The Melody

queer covers everyone who is noncis or nonstraight

it covers the identities you want to erase or disallow from the community

it doesn’t immediately tell you private information about someone’s sexuality or gender that you aren’t entitled to

and the person in question may not even know themselves, but queer is what they know they can always use if they’re not sure except they know theyre definitely not cis/straight

(character thing)

“Keep him out of the way. Just make him peel potatoes or somethin until we can off load him,” the caravan master grunts at Taako and Lup, shoving a scrawny, scraped-up human boy at them before walking away.  They stare at the child blankly, and he stares back uncertainly.  Sure, they look like adults, but they’re not cut out for fucking parenting.  

“Can they talk at that age?” Taako asks Lup, not entirely joking.

“Um,” says the boy.  “Yes!  I can talk!”

“Cool, cool,” Lup says.  “That’s something at least.”  She tosses a potato and a peeler in the kid’s direction.  He fumbles both of them, dropping them in the dirt only to quickly pick them up and rub them clean with a shirt that looks barely cleaner than the ground.  “So, what’s your story?”

“Um,” the boy repeats, awkwardly trying to think and put peeler to root vegetable all at the same time.

“Don’t strain yourself,” Taako comments dryly.  The kid sticks his tongue out the side of his mouth and slides the peeler unevenly across the potato, one flake of potato skin falling to the ground.

“My mom and dad died,” the kid says matter-of-factly, slowly trying to get the hang of peeling.  “And the Sisters couldn’t keep me any more ‘cause there weren’t food for the little kids if I stayed.  They said I could work for the caravan, but I guess they’re getting rid of me too.”

“Mmm,” Lup hums, not quite looking at the kid as she cleans the meat for the stew.  “Sounds rough.”

The kid shrugs.  “It’s okay.  I’m kind of used to it by now.”

“What’s your handle?” Taako asks, purely out of boredom, definitely not slicing the onions with more vigor than strictly necessary.  The kid looks confused, so Taako sighs deeply and repeats the question.  “What’s your name?”

“Magnus,” the kid said.  “Magnus Burnsides.”

Balance

Commitment

Dust

Elementary

Guys, this is really important. Until now, Google collected your data, but did not attach your name to it. Now, they can, and will. This new thing they’re doing will allow them to collect your data across searches, your email, Youtube, Maps, Google+, and all their affiliates, and build a complete profile of YOU.

If that doesn’t bother you, maybe this will: they own and can sell all that data, including anything you create and send (artists and writers, take note).

There is a way you can opt out of this ridiculousness. It’s described in the link, but if you’re still not sure about it, please ask me and I’ll guide you through how to turn all this off.

For everyone who uses Discord : Please upvote on this. Discord is not accessible for many people with vision impairment, and it is something which should have been addressed a long time ago (other servers, like Skype, are accessible. It really would not be very hard for Discord to do the same, even though some ignorant people in the comments section of this post say otherwise). 

I know. Let’s not dwell on it, and instead hope everyone has a lovely and warm Christmas, especially those people. Happy holidays everybody, may you all have a beautiful day!

…

On a side note, here’s a Bellamort story to ruin everything if you feel so inclined.

Posted December 19th, 00:45 PST

If you are currently unfamiliar with the unexpected net neutrality battle, please refer to this post.

As a short summary, Bell Media, backed by Cineplex and Rogers Media, is attempting to take control of net neutrality in Canada by going directly to the CRTC (who regulates most Canadian media related leglislation).

This allows them to skip the regular court process that would normally open them to public disapproval and is a dangerous and underhanded move for all Canadians.

This guide will show you how to directly comment to the CRTC on the proposal put forward by Bell step by step. The comment process should take less than ten minutes and could make a huge difference on tomorrow’s outcome.

The following is for Canadian citizens or permanent residents only. If you are neither please follow the above link where you can still make your voice heard by signing the active petition. Please also continue to circulate information including this post and the post linked above.

You can continue to do this until the hearing period is over, but comments submitted in the next few hours will also hold a lot of weight.

First open a new browser tab to this page: https://services.crtc.gc.ca/pub/CommentForm/Default-Defaut.aspx?lang=e&EN=2017-429&ET=N&S=O&PA=B&PT=A&PST=A&FN=

You will see a feedback form. Select all three applicants listed (Bell Media, Corus Entertainment, and Rogers Media).

Next, select your intervention type as opposition. You will also submit your comment here. If you don’t know what to write or don’t feel comfortable writing from scratch, you can use the following skeleton:

“My name is [LEGAL NAME], and I am writing my intervention in opposition to this application.

The application will set a standard for media moderation without input from the majority of Canadian consumers. As a Canadian citizen, I do not believe this is in line with our right to freedom of speech and furthermore does not accurately represent the majority of consumers desires.

As a consumer I ask for this application to be denied, as it stands in opposition to the beliefs of the CRTC as well as the values we as a people hold for our freedom of information and speech.”

I recommend changing the wording slightly if you are able. However even just a direct paste if you agree with the message still is a good contribution.

This next part is optional, but I would recommend selecting “I do not wish to appear” unless you are completely confident should you actually be asked to defend your message in person.

Unless for some reason you actually are a respondent or a designated representative (if you are one you’ll know, don’t worry), skip these two. Agree to the confirmation of service, you won’t be asked to provide evidence or proof as you are responding as a consumer not as a legal or commercial representative.

Finally, before completing make sure all necessary sections are properly filled out. Use your legal name and most professional email.