not neuvo riché, but they're doing quite alright.

I mean this school has like 2-3 dozen students total. Mayor's daughter, Gabriel Agreste's son. Jagged's daughter.ax's mom is on the astronaut track. Lila's mom's an ambassador(well one of them) this is some well-heeled private school.

None of us public school kids allowed.

What I’ve gathered is that they all live in the expensive part of Paris and that’s why they’re all together so some affluence is to be expected from each

#generalluxun #ask

[boxboxlewis]

👀👀👀 ooh would you share a snippet from sir geroge (sic) 2 or d-school? 💗💗💗🥰👀🤗

sarah my beloved! currently i am in a hate-it think-it's-terrible phase with sir geroge sic, but have some d-school:

Max doesn’t want anyone to know he watches Daniel’s videos. Even though the content is all public, it feels personal, too private. A couple of weeks ago there was an uncomfortable moment when he hit play and Daniel’s voice started blaring from the phone’s speakers, and Brad asked what he was watching, all friendly and interested. Max had to pretend it was an advert.

But he’s checked the Bluetooth connection between his phone and his headphones, this time. No one in the Red Bull motorhome is going to overhear. He lets the video roll.

There’s a little wobbly moment as it starts, Daniel setting up the phone he’s using to film himself, grinning apologetically at the camera as he balances it on—whatever piece of furniture he’s balancing it on. It looks like he’s in his bedroom, probably, the corner of a rumpled unmade bed in the background, sun sliding over it in inviting tines. Max loves that even though Daniel is so successful and could afford a whole professional studio and camera crew he still DIYs it. He’s still real.“What’s up, guys!” Daniel says. “Today’s video is all about finding the grind, that’s hashtag finding the grind—we’re going to talk about bringing a victory mindset to you. Yeah? You’re the big dog, you’re the boss. Victory wants what you have. Let affluence and success come to you, okay, you don’t have to go to it. Don’t go double-texting the doors of opportunity.” Daniel is so smart, and his teeth in his blinding white smile are so handsome. Max settles in to listen.

#scuzzy grindset influencer daniel #and the driver max who loves him #wips #maxiel #mv33 #dr3 #my fic

[witchsickness]

it’s billy’s fault, the way everything always is.

on friday morning, when the pen’s been tucked furtively into one of the spaces of his messenger bag for three whole days, neil clears his throat on the other side of the breakfast table. a subtle reminder of his presence, in case billy forgets himself long enough to build up an appetite. he’s buttering a slice of charcoaled toast. part of billy remembers what hunger feels like, but it’s nothing more than an afterthought.

‘guess you won’t be needing any lunch money today,’ neil says around a mouthful. spit-soaked crumbs rain down on the table. sue’s already gone. good thing billy knows where the cleaning supplies are stored.

‘it’s fine,’ he mutters, hoping it’s as close to the right answer as he’ll ever get, ‘i’ll just make a sandwich.’

neil passes a napkin over his mouth, leaves it crumpled next to the plate. he’s got that friday-morning glow around him, that means two days with nowhere for him to be. nowhere for billy, either. ‘i don’t think so. i don’t see why you should waste my hard-earned money when you could buy something from school.’

it’s a trap if billy’s ever seen one. he’s seventeen and seven months. doomed to walk right into it. ‘i don’t—i don’t have any money, dad.’

neil hums in commiseration, getting up. the bag is laying slumped against the leg of the table. a tilt of neil’s head, the upturned corner of his mouth. that’s all the warning billy gets. neil snatches the bag and pulls the pen out with a familiarity that turns billy’s stomach. he knows his way around. billy—feels sick.

neil hums, nail running over the grooves of steve harrington’s initials, engraved on one side of the pen. carved on the bark of billy’s stupid heart, too, framed by a caricatured, arrow-pierced one. like one of those cartoon animals that keeps falling off cliffs but somehow always survives, ends up taking the same wrong turns over and over.

it’s dumb. kids shows never end in bloodshed.

‘funny,’ neil says, pen turning in his fingers, ‘you’d think you could afford a piece of cafeteria pizza. since you’ve saved up enough for fancy pens, and all.’ he takes a step closer. there’s still a few wayward crumbs clinging to his mustache. billy focuses on that. counts them, again and again. ‘or you could just steal it.’

billy looks into his father’s eyes. ‘someone dropped it at school,’ he says, voice steadier than the ground under his feet, ‘sir. didn’t get the chance to return it.’

neil nods, lips pursed like contemplating the slight chance of honesty. ‘you haven’t seen him—’ he coos, last word spat out, assumed. excruciatingly right. ‘—for three days. no shared classes?’

‘slipped my mind.’

somewhere inside the house, a door opens. max is finally out of the shower. neil huffs, takes a step back. places the pen carefully on the table with a notion of fragility he’s never accorded his son.

‘one day you’ll thank me,’ he says, darkly. ‘you’ll leave this house prepared for real life one way or another. all i’m trying to do is show you there’s a certain place in the world for everyone, son. does you no good going after what you can never have.’

it’s misplaced, in the sense that they’re talking about different things. billy couldn’t care less about the upper-class affluence the pen represents in neil’s eyes. it’s not billy’s fault his father didn’t make it. that’s one thing he can’t be blamed for.

the pen catches the light, S.H. glinting gold, mocking him. neil’s right about one thing, at least. the pads of billy’s fingers are still tingling from yesterday’s practice, harrington passing him a jersey. nothing but pain will come out of this.

good thing billy’s had a lifetime to get used to it.

#billy hargrove #harringrove #implied? doesn’t stay that way in pt2 <3 might post that too? maybe? #idk just super intrigued by the idea of neil being one of those resentful little men who think they’re owed more than what they have #scornful towards wealth but obsequious when faced with it. trying to instill that us-and-them attitude into billy too #my stuff